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      1  2022    2  290,9  ,   18%     2021    36,6%       .
Montana is taking another look at the hazardous waste permit issued to Exxon refinery east of Billings.

The Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday it would take public comment before reissuing Exxons hazardous materials permit. The permit is up for review every 10 years.

The 700-acre Exxon property includes a hazardous materials land farm where petroleum wastes are blended into tilled soil and allowed to break down over time.

Exxon also has an area where contaminated groundwater is being captured for cleanup, and two other areas where hazardous materials are washed from vehicles, or where barrels of hazardous materials are stored.

The draft hazardous waste permit, a draft environmental assessment, and a fact sheet are available for review at the DEQ Billings office at 1371 Rimtop Drive in Billings, and the DEQ Metcalf Building at 1520 E. Sixth Ave. in Helena. The documents are also available on DEQs website at deq.mt.gov/Public/publiccomment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday evening and is scheduled to meet Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on bilateral issues before the Sunday inauguration of ministerial deliberations of a peace meet on Afghanistan, an official said. Ghani also arrived in the holy city in Punjab later in the evening for participation in the international endeavour for peace and stability in war-ravaged Afghanistan. Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz also reached Amritsar on Saturday evening. Modi and Ghani will on Sunday jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which will see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries, a Ministry of External Affairs official told IANS. Modi and Ghani will hold bilateral talks before the joint inauguration. The Prime Minister was received on his arrival in the holy city by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State V.K. Singh. Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference later paid obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple. "This evening, I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said earlier in a tweet. In a last minute change in schedule, Pakistan's Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar on Saturday evening. An official in Islamabad earlier attributed the change in his travel schedule to "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday". The Pakistan top diplomat was originally scheduled to arrive here on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day. Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely. The Heart of Asia conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the event's sidelines. Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty. Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan. India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time. Modi and Ghani also attended the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Badal for visiting dignitaries at the state government's ambitious heritage village project 'Sadda Pind', or our village, on the outskirts of the holy city. Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, while the host country is the co-chair. India says a basket of six confidence-building measures would be discussed during the conference. With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India at the ministerial conference. (Vishal Gulati is covering Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) --IANS vg/tsb/bg ( 589 Words) 2016-12-03-20:28:13 (IANS)
"I think she is against the procedure (of implementation), but in her heart, I believe she probably agrees that it is a good (move)," Ramdev said here on Saturday.

"I praise her because she lives a life of austerity. She wears hawai chappals and leads a simple life in a cottage," Ramdev said at the INFOCOM seminar here.

He said demonetisation has made honest people happy.

"I agree this is creating inconvenience for people, but the country's economy has come back on track. Honest people are happy because the corrupt are being punished.

Claiming demonetisation has terminated terror funding, Ramdev said he had "sowed the seeds" of demonetisation in 2009.

"From 2009 to 2014, I had taken it forward and asked the government to withdraw the high-value notes because they are media for black money and corruption. Now with demonetisation, funding for terror outfits and Naxalites has also stopped," he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be felicitated for the "historic" move.

Taking a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said Singh, who had remained silent on issues, has actually been vocal on demonetisation.

"This is the effect of demonetisation," he quipped.

--IANS sgh/lok/bg

( 231 Words)

2016-12-03-20:38:13 (IANS)
"I enjoy the process of writing multi-starrers, and I think it comes to me easily. Even though 'Chennai 600028 II' features over half a dozen actors in key roles, I find writing a story with one lead actor more challenging," Prabhu told IANS.

Known for working on several multi-starrers such as "Chennai 600028", "Saroja" and "Goa", his two single hero projects include "Masss" and "Biriyani".

"Even 'Mankatha', though it was an Ajith's film, was a multi-starrer because the story had equal scope for several characters. As much as I really want to do a single hero subject with no sidekick or additional character, I'm still not able to crack the formula," he said.

Prabhu says he doesn't mind directing single hero subjects of his contemporaries.

"Whenever I meet director Selvaraghavan, I ask him to write a love story for me. I've also asked the same thing to Gautham Menon," he said.

"Chennai 600028 II", which features Jai, Shiva, Premji, Nithin Sathya, Vijay Vasanth, Vaibhav and Mahat Raghavendra, is slated for release on December 9.

--IANS hp/nv/vm

( 224 Words)

2016-12-03-12:06:13 (IANS)
Timo Alarik Pakkanen, the real-life Santa Claus from Finland, says he is thrilled to be in India and is looking forward to meeting and greeting people in the country. For 50 years now, Santa Claus has been Pakkanen's alter ego and he cant wait to meet the people of India now. He told IANS over e-mail. "I am thrilled to be in India and looking forward to meet and greet people. Santa is synonymous to peace and happiness and I am here to spread this with the people of India," Santa leaves every year from his home in Lapland, Northern Finland, to visit many countries all over the world. This year he will be coming to India and will begin his journey from the capital on Sunday and conclude it in Agra on Tuesday. "I will be visiting few famous places and tasting Indian food. Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas and that's what I am here to give to the people of India," he added. --IANS dc/nv/vm ( 190 Words) 2016-12-03-12:10:15 (IANS)
In an essay that has been deleted, a writer from 'Cosmopolitan' claims some of the outfits showcased during the lingerie giant's extravaganza were racist, reports E! Online.

Helin Jung criticized the Asian and Mexican influences that inspired some of the Angels' luxurious looks and claimed the company held a condescending attitude toward its Asian customers.

"Stripping of cultures aside, the emblems that stood out most were the ones that came from Asia-specifically China," she wrote.

"The dragon that Elsa Hosk wore wrapped around her body, the embroidered stiletto boots seen on Adriana Lima, the tail made of flames worn by Kendall Jenner. There's a lot of talk of China as a dominant world power of the 21st century, and the U.S. government, Hollywood, and now Victoria's Secret, it seems, are pivoting to face a new reality," she continued.

"The brand and its creative leads shamelessly cherry-picked imagery, breaking apart aesthetic references from wherever they wanted and stitching them back together again. They're telling us its worldliness. It's not, it's a hack job," Jung sneered in the essay.

This is not the first time the brand has come under fire for cultural appropriation.

In 2012, when Karlie Kloss donned Native American-style headdresses, the company ended up pulling the footage from broadcast and apologized on Twitter, "We are sorry that the Native American headdress in our fashion show has upset individuals."

Kloss also apologized, "I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone," she tweeted.

"I support VS's decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast," she tweeted.

The 2016 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' was graced by Gigi Hadid, Maria Borges, Megan Williams, Bella Hadid, Alessandra Ambrosio and many more. (ANI)
After spending the night at the secretariat, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stayed put there on Friday demanding "withdrawal of the army" from the state and alleging it has been done by keeping her government "in the dark". Accusing the central government of "deploying the army" along a highway toll plaza at the second Hooghly Bridge, about 500 metres from the secretariat 'Nabanna' in neighbouring Howrah district, Banerjee had said she would not leave till the army was withdrawn from there. "I'll keep vigil to protect the democracy, to protect my democratically elected government," she said. Shortly after midnight, the Eastern Command said the army has been asked to withdraw from the toll plaza near Nabanna as it had already collected the data it required. Past 2 a.m., Banerjee -- holding her third round of media conference since the evening -- reiterated she would spend the night at Nabanna, fearing the army may be back. "The army has withdrawn from the second Hooghly Bridge after 2 a.m. They will definitely come back. After Nabanna, they have entered various districts. The army has been deployed in 80 per cent of the areas," she said. "I'll remain awake all night to keep vigil. I will spend the night at Nabanna," she said. In the morning, Banerjee held parleys with senior police officers and bureaucrats on the issue. Trinamool Congress sources said a pen-drive containing videos of the army activities at the second Hooghly bridge toll plaza has been forwarded to President Pranab Mukherjee. The riveting drama unfolded on Thursday evening, when Banerjee alleged the army has been deployed at the Dankuni and Palsit toll plazas on National Highway 2 (connecting Delhi and Kolkata) without informing the state government. Banerjee said the Chief Secretary was writing to the central government and that she would approach Mukherjee seeking clarification on the issue. The Defence Ministry said the army was conducting routine exercise with full knowledge of and co-ordination with West Bengal police. "The army conducts the annual exercise throughout the country with the aim of getting statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the army in case of a contingency," said a Defence Ministry spokesman. Banerjee rubbished the spokesman's clarification. "Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd. We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people," she tweeted. Banerjee, also supremo of the ruling Trinamool Congress, said she has collected information from Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha and Chhattisgarh and nowhere such a thing was been done. "Why is it been done in Bengal? Is it because I am speaking for the people?" she asked, claiming the army has been positioned in Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Darjeeling, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, Murshidabad and Burdwan districts. "The secretariat Nabanna' is a sensitive zone. The toll plaza on the second Hooghly Bridge is within the sensitive zone. It is under our secretariat," she said. Demanding to know whether a military coup has taken place, she said: "The motive is political, vindictive, unconstitutional, unethical and undemocratic." "Even if the Army carried out a mock exercise, the state government should have been kept in the loop. If this is happening in a civil area in Bengal, this could happen in Bihar, next in Uttar Pradesh, then in Tamil Nadu and other states as well. It is a very serious situation and it is dangerous than Emergency. We are facing an extremely black day," she said. "I'll urge all state governments to look into the matter. A team of Opposition... all political leaders... will meet the President (soon)," she said. On the other hand, the spokesman said the routine exercise was being carried out in all states of the eastern region. "Permission for carrying out this exercise in West Bengal was initially sought for November 28. On specific request of the police the date had been shifted to December 1. No permission has been withdrawn so far," the spokesman added. "Routine exercise in all NE states. In Assam @ 18 places, Arunanchal@13, WB@19, Manipur@6, Nagaland@5, Meghalaya@5, Tripura & Mizoram," the Eastern Command tweeted. Trinamool leader in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien,termed as "incorrect" the army claim that the exercises were carried out in coordination with the police. "All respect for army, but must set record straight 1. Data is already available 2. Cannot do vehicle check, not authorised to do so. Saying exercise by @easterncomd was coordinated with the police is absolutely incorrect," he twitted on Friday. In a separate post on his twitter handle, O'Brien said: "Also, troops were moved into districts even after midnight. Bengal Chief Minister kept watch from the Secretariat overnight. She is still there." --IANS ssp/py/vm ( 788 Words) 2016-12-02-13:08:15 (IANS)
To prove that it had not made any deployment without informing the West Bengal Police and the state government about the routine exercises it is taking at some toll plazas, including the one off the second Hooghly Bridge near state secretariat Nabanna in Howrah, the Army on Friday released a series of letters. The Army letters show that it was in communication with the West Bengal police on the annual exercise to "gather statistical data about load carriers that could be made available to the army in case of a contingency." Notwithstanding Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegations that army was deployed at two toll plazas on National Highway 2 in West Bengal without informing the state government "which is unprecedented and serious matter", Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), (Headquarters), Bengal Area, Major General Sunil Yadav said army formations in the Eastern Command at local levels are carrying out routine annual data collection exercises on availability of load carriers at all major entry points in various states in coordination with local police authorities. "This is an exercise carried out for our operational purposes, which will terminate to its logical end tonight. They are only collecting data of heavy vehicles, which is an annual exercise being carried out every year. Similar exercises are also being carried out in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from September 26 to October1 this year," said Maj. Gen. Yadav. Terming the allegations of money collection from commuters at the toll counters at at Dankuni toll plaza in Hooghly district and Pallsit toll plaza in Burdwan district "baseless", Major General Yadav said, "You must be aware that we have specific targets, specific information and data to be collected. On the completion of data collection at Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat, the team was withdrawn last night around 12 o'clock. We were there for almost for 36 hours." Addressing the lower house of the Parliament, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegation that the state's rights are being impinged upon by the Centre was a clear sign of her political frustration, and added that it is saddening to see her and other opposition parties questioning the credibility of the Indian Army while it was performing a routine annual military exercise. Echoing similar sentiments Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told the Rajya Sabha that West Bengal government was informed about the drill, while urging the Upper House to not drag the Indian Army in to an unwarranted controversy. Hysteria gripped West Bengal yesterday night after chief minister Mamata Banerjee decided not to go home and instead stayed put at the state secretariat Nabanna to protest against the "sudden deployment" of the army in the area. Banerjee camped overnight at her office in the secretariat in Kolkata, objecting to the presence of Army jawans at toll booths, one just 500 metres from where she was. "Is this a military coup?" the Banerjee asked, alleging that the state government had been had not been informed about what the Army said was a routine exercise that it was conducting across eastern states. (ANI)
This came days after Pakistan's Adviser on Foreign Policy, Sartaj Aziz announced his participation in the event.

Both high level officials will be representing Pakistan at the official level talks tomorrow.

From the Indian side, Finance minister Arun Jaitley will lead the delegation at the two-day Sixth Heart of Asia (HoA) conference, an external affairs ministry official said.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is undergoing treatment for kidney failure, will not attend the meeting.

However, it is not clear whether Pakistan will hold any bilateral meeting with India on the sidelines of the summit.

"We have not received any request from Pakistan for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of Heart of Asia ministerial conference," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

The conference will see the participation of representatives from over 30 countries, including China, United States, Russia, Iran and Pakistan to discuss peace, cooperation and economic development in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair of the HoA, while India, which is its co-chair, will host this year's conference.

The main ministerial conference will be inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on December 4.

The 'Heart of Asia' platform was floated with an aim to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours. (ANI)
Even after 32 years, the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy are facing problems like proper medical facilities, better living conditions and employment.

Toxic waste lying in the defunct Union Carbide is yet to be disposed off. Non Government Organisations working among gas victims are organising different functions including meetings and protest rallies to mark the 32nd anniversary of gas leak tragedy.

An all-religion prayer meeting will be held at Bhopal's Barkatullah Bhawan to pay homage to the victims.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be present on this occasion. (ANI)
Following an intelligence input about the presence of militants, the security forces launched a combing operation in the area.

Last night, a Pakistani infiltrator was shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Bamiyal sector in Pathankot district of Punjab.

Earlier on Tuesday, two terrorists were killed in an infiltration bid in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir. One BSF jawan was also injured in the infiltration bid. (ANI)
We werent told who found him. Some hiker probably, puzzled by a car parked so deep in the woods, got close enough to see the corrugated hose stretching from the tailpipe to a window sealed tight with duct tape. Then he or she got closer still, saw the slumped body, and called the sheriff. Hours later, the investigation complete, the sheriff called my husband to tell him his twin brother was dead.

Thus began the ritual known to all who have been touched by suicide: the fumbling for words with his parents; the long, lonely drive to bring him home, the numbing mundaneness of paperwork; the struggle with obituary and eulogy, the forlorn burial in a windswept cemetery amid friends who dont know what to say.

And the one-syllable question, tinged with frustration and guilt, that echoes through 29 years: Why?

The sad answers to that question are rooted in our identity as Montanans. Montanans cowboy up against depression, especially Montana men, who account for four out of every five Montana suicides. Montanans dont intrude, even though the simple comment, You seem depressed. Lets talk can save someone from the most preventable form of death. Montanans either dont see or dont respond to the signs of suicidal thinking. Three out of four victims of such thinking send these signs, often in multiples.

Youth at risk

For all these reasons and others arcane (Montanas high altitudes) and obvious (isolation, access to firearms), Montana has had one of the highest suicide rates in the country for four decades. Most disturbingly, our youth suicide rate is more than twice the national average. During the most recent reporting period, nearly two-thirds of these suicides were completed with firearms. Less than one-third were alcohol- or drug-related. Nearly three-fourths occurred in the aftermath of a relationship conflict, typically either a family relationship or a romantic one. Three-fourths of these young people gave warning signs.

Beyond those 27 kids who were successful in committing suicide are many, many more thinking about it. In 2015, 8.9 percent of surveyed high school students and 11.6 percent of seventh- and eighth-graders reported attempting suicide in the previous year. That rate is doubled by American Indian students and students with disabilities. One out of every six Montana students had at least considered suicide in the last year. Three out of every 10 had felt so sad or hopeless they withdrew from their usual activities for two weeks or more.

The why that has rattled for 29 years in the emptiness my brother-in-law left behind must seem like a deafening roar to parents who lose their children to suicide. I listened to them testify last legislative session in support of a bill to provide suicide awareness training for Montana educators. What they relayed was heart-rending:

We had just watched The Blind Side together, a movie all about family togetherness and hope. Thirty minutes later, he was dead.

He was a mathematical genius with Key Club friends all across the nation. But we didnt see the signs.

He was so positive, so dynamic, with a magnetic personality. There were subtle changes, but we wrote them off to not getting enough sleep, puberty.

It wasnt so much what these parents said as how they said it that struck me. Their voices were flat, without inflection, as if they knew that letting in just a pinprick of emotion would burst the floodgates.

Legislative action

For the past two sessions, the Montana Legislature and Gov. Steve Bullock have responded to the suicide crisis in Montana. In 2013, they established and funded the Montana Suicide Mortality Review Team, which examines every death by suicide in Montana in order to make fact-based policy recommendations. In 2015, they provided the suicide awareness training for educators those parents requested. In 2017, the governor has included $1 million for youth suicide prevention in his executive budget, and a legislative committee has proposed three measures to reduce suicides among our military veterans, who account for 22 percent of all Montana suicides.

Please urge your legislators to support these measures. Its past time to limit the membership in Montanas saddest club. As one of those parents put it, the price of admission is just too high.
The ruling CPI-M in Tripura last night suspended sitting executive member of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) and senior party member Joy Kishore Jamatia for moral turpitude. The party has also directed him to resign from the council. No formal police complaint has been lodged against Jamatia so far.However, he has been on run for past two days. According to Jamatia's wife Krishnadevi, Joy Kishore was caught in a compromising position from his neighbour's residence on December one . "Reportedly, he has been in an illicit relation with a lady having two children for past few months. He took advantage of the absence of the husband as he worked in Bangalore and the lady stayed alone in the house," Krishnadevi stated. She also alleged that Joy Kishore on several occasions was cautioned by his family, relatives and neighbours. The matter was also informed to the party leaders. But there was no change in him. Krishnadevi, accompanied by her neighbours, raided the house on the night of December one and caught him red handed. However, he managed to escape from the spot taking advantage of darkness and still now he is traceless. The CPI-M Udaipur district committee secretary and MLA Madhab Saha said the party enquired the matter yesterday and at night he was expelled from the party. He was also asked to resign from ADC but he declined. He further stated that the party did not get any formal complaint from anybody against Joy Kishore . But an internal investigation of the party revealed the moral turpitude of Jamatia and action was taken."As per the constitution of CPI-M party, nobody gets any support or relaxation on the matter of erosion of moral and character. Whether it is going to police or court doesn't matter, party will take action," Saha added.More than 25 top leaders, including some MLAs, were expelled from the party in the last three years on the ground of moral turpitude and charge of corruption at various level.UNI BB KK 1219 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1049586.Xml
Dr Syed Zafar Mehmood, who helped the Sachchar Committee formulate its recommendations on the conditions of Muslims, has termed the Law Commission questionnaire on Uniform Civil Code(UCC) as ''unfair, unbiased and unconstitutional.'' In his response to the Law Commission invitation for response from the public , Dr Mehmud said the group of persons who framed the Law Commission's questionnaire did not include equal number of men and women from different faiths of India. ''Hence, the questionnaire is unfair and unconstitutional.'' Most of the questions in the Questionnaire themselves were biased against some religions while favouring some others. Dr Mehmood demanded that questionnaire should be revised by a committee comprising equal number of experts from each faith duly recognised by the followers of the respective faiths. He also wondered as to why out of 25 directive principles of state policy, the Law Commission was showing so much urgency only for UCC which has been placed 19th in the order of priority in the Constitution. He said Intra-religion efforts at codification of personal law should be encouraged to bring in gender equality as above. Yet, no government agency should associate itself with such work. In his response to the Commission, he has also raised the issue of taxation rules in regard to the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) , saying it should not be a basis for charging lesser rate of taxation.'' This is discrimination on religious grounds which is prohibited in the Constitution,'' he said. Condemning the caste system, Dr Mehmood said that it was unconstitutional and should be rooted out completely, but till that was done, para 3 should be deleted from the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order of 1950 which says that only Dalit Hindus were entitled for reservation. ''This paragraph discriminates among the citizens on the basis of religion which is prohibited in the Constitution,'' he said. He has also pointed out to the Commission several discrimination against women in the Hindu succession laws.There are separate provisions for succession in case of Hindu men and Hindu women dying intestate. The property of Hindu male devolves upon his heirs irrespective of the source of the income but the property of Hindu females devolves according to the source of the income. ''This shows as if the woman is a temporary occupier of the property and that the property must revert back to where it was inherited from and that the woman has no identity of her own. This discrimination against the Hindu women must be removed,'' Dr Mehmood said. UNI NAZ SV -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1049519.Xml
The 10-day winter session of the KarnatakaLegislative Assembly was adjourned sine die today amidst BJP stagingprotest demanding resignation of Minister for Primary and SecondaryEducation Tanveer Sait for allegedly watching sleaze photos on hismobile during a public function recently. As the house assembled for the day's business on the extendedday of the Session, the BJP members continued their dharna for thesecond day and Speaker K B Koliwad announced adjourning the housesine die. The House was to end yesterday as per calender announced beforethe beginning of the Session. However, the sitting was cancelled on November 28 due to 'Bharat Bandh' called following demonetisationafter the Business Advisory Committee approved and to compensate thesitting was extended to one more day. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of scuttling theSession with 'false allegations' against the Minister. He said there was no question of Mr Sait quitting his post as itwas evident that he had not erred in any sense. The cyber policewhich is inquiring into the incident will, however, bring out the truth. Mr Siddaramaiah said the BJP was in no position to teach 'morallessons' to Congress legislators and alleged that it was targettingthe party leaders belonging to minority communities. It firstaccused Bangalore Development Minister K J George's involvement inDySP K Ganapathi's suicide which was proved wrong and now it wastargetting Mr Sait. The BJP was not serious in participating in the Legislaturesession. People will condemn your sinister moves, he told theagitating BJP members. Earlier leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shetter said animmoral person cannot be Education Minister of the State andshould resign. The Speaker adjourned the House for 30 minutes when BJPcontinued its dharna in the well of the House. After resumption, the BJP continued the dharna and amid din theSpeaker read out his report on the session and said it transactedbusiness for 49 hours and 15 minutes. Most important issues likesevere drought, Mahadayi river sharing dispute, plight of farmersand NICE infrastructure project scandal were discussed extensively. Out of 2527 Questions listed 2140 were answered. 15 Bills weretabled and 13 were passed. Karnataka Legislative Assembly rules ofprocedures and conduct of business was amended to enable Members ofLegislative Assembly to ask questions any day of the year. A one line resolution was adopted in the House to seekintervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for finding amicablesolution to Mahadayi river sharing issue.UNI RS MSP CS 1250 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-1049620.Xml
Police Superintendent Upendra Kumar Sharma said here that the outlaw Ravindra Rajbhar who was involved in number of crimes including murder, dacoity and kidnapping in several districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, was nabbed following a tip off.

He said the criminal was evading arrest since long.

An intensive interrogation of the nabbed criminal is on to nab other members of his gang. UNI XC-DH KK 1319

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1049656.Xml
The second edition of the seven-day 'Khajuraho International Film Festival' will get underway at world-famous tourist destination on December 8. "The film festival being organised with the cooperation of the Madhya Pradesh Culture Department would screen women-oriented films in which either women have played a prominent role in direction or production, or in which an actress is in the lead role. Besides, cinema based tribal culture of the country or a foreign country would also be exhibited," film actor Raja Bundela told media here. He said that the festival would showcase, besides India, movies produced in Australia, Austria and New Zealand. Certain documentaries and short films would also be screened. A play of Kanika Arora and Sushmita Mukherjee would be staged on December 11 and 12. A poet meet and Mushaira would be held on December 11 and 12. UNI XC-PS SB 1301 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-1049599.Xml
A day after the Delhi Police received an e-mail complaint from a US national claiming that she was gang-raped by five men, including a tourist guide, at a five-star hotel near Connaught Place earlier this year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today asked Indian Ambassador in Washington Navtej Sarna to contact the victim to assure her that the guilty will be brought to book. Ms Swaraj also spoke to Lt Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung and asked him to register a case based on the complaint. ''I have also asked Indian Ambassador in US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty," the Minister said in a series of tweets. "I have spoken to the Lt Governor Delhi and told him that Police should register a case and bring the guilty to book. "I have seen the media reports about gang rape of an American tourist in Delhi in March this year," she said. In her complaint, the woman said she had arrived in Delhi in March on a tourist visa and was staying at the hotel. One day, the tourist guide arrived at the hotel along with four friends and shared a few drinks in her, following which the men allegedly took turns to rape her. The woman went back to the US cutting short her India visit and approached an NGO, where she was advised to lodged a complaint through e-mail. UNI MK SB 1401 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-1049694.Xml
The Qatarai Prime Minister, who also holds charge of his country's interior Ministry, will meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh later in the day and also call on President Pranab Mukherjee in the evening.

The two countries also signed an agreements on exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports.

The documents signed today also include a letter of intent that allows negotiations on an agreement on grant of e-visa to businessmen and tourists of the two countries.

An MoU to provide framework for project experts for Indian companies in Qatar, including through participation in infrastructure projects in Qatar was also inked.

In addition, on the sidelines of the visit, an MoU between Qatar Ports Management Company "Mwani Qatar" and Indian Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL) has also been signed. This MoU aims at encouraging greater collaboration and exchange in the field of national ports management of both the countries.UNI NAZ SW SNU 1442

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A 40-year-old man was arrested for assaulting his sister-in-law at Zenda Square in Zingabai Takli area of city, police said today. The alleged Siddhartha Awle (40), a resident of Geeta Nagar, assaulted his sister-in-law Vandana Kawre (30), a nurse by profession, with a sharp knife in a broad daylight while she was on her way to duty yesterday, police said. Siddhartha intercepted her and slashed Vandana's throat and stabbed her stomach with the sharp knife, leaving her bleeding profusely. Vandana was rushed to Government Mayo Hospital where her condition is said to be critical. Vigilant citizens nabbed the accused and handed him to the police. A case has been registered under sec-307 of Indian Penal Code against the accused and investigations started, police said. According to the police sources, Vandana and her elder sister which was also Siddhartha's wife, had an accident three-years ago, in which Vandana suffered grievous injuries while her elder sister died on the spot. Soon after the accident, Siddhartha started putting pressure on Vandana to marry him, saying his wife died because of her, they added. UNI PK SS PS SNU 1531 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1049772.Xml
Reports from various parts of the state said that in Kodagupolice have seized Rs 35.46 lakh and arrested three persons duringa raid on a private resort near Somwarpet in the district today.

The culprits had involved in exchange of the banned currency ofRs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination into new Rs 2000 notes oncommission basis.

The arrested were identified as Ananthakumar, Jameel and Sridhar.

Kodagu Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prasad said that theseized cash will be handed over to IT department for further investigsation.

In another incident, Chikkamagalur police seized Rs 46 lakh innew notes of Rs 2,000, and arrested H L Kiran, a resident of KuvempuNagar in Hassan, Kumar of Hemavati Nagar in Hassan, and Arun Kumarof Shantigrama village in Hassan taluk.

Acting on a tip-off, the Chikkamagaluru District CrimeInvestigation Bureau police stopped a car in Jayanagar and found thecash and a counting machine last evening.

The accused had no documents to show the source of the money.Kiran is a cloth merchant, Kumar a goldsmith, and Arun Kumar adriver.

In yet another raid, Udupi Police yesterday arrested three peoplewho were carrying Rs 71 lakh in new Rs 2000 currency without validdocuments. The Car and cash were seized.UNI BSP/MSP CNR CS 1506

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A deranged woman today sustained serious burn injuries when she set herself ablaze at the Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital in Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital, police said. Radha Bai was admitted to the hospital since the past few days. She set herself afire near the psychiatric department this morning. The woman has been admitted to the hospital's burn unit. UNI XC-PS SW 1616 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-1049843.Xml
BUFFALO, Wyo.  Maria Domingue has more than 700 cookies in her freezer. Some have chocolate chips, some peanut butter and others have raisins; but every one of them is homemade. With just she and her husband living alone in their Buffalo log cabin, there's no way the cookies are for them. These cookies have a much greater purpose: to bring hope and optimism to troops serving overseas and on the home front.

"This is my life," said Domingue, "the soldiers."

Domingue sends between 600 and 800 cookies every month to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and anywhere else they're needed. A student of Sheridan College's culinary and hospitality management program, Domingue has a full commercial kitchen in the basement of her cabin. This is where she does her baking for the troops as well as for her pastry business, Flour Power. This isn't a seasonal project. She doesn't do this because it's the time of year for giving - this is a year-round dedication, and one of many when it comes to the military.

Standing in her bakery, American flag bandanna wrapped around her hair, Domingue opened a binder that is at least six inches thick. It's filled with the names of all the soldiers that have died in battle since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan started. The binder is divided by months, and each month Domingue sends the families of the fallen soldiers a card to let them know that their son or daughter isn't forgotten. She doesn't just send cards, though, often times she gets them in return.

"These are all the cards that I've gotten back from parents," said Domingue, holding out a basket full of cards and reading one that said, "'Hello, dear Maria, you're an amazing lady to be remembering us and our family on the death of our son.'"

The proceeds from Flour Power go toward paying for the supplies and postage for this endeavor. Domingue spends around $200 a month on card postage alone.

It's no mystery why Domingue is so dedicated to the military, though. Not only was her father in the military for more than 30 years, all four of her sons serve in some way  three in the military and one on the police force.

It was after her third son, Staff Sgt. Nick McCauley, was injured that Domingue started this venture.

"Our son got blown up and injured in 2007 when he arrived in Iraq," said Domingue as water started to pool in her eyes. "We got the phone call, he'd been injured, they couldn't find him."

McCauley had been in a Humvee with two other men when the Humvee was blown up by an IED. The driver died in the blast and the other man lost his leg. McCauley pulled both men from the Humvee, along with his comrade's limb, before collapsing. Among other injuries, McCauley suffered from multiple concussions and a collapsed lung. He remains a sharpshooter sniper in the U.S. Army.

McCauley lost his dog tags, making it an excruciating process for his family to find him. This included an attempt from his oldest brother, Justin, who's in the U.S. Army National Guard, to go up through his chain of command to try and locate him. Domingue said it was McCauley's drunken decision of a boorish chest tattoo  a cruder version of "Kiss me I'm Irish,"  that finally led the nurse to be able to identify him and tell Domingue that her son was safe and had been airlifted to Germany.

When he was then sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., there was a master sergeant there to greet the soldiers as they arrived. The master sergeant was from Soldiers' Angels, a volunteer program that helps active soldiers and veterans. Domingue hadn't heard of the group before, and after this she started to see commercials for the group and decided to volunteer.

These efforts didn't start with cookies and cards. Domingue and her husband Terry Heim used to send backpacks to injured soldiers that were airlifted out of war zones. They had a pair of sweatpants, a sweatshirt, socks, underwear, toiletry bags, a homemade blanket and a note telling them not to give up.

"So they wouldn't arrive at the hospital in their bloody uniforms," Domingue said. "They had something to cover up with and knew that somebody cared about them."

Now, Domingue said she finds out from chaplains what different units need. Individual soldiers can contact her to send cookies and care packages, which include everything from toothpaste to playing cards. She said soldiers only have the supplies allocated to them from the government.

"There's no shopping mall in the desert, there's no Wal-Mart or K-Mart," Domingue said, "so they depend solely on parents or friends or complete strangers to send them things."

Art Oswald, who currently has class with Domingue, was in the military for 28 years and was the recipient of one of Domingue's care packages while stationed in Afghanistan.

"It's a pleasant surprise when you're downrange and you get those things," said Oswald. He later added, "It makes a big difference."

Though he personally only received one package, he said he knows other soldiers who received up to 70 care packages from Domingue. He said the anticipation alone led to a change in morale, just to know the packages were coming.

"A lot of these guys don't get care packages," said Oswald. "They either don't have families, or things of that nature. So when she does that it boosts morale 100 percent."

Oswald said that her efforts don't stop with those still in the military. She also takes care of veterans, including the veterans at Sheridan College. And after being on the receiving end of these packages and now sharing a classroom with Domingue, he has nothing but the greatest respect for her.

"As a person, let's just put it this way," Oswald said, "I would take a bullet for her."

Domingue just finished sending out November's anniversary notes and said she will start on December to ensure every soldier is remembered. For her, it's more than a good deed  it is her life. Though it can be seen by the flag she displays proudly from her cabin and in the patriotic art that resides on walls in every room, it's mostly seen through unwavering dedication for nearly a decade.

"I grew up military, I saw the sacrifices and you know, meeting some of these soldiers and the letters I get from the parents," said Domingue, "it's like  I'll never forget them."
The opening senior officials meeting today will discuss and finalise the text for the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process. Today's meeting will also cover all necessary technical aspects of the declaration to be announced tomorrow.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

The process is supported by 17 other predominantly Western countries and 12 international organisations, which are also sending senior representatives.

Delegates from nearly 40 countries will participate in the conference organised on the theme 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'. The main conference will be inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the Indian delegation in place of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is unwell.

Eliminating terrorism in South Asia and improving connectivity in Afghanistan is likely to dominate the discussions. (ANI)
The decision to come a day earlier was said to be taken keeping in view the foggy conditions tomorrow morning, which could have hampered his flight to Amritsar.

Sources said Mr Aziz, Advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign policy, advanced his visit to India with speculations of his possible courtesy call to Mr Modi, who also arrived here a day ahead of the Ministerial meeting at the 6th Heart of Asia Conference on Afghanistan.

Mr Modi will jointly inaugurate the Conference along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

A chance of a meeting between Mr Aziz and Mr Modi during today's dinner hosted for the participating dignitaries is also being talked of.

Asked whether the Pakistani side urged for time to make a courtesy meeting, top Government officials said no such request has been made. UNI MK SW SNU 1849

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The district unit of the Right to Information Act Prachara vedika appealed to the Superintendent of police to initiate disciplinary action against the sub inspector of Gollaprolu police station for implicating the RTI activist Padala Rathan Bharat in false case and subjecting him to humiliation forcing him to commit suicide. At a meeting of the Vedika executive held here today with Chethana district president in the chair, it was decided unanimously to seek recourse to law for justice. M V Subbarao President of the legal cell of the RTI act Prachara Vedika who participated as the chief guest has made it clear that the police had miserably failed in providing protection to the RTI activists from the onslaughts of anti social elements in the RTI cases despite clear cut instructions through a special GO issued by the government. He said it was atrocious on the part of the sub inspector to register an FIR against the RTI activist on a false complaint lodged by a group of teachers facing charges of unauthorized absence from duty. I n addition, the SI had kept the RTI activist Bharat under illegal confinement in the police station for three days. Unable to bear the humiliation; the RTI activist has committed suicide soon after release. The SI should be placed under suspension pending departmental inquiry. Action also needed to be initiated against the teachers who lodged false complaint with vengeance, for bringing to the notice of the DEO against their unauthorized absence and misconduct', he said and warned that if the SP fails to take action, he would seek the intervention of the High court and also Human Rights commission for justice. Ms. Nalam Andal, Chairperson of the RTI Prachara Vedika women's wing demanded the government to pay Rs.25 lakh towards compensation to the deceased Bharat family and also employment to his wife .She warned that the RTI act prachara vedika would take up state wide stir seeking justice to the family of activist Bharat. Later the RTI act Prachara Vedika members called on the Collector in a delegation and presented a memorandum in support of their demands.UNI XC-DP CS 1809 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1050143.Xml
Opposition Congress and the BJP members in Odisha Assembly today demanded a statement from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the amount of money spent to contain the Japanese encephalitis claiming more than one hundred lives of children in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. The Opposition members urged the Speaker to give a ruling directing the chief minister to make a statement on the issue on the floor of the house. Raising the issue during zero hour Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati said as per the media reports the state government has spent Rs 40 crore for organising the Make in Odisha conclave. The Congress party, he said, was not opposed to industrialization but opposed the way the conclave was organised at a time when hundreds of children were dying suffering from Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Malkangiri and other parts of the state. Describing the issue as a serious, Mr Bahinipati demanded Speaker Niranjan Pujari to give a ruling directing the chief minister to make a statement in the house. His party colleague Prafulla Majhi dubbed the conclave as a farce and meant to divert the attention of the people on the failure of the state government in several field. Mr Majhi said the notice given by the opposition for discussion on the Japanese encephalitis could not be taken up yesterday as the house was adjourned for the Make in Odisha conclave.He also alleged that the government did not have the courtesy to invite the opposition members to the Make in Odisha conclave. The Congress leader said despite financial constraint the government had spent around Rs 40 crore for the conclave and wanted to know how much it has spent to check the JE and save the lives of children. Mr Krushana Chandra Sagaria (Cong) said the government announced to pay Rs five lakh compensation to the next kin of people died in sum hospital fire tragedy whereas the next kin of the children died in Japanese Encephalitis received a mere Rs 12,000 only. He said both the chief minister and the Health and Family welfare Minister should make a statement as to why there is a discrimination on the release of compensation. Mr Bhujabal Majhi (Congress ) said though the JE was first detected in 2011 but no step has been taken by the state government till date for vaccination to control the disease and demanded a statement from chief minister. His party colleague Naba Kishore Das, Chandra Sekhar Majhi and BJP member Pradip Purohit also supported the demand. Mr Ayub Khan (BJD) said since the Union Ministers have highly praised the Make In Odisha Conclave the BJP leaders in the state should not make a hue and cry over the issue in the Assembly.UNI BD DP RN1715 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1050043.Xml
The Opposition Congress and the BJP today alleged that the Western Odisha Development Council(WODC) has become a store house of corruption and staged a noisy walk out expressing their displeasure over the reply of Planning and Coordination Minister Usha Devi in Odisha Assembly. Participating in a debate on the admissibility of an adjournment motion" on corruption in WODC", the opposition members stated that the ruling BJD was using the council to serve its own interest.They also alleged that the Council has been used as a rehabilitation centre for the corrupt and defeated leaders of the ruling party and the work order for various developmental projects was being issued without tender on partisan basis. The council members they claimed were not being nominated on rotation basis as per the rule and fund of the Council is being distributed for various projects on partisan manner. Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said the objective for which the WODC formed was not achieved and the Council is being used with political motive. Mr Mishra said corruption was rampant in the council which has been confirmed in the CAG report. He regretted that even 16 years after the formation of the council, the headquarter of the council is still operating from the state capital . The leader of Opposition demanded the government to take immediate step to shift the headquarter from Bhubaneswar to anywhere in Western Odisha. Stating that the fund allocated to WODC was very meager and inadequate he demanded the authorities to increase the fund from Rs 100 crore to Rs.1000 crore.Mr Mishra suggested the authorities to make the tenure of both the MLAs and the expert committee same and select the expert committee members on the basis of their expertise. Treasury bench members Padmanav Behera,Rashswari Panigrahi, Dibya Singh Mishra and Sajeev Sahu criticized the Opposition members stating that the motion on WODC was moved to serve the personal political motive of the Opposition. The Minister denied the allegations and said projects were approved by the councils on the recommendations of the MLAs and MPs ,She said the views of the council had been sought for shifting the WODC headquarter and a decision would be taken after the views of the council members are received. She said all collectors of the Council area have been reviewing the progress of utilization of WODC funds quarterly and the Chairman of the WODC is regularly reviewing the progress at the district levelThe opposition congress and the BJP however, walked out in protest.UNI BD DP RN1835 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1050232.Xml
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Convenor Gurpreet Singh Waraich today lambasted PPCC Chief Capt Amarinder Singh and his family for amassing huge sums of money and assets of loot on foreign land and thereafter, day-dreaming of becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab, while the common man suffers in long queues in banks. In a statement here, he said the Income Tax chargesheet against Capt Singh and his son Raninder Singh has vindicated the stand of AAP, in which its National Convener Arvind Kejriwal dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring back the ill-gotten money stashed by the erstwhile Maharaja and his family in a Swiss Bank account. The AAP leader said during his recent 11 day-tour to Punjab, in which Mr Kejriwal had addressed nearly 22 public rallies all across Punjab, he had publicly announced the Swiss Bank Account numbers of Capt Singh's wife Parneet Kaur and their son Raninder. "It is really heart-breaking to see the common man suffering and even dying in long queues outside the banks, while people like Captain Singh, who has stashed huge amount of black money in the Swiss banks, is day-dreaming of becoming the Chief Minister of Punjab", Mr Waraich said. Why Badals are maintaining a stoic silence on the black money stashed by Capt Singh in the Swiss banks, that too even after the foreign bank account numbers of Amarinder and his family were made public by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal? quipped Mr Waraich.MORE UNI DB RJ SNU 1838 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1050126.Xml
BSF Inspector General Punjab Frontier Anil Paliwal said at about 2005 hrs yesterday, BSF troops at the Border Out Post Dhindha, observed suspicious movement of a Pakistani intruder who crossed international border and came inside the Indian territory.

BSF troops challenged him to stop, but he continued with his aggressive posture. Hence, BSF troops opened fire in self-defence and killed him.

Accordingly, DIG, BSF, Gurdaspur, directed Field Commanders to maintain extra vigil on the border to thwart the attempts of smugglers or anti-national elements. Tactical operations were being mounted to foil their attempts during this foggy season.

He said keeping in view the vulnerability of border due to ongoing cultivation/tilling season and heightened activities of smugglers on the border, Mr Paliwal issued operational guidelines to all the sectors under Punjab Frontier of further strengthening the the border domination to effectively check the menace of narcotics smuggling and activities of anti-national elements on Punjab border with Pakistan.UNI XC DB SW SNU 1833

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Two persons were arrested in this connection, Additional Commissioner of Customs, Airport and Air Cargo Commissioner said in a statement here today.

The drug was concealed inside the inlay covers of the foldingfiles packed in six carton boxes of a export cargo and it was to besmuggled to Malaysia.

The officers of Central Intelligence Unit, Customs, SpecialIntelligence and Investigation Branch of Customs unit ACC succeededin unearthing the crime.

The two were arrested under NDPS Act 1985 and furtherinvestigations are underway to nab the others who are involved inthe drug trafficking, the statement added.UNI MSP CS 1957

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After Goa Surksha Manch and the Congress, the Aam Adami Party (AAP) in Goa today attacked Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, for holding a meeting with the senior bureaucrats of the state to discuss modalities to have cashless transactions in the state by December 31. Addressing a press conference in the city, AAP Panaji candidate for the next state assembly elections Valmiki Naik questioned who was Mr Parrikar to chair meeting of senior bureaucrats of state government? ''This is very straight question to Mr Parrikar. Who are you to chair meetings of senior bureaucrats of Goa? You are a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh. You are a Defence Minister. Please take care of Defence,'' he said. ''I would support cashless transactions whole-heartedly, but what has been done is only to hide the failure of demonetisation. We need the Goa government to take control, not the Defence Minister,'' he said. He was referring to a meeting chaired by Mr Parrikar in the city last last week where top state officials including chief secretary R K Srivastava were present. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore. Congress and Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM), an off-shot of Bharatiya Suraksha Manch (BBSM), an outfit fighting for the cause of regional languages in the state, had criticised Mr Parrikar for holding the meeting. UNI AKM SS SM AKC SHK 2158 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0171-1050380.Xml
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremoMamata Banerjee today criticized state Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi for his statementagainst her in regard to deployment of army at toll plazas. Ms Banerjee alleged that the Governor was speaking in the voice of Central Government. "Governor is speaking in the voice of Central Government. He was not in the city forabout 8 days," the chief minister tweeted. "Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate,"Ms Banerjee said. Earlier in the day, Mr Tripathi sternly cautioned against "defaming" and "letting down" theIndian Army in the wake of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that soldiers extortedmoney from truck drivers during their deployment at toll plazas. "Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisationlike the Indian Army. Don't let down the army. Don't defame the army," Tripathi said here whenasked about Ms. Banerjee's accusation that the soldiers extorted money from truck drivers. Meanwhile, the army withdrew deployment from Palsit toll plaza in Burdwan district andother areas across the state after the completion of a 72-hour exercise. Defence spokesman S S Birdi said, "As the 72-hour exercise got over, we withdrewdeployment from Palsit toll plaza and other areas last night." The ruling Trinamool Congress had earlier criticized army for deploying its team at two plazasin the state and alleged that this was done without any prior information to the state government. Chief Minister also termed the move as "black day", pointing out that such a deployment takesplace only normally during disasters. However, the Army officials made it clear that it made deployment after informing the KolkataPolice and concerned authorities about routine exercises in some toll plazas. Denying the Chief Minister's allegations, a spokesperson of Indian Army's Eastern CommandMajor General Sunil Yadav told mediapersons yesterday that the army personnel had beendeployed for a routine survey in some toll plazas, including the one at the second HooghlyBridge near state secretariat Nabanna in Howrah. He said the army was conducting routine exercise with full knowledge of and co-ordination with Kolkata police. Mr Yadav said the exercise dates were even changed at the specific request of the state's police. "The army is conducting its annual exercise throughout the country to get statistical data about aboutthe load carriers that could be made available to the army in case of a contingency," Mr Yadav said. The Army spokesperson said that army was only marking the goods carriers and noting downthose details, not charging any fee or fine. "We had carried out a similar exercise last year from November 19 to 25, in the same location,"he said, adding that similar exercise were carried out by the army in Bihar and Jharkhand inSeptember last. However, Kolkata Police tweeted, "In almost all areas of West Bengal army has been deployed without consent of the State Govt. " Chief Minister spent almost 36 hours at the state secretariat to protest against deployment of the army at toll plazas across the state allegedly without informing her government -- an issue that snowballed into a major row causing disruptions in Parliament.UNI BM SHK 2145 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1050479.Xml
CASPER, Wyo.  Contura Energy posted a $51 million loss from late July through September, according to the first financial statement released since the companys creation earlier this year.

The Tennessee-based company emerged from the Alpha Natural Resources Bankruptcy in July, with former Alpha executives in key leadership positions. Alpha, a Bristol, Virginia, firm, filed for Chapter 11 in August of 2015, the first of three coal companies that operate in Wyoming to seek bankruptcy protection in less than a year. Contura acquired Alphas crown jewel assets, the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines in Campbell County, as well as some coal operations in Appalachia.

The coal market was hit hard by low production and low prices in 2014 and 2015. Companies like Alpha had invested heavily in metallurgical coal operations, banking on skyrocketing Chinese demand. That market fell as rapidly as it rose, and Alpha, which had operations in the met market and the Wyoming thermal coal market, laden with $7.1 billion in liabilities.

The coal market is strengthening. Third quarter production at Wyoming mines doubled from the previous quarter, though still falls short of previous norms.

Thanks to a stabilizing coal market and an unencumbered balance sheet, Contura executives projected optimism for the next year.

With our strong set of coal and logistics assets, well-established customer relationships and experienced production and sales teams, we are excited to chart a new course for our recently formed company, said Kevin Crutchfield, Conturas CEO in a statement.

Contura brought in $245 million in revenue in the third quarter. It finished September with $33 million from operations and $72 million in available cash. It sold 9 million tons of coal, including $80 million from its Powder River Basin mines.

Total expenses during the third quarter were $266 million.

The company is headed for more metallurgical investments, according to its statement released Tuesday. Met prices have jumped significantly in the last few months, in part due to production restrictions in China. It has also acquired a 41 percent stake in an export terminal in Virginia, Dominion Terminal Associates.

The new company also released its outlook for next year. It expects to ship 29-34 million tons of Powder River Basin coal next year, with a cost between $9.50 and $10.50 per ton. Capital expenses are expected to fall between $90 million and $110 million next year.
Even after three weeks of demonetisation, there is no let-up in people's agony, as serpentine queues were seen outside banks during the day as branches would be shut tomorrow. People have a harrowing time since this morning as most of the ATMs in the city remained non-functional due to cash crunch. Residents preferred bank counters for withdrawing money, instead of going to ATMs, as the weekly withdrawal limit by using cheque or withdrawal slip was much higher than a daily withdrawal limit from ATMs. People across the state are running out of 100, 50, 20 and 10 rupee notes after the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre announced of demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1000 currency on November 8. ATM outlets of many nationalized as well as private banks in the city remained closed or had boards reading 'out of service', three weeks after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. Long meandering queues are witnessed in front of every bank for withdrawal. Some of the ATMs were shut down after those ran out of cash due to continuous withdrawal. Despite several announcements of ATMs and banks being pressed into service, many ATMs are not working or are out of cash. In the Dumdum area SBI, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, HDFC bank, IDBI bank Axis bank and ICICI bank ATMs are not working as long queues were seen for withdrawal. Even as the patience seems to be running out among a large section of those standing up in meandering queues, officials in number of banks said it would take more than a week to fill them with usable denominations. It is worth standing before banks' counter as most of ATMs are dispensing Rs 2,000 notes," said Chanchal Chowdhury, a government employee standing in front of an SBI ATM in Shyambazar area in North Kolkata. Since market doesn't have sufficient denomination of smaller notes, commoners are affected seriously and business has almost come to a standstill. Bank Employees' Federation India General Secretary Pradip Biswas todaysaid, "Supply crunch is continuing and there is dearth of Rs 500 notes." Meanwhile, One more person died of cardiac arrest today while standing in queue at SBI ATM in Bandel station in Hooghly district of West Bengal. Kallol Roychoudhury (56), was returning to his Behala home in South Kolkata from Cooch Behar in North Bengal. He got down at Bandel station from Paharia Express this morning with his colleague and was supposed to catch another train to come to the city. But then, he decided to withdraw some money from an ATM counter at Station Road near the station. He stood in the queue at 7.35 am, became unwell after 20 minutes and fell down. The police said nobody extended a helping hand and he remained unattended for 30 minutes. Later, the security personnel of the ATM called a doctor who pronounced him dead and advised the security man to take Roychowdhury's body to a hospital. Some vendors took Roychoudhury's body to Chinsurah Imambara Hospital where doctors pronounced him brought dead. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today condoled the death of Kallol Roy Chowdhury. "Unfortunate death toll continues... This morning Kallol Roy Chowdhury collapsed and died in front of SBI ATM at Bandel station," Ms Banerjee tweeted, "My condolences to the bereaved family. Is Modi babu listening?" she said. Bijon Mukherjee (73), a resident of Machlandapur in North 24 Parganas, died of cardiac arrest when he was standing in queue before an SBI near his home while Biswadeb Naskar (79), a former teacher of a government school, died while standing before a UBI branch at Raidhighi in South 24 Parganas. "Biswadeb Naskar, retired primary school teacher of Raidighi, South 24 Paraganas collapsed while standing in queue to withdraw pension from bank & died ," the chief minister said. "My deep condolence to the bereaved family. 84 deaths. How many more Modi Babu wants," Ms Banerjee added. Getting liquid cash has become a punishable task for millions of people as most of the ATMs have gone dry and banks were having a difficult time to satisfy the customers.UNI BM AKC SHK 2240 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0214-1050567.Xml
Equating the demonetisation drive led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to medicine which is bitter in taste, Union minister and Punjab BJP chief Vijay Sampla said that it will cure the root cause of the disease. In his blog, Sampla said, "On the evening of November 8, 2016, when the Prime Minister in his address to the nation announced the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency denominations, he had made it clear that the citizens would have to be ready to face some challenges. He had sought a mere 50 days from the people out of which half the time has already passed away. The queues have shortened outside the banks, though the people are still facing some problems. The Prime Minister and his government is fully aware of this and he is burning midnight oil to stabilise the situation. In spite of this, the people are backing the PM while the Opposition and a section of the media is busy spreading negative propaganda." Blaming the media for sensationalising the issue, the Punjab BJP chief said, "The people are certainly facing difficulties with this historic decision of the Prime Minister, but media, especially the TV news channels, have blown this temporary disruption out of proportions, ignoring the long-term benefits, the economic gains and the strong political will shown to combat corruption." He wrote, "Success is never achieved without sacrifice. Our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for our independence, but can our freedom be measured on the basis of loss of their lives? The role people are playing by standing in long queues, limiting their expenses and bearing patience, will be forgotten when the black money will be eliminated. A corruption-free India will dawn on us." "The Prime Minister has sought the support of the people in eliminating corruption and at the same time has asked his workers to pass this test. He has asked every MP and MLA of the BJP to submit details of their bank account transactions between November 8 and December 30 to party president Amit Shah by January 1. This is bold move of the PM to end the scourge of black money. Come let's join our Prime Minister in his grand movement for a better tomorrow," Sampla said.UNI DB AKC SHK 2057 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1050345.Xml
Haryana government has decided to remodel and increase the capacity of Bhalaut and Jhajjar sub branches of Western Yamuna canal with a view to provide water to the southern regions of the state. Stating this here today, an official spokesman said that the proposed project was a part of the cherished vision of Chief Minister Manohar Lal for ensuring water security to the National Capital Region, and particularly to the national capital Delhi. He said that the project to increase the capacity of Bhalaut and Jhajjar sub branches would ensure utilisation of water of river Yamuna during monsoon by carrying it to southern Haryana for irrigation and recharging of ground water. For this purpose, he said, it has been proposed to increase the capacity of Bhalaut Sub Branch from RD 0 to 156014 from 2,052 cusecs to 2,596 cusecs at head, which would be carried further through Jhajjar Sub Branch from RD 0 to 160986. He said that the Chief Minister had accorded administrative approval for taking consultancy services from WAPCOS for the project. The scope of work to be carried out by WAPCOS includes design of L-Section, head regulator at Khubru head for Bhalaut Sub Branch and intervening structures, safe working head of different take-offs already functioning and design of pump house at tail of Jhajjar Sub Branch, he added.UNI DB AKC SHK 2152 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-1050376.Xml
The Congress party today demanded a probe on a huge jump in bank deposits and sudden economic activity week before the scrapping of high value currency notes by the government. Addressing the mediapersons on demonetisation at Gandhi Bhavan here, AICC Spokesperson Dr Abhishek Singhvi said the government should conduct an enquiry by under the guidance of Supreme Court Judge or JPC on each deposit account made weeks before the announcement of demonetization by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to find out who it belongs to. "Why sudden economic activity prevailed in the weeks immediately prior to demonetisation? Was Mr Modi shared this (demonetization) information to make money for some people, he questioned and demanded an enquiry over it. As per the RBI data published earlier shows that amounts deposited in banks shot up by Rs 5.88 lakh crore in the month of September this year compared to the previous month, the Congress leader said. The last six months assets including bank deposits of each BJP state unit and each BJP unit must be examined across the country, Singhvi also demanded.UNI KNR AKC NS2331 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0432-1050590.Xml
In a recent research published in journals PLOS Biology and PLOS ONE, researchers have assessed scientific rigor in animal experimentation in Switzerland. The study, commissioned by the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), found widespread deficiencies in the reporting of experimental methodology. In a first step, expert Thomas Reichlin screened all 1,277 approved applications for animal experiments in Switzerland in 2008, 2010 and 2012, as well as a random sample of 50 scientific publications resulting from studies described in the applications. The materials were assessed to determine whether seven basic methods that can help combat experimental bias were reported (including randomization, blinding, and sample size calculation). Appropriate use and understanding of these methods is a prerequisite for unbiased, scientifically valid results, said lead author Hanno Wrbel. Explicit evidence that these methods were used either in the applications for animal experiments or in the subsequent publications was scarce. For example, fewer than 20 percent of applications and publications mentioned whether a sample size calculation had been performed (8 percent in applications, 0 percent in publications), whether the animals had been assigned randomly to treatment groups (13 percent in applications, 17 percent in publications), and whether outcome assessment had been conducted blind to treatment (3 percent in applications, 11 percent in publications). Animal experiments are authorized based on the explicit understanding that they will provide significant new knowledge and that animals will suffer no unnecessary harm. Thus, scientific rigor is a fundamental prerequisite for the ethical justification of animal experiments. Based on this study, the current practice of authorizing animal experiments appears to rest on an assumption of scientific rigor, rather than on evidence that it is applied. The authors of this study recommend more education and training in good research practice and scientific integrity for all those involved in this process. Although the initial results found that fewer than 20 percent of applications and publications used methods to control for bias, that didn't necessarily mean that more than 80 percent of animal studies failed to include methods to combat bias, and therefore use animals for potentially inconclusive research. "It is possible that the researchers did use these methods but did not mention them in their applications and publications," said Wrbel. Adding, "So we decided to ask the researchers." The researchers used an online survey for all 1,891 animal researchersregistered in the central online information system of the FSVO who were involved with ongoing experiments. Among other questions, researchers were asked what bias-reducing methods they normally use when conducting animal experiments and which of these they had explicitly reported in their latest scientific publication. According to the researchers' responses the use of methods against bias is considerably higher than reported in the animal research applications and publications. 86 of the participants claimed to assign animals randomly to treatment groups, but only 44 percent answered that they had reported this in their latest publication. The same applies to the other measures, for example, for sample size calculation (69 percent claimed to be doing this, but only 18 percent say they reported it in their latest publication) and for blinded outcome assessment (47 percent vs. 27 percent). Taken together, the researchers draw two conclusions from these results: on the one hand, reporting in animal research applications or publications may underestimate the use of bias-reducing methods. On the other hand, the researchers may overestimate their use of appropriate methods. "We found considerably fewer publications with explicit evidence of the use of measures against risks of bias than claimed by the researchers", said Wrbel. For example, 44 percent of the participants claimed to have reported randomization in their latest publication, but Wrbel's team found evidence of randomization in only 17 percent of publications. (ANI)
US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a transition team spokeswoman said, the first such contact by a president-elect since President Jimmy Carter adopted a one-China policy in 1979.Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition, confirmed the call had taken place, and the transition team later issued a statement saying the two had noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States."An official of the Taiwan's representative office in Washington could not confirm the call but said it would be "historic" and the first contact between US and Taiwanese leaders since diplomatic ties were severed in 1979 and Washington established official ties with Beijing.The official said the Washington office was not involved in setting up the call. There was no immediate comment from China, which is likely to be angered given that it views Taiwan as a renegade province.Tsai Ing-wen was one of four world leaders contacted by Trump yesterday, raising questions about whether he is effectively coordinating with the US State Department before reaching out to leaders overseas.Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a note on Twitter: "Foreign policy consistency is a means, not an end. It's not sacred. Thus, it's Trump's right to shift policy, alliances, strategy."But he added in a second note: "What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. That's how wars start." REUTERS JW0501 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1049427.Xml
US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to meet with possible secretary of state pick Mitt Romney on Saturday in New Jersey, Trump's spokeswoman said."There is truth to the fact that Governor Romney is expected to join Mr. Trump out in New Jersey for a meeting this Saturday. I see eight meetings on the list for that day so far," Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway yesterday said in an interview posted on CNN's website. REUTERS JW0724 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1049437.Xml
China's Foreign Ministry has expressed concern after Yemen's armed Houthi movement and its political allies formed a new government, in what appeared a blow to UN-backed efforts to end 20 months of war in the country.Diplomats had hoped the Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa, would hold off on putting together a cabinet of their loyalists and instead form a unity government with their Yemeni foes, whom they pushed into Saudi exile.The Houthis, who control territory with more than half of Yemen's population, previously said forming a government with their allies did not mean abandoning the U.N.-sponsored peace process.The flight of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the internationally recognised president, triggered military intervention by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia that has carried out thousands of air strikes on the Houthis but failed to dislodge them from Sanaa.In a statement late on Friday, China's Foreign Ministry said it supported Yemen's legal government."We do not approve of any side in Yemen taking any unilateral actions that complicate the situation, and believe this is not beneficial to a political resolution of the Yemen issue," the ministry said in a short statement.China hopes relevant parties in Yemen continue dialogue to resolve the differences and reach an equitable settlement all sides can accept on the basis of United Nations resolutions and Gulf Cooperation Council initiatives, it added.China relies on the Middle East for oil but has tended to leave Middle Eastern diplomacy to the other four permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Britain, France and Russia.However, China has been trying to get more involved, especially in Syria and has taken tentative steps over the Yemen crisis too.In January, while Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Saudi Arabia, both countries affirmed their support for the unity, independence and sovereignty of Yemen and support for its internationally recognised government.Riyadh sees the Houthis as a proxy for bitter regional rival Iran to expand its influence in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation. The Houthis deny this and say they are waging a revolution against a corrupt government and Gulf Arab powers beholden to the West.China also has close ties with Iran.REUTERS JW -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1049441.Xml
Taiwan's policy making body on China, the Mainland Affairs Council, said on Saturday that China should look at the call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen "calmly"."We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship and create a new way that will benefit the development of peace, prosperity and stability for the region," it said in a statement. Reuters CJ GC1248 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-1049602.Xml
CASPER, Wyo.  A runaway girl cut her wrists with a razor blade while handcuffed and sitting in the back of a Casper police car just after midnight Friday, police chief Jim Wetzel said.

Officers quickly learned what had happened and provided first aid. The cuts were significant but not life threatening and the girl was taken to Wyoming Medical Center for treatment, Wetzel said in a statement released Friday morning by his department.

The girl cut herself after slipping her handcuffs to the front while in the back of a patrol car. Officers at the time were on the phone with someone from the Natrona County District Attorney's Office trying to determine where the girl should be taken.

Casper police have asked the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation to examine the incident, Wetzel said.

"While the investigation by DCI is underway, as the facts and circumstances have been relayed to me by my staff, I commend the professionalism and the immediate and timely actions of the officers to render care to the juvenile," Wetzel said in a release. "This appears to be a very unfortunate tragic accident."

Police had responded to an unidentified home where they believed the runaway girl was been harbored. They found her and took the girl into custody until they could take her to the proper facility.

Per department policy, she was handcuffed and searched for weapons, Wetzel said.

The police department will conduct its own internal review. No officers have been placed on administrative leave.

"The nature of these incidents, with the following investigations and the inherent scrutiny over actions, can be trying for everyone involved," Wetzel said. "For the involved officers, conscientious in their duty, this incident weighs heavily on them. For the juvenile and her family there are undoubtedly endless questions. I ask for the community to please be patient and keep the juvenile, her family, and the officers in your thoughts and prayers during this time."
GENEVA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Sexual violence has reached "epic proportions" in the conflict in South Sudan, a group of UN experts said on Friday while urging the establishment of a special investigative team.

"The scale of gang rape of civilian women as well as the horrendous nature of the rapes by armed men belonging to all groups is utterly repugnant and what's worse is that there is no sense of outrage about this horror," Yasmin Sooka, the chairperson of the UN independent Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, said in a statement issued Friday.

The Commission, who have just ended a ten-day visit during which they met women survivors around the country, said that the situation requires urgent attention of the world.

In the capital Juba, the experts said, a UN survey found 70 percent of women in Juba had suffered sexual assault since December 2013.

"There was justifiable uproar when international humanitarian workers were gang raped in July in the capital Juba but this is happening to South Sudanese women on a daily basis and the world is just averting its eyes," they noted in the statement.

Urging the Government of South Sudan and those in control of opposition territories to give UN investigators unfettered access to all areas of the country, the experts said that all commanders at every level have an affirmative responsibility to prevent and punish rape and other sexual violence.
DAMASCUS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- As many as 2,000 people evacuated the rebel-held suburb of Tal north of the capital Damascus on Friday, as part of a deal between the Syrian government and the armed rebels, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported.

Altogether 500 rebels and 1,500 civilians of their families were bussed out of Tal toward the rebel-held city of Idlib in northern Syria, as part of a deal concluded lately.

The deal for the evacuation of rebels and their families is the latest in a string of several deals the government struck with the rebels around Damascus.

Such deals include granting those who want to leave with a safe access to Idlib, in exchange for a total return of the Syrian government forces and its institutions to such rebel-held areas.

Previous deals for defusing the tension in Tal has fallen short to hold up as both the government forces and the rebels ended up in another wave of battles.

Tal was deemed as one of the key strongholds for the rebels in northern Damascus, as it links the rebel-held areas in Qalamoun region, northern Damascus to eastern Ghouta area.

The recapture of Tal comes days after a similar deal has seen the evacuation of 3,000 rebels and their families from the southern town of Khan al-Shieh, another key rebel stronghold south of Damascus.

The report said Khan al-Sheih and 13 villages around it returned under the government control, which helped secure the capital from any rebel threat.

Observers say the vicinity of the capital is safe now except for its eastern part, mainly the Ghouta area.

The government calls such instances as settlement or reconciliation, while the opposition accuses the government of laying tough sieges as well as heavily shelling those areas to force the rebels to leave.
TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran sent a consignment of humanitarian aid to the people in Syria's northwestern city of Aleppo, Press TV reported on Friday.

The shipment contained 150,000 food cans, the head of the Relief and Rescue Organization of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Morteza Salimi, said.

Salimi said that Iran has so far dispatched 28,000 blankets, 400 tents, 800 rugs, 5,000 oil heaters, 1,400 boxes of dried bread, eight tonnes of medicines, 700 sets of dishware and 165,000 food cans to Aleppo.

Some 31,500 civilians have been displaced since fighting between warring factions escalated on Nov. 24 in Aleppo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported Friday.

Once Syria's economic hub, Aleppo has been bitterly contested by the Syrian army and opposition groups since 2012.
TEHRAN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Friday that the U.S. Senate's vote to extend sanctions against the Islamic republic is a violation of an international deal on Iran's nuclear issue clinched in July 2015.

"As it was repeatedly announced by senior Iranian officials, the recent decision by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to extend sanctions against Iran runs counter to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi.

"It is also against the U.S. obligations under international law on non-interference in domestic and international relations of other countries," Qasemi was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for another 10 years, which was endorsed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

The bill has still to be signed by the U.S. president to become a law.

The ISA was first adopted in 1996 to sanction Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Qasemi said Friday that "the political developments inside the U.S. and interactions between its legislative and executive branches cannot justify the country's failure to abide by its international commitments."

Iran has already proved its commitment to international agreements, he said, with necessary preparations to "effectively, firmly and prudently safeguard the nation's rights."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the U.S. administration's conduct, and will present a report to the committee tasked with monitoring the JCPOA's implementation, he added.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said Friday that Iran is fully prepared to respond to the vote.

Salehi said that Iran will make no "emotional decisions" without "prudence, vigilance and wisdom," stressing Iran's national interests and sovereignty.

The new U.S. move is a "blatant violation" of last year's international nuclear agreement, which put an end to the disputes over Iran's nuclear program, he added.

He said that Iran has always made efforts to keep the JCPOA alive since it is a great and important achievement for Iran, the region and the international community.

He also expressed the hope that the U.S. officials would act according to their obligations.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week that if the U.S. renews the ISA, the Islamic republic will "definitely" react.

Iran and six world major countries, namely the U.S., Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany, reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July, 2015 that puts Iran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear program.

The deal sets limits on Iran's nuclear activities as it will take Tehran at least one year to produce enough fissile materials for producing a nuclear weapon, and allows regular inspections of the facilities inside Iran.

In return, the U.S. and the European Union will suspend nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran.

Many members of the U.S. Congress had expressed deep concern over the deal, warning that Tehran could evade inspections and use the money from sanction relief to destabilize the region.
TRIPOLI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Heavy clashes broke out between rival militias in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Thursday and Friday.

Explosions rocked Abu Salim and Al-Hadba districts, with heavily armed men stationed in several parts of the city, witnesses said.

Heavy fires and explosions could be heard all over Tripoli, where major roads have been blocked with shipping containers, residents said. Civilian casualties have been reported, but no official source could be reached for comment.

Martin Kobler, the head of the UN support mission in Libya, expressed concerns over the escalation of violence in Tripoli on Friday.

"It is completely unacceptable for armed groups to fight to assert their interest and control, particularly in residential areas, terrorizing the population," Kobler said. "We are in contact with the parties on the ground to urge an immediate end to this fighting."

Tripoli is controlled by armed factions independent from the authorities in the city.

Libya has been suffering escalating violence since the uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
BEIRUT, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon thwarted a drug smuggling operation through Beirut's port and detained four suspects, the Lebanese Finance Ministry announced Friday.

The port inspectors found 300 kilograms of hashish in a container heading to Egypt, said the ministry statement.

It added that the customs agent handling the container's documents and the truck driver were detained at the scene, while the owner of the hashish was arrested after an investigation.

The Anti-Drug Bureau also "raided a depot owned by the suspect in the Mount Lebanon town of Aramoun."

The Lebanese authorities arrested the owner of the export company used to ship the drugs in Beirut's Barbir area.

The statement also revealed a case in which "7,760 pills of Captagon were confiscated from a shipment intended for Saudi Arabia through Lebanon post." The pills were hidden inside a package that contained baby clothes.

Investigations revealed that the package was sent by a Syrian national at a Lebanon post office, his whereabouts still unknown.
CAPE TOWN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's National Treasury on Friday welcomed a decision by Standard and Poor's (S&P) to affirm the country's's foreign currency debt rating.

In a statement on Friday, S&P affirmed the country's long-and short-term foreign currency ratings at 'BBB-/A-3', while keeping a negative outlook.

"This was as a result of working together as South Africans to ensure that the country remains an investment grade," the Treasury said in a statement.

Rising risks have, however, resulted in the agency's decision to lower the long-term local currency debt rating from "BBB+" to "BBB," a rating that is still two notched above sub-investment grade.

S&P's announcement means that all three rating agencies (including Moody's and Fitch) have retained South Africa in an investment grade.

Last week, Fitch changed South Africa's outlook from stable to negative, while affirming its Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at "BBB-," which is one notch above sub-investment.

Moody's has also kept South Africa's sovereign rating at Baa2, which is two-notch above sub-investment with a "negative" outlook.

"South Africa presents a lot of opportunities and strengths which have been highlighted by the agency (S&P)," the Treasury said.

These include a large and active local currency fixed-income market, the continuation by the government to keep its track record of fiscal consolidation despite rising uncertainty, and a strong democracy with independent media and reporting.

The country has high institutional strength particularly regarding the judiciary which provides checks and balances and accountability, the Treasury said.

The South Africa Reserve Bank has ensured independent monetary policy, and the country's banking sector's performance has remained reasonably strong, said the Treasury.

According to S&P, the ratings are supported by their assumption that South Africa will experience continued broad political and institutional stability as well as macroeconomic policy continuity.

S&P also takes into account the view that the country will maintain fairly strong and transparent political institutions and deep financial markets.

"While we have strengths as a country, we also have weaknesses that we are and will continue to address as government to achieve our common goal of reducing inequality, poverty and unemployment," the Treasury said.

S&P highlighted some of these weaknesses as heavy dependence on resident and nonresident purchases of rand-denominated currency debt to finance the fiscal and external deficit, growth weakness exacerbated by rising political noise that has distracted from growth-enhancing reforms, and a structurally high current account deficit that relies on volatile flows for financing, among others. Enditem
MADRID, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish government has raised taxes in order to reduce public deficit and meet the European Union (EU) deficit target, the government announced on Friday.

The government expected to collect 7.5 billion euros (7.9 billion U.S. dollars) in taxes so that the deficit falls to the 3.1 percent requested by the EU in 2017 from the 2016 target of 4.6 percent.

The country's Finance Minister, Cristobal Montoro, explained that most of the money, 4.3 billion euros, would be from an increase in company taxes, while the rest would be related to anti-tax fraud measures and taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks.

He said the rise was necessary in order to meet the 2017 deficit target, saying that "we have to make a big effort to reduce the deficit".

The government also set the spending limit at 118.337 billion euros for 2017, which meant a 5 billion euro fall when compared with 2016, and revised up its economic forecast for this year and 2017 from the former 2.9 percent to 3.2 percent and from 2.3 percent to 2.5 percent respectively. (1 euro=1.06 U.S. dollars) Enditem
ISTANBUL, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Russian cargo ship ran aground off Istanbul on Friday evening due to bad weather, local media reported.

The ship got stranded in the Marmara Sea in the Kartal district in the Asian side of Istanbul, the private Dogan news agency said, noting the Russian crew were waiting to be rescued.

Fire workers, coast guards and ambulances were dispatched to the scene, but strong wind was hampering the rescue operation, press reports said.

On Dogan's video clip, some men were seen sitting in a lifeboat on the deck of the ship, which has reportedly 11 crew members aboard.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Syria's Aleppo City, where an estimated 31,500 people are displaced from areas in eastern Aleppo retaken by the government of Syria, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Friday.

"This includes around 26,500 people displaced to government-held areas or Sheikh Maqsoud, as well as some 5,000 people who are displaced within east Aleppo," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

"The UN and partners are scaling up their humanitarian response in Aleppo and responding to the needs of the newly displaced in all areas they can access with shelter, food, and health assistance," he said. "Today, three UN inter-agency teams are being dispatched to assess the needs of the newly displaced who have arrived from eastern Aleppo.

"The protection situation for civilians remains precarious," Dujarric said, adding that reports have emerged of the detention of people crossing into government-held areas, while 45 civilians were reportedly killed by shelling on Nov. 30 as they attempted to cross into west Aleppo.

"With the onset of winter and the possibility of thousands more people fleeing the eastern part of the city in the coming days, insufficient and inadequate shelter space is a major concern," he said. "Some sites hosting internally displaced people are already filled to capacity and other sites are not properly winterized and are only suitable shelter for a few days."

"Meanwhile, conditions for those remaining in besieged parts of eastern Aleppo remain extremely dire," the spokesman said.

"The UN remains ready to provide immediate assistance to, and medical evacuations for, civilians inside eastern Aleppo," he said. "In addition, truckloads of humanitarian supplies stand ready to deliver humanitarian assistance in eastern Aleppo from Turkey and west Aleppo."
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in coordination with its partner, Muslim Aid, has been stepping up assistance to displaced Iraqis and residents in the newly retaken towns and villages east of Mosul in north Iraq, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said here Friday.

"The agency has begun distributing thousands of blankets and quilts as temperatures plummet in northern Iraqm" Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

More than 76,000 people have now been displaced since the start of the military offensive to retake Mosul.

Currently, UNHCR has six camps ready to receive people displaced from Mosul and surrounding towns and villages, he added.

On Oct. 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, announced the start of a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city, in a bid to liberate the northern Iraqi city, the last major Islamic State (IS) stronghold in Iraq.

Mosul, some 400 km north of the 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.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Vienna on Tuesday to bid farewell to the staff of the UN agencies based in the Austrian capital and underscore the importance of their work in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, a UN spokesman said here Friday.

"He will also thank the Austrian authorities for their support to the UN family in Vienna," Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Ban will step down on Dec. 31 at the end of his two five-year terms, and he will be succeeded by the incoming UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, on Jan. 1, 2017.

"During his stay, the secretary-general will hold a number of bilateral meetings with Austrian officials, including the chancellor of the Republic, Christian Kern, and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz," the spokesman said.

In Vienna, the secretary-general will also visit the Habibi & Hawara Restaurant, where refugees work together with locals to serve fusion cuisine, he said. "The visit will provide an opportunity to showcase 'Together: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All', the UN system-wide initiative to counter xenophobia."

Before heading back to New York on Dec. 9, the secretary-general will deliver remarks at the Anti-Corruption Award Ceremony which will be attended by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, he said.

"The ceremony is an important part of the global activities to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and to underscore that, unless tackled, corruption has a corrosive effect on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals," Dujarric said.

"On the sidelines of that event, the secretary-general will have a bilateral meeting with the Amir."
LONDON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) aerobatic team, The Red Arrows, arrived at their Scampton base in Lincolnshire on Friday after long tour that included their first ever visit to China.

The tour, their largest in decade, completed more than 20 displays and flypasts across Asia and the Middle East, which attracted millions of spectators.

The tour included the team's first ever visit to China, where the British-built Hawk jets performed at the airshow in Zhuhai.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MOD) has described the tour as "part of RAF Exercise Eastern Venture, as well as the government's GREAT campaign supporting British interests in trade and innovation."

The government-led GREAT Britain campaign aims to promote Britain internationally as a great place to visit, study and do business in partnership with hundreds of British organizations of all sizes and sectors.

"This historic deployment illustrated the UK's influence across the globe, promoting British prosperity and business excellence," added the spokesman.

Defense Secretary Michael Fallon also applauded the team's tour, saying "We can be very proud of all the RAF personnel who made this exercise a success. This historic Red Arrows tour has highlighted Britain's ability to project 'soft power' across the world."

Fallon said this tour has underlined not only Britain's defensive strength but also the country's export potential.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the formal name of the Red Arrows, was formed in 1964. The team has performed over 4,700 displays worldwide since then.
HELSINKI, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Finnish minister for foreign trade and development Kai Mykkanen said on Friday that Europe must work to restore confidence in free trade in terms of labor rights.

Interviewed on national broadcaster Yle Radio, Mykkanen took up the image problem that free trade is regarded as a risk to workers. He said Europe must work to restore confidence in free trade in terms of labor rights.

The minister referred to recent difficulties in winning wide acceptance to the transatlantic free trade arrangements. He said there was resistance in the European Union (EU)-Canada arrangement even though the conflict-resolution system there matched European views of justice.

Mykkanen said free trade did not facilitate violations of workers' rights, but rather created new jobs.

The minister underlined the importance of accepting the legitimate interests of welfare states when making the rules of trade. He said the recent agreement between the EU and Canada was a good example to follow.

Mykkanen also said Africa would be a big player in the not-so-distant future. In the 2020s, Africa will be a major export target area for Finnish investment commodities, he said.
PARIS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Six people who were held by an armed robber in a travel agency in Paris on Friday have been freed while the robber is still on run, Paris police have said.

"Armed robbery in Massena boulevard in Paris: operation has ended. Six people released. The robber was not on the site," police tweeted.

Police are searching for the gunman who stormed the Asieland travel agency at 6:50 p.m. local time (1750 GMT) in south Paris, according to BFMTV news channel.

The travel agency's director called the police after fleed from the scene, it added.

The travel agency has previously been the target of robberies as its clients, most of whom were Asians, often use cash for transactions.
LJUBLJANA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirty migrants were arrested in a village in southwest Slovenia on Thursday night for entering the country illegally.

The migrants include 25 Afghans and five Pakistanis. Police believe they reached Slovenia's Podgorje after crossing Slovenia-Croatia border illegally. The migrants will be handed over to Croatian authorities, the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) has reported.

Podgorje, which locates on a route between Croatia and Italy, has registered an increase in illegal crossings recently, according to STA.

In the first 10 months this year, Slovenian police detained 792 migrants for illegal border crossings, according to data from the Interior Ministry. The figure marks an 89.5 percent increase from the same period a year ago.
A man carries the covered body of a boy following a reported barrel bomb attack on the Bab al-Nairab neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on November 24, 2016. (AFP/ AMEER ALHALBI )

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition killed 54 civilians between March 31 and Oct. 22 in airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria and Iraq, raising the death toll of civilians to 173 since the start of the campaign in 2014, said the Pentagon on Thursday.

The civilian deaths occurred in six airstrikes in Syria and one airstrike in Iraq during the period, according to a Pentagon statement, which said some casualties were "unavoidable."

Three more reports received in October were still under assessment, said the Pentagon.

The most deadly airstrike occurred on July 18, 2016 near Manbij, Syria, which claimed 24 civilian lives while killing about 100 IS militants, it said.

The Pentagon also said the civilians killed were people "who had been interspersed with combatants" in a known IS staging area where no civilian was seen in the 24 hours before the strike.

The Pentagon's figures contradict the assessment by London-based Amnesty International, which estimated that about 300 civilians have been killed in 11 coalition airstrikes in Syria alone.
China's vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao speaks during an interview in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Dec. 2, 2016. World economy is recovering, but the process is slow and unbalanced, China's vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao said here Friday. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

BERLIN, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- World economy is recovering, but the process is slow and unbalanced, China's vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao said here Friday.

"The risks of economic downturn and uncertainties are increasing," Zhu said on the sidelines of a G20 finance and central bank deputies meeting.

Monetary policy divergence among developed economies, negative growth of some major emerging economies, decline of world trade, and major geopolitical events have contributed to the slow and unbalanced recovery, according to the Chinese official.

"China is reforming its economic structure steadily and we have the confidence to maintain its stable and healthy development," Zhu said.

Germany takes over the presidency of the G20 leading economies from China on Thursday. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G20 economies will gather twice before next year's G20 summit in Germany's Hamburg.
Representatives of Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party show a bill to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye in Seoul, South Korea, on the early morning of Dec. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Newsis)

SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korean lawmakers put forward a historic bill to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye early Saturday, after the opposition bloc heralded a vote on the motion on Dec. 9.

A parliamentary official told Xinhua on the phone that the bill was handed in to the relevant office at about 4:10 a.m. local time (1910 GMT).

It marks the second impeachment proposal since the country's constitutional government was launched about seven decades ago. The latest was in 2004 for late President Roh Moo-hyun.

The impeachment motion was filed with the National Assembly by 171 opposition and independent legislators. The ruling Saenuri Party, which has 128 lawmakers, refrained from taking part in the proposal.

The assembly's speaker Chung Se-kyun of the biggest opposition Minjoo Party failed to join the move for political neutrality rules, but he reportedly plans to participate in the vote.

Three main opposition parties, including the Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party, have agreed to vote on the impeachment on Dec. 9 when the regular session ends.

The impeachment motion states that President Park comprehensively and gravely violated laws and the constitution in her office for nearly four years. Park took office in February 2013.

It says Park's breach of laws and constitution was threatening enough to justify the expulsion of the president and that Park betrayed legitimacy and trust granted by the general public.

The constitutional violations, according to the impeachment bill, include the president's permission of her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil and other associates of Choi to meddle in state affairs and influence the appointment of government officials behind the scenes.

Also included in the breach of the constitution is the government's initial bungling of rescue operations in one of the country's most devastating maritime disasters on April 16, 2014 when a passenger ferry Sewol sank in waters off southwestern South Korea.

Controversy arose over the whereabouts of the president for seven hours right after the ferry tragedy occurred. The impeachment bill says President Park failed to recognize what was happening during the "golden time" for rescue.

Park's inappropriate response to the disaster has been denounced for contributing the most to the death of over 300 passengers, mostly high school students on a class trip to the southern resort island of Jeju.

The infraction of laws referred to by the impeachment motion is the bribery. Park's decades-long friend has been charged with extorting tens of millions of U.S. dollars from large conglomerates to set up two nonprofit foundations controlled by Choi.

Prosecutors branded President Park as a criminal accomplice to Choi in multiple charges including abuse of power and extortion. The prosecution office was investigating whether Choi used her relationship with the president to grant business favors in return for donations.

The headquarters of Samsung Group was raided by prosecutors on suspicion that the country's largest family-run conglomerate bribed Choi in exchange for support from the national pension fund in last year's controversial merger of two subsidiaries of the group to create a de-facto holding company.

The offices of Lotte and SK, two of the country's top five chaebols, were also searched on charges of offering kickbacks to Choi in return for getting licenses for lucrative duty-free shop operation.
HANOI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's leading information and communications technology (ICT) provider Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has pledged to long-term development projects in Vietnam, said David Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Huawei in the Southeast Asia Region.

In a recent interview with Xinhua during his visit to Vietnam, Sun said Huawei has played a crucial role in the development of informatization in Vietnam.

After his group joined the Vietnamese market, the spread of broadband internet was prolific while telecommunication fees had been reduced to help everyone have access to the internet, said Sun.

"Huawei hopes that on the basis of equal and just competition, Huawei will be able to more actively participate in the construction of a 4G LTE network, contribute to the transition to a digital economy, boost the development of Vietnamese ICT providers and become an important partner of those ICT firms," said Sun.

Recalling the fact that in 2011, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei signed and published Huawei Cyber Security Assurance Policy, which reads: "Huawei guarantees that its commitment to cyber security will never be outweighed by the consideration of commercial interests," Sun said his group, with an open and positive attitude, is willing to help governments, companies, and customers to face the challenges of cyber security.

Meanwhile, the CEO said Huawei attaches great importance to cooperation with local partners in Vietnam for co-development.

"The combination between the capacities of local partners and the global values of Huawei will boost creativity in the country, which will lead to increasing competitiveness of the ICT sector," said the CEO, highlighting that in Vietnam, Huawei has cooperated with local military-run telecommunication group Viettel to expand operations to markets in 10 countries worldwide.

In the coming three years, Huawei will invest one million U.S. dollars in ICT human resource training in Vietnam.

"We hope that through long-term development, and further fostering ICT personnel in Vietnam, we will help contribute to the greater development of the Vietnamese ICT," Sun told Xinhua.

Huawei Vietnam has 272 employees, 82 percent of whom are local Vietnamese people. The rate of personnel localization in Vietnam remains higher than that of 75 percent of Huawei globally, Sun explained.

Having first entered the Vietnamese market in 1998, Huawei opened Huawei Technologies Company Limited in Vietnam in 2008, operating through three divisions: Carrier, Enterprise and Consumer.

In terms of its consumer applications, Huawei started to develop smartphones in Vietnam in 2015. Over the past year, its revenue from smartphones has almost tripled.

Currently, Huawei smartphones account for 3.8 percent of Vietnam's smartphone market share. The figure is forecast to hit 5 percent by the end of this year, said Zhou Zhen, General Director of Huawei Vietnam.
WELLINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- How to make sugar into an art masterpiece? Artists from Liaoning, China gave New Zealanders a unique opportunity to get a closer experience of Chinese intangible cultural heritage in the Te Papa, kiwi's national museum in Wellington on Saturday.

Susan, a 63-year old Wellington resident, found a new teacher in the Liaoning Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop. Although they could not communicate by a same language, Susan and Zhang Bin, the master of Jinzhou Dough Modeling, successfully made a rose by a small piece of dough.

Dough modeling is done by kneading, squeezing and cutting a glutinous rice-based material into different lifelike shapes such as animals, flowers and birds. It is a folk art that has roots in the worship customs of China's ancient agricultural society.

On the other side of the room, girls gathered around the sugar art master Li Fengyan, attracted by an edible handicraft. Li used a spoon as a "brush" and malt sugar as "ink" to make colorful patterns such as flowers, birds, fishes and insects. That is a magic skill to cast boiled syrup on a stone into art pieces by back-and-forth motions.

The traditional Chinese sugar art quickly became the new modern fashion for kiwi kids. They ran across the room, holding beautiful and delicious new toys, showing to their parents.

The workshop also invited other three masters of Liaoning intangible cultural heritage. During the interactive exhibition, they showed local people some unforgettable skills, such as Yiwulushan Manchu paper-cutting, Manchu Knots of Western Liaoning and Amber Carving.

Qu Guangzhou, the Charge d'affaires of Chinese embassy to New Zealand, said in the workshop launching ceremony that the artists may not as popular as the pop stars in China, but they are real masters and heroes. The strong and dynamic relation between China and New Zealand is supported by people-to-people relations and cultural links of the two countries, said Qu.

The workshop is co-organized by the China Cultural Centre in New Zealand and the Department of Culture in Liaoning province. The organizers aimed to give New Zealanders a great insight of the culture diversity of China and how the heritage in art forms passed down from old to young.

Xu Hongying the deputy director general of Liaoning province department of culture, said in the launching ceremony that Liaoning province has cooperation with New Zealand in a wide range of areas and the workshop is about to give people in Aotearoa an experience with great Liaoning local characteristics.

Guo Zongguang, the director of the China Cultural Center in New Zealand, told the audience in Te Papa that China is a country with rich resources of intangible cultural heritage, with 39 items in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.

Apart from Te Papa, the Liaoning Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop scheduled to have several activities in schools and libraries in Wellington in the following week.
CHANGSHA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A court in central China's Hunan Province has handed down the death penalty for two drug dealers, one from Hong Kong and the other from Mexico, for producing and selling drugs in China.

Two other principal culprits of the transnational drug gang were sentenced to suspended death with two years' reprieve, according to Friday's ruling by the Intermediate People's Court in Chenzhou City.

Five members of the gang received jail terms from 15 years to life, according to the court ruling.

Court investigation found the gang produced more than 400 kilograms of methamphetamine and 254 kilograms of caffeine at their underground drug factory in a mountainous village in Guiyang County of Hunan Province.

About 100 kg of the meth had been sold to drug dealers and addicts before the gang was busted in 2013.
by Huang Yinjiazi, Li Sibo, Wu Baoshu

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- S. Krishna, once a small business salesman, was catapulted into a whole new life two years ago when he found a job in a Dar es Salaam-based Chinese company.

"Working with the Sunshine Industrial Company not only offered me a new set of business skills, but also changed my way of thinking," the Tanzanian man in his early forties said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

After years of job-hopping with no success, Krishna got a position in the Sunshine Industrial Company in 2014, a Chinese group engaged in various fields of business including mining, manufacture and logistics.

The company has been expanding at a fast pace, which to him was almost a miracle. Krishna said he had never seen an operation and management system as efficient as the one invented by this Chinese company.

After joining the Sunshine, Krishna received training at the Chinese Agriculture University in Beijing, China, where Krishna found the reasons behind the miracle after studying and visiting farms and villages during a three-week stay.

"I was impressed by how the Chinese work hard to earn a living," Krishna said. Moreover, he found that the notion of sustainable development has been the key to China's success in feeding a growing population and lifting millions out of poverty.

The Chinese say intelligence is endowed, but wisdom is learnt, said the Tanzanian man who was promoted to general manager a year after he joined Sunshine Industrial Company. "I was familiar with local market and Tanzanian ways of doing business."

Lv Youqing, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, said Chinese companies have created 150,000 direct employments and 350,000 indirect employments in the East African country. China helps create more jobs than any other countries in Tanzania, he added.

Tanzania is an ideal house for labor-intensive industries. According to World Bank statistics, in the East African country with 56 million people, the number of youths (aged 14 to 25) has grown significantly over the past decades, contributing to the bulk of the labor force.

In absolute numbers, the size of Tanzania's youth almost doubled from 4.4 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2010. It is expected to swell to 11 million by 2020 and 15 million by 2030.

However, Tony Sun, an executive director of Sunshine Industrial Company, said Tanzania, like some other African countries, has relatively low labor efficiency due to lacking of skilled workers, which was the biggest obstacle for the development of labor-intensive industries.

"That's why professional training should be so important for every Chinese enterprises seeking to develop in Africa," he said, noting that his company holds training session every week for local staff.

Tooku Garments Company, a Chinese firm in Benjamin William Mkapa special economic zone in Dar Es Salaam, spent two months on average training per African worker.

Wang Jingying, a slim woman from China's eastern Zhejiang Province, was hired by Tooku Garments Company to train local workers. Wang, one of the company's 32 Chinese staff, has been in Tanzania for a year.

"Tanzanians are earnest learners," she said, "So am I," she added with pride. "Now I can communicate with locals in Kiswahili."

The media company StarTimes, operating in Tanzania among other African countries has been for years implementing a strategy of talent localization.

The company allocates 250 hours every year for training. Besides, StarTimes sent local staff to study in China, where they learnt China's most advanced media technologies in leading companies and institutes.

On the wall of a hall housing lines of computers, there's a picture of the company's managing staff, most of whom are Tanzanians.

"We will transfer the operation to Africans with a hope to promote sustainable development by local people," said executive director Sun.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General on Friday commended the people of The Gambia for holding Thursday's presidential elections "in a peaceful and orderly manner."

The secretary-general, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, commended the Independent Electoral Commission for ensuring that the necessary conditions were in place for the organization of a successful election.

Ban also congratulated President-elect Adama Barrow on his election and commended President Yahya Jammeh for his message congratulating the President-elect, the statement said.

"The secretary-general reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to continue to support the people and the government of The Gambia in their efforts to promote human rights, achieve sustainable development and strengthen good governance and the rule of law in the country," said the statement.

Opposition candidate Barrow has won The Gambia's presidential elections, defeating President Jammeh, who has been ruling the West African nation for 22 years.
by Raimundo Urrechaga

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cuba's second-largest city, Santiago is preparing to receive Fidel Castro's motorized funeral procession, following its 1000-km cross-country journey from the capital Havana.

Castro's ashes are to be interred at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery on Sunday, alongside the remains of national hero Jose Marti.

Though the burial ceremony will be a private family affair, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to converge on the southeastern city for Castro's funeral on Saturday night at the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and Bolivia's President Evo Morales are expected to attend the event, along with former Brazilian Presidents, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, and former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.

Posters and pictures of the revolutionary leader have been placed all over the city, and many locals are wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning.

"Santiago de Cuba is a heroic city that has always set an example of what freedom is, and I am proud that our commander will be here and his remains placed at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery," Juan Hernandez, a Cuban state worker, told Xinhua.

Santiago was the first major city to fall to Castro when he led the revolutionary movement to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, and has long been considered the "cradle" of the socialist revolution.

It is also where Castro began his revolutionary struggle, leading a failed attack on the Moncada military barracks in 1953, then considered site of Batista's second-largest garrison.

"Santiago de Cuba was the cradle of the revolution and we always knew that in the end he would come to our city to rest next to the national hero, because Fidel, like Jose Marti, defended the ideals of social justice for the people of Cuba," resident Mercedes Larduet, a teacher, said.

Castro's motorcade is to arrive on Saturday and pass through the main streets and historical sites of the city, receiving what is expected to be a massive welcome.

"Fidel loved Santiago because he lived here in his youth. I think it is an honor for our city to be the place where his remains rest," resident Luis Toranzo told Xinhua.

Tens of thousands of Cubans have greeted Castro's funeral cortege on its journey across 13 of Cuba's 15 provinces to Santiago.

Considered one of the most prominent leaders of the 20th century, Castro spearheaded unprecedented levels of development in Cuba, whose quality of life indexes often rival those of much larger and richer nations.

After 47 years in power, in 2008 Castro officially retired due to health problems, and occasionally wrote editorials on world events.

He died on Nov. 25 at the age of 90.
A caravan of followers of multiple faith traditions will travel south on Sunday for an interfaith prayer service at the Oceti Sakowin camp at the invitation of Chief Arvol Looking Horse.

Looking Horse is a spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations and the 19th-generation keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle. In his invitation, he asks religious people to come and support the youth of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

This is a very serious time we are in. I know in my heart there are millions of people that feel this is long overdue, he said. It is time that all of us become leaders to help protect the sacred upon Mother Earth. She is the source of life and not a resource.

The Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist Church will forgo its regular two Sunday services so its members can travel to Standing Rock to attend the service. A caravan will leave the church at 7:45 a.m.

Pastor Karen Van Fossan said Looking Horses invitation to the camp is more of a calling.

He has invited people of all traditions to gather on Sunday and pray together, because the heart of camp is prayer," she said. "When we come and pray together, we magnify those prayers and we build relationships. We can bring about cultural change that needs to happen that Standing Rock is leading for us."

Van Fossan expects at least 200 people from more than 30 faiths and traditions to attend.

The diversity of the traditions that will be represented will be very inspiring to me, she said.

Additionally, people from around the world will pray in solidarity at 10 a.m. Central time, Van Fossan said.

A schedule of events includes a tentative Water Ceremony to take place at sunrise. Interfaith prayers are scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by a presentation by the Youth Council and a community lunch. Interfaith visits and conversations are slated for 2 p.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Church requests that people register to attend by visiting https://tinyurl.com/standingrockdayofprayer. However, Van Fossan said anyone who does not register but feels called to attend still may join the caravan.

For more information, visit www.bismanuu.org or contact Van Fossan at minister@bismanuu.org.
CANCUN, Mexico, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Countries must unite to defend biodiversity instead of building border walls, Erik Solheim, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said Friday.

"The United States, Mexico, Europe and China, if they work together toward common solutions, they can achieve miracles, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals," said Solheim, ahead of the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP13) to be held from Dec. 4-17 in Cancun, Mexico.

"It is crucial for all countries and sectors to work together to attack the problems afflict the plant, such as the lack of biodiversity," the official added.

Solheim also took shots at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's plan to build a border wall along the Mexican border to keep immigrants out.

Pointing out that global efforts have achieved landmark results, such as reducing hunger in Africa by 70 percent, Solheim stated political forces should stand together.

According to Solheim, if political forces are allowed to divide humanity, lofty goals will fail and tourism, environment, and biodiversity will all suffer.

Mexico's Environment Minister Rafael Pacchiano also said he would seek to build links with the incoming Trump administration to protect the environment.

The COP13 will be officially held on Sunday, and around 200 ministers and envoys from around the world have begun discussing actions needed to protect biodiversity since Friday.
CARACAS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela on Friday vented anger over the country's suspension from the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez described the suspension as a "coup" against his country.

On Friday, the foreign ministers of the other four Mercosur members -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay -- sent a letter to Venezuela, informing it of the suspension over failure to meet the group's norms on trade and human rights.

The letter read that Venezuela showed persistent "noncompliance with the obligations it committed to in its adhesion protocol ... and repeated statements expressing the impossibility of incorporating Mercosur's specific norms."

For that reason, "it has been decided to cease (Venezuela) from exercising its right as a member state."

Rodriguez showed defiance, saying that Venezuela will continue to be a member state of Mercosur.

"Venezuela has not been notified about Mercosur norms and therefore we cannot be assumed to know what should be done. This is nothing more than a coup within Mercosur," he told reporters in Caracas.

Venezuela claimed the rotating presidency of Mercosur on July. 30, 2016 from Uruguay. But Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay refused to recognize Caracas' presidency, saying the country's political and economic woes prevented it from playing an effective role.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General said Friday that he was "concerned by the increasing polarization in the Maldives, which has made dialogue among the government and political parties increasingly difficult."

"The secretary-general strongly encourages all concerned to work toward an inclusive dialogue aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions based on compromise, the primacy of the national interest and the preservation of democratic principles and institutions," said a statement issued here by Ban Ki-moon's spokesman.

"The United Nations reiterates its readiness to extend its support to an inclusive and genuine dialogue and continue facilitation efforts," the statement said.

UN officials were in the Maldives in March and April, seeking to help start the talks between the government and the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in order to resolve a protracted political crisis in the small island country.

The UN-sponsored effort to spur dialogue failed after proximity talks with a UN envoy.

A follow-up visit in July by Tamrat Samuel, a special advisor at the UN Department of Political Affairs, ended with no sign of meaningful progress.
by Edna Alcantara

OXKUTZCAB, Mexico, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Preserving biodiversity is one of the ways to counter the consequences of global warming, anthropologist James Callaghan has said.

In an interview with Xinhua, Callaghan stressed that failure to take actions in regards of biodiversity preservation would mean the "extinction" of humanity.

"This is an urgent situation," added Callaghan, the American anthropologist and director general of the private Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve in Mexico's Yucatan Province. He made the remarks on Friday ahead of the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Cancun, Mexico in Dec. 4-17.

"We only think of economic benefits and we forget to care for water and oxygen. We are part of biodiversity and not thinking it is part of our lives will mean our extinction," the scientist told Xinhua.

In his opinion, the world needs dialogues at all levels that involve civil organizations and the general public so as "to seek workable solutions for productivity and well-being."

In Callaghan's Kaxil Kiuic Biocultural Reserve, academics and researchers, backed up by the local residents, worked tirelessly to protect the 238 species in the park: 11 in amphibians, 36 reptiles, 151 birds and 40 mammals, including jaguars that were sacred to indigenous Mayans but have been on the endangered list today.

The Kaxil Kiuic Reserve, founded a decade ago, lies 100 km south of the provincial capital of Merida. Spreading across 1,462 hectares of a rainforest, it has become one of the largest private reserves in Latin America.

Animals were monitored through 24-hour cameras set all over the park. These cameras helped Callaghan and his team document the animals' activities in the reserve, a place that has become particularly important as agriculture, deforestation, hunting and livestock farming modified the jungle and threatened animals' habitats.

"It is important to protect the entire chain, not only one type of flora or fauna," said Callaghan, who is also a member of the Yucatan Center for Scientific Investigation.

Jaguars were particularly in danger. Callaghan has only detected six individuals of them in the past three years.

Different from pumas, which are more resilient to the conditions in Kaxil Kiuic, jaguars have been used to roaming over larger areas.

One of Callaghan's priorities was to crack down on hunting of endangered species. To that end, basic environmental education to enhance public awareness has been in need in local communities.

The good news was that with the help of a carbon emissions monitoring lab offered by Mexico's National Forestry Commission, Kaxil Kiuic has been able to conduct environmental impact studies to monitor and measure the CO2 emissions in the area.

The lab tracks existing carbon amount between the atmosphere and vegetation layers, in order to establish a model that could be extrapolated to similar rainforest, which have been less studied but more endangered.
BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Just four years after the concept first took shape, the Chinese dream is widening its appeal in and beyond China.

First suggested in November 2012 by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Chinese dream quickly struck a chord with the Chinese people, but it might be set to do much more than that.

A DREAM FOR A COHESIVE NATION

Xi has spoken about the Chinese dream on many occasions over the past four years, and it is widely agreed that the Chinese dream goes hand in hand with the Chinese people leading happy and satisfying lives.

"The Chinese dream is, after all, a dream of the people," Xi said in a speech during his visit to the United States in September last year. "We can fulfill the Chinese dream only when we link it with our people's yearning for a better life."

"As I understand, the Chinese dream is one that every individual is striving for," Wang Zijun, a college student, said.

"Put together, our dreams could function as a driving force for society," Wang said.

For Yu Changyou, a retiree in Tianjin, his dream was simple: Good health for his mother and son.

A salesclerk in Tianjin, who only identified herself by her surname Song, said her dream four years ago was to see greater air quality in the city.

This has come true, to some extent, Song said, "The whole city is cleaner than before and there are more days of sunshine."

But the Chinese dream is still more than just a culmination of individual dreams. It is also a dream of national rejuvenation for the entire people.

"Nowadays, everyone is talking about the Chinese dream," Xi said on Nov. 29, 2012, in Beijing when he first used the concept. "In my view, realizing the great renewal of the Chinese nation is the Chinese nation's greatest dream in modern history."

Through decades of hard work, China, now the world's second-largest economy, is aiming to reach its two centenary goals -- doubling the 2010 GDP and per-capita income of urban and rural residents and completing the building of a moderately prosperous society by 2020; and building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the middle of this century.

Never have the Chinese people been so close to realizing their dreams than today.

For years, the country has seen its people's average income increase faster than economic growth. Reforms in areas concerning people's interests and social justice, such as college entrance exams, household registration, social security and price formation, have had great effect.

But there is still room for improvement.

One of China's 2020 centenary goals is to lift all its people out of poverty.

There are still 50 million Chinese people who live under the poverty line, and China wants to make sure that they are able to take up their rightful place as citizens of a well-off society with the rest of the nation. In Xi's own words, "no one should be left behind."

"The Chinese dream has won wide recognition among the Chinese people and made the country more cohesive," Xie Chuntao, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, commented to Xinhua.

A DREAM LINKING CHINA AND THE WORLD

Ni Shixiong, former dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University, meanwhile said the Chinese dream represents China's upgraded understanding of the world.

"It is a dream with a global vision," he said.

When meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013, Xi said that "the Chinese dream is about peace, development, cooperation and win-win results, and it is connected to the American dream and beautiful dreams of people in other countries."

The concept of the Chinese dream inspires China to responsibly share development opportunities with the rest of the world.

China proposed the Belt and Road initiative in 2013. Under the initiative, China is committed to working with relevant countries through an extensive intercontinental trade and infrastructure network.

The results have exceeded many's expectations as the initiative has now over 100 participants and advocates, including countries and international organizations.

Since 2103, over 30 countries have inked agreements with China on the initiative and more than 20 countries along the routes have conducted industrial cooperation with China.

For instance, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will build a 3,000-km economic corridor comprising roads, railways and energy infrastructure, between the ports of Gwadar in Pakistan and Kashgar in Xinjiang.

China-Pakistan cooperation works well for both sides: China is able to effectively reduce its transport costs while Pakistan is effectively improving its domestic infrastructure.

The Chinese dream has actively connected the global aspirations of development, from neighbors to those beyond.

In the meantime, China is also passing on its dream through its proactive engagement in global governance.

China launched institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and BRICS New Development Bank; China also takes part in setting rules on the Internet, anti-corruption and climate change.

More notably, the recent G20 summit -- held in Hangzhou, China, in September -- placed development issues on a prominent position within the global micro-policy framework and formulated an action plan on implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

By doing so, China is helping the G20 transform itself from a crisis-response mechanism to a long-term governance platform focusing on medium- and long-term policies and supply-side reforms.

"China is now a participant, supporter and constructor of the international system," Ni said.

A peaceful and prosperous country as well as a happy and stable society is not just part of the Chinese dream, but a common aspiration of the world. In a way the Chinese dream is not just about China, but represents the common value and ideals of all human beings, he said.
NEW YORK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Changes in the type and number of bacteria in people's guts may help determine whether they will develop Parkinson's disease, according a new study published in the Cell journal.

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology find that mice genetically programmed to develop Parkinson's disease developed symptoms only if they had bacteria in their stomachs.

Symptoms worsened when mice were dosed with microbes taken from people with Parkinson's disease but not when they got samples from healthy people, according to the study.

The study does not show that gut microbes cause Parkinson's disease, but it may suggest a way to treat the incurable condition, which affects up to 10 million people worldwide, said an NBC report.

"I think it is going to be one of these groundbreaking pieces of research," James Beck, vice president for scientific affairs at the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, was quoted as saying.

While the findings need to be confirmed in people, the researchers hope that drugs work in the digestive system or even probiotics may become new therapies for the disease, said a BBC report.

"There are still many questions to answer, but we hope this will trigger more research that will ultimately revolutionize treatment options for Parkinson's," Arthur Roach from the charity Parkinson's UK was quoted as saying by the BBC.
BERLIN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The idea of inclusive development will be retained in Germany's Group of 20 (G20) presidency, a Chinese official said Friday.

Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao made the remarks at a G20 finance and central bank deputies meeting in Berlin.

Citing the blueprint for strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive world economic growth set in the G20 Hangzhou Summit in September, Zhu said the international gathering has "substantially promoted the global economic governance and produced historical fruits."

Germany's emphasis on securing the continuity of these consensus reflects its commitment to further enhancing them, said Zhu.

The just concluded meeting in Germany set the work priorities of G20 members in the next year. Participants vowed to boost the tenacity of the global economy, increase investment in Africa and develop digital economy.

Germany took over the G20 presidency from China earlier this month. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble thanked China. "The excellent work carried out by China means that we are starting out from a good base," he noted.
CAIRO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court on Saturday ruled an item of article 10 of the controversial protest law unconstitutional, official news agency MENA reported.
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A professor of Chinese origin was stabbed to death by a student on Friday afternoon at the University of Southern California (USC), the police said.

The suspect, whose name was not released, was in police custody.

"This was not a random act; this victim was targeted by the suspect," Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson Meghan Aguilar told a press conference.

Bosco Siaufung Tjan, the victim, was a psychology professor at USC.

Police received a 911 call at 4:30 p.m. (0030 GMT Saturday) about a person with multiple stab wounds. The victim was dead by the time firefighters arrived at the scene. Enditem
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Huang Ping speaks during a ceremony to receive rice donated by China in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, on Sept. 15, 2016. Zimbabwe on Thursday received rice from China to help alleviate hunger after a drought that has left up to 4 million Zimbabweans in need of food aid. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

MAPUTO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government through its embassy in Maputo has donated 10,000 tons of rice worth 10 million U.S. dollars expected to help 700,000 people in the southern region of Mozambique.

The beneficiaries are from the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane who are among the most affected by the phenomenon El Nino that in the last two years reduced food production and led the government to declare a red alert in April this year.

"The Chinese government has been following closely the evolution of the droughts and floods including its impact in Mozambique and the support aims to help the country overcome these challenges," said Chinese Ambassador in Mozambique Su Jian on Wednesday.

"We would like to highlight this contribution in the efforts to mitigate droughts, a move that will increase resilience of the community in the most critical areas," said the director of the Disaster Institute of Mozambique, Joao Machatine.

China's support will go beyond provision of food products as it will include water, nutrition and agriculture and so far the Chinese government has committed to fund the drilling of 200 boreholes for water provision in areas affected by droughts.
Congregations in the Western North Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America include people on all fronts of the dispute over the Dakota Access Pipeline: Native Americans, farmers and ranchers in the area near the protest camps, people who work on the Standing Rock reservation and law enforcement officers.

So when ELCA's presiding bishop, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, released a statement saying the ELCA supports Standing Rock in the dispute, Western North Dakota Synod Bishop Mark Narum felt it necessary to write a letter to let members know that he doesnt see the situation as one in which to take sides. Instead, he said, the churches in the area should continue to pray for everyone involved.

We need to be praying for peace among everyone and for wisdom to find a resolution to this, said Narum, who has made several trips to the protest camps and is encouraged by the people in prayer at the historic gathering.

Eaton also came to North Dakota and visited the area with local church officials, and Narum said he feels they helped her get a good perspective on what is going on.

Eatons Nov. 14 statement touched on the complexities of the situation in which all sides make reasoned arguments for their reality. The statement reiterates the churchs stance against the doctrine of discovery, in which indigenous lands once were considered unoccupied if the occupants were not Christians. She pledged to listen to tribal leaders and respect their wisdom.

Acknowledging the complexity of this issue and the limitations sin places on human decisions, I believe that we are called as a church to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: to stand with the tribe as they seek justice, to encourage our congregations to pray for them and to offer material support and to examine the racism inherent in our system that contributes to the current crisis, her statement said.

Narum said he agrees with many parts of Eatons statement. He, too, speaks against the doctrine of discovery and against racism. But, he said his position representing about 60,000 members of 170 ELCA churches in North Dakota from about N.D. Highway 3 west gives him a different perspective.

The presiding bishop speaks for a national audience, Narum said. I completely respect her and her calling. But I also represent people who are closer to the ground who are watching this.

As I have talked with people in our congregations, many of them, from the beginning, were sympathetic with the prayerful gathering that started at Standing Rock. And my sense is there is still sympathy for the prayerful gatherings, he said.

The less prayerful actions of some people involved in the protests has made the situation more difficult for him  and many others  to simply take a side, he said. So, his resolution is to ask his congregations to continue to pray.

For me, its about prayer. I truly believe that if were going to come to a resolution, it is going to be through prayer, he said.

In one of his earlier statements, Narum encouraged members of his congregations to sit down with people different from them, whether the difference is racial, socioeconomic, point of view or something else. He still believes that will help and repair relationships, especially in light of some of the racist rhetoric that has arisen from the situation.

We have to stand against that, and we have to work to build relationships with these other human beings who are also beloved of God, he said.
JAKARTA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A light plane carrying 16 police personnel lost communication with flight authorities when it was passing above waters off Batam island in western Indonesia on Saturday, rescuers said.

The M28 Skytruck passenger plane, owned by Indonesian police, was enroute from Pangkal Pinang city for Batam island in Kepulauan Riau province, Marsudi, spokesman of the national search and rescue office, told Xinhua via telephone.

"The plane lost contact today (Saturday), the condition of the plane is still unknown now," said the official.

Media reports said locals found the wreckage of the aircraft at about 12:20 p.m. Jakarta time in the waters off Batam island.

"The plane is predicted to crash in waters off Batam. A search and rescue operation is underway now," Marsudi said.
CAIRO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court on Saturday ruled parts of an article of a controversial protest law were unconstitutional, official MENA news agency reported, in a move that cancels the authority of the Interior Ministry to ban rallies.

An item of the article 10 of the law entitling "security forces to prevent protests, and another regulating the right of public assembly and peaceful protests were ruled unconstitutional.

Under Saturday's ruling, the Interior Ministry will no longer have the authority to ban any protests, according to legal experts.

The court rejected other appeals on other articles of the pretest law.

In January 2015, the administrative court in Cairo decided to suspend looking into an appeal against the protest law filed by human rights lawyers until the constitutional court reviews the constitutionality of the law.

Former Interim President Adly Mansour issued the law in 2013, granting the Interior Ministry the power to ban protests or political assembly without prior police permits.

The law was issued at a time of frequent clashes between the Muslim Brotherhood supporters and security forces.

Human Rights Watch condemned the law as "violation of international standards."

Hundreds of students and activists serve prison terms for violating the law in question, the most prominent of who is Ahmed Maher, the leader of April 6 Movement that spearheaded the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time President Hosni Mubarak.
Displaced children at a camp in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, June 20, 2012. After two decades of persistent conflict, drought and famine Somalia has the biggest number of displaced people in the world . The World International Refugee Day was marked today with various activities. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Some 38 aid agencies have said that at least five million Somalis are facing acute food security crisis due to poor rains in the Horn of Africa nation.

In a joint statement early this week, the agencies include Oxfam, Relief International and World Vision said vegetation conditions have worsened and drought conditions intensified and continued to affect pasture, water, livestock and crops.

"All actors involved need to immediately react to the situation by responding to calls for aid from the humanitarian actors operating in Somalia to ensure that the communities in the affected regions are given lifesaving humanitarian assistance," it said in a joint statement received in Mogadishu.

The Horn of Africa nation is currently undergoing a drought that has put a severe strain on a large number of livelihoods.

Poor April-June rains coupled with poor October-December rainfall prospects have led to worsening of food insecurity situation and efforts to reduce levels of vulnerabilities continue to be undermined by irregular weather patterns.

According to the FAO-managed Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET), more than 1.1 million people cannot meet their daily food requirements, while another 3.9 million Somalis require livelihood support to reduce the risk of sliding into crisis.

According to the agencies, severe drought in semi-autonomous region of Puntland is directly affecting approximately 150,000 people and has displaced an additional 12,000 people, according to an inter-agency assessment conducted in September.

"Food prices have gone up and some have doubled which in retrospect places the vulnerable populations are in dire need. Pastoral households interviewed reported that they trek an average distance of 60 km to access water points for both human and livestock consumption," the agencies said.

In Somaliland, The FSNAU and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET) reported in September that 31 percent of the population, or more than one million people, will be in need of humanitarian assistance in Somaliland until the end of 2016. Acute malnutrition has worsened and 248,000 people face acute food security crisis.

An estimated 89 percent of the pastoralists have lost at least one animal, while 77 percent of animal deaths are attributed to the drought.

According to the agencies, while access in Lower and Middle Juba Regions restricts information, satellite-monitored rainfall trends show the regions to be the most worrying in all of Somalia.
JINAN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- A building collapsed on the outskirts of eastern Chinese city of Jinan, burying an unidentified number of people underneath, local authorities said, as rescuers are rushing to the site.
BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China has lodged solemn representations with the United States, urging the latter to honor its commitment to the one-China policy, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said on Saturday.

Geng's remarks came after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump spoke over phone on Friday with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen.

"It must be stated that, there is only one China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government that represents China. Those are all facts recognized by the international community," Geng said.

The one-China principle is the political foundation for the China-U.S. relations, Geng said.

"We urge relevant U.S. side to honor the commitment to the one-China policy as well as the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, and cautiously and properly handle Taiwan-related issues to avoid any unnecessary disturbance to the bigger picture of the Sino-U.S. relations," the spokesperson said.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called Tsai's call with Trump "a little trick" by Taiwan which would not change the one-China consensus in international community.

"I don't think it will change the one-China policy of the U.S. government either," Wang said on the sidelines of a foreign policy seminar on Saturday.

The one-China principle is a cornerstone for healthy development of Sino-U.S. relations, and China does not want this political foundation to be interfered with or damaged, Wang added.

The White House on Friday, after Trump received a telephone call from Tsai Ing-wen, reaffirmed backing for its long-standing support of the one-China policy and the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

"We remain firmly committed to our one-China policy based on the three joint communiques," White House National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price told local media. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."
RAMALLAH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Fatah party started the elections on Saturday to vote for a new Central Committee and Revolutionary Council.

Spokesman of the seventh conference, Mahmoud Abu Al-Haija, told Xinhua that the lists were finalized. He added that the elections will run for seven hours and the results would be announced on Sunday.

Friday night, the spokesman announced that 64 candidates are competing for 18 seats of the central committee and 423 others will compete for 80-85 seats of the revolutionary council.

The congress started Tuesday with the participation of 1320 members. Abu Al-Haija said that around 60 members are also voting in the same time in Gaza and the West Bank.

The last Fatah conference took place in Bethlehem city in 2009, which was the first conference to be held in the Palestinian territories in 20 years.
NEW YORK, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that he would nominate retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, or "Mad Dog" as he was nicknamed, to lead the U.S. defense department.

Mattis emerged as the top contender for Pentagon chief soon after Trump won the White House. The two men met in New Jersey on Nov. 19, with media reporting that Trump was impressed by Mattis' resume.

A bachelor all his life, Mattis earned the nickname "Warrior Monk" and "Mad Dog" for his earthy aphorisms and tough talk. U.S. media Politico has summarized some of his most unforgettable quotes.

1.It is quite fun to shoot them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people."

In 2005, he commented on the war in Afghanistan: "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

2."There are some assholes in the world that just need to be shot."

While speaking to Marines at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, Mattis advised some 200 Marines that "The first time you blow someone away is not an insignificant event. That said, there are some assholes in the world that just need to be shot."

3."I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all."

After the initial invasion of Iraq, Mattis met with Iraqi military officers in 2003 and delivered these words.

4."Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."

It is taken from a speech Mattis gave to his Marines when they arrived in Iraq in 2003. He also said, "There is only one 'retirement plan' for terrorists."

5."Engage your brain before you engage your weapon."

As a student, Mattis sent his advice to Marines before they helped kick off the 2003 invasion of Iraq. "While we will move swiftly and aggressively against those who resist, we will treat all others with decency, demonstrating chivalry and soldierly compassion for people who have endured a lifetime under Saddam's oppression," he wrote.

But there is also warning that people should not be fooled by those quotes.

Despite his salty language, he is a serious strategic thinker who is widely respected inside and outside of the Pentagon for his intellect and willingness to offer unvarnished assessments of White House strategy, said the U.S. media website VOX.
Liu Yunshan (C, rear), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attends the plenary session of the 10th Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the ninth Congress of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA), in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese official Liu Yunshan on Saturday called on writers and artists to further develop Chinese literature and arts.

At the plenary session of the 10th Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the ninth Congress of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA), Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, asked writers and artists to learn from remarks by President Xi Jinping.

At the opening ceremony of the two congresses on Wednesday, Xi urged Chinese artists and writers to strengthen their confidence in Chinese culture and create excellent works that inspire the nation.

Liu said literary and artistic creation should be guided by socialist values, and adhere to the correct reading of history, ethnics, the nation and culture.

Lui also asked writers and artists to become vanguards of benign social trends.
Photo shows a structure in Tanzania which is part of the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) built by China International Telecommunication Construction Corp. (Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities have hailed the Chinese-built Internet Data Centre (IDC) for providing high-speed broadband connectivity across the East African nation, the second largest economy in the region.

Faustin Kamuzora, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, said the state-of-the-art IDC built in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam by China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation (CITCC) will provide specialized Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services.

Kamuzora said the IDC has been built with a loan from China to attract ICT stakeholders to use the center to store their data and information.

Kamuzora was speaking to a delegation of Chinese and Tanzanian journalists who visited Chinese enterprises on a tour to shed light on the fruitful achievements made under China-Africa cooperation.

Organized by China's State Council Information Office, about 20 journalists from both countries visited Chinese enterprises that were involved in Africa's development that benefited people's well-being and promoted friendship between China and Tanzania.

Kamuzora said the use of the center will serve to speed up the nation's digital migration, adding: "The use of the data centre will go a long way in enhancing performance of the ICT sector in Tanzania."

He added that the data center was a dedicated space where companies can keep and operate most of the ICT infrastructure that supports their businesses.

Kamuzora said the infrastructure will enhance the use of ICT applications for sustainable socio-economic development including implementation of e-government, e-learning, e-health and e-commerce.

The IDC is part of the country's National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) built by CITCC. The NICTBB, with a total length of around 7,560 kilometers, is providing service to neighboring countries such as Kenya and Uganda.
DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- StarTimes, a Chinese media company, is contributing immensely to Tanzania's digital migration by enabling households in the east African country to afford digital television, an executive officer from the company has said recently.

Guo Ziqi, Vice-Chairman of StarTimes Group, said: "Our aim is to enable every African household to afford the digital TV, watch good digital TV and enjoy the digital life."

Currently, she said, StarTimes has more than 9 million customers across Africa and it is becoming the leading digital TV operator with big influence and fast development.

Guo made the remarks earlier this week to a delegation of Chinese and Tanzanian journalists who were on a tour of Chinese enterprises in Tanzania with a view to shedding light on the fruitful achievements made under China-Africa cooperation.

Organized by China's State Council Information Office, about 20 journalists from both countries visited Chinese enterprises that were involved in Africa's development that benefited people's well-being and promoted friendship between China and Tanzania.

Guo said digitalization in Africa is currently at an impressive stage and StarTimes is sticking to its principle of serving the common, completing the network and cooperating with different countries.

Digitization is the current trend in broadcasting, which means digitalization of signal source, broadcasting system, transmission and terminal products.

It brings to bear many benefits including promoting social development, freeing up more frequencies for other communication services, providing increased opportunities for innovation and creativity aside from quality image, sound clarity and interactive communication.

There are challenges around digitalization which includes but not limited to capital-intensity and technology-intensity.

Although digital migration has become one of the biggest challenges in African television, Tanzania is among the African countries that have completed the transition and helped its citizen enjoy the digital world. Tanzania is among first group of countries in mainland Sub-Saharan Africa which switch off its analogue television signal.

Tanzania started the analogue switch-over on 31st December 2012 and completed 30th April, 2015 when all analogue television transmitters were switched off.

Guo said at the end of last year, China announced that it would help implement Satellite TV projects in 10,000 villages in Africa in coming years.

"This project is aimed at sending the welfare to people living in the villages and to enhance the understanding and friendship between China and Africa," said Guo, adding that StarTimes was participating in this project positively and continues making contribution to Africa and Sino-Africa friendship.

Nape Nnauye, Tanzania's Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, said the media is playing an important role in bridging the gaps between the people of Africa and China in a speech last week.

He added that the media has an important role to play in publicizing and promoting the investment opportunities in both China and Africa.

Liao Lanfang, Chief Executive Officer of Star Media (Tanzania) Limited, a joint venture established by StarTimes and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), said the company operates Pay TV services by providing a variety of premium digital television programs, and a series of high quality digital TV terminal equipment.

StarTimes has invested about 150 million U.S. dollars and created over 1,500 jobs in Tanzania, east Africa's second largest economy.
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., met for more than an hour Friday with President-elect Donald Trump inside Trump Tower in New York, a face-to-face that has fueled speculation about a Cabinet post though discussion of that topic was limited during the sit-down.

Heitkamp described the meeting as productive and largely covering issues of mutual concern, with some brief discussion about her becoming a part of the new administration.

There was some talk, but my goal was to really raise issues I think are important to our state, she said.

The chat with Trump centered on several matters, particularly involving energy, according to Heitkamp, who said they discussed the importance of helping to revive the coal industry as well as issues surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline and the ongoing protest movement in Morton County, which has drawn international attention.

She said she was pleased Trump invited her for a visit, and she believes there are some areas for her to pursue across the aisle with Republicans, such as energy and agricultural matters.

He is very concerned about American workers and cares about American jobs, she said. (But) I think theres going to be areas where I dont agree with the president-elect.

Heitkamp, a moderate Democrat who has been known to work well with Republicans during her first term, serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Shes up for re-election in 2018, a year in which shell be among a handful of Democrats defending seats in conservative states.

Shes the lone statewide office holder for the Democrats in North Dakota, where 63 percent of voters picked Trump. And the party has its thinnest state legislative bench in decades.

If she were to be chosen for an administration post, North Dakota Democrats would most likely lose her Senate seat in a special election.

Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., was an early supporter of Trump and has been among those whose names have been floated for U.S. secretary of energy. Hes said its unlikely hed get the post -- though Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm, another name mentioned as a possibility for the position, spoke warmly of Cramer this week regarding the job.

One moment during Heitkamp's trip that drew widespread attention was her arrival, when she rode the Trump Tower elevator with a New York City icon known as the Naked Cowboy.

Television cameras caught the scantily clad Times Square street performer slipping into the gold-plated elevator moments before she stepped in for the ride up to see Trump.

The encounter caused a stir on social media, with Heitkamp issuing a light-hearted tweet shortly thereafter: Cowboys are my people  even if they arent from ND.

She called the elevator ride amusing.

Who knows why he was there? Hes an icon, Heitkamp said with a laugh, declining to go into specifics about their interaction. I would just say hes an interesting person.
A Syrian child, who fled with his family from rebel-held areas in the city of Aleppo, reacts as he holds a sandwich on December 1, 2016, at a shelter in the neighbourhood of Jibrin, east of Aleppo. (AFP/Xinhua)

CAIRO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Saturday the military solution could bring about more bloodshed in Syria, according to a statement published by the AL.

"The humanitarian cost of the continuation of current situation in Syria could be unbearable as the military solution could bring about more bloodshed and enhance chaos," Abul Gheit said in his meeting with the UN envoy to Syria Steffan De Mitsura on the sideline of the Mediterranean Dialogue Conference hosted by Rome.

The meeting tackled the latest developments in Syria and the UN envoy's recent contacts with the various parties close to the Syrian crisis.

"Restoring Syria as a unified sovereign state would not be achieved without respecting Syrian people's aspirations," the AL chief added.

That statement added Abul Gheit reiterated that the current random killing, siege and starvation of Aleppo residents would result into horrible outcome that harm the future of Syrians.

"Civilians only would pay the price for the siege imposed in Aleppo and other cities that are subject to continuous shelling and siege."

The fighting and bombardment in Syria have recently escalated in war-torn Aleppo city, which is divided between Syria's government troops supported by Russian forces in the western part and the armed rebels in the east.

Since it erupted in March 2011, the Syrian crisis has claimed the lives of about 500,000 people and displaced more than 10 million.
BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the Chinese mainland on Saturday reiterated its stance against Taiwan independence after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's phone talks with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen.

An Fengshan, spokesperson for the office, said the Chinese mainland's adherence to the one-China principle and the position against Taiwan independence are steadfast.

"We are determined, confident and capable of containing Taiwan independence in any form and pushing forward the national reunification process," said An.

He quoted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's remarks earlier Saturday that Tsai's call with Trump was "a little trick" by Taiwan which would not change the one-China consensus in the international community.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had phone talks Friday with Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen.
DUBAI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with his Japanese counterpart Kentaro Sonoura to discuss ways of bolstering strategic relations between the two countries, state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers exchanged views about the latest regional and international developments.

The visit by the Japanese minister and his delegation reflects the keenness of both countries' leaders on boosting bilateral relations to serve the interests of the two states and peoples, the UAE's top diplomat said.

He underlined the importance of strengthening such ties in all spheres.

For his part, the Japanese minister lauded the UAE's "prestigious regional and international position," stressing his country's keenness on promoting relations with the UAE to serve the common interests of both countries.

Trade between the UAE and Japan reached 15 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, accounting for one third of non-oil trade with Nippon and 40 percent of total Arab trade with the Far Eastern nation. The UAE also ranked 10th globally in foreign trade with the world's third largest economy. Enditem
TOKYO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and at least seven injured after a taxi plowed into a hospital on Saturday in the city of Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

The taxi, which carried no passenger, broke into a glass window near the entrance of the hospital and hit people inside the hospital.

The driver, a 64-year-old man, was arrested on the spot and said later that he tried to slow down but brakes of the car did not work.

The hospital is located in downtown Fukuoka and has a total of 359 beds.
TEHRAN, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday criticized the recent U.S. vote for the extension of Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) and said this will harm the international reputation of the United States, official IRNA news agency reported.

"The U.S. officials are obliged to stop these sanctions," Zarif told IRNA upon arrival in New Delhi of India.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the extension of the ISA for another 10 years, which was endorsed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

The bill has still to be signed by the U.S. president to become a law.

"Even if the sanctions bill is signed by the U.S. president, it won't be practical," Zarif said, adding that it will discredit the United States in the international community.

On Friday, Iran declared the possible extension of the U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republic as a violation of an international deal on Iran's nuclear issue clinched in July 2015.

"As it was repeatedly announced by senior Iranian officials, the recent decision by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to extend sanctions against Iran runs counter to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi.
BEIJING, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's top securities regulator Liu Shiyu slammed Saturday the practice of leveraged acquisition with "questionable" funds, calling the buyers "barbaric."

Liu, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, made the remarks during a meeting of the Asset Management Association of China, a self-regulatory body that oversees private funds.

Any attempt to acquire a majority stake in a listed firm using funds from questionable sources is crossing the line, Liu said.

Acquisition backed by insurance funds will inevitably affect the target company's share price, and could threaten the corporate governance structure.

"Funneling public funds into leveraged acquisition means ordinary investors will ultimately bear the risks," he said, underscoring this is absolutely not "financial innovation."

His criticism is seen as partly alluding to recent instances of high-profile A-shares acquisitions, including a bid by property developer China Evergrande Group to acquire 14.07 percent shares of its peer China Vanke Co. Ltd. with 36.27 billion yuan (5.26 billion U.S. dollars).
ISTANBUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Troubled by strained relations with its Western allies, Turkey is renewing efforts to knit closer ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an attempt which may well bear fruit this time, analysts believe.

"The chances for Turkey to be upgraded to the observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization seem to be stronger now than they were several months ago," observed Yasar Yakis, a former Turkish foreign minister.

Turkey has been a dialogue partner to the organization since June 2012.

The debate on the SCO flared up lately in Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again expressed the country's aspiration to further ties with the SCO, saying "Why shouldn't Turkey be in the Shanghai Five?"

He argued on his way back from Uzbekistan two weeks ago that the European Union had never wished Turkey well, adding that Turkey could act comfortably if it were a SCO member.

The SCO's founding countries -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- were referred to as the Shanghai Five until Uzbekistan joined the club in 2001.

"Turkey may get observer status. In fact, full membership is not out of the question," remarked Alev Kilic, director of the Ankara-based Center for Eurasian Studies (AVIM).

Back in 2013, Turkey failed in its attempt to convince SCO members to upgrade its status to an observer, reportedly due to a member nation's opposition.

In contrast, the group was quick this time in responding positively to the Turkish president's remarks.

Turkey has been selected to chair the organization's Energy Club in 2017, becoming the first non-SCO country to hold the term presidency, the Turkish Ministry of Energy noted last week.

Turkey is deeply frustrated by its Western allies, in particular the EU and the United States, which it accuses of harboring criminals and providing weapons to the Kurdistan Workers' Party outlawed by Ankara.

Turkey has also recently blasted the EU for unfair treatment in its membership talks as well as the European Parliament's vote in favor of freezing the talks.

Erdogan's talk of the SCO came after the Turkish government had been widely criticized, following a failed coup in July, by the EU for mass detentions, purge of tens of thousands of public servants, and crackdown on freedom of expression and the press.

A day after Erdogan's remarks appeared in the Turkish press, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stated that China "attaches importance to Turkey's aspiration to further deepen its cooperation with the SCO."

The Chinese side is willing to consult with other SCO members about the issue, Geng added.

Andrey Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, voiced his country's support saying, "It is all up to Ankara" to decide.

Noting China and Kazakhstan also support Turkey's aspiration, the ambassador told Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency that Russia was ready to cooperate with Turkey in every sense, on both bilateral and international levels.

"During the (SCO) membership process, we are not at all demanding from Turkey to refrain or halt its relations with the EU," the Russian envoy was quoted as saying.

It is mainly due to the positive attitude of the major players in the SCO, namely Russia and China, that Turkey's chance to obtain observer status is now higher, said Yakis, the former foreign minister.

According to AVIM's Kilic, a former ambassador, increasing ties with the SCO is a step Turkey must take considering the much-discussed rise of Asia in the 21st century.

Turkey can assume the role of a center that could facilitate communication between the East and the West, he stated.

Erdogan's latest remarks on Thursday regarding relations with the EU contained both hope and threat.

Turkey is ready to become a EU member immediately if the bloc would drop its "senseless" hostility toward it, Erdogan said, adding his country's good will is dependent on whether Brussels would keep its earlier promises.

"We are not about to run after the EU... If the EU does its part, we will do ours," he said.

As part of a refugee deal updated with the EU in March, Turkey is expecting visa-free travel to Europe for its citizens, six billion euros in aid for refugees being sheltered on its soil as well as expedited talks about its accession to the union.

Erdogan threatened last month that Turkey would take its EU membership bid to a referendum if the bloc would not move to keep its promises.

Turkey's full membership in the SCO, meanwhile, is reportedly opposed by many in Turkey who believe such a move would quite adversely affect the country's economy, among others.

They also argue the Turkish government's aspiration to join the SCO is not compatible with its NATO membership and EU candidacy.

"I don't think Turkey's potential membership -- even the current status of a dialogue partner -- in the SCO is compatible with its membership in NATO or its aspirations to become a EU member. I don't think Turkey would ever give up NATO or the EU," remarked Haldun Solmazturk, director of the Ankara-based 21 Century Turkey Institute.

In Yakis' view, Turkey may seek to obtain observer status within the SCO, but becoming a full member may be incompatible with its NATO membership.

Should the SCO take steps in the future toward an economic integration among member nations, Turkey would have to scrap its Customs Union agreement with the EU, he noted.

Following Erdogan's remarks about Turkey's SCO membership, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded with a mild warning.

"I am absolutely certain that Turkey will never do anything which undermines this collective defense, Article 5, and the unity in NATO," the NATO chief was quoted as saying by the Hurriyet daily news on Nov. 23.

The Article 5 commits NATO members to protect each other in case of an armed attack on one.

Turkey has been a member of the NATO since 1952 and started talks with the EU for full membership in 2005.

In sharp contrast, AVIM's Kilic argued that Turkey's full membership in the SCO should be no obstacle for the country to maintain its current ties with the NATO and the EU.

"The SCO is in no way similar to either NATO or the EU," he said, noting the SCO is not a defense organization in the strictest sense of the word.

Russian Ambassador Karlov's statement to the Anadolu Agency, however, may be implying otherwise.

Russia would not demand Turkey to cool or cut off its relations with the EU while conducting accession talks with the SCO, the envoy was quoted as saying.

His words may be implying that Turkey would be required to break off ties with the EU in case it is admitted as a full SCO member following accession talks. There was no reference to the NATO in the ambassador's remarks.

The SCO is a loose security organization established with focus on fighting radical Islamist threat, settling border problems among member nations and fighting drug trafficking in Central Asia. It also aims to further political and economic ties among members.

For Solmazturk, a former brigadier general in the Turkish Armed Forces, Turkey's shift toward the SCO is temporary and actually an attempt by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to divert the public's attention away from a plethora of problems at home and abroad while instilling new hope into its voters.

Turkey has been grappling with heavy economic, security and foreign policy problems.

Noting the AKP and Erdogan, who headed the party until being elected president in 2014, often present the West as a hostile force that is the source of the country's problems, Solmazturk said, "You need to show an alternative (to the West) to satisfy the public."

In an obvious message to the EU, Erdogan recently said, "We are currently continuing talks with the alternatives."

Sait Yilmaz, a security and foreign policy analyst, does not think Turkey's full membership in the SCO is either realistic or possible.

Although underlining the need, like all analysts who spoke to Xinhua, for Turkey to build stronger ties with countries in Eurasia, he said, "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is at the moment no alternative to either NATO or the EU."

Yilmaz, who taught at various universities in Turkey, does not believe Turkey's SCO initiative is sincere.

Turkey is simply trying to use the SCO card against the U.S. and the EU with which it is having problems, he said.

The Turkish efforts to build closer ties with the SCO dated back several years ago.

At a press conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in April 2013, Turkey's then Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country saw its destiny linked to the SCO family.

Turkey apparently hoped to get an observer status at that time, but had to make do by signing a memorandum of understanding to finalize its status as a dialogue partner instead.

India and Pakistan are scheduled to become full SCO members next year. Iran, an observer, is seeking full membership as well.
A man passes next to Turkish national flag at historical grand bazaar on December 2, 2016 in Istanbul. (AFP/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Troubled by strained relations with its Western allies, Turkey is renewing efforts to knit closer ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an attempt which may well bear fruit this time, analysts believe.

"The chances for Turkey to be upgraded to the observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization seem to be stronger now than they were several months ago," observed Yasar Yakis, a former Turkish foreign minister.

Turkey has been a dialogue partner to the organization since June 2012.

The debate on the SCO flared up lately in Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again expressed the country's aspiration to further ties with the SCO, saying "Why shouldn't Turkey be in the Shanghai Five?"

He argued on his way back from Uzbekistan two weeks ago that the European Union had never wished Turkey well, adding that Turkey could act comfortably if it were a SCO member.

The SCO's founding countries -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- were referred to as the Shanghai Five until Uzbekistan joined the club in 2001.

"Turkey may get observer status. In fact, full membership is not out of the question," remarked Alev Kilic, director of the Ankara-based Center for Eurasian Studies (AVIM).

Back in 2013, Turkey failed in its attempt to convince SCO members to upgrade its status to an observer, reportedly due to a member nation's opposition.

In contrast, the group was quick this time in responding positively to the Turkish president's remarks.

Turkey has been selected to chair the organization's Energy Club in 2017, becoming the first non-SCO country to hold the term presidency, the Turkish Ministry of Energy noted last week.

Turkey is deeply frustrated by its Western allies, in particular the EU and the United States, which it accuses of harboring criminals and providing weapons to the Kurdistan Workers' Party outlawed by Ankara.

Turkey has also recently blasted the EU for unfair treatment in its membership talks as well as the European Parliament's vote in favor of freezing the talks.

Erdogan's talk of the SCO came after the Turkish government had been widely criticized, following a failed coup in July, by the EU for mass detentions, purge of tens of thousands of public servants, and crackdown on freedom of expression and the press.

A day after Erdogan's remarks appeared in the Turkish press, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang stated that China "attaches importance to Turkey's aspiration to further deepen its cooperation with the SCO."

The Chinese side is willing to consult with other SCO members about the issue, Geng added.

Andrey Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, voiced his country's support saying, "It is all up to Ankara" to decide.

Noting China and Kazakhstan also support Turkey's aspiration, the ambassador told Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency that Russia was ready to cooperate with Turkey in every sense, on both bilateral and international levels.

"During the (SCO) membership process, we are not at all demanding from Turkey to refrain or halt its relations with the EU," the Russian envoy was quoted as saying.

It is mainly due to the positive attitude of the major players in the SCO, namely Russia and China, that Turkey's chance to obtain observer status is now higher, said Yakis, the former foreign minister.

According to AVIM's Kilic, a former ambassador, increasing ties with the SCO is a step Turkey must take considering the much-discussed rise of Asia in the 21st century.

Turkey can assume the role of a center that could facilitate communication between the East and the West, he stated.

Erdogan's latest remarks on Thursday regarding relations with the EU contained both hope and threat.

Turkey is ready to become a EU member immediately if the bloc would drop its "senseless" hostility toward it, Erdogan said, adding his country's good will is dependent on whether Brussels would keep its earlier promises.

"We are not about to run after the EU... If the EU does its part, we will do ours," he said.

As part of a refugee deal updated with the EU in March, Turkey is expecting visa-free travel to Europe for its citizens, six billion euros in aid for refugees being sheltered on its soil as well as expedited talks about its accession to the union.

Erdogan threatened last month that Turkey would take its EU membership bid to a referendum if the bloc would not move to keep its promises.

Turkey's full membership in the SCO, meanwhile, is reportedly opposed by many in Turkey who believe such a move would quite adversely affect the country's economy, among others.

They also argue the Turkish government's aspiration to join the SCO is not compatible with its NATO membership and EU candidacy.

"I don't think Turkey's potential membership -- even the current status of a dialogue partner -- in the SCO is compatible with its membership in NATO or its aspirations to become a EU member. I don't think Turkey would ever give up NATO or the EU," remarked Haldun Solmazturk, director of the Ankara-based 21 Century Turkey Institute.

In Yakis' view, Turkey may seek to obtain observer status within the SCO, but becoming a full member may be incompatible with its NATO membership.

Should the SCO take steps in the future toward an economic integration among member nations, Turkey would have to scrap its Customs Union agreement with the EU, he noted.

Following Erdogan's remarks about Turkey's SCO membership, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responded with a mild warning.

"I am absolutely certain that Turkey will never do anything which undermines this collective defense, Article 5, and the unity in NATO," the NATO chief was quoted as saying by the Hurriyet daily news on Nov. 23.

The Article 5 commits NATO members to protect each other in case of an armed attack on one.

Turkey has been a member of the NATO since 1952 and started talks with the EU for full membership in 2005.

In sharp contrast, AVIM's Kilic argued that Turkey's full membership in the SCO should be no obstacle for the country to maintain its current ties with the NATO and the EU.

"The SCO is in no way similar to either NATO or the EU," he said, noting the SCO is not a defense organization in the strictest sense of the word.

Russian Ambassador Karlov's statement to the Anadolu Agency, however, may be implying otherwise.

Russia would not demand Turkey to cool or cut off its relations with the EU while conducting accession talks with the SCO, the envoy was quoted as saying.

His words may be implying that Turkey would be required to break off ties with the EU in case it is admitted as a full SCO member following accession talks. There was no reference to the NATO in the ambassador's remarks.

The SCO is a loose security organization established with focus on fighting radical Islamist threat, settling border problems among member nations and fighting drug trafficking in Central Asia. It also aims to further political and economic ties among members.

For Solmazturk, a former brigadier general in the Turkish Armed Forces, Turkey's shift toward the SCO is temporary and actually an attempt by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to divert the public's attention away from a plethora of problems at home and abroad while instilling new hope into its voters.

Turkey has been grappling with heavy economic, security and foreign policy problems.

Noting the AKP and Erdogan, who headed the party until being elected president in 2014, often present the West as a hostile force that is the source of the country's problems, Solmazturk said, "You need to show an alternative (to the West) to satisfy the public."

In an obvious message to the EU, Erdogan recently said, "We are currently continuing talks with the alternatives."

Sait Yilmaz, a security and foreign policy analyst, does not think Turkey's full membership in the SCO is either realistic or possible.

Although underlining the need, like all analysts who spoke to Xinhua, for Turkey to build stronger ties with countries in Eurasia, he said, "The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is at the moment no alternative to either NATO or the EU."

Yilmaz, who taught at various universities in Turkey, does not believe Turkey's SCO initiative is sincere.

Turkey is simply trying to use the SCO card against the U.S. and the EU with which it is having problems, he said.

The Turkish efforts to build closer ties with the SCO dated back several years ago.

At a press conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in April 2013, Turkey's then Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country saw its destiny linked to the SCO family.

Turkey apparently hoped to get an observer status at that time, but had to make do by signing a memorandum of understanding to finalize its status as a dialogue partner instead.

India and Pakistan are scheduled to become full SCO members next year. Iran, an observer, is seeking full membership as well.
The Flag of Mercosur (Xinhua/File Pic)

CARACAS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela on Friday vented anger over the country's suspension from the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez described the suspension as a "coup" against his country.

On Friday, the foreign ministers of the other four Mercosur members -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay -- sent a letter to Venezuela, informing it of the suspension over failure to meet the group's norms on trade and human rights.

The letter read that Venezuela showed persistent "noncompliance with the obligations it committed to in its adhesion protocol ... and repeated statements expressing the impossibility of incorporating Mercosur's specific norms."

For that reason, "it has been decided to cease (Venezuela) from exercising its right as a member state."

Rodriguez showed defiance, saying that Venezuela will continue to be a member state of Mercosur.

"Venezuela has not been notified about Mercosur norms and therefore we cannot be assumed to know what should be done. This is nothing more than a coup within Mercosur," he told reporters in Caracas.

Venezuela claimed the rotating presidency of Mercosur on July. 30, 2016 from Uruguay. But Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay refused to recognize Caracas' presidency, saying the country's political and economic woes prevented it from playing an effective role.
People are seen at the Revolution Square in Santiago de Cuba, eastern Cuba, on Dec. 2, 2016. (Xinhua/David de la Paz)

by Raimundo Urrechaga

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cuba's second-largest city, Santiago is preparing to receive Fidel Castro's motorized funeral procession, following its 1000-km cross-country journey from the capital Havana.

Castro's ashes are to be interred at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery on Sunday, alongside the remains of national hero Jose Marti.

Though the burial ceremony will be a private family affair, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to converge on the southeastern city for Castro's funeral on Saturday night at the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and Bolivia's President Evo Morales are expected to attend the event, along with former Brazilian Presidents, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, and former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.

Posters and pictures of the revolutionary leader have been placed all over the city, and many locals are wearing black armbands as a sign of mourning.

"Santiago de Cuba is a heroic city that has always set an example of what freedom is, and I am proud that our commander will be here and his remains placed at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery," Juan Hernandez, a Cuban state worker, told Xinhua.

Santiago was the first major city to fall to Castro when he led the revolutionary movement to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, and has long been considered the "cradle" of the socialist revolution.

People bid farewell to the motorcade escorting the ashes of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, as it leaves for its journey across the island in the province of Santa Clara, Cuba, on Dec. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/David de la Paz)

It is also where Castro began his revolutionary struggle, leading a failed attack on the Moncada military barracks in 1953, then considered site of Batista's second-largest garrison.

"Santiago de Cuba was the cradle of the revolution and we always knew that in the end he would come to our city to rest next to the national hero, because Fidel, like Jose Marti, defended the ideals of social justice for the people of Cuba," resident Mercedes Larduet, a teacher, said.

Castro's motorcade is to arrive on Saturday and pass through the main streets and historical sites of the city, receiving what is expected to be a massive welcome.

"Fidel loved Santiago because he lived here in his youth. I think it is an honor for our city to be the place where his remains rest," resident Luis Toranzo told Xinhua.

Tens of thousands of Cubans have greeted Castro's funeral cortege on its journey across 13 of Cuba's 15 provinces to Santiago.

Considered one of the most prominent leaders of the 20th century, Castro spearheaded unprecedented levels of development in Cuba, whose quality of life indexes often rival those of much larger and richer nations.

After 47 years in power, in 2008 Castro officially retired due to health problems, and occasionally wrote editorials on world events.

He died on Nov. 25 at the age of 90.
Kayla Wolf, a young Bismarck mom of three, was blown away when she posted an invitation and hundreds of people joined her in peace and prayer on Memorial Bridge in Bismarck recently.

Wolf isnt organizing any particular group and doesnt know if shell put out another call on Facebook anytime soon.

She may not need to since anti-Dakota Access pipeline activity in the Capital City and Mandan has led to the rise of several social media groups with somewhat similar intentions.

North Dakota Highway Patrol spokesman Tom Iverson said the only concern he has about the rise of these groups is that they remain lawful when theyre out in public.

We dont want them to agitate any situation that comes across, or escalate it. Thats something we dont need because it would cause more work for law enforcement, he said.

Wolf wasnt looking to agitate anything, but she did feel people needed to come together in light of pipeline protests that have rocked Bismarck-Mandans normally serene world over the past several weeks. She hoped 50 would join her at the bridge that day. Instead, about 400 came for a prayer-led hour-long walk that created a surge of positive energy.

Wolf said she doesnt care about the pipeline.

Thats the oil companys business, not a Bismarck-Mandan thing," she said.

Her intent was to create a middle ground of peace, with respect for all opinions and to show community support, including for law enforcement.

There is a need to come together and the only thing is kindness. I thought it was time to pray for our minds to be open, that Native Americans are our brothers and sisters and that we all live in this state together, Wolf said.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribes opposition to the pipeline has attracted thousands of tribal and non-tribal supporters to the cause. Protesters have taken to Bismarcks streets and government buildings to make a public case against the incomplete pipeline that would transport about 570,000 barrels of Bakken crude daily from the oil patch to Illinois.

Unlike Wolf's simple post, DefeND BisMan is an organized Facebook group with almost 5,000 members that will hold a community meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Bismarck Moose Club to plan its response to any protests and celebrate the community, says event coordinator Kay LaCoe.

Tyler Everding, of Bismarck, is a spokesman for DefeND BisMan, and said he created a Facebook group after protests started increasing in town and he thought it would be better to connect people rather than have them feeling alone with their worries or fears.

This group is proactive and members will go to protest sites, if they know about them.

Were not against lawful protests and people should be able to speak their mind. We want protesters to know people are watching; we have our cameras out to make sure theres no vandalism, said Everding, adding his group stays well back from the action, out of the way of police and finds that, of late, protest actions have been more cordial, less confrontational.

He said group members find other ways to be involved  pitching in to help shovel snow for law enforcement families and holding a food drive to replenish a local pantry where increased demand has emptied shelves. He said a few members stood by at the Bismarck Ace Hardware store earlier this week, when owners were being harassed as a false story circulated that the store chain was denying sales to protesters.

This is not about the pipeline whatsoever, and theres no problem with the protest if they keep it peaceful. The large majority of us feel the same  if the pipeline goes in or not, it doesnt matter, Everding said. If the protest is peaceful, theres no problem.

Tanya Usselman is a spokeswoman for the 2,000-member Pro Law Enforcement ND, which recently sponsored a rally at the Capitol. She said about three to four main support groups and several smaller ones intermingle on Facebook to do such things as make donations of supplies or gift cards to law enforcement, deliver pizza and generally show support.

Our main goal is to do all we can for the community and to come together. I think the group is here to stay, because if theyre manning something like a massive protest or just working traffic, law enforcement needs our support. Its a thankless job, she said.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Apple is reportedly planning to use drones and new indoor navigation features to improve is maps app, aiming to compete with longtime leader Google, Bloomberg News quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying.

The tech giant has been assembling a team of experts in robots and data-collection who will use drones to quickly capture and update map information, a major upgrade to its existing fleet of camera-and-sensor ladened minivans, one of the sources told Bloomberg News.

The drones will allow Apple to examine and monitor roads, street signs and construction areas. The data collected would be send to the Apple teams that rapidly update Apple Maps to provide the most up-to-date information to users, the source added.

Alongside the drone efforts, Apple is also developing an indoor mapping view that will allow users to navigate through museums and airports using Apple Maps with their iPhones, another source familiar with the matter said.

To compete with Google Maps's similar indoor view features, Apple has acquired startup Indoor.io to help build out the new feature for its own app and catch Google.

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Apple approval to "operate an unmanned aircraft system to conduct data collection, photography, and videography," according to documents obtained by Bloomberg News.

Apple's drone initiative is considered as its latest efforts to fight in the ongoing war between tech giants for dominance in mapping following the problematic launch of Apple Maps in 2012.

Apple Maps was introduced with glaring errors like marking a grocery store as a hospital and giving incorrect addresses, as it lacked the technology to quickly take in data from different sources to evaluate and change the digital maps.
Image taken on Feb 3, 2016 shows a red-eyed frog resting on a leave vine in the tropical rainforest in the Guayabo National Monument, 70km from San Jose, Costa Rica. In a small territory of 51,100 square kilometers, Costa Rica is home to approximately 3.6 percent of the expected biodiversity on the planet (estimated between 13 and 14 million species, 5 percent of known registered biodiversity science. (Xinhua/Kent Gilbert)

CANCUN, Mexico, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Countries must unite to defend biodiversity instead of building border walls, Erik Solheim, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said Friday.

"The United States, Mexico, Europe and China, if they work together toward common solutions, they can achieve miracles, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals," said Solheim, ahead of the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP13) to be held from Dec. 4-17 in Cancun, Mexico.

"It is crucial for all countries and sectors to work together to attack the problems afflict the plant, such as the lack of biodiversity," the official added.

Solheim also took shots at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's plan to build a border wall along the Mexican border to keep immigrants out.

Pointing out that global efforts have achieved landmark results, such as reducing hunger in Africa by 70 percent, Solheim stated political forces should stand together.

According to Solheim, if political forces are allowed to divide humanity, lofty goals will fail and tourism, environment, and biodiversity will all suffer.

Mexico's Environment Minister Rafael Pacchiano also said he would seek to build links with the incoming Trump administration to protect the environment.

The COP13 will be officially held on Sunday, and around 200 ministers and envoys from around the world have begun discussing actions needed to protect biodiversity since Friday.
KWALE, Kenya, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday expressed his commitment to a free, fair and peaceful general election slated for August 2017.

"Ensuring a fair, free, transparent and credible election process is, therefore, the first goal we must all commit to," he said when addressing the national leadership summit, co-organized by both houses of parliament and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance in the coastal town of Kwale.

The summit, whose theme was competitiveness, nationhood and peaceful elections, brought together leaders of political parties, religious and civil society leaders, captains of industry and parliamentarians to discuss ways of ensuring a peaceful election process.

The East African nation is due to hold its general elections on August 8, 2017 and has been making early preparations to have credible elections and avoid post-election violence like what was witnessed in 2007.

Kenyatta will seek re-election with stiff competition from opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Kenyatta urged leaders at all levels, including the opposition, to join hands in ensuring the country delivers a credible election.

"I am making a firm commitment on behalf of myself and my fellow party members to conduct a peaceful campaign. I urge all leaders to consider signing up to this pledge and most importantly to work towards peaceful elections," the president said.

"We should not let this critically important process be marred by irresponsible and destructive language during the course of political discourse," he added.

Former President Mwai Kibaki and Odinga fiercely contested the 2007 presidential elections, which resulted into a two-month post-election violence.

Odinga claimed that he won the elections, sparking violence in which more than 1,200 people were killed and over 650,000 others displaced.

The violence was also blamed on the fierce competition for a share of the national wealth between the various tribal groups. Most of it had to do with the distribution of land and access to state power.
A local resident watches a program on satellite digital television provided by StarTimes in Kajiado County, Kenya, Nov. 30, 2016. Chinese media company StarTimes on Wednesday launched a satellite digital television project in Kenya as part of its long-term agenda to bridge rural-urban information gap in the East African nation. (Xinhua/Li Baishun)

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- StarTimes, a Chinese media company, is contributing immensely to Tanzania's digital migration by enabling households in the east African country to afford digital television, an executive officer from the company has said.

Guo Ziqi, Vice-Chairman of StarTimes Group, said: "Our aim is to enable every African household to afford the digital TV, watch good digital TV and enjoy the digital life."

Currently, she said, StarTimes has more than 9 million customers across Africa and it is becoming the leading digital TV operator with big influence and fast development.

Guo made the remarks earlier this week to a delegation of Chinese and Tanzanian journalists who were on a tour of Chinese enterprises in Tanzania with a view to shedding light on the fruitful achievements made under China-Africa cooperation.

Organized by China's State Council Information Office, about 20 journalists from both countries visited Chinese enterprises that were involved in Africa's development that benefited people's well-being and promoted friendship between China and Tanzania.

Guo said digitalization in Africa is currently at an impressive stage and StarTimes is sticking to its principle of serving the common, completing the network and cooperating with different countries.

Digitization is the current trend in broadcasting, which means digitalization of signal source, broadcasting system, transmission and terminal products.

It brings to bear many benefits including promoting social development, freeing up more frequencies for other communication services, providing increased opportunities for innovation and creativity aside from quality image, sound clarity and interactive communication.

There are challenges around digitalization which includes but not limited to capital-intensity and technology-intensity.

Although digital migration has become one of the biggest challenges in African television, Tanzania is among the African countries that have completed the transition and helped its citizen enjoy the digital world. Tanzania is among first group of countries in mainland Sub-Saharan Africa which switch off its analogue television signal.

Tanzania started the analogue switch-over on 31st December 2012 and completed 30th April, 2015 when all analogue television transmitters were switched off.

Guo said at the end of last year, China announced that it would help implement Satellite TV projects in 10,000 villages in Africa in coming years.

"This project is aimed at sending the welfare to people living in the villages and to enhance the understanding and friendship between China and Africa," said Guo, adding that StarTimes was participating in this project positively and continues making contribution to Africa and Sino-Africa friendship.

Nape Nnauye, Tanzania's Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, said the media is playing an important role in bridging the gaps between the people of Africa and China in a speech last week.

He added that the media has an important role to play in publicizing and promoting the investment opportunities in both China and Africa.

Liao Lanfang, Chief Executive Officer of Star Media (Tanzania) Limited, a joint venture established by StarTimes and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), said the company operates Pay TV services by providing a variety of premium digital television programs, and a series of high quality digital TV terminal equipment.
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Oakland firefighters broadcast live through its twitter account @OaklandFireLive on Dec. 3, 2016. (Xinhua Photo)

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- An overnight fire killed at least 9 people while another 25 people were unaccounted for in Oakland, east of San Francisco, as of Saturday morning.

The blaze, one of the deadliest structure fires in Oakland's history, began at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday during an electronic music party in a two-story warehouse in the San Francisco Bay Area city.

While citing the number of casualties as the result of "a preliminary search," Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed initially told KTVU, a local affiliate of Fox News network, that 13 people were unaccounted for.

"There's still a lot of the building that needs to be searched," she said.

Most of the nine dead were found on the second floor of the building, known as "The Oakland Ghost Ship," in an industrial neighborhood.

The party was reportedly scheduled from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., and dozens of people were inside at the time of the fire. The roof collapsed as people fled the second floor by a "makeshift stairwell" leading to the first floor.

Deloach-Reed noted that there was no sprinkler system in the structure.

Oakland Fire Department posted several messages throughout the night on its Twitter social media network account, including the latest one in the morning saying that fire crews would remain on the scene for several more hours to extinguish hot spots.
A Syrian child, who fled with his family from rebel-held areas in the city of Aleppo, reacts as he holds a sandwich on December 1, 2016, at a shelter in the neighbourhood of Jibrin, east of Aleppo. (AFP/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army on Saturday urged displaced civilians to return to areas that have recently been retaken by the army in the northern city of Aleppo, amid ongoing progress the army is achieving against the rebels in the city, according to state news agency SANA.

The government has started the rehabilitation process in areas the army captured in the rebel-held part east of Aleppo, according to a statement carried by SANA.

Recently, the Syrian army forces and allied fighters succeeded to capture the northern part of eastern Aleppo, as part of a major offensive the army and allied fighters launched to retake all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that the army has become in control of 60 percent of rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, adding that at least 300 people have been killed since the army unleashed the offensive on eastern Aleppo in mid-November.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said recently that at least 30,000 civilians fled eastern Aleppo toward government-controlled area in western Aleppo over the past few days.

Earlier in the day, the Syrian army captured the key neighborhood of Tariq al-Bab, which enabled the military forces to secure the road toward the international airport of Aleppo, which has been out of service recently and turned into a military base.

The army also captured the Karm al-Tarab neighborhood in the southern part of eastern Aleppo, killing many rebels.

In response to the military progress, the rebels continued to fire mortar shells and improvised rockets on western Aleppo, killing five people and wounding 29 others on Saturday, according to SANA.

Meanwhile, Syria's Defense Minister Fahed Fraij visited Aleppo on Saturday and checked a number of military positions in Aleppo and its countryside.

This comes as Russian experts have reportedly arrived to the Hmaimim airbase in the Syrian city of Latakia to take part in removing mines from the recaptured areas in eastern Aleppo.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the experts will soon embark on their mission.

With the raging war in Aleppo, Staffan De Mistura, the UN special envoy to Syria, said Saturday he hopes "some type of formula" could be found to avoid a "terrible battle" in Aleppo.

"I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas-New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula," he said at a press conference in Rome.

The Syrian army says it will press on with the operation until all rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo are recaptured. The rebels captured eastern Aleppo in 2012, and the government forces recently imposed a siege on that area before unleashing a broad offensive for its recapture.

Humanitarian organizations sounded the alarm about the situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo, with the government promising to fix the situation of those relocated in government-controlled areas.

Related:

Syrian army captures more areas in eastern Aleppo

DAMASCUS, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army continued to advance in rebel-held areas in the northern city of Aleppo on Friday, amid reports that the rebels are threatening to kill civilians who leave toward government-controlled areas.

Government forces advanced Friday in the southern part of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo city, capturing al-Masaraniyeh area and the eastern parts of the Bab al-Nayrab neighborhood, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Full story

News Analysis: Aleppo's victory could be Syrian government's largest win in 5 years

DAMASCUS, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The rapid victories the Syrian army is achieving in the northern city of Aleppo and the possible quick retrieve of the city will be the Syrian government's biggest win in the five-year-old war, and the rebels worst defeat, analysts say.
by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's controversial anti-protest law remains constitutional despite the court's disapproval of one of its articles and the resulting limitation of the police authorities, said Egyptian legal experts.

On Saturday, the Supreme Constitutional Court, Egypt's top court, ruled Article 10 of the 2013 anti-protest law, which gives the interior ministry the authority to deny protest requests, as "unconstitutional."

However, the court upheld the other three debated articles, including one that encourages a minimum two-year jail term and a fine of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (about 2,800 U.S. dollars) to whoever violates the law.

STILL CONSTITUTIONAL

"When an article is not the bone structure of a law, its unconstitutionality does not ruin the whole law," said Tarek al-Awadi, head of State of Law Support Center and one of the lawyers who filed the lawsuit challenging the law.

"To illustrate, the court had also to reject the second item of Article 10 as unconstitutional after it rejected the first item because they are interrelated, but Article 10 in general does not affect the entire law," the lawyer told Xinhua.

The main difference is that under Saturday's ruling the Egyptian police will no longer have the authority to ban protests provided that the Interior Ministry is informed in advance and the protests remain peaceful, according to legal experts.

The law was issued in late 2013 by former interim President Adly Mansour at a time of constant clashes between supporters of the currently-blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood group and security personnel following the military overthrow of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and the later crackdown on his loyalists.

In Jan. 2015, the Administrative Court decided to suspend its consideration of the appeal against the anti-protest law filed by human rights lawyers including a former presidential candidate, until the Constitutional Court determines its constitutionality.

Since the Constitutional Court rulings are final, the verdict actually protects the law from any further appeals and puts an end to all the related legal wraggling.

In a national youth conference in October, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi promised to seek an amendment of the anti-protest law. He later issued a presidential pardon to release 82 young people, mostly university students, jailed over protests or opinions.

PRISONERS' PROSPECT UNCERTAIN

The debatable law entitled the police to crack down on people from thousands of Morsi's supporters to all the opposition of the new military-oriented administration including anti-Islamists, leading to the imprisonment of hundreds of students and liberal youth activists such as Ahmed Maher, head of April 6 Youth Movement that spearheaded the 2011 uprising which toppled long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak.

Criticized by local and international human rights groups, the law has been seen as a tool to limit freedom in a country seeking transition to democracy after witnessing two uprisings that removed two heads of state in less than 30 months from 2011 to 2013.

"Today's court order will not serve the jailed youth activists as it does not nullify the penal articles in the law," Awadi lamented, stressing that the only "gain" is that the police cannot deny future protests as long as they are peaceful and there is a prior request.

An judge from Egypt's Cairo-based State Council told Xinhua that all those who have been imprisoned on charges of protesting without a legal permit from the Interior Ministry must be released after part of Article 10 is deemed unconstitutional.

"All verdicts, jail-terms or detentions based on this article of the law are considered nonexistent," said the judge on condition of anonymity.

Many of the prisoners, however, are accused of other illegal activities, such as obstructing traffic and posing threats to citizens' interests, which all can incur the penalties stated in the law.

"Every prisoner whose case is related to Article 10 will be freed based on 'the most favorable law to the defendant' legal rule," said Walid al-Shahat, a legal expert and one of the lawyers of Mubarak's former chief of public security.

"However, only those accused of protesting without a permit will be released, but those facing other charges like damaging public properties, blocking public roads and causing injuries will not be released," Shahhat told Xinhua.
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A federal judge denied protesters' request for a temporary restraining order against law enforcement's use of certain riot control devices, including chemical agents, sound cannons and water hoses.

Daniel Hovland wrote in his order denying the request that the plaintiffs  a number of pipeline protesters alleging injuries from a Nov. 20 standoff with police at the Backwater Bridge  failed to certify that they had attempted to notify the defendants, which include the Morton County sheriff and the Mandan Police chief.

"This is clearly a fact-specific case and, under the circumstances, the court finds that notice to the adverse parties and an opportunity for them to respond and be heard is necessary," Hovland wrote in his Thursday order.

He gave law enforcement officers 14 days to reply to the lawsuit, which is also seeking a preliminary injunction against police use of the riot control tools.

Later Thursday, attorneys for the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters appealed the judge's order and said they had delivered copies of the suit to each defendant by Thursday morning.

"The need for emergency relief and threat of irreparable harm set forth in plaintiff's previous papers has only increased since this action was filed three days ago," the attorneys wrote.

They said the Monday deadline set by the Army Corps of Engineers to close the land and the expected arrival of as many as 2,000 veterans makes a "further confrontation quite likely in coming days."

The Water Protector Legal Collective filed suit on Nov. 28 in U.S. District Court in Bismarck seeking an immediate injunction to prevent Kirchmeier and other agencies from using impact munitions, such as rubber bullets, lead-filled beanbags, water and sound cannons, directed energy devices, water hoses, explosive tear gas grenades and other chemical agents against the protesters.

The complaint lists nine individuals who were injured Nov. 20, when protesters and police clashed at the barricaded Backwater Bridge near the protest encampment and says they sustained facial burns, broken bones, genital injury, lost consciousness, wounds and that one may be blind from impact to her eye.

Law enforcement has said protesters threw rocks and burning logs at officers and attempted to create improvised explosives that night. One officer was injured.

Kirchmeier said Monday that the impact munitions described in the lawsuit are used for the protection of the officers.
In addition to 2,000 Armed Forces veterans coming in support of the anti-Dakota Access Pipeline camp this weekend, the months-long protest gathering will be visited by a former Democratic presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich, as well as the Quinault Indian Nation Tribal Council.

Kucinich, who also served eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, will arrive Sunday and spend several days at the camp.

We believe our Native American brothers and sisters are birthing a new civil rights movement, with powerful implications for our nation and the planet, he said.

His arrival will coincide with the veterans show of support Monday, the day the U.S. Army Corps had set as a deadline for people to leave the Oceti Sakowin camp, occupied from late summer and now into winter, by as many as 5,000 protesters. People at the camp have said they have no intentions of leaving, at the same time the corps says it will not enforce an eviction.

The Washington Quinault tribe said in a statement it is returning to the camp for the third time, after staging a symbolic canoe journey from Bismarck to the camp in October and establishing a winter camp at Oceti Sakowin in November.

Quinault Tribal President Fawn Sharp said her tribe is fighting to keep Bakken oil from coming into its shipping ports.

We realize this country will continue to need oil for years to come. But priority must be placed on the protection of natural resources, treaty rights, cultural resources and the pursuit of clean energy. Water is life, she said.
TSTT rebrands its Blink products

He made the statement yesterday as he announced a five-year strategic plan involving a $3.7 billion investment which, he said, will begin to transform the company almost immediately into an agile 21st Century communication company. He said the company looked at its various brands and brand confusion surrounding the marketing of some of its products.

He said the companys vision was to be the standard bearer for the next generation of communication solutions and services which can enrich the lives of citizens, businesses and visitors.

He added that the company decided it didnt want to be just a provider of communication services but to provide solutions which could take its customers further, inspire them and help them in achieving their business or personal goals. He said that in order to achieve this, the company devised a robust five year strategic plan which involves a $3.7 billion investment which will transform the company from being a 20th Century telecommunications company into an agile 21st Century broadband communication company. He said that the companys plan to achieve this is based on four pillars and five major programmes.

The first is retail transformation, which he said meant that whenever a customer interacts with the company it should always be an excellent experience by whatever means they choose to do so; and TSTT should be able to deal with all its customers needs, however the customer is dealing with the company. He said that to achieve this, TSTT will remove all of the old, so-called legacy solutions it is currently using, and replace them with new point of sale solutions from early next year and was partnering with Ericsson to do so. He said the company will also get rid of all the old legacy equipment in its business support systems by next week and replace them with a robust, fully staffed, fully converged solution also provided by Ericsson.

On the simplification of the companys brands, he said TSTT will remain the companys corporate brand while it will simplify all its other products under the bmobile brand and its corporate social responsibility (CSR) work will be carried out under the bmobile foundation, previously known as the Blink/ bmobile Foundation, which seeks to create opportunities for the development of young people and communities in the areas of education, sport, health and culture.

He said the changes represent a public statement to the country that the company will significantly improve the way it conducts its business and that a new TSTT, was being launched at the function. He said the company will spend almost $900 million in capital expenditure this year, adding that it has begun its transformation and looks forward to great things this year.

TSTT Chairman, Emile Elias, said he felt a lot of satisfaction with the companys progress and said he wanted Minister of Public Utilities, Fitzgerald Hinds, who was present at the function, to take this message back to the Cabinet. Elias urged the public to Stay with us, we are your national provider.
Sabga dismisses job cut rumours

Weve put in a new IT (Information Technology) system, which I believe has gone into certain media houses, which automates the procedure and the planning of the paper. Based on that, it streamlines the operations and theres been some cuts there. Beyond that I have not been told about any further cuts, Sabga told reporters.

Asked again about job cuts at Guardian, including several persons in the sub-editing and archives departments, the ANSA McAl chairman reiterated that he knew nothing of the sort.

I didnt say there were cuts coming. You (reporter) said there were cuts coming. I said that the cuts have happened and I am not aware that there are further cuts on the horizon, Sabga declared.

GMLs unaudited accounts for the ninemonth period ended September 30, 2016, recorded a sharp drop in profit before tax (PBT) compared to the previous year. The companys PBT as of the the third quarter (Q3) of 2016 was TT $7.8 million, a significant drop from the $36.7 million GML earned in PBT for the same period in 2015. The company also reported a drop in generated revenue, down from $159.6 million last year to $119.4 million as of Q3 in 2016. Without making specific reference to the above financial data, Sabga yesterday said, It has been a rough year for (GML) and our expenses have jumped significantly. He then called on GMLs staff to work with management to improve the companys performance.

We do need to look at the organisation, to rally the troops to do more, to do better. Understand that we are in a difficult period and call on our staff to help us weather this storm and to continue to improve the organisation going forward. Asked by Newsday what expenses he was referring to, Sabga replied, The majority is people.

The headcount swole (SI C) significantly in the last three or four years.
Seven cops transferred in Central Division

The ASP has been transferred to the North Eastern Division and Newsday understands that more officers are expected to be transferred in the coming days.

However, on Thursday, six officers from the rank of sergeant to constable were informed by McIntyre that they were to be transferred internally.

The Operational Unit will now be manned by other officers from within the Division and the new head is expected to be the son of a former senior police officer.

On Tuesday, during the weekly COMPSTAT meeting with the divisional commanders of the TT Police Service (TTPS), Williams indicated that he was receiving numerous reports of alleged corrupt activities involving police officers and had planned to shake up the division.

It is not known whether those transferred are linked to the reports received by Williams.

Newsday understands that during two (TTPS) town meetings in Enterprise, angry residents openly gave the names of officers who they claim were allegedly involved in illicit activities and even accused those officers of giving residents a hard time.

Williams promised to look into their concerns and gave them the assurance that action will be meted out to any of the officers named if they are found to be involved in any unscrupulous activities.
DNA confirms the remains of Darian

Mother of six, Christine Nedd, 44, yesterday told Newsday that she learnt of the confirmation result from police detectives a few days ago.

When I called police on Tuesday to get an update on my son, they told me to come to the office. When I went, the officer confirmed that the remains were Darians, Nedd said.

Police discovered the remains of Darian, a pupil of the Siparia East Secondary School, in the ruins of the familys wooden home located at Red Brick Trace, South Oropouche on March 19.

It is believed Darian was chopped to death inside the house which was then set ablaze. Police subsequently obtained DNA samples from relatives so as to match and make confirmation as he was burnt beyond recognition. With confirmation that the remains are that of her son, Nedd is now hoping to have a proper funeral for him.

We will get the remains during the week so, as soon as we do, we will have a proper funeral. At least now Darian will be able to rest. I am happy for that but at the end of the day, my son is still dead and the pain is very real , Nedd added.

Police sources noted that they were awaiting certain documentation before the remains are given to the family.

PC Harrypersad, of the Homicide Bureau, Region III, charged a neighbour, Roger Ragoopath, 26, with the schoolboys murder, less than two weeks after the investigators found the charred remains.

The accused, a fisherman, is expected to re-appear in the Siparia First Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The family now lives in a one-bedroom wooden structure constructed a few feet away from the original location.

In memory of the schoolboy, relatives constructed a mini shrine on the same location where his remains were found. The shrine, constructed in June, contains personal items of the schoolboy including partially burnt toys retrieved from the ruins of the original house.o
Butcher shot on the job

It was reported that the man walked up to him and shot him in his foot before escaping in a waiting vehicle.

Cpl Flaviney of the Ste Madeleine Police Station is continuing enquiries.
Federal authorities say an investigation into the theft this summer of several semitrailers loaded with frozen beef from Nebraska has led to arrests and uncovered a multimillion-dollar theft ring targeting meatpacking plants in six Midwestern states. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported Tuesday that the discovery of the Miami-based theft ring began in June when several semitrailers loaded with nearly $1 million in frozen beef were stolen near the Nebraska cities of Lincoln and Grand Island. An investigation determined that beef and pork packaging plants in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin were being targeted. On Oct. 20, investigators arrested three Miami men on suspicion of transporting stolen goods and money laundering.
Truck driver committed to stand trial

Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh, in the First Court, ruled that a prima facie case was made out against truck driver Shamnarine Rambally and, as such, he is to stand trial before a judge and jury.

The prosecution contended that on January 26, 2012, at the intersection of the SS Erin Road and the Penal Rock Road, Rahamut was knocked down by a truck and killed.

It is alleged that the woman was attempting to cross the SS Erin Road, near the Penal Police Station, on Penal junction, when the incident occurred.

Rahamut lived at Laltoo Trace, Penal. Sgt Jaggernauth of the Penal Police Station laid the charge against Rambally in July 2012.

Before making her ruling yesterday, the magistrate remarked that based on the evidence heard during the preliminary inquiry, the court was unable to find answers to many things. However, she noted that there was sufficient evidence to commit Rambally to stand trial for the womans death.

The magistrate further granted him fresh surety bail in the sum of $100,000 to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace.
Young poets tackle social issues

The event, which saw a line up of 13 poets, the drama group D-MAD Company and a number of musical acts, was co-hosted and co-ordinated by former journalist Afiya Ray and the San Fernando Arts Council at the Creative Arts Centre in San Fernando last Monday.

Youth and experience met on the stage with poets from across the country, including students of Pleasantville Secondary, Cowen Hamilton Secondary of Moruga, San Fernando Central Secondary and Montrose Government Primary School. There were also artistes representing The Roots Foundation and The Circle of Poets at the event.

The passionate presentations resonated with the audience as young people shared their perspectives about current issues.

The event was co-ordinated to give young people an avenue to speak out honestly on issues impacting society, and to do so in a way that is not destructive, while also providing them with some income, Ray said in a media release.

Through her company Oyez Media Ltd, Ray will continue with a literacy project targeting young people in schools across the country in 2017. This project has been approved by the Ministry of Education, the release said. The company also proposes to use drama and spoken word to connect with the youth.

We believe that it is better to work with young people and to get them to write and speak out on issues than to leave them to fight and hurt themselves, said Ray, who is also a mother of three boys.

It is our hope that we get the support of the public in this venture. Senior Sanfest will have its grand finale tomorrow.
34% voter turnout in LGE

Turnout for the past five local government elections was respectively: 38.7 percent (1999); 37.9 percent (2003); 39.1 percent (2010); 43.6 percent (2013); and 34.3 percent (2016). Last Monday, 362,254 persons cast valid votes, out of a registered electorate in Trinidad of 1,054,817 voters. Each party could claim victory on Election Day. The Peoples National Movement (PNM) won seven and a half corporations (the latter being the tied Sangre Grande Regional Corporation), ahead of the United National Congress (UNC) winning six and a half, but the UNC won half of Sangre Grande, previously a PNM corporation.

Likewise, Rowley boasted that the PNM won the most seats - 82 ahead of the 55 seats won by the UNC - although facing a net loss of one seat to the UNC, compared to 2013. However, the EBC results yesterday showed that the UNC won the popular vote. Across all seats in Trinidad, the UNC won 180,758 votes, just ahead of the PNMs 174,754 votes.

Of the smaller parties the Congress of the People (COP) nationwide won 1,803 votes, ahead of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) on 790 votes, Independent Liberal Party (ILP) on 343 votes, National Solidarity Assembly (NSA) on 804 votes, NDP on 244 votes and IDP on 602 votes. The total tally for persons standing independent of any party was 1,071 votes.

While the UNC tied for seats four-four with the PNM in Sangre Grande, speculation is that the UNC could have won the corporation outright but for possible vote-splitting by a new, smaller party, the NSA, whose base like the UNC is thought to be ex-sugar workers. In the seat of Sangre Grande North West, the PNM won by a margin of just 40 votes (PNM 1,351 and UNC 1,311), less than the NSAs tally of 78 votes.

Geographically, the highest turnout occurred at Mayaro/Rio Claro (49.8 percent) and Siparia (41.8 percent). The lowest turnout was Diego Martin (21.8 percent) and Port-of-Spain (22.78 percent).

PNM PRO Stuart Young told Newsday that the 34 percent turnout was nowhere near the 17 to 20 percent turnout being proffered by some observers on Election Night. Saying that local election turnouts are usually less than those of general elections, he said, This 34 percent is within expected parameters.
No bail for rape accused

Afteba Huggins, 36, of South Oropouche appeared before Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh.

Charges alleged that on Monday November 28, Huggins raped the SRP constable at Berridge Trace, South Oropouche; falsely imprisoned her. Another charge alleged he shot at the officer with intent to murder her. Another charge was that he also robbed her of a quantity of gold jewellery and a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) jacket together valued $9,750, and used personal violence against her. The last two charges alleged that on the same date and place, Huggins had in his possession a firearm and ammunition.

Sgt Gokool of the South Oropouche Police Station laid the charges.

The SRP, the charges stated, was on her way to conduct guard duties at a polling station on the morning of the local government election when she was attacked.

Huggins attorney Ramnarine Soorgansingh told the court his client is a caretaker at Arawak Limited in Mausica, is married and father of five children aged 14, 13, nine, seven and four. Hugginss wife who was in the courtroom, for the in-camera proceedings, is expecting their sixth child.

The attorney complained that even before his client was arrested, there was wide publicity about the alleged incident. During his bail application, Soorgansingh requested that the matter be treated with respect adding that the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must be applied.

Looking at the criminal records of Huggins, the attorney noted that the accused has pending matters including rape and wounding with intent.

Soorgansingh also asked that the matter be expedited. Court prosecutor Sgt Anthony Baptiste objected to bail on the grounds that the accused had been charged for criminal acts allegedly committed while he was on bail for a similar type offence (rape).

Magistrate Deonarinesingh denied Huggins bail and informed him of his right to apply to a Judge in Chambers for bail, if he so desires.

The case was adjourned to December 30. As officers were escorting the accused out of the courtroom, his wife threw a yellow towel over his head so as to prevent media photographers from taking photos.
Bhoe expelled over gas

Tewarie had raised questions during a statement by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stuart Young, on the Renegotiation of the Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited Project, better known as the Mitsubishi/ Massy Natural Gas to Petrochemicals Complex.

The Minister said that on taking office in 2015 the Government found itself in a situation of a serious gas curtailment since 2010 that exposed them to billions of dollars in claims from downstream users not getting their contractual supply from the National Gas Company (NGC). Further, contracts had expired between the NGC and the downstreamers, no new talks were initiated, and no plan existed to alleviate gas supplies.

Saying that five days into office, the Government was asked by Massy to provide a legal opinion by the Office of the Attorney General on the project, Young hailed public servants at the Ministries of Energy and Attorney General for resisting pressure to do so when approached on September 4, 2015 and September 7, 2015. Young said the former regime had agreed to several items that potentially exposed this country to billions of dollars worth of claims.

Legal officers in the Solicitor Generals Office did not agree to the Attorney General issuing the requested opinion. The legal officers objected in red ink to what ad been agreed to previous to September 7, 2015. These warnings were also made to former Ministers of Energy and Finance, that the proposed deal could expose NGC to damages and losses. Young said TTs first ever Debt Tail Buy Down deal had bound the NGC to pay the whole CGCL loan in the event of a gas shortage, without the NGC getting any benefit.

The former governments Green Field Gas Priority Policy of 2013 said that in case of a gas shortage, supply priority would be for new industries, rather than old industries, but breaching existing contracts, Young related. The former government ignored warnings, but adopted the policy that exposed the NGC to billions of dollars in claims by most existing downstreamers at Point Lisas, a situation that could have wrecked TTs gas industry.

He said the Government held talks with Massy, Mitsubishi, JBIC and the Japan Government, and by August executed an amended deal that protects the NGC and the people of TT. The Government rescinded the Green Field Policy.

The NGC is now protected by mechanisms such as a CGCL fund to cover loan installments.

NGC is no longer exposed to the potential billions of dollars of claims for damages. He added that the Government wants solutions to the curtailments in the industry. Replying to a query by Tewarie, Young said any shortfall in its gas-supply to clients could leave NGC paying from its own pocket, that is, a taxpayer bailout.
Villagers know who committed act, relatives say

People in the village talking and fingers are pointing but their family members are protecting them, one aggrieved relative told Newsday yesterday. It was a wicked act but we not taking that so and will talk to whoever we have to talk to, to get justice. The mens faces were painted with make-up, their eyebrows were shaved off and one of them had their hair fashioned into a pony tail. An autopsy performed at the Forensic Science Center, St James revealed that death was due to acute poisoning. It is believed that the men had ingested deadly cocktails after eating a meal. Both were known alcoholics in the village.

Relatives believe the men were too drunk to notice that their drinks were poisoned. Maharaj, a father of three and grandfather of one, and Motilal who was single and unmarried, both lived in Tarouba Village, Tarouba and were last seen, hours before their deaths, drinking outside their favourite village watering hole Las Vegas Recreation Club which is located a short distance away from their respective homes. It was reported that at about 6.30 am on November 24, officers of the Marabella Police Station on were on mobile patrol and observed two men lying in an embrace on top of each other.

Their bodies were held together with a piece of rope which passed through the loops of their pants.

Further checks revealed that the men were dead. The rope had been cut from a Local Government election United National Congress (UNC) banner which was strung between two utility poles near the bar.

The relative said there are as many as three cameras installed on the junction where the incident occurred.

He said, We were hoping that at least police could get something from one of the cameras.

Every time we ask them they say they are still investigating. When contacted yesterday, a senior police officer said that investigations were still continuing along certain lines to determine whether or not the men committed suicide or were murdered.
$630M for 50 ambulances

He spoke at a news briefing on Thursday at his Ministry at Park Street, Port-of-Spain, before inspecting the latest additions to the fleet. The nationwide supply of ambulances is being doubled from 25 existing ambulances by the addition of 25 new ambulances, Deyalsingh said.

Also present at the event was Paul Anderson, CEO of provider, Global Medical Response (GMR), a Colorado-based firm, which has run its service in TT since 2005.

Deyalsingh said he had inherited this contract and did not know if it had originally been tendered. Asked if the cost was high, he said it includes training, communications, repairs and other costs.

What price value do you place on a patients life? he asked.

Anderson, in reply, said GMR must service 1.4 million persons living in every square mile of this country.

We do about 75,000 responses a year. Last year we transported 53,000 persons to various hospitals. We provide a service every hour of the day, every day of the week for the entire year.

Its a very high utilisation that continues to go up. He said there is a cost to providing such service, which he said, hed anecdotally been told, is less than the cost of the countrys garbage collection.
Banks frustrating businesses too

Championing the cause of members of the small and medium business community, President of the Couva/ Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce, Liaquat Ali, criticized banks which, he believes, place an unfair burden on small and medium businesses.

With these commercial banks, it is like an Olympics, they going for gold, said Ali to the enjoyment of the crowd of business men and women gathered for the Chambers annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Ceremony at its Couva office. But the goal is to see who could make how much money, which commercial bank could make the most profit and it is like bragging rights for these banks now. Ali assured that he, as a business man himself, had nothing against profitable businesses, but took issue with being treated unfairly by commercial banks, especially since they now take charges on deposits.

For every $1000 you put in the bank, they taking a charge for that.

That is not fair. We have credit card charges that commercial banks are charging that you are unaware of. He said elusive US dollars are being distributed unfairly in favour of big bad business organisations.

They are forcing you not to take a loan in US, you paying additional charges on your overdraft, you are paying interest on your US loan, and you have to pay them back in US. And, if for some reason you take a loan for one year and the TT dollar slides against the US dollar, you end up converting dollars to over 8 to 1. So what is the true reflection of the US dollar? Ali called on non-commercial financial institutions to step forward and sell their services to the small and medium businesses.

We can no longer sit by and allow commercial banks to take advantage of the business community when it is the business community who have the commercial banks where they are. Small and medium businesses are the ones who are facing the problems, not the big bad business organisations because they are the ones who are hoarding the foreign exchange. A l i , who is also the owner of Tr i n i - d a d Parboil Ltd, then advocated for the US dollar to be allowed to float instead of a fixed exchange rate.

Later in his speech, he urged Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat to ensure that Caroni lands that were allocated for agriculture be used for nothing else.

Ali encouraged farmers to take advantage of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), and asked that Rambharat work towards making loans at the ADB more accessible.
No such thing as free education

That is a myth and a misnomer, he said.

Lovell made the remarks on Thursday while addressing some 240 recipients of diplomas, associate and bachelors degrees at the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute 2016 graduation ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency, Portof- Spain. The word free implies there is no cost attached and no one pays for it. Not even water is free. Everything has a cost attached to it. Continuing, he said, Your education came at a tremendous cost, the majority or part of it was carried by the taxpayers.

That means that you have a social contract with your nation. Through taxpayers contribution, he said, that as graduates they were expected to be exemplary citizens and play a significant part in the development of the nation.

Noting that for sometime the economy had been overly dependent on the energy sector and that things have not been good with it recently, Lovell said, We have as a culture come to understand, or coming to understand, that we cannot put all our eggs in one basket and hope to develop as a nation. Tourism is a critical sector which, he said, maybe in the past, we have not treated with significance, but going forward, must be seen as absolutely central to our continued development. Even as they revel in their certification and graduation which came at the end of hard work, patience and sacrifice, he said, understand that your education is not just an entity unto yourself and for yourself.

It has a wider and economic social application, that is also of consequence not just to you, but the entire society. He urged that they help in the process of reorienting the economy, and elevating tourism as an industry. The Executive Directors Award for the most outstanding student, having achieved the highest GPA was presented to Shammah Taylor. Valedictorians were Kyle Jemmot on behalf of full time students and Keon Cooper, for part time.

Four graduates obtained bachelors degrees in tourism and hospitality management and seven in culinary management. The majority of graduates were at the diploma and associate degree levels in baking and pastry arts, culinary arts, events and conference management, food and beverage supervision, front office and travel agency operations, culinary management, food and beverage management, hospitality management, and tourism management.
Three men are accused of endangering the life of a pipeline worker as protesters were cleared from a northern "front line" camp on Oct. 27.

The charges result from a standoff between the man, seen on video pointing an assault rifle at protesters, and the protesters, who allegedly ran him off the road and threatened him with knives near the Backwater Bridge on Highway 1806.

Michael Fasig, 46, and Israel Hernandez, 22, are charged with felony reckless endangerment. Brennon Nastacio, 36, is charged with felony terrorizing. Warrants have been issued for all three men.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the Morton County charges, the man reported working for Dakota Access Pipeline. He said the incident occurred as he drove to check on burning equipment.

Vicki Granado, a spokeswoman for Dakota Access, wrote in an email Friday that the man did not work for Dakota Access. The firm, Knightsbridge Risk Management, for which he was apparently working had equipment that was burned onsite, she wrote.

The contractor told police his vehicle was "rammed" and disabled by another vehicle, according to the affidavit. A group of people surrounded his car, making him fear for his life, he said and reported that five people approached him with knives in hand and he grabbed his long rifle. During the confrontation, his work vehicle worth $10,000 also was set on fire.

To protesters interviewed shortly after the confrontation, the scene looked much different.

B.J. Kidder, a Standing Rock Sioux Tribal member, told Forum News Service on Oct. 28 that he approached the man in a white pickup with no plates on County Road 134 and saw an AR-15 rifle and a 30-round clip in the console of the truck. He said he reached into the truck to grab the gun, and the vehicle took off quickly and recklessly down Highway 1806 towards the main Oceti Sakowin camp, nearly striking pedestrians.

Witnesses observed a vehicle push his car off the road, and a video posted online shows protesters following him into the river, where he is seen briefly pointing the rifle at people.

At first, the worker was taken into custody by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was released shortly after, and the Morton County Sheriff's Department said he was the victim in the case.

In a press conference on Oct. 29, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman said he told BIA agents the man should be charged with attempted murder.

"We gotta protect our people," Harold Frazier said.

The charges in the complaint arise from interviews and review of social media by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

The affidavit references a photo of two men, allegedly Fasig and Hernandez, standing beside two vehicles, one of which has a visible dent in the front left of the car.

"Two of our Iktce Wichasa Oyate warriors, and their war ponies, injured while stopping an armed DAPL worker's vehicle," the post from Oct. 29 reads.

Fasig, who is charged with reckless endangerment, also said in a Facebook video that he got to "ram" into a DAPL security guard's truck and called it "exciting," according to the affidavit.

An investigation by BIA determined that Hernandez is the owner of the Cadillac in the photo, which apparently had damage and white paint, possibly transferred from the worker's pickup. Hernandez also allegedly told BIA agents on Nov. 17 that he ran the pickup off the road.

The terrorizing charge against Nastacio arose from the worker's report that a man wearing a fur hat, later identified as Nastacio, walked toward him with a knife.

The affidavit makes no mention of the man pointing a gun at protesters, and the Morton County Sheriff's Department announced on Nov. 1 that no charges would be filed against him. No shots were fired from the gun, according to the sheriff's department.
Webster-Roy speaks of peeping Tom experience

Speaking at a workshop aimed at bringing an end to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Discrimination yesterday at the Arnold Thomasos Room of Parliament at the Waterfront in Port of Spain, the Minister expressed her disgust with the unprofessionalism of the officers at the time.

I remember the difficulty of having reported a peeping Tom to the police and not having them take the matter seriously, Webster-Roy said.

The officers were more interested in what the scoundrel saw and what I was wearing at the time than actually following up on the matter.

The only thing even remotely close to justice that I received was when my husband left the house in the middle of the night and went out, found the man and put a good beating on him.

I later told my husband that he was wrong to do what he did, because had he killed the man, my children would have been without a father and I without a husband. Webster-Roy went on to say that the experience has only caused her to reaffirm her responsibility as a Minister, and as a woman, to ensure the protection of all women and urged men to step up and take responsibility as fathers and leaders.

The Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledges the unalienable rights of women and girls to be free of violence and intimidation of any kind. I am here to advocate for these rights and it is important for both male and female legislators join in on the discussion. Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, echoed the sentiments of her Cabinet colleague and called for more open discussion on matters of sexual abuse and gender- based violence and also urged men to become more proactive in the dialogue as progress can only come from both men and women working together. Women play a crucial role in all sectors of society and across all boundaries.

We have women leaders, women Prime Ministers, who represent us at the highest levels, but GBV in Trinidad and Tobago remains a serious problem that must be addressed.

The inclusion of men into the discussion on violence towards women, represents a change in thinking and a fuller, multi-faceted approach to addressing the root causes of violence. United Nations (UN) Women Acting Head of Office in the Caribbean, Tronni Ann Brodber, said that she had worked with police commissioners in training courses and encouraged them to place greater attention to cases of domestic violence.

Ive asked commissioners in the past, why they dont place cases of domestic abuse as high priority issues and they would usually say that such issues are soft crimes and that they have more serious crimes like murders to investigate.

But what I always ask is that officers should address these cases of domestic violence before they have the chance to become cases of murder. Yesterdays forum was part of the global Orange The World campaign launched by UN Women, which sought to end the incidence of physical and sexual violence against women.

UN Women has partnered with regional bodies such as the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) to enhance court response to gender-based violence, including sexual violence and to improve judicial responsiveness as it relates to violence towards women.
House pays tribute to Fidel

The House of Representatives also observed a minutes silence to pay respects to the late Cuban leader who died on November 25.

In her tribute Annisette- George said, I am sure many would recall that he took decisive actions and made contributions in the liberation struggles of Angola and Namibia and against the apartheid struggles in South Africa. Having regard to how much of the world viewed Castro, she quoted the late former South African President Nelson Mandela who said, One of the mistakes which people make, and political analysts, are that their enemies should be other peoples enemies in response to scathing criticisms for accepting support from the Cuban government in the liberation of South Africa.

Describing Castro as one of iconic and controversial leaders of the 20th century, she said, there are varying opinions on his leadership style, many see him as a hero, but undoubted was his relentless commitment to the improvements and changes in his country Cuba and in the region.

Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis said on behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago that it was with deep gratitude that TT benefitted from many scholarships in the medical field including veterinary medicine among other areas.

She noted that former PNM political leader Patrick Manning was the beneficiary of the expertise of Cuban doctors and had travelled to Cuba on many occasions for treatment.

Other citizens of TT also benefitted from Cubas medical treatment, she said.

Declaring that Cuba will forever remain as a beacon for the people of the Caribbean, she said that despite an economic embargo imposed by the US on Cuba, and other difficulties, under Castros leadership he held his own in the Caribbean and in the wider world standing as a symbol of fortitude and strength.

She noted, too, Canadas continued relationship with Cuba.

In paying tribute, Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh noted that Castro was a son of a sugar farmer.

He recalled that as young politician he reacted to the dominance of his island by foreign capital interests and created history in 1959 by leading a small group of revolutionaries that seized power from dictator Fulgencia Batista, thereby becoming a hero for the Cuban masses and progressive people everywhere.

Today the enduring legacy of this man who featured in some of the worlds most iconic dramas will no doubt live on in history as
PM: $1.3B claim by Chinese against Aluntrint

The China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) and Aluntrint had in 2005 agreed a $3 billion deal for CMEC to design, construct, commission and conduct training for the planned smelter, he said.

However the new government of 2010 had cancelled the project but also seemingly failed to engage with CMEC which by 2013 had issued a final claim for compensation of $1 billion. While the then government had in 2014 set up a team to try to settle the issues, no progress was made, related Rowley. By 2015 CMEC said it would go to the Dispute Adjudication Board, but agreed to Aluntrints call for a time extension.

The then government then did nothing further with CMEC which left TT exposed to over $1 billion in claims, despite an indication that CMEC was willing to discuss an amicable resolution of the matter, said Rowley. On November 8, Finance Minister, Colm Imbert, chaired talks with CMEC whose claim now stands at $1.3 billion, but which wants an amicable solution and is open to options.

He said CMEC wants to be paid for onsite works such as compaction and pile-tests, construction of offices and workers camps, ground improvement, installation of a temporary batch plant, design work, and offshore support and visits from China.

Cabinet has authorised the committee comprised of technocrats from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy to engage experienced legal counsel to advise on the claims made by CMEC and to attempt to negotiate a settlement in the best interests of the citizens of TT, Rowley said.
Trump invites Duterte to US, endorses his anti-drug campaign

Philippines,Cinema/Showbiz,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Manila, Dec 3 (IANS) Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said President-elect Donald Trump had invited him to the US, and endorsed his brutal antidrug campaign, telling him that the Philippines was conducting it "the right way".

Duterte, who spoke to Trump over phone on Friday, said the President-elect was "quite sensitive" to "our worry about drugs", The New Tork Times reported.

"He wishes me well, too, in my campaign, and said well, we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way," Duterte said.

There was no immediate response from Trump to Duterte's statement. His transition team could not be reached for comment.

Since his election on November 9, Trump has held a series of calls with foreign leaders, several of which have broken radically from past American policies and diplomatic practice.

Friday's call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was also out of sync with four decades of US policy toward China and prompted a Chinese call to the White House.

Duterte has been leading a campaign against drug abuse in which, since he took office in June, more than 2,000 people have been killed in raids. Police said several hundred more have been killed by vigilantes.

The Philippines leader's move has been condemned by the US, the UN, the European Union and others for what rights organisations said were extrajudicial killings.

In rejecting such criticism from the US, Duterte called Obama "son of a whore", and threatened to cut diplomatic ties with Washington.

Duterte earlier said he was seeking "a separation" from the US, a longtime ally. He said on Saturday: "We assured him of our ties with America."

Duterte said that Trump had invited him to visit New York and Washington, and that he wanted to attend the summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year in the Philippines.

"I appreciate the response that I got from Trump, and I would like to wish him success," he said. "He will be a good President for the US."

--IANS

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Sushma assures action in 'gangrape' of US national

India,National,Crime/Disaster/Accident,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said those guilty in an alleged gang rape of an American woman in March this year at a luxury hotel here won't be spared and has asked Delhi Police to register a case.

However, a case was yet to be filed even as the woman had, in an email written to Delhi Police, said that she was raped by five men at a Connaught Place five-star hotel during her visit to India.

Taking cognizance of media reports about the alleged rape, Sushma Swaraj in a series of tweets said she spoke to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Indian Ambassador in US Navtej Sarna about the matter.

"I have seen the media reports about gang rape of an American tourist in Delhi in March this year," she said.

She said she told Jung that "police should register a case and bring the guilty to book.

"I have also asked the Indian Ambassador in the US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty," Sushma Swaraj added.

Delhi Police had earlier received an e-mail complaint from the woman about the alleged gangrape.

The woman has said she had hired a tourist guide who, she alleged, was one of the rapists.

Police sources told IANS that they were investigating the allegations and have questioned some employees of the hotel. "A case will be registered soon on the basis of the victim's statement," a police officer said.

--IANS

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Demonetisation will push GDP growth: Piyush Goyal

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Notwithstanding economists' prediction that demonetisation would hit the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said when informal economy goes into the formal mode with the banning of high-value currency, this will add to the GDP.

He also said the cancellation Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as the legal tender was part of the series of decisions the central government took in the last two-and-a-half years to curb the black money and bring down corruption.

"I think demonetisation has so far played out to the plan..." said Goyal who holds the Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy portfolios.

"I don't understand the logic of some eminent economists who have been mentioning that GDP would take a hit by the demonetisation," he said.

"If you are moving the informal economy into the formal economy and if the transactions which for years were never reported as part of GDP are now transacted through banking channels, it will only add to the GDP, not reduce the GDP," he added.

He also said the downturn in economy could last for a month or two or for a quarter.

"Some postponed their consumption plan and it will make up in a quarter, he added.

"When the historic step taken on December 8, we have articulated that this is something which will have a short term pain for about 50 odd days. There will be a transition period as mindset of people needs to change. People have given a tremendous support," the minister said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here.

Criticising the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comment in Parliament on demonetisation, he said: "I was wondering with comment of organised loot when we are trying to sort out the legacy of organised loot that we inherited. I don't know whether Rs 1,86,000 crore lost in the coal scam was disorganised loot or not."

He further said: "I thought an illustrated economist would have recognised when an informal economy goes formal, when transactions which for years were never reported have to move through the banking channel, it will give the leg up to the GDP growth, rather 2 percent fall in GDP growth."

Goyal also criticised American Nobel laureate and economist Paul Krugman for describing India's recent demonetisation move as being "unusual". The economist also found it was hard to see "significant gains" accruing from the measure.

"In fact, he (Paul Krugman) missed points far too often in the last decade. He always felt that Obama bail out in 2008 was inadequate and it was wrong to fund the private sector. He also felt that trying to protect job through bail-out was not good. Well, facts are before the whole world," Goyal said.

"I do not think the Nobel institution gives you a certificate that everything you say is always right," he added.

The minister said there would be collateral benefits in the economy which people can visibly see.

Speaking on the gold holding by individual, he said: "Every body who have legitimate gold have nothing to fear. The only people who have illegitimate gold caused to worry. Honest are feeling there will be a premium for their honesty."

He also said there are reports that there were nexus of certain professionals, bankers and possibly of certain officials in parts of the country where misuse of concessions being made for honest people to transact was being carried out

"The government will come down with heavy hand to stop misuse of these concessions. Honest people are nothing to fear," he added.

--IANS

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Lalu's son not marrying Ramdev's niece

Bihar,National,Politics, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Patna, Dec 3 (IANS) Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday made it clear that he would prefer an arranged marriage like his younger brother and refuted news that he had plans to marry Yoga guru Ramdev's niece.

"I will marry as per my parents wishes; it will be an arranged marriage in the age old tradition of our family," Tej Pratap Yadav told media.

Ramdev, who visited RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Friday morning had also refuted the reports. "It is nothing but gossip spread by a section of the media," he said.

Tej Pratap Yadav said his father Lalu and mother Rabri Devi would take the final call on his and his younger brother's wedding.

"Our parents will fix our marriages," he said and added that media would be informed at the "right time".

The more articulate Tejaswi,26 -- who is Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister -- and Tej Pratap Yadav, 28, are the two most eligible bachelors in Bihar.

In October, Tejaswi had received 44,000 marriage proposals on a WhatsApp contact number which was provided for complaints over bad roads, officials had said.

--IANS

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The Standing Rock Sioux tribal chairman said he plans to accept the North Dakota governor's invitation to meet about issues related to the ongoing Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said he has spoken several times with the governor over the phone but not in person since thousands of protesters have made camp near Cannon Ball to voice their concern with the crude oil pipelines effect on water and tribal sacred sites.

Its very important that we do not let this issue divide us as a state, Gov. Jack Dalrymples said in a statement about the proposed meeting. The relationships that have built between the state and members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe are important and will continue to be important long after the pipeline issue is resolved.

A date for the proposed meeting between the governor, the chairman and the rest of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council has not yet been set, spokesman Jeff Zent said, but staff are working to coordinate it.

Archambault said the tribes position against pipelines crossing lands they still deem theirs by treaty and the state governments position in favor of oil infrastructure have put the two sides in natural conflict and disrupted the relationship.

Legislators cancelling a biennial tribal address to state lawmakers prior to the legislative session furthered that tension.

Relationships all around have been tainted, and its going to take time to repair, Archambault said.

He said hes not sure everyone on both sides of the issue will be forgiving and willing to rebuild relationships as tensions have risen but he holds out hope, as he sees holding onto grievances as unhealthy.

Archambault said one show of good faith would be for the state to remove its blockade of Backwater Bridge. The blockade, which has remained in place since Oct. 27, creates hardships for the tribe and others living in the area, Archambault said.

The chairman has been asking for the blockades removal for some time.

The state says the bridge was damaged on Oct. 27 by burning vehicles set on fire during protest actions as police pushed protesters out of a camp they had established to the north, directly in the path of the pipeline. But the chairman and protest organizers believe the blockade has only been left in place this long as a way to block traffic, making travel to and from the protest camps more difficult.

There are roads throughout North Dakota that are worse off than that, he said of the bridge. The best thing to do is to remove (the blockade.)

Zent said the governor would be open to discussing the bridge during the meeting.

In his statement, Dalrymple said he is "asking the Standing Rock Tribal Council to meet with me so that we can work toward a resolution of the pipeline issue, but to also focus on maintaining the relationships that are very important to us all."

The focus of the meeting is to be on cooperation and goodwill, according to the governors statement. Zent said he was unable to provide further information on what specific topics might come up in the meeting.
S. Korean politicians propose president impeachment bill

South Korea,Politics, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Seoul, Dec 3 (IANS) South Korean lawmakers put forward a historic bill on Saturday to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye as the opposition bloc heralded a vote on the motion on December 9.

The impeachment motion was filed with the National Assembly by 171 opposition and independent legislators. The ruling Saenuri Party, which has 128 lawmakers, refrained from taking part in the proposal, Xinhua news agency reported.

Three main opposition parties, including the Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party, have agreed to vote on the impeachment on December 9 when the regular session ends.

The impeachment motion states that President Park comprehensively and gravely violated laws for nearly four years. Park took office in February 2013.

According to the impeachment bill, the constitutional violations include the president's permission of her confidante Choi Soon-sil and her associates to meddle in state affairs and influence the appointment of government officials.

It marks the second impeachment proposal since the country's constitutional government was launched about seven decades ago. The latest was in 2004 for late President Roh Moo-hyun.

--IANS

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Plane with 16 aboard goes missing in Indonesia

Indonesia,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Jakarta, Dec 3 (IANS) A plane with 16 people on board lost contact while flying over the waters off Batam island in Western Indonesia on Saturday, an official said.

The plane carried 16 people, Xinhua news agency quoted Marsudi, spokesman of Indonesia's national search and rescue office, as saying.

--IANS

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M&M to take over two-wheeler business of Mahindra Two Wheelers

Tamil Nadu,National,Business/Economy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Chennai, Dec 3 (IANS) The board of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd (M&M) on Saturday decided to take over the two-wheeler business of Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd - a step-down subsidiary.

In a regulatory filing with BSE, M&M said its board of directors at a meeting approved a scheme of arrangement between the company and Mahindra Two Wheelers, under which the two-wheeler business will be vested with M&M as a going concern subject to necessary approvals.

The Rs 583 crore turnover Mahindra Two Wheelers is a subsidiary of Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd, a wholly- owned subsidiary of M&M.

According to M&M, the appointed date for the scheme is October 1, 2016.

Shareholders of Mahindra Two Wheelers will be issued one ordinary equity shares of M&M for every 461 shares held in the former.

As to the rationale for takeover, M&M said the business could benefit from its design, development and sourcing capabilities.

Post demerger, Mahindra Two Wheelers will focus on spares business.

--IANS

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Pakistan's Aziz to arrive Saturday, earlier than scheduled

Pakistan,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Islamabad, Dec 3 (IANS) In a last-minute change in schedule, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz will leave for Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, an official said here, citing uncertain weather as the reason.

He is visiting India for the global 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan.

"He (Aziz) is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS.

Zakaria also said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

--IANS

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Plane with 16 policemen aboard crashes in Indonesia

Indonesia,Defence/Security,Crime/Disaster/Accident, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Jakarta, Dec 3 (IANS) A plane with 16 police personnel on board crashed in the waters off Batam island in western Indonesia on Saturday, rescuers said.

The M28 Skytruck plane, owned by Indonesian police, lost contact with flight authorities while flying over the waters off Batam island, Xinhua news agency reported.

The plane was enroute from Pangkal Pinang city to Batam island in Kepulauan Riau province, Xinhua quoted Marsudi, spokesman of the national search and rescue office, as saying.

According to locals, the wreckage of the aircraft was found at around 12.20 p.m. in the waters off Batam island.

--IANS

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Katie Holmes is 'dependable' parent

United States,Cinema/Showbiz,Hollywood, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Los Angeles, Dec 3 (IANS) Actress Katie Holmes wants to be a "dependable" parent to her daughter Suri, 10, so she gives herself a curfew when she isn't working.

Holmes, who has Suri with her former husband Tom Cruise, ensures she is home at a sensible hour when she isn't working, reports etonline.com.

"When I'm not on set, I'm being a mom. I'm doing mom stuff," Holmes told Modern Luxury magazine.

"When I go to an event, I leave at 10 p.m. because it's really important to me to be a mom that is dependable," she added.

Despite her high profile, Holmes says that she never has to avoid things she likes to do because of the attention she attracts.

Asked if there's anything she wishes she could do if not under scrutiny, Holmes said: "I kind of do everything I feel like doing. I don't monitor my behaviour for press purposes."

--IANS

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Washington Monument to remain closed till 2019

United States,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Washington, Dec 3 (IANS) The iconic Washington Monument will remain closed for at least the next two and a half years, the US National Park Service has said.

The 170-meter tower on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. was shut down on August 17 following repeated problems with the structure's elevator, Efe news reported on Saturday.

Financier and philanthropist David Rubinstein has agreed to provide up to $3 million for a major upgrade to the elevator.

Although funding for the elevator overhaul is secured, there was no date set for the start of the work, according to The Washington Post.

The Park Service is awaiting congressional approval of funding for a new security screening facility at the site.

Work on the monument to honour first American President George Washington, got under way in 1848 and the obelisk was dedicated in 1885.

The Washington Monument receives more than 500,000 visitors a year.--IANS

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Delhi shouldn't be given full statehood: BJP's Manoj Tiwari

Delhi,National,Politics, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) In a U-turn on the Bharatiya Janata Party's long-standing demand, the party's newly appointed Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari has said Delhi should not be given full statehood.

The actor-turned-politician said conceding the demand to grant full statehood to Delhi could lead to problems for the country's federal structure.

"Just like every state has its capital, similarly, Delhi is the capital of the nation. It cannot be given the status of a separate state," Tiwari said in an interview to TV channel ETV on Friday.

However, Tiwari said Poorvanchal should be made a separate state as "smaller states develop at a faster pace".

The BJP has been demanding full statehood for Delhi for several years.

Veteran BJP leader Kalka Dass pitched for full statehood for Delhi in 1988. When BJP leader Sahib Singh Verma was the Delhi Chief Minister, a draft bill on full statehood was prepared in 1998.

Even the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the BJP manifesto for the 1999 Lok Sabha elections promised full statehood.

In 2003, the Delhi Statehood Bill was presented in Parliament by the then Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, and referred to a standing committee, which had Pranab Mukherjee as its chair.

The new Delhi BJP chief also said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should join hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"By supporting demonetisation, Nitish Kumar has proved that just like the BJP, he also thinks for public welfare. People want to see Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi together.

"Forgetting the past differences, he should again join hands with the BJP," he said.

Tiwari took a potshot at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that a person in whom the Delhi people reposed their faith is spending all his time outside Delhi and doing nothing for its people.

Manoj Tiwari was appointed the BJP Delhi unit chief on November 30 in place of Satish Upadhyay.

--IANS

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Don't defame the army, says Bengal Governor; Mamata hits back

West Bengal,National,Politics,Defence/Security, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Kolkata, Dec 3 (IANS) West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi on Saturday sternly cautioned against "defaming" and "letting down" the Indian Army in the wake of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that soldiers extorted money from truck drivers during their deployment at toll plazas.

Asked about Banerjee's accusation that the soldiers extorted money from truck drivers, Tripathi said: "Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like the Indian Army. Don't let down the army. Don't defame the army."

Responding to Tripathi's caution, Banerjee accused him of speaking in the "tone of central government" on the issue of army deployment at toll plazas in the state.

"The Governor is speaking in the voice of Central Government!! He was not in the city for about 8 days," she tweeted.

Terming the Governor's comments as "unfortunate", Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said Tripathi should have checked the details of recent developments in the state before commenting.

"Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate," said Banerjee, who spent Thursday night at the state secretariat and stayed put for 36 hours protesting deployment of the army at toll plazas in the state allegedly without informing her government -- an issue that snowballed into a major row causing disruptions in Parliament.

The central government and the army rubbished the allegations, saying too much was being read into a routine exercise.

Meanwhile, a Trinamool Congress delegation, on Saturday afternoon met the state governor and submitted a memorandum protesting against the deployment of army at several toll plazas in the state.

"We have informed him in detail about how the army was deployed at 18 places in West Bengal without the permission of the state government," said State Education and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee after meeting the governor.

Echoing party supremo Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool leader criticised the governor for his comments on the issue.

"It is unbecoming of a governor to make such a statement. People might assume that the governor is favouring a specific political party. we are not taking it in a good spirit," he said.

The Trinamool leader clarified that while the state government has the highest respect for Indian army, it strongly denounces the central government's ploy of using the army in a wrong way.

"We have highest degree of respect for the Indian army but if central government tries to break the federal structure of a state by using army as a shield, we have to protest against that," Chatterjee said.

In the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the army was conducting a routine exercise in Kolkata. The Eastern Command showed papers detailing the correspondence between the army and the local police on the issue and said the state government and the police knew about it in advance.

--IANS

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Kerry presents proposals on Aleppo in line with Russia's stance

Italy,Politics,Defence/Security,Terrorism,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Rome, Dec 3 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry made suggestions on Aleppo in line with those of Russian experts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday.

This came as Kerry on Friday met Lavrov here to ease the fighting in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.

"Moscow is ready to send military experts and diplomats to Geneva to work out joint actions with US in line with the new American proposals," RT News quoted Lavrov as saying.

"The proposal ensures the withdrawal of all militants without exception from eastern Aleppo, and provide unimpeded humanitarian supplies to the city's residents and ensure the establishment of normal life," Lavrov said.

Until Friday, the US had been doing its best to try to "push provisions that would take the heat off Al-Nusra, which directs the militants in the unliberated parts of eastern Aleppo", he said.

--IANS

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French President Francois Hollande (L) speaks with Prime Minister Manuel Valls as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, November 30, 2016 following the weekly cabinet meeting. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - French President Francois Hollande on Thursday said he will not seek a second mandate in 2017 presidential election due to broken promise on unemployment and long sliding approval rating.

"Today, I am aware of the risks that would trigger a process that would not gather enough support. So, I decided not to be a candidate in the presidential election," said Hollande.

"I do this by taking all my responsibility, but also by calling for a progressive start. What is at stake is not a person but the future of the country. I do not want France to expose itself to dangerous adventures," he added.

Meanwhile, the Socialist leader defended his reforms, saying reform "results are coming" but later than predicted.

In a 10-minute televised speech, Hollande said he would now focus on leading euro zone's main powerhouse in the months until the presidential election scheduled for April 23 and May 7.

After five years in power, the Socialists and the broader Left are weakened by internal upheavals and their popularity was affected by high unemployment rate and rising security concerns. Many believe it is very difficult for them to take on the right-wing and the far right party in the upcoming presidential election.

Besides, long-sliding popularity of Hollande has increased pressure on the Socialists to seek a right candidate who has enough credentials to pass the first round.

As left primary is approaching, Hollande's decision to quit the race for a second term is likely to pave the way for his prime minister Manuel Valls who said "ready" to take part in the competition.

Seven contenders including former ministers Aranud Montebourg and Benoit Hamon have announced to participate in the two-round left-wing primary scheduled for Jan. 22 and 29.

Ex-economy minister Emmanuel Macron has launched his own campaign, a fact likely to splinter votes and pulverize the Left parties' hope to maintain power in 2017.

French pollsters predicted the incumbent French president would lose in the first round of upcoming election by winning only 15 percent of the votes.

Opinions polls also showed that no left-wing candidate will cruise to the run-off in May 7.

In May 2012, Hollande was elected the first Socialist president in 17 years with nearly 52 percent of votes over the conservative Nicolas Sarkozy.

He imposed more taxes on the rich, moved away from austerity-only policies and introduced measures to boost economic growth.

However, during his days in office, he suffered a setback due to broken promises to bring down unemployment rate and his launch of controversial labor reforms which triggered massive streets protests.

Adding to that, a publication of private conversations with two journalists in a book titled "A President Should Not Say That," he drew criticism from many people.

Critics doubt his presidential credentials, saying a president should not confess so much and unveil classified information few months ahead presidential elections.
Support for demonetisation doesn't mean closeness to BJP: Nitish

Delhi,National,Politics, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Asserting that the 'grand alliance' in Bihar will last its full five years, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said his support for the Narendra Modi governments demonetisation move shouldn't be interpreted as an indication of getting closer to former ally BJP.

"I am completely against corruption and I support any step against it without giving a thought. I support demonetisation because it is a good step. But then, my support for it should not be given a political interpretation that I am getting closer to the BJP," he said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Nitish Kumar, whose Janata Dal-United was in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party for 17 years before parting ways in 2014, reiterated that there will no "ghar wapasi" (homecoming) to the former ally.

He also refused to react to Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan's comment that the JD-U chief was welcome to become a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance one again.

"He (Paswan) is the same man who went to Pakistan and said he broke alliance with the BJP after the Gujarat riots, and today he is saying such things. I do not react to statements of such people," said Nitish Kumar.

He also rubbished reports of having met BJP President Amit Shah post the demonetisation announcement.

"The journalist who had reported it, the meeting happened at her farm house. So she should answer," said Nitish Kumar about the media report.

He said the grand alliance forged with foe-turned-friend Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal, will last for full five years.

"Why should there be a question like that," Nitish Kumar retorted when asked if the grand alliance would last the full term. "Its has been more than a year that the alliance has been working. So much work has been done," he said.

Denying allegations of "lawlessness" in Bihar, he asserted he "cannot compromise on rule of law".

--IANS

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Goyal tells traders to use PoS machine for transactions

Delhi,National,Politics,Business/Economy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Allaying fears about effects of demonetisation, Union Power, Coal, Energy and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday told traders to use Point of Sale (PoS) machine for transactions and embrace digital economy.

"The government believes that each trader, whether small or big, would have a Point of Sale machine which would eventually bring each transaction into the formal economy soon," he said, at the 'Less-Cash India Summit' here.

Asserting that ATMs would be a thing of past when the country embraced a digital, cashless economy, the minister said mobile phones would be the PoS machines for the common man in day-to-day transactions based on Aadhar number.

"Bringing all commercial activities under a transparent taxation system will end harassment of the trading community by tax officials and boost the formal economy due to increased liquidity in the banking system," he said, terming demonetisation a path-breaking decision to bring a change in the way people think and work.

"People need not believe the naysayers and support the government in its efforts on bringing about a corruption free-society," he told the trading fraternity at the summit, organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) since Friday.

Noting that the demonetisation drive was a positive step to root out corruption and unaccounted wealth, the minister admitted that there would be short-term pain but long-term gains for everyone.

On the suggestions CAIT gave to minimise transaction costs in businesses, incentivising use of digital transactions, the minister said the government was considering them for a decision soon.

"The trading community should embrace the digital economy as there were 80-crore debit and credit cards across the country and a sizeable population has started accepted online payments like mobile wallets," added Goyal.

--IANS

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No salary for employees in Manipur yet

Manipur,National,Business/Economy,Human Interest/Society, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Imphal Dec 3 (IANS) The salaried class of Manipur are in distress. Banks and ATMs are dry. On Saturday, some banks issued notices saying "RBI has not despatched currencies".

There was no salary on Friday due to the cash shortage hitting banks after the demonetisation.

It could be the same again as many small businesses also await to pay their employees, who have no use of cheques or plastic money.

Employees of both the government and private sectors are suffering as the cash strapped banks and offices cannot pay them.

However, the banks are accepting deposits of all sorts.

The Manipur government sought more of Rs 100 notes to tide over the situation.

Quoting statistics, RBI sources and All Manipur Bank Employees Association said that adequate quantity of Rs 100 and smaller denomination notes were allocated to Manipur.

However, there was still an acute shortage of these smaller denomination notes, as reports said that through manipulation these notes were being made available to money lenders.

As it is almost impossible to withdraw even Rs 2,000 from the banks and ATMs, many who need substantial amounts for urgent medical and other requirements borrow huge amounts of Rs 2,000, Rs 500 and Rs 100 currencies.

The interest collected from the borrowers was between 15 to 20 per cent.

Gopal Das, who runs a big shop in Imphal city, said, "There are 20 employees in my establishment. From this month I tried to offer them cheques. However, they declined to accept it."

Boynao, an employee said, "I need hard cash as I have to send it home. There is no banking facility in my village, and cheque is meaningless to my parents, who are not literate."

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to bring black money stashed in the foreign countries. So he resorted to demonetisation."

"The central government cannot give enough cash even for Manipur, which has less than 28 lakh population," he said.

Most of the traders in the state are suffering. Some of the shop keepers had shut down their shops. The border trade at Moreh is also affected.

N. Robin, a trader said, " As we use tokens to avoid cash, there is little use for the four bank branches at Moreh. We had never deposited big amounts with the banks and now we cannot, as big deposits are subject to scrutiny."

Meanwhile, following mob violence at three branches of State Bank of India, the bank authorities said that it would be difficult to operate without additional armed policemen.

There are armed policemen deployed, in addition to bank guards in view of frequent heists by militants.

--IANS

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'Morocco strengthening its position as gateway to Africa'

United States,Business/Economy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Seattle, Dec 3 (IANS/MAP) Morocco is increasingly strengthening its position as a gateway to Africa where air transport is one of the most promising sectors, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Marketing Randy Tinseth said here on Thursday.

"Morocco's geographical location and the large capacity of its aircraft fleet make it a main gateway to the African market, which is expected to grow steadily in the years to come," said Tinseth in a briefing on the eve of the delivery of Boeing's Dreamliner to the Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM).

Morocco has invested heavily in the aerospace industry, said Tinseth, noting that Boeing is one of the multinationals that benefit from this successful orientation of Morocco, due to its strategic positioning and skilled manpower.

On September 27 Morocco signed an agreement with Boeing to create an ecosystem of suppliers that will double the capacity of the country's aeronautical sector by 2020.

--IANS/MAP

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Nepal move on statute an 'important step': India

Delhi,National,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) India on Saturday described the introduction of a Constitution Amendment Bill earlier this week in Nepal's Parliament as an "important step".

"As part of the ongoing efforts, the registering of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Nepali Parliament on November 29 is an important step," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question.

"We hope that all sides will remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully," he said.

India's statement assumes significance as the Bill has been framed to address the grievances of the Madhesi Front.

The Bill has however been opposed by both the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Madhesi Front and and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has been at pains to convince different sides.

Swarup said that India's consistent position has been that peace, stability and progress of Nepal was in the interest of both India and Nepal.

"We have therefore been supportive of initiatives of the Government of Nepal to meet the aspirations of all sections of its society through dialogue and constitutional processes," he said.

"As a close and friendly neighbour of Nepal, India will continue to extend all support for Nepal's peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of Nepal."

--IANS

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Modi salutes the spirit of differently abled

Delhi,National,Politics,Human Interest/Society, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the determination of the disabled people on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

"I salute determination of our Divyang sisters and brothers and convey my best wishes to them," Modi tweeted.

"Let us continue our ongoing efforts with renewed vigour and create a nation where both accessibility and equality prevail," he said.

Since 1992, the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated annually on December 3 across the world.

--IANS

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Pakistan PM's special assistant to meet team Trump

United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Washington, Dec 3 (IANS) Pakistan has decided to send the Prime Ministers special assistant for foreign affairs to the US to meet officials of the Trump transition team.

"Besides meeting members of the transition team, Tariq Fatemi, the special assistant, will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration," said Pakistan's Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani.

President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take the oath on January 20 but he has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Fatemi, who is coming on a two-week official visit, is also expected to meet some members of this team and in Washington, "he will also meet new US lawmakers elected last month," Jilani told a news briefing at the embassy.

"This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections," Jilani said.

The visit follows a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Trump on Wednesday during which the US leader expressed his desire to continue a productive relationship with Pakistan.

The Trump-Sharif conversation has generated much interest in the US capital where the opposition Democrats and the media were both criticising the president-elect for "talking to foreign leaders... without consulting US officials".

--IANS

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SC verdict on national anthem bad in law (Column: Political Circus)

Delhi,National,Politics,Opinion/Commentary, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

It may not be entirely coincidental that on the day Donald Trump decreed that those who burn the Star and Stripes in the US will face "consequences", the Indian Supreme Court laid down that the national anthem must be played at the beginning of every show in cinema halls.

Not only that, the doors must be shut during this display of loyalty to the nation.

The diktat is not without reason. If it is played at the end, then there is the possibility of people leaving their seats and crowding near the closed doors.

A similar order was passed at the time of the Chinese invasion in 1962 to instill love for the motherland. Since the anthem was played at the end of the show and the doors remained open, the government noted after a few weeks that the cinema-goers were walking out.

So the practice of playing the anthem was stopped to ensure that no overt, though inadvertent, disrespect could be shown.

It is not known whether there will be a similar realisation this time about the folly of inducing compulsive patriotism.

But the judicial initiative is not unusual at a time of uber-nationalism. Mercifully, India hasn't yet seen the kind of ugly racism which currently threatens perceived outsiders in Europe and the US even if they are citizens. The immigrants are, of course, in greater danger from the white bigots.

But there have also been signs of intolerance of dissent in India with the charge of sedition being readily levied against suspects which induced a number of writers, filmmakers, historians, scientists and others returning their Sahitya Akademi and other awards.

Not long ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwarts argued that those who did not chant, Bharat Mata ki Jai, had no right to live in the country. Now, unsurprisingly, the party has been first to get off the block to support the Supreme Court's verdict.

The idea of wearing patriotism on one's sleeves to avoid being labelled disloyal is unsuitable in a democracy.

It demeans the individual by designating the person as a suspect. It is also opens the gateway to vigilantism under which self-appointed xenophobes take it upon themselves to impose what they regard as the law on hapless targets.

Till now, there have been instances of parochial elements at the state-level attacking the people from other provinces. Now, the issue of the national anthem will be yet another grist to the mill of the chauvinists.

It is for this reason that an egregious display of nationalism is associated with fascism and is shunned by mature democracies.

Any upping of the ante in this respect with the promulgation of orders, whether by the government or by the judiciary, tends to divide the nation between nationalists and anti-nationalists, thereby creating bad blood between citizens.

Besides, it is obvious that the judicial directive will not be easy to implement. What if someone refuses to stand up although he or she is "duty-bound" to do so, as the order says?

Who will enforce this "duty"? And what will be the punishment for the offender?

In addition, what if, in their eagerness to leave as soon as possible, many of the viewers gather near the exit signs, creating the possibility of a melee when the doors are opened. Moreover, the very idea of shutting the doors is objectionable and unsafe.

There are clearly far too many flaws in the judgement, which is why it has been called bad in law.

As is already apparent, the issue has taken a political turn with the BJP, which has always been ready to flaunt its nationalist credentials, losing no time to jump into the fray. This is typical of politicians who are eager to exploit any divisive issue to advance their partisan agendas.

There is little doubt that those who oppose the judgement will be placed in the category of the so-called deracinated, English-speaking Left-Liberals who have been selected for vilification by the saffron camp ever since the BJP government assumed office at the Centre.

Unsurprisingly, it was the BJP's former Human Resource Development Minister, Smriti Irani, who conceived of the idea of flying an oversized national flag in university campuses to evoke devotion among the students and teachers towards the country.

To many, however, such endeavours have a touch of banality which is susceptible to mockery and defiance, especially by irreverent students who are generally reluctant to conform to any peremptory commands from the powers-that-be.

However, the difference between the world's oldest and the largest democracy can be seen in the US Supreme Court's approval of the act of burning the national flag in accordance with the First Amendment of the US constitution, which allows, inter alia, the people to "peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances". The judiciary has interpreted flag-burning as a means of expressing grievance.

In Britain, the use of the colours of the Union Jack on underpants and socks is not uncommon, showing that squeamishness is not necessarily an attribute of loyalty.

Just as an accused is deemed innocent till proven guilty, a citizen's devotion to the nation has to be taken for granted and not tested behind closed doors at every cinema show.

(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com)

--IANS

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Bhopal Gas Tragedys 32nd anniversary, homage and protest held

Bhopal, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 NI Wire

Today the 32nd anniversary of the Bhopal Gas tragedy is being observed in Bhopal the capital of Madhya Pradesh in which by the leakage of poisonous gas, thousands of people were killed. Organisations organised the meeting to pay tribute to the people who lost their lives in this tragedy.

Some Organisations started protesting for the effected people in this tragedy. The tragedy was happened on night of December 2 to 3 in 1984 due to the leakage of the Methyl Isocyanate gas from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide.

This tragedy destroyed Bhopal and it gave the unforgettable pain. People remembers the pain of thousands of people and death of thousands.

Every year on the anniversary of the tragedy, the protestors do protest and confirm their demands. The protest also continued on Saturday on the anniversary of the tragedy.

On the other hand, government organised the all religion prayer meeting at 10:30 a.m. in Barkat-Ullah builiding (Central Library).

The Women Industrial Organisation also organised Pledge meeting at Yadgar-e-Shahjahani Park. In this meeting the pledge will be taken to continue the protest for their demands.

On the other hand, the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, the Bhopal Gas victim Women Stationary Worker Union, and many other groups including children union started rally and protested against the Dow Chemicals. After this they will burn the mannequin of Dow Chemicals and Union Carbide.

The protestors also blamed the policies of Central government towards its economicals policies and they will also burn mannequin of Central government.

The Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims struggle cooperation committee organised the Health Check-up camp in front of the Pesticide plant of Union Carbide.

In this tragedy, 3,787 deaths, 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial injuries and approximately 3,900severely and permanently disabling injuries were recorded. On the other hand 8,000 died within two weeks, and another 8,000 or more have since died from gas related diseases.

--with agency inputs
Modi and Ghani will meet in Heart of Asia meet at Amritsar

Amritsar, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 NI Wire

For talks on bilateral issues on the sideliness of an International conference for peace and stability in the war which ravaged Afghanistan, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani on Saturday evening.

An official said, Prime Minister Narenda Modi will meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on the serious bilateral issues like for peace and stability in the war ravaged Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Amritsar in the evening and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is also expected in Punjab at the same time. The other world dignitaries and these two leaders are attending the conference are likely to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.

Modi said in a tweet, This evening I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple.

An official from the Ministry of External Affairs said, Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the Ministerial Deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process which sees over 40 Foreign Ministers and dignitaries of 14 countries participating in it.

In Istanbul in November 2011, Organisers of the summit founded and said that the aim of this was to strengthen confidence building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, comerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

To attend the ministerial conference, Pakistans de facto foreing policy chief Sartaj Aziz will arrive on Sunday and would return on the same day.

It is said by officials, between India and Pakistan any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference was unlikely.

For the first time, India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference,sixth in the series.

The state government is hosting a dinner to the visiting dignitaries at its ambitious project heritage village named Sadda Pind, or our village, on the outskirts of this city to showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, bordering Pakistan.

The dinner which will be hosted by Chief Minister Singh Badal Modi and Ghani will attend.

The conference host country holds the co-chair position while Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia.

--with agency inputs
A lot has happened since my last blog post more than seven months ago. In the fall I made several trips - in October to Wyoming for the annual meeting of ...

3 years ago
Bengal Governor cautioned to not defame Indian Army

Kolkata, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 NI Wire

On the issue of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that soldiers extorted money from truck drivers during their deployment at toll plazas the West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi sternly cautioned against the defaming and letting down the Indian Army on Saturday.

When Governor asked about the Banerjees accusation that the soldiers extorted money from truck drivers, he said, Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like the Indian Army. Don't let down the army. Don't defame the army.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal and the Chief of Trinamool congress Mamata Banerjee spent Thursday night at the state secretariat and stayed put there on Friday protesting against the deployment of the army at toll plazas in West Bengal allegedly without informing her government. This issue raised major disruptions in Parliament

The army and the Central government rubbished the allegations which were raised by Banerjee and said it was a routine exercise.

The Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Lok Sabha said that the army was conducting a routine exercise in Kolkata.

Whereas the Eastern Command showed the papers which contains details of the correspondence between the army and the local police on the issue and said the state government and the police knew about it in advance.

--with agency inputs
Poor people facing hardship due to demonetisation

Panaji, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 NI Wire

The Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India Theodore Mascarenhas said that the announcement of demonetisation made by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, causing immense hardship to poor people.

This move especially causing problems to people of rural area.

Mascarenhas said, About demonetisation, you should ask the government what it thinks about it, but as we see for the moment, it is creating a lot of problems for the poor people, especially in villages.

The Secretary General said, I have visited Jharkhand villages where money is not reaching to the people. What will be the long term effects, what will be the short term effects we don't know, but it is causing hardships.

The secretary genral is in Goa to participate in the feast of St. Francis Xavier, the states patron saint. Nearly 26 percent of the states population are christians.

He further said, that Chrisitians would defend their constitutional rights as far as freedom for education for the minority community is concerned.

He also said, Now as I said, the Christian community is not communal and the gospel will not allow us to be communal. We belong to everybody because God belongs to everybody.

He added. We have certain rights in the constitution and those constitutional rights are to be protected. We will not allow anyone to touch those rights. And that is a right to education, we are free to educate in any language we want. We are free to teach what we want as long as it is not against the nation.

After the announcement of demonetisation of old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, the common man is facing hardship for their household needs.

Due to the shortage of the new currency notes implementation and its circulation people are facing problems.

--with agency inputs
Pakistani intruder killed by BSF in Punjab

Punjab, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 NI Wire

An intruder from Pakistan in North Punjab was killed by the Border Security Forces who was trying to enter north Punjab on Saturday morning.

According to the official sources said,  Border Security Force troopers have gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in North Punjab.

The Border Security Force troopers killed the intruder in the Bamiyal sector near the Dinda border out post (BoP) in forward areas of Pathankot district.

The security forces killed the intruder after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed to the warnings given by the forces.

The area of Dinda BoP is the area from which the terrorists had entered India and attacked on the Pathankot air base on January 2, this year in which they are heavily armed and targeted the Pathankot Air Force station.

The National Investigating Agency, which had investigated the terror attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 this year by Pakistani terrorists, had pointed out that the terrorists had entered in India near the Dinda BoP.

In the border belt the BSF troopers remain on high alert following the two terror attacks in Dinanagar on July 27, 2015 and in Pathankot on January 2, 2016 in Punjab.

Earlier, the Nagrota attack was held by the militants who entered in India from Pakistan by crossing the International Border Line in which they attacked the army camp on November 29.

In this attack, seven army men including two officers and five jawans sacrificed their lives for the country while the security forces killed five militants in this operation. After this attack, this incident happened and intruders are trying to enter in India continuously.

--with agency inputs
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Nokia (News - Alert) and Pareteum made headlines this week in Next Generation Communications news.





As contributing writer Steve Anderson explained in a piece posted yesterday, Nokia  which once led the way in the cell phone market  is making another significant push to expand its presence in this important space via a new agreement with HMD Global Oy. That entails various transactions between Foxconn Technology Group, HMD, and Microsoft (News - Alert) that allow HMD to be the new home of Nokia devices for the next decade.

We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown around the world for the return of the Nokia brand to smartphones, said Nokia Technologies' interim president Brad Rodriguez. The HMD Global team has the ambition, talent, and resources to bring a new generation of Nokia branded phones to market, and we wish them every success. I'm sure our millions of Nokia fans will be excited to see their new products!

The smartphone arena as a whole is something of a mixed bag, as Anderson wrote in a different piece this week. He noted IDC (News - Alert) data showing that smartphone shipments were up .6 percent this year, but noted thats much slower growth from the previous years, when shipments were up 10.4 percent between 2014 and 2015. Nonetheless, it should be noted that this year more than one billion smartphones will ship, according to IDC, so this remains an enormous market.

Anderson this week also wrote about the new demand for test equipment that coming 5G networks are expected to create. And, in a separate story, he talked about Nokias efforts in Scandanavia. That includes the companys work on fixed broadband in Denmark and its collaboration with Finnish operator Elisa (News - Alert) on mobile voice services indoors and out.

As for Pareteum, I talked to the company at the recent TMC (News - Alert) Editors Day in Santa Clara, Calif. There, the companys CEO, Vic Bozzo, told me about the companys work in the Internet of Things. The company, formerly called Elephant Talk, provides mobile virtual network operators and mobile network operators with cloud-based mobile communications infrastructure, operating software, and managed services.
Moroccan authorities busted a terrorist cell of 8 members loyal to the terrorist IS organization, known as Daesh, in the cities of Tangier and Fez.

A statement by the Interior Ministry said that the cell was busted by Moroccos Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) during an operation that led to the seizure of a shotgun, ammunition, bladed weapons as well as documents containing suspicious chemical formulas.

The arrested individuals were planning terrorist attacks in Morocco and abroad and include two former detainees in terror-related charges, the Ministry added.

Investigations show that the cell members maintain close links with IS members in Syria and Iraq and were active in recruiting and sending Moroccan fighters to the ranks of the terrorist organization in the Middle East.

The cell was plotting to send extremist members to Iraq and Syria where they can be trained before returning to perpetrate terrorist attacks in Morocco, the Ministry said.
King Mohammed VI and Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari presided in Abuja over the signing ceremony of a partnership to build a fertilizers plant in Nigeria.

King Mohammed VI who is in Abuja on an official visit as part of an African tour gives substance through establishing win-win partnerships with African countries and putting Moroccos expertise and know-how at the service of the continent within the framework of an inter-African south-south cooperation endeavor.

The new plant will be built by Moroccos state-run phosphates company OCP and will benefit the whole of the agricultural value chain in Nigeria. The plant will help boost the availability of fertilizers at competitive prices in Nigeria and will benefit small farmers in the country.

The project is conducive to Nigerias attempt to diversify its economy by fostering the agricultural sector as the country was severely battered by the falling oil prices.

On the same occasion, the two Heads of State chaired the signing ceremony of cooperation agreements relating to visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, air transport, fisheries, agriculture, insurance, renewable energies, civil engineering and housing.

King Mohammed VI arrived on Friday in Abuja where he was received by Buhari with an official ceremonial welcome.

Afterwards, the Moroccan Monarch and Nigerias President performed the Friday prayer at Abujas National Mosque.

Following the prayer, the King donated to the parties in charge of Nigerias religious affairs management ten thousand copies of the Holy Quran, published by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Holy Quran Publication. The holy book will be distributed in Nigerian mosques.

King Mohammed VI is visiting Nigeria part of an African tour, which previously led him to Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Madagascar.
Chicago police officers and bystanders stand near crime-scene tape where a man was shot in the head as he sat in a vehicle on the 2600 block of West Luther Street on November 16, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images

On the Far South Side of Chicago, a 25-year-old man crashed his car early Wednesday morning. Emergency responders found him with four gunshot wounds  three to the abdomen, one to the back. He died at the hospital, marking the citys 700th murder year, according to the Chicago Tribune.

With one month still remaining in 2016, the violence-plagued city is on pace to have the highest homicide rate in almost 20 years. By Friday morning, Chicago topped the number of murders for all of 1998, at 703. In 1997, 759 were killed in the city  at the time, an eight-year low.

According to the most recent Chicago Police Department data, the murder rate is up about 57 percent from 2015  which still saw 468 homicides, an increase from 416 in 2014. FBI statistics indicated that the national murder rate rose 10 percent, about half of which was attributable to the bleak statistics in seven cities, Chicago among them.

In comparison, New York has had less than 300 murders so far this year, down about 6 percent from 2015 so far.

Police blame repeat gun offenders and gangs  cliques, often of teenagers, that are fractured and concentrated in small areas. The city is dealing with the aftermath of the death of Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old who was shot shot 16 times by a Chicago cop who is now on trial for murder. Fallout from that deadly encounter also shook up the police department; Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy* was fired last year and interim Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson officially took over the department in March.

Chicagos grim overnight stats on Friday morning were 11 wounded, two dead. Among the murdered was a 48-year-old man, found with multiple gunshot wounds; and a 73-year-old man who was hit with a bullet while driving, and crashed his car. Police are investigating whether he was the intended target, or was simply caught in the crossfire.

*This post incorrectly identified the former Chicago Police Department Superintendent. It has been corrected, and we apologize for the error.
Designated observers watch as tabulators work on recounting presidential ballots in Dane County on December 1, 2016, in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo: Andy Manis/Getty Images

Green Party candidate Jill Stein filed for recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Now supporters of President-elect Donald Trump are suing to block the vote audits in all three of those states won by the Republican candidate.

The recount of nearly 3 million ballots already kicked off in Wisconsin, and auditors are rushing to meet the December 13 deadline. But now two pro-Trump groups  Great America PAC and Stop Hillary PAC  have filed a lawsuit in federal court, claiming, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

That the states recount process is unconstitutional because ballots arent treated equally in all cases  a standard used in the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court case that halted a recount in Florida and left Republican George W. Bush as the winner of that years presidential race with Democrat Al Gore.

The lawsuit also argues that the recount could unjustifiably cast doubt on Trumps Wisconsin victory, and that the recount deadline is too close to the Electoral College meeting December 19, thus putting at risk Wisconsins 10 electoral votes. Wisconsins Attorney General Brad Schimel is reportedly reviewing the suit, but right now, the recount moves ahead.

In Michigan, where the recount is set to begin next week, attorneys for Donald Trump failed in their first attempt to halt the audit. Michigans Board of Canvassers split along party lines, 2-2; the tie meant the recount would proceed. But that wasnt the end of it: On Friday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette stepped in, and went to the Michigan Supreme Court. He contended the recount would be costly  Reuters reports that Schuette claims it will cost $5 million, and Stein has only contributed $787,000 so far  and also a big waste of time, since it likely wouldnt change the result. (Trump won Michigan with 10,704 votes  though its still a smaller margin than his Wisconsin victory at more than 22,000  over Clinton. Stein, who filed for the recount, got about 1 percent of the vote in both Michigan and Wisconsin.) As the Detroit Free Press notes, the Michigan Supreme Court is majority Republican, 5 to 2.

If the recount does go forward in Michigan, it probably wont start until mid-week  late Tuesday or Wednesday. And Michigan has to recount 4.8 million ballots, making a December 13 deadline seem lofty. Michigan elections director Chris Thomas told the Free Press that the state might be able to get an extension to December 17  two days before Michigans electors are supposed to give Trump their 16 votes.

And then theres Pennsylvania, where a judge will hear arguments against the recount Monday. Trumps lawyers and his supporters, including the states Republican Party, have filed suits to pressure the state to give up the audit. Trump won Pennsylvania by more than 46,000 votes at latest count (though thats still less than the half-percentage point that would trigger an automatic statewide recount); his attorneys argued that there is no evidence  or even an allegation  that any tampering with Pennsylvanias voting systems actually occurred. Attorneys for Stein, who are trying to block the people trying to block the recounts, asked the court to postpone the hearing until Thursday because not all counties have officially certified the results.

Stein has so far raised $6.8 million of a $9.5 million goal for the three recounts, which has increased a bit since the start of her crusade. Stein, who gets free PR but has no shot of winning herself, says she is just trying to guarantee the integrity of the vote, and admits she has no evidence of any fraud or vote manipulation.
The leader of the principled conservative opposition. Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images

This week, Donald Trump convinced Carrier  a company that makes air conditioners and the like  not to move one of its Indiana factories to Mexico, in exchange for $7 million in tax incentives (and, possibly, a tacit promise not to mess with its parent companys federal contracts).

That deal is expected to save more than 1,000 jobs.

This was a big win for the president-elect  and a big loss for free-market conservatism.

After all, whats more crony capitalist than a president demanding an enterprise alter its business plan, so that he can make good on a campaign promise? (I mean, besides allowing a man who runs a global business empire to assume the Oval Office, without subjecting his conflicts of interest to congressional investigation).

Surely, Paul Ryan would condemn this attack on the invisible hand. After all, if theres one thing we know about the House Speaker, its that he hates when government picks winners and losers.

Elites in Washington should NOT be picking winners & losersthats a recipe for a closed economyfor cronyism.https://t.co/AcHJfVRwTE  Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) July 28, 2016

Im pretty happy that were keeping jobs in America, arent you? Ryan told USA Today on Thursday. I think its pretty darn good that people are keeping their jobs in Indiana instead of going to Mexico.

Well. In retrospect, Ryan always had a freewheeling populist streak. Or, at least, he was never a buttoned-up, Hayek-quoting, wonky scold like Sarah Palin.

Writing for the Young Conservatives on Friday, the would-be veep turned reality star made the intellectual case against Trumps intervention:

When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent. Meanwhile, the invisible hand that best orchestrates a free peoples free enterprise system gets amputated. Then, special interests creep in and manipulate markets. Republicans oppose this, remember? Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail.

Sarah Palin/Larry Summers 2020.
In over his head or budding neoconservative interventionist? Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

China has lodged an official diplomatic protest with the U.S. following an alarming and unprecedented phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen. The ten-minute call, which occurred on Friday, is believed to be the first by a U.S. president or president-elect with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when the U.S. reopened diplomatic relations with China and broke them off with Taiwan. China considers the self-ruled Taiwan a breakaway province, and tensions between the Chinese and Taiwanese governments have worsened since Tsai, the leader of Taiwans pro-independence political party, was elected president in January. As many have pointed out, Trumps call could have significant long-term ramifications for U.S.-Sino relations and risk a dangerous and destabilizing escalation of the conflict between China and Taiwan.

According to the Trump transition team and Taiwanese officials, Trump and Tsai congratulated each other about their election victories on the call and discussed the economic, political, and security ties between the U.S. and Taiwan. The current White House was apparently not made aware of the call until after it had happened, and the New York Times reports that China contacted the White House to register their concern afterwards, and that the White House subsequently affirmed that, from its perspective, Americas longstanding policy with regards to China and Taiwan has not changed.

On Thursday, amidst earlier reports of seemingly irresponsible calls between President-elect Trump and world leaders, the White House gently suggested that Trump meet with current State Department officials for briefings prior to jumping on the phone with any more foreign governments. For instance, just about anyone at the State Department would know that Taiwan is widely considered to be the foreign-policy issue the Chinese government is most concerned about, and a potential war with Taiwan is a scenario that the Chinese military has devoted a lot of attention to.

At present, the relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan is only semi-official, but despite the lack of above-board diplomatic ties, the U.S. is Taiwans most important ally as well as its arms supplier, including a $1.83 billion weapons sale a year ago. Officially and publicly, however, the U.S. has respected the One China policy  which is a requirement for any country that wants to maintain diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China. That policy essentially means foreign governments agree that China and Taiwan represent one country, but two systems, and also agree not to have official diplomatic relations with Taiwans leadership. As a result, the U.S. neither recognizes nor rejects Chinas sovereignty over Taiwan, while arming Taiwan so it can fend off China. And if this all seems like a contradictory arrangement, as The Atlantics David A. Graham points out, welcome to international diplomacy:

The U.S. maintains a strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan, including providing it with defensive weapons, while also refusing to recognize its independence and pressuring Taiwanese leaders not to upset a fragile but functional status quo. Its the sort of fiction that is obvious to all involved, but on which diplomacy is built: All parties agree to believe in the fiction for the sake of getting along.

But while Trump is no stranger to believing in fictions, it remains unclear if he or his transition team understood the possible ramifications of Fridays call, or, assuming they did, that they intended for the call to signal a change in U.S. relations towards China and Taiwan. The Washington Post reports that the call was planned and reflects the views of hard-line advisers urging Trump to take a tough opening line with China. But Bonnie Glaser, the director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, tells the Hill that she thinks Trumps glass is half empty and that he does not really comprehend how sensitive Beijing is about this issue, adding that Trumps call has threatened the mutual respect that Chinas leadership sees as essential to stable relations with the U.S.

Responding to the same concern on CNN, senior Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway would only say that the president-elect was well aware of what U.S. policy has been with regards to Taiwan. She and others in the Trump camp also scoffed at the idea that a phone call with a foreign leader would ever signal some kind of policy change, though anyone with a basic understanding of international relations would probably disagree about that. Furthermore, its likely the Trump team additionally riled the Chinese by referring to Tsai as the president of Taiwan in their public statement regarding the call, another subtle but significant breach in protocol.



Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen. Photo: Sam Yeh/AFP/Getty Images

Not surprisingly, President-elect Trump also bristled at the negative attention to the call on Friday night, complaining on Twitter that The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! Trump also remarked that he found it Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

Trumps assertion that Tsai just called him is disingenuous at best. The Washington Post reports that the call was planned in advance and Trump deliberately pursued it. From the other side, the Taipei Times reports that Trump reportedly agreed to the call, which was arranged by Taiwan-friendly members of his campaign staff after his aides briefed him on issues regarding Taiwan and the situation in the Taiwan Strait, sources said.

As the Hill points out, some of Trumps advisors on Asia are indeed strongly pro-Taiwan. Peter Navarro, for instance, has called for a more pronounced U.S. backing of Taiwan in light of Tsais victory last January and rising nationalism in the country. Former UN ambassador John Bolton, who is reportedly under consideration to be Trumps pick for secretary of State, also favors more aggressive U.S. support for Taiwan. And another pro-Taiwan Trump advisor (and former Cheney aide), Stephen Yates, was apparently visiting Taiwan at the time the call occurred, per the Post. Others in President George W. Bushs administration, like Bolton and Yates, had previously intended to wield relations with Taiwan in the power struggle with China, but the 9/11 terrorist attacks scrambled that and other foreign-policy goals for the Bush White House, while opening up other ones:



How many of the people encouraging trump to change the status quo with taiwan also encouraged george w bush to invade Iraq?  Bill Bishop (@niubi) December 3, 2016

This is hardly the first time Trump himself has weighed in on China or Taiwan either. For years, Trump has consistently called China one of Americas biggest adversaries, going so far as to label the country an enemy and threat to America, and suggesting the U.S. has to get tough with China before they destroy us. Trump repeatedly attacked China during his presidential campaign as well, more or less promising to conduct a trade war with the country, and oft decrying the abuse that the U.S. suffers at the hands of China. Referring to currency-manipulation concerns at a political rally in May, Trump told a crowd, We cant continue to allow China to rape our country. Thats what theyre doing. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world.



Regarding the conflict across the Taiwan Strait, Trump criticized President Obama in 2011 for opting against the sale of dozens of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. The Obama administration, wary of opening a diplomatic rift with China at the time, decided they would upgrade Taiwans existing fleet of American-made warplanes instead. Trump said that Obama was sending the wrong message to China at the time.

Further complicating matters is yet another potential conflict of interest regarding Trumps family business: Earlier this month, it was reported that the Trump Organization has been considering getting involved in the Taiwanese real-estate market, though the company denies that, somewhat unconvincingly.

So far at least, China appears to be treading carefully around the issue of Trumps call, at least as it pertains to the future president. Wang Yi, the countrys foreign minister, instead focused blame on Tsais government and referred to the call as a kind of deceitful and petty act by Taiwan. He also insisted, I also believe this will not change the One China policy upheld by the American government for many years. As Quartz explains, put another way, China is framing the call, at least to some extent , as Taiwan taking advantage of the inexperienced Trump. (And, of course, if China now believes Americas next president is inexperienced and able to be manipulated, thats another troubling consequence of the call.)

Chinese state media is taking a slightly more provocative stance, as Reuters reports that the Global Times cautioned on Saturday that if Trump rejects the One China policy, the resulting crisis would probably occupy the majority of the new presidents time. The Xinhua news agency added, in an English-language editorial, that China and the United States are not destined rivals, but that China will only be a cooperative partner to Trump if he respects Chinas core interests, like with Taiwan.

Regarding what comes next, as with virtually all foreign affairs involving the future Trump presidency, that remains unclear, but many foreign-policy experts are seriously unnerved. In the original Financial Times story about the call, Evan Mederios, the former Asia director at the White House national-security council, warned of Cold Warlike ramifications:

The Chinese leadership will see this as a highly provocative action, of historic proportions. Regardless if it was deliberate or accidental, this phone call will fundamentally change Chinas perceptions of Trumps strategic intentions for the negative. With this kind of move, Trump is setting a foundation of enduring mistrust and strategic competition for US-China relations.

Through a partisan lens, Democratic U.S. senator Chris Murphy took the conflict concerns up a notch:

(2) What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. That's how wars start.  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 2, 2016

Meanwhile at the Brookings Institute, Jeffrey A. Bader is a little less scared, albeit still alarmed:

The Chinese rarely overlook what they perceive a potential alteration in U.S. policy toward Taiwan. A look back at their conduct in 1995, when they undertook ballistic military exercises that threatened Taiwan in the wake of an unprecedented U.S. invitation to Taiwans president to speak at Cornell University, illustrates the Chinese mindset. We may neither like nor admire this, but we cannot ignore it.



It is too soon to tell if the Chinese will overreact by taking steps against either Taiwan or American interests. So far, it would appear that cooler heads will prevail in Beijing. They seem to be blaming Taiwans leadership, rather than publicly asserting that Trump or the United States was responsible. They may judge that they should show restraint in order to avoid rocking the boat too soon in their relationship with the incoming Trump administration. That is not an experiment, however, that Trump should have conducted.

Then again, Shen Dingli, a professor of international relations at Fudan University in Shanghai, contributed a more chilling analysis. Speaking with the New York Times, Shen didnt seem all that worried about Trumps behavior before he gets into the White House, but offered a succinct warning should such behavior continue from the Oval Office:

I would close our embassy in Washington and withdraw our diplomats. I would be perfectly happy to end the relationship. I dont know how you are then going to expect China to cooperate on Iran and North Korea and climate change. You are going to ask Taiwan for that?

Then again, President Trump could also continue to avoid official ties while quickly pushing major new arms sales, also per the Times:

Douglas H. Paal, a former director of the American Institute in Taiwan, which represents American interests there, said it would not be surprising if the United States sold arms to Taiwan early in the Trump administration. Beijings reaction would depend on the price tag, the kinds of weapons sold and how the administration informed China of the sale, Mr. Paal said.

Taking another angle, the Diplomats Ankit Panda argues that what happens next also depends how the story plays out in Taiwan, as President Tsais political reputation will surely be bolstered. The Taiwanese media is already interpreting the Trump call as an indication of shifting policy:



If Trumps outreach is widely read in Taiwan as a signal that the United States will throw its full military might behind the island in the case of a unilateral declaration of independence, Beijing could take drastic action, including putting a freeze to high-level diplomacy with Washington or cutting off relations altogether. The situation is complicated, however, by the fact that the president-elect  not the current Obama administration  took the step of reaching out to Tsai, meaning retaliation might have to wait until Trumps inauguration in January to avoid mixed messages.

Panda additionally warns, As I noted on election night, the Taiwan Strait is one of the geopolitical Flashpoints likeliest to see a major conflagration under a Trump presidency. Fridays phone call makes the 21st centurys first Taiwan crisis all the more likely.

Looking at this past week, or at the monthlong sample size of Trumps actions as president-elect, Taiwan might not be the only international crisis the U.S. could soon find itself in either.
The team here at New York is nothing if not opinionated, especially about the stuff theyre grabbing (and giving) for the holidays. From now until mid-December, well be posting items that our staffers really stand behind  that also make great gifts. Below, staff writer Jada Yuan on the backpack that strikes up conversation in cafes.

I spent months, even years looking for the perfect backpack that I could use to haul my computer around during the day but also take out to events at night and not feel like a hobo (I do a lot of reporting in the evening). Most of the fancy leather ones on the market have unpadded straps that hurt my shoulders and make me worry about my back. The ones with padded straps  like Jansport or Eastsport, even Herschel  are huge and make me feel like a sixth-grader.

Once, while out with a friend, I mentioned admiring her nephews backpack (it looked just the right size and very comfortable)  and she just went ahead and bought it for me. Now, it comes with me everywhere. Its got a slim profile and a slot for both a computer and an iPad, making it perfect as a computer bag. When Im traveling, its impossible to overstuff (its no Patagonia that I can only use to half-capacity), so airlines never hassle me for throwing it in an overhead bin along with my suitcase. Did I mention pockets? Tons for tape recorders, lipstick, pens, batteries, you name it. The straps are indeed padded and sport a bunch of loops so I can hang my water bottle from a carabiner when it wont fit in my bag. Its even a conversation starter: I get tons of compliments on the design (I have the version with the elk on it) in coffee shops  which is nice, since Im single  but I think a lot of the other designs are classy, too. The price is so nice Im thinking about getting another one (as a gift, or yes, for myself). And for those who mind, its vegan, too.
We already have some idea of what moms want for the holidays  these earrings are a hit, and (depending on your moms personality) so is a Vitamix, a cat ice-cream truck, or a gourmet coffee sampler  but to get the lowdown on mom gifts, we went straight to source. Here, 12 mothers on what they want from their kids, both young and not-so. (And for more mom gift ideas, click here.)

Adidas by Stella McCartney Wintersports Seamless Long Sleeved Top $105 As the mom of a 4-year-old, Im only now starting to reclaim some of my time and a smidgen of my pre-baby body. To that end, Ill be asking for Adidas by Stella McCartney workout gear as I endeavor to get back in shape. A Wintersport Top in bold red speak to my Spanish roots and fashion sensibility. Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker, deputy editor, Billboard, mother of 4-year-old son $105 at Spring Buy

Nike Womens Dunk Sky Hi Casual Shoe As a working mom who drops off my 3-year-old at preschool before hopping on the train to Manhattan, Ive gotta be in comfy shoes. I was obsessed with these Vera Wang high-top wedge-sneakers for a few years  they look cool with pretty much everything, so I didnt have to change shoes when I got to work. But when I went to buy a new pair, I saw theyre no longer being produced! So this year, Id love Nikes version, the Dunk Sky Hi. All black, even the sole, with some texture to keep things fun. That unexpected touch of sportiness adds edge to skinny jeans, long flowy skirts, even pencil skirts or slim pants and a blazer. Amy Keller Laird, editor-in-chief, Womens Health, mother of 3-year-old son and 7-year-old son From $139 at Amazon Buy From $139 at Amazon Buy

NikeID Custom Sneakers I would love custom Nikes designed by my kids. My inner 13-year-old boy is alive and well, meaning I love sneakers and collecting unique styles. Plus, I really respect my kids style and taste. Even if they were ugly, the fact that my kids created them and put their own flavor on them would make them so uniquely ugly that I would probably like them. Molly Stern, makeup artist, mother of 11-year-old daughter, 10-year-old son, and 6-year-old daughter From $170 at Nike Buy

Glamourpuss Faux-Fur Funnel $67 I would love a new Glamourpuss Fur Funnel. Its made of knitted rex-rabbit fur and theyre easy and chic. I wear it around my neck or sometimes wear it as a hat, and its saved me from many a frigid New York City day. The new collection has tons of additional colors that are all so tempting. Clemence von Mueffling, founder and editor of Beauty and Well Being, mother of 6-year-old twins $67 at Neiman Marcus Buy

MaxMara 101801 Icon Coat $3,490 $3,490 All I want for Christmas is the MaxMara 101801 Icon Coat. Its the most deliciously luxurious, comfy, and chic coat Ive ever tried on. Its obviously a classic and the best part is that I can strap my newborn onto me and cuddle her up inside the coat while still looking pulled together and professional. Im all about channeling Diane Keaton in Baby Boom this year. Madeline Fawcett, founder of Project MM, mother of newborn girl $3,490 at Net-A-Porter Buy

Hatch Airplane Cardigan $378 In my youth I was quite the style icon. Visiting vintage-clothing stores was my favorite pastime. As a 68-year-old grandmother and part-time babysitter of my 3-year old granddaughter, my style needs have surely changed, but when I saw my daughter wearing the Hatch Collection Airplane Cardigan, I fell in love. It had everything I look for in a piece of clothing: Cashmere (my first love), luxury, sophistication, and urbanity. Best of all I can wear it strolling up Central Park West with my granddaughter on the way to the playground, but I can also throw it on over a simple black dress and black boots and still turn a head or two! Wendy Gaynor, author, mother of 37-year-old daughter and 39-year-old daughter $378 at Hatch Collection Buy

The Strategist is a new site designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best notebook, black T-shirts, fashion-editor-approved jeans, toothbrush, and apartment decor. Note that all prices are subject to change.



If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.


Madonna can be messy but she's very charitable.



A weekend at DiCaprio's house? Surely there's a cheaper way to get herpes.

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There is ... a weekend at madonna's

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if i had the money i would've bidded on the package that included the trip to Peru and horse riding lesseons with HER lol it seems like a better deal



Edited at 2016-12-03 08:37 pm (UTC)

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Honestly it does! DiCaprio won't even be there. What's the point?

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I'd let him cum on face and spread it around with his thick 7.5 inch cut dick.

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lmao i cant.

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This comment right after the herpes one is hysterical

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Penn, who attended the fundraiser and bid on several pricey items when the auction stalled, handcuffed Madonna and crawled through her legs at one point as the two tried to coerce the audience to bid higher.



"For once, he's not the one being arrested," she joked.

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vomit

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WTFFFFFFF

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im confused by all of the OP's notes??

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you cant post full articles so u have to summarize.

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i know that rule, i mean the summary of events. it wasn't about your writing style, more about the whole wtf of the situation:



- madonna singing toxic @ donald trump? wtf?

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She coyly said she'd been in Donald Trump's bed, but later revealed it was for a magazine photo shoot and that Trump wasn't even there  and she criticized his cheap sheets.



"They won't be Egyptian cotton because we all know how he feels about Muslims don't we," she said as some audience members gasped.

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wow

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She fucking went in.

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That MTV interview is iconic.

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I think they made amends many years ago

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OP missed a note. She addressed the ageism and sexism she still faces head on and threatened to outlive us all and get off her tit.

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Madonna shutting down all the pressed haters and ageist cunts that show up at her way. Queen  pic.twitter.com/ohzrqxcDOI   P.R.I.N.C.E.  (@Princexercize) 3 December 2016



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my boo

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addresses sexism



invites sean penn to attend and perform



hmm

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Cool of her

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Madonna's tush looks different



but the rest of her looks fantastic, to me! and she sounded really good in that video linked below



Edited at 2016-12-03 10:39 pm (UTC)

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She got a visit from Dr. Miami

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And people here were saying nobody would buy the $5,000 ticket per person to see her perform lol



let me guess those 3 trolls





I enjoyed this mini concert a lot, but if she does it next time she totally needs a bigger audience. I get it it was for charity, but it was a bit awkward because those rich people don't know how to have some fun. You can see Madonna didn't expect that lol



She looked really good!







let me guess those 3 trollsI enjoyed this mini concert a lot, but if she does it next time she totally needs a bigger audience. I get it it was for charity, but it was a bit awkward because those rich people don't know how to have some fun. You can see Madonna didn't expect that lolShe looked really good!

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Why? she saying that Trump is toxic do you disagree with that

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What adorable cosplay

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Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Dan Stav, announced, on November 6, that his country was considering the possibility to transport its natural gas to Europe via the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline [TANAP] through Turkey. Earlier, on October 14, Turkish presidential advisor Cemil Ertem declared that Turkey wants to connect Israels gas supplies to the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC)an energy transit corridor from Azerbaijan to Europe, of which TANAP is a key link (Trend, November 6; Azernews.az, October 14). Several months before those statements, on June 26, Israel and Turkey agreed to normalize their relations with the hope that a diplomatic rapprochement might smooth the way for an agreement on transporting Israeli gas to Turkey. Such a deal would diminish Turkeys gas dependence on Russia and help Turkey diversify its sources of energy supplies (Hurriyet Daily News, June 26).

In 2009 and 2010, the United Statesbased company Noble Energy and Israels Delek Drilling discovered two giant offshore natural gas fieldsTamar and Leviathan, respectivelyin Israeli waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Tamar field (283 billion cubic meters of reserves), was supposed to meet Israels domestic consumption, while production at the Leviathan field (510 bcm of reserves) will likely be export-oriented for European markets (Haaretz, August 12, 2009 and June 2, 2016; Washingtoninstitute.org, June 23, 2016). Furthermore, in 2016, a group led by Isramco Negev and Modiin Energy discovered around 252 bcm of natural gas at the Daniel East and Daniel West fields, close to Gazas waters (Haaretz, January 17).

Although the large Leviathan and Tamar gas fields were discovered in 2009 and 2010, long-running discussions on their development, coupled with regulatory disputes within the government, have delayed exploration works and corporate investment decisions. In 2014, Israels antitrust authority claimed that Noble Energy and Delek Drillings outsized roles in the Tamar and Leviathan fields were not compatible with competition rules in the domestic natural gas market and could push natural gas prices up. The right-wing Israeli government later agreed that the companies could retain their stakes in Tamar and Leviathan, but on the condition that they sell shares in several smaller fields (Natural Gas World, July 13, 2015; December 28, 2015). Related: U.S. Oil Rig Count Climbs To A 10-Month High

The most straightforward option to transport Israeli gas from the Leviathan field to Turkey is by constructing an undersea pipeline, dubbed the Leviathan-Ceyhan Pipeline, through Cypruss exclusive economic zone (EEZ). During the October 13 meeting of the World Energy Council, in Istanbul, Israel and Turkey agreed to examine the feasibility of such a pipeline. However, its construction through Cypruss waters is constrained by the level of Turkish-Cypriot diplomatic rapprochement. The problem of dealing with Cypruss EEZ is a prerequisite for moving forward. Moreover, the actual economic viability of the Leviathan-Ceyhan Pipeline project is itself questionable. However, successful energy cooperation could reconcile Turkeys relations with Cyprus and simultaneously strengthen Turkeys hand in its relations with the European Union. Yet, this project will challenge Russias Gazprom, which is eager to complete its Turkish Stream natural gas pipelines two legs as soon as possible before additional foreign gas can enter Turkey (Natural Gas World, September 23, 2013 and August 7, 2014; Daily Sabah, October 2, 2016; Iene.eu, January 6). According to Sohbet Karbuz, the director of the Hydrocarbons, France, Mediterranean Energy Observatory, a potential gas pipeline from the Leviathan field to Turkey could connect to the BOTA? pipelines or to TANAP. But the combination of transport costs and Israels current gas prices framework makes Israeli gas unattractive in the European market, Karbuz has argued (Trend, October 14).

Israel could feasibly also use the planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Vassilikos, Cyprus, or Egypts current unused LNG export terminals in Idku and Damietta to sell its gas to European markets (Daily News Egypt, July 14). However, none of the Leviathan fields corporate partners expressed interest in sharing the financial burden of transporting gas via Vassilikos. Noble Energy, meanwhile, held talks with the United Kingdoms BG Group to use Egyptian LNG terminals to re-export Israeli gas to Europe. In October 2013, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that 40 percent of Israels proven gas reserves can be exported. And more recently, an arbitration dispute between Egypt and Israel was finally settled. Therefore, the transportation of Israeli gas via Egyptian LNG facilities could gain momentum (Natural Gas World, May 1, 2014 and September 22, 2014; New Times, November 20, 2014). However, the combined costs of production, liquefaction, shipping, transporting, and re-gasifying would likely make Israeli gas to the EU much more expensive and non-competitive compared with Russian gas shipped via pipelines to Europe (Caspiandc.org, June 24). Related: After Rallying 14%, Can Oil Go Even Higher?

Israeli gas could alternatively make its way to European markets by being pumped directly into the Southern Gas Corridor. One option is to deliver the gas through the planned Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline (EMP), which will link up with the Greek national gas transmission system, and then though to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAPthe final leg of the SGC, which will terminate in Italy). The 1,300-kilometer-long EMP is supposed run from Israels Leviathan field, via Cyprus, across the island of Crete and onto the Greek mainland. It is projected to cost $5 billion to construct, and has a planned capacity of 8 bcm per year. Although the EMP project was included in the EUs Projects of Common Interest (PCI) list, the proposed pipeline currently lacks clear financial backing. Some issues (technical and financial) remain before the construction and implementation of the EMP can commence (New Times, November 20, 2014; Globes.co.il, October 27; Natural Gas World, December 15, 2014 and May 8, 2015). Notably, the construction of this offshore pipeline may turn out to be more expensive than predicted and technically complicated due to the depth of its undersea route. In addition, the EMP is not cost-efficient given the small volume of gas the pipeline will bring to Europe. Compared to Europes overall annual gas consumption and the amount supplied every year by Russia (158.6 bcm in 2015), Israels contribution would be a rather small drop in the bucket.

Given all the outstanding political, technical and financial issues, as well as prospective plans to bring more natural gas into the SGC from Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Israels gas export plans via the SGC remain a distant hope for the time being. Therefore, it is safe to assume that, for now, Israel will continue to focus more on reaching agreements with Jordan and Egypt to supply its immediate neighbors due to their geographical proximity.

By Ilgar Gurbanov via jamestown.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
British Petroleum will be pursuing a $9 billion underwater drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico, after securing a go-ahead from the United States government for the development, according to a new report by The Chemical Engineer.

The Mad Dog field, which BP discovered 300 kilometers off the coast of New Orleans in 1998, began production in 2005. Currently, the field produces 80,000 barrels per day, but the site is expected to hold four billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The second phase of the project will lead to the creation of another floating production platform in 1,400-meter-deep waters.

The new wing will sit 9.5 kilometers away from the first phases platform and is slated to pump out 140,000 barrels per day from 14 wells beginning at the end of 2021.

BP owns a 60.5 percent stake in the project, while BHP Billiton holds a 23.9 percent share and Chevrons Union Oil Company of California holds 15.6 percent.

In 2013, the consortium decided the plans would be too expensive to remain feasible, leading project leaders to amend the design to reduce costs by 60 percent  which made construction possible even after oil prices fell in 2014.

Mad Dog Phase 2 has been one of the most anticipated projects in the US deepwater and underscores our continued commitment to the Gulf of Mexico, Richard Morrison, who heads BPs Gulf of Mexico activities, said.

Related: Non-OPEC Producers To Cut An Additional 600,000 Bpd Next Week?

The project team showed tremendous discipline and arrived at a far better and more resilient concept that we expect to generate strong returns for years to come, even in a low oil price environment.

BP recently became a qualified bidder to work on portions of Mexicos Trion field, which is thought to require nearly $11 billion in investments and will be developed jointly with Mexicos state-run oil conglomerate, Pemex.

The Trion field is located in the Perdido Ford Belt in the Gulf of Mexico, near the US-Mexico border, and is thought to hold 485 million barrels of oil equivalent.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabia was hacked againin a major waytwo weeks ago, destroying computers at six critical organizations in the country, according to Saudi news agency, SPA, who reported the incident just this week.

The Saudi aviation regulator, The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) was one of the targetsSaudi Arabia would not identify the other five targets.

The cyber attackers used a variant of the Shamoon virus, which is the same virus that wiped the hard drives at Saudi Arabias state-run oil giant, Saudi Aramco, back in 2012. For that incident, the virus wiped clean any computer in its wake, and replaced every file it came in contact with, with an image of a burning American flag. The incident was claimed by The Cutting Sword of Justice, which accused the Al-Saud regime of being corrupt and sponsoring such oppressive measures by using Muslims oil resources.

This time around, no one has taken responsibility for the incident.

The most recent attack, which began not even two weeks prior to this weeks OPEC meeting, wiped hard drives just like in 2012, but this time, the files were callously replaced by a well-known and tragic photo of the three-year-old refugee who drowned after his family tried to cross the Agean Sea from Turkey to Greece in 2015.

Related: Winners And Losers Of The OPEC Deal

Saudi Arabia is still investigating the attack, but it has said that the digital evidence so far looks like it originated from Iran. Saudi Arabia and Iran have been rivals in the area for a long, long time, competing for oil market share in the latest round of OPEC meetings, and are thought by some to be on a path towards tearing apart the Middle East with their proxy wars.

The attack left many organizations in disarray, bringing critical operations at the GACA to a halt for several days.

Saudi sources did not identify the other organizations that were attacked, but according to Bloomberg, extensive damage occurred at four of the entities.

Iran has long been thought to pose a serious cyber-security threat to the United States, most famously after the 2012 US bank hack, whichwent down as the biggest bank hack in US history. According to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the hackers in that incident were working on behalf of the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a hard-line force in Iran.

It was the first time a foreign nation-state had been called out on the carpet for supporting hackers who had attacked US infrastructure.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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From Brian. As most of you already know my wife Lorine has passed away. It was a great shock to myself, her family and many of you in the...
Milwaukee ranked poorly on an assessment of employers willingness to hire people with an irregular work history and limited "soft skills," such as showing up on time and getting along with supervisors. The Community Readiness assessment was commissioned by YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, which released the results at a recent Employer Summit at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Community readiness is the degree to which a community is ready to take action on a specific issue. Readiness can range from zero, meaning the community is not aware of the issue, to nine, meaning that it has successful programs in place to address it.

Milwaukee scored at a level three, indicating that there is only a "vague level of awareness" of the challenges facing the citys unemployed residents. The nine readiness stages are: (1) No awareness, (2) Denial/Resistance, (3) Vague awareness, (4) Pre-planning, (5) Preparation, (6) Initiation, (7) Stabilization, (8) Confirmation/Expansion, (9) Community Ownership.

"There is local concern, but no immediate motive to do anything about it," said Gary Hollander, an employer who attended the summit. "That needs to change."

The Community Readiness model was developed by the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University and adapted by YWCA to fit Milwaukees needs.

Forty-seven individuals responsible for identifying and hiring prospective employees in the hospitality, construction, manufacturing, healthcare or finance industries were interviewed between February and April 2016. Survey questions addressed community efforts, leadership, community climate, community knowledge and resources.

YWCA president and CEO Paula Penebaker addresses participants at the organizations Employer Summit.

An analysis of the survey results determined Milwaukees score.

YWCA also organized focus groups of job seekers from its own program participants and other workers. The participants were asked what they perceived to be barriers to employment, how their employers view them and their personal experiences in the workforce. Their answers challenged the following assumptions: unemployed residents dont want to work; seek jobs that they are under-qualified for; and dont hold themselves accountable for employment challenges, according to a report on the Community Readiness assessment.

Job seekers expressed high levels of optimism and effort, despite lack of success.

One male job seeker reminded himself, "You cannot give up, Brother. Dust yourself off. You messed up in the past, but you got to tell yourself every day, This one will turn that corner. This one. Hang in there."

The summits main goal was to help bridge the gap between employers readiness to hire outside the box and workers willingness to develop the soft skills they need to be hired.

"I grew frustrated with the statement, We have tons of jobs and nobody to fill them,'" said Paula Penebaker, president and CEO of YWCA Southeast Wisconsin. "There are pools of prospective workers  but the people showing up lack soft skills," she added.

"Everyone says, Its not my problem, but I say it is. Its all of our problem," said Theresa Jones, a member of Parklawn Assembly of God. "Its going to take a village to move the needle on unemployment."

According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Milwaukees unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in February 2016, while the nationwide unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

About 21 percent of unemployed people in Milwaukee are African-American, about 12 percent are Latino; 10 percent are Asian-American and 7 percent are white, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus 2014 American Community Survey.

The assessment showed some employers recognized that racial segregation and income disparities reinforce biases against those seeking work. However, they had no solutions to these issues.

Ed Seaberg, vice president of Rockwell Automation and president of the Milwaukee Repertory, said that employers are to blame for these biases.

"I started asking questions," said Seaberg. "How do we change this? How do we think differently? How can I think differently?"

To address these questions, Seaberg conducted a bias class at Rockwell with senior management workers and some entry-level workers. The class members evaluated resumes and were asked, "Would you bring this person in for an interview?"

The resumes contained all the same information: the same skills, work experience and background. The only differences were the photograph and the name, yet the responses ranged from 30 to 90 on a scale from 1 to 100.

"We usually think through the lens of our own world, and when people come in who are outside of that lens, we view them harshly," Seaberg said to summit attendees.

Jones noted, "I hear stories about people all the time who complete applications and never hear back I hear stories about people who are told, Its just not the right fit."

She said that Parklawn Assembly of God decided to address the unemployment issue by partnering with the Department of Workforce Development to host a job fair on Sept. 20 attended by approximately 80 people; 25 individuals were hired on the spot, she said.

The church was inspired to help community members get jobs after an incident in August, shortly after the unrest in Sherman Park, in which more than 100 members from several churches gathered for a prayer walk at the park near Sherman and Auer streets. They circled together, praying over the community, its members and the high unemployment rates plaguing Milwaukee.

The group was deep in prayer when two young men walked over from a barbeque in a nearby yard. The men got into the circle and approached Bishop Walter Harvey, pastor at Parklawn Assembly of God, Jones recalled.

"We have been looking for you. Where have you been? Why are you over here praying for us when we are all over there?" the men said. "We need your help." As the conversation between Harvey and the men played out, the prayer circle shifted. In the middle were Harvey and the two young men, and on the outskirts were the church members.

"Thats when I realized, there is a difference between being in the community and being with the community," said Jones.

Recommendations to tackle Milwaukees unemployment issues include engaging existing employers to improve their hiring practice, convening leaders to learn about promising practices and adopting existing mechanisms that work.

According to Penebaker, the YWCA is working on follow-up strategies. "We plan to make employers across Milwaukee aware of the report, and do as the readiness assessment suggests: create communication and motivation for change."
Anti-Russia propaganda is a favored political tactic of Hillary and Republican politicos -- yes, strange bedfellows indeed -- although not so much of Trump, at variance from his typical political gaming. Its goal is to gain prejudicial support of the electorate at the ignored or disguised expense of threatening world peace.

.

One of the ploys in this game is to support the fascist-leaning government of western Ukrainia while ignoring or denigrating the eastern Ukrainian plebiscite which voted over 90 percent for closer political ties with Russia. Another is to demonize the Russian military role in the Middle East (their hemisphere) while minimizing or more often ignoring the much more offensive and prolonged American inter-hemispheric invasion of countries two seas from our shores.

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Pogo had it aright: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

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It's time to sound the tocsin. It's time to stop our invasion of the Middle East, and time to respond to and squash the propaganda that supports it -- before all this morphs to a deadly embrace within American shores.
"The term "globalization" has been appropriated by the powerful to refer to a specific form of international economic integration, one based on investor rights, with the interests of people incidental. That is why the business press, in its more honest moments, refers to the "free trade agreements" as "free investment agreements" (Wall St. Journal). Accordingly, advocates of other forms of globalization are described as "anti-globalization"; and some, unfortunately, even accept this term, though it is a term of propaganda that should be dismissed with ridicule. No sane person is opposed to globalization, that is, international integration. Surely not the left and the workers' movements, which were founded on the principle of international solidarity - that is, globalization in a form that attends to the rights of people, not private power systems."

There you have it. Capitalists are free to roam the world to exploit the cheapest labour possible with the least protection of workers' rights. Combine that with automation and you have the perfect brew for the disappearance of well-paid manufacturing jobs through out-sourcing to cheaper countries or by replacing humans with robots.

Free-market capitalism can be defined as: leave everything to the market to work its magic of delivering efficiency and quality in everything we do. We will all benefit, they say, as wealth trickles down from the 1% to the rest. Absolute nonsense.

Good working conditions and fair wages for workers have only been achieved through constant struggle by the collective effort and solidarity of workers through unions. Now all the power is with the capitalists who can move their capital around the globe if workers don't accede to their demands. In any case, much of today's work is temporary and part-time, where the workers don't belong to a union.

Without a balance of power between labour and capitalists, wages will remain low and working conditions will deteriorate. In today's Britain millions of families are only managing through a myriad of in-work state benefits. This Tory government have relentlessly cut these benefits, causing them untold misery and hardship.

These two doctrines, globalization and free-market, have seen wealth inequality between the 1% and the rest pushed to grotesque levels in the developed industrialized west, even worse in the developing world. The latest forecast from the Institute of Fiscal Studies tells us that real wages in Britain will still be below their 2008 level in 2021. As for the developing world, it has led to the exploitation of the poor and vulnerable on this earth to the level where those at the bottom of this economic pyramid are no more than modern day slaves.

Where do we go from here? When I first came to the UK in the early sixties water, electricity and gas were nationalized; all these utilities were owned by us taxpayers. There was enough social housing (council houses) to ensure that people had adequate basic housing at affordable rents. We had what is called "a mixed economy". Now people are struggling to pay exorbitant rents and pay their high energy and water bills, with the poor having to rely on food banks to feed their families. Jeremy Corbyn , leader of the Labour Party, envisions a change in the way the economy is run with these words:

"We want to see a genuinely mixed economy of public and social enterprise, alongside a private sector with a long-term private business commitment, that will provide the decent pay, jobs, housing, schools, health and social care of the future. Labour will always seek to distribute the rewards of growth more fairly. But to deliver that growth demands real change in the way the economy is run,"

A fundamental change in the way capitalism works is essential. Cosmetic changes or just words, not backed by action, will not do. Otherwise, I fear for the cohesion of our societies with the demagogues and charlatans directing the anger and frustration of the masses, not at the economic system causing the poverty of the many, but towards the weakest, poorest and most vulnerable members of our society.
In a parallel universe, there are no elites.

In this universe on planet Earth, the ruling elites do not fear the people.

Instead we have been socialized to fear them.



Are generations doomed to fear the rulers?

(Image by cogwriter.com) Details DMCA



You know in the deepest part of your being that this is true. Instead of the ruling elites being introspective and examining the horrifying scope of their actions that daily deprive the human species of the opportunity to prosper and reach its potential to love, they have intensified their efforts to divide and conquer and deprive us of our lives through maintaining our petty fears of against each other.

Instead of us taking on the bastard surveillance state and grabbing every supporting critter that is wreaking havoc and pummeling our human rights into submission, we are frustrated but still listening to them tell us how they are going to fu*k us. We are still complain about how poorly we are being mistreated, how the neocons are back, how it is difficult to figure out exactly what the president elect is going to do, what is going to be done about the environment, who will stop the 500 year old violence being perpetrated by DAPL, reduce the military and change its name to department of war, so that everyone know exactly what it is up to, hold our own trials for war criminals living out their lives while other families are visiting the graves that their loved ones were suckered and lied into by the tools of the ruling elites.

Well if complaining is all we can do, including writing false narratives about how the government's lackeys are making pronouncements about coming to our rescue with aid, we should just shoot ourselves in the foot. Why the foot? That would perhaps give us a brief respite, before the lackysters show up to shoot us in the head. After all, the Thought Police will know what we are thinking. It will be too late for lessons or teachable moments by then.

How to start?

We start by issuing a declaration of independence from a federal government that has been taken over by the ruling elites, and that has broken its oath to We the People as codified in the US Constitution.

We carry this out all the way down to the village level, which is in fact where most of us should start.

We don't need any other stinking reason to overthrow this federal government. But here are just a few reasons for the unbelievers:

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Even if Anthony had a year to analyze and dissect each piece...(he couldn't tell if it would)... stand the harsh light of public exposure.

WUWT insider Willis Eschenbach tells you all you need to know about Anthony Watts and his blog, WattsUpWithThat (WUWT). As part of his scathing commentary , Wondering Willis accuses Anthony Watts of being clueless about the blog articles he posts. To paraphrase: Click here to read more.


Moon Rise behind the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm

(Image by 'Caveman Chuck' Coker) Details DMCA



Say: "Clean Energy Jobs Now!"

by Susan C. Strong

Right now we're in the aftermath of Election 2016, with President-Elect Trump heading for the Oval Office. Added to what's happened to Congress, climate protection is likely to be under heavy attack. Who, then, is our audience for doing what? And how should we talk to them about the issue?

First, a little more context. The GOP may be unexpectedly foiled in destroying climate protections. Since the election, numerous players have weighed in on the issue: hundreds of major companies have already contacted Trump about leaving climate protection measures alone. All other signatories to the Paris Accords made plain their intentions to forge ahead with it, and market forces re fossil fuel prices have already made recovery of the U.S. coal industry unlikely. In addition, states and local communities have long been moving ahead on their own with climate protection programs. The number of stakeholders in the climate protection "game" are many and powerful. The pushing and shoving likely to take place behind the scenes in D.C. will be mighty too, though we may be unable to see it clearly. But none of these players need our framing help.





In my previous, pre-November 8th version of this blog post, I mentioned some powerful visual stories about how we could switch to a clean energy economy and reap huge benefits. Charles Ferguson's 2015 film, Time to Choose and Leonardo Di Caprio's Before the Flood, come to mind. These are worth reviewing now, in case you haven't seen them, for the pieces in them about how clean energy businesses are forming and growing worldwide. Here are some ideas for how to talk about the examples you will find in those films: The rest of the world is racing as fast as they can to be the first to profit from clean energy systems, equipment, and economic innovations. Unless the GOP-Trump folk are stopped in their shortsighted course, they will ensure that the U.S. will be left in the dust of the global clean energy revolution that is coming faster every day. The U.S. risks being turned into a dirty, backward, and economically damaged country very quickly, if we don't keep up. (There's an old saying that the stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones.) Technology races are won by the smart and fast. Making the transition to a clean energy economy with plenty of jobs here at home is doable. Professor Mark Jacobson of Stanford has already done the research and laid out a plan for how we can make this happen. The U.S. needs to make this our new national " let's move forward" project. If we do this now, we can still stay in the global competition as the clean energy revolution picks up speed.



The films I've mentioned above also show some really disgusting scenes of serious pollution and poisoning from fossil fuel industries. Dirty! Literally sickening! You can collect examples of dangerous pollution from them. And while these films definitely use the word "climate," they also say, and you need to say, "Moving to a clean energy economy is our biggest innovation challenge, an American "can do" test, and "we can 'meet it if we really try.'" More talk about clean energy jobs is what we need now. But watch out for talking about the "climate" to general audiences. That will just be a way to get ignored and shut down. Let's make sure we are talking about clean energy in a way Trump voters and their elected officials can actually hear! Those GOP voters are the ones President Trump or the GOP-led Congress might actually notice. Getting their demand for clean energy jobs out front now is our best hope for real progress.

------------------------------------

Susan C. Strong, Ph.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of The Metaphor Project, http://www.metaphorproject.org, and author of our book, Move Our Message: How to Get America's Ear. The Metaphor Project has been helping progressives mainstream their messages since 1997. Follow Susan on Twitter @SusanCStrong and check out her Speaking American TEDx talk too.

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From Telesur

The greatest build-up of American-led military forces since the Second World War is well underway.

When I first went to Hiroshima in 1967, the shadow on the steps was still there. It was an almost perfect impression of a human being at ease: legs splayed, back bent, one hand by her side as she sat waiting for a bank to open. At a quarter past eight on the morning of 6 August, 1945, she and her silhouette were burned into the granite. I stared at the shadow for an hour or more, unforgettably. When I returned many years later, it was gone: taken away, "disappeared," a political embarrassment.

The great danger this beckons is not news, or it is buried and distorted: a drumbeat of mainstream fake news that echoes the psychopathic fear embedded in public consciousness during much of the 20th century. I have spent two years making a documentary film, The Coming War on China, in which the evidence and witnesses warn that nuclear war is no longer a shadow, but a contingency. The greatest build-up of American-led military forces since the Second World War is well underway. They are in the northern hemisphere, on the western borders of Russia, and in Asia and the Pacific, confronting China.

Like the renewal of post-Soviet Russia, the rise of China as an economic power is declared an "existential threat" to the divine right of the United States to rule and dominate human affairs.

To counter this, in 2011 President Obama announced a "pivot to Asia," which meant that almost two-thirds of US naval forces would be transferred to Asia and the Pacific by 2020. Today, more than 400 American military bases encircle China with missiles, bombers, warships and, above all, nuclear weapons. From Australia north through the Pacific to Japan, Korea and across Eurasia to Afghanistan and India, the bases form, says one US strategist, "the perfect noose."

A study by the RAND Corporation -- which, since Vietnam, has planned America's wars -- is entitled, "War with China:Thinking Through the Unthinkable." Commissioned by the US Army, the authors evoke the cold war when RAND made notorious the catch cry of its chief strategist, Herman Kahn -- "thinking the unthinkable." Kahn's book, On Thermonuclear War, elaborated a plan for a "winnable" nuclear war against the Soviet Union.

Today,his apocalyptic view is shared by those holding real power in the United States: the militarists and neo-conservatives in the executive, the Pentagon, the intelligence and "national security" establishment and Congress.

The current Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, a verbose provocateur, says U.S. policy is to confront those "who see America's dominance and want to take that away from us."

For all the attempts to detect a departure in foreign policy, this is almost certainly the view of Donald Trump, whose abuse of China during the election campaign included that of "rapist" of the American economy. On 2 December, in a direct provocation of China, President-elect Trump spoke to the President of Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province of the mainland. Armed with American missiles, Taiwan is an enduring flash-point between Washington and Beijing.

"The United States," wrote Amitai Etzioni, professor of international Affairs at George Washington University, "is preparing for a war with China, a momentous decision that so far has failed to receive a thorough review from elected officials, namely the White House and Congress." This war would begin with a "blinding attack against Chinese anti-access facilities, including land and sea-based missile launchers ... satellite and anti-satellite weapons."

The incalculable risk is that "deep inland strikes could be mistakenly perceived by the Chinese as pre-emptive attempts to take out its nuclear weapons, thus cornering them into 'a terrible use-it-or-lose-it dilemma' [that would] lead to nuclear war."

In 2015, the Pentagon released its Law of War Manual. "The United States," it says, "has not accepted a treaty rule that prohibits the use of nuclear weapons per se, and thus nuclear weapons are lawful weapons for the United States."

In China, a strategist told me, "We are not your enemy, but if you [in the West] decide we are, we must prepare without delay." China's military and arsenal are small compared to America's. However, "for the first time," wrote Gregory Kulacki of the Union of Concerned Scientists, "China is discussing putting its nuclear missiles on high alert so that they can be launched quickly on warning of an attack ... This would be a significant and dangerous change in Chinese policy ... Indeed, the nuclear weapon policies of the United States are the most prominent external factor influencing Chinese advocates for raising the alert level of China's nuclear forces."

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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...
Toy Drive in memory of police officer

Members of the Richard Gardner Memorial Toy Drive dropped off toys to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze on Christmas Eve. Toys were also distributed The Seton Foundation and two Headstart Pre-K schools. The organization, that celebrated their 25th year, also donated toys to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation in Matty Ambelis's name, the firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty this year. A toy drive was also staged at Danny Boys Tavern. Kudos to Stephen Caruso of Brothers Entertainment who supplied music.

(Third-Party-Submitted)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- 'Tis the time of year to spread holiday cheer.

The Christmas season customarily serves as a time to bring smiles to the faces of children -- but sadly some little ones never get to experience such pleasures.

For the 22nd year now, The Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Toy Drive is back in full-swing donating toys to the less fortunate.

This year's drive launches Saturday at 9 p.m. at the Castleton Corners Pub at 1815 Victory Blvd., where raffles and giveaways will abound.

Shirts will be sold for $10 and the musical sounds of a DJ will entertain all evening.

For those who aren't aware, Officer Gardner was a 24-year-old dedicated city police officer and a charitable, young family man who lost his life in an off-duty accident in 1995. In his memory, the toy drive delivers more than 2,000 toys to children during the Christmas season.

After his death, toys were collected in his name for sick and underprivileged children throughout Staten Island and in Manhattan. Since then, thousands of toys have been distributed to hospitals, housing facilities, day care centers, underprivileged families, children of the men and women serving in Iraq and families laid low by disaster.

This year his family and friends are once again reaching out to Staten Islanders to come to the assistance of needy children during this spiritual time of year.



If there was anyone who didn't want to see a child go without, it was Officer Gardner.

Three parties are scheduled at the Head Start Program, the Port Richmond Day Care Center and The Seton Foundation -- all slated for early December.

Toy drive organizers will follow by visiting Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center on Christmas Eve.

Those interested in contributing in any way should contact Lisa Bonici at 917-836-9193. Monetary donations are welcome as well.

The above events are free but organizers ask the public to donate new, unwrapped toys for distribution to children in need.
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is unfit to be president of Ghana because he is a coward, Mr Koku Anyidoho, a Deputy General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said.



According to him, Mr Akufo-Addos refusal to take part in the recent presidential debate organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) betrayed his fear to be debated on the contentious issues he has been raising against President John Mahama over the years.



Mr Anyidohos comment follows claims by Mr Akufo-Addo that Mr Mahama is a threat to Ghanas future as a result of his bad governance style.



Speaking on Peace FM on Friday December 2, Mr Akufo-Addo said: Ghana is sitting on gold but because of bad governance by President Mahama, Ghanaians are suffering. His leadership style is a threat to the future of this country.



But responding to this comment in an interview with Accra news Nana Ama Agyarko on Friday, 2 December, Mr Anyidoho said: NPP should rather be sorry for electing him [Nana Akufo-Addo] as their flag bearer for the elections because he has rather destroyed the NPP with his leadership style.



He is a coward, biggest coward Ghana has ever had as a politician. NPP should be sorry for electing Akufo-Addo as flag bearer. If he were a man, he should have faced Mahama on the NCCE platform on the issues that he raised so that Mr Mahama will reply him, but you go and hide with Kwame Sefa Kayi on radio and be saying all manner of things and expect us to be responding to him, he is coward.

Source: Classfmonline









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.

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Day 3

Our plan for the day was: checking out city center in the morning, then go to Barranco District in the afternoon. But when we were approaching the main plaza around 10 am, we found it was closed due to Chinese president's visit this morning. Initially the guards told people (in Spanish, someone translated to English for us) that it would reopen at 11 am. But when we came back after 11:15 am, they said it would reopen at 4 pm, so we went to Barranco District for lunch and wandered around there a little bit. We came back to city center after 4 pm, the plaza was still closed. Checked again after 8 pm, the same, so the main plaza was closed all day!

1. Walking past Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy.

2. Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy.

3. Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy.

4. Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy.

5. Walking toward the main plaza.

6. Access to main plaza was blocked?!

7. We could see some soldiers in the plaza. The white building at the other end is the Government Palace.

8. At another blocked side street, I saw local Chinese people holding banners welcoming Chinese president's visit of Peru.

9.

10. San Francisco Church.

11. San Francisco Church.

12. On our way to Church of San Pedro, we walked past Torre Tagle Palace which is home to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

13. Church of San Pedro.

14. Church of San Pedro.

15. Church of San Pedro.

16. Canta Rana, a really good ceviche place in Barranco District.

17. Cancha (corn nuts), a sort of popcorn made from a special variety of corn called maiz chulpe.

18. Uni (Sea Urchin) ceviche. Loved it!

19. Mixed ceviche. The portion was huge.

20. Wandering around Barranco District.

21. Barranco District.

22. Barranco District.

23. Barranco District.

24. Barranco District.

25. Barranco District.

Came back to city center, the main plaza was still blocked, but Cathedral of Lima opened their side door on an unblocked street so we went in.

26. Chapel of Francisco Pizarro with scenes of Peru's discovery made with beautiful Venetian mosaics.

After we came out of the Cathedral, the guards seemed to let some side streets to the main plaza open so we got to at least see the main plaza.

27. Cathedral of Lima from the main plaza.

28. Main plaza was still closed.

29. Main plaza. The white building at the other end is the Government Palace.

30.

31.

For dinner we tried a local restaurant called Roky's. They had delicious anticuchos (grilled beef heart) and roast chicken. Not much English was spoken here, so knowing a few Spanish words helped.

32. Anticuchos (grilled beef heart), 17.9 Soles (just over $5).

33. 1/4 roasted chicken plus salad, 16.9 Soles (~$5).

34. Saw so many beetles in Lima.

35. Purple corn at local grocery store.

(To be continued)
What to Do When Customers Threaten to Sue Your Business

For small business owners, when a customer threatens to sue, the threat needs to be evaluated before any actions are taken as a result of the threat. The majority of threats are not carried out, as the majority of people are too lazy to actually file a lawsuit after their initial anger passes. However, from time to time, a threat of litigation might actually be serious.

Fortunately for business owners, insurance can be purchased that covers nearly every kind of legal liability a business can face. If your business carries liability insurance, you should familiarize yourself with the terms of the policy, particularly as it relates to reporting potential legal claims. Even bogus threats might require reporting.

Identify Legitimate Threats

While most potential legal threats will be easy to identify as either benign or serious, sometimes litigation threats can be more difficult to evaluate. A customer threatening to sue because you forgot to put cheese on their burger is clearly an empty threat. However, a customer threatening to sue after suffering a slip and fall injury on your premises, likely poses a more serious threat.

If it is not clear whether the threat is serious or empty, staff should be instructed to take a report from the customer and advise the customer that management will contact them. Generally, the report should collect the customer's contact information, a summary of the complaint, as well as the factual basis and value of the claim, if applicable. Allowing a customer to feel heard may be all that is necessary to avoid a scene or disruption to business operations.

Settle Claims Quickly and Quietly

If the customer threatening to sue has a legitimate claim, it may be best to settle the claim quickly and quietly. A claimant may be willing to settle their claim for much less than the claim is worth before they have spoken to a lawyer. However, utilizing an attorney can help you know whether it is a good idea to settle. An attorney will also be helpful when it comes time to negotiate and formalize the settlement.

Laws vary from state to state, and making sure that your settlement agreement is enforceable and actually fully settles the matter can sometimes require magic legal language. Also, your attorney can advise you regarding whether you need to report the claim to your insurance company, or whether your insurance company can actually cover the costs of the settlement.

Frivolous Threats

When a customer is raving mad or is just acting crazy with empty threats, a business is usually safe to handle the situation the way they would with any customer causing a disturbance. Tell the customer to leave and explain that the police will be called if they do not leave.

If a bogus lawsuit is filed, hire a lawyer as soon as you are actually served with the legal documents. The courts are used to dealing with frivolous lawsuits. There are procedures available that can get bogus cases dismissed quickly. However, there are strict deadlines. So even if you know the lawsuit is a sham, retaining a lawyer as soon as possible will help to keep the costs low.

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FORT EDWARD -- A former Hudson Falls resident has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for repeatedly having sexual contact with a child in Washington County.

James W. Carey, 53, of East Greenbush, pleaded guilty to attempted course of sexual conduct against a child in connection with an arrest by Hudson Falls Police and State Police last July.

He was arrested after police determined he sexually abused the child, who was under the age of 13, numerous times between 2010 and 2012, when he lived on Oak Street in Hudson Falls. Police said he fled the area when he learned police had become aware of the abuse.

Carey agreed to a plea deal that likely includes an 8-year sentence in state prison, to be followed by 10 years on parole. He is being held in Washington County Jail pending sentencing Dec. 16 by Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan.
This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way.
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Though the October polls that predicted a great showing for the Pirate Party in the Icelandic elections turned out to be wrong, that election did end with a deeply divided parliament that has been unable to find enough common ground upon which to form a new government.



A month later, the President of Iceland has asked the Pirates to form the next government, after consulting with "the leaders of all parties."

If the Pirates form a minority government in Iceland, it's not clear how much they'll be able to advance their agenda of financial transparency, strong protections for privacy and free speech, an open internet, the adoption of Iceland's overwhelmingly popular, crowdsourced constitution, and an end to financial corruption (not to mention safe passage and citizenship for Edward Snowden).

However, the Pirate leaders in Iceland have a track record for integrity, deep technological know-how and a commitment to fundamental justice.

Giving the Pirate party, which came third in the election, the chance to build a government has been seen as a bold move that is not guaranteed to be a success. "I am optimistic that we will find a way to work together," Jonsdottir said. The scandal over the Panama Papers, released in April, ensnared several Icelandic officials and led to the resignation of former prime minister Sigmundur Davii Gunnlaugsson, prompting the October vote. With voters keen to see political change, the small and controversial Pirate party had vowed during the election campaign to implement radical institutional reforms for more direct democracy and greater transparency in public life.



Iceland's Pirate party invited to form government

[Agence France-Presse/The Guardian]





(Image: Iceland's Pirate Party Increases Election Lead, Day Donaldson, CC-BY)
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Assyrian Voters Triggered Trump's Win in Michigan

In Michigan's final count, announced last week, Donald J. Trump won by a mere 10,704 votes. The key difference came from Detroit's northeast suburbs, especially Macomb County, as noted by local media. Macomb County voters favored President Obama in 2008 by 8% and in 2012 by 4% but flipped the county for Trump a dramatic 12%: 54%-42% and voter turnout was higher than in years past. The voters in this county aren't blue collar, but professionals. Of Michigan's five largest counties, Macomb experienced the most population growth since 2000, and many of the new citizens are Chaldean Catholics from Iraq. Holy Martyrs Chaldean Catholic Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church, and Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church are all in the county. The metropolitan Detroit area has the world's largest Iraqi population outside Iraq: more than 121,000 people. "I have never seen the enthusiasm we had this year to go out and vote," said Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. "Our community voted like it never has." Manna observed that Chaldean [also known as Assyrian and Syriac] Americans tend to be a conservative, pro-life group and "many issues motivated people, but especially what is happening to Christians in Iraq and Syria because we have loved ones in the area."

Manna described the frustration of most Chaldeans: Despite a congressional resolution calling the slaughter of Christians in the Middle East genocide, the current Administration did little to assist them. Nor did the Obama Administration act on another priority Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac Christians from Iraq: creation of a new province for persecuted minorities in the Nineveh Plain. One of President-elect Trump's lead advisers on the Middle East, Walid Phares, is said to support a safe haven for Christians, Yazidis, and others. Russia as Ally Fr. Paul O'Callaghan is pastor of St George Orthodox Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas, a church founded 100 years ago by immigrants from Lebanon. The community has been active regarding the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. Although his congregation reflected diverse opinions on the presidential election, Fr. O'Callaghan said two issues in particular influenced many parishioners to consider Donald Trump the better candidate: Middle East policy and abortion. "Hillary Clinton was unnecessarily provocative with the Russian president in terms of protecting Christian communities," said the pastor. "Many of us look at Russia's historical role as protectors" as a benefit he explained. Fr. O'Callaghan gave Mhardeh, Syria, a major Christian city, as an example: "Mhardeh has been under threat from the Free Syrian Army and al-Nusra, and the community is saying, 'Why are you, the U.S., supporting people who want to kill us, and the Russians are defending us?'" St George's is located in a congressional district represented by Rep. Mike Pompeo, selected by President-elect Trump to lead the CIA. Fr. O'Callaghan observed, "He's been tremendously supportive of the U.S. being a protective force for Christians in the Middle East." Rep. Pompeo is a Presbyterian. The other issue that catalyzed Orthodox parishioners was abortion: "A lot of people told me how appalled they were regarding Hillary Clinton's advocacy for third- trimester abortion. There was a lot of strong feeling about that." Pro-life Outreach Strong feeling on Hillary Clinton's abortion extremism is what the Susan B Anthony List (SBA List) leveraged in its strategy to target pro-life voters in the battleground states of Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina plus Missouri. Together, the four states gave Donald Trump 72 electoral votes. (Add Michigan's 16 electoral votes, where the Iraqi Chaldeans made a difference, and Trump got a total of 88 electoral votes with critical Catholic input.) SBA List knocked on over 1.1 million pro-life doors according to Mallory Quigley, 30, the group's communications director, who said, "We also talked to persuadable Democrats and Independents--folks we knew were pro-life, who we thought could be convinced to vote pro-life if they understood Hillary Clinton's extreme pro-abortion position." SBA List spent $18 million over two years--and won all its targets--while major pro-abortion political action committees doubled that: EMILY's List spent over $40 million, for example. Quigley, who attended Loyola College in Baltimore, said she observed the Catholic vote gravitate to Donald Trump over the campaign's last months. "The Catholic vote did go to Mr. Trump but that wasn't guaranteed. Catholic voters had concerns about him... but Donald Trump's commitment to pro-life issues only got stronger through the campaign," she observed. September marked a turning point in the Trump campaign's focus on Catholic voters, beginning with a short ad marking Mother Teresa's canonization on September 3. Trump made four key pro-life commitments in mid-September: to end abortion after five months, to appoint a pro-life Supreme Court, to defund Planned Parenthood, and to protect the Hyde amendment. He also appointed SBA List founder, Marjorie Dannenfelser to lead a pro-life campaign coalition. In October a major red flag for Catholic voters emerged: the WikiLeaks revelation that Clinton's inner circle considered the Catholic Church "severely backwards" and that Clinton campaign manager John Podesta had created Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good as fronts to undermine Catholic teaching (with the help of George Soros' money). In the end, it all came together. "On Election Day, the #1 search term related to both candidates was abortion," said Quigley.
At the press conference, the NPP said Mr Naabu deposited the bribe money in his Prudential Bank account.

The fictitious press release adds that Mr Naabu has no account with Bank.

But in a swift response, the Bank said "it has noticed with great concern a fictitious document circulating on various social media platforms purportedly issued by the Bank on 1st December, 2016 with respect to the issue regarding Mr Bugri Naabu."

The statement urged the public to disregard it in "entirety as it is inauthentic, malicious and fraudlent."
It Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tony Aubynn, said the illegal miners have been relocated to a concession AngloGold released to the government.

We are happy to announce that as at Friday Nov. 25, 2016, all informal miners have been successfully moved from the previously occupied areas of AGAGs concession," Mr Aubynn said a media briefing.

At the end of the relocation about 3,350 informal miners have been relocated from the AGAG concession to the northern part of the ceded area comprising Abedwum, Adumanu and Jacobu.

In February, the illegal miners overrun the mining concession of AngloGold after the latter attempted to restructure the operation and sacked over 4,000 workers.

The world third-largest producer of bullion had repeated as the government to intervene but to no avail.

READ MORE:Chinese woman destroying farmlands in Amansie with galamsey

In May, it logged a case against the Government of Ghana with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.
The new Internet facility offers a lot of opportunities for growth to a developing economy like Ghana. The Internet has already improved development by making communication more efficient in Africa.

Mr Kobina Richardson, Acting CEO of E-Connecta commenting on the facility said with the World heading to the Internet of days, an increasing number of individuals, businesses and institutions are going to find it more challenging to cope without access to a good and a reliable Internet.

According to him, this has created a huge market for Internet usage but the Internet market in Ghana still lacks innovation needed by the consumer to take advantage of the potentials and technological benefits available.

Mr Richardson said, SkyFi has identified the Internet market as an entry point in providing a wide range of services to the Ghanaian consumer.

He said the WiFi Hotspot service SkyFi has been designed and deployed to provide very cheap and reliable internet access to the Ghanaian consumer to improve their standard of living.

We hope to offer high speed Wi-Fi services with an integrated payment system (mobile money, card payment etc) to ensure access to all.

We commend the government on such an initiative and we hope to see more of such mutually beneficial partnerships in the future to advance Ghanas economic development, he added.

Launching the new Internet Service, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Communication commended E-Connnecta and SkyFi for the innovative idea to help Ghanaians, especially, students to beef up with their research work on campus.

He said Government is committed to collaborate with Internet service providers to offer high-speed Internet at very affordable prices and good quality for the benefit of everybody irrespective of their location.

Mr Boamah added that bandwidth in Ghana has become less expensive as more service providers enter the market to offer competitive rates to customers.

He added that E-Connecta saw the opportunity with NITA (Government of Ghana) as a huge step to a plan they have been nurturing for years.

Dignitaries present at the launch include, Governing Council Chairman and Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Hon E. T. Mensah, George Atta-Boateng  Director General, NITA, Rector of Accra Technical University and Heads of Department.

The first Phase of the internet service covers the following areas;

1. Accra Technical University

2. Tema Lorry Station

3. Airport

4. Burma Camp

5. Korle-Bu

6. University of Professional Studies

7. Makola

8. Osu

9. 37 Military Hospital and Lorry Station

10. University of Development Studies (Tamale)
The weapons were concealed in a Jeep with Nigerian licence plate 468-13D. It was labelled as Peace MOWAC, the NPP claimed, as reported by 3news.com.

The police, according to the report, were said to have been first called in but they had to invite the military from the 4BN Brigade in Kumasi in view of the magnitude of the weapons impounded upon.

Three additional vehicles were seized in addition to the Jeep that had the weapons.

Cobson is currently in police custody, the report said.

Meanwhile the New Patriotic Party Chairman in the region has been reacting to the incident.

Mr Antwi- Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, said he and the NPP will save Ashanteman from destruction, urging Manhyia to take serious view of the matter.
He himself has decided what he is going to do with it, that he will return the money, Akufo-Addo said in a radio broadcast Friday. "That is my understanding; that is what he has told me. That he is going to return the money."

He added: "He kept the money for proof; but now that the matter has come out he intends to return the money. He told me the story about this matter before it became public."

Akufo-Addo also added that government has not been able to give solid denial of the bribery allegation.

Sheik Mustapha Hamid, the spokesperson of Nana Addo said the incident happened on Friday, October 28 when the NDC led by Ibrahim Mahama called the NPP northern Regional chairman, Bugri Naabu for a meeting.

He said the meeting took place in the house of Ibrahim Mahama, after 9 pm that Friday and in the meeting was Bugri Naabu, the president and his brother.

He alleged that Ibrahim Mahama offered Bugri an amount of 500,000 Ghana cedis and a V8 vehicle to ensure that Nana Addo is tagged as anti-Northern.

Meanwhile, the president's spokesman Edward Omane Boamah has described the allegation as "concoction" which does not need further media coverage.

He said at no point did the president meet the NPP northern regional chairman, Bugri Nabu, to bribe him to defect from the party.
Greenstreet was already active in politics when a car accident in 1997 left him in a wheelchair.

A native of the capital Accra, he made an unsuccessful bid to enter parliament in the early 1990s, running for the CPP, a minor leftwing party founded by Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah, during the struggle for independence from Britain.

Speaking to AFP, Greenstreet said the accident transformed his politics as he became more "activist-orientated", determined to fight for social justice for those who felt marginalised.

Minor parties stand little chance against the two main contenders in the December 7 poll, President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress and Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party.

But Greenstreet's nomination has inspired 14 other people with disabilities to run for parliament with his party, in what he described as an "incredible" number.

"They emerged from the woodwork," he said.

"I guess some at the local level thought: 'If he can do it, why not me?'"

Fighting misconceptions

Those with disabilities are often stigmatised in Ghana.

Speaking to AFP ahead of the UN's International Day of Persons with Disabilities, marked every year on December 3, Alex Williams, spokesman for the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, said about 15 per cent of the population suffer some form of disability.

"There is a perception that being disabled in any way makes the person unable to function at all," he told AFP.

This often means those with physical limitations are rejected by society and unable to find work.

And religious beliefs can mean that some view those with disabilities as suffering a form of punishment for wrong-doing.

While there has been work across Ghana to educate the public on disabilities "we confront these perceptions day in and day out," the spokesman said.

And having Greenstreet in a visible position has helped others with disabilities, he said.
He was subsequently pardoned after he fell ill in prison and was rushed to the hospital.

Tsikata rejected the pardon and appealed against the high court ruling that saw him in jail.

Earlier this week, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's ruling.

"The judgment of the High Court was a miscarriage of justice because it did not give Mr Tsikata a fair opportunity to defend himself, the trial judge said.

However, speaking in a joint interview with Joy FM and Citi FM Friday, Akufo-Addo rejected claims that Mr Tsikata was persecuted.

He said: the idea that there is witch-hunting because people are tried is unfortunate. It is yet another attempt to try and politicise situations that ought not to be.

"I think we all have to accept that the mere fact that someone is a minister or politician doesnt put them above the law. Even the president is not above the law and we have seen this all over the world.

Asked if he was embarrassed by the Court of Appeal's decision, he said: "that is what courts do."
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The four-man gang reportedly stormed the victim's home at about 4:30am on Friday, December 2, Punch reports.

After gaining entrance to the house, the hoodlums reportedly went straight to her bedroom, grabbed her and pushed her into a waiting ash coloured Suzuki jeep before taking off.

According to the reports, the victim's husband, Acka Tor-Agbidye, who is the Zonal Manager of First City Monument Bank, was not at home when the incident occurred.

Punch, however, reports that the victim's mother-in-law, Mama Rhoda Tor-Agbidye, was around at the time and witnessed the whole incident.

Giving her own account of the incident, the daughter of the victim, Miss Kashimana Tor-Agbidye revealed to newsmen that at about 4.30 am, she heard her mother crying in her bedroom.

She approached the room to see what was going on but was shocked to discover four unknown gunmen in the room with one of them wearing a mask.

ALSO READ: Two persons abducted by unknown gunmen

The state Commissioner of police, Bashir Makama, who visited the home of the victim with his team on Saturday, December 3, explained that investigations are currently underway.
Gov. Darius Ishaku, who inaugurated the final round at Lankaviri near Jalingo, expressed satisfaction that the last four rounds of the exercise recorded 100 per cent success in the 168 council wards of the state.

The governor said the campaign was imperative given the nearness of Borno which recorded new cases of wild polio virus recently.

He called on all to encourage women and children to take advantage of the services offered during the immunisation as well as the maternal and child health week to achieve the intended purpose of the programmes.

In his address, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Innocent Vakkai, thanked Ishaku for his continuous support which had been the bedrock of the success the ministry recorded so far.

Vakkai said the ministry had immunised 953,564 children in the fourth round with the support of World Health Organisation, UNICEF and other partners.

He said that the fifth round would involve deworming of children under five, provision of Vitamin A, anti-malaria drugs, iron tablets for pregnant women and free HIV counselling and testing, among others.

Vakkai called on the people to take advantage of the opportunity and come out en-masse to participate in the week-long programme.
According to these sources, Kyari is diabetic and has been battling to fend off the ailment for a while now.

"He's responding to treatment in a UK hospital and there's nothing to worry about. He'll be back to work sooner", one source offered.

Kyari was visiting Mamman Daura--leader of the cabal in the Presidency--a couple of weeks ago, when a former Minister, Bagudu Hirse, was kidnapped right in front of Daura's residence.

Kyari reportedly belongs to the cabal within the Presidency, alongside Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Together, the cabal decides who gets what within the Presidential palaces.

Babagana Kingibe, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was also among the party when Hirse was abducted.

Kyari was visibly shaken by the kidnap incident, a source said.

According to a similar story in Premium Times, Kyari "was shocked after all the security details ran away, leaving them to their fate.

He drove away all the security men except the one who refused to run away and they drove back to Abuja in a very tight security".

ALSO READ:

Hirse regained his freedom days later.

There's been no word from official Presidency channels on Kyari's state of health.
Buhari's congratulatory message was made known in a statement issued on Saturday, December 3, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

The President also commended outgoing President of the country, Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, for conceding defeat.

He described the gesture as uncommon and crucial in calming fears of unrest in the West African nation.

Buhari, however, enjoined President-elect Barrow to be magnanimous in victory.

"President Buhari said he looks forward to a smooth transition of power and working with the incoming President of The Gambia to deepen existing cordial relations between both countries," the statement added.

ALSO READ: Nigeria should learn from Gambia's ballot box

Barrow, a London security guard, defeated Jammeh in the December 1 Presidential election in the country.
Issa, who is also the former National Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, said the President should heed the advice of late Cuban president, Fidel Castro on the danger of indiscriminate foreign loans and credits.

Aremu gave the advice in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital during a press conference on the death of the former Cuban leader and the need for Nigerian leaders to emulate his exemplary leadership style.

He said: "His death is a shock coming just few months after the global progressive forces including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Industrial Global Union marked his 90th birthday.

"Fidel Castro had long in his decade-long battle of developmental ideas made a case for self-reliance. He had compared the debt burden to that torment in Greek mythology in which a man is doomed to push a large stone uphill for all eternity, a stone that always rolls down again before reaching the top. Debtors, he maintained dont need new loans.

"Fidel has since been proven right that most debts were unpayable and uncollectible.

"We must credit the series of debt cancellation of the two decades to audacious alternative views of Fidel Castro, not the astuteness of "negotiators" and so called altruism of creditors.

"President Buhari should emulate the selfless leadership of Fidel Castro because no country can develop through loans and credit. He must work his talk, if he is truly paying tribute to Castro and must withdraw his application for loan to the National Assembly.

"Buhari should not take us back to indebtedness and should be selfless. Buhari and his cabinet members should set example by using the state house hospital."

Aremu also criticised what he called the western media's posthumous distortion of history which presented Castro as a rebel and strong man who with iron hands muzzled the people of Cuban Island.

He urged African leaders to know their history and remember Castros contribution to Africa.

He also called on the Federal to State governments to emulate Castros selfless nature, especially the two-termed state governors, to stop collecting outrageous pensions allocated to them by the state house of assembly.

"The outrageous pension given to two-term governors call for concern because they are under-developing states," the labour leader said.

"Comrade Adams Oshiomole as a comrade governor, with his remarkable achievements having beaten other governors, should not join them because the money is unnecessary.

"If he does so, it will amount to the saying that if you cant beat them, you join them but he has beaten them with his achievements as governor.

"State houses of assembly should make laws for public good not for executive benefit. The danger of the pension law is that it is now getting addictive and spreading like wild fire to other states of the federation and to me it is pure legal robbing."

Fidel Castro is the iconic Cuban revolutionary leader who presided over the Republic of Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008.
The suspect, who is said to have been detained, allegedly favoured companies close to him in the award of contracts.

"A serving Commissioner of Police, Victor Onofiok, is being grilled by operatives of the EFCC over a N1.9 billion fraud," the newspaper quoted a source to have said.

"Onofiok, who is the CP Works at the Force Headquarters, was detained on November 30 after he was released for interrogation by the police.

"The officer, who has been CP Works since 2014, is alleged to have awarded contracts worth more than N1.9 billion to companies in which he has interest.

"The companies include Dutse Allah Construction Ventures; Nne-Edak Technical Ventures; Puristic Adherent Company; Quality Watch Construction Company and Faksene International.

"These entities were found to be mere business names and not limited companies," the source said.

It was gathered that the EFCC is still on the trail of some likely accomplices of the suspect.

The source added: "So far, the CP is still in detention, but we cannot rule out likely accomplices. We are considering all clues.

"I can assure you that all those connected with the fraud will be brought to book.

"We have however intensified investigation."

The newspaper also cited a police source to have said the force released Onofiok to the EFCC on the order on the request of the Inspector General of Police.

"We are awaiting the outcome of the police preliminary investigation before we can talk of the next disciplinary action against him," the source said.
Bowalley Road Rules



The blogosphere tends to be a very noisy, and all-too-often a very abusive, place. I intend Bowalley Road to be a much quieter, and certainly a more respectful, place.

So, if you wish your comments to survive the moderation process, you will have to follow the Bowalley Road Rules.

These are based on two very simple principles:

Courtesy and Respect.

Comments which are defamatory, vituperative, snide or hurtful will be removed, and the commentators responsible permanently banned.

Anonymous comments will not be published. Real names are preferred. If this is not possible, however, commentators are asked to use a consistent pseudonym.

Comments which are thoughtful, witty, creative and stimulating will be most welcome, becoming a permanent part of the Bowalley Road discourse.

However, I do add this warning. If the blog seems in danger of being over-run by the usual far-Right suspects, I reserve the right to simply disable the Comments function, and will keep it that way until the perpetrators find somewhere more appropriate to vent their collective spleen.


Gunmen had on Saturday, December 3, stormed the Senator's office, but the quick arrival of the police was said to have prevented the building from being set ablaze.

In a post on his Facebook page, Sani said el-Rufai should be held responsible for the attack.

The lawmaker said the attackers, who were heavily armed, raided and vandalised properties at his constituency office located at Stadium Roundabout by Constitution Road, Kaduna.

According to him, the thugs unleashed terror on his social media team who were meeting in the office at the time.

He said: "We have the lead and the information that thugs were fully recruited and paid by political appointees of Governor Nasiru Elrufai. We have the names of the political appointees and we have the names of those they are funding. Right now their details are given to the DSS and the police for investigation."

The Senator said an attempt was made to burn down his Family house in Alkalawa Road, Tudun Wada Kaduna, two days ago.

Sani said the attack was foiled by vigilant residents and neighbours, which led to the brief deployment of policemen in the area.

He added: "I wish to state it categorically clear that I hold Governor Nasiru Elrufai personally responsible for whatever happens to me or any of my family members or supporters. After the use of financial inducement on APC Excos in the state to silence Shehu Sani in the name of suspension, which never worked, they have now taken the road of violence.

"The Governor of the state or his desperate political appointees should know that we can never ever be silenced, coward or intimidated. I call on my supporters never to take the road of violence or retaliation.

"We are men of ideas, of ideals and of peace.Those who take to the road of violence have no place in a democratic society."
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was made known during ballot counting at the unit at Blue-Cross Car Park Ogba.

INEC poll officers at the unit were seen discussing the development while waiting to go for results collation.

The election recorded poor turnout of voters.

Meanwhile, results of the by-election started trickling in for collation at 2:15p.m.

The results were being collated at the Registration Area Centres (RACs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents, who monitored the election, report that poor turnout of voters resulted in early conclusion of voting  by 2p.m.

Poll officers started bringing the results into the RAC for collation as soon as ballot counting ended.Results arrived at RAC for Ward 3, situated at African Primary School, Idi-Agbon Ogba, at about 2.15p.m.

Also, at the St. Kizito Primary School, Fagba, the RAC for Ward 6, poll officers began to submit results for collation some minutes later.

The collation, however, had yet to start as at 3p.m.

Some party agents at the collation centres decried poor turnout of voters.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, disclosed this while addressing Officers and men of Kano state police command on Saturday.

He said that 20 gun boats and three helicopters would also be deployed to the state to enhance security the the during elections.

He said the force had taken adequate security measures to ensure that the elections were peaceful.

According to him, the Nigeria Police force is planning to establish a school in Kaduna for the training of mobile policemen in the country.

He said the idea of establishing the school was in line with the commitment of the force to ensure professionalism.

He said that plan was also in the pipeline to establish marine training school in Imo state.

The Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has promised to build the school for the force, he said.

The IGP promised to improve the welfare of officers and men of force.

ALSO READ: Amnesty office warns youths against violence in Rivers rerun

He urged them to be disciplined and avoid any act capable of denting the image of the police.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Rabiu Yusuf, said that within the last six months, the command had rescued 15 out of 55 persons kidnapped in the state.

He said during the various operations, the command recovered a number of weapons, 96 cows, 56 handsets and 10 motorcycles, among others.
Russia has said it isready for talks with the United States on the withdrawal of all rebels from the area.

"I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender'," said Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, speaking from Turkey.
The soldiers from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland are part of a force headed to the port town of Qandala, which has been under the control of the insurgents since November.

"We killed seven IS and took their guns - now we are in the village," Captain Mohamed Saiid, head of a Puntland military unit, told Reuters by satellite phone from the scene.

"The IS fighters retreated into a hill outside the village. Three soldiers were injured from our side. We shall keep on pursuing the fighters till we eliminate them from Qandala."

The insurgents are thought to number in the low hundreds and are led by Abdiqadir Mumin, who broke away from the main al Shabaab insurgency last year and swore allegiance to Islamic State.

His group has no known operational links to Islamic State in the Middle East and Qandala is the first town where they took control.
If, as the polls suggest they will, voters reject Renzi's plan to streamline parliament, the centre-left leader has said he will step down.

The self-styled outsider in a hurry to shake up Italy finds himself on the inside, a target for those who say he has not been quick enough in fixing long-standing problems.

Renzi was just 39 when he came to power via an internal party coup in February 2014.

With his penchant for retro sunglasses, open-necked shirts and jeans, the former mayor of Florence was hailed at the time as a premier for the smartphone generation.

But the breath of fresh air is now in danger of being blown away by rival young Turks from populist and far right opposition parties trying to force him out.

After 1,000 days in office, Renzi, now 41, boasted last month of having steered the economy out of recession, got Italians spending again and improved public finances.

He has also had significant political victories: a controversial Jobs Act passed, election rules rewritten and his candidate, Sergio Mattarella, installed as president.

Dinner with Obama

All were seen as evidence of the deft touch of a political operator who learnt his trade in Machiavelli's home town in the age of social media.

As his Twitter follower numbers rose, so too did his international profile. Renzi was feted for his reform efforts by US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"Matteo has the right approach and it is beginning to show results," Obama said just before treating Renzi and his school teacher wife Agnese to the last official White House dinner of his administration in October.

But many Italian voters do not share Obama's optimism. As the recovery has struggled to gain traction -- leaving unemployment stubbornly high, particularly among young people -- Renzi's ratings have slipped.

The Jobs Act, which eased hiring and firing, made him business friends but alienated trade unions and the left.

A bullish style that was once seen as energetic has come to be viewed by some as high-handed, including by some grandees of his own party.

Former Prime Minister Massimo d'Alema, a fervent critic of Renzi's constitutional proposals, described his successor to the New York Times as a Twitter-obsessed "oaf".

The decline in Renzi's popularity is relative however. Polls suggest the Democratic Party, under his leadership, would top an election held tomorrow, albeit only just.

To some, Renzi is a ruthless schemer who stabbed party ally Enrico Letta in the back when he orchestrated his ouster from the premier's office in February 2014.

The move came only three months after Renzi had been elected leader of his party on the strength of his work in Florence, where he cut local taxes and tried to foster innovation.

Full-time politician

jpegMpeg4-1280x720Like former British prime minister Tony Blair he often pitches himself in opposition to the left, as someone unafraid to challenge established doctrines in the name of change.

Critics say his record of doing that at a national level is patchy, noting how he has avoided a fight over public sector pay and privileges.

Promised reforms of the education and judicial systems have yet to get underway and Renzi, a practising Catholic, largely stayed out of the battle as legislation on same-sex civil unions was watered down, denying gay couples equal adoption rights.

Born on January 11, 1975 in Florence, Renzi studied law and took his first steps in politics as a teenage campaign volunteer for future prime minister and European Commission chief Romano Prodi.

By 26 he was a full-time organiser for La Margherita (The Daisy), a short-lived centre-left party.

He was only 29 when he became the leader of the province of Florence in 2004, establishing a power base that enabled him to go on to become mayor in 2009 and prime minister five years later.

But for a brief spell in his early 20s working for the family advertising business, politics is all he has done and friends say he would be loath to give it up, despite his protestations to the contrary.
If the Supreme Court, the United Kingdom's highest judicial body, dismisses the government appeal it could derail May's timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and leaving the EU.

The government's legal fight comes against a backdrop of claims by some politicians and newspapers that establishment judges want to thwart the Brexit process.

It will be the most high-profile and complex case the court has considered since it came into being seven years ago and is due to last for four days. For the first time all its 11 justices will sit on the panel with the verdict due later in January.

"The case raises difficult and delicate issues about the constitutional relationship between government and parliament,"Brenda Hale, the Supreme Court's Vice-President said in a speech last month.

"What is meant by the exercise of the executive power of the state? We do not have a written constitution to tell us the answer. But I doubt whether many written constitutions would tell us the answer either."

If May wins, she can proceed with her plans to invoke Article 50 by the end of March.

But if she loses, parliament could in theory block Brexit as most lawmakers (MPs) supported staying in the EU in a referendum in June, though few observers expect such an outcome. Even so, lawmaker approval could open the process to greater scrutiny and delay.

Investors believe the greater parliament's involvement the less chance there is of a "hard Brexit" in which tight controls on immigration are prioritised over European single market access. The pound surged after November's High Court ruling.

In a sign of how thorny the process could be for May, the opposition Labour Party plans to table an amendment to any Article 50 bill to try to keep market access to the bloc, its leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News on Saturday.

The addition of amendments could risk derailing May's timetable, although the BBC has reported that the government has prepared a very short bill which would be "bomb-proof" against changes by lawmakers who may try and add conditions to the approval.

Meanwhile the pro-EU Liberal Democrat party says it would vote against Article 50 unless there is a new referendum on the final Brexit deal, a concession May is highly unlikely to make.

The party won a ninth seat in parliament on Thursday in a local by-election vote.

The High Court challenge was brought by investment fund manager Gina Miller with hairdresser Deir Tozetti Dos Santos the second claimant.

Other parties will also be allowed to offer legal arguments this week, including the devolved Welsh government, a group of expatriate Britons, and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain which represents mainly low-paid migrant workers.

So too will the Scottish government, which strongly opposes Brexit and has been seeking ways to keep Scotland in the EU.
For the past six months, a team of Exelon employees has worked painstakingly to determine all steps that would be necessary to close down the utility's Quad-Cities Station in Cordova.

Although a new energy policy approved by the Illinois General Assembly paved the way for the Cordova nuclear plant and its sister plant in Clinton, Illlinois, to stay open, Exelon officials say the planning still serves a purpose.

"All the planning, the decisions that had to be made on how to decommission the plant has taken an enormous effort," spokesman Bill Stoermer said Friday. "The benefit is all that preliminary fundamental work has been done, and it's not going to change for when we do decommission the plant. It's not work being done for naught."

The Cordova plant's license runs through 2032.

"We'll be able to use a lot of the information we've been developing," said Bob Larkin, director of the decommissioning team. He said the details can provide direction and lessons for other Exelon plants that are decommissioning. Among them will be Oyster Creek, New Jersey, station, which Exelon had previously announced would close in 2018. It is the nation's oldest nuclear plant.

He said the team plans to document what learned in the planning process and critique the processes at both stations to share with Oyster Creek. The plans also could direct other future decommissions.

Had the Illinois legislation failed, Exelon said it would close Clinton in 2017 and Quad-Cities in 2018.

According to Stoermer, the 18-person decommissioning team was made up of plant employees who had been reassigned to work solely on planning for the closure. The team was created in June when Exelon announced it was taking steps to begin closing the two facilities.

He said the team included veteran employees across a number of disciplines, including project management, engineering, maintenance, procurement, radiation protection, operations, security, chemistry and regulatory assurance. The Clinton plant had its own team working full-time on a plan.

Larkin said the team had already completed the plans for shutting down all the systems, how to cool the spent fuel in the reactors, removing the fuel and moving it to the dry cask storage. "We were now identifying abandoning the buildings," he said, adding that a complete site demolition was planned to occur by 2068.

The Quad-Cities Station already had taken some of the necessary steps regarding its operating license with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC. With news that the plant will not close, Larkin said Exelon will need to pursue a license amendment with the NRC.

Additionally, Stoermer said since the plant had been proposed to close in 2018, staff had only planned for a one-year refueling cycle. "We have to go back now and look at our 2017 refueling outage plans and go back to a two-year cycle."

Larkin said that given the detailed work required in a decommission "We could not wait (to plan)."

"We built this plant and now we were putting a plan together to tear it down," he said, adding that the work "was not rewarding."
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Employees at Exelon's Quad-Cities Station returned to work Friday not only relieved and ecstatic that lawmakers had secured their plant's future but also confident that they can finally move on with their lives.

For the past two years, workers at Exelon's nuclear plant in Cordova and its Clinton, Illinois, plant, have lived under a cloud of uncertainty. Their questionable future put the workers' lives and many decisions on hold. Unsure if they would have jobs in Cordova or would be forced to relocate to stay with the utility, they awaited the news that came Thursday night: passage of an energy reform bill.

"We're on a high today. There's a sigh of relief," Diana Kraus, a chemistry technician with 14 years at Quad-Cities Station, said Friday morning.

"I had a lot of hope, but we were going through the emotions of a shutdown," Kraus, of Bettendorf, said. "We were getting cuts, people were leaving, people were not being hired ..."

But all those emotions eased after the Illinois General Assembly approved the Future Energy Jobs Bill, ensuring the two Exelon plants would operate at least another 10 years  protecting 1,500 jobs. Gov. Bruce Rauner still has to sign the bill, which plant officials said could happen next week.

As workers arrived at the plant for the morning shift Friday, they greeted one another with congratulations, handshakes, smiles and even some high fives and hugs.

"It's definitely a different feeling today; we all know it's a good day," said Emily Bridgewater, a radiation protection clerical worker. With just 18 months on the job, she first learned of the possible closing when she was hired. "It's been a roller coaster since I started. I knew working here was a good job, so I stayed."

But like other Exelon workers, the job insecurity has forced Bridgewater to delay buying a house.

"I went to an open house two weeks ago, but I couldn't put in an offer not knowing what was going to happen," said Bridgewater, 26, who lives with her parents in Kewanee, Illinois. "I'm ready to make the move now."

Economic boost

Likewise, John McClure, an 11-year chemistry technician, said he had tightened his spending during the time of doubt. The 36-year-old Bettendorf man put off some home improvement projects, worried that with a closure he could be relocated.

"A lot of us are transplants, we moved here for this job," he said.

But with the plant's future now bright, he said, "I wouldn't be surprised if there is an obvious economic (boost from spending) in the Quad-Cities because of all this."

With 29 years invested at Exelon, Derrick Lack was more concerned about the next generation of workers having the same opportunities he did.

"I would have been able to ride it out to decommissioning (of the plant) if it closed," he said. "But I think of the younger guys. Those younger guys are who I felt for the most."

Lack lives in nearby Port Byron, and he worried that a closure would decrease property values, raise property taxes and hurt communities that rely on Exelon, including the 4,000 workers it can bring in for an outage.

"I've worked here during the poor performing period in the 1990s, but we're a high performance plant now," Lack said. "It would have been a shame for this plant to be shut down because of money and politics."

Lots of smiles

Plant Manager Ken Ohr stayed at the plant late Thursday, watching the legislative action live on his computer and to monitor his staff.

"There's been 16 hours straight of smiles," he said. "But the real business at hand doesn't change; we want to be the best producer of power, the safest producer and really the best nuclear neighbor we can be."

While the legislation ensures Exelon will operate the plants another decade, Ohr said, "We're looking to run this to the life of the plant's license, 2032." He added, "Ten years gives you time for continued technological growth and continued policy growth."

Asked what made the difference, he credited the Quad-City legislative delegation and lawmakers who personally visited the plant.

"We'll never know what did it, but the passion of the (Exelon) folks on site to pick up the phone, meet with senators  bringing them to our home," he said.

"We became more than a line item on a ledger," Ohr said of the multiple site tours the plant hosted. He said the visitors came to understand the value of 800 employees in Cordova and 700 in Clinton, as well as their impact and connections into the communities.

'Great place to work'

Employees such as Dave Duncan, a union steward and radiation protection technician with nine years at the plant, have followed the situation intently for the past two years, beginning with the first proposed legislation.

"I was born and raised here, so being from here, I knew how great this place was to work," said Duncan, of Morrison, Illinois. "I knew this was going to be my career.

"At the bottom of my heart, I felt we really were going to get this done," Duncan said, adding that it has been an emotional couple of days. He, too, was "glued" to his computer watching live-streaming of the General Assembly.

"Your life is in the hands of the Legislature, and that's a scary situation," he said, crediting the Quad-City delegation with "working tirelessly for us."

When he saw the Senate pass the bill, Duncan said, "I hugged my wife, and I cried. It was a mixture of excitement, shock and exhaustion all rolled into one."
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled into downtown Davenport Saturday afternoon bringing more than just Christmas lights, holiday cheer and rockin tunes.

Representatives from Canadian Pacific presented Churches United of the Quad-City Area with an $8,000 check in front of a crowd of hundreds of Quad-Citians who gathered near Modern Woodmen Park to see the train.

That money, along with nonperishable food and monetary donations collected Saturday, will be used to stock the shelves of Churches Uniteds 25 food pantries and three meal sites.

It really helps out this time of year because this is a really big time of year when people are in need of food, said Stephanie Carmichael, marketing coordinator for Churches United.

Since its launch in 1999, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train program has raised more than $12 million and 3.9 million pounds of food for communities along Canadian Pacifics routes in Canada and the northern United States.

Carmichael said its always a nice surprise when Canadian Pacific decides to make a stop in the Quad-Cities.

Betsy Vanausdeln, direct service coordinator for Churches United, said food collection is not just a thing the organization does at Christmastime.

Hunger is ongoing, she said. Theres no stopping point with hunger. So every donation to Churches United or food pantries are going to feed someone. Theres always a need there.

Children squealed with delight as the 14-box and passenger car train, which was decorated with Christmas lights, blasted its horn and slowly rolled to a stop.

As the doors of one of the railroad cars slid open, the crowd was treated to a concert featuring Canadian music artists Kelly Prescott and Colin James.

Some danced and sang along with the music, while others snapped photographs of the train. Children also got the chance to take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy hot chocolate during Saturdays event.

Beth Himebaugh of Moline said she went to see the holiday train because her 2-year-old son, Rycker, loves trains. She said her favorite part was just getting a chance to celebrate and have fun for Christmas.

Her daughter, Kylie, 12, said she liked the lights that decorated the train.

Melissa Wehde, chair of the youth group at Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf, volunteered Saturday to help with food and donation collection.

Its an opportunity for everyone to give in the community, she said. We appreciate every donation everyone has brought, especially for the food pantry.

Carmichael said Saturdays event pulled in the biggest crowd the organization has ever seen.

We didnt expect this big of a turnout, so were very happy and excited for it, she said. The weather cooperated, too.
In the aftermath of the 2016 election, much attention has been paid to rural parts of the United States, particularly the upper Midwest and Rust Belt, where President-elect Donald Trump surprised analysts with a stronger than usual performance for a Republican.

These areas are places where many Democrats think they need to improve. And by some estimates, there are only eight Democrats in Congress who represent districts where Trump won.

Two of those lawmakers represent the Quad-Cities: Rep. Cheri Bustos, who represents Illinois' 17th District, and Rep. Dave Loebsack, who represents Iowa's 2nd District.

Both significantly outperformed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in their districts. And as Democrats across the country try to figure out what went wrong on Election Day, one of the questions they're asking is how to appeal again to rural and small-town voters.

It appears Bustos, in particular, will be a key voice on that. She has been nominated by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to co-chair the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.

Here are excerpts of separate discussions the two lawmakers had with Quad-City Times political reporter Ed Tibbetts last week:

Q. You are some of the few Democrats who represent largely rural districts. What advice would you give to your party to connect with these voters?

Bustos: I would say youve got to be there. Youve got to listen to people, talk with people, ask people questions. And when I am not out in Washington, D.C., voting, I am back home. I do what we call supermarket Saturday, I just walk up and down the aisles at Hy-Vee and between people grabbing their corn flakes, Im asking people whats on their minds and what do they want me to know when I head back to Washington?

Loebsack: I would give the same advice Ive been giving all along, which is make sure we pay close attention to the economy, to opportunities, to jobs, and all those basic economic issues that are of concern to folks, whether theyre in the rural areas, the urban areas or whichever part of the country theyre from. And then, you know, since Ive been in office for the last 10 years, I come home almost every weekend. I literally get out to where people work, where they play and where they live. We dont always agree when I talk to folks, when I have coffees with your congressman or when I got to a farm or whatever. But I go there and I listen to them and I talk to them and I do the best I can to bring their concerns back to Washington, D.C., so I can rep them the best way that I possibly can.

Q. Is the partys problem in some of these areas that theyre not showing up in these areas and talking to people, or is it about having the wrong set of policies or a flaw in how they talk about their priorities?

Bustos: I dont think its at all the wrong priorities. In fact, I think we have the right priorities. Democrats dont lose focus on working families, on working men and women. Our foundation is in labor and in making sure that were there to help lift people up. So I dont think its at all the wrong priorities. Weve got a whole Make it in America bill that we talk about all over the place. But we have got to make sure that we are relentlessly focused on jobs and the economy. And I would say, you know, if I were to point to how I did so well, where someone like Donald Trump can win my district and yet I win by 20 points, I think it has a lot to do with going back to the day that I announced I was running for Congress. I have talked about the jobs and the economy. It has been my number one focus. It is what we talk about.

Q. Is that an implicit criticism of Hillary Clinton?

Bustos: No, it's not a criticism of Hillary Clinton. (Bustos, however, notes that in 2008, Barack Obama set up health care roundtable discussions across Iowa.) He set up these discussions all over the state of Iowa about things that really mattered to people, and at that time, there were 50 million uninsured Americans. And I was working in health care, and I was invited to be part of that dialogue. But that was a lot of listening to people and what their real concerns were. I just dont think we can do enough of that. You dont know whats on peoples mind unless you ask them.

Q. Hillary Clinton didnt make a lot of trips to Iowa. Its been noted she didnt really campaign in some of the important upper Midwest states she lost to Donald Trump. Do you think that was a mistake on her part, particularly in Iowa?

Loebsack: I actually think that prior to the (2016) caucuses, she did a much better job on that front than she did the first time. But then when the general election, of course, came around, she came some of the time, theres no question about that. I think that Iowa could have been taken a little more seriously. But there were a lot of surrogates who came in, a lot folks who came in for her, on her behalf, and so I think if that criticism is valid, I think it probably makes more sense in other parts of the industrial Midwest.

Q. There has been a lot of discussion since Election Day about Democrats relying too much on appeals to people based along racial, gender or ethnic lines and how they need to talk more broadly about values that connect Americans. Is that a fair criticism, and what do you think of that argument?

Bustos: It was clear this election cycle that people wanted, they wanted somebody to focus on getting real results. They wanted the candidates running in their regions or for president to focus on a better life ahead for people. And I understand their frustration. (Bustos notes that wages have not recovered in Knox County since the Maytag plant left there or in the Freeport area, where Sensata Technologies shut down operations.) So I understand these frustrations, when manufacturing has been our foundation and when you have, you know, 90,000 labor households in a district like ours, they feel like people in politics havent listened to them and certainly have not responded to them. And I think that is what the frustration has been over.

Loebsack: I think we have to appeal across those lines. Thats the important thing. No question about that. But that doesnt mean we lose sight of our concerns for equality, that we lose sight of our concerns to make sure everybody has proper voting rights and the ability to go to the polls and cast their ballot without discrimination. It doesnt mean, for example, that were not concerned about equality based upon sexual orientation, but it does mean the economic message cuts across those different groups.

Bustos: I dont think this is an either/or, by any means. You know, those are our values that keep us together as Democrats. Theres not a whole lot of variability in that we believe in equal pay for equal work, that we believe in equality at all levels. ... But people have to know that while those are our beliefs, were going to fight for them and were going to do everything we can to make sure that our nation doesnt continue to ship jobs overseas and that we start making things in America again.

Q. Can Democrats work with Donald Trump on trade, a big issue in this area and in agricultural areas?

Bustos: I said it on election night, when it was all very raw and fresh. I will make every attempt to work with President Trump where we can find common ground. And if he takes us down a dark place, then were going to have a fight on our hands. (Bustos went on to criticize several of Trump's picks for jobs in his administration, including to lead the Justice, Education and Health and Human Services departments.) Hes got not just billionaires but multibillionaires he wants to put in charge of the Treasury and Commerce departments. So when he was talking about draining the swamp, I dont think hes drained the swamp. Hes added to it.

Loebsack: Look, I think there are some ways we can actually come together on this. I'm hopeful that this administration will follow through on their rhetoric of making sure that we dont encourage or reward companies for going overseas, to make sure theyre incentivized to stay here and that penalties have to be imposed on companies for taking jobs overseas. I think we should do that as well.

Q. Both are leading Democrats in their states in places where the party thinks it needs to do better. Both states also have gubernatorial races coming up in 2018, and in Bustos' case, she's been mentioned as a potential challenger to Republican Bruce Rauner. We asked what role they expect to play in their respective state's races for governor and whether they'll consider running?

Bustos: My view of public service is I want to help the most people I possibly can help. I'm not going to close the door to it, but I have some tremendous opportunities in front of me to help people in the congressional district I represent. And the governor's race is still a long ways off.

Q. Should people ask whether you're a potential candidate for governor in 2018?

Loebsack: People can ask, but I might not answer.

Q. Have you ruled it out or ...?

Loebsack: No, not necessarily at all. But at the moment, we're only three weeks past the last election. We're all trying to figure out, have our post mortem, if you will, on the last election, and we can go forward from there.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Ann Hart has hundreds of children. And on Tuesday morning, 12 of them sat in a half-circle, learning about the letter C.

C says ka, and sometimes cha, says teacher Barb Peak.

She repeats the sounds a few times and the children repeat after her.

Listen to the sound, she tells the children as she presses a button on a toy.

And most of them do. Vivian, a little girl with pigtails and a big smile wiggles on her mat. Her gaze moves across the room from the little snack tables to the block station to the wall where a dozen little winter coats hang. Finally, she gets up and walks around, only to return to her mat a moment later. When Vivian repeats the routine again, Amanda Rangel, an assistant teacher, gently escorts her back to the mat.

Some of the other children are engrossed with Peak, who now has plastic props in her hands. She shows the three- and four-year-olds a plastic cookie, a toy car, and a cat figurine. With each item, she asks the children if the item starts with c. They answer enthusiastically.

Next, she pulls out a brown plastic camel.

What is this? she asks.

A kangaroo! exclaims a little girl in a striped shirt.

Camel, Peak says gently.

A constant in a sea of change

While much has changed at Ann Harts preschool (the children now use iPads sometimes for example), a lot remains the same as it was 51 years ago when Hart began her teaching career.

Its always the same. The philosophy is the same, the goals are the same, Hart said.

Its a simple, yet fundamental goal.

If each child is happy and has a positive experience in preschool  thats the foundation for lifelong learning, she said.

Becoming a preschool teacher and later a preschool owner was never one of Harts goals. Circumstances stirred her to it. In 1949, Hart attended Stephens College in Missouri. The college had a child development class that she enjoyed.

I kind of thought that was a fit for me, Chemistry certainly wasnt. she said.

And there was a preschool on campus where children of faculty members attended. Hart worked at that preschool. She later attended the University of New Mexico and in 1959 she and her husband moved to Muscatine. By then, the couple had children of their own.

I thought there just needed to be something for them to do, Hart said. There was no story time or anything, so I started a story hour at the library.

When the library moved, Hart moved her operation to the YWCA. Demand for her classes grew and Hart was ready for more.

So I thought, preschoolIm ready for that, she said.

In 1965, she would open Muscatines first preschool at the YWCA. In 1980, the preschool moved to its current location on 6th and Oak and Hart changed the name to A Childs Place. Hart taught classes at the preschool for years, but has since transitioned to managing duties.

A legacy of teaching

Back at A Childs Place, circle time comes to an end. Peak and Rangel help the children wash their hands and they sit down for a snack of applesauce and Graham crackers. Rangel moves from child to child, pouring milk into white and purple paper cups.

The little girl who mistook a camel for a kangaroo shouts and Peak gently puts her hands on her shoulder.

Thats too loud, Peak whispers. You got to use your inside voice.

Though Hart isnt in the room, that exchange is emblematic of her philosophy.

Everything I do is influenced by her, I would say, because shes the one who taught me well, this is how you do circle time, and this is how you control the group," Peak said. "You use a quiet voice and you go around in the back and tap them gently whispering in their ears in instead of shouting across the room. Its just a million little things like that that Ive learned over the years.

Hart, Peak said, is involved with the childrens lives in other ways.

Theres nobody that cares more about children and education for young children than Ann does," she said. Thats been her lifes work and this is her legacy that she has helped so many children.

Hart helps parents find funding for preschool and arrange carpools as needed.

She has never turned anybody away for any reason," Peak said. "Weve always gone the distance to help someone, whether its behavior or developmental areas [or] transportation or money or whatever it is.

And she trains and advises the preschools four staff members.

Through the years shes definitely been my mentor, shes helped me be the teacher that I am," Peak said. "Shes had faith in me when maybe I didnt have that much faith in my ability. She always has been very encouraging."

Three generations of learning

In her 51 years of teaching, Hart has seen three generations of Muscatine studentshundreds of children, some of whom are adults now with their own children.

I see them at the mall, Hart said. I see them everywhere. Its wonderful. We now have children whose parents have come to preschool, and whose grandparents have come to preschool.

And though some people in her position may consider retiring, Hart said she will not.

I dont have time to retire, she said.

For now, Hart will continue to support a new generation of children as they learn their alphabet, sharpen their social skills and tell the difference between a kangaroo and camel.
The Pentagon has begun briefing key allies on plans for advanced weapons technologies aimed at offsetting Russian and Chinese military gains. But the next round of these discussions is on hold awaiting approval of the programs by the Trump administration.

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said that he met in early November for "formal collaborations" with close foreign partners to explain the high-tech weapons systems, which are aimed at restoring U.S. dominance in conventional warfare. This approach, which seeks to leverage U.S. leadership in computer technology, is known within the Pentagon by the cumbersome moniker, the "third offset strategy."

The handoff to the next administration is delicate. During the Obama administration, the Pentagon has become increasingly worried about Russian and Chinese improvements in weapons technology and their aggressive, risk-taking behavior. The push for new weapons systems reflects those fears. But President-elect Donald Trump has said he hopes to improve relations with Russia, a process that might be complicated by a new high-tech arms race.

Work summarized an unclassified version of the briefing he shared with allies. It proposes interlocking systems of computer-driven sensors, battle-management networks, kinetic weapons and logistics. The aim is to create systems that are so fast and pervasive that they can overwhelm what Work described as an adversary's "OODA loop," meaning its capacity for "observation, orientation, decision and action."

Work briefed Trump's transition team about these technologies on Tuesday. He also shared with them a summary prepared by the Pentagon's Office of Net Assessment describing in graphical form the declining U.S. edge, or "overmatch," in conventional weapons, relative to Russia and China.

"Our conventional overmatch has been eroding for some time," Work said in an interview at his Pentagon office. "It's not at a critical stage yet, but it is concerning. And as we look at the trends, we say, when it comes to conventional warfighting, we don't want fair fights." Instead, he said, the Pentagon wants "short, sharp and victorious" conflicts.

Work's spokesman wouldn't describe the Trump team's reaction to the "third offset" briefing, or whether they've signaled that they will continue the programs. Work has deferred a planned second set of meetings with allies so that these contacts can have Trump's blessing. "Our hope is that, obviously, this thinking ... will be accepted in some way, shape or form by the new administration," he said.

"The most powerful signal that they could give is if they had the next follow-on meeting, which would indicate to our allies, OK, you know, the ship continues to go in the [same] general direction," Work explained.

Support from allies is important because the new "overmatch" strategy is designed to allow foreign partners to "plug into" the complex sensor, battle-management and weapons systems, Work said. "You just have to have the right plugs ... so that machines can talk to machines." As the machines process the information, they would make it available in the cockpits of airplanes, in seaborne command centers or even on the helmet visors of individual soldiers.

The power of the new systems comes from their ability to fuse different sensors, platforms and weapons, and to coordinate unmanned systems on land, sea, in the air and underwater. Some of these systems sound like video-game warfare, and others have an ominous resemblance to "killer robots" or swarms of tiny drones. The value of such ultra-high-tech battle networks, from the Pentagon's perspective, is that they would radically complicate a potential adversary's ability to plan an attack -- and thereby, in theory, provide better deterrence.

Work has been the chief advocate of this new warfighting concept. After he gave a briefing on the "third offset" concept to a bipartisan strategy group in Aspen, Colorado, last summer, some members argued that he should remain at the Pentagon, whoever was elected, to provide continuity.

When asked if he hoped to stay involved, Work responded: "I am very invested in this. ... I will help the next administration in any way I can to help make sure that this type of thinking continues."

Work warned about the danger of halting or slowing the new programs. "We have this momentum built up now inside the department," he said, noting that the challenge wasn't just to develop the technologies, but to incorporate them into the U.S. military's doctrine, training and war-gaming exercises.

Would this new generation of weapons provide greater strategic stability with Russia and China, or more instability? Of the many national-security issues facing Trump, this is among the most consequential.
Thumbs up to the men of Watertown, East Moline's collection of street poets and storytellers.

The community's underground rap culture was, last week, featured in the Quad-City Times. It's a story of men from the wrong side of the tracks telling their stories with rhythm, meter and language.

Their contribution of ideas is an important one to a Quad-Cities' already robust artistic community.

Thumbs down to Illinois General Assembly, which, this week gaveled out yet again without a budget deal.

The state's stopgap budget expires on Dec. 31. Leadership meetings between Democrats atop the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner went nowhere. Even getting them in the same room proved a challenge throughout the two-week session.

Illinois' deficit continues to climb. It's debt is out of control. The state is failing.

You wouldn't think it the case, though, after watching its supposed leaders dawdle.

Thumbs up to Sen. Chuck Grassley for another important stand for transparency.

Medical industry lobbyists almost got their way last week, when a provision was inserted into a massive research bill that would have shielded from disclosure payments made to doctors from drug companies.

But Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, rightly stood up for the transparency laws, which allow patients to gauge where their physician's allegiances lie.

Grassley's protest won the day, a victory for transparency.
With Cuban dictator Fidel Castros passing, it is necessary in light of propaganda emanating from most of corporate media about Castro regime horrors, to point out the hypocrisy. The Nov. 30 opinion page cartoon brought to mind the words of Noam Chomsky: "The attention of the civilized West is to be focused, laser-like, on the crimes of official enemies, not on those it could readily mitigate or bring to an end."

According to cubaarchive.org, 9,240 Cubans were killed under Castro; I'm not attempting to defend this loss of life. However, I think it's important to point out the hypocrisy about Castro and the Cuban revolution's atrocities while maintaining almost universal silence on the bloodshed that continues to be perpetrated by our armed forces abroad and the police here at home.

According to killedbypolice.net, over a thousand people have been killed by police in this country in 2016. I haven't seen any cartoons lately decrying roughly three people a day are subject to extra-judicial execution.

According to a 2015 Physicians for Social Responsibility report, an estimated 1.3 million people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have died as a result of the 'War on Terror' and millions more displaced. This doesn't include thousands who died in President Obama's global assassination program or thousands who perished in Libya since our 2011 'humanitarian intervention.'

These are only a few of our crimes, which pass virtually without mention in corporate media.

Matthew Erickson

Davenport
As I have been following the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation protests in North Dakota, I have found it difficult to learn much from daily primary news sources. It appears to have nearly been ignored by the press.

The Standing Rock protests are over the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), in which Energy Transfer Partners is trying to further pipeline expansion under the Missouri River and eventually into Illinois. There should be local interest for that reason alone.

The Sioux describe this as a violation of the 1851 treaty they signed with the U.S. government. This pipeline was originally supposed to go through Bismarck, but was moved because of concerns about water pollution. We are not hearing about the horrific details, with many allegations of police brutality. People have been injured when they were sprayed by fire hoses in below freezing temperatures. One young woman may lose her arm, and she was only passing out water bottles. There have been numerous traumatic head injuries from rubber bullets.

I think we all need to stay informed about protests across the nation, and it seems that under-represented populations receive less coverage than they deserve. Native American issues seem to get the least coverage of any group.

Lori O'Dell McCollum

Rock Island
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About Censored News Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell. Since 2006, Censored News has received more than 20 million pageviews. As a collective of writers, photographers and broadcasters, we publish news of Indigenous Peoples and human rights. Contact publisher Brenda Norrell: brendanorrell@gmail.com

From the publisher Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell, a journalist in Indian country for 40 years. Norrell created Censored News after she was censored and terminated as a staff reporter at Indian Country Today in 2006. She began as a reporter at Navajo Times during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. She was a stringer for AP and USA Today and later traveled with the Zapatistas through Mexico. She has been blacklisted by all the mainstream media for 14 years. Contact brendanorrell@gmail.com

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If someone attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedrals Mercy Night does nothing more than sit and listen to the music, it will be enough, says the Rev. Steve Biegler.

They should feel comfortable to come in and just be, he said.

Mercy Night will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 6 as an outreach event to neighborhoods surrounding Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral. An extension of the Catholic Churchs worldwide Year of Mercy, the evening will include confession, prayerful music, prayer, candlelight and silence.

More than a dozen priests will be available for confession and prayer.

If people would like to just come and speak with a priest, they are more than welcome to do that, Biegler said.

Mercy Night is based on the gospel of Matthew 11:28: Come to me all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.

Since becoming pope in 2013, Pope Francis has called on Catholic Church leadership to refocus on mercy as a foundational principle in acts of service, as well as their message and ministries. Though the Jubilee Year of Mercy concluded earlier this month in Rome, the Pope has asked the church to continue to extend mercy to the world.

According to the Catholic Extension, the seven corporal works of mercy are: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, and bury the dead.

The seven spiritual works of mercy are: counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, convert the sinner, comfort the sorrowful, forgive offenses willingly, bear wrongs patiently, and pray for the living and the dead.

The local Mercy Night is an open door to offer that mercy to people of all beliefs, Biegler said, whether they believe in God or not.

Its part of the churchs larger mission to reach out to the community, he said, adding that more than a year ago, the parish officially made reconciliation a priority. That includes reconciliation in families, among races, in churches and in peoples own personal lives.

As a church, before we can evangelize, we have to work on reconciliation and healing, he said. We know theres specific reconciliation needed in families.

More than 7,500 homes within a 1.75-mile radius will receive an invitation to Mercy Night, but everyone is invited to attend, Biegler said. Prayer teams will be on hand to pray with people and candles will be available to light.

Theres no time limit, Biegler added.

If they just want to come and sit in the church for 10 minutes, they can, he said. Theyre welcome to come and just be present.
CANNON BALL, N.D. | Misty Jackson was building a wigwam at the main Oceti Sakowin protest camp on Thursday afternoon, despite orders from the governor and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear the area.

An Ojibwe woman from Wisconsin, Jackson recently quit her job at her reservation's casino to join the Dakota Access pipeline protest full-time. She is one of thousands who have gathered to express concern the pipeline will contaminate the Missouri River and disturb sacred sites.

The wigwam's structure was traditional: wooden poles from Wisconsin. But it's a more "contemporary version," she said, and has several layers of tarp instead of birch bark on the outside and a wood-burning stove within.

"We've been on these plains for thousands of years, and this is just a more modern version of it," Jackson said. "It's 2016, after all."

At her campsite, there was also a tarpee  a modern tipi with a stove inside  and soon to be another tent, meant to house the dozen veterans she expects to stay with her this weekend, when 2,000 veterans are scheduled to come and protest the $3.8 billion oil pipeline.

Jackson was hardly alone in her activities. Hundreds of pipeline protesters were building and fortifying tipis, tarpees, tents, yurts and makeshift homes at the main camp Thursday afternoon.

A foot of snow and upcoming single-digit high temperatures were no threat or deterrent, several protesters said. Nor was a Monday deadline from the corps to leave the federally owned plot, which many contend is treaty land not ceded.

"We'll still be here, keeping each other warm," said Miguel Guzman, a member of camp security.

The Corps' order released Friday cited the winter weather and increasingly tense confrontations between protesters and police. The Corps has said it "has no plans for forcible removal," but people who remain may be prosecuted for trespassing.

Around camp, most people were thinking about winter. A dozen lined up to fill propane tanks for personal heaters and cooking stoves. One native Hawaiian man and former combat medic set up a camper for people to warm up, get basic medical care for colds and cuts and eat a bowl of hot oatmeal.

There were shovels aplenty but no snowblowers or plows. The roads through and near camp were pounded down snow, and the entrances had been shoveled by hand, said Guzman, who was wearing four layers on top and bottom to stay warm in the elements. The section of road between the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and the closed Backwater Bridge has not been plowed.

One man was apparently going around camp pulling stuck vehicles out of the snow.

"I keep telling people to say put," said Frank Archambault, a cousin of the tribal chairman and member of camp security. "It creates back-breaking work with the shovel."

Protesters have gotten creative with sleeping arrangements, as summer tents no longer suffice for most.

Nate Trachimowicz, who had a cold, was one of four people assembling solar panels to power lights. While in camp, he's sleeping in the back of a U-Haul truck.

"We're just out of the wind," he said.

The mess halls have doubled as places to stay warm through the night. Tables are folded up around 10 or 11 p.m. to give people a place to sleep and rolled back out for people to eat again in the morning. Camp security has set up temporary shelter for people who arrive at night, and there are some extra beds in a geodesic dome and some of the yurts.

Jackson, who once did preventive medicine in the military, wears snow pants beneath her ankle-length blue skirt. She advises other protesters on how to stay warm and healthy.

Change your socks and base layers regularly, she tells people. Make sure you're eating enough and drinking hot liquids whenever you can.

Maureen Cohnaughton just arrived at the camp from Connecticut.

She was setting up a tent within a tent and a propane heater in an effort to stay warm.

We feel like were ready, she said.

In related news, a federal judge in Bismarck denied protesters' request for a temporary restraining order against law enforcement's use of certain riot-control devices, including chemical agents, sound cannons and water hoses.

Judge Daniel Hovland wrote in his order denying the request that the plaintiffs  a number of pipeline protesters alleging injuries from a Nov. 20 standoff with police at the Backwater Bridge  failed to certify that they had attempted to notify the defendants, which include the Morton County sheriff and the Mandan police chief.

"This is clearly a fact-specific case and, under the circumstances, the court finds that notice to the adverse parties and an opportunity for them to respond and be heard is necessary," Hovland wrote in his Thursday order.

He gave law enforcement officers 14 days to reply to the lawsuit, which is also seeking a preliminary injunction against police use of the riot control tools.
At least 175 families on Ellsworth Air Force Base will be feeling the Christmas spirit this year with a free Christmas tree donated through their Trees for Troops program.

More than 30 volunteers showed up at the outdoor recreation building on base Friday morning to unload the trees from a FedEx truck that brought them from tree farms in Wisconsin. Trees, purchased by individuals at tree farms participating in the Christmas Spirit Foundations program, will be sent to 65 bases worldwide.

This is important for airmen and their families because they dont always have the means to get a live tree that makes the Christmas-spirit smell in your house, said Chelsey Mastalski, outdoor recreation manager at Ellsworth. Its really wonderful that we have these trees available for the airmen to come and pick up for free, just to make the Christmas spirit alive in their homes."

Trees were available Friday afternoon, first to the families with deployed spouses and then to all other Ellsworth personnel.

(To me) Trees for Troops means that there is someone on the outside looking out for people in the military, said Joanna Quintanilla, wife of Capt. Ben Quintanilla, who is deployed. (They're) helping to bring Christmas spirit and Christmas cheer to us during the holidays.
PIERRE | Gov. Dennis Daugaard continued to temper expectations Friday about his budget recommendations. The headline on his weekly column: Preparing for a Lean Year.

But amid the gloomy reality in the blog, Daugaard added one hopeful note: that cuts in the coming fiscal year may not necessarily take place.

We wont have much to support spending increases or take on new expensive projects," he wrote. "This will be a year to focus on our priority areas and maintain our commitments. I do not anticipate a need to make cuts."

State Revenue Secretary Andy Gerlach said at a meeting that state sales tax receipts saw real growth of less than 2 percent compared with one year ago.

He said the sales-tax revenue was up 2.2 percent, but some of the growth resulted from the rate increase on June 1 from 4 percent to 4.5 percent.

Gerlach said contractor excise tax rose 4.77 percent from a year ago while state governments share from privately owned video lottery machines increased 3 percent.

He told members of the state Lottery Commission those are the three largest sources of revenue for state governments general fund.

For comparison, Gerlach said Deadwood gambling houses have seen players spend about 3.6 percent less at the machines and tables.

"Slight growth" or "soft growth was his description of South Dakotas economy.

Gerlach said agriculture income decreased each of the past three years in South Dakota, and internet commerce takes a bigger bite out of the traditional stores each year.

Remote sales accounted for 10 percent of all sales in the nation in the past year and continue going up incrementally each year. He said online purchases increase about 15 percent each year.

Commissioner Jim Putnam of Armour, a former legislator, said remote sales are hurting South Dakota businesses.

Theres no sustainability if everything is done over their head and nothing is done for anyone, Putnam said. Were losing the profit. Were losing the communities.

State government tax revenue is 3.6 percent below projections, Gerlach said. Thats about $20 million in sales taxes.

The Legislature is going to have to take a look at their projections for the year ahead, Gerlach said.

The governors budget speech is Tuesday at 1 p.m. CST to a joint assembly of the Legislature.

Daugaard also said in his column that other states are feeling the slowdown, too.

Over the last few years, we have maintained structural balance and adhered to conservative budgeting practices. We dont have unfunded liabilities or out-of-control spending problems, he wrote.

If we remain vigilant this year, well continue on the right track."
DEADWOOD | South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard said this week he supports efforts to gut portions of Initiated Measure 22, the so-called Anti-Corruption Act that state voters narrowly approved last month.

This has lots of problems with it  constitutional issues, Daugaard said while visiting Deadwood on Thursday. Voters were misled.

Among its provisions, the 34-page, 14,000-word law, which took effect Nov. 16, caps annual gifts to legislators at $100, calls for creation of an ethics commission and would require the state to allocate $5 million per year for the public financing of campaigns. That effectively robs state funds that would be better used on education and Medicaid, the governor said.

This is a bad law, Daugaard said. Its irresponsible.

The governors comments came on the heels of a lawsuit filed earlier this week by a dozen South Dakota lawmakers and a conservative Rapid City organization, Family Heritage Alliance, who both claim they would face illegal conflicts.

Daugaard said South Dakota voters were deceived by $1 million in campaign advertising, funded by out-of-state interests, that favored the measure.

The campaign to pass IM 22 received its funding almost entirely from a group called Represent.Us based in Florence, Mass. For its South Dakota campaign, the organization channeled nearly $664,000 from hundreds of small donors throughout the nation and directly donated about $633,000. Represent.Us also provided about $55,000 in in-kind services.

Additional funding flowed into the IM 22 campaign in the early days of November from allies, such as $50,000 from Every Voice, based in Washington, D.C., another $22,000 from Represent.Us, and a combined total of $2,500 from several contributors.

Daugaard indicated the initiated measure was a wayward attempt to solve a problem in South Dakota that doesnt exist.

We already have laws against bribery. Its even in the constitution, he said. If theres bribery occurring, show me the examples, and lets charge those people and prosecute them. But dont mislead the voters.
PIERRE | State Attorney General Marty Jackley wants to quickly address whether crime and emergency records can remain open or must be closed under the Marsys Law victims rights amendment that voters added to the South Dakota constitution last month.

Charles McGuigan, Jackleys chief deputy, served as moderator of a teleconference meeting Friday morning of lawyers, law enforcement officials and others involved in the criminal justice system.

Jackley formed the task force because of difficulties and uncertainties that have surfaced regarding Marsys Law.

McGuigan said members of the attorney generals staff would put together draft recommendations on the records issue for Jackley to consider. After his review, the proposed policy would be sent to task force members by the end of the weekend.

Jackley wants the task force to convene again early next week, possibly as soon as Monday, to discuss the recommendations and attempt to reach consensus about what the records approach should be, according to McGuigan.

Jackley wasnt on the conference call Friday. He was traveling from Florida where he participated in National Association of Attorneys General training activities.

McGuigan said Jackley asked that the Marsys Law task force address the portion that allows victims to prevent disclosure of information or records. He said it affects accident reports, insurance information and service call reports.

Brandon Police Chief Dave Krull said there seems to be different approaches by different departments so far.

Some are releasing accident reports to people in the reports, he said, while some are using a block number approach on listing locations rather than specific addresses. He said one county is putting all of its reports with its states attorney and releasing information only when there is a subpoena.

What information can we put out and to who it can be released? Krull said to the other task force members. Thats the starting point.

Jason Glodt, a Pierre lawyer and Republican political operative, ran the Marsys Law campaign in the South Dakota election. He told the task force the records would be closed only when the victim asks.

The victims must opt in to invoke their rights, Glodt said. The records were talking about should continue to be released as they always have.

Spearfish Police Chief Pat Rotert said county prosecutors, law enforcement and emergency officials need an answer from the state attorney general that they all can use. He said they are looking for consistent standards.

I think it needs to come from the A.G.s office, perhaps even with support from the judicial system, Rotert said.

Minnehaha County sheriff Mike Milstead said there are too many different legal interpretations regarding the records. He said a template is needed that cities, counties and state agencies can follow.

This has been disastrous to us right now, Milstead said. He strongly disagreed with Glodts position that victims need to opt-in to close the records.

Glodt later suggested the attorney generals office be the clearinghouse for task force members and the public to submit questions that would trigger review. He is treasurer for Jackleys governor candidacy committee.

Dave Bordewyk, executive director for the South Dakota Newspaper Association, agreed with Glodts position regarding the need for victims to opt in.

Bordewyk said McGuigan was on track getting the information issue addressed first. I think youve kind of laid it out pretty well, Bordewyk said.

Sioux Falls Police Chief Chief Matt Burns asked for a statement of policy regarding public transmissions of information over law enforcement radio.

McGuigan said he couldnt commit that scanners would be covered by the draft document.

Glodt said he would strongly disagree with anyone who argues that scanner traffic needs to be closed to the public. This should have no impact on that, Glodt said.

McGuigan said the task force has many organizational decisions to make at future meetings.

Those include who sets the meeting agenda, how items are put on the agenda, the form of task force decisions, how decisions are reached, whether decisions are issued as task force opinions or attorney general opinions and handling public participation and comments.
With education funding threatened and a resurrected debate about transgender bathrooms looming on the horizon, the Rapid City School Board is gearing up to fight for its best interests in the upcoming state legislative session.

The Associated School Boards of South Dakota, a nonprofit that represents the 150 school districts in the state, is convening this week to hammer out its top legislative priorities for the year. Executive Director Wayne Pogany isnt mincing words about what he thinks will again be one of the main issues for educators in this years legislature: funding, specifically regarding the half-cent sales tax increase approved this year to boost teachers' pay.

If theres an attempt to repeal it, we would work very hard to oppose it, Pogany said.

Talk in Pierre in recent weeks has involved the possibility of cutting education funding, partly because revenue from the sales tax increase has been lower than expected.

School board member Ron Riherd said he hopes the Legislature will find a way to address the state's budgetary concerns without going after public education.

Status quo would be pretty good, he said.

However, education funding could be attacked from another angle this year. Betsy DeVos, president-elect Donald Trumps pick for education secretary, is a strong advocate of diverting money from public schools to bankroll vouchers for private schools.

So Riherd and the Associated School Boards have a list of resolutions to be discussed at a meeting of delegates, which school board member Amy Policky will attend. One involves a statement disavowing the use of public dollars for private or charter schools.

Legislation that diverts public dollars to non-public schools would be detrimental to the public education system, the resolution reads.

Riherd agrees. I have a hard time with this because I believe in public education, he said.

The transgender bathroom debate may also be revived. This year, Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed House Bill 1008, which would have required individuals in public schools to use only the bathrooms that correspond to their biological sex.

Jack Heyd of Box Elder has filed a ballot initiative with the Attorney Generals Office that almost duplicates the vetoed bill. If supporters gather enough signatures on a petition by November 2017, the issue may go before voters in 2018.

Elden Rice is a dentist in Rapid City and a frequent speaker at school board meetings. At a meeting last month, Rice said he witnessed a transgender woman in the same public restroom as his wife during a trip to Wyoming.

This stuff needs to be discussed, Rice said in a phone interview. We cant just have people running around, doing whatever they want, running over my religious rights. I have no recourse.

Rice said he would like to see either separate bathrooms for transgender people or public notification by establishments that they will allow individuals to use whichever restroom they prefer.

Katy Urban, spokeswoman for the Rapid City School District, said the district's policy is to follow federal guidelines that reasonable accommodations be made. When the issue has come up in the past, we have worked closely with the student's parents to find an accommodation that was acceptable, she said.

The Associated School Boards stance is more decisive. If we are mandated to have an additional bathroom, then it better be funded, Riherd said. I think theres a lot of research and study that need to be done, and I dont think, as a school board, we are ready to decide.

Terri Bruce, an area transgender activist, said he is sad the issue of transgender bathrooms is returning. If people want to raise safety concerns, there are very real tangible safety concerns when you start segregating transgender students from the population, he said.

Its not the non-transgender students who are at risk; its the transgender students. Why are they less worthy of safety than anyone else? Feeling uncomfortable with someone and actually being unsafe are two very different things.
State officials investigating a potential infestation of invasive aquatic mussels instituted boating closures Thursday while they consider drawing down two Montana reservoirs.

Following Montanas first detection and suspected detections of invasive mussels, Gov. Steve Bullock declared a natural resources emergency Wednesday. The executive order created a rapid response team and makes available $750,000 in special state funding.

On Thursday members of the response team held a conference call highlighting the investigation along with measures and proposed measures to combat a potential mussel infestation.

Chief among those measures are restrictions on removing boats and docks on Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs. Matt Wolcott, incident commander for the team, said the restrictions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of invasive aquatic mussels from the two reservoirs to other uncontaminated water bodies in Montana and elsewhere.

The restrictions were approved late Thursday by the directors of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

This closure prohibits the launch or removal of any boat, dock, or other structure that could potentially transport mussels, said Wolcott. The closure will remain in effect until ice-up on the reservoirs.

Wolcott said the Response Team, which includes officials from DNRC and FWP, will reassess whether to extend the closure following ice breakup in spring.

Residents who need to remove a boat, dock or other structure during the closure period can contact the Mussel Response Team at 444-2440 to request assistance.

Testing confirmed larvae from either zebra or quagga mussels at Tiber while suspected positive tests in Canyon Ferry, the Missouri River near Toston and the Milk River below Nelson Reservoir are still under analysis.

No adult mussels have been found to date following searches with detection dogs and divers.

Bryce Christiaens, chair of the Governors Council on Invasive Species and a member of the response team, says officials are operating under the assumption that adults are present in the water bodies. The team is looking at containment and possible controls while ongoing DNA analysis aims to identify the species of mussel.

The team is considering drawing down the reservoirs as one control, Christiaens said. Currently team members are studying the feasibility of draw downs and conferring with experts in other states about the potential for success.

Draw downs would also provide officials the opportunity to search for adult mussels left dry by receding water, according to FWPs Bruce Rich. Handheld and remote operated cameras may also be deployed in the search, he added.

The conference call generated interest from wildlife and hydroelectric managers in several other states such as Oregon and Idaho. Officials there are concerned about potential transfer of Montana mussels attached to boats, and requested check station data for boats leaving Tiber and Canyon Ferry.

Christiaens emphasized the importance for recreational boaters to heed the Clean, Drain, Dry campaign to ensure exotic plants and animals are not inadvertently transported.
Pat Williams

Rep. Pat Williams, born in Helena and raised in Butte, served in the U.S. Congress from 1979 to 1991. There he earned a reputation for protecting Montanas wild places.

I think some of the great work by Montanans in the Congress like Lee Metcalf and Mike Mansfield set an early marker about protection and the necessity of it, he said. Those markers created a hallmark for the country that simply some places, despite their mineral or energy potential, are off limits because they are marvelous wildlife habitats, the headwaters of our great rivers and scenic cash registers for our businesses.

In 1980 Williams led congressional designations for the Rattlesnake Wilderness near Missoula and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness near Bozeman.

In the 1990s a push for geothermal drilling near Yellowstone National Park raised concerns about the impacts to the parks world famous geothermal features. Williams pushed legislation that prohibited drilling near the parks border that passed after several years of contention.

In the early 1980s Williams secured one of his most notable conservation victories. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, he fended off efforts from the Reagan administration to seismic test for oil in a 320,000-acre portion of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Rocky Mountain Front.

I was able to ban it from committee, and when Congress spoke that day it was a loud and certain message to oil and gas companies and the Reagan administration that wilderness areas are there for a reason, and one of those reasons was certainly not for oil, Williams said.

Bob Munson

Bob Munson couldnt wait to get out of Chicago and come West. As one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the move would prove life changing for Munson and game changing for wildlife.

He attended the University of Montana and married a Libby native. After a stint in the armed services and temporary return to the Midwest, in 1977 Munson came to northwest Montana. It was there that RMEF was born.

In 1984 Munson, Charlie Decker and two other parishioners at the Troy Christian Fellowship Church sat at a kitchen table and talked about the fact that so many wildlife species had dedicated conservation groups. Why not elk?

The four of us believed it was worth a shot, Munson said. I borrowed money from my mother and brother, took my sons college fund and ended up with a mass mailing brochure.

The initial push generated 300 members, and they borrowed another $25,000 to publish the first Bugle magazine. Still, uncertainty surrounded the future of the young organization.

It really was one miracle after another and a totally amazing situation, Munson said. I definitely believe God ordained this business  its a story when I look back I can hardly believe.

The mission is simple  look out for elk and other wildlife and preserve the hunting heritage and habitat, he said. After more than 30 years, RMEF and its 200,000 members have conserved more than 6.4 million acres of habitat in 27 states and invested more than $84 million in research and conservation projects.

Munson says he shares his induction into the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame with everyone who worked hard to get RMEF off the ground and build it into the organization of today.

I am totally humbled and I think the greatest testament to my induction are those early people that risked it all, he said. Im the recipient of something that was a team effort.

Pat McVay

Teaching the next generation of hunters has been the passion of Kalispells Pat McVay since even before Montana had hunter education.

In the early 1950s McVay started junior shooting and hunter safety programs in Hungry Horse, personally calling the NRA to collect materials for the program.

I moved to Hungry Horse in 52, and we had four hunting accidents in our area. I very much believed they couldve been prevented  Im a firm believer in hunter safety, McVay said.

In January 1957 he received the call from Mel Ruder, editor of Hungry Horse News, who said the Legislature made hunter safety the law of the land. Three days later McVay filed paperwork to become the first certified hunter education instructor in Montana. He still teaches the course at his ranch east of Kalispell.

I wouldnt trade it for anything in the world, he said.

His ranch is a verifiable encyclopedia of firearm history, offering students the chance to see early flintlock rifles to modern shotguns and a definitive collection of cartridges.

McVay, 96, believes the field course including live firing is perhaps the most important aspect of hunter safety. Not only was he Montanas first hunter education instructor, but he was also the first to hold an in-the-field course and live shooting rifles and shotguns.

I feel thats very important to encourage hands-on handling of different guns, he said. Every kid has a natural curiosity about guns, and Im a firm believer in teaching them to handle them safely.

Upon learning that his life spent teaching thousands of new hunters earned him induction into the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame, McVay chuckled and said, Ill tell you it took my breath completely away. I just never dreamed it would happen.

Bob Anderson, 1943-2013

Bob Anderson was raised in Livingston and spent his time hiking the backcountry of the Absaroka and Beartooth mountain ranges.

As an advocate for designation of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Andersons passion for the area led to formation of the Absaroka-Beartooth Task Force in 1970  an effort realized with wilderness designation in 1978.

On the task force, Anderson wrote a lands inventory expanding the area considered for wilderness designation and worked to prevent the wilderness from being split by a road corridor through Slough Creek.

Anderson spoke lovingly of that high place and shared his knowledge of it in Beartooth Country  Montanas Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, first published in 1984.

His work expanded beyond the Absaroka-Beartooth as a founder of Citizens for the Great Bear, advocating for protection of lands between Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall that would become the Great Bear Wilderness.

Recognizing the need for conservation outside of Yellowstone National Park, Anderson was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition in 1983  perhaps the most active group working to conserve that ecosystem today.

As a member of Montanas Public Service Commission in the 1990s, Anderson led the charge of energy conservation and pushed for cleaner sources of energy.

Margaret Adams, 1920-2005

Margaret Adams shaped the lives of thousands of students in Great Falls as the creator of the school districts elementary environmental education program.

The Havre native grew up with her seven siblings and graduated from what is now Montana State University-Northern. The life-long teacher and principal arrived in Great Falls to teach at Lincoln School in 1957.

Outside of teaching, she became an early member of the Montana Wilderness Association and helped found the Great Falls Conservation Council and Upper Missouri River Chapter of the Audubon Society  as well as serving as president of Montana Audubon. In 1997 she was honored as Montana Audubon Conservationist of the Year.

Adams was known for activism with a drive to understand, learn and share ideas. The style of learned advocacy helped her work with often unnatural allies on conservation issues.

As conservation advocates, Adams and her friends drove from Great Falls to Lincoln to shop at Garlands Town and Country Store as its owner, Cecil Garland, faced boycott over his support of the Scapegoat Wilderness designation in the face of Forest Service logging plans.

That love of wilderness continued through her life. In her 60s Adams and other conservation minded women backpacked through Montanas wilderness areas, returning to testify for wilderness legislation and balking at the idea that the states remote country was only for the young.

Ken Baldwin, 1908-2007; and Florence Baldwin, 1911-2007

Every acre of wilderness in Montana is thanks at least in part to Ken and Florence Baldwin.

As hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, the Baldwins began noticing a troubling decline in wildlife in the 1930s. By 1958 Ken had served as president of the Montana Wildlife Federation and Gallatin Sportsmens Association and wrote that it was necessary that wildlands be set aside to leave the habitat for those animals.

In 1958 Ken sent letters to 100 friends and colleagues seeking support for a Congressional wilderness bill. Within two weeks, 21 Montanans met at Bozemans Baxter Hotel and formed the Montana Wilderness Association, naming Ken the president.

In 1962 the Baldwins led a group of 40 hikers into the Table Mountain and Spanish Peaks intending to build grassroots support. The hike led to creation of MWAs Wilderness Walks, which remain popular to this day.

The Baldwins continued to organize support for the Wilderness Act, which garnered sponsorship from Montanas senators until it passed in 1964. The landmark law established the Bob Marshall, Cabinet, Gates of the Mountains, Anaconda Pintler and Selway-Bitterroot wilderness areas, and serves as the foundation for all other wildernesses to follow.

George Darrow, 1924-2015

George Darrow seemed like an unlikely co-author of Montanas bedrock environmental law.

The Republican lawmaker was and oil-field worker, military man, rancher, farmer and petroleum geologist.

He was also a passionate conservationist.

As a leader of Montanas Republican Party and legislator from 1967 to 1974, Darrow often crossed the aisle to work politically on protecting Montanas natural resources, including passage of the Montana Environmental Policy Act in 1969. MEPA stands as a foundation of environmental law, requiring the state to consider environmental ramifications of its actions.

But his work did not stop there as the chief sponsor of the Montana Water Policy Act of 1967 and an advocate for inclusion of every Montanans right to clean and healthful environment as guaranteed in the 1972 state constitution.

Darrow also recognized early on the importance of wild lands to Montanas economy. He advocated for wilderness designation of the Swan Crest, convincing the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce to support the proposal.

At a time when conservation and natural resource extraction seemed wholly incompatible, Darrow shaped legislation reflecting the invaluable price of pristine forests and clean water.
A former Darby man who pleaded guilty earlier to vehicular homicide for a crash that killed his childhood friend will spend 30 days in the Ravalli County Detention Center.

The deputy county attorney in the case said the victims mother told the judge at a sentencing hearing Thursday she was opposed to any jail time for 23-year-old Dalton E. Roundy.

Roundy was the driver of a Toyota Tacoma that crashed head-on into a NorthWestern Energy vehicle in the early-morning hours of Jan. 9, 2014.

Roundys friend, Neacko Pedersen, was killed in the accident.

On Thursday, Ravalli County District Judge James Haynes sentenced Roundy to 10 years in the Montana State Prison with all but 30 days of local jail time suspended.

Ravalli County Deputy Attorney Angela Wetzsteon said Haynes also required Roundy to spend 2,000 hours telling his story to school groups and others.

Half of that time will have to be spent in Ravalli County, Wetzsteon said. He is going to have to come back to this community where he knows people and tell what happened.

Severely injured in the accident, Roundy was transported to a Salt Lake City hospital, where he still continues treatment, Wetzsteon said.

According to charging documents, the night before the accident Roundy had been a party in Stevensville where people were drinking Jack Daniels whiskey and beer. A woman at the party later told officers the party had started at about 10 p.m. and ended close to 4 a.m.

She and Roundy had an argument and he decided to return to Darby with Pedersen.

The woman said she attempted to convince them to stay. After they left, she decided to follow them to make sure they didnt wreck.

She reported that Roundy was driving fast and she struggled to keep up him. At the four-way stop in Corvallis, Roundy drove into the northbound lane and went through the intersection without stopping.

Before the crash, the woman estimated Roundys speed at between 75 and 80 mph. The speed limit was 60 mph.

At about 5:19 a.m., Roundys vehicle veered into the other lane and crashed head-on into the Northwestern Energy F-350 at the intersection of Fairgrounds Road and Eastside Highway.

The Highway Patrol Trooper at the scene said it was one of the worst crashes he had ever seen. The engine of the Toyota was pushed back into the drivers seat. Neither Roundy nor Pedersen were wearing seatbelts.

Roundy suffered injuries to his spleen, lungs, arms, legs and hand.

Roundy pleaded guilty to felony vehicular homicide while under the influence, and misdemeanor counts of negligent vehicular assault, failure to wear a seatbelt and speeding.
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal paid rich tribute to Swargadeo Sau-Lung-Sui-Ka-Pha on the occasion of Asom Divas organized centrally by the Assam government at Charaideo Moidam Kshetra on Friday.

Stating that Sui-Ka-Pha set the tone for a unified, strong and prosperous Assam, Sonowal vowed to follow his ideals for expediting and strengthening unity and brotherhood amongst all communities of the State and to build a vigorated Assamese identity.

The Assam CM said that Sui-Ka-Pha followed the motto of compassion for all which was the cornerstone of great Ahom dynasty that lasted for nearly 600 years.

Sonowal asserted that the State Government will march ahead taking all communities into confidence for realizing its development agenda.

Terming Sui-Ka-Pha as a great example of human victory against odds, the Assam CM urged the new generation to read his life and emulate his ideals.

Stating that the significance of Charaideo and its importance to the State polity has not fully been realized, the Assam CM underlined his Government's priority for protecting this site which has already been placed in the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Charaideo will be protected against the ravages of time and the Government will conserve the entire area alongwith a well thought out plan to make this place as one of the most sought after tourist destination,A Sonowal said.

The Assam CM also mentioned about the Act East Policy of the Government of India and the Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas motto of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said they carry the shadow of Sui-Ka-Pha's journey from Yunnan and the rule of polity.

Sonowal at the sametime reflected that effective implementation of the Act East Policy will open new avenues and prosperity in the North East as the same will help in setting up trade linkages with the South East Asian nations.

He further urged the people for their support and active role in materializing this Policy of the Government.

Eminent Hostorian Dr. Rajen Saikia who delivered the keynote address lauded the Government's initiative to hold the central celebration at Charadeo and said that it will send a meaningful message to the entire Assamese community.

Speaking about the unparallel history of Ahom dynasty, Dr. Saikia termed the chronicling of everyday events as one of the greatest contributions of Sui-Ka-Pha which set the foundations of history writings in Assam.

He also recalled the contributions of Dr. Surjya Kumar Bhuyan for bringing the Moidams of Charadeo into limelight and advocated for indepth research on the route travelled by Sui-Ka-Pha from Yunan.

Dr. Saikia also urged the Chief Minister to act strongly on the problems created by repeated re-organization of the State since 1905, its influx problem and divisive movements as the same belie Sui-Ka-Pha's concept of unified and strong Assam.

Coinciding the Asom Divas celebration, the Assam CM also presented a cheque of Rs. 1 lac to meet the medical expenses of ailing Tai Scholar Junaram Sangbun Phukan.

Earlier, the Assam CM laid a wreath at the statue of Sui-Ka-Pha at Sui-Ka-Pha Museum premises and offered torpan at the Moidam of Sui-Ka-Pha following the Tai Ahom rituals.

State Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, Chief Minister's Media Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs Prashanta Phukan, Topon Gogoi, Jogen Mohan, Kushal Duari, Binod Hazarika, Chakra Gogoi, Rituparna Baruah, Bimal Bora, Anuar Hussain, Sanjay Kishan, Dimbeswar Das, officials of Cultural Affairs Department and District Administration were present among others in the programme.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, December 2 : Over dozen sleeper cells of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) are active in Assam and it was disclosed by Jahidul Islam, who along with two others brought to Guwahati from Kolkata on Thursday evening.

JMB operative Jahidul Islam alias Jabirul alias Zafor and his two associates Sahidul Islam alias Samin alias Ashraful Alom and Yusuf Sheikh alias Abu Bakkar were brought by Assam police from Kolkata to Guwahati and they were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Guwahati on Friday.

The court sent the tri Jehadi to 7-day police custody.

A top police official said that, NIA's most wanted Jahidul was arrested by West Bengal police from Assam's Cachar district on September 26, while Sahidul and Yusuf were arrested from Coch Behar area.

The trio Jehadi had disclosed several vital informations about the JMB's present activities in Assam and West Bengal, the top police official said.

The Jehadis disclosed that over dozen sleeper cells of the outfit group are still active in Assam, most in Lower Assam and Barak Valley area. Some overground organizations also worked for the Bangladeshi outfit group in Assam and West Bengal, the police official said.

The Bangladeshi national Jahidul Islam hailed from Putiajani village under Delduar police station in Tangail district had took shelter at Chaparbori village under Sarthebari police station in Assam's Barpeta district in past two years.

Jahidul had married a local girl from Barpeta. He touched with few local persons in lower Assam and tried to expand JMB's network in the area, the top police official said.

Earlier, Assam police had arrested Shahanur Alom, one of most wanted JMB leader from Barpeta district in 2015.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Prof. Dr Jagadish Prasad Agrawal

Kathmandu, Nepal: Tribhuwan University (TU) has appointed Prof. Dr Jagadish Prasad Agrawal as the Dean of Institute of Medicine (IoM) on Saturday.

A meeting of the TU executive council held at the official residence of Prime Minister in Baluwatar on Saturday afternoon made the decision to appoint Agrawal as the IoMs Dean.

Newly appointed IoM Dean is the veteran neurologist at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH). He is also the senior doctor eligible to be appointed as the dean.

With the appointment of Dean at IoM, the major demand of agitating Dr Govinda KC, who had been staging a fast-unto-death since last 20 days, has been fulfilled even though he had forwarded six points demands related to the reforms in the medical sector including the resignation of IoM dean IP Singh.

Sigh had resigned on Friday to pave the way to appoint another dean on the basis of seniority. It is said that Dr KC would break his 10th fast-unto-death today.
Pokhara, Nepal: Not only the main opposition CPN UML, leaders of the government allies  CPN Maoist Center and the Nepali Congress- and the people in general but also a cabinet minister of the incumbent government has opposed the constitution amendment bill registered in the parliament.

Minister for Land Reform and Management Bikram Pandey, who is also the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), said on Saturday that the Constitution amendment bill registered at the parliament would not be endorsed.

Speaking with journalists in Lamjung, Minister Pandey said that the bill could not be endorsed as not only the opposition party CPN UML but also the leaders of the government ally have raised their voices against it.

During the interaction with the media persons, he also revealed that his party RPP was not informed and consulted about the constitution amendment bill.
Entertainment / Music

by Future Moyo aka Jamelah

Johannesburg - The South African Based artists have organised a festival dubbed as "Injiva Home Coming" scheduled to take place at Dingumuzi stadium from 12midday on the 24th of December 2016 till the following day morning, the tickets are billed at R80.00 or $5.00. Promise Sibanda aka Dj Mapressa caught up with Switchbod and gave details of the event in which he confirmed that 15 different groups will be on stage.The rhumba dominated line-up include the following: Clement Magwaza Makokotsha' , Themba Bhoyoyo, Martin aka Bigboss ,Madlela Skhobokhobo, Ndux Malax, Allen Ndoda, Buhlebemvelo and Simunye Brothers will close the show in the early hours of Christmas, Zinjaziyamluma will represent maskandi genre and then under the gospel category ,Leah, Sisters of paradise, Nothando, Glory of God and Tjidzani will complete the list.Switchbod is further told that the event draws artists across different districts in Matabeleland region in a manner that is believed to foster unity amongst communities and also project to the world the region's talent."This event is powered by SD events and is one of the first ever biggest show to take place in plumtree, hence we are already planning to make it an annual event. We are therefore calling upon all people regardless of age, gender, language, we are saying let's fill up Dingumuzi stadium.The flavour of the show will be the most entertaining Gwanda multilingual ZTV and Radio Zimbabwe presenter Omphile Marupi from Gwanda, who will be our Master of ceremony," Sibanda further alluded.Sibanda said they have invited distinguished guests but the list will be availed soon after the official correspondences have been made and confirmed.Commenting on the main aims of the show , Sibanda said: "We so it befitting for our home fans to get live performances from their artists who have long settled in South Africa, so it's more of a re-union. Plumtree audiences will finally meet their long awaited Madlela, who has not performed there, and whom we do not know whether he is from Nkayi or Gwanda," Sibanda added."Artists have aired their excitement, and the recent being Clement aka Makokotsha who posted on his Facebook account saying "siyabe sikokotsha asidlali , so let's fill up the stadium", said Sibanda."Advance tickets are now available, people can call +27 845355255 then for those at home we will make them available from the 15th of December, we will inform them. For now, we say hashtag fill-up Dingumuzi Stadium!" concluded Sibanda.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The governments talk tea and the representatives of the agitating Dr. Govinda KC are going to hold a decisive talk today with the aim to end the end the hunger strike of Dr KC and to resume the heath service in the country.

As the fast-into-death strike of the senior surgeon at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) entered into 21st day on Saturday, not only the health condition of agitating Dr. KC is deteriorating but also the entre medical sector of the country is affected.

Health services except emergency were shut across the country for an hour on Friday and two hours will be shut today in the urge of the Nepal Medical Association (NMA). It is said that such a shut of hospitals will be increased by one hour per day unless the government address the demands raised by Dr. KC.

Hundreds of patients, who visited Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) for treatment, were compelling to return without medication as TUTH resident doctors continued to shut all services except emergency.

Considering the situation that people have been depriving even from the fundamental right to get treatment, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged medical organizations to ensure that health services in all health facilities of the nation were delivered uninterrupted.

The NHRC had already urged the government to pay appropriate attention to the strike of Dr. KC.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae

Kathmandu, Nepal: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae has suggested to the top leaders of the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) to support constitution amendment bill registered in the parliament.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal has made the urge to the Madhesi leaders inviting them in the Indian embassy in Lajipat, Kathmandu on Saturday morning. Indian Ambassador Rae had offered a lunch party with the UDMF leaders.

The urge of the Indian ambassador to Nepal has come in the mean time when not only the agitating UDMF leaders are saying that they would not support the bill unless it is modified to address their demands but also the main opposition CPN UML and the people in general have been opposing the constitution amendment bill.

With the urge of the India ambassador to Nepal, the UDMF would accept the constitution amendment bill, but political parties particularly the CPN UML and the people in general would not support to passage the bill.

Political parties and the people in general have been opposing the bill as it has proposed to split the Terai from province number five. The issue of naturalized citizenship and language is also opposed.

According to the reliable source close to the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, Ambassador Rae repeatedly urged the UDMF leaders not to refuse the bill but support to the government to passage the bill in the parliament.

Whatever the issues are tried to address through the amendment, need to be taken positively because all the demands would not be addressed with a single effort, Indian ambassador Rae had in the meeting.

The meeting of the UDMF leaders with the Indian ambassador over the issue of constitution amendment bill and the suggestions he has made to support the constitution amendment bill is taken meaningfully in the political and diplomatic level.
Kathmanud Nepal: H.E. Mr. Masashi Ogawa, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal hosted a Reception o Friday to celebrate the 83rd auspicious Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor Akihito at his official Residence, Tahachal.

Nearly four hundred of VVIP and VIP guests including the Rt. Honorable Vice-President Nanda Bahadur Pun as a chief guest, Rt. Honorable Speaker Onsari Gharti, Honorable Ministers, Ambassadors and Heads of International Organizations in Nepal, members of the Legislature Parliament, high ranking government officials attended the reception.

In Japan, the Emperor is the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people. The day of the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor Akihito, December 23, is also celebrated as the National Day of Japan.
aThe moon mana Aldrin Buzz shares his experience in a programme organised at the Nepal Academy Hall, in Kathmandu, on Thursday, September 8, 2016. Photo: Skanda Gautam

SYDNEY: Former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted photos on Saturday of his recovery in a New Zealand hospital after he was evacuated from the South Pole due to illness.

Aldrin, 86, who was visiting the pole as part of a tourist group, was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, early on Friday local time when his condition deteriorated.

He has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and is in a stable condition, according to his official website.

Aldrin appeared in good spirits on Saturday after receiving a visit from NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman at Christchurch Hospital.

I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend, he wrote on Twitter.

In the photos, Aldrin can be seen giving a thumbs-up sign and sitting in front of a tray of food and juice.
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News / Health

by Stephen Jakes

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Lawyers has challenged the government to allocate adequate resources in the national budget to the fight against HIV and AIDs.In a FaceBook post, posted by the organisation's Communications manager Kumbirai Mafunda, ZLHR said they were constantly reminding the government to allocate adequate resources in the national budget to fight HIV and AIDS and other diseases afflicting people in Zimbabwe."Thus, we are encouraged when People Living With HIV and AIDS exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights by peacefully expressing their demand for more funding for healthcare as happened during this year's World Aids Day celebrations held in Kwekwe on 01 December 2016," said the ZLHR."The protesters called upon the government to increase domestic funding for health. This was conveniently in the presence of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa whom we hope appreciated the message and together with the government will act upon it."
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News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

MDC-T legislator for Mufakose Paurina Mpariwa has made a stunning proposal calling for one man one wife policy.She said polygamy should be banned as a way of reducing child marriages.An estimated 10% of Zimbabwean adult women are in polygamous marriages."We need to do away with polygamy. There is need for one man one wife. If that is upheld we will end child marriages. It will make men behave" she is quoted saying by the parliamentary Hansard.Her suggestion quickly drew sharp rebuke from Zanu PF Uzumba MP Simba Mudarikwa (Zanu-PF) saying there was nothing wrong with polygamy as long as it was done correctly."In some countries, men have died because of war, so there is need to replace those people".
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Staff Bios

Danielle Lucey, Editor-in-Chief

Danielle Lucey has an extensive reporting background in defense and commercial technology. She started her career as assistant editor and later managing editor at maritime publication Sea Technology. From 2009 to 2016, Danielle served in various editorial roles at Unmanned Systems magazine, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, eventually rising to become editor-in-chief. She has worked as a writer and editor for marketing and communications firm Merritt Group, writing on the behalf of clients in the realms of cybersecurity, big data, artificial intelligence and government. Her stories have appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, Venture Beat and the HuffPost. She has been editor-in-chief of Seapower since January 2018. She is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Brett Davis, Deputy Editor

Brett Davis is a lifelong journalist and writer with extensive experience writing about defense issues and technology. He studied journalism and photography at the University of North Alabama in his hometown of Florence and then earned a masters degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Minister of Local Government ,Public Works and National Housing-Honorable Saviour Kasukuwere has ordered Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni to reinstate Human Capital director Cainos Chimombe and Acting Town Clerk Josephine Ncube following a resolution that resulted to their suspension from work.Harare Residents Trust reported that the 1859 ordinary Full Council was held on Thursday at Town House where the Mayor, Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni (Ward 17, Mount Pleasant), read two letters he received from Kasukuwere to the August House."The two letters were instructing the Mayor to reinstate the Human and Capital Director Cainos Chimombe and Acting Town Clerk Josephine Ncube following the resolution made during a Special Council of 16 November 2016 that resulted in their suspension," said the trust."Councillor Resias Masunda (Ward 44, Kuwadzana Extension) proposed that the if the Acting Town Clerk can only come back there must be disciplinary measures. Councillor Luckson Mukunguma (Ward 25, Highfield), proposed that all minutes from committees that were signed by the suspended Acting Town Clerk will not be considered by council."
 Reviewing another week of developments and questions from Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform | Main | Second Circuit hints that sentence reduction might well be justified whenever guideline range is increased "significantly by a loss enhancement" 

December 3, 2016

Another detailed and depressing report on the harms of bad sentencing in the nation's capital

The Washington Post has run a series of articles under the title Second-Chance City seeking to thoroughly "examine issues related to repeat violent offenders in the District of Columbia." The latest lengthy article in the series, headlined "Second-chance law for young criminals puts violent offenders back on D.C. streets," tells a bunch of sad and sobering stories. It starts this way

Hundreds of criminals sentenced by D.C. judges under an obscure local law crafted to give second chances to young adult offenders have gone on to rob, rape or kill residents of the nations capital. The original intent of the law was to rehabilitate inexperienced criminals under the age of 22. The Districts Youth Rehabilitation Act allows for shorter sentences for some crimes and an opportunity for offenders to emerge with no criminal record. But a Washington Post investigation has found a pattern of violent offenders returning rapidly to the streets and committing more crimes. Hundreds have been sentenced under the act multiple times. In dozens of cases, D.C. judges were able to hand down Youth Act sentences shorter than those called for under mandatory minimum laws designed to deter armed robberies and other violent crimes. The criminals have often repaid that leniency by escalating their crimes of violence upon release. In 2013, four masked men entered the home of a family in Northeast Washington, held them at gunpoint and ransacked the house. One of the invaders, Shareem Hall, was sentenced under the Youth Act. He was released on probation in 2015. Almost exactly a year later, Hall and a co-conspirator shot a 22-year-old transgender woman, Deeniquia Dodds, during a robbery in the District, according to charging documents. It is unclear who pulled the trigger. Police said the pair were targeting transgender females. Dodds died nine days later. Youre telling me you can come back out on the streets and rob again, hold people hostage again, kill again  because of the Youth Act? said Joeann Lewis, Doddss aunt. Hall is one of at least 121 defendants sentenced under the Youth Act who have gone on to be charged with murder in the District since 2010, according to The Posts analysis of available sentencing data and court records. Four of the slayings, including the killing of Dodds, occurred while the defendants could still have been incarcerated for previous crimes under mandatory minimum sentencing, and 30 of the killings took place while the suspects were on probation. Youth Act offenders accounted for 1 in 5 suspects arrested on homicide charges in the District since 2010, a period that has seen a recent surge in homicides and growing public concern about repeat violent offenders. The cycle of violence has been largely shrouded from public view or oversight. D.C. judges do not track the use of the law, which provides a collection of benefits to violent felons that experts say does not exist anywhere else in the country. After a young adult is convicted of a crime, the Youth Act allows judges to decide whether the offender can benefit from rehabilitation and should receive special treatment. The law gives felons a chance to have their convictions expunged from the public record if they serve out their sentences or complete their probation. Because of the way the law was written, Youth Act offenders also can avoid mandatory prison time for certain violent gun crimes. The Post also found that judges applying the Youth Act generally give lighter sentences across the board. The law was enacted in 1985 during the mayoral administration of Marion Barry (D), at a time when jails were being filled with young men charged with drug crimes, in an attempt to protect African American youths from the stigma of lengthy prison sentences. We have a value in this city that youthful offenders should be rehabilitated, said D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser. But I dont think anybody expects leniency for violent criminals. The judges declined The Posts requests for interviews and also declined to comment about specific cases. In a written statement, the judges said they weigh many factors in sentencing, including the ages of offenders and the effect of their crimes on the victims. In considering whether to sentence a young person under the Youth Act, generally judges are aware that a felony conviction can create lifelong obstacles to becoming a good and productive citizen, wrote Lynn Leibovitz and Milton Lee, who are, respectively, the presiding judge and deputy presiding judge of the criminal division of the D.C. Superior Court.

December 3, 2016 at 03:53 PM | Permalink

Comments

'rat justice. Not much else you can say. DC is just another Dem-run disaster area. But Joe will blame all the killing on laws allowing law-abiding people to own firearms.

Typical 'rat line of attack. Create a disaster and blame others for it.

Hmmm, I wonder how many of these guys, if Obama had a son, would look like Obama.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 3, 2016 10:08:27 PM

The heart of the article:

"Hall is one of at least 121 defendants sentenced under the Youth Act who have gone on to be charged with murder in the District since 2010, according to The Posts analysis of available sentencing data and court records. Four of the slayings, including the killing of Dodds, occurred while the defendants could still have been incarcerated for previous crimes under mandatory minimum sentencing, and 30 of the killings took place while the suspects were on probation."

Charged? Do the police seek out those sentenced under the Youth Act? How many were convicted? Of the 121 slayings, "only"* 4 were freed because of the Youth Act. Apparently, for all the others , there was enough time lapse to where the Youth Act was irrelevant. In other words, Youth Act or mandatory minimum, they would have been free. Were there any successes in the Youth Act? How many went on crime free or became less violent than if they graduated from prison gladiator school? In other words, there is not enough information here to know if the Youth Act overall saved lives. We can't know if we don't know the success rate. Even if we knew the success rate, that would not guarantee what percentage of them were diverted from murder.

All that said, the shock of the article is effective.

*"only" is in quotes because it is never right to say there were "only" X number of murders. It is not prudent to say that is a good thing, and so the scale is always tipped. Joeann Lewis, Doddss aunt, would rightfully reject "only".

Posted by: George | Dec 4, 2016 1:00:12 AM

And Doug, doesn't this look like an example of the "urban discount" I've mentioned in the past?

Posted by: federalist | Dec 5, 2016 10:15:52 AM

federalist, do you think ALL defendants --- black/white, rich/poor, violent/nonviolent --- get the benefit of the "urban discount"? Or do you think only some in urban regions get it? Also, is it really an urban DISCOUNT or is it really a function of a rural UPCHARGE. In the death penalty literature, there is much made about the regions that use the death penalty the most, and it seems folks doing that research are lamenting a (mostly) rural UPCHARGE rather than an urban discount. (Though in Ohio the story gets even more complicated because we had through the 1990s and 2000s many more capital charges in Cleveland's county, but many more capital sentences in Cincinnati's county.)

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 5, 2016 10:41:41 AM

Doug, I don't know---I just know that, generally speaking, and there's research on this cited in this blog, that crime in urban areas generally is not punished as harshly as say, bedroom suburbs, particularly where the suburb has control of who the judges/prosecutors are. Don't know the beneficiaries, but in DC, it's certainly concentrated among minority defendants.

This is structural lenience towards minority criminals--and it's something that doesn't seem to make its way into the "criminal justice system is racist" discussion.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 5, 2016 11:34:21 AM

Professor Berman, did you find the Post article as mystifying as I did? The point seems to be that people getting Youth Act sentences sometimes reoffend, but that is true of all people. So wouldn't this article need to somehow show that Youth Act offenders reoffend sooner or more frequently than others? That analysis seems to be completely missing. This article stikes me as seeking to assign blame to a pervasive and quite complex problem without statistics or analysis to support the article's conclusions. I would be curious to hear your opinions.

Posted by: DG | Dec 5, 2016 3:17:37 PM

federalist: if there truly is "a kind of structural lenience towards minority criminals," what explains the new data from NY Times about the NY prison and parole system seemingly being much harsher toward minorities? Similarly, federalist, how do you explain the US Sentencing Commission's post-Booker data suggesting black offenders are getting sentences 20% harsher than white offenders?

In my view, and this also serves as a response to DG, no aspect of our criminal justice system can be readily understood or explained via sound bites like "urban discount" or "more guns = less crime" or more prison means less offending or "structural lenience towards minority criminals," or really any other short-hand slogan. Humans and human legal systems are much too complicated and dynamic to be easily summarized.

That said, I do think a bunch of (too simple) heuristics often influence how humans make complicated decisions/assessments in criminal justice systems and errors will follow the flaws of the selected heuristic. I surmise that in DC there is a working view under the Youth Act that it is always better to cut a kid a break (and another break) rather than punish harshly. The result will sometimes be repeat crimes from those given breaks. In other places, the working heuristic may be always be tough-and-tougher because long prison terms at least keep the public safer from that one individual in the short term.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 5, 2016 5:51:18 PM

I don't see how NY State's treatment of minority prisoners in a particular prison says one thing or another about the relative lenience of many urban jurisdictions towards criminals (e.g., more likely to get a plea deal, more liberal judges, lighter sentences) and its effect on how race and sentences correlate. That's just another example of bad argumentation on your part---it's hard to deny that major urban jurisdictions tend to be less harsh on criminals and given that, there would tend, all other things being equal, to result in minority defendants getting less time on the whole than non-minority defendants. Of course, other factors may wash this out when looking at things as a whole---but a white defendant in say Johnson County Indiana is far more likely to have the hammer dropped on him than a black defendant in Lake County Indiana all things being equal (the criminal act, the criminal history).

As for minority defendants and Booker--I fail to see how federal statistics say anything about my point--namely, that urban jurisdictions tend to be more lenient (I call this the urban discount) and that "favors" minority criminals based on demography.

You can see a similar phenomenon with respect to the percentage of white murderers who have been executed for murder.. 57% of those executed since 1976 have been white, and non-Hispanic whites do not account for anywhere close to the number of murders in the US.

And once again, we have the Doug miasma of words. He can't come out and say that no, federalist is wrong, there is no urban discount, so he'll make illogical arguments about Booker and a random NY State prison. And to boot say that it's too simplistic. but you can best believe that savvy criminals know where the jurisdictional boundaries are.

The upshot, of course, is that the criminal justice system IS complicated, and my point, which I thought clear, is that the urban discount is part and parcel of that complexity.

I know it's hard to admit Doug---the faculty lounge just won't have it.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 6, 2016 7:03:03 AM

federalist, you seem to be the one dodging here, as I was taking seriously and trying to unpack your "urban discount" claim to see if you were really talking about just urban sentencing or were really trying to sneak in a point about the sentencing of people of color.

We can look at, for example, fraud sentences or child porn sentences or marijuana sentences in the federal (or perhaps some state) system and see various ways an "urban discount" may be operating. Consider the prosecution of simple marijuana possession offenses as recently reported by the US Sentencing Commission: "In fiscal year 2013, 40 districts reported at least one offender who was convicted of simple possession of marijuana. The vast majority of the marijuana simple possession offenders were sentenced in a single district, the District of Arizona... Following Arizona, the district with the greatest number of offenders was the Western District of Texas with 107 offenders (4.9% of the total) followed by the Eastern District of Virginia with 34 offenders (1.6%). Of the remaining districts reporting simple possession offenses, the majority reported fewer than ten marijuana simple possession offenders (32 districts). Fifteen of these districts sentenced only a single offender and 54 districts reported no marijuana possession offenders in fiscal year 2013."

http://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/research-publications/2016/201609_Simple-Possession.pdf

Or lets look at federal fraud and CP sentences in SDNY: http://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/federal-sentencing-statistics/state-district-circuit/2015/nys15.pdf. According to FY2015 data, nationwide the mean fraud sentence was 35 months, in SDNY it was 30 months; nationwide the median CP sentence was 157 months, in SDNY it was 101 months.

Of course, to fully unpack and understand these number requires engaging with a complicated urban/rural case processing reality that has lots of different kinds of moving parts.

BUT, and here is the rub, I sumise you federalist are really trying to talk about racial sentencing issues not geography issue when talking up an "urban discount." Indeed, you pull back the curtain when you assert that there is some kind of "structural lenience towards minority criminals." It was this comment that prompted my citation to just two of the latest serious student which seem to show, in fact, a kind of structural SEVERITY towards minority criminals. Indeed, given the considerable data of racial disparities in case processing ALONG WITH your not-unreasonable claim that all in urban centers get a kind of geography discount, you should be especially worried about the reality behind the stark statistical data driving "the criminal justice system is racist discussion." After all, if there is an urban discount, and yet still data shows offenders of color from urban areas do worse than white offenders in rural areas, this would be even great proof that race rather than geography is driving parts of our criminal justice system.

federalist, I am willing/eager to admit what words and data show. Your words show that you throw around "urban discount" to hide what I surmise is you your suspect belief that whites are treated more harshly than persons of color in US criminal justice systems. In other words, I do not think you are wrong, federalist, about an "urban discount," but I do think you are wrong to claim that US justice systems reject "a kind of structural lenience towards minority criminals."

So, if you want to continue the discussion, federalist, please try to be clear about the sentencing biases your care about. Is it a geographic bias that concerns you or a racial bias? When you say "urban" are you really trying to say "black" in a more polite way? Your own failure to state candidly and clearly the true nature of your "discount" concern, federalist, leads to my confusion and commentary. So please try to clear that up if you want to continue.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 6, 2016 9:39:49 AM

Doug, please read what I have written. You want to obfuscate with white-collar stuff and generalized claims about racial bias or idiosyncratic federal districts. Fine. Make them--but they don't have much to do with what I am saying--the DC lenience towards youth benefits young minority criminals, given the demographics in DC--and the same sort of thing that animates that lenience (more liberal) manifests itself in places like Chicago. That tends to benefit minority criminals, particularly violent ones. And that's part of the "criminal justice system is racist" conversation. Why is this so hard to admit?

And by the by, urban areas also tend to be easier on plea agreements, which is a hidden benefit to those who happen to commit crimes there. So let me ask you--from a hammer perspective, all other things being equal-who is more likely to be the nail, a minority home invasion rapist in a courtroom on 26th and California or a white rapist in Will County, Illinois?



Posted by: federalist | Dec 6, 2016 1:37:40 PM

I have read what you have written, federalist, and you have referenced a general "urban discount" as well as "structural lenience towards minority criminals." Now you are changing your tune again, it seems, to focus on (just?) DC and Chicago, and are now asserting that a kind of liberal lenience in these cities "tends to benefit minority criminals, particularly violent ones."

Just what are you precisely claiming/saying, federalist? Are you saying ALL violent criminals in ALL big cities get sentencing breaks relative to similar criminals in rural areas? Are you saying ONLY minority criminals in ONLY some big cities get sentencing breaks relative to similar non-minority criminals in rural areas? I am sincerely trying to understand just what you are claiming with your statements, federalist, and also wondering if your views are based entirely on anecdotes or have any statistical foundation. (E.g., if we want to play the anecdote game, how do we compare Brock Turner and Cory Batey as race and sexual offenses go? http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article82781372.html)

Notably, the folks at the Sentencing Project recently did a big report with state-by-state racial break downs of incarceration levels in various states: http://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/color-of-justice-racial-and-ethnic-disparity-in-state-prisons/

And some years ago PPI looked at how certain laws enhancing punishment based on location were applied more in urban areas: https://www.prisonpolicy.org/zones/urban.html

And the NY Times looked at this recently in another way: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/upshot/new-geography-of-prisons.html?_r=0

I bring all this up only because you often like to throw out sloppy statements, federalist, and then fail to carefully explain what you are really trying to say with these sloppy statements. I think that you are trying to assert that (some?) urban sentencing systems are too nice to (some?) minority defendants. If that is your claim, just make it and ideally make it with reference to data so all can better understand the basis for your claim.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 6, 2016 6:04:53 PM

Doug, I am not changing my tune.

(1) You don't really dispute that sentencing harshness (for lack of a better term) isn't uniform across jurisdictions. Nor do you dispute that the criminal demographic (for lack of a better term) isn't uniform either.

(2) You don't really dispute that, from the standpoint of urban areas vs. suburban/rural, on the whole, in this country that urban areas are more lenient when it comes to criminals in terms of availability of pleas and sentencing. Chicago, for example, isn't known for its harshness on criminals.

What you do is to suggest that I am saying that minority criminals get a break in urban areas. I'm sure that happens, just like I'm sure that white defendants sometimes get unjustified breaks too. See, e.g., James Burmeister. As for minority defendants, check out the UT rape where a minority rapist urinated on a white victim and said "this is for 400 years of slavery"---and the black judge handed down the minimum. But that's not my point, and you know it. What I am saying is that many areas where minority defendants tend to be concentrated also happen to be lenient on crime, and that fact creates structural lenience towards minority defendants. It's not favoritism towards minorities, as, presumably, white defendants in those areas profit from the same lenience (e.g., Daley's nephew). But it matters---and should be part of the conversation. Like I asked---who is more likely to get the hammer, all things being equal--white home invasion rapist in Will County or minority home invasion rapist being tried at 26th and California? That's the reality. The urban discount is actual personal. My dad's best friend was "manslaughtered""---he was the victim of a stray bullet being aimed at some criminal rival. In any sane jurisdiction that's murder through the doctrine of "transferred intent"--but not in New York City. The assailant wasn't even charged with murder.

I am very dubious of a lot of the studies that look at convictions and sentencing, as they don't take into consideration plea deals (and often don't take into consideration criminal history). I remember one cited on the Washington Post editorial page about juveniles which did not. A pled down crime doesn't measure actual criminal conduct.

You know all this, yet choose to engage in sophistry.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 7, 2016 8:28:43 AM

federalist:

1. Sentencing disparity is a statistical fact measured in lots of ways in lots of studies with lots of (sometimes conflicting) results. So to are differences in criminal offending (see, e.g., men v women). Not much to dispute there unless living in a fantasy world.

2. But I dispute forcefully that "on the whole, in this country urban areas are more lenient when it comes to criminals in terms of availability of pleas and sentencing." What is your data/support/evidence for this assertion referencing ALL (or even most) "urban areas"? As you should know, "Urban" Houston and NOLA and Miami are MUCH different in all sorts of obvious and not-so-obvious criminal case-processing ways than "urban" Chicago and DC and Detroit. Indeed, I know very well and can show you many stats that, even just in Ohio, "urban" Cleveland is much different than urban Columbus and urban Cincinnati and urban Toledo and urban Akron and urban Dayton. Anecdotes of a few cases from Chicago or DC or elsewhere does not alone support your blanket claims.

3. I now get, because you have finally stated it directly, that your main point seems to be the claim that "many areas where minority defendants tend to be concentrated also happen to be lenient on crime, and that fact creates structural lenience towards minority defendants." This fact is demonstrably false in so many ways, especially if one considers that the states with highest black populations by % -- e.g., Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama --- all are states with among the highest incarceration rates. And federal sentencing data also shows those minority defendants brought into the federal system for drug offenses get slammed harder than non-minority defendants (sometimes due to formal legal factors like the crack/powder disparity and use of MMs in drug cases, other times dues to softer discretionary decisions).

4. What I know federalist is that you believe a few anecdotes, filtered through your own subjective biased lens, establishes something in your own self-serving mind that many rigorous studies/data suggest is demonstrably false. So I also now know this conversation is yet another example, of which there are plenty on this blog, of federalist whining about a CJ discourse that focuses on data/measured reality rather than on the cherry-picked cases that federalist self-servingly believes are more representative of reality. I know you like your bubble, federalist, but I also know it readily bursts if and whenever I ask you to really try to back up your actual claims.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 7, 2016 10:12:43 AM

I agree with you that state laws will have an effect on this as well and that I should have made more clear that the idea is relative lenience within a state. I would have thought that somewhat obvious given that my two examples were intra-state, but that's fine. And I completely agree that harsher state regimes will skew the numbers as well. (of course, if we're looking at nationwide stats, that skew should be corrected for if the idea is racial bias--of course, it's not, so we have a flawed conclusion--that Alabama has chosen to be meaner to criminals and that, due to demographics, skews the numbers nationwide, actually explains some of the disparity that everyone whines about--I'd also guess that, within Alabama, there are non-uniform applications of those harsh laws)

I actually find it fascinating that you lump in "softer sentencing factors" with "legal factors"--if legal factors cause a disparity, that disparity really isn't attributable to racial bias, and to use those numbers to inflate the disparities is sophistry.

Like I said, this is all part of the conversation. The real issue, it seems to me, is that if, within a particular jurisdiction (county or federal district) that race isn't a factor when it comes to the criminal justice response.

There is an urban discount in a lot of areas (and you'll note, of course, that "urban discount" presupposes a discount from something, i.e., state law, so that's another reason you shouldn't have tried to play gotcha with raising tough on crime states with relatively high minority populations).

And no, I didn't mention those cases as representative of general reality (although you'll focus on one capital case in Georgia and ask if race was a part of it)---I mentioned them to show that race does sometimes seem to have an effect on sentencing outcomes. And that's not acceptable.

Your vehemence here seems odd--the issue of race and sentencing is so much more than pointing at minorities being overrepresented in terms of our prison population. There are a lot of non-racial factors which explain that disparity, and those non-racial factors (i.e., tough on crime laws in Alabama), and that gets short shrift, and the defensiveness that you have when I also point out that it's probably better to be a black defendant in Baltimore City than a white one in Western Maryland for the same conduct, all other things being equal, is telling.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 7, 2016 11:56:03 AM

federalist: what is the basis for your blanket assertion that "it's probably better to be a black defendant in Baltimore City than a white one in Western Maryland for the same conduct" without any evidence/data to support this assertion. Can you cite to ANY case processing data from Maryland to support this claim? Here are some efforts to study racial disparity in Maryland sentencing:

http://www.msccsp.org/Files/Reports/Souryal_Wellford_97_UnwarrantedDisparity.pdf

http://www.justicepolicy.org/uploads/justicepolicy/documents/03-10_rep_mdraceincarceration_ac-md-rd.pdf

Neither of these studies (though they are dated) would seem to support your claim at all.

I am not being "defensive" about your assertion. Rather I just want to understand if it has any real-world basis other than being a figment of your fertile imagination, federalist. (Moreover, your blanket assertion is problematic not only because it seems contradicted by extant data, but also because it seems to leave out the potential impact and import of policing practices and prosecutorial resources -- i.e., a whole lot of crime (especially drug crimes) surely goes unreported and unprosecuted in Western Maryland because there are less police/prosecutors working cases than are on the job in Baltimore City. Similarly, and this is the story I know well in Ohio, very few capital prosecutions are even started in rural areas often because rural county DAs lack the resources to pursue capital cases effectively. In contrast, urban county DAs often have special teams of prosecutors to bring capital cases.)

And, critically, I "lump in" formal sentencing factors when discussing racially-disparate sentencing outcomes because it is often clear that certain factors become or remain legally significant because of their racialized practical impact. The crack/powder disparity is the most obvious example of an extreme "legal" sentencing factor that has obvious racial overtones, but there are many others (e.g., school zone enhancements, certain gang enhancements, often juve bindover etc.)

Also, I do not accept your "discount" phrasing, which is why I asked you to explain your meaning from the get-go. I do not believe there is ever an obvious "right" sentence from which some get a "discount." This is not simple accounting, this is complicated sentencing, which is a dynamic process that is not well understood by using the kind of simplistic, sound-bite phrases/thinking that too often seems to be your stock-and-trade, federalist.

yet again, federalist, when I press you to explain what you think you mean when you throw out simplistic, sound-bite phrases, we end with so much backtracking gobbledygook from you. It makes me often wonder why I even bother to try to see if there is anything of merit or substance below your rhetoric.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 7, 2016 3:38:20 PM

Did those studies take into consideration plea bargains, and are you really seriously contending that Baltimore City is a tough on crime jurisdiction as compared to other parts of the state? Certainly not compared to Baltimore County . . . .

I'll go through your nonsense later . . . .

Posted by: federalist | Dec 7, 2016 6:34:46 PM

And yeah, I am well aware that rural jurisdictions can't really get to death because of costs, but that doesn't seem to help white murderers who are overrepresented when it comes to those actually executed for murder in the US. Funny how that reality never comes up in the disparity discussion

Posted by: federalist | Dec 7, 2016 6:36:08 PM

federalist, I am not contending anything, but rather continuing to seek some/any substantiation for your assertion that "it's probably better to be a black defendant in Baltimore City than a white one in Western Maryland for the same conduct." I am not saying this assertion is wrong, I am just looking for more than just your say so.

Relatedly, do you have substantiation for the assertion that "white murderers ... are overrepresented when it comes to those actually executed for murder in the US"? Candidly, I am not sure what you mean by "overrepresented" here, especially given (1) many studies suggesting race of the VICTIM is a key factor in who gets sentenced to death, and (2) nearly all condemned murderers who waive appeals and move faster to execution are white.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 7, 2016 6:47:47 PM

Doug, I'll deal with most of this later, when I get some time. According to DPIC, 57% of those executed since 1976 have been non-Hispanic whites. Non-Hispanic whites don't commit 57% pf murders in this country. Volunteers don't account for the disparity.

And are you saying you're agnostic about Balt. City vs. Balt. County? On the DP, Balt. City used to go for it every time statute was met. That's indicative of a seriously tough on crime jurisdiction.

The victim disparity is not irrelevant to the discussion, but is likely explained by the correlation between the jurisdiction and the composition of murder victims and other non-racial factors.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 8, 2016 7:38:14 AM

Some quick data points:

1. DPIC counts 141 of the executed as volunteers, so that can skew the racial numbers of who is executed somewhat significantly. (E.g., the total white executed population excluding volunteers is close to 50% of total executed which is itself not so far from the general % murder rate for non-Hispanic whites

2. The race of victim data is a real skewing factor here, as over 75% of victims in DP-given cases were non-Hispanic white, but whites are only about 50% of all homicide victims.

3. Texas alone skews these numbers, as it accounts for nearly 50% of all executed whites nationwide, and 75% of all executed Latinos, but only about 20% of all executed blacks. Take out Texas (and volunteers), and whites end up being arguably underrepresented when it comes to those actually executed for murder in the US.

4. All comparisons here are crude comparisons anyway, because the proper comparison needs to be of DP eligible murders/murderers, and those are not easy data to collect.

On the Balt. City vs. Balt. County front, I thought your point/claim was that Balt. City was lenient, but now re DP you seem to be saying the urban area is "a seriously tough on crime jurisdiction." Again, it seems that as we drill into your silly sound-bites, out flows confusing backtracking gobbledygook.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 8, 2016 5:30:26 PM

I meant Balt. County sought DP every time--it did--you can look that up.

As for the DP, I don't agree that volunteers shouldn't be in the count. Maybe some discount, but not excluded. But more to the point, you're wrong---non-Hispanic whites do not account for 50% of the murders in this country.

As for DP, you could be (likely are) mistaking correlation for causation. Geography likely plays a huge role in the skewing of those stats.

As fot the rest . . . . the Maryland stuff seems long on whining and short on facts. I should have stopped reading after the study recited the nonsense about drug use across races. Drug use isn't a proxy for criminal behavior likely to attract the attention of the criminal justice system. And gee, people with access to better lawyers have better outcomes . . . . surprise surprise.

Posted by: federalist | Dec 11, 2016 10:42:13 AM

federalist, lots of (too quick) replies:

1. That Baltimore County seeks DP every time is not poof of "toughness" --- same was true of Cuyahoga County in OH for a long period because a particular prosecutor was using a DP charge to grease a plea deal AND because a DP charge ensured a defendant got a better attorney appointed. In contrast, the real tough local prosecutor, Joe Deters in Hamilton County, was sparing with his DP charging but then refused to plea down EVER once charge brought. And this is why a larger % of OH murderers on the row come from Hamilton county. Long story short: charging policies is only a small part of the entire case-processing reality.

2. Here is the latest UCR data on homicide: https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/expanded_homicide_data_table_3_murder_offenders_by_age_sex_and_race_2015.xls

You will see that a big "unknown" category skews matters so it makes it hard to do a crisp race assessment. But you must also see that a large % of murder by people of color are committed by persons under 22, which is a population rarely given/considered for DP (and, of course, those under 18 are not eligible for DP). When you control for age and other key victim variables (e.g., DP more likely if you kill a woman, which whites do more), the execution data look fairly reflective of the "real" DP murder date. (Here is the victim data showing white are much more likely to kill women than other races: https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/expanded_homicide_data_table_6_murder_race_and_sex_of_vicitm_by_race_and_sex_of_offender_2015.xls

3. How am I confusing correlation for causation when noting Texas data skews national execution data? I am not trying to make either a correlation or causation argument, I am just trying to unpack with some specificity and precision your misguided and/or incomplete and/or sloppy assertion that "white murderers ... are overrepresented when it comes to those actually executed for murder in the US." Again, as I see it, we just have here yet another example of federalist using a silly sound-bites, from which flows confusing backtracking gobbledygook when I seek to better understand the basis for your silly sound-bite.

Tellingly, federalist, you admit that you stop reading when you come across a statement that does not fit your self-serving world view. That is a great way to ensure your distorted bubbled view of the world does not burst. But lately it seem when I try to take some of what you say seriously to see if it has some solid/valuable foundation, I tend instead to hit a gusher of confusing backtracking gobbledygook. So be it.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 11, 2016 7:00:58 PM

Fascinating, Doug, truly fascinating. You cite a situation where the racial particulars of the defendants were cited as reasons for mercy, and then close your eyes to the idea to the possibility that some jurisdictions (not all) may institutionalize lenience. Wow.

I'm strapped for time, so some quick hitters:

(1) I didn't say that I didn't read that Md. study--I said that I wanted to after reading the nonsense about drug usage rates. I'm surprised that you would actually cite to a study with that nonsense--or do you really think it all that enlightening?

(2) Non-Hispanic white murderers are overrepresented. Bottom line. The significance of that fact is, as I've said in this forum before, is open to debate, but we constantly hear comparisons of minority rates of incarceration---so why is this fact ignored? Because it doesn't fit the narrative.

(3) The white victim disparity could very well confuse cause for effect. If you look at the Paternoster study, for example, you see that geography is what counted. Other factors (resources, jury pools etc.,) likely account for a lot of that. So for example, SC has 7 W/B executions. Does that mean that SC is harsh on W/B killings? Or does it mean that those 7 executions represented reprehensible crimes in jurisdictions with the resources and will to prosecute?

(4) Are white killers more likely to choose women or are whites generally more likely to kill women?

Posted by: federalist | Dec 12, 2016 11:00:53 AM

Perhaps because of the limits of this medium, federalist, I am struggling to even understand your references. Let me just try to understand what you are saying:

A. You say I "cite a situation where the racial particulars of the defendants were cited as reasons for mercy," but I do not understand what this is a reference to. What situation did I cite in this way, and in which prior comment? I am not trying to be snarky, I am just trying to understand what you are referencing as "fascinating."

B. I cited the MD study as an example of a study that would seem to contradict your assertions, which you continue to fail to provide any evidentiary support for. I am not asserting the MD study is gospel, rather I was just showcasing that a little research reveals (1) no data to support your sound-bite assertions, and (2) some data to contradict your sound-bites. And I am still awaiting any support you could provide for your sound bites other than "because I say so."

C. Non-Hispanic white murderers are NOT overrepresented among those executed when you control just a few obviously relevant homicide/execution factors such as executing state/appeals process AND the race/gender of the murder victims. That you want to dispute/deny this reality suggest you are desperate to cling to a racial narrative to serve your world-view despite obvious evidence to the contrary.

You are starting to dig into relevant questions with points (3) and (4) that need to be explored before one could or should state in a blanket way that "Non-Hispanic white murderers are overrepresented" among those executed. The irony here, in my view, is that I largely agree with your (core?) belief that a lot of studies that claim this or that outcome is best explained by race in fact overlooks a lot of other factors. (In the federal system, I think factors related directly and indirectly to socio-economic status and local/state-punishment norms explain a lot of what gets coded and perceived to be race bias in federal sentencing outcomes.)

In other words, federalist, you make the same mistake that you assail in others when you cling to the assertion that "Non-Hispanic white murderers are overrepresented" among those executed. There are many factors --- some legally relevant, some not --- that have little or nothing to do with race that helps account for execution patterns. Same goes for death sentencing and every other multi-dimensional, multi-actor outcome in the CJ system.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 12, 2016 11:42:28 AM

(A) The post, not the commentary, quotes the idea that we need to be lenient based on racial particulars. Sorry I wasn't more specific.

(B) I don't see how the MD study proves up anything.

(C) Argh, this is frustrating. I am citing the white murderer and executed thing not to say that the DP system is biased against white killers, but as an example of how simplistic "overrepresented" arguments often are. In other words, the "criminal justice system is racist" people need to deal with these facts.

I don't doubt, and I never have argued otherwise, that race does not have some effects on who gets what (and I mean race, not other things associated with race such as family means) sentence. I also know that in some jurisdictions, e.g., Chicago (and all you have to do is pay attention to the news), there is a softness on crime that happens to benefit criminals. Just like if a high minority state is tough on crime, it's going to skew results, but, and here's the important thing, the skew isn't evidence of racism. What I don't like is the idea that we have to be nicer to criminals because the numbers "don't look good," and that underpins a lot of the commentary. I don't particularly care that a particular hammer (e.g., kiddie porn) happens to hit white criminals hard. And so, I reject the idea that because Texas or Alabama tends to be tough on crime that we need to worry that makes the numbers bad. What I do care about---lenience/harshness specifically based on race.

If Chicago decides to get tougher on crime, there will be a demographic effect on the composition of the Illinois prison system. So what? We saw what lenience did in DC--it resulted in a lot of unnecessary and brutal crimes.

And "overrepresented" by the way, is simply a descriptor--just like whites are overrepresented in terms of CP prisoners in the federal system.



Posted by: federalist | Dec 12, 2016 1:48:30 PM

(A) okay, now I understand, federalist, though I hope you are not just now trying to shoot me as the messenger: I cite a whole lot of news and commentary in ways that are never meant as an endorsement nor even as a suggestion of accuracy. I lack the time, energy, staff and interest to "peer review" all that I reprint here. I just want to be a conduit (and a sometimes commentator) when my own time, energy and interest permits.

(B) whether the MD study proves anything still does not speak to whether you have any serious/systematic data/evidence to support your rural/urban sentencing claims, and I still want you to provide me with some evidence for the claim so I can know if it has more support than just "federalist says so."

(C) I think we both agree that sound-bite statements about race and CJ outcomes can often be overly-simplistic and fail to confront important facts and factors. But the recent newspaper study of Florida sentencing and lots of other research efforts do some pretty rigorous reviews of sentencing and other CJ outcomes that often suggest at least some race impact in some ways. Those race impact results may often be the result of a failure to be able to pick up lots of potentially significant factors that are very hard to "code" such as factors like, e.g., quality of defense counsel, family support for defendant, race/sex/status/family of victims, etc.

As we have drilled more into this discussion, I think we are coming to similar points. At the same time, I wonder what you need is the "right" systemic response to what might be called "discrimination/disparity in lenience": if, say, rich white drug dealers are, on average, getting 2 years in prison and comparable poor black drug dealers are, on average, getting 4 years in prison, how should the system respond? Would you advocate for changes that increase the odds that everyone gets 2 years or that everyone gets 4 years? And what if, as is not crazy to believe, ONLY by bringing severity down across the board do we have a realistic chance to minimize the harms of "lenience/harshness specifically based on race."

Long-story short as a lesson, perhaps: sound-bites (e.g., "racist" or "urban discount") can be distorting and distracting when dealing with complex systems, so let's all try to avoid using them.

Posted by: Doug B. | Dec 12, 2016 2:46:58 PM

I think the "urban discount" is a very good shorthand term for places like Chicago (particularly when compared to collar counties). And it ain't just federalist saying so . . . . just read Chicago newspapers . . . . and you'll see enough sentences that just boggle one's mind (either from a current standpoint or a looking back, i.e., why was the guy out on the street). "Lake County rapsheet" isn't something I made up, and you yourself cited a Johnson County prosecutor who prosecuted to the max (as compared to Marion County, i.e., Indianapolis).

Perhaps in Alabama, the dynamic isn't the same. Who knows?

Posted by: federalist | Dec 12, 2016 5:05:02 PM

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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

The Tendai Biti led People's Democratic Party (PDP) has accused MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai of being a stumbling block to the achievement of democracy in Zimbabwe following his snubbing of the coalition and transitional meeting facilitated by a foreign group held in South Africa.The coalition talks among opposition parties ended in SA on Friday but Tsvangirai said he saw no reason of attending a meeting about Zimbabwe being facilitated by a foreign organisation. Trans-formative Initiative (ITI) invited Zimbabwe's opposition political parties in SA to facilitate talks aimed at choosing one opposition candidate to challenge President Robert Mugabe in the Presidential election. Tsvangirai in said there was strong sentimental for opposition parties to united but there was still need top build trust among opposition leaders.A Facebook post posted by PDP official Fortune Mlalazi accuses Tsvangirai of being a hindrance to democracy progress being fostered by other parties."Tsvangirai hs become a major stambling block towards achieving democracy in Zimbabwe. He should be the one calling for coalition," reads a post.Tsvangirai said "Have we failed as Zimbabweans to sit down and talk among ourselves? Do we need outsiders to organise ourselves? I didn't see it necessary to go to that meeting. Is it a crime? (But) that doesn't underplay the issue of coalition. You don't leave a party and go on the side and say come let's join, yet you left the party and then say now let's have coalition talks. Why did you leave in the first place?"


You can expect some protests to erupt this winter as Breitbart editor and accused Twitter racist Milo Yiannopoulos arrives in the Bay Area on his ongoing to tour of college campuses, dubbed the "Dangerous Faggot Tour." As ABC 7 reports, Yiannopoulos is set to appear at Santa Clara University on January 9, UC Davis on January 13, and then at UC Berkeley on February 1, sparking all kinds of debates about free speech and why aggressively dumb people are paid to say aggressively dumb things. And some students at Davis have already written a letter of protest calling the 31-year-old firebrand a white nationalist.

Parlaying his position as a gay man who gets off on being Ann Coulter-style conservative and contrarian into a series of lucrative speaking gigs, Yiannopoulos has been preaching to the choir about the stupidity of political correctness, the evil of social justice warriors (SJWs), and why he got banned from Twitter at such campuses as Texas A&M, Florida State, and University of Alabama. But he's also gotten himself on the calendar at more liberal Ivy League institutions like Yale, Columbia, and U. Penn in recent weeks.

Yiannopoulos courts controversy and believes it's daring of himself to defend the rights of conservatives to hold xenophobic and/or racist views in an age of political correctness, and thus he's become a darling of conservative subreddits that think Obama and SJWs are ruining the world. In May, during a speaking gig at DePaul University in Illinois, two people stormed the stage and allegedly threatened to assault Yiannopoulos and then activists took over the stage and shut down the event, sparking anger among college Republicans and others, and possibly spurring the resignation of the University's president during the subsequent unrest on campus.

In June, Yiannopoulos used the occasion of the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando to suggest that such events are the fault of the Left for embracing Muslims over the LGBT community.

In July, Yiannopoulos tried to brush it off when he got permanently banned from Twitter following a high-profile harassment case centered on comedian and Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones  Yiannopoulos has defended himself saying he was merely calling her ugly and unfunny, but there were misogynist and racist tinges to much of the attack, and the outright racism and shrieking hatred of Yiannopoulos's fan base in response could not be denied. But there's no doubt that taking away his Twitter account had to have impacted the reach of Yiannopoulos's repetitive message about how he has a right to be asshole.

In response to his scheduled appearance at UC Davis, a group of students sent a letter to the administration saying, "The use of campus facilities and resources to host and therefore legitimize a white nationalist runs completely counter to the stated goals of the University of California and serves as a direct threat toward traditionally marginalized groups on campus."

UC Berkeley, where campus Republicans have sparked outrage before, will likely see some loud responses to Yiannopoulos's rhetoric, especially in the weeks after the inauguration. Just wait.

Previously: Noted Petulant Conservative Twitter Bully Launches Media Campaign To Get Himself Unbanned


Joy Venturini Bianchi has long been known around San Francisco as a fashion icon in thick oversized glasses, a perennial presence at red carpet galas, and as the proprietress of a nonprofit appointment-only store in NoPa that sells lightly used high-end clothing donated by her socialite friends like Ann Getty as well as internationally-known designers like Stella McCartney. But several Chronicle reporters have been sniffing around the charity she helps run, of which the couture shop is one fundraising arm, called Helpers Community Inc., formerly known as Helpers of the Mentally Retarded, and the resulting expose is fairly damning, if not all that shocking given that it's a small non-profit run by wealthy socialite fashion icon.

The 78-year-old Bianchi has been on the board of Helpers since the 1960's, and the organization used to own several residential homes for the developmentally disabled around the vicinity of Golden Gate Park. The last of the homes, besides the Fulton Street property where Helpers House of Couture resides, was closed in 2002, and it seems that over the last decade and a half the organization has struggled somewhat to fulfill its mission of giving grants to organizations and individuals who provide services, housing, or residential care to the developmentally disabled. Between 2002 and 2009, the Chronicle reports, the organization, with a $6 million endowment, gave nothing to any other charitable organization, and since 2009 it has been giving grants to a handful, having distributed about $405,000 over the last seven years  the bulk of it to a Massachusetts nonprofit called Medical Missions For Children, which doesn't actually aid the developmentally disabled, but funds surgeries for children born with facial deformities in third-world countries, though some of these kids have additional disabilities.

Meanwhile, Helpers and Bianchi have done a great job fundraising, taking in about $820,000 in 2015 alone. And Bianchi herself gets nearly $200,000 in annual compensation as the nonprofit's paid executive director, making her one of the best paid heads of a nonprofit in the city  and it should be noted that that sum far exceeds what the organization gives in grants each year, though that number has risen in the last two years.

A nonprofit, in order to retain its tax-exempt status, should be giving away about 65 percent of its revenue each year, but it looks like Helpers has been sitting on a considerable amount of cash and assets for well over a decade and not doing much to fulfill its promise to donors.

And it's the fault of the organization's five-person board, which includes Bianchi and her longtime friend, Peggy Bachecki.

Having been given an advance look at the Chronicle's findings, State Senator Mark Leno suggested that while Bianchi's work with the developmentally disabled, dating back to 1960's, was pioneering, "It would appear that the board is in need of a serious governance makeover."

In an October interview with the Chron, Bianchi only said, "Were very happy with what were doing," and assured the reporters that during years when no money was given out, "we were fiscally responsible for our donors money, and they trusted our judgment to find where those dollars  according to our standards  would make a difference in the lives of those who are developmentally disabled."

We probably haven't heard the last of this mini-scandal, which follows quickly on the heels of the dustup surrounding some curious financial dealings of fellow "defiant" socialite Dede Wilsey at the deYoung Museum.

Related: Oh Dear, Dede: As She Predicted, Wilsey Is Staying In Charge Of Museums Board
Supervisor Scott Wiener narrowly beat out Supervisor Jane Kim in his effort to become District 11's next state Senator. As he will be vacating his current role of San Francisco District 8 supervisor, it falls on Mayor Ed Lee to appoint a replacement to fill Wiener's shoes. In an effort to ensure that his appointee can serve the maximum amount of time possible, the Examiner reports that Lee may end up taking his sweet time to fill the role.

With Wiener's seat officially vacant as of Monday, this would leave the district without representation until at least early January.

It comes down to this: Under city rules, anyone appointed after January 8 could serve up to ten years in office. That would break down as the remaining two years of Wiener's term plus two additional terms assuming he or she won reelection in 2018 and 2022. In many ways, this path would echo the one taken by Mayor Lee himself  he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to take over from Mayor Gavin Newsom after promising not to run for election when his term ended. He of course broke that promise, and is in the process of serving his second term.

That this would leave Wiener's district without representation for just over a month doesn't appear to bother the outgoing Supervisor, who said he's fine with the Mayor's tactic. "The new supervisor needs to be someone who can work effectively with the residents of our district as well as be a citywide leader on key policy issues," he wrote to the Ex. "I support the appointment occurring on January 8."

With ten-year stakes, many are wondering what potential appointee has the Mayor's eye. There is some speculation that Lee may look toward City College Board Trustee Alex Randolph, someone who Beyond Chron speculates "will never cast a vote or say something publicly that will embarrass the mayor... and given Lees past experience, this factor alone will weigh heavily on his decision."

If Lee hasn't made up his mind by January he can continue to wait pretty much as long as he wants. As Proposition D failed to pass in November, Lee doesn't have a ticking clock on the appointment window. Wiener's former D8 seat could remain empty for some time, in other words. That's unlikely, however, as Wiener was a moderate and frequently voted to back Lee's agenda  an attribute the Mayor no doubt wants to see in the D8 seat again as soon as possible.

What does the mayor have to say about this? He'll name an appointment when he's good and ready, basically. The mayor is doing his due diligence to find the best candidate to represent District 8 and The City, mayoral spokesperson Deirdre Hussey told the Examiner. The mayor will make his decision when he feels he has identified the appropriate candidate.

Related: Mayor Will Allow Peskin To Start His Supervisor Term On December 8th
How do you spell "DMV"? Like so many Jeopardy questions in post-Who Wants to Be a Millionaire America, the answer is in the question! Yet when asked, several Bay Area residents who are allowed to drive cars seem stumped.

Seriously do NOT get me started on how Jeopardy's made itself significantly easier in past years, with San Francisco burglary victim Alex Trebek visibly squirming as he's forced to lower himself to pose queries that seem increasingly pop-culture based. Then again...

 A video posted by Susie Cagle (@susiecagle) on Dec 2, 2016 at 12:53am PST



Where was I? Oh, yeah, the DMV.

So KRON 4's Stanley Roberts decided it might be fun to pose some California driving law questions to patrons at the San Mateo DMV. Drivers could have done better, I suppose, when asked about smoking weed while driving (illegal) or driving barefoot ( also illegal despite what Stanley suggests, legal.). But check out the looks of confusion on their faces when Roberts asks them how to spell "DMV." Seems like the kind of quick and clear thinking one wants in commanders of ton-plus hunks of fast-moving metal!

Related: 'Jeopardy' Host Alex Trebek Hurt lChasing Burglar at S.F. Hotel


Imagine effortlessly changing your tiny studio apartment from bedroom, to office, to living room  all at the push of a button. The Registry reports that a new company out of Massachusetts is seeking to make that dream a reality right here in San Francisco.

Ori Systems manufactures what is essentially motorized furniture designed to be installed in small apartments. Using "architectural robotics," the company's product automatically reconfigures rooms  meaning your "bedroom" only has a bed while you're sleeping and your "office" only has a desk while you're working. They're the same room, just robotically rearranged. Right now the mindset in real estate and architecture is that square footage is the magic number  more square footage is always seen as better," Ori co-founder Hasier Larrea told the publication, "but with this technology you can make 300 square feet function like 900 square feet.

While the Ori system is currently only being tested in Boston, the company intends to bring it to San Francisco by spring of next year. It is perhaps all too easy to imagine this programmable furniture finding a huge market in a city where "micro units" are the talk of the town.

But just how do these things work? The company is all too happy to explain. "Running on modular and scalable mechatronics, Ori units seamlessly glide with the light push of a button," Ori's website explains. "The on-device interface uses motion sensors to light up, with pre-settings for the different possible configurations and the ability to connect to other smart devices."

Got that? No? OK, how about with less buzzwords: "At the touch of a button, the full-size bed configuration transforms to offer a full-scale bedroom, office, and living room," we're told. "The retractable bed offers both an office and closet with abundant storage space, and a full media console/credenza for the living room. Both units have an on-device console with presets to control the unit's movement, as well as a corresponding app to reconfigure the unit from anywhere in the world."

And Ori's co-founder has his eyes on more than just your tiny apartment, explaining that the idea can be applied to almost any space. The vision is to make a space be more, Larrea told The Registry. So that could be smaller spaces, bigger spaces, it could be offices, it could be hotel rooms, restaurants, hospitals, so we are actually developing using the same technologies; we are developing prototypes of drop-down beds from the ceiling, drop-down tables from the ceiling, closets  all these kinds of armies of architectural technology with superpowers.

But with the ability to "reconfigure the unit from anywhere in the world," and the headline-making hacks of the internet of things, should we maybe be worried that some bored teenager in Eastern Europe will crush us while we sleep? Not to worry, as the system is presently being fully tested  on Airbnb renters. Sleep tight!





Related: Whomp Whomp: Wooden Box 'Sleeping Pods' Are Illegal, Fire Hazard


The end of the year typically brings some surprise closures as well as a rush of last-minute openings  typically places that wanted to be open in the fall but were somehow delayed and now just want to be open before the holiday rush. The latter includes Single Thread up in Healdsburg, Finn Town in the Castro (which opens tonight), and Flores which debuted Monday in Cow Hollow. We also had word of an upcoming new rum bar from the Trou Normand/Bar Agricole folks called Obispo, and we had news of famed high-end sushi chain Nobu arriving soon in Palo Alto. Here's everything else you may have missed.

Inside Scoop brings word of Duchess, a new all-day pub headed to the former Conga Lounge (5422 College Avenue) in Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood. It will be serving baked goods in the morning, including homemade Pop-Tarts and a doughnut filled with chicken liver mousse and topped with huckleberries. The rest of the menu will be centered on California-inspired pub fare, cocktails, and craft beer. It opens December 10, but has some funky initial hours that you can see if you scroll down at that link.

Super popular boba tea shop Boba Guys, which already boasts three locations around town including a new one in that cool 8 Octavia building, have plans for a fourth, fifth, and sixth location in town, the latest being at 1522 Fillmore Street near Geary, smack next door to Wise Sons Bagel. Hoodline tells us that it may open by the middle of this month.

15-year-old Noe Valley bistro Le Zinc is shuttering, as Tablehopper reports, and in its place will be something called Chez Marius, from chef Laurent Legendre of Glen Parks Le Ptit Laurent. And good news for fans of the place: It will continue to be a French bistro.

Also, a little bit confusingly, Noe Valley Bakery is opening a second location... in West Portal. Hoodline has the details about the space, at 28 West Portal Avenue in a former Noah's Bagels.

The Richmond district has a new wine bar called Corks at 4342 California Street (at 6th Avenue), as the Richmond SF blog tells us. The owners, both Italian, are specializing in California and Italian wines, and serving small plates as well.

And in the Inner Richmond there is also news of a new diner-type spot called 6th & B which is, you may have guessed, at 6th Avenue and Balboa. Hoodline explains they're doing breakfast and lunch, and they may start doing dinner in the new year.

The Chronicle had a piece this week about several longtime Mission businesses that are "pivoting" in order to draw customers in a changing neighborhood, including Pop's Bar, Roosevelt Tamale Parlor (now renamed Roosevelt Sip 'n' Eat), and La Victoria Bakery, which we heard last month would be adding a bar called Santo.

The former Panhandle Pizza at Hayes and Cole has transformed into Katani Pizza as of this week, as Hoodline reports. It's owned by restaurant vet Katerina Paulova, who named the place with a combination of her own name and that of her wife, Anne.



This Week In Reviews

Though they refuse to put it online yet, San Francisco Magazine has a review from critic Josh Sens of new Tenderloin supper club Black Cat  and it ain't good. Eater has a few quotes, which include comparing the meatballs to "chew toys," and though, like Bauer before him, he enjoys the drinks and the jazz, overall he finds the food "a jumble of discordant notes." The verdict: one and a half stars. [Update: A week later, it's now online.]

Pete Kane at the Weekly checked out The Morris this week, and he was pretty impressed. Like I did, he loved the pole beans with squid ("Deceptively simple, this is what you wish your neighborhood Thai takeout place was capable of"), and the crab porridge, as well as the star of the menu, the smoked and roasted duck, which takes five days to marinate and smoke, and he calls the the honey-and-espresso jus "a marvel."

Kane also checked out Louie's Gen-Gen Room, beneath Liholiho Yacht Club. He's delighted by the "range of $12 to $15 drinks that studiously avoid going overboard in any way," and he also like the five-spice jerky, and the avocado waffle.

Meanwhile at the Chronicle, Michael Bauer pays a return visit to two-year-old Shakewell in Oakland, where he finds chef Jenn Biesty's menu evolving nicely away from just Spanish and more broadly toward Greek and Mediterranean flavors. He loves the boneless fried chicken served with hot sauce and fenugreek yogurt, and he says the paella has improved since his initial visits. He also recommends taking the Dealer's Choice option with the talented bar staff. All told: two and a half stars.

And Mr. Bauer's Sunday review is of Nomica in the Castro, where he adores the $100 chicken in brioche that one needs to order 24 hours in advance, and which he says is easily the best dish. He also loves the chicken karaage (because he's never met a fried chicken dish he didn't like), and the lacquered brioche, although he found the rice in the crab donabe "gluey." So, all told: two and a half stars.


A massive fire during a party at an East Oakland artists' collective has killed at least nine people, firefighters say, but many more victims remain unidentified or unaccounted for as of Saturday morning. It's already being called possibly the deadliest single structure fire in Oakland history, if not the deadliest in California's history.

According to the Oakland Police Department, the blaze was first reported at 11:32 p.m. Friday night, at a two-story live/work building comprised of artists' studios and residences at 1305 31st Avenue, which is near International Boulevard.

The complex is known as Ghost Ship (not to be confused with the annual SF Halloween party), and while some media sources have referred to it as a "rave cave," the party appears to have been a fairly small-scale electronic music showcase in what is usually a live-work space that was home to about 18 people.

Upwards of 50 people were inside the building when firefighters arrived, KTVU reports, as the collective was hosting a party Friday evening. According to firefighters, the blaze had "heavy smoke" from the beginning, and they told the East Bay Times that most of the dead were found on the second floor, which was connected to the first floor with a "makeshift" stairwell.

Other reports say that as many as 70 people were on site when the fire broke out, and an event page for the party on Facebook, which featured headliner Golden Donna  a.k.a. Madison, WI-based electronic musician Joel Shanahan  showed over 100 people intending to attend, though that number is changing as more people are claiming to have gone. CBS 5 reports that Shanahan, who was performing at the time the fire broke out, was able to make it out of the building and survived.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Department tells ABC 7 they are preparing for up to 40 dead. They also report that access to the second floor was made difficult because of the stairwell, which was made of stacked wooden pallets.

One survivor named Mule who lived in the building, speaking to reporters, says the fire started "in the back left corner," and moved quickly. He told the East Bay Times he was unable to help an injured friend because "I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldnt get the fire extinguisher to work. He escaped with minor burns.

31st Ave: E13 on scene Commercial building with heavy smoke showing. #oakland #fire  Oakland Firefighters (@OaklandFireLive) December 3, 2016

By 11:38, the blaze was escalated to a three-alarm fire, and by 11:58, the damage to the structure was severe enough that firefighters were ordered out of the warehouse.

As the Chronicle reports, at one point the building's roof collapsed, making the firefight all the more difficult.

The paper notes, of the interior of the space, "Pictures of the building portray a fantastical interior of tapestries, instruments, and hand-built, ornately carved ceiling and room structures."

Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed tells the East Bay Times the building lacked smoke detectors or sprinklers, and that the cluttered first floor "was like a maze almost," adding "It was filled end to end with furniture, whatnot, collections."

According to a fire dispatcher, crews remain on the scene as of Saturday morning, watching for "hot spots" and searching the scene. A cause for the fire has yet to be determined, according to OPD.

People are posting photos of missing loved ones as bodies are identified and the Daily Star is using them as fresh content  Susie Cagle (@susie_c) December 3, 2016

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, as many as 25 people remained unaccounted for, and the Alameda County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau has so far only confirmed nine deaths, though that number is expected to rise. Attendees have been posting to Facebook about those who remain unaccounted for, and one posted this updated list Saturday morning, which includes one of the musicians set to perform Friday night, SF-based Chelsea Faith, a.k.a. Cherushii.

Most of those missing are between the ages of 20 and 40, and the UK Metro has posted a collection of their photos culled from Facebook.

Deloach-Reed made comments, picked up by the Daily Mail, about a multi-agency task force that would be searching the building end to end Saturday. "The building is a huge building," she said. "There's going to have to be a methodical way we go about body recovery, and then also trying to find out where the fire started and how the fire's spread took place. ... We have not done a complete search of the building."

Oakland police are asking any friends or family members of those they believe were lost in the fire to contact the Coroner's Bureau at 510-382-3000.

Oakland fire department confirming at least 9 dead in overnight fire at artist collective party. pic.twitter.com/OtEKecapl8  Christien Kafton (@CKaftonKTVU) December 3, 2016



Below, Deloach-Reed discusses how the scene will be searched.



Update: As of 10:45 a.m., authorities were not updating the confirmed number of dead, and investigators still are staying out of the building for fear of collapse and further hot spots. They are using a drone with thermal imaging technology to search for fire and examine the structure.

Update 2: Photos of the eclectic interior of the space before the fire have emerged that you can see here. And the East Bay Express is reporting that building inspectors were at the building as recently as November 14 responding to habitability complaints.

Update 3: The Chronicle spoke with a couple of survivors of the blaze who had attended the party and said it was a very calm and mellow affair, with just a few people dancing on the upper floor and a lot of people sitting on couches and talking.

One woman, 24-year-old Laura Hobbs, described the stairway situation thusly. "The building itself was an art piece. The walls were completely covered with makeshift pieces of wood, so finding the staircase if youd never been there before was difficult because they had built it into the wall in a certain way... Theres so much happening all over the building, so its hard to tell where the path is to anything. It all felt very cramped. The second floor was very much right on top of the first... I cant imagine how long itd take 40 people to get out, even in a calm situation."

Her cousin also described the place as "truly the most intricate warehouse space Id seen."

Sgt. Ray Kelly, AC Sheriff's Dept, estimates 30-40 dead pic.twitter.com/vljAGchYYn  rachelswan (@rachelswan) December 3, 2016

Update 4: As of Sunday the official death toll rose to 24, with 80 percent of the structure still left to search.



Related: Pre-Fire Photos From Inside Oakland's 'Ghost Ship' Collective, Which Was Cited Two Weeks Ago By Building Inspectors



Jay Barmann also contributed to this post. The post has been updated throughout.
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

Mvurwi Town council casual worker was jailed yesterday after failing to pay US$100 bail for bashing his wife.Lawrence Gutsa was granted US$100 bail for bashing his wife by Guruve magistrate Antony Sanyatwi which he failed to pay.The wife is said to be remorseful and was late to withdraw the case.Gutsa will appear on Friday the 9th of December for judgement
In his latest novel, "Moonglow," author and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon aims for the moon and successfully touches down on the lunar surface after a journey that leaps across the decades, the story spanning South Philadelphia in the 1930s, Europe ravaged by World War II and the post-war America of the space program before retirement to South Florida.

The story is told through memories passed down to Mike, the narrator, by his mother's father. Suffering from bone cancer and high on painkillers, Mike's grandfather reveals "a record of his misadventures, his ambiguous luck, his feats and failures of timing and nerve."

Crossing continents and time itself, the story arcs from the search for the scientist who led the Nazi program to build the V-2 rockets that terrorized Britain during the war.

At the center of the story is the loving but tortured relationship between the narrator's grandparents. They met in postwar Baltimore and their marriage bonds suffer from the wife's traumatic war-time experiences in German-occupied France in the form of hallucinations and acting out.

However, the grandfather prepared for her bouts of madness: "She was always threatening rain; he had been born with an umbrella." The emotional connection between the three generations is told, as we learn of Mike's relationship with his mother and hers in turn with her parents.

The grandmother's psychotic episodes  involving fires and fantasy; disappearances and delusions  push Mike's grandfather to the limit as he struggles to keep the family intact.

"The Yiddish Policemen's Union" remains my favorite, but with "Moonglow" you get what you expect from Chabon: an emotional tale of love and loss; fabulous, at times magical, writing; and a story rooted in real-world events told from a unique perspective.

"Moonglow" floats through time and space and fires its rockets when required; to blast from Earth's gravity, to maintain course, to traverse the universe, to carry the reader to a fascinating new world.
LOS ANGELES | The opera world becomes the new jungle when Mozart in the Jungle begins its third season Friday.

In the series, Rodrigo De Souza, the acclaimed conductor, heads to Venice where hes hired to conduct an opera. There, he discovers a different animal, one removed from the ones he knew in New York.

Volatile personalities and language barriers are only part of the problems.

Gael Garcia Bernal, who plays Rodrigo, suggested the shift because he thought it would open up the world in which his character lives.

Weve only scratched the surface of learning about symphonic classical music, says producer Paul Weitz. Its really exciting to enter a completely new playing field.

The biggest hurdle was making sure regular characters  ones he interacts with in New York  didnt disappear in the new venture. Writers figured out ways to bridge the gaps and give their leading man new experiences.

Last year we got really involved in labor relations, which is a very realistic thing, Weitz says. Now, theyre getting to show the complete art and weird physicality of opera  what it takes to actually produce the sound that can reach the back of a gigantic opera house. That connected with money and the reality of mounting something is part of the same thing.

Shooting in Venice, producers say, brought its own challenges -- and benefits. Although it was frequently difficult to get around (actress Lola Kirke went on a shopping expedition, got lost and tried to get a gondola to get her back to the shooting location), they didnt have to worry about gawkers.

Its mostly crowded within the equivalent of a two-block radius, Weitz says. We shot one day at the Piazza San Marco and everybodys taking photographs of themselves, so it doesnt matter. You can have a thousand people and they wont notice that youre filming.

Residents, Bernal says, were very open. Its the most incredible city. Its very wet, of course, and because its so warm, we were all really wet all the time. So it added to the magical moisture of music.

Filming at opera landmarks added to the authenticity and helped Bernals character seem like the real deal. Adding in actual opera stars didnt hurt.

Placido Domingo, Bernal says, was a huge bonus. He would improvise  do the scene in Spanish, a little bit in English and a little bit in Italian. Thats the language of professional musicians. They can come up with anything and start to sing anything at any moment.

Because Mozart makes classical music seem like any other business, stars have noticed an uptick in viewers since it premiered.

Bernadette Peters, who plays the chair of the orchestra board, says her concert audiences roar their approval after she mentions the show. After we won the Golden Globe (for best Comedy Series), the whole audience applauded. Its just very freeform and creative and original. Thats whats great about it.

Thats also why folks not associated with television have agreed to test the waters.

They have a ball, Peters says of classical music stars. Theyre open to just letting something happen.

In season three, producer Will Graham says, the characters are considering a family thats divided and building off the consequences of season two. When, as musicians or people or artists, you go and have these different experiences and then come back together with your family, what new things does everyone bring to the table?

Bernal, who won a Golden Globe for his performance, says the Amazon series has made many of his dreams come true.

On our downtime, we talk about some music that weve heard or someone that weve wished to get to know. Placido Domingo has been very present in my life, as a Mexican in a Spanish-speaking world. To get to work with him was incredible. Incredible.
GALVA, Iowa | Cars and semi-trailer trucks are flowing through this tiny Ida County town in numbers rarely seen, giving residents a view of U.S. Highway 20 travelers heading across Iowa.

The heightened traffic is due to the closure of Highway 20 between Galva and Early, as the Iowa Department of Transportation proceeds on the $286 million project to widen the remaining 40 miles of the highway to four lanes between Moville and Early by late 2018.

A highway detour route opened in October and will run for two years. It goes by homes on Galva's south edge, with residents mixed on whether the traffic is bothersome.

Lucas Schossow moved in May 2015 to a Galva house that's now on the detour route. Traffic on County Road D15 flows past the north side of his home, which is the second house to the east of an intersection with four-way stop signs.

Schossow said cars on the detour route seem to be in a hurry. He said motorists routinely speed past his home, where the posted speed limit is 25 mph.

Schossow is more upset with semi-trucks, which he said don't adhere to the city abolition on usage of loud, so-called jake brakes.

"They wake my 11-month daughter up and I've got to deal with that for two hours," Schossow said.

Mary and Gordon Sorenson have lived in a home on the northwest corner of the detour turning spot in Galva since 1962. Mary Sorenson said they've been through a detour a few decades ago, when work near the Maple River also brought cars into Galva.

Sorensen takes the stance that the detour inconvenience will be offset in the long run by the benefits of four-lane Highway 20, which supporters say will improve safety and boost economic development.

"Once it gets opened up, the road to Sioux City will really open to commerce. The future benefits of the road will be well worth the work," Sorenson said.

Moreover, Sorensen takes a more wondering approach to all the traffic, arriving from a wide variety of places, traveling through the small town for a few moments.

"Everybody is going some place and they have their stories, I'm sure. We have kind of enjoyed it," Sorensen said.

SOLE TOWN ON DETOUR ROUTE

Until late 2018, an estimated 2,500 vehicles per day will be detoured on county blacktops between Galva and U.S. Highway 71 north of Early.

Galva, pop. 434, and Schaller, pop. 772, are the two towns on the detour. The detour goes through a residential neighborhood in Galva, but only skirts the northwest edge of Schaller, with the route going by a cemetery on county roads that have been modernized to handle the heavier traffic.

Dakin Schultz, IDOT District 3 traffic planner, said a two-year detour is rare but necessary in this case to keep construction on the 11-mile stretch of Highway. 20 on schedule. By closing the highway for two years, contractors can work on all four lanes at once.

The detour takes motorists about six miles out of their way. For eastbound motorists, it follows Ida County Road M25 north to Galva, then east on Ida/Sac county road D15 to U.S. Highway 71, which is about three miles north of U.S. 20 and the town of Early. At Early, eastbound traffic links up with a four-lane Highway 20 that runs to the state's eastern border.

Sorensen liked how County Road D15 was widened and resurfaced by IDOT to handle the detour traffic.

"This is really well organized," Sorensen said.

Anita Brandt has lived in Galva for 26 years and served as clerk for the city government for 24 years. Brandt said not a lot of traffic beyond trucks going to the ethanol plan south of town typically go through Galva. She said being on the detour route for two years will mean a lot of people who have never been to Galva will now drive through, which she called an opportunity.

Brandt said she knows many of the detour travelers are determinedly bound for a destination, but hopes some peel off the road for a stop. The downtown lies just north of the detour, where the options include the Sizzlin J restaurant and a bar called The Lumber Inn.

"We'd love to see them come in and partake of the restaurant or the bar or get fuel...Our restaurant has really good food and service," Brandt said.

Schossow said he has asked the Ida County Sheriff's Office to patrol more heavily in Galva on the detour route. Schossow said he has long waits to pull out of his driveway.

"People don't stop at the stop sign. They just roll through. They are going 35-40 (mph) past my house already, and I am only the second house," Schossow said.

Schossow added, "We aren't looking forward to the next two years at all...Mostly it is the truck traffic that bugs us."

Sorensen said her chief concern involves travelers in the winter. She said long trucks have jack-knifed at the intersection on slick spots in the past, running into yards. She said problems could be reduced if crews keep the intersection free of snow and ice.
SIOUX CITY | Joanne Fox, Jim Rixner and Monique Scarlett will be recognized Friday for their contributions to improve Sioux City's civil rights climate.

The three will receive the War Eagle Human Rights awards during an awards ceremony, which will begin 11:30 Friday at the Sioux City Public Museum, 607 Fourth St.

Fox, who serves as editor of the Diocese of Sioux City's Catholic Globe newspaper, as an adjunct instructor at Western Iowa Tech Community College and as a community volunteer, will be recognized for directing the production of "The Miracle Worker" at the Sioux City Community Theatre.

Rixner, a mental health professional, volunteer and former City Council member, will be honored for his lifetime of work and volunteering.

Scarlett, a former Human Rights Commission member and current vice president of the Sanford Community Center Board, will be recognized for founding Unity in the Community, which encourages peaceful interaction between the community and police officers.

The annual award ceremony, sponsored by the city's Human Rights Commission and held in conjunction with Universal Human Rights Day, will be free and open to the public. A luncheon will be provided.
SIOUX CITY | A former Denison, Iowa, police officer and another placed on leave have sued the city of Denison and its former police chief for retaliating against them for reporting the chief's potentially illegal and questionable activities.

Ray Ohl and Bradley Wendt both said in separate federal lawsuits that they were punished for reporting an alleged illegal search conducted by former Chief John Emswiler and bringing public attention to the existence of a department computer directory filled with pornographic images and other objectionable materials that they said Emswiler maintained.

Filed first in Crawford County District Court and recently moved to U.S. District Court in Sioux City, the lawsuits said that Wendt reported to the Iowa Ombudsman's office that Emswiler had entered an apartment without a search warrant in September 2015.

In November 2015, the computer directory containing pornographic photos and other edited images containing racist, sexist and other questionable content was discovered.

Wendt was later charged with hunting violations and placed on unpaid administrative leave, after which Wendt took 50 pictures from the computer file to the Denison City Council and demanded action be taken against Emswiler.

Wendt refused Emswiler's request to resign, the lawsuit said, and the city then targeted Wendt for not having a house number on a building that contained his secondary business and also for having street signs for his business. The city has also refused to let Wendt collect items from his locker at the police department, the lawsuit said, and would not approve his request for secondary employment with another police department. Wendt remains on leave.

Ohl said in his lawsuit that Emswiler began retaliating against him after finding out that Ohl had participated and cooperated in the Ombudsman's investigation into Emswiler's alleged illegal search.

The lawsuit said that Emswiler went back on an agreement with Ohl, in which the officer bought a police dog and the department would pay for training. In February, Ohl was fired for insubordination, and the lawsuit claimed the firing was in retaliation for Ohl helping the subject of the illegal search to file a report.

Ohl was ordered to turn over the police dog and related equipment to the department. The city later billed Ohl $300 for removal of equipment he had returned to the police department. After Ohl refused to pay it, the money was assessed to his property taxes.

Wendt and Ohl both said the actions taken by the city and Emswiler violated their First Amendment rights to free speech and were made in retaliation for their whistleblowing actions. The are seeking an unspecified amount of damages.

Emswiler resigned in June. He had been disciplined earlier in the year for the possession of lascivious and offensive materials on the department's computer drive.
SIOUX CITY | State Rep. Chris Hall, D-Sioux City, joined seven other American delegates Friday for a leadership exchange in Japan to better relationships between the two nations.

According to a press release, the exchange is hosted by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. The eight delegates selected from across the country underwent a competitive nomination process to be able to go.

We have already met with members of the Japanese Embassy. I hope to discuss Iowa's agriculture interests and trade, along with energy and infrastructure policy, said Hall in the release.

The exchange includes delegates from each country to gain a better understanding of the government and policy-making process of the other country during a two-week study program.

The ACYPL was created in 1966 to create international educational exchanges for young political leaders worldwide, the release said. Delegates are equally represented by Republican and Democratic parties and there are 32 countries that currently participate in the exchanges.
News / Press Release

by Jacob Mafume

Media reports suggesting that Standard Bank, a British multinational banking and financial services group, has given the autocratic Zanu PF government a US$262 million bailout package are highly disturbing.As reported by the Zimbabwe Independent in its publication of Friday, December 02, 2016, the Standard Bank will pay US$262 million to settle part of Zimbabwe's debt to the African Development Bank (AfDB).Zimbabwe owes AfDB over US$600 million and the remaining debt will be paid by the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank).The debt is being settled ahead of AfDB's board meeting on December 7 in order to rescue broke Zimbabwe where its debt issue will be discussed on the day.Through high level government corrupt activities, Zimbabwe is broke and it cannot even pay salaries for its civil servants while at the same time it has increased its human rights abuses against its citizens.With such an appalling record, no serious bank or financial institution can lend money to such an oppressive regime unless it is on the basis of politics.However, financially bailing out such a regime is supporting the oppression of the people.As the People's Democratic Party (PDP), our position is that for the Zimbabwe government to earn any financial support from the international community, it must first reform.We are therefore alarmed that the Standard Bank like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank has chosen to align itself with a corrupt and ruthless regime.It is shocking that the international financial institutions want to bail out Zimbabwe when every government minister or senior public official in office has this year been implicated in some form of corruption running into millions of dollars.The international community is also turning a blind eye to the fact that in order for Zimbabwe to receive any form financial assistance, it must first meet certain conditions and reforms.However, issues of the indigenisation and empowerment policy, land, electoral reforms, tackling corruption and the promotion of ease of doing business remain outstanding.Zimbabwe must also reduce its wage bill for civil servants, where tens of thousands of ghost workers employed.Instead, Zanu PF is on a recruitment drive for thousands of young people to train as soldiers as it readies for the 2018 elections and suppress the people's will.As PDP, we reiterate our position that when democratic change finally comes to Zimbabwe, the people of this country will repudiate this debt as it has been used to prop up a rogue regime and oppress the people of Zimbabwe.We again call upon the international financial community not to support the corrupt and callous regime of Robert Mugabe but rather to support democratic change, reforms and a better Zimbabwe for all.The bailout of Zimbabwe by the international financiers will only be used by Zanu PF to build its war chest ahead of the 2018 elections and fatten the pockets of a few elite while the majority of the citizens will continue to wallow in extreme poverty.
DES MOINES | President-elect Donald Trumps victory tour includes a scheduled stop in Iowa.

Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence are scheduled to hold a rally Thursday at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, the Trump campaign confirmed Friday.

Trump has been visiting various cities to celebrate his election victory and rally supporters across the country. He started the tour this week in Cincinnati and has another scheduled stop in North Carolina.

Trump won Iowa by nearly 10 percentage points en route to his Nov. 8 election victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Back in February, Trump finished second in the Iowa Republican caucuses to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Trump made a strong play for Iowa during the general election, appearing at seven events over six campaign trips here, according to the National Journals campaign tracker.

During his final campaign stop in Iowa, in Sioux City on the Sunday before the election, Trump told supporters there was an urgency to the election.

As our country, this is never going to happen again, he said at that event. This is your last chance to make our country truly, truly great again.

Iowa Democrats, in anticipation of Trumps victory tour visit, said Thursday at a news conference that they think their role under President-elect Trump is to hold his administration accountable.

Were asking for (Trump) to start acting like the president-elect and less like candidate Trump, Nate Boulton, an incoming Iowa state senator, said at a news conference at a Des Moines union hall. I think thats the point that were trying to make here: Going around doing continued rallies and continued tweeting seems to feel like a campaign more. We want to see that transition into governing and governing responsibly.

Thursdays event is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hy-Vee Hall in the Iowa Events Center. Free, first-come, first-served tickets are available at Trumps campaign website, donaldjtrump.com.
SIOUX CITY | There's a large surplus of on-street and ramp parking in downtown Sioux City during meter enforcement hours, according to a recent study of downtown parking usage.

The study, conducted by Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO), shows that only about one-third of Sioux City's 3,271 downtown parking spaces are in use at any given time.

SIMPCO collected the data this year during standard meter enforcement hours -- 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday -- and used a formula to calculate Sioux City's downtown "parking index," or the average percent of spaces occupied at a given point in time.

The study found the parking index for downtown on-street parking is 18 percent, meaning 18 percent of street spaces are occupied at any given point in time, on average. Ramp parking has an index of 44 percent. Overall, downtown has an index of 35 percent.

According to the study, an ideal index is 85 to 90 percent, which would mean most spaces are being used but some remain open for additional cars.

Parking indexes for specific streets and locations varied from 0 to 79 percent, with no location reaching the recommended parking index.

"In summary, theres surplus parking," Kevin Randle, a regional planner with SIMPCO, told the Sioux City Council during a presentation of the report last month. "Thats good information to know moving forward and making decisions on different proposals that may affect the citys streetscape and parking."

The study also showed the specific blocks and ramps with the highest parking indexes.

The Heritage Parking Garage at Third and Jackson streets led all parking indexes with 79 percent.

The most-used street parking areas include the 500 and 600 blocks of Fourth Street, the 500 block of Fifth Street, the 400 block of Eighth Street and the area of Douglas and Seventh streets near the Woodbury County Courthouse.

The study also pointed out that many businesses have their own parking lots and spaces downtown for their customers, which draw people who dont want to pay for parking. The study recommends gathering more information on the free, privately-owned parking downtown.

A news release issued by SIMPCO Friday stated that oversupply of parking can be a problem, with underused parking causing the city to lose the potential gain from alternative uses of the area like green space, bike lanes or downtown parks.

Councilman Dan Moore, who sits on the Downtown Partners Board of Directors, said he believes the study will help start a discussion on how the city can make the most of its parking services.

"I think this might give us a little boost to see if we can't really start making some major changes and improvements that will attract people to park in the parking ramps," he said.

Moore said the study opened his eyes to how much the metered spaces are competing with free parking downtown.

Councilman Keith Radig, who also sits on the Downtown Partners board, said he believes providing adequate parking in certain locations, like Fifth Street, will help attract businesses and, as a result, fill up more spots.

"It's kind of a double-edged sword thing, where if you don't have parking you don't have business," Radig reiterated Friday. "If we could get more parking stalls through diagonal parking in streets like Fifth Street, I think you would see a lot of the businesses on Fifth Street fill up with tenants."

Radig will resign from the council in early January to take a seat on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that he won in the Nov. 8 election.

Moore said he believes the city will in the future be revisiting the conversion of streets to two-way traffic, and he said the study will be helpful in showing how to make the best use of the parking areas.

SIMPCO is working on a more detailed report of the study's findings, according to the release.
News / Regional

by Stephen Jakes

The Zimbabwean based leadership of Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) has accused some top leaders of the party especially those based abroad of pretending as if they hold titled deeds to the party and warned them for a bruising squabble.MLF spokesperson Ndabezinhle Fuyane said they are very much concerned about some people who view themselves as MLF's title deeds holders a development which has sparked discontent in the party."For starters, MLF is a people's organization that was founded on principle of respecting one another by its members and respecting the majority rule," he said." MLF is one and with in tact members, under the leadership of the interim committee that administrates the movement until 2017 December when the front will hold its Congress to choose its permanent leadership. This was necessitated by the internal squabbles that arose soon after the resignation of the front's former President General Nandinandi in around June."He said therefore as MLF, they strongly condemn the act of bad mouthing and character assassination witnessed recently as some some members did."That is unMLF but Zanuish. At MLF we call for a united Mthwakazi as witnessed by our organising of the All Stakeholders Conference in 2014 in Chitawa, Botswana," he said. "We believe we can move forward and prosper as a nation if we are united and we cannot soil any attempts by any Mthwakazi person or organisation that are aimed at fostering Mthwakazi unity. We call for the end of all such behaviour by all that identifies themselves with the front. We cannot tolerate such conducts in the ranks of our organization.""As an organization we have our ways of raising concerns and grievances."
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For someone who began his political campaign by crossing a line and has since kept crossing many lines with impunity why is anyone surprised at all that President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen?

The man who has consistently informed the American people of his unpredictability cannot be blamed for being unpredictable. Whether his capricious approach to life is an asset or a liability in so far as it concerns his impending presidency is a judgment of time and whether he should have won notwithstanding that explicitly announced intention is now well past time.

After reading about his 10-minute phone conversation with Taiwans leader, the first by any American and Taiwanese leaders since 1979, a somewhat outlandish thought did cross my mindWho next? The Dalai Lama? I quickly banished the thought.

It seems to be a strategy with Trump not to let the media and the world recover from their consternation/surprise/shock by regularly dosing them with something freshly intoxicating. Even before the weirdly effusive content of his call with Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had ceased being controversial, the president-elect sprang the Taiwanese call.

On the point about the Trump-Sharif call, where the former, according to the latter, described his vis-a-vis as someone who is a terrific guy with a very good reputation doing amazing work in an amazing country full of fantastic people, people are still processing it. According to the Pakistani side, Trump also said he was willing to play any role you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems.

Knowing the way the Pakistani mind works, I wouldnt be surprised if that call was recorded by them just in case its claims of the content were seriously challenged. On its part the Trump team sought to play down the gushing tone of the call saying the two had a productive conversation about how the United States and Pakistan will have a strong working relationship in the future. President-elect Trump also noted that he is looking forward to a lasting relationship with Prime Minister Sharif.

When I first read the content of his call with Sharif as claimed by Islamabad, I immediately thought of Hindus for Trump, a group of Indian Americans one of whose primary reasons for being so sanguine about Trump was that he would cut Pakistan down to size. Well, if the man is willing to play any role that Pakistan wants him to play to solve all outstanding problems, at the very least it should tell his Indian American supporters that his capriciousness is real. Of course, by the sheer logic of capriciousness, he could well turn on that very dime all over again. So it is neither here nor there.

Coming back to Taiwan, which China regards as one of its breakaway provinces like it did Tibet and annexed it in 1950, I concur with the president-elect on one limited point. After the expected controversy over his call with the Taiwanese leader, he tweeted Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call. That is an unexceptionable point quite in keeping with his approach of crossing any and all lines. Of course, when you cross any and all lines, it is statistically inevitable that you would cross some of them for the right reasons.

Expectedly, Beijing is unhappy about the call and has reportedly let the Obama administration know as much. Not that, that is going to make any material difference when President Barack Obama is practically out of the White House.

The call can potentially damage US-China relations but then both sides know the importance of not stepping on each others corns too much. Analysts are trying to decipher whether the Trump-Tsai call signals a dramatic shift in Americas China policy under President Trump, threatening to upend decades of relative stability. I am not entirely sure much deep analysis goes into the way the president-elect conducts these phone conversations. They could well be lip-deep insincerities that a businessman long accustomed to mouthing them to sell uses.

Lets accept for the sake of argument that Trump was well aware of how unfavorably the call would be viewed in Beijing but did it anyway. If that is the case, it is only in keeping with his express intention of routinely crossing lines. For someone for whom the very first straw should have been last straw when he announced his campaign calling an entire group of people rapists and murderers, lets not pretend that the Taiwan call is shocking. Its consequence, if any at all, will be known over a period of time. Until then, lets wait and see which new line he is getting ready to cross.
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.




Opinion / Columnist

"Mwana wabata moto unodzidza juti unopisa, benzi ibenzi rinozvibvura!" So goes the Shona adage. (The child who touches fire soon learns that it burns, the fool never learns and so will roast himself!)After 34 years at the very heart of the Zanu PF dictatorship plus two years cooling-off period one would have thought Mai Mujuru and her ZPF followers have finally learned something. Sadly, they are the same blunder idiots they were in 1980, remained so throughout the 34 years in Zanu PF and are set to continue blundering into the future!"We want to apologise to the masses of Zimbabwe because we dumped them soon after independence. We are saying we are coming back to you. We want to listen and we want the problems that people are facing resolved," said Elliot Kasu, the interim chairperson of the ZPF Freedom Fighters Council (FFC)."After the liberation struggle we were dumped and we continue to be dumped. So, we are saying let us go back to the 1980s."In one breath, he acknowledges that war veterans betrayed the people but has clearly not thought through as how that happened, specifically the role Joice Mujuru and other ZPF leaders played and war veterans like him played. In the next breath he is back to his and Mai Mujuru's favourite theme blaming Mugabe and those still in Zanu PF for "dumping" them!Frank Badza, who is Secretary General of FFC said the same thing in different words."The revolution was derailed following the liberation struggle and it continues to go off the rails up to this day. So, we have been figuring out where we went wrong," said Frank Badza."We entirely accept the blame for the fall of this country and the abandonment of the values of the liberation struggle. We did not realise our objectives because some of the forefathers were not there at the end and it was hijacked by some who wanted to build their names, yet their contribution was far less."As freedom fighters, we realised that if we follow People First, we will remove people from this dictatorship. We were used to put Mugabe in power and we were used to prop up his rule and maintain it until 2014 when we were hounded from the party.Again the same thing, a quick acknowledgement that the Zimbabwe is in a serious economic mess and the most sorrowful and sonorous words of regret they were "hounded from the party".Joice Mujuru, who attended the press conference above, has given a number of press interviews herself since December 2014 has to apologized to the people of Zimbabwe for the mess the country is in. She has been a cabinet member for 34 years, the last ten of which she was President Mugabe's number two and yet she accepts no responsibility for anything. She saw nothing, she maintains, because "puppies do not open their eyes the day they born".Well Kasu, Badza, Mujuru and the rest of these ZPF people have not been listening or they are all stone deaf because if they have been listening they would know by now that;a) they have all been at the very heart of this Zanu PF dictatorship and, after 34 years, they cannot walk away and pretend they saw nothing, heard nothing and they as dumb as the moon. They are all as guilty of landing the nation in this mess as President Mugabe, Mnangagwa, Jabulani Sibanda and all the others.b) There is a lot more to this corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship than the one or two individuals that has allowed it to take firm root in Zimbabwe; it is the ethos that shared by most freedom fighters that by being a freedom fighter they know best and therefore everyone else must listen to them and do as they say. Well, history has shown that war veterans do not have the monopoly of knowledge, the nation would not be in this economic and political mess if they did.c) And, more significantly, if we are serious about ending the mess then it is not enough to just remove Mugabe and one or two others from power and change the name of the party from Zanu PF to ZPF. We must dismantle the whole dictatorship edifice including the erroneous belief that war veterans know best on which the dictatorship is grounded.What Zanu PF has done since independence in April 1980 is systematically corrupt the nation's democratic institutions so they served the party's selfish interest of remaining in power at all cost. Security Chefs were brainwashed into announcing that they would not salute anyone "with no liberation war credentials".The war veterans were brainwashed into believing all opposition parties were sponsored by the West to bring about regime change. So, the regime granted them carte blanche powers to abuse the people denying them their freedoms and rights including the right to free and fair elections in the name of stopping regime change.The sheer stupidity of both the security chefs and the war veterans was exposed by their failure to see that this no regime change mantra was incompatible with the regime's claim that elections were free, fair and credible. If they had any common sense at all they should have also realised that the country's failure to have a democratically accountable government was the root cause of the country's economic decline!"We know as war veterans that if we win elections it will be difficult for them to deny us power as they did with Tsvangirai," said Badza.In other words, he and his FFC friends still believe in they know best.Chris Mutsvangwa who is leading the other group of war veterans who have remain in Zanu PF are right now in the middle of a serious power struggle in which Mutsvangwa and company still maintains the view that as war veterans "they are the stockholders of Zimbabwe" and thus wield the veto when it comes to deciding who rules the country.Kasu, Badza, Mutsvangwa, Sibanda and all the other war veterans be you members of Mujuru's FFC or Mugabe's WNLWVA, it real does matter; President Mugabe, VP Mnangagwa, former VP Mujuru and all the other Zanu PF buffoons brainwashed you lot into believing that they, by virtue of having been the leaders in the liberation struggle, knew best. Well the truth is they are just as fallible as everyone else and the country would not be in such a mess if they were infallible.The only way the country is ever going to get out of this mess is by completely dismantling the Zanu PF dictatorship and ending this political lie that freedom fighters are special. Twitting the dictatorship by change one or two leaders and/or changing the party name is not enough. Zimbabwe's next elections must be free, fair and credible  that is negotiable!
Balloon Flight in Antarctica NASA

The second of three missions as part of NASAs Antarctica Long Duration Balloon Flight Campaign was successfully launched at 8:10 a.m. EDT, Dec. 2.

The Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa was launched from Antarcticas Ross Ice Shelf near McMurdo Station with support from the National Science Foundations United States Antarctic Program.

Scientists will use ANITAs instruments to study the reactions in the core of stars and as they explode via the release of neutrinos that travel to Earth and interact with the Antarctica ice.

The launch of the ANITA went extremely well, said Gabe Garde, NASA mission manager. The entire team has been working together to allow us to conduct the first two flights in this campaign early in the launch window and the third flight is on schedule for a mid-December launch, weather permitting, he said.

The University of Marylands Boron And Carbon Cosmic rays in the Upper Stratosphere (BACCUS) payload was launched Nov. 28. The third mission is the Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory (STO-II) from the University of Arizona.

NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia manages the agencys scientific balloon flight program with 10 to 15 flights each year from launch sites worldwide. Orbital ATK, which operates NASAs Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for NASAs scientific balloon program. The CSBF team has launched more than 1,700 scientific balloons in the over 35 years of operation.

Anyone may track the progress of NASAs Antarctica scientific balloon flights via online tools that provide altitude and speed as well as a map showing the balloons real-time location, at: https://www.csbf.nasa.gov/antarctica/ice.htm.

For more information on the balloon program, see: http://www.nasa.gov/scientificballoons.

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More members of Nova Scotia's local racing circuit are joining forces to raise funds for those who were injured in a November accident at Northside Downs.

After getting the fundraising efforts started and recently making a call for others join, Truro Raceway track photographer Kyle Burton is happy to share that several others are pitching in.

Robert Collette of Truro was one of the first to step up. He will pledge 10 percent of earnings from his classy campaigner Bagel Man for the remainder of the year. The 13-year-old Im The Chairpan gelding has won nine times in 2016, including his last three starts. Since joining the fundraising efforts, Bagel Man has won two races.

Led by Truro Raceways de facto master of ceremonies Brad McCallum, the Wont Back Down Stables is also joining forces to help raise funds for the injured drivers. Their three-year-old filly Craigmore Christy is putting her money where her mouth is. Ten percent of her earnings will be donated.

Trainer Dawn Ellis Abbott is pledging 50 percent of earnings from her top class mare Desir Dorleans. The seven-year-old Goliath Bayama mare is a front-runner for local year-end honours and regularly faces stiff competition in Truros top class group. Shes already an eight-time winner this season and recently finished second behind the dominating His Boy Elroy on November 27.

Karma has been working well for trainer James (Roy) Burtons stable since they kicked off the fundraising drive two weeks ago. Both his eight-year-old pacer Eye Forty Seven and homebred A Regal Beauty have been victorious in their efforts, with each winning a heat. Ten percent of their earnings have been pledged to the cause.

Track photographer Kyle Burton is also pledging 10 percent of his photography sales for the remainder of the year.

The response has been tremendous and we have been really happy with the support from the local trainers, said Kyle Burton. They understand what its like to suffer and they realize we are stronger when everyone comes together.

A special trackside cheque presentation at Truro Raceway will be made at the end of the year. Details will follow at a later date.

If anyone is interested in joining the fundraising efforts, please contact Kyle Burton at [email protected].

(With files from Truro Raceway)
Longtime standardbred industry participant Hector Armstrong passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29 at the Sun Parlor Home in Leamington, Ont. at the age of 93.

Hector lived an active life working as a mechanic, a truck driver and a harness horse trainer and driver. He loved horses and spent countless hours taking care of them at the Leamington Fairgrounds. He had a small plane that he loved to fly and he enjoyed telling stories of his many adventures. Hec took pride in using his skills to restore old tractors and trailers and nothing pleased him more than finding an old tractor and turning it into a beautiful work of art

Beloved husband of the late Shirley (Wilkinson) (2013). Son of the late Lorne and Margaret (McCallum) Armstrong. He was predeceased by his three dearly beloved brothers, Eldon McCallum (Mac) (the late Helen), William (Bill) (the late Blanche) and Ken (Norma). Hector will be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews as well as his friends at the Sun Parlor Home.

Visiting at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street Leamington on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service to celebrate Hector's life at 10 a.m. Rev. Paul Rodey officiating. At Hector's request, a private family graveside service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the charity of your choice. Friends may send condolences or make a charitable contribution at

reidfuneralhome.ca.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Hector Armstrong.
The essential component of totalitarian propaganda is artifice (het toepassen van kunstgrepen. svh) . The ruling elites, like celebritie...
The Iraqi army, backed by US-led airstrikes, is trying to capture east Mosul at the same time as the Syrian army and its Shia paramilitary allies are fighting their way into east Aleppo . An estimated 300 civilians have been killed in Aleppo by government artillery and bombing in the last fortnight, and in Mosul there are reportedly some 600 civilian dead over a month.

Despite these similarities, the reporting by the international media of these two sieges is radically different.

In Mosul, civilian loss of life is blamed on Isis, with its indiscriminate use of mortars and suicide bombers, while the Iraqi army and their air support are largely given a free pass. Isis is accused of preventing civilians from leaving the city so they can be used as human shields.

Contrast this with Western media descriptions of the inhuman savagery of President Assads forces indiscriminately slaughtering civilians regardless of whether they stay or try to flee. The UN chief of humanitarian affairs, Stephen OBrien, suggested this week that the rebels in east Aleppo were stopping civilians departing  but unlike Mosul, the issue gets little coverage.

One factor making the sieges of east Aleppo and east Mosul so similar, and different, from past sieges in the Middle East , such as the Israeli siege of Beirut in 1982 or of Gaza in 2014, is that there are no independent foreign journalists present. They are not there for the very good reason that Isis imprisons and beheads foreigners while Jabhat al-Nusra , until recently the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, is only a shade less bloodthirsty and generally holds them for ransom.

0:00 / 0:45 At least 45 Syrian refugees killed by regime missile while trying to flee Aleppo

These are the two groups that dominate the armed opposition in Syria as a whole. In Aleppo, though only about 20 per cent of the 10,000 fighters are Nusra, it is they  along with their allies in Ahrar al-Sham  who are leading the resistance.

Unsurprisingly, foreign journalists covering developments in east Aleppo and rebel-held areas of Syria overwhelmingly do so from Lebanon or Turkey. A number of intrepid correspondents who tried to do eyewitness reporting from rebel-held areas swiftly found themselves tipped into the boots of cars or otherwise incarcerated.

Experience shows that foreign reporters are quite right not to trust their lives even to the most moderate of the armed opposition inside Syria. But, strangely enough, the same media organisations continue to put their trust in the veracity of information coming out of areas under the control of these same potential kidnappers and hostage takers. They would probably defend themselves by saying they rely on non-partisan activists, but all the evidence is that these can only operate in east Aleppo under license from the al-Qaeda-type groups.

It is inevitable that an opposition movement fighting for its life in wartime will only produce, or allow to be produced by others, information that is essentially propaganda for its own side. The fault lies not with them but a media that allows itself to be spoon-fed with dubious or one-sided stories.

For instance, the film coming out of east Aleppo in recent weeks focuses almost exclusively on heartrending scenes of human tragedy such as the death or maiming of civilians. One seldom sees shots of the 10,000 fighters, whether they are wounded or alive and well.

None of this is new. The present wars in the Middle East started with the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 which was justified by the supposed threat from Saddam Husseins possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Western journalists largely went along with this thesis, happily citing evidence from the Iraqi opposition who predictably confirmed the existence of WMD.

Some of those who produced these stories later had the gall to criticise the Iraqi opposition for misleading them, as if they had any right to expect unbiased information from people who had dedicated their lives to overthrowing Saddam Hussein or, in this particular case, getting the Americans to do so for them.

Much the same self-serving media credulity was evident in Libya during the 2011 Nato-backed uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

Atrocity stories emanating from the Libyan opposition, many of which were subsequently proved to be baseless by human rights organisations, were rapidly promoted to lead the news, however partial the source.

The Syrian war is especially difficult to report because Isis and various al-Qaeda clones made it too dangerous to report from within opposition-held areas. There is a tremendous hunger for news from just such places, so the temptation is for the media give credence to information they get second hand from people who could in practice only operate if they belong to or are in sympathy with the dominant jihadi opposition groups.

It is always a weakness of journalists that they pretend to excavate the truth when in fact they are the conduit rather than the originator of information produced by others in their own interests. Reporters learn early that people tell them things because they are promoting some cause which might be their own career or related to bureaucratic infighting or, just possibly, hatred of lies and injustice.

A word here in defence of the humble reporter in the field: usually, it is not he or she, but the home office or media herd instinct, that decides the story of the day. Those closest to the action may be dubious about some juicy tale which is heading the news, but there is not much they can do about it.

Thus, in 2002 and 2003, several New York Times journalists wrote stories casting doubt on WMD only to find them buried deep inside the newspaper which was led by articles proving that Saddam had WMD and was a threat to the world.

Journalists and public alike should regard all information about Syria and Iraq with reasoned scepticism. They should keep in mind the words of Lakhdar Brahimi, the former UN and Arab League Special Envoy to Syria. Speaking after he had resigned in frustration in 2014, he said that everybody had their agenda and the interests of the Syrian people came second, third or not at all.

The quote comes from The Battle for Syria: International Rivalry in the New Middle Eastby Christopher Phillips, which is one of the best informed and non-partisan accounts of the Syrian tragedy yet published. He judiciously weighs the evidence for rival explanations for what happened and why. He understands the degree to which the agenda and pace events in Syria were determined externally by the intervention of foreign powers pursuing their own interests.

Overall, government experts did better than journalists, who bought into simple-minded explanations of developments, convinced that Assad was always on the verge of being overthrown.

Phillips records that at a high point of the popular uprising in July 2011, when the media was assuming that Assad was finished, that the long-serving British ambassador in Damascus, Simon Collis, wrote that Assad can still probably count on the support of 30-40 per cent of the population.

The French ambassador Eric Chevallier was similarly cautious, only to receive a classic rebuke from his masters in Paris who said: Your information does not interest us. Bashar al-Assad must fall and will fall.




Opinion / Columnist

On 30 November I had the fortune to attend a parliamentary committee public hearing into proposed Bills. The first Bill proposed to deal with the corruption in the State Tender and Procurement process. The second Bill was the proposed legislation of the Bond notes. Both these topics are guaranteed to generate debate on a myriad of forums ranging from taxis to boardrooms. Hence it was with much anticipation that I made way to the announced venue. I got to Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo and my beef with the Zimbabwean Parliament began.The staff at Rainbow knew nothing about such a meeting!! Come on people this is not some two bit NGO spending some donor funds but a government program dealing with very pertinent governance issues. Ever the resourceful person I borrowed US$0.50 from Econet and called a journalist friend who told me that the hearing had been moved to the Large City Hall.I rushed to the City Hall expecting to find standing space along the walls. I had to ask the security guard at the Hall to confirm that there was a public hearing in the Hall. There was only one ZANU PF issue car in the car park in front of the Hall. The Hall was almost empty with the front rows filled with journalists. There was a table with 5 sleek and well fed individuals exuding expensive perfume who obviously were parliamentarians.That reassured me that this was the proper venue. I took my seat after registering at the entrance. A gentleman that I recognized as ZANU PF MP for Harare East Terence Mukupe was reading incoherently from a multipage document. The Honourable MP is infamous for his arrest over public violence in August 2015 and his financial challenges with the ZB Bank last April. This was then the man chosen to lead the team to gather the views of the people of Bulawayo on measures to deal with corruption in the State procurement procedures and the introduction of Bond notes.I could not hear what the gentleman was saying. He was obviously struggling with the legal terminology and voice projection in the large auditorium. The absence of a PA system did not help matters.As soon as the MP sat down cries of "Kasizwanga" reverberated throughout the hall. Besides failing to provide a PA system the team had failed to provide copies of the Bill they had come to discuss with the people of Bulawayo whom they purportedly represent in Parliament! The MP retorted that people should move closer to him so that they could hear him.He said copies of the bill were available on the internet and the public should have downloaded for themselves! He further pointed out that there was a laid down procedure on how to conduct such hearings. Members of the public should wait to be recognized by the chair before they could voice their views otherwise they would be out of order.Well, of course, that established the tone of relations between the chair and his public. He pointed out that the views obtained from the public will be collated and forwarded to the Minister who had the prerogative right and choice to accept or reject them!Aah! Thixo waseMaguswini, a Minister rejecting the views of members of the public which views Parliament had expended much effort and scarce cash to gather. To support his colleague Hon Khumalo pointed out to the members of the public that the views of the MPs will not necessarily be the same as those of the public. A parliamentarian arrogantly telling the public that they don't speak for them in Parliament because the MPs may have different views. Jeso waseNazaletha..!I then began to analyze the whole process of the Public Hearings. It is mind boggling that a national government programme can be shoddily organized and conducted and conclusions drawn from such. Zimbabwe is a democracy governed by an elected Executive and Parliament. The Executive is accountable to the electorate via the MPs who are nominally directly accountable to the voting public who voted them into parliament. The farce at the Large City Hall raised disturbing questions about the running of the government business at the Parliament in Harare. It raised even more questions on the integrity of the people voted into Parliament. While it is not surprising that most of the MPs are corrupt the levels of the arrogance that now accompany the corruption is disturbing.It became apparent that the views of the people were only sought to bring legitimacy to a corrupt system that seeks only to enrich the individuals in the system. The tragedy of the Bond notes was put succinctly by the Chair who explained that they had been created by the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act. Apparently that Act was about to expire thus the Minister had seen fit to draft a 2 page amendment to the RBZ act to legitimize the introduction of the Bond notes. The Minister then sent out the teams to gather the views of the public to give a veneer of respect to the process. A pliant legislature will then rubber stamp the amendment to accommodate a temporary currency in a permanent act.The whole exercise is just another way of doling out T&S allowances to greedy MPs. The people of Bulawayo made it clear that they are not happy with the way the proceedings were conducted. They laid the blame squarely on the system of governance in the country, both the Legislature and the Executive.The people reiterated their calls for the implementation of the Devolution Clause that is the in the Constitution. They argued that Devolution will give them ownership of the process and the power to hold their representatives to account.As things stand the people don't feel ownership of the government and its processes because they are not involved in the decision making. It then is not surprising that the whole event turned into a government bashing exercise that did not discuss the merits of the Bills on the table. It was even sad to note that not a single councilor from Bulawayo saw it fit to attend the hearing and hear what the people had to say. Neither did the MPs or the Resident Minister Eunice Sandi, save for Nkulumane MP Killion Sibanda, who came with a bunch of rowdy ZANU PF youths to disrupt the proceedings while reading out messages on their phones to support the bond note introduction. UNkulunkulu esihawukele koBulawayo with such leaders, to whom common sense and respect for the electorate and democratic processes are alien.The status quo favors a corrupt executive which manipulates a pliant legislature in holding onto power. Devolution offers a solution to the inclusion of the people in the decision making process of government. The people made it clear that they want more than a cameo role in the government of their country. Not the farce that was witnessed at Bulawayo on 30 November
The state Friday released its draft plan to increase protection for the marbled murrelet, a plump little seabird that nest in old-growth forests off the Pacific Coast.

Conservation advocates say the proposed plan and its set of six alternatives dont do enough to help the birds out. But Wahkiakum County Commissioner Dan Cothren says its going to be bad for the county by restricting state timber sales, which are an important revenue source for the tiny county.

The plan does not apply to private lands. However, it increases the acreage of state timberland the state Department of Natural Resources protects for the murrelets. Lands currently protected were selected as part of a 1997 interim effort to prevent extinction until more research could be done about their habitat. The murrelet was listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act since 1992.

The proposed plan includes new rules for logging and thinning, including daily time restrictions on activities that could disturb nesting behaviors, and limiting or stopping road construction in conservation areas.

Each of the six alternatives increases the number of acres that would be conserved specifically for the marbled murrelet. Though murrelets forage and roost at sea, they fly up to 50 miles inland to nest on the wide branches of old-growth trees. Thus DNRs plan conserves forest as far as 55 miles inland.

Currently, 583,000 acres of DNR land in Washington are conserved for marbled murrelets, though other species benefit as well. The six alternatives would increase the acreage by as little as 10,000 acres to as much as 151,000 acres.

The last option, favored by conservationists, would increase the total DNR acreage conserved for murrelets to 734,000. They say the alternative is better because it includes areas recommended for conservation by a group of scientists. Those scientists convened in 2004 and released their recommendations in 2008.

We felt like there was a scientifically-based, vetted method for choosing these areas, said Lisa Remlinger, forest campaign director for Washington Environmental Council.

Overall, however, Remlinger and other groups like Seattle-based Conservation Northwest, argue that none of the DNR alternatives would adequately protect the murrelets.

Even though DNR is considering a range of efforts to reverse the decline  and thats good, we support the efforts to do that  there are certain components that are not sufficient to protect the birds, Remlinger said Friday.

Remlinger said she wants to see more acreage conserved.

We are proposing that Washington DNR protect all remaining high-quality habitat for marbled murrelets and also protect habitat that will become high quality over the next 50 years as trees age, she said.

Wahkiakum County Commissioner Dan Cothren opposes expanding protected habitats, because it would further restrict the amount of state land in the county that can be logged. He estimated that because of falling lumber prices and efforts to conserve land for the marbled murrelet, the county brings in half the revenue from logging as it did before conservation efforts began in 1997. The county used to get about $2 million a year from state timber sales, he said.

Its gonna hit Wahkiakum County hard, Cothren said Friday.

He also argued that the birds will find other, more secluded places to nest and that there isnt a very high population of marbled murrelets to protect in Wahkiakum County anyway.

Cothren said he wants the county to get reimbursed for timber revenues lost due to measures to protect the bird.

Were not going to survive if we dont get some help, he said.
Confirming the rumours Cyanogen Inc revealed that it is closing their Seattle office. Earlier, this week, the company announced in a blog post that they are planning to merge their units into one office in Palo Alto, California. It is also offering their Seattle employees an option to shift to Palo Alto. Cyanogen has also noted in the post that the changes are to improve the communication and performance of the team which will now operate under one roof.

The announcement is not done yet, as the co-founder of the company, Steve Kondik is leaving the company. He is known for creating CyanogenMod. Kondik has published a Google+ post earlier this week, in which he stated some issues going on at the firm. The issues were mostly internal, and having to do with Kirt McMaster, the companys CEO at one time and now Executive Chairman. Kondik also blames McMaster for the failure.

However, he didnt utter a word regarding his future plans, though he mentioned that he might go back to the CaynogenMod and re-launch the ROM after some crowdsourcing.

Falling lights on the records, Cyanogen Inc has faced some losses in last few months, and it might be financial reasons to shut down the Seattle facility. The reason, given to stakeholders, might be to withhold them to the company, but it will definitely fortify them by combining into one central location.

The Cyanogen Inc came into existence in September 2013, after separating from the Open Source CyanogenMod. The company has first partnered with OnePlus for their Cyanogen OS in OnePlus One smartphone, but the collaboration didnt work well. Later, OnePlus started making their own operating system and Caynogen Inc has started targeting cheap and emerging brands like Yu Televentures to sell in large batches. That hasnt really worked out well for them either.
tech2 News Staff

From job cuts and reshuffle to failed strategy, it clearly wasn't a great year for Cyanogen Inc. And adding to the woes were reports around Cyanogen Inc packing bags and moving to a smaller Palo Alto office and its co-founder Steve Kondik is on his way out. Now, he officially confirmed the departure.

https://twitter.com/cyanogen/status/804153691599085568

Things haven't been looking pretty through last couple of weeks and Kondik had spoken (via AndroidPolice) about the woes, but hadn't outright mentioned his exit. He spoke about the mismanagement at CyanogenMod Inc statements like 'bullet through' the head tat brought about a lot of embarrassment and worries to deal with.

"My co-founder [McMaster] apparently became unhappy with running the business and not owning the vision. This is when the "bullet to the head" and other misguided media nonsense started, and the bad business deals were signed. Being second in command, all I could do was try and stop it, do damage control, and hope every day that something new didn't happen. The worst of it happened internally and it became a generally shitty place to work because of all the conflict. I think the backlash from those initial missteps convinced him that what we had needed to be destroyed," he wrote.

"It hurts, a lot. I lost a lot of friends, and I'm truely sorry to everyone I let down. I wish I had made different choices and trusted different people (especially one in particular early on), but all I care about now is figuring out what to do next," he added. Kondik could probably attempt to crowdfund a relaunch of the ROM and structure a new company around the effort as a 501.3c - a non-profit organization, according to the report.

"What's next, apparently, is the question of reenergizing and reorganizing the CyanogenMod community effort. The problem with that is that Cyanogen Inc. has control over some of the brand and trademarks around Cyanogen and CyanogenMod, and so the whole thing will likely have to be forked and rebranded," the report added.

Cyanogen is believed to have cut down 20 percent of its workforce as its OS failed to attract phone makers and audiences. The job cuts come as a result of the startup worked on a new strategy that is being overseen by Chief Operating Officer Lior Tal who has joined the company recently from Facebook. There was no prior notification and employees who didn't lose their jobs were asked to not make it work, and the ones who did were asked to leave. Meanwhile, Tal explained the move to the office in Palo Alto.

Here's what he wrote:

Earlier this week I shared the plan to consolidate Cyanogen's sites into a single team in Palo Alto by the end of the year, offering the Seattle employees an option to relocate to California.

The purpose of the change is to improve the communication and performance of the team which will now operate under one roof. This consolidation effort will allow us to build in greater efficiencies and reduce restrictions in our product development lifecycle. Understandably some are unable to follow their role and relocate. We appreciate and value all of the amazing work these individuals have provided to the growth and success of Cyanogen.

With these changes, Cyanogen has separated ties with Steve Kondik, allowing him to continue to forge his path as he sees fit. We wish him the best of luck in his next venture.

I'm very excited about our new consolidated team here in Palo Alto and the opportunity to leverage our core technologies developed over the last few years in new and exciting ways. The company is well funded and will continue to recruit great people to help expand the core functions of our team.
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The US government and the private sector must cooperate to improve the security of digital networks, a U.S. presidential commission on cyber security recommended in a wide-ranging report issued on Friday.

The commission created by President Barack Obama earlier this year also recommended that the president and Congress accelerate the pace at which technology is updated in the federal sector and that the president appoint an ambassador for cyber security for efforts abroad.

"Technological advancement is outpacing security and will continue to do so unless we change how we approach and implement cybersecurity strategies and practices," the 100-page report said.

Obama said in a statement after meeting the commission's head, his former national security adviser Tom Donilon, on Friday that his administration strongly supported the commission's "thoughtful and pragmatic" recommendations.

Obama, who leaves office on Jan. 20, said he had asked the commission to brief the transition team of President-elect Donald Trump at the earliest opportunity.

Among other recommendations, the report urged the United States to seek harmonized international cyber-security policies and global norms of behaviour.

It called for a cyber-security "nutritional label" for impartial product safety ratings, and recommended that the Justice Department and other agencies assess the law on liabilities for harm caused by insecure internet-connected devices.

Reuters
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Online credit companies and paperless lenders would be able to get federal charters to do business nationwide under a plan outlined on Friday by a U.S. banking regulator.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the main regulator for federal banks, said it hoped offering a charter for "fintech" companies would spur banking sector innovation.

"Technology-based products and services are the future of banking and the economy," OCC director Thomas Curry said, outlining the proposal in a speech at the Georgetown University Law Center.

The move might change the regulatory landscape for online lenders such as On Deck, Kabbage Inc and Quicken Loans that now operate under a variety of state licenses.

The OCC will allow fintech companies to operate nationally through a special-purpose charter. Curry said his agency is open to discussing specific terms of what a charter would entail.

Because they do not accept customer deposits, fintech companies are not subject to many federal banking laws.

On Friday, Curry said the tailor-made charters for fintech companies would help those lenders reach underserved communities and uphold consumer protections.

Ken Rees, chief executive of subprime online lender Elevate, said his firm supported the OCC's efforts. "Given that so much fintech innovation has gone to help give credit to people who already have it, it's important that the needs of the truly underserved are taken into account," he said.

Curry said companies obtaining a fintech charter would be "examined regularly and held to the high standards the OCC has established for all federally chartered institutions." He said worldwide investment in the fintech industry has grown in the past five years from $1.8 billion to $24 billion.

Online lenders and other fintech companies have encroached on traditional banking services in recent years with lower overhead and less paperwork. Banks and other established institutions have complained that lack of federal oversight gave online lenders undue competitive advantages.

The American Bankers Association welcomed the OCCs pledge to hold fintech companies to high standards.

Maintaining high standards is the best way to ensure customers have access to the best financial products and services, said Rob Nichols, the trade group's president and chief executive.

The Independent Community Bankers of America said fintech regulations "should be no less stringent than that which applies to insured depository institutions".

New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo said in a statement her agency opposed "any effort to federalize what states have been doing  and doing well  for over a century." Vullo said any federal fintech regulatory framework would "be irresponsible if it were to ignore the states historical role and longstanding expertise in this arena".

Regulators around the world have ramped up initiatives aimed at better understanding and supporting innovation in the nascent industry. Britains Financial Conduct Authority is widely seen as among the most active financial watchdogs, launching a special unit more than two years ago to assist young companies in the fintech sector.

Federal fintech charters would bring the United States in line with other progressive fintech countries like Australia, the U.K. and Singapore, said Sam Taussig, head of government affairs at online small business lender Kabbage.

Unlike other financial sectors that view regulation as a threat to growth, fintech firms have generally welcomed more attention from regulators as a means of legitimizing their businesses.

This is a reminder that strong regulation can be a beneficial thing, not only for consumer protection but also from the prospective of entities that seek out these charters, as it gives them legitimacy, said Kevin Petrasic, a partner at law firm White & Case in Washington.

Reuters
Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy
SYLHET: Acting President of Sylhet Awami League Adv Lutfur Rashman submitting nomination paper to the Returning Officer Joynul Abedin on Thursday.
Decision on army deployment after Dec 14: Shah Nawaz

UNB, Chandpur :

Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz on Saturday said the Election Commission will take its decision over deployment of the army for the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election after discussions with the law enforcement agencies.

"We'll hold a meeting with law enforcement agencies and intelligence on December 14 (to discuss security measures for NCC polls). The deployment of army depends on the meeting," he said replying to a query from local reporters in Chandpur, where he was on a personal tour.

The NCC is set to hold its second election for mayor since gaining city corporation status on December 22, with both the Awami League (AL) and BNP throwing their hat in the ring for the mayoral race.

BNP mayoral candidate Advocate Shakhawat Hossain Khan has been demanding deployment of army in the election, while ruling AL mayoral contestant Dr Selina Hayat Ivy maintains it is a decision for the Election Commission.




Decision on army deployment after Dec 14: EC

NCC polls : Dr Selina Hayat Ivy started her door-to-door campaign. This photo was taken from Siddhirganj area on Saturday.

Staff Reporter :

The Election Commission (EC) will take decision over deployment of the army for the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election after discussions with the law enforcement agencies, said Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz on Saturday.

Replying to a query from the local reporters in Chandpur, where he was on a personal tour, Shah Nawaz said, "We'll hold a meeting with law enforcement agencies and intelligence on 14 December to discuss security measures for NCC polls scheduled to be held on December 22.

The deployment of army depends on the meeting," he said.

BNP mayoral candidate advocate Shakhawat Hossain Khan has been demanding army deployment in the election, while ruling AL mayoral contestant Dr Selina Hayat Ivy opined it a decision of the EC.

However, AL and BNP candidates have unofficially started their election campaign, which is set to begin on December 5. The candidates are facing obstacles in the mayoral battle from the leaders within their parties. Both the candidates are trying best to mitigate the gap with local leaders.

On Saturday, AL candidate Ivy met Siddirgoanj Thana Awami League leaders including its President Mujibur Rahman and Secretary Easin Mia. Rahman was himself one of the mayoral candidates of NCC from the ruling party. Ivy is trying to make cordial relations with the party leaders loyal to the local MP Shamim Osman.

There has been a long-standing dispute between Ivy and Shamim Osman who is thought as an influential figure in Narayanganj politics. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked Ivy and Shamim in a meeting at Gana Bhaban to solve the disputes before giving consent to Ivy, but Shamim Osman and his fellows are still not willing to campaign for Ivy, said party insiders. They blamed each other. Shamim Osman said, I am ready to give any assistance to Ivy, but she made no response. The MP said himself prepared for Awami League candidate. But the in fact scenario tells different. Shamim and Ivy are again seen engaged in another conflict over Ivy's alleged derogatory comments about Shamim Osman's father AKM Shamsuzzoha, a language movement veteran.

Vice-president of Narayanganj city Awami League Chandon Shil said, we do campaign for Ivy as she is our party candidate. Though we have disputes with Ivy, we will work for her. But it is not fair that Ivy had made derogatory comment about language movement veteran and Liberation War organiser Shamsuzzoha.

However, Ivy declined any derogatory comment about Shamsuzzoha. She alleged that few people are trying to create rivalry between her and party leaders over the issue. Ivy claimed, Narayanganj Awami League is united anytime before and there is no enmity among us.

In last six days, BNP mayoral candidate Sakhawat campaigned several areas of NCC and introduced him as BNP nominated candidate. But Most of the voters do not know him, though he is quite known over sensitive seven-murder case but he is quite unknown face in Narayanganj politics. Most of the voters do not know Sakhawat by his name. When he introduced as BNP mayoral then they recognised him. Sakhawat's supporters and campaign partners said that he was compelled to move alone as most of the BNP leaders do not join with him. ATM Kamal, General Secretary of city BNP, said: We are working for Sakhawat forgetting any disputes. Sakhawat hoped every BNP leaders and activists would work for him.
Leading the fight on climate change

Kenneth Shockley and Idil Boran :

Until recently, the international climate negotiation process revolved strictly around high-level conversations between nation states. However, this is changing in a way that may lead us to rethink the structure of global climate talks.

In particular, nonstate actors, such as businesses and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), are becoming increasingly influential players, transforming the overall conversation - something we witnessed firsthand at the COP22 summit on climate change in Marrakech, Morocco this month.

This shift has the potential to not only bring new voices into discussions over how the world addresses climate change, but also create more effective forums for taking action.

COP22 wasn't the first time climate talks have been held in Marrakech. The city hosted the same forum in 2001 at a time when George W. Bush had recently been elected president. He promptly removed the U.S. from the global climate treaty known as the Kyoto Protocol. That decision cast a pall over those earlier talks, but that pales in comparison to the effect of Trump winning the U.S. election.

With his administration preparing to take power, there is every expectation that the United States will disengage. President-elect Trump has explicitly indicated he will end the U.S. involvement in the Paris Agreement and the climate negotiation process more generally, although some expect the disengagement may not be quite as severe.

How and whether the U.S. officially pulls out of the Paris Agreement or otherwise removes itself from the formal process is still unclear (there are at least three possible scenarios). But one thing is certain: The U.S. can no longer be expected to be as active a player as it was under the Obama administration.

This means a different form of engagement is needed for continued progress in addressing climate change. Fortunately, changes in the negotiation environment are taking place.

Stepped-up role of nonstate actors at Marrakech

For over two decades, international climate talks held under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were focused on coming to a long-term, comprehensive global agreement on climate change.

This was achieved in 2015 with the Paris Agreement, which puts forth a comprehensive architecture designed for the long term. It requires all parties to submit voluntary "Nationally Determined Contributions" (NDCs) to reduce their national greenhouse gas emissions. These pledges are designed to assess how far we have to go toward hitting global climate mitigation and adaptation targets, and how far individual states have gone toward doing their part. Over time, countries are supposed to set more ambitious targets.

The key challenge in Marrakech was to take steps to operationalize the Paris Agreement, and here we saw greater involvement of nonstate actors.

As Secretary John Kerry pointed out during his address in Marrakech, market pressures and low-carbon initiatives, more than states, will play an increasingly central role. Economic agents remain important, not merely for direct financial aid and engagement with the market, but also for insurance and other mechanisms of support.

Substate actors can be cities, states and provinces as well as economic institutions, such as development banks. Other groups include research bodies, such as academic institutions, and NGOs.

This stepped-up role for nonstate actors was particularly notable at COP22 in Marrakech. For example, representatives from California reaffirmed their commitment to reduce the state's emissions regardless of federal policies.

California Governor Jerry Brown is seen as a global leader on climate change and an example of the influence entities other than countries can play. At COP22 in Marrakech, he said California 'will continue to confront' climate change.

The interaction between states, and between states and nonstate actors, has the potential for being increasingly collaborative and decreasingly confrontational. For example, the development of a program engaging High Level Champions for Climate Action, begun in Paris, came to fruition in Marrakech. This program gathered an unprecedented network of nonstate actors and put them in dialogue. These dialogues, with the intent of increasing ambition from all parties, demonstrated a remarkable shift toward collaboration.

We saw these dialogues taking place in Marrakech. One example is the financial sector's engagement in the discussion of how rich countries provide money to poor countries to adapt to the effects of climate change. In one striking example, the World Bank voiced its engagement with the distinctive perspectives of indigenous peoples for sustainable development.

Moreover, as part of a concerted effort to bring both public and private sectors to bear on climate change, a platform was developed to showcase collaborative efforts, and motivate new partnerships and opportunities.

As Manuel Pulgar-Vidal noted in a side event to the talks in Marrakech, there used to be considerable tension and adversity between state and nonstate actors in previous years, most notably at COP19 in Warsaw. The Lima-Paris Action Agenda was launched to overcome this tension and catalyze greater collaboration. In Marrakech, we have seen a much less confrontational atmosphere, and a corresponding change in the political environment.

Three outcomes

This evolving landscape has implications for how international collaborations to address climate change move forward, even with waning official U.S. engagement.

First, the addition of nonstate actors brings interests not typically reflected into the policy arena. For example, subnational bodies such as the state of California can bring in new perspectives on climate action initiatives that might not otherwise be available. Or, in another example, the inclusion of indigenous voices can bring in a set of interests that have not been sufficiently represented.

A broader array of resources, perspectives and expertise provides a more comprehensive approach to policy. Certainly, this diversity of perspectives brings new challenges in coordinating various groups and their interests, but it also opens new opportunities for cooperation.

Second, by including interests that are at least one step removed from formal political agents, the ongoing landscape will be separated from the four- or five-year time span of typical state-level elections. As one of us (Boran) has argued previously, multilateral engagement that promotes a diversity of perspectives, expertise and know-how can become a strength of long-term climate policy. This, it may be hoped, provides a better chance of developing and implementing approaches to climate mitigation, adaptation, and financial support on longer time scales.

Third, by bringing in nonstate actors there is greater potential for bilateral and multilateral engagement between drivers of climate action with overlapping interests. More agents in conversation open up new channels for collaboration, which is a better approach for the complex challenges presented by climate change.

Hope beyond the state

Clearly, the openness we saw in Marrakech to engage an increasingly wide range of actors in the global climate effort cannot be a substitute for the work nations have to do. But it may well prove at least as consequential in the long run as formal U.S. political engagement. And it may provide a new direction for the future of international collaboration and multilateralism. That should give us hope for progress on climate change.

(Kenneth Shockley, Associate Professor and Holmes Rolston III Professor of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy, Colorado State University and Idil Boran, Associate Professor of Political Philosophy, York University, Canada)

The Conversation
Int`l attention fuelling Buddhist-Muslim divisions: Suu Kyi

Pakistan Defense :

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has accused the international community of stoking resentment between Buddhists and Muslims in the country's northwest, where an army crackdown has killed at least 86 people and sent 10,000 fleeing to Bangladesh.

Suu Kyi on Friday appealed for understanding of her nation's ethnic complexities, and said the world should not forget the military operation was launched in response to attacks on security forces that the government has blamed on Muslim insurgents. "I would appreciate it so much if the international community would help us to maintain peace and stability, and to make progress in building better relations between the two communities, instead of always drumming up cause for bigger fires of resentment," Suu Kyi told Singapore state-owned broadcaster Channel News Asia during a visit to the city-state.

"It doesn't help if everybody is just concentrating on the negative side of the situation, in spite of the fact that there were attacks against police outposts."

The violence in the northwest poses the biggest challenge so far to Suu Kyi's eight-month-old government, and has renewed international criticism that the Nobel Peace Prize winner has done too little to help the country's Rohingya Muslim minority. Soldiers have poured into the north of Rakhine State, close to the frontier with Bangladesh, after attacks on border posts on Oct 9 that killed nine police officers. Humanitarian aid has been cut off to the area, which is closed to outside observers. Myanmar's military and the government have rejected allegations by residents and human rights groups that soldiers have raped Rohingya women, burned houses and killed civilians during the operation.

Suu Kyi's remarks came as a commission led by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan arrived in the state, where ethnic Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims have lived separately since clashes in 2012 in which more than 100 people were killed. Despite often having lived in Myanmar for generations, most of the country's 1.1 million Rohingya are denied citizenship, freedom of movement and access to basic services such as healthcare and education. The UN's human rights agency said this week that abuses suffered by the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity, repeating a statement it first made in a June report.

The Rohingya are not among the 135 ethnic groups recognized by law in Myanmar, where many majority Buddhists refer to them as "Bengalis" to indicate they regard them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

In northern Rakhine, one of the poorest parts of the country, Muslims outnumber the ethnic Rakhine population.

"In the Rakhine, it's not just the Muslims who are nervous and worried," said Suu Kyi. "The Rakhine are worried too. They are worried about the fact that they are shrinking as a Rakhine population, percentage-wise."
Syria rebels lose 60% of territory

Men hold placards and wave Syrian national flag as they chant slogans in Istanbul during a demonstration to protest against the Syrian official regime and Russia\'s military operations in Aleppo. Internet photo

Close to two-thirds of rebel-held areas of east Aleppo have now fallen to the Syrian government after another district was seized.

A UK-based monitor said the Tariq al-Bab district fell on Friday, opening up a link between government-held areas and Aleppo's airport. Swathes of east Aleppo held by rebels have been seized by government troops and militiamen in the past three weeks. Some 250,000 people remain trapped in besieged areas of the city.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced. The United Nations this week said conditions in east Aleppo were now so dire that medical operations were being conducted without anaesthetics. Media captionLina Shamy spoke to BBC Arabic from inside rebel-held Eastern Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said Tariq al-Bab was recaptured more than four years after falling into rebel hands. Clashes in the district left tens of fighters on both sides killed or injured, it said. At least 300 people have been killed since the government-led offensive on east Aleppo, The BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet, who is in west Aleppo, said the seizure of Tariq al-Bab meant that 60% of the areas formerly held by rebels was now in government hands. Heavy shelling of the east continued throughout the night, she said.

Thousands of people fled Tariq al-Bab into neighbouring areas as fighting intensified. Earlier this week, Stephen O'Brien, the UN's humanitarian affairs chief, said besieged areas of the city risked becoming "one giant graveyard". He said some people inside opposition-controlled areas were so hungry they were reduced to scavenging. On Thursday, Russia, that supports President Bashar al-Assad's government, indicated it was ready to discuss opening four safe corridors for humanitarian access. Aleppo was once Syria's largest city and its commercial and industrial hub before the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.

It has been divided in roughly two for the past four years. But in the past 11 months, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes. In early September they reinstated a siege of the east, and launched a large-scale offensive later that month to retake full control of the city.

The Syrian Observatory says more than 300 civilians have been killed in rebel-held districts since the offensive was stepped up in mid-November.


DMP Chief contradicts Reuters` report about Tamim

Staff Reporter :

Police have no information regarding Reuters' claim that Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury sought and won approval from Islamic State (IS) for the attack on Holey Artisan Cafe in the city's Gulshan on July 1, in which 20 people, most of them foreigners, were killed.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah said this to reporters during a programme at Police Headquarters in the capital on Saturday afternoon.

In the programme, Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL) donated Tk 2 crore for construction of a building for Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of police.

The DMP Chief said, "The Gulshan attack opened our eyes and later we managed to carry out successful operations in Kalyanpur, Narayanganj and some other places."

Replying to a query on Thursday's Reuters report on IS role in the worst Gulshan terror attack, he told journalists, "As there is no information on this, I don't want to make any comment on it. Detectives will investigate into this matter."

A Reuters' report of November 30 claimed that Tamim was told by his contact in the militant group, Abu Terek Mohammad Tajuddin Kausar, to target the foreigners.

Before Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury coordinated Bangladesh's worst militant attack, he sought and won approval for it from Islamic State, reports Reuters quoting a senior police official who has seen communications between the two men.

Tamim was shot dead with his two accomplices in a police raid in Narayanganj on August 27. Born on July 25, 1986 in Windsor in Canada, Tamim resided for a long time in Calgary and used to mix with people who had joined IS and gone to Syria.

Twenty hostages, including 17 foreigners, and two police officials were killed before an army-backed commando team killed the five in the attack.
BNP takes NCC polls as challenge

Reza Mahmud :

The BNP has taken it as a challenge to win at least mayor and several councillor posts in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) polls to be held on 22nd December. The high command of the party conferred responsibilities in this respect upon some central leaders. They and local leaders of the party are now spending very busy time in devising various plans and strategies.

"There are sufficient numbers of voters in favour of the BNP candidate Sakhawat Hossain Khan. The Election Commission should take appropriate measures to hold the polls in free and fair manner," Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, the Standing Committee Member and the Coordinator of NCC polls said it. Sources said, BNP high command has given special importance to the election for various reasons. The party leaders said, Narayanganj is a very important city as it is close to the capital Dhaka. The BNP needs to prove it that the BNP is an election oriented political party and has its popularity among the voters. Winning the Narayanganj polls, the party wants to send its goodwill message to all.

On the other hand, they also want to see the standard of neutrality of the EC, the government and specially the Administration. Some senior leaders said, the party has chosen Sakhawat Hossain Khan instead of the well designated leaders due to his fame. As a lawyer, Sakhawat Hossain Khan is a plaintiffs lawyer in the Sensational Seven Murder case of Narayanganj.

The BNP thinks the seven murder case is an embarrassing situation for the government. The local people are serious about the incident. They are sympathised with the victims of the murder. On the other hand, the then President of the District Lawyers body Sakhawat Hossain Khan has played a vital role in the case. It made him famous and popular among the city residents. Considering all, the BNP has chosen the vocal lawyer as their candidate.

In addition, the BNP also thinks that the local leaders of the ruling Awami League are divided between two major groups. One group is led by its influential leader Shamim Osman, MP, and the other is headed by the mayor candidate Selina Hayat Ivy. The division may favour the BNP to win the race.

After getting party nomination, Sakhawat Hossain said that he was optimistic about the supports of voters, but pessimistic about the EC and administrations possible negative roles as observed in the past. "People are united to favour the BNP's symbol of Seaf of Pddy. But I am anxious that the ruling Awami League men are violating electoral laws. We demand appropriate measures to make the election participatory and acceptable to all," said Sakhawat Hossain Khan.

As a part of strategy, the BNP coordination committee of NCC polls held a meeting yesterday in the Bhasani Bhaban at Naya Paltan in the capital.

Gayeshwar Chandra Roy presided over the committee. Central leader Fazlul Haque Milan, Abdus Salam Azad, Narayanganj Dstrict President Taimur Alam Khandakar and General Secretary Kazi Moniruzzaman, among others, were present.

The leaders discussed various strategies like forming various committees watching every vote center and door to door campaign. Gayeshwar Chandra Roy called the leaders to work together for a win in the polls.

Taimur Alam Khandakar said, "The people of Narayanganj are with us. We will win in the polls if it is free and fair manner."
AL to face rebels in many seats

Sagar Biswas :

In the upcoming District Council election scheduled on December 28, the contestants of ruling party Awami League will have to fight the contenders of their own party rebels in many seats pushing the central high command in an embarrassing situation.

At least 70 local AL leaders have submitted nomination papers violating the party's decision. In around 36 districts, the rebel contenders will appear as major headache, while they are determined to counter own party-nominated candidates, insiders said.

In some districts, the number of rebel candidates is more than one. Highest numbers of 13 rebel candidates have submitted nomination papers in 10 districts of Khulna Division. In all divisions, there are AL rebel candidates, sources said.

On the other hand, there is no other party candidate except AL contender in 13 other districts.

For the first time, the District Council election is going to be held in the country. Interestingly, none of the BNP-Jamaat led 20 party alliance has dropped nomination paper to contest in the election expressing their doubt that the election won't be free and fair under the current Election Commission.

Out of 64 districts, only in 21 districts the contestants of different parties, including Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal [JSD Inu-Shirin], JSD [Sharif- Ambia] and Jatiya Party, have submitted nomination papers.

Officials of Election Commission said that, the number of "winners without voting" may be increased after completion of scrutiny today [Sunday]. The last date of withdrawal on December 11 and symbol will be distributed on December 12.

Officials told The New Nation that the single candidate in any district will be declared as winner without contest, and their names will be officially announced after completion of scrutiny.

According to information available, those who are going to be elected without any voting are : Mohammad Mohiuddin in Munshiganj, Anwar Hossain in Narayanganj, Abdul Momin Tulu in Bhola, Arifur Rahman Rocket in Joypurhat, former DUCSU VP Akhteruzzaman in Gazipur, Sheikh Kamruzzaman Tuku in Bagerhat, Hadiuzzaman in Jessore, Sardar Md Shah Alam in Jhalkathi and Prashanto Kumar Roy in Netrokona.

The AL leaders, however, showed denial tendency about the existence of rebel candidates.

"There is no rebel candidate in the AL. The party has allowed other candidates to participate in the election even who did not get nomination from the party. After completion of scrutiny, the non-nominated candidates will be asked to quit the race in favour of party nominated candidates. If anybody disobeys, disciplinary action will be taken against him," AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif recently said.

Earlier in 1989, the District Council elections were held in three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts - Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari. But no election was held after that.

Against this backdrop, the AL appointed party's local leaders as district administrators in 61 districts on December 15, 2011.

As per rules, the Mayors and Councillors of City Corporations [if there is any], chairmen and vice-chairmen of Upazila Parishads, mayors and councillors of municipalities, chairmen and members of union parishads, chairmen and members of district council are the voters of District Council election.

Meanwhile, a writ petition was filed on November 29 with the High Court seeking a stay on holding the elections to District Councils scheduled for December 28.

A Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition challenging the legality of the provision of District Council Law that allows indirect voting to the elections. The court fixed date on December 4 for decision.


Seek apology before talks, Hasina tells Khaleda

Biman incident was a technical glitch: No need of special aircraft for VVIPs: Teesta Water Sharing hopeful: Rohingya issue most worrying matter

Staff Reporter :

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia should have apologised to the nation before placing any proposal for the reconstitution of the Election Commission.

"BNP Chairperson should first seek people's apology for instigating mayhem through arson attacks and killing innocent people," she told journalists at a press conference at the Ganabhaban her official residence yesterday afternoon.

Earlier she paid the four-day visit to Hungary from Nov 27-30 in conjunction with Budapest Water Summit 2016 at the invitation of Hungarian President Dr Janos Ader.

She also termed Khaleda Zia as killer, saying how and in what way talks can take place with a killer like her (Khaleda)?

"BNP men killed many people by setting fire as per the directive of its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. So, no talk can be held with the killer," she said.

Earlier BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presented a 13-point proposal for the formation of a new stronger election commission to hold credible elections saying that the next Commission must be constituted based on the consensus of all political parties ahead of the 11th general election to be held in 2019.

Replying to a query, Sheikh Hasina said as BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has given her proposal to the President she should go to him (President).

"I will accept the decision whatever will be taken by the President. Besides, my party will also accept the President's decision over the constitution of a new election commission," she said.

"I'm telling the BNP men to remember what the party had done about formation of election commission when it was in power," she said.

"They didn't take part in the last general election and tried to oust the government by burning people to death in 2013, 2014 and 2015. She (Khaleda) should've apologised to the nation before placing any proposal," replying to a query she said.

Replying to another question about any possibility of holding mid-term elections in the country, she said, "We are not in the mid right now. Three years have already elapsed."

Sheikh Hasina, also the President of ruling Awami League said the emergency landing of a VVIP flight carrying her at Turkmenistan airport on November 27 as a technical glitch.

"There is nothing to worry about the incident. Yet, investigation has already been launched to know the cause behind technical fault. After obtaining probe report, it will be cleared as to what actually had happened," she said.

However, Sheikh Hasina said the accident might have been occurred due to technical fault or man created.

Replying to a query she said the country where killers were rewarded and war criminals made ministers, it is very natural that there would be always a threat to life.

"But with the blessing of Aalmighty Allah I returned home. I'm doing politics in the country to establish peoples' right amid threat to my life. And I will continue to do so until my death," Sheikh Hasina said.

When asked about government's move to buy an aircraft for the President and the Prime minister, Sheikh Hasina said there is no need to buy separate plain right now.

"Any scope of showing luxury of having dedicated aircraft for President and Prime Minister is yet to come here for our country. It's not necessary. I even don't want it. The efforts to improve the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines is aimed at serving all passengers and not 'any specific person," she said

Hasina said she walks with common people and she does politics taking people with her.

"If I don't feel secure while travelling through the aircraft used by our people, what is the benefit of having separate aircraft?"

Earlier, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said an executive aircraft would be purchased for the president and the prime minister's VVIP trips. The matter was also discussed with the finance minister AMA Muhith).

Replying to a query about the Teesta water sharing agreement with India, Sheikh Hasina said that she is hopeful

"I'm going to India, I'm not going with any condition discussion is on for Teesta river water sharing and we're hopeful," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh and India have 54 joint rivers.

"There's a joint river commission, they're discussing the water sharing of these 54 rivers, not only that of the Teesta," she said.

She mentioned that the discussion is on and it will continue.

Replying to a query about Rohingya issue, Sheikh Hasina said the world leaders should have been more vocal on Myanmar issue.

"If we want to blame, we need to think of more about those who first unleashed the situation and killed border guards police and it's needed to identify where they're [perpetrators] now and they should be held," she said.

The Prime Minister said thousands of men, women and children are suffering as their [perpetrators] attacks led to the current problem.

"It's very unfortunate that for handful of people many men, women and children are suffering. It's the most worrying matter," Hasina said.

She said though it is Myanmar's internal affairs, necessary steps have been taken from the Foreign Ministry [of Bangladesh].

"Members of Border Guard Bangladesh are on high alertthe reality is that people have no option but to look for shelter once they become helpless," Hasina said.

During her visit Bangladesh and Hungary signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to expedite cooperation in the areas of agriculture, water management as well as trade and investment.

Minister of Interior of Hungary Sandor Pinter and Bangladesh's Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud signed the first MoU on cooperation in the filed of water management.

The second MoU was signed for consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Minister of State in Charge of Economic Diplomacy Levente Magyar and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque signed the instrument.

Agriculture Minister of Hungary Zsolt Nemeth and Bangladesh Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah signed the third MoU on cooperation in the area of agriculture.

Describing her recent Hungary tour as very fruitful and successful, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it has opened up a new horizon of potentialities to elevate the bilateral relations to a new height.

The premier said the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Hungary witnessed a setback after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.

"But I think my recent visit to Hungary has infused a new dynamism into the bilateral ties and opened up a new horizon of potentialities to elevate this relations to a new height," she said.
China lodges protest

China's foreign ministry says it has lodged a complaint with the US after President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwan's leader in a phone call.

China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province. US policy set in 1979 cut formal relations with Taiwan.

Mr Trump's transition team said he and Tsai Ing-wen noted "close economic, political, and security ties".

The US is Taiwan's most important ally. It provides Taiwan with sufficient weaponry to defend itself.

China said it had lodged a "solemn representation" with Washington.

According to the state news agency Xinhua, China urged the US "to cautiously, properly handle Taiwan issue to avoid unnecessary disturbance to Sino-US relations". Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed the call as a "petty trick" by Taiwan, Chinese state media said. Mr Trump tweeted on Friday that Ms Tsai had called him to congratulate him on winning the US election. His team said that the US president-elect had also congratulated Ms Tsai on becoming the president of Taiwan last January. No US president or president-elect has spoken directly to a Taiwanese leader for decades.

Following media reports pointing out the risks of angering China, Mr Trump tweeted: "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."

The White House has said Mr Trump's conversation does not signal any change in US policy. US media reported that the White House learned of the call only after it had happened. Mr Trump's spokeswoman said he was "well aware" of US policy towards Taiwan. The split between China and Taiwan goes back to 1949, when the Republic of China (ROC) Kuomintang (KMT) government fled the mainland to Taiwan after being defeated by the communists under Mao Zedong. The KMT held China's seat on the UN Security Council and was, for a while, recognised by many Western nations as the only Chinese government. But in 1971, the UN switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing. Only a handful of countries now recognise Taiwan's government. Washington cut formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979, expressing its support for Beijing's "one country, two systems" concept, which states that Taiwan is part of China. China has hundreds of missiles pointing towards Taiwan, and has threatened to use force if it seeks independence. President Tsai, Taiwan's first female leader, led the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a landslide victory in the January 2016 election. The DPP has traditionally leaned towards independence from China.

President Tsai's administration does not accept the "One China" policy. From concern to alarm and anger - Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor, Beijing Mr Trump's decision to turn his back on four decades of US protocol on Taiwan and speak directly to a president of Taiwan has stunned policymakers in Beijing. Since his election last month, they have struggled to understand who is advising Donald Trump on Asia and what his China policy will look like. This move will turn concern into alarm and anger.

Beijing sees Taiwan as a province. Denying it any of the trappings of an independent state is one of the key priorities of Chinese foreign policy. The Chinese ministry of foreign affairs said it opposed any official interaction or military contact between the US and Taiwan, according to the People's Daily, a Communist Party mouthpiece.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the conversation between Mr Trump and Ms Tsai was "just a petty trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change US policy toward China, state media reported.

"The One-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-US relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," he was quoted as saying.

The comment was repeated in a formal statement by the foreign ministry reported by Xinhua.

Despite the cut in formal ties in 1979, the US remains, by far, Taiwan's most important friend, and its only ally.

The Taiwan Relations Act promises to supply Taiwan with defensive weapons. It says that any attack by China on Taiwan would be considered of "grave concern" to the US. Since then, US policy has been described as one of "strategic ambiguity", seeking to balance China's emergence as a regional power with US admiration for Taiwan's economic success and democratisation. Following Mr Trump's telephone conversation, the White House said the US remained firmly committed to its "One-China" policy. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations," said Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council.


Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Pundicity/JPost..01 December '16..Last week, as Palestinian and Arab terrorists were busy setting fires all across Israel, France decided to join the fray by committing an act of diplomatic arson against the Jewish state.In a move as hateful as it is hypocritical, French President Francois Hollande's government chose to become the first European Union state to begin to enforce guidelines which single out Jewish-owned businesses in the Golan, Judea and Samaria by requiring that their products bear special labels of origin.French authorities published the guidelines in the official government gazette, and they require that items state, "product originating in the Golan Heights (Israeli settlement)," or "product originating in the West Bank (Israeli settlement)," a move they claim is intended merely to provide the consumer with more information.That, of course, is complete hogwash.To begin with, the requirement applies only to factories owned by Jews, whereas Palestinian Muslim-owned enterprises would not have their merchandise similarly labeled. In other words, at its root, the criteria being applied by France is the religious and ethnic identity of the manufacturer, and these conditions apply only to followers of Moses and not those of Muhammad. If that's not racist and discriminatory, what is? Furthermore, as Israel's Foreign Ministry correctly noted, there are plenty of other "disputed territories" around the world, yet neither France nor the EU are considering applying a similar policy in those cases.Hence, there will be no special labels to single out Chinese products made in Tibet, Russian items manufactured in Crimea or Spanish goods from Catalonia. Nor will Turkish products made in occupied Cyprus, Moroccan goods from Western Sahara, or British merchandise from the contested Falkland Islands be affected.It is Jews, and only Jews, those living in areas such as Judea and Samaria, who will be subjected to "special treatment" by the French.This is not merely an act of treachery; it is antisemitic bigotry, pure and simple.Adding to the irony is the fact that it was just a year ago, in early November 2015, that Israel joined the rest of the civilized world and stood in solidarity with France, which had just endured a series of coordinated jihadist terrorist attacks in the streets of Paris that left 130 innocent people dead.Thousands of Israelis gathered for a rally in Tel Aviv to show support for the City of Light, holding aloft signs that read "Tel Aviv stands with Paris" and even singing the national anthem as city hall was bathed in the red, white and blue tricolors of the French flag.Now, it appears that France has decided to return the favor by showing solidarity with those who seek Israel's demise.The French move will add fuel to the fire of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, as well as create an opening for other EU countries to adopt similar policies.Similarly, it will encourage the Palestinians to continue in their obstinate refusal to negotiate with Israel.Of course, all this comes at a time when France and the rest of Europe are witnessing a surge in antisemitism. And that is what makes the move so morally repugnant and obscene. After all, have the French forgotten what happened the last time they decided to dish out "special treatment" to the Jews? In case they have, here's a quick reminder.In October 1940, the French collaborationist Vichy regime, which was happily allied with Nazi Germany, passed legislation known as the Jewish statute, which not only barred Jews from various professions but also "aryanized" Jewish- owned businesses. The restrictions continued to be tightened, and culminated in one of the darkest moments in French history, when French police began rounding up Jews in July 1942, before handing them over to the Nazis to be shipped off to Auschwitz.Among those arrested by the Vichy French were Isaac Kottler, my grandmother's first cousin, and his wife, Anna. A journalist and book lover, Isaac is said to have amassed a large collection of volumes. Though he had been born in St. Petersburg in 1902, he chose to leave behind the chaos of Russia and settled in France.When my grandmother visited him in Paris before the war, he showed her his most prized possession: a family tree that stretched back to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.It showed that our ancestors had lived in Toledo, and traced the journey of their wanderings across Europe down through the centuries. But that mattered little to the Germans and their French collaborationist allies, who saw the Jews as aliens not worthy of living on European soil.The lessons of the past should be clear: singling out Jews and labeling them is a recklessly dangerous move, one that can open up a Pandora's box of hatred and fury.By adopting such a step, France has not only betrayed Israel, but it has turned its back on the values of ""liberte, egalite, fraternite" ("liberty, equality and brotherhood") which it so loudly claims to uphold.The French plan to label Israeli products from the Golan, Judea and Samaria cannot be allowed to stand, and we must all raise our voices in protest against this repugnant scheme.It is time to remind them of a very simple point: seven decades after the Holocaust, France and other European governments have no right to tell Jews where they can or cannot live. Especially in our ancestral homeland.
We must respect our human obligations and fight for humanity

Killing of Muslim Rohingyas is nothing new, it has been a systematically carried out act of ethnic cleansing. Rohingyas have legitimate grievance against the very notion that Myanmar is not their country.



Suu Kyi appealed for understanding of her nation's ethnic complexities, and said the world should not forget the military operation was launched in response to attacks on security forces that the government has blamed on Muslim insurgents.



By putting forward this kind of inhuman explanation in the face of repeated killings, rapes and arsons perpetuated on Rohingya Muslims, Suu Kyi has exposed herself as not having the kind of leadership and courage she should have demonstrated as recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize Award.



The UN's Human Rights Agency said this week that abuses suffered by the Rohingya may amount to crimes against humanity, repeating a statement it first made in a June report. The Rohingyas are not among the 135 ethnic groups recognised by law in Myanmar, where many majority Buddhists refer to them as "Bengalis" to indicate they regard them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. In northern Rakhine, one of the poorest parts of the country, Muslims outnumber the ethnic Rakhine population.



Suu Kyi identified Rakhine as one of the areas that required special attention from the outset of her term, nominating, Kofi Annan former Secretary General of the UN, in August to lead a taskforce to come up with long-term solutions to the problems of the divided state. The six Myanmar and three foreign commissioners, on their second trip to Rakhine, met community leaders, local government representatives and Muslims from camps for displaced people in the state capital of Sittwe.



The UN has said some 30,000 people have been internally displaced by the fighting and, while nearly 20,000 have had their deliveries of aid restored, around 130,000 are still not getting food and other assistance they had been receiving prior to the outbreak of violence.



While it is indeed true that the situation is complex it should not deter Myanmar from carrying out humanitarian actions to help its citizens. Not even recognizing Rohingyas as Myanmar citizens is a rigid stance of Myanmar which has to change to bring about progress. Burning entire villages by using helicopter gunships to take revenge against a strike on a border outpost, raping and killing, is a heavy handed asymmetric reaction to the situation on the ground.



We cannot be inhuman like the Myanmar government and refuse shelter to those fleeing the country for fear of life. We must not push back them just to be killed.



Our Foreign Ministry must show its ability to play an effective international role in protest of crime against humanity committed by Myanmar government. Not only that the Myanmar government is also committing an act of enmity by creating a refugee problem for us.






Doctors should exercise self-imposed ethics

THE unethical practice of bribing doctors and drug retailers with gifts or financial inducement by pharmaceutical companies in the country poses a serious public health threat. A national daily reported that such immoral and unethical business practice running for many years simply cuts patients' pocket deeply in absence of proper law and monitoring. It is widely recognized that by getting hefty financial benefits, physicians often prescribe substandard drugs to patients that cause damage of kidney, liver, and heart and even bring deaths in many cases. The toxic paracetamol syrup of Rid Pharmaceuticals that killed at least 28 children in 2009 was also prescribed by physicians at that time. An unknown number of children and adults are being killed prematuredly each year for taking substandard drugs, but the Drug Administration is reluctant to the cause.



A study revealed that the pharmaceutical companies have established a highly structured system encompassing financial inducements, persuasion, emotional blackmail, and offering jobs to family members of the doctors, to generously prescribe their brands and thus to ensure market share. The popular physicians are motivated meticulously by the medical representatives to establish brand loyalty and fulfil individual and company targets. Even, the drug companies employed people to oversee prescriptions of popular physicians after patients come out of the doctors' chambers. To get market share through prescription, the companies do not hesitate to provide the home appliance to kitchen items to the physicians and retailers that ultimately add with medicine cost.



As per the Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices, "no gift or financial inducement shall be offered or given to members of the medical profession for purposes of sales promotion" but prevailing ground reality sharply contrasts the Code. While the Drugs Act and the Drug Control Ordinance stipulate no punitive measure for violation of the Code, Drug Administration is feeble to enforce the code. Experts said the price of the drug would drop by 70 percent if such unethical marketing is stopped as the companies actually cut the pocket of the patients to meet their marketing cost. The companies may have a policy for promoting their products, but the Drug Administration should take action against them if that goes against public interests or exposes threat to human health. The Drug Administration has not only failed to control immoral business practices of the companies, due to its negligence, the offenders often go scot-free. The Rid Pharma case is the galoring example wherein all 5 persons charged for death of 28 children were acquitted.



We have proved to be a people too weak to tolerate every inhuman act in public life. So we cannot condemn the doctors for being unethical about prescribing drugs not necessary. So, we plead with them for the sake of human life our doctors should follow self-imposed ethical values. Our people are most unlucky in the sense that they cannot elect their own government.
Looking for the vulture assist with Neolithic burials

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Determines once more that the continued occupation of the Syrian Golan and its de facto annexation constitute a stumbling block in the way of achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region



Demands once more that Israel withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of 4 June 1967 in implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions;

The representative of Syria thanked Member States that had voted in favour of the resolutions.the favourable vote sent a clear message to Israel that its killing, settlement expansion and forcible annexation of land ran counter to international principles.

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Pressure Points..03 December '16..This past week the United Nations General Assembly commemorated once again the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and took the occasion to pass six anti-Israel resolutions.Ranging from the despicable to the absurd, these resolutions of course have nothing to do with reality in the Middle East, nor do they bring peace one minute closer. Lets take a look at onethe resolution entitled The Syrian Golan.This resolution (formally known asor document A/71/L.8) had many cosponsors. They included, and I quote, such world leaders as Bolivia (Plurinational State of) and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), plus Zimbabwe, Comoros, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, and of course a bunch of Arab states.The heart of the resolution is this: The General AssemblyWhat precisely would happen were Israel tomorrow morning to withdraw from what the UN calls the Syrian Golan? Would Islamic State try to overrun it and slaughter Druze living there? Would Iranian-backed militias take part of it? More likely, would the butcher Bashar al-Assads Iranian-backed army try to seize it? Or, most likely of all, would Hezbollah forces seize it?How would that affect the people living there? Or the people living in northern Israel? Or the people living across the border from the Golan in Jordan?It seems that neither Bolivia (Plurinational State of) nor Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) cares much. But who voted against this mindless resolution? According to the UN, there was aof 103 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 56 abstentions.Amazing, isnt it? The United States and Canada joined Israeland got the support of three tiny Pacific island nations. That means the nations of the EU abstained; not one single European country could bring itself to acknowledge the truth about this resolution.Thenotes this, though:Its hard to think of a better example of why the United Nations has become the theater of the absurd. The representative of a regime that rules perhaps ten percent of Syria and has murdered half a million of its own people, including with poison gas, condemns Israel for its killing. The General Assembly spends a day passing six resolutions denouncing Israel. And representatives of democracies all around the world hide and abstain.
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CARBONDALE  Compared to the same period this past year, Good Samaritan Ministries is in a better place.

In early July, the non-profit received $69,176 in state money for fiscal years ending June 2016 and, in September and last month, received another $69,176 in state funding for fiscal year ending June 2017, according to non-profit administrators.

Were in considerable better short-term shape than we were last year, said Mike Heath, executive director. We had some serious issues trying to keep the soup kitchen open and that was the biggest problem we had, but some of the local churches jumped in and a few business did to help us out of that situation.

The agency's payment from the state of $138,352, which is split between the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years, helped, but doesn't mean the organization has stopped fundraising. The state funding is less than one-fifth of its overall budget, which is $630,000, according to assistant director Patty Mullen.

Were up-to-date for both years, in terms of funding from the state, Heath said.

But still not out of the woods, Mullen said.

"We rely on every piece (of funding) to make it happen" for people needing Good Sam's services, Mullen said.

This time of the year is when Good Sam experiences its most donations, as its year-round Light Givers Campaign attracts more attention, she said.

It was a year ago that Good Sam leadership and supporters of the non-profit Good Samaritan Ministries and other organizations tried to pressure state representatives to approve a budget and release funds to them.

The state is still without a budget, but on Friday, Gov. Bruce Rauner did address the status of negotiations while in Chicago.

Last week, he asked the legislative leaders for daily leaders' meetings for the next two weeks in order reach a balanced budget with a negotiated package of reforms. There are meetings scheduled this weekend in Chicago.

Who is Good Samaritan Ministries?

Good Samaritan Ministries, created by Carbondale Interfaith Council 31 years ago, operates a transitional shelter, an emergency shelter, a soup kitchen, a food pantry and emergency assistance program.

In addition to state funding, the organization benefits from federal funding and some other grants, Heath said. Federal HUD funding supports the transitional house. That space can house up to 10 people in a two-year program that provides for seven bedrooms: three doubles and four single bedrooms. As of Friday, there were five people living there.

The facility also operates emergency housing, which allows 25 to 30 people to live there for up to 30 days. On Friday, there were 19 people living there, four of whom were children in a single family.

He also noted that the organization benefited greatly from various fundraisers held by organizations and individuals in the community,

You could not ask for a nicer group of people to work with  merchants, churches, individuals, he said. Everyone has been generous.

They include events like Fridays fundraiser at the Rustle Hill Winery in Cobden and the Southern Illinois University School of Art and Design and Southern Clay Works' Empty Bowl Fundraiser that raised about $5,200 for the non-profit this year.

Supporters, like Melissa Lewis, one of Good Sam's nine board members, are also excited by the board's new makeup, which includes people who are engaged to help the community.

New members Sumera Makhdoom and Maurine Pyle, who is involved with the Sparrow Coalition, which also addresses issues of homelessness and poverty) join board members Chris Swims, pastor of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church; Deloris Smith, Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church; Rahim Khalil, a community at-large member who graduated from one of Good Sam's programs; Linda White, from First United Methodist Church; and Heath. Board member Walter Kent, who served as treasurer, died Nov. 29.

A growing need for services

At the same time the organization came close to shutting off its soup kitchen because of no state funding, it also experienced use that was 120 to 130 percent higher, based on comparison with an average from the previous seven years.

"While we may have received funding, if you looked at (it), the need has just skyrocketed," said Lewis, the board's vice president who will become president in January. "It's just a lot higher than it was in previous year. Its just growing steadily."

So far this year, Good Sam has:

 Total nights in the Transition House: 2,200 (compared to 2,417 in 2014)

 Total families served by the food pantry: 7,200 families (compared to 7,083 in all of 2014)

 Total meals served, soup kitchen: 35,000 (compared to 32,354 in 2014)

 Total cases helped via emergency assistance: 312 (compared to 270 in 2014)

 Total nights in emergency shelter: 5,500 (compared to 7,401 in 2014)

I just dont think that people understand how much we offer and the reach that we have, not just in Carbondale, but in surrounding communities," Lewis said. "We help other food pantries as well. Just to keep going is so important."

In addition to the shelter and food provisions, Good Samaritan Ministries also helps people with making rent and utility payments that will help keep them in their homes, something Lewis said she didn't feel many people knew.

"Its a vital need in our community," Lewis said of the Good Sam services, "and we would have a lot of problems if Good Sam wasnt there.
Treatment of a 4-month-old for bleeding on his brain has resulted in the arrest of the childs parents.

Leeanne C. Cattles, 36, and Domingo Diaz Perez, 31, both of an apartment on Wolfe Trail in Orangeburg, are charged with inflicting great bodily injury upon a child.

Orangeburg Department of Public Safety warrants say the couple were the only two adults with the baby when the incident occurred.

If convicted, they face a maximum of five years in prison.

Cattles and Perez appeared before Orangeburg Municipal Judge Barney Houser on Friday. He set Perezs bond at $50,000 cash or surety and Cattles bond at $25,000 cash or surety.

Cattles also faces two counts of unlawful conduct towards a child.

According to an incident report, DPS officers received a call about 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 27 from a doctor at Palmetto Richland Childrens Hospital stating that a baby was being treated for a head injury that appeared to be consistent with child abuse.

DPS officers arrived at the hospital at 3:21 p.m. where they saw Cattles and her 4-month-old in a patient room.

A nurse redirected the officers to another room where a doctor and an on-call Department of Social Services case worker met with them to discuss their concerns.

The doctor told officers that the 4-month-old arrived at the hospital about 1 a.m. and he appeared to be alert and well, but further examination showed a bilateral subdural hematoma, which means there was bleeding on both sides of the infants brain.

The doctor said the amount of bleeding was a small amount, the incident report states.

According to arrest warrants, the bleeding on the brain was caused by violently shaking, slamming or throwing the infant.

The doctor told officers she had learned that all nine of the couple's minor children, between the ages of 4 months and 12 years, were not allowed to have unsupervised visits from their father.

The doctor and the case worker believed there was cause for concern, the report states.

When officers spoke with Cattles, she told them she had given her infant son a bath on Nov. 26 and put him on her bed to place a diaper on him and get him dressed. She said when she placed the baby on the bed, it appeared as though he was trying to cough. Once she saw he was OK, she reached for a diaper but one wasnt nearby, Cattles told police.

According to the report, she said she left the baby in a towel on the bed on his back and left the room for a brief moment to get a diaper from down the hall. She said when she returned to the bedroom, Perez was holding the baby.

Cattles said Perez was patting the baby on his back and the baby looked pale and seemed to not be able to catch his breath, the report states. The infant turned red and then started crying, she said.

Her son eventually calmed down, but looked as though he was very exhausted and falling sleep quickly, Cattles told police. She said Perez kept telling her to keep the baby awake because he thought that if he went to sleep, he wouldnt wake up, the report states.

Cattles and Perez decided to take the baby to the hospital due to his abnormal behavior, according to the report.

Officers reported Cattles left her 12-year-old child at home alone with the other children while she and Perez took the infant to Columbia.

The incident report states that the seven minor children were left unattended for about seven hours until Cattles mother could get to the apartment and watch them.

Cattles two child neglect charges stem from her decision to leave the children at home alone and for allowing Perez to be around the children unsupervised, the report states.

Warrants state that Perez was not suppose to have any contact with the eight children because hes part of an open investigation of sexual assault allegations.

Authorities accuse Cattles of allowing Perez to have contact with the children between July 16 and Nov. 27, violating the safety plan that was set up through DSS.
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The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) sold $301.5 million in November through foreign exchange auctions held by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), SOFAZ said in a message Dec. 2.

In October, SOFAZ sold $371 million, while, on the whole, Azerbaijani banks bought $4.67 billion from SOFAZ since early 2016.

SOFAZ will continue to sell foreign currency through auctions until late 2016.

The foreign currency is sold as part of SOFAZs transfers to the Azerbaijani state budget, which are envisaged to stand at 7.615 billion Azerbaijani manats in 2016.
By Trend









President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed the newly renovated Zardab District Central Hospital.

Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the head of state and his spouse that the hospital now has 125 beds after major overhaul.

The hospital consists of two blocks and nine auxiliary buildings. The main block houses surgery, gynecology, childbirth, therapy, dialyze, X-ray diagnostics, intensive therapy, polyclinics and other departments.

The head of state and his spouse met with staff of the hospital and representatives of the district public.

On behalf of staff of the hospital and the district public, Esmira Taghiyeva and Figura Abbasova thanked the President of Azerbaijan for attention and care.








President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of newly constructed Flag Museum in Guzanli, Aghdam district.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Museum.

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva were informed that the construction work started this year. The museum occupies a total area of 300 square meters. All necessary conditions were created in the Museum where 146 exhibits can be showcased.

The Flag Museum highlights different periods of Azerbaijan`s history, the flags and emblems of the states which existed in the territory of Azerbaijan, maps, constitutions, orders and medals as well as national symbols.
By Trend





A meeting was held in Ashgabat as part of preparation of Turkmenistans chairmanship at the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message.

The representatives of United Nations (UN), World Bank (WB), European Union (EU), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) also participated in the working meeting, the message said.

During the discussions, the representatives of the above-mentioned structures stressed that Turkmenistan will become a platform for the Central Asian countries to make joint efforts in the further development of regional water and environmental cooperation, the ministry said.

The IFAS was established in 1993 to support scientific and practical research and organize financing social and economic and environmental programs in the region aimed at improving environmental situation of Aral Sea region.
By Trend





Despite the common belief, Donald Trumps foreign policy as the future president of the United States may turn out to be favorable for Iran, says Saeed Yari, chief secretary of the Organization on Iran's National Interest Protection.



Trump has already said that extremist terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), and al-Qaeda need to be dealt with seriously, which is what Iran wants, Yari told Trend December 2.



Trump has criticized former US officials for engaging in the invasion of Iraq. He has also rebuked them for having reared the IS. He has even said he may help Syrian President Bashar Assad, which also goes in parallel with Irans will to preserve Assad, Yari noted.



Trump has also said he likes Russian President Vladimir Putin and that their share the same views in some areas, not to mention that Putin has also positively approached Trump's election as the US president. A rapprochement between the US and Russia will benefit Iran for its closeness with Russia.



Even Trumps arrangement of harsh, anti-Iran people in his administration will not necessarily harm on Iran, Yari stated.



The important factor is amity between the US and Russia. The other factor is Trumps support of Assad and tackling of IS.



Trump has selected the retired marine general James Mattis to serve as his first Pentagon chief, the first of his national-security appointments that will reassure the establishment of defense circles Trump scorned on the campaign trail. Mattiss hawkishness on Iran alienated many in Barack Obamas White House.



On the nuclear deal, it seems Trump will follow a 25-year modality which will step by step open more opportunities for Iran, including the chance to use modern technology, use new nuclear machinery, and also enjoy the economic gains that are to be considered as achievements of the JCPOA, Yari noted.



So we will never have to tear or archive the JCPOA. Trump will pursue the national interest of the US and refrain from radicalism. The world will work in a friendly, constructive atmosphere. Republicans have always been a bit radical. But it does not mean Iranophobia or Islamophobia will be on their agenda anymore, he said.
By Trend





The UAEs new strategy opens up the opportunities for the intensification of cooperation with Turkmenistan, UAE Ambassador to Turkmenistan Hassan Abdullah Al Adhab said in an interview with Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper.

He added that great success, especially in the economic sphere, has been achieved in the development of the bilateral partnership since the opening of the UAE embassy in Turkmenistan.

"We will make every effort to strengthen and develop these relations in various fields," the ambassador added.

The diplomat added that renewable energy sources are one of the priority areas for Turkmenistan.

The UAE is ready for cooperation on the basis of exchange of knowledge and mutually beneficial joint projects, he said.

Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the UAE were established in October 1995. The UAE companies successfully operate on the local energy market. One of such companies - Dragon Oil has been operating in the Turkmen sector of Caspian Sea since 1999 as part of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The company is one of the largest foreign investors in Turkmenistan.
By Trend





Turkey slammed Friday the Greek defense minister's recent remarks targeted at President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling on Panos Kammenos to act in a manner "befitting the dignity of his position", Anadolu reported.

"If Erdogan wants to annul Lausanne, then we will go back to Sevres," Kammenos said Thursday, referring to the 1920 Treaty of Sevres after World War I, which was signed by the Ottoman Empire only to be rejected by the Republic of Turkey, which later signed the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the final treaty concluding WWI.

Kammenos' remarks came in response to Erdogan, who said late September that Lausanne was indeed not a "victory" but a "defeat," and Ankara had left the Aegean islands to Greeks as part of the treaty.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement Friday saying the Greek minister's attitude was harming the efforts to promote cooperation between the two countries, and invited Kammenos to "refrain" from making similar statements in the future.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had also reacted to Erdogan, saying that questioning the Treaty of Lausanne -- which established today's boundaries between the two countries -- was threatening bilateral relations.

The Greek Foreign Ministry also made an announcement Thursday, responding to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's comments the same day regarding the Aegean islands, saying that "the Imia islet is Turkish territory" and both de jure and de facto status of the islands had remained the same during the term of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

The Greek statement said the sovereignty of Greece over its Aegean islands, including the Imia islet, "is unquestionable and guaranteed by international law."

"Irresponsible reports to the contrary are challenging because the status of the islands and islets of the Aegean is clearly determined by a number of International Agreements in the last century.

"Whoever ignores this international legal reality does not contribute to the strengthening of good neighborly relations, and undermines them instead," it added.
By Trend





US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini during his visit to Belgium next week, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby announced in a press briefing on Friday.

Hell then go to Brussels on December 6 and 7 for the NATO foreign ministerial, and while in Brussels he will also meet with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to discuss cooperation between the United States and EU on a range of issues, Kirby told reporters.

The spokesperson added after visiting Belgium, Kerry will head to Hamburg, Germany on December 7-8 to attend the OSCE ministerial.
By Trend





The World Bank (WB) will complete the talks on granting a loan for implementing the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) in the next few days, WB Baku Office told Trend.

"The finance for the project includes two loans, namely, from the Southern Gas Corridor CJSC, which is expected to reach $400 million, as well as Turkish BOTAS Petroleum Pipeline Corporation," the WB Baku Office added.

"The talks were held with Azerbaijan," the WB Baku Office said. "The talks with the Turkish side will complete one of these days. Afterwards, the loan amount and the date of the meeting of the Board of Directors, where it will be approved, will be officially announced."

WB is also considering an opportunity of providing guarantees for loans to finance Azerbaijan's share in TANAP project, the WB Baku Office told Trend.

Earlier, it was reported that the bank will allocate $1 billion for financing the TANAP construction project.

TANAP envisages transportation of gas of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field from the Georgian-Turkish border to the western borders of Turkey. Turkey will get gas in 2018 and after completing the construction of Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), gas will be delivered to Europe in early 2020.
Serviceplan Group, one of the largest independent agency groups in Europe, has announced the launch of Haus der Kommunikation Middle East via its spanking new offices at the prestigious Dubai Design District (d3).



The 5,000-sq-ft premises showcases smartly designed floor plans that promote productivity and creativity in a collaborative environment, said the company headquartered in Munich, Germany.



Haus der Kommunikation is the integrated communications concept established by the Serviceplan Group in Germany in 1971.



Its Middle East unit, which will operate under the trade name Serviceplan Group Middle East, aims to offer integrated innovative communications, innovative digital solutions, brand-individual media and experiential brand storytelling, through its four pillars  Serviceplan Middle East, Mediaplus Espresso, Plan.net and Serviceplan Experience.



Speaking at the launch, CEO Florian Haller, said: "The Middle East is an important market for us, and the decision to expand our regional office demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our position in this region."



We strongly believe that integration is key to creating a unified seamless brand experience for consumers across channels. Given the fact that target audiences and markets have become highly fragmented, it is crucial for us to stay tuned to the market realities by embracing new trends and adapting our communications approach, observed Haller.



Rami Hmadeh, the managing partner of Serviceplan Middle East, said: "With the regional market rapidly growing, our decision to expand comes in response to a proven demand for an integrated communications approach."



"We have grown from strength to strength as an agency, and anticipate further development and increase in our client portfolio. Our expanded and integrated team will aim to better serve clients, whether they are looking for integrated communications, or touchpoint-specific brand offerings," he added.



To mark the inaugural celebrations, a Festival of Innovation event was organised to showcase the latest digital trends and high-tech innovations.



The event also offered an opportunity for guests to experience the world of virtual reality first-hand, and hosted key opinion leaders from various industries, including BMW, Google, Samsung, and purpose-bulit creative community, d3, who gave inspirational speeches across the two-day event.



The climax of the event was the announcement of the strategic partnership between Serviceplan Middle East and Samsung Gulf Electronics to bring virtual reality services, in terms of content, platforms and devices, to clients across the region.-TradeArabia News Service
US-based Apex International Energy, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, has been awarded two key blocks by Egyptian General Petroleum Company (EGPC) for exploration from their 2016 bid round.



A company with key focus on Egypt, Apex said the Block 8 and 9 are both located within the Abu Gharadig Basin in the country's Western Desert and covers 6,714 sq km area in total.



The company has announced plans to invest $27.4 million during the first exploration phase to acquire and process 3D seismic and drill six exploration wells.



Roger B Plank, the founder and chief executive of Apex International Energy, said: "We are delighted that EGPC has awarded Apex our first concessions in Egypt, enabling us to establish a foothold in the prolific Western Desert."



"With 1.7 million acres now in hand, this is an important step in our mission to build an oil and gas business of scale in Egypt and we are eager to start investing in the considerable potential of these blocks," remarked Plank.



Thomas M. Maher, the president and chief operating officer, said: "We are pleased to have been awarded these Blocks and look forward to working closely with EGPC and the Ministry of Petroleum to finalise the concession agreements as quickly as possible."



"Apex looks forward to applying our broad industry experience together with modern exploration and production technologies to develop the Blocks to their maximum potential," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The UAE celebrated its 45th national day on Friday (December 2) with great enthusiasm and in style with major buildings in the UAE lit up in red, green, white and black, the colours of the country's flag.



From car rallies and dance shows to air shows and splendid fireworks, the entire country celebrated the occasion in a grand manner.



A celebration was held at the Grandstand of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to mark the 45th UAE National Day.



UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman; Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah; Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, and Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah attended.



The grand ceremony was also attended by French President Francoise Hollande; Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi; Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi; Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and other foreign leaders.



December 2 marks the country's formal nationalisation from the British Protectorate Treaties in 1971 and the unification of the seven emirates to create the modern-day nation.



Parades were held across the country where the soldiers paid tributes towards the UAEs Armed Forces and its martyrs, with the theme of the countrys armed forces and their role in safeguarding the country and its residents playing a prominent role throughout the celebrations.



The country also showcased some of the countrys latest military equipment and vehicles, which drew large ovations from the crowd in attendance.
The last few years have been compared to that of the mid-1980s, when oil prices sank to single digits, businesses skipped town, foreclosures skyrocketed and Caspers downtown office buildings went dark. But thats not a good comparison, some say.

A surprising number of small and mid-level companies are holding on, narrowing operations and cutting expenses. They are invested in Wyoming for the long term, and they know what to do in a downturn.

I think the Wyoming-based companies, a lot of them, if not maybe all, survived the bust because they are small, said Edie Holmes, operations manager for Casper-based McMurry Group. They know Wyoming. They run their companies lean and mean, and theyve seen it before.

Many companies that are surviving this downturn also survived the last, said Cary Brus, senior vice president of Casper-based Nerd Gas.

Small businessmen have long memories, he said. For them, the bust of the late 80s feels like yesterday, and they learned a lesson about operating in a boom-and-bust economy.

When the economic landscape changes, smaller businesses can adapt quickly.

They can be more nimble, Brus said. They can make decisions faster, both to take advantage and to trim back.

Nerd Gas was created by the late Mick McMurry, a small businessman who made his name by risking it all in the Jonah field.

The business has had to cut back significantly in the last few years, and its had to limit the investment it would normally use to lay a foundation for future projects. But it isnt hemorrhaging cash the way some larger companies have, he said. It is simply operating tighter.

A story of debt

Big firms entered the current downturn weighted down by millions borrowed for new ventures when prices were high.

Ultra Petroleum, for example, filed for bankruptcy in May, citing $3.9 billion in debt against $1.3 billion in total assets.

Those larger companies used bankruptcy to shed their debt, exiting months later with a reorganization plan that has wiped the worst of its liabilities from the balance sheet and divested unprofitable assets. A leaner, healthier company emerges.

Smaller companies across Wyoming cant do that. They tend to be debt-averse and enter a downturn with fewer liabilities, Brus said.

I think very few of the Wyoming-based, family-type oil businesses, even in the boom, didnt have large, expensive projects going on, said Timm Smith, Nerds vice president of engineering. They had a lot of wells, a lot of production but didnt have 10 drilling rigs running. (In a downturn you) tighten your belt, produce your wells, cut expenses and you can make it.

Many small companies have done just that, said Bill Thompson, vice president of Jonah Bank.

They also had debt, but it was more controlled.

Most of these (smaller) companies, especially if they were growing to keep up with demand every year, getting more contracts from companies, they probably couldnt come up with cash, he said. Jonah Bank would finance that.

As the companies faced a steep slide in commodity prices, they had to shed assets that werent performing, close satellite offices and auction off equipment that wasnt being used, he said.

But unlike the financing of large operations, small businesses often have a different relationship ith their lenders, Thompson said.

[Large companies] are structured to where they have certain covenants they have to meet. If it doesnt happen, the banks just go after the assets, he said.

With Jonah and other smaller lenders, businesses may be facing a 50 percent reduction in cash flow, and community banks are sensitive to that, he said. They help restructure loans rather than fiercely going after returns.

When the oil bust of the 80s hit, more than a dozen banks failed in the state, said Brus. Lenders have long memories, too.

The risk takers

While large companies restructured and smaller companies hunkered down, a third group of producers found themselves on the front lines of the downturn in the last few years.

I think the ones that didnt survive in Wyoming were the newer companies that came in, said Holmes, of the McMurry Group. They had venture capitalist money. They grew really quickly, and they took Wyoming on as a secondary area, or a new area.

When the bust hit, they left, she said.

A few risk-takers remained. They were less flexible than the established small companies and had debts and investments on their balance sheets reminiscent of larger players. Those smaller producers are an important part of the industry as a whole.

The rule of thumb that used be around was independent producers find 75 percent of the new oil, Brus said. Then the Encanas or the Alberta Energy Companies or the Shells come in and buy it.

Those large companies will pay for a proven field, but they dont like the risk and the cost of the early prospecting, he said.

It can pay big, but its far from easy.

Carbon Creek Energy was created in 2015 by Tom Fitzsimmons, a state oil and gas commissioner, and Alan Brown. The company capitalized on the soft price of natural gas, investing in 6,800 low- or non-producing coal bed methane wells in Sheridan and Johnson counties from Anadarko Petroleum and WPX Energy.

They spent $50 million in the first 18 months to get the field producing again, and then gas prices stayed low.

Its been a challenge, probably harder than we anticipated it would be, said Brown, Carbon Creek CEO. Fitzsimmons recently left the company. Getting hit with low gas prices right out of the bat was really difficult.

Carbon Creek has turned back to its investors for a supply of cash to boost it through the end of the downturn, he said.

We are actually trying to grow our company, he said. Prices are coming back now, and thats good. But in order to grow, you need enough cash to be able to do that.

The company is sitting on some 800 wells that were drilled but never produced by the former owners, each capable of a seven- to 10-year production life. The company will last into the future if it can survive lean times.

As Carbon Creek eagerly waits for prices to spike, other longtime Wyoming producers are hoping for them to stabilize.

I think most people that have lived in Wyoming for some time, they know that it is going to be up and down, said Thompson, the banker. Weve got to try to help some of these small businesses through the downturn, because we will have more positive days ahead of us.
After months of wrangling, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced that its members had agreed to collectively reduce oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day (-3.6 percent).

This announcement, made early Wednesday morning, started the biggest one-day rally in nearly a year and rocketed prices back over $51 per barrel.

Despite the markets initial reaction, some are skeptical that the individual countries will each follow through with their promise to cut; the incentive to cheat and produce at higher levels has frequently led to overproduction in the past. Even if the OPEC members follow through with their plan, the global oil supply may not change significantly, as U.S. producers may increase production to capture higher prices.

Hence, prices could stay stuck near current values unless there is a major shift in global supplies or demand.

Gas heats up

Alongside the petroleum rally, natural gas exploded higher this week, nearing a two-year high.

U.S. natural gas production soared over the last decade as new technologies made drilling much easier, which ultimately led to a record glut of the fuel that the market is still trying to work off.

Over the last few years, the glut and ensuing low prices have been welcomed by domestic consumers, including home heaters, electricity generators, and chemical producers, but the demand couldnt match rising production.

As a result, there has been a move to convert natural gas into a liquefied fuel that can be exported, a booming industry that has begun soaking up the excess gas. During November, the U.S. became a net exporter of natural gas for the first time in almost 60 years, an extraordinary sign of the changing face of the global energy markets.

While Fridays price of $3.50 per million British thermal units is a relatively high value domestically, exporters are hoping to capture much higher prices in international markets, like Korea and Japan, where natural gas is worth over $7 per MMBtu.

Wheat market wanes

Wheat prices withered lower this week, with March futures contracts hitting new lows. Prices are falling as the market tries to absorb bin-busting crops from Australia, Russia, and Canada, three of the worlds largest wheat exporters.

Despite the bearish outlook, some long-term traders are seeing prices near $4 per bushel as an opportunity. Many farmers have reduced wheat acreage this year, and poor growing conditions over the U.S. winter could create a shortfall, potentially sparking a rally.
Rotary hears

city plan

On Monday, Dec. 5, Aaron Kloke, assistant planner for the City of Casper, will address Rotarians and guests regarding the Casper Comprehensive Plan at a noon luncheon meeting at the Ramkota Hotel. Generation Casper is the process the City of Casper uses to update its comprehensive plan for the next 10 to 15 years. The plan will outline the communitys vision and goals related to land use, economics and transportation for the future.

Scholarship notice

The Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration  Central Wyoming Section offers up to four $2,500 scholarships, the Coates, Wolff, Russell, & Swank Memorial Scholarship. Applicant must have graduated from a Wyoming high school, must be enrolled full-time for the 2016-2017 academic year, upperclassmen  current college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student, enrolled in mining/mineral extraction-related discipline, and have a 3.0 GPA minimum. Application forms are available by email request to smecasper@gmail.com

Groups meet together for dinner

The Natrona County Historical Society and the Oregon-California Trail Association will hold their joint Christmas dinner on Dec. 8 at the Ramkota. The speaker will be the award-winning former newspaper owner, publisher and editor of several Wyoming and Montana newspapers, Bill Sniffin, who retired to travel, photograph and write books about his beloved adopted state of Wyoming. He will share stories and photographs, especially connected with his most current historical book, Wyoming at 125. For more information, call Robin at 259-4174.

HOG chapter

meets monthly

Calling all Harley riders, come join us at Oil City Harley-Davidson the first Tuesday (Dec. 7) of every month at 6 p.m. or check out Wyohog.com for more information.

PFLAG meets Dec. 4

Members and Friends of PFLAG Casper:

This is a crazy time of year, so we are combining our November and December meetings into one meeting. We will meet on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. for a potluck and our annual holiday party. This is a white elephant party, which means bring something you have around the house that needs to be re-gifted. Or go to the UCC Bargain Basement and buy something tacky for a dollar or two. And just for fun, feel free to wear an ugly holiday sweater. Invite your LGBTQ+ friends, allies and family to this fun event.

NEW Format: Business meeting from 5 to 5:29 p.m. If you have an item for the business agenda, please reply to the email sent by Nov. 28 and come to the business meeting to discuss your ideas. All are welcome to this, too.

PFLAG Casper meets in the social hall of the United Church of Christ, 15th and Melrose, an open and affirming congregation.

Gold prospectors hold party

The Casper Chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America will host its Holiday Party on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building, 2211 King Blvd. Members and guests are cordially invited. Bring a side dish to share. We will have a gift exchange. If you wish to participate, bring a gift to exchange ($10 maximum limit). We would like to have an accurate head count so we can have enough food. Please call either Tina Raines at 234-6714 or Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902 and let us know you are planning to attend. Enter through the east door. The club is holding a raffle for a Thompson Drywasher. Raffle tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the meeting or by calling Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902. Drawing to be held, pending reserve. For more information about GPAA or the Casper Chapter, or about prospecting in general, call Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902.

Red Hats lunch

The Queen Bee Red Hats luncheon for December is at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Grille at Three Crowns, 1601 King Blvd. Please call Deanna Archibald 234-8670 or Pauletta Bott at 237-5472 to confirm your reservations.

AAUW combines Christmas parties

The annual AAUW Christmas Party will be combined with the AAUW Readers Group luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at noon at the Parkway Plaza. Participants will order from the menu. A Storybook Friendship, will be presented by Robin Broumley about the books of Rodello Hunter as well as the story of their long-time friendship. Parking at the rear of the building is recommended. For more information or to make a reservation by Dec. 1, please call Diane at 277-1712.

Civil Air Patrol meets

Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Casper National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave. For more information, call 259-0855.

AAUW collects middle school books

Casper AAUW (American Association of University Women) will have a Christmas no-host luncheon Tuesday, Dec. 6 at noon at the Parkway.

Casper AAUW is again participating in the Casper College Books in a Bag project, collecting new books for students, this year focusing on books for middle school age children (6th, 7th and 8th grade). The books need to be delivered to the college library by Dec. 2.

For further information on the luncheon, contact Diane Dressen, 277-1712 or dianedressen@gmail.com

Beekeepers host honey potluck

December meeting of the Natrona County Beekeepers will be a honey-themed pot-luck celebration at the Beldens house, 2116 Fontenelle, 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8. All are welcome, please bring a dish to share and beverage of choice. For more information, details and a map to the house, see the NCBA web site. www.ncbees.org

Republican women host brunch

Natrona County Republican Women will gather for a Christmas Brunch from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at 426 West Yellowstone. Parking is available at the corner of Elm and Ash. There is no charge. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 307-215-9749 (leave message) or ncrwmember@gmail.com on or before Dec. 8, 2016. Bring a covered brunch dish and an ornament for exchange. The business portion of the meeting will be election of new officers for 2017-18. This is a social gathering and all members are encouraged to bring a guest. Natrona County Republican Women meetings are open to all Republican women. Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to Joshuas Storehouse.

Stammtisch Christmas Dec. 11

Casper Stammtisch German Weihnachtsfeier (Christmas Party) will be held at 4:30 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Isaac Walton Clubhouse west of Fort Caspar.

Does your family have favorite Christmas recipes and traditions that have German roots? Many Americans do since Christmas traditions such as the Christmas tree, St Nicklaus (Santa Claus), and gingerbread houses, to name a few, originated in German-speaking countries.

You are invited to join us for this potluck celebration which will include conversation, dinner, and singing German Christmas carols. The event is free but we do hold a raffle to help cover some of the costs.

After Dec. 11, Stammtisch will be on Winterpause (Winter Break) until we meet again on Jan. 5, 2017.

We wish you Frohe Weihnachten and Prosit Neu Jahr!

For more information contact Margo Perry, 265-3696, or stammtisch@bresnan.net

OCAC awards scholarships

The Oil Capitol Auto Club would like to introduce the recipients of the veterans scholarship awards for 2016. These scholarships are awarded each year to deserving Casper College students from the proceeds of the Memorial Day Car Show. Everyone who attends the show and all of the sponsors generously contribute to the educational advancement of our service men and women here in Wyoming. All of these recipients have served our country honorably and are pursuing their educational goals and life after their service. The OCAC is proud to help them along the trail toward their educational goals and wish them all of the best. The 2016 scholarships to Casper College were awarded to Adam Stamp, Brian Hiser, Ariel Wagner, and Colton Sasser. To all of our men and women in uniform, and to these students, thank you for your service, and good luck.

Stammtisch at Applebees

The Casper German Stammtisch is meeting weekly on Thursdays at Applebees from 6:30 to 8 p.m. New this year  on the second Thursday of each month we will focus on speaking German! All ability levels are welcome, as long as they are eager to hear German.
Chronic pain/illness group starting

Highland Park Community Church and The Healing Place are starting HopeKeepers. HopeKeepers is a support group designed to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the person who lives with chronic illness or pain. Through the support group setting you will have the opportunity to grow spiritually surrounded by others who share similar circumstances, unrevealed answers, and even joys, living with chronic pain or physical pain.

The group will meet Mondays from noon to 1:30 p.m., Highland Park Community Church, Rm #1327-The Prayer Room. This is an ongoing group. Call The Healing Place at 265-3977 to enroll.

Latin Club meets

Wish you had taken Latin in school or had paid better attention when you did? You are welcome to join the Latin Study Club at Mount Hope Lutheran School, 2300 Hickory. This friendly group of language enthusiasts meets on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., to study Latin, free of charge. We will pick up where we left off last year, Chapter 4 of Wheelocks Latin, 7th edition. Noli timere!

Mount Hope Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Compassionate Friends lights candles

The Central Wyoming Chapter of the Compassionate Friends, a non-profit, self-help support organization for parents who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause will have its annual December Candle Lighting Ceremony meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 from 7 to 9 pm. We will meet at the Natrona County Public Library in the Crawford Room in the librarys basement. You may bring a picture of your loved one. Also, if you would like, please bring a treat to share after the ceremony.

Another Compassionate Friends event is The Worldwide Candle Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. Join in this event by lighting a candle in your home at 7 p.m. and letting it burn for an hour until the next time zone lights candles. You will be helping to honor the memories of children who have died, but who will never be forgotten.

For more information please call Gail: 235-0702 or Sheila: 237-0735.

Wednesday Writers

Would you like to leave a legacy by sharing your memories with the world? Practice writing, share your work and receive constructive feedback from fellow writers at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7, on the main floor of the Natrona County Library. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information.

Learn Tumblr

The Natrona County Library will offer a Tumblr class at 2 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 8. Learn the basics of Tumblr including the dashboard, comments, posting and liking posts. Well also explain how to re-blog from other Tumblr feeds, create your own content, interact with other like-minded individuals and follow your interests. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information.

Learn Mac OS X Photos

The Natrona County Library will offer a Mac OS X Photos class at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 10. Learn how to view, organize, edit, and share photos on your Mac with the Photos app. Well also explain how to use the Photos app to import photos from your iPhone or iPad. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information.

Flu vaccination clinic

The Casper-Natrona County Health Department has added a flu vaccination clinic Monday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. We are accepting walk-ins on first come first serve basis. $25 per person. We can bill insurance.

Joshuas needs help from hunters

Attention hunters, meat is needed to help the hungry in Casper and your donation of wild game will help feed the many hundreds of families in need. Please donate your game to the food pantry. Your donation is tax deductible. Please advise your meat processors where you want this important product to go. Thank you from Joshuas Storehouse.

Veterans get help with employment

Attention veterans! Are you having a hard time finding employment? Need help with a resume? Considering a new career? If so, stop by any Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Office. All of our services are free. In Casper, the office is located at 851 Werner Court. Call 234-4591 for more information.

Parkinsons support Dec. 13

Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering a Parkinsons Support Group. Join us on the second Tuesday of each month at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 East 2nd Street, Building 500 at 5:30 p.m.

This support group is open to anyone with Parkinsons or caring for someone with Parkinsons. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13, our guest speaker will be Dr. Cozier, with Wyoming Neurologic Assoc. To RSVP call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri or Shannon. To find out more about Rocky Mountain Therapy please visit our website at www.rockymountaintherapy.org. Were looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

Saturday morning watercolor classes

ART321/Casper Artists Guild announces the schedule for the Saturday Morning Watercolor Sessions for the months of September and October 2016. We hope to see you then to begin or continue your learning experience with us. All levels are welcome. Saturday mornings, 10 a.m. to noon, $10 per session. If you have questions, please contact Ellen Black at 265-6783.

Dec. 10, Holly Bryson, a painting from start to finish; Dec. 17, painting snow; Dec. 24, no session, Christmas Eve; Dec. 31, no session, New Years Eve.

ART321/Casper Artists Guild, 321 W. Midwest Ave, Casper, WY, 82601, gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., phone 265-2655, www.art321.org

Teen Challenge offers fall classes

Teen Challenge Wyoming offers classes this fall at local churches, True Care and the Link (Youth for Christ). For more information on these groups or on other Teen Challenge programs, please call 258-5397.

Peacemaking: Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. In this world of division and conflict, it is important for Christians to stay grounded in what the Bible teaches about resolving our differences with orders in a God-honoring way. For more information, call Pat at 258-5397.

Save One: A group for post-abortion healing. For more information, call Judy at 251-5644.

Single & Parenting: Sundays at 6:30 p.m. Covers major challenges single parents face in raising their children, and offers tools to help them meet these challenges. Enter anytime, each lesson stands alone. Call Cathie at 258-6119.

Professionals in Recovery: An ongoing Christian recovery group. For more information, call Gary at 267-7777.

Insight: Discovering the path to Christian character, especially in the midst of stress. Time to be announced. For more information, call Teen Challenge Wyoming at 258-5397.

Possible offering: Committed Couples and/or the Smart Stepfamily (groups designed to strengthen marriages for both married couples and those anticipating marriage) may be offered later this year. For more information on these possibilities, please call Teen Challenge Wyoming at 258-5397.

Shop at Art 321

Did you know ART 321 has a gift shop? Come and shop from our fine selection of original artwork, jewelry, ceramics, prints, and apparel. Perfect for any gift occasion and any budget. ART321/Casper Artists Guild, 321 W. Midwest Ave., hours Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 265-2655.

Caregiver support meets monthly

Are you caring for a loved one with a debilitating condition? Confusing and conflicting feelings are likely to come up-anger, sadness, hopelessness, resentment and guilt for having those feelings. Please join us on the second Thursday of the each month to talk about your feelings and learn effective ways to release difficult emotions by joining a support group. Meetings will be held at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 East 2nd Street #500, at 5:30 p.m. Different topics will be discussed each month. Coffee and lemonade will be served. We will be meeting on Dec. 15. To RSVP please call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri or Shannon.

Casper Charla

Would you like to practice conversational Spanish or help others learn? Come and join the Casper Charla! Te gustaria platicar en espanol? Ven y charla con nosotros! Todos son bienvenidos!

Come and join us on the third Wednesday of each month this fall. We meet at a different restaurant and partake in food, drink and conversation. All levels of Spanish are welcome, from beginning to native-speakers.

Nos reunimos los miercoles en varios restaurantes en Casper. Ven por una copa, un antojito o simplemente una charlita.

Wednesday, December 14, 5-7 p.m., place to be determined for the Fiesta de Navidad.

Caregiver support

Wyoming Dementia Care offers five Alzheimers Caregiver Support groups each month. Caregivers of those with dementia-related illnesses and the loved ones they care for are welcome at any of the group sessions. Professional staff from Intermountain Home Companions will be on hand to offer separate activities and snacks for those who need care. There is no charge for Wyoming Dementia Cares support groups or for the respite care provided during the approximately one hour long sessions.

The morning support group sessions meet on the first and third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Central Wyoming Senior Services, 1831 E. 4th St. The afternoon support groups meet at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Life Care Center of Casper, 4041 S. Poplar. The evening groups meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Meadow Wind Assisted Living, 3955 E. 12th St.

For information, email wyodementia@casperseniorcenter.com or call Dani Guerttman at 265-4678.

Family continues suicide support

Good Grief, Support will continue at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott, by request of attendees. The family of J.R. Hunter, who died from suicide in June 2015 began the support before the especially tough holiday season. Anyone who is grieving a suicide, death, or considering suicide is encouraged to attend. Attendance at the meeting, as well as the content, will be strictly confidential. The Fresh Start Cafe will be open, and you can eat during the meetings. This meeting place was offered by Dan Cantine of the 12-24 Club. You need not be a member to attend.

New depression group begins

J.R.s Hunt for Life is offering See it Clearly, a free peer support group for persons suffering from depression and other mental conditions that lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. We are not professionals but rather a group of like-minded peers wishing to support each other in these struggles. We offer anonymity and confidentiality to all attending. Our meetings are at 6:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 500 South Wolcott in the conference room on the second floor, (12-24 Club). If you have ever considered or attempted taking your life or are struggling, please come. You are important to us.

Family offers faith-based groups

The family of J.R. Hunter, who committed suicide, is going to begin two more support groups, these faith-based, in addition to the groups they run on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the 12-24 Club. Those continue.

J.R.s Hunt; for life presents faith-based grief and depression peer to peer support groups at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Restoration Church, 411 S. Walsh.

Grief Support Group, Good Grief: A faith-based grief support group that our family hosts on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Restoration Church. Our loss has moved us to offer this to anyone grieving. Youll experience comfort and understanding. We get it.

Depression Support Group, See It Clearly: A faith-based free peer to peer support group for persons suffering from depression and other mental conditions that may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. We are not professionals but rather a group of like-minded peers wishing to support each other in these struggles. We offer anonymity and confidentiality to all attending. Our meetings are at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Restoration Church. If you have ever considered or attempted taking your life or are struggling, please come. You are important to us.

Parkinsons exercise

Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering a Parkinsons exercise program. Join us from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 E. Second St., Building 500. These classes are open to anyone with Parkinsons or caring for someone with Parkinsons.

Thursdays class is tailored for the individual with more advanced Parkinsons and focuses on improving endurance, safety and managing symptoms. We are open to all ages and can tailor the class to meet varying exercise needs. The cost of the class is $5. To RSVP, call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri or Shannon.

Celebrate Recovery every Friday

Celebrate Recovery meets at 5:30 p.m. every Friday at Highland Park Community Church, just south of Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on East Second Street. We start with a family meal, followed by praise and worship. At 7 p.m., theres either a lesson from Celebrate Recoverys planned curriculum or a testimony by a person who has found recovery through Christ. Then, people go to gender-specific small groups until 8:30 p.m., when dessert and fellowship conclude the evening. Child care is available at no cost. For more information, contact Chris at 265-4073.

Here and Now: Dementia-focused monthly art class

Classes are every third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. There is no charge. Here and Now is a program made possible through a collaboration between Wyoming Dementia Care and the Nicolaysen Art Museum. It is designed to provide a supportive environment for people with dementia and Alzheimers and their loved ones.

To register, contact Dani with Wyoming Dementia Care 265-4678, ext. 106, or at wyodementia@casperseniorcenter.com or Zhanna Gallegos at 235-5247 or at zgallegos@thenic.org.
Sundays support meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous: 10 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200;10:15 a.m., 917 N. Beech; noon, 500 S. Wolcott, Ste. 200; 6:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 6:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 6:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 8 p.m., 328 1/2 E. A. Douglas: 1 p.m, Douglas, 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back), womens meeting; 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688.

Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 6:30 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 8 p.m., 15th & Melrose at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org.

Nicotine Anonymous: 5 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club. Info: Pam M., 577-0518; Troy Y., 267-6326.

Sunday breakfast at the Elks

Breakfast is served every Sunday at the Casper Elks Lodge. Open to the public from 8 to 11 a.m. Serving pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage links, potatoes, scrambled eggs, French toast and omelets to order. New to the menu is build your own breakfast burrito. Also served is toast, juice, tea and coffee. All you can eat for $7, children 5 to 12 are $3, 4 and under are free. Come down for the best breakfast in town and see the old crew again. For more information, call 234-4839.

Breakfast at Eagles

Twice-monthly Sunday Eagles Breakfast are back, come down and support our many charities. Serving from 8 to 10:30 a.m., on the first and last Sundays of the month, at 306 N. Durbin. Order off our menu and let us serve you. 235-5130.

PFLAG meets

Members and friends of PFLAG Casper: This is a crazy time of year, so we are combining our November and December meetings into one meeting. We will meet at 5:30 p.m. for a potluck and our annual holiday party. This is a white elephant party, which means bring something you have around the house that needs to be re-gifted. Or go to the UCC Bargain Basement and buy something tacky for a dollar or two. And just for fun, feel free to wear an ugly holiday sweater. Invite your LGBTQ+ friends, allies and family to this fun event.

New format: Business meeting from 5 to 5:29 p.m. If you have an item for the business agenda, please reply to the email sent by Nov. 28 and come to the business meeting to discuss your ideas. All are welcome to this, too.

PFLAG Casper meets in the social hall of the United Church of Christ, 15th and Melrose, an open and affirming congregation.

Christmas light show open

The light show at 3148 Whispering Springs is up and will run nightly from 6 to 10 p.m., and until 11 p.m., on Friday and Saturday. We are collecting items for Joshuas Storehouse at the display. There are a total of approximately 50,000 lights all choreographed to popular Christmas music, and free to view and listen to. Just tune your radio to 98.1 FM and enjoy. Thank you and merry Christmas from the Wagners.

CC music presents A Christmas Tapestry

Casper College Department of Music presents its third annual A Christmas Tapestry  Refining the Mystery, in two performances Sunday and Monday at 7 p.m., in the Wheeler Concert Hall. Tickets are $5 adults, children 12 and under $3, CC students are free but a ticket is required. Seating is limited. Performance includes brass ensemble, chamber orchestra, collegiate chorale, mens chorus, Triple-C, womens chorus and guest faculty performers. A great holiday tradition for the whole family, includes a sing-along, cocoa and cookies. Proceeds benefit the Fine Arts Endowment at Casper College.
Harry Buhler showed children how to run a model train around a track. Eliza Empey, 8, backed up the train and then raced it around the rails past a model train station with tiny people on benches.

Her cousin, Indigo Empey, 5, operated the controls of a train of cars filled with Santa and his friends circling a Christmas tree. Shed played with a wooden toy train before, but not one with a remote control, she said.

It can do a lot of stuff, and you can stop it and turn it up and down, she said. The elves do stuff to make the train go.

Thats what the annual model railroad exhibition is about at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper. The show, hosted by the Central Wyoming Model Railroad Association, is a chance for people of all ages to see and even play with vintage to modern trains, as they learn about Wyomings railroad history, club member Buhler said.

This years show, Wyomings Ghost Trains, features trains from the past and a painting by 14-year-old artist Mandy Blevins. The show is free and open to the public Thursdays through Fridays and features door prizes, items for sale and raffles for a portable layout with extra equipment and Blevins original painting.

Its education in the form of fun, Buhler said.

Ghost Train vision

Blevins procrastinated on her painting, she said. She also painted a piece for last years show, but she was nervous about creating an artwork for public display for only the second time. A lot of thought and planning went into the piece, though the painting went fast once she started, said Blevins, who turns 15 this month.

Its pretty cool, she said, seeing it framed on the wall at the museum for the first time last week.

Blevins has always loved art, and shes taking it even more seriously as time goes on. She may pursue a career as an art curator. Her favorite artists are her mother, Alicia, whos a professional artist, and Van Gogh, she said.

Her painting, Ghost Train, depicts a moon rising over a silhouetted Devils Tower with a train engine facing the viewers, like its coming at them. Blevins used spray paint and acrylic on the piece, coloring the sky a deep blue she remembers from visits to Devils Tower.

I did the ghost train because the night sky inspired me to do something, Blevins said.

Glimpse into history

The exhibit also features ghosts from Wyomings past in the train models and real historical display items from the clubs collection, Buhler said. There are scale replicas of the steam locomotives and large diesel engines from the 1940s that no longer roll through the countryside.

Real items from the past include a lantern guessed to be from 1918, which conductors once used to signal engineers. Another historical highlight is the wooden sign from a Glenrock depot building constructed in 1920.

Visitors also will find a diorama layout of Casper in the late 1800s and running models, including a vintage locomotive that actually puffs steam and modern sets run by a cellphone app.

The show gives families something to do together that young and old enjoy just as much, said Jason Vlcan of the NHTIC. They can experience the trains hands-on and explore history in the exhibit as well as throughout the museum, he said.

Buhler and other Central Wyoming Model Railroad Association members will be on hand to answer questions, show people how to run the trains and maybe spark a deeper interest in model trains, Buhler said.

I think it gets people interested in trains again, he noted. And it brings families together.
Three weeks remain until Christmas, and folks in Casper are working together to bring holiday cheer to those close to home and far, far away.

This week, we spotlight three very different areas where help is needed right now and beyond.

For those who have time to give, the Casper Salvation Army is in great need of volunteer bell ringers. Volunteers are needed every day through Dec. 24, usually from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please call the Salvation Army main office at 234-2002 or stop by The Hope Center at 441 S. Center and let them know when and where you would like to volunteer.

The Salvation Armys presence is constant in Casper, although its media awareness varies depending upon staffing. Envoys Jim and Rose Mertz have only been in town since summer, so this is their first holiday season. Lets show them how Casper works for the benefit of those less fortunate.

And for those looking to make a real difference to Wyoming military serving overseas, here is a unique kind of opportunity for you.

Mesa Natural Gas Solutions, a Casper-based energy company, is working to send a little piece of home to the 126 Wyoming soldiers deployed this holiday season. This week, only through this coming Friday, Casper residents are encouraged to drop off Wyoming-inspired items to send to troops from the Cowboy State currently serving abroad. Suggested items include Wyoming-made jerky, snacks and sweets; T-shirts, hats and lanyards with the Wyoming flag or other state icons; University of Wyoming merchandise; or any items that show Wyoming pride. Other great items to donate include handwritten notes, letters or cards; knit or crocheted scarves and hats; cool-ties/bandanna coolers/neck gators; paracord survival bracelets; individually packaged razors; travel-sized board games; or handheld electronic games. They also appreciate unused greeting cards that they can send back home for different occasions.

More than 60 percent of Mesas employees are veterans or members of the National Guard or Reserves. Combined, their employees have over 200 years of military service and more than 28 overseas deployments. Mesas team was inspired to send care packages to deployed Wyoming troops because of their own personal experiences with serving overseas during the holidays.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mesas Casper headquarters, 441 Landmark Drive, Suite 150. A box for donations is located in the front entryway.

For more information on this effort, email Kristin@247mesa.com or megan@247mesa.com

And finally this week, Food for Thought Project is a week away from packing 700 food bags to last food-insecure school kids in Casper for the 18-day holiday break from school, when they will be without breakfast and lunch at school.

Organizers of the still very grassroots effort estimate that it will take $13,866 to fill those 700 bags with 54 meals, not including snacks. Thats 37,800 meals.

There are four ways that anyone can help:

Volunteer to set up for the massive bag packing effort on Monday or Tuesday, Dec. 12 or 13, all day at the Program Center, 900 St. John. Volunteers are also needed for the actual bag stuffing, which takes place at 4 p.m., on Dec. 13.

Host a food drive specific for the holiday food bags. Deliver collected food by Monday, Dec. 12, to the above address. (If you have a load, please call first to 337-1703).

Donate money online at wyfftp.org

Sponsor a single menu item. By purchasing 700 of one menu item, you are ensuring an entire meal is covered for all 700 children.

The Christmas break menu for each bag will include one box of cereal, one shelf-stable milk, six granola bars, five instant oatmeal, three bagel with jelly packs, two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, nine ramen noodles, four canned soup, nine Easy Mac, five ravioli, three tuna and crackers, one chili and five fruit cups.

As the Talkin corner becomes aware of more volunteer opportunities, well be happy to share, because thats what the holidays are all about.
A Gillette psychotherapist has pleaded not guilty to using his position of authority to have sex with one of his patients.

Joshua Ray Popkin, 32, faces a Feb. 27 trial for second-degree sexual assault.

Court records say Popkin met the woman while he interned at Campbell County Memorial Hospital and she was a patient seeking therapy for mental health issues due to a previous rape.

The woman said she was seeing another therapist this spring when Popkin called her suggesting he treat her because he had worked with her before.

Prosecutors say Popkin suggested the therapy sessions be held at his house, and then her house, and then suggested kissing her was part of her therapy. The woman reported they used marijuana and had sex one night in June.
Outpouring of support

A homeless Vietnam veteran whose story is still murky died alone recently in Casper, but he was not forgotten. At the Natrona County coroners request, hundreds of people turned out Tuesday to honor Stephen Carl Reiman when he was buried at the veterans cemetery in Evansville. Were proud of the communitys support for Reiman, a Navy veteran.

Voice for agriculture

State Rep. Hans Hunt, who ranches near Newcastle, is using his position on Donald Trumps Agricultural Advisory Committee to highlight the states farming and ranching issues to the president-elect and his team. Hunt is in a unique position to bring attention to the issues that affect people here, such as federal regulations on water and the environment. We hope his work pays off.

Good news on jobs

Wyomings unemployment rate has dropped for the third month in a row. The news isnt all sunny  the state is still behind where it was a year ago, and the 5.1 percent rate still tops the national average of 4.7 percent  but after the difficult times the Cowboy State has endured, any improvement is cause for celebration.

STD rates on the rise

Rates of sexually transmitted disease are increasing in Wyoming, along with the nation. Testing is recommended for sexually active people under 25 who have symptoms as well as other populations, but it doesnt end there: Three-quarters of people with an STD dont have symptoms, so regular testing  whether you have signs of an illness or not  is important.

Thankful in Mills

For the second year, local business owners and others recently brought a Thanksgiving feast to Mills Elementary, one of the lowest-income schools in the state. The school meal represented the only holiday meal some of the students will enjoy this Thanksgiving. Thats the kind of generosity the whole community can be grateful for.

Cowboys take the field

Laramie will see history being made Saturday, when the University of Wyoming Cowboys will host the San Diego State Aztecs in the Pokes first title game appearance and the first collegiate title game to be held at War Memorial Stadium. We are confident that players and fans will represent Wyoming well and wish everyone involved the best of luck.

New leader for CAEDA

The Casper Area Economic Development Alliance has a new leader, someone who brings an entrepreneurial perspective the organization has needed. Charles Walsh is in a unique position to help encourage businesses to make Casper their home and create jobs. We hope people will give him every opportunity to succeed  and we hope Walsh takes the opportunity and runs with it. With the states economic struggles, the stakes are high, but we believe putting an entrepreneur in the CEO seat is a smart move that could pay off in the future.
A state utility regulator is rejecting an offer by Arizona Public Service for new financial disclosure rules as both too little and chock-full of loopholes.

William Richards, attorney for Bob Burns, said the proposal by the states largest electric company is too narrowly crafted to actually ensure the public knows when a utility or its affiliates are spending money to influence the outcome of races for the Arizona Corporation Commission. In a letter to APS attorney Thomas Loquvam, Richards detailed examples of how he believes what APS is proposing still would allow the company to curry favor with regulators indirectly.

Regulated utilities like APS might buy undue influence with ACC candidates or commissioners by making substantial, disclosed contributions to charitable organizations with which a candidate or commissioner, or their close family, is involved, Richards wrote.

But the real flaw in what APS has offered, he said, is it is prospective only. And that means APS and its parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., would never have to disclose how much they spent two years ago to elect Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little  the issue that started the whole debate.

Commissioner Burns expects that APS and Pinnacle West leaders understand why any sort of hasty move to foreclose disclosure concerning 2014 events in return for illusory new rule proposals could only heighten public suspicions that APS and Pinnacle West have something material to hide or have succeeded in procuring unfair protection from the ACC, Richards wrote.

Loquvam, for his part, responded that the company is trying to resolve the spat.

APS made a good faith offer to help create a rule mandating more disclosure than is required by any law, rule, regulator or court decision of which APS is aware, he responded to Richards.

It is that point, however, that is at the heart of the dispute, which has pitted Burns against APS in Maricopa County Superior Court.

It is no secret that the Free Enterprise Club and Save Our State Now put $3.2 million into the successful 2014 bid to elect Forese and Burns. What is not known is the source of those funds as the two organizations claim they are exempt from Arizona law compelling them to disclose their donors.

Unable to go after those two entities, Burns instead subpoenaed the records of both APS and Pinnacle West demanding disclosure of their spending on campaigns, lobbyists and charitable donations.

APS provided some information that already is publicly available. But the companies are asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Gass to quash the subpoenas as illegal.

The commission, in turn, allowed Burns to hire Richards. And that resulted in some efforts to resolve the case.

APS offered a requirement that any organization seeking a rate hike or rule change to disclose the amount of the donation, which commissioner or commission candidate it is designed to benefit.

Loquavam said the rule is crafted in a way to attract widespread support and withstand legal challenges. And he said if it is adopted APS will defend it against any legal challenges.

Richards, however, said there are a host of other ways utilities could wield influence, like donating to a nonprofit run by a commissioners relatives.

What he said concerns Burns is that the only way to know how to plug loopholes is to know how utilities have maneuvered in the past. And that, Richards said, is why Burns is not giving up on his demand to see how APS or Pinnacle West funneled money into the 2014 race.

Utility officials have not denied they were the source of at least some of those funds, saying the company has a legal right to defend itself against charges leveled against it by other interests. Richards said its impossible to craft a disclosure rule without seeing whats been done in the past.

It may make little sense to try and prevent scenarios that will not realistically occur or to implement rules containing material loopholes or ambiguities that undermine their purpose, Richards wrote. Knowing how real-world charitable and political contributions from regulated utilities or their affiliates work allows the commissioners to target realistically plausible programs with rules that are tight and effective.

Richards also warned Loquvam that any attempt by his clients to push through something over Burns objections  and presumably with the help of Forese and Little  would backfire.

There will likely be no end to critics who might assert APS was enlisting commissioners it improperly captured to quash inquiry into APSs potential wrongdoing, he wrote.

Whether APS and Pinnacle West can persuade a judge to block the subpoenas if negotiations fail remains an open question.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich, in a formal legal opinion, said any commissioner has the right to see the books of any regulated utility.
Jersey Mikes Subs is opening in Oro Valley on Wednesday, Dec. 7  the fourth location for brother and sister team Bob and Rosey Gregory.

And the pair isnt finished yet. They have three shops coming in 2017, Bob Gregory said, including one in Sierra Vista.

The Jersey Mikes at 10592 N. Oracle Road at North First Avenue in Oro Valley is distributing 10,000 coupons to local business for free sandwiches to raise funds for Canyon del Oro High School. Coupon holders are asked to donate $2 per sandwich, Gregory said, and some of the money could benefit the schools orchestra.

The store also is mailing coupons for free sandwiches to Oro Valley residents over the next several weeks, Bob Gregory said.

The Gregorys opened their first Jersey Mikes franchise in Tucson in 2014, about a year after Gregory sold his 11 Dominos franchises in the Four Corners region. Gregory, who was based out of Colorado, had been with Dominos for 32 years, and his sister had been his operations manager. The plan, he said, was to sell the pizza business and retire to warmer climes in Tucson. Then along came Jersey Mikes.

Instead of retiring, the Gregorys are fully vested in Jersey Mikes, with plans to open this summer in the Houghton Town Center at 9260 S. Houghton Road in Rita Ranch, and in Sierra Vista. Late next year, Gregory said he expects to open in the Bourn Cos. outdoor shopping center set to go up on Irvington Road, west of Interstate 19. The 58-acre center, near the Tucson Spectrum shopping center, has yet to break ground, although developers said they expect the first phase of what will be 600,000 square feet of retail space to open next fall.

The complete buildout will take 3 years, according to earlier reports.

The Oro Valley restaurant will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Jersey Mikes, launched in its namesake New Jersey in 1956, has 1,500 locations nationwide.
After about two decades of waiting, two Tucson Jewish organizations will have a building to call their own.

The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona plan to move into a new office building on the campus of the Tucson Jewish Community Center summer 2017.

They will hold a groundbreaking ceremony 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 off of East River Road and Dodge Boulevard in the northwest corner of the Tucson JCC parking lot. The building will be called the Harvey and Deanna Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy.

The 18,000-square-foot facility will also house sub-organizations that fall within the federation, such as the "Arizona Jewish Post," the Weintraub Israel Center and others, said Stuart Mellan, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. A large meeting room to accommodate 100 to 150 people will also allow for community events, organized by the Tucson JCC.

The federation is currently located in a house on campus and the foundation has been renting space off-campus. The current budget for the project is $4.5 million, says Mellan.
After a hung jury, county prosecutors will retry a former Tucson Fire Department captain in the slayings of his ex-wife, her mother and her mothers friend.

David Watsons first murder trial resulted in a hung jury on Nov. 22.

At a status conference Friday, prosecutors with the Pima County Attorneys Office and the two defense lawyers representing Watson agreed on Jan. 24 as the start date for the next trial.

The next trial is expected to last about seven weeks  the same amount of time as the first trial  and finish around March 10.

Watson, 47, was charged in April 2015 with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty.

The charges stemmed from the disappearance of his ex-wife Linda Watson, 35, during a bitter custody battle over their then-4-year-old daughter in 2000.

David Watson also was accused in the shooting deaths of Linda Watsons mother Marilyn Cox, 63, and Coxs neighbor Renee Farnsworth, 53, in 2003 during a dispute over grandparent visitation rights to the daughter.

The defense said there was no evidence tying Watson to the killings and cast doubt on the investigative techniques used to incriminate him.

Watson worked at the Tucson Fire Department from 1995 to 2015 and was promoted to captain in 2007.

Hunters found Linda Watsons skull in a desert area in 2003. Eight years later, the remains were identified as hers through DNA testing.

David Watsons then-wife provided his alibi for the 2000 and 2003 incidents, but recanted her account not long after their 2007 divorce.

The defense said she was a jilted lover upset that her husband had an affair and asked her for a divorce.

The prosecution said she came forward because she felt overburdened with carrying her ex-husbands secrets.

Watson, who appeared in court Friday in shackles and an orange jumpsuit, is still being held in Pima County jail on a $900,000 cash bond.

When the hung jury was announced, Pima County Superior Court Judge Richard Fields issued a gag order on the lawyers involved in the case and the victims family members.
Mexico looks forward to working with the incoming U.S. administration on maintaining and improving binational relations but will continue to insist on a partnership based on respect, said the countrys top diplomat.

Moreover, said Claudia Ruiz Massieu, Mexicos minister of foreign relations, the 22-year-old free trade agreement between the two countries, and also Canada, is not renegotiable, a point that President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly made.

She said the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, has been beneficial to the three countries by creating jobs and boosting economic growth but the agreement could be modernized with changes in standards and other criteria.

Her visit to Tucson  her second within a year and on the heels of a visit to Tucson by Mexicos ambassador to the U.S. earlier this week  comes at a time when the U.S.-Mexico relationship will be tested with Trumps election.

The real estate magnate made Mexico a target in his campaign and since his election has said he intends to renegotiate or even abandon NAFTA, and to erect more border barriers, and toughen immigration laws and enforcement.

Ruiz Massieu said both her country and the United States have a long history of mutual cooperation to address common challenges and opportunities, based on a strategic relationship.

We have shared values and aspirations, said Ruiz Massieu in a press conference at the Mexican consulate office on East Broadway. We are committed to making sure that our priorities are put on the table and to find commonalities so we can work together to ensure that our region remains competitive, that our relationship continues to grow, that our common border is safe and more efficient, and that we can do it together.

She added that her offices objective and the objective of all 50 Mexican consulates in United State is not only to focus on the relationship with American government but with American people.

Its important to us to talk to American people about how this is a strategic and beneficial relationship to the USA as well, not only to Mexico.

After the press conference she immediately departed for Hermosillo, Sonora, to attend a joint conference of the Arizona-Mexico and Sonora-Arizona commissions with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich.

The conference, which was held in Scottsdale last year, largely focuses on international trade and binational relations.

In addition, Ruiz Massieu will meet with the heads of Mexicos 13 border consulates to discuss Mexicos plans to reinforce its services to Mexican communities north of the border.

Mexico is girding itself for stepped up deportations of Mexicans and civil rights issues of Mexican nationals in the U.S.

Mexico will not take any step back of protecting its dignity, said Ruiz Massieu.
The morning after the news broke late at night that Cubas Fidel Castro had died, the first person Patricia Espinosa Artiles called was her mother, who lives in a provincial town on the island.

Espinosa Artiles, who had fled her country 12 years ago, torn over the deep disappointments and divisions under Castros long tenure, felt her mothers profound emotions.

She was crying, said Espinosa Artiles.

As for Espinosa Artiles, who grew up in a home faithful to Castro and the ideals of the Cuban Revolution, she was neither tearful, like Castros loyalists, nor joyful like his adversaries.

I was numb, she said.

Readers of this column may remember two previous stories I have written about Espinosa Artiles, now 42.

The first was published in September 2005 when I wrote about her crossing of the U.S.-Mexico border on Dec. 12, 2004 at El Paso, Texas, seeking political asylum, disillusioned with the lack of liberties. She had left her mother, a brother and his family, and friends.

The second column was in December 2014, days before she returned to Cuba with her two young daughters, the same month that President Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of Cold War antagonism. Now married to her partner, Espinosa Artiles traveled to a hopeful Cuba with a suitcase full of basic goods for her middle-class family members who lack common necessities.

So when she talked to her tearful mother, the family memories rushed out. Espinosa Artiles recalled the ruptures in her family over Castro. Her familys story mirrors that of so many Cuban families, whether on the island or in exile in the U.S., Latin America or Europe.

When Castro arrived in Havana in January 1959, her grandparents were supporters of the egalitarian revolution which championed an equal distribution of wealth, agricultural reform and universal education. A great uncle fought with Castros rebels in the Sierra Maestra.

However, as Castro turned to communism and aligned Cuba with the Soviet Union in the 60s international political Cold War drama, Espinosa Artiles uncle was jailed, along with so many other early supporters of the revolution who questioned Castros actions. Scores of political prisoners died but not her uncle, who eventually escaped prison and fled to Puerto Rico.

His split with Castro led to the first deep family partition. Espinosa Artiles was born years after family members split over Castro and politics, but listening to the familys stories in her youth was hard.

Nonetheless, Espinosa Artiles grew up believing in Castro and his rhetoric. She participated in the communist youth groups in school. She stood in the same room with him several times and still remembers his large hands, and long, fine fingers. She accepted the Cuban party line.

I idolized Fidel and believed in him and the revolution, she said. Cuba was Fidel.

But discontent grew as she began to see, feel and hear another aspect of Cuban life. She was not free to express herself. Opponents of the government were suppressed and silenced, as were gays and lesbians. The growing economic disparity was crushing families, even hers, their allegiance notwithstanding.

Cuba, despite what she was taught to believe, was not all black and white.

In Cuba you were either for the revolution or not, she said.

By her mid-20s, she was not. There too many contradictions. Successes were attributed to Castro, failures were not.

Cuba was paradise but (only) for those who believed in him and with him, she said.

In the end, Espinosa Artiles did not believe. Castro and the revolution had failed her. But she doesnt hold recriminations toward Castro, who died Nov. 25 at the age of 90. He was an omnipresent figure  for good and for bad  that ruled her small island homeland and vexed American presidents for decades.

The ramifications of Castros control of Cuba will endure for years. He will be gone but not the divisions that were born and which bore more divisions among families and friends. The separations will last for generations, Espinosa Artiles said.

That will be one of Castros lasting legacies.
A Tucson Medical Center employee who was shot in a parking garage in August is suing the hospital, claiming it did not keep the premises reasonably safe.

Neritza Gonzalez was shot by an unknown man after she finished her shift at about 9 p.m. Aug. 30, 2016, states the lawsuit.

At the time of the shooting, Gonzalez was 25. She is represented by personal injury lawyer Steven Weinberger of Layfield & Barrett in Scottsdale.

Weinberger would not say whether Gonzalez was still employed at TMC or what her position was at the time of the shooting.

TMC officials also would not release that information.

According to the suit filed in Pima County Superior Court in November, Gonzalez walked to her car in the garage on the northeast side of the hospital. She entered the car through the passenger door because of bird excrement on the drivers-side door handle.

Gonzalez was placing her handbag on the back seat when a stranger tapped her on her shoulder. She turned around and faced the man, who fired a gun, the bullet striking her in the left arm. The bullet traveled through her arm and came to rest in her abdomen/hip area on the right side of her body, states the document.

Gonzalez was taken to a trauma center, according to the lawsuit.

The shooter has not been identified, and security cameras in the parking garage were found to not be working at the time of this incident, states the suit.

Gonzalez claims TMC knew the hospital at 5301 E. Grant Road was a high violent crime area and for that reason the hospital incorporated surveillance cameras in its overall security plan.

The suit says hospital officials were negligent because they failed to provide adequate security, did not have enough security guards on duty, failed to have proper lighting in the garage, and failed to have security cameras in proper working condition.

Gonzalez suffered physical pain and discomfort, suffering, anxiety and medical expenses, and is requesting a jury trial, states the document.

She is asking for general damages, special damages and legal fees.

According to an Arizona Daily Star article, at the time of the shooting, TMC was placed on lockdown and people were escorted to their vehicles by officers, a Tucson Police Department spokesman said.

Julia Strange, a TMC vice president, said in an interview after the shooting that the assailant was captured on surveillance camera, and officials believe the shooting was an isolated incident.

She said administrators had meetings with the hospital staff and were proactive about what could be done to improve safety.

Rhonda Bodfield, a spokeswoman for TMC, said that the hospital cannot comment on pending litigation.
Help India!

By IANS,

Toronto : Canadas Scotiabank has inked a pact with HDFC Bank to reach out to customers in India.

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Unveiling the new agreement at the launch of the banks multicultural banking department here Thursday, Scotiabank executive vice-president and chief administrative officer Sabi Marwah said the pact would enable his bank to reach out to Indians relocating to Canada, and, at the same time, provide its Canadian customers with a referral to one of Indias leading financial institutions.

The two banks signed a memorandum of understanding last November, and a formal agreement to cement their relationship will be signed soon.

With this agreement, Indians relocating from India to Canada will have their banking problems addressed in India itself, and be able to open their Canadian accounts even before arriving in that country, Marwah told IANS.

Prithipal Singh, chief representative of HDFC Bank in Canada, said his bank was proud to have a tie-up with Canadas second largest and most international bank.

This is major step for the two banks which will solve the banking problems of immigrants from India, he said.

Canada-India Business Council president Kam Rathee welcomed the deal, saying it was a very strategic move by Scotiabank for future entry into India.

Having missed out on the Bank of Punjab which was later acquired by the Centurion Bank (which later was acquired by HDFC Bank), Scotiabank has struck the next best deal in India by tying up HDFC Bank, Rathee said. Who knows, there could be an HDFC-Scotiabank in India soon.

With over $450 billion in assets and 65,000 employees, Scotiabank operates in more than 50 countries and serves more than 12 million customers.

It started its operations in India in 1984 and currently has five branches  Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore.

We want to open more branches, but the Reserve Bank of India does not allow us. We are waiting for them to ease regulatory hurdles, Marwah said.

HDFC Bank has more than 1,160 branches in India, making it Indias second largest private bank after ICICI Bank.
On July 27, Rijiju said in the Lok Sabha that the BJPs ideology on the uniform civil code should be taken as the country's ideology on the same. Basil Islam | TwoCircles.net NEW DELHI  Union Minister Kiren Rijijus recent remarks on implementing the uniform civil code have re-ignited the debate on the viability of a uniform civil code and its possible...
Help India!

Everyone will adjust. And while it can hurt some small businesses and individuals, it is better to do it than not.Mauro Guilin

By Maryam Khan

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The demon in demonetization is in the beginning. The demonetisation of 500 ($7.40) and 1000 banknotes was a step taken by the Government of India on 8 November 2016, ceasing the usage of all 500 and 1000 banknotes issued by the Reserve bank of India till November 8, 2016.

On 28 October 2016 the total banknotes in circulation in India was 17.77 lakh crore (US$260 billion).In terms of value, the annual report of Reserve Bank of India of 31 March 2016 stated that total bank notes in circulation valued to 16.42 lakh crore (US$240 billion) of which nearly 86% (around 14.18 lakh crore (US$210 billion)) was 500 and 1000 banknotes. In terms of volume, the Reserve Bank of India report stated that 24% (around 22.03 billion) of the total 90266 million banknotes were in circulation.

The aim behind the governments action was to combat tax cheating, counterfeiting and corruption. For years, this country has felt that corruption, black money and terrorism are festering sores, holding us back in the race towards development.

Similar demonetisation of banknote denominations has been taken in the past.

  1,000 and higher denomination notes were first demonetized in January 1946 and again in 1978.

 The highest denomination note ever printed by the Reserve Bank of India was 10,000 note in 1938 and again in 1954. But these notes were demonetized in January 1946 and again in January 1978.

 1,000 and 10,000 bank notes were in circulation before January 1946. Higher denomination banknotes of 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 were reintroduced in 1954 and all of them were demonetized in January 1978.

 The  1,000 note made a comeback in November 2000 and 500 note came into circulation in October 1987.

 This is the first time that 2,000 currency note is being introduced in the country. The banknotes issued during this period contained the symbols representing science and technology, progress and orientation to Indian art.

 Bank notes in Ashoka Pillar watermark series in 10 denomination were issued between 1967 and 1992, 20 in 1972 and 1975, 50 in 1975 and 1981 and 100 between 1967-1979.

 In October 1987, 500 banknote was introduced with the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and Ashoka Pillar watermark. Mahatma Gandhi (MG) series banknotes  1996 were issued in the denominations of 5, (introduced in November 2001), 10 (June 1996), 20 (August 2001), 50 (March 1997), 100 (June 1996),  500 (October 1997) and 1,000 (November 2000).

 The Mahatma Gandhi Series  2005 bank notes were issued in the denomination of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 and contained some new security features as compared to the 1996 MG series.

 The 50 and 100 banknotes were issued in August 2005, followed by 500 and 1,000 denominations in October 2005 and 10 and 20 in April 2006 and August 2006, respectively

If government was very serious to demonetize the bigger currency to curb black money, terrorist activities etc ad provoked by government itself then why didnt government try to provide adequate liquidity of smaller currency in market first? Why the government was in do hustle to impose financial emergency in the name of demonetization? Just for the sake of upcoming assembly elections? It is not demonetization but it is to strengthen themselves economically and curb other political parties because first hand results shows that BJP settles its own black money as WB BJP account received 3 crore rupees prior to this episode.

Present government is saying that decision of demonetization was secretly planned but there are so many videos, news in the market which proves that it is a another Jumla. In 2005 UPA government releases new and updated currency to curb money laundering and fake currency and without making the sound noise they changed the old one and market was flooded with new high security currencies. Since 2005 black money, fake currency etc are in decline mood.

If present government wants to make the so called demonetization hustle free then can do it without shouting (but this government is working on the philosophy to insert its idea in the mind of each and every single person). For this govt have to issue a circular secretly to all financial/banking authority to collect every currency when any one deposits and handover the smaller nominations to those who withdrawal money and same rule is also applicable for ATMs too. Government should advised them to not to feed bigger currency in ATM machines and by this simple method govt recollect its bigger currency and once market gets adequate liquidity of smaller currency govt can go ahead with demonetization scheme.

In India, the strongest system is the society, which moves only on cash for its daily needs and even for hospitalisation. Thus with cash in hand you can bargain. Then comes the political system supported by bureaucrats, judiciary, police and taxation system in various forms. Then comes earning system like agriculture, industry, export etc. Afterwards we have educational system, hospital system, military etc. Over the years, political system has corrupted each and every system and without changing any other system, how can you expect just one system to change India? In the past few days, millions have stood in lines, who will pay for the time loss ,money loss in terms of man hours? While standing for hours in lines, who will pay for the health deterioration suffered by the people? The politicians take it for granted that they have the right to play with the lives of the people, millions have already used black money for their own purpose and others have converted into white money. Private sector is in smart hands and people know how to befool each and every system.

The money lying at home, now will be counted as the black money, while it is the hard earned money kept by the people at home to run the life. If someone was really keen to change India, they should have introduced plastic money on a regular basis for people to shed cash in hand. Secondly, honesty has to be introduced, which does not exist.

Will It Work?

Black money is not synonymous with corruption; it is one of the symptoms of corruption, said by Rajesh Chakrabarti (Professor and Executive Vice Dean of the Jindal Global Business School at Jindal Global University). The Indian reality, adds Chakrabarti, is that many trades and areas are still cash-based and cannot be digitized just by willing it.

Better Progress For Modi, this is work in progress.

 A law was passed in 2015 for disclosure of foreign black money. Agreements with many countries, including the U.S., have been made to add provisions for sharing banking information with the bank.

 A law has come into force from August 2016 to curb benami transactions, or the purchase of property and deals using fictitious names  a way of deploying black money earned through corruption.

 A scheme was introduced for declaring black money after paying a stiff penalty. And arching over it all was the Prime Ministers Jan Dhan Yojana, which aimed at financial inclusion for the whole country. Launched in August 2014, it has managed to add 250 million bank accounts through November 2016. Demonetization, then, was inevitable.

[ Maryam Khan, HR professional & Personnel Management Student ]
Help India!

By Rouf Dar for TwoCircles.net

A story regarding the infamous pellets attracted my attention a month back. People For Animals (PFA), a non-governmental organisation involved in legal fight against the use of pellets on animals, yielded positive result when their use was restricted. The legal system of India accorded assent to the petition and finally accepted the plea to prohibit the use of pellets.

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In a strange yet unsurprising contradiction, pellets have been the national weapon of Indian forces versus Kashmiri protestors this year. These dreaded micro-bullets have claimed at least 20 human lives while injuring thousands. Their rampant use on unarmed, protesting civilians propelled the induction of various methods to quell agitating crowds a notch higher.

This is Kashmir. The above-mentioned two samples can help gauge the disparity in violence used by the state towards different species. The loss and paralysing of human lives seems inept to spur an adjudication prohibiting the use of pellets on humans, or say Kashmiris. No legal arrangement calls for a permanent moratorium even as they continue to kill, maim and blind.

Even Mehbooba Mufti government pestered the High Court to halt any possible ban on pellets. She termed any possible ban on pellets to be unconstitutional. An Indian army official publicly declared that use of pellets cannot be stopped and that fieldwork was on to use them in a possible manner to cause minimum damage. The fieldwork has, sadly, been the streets of Kashmir where such modern methods of crowd control, are tested and tried at the cost of our bodies.

Braving pellets, for the umpteenth time Kashmir has revolted against the presence of Indian footprints in the valley. And every time, the states response has been similar to how states all over the world are supposed to respond  use of brute force to calm those who dissent against them. Our struggle is not only against a state but an occupier state. This is doubly oppressive. And doubly difficult too.

The state-sponsored murder of around 100 youth since July 9, when top militant commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter, managed to garner some serious concern from the world that is preoccupied with the ding-dong elections in USA and ISIS in the Middle East. The joy of oppressed Kashmiris knew finite bounds when the New York Times, Al Jazeera and other leading news agencies provided space to the slain commander and ensuing bloodbath.

Thanks to Pakistan, Kashmir again grabbed spotlight at the UN forum drawing considerable attention from nations of the world. But still, as Kashmiris, as a people who have witnessed more than six decades of continued foreign occupation, we feel this has not elicited a responsible behavior on the part of contemporary superpowers in an age hallmarked by developed countries claiming to be the champions of democracy and human rights.

However we can not afford to complain either. For our attempts of mobilization of political support for our movement coincide with the times of drones, missiles and poisonous gassing of entire masses. In these heinous crimes against humanity, hundreds fall prey to selfish state interests each day in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere. Thousands are driven homeless far off from their homes.

In such despicable times of human history, 100 youth killed in a year, in a forlorn valley, is obviously bound to be overshadowed by larger massacres. And when our occupier rings in its complex of media, military, intelligence and civil society to shield itself from war crimes and sugarcoat all perpetrations, any expected cognizance of the problem remains a distant mirage. Some dont want to strain their friendship with India, others may not be well aware with the ground reality.

This is an unfortunate setting when Assad and Sisi outrun Modi in the crony race of authoritarian dictatorship. Modi, who presided over the largest pogrom against Muslims in independent India, has rivals like above to thank for the apparently liberal image that he carries to different parts of the world. The tag of a mass-murderer has remained though.

After two months of unabated killing spree, an >a href=http://http//m.firstpost.com/india/uri-attack-17-soldiers-4-terrorists-killed-combing-operations-in-progress-3009124.html>attack in Uri claimed the lives of 17 soldiers and four attackers. A vicious media campaign enabled India to transcend the raging situation in Kashmir and tighten the noose on Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in the region. In the follow-up to Uri attacks, India claimed to have conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control which was refuted by Pakistan and the UNMOGIP. Again, media was the main culprit in escalating tensions.

These cross-border skirmishes transforming into ceasefire violations and flashing the imminence of a nuclear war attracted all power brokers to soothe tensions between the two nations. Though Indo-Pak cordiality is vitally important for Kashmir issue, this warlike euphoria altogether buried the daily reportage of crimes of Indian forces in the valley. We were reduced to mere footnotes when we should have grabbed headlines.

Modi then confessed to remembering the 17 soldiers killed in Uri but all along has been ignoring what his jawans have been perpetrating on us. Not that we expect or want him to condemn the killing, or speak for us, but the basic premise of humanity is absent in the state that oppresses us, of which Modi happens to be the premier. If the state humanises itself, the issue can find resolution without hiccups in little time. But then, even such an expectation is an exaggeration.

I would not declare us to be innocent. Yes, we are unarmed but still convicted. We are absolutely guilty, of rebellion, which is called sedition in Indian parlance. Right from 1947, when the echelons of power transferred from Dogras to Indian state, we have been opposing this foreign rule deploying all possible means. We are criminals for them in totality by virtue of our belonging, our identity of a nation that fights a forced occupation.

Replicating her bosses in New Delhi, Chief Minister of the colony quantified only 5% Kashmiris to be demanding Azaadi  those who are on the streets, while rest want to live in peace. Though her conception of peace is faulty, she chose to un-count the number of attendees at Burhan Wanis funeral. Or for that matter the public participation in protests and rallies. After imprisoning several percentages of Kashmiris, the agitation has been difficult to contain which busts the 5% myth.

Also the state is trying to concoct facts by symbolising that the only thing wrong in Kashmir is 5% of its population while sidelining neo-tactics of resistance. Artists who paint portraits of destruction, musicians who sing tearful eulogies or writers who pen down horrific tales of oppression are silently whisked away from the mainframe. In modern times, art has proven to be a powerful medium of expressing revolt and present generations of Kashmiris have been putting such tactics into effective use.

The state does not consider these methods as a protest. Even people dont. Closed schools, deserted bazaars or empty roads are manifestations of people refusing further submission and dissenting in a very transparent manner but they arrive to a dismal ignorance of the state. When the whole valley, including all the institutions and businesses, shuts down for more than three months, accomplishing a world record, can it be attributed to the presence of just 5% protesting people?

By far the most striking feature of Indian understanding of Kashmir has been their reluctance to accept the existing reality in Kashmir. Indian experts on Kashmir are part of the ideological apparatus that the state uses to sugarcoat on-ground factuality. This has sprung up problems for the state as well as the people. Every time an attempt is made to suppress popular aspirations, the latter seem to erupt with more fierceness.

Humans, who have advanced a lot in upholding animal rights, have forgot to secure their own brethren and put to death a chunk of them each day. We profess to be benefactors for dumb creatures but turn monsters for our own kind. We, Kashmiris, as humans are well gifted of communicating our choices and demonstrating our will. We have been reiterating our demands for quite long now. But the occupier does not hear or care.

This world can find its pinnacle only in its peoples freedom. Freedom is obligatory for each human. The same is true in case of Kashmir. Our future is latent in our freedom. India has a choice to make  make or break our future.

Rouf Dar is a student of political science at KU and a storyteller resisting the forgetfulness of Indian crimes in Kashmir
China has accused the president-elect, Donald trump, of breaking diplomatic rules in his phone call with Taiwanese President, Tsai Ing-wen. The phone call is believed to be the first phone call between Taiwan and US leaders since China asked America to cease and desist dealing with Taiwan's leaders and deal centrally with Bejing.

One China policy

Today Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, called on the US to remember the rule of solemn representation, the idea of one-China. Although it has its own government Taiwan has to be considered part of China and the US shut their embassy down in Taiwan during the 1970's.

Although America broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognised China as the government of Taiwan, it still has close ties to the island and has been legally bound to provide the island with military support and protection.

China does not want to see its political foundations in Taiwan rocked, this complaint by China can then be seen as the Chinese government trying to stop the issue blowing up into a full-blown crisis before the president-elect takes office. They have said they would like Trump's team to tread cautiously and properly around the Taiwan issue.

Trump's Taiwan policy

It is still not clear exactly what is Trump's policy on Taiwan and indeed his tweets after the incident have many wondering if we are about to see a change in the US's foreign policy in regards to China.

As America still provides military assistance to Taiwan, it is considered one of the most sensitive issues between the American government and their Chinese counterparts. China still maintains it has the right to invade Taiwan should the island attempt to become independent. This has left issues with Taiwan frayed, especially since Tsai, a believer in Taiwanese independence, became the Taiwanese leader in a landslide election victory in January.

China has stated that the phone call will not change the international agreement on that fact that Taiwan is a territory of China. They also do not think the phone call is the beginning of the end of the American one-China policy.
Never has a President had so many business partners in so many countries. Being rich is no problem, lots of Presidents have been rich, but with 144 businesses operating in 25 countries it is difficult to see how Mr. trump can even be inaugurated, let alone have an Administration free of serious ethical conflicts every place he turns. Senator Ben Cardon (D) Maryland, has promised to introduce a bill blocking President Elect Trump from taking the oath of office until he and his entire family divests themselves of all business holdings.

The problem lies in Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of The Constitution which says no one can hold public office and take any gift from any foreign government.

For a President Trump that would include tax breaks, payments from governments which own buildings they pay to have the Trump name on, and so forth. Very likely that would include any foreign government official staying in any Trump hotel here in D.C. but that probably wont be a problem (see below).

Not just Democratic sour grapes

Richard Painter, legal counsel to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama agrees with Senator Cardon. Mr. Painter has made a formal request to the Electoral College to not vote until Mr. Trump divests himself of all foreign interests.

Trump hotel

Mr. Trump made a big deal about renovating an old building in D.C. into a first class hotel. But getting elected President means he will be in violation of his lease on the property with the Government Services Administration or GSA, which actually owns the building.

A clause in his lease says, No elected official shall be admitted to any share or part of this lease or to any benefit that may arise there from. And that means the President can't lease this property from the GSA and his kids probably can't either if he gets any benefit.

Divest Trump Inc.?

Just how difficult would it be for Mr.

Trump to get out of most of these business deals? Many of them involve hotels or other properties which he doesnt actually own. Despite his claim to be a big real estate tycoon, the truth is that many properties with the Trump name on them belong to someone else. The Trump Organization leases its name to class up the joint, so to speak.

Of course we dont know exactly what conflicts of interest and ethical problems a President Trump will face because he never released his taxes so we only have rumors that he is in debt to Russians, perhaps some Chinese, and foreign banks.

Other conflicts?

Would you consider it an ethical problem or conflict of interest if the person in charge of The Justice Department owed more than a billion dollars to a foreign bank currently under investigation? Some would. The Bank is Deutsche Bank, and the borrower is President Elect Trump.

On November 22 Mr. Trump said that the people who elected him knew he had lots of business interests and, Only the crooked media makes this [conflicts of interest] a big deal. After some thought he later told the New York Times Editorial Board, The laws totally on my side, the president cant have a conflict of interest.

Perks from conflicts dont have to be requested to be real.

Since the election a Trump resort in Batumi which has been on hold since 2013 is now going ahead full steam. You may not be familiar with the resort town of Batumi. It is located in Georgia. Not the on next to South Carolina, the one on the Black Sea which used to be the Soviet Republic of Georgia.

Secret Service profits

Not a conflict perhaps, but an ethically questionable profit center, the Secret Service has been paying airfare to fly on Trumps private airplanes (an estimated $2.4 million so far) which they only do to protect him. After he takes office he will be on Air Force One and Marine One (helicopter) but if his family continues to fly on Trump aircraft and helicopters, their Secret Service detail will have to pay their own airfare in addition to the $1 million they are reportedly paying to lease a floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan.
"Taboo" is the new series that BBC will run to kickstart their new "reinvention" of Television drama nights. Families love to stay in and do the family movies thing and this is not showing any sign of dying off. The new foray from Sunday to Saturday might be one way of getting viewers who really don't want to chase around the night spots. "Taboo" is the first up, so let's see if this will be the home-staying magnet that will snaffle a new generation of cannot-miss drama fans.

BBC Saturday drama kickstarter is 'Taboo'

The "Taboo" series was created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and his dad, Chips.

There will be eight episodes in the mini-series. Back in September on the "American Horror Story : Roanoke premier," the first advertisement for the new series promised it would hit in early 2017, and true to this the BBC will run it. Tom Hardy will be starring in the drama which is focussed on an African adventurer - James Delaney. Returning to Britain along with 14 stolen diamonds, his mission is to try and seek vengeance after the death of his father. Set in 1813 Delaney will end up in a "face-off against the East India Company while playing a dangerous game between two warring nations," reports Deadline Hollywood.

Great 'Taboo' lineup of directors and producers

The directors of the miniseries "Taboo" - and there are two of them, include Kristoffer Nyholm of "the Killings" who directed the first four episodes, and Anders Engstrom will do the other episodes.

Chips Hardy is involved as a consulting producer. Executive producer is Ridley Scott, of the eight one-hour episodes and he has directed some magnificent screen in the past, including "Gladiator," "Black Hawk Down," and "Blade Runner."

Television series already garnering interest over Taboo's accuracy

The "Taboo" series is already gaining some interest as there is some controversy over the whole plot.

The Telegraph reported that historians are already seething over the incorrect portrayal of the East India Company. Britain was very proud of the East India Company and it has been said they helped to put the "Great" into Great Britain, but this movie makes it into something far more "sinister." Scriptwriter Steven Knight was reported to have said that "the East India Company would be depicted as the historical equivalent of 'the CIA, the NSA, and the biggest, baddest multinational corporation on earth.'"

The new series will air on BBC One on Saturday the 7th of January 2017. In the meantime, you can watch the trailer below and get an idea if you will be one of those staying in on Saturday nights.
SINGAPORE - International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, CapitaLand and China's leading co-working space operator, UrWork, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday to facilitate Singapore companies' entry into China amid a growing trend of the sharing economy.

This first-of-its-kind tripartite partnership will provide a conducive working environment, leads and business advisory services, helping small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their market entry process.

Under the partnership, CapitaLand will work with UrWork to provide co-working spaces in CapitaLand's properties in China and Singapore. IE Singapore will identify and link potential Singapore SMEs to these co-working spaces in China.

IE Singapore and UrWork will jointly attract and groom a group of talents to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalization through regular seminars, thematic exchanges, networking sessions and internship opportunities, added the release.

Lee Ark Boon, CEO of IE Singapore, noted that this tripartite partnership strengthens IE Singapore's networks, allowing Singapore to provide ready and better support to Singapore's companies to accelerate their market expansion into China.

"I hope that Singapore companies can tap on these mature network and platform set forth by UrWork and CapitaLand to ease way through the China market and also to promote your innovations to achieve greater international successes," said Yew Sung Pei, Assistant CEO of IE Singapore.

UrWork's founder Mao Daqing said, "Through this tripartite MoU, Singapore start-ups will gain access to China's market, while Chinese start-ups will have an international platform to exhibit and grow their businesses."
China's third batch of peacekeeping infantry battalion would head to Juba region in South Sudan beginning on Sunday, China Defense Ministry said.

The battalion, consisting 700 personnel, would arrive in South Sudan on United Nation aircraft in six separate deployments, the ministry said.

The battalion, composed mainly of personnel from the 54th Army Group, will include infantry, armor, artillery, engineers, special units, communication divisions.

Of the 700 personnel, 138 have previous peacekeeping experience, and 166 have been awarded Third-Class Merit or above.

The battalion also includes a 13 personnel female unit to undertake humanitarian mission and protect women and children's rights.

It would be stationed in the Juba region in South Sudan, providing civilian protection, humanitarian aid and rescue, patrol and defense.
Uralkali, a Russian potash producer, has indicated that they expect prices for potash, the popular fertilizer ingredient, to bottom out by year end. They said prices, however, may not fall quite as low as previously forecasted as the market begins to stablilize after the collapse of what has been called an informal global pricing cartel.

The prediction was announced as Uralkali said it had boosted production during the third quarter. The production increase was a move toward a volume-over-price strategy that threatens to lower prices even more. It is being blamed for catapulting the global market into disarray.

During July, Uralkali decided it would leave a trade partnership with Belarus. The partnership had served as a key component of the cartel. Buyers decided to wait on new orders, and in turn have demanded larger discounts until it becomes evident as to how the $22 billion marketplace will end up reorganizing.

When Uralkali left the partnership with Belarus, the companys CEO, who was arrested in Belarus on charges related to the breakup, had made the prediction that potash prices would fall as much as 25% by year end, making it sell for $300 per ton. The sales director for the company, Oleg Petrov, does not expect prices to drop that low, but believes they will continue to drop until a contract is signed later this year in China. China is the worlds largest consumer of potash.

Uralkali does boast the lowest production cost of any potash producer, so it is looking to increase capacity in order to boost its market share. Ukrakali has announced that its third-quarter output improved to 12.5% on the year and 3.8% on the quarter, reaching 2.7 million tons. It would have to operate at 100% capacity in order to meets its annual production target. That would mean producing 3.24 million tons during the fourth quarter.

Indias largest buyer, Indian Potash Ltd., said it received a 12% discount from Uralkali on remaining deliveries on the deal that it had signed back in February. However, experts say that India is not a bellwether for the potash market, since the price cut was driven by the depreciation of the rupee.
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HA NOI  Export revenue of Vietnamese tuna to the European Union (EU) in October almost doubled compared to the same period last year, hitting US$14 million, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (Vasep).

The 92 per cent increase in October lifted the countrys total tuna export value to the EU in the first ten months of this year to $87.9 million, a year-on-year increase of 4.9 per cent.

Vietnamese tuna products have been exported to 20 countries in the EU bloc. Of these, Italy, Germany and Belgium are the three largest buyers.

However, while exports to Italy saw continuous growth since the beginning of this year, exports to Germany and Belgium were reported to be unstable.

According to Vasep, while the EU market imported more processed tuna products than fresh tuna from Viet Nam last year, imports of these products decreased 10 per cent this year to $39 million.

Meanwhile, the import of fresh, frozen and dried tuna products saw a year-on-year growth of 22 per cent this year to $49 million.

According to Vasep, Vietnamese canned tuna products are facing difficulties in EU markets due to high tariffs, whereas similar products from Ecuador and the Philippines have more advantages with zero per cent preferential tariffs.

The association predicts tuna exports, especially of fresh and frozen products, will continue to rise ahead of the holiday season.  VNS
HA NOI To create a fair business environment to promote the development of the private sector, experts said restructuring of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) must be hastened.

Vu Tien Loc, Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that restructuring SOEs would create opportunities for the private sector, considered the driver for growth in the next phase of restructuring.

Loc said at an economic forum held yesterday in Ha Noi that the work of privatising SOEs had been disappointing, despite being one of three major pillars of economic restructuring in 2011-15.

Significant resources are still in the hands of SOEs. Privatisation must now focus on quality rather than quantity, Loc said. This is important as privatisation and State divestments will create opportunities for private investors to buy stakes and become strategic stakeholders.

According to Deputy Chairman of the National Assemblys Economic Committee Nguyen uc Kien, the Government encouraged the private sector to participate in the restructuring of SOEs without a cap on stake holdings for private investors, except in credit institutions.

The biggest challenge is implementing economic restructuring efficiently, given unpredictable global developments, such as Brexit, Kien said.

au Anh Tuan, Head of VCCIs Legal Department, said the picture of the private sector in Viet Nam remained worrisome, citing that more than 58 per cent of private firms were unprofitable.

Private firms were still struggling to access resources, especially loans and land, Tuan said.

A business environment in which firms of all sizes and from all economic sectors can access resources is critical, Tuan said.

Hasten privatisation

ang Quyet Tien, Deputy Dirctor of the Corporate Finance Department under the Ministry of Finance said that the privatisation was slow compared to economic development.

The stagnation is due to the failure to renovate corporate governance and a lack of accountablity, Tien said. Privatisation is not simply selling stakes but a process in which SOEs will be renovated towards efficiency, he said.

Director of the ministrys Enterprise Development Department Ho Sy Hung questioned why stakes in many SOEs remained unattractive to buyers, citing that nearly half of 426 SOEs which implemented stake sales from 2011 to September 2016 failed to sell their stakes.

Duong Thanh Hien, Deputy Director of the Debt and Asset Trading Corporation said that divesting from loss-making enterprises was difficult, adding that another problem was evaluating asset value.

According to Pham Van Thinh, general director of Deloitte Viet Nam, investors still did not trust that enterprises assets evaluation process used international standards. In addition, there was a shortage of information provided to investors, causing transparency worries, he said.

Nguyen Quang Thuan, CEO of Stoxplus said that enterprise information must be adequate and transparent to attract buyers. Many foreign investors are keeping their eyes on the privatisation process and waiting for opportunities. The Government and SOEss determination is necessary, Thuan said. - VNS
HA NOI  The Government is going to propose that the National Assembly formulates a separate law on settling bad debts to facilitate economic restructuring, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue said on Thursday.

He told a cabinet meeting that handling bad debts was an urgent task for ensuring macro-economic stability and boosting socio-economic development.

However, the work done by Viet Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC), set up to process the bad debts of commercial banks, had not been effective enough, he said.

Company Chairman Nguyen Quoc Hung reported late October that since its establishment in 2013, the firm had bought non-performing loans worth VN262 trillion (US$11.85 billion).

However, it has only been able to recover around VN38 trillion, about 15 per cent of the loans purchased.

State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) Deputy Governor Nguyen Kim Anh, said the lack of proper, consistent regulations for the companys operations has caused the low ratio of debt recovery.

For example, as the VAMC deals with bad debts, borrowers might want to supplement their collateral with land-use rights. Yet notary agencies would not agree to notarise such a mortgage contract because, although the VAMC owned the debts, it was neither a lender nor a party that can accept land use rights as collateral under the Land Law 2013.

The SBVs Circular No 19/2013/TT-NHNN enabled the VAMC to evaluate bad debts either by themselves or by hiring an independent institution, but the Finance Ministrys Circular No 126/2015/TT-BTC did not specify the criteria for valuating debts.

VAMC and credit institutions cannot seize mortgaged assets if their owners intentionally resisted such seizure, because the national Civil Code (2015) has not stipulated the right of mortgagees to seize the assets.

Hue said the Ministry of Justice should start co-ordinating with relevant ministries and sectors immediately to kick-start the process for issuing a law on bad debt settlement.

The authorities would revise the Civil Code and laws on credit institutions, deposit insurance, tax management, corportate income tax, individual income tax and asset bidding, as part of this project, he added.

Hue asked the Ministry of Justice to formulate a decree to guide implementation of the Asset Bidding Law, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to complete a similar legal document on the Land Law regarding mortgaged assets settlement.

He also asked the Ministry of Construction to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice and the SBV to revise Decree 163 on transferring incomplete property projects not meant for business transactions in a way that facilitates VAMC operations.

The Ministry of Finance should issue criteria for asset valuation in the near future, and the Ministry of Public Security should co-operate with credit institutions and the VAMC in seizing mortgaged assets.

Hue also urged the Peoples Supreme Court and the Peoples Supreme Procuracy to provide guidelines on the legal value of transactions with mortgaged assets.

For its part, the VAMC should come up with a plan to enhance its capacity.

All measures aim to help the company handle bad debts more efficiently, but they must guarantee legal rights and interests of the State, credit institutions and related organisations and individuals, he said.  VNS
Ten leading Thai exhibition organisers came to Ha Noi yesterday for a business-to-business forum to meet Vietnamese enterprises, trade promotion organisations and associations.  Photo baodautu.vn

HA NOI  Ten leading Thai exhibition organisers came to Ha Noi yesterday for a business-to-business forum to meet Vietnamese enterprises, trade promotion organisations and associations.

The forum, organised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), is a new form in the Connect Business campaign of TCEB. The bureau expects the campaign to attract Vietnamese businesses to Thailand to attend exhibitions by strengthening relationships with organisations, associations, chambers of commerce, unions and non-profit corporations.

Viet Nam has high potential with a large number of visitors to Thai fairs in past years. Through this event, I want to give information about meetings, incentive travel, convention s and exhibition s (MICE) and the benefits that Vietnamese companies can get from attending these events in Thailand, said Jaruwan Suwannasat, director of TCEB Exhibition and Event.

MICE contribute US$6.3 trillion, creating 164,000 jobs to the Thai economy.

Thailand expects to welcome 208,000 international trade visitors this year, creating a total value of $500 million and will continue to support businesses which want to expand their activities in Thailand.

Statistics show that Viet Nam is the sixth largest visitor to exhibitions in Thailand with 4.4 per cent of the total in 2014 and 6.5 per cent in 2015. Viet Nam is an important market for Thailand, the director emphasised.

Vietnamese visitors show most interest in food and agriculture, followed by cars and health and medicine, according to TCEB statistics.

TCEB suggest suitable exhibitions for Vietnamese enterprises include food and agriculture; cars and automation; infrastructure and construction and warehouse, transportation and logistics.

A representative of Reed Exhibitions, the organiser of in-cosmetics Asia exhibition, said that Vietnamese visitors to the fair continued to grow in the past five years.

As the cosmetics sector was booming, Vietnamese companies are facing challenges in competition from big, global companies. As well as catching global trends, they came to the fair to seek safe ingredients and to join education programmes and seminars, she said. - VNS
A new trend is developing in technology product sales, with retailers themselves also playing the role of distributors, a conference heard in HCM City on Tuesday.  Photo thietkecongthongtin.com

HCM CITY  A new trend is developing in technology product sales, with retailers themselves also playing the role of distributors, a conference heard in HCM City on Tuesday.

Business executives said in the past distributors totally dominated the market by being the sole link between manufacturers and retailers.

But the industry value chain has changed because retailing has exploded with the mushrooming of chains, which has given them unprecedented clout.

Khong Phan uc, general director of VietinBank Security Company (VietinBank SC), said the competition between distributors and retailers began in 2010.

Since then many retailers like Mobile World and FPT have appeared and grown strongly. They have replaced distributors by working with manufacturers to acquire the right to directly sell [the latters] products through their stores.

Huynh Phuoc Cuong, a market researcher, said there is intense competition between distributors and between distributors and retailers.

Retailers have started to import and sell products. They have deep pockets and strong management and can join the value chain to improve their value addition.

Cuong said the intensity of the competition was understandable because it was a young industry with high growth, which was over 19 per cent in the first half of this year.

"The competition is likely to continue," he said.

Distributors indispensible

Participants said that no one could deny that retailers had grown, but contended that having distributors were essential.

Retailers faced many risks when they play the role of distributors, they said.

ang Tran Hai ang, deputy director of VietinBank SC, said it would take longer for products to reach from manufacturers than from distributors.

"Changes in price and technology trends are also major risks," he said.

"For manufacturers, it is imperative to enter the market and retain market share, and so they use various distribution routes," he said.

"But distributors are their first choice, and those who can offer services like marketing research, consultancy and after-sales service are always in manufacturers short list," he said.

According to Tran Vu, general director of Dell Vietnam, for a manufacturer finding a market is not the only task. To ensure demand for its products, the manufacturer also needs to understand the needs of consumers, organisations and companies.

Thus, his company needs a distributor to provide market data.

Bui Van Hoa, head of Freetel in Viet Nam, said in the past he had worked for a retail company. When it grew, it wanted to buy products directly from manufacturers thinking it was simple, but discovered it was very difficult, he said.

It needs deep pockets to do the job of a distributor well and professionally.

With this experience, he decided to partner with a distributor rather than retailers to distribute Freetels products.

Finding a partner who understands the market and has good financial capacity is necessary.

Distribution of electronic products is a fledgling industry in Viet Nam. The product categories include phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, home appliances, and printers.

The conference was organised by the HCM City Stock Exchange and VietinBank SC.  VNS
A green sky parks. Viet Nam must develop standards on carbon and national energy, while implementing strict regulations on energy saving.  Photo zing.vn

HA NOI  Experts, business representatives and authorities gathered in Ha Noi yesterday at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Construction and the Danish Embassy in Viet Nam to promote energy-efficient construction.

According to the Ministrys Department of Science, Technology and Environment, in 2003, civil energy consumption accounted for 22.4 per cent of the countrys total energy consumption. The figure increased to 38 per cent in 2014.

Participants highlighted shortcomings in energy usage in buildings and attributed it to incomprehensive legal frameworks and low awareness about energy saving.

According to a representative from DEM Construction Group, energy-efficient solutions have helped them save between VN2.6 billion and VN9.7 billion (US$114,400426,800) per year.

Viet Nam must develop standards on carbon and national energy, while implementing strict regulations on energy saving, the representative said.

Training should be conducted to raise the awareness of energy saving while developing green building models.

Poul E-Kristensen, a senior consultant on green building for the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Viet Nam, said it was more cost-effective to construct an energy-efficient building than a power plant.

Power efficiency helps save money for consumers and reduces carbon dioxide emissions, he added.

In past years, the ministry has worked with international partners, such as Denmark, the WB or USAID on green construction projects, including the UNDP-funded project Energy efficiency improvement in commercial and high-rise residential buildings in Viet Nam from 2016-2019.

Nguyen Cong Thinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, said amendments would be made to regulations on energy saving, efficient use and green works.

Communication work will be promoted to raise public awareness of the need for energy saving, efficient use and green works, while developing regulations on assessment, certification, labels and certificates for green construction materials, equipment and works.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung has asked localities in central coastal regions to take measures to minimise losses caused by on-going floods.

He made the request at an online conference reviewing flood prevention and tackling the aftermath of flooding in 18 coastal provinces and cities in the Central and Central Highlands regions, held in Ha Noi yesterday.

Dung, also head of the National Committee for Search and Rescue, ordered central cities and provinces from Nghe An to Binh Thuan to support families who had casualties in floods and continue to search for the missing. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) was asked to evaluate the impacts of the floods on hydropower reservoirs and irrigation systems.

The MARD was directed to co-ordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to enhance inspections and management of flood discharges from reservoirs. The Deputy PM urged the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) to co-operate with the MoIT to develop the monitoring, forecasting and warning systems, and install equipment at hydro meteorological stations, especially in flood and landslide-prone areas.

Co-ordinated mechanisms between local authorities and owners of reservoirs were also needed to ensure safety for reservoirs. Those who did not obey regulations related to reservoir operation should be punished.

Dung asked localities and ministries to speed up communication to raise capacity for authorised officials who work in search and rescue as well as the communitys responsibility in natural disaster response.

The MARD was ordered to work with the Ministry of Construction (MoC) and localities in carrying out projects on forest protection and development.

He asked the MoC to co-operate with relevant ministries and localities to build maps defining areas prone to natural disasters, especially floods and landslides, so as to have proper plans.

Localities were also directed to design preventive measures and response plans for natural disasters.

He suggested building more rain gauge and rescue centres in the central region, particularly the north-central part, along with upgrading drainage and dyke systems, and preventing soil erosion and flashfloods in mountainous areas.

Tran Quang Hoai, Deputy Director General of the Department of Water Resources under the MARD, said heavy rains and floods in October and November left 65 people dead and missing. Torrential rainfall flooded nearly 192,000 houses and over 22,100 ha of rice. Total damage was estimated at about VN7 trillion (US$317 million).

Deputy PM Dung blamed the high casualties on shortcomings in disaster prevention work, including poor awareness of some officials and people of natural disasters.

Hydrometeorology forecasts had been limited, while co-ordination among agencies had been poor and designing and implementing response plans against incidents had been slow, he said.

The infrastructure development of transport systems, industrial zones and urban areas was to blame for the intensive flooding, he said.

Climate change had worsened the consequences of natural disasters, he said.

To offset damage caused by the floods, over 4,400 tonnes of rice and a large amount of medicine have been provided to four central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh.

Ministries and localities proposed the government support VN305 billion ($13.5 million) as well as thousands of tonnes of seeds of various kinds to 14 provinces hit by the floods.  VNS
HA NOI--The first Vietnamese professional minority ethnic dancing contest was held last week in Ha Noi.

The contest was held by the Viet Nam Dancing Artists Association and Literature and Art Association of Vietnamese Ethnic Minorities to showcase the dances of Vietnamese ethnic minorities.

Thirty dances of different ethnic groups were displayed in the contest, mostly group dances.

They were performed by the Viet Nam National Song and Dance Theatre and other provincial dancing troupes.

Nguyen Hai Truong from the Viet Nam Dance College and choreographer of one of the three first prize winners, Bru People Festival, said it was a privilege to win the contest, "It was such an honour for me to win first prize among other young talents. To create the dance, I have spent time studying the daily customs of Van Kieu people to learn how to transmit their habits into dance. Although they are a minority, they are large in population, and less known by the public. I hope in coming years, young choreographers will learn how to combine traditional and modern factors of minority ethnic, so we can preserve the old and promote the new in this kind of dance," he said.

At the closing ceremony, 15 selected dances of Dao, Bru, Lo Lo, Mong, Pa Then, Tay, Si La people, which reached the final round, were awarded by the judges.

Three first prizes were given to Playing the Drums, Bru People Festival and Praying for Rain, while five second and seven third prizes were also awarded, respectively. The first prize was VN13 million ($573), second prize was VN10 million ($440) and third prize was VN7 million ($308).

Professor Tran Ngoc Canh, who has studied national folk and minority ethnic dance for many years, said contemporary dance has inherited the cultural values of folk and minority ethnic dance, and is also a useful guide for choreographers. VNS
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) meets New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Khanh Linh

WELLINGTON  New Zealand has committed to continuing providing official development assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam, especially in education, human resources, agriculture and rural development, and climate change response.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully told Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh during their talks in Auckland yesterday that New Zealand would maintain scholarships to study English for Vietnamese officials while stepping up co-operation between education institutions of the two countries.

New Zealand considers Viet Nam a priority partner in the region, he said, calling on the two countries to foster co-operation.

The minister also suggested the two sides discuss products prioritised for exports and imports of each nation.

New Zealand will work with Viet Nam to assess risks to Vietnamese fruits while facilitating the sale of Vietnamese farm produces and seafood in the market, he affirmed.

The two sides agreed to strengthen affiliation in agriculture. New Zealand will help Viet Nam with training and technological transfer to ensure productivity and quality of Vietnamese agricultural products, as well as food safety.

They also agreed to enhance co-operation in national defence and security, education, people-to-people exchange and labour issues.

Host and guest stressed the significance of the direct air route between Viet Nams HCM City and Auckland of New Zealand, which, they said, had strengthened exchanges between the two countries citizens and tourism connectivity.

They noted with joy the development of the bilateral comprehensive partnership, looking towards a strategic partnership.

The two sides lauded the Action Programme for 2013-16 and agreed to work on extending the programme for 2016-19.

The officials emphasised the need to increase exchanges at all-levels and between the two countries localities, along with carrying forward bilateral co-operation mechanisms such as political consultations between the two foreign ministries and the joint committee on economic and trade co-operation.

They will strive for bilateral economic and trade ties to reach US$1.7 billion by 2020, making economic co-operation a pillar of bilateral ties.

The officials used the occasion to exchange views on regional and international issues of shared concern, including the latest developments of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to which both Viet Nam and New Zealand are signatories, as well as Viet Nams hosting the APEC Year in 2017.

They underscored the need to ensure peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region; respect international law as well as diplomatic and legal processes; settle disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; not to take actions escalating tensions; and not to use or threaten to use force.  VNS
HA NOI  The important role of counselling in schools has been accepted by most stakeholders, including parents, teachers and administrators, but most secondary schools and high schools do not offer this service.

Two years ago, a pilot project of the Ha Noi Department of Education and Training, carried out in collaboration with international NGO Plan International, opened a counselling room for students in 20 schools city-wide.

However, after the project ended, the schools could not afford further investment and lacked funds to pay for counselling staff, said Hoang Thi An, headmistress of the Co Loa Secondary School.

An said her school was trying to find ways to continue providing the service.

She said that for several years now, school administrators had been handling an increasing number of conflicts between students.

Since the school opened a counselling room in 2014, teachers were more relaxed and had become more skilful in dealing with students and parents when problems arise, An said.

She said that in the first year of operation, very few students approached the counsellors because they were shy and uncertain.

Now they come here often and also share many stories about their family life, problems in friendship and also disagreement with teachers, An said.

A few other schools besides the 20 funded by the project have opened counselling rooms, but most have had limited success.

Pham Trong at, headmaster of the inh Tien Hoang High School in My uc District said he thought a lot about it, but the lack of funds prevented him from opening a counselling room in his school.

It is necessary to have a place to help students deal with (psychological) problems, and there are so many social problems entering the school, said Nguyen Thu Huong, headmistress of the Nguyen Du Secondary School.

"School managers have to deal with many problems besides teaching, so a counselling room will be of great help," she said.

Moreover, not many school leaders have professional expertise in counselling, according to Huong.

Apart from the lack of funds, it is very difficult to find good, qualified counsellors.

Dr Nguyen Tung Lam, headmaster of the inh Tien Hoang Private High School and Chairman of Ha Noi Education Psychology, said no fight had broken out between students of the school since a counselling room was established 15 years ago.

"There are always three to four counsellors available to help students," he said.

The room is not just for students to visit for help. The counsellors are also responsible for looking out and keeping in touch with both students and teachers, so as to prevent a conflict from arising, Lam said.

2017 deadline

Ha Noi now has 939 high schools and junior high schools, but very few provide an in-school counselling service.

A recent survey revealed that of 31,000 students in the 20 schools that were part of the pilot project, about 50 per cent felt safer with the counselling room. About 2,800 sought its services.

There was a sharp reduction in the percentage of students suffering mental and physical abuse after the counselling service was offered, the survey found.

Mental abuse went down from 63 per cent to seven per cent in three years.

The survey also found few students would go to their teachers or parents to help deal with threatening situations if the counselling room was not available.

About 42 per cent of the students surveyed had suffered physical violence, 68 per cent had been subjected to mental abuse and 36 per cent were victims of sexual violence. All of them had kept their experiences secret and tried to find their own way out of the problem, the survey found.

Only 30 per cent of the students said they were willing to find teachers or cousellors when they saw violence on campus.

Nguyen Huu o, director of the Ha Noi Department of Education and Training, said more schools would be equipped with counsellor rooms in the coming months.

"All schools in the city are expected to have the service by the end of 2017," he added.

His department is studying ways to find funds for the project so as to help schools operate effectively.

Last month, the Ministry of Education and Training issued a draft circular with implementation guidelines for providing psychological counselling in schools.

Provincial Education and Training Departments would be responsible for guiding schools in opening counselling rooms that would provide students with advice on physical and mental health, gender, education, family and social problems.  VNS
HA NOI More than 50 per cent of women and girls feel anxious in public places like buses and bus stops and more than 30 per cent cannot find clean public toilets to use, according to a report that also blamed women partly for the violence and harassment against themselves in public places.

The report For a safe city for women and girls was released yesterday in Ha Noi by the Department of Gender Equality (DGE) under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment in Development and ActionAid Viet Nam.

The report was compiled by organisations that studied violence against women and girls in Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Uong Bi, Tra Vinh and HCM City from August to September 2016.

Researchers interviewed and surveyed more than 2,000 people including women and girls between the age of 16 and 60, and men.

The report aimed to study sexual harassment against women and girls in public places such as streets, parks, buses and public toilets, and propose appropriate policy recommendations.

The research also pointed out that when violence or harassment occurs in a public place, more than 40 per cent of women keep silent instead of reporting to police.

Tran Thi Bich Loan, deputy director of the DGE, said, It is obvious that public services in many cities in Viet Nam have not met demand and have not ensured gender sensitivity as well. Public buses and toilets are used daily by citizens but contain many risks of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

Hoang Phuong Thao, country director of ActionAid Viet Nam, said, To solve the problem, it is necessary to get more attention from the Government to create safe spaces for women and girls. We need to bring a change in mind and action in each of us.

We hope you will take action together with ActionAid Viet Nam, our partners and more than 150 cities in 20 countries participating in the Safe Cities Campaign to build our cities to become safer for women and girls as our pride, she said.

Researchers proposed the law require stronger penalties for those who commit harassment.

Cameras should be installed on buses and at bus stations.

Concerned organisations need to integrate knowledge about social and interpersonal skills for women and girls, especially about how to protect themselves.

Security forces should be strengthened to carry out patrols in public, especially in solitude places.  VNS
The private sector is crucial to building a standardised vocational training system by 2020, thus improving the quality of human resources to regional and world standards.  Photo hanoimoi.com.vn

HA NOI  The private sector is crucial to building a standardised vocational training system by 2020, thus improving the quality of human resources to regional and world standards, heard a conference in Ha Noi yesterday.

The event, held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), the French Development Agency (AFC) and UNESCO in Viet Nam, aims to call for stronger involvement of the private sector in the efforts.

According to the MOLISA, there are about 2,000 vocational training facilities nationwide, half of which are owned privately.

In past years, the Party and State have allocated considerable resources for vocational training, while issuing various policies to support the work, including the Law on Vocational Training in July 2015 and the Strategy for Vocational Training Development from 2011-20.

Major objectives of the strategy include planning vocational training facilities based on sector, region and locality, with priority given to non-State newly-established facilities.

The strategy also encourages foreign-funded facilities, while calling for the engagement of the private sector in the field and diversifying resources for the expansion of vocational training.

Participants pointed to a number of shortcomings in Viet Nams vocational training, including poor capacity of training facilities, especially in management, as well as loose co-ordination between training facilities and businesses.

They stressed the need for stronger engagement of private firms to increase the competitiveness of vocational training facilities.

They suggested the Party and State hold public-private dialogues to strengthen the role of trade associations and the business community in vocational training.

It is necessary to build training programmes towards renovation and modernisation to suit market requirements, while designing support policies for non-State facilities, according to participants. VNS
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives ADBs Country Director in Viet Nam Eric Sidgwick yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

HA NOI  The Asian Development Bank (ADB)s assistance to Viet Nam over the last 20 years helped to transform the poor, underdeveloped country into a middle-income one, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday.

Addressing a ceremony marking 50 years since the birth of the ADB and 20 years since an ADB resident mission was established in Viet Nam in December, 1993, the PM said that the date had a fundamental role in the partnership between the ADB and Viet Nam.

Ever since then, the two of us have signed agreements to carry out more than 160 projects worth about US$16 billion, Phuc said.

ADB projects in Viet Nam are very diversified and effectively implemented, aiming to support inclusive and sustainable development in the country.

ADBs Country Director in Viet Nam Eric Sidgwick said that ever since the organisation was founded in 1966 with Viet Nam one of the founding members, the ADB mobilised and invested some $250 billion in infrastructure, research and knowledge sharing to build prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

Since resuming operations in Viet Nam in 1993, the ADB has worked closely with the Vietnamese Government to reduce poverty and support sustainable economic and social development during the nations transition from centrally planning to a market-oriented system, Sidgwick said.

The organisation over the two decades worked with the Southeast Asian country to train 35,000 teachers, build more than 5,000km of national and provincial roads, and install some 1,400 megawatts of renewable energy.

We also helped to upgrade some 2,000km of national power transmission lines and provided key water supply to some 265,000 households, Sidgwick said.

ADB is committed to continue serving the region and to work with all members countries to expand and leverage not just financing but also exchanges of knowledge, expertise and technology to help meet the new, and in many cases more complex challenges ahead.

PM Phuc expressed wishes that ADB would continue its support to the country, especially in regional co-operation frameworks like the Mekong sub-region, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy or the CLMV (Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam) to connect the regional economies and to adapt to climate change.  VNS
June H.L. Wong *

Lets stop blaming Trump for our misogynistic world. Even without him, there are plenty of men in leadership positions who think women are just fair game.Before Trump, there was Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who was an early post-truth politician.He was just 1.65m tall but Berlusconi thought he was Gods gift to women and his list of sexual scandals and sexist gaffes is legendary.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron was roasted in 2011 when he told Labour MP Angela Eagle, Calm down, dear which critics pounced on, declaring that his response revealed what he really thought of women: Emotional and hysterical.Asian male politicians are just as prone to making sexist remarks.

Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to Dhaka, lauded Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina for her unshakeable resolve in fighting terrorism. But then he went and spoilt it by adding, despite being a woman.

Another Indian politician, Mulayam Singh Yadav, reportedly said at an election rally: First girls become friends with boys. Then when they have differences, girls level rape charges. Boys commit mistakes. Will they be hanged for rape?

Over in Japan, a Tokyo city councillor made international headlines in 2014 when he was forced to apologise to a female colleague for heckling her during a meeting.Akihiro Suzuki told Ayaka Shiomura to hurry up and get married when she raised questions on measures to help pregnant women and young mothers.

And then there is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.The latest incident had him making inappropriate remarks to Vice-President Leni Robredo on her looks and nice legs at an event marking the third anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City.

But all these sexist jibes pale in comparison to the unforgivably nasty barb a Malaysian deputy minister threw at an Opposition MP, Teresa Kok , in Parliament last month.It happened during a heated debate over a rally organised by Bersih, a movement calling for electoral reform. The Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman sniggered, Why is Seputeh going kekekeke? The only woman with a Kok is in Seputeh.

He was obviously making fun of her surname, a common Chinese family name which sounds the same as the slang word for male genitalia. Kok is a fourth term MP for the Seputeh constituency in Kuala Lumpur.Tajuddins tasteless remark ignited a firestorm of protest from the Opposition. He refused to apologise and went to make fun of another woman MP by mimicking the way she spoke.Tajuddins sexist remark actually topped backbencher Datuk Bung Moktar Radins crude dig at a woman MP in 2007.

The then MP for the Batu Gajah seat, Fong Poh Kuan, had complained to the Speaker about the roof in Parliament leaking every time it rained.Bung, the MP for the Kinabatangan seat in Sabah, jumped up to make a crack: Mana ada bocor? Batu Gajah pun bocor tiap-tiap bulan juga. (Where is the leak? Batu Gajah leaks every month too).

Yes, we should expect better from our elected representatives. But from the many examples we have, such behaviour and attitudes in male politicians are quite universal.

Its been 21 years since the Fourth World Conference on Women which resulted in the Womens Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, hailed as the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing womens rights, covering 12 areas of concerns like education, health, influence and decision-making, human rights, and violence against women and the girl child.

The ultimate objective is gender equality and women empowerment by ending discrimination against the female sex.

Significant gains and progress have been made especially in education, employment opportunities and health care. But there are still big gaps.Where influence and decision-making is concerned, as of June this year, only 22.8 per cent of all parliamentarians are women, a dismal increase from 11.3 per cent in 1995 and still short of the United Nations target of 30 per cent, according to UN Women, the global body working to ensure gender equality.

Not only are they a minority, they are subjected to shocking sexual harassment, as revealed by the first Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) report on Sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians, released just a month before International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on Nov 25.

It confirmed what former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard told women aspiring to be politicians: Threats of violent abuse, of rape, are far too common. A woman in public view may expect to receive them almost daily.

The IPU report surveyed 55 female MPs from 39 countries and found that 81.8 per cent responded that they had been subjected personally to one or more acts of psychological violence.

This included sexist or sexually humiliating remarks, gestures and images and threats and harassment which fell outside the normal political debate which is combative and even rough by nature.

The survey found that almost two-thirds had been subjected to humiliating sexist remarks and 44.4 per cent had received threats of rape, beatings, abduction and even death. Even worse, 22 per cent actually experienced sexual violence, while 33 per cent had witnessed sexual violence against female colleagues in parliament.

And who were the perpetrators? Their male colleagues from the opposition and even their own parties.IPU secretary-general Martin Chungong said the study showed the need for parliaments to tackle sexism.Parliaments need to put their own house in order if they want to lead by example and stop discrimination and violence against women in all walks of life, he said.

Indeed, if law-makers and leaders of countries cant guarantee a mutually respectful workplace for men and women, how can we expect other public spaces and workplaces to be any better?

UN Women says across Asia, studies in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea show that 30 to 40 per cent of women suffer workplace sexual harassment.But changing attitudes that are so ingrained will not happen easily, especially in many Asian countries which are still patriarchal in structure and treat women as inferior.

So whats the best response to misogynistic men? Michelle Obamas advice is When they go low, we go high. That may be a great sound bite but if going high means maintaining a dignified silence or ignoring the perpetrator, I dont think thats enough. I say give back as good as you get. Instead of getting angry, get even because showing youre hurt is exactly what these men want to see.

Years ago, as a teenager walking home, I was followed by a man who had been seen lurking around in the neighbourhood before. He turned out to be a flasher.

I managed to remain calm, put on a sneer and even laugh at his pathetic display. The shock on the mans face was priceless. Instead of me running away in tears and fear, he ran off instead.

I never saw him again. Giving men like him a taste of their own medicine might just be part of the cure.  The Star/ANN

*June H.L. Wong was Chief Operating Officer (Content Development), The Star, Malaysia. She was the former group chief editor of The Star Media Group Malaysia. This is a series of columns on global affairs written by top editors from members of the Asia News Network and published in newspapers across the region.
The Iowa State Patrol identified the deceased at Dennis Bartels, 75, the driver of a van, and Sharon Bartels, 73, both of Parkersburg. They died at the scene.

The report states that Bartels was stopped on Highway 14 in the southbound lane shoulder to retrieve mail. A northbound semi being driven by Gaylen Mulder, 51, also of Parkersburg, approached. For unknown reasons, Bartels pulled out onto the roadway into the path of the semi, trooper said, resulting in a broadside collision which killed the two.
WAVERLY  A Waverly icon older than the city itself came down this weekend.

Crews began cutting down the ailing bur oak tree outside City Hall on Friday afternoon. The tree, estimated to be about 217 years old, was found to be in ill health this summer and posed a hazard should it fall.

Bringing the old tree down is not taken lightly by city leaders. Acorns were collected this fall. Sculptor Jesse Kern will make a piece of art from the trunk. Other wood will be used for a bench for City Hall.

Some wood might be used for work in the Ira Sturdevant House which was built in 1855 to 1856. The structure is the oldest surviving dwelling Waverly and is younger than the tree by more than 50 years.

Other wood might be used to make ceremonial gavels for visiting dignitaries.

Some of the wood will be sold to help finance removal of the tree, said Tab Ray, Waverly Leisure Services director.

We didnt budget for it because we didnt expect it to come down, Ray said.

The tree, along the Cedar River, predates permanent European settlement in the area. When the new City Hall was planned for construction in 1991, the tree was slated to come down.

Rick and Elizabeth Hartman headed an effort to raise about $10,000 to design the building and parking lot to accommodate the old oak.

That effort also led city leaders to recognize the importance of older trees in the community, identify them and make efforts to preserve them.

In June, Tivon Feeley, Iowa Department of Natural Resources forest health program leader, was in Waverly leading city staff in urban forestry training and noticed troubling signs of decay in the tree.

Since then, the city made plans to bring the tree down but only after getting a chance to collect acorns for one final year. Several offspring of the tree are thriving in the city, including a 25-year-old tree in Rays backyard.

Just because its at the end of its life doesnt mean it wont live on in some other ways, Ray said.
I would like to thank people from all over the world who have donated. I always answer them personally, but as I have said before, some emails do not work. So every so often, I do a public thanking on the website. This covers the ones that I can send a message to and to the ones that I am not able to send a message to

So thank you

* * * * *

It is Saturday and Boza and I have already been walking for the day twice. I will now do his eyes and he will sleep for several hours after that. He has decided that sleeping after his eye drops is the best course of action and I think it helps him. I also have decided and used the system this morning

I decided that Boza needs to go back on the leash. The last few days has made me do some thinking and as the snow has gotten deeper and deeper. Boza has lost the ability to get around on his own. He no longer has a road surface to know where he is at and he no longer has the easy tracking of our trails. Therefore, this morning, I put his collar back on him and grabbed the leash. He was one happy doggy and did his walking dance when he heard the leash make its clicking noise We have one of those expandable coil up type leashes. Spring loaded and allows 15 meters of running room for him

While it made it interesting for me to have a flashlight, walking stick and leash, plus a tugging doggy. I decided to leave the stick at home and that solved the overload issue. It made Bozas life a whole bunch better. I had notice with the deep snow, he was simply lost and if he can see a bit? The world had nothing but white, white and more white. With no ability to see the drifts and such. He was struggling

This morning though he danced and pranced again and got to stay out front. He knew I would guide him and that is what I do. I use the leash to keep enough pressure on him to know where I am at. It was so bad yesterday before the leash, I had to sing a song to him all the way home, just so he knew where I was at all times. Now he always knows where I am at, by the weight of the leash cord

You could see the relief in his actions. He plowed through snow drifts with confidence, for he knows that I am with him and will be right nearby

* * * * *

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr6393/text

The Western Empire is a strange place

It really has become the Soviet Union of the old days. America and Britain + EU both are working hard at trying to stifle Russian news about them. This news has become popular and when it is the truth, the Western Empire has run scared at the people who listen to the truth and not the propaganda being spewed by the MSM

The future is this

1. News is only news if it comes from a limited approved sources

2. The borders of America will be closed in our lifetime

3. Money will become credits and or something like that Cash will be gone

4. It will all be done for your safety and well being

5. What we use to disapprove of, has become what we must approve of

You live now in what we proclaimed as evil 50 years ago

Have a nice day and think about your future!

WtR
Focusing on the world of wines, beer, and spirits that we experience through our travels at WineCompass.com and theCompass Craft Beverage Finder.
"The bold colors that I use have been with me from the beginning. Much art from Africa utilizes some of the same color combinations that I use."

ATLANTA, GA, December 03, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A pop of color is being added to downtown Newnan as Atlanta-based artist Corey Barksdale creates the city's second large mural, sponsored by the Newnan Coweta Art Association's Artist-in-Residence program. The piece can be found on Spring Street, on the outside wall of Glover Insurance Company facing the post office.



Barksdale arrived in Coweta just one week ago and has made great progress on the brightly-colored painting many locals might describe as street, urban or public art. Created in lively primary colors, the work depicts the image of two musicians, both playing guitars.



"This mural is bold and ethnic and celebrates music," said local art instructor Bette Hickman. "This piece is very different from the first downtown mural, but I think it will blend in just as well."



Hickman is a member of the Board of Directors for the Newnan Coweta Art Association's Artist-in-Residence program, which provides artists from across the world the opportunity to visit Newnan, for a minimum of two weeks, in order to create art in a new environment.



"The board really enjoyed the first mural painted by Molly Rose Freeman, and hopes to bring more muralists into the ArtRez program," Hickman said.



Like previous ArtRez participants, Barksdale submitted a portfolio of work to the board after applying for the residency online. According to Hickman, board members liked the Atlanta artist's use of strong colors and dynamic composition.



Newnan's temporary resident studied Fine Arts at the Atlanta College of Art, and from there continued to depict and express the African-American culture he found while studying in the city, according to online magazine wakezine (wakezine.com).



"My images are representative of the experiences that I have had and how I identify myself. The subjects reflect my community," Barksdale said in an interview with the magazine published in 2014. "The bold colors that I use have been with me from the beginning. Much art from Africa utilizes some of the same color combinations that I use."



Barksdale also remarked in the interview that music is a big part of culture. He noted that he enjoys jazz and oftens listens to music while painting. He said and tries to capture musicians at the moment they seem to transcend into the music they are playing.



The artist will remain available to the community for the last week of his residency and will reside in the Gray Cottage, which was renovated to house visiting artists sponsored by the ArtRez program.



Atlanta Fine Artist Corey Barksdale Paintings



# # #
Dec 2, 2016 | By Benedict

During a week in which many people opened up the first two doors of their advent calendar, we were busy opening up press release after press release concerning the latest 3D printing news and innovations: a 3D printed magnet breakthrough, a 3D printed robotic arm for $450, and much more.

1. Magnet Applications creates high-performance 3D printed NdFeB magnets with BAAM

As lovers of 3D printing, we felt a strong and irresistible pull towards the news that Magnet Applications, North Americas sole manufacturer of compression bonded magnets, had announced a breakthrough in 3D printed neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets. The company declared on Tuesday that its 3D printed permanent magnets were outperforming bonded magnets, and producing less waste too, thanks in part to the assistance of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The new 3D printed magnets are composed of starting composite pellets mixed with 65 volume percent isotropic NdFeB powder and 35 percent polyamide nylon-12 binder in a precise ratio, blended to a consistent texture. They were 3D printed on the Big Area Additive Manufacturing 3D printer (one of the biggest 3D printers in the world) at ORNL, and researchers say that the 3D printing method could be used to create magnets of specific strengths and direction of magnetization.

With rapidly advancing technologies, the ability to manufacture the strongest magnet available in any shape without tooling, in any quantity, unleashes so many design opportunities, said Dr. John Ormerod, Senior Technical Advisor at Magnet Applications. The work has demonstrated the potential of additive manufacturing to be applied to wide range of magnetic materials and assemblies.

2. Ricoh, Solvay combine for PA6 laser sintering

3D printed magnets are an exciting proposition, but sometimes you just need a solid 3D printed part for your car or aircraft. Luckily, two companies have the answer. Ricoh and Solvay have joined forces to enable Ricohs AM S5500P 3D printer to print with Solvays Sinterline Technyl PA6GB, a material widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries. The Ricoh AM S5500P is one of a handful of 3D printers capable of printing high temperature polyamides, and printing with PA6GB will enable it to produce 3D printed parts with a similar performance level to injection molded ones.

The rapid prototyping of demanding parts that are closer to the final materials used for serial production provides OEMs and tiers an overwhelming design advantage when facing global competition to get products to market, said Ralph Risse, Sinterline Global Business Development Manager at Solvay.

3. Celprogen develops 3D printed human pancreas

PLA is the most common 3D printing material used by most users of affordable, consumer-level 3D printers. It is perhaps surprising, therefore, to hear that the ultra-common plastic is being used to create a 3D printed human pancreas. Celprogen, the company behind the 1:5 scale fabricated organ, announced on Wednesday that it had successfully created an ECM-coated PLA pancreas scaffold populated with three T225 human Pancreatic Stem Cells 36097-24-T225 and human adult pancreatic cells 3002-04-T225.

According to Celprogen, the 3D printed PLA scaffold will allow the seeded pancreatic stem cells to potentially differentiate into an adult functional pancreas, and is an example of the companys broader goal to create a portfolio of therapeutics products and life science research tools. Celprogen has also used PLA to create a 3D printed heart, which could be used to screen drugs for toxicity and which will be presented at the American Society of Cell Biology Annual meeting next week in San Francisco.

4. Materialise launches 3D printed model service AnatomyPrint

While Celprogens 3D printed pancreas wont be transplanted into any human patient just yet, 3D printing is still required for other applications in the medical world. 3D printing software specialist Materialise announced on Wednesday the launch of AnatomyPrint, a service for medical professionals that delivers 3D printed anatomical models via mail order. The medical 3D printing service was launched during the 2016 RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting at McCormick Place in Chicago.

To obtain a high-quality, 3D printed anatomical model, medical professionals need only upload an STL file and choose their preferred material, after which the Class 1 medical devices can be used for visualization, communication with patients and physicians, and educational purposes. The service allows doctors, radiologists etc. to 3D print medical models without investing in their own 3D printer.

AnatomyPrint offers a fast and easy way to order and print models from STL files that can be generated from the DICOM images that medical professionals work with on a daily basis, said Materialise Founder and CEO Wilfried Vancraen. This is an important service for medical professionals working in organizations without in-house 3D printing capabilities, as it allows them to access these models and stay up to date with the latest industry technology without making a major investment.

5. Concept Laser, Swisslog developing automated solutions for metal 3D printing

Integrating 3D printing into the production line is becoming a key focus for many additive manufacturing companies, two of which have joined forces to bring that task closer to completion. Concept Laser and Swisslog, a member of the KUKA Group, have entered into a strategic development partnership to deliver an innovative Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) system for metal 3D printing. In line with its AM Factory of Tomorrow vision, Concept Laser will thus become the first manufacturer of machines and installations for metal 3D printing to use an automation solution for moving modules between different machine units within production environments.

Swisslogs AGV system is, according to the two companies, a key part of the M LINE FACTORY from Concept Laser, with Swisslog in charge of integrating a driverless transport system with smart software. Concept Laser will be responsible for the set-up on top of the AGV (in order to move powder or parts in an autonomous way) and the docking, including the receipt and transfer of the modules.

The ambitious concept of the M LINE FACTORY ensures a high level of automation and flexibility in 3D metal printing, said Dr. Florian Bechmann, Head of Research & Development at Concept Laser. The AGV system from Swisslog is the next stage in the development toward consistent automation of the processes embracing the basic idea of Industry 4.0.

6. Schaeffler, DMG MORI to 3D print rolling bearing components

Technology company Schaeffler and machine tools manufacturer DMG MORI are another pair of companies to have linked up this week in order to advance their own particular 3D printing ventures. The pair signed an agreement on Wednesday that will see them develop additive manufacturing processes for parts of rolling bearingsbearings which carry a load using a ball or other rolling device sandwiched between two bearing rings. The companies will use a Lasertec 65 3D, an all-in-one additive manufacturing, welding, and machining hybrid made by DMG MORI.

Both partners complement each other perfectly to drive the future of machine tools as well as the continuing development of rolling bearing technology, said Dr Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial of Schaeffler AG. Our joint Machine Tool 4.0 development project has already demonstrated this with great success.

7. Kickstarter launched for $450 3D printed robotic arm

Last but not least, there was some exciting DIY activity going on at Kickstarter this week, proving that important things are happening at all levels of the 3D printing industry. Startup Slant Robotics recently launched a crowdfunding campaign for ShopArm, a 3D printed, Arduino-based robotic arm that can be bought in kit form for just $450 (or $525 with electronics). Inspired by the rise of ultra-affordable DIY 3D printers like the RepRap, Slant decided it would apply similar principles to the creation of a 3D printable robotic arm.

Early in 2016 we were working with a large industrial robot for a clienta behemoth that could kill you if you got too close at the wrong time, Slant explains on its Kickstarter. While working with this arm and others like it we realized that we could make an arm 10x cheaper and 100x easier to use. Working on that premise, we started developing the ShopArm. A robot for basically anyone who would like a little physical automation in their life.

Slant believes its 3D printed robotic arm could be used for projects in education, research, small businesses, kitchens, workshops, and for many other applications besides. Best of all, its cheap: just $525 for a kit complete with electronics, or $450 if you think you can source the electronics yourself. Part of the reason for this affordability is the use of 3D printing, with every plastic component of the arm 3D printed, making the device light but strong.

The ShopArm project will be funded if $3,000 is pledged by January 2. With nearly half that figure already raised, backers should be confident that the kits will be delivered by their estimated date of March 2017.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Amanda Gefter in Nautilus:

When they met, Einstein wasnt Einstein yet. He was just Albert Einstein, a kid, about 17, with a dark cloud of teenage angst and a violin. Michele Besso was older, 23, but a kindred spirit. Growing up in Trieste, Italy he had shown an impressive knack for mathematics, but he was kicked out of high school for insubordination and had to go live with his uncle in Rome. Einstein could relate. At the Swiss Polytechnic, where he was now a student, his professors resented his intellectual arrogance, and had begun locking him out of the library out of spite.

Their first encounter was on a Saturday night in Zurich, 1896. They were at Selina Caprottis house by the lake for one of her music parties. Einstein was handsomedark hair, moustache, soulful brown eyes. Besso was short with narrow, pointed features and a thick pile of coarse black hair on his head and chin. Einstein had a look of cool detachment. Besso had the look of a nervous mystic. As they chatted, Einstein learned that Besso worked at an electrical machinery factory; Besso learned that Einstein was studying physics. Perhaps they recognized something in each other then: They both wanted to get to the truth of things.

Besso would go on to become a sidekick, of sorts, to Einsteina sounding board, as Einstein put it, the best in Europe, asking the right questions that would inspire Einstein to find the right answers. At times, though, he would seem to be something morea collaborator, perhaps, making suggestions, working through calculations.

More here.
Justin Taylor at The LA Times:

Kathleen Collins was a professor of film history at New Yorks City College who made a groundbreaking contribution to the subject that she taught. Losing Ground (1982), which Collins wrote and directed, was one of the first feature-length dramas made by an African American woman. Collins, who was also an activist and playwright, never got the chance to make another film. She died in 1988, at age 46, after a bout with breast cancer  a life, and a lifes work, cut brutally short.

Losing Ground is the story of a marriage in crisis and an intimate portrait of the black creative class in New York in the 1970s. Sarah, a promising young academic, is married to Victor, an older and somewhat louche painter who has just made his first major sale to a museum. (Notably, his work is acquired not by an American institution but by the Louvre.) To celebrate, they rent a summer house in a majority-Puerto Rican community in the Hudson Valley, where Victor becomes smitten with the local culture (and a local woman) while Sarah starves for intellectual and emotional attention, until one of her students asks her to come back to the city to star in a film of his.

Richard Brody, writing in the New Yorker this past spring, called Losing Ground a nearly lost masterwork and noted ruefully that [h]ad it screened widely in its time, it would have marked film history.

more here.
What to know about the Noem rallies in Sioux Falls Wednesday

Two special guests, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Tulsi Gabbard, will stump for Noem during the rallies at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance.
This year, the major accounting technology conference Accountex (formerly SleeterCon) happened concurrently  and down the street from  the largest cannabis industry conference in the United States, the Marijuana Business Conference and Expo. Seemingly an unrelated coincidence, the timing turned out to be kismet: Accountex attendee Penny Breslin, a financial technology consultant based in San Diego, found herself fielding questions from Expo attendees asking whether she knew any good accountants.

As it turns out, Breslin told me, the marijuana business is in desperate need of accounting (and legal) services as the drug becomes legal state by state at a rapid pace. But what would it take for an accountant, or a suite of accounting software, to take on a cannabis-related business books?

First, its important to understand that the legalization of marijuana does not mean it suddenly becomes easy to buy and sell at will. Each state in which marijuana is legal, either for medical use, recreational use, or variations therein, has its own laws surrounding the trade. Also, businesses have been moving, buying and selling marijuana on the black market for decades. Moving a company from illegal to legitimate carries with it a complicated tax burden that straddles state and federal rules.

Legalization via the states means that while marijuana may be legal in some states, it is still illegal federally. Of course, this doesnt stop the IRS from taking its piece of the tax pie  up to 70 percent, thanks to Section 280e of the Tax Code, a measure Congress passed in 1982 to ensure that businesses dealing in illegal substances cannot make use of any deductions or tax credits. The code as it relates to marijuana is complex, and an accountant taking on marijuana-related businesses needs to have a good understanding of Sec. 280e, possibly working in tandem with a lawyer serving the business, too.

While I was in Las Vegas attending Accountex, I met with Eric Gomez, CEO of Canopy San Diego, a business accelerator for the legal cannabis-ancillary industry. Ancillary, because due to cannabis still being federally classified as a Schedule I drug, businesses that physically touch the product  such as growers, distributors and dispensaries  can lose their deductible status under 280e, making it difficult to do business. So Canopy San Diego provides startup funding for companies such as Apothecarry, which makes luxury cannabis accoutrements such as humidors and storage containers; LooseLeaf Tech, a software company that provides a platform for patients and healthcare providers to collaborate and gather data on the benefits of medicinal cannabis; and MycoCann, which provides soil solutions for growing the best cannabis plants.

Through Canopy San Diego, investors can invest in the whole cannabis industry, Gomez explained. No one knows right now which segment will take off fastest.

The accounting technology segment also has a wide opening into the industry, as long as companies can avoid losing deductible status when they start dealing with cannabis-related businesses  Gomez noted that if companies are making profit from money that comes from the direct handling of marijuana, they occupy a grey area under 280e that hasnt been fully illuminated yet. Because of its Schedule I status, the movement of marijuana product has to be tracked meticulously at every turn. Solutions such as the Sage Live and TomTom Webfleet collaboration, which provides cloud-based accounting for companies with fleets of vehicles; and startup ZipBooks, which provides an end-to-end accounting solution for mobile businesses like electricians that need to track mileage, are well-positioned to meet the cannabis industrys needs.

While SalesPad, an ERP solutions provider, has no immediate plans to enter the cannabis space, its structure is another example of what is needed to enter a brand new, rapidly growing market quickly. "Our core competency in CRM, inventory, purchasing and point-of-sale allows us to build out vertical offerings quickly," explained vice president of operations and business development Jeremy Boogaart. "And our advantage is that we build from books and accounting forward, where many of the industry vertical software packages start with industry specific operations and features and back their way into an accounting integration as an after thought. That is why you see so many industry (not just cannabis) solutions that are poor at accounting and inventory specifically."

So accountants and accounting technologists: Keep an eye on the cannabis industry. Perhaps youd be interested in learning what it would take to get into what promises to be a booming market.




Cawley NeaTBWA has rebranded as TBWADublin, marking a new chapter in the companys development.

The move is intended to better reflect the Re-founders culture at the heart of the agency, which acknowledges the process of creative transformation that has characterised the companys continuous evolution since its inception in 1992.

In addition to the new rebranding, TBWA Dublin has also appointed John Kane as Executive Creative Director of the agency.

The Re-founders culture describes the innovative process of determining a new creative vision in the absence of the agencys original founders. A group of Re-founders drive the agency forward by discovering an improved and updated offering that builds upon their strong heritage whilst looking towards the future. These new initiatives seek to revitalise the agencys entrepreneurial DNA and communicate its unique global and local identity to new and existing staff and clients.

Deirdre Waldron, CEO of TBWADublin, explains: We are the Disruption company, so we aim to disrupt ourselves and our clients as much as we can. Weve entered an exciting new phase where were creatively finding a new purpose, driven by the global creative powerhouse that is TBWA and our local Re-founders culture. This rebrand gives us a new platform to talk about a lot of our new initiatives. We continue to add talent to the very strong team that is already here in the agency, as well as a new vision, and new ways of working that we feel are much more reactive to the challenges in our industry.

TBWADublins Joint MD, Fergal Behan, adds: One of these new initiatives is our in-house production brand TBWAMake. At the heart of our Re-founders culture is entrepreneurialism and weve built an in-house studio that allows us to drive better value for our clients while also providing for more reactive content that allows us to create at the speed of culture.

TBWADublins Joint MD, Mark Nolan, adds: As Re-founders, we have a vision whereby we dont just make better things, we try and make things better. This has galvanised the agency in always going the extra mile for better creative output, better results for our clients and, ultimately, for the betterment of our society. The results are promising: were winning new business and awards and developing a strong tech and data backbone that were very proud of.

Joining the agency as Executive Creative Director is John Kane. Kane started his career in Dublin before moving to Sydney, where he spent five years at Leo Burnett Sydney before starting his own agency, Happy Soldiers, which quickly became internationally recognised. It was named Hotshop of the Year twice in its first three years and in year four it was ranked the Number 1 Independent Agency in Australia.

Kane has won more than thirty major international awards, including over ten Cannes Lions, Clios, D&AD and a Grand Prix Effie. More recently he founded Idea Gallery, an innovation and accelerator company that has worked with clients around the world, such as Coca Cola, Subaru, Diageo and Virgin.

On moving to TBWADublin, Kane says: Im passionate about the role creativity can play in transforming business. With its Disruption platform, its own reinvention and an enviable client base I feel that TBWADublin is in a perfect position to embrace new ways of communicating. It was an easy decision to join this talented creative team.

At the agencys re-brand party, in her closing comments, Waldron said: The addition of John to our executive team will add impetus to our ambitious growth plans while also adding international-level creative talent, allowing us to compete again at the highest levels. The re-founded TBWADublin is set for successes in 2017 and beyond.
Zoya, The Exquisite Diamond Boutique from the House of Tata, presented Spirit of the Zoya Woman, the fourth in a series of coffee and conversations with iconic woman achievers who exemplify the brands approach to its creations. This season, Zoya associated with the prominent India Today Group to celebrate the woman of substance and admire the spirit of those who dare to think different.



Four exemplary women from different fields of work formed the panel for this edition including Actor Navjot Randhawa, Shilpi Yadav owner of Kharakapas, designer Mrinalini Gupta and renowned Bharatnatyam dancer Rama Vaidyanathan.

The freewheeling discussion was moderated by Kaveree Bamzai, Editor (Special Projects), India Today Group, spanning over issues on Woman, Myth, Power and more. The evening witnessed a camaraderie of guests such as Pooja Roy Yadav, Ranjita Shaw, Kavita Devgan, Ishika Taneja, Bharti Taneja, Punam Kalra, Deepika Verma, and others.



The soiree celebrated the epitome of myriad facets of the contemporary woman encompassing her independent and free spirited nature and strong determination to be self supporting and open minded to different aspects of life.



Shares Kirti Rana, Brand Manager, Zoya, The Spirit of the Zoya Woman is a central property that commemorates the values the brand exemplifies. A bevy of well known and influential women have come together today that truly reflects the unique femininity, strength, power and creativity that is the essence of the modern woman which exudes in every creation of Zoya. The beauty of a woman lies in her dynamic spirit and strong potential, that inspires her to tread unexplored paths and reach the pinnacle of success and we at Zoya pay tribute to this.

Please visit www.zoya.in for more.


OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Oakland, California experienced a tragic fire that has resulted in multiple fatalities. Early reports indicate that a music party was taking place in a multi-use warehouse type building. The fire chief confirmed that the building did not have fire sprinklers.

"It saddens us to see more tragedies in these high-risk occupancies that need fire sprinklers," said NFSA President Shane Ray. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected in this tragedy in Oakland. We pledge our continued support for the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, which provides business owners an incentive to retrofit with fire sprinklers  the one technology that could extinguish the fire."

While all the details will be forthcoming in the days to come, as the California Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) team, along with other agencies, works the incident, many advocates are already calling for help from policy makers.

"These tragedies do not have to happen," said Rob Feeney, a survivor of the 2003 Station Nightclub Fire. "Enough is enough, it's time to pass the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act. How many people have to die before we wake up and do something that will keep people safe?"

The Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (FSIA) S.2068 and H.R. 3591 in the 114th Congress, will be filed again in the 115th Congress. The legislation encourages building owners to invest in life-saving fire safety upgrades, including fire sprinklers. The FSIA strengthens tax incentives for building owners to install fire sprinkler retrofits that can save many lives and countless dollars in property loss from fires every year. The FSIA reclassifies fire sprinkler retrofits as 15-year depreciable property, allowing businesses to receive tax benefits more quickly.

Under the current legislation, automatic sprinklers could be treated as Section 179 property under the tax code. Section 179 allows small and medium-sized businesses to write off the full cost of equipment purchases, up to $125,000, in a single year. While automatic fire sprinklers are not currently classified as a Section 179 property, passage of the legislation would allow property owners to retrofit a large majority of high fire risk properties, such as certain off campus housing, night clubs, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

The original legislation was introduced in 2004 following the tragic nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island that claimed 100 lives. Since then, the legislation has been reintroduced in subsequent Congresses with various changes made to address concerns raised by members of Congress regarding cost estimates. The current legislation has addressed those concerns.

"Personally, I am saddened that this could happen in California where we have such a solid foothold in our State regarding the use of Fire Sprinklers and strong code enforcement for fire and life-safety," said Bruce Lecair, NFSA Associate Director of Field Operations who lives in California. "I feel even more committed to see the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act move through Congress, so we can include retrofit of these occupancies with the addition of fire sprinklers and an incentive for the building owners."

NFSA wants to create a more fire safe world, and works to heighten the awareness of the importance of fire sprinkler systems from homes to high-rise and all occupancies in between. The Association is an inclusive organization made up of dedicated and committed members of a progressive life-saving industry. This industry manufactures, designs, supplies, installs, inspects, and services the world's most effective system in saving lives and property from uncontrolled structural fires. "There has never been a multiple fatality fire like this in a building with properly installed, tested and maintained fire sprinklers system," said NFSA President Shane Ray.

For more information about the National Fire Sprinkler Association, visit www.nfsa.org and follow us via our social media presence on Twitter (@NFSAorg), Linked In (National Fire Sprinkler Association), and Facebook (Natfiresprinkler).

CONTACT: Vickie Pritchett

Phone: 615-533-0305

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-fire-sprinkler-association-emphasizes-the-need-for-the-fire-sprinkler-incentive-act-following-tragic-oakland-ca-fire-300372510.html

SOURCE National Fire Sprinkler Association
The King Mohammed VI and president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, chaired, on Friday at the Abuja presidential palace, the ceremony to launch a strategic partnership to develop the fertilizer industry in Nigeria.

The two leaders also chaired the signing ceremony of several bilateral agreements on the fields of agriculture, fisheries, air services and renewable energy.

The strategic partnership to develop the fertilizer industry in Nigeria is part of a shared vision by Morocco and Nigeria for the development of Africa and a strong will to reinforce economic ties between the two countries.

This south-south partnership touches on all the agricultural value chain, based on fertilizing solutions that are adapted to the Nigerian soil and cultivation, to the availability of fertilizers on the Nigerian market and to the setting up of support measures for local farmers.

It also provides for developing a platform for fertilizer production in Nigeria, and reinforcing the fertilizer market in this country.

This collaboration seeks to secure fertilizer supply for the Nigerian market at competitive prices, share a real know-how in terms of developing local blending facilities, promote innovation, research and development, reinforce local distribution channels, and extend the existing agricultural systems.

The final goal is to develop a sustainable agriculture in Nigeria while helping with the amelioration of farmers daily life in a spirit of south-south partnership.

Afterwards, The King Mohammed VI and the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria chaired the signing ceremony of two agreements related to this partnership.

The first is an agreement between OCP-Ltd and Dangote Industries Limited for the development of a platform for fertilizer production in Nigeria, inked by Mostafa Terrab, CEO of OCP-Ltd, and Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Industries Limited.

The second is a draft agreement between the OCP-Ltd and the association of fertilizer producers and suppliers in Nigeria for the development of the fertilizer market in Nigeria, inked by Mostafa Terrab and Thomas Etuh, chairman of the said association.

The two leaders also chaired the signing of five cooperation agreements. They are:

 An agreement on visa exemption for official diplomatic and service passports, inked by foreign minister Salaheddine Mezouar and Geofrey Onyeama, Nigerian foreign minister.

 A bilateral agreement on air services, signed by Salaheddine Mezouar and Geofrey Onyeama.

 A cooperation agreement on fisheries, inked by agriculture and fisheries minister Aziz Akhannouch and Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture and rural development.

 A memorandum of understanding on the agricultural field, inked, on the Moroccan side, by Aziz Akhannouch, Hicham Belmrah, chairman of the board of the Mutuelle Agricole Marocaine dAssurance, and Tariq Sijilmassi, president of the board of the Credit Agricole du Maroc, and on the Nigerian side by Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture and rural development.

 A cooperation agreement on the renewable energy field between MASEN and the Nigerian ministry of energy, civil engineering and housing, inked by Mustapha Bakkoury, chairman of MASEN board and Babatunde Raji Fashola, minister of energy, civil engineering and housing.
Morocco accused Dlamini-Zuma for acting on the contrary to her obligation of neutrality

Moroccan government has accused on Wednesday the African Union commissions chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa, of blocking Rabats efforts to rejoin the AU and lacking neutrality.

The foreign ministry, in a strongly worded statement, charged that she was trying to thwart Moroccos decision to regain its natural and legitimate place within its pan-African institutional family.

Dlamini-Zuma had delayed, in an unjustified manner, the circulation of Moroccos demand to other members in September, it said in a statement.

She was keeping up her obstruction by improvising a new procedural demand, previously unheard of and unfounded to arbitrarily reject the letters of support from AU member states, it said, without giving details.

The ministry accused Dlamini-Zuma of acting contrary to her obligation of neutrality, of AU rules and norms, and of the will of its member states.

Rabat officially requested to rejoin the AU in September 32 years after quitting the bloc in protest at its decision to accept the Algeria backed separatist movement Polisario as a member.
Rival militias are battling one another in Tripoli in the heaviest fighting in the Libyan capital for two years.

Medical sources told the BBC that at least eight people, including civilians, have been killed and more than 20 injured.

A new UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) still lacks authority and the country remains volatile.

The French Foreign Ministry said it was very worried by the escalation of violence.

two of the citys largest and most heavily armed militias are fighting an alliance of hard-line Islamists and militias loyal to rival political authorities.

Libya is still politically divided as rival administrations attempt to assert their power.

Clashes are said to be continuing in two main districts in the south of the capital. Tanks and pickup trucks armed with rocket launchers were reportedly deployed in several districts.

People stayed at home on Friday morning and many businesses stayed closed.

The new government in Tripoli has not commented on the clashes

East and central:

Gen Khalifa Haftar, an important and divisive player in Libyan politics, leads the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA), which is made up of former army units and militias loyal to them. He has cast himself as the main opponent of the Islamist militias and has the backing of the Tobruk-based government and is said to have co-ordinated military activities with Egypt and France.

The Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC) is an Islamist umbrella group that includes a complex make-up of radical fighters, including those who pledged allegiance to IS. It has members of Ansar al-Sharia, the group that was blamed for the 2012 killing of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens in Benghazi. It may also be linked to the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB), a new group formed of Islamist fighters mainly pushed out of Benghazi. They all have found common ground in fighting against Gen Haftar.

Islamic States main base is the city of Sirte and is made up of defectors from local jihadi groups, and foreign fighters. Its most prominent affiliate in Libya was the Islamic Youth Shura Council (IYSC). In October 2014, the IYSC declared that Derna, a small town on the north-eastern coast and some 720km (450 miles) from Tripoli, had become the first Libyan town to join the global caliphate that IS has vowed to create. However, it has since been pushed out of the town bythe al-Qaeda-linked Mujahideen Shura Council of Derna.

West:

An umbrella group known as Libya Dawn, which controlled much of the west, including Misrata and Tripoli, has split up into various brigades with differing loyalties. Some of them support the UN-backed unity government, others remain undecided. The group seized Tripoli in August 2014 with the backing of a senior Islamic cleric and was led by fighters from Misrata, the city which took pride in putting up the most fierce resistance against Col Gaddafis forces. Some of the militias from Misrata make up a large portion of the anti-IS operation in Sirte.
This group of 80 people threatened the airlines that theyd get off the flight if the 17 werent let on.

Jet Airways flight 9W7083 scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Bhopal was delayed by about two hours early on Friday morning, leading to chaos as 17 of a group of 80 passengers, headed for a marriage, held the aircraft and other passengers ransom after allegedly intimidating staffers by using their political clout.

As per reports, there were close to 80 people who were traveling to Bhopal for a wedding event. 17 out of 80 people showed up late to the airport which resulted in the cancellation of their bookings giving other people preference. Apparently, these 17 people were able to pass through the security check and boarding gates even after their tickets were not confirmed.

Passengers alleged that the 17 passengers were known to a politician due to which the airline defied rules and accommodated them. The flight was overbooked i.e. there were more passengers than available seats. Norms were violated when they asked us to deplane for somebody else since those who arrive late should not be allowed to check-in and board, said one of the six passengers asked to deplane, requesting anonymity.

The 17 passengers who came late were booked separately. After realising that they would not be accommodated on the flight, the group started protesting and intimidating airline staff and other passengers who had boarded on time, airport sources to TOI.

The rabble-rousing passengers ensured that chaos ensued as they managed to reach up to the aircraft door without valid boarding passes. Excess passengers were handed over boarding passes that display the term standby instead of a seat number and hence cannot board the flight unless someone on board decides to give up their seat.

Jet Airways was subservient to the Gujarati family because of the familys connection to some powerful minister, reported India Today.

Among the passengers on board was a man en-route from Singapore to attend his fathers funeral, reported FilterCopy.

After a lot of chaos by the group, the airlines decided to cancel the tickets of people onboard to accommodate the remaining 17. Jet Airways, using the discretion given to it by the DGCA, offered a sum of Rs 10,000 to each passenger who agreed to be offloaded.

See what went down in the flight:

With Inputs from Various Sources
Assyrian Church in San Fernando Vandalized

Biblical verses, one referencing a mass killing of Assyrians, was spray painted on walls of Mar Shaleeta Ancient Church of the East in San Fernando. Members of the local Assyrian American Association of Southern California called the vandalism a hate crime against them. ( Assyrian American Association of Southern California) Los Angeles -- A church in the San Fernando Valley has been vandalized with spray-painted Bible verses, one of which references the killing of 185,000 Assyrians. Police from the city of San Fernando said Friday they are investigating the vandalism that took place last week at the Mar Shaleeta Ancient Church of the East, an Assyrian church that has been in the area since 1997. The words "Jehovah Lives!" and "2 Kings 19:35" were painted in blue on four areas on and around the building, including on a sidewalk near a fountain decorated with a cross. A big "X" was scrawled across plaques that feature the Nicene Creed, a prayer widely used in Christian liturgy. The graffiti refers to an Old Testament passage that reads: "Then it happened that night that the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead." The vandal also referred to a passage from the Gospel of Matthew 19:26: "And looking at them Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Cor-Bishop Father Athanasis Toma, the parish priest, said he was notified about the vandalism the morning of Nov. 25. "When I read the verse, I realized it's really not just graffiti," he said. "It's aimed toward a specific nation. It's hatred toward a nation. The meaning of that verse struck me hard. That's someone who knew what they were talking about." Assyrians are among the first Christians in the world, and the indigenous people of Mesopotamia, presently Iraq, where the last and largest concentration of those who speak Aramaic have lived for thousands of years. In the past two years, Assyrians saw their churches in Iraq burned by ISIS, their people kidnapped and held for ransom and their villages in Syria pillaged. Since the takeover in 2014 of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, ISIS had targeted the Christian population whose faith has been present for almost 2,000 years in that region. Many Assyrians were forced to flee. A fountain was vandalized with spray paint at the Mar Shaleeta Ancient Church of the East in San Fernando. Members of the local Assyrian American Association of Southern California called the vandalism a hate crime against them. ( Assyrian American Association of Southern California) Toma said the church has never had any prior vandalism attacks, adding that video cameras would now be installed on the property. Police told him the FBI has been notified. "In a civil society, things like this should not be happening," Toma said. "It doesn't matter what ethnicity." The incident follows a spike of reported hate crimes and incidents locally and nationwide against immigrant communities and minority groups in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's victory last month. Local leaders say Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail as well as his stance on illegal immigration has fueled hate speech and acts. Members of the local Assyrian American Association of Southern California called the vandalism a hate crime against them. "The AAASC condemns this hate crime that was perpetrated against the Ancient Church of the East," the organization said in a statement. "We as Assyrians have faced many struggles in the past that has made us more united and rigourous here in the United States and our ancestral lands. We have been the subject to many accounts of bigotry, hate and discrimination."
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit. Patricia Lorene Vizi, Appellant v. Outback Steakhouse; Bo Smith; Dallas Freedman; Jenna Carey No. 152655 Decided: December 02, 2016

Before: FUENTES, VANASKIE and SCIRICA, Circuit Judges Patricia Lorene Vizi, Pro Se.

OPINION *

Patricia Vizi appeals the District Court's order dismissing her complaint. For the reasons below, we will affirm the District Court's order.

For several months in 2013, Vizi worked at an Outback Steakhouse (Outback) in Louisiana. In an administrative charge filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Vizi argued that she was discriminated against by Outback based on her disability. She alleged that a supervisor hit her in the back and commented on her disability and another coworker lightly touched her back because she may have heard that Vizi had a disability. She did not explain what her disability was. She stated she was terminated for alleged performance issues. The EEOC investigated but was unable to conclude if any statutes were violated.

First District Court proceeding

Vizi then filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against both Outback and the EEOC. While she discussed several grievances she had with Outback, the only reference she made to potentially having a disability was that she told a coworker that he could not hit her on the back because she had had neck surgery. The District Court dismissed the complaint without prejudice to Vizi filing a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

Ten days later, Vizi submitted a document titled Complaint which included some additional allegations and attached exhibits. At the end of the document, she stated that she wished to appeal the District Court's decision. This document was docketed as a new proceeding.

Second District Court proceeding

In his Report and Recommendation in the second proceeding, the Magistrate Judge noted that Vizi expressed an intent to appeal the District Court's order from the first proceeding but opined that treating the document as a notice of appeal would be a waste. He recommended that the District Court dismiss the second complaint without leave to amend for failure to state a claim. The docket entry for the Report and Recommendation stated that objections to the Report and Recommendation were due by May 14, 2015.

On May 12th, Vizi filed a document in which she requested that the District Court reconsider its dismissal of her case. She included additional allegations in an attempt to clarify her claims. This pleading was docketed as a third complaint. On May 22, 2015, the District Court adopted the Report and Recommendation and dismissed the second complaint without leave to amend. It noted that Vizi had not filed any objections but had filed a new complaint.

Third District Court proceeding

In the third proceeding, the Magistrate Judge recommended that the complaint be dismissed without leave to amend and that further complaints filed by Vizi about her employment with Outback should be immediately dismissed. He noted that it was possible that Vizi intended the filing to serve as objections to the dismissal of the complaint in the second proceeding. The District Court adopted the Report and Recommendation and dismissed the complaint without leave to amend for failure to state a claim. Vizi filed a notice of appeal.

We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1291. In order to state a claim, a plaintiff must make sufficient factual allegations to allow a court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009). It is not enough for a plaintiff to offer only conclusory allegations or a simple recital of the elements of a claim. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). In order to establish a prima facie case of discrimination based on disability, Vizi needed to show that she (1) has a disability (2) is otherwise qualified and (3) suffered an adverse employment action because of that disability. Deane v. Pocono Med. Ctr., 142 F.3d 138, 142 (3d Cir. 1998) (en banc). The employer must have had knowledge of the disability at the time of the adverse action. Geraci v. MoodyTottrup, Int'l, Inc., 82 F.3d 578, 581 (3d Cir. 1996). Pursuant to 42 U.S.C.  12102, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.

Vizi has not made a prima facie showing that she is disabled or regarded as such. While she mentioned having had neck surgery, she has not described how that has limited one or more of her major life activities. In fact, Vizi alleged that she did not ask for any modifications to her job duties because she was finally in good enough shape to not need any. Her allegation that a supervisor expressed concern about her neck and back are not sufficient to make a prima facie claim that she was perceived as disabled: [i]t was stated to me by Bo Smith that he was worried about me because of my neck and back.

Even if Vizi could show she had a disability, she has not made a prima face case that she suffered an adverse employment action because of that disability. She alleges that she was harassed when a coworker called her a bitch, a n-gger, and a prostitute. Another coworker asked her if she thought Outback was a mental ward. While she stated that she was terminated for performance issues, we will assume she is alleging that she was terminated based on her disability. While Vizi sets forth a laundry list of grievances in her complaint about how she was treated during her employment with Outback, she has not offered sufficient allegations to allow a court to make an inference that Outback discriminated against her based on her disability.

While the Magistrate Judge recommended immediate dismissal of any complaints Vizi filed in the future relating to her employment at Outback, the District Court did not include any such command in its order dismissing the complaint. An order restricting a litigant's ability to file cases is an extreme measure and should only be entered with caution in exigent circumstances. In re Oliver, 682 F.2d 443, 445 (3d Cir. 1982). While Vizi's pleadings were docketed as three separate complaints, the Magistrate Judge acknowledged that the second complaint could have been construed as a notice of appeal and the third complaint could have been construed as objections to his Report and Recommendation. The record would not support an order restricting Vizi's filings, and we presume that none was adopted. See Brow v. Farrelly, 994 F.2d 1027, 103839 (3d Cir. 1993).

For the above reasons, we will affirm the District Court's order.

FOOTNOTES

. This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does not constitute binding precedent.

. In her brief, Vizi cites to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the criminal law definitions of perjury and false claims. However, the Declaration is a nonbinding declaration that provides no private rights of action. Sosa v. AlvarezMachain, 542 U.S. 692, 734, 124 S.Ct. 2739, 159 L.Ed.2d 718 (2004) ([T]he Declaration does not of its own force impose obligations as a matter of international law.) To the extent that Vizi is seeking to bring criminal charges, there is no federal right to require the government to initiate criminal proceedings. Linda R.S. v. Richard D., 410 U.S. 614, 619, 93 S.Ct. 1146, 35 L.Ed.2d 536 (1973); see also United States v. Berrigan, 482 F.2d 171, 17374 (3d Cir. 1973) (Government is permitted some selectivity in its enforcement of criminal laws).

. Courts should construe notices of appeal liberally, especially those filed by pro se litigants. Gov't of the V.I. v. Mills, 634 F.3d 746, 751 (3d Cir. 2011). If there is no genuine doubt regarding who is taking the appeal, from what order, and to which court, mistakes in a notice of appeal should not be considered fatal. Id. at 75152. Here, the Magistrate Judge recognized that in her pleading docketed as a second complaint, Vizi expressed a desire to appeal the District Court's order in the first proceeding. As the opposing parties had not yet been served, they would have suffered no prejudice if the second complaint had been docketed as a notice of appeal. See id. at 752.

PER CURIAM
December 2, 2016

The small town of Sirnak in Turkey resembled a large, dusty village administratively attached to Siirt province when it was made a provincial center in 1990. It eventually became a focal point of Turkeys struggle against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), always staying in the headlines while the trenches were dug and barricades erected by the PKKs urban warfare outfit, the Civil Protection Units (YPS).

A curfew was imposed on Sirnak on March 14, and a massive operation was launched to oust Kurdish militants. The operation lasted 80 days, but the curfew remained in place for nine months mainly because buildings damaged in the security operation were collapsing. It was initially thought that only a few buildings would need to be demolished, but a count after the lifting of the curfew determined that some 2,044 buildings were unusable.

Sirnak residents trickled back home after the curfew was lifted, but they were shocked with what they found and couldnt find. The town had been leveled to nothing more than mounds of rubble. People had no choice but to try to find what was left of their homes.

Walking over the rubble with his friend Celadin Baran, Sait Batmaz searched for his house. The two argued over whose house they were standing on. Baran said it looked like his house at first, but by using an unaffected landmark building, he was able to find what was left of his place  a few pieces of iron and a bit of rubble.

My house is gone. I am staying with my brother. My house was burned down with everything in it, a deeply shocked Batmaz told Al-Monitor.

Finally, Baran also located what was once his house. Nine months ago, before he left Sirnak, Baran was a well-to-do merchant. He had 13 houses and five shops. Watching construction machinery work on his rubble, Baran said he had left Sirnak and went to Uludere with five of his children.

I rented a house there for 150 Turkish lira [around $42]. I had no work. There was only the smuggling business, but we had no access to that," he told Al-Monitor. "Now I am back. I have nothing left. Thirteen houses and five shops all burned to the ground. With six siblings, we have nothing left. In this rubble we had 10 flats. All destroyed. We had a three-floor house in the shopping area; that is gone too. The state doesnt pay our rent.

Now sentenced to poverty, Baran found it hard to express his feelings. He watched the rubble-removing machines at work for a while and then walked away. At that moment, a man approaching near us said, We are all guilty for this, and then he walked away quickly before we could ask him anything.

As the rubble was removed, it was clear that all belongings and furniture had disappeared. The Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) alleged that any remaining furniture was given to companies clearing the rubble  officials didn't confirm this, and no clues were found to verify it. Regardless, how could one believe that anything usable was left behind in buildings that no longer exist?

Still, people are trying to recover whatever they can. One woman digging for pieces of wood identified herself as Kevser Aydin. She told us they had escaped even without taking their children's clothing. Her task now is to collect wood to stay warm in the coming winter. She said she is living in a house she rented with her seven-member family.

All our belongings are gone. We are digging around for whatever we can find. The wood we need for the winter because we have nothing else to heat our house with. We had a fully furnished three-floor house, and now nothing, she told Al-Monitor.

Yasin Yilmaz was also trying to recover wood from the rubble of his house. He had searched for a long time for his house with no luck until he enlisted the help of the towns old-timers who helped by making use of land features and trees. We saved ourselves by escaping. My family is scattered all over. Some are in Mersin, in Siirt and Guclukonak. We have been away for nine months," said Yilmaz. "Now we are back, and we cant even find traces of our residence. We have some rubble, but not walls. We only hope we can recover some wood to use for heating.

Sirnak looks like flat land. Only a few mosques remain standing in the city center, but even they are badly damaged.

A few lucky people found houses to rent. Others continue to live in tents they moved to nine months ago when the curfew was imposed.

Hazal Kozuman, who has been living in a tent for nine months, said all 20 houses belonging to her family were razed.

We have no house; they razed our building. Children are scattered all over  we will spend the winter in the tent. There are no more relatives houses we can take refuge in, she told Al-Monitor.

This is the new Sirnak: tents, rubble and splintered families. You get a feel of the new Sirnak when you enter the town. The permanent checkpoints erected at the towns entrance resemble Iraq. When asked to register when entering your own town, you feel as if you are entering a foreign land. Some people hold the PKK responsible for the destruction, saying, If they hadnt brought the clashes to the city center, this wouldnt have happened.

Some blame the state, saying it overreacted to the trenches and barricades. Whether or not a conclusion of these recriminations occurs, the reality is that Sirnak has been turned into rubble, thousands of people are homeless and the future is uncertain.
December 2, 2016

Turkey, which has made Aleppo the key to toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime, is gearing up for the worst-case scenario now that the armed opposition groups it has been supporting have suffered a series of setbacks.

The scenario that is emerging is that the defeated groups, which are supported by the West, Turkey and the Gulf states, are being pushed north to the Turkish border. Initially, part of Turkey's design to create a buffer zone in northern Syria was to open up space for victorious armed groups north of Aleppo. Now, everyone is trying to make some sense of Turkey's moves.

Since Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield, Ankara has been unusually quiet about heavy pressure against the armed groups besieged in Aleppo. Turkey had said its objectives in Euphrates Shield were to clear the Islamic State (IS) from the border region and to prevent the Kurds from forming a corridor along Turkey's border.

Russia and Syria had given Turkey the green light to move south from the border towns of Jarablus and al-Rai toward al-Bab. The arrangement was for Turkey to end its logistics support to the Aleppo groups in return for getting maneuvering space near its border. But when Turkey expanded its operations beyond the agreed-on area, the green light turned to red and both the Turkish army and Turkish-supported groups became targeted by regime forces.

When rebel groups lost 12 neighborhoods in Aleppo in two days, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had to say something. We were patient, but at the end we couldnt endure this and were forced to enter Syria with the FSA [Free Syrian Army]. Why did we enter? We dont want Syrian land.  We entered to put an end to state terror and to Assads rule, he said Nov. 29 at the Inter-Parliamentary Jerusalem Platform Symposium.

What did he mean by these remarks?

Turkey's expectation of forming a joint force against the Kurds with Euphrates Shield has not materialized. Neither Syria nor Russia were keen on Turkeys proposals to terminate Rojava autonomy. To keep the Kurds under control, Syria and Russia warned the Kurds to be wary of the Turkish threat, and not to be too demanding in negotiations.

A secondary plan was to capture al-Bab and to assist groups under pressure in Aleppo. That didnt work out.

Were Erdogan's words meant to keep the Syrian national army away from the buffer zone set up during Operation Euphrates Shield?

Of course, it is totally irrational to think that Turkey will engage in a war with Syria while Russia has such a heavy presence on the ground.

What makes Erdogans anger understandable is the reality that armed groups losing ground in Aleppo will retreat to the Turkish border. What these tens of thousands of heavily armed, combat-trained militants will be doing at the Turkish border is the most vital question of the scary scenario.

Looking at the Syrian regimes game plan, this is what one sees: The Syrian army is facilitating the armed rebel groups to withdraw to the Turkish border by providing bus transport to carry the militants northward from areas they gave up.

For some time now, the armed groups that have ceased fighting in rural Damascus have been sent not to Daraa, which is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) away, but to Idlib, more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) away, where they face continued airstrikes. This is certainly a well-planned strategic move.

On Oct. 3, some 525 militants from Qudsaya and 114 from Al Hamah with their families  all told, 2,000 people  were moved to Idlib.

On Nov. 28, 1,450 fighters, 589 women and 900 children were transported from Ghouta, near Damascus, to Idlib.

A similar destiny is in the cards for the groups in Aleppo. From Nov. 26 to 28, major groups like Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra), Ahrar al-Sham and Nureddin Zengi Brigade lost 12 neighborhoods in Aleppo and were confined to a few neighborhoods.

Sources Al-Monitor reached in Aleppo say negotiations are ongoing to send these groups to Idlib. Will these groups that are emerging in and around Idlib be allowed be set up their autonomous emirates? Washington actually preferred that these groups abandon al-Qaeda, remain where they were and start working toward a solution.

But encouraged by its recent field gains, the Syrian regime is expected to exert more pressure on the north, which would make Idlib (dominated by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham) the next target for the Syrian army.

There are signs on the ground that signal the next phase: To the east and north of Aleppo are the 105th Republic Guards, Tiger Forces, Desert Falcons, Baath Battalion, National Defense Forces, the militia of the Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party and the Jerusalem Brigade set up by Palestinians. To the south of Aleppo, the Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias can be seen preparing at Khan Tuman.

The goal of this plan appears to be, first, to clear out the rural Idlib terrain and reach the Shiite settlements of Fua and Kefraya, which are besieged by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and its allies. Local sources think it is very likely that Hezbollah and Nujaba will launch an offensive from the south while the Syrian army and its allied militias simultaneously mount a major operation from the north. That will be the onset of Turkeys nightmare scenario.

Ankara will either hold on firmly to the de facto buffer zone it created from the Kilis border to north of al-Bab and turn the rural terrain around Idlib into a safe zone for its allied groups, or they will allow the Syrian army to reach the Turkish border. In both cases, the Turkish border will heat up and Turkey will also have to deal with the jihadi heritage that could spill over the border.
Huntsville Times development

A rendering of a proposed development for the former site of The Huntsville Times on South Memorial Parkway. (Courtesy of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate)

Here are the top stories in Alabama business for Friday, Dec. 2, 2016:

The mixed-use development planned for the former site of The Huntsville Times has plans for office space, retail and restaurants, and it will be anchored by the Laser Eye Center. The development would include 53,000 square feet.

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Sarcor, a Birmingham civil engineering firm, celebrated the opening of its new headquarters in the former Jefferson County Employee's Credit Union, now called Installation at Uptown.

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Airbus and Delta officials and staff gathered Friday afternoon for a ceremony officially marking the handover of the 15th Airbus A321 built in Mobile to its owner, Delta Air Lines.

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Travel agents are booking Carnival Fantasy cruises from the Mobile-based Alabama Cruise Terminal through April 2019, more than 16 months past an initial agreement for sailings out of the city expires.

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Check out these Google Earth timelapses of major Alabama cities from 1984 to today and watch the cities develop.

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The Mobile-built Littoral Combat Ship is facing additional scrutiny as lawmakers decide whether they will continue to fund the troubled project as part of the soon-to-announced 2017 defense budget.

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Follow all of Alabama's business news here anytime.
Multiple individuals were arrested after two drug busts in two Cullman County math labs, the Cullman County Sheriff's Office said.

Jack Albert Brown, 39, of Crane Hill, Wendy Gail Brown, 34, of Crane Hill, Douglas John Kuhn, 63, of Vinemont and Gregory Eugene Turner, 50, of Addison are facing multiple drugs charges after narcotic agents executed search warrants on two homes.

Agents found the first meth lab Wednesday in the Browns' home located in the Crane Hill community. Jack Brown fled the scene, but was later located and arrested. Jack and Wendy Brown were charged with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance, second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Jack Brown was also arrested on a probation violation warrant.

On Thursday, agents investigated a drug complaint concerning Kuhn's residence in the Battleground community. Agents said they found 19 grams of liquid meth in the home. Kuhn was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Turner, who also has multiple warrants from Cullman and Winston counties, was arrested and charged with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

During both searches, the sheriff's office seized 19 grams of liquid meth, a meth lab, a small amount of crystal meth, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. All suspects were taken to the Cullman County Detention Center on a $1 million bond. Kuhn's bond was $15,000, Sheriff Matt Gentry said.

"I am glad the terrible drugs found at these residences are off the streets so they won't be able to destroy families and people's lives," Gentry said.
An Auburn University employee has been charged with three counts of possession of child pornography, Auburn police said.

Dennis Rae Ledbetter

On Wednesday, information was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Organization and ALEA indicating that child pornography was recently downloaded to a specific computer on campus.

The university's office of technology helped identify which computer and Dennis Rae Ledbetter, 46, developed as a suspect, police said.

Letter is a lieutenant in the Auburn University Department of Public Safety.

Police said they recovered the alleged images during a subsequent search of Ledbetter's office and computer. Three of the images were confirmed to be of preteen female victims who are not from Auburn, police said. Ledbetter was immediately taken into custody on Friday.

Ledbetter was booked into Lee County Jail and will be eligible for a $90,000 bond. Additional charges are possible since the investigation is still ongoing.
A Shelby County man was killed Friday afternoon when his pickup truck overturned in a crash.

Kristopher Roger Gardner, 37, of Sterrett, was killed when the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado he was driving left the roadway and overturned, according to Alabama state troopers.

Gardner, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred at around 4:09 p.m. on County Road 55, four miles north of Westover.

Troopers continue to investigate.
A suspect is now behind bars in the death of a 77-year-old Cottondale man who died during a violent home invasion earlier this week.

The Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit arrested 21-year-old Donald Augustus Clark. He is charged in the death of Willis Sample who died from a heart attack after he was assaulted at his home Wednesday night.

Clark, of Holt, is charged with murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and first-degree kidnapping. Capt. Gary Hood said investigators believe Clark is one of the people responsible for Sample's death and the robbery of he and his wife.

His bonds total $285,000 in the Wednesday night crimes. He is held without bond on previous unrelated charges. Jail records a previous third-degree burglary arrest.

The robbery happened about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the couple's home in the 1500 block of 55th Court East. According to neighbors, Willis and Edna Sample had just arrived home and parked in their carport. Edna Samples, 73, was already in their home and her husband was on his way inside when he was accosted by the two suspects who followed him in.

One of them was wearing camouflage face paint and both were dark-colored clothing. Both also were armed - one of them with a handgun and the other with a rifle.

They broke the Sample's gun case and took weapons, as well as money and the couple's 2005 gold Mercury Marquis. The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned at Crescent East Apartments public housing community in the Holt area. Court records list Clark's address at the complex.

Edna Sample was taken to the hospital as a precaution, and has since been treated and released.

Neighbor Paul Hoggle, who has known Sample since they were teens in Hale County, said Sample retired from the U.S. Post Office as a longtime mail carrier, and also had a working farm in Akron, Alabama. "He was just an easygoing, nice fellow,'' Hoggle said. "We've been friends all this time."

Hoggle said he and neighbors are taking extra safety precautions following Wednesday night's home invasion. "The ones I've talked to are pretty upset about it,'' he said.

Hood said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call homicide investigators at 205-464-8626 or 205-752-0616.
On the road shoulder of Lakeshore Parkway, Monica Dawkins demanded an apology from the Homewood mayor Friday night.

Her mother, Brenda Rivers, was detained by police at the Homewood Wal-Mart Thursday night during an investigation about a stolen wallet. According to police, Rivers was placed in handcuffs because she didn't allow officers to search her purse and tried to leave the scene. According to Rivers' husband, Rivers' rights were violated because the officers didn't have a search warrant.

Dawkins learned about the incident by watching cellphone videos from witnesses that went viral overnight on Facebook. The nearly 30-minute footage shows Rivers in handcuffs on the floor asking police to let her go because she didn't steal the wallet. Her husband can be seen in the video defending his wife. Eventually the victim of the theft cleared Rivers of the theft, but she remained in handcuffs for 15 minutes before she was released without charges.

Dawkins said her mother and the family is still in shock and hurt about the situation. She said her mother was "violated" and had a right to deny the officer's request to check her purse. Rivers directed questions from Al.com to her attorney on Friday morning.

When asked about the family's next steps, Dawkins wasn't sure.

"I don't even know because I've never been here before," Dawkins said. "All I know is that I can stand with the community to do what's right for my mother. My dear mother."

Dawkins is not pleased with how the incident is being handled. She said she hasn't heard from the officers since the incident. The officers involved are still on duty, but Dawkins wants disciplinary action. Internal Affairs is investigating whether the officers acted within departmental policy, but she wants a higher authority, like the FBI, to consider the case.

Cara McClure, of Black Lives Matter Birmingham Chapter, joined in her protest Dawkins to stand in solidarity with the Rivers family. She attended the press conference held outside police headquarters Friday afternoon and listened as Homewood police Lt. Eric Hampton gave details about the incident and apologized to the family and witnesses involved.

But McClure said the apology was unacceptable and demanded a statement from Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer. She said BLM members spoke with Chief of Staff J.J. Bischoff and the police chief before the press conference. But she hasn't heard a statement from the mayor's office as of Friday night. Dawkins said she was not informed about the press conference at all.

Black Lives matter Bham chapter having a protest on Lakeshore Parkway in front of Walmart. pic.twitter.com/wuD0s8gReF  Jonece Starr Dunigan (@StarrDunigan) December 3, 2016

For brief moment, McClure and Dawkins stood in front of incoming traffic at an intersection near the Interstate 65 South exit ramp. Some drivers beeped and shouted in supported. Some shouted over their chants in displeasure. But no one was hurt during the gathering.

The women were escorted back to the side of the road after a brief discussion with a Homewood officer. The ladies told the officer they were not going to leave the side of the road until they spoke to McBrayer. When the officer came back to tell Dawkins the mayor wasn't coming, she proceeded to talk about her mother, who is "as sweet as pie" and rarely gets in trouble.

"What if it was your mother?" Dawkins asked the officer. "How would you feel if it was your mother, 30 years older than you right now, and somebody body slammed her to the floor? How would you feel? Would you not be angry? Would you not be hurt? Would you not want answers?"

The officer said he understood Dawkins' feelings, but stressed to her the internal investigation will take time. So Dawkins agreed to give the mayor until 6 p.m. Saturday to release a statement or she will be back protesting on the streets again with her Black Lives Matter banner and her fist in the air.

"You're asking for a little bit of time? The family will give you a little bit time, but we're not going to wait forever," Dawkins said. "It's not going to get lost. It's not going to be forgotten. It's not going to be swept under a rug."

Kayatta Evans came to the protest to make sure Rivers wasn't forgotten. She wanted to stand beside Dawkins because she was the first woman the Homewood officers approached that Thursday night about the stolen wallet. Evans said the officer told her she matched the description of the theft suspect: an older black woman wearing black pants and a black jacket. She said she looked down at her blue pants and tan shoes she was wearing at the time.

At first, she didn't allow the officer to look in her purse because she felt she didn't do anything wrong. But she eventually allowed the officer to search her belongings.

"I said, 'Sir, this is so degrading. This is so embarrassing,'" Evans said. "He said, 'Well, things like this happen.' And he went away."

Evans was shocked when she saw the chaos that happened afterwards. As a former lost prevention investigator with 22 years of experience, she believes police should have watched the surveillance footage from Wal-Mart first to catch the theft suspect before they accused of a crime.

"It was just wrong the way they handled her. The way they threw her to the floor. They never offered her seat," said. "You are a police officer. Your job is to protect and to serve not to harass. Not to throw us down on the ground. Not to degrade us. That is not your job. And you wonder why people are afraid of the police."

Evans said she wanted to show the family her support Friday night. As a woman who has chronic back and neck problems, she also placed herself in Rivers' shoes.

"What if I had said no and not let him go into my purse," Evans said. "Would that be me on the floor? It was nothing but the grace of God that I said yes. The Lord allowed that fear to come over me because it could have been me."
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff  Appellee, v. DERRICK SIMMONS, Defendant - Appellant. No. 16-7026 Decided: December 02, 2016

Before WYNN, DIAZ, and HARRIS, Circuit Judges. Derrick Simmons, Appellant Pro Se. Andrew Burke Moorman, William Jacob Watkins, Jr., OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, Greenville, South Carolina, for Appellee.

Derrick Simmons seeks to appeal the district court's order denying relief on his 28 U.S.C.  2255 motion. The order is not appealable unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability. 28 U.S.C.  2253(c)(1)(B) (2012). A certificate of appealability will not issue absent a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C.  2253(c)(2) (2012). When the district court denies relief on the merits, a prisoner satisfies this standard by demonstrating that reasonable jurists would find that the district court's assessment of the constitutional claims is debatable or wrong. Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000); see Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336-38 (2003). When the district court denies relief on procedural grounds, the prisoner must demonstrate both that the dispositive procedural ruling is debatable, and that the motion states a debatable claim of the denial of a constitutional right. Slack, 529 U.S. at 484-85.

We have independently reviewed the record and conclude that Simmons has not made the requisite showing. Accordingly, we deny leave to proceed in forma pauperis, deny a certificate of appealability and dismiss the appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED

PER CURIAM:
A man died Friday in a work-related accident at a coal mining facility in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies responded to the facility - Oak Grove Resources - in the 8300 block of Taylor's Ferry Road at 11 a.m. to investigate a report of an adult male injured by mining equipment, according to a sheriff's office press release issued late Friday.

Deputies learned the victim, whose name hasn't been released, was conducting maintenance on a piece of equipment when it collapsed on him. The accident happened about 800 feet below ground. Other mine workers administered first aid and then carried the victim to paramedics waiting at the surface.

He was pronounced dead when he arrived on the surface. Sheriff's officials said the Federal Mine Health and Safety Administration is conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident. No additional information was immediately available.
Huntsville Times development

A rendering of a proposed development for the former site of The Huntsville Times on South Memorial Parkway. (Courtesy of Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate)

The mixed-use development planned for the former site of The Huntsville Times has plans for office space, retail and restaurants, according to a Huntsville realtor.

Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate, which first announced the planned development last month at the former home of The Times at 2317 Memorial Parkway South, said the project would be developed by Huntsville ophthalmologist Danny Lee.

The project will be anchored by the Laser Eye Center, where Lee and his team will be constructing a state of the art LASIK center, according to Crunkleton.

The development at the former Times site would include 53,000 square feet.

With the formation of Alabama Media Group, The Times/AL.com relocated in 2013 to its current location at 200 West Side Square in downtown Huntsville.

The blog said interested parties should contact Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate Group at 256-536-8809 for more information on office or retail leasing opportunities.
Italians are voting in a historic referendum over whether to change the countrys constitution and reform the 70-year-old republic.

Amid a hard-fought political battle that has polarised the country, Italians have been asked to decide whether they want a more streamlined political system that would, according to those in favour, improve governability, or stick to the document introduced by Italys founding fathers in 1948, which turned the country into a modern state, but now prevents structural reforms.

The promoters of the referendum, led by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, say this is a one-time opportunity to radically reform Italys flawed institutions. Its opponents from across the political spectrum warn that it is a leap into the unknown, paving the way for more instability in the long term.

Changes to parliament

If people vote yes, there will be a change to Italys bicameral parliament of two chambers, the Chamber of Deputies and the senate. They currently have equal powers and are filled with directly elected lawmakers.

If the reform moves forward, the senate would lose much of its power. Instead of the current 315 senators, there will be 100, and rather than being directly elected, they will be selected by regional assemblies.

The reform would dissolve Italys 110 provinces, Italys second-level administrative divisions  considered expensive and redundant  while municipalities, metropolitan cities and regions would remain.

The central government would take back some of the prerogatives of the regions, like managing transport and infrastructure and regulating the supply of key energy resources.

Renzi, who has recently marked 1,000 days of his government in office  one of the longest-lived of the republic  has made this constitutional reform the flagship of his mandate. Evoking two decades of economic and political stagnation, he argues that this opportunity will not repeat itself.

Italians wont find another politician willing to take up this challenge  I want to change this country and not stay in these swamps, he said in a series of public appeals urging people to vote for the reform.

Carlo Fusaro, a prominent constitutionalist, said that, if approved, government institutions will become more efficient, legislative procedures will be streamlined and the regions will be given better representation in parliament.

As a result, the countrys governability will improve, and future governments will be able to implement those economic reforms that are essential to restructure the countrys battered economy.

Italy has stopped growing; its productivity is one of the lowest in Europe and the country is highly indebted. We badly need structural and quality reforms within reasonable timeframes, he told Al Jazeera. Italy is functioning on emergency mode with a weak government forced to act by decrees  Too many veto-players jeopardise policymaking at a time when the country needs both efficient institutions and governability.

The reform would put an end to Italys unique anomaly of a doubler senate, a chamber that has the same functions as the Chamber of Deputies, and often vetoes or slows down the approval of key legislation.

Today tens of legislative proposals passed by the lower chamber wait to be approved by the Senate; some take more than two years.

Drifting off the democratic path

However, opponents of the reform say that it would create contention between the two parliamentary chambers.

This reform is confusing and doesnt have a clear objective, said Gianfranco Pasquino, a political scientist teaching at the University of Bologna. It creates a senate of the regions whose members wont be representing their territories, but rather their political parties; with two chambers contending with each other over the decision-making process. It will be chaos. This reform should be completely rewritten.

According to Gianpaolo Carbonetto, a writer and intellectual, who has spearheaded a series of debates on the reform, it hides dangerous loopholes because after abolishing the currentSenate, it does not offer a counterweight to the power of the executive branch.

The new constitution will turn Italy from a parliamentary into a presidential democracy  Italians need to understand if this corresponds to their idea of democracy, he told Al Jazeera. The real aim of the reform is to shift the balance of power from the legislative to the executive branch and from the local institutions to the centralist government.

Carbonetto said that the constitutional reform, combined with the new electoral law introduced in May, the so-called Italicum, will give excessive powers to the ruling majority in the House of Deputies and, as a result, to the government.

Without an elected Senate to counterbalance the lower house, the majority party will have an extraordinary influence on the nomination of the constitutional bodies that guarantee Italys democratic system, like the president of the republic or the Supreme Judicial Council. This will put the country at risk of drifting off the democratic path, he said.

Supporters of the reform say such concerns are baseless.





I can hardly see how a strong executive can be a problem in a country that had 63 governments in 70 years, said Guido Crainz, a political scientist teaching history at Teramo University, who has published extensively on the subject.

However, the constitutional reform doesnt touch the executive branch, as opposed to past reforms proposed by Silvio Berlusconi or Massimo DAlema, that tried to introduce a form of semi-presidentialism. These failed leaders today pretend they dont remember it. The risk of an autocratic shift is a ridiculous invention that only serves their propaganda.

The political parties opposing the new constitution include the Federalist party of the Northern League and the populist Five-Star Movement (M5S) of Beppe Grillo. Berlusconis Forza Italia supported the constitutional reform until the tycoon clashed with Renzi over the election of the president of the republic.

Renzis detractors within his own Democratic Party, former premier Massimo DAlema and Pier Luigi Bersani, both of whom Renzi ousted from the partys leadership, are among his fiercest critics.

This pluralist front has little in common. They dont share an understanding of what the constitutional reform should look like. But, they do have a unifying desire to overthrow the sitting prime minister. As the campaign against the referendum has intensified, they have successfully managed to turn the vote on the reform into a ballot in favour or against the government  and not without the help of the prime minister himself.

Renzi has bet his political future on the result of the referendum, hinting that he may leave office if the reform does not pass. That move has backfired, as the opposition has rallied against the reform in the hope that he would resign in the aftermath of the referendum.

OPINION: Why Matteo Renzi should vote no in the Italy referendum

Renzi has blackmailed the voters by saying he will resign if Italians fail to approve the reform. He has politicised the battle from the beginning, said Pasquino. The problem is Renzi is unable to talk to the opposition in a constructive way; he uses diktats, insults and slogans, which are dangerous.

The prime ministers often provocative language may not have helped the tone of a political debate that former President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano defined as abhorrent.

Renzi should be judged at the general elections  This reform wont make miracles, but is a step ahead on the reforming path, Napolitano said.

Napolitano is considered the spiritual father of Renzis constitutional reform. In 2013, amid a political deadlock, members of parliament pleaded with the former president to renew his mandate to safeguard the countrys institutions. Italy was still recovering from the financial crisis that led the country on the verge of default.

Napolitano reluctantly agreed to stay on, but asked the parliament to make the constitutional and electoral reforms necessary to improve Italys political system and relaunch its agonising economy.

The present parliament knew, since its inception, that it had a mandate to do the reforms and that failure was not an option, said Crainz. There has been general agreement on the Senates redundancy for decades now. The failure of all previous attempts to reform the Constitution is the failure of Italian politics.

Political instability

After two governments had failed to achieve any tangible results, Renzi was appointed prime minister in 2014 with the support of a fragile parliamentary alliance.

This is the best possible constitutional reform we were able to achieve after over two years of parliamentary work and thousands of amendments, Renzi said on state TV. Either we approve it and Italy moves on, or we keep the dysfunctional system we have now. With all the consequences it entails.

A no vote may lead to early general elections with uncertain results. The right-wing is divided, Renzis Democratic Party is consumed by internal warfare and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movements reputation has been dented by electoral scandals.

The consequences of political instability are far reaching and may entail more than just prolonged economic stagnation.

Financial markets are watching closely this referendum. They fear Renzis resignation would open again a period of political uncertainty  this would exacerbate the current trends in equities and bonds which have been negative for Italian assets, said Christophe Chemtob, a Swiss financial analyst and manager at Pomery Capital.

More turmoil for the Italian banks may trigger a broader crisis of the Eurozone. This pressure comes at a bad time for the Euro, which is dropping against the US dollar since the US elections and may weaken further.

The result of the referendum will feel highly symbolic as foreign investors wait to see whether Italy, the eurozones third-largest economy, is willing to restructure an institutional set-up that is believed to be the source of the countrys maladies.

Persistent slow growth is causing impoverishment and record unemployment. Today, 4.5 million Italians live in absolute poverty and some eight million struggle to make ends meet. The banking system is also increasingly unhealthy. Bad loans amount to nearly $400bn, one-fifth of all loans, making Italian banks reluctant to lend to small and medium enterprises, which are the very heart of the countrys economy (PDF).

The EUs policy of austerity, which prohibits an increase in the budget deficit, has made things even worse, despite attempts by the Italian government to increase public spending.

Renzi promised sceptical Italians that he would invert this negative trend and change the same convoluted system that brought him to power. If he fails in this, his opponents say it will just be business as usual.

Barbara Bibbo is an Italian media professional who has worked extensively in Italy and the Middle East for both print and TV since 1998. For the past eight years, she has been a producer at Al Jazeera English. She specialises in international relations.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
The hacking effort  aimed at prominent thinkers including New York Times Pulitzer laureate Paul Krugman , Stanford professor and former diplomat Michael McFaul, Newsweek political editor Matthew Cooper, New York Magazine writer Jonathan Chait, and others  comes after Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign emails were stolen by Russian hackers and amid a new effort to create a national watchlist of liberal professors. Questions have also surfaced over whether the US presidential election was hacked.

Together, these developments suggest something even more chilling: The halcyon WikiLeaks era when our chief fear was that the whole truth might emerge online is officially over. Cyberspace is rapidly becoming censored.





Although the end game of the hackers who targeted my private email account and that of other journalists and professors is unclear, several scenarios are imaginable.

Did they seek to disrupt our ability to research and write by cutting off access to our files and contacts? Do a data dump of embarrassing emails to undercut our authority? Foment internal feuds to divide us, as they did with the emails of Clinton campaign manager John Podesta and Democratic National Committee staffers? Intimidate us into thinking twice before criticising Donald Trump in the future? All of the above?

Whatever the strategy, its clear that censorship was the goal. This can also only be the aim of Professor Watchlist, the new McCarthy-like project by Turning Point USA, which asks students to report their professors for espousing liberal beliefs, so that a public registry can be formed.

Expanding Internet censorship

Theres another way in which the internet has become a tool of censorship, albeit unintentionally. In 2014, Facebook changed its algorithm so that content which the platform detects that an individual user most likes shows up on our respective newsfeeds. As a result, political content that doesnt fit with a persons pre-existing beliefs is censored.

As Buzzfeeds Ryan Broderick explains, algorithms identify that a user likes one particular page and suggest others, creating an echo-chamber effect that can lead to some pretty scary places. Broderick says this has helped radicalise Facebook users across the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and Australia, bolstering support for far-right candidates and causes.

More diabolically, The New York Times reported recently that Facebook is working on a tool to censor posts by Chinese citizens, so that it can re-enter the Chinese market, where the government currently blocks access to the site  a practice the social network has already used in Russia, Turkey, and Pakistan.

OPINION: Under surveillance in Russia

The small possibility that the US election was hacked  following attempts to hack voting infrastructure in Ukraine, Norway, and the Netherlands  would, if true, be the ultimate form of cyber censorship. We do know that hackers breached voter registration systems in at least two states and targeted more than 20 states.

All of these developments are a direct threat to the marketplace of ideas that John Stuart Mill explained are necessary to a society, so that we can arrive at, and act upon, truths through the consideration of different points of view.

How can we fix this?

First, the US government must strike back at the state-backed hackers targeting opinion leaders and Democratic operatives. Its wholly unacceptable for a foreign government to meddle in an election, just as its intolerable for an outside state to attempt to attack the watchdogs of democracy. Although a counter-cyberattack is warranted, the US should also consider other options, such as sanctions and publicly exposing, and freezing the assets of, the state sponsors of these attacks. This response needs to begin under President Obama, but it must continue under President Trump.

The way journalists and professors should respond to this attack is simple. We should share our views even more. Sadly, in order for us to do this, we will need more help securing our communications from technology companies and from the universities and media companies that provide us with our email accounts.





Journalists and media organisations around the globe can also work together to identify and expose the hackers. This approach was recently used by the German newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, when it brought together reporters from 107 media outlets around the globe, with the help of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, to analyse 11.5 million documents exposing how the worlds wealthiest people shield their money from taxes and commit other financial crimes.

Third, Facebook must alter its algorithms. Today. Although the current debate in the media is largely focused on how Facebook can fight fake news, combating censorship must be an equal and urgent priority. The free flow of information and the debate it generates is essential to democracy.

The renowned legal theorist Thomas Emerson argued that the First Amendment to the US Constitution contains a positive right to information because the reverse side of the coin from the right to communicate is first, the right to read, to listen, to see, and to otherwise receive communications; and second, the right to obtain information as a basis for transmitting ideas or facts to others. While we also have the right not to consume news we prefer to ignore, that decision should be ours to make. It shouldnt be decided for us by executives in Silicon Valley, who decree that dissenting views be deleted from our newsfeeds.

Finally, the US needs a publicly funded recount of paper ballots and examination of electronic voting machines in several states. It shouldnt be up to Green Party supporters or the Clinton campaign to pay for it. The US government also needs to better protect voting systems for 2020.

We need to take the internet back, not as liberals responding to these attacks, but as citizens of every creed demanding that cyberspace not be censored.

Kara Alaimo is Assistant Professor of Public Relations at Hofstra University and author of Pitch, Tweet, or Engage on the Street: How to Practice Global Public Relations and Strategic Communication.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Ahmed Rashid is a journalist and the author of five books on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

After decades of hostility, Russia and Pakistan are gingerly trying to improve relations. Russia is cautiously wooing Pakistan in a bid to temper Islamabads support for the Afghan Taliban and to end the civil war in Afghanistan, which is threatening Central Asia  the soft underbelly of Russian influence in the former Soviet Union territories.

Pakistan faces increasing isolation in the region  spurned by India, Afghanistan and Iran, and criticised by the US and NATO countries  because of its continued harbouring of the Afghan Taliban. At present, it is solely dependent on Chinese economic and political support.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Pakistan is desperately keen to rebuild relations with Russia. Islamabad would like to use warmer ties with Moscow to counter US and western pressure and be able to boast of more than one ally in the region.

Closer military cooperation

The actual signs of an improved relationship between Pakistan and Russia are still scant. In September 2016, 70 Russian and 130 Pakistani special forces held their first joint military exercises in Cherat, in northern Pakistan, home of Pakistans Special Forces. India had asked Russia to call off the exercise following the 18 September militant attack on an Indian army base which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan, but the Russians declined.

The military games went ahead and senior army officers from both countries visited the exercise.





Soon after, Pakistan offered Russia the use of Gwadar, its new Chinese-built port on the Gulf, which is close to Iran and opposite Oman. From Tsarist times, Russia has always wanted a port in the warm waters of the Gulf. When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, Pakistan was convinced that the Russian dream was to have a base on Pakistans Gulf coastline. Ironically, Pakistan is now offering the same facility.

However, Gwadar port is yet to become fully operational and it is surrounded by insurgencies in Afghanistan and Balochistan province. Its capacity is being enhanced by a Chinese-built network of roads that will eventually connect to the Chinese border in northern Pakistan.

Use of the port by foreign ships is still some way off, and Pakistan has not made it clear if it would allow Russian warships to dock there. The Chinese navy has already been granted landing rights at the port.

Russia has also agreed to sell helicopters to Pakistan, lifting its decades-old arms embargo against Islamabad, while India is now looking for arms from Western nations such as the US and France.

Historic divisions over Afghanistan

However, while the Pakistani government is playing up its new relationship with Moscow, the Russians are reacting cautiously, especially because of their long-standing relationship with Pakistans archenemy, India.

Russia cannot afford to annoy India, which is the largest market in the world for its arms and military aircraft. Historically, India was one of the few non-aligned Asian countries that sided with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Both Russia and India are also providing Soviet-era arms and helicopters to the government in Kabul.

OPINION: Afghanistan is heading for civil war or worse

Earlier in March 2016 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made overtures to Russia for President Vladimir Putin to visit Pakistan, but the Russians said that they do not believe there was enough substance on the agenda to justify such a visit  a clear snub to Islamabad and a warning to do more to curtail the Taliban, who have twice captured the city of Kunduz that borders Central Asia.

No Russian president has ever visited Pakistan, but as long as the Taliban threaten Central Asia it is unlikely that a Russian leader will do so.

Afghanistan remains a key Russian interest. In April, Zamir Kabulov, Russias special envoy to Afghanistan, criticised the format of the peace talks that Pakistan was trying to bring about between the Kabul government and the Afghan Taliban. Russia was not happy it was sidelined in the talks, which included China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Taliban.

Kabulov called the talks inefficient and said Russia wanted to create a new format.





Nevertheless, Islamabad and Moscow are moving away from their years of hostility. In the 1980s, the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan while the Afghan Mujaheddin were armed and financed by Western intelligence agencies and Pakistans powerful Inter-Services Intelligence. The Mujaheddin fought the Russians to a standstill, forcing it to withdraw from Afghanistan in 1989.

Throughout the 1990s, as Pakistan continued to support the Taliban regime in Kabul and the separatist uprising in Indian Kashmir, Russia remained wedded to its close ally, India.

The key to warmer ties is an end to the continuing civil war in Afghanistan. Both China and Russia feel threatened by this war, and by the number of young men from their Muslim populations who are joining militant groups. In an important development, Russia, China and Pakistan are due to hold a tripartite meeting to discuss the common threats they face in Afghanistan. Russia will host the meeting and Pakistan has already called it a watershed moment.

Russia and Pakistan also now share a common threat  that of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), which is recruiting youngsters in Russia, Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The two nations may have a long way to go before relations actually warm up.

Ahmed Rashid is the author of five books on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. His latest book is Pakistan on the Brink.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Kabul Polytechnic university student was accused by the group of killing a senior Taliban official.

Taliban fighters publicly hanged a university student after accusing him of killing a senior intelligence officer.

The militia took Faizul Rehman, a fourth-year student at Kabul Polytechnic university, from his car as he travelled home to visit his family in the Chak district of Maidan Wardak province, about 60km west of the capital Kabul on Thursday.





They hanged him on Friday in front of [the] public. Local elders tried to mediate to release him, but they failed, Abdul Rehman Mangal, a spokesman for the governor of Maidan Wardak, told AFP news agency on Saturday.

They accused him of killing Mullah Mirwais, the head of their intelligence in the area, he said.

The Afghan interior ministry confirmed the execution and said they had launched an investigation to arrest and punish the perpetrators of this criminal act.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said they were investigating the case.

Since their ouster in 2001, the Taliban have executed people they accuse of spying for foreign or Afghan forces, and have staged public stonings or lashings of those found to have committed adultery, or had sex outside marriage.
Fire officials say there were as many as 70 people inside the warehouse after the blaze struck during a dance party.

At least nine people have been killed after a fire broke out inside a warehouse holding a rave party in northern California with the status of many people still unknown.

The blaze started on Friday at about 11pm local time (07:00 GMT Saturday) inside the two-story building in the city of Oakland.

It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there, Bob Mule, a photographer and artist who lives in the building and suffered minor burns, told the East Bay Times. I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldnt get the fire extinguisher to work.

Sergeant Ray Kelly, of the Alameda County Sheriffs department, told reporters the death toll is expected to jump significantly.

We are prepared for several dozen fatalities. We are prepared to deal with 30, 40 deceased people, said Kelly.

Fire officials were still trying to determine how the fire started, said Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed, who described the building as huge. She said the roof had collapsed, complicating efforts to recover bodies.

There is a large majority of that building that has not been searched, Reed said during a press briefing.

We are hoping that the number nine is what there is and that there are no more, the fire chief said, referring to the number of known fatalities. But we have not done a complete search of the building.

A Facebook event page showed 176 people planned to attend the party.

The San Jose Mercury News newspaper quoted fire officials as saying they were told up to 70 people were at the warehouse.

The fire was brought under control by early morning, with crews sifting through the rubble searching for victims, fire officials said.

Oakland is a major California city about 19km east of San Francisco.




Alexander Van der Bellen faces off anew with Norbert Hofer who could become the EUs first far-right head of state.

Voters in Austria head to the polls to pick a new president, in a replay of the closely contested May runoff between a left-leaning Green Party contender and his far-right anti-immigrant rival.

Sundays election pits anew Alexander Van der Bellen, who narrowly won in May, against 45-year-old Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party, who could become the first elected far-right leader in the European Union.

The voting provides Hofer a second chance to win Austrias top job after he lost to Van der Bellen by a margin of only 0.6 percent.

OPINION: How Europes far-right feasts on Trumps victory

Hofers Freedom Party successfully challenged the vote in the Constitutional Court by bringing evidence that ballots were counted without proper oversight in many towns.

The court ordered a repeat election, which was planned to go ahead in October, but had to be pushed back to December.

Hofer, one of the deputy presidents of Austrias parliament, has won support from half of the voters by criticising the government for allowing 90,000 refugees and migrants to enter the country last year.

The former aviation engineer has also chided German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her welcoming stance in the face of the wave of arrivals.

Hofer said Austrian taxpayers were footing Germanys bill, as many of these refugees and migrants ended up in his country.

Ernst Wohlfahrt, a Hofer supporter, told Al Jazeera the Freedom Partys message that Austria has lost its way proved potent with a working class disillusioned with migration and Europes economic outlook.

The archicture of the Austro-Hungarian empire a century ago reminds people of what used to be, and the Hofer argument would seek a return to those days of glory, Wohlfahrt said.

Van der Bellen, the Green Partys candidate, had warned that Hofers recent soft EU stance only masks his wish to destroy the bloc, in line with like-minded populist movements in France and Germany.

On the migration issue, Van der Bellen stands by the many Austrians who have spontaneously formed grassroots projects to help arriving refugees and migrants.

Do we want to see Austria as a friendly, open, bright country? the economic scholar said in a speech. Or do we want to see it as a country that is threatened by conspiracies, where fears take over, where everything is terrible? he said, challenging the Freedom Partys world view.

Destruction of EU

Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee, reporting from Vienna, said many are voting for Van der Bellen, simply because he isnt Hofer.





Although polls predict another neck-to-neck result on Sunday, Van der Bellens position on refugees and migrants is becoming increasingly isolated.

Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz has been successful with his strategy of closing down the Balkan migration route, pushing for restrictive immigration policies, and demanding the end of Turkeys accession talks with the EU.

The Social Democrats, who form the government coalition with Kurzs centre-right Peoples Party, have also gone along with Austrias immigration about-turn, and have reluctantly supported a cut-off limit for the number of asylum seekers that can enter each year.

A vocal wing in the Social Democratic party has been mulling cooperation with Hofers Freedom Party after the next parliamentary election, which is due in 2018 at the latest.

The right-wing Freedom Party has led the polls for more than a year, and currently enjoys the support of 35 percent of voters, according to the latest survey published by the Austrian daily, Oesterreich, in early November.

Nothing and no one will stop us, Hofer said at an election rally.
President-elect speaks with Taiwan leader in a break from the US one China policy triggering protest from Beijing.

US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, in a major break with Washingtons policy on China, triggering protest from Beijing.

During Fridays discussion, Trump and Tsai noted the close economic, political and security ties between Taiwan and the United States, according to the president-elects transition team.

President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year, it said.

The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, quoting a Taiwanese presidential spokesman, reported that Tsai initiated the 10-minute call.

OPINION: The new Taiwan crisis

Chinas foreign ministry said on Saturday that it had lodged a protest with the relevant side in the US after the call  the first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a one China policy in 1979.

As part of its so-called one China policy Washington shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland.

The one China principle is the political basis of the China-US relationship, the Chinese foreign ministry added, urging the relevant side to uphold this policy and carefully handle the Taiwan issue to avoid unnecessary disturbances in ties.

Under that policy, the US recognises Beijing as representing China, but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan. Washington is Taiwans most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

Al Jazeeras Adrian Brown, reporting from Beijing, said that the response from the Chinese government was swift. A spokesperson said China opposes any official contact or military interactions between the US and Taiwan.

It is not what was said that will upset China, but the symbolism of the US president-elect directly speaking to the Taiwanese leader, he said.

Defending the move

As he came under fire for the move, Trump defended the contact on Twitter.

He first tweeted that Tsai initiated the call, one of several he has had with world leaders in recent days, and brushed off criticism for speaking directly with the leader.

Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment, but I should not accept a congratulatory call, Trump wrote in a second tweet sent an hour after the first one.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.





Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wang said that the so-called one China policy is the cornerstone of US-China relations and that Beijing hoped that foundation would not be interfered with or damaged by Trumps move.

He blamed Taiwan for the exchange.

This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the one China structure already formed by the international community, Wang said at an academic forum, Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV reported.

China views Taiwan as a renegade province.

During the election campaign, Trump referred to China as a currency manipulator and accused Beijing of raping the US economy.

The White House responded to the call by saying that long-standing policy on China and Taiwan has not changed.

We remain firmly committed to our one China policy, said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.

The call comes at a time of worsened Taiwan-China relations since the election of Tsais pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) earlier this year.

Fridays call is the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the November 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily provided by the state department, which oversees US diplomacy.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone on November 14. Xi stressed that cooperation was the only choice for relations between the worlds two largest economies, and Trump said that the two had established a clear sense of mutual respect.
Philippines leader says he sensed a good rapport with the US president-elect during their phone call.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has described as encouraging his phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, whom he said was understanding of his bloody war on drugs.

I could sense a good rapport, an animated President-elect Trump. And he was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem, Duterte said in comments his office released on Saturday.

Trumps seven-minute chat on Friday with the Philippine president follows months of uncertainty about one of Washingtons most important Asian alliances, stoked by Dutertes hostility towards President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defence ties.

OPINION: Are US allies in Southeast Asia defecting to China?

Dutertes anger was unleashed following Obamas concerns about possible human rights abuses in his war on drugs, during which more than 2,000 people have been killed.

The Philippine leader said Trump was sensitive and understanding about his crackdown and was encouraged by what he interpreted as Trumps indication that he would not interfere.

He understood the way we are handling it  I supposed that what he really wanted to say was that we would be the last to interfere in the affairs of your own country.

He added: We are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way. And he wishes us well. And I said that, well, we assured him of our ties with America.

Separation from the US

His special adviser, Christopher Go, had earlier said in a text message to media that Trump had invited Duterte to visit the White House next year.

There appeared to be confusion, however. Duterte mentioned an invitation to Washington and New York, and that Trump asked him to notify him of his presence if Im around.

WATCH: Duterte, Trump and Philippine-US relations

A statement issued by Trumps transition team made no mention of that. It said the two men noted the long history of friendship between their countries and would work closely on matters of shared interest and concern.

Duterte made waves when he visited China in October and announced his separation from the US.

In five months in office, he has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the US and pursuing a new alliance with Russia and also China, with which Manila has a history of bitter disputes.

His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian nations concerned about Beijings influence and Washingtons regional staying power.

Duterte told Democrat Obama to go to hell and called him a son of a bitch whom he would humiliate if he visited the Philippines.

Despite his optimism about Trumps win, it has not stopped Duterte railing against what he calls a US history of hypocrisy and bullying worldwide.

Republican Trump told Reuters news agency during his campaign that Dutertes comments about Obama had showed a lack of respect for our country. But he also stressed the very important strategic location of the Philippines.
Around 40 nations agree to create safe havens for endangered art works as well as protecting heritage sites.

Representatives of around 40 countries have approved plans to establish a fund to protect heritage sites in war zones and a network of safe havens for endangered artworks.

We are committed to pursuing [these] two ambitious, long-term goals to guarantee the further mobilisation of the international community for the safeguarding of heritage, a statement issued on Saturday after a two-day meeting in the United Arab Emirates capital said.

The meetings Emirati and French co-sponsors had set a $100m target for the fund but the statement did not specify how much had been pledged.

READ MORE: On trial  the destruction of history during conflict

France, which along with the United Arab Emirates is spearheading the initiative, said it would contribute around $30m.





Other states, including the Gulf monarchies and China, have shown a willingness to contribute to the fund which would be based in Geneva, but without specifying amounts.

The fund aims to safeguard cultural heritage endangered by conflicts, finance preventive and emergency operations, combat the illicit trafficking of artefacts and help restore damaged cultural property, based on a draft declaration yet to be finalised.

Participants hope the international network of refuge zones under discussion will be used to temporarily store cultural property endangered by conflicts.

But with sovereignty a sensitive issue, such assets would only be moved out of a concerned country after a request by its government, according to a source taking part in the discussions.

Art treasures should first be moved to a safe place within the country itself. Moving them to a neighbouring country would be a second option while sending them elsewhere would be a last resort.

ICC: Mali fighter jailed for destroying Timbuktu sites

Some countries, including Egypt, have expressed reservations about the creation of safe havens, a delegate told the AFP news agency.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told participants that this should be a last option and there should be guarantees for the safe return of cultural property to the country of origin.





Greece has long sought the return from Britain of ancient sculptures that once decorated the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Athens but were taken by British diplomat Lord Elgin two centuries ago.

Participants at the conference will call on the UN Security Council to support the initiative, according to the declaration.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will oversee the safeguarding operations.

The international government representatives as well as public and private institutions at the Abu Dhabi conference have been debating since Friday how to preserve heritage and treasured works of art.

From Syria to Mali, Afghanistan to Iraq, armed groups have targeted priceless cultural heritage sites that they deem to be against their religion.

OPINION: The blood antiquities funding ISIL

The world watched in dismay as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group systematically destroyed monuments in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra which it seized in 2015.

In Iraq, videos showed the same group using bulldozers and explosives to destroy Nimrud, a jewel of the Assyrian empire south of Mosul, and ransacking pre-Islamic treasures in Mosuls museum.

The meeting coincided with an announcement by Swiss authorities that they had seized cultural relics looted from Palmyra, Libya and Yemen that were being stored in Genevas free ports.

Participants from Switzerland on Saturday shared the countrys experiences in offering safe haven to art works during times of conflict, providing examples as old as the Spanish civil war.
Some Iraqi civilians forced to drink sewage water after major water pipeline was destroyed during fighting with ISIL.

A growing water crisis in Iraqs Mosul is affecting up to 650,000 civilians in the city.

It is also preventing thousands of displaced families from returning to their homes and hampering efforts to completely clear the city of ISIL fighters.

Even in areas retaken by Iraqi forces there is no water, Al Jazeeras Imran Khan reported from east of Mosul.

Without running water, areas near here that have been cleared of ISIL fighters still remain uninhabitable.

READ MORE: Water supply cut off for half of Mosul

Earlier this week, water was cut for 40 percent of Mosul residents when a major pipeline was hit during fighting between ISIL and the Iraqi government forces trying to crush the group.

The UN childrens agency UNICEF said the break was located in an inaccessible part of the city controlled by ISIL.





Unless running water is restored in the next days, civilians will be forced to resort to unsafe water sources, exposing children to the risk of waterborne diseases such as severe diarrhoea and the threat of malnutrition, it added.

Stuck in camps, or worse

The water shortage has forced thousands of displaced Iraqis, who should have returned home after their towns and villages were retaken by Iraqi forces, to remain in camps.

But with limited space available in the already overcrowded camps, many families have to stay in Mosuls uninhabitable outskirts, without clean drinking water.

Desperation has forced some to use sewage water, said Al Jazeeras Khan.

The government and the aid agencies are sending in tankers of water as a temporary measure but its not enough. Hundreds, who cannot stay in Mosul but dont have any place to stay in the camps either, queue for water every day.

READ MORE: Battle for Mosul  ISILs innocent victims

The battle for Mosul has already raged for six weeks. Iraqi commanders say around 40 percent of the eastern half of Mosul has been retaken from ISIL since the huge offensive began on October 17.

The forces have told civilians to stay at home to avoid massive displacement from the city, which was believed to have a population of a million-plus before the operation started.

Aid workers say a full siege is developing and fear that the longer the conflict drags on, the more civilians will suffer.




Malaysia says Myanmar behind exodus of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Rohingya to neighbouring countries.

Malaysia has accused Myanmar of engaging in ethnic cleansing of its Rohingya Muslim minority, as former UN chief Kofi Annan visits a burned-out village in violence-hit Rakhine state.

Tens of thousands of Muslim Rohingya have fled their homes since a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar army in Rakhine, sparked by a string of deadly attacks on police border posts in early October.

The fact that only one particular ethnicity is being driven out is by definition ethnic cleansing, Malaysias foreign ministry said in an unusually strongly-worded statement on Saturday.





Myanmar has balked at such criticism, saying the Rakhine crisis is an internal issue. However, international pressure on the country is mounting.

Malaysias statement noted that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring countries in recent years, including approximately 56,000 to Muslim-majority Malaysia.

That, the statement said, makes this matter no longer an internal matter, but an international matter.

On Saturday morning, a convoy carrying the former UN chief arrived outside the Rohingya village of Wapeik, which has seen significant damage from fire.

Annan is not expected to brief the media until Tuesday, after his visit to Rakhine ends.

Myanmar has restricted access to the northern part of the state and says its military is hunting down the perpetrators of the attacks.

However, rights groups and Rohingya refugees who have made it to Bangladesh have accused the military of killing civilians and razing entire villages as a form of collective punishment.

The Rohingya have long faced persecution and government restrictions on movement that has been likened to apartheid.

Commission formed

Much of Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, even though most of them have lived there for generations.

Before the latest violence broke out, Myanmars de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi formed a commission tasked with trying to solve the Rakhine crisis, headed by Annan.

That task has been made considerably harder since fighting broke out.





The Nobel Peace Prize winner has also been criticised for not defending the Rohingya.

Since winning a historic election last year, Aung San Suu Kyi has hardly spoken out on the issue.

However, during a trip to Singapore this week, she gave a rare interview in which she hit out at international criticism.

Her hands are somewhat tied by Myanmars notoriously abusive military.

Under the countrys military government-era constitution, the army still controls key ministries and has a parliamentary veto.
Up to 1.7 million people gather in Seoul in what is called the largest-ever mass protest in South Koreas history.

More than two million South Koreans hit the streets demanding the ouster of President Park Geun-hye, the largest-ever mass gathering in the countrys history.

It was the sixth straight weekend that massive crowds gathered in the capital, Seoul, to force Park out of office, as the countrys three opposition parties introduced an impeachment bill in parliament.

Protest organisers told Al Jazeera the number of demonstrators swelled to 1.7 million as of 13:00 GMT on Saturday, surpassing last weekends 1.5 million people.

Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from Seoul, quoted officials as saying as many as 500,000 more people also protested in other parts of the country.

Opinion: South Koreas political morass

Police estimated the turnout in Seoul at 320,000, though the crowd appeared to be much larger, according to The Associated Press news agency.

Fawcett said the protesters dont seem satisfied by Parks offer on Tuesday, to voluntarily leave office by April and hold an early presidential election in June.

Opposition parliament members have criticised Parks overture, saying it was a stalling ploy aimed at luring back members of her party who supported her impeachment.

Opposition parties registered an impeachment motion, which could be voted on as early as next Friday.

The motion, which had the support of 171 opposition and independent legislators, accuses Park of violating the constitution and undermining democracy by allowing her longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, to interfere in state affairs, and letting senior presidential aides help Choi extort from companies.

It also accuses Park of other crimes, including abuse of authority, coercion and bribery.

Squabbling in parliament

The scandal has sparked mass protests each Saturday in downtown Seoul.

Demonstrators advanced to a narrow alley about 100 metres away from the presidential palace grounds, an area police did not previously permit them to enter.

Some of the protesters, led by the relatives of a 2014 ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people, mostly teenagers on a school trip, jammed the alley near the presidential office, shouting for hours for Parks arrest, not just her resignation.

Others angrily threw flowers at police, who had created tight perimeters around the street, and demanded the officers get out of the way.





Protesters are also trying to pressure parliament members, including Parks conservative ruling party, to vote for her impeachment next week.

Opposition parties controlling South Koreas parliament had earlier planned to call for a vote this past week, but were thrown off after Park made a conditional offer on Tuesday to resign, leaving legislators squabbling over timing.

Some anti-Park parliament members from her own ruling party have called for her to announce by Wednesday, that she will step down voluntarily in April.

It remains uncertain whether those parliament members, numbering between 30 and 40, will back the impeachment bill if she makes the commitment to resign, Al Jazeeras Fawcett said.

Park Geun-hye: Scandal is all my fault and mistake

Without their support, there would not be sufficient numbers, to pass the impeachment motion.

Parks confidante, Choi, now faces charges for meddling in government affairs and, in a first for a sitting South Korean president, Park had earlier been named a suspect by prosecutors.

As president, Park cannot be charged with a criminal offence, except insurrection or treason, but she would lose that immunity once she steps down.
The changes come as the Gulf kingdom prepares to implement social and economic reforms amid economic hardship.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz has replaced Saudi Arabias labour minister after recent statistics showed a rise in unemployment.

In a royal decree read on state television on Friday, the king also reshuffled the countrys top religious body, the Council of Senior Scholars, and the Shura Council, which advises the government.

The changes come as the kingdom prepares to implement reforms proposed by its Vision 2030, which aims to reduce dependence on oil, attract foreign investments and promote more cultural openness.

State television said King Salman had appointed Ali bin Nasser al-Ghafis as labour minister to replace Mufrej al-Haqbani. Haqbani had been in the position for only seven months

Ghafis is currently head of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, a network of colleges set up to train young Saudis in the trades.

Haqbani faced a slew of challenges in his time at the helm of the labour ministry, as a sharp drop in crude prices slashed government revenues and took a toll on economic growth.

This change was necessary because the ministry is facing a lot of issues  problems about the Saudi labour force and also private labour companies  that are obstructing its ability to implement reforms proposed in the Vision 2030, Ahmed Ali Ibrahim, a Saudi affairs specialist, told Al Jazeera.

The previous minister was not all hands-on; there was a lot of slacking going on. The ministry needed a new vision.

We hope the new minister will succeed, since a lot of change is necessary. And we need someone dynamic to implement these necessary changes.

READ MORE: Saudi Arabia agrees on plan to cut reliance on oil

Job creation dried up this year amid severe cuts to public spending and delays in state payments to contractors, despite reforms geared towards creating jobs for Saudis.





The unemployment rate rose to 12.1 percent in the third quarter, up from 11.6 percent the previous quarter.

The kingdoms economic reform plan, led by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has set targets to cut the jobless rate to 7 percent by 2030 and raise womens participation in the labour force to 30 percent from 22 percent.

Saudi Arabia has also seen rare labour protests this year, as delayed payments by the state have pushed the kingdoms largest contractors into financial duress and led them to delay salary payments.

After Saudi Arabias oil revenues diminished drastically, the government was left owing billions of dollars to private firms, chiefly in the construction sector, which in turn could not pay their workers.

Thousands of foreign employees  most of them from India, Pakistan and the Philippines  went unpaid for months and were left with limited access to food in labour camps. As the salary delays worsened, frustrated workers in some cases staged public protests.

The government offered to pay for the workers flights home and to cover food and accommodation when employers did not meet obligations.

It has vowed to clear the arrears by this month.

Council changes

The king also changed the head of the countrys consultative Shura Council and replaced several members of the assembly.

Some members of the council have recently come under fire on social media for proposing or supporting cuts to some social benefits and the raising of prices of some basic services.

On Friday, the king appointed 150 members of the council, including 30 women, some of whom were new.

Changes were for the good, Ibrahim told Al Jazeera. Good, productive people got reassigned to their roles. And the new members all have really strong resumes.

Also, we now have 30 women participating in this council. All in all this is a great thing.

READ MORE: Let women drive, says Saudi prince

Several moderate clerics were also appointed to the Council of Senior Scholars, seemingly to support the Vision 2030 reform plan, which has courted controversy in the conservative kingdom by calling for womens employment.

New members include Mohammed al-Issa, a previous minister of justice and former member of the council often cited by liberals as the sort of moderate Wahhabi cleric that reformers in the royal family want to promote.

The council remains dominated by older conservatives such as Saleh al-Fawzan and Saleh al-Luhaidan.

In recent years, however, the government has promoted more moderate clerics and opened up the council to include scholars from the other main branches of Sunni jurisprudence beyond the Hanbali school followed by Wahhabis.
Capture of Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood means government now controls about half of eastern Aleppo.

Syrian government forces and their allies have advanced in Aleppo overnight, seizing another neighbourhood from rebels, as they press an offensive to recapture all of the city, a monitor group and rebel sources said.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday that the capture of Tariq al-Bab means the government has now retaken the majority of the east of the city.

We are told that around 50 percent of the rebel-held eastern Aleppo is now held by the government forces and its allies, Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkey-Syria border, said.





This is the first time that we see this happening in four years. Aleppo has been in a stalemate between the government forces and rebels, she said.

It is extremely concerning for those who still believe in this revolution, she added. Activists say that Aleppo is the heartland of this revolution and if they lose this city, they would lose their civilisation, they would lose everything.

The rebels overran the east of Aleppo in mid-2012.

The latest advance also restored control of a road leading from government-controlled western neighbourhoods to Aleppo airport, which the regime also holds.

The governments capture of Tariq al-Bab came after ferocious clashes that sent civilians flooding out of the adjacent neighbourhood of al-Shaar.

More than 300 civilians have been killed in east Aleppo since the government resumed its offensive to remove the rebels on November 15, according to activists.

The Syrian Observatory says nearly 65 civilians have been killed in the same period by rebel fire on government-held west Aleppo, including nine on Friday.

The UN has warned that eastern Aleppo risks becoming a giant graveyard for the 250,000-plus civilians who were trapped there just last week. Tens of thousands have since fled.

No progress in Turkey talks

On the diplomatic front, tension between Syrian opposition groups and Russia escalated on Friday, with weeks of secret meetings in Turkey making little apparent progress on lifting the siege of eastern Aleppo.

Russia is a key backer of Syrias President Bashar al-Assad and has been bombing opposition-held areas since September last year.

Turkey backs the Syrian anti-government fighters and has been acting as a mediator in the meetings.

Syrian opposition officials told the Reuters news agency on Friday that Russia is not serious about the talks over a pause in the fighting.

RELATED: Dodging death in East Aleppo as a journalist

Russias proposals include expelling 200 fighters from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the armed group which changed its named from al-Nusra Front earlier this year when it said it cut ties with al-Qaeda.

Jabhat Fateh al-Sham is one of the largest and most powerful groups fighting the Syrian government, and is considered by both the United States and Russia to be a terrorist organisation.

Russia is also suggesting the creation of four humanitarian corridors to allow aid into besieged areas of eastern Aleppo.

Although Turkey has called for an immediate ceasefire, analysts contend that its priorities have shifted from Assads removal to containing Kurdish groups seeking more territory on its border.
Government pounds rebel-held areas as the bloody four-year stalemate over key city appears to be coming to an end.

Government forces continue to advance in the besieged city of Aleppo, pushing opposition forces out of several areas in the latest twist in the six-year-old Syrian conflict.

Syrian warplanes, artillery, and mortar rounds on Saturday pounded opposition-held areas in eastern Aleppo, killing at least three people, according to opposition activists.

Syrian state media reported government and allied troops were moving in on new neighbourhoods, pushing a kilometre deeper into the rebel-held enclave.

How much longer can east Aleppo hold out?

Syrian army spokesman Brigadier General Samir Suleiman said the military has regained control of 45 to 50 percent of east Aleppo, and he accused rebels of hiding among civilians.





The advances have caused massive displacement. The UN estimated more than 31,000 have already fled their homes, either to government or Kurdish areas, or deeper into the besieged enclave.

Residents in eastern Aleppo also reported intense shelling in al-Sukkari neighbourhood on the southern edge, where many of the newly displaced have sought refuge.

The noose is tightening quickly, said Mohammed Abu Jaafar, a medical official in eastern Aleppo. Our resources are also running low and beginning to disappear.

Syrias defence minister and other senior officers visited newly captured areas in Aleppo on Saturday, according to state-run media.

Russian support has helped President Bashar al-Assads forces drive the fighters out of several neighbourhoods during the ongoing offensive.

We are told that around 50 percent of the rebel-held eastern Aleppo is now held by the government forces and its allies, Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkey-Syria border, said.

This is the first time that we see this happening in four years. Aleppo has been in a stalemate between the government forces and rebels. Activists say that Aleppo is the heartland of this revolution and if they lose this city, they would lose their civilisation, they would lose everything.

Syrian forces tighten grip on besieged Aleppo

More than 300 civilians have been killed in the area since the government resumed its offensive to remove the fighters on November 15, according to activists.

The Russian Interfax news agency report quoted an unnamed Syrian military official as saying a light ground attack aircraft, L-39 jet, was shot down near Aleppo, and its crew was killed.





The opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, said two pilots were killed when rebel fighters attacked the aircraft as it approached Aleppo airport to the east of the city.

Asked about reports of the downed plane, Suleiman said we have no such information about such an incident, and when such things happen the army announces them. He was speaking to reporters in Aleppo.

Against this backdrop of continued fighting, Russia announced on Saturday it was ready to hold quick talks with the United States on the exit of opposition fighters from Aleppo.

However, a rebel official said commanders in eastern Aleppo will not surrender to government forces.

I asked the factions, they said we will not surrender, said Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, speaking from Turkey.

The military commanders in Aleppo said we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city, he said.
Legal actions seek to block or halt recounts requested by Green Party candidate in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Supporters of US President-elect Donald Trump have moved the courts to prevent or halt election recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Fridays legal actions came less than two weeks before the states would have to complete the tasks to meet a federal deadline to certify their election results.

The moves seeking to block or halt the recounts in the states the Republican candidate narrowly won could cause delays that would make them extremely difficult or impossible to complete on time.

The presidential race is decided by the Electoral College, or a tally of wins from the state-by-state contests, rather than by the popular national vote.

READ MORE: Wisconsin starts US presidential election recount

Federal law requires states to resolve disputes over the appointment of electors by December 13.

Trump far surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win, with 306 electoral votes, and the recount would have to flip the result to Democrat Hillary Clinton in all three states to change the overall result.

In the popular vote, Clinton won over 2.5 million more votes than Trump, according to the Cook Political Report.

The recounts were requested by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who says they are necessary to ensure that voting machines were not hacked, even though there is no evidence that they were.

Steins defence

Stein got about one percent of the vote in all three states. Her critics say she is simply trying to raise money and her political profile while building a donor database.

Our goal is not to change the result of the election, Stein said in an opinion piece released on Thursday. It is to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the vote.

Wisconsin is the only state where a recount is under way. It began on Thursday, and one of the states 72 counties had already completed its task by Friday, with Clinton gaining a single a vote on Trump.

Clinton lost to Trump in Wisconsin by about 22,000 votes, or less than one percentage point.

Two pro-Trump groups, the Great America PAC and the Stop Hillary PAC, along with Wisconsin voter Ronald R Johnson went to federal court late on Thursday to try and stop the recount.

They requested a temporary restraining order in US District Court to immediately halt the recount while the court considers their lawsuit.

The lawsuit says Wisconsin is violating the US Supreme Courts 2000 Bush v Gore ruling because it does not have uniform standards to determine which votes should be counted in a recount.

They also argue that it threatens due process rights because it may not get done by the federal deadline to certify the vote, putting Wisconsins electoral votes in jeopardy.

Michigans case

Michigans elections board were in a deadlock on Friday on a Trump campaign request to deny Steins recount request and on how a recount would be conducted.

Both Republican members voted to prevent the recount while both Democrats voted to allow it, meaning it would begin Tuesday or Wednesday unless the courts intervene.





It also would be conducted by hand, as Stein requested.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, a Republican, said on Friday he had filed a lawsuit to halt the requested recount in his state.

Recounting all of the states votes threatens to silence all Michigan votes for president because of an impending federal deadline to finalise the states results, he said in a statement.

The Michigan courts appeared unlikely to rule immediately, with one asking for a response from state elections officials by Tuesday.

Schuette also criticised Stein for the potential expense of a recount, although she said last week that she had raised $3.5m to cover some costs.

A Schuette spokeswoman said on Friday that Stein had contributed $787,500 but that it would cost about $5m.

In Pennsylvania, a hearing is scheduled for Monday on Steins push to secure a court-ordered statewide recount there.
The outgoing UN secretary-general discusses the failures of the UN, Syrias war, the Trump era and serving South Korea.

The United Nations position on Syria has been consistent: there cannot be a military solution.

But those words now sound very hollow.

In eastern Aleppo, no one expects a political settlement. Hour by hour, Bashar al-Assads government -backed by Hezbollah, Iran and the military might of Russia  advances.

The nearly six-year-long conflict in Syria has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.

The man who has led the UN throughout the Syrian war, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, is in the final few weeks of his 10-year term at the UN.

On Talk to Al Jazeera, Ban Ki-moon discusses the state of the Syrian war and whether there will be accountability for the war crimes committed; his thoughts on the new Trump era and the impact on the international community; and  with his home country South Korea facing political crisis  his future plans.

Come January 1, 2017, when I return to Korea, I will need to discuss with some community leaders and my friends on what and how I can contribute as the former secretary-general of the UN to my motherland Korea. by Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the United Nations

It has been a sad and heartbreaking experience for me to see that the Syrian people have been suffering tremendously during the last five years. Its a collective failure of the international community, says Ban, when asked how history will judge the international community on Syria.

The United Nations and regional powers should have helped them resolve their problems. But unfortunately regional powers and the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, have been divided. That is why we have not been able to resolve this issue. There is no military solution.

He says he has been reiterating that inclusive, Syrian-led, intra-Syrian dialogue is the only way to resolve the conflict.

When pressed that this line has become a mantra, Ban points to the efforts of UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian foreign minister Sergey V Lavrov.

We ask Ban what it means that Bashar al-Assad, responsible for such brutality and quite possibly war crimes, should continue to remain in office even after US President Barack Obama and Ban himself will have left their posts.

Even though the justice cannot be done today, Im confident that there will be justice, he says, adding that the priority right now should be saving human lives and delivering humanitarian assistance.

We speak to Ban about the future of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and if it loses relevance, whether Assad can be held accountable. Russia has expressed its displeasure with the ICC and African nations have been pulling out, while others are thinking of withdrawing. Ban said he believes that the ICC must be preserved.

On the issue of US President-elect Donald Trump declaring the UN weak and incompetent, Ban points to the USs long commitment to the world body, saying: I am sure that President-elect Donald Trump will also continue to play a very important global role in working together with the United Nations in maintaining peace and security and development and human rights.

When asked whether Trumps criticisms are true, Ban says its important that member states should bring their global perspectives rather than  narrow, national perspectives. That is the way why United Nations has often been criticised as inefficient and not being able to make decisions.

We speak to him about the UNs many failures  bringing cholera to Haiti; failing to protect people in South Sudan; and in the Central African Republic, peacekeepers were involved in the sexual abuse of children  and if he feels ashamed that the UN, instead of bringing good, has also brought harm.

Ban says he has expressed his deep regret for the cholera epidemic in Haiti. When it comes to sexual abuse and violations by peacekeepers and UN staff, he says: I have made a zero-tolerance policies and I have taken immediate actions.

On the question of what he thinks about Trump considering scrapping achievements, such as the restoration of US relations with Cuba, the Iran nuclear deal, and the Paris climate accord, he says he has already spoken to the US president-elect about these issues but does not go into further detail.

We ask Ban about what hell do next and whether he would consider serving his country, which is currently facing political crisis and widespread protests, if South Koreans call upon him to do so.

Come January 1, 2017, when I return to Korea, I will need to discuss with some community leaders and my friends on what and how I can contribute as the former secretary-general of the United Nations to my motherland Korea, he said.

Of course, I will be relieved of this huge burden, mental and physical. It has been a great privilege for me to have served this great organisation for humanity during the last 10 years. Now as a private citizen, I will still be embedded with such principles and goals of the United Nations on which I have been working, like international peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.

As a private citizen, I will try to continue to raise my voice and contribute whatever I can to help the United Nations. At the same time I will also think about what would be the best way for me to work for my own country.

You can talk to Al Jazeera, too. Join our Twitter conversation as we talk to world leaders and alternative voices shaping our times. You can also share your views and keep up to date with our latest interviews on Facebook.
Dr Marc Lamont Hill is an award-winning journalist and author and is the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. Hill is known for his work addressing the intersections of race, justice, politics and culture. His latest best-selling book is We Still Here: Pandemics, Policing, Protest and Possibility which follows on the success of Nobody: Casualties of Americas War on the Vulnerable from Flint to Ferguson. Hill has received numerous prestigious awards from the US National Association of Black Journalists, GLAAD, and the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.
Concerns that not all of the unions will agree to ratify their labor agreements have caused rail shippers and other transportation industry stakeholders to push President Joe Biden to act.
The subway stop at 116th Street in Manhattan is for Columbia University. Is this subway stop a wormhole to an alternate universe, where people look like everyone else but are possessed by strange ideas and incomprehensible ways of thinking?

My journey to 116th Street was to attend a lecture titled "What Would it Mean to Understand Climate Change?" It is hard to understand the title of this lecture, and the official description of the lecture increases the confusion:

Efforts abound to "understand" climate change. But what kind of understanding is needed? Does "understanding" mean the same thing to concerned citizens as it does to scientists, humanities scholars, or policy makers? At this public event climate scientist Isaac Held, philosopher of science Philip Kitcher, and science journalist Jonathan Weiner will compare the work of understanding undertaken by different communities engaged with climate change, and address the question what remains to be understood.

The first speaker, Isaac Held, was the only scientist. Held is deeply involved with the computer climate models that are the foundation for the predictions of climate doom. Apparently, nearly everyone at Columbia University, judging from the speakers and the audience, has accepted the message from the computers as absolute truth.

Held's talk was meandering and difficult to understand. His thesis is that there are a hierarchy of stories explaining climate change. At the most complicated level are the computer climate models. A simple story could be a prediction  say, that doubling CO2 in the atmosphere will increase global average temperature by X degrees.

Held avoids making any judgments. He never tells us how much confidence we should have in the climate models, even though one would think that as someone deeply involved with climate models, he should be in a good position to make judgments. After all, if the climate models are unreliable, why are Held and hundreds of other scientists spending their time working on climate models? Perhaps because they are being paid to work on climate models.

I asked Held what conclusion he draws from the lack of warming of the Earth during the last 18 years in the face of increasing CO2 in the atmosphere. He acknowledged the problem but seemed to suggest that the warming hiatus was created by chaotic variations in the climate. He also became duplicitous when he suggested that the recent El Nino was breaking the warming hiatus. As an expert on climate, he surely knows that El Nino is temporary and not connected to long-term climate change. (El Nino is the name for a disturbance in the tropical Pacific Ocean that causes a temporary variation in global temperature.)

In the present oppressive intellectual environment, no climate scientist can risk being critical of the climate doom story unless he wants to be viciously attacked as a climate denier. So we are never going to hear what Isaac Held really thinks, assuming he has the critical opinions he sometimes hints at. Held wrote an article in Science that discusses his ideas in more detail.

Jonathan Weiner is a professor at the Columbia journalism school. He has written a number of books on science-related subjects but not climate. He has won many awards and honors.

Given his position and background, it is disappointing that, although he makes public pronouncements on climate change, Weiner is a sucker for the crudest global warming propaganda and the silliest conspiracy theories. He touts Naomi Oreskes's book, The Merchants of Doubt, as "excellent." Naomi Oreskes is a bizarre conspiracy theorist. According to Oreskes, the oil companies are running a scam to confuse everyone about global warming by spreading misinformation. If they are doing this, their methods are strange. If you look at oil company websites, most oil companies show themselves to be believers in global warming and assert that they are trying hard to reduce CO2 emissions.

The third speaker, the philosopher of science, Philip Kitcher, is apparently writing a book on climate that, according to Amazon, will be released in April 2017. It should be a doozy, judging from what he had to say at the lecture. According to Kitcher, it is a real worry that there will be "billions and billions" of human deaths due to global warming. This is an extreme position not shared by most global warming alarmists. He also suggests that the rich countries must reduce their standard of living in order to help the poor countries develop green energy economies. Perhaps, as a philosopher, he doesn't feel that political reality should intrude on his musings.

When Philip Kitcher said that some real pessimists think human extinction may be the result of failing to prevent global warming, a lady in the audience piped up with "they deserve it." One wonders why she didn't say, "We deserve it." Perhaps she views the Columbia community as separate from the human race.

During the question-and-answer period, a woman in the audience from the English department, after saying she would try to be brief, spoke for more than three minutes about "narrative." Here are some bits from her exposition on narrative:

When you start thinking about narrative, you very quickly get into the terrain of the subjective, or of the social, political, ethical, or of the experiential, the tactile[.] ... I think of narrative as much less inert, neutral, and predictable than I think people who aren't specialists in narrative think of it[.]

There is an entire academic specialty of narrative theory.

The lesson I came away with is that there are many university types who firmly believe in global warming and are convinced that sinister forces are holding up action on preventing global warming. I don't think it occurs to them that the scientists making the predictions are exaggerating the ability of computer models to predict the future climate, or that those scientists have greatly benefited from the global warming scare. Professors in non-science areas, like journalism or philosophy, are easy to fool with scientific-sounding predictions invoking computers.

I am reminded of a Columbia professor, Jeffery Sachs, and a Yale professor, William Nordhaus. Those professors are economists. As economists, one would think they would not be so easily fooled by talk of computer models. After all, economists use computer models all the time and should be familiar with the pitfalls. But both of those distinguished professors made foolish claims regarding climate.
Most building contractors have a goal of finishing their projects in the time specified, with the money budgeted. The closer you get to doing both, the more profitable and the more successful your company will be. The sad truth is, most building companies have a hard time hitting those two very important goals. Why? Because it's extremely difficult. Most construction projects have complexity that is hard to comprehend; the efforts of scheduling, price change, human error, and the cycles it takes to be on time and under budget are mind-boggling.

It's not normal for construction companies of all sizes to accomplish those two things. It's quite normal to be at least a shade late, and a tad over budget, or worse. It's why nine out of ten people who go into this business are out of the business in less than ten years.

Donald Trump has many flaws, more than his fair share, but in this area of being on time and under budget, his track record is close to brilliant. One of the main reasons I preferred Trump early on was this clear aura of competence, one he earned. He didn't do these projects in cities that are all that business friendly; he did them in New York, and other large cities all over who are just as bureaucratic and just as tough.

I know, I know  "He's never been in government before, and business acumen doesn't translate to being in politics or running governments." I believe I remember the vast majority of pundits saying this kind of thing during the primaries. Yep, he was a neophyte who knew nothing about politics. He could never win the nomination.

The derisive laughter on Bill Maher's show when Ann Coulter said Trump was the only one on the Republican side who could win still rings in my ears. Can we now dispense with the idea that he can't take his business acumen and put forth the agenda he ran on? Can we dare to believe that he will follow through with his agenda to make America great again?

The first thing you do when you want a building project to succeed is assemble a team of architects, superintendents, subcontractors, suppliers, and workers who excel at what they do. Watching the assembling of Trump's transition team, his cabinet, and his other appointments has been a treat. Yep, he's done this before, and it's quite clear that what he's doing is selecting a team of individuals who excel.

I love the media reports of how bad he is at assembling his cabinet. I love how they nitpick it all, telling us how disorganized and sloppy he is, and then, when he makes a pick, they say just how terrible a pick he just made. Why, these appointments are just as racist, homophobic, and misogynistic as he is (including the non-whites and women).

The biased media have no idea how they are being played, but that's for another essay. Right now they could use the wisdom of Yogi Berra: "You can observe a lot just by watching." But they won't. Instead, they continue the hyperbole that lost them their power and trustworthiness, and as they exercise their partisan, foolish, and nasty prerogative to be just that (partisan, foolish, and nasty), the Trump team is poised to pull off its own version of Shock and Awe. Only this time, it's not going to be used to take down a dictator; rather, it will be the takedown of the misplaced leftist nonsense that has run rampant in our country for well over a decade.

Mike Pence is the one in charge of the transition team. He's giving us some hints as to what is happening. The hints are delicious. He is saying he's been at most of the interviews and meetings, and what he's watching is unprecedented in its formation. He is telling us that every one of these picks is engaged and on board. He is saying everyone is perfect for his role. He is also shepherding congressional support for the agenda. He's telling them all to buckle up, because what is going to happen will be unprecedented in its scope, and we will be thrilled at how fast this will all happen. He says it's all in implementing the agenda to make America great again. The vast majority on the table is the agenda we as conservatives have hoped would be tried some day in some fantasy world, yet there it is, being lined up to replace the leftist pap that has failed us so miserably.

One thing I know about Mike Pence: he is the most rock-ribbed straight arrow there is. He is calm, clear, concise, and well spoken. He has impeccable conservative credentials and instincts. He has some good conservative accomplishments in his own state of Indiana. He has a record of succeeding. He is an understated leader in his role, and you can't say he's particularly prone to hyperbole, because he isn't. Yet there he is, telling us to expect great things from the very beginning. There he is, promising a great first hundred days and a great second hundred days. He is saying they are determined to reform those things that the destructive left have implemented, that he and Trump are going to work to fulfill their promises.

Repeal Obamacare. Stop illegal immigration. Stop radical Islam. Reset to a growing economy that creates jobs. Restore dignity and strength to our military. Restore integrity and honesty to our government. Reset the education parameters so our kids can learn well and become accomplished citizens. Repatriate business money. Become energy-independent. Reshape a conservative Supreme Court for a generation. Better trade deals. And more.

All of this is going to be placed into the political arena at once. It's an agenda designed to overwhelm, and it's so bold that it will help neutralize most of the Alinsky tactics of the left. While leftists are busy trying to Alinskyize Trump as a racist, misogynist homophobe, he appoints strong men and women of all colors. While they are busy trying to Alinskyize what he just did, he has moved on to something else. While they are busy trying to find something to polarize and freeze, he is accomplishing a dozen other things. It's putting a lot of balls in the air at once. It's uncannily like building a complex building.

It's the ultimate nightmare for leftists. Their tactics have already failed them miserably, so they are now doubling down on their failed tactics. In the meantime, because they are incapable of looking at why they failed so miserably, incapable of any introspection on why they lost, or doing anything to rectify why they lost, they will keep losing, and Donald Trump will keep winning. Their vaunted Democrat-media complex are so invested in believing their own propaganda, have internalized so deeply their own lies about what Trump (and we on the right as well) stands for, that they actually believe he is racist, sexist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic, and more Hitlerian than Hitler. I watch them on Facebook, Twitter, and in the old media and marvel. It reminds me of the old saying: "He whom the gods will destroy, they first make mad." Unfortunately the left on campus and in their media complexes are too busy in crying rooms to read about a Greek philosopher who would give them a hint as to what is going on.

When you realize that the left has nothing to offer but Alinsky tactics and ridicule; when you realize you have a master builder who not only knows what their tactics are, but how to use these same tactics against them, you realize just how much trouble they are in. They are counting on dividing us, making us believe we are destroying the country because, you guessed it, we are racist, sexist, misogynistic, greedy, homophobic, and just bad. They forgot that it didn't work this time. They are forgetting when they use these old, overblown, and outrageous tactics that they are now unifying us. It will take them a long time to grasp just how much their tactics are backfiring. Yes, they may be driven mad by the time they see it with any clarity.

It's a perfect storm, because while they are busy self-destructing, there is a wonderful force approaching. The team of builders is about to make some remarkable things happen. They will try to make them happen with regularity, speed, and great competence. Much to the dismay of the left, Shock and Awe may become the norm as the country is put on the right track. This team of extraordinary builders will be making America great again.

On time and under budget.
In the parade of prospective cabinet picks making their way to the penthouse of Trump Tower to meet with the president-elect, few have come with more pedigree or more (figurative) baggage than General David Petraeus. Tipped for the position of secretary of state, the retired four-star general is considered to bring with him a wealth of experience garnered from nearly 15 years in the higher echelons of the U.S. Army, including time spent at the helm of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a stint as head of the CIA. But in his interview to become the nation's top diplomat, he likely had some awkward questions to answer regarding a scandal involving the sharing of state secrets with his biographer and paramour, Paula Broadwell. At least he should have. But Donald Trump has been vocal in his defense of the general even though he was found guilty of the same crime committed by Hillary Clinton. Perhaps a more likely sticking point between Trump and Petraeus, however, will be their diverging views over the USAs commitment to NATO and its continued expansion.

Granted, David Petraeus shot to prominence due to the successful counterinsurgency methods he employed as the commander of forces in Iraq that resulted in a substantial drop in violence. As the head of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth two years prior to that, Petraeus wrote the militarys manual on counterinsurgency strategy. After taking charge of the forces in 2007 he brought Sunni fighters onto the U.S. payroll, reasoning that these local groups were better placed to pacify their communities than foreign forces could ever be. Moving troops out of their heavily fortified bases and into smaller, exposed checkpoints throughout the country helped the U.S. regain some of the respect it had lost amongst Iraqis.

After serving as head of Central Command, Petraeus became the Director of the CIA, where he met his downfall after revelations of an affair with his biographer. While the affair in itself might not have cost him his job, the fact that he shared top secret documents with Mrs. Broadwell, certainly did. In 2012, Petraeus pleaded guilty to felony charges after an investigation found that he had given Mrs. Broadwell eight black books with highly classified information including the identities of covert officers, war strategy, intelligence capabilities and mechanisms [and] diplomatic discussions. Sentenced to two years probation and a fine of $100,000, many thought he got off lightly for a crime that a more lowly officer would likely have faced a much stiffer penalty.

It's no wonder then that the mention of Petraeus as possible secretary of state has raised hackles from Democrats. The investigation into Clintons own mishandling of sensitive emails never went so far as to accuse her of purposely sharing state secrets, like Petraeus did, but merely of being reckless in securing them. Moreover, Petraeus was found guilty of attempting to subvert the course of justice by hiding the books in question from investigators.

Clearly, Donald Trump sees none of this as a problem. Where the two men might fall out, however, is over the U.S. role in NATO and its ever-deeper expansion into Russia's backyard. Whereas Donald Trump has called into question the U.S.'s obligation to come to the aid of another member state under attack, Petraeus does not seem to share the President-elects spirit on that matter and is adamant that the U.S. will keep to its commitments. But given that corruption is endemic in many NATO members especially in Eastern Europe, Trump is justified in rethinking Americas defense commitments. The first test is likely to come ahead over the proposed NATO enlargement to include Montenegro after the tiny Balkan state was invited to join last year. How much Donald Trump knows about Montenegro is anyones guess but if he has been following recent events in the country he will have observed little to convince him that it's the kind of place that the U.S. should be rushing to protect in case it is attacked.

In October, Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic stepped down after his party lost the majority in Parliament and was replaced by close ally Dusko Markovic. This comes after a 25-year reign of power for Djukanovic during which time he faced accusations of cigarette smuggling, bank fraud, and embezzlement, while critics charged that he turned the former Yugoslav state into a hub for international crime gangs. In 2009, Djukanovic admitted to his role in a $1 billion cigarette smuggling operation involving the Italian mafia and only walked free after invoking diplomatic immunity. This is merely the abridged version of Djukanovics rap sheet, and no one is under any illusion that he will remain a major figure behind the scenes, as he has on past occasions strategically stepped away from power to pull the strings in the background.

If this is the caliber of a partner that the U.S. can expect in its NATO allies, then Donald Trump is justified in his misgivings. However, whether or not Trump appoints Petraeus -- a no-questions-asked supporter of the current NATO alliance -- is a major test of his credibility before the electorate as well. Worse, appointing Petraeus risks marking Trump a hypocrite regarding the Clinton email affair, which will not sit well with those who have voted him into office.
The famously self-righteous field of Middle East studies, which lambasts outside criticism as censorship and condemns America, Israel, and the West while lauding Islamists, now finds itself on the defensive. Two of its leading lights, the University of California, Berkeleys Nezar AlSayyad and the University of California, Los Angeless Gabriel Piterberg, have been accused of sexually harassing female graduate students.

In October, UC Berkeley concluded an investigation, finding that, between 2012 and 2014, AlSayyad, who chairs the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) and teaches architecture, built a relationship, including frequent social invitations and hugs, with graduate student Eva Hagberg Fisher in an effort to groom her. A car ride during which he put his hand on her thigh and proposed a trip together to Las Vegas was the final straw.

The report found that AlSayyad isolated the student from other professors and was on the exam committee whose approval was required for her to complete her dissertation. He also edited a journal in which many students hoped to be published.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that two other students complained about AlSayyads conduct, including one who filed a complaint in April alleging they had sex over twenty years ago under similar circumstances. While AlSayyad denies the charges, the investigation upheld Hagberg Fishers claims and the university suspended him for a semester.

Berkeley graduate students, upset at the university for its initial silence, expressed their disapproval by walking out of AlSayyads section, protesting outside his department, and marching across campus chanting, Protect Students, Not Tenure. They have the option of completing one of his required courses with a new instructor.

Some current and former students sent a letter to Berkeleys administration defending AlSayyad and asking that the university withhold judgement until the investigation has concluded. Transforming the Egyptian-born AlSayyad into the victim, the signatories asserted an atmosphere of increased conflicts and racist sentiments could lead to a rush to judgement, especially when the subject is being identified in the news as a Middle East scholar. Its little wonder he claimed earlier, I actually feel terribly victimized.

The case of UCLA history professor and former Center for Near Eastern Studies director Gabriel Piterberg is even more abhorrent. In September, UCLA settled with two graduate students who sued the university in 2015 for taking insufficient action and for discouraging them from filing formal complaints against Piterberg, whom they alleged had repeatedly sexually harassed and assaulted them over a period of years.

Piterberg had served as one of the students dissertation advisor, while the other had to work in the same building with him. His position on the departmental funding committee forced her to seek funds outside of the history department.

UCLAs settlement with Piterberg fined him $3,000, ordered him not to meet with his students in his office with the door closed, required him to attend sexual harassment training, and suspended him for one academic quarter.

The universitys leniency sparked student protests, faculty outcry, and a petition demanding his dismissal. Another petition calling for his removal from the European University Institute in Florence, Italy led to his resignation as a visiting scholar.

Piterberg, a boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) advocate and an anti-war activist, has made a career of falsely accusing Israel and the U.S. of doing what he himself is guilty of: taking advantage of a weaker party. He has vehemently opposed outside criticism of academe -- little wonder given his own behavior.

While AlSayyad has spoken out against attempts to utilize government funding to reform Middle East studies, he doesnt share Piterbergs blatantly politicized biased approach to scholarship. His influence behind the scenes, however, has been problematic, particularly his role in procuring a $5 million donation from the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Foundation for UC Berkeleys Sultan Program in Arab Studies.

Graduate students are extremely vulnerable to the demands of their professors, including their politics, methodology, and opinions of other scholars. Yet these two full professors at prestigious institutions violated the fundamental tenets of their scholarly vocation and behaved not just deplorably, but illegally toward students entrusted to their care.

The field of Middle East studies, rightly condemned for its politicized scholarship, displays its moral rot. Sanctimonious pronouncements from such quarters should be disregarded accordingly.

Cinnamon Stillwell is the West Coast representative for Campus Watch, a project of the Middle East Forum. She can be reached at stillwell@meforum.org.
In their book Presidential Greatness political scientists Marc Landy and Sidney Milkis argue that the success of a president rests on his ability to engage the nation in its struggle for its constitutional soul. Moreover, they posit that a great president is he who is able to stage a conservative revolution that brings about change and establishes a lasting legacy. A conservative revolution in this context is to be understood as significant progress within the bounds of the Constitution and not as a political ideology in itself.

Formulated and published at the very turn of the 21st century, these standards of greatness are perhaps more valid today as they have ever been in the history of the United States. And as America stands in the threshold of the Trump Era, we hope that the incoming president meets, at least halfway, the measure of the stature of the aforementioned standards.

Whereas Donald Trump was able to effectively engage the nation on the campaign trail under the centerpiece banner Make America Great Again, his ability to do so as sitting President of the United States will require much more than a well-fashioned political slogan. Yet if Trump is able to bring to bear the renaissance-like essence of his central message his could be a presidency of self-evident relative greatness.

Now, what does it mean to Make America Great Again? It begins by leaving behind the leading from behind brand of leadership that President Obama wore and still wears as the badge of honor of his presidency. Needless to say, thanks to Trumps victory, that badge is wearing and irreversibly tearing, once and for all this coming January.

Interestingly enough, Obama himself contributed to Trumps ability to erode his leading from behind badge. He did this by governing in great measure through executive orders, orders that can and, in Obamas case, most likely will end up being annulled by the power of the pen.

But that, after all, is the nontransformational nature of most of the changes Obama brought about. To his chagrin, the political winds have blown in a rightward direction and the wide brush dripping in red that is held by the president-elect will efface the blue coats he passionately stroked onto the international and domestic canvasses; strokes illustrating extremely liberal stanzas that ironically enough will come to a full stop as an unconventional conservative song starts to be sung.

Albeit well intentioned and eloquently articulated, Obamas stanzas have lacked a cohesive leitmotif capable of intertwining its many intricate parts into a functional whole. In other words, Obama has behaved like the fox that the Ancient Greek poet Archilochus compared to the hedgehog in the following fragment:

The fox knows many things, the hedgehog knows one big thing There exists a great chasm between those, on the one hand, who relate everything to a single central vision a single universal organizing principle... and, on the other side, those who pursue many ends, often unconnected and even contradictory.

Obamas pursuing many ends style of governing has not necessarily panned out. Trumps single universal organizing principle of Making American Great Again could very well turn him into the big-picture, goal-oriented, engaging-beyond-lecturing hedgehog president that this country needs after eight years of foxlike thinking in the White House.

This possibility has yet to meet the resistance of Washington and, worse still, Trumps own inflated ego. The former will be fierce, but not insurmountable. The latter is the one Trump must fear and work on the most taming it with wisdom and self-awareness, seeking counsel on a daily basis. Failure to do so will sooner or later cause his own persona to backfire on him. Hence, he should learn to be meek and even, at least every now and then, turn the other cheek.

In Ridley Scotts film Gladiator, the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, played by the late actor Richard Harris, asked himself how he would be remembered. How will the world speak my name in years to come? Will I be known as the philosopher? The warrior? The tyrant...? Or will I be the emperor who gave Rome back her true self? He said this because Rome had become too bureaucratic, proud and aloof from the matters affecting its citizenry. Such is, in a sense and to a certain degree, the predicament affecting the USA nowadays.

Marcus Aurelius wanted to make Rome great again by restoring the republican system or what is otherwise known as a government of the people, for the people and by the people. But he feared this would not come to pass when his efforts met the force of the political status quo. Reflecting on this matter, he said, There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish... it was so fragile. And I fear that it will not survive the winter.

The idea of Making America Great Again is like that whisper even when the whisperer has been elected President of the United States. Making the whisper a reality without it vanishing will require keeping the whisperer grounded, focused, and accountable lest he become conquered by the office he has conquered or get blinded by the power that now binds him. To steer clear from the manacles of the latter, Donald Trump must govern by understanding that he is to be a great president for the people as opposed to a president who thinks himself great and in actuality, falls short of the standards for presidential greatness, especially in matters of personal character.

Jonathan DOleo is an author and speaker trained in economics and political science in the US and the UK.
The West, specifically the United States, must close the book on over three decades of appeasement with Iran, said Iranian opposition leader Maryam Rajavi at a conference in Paris on Saturday, November 26. If the international community is serious about bringing an end to Daesh (ISIS/ISIL), it must first end Irans role in Syria. The nations of Iran and Syria are brothers, standing shoulder to shoulder, deploring the devastating war raging for nearly six years now in the Levant.

The conference, titled Call for Justice: Ending Impunity for Perpetrators of Crimes Against Humanity in Iran and Syria, hosted an impressive slate of distinguished political personalities and jurists from across Europe, others representing Middle East countries, alongside a delegate of Syrian opposition officials.

The Iranian people and nations of the region have suffered from a disastrous U.S. policy, and the entire Middle East in the past 16 years has witnessed the mullahs in Iran profiting the most, Rajavi explained.

The entire region, especially the Iranian people and their organized opposition movement, led by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), expect the new White House to significantly revise this utterly botched policy. One such result is the nearly half a million and counting innocent Syrians killed, with more than half the country displaced from their homes.

With the Iranian regime encouraged by the Wests weak approach, nearly 3,000 people have been executed during the tenure of moderate Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon have suffered havoc as a result of Irans meddling. The people of Iran truly detest the filthy war fueled by Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei as he sends more troops and militia forces to absurdly defend the Holy Shrines in Syria and Iraq. Under the banner of fighting Daesh, Iran has been specifically targeting the Sunnis of Iraq and Syria in lethal sectarian massacres.

The solution to the Syria crisis, and that of the entire region, lies in the West, and especially Washington, adopting a responsible policy of standing firm against Tehrans meddling. This will render a realistic platform to also take on Daesh, without the Iranian regime having any role in such a campaign, as sometimes weighed during the tenure of President Barack Obama.

The conference also called for a firm stance regarding Iranian nuclear policy, and for the new administration in Washington to not allow Tehran take any advantage. It is high time to bring an end to the unjustified concessions provided to Tehran in light of the atrocious human rights violations inside the country and further meddling across the region.

Internal disputes are currently flaring among the regimes own factions. A few months ago, Iran and the world were shocked when a sound bite related to the late Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, successor to Iranian regime mullah Ruhollah Khomeini, was made public. This revelation shed light on how the Iranian regime ordered and carried out the summer 1988 massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners, mostly related to Irans main opposition, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

In response, Tehrans so-called judiciary has sentenced Ahmad Montazeri, the son of Ayatollah Montazeri, to 21 years behind bars. This signals a major turning point in Irans domestic politics, ultimately resulting in a serious decrease in Khaemeneis powers as the regimes senior leader.

A colorful array of prominent dignitaries put their weight behind this conference, including the likes of former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt; former International Criminal Court judge Fatoumata Diarra; Irish senator David Norris; former Warsaw mayor Marcin Swiecicki; and Sir Geoffery Robertson, president of the U.N. Court for Sierra Leone, joined by a significant delegation from Arab countries and especially Syria.

A warmly welcome segment of the event featured former political prisoners and young MEK supporters who managed to flee Iran in the past few months. They provided shocking tales about their experiences and observations in Iran under the mullahs regime. They also shed light on the support the MEK enjoys inside the country.

The international community should respect the thirst for freedom seen in all the nations of the Middle East. The new White House can begin by setting aside the failed appeasement policy and stand alongside those striving for democracy in this region.
Even if youre the type who rejoices at the prospect of women in combat, there are some anomalies that make my nose twitch. WFAA 8 Dallas reports that Sergeant Kayci Landes has graduated as the Armys first female cavalry scout, which is Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code 19D.

As a newly graduated Cavalry scout, not only was she breaking ground on a new responsibility in the Armed Forces but she was also breaking down barriers, and stepping into territory no woman has been before. Sergeant Landes was the first woman in the nations history to graduate as a 19D Cavalry Scout, an accomplishment she said has dreamed of since she was a little girl. (snip) Her instructor, Sergeant Stephen Conwill said her drive is what led her to where she is today. She was very motivated throughout the course and eager to learn all the tasks that we put in front of her, Conwill said.

The thing is, the MOS-producing school for scouts is at Fort Benning, Georgia, not Fort Hood. For example, the Army Times reported on December 1 that 13 women successfully passed the Armor Officers Basic Course, which officially gave them the MOS of an Armor Officer. For or against women in combat, this is how it should be done.

According to the Killeen Daily Herald, back in May, Landes was at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as an Apache attack helicopter mechanic. While there, she was allowed to re-enlist with the option of going into the 19D field. Further, Landes expects to be assigned to Fort Hood after her advanced individual training, according to an interview she conducted with Army Times.

Soldiers are re-classified routinely, depending on the needs of the service and the soldiers preferences, but reclassifying from an attack helicopter mechanic to a scout as an option would require some extensive retraining. (I cant believe that the attack helicopter squadron would be willing to lose an experienced mechanic, but thats just me.) If Sgt. Landes graduated from Fort Benning, then with as much emphasis that DoD is putting on women in combat, we should have heard about this before.

Historically, cavalry units have had troopers go through additional training and competition in order to earn their spurs with the unit, but in my experience, all of them already held the 19D MOS after having completed the training at the Armor School. Apparently, Landes completed her advanced individual training for 19D at Fort Hood using a unit training program. Did the Armor School at Fort Benning certify the unit at Fort Hood to grant a 19D MOS? I also wonder why there was no publicity when she entered the training.

The women in combat issue likely tops the to-do list of incoming SecDef Mattis. Even if the timing of all this is suspicious, once soldiers have been given training and passed requirements (if valid), its hard to put their motivations and aspirations at risk. But as the old saying goes, for the good of the service should dictate DoD policy decisions. An option would be to grandfather those already in the combat arms and audit the women in the pipeline until the leadership revisits the issue. And be prepared for the usual caterwauling from the Beltway womyn.

John Smith is the pen name of a retired U.S. intelligence officer.
Donald Trump has been calling world leaders person to person since his election last month. This has upset the striped pants faction at the State Department, who are said to be "aghast" that the president-elect has dared try his hand at diplmacy without their guidance and advice.

But the level of media hysteria over Trump accepting a call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is astonishing when you consider China's rather mild response to the diplomatic demarche. China considers Taiwan a "wayward province," as does most of the rest of the world. It is a matter of national pride to the Chinese government that there be no actions taken by another country that would undermine that basic formulation.

So Trump's call upset the Chinese government. Given that they've pretty much been able to run the table on President Obama the last eight years, the call by Trump was like a splash of cold water.

But the media reaction to the casual call of congratulations by President Tsai makes you wonder why they are carrying the Chinese government's water on this issue when the Chinese themselves did little more than lodge a diplomatic protest over the call. A former Bush spokesman said the Chinese "would go nuts" over the call. For the record, they didn't. TPM characterized the call as "dangerous." Vox accused Trump of "throwing decades of US-China policy in disarray."

None of this is true.

Reuters:

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China". China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant U.S. side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties. "The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship," it said. The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation. Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience. "This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying. "I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government." In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country. Wang said that exchange had sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations", according to the ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript. China's Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a "petty" move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added. Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said. Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact." Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Absolutely nothing will change because of this call. China will still insist on its "one China policy." Taiwan will continue as an independent state, although walking softly around the issue. The U.S. will continue to agree with the one China policy but will also continue giving the island nation the ability to defend itself from invasion.

President Tsai is from a pro-independence party, which may make it easier to negotiate with the mainland. The fact is, over the last decade, China has become a lot more like Taiwan, giving rise to hopes that the frigid relationship between them might be ready for a thaw.

The media should go back to sleep. Trump hasn't blown up the world, and the rather innocuous calls to world leaders don't threaten major upheavals in diplomacy.
The Senate passed a 10 year extension of Iran sanctions and President Obama was given little choice but to sign the legislation.

The vote was 99-0.

Still, Obama objected to the sanctions bill and said it wouldn't interfere with the nuclear deal.

Washington Times:

We believe the Iran Sanctions Act extension is not necessary, but we also believe it wont interfere with the Iran [nuclear] deal, said deputy White House press secretary Eric Schultz. I would expect the president to sign this piece of legislation. Administration officials lobbied lawmakers to drop the measure, saying the president already has sweeping authority to reimpose sanctions that were lifted under a nuclear agreement with Iran. The White House is worried that the move could undermine moderates in Iran. But lawmakers in both parties said the legislation was needed to warn Tehran about consequences if it violates the terms of the nuclear deal. Congress action today should send a signal to the Iranian government and to the world that the United States is serious about enforcement of the nuclear agreement, Sen. Ben Cardin, Maryland Democrat, said in a statement after the Senates 99-0 vote on Thursday.

This was an easy vote for Senators who will use it in the future to show how tough they are on Iran. They might have shown some backbone when the original vote was taken on the nuclear deal.

These are not international sanctions. They are aimed mostly at individuals and companies in Iran owned by members of the Revolutionary Guards. Travel restrictions and financial strictures won't prevent Iran from building a bomb.

As expected, Iran condemned the sanctions and called America "unreliable." But they realize these milquetoast santions will be less than an inconvenience and won't affect any plans they have to build a nuclear weapon.
It took thousands of protesters at Hampshire College in Massachusetts to overturn a decision by the president to take down the American flag following the election of Donald Trump. But yesterday, the lying president relented and agreed to fly the flag again, but only after making the preposterous statement that politics played no part in his decision.

Fox News:

The college in Amherst had lowered the U.S. flag to half-staff after Election Day. The flag was found burned on Veterans Day, and the school chose to stop flying it  and any other flags  a week later. "We understand that many who hold the flag as a powerful symbol of national ideals and their highest aspirations for the country -- including members of our own community -- felt hurt by our decisions, and that we deeply regret," the college's president, Jonathan Lash, stated Friday. He added, "We did not lower the flag to make a political statement. ... We acted solely to facilitate much-needed dialogue on our campus about how to dismantle the bigotry that is prevalent in our society." The school's choice to stop flying the flag triggered widespread condemnation and a protest by veterans groups and their supporters outside campus. Last weekend, dozens of vets and other activists held American flags and chanted, "U.S.A.," in a rally that organizers called a "peaceful demonstration of freedom." Mayor Domenic Sarno of nearby Springfield and others at the rally said the school's decision disrespected veterans and current military members. In video that aired Wednesday on "The O'Reilly Factor," Fox News' Jesse Watters confronted Lash, who refused to comment on the controversy at that time. "Hampshire staff and faculty have led facilitated discussions, I have held multiple focus group sessions, and all of our students, faculty, and staff have been invited to contribute their opinions, questions, and perspectives about the U.S. flag. This is what free speech looks like," Lash said Friday.

No, this is what cowardice looks like. The president hid behind his "facilitated discussions" to make a decision any three-year-old could have made: fly the damn flag.

Think about it. Any time the last few years that leftist school administrators have made an idiotic decision like suspending a student for eating a Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun or wearing an American flag T-shirt, they invariably back off and then claim that their actions were "misunderstood." From grade school to college, it's always the same: people are attacking them because they don't understand the nuance of their positions.

It's a load of crap, and they should always be called out for it.

It's getting to be real annoying when these hard-left mountebanks refuse to take responsibility for their insane actions.
The media and Democrats are up in arms today because Trump had the gall to actually talk to the President of Taiwan in defiance of the Communist Mainland regimes wishes. Something bad is supposed to happen becausewell its Trump.

They always warn of disaster then their preferred policies and politicians are rejected by voters. Remember when the media and establishment also warned of a disaster if Great Britain exited from their masters the European Union? So far the UK looks OK.

We were warned that if we elected a President that dared talk about smaller government and giving power back to the people that the stock market would collapse. We needed a President who would continue to take a greater share of power and money for the government. The pundits have been wrong so far.

I still remember when we were told President Reagan would start World War III when he walked away from Gorbachev in Iceland. Instead the Soviet Union collapsed and the Berlin Wall came down and the Cold War ended.

Of course the media and the Democrats consider it absolutely brilliant that President Obama lifted up the collapsing Iran with over a hundred billion dollars and pallets full of cash to spread terrorism around the World, and loves it when Obama props up the oppressive, Communist regime in Cuba that holds people down and punishes those that disagree. President Obama did nothing to push freedom for the Iranian people and he did nothing to actually take away the power of the regime in Cuba.

President Obama will call tea party members terrorists but has more trouble referring to actual terrorists as terrorists.

There is a common theme to all of this. To Democrats and the media, freedom of the people and of countries is secondary to government power.
Jill Stein's quixotic quest to overturn the results of the Wisconsin presidential election got off to an embarrassing start on Friday, with the recount gaining Hillary Clinton exactly one vote.

The recount, which will cost Wisconsin taxpayers more than $3 million, will continue despite efforts by the Trump campaign to squash it.

Daily Caller:

Trump defeated Clinton in Wisconsins initial tally by about one percent, or just over 22,000 votes. Nevertheless, Green Party candidate Jill Stein (who finished a very distant fourth) is demanding a full recount after suggesting fraud or technological glitches may have swayed the results. In response to Steins demand, Wisconsin began recounting all its ballots Thursday. But the first results to emerge suggest the final tally will be rather close to the original one. Only Menominee County, home to the Menominee Indian Reservation, fully reported its recounted results on the first day. It found 17 extra votes for Stein and 12 for Libertarian Gary Johnson, while removing two votes from Trump and one from Clinton. When putting all the results together, that means the first day of the recount narrowed the gap between Clinton and Trump by just a single vote. At her current pace, Clinton will overtake Trump in Wisconsin in approximately 74 and a half years. Unfortunately, the recount is expected to last just two weeks.

As Rich Baehr pointed out in his widely read article earlier this week, this is not an effort to overturn the results of the election, but rather the beginning of political campaign to delegitimize the presidency of Donald Trump. Stein will go from state to state, looking for recounts to place doubts in the mind of the casual voter about the legitimacy of Trump's election. Of course, there is a towering hypocrisy on the left, who skewered Trump for suggesting he wouldn't accept the results of the election if he lost.

After spending months mocking Trump for his concerns about the fairness of the election, all of a sudden, they claim there is something to all this voter fraud talk. Ordinarily, someone who takes a 180-degree turn on an issue should feel a little shame. But for that to happen, the left would have to be capable of introspection and self-evaluation  something their massive arrogance won't allow.
The Mark Twain classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is no longer permitted reading for students in Accomack County, Virginia. Hucks been told to take a hike along with another American classic  To Kill a Mockingbird. This is hardly an isolated incident, as Huck Finn has a long history of being banned from both public and private schools as well as public libraries. CBS News reports that one Virginia mother issued the following complaint:

Theres so much racial slurs and defensive wording in there that you cant get past that, the mother said during last months school board meeting. Right now, we are a nation divided as it is.

While the books havent yet officially been banned, Huck and Mockingbird are currently serving a suspended sentence:

WTVR reported that now a review committee consisting of the principal, the library media specialist, the classroom teacher (if involved), a parent and/or student, and the complaint will convene.

Without a doubt, the n-word is used quite a bit in both books. Nonetheless, the hypocrisy of this current literary storm is reminiscent of the New Testament verse that speaks of examining the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye while paying no attention to the plank in your own. This scripture comes to mind because the racial slur at issue here is used so loudly and so often by  you guessed it  people of color.

As Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists members, the rank and file are required to watch certain movies in order to vote in the Annual SAG Awards. Its sort of the Academy Awards by professionals for professionals. Last year, the movie Straight Outta Compton was nominated. As my husband and I screened the compulsory show, we could hardly believe how often black people referred to themselves and each other using the very racial slur that Mark Twain is no longer permitted. Movies are only one genre of American culture where this is predominant. Ever listen to rap music? Youll find out quickly that every other word sung by these black artists begins with the letter n.

So what gives? Anyone whos read either of these books understands that anti-racial themes are front and center. Are we to believe that context no longer matters?

While our founding fathers so eloquently have spoken of the tyranny of the majority, the tyranny of the minority in America has become almost insufferable. Do not mistake what was just written  it is not the tyranny of a minority, but rather tyranny of the minority. Were talking about one single, solitary mother who has issued a complaint, and suddenly hundreds, perhaps thousands, of students in Accomack County, Virginia are forbidden to read two American classics.

As a nation, weve become awfully testy about race lately. But this mother is correct about one thing: right now we are a nation divided. Somehow it just doesnt seem right to blame it on Huckleberry Finn.
Jill Stein, the Green Partys nominee for president, has succeeded in getting Wisconsin to recount the votes in the recently concluded election. Shes also seeking a recount in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Her motives and chances for changing election results are for others to comment on. But theres a far more concerning factor here: the fact that 16 years after the Florida 2000 recount, America is still conducting election recounts. They shouldnt be necessary.

But Democrats love recounts, because they can result in overturning elections that produced GOP winners. Democrats just keep doing recount after recount until they win, and then they shut down the recount process.

But why should the last count be more correct than the preceding ones? In the gubernatorial election of 2004 in Washington state, Republican Dino Rossi won on Election Day with 261 votes. He then won the first recount by 42 votes. But after new ballots were discovered and a hand recount was held and the courts refused to consider claims of fraud, the Democrat won. The same thing happened in the 2008 Minnesota election for U.S. senator. On Election Day, GOP incumbent Norm Coleman had won by 725 votes. But after corrections and the discovery of new ballots, Colemans lead shrank to 215 after the first week, and on it went until the Democrat prevailed. If a recount goes on for long enough, bet on the Democrat. (This just in: Trumps lead just shrank to 46,000 votes in Pennsylvania; previous estimates had the President-elect ahead by 80,000 votes.)

A recount makes sense if one is trying to put a number on a moving mass, such as the number of people in a huge crowd or the number of beeves in a herd. Such counts and recounts are approximations, as people and beeves wont stand still to be counted. Such imprecision, however, shouldnt be tolerated in an election.

The term recount is a misnomer. The first thing that happens in an election recount is an investigation. In the Florida 2000 mess, they investigated the punch-card ballots for hanging, pregnant, and dimpled chads, and then they interpreted the holes to divine the voters intent. Pathetic! The claim for the current recount effort is that the voting machines have been hacked, even though theyre not online  i.e., connected to the internet. Itll be interesting to see if Wisconsin discovers any new ballots during its recount.

If a state really wanted to demonstrate that its count on Election Day was absolutely correct, the first thing it would need to prove is that everyone who voted was eligible to vote. So take a look at the Wisconsin Voter Registration Application form and notice that they do not require a registrants full Social Security Number  only the last four digits. (That is not unique to Wisconsin, by the way.) But Wisconsin doesnt even require those four digits if one has a drivers license. So how easy is it to get a drivers license in Wisconsin?

In States Continue to Expand Access to Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Residents at Immigration Impact, we read that a bill was introduced in the Wisconsin state assembly this year that would allow the over 85,000 undocumented immigrants currently residing in Wisconsin to apply for licenses. But in Fact Check: Wisconsin Already Gives Drivers Licenses to Non-Citizens at MediaTrackers, we read: Wisconsin already provides drivers licenses to residents who lack a social security number. (Perhaps Ms. Stein thinks those 85,000 undocumented immigrants all voted for Trump.)

Despite Americas technological sophistication, recent news reports reveal how backward our elections systems are. The FBI tells us that the voter registration systems in 20 states have been hacked. Without correct voter registries, a state cannot have a fair election. But even if there were no hacking, voter registries can still get corrupted. Indeed, most of the reforms advocated by those concerned about voter participation, including the motor voter law, same-day registration, provisional ballots, and such, create chaos in registration.

The corruption in voter registration could be averted if all voter registries were created from one source and at one time. This is what Ive advocated for years now. Essentially, a computer program would read through the Social Security database, draw off the information for all eligible voters, and send that data to the states. The program would be run just before each election. One problem with such a system is the possibility that the Social Security database could also get hacked, in which case wed have even more problems than subverted elections. (Gee, I hope I havent given any ideas to the Russians or the Chi-coms.)

A system where voter registries are created from the Social Security database would have the virtue of registering all citizens. And it would do so without requiring the citizens to do anything other than keep the feds informed of address changes, which theyre supposed to do anyway. Such a system should appeal to those concerned about voter participation.

An election recount is, at the very least, an indication of failure on the part of a state. States that mandate automatic recounts in the event of extremely close elections are admitting to the insufficiency of their election systems. Regardless of what the recount in Wisconsin turns up, if they cant demonstrate that everyone who voted is an eligible U.S. citizen, the election results cant be trusted.

The States have had 16 years since the Florida recount to fix their registration systems, and theyve done nothing that is truly sufficient. And thats whats so scandalous about this latest attempt to undo an election.

Jon N. Hall is a programmer/analyst from Kansas City.
President-Elect Donald Trump is right: Abdul Razak Ali Artan, the Somali refugee who went on a Palestinian-inspired jihad-rampage with a car and a knife, wounding 11 people at Ohio State University last Monday, "should not have been in our country."

Artan is but one of an unknown number of Muslim refugees who have been allowed into the country through a deliberately flawed screening system that was established by the Obama administration.

Earlier this year, Amman's refugee resettlement center coordinator at the American Embassy in Jordan, Gina Kassem, admitted that at least 600 refugees had been interviewed each day, hastily, since the center opened in 2015. Moreover, to achieve the goal set by Obama to increase the flow of refugees to the U.S., the center has not been excluding anyone or "look[ing] for families with certain education background, language skills or other socio-economic factors [or] cut family sizes." It is safe to assume that similar actions have been taken by U.S. refugee resettlement coordinators elsewhere.

Even if the interviews took longer, how could any U.S. agency involved with the screening of refugees requesting to resettle here check the background of Artan and his family, who reportedly claimed to be a Somalis, who had spent seven years in Pakistan? Why were the teenage Artan, his mother, and his siblings allowed into the U.S.? Islamic terrorist activities make both Somalia and Pakistan high-risk countries, and all applicants for immigration to the U.S. should have gone through most rigorous screening.

While White House press secretary Josh Earnest kept reassuring reporters: "This vetting of refugee applicants involves collecting biometric info, doing in-person interviews, doing background checks, running their info through a variety of national security and international databases," it became clear that it is enough to be "a Muslim refugee" to fit into Obama's plan to resettle the U.S. with Muslims.

Official statistics on the number of Muslim refugees brought to the U.S. during the past five years do not include those from of high-risk countries who came through secret bilateral deals, similar to the recently exposed "one-off" agreement to accept refugees Australia refuses to accept.

In a surprising move, earlier this week, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service has ordered that "[e]ffective immediately offices are instructed not to approve or oath any naturalization cases in [the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS)]. At this point, we are not confident that proper FBI Name Checks have been run on certain ELIS cases  [and we are] uncertain of the scope of the problem." Was Artan, the Ohio Somali jihadist, one of those cases? How many more Artans are among the refugees?

An effective way to find out would be screening through an efficient, unbiased, and unintrusive system  namely, the Suspect Detection Systems (SDS).

According to the company's website, the SDS is an automated interviewing and interrogation system that allows the screening of a large number of people in a short time. It "does not require operator training. One operator can handle simultaneously ten stations. It has a central management and database system that allows storing all tests results, analysis, and data mining, and is deployed and integrated with governmental agencies."

Using this system would eliminate the need to use often biased U.S. Consulate employees. Moreover, the SDS uses an automated decision-making system, which is "adaptable to a variety of different questioning contexts, different cultures, and languages. "The examination lasts 5 minutes when there are no indications of harmful intent, and 7 minutes to ascertain it (with only 4% false positive, and 10% false negative)."

The SDS capability to detect intent seems to fit President-Elect Trump's promise of "extreme vetting" of Muslim refugees from high-risk regions. This and other similarly objective systems would assist only in making America safer, but also in keeping its tradition of accepting refugees who do not wish us harm.
BLU, a mobile phone vendor out of Miami, Florida, specializes in refitting Chinese phones with new hardware and software to make them appealing to the US market, then selling them at budget prices. Over the years, this has led the company to strip many a default app out of the Chinese phones that they rebrand and sell, resulting in their devices becoming known for a cleaner, more stock-like Android. Having nearly finished the process of migrating away from Chinese default apps, the last one that they were still using was an over the air software updating app from a firm out of Shanghai, known as Adups. As it turns out, this software was uploading user information, such as SMS messages, to a server in China, and as soon as BLU was alerted of this behavior by security research firm Kryptowire, they plucked the offending app from their source branches, replaced it with a Google-approved alternative, and began working on patches for existing BLU phones in the wild to do the same.

According to BLU CEO Sammy Ohev-Zion, BLU had no knowledge of this going on, and had even told Adups that they did not want their software on BLU devices going forward. That request was violated, which means that users of current BLU devices may have the app, and will have to wait for an update to remove it. Future BLU devices sold, including new units of the popular BLU R1 HD, will reportedly not have this issue, and patches are in the works for all affected devices currently still within their support lifetime.

BLU has learned a valuable lesson from this debacle; the company has vowed never again to use software that they cant personally examine the source code for, and to that end, have gone full Google, ripping out all the proprietary and third-party software they can and replacing it with Google alternatives. BLUs working relationship with Google has reportedly grown quite deep over the years, and all BLU phones put out on the market have to pass muster against Googles standards. Additionally, Kryptowire will be monitoring all future BLU devices and notifying them of any suspicious activity on the part of software providers.
- ROME - Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told ANSA on Saturday that he "expects to collaborate" with the incoming administration of US President-elect Trump, as with all previous US presidents.



"We're waiting to see what choices the new US administration will make in international policy," Gentiloni said.



"I hope that some essential acquisitions in recent years will remain: I'm thinking of the Iran nuclear deal and the accord on climate change," he said.



"I'm convinced that there will be a very worthwhile collaboration between Italy and the United States".



Gentiloni spoke to ANSA in an interview at the close of the third and final day of the Med Dialogues conference in Rome.
Gentiloni hopes Trump won't cancel Iran, climate change deal Tells ANSA: 'There will be a worthwhile Italy-US collaboration'

(ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 3 - Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni told ANSA on Saturday that he "expects to collaborate" with the incoming administration of US President-elect Trump, as with all previous US presidents.



"We're waiting to see what choices the new US administration will make in international policy," Gentiloni said.



"I hope that some essential acquisitions in recent years will remain: I'm thinking of the Iran nuclear deal and the accord on climate change," he said.



"I'm convinced that there will be a very worthwhile collaboration between Italy and the United States".



Gentiloni spoke to ANSA in an interview at the close of the third and final day of the Med Dialogues conference in Rome.(ANSAmed)
Med: Napolitano says Italy 'decisive' for EU focus on south President emeritus commends success of Med Dialogues conference

(ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 3 - Italian President Emeritus Giorgio Napoletano on Saturday commended the success of the 2016 Med Dialogues conference on its third and final day, and emphasized Italy's role in bringing attention to southern Europe.



"This second edition of the Med Dialogues has been an extraordinary success, thanks to Italy's commitment to highlight the strategic centrality of the Mediterranean," said Napoletano, who is honorary president of the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).



"Italy's effort was frankly decisive in moving the European Union's glance to the south, when it had moved to the Eastern Partnership," he said.(ANSAmed).




Judge Tom Wyatt from the office of Workers Compensation and Claims was the featured speaker at the Chattanooga Hamilton Place Rotary Club meeting this week. The topic was recent legislation regarding workers compensation and the effects on businesses.





The Rotary Club also completed a special community service project. A family was in need of an addition built onto their house to accommodate bedrooms for at least six additional children they plan to adopt in order to keep the family together.




LAUNCH is holding their 6th annual Youth Entrepreneurship Competition on Sunday at 4 p.m. in UTC's Benwood Auditorium.

Students from Howard High School, Brainerd High School, Tyner Academy, East Ridge High School, and Red Bank High School have been working on their business plans this fall semester, and will be pitching their businesses to a panel of esteemed judges for three different prize packages.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Competition serves as the finale of LAUNCHs High School Entrepreneurship Program that trains students in the necessary steps to start a small business. Eighty-five percent of students who have participated in the High School Entrepreneurship Program expressed a desire to major in business or start a business once the program was completed.

Admission is free and open to the public.






YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan is convinced it is difficult to assess the results of the governments activity in 5-6 months, if no significant failures happen. At the same time, the President is certain PM Karen Karapetyans working style, approaches and adopted administration culture are promising, the President said within the frameworks of the Question to the President initiative of 168 hours.

In response to a question whether Karen Karapetyan will continue his tenure if the ruling party receives majority in the parliament, the President said: First of all I announced during the RPA Congress that our priority is to organize spotless elections in spring of 2017. Yes, I also announced that in case receiving vote of confidence during the upcoming elections our government will once again be headed by Karen Karapetyan: by continuing to realize the already outlined program.

Serzh Sargsyan mentioned the short period of Karen Karapetyans tenure showed that he indeed is a man of action. Today the Prime Minister has given new breath and freshness to the governments work, showing that the only way to solve problems is the modern flexible and effective administration. He has already formed positive expectations among the society through his activity, and I am convinced he will succeed the governments ideas, the President said.
DILIJAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Military police have uncovered large sum extortion attempt from parents with the promise of exempting their sons from draft.

Spokesman of the defense minister, Artsrun Hovhannisyan, briefed reporters in Dilijan on the statement issued by the military police.

The statement said a citizen has reported that he had given 7000 dollars to an individual, followed by another 250.000 AMD, in order to have his son exempt from military service. The process was realized by mediation and guarantees of another person.

However, the son of the individual was drafter on July 7. The individual who promised to exempt the young man failed to do so, and didnt return the money.

Military police urge draftees and parents to refrain from swindlers, who extort large amounts of money from parents with the pretext of granting exemption from military service to their sons.

The Military Police assure they will find all perpetrators of similar frauds.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Islamic State is likely to launch more attacks in Europe, the EU police agency Europol warned on Friday, with several dozen militants already in place and more possibly arriving as IS faces setbacks in Syria and Iraq, Reuters reports.

In a report, Europol said the most probable forms of attack would be those used in recent years, from the mass shootings and suicide bombings seen in Paris and Brussels to stabbings and other assaults by radicals acting alone.

Car bombs and kidnappings, common in Syria, could emerge as tactics in Europe, it said, while protected sites such as power grids and nuclear power stations were not seen as top targets.

Europol also said Syrian refugees in various European countries can become recruitment targets of the Islamic State.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. A Diyarbakir court indicted Sebahat Tuncel, co-chair of Turkeys Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DBP), for 135 year imprisonment  a sentence sought by the republican prosecution of Diyarbakir.

Tuncel, who was detained on November 6, is charged with being a member of a criminal organization and propaganda for criminal organization, based on her announcements during 16 previous events throughout 2012-2016.

Sebahat Tuncel has numerously made statements in favor of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Back in 2014, being a lawmaker, Tuncel presented a bill to the Turkish Parliament which suggested President Erdogan to apologize to the Armenian people for the Armenian Genocide. The bill suggested announcing April 24 a mourning day, as well as make material and moral compensations.
Santa Clause visited the Pre-K students from Chambliss Center for Children Friday when TVA Nuclear hosted its annual Giving Tree decorating party.

Each year the children from Chambliss Center visit the TVA headquarters to decorate a Giving Tree, visit with Santa and enjoy a pizza party hosted by TVA Nuclear volunteers. Every decoration adorning the tree has an agency wish list item on the back. For the next few weeks, TVA employees will pull ornaments from the tree and purchase items to be delivered to Chambliss Center for Children during the holidays.

Our kids definitely look forward to going to TVA each year to decorate the Giving Tree, said Lesley Berryhill, director of Communications for Chambliss Center for Children. As you can imagine, the visit from Santa Clause is the highlight of the day for them.


Volunteers and staff members of two local animal shelters, McKamey Animal Center and the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga, are teaming up to help as many animals as possible find a home for the holidays. The staff and volunteers will be putting in a "Holiday All-Nighter" on Friday, Dec. 16 from noon-midnight. For twelve hours non-stop, the shelters will be adopting animals at discounted adoption fees at both locations; HES, 212 N. Highland Park Ave.; and McKamey Animal Center, 4500 N. Access Road.



"The holidays are a tough time for everyone and the animals are no exception," said Jamie McAloon, McKamey's executive director. "We see more animals brought to the shelter the week before Christmas than any other week of the year, other than the Fourth of July. We're lucky because we have homes to go to at the end of the day, but they don't. That's why we're staying until midnight, until every last pet goes home."

In 2015, there were 127 animals adopted between the two shelters.



If you can't adopt but still want to help you can. On Saturday, Dec. 17, both shelters will be fostering out the animals that don't get adopted as part of the Home for the Holidays Foster Event.

"In previous years, the foster parents descend on the two shelters to temporarily foster those animals not adopted. It's an extremely popular program: foster parents are asked to take a shelter pet into their home for a two week period over the holidays until Jan. 2, 2017. The staff estimates that 85 percent of the foster pets that go into a foster home are adopted while in foster care. It's a very successful program and residents of Hamilton County are invited to apply to be foster parents by going to the shelter's website listed below or emailing McKamey at kkwilson@mckameyanimalcenter.org or at Humane Educational Society it's Foster@heschatt.org," officials said.



This is the third annual "Holiday All-Nighter" at the two shelters. To help kick off the festivities, all adoption fees are reduced. Cats are $12 and dogs are $24, which includes the pet's spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchip. In addition there will be hot chocolate, refreshments, door prizes, and Holiday photos.

"You know you have a dedicated team of volunteers and supporters when they are willing to give up their holidays to spend it with the animals all night long," said HES Director Bob Citrullo.

For more information on donating or adopting go, to the shelters' websites at www.heschatt.org or www.mckameyanimalcenter.org.
Mahira Khan, who plays SRKs love interest in the film, will now be seen in only one song and some scenes.

Mumbai: If not entirely, but Mahiras role in her debut film Raees has been trimmed down to a reasonably great extent. According to a leading tabloid, a romantic scene and a song has been chopped out from the film.

After the Uri attacks, that saw 18 Indian soldiers losing their lives to brutal act of terrorism, the right-wing activists had imposed a ban on Pakistani artists working in Indian films. As a result of this ban, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil actor Fawad Khan, who, along with other Pakistani actors, had to leave India in haste.

Fawads involvement created a huge furore prompting the makers to keep him away from promotions. And it is probably the heightened tension between the two neighbouring nations that has led the Raees team to trim down Mahiras part.

Earlier this year, both Mahira and SRK had shot in Bhuj, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Contrary to reports, Shah Rukjh is currently shooting his opening scene I mUmbai without his on-screen lady love. The Pakistani star will not come back for any shoots.

As per reports, Mahira had two songs in the movie but will only be seen in one. A romantic scene between SRK and Mahira has also been edited out of the film.

Mahira is an attractive and popular Pak actress and Raees is her big-ticket Bollywood launch. But while she does play Shah Rukh's love interest, it is not really a romantic film. Her role is like Parveen Babi's in Yash Chopra's 1975 crime-drama Deewaar. This one revolves around the conflict between Shah Rukh Khan who plays a bootlegger, Raees Alam, and ACP Ghulam Patel enacted by Nawaz (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who is on his trail. So, it wasn't difficult to trim her role which has been done with the intention of not hurting public sentiment, informed a source to a leading daily.
Mira and Shahid have been married for over a year now and are proud parents to Misha Kapoor.

Mumbai: Kapoors wife Mira not only made her debut in television with Koffee with Karan but also left the host amused with her outspoken and devil-may-care attitude.

The couple, who was blessed with a baby girl recently, did not see the age gap between them as hurdle in their successful marriage and spoke about it like it was no big deal.

As per reports, Johar did reportedly bring up their age difference and enquired if thats ever been a problem but the much-in-love duo joked about it, probably hinting towards the fact that age is just a number for them. Shahid's frank wife even called him a cradle snatcher.

The forthright Mrs. Kapoor also revealed that the Haider star may be a big league actor but to her family, that hardly matters. When KJo asked about her familys initial reaction to their then futre son-in-law being a mega star, Mir reportedly said, They are from a literary background and were never star-struck.

Now thats what we call a rock-solid relationship!
He had sought Saeeds blessings and conveyed that Hizbul and LeT should combine forces to wage jihad against India.

New Delhi: Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, whose killing had put the Valley on edge, had spoken to Lashkar-e-Taiba chief (LeT) Hafiz Saeed just days before his death.

21-year-old Burhan Wani was killed in a joint operation by security forces on 8 July 2016 along with two other fighters in Bumdoora village of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, Wani had called Hafiz Saeed and had extended support to his militant group. He had sought Saeeds blessings and conveyed that Hizbul and LeT should combine forces to wage jihad against India.

A news channel on Friday said that it had an audio tape of the two militants speaking on the phone. The channel could not verify the authenticity of the tape, where Wani is purportedly heard urging Saeed to help LeT terrorists and provide them more arms and money for their cause.

"You people are living in very difficult conditions. But you don't have to worry. Whatever you need just tell us, we are ready for every help. Will be ready for anything. You just have to tell us," Saeed tells Wani in the audio tape.

Wani claims that the "the enemy is almost defeated", while talking to the LeT chief.

"We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn't lose this opportunity. For this, we need ammunition and support from the back. We should work together (Hizbul and LeT) for this," Wani tells Saeed.
Pak HC said that they are not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and have been asked for letters of purpose for withdrawal of dollars.

New Delhi: Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over its diplomats in the High Commission here allegedly not being allowed to withdraw their salaries, which is paid in US dollars, by the bank.

Asserting that not allowing its officials to withdraw their salaries was in breach of Vienna Protocol, Pakistan has also threatened that in case the matter is not resolved soon, it may consider retaliatory action against salary disbursal for Indian diplomats there.

RBL Bank, an Indian private bank, holds the salary account of the Pakistan High Commission staff.

"We are not allowed to withdraw our own salary. It is not a demonetisation issue. It appears that it is done more at the instructions of the Indian government," a senior Pakistan High Commission said.

While there was no official reaction to Pakistan's protest from Indian side, officials in New Delhi maintained that the matter is between the bank and the depositor and government has no role to play.

Diplomats can draw their tax free salaries in dollars and only have to give reason for the withdrawal beyond USD 5,000.

According to Pakistan High Commission officials, they are not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and have been asked for 'letters of purpose' for withdrawal of any dollar amount.

Incidentally, demonetisation has led to a sharp spike in demand for dollars and other foreign currency, making it scarce.
The Lok Sabha has amended the Income Tax Act to provide for higher tax and penalty on undisclosed income.

New Delhi: Issuing a veiled warning, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said one cannot convert black money into white by merely depositing unaccounted cash in bank accounts as taxes are required to be paid on them.

"By just depositing it (unaccounted money), you don't avoid the responsibility of paying tax," he said when asked about surge in deposits in banks following withdrawal of high denomination currency notes.

He further said the income tax department is keeping an eye on such deposits. As per RBI, about Rs 8.45 lakh crore in scrapped Rs 500 and 1,000 notes were deposited with banks by November 27.

Following the government's decision to demonetise from November 8 mid-night, people have been depositing these notes in banks.

The Lok Sabha has amended the Income Tax Act to provide for higher tax and penalty on such undisclosed income. The Bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha.

As per the amendment, the government will levy a tax of 50 per cent on unaccounted demonetised cash if it is disclosed voluntarily till December 30. After that, a steep tax and penalty of up to 85 per cent will be levied on undisclosed wealth that is discovered by authorities.

Replying to a question of long queues for withdrawal of cash at banks, the finance minister said RBI has increased the supply of new Rs 500 notes and asserted that the situation will improve soon.

Jaitley also discussed the issues concerning demonetisation with the state finance ministers after the GST Council meeting.

Several state finance ministers, he said, demanded relaxation in the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) norms as well as an increase in Ways and Means Advances to deal with their public finances.
Security officials said that suspected NSCN-K rebels also kidnapped a senior executive of a construction company from Arunachal Pradesh.

Security officials said that rebels, including those from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), carried out the attack near Wakka, 20 km from the Indo-Myanmar border.

Guwahati: One Assam Rifles soldier was killed and nine others were critically wounded in an ambush by Naga rebels in Arunachal Pradeshs Longding district on Saturday.

Security officials said that rebels, including those from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), carried out the attack near Wakka, 20 km from the Indo-Myanmar border.

Defence spokesperson Lt. Colonel Sumeet Newton said that soldiers of 16 Assam Rifles were returning from Nginu to their headquarters in a convoy of two vehicles when the attack took place. He said that the injured Army soldiers were airlifted to a hospital for treatment. Search operation is going on in the area and efforts were made to evacuate the injured jawans, he said.

On November 19, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent attacked an Army regiment in Assams Tinsukia district, killing three and injuring four.

Meanwhile, security officials said that suspected NSCN-K rebels also kidnapped a senior executive of a construction company from Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.
Sartaj Aziz was received at the Amritsar airport by Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit.

New Delhi: In a move that indicates Pakistans push for talks to break the ice with India amid border tensions and terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir by Pakistan-backed militants, Pakistan PMs advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz advanced his travel plans and reached Amritsar shortly after 7 pm on Saturday by a special flight for the two-day Heart of Asia Summit on Afghanistan that began on Saturday there with official-level talks. Mr Aziz, who was initially supposed to reach Amritsar only on Sunday, attended a dinner where he exchanged pleasentaries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With speculation rife on whether the two countries will have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conclave, Mr Aziz is again expected to meet PM Modi on Sunday when his delegation calls on PM Modi as per protocol.

Mr Modi, meanwhile, took a heritage walk with Mr Ghani and visited the Golden Temple soon after arriving in Amritsar. Mr Modi and Mr Ghani walked through the renovated heritage corridor before reaching the Golden Temple.

Mr Ghani and Mr Modi also offered prayers at the temple. Mr Modi also served langar in the community kitchen of the shrine as Mr Ghani stayed with him.

In a goodwill gesture on Saturday evening, Mr Aziz sent a bouquet to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj extending his sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery from illness. Ms Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the Heart of Asia conference and finance minister Arun Jaitley is heading the Indian delegation at the ministerial deliberations. Sunday will be the main day of the summit. The agenda of this international summit will include tackling the terror threat and with India and Afghanistan leading diplomatic efforts to corner Pakistan on this. The Amritsar Declaration that will be adopted on Sunday is expected to have a strong focus on the issue of terrorism and safe havens that unfortunately still exist for terrorists. Both New Delhi and Kabul are furious over cross-border terror attacks on their respective soil by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

Mr Aziz, leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of the Heart of Asia, was received at the Amritsar airport by Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit. Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last years Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start a comprehensive bilateral dialogue that was to cover all outstanding issues. The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January.

Earlier this week, Mr Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready. India, however, already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the new normal in bilateral ties with Pakistan, while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of continued terror.

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the cross-border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota. India will step up its drive to corner Pakistan diplomatically and is set to mobilise support for concrete action against state-sponsored terror at the two-day conference.

Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment during the conference, a platform set up to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.

As Afghanistan faces the resurgence of Taliban, the Heart of Asia conference of major regional and global powers began in the holy city to explore ways to effectively deal with the threat of terrorism in the region.

Being attended by representatives of several countries and leading groupings like the European Union, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.

On Saturday, senior officials of various countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations were deliberating on a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and dealing with the threat of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistans connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were being discussed at the senior officials meeting which was co-chaired by Indias Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

The meeting is finalising the text for tomorrows Ministerial Conference and is also deliberating on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US.
December marks the one year anniversary of the opening of Jazzanoogas historic MLK Boulevard location, the Jazzanooga Arts Space.

"Jazzanooga continues to offer a diverse range of artistic expression that builds on our citys rich cultural heritage and they have planned an exciting weekend of music featuring local and regional performers to celebrate the occasion," officials said.



Dec. 8 (Doors open at 6 p.m., Pay As You Go Admission)

 Chattanooga Creative Center for the Arts music students under the direction of Neshawn Calloway



Dec. 9 (Doors open at 7:30 p.m., Pay As You Go Admission)

 NightCap Series: Featuring Jermaine Purifory



Dec. 10 (Doors open at 7:30 p.m., Pay As You Go Admission)

 NightCap Series: Featuring Robin Grant



Dec 11 (Doors open at 1:30, p.m., Brunch Ticket Price $15)

 Jam and Soul Brunch: Featuring Nancy Westmoreland



Students from Jazzanoogas Youth Music Academy will serve as the opening act of each anniversary show.



All the events (excluding the brunch meal price) will be Pay As You Go Admission, which means any financial contribution given is appreciated and goes directly to continue their community arts programming efforts.



I still smile every time I come in the doors, said Shane Morrow, director of Jazzanooga. Providing opportunities for all segments of our community to gather, interact, learn, and celebrate our citys musical and cultural diversity is overwhelming gratifying. I am so appreciative to be able to make a positive difference in this community through the power of the arts.



Over the past twelve months, Jazzanooga has used the space on MLK Boulevard to further the organization's mission of cultural preservation, performance and music education in Chattanooga. More than a few famous folks have helped Jazzanooga mark 2016 by visiting the location for performances and just to hang out with local musicians -- among them are Grammy winners Usher and Arturo OFarrill, author Patricia Bell Scott, and Najee Dorsey, the founder of Black Art in America. More than 75 programs and events have taken place in Jazzanoogas space since the doors opened in December of 2015.



Jazzanooga has served as a community space for arts and cultural programming, hosting events by, Chattanooga Links, Velvet poetry, Cha Noisemakers, BJS Productions, NBM Lifestyle, PechaKucha, Speakeasy Revue and Chambliss Law Firms Startup Social.
This queue is the last queue to end all queues, says Modi.

Moradabad: Targeted relentlessly over the demonetisation move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured the poor of India that he was considering transferring money of the corrupt to their accounts. He also asked the poor not to return the money deposited in their Jan Dhan accounts by the rich and corrupt.

Saying that being a fakir he has nothing to fear, Mr Modi, amidst thunderous applause, delivered his punch line  Jhola le kar aye hain, johla lekar chale jayenge (I came with little belongings, I will leave with them).

For him the argument that a large part of India was still technically challenged and cannot go digital was untrue since the same people elected a new government by pushing a button.

He spoke of reports of a video going viral where even a beggar flashed out a swipe machine after a man told him that he has no change.

Addressing the BJPs Parivartan Yatra launched to garner support for the forthcoming UP polls at Moradabad, the Prime Minister said; All the Jan Dhan account holders should not return the money that others have put in your accounts. If you promise to do so, I am working hard to devise a formula to send all those who deposited their money illegally into your accounts to jail and to ensure the money goes to the poor households.

This newspaper had earlier reported that the government was considering depositing a minimum of Rs 10,000 to the zero balance Jan Dhan accounts before the forthcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

Claiming to expose those changed tune with time, Mr Modi asserted he would fix those who used to chant money, money earlier and are now saying Modi, Modi.

Refusing to budge from his stand and taking his critics head on, Mr Modi accused the Opposition of spreading lies and disinformation. Responding to reports and criticism of long queues outside banks and ATMs, the Prime Minister asserted that this will be the last queue for the people who have been standing in lines for the last 70 years for their daily needs.

In fact Mr Modi went on to salute people of the country for standing in queues for hours together. He contended that only the honest were standing in queues while the corrupt were standing outside the houses of poor.

The corrupt are not being able to go to banks and deposit their ill-gotten wealth. They are now queuing up outside the houses of the poor to misuse their Jan Dhan accounts, he said.

Claiming that he was being hounded for launching a crusade against the corrupt, the Prime Minister pledged that his fight against corruption will not stop come what may.

Launching into a question-answer mode, the Prime Minister asked the crowd, Is it a crime to fight corruption which has been plaguing the country for the last 70 years?

Hitting out at Congress(without naming it) and former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, Mr Modi said that people of the country were his leaders and that he has no high command.
Nitish Kumar said that too much aggression affects perception which is important in democracy.

Bihar chief minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar with senior party leader Sharad Yadav at the partys Karyakarta Sammelan in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Differences were out in the open in the JD(U) over the demonetisation issue with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar backing the ban on old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination and senior leader Sharad Yadav censuring the Modi government over its biggest financial reform.

Mr Kumar, whose support for demonetisation had surprised many, also said that no serious attempt is currently being made to bring together non-BJP parties on a common platform.

This notebandi is a positive step which will lead to benefits. It will happen, the JD(U) chief said, terming corruption and black money as a big sin and festering wound which must be eradicated.

Severe steps will have to be taken. That is why we offered our support to this (demonetisation). It is a positive beginning... Whenever there is an attack on corruption, I will support it, he added.

A strong contender for the leadership position of a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance, the Bihar chief minister said that a grand alliance of the Opposition parties at the national level is certain to win the elections, but no such scene was in sight.

Mr Yadav on his part hit out at the Modi dispensation over demonetisation. He alleged the decision is aimed at recapitalising banks that were sinking due to Rs 8.5 lakh crore of Non-Performing Assets and its goal is not to target black money.

Mr Yadav who played an active role in rallying Oppositions protests before Mr Kumar declared his support to demonetisation, said the decision has forced entire country to stand in queue. Mr Kumar also hit out at West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who had attacked him at a public meeting in Patna.

Mr Kumar said too much aggression affects perception which is important in democracy. People will ask why somebody is so aggressive.

I support something which I agree with and oppose which I do not... Media does not look at things in a simple and normal way and does things for publicity, he said, referring to political speculation over his support to demonetisation.
Omar Abdullah accused the PDP-BJP alliance of wreaking havoc with the State.

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and working president of Opposition National Conference (NC) Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the political issue in Kashmir was neither an invention nor a creation of Pakistan. He added that distorting the current unrest in the Valley as a simple manifestation of terrorism or external interference would be a grave mistake.

To blame Pakistan alone for the political situation or the current unrest in the Valley is a distortion of the truth. The people of J&K have espoused a political sentiment even when there was no external interference and this political sentiment forms the basis of the states special status that has since been eroded by extra-constitutional machinations, he said. He reiterated that the political issue in Kashmir is a result of historic blunders and broken promises by successive dispensations in New Delhi.

The situation today stands compounded because of the present Central governments refusal to even acknowledge that a problem exists in Kashmir, he alleged.

While speaking at convention in north-western town of Baramulla, Mr Abdullah also asserted that the alienation in the Valley had been compounded by the opportunistic PDP-BJP alliance.

Whose (PDPs) inherent contradictions had translated into never-ending U-turns on crucial evocative issues. He alleged that PDPs charade of seeking CBMs and political initiatives could not conceal the partys brazen abandonment of its own ideology and vision document in a bargain to attain power.

There is a stark difference between the Mehbooba Mufti of the Opposition and the Mehbooba Mufti of the ruling PDP-BJP government. It has now become evident that the Mehbooba of Opposition was just an elaborate facade to pave way for Mehbooba Muftis ascent to the chief ministers chair. Her theatrical performances as an Opposition leader might have served her well but when people compare her present avatar to her previous posturing  she stands exposed. Every single promise made by the PDP to seek votes in the previous elections has been broken with utter contempt shown towards the people of the state, the NC leader alleged.

He accused the PDP-BJP alliance of wreaking havoc with the State and said that the government has ceased to exist on the ground and its mere presence is exhibited solely through indiscriminate arrests and imposition of the States stringent Public Safety Act against the youth. The loss of nearly a hundred innocent young lives in the current unrest and the unimaginable and indiscriminate repression of our youth has been the most noticeable hallmark of the PDP-BJP alliance and Mehbooba Muftis refusal to acknowledge her failure has only compounded the misery of the people, Mr. Abdullah said.

He also said Ms. Mufti should accept responsibility for the loss of nearly 100 young lives based on the same standards which she used to accuse Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2008 and him (Omar Abdullah) in 2010. For Mehbooba Mufti everyone is responsible except her. She keeps blaming everyone else but doesnt have it in her heart to accept responsibility for the loss of lives under her watch. Rather than releasing thousands of arrested youths, she wants to create these charades of going to New Delhi to seek CBMs, he said, asking Why dont you release thousands of arrested civilians before you seek CBMs from New Delhi? He concluded saying We all know what came of her demands for CBMs as a pre-condition to form the government in the State after Mufti (Sayeed) Sahibs demise.

Meanwhile, the NC has demanded a time bound probe into the death of a civilian at an encounter site in Chancer Kulgam. While condemning the tragic loss of a J&K Fisheries Department employee Assadullah Kumar, the party provincial spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said, The NC legislators, while condemning the tragic loss of a young life in Kulgam, demanded that a time bound probe be announced to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death of Assadullah Kumar.
A few women may actually develop respiratory failure as a result of this decline.

Women, and their physicians, should be aware that respiratory health might decline considerably during and after the menopausal transition. (Photo: Pixabay)

Washington D.C.: According to a recent research, menopausal women appear to experience an accelerated decline in lung function. The study has been published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

"Women are living longer and, therefore, many years beyond menopause," said Kai Triebner, MSc, lead author of the study. Adding, "Our study highlights the importance of maintaining respiratory health long after the menopausal transition."

The researchers report that both forced vital capacity (FVC), a measure of lung size, and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), a measure of how much air can be forcefully exhaled in one second, declined in women going through the menopausal transition and after menopause beyond what would be expected through normal aging.

The authors wrote that the decline in FVC was comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years, and the decline in FEV1 was comparable to smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 2 years.

The more pronounced decline in FVC than FEV1 indicated menopause was more likely to cause restrictive, rather than obstructive, breathing problems. Obstructive breathing problems (including COPD) make it difficult to exhale air from the lungs while restrictive breathing problems (including sarcoidosis) make it difficult to fully expand the lungs upon inhaling.

"Whether obstructive or restrictive, the decline in lung function may cause an increase in shortness of breath, reduced work capacity and fatigue," Triebner said. Adding, "Symptoms depend upon how much lung capacity is reduced, and a few women may actually develop respiratory failure as a result of this decline."

In what they believe is the first longitudinal population-based study of lung function and menopause, the researchers analyzed data from 1,438 women enrolled in the European Respiratory Health Survey. Participants in the study ranged in age from 25 to 48 at enrollment, and none was menopausal when the study began.

They were followed for 20 years and during that time most went through the menopausal transition or became postmenopausal. The researchers adjusted their findings for age, weight, height, education and smoking history.

As might be expected, current and past smokers showed a steeper decline in both age- and menopause-related lung function decline. The authors said there were several possible explanations for their findings.

Menopause brings hormonal changes that have been linked to systemic inflammation, which itself is associated with lung function decline. Hormonal changes are also implicated in osteoporosis, which shortens the height of the chest vertebrae and may, in turn, limit the amount of air a person can inhale.

"Women, and their physicians, should be aware that respiratory health might decline considerably during and after the menopausal transition," Triebner said. Adding, "This could mean that they experience shortness of breath already with low physical activity."
It is alleged that the airline bowed down to their demands because of the Gujarati family's close connection to a powerful minister.

An 'influential' Gujarati family reportedly bribed its way to prevent a Jet Airways aircraft from taking off without their late companions and caused the Mumbai to Bhopal flight to be delayed for two hours. Allegedly, the airline conceded to their demands because of their close connection to a 'powerful' minister.

The airline decided to cancel the tickets of the other passengers onboard in order to accommodate the 17 latecomers, according to various reports. The resultant chaos, which ensued for an hour, ended with five people getting off the plane after accepting a compensation of Rs. 10,000 offered by Jet Airways.

Flight 9W 7083, on which the incident took place, was earlier scheduled to take off at 5:55 am on Friday. Jet Airways even released a statement regarding the unruly situation.
Manish Sisodia said that tax collection can be 50 per cent low this month as there is no business in Delhi markets.

New Delhi: Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said the Delhi government may find it difficult to pay salaries of public officials as Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation move has hit its tax collection hard.

Mr Sisodia, who is also the state finance minister, said the tax collection can be 50% low this month. According to the government officials, demonetisation has affected property transactions and sale of expensive liquor  the two major revenue generators.

Tax collection can be 50% low this month as there is no business in Delhi markets. If so, it would b hard to pay salaries of govt employees, Mr Sisodia said on Twitter. He added that a similar concern was expressed by many state finance ministers at the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council Meet here on Saturday, which was also attended by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Scrapping of large currency notes of 500 and 1,000 denominations has affected the property registration badly, a government official said. The official also said that sale of foreign liquor has dipped due to the ongoing liquidity crunch.

Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP on Saturday staged a protest outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence for his opposition to demonetisation and a march in East Delhi in support of currency ban. Lok Sabha member from South Delhi and Delhi BJP general secretary Ramesh Bidhuri led workers from his constituency in a protest demonstration at the residence of the chief minister against the stand taken by Mr Kejriwal on demonetisation and the stalled development works in hundreds of unauthorised colonies and villages of entire South Delhi.

Addressing the workers, Mr Bidhuri said that within six years of his public life, Mr Kejriwal has become a strong opponent of demonetisation in place of his previous support to note ban and the reason is that during the last three years, his party has collected a substantial amount of cash in form of donations. The opposition to demonetisation by Mr Kejriwal is clearly due to his personal loss. Otherwise it is beyond comprehension that the person who raised slogan in support of demonetisation in Ramlila Maidan in 2011 is now opposing it, added Mr Bidhuri.

Mr Bidhuri alleged that the MLAs of Kejriwals party from South Delhi area are busy enriching themselves and all the development work has come to a standstill.

People from Chhattarpur, Badarpur and Bijwasan are struggling for drinking water, the condition of roads is very pathetic and the standard of government schools is falling but the Kejriwal government is not concerned about it, said the Lok Sabha member from South Delhi.
The governor was in Delhi when the entire episode of Ms Banerjee staying at Nabanna to protest against the Armys deployment.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a media conference on Army deployment at various places in the state, at Nabanna in Howrah near Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

Kolkata: A war of words erupted between governor Kesari Nath Tripathi and chief minister Mamata Banerjee after he disapproved of her remarks on the deployment of the Army at toll plazas, saying one should exercise caution while levelling allegations against a responsible organisation like the armed force.

Every person should be careful while making allegations against a responsible organisation like the Army... Do not let down the Army. Do not defame the Army, Mr Tripathi told reporters.

Launching a counter-attack, Ms Banerjee termed his statement as unfortunate. The governor is speaking in the voice of the Central Government! He was not in the city for about 8 days, she said in a tweet soon after learning of the governors remark. Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate, she said in a statement.

The governor was in Delhi when the entire episode of Ms Banerjee staying at Nabanna to protest against the Armys deployment unfolded on Friday.

Later in the day, Trinamul Congress legislators and ministers, who had Friday staged a protest outside the Raj Bhavan, again went to meet the governor and also submitted a memorandum protesting the Centres role in the matter and the way the Army was being misused.

A delegation, led by education minister Partha Chatterjee, met Mr Tripathi and conveyed their dismay over his remark. I asked him how he could make such a statement when he was not even present in the city, Mr Chatterjee said and went on to allege that the governor was perhaps representing a particular political party.

It is unbecoming of a governor to make such a statement. We never made any remarks on our governor, but we are very sad to make this comment today. People might assume that the governor is speaking as the representative of a particular political party, he said.

The minister said he informed the governor that the Centre had deployed Army at 18 places in the state. We are surprised that when we are raising our voice against the Centres attempt at subverting the federal structure, both the Centre and the governor are playing this dirty game of using Army as a shield to cover their intentions, Mr Chatterjee said.

An unperturbed Mr Tripathi said he stood by his statement and will do his duty. I stick to whatever I have said. Let them say whatever they feel. It does not affect me. I will do my duty. Army should not be politicised or criticised, the governor said.

The presence of Army personnel at toll plazas had triggered a row with Ms Banerjee questioning if it was an Army coup, drawing a stinging condemnation from the Centre, which said the remark showed her political frustration.

Ms Banerjee had claimed that the Army personnel were taking money from the vehicles. The Army had rebutted her allegations that its personnel were deployed at toll plazas without informing the state government and were collecting money, saying the exercise was being carried out in coordination with the city police.
A video of the incident has gone viral which shows Charegaonkar insulting the policewoman.

Mumbai: For head constable Daya Doiphode nobody is above the law. But the 32-year-old was in for a rude shock on November 27 when she was insulted and abused for doing her duty.

As part of the election protocol, Ms Doiphode told Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shekhar Charegaonkar not to park his car next to the polling booth he was about to enter in Karad, Satara.

However, an enraged Charegaonkar instead of abiding by the law allegedly started hurling abuses and even threatened Ms Doiphode, who is attached to the Karad police station. A video of the incident has gone viral which shows Charegaonkar insulting the policewoman and even threatening to have her suspended.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Ms Doiphode recounts how Charegaonkar, who is the chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperation Council, insulted her and refused to even heed to her orders till she said she would initiate action against him.

On November 27, Ms Doiphode was posted at Nutan Marathi School, a polling booth for the Satara municipal elections. She was to ensure that no vehicle entered within 100 metres of the booth. I had been on duty since 6 am and around 10 am an Innova bearing the number MH 50 A 5090 entered from the gate, clearly ignoring the 100 metres rule. Before it could enter the gate, I tried to intercept the vehicle, but the driver ignored me and went ahead, said Ms Doiphode.

She then followed the vehicle which stopped right in front of the steps leading to the polling booth number 1. I asked the driver of the car to turn the vehicle around and park it away from the booth but the man sitting in the passenger seat stepped out and said, Do you know who you are talking to? I am a minister and my vehicle has a pass to enter even the Mantralaya.

Ms Doiphode added that the man, who she later identified himself as Charegaonkar spoke rudely to her and even used expletives. I then requested his driver to park the car further away, but he insisted he had orders from the minister. At the same time another vehicle entered the gate and parked right next to the Innova and when I approached the driver of the second vehicle, the minister told me to mind my own business, Ms Doiphode recounted. The constable on Friday submitted a written application to the office of Superintendent of Police with her allegations. The application, a copy of which is with The Asian Age, states that the minister even insulted the uniform with his words.

When the election officer arrived at the scene, he said that if policemen can't recognise ministers then they shouldn't be posted for election duty, she said. The whole account, which was video recorded also shows Charegaonkar threatening to get the policewoman suspended.

However, Charegaonkar has refuted the allegations and said it was he who had to face abusive language from the constable. The policewoman instigated by rival parties abused me and used expletives. The whole incident captured in the video does not show what kind of language she used, he said. He adds that his vehicle had got special permission to enter the polling booth as he was a minister. The election officer had given me permission to cross the 100 metre restriction but the constable was unaware of this, Charegaonkar said. A senior BJP leader who did not wished to be named said that the incident has brought shame to the party.

When contacted, P.V. Jadhav, senior police inspector, Karad City Police station, said an inquiry had been initiated. Despite repeated attempts, Superintendent of Police, Satara, Sandip Patil was unavailable for comment.
MMRDA had earlier put the auction of BKC land parcels on hold after HC order.

The MMRDA currently has Rs 17,000 crore in its bank accounts, for which it gets interest of around 7-8 per cent every 12 months over fixed deposits.

Mumbai: After keeping the auction of land parcels at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in cold storage, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is now exploring the option of raising funds for the proposed Metro corridors by raising bonds through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

The MMRDA has put the auctioning of its land parcels in BKC on hold after the Bombay high court in February 2016 directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to not give permission for the construction of any new commercial or residential buildings in the city till all the rules of solid waste management are complied with.

Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA, said, We are in talks with LIC for raising funds via bonds. Once the final decision is taken, the money raised through bonds would be used for the construction of proposed Metro corridors in the MMR. Also, we will ultimately auction the plots at BKC, but currently there are certain unfavourable market conditions which would make it difficult to get good returns.

A bond is a form of loan wherein the holder of the bond is the lender (creditor) and the issuer of the bond is the borrower (debtor). Bonds provide the borrower with funds to finance long-term investments, or, in the case of government bonds, to finance current expenditure.

Another MMRDA official said that the authority is also studying legal aspects so as to ascertain whether it can raise funds through bonds like that of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). MSRDC comes under the purview of the companies Act, whereas MMRDA does not. So, we are studying relevant legal aspects, after which we will take an appropriate decision.

The MMRDA currently has Rs 17,000 crore in its bank accounts, for which it gets interest of around 7-8 per cent every 12 months over fixed deposits. The MMRDA official said, Once we start with civil work for the construction of several Metro corridors, we may need more than what we have currently. A sum of Rs 60,000 crore at least is what the MMRDA needs to fund its various infrastructure projects, like that of MTHL and several Metro corridors.

Plot thickens:

MMRDA has a 12,500-square-metre plot at G Block in BKC, for which it has quoted a base auction price of Rs 1,475 crore. Another plot owned by the MMRDA is located in Wadala, near the Wadala monorail depot. Plans to monetise this plot are also in the pipeline.
After a series of legal battles that lasted for five years, the women activists entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah on November 29.

Noorjehan Fiaz and Zakia Soman, founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had filed a petition against the ban in the Bombay High Court , calling it unconstitutional. (Photo: Shripad Naik)

Pune: After a group of around 100 women and social activists entered the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali Dargah earlier on November 29, Bhumata Brigade activist Trupti Desai and others are set to visit the holy place on Saturday.

"It is a historic victory for the movement. Our demand was not wrong. We were not against any religion. We will be entering Haji Ali today. It was a historic victory for women and I am sure there will be no problem," Desai said.

After a series of legal battles that lasted for five years, the women activists entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah on November 29.

Prior to 2011, the Dargah did not discriminate against women and allowed free entry of people across religions. However, in March 2011, the dargah's board of trustees imposed a ban on women's entry calling it a "grievous sin".

On October 24, the Haji Ali Dargah Trust had told the Supreme Court that it was ready to implement the Bombay High Court's order to allow women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine located in South Mumbai and had sought four weeks for infrastructural changes to make arrangements for it.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur heard the Haji Ali Dargah Trust's plea challenging the Bombay High Court's ruling to provide equal rights of entry to both women and men in the dargah's sanctum sanctorum.

On August 26, the Bombay High Court held that the ban imposed by the trust, prohibiting women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah, contravened Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution and said that women should be permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorum like men.

Noorjehan Fiaz and Zakia Soman, founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had filed a petition against the ban in the Bombay High Court , calling it unconstitutional.
Patrick, Beard, Schulman and Jacoway, P.C. announces that Richard A. Schulman, Michael A. Anderson, and Jeremy M. Cothern have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the Mid-South Super Lawyers for 2016.

Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive the honor of being named a Super Lawyer, and no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in these states are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive the honor of being named a Rising Star, officials said.



2016 Mid-South Super Lawyers:



Richard A. Schulman - Plaintiffs Personal Injury

Michael A. Anderson - Plaintiffs Personal Injury



2016 Mid-South Rising Star:

Jeremy M. Cothern - Business Litigation
It was wrong on the part of Mr Modi to make his non-attendance a prestige point, specially since, even when Parliament was in session.

In a country riven with political divides, there is at least one issue on which the people of India appear to be overwhelmingly in agreement: Parliament should function. The daily spectacle of the unseemly disruptions of the highest democratic forum of the worlds largest democracy is creating in the common Indian a sense of alienation with democracy itself. The question is no longer who is at fault, the Opposition or the Treasury benches. The question ordinary citizens are asking is: Can there not be some solution to this unedifying impasse?

It is true that the primary responsibility to ensure that the House functions lies with the Treasury benches. This was a point the BJP repeated ad nauseum when it was in the Opposition. It is also true that when the UPA government was in power, the BJP created a record for the maximum number of parliamentary disruptions. In fact, both Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha then, and Sushma Swaraj, his counterpart in the Lok Sabha, sought to give parliamentary disruptions democratic validity. In different ways, both of them said publicly that not allowing Parliament to function is a legitimate form of democratic practice. Entire sessions of Parliament were washed out in pursuit of this dubious democratic theory.

To my mind, the current impasse, that has seen the current session of Parliament adjourned day after day, is a consequence of an original mistake committed by the BJP. That mistake was the conspicuous absence of the Prime Minister when Parliament took up, on the very first day, the burning issue of demonetisation. The debate began in the Rajya Sabha in the expectation that the Prime Minister would join. That expectation was not unwarranted. The Prime Minister had taken ownership of this momentous decision. He had announced it personally on national television on November 8. It was only to be expected that he would, therefore, participate in the debate on this decision, specially when the entire Opposition in unison was asking for him to be there. After the debate began, when the Prime Minister did not show up until the House broke for lunch, and nor did the Treasury benches give an assurance about his participation, the Opposition was naturally incensed, and disrupted the House.

This disruption continued for several days thereafter, but the Prime Minister seemed to have made it a prestige point not to concede to the Oppositions demand. This was truly mystifying. In any other mature democracy the Prime Minister would himself wish to be present in a debate on an issue that had deeply impacted the entire country, specially if he had so publicly advertised the fact that it was his decision. In the United Kingdom, for instance, can you imagine a situation where on a pivotal debate, such as Brexit, the Prime Minister would not lead from the front, and stay away from the House, arguing that his senior most minister could deputise for him?

To the best of my knowledge there is no specific formal rule that can compel the Prime Minister to be present in a debate, yet the best practices of parliamentary democracy require a Prime Minister to do so voluntarily and willingly. Previous Prime Ministers, including Atal Behari Vajpayee, would, I am sure, not even have waited for the Opposition to make this demand. They would have done the courtesy to listen to the leaders of Opposition parties, and even if they did not sit continuously through the proceedings, made their presence felt, intervened when necessary, and replied at the end of the debate.

It was wrong on the part of Narendra Modi, therefore, to make his non-attendance a prestige point, specially since, even when Parliament was in session, he was speaking on this very subject in other forums. But this being said, when after several days of the parliamentary logjam, the Prime Minister did show up, and Mr Jaitley, the Leader of the House, said that he would participate in the debate, I think it was in the Oppositions interest to begin the debate and allow Parliament to function. Indeed, the debate did begin, but when the Prime Minister was not seen in the House in the post-lunch session, the Opposition again stormed into the well and disrupted the House. After several days of disruption, when the Prime Minister showed up again, the Opposition insisted that he first apologise for his comment outside Parliament that those opposing demonetisation were doing so only because they had not been given enough time to prepare.

Many Opposition parties took that comment as a slur on their bonafides, and insisted on an apology from the Prime Minister, which, expectedly, he has as yet not tendered. The net result is that the debate on the vital issue of demonetisation has not resumed. The position is similar in the Lok Sabha, where the Opposition is asking for the debate to take place under a rule that requires voting, and for some inexplicable reason, the BJP, that has a brute majority in that House, is not willing to accede to this demand.

The current impasse requires maturity from both sides of the divide. The original mistake was that of the BJP and the Prime Minister. The subsequent distortion was expected, but should have been contained by the Opposition when the opportunity arose, because it was in its own interest to have a debate and present its point of view forcefully on the floor of the House. Given its track record of disrupting Parliament when it was in the Opposition, the BJP is hardly in a position to sermonise on the need for the House to function. Yet, at some point, even the present Opposition has to realise that this tit for tat game has to stop, if for no other reason than the distressing fact that the people of India are fast losing both their respect and faith in Parliament itself.
Mr Naidu is quick to take on the Opposition both inside and outside Parliament just as he did in his earlier avatar.

Is information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu in line for the vice-presidents post, which falls vacant next year? Thats the buzz in New Delhi, specially since Mr Naidu goes out of his way to be seen and heard by his party bosses. It is four months since Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshuffled his Cabinet and shifted Mr Naidu from the parliamentary affairs ministry and replaced him with Ananth Kumar but if the last two Parliament sessions are anything to go by, it is difficult to believe that Mr Naidu is no longer the parliamentary affairs minister.

Mr Naidu is quick to take on the Opposition both inside and outside Parliament just as he did in his earlier avatar. As soon as the Rajya Sabha is adjourned following the mandatory disruptions by the Opposition, Mr Naidu comes out to brief television channels about the developments and explain the governments position.

It is a normal practice for a parliamentary affairs minister to brief the press every evening about the legislative business the government plans to take up, how it plans to tackle the Oppositions demands and the debates listed in the coming days. As it happens, Mr Naidu is continuing to brief mediapersons, now in his capacity as information and broadcasting minister. Mr Kumar also meets the press but since he is not as forthcoming as Mr Naidu, he gets a passing mention while Mr Naidu gets full play on television channels and in the print media. But mediapersons are not complaining as Mr Naidu invariably has some interesting nugget for them, unlike Mr Kumar.

Since the Opposition parties had given a call for a Jan Aakrosh Diwas on November 28, they asked the Rajya Sabha chairman and deputy chairperson to adjourn the House soon after it assembled because they would, in any case, not allow it to function as they had to participate in their respective protest marches. It was even suggested that instead of making any attempts at running the House, it might be a good idea to announce an adjournment as a mark of respect to the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Parliamentary affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was present at this meeting, said he would get back to them after consulting his leaders. The top bosses in the Narendra Modi government, however, did not agree to this proposal on the plea that any laudatory reference to Castro might be misconstrued by the new administration in the United States.

With the government rejecting its suggestion, the Opposition had no choice but to disrupt proceedings by rushing to the well of the House and raising slogans. It was only after this orchestrated protest that the Opposition succeeded in having its way.

The Punjab-based Shiromani Akali Dal was baffled when its leaders were recently approached by a group of aspiring political leaders from Manipur who wished to join their party. Apparently, this group camped in Chandigarh for several days to get an audience with Akali leader and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to make a formal request.

They are reported to have told him that they had identified the Akali Dal as their choice after they examined the pros and cons of doing business with other political parties. They even produced character certificates from the police when bemused Akali leaders dithered over their request on the plea that they may be taking them for a ride. Not only do they want to set up a state unit of the Akali Dal in Manipur, but this group also wants to contest next years Assembly polls on its ticket. Surprised at this request, the Akali Dal leadership is still trying to figure out how these aspiring politicians from Manipur hope to benefit from joining hands with a party which has no presence in their home state.

The delay in appointing the next chiefs of the Research and Analysis Wing and the Intelligence Bureau has led to speculation that the two current chiefs may get an extension. R&AW is currently headed by Rajinder Khanna whose term is to end by December. It is the same case with the IB head Dineshwar Sharma who took charge in December 2014 for a period of two years. Officials from the two departments have been suggesting that the new chiefs be appointed at least a month in advance to enable them to work with the outgoing bosses for a brief time to help them settle down quickly in their new posts.

According to the bureaucratic grapevine, the two officers may be given an extension, as the government is currently busy with the implementation of its demonetisation scheme. The R&AW chief, it is said, has been sitting in on the high-level meetings called to review the governments progress in this regard. Mr Sharma, on the other hand, is an expert on Pakistan and Islamic terrorism and has worked with national security advisor Ajit Doval.
A group of fourteen countries formed the core of the Heart of Asia process.

The choice before delegates to the Heart of Asia conference at Amritsar, is simple  as much as the focus must remain on rebuilding war-ravaged Afghanistan, the resurgence of Pakistan-backed Taliban as US-Nato troops draw down without putting a collective security system in place, is the biggest challenge before the Ashraf Ghani government. With Pakistan, inimical to a larger Indian role in Afghanistan, and Pakistans PM Nawaz Sharifs special envoy Sartaj Aziz, angling to mend fences with PM Modi, will India and Afghanistan continue with plans to name and shame Pakistan on terror, or going forward, use the opportunity to place former premier Manmohan Singhs breakfast in Amritsar, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Kabul at the very heart of Asia.. Three eminent commentators from Delhi, Lahore and Kabul air their views.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Heart of Asia process in Amritsar on December 4. Long term observers of Indias role in Afghanistan would have noted that by hosting such a large multilateral meeting India would be finally burying the veto that Pakistan had sought to impose on Indias participation in international and regional processes on different facets of the Afghanistan situation. This was ironic for it has been Pakistans obstinately negative role that has prevented Afghanistans stabilization. However, the Western Powers and important Islamic countries such as Turkey pandered to Pakistans India obsession in the elusive hope that by excluding India they would secure Pakistans good behaviour in Afghanistan.

The Heart of Asia process emerged out of the Istanbul Conference for Afghanistan organised by Turkey in November 2011. Its object was to enhance Afghanistans security through regional cooperation. India was invited to this meeting, though in January the previous year, Turkey had kept India out of a regional countries meeting on Afghanistan on Pakistans insistence; Turkish-Pakistan ties have been traditionally strong. A group of fourteen countries formed the core of the Heart of Asia process. These include China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, some Central Asian states, Iran and Pakistan. A large number of Western countries particularly the US form a group of supporting countries.

Read: Nawazs Amritsar Overture: Naivete or Political Gamble?

The US encouraged the Heart of Asia process from the start as it was part of its withdrawal strategy from Afghanistan. As the US completed a decade of combat operations in Afghanistan in 2011, it was obvious that the Taliban were far from being defeated and with active and large Pakistani support, the Taliban could carry on indefinitely. President Obama wanted to withdraw military forces and make the region reconcile its interests in Afghanistan and take over a larger responsibility for the countrys stabilization. The then Afghan President Hamid Karzai had many differences with the Americans by then, and with Pakistan, but on this issue he went along with Obama in the hope that Pakistan would feel another source of pressure to reduce its interference in Afghan affairs. Afghanistan is the permanent chair of the Heart of Asia process. The co-chair rotates among the other member countries. It is therefore both natural and appropriate that Afghanistan should fix the theme of ministerial meetings. For the Amritsar meeting, Afghanistan is focussing on the need to eliminate terrorism and improve connectivity for its stabilization and regional prosperity. India can only be in complete harmony with these themes.

To meet the continuing challenge of terrorism which is perpetrated by the Taliban in Afghanistan the Ghani-Abdullah led government has prepared a draft of Regional Counter-Terrorism Framework which it would like the Amritsar meeting to adopt. The Framework focuses on collective measures that the regional countries need to take. It is obvious from what the Afghan Ambassador to India briefed the media about, that the Framework includes a reference to the need to close sanctuaries given to terrorists.

The only country that gives the Taliban sanctuaries is Pakistan. On its part Pakistan claims that Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP) leaders and cadres have found refuge in Afghanistan from where they have launched operations against targets in Pakistan. It will be interesting to see how the meeting finally handles the Afghan draft which will no doubt receive Indias full support. Modi and Ghani will no doubt emphasise that the region has to fight the menace of terrorism collectively and that a strong message needs to be given to countries that use terror. No one will be left in any doubt that their target is Pakistan.

Afghanistan has long complained of Pakistan impeding its access to India. It does not allow Indian goods to go to Afghanistan via the land route through the Wagah border though it permits Afghan exports to India through its territory to reach Indian via the Wagah border. Hence, Afghanistan has linked prosperity and connectivity as a theme for the meeting. Indeed Amritsar symbolises the old connections that linked Afghanistan to the Indian sub-continent. Hence, it is a telling venue for the meeting.

Read: Theres a hole in the heart of Asia

It is unlikely though that Pakistan will relent on this issue. It is comforted by the connectivity that will be provided by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and besides does not wish to lose the captive market it has in Afghanistan in the absence of Indian competition that will happen if the Wagah route was open to Indian trade with Afghanistan.

Sartaj Aziz, foreign policy advisor of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will lead the Pakistan delegation to the meeting. Aziz had commented last week that Pakistan would be open to talks with India on the sidelines of the meeting. India-Pakistan relations have been in the freezer through this year because of the Pathankot, Uri and the recent Nagrota terrorist incidents and also Pakistans high pitched support for the Kashmir valley agitation that occurred after the terrorist Burhan Wanis killing in July. There is naturally interest in the Indian media about Azizs visit as this would be the first ministerial level visit from Pakistan this year. However, there is no need to begin the dialogue process with Pakistan till it does not abandon its sponsorship of terrorism against India. The official clarification that there will be no India-Pakistan talks on the sidelines of the meeting is therefore timely.

The problems in Afghanistan stem from Pakistans interference in Afghanistan and its desire to control that countrys India policy. Indias positive role in the development activity in Afghanistan cannot remotely be tied in to Pakistans approach to Afghanistan.
The PDP-BJP alliances agenda was drafted by the muftis Man Friday.

Prior to the Srinagar Assembly elections in 2014, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)  which created Jan Sangh in 1951 and controls its successor, the BJP  declared from the rooftops that it sought to secure a majority. It reckoned on support in large parts of Jammu and a split in the ranks of Kashmiris in the Valley. The Hurriyat had consistently boycotted elections in Indian Kashmir, whether parliamentary or the Srinagar Assembly, for two reasons. First, they were rigged. Second, it did not accept the Constitution of India or of Kashmir under which elections were held.

To foil the RSS move, the Hurriyat relented, albeit unofficially. The BJP candidates all lost. It, however, succeeded to a significant degree thanks to the PDP leaders (the late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed) insatiable lust for power, which his daughter and successor in office shares. The PDP-BJP alliances agenda was drafted by the muftis Man Friday, Haseeb Drabu (now finance minister), and Ram Madhav (BJPs general secretary), a lifelong RSS activist. The RSS seconded him to the BJP in order to rivet its control over the party. The agenda conceded nothing of significance to the PDP; it bears the imprint of the RSS tight fist.

All this is well known. What escaped notice was that, as part of the bargain, the RSS secured for an activist the office of the Assembly speaker in order to block or interfere with debates, adjourn the House for partisan reasons, and ensure his partys primacy in the coalition. This is just what the RSS Kavinder Gupta did no sooner than he was elected Speaker.

This alone suffices to prove the abjectness of the muftis betrayal of his people. They voted for him to keep the BJP at bay, instead he made a deal with it. For the very first time, the RSS acquired a presence in Indian Kashmir, on the seat of power and beyond. The leader of the RSS Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Surinder K. Jain, boasted last year in August that the RSS is gaining in Kashmir. In September of that year, the Kashmir Economic Alliance, an organisation of traders, raised the alarm on this development.

Both were proved right by speaker Gupta. On Sept 8, 2015, he publicly declared that he was a proud RSS man. MLAs shouted in anger when he arbitrarily adjourned the house, without transacting any business, to avoid debate on the beef ban. Casting aside the conventions and rules that bind the speaker to aloofness from party politics, Gupta participated in an RSS procession in Jammu on Oct. 25, 2015 dressed in RSS uniform. Anil Sethi, a respected city advocate, censured him: It is unbecoming of a Speaker to participate in an RSS procession.

None of this could have happened were it not for the respectability and encouragement that the mufti had provided. To the RSS, Kashmiris who object to Indian rule are pro-Pakistan elements. Accordingly, on May 28, 2015, Ram Madhav demanded that they must be arrested and completely marginalised.

Encouraged in 2015, it spread its wings further this year. On Oct. 8 it held a rally in Doda, a Muslim-majority district of Jammu, and another that was regarded as a move to incite passions in the Chenab valley. The president of the bar association alleged the polices and the administrations support of the rally. Muslim organisations observed a protest on Oct 15.

In the Valley, Mehbooba Mufti has banned processions by separatists for months. The difference is glaring. She calls for a dialogue and a political solution. Ram Madhav publicly snubbed her on Sept. 7, 2016. Political solution is a mere slogan raised by romantic people, he said.

As a committed RSS man, on Dec. 26, 2015, he said that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will reunite one day and that the RSS still believes this. The implications for Pakistan and Bangladesh are obvious. No less so for Nepal and Sri Lanka. This body has been allowed a presence in Kashmir because the muftis saw in it the only organisation that would provide them with a few morsels of power  for a brief period.

By arrangement with Dawn
There is a broad worry about an increased militarisation of American policy.

Washington : Donald Trump's move to pack his administration with military brass is getting mixed reviews, as Congress and others struggle to balance their personal regard for the individuals he's choosing with a broader worry about an increased militarisation of American policy.

No fewer than three combat-experienced retired Army and Marine leaders, with multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan , are on tap for high-level government jobs normally reserved for civilians. Others are entrenched in Trump's organization as close advisers.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn will serve as the president's national security adviser, and Trump announced retired Marine four-star Gen. James Mattis Thursday night as his secretary of defense. In addition, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly is a likely pick to head the Department of Homeland Security.

All three had high-profile military careers leading top commands, and they are known for their willingness to offer blunt policy assessments publicly and privately. But their strategic advice could be colored by their years on the battlefront watching soldiers and Marines fight and die battling insurgents in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq .

Those experiences can have markedly varied effects, making some officers a bit cautious when considering plans to send troops into battle but making others more likely to urge aggressive military responses to national security crises and less patient with the slow pace of diplomacy.

The men Trump has chosen so far are familiar faces on Capitol Hill, having made frequent trips in their former jobs, and lawmakers are expressing personal respect. But some temper that with a wariness about the wisdom of putting so many military leaders at the helm of the country's national security when the nation was founded on the idea of civilian control.

In particular, some Democrats oppose passing a law overriding a prohibition on an officer leading the Defense Department before he has been out of the military for seven years. That law has been waived only once in American history, for George Marshall in 1950. Flynn's appointment does not require congressional approval, and there is no similar law for Homeland Security.

Mattis retired from the Marine Corps in June 2013, and Kelly retired early this year. Flynn retired in 2014 after being pushed out of his job as head of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

"While I deeply respect General Mattis' service, I will oppose a waiver," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., a member of the Armed Services Committee. "Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule."

Rep. Adam Smith, ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, echoed that concern, saying that while Mattis served with distinction, "civilian control of the military is not something to be casually cast aside."

It is unlikely, however, that those trepidations will threaten Mattis' nomination. He has broad support from Republicans, who hold the majority in both chambers, including from John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

" America will be fortunate to have General Mattis in its service once again," said McCain, R-Ariz.

There were even positive words Friday from House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who said, "We are grateful that the president-elect reportedly found General Mattis' argument against torture persuasive. We will need the secretary of defense to continue to uphold the laws, alliances and norms that protect our nation and enshrine our values as Americans."

Still, national security experts raise concerns about the possibility of a greater reliance on military solutions to international problems.

Vikram Singh, a former senior adviser at the Defense Department and now vice president at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, said the law requiring a gap between military service and leading the Pentagon "exists to preserve civilian control of the military, a cornerstone of American democracy, and appointing a general so recently retired from active service to be secretary of defense is a serious matter, no matter how qualified that general may be for the position."

Jon Soltz, who leads the liberal political action committee VoteVets, said that people with military service are needed in Washington, but "it is somewhat concerning that Donald Trump continues to eye recently retired generals for some of the most important traditionally civilian positions in government."

He added, "We should never lose sight of the balance in civilian and military roles that has served our nation well for centuries."

Spencer Meredith, an associate professor at the National Defense University , said Friday that military officers can bring vital strategic thinking and organizational skills to administration jobs. But he acknowledged possible concerns about a cadre of advisers with military viewpoints - the idea that "everything looks like a nail to a hammer."

The generals themselves have expressed little worry about any militarization of US policy.

Military officers, said Kelly, spend their careers willing to give their lives to defend their country and the U.S. Constitution. He said civilian control is rooted in the president as commander in chief and the Congress, which controls spending.

Mattis, in a recent exchange, showed a sense of humor about his status as a career military officer. When a reporter addressed him as "General," he responded, "Please call me Jim. I was once a general, but it was long ago and I've happily rejoined the human race."
The US President-elect has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders, NYT said.

New York: US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of Indo-Pak ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when

Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China. On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".

"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.

On Trumps conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

"By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency".

In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) described it as a "foolish" call, while Republican lawmakers said this is a bold move.

The White House, which was unaware of the phone call till it happened, asserted that this is unlikely to have an impact on long standing one-China policy of the United States.

"There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues. We remain firmly committed to our "one China" policy based on the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations," said Ned Price Spokesman of the National Security Council, White House.

"As President Obama has said, we are committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition for the incoming administration. Every President, regardless of party, has benefited from the expertise and counsel of State Department on matters like these," Price said.

"This (phone call) suggests that we are in for a really really bumpy road," said Senator Chris Murphy.

Senator Tom Cotton commended Trump for his conversation with Tsai Ing-wen. Taiwan, he said is the only democracy on Chinese soil.

"I have met with President Tsai twice and I'm confident she expressed to the president-elect the same desire for closer relations with the United States," Cotton said. Congressman Steve Chabot, Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, said he is pleased to hear that Trump has re-engaged Taiwan at the highest level.

"For too long, Taiwan has been subjected to the bully tactics of the People's Republic of China," he said.

He is also a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.

"Donald Trump is either too incompetent to understand that his foolish phone call threatens our national security, or he's doing it deliberately because he reportedly wants to build hotels in Taiwan to pad his own pockets," said DNC spokesman Eric Walker, alleging that by doing so Trump is prioritising his personal fortune over the security interests of the nation.
It was a first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since Jimmy Carter adopted a one-China policy in 1979.

Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone on Friday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a move that is likely to infuriate China and complicate US relations with Beijing.

The call was the first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter adopted a one-China policy in 1979.

Trump said on Twitter that the Taiwanese leader initiated the call. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."

The Trump transition team said in a statement that the two leaders noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States."

Taiwan's presidential office said the two leaders touched on strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

There was no immediate comment from China, which is likely to be angered because it views Taiwan as a renegade province.

Washington is Taiwans most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

The call comes at a time of worsened Taiwan-China relations since the election of Tsais pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) earlier this year.

The White House responded to the call by saying that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan has not changed.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."

A former diplomat who helped arrange the call and did not want to be identified said Chinese officials he spoke to beforehand said they were not troubled by the call because Trump was not yet president. Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

Tsai was one of four world leaders Trump spoke to on Friday, raising questions about whether he is effectively coordinating with the US State Department before reaching out to leaders overseas.

Gerrit van der Wees, a former Dutch diplomat who lobbies on behalf of Taiwan, said the call indicated Trump would be less bound by conventions and restrictions in foreign policy and was signaling a broader change in US policy towards Taiwan.

Seat of his Pants

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy toward China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Trump was entitled to change policy, but his approach was potentially dangerous.

"Foreign policy consistency is a means, not an end. It's not sacred. Thus, it's Trump's right to shift policy, alliances, strategy," Murphy, a Democrat, said in a note on Twitter.

But he added: "What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. That's how wars start."

Also on Friday, Trump invited Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who canceled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation. The transition team said that Trump also spoke on Friday to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Winston Lord, who was US ambassador to China from 1985-89 and is a former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said the strategic importance of the Taiwan call was unclear.

"Like so many things with Trump, who knows? This man is ignorant about foreign policy and is flying by the seat of his pants, so it is difficult to assess the significance.

"Having said that, I have no problem with his talking to Madame Tsai; Taiwan is a good friend and although our relations are unofficial, I think its important to maintain close bonds with Taiwan."

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by telephone on Nov. 14. Xi stressed that cooperation was the only choice for relations between the world's two largest economies, and Trump said that the two had established a "clear sense of mutual respect."

Trump lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Douglas Paal, a former official of the US National Security Council who served as US representative to Taiwan from 2002-2006, said nothing Trump had said in the campaign suggested he wanted to rebuild the relationship with Taiwan at the expense of the China relationship.

"From the information I have so far, this is a standalone item," Paal said, "but the Chinese will feel the need to make a major protest so there isnt more of this."
A suspect arrested in his death is a male student, a police spokeswoman said.

A professor was stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Friday. (Photo: AP/Representational)

Los Angeles: A professor was stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Friday and a suspect arrested in his death is a male student, a police spokeswoman said.

Los Angeles Police Officer Meghan Aguilar did not immediately release the names of the professor or the student or the suspected motive in the Friday afternoon attack.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said the victim was around 25 years old and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The university's Trojans Alert emergency texting service quickly put out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the Seeley G. Mudd building, which houses science and medical classrooms.

"Police-related incident in progress at Seely G. Mudd. No danger to USC or the community. Stay away from the area," the text read.

The 10-story building is in the heart of campus near the school's running track.

USC was rocked last year by the beating death of a graduate student who was attacked by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.

Xinran Ji, a 24-year old engineering student, managed to return to his apartment, where his roommate found him.

In 2012 Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot to death as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

After Ji's murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students.

A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16 percent of the more than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.
China said that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

Beijing: The Chinese foreign ministry says Beijing has lodged "solemn representations" with the US over the call between President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan's leader.

Geng Shuang, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday that "It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China."

Geng said, "This is a fact that is generally recognized by the international community."

The statement did not describe the details of China's complaint to the U.S., or say with whom it was lodged.

It said China urged the relevant side, implying Trump's incoming administration to handle Taiwan-related issues "cautiously and properly," to avoid "unnecessary interference" in the China-U.S. relationship.
Gunmen seized the vehicle of Inspector Abdul Malik and constables Muhammad Yaqoob and Hafeez in Pasni tehsil.

Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped three Pakistan custom officials from Gwadar district in Balochistan. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Islamabad: Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped three Pakistan custom officials from Gwadar district in Balochistan.

"Gunmen seized the vehicle of customs officials at Zero Point in Pasni tehsil of Gwadar," the Dawn quoted Deputy Commissioner of Gwadar Tufail Baloch as saying.

Among those kidnapped were Inspector Abdul Malik and constables Muhammad Yaqoob and Hafeez.

Police and levies personnel reached the spot and started an initial investigation in to the incident.

Following the kidnapping, security was tightened at all entry and exit points to aid in the recovery of the kidnapped individuals.

There has been no claim of responsibility.

The China Pakistan Economic Project (CPEC) - with an investment of USD46 billion and the Gwadarport as its lynchpin - has been touted as be a real game-changer and manifestation of strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
11/2/2022

Paving and resurfacing work is scheduled to begin on Thursday, in the area of the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and East Morris Street in Dalton. The work is part of the city's annual asphalt ... more
by Loula Lahham

Egypts parliament recently approved the bill that is now waiting for President al-Sisis signature. It imposes sentences of up to five years in prison and fines up to a US$ 650,000. According to critics, the laws restrictions will have a devastating impact.

Cairo (AsiaNews)  A law adopted by the Egyptian parliament restricting NGO activities is causing fear and concerns among civil society groups. When implemented, the new legislation is expected to complicate what is an already difficult situation.

Parliament approved the new legislation by a wide margin last Tuesday (29 November). Now all it requires is the signature of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to be promulgated. The latter could refuse to sign and send it back to parliament for additional changes. Once signed and published in the Official Gazette, it will come into force on the same day.

An example of the new laws restrictions is the ban on Egyptian NGOs carrying out surveys without prior (and special) authorisation from the State. The same goes for publishing survey results. For their part, foreign NGOs will have to pay more than US$ 20,000 to the Egyptian State in order to operate in the country.

The new law sets up a body with representatives from the State Security Services (Amn al-Dawla), the intelligence services, and the army, to regulate NGO foreign funding. The new body will mange the activities of foreign organisations already in the country or those planning to work in Egypt. None of this is actually new since it was part of the old regulations.

The new law also imposes up to five years in prison and fines of up to US$ 650,000 for any violator. Local and international NGOs are not allowed to engage in "political activity", or make any attempt against "national security or public order, morality or public health".

The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Kenyan Maina Kiai, said in a statement that the law would badly harm Egypts civil society for generations, and its provisions would violate international law and contradict Egypts own constitution.

This bill proposes perhaps the worst restrictions on fundamental freedoms in Egypt since the 2011 uprisings, Mr Kiai said. It aims to destroy Egypts foundation for peaceful, civic engagement at its very roots. If it becomes law, it would devastate civil society not only in the short term, but possibly for generations to come.

In a similar official statement, Human Rights Watch appealed to President al-Sisi to reject the law.

In Egypt itself, civil society groups have made it clear that they were not consulted during the drafting process.
Iman Bibars slams the new law adopted by Egypts parliament, which leaves scope for interpretation and corruption, and does not counter the flow of money into the coffers of extremist movements. In the end, it will harm the activities of associations working for the countrys development.

Cairo (AsiaNews)  Egypts parliament has just approved a new law on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and now requires only the presidents signature to come into force. Social and human rights activists and organisations have strongly criticised it.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Egyptian activist Iman Bibars has called the new legislation very harsh and not understandable, whose interpretation and implementation will be left to low level civil servant[s].

Ms Iman Bibars heads the Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women (ADEW), one of Egypts foremost NGO. She has a BA and an MA in political science from the American University in Cairo, and holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex University, in the UK. She is the vice president of Ashoka Global and regional director of Ashoka Arab World, an organisation involved in social entrepreneurship.

The law she criticises imposes imprisonment and heavy fines on NGOs if they carry out "political activities" or commit acts that threaten "national security or public order, morality or public health."

According to her and other critics, the law is too vague and leaves open "the door to corruption". It also does not stop the flow of money into the coffers of Islamic extremist groups or the Muslim Brotherhood.

Here is Iman Bibars interview with AsiaNews:

What is wrong with the new law?

I have read comments by many UN and human rights officials. I just want to say that I have not really read the law itself, and therefore I am commenting on what I have heard. If it is true that we, as volunteers, can get jailed and have to pay fines if we break the law, or even, as I heard, if we open a branch of our NGO without permission, I would find that very harsh and not understandable.

Why do you criticise the new law before even reading it?

First things first, the writers of the law did not clarify what the term "breaking the law" means. They will leave the interpretation to a low level civil servant who might not be trained. This might open the door to corruption. But it also entails punishment for people who have helped and want to help their country as if they are the enemy.

You know that many NGO working in the human rights field are not transparent. Don't you think the government will settle this situation once for all?

During the last five years, several individuals have been accused of taking money to disrupt harmony and peace in Egypt and act against the country. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were found in their bank accounts. Therefore, if they are the target, this new law will not touch them. The same goes for the Muslim Brotherhood and all groups of fundamentalists. They get their funding directly into their personal accounts. So this law will only harm development-oriented NGOs who openly ask for permission to work for the economic and health empowerment of the poor. I seriously think that those who have created this law, as we have heard it [described], have no real understanding of civil society. None of the groups that they accuse of treason has ever been an NGO. There are more than 40,000 NGOs in Egypt and out of them, less than 2% are the ones accused for any wrong doing.

I repeat! If the law is perceived to protect Egypt from those who are accused of being agents or spies it will not do that at all. I will soon read the law myself and frankly I would be sadly surprised if these articles are there, as they will affect serious development-oriented NGOs who have real impact on the ground. (LL)
by Melani Manel Perera

The Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences is taking place in Sri Lanka. On the eve of the meeting, Sri Lankas president met with a delegation of bishops. Catholics promote the social and religious life of the population.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena met on Wednesday with a delegation of Asian bishops and thanked them for the immense contribution made by the Catholic Church to socially uplift and help the poor and disadvantaged of Sri Lanka. 'It is indeed a blessing to Sri Lanka having such high and learned leaders to lead not only the Catholics but also the people in Sri Lanka, the president said.

The bishops are on the island for the 11th Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). More than 140 delegates from 40 countries came for the occasion. The Sri Lankan government contributed to the organisation of the event with some 10 million rupees, or about US$ 70,000.

The president met Card Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the FABC, as well as Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, and Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Tot, apostolic nuncio to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a nation of different religions and diverse cultures and has a tradition going back several centuries, Sirisena said. We have a closer understanding and respect for each others culture, customs, traditions and values.

The president stressed the importance of meeting the bishops in a country like Sri Lanka where peace and harmony reign. "If you travel from North to South and East to West you will come across places of religious worship of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians in all the villages and cities, he said.

With respect to the conferences theme, The Asian Catholic Family: Domestic Church of the Poor on a Mission of Mercy, Sirisena said, I appreciate the work of the Catholic Church in the promotion of the social and religious life of the people.
Hi all...



I need your help..



My Partner and I have submitted in August '16 a "Temp Visa Subclass 300 - Prospective Marriage Visa" and are awaiting on approval. My partner has completed the Biometrics, Health Checks and additional Info have all been completed.



We have received both Application and ID numbers from DIBP.



Now we are in the waiting phase.



What I would like know is what Visa should we apply for in seeking a 6 months stay in Australia, pending the decision/approval of the Temp Visa Subclass 300 - Prospective Marriage Visa" (which may take up to 12 months for approval)..



Any thoughts or idea would be appreciated.



Glenn
11/2/2022

The Cleveland State Womens Basketball team started the 2022-2023 season with a home victory over Snead State 72-44 on Tuesday November 1 as Tionna Baker scored 24 points to lead the way with ... more
TC Smartphone Navigation App, a free navigation system released yesterday by Toyota Motor Corporation, can now be enjoyed in Japan. It is dedicated for smartphone users who want to obtain information on street directions and avoid getting stuck in traffic jams.

Revealed on the first day of December, the TC Smarthone Navigation is mirrored to similar traffic navigation tools offered by Toyota's competitors, which gives information about traffic-free paths to go to. The update this free navigation app provides is not only limited to driving routes, but also about what's happening on the streets that can affect travel time. Among those who already released navigation tool apps are companies such as Apple, Google, and Alphabet, Inc.; Toyota wants to be at par with them on the said platform, according to BM's blog post.

On top of TC App's availability and compatibility with smartphones, Toyota'a official website gives free access to the navigation system app, especially when it comes to helping out in relief operations or any disaster evacuation. TC Navigation or its route history map heavily relies on gathered traffic data to show a car's itinerary behavior as well. T-probe traffic data are taken from on-board communication modules (DCM), via paid T-Connect smartphones, with an annual payment of 2,500/US$22.

Toyota considers the visibility and the operability enhancement of TC Smartphone Navigation App in the coming days will take care of users' security and convenient mobility, as well as a wider range of customers. The goal focuses on delivering globally-competitive and accumulation of customer experience through regular usage of data being provided by TC Smartphone App. Aerial captures of disaster-affected areas visible through the route history map also makes this app user-friendly and helpful, Green Car Congress reported. Eventually, Toyota plans to reach out with other external service providers and akippa, Inc. gets to be its first partner; and soon, the firm will do the same with Park24 Co., Ltd.
3 December 2016 10:02 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan has enough potential to export its agricultural products to the US markets, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the US Department of Commerce Michael Lally said.

Lally made remarks at a press conference in Baku Dec. 2.

Azerbaijan has determined its way, by setting the task to develop the non-oil sector of the economy, he said.

Lally said that as a result, new investments can be attracted to Azerbaijan.

He also stressed the US businessmens growing interest in Azerbaijan.

Lally added that the economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, based on the 25-year history, is expanding.

Lally emphasized certain achievements in energy sector.

At present, Azerbaijan and the US focus on cooperation in non-oil sector, he said.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham) has prepared a document with 16 recommendations for further development of trade and investment relations between the US and Azerbaijani businessmen and further improvement of the investment sphere in Azerbaijan, he said.

He added that the representatives of 34 US companies visited Azerbaijan in the last three years and held around 200 meetings with potential Azerbaijani partners.

Those visits and meetings brought some results, in particular, the US Honeywell company opened its office in Baku and other agreements were reached, he said.

Lally added that Azerbaijan should take some measures for the development of non-oil sector.

Lally emphasized great prospects for the Azerbaijan-US cooperation in the field of ICT and agriculture.

Taking into account Azerbaijan's potential to export agricultural products to the European and US markets, that area must develop well, he said.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
1 December 2016 18:24 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

A house museum of Tahir Salahov in Baku hosted an event entitled "Meeting of generations", dedicated to the 88th anniversary of the outstanding artist.

A number of public, political and art figures gathered at the event to congratulate Tahir Salahov at his house museum, which became one of the cultural symbols of Azerbaijan's capital.

Tahir Salahov sensitively catches the rhythms of life and able to listen and hear the time. He is the master of portraits, landscape pictures, still-life paintings and large many-figured paintings.

Salahov is the vice-president and honorary president of the International Association of Plastic Arts of UNESCO, the vice-president of the Russian Academy of Arts, People's Artist of the USSR, Azerbaijan and Russia, and is the winner of a number of high awards, including the State Prize of the USSR and Azerbaijan.

He became one of the leading representatives of the so-called "severe style", a trend in Soviet art of the 1960s that aimed to set off a hard, publicist, and realist view against the ceremonial "polished reality" of the Joseph Stalin era.

Portraits occupy a special place in Tahir's creative activity. He has painted the portraits of Azerbaijan's foremost composers - Gara Garayev and Fikrat Amirov along with Azerbaijani poet Rasul Rza and Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, to name a few.

Each portrait reflects Tahir's efforts to draw out the inner worlds of his subjects.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
3 December 2016 12:36 (UTC+04:00)

A ceremony has today been held to mark the completion of Renovation of water supply and sanitation system in the city of Tartar project.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.

Chairman of Azersu Gorkhmaz Huseynov informed the head of state and his spouse of the project, which is part of National water supply and sanitation program in six districts of Azerbaijan project co-funded by the Azerbaijani government and the Islamic Development Bank. The project is designed to improve water supply and sanitation services for 26,000 people in the city of Tartar. It is also planned to pump drinking water to a total of 21,000 people in 11 villages in the district in the future. Overall, the project will serve a total of 47,000 people.

Work is also underway in the cities of Gadabay, Dashkasan and Astara to renovate water supply and sanitation system under National water supply and sanitation program in six districts of Azerbaijan project. In 2017, construction of water supply and sanitation system will be complete in Gadabay and Dashkasan, and renovation will start in the city of Qazakh.

The head of state then met with representatives of the general public in Tartar.

President Ilham Aliyev then pressed a button to start the pumping of drinking water to the city of Tartar.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
3 December 2016 18:48 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is on a working visit in Azerbaijan. The ministers had a tete-a-tete meeting, and continued the discussions with the participation of delegations, Azertac reported.

The sides hailed the development of fraternal and allied relations at the strategic level between the two countries.

FM Elmar Mammadyarov once again strongly condemned an attempt of coup perpetrated in Turkey and reiterated that the people and the State of Azerbaijan stands as always by the people and State of Turkey.

Mevlut Cavusoglu noted that they highly appreciate brotherly Azerbaijans solidarity with Turkey and thanked the people and Government of Azerbaijan. He added that the two countries` cooperation is getting further strengthened and improved by the projects like Baku-Tbilisi-Kars and TANAP.

The ministers stressed that Azerbaijan-Turkey successful cooperation in bilateral and multilateral format contributes to the regional development. In this sense, they added that as an important segment of the East-West transportation corridor Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line will be operational very soon. They also noted the continuation of TANAP project's construction works.

At the meeting it was mentioned that the two countries continue the mutual support and joint efforts in the framework of international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organization, Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization and others.

The importance of development of the bilateral cooperation between the countries in trilateral Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey, Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkey, Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan-Turkey formats was highlighted. They reviewed the ways of further expansion of this format.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed his counterpart about the negotiations process on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that this conflict must be resolved through negotiations based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions which demand withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan and within the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the two also discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation, increasing of trade turnover, as well as the regional and international issues of mutual interest.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
3 December 2016 11:33 (UTC+04:00)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Uzbekistan is completing preparations for holding the presidential election scheduled for Dec. 4, CEC Chairman Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov said Dec. 2 at a briefing in the country.

The program of events on the preparation and holding of the election made it possible to organize the entire election process at a high level, provide conditions for full implementation of the electoral rights of the Uzbek citizens, said Abdusalomov.

The Uzbek presidential election campaign started Sept. 9, 2016.

In accordance with the countrys legislation, as many as 14 electoral districts were established, the district and precinct election commissions were formed, and 9,381 polling stations were created, including 44 polling stations under offices of Uzbekistan in 36 countries. Precinct election commissions compiled the full lists of voters, which included 21.4 million citizens.

The polling stations in Uzbekistan are provided with everything necessary, with the means of communication, computers and office equipment, legal literature. Cabins for secret voting have been equipped in the designated areas, ballot boxes installed.

To date, all the voters have been notified by the precinct election commissions of Uzbekistan about the time and the place of voting. Voters were given every opportunity to familiarize themselves with the election programs, biographies of the Uzbek presidential candidates through the mass media outlets or directly at the pre-election meetings of the candidates with the voters.

In accordance with the Uzbek legislation, 87,500 voters, who are unable to be present at their place of residence on the election day, used their right of early voting, which began November 24 and ended at 18:00 (GMT + 5 hours) Dec. 2.

More than 80,000 local observers from public organizations, political parties, as well as 600 international ones from the OSCE ODIHR, CIS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Association of World Election Bodies, as well as from a number of countries, will be monitoring the presidential election in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan will hold an early presidential election December 4 due to the death of ex-president Islam Karimov, who passed away after suffering a stroke at the age of 79 on Sept. 2.

Candidates from four political parties of Uzbekistan participate in the presidential election - Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDeP), People's Democratic Party (PDPU), Milly Tiklanish (National Revival) Party, and Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party.

Among the presidential candidates are the countrys Acting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev from UzLiDeP, Sarvar Otamuratov from Milly Tiklanish Party, Nariman Umarov from Adolat Party, and Hotamzhon Ketmonov from PDPU.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
After hearing bad news about my Mamas health, my son Andrew wanted to get me out of the house to go four-wheeling for a bit. I told him I couldnt go and I needed to work, but he would not take no for an answer.I knew deep down that I wanted to go, but I seriously was not going to because I am the only one running my new magazine publication and there is so much to do  I have not been able to take time to have fun.Even though working IS fun for me  my free-spirit needs to be a part of the earth and leave the walls of my home from time to time to be a part of nature.I am very earthy and nothing makes me feel more alive than to be outdoors.Andrew knows this about me and it was his gift to me  giving me an opportunity to feel alive.And to do that with my son. How could I keep saying no?I love that about him. I used to do that with Mama.Id tell her she must put on a hat and go somewhere with me when shed say she didnt want to. But after talking her into it  she always had a great time and was glad we went.Gosh, it doesnt seem that long ago when I was leading my little buddy into trying challenging things. I will never forget the first time he kept up with me during a three mile run and he was only eight-years-old. He was a toughie and wanted to do everything I did.Somehow we switched roles over the years and instead of me leading him and watching out for him  he now leads me and watches out for me.Im 50 and where that may limit a few things I do, I still am young enough to take risk, and have adventures!Andrew let me use his four-wheeler and he rode my husbands because Jasons four-wheeler has a gear shift you have to operate with your foot and its not easy for me.Andrews four-wheeler also goes a faster speed so as we took off down the road, I had to be a hot shot and passed him (though it wasnt really fun because he knew I could go faster and just waved me on).We headed down a trail towards the creek where I would walk the greyhounds. I still had on the clothes I wore when I conducted an interview that morning, but I didnt care if I got dirty.Showing off, I went through a puddle and immediately saw deep sink holes, but it was too late  I had to ride it out. Bump! Bump! Ughh.That hurt a little, but I acted as if I meant to do it.We rode along the creek banks through the creek and up and down the woods. Then Andrew took me all over the place - back in parts I had never been and would definitely get lost if I tried it alone. But he has been doing it for over a year and knows the area well. It was follow the leader now, because I didnt really know where I was and Andrew was ready to teach me as we went along with safety tips so I could have fun and know what Im doing. I like that.He took me through brush and debris where limbs were poking out everywhere and there was no clear pass--- so NOW I was truly off-roading! Where all the logical points told me, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars  we did!It made me feel brave. To go where I had not been, to do what I thought clearly was a no pass zone and yet we did it!My son drove across the water and told me to follow exactly where he crossed.Well, as I tried to follow his tire tracks in the water  the ripples swiftly moved his trail to the right and by the time I tried to follow them  I shifted to the right too  into a deeper part of the water.My first instinct was to stop but Andrew shouted, Dont stop!So I gave it the gas and luckily I pulled out of the deep water, but Andrew taught me to next time roll in deep water  not to gun it.We took a steep hill that was a challenge for me, but even more so because at the top of the hill just before heading back down was a fallen tree I had to go under and it barely cleared the four-wheeler much less my head. I had to duck wa-a-ay down until I was nearly kissing the gas tank (and Im sure any microscopic creature was now in my hair).The amber color creek was as blue as the Caribbean with the blue skys reflection. It was so beautiful and peaceful.At first I thought he was crazy to take his 50 year old mama through some of the tight spots, but I did it and I liked it. And we drove through a few more!We came up to a flowing part of the creek and saw something terribly heartbreaking.A buck and a doe were gutted and left in the water.Yes, I love watching the deer around my farm, but it was not about being a sappy chick who hated to see something killed  I respect our need for hunters. But this, was very disrespectful.Disrespectful of the animals, disrespectful to the land, disrespectful of life and disrespectful to God our provider. I almost didnt want to leave the sight without saying some sort of Native American chant over the deer  but I didnt know any. I always loved how Native Americans respected the land and the animals.The scene was so fresh just an eerie feeling, like the scene in Dances with Wolves where the Sioux found Ta-Tanka slaughtered across the plains and killed only for their hide. I think everything needs to be respected and given gratitude for its life.Really nothing we could do, we got back on our four-wheelers and rode some more.Andrew was patient for me to stop occasionally to take a few photos and lag behind, but for the most part I was right there with him.It was funny when we got into a tight spot how I followed him through hard-to-get-through areas in which I would never try by myself.At that moment, as I seized the day with my son and put work aside  I was brave. I was brave again. Its been a long time since I had felt brave and I like that feeling.Not in a prideful way, where I would be cocky or that I did something of myself because I know God is the one getting me through everything - but it was a feeling of being alive and really living my life - not just existing. Everyone needs to do that. (And as a writer, it gives us material)!I would advise any writer who feels writers block to step outside of your routine and just do it  go on an adventure  walk outdoors and the story will always be there.We finally came through the hills and thrills and spin outs and splashes of the creek beds, and we came upon an old cemetery. I knew this spot.It was where Id hike with the Greys and I remembered looking across the field with them and seeing a very distant view of our home. It gave me a good feeling then and I wanted to do it again, so I stopped following Andrew and went up on the wooded hill to the clearing to take in the sight once again.He came over to where I was, and then we rode down through the harvested field toward my house.Listening to the humming speed of our engines and feeling the cool brisk air on our cheeks, we were halfway through the field when a flock of white birds burst forth in unison from the ground to the sky. It was beautiful!When we got to the house my fingers were numb. I hugged my son and thanked him.I thanked him for not taking no for an answer and I asked him to always, always do that as I get older. I told him I had to do that same thing to Mama just to break up the stir-crazy of her everyday rituals. No, she and I didnt go four-wheeling, but we did what she could do.Its easy to be too busy in our everyday lives. It seems like a lot now just to find time to be with our loved ones  much less doing something for ourselves in which to rejuvenate.But it IS important to do  especially when a loved one is asking for you to be with them.And as far as adventure  we all need that too. Some on a smaller scale than others, but whatever your adrenaline level  go. Get out of your routine and just go.We can find every excuse in the world not to, but if we make the time to do something out of the ordinary to feel alive, I dont think we ever regret it.Being brave doesnt mean you must go through some death-defying feat. And it doesnt even have to be something outdoors. Just simply decide to step out just a bit outside of your comfort zone for doing so will help you when you need to be emotionally brave for unexpected things occurring in your life.I may not have the desire to go to the limits a few adrenaline junkies go, but I go just a little further than where I normally would.And I love being brave.Video on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/194112566 jen@themurraymirror.com
Mrs. Claus, Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland, Santa Claus and Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis helped light the tree. photo by Randall Higgins photo by Randall Higgins photo by Randall Higgins Broad Street United Methodist church was one stop on the reverse caroling stroll photo by Randall Higgins Previous Next

Main Street Cleveland's Classic Christmas weekend launched the local Christmas holidays Friday night with the community tree lighting.

Once the tree was lighted, the crowd took part in reverse caroling by walking from one location to another to hear choirs sing. Children talked with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. There were carriage rides around the courthouse.

The festivities continued with a Christmas parade on Saturday and a classic Christmas concert at Lee University Sunday.
Moses Kuria today was blessed and anointed by elders at his constituency, Gatundu. The area M.P visited Kahunguini area where Deputy president visited last week and laid out a process of building a theology school. The construction is expected to be complete by march, 2017.Without forgetting what the member of parliament is used to do, he mocked the opposition leader Hon. Raila Odinga. He contrasted him with a man who was jailed in Rwanda for preaching genocide. This is what Moses Kuria said, "we are still waiting for CID, NCIC and DPP to take action on Raila Odinga for asking the people of Narok to arm themselves because Jubilee government is eating and stealing anything like cockroaches so they will arm with arrows and spears and cause bodily harm on other Kenyans".Moses Kuria on his facebook post said, "Now is the day of contemplation and thanksgiving in a joy-filled service in Gatundu. A Theological College is being built at the exact venue at Kahuguini where my predecessor as Gatundu MP Mzee Jomo Kenyatta used to hold prayers with other freedom fighters such as Jessee Kariuki. The seats that they used to sit on are still intact and will be preserved under my administration and custody of the Theological College. "He also added," Live alone with the guys who talk a lot without doing developments. I promise you that we will be back with deputy president William Ruto to see the if the site is complete on 12th March 2017. "That day next year, will mark the death of one of the founders of the church and a close confidant of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Bishop St Gachukia. Deputy president will release a printing carrying the history of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) and what does it mean to Kenya. The history of AIPCA is a speculum of the history of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and a fitting chronicle of the liberation progress in this country.The elders anointed him with oil as a blessing to the community regardless of what happened in the previous years. He is the MP of Gatundu who succeeded the president, Uhuru Kenyatta and the former President Jomo Kenyatta.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Attended a 2nd National Leadership Summit in Kwale with Kwale governor Salim Mvurya. The summit was organised by a partnership between both Houses of Parliament and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).The opposition leader Hon. Raila Odinga was also invited to the summit. He declined the invitation and accused the government of preparing grounds where they could steal tax payers money. The meeting exclusively prepared to combine the government agencies and the opposition parties in discussing the issues affecting Kenya and suggestion to combat jobless youth in the Country.The summit included Political parties, religious and civil society leaders, captains of industry, Parliamentarians and the Executive dialogue. The president urged politicians to support developments and do mature politics. He also insisted that abusive politics and hatred will take the country into the Olden days. The statements that the president made were seconded by the host governor Hon Salim Mvurya.The Leadership Summit is expected to continue for two days.
Forensic anthropologists from the University of South Florida teamed up with law enforcement and government agencies across the state to host the first ever 'Missing in Florida' day.

First Missing in Florida day was held Saturday

Event aimed at drawing attention to missing and unidentified people

Families, law enforcement and government agenices attended

The event aimed to draw attention to missing and unidentified persons cases, and provide an opportunity for families to come forward and file reports for the first time. The event was modeled after similar successful events held in other states, which have led to positive identifications.

"The public plays a really critical role because they're the eyes out there who see people know what happened we always say people don't just disappear someone knows what happened to them," USF Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Erin Kimmerle said.

Organizers hope the event will prompt new missing person investigations and collect necessary identifiers from family members such as DNA, fingerprints, dentals and photographs, to help solve open cases and to re-open cases that were erroneously closed.

"We want answers for the family, we don't want them to be out there for wondering what happened," Major Jeff Peake with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. "We want that closure for them."

Agencies also provided safety tips to keep autistic inidividuals and the elderly people from getting lost, information on Amber Alerts, and how law enforcement is combatting human trafficking in Florida.

Vivina Barnwell and her family came to the Missing in Florida event searching for answers about her son Peiare. Barnwell said her son left her New Port Richey home on Halloween weekend and she hasnt heard from him since.

According to her, Peiara suffers from a severe mental illness and doesnt have a cell phone or any other resources. His sister, Travina Hicks, gave a heartfelt plea for his safe return.

"We miss him so much he definitely needs to come home he's mentally challenged he needs his medication we miss him we love him we just want him back," Hicks said.

Currently, more than 3,200 people are missing in the state of Florida. Nationwide, there are more than 84,000 reported missing persons. However, experts said those numbers are underrated because many cases are mishandled, closed, or reports are not taken.
Stickers With Swastika, 'Trump' Spotted In The South Loop

By Stephen Gossett in News on Dec 3, 2016 5:06PM

Stickers with a swastika emblazoned with the word "Trump" are popping up in Chicago, according to social media accounts and news reports.

Simran Jeet Singh, a Professor of Religion at Trinity, in New York, posted the photo below on Twitter on Thursday morning. "A friend of mine says these pro-Trump swastika stickers are showing up on signs around downtown Chicago," his post read. Another user ID'ed the location as the South Loop.

A friend of mine says these pro-Trump swastika stickers are showing up on signs around downtown Chicago. #ReportHate pic.twitter.com/ABHAcr89Wc  Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) December 2, 2016



According to DNA Info, who first reported the story, residents have reported "a rash" of such stickers in the area, including one spotted near E 14th St. and S Wabash Ave. A spokesperson for Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd Ward) told the site the stickers started appearing after the election.

Chicagoist has reached out to the Alderman's office and will update this post accordingly.

The Southern Poverty Law Center reported nearly 900 incidents of hateful intimidation in just the 10 days following the election. Twenty-five of those occurred in Illinois, several of which were happened in Chicago, according to SPLC. Last week, books about Islam were defaced with swastikas and hateful messages at an Evanston library; and on Tuesday a CPS elementary school was vandalized with a spray-painted swastika. On Thursday, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart announced a new 24/7 hotline through which victims can report threats made based on race, gender religion, nationality or sexual orientation.

[H/T DNA Info]
Rare, Bizarre Glowing Creatures Strand on Oregon Coast Beaches

Published 12/02/2016 at 4:03 PM PDT - Updated 12/02/2016 at 4:29 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Oregon Coast)  Imagine a giant glowing worm-like creature, some 60 feet long and emitting a bright green-blue. Yet it's harmless and reportedly soft as a boa. (Most photos by Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium).

This is a relative of the truly bizarre and rarely-seen creature that has suddenly washed up along the Oregon coast in massive droves. It's called a pyrosome, and the ones found here are less than a foot. They are actually massive colonies of cloned creatures related to a kind of jellyfish called a salp.

Each individual is about 1 cm long  less than a third of an inch. They are all connected by tissue and in turn form this colony that looks like a plastic tube. Big winter storms have caused gobs of them to strand on the shores, found in all areas of the coast right now. It apparently started six weeks ago.

Seaside Aquarium's Tiffany Boothe recently snagged some pictures and announced her remarkable finds. (At right: Boothe's closeup of the colony, showing the individuals, all 1 cm or less).

Pyrosomes, pelagic colonial tunicates usually found in temperate waters [as low as] 800 meters, have been washing ashore on Oregon's beaches, Boothe said. This colony of animals is comprised of thousands of individual zooids and moves through the water column by the means of cilia. They filter plankton out of the water for food and are known for bight displays of bioluminescence. In fact, their scientific name is derived from the Greek words pyro meaning 'fire' and soma meaning 'body.' 

The technical name is Pyrosoma atlanticum, and it's one of the few pyrosomes that make it to the west coast of the U.S., much less Oregon's waters. The ones that have been washing up on the Oregon coast seem to be a little longer than the average hand, but some of this type of pyrosoma get as long as 24 inches. Largely colorless, they can show up as pink, grayish or purple-green. Indeed, many of those washing up here are rather bright in hue.

The pyrosome moves up and down the ocean, sometimes close to the surface and sometimes as far down as 2600 feet. All of this activity usually happens in a day, as the colony wanders the deep, sucking in water in order to filter out food. As it sucks water in, it soon pushes it back out, thereby propelling it through the ocean. It does all this via only one opening, so it moves incredibly slow. How it eats is the same means by which it moves.

Scott Marion, Marine Habitat Project Leader, with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), said this is likely the reason it evolved to form colonies.

Each one filters out water, creating a flow, creating a better flow for the whole colony, Marion said.

Dr. Bill Hanshumaker, education specialist and chief scientist with Oregon Sea Grant and Newport's Hatfield Marine Science Center, said he's been receiving reports of these for about six weeks. It's a puzzle to many of the scientists at the Hatfield, who wound up passing on samples and reports to him to figure out and identify.



Another pyrosome, photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium



Marion said ODFW crews spotted a large grouping of them in the spring about 100 feet deep off Port Orford. They were about as big as those creatures showing up now, he said, but added to see them in such big numbers in these waters was pretty unusual.

There is a large array of species of pyrosomes, and most of these come from tropical waters. Some of them, at least around Australia, grow to 60 feet long. One web page called them unicorns of the sea, and a 60-foot-long jet-powered animal.

Even at that enormous size they're fairly soft. They are certainly harmless to humans, although if it tried it could conceivably suck a human into its body.

The other striking factor is that it is bioluminescent. It glows when touched or disturbed  reportedly quite brightly. The ones you find on the beaches will be very dead so their glowing action will be gone, unfortunately. More about other glowing creatures of the Oregon coast. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

Below: a 60-foot-long pyrosome near Australia.





Below: more oddities you may find on the Oregon coast after these storms. A salp and a nudibranch (photos Seaside Aquarium)





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Will President Donald Trump return to Trump Tower upon his departure from the White House?

Historically, most U.S. presidents head back to their hometowns after their terms in the Oval Office, although Barack Obama bucked the trend of leaving Washington, D.C.

The Obamas opted to stay in D.C. for a few years, until youngest daughter Sasha finishes high school.

According to DCist, the first family will be the first president to remain in D.C. post-presidency since Woodrow Wilson left office in 1921.

>>Take a look at where presidents have lived before and after the White House in the gallery above.

The Obamas leased a stately 1928 home in the Kalorma neighborhood of D.C. With a 10-car garage and nine bedrooms, the home seems well suited for the Secret Service. Their monthly rent has not been disclosed, but the home most recently sold for $5,295,000 in May 2014.

PHOTOS: White House Christmas decorations 2016

When George W. Bush left the White House, he and his wife, Laura, moved to Dallas' prestigious Preston Hollow neighborhood. According to the New York Times, he has a "man cave" that contains "mementos and pictures from his time in power." (Story continues below.)

TEXAS' WHITE HOUSE, Y'ALL: White House replica, former Texas governor's mansion going to auction

His father, George H.W. Bush, returned to Houston when he left office in 1994. He and his wife, Barbara, settled into a red-brick home on West Oak Drive South in Tanglewood.

"We are living in our new house, built on our famous tiny lot, and it is perfect for us," the Massachusetts-born former president told a New York Times reporter via fax.

"They really are very nice neighbors," their neighbor told the Times in 1994. "They are just trying so hard to have normal, quiet life."

THE GOLD STANDARD? Will Donald Trump's White House be as opulent as his Manhattan penthouse?

As for Trump, he's already spent a lot of time in his "Winter White House," Mar-a-Lago. Although his primary home is his Manhattan penthouse, where he was rumored to spend most of his personal downtime.

An article once stated that Trump is "a homebody who often flew several hours late at night during the campaign so he could wake up in his own bed in Trump Tower."
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The City of Orange, which recently spent $20,000 on a new Nativity display, snowman and Santa Claus decorations, has for the second year in a row denied a local atheists group's request to hang a "Happy Holidays" banner on the lawn of city hall.

"We spent a lot of money to put our stuff up, and we don't want any banners up," said Orange Mayor Jimmy Sims.

Clara Gilley, a spokesperson for the Orange County Atheists of Texas, said she received an email from Orange City Manager Shawn Oubre on Nov. 8 denying the group's request to hang the banner alongside the city's new holiday decorations, which include a set of carolers, a toy soldier and a menorah.

Oubre's email said the city council had already approved the arrangement of the city hall holiday display at its Oct. 25 council meeting and agreed it would go up "without signage." The email also noted that the display was "multiple component," meaning it includes non-Christian elements like the menorah and snowman, making it compliant with federal law.

The Orange County Atheists asked the city last year to include a banner next to its city hall Nativity scene that read in full: "Whether you are celebrating Saturnalia, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, the Winter Solstice, or any other holiday this time of year, the Orange County Atheists would like to wish you... Happy Holidays!"

The city denied the request and instead relocated the manger scene to Stark Park, a private park.

The U.S. Supreme Court decisions in 1984 and 1989 established the "reindeer rule," which said Nativity scenes can be set up on public property as long as they are a part of a larger holiday display.

The Nativity scene was the only holiday decoration displayed at city hall last year.

"It's still kind of a slap in the face because it's a legal way of excluding us," Gilley said of this year's "multiple component" display. "And they just blew $20,000 of taxpayer money on these holiday decorations."

Gilley said city officials are responding to pressure from the city's Christian community to reject the atheist banner. Oubre could not be reached for comment Friday.

Gilley said her group has discussed hosting benefits to raise money for local charities to "offset the cost" of the city's holiday decorations.

"Whether they want to admit it or not, not just Christians live in Orange County," Gilley said.

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President Xi Jinping has called for more to be done to deepen reforms and establish a framework of institutions to promote ecological civilization in China.

The goal of achieving an ecological civilization is a key part of China's overall development strategy and governments at all levels should remember that clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets, said Xi, according to a statement released Friday by the central authorities.

More should be done to create a legal and operational ecological civilization framework, which will feature green, renewable and low-carbon growth and economical and environmentally-friendly way of life, Xi pointed out.

China will increase environmental inspections and punish polluters accordingly to ensure the environment improves, Xi said.

Ecological civilization should be an important task for governments and Communist Party of China branches at all levels. They should implement policies earnestly and contribute more to a greener China and global ecological security, Xi added.

Premier Li Keqiang spoke about ecological civilization's key role in achieving sustainable growth, adding that local governments should bare this in mind when drafting supply-side structural reforms.

China will continue to optimize its industrial structure, cut excess capacity, reduce pollution and improve air, water and soil quality, Li added.

A national meeting on ecological progress was held Friday in Zhejiang Province, where Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli urged local governments to use their previous achievements to kick-start faster and better ecological civilization development.

Moreover, more should be done to promote green urbanization and sustainable industrial structure, and improve the efficiency of resource utilization, Zhang added.
University of Iowa Health Care's Epic EHR system was down for more than six hours Wednesday night due to an electrical problem in one of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' main server rooms, according to The Gazette.

The Iowa City-based health system's EHR went down around 8:00 p.m. Nov. 30. UIHC spokesman Tom Moore said staff members were "immediately mobilized to begin fixing the problem," and off-site "support vendors" also came in to assist.

Instead of using the EHR system, clinical staff members used a read-only version of patient data. Officials said the incident did not impact overall care.

The EHR was restored around 2:30 a.m. Dec. 1 after UIHC transferred services from its data center to an off-site center.

"There was no loss of data, and we expect any damaged equipment will be replaced under existing agreements with no additional expense to UI Hospitals and Clinics," Mr. Moore said.
A "master of multitasking," Elizabeth Shih manages to juggle numerous roles inside and outside the office.

Since 2001, she has served as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of San Francisco-based Dignity Health, one of the largest health systems in the U.S. and the largest provider in California by hospital number. Ms. Shih has more than 28 years of experience in system integration and operations. She is also an active donor to both the Community Health Partnership Fund and the Alzheimer's Association.

Here, she spoke with Becker's Hospital Review about her current role, her morning routine and why she raised $15,000 for the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Question: What is one of your daily routines?

Elizabeth Shih: One personal routine I do every morning, even when I'm traveling, is get up at 5:30 a.m. and by 6:15 a.m. I'm in the fitness center. I'm on the treadmill for one hour and five minutes and not one minute more.

It makes a huge difference in my day. I have to make it into a personal daily routine.

When you're a chief administrative officer, you're there to help people in all different levels of the company. People stop by my office frequently. As a professional routine when I come to work, the first thing I do is look at my calendar and see how much available time I have for folks when they stop in. In actual practice, I make the time even if I dont have it.

Q: What are the biggest challenges and the biggest benefits of holding the CAO role?

ES: As the CAO, I'm responsible for the governance of [Dignity Health] and overall project management of large-scale initiatives for the system. I'm the special assistant to the president and CEO, and I also support the COO. I have oversight of hospital construction, corporate real estate and leases, security and safety management and the project management office.

Separately from that, you can think of me as a general contractor. I have my regular duties and then what I love about my job is that I'm also asked to work on special assignments. For example, in 2012, we changed our name and governance structure, which included a major brand change. The chief strategy officer asked if I'd help lead the transition including notifying vendors and patients, hospital licensing, insurance companies, and changing the branding of everything from stationary to hospital signage.

People think I am a supreme master of multitasking. The fun part is that I draw from people around the company who are looking for the opportunity to do something on a larger scale and scope. At the same time, I always learn something from them. I try to identify the people who are going to be leaders of the future. The best way to do something is to surround yourself with smart, energetic, motivated people.

Q: You financially support the Community Health Partnership Fund. Could you discuss your decision to do so?

ES: In a company as large as ours with a mission like ours, we allocate funds to certain projects. We have an incredible employee giving program in which employees are encouraged to give directly or through a payroll deduction to specific projects.

[The Community Health Partnership Fund] is one I support because it brings workshops to areas where certain resources are not available because the people there are underserved. One example is a workshop that helps patients effectively manage their chronic diseases. Sometimes when you donate, you're not sure if it makes a difference. With this program, they let me know what my dollars do. Once I know that I can make a difference, it's hard to stop supporting. Last year, the program did close to 150 workshops for over 1,000 people. It's very gratifying. I've been contributing for about 10 years.

I'm also very involved externally with the Alzheimer's Association. I started my involvement in 2012. It's a personal philanthropy choice; I'm a caregiver to my wonderful husband, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. After his diagnosis, we wanted to get involved in a support group  but there was a waiting list. I thought that was unconscionable. I gave money so that the Alzheimer's Association could bring on additional facilitators and get everybody off the waiting list to ensure they could have services immediately.

I continue to support the organization, and my donation goes toward something for which funds have not been budgeted. There's always things that are wonderful but that they just don't have the resources to do. I thought, "I cannot let another couple go through that experience."

This year [the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada] invited me to join the board. In addition, I put together a team for this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's. My first thought was, "I don't do stuff like that." Then I thought I could get about 10 friends and family members to join the team. We ended up getting 35 people on our team. As far as raising money, I thought I could hit my team members up, but then they started helping me raise funds. I raised $15,000 for the walk, an amount I never thought I would reach (my initial goal was $5,000!). We actually took my husband with us to the walk, and his terrific caregivers volunteered on their own time to come.

It's amazing  you have your work influences, and then your personal experiences drive you to do things and make a difference. This year, I'm supporting the Alzheimer's Association through raising money to give caregivers a break from caregiving through respite care. Having gone through what I don't think anyone else should ever have to go through, the compassion and kindness of others is invaluable.

Q: What news story or event in healthcare have you been most interested in this past month?

ES: It'd have to be the election  what's going to happen in healthcare and what that means to Dignity Health, our patients and our communities. The foundation for [Dignity Health] is the underserved. While health policy continues to change, we have a long history of keeping those who are poor and underserved at the forefront of what we do now and into the future.

For me personally, we have to be relentless in advocating for the right thing to do. A lot of times people think, "I'm just one person. How can I make a difference?" One person can make a difference; but if a lot of people get together, we can make an even bigger one.
Stay in the know with Becker's Hospital Review's weekly roundup of the nation's biggest healthcare news. Here's what you need to know this week.

1. Trump picks Price, Verma as heads of HHS, CMS: 9 things to know

President-elect Donald Trump is nominating a "dream team" to lead the top federal healthcare agencies. Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee, is Mr. Trump's official pick for secretary of HHS, and Seema Verma, president, CEO and founder of health policy consultancy SVC, is his nomination for CMS administrator.

2. 3,600+ physicians: 'The AMA does not speak for us' in supporting Price for HHS

More than 3,600 physicians signed an open letter railing against the American Medical Association's support for Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., chairman of the House Budget Committee, as secretary of HHS. The physician group wrote the AMA's backing of the nominee contradicts any support for patient well-being.

3. House approves 21st Century Cures Act: 5 things to know

The House on Nov. 30 overwhelming approved the 21st Century Cures Act, a broad-reaching measure that increases funding for research into cancer and other diseases, expands access to treatment for mental healthcare and combats the rising epidemic of opioid abuse, according to The New York Times.

4. OIG recovers $5.6B from providers in FY 2016

HHS' Office of Inspector General recovered more than $5.66 billion from healthcare providers and programs in fiscal year 2016, including about $953 million in non-HHS matters resulting from the OIG's work in areas such as Medicaid restoration, according to the OIG's Semiannual Report to Congress.

5. Anthem starts Cigna deal defense

Anthem officials testified for the company's $54 billion acquisition of Cigna Nov. 29, arguing the resulting entity would be innovative and not compromise health insurance marketplace competition, according to The Wall Street Journal.

6. Broward Health interim CEO ousted over anti-kickback accusations

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health dismissed interim CEO Pauline Grant. The board removed Ms. Grant after an independent counsel review showed potential violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, according to a hospital statement.

7. Ascension CEO to meet with Trump transition team

Anthony Tersigni, EdD, President and CEO of St. Louis-based Ascension, is scheduled to meet with President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Dec. 7 to discuss repairing America's healthcare system, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

8. Texas reports first local Zika case

Texas state health officials announced the first case of Zika likely spread by local mosquitoes in the state.
Paul Gordon, MD, a family medicine physician and professor of at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, spent three months riding his bike 3,255 miles to talk to people about the ACA, according to a report in the Arizona Daily Star.

He was accompanied on part of the tour  which took him through Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Washington  by medical student Laurel Gray, his two children and his wife, Eve Shapiro, MD, according to the report. Dr. Gordon, who told the Arizona Daily Star he believes in universal healthcare, but was never a fan of the ACA, called the project the "Obamacare Listening Tour," because he went on the tour to listen, not talk about his ideas, according to the report.

While stopping to talk with people at convenience stores and other informal locations, he said he heard some misinformation and a lot of frustration with the government over the law.

"At a minimum it informed me of people's understandings of health insurance and health in general," Dr. Gordon told the Arizona Daily Star. He said the listening practice helped inform his approach to being physician and a teacher. Read the full story here.

More articles on integration and physician issues:

AMA can't win: 3,600+ physicians reject endorsement of Dr. Tom Price for HHS

3 healthcare organizations to simulcast educational event for new physicians on value-based care

How hospitals are dealing with the Tennessee wildfire
Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center has signed an agreement for its cancer center to become sister hospitals with the Hubei Cancer Hospital in the Hubei Province in China.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two medical institutions will collaborate on research, facilitate faculty, student and resident exchanges and engage in possible cancer patient referrals to Omaha-based Fred & Pamela Buffet Cancer Center, which is currently being built.

The cancer center is the result of a partnership between UNMC and Nebraska Medicine in Omaha. The agreement with Hubei Cancer Center represents the second sister agreement for the cancer center. It became sister hospitals with Tianjin (China) Cancer Hospital in 2015.

"This is an important step in the international expansion of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center," said Kai Fu, MD, PhD, director of the office of international relations at UNMC. "Hubei Cancer Hospital is one of the top cancer centers in China."

Ken Cowan, MD, PhD, director of the Buffett Cancer Center, also voiced excitement about the agreement. "This is a landmark event for UNMC/Nebraska Medicine," he said. "Institutions of this size could partner with just about any cancer center in the U.S. For them to pick the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center speaks volumes for the quality of our programs."
Physicians, founders, executives and investors of physician-owned Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas have been charged in a federal indictment for their alleged involvement in a bribe and kickback scheme, according to the Department of Justice.

The scheme, which began in 2009 and ran through 2013, involved paying surgeons, lawyers and others for referring patients to FPMC, which was an out-of-network facility with payers.

"FPMC's strategy was to maximize profit for physician investors by refusing to join the networks of insurance plans for a period of time after its formation, allowing its owners and managers to enrich themselves through out-of-network billing and reimbursement," according to the DOJ.

According to the indictment, FPMC's referral coordinator owned a shell entity called Unique Healthcare that was used to funnel kickback payments to surgeons in exchange for referrals to FPMC. Most of the referred patients had insurance plans that provided high reimbursement for out-of-network care.

Another FPMC employee sold Medicare and Medicaid referrals to a non-FPMC facility.

There were a total of 21 defendants charged in the scheme, including the hospital's founders and executives. Those involved paid and/or received about $40 million in bribes and kickbacks for referring patients. The fraud resulted in more than $500 million in patient charges and FPMC collecting more than $200 million.

Each of the defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to pay and receive healthcare bribes and kickbacks. If convicted, they each face up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. More than half of the defendants face various other charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, violations of the federal Travel Act and offering or paying and soliciting or receiving illegal remuneration, according to the DOJ.

More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits:

Hospice provider tied to 'Dr. Death' inks $200k kickback settlement

Patient accused of attacking, kidnapping nurse in Illinois hospital

Pharmacy owner gets prison time for massive opioid diversion scheme
Texas on Monday finalized a rule that requires healthcare facilities that provide abortions to pay for the burial or cremation of fetal remains instead of disposing of them as biological medical waste, according to a report in The New York Times.

The new requirement, which was a year in the making and will take effect Dec. 19, does not apply to women who miscarry at home. The rule only affects women who have abortions or miscarry at a healthcare facility. It also applies to women who undergo abortions because of ectopic pregnancies.

With the new measure, Texas joins at least three other states  Arkansas, Louisiana and Indiana  that require burial or cremation of aborted fetal remains. Pending lawsuits have stalled the regulations from going into effect in Indiana and Louisiana, according to the report.

The regulation, which is intended to "protect the dignity of the unborn," was championed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, a staunch opponent of abortion, according to the report.

Abortion rights organizations said they are still reviewing the new measure and have not decided whether to file a lawsuit, according to the report.
The legacy is to be used specifically for the elderly in the village

A former German prisoner of war has left nearly 400,000 to a small Scottish village for the kindness shown to him during his imprisonment.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a former Waffen SS soldier during World War Two, was captured in France in 1944 when he was 19 and was held at the PoW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie, Perthshire.

He was classified as a category "C" prisoner - or hardline Nazi - and was held in Perthshire until June 1945, when he was then moved to another unit in Caithness and then a camp in Fife before eventually being released in 1948.

He returned to Comrie regularly after he was freed and made life-long friendships in the area. He died in 2014, aged 90, and his ashes were scattered in the hills above the camp.

Two years on, his wish to leave 384,000 to the village has been recognised and has been donated to the village's local community trust to be spent on local development for the elderly.

The Courier newspaper said part of Mr Steinmeyer's will reads: "I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter".

Mr Steinmeyer made close friends with a local man in the area named George Carson who died only two weeks prior to his own.

Mr Carson's son, who is also called George, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It sounds like an unbelievable story but it's absolutely true.

"My mother and her friends, all school children at Morrison's Academy in Crieff, made friends with Heinrich through the fence of the Cultybraggan camp.

"I'm not quite sure how they communicated but during these conversations they discovered that Heinrich had never seen a moving picture, so they went up with their push bikes one morning and one of the girls had taken her brother's school uniform and they smuggled him out of the camp through the chainlink fence and into the cinema where he saw his very first film and he was absolutely blown away by the whole experience.

"I met him a couple of times and he was a wonderful man.

"He had meetings with the Comrie Development Trust in 2008 and asked them to manage his estate on his death.

"He was quite specific in his will that the money should only be used on the elderly in the village.

"This is his thanks for the kindness shown to him at the point of his life where he was at his lowest and he just wants to say thank you to everybody."

The money has now been transferred to a Heinrich Steinmeyer Legacy Fund and a consultation process will start to find out how the legacy should be spent.
Police in an east China city are investigating allegations that a kindergarten teacher beat, slapped, and humiliated young children in class, local officials said Friday.

The alleged abuse was exposed by a parent who suspected his child was mistreated at school. The parent put a voice recorder in his child's bag. In the 10-minute recording, a female adult can be heard shouting, followed by what sounds like beating and the cries of children.

The recording was uploaded to a local online forum Thursday and prompted comments from other parents whose children also attend the privately run kindergarten in Rui'an city, Zhejiang Province.

They alleged their children, aged 2 and 3, were locked in toilets, pricked by needles, forced to eat snot, slapped and verbally abused, according to the comments.

Officials with local education authority said Friday that the teacher in question had been suspended and the school has submitted video footage from its campus surveillance cameras for investigation.

The officials pledged to disclose the findings as soon as possible.
The country could continue paying into Brussels after it has left the EU to secure access to the single market, Brexit Secretary David Davis has suggested.

Mr Davis told MPs the Government wanted to "get the best possible access for goods and services to the European market" after leaving the bloc.

It is the first time a Government minister has openly signalled money could be handed over to Brussels to secure favourable trading terms with the remaining 27 member states.

Downing Street said Mr David's comments were consistent with the Government's stated position that it was for the UK to decide how its taxpayers' money was spent.

But Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the statement showed the Government's plans for Brexit were in "chaos", with ministers sending "mixed signals" about future arrangements outside the EU.

Mr Davis' remarks came during Commons Brexit questions. He was asked if ministers would consider making a contribution "in any shape or form" for access to the single market.

Mr Davis told the House: "The simple answer to this is, and it's very important because there is a distinction between picking off an individual policy and setting out a major criteria, and the major criteria here is that we get the best possible access for goods and services to the European market.

"If that is included in what you are talking about, then of course we would consider it."

Mr Farron said the comments underlined the need for ministers to spell out clearly what their plans were for Brexit.

"The Government is in an absolute mess," he added. "We are seeing chaos over their Brexit plans as they keep sending mixed signals on where they stand on fundamental questions like access to the single market, payments to the EU budget and freedom of movement."

But the pro-Brexit Conservative Steve Baker played down the Brexit Secretary's comments, suggesting Mr Davis' words had been "over-interpreted".
The Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood has called the reaction of his move to Channel 4 with the popular cooking programme "out of control" and likened his media treatment to that of serial killer Peter Sutcliffe.

This year's October finale - that saw Candice Brown beat out rivals Jane Beedle and Andrew Smyth to claim victory - marked the last time the show aired on the BBC before it moves to Channel 4 next year, bar a one-off Christmas special later this month.

Judge Mary Berry and hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have announced they will not move with the show, with co-judge Hollywood the only member of the original team going to Channel 4.

But he told The Times Magazine he was surprised by the vitriolic reaction his decision elicited.

The 50-year-old said: "I will always be a villain. I was sort of expecting it. But when it hit me, it was like an express train.

"I haven't murdered anyone. But I think the Yorkshire Ripper got less press than I did."

He told the publication the coverage was "out of control" and said he "nearly spewed my cornflakes all over the TV" when he saw it running on BBC Breakfast one morning.

He said: "I was really shocked. I was sitting there with the family. I thought, 'What?'"

He went on to reveal he was "gutted" when Giedroyc and Perkins announced their decision and did not have direct contact with Berry in the week before the issue was finalised.

Hollywood also seemed to suggest his choice had paid off financially, posing: "Would you work across the road? If you could double your wages, by going across the road to a rival, would you?"
A parade has taken place along a contentious stretch of road in north Belfast.

A compromise agreement to end the dispute was finally reached in September  three years after an Orange Order parade was banned from returning along the Crumlin Road.

Under the agreement the parade could proceed early on the morning of October 1, and nationalist residents group Cara would not stage a protest.

A second residents group, Garc  which refused to back the deal  objected and organised a rally the night before.

Yesterday morning, bandsmen paraded past the Ardoyne shops, flanked by police, without a green light from the Parades Commission.

PUP councillor Julie-Anne Corr tweeted: "No objections - no protest - no PC decision. Great to see the North Belfast deal holding".
The cost of bishops is under the spotlight in the latest Church of Ireland Gazette

The cost of bishops is under the spotlight in the latest Church of Ireland Gazette.

The Gazette looks at spending on maintaining an episcopal ministry - the bishops and archbishops.

In an editorial, it said the General Synod was told in May the total cost was "close to 2million".

However, it noted the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures (CEMS) also indicated that "any detailed analysis of funding and financing issues" had not been a priority.

The Gazette, which is edited by Canon Ian Ellis, is funded by the church, but has a strong tradition of independence.

Yet its scrutiny of church finances may cause surprise among some.

The Gazette stated: "If one is thinking about episcopal provision, a key question is bound to be how many bishops are needed (and)... how much having bishops actually costs, or needs to cost.

"So, CEMS not having looked at finance in any detail is a surprising omission."

On June 10 the Gazette asked for a meeting with church authorities to help it better understand the financing situation.

This was declined, but following a further inquiry, the Gazette was asked to put its questions in writing to Church House in Dublin.

The newspaper submitted 26 detailed questions on July 27. The church sent an equally detailed reply on November 25, but did not mention figures.

This reply is printed in the current Gazette, which concludes in its editorial: "Many parishioners give very generously to the Church of Ireland, and they deserve straight answers to straight questions.

"While it is true that questions can be posed by members at General Synod meetings, and answers will be given, the prevailing culture in the Church of Ireland would make such a move far from easy for the individual concerned, especially in seeking information about episcopal costs."

The Gazette adds: "Church of Ireland House in Dublin can do better than stonewall a legitimate enquiry.

"The immediate issue here is not so much about whether circa 2million per annum is too much for the Church of Ireland to spend on episcopal ministry, but is more about access to the information that is an important first step towards reaching a good judgment on the matter."

The Church of Ireland press office declined to comment on the church's earlier reply to the Gazette or to the current Gazette editorial.
A documentary series has charted the story of killer dentist Colin Howell and his affair with lover Hazel Stewart.

The Discovery ID show called 'Britain's Deadliest Lovers' follows what it describes as the "deadly love affair and murder pact between dentist Colin Howell and nursery teacher Hazel Stewart".

The pair were convicted of murdering her first husband Trevor Buchanan and 31-year-old Lesley Howell, the wife of her ex-lover Colin Howell. The killings took place in 1991.

In 2009, Howell confessed to church elders that he had carried out the killings 18 years earlier, arranging the bodies so it looked as his wife and Trevor Buchanan had killed themselves in a suicide pact.

After gassing the pair, Howell dumped a car with their bodies in it behind a row of cottages in Castlerock called The Apostles, and after an investigation - which has since been heavily criticised - police accepted that they had taken their own lives.

Howell would have gotten away with murder if he had not owned up after his second wife, Kyle Jorgensen, an American, called elders from his church to Glebe Road, and admitted everything.

Earlier this year, a four-part drama called The Secret, charted the case, and starred Jimmy Nesbitt as Colin Howell. It was based on a best-selling book about the killings by journalist Deric Henderson.
A Co Tyrone man fighting extradition over his alleged role in a gangland murder at a Dublin hotel is having further neurological assessment, a court has heard

A Co Tyrone man fighting extradition over his alleged role in a gangland murder at a Dublin hotel is having further neurological assessment, a court has heard.

Counsel for Kevin Murray indicated the outcome could impact on his physical fitness to stand trial on charges connected to the killing of David Byrne earlier this year.

Murray (46) was detained at his home in Townsend Street, Strabane, in September under a European Arrest Warrant issued by authorities in the Republic.

He was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting at Dublins Regency Hotel in February.

Byrne, a 34-year-old father-of-two from the Crumlin area, was shot dead when masked men dressed as Garda officers opened fire with automatic guns.

His killing ignited a deadly feud between members of the rival Kinahan and Hutch gangs.

Murray is being sought over alleged offences of murder, possession of a firearm with intent and possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances.

It was previously claimed in court that he had stayed overnight at the hotel in preparation for his alleged role in the shooting.

Gardai allege Murray can be clearly identified on CCTV footage and photographic evidence.

Another man, 24-year-old Patrick Hutch, from Champions Avenue in Dublin, has already been charged with the murder. He is alleged to have acted with the Co Tyrone man as part of the same gang.

At an earlier hearing, Murray appeared in court using a walking aid due to problems with his health.

During an update at Belfast Recorders Court yesterday,defence barrister Desmond Fahy confirmed that a final neurological report was to be provided by specialists following a further examination. He also explained that after the examination a forensic medical officer may then have to assess his clients physical fitness to stand trial.

Adjourning proceedings, Her Honour Judge Patricia Smyth listed the case for a further mention later this month.
The Titanic Belfast museum was crowned best tourist attraction in the world

Titanic Belfast has been crowned best tourist attraction in the world.

The museum, which opened in 2012, staved off competition from Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, the Las Vegas Strip and Perus Macchu Picchu, to clinch the accolade at a World Travel Awards ceremony in the Maldives.

It is the first time any attraction from Ireland, north or south, has won in the 23-year history of the awards  dubbed the Tourism Oscars.

Tim Husbands, Titanic Belfasts chief executive, said he and his team were delighted at receiving the accolade: The Titanic story captures hearts and minds throughout the world and at Titanic Belfast, this is no exception.

With the award, we hope to attract more tourists to Northern Ireland to discover it.

First Minister, Arlene Foster, offered her congratulations.

She said: In just four short years, Titanic Belfast has become an iconic tourist must-see, attracting over three million visitors from all over the world.

We always knew that in Titanic Belfast, we were home to a world-class attraction that would become a global brand.

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said: This is terrific news for Titanic Belfast and will help in our global pitch to make the north of Ireland one of the worlds top tourism destinations.

More than three million people from around the world have already visited Titanic Belfast since opening in 2012.

This year, more than 84% of the visitors came from outside Northern Ireland and the attraction has been described by travel writers as, an inspiring testament to the Titanic and the city that built it.

Top travel industry analyst, Simon Calder, said: Its a tremendous achievement for an attraction which is obviously having reverberations will beyond the island of Ireland and the UK.

Jolly well done everybody!

And if the award stimulates a few more overseas visitors to come to Titanic Belfast, that is exactly what the place needs after its very successful opening. Its always important to find new markets.

Its marvellous news.
Justice Minister Claire Sugden is set to detail the links between organised crime and paramilitary groups.

A campaign designed to highlight the harm caused by paramilitary criminality is due to be unveiled next week.

The development is part of the Fresh Start Agreement between the DUP and Sinn Fein, which contained a new blueprint for tackling terror gangs.

But the Ulster Unionists said the plan "lacked urgency" and called on ministers to impose sanctions on those who refuse to "leave paramilitarism behind".

Ms Sugden insisted the campaign, which she intends to launch on Monday, would increase awareness and show how ordinary citizens can join the battle to defeat paramilitarism.

The PSNI has estimated there are 138 organised crime groups across the province, involved in a range of criminal activity which helps to fund paramilitaries, including drug dealing, sexual exploitation and fraud.

In a written Assembly answer, Ms Sugden said: "I believe the campaign will play an important part in our work to tackle paramilitary activity. The campaign aims to highlight the harm caused by organised crime and paramilitarism, raise awareness of types of organised crime and its links to paramilitarism, and encourage everyone to take a stand against organised crime and to provide information to the police or Crimestoppers."

The minister also revealed that she has commissioned questions in the regular Omnibus Survey to monitor attitudes towards organised crime and paramilitary activity, which will be used to monitor the impact of the campaign.

Funding has been allocated for a "scoping study" on a restorative justice centre of excellence along with the development of detailed programmes on promoting lawfulness and supporting prisoners upon their release.

"My department has also been working with Northern Ireland Office and the PSNI on research into paramilitary style assaults," Ms Sugden explained.

But Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said: "Apart from the public awareness campaign, other work on tackling paramilitarism doesn't seem to amount to anything other than scoping exercises and research.

"The Executive's response to tackling paramilitarism lacks urgency.

"We are hearing on a daily basis of the grip paramilitaries still have on communities in Northern Ireland.

"When will those people wanting to live free of this suppression finally feel the benefit of the Executive's action plan?

"When the Executive published their action plan for tackling paramilitarism, they said they hoped that it would send a clear signal that they value the work communities do to move this issue forward.

"They could send the clearest signal possible by moving to put sanctions on those who refuse to leave behind criminality."

PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent Andrea McMullan recently told MLAs there was collaboration between loyalist and republican paramilitaries and foreign criminals.
A woman is critically ill in hospital after being injured at a house in Downpatrick

A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was left critically ill in hospital.

She was injured at a house in Downpatrick. The incident happened in Thomas Russell Park in the town.

The woman was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment.

On Sunday her condition was described as remaining critically ill.

A police spokesperson said: "Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident at a house in Downpatrick.

"A woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident.

"Officers are working to establish how the woman sustained her injuries."

South Down SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said : "I have been to visit the estate.

"I noticed two police officers currently conducting enquiries - and I would urge anybody with information to give it to the police to help apprehend the person or persons that may be responsible for this."
Producing adulterated counterfeit food or food with unauthorized additives, no matter whether it is harmful to human health, is illegal, Taiwan's highest court announced Friday.

According to a statement by the court, violations of food safety rules in that regard shall lead to imprisonment of up to seven years with a fine less than 80 million new Taiwan dollars (around 2.5 million U.S. dollars).

The court's decision was made to unify local courts' understanding of food safety rules following a series of major safety scandals in 2013, which mainly involved substandard food production for cost-saving and profiteering, the statement said.
A security alert at a west Belfast shopping centre has finished.

The PSNI and Army bomb experts were called out to the incident on Friday evening.

Inspector Davy McBride said police attended the security alert at a car park at a shopping centre in west Belfast on following the discovery of a suspicious object.

Army bomb experts examined the object and described it as "nothing untoward".
A protest at the height of the dispute following the decision of Belfast City Council to limit the number of days the union flag is flown from Belfast City Hall

A group of flag protesters are set to gather in front of Belfast City Hall on Saturday for the fourth anniversary of the dispute.

The flag protests started in December 2012 following a vote by Belfast City Council to limit the number of days the Union flag flew from Belfast City Hall from all year round to just 21 statutory days.

Sinn Fein had proposed stopping flying the Union flag completely from City Hall, while the Alliance Party suggested a compromise motion that the flag be flown only on statutory days.

Initially the protests against the decision attracted large numbers of people and some were associated with violence after a number of Alliance Party offices were attacked and Alliance elected representatives were threatened.

A very small number of loyalists still protest every Saturday afternoon at the front gates of City Hall about the decision.

Saturday will be the fourth anniversary of the protests.

Sandy Row community activist Billy Dickson issued statement on Friday evening to mark the occasion.

"Belfast City Council took a decision on Monday 3rd December 2012 to take down the Union Flag and limit the days it should be flown in the year," he said.

"This was seen by many Loyalists as the final straw in a long list of grievance felt by them who believed that their British Identity and culture was being eroded.

"Loyalist anger came to a boiling point and many felt the need to do something, especially following the distribution of 40,000 Unionist leaflets, delivered throughout the city by the DUP/UUP. The wording on the leaflet stated that the Union Flag was being 'ripped down;.

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"It was not surprising that serious violence following the council's decision, and because there was little or no political leadership, the flag protesters were left to carry on their protests independently.

"Despite the trouble at early protests the vast majority since then have been peaceful. The 30 to 40 protesters who gather every Saturday are determined to continue on with the protest. Over the last 4 years, thousands of photographs have been taken by tourists of the protest and many have asked what the protest is about.

"The protesters are not part of any organisation, but are a group of individuals who believe the protest should continue indefinitely."
Notorious criminal Mark 'The Guinea Pig' Desmond was shot dead in Dublin

Notorious criminal Mark 'The Guinea Pig' Desmond was shot dead in west Dublin last night.

Desmond (41), originally from the Lally Road in Ballyfermot, was shot up to four times in the head during the gangland gun attack.

The attack occurred at Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, around 8pm. A burnt-out car was found nearby but it is not yet known whether the two incidents are connected.

It is understood a gunman approached Desmond on the Griffin Glen Park Road, before chasing him into an adjacent park and shooting him.

Desmond is a key player in Dublin's underworld and suspected of murdering two young men and dumping their bodies in the Grand Canal in 2000.

He was the only man to have been charged in the notorious 2000 'canal murders' investigation.
An anti-homelessness charity said that higher alcohol content drinks were doing more money than heroin and crack cocaine combined.

The Government has said it will continue to look at minimum pricing for alcohol in light of a new report which argues it could improve the nation's health.

Public Health England's (PHE) review found that a range of measures, such as minimum pricing and tackling marketing by alcohol firms, could cut the harm caused by drinking.

Despite a recent drop in consumption, people in the UK drink more than in the 1980s and alcohol is now more affordable than ever, PHE said.

Its new study pointed to evidence which shows that "setting a m inimum price for alcohol can reduce alcohol-related harm while saving healthcare costs."

In 2012, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation to introduce a 50p per unit minimum price for alcohol. This was challenged by the Scotch Whisky Association and is the subject of an ongoing legal case.

Reacting to the PHE report, a Downing Street spokesman said: "What this report shows is that clearly abuse of alcohol can cause significant health problems, but no-one wants to interfere with the rights of adults who want to enjoy a drink responsibly.

"The issue of minimum unit pricing is under review while we await the outcome of the court case in Scotland."

PHE's review of evidence on the harm caused by alcohol examines its impact on health, society and the economy.

On minimum pricing, it said one province in Canada, which had put a 10% increase on minimum prices, saw the c onsumption of beer cut by 10%, a 22% cut for high-strength beer, 5.9% for spirits and 4.6% for wine.

It pointed to more than one million hospital admissions relating to alcohol each year, half of which occur in the lowest three socio-economic groups.

Deaths due to drinking have also risen, particularly for liver disease which has seen a 400% increase since 1970, the report said.

It added that more working years of life are lost in England as a result of alcohol-related deaths than from more than 12 types of cancer combined.

The review also examined the role of advertising and marketing, pointing to comprehensive research which shows that "the self-regulation of marketing by the alcohol industry is ineffective".

It said sales of alcohol in England and Wales have increased by 42% since 1980 - from roughly 400 million litres in the early 1980s, with a peak at 567 million litres in 2008, and a subsequent decline.

"This growth has been driven by increased consumption among women, a shift to higher strength products, and increasing affordability of alcohol, particularly through the 1980s and 1990s."

Most alcohol is now bought from shops and drunk at home, the report went on.

While consumption has declined in recent years, levels of abstinence have also increased. It is therefore unclear whether drinkers are drinking less than before, or whether the total number of people not drinking at all has just gone up.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: " This report provides yet more evidence of the effectiveness of raising the price of the cheapest alcohol to tackle alcohol-related harm.

"Increased duty on the cheapest drinks, alongside minimum unit pricing, would make a real difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable groups and ease the burden on our health service. These measures would also lower the burden of premature mortality due to alcohol, thereby increasing economic output.

"At the same time, ordinary drinkers will not be penalised. Minimum unit pricing will leave pub prices untouched, and tax on the cheapest, strongest drinks will be targeted at those drinks which are preferentially consumed by harmful and dependent drinkers."

Jeremy Swain, chief executive of homelessness charity Thames Reach, said: " Among the homeless people we work with, our figures indicate that super-strength beers and ciders, at 7.5-9% ABV, are doing more damage than both heroin and crack cocaine.

"By introducing minimum unit pricing and increasing the tax on these damaging products, the harm done to the vulnerable people we work with will go down and the opportunity to reduce, and ultimately end dependence on alcohol, increase."

Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Children's Society, said: "Millions of children in the UK are living in families where adults drink hazardous levels of alcohol. This is placing children at greater risk of abuse and neglect, conflict and domestic violence at home.

"We know children as young as five are calling helplines because they are worried about their parents' drinking. We need the Government to act now and protect children from alcohol misuse by increasing prices."

Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group, which represents the drinks industry, said: "This lengthy report does not contain any new policy ideas, nor does it fully reflect the significant declines in harmful drinking in the last decade."

He said alcohol consumption in the UK peaked in 2004, not 2008 as suggested in the report.

He added: "Official government statistics show significant declines in binge drinking, harmful drinking, underage drinking, alcohol-related crime, drink-driving and declines in alcohol-related hospital admissions among the under-18s and under-40s. This indicates alcohol policy is on the right track and is consistent and proportionate.

"This report makes outdated, unjustified and incorrect assumptions about the regulation of alcohol marketing in the UK, including failing to acknowledge the existence of codes that govern alcohol sponsorship. In the UK there is a comprehensive, joined-up system of self-regulation that ensures alcohol is not marketed to children or promoted in an irresponsible way.

"These robust rules have been in place for 20 years, are updated frequently, and have resulted in the removal of over 150 irresponsible products from the market. It is disappointing that during this evidence review, Public Health England made no attempt to contact the industry regulators to understand how this effective self-regulatory system works."

A plan to introduce a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol was shelved by the coalition government three years ago.

But the PHE report suggest a minimum price per unit would be effective because it "is a highly targeted measure which ensures tax increases are passed on to the consumer and improves the health of the heaviest drinkers".
Jeremy Corbyn said that if the Supreme Court's decision meant the Government was required to bring forward legislation, Labour would seek to amend it

The Conservatives have accused Labour of trying to "frustrate the will of the British people" over Brexit, after Jeremy Corbyn said they would seek to table an amendment if the Supreme Court rules there must be a vote in Parliament.

On Monday the highest court in the land will begin hearing the Government's appeal against a High Court ruling that the Prime Minister must gain the approval of MPs before triggering Article 50, marking the start of the formal negotiations to leave the EU.

Mr Corbyn said that if the Supreme Court's decision - expected early in the new year - meant the Government was required to bring forward legislation, Labour would seek to amend it.

"When the Article 50 debate comes up, we will put forward an amendment to it, which will be on the issues of market access and protections. We want those to be part of the negotiation," he told Sky News.

The Labour leader denied that the party was seeking to prevent the Government invoking Article 50 altogether.

"We are respecting the result of the referendum. It might not be the one we wanted but it's the one we've got," he said.

"We are not going to block it. We don't think it is right to do that but I do think there may well be a considerable body of MPs on both sides who would support an amendment which does require a trading agreement with Europe in future."

However the Conservatives said the move was clearly designed to delay the Brexit process while limiting the Government's room for manoeuvre in the negotiations.

"Yet again, Labour have shown they want to frustrate the will of the British people by slowing down the process of leaving the European Union and trying to tie the Government's hands in a negotiation," a Conservative spokesman said.

"Labour are utterly out of touch with the values of working people across our country. Only the Conservatives can be trusted to respect the outcome of the referendum and make a success of Brexit."
A vegetarian cafe owner said she has been left shocked and frightened by some of the reaction since she refused to accept the new 5 note due to its animal fat content.

Sharon Meijland, who has run the Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge for almost 30 years, made the move earlier this week, after it emerged traces of the derivative, known as tallow, are used in the production process.

Concerns have been raised about the implications for vegetarians, vegans and members of religious groups using the notes, which were introduced into circulation in September.

The businesswoman said her own customers have been very supportive but told of the "hatred" from some people posting online.

She said: " Our own customers who are actually in the restaurant in Cambridge have been very favourable, but it is people on Facebook - there's been a good deal of charming comments such as 'I hope this comes back to bite you in the ass'".

The 66-year-old said she believes some people are reacting in such a way "because I made a stand" and said she had been wrongly accused of seeking publicity for the cafe.

After signing the petition Ms Meijland said she spoke with staff and they decided they could not justify handling the notes.

She said: "We all said we all felt very uneasy about handling it (the note). We thought the only way round this is to just not accept them."

Vowing to stick with the decision she added: "I am shocked and frightened at my age to get such hatred (online)."

Doug Maw, who started a petition against use of the note, said he was "disgusted" a more suitable alternative had not been sourced.

The 47-year-old hotel worker from Keswick in Cumbria said it is "unacceptable to millions of vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in the UK".

More than 125,000 people have since signed the petition.

The Bank of England said it is "aware of some people's concerns" and is looking at "potential solutions".
Prince Harry is travelling into the heartland of Guyana to experience some of the country's natural wonders and meet its indigenous people.

Harry will spend the penultimate day of his Caribbean tour exploring part of the rainforest-covered interior of the former British colony that earlier this year celebrated 50 years of independence.

During the tour, elders from the village of Surama will welcome the Prince to their community before he is told about their traditional life and taken on a short trip to an eco-lodge to see how the people are embracing eco-tourism.

Later Harry will fly to the Iwokrama International Centre, which has a close link to his father, the Prince of Wales, who has been the organisation's patron since 2000.

Harry will meet rangers to learn about the Iwokrama rainforest and the steps being taken to protect this important reserve.

Before arriving at the reserve Harry will briefly call into Fairview Village and pay his respects to its elders, as well as visiting the local school.

The final stop of the day will be a visit to the world famous Kaieteur Falls - one of the single largest freefall waterfalls in the world which has a drop of 250 metres, five times as high as Niagara Falls.
Chinese police have dismantled 75 criminal gangs that held mute and hearing-impaired people in captivity and forced them to commit crimes such as theft, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced Friday.

Police rescued 98 victims, and detained 464 suspects in a campaign that spanned 13 provincial regions, according to the MPS.

In November 2015, police in Changchun in northeastern province of Jilin were alerted to the criminal activity of a suspect identified only as Yang. Yang was the ringleader of a gang that had abducted mute and hearing-impaired people and forced them to commit crimes with physical and verbal abuse.

It is alleged that the gang members posed as recruiters to gain the trust of the victims before abducting them.
Clashes continued for a second day among heavily-armed militias in the Libyan capital Tripoli, as they fought for control over the city in what appears to be the worst outbreak of violence the city has seen in two years.

Competing militias have chopped Tripoli up into fiefdoms and power centres after Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's ruler for 42 years, was ousted and killed in an uprising in 2011.

They maintain what observers describe as a "balance of terror".

Witnesses in Tripoli said on Friday that gun battles rocked the south-eastern Nasr Forest district and adjacent neighbourhoods as residents were advised by a local emergency body affiliated with the Interior Ministry to remain at home and away from windows.

The clashes started Thursday and have reportedly killed at least eight, according to state news agency LANA. During a lull in the violence late Thursday night, panicked residents could be seen lining up outside petrol stations to stock up on fuel.

In a statement Friday, UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler called for a halt to the fighting, saying he is "extremely alarmed".

"It's completely unacceptable for armed groups to fight to assert their interest and control, particularly in residential areas, terrorising the population," he said.

Reached by phone, a female resident in Tripoli told The Associated Press that families had locked themselves in their homes.

"We haven't slept all night and we haven't left the house since yesterday. All we are hearing is screaming, bombings and gunfire," she said. "The security situation is going from bad to worse."

"We just want the militias to leave," she pleaded.

The UN-brokered unity government's spokesman Ashraf al-Thilthi said a ceasefire agreement has been reached among warring militias but gave no further details.

Given the fluidity of the situation, it remains to be seen whether the victors of the clashes will back the internationally-recognised body.

"This is a struggle over power. Each of the warring parties has its political and ideological agendas," said Sami al-Atrash, a Tripoli resident and a legal expert. "The clashes are belated. They were expected at any moment and finally happened," he said.

In March this year the prime minister of the unity government, Fayez Sarraj, arrived quietly by boat in Tripoli from Tunisia. Militias in control of the capital showed no resistance.

One of Tripoli's warring sides is supportive of Sarraj and is made up of mainly local militias, such as the ultraconservative Salafist forces led Abdel-Raouf Kara, known as the Special Deterrent Force, or "Rada" in Arabic.

One of Tripoli's largest and most powerful militias, Tripoli Revolutionaries, led by Haytham al-Tajouri, had previously been ambivalent about the unity government, but it has now joined forces with the Rada militia.

The other warring group is more sceptical of the unity government. Some hail from the western city of Misrata, while others are linked to the former leader of the one-time Jihadist but now defunct Libya Islamic Fighting Group, by Abdel-Hakim Belhaj.

They are backed by the hard-line Grand Mufti Sadek al-Ghariani. Both Belhaj and the Grand Mufti are believed to be receiving financing from Qatar.

The two sides have been exchanging accusations of orchestrating killings and kidnappings. The latest dispute involved an aide to al-Ghariani, Nader al-Omrani, whose body was found weeks after he was abducted, and the Rada militia was blamed for his killing.

On Thursday night, the Rada and Tripoli Revolutionaries militias took control of five-star hotel Al Mahary Radisson Blu Hotel in central Tripoli, where Belhaj had turned some of its rooms into offices. The same alliance also took over the 6th Division barracks once occupied by rival militias.

Fighting also broke out in the vicinity of the Rixos hotel, in the capital's south east - its convention centre was once the meeting venue for the outgoing parliament but has since changed hands.

Pictures posted by activists on social media showed militiamen firing RPGs from rooftops, and armoured vehicles and pickup trucks mounted with anti-aircraft weaponry occupying main streets.

The fighting is believed to be the worst in two years, following Libya's last parliamentary elections when Islamists were dealt an unexpected blow, and the anti-Islamist head of the armed forces general Khalifa Hifter launched an offensive against Islamic militants in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Friday's fighting came amid unconfirmed reports that the UN would make substantial amendments to the current political agreement to give Hifter a share of power, which could anger his rivals in Tripoli and Misrata.

AP
Loyalist flag protesters at Belfast City Hall for the fourth anniversery of the removal of the Union Flag. Pic Colm O'Reilly

Loyalist flag protesters at Belfast City Hall for the fourth anniversery of the removal of the Union Flag. Pic Colm O'Reilly

Loyalist flag protesters at Belfast City Hall for the fourth anniversery of the removal of the Union Flag. Pic Colm O'Reilly

Loyalist flag protesters at Belfast City Hall for the fourth anniversery of the removal of the Union Flag. Pic Colm O'Reilly

More than 50 loyalists turned out to mark the fourth anniversary of the flag protests at Belfast City Hall today.

The small crowd gathered at the entrance to the grounds, where the Christmas market is currently held.

The flag protests started in December 2012 following a vote by Belfast City Council to limit the number of days the Union flag flew from Belfast City Hall from all year round to just statutory days.

Sinn Fein had proposed stopping flying the Union flag completely from City Hall, while the Alliance Party suggested a compromise motion that the flag be flown only on designated days.

Initially the protests against the decision attracted large numbers of people and some were associated with violence after a number of Alliance Party offices were attacked and Alliance elected representatives were threatened.

In total, 15 police officers were injured, as well as a press photographer and two security guards and some protesters.

Unionists said they considered the decision to limit the flying of the flag to be an attack on their cultural identity.

As permission for the loyalist marches was not sought from the Parades Commission, the protests were deemed not lawful.

A handful of loyalists still protest every Saturday afternoon at the front gates of City Hall about the decision.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government on Friday launched a new round of legal actions to disqualify four more members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) for their invalid oaths.

On behalf of the Hong Kong Chief Executive, the Department of Justice submitted an application for a judicial review to the High Court, which requests the court to rule whether the four LegCo members' oaths comply with the Hong Kong Basic Law and whether they are still qualified to serve.

The four legislators are Lau Siu-lai, Yiu Chung-yim, Law Kwun-Chung and Leung Kwok-hung.

The SAR government's legal actions came two days after an appeal court upheld the government's legal bid to disqualify two legislators-elect who used derogatory language insulting the country and nation when taking oaths at a swearing-in ceremony of the new LegCo on Oct. 12.

Also on that occasion, Lau deliberately took the oath very slowly by pausing for five to six seconds in between every word in order to, by her own explanation, make the oath meaningless. The LegCo president invalidated Lau's oath but allowed her to retake the oath.

The SAR government's judicial review also challenged the LegCo president's decision to allow Lau to have a second chance to take the oath.

The other three LegCo members targeted in the judicial review added political slogans and appeals to the standard oaths or used strange tones when swearing allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the People's Republic of China.

A statement released by the SAR government on Friday said the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the LegCo members should swear allegiance to the Basic Law and the Hong Kong SAR, so any person who declines or neglects to take an oath duly requested should vacate his office if he has already entered on it or be disqualified if he has not.

An SAR government spokesperson said the Chief Executive shoulder the constitutional responsibility to safeguard and implement the Hong Kong Basic Law and relevant laws, and the legal actions were launched after consulting independent senior counsels.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 2015 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2015. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

On December 4, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986. The Declaration is a milestone in the field of human rights, because it emphasizes both the individual and the collective dimensions of this right.

There can be no doubt that of all UN member states, China has been the most successful in guaranteeing the rights laid down in the Declaration. Since its launch of reform and opening up, hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. Considering the fact that at the beginning of the 20th century, famines and starvation were still very much part of everyday life in China, it is a huge accomplishment which ranks among the greatest human rights achievements of all time.

There are many actors who deserve credit for this success. First, there is the Communist Party of China (CPC), which showed the vision and the leadership to embark on a new economic course. In this way the Party unleashed the forces necessary to revitalize the economy within the framework of Marxism. At the time, the Party was led by Deng Xiaoping, who saw the need for economic reform and who had the courage to act on it. Those who recognize the value of adaptation and reform rightly consider Deng as their wise teacher. Second, there are China's government officials who have patiently and effectively implemented the poverty reduction reforms. And last but not least, the Chinese people have lent their energy, endurance and entrepreneurial spirit to this effort.

A healthy economy to underpin poverty reduction requires constant maintenance and adaptation. Therefore, the Fourth Plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee showed leadership by adopting a bold agenda for the rule of law reforms in October 2014. As the Central Committee's Decision rightly states, a thriving economy relies on protecting property rights, honoring contracts and abiding by the law. A socialist market economy must therefore be a rule-of-law economy.

Comprehensively governing the country according to law has since been adopted by President Xi Jinping as one of his Four-Pronged Strategy. The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee have produced the necessary legislation to implement the decisions taken by the Central Committee, allowing the economy to continue to run as the engine of poverty reduction. Together with Chinese colleagues I am developing ideas which can assist in further strengthening the rule of law. In this endeavor, we also rely on Chinese legal culture and traditional Chinese culture, as suggested by the Central Committee. This angle stems from the so-called receptor approach, which regards culture as a building block for rule of law and human rights, rather than as a stumbling block, as is often considered in the Northern developed countries.

Although China is widely praised for its success in poverty reduction as a human rights accomplishment by other Southern developing countries, it does not receive a lot of credit for it from Northern states and observers. The fact that China has given the right to subsistence and the right to development paramount status has even been criticised by some as being against the indivisibility of human rights. This is remarkable, since other countries have given a "preferred status" to rights as well, such as the freedom of expression in the U.S. and the general personality right in Germany.

As the 1991 White Paper on Human Rights in China has already made clear, ensuring that people have enough to eat and are sheltered against the cold is a core element of human dignity. This right to human dignity is considered in many Northern countries to be a fundamental right which trumps all other rights and privileges. If human dignity has such an elevated status in the North, it can also have the same position in China. Therefore, as long as China remains loyal to its other human rights obligations as well, its emphasis on the right to development is wholly justified.

Northern observers who accept that China is making progress in the area of poverty reduction often hasten to add that this goes at the expense of the environment and conservation. These critics are unaware of the fact that since the year 2000 in particular, China has been investing heavily in restoring natural capital in response to ecosystem degradation from rapid economic development. China has launched two largest state financed ecosystem programs on record, i.e. the Natural Forest Conservation Program and the Sloping Land Conversion Program, which together exceed $50 billion in spending. Evaluations show that these programs are very effective and serve as proof that poverty reduction and improving the ecosystem can coexist in harmony. This has recently been acknowledged in the prestigious journal Science by a group of scholars based at Michigan State University.

In sum, China's successful campaign to eradicate poverty is an impressive human rights accomplishment which deserves praise and should serve as a source of inspiration to us all.

Tom Zwart is a professor of human rights and cross-cultural law at Utrecht University. Chen Qiuping and Liu Qiang also contributed to this op-ed.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Women form a human chain in front of National Press Club in Dhaka to protest against child marriage in Bangladesh, Dec. 3, 2014.

Rights groups are voicing opposition to a bill soon to be introduced in Bangladeshs parliament that would allow marriage for girls younger than 18 under "special circumstances."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas cabinet unanimously approved the Child Marriage Prevention Bill of 2016 on Nov. 24, and it is likely to be introduced in parliament this month, Atiur Rahman Atik, a ruling Awami League party whip in parliament, told BenarNews.

The new law would preserve 18 as the legal marriage age for girls and 21 for boys while permitting a court or guardian to authorize marriage for a girl under 18 in exceptional circumstances.

This is a major step backward, Heather Barr, a researcher for U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the group on Thursday.

Weakening the law is a setback for the fight against child marriage and sends a message to parents across the country that the government thinks child marriage is acceptable in at least some situations, she said.

It is also difficult to know just what is meant by unlawful pregnancy. It suggests the law could lead to a situation where girls who have been raped are forced to marry their rapist, she said in her statement.

International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister Gowher Rizvi told BenarNews on Friday that the article was included in the law for only a few exceptional cases.

We will make sure that no one can abuse this article, he said.

Child marriage drives a child towards uncertainty and a cruel future. It blocks her mental growth and also creates a barrier for her future development. Child marriage is basically a process of hijacking childhood, he said.

Married at 14

Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, according to HRW: 52 percent of girls marry before age 18, and 18 percent marry before age 15.

Rahela Begum, 35, a domestic worker living in a shanty in Pallabi in Dhaka, told BenarNews that she married at the age of 14.

My first son died of malnutrition three months after his birth when I was only 15. Now I am a grandmother as we got our first daughter married at the age of 16, Begum told BenarNews.

I cannot look at my first daughter. She looks like a 40-year-old woman at the age of 17. If she was not married, she would be like my second daughter who is pretty and healthy, she said.

In November, The Lancet medical journal reported that 60 percent of the worlds 5.9 million children dying before the age of 5 were concentrated in 10 Asian and African countries  including Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia.

In 2014, Hasina promised to end child marriage under age 15 by 2021 and all child marriages by 2041, while pledging tougher punishments.

Two years later, there is no national action plan, and while the draft law does set tougher penalties  including, in another wrongheaded move, a penalty of 15 days imprisonment and a 5,000 taka fine (U.S. $63) for children who marry  it also weakens existing law by making some child marriages legal, Barr said.

Accidental pregnancies

Abul Hossain, a deputy secretary at the governments department of women and children affairs, which prepared the draft law, told BenarNews that the exception was intended to protect unmarried girls who get pregnant.

For instance, who will take responsibility of a vulnerable girl with both parents expired? Who will feed her and ensure her security? In such cases, marriage is the best solution. The special provision is for such cases, he said.

He said the law clearly stipulated that the special provision would be applicable only with prior sanction of the court.

In addition, given our conservative social structure, nobody would marry a girl with accidental pregnancy. Here marriage is the best solution for the protection of the girl and her entire family, Hossain said.

Salma Ali, executive director of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, who helped draft the bill, told BenarNews that it was excellent, with a but.

All stakeholders from grassroots girls to the prime minister have played parts in formulating the bill. It contains preventive measures against and creates awareness about child marriage. But the but is the special provision, which will legalize marriage under 18 years of age, she said.
Aman Tandal, third from left, is one of four Maharashtra men who allegedly left India in May 2014 to join IS, along with Areeb Majeed, left, Fahad Sheikh and Shaheem Farooque Tanki.

The parents of a man from western Indias Maharashtra state who reportedly was killed last week in Iraq while fighting alongside the Islamic State (IS) are in a state of disbelief at the news of their only sons death, a relative told BenarNews.

Aman Tandels father, Naeem, received an anonymous call from Turkey on Nov. 26 informing him of his sons death in an airstrike, said the relative, who did not want to be identified.

Not just his parents, but the entire family is in a state of shock. Amans parents cant believe that their only son is gone and will now never return, he said.

Ever since Aman left for Iraq, his parents were hoping he will one day leave the way of terror and return to India, he added.

Efforts to contact Tandels parents for a comment failed.

Tandel, 28, was one of four men from Maharashtras Thane district who left for Iraq in May 2014 to join IS.

Among them, Areeb Majeed, 26, is the only one to return to India. He has been in police custody since his voluntary return in November 2014. Shaheem Tanki, 26, was killed in a suicide bombing mission in January 2015, while Fahad Sheikh, 27, is believed to be fighting for the Middle East-based terror outfit.

The four men are among some 35 Indians who have left the country to fight alongside IS. Of them, seven, including Tandel, have been killed in battle, according to intelligence sources.

Traumatized

Senior Inspector of Police D.S. Suryawanshi told BenarNews that Tandels father informed them of the anonymous phone call on Monday.

He (the father) came to the police station on Monday. He broke down while telling us about the late-night call. The next day we went to their house but found the husband and wife in a dazed state. They are still traumatized. They are hoping it was a hoax call and that their son is still alive, Suryawanshi said.

The call was made from a satellite phone. The caller specifically asked for Naeem. The caller, who did not identify himself, recited a verse from the Quran before informing Naeem of his sons death. The caller then abruptly hung up, he said.

Suryawanshi said Tankis family was informed in a similar fashion of his death last year, but refused to accept that he was killed.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), Indias top counter-terror unit, is investigating the origins of the phone call to the Tandel residence, he said.

Iftekhar Khan, uncle of Fahad Sheikh, who is believed to be fighting for the terror outfit, said it was very difficult to sift between true and fake information.

Take Areeb Majeeds case, for example. An anonymous call informed his family that he had died, but then he managed to escape from Iraq and returned to India, Khan told BenarNews.

Fahads family dreads each time their phone rings. We are all worried about his safety. he said.

Terror groups, like IS, have ruined our childrens lives by misguiding them and taking them away from us.

68 arrests

Although Indian authorities have consistently denied any significant presence of IS in India, as many as 68 suspected operatives and sympathizers of the group have been arrested from different parts of the country since 2014, government figures show.

A total of 50 people have been arrested by security agencies, this year alone.

Indian security agencies have prevented over 30 people from leaving the country to join IS and at least 150 others are under surveillance for showing leanings toward the group.

Im sure the threat of radicalization by IS wont be an issue in our nation because people who follow Islam in India love the country, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Sunday.

But security experts disagree.

There are serious problems with the government in addressing some basic issues among young Muslims, such as their education, character-building and creating a sense of belonging to the nation among them, retired Adm. H.C. Malhotra told BenarNews.

Although 68 arrests in a nation of 1.25 billion does not signify that IS has managed a foothold in the country, the number of IS supporters could be far more than that, he added.

It is highly probably that the data of the number of IS supporters in India available with the authorities is inaccurate. The coordination between central and state security agencies is very poor. Besides, the borders of our country are highly porous, which allows movements of suspected militants to exert influence on youngsters in India, Malhotra said.

Akash Vashishtha in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Thousands of rally-goers carry out Friday prayers on Thamrin Street in central Jakarta.

Updated at 8:15 a.m. ET on 2016-12-03

Indonesian police on Friday arrested 10 people including two retired generals and a former presidents sister and charged eight of them with treason for allegedly plotting to occupy the national parliament during a huge rally in Jakarta.

According to police, more than 200,000 Muslims carried out Friday prayers on central streets of the capital to demand that Jakarta Gov. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) be arrested for allegedly blasphemous remarks uttered in September.

The peaceful rain-soaked rally was twice as large as a similar one in early November that ended in a riot. The arrests Friday began before dawn.

Those detained included Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, 66, a sister of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri; retired army generals Kivlan Zein, 69, and Adityawarman, 70; activist Sri Bintang Pamungkas, 71; and rock musician Ahmad Dhani Prasetyo, 44.

They were being held at police mobile brigade headquarters in Kelapa Dua, West Java, a site where terrorism suspects are typically held, after being arrested from their homes and a hotel.

Eight of them have been charged with article 107 of the criminal code, and two have been charged with article 28 of the Information and Electronic Transactions Law, National Police spokesman Rikwanto told a press conference later in the day.

On Saturday, Indonesian police said they released eight people including Rachmawati, Zein and Dhani, but are continuing to investigate them, according to the Associated Press.

National police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said that another man, Alvinida Al-Farasi, was arrested Friday, bringing the number of people under suspicion to 11. Three whose identities were not released remain in custody.

Convictions under Article 107, which concerns rebellion, can carry sentences of up to 15 years in prison, or carry life sentences, in the case of leaders inciting others to treason.

Article 28 states that any person intentionally and illegally disseminating information meant to incite hatredor hostility against individuals or social groups based on ethnicity, religion, race or group can be sentenced up to six years in jail.

Infiltrators?

On Nov. 21, National Police Chief Tito Karnavian said police had received information that certain parties intended to infiltrate a huge rally originally planned for Nov. 25 and overthrow the government.

And in a press conference at the office of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Monday, Tito said the parties were not the rally organizers, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the National Movement to Protect the MUI Fatwa (GNPF MUI).

An earlier rally led by the same groups on Nov. 4 devolved into a riot outside the presidential palace after nightfall. Angry crowd attacked police barricades, set fires and looted stores.

At the time, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said he regretted that the demonstration had ended in violence.

We deplore the events after evening prayers when it was time to disband and rioting broke out. And here we see infiltration by political actors exploiting the situation, he said. He did not elaborate on who those actors might be.

Impeachment calls

In a video uploaded to YouTube on Nov. 27, activist Sri Bintang Pamungkas is seen delivering a speech at an event stating, Even Suharto, who was backed by the military, was ousted, no way Jokowi cant be ousted. Certainly he can be.

If you unite, lets flock to the parliament building, and demand the MPR yank Jokowis mandate as president. Yank it! he said.

Bintang was a noted figure in student movements of 1998 that helped topple long-time dictator Suharto with days of protests across Indonesia and a parliament sit-in.

In a press conference Thursday, Rachmawati and Ahmad Dhani said they would ask the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the upper house of Indonesias legislature, to hold an extraordinary session on restoring the original version of the 1945 Constitution, because amendments to the document had made it too liberal.

Zulkifli Hasan, speaker of the MPR, said Rachmawati had requested permission to hold a demonstration outside the parliament building.

Yes, she came here frequently to talk about the Dec. 2 rally. She requested for there to be a demonstration here after the demonstration at Monas, he was quoted as saying in Beritasatu.com, using an acronym for the National Monument in central Jakarta.

Neta S. Pane, head of the non-government group Indonesia Police Watch, criticized the arrests.

The Jakarta police chief does not have a clear legal basis for arresting these eight people.  The criteria is not legally clear, he said in a statement.

Lawyers can argue about whether those arrested had the influence and resources to carry out an act of treason, Emrus Sihombing, of Pelita Harapan University in Tangerang, West Java told BenarNews.

If they have not been treated fairly, they may argue that in a legal sphere during the pretrial phase. I see police as having a compelling reason to make these arrests, he said.

Former Malysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks with Rachmawati Sukarnoputri during a visit to Jakarta, July 25, 2016. [AFP]

An earlier version stated incorrectly that the MPR has an upper house.


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Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades vowed on Friday that any agreement on the reunification of the partitioned eastern Mediterranean island will meet all expectations and concerns of the people.

"I want to stress and assure Greek Cypriots that no solution will be put before them if it does not satisfy their expectations and does not answer all their reasonable anxieties," said Anastasiades in a televised address.

Anastasiades was commenting on fears that the procedure decided overnight with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci aimed at concluding the negotiations at a conference in January will offer Turkey the opportunity to maintain guarantee rights over Cyprus.

Anastasiades said that the decision to resume negotiations is a very important development that preserves the momentum towards a Cyprus solution and negates dangers resulting from a protracted deadlock or even a termination of the entire process.

Anastasiades and Akinci agreed to continue negotiations in Cyprus so as to gap differences on issues already discussed and to meet in Switzerland on January 9-11 to exchange maps reflecting agreements on territorial adjustment and the relocation of displaced Greek Cypriots.

A conference also involving Greece, Turkey and Britain will be convened in Geneva on January 12 to decide on security arrangements.

Anastasiades said that before the conference is convened, a thorough and substantive discussion will have taken place on all outstanding issues, including territorial adjustment.

"Progress on these issues will lead us within reach of an agreement, with the creation of the prerequisites for a successful outcome of discussions on the capital issue of security and guarantees," said Anastasiades.

He dismissed criticism that fixing a conference on Cyprus is premature, saying that after 18 months of negotiations, no one can talk about a tight time frame.

At the end of speech, Anastasiades urged for unity. He said that he had convened the National Council, a top advisory body to the president on the Cyprus issue, on Wednesday and he also urged the political parties to avoid unsubstantiated interpretations and positions.
As I retire from public service, there are great many people to whom I owe a great many thanks.

Foremost, I thank our military veterans. As a veteran myself and an advocate for my fellow veterans, I am proud to have led the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs since 2011 as the departments first cabinet secretary and to have brought our agency fully into the 21st century in support of providing Wisconsin veterans the very best programs, benefits and services in the nation.

The great position of public trust to which Governor Walker appointed me five years ago has truly been a remarkable experience and capstone to a career of military and public service. I appreciate Governor Walkers thankfulness to our veterans, his confidence in me, and his steadfast support of the department.

Not too long ago, I closed out a 30-plus year military career as a U.S. Army officer. Just a short time later I now end my career as a Wisconsin civil servant.

My time at WDVA has been a time of great, essential change. When I was appointed, our Veterans Homes were operating millions of dollars in the red. Within a few short years the homes were operating several millions in the black due to the ability to make changes at an executive level without going through a politicized board. This improved situation with the homes also benefits the Veterans Trust Fund; revenue from the homes can be used to fund the numerous programs, benefits and services for which Wisconsin is known. This means WDVA receives much less general purpose revenue from the state and its taxpayers than would otherwise be needed.

Our Wisconsin G.I. Bill is one of the best in the nation. Our Veterans Homes are exceptionally rated. Our cemeteries do a beautiful job of honoring those veterans who have passed. I leave the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs in a much better condition than when I started as secretary.

Some of the job by necessity is facts and figures and knowing where the agency has been and where it is headed financially, but one the most enjoyable things as secretary has been personally interacting with veterans from across Wisconsin and the nation and hearing their stories.

As secretary I have come to know many advocates from the veterans community at all levels; national, state, county and beyond. I have met veterans from Janesville to Superior and from the towns along the Mississippi River to the cities along Lake Michigan. I have also met veterans from across the nation through national meetings of each states veteran affairs department and through national veterans service organizations. Every veteran I meet reminds of me of why I chose to serve those who have served on our behalf.

Our veterans service organizations remain stalwarts in protecting veterans and gaining ground on their behalf. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart and others have all been friends, allies and comrades in assisting our veterans.

Our counties and their veterans service officers have been a contact for veterans in their local communities since after World War II  delivering on the state and federal promises to care for our veterans when they return home. These CVSOs connect county veterans with USDVA and WDVA benefits and programs and are an essential part of getting our older veterans the assistance they need.

Much has changed in 70 years since World War II. We have transitioned to new benefits, new processes and new technology. There is a new G.I. Bill for post-9/11 veterans along with the ability for veterans to sign up for it, and many other benefits, digitally. In fact, that first generation to use the G.I. Bill of Rights by signing up on a paper form is nearly gone. While we look back at that era with great respect and admiration for their monumental accomplishment, with younger generations come new ideas, new benefits and new ways to communicate  many of which the WDVA has implemented during my time here. Our department is now more accessible than ever and is the first, best stop for veterans seeking to use their benefits.

I would not have been an effective secretary were it not for the excellent mentorship I received throughout my career. The same is true of the exemplary staff I served with in state service. I appreciate the years of guidance and camaraderie from both those people for whom I worked and also those who worked tirelessly in the department on behalf of our veterans. Every day we came to work and did something great for the veterans of our state  of that I am proud.

I want to again thank all those who I have known along the way  all those who stood up and helped make Wisconsin the best state in the nation for our veterans.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the second financial year in a row, the Sand Hills Casino Resort near Carberry has posted a deficit.

And, with no profit yet, that means it hasnt flowed any money to Manitoba First Nations through the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, as intended.

Thats disappointing, but the operation is working hard to bring in more local patrons, casino spokesperson Barbara Czech said.

File Patrons emerge from Sand Hills Casino Resort near Carberry on opening day in 2014. Financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, show that the facility has posted a deficit for the second year in a row.

The casino is viable in that it is paying its expenses and making all its scheduled payments to the senior lender (Royal Bank), Czech said. But it has not been able to produce sufficient revenues and profit that would allow distributions to First Nations.

The Sand Hills Casino financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, show that the operation took in more gaming revenue but still posted a larger deficit than its previous nine months of operation.

Its not going gangbusters, as I think the developers had anticipated, but theres a number of positive outcomes that I can see, said Yale Belanger, a University of Lethbridge professor who specializes in the study of First Nations casino development.

Belanger reviewed the casinos latest financial statements and noted such positives as cash flow and increased revenue. Earnings have also nearly doubled.

Even though theyve got this big net loss number at the bottom of the spreadsheet, theres a number of very positive outcomes at this point, Belanger said.

The casino, which stands on Swan Lake First Nation land along Highway 5 near Carberry, opened in June 2014.

After nine months of operation, its first set of financial statements submitted in March 2015 recorded $8.91 million in revenue, but a net loss of $1.3 million after expenses, interest on loans and amortization were deducted.

For the 2015-16 fiscal year, revenue was about $11.15 million, but the net loss came to $1.92 million  although Belanger says its a loss that can be overcome.

I dont think that is a deficit that theyre going to be unable to rebound from, Belanger said.

In total, the casinos accumulated loss since the facility opened comes to $4.53 million.

Belanger believes the casino partnership may have been a little optimistic with their original development plan, and they might want to revise their marketing strategy.

That assessment seems to fit with Czechs.

Yes, we certainly expected better financial performance, Czech said. Extensive market studies had suggested the Westman market  and Brandon in particular  would generate more revenue than has been the case.

There simply havent been enough visitors, Czech said. A study prior to construction indicated there would be about 126,000 visits from Brandon, but that number has been significantly lower  although, Czech said there were more visitors in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

In response, we are very aggressively marketing the casino and, in particular, are working hard to entice more Brandon residents to visit, Czech said.

In 2015-16, there was a notable increase in operating expenses. Those reached $7.29 million in 2015-16, up from $5.94 million from the prior financial statements.

Czech said, however, that operating expenses as a percentage of revenue actually dropped to 61 per cent from 66 per cent.

The operating cost increase comes from such regular expenses as utilities and salaries, she said. Theres also a payment to Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries for the maintenance and leasing of gaming machines that went up in 2015-16 simply due to payment schedules.

The casino partners agreement with Hemisphere Gaming to manage and run the casino on its behalf has been the subject of criticism.

Hemisphere charges various fees, plus interest on a $7.5-million loan. As of March, it was owed $5.41 million. While it hasnt collected any of its money yet, thats still significant when compared to the casinos accumulated loss of $4.53 million.

Belanger said it may be a case that high interest is the cost of doing business when a mainstream lender cant be secured.

Long-term debt, at $16.82 million  a Royal Bank of Canada loan that stands at $8.5 million, a $1.25-million loan from First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, and a $7.5-million loan from Hemisphere  are the casinos biggest liabilities.

A spokesperson for AMC was unavailable for comment. A message left for marketing officials at Hemisphere didnt receive a response by press time.

Belanger concluded that it will take a few more years before a clearer picture of the casinos performance will be available.

The Brandon Sun contacted the Manitoba government for its position on First Nations gaming given the finances of Sand Hills casino.

Our government is committed to ensuring that gaming in Manitoba is pursued in a manner that is both financially viable and socially responsible, a government spokesperson stated.

 ihitchen@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @IanHitchen

What the financial statements showed 

Sand Hills Casino Resort Limited Partnerships financial statements for the year ending March 31, 2016, show:

 More revenue in 2016 compared to 2015

Total revenue was up $3.05 million (34.2 per cent) to about $12 million in 2016 compared to 2015 when revenue was $8.91 million.

The biggest boost in earnings came from gaming revenue with $9.87 million taken in this year compared to $7.28 million last year. Slots and tables took in $2.59 million more to reach a total gaming revenue in 2016 of $9.87 million.

 Expenses also up in 2016.

As of March, the casino had $11.15 million in expenses for 2016 compared to $8.47 million in 2015 (32 per cent.)

 At nearly two years into operation, the casino continued to lose money

In 2016, the casino logged a net loss of $1.92 million, which was up from $1.3 million (Although the casino had only been running for nine months when the 2015 statements were filed.)

Sand Hills accumulated loss has now reached $4.53 million, although it has reduced its long-term debt to $16.82 million from $18.19 million.

 No profit means no money for First Nations

The lack of profit means that there is still nothing to share with Manitoba First Nations. Profit from the casino, which opened in June 2014, was to be split among 63 Manitoba bands.

 Money owed manager

The casino owes casino manager Hemisphere Gaming money, but it isnt collecting on its various fees, interest or loan repayment yet.

Hemisphere manages and runs the casino on behalf of the Sand Hills partnership and charges it management and licensing fees. It also loaned Sand Hills $7.5 million with interest of 13.5 per cent, a loan due in full in June 2023. In total, as of March 2016, the Sand Hills partnership owed Hemisphere $5.41 million in fees and interest.

 The Brandon Sun
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Largely unfamiliar with the implications of electoral reform, a Friday afternoon canvass of Brandon residents at Brandon University, Shoppers Mall and The Town Centre revealed room for public engagement.

Of the few dozen people asked Should the Liberals hold a referendum on electoral reform? only a handful understood the question.

Variations of What? Im not politically involved and Could you repeat that in English? were common responses.

Bryant Wahl-Perrin

The question came in reaction to the previous days news that a special all-party committee of MPs on electoral reform had recommended that the Liberals should design a new proportional voting system and hold a national referendum to gauge public support.

While the limited local understanding measured on Friday might add credence to respondent Myles Hubbards suggestion that members of the public elected knowledgeable people to make such decisions on their behalf, it was also suggested that the public needs to become better aware of electoral reform.

So argued Brandon University political science associate Prof. Kelly Saunders.

While the Liberals absolutely need to have a referendum on this, Saunders clarified that some form of wide-reaching public consultation is required beforehand.

While there wasnt a consensus among those contacted on Friday, support did lean toward the Liberals holding a referendum.

Katherine Charles

Followup responses from questions related to whether the current electoral process is adequate were split down the middle.

Cathy Demas joined a few others in putting forward that shed prefer the system to remain status quo, while Bryant Wahl-Perrin argued that the current so-called first-past-the-post system needs improvement and that a proportional representation system would better serve the diverse people who make up the Canadian public.

Katherine Charles agreed with this assessment, putting forward that the current system makes it very difficult for smaller interest groups to have their interests heard.

As reported in Fridays Brandon Sun, Brandon-Souris Conservative MP Larry Maguire has been a longstanding advocate for a referendum and believes the current electoral system should remain as is.

Brandon-Westman Council of Canadians president Scott Blyth affirmed his organizations support for electoral reform, but feared a referendum might squash the effort.

Eric Shaw

For her part, Saunders said that voters should get a say in any reforms.

This is something that is fundamental to our democracy, Saunders said. Canadians might not always want to vote, but how they vote is something that a lot of Canadians have an opinion on.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkePA

Should the liberals hold an electoral reform referendum?

Lisa Morrison

 Bryant Wahl-Perrin: I think it would be something to look into. I know the first past the post hasnt been a great system.

 Katherine Charles: Yes, I think they should because our current system makes it very difficult for smaller interest groups to have their insights heard.

 Terra Bergen: Yes. Im a Conservative, so 

 Eric Shaw: A big old No.

 Craig Lindbloom: Yes. We need to keep our governments all in check.

Terra Bergen

 Lisa Morrison: I guess  I dont know.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You supported Stephen Harper, right?

Yup.

I know you like the ideas of smaller government and tax cuts. Outside of those issues, what would Stephen Harper have had to do to lose your vote in the last election?

As a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, I responded that Harper tested the edges of my conservatism in the last election. It was very challenging for a social moderate to accept the barbaric cultural practices hotline, hijab rabble-rousing or the infamous Canadian values comments. It appeared to be dog-whistle politics designed to shore up the Conservative base. In that sense, these cynical ideas were arguably smart politics, but they trod a very thin line.

That line, of course, was the line between the tolerance and fears of Canadians.

In last months election, Republican Donald Trump walked right up to that line, then gleefully jumped across with both feet. All made with promises to Make America Great Again, Trump danced with racism, sexism and intolerance at literally every turn.

Rather than re-litigate that election, it appears as though Trump benefited from the unholy trinity of a weak establishment opponent who failed to motivate her vote in a grievance election, as well as voter economic fears, and a hatred of the media. Why bring up Trumps election victory? Well, could it be that some wannabe Trumps are taking a page out of his book in their quest for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada?

Let me share some comments from an email I received this week from CPC leadership candidate Kellie Leitch  Screen All Immigrants Into Canada For Canadian Values.

Its time to say enough to this condescending, elitist sarcasm that we get from the Liberal and media elites. It is the ultimate left-wing hypocrisy: they rally and rail for tolerance and respect and then their behaviour and attacks are the epitome of intolerance and disrespect.

Send a clear message to the elites of this country that there is a silent majority in Canada who will not be disrespected and who will fight back!

If this is not redolent of Trumps railings against the establishment and media, then I dont know what is. This rhetoric smacks of a base appeal to arch-Conservatives a la Trump. In other words, let the moderates battle it out while Leitch solidifies a small but devoted minority. If the leadership contest goes beyond the first vote, then perhaps Leitch could win.

As I told a phone solicitor from the CPC on Tuesday night, the party should be very concerned about Leitchs comments.

Quite simply, in a multi-cultural Canada that is increasingly liberal and urban, spouting Canadian values and talking against the so-called elites may work occasionally, but it is not a winning strategy.

My grandfather came to Canada from France. Did he have Canadian values at the time? I cannot say, but he had sons who fought and died for Canada, so I strongly urge politicians tread very carefully when they question values.

While there are many reasons behind my personal conservatism, crossing the line of social issues by banning same sex marriage and reproductive rights would have been the last step. Like it or not, Trump and the Republicans have ensured the left will be motivated and ready. Leitch and her comments may be consigned to the nether regions of the alt-right, consumed by a small but rabid group of supporters.

For moderate Red Tories, for whom fiscal conservatism is a core philosophy, Leitchs comments would preclude many from donating to her party and supporting her partys candidates. This platform is distasteful and incredibly poor form. Canadians are better than this, and deserve better from their elected officials.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If it werent for immigration, Manitoba would be in decline. In 2015, the population of Manitoba grew by approximately 10,000 people. In that same year, we had nearly 15,000 people immigrate to Canada in Manitoba, while we had a net loss of nearly 5,000 Manitobans to other provinces.

My hometown in Nova Scotia has been losing 1,000 people a year every year since I was born. That comes with numerous challenges, not the least of which was having to close 15 schools this past year. So I appreciate living in a province and city that continues to grow. While our present fiscal pressures find us struggling to keep up with the requirements for new schools and expanded college facilities, this is a much better challenge to face than decline.

Manitoba has long been the leader in immigration among small provinces, and last week the province announced that changes will be made to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program with an eye to facilitating even higher numbers of newcomers to Canada.

One of the drivers for the need to increase our immigration levels is to meet labour market needs. Forecasts predict that there will be 177,800 job openings in Manitoba between now and 2021. At least one-quarter of those projected job openings (more than 45,000) are expected to be filled by immigrants.

The strategy seeks to reduce the backlog of people waiting to come to Manitoba while creating a stronger alignment between the opportunities that exist in the province and the skills of the people that want to come here. That sounds a lot like our colleges desire to help address our wait lists of students wanting to get into high-demand programs while making sure those programs have graduates that are likely to secure jobs in Manitobas labour market.

Manitobas immigration strategy is critical to creating a growth strategy for our province. Growing and diversifying our economic base needs to be a central tenet in our strategy for fiscal balance and improving our quality of life. While expenditure containment is getting most of the airplay for restoring fiscal balance, growth merits equal consideration as part of the way to address our current shortfalls.

Sometimes we have seen enhanced immigration efforts positioned as an alternative to homegrown development options, particularly development of the indigenous population. From my perspective, if we are to find ways to fill those 177,800 jobs, we are going to need to have all of our labour market development strategies firing on all cylinders. This includes improving opportunities for indigenous people, welcoming more newcomers to Canada, increasing domestic training seats and improving our performance on interprovincial migration with the rest of the country.

At Assiniboine Community College, we are aligning to these strategies.

In April, the college launched Assiniboine International, a new unit dedicated to enhancing our global citizenship including recruiting more international students, helping to give domestic students better international perspectives, better serving newcomers to Canada and encouraging college participation in international development.

Since 2013, the college has grown from less than 60 international students to expecting more than 250 this year. We know that for many of the international students we welcome, their ultimate goal is Canadian citizenship. We anticipate working in the context of the new provincial nominee program to align our offerings to ensure we are creating meaningful pathways for learners to the labour force and ultimately to citizenship.

While many of the offerings we have had so far have been for entire cohorts (complete classes) of international students, the college also seeks to have a greater integration of our international students into expanded offerings with domestic students. This is advantageous for learners in terms of diversity of perspective, language development and ultimately a more scalable solution for the college as we grow in this area.

In order to meet the 177,800 job openings, the college will need to expand program seats as well. Manitoba currently has the lowest level of post-secondary attainment in the country. Further, we have, by far, the lowest percentage of college attainment of the six largest provinces. If Manitoba is to be competitive and continue to grow, addressing this historical imbalance will be an important step to take in addition to measures to add pathways and access programs for those who cant or do not qualify for post-secondary education.

Canada marks its 150th birthday this coming year. Its a time to reflect on our history and to cast an eye to a shared future. The college will look at how it should play an even stronger role in reconciliation. More than 18 per cent of the colleges students identify as indigenous. And while we have a long history of partnerships with indigenous communities and organizations, we know there is much more that we need to do meet the commitments we have made as part of Reconciliation.

The 177,800 job openings are certainly one of the biggest opportunities before us. Bridging the prosperity gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people is a must for there to be a stronger foundation for Canadas next 150 years. Education and labour market development can play a critical role in assisting indigenous peoples while simultaneously ensuring that Manitoba can realize our potential.

Labour market development in all its forms is critical to Manitoba achieving its economic potential. In turn, economic growth will help address our fiscal imbalance and improve the standard of living for future generations in Manitoba. There are at least 177,800 reasons to be firing on all cylinders between now and 2021.

 Mark Frison is the president of Assiniboine Community College.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pedestrians beware!

Slow down! Why do we have to experience a serious injury or death for Brandonites to recognize they are driving too fast in the city? The driver would have creamed us at 12th Street and Princess Avenue on Nov. 30 around 6:30 p.m., if we had not paid attention to his bad driving. We did not step off the curb at the pedestrian crossing as this guy would have made pancakes of us. Is it because the crosswalk does not have adequate lighting? Are the Brandon Police Service not out enough or are we lacking officers and cruisers? If an officer had sat at 12th Street and Princess, there would have been enough money made to start putting flashing lights on all crosswalks! City of Brandon needs to start thinking about the pedestrians.

To the concerned hotdog person

To the person who voiced her concern in a recent Sound Off regarding her disgust that hotdogs were being served at a fundraiser. My suggestion is youve obviously got to get some hobbies because its apparent youve got way to much time on your hands to even think up this ridiculous complaint!

Time to rethink expansion of Daly overpass

Traffic is, and will become, much busier and dangerous once there are four lanes over the tracks. Has anyone, council or governments, given any thought to a west and north extension of Highway 110 south of Brandon going west and north connecting to the Trans-Canada Highway? Brandon is growing and traffic on 18th Street is a nightmare. Less traffic on 18th Street not more is needed.

Safety should always be your first concern

Truckers are responsible for a lot of accidents on the highways due to speed. Dont tell me you know your speed limits and are in control. I have witnessed a lot of truckers driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hanging out the window. Now tell me are you in control of such a huge vehicle. Your winter driving is another hazard when you are passing at your high speeds that you are supposed to be in such control of, leaving the driver being passed snow blinded. Your only concern is getting from point A to point B in a certain time and nothing else. Safety should be coming first for whatever company you are working for and obviously that is not the case.

This is not what we need for a PM

Its frightening that our prime minister thinks so highly of a murderous thug dictator. Fidel Castro had many people killed for no reason, yet Justin Trudeau thinks Castro was a remarkable leader. Do we really want someone as vapid as Trudeau to change our electoral process when he so openly admires murderous communist societies such as China and Cuba? I wish our schools taught real world history.
The following editorial appeared Sunday, Nov. 27 in the Wisconsin State Journal:

A panel of judges stated the obvious last week in striking down Wisconsins voting district maps as unconstitutional.

The rigged legislative maps, drawn by top Republican lawmakers and their high-priced attorneys in 2011, were a partisan gerrymander that favored the GOP in swing seats while packing Democratic voters into a minority of seats they were likely to win anyway.

Its clear the drafters got what they intended to get, wrote Judge Kenneth Ripple, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals senior judge appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan. There is no question (the legislative maps were) designed to make it more difficult for Democrats, compared to Republicans, to translate their votes into seats.

In 2012, the GOP got 48.6 percent of the statewide vote yet won 60 of 99 seats in the state Assembly. In 2014, the Republicans collected 52 percent of the vote and won 63 Assembly seats.

Democrats received 51.4 percent of the vote in 2012 but only won 39 Assembly seats, and two years later the Democrats won just 36 seats despite receiving 48 percent of the vote.

Some of the disparity for Democrats results from the high concentration of Democratic-leaning voters living in Madison and Milwaukee. But that doesnt explain the highly partisan and unconstitutional effect of Wisconsins Republican-drawn maps, Ripple wrote.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and other Republican leaders still feign innocence, as if they didnt skew key districts to their partys favor. Thats a joke. They specifically calculated how their candidates would do under various versions of the maps, picking the option that was best for their party.

We wouldnt trust the Democrats to draw the lines fairly, either. Thats why a nonpartisan process is needed so neither party can thwart the will of voters.

The judges did not say what should happen because of their ruling. Instead, the court ordered both sides in the legal case to suggest an appropriate remedy within 30 days.

The obvious fix is for Wisconsin to adopt a fair process for redrawing voting districts similar to Iowas neutral system. Rather than letting the politicians scheme in secret with historical voting data and elaborate computer software to draw maps to their partisan advantage, Iowa assigns the once-every-decade task of redrawing lines based on population changes to a nonpartisan state agency.

The agency is required to draw legislative districts as compact as possible, respecting communities of interest while ignoring the fate of politicians. Yet lawmakers still must vote to approve the maps, without making changes.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Iowa both support this nonpartisan process. Iowa avoids spending millions in taxpayer dollars defending their maps in court  money Fitzgerald and the GOP have been liberally spending in Wisconsin for years.

Most important, Iowa voters enjoy much more competition for legislative seats. Voters get more choice on ballots, which lets them hold lawmakers more accountable for state decisions.

The only people hurt by a nonpartisan process are the entrenched politicians of both political parties, most of whom now enjoy easy re-elections in Wisconsin.

Top lawmakers should finally agree to a neutral process thats constitutional and treats all voters fairly.
Let Me Tell You is a new bespoke podcast series from



Hosts Daniel McConnell and Paul Hosford take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments in recent Irish political history from the unique perspective of one of the key players involved.


Former Health Minister James Reilly says the ability of the current Minister to overrule a recommendation to not pay for a ground-breaking Cystic Fibroses drug is 'a dangerous place to be'.

The state's medicines watchdog - the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics - believes 'Orkambi' is too expensive.
A former German prisoner of war has left 384,000 (454,000) to a small Scottish village for the kindness shown to him during his imprisonment.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a former Waffen SS soldier during World War Two, was captured in France in 1944 when he was 19 and was held at the PoW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie, Perthshire.

He was classified as a category "C" prisoner - or hardline Nazi - and was held in Perthshire until June 1945, when he was then moved to another unit in Caithness and then a camp in Fife before eventually being released in 1948.

He returned to Comrie regularly after he was freed and made life-long friendships in the area. He died in 2014, aged 90, and his ashes were scattered in the hills above the camp.

Two years on, his wish to leave 384,000 (454,000) to the village has been recognised and has been donated to the villages local community trust to be spent on local development for the elderly.

Cultybraggan camp. Pic via Google Maps.

The Courier newspaper said part of Mr Steinmeyers will reads: "I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter".

Mr Steinmeyer made close friends with a local man in the area named George Carson who died only two weeks prior to his own.

Mr Carsons son, who is also called George, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: "It sounds like an unbelievable story but its absolutely true.

"My mother and her friends, all school children at Morrisons Academy in Crieff, made friends with Heinrich through the fence of the Cultybraggan camp.

"Im not quite sure how they communicated but during these conversations they discovered that Heinrich had never seen a moving picture, so they went up with their push bikes one morning and one of the girls had taken her brothers school uniform and they smuggled him out of the camp through the chainlink fence and into the cinema where he saw his very first film and he was absolutely blown away by the whole experience.

Cultybraggan camp. Pic via Google Maps.

"I met him a couple of times and he was a wonderful man.

"He had meetings with the Comrie Development Trust in 2008 and asked them to manage his estate on his death.

"He was quite specific in his will that the money should only be used on the elderly in the village.

"This is his thanks for the kindness shown to him at the point of his life where he was at his lowest and he just wants to say thank you to everybody."

The money has now been transferred to a Heinrich Steinmeyer Legacy Fund and a consultation process will start to find out how the legacy should be spent.
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Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethrens Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to aid Syrian and other refugees sheltering in Lebanon, and refugees from Burundi who have fled to Tanzania.

Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon

An allocation of $43,000 supports the work of the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development with Syrian refugees and other refugees in Lebanon. After seven years, the Syrian civil war has displaced nearly 10 million Syrians, even as other conflicts in the Middle East have displaced millions more people. Lebanon now has 1.5 million Syrian refugees and another half million Palestinian refugees. With this crisis continuing and children out of school for years, the Lebanese Society for Education and Social Development has expanded its focus on refugee children and has developed an intervention for Syrian and Iraqi refugee children in the public school system working closely with the Ministry of Education. The project will provide refugee children with the opportunity to enhance interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, and emotional awareness to promote healthier coping skills and better psychosocial well-being. The society plans to provide these services in 10 public schools during the 2017 calendar year, with a budget of $42,728 per school or a total budget of $427,280.

Burundi refugee crisis in Tanzania

An allocation of $30,000 supports the work of Church World Service (CWS) to assist refugees from Burundi who are sheltering in Tanzania. Since April 2015, Burundians have been fleeing their country following election violence and a failed coup. More than 250,000 Burundians have fled their country, and more than 140,000 are living in 3 camps in Tanzania. Due to a continually worsening situation in Burundi the three established camps in TanzaniaNyarugusu, Mtendeli, and Ndutaneed additional support to be scaled up and to provide appropriate humanitarian assistance. Funds will support the CWS focus on livelihood opportunities and self-reliance among refugees living in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp. This work complements the ongoing ACT Alliance response that focuses on water, sanitation, hygiene, cash grants, distribution of non-food items, community-based psychosocial counseling, primary education, livelihoods, and self-reliance. A previous EDF grant of $60,000 was made for this appeal in June 2015.

For more about the Emergency Disaster Fund and to contribute to disaster relief efforts, go to www.brethren.org/edf
At 6.05pm on Thursday, I was loitering in a Senate corridor at the eastern end of Parliament House, when I glanced outside and noticed One Nation, ambling across the courtyard accompanied by Jean-Claude van Damme. They were animatedly chatting and drinking Crown Lagers.

Now, this is the sort of spectacle ordinarily reserved for nocturnal reveries after the consumption of too much cheese.

The fact that it did not at the time seem especially weird is not only a serious professional red flag for me personally, but more broadly it gives you an idea of how off-the-charts bonkers much of the final parliamentary fortnight has been.

As the Prime Minister is fond of reminding us, the modern era is one that favours agility and innovation. And the level of agility achieved by many parties as the 2016 year careered to an end has been eye-watering to behold.
The previous year, the French ministry for tourism had decided not to give its highest credential ("Palace") to the hotel; it appeared that the Ritz's particular brand of slightly fussy, old-world luxury had been overtaken by slick, Asian-managed enterprises like the Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La.

The chandelier, like everything else in the hotel, was placed into storage in 2012 to make way for a thousand or so artisans  stonecutters, masons, plasterers, carpenters, roofers, cabinetmakers  charged with reinvigorating one of the world's most famous addresses.

Three years later, it was reinstated by another government.) The bedroom is the Imperial Suite of the Paris Ritz, the crown jewel of the grande dame which reopened in June, 118 years after its original opening, following four years of renovations.

We've all been there: that moment in the midst of a particularly ambitious home-improvement project when you realise the chandelier in the master bedroom is too big to fit through the door, so will need to be hauled through the window. The window, in this case, overlooks the Place Vendome, the octagonal square in Paris's 1st arrondissement notable for the jade-green column erected by Napoleon I to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz. (The monument was a little too imperial for the Paris Commune, who tore it down in 1871.

The column of Place Vendomewith Napoleon's statue on top, the Garnier Opera house and the Sacre Coeur basilica illuminated at night. Credit:Getty Images

But while the rooms now feature iPhone sockets and TVs hidden behind mirrors, the hotel's aesthetic is still quite distinct from the bland good taste exhibited by many other global names. Owner Mohamed Al-Fayed's $620 million renovation, overseen by the New Yorkbased architect Thierry W. Despont, retains the place's showiness, or, well, Ritziness: peach-pink towels to flatter a woman's complexion, the ubiquitous scent of sweet amber, hooks for handbags, gold swans for faucets, and porcelain cloches for butter dishes. The main building, an 18th-century townhouse built by a superintendent to Louis XIV, is heritage-listed, so no changes could be made to its facade. Instead, dimensions inside were adjusted to optimise space and light, with the number of rooms reduced from 159 to 142. There is still no lobby to speak of, because Cesar Ritz, the hotel's Swiss creator, thought it would encourage loitering by the riff-raff.

The hotel, which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World group, is proud of its history, and takes pains to celebrate it  where appropriate. In 1910, Gabrielle Chanel opened her first hat shop at 21 rue Cambon, on the other side of the building from the Place Vendome. In 1919, she stayed at the Ritz for the first time and, in 1937, moved into a suite on the third floor overlooking Napoleon's column. Now located on the second floor for more light, the Coco Chanel Suite has been lovingly recreated with the help of the House of Chanel. Everything is lacquered black and white and sand (surprisingly, she loved the beach), with crystal lamps in the Chanel style, photos by Horst and Beaton and other fashion greats, and two Goossens tables. What's not mentioned in the official Ritz magazine, though widely known, is that when the Germans requisitioned the Place Vendome side of the Ritz in 1940, Chanel moved into an apartment on the other side, in the eaves on the sixth floor, and also had a relationship with Hans Gunther von Dincklage, a high-ranking German officer.

The Bar Hemingway, which opened in 1994, is named after another famous regular with a wartime connection. It's said that as a correspondent embedded with the American troops who landed on the Normandy beaches in 1944, Hemingway spoke often of his desire to "liberate" the Ritz, where he had spent many hours at the bar.

On August 25, 1945, he arrived at the hotel in a commandeered jeep, armed, to fulfil his mission. (You can imagine the hotel manager, Claude Auzello, telling the excited American that the Germans had left long ago, and to put down his weapon, s'il-vous plait.) Now the bar is a paean to old-school machismo, all fishing rods and brass fixtures. When you add the taxidermy and the reliable rhythm of martinis being shaken, it also feels oddly like Brooklyn, though 30 euros for a cocktail elevates the experience out of hipster territory.
"I like to create strong compositionally balanced images", Cabramatta: A Moment in Time. Credit:Markus Andersen Walking through Cabramatta you can feel you are in a South East Asian city  to my knowledge there is no other place like it in Australia, an undiluted experience that is a true visceral and sensory onslaught. You use high-contrast light situations quite a lot with shadows being blacked out. What was the intention of using that technique? "Cabramatta has a character and real individual identity", Cabramatta: A Moment in Time. Credit:Markus Andersen There are multiple reasons for using this  the blinding sun and heavy shadows.

Firstly I wanted to convey the dense Australian light in the images. Sidewalks drenched in hard sun, enveloping subjects and the deep recesses of shadow. Additionally, I wanted the images to feel as if a veil of heavy humidity or heat had been layered over the subjects and the environment they inhabit. It does get very hot in Cabramatta in summer and I wanted to reflect overwhelming nature of this element. "Shooting was simply reacting to the world before me", Cabramatta: A Moment in Time. Credit:Markus Andersen Further, I like to create strong compositionally balanced images like a piece of design. Using high-contrast ambient lighting and a certain exposure technique I can structure images graphically and create a visual dance between light and shade. To me, this series shows glimpses of a gritty, multicultural side of Sydney. Was this what you were trying to convey  that Cabramatta is a complicated place? I wanted to convey that Cabramatta is very real visual and sensory experience  the streets, laneways, shops et cetera are very much a living, organic and constantly moving environment.

Cabramatta is on many levels is like any busy South East Asian city: there is grit, there are intense smells and rough edges but that is what makes Cabramatta so unique  it is not diluted like so much of Sydney is nowadays. Cabramatta has a character and real individual identity, it has heart and it is a truly complex multi-layered environment  it is like another country existing within Sydney. What do you look for when taking street photos for a series like Cabramatta? When shooting in Cabramatta it was twofold: When observing life I can just "feel" that something has visual potential. I react instantly and quickly knowing that if I stop to think I will miss that fleeting moment. I guess I can't explain why my brain connects visual elements quickly and tells me that combination of elements within a scene might be good. I find it very hard to explain, it is like an extra visual perception of the surroundings and the subjects that inhabit the space.

Alternatively, found a specific location and waited and waited for something unusual or odd to occur. Always looking for that rupture in the everyday to create something unique, unusual and surprising. I suppose it is like a theatre play  I have my stage, my lighting and I just wait for the subjects to play their part. What's your professional process? Did much planning go into this series or is it very much "off the cuff" reacting to daily life as you see it? Did you do any "camping out" at a particular location, for example? Apart from structuring the body of work to be shot only over a single year and attending planned festivals and events, the shooting was simply reacting to the world before me in Cabramatta. With the street portraiture series some elements were planned in terms of timing and locations. I wanted to exist as a ghost and just flow through the streets undetected so I would not interfere in any way with the cycle of daily life in the suburb.
Sydney's worsening housing affordability crisis has split its residents along generational lines, a new poll confirms.

Ask whether the Baird Government should abolish stamp duty on residential property, in favour of a land tax on all homes, and 45 per cent of young respondents, aged 18 to 34 years, are supportive.

Almost half of young adults support abolishing stamp duty in favour of land tax on residential homes. Credit:James Brickwood

But asking the same question to an older generation meets equal resistance.

An exclusive Fairfax/ReachTEL poll shows 41.5 per cent of people aged 65 and over would oppose such a policy.
Protesters have disrobed, partially, to push for the right to strip off completely on some of Queensland's beaches.

Noosa's Alexandria Bay has been an unofficial nude beach for decades but fines issued to skinny-dipping bathers regularly generate controversy.

Australian Sex Party Queensland secretary Robin Bristow gets a bit cheeky at a nude beach protest.

In November's latest escalation, police confirmed they'd been patrolling the national park surrounded beach and had fined 11 men in recent weeks.

According to the Australian Sex Party, which organised the protest, about 40 people gathered outside Noosa Police Beat in "various states of undress" on Saturday to fight for the right to enjoy the beach in the buff.
Victorians are preparing ahead of Sunday's forecast thunderstorms with pharmacies reporting a rush on asthma-related products.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Michael Efron said thunderstorms were predicted to hit the state's far west at 2pm, moving into Melbourne about 11pm.

A total fire ban has been declared for the Mallee region on Sunday.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 34 degrees in Melbourne and 40 at Swan Hill.
Firefighters battled a large fire at a factory in Dandenong South on Saturday after hundreds of truck tyres ignited.

Twelve crews were sent to the blaze which started at the back of Iveco Trucks on the Princes Highway about 5pm.

Firefighters at the scene of a tyre fire at Dandenong South. Credit:Seven News

People took to social media to post photos of smoke billowing from the premises.
The Turnbull government has been accused of acting like a bully after it threatened to ban Fremantle from hosting citizenship ceremonies because the city has moved its Australia Day celebrations to January 28.

The Greens released a statement on Saturday saying the federal government's response set a dangerous, interfering, precedent.

"The Turnbull Government threatening to ban citizenship ceremonies in Fremantle because they do not agree with the City of Fremantle kick-starting an important conversation about cultural inclusivity is inappropriate, bullying and sets a dangerous precedent," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

The council started a storm of controversy in August when it announced it would cancel the traditional Australia Day fireworks and move the celebrations to a "culturally-inclusive alternative event" two days later.
Warminster boy makes Phillies nation proud with viral video from Game 1

Carson Wallace, 5, of Warminster, starred as one of the Phillies most savage fans as his celebration and taunt of an Astros fan went viral.
Yardley Friends Meeting at 65 N. Main Street in Yardley will host the documentary Organic Roots on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. Join director Al Johnson for a showing of this film followed by a discussion of the last 50 years of this movement. Organic foods are part of our life today and a tool in our concern for...
has announced an investment of Rs 2,000 crore to expand the capacity of its cement plant in Odisha. Group company Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd has 74.6 stakes in OCL India, a leading cement maker with the largest market share in Odisha.
A Mumbai-Bhopal flight was delayed by two hours as a group of passengers refused to let the aircraft fly without their 'delayed' companions.

Some unruly passengers, who were a part of a marriage party, bullied to not only persuade but also compensate others passengers who were on the flight to deboard the plane so that their family members, who were late to the airport, could fly.

tried convincing passengers for over an hour, after which five people de-boarded the flight, accepting Rs 10,000 as compensation.

According to India Today, it was an 'affluent Gujarati family' that created the chaos. "Jet Airways was subservient to the Gujarati family because of the familys connection to some powerful minister, reported India Today.

The scene turned ugly when members of the wedding group blocked the aircraft doors to prevent it from shutting. To restore peace, Jet Airways offered compensation but they proceeded to hold the flight.

Jet Airways confirmed the incident. "The offloaded guests - part of a larger group, refused to accept the airlines offer of compensation/re-accommodation on alternative flights, and together with other members of the group, proceeded to hold the flight," an airline spokesman said.

This led to "an unruly situation, necessitating the intervention of law enforcement officials, causing the flight to be delayed by 90 minutes and inconveniencing other guests who were already on board the aircraft," it added.

Subsequently, all the offloaded guests were compensated, the airline said.

Here is the complete text of Jet Airways statement:
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and Cognizant, two of Indias largest software exporters, have warned that there is a shortage of talent in the United States, a concern that has to be looked at by President-elect Donald Trump when he assumes office.
Sangita Reddy, joint managing director of Enterprise, spearheads the groups retail health care business Apollo Health and Lifestyle, which raised Rs 450 crore by diluting a 29 per cent stake to IFC this week. In an interview with Gireesh Babu, Reddy speaks about the latest fund-raising and the companys interest in acquiring stakes in health care start-ups. Edited excerpts:
MARK JUERGENSMEYER, professor of sociology and global studies, University of California, specialises on religion and politics. He has done extensive research on the politics of the Khalistan movement in Punjab. He tells Aditi Phadnis about the connections between religion, politics, violence and globalisation.
Prime Minister and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday took a heritage walk and visited the Golden Temple soon after arriving in this holy town to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

Modi and Ghani walked through the renovated heritage corridor before reaching Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, where large number of people, waiting for hours, welcomed them.

The temple premise was decorated with lights and flowers and the two leaders were taken to various parts of the temple complex.

Ghani and Modi also offered prayers at the temple. They spent over 30 minutes braving cold weather.

Modi also served Langar in the community kitchen of the shrine as Ghani stayed along with him.

The two leaders were given a 24 carat gold replica of Golden Temple and a set of five books besides a 'siropa' (robe of honour) and shawl.

Modi's visit to the Golden Temple is seen by some as an attempt to connect with the Sikh community ahead of elections in the state next year.

Earlier in the evening, Ghani was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

Ghani and Modi will jointly inaugurate the Heart of Asia Ministerial conference tomorrow. They will also have a bilateral meeting during which both sides are likely to finalise broad contours of a bilateral air cargo service pact to boost trade.

In the meeting, Afghanistan is also likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India in strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years back.

Last week India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel but has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons.

Afghanistan has also been seeking India's assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition and the issue may figure in tomorrow's talks.

India and Afghanistan has also been exploring various connectivity projects to for greater two-way trade and the issue may figure in tomorrow's talks.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub with an aim to develop a transit corridor.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, will travel to India on Sunday for the Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference that began today in Amritsar, Punjab.

The visit comes amid escalating tension between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation as to whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the sidelines of the event even though New Delhi has denied any offer for talks.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of the process that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats, reports the Dawn.

The opening Senior Officials Meeting today will discuss and finalise the text for the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process. Today's meeting will also cover all the necessary technical aspects of the declaration for the Sixth Ministerial Conference to be held tomorrow.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

The process is supported by 17 other predominantly Western countries and 12 international organisations, which are also sending senior representatives.
Going by the calm around the campus in Rajgir, Bihar, it is tough to believe that the institution is, for the moment, in the eye of a storm. Life seems to be going on as usual inside the campus which is built on land that once belonged to the Bihar government. Students are buried deep in their studies and the university administration has explained that since it is examination week, everyone has been told to concentrate on their preparations. An informal gag order seems to be in effect.
The Miami-Dade County Dept. of Cultural Affairs sent out "Background Materials" related to the Coconut Grove Playhouse and the upcoming meeting next week. And just as I always suspected, the facade of the playhouse will be saved in the plans for what they call "renovation" and the rest will be knocked down.





The county calls it a "transformation of this local icon," but to be honest, they let it deteriorate for over 10 years, letting termites and weather do all the work of demolition by neglect. It was never looked after or taken care of and until a friend set up something in the middle of the night a few years back to have portions painted to protect it, it was just left to rot. If any of us would have let our property go like this, we would have been fined. But the city and county ignored it.





In 2004, citizens voted to save the Playhouse and $20 million in taxes was put aside to restore the structure. But only the facade will be saved.





From the "background materials" sent out:





"The plan for the renewed theater takes into account both the historic and cultural significance of the site by saving the most architecturally significant parts of the Playhouse, the iconic corner building and its ornate facade wrapping around Main Highway and Charles Avenue. The original design intent will be restored by having retail once again engage the street.The plan maintains the original diagonal axis, along which a new twenty-first century theater will be positioned. A crescent shaped outdoor space, reminiscent of the original lobby space, will create the transition between old and new and serve as a community gathering space even when no events are taking place in the theater. The new theater will include the front-of-house and back-of-house spaces and amenities that contemporary users and audiences expect and demand.





"A parking garage is proposed for the north side of the site where surface parking currently exists. The garage will serve the needs of theater as well as nearby merchants and the Grove community."





The garage seems to be for 500 cars and will sit on the parking lot space that is currently there next to the theater facing Main Highway. There will be retail on the first floor of the garage. And hidden in the plans are 35 residential units that will be part of the new structure. They are 1/1 and 2/2 condos. That was never a doubt in my mind, you can never just have something done to please the public, there always has to be some sort of back end, money-making scheme involved.





It goes on: "The Countys contract for architectural and engineering work includes a master plan for a two theater scheme: the funded 300-seat theater for GableStage; and a second 700-seat theater which is unfunded."





Joseph Adler, Producing Artistic Director of GableStage, is the theater company that will operate and program the new 300 seat theater. The 700 seat theater is a whole different animal and will have (if ever built) it's own director.





This whole process can take up to three years including a year and a half just for architectural designs.





The bottom line is that the facade will be saved, the wrap around of the building's front, so as you enter the village, you'll see the playhouse as it was. You can clearly see that part in the photo above. The plan is to bring it back to it's original 1927 look. Behind it, the interior will be all new and state-of-the-art as they say. That's the huge auditorium part in the back. And to the right of the building, in the photo, is the surface parking lot now, which will be the new garage. The residential units will be part of the mix in there somewhere. From a diagram I saw, it appears as if they will be on either side of the garage.



Many who worked there are not pleased with the plans, they want the whole structure saved. Others feel that making it a modern theater is the answer, but I've been to quite a few plays up north, and the theaters are all the original theaters, many from the turn of the century. They are restored and renovated, but the look feel and essence are still there.

Sort of like the Guzman Theater in downtown Miami.





I recently saw Melissa Etheridge perform in an old original theater in South Hampton, Long Island; and Jesse Tyler Ferguson in a play in the Lyceum Theatre in NYC. The theater was part of the charm.

The Lyceum is the oldest continuously operating legitimate theater in NYC. Opened in 1903 and still going, it has landmark status.



There are those who want a new theater, there are those who want the original theater and there are those who just want something open and running.



Here are the background materials and links there to other reports and proposed plans that you will find of interest, including renderings and drawings. and links there to other reports and proposed plans that you will find of interest, including renderings and drawings.





Town Meeting: Update on the Coconut Grove Playhouse

Thursday, December 8

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Ransom Everglades Auditorium, 3575 Main Highway.





here



On a side note, I found these interesting articles, that maybe the County should read:

10 Steps for Restoring Historic Theaters. RSVPOn a side note, I found these interesting articles, that maybe the County should read:

Theater Preservation Guidance. and this:





Anyway, I'm picturing that scene in Frankenstein where the townspeople chase him with pitchforks and fire. I'm seeing this sort of thing happening at next week's meeting at Ransom.


Sartaj Aziz (pictured), advisor to the Pakistan prime minister on foreign affairs, landed earlier than originally scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for dignitaries attending the conference here on Saturday, which sparked hopes that the strained relationship between the two countries might improve.
India's jewellery market, estimated at $45 billion (or Rs 3 lakh crore), which is 85 per cent unorganised, may see a shift due to and introduction of the goods and services tax (GST). As Titan's Managing Director Bhaskar Bhat explains, the ban on high-value notes coupled with the GST, will compel the unorganised market to formalise.
The same day, during his radio programme

(Whats on my mind), he

: Learn how this digital economy works. Learn the different ways you can use your bank accounts and internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. Learn about card payments and other electronic modes of payment. Look at the malls and see how they function. A cashless economy is secure, it is clean. You have a leadership role to play in taking India towards an increasingly digital economy.
Income Tax searches were conducted on the office and residential premises of city-based property dealer Mahesh Shah, who disclosed a whopping Rs 13,860 crore of unaccounted income under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS).

The I-T sleuths also swooped down on premises of his Chartered Accountant firm Appaji Amin.

Though, the I-T Department is tight-lipped about the searches, Shah's CA Tehmul Sethna, who is a partner in Apaji Amin & Co, informed the media about the searches carried out at various places, including on the premises of those connected with his client (Mahesh Shah's friends).

I-T department officials could not be contacted even after several attempts.

The search operations were conducted on November 29, 30 and December 1, Sethna told mediapersons.

According to him, Shah is untraceable after these searches.

In his statement to media, Sethna claimed Shah made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore of cash under the IDS scheme.

The IDS scheme was closed on September 30.

"Shah was in my touch since 2013 and took our advice on several occasions in the past. He was not my regular client. He was mainly into land dealings. When IDS scheme was declared, I advised him to make the disclosure for peace of mind, as he is almost 67-year-old and is not keeping well due to some heart related ailments," said Sethna.

"After taking guidance from senior I-T officials, he made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore cash under the IDS scheme. He was supposed to pay Rs 1560 crore, which is 25 per cent of 45 per cent tax on the disclosed amount, as the first instalment. Though November 30 was the last date, he failed to deposit the instalment with I-T department," said Sethna.

According to Sethna, there is possibility that Shah never had such a huge amount with him when he made the declaration.

"When I-T department conducted an enquiry, they started doubting Shah's capacity to pay the instalment by the due date. Thus by November 28, I-T department cancelled his IDS Form-2 and initiated search operations the next day. I gave my full co-operation to them and showed all the papers related to Shah, who is untraceable after the searches," he said.

"Though I knew that Shah's financial condition was not sound, I did not doubt anything because he himself claimed to have such huge money which he wanted to declare under IDS. Ultimately, client has to show money, otherwise, I-T department will step in. I now believe that Shah's disclosure was suspicious," Sethna said.

When asked if Shah "possessed black money of several politicians and bureaucrats", Sethna declined to comment on the authenticity of such reports.

In his statement to media, Sethna stated the I-T sleuths found only Rs 29,000 and some papers from Shah's office during the search.
Yoga Guru on Saturday asserted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was not against demonetisation but only in the way it was implemented, adding that he firmly disagreed with all notions that she was against the scheme since she was hoarding black money herself.

Speaking to the media here, Ramdev asserted that Mamata was the symbol of simplicity in Indian politics.

"She wears hawai chappals and sarees costing no more than Rs 200. I do not agree that she is against demonetisation because she is hoarding black money herself. She has led a very simple life and has always fought against corruption," he said.

Emphasising that Mamata may have several doubts and questions regarding the implementation of the scheme, Ramdev added that he believes she truly supports demonetisation in her heart.

Talking about the radical step taken by the Centre, the yoga guru admitted that demonetisation has caused inconvenience to people in its initial stages, adding that it needs to be resolved soon and the centre must find a solution to the cash crisis.

"This historic and bold decision will definitely boost the Indian economy and help increase the GDP. But steps must be taken to help the poor deal as they need to come to terms with this upgradation," he said.

Meanwhile, in a veiled attack on opposition parties, especially the Congress, which has been vocal against the government for forcing people to stand in queues post the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that earlier people were rotting away in queues because of the people who ruled for 60 years, but his decision has created a queue enough to end all other queues in the country.

"People had to stand in queues to buy sugar, to buy kerosene. They had to stand in a queue to buy wheat. Thanks to those who ruled for 60 years, this country was rotting away in queues, but what I have done is that I have started a queue to end all queues," he said.

Addressing the people of Moradabad as his "high command", Prime Minister Modi said after his government scrapped old currency notes, the rich are queuing up outside poor people's house and asking for their help.
For mobile wallet company Paytm, it was a sheer stroke of luck that demonetisation came at a time when it was almost ready to launch its payments bank.
Indias flagship hydrocarbon event, Petrotech, this time around has a dose of women power. It will start with a pre-event on women and the highlight of the show is a spiritual talk by widely acclaimed Brahma Kumari Shivani. The delegates who will attend her lecture include energy ministers from at least 17 countries and top executives of global hydrocarbon majors.
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PM pays tribute to Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on his birth anniversary.

I bow to Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary. Our nation owes a lot to him for his inspiring leadership at a crucial time", the Prime Minister said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The price of the bitcoin, a popular crypto currency, crossed its 52-week high on Friday at $774. The surge was seen initially after Donald Trump won the US presidential election early this month and now because of China putting controls on capital outflows, including quotas for importing gold. Chinese investors found solace in as a safe heaven taking its price to 52-week high. A similar rising trend was seen in India soon after demonetisation of the currency on November 8.
Ford Motor Co. was a target of Donald Trumps criticism on the campaign trail for building cars in Mexico, and now that Trump will be president, Ford said its willing to work with him to keep jobs in the US  provided Trump puts the right policies in place, according to the automakers CEO. We will be very clear in the things wed like to see, Mark Fields said in an exclusive interview on Friday at Bloomberg offices in Southfield, Michigan. Among them, according to Fields, are currency-manipulation rules to promote free and fair trade, ...
As the markets eyes turn to Italys constitutional referendum, the nations assets are showing few signs of panic. Italys 10-year bonds posted their best week since July, while its stock index outperformed all of its developed-market peers in the period. Even the euro, which fell to the lowest since March 2015 last month, is bouncing back before Sundays vote, which may dictate Prime Minister Matteo Renzis political future. The referendum, which is targeted to overhaul governance and make it easier to pass reforms, has morphed into a ...
has decided to send an envoy to the US to hold meetings with Donald Trump's transition team, two days after a "productive" telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the president-elect.
Teenagers in Hong Kong whose high school delayed the start of the day by only 15 minutes got to sleep a little longer, were late to school less often and showed better mental health and focus, according to a new study.
At least 31,500 civilians have been displaced within Aleppo since fighting between warring factions escalated the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

Over half (18,000) of these, who have been forced to flee their homes have gone to Jibreen, a government-held district of western Aleppo, Xinhua news agency cited an OCHA statement on Friday.

A further 8,500 have fled to a Kurdish area while 5,000 have been displaced within east Aleppo which has been under siege for almost five months, the UN body added.

According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), around 60 per cent of those displaced are children.

Though unable to reach civilians who have not left eastern parts of the war-torn city, the UN said Thursday that it is able to provide much needed food and medical aid to the displaced.

OCHA also said that the UN had acknowledged a Russian proposal to open four humanitarian corridors servicing east Aleppo.

After discussions with Moscow, the UN hopes to use these corridors to carry out medical evacuations while bringing much needed relief items to east Aleppo if safety guarantees are provided by all parties to the conflict.
Thailands crown prince has become King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun or Rama X, the tenth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, succeeding his father who died on October 13. But great uncertainly remains about Thailands future  and that of the monarchy  both within the country and among international observers.
China lodged a complaint with the US after President-elect Donald Trump flouted almost four decades of diplomatic protocol by directly speaking with the leader of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rogue province. The solemn representation on Saturday urged US authorities to adhere to the so-called one-China principle and prudently handle issues related to the self-governed island. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Trumps Friday telephone call with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was a little trick pulled off by Taiwan, ...
The parent company of will pay a USD 2.4 million fine after reviving a money-losing air route to please a now-disgraced New Jersey politician, US market regulators announced today.

The penalty by the Securities and Exchange Commission follows a USD 2.25 million fine imposed earlier this year by federal prosecutors in the bribery case.

United's chief executive and two other senior officials stepped down in 2015 as the investigation unfolded revealing how the airline shareholders footed the bill to restore an unprofitable flight between Newark, New Jersey and Columbia, South Carolina, bowing to pressure from David Samson, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and former New Jersey attorney general.

Samson used a lobbyist to pressure United into reinstating the non-stop service even though the company had canceled the route in 2009 for lack of profit, officials said.

The airline lost nearly USD 1 million on the route which ran from September 2012 until April 2014.

As Port Authority chairman, Samson held sway over a proposed United hangar project at the Newark airport, a major hub, which the company believed would return USD 47.5 million in value to the airline as a result of more efficient routings.

"United initiated a money-losing flight solely to curry favor with a public official," Andrew Calamari, head of the SEC's New York Regional Office, said in a statement.

The flight was cancelled again shortly after Samson's resignation in the unrelated New Jersey "Bridgegate" scandal in which state officials deliberately blocked traffic into New York to punish a political enemy of Governor Chris Christie, an unsuccessful presidential candidate, according to the SEC.

Samson, 77, whose legal team includes former Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff, pleaded guilty in July in a parallel criminal matter to a single count of bribery.

He is due to be sentenced next month in a New Jersey federal court.
Democracy doesn't come cheap.

At our house alone, it came with a roughly $3,600 price tag. At least that's the estimate the body shop gave us on our youngest son's Jeep, the one he was driving to bring home his election mail-in ballot from college, then collided with another vehicle afterward.

The key words here, obviously, are "mail-in." Apparently when youre 19, it's easier to fill your car with gas, drive 75 miles home, drop off your ballot, then turn around and drive 75 miles back to college, than it is to find a postage stamp.

It wasn't just Cole. He was also delivering a friend's mail-in ballot. His brother Alex, a college sophomore, also sent his mail-in ballot home with a friend, and our sons girlfriend just drove home from college on Election Day to vote.

It's hard to be too upset with Cole, though, like the time our daughter got in a parking lot fender-bender leaving church. The fact that he wanted to make sure he voted says something.

Id like to say this is because he has grown up with a dad who loves politics, who comes home from work much more interested in hearing Fox News' Bill OReilly rant and rave than hearing his own wife do the same. Its fine. Im pretty sure he likes me better than OReilly. Most days, anyway.

Coles interest is mostly a testament to some fabulous high school government teachers my kids had, who somehow managed to get them excited about politics. Last year there were nine kids in his yearlong AP government class, and there was no choice but to get involved in discussions. The first presidential debate he had to watch for an assignment. The rest he watched because he wanted to. My husband would stand on top of the basement steps and listen to him listen to the debates. It was both weird and adorable.

Our oldest son, Zach, who has a political science minor, also left high school enthusiastic about politics, and in college he joined the Young Democrats, going door to door in 2008 for Barack Obama.

He and my husband had a bet on this recent election, and lets just say Zach thinks America lost, but really hes the one who owes my husband and me dinner at a restaurant of our choice.

It is some weird, twisted fate of scheduling, then, that Thanksgiving comes a few short weeks after Election Day. Why not hold the election on the Tuesday after Easter, when theres a good chance you wont see your politically misguided relatives for another seven to eight months?

Instead, that traditional day of families coming together to give thanks is now a super-awkward day to defend your political views. And, frankly, whether you voted for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, it was hard to defend your choice. That didnt stop my relatives from trying.

Most of my family shares similar political views. And then there's my brother in Phoenix. Hes the most hilarious, easygoing person you could ever be around, until talk of the Republican Party comes up. My husband, of course, thrives on this, and frankly, it's amazing more pies don't get thrown.

With Christmas just weeks away, it might be wise to have some diversion tactics ready when things heat up between the supposed enlightened relatives and the misguided ones. If someone brings up building walls, for instance, you could say, Hey, you ever been to Wall Drug?

Or if someone brings up heath care, you mention that health scare you once had for five minutes before you realized that peculiar mole was really just chocolate.

If someone brings up the popular vote, you say how youd rather vote for whats right than whats popular.

Wait. No. Scratch that.

It bothers me ever so slightly that I still dont know who Cole even voted for. Youd think $3,600 would earn me that right. But when pressed, Cole answers, I thought it was a secret ballot. It's between me and the government." Kids.

Another son told me he voted for a third-party candidate, which makes my heart skip beats in an unsettling, heart-attack kind of way. Kind of like when my son's girlfriend posted on Facebook that she was attending an anti-Trump rally on campus.

But right or wrong, left or right, I'm just glad they care.

Years ago my Grandma Rene went to a dinner for George H.W. Bush in Waukon, Iowa. She was so excited. She left to go to the restroom right before he was to speak, but when she returned Bush was about to make his way to the podium and the Secret Service said she'd have to wait until after he was done speaking to go back to her seat.

Well, my fiery, determined, red-headed grandmother made enough fuss that Bush noticed, came over and put his arm around her and told the Secret Service that he could wait, and that first they needed to get this lady to her seat. She was the 41st president's biggest fan until the day she died, though her names probably on some government watch list.

With my kids, I'm just glad they share her passion about who's leading their country, and not part of the 45 percent who didn't bother to vote. I'd like to think were handing our nation to a generation that cares what happens.

And in the end, maybe $3,600 is a small price to pay for that.
Amy Schumer is reportedly in negotiations to play Barbie in a Sony's live-action film that will exploit the character's evolution into dolls of different sizes and shapes.

According to Deadline, the 35-year-old comedienne, who is known for embracing all women and encouraging their imperfections, will play a character who gets kicked out of Barbieland, basically because she's not perfect enough, is a bit eccentric and doesn't quite fit the mold.

After leaving Barbieland, Schumer's Barbie ends up in the real world and makes all types of new discoveries, causing her to realize the only key to happiness is to love yourself and stop trying to climb toward an unattainable standard of perfection.

She takes this information back to the land and tries to save it by spreading the news.

The film is set to be produced by Walter Parkes, Lori MacDonald and Amy Pascal.

Production will begin in the spring for an estimated release schedule in the summer of 2018.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Saturday said the army deployment issue will be raised again in parliament and the government will have to give a convincing explanation.

CPI leader D. Raja said the issue of army deployment was raised in Rajya Sabha.

"The issue will be raised again on Monday when parliament meets. So, government will have to come forward with a convincing explanation for the deployment of army in the state of West Bengal," he told ANI.

Raja further said that, "The MoS Defence, responded to the issue; he tried to tell the house that the deployment of the army is part of a routine exercise. In fact, he did say there were some communications between the police and the army. It was not done only in West Bengal, but in several other states also."

"Similar exercise was undertaken by the Eastern Command. But questions were raised whether it was done with the knowledge of the state government, with the approval of the state government, whether it would destabilise the federal system of our governance, whether this would impact centre-state relations. All these questions were raised," he added.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee threatened to take legal action against the Narendra Modi government if army deployment is not removed from certain areas across the state.

"If the government doesn't withdraw the army deployed in the state, we will fight legally," she said after emerging from the secretariat.

Mamata has accused the central government of "deploying the army" along a highway toll plaza at the second Hooghly Bridge, about 500 metres from the secretariat 'Nabanna' in neighbouring Howrah district.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ruling out the possibility of holding talks with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over the formation of a new election commission, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that no talks can be held with a 'killer'.

"BNP men have killed people by setting fire in line with the directives of the party chief Khaleda Zia," the Daily Star quoted Hasina, as saying.

Hasina was addressing a press conference at her Gono Bhaban residence in Dhaka.

She reminded BNP about its action over the formation of Election Commission when it was in power.

Stating that her party will accept whatever is decided by the president over the constitution of a new election commission, Hasina without naming any one said, "She has given her proposal. She should go to the president. I will accept the decision whatever will be taken by the president."

Earlier, she said that a "technical catastrophe" had led to the emergency landing of the Biman flight carrying her at Turkmenistan airport on November 27.

Bangladesh Prime Minister at the invitation of Hungarian President Janos Ader had gone to Budapest on a four-day tour from November 27.

Four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed by the two sides during Hasina's visit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Samajwadi Party has come out in support of Mamata Banerjee over her objection to the deployment of the army in West Bengal for an annual exercise.

"The central government is turning a deaf ear to others. There is an atmosphere of dictatorship and Hitlergiri in the nation. There is so much chaos all over the nation. Narendra Modiji takes all decisions on his own without taking suggestions from anybody, even within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)," Abu Azmi, President of the Maharashtra unit of the Samajwadi Party told ANI.

"Whatever Mamata Banerjee is saying is correct. In a democracy, the government should listen to others and it is parliament which takes the final call. Mamata Banerjee's anger is justified," he added.

Following the army deployment at Bengal's toll plazas for carrying out an assessment exercise, Mamata alleged that state government and police were not informed before-hand. However, the army in a series of letters clarified that it was in communication with the state police and that the deployment was only a part of a routine load carrier information exercise of the army which takes place every three to four years.

BJP also lashed out at Mamata and her government for politicising the issue and dragging the army into it. It sought an apology from her and party for doubting the working of the Armed Forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Study says that more than 14 million babies in India risk their health as baby food companies flout laws and continue promoting their products in the market.

According to breastfeeding protection watchdog, Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), baby food industry has allegedly violated the IMS Act at least 54 times if not more between 2008 and 2016 before being brought it to the attention of the government regulatory authorities.

Promotion of any kind for 0-2 years of age of children of baby foods and feeding bottles, including advertisements, inducements on sales, pecuniary benefits to doctors or their associations including sponsorship is banned under the IMS Act.

To understand the state of health services and formula feeding from the mothers' perspective, an online survey was conducted within Breastfeeding Support for Indian Mothers (BSIM), a 29000+ member strong Facebook group. More than 950 mothers who delivered in private hospitals responded.

More than half were given artificial baby milk out of these two-third said it was given without their consent. Analysis of the survey also revealed that children were given formula without knowledge of women. Health workers often doubted their ability to produce milk and undermined their confidence in breastfeeding.

Dr Arun Gupta, Central Coordinator, BPNI and Regional coordinator, IBFAN Asia said, "Aggressive marketing of baby food companies and sponsorship contribute to increased use of formula at the time of birth and later by undermining breastfeeding and every effort should be made to curb such invasive promotion."

A number of violations have been identified by BPNI as a part of the monitoring programme. Top violators include Nestle, Abbot, Heinz and Dannone. These companies have violated provisions of the IMS act in more than once and continue to mislead mothers through various misleading tactics.

The recent decision by Nestle to set up 1000 exclusive breastfeeding rooms in 150 cities and help raise 'superbabies' indirectly promote infant formula milk violates section seven of the IMS act that bars companies from entering healthcare facilities. This campaign due to its sheer scale has the potential to change mothers' behavior towards breast feeding and adversely impact the newly launched "MAA" programme of the Government of India that seeks to create awareness on breastfeeding. Nestle was also found sponsoring a conference of Institute of liver and Biliary Sciences in October in New Delhi this year.

Products of Nestle and other baby food companies are delivered via marketing websites on discounts which are banned under the IMS Act. There are a few examples where BPNI has found Nestle advertising some of other products of similar nature on the containers. By definition of promotion and advertisement, these are not allowed.

Putting profits before children's health Heinz, for instance wooed mothers to give its cereal food "Oat and Apple" at '4+ months' through the label on the container and various websites. It was also offering free 'gifts', 'discounts' and even loyalty schemes to mothers for using the website, which is also banned under the law which is not only illegal but unscientific.

Danone Nutritia 'Farex' infant formula uses health claims like brain development on its labels. As per the law, use of health claims is not allowed for such products of the company.

Many popular e- marketing companies are promoting infant formula, baby foods and feeding bottles by giving discounts on purchase. These companies include Snapdeal, Flipkart, Ediff.com, jungle.com and amazon.com. Bottle manufacturers such as Pigeon, Farlin, Winnie-the-Pooh, Morrison, Baby Dreams and MeeMee Feeding Bottles have been selling bottles and cereal foods on discount on e-marketing websites which is banned under IMS Act.

In February 2015, BPNI filed a complaint in the court of law in Delhi against the global baby food manufacturer Heinz along with the E marketing portal 'Shopclues.com', for selling an infant food product "Heinz cereals 4m bf 125g - fruit and yogurt cereal".

Despite the strict directives by the Government of India issued in the past, the baby food manufacturing bottle companies are still violating the IMS Act. The baby food industry continues to grow at a steady pace promotions and marketing.

According to Euromonitor report, 10847 tonnes of standard infant formula (for 0-6 month's age group) was sold in India in 2012, which is 10,847,000 Kg of milk powder. Converting this into containers of 400 grams, it means India sells about 27 Million containers of 400 gms each year, almost equal to its babies born. Going by the estimated growth of formula industry in 2022 this figure will be 32.7 million.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), artificial feeding is an established risk factor for child health like causing more of diarrhea, respiratory or newborn infections, allergies as well as obesity and adult health diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

As per 2016 Lancet report, improvements in breastfeeding would help achieve the SDG targets for health, food security, education, reducing inequalities, development and climate change. According to BPNI's analysis of Lancet breastfeeding series; if India can universalize breastfeeding it can reduce under-five mortality by 13 percent, prevent 3900000 episodes of diarrhea, prevent 3436560 episodes of pneumonia, prevent 4915 deaths due to breast cancer, reduce obesity by 26 percent, reduce type-2 diabetes by 3 percent, improve IQ in children by 3 points and add rupees 4300 crores to the economy.

In addition to the health advantages of breastfeeding for mothers and their children, there are economic benefits associated with breastfeeding that can be realized by families, employers, private and government insurers, and the nation as a whole. For example, families who follow exclusive breastfeeding could save more than Rs.2000 per month with a 1-month old baby and more than Rs.4000 per month with a 6 month old baby in expenditures for infant formula. In addition, better infant health means fewer health insurance claims, less employee time off to care for sick children, and higher productivity, all of which concern employers.

Increasing rates of breastfeeding can help reduce the prevalence of various illnesses and health conditions, which in turn results in lower health care costs. It reduces the carbon footprint by saving precious global resources and energy as it generally requires no containers, no paper, no fuel to prepare, and no transportation to deliver.

BPNI in its recommendations have urged government to ensure that all hospitals have lactation counsellors to assist mothers during their antenatal and postnatal period. In addition, existing maternity staff should be provided adequate training to support mothers at the time of birth. The government should also come up with a notification, which can specially deal with issues of consent before the use of infant formula and secondly put an end to inappropriate promotion of baby foods and sponsorship in the health systems.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The sky over Antarctica is glowing electric blue due to the start of noctilucent, or night-shining, cloud season in the Southern Hemisphere, shows data from NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM).

Noctilucent clouds are Earth's highest clouds, sandwiched between Earth and space 50 miles above the ground in a layer of the atmosphere called the mesosphere.

Seeded by fine debris from disintegrating meteors, these clouds of ice crystals glow a bright, shocking blue when they reflect sunlight.

AIM studies noctilucent clouds in order to better understand the mesosphere, and its connections to other parts of the atmosphere, weather and climate.

We observe them seasonally, during summer in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. This is when the mesosphere is most humid, with water vapor wafting up from lower altitudes.

Additionally, this is also when the mesosphere is the coldest place on Earth - dropping as low as minus 210 degrees Fahrenheit - due to seasonal air flow patterns.

This year, AIM saw the start of noctilucent cloud season on Nov. 17, 2016 - tying with the earliest start yet in the AIM record of the Southern Hemisphere.

Scientists say this corresponds to an earlier seasonal change at lower altitudes. Winter to summer changes in the Antarctic lower atmosphere sparked a complex series of responses throughout the atmosphere - one of which is an earlier noctilucent cloud season.

In the Southern Hemisphere, AIM has observed seasons beginning anywhere from Nov. 17 to Dec. 16.

Since its 2007 launch, AIM data has shown us that changes in one region of the atmosphere can effect responses in another distinct, and sometimes distant, region. Scientists call these relationships atmospheric teleconnections.

Now, due to natural precession, the spacecraft's orbit is evolving, allowing the measurement of atmospheric gravity waves that could be contributing to the teleconnections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
To generate funds for charities dedicated to women's health issues, Revlon recently kicked off an annual event where Halle Berry expressed that she felt good to use her "powers for good."

At the '2nd Annual Revlon Love Is On Million Dollar Challenge' at The Glasshouses in New York City, the 50-year-old star, alongside Revlon CEO Fabian Garcia, awarded 'Cancer Research Institute' one million dollars, reports E! Online.

"It feels good. It feels good to help people in need. It feels good to use any power that you have, any celebrity that I've garnered over my years in the business, it feels good to be able to use that," she said in a statement.

"To use my powers for good. It feels good," she quipped.

The challenge reportedly raised over 6.3 million dollars which, according to the 'Catwoman' star, was "twice" as much as they did last year.

"To be part of giving a million dollars to an organization that works so hard to raise money because they care so deeply, I can't think of anything I'd rather do," Berry shared while on the red carpet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghanistan Economics Minister Abdul Sattar Murad, who is attending the Heart of Asia Conference, said today that the expectation from this conference is to workout multi dimensional cooperation between the participating countries.

"We will address the developmental issue as well as the security issue. Security issue & developmental issue are two sides of same coin. Therefore if we want security and want the people to be cooperative & become quite then the countries must attend to their needs," Murad told ANI.

Stating that security will have an impact on development, he said that this could be achieved through cooperation, development & security.

Asserting that terrorism is playing havoc with the lives of people in the region, Murad said that it has slowed the development work.

"The countries have to come up with a verdict on terrorism," he said while responding to a question.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Saturday evening to inaugurate the 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' conference, visited the Golden Temple and also served 'langar' to the devotees.

He was also accompanied by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at the temple.

Prime Minister Modi and President Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz also arrived here to partake in the conference.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

The process is supported by 17 other predominantly Western countries and 12 international organisations, which are also sending senior representatives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Katie Holmes recently made her relationship status clear saying she is "not married" as against her rumored relationship with Jamie Foxx.

The 37-year-old actress opened up to the New York Times about her current activities and project and ultimately clarified the one question that has been swarming her since her divorce from Tom Cruise.

"So are you still single, or is there a secret marriage we have to talk about?" the reporter asked, seemingly alluding to the romance rumours.

"Nooo, I'm not married," Holmes replied before saying, "But thank you for asking."

Holmes, who usually keeps her fans on their toes, might not be married but she did not say she was not dating, either.

The 'Dawson's Creek' alum also gave some insights into her upcoming film 'All We Had' and her relationship with daughter, Suri Cruise.

"It was my first film, and I want her to always know that she's the inspiration behind everything, and so hopefully it means something as she gets older," she explained.

The 'Batman Begins' actress dedicates her forthcoming project, a directorial debut, to her daughter, and tells the daily that it's because she always wants little Cruise to know that she is the "most important" part of her life.

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India is not surprised to hear about the deployment of a Chinese submarine or troops at Gwadar port of Balochistan, Pakistan, said Defence expert Major General (Retd.) P.K. Sehgal on Saturday.

"It was not surprising, and we were fully aware of the fact that Gwadar port has been developed both for commercial and military purposes. Pakistan and China would like to use it to squeeze India to the extent that is possible," Sehgal told ANI.

Sehgal also said appropriate measures have been taken to ensure India's security.

"We were aware of it and appropriate measures are in place and would be put in place to ensure that danger to India does not become of level that our security is compromised with," he added.

Asserting that China has taken the decision as it was worried about its energy requirements, Sehgal said, "The port also acquires significance because 80 to 85 percent energy requirements of China pass through the Indian Ocean which can be very effectively interfered with, in an emergency situation by the Indian Navy in consent with American and Japanese navies or even by itself ."

China is reportedly planning to deploy its ships along with Pakistan ships to safeguard the strategic Gwadar port and trade routes of the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corrido (CPEC).

Sehgal further said, "The aim of laying the CPEC is to ensure that Pakistan's energy security can not be interfered with by India and to also keep an oversight on the South Western Command of Indian navy.

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COLUMBUS  A 42-year-old Columbus-area man is accused of sexually assaulting his 14-year-old stepdaughter dozens of times in the family home over a five-year period beginning in 2009.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa set bond Thursday for the city man at $500,000, 10 percent allowed for release. The defendant appeared video link from county jail, where he has been held since his arrest earlier this week.

Skorupa scheduled the defendant for a Dec. 14 felony first appearance hearing. He was arrested Wednesday on two counts of suspicion of first-degree sexual assault of a child.

The defendant, who has not been formally charged by the Platte County Attorneys Office, is not being named to protect the identity of the victim.

As a term of his bond if released, Skorupa ordered the defendant to have no unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16.

Court records describe a Platte County Sheriffs Office investigation that began when the victim called the Nebraska Child Abuse Hotline to report that her stepfather had been having sex with her for about five years.

Investigator Joseph Gragert wrote in his probable cause arrest statement that the victim reported the most recent sexual assault occurred about a month ago.

The victim said her stepfather had a pattern of assaulting her 10 to 11 times a year over a five-year period, the investigator wrote in his statement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed his country's willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan, if both countries wanted Iran to play a role.

"Iran is a close friend of India as well as Pakistan. We would like the relations between our friends to improve. We are ready to do whatever we can, if both our friends so desire," he said while answering a question.

Dr. Zarif was delivering a special address on "Fighting against terrorism and extremism as a global menace", organised jointly by Observer Research Foundation and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Delhi on Saturday.

Saying the "era of hegemony is now gone", Dr Zarif cautioned the newly elected U.S. leadership of the dangers of trying to make the country great once again.

The new leadership should not try to make the US great again, Dr Zarif said, noting that no country can now exercise hegemony either globally or in the region.

He said there was a misperception in the west that America had won the Cold War, but the world had paid a heavy price during more than two decades. "I hope nobody will revive that misplaced perception," Dr Zarif said.

The Foreign Minister further blamed the failure of nation states in the Middle East to meet the aspirations of the people for the spread of the menace of terrorism in the region. He said alienation, lack of space to vent people's anger and oppression lead to youth getting radicalised.

He said America's war against Iran, Afghanistan and now Syria forced people to take to violence to fight their oppression.

Dr Zarif also accused some nations of supporting perverted versions of Islam through their allies which led to spread of extremism and violence.

He said now it is the "transitional phase in international relations". And "it is the era of power of individual", he pointed out.

He also hoped that the multilateral nuclear agreement between Iran, the US and other P-5 nations would continue despite the threats from the newly elected US President during the election campaigns.

Earlier welcoming the Minister, Sunjoy Joshi, Director, Observer Research Foundation said as the world today is witnessing events unfold in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen it is also being made to see them against the backdrop of the results that democratic processes are repeatedly throwing up in Europe as well across the Atlantic.

"These more and more make it clear that increasingly it may fall upon regional powers such as ours to engage with each other and invest for the long term stability of the region," he said.

Joshi noted that security indeed cannot be a zero sum game because it is a common good and countries such as ours, have to become partners in the provisioning of that global good in this region by becoming the enablers for an integrated and inter-connected region ...from Europe to India ...and from Central Asia to the Indian Ocean..."

"Unfortunately, if any commodity has been in short supply in this region it has been security. ...the rise of quasi-states as instruments of terror, the Daesh; the continued support of terror by some states and the globalised occurrence of radicalism - online and offline have become everyday news," he said.

Joshi said the Heart of Asia conference has brought you to India. "But we all know that the heart of Asia will truly beat only when security, counter-terrorism and peace are taken up as the conditions precedent for trade and economics. Otherwise the lack of progress on this front will continue to dampen the potential of this multilateral initiative.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Saturday that there is no need for assigning special aircraft for VVIPs like the her or the president by the government.

"There is no scope for any luxury like a dedicated aircraft for the president and prime minister in our country. It's not necessary. I don't even want it," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Hasina, as saying.

She made these remarks while addressing the press at Ganobhaban today.

Hasina said that such luxuries cannot be afforded by her country.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon had earlier this week said that the government would look to get a dedicated special aircraft for VVIP flights carrying the prime minister or the president.

Dismissing such claims, Hasina asked, "If I don't feel secure using aircraft used by our people, then what is the point of having a separate aircraft?"

A technical glitch had caused an emergency landing of the VVIP Biman aircraft at Turkmenistan airport that was carrying Hasina.

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Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has had powers to sack heads of public sector entities (PSE) restored to him without assigning a reason.

Under the Companies Ordinance of 1984, the government or the prime minister did not have the powers to remove a chief executive officer or managing director of a PSE.

The ordinance had ensured that heads of public sector entities took independent commercial decisions in the best interest of the companies.

The heads of the PSU will now be inclined to follow the written or verbal directives of the ministries concerned.

The Dawn quoted sources, as saying that amendments to the law were made following resistance in recent years by some chief executives who had approached high courts against removal orders issued by respective ministries with the approval of the prime minister.

However, the removal orders were set aside by the high courts.

Under the 1984 law, only "the directors of a company by resolution passed by not less than three-fourths of the total number of directors" could remove a chief executive before the expiration of his term of office.

A sub-clause to Section 191 of the Companies Ordinance 2016 promulgated on Nov 11 was added by the government to change the protection available to chief executives.

This sub-clause says that the protections and conditions provided in the sections 186 and 187 shall not apply to a person nominated by the government.

Another new clause said the chief executive would "hold the office during the pleasure of the government".

The government will now be enabled to directly remove chief executives of about 100 public sector companies by the change in the law without requesting or manipulating the boards of directors.

According to the new law, the chief executive of a company can be nominated and appointed by the government where majority of directors are nominated by it and such a nominee will "hold office during the pleasure of the government".

The board or the company at a general meeting or the government in case of a PSE will determine the terms and conditions of appointment of a chief executive.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special assistant for foreign affairs, Tariq Fatemi, will meet with officials of the US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team in the United States this weekend.

"Besides meeting members of the transition team, Mr Fatemi will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration," the Dawn quoted Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, as saying.

Trump, who is scheduled to take the oath on January 20, has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Fatemi, who will be on a two-week official visit to the United States, is also expected to meet some members of the team provisional team besides interacting with the new lawmakers elected last month.

"This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections," said Jilani.

The visit follows a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Sharif and Trump on Wednesday during which the US leader expressed his desire to continue a productive relationship with Pakistan.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Saturday evening to inaugurate the 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' conference, visited the Golden Temple and also served 'langar' to the devotees.

He was also accompanied by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at the temple.

Prime Minister Modi and President Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz arrived here to partake in the conference.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

The process is supported by 17 other predominantly Western countries and 12 international organisations, which are also sending senior representatives.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), who are now settled in Jammu and Kashmir, have welcomed the Central government's decision to sanction a Rs 2,000-crore package for them.

Although the refugees, who are relentlessly fighting for their rights "denied" to them by successive governments, welcomed the decision, but they refused to give an affidavit purportedly having a declaration that the amount given to them out of the Rs 2,000 crores will be the "first and the last instalment".

The refugees said each family was promised Rs 25 lakh, reservation to their wards in professional and technical colleges across the country and government jobs to unemployed youth, and thus, they would not give any affidavit and protest.

Billoo Chaudhary of Dag Channi village said, "First of all, we are not refugee. We are displaced people. We have shifted from one part of the state to the other part. But, the word 'refugee' has been tagged on us.

"We are happy that this government has announced a package of Rs 2,000 crores for refugees of 47, 65 and 71. We are happy with the Centre's step. Our demand is that the proposal passed by the state government and was sent to the Centre, envisaging Rs 25 lakh for each family to the refuses of 65. In addition, a central team, which had visited here and toured the entire border area, had asked for Rs 5 lakh," said Chaudhary.

"A government committee has already passed Rs 30 lakh. We are ready to accept our share of Rs 2,000 crore, but we are not ready to give an affidavit saying it was the first and the last instalment; we will neither give the affidavit nor accept Rs 5 lakh. If the government wants to give money in instalments, we are happy as we don't want to burden the government, but we will protest against the affidavit," Chaudhary added.

Another resident of the same village, Om Prakash, said, "We are happy that the government announced Rs 2,000 crore package. Last government had sent a proposal of Rs 25 lakhs and a Central team that had come here had approved Rs 5 lakhs. The government can give those amounts in instalment, but the condition of 'first and last instalment' laid down in the affidavit is not good. Otherwise, we are happy with this government."

Refugees living in Dag Channi, Nandpur, Abtal and other villages in the district have hailed the announcement, saying many governments have come gone but the present dispensation both in the state and at the Centre is raising their issues seriously.

However, they are demanding land ownership rights and a compensation for their land that was converted into the Line of Control (LoC), saying the land was only means for them to earn bread and butter for their family.
Refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), who are now settled in Jammu and Kashmir, have welcomed the Central Government's decision to sanction a Rs 2,000-crore package for them.

Although the refugees, who are relentlessly fighting for their rights "denied" to them by successive governments, welcomed the decision, they refused to give an affidavit purportedly having a declaration that the amount given to them out of the Rs. 2,000 crores will be the "first and the last instalment".

The refuses said each family was promised Rs. 25 lakh, reservation to their wards in professional and technical colleges across the country and government jobs to unemployed youth, and thus, they would not give any affidavit and protest

Billoo Chaudhary of Dag Channi village said, "First of all, we are not refugee. We are displaced people. We have shifted from one part of the state to the other part. But, the word 'refugee' has been tagged on us."

"We are happy that this government has announced a package of Rs 2000 crores for refugees of 47, 65 and 71. We are happy with the Centre's this step. Our demand is that the proposal passed by the state government and was sent to the Centre, envisaging Rs. 25 lakhs for each family to the refuses of 65. In addition, a central team, which had visited here and toured the entire border area, had asked for Rs. 5 lakhs," said Chaudhary.

"A government committee has already passed Rs. 30 lakhs. We are ready to accept our share of Rs. 2000 crores, but we are not ready to give an affidavit saying it was the first and the last instalment; we will neither give the affidavit nor accept Rs 5 lakhs. If the government wants to give money in instalments, we are happy as we don't want to burden the government, but we will protest against the affidavit," Chaudhary added.

Another resident of the same village, Om Prakash, said, "We are happy that the government announced Rs. 2,000 crores package. Last government had sent a proposal of Rs. 25 lakhs and a Central team that had come here had approved Rs. 5 lakhs. The government can give those amounts in instalment, but the condition of 'first and last instalment' laid down in the affidavit is not good. Otherwise, we are happy with this government."

Refuses living in Dag Channi, Nandpur, Abtal and other villages in the district have hailed the announcement, saying many governments have come gone but the present dispensation both in the state and at the Centre is raising their issues seriously.

However, they are demanding land ownership rights and a compensation for their land that was converted into the Line of Control (LoC), saying the land was only means for them to earn bread and butter for their family.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a recent research published in journals PLOS Biology and PLOS ONE, researchers have assessed scientific rigor in animal experimentation in Switzerland.

The study, commissioned by the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), found widespread deficiencies in the reporting of experimental methodology.

In a first step, expert Thomas Reichlin screened all 1,277 approved applications for animal experiments in Switzerland in 2008, 2010 and 2012, as well as a random sample of 50 scientific publications resulting from studies described in the applications.

The materials were assessed to determine whether seven basic methods that can help combat experimental bias were reported (including randomization, blinding, and sample size calculation).

Appropriate use and understanding of these methods is a prerequisite for unbiased, scientifically valid results, said lead author Hanno Wurbel.

Explicit evidence that these methods were used either in the applications for animal experiments or in the subsequent publications was scarce.

For example, fewer than 20 percent of applications and publications mentioned whether a sample size calculation had been performed (8 percent in applications, 0 percent in publications), whether the animals had been assigned randomly to treatment groups (13 percent in applications, 17 percent in publications), and whether outcome assessment had been conducted blind to treatment (3 percent in applications, 11 percent in publications).

Animal experiments are authorized based on the explicit understanding that they will provide significant new knowledge and that animals will suffer no unnecessary harm.

Thus, scientific rigor is a fundamental prerequisite for the ethical justification of animal experiments.

Based on this study, the current practice of authorizing animal experiments appears to rest on an assumption of scientific rigor, rather than on evidence that it is applied.

The authors of this study recommend more education and training in good research practice and scientific integrity for all those involved in this process.

Although the initial results found that fewer than 20 percent of applications and publications used methods to control for bias, that didn't necessarily mean that more than 80 percent of animal studies failed to include methods to combat bias, and therefore use animals for potentially inconclusive research.

"It is possible that the researchers did use these methods but did not mention them in their applications and publications," said Wurbel.

Adding, "So we decided to ask the researchers."

The researchers used an online survey for all 1,891 animal researchersregistered in the central online information system of the FSVO who were involved with ongoing experiments.

Among other questions, researchers were asked what bias-reducing methods they normally use when conducting animal experiments and which of these they had explicitly reported in their latest scientific publication.

According to the researchers' responses the use of methods against bias is considerably higher than reported in the animal research applications and publications.

86 of the participants claimed to assign animals randomly to treatment groups, but only 44 percent answered that they had reported this in their latest publication.

The same applies to the other measures, for example, for sample size calculation (69 percent claimed to be doing this, but only 18 percent say they reported it in their latest publication) and for blinded outcome assessment (47 percent vs. 27 percent).

Taken together, the researchers draw two conclusions from these results: on the one hand, reporting in animal research applications or publications may underestimate the use of bias-reducing methods.

On the other hand, the researchers may overestimate their use of appropriate methods.

"We found considerably fewer publications with explicit evidence of the use of measures against risks of bias than claimed by the researchers", said Wurbel.

For example, 44 percent of the participants claimed to have reported randomization in their latest publication, but Wurbel's team found evidence of randomization in only 17 percent of publications.

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'The Weinstein Company-Dimension' has set an October 2, 2017 release date for its upcoming comedy 'The War With Grandpa' starring Robert De Niro alongside Christopher Walken and Max Jenkins.

'TWC-Dimension' had originally planned to open the film six months earlier, but director Tim Hill revealed last month during a presentation at the 'American Film Market' that he would start shooting the movie only in February in Toronto, reports variety.

Based on Robert Kimmel Smith's 1984 children's book by the same name, 'The War with Grandpa' follows the adventure of young Peter (Max Jenkins) who is forced to move out of his room when his recently widowed grandfather moves in.

With the help of his friends, the boy devises outrageous pranks to make his grandfather surrender the room, but he turns out to be tougher than expected thus all-out war ensues.

Walken and Eugene Levy came on board to play the friends of De Niro's character.

Dimension has also set an August 25 wide release date for the Lars Klevberg directed horror movie 'Polaroid', which is based on Klevberg's short film about a Polaroid camera that murders those who come in contact with it.

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The South Korean lawmakers will vote upon the bill to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye on December 9, thereby marking the second such impeachment proposal since the country's constitutional government was launched about seven decades ago.

This comes after the opposition bloc heralded a vote on the motion on December 9.

The last was in 2004 for late President Roh Moo-hyun.

A parliamentary official said that the bill was handed over to the relevant office at about 4:10 a.m. local time on Saturday, reports Xinhua.

The impeachment motion was filed with the National Assembly by 171 opposition and independent legislators. The ruling Saenuri Party, which has 128 lawmakers, refrained from taking part in the proposal.

Three main opposition parties including the Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party have agreed to vote on the impeachment on December 9 when the regular session ends.

The impeachment motion states that President Park, who took charge in February 2013, comprehensively and gravely violated laws and the constitution in her office for nearly four years.

The constitutional violations, according to the impeachment bill, include the President's permission of her long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil and other associates of the latter to meddle in state affairs and influence the appointment of government officials behind the scenes.

Prosecutors branded President Park as a criminal accomplice to Choi in multiple charges including abuse of power and extortion. The prosecution office was investigating whether Choi used her relationship with the President to grant business favors in return for donations.

Last month, three people including Choi were indicted for their role in a political corruption scandal. However, Park was not charged as according to the South Korean Constitution, the President cannot be charged with a crime while holding office except for insurrection or treason.

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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, will arrive in Amritsar on Saturday evening to attend the Heart of Asia Conference that began today.

The opening senior officials meeting today will discuss and finalise the text for the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process. Today's meeting will also cover all necessary technical aspects of the declaration to be announced tomorrow.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

The process is supported by 17 other predominantly Western countries and 12 international organisations, which are also sending senior representatives.

Delegates from nearly 40 countries will participate in the conference organised on the theme 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'. The main conference will be inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the Indian delegation in place of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is unwell.

Eliminating terrorism in South Asia and improving connectivity in Afghanistan is likely to dominate the discussions.

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Hundreds of people bid a tearful farewell to martyr Chittaranjan Debbarma who was killed in a terrorist attack at Nagrota near Jammu on Tuesday.

Debbarma's body was flown to Agartala by an Air Force flight on Thursday evening and kept for the night at the military hospital at Shalbagan there. Yesterday, the coffin was flown in a helicopter to his native village Garingpara in Khowai district of Tripura, which is 80 km from Agartala.

Army gave a gun salute with full state honour after the wreath laying ceremony at Garingpara, where large number of locals, people from the administration along the family members and relatives gathered to bid farewell to the brave heart during the funeral.

Debbarma had joined the Army following his elder brother Arun Debbarma, who at present is retired.

He is the second soldier to die in service in Jammu and Kashmir in a week.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday hit back at Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi for his outburst against her with regard to the controversy surrounding the deployment of army and alleged that he was speaking in the voice of Central Government.

"Governor is speaking in the voice of Central Government!! He was not in the city for about 8 days. Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate," she tweeted.

In an apparent reference to Mamata, the Governor earlier in the day urged all not to make defamatory allegations against a responsible organisation like the Indian Army.

"Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like army. Don't let down the army. Don't defame the army," Tripathi told the media here.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had earlier criticized Mamata for dragging the army into controversy by projecting their routine exercise in the state as something sinister.

"IndiGo pilots aren't al-Qaida aides to take (their) own lives to kill Mamata ji and India isn't Pakistan to have army coup. So keep Army above politics," he tweeted yesterday while referring to allegations of threat to the TMC supremo's life due to delay in landing of her IndiGo flight despite reported technical glitches.

Earlier, the army withdrew deployment from Palhit toll plaza and other areas after the completion of a 72-hour exercise.

CPRO defence S.S. Birdi said, "As the 72-hour exercise got over, we withdrew deployment from Palhit toll plaza and other areas yesterday night."

The TMC had earlier cried foul over the army deploying its team at two plazas in West Bengal and alleged that this was done without any prior information to the state government. Mamata also termed the move as "black day", pointing out that such a deployment takes place only normally during disasters.

The army, however, clarified on the issue by releasing a series of letters stating that it was very well in contact with the Kolkata Police and that it was nothing but a routine exercise which takes place every three to four years.

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Twenty houses of Hindus were set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur on Saturday.

The Daily Star quoted officer-in-charge of Bochaganj Police Station, Habibur Rahman as saying, the tin-shed houses of seven families of Hindus and three families of Harijans (professional cleaners) were set on fire in Railway Colony area around 2:30 a.m.

A youth, named Jewel, 23 was caught by locals as he was running away from the scene after allegedly setting the houses on fire, police said.

An investigation of the incident is in progress.

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Luxury lingerie brand 'Victoria's Secret', which recently held its annual mega fashion show, has been accused of cultural appropriation.

In an essay that has been deleted, a writer from 'Cosmopolitan' claims some of the outfits showcased during the lingerie giant's extravaganza were racist, reports E! Online.

Helin Jung criticized the Asian and Mexican influences that inspired some of the Angels' luxurious looks and claimed the company held a condescending attitude toward its Asian customers.

"Stripping of cultures aside, the emblems that stood out most were the ones that came from Asia-specifically China," she wrote.

"The dragon that Elsa Hosk wore wrapped around her body, the embroidered stiletto boots seen on Adriana Lima, the tail made of flames worn by Kendall Jenner. There's a lot of talk of China as a dominant world power of the 21st century, and the U.S. government, Hollywood, and now Victoria's Secret, it seems, are pivoting to face a new reality," she continued.

"The brand and its creative leads shamelessly cherry-picked imagery, breaking apart aesthetic references from wherever they wanted and stitching them back together again. They're telling us its worldliness. It's not, it's a hack job," Jung sneered in the essay.

This is not the first time the brand has come under fire for cultural appropriation.

In 2012, when Karlie Kloss donned Native American-style headdresses, the company ended up pulling the footage from broadcast and apologized on Twitter, "We are sorry that the Native American headdress in our fashion show has upset individuals."

Kloss also apologized, "I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone," she tweeted.

"I support VS's decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast," she tweeted.

The 2016 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' was graced by Gigi Hadid, Maria Borges, Megan Williams, Bella Hadid, Alessandra Ambrosio and many more.

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At least two pilots were killed as rebels in Syria shot down a warplane near the international airport of on Saturday, media reports said.

"One of the pilots was found dead while the other couldn't be found yet," Xinhua news agency quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying in a statement.

This comes as intense battles were raging after the Syrian army captured the Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood, which enabled it to secure a road toward the airport.

Flights to Aleppo's airport -- which is being used as a military base -- have for long been halted out of fears of rebel attacks on flights.

With the fresh advance, the Syrian army has become in control of nearly 60 per cent of the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo, as part of a broad offensive the government forces unleashed to drive the rebels out of that key city.

The Observatory said 300 people have been killed in eastern Aleppo since mid-November. It added that 59 civilians were also killed as a result of the rebel shelling on government-controlled areas in the western part of the city.

Humanitarian organisations sounded the alarm about the situation of 250,000 people living in eastern Aleppo, with the government promising to fix the situation of those relocated in government-controlled areas.

--IANS

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On November 27, during an election rally in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all Indians get familiar and make others familiar with cashless transactions.

The same day, during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he said: "Learn how this digital economy works. Learn the different ways you can use your bank accounts and internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. Learn about card payments and other electronic modes of payment. Look at the malls and see how they function. A cashless economy is secure, it is clean. You have a leadership role to play in taking India towards an increasingly digital economy."

Modi and his cabinet ministers have now launched a major social-media effort to promote cashless transactions, which include e-banking (or banking over computers or mobile phones), debit and credit cards, card-swipe or point-of-sales (PoS) machines and digital wallets.

While India's internet users surpass the US, smartphone ownership and internet penetration remain low. Also, as many as 68 per cent of transactions in India are done in cash, according an analysis by Business Standard, while other estimates say 90 per cent of all transactions are in cash.

Given this, there are five hurdles to Modi's ambition of converting India to a cashless economy:

1. 342 million internet users, 27 per cent of Indians: Earlier this year, India surpassed the US to become the country with the second-largest number of Internet users, according to this June 2016 report by investment firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. There are 342 million internet subscribers (an Internet "penetration rate" of 27 per cent) in India, data from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reveal.

The global median is 67 per cent, IndiaSpend reported in March. India lags most major economies and performs worse than Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Indonesia, among other countries, the data reveal.

Put another way, 73 per cent of Indians, or 912 million, do not have Internet access.

Of those who use the Internet, no more than 13 per cent live in rural India (or 108 million of 833 million who live in rural areas), which has been worst hit by the November 8, invalidation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that made up 86 per cent of notes in circulation.

In urban India, 58 per cent of people access the Internet.

2. Smartphone usage rate among adults 17 per cent: For a majority of banking applications, a smartphone is a prerequisite. India is Asia-Pacific's fastest-growing smartphone market, but no more than 17 per cent of Indian adults own a smartphone, according to a survey by Pew Research. Only seven per cent of adults in low-income families own a smartphone; the figure for wealthier families is 22 per cent.

3. 1.02 billion mobile subscriptions, but only 15 per cent have broadband internet: India had 1.02 billion wireless subscriptions, but after scrubbing the data of inactive and duplicate connections, India has 930 million (90 per cent) active subscribers, according to a TRAI report. Of these, 154 million subscribers (15 per cent) have broadband connections (3G+4G).

4. Average page load time on mobile 5.5 seconds, China 2.6 seconds: The average time to load a page on a mobile phone is 5.5 seconds in India, compared to 2.6 seconds in China, 4.5 in Sri Lanka, 4.9 in Bangladesh and 5.8 in Pakistan, according to the "State of the internet Q1 2016" report by Akamai Technologies, a global content delivery network services provider. Israel has the fastest load time at 1.3 seconds.

Mobile Internet speeds will make users less likely to use their phones for banking transactions, with Oracle Maxymiser, a website optimisation tool by Oracle, a US multinational, reporting a two-second threshold before users stop an online transaction -- although 68 per cent of respondents reported they would not wait six seconds for pages or images to load on a bank's website or mobile site.

5. 856 PoS machines per million Indians: There were 1.46 million PoS machines in use in India -- that is, 856 machines per million people -- according to an August 2016 Reserve Bank of India report. In 2015, Brazil -- with a population 84 per cent lower than India -- had nearly 39 times as many machines (32,995), according to a report by Ernst & Young, a consultancy. The PoS machine rate was 4,000 per million people in China and Russia.

More than 70 per cent of the PoS terminals are installed in India's 15 largest cities, which contribute to more than 75 per cent of transactions, says the Ernst & Young report. This has not changed after #notebandi, as the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes is called colloquially.

Most requests for more PoS machines are still from Tier 1, or metropolitan, cities, a banker with a leading private sector bank told the Indian Express on November 29. "In Tier 2 cities, customers are now slowly making the shift from using their debit cards to withdraw cash to using them for payments. The demand is progressing slowly," he said.

As an incentive to banks and manufacturers of PoS terminals, the government has waived 12.5 per cent excise duty and four per cent special excise duty on these machines, as it hopes to install an additional one million PoS machines by March 2017.

(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. Devanik Saha is with the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org)

--IANS/IndiaSpend

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In a last-minute change in schedule, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz will leave for Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, an official said here, citing "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday" as the reason.

He is visiting India for global "Heart of Asia" conference on Afghanistan.

"He (Aziz) is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS.

Zakaria also said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

The Heart of Asia ministerial conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the sidelines of the event.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

Six key areas in which the 14 countries have been pursuing confidence-building measures since the 2013 Almaty meeting are disaster management, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, trade and investment, regional infrastructure and education.

The process was supported by 17 other, predominantly Western, countries, and 12 international organisations.

The Pakistani government decided to attend the conference this year despite a deep freeze in ties with India.

Pakistan's decision came even though New Delhi had scuttled the Saarc summit that Islamabad was to host in November 2016.

There is a suspense if India and Pakistan will use the avenue to engage in bilateral talks. However, spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, has ruled it out.

"Talks cannot happen in a climate of continued terrorism. India will never accept continued terrorism as the new normal of the bilateral relationship," Swarup said on Friday.

--IANS

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Thousands of Bhopal gas tragedy victims and their children will get new Smart Cards to ensure proper healthcare to them, a Madhya Pradesh Minister said on Saturday.

Till now, 30,000 Smart Cards have been made, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister (Independent Charge) Vishwas Sarang was quoted as saying in an official statement here.

The Smart Cards will ensure coordination between the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre and Relief and Rehabilitation Department in extending healthcare to the gas victims and ensuring maintenance of details of their past treatment, the minister said.

Functioning of all six hospitals treating the victims are being computerised, for which Rs 11.43 crore have been spent so far, Sarang said.

The minister said a study is going on regarding the relief and rehabilitation and healthcare of the victims and their children so as to chalk out a comprehensive plan for their benefit.

Poisonous methyl isocynate gas leaked on December 2-3 night in 1984 from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, killing several thousands and adversely affecting the health of lakhs of others who continue to suffer ill-health till date.

--IANS

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Additional District Magistrate Ratnakar Jha created a controversy by referring to the Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary as "celebrations", hurting the sentiments of thousands who were affected by the gas leak in 1984.

While talking to reporters over declaring a holiday on December 3, he said that it is just a normal day and the administration has already granted permission to whoever wants to celebrate the anniversary, including the affected people.

President of Congress state unit P.C. Sharma said on Saturday that Jha's statement is condemnable and has insulted the victims of the tragedy.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister (Independent Charge) Vishwas Sarang said, "It is objectionable if any officer has made such a comment and the government will take cognisance of the issue."

--IANS

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With the 2016 crop in bins, silos and piles, U.S. Department of Agriculture economists have pulled out their tape measures to size up how the agricultural sector is expected to fare this year.

For Steve Nelson, a farmer and president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the USDA's 2016 Farm Income Forecast released earlier this week held few surprises.

The numbers certainly are not unexpected knowing that the prices for almost everything we raise in Nebraska have remained at low levels, Nelson said in a recent interview. We all know agriculture is a cyclical business. We talked about that when prices were high but clearly were on the downside of the cycle now.

The report showed 2016 net farm income, a measure of agricultures profitability, is expected to be $66.9 billion, down 17.2 percent from last year. If the prediction holds true, it would be the third straight year of decline and the lowest net farm income since 2009 in both real and nominal terms.

John Hansen, head of the Nebraska Farmers Union, says prices are putting a strain on farmers and their lenders. Belts are being tightened and more red is showing up in ledger books.

(It) will be especially difficult for beginning farmers who do not have much equity to cushion the financial squeeze," he said. "I look for a long and difficult winter as ag producers and bankers sharpen their pencils and struggle to come up with positive cash flows for 2017.

One of the biggest drags on farm income was a drop in cash receipts for livestock and animal products, which are expected to decline by 12.3 percent, or $23.4 billion. Crop receipts, by contrast, are forecast to be essentially unchanged from 2015.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach is pessimistic about the report, noting that agriculture is Nebraska's top economic driver and low farmer income could affect both the state economy and government.

When the agricultural industry suffers, it also impacts Main Street Nebraska businesses, so the forecast for a third straight year of declining farm income will continue to impact our state, Ibach said. The downward trend in Nebraskas tax revenues is further proof that continued lower farm income is impacting the states economic condition.

But Eric Thompson, an economist and director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said the state has a diverse economy capable of weathering agricultures frigid financial situation.

There is a significant chunk of the Nebraska economy that is in the business of processing agricultural commodities, storing them, transporting them, utilizing them. Meat processing plants for example, he said. Even if prices and farm incomes are low, as long as the crop is large that industry can continue to thrive and in fact may benefit in some ways from lower prices.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sought to calm economic fears, saying the health of the overall farm economy is strong in the face of challenging markets. Two key indicators of the farm economys health -- debt-to-asset and debt-to-equity ratios -- remain near all-time lows and more than 90 percent of farm businesses are not considered highly leveraged.

The bigger picture shows that farm income over the last five-year period reflects the highest average five-year period on record, Vilsack said in a news release.

Federal safety net programs, which help shield farmers from price dips and crop losses due to weather, are forecast to pay out $12.9 billion in 2016, a 19 percent increase over the year prior.

The 2016 Farm Income Forecast includes these highlights.

 Farm production expenses were forecast lower, led by reduced costs for livestock, fertilizer and fuel. The expected $9.2 billion (2.6 percent) decline is the second largest year-over-year reduction in expenditures since 2009 and will ease, but not completely offset, pressure from lower cash receipts.

 Weak corn prices in 2016 more than offset production gains, which means cash receipts for the crop are expected to fall by almost 4 percent, or $2 billion, from 2015 levels.

 The value of livestock production is forecast to decline 13.3 percent to $168.6 billion in 2016.

 Soybean cash receipts are expected to increase 16 percent, more than $5 billion, thanks to both increased production and strong exports that led to a price rally.

 While prices for most major agricultural products are expected to fall, there are a few exceptions. Forecasts call for a 10 percent or more rise in cash receipts for turkeys, rye, cotton and tobacco.
Wrapping up his two-day visit to Colombia, US Vice President Joe Biden expressed hope that the bilateral relationship will not be weakened after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

"I view Colombia as the keystone, to hemispheric prosperity," Efe news agency quoted Biden as saying at the inaugural session of a US-Colombia Advisory Council meeting.

Delivering a speech just two days after Colombia's Congress approved a historic peace accord between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group, Biden said the most difficult part of the peace process -- the implementation phase -- was just beginning.

Biden said the council's members can influence the incoming president by defending the need to continue close diplomatic and trade ties.

On the campaign trail, Trump slammed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) linking the US, Canada and Mexico, as job-destroying and has pledged to put America first in the country's dealings with other nations.

The United States' free-trade agreement with Colombia was signed in 2006 under President George W. Bush's administration and took effect six years later.

This year, Obama also asked the US Congress to approve $450 million in economic assistance for Colombia under a new framework known as "Paz Colombia" (Peace Colombia).

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who also attended the gathering, said the private sector and the United States both had a critical role to play in forging a peaceful and prosperous future.--IANS

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Taking advantage of the weekend holiday, people queued up outside banks in earnest here on Saturday for withdrawing cash to meet daily expenses.

Even after three weeks of demonetisation, serpentine queues were seen outside banks during the day as branches would be shut on Sunday.

Residents preferred bank counters for withdrawing money, instead of going to ATMs, as the weekly withdrawal limit by using cheque or withdrawal slip was much higher than a daily withdrawal limit from ATMs.

According to the RBI's order, one can withdraw cash against withdrawal slip or cheque subject to a weekly limit of Rs 24,000, including withdrawals from ATMs and over the counter from the bank accounts.

Daily withdrawal limit from an ATM is Rs 2,500.

"At the beginning of the month, we need good amount of cash to meet monthly expenses. Through ATMS one can withdraw Rs 2,500 while over the counter one can at least get more amounts.

"It is worth standing before banks' counter as most of ATMs are dispensing Rs 2,000 notes," said Meheli Mazumder, an IT professional, standing in a queue at a branch of State Bank of India in South Kolkata.

Despite the stipulated withdrawal limit laid by RBI, bank branches have been putting their own limitation on withdrawal of money depending on their cash availability.

The situation will not improve unless cash is supplied adequately.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Friday accused Reserve Bank of India of not re-calibrating enough ATM outlets in the state to dispense the new Rs 500 notes.

Two elderly persons in the state died while standing in a bank queue on Friday.

Agreeing to points raised by Banerjee, Bank Employees' Federation India General Secretary Pradip Biswas said, "Supply crunch is continuing and there is dearth of Rs 500 notes."

According to officials from RBI's regional office in the city, currency supply situation, however, has been improving.

"All four currency printing units at Nashik, Dewas, Mysuru and Salboni are running to full capacity. Arrangements have been made to print high value currency notes in Salboni press (in West Bengal) and output from there is expected by mid December," RBI official added.

--IANS

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Long queues of vehicles at toll plazas, some several kms long, returned to haunt hassled commuters on Saturday as the collection of toll tax was resumed from December 2 midnight.

Caught in the traffic snarl, office-goers, students and passengers rushing to catch long-distance trains or flights were delayed.

The serpentine queues of both big and small passenger and commercial vehicles were witnessed at all the five toll plazas at the entry and exit points to Mumbai, in the absence of smaller denomination notes and inadequate arrangements for cashless toll collection.

Most toll plazas refused to accept new Rs 2,000 notes, the maximum in circulation after of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on November 8, as no notes of smaller denomination notes were not available. Many commuters refused to accept coupons in lieu.

The problem was compounded as toll plazas have been barred from accepting old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and the government said coupons would be issued to tide over the change crisis.

This led to bitter arguments between toll collection staff and vehicle owners, leading to further delays, longer queues and frayed tempers.

The worst situation was seen at Vashi and Dahisar toll plazas, besides other toll collection points on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Agra, Mumbai-Nagpur and other toll roads.

Mumbai alone has five entry points at Dahisar, Mulund, Thane, Airoli and Vashi, managed by MEP Infrastructure Developers Ltd from where several thousands of vehicles enter or exit the metropolis.

Many local commuters complained that they were delayed by several hours in reaching their places of work. Some passengers said they missed their flights or long-distance trains while students said they were delayed for classes as well as internal exams.

"I had an important meeting lined up at 11 am, but am waiting at the toll plaza for over two hours. Now, the meeting will have to be rescheduled," said MNC executive M. Risha from Kandivali, who was driving to work in Thane.

Toll collection was waived for various periods extended from time to time since demonetisation, that is, from November 9-11, 11-14, 14-18, 18-24 and finally between November 24 and December 2 in view of shortage of new currency and change.
In yet another attempt to take on photo sharing mobile service Snapchat, Facebook is working on a new feature which will showcase lists of curated content from publishers directly in the News Feed.

"The feature called 'Collections' functions similarly to Snapchat's Discover section, showcasing news stories, videos and the company is reportedly asking publishers to create more content," technology website mashable.com reported on Saturday.

Social networks have become a popular source of news for many, trailing only TV as a top source of information.

The move for the new publisher programme comes at a time when Facebook is trying to struggle between high-quality content from established media and fake news stories that go viral across the social network.

Earlier this year, Facebook has joined a network of more than 30 international media companies and organisations in an effort to filter out fake news stories and to improve the quality of information found online.

Seen everyday by more than 150 million users, Snapchat's Discover feature lets users stumble upon channels from top publishers who curate content daily, watch 'Live Stories' from an event.

"Facebook, which has 1.8 billion users has told early 'Collections' partners that the content they create will be inserted directly into the News Feed, effectively giving them direct and potentially much broader access to the social network's vast audience," the report added.

--IANS

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Allaying fears about effects of demonetisation, Union Power, Coal, Energy and Mines Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday told traders to use Point of Sale (PoS) machine for transactions and embrace digital economy.

"The government believes that each trader, whether small or big, would have a Point of Sale machine which would eventually bring each transaction into the formal economy soon," he said, at the 'Less-Cash India Summit' here.

Asserting that ATMs would be a thing of past when the country embraced a digital, cashless economy, the minister said mobile phones would be the PoS machines for the common man in day-to-day transactions based on Aadhar number.

"Bringing all commercial activities under a transparent taxation system will end harassment of the trading community by tax officials and boost the formal economy due to increased liquidity in the banking system," he said, terming demonetisation a path-breaking decision to bring a change in the way people think and work.

"People need not believe the naysayers and support the government in its efforts on bringing about a corruption free-society," he told the trading fraternity at the summit, organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) since Friday.

Noting that the demonetisation drive was a positive step to root out corruption and unaccounted wealth, the minister admitted that there would be short-term pain but long-term gains for everyone.

On the suggestions CAIT gave to minimise transaction costs in businesses, incentivising use of digital transactions, the minister said the government was considering them for a decision soon.

"The trading community should embrace the digital economy as there were 80-crore debit and credit cards across the country and a sizeable population has started accepted online payments like mobile wallets," added Goyal.

--IANS

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Home healthcare service provider HealthCare at HOME (HCAH) has partnered with Critinext -- Asia's largest e-ICU network -- to enhance their ICU at home services with e-monitoring capabilities in India, the company said in a statement on Saturday.

Through this partnership, HealthCare at HOME and Critinext will provide 24/7 intensive care to long-term ICU patients whom the doctors will e-monitor through ICU setups in the comfort of their home.

"This partnership will offer 24/7 intensive care under expert supervision to the patients at the comfort of their home and help us improve the service," said Vivek Srivastava, Co-Founder and CEO at HealthCare at HOME.

The new service offers many benefits to patients as it saves upto 50 per cent of their expense, if compared with hospitalisation, as well as a surety of early and safe recovery.

It also decreases the chances of complications and hospital acquired infections.

Hospitals can also have higher community connect and extended reach via these services, the statement said.

Apart from providing intensive care, Critinext also offers live streaming of continuous bedside monitoring to the command centre.

The patients will receive tech-friendly monitoring through digital clinical assessment forms and electronic visit reports from doctors.

The services will be provided by staff comprehensively trained with Live ICU Training, and BLS Training, certified by the American Heart Association.

"We are pleased to collaborate with HealthCare at HOME as not just patients, doctors will also get benefited by this service. It also increases retention of patients and greater reach to the hospitals," added Pinak Shrikhande, Director at Critinext.

--IANS

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Veteran actress Kanchana, who is making a comeback after three decades with upcoming Telugu drama "Arjun Reddy", had turned down a role in S.S Rajamouli's magnum opus "Baahubali 2".

"She was offered a crucial role in the film. Although she really liked her character, she turned it down as it required her to travel to Jodhpur, and she wasn't quite happy about the climate especially during the winter," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

The yesteryear star is known for working in several Telugu classics such as "Aatma Gowaravam", "Navarathri" and "Private Master".

Set for a comeback in an urban grandmother's role in Vijay Deverakonda-starrer "Arjun Reddy", Kanchana was last seen in 1985 Telugu drama "Shri Datta Darshanam".

"Baahubali 2", meanwhile, is gearing up for release on April 28, 2017.

--IANS

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US Secretary of State John Kerry made suggestions on Aleppo in line with those of Russian experts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday.

This came as Kerry on Friday met Lavrov here to ease the fighting in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.

"Moscow is ready to send military experts and diplomats to Geneva to work out joint actions with US in line with the new American proposals," RT News quoted Lavrov as saying.

"The proposal ensures the withdrawal of all militants without exception from eastern Aleppo, and provide unimpeded humanitarian supplies to the city's residents and ensure the establishment of normal life," Lavrov said.

Until Friday, the US had been doing its best to try to "push provisions that would take the heat off Al-Nusra, which directs the militants in the unliberated parts of eastern Aleppo", he said.

--IANS

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Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday made it clear that he would prefer an arranged marriage like his younger brother and refuted news that he had plans to marry Yoga guru Ramdev's niece.

"I will marry as per my parents wishes; it will be an arranged marriage in the age old tradition of our family," Tej Pratap Yadav told media.

Ramdev, who visited RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Friday morning had also refuted the reports. "It is nothing but gossip spread by a section of the media," he said.

Tej Pratap Yadav said his father Lalu and mother Rabri Devi would take the final call on his and his younger brother's wedding.

"Our parents will fix our marriages," he said and added that media would be informed at the "right time".

The more articulate Tejaswi,26 -- who is Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister -- and Tej Pratap Yadav, 28, are the two most eligible bachelors in Bihar.

In October, Tejaswi had received 44,000 marriage proposals on a WhatsApp contact number which was provided for complaints over bad roads, officials had said.

--IANS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani led delegation-level talks here on Saturday.

"A wealth of opportunities in #IndiaQatar ties. PM @narendramodiand PM Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani lead deleg'n talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Al Thani arrived here on Friday in what was the third exchange of high-level visits between India and the Gulf nation in less than two years.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited India in March 2015 which was followed by the visit of Modi to that Gulf nation in June 2016.

India enjoys close and friendly relations with Qatar, which are based on mutually beneficial commercial exchanges and extensive people-to-people contacts.

Qatar is not only an important trading partner for India in the Gulf region but is also the largest supplier of LNG, accounting for 66 percent of the total imports in 2015-16.

Indians form the largest expatriate community in Qatar and their positive contribution in the progress and development of their host country is well recognised. There are over expatriate 630,000 Indians in Qatar.

On Friday, soon after his arrival here, Al Thani addressed a meeting of Indian business during which he called for boosting of bilateral economic and trade ties.

Addressing the inaugural meeting with Indian businessmen, Al Thani emphasised that India and Qatar were bound by a historically good relations stretched over hundreds of years, according to a statement issued by the Qatari embassy here.

He said that that economic issues top the priorities of Qatar and India and hence, the two countries with their diverse and different political systems were striving to strengthen the role of the private sector and go across their innovations far from any restrictions.

He further said that India was considered to be among the five top trade partners of Qatar as the trade exchange between the two countries exceeded $10 billion.

--IANS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday evening and will later meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on bilateral issues, an official said.

The talks will be held on the sidelines of 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' conference, an international endeavour for peace and stability in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Ghani is also expected to arrive in the Punjab city later in the evening.

The Prime Minister was received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State V.K. Singh.

Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs told IANS.

Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference will pay obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple.

"This evening, I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said in a tweet.

In a last-minute change in schedule, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz will reach Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, an official said in Islamabad, citing "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday" as the reason.

"He (Aziz) is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS in Islamabad.

Zakaria said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.

The Heart of Asia ministerial conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the event's sidelines.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time.

To showcase the rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at its ambitious heritage village project 'Sadda Pind', or our village, on the outskirts of the holy city.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner, hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, while the host country is the co-chair.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@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.)
In a move which could spark tension between President-elect Donald Trump and the Chinese government in the near future, US President Barack Obama on Friday blocked a Chinese company's purchase of the US business of German chip equipment maker Aixtron.

Despite objections from China, Obama issued an order directing China's Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund (FGC) to "fully and permanently abandon" the proposed acquisition of Aixtron's US business, the US Department of Treasury said in a statement.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), which reviews foreign purchases of US companies, and Obama assess that "the transaction poses a risk to the national security of the United States that cannot be resolved through mitigation, " the statement added.

The US president and the CFIUS have the power to block any deal if they consider national security is threatened. The traditionally opaque review process has become one of the top concerns for Chinese investments in the US, Xinhua news agency reported.

China had urged the Obama administration not to politicise the proposed takeover ahead of Washington announcing that decision.

"The case...is a normal business acquisition and thus should be dealt with according to business principle and market rules," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing.

"We hope there will not be too much political interpretation of this normal business activity, still less political disruption," he said.

This is not the first time that Obama has intervened to block a takeover involving a Chinese company.

In 2012, Obama blocked Chinese-owned Ralls Corp. from owning four wind farms in Oregon, citing national security risks as their locations were too close to a military facility.

Ralls sued Obama and the CFIUS for exceeding constitutional rights and failing to provide detailed evidence. In 2014, a US court ruled that Obama and the CFIUS failed to give a constitutional due process to Ralls.

--IANS

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Pakistan has decided to send the Prime Ministers special assistant for foreign affairs to the US to meet officials of the Trump transition team.

"Besides meeting members of the transition team, Tariq Fatemi, the special assistant, will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration," said Pakistan's Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani.

President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take the oath on January 20 but he has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Fatemi, who is coming on a two-week official visit, is also expected to meet some members of this team and in Washington, "he will also meet new US lawmakers elected last month," Jilani told a news briefing at the embassy.

"This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections," Jilani said.

The visit follows a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Trump on Wednesday during which the US leader expressed his desire to continue a productive relationship with Pakistan.

The Trump-Sharif conversation has generated much interest in the US capital where the opposition Democrats and the media were both criticising the president-elect for "talking to foreign leaders... without consulting US officials".

--IANS

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In a last-minute change in schedule, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz will leave for Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, an official said here, citing uncertain weather as the reason.

He is visiting India for the global 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan.

"He (Aziz) is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS.

Zakaria also said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

--IANS

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President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday paid floral tributes to former President Rajendra Prasad on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

"The President, officers and staff paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan," a statement said.

Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884 in Siwan, Bihar and was the first President of the country.

He held the highest office in the country from January 26, 1950 to May 13, 1962.

--IANS

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About Rs 30 lakh unaccounted cash was seized on Saturday at two places in the city and three persons were arrested for holding it without documentary proof, police said.

"In one case, Ishwarappa, 66, a farmer from Andhra Pradesh, was nabbed at Whitefield for illegally carrying Rs 12.10 lakh in Rs.2,000 notes in a car to exchange them for old notes at 20 per cent commission," said a police statement.

In a similar case, two persons were arrested from near a private hospital at Hebbal for illegally carrying Rs 18 lakh in cash.

A patrolling police team nabbed Ishwarappa and his friend after a hot chase from a petrol retail outlet.

"On interception, the farmer confessed that he was asked to go tp the city by his contact to hand over the cash in return for old currency with commission. As he did not have documentary proof for carrying so much cash, we called the Income Tax officials and asked to ascertain the source of the amount," said the official.

In the other case, Sridhar and his friend Mohan, were caught waiting for their contact to deliver Rs 10 lakh in Rs 2,000 and new Rs 500 notes and Rs 8 lakh in Rs 100 notes.

"The duo was taken into custody and the cash was recovered from a car in which they were waiting to hand over to their contact. They were also handed over to the tax officials for investigation as they did not have documents to prove the money's source," added the official.
South Korean lawmakers put forward a historic bill on Saturday to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye as the opposition bloc heralded a vote on the motion on December 9.

The impeachment motion was filed with the National Assembly by 171 opposition and independent legislators. The ruling Saenuri Party, which has 128 lawmakers, refrained from taking part in the proposal, Xinhua news agency reported.

Three main opposition parties, including the Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party, have agreed to vote on the impeachment on December 9 when the regular session ends.

The impeachment motion states that President Park comprehensively and gravely violated laws for nearly four years. Park took office in February 2013.

According to the impeachment bill, the constitutional violations include the president's permission of her confidante Choi Soon-sil and her associates to meddle in state affairs and influence the appointment of government officials.

It marks the second impeachment proposal since the country's constitutional government was launched about seven decades ago. The latest was in 2004 for late President Roh Moo-hyun.

--IANS

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It may not be entirely coincidental that on the day Donald Trump decreed that those who burn the Star and Stripes in the US will face "consequences", the Indian Supreme Court laid down that the national anthem must be played at the beginning of every show in cinema halls.

Not only that, the doors must be shut during this display of loyalty to the nation.

The diktat is not without reason. If it is played at the end, then there is the possibility of people leaving their seats and crowding near the closed doors.

A similar order was passed at the time of the Chinese invasion in 1962 to instill love for the motherland. Since the anthem was played at the end of the show and the doors remained open, the government noted after a few weeks that the cinema-goers were walking out.

So the practice of playing the anthem was stopped to ensure that no overt, though inadvertent, disrespect could be shown.

It is not known whether there will be a similar realisation this time about the folly of inducing compulsive patriotism.

But the judicial initiative is not unusual at a time of uber-nationalism. Mercifully, India hasn't yet seen the kind of ugly racism which currently threatens perceived outsiders in Europe and the US even if they are citizens. The immigrants are, of course, in greater danger from the white bigots.

But there have also been signs of intolerance of dissent in India with the charge of sedition being readily levied against suspects which induced a number of writers, filmmakers, historians, scientists and others returning their Sahitya Akademi and other awards.

Not long ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwarts argued that those who did not chant, Bharat Mata ki Jai, had no right to live in the country. Now, unsurprisingly, the party has been first to get off the block to support the Supreme Court's verdict.

The idea of wearing patriotism on one's sleeves to avoid being labelled disloyal is unsuitable in a democracy.

It demeans the individual by designating the person as a suspect. It is also opens the gateway to vigilantism under which self-appointed xenophobes take it upon themselves to impose what they regard as the law on hapless targets.

Till now, there have been instances of parochial elements at the state-level attacking the people from other provinces. Now, the issue of the national anthem will be yet another grist to the mill of the chauvinists.

It is for this reason that an egregious display of nationalism is associated with fascism and is shunned by mature democracies.

Any upping of the ante in this respect with the promulgation of orders, whether by the government or by the judiciary, tends to divide the nation between nationalists and anti-nationalists, thereby creating bad blood between citizens.

Besides, it is obvious that the judicial directive will not be easy to implement. What if someone refuses to stand up although he or she is "duty-bound" to do so, as the order says?

Who will enforce this "duty"? And what will be the punishment for the offender?

In addition, what if, in their eagerness to leave as soon as possible, many of the viewers gather near the exit signs, creating the possibility of a melee when the doors are opened. Moreover, the very idea of shutting the doors is objectionable and unsafe.

There are clearly far too many flaws in the judgement, which is why it has been called bad in law.

As is already apparent, the issue has taken a political turn with the BJP, which has always been ready to flaunt its nationalist credentials, losing no time to jump into the fray. This is typical of politicians who are eager to exploit any divisive issue to advance their partisan agendas.

There is little doubt that those who oppose the judgement will be placed in the category of the so-called deracinated, English-speaking Left-Liberals who have been selected for vilification by the saffron camp ever since the BJP government assumed office at the Centre.

Unsurprisingly, it was the BJP's former Human Resource Development Minister, Smriti Irani, who conceived of the idea of flying an oversized national flag in university campuses to evoke devotion among the students and teachers towards the country.

To many, however, such endeavours have a touch of banality which is susceptible to mockery and defiance, especially by irreverent students who are generally reluctant to conform to any peremptory commands from the powers-that-be.

However, the difference between the world's oldest and the largest democracy can be seen in the US Supreme Court's approval of the act of burning the national flag in accordance with the First Amendment of the US constitution, which allows, inter alia, the people to "peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances". The judiciary has interpreted flag-burning as a means of expressing grievance.

In Britain, the use of the colours of the Union Jack on underpants and socks is not uncommon, showing that squeamishness is not necessarily an attribute of loyalty.

Just as an accused is deemed innocent till proven guilty, a citizen's devotion to the nation has to be taken for granted and not tested behind closed doors at every cinema show.

(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com)

--IANS

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Two persons were injured when stampede broke out at a bank in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district on Saturday.

Glass doors and window panes of the bank were also damaged.

The incident occurred at State of India's branch at Palakollu town in West Godavari district. The stampede broke out as several people who were standing in queues barged in when the bank opened for the day.

Two customers sustained injuries in the incident. Fearing violence, bank officials stopped transactions. The situation was controlled with the intervention of police.

Utter chaos were seen at banks across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for another day. Government and private employees and pensioners suffered for third consecutive day.

Though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused Rs 2,420 crore and Rs 1,600 crore cash in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Friday, there was not much improvement in the situation.

People lined up before the banks since early morning. Many banks ran out of cash within couple of hours.

Employees and pensioners complained that despite the governments' direction to banks to pay them Rs 10,000 cash from their salaries and pensions deposited in their accounts, the banks were not giving them more than Rs 4,000 or Rs 6,000. Despite the announcement that there will be separate counters, they were made to stand in common queues.

The elderly men and women were the worst-hit. At many places they were seen sitting on the ground to wait. Many returned disappointed as the banks ran out of money before their turn came.

There was no improvement in functioning of ATMs. Few were dispensing cash but were going dry within no time as hundreds were standing with the hope of drawing at least Rs.2,000.

--IANS

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Timo Alarik Pakkanen, the real-life Santa Claus from Finland, says he is thrilled to be in India and is looking forward to meeting and greeting people in the country.

For 50 years now, Santa Claus has been Pakkanen's alter ego and he cant wait to meet the people of India now.

He told IANS over e-mail. "I am thrilled to be in India and looking forward to meet and greet people. Santa is synonymous to peace and happiness and I am here to spread this with the people of India,"

Santa leaves every year from his home in Lapland, Northern Finland, to visit many countries all over the world. This year he will be coming to India and will begin his journey from the capital on Sunday and conclude it in Agra on Tuesday.

"I will be visiting few famous places and tasting Indian food. Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas and that's what I am here to give to the people of India," he added.

--IANS

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Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen has signed a new three-season contract with the English Premier League (EPL) club until June 30, 2019.

Vertonghen, 29, whose contract was supposed to expire at the end of the 2017-2018 season, has played 179 games with the North London side since arriving from Ajax in 2012, reports Efe.

"I'm very happy to be here. This is an unbelievable group of talented guys and I feel privileged to be part of it," the Belgian said in a statement on the club's website on Friday.

--IANS

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An FIR was registered on Saturday on the complaint of an American woman who was allegedly gang-raped at a luxury hotel here in March, hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said those guilty won't be spared and asked Delhi Police to register a case.

Police added that they have identified the accused.

Joint Commissioner of Police, South West range, Deependra Pathak told IANS that the FIR had been filed on the basis of victim's statement received over e-mail.

"We have received the complaint from an NGO regarding sexual violence against a US national. We have got the first person's complaint as well.

"FIR has been filed on the basis of her (victim's) complaint," he said.

"Both NGO and the victim claimed more than one people were involved in the incident. We have done the identification of the accused. We will come up with more details very soon," he added.

The woman had, in an email to Delhi Police, said that she was raped by five men at a Connaught Place five-star hotel during her visit to India.

Taking cognizance of media reports about the alleged rape, Sushma Swaraj in a series of tweets said she spoke to Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and Indian Ambassador in US Navtej Sarna about the matter.

"I have seen the media reports about gang rape of an American tourist in Delhi in March this year," she said.

She said she told Jung that "police should register a case and bring the guilty to book.

"I have also asked the Indian Ambassador in the US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty."

In her complaint, the woman has said she had hired a tourist guide who, she alleged, was one of the rapists.

--IANS

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Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday cautioned against "unhealthy" competition in the and called for using the power of for the social good.

Naidu advised the to exercise self-restraint while telecasting or publishing any news which will have a negative impact on the society.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the five-day workshop on capacity building of working Urdu journalists in Telangana and its neighbouring areas organized by Maulana Azad National Urdu University and Delhi-based Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, hefelt that there should be a clear demarcation between news and views.

The minister urged journalists to work in the interests of the women, minorities, marginaliszed sections of the society and the nation. He said that the development and empowerment of minorities and women is on the priority list of the government.

"Muslims are the equal citizens of this country. Those who wanted to go to Pakistan are gone," he said.

Stating that Maulana Abul Kalam Azad played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle, he called for emulating his spirit.

Naidu, who also released special edition of the University's magazine "Al Kalam" on Maulana Azad, said that Maulana's newspaper Al-Hilal espoused the cause of Hindu-Muslim unity and strengthened the inclusive ideals of Indian nationalism.

He also recalled that Urdu language and Urdu newspapers played a key role in the freedom struggle through awakening nationalism. He noted Urdu newspapers like Naqeeb e-Hamdard, Pratap, Milap, Quami Awaaz, Zameendar and Hindustan had significant contribution in spreading the ideals of nationalism amongst the Indian youth.

Stating that Urdu is the language of all Indians and not just Muslims, he said the government was making all efforts to promote the language.

He suggested that Urdu journalism take advantage of new technological advances that are radically changing the way information is reached to masses.

He said technology should be adopted for enriching Urdu Journalism, journalists should upgrade their skills and maintain high professional standards and values.

Senior journalist Alok Mehta in his address noted that the media persons reflect the changing realities of life.

Prof Irteza Kareem, Director NCPUL, voiced concern over the decline in the use of Urdu as a language of reading and writing.

Dr Aslam Parvaiz, Vice-Chancellor MANUU, emphasized the need for focusing on providing Urdu education at the school level.

--IANS

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India's own automatic teller machine (ATM) maker Vortex Engineering Pvt Ltd is betting big on its mini-ATMs as banks and others are expected to set up the machines in rural areas in the coming days, said a top company official.

He said the company is focussing on the African, Middle East and neighbouring markets for its regular and through the wall ATMs and planning to raise $3-$5 million for business and product development.

"In the next one year around 10-15 per cent of the overall ATM demand in India will be for small machines that can be mounted on a wall or on a mobile van," Sathyan Gopalan, Chief Executive Officer, told IANS.

"In three/four months time around 7/8 government owned banks are expected to come out with tenders for small ATMs. We also expect many white label ATM operators (non-bank private ATM operators) to opt for smaller machines," he added.

Vortex has already won an order for 135 Ecotellers from United Bank of India (UBI) and is confident of winning another tender for around 400 machines.

Meanwhile the company is offering some of its mini-ATMs to a couple of banks for dispensing cash in rural areas, mounting the machines on a van.

Last year during rain in Chennai, UCO Bank took Vortex's mini-ATM on a van to dispense cash in flood-hit areas.

He said Vortex is the first company in India to have developed a small ATM called Ecoteller. With only one more company having a small machine, Vortex does not expect much problem in bagging orders.

"Having one more player is better for us as Indian public sector banks are reluctant to source products from a single vendor. Further Vortex cannot be precluded from participating in tenders based on restrictive criteria like minimum turnover or installations," Gopalan added.

It is such restrictive conditions that made Vortex unable to participate in tenders for bigger or conventional ATMs, officials said.

"Our machines consume just around 60w power which turn means the investments on battery back-up and solar panels are very low. Further the machine can run without any air conditioner. The software is based on Linux and hence needs no costly updates," R. Narayanakumar, Chief Technology Officer, Vortex Engineering Pvt Ltd, told IANS.

Speaking about the Indian ATM industry Gopalan said the annual demand for new machines (new installations and replacement) ranges between 25,000-35,000 units.

"The replacement market is small now and is expected to grow in the coming years as the average life of an ATM is around seven years," Gopalan said.

The IFC and couple of venture capital funded Vortex has bagged an order for 1,000 units of conventional ATMs from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and 85 units from ESAF Microfinance this year.

The company is also in the process of deploying 600 regular ATMs for UCO Bank.

Queried about the prospects for ATMs with the thrust being on digital payments Narayanakumar said ATMs could be used for payment of bills.

As regards to security of transactions at ATMs he said Vortex machines have anti-skimming devices.

--IANS

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Twelve people were feared killed when an Indonesian police plane crashed in the country's Riau Islands province today, a media report said.

The plane, belonging to the police department, had left Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island, for Batam, Riau Islands, before it crashed into the waters this morning, the Jakarta Post reported.

"An explosion was heard before the plane crash. Pieces of chairs and bodies were found by residents," Tanjung Pinang naval base commander First Adm S Irawan said.

Irawan said the Navy had deployed three warships and three patrol boats for rescue efforts.

"We are deploying a ship for an evacuation," National Search and Rescue Agency's Riau Islands head Abdul Hamid said.

No further details were available.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 25-year-old woman allegedly died due to excessive bleeding at a sterilisation camp organised by the health department of Madhya Pradesh government in Lidhora area some 35 km from here.

The deceased has been identified as Seema Sen. Her father Asaram has lodged a complaint with police today, alleging that a doctor on duty was responsible for the death of his daughter last evening, Lidhora police station, inspector L P Yadav told PTI.

In his complaint, Asaram has alleged that Seema died as a wrong vein was cut following which she bled profusely and succumbed later.

"We have registered a complaint and are investigating it. After getting post-mortem report and other material we will proceed in the case in accordance with the law," Yadav added.

Two years ago, a woman identified as Savita Ahirwar (26) allegedly died during a sterilisation drive after she was given a wrong injection at Palera area in October 2014.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former MP Minister Yadvendra Singh alleged that it was surprising that the health services in Tikamgarh were in disarray especially when MP Health Minister Rustam Singh is the district guardian minister.

"From this it can be gauged what will be the condition of people in other districts," he added.

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Survivors of 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy today staged a protest in front of the now-defunct Union Carbide factory here on the 32nd anniversary of the world's worst industrial disaster, with activists alleging that toxic waste lying there was still to be cleaned up.

They burnt the US flags and effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, claiming that the Union Government was not forcing the Dow Chemical, which acquired Union Carbide, to own up its responsibility towards the victims and clean-up of the factory.

Gas leakage from Union Carbide, which made pesticides, on the night of December 2-3, 1984, left more than 3,000 people dead and many more injured.

Abdul Jabbar and other leaders of NGOs working for gas leak victims demanded that governments of USA and India stop sheltering the MNCs and ensure justice and life of dignity for the half million survivors.

"We burnt the US flag and effigies of Uncle Sam and logos of two US companies -- Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals -- as they have done nothing to end the sufferings of the victims for the last 32 years," said Satinath Sarangi and Rachna Dhingra of 'Bhopal Group for Information and Action'.

"The abandoned factory's toxic waste is still killing and maiming people living around its premises," Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogee Sangharsh Morcha president, Balkrishna Namdeo said.

Rashida Bi, president of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, said those living in the radius of five km of the factory were forced to drink the contaminated underground water and "are contracting deadly diseases due to the seepage of toxic waste dumped in the factory premises".

Union Carbide dumped 11 lakh tonnes of toxic waste on the premises during its 14 years of operations, she claimed.

"Right now, 340 tonnes of toxic waste is lying on the ground. The Dow Chemical Company which took over Carbide in 2001 is responsible for cleaning up the contamination of soil and groundwater in more than 50 sq km area around the factory," she said.

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At least 38 workers have died in two separate coal mine explosions in China this week, officials said today.

In the latest incident, 17 people were confirmed dead and many others remained trapped after a blast at a coal mine in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region today, officials said.

The explosion took place around midday at Baoma Mining Co Ltd in Yuanbaoshan district in the city of Chifeng, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

The government has launched a search and rescue operation.

In another incident, 21 workers trapped in a coal mine in China after an explosion on Tuesday were today declared dead while search is on for one survivor still trapped underground.

They had been declared dead, Xinhua quoted local officials as saying.

The workers were trapped after an explosion on Tuesday at the private coal mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province.

State-run CCTV reported the workers could not be reached by rescuers due to presence of poisonous gases even as insurance firms began contacting the families of the workers to settle claims.

Meanwhile, Chinese police today arrested four persons, including the owner of the private coal mine and three managers, the emergency rescue headquarters said.

Initial enquiries showed that the blast was an accident and the mine was unlicensed, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese police today arrested four persons, including the owner of a coal mine, after 21 workers trapped in the mine four days ago were confirmed dead.

Among the four suspects are three managers, the emergency rescue headquarters said in a statement.

The workers were trapped after an explosion on Tuesday at the private coal mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province.

Of the 22 miners trapped, 21 were confirmed dead and one remained missing. Rescuers retrieved the 21 bodies last night and search operation for the missing miner is on.

State-run CCTV reported the workers could not be reached by rescuers due to presence of poisonous gases even as insurance firms began contacting the families of the workers to settle claims.

Initial enquiries showed that the blast was an accident and the mine was unlicensed, police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
Former "Breaking Bad" star Aaron Paul stunned his wife by inviting her best friends to join her for her birthday in Hong Kong.

The 37-year-old actor surprised Lauren Parsekian at the airport en route to a vacation in Thailand, reported People magazine.

Footage of the magic moment posted online shows philanthropist Parsekian lost for words as her friends, wearing party hats, sing Happy Birthday to her.

"Nothing beats having the greatest friends on the planet surprising your wife on her birthday in Hong Kong to head off to Thailand together for her birthday," Aaron captioned the video on Instagram.

"I love you so much my pretty little bird. So happy you were born. Also, Thailand, I love you so much already.

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Representatives of around 40 countries today approved plans to establish a fund to protect heritage sites in war zones and a network of safe havens for endangered artworks.

"We are committed to pursuing (these) two ambitious, long-term goals to guarantee the further mobilisation of the international community for the safeguarding of heritage," a statement issued after a two-day meeting in the United Arab Emirates capital said.

The meeting's Emirati and French co-sponsors had set a USD 100 million target for the fund but the statement did not specify how much had been pledged.

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Taliban militants publicly hanged a university student after accusing him of killing a senior intelligence officer, Afghan officials said today.

The militants took Faizul Rehman, a fourth-year student at Kabul Polytechnic university, from his car as he was travelling home to visit his family in the Chak district of Maidan Wardak province, around 60 kilometres west of Kabul on Thursday.

"They hanged him on Friday in front of (the) public. Local elders tried to mediate to release him, but they failed," Abdul Rehman Mangal, a spokesman for the governor of Maidan Wardak, told AFP.

"They accused him of killing Mullah Mirwais the head of their intelligence in the area," he said.

The Afghan interior ministry confirmed the execution and said they had launched an investigation "to arrest and punish the perpetrators of this criminal act".

Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said they were investigating the case.

Since their ouster in 2001, hardline Taliban insurgents have executed people they accuse of spying for foreign or Afghan forces and have staged public stonings or lashings of those found to have committed adultery or had sex outside marriage.

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Actress-comedian Amy Schumer is in talks to star in Sony's "Barbie" movie.

Mattel and producers Walter F Parkes, Laurie MacDonald and Amy Pascal have teamed up for the project, which is aimed at putting a contemporary spin on beauty, feminism and identity, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sony had hired three scribes to pen separate screenplays, with the studio picking Hilary Winston's idea and script. Schumer is expected to rewrite the script with her sister, Kim Caramele.

A search for a director is still on.

Barbie doll, launched in March 1959 by El Segundo, California-based Mattel, is one of the biggest toy brands in the world.

The movie will try to address those in a story that begins in a perfect land of Barbies, where one woman slowly awakens to the fact that she doesn't fit in. She is expelled from the idealistic land and journeys to the real world, where she discovers that being unique is an asset.

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Amid heightened tensions, Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz arrived here tonight to attend the Heart of Asia conference with speculation rife whether the two sides will hold bilateral talks on sidelines of the conclave to break the ice in ties.

Aziz was earlier scheduled to arrive here tomorrow but came a day early for the conference. There was no clarity on whether there will be a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conference.

Interestingly, in a goodwill gesture, Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, extending his "sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery" from illness.

Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the Heart of Asia conference and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the Indian delegation at the ministerial deliberations.

Aziz, who arrived here on a special flight, was received at the airport by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit.

Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last year's Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start 'Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue' that was to cover all outstanding issues.

The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January.

Earlier this week, Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready.

India had already made it clear that it will never accept continuing cross border terrorism as the 'new normal' in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota. It is speculated that Aziz arrived ahead of the schedule due to prevailing weather condition. Almost entire northern India has been affected by thick cover of fog for last two days, delaying flights and trains services.

India will step up drive to corner Pakistan diplomatically and is set to mobilise support for concrete action against state-sponsored terror at the two-day conference beginning here at this holy town tomorrow.

Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with "binding" commitment during the annual HoA conference, a platform set up in 2011 to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.

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In a goodwill gesture, Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz today sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and wished her a speedy recovery.

The bouquet was delivered to Swaraj's residence this evening. Swaraj is being treated at AIIMS for kidney failure.

"Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at her residence this evening extending his good wishes for her speedy recovery," a source said.

Aziz is representing Pakistan at the Heart of Asia conference tomorrow which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

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The Bar Association of India today celebrated 'Lawyers of India Day' and felicitated the jurists on its panel of advisors.

The Bar Association of India (BAI) felicitated senior advocate Anil B Divan along with other legal luminaries for their contribution to the legal community.

"The Bar Association of India has been very active in taking forward several regional and bilateral initiatives which have been vital in fulfilling the trade and economic objectives of the country.

"I am extremely honoured on being felicitated here today and congratulate the Bar Association on attributing December 3 as Lawyers of India Day," Divan said.

The guest of honour at the event was Padma Shri awardee N R Madhava Menon, Founder-Vice Chancellor of National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, and National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. He also appreciated the BAI for marking December 3 as 'Lawyers of India Day', which coincides with birth anniversary of India's first President Rajendra Prasad.

"It is an excellent initiative on part of BAI to highlight the role of legal profession..It is appropriate that Lawyers of India Day is celebrated throughout the country in the memory of Dr Rajendra Prasad," he said.

Speaking in honour of the advisors, BAI President Lalit Bhasin said, "These stalwarts have always worked towards the development and growth of the legal community in India. The legal community owes much to them."



Besides Divan, the BAI's Board of Advisors include eminent jurists Fali S Nariman, former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, senior advocates K K Venugopal and Harish Salve.

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Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister G S Bali today warned that stringent action would be taken against buses plying in the state without valid permits.

"It is the responsibility of the government to ensure safe and comfortable travel of the commuters and there would be no compromise as far as their safety is concerned," he said.

Bali said complaints were pouring in at regular intervals regarding overloading of private buses which was not only causing inconvenience to the passengers but there were chances of untoward incidents as well.

Taking cognisance on the complaints, the directions were issued to officials concerned to take appropriate action against the erring persons as per the rules, he said.

The Minister urged the private bus operators to follow the permit conditions under Section 192-A under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 failing which strict action would be taken against them.

He said plying buses without valid permit would attract imprisonment upto three months.

Bali said in case a complaint was received in future against the private bus operators, the department would submit challan in the court as per the provisions of the Act.

He also warned the on-line booking agencies no to issue the tickets of contract carriage buses otherwise stern action would be taken against them also.

He appealed to the passengers of the other states also to ensure that the buses in which they were travelling to Himachal Pradesh were plying with valid permits to avoid any inconvenience.

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The Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) Syndicate, the top decision making body of the university, today recommended cancellation of law degree of former Delhi minister Jitendra Singh Tomar.

"The University Syndicate accepted decision of the Examination Board and recommended cancellation of law degree of Aam Aadmi Party MLA and former Delhi minister Jitendra Singh Tomar," Pro-Vice Chancellor of TMBU A K Rai told PTI.

The Syndicate recommendations would go to Chancellor of the Universities, who is the Governor of Bihar.

The Syndicate also recommended action against 14 employees of the University, seven of whom have retired and one died, in connection with acquisition of fake law degree by Tomar, Rai said.

Among those whose name has been recommended for action includes lecturer Janardan Yadav and head clerk of Examination department Krishnanad Singh of Biswanath Law College at Munger where the former Delhi minister was falsely registered as a student.

Tomar, who was Law minister in the Arvind Kejriwal government was earlier arrested last year on the charge that degree was fake. He was forced to resign as a minister after the issue hogged national headlines in 2015. Tomar is currently out on bail.

In the probe it was found that the migration certificate of the former Delhi Law Minister was fake.

The controversy relates to the acquisition of Law degree by Tomar on the basis of a doubtful enrolment at Biswanath Law College in the academic session 1994-95. He had claimed to have passed the law examination in 1998-99.

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Makers of "Commando 2" have pushed the release date of the film to March due to demonestisation.

Vidyut Jamwal and Adah Sharma starrer "Commando 2" was to be released on January 6. The high octane action film will now release on March 3.

"We have worked very hard on the film and we want it to have a good release. Xxx (Deepika Padukone starrer Hollywood movie) has shifted its date to January 13, 2017, which means we will have more than one film releasing in our second week," Vipul Amrutlal Shah, producer said in a statement here.

"We think our film has a very strong content as it deals with black money and we feel that it's not just a weekend film and hence we are moving the film to March," he said.

Erotic thriller "Wajah Tum Ho" also postponed its release date by a fortnight.

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Congress today claimed its Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh unit president Ghulam Ahmad Mir was today prevented by police from visiting the family of a former sarpanch-turned-militant, who was killed allegedly in an encounter with security forces on Thursday.

"Congress delegation led by Mir was barred from visiting Batagund village in Dooru today. The delegation was stopped at Jawahar Tunnel by the Police and was not allowed to move towards Veerinag for offering condolences to the family of deceased Sajad Malik," a Congress spokesman claimed.

He said police informed the delegation that there were "clear directions from the government no to allow Mir to visit his home constituency Dooru or offer condolences to bereaved family of Malik".

According to police, Malik was killed on Thursday night after he opened firing on an army patrol.

Malik had allegedly snatched a rifle from a police station where he was under custody and fled.

The Congress spokesman alleged that the police claim that Malik had decamped with an AK rifle from police station Dooru was to create an impression that he was killed in a retaliatory action.

Condemning the government for putting curbs on the opposition, Mir termed the move as "undemocratic and unethical".

Meanwhile JKPCC Vice president and MLC G N Monga, who is representing Panchayats in Legislative Council, was also barred from visiting Dooru.

Monga he was scheduled to visit residence of Malik, a former Sarpanch.

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Staff of the district police here donated their one-day salary for the treatment of social activist Doris Francis, who is suffering from cancer, a police official said today.

"Clad in a white salwar, kurta and a cap, and stick in her hand, Francis rendered voluntary services to manage traffic at Khoda tri-section on National Highway-24," Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Singh said.

The SSP visited her at the hospital today and handed her the cheque.

A resident of this district, Francis took to voluntarily managing traffic after the death of her 17-year-old daughter in a road accident at NH-24 around six years ago.

Earlier, taking cognisance of reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sanctioned Rs 3 lakh from PM National Relief Fund for treatment of Francis. She was also honoured by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the service as a traffic controller.

Also, Rs 2.49 lakh was collected by Delhi's east district police personnel and DCP (East) Rishi Pal handed over the cheque to her husband Victor Francis.

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Finalising a counter-terror framework, ways to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and boosting regional connectivity for the war-ravaged country's economic growth were some of the major focus areas during first day's deliberations at the Heart of Asia conference today, being attended by major regional and global powers.

The two-day annual conference, aimed at helping Afghanistan's transition, began in this holy city amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan with speculation rife on whether the two countries will have a bilateral engagement on the sidelines of the conclave.

Being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.

Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz is representing Islamabad at the Ministerial conference tomorrow, which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Today, senior officials of 14 member countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations deliberated on a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and ways to deal with threat of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.

In the meeting, delegation from Afghanistan pushed for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment by member countries to effectively deal with the terror networks.

The country representatives also visited the Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Bagh.

Ahead of the conference, India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the "greatest threat" to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at tomorrow's deliberations.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistan's connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were also discussed at the senior officials' meeting which was co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

The meeting has also finalised the text for the Ministerial Conference and is also deliberated on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

There was no clarity on a possible Indo-Pak bilateral meeting.

India had already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the "new normal" in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".

The conference, whose theme is security and prosperity, will also deliberate on major connectivity initiatives including Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project.

There may be deliberations tomorrow on TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The platform was floated to encourage security, political



and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the U.S.

Amritsar, which is not very far from the Indo-Pak border, has been brought under a heavy security cover as a major international event is being hosted by the city for the first time in many years.
A city court today granted bail to an Iranian national who was arrested in connection with theft of USD 200 from a money changer in Southeast Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain enlarged Davoud Zare on bail, who was in judicial custody since November 25, on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and a cash surety of Rs 50,000, saying the FIR was not clear about the facts and offences he was booked under.

The judge also directed the police to inform the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and the Iranian Embassy about the same.

Seeking bail for Zare, his counsel Mehmood Pracha contended that even as per the charge sheet filed by the police, no offence was made out against his client under sections 380 (theft) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the IPC as the currency was not recovered from him but from the shopkeeper from whom he allegedly stole it.

"FIR on the face appears false. Zare shouldn't have been arrested under these offences as they entail less than seven years imprisonment," the lawyer argued.

He also contended that the police and magistrate had not followed proper procedure, "so both are liable to action".

Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution argued that currencies of different denominations were recovered from him and being a foreign national, he could escape and evade legal proceedings and investigation as his companion Mohammed Amir has already fled.

A case was registered at the New Friends Colony police station with the cops alleging that Zare and his companion Amir, both Iranian nationals, went to the money changer in Sarai Juleina area last week and allegedly stole USD 200 from there and tried to run away but the money changer sensed foul and caught Zare while Amir managed to flee.

Police said during sustained interrogation, Zare admitted to being a professional cheat involved in similar cases in other countries as well.

The duo had come to India for the first time on tourist visa 40 days back and stayed in a Karol Bagh hotel. Their visa for India was valid till January 2017. They mainly targetted hospitals, banks, money changers, medical stores by claiming to be tourists in need of changing foreign currency, it said.

While one of them engaged the person on the counter, the other would steal the cash. They also changed hotels every 5-6 days and would return to their home country after committing 15-20 thefts, it added.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today asked officials of the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) to dedicate their services in the development of the state as they have an important responsibility in implementing government schemes.

"PCS officials have an important responsibility to implement the schemes of the government and they have fulfilled this responsibility very well," he said while addressing the inaugural two-day annual general meeting of the PCS Association here.

"Officials have cooperated with the government and the development works seen today were result of their efforts," Akhilesh said, adding the government was thankful to the PCS cadre for their contribution in schemes such as distribution of foodgrains in the drought-hit Bundelkhand region early this year, construction of Lucknow-Agra Expressway in a record time among others.

The Chief Minister said his government has taken various steps to boost the morale of PCS officers by redressing their problems, including their promotions to IAS cadre among others.

In the past four years of the SP government, 240 PCS officers have been promoted to IAS cadre, Akhilesh said, adding he believes that government employees should get all their rights.

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DMK President M Karunanidhi today paid rich tributes to his late party colleague and former Minister Ko Si Mani, recalling his ground work in the then undivided Thanjavur district.

Karunanidhi, recuperating at a private hospital here for allergy, said when he was "hesitatingly informed" that Mani had passed away, he had wanted to immediately rush to Kumbakonam to pay his last respects.

"He was a friend, well-wisher and a Minister," he said.

A four-time MLA and a Minister in the 2006-11 DMK regime, Mani died last night following age related illness.

Mani had closely worked with veteran Dravidian leaders EVR Periyar and CN Annadurai and was known for his love for Tamil language, Karunanidhi said in a statement.

He had worked hard as a DMK grassroots level worker in Thanjavur and had greatly contributed for its growth in the region, he said.

"Even though he was not well for the past two years, he would still come and meet me aided by two persons," Karunanidhi recalled.

Meanwhile, DMK ally Congress condoled the death of Mani, hailing him as a 'trusted lieutenant' of Karunanidhi.

"Ko Si Mani was a trusted lieutenant of DMK President Karunanidhi and commanded respect of the people of south Tamil Nadu," TNCC President Su Thirunavukkarasar said.

Mani was an affable man, he said in a statement.

The Congress leader conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and DMK on behalf of his party.

TMC (M) leader G K Vasan also condoled the death.

Meanwhile, senior DMK leaders, including Treasurer M K Stalin paid tributes to Mani at Aaduthurai near Kumbakonam.

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A range of domestic and global factors led to nearly 86-point fall in BSE Sensex and restricted the broader Nifty below 8,100 -- marking 5th loss on a weekly basis for both benchmark indices in as many as past six weeks.

The volatile week saw the market trading range-bound with investors being cautious about the demonetisation impact and several other key global events that set the tone for the bourses.

Stocks could not sustain the gains augmented by specific buying in auto, telecom, power and energy counters on sentiments buoyed by strong GDP numbers and core sector growth amid surge in crude oil prices after the decision to lower production at key OPEC meet this week.

The momentum was squeezed by domestic factors including, continued FII outflows, unexpected move by the RBI to hike CRR by 100 per cent on incremental deposits that pressurized banking stocks.

Besides, sharp deceleration in manufacturing PMI, temporary cut in India's GDP growth forecast by Fitch rating, diminishing auto sales number due to a cash crunch post demonetisation led to a dampened sentiment.

Moreover, participants remained cautious in view of the next week's RBI's monetary policy review.

Further, investors caution prevailed ahead of US monthly job report and expectation of rate hike this month, it was further intimidated by concerns of political stability in Euro zone on Italian referendum of constitutional change this Sunday.

During the week, the Sensex lost a modest 85.68 points, or 0.33 per cent, to settle at 26,230.66. It hovered in the range of 26,769.32 and 26,182.93 during the week.

The Nifty 50 index during the week declined 27.50 points, or 0.34 per cent, to close at 8,086.80 after shuttling between 8,250.80 and 8,066.50.

The selling was led by IT, bank, metal, teck, consumer durables, IPOs, oil&gas, PSUs, realty and healthcare.

While buying was witnessed in auto, power, capital goods and FMCG, well supported by secondline shares of midcap and smallcap companies.

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President-elect has broken with decades of US diplomatic policy and spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, at the risk of provoking a serious rift with China.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties" between Taiwan and the United States, Trump's office announced yesterday in a read-out of the call.

"President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," it said.

It was not immediately clear which side initiated the telephone call, one of several Trump has been making with world leaders since his election victory, or if it signals a policy shift.

China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing's rule, and any US move that would imply support for independence would cause grave offence.

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with the island in 1979 and recognises Beijing as the sole government of "One China" -- while keeping friendly non-official ties with Taipei.

But Tsai has refused to accept the concept of "One China," prompting Beijing to cut off all official communication with the island's new government.

Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party government (DPP) came to power after a landslide victory in January over the Kuomintang (KMT), which had much friendlier ties with Beijing.

Trump, based at his New York offices while he prepares to move to the White House next month after his inauguration, has taken congratulatory calls from dozens of world leaders.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

But, until Thursday, State Department officials had been telling reporters that he had not asked for official briefing on current policy from US diplomats before making the contacts.

Yesterday, department spokesman John Kirby said the outgoing US administration has now helped with "some foreign communications that the transition team has gone forward with."



But he referred reporters to Trump's office for details and would not say whether the president-elect himself had requested any background briefings before making or taking any calls.

Asked whether Trump was among those on the transition team who received such help, a senior US official would only say that Vice President-elect Mike Pence has also made foreign calls.
Dispelling rumours that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was unaware of demonetisation, Power Minister Piyush Goyal today said he knew it and kept it as secret despite being "very friendly and open".

"When the bombshell (demonetisation) came... Every body wanted to know how Mr Jaitley could keep the secret so well. This is the kind of commitment a tall leader has... When the time comes, they keep (an important information) secret from everybody," Goyal said during a session at HT Leadership Summit here.

Asked whether Jaitley knew it, he replied, "Yes obviously. He is the finance minister."



Earlier last month, the Centre disbanded old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from mid-night of November 8 to deal with the menace of black money.

Goyal also indicated that the government will take stern action against those who are misusing the concessions given to honest people.

"What I am hearing about their (chartered accountants) role in the last 22 days, we are quite disappointed... We are finding that there is a nexus of certain professionals, certain bankers and possibly certain officials in parts of the country where misuse of the ability of honest people to transact is being carried out," he said.

He warned that the government will deal with the issue with "heavy hands".

Explaining further, he said, "It (demonetisation) is going as per the plan. It was loud and clear that it would have short-term pain for 50 days."



On downturn of economy due to demonetisation, Goyal said, "It could be for month or two or this quarter. But if you are moving informal economy into formal economy... The transactions were never reported as part of GDP... It will only add to GDP."



Elaborating, he said, "Rabi sowing (data) seems that there is growth of 8-9 per cent this year. Cement saw 7-8 per cent downturn in the first two weeks (after demonetisation). I am told that it is back to normal."



However, he cautioned, "Automobile sector is a little bit of surprise... People bought two-wheelers and four-wheelers by cash (payments). That is truly a surprise... We should be able to track every vehicle which is sold... Otherwise terrorist activities, petty theft or serious crimes will never get traced."



About forthcoming assembly elections, he is confident that the BJP will sweep the upcoming elections and will win two-thirds support in Uttar Pradesh. He predicted a win for the Akali-BJP combine in Punjab.

He also said that in next 14-15 years, India has investment opportunity of over USD one trillion to expand in the energy sector.

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Former Madhya Pradesh governor Bhai Mahavir passed away in Delhi today after brief illness, family sources said.

He was 94 and survived is by his two daughters. His wife passed away earlier.

Mahavir served as the Madhya Pradesh governor from April 1998 to May 2003.

Born on October 30, 1922 in Lahore, Mahavir joined RSS as Pracharak and had also served as the member of the Rajya Sabha for two terms.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources and Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra and the state BJP president among others expressed deep condolence on his demise.

His last rites will be performed tomorrow in Delhi, the sources added.

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France committed USD 30 million toward protecting cultural heritage sites during wartime today, a first step in the creation of an international fund aimed at preventing destruction like that carried out by Islamic State militants.

French President Francois Hollande announced the contribution during a conference jointly organized by France and the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

Backers of the Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage conference hope to attract an initial USD 100 million for the fund.

In coordination with UNESCO, it aims to prevent or stop destruction of historical sites, fight trafficking of stolen artifacts and pay for the restoration of sites damaged by war.

They also seek to create a network of sites around the world where artifacts endangered by fighting or terrorism could be temporarily stored for safekeeping.

"What we have to do today, and what we have managed to do, is to ensure the future of what is precious to humanity," Hollande told dignitaries gathered at an ornate beachside hotel in the Emirati capital. "It is already late."



Islamic State militants have deliberately stolen or destroyed cultural artefacts in areas they've seized, including the destruction of the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra, and the looting of the Mosul museum.

Just last month, Iraqi forces retook the 13th century BC Assyrian capital of Nimrud, south of Mosul, from the militant group. They found intricate reliefs smashed into pieces.

The conference was the centerpiece of Hollande's two-day visit to the Emirates. He arrived yesterday, a day after surprising France by announcing he would not seek a second term as the Socialist candidate in next year's presidential election.

France has built increasingly strong ties to the seven-state Emirates federation over the years. Cultural outreach is a key pillar of that effort, including the establishment of a satellite campus of the renowned Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi a decade ago.

Workers are still putting the finishing touches on a much-hyped branch of the Louvre art museum, which will be the centerpiece of an ambitious cultural district on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island.

Hollande paid a visit to the Louvre site this morning before meeting with French expatriates based in the Emirates. He briefly addressed his decision to not seek re-election at the latter stop, saying he would continue to drive France forward "within the framework of its ideals and values" until he steps down in May.

France has long seen the Emirates as a key potential customer for its Rafale fighter jet, though negotiations have dragged on for years without a deal being reached. The plane is built by French defence contractor Dassault Aviation. No deal was announced today.

Qatar, which like the Emirates is part of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, agreed to buy 24 Rafales at a cost of $7 billion last year. And in September, India signed a nearly $9 billion deal to buy 36 of the delta-winged fighters jets, far fewer than the more than 100 earlier envisioned.

A squadron of French Rafales is based at the Al-Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi. They have been taking part in the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

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US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".

"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.

On Trump's conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

"By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trump's transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency".

In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.

NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights



abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country's "separation" from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.

"Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama's administration had been working to curb," NYT said.

Trump also praised Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for "fantastic success", in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev's strongman rule.

According to the Kazakh government's readout of the call, Trump "stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle".

The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"If you travel to the US you should let me know," he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party - a "slap to May", NYT said.

Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added.

In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter.

"The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trump's businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the U.S. Government, with which she has no role," it said.
Representatives of around 40 countries today approved plans to establish a fund to protect heritage sites in war zones and a network of safe havens for endangered artworks.

A closing statement issued after two days of talks in Abu Dhabi did not specify the total amount pledged for the fund but French President Francois Hollande said a target of USD 100 million remained achievable.

The meeting, co-sponsored by France and the United Arab Emirates, was spurred by the systematic destruction and looting of archaeological treasures in Iraq and Syria by the Islamic State group.

The world watched in dismay as the jihadists systematically destroyed temples and tower tombs in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra last year.

In Iraq, videos showed IS using bulldozers and explosives to destroy Nimrud, a jewel of the Assyrian empire, and ransacking pre-Islamic treasures in the Mosul Museum.

But proposals for ancient artefacts to be taken abroad for safekeeping met with reservations from some countries - notably Greece and Egypt - which saw treasured artworks removed for display in museums in Europe and North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Participants in the meeting, who also included representatives of international organisations and private institutions, pledged "to safeguard the endangered cultural heritage of all peoples, against its destruction and illicit trafficking."



The Geneva-based fund they set up will be charged with safeguarding cultural heritage endangered by conflict, financing preventive and emergency operations, combating the illicit trafficking of artefacts and helping restore damaged cultural property.

UNESCO director Irina Bokova said: "The creation of this fund breaks new ground.... I see this as the starting point of something... Global."



Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan urged all countries to "cooperate and coordinate to control the trafficking of cultural property.... Especially in some Arab countries that have suffered from the dangers of violence and terrorism."



France is to contribute around USD 30 million to the fund.

"Our objective is to collect at least USD 100 million, and we can reach this," Hollande said.

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Gabon's parliamentary elections, which had been due to take place this month, have been postponed for up to seven months, the interior ministry said, citing a lack of funds.

The decision to delay the vote, which must now take place no later than July 29, 2017, was taken by Gabon's constitutional court after the electoral commission told Prime Minister Emmanuel Ngondet it would be impossible to organise such an election this month.

In his statement, Interior Minister Lambert Matha referred to a "shortage of funds" to organise the ballot in time, with the court taking into account the "unforseen costs" resulting from clashes which erupted following Gabon's divisive August presidential race.

The vote was won by incumbent Ali Bongo by a razor-thin margin of some 6,000 votes, sparking two days of rioting and protests that left three dead and saw more than 800 people arrested in this oil-rich central African nation.

Bongo's reelection, which was roundly rejected by his rival Jean Ping, was confirmed by the country's top court on September 23.

After his re-election, Bongo proposed talks with the opposition, which Ping has consistently rejected.

"It seems to make good sense to first begin by ensuring the necessary conditions for dialogue to have a peaceful legislative election," said Gabonese Communications Minister Alain-Claude Bilie Ny Nze.

The court decided "to delay the holding of elections, which must be held by July 29, 2017" and also sanctioned the "prolongation of the mandate of the current legislature" until the vote can be held, the ministry said.

Bongo's Gabonese Democratic Party has held a crushing majority of 114 of the parliament's 120 seats since the last legislative elections in December 2011.

With the current legislature's mandate originally due to run out on February 27, 2017, parliamentary elections should have taken place by December 27, 2016.

The election postponement came the day after a French weekly newspaper reported that the EU observers who monitored the August vote had been wiretapped by Gabonese intelligence.

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A radical marxist suspected of belonging to a left-wing extremist group accused of terrorism by Turkey has been arrested in Germany, judicial sources said today.

The 55-year-old citizen of the Netherlands, whose name was given as Musa A, was arrested in Hamburg, Germany's federal prosecutor said.

The man is thought to be a "leader" of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) -- a radical marxist group outlawed by Ankara after allegedly staging several attacks and assassinations against police, the security services and US interests in Turkey.

The prosecutor said he was carrying out several roles in Europe, principally fundraising for the European arm of the DHKP-C.

German authorities believe that such fundraising could be used to finance terrorist activity and the acquisition of weapons.

Musa A will appear in court on Monday before a judge who will rule whether to remand him in custody.

In August 2015, the DHKP-C claimed responsibility for an attack in Istanbul by two of its militants on police guarding the offices of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. No one was hurt.

The arrest comes just weeks after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Germany of "hosting terrorists".

Berlin and Ankara have been at loggerheads recently with Germany a vocal critic of Erdogan's widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, journalists and teachers as well as the military and police in the wake of a failed coup in July.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has described the Turkish crackdown as "highly alarming".

Turkey's increasingly authoritarian leader also accused Germany of harbouring members of both the DHKP-C and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Both groups are branded terrorists by Turkey, the US and the EU.

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The Goa Congress, which has undertaken a footmarch to mobilise people and elicit political support ahead of the Assembly elections, has claimed that they are getting positive response from a cross-section of the society, which may reverse the results witnessed during the last state polls.

The padyatra which began on November 29, will come to an end on December 12.

"The response for the padayatra is fantastic. People who were taunting that Congress does not exist are getting themselves wrong. People from all walks of life is joining the party," Goa Congress spokesman Trajano D'Mello said today as the march program took a day's break to celebrate the fest of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa.

"Everybody was feeling that Congress was not doing enough. But this yatra has proved that the party continues to enjoy mass support. This will help us to reverse swing the trend which was witnessed during 2012 election," he said.

The Congress had faced miserable defeat in the 2012 State Legislative Assembly elections.

Padayatra which began at Pernem has covered 12 constituencies including Mandresm, Siolim, Calangute, Saligao, Porvorim, Aldona, Thivim, Bicholim and Sankhalim besides others.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro along with All India Congress Committee Secretary Girish Chodankar travelled one fourth of the distance on foot as the yatra covered 100 kilometres yesterday, D'Mello said.

Meanwhile,Faleiro at the meeting in Thivim constituency yesterday said that the BJP government has betrayed Goans and if elected to power the Congress will reverse the electricity and water hike affecting the common man.

Chodankar said the BJP has looted Goans and people are going to teach them a lesson in the coming Assembly elections.

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A state government employee who was returning home in Kolkata from his place of posting died while standing in a queue in front of an ATM counter near Bandel station in Hooghly district today.

The employee, Kallol Roychoudhury (56), was returning to his Behala home in South Kolkata from Cooch Behar in North Bengal where he was posted.

He got down at Bandel station from Paharia Express this morning with his colleague and was supposed to catch another train to come to Kolkata.

But then, he decided to withdraw some money from an ATM counter at Station Road near the station.

He stood in the queue at 7.35 am, became unwell after 20 minutes and fell down.

The police said nobody extended a helping hand and he remained unattended for 30 minutes.

Later, the security personnel of the ATM called a doctor who pronounced him dead and advised the security man to take Roychowdhury's body to a hospital.

Some vendors took Roychoudhury's body to Chinsurah Imambara Hospital where doctors pronounced him brought dead.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as "unfortunate" and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking note of it.

"Unfortunate death toll continues... This morning Kallol Roy Chowdhury collapsed and died in front of SBI ATM at Bandel station. My condolences to the bereaved family. Is Modi babu listening?" she said in a tweet.

Two elderly persons had died yesterday in South 24 Parganas district of the state while standing in a queue to withdraw money.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government is attempting to bridge the gap between demand and supply of quality healthcare through PPPs keeping in mind the population pressure in the country.

Speaking at the 44th convocation of AIIMS here, he also stressed on the need to improve the quality of care through tertiary, primary and secondary healthcare systems.

"In view of the population pressure, the government is trying to bridge the gap between demand and supply of quality healthcare through public private partnerships (PPPs)," Rajnath said.

The Home Minister said though the government has successfully overcome many health challenges, there are many that still need to be conquered like malaria.

Singh also drew attention towards hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness which play a crucial part in preventing diseases and urged citizens to contribute to the Prime Minister's cleanliness campaign.

He said AIIMS, which is a nursery of medical talent, needs to expand to meet the growing needs for medical human resource in the country and added that the expansion plans for the institution have been taken up and are underway.

Addressing the gathering, the President of the Institution and Health Minister J P Nadda said six AIIMS have already been made operational and 12 new AIIMS are being set up in different parts of the country to set standards of medical education and healthcare at par with the best institutions in the world.

Nadda stressed that "Health for all" is a national goal and a priority for the government and the ministry is committed to doubling the capacity of AIIMS, Delhi in next two years.

"Existing premier medical colleges are also being upgraded with top notch infrastructure and facilities. Medical teachers will also be closely involved in policy planning, regulation and enforcement of standards in medical education," Nadda added.

The Health Minister said the government is committed to ensure that the new AIIMS will meet the same standards of service as AIIMS, New Delhi.

"AIIMS, New Delhi has a great testimony and we must try to replicate it in the new AIIMS. The new institutes will be 'AIIMS' and not 'AIIMS-like'," said Nadda.

The Health Minister advised doctors to explore



possibilities of establishing interdisciplinary research groups to address larger research priorities, grand challenges of basic, translational, clinical and public health research.

"New solutions in healthcare are inherently complex and cannot be cracked without interdisciplinary expertise. Multi- disciplinary teams are the need of the hour. I would like you to forge research coalitions that span different departments of AIIMS as well as reach out to other centres of excellence and researchers in the country," Nadda said.

He said India faces the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases unlike many other countries which have to address only one of these and the government is moving forward on various internationally mandated health indices.

693 students received their degrees at the event and Nadda also gave away the lifetime achievement awards. A commemorative stamp was also unveiled to mark the Diamond Jubilee Foundation Year of AIIMS, Delhi.

The Health Minister also inaugurated the first advanced cardiac Dual Source Dual Energy CT Scanner in India. It is the first of its kind in South Asia and is a versatile equipment for investigating various cardio-vascular diseases.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accepted Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India and programme elements and dates are being worked out, External Affairs Ministry said today.

"Prime Minister Modi has extended an invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina to visit India and the invitation has been accepted. Details of the visit, including the dates and programme elements, are still being worked out by the ministry with the Bangladeshi High Commission in New Delhi as well as the Bangladeshi authorities in Dhaka.

"As always, these matters are being discussed in a spirit of friendship," MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The Ministry also dismissed as "imaginative" the contents of media reports regarding the issue.

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The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court here has dismissed a PIL seeking directions to the Tamil Nadu government to remove 'discriminatory' titles such as 'cheri, kuppam, colony' give to habitations of Scheduled Caste people from all government records and rechristen them.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice S K Kaul and S Nagamuthu said the petitioner had failed to place any material to prove his claim that the terminology was being used in an offensive manner.

Petitioner S Karuppiah, Joint General Secretary of the Dalit Liberation Movement, said the terms such as 'cheri' and 'colony' were derogatory and violated the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

The judges rejected the contention that the term 'colony' reflected colonisation by the British and hence it was used to refer to Dalit habitations in villages.

They said colony was a term used to refer to any area of habitation.

The CJ said that his brother Judge S Nagamuthu was well versed in Tamil and they had come to the conclusion that cheri meant village and kuppam meant a part of the village.

Besides, Kuppam also meant fishermen's hamlets along seashore. Kuppam also denotes slum area in the city.

The petitioner had not produced material before the court to substantiate his claim that the words being were used in a derogatory manner to refer to Dalit habitations.

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Taking up the anticipatory bail applications of businessman Mahimananda Mishra and three of his associates in connection with a murder case, the Orissa High Court today called for the case diaries in the matter.

Without giving any interim protection to the four, Justice C R Dash posted the bail applications to be heard again after the winter vacation.

Odisha Stevedores Limited chief Mishra and his associates were booked by Paradeep police in connection with the murder of one Mahendra Swain, who was a local manager of another Stevedores group company. Swain was shot dead by two assailants on October 26 in Paradeep.

Mishra approached the High Court last month seeking anticipatory bail and also challenged the lookout circular issued against him by Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police.

Appearing for Mishra, a battery of lawyers led by Dharanidhar Nayak argued for his anticipatory bail stating that as head of a corporate house, he should be given certain protection from the court as more than 10,000 employees of his company are unable to get their monthly salary.

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Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB), an umbrella group of Hindu organisations and temples in the UK, has called on the Bank of England to withdraw the new 5-pound note from circulation because it uses animal fat.

HFB said it was convinced the move was not "malicious" but a result of "ignorance" and called for the notes to be made "Karma-free" at the earliest.

"Saving and sharing wealth (the Goddess of fortune) in currency tainted by unnecessary harm to animals is somewhat of an oxymoron," said Shree Gauridas, spiritual commissioner of HFB and a director of the UK's ISKCON temple.

The group has been encouraging people to sign a petition calling for the withdrawal of the notes asvegans and vegetarianscontinued toexpress outrage at the use of tallow, a substance derived from animal fat, which emerged in a Twitter response earlier this week.

A petition titled "Remove tallow from banknotes" has gathered nearly 126,000 signatures. It will be delivered to the Bank of England when it hits 150,000.

It reads, "The new 5 poundnotescontain animal fat in the form of tallow. This is unacceptable to millions of vegans and vegetarians in the UK. We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use."



The newnoteswith an image of Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill became legal tender in September this year.

A vegetarian cafe in the university town of Cambridge is refusing to accept the new notes andSharon Meijland, owner of Rainbow Cafe, has put up signs warning customers about the policy.

"Tallow's an animal product isn't it? Our whole business is based around not having anything like that on the premises. Although the same person doesn't handle the money that handles the food, that's not really the point," she said.

The Bank of England says it is now looking into ways of removing the substance from the supply chain.

"We are aware of some people's concerns about traces of tallow in our new five pound note. We respect those concerns and are treating them with the utmost seriousness," a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Australian pioneer of the polymer bank note says it's "stupid" that vegetarian and vegans are protesting in the UK about the five pound polymer note containing animal fat.

Professor David Solomon says the polymer notes contain trivial amounts of tallow, which is also used in candles and soap.

"It's stupid. It's absolutely stupid. There's trivial amounts of it in there. It picks up less drugs than paper notes and you don't chop down trees. It's more hygienic than a paper note by a long way," he said.

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French President Francois Hollande vowed today to spend the final months of his presidency fighting to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in society and the world.

Speaking on his first foreign trip since announcing he would not stand for re-election, the socialist president also hit out at the policies of the conservative candidate who is now favourite to succeed him in May.

"My decisions as president have been based first and foremost on protecting," Hollande said, adding that he had always sought to look out for the "most vulnerable" and "civilian populations threatened by wars and terrorism".

"This will be my task until the month of May."



Hollande took issue with a campaign pledge by conservative frontrunner Francois Fillon to shed 500,000 public sector jobs if he becomes president.

"When you have no civil servants, you have no state, and when you have no state, you have no France," he told members of the French expatriate community in Abu Dhabi.

Hollande was in the United Arab Emirates capital to attend a conference on protecting the world's cultural heritage against the threats of extremism and conflict.

He also visited the site of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is expected to open in 2017 after much delay.

Faced with record low approval ratings, Hollande announced on Thursday that he would not put his name forward to stand as socialist candidate in next year's presidential election.

Opinion polls suggest that Fillon and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen will win the first round in April and face each other in a runoff the following month.

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Pakistan Premier's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz along with foreign ministers of four countries today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who told them that it was important to end terrorism and violence for fostering stability in Afghanistan and the region.

The Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Slovakia, which holds the European Union Presidency this month, along with Pakistan Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Aziz called on Modi ahead of the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia Istanbul Process on Afghanistan here.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the Foreign Ministers and stressed it was the collective responsibility of all those in the region to work together to help Afghanistan out of its current difficulties, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The Prime Minister stated that his several interactions with both the common people of Afghanistan and the country's leadership had convinced him that the Afghan people were tired of the continuing violence and terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi stressed on "the need to end terrorism and violence for fostering stability, security and development in Afghanistan and our region," Swarup said.

In this context, the Prime Minister hoped that discussions in the Ministerial Conference tomorrow will produce good results.

Agreeing with the Premier on the need to end violence in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministers shared Prime Minister Modi's view that Afghanistan's stability, security and prosperity are integral to the region's, Swarup said.

"They greatly appreciated the continued commitment and engagement of India and its leadership for these ends. The Foreign Ministers warmly thanked India for hosting the Conference and expressed confidence that all friends of Afghanistan will work together for realising the aspirations for peace and development," he said.

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India is likely to finalise an air cargo service pact with Afghanistan to boost bilateral trade and gain leverage in the war-ravaged country as Pakistan continues to deny transit link for Indo-Afghan trade through its territory.

The issue will be discussed during bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the two-day Heart of Asia conference which began here today.

There is a possibility that the pact will be finalised by tomorrow itself.

In the meeting, Afghanistan is likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India and more help for strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years back.

Sources said both India and Afghanistan were keen to finalise the air cargo agreement as soon as possible and that the broad contours of the pact are already worked out.

India and Afghanistan have been exploring various connectivity projects for greater two-way trade.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub.

The sea-land route of Chabahar Port is designed to bypass Pakistan and the project is seen as India's effort to counter China's plan to develop Gwadar port in Pakistan.

Afghanistan is very keen on deeper defence and security cooperation with India and there were indications that Ghani may press for ramping up supply of arms and military hardware from India though Pakistan would be unhappy if there was closer Indo-Afghan military cooperation.

Last week India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel but has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons.

Afghanistan has also been seeking India's assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition.

India has a strategic partnership with Afghanistan and is implementing projects worth USD 2 billion to help rebuild the country's infrastructure.

India has been supporting an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, and advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community.

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BSF has foiled a cross-border intrusion bid after its troopers shot down a suspect at Dhinda post in Pathankot district of Punjab.

BSF personnel shot the intruder dead last night after he came close to the border fencing in Bamiyal area, a police official posted in Pathankot said today.

Meanwhile, a massive search operation was launched yesterday by Punjab police, Himachal Pradesh police and army in Pathankot after a local resident claimed to have spotted four to five armed men roaming around suspiciously.

As many as 250 security personnel, including SWAT commandos, were deployed in the search operation in the hilly areas located on the border of Punjab and HP.

Pathankot had seen a major terror attack in January this year when heavily-armed terrorists who had sneaked in from across the border attacked an air base.

On July 27 last year, Dinanagar in Punjab's Gurdaspur was also targeted by terrorists.

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Iran's foreign minister condemned the US Senate's extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation, state TV reported today.

On Thursday the Senate voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act by 10 years. The measure will now be sent to outgoing President Barack Obama to sign. Iran's state television quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the extension "shows the lack of credibility of the US government."



Yesterday, Bahram Ghasemi, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, issued a statement condemning the extension of sanctions against Iran and said the act is a clear violation of the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world powers last year.

Ghasemi said, "The US president has agreed within the framework of the nuclear deal that he would use his authority to prevent the legislation and enforcement of any measures in violation of the deal, such as the recent act by the Congress."



The nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers lifted a variety of international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear programme.

However the US still maintains its own separate set of sanctions, which are set to expire December 31 if they are not extended.

Ali Akbar Salehi, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, said yesterday that Iran will carefully consider how to respond. "We will definitely make no emotional decisions but will make a decision based on prudence, vigilance and wisdom," he said.

Earlier in November, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, warned that, "Definitely, the Islamic Republic of Iran will react" if the US sanctions were renewed.

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Islamic State terrorists have infiltrated operatives into Europe who could be plotting attacks in European cities, the EU's police force has warned in a report.

Europol said this week that the terror group is determined to continue attacks against EU members and could deploy methods that have been successful in Syria and Iraq, including "car bombs, extortion and kidnappings".

"France remains high on the target list for IS (ISIS) aggression in the EU, but so too do Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK," the report says.

"Estimates from some intelligence services indicate several dozen people directed by IS may be currently present in Europe with a capability to commit terrorist attacks, and that there are indications that IS has been preparing for terrorist attacks in Europe since 2013," it adds.

Europol's report, outlining the changing modus operandi of the terror group, warned that more foreign fighters would return to the EU as IS lost ground in the Middle East.

"Those who manage to enter the EU will pose a potential security risk for the Union. Given the high numbers involved, this represents a significant and long-term security challenge," the report warns.

The report also warned of "a real and imminent danger" of IS trying to recruit Syrian refugees into jihadism once they reached Europe.

"A real and imminent danger is the possibility of elements of the (Sunni Muslim) Syrian refugee diaspora becoming vulnerable to radicalisation once in Europe and being specifically targeted by Islamic extremist recruiters. It is believed that a number of jihadists are travelling through Europe for this purpose," it said.

The report cited unconfirmed information that German police were aware of around 300 attempts by jihadists to recruit Syrian refugees into their cause.

Europol said that IS appeared to remain focused on "soft targets", lightly-guarded places where there were large numbers of civilians to kill, rather than more difficult targets like power grids or nuclear facilities.

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Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the unrest in Kashmir cannot be blamed on Pakistan but was a result of "mistakes" made by the government of not engaging with the people of the state.

"Do not be under this false impression that the fire you see in Kashmir has been ignited by Pakistan.

"It is a result of our mistakes," Omar said addressing a function of his Conference in Baramulla.

"To blame Pakistan alone for the political situation or the current unrest in the Valley is a distortion of the truth.

"The people of J&K have espoused a political sentiment even when there was no external interference and this political sentiment forms the basis of the State's special status that has since been eroded by extra-constitutional machinations," Omar said.

He said the political issue in Kashmir is a result of "historic blunders and broken promises by successive dispensations" in New Delhi.

"The situation today stands compounded because of the present Central Government's refusal to even acknowledge that a problem exists in Kashmir," Omar said.

The Conference working president alleged the ruling PDP's charade of seeking confidence building measures and political initiatives could not conceal the party's brazen abandonment of its own ideology and vision document in a bargain to attain power.

There is a stark difference between the Mehbooba Mufti of the opposition and the Mehbooba Mufti of the ruling PDP-BJP Government.

It has now become evident that the Mehbooba of opposition was just an elaborate facade to pave way for Mehbooba Mufti's ascent to the Chief Minister's chair.

"Her theatrical performances as an opposition leader might have served her well but when people compare her present avatar to her previous posturing she stands exposed.

"Every single promise made by the PDP to seek votes in the previous elections has been broken with utter contempt shown towards the people of the State," he added.

Omar alleged that the PDP-BJP Alliance has "wreaked havoc" with the State.

"The Government has ceased to exist on the ground and its mere presence is exhibited solely through indiscriminate arrests and imposition of Public Safety Acts against the youth.

The loss of nearly a hundred innocent young lives in the current unrest and the unimaginable and indiscriminate repression of our youth has been the most noticeable hallmark of the PDP-BJP alliance and Mehbooba Mufti s refusal to acknowledge her failure has only compounded the misery of the people," he said.
Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac today described the Centre's decision to demonetise old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes a "national calamity" which has put the nation in a turmoil.

The crisis following the cash deficit has percolated to even the organised sector and will result national production loss of Rs 2.5 lakh crore, he said while addressing reporters here today.

This has led to people thronging banks and ATMs to withdraw their money. The Reserve Bank has set cash withdrawal cap at Rs 24,000 a week.

"There is going to be a severe downturn. Even if you take 2 per cent (decline in GDP as suggested by former prime minister Manmohan Singh)... It means something like loss of production of Rs 2.5 lakh crore...," Isaac said, adding that the Centre's move is now impacting almost all sectors of the economy.

He dubbed it as a failed exercise, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shifting the goalpost to cashless economy.

"Whole nation has been put into turmoil. Modi's demonetisation has become national calamity," he said.

He countered Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's claims of about Rs 3 lakh crore expected gains from the exercise, reeling off data that he said suggest about Rs 11.5 lakh crore of the invalid currency have already returned to the banking system.

"Even if you give a very generous estimate of Rs 1 lakh crore (of gains)... You have sacrificed Rs 2.5 lakh crore of national product for unearthing Rs 1 lakh crore of black money. This is an enterprise that has totally failed," he said.

Referring to 2002 Gujarat riots, Isaac said "he (Modi) looked unruffled, took it in his stride and for various reasons, he was able to take people of Gujarat along with him. I think he wants to do another similar exercise (about demonetisation) at all-India level".

"What the Prime Minister should understand that things are getting out of hand. There is limit to people's patience. How long can they stand in the queue... Let us come to senses. Have a discussion in Parliament accept something terrible has happened," the Kerala minister said.

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Lokayukta police today conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of a senior engineer working with the Madhya Pradesh government and his brother here.

The investigating agency said it unearthed huge wealth amassed illegally by Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (MPPWD) Executive Engineer Anandprakash Rana posted here.

"Acting on a complaint, we raided the residences of Anandprakash and his brother Vijayprakash in the city," an officer from Lokayukta said.

During the raids, it came to light that Rana and his family members had bought costly properties, including two houses in Gwalior, two houses in Bhopal, three flats and two plots here, the officer added.

During the raids, the Lokayukta team also found out 10 banks accounts and a bank locker which were either in the name of Rana or his close relatives, the officer said.

Rana had joined MPPWD on July 21, 1992, and they were calculating his income from salary since then to workout his ill-gotten wealth.

Further investigations into the matter are underway.

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Madonna kissed Ariana Grande, repeatedly criticised President elect Donald Trump and said she was ashamed to be an American in a magnetic performance in Miami where she raised more than USD 7.5 million for the African nation of Malawi.

The Material Girl dug deep into her personal treasures, auctioning off pieces from her own art collection, a costume from her tour modeled by Grande and black and white photos from her 1985 wedding to ex-husband Sean Penn shot by the late photographer Herb Ritts. The trio of wedding photos sold for USD 230,000.

Penn, who attended the fundraiser and bid on several pricey items when the auction stalled, handcuffed Madonna and crawled through her legs at one point as the two tried to coerce the audience to bid higher.

"For once, he's not the one being arrested," she joked. The party lasted until early today morning when Madonna took the stage for an hour-long performance before a star studded crowd that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, James Corden, ex-boyfriend A-Rod and Courtney Love.

The fundraiser was just one of the many parties during Art Basel Miami Beach, a contemporary art fair.

Madonna, who performed in a pink sequined clown top and fishnet stockings, seemed to hold nothing back, especially her opinions on the election, joking with the audience that she had promised to perform sexual favors for those who voted for Hillary.

She coyly said she'd been in Donald Trump's bed, but later revealed it was for a magazine photo shoot and that Trump wasn't even there and she criticised his cheap sheets.

"They won't be Egyptian cotton because we all know how he feels about Muslims don't we," she said as some audience members gasped.

She gyrated to a slowed-down version of Britney Spears' "Toxic" and seductively sang, "You know that you're toxic," as images of Trump appeared on a large screen behind her.

At one point, she walked into the audience, climbing on tables and giving one man a lap dance. She abruptly stood up at another point, grabbed the chair on which she had performed and said she also wanted to auction it, noting USD 600 could send a girl in Malawi to secondary school and USD 2,000 would cover her university expenses.

The chair sold for USD 10,000. Other notable items included a Damien Hirst painting, a private performance by magician David Blaine, who was also at the event, and a weeklong stay at DiCaprio's home in Palm Springs, which fetched USD 140,000.

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The custody of a person accused of a crime under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act can be extended by a court up to 180 days, provided it is satisfied with the report of the public prosecutor indicating progress in the probe and finds other specific reasons, the Madras High Court has said.

A division bench comprising justices M. Jaichandren and S. Baskaran passed the orders while dismissing a habeas corpus plea on Thursday seeking a direction to authorities to produce Rishwan Sheriff, a remand prisoner, and contending that on the expiry of 90 days, the magistrate did not have jurisdiction to deal with the matter.

"Section 43-D of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, does not exclude the jurisdiction of the magistrate from exercising the remand extension power beyond 90 days. However, the said power can be exercised up to 180 days," the court said.

"In fact Clause(2) of Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 states that the magistrate to whom an accused person is forwarded under the said section may whether he has or has no jurisdiction to try the case, authorize detention of the accused in custody from time to time as he thinks it fit."



"The proviso to the said section makes it clear that the magistrate may authorize the detention of the accused person beyond the prescribed period if he is satisfied that adequate grounds exist for doing so. As such it is clear that necessary procedures had been followed by the magistrate concerned in extending the remand of the detenu in question," the court said.

The detenu was arrested on March 16, 2016. He was remanded in judicial custody by XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet. The custody was extended from time to time.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the extension of remand from March 16 to July 15 was arbitrary, illegal and contrary to relevant provisions of the law.

The counsel further submitted that on the expiry of 90 days the magistrate did not have jurisdiction to deal with the matter.

Public Prosecutor Rajarathinam submitted that power of extending the remand was vested with the magistrate concerned under provisions of Section 43-D of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and Sections 16 and 22 of the National Investigating Agency Act, 2008.

Accepting the contention that the magistrate had power to extend the remand beyond 90 days under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the bench said, "In the present case we are clear that there has been no breach of the procedures followed by the magistrate in extending the remand period of the detenu" and dismissed the plea filed by the detenu's wife.

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Maharashtra government has formed a taskforce to review and coordinate the ongoing probe into Rs 5600-crore National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) scam in which 13,000 investors lost their money.

The taskforce will be headed by Sales Tax Commissioner Rajiv Jalota, while state Excise Commissioner V Radha and Joint Police Commissioner (EOW) Pravin Salunkhe will be members of this team, a government resolution issued in this regard said.

Additional Commissioner of Police (crime) K M M Prasanna is "invitee" on the taskforce. Similarly, legal officer in Mumbai police commissionerate is also part of the team to provide legal advice from time-to-time, says the GR. The probe into the financial fraud is headed by DCP Jaykumar of the economic offences wing (EOW).

A Home Department official said the state government's decision to set up the taskforce is to coordinate between the probe team and the special team of secretaries in the Union Finance Ministry overseeing the investigations into the scam.

The taskforce will meet every fortnight in the first three months and later every month. It has been entrusted the task of preparing an action plan on protecting investors interests and how their money can be returned to them.

The force will report to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and submit details of the meetings. Joint CP (EOW) will be the nodal officer to coordinate between the state government and the central agencies like Sebi, Enforcement Directorate.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said his government would share 50 per cent cost of the proposed Kalyan-Murbad-Ahmednagar rail link.

Referring to the demand by earlier speakers relating to the long pending issue of the rail connectivity to Murbad, Fadnavis said he would meet Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in this regard.

"Let the cost be anything, the state government would share 50 per cent of the burden," he declared.

The Chief Minister also said Prabhu and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who were from Maharashtra had a soft corner for the state and they always had a positive approach towards the needs of the state.

He speaking at an event at Murbad in the district.

Fadnavis also inaugurated the new administrative building of the Murbad tehasil office.

Fadnavis appealed to people to support the Prime Minister on demonetisation.

"This is like world war and its benefits can be reaped for the next 50 years," he added.

He also said the collection in the banks by way of deposit of demonetised currency notes would go to the 'Garib Kalyan Kosh' to be utilised for the public welfare.

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TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not against demonetisation per se, but the way it is being implemented, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said today.

"I praise Mamata Banerjee because she is very simple and stays in a cottage and wears hawai chappals. I think she is not opposed to the demonetisation move per se. But I feel she is not happy the way it was implemented," he said at the Infocom seminar here.

Banerjee has been most vocal among opposition parties against demonetisation and held protest meetings in Delhi, Patna and Luckhow.

The Yoga guru-cum-entrepreneur said, "I had planted the seeds of demonetisation. I continued the movement from 2009 to 2014 and asked the government to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes as it was the root cause of corruption, black money, terror and militant funding".

Now with demonetisation, black money generation, corruption and terror funding had stopped totally, he claimed.

"The common people is getting inconvenienced due to cash crisis. But none is complaining against this," he said.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the move, Ramdev sarcastically said former PM Manmohan Singh, who had never spoken a word on any issue, had actually spoken now on the issue.

"This is the effect of demonetisation you see," he quipped.

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A man has been apprehended with Rs 9 lakh in scrapped Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes at a Delhi Metro station here, officials said today.

CISF officials detected an unattended bag at the baggage checking X-ray machine at Kirti Nagar Metro station here at around 4:30 PM yesterday, they said.

After scanning the bag against possible bomb threat, Rs 9 lakh in demonetised currency notes was recovered from it. A few minutes later, a man identified, as R R Marwah, came to claim the bag, saying he forgot it at the scanner, they said.

"Initially, he told CISF personnel and Metro staff that he works with the Income Tax department. As he kept changing his statements, his wife was called in and she said that the cash was to be used for a pending court matter of Marwah's sister," officials said.

The case has been handed over to Delhi Police which is further probing the incident, they added.

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Hundreds of thousands of protestors gathered in Seoul for the sixth-straight week today to demand the ouster of scandal-hit President Park Geun-Hye ahead of an impeachment vote in parliament.

The latest in a series of massive anti-Park demonstrations in the South Korean capital came just hours after opposition parties filed an impeachment motion that will be put to a vote by MPs yesterday.

Whether the motion is adopted or not, Park is firmly on course to become the first democratically-elected South Korean president not to complete a full, five-year term.

The 64-year-old stands accused of colluding with an old friend who has been formally indicted for attempted fraud and abuse of power.

The only real questions that remain are precisely when she will go, and whether she will step down or be removed.

The protestors who have taken to the streets in their millions in recent weeks want her out immediately, but the political establishment is struggling to find a similar unity of purpose.

The impeachment motion introduced in the early hours of Saturday morning carried 171 signatures -- accounting for every legislator from the three opposition parties and independents.

In order to secure the two-thirds majority required for impeachment in the 300-seat national assembly, it will need the support of more than two-dozen lawmakers from Park's ruling Saenuri Party.

Just a week ago, the backing of enough Saenuri rebels had seemed assured, but a rather confused resignation offer by Park on Tuesday strengthened the hand of her loyalists who insist she be allowed to step down voluntarily.

The party has now proposed she resign in April -- a timeline it justifies as more conducive to a calm and steady preparation for an early presidential election.

Observers say the Saenuri rebels are likely to fall in line with the proposal and vote against the motion on Friday -- much to the opposition's annoyance.

"If the motion fails to pass due to a lack of cooperation from the ruling party, it must take responsibility for all the consequences", the main opposition Democratic Party's floor leader Woo Sang-Ho said.

The prospect of an April departure for Park will do little to assuage the widespread public anger that has driven the mass protests in Seoul and other cities.

"Park is lying when she said she would step down voluntarily. Impeachment is the only option left for stripping her of the office," said Goh Du-Hwan, a 45-year-old accountant.

Goh was among hundreds of activists who gathered for an early protest outside the Saenuri Party headquarters ahead of Saturday's mass rally.

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Citing increase in input tax, the city's sole gas supplier Mahanagar Gas (MGL) has hiked CNG and domestic PNG prices by Rs 0.85/kg and Rs 0.50 per SCM respectively from tonight.

Accordingly, revised CNG price will be Rs 40.82/kg and base slab 1 domestic PNG price will be Rs 24.42/SCM in the city and its suburbs, the company said in a statement.

The company also said there is an increase of Rs 0.50/SCM in slab 2 of domestic PNG prices.

The new prices will be effective in the municipalities adjoining the megapolis after factoring in implications of local municipal octroi/LBT and cess rates.

Revised prices in the suburbs will be in the range of Rs 40.82/kg to Rs41.58/kg for CNG and Rs 24.42/SCM to Rs 24.63/SCM (base slab 1) for PNG.

*******



Top firms throng IIT-Bombay for placements * Top notch companies, including PSUs and consulting firms, thronged IIT-Bombay campus on Day-1 of placements yesterday.

Recruiters included Goldman Sachs, ONGC, Texas Instruments, Microsoft, GE, Airbus, Cairn India, NEC Japan, Murata Group of Japan, Qualcomm, Schlumberger Asia, Tata Steel and Xerox Research Center, the premier institute said in a statement.

IIT-Bombay saw over 150 offers with the participation of over 32 companies on the first day of placements. Among this, more than 20 are international offers.

The placement season will last till December 17 and by then, about 225 companies would have visited the campus.

IIT-B said startups' participation is low compared to previous years, though Paytm, Ola Cabs and Uber have confirmed their participation.

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Mizoram government and the Manipur-based militant outfit, Hmar People's Convention (Democratic), would hold the third round of peace talks by mid-December, a state home department official today said.

The exact date would be finalised in a meeting on Monday, Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama, who headed the state government delegation in the previous rounds of meeting, told PTI.

Earlier, rounds of talks were held in cordial atmosphere with both the sides being optimistic about the outcome of the parleys.

Several grounds have been covered during the previous rounds when according higher autonomy and power to the Sinlung Hill Development Council (SHDC) was deliberated, he said.

The SHDC was established in the north eastern part of the state adjoining Manipur where a large number of Hmar community people are living in a compact area, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement between the state government and the erstwhile underground HPC in 1994.

The HPC (D) was formed after the surrender of the HPC cadres to the authorities, by some leaders who were not satisfied with the terms of the agreement and continued to demand a separate autonomous district council under the Sixth schedule of the Constitution.

The six-member HPC (D) delegation led by Lalthalien said that the outfit dropped the demand for a separate autonomous district council.

The first round of talks was held in Aizawl on August 10 and the second round on October five.

The peace talks in 2013 were derailed by disagreement on the period of extension of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) after which a spate of violence was experienced in the state resulting in the deaths of three policemen and one Hmar militant.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will reach here this evening to take part in the annual conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.

They are also likely to hold bilateral talks to strengthen India-Afghanistan ties, an official said here.

They are also scheduled to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, the official said.

Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which is being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference. Aziz will return on the same day.

With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the ministerial conference. He is reaching here on Sunday.

To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at a heritage village, named 'Sadda Pind' or 'our village', located on the outskirts of this holy city.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

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Morocco has arrested eight men with alleged ties to the Islamic State jihadist group active in the cities of Fez and Tangiers, the interior ministry has said.

A rifle, ammunition "and documents inciting towards jihad" were seized during the operation on Thursday, it said in a statement yesterday.

An initial investigation pointed towards the men having ties with IS in Syria and Iraq, "recruiting and sending Moroccan volunteers" there.

A study by the US-based Soufan Group said last December that at least 1,200 Moroccans had travelled to fight alongside IS in Iraq and Syria in the previous 18 months.

In 2011, a cafe bombing killed 17 people, mostly foreign tourists, in the central city of Marrakesh.

It was the deadliest attack in Morocco since Casablanca blasts in 2003 that killed 45 people, including 12 suicide bombers, and were claimed by Islamic militants.

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Mumbai Congress today sought an inquiry into the allegations made by Shiv Sena that it's ally BJP had won the first phase of municipal polls in Maharashtra using demonetised currency.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who led a delegation to meet State Election Commissioner (SEC) J S Saharia here, told reporters that Sena's allegations in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana' were of serious nature since the party is a coalition partner in the state government.

"Uddhav Thackeray is the editor of the newspaper which carried the editorial. We have demanded that notices be issued to Thackeray seeking information regarding the allegation and action be taken against the guilty," Nirupam said.

He alleged that the government was going slow on probe against Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh who is in the eye of storm after recovery of Rs 91 lakh from his Lok Mangal Multi-State Credit Society vehicle.

"Probe into the case has been handed over to a junior officer in the department held by the minister. The probe is a farce," Nirupam charged.

The Election Commission should have ordered a high-level probe to ascertain whether the money was to be used for election purpose, he said, adding, "We have expressed our disappointment with Saharia that cognizance was not taken in this case."



Nirupam also raised the issue of poll code violation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during election campaign for first phase of municipal polls.

"The CM made two statements during the campaign that those who oppose demonetisation were against the country and also made an announcement that Cidco will purchase land belonging to defunct Pen Urban Cooperative Bank holders. Both these statements were in violation of the code of conduct," he claimed.

Asked about response of the SEC, Nirupam said, "Saharia has informed that the Commission would look into the matter and take action accordingly.

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Former Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the recent Nagrota attack is as "shameful" as the 2008 Mumbai carnage and has "disproved" the belief that surgical strikes can end cross-border terrorism.

Speaking at the launch of former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon's book, titled "Choices:Inside the making of India's foreign policy', Chidambaram said there was no "unified command" at the level of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

"What happened at Nagrota is just as shameful as what happened in Mumbai. The cross-border, cross-LoC action will not prevent Pakistan-based terrorist groups from attacking Indian installations and camps," he said last night.

"The strikes restore balance at the border. It sends a signal to Pakistan that if you can do it we can do it. But to imagine that surgical strike will put an end to cross-border action, that has been disproved by what has happened in Nagrota," he said.

He claimed that there was "no coherence" at the level of MHA and attributed it to discontinuation of a "good practice".

"I think the practice of having a Home Minister, home secretary, the special secretary, the DIB, the director RAW and NSA meet every day was a good practice. The practice has stopped. That is why there is no coherence, no coordination, no unified command at the level of home affairs," he said.

Noting that engaging Pakistan is the "only answer" that India has, Chidambaram said the present government started at one extreme and has now swung to another extreme.

"The first extreme was over-enthusiasm and the second is their own making. Eventually you have to live with your neighbours. The only answer is to engage Pakistan through trade, cultural exchanges or people to people exchanges," he said.

About surgical strikes, Chidambaram said the ownership should have been left to the army.

"First, the ownership should have been left to the army like we have in the past. Second, we should not make statements like 'Pakistan called us yesterday and begged us to stop' or make statements like 'I will gouge their eyes'. These statements make us a laughing stock.

"Our cross-border strikes do not deter Pakistan sufficiently. There are other options that can be explored. Going public about surgical strikes limits your options," he said at the launch which was also attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He said though India's response to 26/11 attacks was "extremely poor", it gained "enormously" by choosing not to retaliate militarily.

(REOPENS DEL9)



"Our capacity to respond was extremely poor. It took us three to four days to clear three to four terrorists holed up in a hotel. Retaliation was not an option. Neither desirable nor feasible at that point of time.

"India gained enormously by not retaliating. By the time the UPA stepped down, Pakistan had been virtually isolated... What we now witness are daring attacks on Army camps... One must measure the efficacy of a policy by its outcomes. The ceasefire along the LoC did produce an outcome," Chidambaram said.

About the deteriorating security situation in Kashmir, he said his government's policies brought several years of "relative peace and tranquillity" in the Valley, but "all that lie shattered today".

"Origin of this decline is the completely unethical, unacceptable coalition between two parties that were bitterly opposed to each other. That is the greatest provocation in the Valley. As long as that unethical combination remains, I can't see any way forward in Kashmir," he said.
As part of the Navy Day celebrations, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) organised a Navy Symphonic Band Concert with its team of 36 skilled musician sailors at city-based Samudrika Auditorium today.

Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao was the Chief Guest for the event.

The one hour performance included martial music and popular patriotic songs in addition to medley of other flavours and popular evergreen of Hindi, Telugu and English, a Naval release said.

Other genres covered during the performance included carnatic fusion and soul stirring patriotic song "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" in keeping with the present global scenario, it added.

The ENC Band was commissioned as the Naval Band of INS Circars in the early 50s with 26 men. The band has emerged as a 50 piece Symphonic band today with a vision to develop further, said the release.

Apart from enthralling the audience at Visakhapatnam and in all the major cities of the country, the Band has also enchanted audience overseas with its performances, it said.

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A group of Nepali student leaders from a sister organisation of the main opposition party CPN-UML today protested in front of the Indian embassy here, accusing the Prachanda government of making efforts to amend the Constitution under India's influence.

The students belonging to All Nepal National Free Students Union gathered at the embassy gate at Lainchaur to oppose India's alleged interference in Nepal's political affairs.

The protest comes after the coalition government led by Prachanda registered a motion last week to amend the Constitution to accommodate some of the key demands of the Madhesi parties, including citizenship issue and delineation of provincial boundary.

The students holding national flags raised slogans like "stop Indian conspiracy" and "expel Indian ambassador" during the protest, an eyewitness said.

Student leaders belonging to All Nepal National Free Students Union staged the protest and blamed India for "forcing" Nepal to amend the constitution, according to Mahesh Bartaula, Vice-president of the organisation.

The protest was held in the morning when some key Madhesi leaders of Nepal were invited at the embassy by Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae for a meeting to reportedly discuss the issue of Constitution amendment.

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The hearing in the infamous December 16 gangrape-cum-murder case in Supreme Court today saw a lawyer contending that the conviction of the accused was based on a wrong assumptions as the police had failed to show that there was a "conspiratorial relationship" among each one of them.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra heard the matter on Saturday, even though it was a holiday, and recorded the submission of Amicus Curiae and senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, who was appointed to assist the apex court in the case.

"Thus, what is to be considered in this case by this court is to ascertain the 'foreseeability' with regard to the offence of murder by all the accused in the course of their alleged plan of merry-making.

"The prosecution story lacks in evidence to show that the petitioners/accused were in conspiratorial relationship with each member, which would have made them to reasonably foresee the plan of merry-making turning into an offense of murder," Hegde submitted.

A 23-year-old paramedic, named by the media as Nirbhaya, was brutally assaulted and gangraped by six persons in a moving bus in South Delhi and thrown out of the vehicle with her male friend on the night of December 16, 2012. She had died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.

Hegde said there must be a meeting of minds resulting in the ultimate decision taken by conspirators regarding the commission of offence and the prosecution has to show that the circumstances give rise to a conclusive or irresistible inference of an agreement between two or more persons.

"A few bits here and a few bits there on which the prosecution relies, cannot be held to be adequate for connecting the accused with the commission of the crime of criminal conspiracy," he argued.

The senior lawyer further said the Delhi High Court did not go into the question of whether the prosecution has discharged its burden to prove the existence of a criminal conspiracy at all.

The apex court had appointed senior advocates Hegde and Raju Ramachandran as amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter.

While Ramachandran would assist the court in the appeals of convicts Mukesh and Pawan, Hegde would assist in appeals of other two convicts, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Kumar Singh.

Hegde said the trial court was correct in holding that



the accused had a common object of "merry making" which in the course led to the rape of the girl but no evidence suggested that there was a common object to murder the victims.

The senior advocate said the only evidence with regard to murder is that the victim's friend had stated in his testimony that he had heard one of the accused saying "mar gayee, mar gayee (she is dead, she is dead)".

"This can be read only as an ex-facto statement of fact that the girl has died. It cannot be read as exhortation to kill the girl," he said, adding that another evidence was that the accused tried to crush the victim and her friend under the wheels of bus.

"It is the prosecution's own case that the accused had first taken the victims to the back door of the bus. It was only when they were unable to open the backdoor that they threw the victims out of the front door.

"The same establishes the absence of a conspiracy to murder the victims by crushing them under the bus. If the same were the case, the victims would have been taken to the front gate in the first instant," Hegde said.

The senior advocate said the death of the victim has been attributed to internal injuries caused due to the insertion of the rod and the lack of evidence with respect to the common object to cause death of any of the victims or the prosecutrix, weakens the prosecution's case on conspiracy.

He said the ability of the police to arrest accused Vinay and Pawan, two days after the incident after being "mere pointed out" by another accused Ram Singh, arrested a day before, "does not inspire confidence".

The hearing remained inconclusive and the bench posted the matter for December 5.

On April 4, the court had commenced final arguments on the plea of Mukesh and Pawan.

The four convicts in the case had approached the apex court against Delhi High Court's March 13, 2014 verdict which had observed that their offence fell in the rarest of rare category and upheld the death sentence awarded to them by the trial court.

The prime accused, Ram Singh, was found dead in a cell in Tihar Jail in March 2013 and proceedings against him were abated.

On August 31, 2013, another accused, a juvenile at the time of the crime, was convicted and sentenced to three years in a reformation home. He was released from observation home in December last year.
The GST Council today failed to reach consensus on the contentious issue of dual control and will meet again on December 11 and 12 to hammer out the differences.

"There is no consensus... We were not able to arrive at a consensus regarding the cross empowerment model. Therefore, the GST laws could not be completed. No compensation law is taken up, but formula has arrived and we will rediscuss them," Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac told reporters here after the two-day meeting.

The next meeting of the Council, according to an official, will be on December 11 and 12.

The fifth meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state finance ministers, ended today.

The Centre intends to implement GST from April 1 next year. Due to Constitutional compulsion, the GST has to be rolled out by September 16, 2017, as the existing indirect taxes will come to an end and it would not be possible for either the Centre or states to collect the taxes.

The GST Council is supposed to finalise the model GST, Integrated GST (IGST) and compensation laws.

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As part of intensifying its agitation against the demonetisation policy of the Centre, opposition Congress in Kerala will picket Central government offices in the state on December 5.

Announcing the party's protest plan, KPCC president V M Sudheeran today said people from all walks of life including farmers, vendors, labourers, government employees and pensioners were suffering due to the withdrawing of high denomination currencies of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500.

"The Centre is doing nothing to resolve the present crisis. It has triggered wide protest among people across the country. There had been no instance in independent India that the government itself was pushing people into such a misery," Sudheeran said here in a statement.

"As part of our agitation against the Centre, which failed in addressing people's concerns, Congressworkers will picket select government offices in the state on December five," he said.

He also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation policy was for "political gains and it had ruined the life of commoners."



Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government for not taking "adequate precautionary measures" to avoid the cash crunch in treasuries, where people had to wait in queues for many hours in the last two days to get their pension and salaries.

"The states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have taken enough steps to avoid crisis during the distribution of salary. But, our state government failed in this," he told reporters here.

Taking a dig at state Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac, who visited some treasures here to take stock of the situation, Chennithala said he should stop his "road show" in treasuries.

The leader also urged the state government to announce a relief package to resolve the present crisis.

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Outgoing US President Barack Obama has said that the United Nations is a "linchpin" of the post-World War II order as he met the UN Secretary-General- designate Antonio Guterres at the White House here.

"From the perspective of the United States, the UN is a critical partner in almost everything that we do," Obama told reporters as he met Guterres at the Oval Office yesterday.

"It is a linchpin of the post-World War II order, and through Democratic and Republican administrations, our partnership with the United Nations has allowed us to help resolve conflicts, to provide development assistance where it's sorely needed, to tackle big transnational challenges like refugee flows or, more recently, like climate change," Obama said.

"At a time when those challenges are mounting and there's great uncertainty around the world, having an effective partner in the United Nations Secretary General will be critically important," he said welcoming Guterres.

Obama said he has emphasised to current Secretary General Ban Ki-moon how important the US considers the UN but also how important it is, to make sure that the UN operates efficiently, that money is well-spent.

"We live in a dangerous world. We are all aware of that. We have seen a multiplication of conflicts. Old conflicts seem never to die," Guterres said, adding that it is true the international community has lost a lot of its capacity to prevent and to solve conflicts.

"On the other hand, the globalisation that has been an extremely important driver of economic growth, the reduction of poverty in many parts of the world has also left people behind. This has been the cause of unrest and instability in many parts of the world," he said.

"The human rights agenda that is so dear to us all, we also see many difficulties in relation to it, when national sovereignty sometimes tends to make it difficult for human rights to be effective and to be promoted," he said.

The UN Secretary-General designate said that in all areas the leadership of the United States is absolutely crucial.

"And in all these areas, I believe that we need a UN that is more effective, more cost-effective, more able to serve the people with a very strong reform-minded approach," he said.

"The US has always been a driver for reforming the UN, and I'm deeply committed to pursue that objective to make sure that the UN can be a positive partner in the efforts that the US is leading," Guterres said.

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Odisha government has filed an original suit in the Supreme Court seeking injunction on Chhattishgarh's act of continuing with construction of projects on the upstream of river Mahanadi, the Assembly was informed today.

"The state government has filed an original suit in the Hon'ble Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution on December 2 seeking an injunction on the state of Chhattishgarh from continuing with construction of ongoing projects and from taking up future projects," Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in the Assembly in a statement.

He said Odisha government has claimed, as a part of its equitable share of a minimum flow of 12.28 million acre feet of Mahanadi water at Hirakud Dam, as per the DPR of Hirakud project of 1947 and a further utilisation of 3.67 million acre feet in the surplus flows.

Noting that Mahanadi is the lifeline of Odisha and its people, the food bowl of the state as well as the ecological hotspots in the delta region, Patnaik said the 'illegal actions' of Chhattishgarh government in unilaterally planning and constructing projects and barrages in the upper catchment of Mahanadi would spell socio-economic and ecological hazard to the state and its inhabitants.

He said the state government has also filed a statutory complaint before the Central Government on November 22 under provisions of the Inter State Water Disputes Act of 1956 for constitution of an Inter State Tribunal to adjudicate the disputes arising from unilaterally planned utilisation of 27.48 million acre feet of Mahanadi water by Chhattishgarh as against a total availability of minimum flow in the river of 20.61 million acre feet only.

Patnaik said, "My government will take all out efforts to protect the interests of the people of our state" and thanked those who gave suggestions to the government on Mahanadi issue.

Leader of the Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress, however, alleged that the steps taken by the state government was intended to mislead the people ahead of the panchayat polls.

"The Chief Minister himself in a reply in the Assembly way back in 2010 has said that projects on upstream of Mahanadi would not affect Odisha. Now, if tribal people ask this question, what reply the state has?, Mishra asked.

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Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over its diplomats in the High Commission here allegedly not being allowed to withdraw their salaries, which is paid in US dollars, by the bank.

Asserting that not allowing its officials to withdraw their salaries was in breach of Vienna Protocol, Pakistan has also threatened that in case the matter is not resolved soon, it may consider retaliatory action against salary disbursal for Indian diplomats there.

RBL Bank, an Indian private bank, holds the salary account of the Pakistan High Commission staff.

"We are not allowed to withdraw our own salary. It is not a demonetization issue. It appears that it is done more at the instructions of the Indian government," a senior Pakistan High Commission said.

While there was no official reaction to Pakistan's protest from Indian side, officials here maintained that the matter is between the bank and the depositor and government has no role to play.

Diplomats can draw their tax free salaries in dollars and only have to give reason for the withdrawal beyond USD 5,000.

According to Pakistan High Commission officials, they are not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and have been asked for 'letters of purpose' for withdrawal of any dollar amount.

Incidentally, demonetization has led to a sharp spike in demand for dollars and other foreign currency, making it scarce.

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A 68-year-old Pakistani citizen has been arrested for attempting to import heroin into the United States with an aim to establish an international narcotics smuggling empire.

Shahbaz Khan was taken into custody by Liberian authorities on December 1 and brought to the United States. He was presented before United States Magistrate Judge James Cott yesterday, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara said.

Bharara said Khan allegedly had "designs on establishing an international narcotics smuggling empire" and sought to arrange for five kilos of pure heroin to be imported to New York from Asia, promising to supply hundreds of kilograms more.

Between August and October 2016, Khan participated in a series of telephone calls and in-person meetings in countries in Southwest Asia with undercover law enforcement officials who he believed were heroin traffickers interested in purchasing kilogram quantities of heroin for importing into the US.

Khan agreed to supply hundreds of kilograms of heroin from Southwest Asia, saying he could send heroin to the US, Canada, and "anywhere else in the world", and that he was able to send the narcotics by plane or ship.

In late September, Khan traveled to a country in Southwest Asia where he met with the undercover officers and agreed to provide an initial shipment of five kilograms of heroin. He said once the five kilograms of heroin successfully arrived in New York City, he would begin supplying larger quantities of heroin on a regular basis.

If convicted, Khan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

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An elderly Mumbai-based couple, whose son is lodged in a Pakistani prison despite having completed his jail term, is seeking justice from visiting Pakistani Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for his release.

They are camping in this holy city, bordering Pakistan, where Aziz is visiting to participate in the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process tomorrow.

Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries are attending the summit that will also see the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.

"We are here just to get justice for our son who is imprisoned in a Peshawar jail," Fauzia Ansari, mother of 32-year-old Hamid Ansari, said.

The couple, who has two children, including Hamid, said he was sentenced to three years in prison and his term ended one year ago.

Fauzia, along with her husband Nehal, has been carrying a placards to display outside the venue of two-day Heart of Asia conference.

She said she had earlier sent a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for Hamid's release but in the absence of any reply from his office, she had no option but to stand near the venue of the conference and display placards.

Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012 from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistani girl he had been in touch with through e-mails.

There was no whereabouts of him after November 10.

The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years' imprisonment.

Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court seeking release of her son after the completion of his jail term. The petition was dismissed as the court had observed that the army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.

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A Jet Airways flight from the city to Bhopal had a "near-hijack type" situation after a technical glitch resulted in the airline's ticketing system allowing booking beyond the capacity, with a family booking 80 tickets in bulk.

The plane was delayed for more than two hours at the city airport as irate passengers got into a verbal duel with each other as well as the airline staff, and did not allow the flight to takeoff.

The issue took place on Jet flight (9W 7083) to Bhopal yesterday.

The matter was finally resolved after the overbooked passengers (a large family headed for a wedding in Bhopal) were denied boarding and the airline compensating them.

A statement from Jet said, "A technical glitch resulted in Jet flight 9W 7083 (S2 4621) BOM-BHO on December 2 being overbooked above the norm. This resulted in certain confirmed guests on the flight being denied boarding.

"The offloaded guests - part of a larger group refused to accept our compensation/ re-accommodation on alternative flights, and together with other members of the group, proceeded to hold the flight for 90 minutes, resulting in some confirmed guests being denied boarding," it said.

The airline said subsequently all the offloaded guests were duly compensated as per DGCA guidelines, and the technical glitch identified and corrected for subsequent bookings.

A video posted by a passenger shows the fliers shouting at each other, especially the group of family, and also at the staff for not calling in the security. The wedding group had apparently blocked the aircraft doors to prevent it from shutting.

A passenger claimed that a few members of the marriage party even tried to bribe the cabin crew to make some other passengers de-board, so that their family members could fly.

Media reports said the family concerned was connected to a powerful state minister.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be informed about Dhasai, the first cashless village in Maharashtra at a meeting on Tuesday with the MPs, Bhiwandi MP Kapil Patil said today.

"Prime Minister on Tuesdays meets MPs (in New Delhi). In that meeting, I will inform him about Dhasai, the village in Murbad tehsil of Thane district, going cashless," said the Lok Sabha member.

The BJP MP made these remarks at an official function in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis also lauded the fact that the village Dhasai in Murbad had gone cashless and wanted other villages in the state to follow suit.

Amid the Centre's push for digital transaction, Dhasai village in Thane district has become the first "cashless village" in Maharashtra, state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had said.

All payments in the village are being done through plastic money. Traders, vegetable and fruit vendors and others providing goods and services in Dhasai are using swipe machines for cashless transactions.

Dhasai, around 70 km from Mumbai, has a population of around 10,000. Around 60 nearby small villages depend on Dhasai for trade and their daily needs.

The initiative to make this village cashless was taken by Bank of Baroda in collaboration with NGO Veer Savarkar Pratishthan. The NGO trained the villagers in using digital methods of transactions, the minister had said.

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A gang of five persons, who fraudulently withdrew money from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) here was busted by police. More than 100 ATM cards have been recovered from the gang, police said.

Explaining the modus operandi of the gang, district rural police inspector, Madhurash Pachouri, said, prime accused Rahul Sharma, whose mother is a postwoman, colluded with Mani Rai, a peon working with Madhyanchal Rural Bank and withdrew money from the ATM cards of the bank's customers.

Others who helped the prime accused have been identified as Vipin Balmiki, Gajendra Balmiki and Praduman Balmiki who were involved in withdrawing money from the ATMs of the rural bank with Sharma and Rai.

"We are thoroughly interrogating the five accused and further investigations in the case are on," he said.

The inspector said, that police were on a look out for the gang after one Gyan Prasad Ahirwar lodged a complaint that somebody withdrew Rs 90,000 using his ATM card of Madhyanchal Rural Bank.

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Emphasising the need for providing employment opportunities to differently-abled individuals, President Pranab Mukherjee today asked public and private sectors to be active partners for economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.

"...Employment is a vital factor in economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. Vacancies have been reserved for such applicants in government ministries and establishments. Both public and private sectors should be active partners in this endeavour," he said.

Speaking during National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) function, he said collective effort should be made to ensure dignity and equality for "our brothers and sisters who are disabled".

The government's national plan for skill development will cover 25 lakh persons with disabilities by 2022 to enhance their employability, the President said adding, "Some more steps are needed for ensuring inclusive education for our disable brothers and sisters."



The President also complemented the financial institution which electronically transferred Rs 56 lakhs in the bank accounts of 61 awardees.

Appreciating the Accessible India campaign, Mukherjee said it is a good step in creating barrier-free access to public buildings and public transportation.

Similarly, information and communication technology has contributed in many ways to improving daily lives of persons with disability, he added.

"This supplements the government's efforts in distribution of modern aids and devices. Such initiatives not only encourage beneficiaries and strengthen their morale but also create a positive awareness," he added.

At the event Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot, and Minister of State in the same ministry Ramdas Athawale and Krishan Pal Gurjar were also present.

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Thousands of Opposition-backed protestors today staged demonstration outside Sri Lankan parliament, demanding the holding of local elections soon.

Supporters of joint opposition blocked traffic for several hours and attempted to move towards parliament complex, forcing police to use water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters.

The demonstrators led by loyalists of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa were demanding local government elections which were due last year, but postponed to devise a new electoral system.

The police were forced to close the road near Parliament as a result of the protest. However, the police later used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters, local media said.

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People in Mumbai and suburbs continued to queue up before banks and ATMs to withdraw cash even as the resumption of road toll after over a three-week gap on Saturday resulted in vehicles crawling near plazas, especially due to the weekend rush.

While several banks have limited cash withdrawal due to the shortage of currency in their chests, a number of ATMs are not in operation.

Queues were seen outside many banks and a limited number of ATMs which were dispensing cash, as people lined up to take out some money to meet their start-of-month commitments.

As toll booths resumed their operations from 12 am on Saturday long queues were seen on all the toll plazas, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, old highway between the two cities and Vashi toll booth on Sion-Panvel highway.

On November 9, a day after the Prime Minister announced scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, on highways was suspended considering the shortage of change, which would cause difficulties to commuters.

Although the toll booth operators claimed that adequate arrangements had been made for digital payment, the paucity of change and weekend rush led to long vehicular queues at the booths. Security arrangements, including the deployment of traffic police, has been made to clear the roads.

A motorist at Mulund toll booth, said, "First I stood in a long queue to withdraw cash from bank and ATMs and now I am waiting here in traffic queue to pay a toll."



Amin Sheikh, on a day-long trip out of the city, said, "The main concern is that Rs 2,000 note is not being accepted by anyone, including the toll collectors. They insisted on Rs 100 note, when I gave him new Rs 2,000 note. As I did not have Rs 100 note, I finally offered him Rs 500 note."



An employee at suburban Dahisar toll point said, "People are mostly giving Rs 2,000 note for Rs 35 toll payment, which is creating problems. Hope this situation ends when we issue electronic cards to people."



A spokesperson of IRB Infrastructure, which collects toll from 60 points across the country, said, "We have put in place system for digital payment, including installing credit card, debit card swipe facility to collect the toll at different points and lanes access the county."



"Apart from this, the PoS (Point of Sale), Paytm and MobiKwik facilities have also been arranged to collect the toll at different points and lanes access the county," he said.

The spokesperson for toll collector also said that they would soon install Electronic (ETC), a computerised system which is integrated with electronic equipment installed in the toll plazas.

(Reopens BOM6)



"It reads the radio frequency identification (RFID)



tag that is stuck on the vehicle's windscreen and opens the barrier to let the vehicle pass when it approaches the Plaza by deducting a certain amount," said the spokesperson.

Abhay Tiwari, who paid toll at Vashi booth, said, "It's good that digital facility is being set up here to collect the levy, but I feel that Rs 500 notes should continue to be accepted at toll booths until December 30. Government changing its decisions so frequently is not good for people."



As banks would be closed tomorrow, several people made a beeline to withdraw the cash at banks and ATMs.

"Banks would be closed tomorrow and I don't know whether the ATMs would be operational. I want at least Rs 10,000 today and I hope bank would not run out of money when my turn comes," Darshan Sampat from neighbouring Thane city said, while waiting in a queue outside the Bank of Baroda.

However, a Mumbai resident Saurabh Srivastava expressed satisfaction that his bank was allowing to withdraw full permissible limit of Rs 24,000.

"Standing in queue again, 3rd time in last 3 weeks. Thankfully they are allowing full 24K withdrawal," he tweeted.

Sushila Kothari, a homemaker from Parel area said, "Now it does not bother me anymore. Now I am used to standing in bank and ATM queues. But the government should have continued the facility of exchange the money.
Mahinda Rajapaksa today alleged that Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is leading a "police state", hours after security personnel used water cannon and tear gas on the former strongman's supporters who were protesting in favour of fresh elections.

The backers of former president Rajapaksa, whose nearly a decade-long regime was ended by Sirisena last year in January, gathered near Parliament to protest the government's continuous postponement of elections for over 300 local councils.

Police used water cannon and tear gas on Rajapaksa's supporters who were members of local councils near Parliament.

"The police attacked them when they protested calling for elections. They are creating a police state by doing so," Rajapaksa said.

The Joint Opposition raised a privilege issue in Parliament over the attack.

The government states that elections, postponed since 2015, would be held once the current delimitation process is complete but the Rajapaksa backers claim that Sirisena was scared of losing ground to them.

Several members of Sirisena's party recently floated a new political party to contest elections separately.

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Rich tributes were paid to the country's first President at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament House on his birth anniversary on Saturday.

Union Ministers Ananth Kumar, S S Ahluwalia and former Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson, Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha L K Advani, besides Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad paid floral tributes at Prasad's portrait.

Some present and former Members of Parliament were also among those who paid tributes to the departed leader.

A booklet containing the profile of Rajendra Prasad, brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, was presented to the dignitaries at the function.

Prasad was born on December 3, 1884.

The portrait of Prasad was unveiled by the then President of India, S Radhakrishnan, in the Central Hall of Parliament House on May 5, 1964.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today said ahead of a visit to Japan by President Vladimir Putin that the countries' leaders are pushing to end a territorial row dating back to World War II.

Relations between Moscow and Tokyo have been strained for decades over of the status of four Pacific islands near Japan's north coast, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan.

"The main area where our positions concur is the clear-cut political striving of our leaders for a mutually acceptable resolution," Lavrov said after talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Moscow.

Japanese President Shinzo Abe is due to meet Putin on December 15 in the city of Yamaguchi in western Japan with the aim of making progress on the territorial dispute. It will be Putin's first such visit since 2005.

"We have an interest in resolving this protracted problem," Lavrov said, while admitting: "it's clear that it's not simple to bring the two sides' positions closer."



Kishida said the talks were "meaningful, important and useful" ahead of a visit he called the most important event in the countries' relations this year.

The row dates from the end of World War II when Soviet troops seized the southernmost islands in an archipelago off the northeast coast of Hokkaido just after Japan surrendered.

The seven-decade dispute over the islands' ownership has kept Moscow and Tokyo from signing a post-war peace treaty and hindered trade and investment.

Russia prompted protests from Japan last month by deploying coastal missile systems to boost its military presence on the islands.

"On the question of the peace treaty, we would like to reach a result that would be welcomed by the people both of Japan and Russia," Kishida said in comments translated into Russian.

He said he wanted "energetic talks" to "finally resolve the sovereignty of the four islands in a mutually acceptable form and conclude a peace treaty."



Lavrov said the diplomats "expressed mutual readiness to try to move forward in resolving practical questions."



He said they agreed "to continue the line that our leaders agreed on the utmost all-round development of our relations in all spheres without exception.

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Vladimir Putin wants to make Russia great again. For that, he may need a hand from .

For the Russian president, relief from crippling sanctions is a gateway to the ultimate goal of establishing Russia as the political and economic equivalent of the United States.

And the US president-elect, who extolled Putin's leadership during the campaign and called for a tempered approach to US-Russia relations, may be a conduit to achieving that.

Despite Russia's denials that it tampered in the US election or even took sides, Trump's victory has been greeted as a win of sorts for Moscow, too, by members of Putin's own United Russia party.

"It turns out that United Russia won the elections in America," Viktor Nazarov, the governor of Omsk, Russia, declared in a radio interview.

Long before Trump was on the radar of American voters, Russia had deep interests in the outcome of elections around the world.

But 2016 presented a unique window.

Motivated by years of sanctions and decades of post-Soviet setbacks, the Russians were keen to pounce; the race for the White House, plagued by party infighting and scandal, was easy bait.

Putin "was seriously impacted by the sanctions because it targeted his closest friends and now they think Trump is going to change that," said Robert Amsterdam, an international attorney with Russian clients.

US intelligence agencies said in October they are confident that the Russian government hacked the e-mails of US citizens and institutions, including political organizations, and handed them over to DCLeaks.Com and WikiLeaks for distribution.

Hacked Democratic National Committee emails in July, indicating that DNC leaders were favoring Hillary Clinton over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primaries, prompted the resignation of chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

"Weaponizing information is really about who gets to write the truth, who gets to write the narrative and who benefits from that narrative -- and that is incredibly powerful," said Laura Galante, director of intelligence analysis at cybersecurity firm FireEye, Inc.

Russia has sought to put itself on an equal footing with the US since the collapse of the Soviet Union, extending its territory where it can, countering US military action and positioning itself as a rival to the world's biggest economy.
Amid soaring tensions, Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz arrived here tonight to attend the Heart of Asia conference with speculation rife on whether the two countries will have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conclave.

Aziz was earlier scheduled to arrive here tomorrow but came a day early for the conference. There was no clarity on whether there will be an Indo-Pak bilateral on the sidelines of the conference.

Interestingly, in a goodwill gesture, Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj extending his "sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery" from illness.

Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the Heart of Asia conference and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the Indian delegation at the ministerial deliberations.

Aziz, leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of the HoA, was received at the Amritsar airport by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit.

Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last year's Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start 'Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue' that was to cover all outstanding issues.

The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January.

Earlier this week, Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready.

India had already made it clear that it will never accept continuing cross border terrorism as the 'new normal' in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota.

India will step up drive to corner Pakistan diplomatically and is set to mobilise support for concrete action against state-sponsored terror at the two-day conference beginning here at this holy town tomorrow.

Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with "binding" commitment during the annual HoA conference, a platform set up in 2011 to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.
Select edible oil prices strengthened at the wholesale oil and oilseeds market during the week, driven by rising demand from vanaspati millers and retailers in view of ongoing wedding season against tight supplies.

However, non-edible oils held steady in thin trade.

Traders said besides rising demand from vanaspati millers and retailers to meet ongoing marriage season demand, tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions mainly kept select edible oil prices higher.

However, volume of business remained restricted on tight fund positions following the government's surprise move, banning 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes last month in a bid to flush out black money, they said.

In the national capital, palmolein (RBD) and palmolein (Kandla) advanced by Rs 50 each to Rs 5,900 and Rs 5,950 per quintal, respectively.

Soyabean refined mill delivery (Indore) and soyabean degum (Kandla) oils followed suit and traded higher by a similar margin to Rs 6,750 and Rs 6,450 per quintal.

Sesame mill delivery and cottonseed mill delivery (Haryana) oils too ended higher by Rs 100 and Rs 50 to Rs 8,200 and Rs 6,700 per quintal, respectively.

On the other hand, groundnut mill delivery (Gujarat) and mustard expeller (Dadri) oils moved in a narrow range in scattered deals and settled at previous week's levels of Rs 10,100 and Rs 8,700 per quintal.

In the non-edible section, castor and linseed oils after moving in a tight range in the absence of worthwhile activity from consuming industries, pegged at last levels of Rs 9,750-9,850 and Rs 9,900 per quintal.

Grains: Weak conditions persisted at the wholesale grains



market during the week as prices of wheat and other bold grains drifted further lower on adequate stocks position against considerable fall in offtake amid paucity of funds.

Traders said besides ample stocks position on improved supplies, reduced offtake by flour mills at prevailing levels mainly kept wheat prices lower.

Volume of business remained poor largely in the face of prevailing crash crunch in the market following the government banning 500 and 1,000 rupee notes last month in a bid to flush out black money.

Meanwhile, Indian flour mills have imported 17.2 lakh tonnes of wheat from Ukraine, Australia and France so far this crop year to meet domestic shortages.

In the national capital, wheat dara (for mills) and wheat (Desi) slipped to Rs 2,100-2,105 and Rs 2,750-3,250 from previous levels of Rs 2,200-2,205 and Rs 2,800-3,335 per quintal, respectively.

Atta chakki delivery followed suit and traded lower at Rs 2,115-2,120 from Rs 2,175-2,190 per 90 kg.

Atta flour mills, maida and sooji also eased to Rs 1,145-1,150, Rs 1,200-1,210 and Rs 1,270-1,275 as compared to last close of Rs 1,175-1,180, Rs 1,240-1,250 and Rs 1,300-1,310 per 50 kg, respectively in line with a wheat trend.

Other bold grains like bajra and maize too fell by Rs 60 each to Rs 1,470-1,475 and Rs 1,570-1,580 per quintal, respectively due to muted demand.

Pulses: Gram and kabli gram prices fell sharply by up to



Rs 1,000 per quintal at the wholesale pulses market during the week owing to slackened demand at prevailing levels against adequate stocks position on improved supplies amid paucity of funds.

Urad, arhar and moth also ended lower for want of support.

Marketmen said ample stocks position on increased supplies from producing regions amid government's measures to check rising prices, mainly kept pressure on gram, kabli gram and other pulses prices.

Meanwhile, the government has created 6.38 lakh tonnes of pulse buffer stock so far through domestic purchase and imports.

Besides, restricted activity due to prevailing cash crunch in the market following the government banning 500 and 1,000 rupee notes last month in a bid to flush out black money weighed on prices, they said.

In the national capital, gram, gramdal local and best quality suffered the most and tumbled to Rs 9,000-9,400, Rs 9,800-10,100 and Rs 10,200-10,300 against last close of Rs 10,000-10,200, Rs 10,800-11,100 and Rs 11,200-11,300 per quintal, respectively.

Kabli gram small variety followed suit and plunged to Rs 9,500-10,000 from previous level of Rs 9,800-10,200 per quintal.

Besan Shaktibhog and Rajdhani quoted lower at Rs 4,400 each instead of Rs 4,500 each per 35 kg bag.

Urad and its dal chilka moved down by Rs 200 each to Rs 6,700-7,700 and Rs 7,000-7,100 per quintal. Its dal best quality and dhoya traded lower by a similar margin to Rs 7,100-7,600 and Rs 7,500-7,800 per quintal.

Arhar and its dal dara variety fell by Rs 150 and Rs 200 to Rs 6,050 and Rs 7,900-9,700 per quintal, respectively.

Masoor small and bold softened to Rs 5,100-5300 and Rs 5,200-5,350 against last close of Rs 5,250-5,350 and Rs 5,300-5,400 per quintal. Its dal local and best quality lost Rs 100 each at Rs 5,600-6,100 and Rs 5,700-6,200 per quintal.

Moth drifted lower by Rs 200 to Rs 3,600-4,000 per quintal.

Sugar: Weak conditions remained unabated for the second



straight week at the wholesale sugar market in the national capital with prices falling further by up to Rs 100 per quintal on ample ready stocks following persistent supplies form mills against slackened buying by bulk consumers.

Marketmen said the sustained fall in sweetener prices was mostly attributed to mounting stocks in the market following steady inflow of supplies from mills amid scattered buying activity by bulk consumers due to cash crunch after the government banned 500 and 1,000 rupee notes last month to flush out black money.

Meanwhile, beginning of new month somewhat managed to cap notable fall in sweetener prices, they added.

In the price section, sugar ready M-30 and S-30 prices depicted a sharp fall of Rs 100 each to settle the week at Rs 3,750-3,900 and Rs 3,740-3,890 as compared to previous week's close of Rs 3,850-4,000 and Rs 3,840-3,990 per quintal.

Mill delivery M-30 and S-30 prices slipped by Rs 40 each to conclude the week at Rs 3,430-3,630 and Rs 3,420-3,620 per quintal.

In the millgate section, sugar Ramala and Nazibabad lost the most by Rs 50 each to Rs 3,430 and Rs 3,420, while Morna, Anupshaher and Baghpat dropped by Rs 40 each to Rs 3,440, Rs 3,430 and Rs 3,440 per quintal, respectively.

Sugar Simbholi and Asmoli declined by Rs 30 each to Rs 3,590 and Rs 3,580, meanwhile Mawana and Modinagar fell Rs 25 each to both ended at Rs 3,525 each per quintal.

Prices of Khatuli eased by Rs 20 at Rs 3,570 and Dorala, Dhampur and Sakoti shaded Rs 10 each at Rs 3,540, Rs 3,490 and Rs 3,500 per quintal, respectively.

Jaggery: In a lacklustre trading, prices after moving in



tight range in the absence of any worthwhile activity due to prevailing cash crunch, settled flat during the week at the wholesale gur (Jaggery) market in the national capital during the week under review.

On the other hand, Muzaffarnagar gur market depicted a slightly better trend with gur khurpa prices rising by Rs 100 per quintal on paucity of stocks, while Muradnagar gur market ended subdued with gur Pedi prices falling by Rs 50 per quintal on muted demand.

Marketmen said paucity of ready stocks particularly pushed up gur khurpa prices in Muzaffarnagar, while subdued demand kept pedi prices lower in Muradnagar.

In Delhi, gur Chakku, Dhayya, Pedi and Shakkar prices remained unmoved throughout the week at Rs 3,100-3,200, Rs 3,400-3,500, Rs 3,100-3,200 and Rs 3,500-3,600 per quintal, respectively.

At Muzaffarnagar, gur Khurpa prices were higher by Rs 100 to finish the week at Rs 2,700-2,750 per quintal.

Though, Laddoo and Chakku prices ended same on last week's closing levels of Rs 2,900-3,000 and Rs 2,750-3,000 per quintal.

Gur Raskat prices also closed unchanged at Rs 2,500-2,600 per quintal in restricted activity.

Coming to Muradnagar, gur pedi prices fell by Rs 50 to end the week at Rs 2,700-2,750, while Dhayya prices remained unaltered at Rs 2,850-2,900 per quintal.
Syria's army advanced overnight deeper into east Aleppo where it now controls more than half of the former rebel stronghold after a fierce assault that has sparked an international outcry.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled eastern neighbourhoods of the battered city since President Bashar al-Assad's regime began its latest offensive in mid-November.

Overnight, government troops and allied forces seized the district of Tariq al-Bab where heavy fighting had raged a day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said today.

The government has now recaptured around 60 percent of eastern parts of the city that the rebels overran in mid-2012, according to the Britain-based monitor.

The advance opens the road leading from the government- controlled west of the city to the international airport just outside Aleppo to the east, which is also held by the regime.

And it has prompted more civilians to flee, heading either further south into remaining rebel-held districts or crossing into government-held territory or areas under Kurdish control.

Assad's forces have made swift gains in east Aleppo, and its loss would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since the conflict started with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half the country's population has been displaced.

The government has trumpeted its advances, and state television today showed buses full of residents going from west Aleppo back to their homes in neighbourhoods retaken by the army.

More than 300 civilians have been killed in the government's assault on east Aleppo since November 15, according to the Observatory.

The monitor says nearly 65 civilians have been killed in the same period by rebel fire on government-held west Aleppo, including nine yesterday.

Rebels have struggled to hold back government ground forces, who have advanced backed by air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery fire.

Yesterday, they rolled back some regime gains in the Sheikh Saeed district on Aleppo's southeastern outskirts, but it was unclear how long they could hold that line.

Sheikh Saeed borders the last remaining parts of Aleppo still in rebel hands - a collection of densely populated residential neighbourhoods where thousands have sought refuge from advancing regime forces.

In preparation for street-by-street fighting in these districts, hundreds of fighters from Syria's elite Republican Guard and Fourth Division arrived in Aleppo yesterday, the Observatory said.

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A 17-year-old boy has been charged and held in connection with an attack on police by youths who threw molotov cocktails at officers, leaving two with severe burns, prosecutors said today.

The boy, who was arrested on Thursday, has been charged with "complicity in the attempted murder of persons of public authority," said Eric Lallement, the prosecutor from Evry, south of Paris.

The unnamed youth is the first to be charged over the October incident that led to angry wildcat protests by police over mounting attacks on officers.

On October 8, four officers were injured when a group of around 15 youths from a housing estate in the Paris suburb of Viry-Chatillon swarmed their cars and threw Molotov cocktails at them.

A 28-year-old male officer suffered very serious burns on his hands and body and is still in hospital, while his 39-year-old female partner was badly burned on the hands and face, police said.

Two other officers who were deployed as backup suffered minor injuries.

A second youth aged 15 was also arrested on Thursday suspected of having participated in making the Molotov cocktails.

Police are trying to identify the other participants in the attack using DNA found on objects at the scene as well as analysing video surveillance footage.

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A Pakistani man suspected of starting a devastating factory fire in Karachi four years ago that killed 255 people has been arrested in Bangkok, Thai police said today.

Abdul Rehman, 46, was detained at a hotel in the red light district Nana area of the capital on Friday evening, said Thailand's Interpol chief.

"Thai Interpol tracked this suspect following an arrest warrant sought by the Pakistani authorities," Major General Apichart Suriboonya told AFP.

"He will be repatriated as soon as Pakistan is ready," he added.

Apichart said Rehman was suspected of being part of a criminal gang that was extorting the owners of a Karachi garment factory.

The gang burned down the factory when the owners refused to pay seven million baht (USD 200,000), he said.

The fire at the Ali Enterprises factory in September 2012 was one of Pakistan's worst industrial disasters.

A judicial probe into the blaze was damning, pointing to a lack of emergency exits, poor safety training for workers, the packing in of machinery and the failure of government inspectors to spot any of these faults.

Initially the fire was believed to be an accident.

A murder case was registered against the factory owners, but it never came to trial.

Earlier this year police said they now believed an extortion gang was behind the blaze, naming Abdul Rehman as the suspect who allegedly lit the fire.

Much of the factory's garment output went to the German company KIK, who have paid out nearly two million dollars in compensation to the victims' families.

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Breaking decades of US diplomatic policy, President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and a discussed various issues, a move which could infuriate China.

"President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations," the presidential transition team said yesterday in a readout of the phone call.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties existing between Taiwan and the United States," it said.

Trump's conversation to Taiwanese President yesterday was among a series of talks he had with the leaders of Asian countries on phone before taking office.

"President-elect Trump congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," the readout said.

Trump also spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who congratulated him on his historic victory.

"The two men discussed the grave terrorism threats faced by both the countries and pledged to work more closely together in order to meet these growing threats," the transition team said.

In another phone call, President of Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte offered congratulatory wishes to Trump. In their conversation, they noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed they would continue to work closely on matters of shared interest and concerns.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also congratulated Trump on his remarkable election victory.

"The two men discussed the long history of good economic, political, and security relations between the United States and Singapore," the readout said.

The New York Times said the move by Trump is "a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China" even before Trump takes office.

He is believed to be the first President-elect or President to have spoken with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 when the US served its diplomatic ties with Taiwan after its recognition of China.

The Washington Post described this as a "breach of diplomatic protocol" with ramifications for Trump Administration's relationship with China.

"The telephone call is certain to incense China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. It is the first major sign of the unpredictability that Trump has vowed to bring to long-held US relations with the rest of the world," CNN said.

(REOPENS FGN2)



The Congress, however appeared to be bitterly divided.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) described it as a "foolish" call, while Republican lawmakers said this is a bold move.

The White House, which was unaware of the phone call till it happened asserted that this is unlikely to have an impact on long standing one-China policy of the United States.

"There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues.We remain firmly committed to our "one China" policy based on the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations," said Ned Price Spokesman of the National Security Council, White House.

"As President Obama has said, we are committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition for the incoming administration. Every President, regardless of party, has benefited from the expertise and counsel of State Department on matters like these," Price said.

"This (phone call) suggests that we are in for a really really bumpy road," said Senator Chris Murphy.

Senator Tom Cotton commended Trump for his conversation with Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan, he said is the only democracy on Chinese soil.

"I have met with President Tsai twice and I'm confident she expressed to the president-elect the same desire for closer relations with the United States," Cotton said.

Congressman Steve Chabot, Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, said he is pleased to hear that Trump has re-engaged Taiwan at the highest level.

"For too long, Taiwan has been subjected to the bully tactics of the People's Republic of China," he said.

Her is also a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.

"Donald Trump is either too incompetent to understand that his foolish phone call threatens our national security, or he's doing it deliberately because he reportedly wants to build hotels in Taiwan to pad his own pockets," said DNC spokesman Eric Walker, alleging that by doing so Trump is prioritising his personal fortune over the security interests of the nation.
In reference to Donald Trump's conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, an influential US Congressman has said that the President-elect is unlikely to push back against Pakistan after he takes office.

"I don't think anybody should have any doubt that will push back against Pakistan. He's been very clear about that," Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told CNN in an interview.

"In this case, you have a statement from a transcript that maybe was or wasn't said that I don't think necessarily shows how will be when he comes to being the President of the United States on these very important issues," he said when asked about his phone call with Sharif.

According to the Pakistan PMO, Trump called Sharif "a terrific guy" and said he is ready and "willing to play any role that you (Sharif) might want me to play".

"Trump has been criticised by many foreign policy analysts in the US. I think it's a little over the line to tell somebody. I will play whatever role you want me to play.

"Obviously, as the United States, we're proud of the fact that we're the leader of the free world. We're proud of these alliances we have, but we're also in the driver's seat in most of these alliances," Kinzinger said.

"We need to be because of our values and systems. So, I think if that actually was said, and again, I don't have anything besides what I have just seen reported. If that was actually said, it was probably a bridge too far," he said.

He also stressed that is really new at this.

"And I think as you kind of get your sea legs under you, as you learn about diplomacy and everything, maybe that changes. Maybe that tone changes," Kinzinger said in response to a question.
Two persons were killed and another person was injured when a motorcycle collided head-on with a truck near Mahrania village in Rohtas district of Bihar today.

Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Alok Ranjan said three youths identified as Guddu (24), Ameer (19) and Riyaz who were on a motorcycle lost control due to high speed and hit a truck coming from opposite direction near Mahrania village.

While two of them, Guddu and Ameer died on the spot, Riyaz received multiple injuries and was admitted in the sadar hospital, the SDPO said.

The driver of the truck managed to escape with the vehicle from the spot, the SDPO said.

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Britain's Supreme Court will Monday begin hearing the government's appeal against a ruling it must obtain parliamentary approval before triggering Brexit, in a constitutional showdown that has further inflamed political tensions.

The High Court dramatically ruled last month that Prime Minister Theresa May's government did not have the power to invoke Article 50 of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, the formal procedure for leaving the EU.

The judgement prompted fury amongst Brexit supporters who fear that lawmakers, who are overwhelmingly in favour of staying in the EU, may seek to delay or soften Britain's withdrawal.

They have warned of a potential "constitutional crisis" as the judges rule on the limits of executive power.

Following a heated and divisive campaign, Britons voted by 52 per cent to leave the EU in the June 23 referendum.

But the act legislating the vote did not make the result legally-binding, meaning either the government or parliament still has to pull the trigger.

In the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, all 11 Supreme Court judges will on Monday begin four days of appeal hearings, with a decision due in January.

Despite the complexity of the issues involved, they will be under pressure to make a swift ruling, as May has promised EU leaders she will invoke Article 50 by the end of March.

May argues that as head of the government she has constitutional authority over foreign affairs, including the right to withdraw from treaties, under so-called "royal prerogative" powers.

But the claimants in the case, led by investment fund manager Gina Miller, counter that Brexit would nullify some domestic laws and strip citizens of certain rights -- actions that only parliament can carry out.

The High Court ruling against the government was cheered by opponents of Brexit, who hope that pro-European lawmakers may be able to use a parliamentary vote to ease the terms of the divorce, for example by keeping Britain in the single market.

But the decision prompted personal attacks on the judges from members of May's Conservative party and in the eurosceptic media, with one tabloid calling them "Enemies of the People".

An added complication in next week's hearings will be the presence of representatives from the devolved Scottish and Welsh governments, who are expected to argue that Article 50 also needs to be approved by their devolved parliaments.

Such a ruling could derail May's timetable further and, given that Scottish lawmakers are opposed to leaving the EU, set up a stand-off between the nations.

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It's a scene straight out of Myanmar's dark past: a military offensive waged beyond world view that forces ethnic minority villagers from the smoldering ruins of their homes.

The US government, a key sponsor of Myanmar's democratic transition, says a security crackdown that has displaced tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims and left an unknown number dead risks radicalizing a downtrodden people and stoking religious tensions in Southeast Asia.

The military moved in after armed attacks by unknown assailants on police posts along the border with Bangladesh in October.

The attacks in Rakhine State were a possible sign that a small number of Rohingya were starting to fight back against persecution by majority Buddhists who view them as illegal immigrants although many have lived in Myanmar for generations.

The top US diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, is critical of the military's heavy-handed approach and says the escalation of violence risks inciting jihadist extremism in the country also known as Burma.

He is also calling on neighboring countries, such as Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, to resist the urge to stage protests that could further stir religious passions.

Assistant Secretary of State Russel told The Associated Press that, "if mishandled, Rakhine State could be infected and infested by jihadism which already plagues neighboring Bangladesh and other countries."



The plight of the Rohingya, once characterized by the UN as the world's most friendless people, has attracted the attention of Muslim extremists since a spike in intercommunal violence in Rakhine in 2012 that left hundreds dead and forced more than 100,000 into squalid camps.

The Somali-born student who launched a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University this week reportedly protested on his Facebook page about the killing of minority Muslims in Myanmar.

And last weekend, Indonesian authorities arrested two militants who were allegedly planning to attack the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta.

It has also raised hackles in the political mainstream. Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, facing domestic pressure over an investment fund scandal, is reportedly planning to attend a protest in his religiously moderate country this weekend condemning the military operation in Myanmar.

Daniel Sullivan at the advocacy group Refugees International said increasing numbers of Rohingya are fleeing across the land border to Bangladesh, and the spike in violence could set off another exodus by sea.

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A powerful Congressional committee will next week hold a hearing on restrictions imposed by the Indian government on an American NGO.

The announcement for a Congressional hearing by the House Foreign Relations Committee came the day Colorado-based Compassion International launched a national campaign against the Indian Government's decision which it alleged is preventing it from sending funds to its more than 500 local child development projects throughout the country.

"In three weeks, Compassion International - which provides critical tutoring, nutrition and medical services to children in India - could be shut down..." Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said.

"It is my hope that by bringing attention to this issue, 145,000 children will not be tragically denied services they desperately need. And then, relations between the two countries will be even stronger," said Royce, who is known as one of the best friends of India in the Congress.

He was one of the founders of the House Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and is its previous co-chairs.

Titled 'American Compassion in India: Government Obstacles', the House Foreign Affairs Committee has invited three experts for the hearing.

They are Stephen Oakley from Compassion International, John Sifton from Human Rights Watch and Irfan Nooruddin from Georgetown University.

"Since the start of its humanitarian work in India in 1968, more than a quarter-million Indian children and their families have benefited from Compassion's programmes," said Compassion president and CEO, Santiago Jimmy Mellado.

"Our desire to continue serving these children has led us to encourage our supporters to request the help of their congressional representatives. We want nothing more than to comply with Indian law and find favour in the eyes of those with the power to authorise our ongoing care to these children who are suffering in extreme poverty," Mellado said.

Earlier in the day, Compassion International launched a nationwide campaign to protect its holistic child development work in India, where the organisation has operated since 1968.

Due to recent changes to the Indian government's interpretation and application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Compassion has not been allowed to send funds to its more than 500 local child development projects throughout India, it said.

This change has directly impacted nearly 145,000 children registered in Compassion's program within the country, the NGO claimed.

The new rules required each of Compassion's 580 child development centers to submit an application to the Indian government by October 31, 2016, it said adding that 63 of Compassion's partners were denied FCRA approval.

"Despite repeated requests, the Indian government has not provided an explanation for these denials. Compassion made the difficult decision to end its partnership with the 63 centers, impacting more than 14,500 Compassion children in India," the media release said.

Compassion is also unable to fund any of the remaining partners that received FCRA approval, it said.

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US Ambassador to India Richard Verma today said the relation between India and the US was excellent now and hoped it would be stronger in future.

"Relation between India and USA is excellent now. Hope it would be stronger in future," Verma told reporters here.

He is here on a three-day visit yesterday.

He met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

"During his meeting with the Chief Minister, the US Ambassador discussed about regional connectivity with Bangladesh," a statement by the state government said.

Organised by the US Consulate, a regional summit would be held on regional connectivity in Kolkata from December 14, Verma said.

"We want connectivity and business grow between the north eastern states and its neighbours like Bangladesh, Myanmar etc," he said after watching the beating retreat at the Agartala-Akhaura check post at the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The retreat is organised by BSF and BGB.

Verma said that the north eastern region has a lot of potential and its resources should be properly tapped for prosperity.

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The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) will reach out to farmers to help them raise their income, its working president Pravin Togadia said today, voicing concern over their indebtedness and incidents of suicide.

"In the last two years, those farmers who were prosperous in this country have became poor and have been forced to take loan and commit suicide," Togadia told reporters after meeting agricultural scientists associated with Anand Agriculture University here.

"These farmers can be made prosperous again by increasing their income. An increase in the farmers' income by even 10 per cent will change their life," he said.

Togadia, met agricultural scientists from the varsity -- both teaching retired-- to discuss plans to help farmers become prosperous.

He said they discussed ideas by which a farmer's income can be increased one-and-a-half to two times, adding the VHP will begin a pan-India programme to meet farmers and share with them these ideas.

"I am here to discuss how we can take the proposals of agricultural scientists to 70-80 crore farmers across 6 lakh villages in the country," he said.

Togadia said the VHP will train farmers across Gujarat beginning the first fortnight of January.

"These farmers will be trained so that they could themselves practise (new techniques) and also teach farmers from 10-20 neighbouring villages. This will help these farmers increase their income using their own intelligence and hard work rather than by remaining dependent on a chief minister or prime minister," he said.

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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today lashed out at local newspaper for "fabricated and frivolous" series of reports about trafficking of girls in Sirmaur district of the state and sought an apology from the paper for "unethical" reporting.

His remarks came close on the heels of statements by BJP MLA Baldev Singh Tomar and senior Congress leader Harshvardhan who also condemned the vernacular newspaper for publishing defamatory and objectionable reports.

"The manner in which the vernacular paper is publishing fabricated and frivolous series of regarding alleged trafficking of girls of Shillai area of district Sirmaur is highly objectionable and defamatory and has hurt the sentiments of the people," he said.

Virbhadra said headlines like "Trafficking of girls in the name of marriage" was totally deceptive and the news has deeply hurt women, especially in Shillai and Transgiri areas.

The Chairperson of Women Commission visited the area and found no truth in the allegations and in fact some marriages have taken place in normal course over a period of time outside Himachal Pradesh and those involved in the conspiracy have no right to ask why the girls of the state, including those of Sirmour, were marrying outside the state, he said.

Meanwhile, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Shillai, Vikas Shukla, who got conducted the controversial survey of girls from Shillai and trans-Giri areasmarried outside the state, has been shifted to Arki, official sources said.

The residents of Shillai and Paonta areas today held protests outside SDM office against the Hindi daily.

They were demanding stringent action against the newspaper for "deliberately maligning the image of the residents of Shillai area and causing irreparable loss to the reputation of the daughters of the region."



In a memorandum submitted to the SDM, the protesters demanded that circulation of the paper be suspended in the area.

Similar protests were held in Paonta town also and people raised slogans against the paper and burnt the effigy of the editor.

When contacted, Shukla said a series of reports published by a Hindi daily has deeply hurt the sentiments of the residents of Shillai area and he has decided to summon the editor of the newspaper as per the legal provisions.

A statement issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Sirmour, B C Badalia, late this evening, also condemned the campaign 'Girls in Shillai area on sale'.

The allegations regarding 'sale of girls' and 'girls dropouts in Shillai area' made in the newspaper were examined by the district administration and it was found that all these allegations were false and there was no truth in them, he said.

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A war of words today erupted between West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after he disapproved of her remarks on the deployment of the Army at toll plazas, saying one should exercise caution while levelling allegations against a responsible organisation like the armed force.

"Every person should be careful while making allegations against a responsible organisation like the Army...Do not let down the Army. Do not defame the Army," Tripathi told reporters.

Banerjee hit back at the Governor, terming his statement as "unfortunate". She tweeted, "The Governor is speaking in the voice of the Central Government! He was not in the city for about 8 days (sic)".

"Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate," she said in a statement.

Trinamool Congress Secretary General and minister Partha Chatterjee later led an eight-member party delegation to Raj Bhavan. After meeting the Governor, he told media persons that "we asked him on what basis he made this remark".

The Governor told the delegation he said this on the basis of what he had been informed by the Army.

"No Governor should make such comment against any state government or Chief Minister. We never made any remarks on our Governor, but we are very sad to make this comment today.

"Perhaps he is representing a particular political party. Both the Centre and the Governor are playing this dirty game making Army their shield. This is most unfortunate," Chatterjee said.

The TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to Tripathi protesting "the Centre's role in the matter and the way the Army was being misused".

Unperturbed over the criticism by the Chief Minister and her party, the Governor said he stood by his statement and will do his duty.

"I stick to whatever I have said. Let them say whatever they feel. It does not affect me. I will do my duty. Army should not be politicised or criticised," he told PTI.

The presence of Army personnel at toll plazas had yesterday triggered a row with Banerjee questioning if it was an "Army coup", drawing a stinging condemnation from the Centre which said the remark showed her "political frustration".

Banerjee had claimed that the Army personnel were taking money from vehicles which they are not supposed to do.

The Army had rebutted her allegations that its personnel were deployed at toll plazas without informing the state government and were collecting money, saying the exercise was being carried out in coordination with Kolkata Police.

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Army would follow a revised pattern for recruiting soldiers in different categories through Army recruitment rallies under which only those candidates who qualify a written exam would be called for further tests, a senior officer said.

Maj Gen J K Marwal, officiating DG (Recruitment) Army Headquarters, said that the proposal was under consideration at the government-level.

It has been proposed that the written examination will be held first and qualified candidates would be called for further tests.

"This will be a major change in the recruitment process which will reduce administrative arrangements and requirements. It will be more convenient," he told reporters on the sidelines of an Army recruitment rally here.

He said that Jaipur, Ambala and Chennai Zones have been selected for the pilot project under the proposed system.

The written test is presently held after the candidate clears physical fitness test and medical tests.

Marwal said that the entire recruitment system is online which has no chances of any irregularities and candidates should also be aware of the fact that no one can help them in getting recruited in the Army except themselves.

He also interacted with the candidates who turned up in large number to participate in the recruitment rally at CISF ground in Amber area located on the outskirts of the city.

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With President Barack Obama and the India-friendly US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter about to demit office, their unswervingly pro-India defence policy is about to be enshrined into US legislation.
As part of its series of stories exposing cash mafias in the wake of the November 8 ban on high-denomination currency, India Today's special investigation team found several holy men and women rampantly black-marketing illicit wealth for hefty commissions.

At the Vaishno temple in Ghaziabad near Delhi, its revered head Radha Mata quickly activated hawala operators when the undercover reporters approached her for the swap of fictitious unaccounted money.

Radha Mata, who draws the faithful from as far as southern India, offered exchange of the outlawed notes from banks at half their original value of Rs 2.5 crore.



ALSO READ: 'Make in India' awardee arrested printing fake Rs 2,000 notes



"Son, that bank person will take 50 percent (commission) and will provide all services at your doorstep," she told India Today's reporter, who was posing as a holder of black money. "He'll give you new notes. You can also take a cheque."

Her shady network appeared to be transnational as she also suggested payments through international hawala channels.

"You'll get dollars wherever you want," claimed Radha Mata.

"Can they give the money to me in Dubai?" asked the reporter.

"Yes," she replied. "Take it in Dubai, Canada or England."

In no time, Radha Mata called in a broker, who arrived in a UP government car.

Surendra Sharma, the hawala middleman, proposed to transfer the cash in Dubai at a premium price of Rs 125 per dollar.

Secret remittances of corrupt wealth by spiritual gurus like Radha Mata was just one side of the story.

India Today's investigation also dredged up the other -- sacred shrines short-changing invalid currency.

In the ancient temple town of Mathura, several religious officials were found to be replacing scrapped banknotes clandestinely for huge cuts.

Anirudh, a priest of the Vrindavan Bihari temple, readily agreed to manipulate accounts to show black money as donation in back date. "It doesn't matter even if you give black money to us. I'll show it in accounts and it will be deposited," he said.

He then introduced India Today's reporters with Ram Guru, the chief of the temple trust, for a firm deal.

ALSO READ: Gujarat property dealer who declared Rs 13860 crore black money goes missing

Ram Guru quoted a 35 percent commission for the conversion, saying he could pay up to 25 lakh rupees in legal notes immediately for Rs 1 crore in black. "You'll get Rs 65 for every 100," he said.

But rates for bartering the tax loot varied from temple to temple, India Today's investigation found.

After a bargain, Sudha Bhardwaj, the head of Delhi's Sidh Peeth Kalka shrine, guaranteed up to 50 percent in legal tender.

"We'll pay you 40 percent back and the 60 percent will go into our trust," she said before settling down at a 50/50 share. "You'll get all new notes," Bhardwaj added.

Next, India Today's special crews met a member of the Sai temple near Noida's Atta market, who demanded 40 percent for the interchange.

"We'll initially deal in Rs 5-10 lakh," said Manoj Paudwal, the temple member. "We have a month's time. We'll do whatever can be done in this period."

Paudwal promised the exchange in new banknotes. "Brother, it will cost you 40 percent," he said.
Income Tax searches were conducted in the office and residential premises of city-based property dealer Mahesh Shah, who disclosed a whopping Rs 13,860 crore of unaccounted income under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS).

The I-T sleuths also swooped down on premises of his Chartered Accountant firm Appaji Amin. Though, the I-T Department is tight-lipped about the searches, Shah's CA Tehmul Sethna, who is a partner in Apaji Amin & Co, informed the media about the searches carried out various places, including on the premises of those connected with his client (Mahesh Shah's friends).

Department officials could not be contacted even after several attempts. The search operations were conducted on November 29, 30 and December 1, Sethna told media persons here on Friday. According to him, Shah is untraceable after these searches.

In his statement to media, Sethna claimed Shah made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore of cash under the IDS scheme. The IDS scheme was closed on September 30.



ALSO READ: Demonetisation: Here's how temples are answering prayers of black money hoarders



"Shah was in my touch since 2013 and took our advice on several occasions in the past. He was not my regular client. He was mainly into land dealings.

When IDS scheme was declared, I advised him to make the disclosure for peace of mind, as he is almost 67-year-old and is not keeping well due to some heart related ailments," said Sethna.

"After taking guidance from senior I-T officials, he made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore cash under the IDS scheme. He was supposed to pay Rs 1560 crore, which is 25 per cent of 45 per cent tax on the disclosed amount, as the first instalment. Though November 30 was the last date, he failed to deposit the instalment with I-T department," said Sethna.



ALSO READ: 'Make in India' awardee arrested printing fake Rs 2,000 notes



According to Sethna, there is possibility that Shah never had such a huge amount with him when he made the declaration.

"When I-T department conducted an enquiry, they started doubting Shah's capacity to pay the instalment by the due date. Thus by November 28, I-T department cancelled his IDS Form-2 and initiated search operations the next day. I gave my full co-operation to them and showed all the papers related to Shah, who is untraceable after the searches," he said.

"Though I knew that Shah's financial condition was not sound, I did not doubt anything because he himself claimed to have such huge money which he wanted to declare under IDS. Ultimately, client has to show money, otherwise, I-T department will step in. I now believe that Shah's disclosure was suspicious," Sethna said.

When asked if Shah "possessed black money of several politicians and bureaucrats", Sethna declined to comment on the authenticity of such reports.

In his statement to media, Sethna stated the I-T sleuths found only Rs 29,000 and some papers from Shah's office during the search.
A young engineer who won the Make in India award was arrested on Thursday for printing fake Rs 2,000 notes in Punjab's town of Mohali.

According to reports, the Punjab Police in Mohali and adjoining Chandigarh recovered fake currency worth Rs 42 lakh in Rs 2,000 notes and arrested Abhinav Verma, his cousin Vishakha Verma, and Ludhiana-based property dealer Suman Nagpal.



ALSO READ: Demonetisation: Here's how temples are answering prayers of black money hoarders



All the three accused were allegedly duping people by exchanging the scrapped Rs 500 and 1,000 notes for fake Rs 2,000 notes printed by them.

They were also charging 30 per cent commission for the exchange.

"The fake currency was recovered on Wednesday from a brand new luxury Audi SUV which the trio were using," Mohali Superintendent of Police (City) Parminder Singh reportedly said.



ALSO READ: Gujarat property dealer who declared Rs 13860 crore black money goes missing



"The currency given by the gang (to their customers) even after charging commission was fake," Singh was qouted as saying.

Earlier in 2015, Abhinav claimed to have created 'Live Braille', a wearable technology innovation that helped blind people to walk around without the aid of a walking stick.

His innovation was hailed as a success, and the device was commercially launched this year as an innovation under the 'Make in India' programme.
Power and coal minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday there was no value in splitting up India's biggest coal producer Coal India Ltd and denied any plans to break it up.

In a presentation seen by Reuters on Thursday, government officials recommend that Coal India - with a stock market valuation of $28 billion - should be broken up into seven companies, which they say would make it more competitive and efficient.

The proposal, dated November 30, is expected to be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon, three government officials with direct knowledge of the situation said.

But Goyal said on the sidelines of an investment summit held in the capital city of the eastern state of Odisha that the report was "unfounded" and "untrue".

"I haven't seen it. If somebody else has seen it then I don't know," Goyal said, referring to the proposal.

"I have made my view known in June 2014. Coal India's strength comes from it being one company," Goyal said.

Goyal also said he has asked the board of state-owned aluminium producer National Aluminium Co. to "reconsider" a proposal to set up a smelter in Iran.

The company, majority owned by the government, had been scouting for an overseas location to set up a smelting plant

"I believe that we should Make-In-India... Ideally it should be in Odisha where the material is mined," Goyal said.


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New York Residence celebrated on Friday, November 18 the opening of what they are calling the nicest real estate brokerage office in the Bronx.

NYR brass gathered with borough officials at the 160 E. 188th Street location to say a few words, view the new offices and eat some food.

Its with great pride to announce our expansion to the Bronx as we continue to grow our brand and expand our presence in this thriving market, said Thomas Guss, president of New York Residence. Our new office location and high-performing agents are a core advantage to servicing clients and furthering our position in the marketplace.

This is an amazing time for New York Residence to expand into the Bronx with a substantial investment, said Richard Pino, chief financial officer and associate broker. The office build-out is, by far, superior to any other local real estate office. We wanted newly hired licensed real estate agents to be excited and proud of their new work environment.

According to NYR, the new office colors are brick and steel-grey to evoke the feeling of the neighborhood.

In addition the white staircase foyer is meant to draw the client into a very unique and vibrant office space.

The side and conference chairs in the office are from Olivio E. Godeassi, or O&G, in Italy and the desks are restored steel desks from approximately 50 years ago.

In addition, the desks fall in line with the brick and steel-grey color scheme.

At their desks the employees will sit on the Uno Chair from Steelcase.

The new offices are also filled with art reproductions by painters such as Jane Dickson and Michael Manning.

Waveform Pendant Lights from Murray-Feiss are used to illuminate the office.

Guss, a native of Austria, said the offices appearance arises from the companys desire to do its best in everything.

Whenever we do something we do it well, said Guss. So of course you have to start with your own office.

According to Guss, the office is supposed to make the customer feel comfortable.

We wanted to somehow make something thats interesting visually but on the other hand that is not intimidating, he said.

In addition he said he hopes having an office in the Bronx will bring more attention to the borough from NYR clients.

The problem with the Bronx is not only that it is underappreciated but also that its not well known, Guss said.

Councilmember Fernando Cabrera is hoping NYR can help Bronxites fulfill their dream of home ownership.

Only 18 percent of those who live in the Bronx own their property, said Cabrera.

Cabrera said he feels NYR will be sensitive to the needs of people in the Bronx. In addition he said hed also like to see NYR hire local Bronx real estate agents.

Guss said the company is hiring at the East 188th Street location. The companys headquarters is in Times Square at 1501 Broadway. They can be reached at (212) 377-9300.
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Mustafa Abdul Wahid, acting executive president of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), told Daily News Egypt that operators face having their licences revoked in some circumstances.

Etisalat, Orange and Vodafone are the three operators that can now provide 4G services in Egypt  after a hard-fought negotiation with the NTRA  in competition with Telecom Egypt, which has had a licence for some time.

The 4G service licence obliges companies to provide good 3G service in the areas where 4G signals may be weak to ensure that all clients have access to decent communication services, Abdul Wahid told the newspaper.

He said the list of sanctions contained in the 4G licence agreement includes terms about the quality of service that companies are obliged to provide. They include deterrent penalties for companies if they go below a stipulated quality.

He said sanctions also include a fine of up to 25% of the insurance value paid by the company, amounting to 100 million Egyptian pounds ($5.6 million) each time. This fine will be payable if companies delay payment for the service or break any of the contract terms, reported the newspaper.

In theory the new licences are for unified services, allowing the three companies to provide fixed services in competition with Telecom Egypt. However, Abdul Wahid told the newspaper that the companies had not yet submitted requests to begin fixed services.

Etisalat and Orange each have 10MHz of spectrum for 4G services and Vodafone  which has a complex relationship with Telecom Egypt  has 5MHz. Not all of the spectrum is immediately available, as NTRA has to evict current users.
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 ...
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.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
The naughty Niffler

The mischievous Niffler has quickly become the audience favorite from Fantastic Beasts. Seen regularly escaping Scamanders suitcase to fill its seemingly endless pouches full of valuables, the Niffler was designed to be part mole, part-platypus, and part-echidna. Animation supervisor Pablo Grillo from Framestore came onto the production early to help with creature development, and the Niffler was one of his first assignments.

We would have these creature development meetings with David Yates and the producer David Heyman, said Grillo. With the Niffler, we gathered a whole load of images of real-world animals  mole, platypus, echidna. And we gathered video resources of animals using their hands. Platypuses were very charming, constantly churning and looking through the silt and sand for food, and that felt like a good inspiration for the Niffler.

They had to be fantastic but not fantasy, added Christian Manz. We found great footage of a honey badger in South Africa ransacking somebodys house. It was just an insatiable desire for food, going through fridges and cupboards and all that sort of thing. A lot of those real-world animalistic traits are what went into the Niffler. Which is why I think hes so successful because hes all of those things.

On set, simple puppets, including hand-operated glove versions, were built to stand in for the creature that Redmayne could interact with. Grillo was there, too, in order to give the actor a description of what action would be happening. Yates also wanted the audience to get a sense that the Niffler and Scamander had a history  that the little bugger, as Newt calls him, gets out all the time and is just trying to embarrass him because of his insatiable desire to build his gold collection, said Manz.

The Niffler, which Framestore was responsible for, elicits the most audience laughs in a scene where he is busted ransacking a jewelery store and pauses mid-necklace grab. Grillo had formulated key character beats for what the animal would do in that situation. The lovely thing about animals is their naivety. They think if they stay still you cant see them. The humor also came from Newts and Nifflers past and almost the respect Newt gives him for his skill. He admires it, but its always getting them into problems.

One thing I did, said Grillo, was ask the animators to look at these Youtube compilations of animal fails. One, theyre very funny. But theyre also a brilliant insight into animal psychology, which is different from humans. More often than not these animals want to jump across a gap or across a space and they screw it up or miscalculate it. Its a conflict between their desire and what their body is able to pull off in the end. I think thats what brings the charm  the clumsiness of that physicality juxtaposed against the desire.

Triumphant Erumpent

Partly resembling a rhinoceros, the Erumpent was another Framestore creation. After escaping from the suitcase, it is spotted by Scamander and new companion Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) in the Central Park Zoo, where an attempted mating dance is used to coax it back.

In design, the filmmakers struggled initially to make the Erumpent magical enough, and added things to heighten her in the magical realm. But it always took away from the fundamental believability to set up the scene so we could get to something more ridiculous by the end, noted Grillo.

Shooting scenes for the Erumpent, and the dance, involved careful choreography. The shots made use of a 17 foot tall and 20 foot long carbon fiber wireframe structure that was puppeteered by the same team behind the War Horse stage show. We had four people actually operating the puppet rig on that mating scene for every shot, said vfx supe Tim Burke. And actually before we even shot, they rehearsed that with Eddie, so they could get a relationship down. For Eddies character it was all about having that relationship with the actual creatures themselves.

It was a great help doing it that way, continued Burke, because one of the big tests with this film was whether you believe the creatures were real and were grounded in existence. And the biggest way to sell that is if youre not taken out of the movie. Youve got to believe that the actors believe theyre real. Having the sort of on-set reference for everyone to understand where the creatures were and what they looked like, I think was one of the key successes and started making our job easier when we put the creatures in.

In animating the Erumpent, Framestore took on Grillos observations about the size of the Erumpent and the creation of some tense moments of stillness as the dance continues and before the creature ends up charging. Her body has its own momentum that is like steering a truck, said Grillo. That can still be beautiful and graceful and charming and almost like a ballet. But animating that with the right weight and sense of jiggle that will sell the scale is always challenging.

To catch a Demiguise

In Harry Potter lore, the hair of a Demiguise is used to make an invisibility cloak. For fans, seeing the actual creature behind the cloak was considered a big deal by the filmmakers and much effort was made to win them over with a compelling creature design.

David Yates was very keen to represent the Demiguise like a little old wise man, said Burke. And when we tried to get into the character of him, David suggested Jim Broadbent whod worked on the Potter films, and we almost at one point discussed shooting some reference with him. We kind of got into the spirit of this little old man who chatted away to himself and imbued that into the Demiguise personality and character.

MPC crafted the creature, and had two main challenges; the hair and the invisibility. It was described as having beautifully long silver hair, said MPC visual effects supervisor Ferran Domenech. It was a mix of a primate and a sloth in that the hair covered the entire body. So it wasnt going to cut it just to do fur, it needed long flowing hair. It was going to be doing both close-up acting, and running very fast and having its hair moving in the wind. In computer graphics its always hard to do long flowing hair.

To realize the hair, MPC turned to its proprietary hair grooming toolset called Furtility, which it developed further to allow for scalability and texture mapping of various textures on the fur (the tool was also used for the feathers of the Occamy).

In coming up with the invisibility look for the Demiguise, artists referenced the works of photographer Liu Bolin, who makes pieces where the subject is painted to disappear into scenes they are photographed in. The lovely thing about that, said Burke, is that as you move around them with a slight perspective change you will see a difference of relief to it. All the sudden you realize through perspective that theres something there. And we developed that idea for creating the Demiguises invisibility where he takes up part of the background and its only when the camera moves that you see the shift in perspective.

During a chase scene in a department store with the Demiguise, Jacob carries the creature on his back. For that, actor Dan Fogler worked with a simple backpack to suggest the weight, which was then painted out and replaced with MPCs digital Demiguise.

Rise and fall of the Occamy

One of the more unusual fantastic beasts was the Occamy, a creature with the body of a snake, the head of a bird, and with feathers and legs. It also had the ability to grow and shrink to fit its available space. This all presented considerable challenges to MPCs vfx team, which was behind the Occamy.

The large and small versions of the Occamy were actually all the same rig, said Domenech. We prepared for the fact that it had to shrink, so we made the rig scalable. The groom was scalable too. We also had alternate rigs to fill in the space when its in oversized mode and is hanging in the rafters on the ceiling. To be able to fill the space with one continuous creature would really be impossible because you would have to make an extremely long snake for every single shot in the movie. So we had just the tail, or just the head and the neck, or the body with the wings, or just a long tube of the snake.

Another challenge lay in combining the snake and bird-like personalities, both in terms of animation and realizing its scaly feathers. Here, MPC looked at close-up views of hummingbirds. They have beautiful plumage on their necks that are quite round and overlap almost like fish scales, which fit the Occamy well, said Domenech.

Flight of the Billywig

Another of MPCs creatures was the Billywig, a small flying insect that actually had two flight modes. The first was like a dragonfly and the other was via a transformation of the wings into a single propeller that made it hover like a helicopter. We looked at dragonfly and hummingbird as reference for the first mode, and then for the other mode we looked more at birds, explained Domenech. We also looked at flies which clean their own legs, so we had the Billywig grooming himself as he hovers.

Thunderbird is go

In formulating the beasts of the film, Frank the Thunderbird was a relatively late inclusion. The filmmakers had considered a bird with a multi-wing motion that originally was going to be shown as the Occamy, but the design instead moved on to a whole new creature  the Thunderbird  when the Occamy was able to stand alone in its own chaotic scene.

That provided a chance to make the Occamy more serpent-like and the Thunderbird, which Double Negative produced, a more noble beast. It was our all-American creature, said Grillo. Theres elements of the bald eagle, and the multi-wings had a totem pole effect, with an ethnicity that you could allude to with this creature. It was also a lovely creature to bookend the film with, since Newts visit to the States is to release it back into the wild, so being able to introduce a nobility and poise was great. It was an incredible thing to show this creature being released.

Meet the Graphorns

Inside the suitcase Scamander has secured the last pair of breeding Graphorns, along with an offspring. These horned, hump-backed beasts with distinctive face tentacles were realized by Image Engine. The studio considered many influences including rhinos, elephants, ostriches, and caterpillars. Caterpillars may sound funny, said Image Engine visual effects supervisor Martyn Culpitt, but there is this horned caterpillar which we actually took the shape of the horn from to use all the spikes.

On recent films, Image Engine has been ramping up its creature department, and the Graphorns certainly required a wide suite of tools to accomplish, from sculpting in ZBrush, additional modeling in Maya, some hair with Yeti, rendering in 3Delight, and a new muscle system simulation with Ziva. We actually built the creature to a really high level where you could actually go right up to its eye, said Image Engine asset supervisor Barry Poon. Theres that much detail in it.

Beware the Swooping Evil

The green and blue bat-like Swooping Evil comes in handy several times in Fantastic Beasts, flying in to save the day, except perhaps when it wants to feed on peoples brains. It was another Image Engine beast. Here, in addition to bats, the studio also considered manta rays as reference. We were going for the ripple in the wings and a strong force being driven by it, said Culpitt.

This thing also needed to pull up into a cocoon shape, added Poon, so we had to make sure when it unraveled to become the Swooping Evil that it had the characteristics of a bat and manta ray. We did a few tests to see how fast it would move but also how fast it would turn and change direction, like a swallow might.

Pickett the Bowtruckle

One of Scamanders closest beasts is Pickett the Bowtruckle, a stick-insect-like creature who often travels in the pocket of his protector. The design had to communicate the fragility of the animal, said Grillo. It had to echo Newts fragility, in a way, without being weak. Hes a courageous creature, theres a heart and a valor to this creature. Pickett is a bit of a social outcast like Newt, too.

Picketts design was based on a sapling and the animators took advantage of the resulting organic and chaotic shapes, according to Grillo. It presented a challenge of movement, something very unconventional. The face was very simple, very low-key. To me these are the most exciting challenges, where you dont have to rely on a facial performance  it very much comes through the actions to reveal the intentions.

Shapes and forms gave you very unusual movement, with three legs for examples, and the right combination of shapes let you make him sad, proud or be expressive and for your heart to warm to him. It was a very understated character too, which is also one of the best kinds.

Gnarlak the Goblin

American goblin gangster Gnarlak was a completely cg character made by Framestore, based on a performance by actor Ron Perlman. As such, the visual effects crew had to take care in representing Gnarlak with Perlmans attributes. We looked at lots of photos with period gangsters, some of the great pictures of people from the 1920s, said Manz. There was a particular posture and a look that really gave you a sense of that character, and so that became key in conceiving what he looked like, but also keeping a lot of Ron in there as well, facially.

Framestores digital model relied on 90 individual Facial Action Coding System (FACS) poses of Perlman captured in a photogrammetry rig for multiple expressions that could then be re-targetted to Gnarlak. For the shoot, several methods were relied upon to get the principal performance. The actor was actually there on the set in a small chair opposite the other actors so they could play against the character. A height double actor in full costume and make-up and hair then performed scenes and helped provide useful lighting reference. Empty plates were also filmed to become the main clean plates.

Finally, Perlman donned a facial motion capture headset in a different wooden block scale set  where he would effectively be four-feet high  to carry out the scene again. Thats where Rons performance came from and where we captured all his dialogue, said Manz. It meant that Framestore had all that material that they could retarget the capture onto their animation rig.

Gnarlaks appearance in the film would still very much be keyframe animated, but with all the aforementioned captured material as the base. As we went along, noted Manz, David wanted Gnarlak to be quiet and almost disengaged. Our aim was to make him more and more a bastard.

Credences Obscurial

Towards the end of the film, Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) is revealed to be an Obscurial, a young wizard who has developed a parasitical magical force known as an Obscurus. This manifests itself into a black mess of particle energy to represent Credences torment. Double Negative crafted the effect.

That was a bit of a journey, admitted Burke. We didnt really know what it was. It was unlike all the other creatures where we could draw things and then interpret them into models and start animating them. This thing had no form. It was rage, it was anger. So we went through the usual thing of trying to find reference of what it might move like but it was really Ezras character that was going to drive the Obscurus itself. He said, Well actually guys Ive been thinking about a performance I can show you. And he just went into this kind of possessed performance that we videoed and it was amazing what he did. Three minutes of sort of distortion and contortion.

We took this footage away, and we cut it and we reversed it, and using earlier video references that David liked we kind of emulated that using Ezras performance and then showed it to David again because he hadnt been aware Ezra had even done this stuff. And David was blown away about it, he just thought, Wow, this is our Obscurus.

Double Negative then continued refining the concept, working in effects simulation software Houdini and its own proprietary tools to give the Obscurus faces character and movement. The Obscurus was just a constantly changing, membranous sort of quality and then the particles came along afterwards, said Burke.

The, er, strudel

Of course, not all the visual effects in Fantastic Beasts were creatures. One memorable scene sees Scamander and Jacob visit the home of demoted Auror Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) and her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol). They use their magic to make dinner. During the shoot, the dinner table was mostly empty, but then in post, Cinesite had all the dishes, cutlery, and glasses fly out of cupboards and drawers into place.

The studio also baked a cg apple strudel that forms from raw ingredients that wrap up together in the air, float down, and settle in front of Jacob. The strudel was a custom model per shot, explained Cinesites Andy Morley. It was a different piece of geometry with different displacement shaders. That was tricky but it meant we could tailor things for each shot.

Inside the suitcase

Perhaps one of the more magical sequences in the film is the reveal of Scamanders secret zoo of fantastic beasts, hidden inside his suitcase. In a grand journey featured in what is essentially just one shot, the audience meets many of the creatures. Several vfx studios collaborated on the diorama-like sequence, sharing assets to bring it together.

That scene was in the script from the beginning, said Burke. It was always like the biggest design and conceptual problem of what would be in there? What would be the world that you hadnt seen before? And it was a real collaboration with the great Stuart Craig, the production designer, and Dermot Power, who was working as a concept artist with Stuart on designing the sets. The previs team at Proof also previsd and blocked out the scene.

Getting into the suitcase in the first place turned out to be a combination of old-school filmmaking and some digital trickery handled by Cinesite. For shots of Jacob entering the suitcase, in particular, there was a hole in the set floor that he stepped into, with a temporary practical suitcase piece to hold onto. We then had some fun shots where we replaced that piece, then add in a cg suitcase, which we had to make look much smaller so it looked like he was struggling to get in, said Cinesite visual effects supervisor Andy Morley.

Inside the suitcase, the original idea was that each creature would exist in its own biosphere, but the filmmakers were told by J.K. Rowling that Scamander would have had to have been more powerful than Voldemort to create something like that. Instead, the environment was pared back to look more homespun, complete with fake theatrical sets and painted backings.

To film the live action, a soundstage was taped out to match what would be created digitally and to allow for a rehearsal. David Yates would be filming with an iPad, explained Burke. The most important thing was how did they want to perform with the creatures and interact with the environment? Because that determined what would be built and what would be cg.

Although the sequence seems to take place as one long shot, it was filmed in segments and pieced together with digital joins. Then several studios contributed post-vis and final shots  including The Third Floor, Proof, Framestore, Double Negative, Image Engine, MPC, Method Studios, and Rodeo FX. Rodeo, in particular, produced many of the environment composites.

The collaboration was pretty crazy, said Burke. Theres one almost throw away moment where theres some Billywigs that get eaten by a Doxy, and then get eaten by the pink Fwooper in the foreground. The Billywigs were MPC, being eaten by Rodeo dogs, eaten by Image Engines Fwooper in a Method environment. But everyone came together so well.

All images and clips  2016 Warner Bros. Pictures.
A Kelowna man is in the running to be named North Americas top snowmobiler by Snowtrax Magazine.

Justin Evans has been racing hillcross for a few years now, but has been on a sled since the age of three.

Ive never experienced a sport with the camaraderie and the amount of fun people have, and push each other to the limits.

In spending time riding with local search and rescue crews, Evans called the regular volunteers a cornerstone of the snowmobiling community.

The competition pits riders from Canada and the United States against each other in an elimination bracket.

Voting for Evans runs now through Dec. 15, with later rounds running into January.
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: MAILBOX THEFT

DATE: November 19, 2016

RCMP FILE: 2016-70845

A representative from Canada Post contacted West Kelowna RCMP to report thefts from 5 community mailbox locations on November 19/20th. The affected locations are:

4012 Gellatly Road

4153 Gellatly Road

4223 Gellatly Road

2431 Whitworth Road

4010 Angus Drive

RCMP advise the best way to avoid being a victim of mail fraud is to pick up mail on a regular basis and report any suspicious activity.

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: THEFT / ATTEMPT THEFT OF TAILGATES

DATE: November 23, 2016

RCMP FILE: 2016-69914

West Kelowna RCMP received two reports on November 23rd regarding Ford tailgates. One man reported an overnight attempted theft of the tailgate from his black 2014 Ford F150 from a home on the 1100 block of Faulkner Crescent. The tailgate was dropped and damaged so left abandoned on the ground. Another man reported the successful tailgate theft from his black 2012 Ford F350 just blocks away on the 2300 block of Somerset Road.

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

A Kamloops sheriff who was caught in a Creep Hunters' sting and charged with trying to lure a child made an appearance in Kelowna court, Thursday.

Kevin Johnston is alleged to have communicated by text with a member of the vigilante group between Aug. 8 and 27.

The Creep Hunters say they posted an ad on Craigslist, posing as a 14-year-old girl.

A man contacted them, and the conversation turned sexual, eventually leading to him sending naked photos, and pictures of himself in his sheriff's uniform.

Johnston, who is not in custody, was charged in September of communicating to lure a child under 16, making sexually explicit material available to a person under 16, arranging a sexual offence against a child, and inviting sexual touching to a person under 16.

A special prosecutor was appointed to the case, as Johnston was an employee of the Ministry of Justice at the time of the offence.

Johnston appeared in court to consult with counsel, and will make his next appearance on Dec. 19 for an arraignment. An arraignment is a formal reading of the charges the defendant faces.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A small-town P.E.I. police department has issued a public apology to Nickelback, and taken down a social media post that threatened to force drunk drivers to listen to the Alberta band's music.

In a heartfelt Facebook post Friday, a Kensington police officer says that after the "joke" post went viral, he began to feel like a bully.

Friday's post was unsigned, but Const. Robb Hartlen of the service last weekend shared a social media post promising to force any drunk drivers to listen to the Alberta band while in the back seat of a cruiser.

In Friday's post, though, the officer said a message meant to deter drunk drivers instead made a charity-minded Canadian band the butt of jokes around the world.

He says he reached out to the band's four members and their families, and found they feel just as strongly as he does about drunk driving.

He says the police service plans to launch a new anti-drunk driving message, and asked readers to "stay tuned."
Photo: City of Vernon

What a summer for tourists visiting the Vernon area.

Figures show the number of people visiting and staying in Vernon remained at a record high even after the peak summer months.

Hotel tax revenue for City of Vernon coffers in September was $71,607.80, just over $10,000 more than last year.

"The September hotel tax revenue has just been received, and the hotel room revenue for Vernon has remained strong. In fact, July, August and September have all been record months since the tax was first collected back in 2010, said Kevin Poole, the city's tourism manager.

Between Jan. to Sept., the city made $570,592.56 from the two per cent hotel tax, an increase of 15.3 per cent over last year.

It is great to see such strong numbers over the summer months of 2016 (and) it looks like it will be another record year for the overall hotel room revenue in Vernon."
Photo: Emily Sydor

This little piggy is staying home  for now.

Podgy the pot-bellied pig has been granted a reprieve by officials in Winnipeg.

The city ruled earlier this year that Podgy wasn't a pet and had to go. Under city bylaws, Podgy is considered a hog and isn't allowed in the city.

But Podgy's owner, Emily Sydor, then said the pig was a service animal that helps with her mental health.

Leland Gordon, with animal services, told a city hall committee Friday that Sydor has been issued a temporary permit allowing her to keep her pig, as long as it is trained as a service animal.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission has a policy requiring a service animal be trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability, Gordon said.

"Animal services is open and willing to work with the applicant ... to help them align with the province's standard," he said. "So at the end of the day ... it's either a legitimate service animal or it's not."

Sydor is to return to city hall next year with an update on the pig's training.

Sydor, seated next to her father, told the committee that she's not sure what the training will include.

"As far as I'm concerned, he does what I need currently right now for me."

In the meantime, she wants to get Podgy outside for some exercise in her neighbourhood.

"If I'm expected to do more, I think I should at least be able to take him for walks," Sydor said.

Donna Pinchuk also spoke to the committee in support of Sydor's application. Pinchuk said she was forced to get rid of her pot-bellied pig three years ago and now wants to claim it as a service animal for her partner, who suffers from dementia.

He still asks about the pig and searches for it around the house, she said. The couple sometimes makes the 90-minute drive outside the city to visit the pig at its new home.

"I'm hoping we can open this up a little bit so that we can use pot-bellied pigs as these kinds of service animals," said Pinchuk.

"I have witnessed how impressive these animals are in helping people with disorders."
Photo: The Canadian Press

Charges in a long-running case over the abduction of prized sheep from an Ontario farm were stayed this week, after a judge found there had been unreasonable delays in bringing the matter to trial.

The development ends a slow-grinding legal ordeal for an Ontario sheep breeder and a dairy farmer, unless the Crown decides to appeal.

Linda "Montana" Jones and Michael Schmidt were charged following an investigation into the removal of 31 sheep from an Ontario farm in April 2, 2012, hours before the animals were to be euthanized.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency had ordered the slaughter after a sheep sold by Jones to an Alberta farm allegedly tested positive in 2010 for scrapie, a deadly and easily transmitted disease that affects the nervous systems of sheep and goats.

A lawyer for Jones and Schmidt sought a stay of proceedings earlier this month, arguing the delay in bringing the case to trial was unreasonable.

The application was made in line with a Supreme Court of Canada ruling earlier this year that concluded delays must not exceed 30 months in superior courts and 18 months for cases at the provincial level.

The judge presiding over the case agreed the delay was unreasonable and stayed the charges against Jones and Schmidt this week.

Justice Laura Bird said the delay was largely the result of difficulties in Crown disclosure to the defence, and noted that the CFIA, in her view, did not devote sufficient resources to the management of the file.

A trial for Jones and Schmidt was set to begin in April 2017.

"The total delay between the date the information was sworn and the expected completion of the trial is four years and five and a half months," Bird wrote in her ruling. "The applicants have established on a balance of probabilities that their right to be tried within a reasonable time ... has been infringed."

Jones faced six charges  five under Health of Animals Act and one charge of conspiracy under the Criminal Code  while Schmidt, who has previously clashed with authorities over the right to sell raw milk, faced two charges under the HAA and one conspiracy charge under the Criminal Code.

"To have this case go on...just for it to have turned into this for seven years, it's tragic," Jones said after Bird's ruling. "Even though we've won today I don't want to walk away from it as if it never happened."
Photo: The Canadian Press

P.E.I. residents are being asked to watch for muddy coins after a thief climbed deep into a historic wishing well to steal money from the bottom.

Charlottetown RCMP say the thief damaged the well at an Anne of Green Gables-related National Historic Site in Cavendish, and used a ladder to get to the bottom sometime in the last week.

It is unclear how much money was at the bottom of the well, which was dug in the 1800s and used as a wishing well for a few decades.

"They could have made away with a lot, because we don't know when it was last emptied, or if ever. We have no idea how much money was in there," RCMP Sgt. Leanne Butler said Friday.

The site draws thousands of visitors each summer.

The Mounties are asking the public to watch for someone who may have a large amount of coins, which may be dirty and possibly corroded from being at the bottom of the well for a long time.

"If something seems strange to somebody, if they have a bucket of muddy money, that might be it," Butler said.
Photo: Contributed

Dignitaries, enthusiasts and skiers celebrated Baldy Mountain Resort's resurrection, Friday.

The snow-drenched kickoff at the ski hill near Oliver included speeches and a ribbon cutting.

"This is the most intense resurrection of a ski resort I've ever done, and this is my third resurrection," said managing director Joey O' Brien, one of the owners. "And I'm feeling excellent about it."

O' Brien thanked everyone involved in making the opening happen this year.

Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie wished the new owners the best, and said he's looking forward to a new Baldy.

MLA Linda Larson talked about the importance of winter tourism and how facilities like Baldy support the economy.

Also in attendance was Victor Tsao, another member of the ownership group.

The ceremony took place a day after the ski area opened, attracting about 350 people.

Thursday was also the first day of the First Chair Festival at the ski area. Running until Sunday, it features sledding, music, beer tasting and more.

The resort plans to stay open until April this year.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Loved ones of an 85-year-old man accused of murdering his wife of 56 years say they are relieved Siegfried van Zuiden has been deemed unfit to stand trial.

But close family friends said Friday they won't feel fully at ease until they know where the senior  who they say has long suffered from dementia  will spend the rest of his life and what quality of care he'll receive.

Defence lawyer Alain Hepner told the court that psychiatrist Ken Hashman, with the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre, has determined van Zuiden is mentally unfit to stand trial. A letter from the doctor was presented as an exhibit.

Van Zuiden was charged in October with second-degree murder after he called 911 and police officers found his 80-year-old wife, Audrey, dead in their Calgary home. Van Zuiden underwent two months of tests to assess his mental state and whether he understood the legal process.

A fitness determination can be reversed if at any point the patient improves with treatment.

A psychiatrist told court in October that he believed van Zuiden had a moderate to severe case of dementia.

Van Zuiden's case is due back in court on Dec. 13.

Vince Walker, the van Zuidens' godson, said he doesn't have closure yet.

"We're really interested in what facility he'll be in or what level of security he requires, what our visitation's going to be like, what is his quality of life going to be like," he said outside court.

At the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre, where van Zuiden has spent the past two months, visitors are separated by a pane of glass and must speak through a phone, said Walker.

"It's not the ideal way to go visit somebody and I know it frustrates him on occasion."

He, and another close family friend, Gordon van Gunst, said they'd like van Zuiden to be in a facility where it's possible for visitors to play a game of chess or listen to music with him.

Van Gunst said van Zuiden has good days and bad days where he is now.

"He's loved by everybody in the facility. He's well taken care of, but we always like a little bit more. He's doing well, considering."

Van Zuiden, who goes by the first name Fred, was born in the Netherlands to a Jewish family. He chronicled his flight from the Nazis during the Second World War in his book "Call me Mom: A Dutch Boy's WWII Survival Story.''

He came to Canada in 1952 and later settled with his wife in Calgary, where he founded a sailboat business.

Loved ones have said the couple did everything together in their marriage and were soulmates.

Walker said he'd like to see the Crown drop the charge.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A woman charged in the death of her son began researching holistic remedies nearly a month before he eventually died of an overwhelming infection brought on by strep.

Tamara Lovett, 47, is on trial charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life and with criminal negligence causing the death of her son Ryan in 2013.

Court has heard her seven-year-old was treated with dandelion tea and oil of oregano. He died from massive organ failure as a result of "overwhelming sepsis."

Calgary police acting Sgt. Gary Novokowsky testified Friday that he was asked to do a forensic investigation of Lovett's computer and cellphone after Ryan died on March 2, 2013.

In her interview with police, Lovett told the officer her son had had flu symptoms and nosebleeds for a couple of weeks but worsened a couple of days before his death. He was complaining of pain in his legs, his skin became jaundiced, his urine was dark and he was having trouble standing.

She said early on March 2 he complained of stomach pains and she helped him into the bathroom. He collapsed, began to convulse and she dialled 911.

Novokowsky told court there was a search about children's nosebleeds in January and a link to a newspaper article warning Canadians are "blind to the dangers of prescription drugs."

He said there were a number of searches beginning Feb. 5, 2013, including "children, swollen groin, lymph nodes." That was followed with searches for "oil of wild oregano testimonials" and information for earaches, ear infections, norovirus and even "radiation sickness."

Lovett said she realized the day before Ryan died that she might have to take him to hospital.

"When he presented with the jaundiced eyes, that was like, if this starts to escalate then, yeah, we gotta think about getting him to the hospital," she said.

"That was the first time when it entered into my mind ... You may just have to take him to the hospital and deal with this."

Lovett's lawyer is to begin her defence Monday.
Photo: Facebook

The Spirit of giving is gaining ground.

The Central Okanagan Community Food Bank is expected to distribute 2,000 Christmas hampers in the Central Okanagan, up from 1,600 last year and there is a reason for the big increase.

"There are more families turning to us for help, so we expect to see more families in need, and we are working more collaboratively with our partner agencies, so organizations that would have traditionally given out Christmas hampers are now referring their clients directly to us."

To add to the fun West Kelowna Firefighters will be knocking on doors on December 6 and 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for their annual holiday food drive.

If you are in short supply of canned goods feel free to donate new and unwrapped toys to KelownaSantas.com

To make an immediate impact you can donate online at www.cofoodbank.com or visit the branch at 1265 Ellis street Monday to Friday 8 a.m to 4 p.m and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until December 30.

Don't wait to donate, and help bring a smile to those in need.
Purses for women in need Kamloops - 6:00 pm
Photo: CTV

"Starvin' Marvin" can thank a complaining neighbour for saving one of his nine lives.

The cat, named by the staff at the Knight Road Gospel Chapel, was discovered beneath the eaves at the church.

Underweight, he had presumably been there at least a month.

A neighbour had been complaining for weeks of a meowing sound, but church trustee Raymond Cooper told CTV Vancouver he didn't hear a thing when he investigated.

"I came out and looked and there's no noise, nothing. But I noticed that there's two crows up on the chimney," Cooper said. "And I thought it was one of the crows, just imitating a cat. Paid no attention."

The complaining persisted and, eventually, the cat was discovered.

Cooper said he has no idea how the cat got there.

"I know every inch of the building and there isn't room enough for anything to get in," Cooper said.

Or, how it survived.

"I think it was surviving off moisture from the roof, but nothing to eat  nothing at all," he said.

Several members of the church, the SPCA and firefighters spent hours getting the cat out.

Despite being trapped for as long at it was, Marvin is said to be in pretty good health.

"He has very sore front feet, and we're assuming it's from him clawing and trying to exit the building," Vancouver branch manager Jodi Dunlop said.

The cat has been neutered, so Dunlop believes it does have a home.

"He's a lovely boy," Dunlop said. "It's a Christmas miracle."

--with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: file photo

A sit-in is planned in front of city hall next Monday to protest a recent council decision banning the practice on city sidewalks.

The protest, "Sit down to take a STAND for People without homes," is hosted by a Facebook group called Homelessness in Kelowna.

The protest is being planned after council voted last Monday to amend a bylaw which would ban sitting or lying on sidewalks.

Council is scheduled to adopt the bylaw at this Monday's council meeting.

In a Facebook post announcing the protest, the group states:

"Do we, as a community, think it is okay to simply displace poverty because it is uncomfortable to witness? Lets instead ask how our community can explore more compassionate and proactive responses!



"On Nov. 30th 2016, our City Council unanimously passed the third reading of a bylaw change that will make sitting or sleeping on sidewalks at any time of the day or night a bylaw offence warranting a $50 ticket. The change is an extension from the current bylaw, which bans sitting and sleeping on sidewalks between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm. The current bylaw seems to suggest that homelessness inconveniences people trying to access the downtown restaurant district. Council should have rejected the message endorsed by this bylaw: that some Kelownians dont matter as much as others.



"Many people who sit or sleep on Kelowna sidewalks do so because they have nowhere else to go. Shelters are full and housing is not accessible for many. Even parks are closed at night. Most people who might be fined would not have a means to pay the ticket. The citys homeless require mercy and assistance, support programs and opportunities  not a legal whipping.



"The bylaw will be considered for a fourth and final reading in December.



"Join us in voicing opposition to the original bylaw and its proposed changes!"

Colin Mayor Colin Basran has defended the bylaw, saying the city has a more vibrant downtown than it did 20 or 30 years ago when the original bylaw was crafted.

While the city also has a larger homeless population, Basran said council is working to find a balance between complaints about vagrancy in the downtown core while being respectful to people on the streets.

The protest is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Photo: The Canadian Press Nine-year-old Layla Sabry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ HO, Niagara Regional Police

Police in Ontario have issued an Amber Alert for a nine-year-old girl.

Niagara Regional Police say Layla Sabry is believed to have been abducted.

They describe Sabry as white, about four-foot-two, with a thin build, brown hair, and brown eyes, and is also known as Layla Haist or Arya Dillon.

She was last seen Thursday evening in Welland, Ont.

Police say she is believed to be with her mother, Allana Haist, who is described as white, 38 years old, five-foot-one, with medium length brown hair, and brown eyes, and also goes by the names Kate Dillon or Lana Marie.

They say no vehicle description is available.
Photo: CTV

There is a real concern fentanyl production could soon move out of Alberta and into our province.

The concern comes from a decision by Alberta to restrict who can own pill presses, the mechanism used to produce fentanyl tablets.

They will become the first province to do so.

Deputy Chief Mike Serr, co-chair of the drug abuse committee for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, told CTV Vancouver that could bring more pill production west.

We have some concerns that this is going to potentially move out the production of pills to B.C., as well as Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said Serr.

Were aware of that, and we would like to see [pill presses] regulated at the federal level, so its the same across Canada We think we need to move on this sooner rather than later.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark has called on the federal government to ban the presses. Critics say the provinces should move on their own, without waiting for the feds.

Pill presses are tightly regulated in the United States.

The latest figures from the BC Coroners Service indicates there were 622 fatal overdoses from illicit drugs between January and October compared with 397 during the same period last year.

Fentanyl was detected in 60 per cent of those.

In West Kelowna, a large drug lab was busted on Auburn Road back in March.

At the time, police said they believed the building was used as a production lab where fake prescription drugs were made with fentanyl and then shipped out.

--with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Google Street View

Two people are in custody and one is in hospital following what police are calling a physical altercation.

The incident occurred shortly after the noon hour Friday, inside a home on the 3600 block of Granada Crescent in Glenrosa.

Police have received few details, but did say a weapon was involved in the altercation.

The investigation is in it's early stages, however police can confirm that the incident was isolated and the general public is not at risk.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious, but what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP General Investigation Section at 250-768-2880.

Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.
Photo: CTV

British Columbia's police watchdog will no longer investigate police officers who have provided life-saving measures resulting in someone's death.

The Independent Investigations Office says that while it is tasked with investigating in-custody deaths, officers who use CPR or the overdose-reversing drug naloxone to save someone's life will not be subjected to an investigation.

Spokesman Marten Youssef says the change was brought in on Friday, a week after an overdose victim died in Surrey while an RCMP officer was administering naloxone.

He says the investigations office was notified by police departments 11 times last August after people died while officers using CPR tried to save them.

Youssef says all the cases were investigated, but it was clear that none of the officers involved had done anything wrong.

He says some police departments have been reluctant to provide officers with naloxone because of concerns over investigations if someone dies, but that will no longer happen.
Photo: Facebook

Police say a Toronto neurosurgeon is to appear in court Saturday facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of his wife.

The body of Elana Fric Shamji, 40, was found Thursday in Vaughan, Ont., north of Toronto.

They say she was last seen on Wednesday and was reported missing by a family member.

Police say Shamji, who was a family physician, died of strangulation and blunt force trauma.

They say Mohammed Shamji, 40, was arrested and charged on Friday night at a coffee shop in Mississauga, Ont just west of Toronto.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Police in Ontario are continuing their search for a nine-year-old girl believed to be abducted by her mother.

Niagara Regional Police say Layla Sabry and her mother Allana Haist were last seen Thursday at 6 p.m. in Welland, Ont.

Earlier reports indicated the Amber Alert ended early Saturday, but Niagara police say that is not the case.

Staff Sgt. Paul Rogers says Amber Alerts are rebroadcast every five hours when there is new information.

He says in this case, there is no new information and the Amber Alert will be lifted when police know the girl's whereabouts.

Police say they are operating under a court order to return the child to her father.

Layla is described as white, four-foot two, light brown hair and brown eyes.

Her mother, who police say also goes by the aliases of Kate Dillon or Lana Marie, is white, five-foot one, medium length brown hair with brown eyes.
Photo: CTV

A tiny Vancouver Island community's only grocery store has closed.

Brad Unger worked at the shuttered SuperValu in Gold River for 31 years.

I dont want to use the word depressing, but when you look around the community and here it is noon and you look outside and theres nobody walking by the door, its hard to look at, Unger told CTV.

He started out as a meat cutter before buying the store 14 years ago.

On Nov. 12, he closed doors for good.

A TD Bank decision to pull its branch out of the shop was the last nail in the coffin.

Little things, you know, the government takes away fishing licenses in the summertime, we used to (have) like 300, 350 licences you know, you dont have that traffic flow, Unger said.

The closest grocery store now is an hour away in Campbell River.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: CTV Mohammed Shamji and wife Elana Fric Shamji.

A Toronto hospital has released a statement after a neurosurgeon was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, a family doctor.

Police say 40-year-old Elana Fric Shamji was reported missing Wednesday night, and her body was found by the side of a road in Vaughan, Ont., on Thursday afternoon.

She was involved with the Ontario Medical Association, and worked at the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital in Toronto's east end.

The hospital released a statement Saturday morning, saying that they are shocked and saddened at Fric Shamji's death, and are working to ensure her patients' needs are met.

Fric Shamji's husband, Mohamed Shamji, is a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital, and a faculty member at the University of Toronto.

Det. Sgt. Steve Ryan said in a press conference Friday night that Fric Shamji died of strangulation and blunt force trauma.

He says Shamji, 40, was arrested and charged Friday night at a coffee shop in Mississauga, Ont., just west of Toronto.

They had been married for 12 years and had three young children, Ryan said.

Shamji appeared in court Saturday morning, and media reports say he was remanded in custody until Dec. 20.
Photo: Google Street View

A man was arrested at the Kelowna Greyhound station Friday afternoon after allegedly groping a woman.

Police were called to station on Leckie Road at 4:30 p.m. after receiving a report of unwanted sexual contact.

The police investigation so far has revealed that the female victim was reportedly touched inappropriately by a male suspect unknown to her, said Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP in a statement.

The victim was not physically harmed during the incident.

The suspect faces potential charges after he was taken into custody at the station without incident.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.
Photo: CTV 700,000 vehicles damaged from Hurricane Sandy

The Insurance Corp. of BC is warning vehicle purchasers to beware of a possible flood of vehicles from the United States that have been flood-damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

The public auto insurer issued the warning after the American Association of Motor Vehicle Transport Administrators said tens of thousands of vehicles on the U.S. east coast were submerged in salt-and bacteria-contaminated waters.

Transportation Minister Mary Polak points out that more than half a million vehicles were damaged during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and thousands of those vehicles were imported into Canada, even though they're not legal to drive on our roads.

Flood-damaged vehicles are classified in Canada as "non-repairable" and don't qualify for road use.

Ian Christman, the registrar at the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC, says the best way to protect yourself from getting one of these vehicles is to buy from a licensed dealer who is required to know and disclose the history of the auto.

Those who buy from a private seller are urged to watch for damp or musty odours inside the vehicle and to look for signs of rust in the vents and test all electrical aspects of the vehicle.
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The board of directors and leadership staff at the Humane Society have made the decision to begin their search to find donors to help fund for a new building. The shelters current building has been around for almost 90 years, and the staff expresses the mandatory need for a new building to properly care for their animals.



So far, directors of the shelter have set a three to five year plan to successfully open the building to give animals appropriate kennels, a bigger space, suitable air ventilation, and overall a new and appealing setting. Members of the board have started their process by reaching out to big time donors to service with funding for the project.



Theres a million reasons why we need a new building, but the biggest issue is this place is just so old. said volunteer and community outreach manager Jeanine Cloyd. We have not gone out screaming to the roof tops that we are looking for funding, but we have talked to a few interested donors to get started.



The organization, which serves lost, abused, or abandoned animals in county areas outside of Chattanooga's city limits, has support from many donors. Already the organization receives close to $400,000 from the county yearly and received an additional $226,000 this year. The organization is looking to receive more contributions from donors as the project continues.



Since being incorporated in 1910 by founder Ethel Hardy, the shelter has grown to serve the county and take in thousands of homeless pets each year. The shelter is an open-door facility to provide shelter and care for homeless pets, adoption services, animal protection, cruelty investigation, and pet licenses.

"The Humane Educational Society is committed to finding each and every treatable, adoptable and trainable animal in their facility a loving home, which starts with a happy shelter," officials said.

For more information about the Humane Educational Society visit their website at www.heschatt.org/ or visit their facility at 212 N. Highland Park Ave. in Chattanooga.
Lee student Mateo Copado carrying boxes during the OCC parking party Gathered with Santa and Mrs. Claus, are Gateway peer leaders at the OCC event. Guest speaker Alex Nsengimana in Lees Walker Arena sharing his personal testimony with OCC participants. Previous Next

Lee University students, staff, and faculty gathered to pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a service opportunity provided through Samaritans Purse.

Hosted by First-Year Programs at Lee, more than 1,500 people participated by packing boxes at the event and/or contributing to the project throughout collection week. Participants included the freshman class, Gateway instructors, peer leaders, and other clubs and organizations across campus. Additionally, OCC was the sponsored project of this years Parade of Favorites, an annual student talent showcase at Lee.

OCCs mission is to fill as many shoebox-sized boxes as possible with Christmas gifts to be distributed to children in need around the world. This year, 3,050 boxes were filled by the Lee community.

Lees Office of Student Development and Student Leadership Council have been in charge of the on-campus packing efforts since 1998, providing 30,641 shoeboxes to date, and look forward to this annual event as a way to serve others.

During the event, guest speaker Alex Nsengimana, representing Samaritans Purse, shared his story of receiving a shoebox as a child in Rwanda. He also spoke in Lees chapel service dedicated to OCC the following Thursday morning.

Samaritans Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people in need around the world. Since 1970, Samaritans Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing Gods love.
Businesses are increasingly up against new, more creative types of Internet hacking and are scrambling to defend themselves against online threats. (Justin Tallis / AFP/Getty Images)

Norb Tatro, a former local TV news producer and friend of mine, was recently cloned. On Facebook, that is.

I know this because his cyber alter ego contacted me one evening with some "happy" news: He'd just won $250,000 from a new U.S. government/Facebook grant program. What's more, my name was also on a list of grant recipients.

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The clone suggested we kibitz on the phone to discuss our shared good fortune.

That's when I caught on (yes, it took me a moment) to effectively respond, "Yeah, thanks but no thanks."

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Soon after, I reached the real Norb, as did some other Facebook pals, to flag him. He and wife, Elaine Feldman, notified the social network and in a few hours the bogus site was removed, hopefully never to be seen again.

This cloning episode got me thinking about some wider implications: While many individuals fall victim to expensive, disruptive and time-wasting cyberattacks, so do a lot of businesses. In fact, companies are increasingly up against new, more creative types of Internet hacking and are scrambling to defend themselves against online threats.

"Getting hit with some type of cybersecurity event is the new natural disaster for business. It can be catastrophic," says Rob Clyde, board director of Rolling Meadows-based ISACA, a nonprofit industry association for digital information and technology issues, including cybersecurity.

A Facebook cloning or hacking attack could be devastating to a small-business operator, many of whom use the site to promote products, maintain business contacts and do bits of business.

Think about it. There's an estimated 60 million small businesses with Facebook pages, according to Facebook.

Such a huge and growing universe is a natural target for hackers and ne'er-do-wells. Moreover, no matter how it tries, it's nearly impossible for Facebook to proactively monitor every post, piece of content and network activity on its site.

As such, entrepreneurs are often the first line of defense against a nefarious hacker infecting or hijacking their page. If something is wrong, small-business owners should quickly complain to Facebook.

"Claiming to be another person violates our community standards and we remove profiles reported to us that impersonate other people," a Menlo Park, Calif.-based Facebook spokeswoman said.

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Oddly enough, targeting Facebook pages may become old-school, at least when it comes to online harassment of business, which is coping with a more emerging danger: Ransomware.

Incidents of ransomware are "just exploding" says ISACA's Clyde.

Usually, a hacker will use malware to infiltrate a poorly protected data site, capture sensitive files and literally hold them hostage in an encrypted form beyond the company's computer reach.

Oftentimes, the ransom is for a nominal amount, a few thousand dollars. The requested payoff can be made with the internationallyused bitcoins, which can signal the data kidnappers are an overseas gang, Clyde adds.

Cyber kidnappers also know something about customer service. Some will open a chat line with a company executive to help facilitate payment.

The FBI strongly urges companies not to pay and to report any ransomware threats to the agency and police. But it is not illegal to pay a ransom.

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At risk are mid-sized enterprises, including law firms and health care concerns. Organizations become desperate to get back their data and justify the ransom as another cost of doing business in the Internet age.

"It's a nuisance fee and they pay it," Clyde adds.

If that seems odd to you, you're not alone.

Paying off data kidnappers shouldn't be such a gray area. Yet it seems to be a grudging admission that our cyber cops are having trouble cracking down on tech-savvy crooks and that real-time business needs can outweigh the moral imperative of not encouraging criminal behavior.

Still, anyone who has been victim of Internet scam artists realizes it pays to be resilient.

Case in point: My friend Norb is back on Facebook.

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And hey, I'm still waiting for that $250,000 check.

roreed@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @reedtribbiz
Nashville-style hot dark-meat chicken with collard greens and elote was a popular combo at the Budlong during its brief life in Lakeview. (Hilary Higgins / Chicago Tribune)

LINCOLN PARK - Believe it or not  and we wouldnt blame you if you didnt  the Budlong could finally open its new Lincoln Park location in the next few days, according to Eater. The long-awaited outlet of the Nashville hot chicken joint, which has one location in Revival Food Hall in the Loop, will feature an expanded menu and, eventually, a weekend brunch. 1008 W. Armitage Ave., no phone number yet, www.thebudlong.com

AVONDALE - DonerMen, the food truck that specializes in German and Turkish foods and flavors, will take over the former storefront of Square Bar & Grill and turn it into DMen Tap, with hopes to open this winter. Expect rotating taps, rare beers and cocktails from around the world. The team is having fun with the design, too: "Literally, we are putting a mock-up of our truck in the bar," co-owner Shawn Podgurski wrote on the DonerMen website. 2849 W. Belmont Ave., no phone number yet, www.donermen.com

EDGEWATER - Mango Pickle, an Indian restaurant we first wrote about in September, has now officially opened its doors for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, plus Sunday brunch. 5842 N. Broadway, 773-944-5555, www.mangopicklechicago.com

LINCOLN PARK - Jimmy Ma, the man behind Lans in Old Town, has opened an Asian fusion restaurant. U Rice, offering rolls and rice bowls, had its soft opening Nov. 21, according to its Facebook page. The restaurant really goes for it on the fusion front, with items like cheddar kimchi hot-dog maki. It's also BYO, at least for now. 1629 N. Halsted St., 312-988-7888, www.uricechicago.com

SOUTH LOOP - The new Armands Victory Tap brings together two of the citys established culinary brands. The Armands name comes from the beloved local chain of neighborhood pizzerias, whose owner, Tony Gambino, combined forces with former Rosebud corporate chef Joe Farina to take over the former City Tavern space on South Michigan Avenue, reports Eater. Yes, the new restaurant offers pizza, though mostly for carryout or delivery; the dine-in menu focuses on steak and seafood. 1416 S. Michigan Ave., 312-566-9300, www.victorytapchicago.com

RIVER NORTH - Phil Stefanis newest endeavor, Flamingo Rum Club, has been in the works for a while, with a flurry of Facebook posts mentioning a fall opening date that never arrived. Now, the rum bar will open Dec. 7, UrbanDaddy reports, with plenty to help you forget the winter blues: a Havana-inspired aesthetic with art deco touches, nightly performers and flaming drinks made from Flamingos selection of more than 100 rums. 601 N. Wells St., 773-977-8677, www.theflamingorumclub.com

RIVERSIDE - After opening its first location in Oak Brook last fall, La Barra has become a favorite in the area, and the Italian restaurant now has plans to open a second suburban location. According to Riverside Brookfield Landmark, the new spot is slated for the Village Center development built in 2008. 2 E. Burlington St., Riverside, 708-887-7700, www.labarraristorante.com

NORTH CENTER - One of this years most anticipated restaurant openings will now become one of next years most anticipated openings, according to its chef/owner. Iliana Regan, also chef/owner of Elizabeth in Lincoln Square, told DNAInfo that Kitsune, serving Japanese-inspired cuisine, now will open closer to the end of January, since its city inspection and liquor license application are still pending. 4229 N. Lincoln Ave., no phone number yet, www.kitsunerestaurant.com

ICYMI:

STREETERVILLE - The Museum of Contemporary Art will get a little tastier when it completes a massive makeover: Chef Jason Hammel of Logan Square restaurant Lula has agreed to spearhead a to-be-named restaurant as part of the remodel, which is all expected to be unveiled in June.

WEST LOOP - Anna and David Posey made eager diners wait all year for Elske, but the Danish-food-focused restaurant will indeed open Dec. 7, before the calendar turns.

WEST LOOP - Two new spots for Sichuan food, Won Fun Chinese and upstairs lounge 2Fun, are now open in the heart of the West Loop's restaurant scene. Did we mention the dim sum carts and karaoke?

Sichuan pork won tons are one of the star dishes at Won Fun Chinese. (Neil John Burger Photography )

LINCOLN PARK - Off Color Brewing will expand from its West Side location, adding a taproom and second brewing location right off the Red Line.

LINCOLN PARK - It wasn't a turkey-fueled fever dream: La Colombe Cafe opened a Lincoln Park location on Black Friday.

WICKER PARK - One Off Hospitalitys (Avec, Blackbird, Nico Osteria) latest venture is open as of Wednesday. Publican Anker is the fourth One Off property in Wicker Park.

LOGAN SQUARE - With frosty beer mugs, a low-key atmosphere and a bar dog named Dolly, The Native, open now, is angling to become your new go-to neighborhood spot.

WRIGLEYVILLE - Rejoice, Shake Shack fanatics (but be prepared to wait). One of Wrigleyvilles many upcoming developments has plans to include a franchise location, but it won't open until 2019.

TBD - The location and details are still to come, but we know that Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, GT Prime) has teamed up with Jimmy Papadopoulos (ex-Bohemian House) on a restaurant, slated to open in spring.

CLOSINGS:

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WICKER PARK - The Trenchermen is closing after more than four years on North Avenue in Wicker Park. As we reported, Patrick Sheerin plans to step down, following a difficult personal time.

STREETERVILLE - Chicagos historic restaurant in the Drake Hotel, the Cape Cod Room, will close at the end of the year, falling victim to a sizable renovation on that floor of the hotel. We have more details, and photos from throughout the years, here.

adlukach@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lucheezy






Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama walk off stage after speaking at a rally at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016. (Andrew Harnik / AP)

President Barack Obama cares deeply about his legacy.

So will he dare pardon Hillary Clinton?

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Before there's any more talk of carving out a chunk of Mt. Rushmore for him, or more talk of statues or temples in his name, there is that Hillary Clinton pardon issue.

Would Obama give his former secretary of state a preemptory get-out-of-jail card before he leaves office and turns the White House over to Donald Trump?

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And if he does pardon Clinton, what of all the promises he and his operatives made to the nation, that he would "transcend" the cynical, broken politics of the past?

You'd see that phrase, or others just like it, echoed by hopium-smoking pundits of the left, by Democratic Party operatives posing as analysts on TV and even woven into the narrative of supposedly neutral news stories. There was great faith invested in such talk, predicated on the belief that the slogan would become fact. And the old cynicism would be gone.

Is it gone?

Of course, this is speculation. Mrs. Clinton hasn't been charged with any crime. But lack of charges didn't stop Republican President Gerald Ford from giving immunity to former Republican President Richard Nixon. And Democrats  presumably Hillary among them  rightly shrieked that it was all so wrong and cynical.

Now they wouldn't mind if Hillary were allowed to fly to some fantasy island or a mountaintop and stay out of the news so Democrats can focus on the next elections.

A mighty wind would blow, telling us to put the past behind us and look to the future.

That's what politicians say when they weasel out of something. But if you or I were nailed by the feds, sitting in federal prison making those federal tacos from federal prison commissary Fritos, they wouldn't much care.

Convicted former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Stuffed Elk Heads, wants a pardon for himself, and one for his convicted wife, former Ald. Sandi Jackson, as well as pardons for many others.

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In a bizarre, rambling Facebook post the other day, Jackson linked the redemption of crooked politicians to redemption offered by Jesus Christ.

"Truly, Mr. President, with a presidential pardon equally monumental to, and greater in scope than, the Emancipation Proclamation the legacy of Barack Hussein Obama II will be one of faith, hope and love," Jackson wrote.

Yet there were no references to the whispered and jealous determination of Jackson's father  on a hot TV mic  to "cut out" the president's male parts soon after Obama's victory. And redemption remains a mystery to many.

Perhaps one who might deserve if not a pardon, at least some commutation of sentence, would be former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, sentenced to 14 years.

Blago, still in federal prison and largely forgotten, deserved his time. If prosecutors had let the case continue, Jackson Jr. himself might still be inside with him, since it was Jackson who was putting together a chain of businessmen seeking to drop huge donations on Blago so he would appoint Jackson to the Senate seat left vacant by Obama's ascent.

As Blagojevich sits and Jackson rambles, a few boss Democrats in Illinois roll in cash, leveraging their public offices for great private treasure, and their cheeks are pink and warm.

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Back when Obama was campaigning the first time and captivating Americans with beautiful words, telling us that it was time to break from the broken, cynical politics of the past, were they just words?

Were they mere pretty songs crafted by people like David Axelrod and given to a back bencher from the Illinois legislature, a political body steeped in cynicism and the Chicago Way?

Was it all a con game, beginning even before journalists raised champagne toasts and became weepy-eyed at Obama's election eight years ago?

I assume we'll find out.

And so will Hillary, and so will Bill, and their minions who propped them up, and the insiders of the multibillion-dollar Clinton Foundation charity, which hauled in gifts from many nations when it was assumed that she would be president.

Now that she's not president-elect, the liberal hysteria over Trump's election continues. I suppose they need some kind of 12-step program to lure them back to reality.

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But another thing has happened, often overlooked with all that never-ending caterwauling and shrieking of anguish and pain:

Donations to the Clinton Foundation and other family charities dried up. It's as if those strongmen from questionable nations don't feel as compelled to donate as they might once have.

Since she's not going to be president, why donate to the Clinton charities? Insiders buy clout with cash, and such foundations have a way of washing the money clean, so it smells like the hair of a baby after a bath.

But the money isn't coming in anymore.

And the FBI continues to investigate the foundation, which was stuffed with treasure when Bill was jovially talking about becoming first laddie someday and Hillary was Obama's secretary of state.

All presidents care very much about their legacies. And when they leave office, Americans build monuments for them. We construct temples of worship that we call presidential libraries, and great Olympian statues and their winged words are carved in granite, as if they were gods.

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But deeds are more important than words. And in the matter of Hillary Clinton and pardons, I hope Mr. Obama remembers this.

Listen to a new edition of my podcast, "The Chicago Way," with guest Tribune reporter Gary Marx, who covered Fidel Castro's Cuba until he was invited to leave, and Tribune Editorial Board member Kristen McQueary: http://wgnplus.com/category/thechicagoway.

jskass@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @John_Kass
After completing four decades in an Arizona prison, Adell Henderson, 77, is behind bars in Illinois on a decades-old parole violation. (Illinois Department of Corrections)

After completing four decades in an Arizona prison for two rapes he insists he did not commit, Adell Henderson was set to be paroled.

But instead of being released last year, Illinois authorities took him into custody for what they said was a parole violation even older than the crime that sent him to prison: a 1957 robbery that he committed as a teenager. Now the 77-year-old is behind bars downstate at Pinckneyville Correctional Center.

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State parole officials say Henderson could be set free if there was just somewhere for him to go, but the issue is complicated by his sex offender background. His lawyer said he has a home waiting for him in Arizona, but parole officials say they have to release Henderson in Illinois.

"What interest does the state of Illinois have to go out and get a guy who hasn't stepped in the state in 40 years for a nearly 60-year-old offense?" said Henderson's lawyer, Bryce Benjet, of the New York City-based Innocence Project, which has been working to clear Henderson's name in Arizona. "I don't think anybody could legitimately think he's a threat to the community."

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With many states, including Illinois, searching for ways to reduce their prison population, Henderson's incarceration seems odd. Even Craig Findley, chairman of the state's Prisoner Review Board, which imposes conditions of release on inmates, said that keeping Henderson behind bars appears to serve little purpose.

The likelihood of Henderson committing another crime is low, especially considering his age, Findley said.

"It's a very sad case," Findley said in an interview. "He's a very old man."

Henderson's case also reflects a problem Illinois long has struggled with: finding places for sex offenders to live. The state holds many sex offenders beyond their release date  sometimes more than 1,000 inmates a year, according to the Department of Corrections  because inmates cannot find homes that meet the many restrictions on where sex offenders can live. Parole officials must approve the living arrangements.

Henderson's criminal record appears to begin, at least according to the Department of Corrections, in 1957 when he was charged with three armed robberies in Chicago. The prison system's website shows he was sentenced to life in prison, but Benjet said he was given an indeterminate sentence of three years to life.

After completing a short stint in prison, Benjet said, Henderson moved to Arizona, where he had some family. He planned to stay.

But Henderson was arrested on charges he raped two women in separate attacks, one at knifepoint, in early 1975 in Phoenix, according to Benjet. He was convicted of both assaults, though Benjet called into question the identifications by the victims as well as the lineup procedures used by police.

Studies of exonerations have shown repeatedly that mistaken identifications are among the leading causes of wrongful convictions.

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Later in 1975, Henderson was sentenced to 95 years in prison, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections.

While serving his sentence, Henderson wrote to the Innocence Project protesting his innocence and asking that its lawyers take a look at his case. The organization agreed, Benjet said, and hoped DNA testing of the evidence would determine if Henderson was innocent. Officials in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is located, have not been able to find evidence from the decades-old case, stymieing efforts to move Henderson's innocence claim forward, according to Benjet.

He was released from an Arizona prison in April 2015.

But he was kept behind bars in Illinois, according to Benjet and Findley, because his 1975 rapes in Arizona came while he was still on parole for his armed robbery conviction from the 1950s. His release has been compounded by his inability to find required housing in Illinois  understandable since Henderson has no known family here and wants to return to Arizona. Illinois cannot release him directly to Arizona even if it wanted to do that.

Findley said that the Prisoner Review Board has had discussions with corrections department officials to try to resolve the situation. But Henderson appears to be stuck in a Catch-22.

"Until he has an approved host site, we don't have a way to help him get out," Findley said. "Right now, we don't see a way to help him."

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Alan Mills, of the Uptown People's Law Center, which works on prisoner issues, said it's silly for Henderson to be held on such an old issue.

"It's a 60-year-old parole violation," he said. "It's just a more egregious case than any other one because he's so old and the case is older than any other case."

Benjet said Henderson is blind in one eye and suffers the frailties common to his age, compounded by the shortcomings of prison health care. But even after spending much of his life in prison, he added, Henderson has a "remarkably good attitude."

He wants to work. He wants to be as independent as he can.

"He really wants to make the most of the years he has left," Benjet said.

smmills@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @smmills1960
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders will huddle in Chicago this weekend trying to make headway on what so far has eluded them: striking a grand bargain on a budget deal or reaching a smaller agreement to keep state government running past the new year.

Even before the group gathers behind closed doors Saturday and Sunday at the Thompson Center, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan laid out his demands Friday afternoon.

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The veteran speaker wants a detailed list of the topics Rauner wants to tackle, "so experts from our caucus can attend to facilitate a real conversation on these issues, unlike the superficial discussions held by the governor this week that did not help us get any closer to a full-year budget."

And Madigan asked for so-called "memorandums of understanding" for all future and past funding agreements made with Rauner, saying House Democrats are concerned the administration is not spending funds as agreed to under the temporary budget that expires Jan. 1. It's a "put-it-in-writing" tactic Madigan previously used under ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and demonstrates just how little trust exists between the governor and the speaker.

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The two sides have been at odds for nearly two years. Rauner wants lawmakers to pass his economic agenda, which he says will put the state on better financial footing over the long term, before he'll agree to the tax hikes and major cuts required for a new budget. Madigan has balked, calling the governor's demands "extreme" and suggesting the changes would hurt the middle class.

That led to tens of millions of dollars spent on House and Senate races last month in what amounted to a battle between a handful of wealthy businessmen allied with Rauner's Republicans and the labor unions and trial lawyers that back Madigan's Democrats. Republicans picked up four House seats and two Senate seats, but Democrats will remain firmly in control of both chambers when the new General Assembly is sworn in next month.

When budget negotiations resumed last month, Rauner was pushing five key changes: an overhaul of the workers' compensation system, changes to the state's public employee pension program, a re-write of the school funding formula, term limits and a property tax freeze. The governor said he remained flexible as to which ideas lawmakers could pass before he would sign off on a new budget, but indicated he would not agree to another stopgap spending plan to get state government through June, when the current budget year ends.

Rauner shifted gears last week during the final days of the fall session, saying he would agree to another stopgap, but only if Democrats agreed to the two proposals they've most staunchly opposed: term limits and a property tax freeze. Democrats contend a tax freeze would starve local schools and governments and say term limits have no impact on the state's coffers.

On Friday, Rauner pointedly noted he had removed as a pre-condition of a property-tax freeze a previous plan that would allow local governments and schools to weaken the collective bargaining rights of public worker unions allied with Democrats.

"All I want, all I'll insist on, is purely term limits and purely a (property-tax) freeze. No other elements on the freeze. The freeze just insists that local voters get to vote on whether the tax is increased," the governor said.

Rauner, speaking to the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, said enacting term limits and a property-tax freeze would "directly impact the budget in the long term" by telling "job creators around the world that it's a new day in Illinois."

Indicating he was open to negotiating those items, Rauner said any agreement must include reforms that are "significant."

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"Overall the package has to be compelling so when I travel the nation and travel the world on my nickel, I'm selling Illinois, people say, 'We want to come,'" Rauner said.

The weekend meetings follow a turbulent fall session that ended Thursday with Rauner's testy, abrupt veto of $215 million in teacher pension funding help for Chicago Public Schools. That move came after Democratic Senate President John Cullerton encouraged Rauner to sign the legislation even though a broader overhaul for the state's highly indebted employee retirement system has yet to emerge.

The Senate voted to override the governor, but the House left town before voting. The House has 15 calendar days to take up the override, but leading Democrats said the votes aren't there to override the governor. The chamber is not scheduled to return to Springfield until Jan. 9, meaning the bill is effectively dead.

On Friday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel ripped Rauner, saying the governor "bailed out" power companies with a major energy bill that will raise electricity rates for ComEd customers, but bailed on CPS students. For his part, Madigan said he wants to add help for CPS back into the mix for budget talks going forward.

In addition, the speaker also has requested "a full recounting of all taxpayer-funded corporate giveaways handed out to businesses since Gov. Rauner took office," and a status of contract negotiations with the state's largest public employee union.

That Madigan ask comes after the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 sued Rauner on Thursday in an attempt to stop him from putting in place his terms on a new contract after a Rauner-appointed labor board declared negotiations were deadlocked.

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But Rauner said Friday that the administration has not yet implemented "any part" of the state's best and final offer with AFSCME though "we would like to start doing it." He said the union's action amounted to "wasting time in court, arguing about good common-sense things."

The impasse has hit lawmakers' pocketbooks as well. They haven't received a paycheck since August, and that was for May. The delay is due to outgoing Republican Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger's April move to make lawmakers get in line with the other social service agencies and small businesses that the state owes what's now $10.3 billion in unpaid bills.

On Friday, a group of House Democratic lawmakers sued, asking a judge to require the comptroller to pay the salaries that have been withheld, issue their paychecks on the last day of each month as set in law and maybe give them some back-pay interest.

Asked about the suit, Rauner offered a response not unlike the frustration felt by many Illinois residents about the sinking status of their state government: "Wow. Good grief."

mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com

rap30@aol.com
House Speaker Michael Madigan, accompanied by state Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, takes questions from the media after their closed door meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner and other Republican leaders at the Thompson Center on Dec. 3, 2016, in Chicago. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

A closed-door meeting Saturday between Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders provided little if any headway on a budget deal to keep state government running into the new year, with Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan declaring "a lack of trust with the Rauner administration."

Madigan's comments followed a Friday request in which he asked for so-called "memorandums of understanding" for all future and past funding agreements made with Rauner. Madigan said House Democrats are concerned the administration is not spending funds as agreed to under the temporary budget that expires Jan. 1. It's a "put-it-in-writing" tactic Madigan used under Democrat Rod Blagojevich.

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"These were employed when Blagojevich was the governor, and they happened because there was a lack of trust with the Blagojevich administration, and today there is a lack of trust with the Rauner administration," Madigan said.

That lack of trust set the tone for Saturday's meeting in Chicago as the sides continue negotiations this weekend in an effort to reach a sweeping deal to end the historic stalemate or a smaller agreement to keep cash flowing through the end of the budget year in June.

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Indeed, what emerged afterward were two distinctly different versions of events.

The Democrats came out first, and Madigan contended "budget-making was not discussed in the meeting," a nod to his stance that Rauner should drop the economic agenda the governor has tied to a potential agreement.

Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan and others meet with Gov. Bruce Rauner to discuss the budget. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Republicans, meanwhile, came out second and struck a far different tone, with Senate GOP leader Christine Radogno saying it was "one of the most productive meetings that we've had in a long time."

Radogno cited talks that centered on Rauner's push to overhaul the workers' compensation system for employees hurt on the job. Radogno said Democratic Senate President John Cullerton was engaged on the topic, while Madigan remained silent. During the lengthy stalemate, Republican leaders from time to time have praised Cullerton as they so far unsuccessfully try to isolate Madigan.

There wasn't even an agreement on how talks would proceed, with Radogno saying Madigan did not provide a schedule of when he is available through the holidays, while the speaker maintained he stands ready to meet.

The two sides have been at odds for nearly two years. Rauner wants lawmakers to pass his economic agenda, which he says will put the state on better financial footing over the long term, before he'll agree to the tax hikes and major cuts required for a new budget. Madigan has balked, calling the governor's demands "extreme" and suggesting the changes would hurt the middle class.

That led to tens of millions of dollars spent on House and Senate races last month in what amounted to a battle between a handful of wealthy businessmen allied with Rauner's Republicans and the labor unions and trial lawyers that back Madigan's Democrats. Republicans picked up four House seats and two Senate seats, but Democrats will remain firmly in control of both chambers when the new General Assembly is sworn in next month.

When budget negotiations resumed last month, Rauner was pushing five key changes: an overhaul of the workers' compensation system, changes to the state's public employee pension program, a rewrite of the school funding formula, term limits and a property tax freeze. The governor said he remained flexible as to which ideas lawmakers could pass before he would sign off on a new budget, but indicated he would not agree to another stopgap spending plan to get state government through June, when the current budget year ends.

Advertisement

Rauner shifted gears last week during the final days of the fall session, saying he would agree to another stopgap but only if Democrats agreed to the two proposals they've most staunchly opposed: term limits and a property tax freeze. Democrats contend a tax freeze would starve local schools and governments and say term limits have no impact on the state's coffers.

On Friday, Rauner pointedly noted he had removed as a precondition of a property tax freeze a previous plan that would allow local governments and schools to weaken the collective bargaining rights of public worker unions allied with Democrats.

"All I want, all I'll insist on, is purely term limits and purely a (property tax) freeze. No other elements on the freeze. The freeze just insists that local voters get to vote on whether the tax is increased," the governor said.

Rauner, speaking to the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, said enacting term limits and a property tax freeze would "directly impact the budget in the long term" by telling "job creators around the world that it's a new day in Illinois."

Indicating he was open to negotiating those items, Rauner said any agreement must include reforms that are "significant."

"Overall the package has to be compelling so when I travel the nation and travel the world on my nickel, I'm selling Illinois, people say, 'We want to come,'" Rauner said.

Advertisement

The weekend meetings follow a turbulent fall session that ended Thursday with Rauner's testy, abrupt veto of $215 million in teacher pension funding help for Chicago Public Schools. That move came after Cullerton encouraged Rauner to sign the legislation even though a broader overhaul for the state's highly indebted employee retirement system has yet to emerge.

The Senate voted to override the governor, but the House left town before voting. The House has 15 calendar days to take up the override, but leading Democrats said the votes aren't there to override the governor. The chamber is not scheduled to return to Springfield until Jan. 9, meaning the bill is effectively dead.

On Friday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel ripped Rauner, saying the governor "bailed out" power companies with a major energy bill that will raise electricity rates for ComEd customers but bailed on CPS students. For his part, Madigan has added help for CPS back into the mix for budget talks going forward, and the topic was broached during Saturday's meeting with the governor.

The speaker also is tying budget talks to contract negotiations with the state's largest public employee union. That Madigan request comes after the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 sued Rauner on Thursday in an attempt to stop him from putting in place his terms on a new contract after a Rauner-appointed labor board declared negotiations were deadlocked.

But Rauner said Friday that the administration has not yet implemented "any part" of the state's best and final offer with AFSCME, though "we would like to start doing it." He said the union's action amounted to "wasting time in court, arguing about good common-sense things."

The impasse has hit lawmakers' pocketbooks as well. They haven't received a paycheck since August, and that was for May. The delay is due to outgoing Republican Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger's April move to make lawmakers get in line with the other social service agencies and small businesses that the state owes what's now $10.3 billion in unpaid bills.

Advertisement

On Friday, a group of House Democratic lawmakers sued, asking a judge to require the comptroller to pay the salaries that have been withheld, issue their paychecks on the last day of each month as set in law and maybe give them some back-pay interest.

Asked about the suit, Rauner offered a response not unlike the frustration felt by many Illinois residents about the sinking status of their state government: "Wow. Good grief."

mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com

jcoen@chicagotribune.com

rap30@aol.com
President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a "USA Thank You" tour event on Dec. 1, 2016, in Cincinnati. (Evan Vucci / AP)

Russia's government denies that it tampered in the U.S. election or even took sides. But now that the results are in, members of President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party aren't holding back.

"It turns out that United Russia won the elections in America," Viktor Nazarov, the governor of Omsk, Russia, declared in a radio interview.

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Long before Donald Trump was on the radar of American voters, Russia had deep interests in the outcome of elections around the world. But 2016 presented a unique window.

Motivated by years of crippling economic sanctions and decades of post-Soviet setbacks, the Russians were keener than ever to pounce; the race for the White House, plagued by party infighting and scandal, was easy bait.

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For Putin, sanctions relief is a gateway to the ultimate goal of establishing Russia as the political and economic equivalent of the United States. Trump, who has extolled Putin's leadership and called for a tempered approach to U.S.-Russia relations, may be a conduit to achieving that.

"It's much more about institutions, not about personalities," said Robert Amsterdam, an international attorney who has a number of high-profile Russian clients. Putin "was seriously impacted by the sanctions because it targeted his closest friends and now they think Trump is going to change that."

U.S. intelligence agencies said in October they are confident that the Russian government hacked the e-mails of U.S. citizens and institutions, including political organizations, and handed them over to DCLeaks.com and WikiLeaks for distribution. Hacked Democratic National Committee emails in July, indicating that DNC leaders were favoring Hillary Clinton over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primaries, prompted the resignation of chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

"Weaponizing information is really about who gets to write the truth, who gets to write the narrative and who benefits from that narrative  and that is incredibly powerful," said Laura Galante, director of intelligence analysis at cybersecurity firm FireEye, Inc.

Russia has sought to put itself on an equal footing with the U.S. since the collapse of the Soviet Union, extending its territory where it can, countering U.S. military action and positioning itself as a rival to the world's biggest economy.

But its ambitions suffered a setback in 2014 when the Obama administration authorized sanctions against sectors of the Russian economy, including financial services, energy, mining and defense. The administration also sanctioned people in Putin's inner circle accused of undermining peace in Ukraine. Add to that falling oil prices and a weak ruble, and Russia's economy was shackled.

Weaponizing information is really about who gets to write the truth, who gets to write the narrative and who benefits from that narrative  and that is incredibly powerful.  Laura Galante, FireEye, Inc. analyst

The impact has been extensive. Russia's sovereign wealth fund had $87 billion in assets in December 2013, according to the Russian Finance Ministry. As of June 1, it was down to $38 billion, following sell-offs by the Russian government to make up for budget deficits. U.S. trade with Russia tumbled to $23 billion in 2015, from about $34 billion the previous year.

Sanctions that impede Russia's ability to acquire equipment for Arctic offshore drilling are of particular concern because they hold the key to Russia's rapid expansion in that sector.

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"Lifting restrictions on exports of technology, software, things that really help their energy industry extract oil and gas" would be the top priority, said Boris Zilberman, a Russia expert at the Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"Production is dwindling over time, so they're going into new, offshore, deep-water drilling in the Arctic and so on, and to do that, they really need Western technology," he said.

Sanctions relief is important to Russia's broader objective of superpower status, shown by its bullish Syria policy. Syria's Russian-backed military made major gains in rebel-held eastern Aleppo in recent days and rebel resistance appeared to be crumbling. While Moscow and Washington are continuously at odds over Syria, the Obama administration has not imposed any Syria-related sanctions.

Trump's promise of closer cooperation with Russia has created worries that the U.S. will have diminished leverage. He said during the campaign that under his leadership the U.S. might not come to the defense of some NATO members if Russia were to attack them, indicating he would make that decision based on whether those Baltic republics "have fulfilled their obligations to us."

But Trump's positions are hard to assess because he's often stepped away from his more controversial proposals. Trump's choice as defense secretary, retired Gen. James Mattis, has called Russia's aggression in Ukraine a problem "much more severe, more serious" than Washington and the European Union are treating it.

Putin and Trump spoke soon after his victory and a statement from Trump's transition team said the president-elect told Putin he looked forward to "a strong and enduring relationship." Observers caution that Putin's interests are self-motivated and Russia's incentive to interfere in U.S. politics won't go away with Trump's victory.

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"It's not that Putin is against the Democratic Party," Zilberman said. "He's more against the United States and (for) whatever may push Russian interests."

He added: "There's nothing saying that next time they won't hack Republicans and expose Trump administration emails if it benefits them."

Associated Press
In this photo released by the Taiwanese presidency, President Tsai Ing-wen, center, flanked by National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, left, and Foreign Minister David Lee, speaks with President-elect Donald Trump through a speaker phone in Taipei. (Taiwan Presidential Office)

BEIJING  President-elect Donald Trump is unapologetic about roiling diplomatic waters with his decision to speak on the phone with Taiwan's leader, a breach of long-standing tradition that risks enmity from China.

The U.S. severed diplomatic ties with the self-governing island in 1979 but has maintained close unofficial relations and a commitment to support its defense.

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Trump's conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen drew an irritated, although understated, response from China, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday that the contact was "just a small trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change U.S. policy toward China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-U.S. relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Wang was quoted as saying. Chinese officials said they lodged a complaint with the U.S. and reiterated a commitment to seeking "reunification" with the island, which they consider a renegade province.

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After the phone conversation Friday, Trump tweeted that Tsai "CALLED ME." He also groused about the reaction to the call: "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

The U.S. shifted diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. But the governments in Washington and Taipei have maintained close unofficial ties and deep economic and defense relations. The U.S. is required by law to provide Taiwan with weapons to maintain its defense.

Since 2009, the Obama administration has approved $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

The call was the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily given by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

"President-elect Trump is just shooting from the hip, trying to take phone calls of congratulatory messages from leaders around the world without consideration for the implications," said Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland in 1949. The U.S. policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trump's conversation does not signal any change to long-standing U.S. policy on cross-strait issues.

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The Taiwanese presidential office said Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of U.S. relations with Taiwan. "The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer cooperative relations," the statement said.

Tsai also told Trump that she hoped the U.S. would support Taiwan in its participation in international affairs, the office said, in an apparent reference to China's efforts to isolate Taiwan from global institutions such as the United Nations.

Taiwan's presidential office spokesman, Alex Huang, said separately that Taiwan's relations with China and "healthy" Taiwan-U.S. relations can proceed in parallel. "There is no conflict" in that, he said.

China's foreign ministry said Beijing lodged "solemn representations" with the U.S. over the call.

"It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory," Geng Shuang, a ministry spokesman, said in a statement. "The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China."

China is likely to be trying to identify whether this signals any intent on the part of Trump to alter long-standing U.S. policy toward Taiwan, Glaser said.

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"They will hope that this is a misstep, but I think privately, they will definitely seek to educate this incoming president and ensure that he understands the sensitivity of Taiwan," she said.

A man buys a Chinese newspaper featuring a photo of President-elect Donald Trump the day after the U.S. election at a news stand in Beijing. The headline reads "Outsider strikes back." (Greg Baker / AFP/Getty Images)

Last month, Trump had a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping during which Trump's office described him as saying he believed the two would have "one of the strongest relationships for both countries."

Despite China's muted response Saturday, concern about Trump's policy toward China is growing, said Shi Yinhong of Renmin University in Beijing, one of China's best-known international relations scholars.

Tsai was elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

The call with Trump could "convince people in Taiwan that the island can establish good relations with the U.S. and encourage (Tsai) to continue to resist pressure from Beijing," Shi said.

In Beijing, a U.S. business group urged the new U.S. administration to respect the status quo.

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"The new administration needs to get up to speed quickly on the historical tensions and complex dynamics of the region," said James Zimmerman, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Associated Press, Los Angeles Times contributed


This undated picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Dec. 2, 2016, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un attending an intensive drill of KPA artillery units on the front. (KCNA, AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  When Donald Trump first strides into the Oval Office as president, his perfect day is likely to be ruined by a file marked "North Korea." Trump's (first? only?) term in office may include either a messy confrontation with an unpredictable, highly combustible regime, or a rogue nation gaining the power to destroy large portions of Los Angeles with nuclear weapons. Or both.

Consider the viewpoint of North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un  which is not easy because the exercise, properly done, should include platform shoes, Dennis Rodman and a "pleasure squad" of teen virgins. Kim looks at South Korea and sees political chaos, with its president is overwhelmed by a corruption scandal. He looks at America and sees massive uncertainty, created by an untested leader who has promised to reconsider security arrangements with South Korea and Japan and may begin an attention-diverting trade war with China.

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America's new president will look at North Korea and see a sworn enemy from a bloody war that has never officially ended, sprinting toward the capability to mount nuclear weapons on long-range missiles. The regime is not in need of new technologies or facilities; it is adapting capabilities that it already possesses. Between 2009 and 2016, North Korea conducted 64 missile tests and nuclear detonations. By some estimates, it may have the ability to strike the West Coast in four years. Or less.

President Trump will see a regime of vast, bottomless cruelty, running gulags that contain more than 100,000 people subjected to violent punishment, rape, hard labor, malnutrition and execution. These ongoing crimes against humanity can be watched via satellite (the crematory in Camp 25 recently got an upgrade).

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The picture is bleak, but not completely bleak. South Korean President Park Geun-hye, in the midst of her crisis, has taken the unpopular but necessary step of strengthening military ties with Japan, including the pooling of intelligence. A landmark 2014 United Nations Commission of Inquiry report on North Korean human rights abuses has subjected the regime to increased scrutiny and criticism.

But the Obama administration's policy of "strategic patience" has been hard to distinguish from paralysis in the face of bad choices. If the incoming president is searching for options to jump-start American policy, he could do worse than a new report from the Human Freedom Initiative at the Bush Center. (Note: I'm on the Initiative's advisory council.) "Light Through Darkness" was authored by two Korea experts, Victor Cha and Robert Gallucci, who come from different party backgrounds.

The authors make a strong case that leadership in confronting the problem can't be subcontracted to China. They set out a number of smart proposals, such as targeting the North Korean regime's export of slave labor (that helps fund proliferation) and increasing information flows into the closed and isolated country. But Cha and Gallucci are most creative in the way they integrate a focus on security and a focus on human rights  normally contending policy camps  into a single approach. They argue that the threat of North Korea emerges from the nature of the regime itself and that human rights criticism can be a source of leverage.

What matters more than incremental policy choices, however, is where the American red line is really, truly placed  not the announced one, but the red line in the back of the president's mind. Is it acceptable to have North Korean nuclear weapons targeted on American cities?

Plenty of experts will give a firm "no." Accommodating the North Korean nuclear threat to America would send the message that anti-proliferation efforts are essentially dead. It would put immense destructive power in the hands of a psychopathic leader. It would invite and enable emulation. It might provide North Korea with a sense of impunity, encouraging catastrophic miscalculations.

But some experts would reluctantly argue that North Korea is deterrable. Kim's government is essentially a crime family, not a death cult, and would respond to the disincentive of incineration. In a certain sense, North Korea is already being deterred, because its missiles can already reach Seoul and Tokyo.

Would the American people be ready for the effective resumption of the Korean War? Would South Korea be willing to risk the shelling of its capital to enforce an American nuclear red line?

Strategic realities and hard choices will determine the outcome of the Korea crisis, not a set of business-book negotiating skills. This is reality television  minus the television.

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Michael Gerson is a Washington Post columnist.

michaelgerson@washpost.com

Washington Post Writers Group
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios answers questions during an interview at The Hideout, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios is out of excuses. He can no longer block investigative inquiries into his office. The jig is up.

A unanimous Illinois Supreme Court settled a four-year dispute on Thursday, ruling that Berrios does indeed fall under the jurisdiction of the Cook County inspector general.

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This should surprise no one. It's written into the ordinance that created the inspector general's office in the first place. But Berrios challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance all the way to the state's highest court, claiming it should not apply to him as an independently elected county official.

Berrios got shot down.

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He also bought himself time, which might make it difficult for Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard to resume the 2012 inquiry that set off the dispute in the first place  an employee in Berrios' office allegedly taking a property tax exemption on multiple properties, a big no-no. Berrios at one point said he handled the matter internally. But he refused to hand over documents and materials, even after Blanchard issued a subpoena.

Blanchard says he'll reassess the case in light of the court's decision and determine whether to move forward.

Note that several other elected officials quietly jumped on Berrios' coattails as his case moved through the courts. They also refused to cooperate with Blanchard's office. Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough, Treasurer Maria Pappas and the Board of Review  comprised of Larry Rogers Jr., Dan Patlak and Michael Cabonargi  brushed off inquiries from the inspector general's office, citing Berrios' case. Their refusals essentially froze, for four years, Blanchard's ability to follow up on complaints aimed at their operations.

Blanchard says he has tried to work around the lack of cooperation, taking advantage of public records and other materials. But without access to employees to conduct interviews or to email communications or internal documents, Blanchard's ability to investigate has been greatly restricted.

Until now.

The Supreme Court's ruling should make it clear to all the foot-draggers  never mind that the ordinance was clear already  that they are not above the law. The Cook County Board created an independent inspector general in 2007 to "detect, deter and prevent corruption, fraud, waste, mismanagement, unlawful political discrimination or misconduct in the operation of county government," the Supreme Court noted.

The ordinance empowered the inspector general to investigate wrongdoing throughout government, including separately elected county officials. The IG also has the power to subpoena documents and forward results to law enforcement.

Attempts to clip Blanchard at the knees should never have happened in the first place.

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Remember, this is Cook County. The inspector general, with 18 full-time employees, is a busy guy. But we suspect he's about to get busier.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
A small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The mast of the USS Tennessee is beyond the burning West Virginia. (U.S. Navy)

Leroy Barber grew up in rural New London, Wis., hunting and fishing with two of his brothers. He enlisted in the Navy, trained at the Great Lakes facility north of Chicago and was assigned to a battleship. Barber enjoyed being a sailor, missed his brothers and advised them to join up. The Navy made an exception to its rule against putting family members on one boat  a decision their father sought to reverse  but America was not at war, and Hawaii was about as far from Europe's fighting as you could get.

That's how the Barber boys, Malcolm, 22, Leroy, 21 and Randolph, 19, came to serve together as firemen on the USS Oklahoma. And that is how they died: together, on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941  75 years ago this Wednesday  when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and drew America into World War II.

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"We are not bitter, but there is one thing neither of us can forgive," Peter Barber, their father, told the Tribune in May 1942. "We were at peace when the attack started. Our boys didn't even know about it. They must have been caught below decks without any chance to fight back. If they had known  if we had been on guard  they would have returned fire and they might not all have died."

Many wars are remembered and battles commemorated. But only two dates on the calendar awaken recollections of a sneak attack on American territory by an undeclared enemy. One is Sept. 11, which was 15 years ago this year. And then there is Dec. 7, "a date which will live in infamy," as President Franklin Roosevelt told Congress in a national radio broadcast the next afternoon. A few hours later, the United States declared war on Japan. A few days later, the U.S. declared war on Germany.

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The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise, but it was foreshadowed. In 1941, America was attempting to check Japanese aggression in China through economic sanctions. The U.S. knew from a code-breaking operation known as "Magic" that Japan was girding for war. Conflict seemed inevitable, but officials in Washington missed the signals that war was imminent, and never guessed Hawaii would be a target. The American public also was unprepared.

On Dec. 1, the Tribune reported that ongoing negotiations to halt Japan's expansionist moves were at a critical juncture, but there was a distant, theoretical tone to the warning. The U.S., having backed Britain in Europe, was already engaged in quasi-conflict with Germany. In the Pacific, war against Japan remained an unappealing question. "The United States is not prepared to fight a war on two fronts and will not be before the completion of our two-ocean navy in 1946," the Tribune's story said.

The U.S. military was not on alert in Hawaii. Most naval personnel treated Dec. 7, a Sunday, as a day off. Around 7 a.m., just as radar operators were completing their overnight watch, they spotted a stunning concentration of aircraft coming their way  must be B-17s coming in from California, they were told.

Wrong: This was the first Japanese carrier strike force of torpedo- and dive-bombers, escorted by Zero fighters. The Japanese attack, completed in two waves in less than two hours, destroyed most of the U.S. military planes on the island of Oahu and devastated the U.S. Pacific fleet. Most of the ships' anti-aircraft guns were unmanned. A few heroic American pilots got off the ground to shoot down Zeros, but the day marked a humiliating and painful entrance to the war. The Barber brothers were among 2,300 U.S. service members killed.

Firsthand descriptions of Dec. 7 have dwindled as survivors depart us, but the lesson of Pearl Harbor endures. In 1941, the United States failed to anticipate Japanese aggression. In 2001, terrorists intensified a slow-burning war against American civilians that had started years earlier and continues today. Despite America's great power and comparative isolation on the map, it is vulnerable to the enemies it has, and the ones it may have. Our nation forgets that at its peril.
Gov. Bruce Rauner, at the Illinois Manufacturers' Associaton luncheon Friday, is now listing term limits as one of his major reform issues and a precondition for meeting with Democratic leaders on a stopgap budget. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

Term limits?

Gov. Bruce Rauner is holding up critical state budget negotiations over his desire for term limits?

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Unbelievably, yes.

One of the two major "reforms" Rauner is now listing as a precondition for him agreeing to negotiate a stopgap budget with the leaders of the Democratic majorities in the Illinois General Assembly is promotion of a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on state elected officials.

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Ever since he took office nearly two years ago, Rauner has been insisting on the legislature making certain but ever-shifting changes in the way the state operates before he'll come to the table on spending and taxing. He says his proposals will brighten the state's overall financial picture and are thus linked to any discussion about the budget.

Democratic leaders  mainly House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton  have been insisting in return that Rauner separate his wish list from the budget talks. And the result has been a toxic, destructive stalemate that's seen the state operating without a full-year budget since July 2015, and that Thursday saw the legislature adjourn for the year without passing even a partial, temporary budget for January and beyond.

This failure threatens human service programs, higher education funding and other integral functions of government, weakens the state's bond ratings and creates a climate of uncertainty for business.

Over term limits?

I know they're popular. Poll results released in October by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale found 80 percent support among Illinois voters for a proposal to limit state lawmakers to a total of eight years of service.

I know that people feel an almost visceral revulsion at the idea of "career politicians," even though they have a paradoxical impulse to vote them back into office over and over again.

I know that a joint task force of political scientists and researchers from the National Conference of State Legislatures found that the most noticeable change when states impose term limits is that the balance of power tends to shift away from the legislature and toward the governor's office. Their resulting report noted, "This decline in legislative power is most visible in the budget process."

Why? "In addition to their constitutional authority to sign and veto bills, governors in term-limited states control many top-level state jobs that legislators facing short stints will soon want," wrote staff writer Alan Greenblatt in "The Truth About Term Limits," an article in Governing magazine. "Whether it is a question of job ambitions, a shortage of information or sheer inexperience, the reality seems to be that legislators do a far less effective job of competing with governors for power once term limits take effect."

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I also know that, no matter how appealing the idea of term limits or the shift of power toward a governor might be, research shows states with term limits aren't necessarily thriftier and their legislatures aren't necessarily more diverse than states without term limits.

I know, in short, that a debate over term limits has no place in the debate over our state budget.

Whatever prompts Rauner's attachment to this idea  that it's popular, that it's consistent with his philosophy, that it's a way to empower governors or that it's a way to get at Madigan, his main nemesis  term limits have no practical connection to his goal to "raise our rate of economic growth and reduce our pace of government spending," as he said in a video posted Thursday to his Facebook page.

Rauner's other precondition for negotiating a stopgap budget is that the Democrats agree to a "permanent property-tax freeze," he said in the video.

I know property taxes are unpopular. They're already high in Illinois and no one wants to pay more.

But handcuffing the smaller units of government that levy and collect property taxes would centralize power in Springfield and drastically limit the ability of localities to respond to emerging demands in their areas.

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"Permanent" suggests a level of foresight that no demographer or economist has. And though the freeze could be overridden with approval of the voters in a given jurisdiction, Rauner has long linked it legislatively to a repeal of the state's Prevailing Wage Act that requires municipalities to pay union scale when hiring outside contractors.

Democrats consider the abolition of these worker-friendly standards an attack on organized labor, a key Democratic constituency. And researchers consider the abolition a lousy idea.

A 2013 analysis of prevailing wage laws published by the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign estimated the state's construction workers would see a 5.5 percent drop in pay and the state would see a loss of "more than $44 million in lost state and local taxes and roughly $116 million in lost federal tax revenue" along with "a redistribution of wealth from construction workers to the owners of construction firms."

Why don't the Democrats just give in anyway for the good of the vulnerable people who rely most on state services?

In part because Rauner has never been clear about what, if anything, he's offering them in return, other than that he'll come to the table for budget talks.

"We have totally lost trust that he is or even can be a reliable and trusted partner in this process," said Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie, one of Madigan's top lieutenants, when I asked him about this. "We have asked him many times to make a budget proposal. He will not do so because he will not make tough choices. When he says he may agree to (new tax) revenue, he gives us no assurances."

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If Rauner can't come up with a serious budget proposal, then the very least he can do is come up with a hypothetical budget proposal  a thorough conditional counteroffer that would move talks forward without necessarily conceding anything.

I know that until he does, and until both sides back off of their implicit threats to blame the other for any tax increases, conditions in the state will continue to deteriorate.

Believe it.

Re: Tweets

I readily admit that I'm personally implicated in the winning tweet in this week's reader poll: "Toyota Prius: Ranked No. 1 in customer self-satisfaction," from @yonewt.

Twitter @EricZorn
The historic former Waubonsee Community College building at Galena Boulevard and Stolp Avenue in Aurora would become an arts center under a redevelopment plan. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

The developers of the proposed $35 million arts center in Aurora's downtown said they believe the project is a natural fit for the city.

Will Woodley, director of development for the Chicago office of The Community Builders, Inc., told members of the City Council Finance and Planning and Development committees that "synergy" is an over-used word, but he used it anyway to describe how he thinks the arts center can fit into what is already downtown.

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"There are a lot of partnership opportunities here," he said. "We were impressed by Aurora, and we hope to be a really good partner. But we were also impressed by the communities around Aurora."

The Finance Committee approved two developer agreements, one between Community Builders and the city, and another between Community Builders, the city and the Aurora Civic Center Authority.

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The two agreements would encompass the entire project, which is to turn the former Waubonsee Community College building at Stolp Avenue and Galena Boulevard into an arts center. It also adds in renovations of an existing Joseph Corporation building at 32 S. Broadway.

The center would include a school for performing arts using the first floor and lower level, and 36 one-bedroom and two, two-bedroom apartments rented with a preference for practicing artists on the upper floor.

The school part of the center also would have new rehearsal space for the Paramount Theater and its locally produced Broadway series, and about a 5,000-square-foot space for a restaurant.

The artist apartments floor would include a sound-attenuated room for rehearsals, and other common space. The apartments themselves would be a variety of sizes with different amenities that cater to the arts  higher ceilings, utility sinks, reinforced walls to hold heavier art pieces and two bedrooms that can turn into a one-bedroom with a studio.

Woodley said the development would be similar to a development Community Buildings did in Washington Park in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. It, too, is an artist preference rental building.

The recent meeting on the project had an interesting twist, because it included three of the five Aurora mayoral candidates. Rick Guzman, assistant chief of staff at the city, is shepherding the development through the planning process.

Aldermen Michael Saville, 6th Ward, and Richard Irvin, at large, were in the meeting as members of the Planning and Development Committee. Saville chairs that committee.

Saville has indicated support for the project, but Irvin has indicated serious concerns about it. Both had plenty of questions of Woodley, particularly when it came to how the artist preference works.

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Woodley said the rents for the one-bedrooms would be between $750 and $800 a month, and for the two-bedrooms likely $850 to $900 a month. The most money a year a person renting there could make is $32,000.

Woodley said once a person signs a lease, that person could make more money. But at the time of rental, the maximum is $32,000.

Irvin has been concerned more about what the lower limit would be. Woodley stressed that no matter who rents the apartments, they have to prove they can afford to pay the rent.

That would include providing tax returns, proof of employment and other proof of income, Woodley said.

He pointed out that the development is not subsidized. The subsidy developers get is in the tax credits, which are sold up front. But the rent is not subsidized, so they must stay firm on that.

"This is not the type where your rent is on a sliding scale," he said.

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He said the situation works more like rent control, which guarantees the rents would not go up as the value of the property goes up around it. Art concentrations typically improve neighborhoods, then price the artists out, Woodley said.

He also answered concerns from both Irvin and Saville about how they define artists. Woodley said that is defined in tax code through the Fair Housing Act, and can include artists in visual areas, theater, multi-media, dance, writing, music and crafting  a woodworker, for instance, could be considered.

"There is an application process," Woodley said. "We do not require that your income come from your art."

slord@tribpub.com
The Rev. Charles Rubey heads up a support group for suicide survivors and will be honored during the Little Company of Mary Hospital Crystal Ball in February. He was photographed at the hospital in Evergreen Park on Nov. 23, 2016. (Mark Davis / Daily Southtown)

Two weeks after her teenage son took his own life, Katy Wertz began seeing the Rev. Charles T. Rubey, founder and director of Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS).

"I saw him every Monday for two years. It saved my life," said Wertz, of Tinley Park. "Anybody on our side will tell you suicide is different. You need someone to guide you, to tell you you're not crazy, and just let you go through the process."

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Rob Wertz will be gone 10 years this coming May. Wertz said because of Rubey's help, she is now able to facilitate support group meetings for others.

"I truly would not have been able to start life again if not for Father Rubey," she said.

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Wertz is among thousands of Chicago area people that have been helped through LOSS, which Rubey began in 1979. For nearly four decades, he has been providing comfort and support to people who have experienced the devastating loss of suicide. In February, he will be recognized for his extraordinary compassion by the staff at Little Company of Mary Hospital.

Suicide, Rubey said, is not specific to any demographic.

"This is a human issue and it can impact anyone," he said. "It can happen to anyone. Any family."

When it does, Rubey is there to help survivors help each other through the grieving process.

A Catholic Charities program, LOSS offers a safe, non-judgmental environment where survivors of suicide can openly talk about their feelings and experiences, Rubey said.

Wertz said the support was invaluable.

"I have another son, Patrick, just 13 months younger than Rob, so I couldn't just disappear," Wertz said. "I had to work, had to function. Father Rubey walked me through everything."

At the beginning, she said, "You're unbearably hysterical. As time goes on, you get better. Rob's always in my heart, always on my mind, always in my life, but I can take him with me now without my heart breaking every time I think about him. And that's from the LOSS program."

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This past summer, she said, Rubey was the officiant at Patrick's wedding.

"It takes extraordinary compassion to do the work Father Rubey does," said Brian Lepacek, executive director of Little Company of Mary Hospital's foundation. "He has been a tremendous resource to us over the years. We've had several community members and employees who've benefited from the LOSS program."

Citing Rubey's selfless dedication, grace and respect for all, Lepacek said the priest will be presented with the hospital's Sister Nancy Boyle Award for Excellence at its annual Crystal Heart Ball on Feb. 4. In addition, Ed and Amy McNicholas will also be honored at the event with the 2017 Venerable Mary Potter Humanitarian Award. The McNicholases started the Live Like John Foundation in 2011 after losing their son, John, to pediatric brain cancer.

Lepacek said the Boyle Award for Excellence is named for a sister who worked at Little Company during the '80s and '90s.

"Everybody who knew her knew she had an exemplary style of exuding care," Lepacek said. "She was the epitome of what Little Company stood for in terms of patient care."

After she passed away, the award was created in her honor to shine a light on individuals and departments, whether within the hospital or out in the community, who have served in her likeness.

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Rubey, Lepacek said, exhibits the same spirit of kindness and patient care.

Lepacek said the hospital has tapped Rubey's expertise not only for the LOSS program but for help with running its Heart Connections, a program that serves children who have suffered a traumatic loss in their life, whether from homicide or suicide.

"He began LOSS within the Archdiocese (of Chicago) and it has permeated every corner of the Chicago community. It's one of those programs that helps people in a significant time of need," Lepacek said.

Alarming numbers

In 2014, more than 42,000 people took their own lives, the majority of them by firearm, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Rubey said when he first began his work in 1979, the suicide rate was about 33,000 completed suicides across the country each year.

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"Now, they're saying about 40,000. Granted, there has been an increase in population. But 40,000 still reflects a disturbing increase," he said. "And these are just the reported deaths. They do not include the single automobile accidents, in which someone speeds up and hits a tree or an abutment. Those very often are suicides but are ruled accidents."

It is estimated that at least 1 million people in the United States engage in intentionally inflicted self-harm each year, according to the American Association of Suicidology.

White males account for the highest number of completed suicides, although for every male attempt, there are three attempts by females, the association's website states.

The deaths that get most of the attention, Rubey said, are those of teenagers or young adults.

"But the increase in suicide is highest among the middle aged and seniors," he said.

In 2014, the highest suicide rate was among people 85 years or older, followed closely by those between 45 and 64, according to AFSP stats.

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Rubey said he believes there is more suicide today because mental illness is "coming out of the closet" and because taking one's life has become a more acceptable way to die.

The vast majority of people who are homeless suffer from some form of mental illness, he said. And among veterans, he said, the rate of suicide is 20 or 21 a day, something he attributes to post traumatic stress brought on by combat experience.

"If you have your leg in a cast, people get that you are hurt. But we don't do that with mental illness," he said. "That's one of the reasons I am so vehemently opposed to bullying because you never know what people are carrying within their own soul and bullying can lead to drastic actions, such as suicide. It behooves people to treat other people gently."

Other misconceptions about suicide are that it's a selfish or cowardly act, he said.

"It is not. It is an act of desperation. It is a statement that life has become intolerable. It is someone saying, 'I can no longer tolerate the pain in my life.' It's important that people realize that a person who commits suicide is engulfed by this intolerable pain," Rubey said.

People are reluctant to accept that mental illness is an illness just like cancer, diabetes or heart disease, he said.

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"Mental illness is not a character defect. When a child or young adult completes suicide, some people will feel that something was wrong with that family. But they don't make the same statement when someone dies of cancer or heart disease or an aneurysm. If an adult commits suicide, they speculate something was wrong with the marriage," he said. "We need to lessen the stigma, to be more open to recognize this as an illness  one that attacks a different part of the human system."

Rubey said he believes social media may contribute to the spike in deaths "by showing people what's out there in terms of ways or methods to take your life. That in itself is scary."

Helping survivors

The Suicidology site states that research suggests that for each death by suicide, 147 people are "exposed," or affected, which means suicide directly impacts 6.3 million people in this country annually, and among those, 18 experience a major life disruption.

Until her son took his life, Wertz said, suicide was not even on her radar.

"It isn't until it affects you," she said. "And when it does, it takes a really long time to come out of your grief."

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How can you be a comfort to someone who has lost a loved one to suicide? Rubey said, "Just say, 'I'm sorry.' "

"Comfort the same way you would someone who has lost someone to cancer or an automobile accident. For example, if it is a couple who loses a child, they're questioning their ability to parent. You can reinforce that they were wonderful parents. So, they realize that they're being accepted," he said.

"People don't have words to take the pain away. So just acknowledge it by saying 'I am so sorry for what you're going through.' Sometimes families are very quiet about it. They want to have a private wake and funeral. They don't want to face people and explain what happened. But I think the best way to handle it is to address it very openly. That's always been my suggestion. This should never become the family

secret."

The frustration among survivors stems from the fact that mental illness is treatable, he said.

"Now, maybe it's not curable, but it's treatable. People can receive medications and support. Suicide is not the end result of mental illness. But because of the stigma attached to mental illness, people are reluctant to seek help. Because they don't want to be labeled crazy or unstable," he said. "It's unfortunate that people have that kind of attitude that there is something wrong with someone or that they should fear their career could end because they seek help. There's a lot of misunderstanding and false conclusions are drawn from that."

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How to intervene

"If you think someone might be vulnerable, express concern  especially parents. If you see a change in your teenage son or daughter, say 'We're worried about you.' Ask the question, 'Are you thinking of doing something to harm yourself?'

"People are reluctant," he said. "They say, 'I don't want to give them the idea.' Well, you're not going to give them the idea, believe me. So ask. If you see someone you're worried about  becoming withdrawn, sleeping more than they should  ask, 'Are you OK?'"

As for the sister Nancy Boyle award, Rubey said he is honored to be recognized.

"It's humbling," he said. "It's nice that the program is recognized because it has helped thousands of people over the years."

To help even more, Rubey said, he has a singular message:

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"Don't judge. Don't judge a family where there has been a suicide. Don't think less of someone who completes a suicide. It has nothing to do with strength or weakness. It has to do with illness," he said.

"The whole goal of LOSS is to assist people in learning how to live with their loved one's suicide. The program helps people to develop a comfort level so that this does not become the bogey man in their lives. They can meet other people who are walking in their shoes," he said.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

And, when they feel they have their strength back, they can return the favor by helpings others, something Wertz said she supports.

Programs are available to both children and adults in cities all over Illinois, including Chicago, Wheaton, Joliet and Kankakee. In Worth, meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Services can include individual therapy for children and teens, family counseling, peer support groups, parent consultation and school and community debriefings when a suicide has occurred.

Loving Outreach for Survivors of a Suicide is run by Catholic Charities, an arm of the Chicago Archdiocese. Meetings are held at various locations across the Chicago area including the Catholic Charities Southwest Suburban office, 7000 W. 111th St., Worth; 312-655-7283.

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For more information go to www.catholiccharities.net/GetHelp/OurServices/Counseling/Loss.aspx

dvickroy@tribpub.com

Twitter @dvickroy
Orland Park pilot Ken Creed, who flies sick people from remote areas in Cuba to treatment centers, was in Havana when it was announced that longtime leader Fidel Castro had died. (Jim Boyce / Daily Southtown)

When we last visited Ken Creed in April, the Orland Park businessman, adventurer and grandfather of five was poised for take-off on his mission to help sick people in Cuba.

And after our meeting, he did just that.

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The pilot and longtime volunteer for Angel Flights Central and West, regional organizations made up of volunteer pilots who fly sick people to treatment centers, as well as provide relief during natural disasters, had spent two years negotiating with both the U.S. Treasury Department and Cuban officials to get clearance to land at 28 of Cuba's 32 airstrips.

Last spring, with the necessary paperwork in order, he began transporting patients from remote areas of the island to hospitals and treatment centers.

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Cuba, which made headlines recently after the passing of longtime leader Fidel Castro, is located 90 miles south of Florida. It is divided into 14 provinces, each with its own general surgical and pediatric hospital. Some of the hospitals have specialties.

Cubans, Creed said, are allowed to go to whichever center they want  provided they can get there.

"They can't, though," he said. "Once you get out of Havana, it's mostly horse and buggy."

So Creed, a Brother Rice High School and Western Illinois University graduate and U.S. Army veteran, had his plane outfitted for medical transport, making it gurney accessible and installing a custom-made instrument panel that he designed himself. He keeps it in Florida most of the year.

He has flown three missions so far on the island this year, transporting mostly oncology patients from outlying villages to medical centers.

"We were just getting into it," he said. He'd brought other volunteer pilots, from Mercy Flights Southeast, on board with the plan.

"Many of them were really excited about helping because many of them are Cuban American," he said.

But now, with a new administration set to take over in the White House, Creed says he is uncertain if he'll be allowed to continue his work there.

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Creed, who owns a fire and security business in Chicago and San Diego, was in Cuba for eight days over the Thanksgiving holiday.

He said since the U.S. presidential election, he had been getting "weird vibes" from Cuban friends and people who had been helping him with his mission. People with whom he'd had a relaxed relationship suddenly seemed "overly official," he said.

"I went there to find out if there would be any ramifications from the election," he said.

He was told "some things are changing," he said. "They said I needed to open a legal entity and submit it to the government. That was something that had never come up before."

While in Cuba, Creed and his girlfriend, Lora Mikulski, stayed at a beach resort for a couple of days, then went to Havana to meet with officials. Creed said it was in the Cuban capital that he began to notice other oddities.

"We were coming back to Hotel Nacional after having cocktails when we saw four blocks of buses barreling down the street. They were filled with military type people," he said.

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He asked around and was told the soldiers were members of the Cuban SWAT team.

"That was around 7:30 p.m. Friday," he said. "At 10:30 p.m. they announced Fidel had died. Apparently, they put all their people in place and then announced it."

The news seemed to be taken quietly, he said.

"There wasn't any cheering or dancing in the streets. But there wasn't any crying in the streets either," he said.

It was announced that there would be no music played for nine days as the country mourned. And, Creed said, he learned that many workers and students were given days off so they could line the route that the longtime leader's ashes would take on a four-day journey from Havana to his final resting place in Santiago.

Creed and Mikulski observed the procession, taking lots of photos and videos.

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"People lined up in two lines, two miles long," he said. "It was very interesting to watch."

Though he said he doesn't believe the death of Fidel Castro, who had formally resigned from the presidency in 2008, will impact his work in Cuba, he is concerned that Cubans' attitudes toward President-elect Donald Trump's administration might, possibly even preventing him from returning to the island.

He said Trump's tweets about Castro's death seemed to make already nervous Cuban officials, even more so.

The morning after Castro died, Trump tweeted first that the leader had passed and then, in a lengthier statement, called Castro a "brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades."

That, Creed said, seemed to upset many Cubans.

"I'm not political," he said. "All I want to do is fly people around. That's all I want to do. And I have a number of other people who want to do that too."

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Creed, who learned how to fly at an area airport and who keeps a hangar in Gary, said he has been transporting patients in the United States for more than a decade. He first ventured into Cuba out of curiosity.

"I didn't know any better. Somebody passed out one of these little fliers for Cuba in 1998," he said. Over the years, he's visited many times with friends.

"We'd go scuba diving," he said. "It was fun."

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

His need to give back, he says, developed organically.

"I just want a purpose," he said. "Angel Flights let me fly for a reason."

And, he said, the Cuban people need his help.

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"They're so humble, so genuine," he said.

"I've cut the path. It took a long time to do it. If it's not successful now, I don't know," he said. "My biggest fear is that the people who have given me approvals in the U.S. will be gone. How long will it take to set it all up again?"

dvickroy@tribpub.com

Twitter @dvickroy
Illinois is like a middle-aged, overweight smoker who likes junk food and shuns exercise.

Doctors tell Illinois if it keeps going down this path, it's going to drop dead of a heart attack.

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The patient says he wants to live healthier. He's taking medicine to lower his cholesterol. He pays a membership fee to join a fitness center, but he never goes to the gym. He feels too overwhelmed to break the bad habits of quitting smoking, failing to exercise and giving up junk food all at once.

So, he does nothing. He manages to look surprisingly healthy. His outward appearance betrays the imminent crisis as he lives from day to day.

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Our state is an unhealthy patient. The ills include budget deficits, unfunded pension liabilities, loss of manufacturing jobs, school funding inequality and high property taxes. Trying to address all the problems at once creates paralysis.

What if, instead of trying to radically solve all its problems at once, Illinois tried fixing just one of its serious problems?

In the health analogy, let's say the patient focused on eating better. Maybe, if the patient gave up burgers and fries for lunch and started eating salads, that little change would, over time, lead to weight loss.

Maybe, the patient would have more energy and start going to the gym a couple times a week. Encouraged by the weight loss but bothered by the shortness of breath, the patient might ultimately summon the willpower to quit smoking.

I think it's time Illinois started becoming serious about living healthier. I haven't seen any real progress toward solving the state's fundamental problems in years.. All I see is a bunch of blaming, finger-pointing and excuses.

State leaders are like doctors with different opinions fighting over the best way to treat the patient. They can't agree, and they seem to have placed their own importance ahead of the health of the patient.

Sure, they all want the patient to get better. They're doctors, after all. Physicians plead good cases for why their course of action is the better path to healthier living. But each one seems to take an all-or-nothing stance. Meanwhile, the patient suffers.

All this comes to mind in the wake of Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto Thursday of a measure that would have provided Chicago Public Schools with $215 million in additional state funding this year to help pay for teacher pensions.

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The move seems to have stunned legislative leaders and angered Chicago officials. Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the governor's veto "reckless and irresponsible." CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said the governor "decided to hold 400,000 schoolchildren hostage."

"He's a liar," Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said of Rauner.

The Senate immediately voted to override the veto, but the House took no immediate action. House Speaker Michael Madigan would have to call the House back into special session by Dec. 16 if he thought the House could override the veto.

Rauner blamed Senate President John Cullerton. The governor said when he agreed to provide the extra money for Chicago schools back on June 30, his support depended on legislators achieving pension reform by the end of the year.

"Then, today, President Cullerton suddenly denied that the leaders had agreed that this bill would depend upon first enacting comprehensive pension reform," Rauner said in a statement. "Breaking our agreement undermines our effort to end the budget impasse and enact reforms with bipartisan support."

You'll recall the governor and legislature agreed to a six-month, "stopgap" budget on the final day of the fiscal year. The only way anything gets done in Springfield, it seems, is when the patient is flat lining on an emergency room table in full cardiac arrest.

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I want to give Rauner the benefit of the doubt. I remember back on July 1 reading that the governor agreed to the "bailout" of Chicago schools only because legislative leaders agreed to work toward pension reform.

"This is a bridge to reform," Rauner said at the time of the stopgap. "This is an attempt at good faith compromise to set up the possibility for a grand bargain."

Money is like medicine, and Rauner's like a doctor saying, "Look, the patient needs to do more than just take medicine. He needs to exercise, quit smoking and eat well or he will die."

He's right. But it's also unethical to withhold medicine from a patient who is trying to make other lifestyle changes.

Cullerton said his understanding was that lawmakers agreed to keep talking about pension reform, and that the unwritten deal to provide CPS with more money wasn't directly tied to actually accomplishing a deal by the end of the year.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

That makes me want to give Cullerton the benefit of the doubt. Rauner had until Jan. 6 to act on the bill. He could have waited. It's good to question the methods of a doctor who holds a gun to the patient's head and threatens, "Do everything, right now, or else."

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Boss Madigan seems to be cleverly escaping criticism in all this. Yet, in the reports I read leading up to the veto session, Madigan was the one skipping proposed meetings with other state leaders. You'd think if state leaders were to make meaningful progress toward pension reform, Madigan would need to be in the room.

Suburban and downstate residents should care about the financial health of Chicago Public Schools because their fate is tied to Chicago's. The heart, legs, liver and kidneys suffer a meaningless existence if the head is brain dead.

The patient wants to tell the doctors, "I'm dying because you can't agree on a treatment. You're all fired." That's what he wants to do, but the patient seems to be stuck with a team of caregivers who know what needs to be done but refuse to agree on the best way to do it.

I want to lock state leaders in a room together and not let them out until they agree on a course of action. I believe if they focused on resolving one issue  say, pension reform  then they could solve many of the state's other problems more easily.

tslowik@tribpub.com

Twitter @tedslowik
Elgin Symphony Orchestra CEO David Bearden, right, observes as third-grade student Alejandro Mondragon, left, works on a math assignment on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. Bearden was one of two guest principals at Lords Park Elementary School in Elgin as part of School District U46's annual Principal for a Day event. (Rafael Guerrero / Courier-News)

It is the third year Elgin Symphony Orchestra CEO David Bearden has been "principal for the day" at Lords Park Elementary, School District U46's largest primary school by enrollment.

Every year, he learns something new about the school, said Bearden. For instance, this visit has taught him that about three-quarters of its 770-plus students are in the dual language programs the district expanded.

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"They have some unique challenges," he said. "I'm always curious to what the progress is here. If you can gauge (the progress) over time, perhaps you can see strategies take place and shape."

Bearden was one of dozens of guests-turned-principals in schools across the district Friday as part of the annual Principal for a Day event. Both new and returning guests spent the better part of the day shadowing teachers and administrators, observing and chatting with students, and learning more about U46 classrooms.

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At Lords Park, Bearden was joined by Lisa Mesi, a business consultant for Elgin-area Subway restaurants. This was Mesi's first time participating in the nine-year event, moved from April to December to encourage future visits by the volunteers later in the school year.

She learned how much the school lunch menu and process has changed. She saw how students grabbed items from each major food group  fruits, vegetables, grains, protein  and everything was clearly marked. And, just like Bearden, she saw firsthand the school's different offerings.

"The dual language program is incredible," Mesi said. She received an invitation from the school after assisting Subway's involvement in a November fundraiser to fund a new playground for the school.

Over at Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin, the school welcomed its two guest principals, Elgin Community College President David Sam and South Elgin Parks and Recreation Director Kim Wascher. The two spent Friday morning visiting several classrooms, among them David Ziliak's middle school Spanish class. The two listened in as Ziliak welcomed guest speaker Paola Velasquez to talk about her job as interpreter for Advocate Sherman Hospital.

The two found Velasquez's presentation encouraging, as she spoke of a possible career path that students didn't have to wait until high school or college to hear about.

"For them to understand what careers are out there, it's so important," said Wascher.

"You look at this school, you see (post-secondary options) everywhere," added Sam, pointing to university pennants plastered to hallway walls. "It's remarkable the early exposure."

During the lunch hour, the guests and U46 administrators gathered at Villa Olivia in Bartlett for a luncheon. ABC 7 reporter John Garcia gave remarks on both his day as Streamwood High School's guest principal and as a Streamwood High School graduate.

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The enthusiasm and curiosity from the students overwhelmed Garcia, he said. When asked by students who made him more star-struck during an interview, he said it was not a more obvious choice like President Obama but rather childhood idol and Bears great Walter Payton.

His interest and ensuing career in journalism would not have happened had it not been for Streamwood High, Garcia added.

"It's really cool to say that I covered the Cubs win the World Series," he said. "I got a chance to do all these things, but it was all rooted in growing up (in Streamwood and its schools)."

raguerrero@tribpub.com
In Elgin, weekend bar patrons can get their tequila at sunrise. That's because the city changed liquor licensing rules to allow one bar  Medusa's in the city's downtown  to stay open until 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

Now we can only imagine what the temperance ladies would be doing to Elgin if they were still around. They'd probably grab their axes and reduce the city to a pile of slivers.

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But even the moderate social drinkers among us have to be asking: Does anyone really need a brew at the break of dawn? Perhaps yes, if Elgin was home to a large manufacturing plant that employed thousands of workers 24 hours a day. The midnight shift just might want a place to socialize with a drink after work, just like their fellow workers who toil at normal hours. But that's clearly not the case at Medusa's.

One of the justifications for granting a 6 a.m. liquor license is to accommodate service workers coming off shifts ending at 4 a.m. But these folks aren't bellying up to the bar at Medusa's, which describes itself as "a beacon of light for the partying public," in any great number. The real advantage to staying open until 6 a.m. is to get a couple of more hours of profit from the crowd that just doesn't want to call it a night at 4 a.m.

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That is indeed happening  just ask Afterset, another downtown bar. Its management says Medusa's is making more money at its expense. It seems Afterset patrons are leaving earlier in order to take full advantage of the extended hours at Medusa's. Now Afterset wants to stay open until 6 a.m. on the weekends.

The city had to see this coming.

The argument can be made that alcohol is a legal product, so why shouldn't imbibers be able to drink any time they want? A better question is whether allowing any bar to stay open until 6 a.m. presents a heightened threat to public safety. Research on this has mixed results. Many cities in the United States report having little or no increased police activity as a result of extended liquor-serving hours. Australia, which has studied this issue extensively, including examining results in the U.S., claims increased drinking hours definitely create more harm.

Elgin has its own test case in Medusa's. It has had a 6 a.m. license for only a short period of time. It was granted in June. The city should allow more time to evaluate how later serving hours are working out at Medusa's before rushing to grant another 6 a.m. license to any establishment.

The city also needs to keep in mind that if it does grant Afterset serving privileges until 6 a.m. because it put the bar at a competitive disadvantage, what would stop any other merchant that serves liquor in Elgin to ask for equal treatment? And how could the city say no?

Does Elgin really want to go down the slippery slope of being the city of 6 a.m. bars, the destination for those eager for a place to drink from sundown to sunrise? That is the best argument against expanding permission to sell booze and beer at breakfast time.
Mr. DeMille can be informed that Waukegan is ready for its close-up, co-starring in a high-profile documentary scheduled to run later this month starring Emmy Award winner America Ferrera.

Actually, maybe the City of Progress isn't looking forward to this particular national exposure, since the documentary in question is a new episode of "Years of Living Dangerously," which, according to its promotional literature, "reveals emotional and hard-hitting accounts of the effects of climate change from across the planet."

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Since this is an endeavor with a specific point of view and the focus is on the NRG coal-burning plant on the north lakefront, you might guess upfront that this is not going to be a shiny, happy portrait of Waukegan.

Based on an advance screening of the episode provided to the News-Sun, your guess would be correct.

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"(NRG is) one of the biggest burners of fossil fuels in the nation, thanks, in part, to its large fleet of coal plants," Ferrera tells us after being seen arriving at O'Hare and riding north with Christine Nannicelli of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign.

This fleet, Ferrera adds, includes "one that is nearly a century old in a city on Lake Michigan called Waukegan."

Viewers are then treated to a view of the plant from what looks to be Greenwood Avenue east of Sheridan Road. "Wow," says the "Ugly Betty" and "Superstore" actress, and not in a flattering way, as she gazes upon the sight.

After Nannicelli describes the plant as "the largest source of air and water pollution in the entire county," Ferrera says, "It just doesn't make sense to me to invest in something that seems old and dying and not invest in other types of energy."

That sets the tone for a critical look at the general concept of operating a coal-burning plant in 2016. In scenes primarily shot in late 2015 and early last spring, Ferrera tours the city and interviews local figures that include Dulce Ortiz, a Waukegan resident and Beyond Coal campaign member who has been vocal in the community and before the City Council about her belief that NRG should explore alternative energy sources for the plant.

At one point, Ortiz is seen using an inhaler, and while she says that "we can't say that asthma is caused by the coal plant," she adds, "The pollution that's being put out in the air creates the asthma attacks."

Ferrera also sits down for a one-on-one interview with Mayor Wayne Motley, who is first seen at a City Council meeting promising Beyond Coal advocates in December 2015 that "if I can arrange a meeting" with NRG to discuss the future of the coal plant, "I certainly will do that." It's noted that the meeting doesn't take place.

Actually, Motley is treated fairly in this segment. On one hand, Ferrera frowns when he tells her that NRG represents "a business in my community that pays almost a million dollars a year in taxes and provides a hundred skilled jobs." She briefly debates him about weighing financial investments against the health and future of residents.

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But after Motley talks about "probably 30,000 jobs" lost on the lakefront and his efforts to remain neutral in the standoff between NRG and the Sierra Club, Ferrara comes away saying, "I get where the mayor is coming from" on the loss of economic opportunity.

On the other hand, the next sequence shows the Superfund sites north and west of the beach  filmed on a particularly bleak day  and the "legacy of toxic pollution" left behind by industries.

All told, Waukegan comes off looking like it's caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. NRG does not come off well at all, with Ferrera saying company officials "declined to talk with me"  though she interviews former CEO David Crane, who resigned in 2015, and he tells her that "there's no future for coal in the United States. (It) has stage 4 cancer."

Needless to say, there are those who would disagree with all of this. I can report through personal experience that some of this disagreement with the environmental crowd is expressed with anger, not that either of the two dominant opposing sides in this debate have a monopoly on outrage.

You can judge for yourself when the episode, titled "Uprising," airs Dec. 14. In the meantime, an advance screening hosted by the Sierra Club and Clean Power Lake County is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago.

danmoran@tribpub.com

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A 19-year-old man convicted of selling LSD to undercover Naperville police officers could avoid an eight-year prison term if he completes a state "boot camp" program for first-time criminal offenders.

Edward J. Deszcz, of the 15400 block of South Sunshine Circle in Plainfield, pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony charge of manufacture/delivery of 10 to 15 "objects" of LSD, DuPage County court records said. A felony charge of possession of a controlled substance was dismissed in exchange for the plea.

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He was given an eight-year prison term, but Judge George J. Bakalis also found him eligible for the Illinois Department of Corrections' impact incarceration program. The boot camp-style program will give Deszcz the opportunity to avoid prison if he completes it.

Bakalis also placed Deszcz on two years of mandatory supervised release and ordered him to pay $4,322 in court costs, according to records.

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Deszcz was taken into custody in April on a warrant charging him with felony manufacture or delivery of between 15 and 200 grams of LSD.

At the time of his arrest, police Cmdr. Jason Arres said Deszcz sold more than 100 hits of LSD to undercover officers, who made several purchases from him, Arres said.

wbird@tribpub.com
Jeremy Smith, left, and Monte Summers have partnered to open 2 Fools Cider in Naperville. The pair have been home brewing for about 10 years before deciding to take their cider to the next level. (Erin Hegarty / Naperville Sun)

Jeremy Smith and Monte Summers met working behind a bar in college 20 years ago, and when 2 Fools Cider opens in Naperville next week, they'll be back behind the bar together again.

Cider is in his blood, Smith said  his grandfather made cider year-round in England 50 years ago. Smith, a Naperville resident, took an interest in it when he was younger, induced Summers to it and the pair started home brewing 10 years ago, he said.

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Now they're ready to take it to the next level.

2 Fools Cider tap room will feature five varieties  dry-hopped, tart cherry, dry, semi-sweet and "Holiday," a seasonal cider named for the Holiday apple  when the doors open Friday at 1665 Quincy Ave., the same industrial park in which Solemn Oath Brewery is located. The business will brew its cider on site.

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Patrons can sample the offerings in a tasting  five small sample glasses, one for each variety  or by the glass. Glass growlers and can growlers, also known as crowlers, will be available for carry-out purchase.

While they don't offer food, Smith said the cidery will "welcome food trucks with open arms."

The business has forged a friendly relationship with the brewery across the way, he said. "Solemn Oath welcomed us, and we consider them good friends," Smith said.

Smith, who has lived in Naperville since college, said the city has been an ideal place to open because it's business-friendly. A testament to that, Smith said, is the two owners received the keys to the building June 1 and were able to make the necessary renovations and open before the end of the December.

Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said he expects the cidery and brewery will complement each other.

"It's fun to watch people who have committed to their passions," Chirico said. "It's exciting when new concepts come to us like this."

Chirico said he is not concerned any problems will arise with the cidery and brewery being so close to each other.

And while they won't reveal their cider-making processes or ratios, one thing Smith would confirm is 2 Fools is "carefully sourcing apple growers in Michigan and trying to stay as local as possible."

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ehegarty@tribpub.com
A screen shot from the Naperville city website shows an example of a crime map with an explanation of the new function. (City of Naperville website)

In a small town, news travels fast. When something happens, everyone knows about it in a few minutes. As cities grow larger, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to know what's happening in your neighborhood and how that may affect your family.

That's where technology can help. Now it's possible for a city to not only have the heart of a small town but also to have a small town's ability to know what's going on. In Naperville, that technology has taken the form of a daily public safety incident map on the city's website.

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On that map is a graphic representation of incident reports written by the police and fire departments. Each icon will allow citizens to learn why the police or firefighters were sent to that location and what type of incident, crime or traffic problem required them to go there.

Obviously, the amount of detail about the incident will be limited, and the names and addresses of anyone arrested will be withheld pending any legal procedure that might be required. But you will no longer have to wonder why there are police cars in front of a house down the street or whether one of your neighbors has suffered an illness or other emergency.

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What is perhaps more important is that it will allow the collective observations of the public to help in the difficult business of making sense of what's happening around us. Depending on their individual knowledge and experience, some people may be able to identify connections or recognize patterns or trends where others, including trained professionals, may not.

That's essentially a new analytical resource, one that's enabled by a transparency that we have not experienced before. We believe that engaging the public in this way, and making government by the people more of a practical reality, is a good thing. It is, however, not enough.

The information on the map will be carefully controlled and may not contain everything the public deserves to know. Just as a news release is no substitute for an in-depth interview, encapsulated information on a map is no substitute for good reporting.

There are many reasons why individuals or public safety professionals may want to withhold information. Institutions may want to protect their image. Businesses may wish to guard their reputation. Officials may hope to avoid embarrassment or scrutiny.

And that's why it's vitally important Naperville police don't view this new tool as a substitute for open communication with news organizations.

Journalists with the Naperville Sun and other local media outlets are here to ask questions that local residents are asking themselves when they peruse these bare-bones police reports.

The public has a right to know about things that affect the community and that may influence decisions about where to live, play and work. Often, that kind of information can be obtained only by careful inquiry and investigation.

There is no technological substitute for good reporting.

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Naperville police officials have been slow to provide information in the past, making the argument that delicate situations require discretion. The city has made it challenging for journalists to cover breaking news such as crime or traffic crashes as they happen or at least while they are still news. They have displayed an unwillingness to answer questions. All of this  a hostile stance toward the people's right to know  gives us pause as the department unveils its new tool, potentially just one more device for the government deciding what you need to know.

News organizations must continue to have access to  and the cooperation of  public safety officials. That's the surest way to preserve one of our nation's most precious resources, a free press.

As Naperville promotes its tool to deliver police news quickly and efficiently to residents, we urge officials to remember the role played by news organizations committed to serving the residents of Naperville. Many people are not glued to the internet looking for local news. Napervillians are busy and may not be perusing a police website to stay on top of what's happening. Many still rely on local journalists to report the news and ask the questions they would ask if they were on the scene. That's a role we have played for many decades, and it's one we pledge to continue playing to serve our readers. We urge police to expand their commitment to transparency by sharing real-time information with the local press.
A Louisiana man who persuaded several underage girls, including one from Naperville, to send him sexually explicit photographs and then threatened to expose them publicly if they did not continue was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.

Matthew Chaney Walker, 26, of Baton Rouge, pleaded guilty in January to four counts of extortion, three counts of production of child pornography and three counts of receipt of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana.

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In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson also sentenced Walker to serve 10 years' supervised release following his time in prison and ordered him to pay a $100,000 fine, $6,247.59 in restitution and a $1,000 special assessment.

Walker admitted he met young girls online with the intention of sexually exploiting them by pretending to be a teenage girl and initiating chats in which he'd bring up the subject of trading nude and sexually explicit photos, the release said.

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"To lower his victims' inhibitions, Walker initiated sexually explicit conversations and sent sexually suggestive photographs of other young girls that he represented to be of himself," the release said.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 100 Charge: drug induced homicide; Read more (DuPage County State's Attorney: Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted.)

"Once he obtained compromising pictures of his victims, Walker then demanded that the victims send him images even more graphic than those they had already sent to him. Walker threatened to send compromising pictures of the victims to their families, schools, friends and the public should they refuse to comply with his demands."

The end result was Walker forcing the victim to create and send him child pornography, the release said.
Munster High School students who receive the Outstanding Citizenship medal will be permitted to wear it on graduation day. (Nancy Coltun Webster / Post-Tribune)

Editor's note: On Dec. 11, 1816, Indiana became the 19th state in the Union. On Jan. 28, 1836, Porter County was created. A year later, on Jan. 18, Lake County became independent. As the state celebrates its bicentennial, the Post-Tribune will be taking a regular look back at the history of Northwest Indiana.

"I always tell my students to dream big," said Dr. Louise Chickie-Wolfe, education director for the Munster Junior Historical Society and a retired Munster school teacher. So, when she conceived of a project to honor the state's bicentennial, her students challenged her to dream big as well.

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As a result, Demonstrating Our Citizenship 200  or DOC 200  has been designated an official Indiana Bicentennial Legacy Project and its first awards ceremony will take place on Dec. 11, the day Indiana became a state 200 years ago. The project  available to students throughout Indiana  asks participants to document when they perform 50 "outstanding citizenship" skills four times each. The skills reflect character traits in four areas: integrity, acceptance, service and patriotism.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29  following a callout meeting for the project  Munster High School senior Skylar Gronkiewicz and her brother Grant sat with Chickie-Wolfe in a lecture hall at Munster High School to discuss their projects. The conversation was part of a required exit interview upon completion of their DOC 200 projects.

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Skylar and Grant will be among the first group of students to complete the project and be recognized with Outstanding Citizenship medal at an awards ceremony at 2 p.m., Dec. 11 at James B. Eads School in Munster.

Chickie-Wolfe asked the siblings to reflect on the experiences they had while endeavoring to perform the 50 skills four times each.

"What was your favorite part of the project?" Chickie-Wolfe asked the siblings.

Skylar said she enjoyed a bike ride to the Community Veterans Memorial in Munster. She was moved by the exhibits there and some of it was sad.

Skylar and Grant both expressed that documentation of their actions was complicated and required them to think about their activities and interactions daily.

"It makes you much more aware of your surroundings," said Skylar Gronkiewicz.

"The project is designed to help you become more aware," Chickie-Wolfe said.

That impact is not just on the students, but sometimes the family gets involved, according to Chickie-Wolfe. She said two moms of younger Junior Historical Society Members called her early on when she was just getting the project started. One mom told her she was surprised that one of the patriotism requirements asked the kids to visit a cemetery and decorate a site.

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"She told me she would have never thought about taking her family to a cemetery, but she took her children and said 'we had the most interesting experiences. The kids walked around and were fascinated by what they learned,'" Chickie-Wolfe said.

Another mom said her child showed appreciation to first responders by baking cookies and taking them to the fire house.

The mom told her "the firemen were so surprised and pleased," Chickie-Wolfe said. "They took (the family) on a tour of the firehouse. It is a life-changing experience. You don't just tell kids to learn to be good citizens, you teach them. Repeated practice until it becomes part of who they are. The fact is, we are making better people."

Now the DOC 200 project is being offered to students at Munster High School through Project X. Nearly two dozen students attended the callout meeting on Tuesday. Project X provides students with volunteer experiences to promote civic responsibility.

"This is not a small thing you can do in one weekend and you're done. It takes time and effort," Chickie-Wolfe told the students. She added the minimum amount of time necessary would be 100 days, although the days can take place in a few months or can be spread out over a longer period of time.

According to Chickie-Wolfe, the average time to complete the project is about eight months.

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Project X students who complete the project are also required to provide a personal portfolio reflecting on their experience along with their other documentation, according to Leigh Ann Westland, Munster High School teacher and Project X sponsor. The portfolios may be creative expressions such as a one-page essay, photos, artwork or video.

Chickie-Wolfe cautioned that she does not want the students to consider the portfolio process an onerous task or a "big project. It is just a way to share the memories and it is something to bring to the exit interview."

Munster students who complete the project and participate in an exit interview are recognized in an awards ceremony where they receive a medal. They will be permitted to wear the medal at their high school graduation ceremony. Younger students who complete the project receive a pin.

Chickie-Wolfe said her work with the Junior Historical Society is very satisfying. She got involved with the group 10 years ago, for the town's centennial celebration.

"It was when I was planning to retire from teaching," Chickie-Wolfe said. "I was teaching in Munster at the time and I decided I still wanted to be involved in students' work. I started the Junior Historical Society for students in grades five through eight."

When the students aged out of the program, they came back to her and told her they wanted to continue to work with the group.

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"I started a high school leadership program and they help me out with the younger students. I have students now who are in college who have helped me set up the web page for this project."

She said the Junior Historical Society is a small group of less than 20.

"Over the years, we have planted 100 trees in the parks. We've pulled invasive weeds from the park areas. We always participate in the walk for Juvenile Diabetes. We work for the Cancer Resource Center walk, manning the water stations and the food tent. My kids are so well-known, organizations don't hesitate to ask us to help out," she said. "The goals of the Junior Historical Society are to preserve and teach history, to provide service and to build character. It was the third goal that steered me into the DOC 200 project."

For more information about the DOC 200 Project visit https://secure.in.gov/ibc/legacyprojects/3586.htm

Nancy Coltun Webster is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
The Lake County Coroner's Office ruled the death of an East Chicago man Friday a homicide, according to a release.

The coroner's office was called to the 4900 block of Melville Avenue at 11:30 a.m. where Terance Jackson, 22, had sustained gunshot wounds, the release stated, and Jackson was pronounced dead about 40 minutes later.

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The East Chicago Police Department and Lake County Crime Scene Investigations assisted, according to the release.
Gary police found a man with apparent gunshot wounds after responding to a shots fired call Friday afternoon, according to the release.

Police were called about 12:10 p.m. to the 4200 block of Kentucky Street where the man, who the Lake County Coroner's Office declared dead on scene, was found near the street, the release states. The man's identity had not been released as of early Friday evening.

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Anyone with information should call Detective George Dickerson of the Lake County Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the crime tip line at 866-CRIME-GP.
Mayor Thomas McDermott presents his State of The City Address to a standing room crowd in the lobby of Hammond's City Hall on March 18, 2015. Jim Karczewski/Post-Tribune (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. says he plans to phase out the Hammond City Court, closing it completely by 2019.

McDermott confirmed his plans to the Post-Tribune on Friday after he announced them on his WJOB radio show. He said he will present an ordinance to the City Council to eliminate the City Court during the next year, ditching the need for an election for a judge position in 2019. First reading of that ordinance will happen at the Dec. 12 City Council meeting at Hammond City Hall.

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Less than two weeks earlier, McDermott decried Gov. Mike Pence's decision to appoint Amy Jorgensen, the chairwoman of the St. John Republican Party, to fill the judicial vacancy at the court.

McDermott denounced the decision given that Jorgensen has not practiced law, but Pence saw her fit to become the Hammond City Court judge.

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"And I get a judge appointed by Pence, on his way out, with a big middle finger, says here's your judge, she never practiced law before and she doesn't even live in your city," McDermott said, during his announcement on WJOB.

City Councilman Robert Markovich, D-at-large, on Friday hadn't heard anything about the mayor's plan and said he thought the department is "self-supporting." But he wondered about the nature of McDermott's decision.

"My thing is, if Jeff Harkin were still alive today, we wouldn't be talking about getting rid of the court," Markovich said. "If he wants to go against the vice president-elect of the United States, that's his prerogative. I don't want to get involved in that."

McDermott admitted he dropped the announcement suddenly on his weekly radio show and tempered his remarks afterward, calling the move "good government" modeled after one of his idols, former Indiana Gov. Joseph Kernan.

"This is not a political move; the court has been a luxury," McDermott said. "Is the timing suspicious with Gov. Pence appointing a St. John resident with no experience to the court? Yes. But if the council passes this, it's one of the things listed in the Kernan-Shepard report (from the Indiana Commission of Local Government Reform). This is a good government move and will save the city $1.5 million per year."

Jorgensen said she only heard of McDermott's plan late Friday and said that the court is a "valuable asset" to the city.

"My initial impression is closing the court will work a hardship on the people of Hammond. Where will they go for local justice, and how will they get there, as many do not have transportation? Which entities of the Lake County justice system are prepared to take on the caseload and financial burdens of Hammond and its residents if they are simply passed off?" Jorgensen said in a statement.

Lake County officials said the financial impact would be minimal and that the courts would be prepared to absorb the caseload.

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Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid said she doesn't anticipate any financial impact to the county in absorbing the caseload from Hammond City Court. When the county absorbed Hammond's health department, Cid said there was no financial impact.

"Hopefully that would be the same case," Cid said.

The property tax levy Hammond now uses for the court would transfer to the county, Cid said, and any miscellaneous costs would be covered by other revenues.

Since the 2017 budget already allots for all court and clerk positions, any phasing out would start in earnest in 2018, McDermott said. As that happens, the city will do its best to place court and clerk employees facing job elimination  specifically, those who are Hammond residents, McDermott said in his segment  in other city positions as they come open.

As for Jorgensen, she would continue to receive her salary through Dec. 1, 2019, regardless of whether there are court cases, the mayor said.

"There will be no election in 2019 because there will no longer be a court," McDermott said. "This isn't a decision to eliminate the court for three years and then bring it back. Amy will be the last City Court judge in the city's history."

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McDermott said the dissolution, if approved, has always been a tough subject to tackle. Former Judge Jeffrey Harkin, a Democrat who died April 22, held the judgeship for five terms, and it was hard to come in and eliminate a department run by a "senior elected official."

Even tougher, however, would be the layoff of 20 people  the entire court staff and probation department, and about half of City Clerk Robert Golec's office, he said.

If the City Council goes along with McDermott's plan to shutter the court, it will shift that caseload elsewhere. In 2015, the court handled more than 58,000 cases  the busiest of Lake County's city courts, according to the Indiana Judicial Branch.

"They do have a significant caseload over there," said Lake County Chief Judge John Pera.

Residents, however, may not face much of a hardship, if any, since civil matters would be transferred to the Lake Superior Court's Hammond branch under the ordinance. Code enforcement matters, meanwhile, would be tried under a code enforcement court, which would be run by an attorney "referee," in City Hall. The city of South Bend runs its code enforcement matters that way, and it's allowed under Indiana Code, McDermott said.

As for criminal matters with which the City Court deals  McDermott said they represent 50 percent of the court's cases  they likely would be transferred to Crown Point. And for him, that's fine.

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"Most of those cases are out-of-towners visiting the casino from the South Side of Chicago, so if they have to go all the way to Crown Point to show up for court, the moral of the story is: Don't get charged in Hammond," McDermott said.

Pera said the courts are open to the public and are required by law to handle any case filed.

"That's exactly what we'll do," Pera said.

The court's concern is to process cases in an efficient and fair manner, Pera said. It's up to the judicial system to allocate resources to deal with any added caseload, Pera said, and while it won't be back-breaking, it will place a burden on the courts, staff and prosecutors.

Pera said adjustments would have to be made.

"We'll do that," Pera said. "That's what we want to do."

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Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

clyons@post-trib.com

Twitter @craigalyons
Chesterton resident David Thompson talks about his desire for cannabis-based alternatives to the prescription medications he takes for his Crohn's Disease. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Kelly Brown wants you to know she does not live in her mother's basement.

Brown said she is a mother, a wife, an employee, has bachelor's and master's degrees and likes to read.

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"There's many different aspects about me," Brown said. "I just happen to use cannabis."

Brown, who lived most of her life in Ft. Wayne, Ind., moved to Michigan four years ago in order to participate in its medical marijuana program to treat her anxiety, she said. It was a tough move to make, leaving family and friends, she said, but moving to use medical cannabis "didn't affect my daily life in any way except improve it."

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A few hours south of Brown, medical marijuana is not legally available to people in Indiana, despite efforts by Hoosiers across the state heading into the upcoming General Assembly session.

Previous measures proposed in years past that would have allowe medical marijuana in Indiana failed to gain traction. But that hasn't stopped some state legislators, county council members, veterans, activists and everyday citizens from hoping one day it will be available.

While Indiana still faces hesitancy from some to make it legal, citing the need for more research, those in support point to the four more states that made it legal in the general election last month. Now, they wait to see if Indiana will eventually join them.

'Nine pills a day'

David Thompson has considered leaving his home in Chesterton to move to a state with medical marijuana to help treat his Crohn's disease, but it's not a viable option unless it's a last resort, he said. With four kids under the age of 18, a wife, job, church life and friends and family, he would be "leaving a lot," Thompson said.

When asked how medical marijuana would change his daily life, Thompson sifted through a candy cane basket holding his medications.

"Instead of nine pills a day, maybe I could get down to two pills a day and some drops of a tincture," Thompson said.

Chesterton resident David Thompson holds up a bottle of Miracle CBD oil, used to alleviate some symptoms of his Crohn's Disease and the medicines that he takes to combat it. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

It's been a lot of trial and error in the decade since he was diagnosed, he said, as some medications failed to work or fizzled out after months of use. Each medication came with its own side effects.

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Trying to use marijuana in Indiana is just not a safe or legal option, Thompson said. He has used hemp oil, which is legal in all 50 states, to help reduce his pain, but it is expensive and left Thompson trying to figure out the right dosage without guidance.

"It would be great if (medical marijuana) was legal and we could get some real medicine out of it instead of people just stabbing in the dark," Thompson said.

'Gives people options'

The Lake County Council approved a resolution last month proposed by Jamal Washington, who said he also has Crohn's disease, sending a message to state lawmakers that they would support a medical marijuana program.

For years, State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Portage, has drafted marijuana legalization bills, and in more recent years, she has specifically tailored them for medical marijuana. Going into the next session, Tallian said she plans to propose a program again, similar to her 2016 legislation, with a few slight changes she has not finalized yet.

"This gives people options in their healthcare decisions, without having to turn to highly addictive and over prescribed opioid medication. I have hope," Tallian said in an email.

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As Tallian and other legislators handle the legislation, other organizations are going around the state to show their support for a program. Jeff Staker and the Hoosier Veterans for Medical Cannabis group mailed packages to all 150 state senators and representatives leading up to this year's organization day, containing books and a survey to gauge how each legislator felt about a program, Staker said. Staker said he wants lawmakers to have all the information they need to be prepared for the next session.

Personally, Staker said he has dealt with chronic back pain and was on oxycontin through the VA to treat it for years, but a medical marijuana program would help him and other veterans get alternatives to help relieve their ailments.

"A lot of veterans that I'm meeting with, are like where have you been? What has taken so long?" he said.

Since spring, David Phipps has made it his mission, along with the group Higher Fellowship, to travel to one of Indiana's 92 counties each week to hold rallies in support of medical marijuana. Watching his father suffer from Parkinson's disease and cancer got him thinking about how marijuana might have helped his father and other people in Indiana, he said.

"We only live one life," Phipps said. "We have one go with this. When I go, I want to know I at least tried to do something to improve the lives of the masses."

Call for research

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Even though much of her family lives here, Brown avoids coming back to Indiana, because she's afraid of a mix-up that could land her in jail if medical marijuana was found in her system, she said. There is a stark contrast on how marijuana is perceived between Michigan and Indiana, she said, and until it's passed in her home state, she will probably continue to be nervous, she said.

There are a variety of reasons why some might oppose or simply be hesitant to approve medical marijuana in Indiana. When Washington presented his resolution, Councilman Eldon Strong told the council he has had dealt with Crohn's disease for decades and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment over the summer after a cancer diagnosis, and he thinks "there's better medicine out there" than marijuana.

One of the most common reasons Phipps and Staker said they hear for why someone is hesitant to approve medical marijuana is that they want to see more research about it.

Part of what makes it tricky to research marijuana is that it is still considered illegal and a schedule one drug by the federal government, said Ken Mackie, an Indiana University in the psychological and brain sciences department. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies marijuana, along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy, as schedule one drugs "with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential use for abuse."

Research is being done across the country, and Indiana University announced a study last month that indicated ways to target treatment for chronic pain in the brain without having many of the side effects of marijuana or opiates. While there is always more research to be done, marijuana, compared to opiates, is "clearly, clearly safer. There's no doubt," Mackie said, as it is less likely to cause overdose deaths.

'This could be you'

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Mackie previously worked as an anesthesiologist in Washington, where medical marijuana has been legal for nearly 20 years. But in the ensuing years, marijuana remained a bit taboo with doctors, as it has in other states, he said. Some doctors didn't want to be linked to a medical marijuana program because they didn't want a swarm of people trying to take advantage of the system for non-medicinal purposes, Mackie said.

"The other issue is patients who tend to use medical marijuana are using it because they tend to fail more conventional therapies and they tend to be more complex patients, and they really take the time to talk and figure out what's going on," Mackie said.

Ramon Pla said he is one of the few doctors in western Illinois who evaluates patients for medical marijuana, and he decided to get into it because he is open to alternative medicines and understands patients want to be in control with their options.

Set up in Fulton, Ill., Pla has had patients drive hours to see him, particularly those not from the Chicago area, ranging in age from children with seizures on up to people in their 70s and 80s, mostly to treat pain they have, Pla said.

Marijuana might not be the best option for everyone, but people should have the choice for what works best for them, whether that's an opiate or marijuana, Brown said.

"You choose wine, you choose Xanax, and I choose cannabis," Brown said. "And that's OK."

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Thompson wants people to put themselves in his shoes, Brown's shoes and other people who could potentially benefit from medical marijuana.

"This could be you. This could be your kids," Thompson said. "Wouldn't you like that option?"

rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
Great Lakes Basin Transportation has proposed an $8 billion, privately funded freight train line from Milton, Wis., into LaPorte County. (Joe Puchek / Post-Tribune)

Officials with Great Lakes Basin Transportation are asking a federal agency to temporarily suspend an environmental review of their proposed three-state freight train line until they get their formal application in.

Opponents of the plan question the tactic, especially since the move came the day after GLBT responded to a request for more information from federal officials.

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In a Thursday letter to the Office of Environmental of Affairs, part of the Surface Transportation Board, Frank Patton, GLBT's founder and managing partner, wrote to request a temporary suspension of the environmental review process for the project.

"GLBT believes that pausing the environmental review process at this point will allow it to finish preparing our application for authority to construct and operate its proposed rail line, which will provide the OEA with a more complete overview of the project's business and operating impacts," Patton wrote.

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Mike Blaszak, one of GLBT's attorneys, said in email that officials with the freight train line are shifting their efforts to the application process so the environmental review can be fully aligned with the business case required by the STB.

That, he said, will assist the Office of Environmental Affairs in determining alternatives to study during the review process.

"We do not believe this will result in any major delay of the process with winter coming," he said.

Earlier this week, Blaszak said the application, a separate procedure from the environmental review, would be filed sometime in the coming year, though he declined to provide a timeframe.

GLBT proposes an $8 billion, privately funded freight train line from Milton, Wis., into LaPorte County to provide a bypass for Class 1 railroads going through Chicago's congested rail yard and take trucks off the road.

The freight train line would cut through southern Lake and Porter Counties, raising concerns by residents there and elsewhere about loss of farmland, drainage, and delayed response times by first responders stopped at train crossings.

Officials with the STB have said the environmental review process could take upwards of three years, given that the proposal has generated thousands of comments to the agency's website.

The request has those opposed to the project scratching their heads.

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"It sounds like some kind of trickery to me," said Linda Cosgrove of Eagle Creek Township in Lake County.

The request raises a lot of questions, said Susan Sack, with Block GLB, an Illinois opposition group that serves as a clearinghouse for the opposition groups in all three states affected by the proposal.

"Does that mean they get a new docket (number when GLBT files its application) and all the comments are brushed aside?" she said. "What if they apply and they have a different route?"

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy killed by a Cleveland, Ohio, police officer in 2014 addresses the crowd at Indiana University Northwest on Thursday. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)

Samaria Rice positioned herself behind the podium and gazed into the audience as she recounted her journey since the death of her 12-year-old son Tamir Rice, who was fatally shot by a Cleveland police officer in November 2014.

"These two years have been the worst two years of my life," Rice said.

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"I've had many sleepless nights. First, I seen Trayvon Martin, then I seen Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tanisha Anderson, John Crawford III and then I seen Tamir," she said, referring to other African-Americans who were killed by police officers or died while in police custody. "And my world just turned around."

Tamir's death, along with the deaths of several other African-Americans who were killed by police officers or in police custody, sparked a wave of protests against police shootings across the nation.

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Dozens of people filed into the Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium at Indiana University Northwest on Thursday evening as Tamir's mother spoke about the death of her son, the current climate of law enforcement, and her goals moving forward.

"I just want to know her thoughts and feelings as far as police brutality," said Taylor McFadden, a freshman at IUN. "With what happened with her son, I just wanted to know from someone who lived it how does it feel."

Samaria Rice said there are several goals she wants to accomplish in the near future. Her first objective is a meeting with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and President Barack Obama.

"I'm not understanding why they're refusing to meet with me when my son is international," she said.

She also said she wants the two officers that responded to Tamir's 911 call to be fired, and she wants her son's case tried in court after an Ohio grand jury decided not to indict officers Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback.

"Prosecutor Timothy McGinty sabotaged Tamir's case," she said, referring to the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, prosecutor. "He did not advocate for my family."

Rice said the death of her son prompted her to become a champion of civil rights and speak out against police brutality and gun violence.

"I will continue the dialogue of racism," she said. "I will continue to talk against the government until we see change. I don't have to be quiet. I'm still raising three other children and a grandbaby. How can I be quiet? I have to save their lives."

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Samaria also started the Tamir Rice Justice Foundation in honor of her son.

"I will continue to fight for change with the foundation, which has been a joy to develop in memory of my son," she said.

"I take the skills I was teaching my son and implementing in his life giving him structure and guidance, and I implement them in the foundation, which will have mentoring programs, music and performing arts that will allow these children to express themselves."

Kadeem Fuller, a student from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said he traveled over 130 miles to hear Rice's story.

"It's a story of strength, perseverance and dealing with state violence on the most intimate level," he said.

Fuller added that he appreciated Rice's authenticity and courage to voice her opinion.

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"Her realness is the first thing that stuck out to me," he said. "She says what she wants to say, and there's no filter. It's her unapologetically, and I think that's what I admire most about her."

Moving forward, Rice said, she will continue fighting for change.

"I will lead this country into making change," she said. "Until I die, this is my calling. This is what I have to do. This is Tamir's legacy. This is Tamir's voice."

jaanderson@tribpub.com

Twitter @JavonteA
A Lake Superior Court judge on Friday ruled that a gun police found in the Gary motel room of a man accused in a 2013 slaying can be entered into evidence before jurors.

The .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a key piece of evidence, along with testimony about tests performed on spent shell casings and bullets would be admissible into the case against Anthony Terrall Williams, Judge Salvador Vasquez ruled. Williams is accused of killing one man and shooting a woman through the neck during a violent episode in her van on Dec. 2, 2013.

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Williams, 31, allegedly shot and killed Damian Reedus, 34, and then shot Aja Jester through the neck. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and five other felonies.

Before Friday's ruling, prosecutors had conceded that jurors would not hear testimony that the gun was found in William's motel room because of questions about how police recovered it.

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But Defense attorney Jamise Perkins on Friday posed several questions to Lake County police Detective Michael Equihua, a member of the crime scene investigations unit, that eventually lead to Vasquez's decision.

Four days after the shooting, police learned Williams was staying at a Gary motel. Gary SWAT officers went to the motel and entered the room where Williams was staying and arrested him. Equihua said he was asked by Lorenzo Davis Jr., then a Gary police detective, to photograph the room. The handgun was found under a mattress in the hotel, according to testimony.

Davis has been held in the Lake County Jail for about one month after he failed to appear for Williams' trial, which originally was set to begin Oct. 31. The trial was pushed back in Davis' absence.

Dressed in a black sweater, black pants and a light blue dress shirt, Davis testified Friday that he returned to the Gary Police Department in April to find the case file, but couldn't. Williams' first jury trial ended in mistrial with a deadlocked jury on April 13.

As part of his investigation, Davis said he tried to speak to Jester at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary early on Dec. 2, 2013, but he couldn't because she was being transferred to an Illinois hospital.

Davis said he had police dispatchers broadcast a "be on the lookout" for the white van Jester was driving when the shooting occurred.

Jester has said that at about 3 a.m. Dec. 2, 2013, she heard two noises as she drove in the area of 21st and Vermont while giving Reedus and Williams a ride home. She said she asked Reedus what the sounds were and then looked over her shoulder at Williams in the seat behind her.

She said Williams shot her in the neck, got out of the van, pulled her onto the ground and told her she had to die because she'd seen his face. Williams pulled the trigger twice while she was on the ground, Jester said, but the gun jammed and she was able to run away. Williams took off in the van, Jester said.

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The van was found with Reedus' body inside around 9:30 a.m. that morning at 19th Avenue and Pennsylvania Street in Gary. Reedus died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Testimony is expected to resume Monday.

Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Seven businessmen from Valparaiso spent four years to make the documentary Making Paradise about their beloved city, which opens to the public in mid-December. (Brad Cavanaugh / Post-Tribune)

Four years ago, seven Valparaiso businessmen set out to create a documentary about their city. They ended up with a love story about the "vale of paradise," the city's name translated from Spanish.

But also a love story about themselves.

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"It started with a glass of wine and scrawling notes on a napkin," Carlos Rivero, owner of Restaurante don Quijote in Valparaiso, told an audience at Memorial Opera House before a public screening of the documentary.

The one-hour film, "Making Paradise," is beautifully shot with many scenes showcased dynamically in black and white.

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The film is textured with tasteful music reflecting each scene, and a look back at the city's storied history. Its aerial shots are breathtaking, its tone is welcoming, and its flashback shots of the city's earlier residents conjure up instant nostalgia for viewers.

I quickly noticed, however, that the film strictly reflects one particular narrative within the city  one of middle-aged white men, their memories, their experiences and their points of view. And, at least in my opinion, too many shots of them sitting around a table, drinking wine and chatting about the film's conceptual goal of self-actualization.

The film has just two female voices woven in. These brief feminine touches came from Cathy Brown of Valpo Velvet Ice Cream Company, and Valparaiso University historian Judy Miller.

After the screening, I asked a few female viewers if they, too, noticed a lack of womanly input or shades of other diversity in the documentary. The women said they noticed, yet they understood the film's premise and its creators.

"This is their film so they can project their viewpoint," replied one woman, a VU professor.

Jim Janesheski, one of the seven businessmen involved in the project, told me on my latest Casual Friday's radio show that the film is, above all else, a piece of art. Because of art's subjective nature, its creators consciously stayed away from being politically correct. Instead, they stayed true to their original vision.

According to the film's website, "The film captures the four-year saga of the inexperienced film makers as they attempt to create a film  without the financial support of special interest groups."

"Historic stories of the city and university are told by Mark Heckler, Bruce Leetz, Bill Wellman, Bryce Drew, Jon Costas, Homer Drew, Ric Frataccia, Stewart McMillan and a host of others," the site states, again reflecting one particular narrative of the ever-evolving city.

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After initially considering a professional yet pricey (more than $750,000) documentary film company to capture the businessmen's collective vision, they chose to do it on their own. Its cost, in addition to four years of donated labor and sweat equity, was only $12,000.

"It's a 100-percent independent film," said Janesheski, owner of Jano Marketing.

I enjoyed the historical insights about Valparaiso, such as its original name, Portersville, in honor of U.S. Navy Capt. David Porter. And about Valparaiso University, which has experienced a rollercoaster existence including a brush with the Ku Klux Klan.

Before the film's screening at the opera house, Bill Wellman was asked to say a few words to the audience. The legendary promoter, author and entrepreneur admitted that the documentary featured him too much. After watching it, I agreed.

The film celebrates Wellman and his contributions as much, if not more so, than the city itself, "a special place to live, learn and grow," as the film is billed. I came away a bit disappointed by its self-congratulatory tone rather than celebrating a city that deserves such high praise.

I moved to Valparaiso from Portage a few years ago and I would challenge Northwest Indiana residents to find a better city to raise a family or to settle down in retirement.

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The film reflected this inescapable characteristic of Valparaiso, though I left the venue that night yearning for more of this and less of one homogenized viewpoint. I understand, it's art and it's open to interpretation.

"How do seven personalities with little film experience even get started?" the film's website asks. "Perspectives from different decades collide. Artistic vision is the only thing guiding this journey."

In addition to Rivero, Wellman and Janesheski, who hosted the popular "Jano Concerts on the Square" events in the city, the other businessmen include Steve Antonetti, director of business operations for Valpo Parks, Jason Monroe, owner of Highway 61 Films and Madewell Media, and Tim Daly, a banking executive and former city councilman.

The artful fingerprints of Brad Cavanaugh, who served as the film's executive producer and director of photography, breathe visual life into the men's story.

After pondering the documentary for a few days, I believe it will serve as a memorable time capsule or a video snapshot of the city. I also believe its artistic qualities will stand the test of the time, serving as a welcome mat for Valparaiso.

With this in mind, the group of businessmen have created a photo-friendly coffee table book to complement the film. The project was a labor of love for all of them, despite some rocky moments along the way, they admitted.

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"We set out to make a film," Rivero told the audience.

"And we discovered paradise," Wellman added.

Paradise, like art, is open to interpretation.

jdavich@post-trib.com

Twitter@jdavich

BREAKOUT

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The premier of "Making Paradise" is 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Memorial Opera House, 104 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso. For more information or to purchase tickets for the premiere, visit: www.MakingParadise.com. Watch a video trailer of the documentary here: https://vimeo.com/192743495.
A Portage couple and their four young children moved from this mobile home into a new mobile home park, thanks to dozens of strangers who heard about their poor living conditions since arriving in this area from Arizona this summer. (Jerry Davich / Post-Tribune)

Vel Acevez contacted me with a Facebook message that's similar to dozens I receive each week from social media readers.

She wanted to know who she could contact about a family of six, with children ranging from 4 to 9, who are facing financial difficulties.

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The family came to her attention through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Society at her Catholic church, Nativity of Our Savior in Portage. Acevez is the group's treasurer, and she helped arrange for payment to turn on the family's utility service to its mobile home.

"I did this two weeks ago, and they finally got electricity," she told me.

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Until then, the family used a single extension cord from another mobile home to power a portable heater for their single bedroom, she said.

"I would like for you to meet them and see their trailer," Acevez said.

I soon met Acevez and her husband, Bill Pritchard, at the family's mobile home. It's located in Portage, in a neighborhood of mobile home parks.

I met with the couple and one of their four children. The three other kids were in school.

The wife told me she's a cancer survivor who left her home in Arizona, to find better medical treatment in this area or, ideally, in Chicago. The four kids are from her previous relationship, and her current husband grew up in Portage.

"So we came back here to start fresh," the husband told me.

The couple, however, ran out of money after dumping $1,500 into their mobile home. They asked for help from the Portage Township Trustee's office, which directed them to other sources for assistance, including the food pantry at Acevez's church.

"Being a retired elementary school teacher, I was concerned about the children," Acevez said. "That hooked me, and I have spent many nights worried about them. We have been collecting money from our parishioners."

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That night, I posted about the family's plight on my social media sites. Nothing too elaborate, just a simple description of their situation.

What happened next has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with my social media readers.

Within minutes, I started reading comments and personal messages from readers asking how to help this family. It generated more than 300 "likes," more than 100 comments, and dozens of shares. In a small way, that post went viral.

"The community has really opened up, and they want to help however they can," Pritchard said.

Since I've been using social media, I had never received so many online offers to help someone else in need. Dozens, possibly hundreds, of strangers insisting to help this family they've never met, regardless of the couple's struggles or circumstances.

I heard from dozens of people from across Northwest Indiana and beyond, offering money, clothing, job interviews, home furnishings, Christmas gifts, you name it.

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"The response has been amazing," Acevez said.

I couldn't keep up with all the messages and comments, so I directed them to Acevez and Pritchard. This couple has so impressed me with their genuine concern for a family of strangers to them less than a month ago.

"My husband and I found a trailer that they can move into at another park," Acevez said.

Pritchard handled all the paperwork for the new mobile home, and he also opened a bank account for incoming donations. He and his wife have become guardian angels for this family, looking after all their needs with help from countless other strangers.

"They're bringing out the best in all of us, including you," said Melissa Latronica, one of the Facebook readers who offered to co-host a benefit fundraiser. "Let's come together as a community and give this family the holiday they deserve."

What's behind this tsunami of support from strangers for strangers? Is it because of the timing, in between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Would there be such an outpouring of compassion and generosity in between, say, the Fourth of July and Labor Day?

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Is it because of the family's four young children in need? Or is it simply because people want to help others in need, period? I'm not sure.

I'm also not asking my Post-Tribune readers to help this family. Dozens of social media readers are already doing this, following the lead by Pritchard and Acevez, who married six years ago.

Latronica told me, "When I heard about this family's struggle, it really hit home for me. I grew up watching my mother losing her legs, suffering multiple surgeries and eventually losing her vision. It put our family into insurmountable medical debt.

"People who struggle with debilitating diseases and manage a family and all of what life throws their way are some of the strongest and bravest people in the world," she added. "They are warriors."

Maybe so. But so are all these people who came to the rescue of a family they never met, and likely never will.

jdavich@post-trib.com

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Portage Mayor James Snyder, left, and Lake County Sheriff John Buncich have been indicted, according to federal authorities. (Michael Gard, Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

The Constitution implicitly guards against government abusing citizens with the power of courts by guaranteeing presumption of innocence.

It's an old Common Law standard and not a figurative protection.

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Evidence is tested and judged in open court proceedings before citizens are held accountable. Guilt must be proved, not assumed. Not every country grants this protection. In some nations  China, for example  the defendant must prove innocence.

For all those reasons, the three Lake County senior public officials indicted in November for public corruption and bribery cannot only post bond and be released from jail but also keep functioning in their careers.

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Sheriff John Buncich, Chief Deputy Tim Downs and Portage Mayor James Snyder are free to conduct their lives until a court says otherwise.

But for the good of those they have sworn to serve, all three should step away from their jobs and take a leave of absence. At the very least, they should turn the authority of enforcing the law and managing a city over to others until charges are proved or disproved.

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Such a move does not require they admit guilt, but only acknowledges that leadership imposes higher duties of service.

Besides the law, implicit common sense and human nature standards apply. Those who come before all three on official business  professional colleagues or average residents - have reason to doubt them. Citizens have some right assume their servants are focused on the job, not preparing their court defense.

We do not presume the three are guilty but we do know they have damaged reputations.

Pretending as if nothing has happened that changes the nature of their jobs would be ridiculous. A sheriff and chief deputy cannot inspire confidence in the officers they lead. They cannot stand before their officers, look them in the eye and challenge their pride in upholding the law.

A mayor charged with corruption cannot address civic issues and conflicts by claiming the higher moral ground of leadership.

Both the sheriff's department and Portage city government have business to conduct and issues to resolve. Much of that management can't be put aside in the months while Buncich, Downs and Snyder prepare to defend themselves in court.

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The only rational solution is for all three to step down momentarily, keep their pay and titles, but turn over duties to others who have the skill and focus to perform them.
Two weeks ago in a nearly unprecedented backhand, the American Bar Association punished two law schools 723 miles apart for similar indiscretions.

One was put on probation for two years. The other was censured.

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The ABA is the designated watchdog of professional standards for those who argue before the bar of justice and those who teach the skill. The ABA seldom punishes schools with probation  a perceived laxity that the federal government had recently scolded  but announcing to everyone why punishment was imposed is an even rarer phenomenon.

The ABA said both schools were not doing any of their central jobs well enough during the assessment period to guarantee continued accreditation. Fix it, or else.

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The two schools could not be more dissimilar, except for two flaws. The ABA's admissions guards said both were letting too many unprepared students into school and producing too few prepared to pass the bar.

One was a fast-growing, 10-year-old for-profit operation in the Deep South. The other was founded in 1879 inside a respected, church-affiliated, liberal arts university in the Midwest.

One was the Charlotte School of Law. The other was Valparaiso University School of Law.

The two share one other commonality besides their troubles.

Jim Conison served as dean at both schools at the time their academic admission policies and graduation levels were called into question.

Conison was leaving Valparaiso in 2013 after 15 years as policy-setting dean just as the ABA's accreditation posse was questioning VU's performance. He then took the Charlotte job where the ABA now has ordered improvements or risk losing accreditation.

AbovetheLaw.com, which the ABA rates among the top news sources for lawyers, says Charlotte's 33 percent bar passage rate in 2016 was its worst in 10 years of lackluster performance, and Conison claiming it's improving is out of order. "It's like comparing rotten applies to rotten oranges," the blog reported.

Andrea Lyon, his VU successor, is shocked about her school's censure because she's helping to repair all the flaws.

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Conison is shocked about his school's probation because he's helping to repair all the flaws.

Both are scholarly. You don't get to be law school commander without gravitas. Conison might be even more surprised because his resume is loaded with achievements in his chosen field of expertise: law school education.

Barry Currier, the ABA's managing director of accreditation and legal education, told the National Law Journal both schools could be given the death penalty if they don't prove their improvements are working within two years. He did not seem to equivocate or stutter.

"The questions to the schools are: 'What determinations are you making that give you confidence that the students you are admitting today  in light of your experience  are students who are capable of graduating from your program and passing the bar?'" Currier told the Journal.

Both Lyon and Conison say their entrance scores are rising along with progress at pushing students toward bar passage. They both can present documentation to prove it. But law schools face rising industry and cultural inertia. The long-term attraction of good pay and reliably rewarding careers is diminishing.

According to its gloomy forecast for budding lawyers, the New York Times reported that, as of this April, fewer than 70 percent of Valparaiso law graduates from the previous spring were employed and fewer than half were in jobs that required a law license. Only three of 131 graduates worked in large firms, which tend to pay more generous salaries.

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Law school student debt is an ever-deepening ravine, from about $95,000 among borrowers at the average school in 2010 to about $112,000 in 2014, according to the advocacy group Law School Transparency.

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Every number is pointing down, particularly jobs. While law school applications have slid by nearly 40 percent nationally since 2010, enrollment has dropped by only about 30 percent and full-time faculty members have decreased by less than 15 percent, according to ABA data.

VU's applicant pool is also down, which is why the school cut 21 faculty members and expects its law school population to drop by a third within two years.

VU's law school might be facing two unpalatable choices. Admit more unprepared students, which fulfills goals for diversity and inclusion, but damages graduation rates and quality. The school apparently already tried that model without success.

By 2014, only 61 percent of its grads passed the bar after 77 percent passed a year earlier.

Or, as the New York Times suggested bleakly, VU could simply face reality and close its law school.

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David Rutter was editor for 40 years at six newspapers.

David.Rutter@live.com
Two men have been charged with the armed robbery and abduction last weekend of a ride-share driver whom they allegedly forced to withdraw money from ATMs, according to Glen Ellyn police and DuPage County prosecutors.

The two men are identified as Alonzo Alexander, 20, of Wheaton, and Joshua Phillips, 19, of Glen Ellyn. Both appeared in bond court Friday, and Judge Richard Russo set bail for each at $1 million on felony charges of armed robbery and aggravated unlawful restraint.

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According to authorities, the men approached the victim about 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 26 at an apartment complex in the 300 block of Ramblewood Drive in Glen Ellyn and forced him at gunpoint into a vehicle. They then drove to several ATMs where the victim was forced to make cash withdrawals, according to prosecutors, and the men also took the victim's iPhone.

Police did not have an exact amount of money the two were able to get from the accounts but said it was minimal.

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The victim was able to escape after the duo forced him to drive to a store on Illinois Highway 53. After the victim fled into the store, Phillips and Alexander fled in the victim's car, which was later recovered, police said.

An investigation by Glen Ellyn police led to the charges against Alexander, who was arrested Thursday night in Chicago, and Phillips, who was taken into custody Thursday at his home, the same apartment complex where the driver was allegedly accosted, police and prosecutors said. The men were identified in part by video evidence from the various banks they drove to, according to Bill Holmer, Glen Ellyn's assistant chief of police.

Both men are set to appear in court on Dec. 27.

Clifford Ward and Alex Keown are freelance reporters.
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Four people received jail terms Friday for fly-tipping on the bank of a river in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, according to a local court.

The defendants were sentenced to 18 to 21 months in prison and fined 50,000 yuan (7,260 U.S. dollars) to 60,000 yuan, said a statement from the court in Xishan district, Wuxi City.

The court found that Xu Guoqiang, without a license for disposing garbage, signed a contract with Yangpu district government, Shanghai, to help handle household trash from 2013.

In May 2015, three other defendants shipped garbage to Wuxi, dumped it and buried it with construction materials and soil.

The garbage polluted the local environment. Tests found heavy metals, including lead and chromium, in the solid waste. The garbage was disposed of by local authorities in July 2015.

The dumping was first spotted by local residents on May 19, when a vessel carried the trash to Huishan District, Wuxi. Four other vessels carrying garbage came a week later and were seized by local authorities.

The Xishan court accepted the case in November 2015, holding two hearings.
A Chinese environmental volunteer is suing the capital city of central China's Henan Province for his "suffering" in smog, demanding compensation of the cost of masks he bought.

Sun Hongbin, 25, is accusing the government of Zhengzhou City of being slow to combat smog, forcing him and his colleagues to buy masks at a cost of 32 yuan (4.65 U.S. dollars) each during a trip to the city in late November.

The Intermediate People's Court of Xinxiang in Henan has accepted the case, as the law stipulates that administrative cases must be handled elsewhere. The court has given notification of the lawsuit to the Zhengzhou government.

"The air smelt bad, but many citizens were not wearing masks," said Sun, an employee of "Clean air guardian", an environmental protection NGO, as he recalled his Nov. 20 visit.

The air quality index in the city that day was 253 -- "serious" pollution -- so he and his colleagues bought masks.

Sun said his appeal is based on environmental laws that make the local government responsible for air quality. "If Zhengzhou had not been so inactive in dealing with the smog, we would not have had to buy the masks and would not suffered damage to our health," he said.

He said while other smoggy parts of China have made progress in cleaning the air, the situation in Henan in general and Zhengzhou in particular remains severe.

In the first half of 2016, Henan ranked second highest in densities of both PM10 and PM2.5. During the same period, the air quality of Zhengzhou was the third worst of 74 major Chinese cities. It was 10th worst in 2013.

Sun said he lodged the lawsuit to prompt Zhengzhou to address the issue in the hope it will compensate citizens.
International experts exchanged views on China's aging population at a two-day conference concluding Friday.

Soyoltuya Bayaraa, a representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) China, said that China's efforts in investing in older people will offer valuable experience to the international community, citing robust political commitment, proper planning and forward-looking policies.

According to UN data from the World Population Prospects, people aged 60 and older accounted for 12.3 percent of the world's population in 2015, and will increase to 16.5 percent by 2030.

China will see a much greater increase, from 16.1 percent to 25.3 percent by 2030.

"The increased percentage of elderly people in China means an increased demand for more and higher quality services and products tailored to seniors," Du Peng, director of the Institute of Gerontology of Renmin University of China (RUC), told Xinhua.

The Chinese attach great importance to their aging population and have pledged to improve the elderly care service system based on families and supported by communities and institutions.

According to China's 13th Five-Year Plan, the country aims to address challenges brought by the aging population through enhancing employability, providing more elderly care and products as well as strengthening protection of their rights and interests.

In addition, China wants to increase its citizens' average life expectancy to 77.3 by 2020 and 79 by 2030, up from 76.34 in 2015, according to the "Healthy China 2030" blueprint, released by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council in October.

"Many low-age old people in China want to work beyond their retirement age. We should allow them to have the opportunities to sustain their contribution to society," said Dang Junwu, deputy director of the China Gerontology Institute, adding this would also help alleviate labor shortages posed by an aging population.

Dang's opinion was echoed by Bayaraa, who thinks that many seniors in China represent a great untapped potential to be harnessed as human capital, due to higher education attainment and invaluable experience.

"China could consider providing opportunities for seniors to continue to make active contributions to society if they are willing and capable to do so," Bayaraa said.

Bayaraa acknowledged the strong commitment of the Chinese government to the aging population by placing it high on the national development agenda.

"Older persons should have equal rights to participate in and benefit from national development," Bayaraa said.

She added that UNFPA China has also contributed data, evidence and analysis to China's 12th and 13th Five-Year Plans to inform policy discussions.

"Our partnership on aging is aligned with the national context of China," Bayaraa said.

The conference was co-organized by the UNFPA, the Institute of Gerontology of RUC and the China Population Association, attracting about 200 representatives.

The event was held in the wake of the one-year anniversary of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations, which provides a broader context for responses to aging to ensure that no one is left behind.
A provincial court in north China on Friday pledged to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct related to a rape and murder case overturned more than two decades after the convicted defendant was executed.

The Higher People's Court of Hebei Province in 1995 upheld the decision of a lower court to execute Nie Shubin after he was found guilty of raping and murdering a women on the outskirts of Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital of Hebei. Nie was 21 when he was executed.

On Friday, Nie was exonerated by China's Supreme People's Court after years of review.

The provincial court offered its sincere apologies to Nie's family and vowed it would start the compensation process, according to a court statement released following its decision.

The court, meanwhile, said it had learned a "profound lesson" from the case and would make sure to check evidence, process, and application of the law in each case to let people "feel the presence of justice."

The second circuit court under the Supreme People's Court said it had quashed the 1995 conviction because of insufficient evidence and unclear facts.

The original ruling had been based on dubious evidence, including the tools used to commit the crime could not be confirmed; the time and cause of death could not be confirmed; and several key documents, including some records of Nie's questioning and witness statements, had been lost.

The authenticity of Nie's confession was also questionable, the top court noted.

Nie's case did not come under public scrutiny until 2005 when another man, Wang Shujin, confessed to the crime. Wang, 49, was already facing the death sentence for an unrelated rape and murder case.

This is the latest legal milestone in China as authorities strive to correct past justice miscarriages.

In 2014, Huugjilt, a man from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was posthumously exonerated almost two decades after being executed for rape and murder.

An investigation in misconduct ensued, leading to the downfall of a senior local policeman. Feng Zhiming, under whose watch Huugjilt's case was initially probed in Hohhot City, was found guilty of bribery, illegal possession of firearms, and corruption in 2016. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Legal practitioners applauded the overturns as major progress for China's justice system, demonstrating the authorities' determination to adhere to rule of law.

Wang Wensheng, a lawyer with Beijing Grand Ken Law Firm, said that in the past, courts were prone to make mistakes guided by the presumption of guilt mentality. "But now, there is much improvement," he added.

Yin Yijun, director of criminal appeals department under the Supreme People's Procuratorate, said the exoneration shows the justice system upholds the principle of presumption of innocence, respect for legal process, and will have a profound impact on future trials.

Yin, whose office handles criminal appeals and compensations, said the procuratorate will continue to work with other branches of the justice to correct wrongful convictions and draw up policies to prevent such cases.
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Premier Li Keqiang met with Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma on Friday, calling on both countries to enhance cooperation in infrastructure development and production capacity.

Hailing the fruitful bilateral cooperation since establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, Li said China hoped to further deepen political mutual trust, practical cooperation and coordination in international affairs with Sierra Leone.

"China is willing to tap the potential of the two countries' economic complementarity by focusing on infrastructure development cooperation, industrial production capacity cooperation as well as partnership in mining, agriculture and fishery in line with market principles," the premier said.

Li said China will also cooperate more with Sierra Leone in public health, hospitals and medical staff training and continue to send medical teams to the country.

Koroma thanked China for the aid sent to his country during the Ebola outbreak in 2014.

Sierra Leone will learn from China's experiences of development, strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure building, mining, agriculture, telecommunication, public health and tourism, Koroma said.

Koroma is on a state visit to China from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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South Korean President Park Geun-hye addresses the nation at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 29, 2016. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she will follow parliamentary decision including her shortened presidency. (Xinhua / Blue House)

South Korean lawmakers put forward a historic bill to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye early Saturday, after the opposition bloc heralded a vote on the motion on Dec. 9.

A parliamentary official told Xinhua on the phone that the bill was handed in to the relevant office at about 4:10 a.m. local time (1910 GMT).

It marks the second impeachment proposal since the country's constitutional government was launched about seven decades ago. The latest was in 2004 for late President Roh Moo-hyun.

The impeachment motion was filed with the National Assembly by 171 opposition and independent legislators. The ruling Saenuri Party, which has 128 lawmakers, refrained from taking part in the proposal.

The assembly's speaker Chung Se-kyun of the biggest opposition Minjoo Party failed to join the move for political neutrality rules, but he reportedly plans to participate in the vote.

Three main opposition parties, including the Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party, have agreed to vote on the impeachment on Dec. 9 when the regular session ends.

The impeachment motion states that President Park comprehensively and gravely violated laws and the constitution in her office for nearly four years. Park took office in February 2013.

It says Park's breach of laws and constitution was threatening enough to justify the expulsion of the president and that Park betrayed legitimacy and trust granted by the general public.

The constitutional violations, according to the impeachment bill, include the president's permission of her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil and other associates of Choi to meddle in state affairs and influence the appointment of government officials behind the scenes.

Also included in the breach of the constitution is the government's initial bungling of rescue operations in one of the country's most devastating maritime disasters on April 16, 2014 when a passenger ferry Sewol sank in waters off southwestern South Korea.

Controversy arose over the whereabouts of the president for seven hours right after the ferry tragedy occurred. The impeachment bill says President Park failed to recognize what was happening during the "golden time" for rescue.

Park's inappropriate response to the disaster has been denounced for contributing the most to the death of over 300 passengers, mostly high school students on a class trip to the southern resort island of Jeju.

The infraction of laws referred to by the impeachment motion is the bribery. Park's decades-long friend has been charged with extorting tens of millions of U.S. dollars from large conglomerates to set up two nonprofit foundations controlled by Choi.

Prosecutors branded President Park as a criminal accomplice to Choi in multiple charges including abuse of power and extortion. The prosecution office was investigating whether Choi used her relationship with the president to grant business favors in return for donations.

The headquarters of Samsung Group was raided by prosecutors on suspicion that the country's largest family-run conglomerate bribed Choi in exchange for support from the national pension fund in last year's controversial merger of two subsidiaries of the group to create a de-facto holding company.

The offices of Lotte and SK, two of the country's top five chaebols, were also searched on charges of offering kickbacks to Choi in return for getting licenses for lucrative duty-free shop operation.
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Possible motives have emerged Friday in the tragic Austrian murder-suicide case in which a woman killed five family members and then herself, the Krone newspaper reported.

Police discovered six bodies in a house in Schildberg, Lower Austria on Thursday, in which the 35-year-old woman had shot her 59-year-old mother, 41-year-old brother, two sons aged nine and 10, and her seven-year-old daughter, as well as family dogs, before taking her own life.

She had reportedly shot each family member in the head before covering them with a blanket.

New information indicates the mother of the woman had found out about two weeks earlier that she had advanced cancer and would not live much longer, which could have tipped the 35-year-old over the edge.

The single mother called her children's school on Monday and told the school her children would be absent for several days as their grandmother had died unexpectedly. It is unknown if she had already shot them by that time.

Further reports indicate the woman may have been a drug user in the past, and the family's had high debt.

Neighbours had described the family as withdrawn. The mother did not allow her children to play with others in the neighbourhood, and avoided contact with other people herself.

The children themselves reportedly had psychological problems as well as difficulties at school.
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Vienna on Tuesday to bid farewell to the staff of the UN agencies based in the Austrian capital and underscore the importance of their work in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, a UN spokesman said here Friday.

"He will also thank the Austrian authorities for their support to the UN family in Vienna," Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Ban will step down on Dec. 31 at the end of his two five-year terms, and he will be succeeded by the incoming UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, on Jan. 1, 2017.

"During his stay, the secretary-general will hold a number of bilateral meetings with Austrian officials, including the chancellor of the Republic, Christian Kern, and Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz," the spokesman said.

In Vienna, the secretary-general will also visit the Habibi & Hawara Restaurant, where refugees work together with locals to serve fusion cuisine, he said. "The visit will provide an opportunity to showcase 'Together: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All', the UN system-wide initiative to counter xenophobia."

Before heading back to New York on Dec. 9, the secretary-general will deliver remarks at the Anti-Corruption Award Ceremony which will be attended by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, he said.

"The ceremony is an important part of the global activities to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and to underscore that, unless tackled, corruption has a corrosive effect on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals," Dujarric said.

"On the sidelines of that event, the secretary-general will have a bilateral meeting with the Amir."
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A gunman was taking hostage seven people in a travel agency in Paris 13th district on Friday, according to local report.

The armed man stormed Asieland agency at 6:30 p.m.local time (1730 GMT) in Boulevard Massena south Paris and held seven people, BFMTV news channel reported.

The agency's director succeeded to flee and alerted the police, it added.

Armed police have been on the site and a security perimeter has been been installed, according to the report.

On its tweeter account, Paris prefecture confirmed that an "intervention under way in an armed robbery. Drivers should avoid the area."
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Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud dismissed on Friday a number of officials in key posts, including the Minister of Labor and Social Development, Al Eqtisadiya local news reported.

He replaced the dismissed minister Dr Mufraj Al Hafbani who was appointed in April 2015 with Dr Ali Al Ghafees.

No reason was stated for the dismissals that also covered Customs Head and General Secretary of Shoura (consultative council).

He also named 51 members of the Shoura council, including 10 women, and the members of supreme religious council.

Minor cabinet reshuffles and dismissals of key posts are common in Saudi Arabia as officials are monitored continuously to make sure they are fit to carry the government development vision, especially the new economic policy to promote investments and economic diversity.
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A Tanzanian cabinet minister said Friday the government planned to allocate huge areas of land for new investments as part of its industrialization drive.

Charles Mwijage, the East African nation's Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, said newly earmarked land will be operated under special economic zones and will be overseen by the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) and district authorities.

"The government has already identified areas for new investments across the country," Mwijage told Xinhua in a phone interview.

He mentioned the identified areas for new investments as Mkuranga and Kibaha districts in Coast region, Morogoro, Songea, Kigoma, Bunda, Kagera, Kilimanjaro and Tanga.

The minister was responding to a request for investment land made recently by Tanzania Tooku Garments Company Ltd, a Chinese textile manufacturing firm operating in the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone in Dar es Salaam.

William Tai, general manager of the company, on Monday told a delegation of Tanzanian and Chinese journalists that the firm "wanted to move its massive production from China to Tanzania."

Speaking shortly after he was sworn in as Tanzania's fifth President on November 5, last year, President John Magufuli said industrialization was the main agenda for his government.

He said the major thrust of his government was to build an industry-driven economy that will propel the east African country, the second largest economy in the region, to a middle income status by 2025.

Statistics by the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) indicate that the country has recorded good performance in attracting investors.

Between December 2015 and May 2016, TIC registered 551 investment projects. Of all these projects, 229 are owned by Tanzanians, 215 projects are foreign-owned while 107 projects are joint ventures.

The projects were expected to employ 55,970 Tanzanians.
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The Spanish government has raised taxes in order to reduce public deficit and meet the European Union (EU) deficit target, the government announced on Friday.

The government expected to collect 7.5 billion euros (7.9 billion U.S. dollars) in taxes so that the deficit falls to the 3.1 percent requested by the EU in 2017 from the 2016 target of 4.6 percent.

The country's Finance Minister, Cristobal Montoro, explained that most of the money, 4.3 billion euros, would be from an increase in company taxes, while the rest would be related to anti-tax fraud measures and taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks.

He said the rise was necessary in order to meet the 2017 deficit target, saying that "we have to make a big effort to reduce the deficit".

The government also set the spending limit at 118.337 billion euros for 2017, which meant a 5 billion euro fall when compared with 2016, and revised up its economic forecast for this year and 2017 from the former 2.9 percent to 3.2 percent and from 2.3 percent to 2.5 percent respectively. (1 euro=1.06 U.S. dollars)
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The car carrying the ashes of Cuba's revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, left the city of Camaguey at 7:00 am on Friday and continued its journey toward eastern provinces.

The people of Camaguey gathered on Thursday night along the route of the cortege to bid farewell to the country's historic leader, with the procession broadcast live on television.

Chants of "I am Fidel" could be heard along the way as the procession traces the opposite route of the "Caravan of Freedom", the journey Castro took with his guerrilla army to take power in Havana in January 1959, after dictator Fulgencio Batista fled the country.

On Friday night, the ashes will rest in the city of Bayamo, in the former Carlos Manuel de Cespedes barracks, which a group of revolutionaries attacked on July 26, 1953, while Castro led a squad against the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba.

Friday also marked the 60th anniversary of Castro's landing in Cuba with 81 followers aboard the Granma yacht.

On Saturday, Castro's ashes will end the journey in Santiago de Cuba, where a massive rally will be held in his honor before his ashes are buried at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery on Sunday morning.
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A spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) on Friday refuted allegations of an ongoing ethnic cleansing in Juba and a planned military offensive against civilians in the Central Equatoria State.

Lul Ruai Koang termed the allegations by UN human rights experts and U.S. envoy to the Human Rights Council as baseless, claiming that government troops are only engaging opposition fighters across the country to restore rule of law.

"This is baseless accusation tailored by anti-peace elements who are always trying to divide the people of South Sudan in order to achieve their personal political interests," Koang told reporters in Juba.

Koang further said fresh clashes between government troops and forces loyal to ousted deputy president Riek Machar killed at least 11 people in northern South Sudan since Nov. 25.

Keith Harper, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, on Wednesday said the South Sudanese government organized a militia of 4,000 to launch attacks within weeks.

UN human experts warned on Wednesday that there is steady ethnic cleansing in South Sudan amid deepening ethnic divisions and renewed armed forces recruitment in areas that had enjoyed relative peace before the July violence.

A new round of violence flared in South Sudan in July after fighting broke out between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and former first vice president Riek Machar, causing hundreds of deaths and massive displacement into neighboring countries.
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The white population in the United States has decreased from 79.6 percent in 1980 to 61.9 percent in 2014, according to a new study from the University of New Hampshire.

The percentage of Latino Americans has risen from 6.4 percent to 17.3 percent over the same time period, while both the African American and Asian American populations have gone up, the study finds.

The number of non-Hispanic whites who died in 2014 outpaced the number of white births in 17 U.S. states, representing the largest number of states to experience a natural decrease in the white population in American history, the study shows.

Researchers at UNH's Carsey School of Public Policy point to an aging white populace, and a decline in births slowed by the economic recession and by fewer women of childbearing age.

"Natural decrease is the ultimate demographic consequence of population aging, low fertility, and a diminishing proportion of the childbearing-age population," researchers Rogelio Saenz and Kenneth Johnson wrote. "The rapid rise in the number of U.S. states experiencing white natural decrease reflects the demographic changes underway."

Nationally, the number of whites born in 2014 is only slightly higher, 2.15 million, than the number of whites who died, 2.06 million. A decade ago, white births outpaced deaths by nearly 400,000 each year. The ratio of white births to deaths fell 79 percent between 1999 and 2014.

Members of the baby boom generation, a generation with a greater percentage of whites than younger generations, are beginning to reach retirement age, and mortality rates are rising. Today, the median age of a white American is 43, four years higher than it was in 2000. The number of white Americans over the age of 65 has jumped from 15 percent to 18 percent of the overall white population.

By contrast, the average American Latino is just 28 years old. Latino birth rates exceeded death rates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the researchers find.

Nationally, the number of white Americans is expected to begin declining in absolute numbers between 2030 and 2040, according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2050, whites are expected to make up less than half the U.S. population.

Whites experienced natural declines mostly in northeastern, eastern and southern states, according to data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The rapidly aging white population and fast-growing younger minority groups are speeding demographic changes across the country, hastening a political divide likely to have long-term ramifications, a TheHill news daily report commented.

And there is little chance that the decreases will reverse since researchers routinely find that once a natural decrease begins, it is unlikely to reverse itself, said the report, citing more states are likely to join the list of white natural decrease in future years based on the UNH's study.

The growing ranks of aging baby boomers will weigh heavily on the nation's healthcare costs, as older residents tend to use more health services. The tug and pull between an aging population that is mostly white and a growing, younger population that is more diverse is likely to set off years of political fights over spending priorities across the country.

Those fights are already underway, as Republicans and Democrats pull increasing shares of votes from more defined demographic groups, said the report.
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte congratulated U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Friday night on his victory in the recently concluded election.

Duterte extended his congratulations by calling up Trump from the southern City of Davao.

"Very engaging and animated phone conversation between President Duterte and President-elect Trump," Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go posted on his Facebook page in describing the talks of the two leaders.

The conversation lasted for about seven minutes, he said.

According to Go, Trump invited Duterte to visit the White House next year.

Duterte, for his part, invited Trump to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and related summits, which the Philippines will be hosting next year, he added.

ASEAN will be celebrating its 50th founding anniversary in 2017.
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Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called the phone call between Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-Wen and the US president-elect Donald Trump a "petty action" by Taiwan, and said the call will "not at all" change the one-China situation in the international community.

Wang made the remarks after the opening ceremony of a symposium on international situation and China's foreign policy in Beijing, when asked to comment on the phone call which took place on Friday.

"I believe the call will not change the one-China policy the US has been observing over many years," Wang said.

He also said the policy is the political basis of the healthy development of China-US relations, and China doesn't want to see any disturbance to such basis.

The ABC News Radio quoted Trump's transition team as saying that the two discussed the "close economic, political, and security ties between Taiwan and the United States".

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai called him to congratulate him on winning the presidential election.
China has urged the US, once again, to fully comply with the obligations under Article 15 of the Protocol on China's accession to the World Trade Organization in a timely manner, said the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

The US Department of Commerce said on Nov 23 that the time was not yet ripe for the country to reconsider whether to grant China market economy status. "At this moment it is not ripe for us to change our protocol," said US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.

The US should not "confuse the issue," Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, said at a news conference on Friday in Beijing.

"Admitting China's market economy status is one issue; fulfilling the obligations is another ... Having reiterated China's position on many occasions, we hope the US can face up to its international commitments timely and completely.

"This would be good for the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides."

In accordance with Article 15, WTO members shall stop using the surrogate country approach to conduct anti-dumping investigations on Chinese exports by Dec 11 this year.

Under the surrogate country system, the US, the EU and some other members use prices in a third country as a benchmark to calculate the normal value of export products from China.

Shen said that China is entitled to its rights as a member of the WTO, while all other members must deliver on their WTO promises.

China is stepping up efforts to safeguard its legal rights.

Xue Rongjiu, vice-chairman of the China Society for WTO Studies, said all members should abide by the WTO rules, and he urged the international organization to settle the dispute.

"This is a serious issue for all WTO members ... After the accession to the WTO, China has brought benefits to itself and the global economy. We hope all countries will stop using the surrogate country system in investigations against China," Xue said.

In mid-November, Vice-Premier Ma Kai won support from the UK and France on the issue during a seven-day visit. Their high officials promised they would influence the EU to fully recognize international commitments.

So far, about 150 economies have duly given China market economy status, among which nearly 100 are WTO members.
BERLIN - World economy is recovering, but the process is slow and unbalanced, China's vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao said here Friday.

"The risks of economic downturn and uncertainties are increasing," Zhu said on the sidelines of a G20 finance and central bank deputies meeting.

Monetary policy divergence among developed economies, negative growth of some major emerging economies, decline of world trade, and major geopolitical events have contributed to the slow and unbalanced recovery, according to the Chinese official.

"China is reforming its economic structure steadily and we have the confidence to maintain its stable and healthy development," Zhu said.

Germany takes over the presidency of the G20 leading economies from China on Thursday. Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G20 economies will gather twice before next year's G20 summit in Germany's Hamburg.
SHANGHAI - Foreign enterprises are upbeat about the country's economy and some plan to increase investment in China in 2017.

Mahesh Kini, managing director and head of trade finance and corporate cash management of Deutsche Bank, called China "a production hub for the world," noting that there was great demand for commodities to support infrastructure development.

The Chinese government is looking for new drivers to boost its economy. It is clear that the economy is rebalancing after a journey from relying on exports to being the production hub of the world to becoming a more domestic-consumption oriented economy, Mahesh Kini said.

"With increasing household incomes, domestic market demand is really expanding and upgrading. From that perspective, we really see a big change and shift in the local economy. This change also has a tremendous impact on the banking system," said Mahesh Kini. "As a financial institution, we grow with the economy. We are focusing more on local trade finance, local cash management in addition to import and export flows."

PwC released its latest APEC CEO survey "China Summary" at the end of November. The survey found that 59 percent of Chinese mainland and Hong Kong executives were planning to increase investment in China over the next year, compared with 54 percent last year. Among other APEC executives with businesses in China, 43 percent said they were increasing investment.

"It is significant that APEC business leaders look beyond a slowdown to the long term. China's slower economic growth is not enough to put business leaders off investment and expansion. China remains a powerhouse of potential for APEC businesses for new products and partnerships," said Raymund Chao, PwC Greater China chairman.

Zhou Hao, senior EM economist Asia with Commerzbank AG, said China's manufacturing PMI came in at 51.7 for November, up from 51.2 in the prior month, the highest since July 2014. The continued improvement in China's PMI reflects rising demand and surging commodity prices, led by steel and coal.

From the aspect of the job market, industry insiders forecast that the level of mainland employment will remain stable in 2017.

According to Michael Page, an international recruitment consultative agency, which collected the opinions of nearly 1,000 employers on the Chinese mainland across all industries on employment trends in the coming year, 48 percent of companies were planning to hire in 2017.

In addition, 45 percent of companies surveyed also said they expected to offer a six to ten percent salary increase to staff in 2017.

Andy Bentote, senior managing director of Greater China Michael Page, is optimistic that hiring trends in China will remain positive in 2017 despite the rebalancing of the economy.

Competition for talent is also likely to intensify in China as domestic companies are rapidly becoming employers of choice with the ability to attract and retain strong candidates, he said.
A miner works at a coal mine in North China's Hebei province, May 2, 2015. [Photo/VCG]

SHIJIAZHUANG - The coal industry of North China's Hebei province returned to profit for the first time since 2014, provincial authorities said Friday.

From January to October, Hebei's major coal mining and washing industry registered a profit of 140 million yuan ($20 million), reversing the 4.5 billion yuan loss over the same period in 2015, according to the Hebei Provincial Bureau of Statistics.

It is the first time that the heavy-industry province has seen profits in its coal sector since early 2014 when the whole industry plunged into loss due to declining coal prices, structural adjustment of energy supply, and pressure in cutting redundant production capacity for environmental protection.

Experts said Hebei's coal industry has turned profitable, after ending a two-year-plus loss, responsible for a 2.7 percentage-point growth in the provincial economy in 2016.

China is the world's largest consumer of coal. The industry has long been plagued by overcapacity and has felt the pinch over the past two years as the economy cooled and demand fell.

In the first ten months of 2016, Hebei closed a total of 54 coal mines, cutting coal production capacity by 14 million tons. As of late November, China's coal production capacity has been reduced by about 250 million tons.
A logo of Alibaba's business-to-customer site Tmall seen on a street in Beijing, June 1, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced on Friday its plan to restructure its e-commerce business in an effort to get ready for the era of data-driven new retail.

Daniel Zhang, chief executive officer of Alibaba Group, said that the company's business-to-customer site Tmall will be merged with its digital marketing unit Juhuasuan.

The decision aims to bring synergy among the company's business, marketing and operation units and explore all kinds of opportunities to digitalize existing businesses and make new businesses out of data, a move intended to better empower retailers.

Zhang made the announcement in an internal memo that was later made public on Friday. "We need to unify the service strategies for our customers and make sure the entire retail group can coordinate and act smoothly like one person," he said.

China's biggest e-commerce player earlier announced its plan of repositioning itself as a service provider to build digital and physical infrastructure for the future of commerce.

"With e-commerce itself rapidly becoming a traditional business, pure e-commerce players will soon face tremendous challenges," Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group, said in mid October.

"This is why we are adapting and it's why we strive to play a major role in the advancement of this new economic environment," Ma added.
A logo of Huawei is seen at a store in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Nov 13, 2016. [Photo/IC]

HANOI - China's leading information and communications technology (ICT) provider Huawei Technologies Co Ltd has pledged to long-term development projects in Vietnam, said David Sun, President and Chief Executive Officer of Huawei in the Southeast Asia Region.

In a recent interview with Xinhua during his visit to Vietnam, Sun said Huawei has played a crucial role in the development of informatization in Vietnam.

After his group joined the Vietnamese market, the spread of broadband internet was prolific while telecommunication fees had been reduced to help everyone have access to the internet, said Sun.

"Huawei hopes that on the basis of equal and just competition, Huawei will be able to more actively participate in the construction of a 4G LTE network, contribute to the transition to a digital economy, boost the development of Vietnamese ICT providers and become an important partner of those ICT firms," said Sun.

Recalling the fact that in 2011, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei signed and published Huawei Cyber Security Assurance Policy, which reads: "Huawei guarantees that its commitment to cyber security will never be outweighed by the consideration of commercial interests," Sun said his group, with an open and positive attitude, is willing to help governments, companies, and customers to face the challenges of cyber security.

Meanwhile, the CEO said Huawei attaches great importance to cooperation with local partners in Vietnam for co-development.

"The combination between the capacities of local partners and the global values of Huawei will boost creativity in the country, which will lead to increasing competitiveness of the ICT sector," said the CEO, highlighting that in Vietnam, Huawei has cooperated with local military-run telecommunication group Viettel to expand operations to markets in 10 countries worldwide.

In the coming three years, Huawei will invest $1 million in ICT human resource training in Vietnam.

"We hope that through long-term development, and further fostering ICT personnel in Vietnam, we will help contribute to the greater development of the Vietnamese ICT," Sun told Xinhua.

Huawei Vietnam has 272 employees, 82 percent of whom are local Vietnamese people. The rate of personnel localization in Vietnam remains higher than that of 75 percent of Huawei globally, Sun explained.

Having first entered the Vietnamese market in 1998, Huawei opened Huawei Technologies Company Limited in Vietnam in 2008, operating through three divisions: Carrier, Enterprise and Consumer.

In terms of its consumer applications, Huawei started to develop smartphones in Vietnam in 2015. Over the past year, its revenue from smartphones has almost tripled.

Currently, Huawei smartphones account for 3.8 percent of Vietnam's smartphone market share. The figure is forecast to hit 5 percent by the end of this year, said Zhou Zhen, General Director of Huawei Vietnam.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L front) visits the National School of Development at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

LONDON - Times Higher Education (THE) on Wednesday reveals its BRICS & Emerging Economies University Rankings 2017. China's institutions dominate, taking seven of the top 10 places, led by Peking University (1st) and Tsinghua University (2nd), and 77 in the ranking overall.

Accounting for one in six of universities in the ranking, the Chinese mainland is home to the highest density of leading institutions in the developing world with 52 universities in the list.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has 25 universities in this year's expanded ranking of 300 institutions, which have struggled to make progress this year with all but two of the universities ranked last year dropping places this year.

An impressive 38 of China' s universities make the top 100, while seven make the elite top 10, including Fudan University, which rose 11 places to reach sixth place this year.

Meanwhile Tongji University makes the top 25 at joint 24th place for the first time after jumping 28 places.

Universities in the five BRICS nations face stronger competition than ever from those in other emerging economies.

India performs well in this year' s ranking, increasing its share of the top universities in the ranking with 27 in the top 300. Brazil has 25 universities in the ranking, up from 14 last year.

It is a mixed picture for Russia with 24 ranked institutions beating last year's 15.

Lomonosov Moscow State University holds onto its third place overall, ahead of Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, which climbs rapidly to 12th position. However, 10 of Russia's universities represented drop places this year.

South Africa has also struggled to compete this year, with a slight drop in the overall representation in the rankings and three of its top four performers dropping year on year.

Phil Baty, editor of the THE's World University Rankings, said that it is fantastic news that 52 Chinese mainland's universities make this prestigious list, representing more than one in six places across the newly-expanded top-300 table -- more than any other country.

"China's strong performance in this list of the top universities in BRICS and emerging economies follows its ascent in the flagship THE World University Rankings in September, which was largely driven by an enhanced academic reputation and research influence and increased success at attracting international talent," he said.

China has introduced powerful policy drives, backed with serious funding, to produce world-class universities.

According to THE, its BRICS and Emerging Economies Rankings 2017 draw upon 300 universities ranked with 41 countries included. It is a unique global ranking which examines the leading universities in 50 emerging and frontier economies.
Evidence insufficient, unclear in 1990s Nie case, top court says

Nie Xuesheng, the father, and Nie Shuhui, the elder sister of Nie Shubin, burst into tears at home in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, after hearing the top court's verdict. XIE KUANGSHI/CHINA DAILY

Justice finally came, though it was 21 years too late.

Nie Shubin, a young man executed in 1995 after being found guilty in a rape and murder case, was declared not guilty by the top court on Friday.

The Supreme People's Court said in its verdict that facts and evidence in Nie's case, which has drawn huge public attention, were unclear and insufficient, so "he should be announced innocent".

It added that the judgment was made in accordance with a basic principle in the Criminal Law: No punishment shall be given in doubtful cases.

"I'm satisfied with the result. I've been expecting today for a long time," said Zhang Huanzhi, Nie's mother, with trembling voice and in tears.

She spent more than two decades trying to clear her son's name.

She heard the announcement at the Second Circuit Court, one of the arms of the Supreme People's Court, in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on Friday morning.

Zhang was also informed in court that she can apply for State compensation within two years. "I'll discuss (the compensation) with my husband," she said.

Xia Daohu, one of the judges for the case, confirmed that the compensation application process had begun. But he did not say how much money a litigant can receive in such a case.

"The compensation will be provided in accordance with the State Compensation Law, and the final amount will consider how many days Nie had been wrongfully detained, as well as the mental damage," Xia said.

Xia also said an accountability investigation of police and judicial officers who were involved has started, but did not elaborate.

Li Shuting, the family's lawyer, said: "Rights of lawyers, including reading legal materials and sharing opinions with the court, were well protected. I'm also happy to end my work with such a result."

Nie, a worker in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, was sentenced to death and executed in 1995 in the rape and murder of a woman the year before. He was 21 when he was executed.

The case first came to the public's attention in 2005, when Wang Shujin was detained for rape and murder in other cases. Wang confessed that he was the actual culprit in Nie's case.

Since then, Nie's case had been reinvestigated. His name is well-known across the country, and any development of the reinvestigation made headlines.

His case has been handled by Hebei Provincial High People's Court and Shandong Provincial High People's Court. Both courts failed to give a final verdict.
Limited knowledge, costs and low accessibility make justice system hard for the handicapped

A new China report by the United Nations dove into an area rarely discussed in the life of the nation's 85 million persons with disabilities: How freely can they navigate the country's judicial system?

The research, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme and Wuhan University's Public Interest and Development Law Institute, was released on Friday, one day ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes dignity, rights and well-being for the group.

It addressed a long list of existing challenges, including limited legal knowledge that hinders them from using legal services when their rights are infringed, the high expenses of current legal services, the lack of information about free legal aid services, and not enough accessibility and accommodation throughout the judicial process.

The researchers found that though lawyers and legal service workers play a key role in providing legal aid services to people with disabilities, their knowledge and awareness about disability and equality should be improved.

They also saw the "great potential" of local staff at disabled persons' federations becoming grassroots legal advocates, a group they believe could directly improve the quality of legal services that people with disabilities can enjoy.

Wu Di, the project's leader from the UNDP, said working on the program has changed her way of understanding persons with disabilities. By presenting the report to the public, she hoped to raise awareness and eventually bring some changes to better everyone's life.

Yet the lack of access to legal services may be a problem that puzzles many, with or without disabilities.

"Around 6 million cases are reported to the police every year, but only 1 million proceed to the next step. The legal resources are far from enough," said Wang Minyuan, a legal researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

In September, the Chinese government released an action plan to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on individuals in poor rural areas.

China's new guideline on accelerating the process toward modest prosperity in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) has outlined action to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same livelihood and public services.

For instance, by 2020, all registered persons with disabilities from poor families in rural areas must be lifted out of poverty. The proportion of children with disabilities receiving compulsory education must reach 95 percent by 2020.

Nicholas Rosellini, the UN resident coordinator in China, said the Chinese government's recent actions are "welcome steps toward mainstreaming disability in development and society". He proposed that the UN, the China Disabled Persons' Federation and individuals should play an important role in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring accountability.

Today, more than 1 billion people, or approximately 15 percent of the world's population, live with some form of disability. More than 100 million of them are children, who are almost four times more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children, according to Marielza Oliveira, director and representative of the UNESCO Beijing office.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said in Beijing in July that "persons with disabilities must become an integral part of national, regional and global thinking and planning, not only in areas that specifically concern them, but in decisions that affect everyone".

Li Lei contributed to this story.
Zhang Huanzhi, the mother of Nie Shubin, who was executed for rape and murder, talks on Friday to the media outside the court in Shenyang, Liaoning province, that overturned his conviction. LU YAO/CHINA DAILY

Zhang Huanzhi, a bereaved mother in her 70s, finally got the not guilty verdict for her son that she awaited.

Her fight for justice began the very moment her son, Nie Shubin, was arrested for murder in 1994. And the confession in 2005 of another man, Wang Shujin, who claimed he was the actual murderer, gave her additional power and courage to continue.

In March 2005, Zhang hired a lawyer and began the legal process to clear the name of her son. Soon after the appeal, the provincial Political and Legal Affairs Committee in Hebei said it would set up a joint investigative group with other judicial departments in the province to look into the case.

However in the decade since, no positive decisions were made in Nie's case.

It was not until December 2014, when the Supreme People's Court, the country's top court, ordered a retrial of Nie's case in Shandong High People's Court that the family found hope in their excruciating struggle for justice.

Nie's mother said she was relieved when the top court designated the court in Shandong to review her son's case.

She had visited the Hebei High People's Court multiple times since 2005 requesting that her son's case be reviewed, but always in vain.

"I'm more than thrilled," Zhang said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency in 2014. "The decision is a reflection that the country's judicial system is improving."

"My husband and I often say to ourselves we have to strive to live until the day my son's name is cleared," the mother said.

"I have so much regret because I did not even get to see my son before he was killed," Zhang said. "The only thing I could do was to try to prove his innocence to ease my pain."

Nie's father, Nie Xuesheng, said on Friday that it was the happiest day in more than 20 years since his son was executed.

The father attempted suicide the day after he learned of his son's execution from a staff member of the prison grocery shop on April 28, 1995. He had come to visit his son and give him a shirt.

The suicide attempt left him paralyzed in one of his legs, so his wife made most of the trips to the court asking for a retrial.

The father told Beijing News that he accepted the apology from the Provincial High People's Court in Hebei on Friday.

"Justice delayed is still justice," he said.
I have witnessed many court rulings announced in my past six years of reporting on law. But this time I could clearly hear my heart beating fast as this high-profile case has been part of my career.

Nie Shubin has been a name familiar to almost all legal journalists in China because his case has been widely reported and discussed for more than 10 years.

On Friday, 21 years after being wrongly executed for rape and murder, Nie was finally pardoned on the grounds that the facts were unclear and there was insufficient evidence against him.

Nie's mother, Zhang Huanzhi, who was accompanied by Li Shuting, the family's lawyer, looked calm during the announcement. But she suddenly burst into tears and started to knock on a table in front of her when the court read the word "innocent". Li patted her, as his own tears flowed behind his glasses.

"I have been expecting today for a long time, but my son won't come back again," the mother said.

Looking at the 72-year-old woman, I could no longer hold back my own tears.

At that moment, I forgot I was a journalist. Instead, I tried to feel the excitement and difficulties of this mother who spent two decades working to clear her son's name.

"The hardest part of the appeal was at the very beginning, when various departments ignored me," Zhang said. "But later I witnessed our country's huge progress in the rule of law, and in the end I see justice. It was worth making all these efforts."

Zhang said she would go to her son's grave to comfort her beloved one after returning home to Luquan county in Hebei province.

I felt relieved for her - justice stood on her side. I also admired her. She did all these things to prove her son innocent with great resilience and courage.

Zhang Jiulin, a law school student at Liaoning University who also witnessed the pardon in the court's public gallery, told me that she held her breath when the ruling was about to be announced.

"I've expected that the guilty verdict could be overturned since the national leadership laid emphasis on the rule of law in recent years," Zhang said.

She said she had shared the moment with many of her friends via WeChat, a Chinese social media tool, which has been flooded by the news of Nie's pardon since the ruling was announced on Friday morning.

The lawyer Li also showed his satisfaction. "Justice comes late, but it comes at last," he said.

Winter in the Northeast China is cold, but the long-awaited reversal of Nie's guilty verdict has warmed the nation.
Head of NPC foreign affairs panel says Sino-US cooperation may enter new phase under Trump

Fu Ying, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, attends the China-US forum on Thursday held by New York University and the China-US Exchange Foundation at the NYU Law School. Hezi Jiang / China Daily

Fu Ying sees infrastructure as a great opportunity for US-China cooperation under the Western country's president-elect.

"You need a bigger harbor," said Fu, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress of China, drawing chuckling from the audience during a China-US forum on Thursday held by New York University and the China-US Exchange Foundation at the NYU Law School.

Fu said that the CEO of China's largest shipping company, COSCO Group, told US legislators two years ago that their country had to upgrade its ports to increase its exports.

"But America doesn't want to take investment from other countries, like China, and you don't invest yourself," she quoted the CEO as saying.

The election of Donald Trump may bring a new phase, she said, because he vowed to "transform America's crumbling infrastructure".

"The US needs to be more open. I think there can be very, very good cooperation," said Fu, who formerly served as China's ambassador to Australia and the United Kingdom. "China borrowed from all over the world to build our infrastructure, and now we are building railways and highways in Africa."

Asked if she worries about a changing landscape of US-China relations under the Trump administration, Fu said it was too soon to tell, but she is not pessimistic.

She said the phone call between President Xi Jinping and Trump was "very encouraging", as Trump agreed with Xi that cooperation is the only choice between the two countries, and they will advance the relationships to bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.

She said a trade war between the two was unlikely.

"It will bring too much damage after some calculation," Fu said. "Especially (because) your president-elect is a businessman. He's smart enough."

But she hopes for trade and investment between the countries to improve, and wants the US to be more clear and consistent with its message.

She suggested the US government and political candidates should be more careful with rhetoric about China. "People are listening. The world is listening," she said.

Also in attendance was J. Stapleton Roy, a senior US diplomat who spent much of his career in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei.

Roy agreed with Fu on the idea of infrastructure, and said the two countries should further cooperate on climate change and cybersecurity. He said the US may still participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative even though it was not interested in joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank project, which he considered a mistake.

Fu said, "We were surprised and disappointed that the US was against" the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. "But the US is especially welcome to join the Belt and Road Initiative, with all the advantages the US has."
Rescuers retrieve a minibus from a lake in Ezhou, Hubei province on Friday. The vehicle was carrying 19 workers and a driver when it plunged into the water. Only two people survived the accident. Hui Bin / For China Daily

Eighteen people were killed when an overloaded minibus plunged into a roadside lake in Hubei province early on Friday morning, local authorities said.

The minibus was carrying 19 passengers and a driver when the accident occurred near Miaoling, a township in Ezhou, at about 6 am on Friday. Only the driver and one passenger survived the accident.

Ma Yichun, an Ezhou work safety and supervision official, said heavy fog, with visibility of less than 100 meters, may have been a factor in the accident, the Associated Press reported.

The minibus was severely overloaded as it only had a registered seating capacity of nine people, according to Wuhan Evening News.

The two survivors were taken to a hospital for treatment, and police later detained the driver, China Central Television reported.

The son of Zhang Changzhi, 57, one of the victims, said the passengers were all from two nearby villages and worked as outsourced laborers for a company in Wuhan, the provincial capital. Typically, they would wait at prearranged locations for a bus that would have them at their work site by 5:30 am. In the evening, it would return to pick them up.

The workers were mostly in their 60s and 70s.

Rescue workers retrieved the vehicle from the lake, and a work team was set up to investigate the accident, according to an Ezhou news release.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (C rear) speaks at a meeting on building the ecological civilization, in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 2, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping has called for more to be done to deepen reforms and establish a framework of institutions to promote ecological civilization in China.

The goal of achieving an ecological civilization is a key part of China's overall development strategy and governments at all levels should remember that clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets, said Xi, according to a statement released Friday by the central authorities.

More should be done to create a legal and operational ecological civilization framework, which will feature green, renewable and low-carbon growth and economical and environmentally-friendly way of life, Xi pointed out.

China will increase environmental inspections and punish polluters accordingly to ensure the environment improves, Xi said.

Ecological civilization should be an important task for governments and Communist Party of China branches at all levels. They should implement policies earnestly and contribute more to a greener China and global ecological security, Xi added.

Premier Li Keqiang spoke about ecological civilization's key role in achieving sustainable growth, adding that local governments should bare this in mind when drafting supply-side structural reforms.

China will continue to optimize its industrial structure, cut excess capacity, reduce pollution and improve air, water and soil quality, Li added.

A national meeting on ecological progress was held Friday in Zhejiang Province, where Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli urged local governments to use their previous achievements to kick-start faster and better ecological civilization development.

Moreover, more should be done to promote green urbanization and sustainable industrial structure, and improve the efficiency of resource utilization, Zhang added.
HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government on Friday launched a new round of legal actions to disqualify four more members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) for their invalid oaths.

On behalf of the Hong Kong Chief Executive, the Department of Justice submitted an application for a judicial review to the High Court, which requests the court to rule whether the four LegCo members' oaths comply with the Hong Kong Basic Law and whether they are still qualified to serve.

The four legislators are Lau Siu-lai, Yiu Chung-yim, Law Kwun-Chung and Leung Kwok-hung.

The SAR government's legal actions came two days after an appeal court upheld the government's legal bid to disqualify two legislators-elect who used derogatory language insulting the country and nation when taking oaths at a swearing-in ceremony of the new LegCo on Oct. 12.

Also on that occasion, Lau deliberately took the oath very slowly by pausing for five to six seconds in between every word in order to, by her own explanation, make the oath meaningless. The LegCo president invalidated Lau's oath but allowed her to retake the oath.

The SAR government's judicial review also challenged the LegCo president's decision to allow Lau to have a second chance to take the oath.

The other three LegCo members targeted in the judicial review added political slogans and appeals to the standard oaths or used strange tones when swearing allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR of the People's Republic of China.

A statement released by the SAR government on Friday said the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the LegCo members should swear allegiance to the Basic Law and the Hong Kong SAR, so any person who declines or neglects to take an oath duly requested should vacate his office if he has already entered on it or be disqualified if he has not.

An SAR government spokesperson said the Chief Executive shoulder the constitutional responsibility to safeguard and implement the Hong Kong Basic Law and relevant laws, and the legal actions were launched after consulting independent senior counsels.
HANGZHOU - He Jiacheng, former vice president of the Chinese Academy of Governance, stood trial Friday for taking bribes.

He was accused of taking advantage of his official positions from 1995 to 2014 to help others in business and with promotions.

He accepted bribes worth 7.1 million yuan (around $1.03 million) either himself or through his relatives, according the People's Procuratorate of Ningbo City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province.

The procuratorate filed the charges with the Intermediate People's Court of Ningbo City.

He pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in the court.

More than 60 people including journalists and members of the public attended the hearing.

The ruling will be announced at a later date.

The academy is a ministerial-level institution directly affiliated with the central government. It is an important body for training high and mid-level civil servants as well as high-level administrators and policy researchers.
BEIJING - The text of President Xi Jinping's remarks at a conference on literary and artistic work held Wednesday has been published by the People's Publishing House.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 10th Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and the ninth Congress of the Chinese Writers Association (CWA), Xi called for Chinese artists and writers to strengthen their confidence in Chinese culture and create excellent works to inspire the nation.

Describing the people as "creators of history and sculptors of time," the president called for artists and writers to serve the people and reflect people's lives.

"Promoting socialist core values should be fundamental to artists and writers, who should firmly resort to Chinese people's thoughts, emotions and aesthetics to create works catering to the times that feature notable Chinese elements," Xi said.
BEIJING - Standing at the entrance to the mine shaft, Feng Wenli bade farewell to the job he had done for decades.

"It's a little hard to say goodbye, but it is also good to retire early with compensation," said the 53-year-old.

Beijing's Changgouyu mine has been closed to reduce pollution. The municipal development and reform commission announced this week that the three remaining coal mines in the city will be closed in the next four years, completely eliminating coal mining in the capital.

In 2016, Beijing closed two coal mines ending production of 1.8 million tonnes each year, said Li Bin, deputy director of the commission's coal office.

Changgouyu, at the foot of the western mountains, produced 1 million tonnes of high quality coal each year before it closed in June.

Feng lives on the other side of the mountains. He became a miner at the age of 21. He used to get up at 4 a.m. for the morning shift. After a quick breakfast, he would descend the shaft and work until noon.

"We were covered in coal dust by noon and took a bath straight after work," he said. "The mines now are less dusty and safer than before."

Feng still lives in the miner's cottage where he married and raised a son. His son is now a physical education teacher in a city high school. Even with the mine closed, the couple continue living there.

"We are not moving out. I have heard plans to develop tourism in the area," he said.

Accounts of coal mining in Beijing date from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the mountains of western Beijing became known for high-quality coal.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, coal from western Beijing has been a major energy source for the capital, said Geng Yangmou, chairman of Beijing Haohua Energy Resource.

Geng said the government had given more than 160 million yuan (23 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies to Beijing's redundant coal workers and miners in 2016.

Mining areas will be encouraged to develop new industries, and the city will provide support for infrastructure to attract investors, according to Geng.

"Look at the beautiful scenery. I believe it has great tourism potential. The area will be prosperous and live again with new industries," Feng said.

He is considering setting up a business with the 340,000 yuan he received when his contract was ended.

Lyu Fuyue, 51, has been working at Changgouyu mine since he was 24. After retiring in August, he gets 2,000 yuan every month. He has still not figured out what he will do in the future.

"Maybe I will just stay home. It would be good to rest, like the mountains, after years of mining," he said.
NANJING - Four people received jail terms Friday for fly-tipping on the bank of a river in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, according to a local court.

The defendants were sentenced to 18 to 21 months in prison and fined 50,000 yuan ($7,260) to 60,000 yuan, said a statement from the court in Xishan district, Wuxi City.

The court found that Xu Guoqiang, without a license for disposing garbage, signed a contract with Yangpu district government, Shanghai, to help handle household trash from 2013.

In May 2015, three other defendants shipped garbage to Wuxi, dumped it and buried it with construction materials and soil.

The garbage polluted the local environment. Tests found heavy metals, including lead and chromium, in the solid waste. The garbage was disposed of by local authorities in July 2015.

The dumping was first spotted by local residents on May 19, when a vessel carried the trash to Huishan District, Wuxi. Four other vessels carrying garbage came a week later and were seized by local authorities.

The Xishan court accepted the case in November 2015, holding two hearings.
ZHENGZHOU - A Chinese environmental volunteer is suing the capital city of central China's Henan Province for his "suffering" in smog, demanding compensation of the cost of masks he bought.

Sun Hongbin, 25, is accusing the government of Zhengzhou City of being slow to combat smog, forcing him and his colleagues to buy masks at a cost of 32 yuan (4.65 U.S. dollars) each during a trip to the city in late November.

The Intermediate People's Court of Xinxiang in Henan has accepted the case, as the law stipulates that administrative cases must be handled elsewhere. The court has given notification of the lawsuit to the Zhengzhou government.

"The air smelt bad, but many citizens were not wearing masks," said Sun, an employee of "Clean air guardian", an environmental protection NGO, as he recalled his Nov. 20 visit.

The air quality index in the city that day was 253 -- "serious" pollution -- so he and his colleagues bought masks.

Sun said his appeal is based on environmental laws that make the local government responsible for air quality. "If Zhengzhou had not been so inactive in dealing with the smog, we would not have had to buy the masks and would not suffered damage to our health," he said.

He said while other smoggy parts of China have made progress in cleaning the air, the situation in Henan in general and Zhengzhou in particular remains severe.

In the first half of 2016, Henan ranked second highest in densities of both PM10 and PM2.5. During the same period, the air quality of Zhengzhou was the third worst of 74 major Chinese cities. It was 10th worst in 2013.

Sun said he lodged the lawsuit to prompt Zhengzhou to address the issue in the hope it will compensate citizens.
CHANGSHA - A court in central China's Hunan Province has handed down the death penalty for two drug dealers, one from Hong Kong and the other from Mexico, for producing and selling drugs in China.

Two other principal culprits of the transnational drug gang were sentenced to suspended death with two years' reprieve, according to Friday's ruling by the Intermediate People's Court in Chenzhou City.

Five members of the gang received jail terms from 15 years to life, according to the court ruling.

Court investigation found the gang produced more than 400 kilograms of methamphetamine and 254 kilograms of caffeine at their underground drug factory in a mountainous village in Guiyang County of Hunan Province.

About 100 kg of the meth had been sold to drug dealers and addicts before the gang was busted in 2013.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the conference on reforms of the military's size, structure, and formation in Beijing, Dec 3, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a smaller army with better combat capability and optimized structure as the military reform deepens.



Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and head of a leading group for deepening reform on national defense and the armed forces, made the remarks at a two-day conference on military reform, which ended Saturday.



"This is a major, inevitable change," Xi told the meeting. "We must seize the opportunity and make breakthroughs."



The president said changes must be made if China is to build a strong world-class army.



Xi announced in September last year that the armed forces would be cut down by 300,000 troops from the original 2.3 million.



Citing rapid changes to the global military environment, Xi spoke about the informationized modern warfare, noting that joint operations have grown to be the basic form of combat.



"Accordingly, there have been new changes in terms of the military's size, structure, and formation, which features smaller in size, more capable in strength, modulization and multi-functionality, with scientific factors playing bigger roles," Xi said.



The president, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the military's structure must be readjusted and optimized, new type of forces be developed, the ratios between different types of forces be rationalized, and the number and the scale of the military be downsized.



The Chinese army must grow into modern armed forces with Chinese characteristics, which can win informationized wars and implement their missions, the president said.



"Quantity should be reduced, quality improved to build a capable and efficient modernized standing army," Xi said, adding that China must develop a joint operation force system with the elite force at its core.



Xi also urged the armed force to take the reform as a major political issue, strengthen rules and disciplines in the work, and further purge the pernicious influence of Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, two corrupt former CMC vice chairmen.



A total of 230 high-ranking military officials, including members of the CMC, attended the meeting.
US President-elect Donald Trump speaks at election night rally in Manhattan, New York, US, November 9, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

On the campaign trail President-elect Donald Trump swore that he would drain the swamp in Washington if elected. Reflecting the American public's great distaste for Washington, his words were hailed by fervently cheering crowds.

In January, Rasmussen Reports, which specializes in the collection, publication and distribution of public opinion information, showed that 81 percent of Americans believe Washington is corrupt. A Gallup poll in September 2015 found that 75 percent of Americans saw widespread corruption in the country's government, a jump from the 66 percent in 2009.

On Nov 16, Trump announced his anti-corruption campaign by setting out tough restrictions on lobbying by incoming officials. The rules require incoming officials to terminate their lobbying registration and pledge not to lobby again until five years after they leave the administration.

Although no one seems sure how the rules will be enforced, it is a move in the right direction.

The horde of passengers getting off at Farragut North station on the Red Line of the city's metro rapid transit system every morning is quite a scene on my way to work. Outside the stop is the notorious K Street, the nickname for the lobbying industry where major lobbying companies assemble.

Having covered Washington for years, the question I often ask is why the thriving lobbying industry in Washington is even legal in a country that claims to be the world's "greatest democracy".

In Washington, countless former government officials and ex-Congressmen engage themselves in the lobbying industry, using their connections and influence to push special interest agendas and enrich themselves. With the ongoing US government transition, many who are leaving the Barack Obama administration will be sought after by major lobbying firms or may be planning to start their own lobbying companies.

If people believe that guanxi (connections) is uniquely Chinese, it is because they have not lived in Washington, where some 11,000 lobbyists, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, are trying to use exactly that with the US Congress and federal government departments.

Chinese journalists covering Washington are often surprised to find a State Department official who briefed them about the US government's Asia and China policy just weeks ago suddenly appearing as the head of a consulting company, and his business having questionable links with his previous official duties.

Such revolving door cases are indeed a normal phenomenon in Washington.

For years, the top industries that have spent the most on lobbying include pharmaceuticals, insurance, business associations, oil and gas, education, telecom services and defense aerospace.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that corporations are scrambling to retool their lobbying efforts as Republicans, preparing for control of the House of Representatives, Senate and White House in January, hope to break the partisan logjam that has blocked the passage of legislation for six years. Key issues for their hired guns will be immigration, healthcare, tax, infrastructure and Wall Street regulations.

Andrew Bacevich, a historian at Boston University, wrote on Tuesday that if Trump was serious about overturning the Washington establishment, he'd start by ending the constant wars. In Bacevich's view, wars created the swamp in the first place. Wars empower Washington. They centralize, providing a reason for federal authorities to accumulate and exercise new powers.

What he failed to elaborate is that a huge lobbying industry, especially representing the giant military industrial complex, is keeping those wars going.

With so much talk about many of Trump's nominations for the Cabinet belonging to the swamp, it will be interesting to see if Trump will walk the talk on his "drain the swamp" pledge.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA.

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
Nie Xuesheng, Nie Shubin's fater,still lives in the old house that his son used to be there.[Photo/IC]

Dec 2, 2016, is an important day for a person named Nie Shubin, or rather his family. Twenty-one years after Nie was sentenced to death and executed for rape and murder, he was found innocent by the Second Circuit Court of the Supreme People's Court.

Nie was executed in 1995, so the court declaring him innocent cannot bring him back to life. Yet the court verdict is a landmark in China's judicial history.

It was in June 2016 that the Supreme People's Court decided to start the retrial of Nie's case. Earlier, in December 2014, it had asked the Shandong provincial people's court to re-investigate the case. For two full years, scores of people, including judges, lawyers, as well as journalists, endeavored to unearth the truth. They were searching for the answer to one question: Was Nie innocent as his family claimed?

The Supreme People's Court verdict proves he was indeed innocent. As a leading official of the court said in an interview after the retrial, they invested much time and efforts into the case to make sure the court verdict stands the test of time. Incorrect judgments happen in all countries, usually because of the lack of strong evidence. A judiciary that subsequently corrects a wrong ruling is the one that upholds justice.

Nie's case is a tragedy because he was wrongly sentenced and executed. Wang Shujin, who was arrested for committing some other crimes in 2005, admitted he was guilty of the rape and murder for which Nie was executed. It was his admission of guilt that started the re-investigation into Nie's trial.

What if Wang was not caught or did not admit he was guilty?

We can prevent others from suffering Nie's tragic fate by strengthening the rule of law.

In the interview after the retrial, the leading official of the Supreme People's Court said the country's top leadership has been deepening judicial reform, strengthening judicial protection to human rights, and paying greater attention to the correction and prevention of wrong sentences.

In October 2014, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China vowed to comprehensively promote the rule of law and encourage the entire nation to work together to achieve that goal.

Nie's case is a lesson for the judiciary, the Supreme People's Court official said, which will help the courts to better protect the legal rights of suspects in the future, so as to prevent similar tragedies.

The Hebei provincial people's court, which passed the sentence against Nie in 1995, said it would start the preparations to pay State compensation to Nie's family, and will investigate to find out whether court officials violated the law in dealing with Nie's case. If the law was broken, those responsible will face due punishments.

We hope the ongoing efforts to correct past wrongs achieve success, and the rule of law is further strengthened so that people like Nie and their families do not suffer.

The author is a writer with China Daily. zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn
British Prime Minister Theresa May sits in her hotel room as she prepares her conference speech. [Photo by Carl Court/Reuters]

The Brexit vote in Britain, Donald Trump's victory in the United States and the likelihood of further electoral upsets in other countries in the coming year reflect widespread discontent in the West over the benefits of free trade and globalization being unevenly distributed.

Among the targets of disgruntled voters on both sides of the Atlantic are a widening income gap, the rise of international elites to whom the laws of economics do not seem to apply, and what they see as the machinations of nefarious foreigners buying up industries and snapping up jobs.

Part of Trump's electoral appeal was an "America first" policy that appealed to voters in the old industrial Rust Belt states by directly blaming China for destroying the local economy.

It is a political atmosphere in which even the most free trade politicians must at least nod in the direction of protectionism or face the electoral consequences.

With unplanned irony, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced in Parliament last month that his cash-strapped government would plow funds into helping high-tech startups avoid being taken over by foreign companies. He was perhaps unaware that the very next day China's travel services provider Ctrip would announce it was spending 1.4 billion ($1.7 billion) to buy Scotland-based Skyscanner. The travel price comparison website exactly fit the profile of the so-called unicorn companies that Hammond said he wanted to protect.

On the morning the deal was announced, British Prime Minister Theresa May said foreign takeovers of UK companies would in the future be examined to determine whether they were in the national interest.

May's government is not about to slam the door on foreign acquisitions, though. The UK can hardly afford to turn down foreign investment at a time when it is struggling with the consequences of a vote to leave the European Union.

The so far mild embrace of at least some aspects of protectionism has not been confined to the UK, however. Ahead of a visit to China this month, German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said it was not right that "Germany sacrifices its companies on the altar of free markets, while at the same time our own companies have huge problems investing in China."

Gabriel was reflecting popular concerns in Germany where Chinese investment funds bought up some 40 local companies in the first half of 2016. That was part of a 72 billion Chinese investment in the whole of the EU in the same period.

In October, the signing of a free trade treaty between the EU and Canada was delayed because of objections from the Belgian province of Wallonia, which demanded protection for local farmers and businesses.

European industrial leaders have expressed fears that, if Trump presses ahead with his threat of punitive tariffs on Chinese imports to the US, China could respond by boosting exports to Europe, in turn prompting the EU to erect its own protectionist tariff barriers.

It is certain that, in private, many Western politicians recognize that inward-looking trade and investment policies would probably damage rather than improve the livelihoods of voters who have been encouraged to reject globalization. But in the face of the populist rhetoric from those like Trump and would-be leaders waiting in the wings in Europe, such as France's Marine LePen, candidate of the right-wing National Front, free trade supporters are on the defensive.

There are many who challenge the prevailing trend toward protectionism, but their voices are not getting through. Those in the US who say the domestic manufacturing sector has been enjoying record production levels, and that most job losses were the result of automation, rather than overseas competition, were drowned out by the simple refrain that foreigners were to blame.

China's policymakers can only sit back and contemplate how the Western trend will evolve and to what degree it will impact the domestic and global economies. In a restatement of the so-called "Go Out" policy, State officials said in Shanghai this week that China would continue to encourage the healthy development of outbound investment.

The writer is a senior editorial consultant for China Daily UK.
While cultivated ones can be easily grown at most places, wild blueberries, according to Vatour, could only manage to survive in the glacial soil.[Photo/IC]

Having been promoting and advertising Canadian wild blueberries for eight years in a row in China, Neri Vautour called this year the best and most exciting time during his latest tour in the country early in November.

And the director executive of Wild Blueberry Association of North America - Canada attributed all this to the help from a little creature: bumblebees.

"By 2014, we weren't really ready for the China market because of the low quantity of wild blueberry harvest. But now, the time is just right for China with our products," as Vatour told China Daily, after a blueberry tasting and briefing event toward retailers and restaurants in Shanghai.

To better supply the increasing demand from Chinese market, as well as other emerging markets, wild blueberries growers in the Atlantic Provinces, westward to Quebec in Canada, have introduced the use of bumblebees few years ago. The buzzing pollinators are believed to extract pollen from blossoms hundreds of times faster than honeybees and able to work much longer hours.

Wild Blueberry Association of North America-Canada now represents four major exporters and 3,500 to 4,000 growers in the Quebec area, which claims to have wild blueberries for more than 10,000 years.

Some argued that the term "wild" is more a marketing word to persuade purchases. But Vatour noted that wild blueberries are different from cultivated ones in that they are natural varieties including more than 100 types with skin colors ranging from pale blue to dark blue appearing on the same vine.

While cultivated ones can be easily grown at most places, wild blueberries, according to Vatour, could only manage to survive in the glacial soil.

"Even if the soil is removed to other places, the wild berries cannot grow," says Vatour.

The character, together with the health benefits believed to result from like antioxidant capacity, has been a major appeal for Chinese consumers, if not people all over the world as well.

"If I have to be honest, I think Chinese consumers, like everyone else, choose flavor first and health second. But we are lucky that we have both," says Vatour.

Up to 65 percent of the wild blueberries consumed around the world are from produced in Canada. Among the over 30 countries Canada exports the fruit, China has yet find a place on the top.

Last year, six million pounds of wild blueberries were exported to China. But Vatour is confident that with the souring demand, it could soon surpass the current top markets like the US and Japan.

With the launch of China-Canada year from 2015 to 2016, there has been a growing amount of agricultural bilateral exchanges between the two countries.

Statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) showed that bilateral trade between the two countries has increased by 13 percent over the past three years to 39 billion yuan. As of July, China has become the second largest source of agriculture exports and imports of Canada, after the United States, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

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Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called the phone call between Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-Wen and the US president-elect Donald Trump a "petty action" by Taiwan, and said the call will "not at all" change the one-China situation in the international community.

Wang made the remarks after the opening ceremony of a symposium on international situation and China's foreign policy in Beijing, when asked to comment on the phone call which took place on Friday.

"I believe the call will not change the one-China policy the US has been observing over many years," Wang said.

He also said the policy is the political basis of the healthy development of China-US relations, and China doesn't want to see any disturbance to such basis.

The ABC News Radio quoted Trump's transition team as saying that the two discussed the "close economic, political, and security ties between Taiwan and the United States".

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai called him to congratulate him on winning the presidential election.
DAR ES SALAAM - S. Krishna, once a small business salesman, was catapulted into a whole new life two years ago when he found a job in a Dar es Salaam-based Chinese company.

"Working with the Sunshine Industrial Company not only offered me a new set of business skills, but also changed my way of thinking," the Tanzanian man in his early forties said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

After years of job-hopping with no success, Krishna got a position in the Sunshine Industrial Company in 2014, a Chinese group engaged in various fields of business including mining, manufacture and logistics.

The company has been expanding at a fast pace, which to him was almost a miracle. Krishna said he had never seen an operation and management system as efficient as the one invented by this Chinese company.

After joining the Sunshine, Krishna received training at the Chinese Agriculture University in Beijing, China, where Krishna found the reasons behind the miracle after studying and visiting farms and villages during a three-week stay.

"I was impressed by how the Chinese work hard to earn a living," Krishna said. Moreover, he found that the notion of sustainable development has been the key to China's success in feeding a growing population and lifting millions out of poverty.

The Chinese say intelligence is endowed, but wisdom is learnt, said the Tanzanian man who was promoted to general manager a year after he joined Sunshine Industrial Company. "I was familiar with local market and Tanzanian ways of doing business."

Lv Youqing, Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, said Chinese companies have created 150,000 direct employments and 350,000 indirect employments in the East African country. China helps create more jobs than any other countries in Tanzania, he added.

Tanzania is an ideal house for labor-intensive industries. According to World Bank statistics, in the East African country with 56 million people, the number of youths (aged 14 to 25) has grown significantly over the past decades, contributing to the bulk of the labor force.

In absolute numbers, the size of Tanzania's youth almost doubled from 4.4 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2010. It is expected to swell to 11 million by 2020 and 15 million by 2030.

However, Tony Sun, an executive director of Sunshine Industrial Company, said Tanzania, like some other African countries, has relatively low labor efficiency due to lacking of skilled workers, which was the biggest obstacle for the development of labor-intensive industries.

"That's why professional training should be so important for every Chinese enterprises seeking to develop in Africa," he said, noting that his company holds training session every week for local staff.

Tooku Garments Company, a Chinese firm in Benjamin William Mkapa special economic zone in Dar Es Salaam, spent two months on average training per African worker.

Wang Jingying, a slim woman from China's eastern Zhejiang Province, was hired by Tooku Garments Company to train local workers. Wang, one of the company's 32 Chinese staff, has been in Tanzania for a year.

"Tanzanians are earnest learners," she said, "So am I," she added with pride. "Now I can communicate with locals in Kiswahili."

The media company StarTimes, operating in Tanzania among other African countries has been for years implementing a strategy of talent localization.

The company allocates 250 hours every year for training. Besides, StarTimes sent local staff to study in China, where they learnt China's most advanced media technologies in leading companies and institutes.

On the wall of a hall housing lines of computers, there's a picture of the company's managing staff, most of whom are Tanzanians.

"We will transfer the operation to Africans with a hope to promote sustainable development by local people," said executive director Sun.
WASHINGTON -- The US House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that allowed $611 billion's defense budget for 2017.

The bill, which gave an extra $9 billion than the original request by President Barack Obama, was passed in a 375-34 vote.

The extra money would cover a 2.1 percent pay raise for troops, 0.5 percent higher than requested, 16,000 and 3,000 more personnel for the army and the marine corps, respectively.

The upper chamber of Congress is expected to vote on the paper next week and send it to Obama for ratification, a White House spokesman said. The president will decide whether he approves the revision after studying the fine print.

Despite the extra money, House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry thought the budget was not enough.

"My great hope is that the new incoming administration will submit to Congress a supplemental request that can really get about the job of rebuilding the military, which is so essential," he said.

Within the budget, Base Budget, which finances running costs of the US military, is $543.4 billion, while $59.5 billion are marked Overseas Contingency Operations Budget, also known as the war budget.

The overall budget showed a slight hike from the $607 billion budget provided for 2016.
JAKARTA -- A light plane carrying 16 police personnel lost communication with flight authorities when it was passing above waters off Batam island in western Indonesia on Saturday, rescuers said.

The M28 Skytruck passenger plane, owned by Indonesian police, was enroute from Pangkal Pinang city for Batam island in Kepulauan Riau province, Marsudi, spokesman of the national search and rescue office, told Xinhua via telephone.

"The plane lost contact today (Saturday), the condition of the plane is still unknown now," said the official.

Media reports said locals found the wreckage of the aircraft at about 12:20 pm Jakarta time in the waters off Batam island.

"The plane is predicted to crash in waters off Batam. A search and rescue operation is underway now," Marsudi said.
CAIRO -- Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court on Saturday ruled parts of an article of a controversial protest law were unconstitutional, official MENA news agency reported, in a move that cancels the authority of the Interior Ministry to ban rallies.

An item of the article 10 of the law entitling "security forces to prevent protests, and another regulating the right of public assembly and peaceful protests were ruled unconstitutional.

Under Saturday's ruling, the Interior Ministry will no longer have the authority to ban any protests, according to legal experts.

The court rejected other appeals on other articles of the pretest law.

In January 2015, the administrative court in Cairo decided to suspend looking into an appeal against the protest law filed by human rights lawyers until the constitutional court reviews the constitutionality of the law.

Former Interim President Adly Mansour issued the law in 2013, granting the Interior Ministry the power to ban protests or political assembly without prior police permits.

The law was issued at a time of frequent clashes between the Muslim Brotherhood supporters and security forces.

Human Rights Watch condemned the law as "violation of international standards."

Hundreds of students and activists serve prison terms for violating the law in question, the most prominent of who is Ahmed Maher, the leader of April 6 Movement that spearheaded the 2011 uprising that ousted long-time President Hosni Mubarak.
Cui Qiming (center), China's ambassador to Belarus, meets with a Chinese media delegation in Minsk on Dec 2, 2016. [Photo by Zhang Tuchang/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The all-around cooperation between China and Belarus is unparallel in history as people-to-people exchanges boost public support for rapid development of ties, said Cui Qiming, China's ambassador to the country.

The latest example is the two country's coordination in China's Belt and Road Initiative, the most promising area of bilateral ties.

China and Belarus would use the opportunity to maintain and strengthen such a momentum, the ambassador added.

Currently, the two countries are working on the China-Belarus Industrial Park, jointly developed as a key project to contribute to the initiative.

The infrastructure work is nearly complete and the two governments would now encourage companies of their countries to invest in the park, according to the ambassador.

A view of the China-Belarus Industrial Park in Minsk, Belarus. [Photo by Wang Zhaokun/chinadaily.com.cn]

Belarus is known for its top-notch social security, political stability and green environment, the ambassador said, creating good conditions for Chinese enterprises, he added.

In a statement the two countries issued in May last year to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, China and Belarus said the park "is a strategic project in line with both countries' developmental interests".

According to the statement, China will support Chinese manufacturers and high-tech companies to conduct business in the park, while Belarus will offer preferential policies and a good environment to the enterprises.

The unparallel cooperation is also visible in other areas as well.

Chinese people view Belorussians positively and they in turn view China as a rapidly developing, friendly and big responsible country, Cui said.

The three Confucius Institutes in Minsk are popular among people wishing to learn Chinese language and culture and Chinese is one of the most popular foreign languages for students in Belarus.

On the other hand, there are about 2,000 students from China studying in Belarus.

Both these factors indicate good people-to-people exchanges, which the ambassador said further consolidate public opinion in support for cooperation in areas such as trade and politics, said the ambassador.
(Photo : GettyImages) Russia is collaborating with the China to incorporate some aspects of the mainland's "great firewall" into the country's "red web," Russia's cyberspace information control system.



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Russia is looking to emulate China for controlling internet in the country. It has been working for years to set up system for filtering internet content. However, the setup is still incomplete and the country is now collaborating with China to incorporate some aspects of its control systems into the Russian system.



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According to The Guardian, high level officials from both countries are in touch for working out the details. The first meeting took place this April in Moscow. The team comprised Lu Wei, the head of China's state internet information office; Fang Binxing, dubbed as the father of the Great Firewall; and Igor Shchyogolev, President Vladimir Putin's assistant on internet issues and former minister of communications.



Russia is reportedly willing to obtain requisite technology from the mainland. "China remains our only serious 'ally,' including in the IT sector," an insider in the Russian information technology told The Guardian. "We are in fact actively switching to Chinese."



Russia has implemented various new rules to manage the flow of internet content in the country. This summer, it introduced Yarovaya's law, which implores Russian telecom and ISPs to retain their users' data for the period of six months. They are also required to store metadata for three years.



Russia also recently blocked LinkedIn in the country as the company failed to comply with Russian directives requiring the domestic users' data to be stored in the servers located within the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have sworn to boost cooperation in areas such as internet censorship.



Earlier this year, it was reported that Russian telecom equipment manufacturer Bulat was in talks with Chinese telecom company Huawei. The negotiations were likely concerned with technologies related to servers and data storage.



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TagsVladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Internet
(Photo : GettyImages) Baidu is making strong movements in AI segment.

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Chinese internet behemoth Baidu launched its new artificial intelligence platform. The announcement was made at an industry summit held in Beijing on Wednesday. The new platform is available for commercial users including businesses and developers. Baidu is looking to grow its foothold in cloud computing and big data segment.



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The company's new platform called 'Tianzhi' offers its services in three main segments, which are sensing technology, deep learning, and machine learning. Sensing technology will mainly deal with voice and image processing, while deep learning is an advanced version of machine learning.



Zhang Yaqin, president of Baidu, said "Cloud computing was recognized as an infrastructure investment for corporate users several years ago, but the market demand for cloud-driven AI platform has seen rapidly growth since this year."



Baidu is making strong movements in AI segment. Earlier this year, the company introduced Baidu Brain, its AI system featuring image and voice recognition capabilities. The system is also able to build user profiles by carrying out big data analysis.



Baidu is believed to have more than 30,000 enterprise collaboration for the deployment of its cloud services. These companies are spread across various industries ranging from medical care to marketing. Liu Yang, joint general manager of the company's cloud business arm, said that Baidu has more 80 products in the cloud segment.



The Chinese company is also working on autonomous vehicles. It has collaborated with Audi and BMW for developing such technologies. Baidu said that it plans to invest $1.45 billion in cloud computing over the next five years.



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TagsBaidu, AI, Tianzhi
(Photo : GeorgeFrey/GettyImages) Thermal coal saw wild swings in its prices this year.

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Thermal coal saw wild swings in its prices this year. The prices surged earlier this year after Chinese government's announcement to curtail coal production by reducing operating days. The price level for Australian coal touched $100 a ton, the highest price in the past four and a half years.



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It is now reported that several major coal companies in China have entered into several long- and mid-term contracts for the purpose of stabilizing coal prices. These contracts have been signed with steel and power companies.



Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co Ltd, Heilongjiang Longmay Mining Holding Group Co Ltd, Yankuang Group, and seven other companies inked such deals at the coal trading conference held in Qinhuangdao, a major coal port in Hebei province, on Thursday.



Wang Xianzheng, president of the China National Coal Association said, "Mid- and long-term contracts will assure coal producers of their market share and coal consumers of the production resources, keeping the prices within a reasonable range."



The Chinese government implored domestic coal companies to enter into contracts with power companies at prices near $80 a ton mark. This price is below Asian spot rate for the metal. Consequent to such contracts, the market price for the coal tumbled down to nearly $90 a ton.



China is looking to curtail the production of coal to revive its industrial set up. However, the rate of price increase surpassed international price hike, forcing government regulators to ease production restriction. The increase in coal prices also lead to increase in electricity prices, elevating government concerns.



It has also been reported by Xinhua that China will suspend new coal mining and processing projects until the end of 2018.



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Tagscoal, china, Australia
(Photo : Getty Images) Britain has announced that its military forces would join flight and naval rights in the disputed South China Sea by 2020

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British military forces would be joining the US, Australia, and Japan to conduct freedom of navigation patrols in the disputed South China Sea by 2020, Britain's ambassador to the US said on Friday.



Ambassador Kim Darroch announced that British fighter jets and new aircraft carriers will be conducting overflights and will sail in disputed areas in the region by the year 2020 when the military equipment become operational.



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Darroch told Reuters that British fighter jets currently deployed to visit Japan would fly over disputed territories in the region to assert its overflight rights. However, he did not give an exact time frame.



Aircraft carriers



Darroch said British naval forces would also sail their new aircraft carriers in the disputed sea once these carriers become operational by 2020.



Defense analysts have noted that the British ambassador's announcement would irk Beijing as Chinese authorities have repeatedly opposed foreign interference in resolving the South China Sea dispute.



China has reiterated in recent months that the South China Sea dispute must be resolved through bilateral negotiations between Beijing and the claimant-countries without any meddling from third party countries such as the US.



Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia have overlapping claims on islands and shoals in the resource-rich waters.



"As we bring our two new aircraft carriers onstream in 2020, and as we renew and update our defense forces, they will be seen in the Pacific," Darroch said.



The British ambassador stated that incoming US President-elect Donald Trump shares the objective of outgoing US President Barack Obama to protect and open the sea lanes and air routes in the region through the freedom of navigation patrols.



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TagsFreedom of navigation patrols, United States, British military forces, South China Sea, US President-elect Donald Trump
(Photo : Getty Images) According to a latest report by environmental organisation Greenpeace, air pollution claimed nearly 1.6 million lives in India and China in 2015.

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Air pollution caused nearly 1.6 million deaths in India and China in 2015, according to the latest report by leading environmental NGO Greenpeace, which cited overwhelming use of coal in both countries as the main reason.



"Air pollution due to continued use of fossil fuels, (coal in particular) in both the countries has caused an additional 1.6 million deaths than the projected figure based on the GDP growth rate for the year 2015," Greenpeace said in its report.



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The report made a scathing observation that despite continued economic progress in India and China, air pollution continues to grow in both countries. This observation stands completely in contrast to general assumption that increase in economic growth will help reduce air pollution.



According to another report by the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), the number of deaths recorded due to air pollution in India was about 1.8 million and nearly 1.5 million in neighboring China.



The GBD report also noted that "indoor air pollution death rates" are now falling in both countries and stand far lower than outdoor air pollution death rate.



Similar to the Greenpeace report, GBD also highlighted the danger of being overwhelmingly dependent on coal power station, adding that there are limited controls on their emissions especially in India.



India and China Worst Air Polluters in the World



Several environmental reports have often described India and China as the worst air pollutants in the world. Both countries also face continuous pressure from international community to reduce the emission of green house gases.



China has dubious reputation of being the world's highest green house gas emitter.



Both Asian giants apparently took an important step on this front by signing the Paris Climate Agreement in December 2015. India and China were among the 195 countries that signed the historic accord that aims to bring down the global greenhouse gas emission.



Chinese parliament ratified the Paris accord in September, paving way for implementation across the country.



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TagsGreenpeace, China Air Pollution, china, Pollution in China, Greenpeace Environmental Trust
(Photo : en.wikipedia.org) United States Congress

Lawmakers in Congress have taken out a provision in a military spending bill that would have secured religious freedom protections for charities and federal contractors, according to reports.

The provision is called the 'Russell Amendment,' and was included in the House's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, a military budget legislation which is passed on an annual basis. The Russell Amendment, introduced by Rep. Steve Russell, would ensure that organizations and contractors that have employment policies according to religious beliefs would still receive federal contracts and grants.

Those who opposed the inclusion of the provision called it discriminatory and worked to take it out from the bill. The provision was taken out from the bill on Wednesday.

In a letter, Democratic members of the Senate said the bill would "allow religiously-affiliated organizations receiving federal funds to engage in discriminatory hiring practices."

"No one should be disqualified from a taxpayer-funded job based on their religion," the letter continues.

In contrast, those who supported the measure argue that taking it out would cause the government to lose out on the work that many religious charities are doing for the vulnerable.

"The U.S. now risks losing the crucial work religious service providers do for communities with the support of federal contracts," wrote Orrin Hatch in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal.

"Every day, stories of grace and mercy are being written as people of faith help those in need," Hatch writes. "Catholic Charities has helped single moms fill their basic needs. The Mormon Church, through LDS Charities, has donated wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of people. The University Muslim Medical Association Community Clinic in Los Angeles provides care for thousands of people in a desperate part of town. The Jewish Social Service Agency supports families of children with autism. Samaritans Purse provides disaster relief across the world."

"This may have a devastating effect on the most vulnerable of populations - women who have been trafficked, children who are in refugee camps, veterans, people in the military," executive director of Becket Fund for Religious Liberty Kristina Arriaga told the Christian Post.

Congress is set to finalize the bill later this week.

    press@cdaily.co.kr



- Copyright ,    

#ReligiousFreedom
Charisma News recently expounded upon the much talked about New York Times editorial, in which Jimmy Carter publicly called for President Obama to divide the land of Israel at the United Nations before Inauguration Day.

During his presidency, Carter went to great lengths to obtain peace between Egypt and Israel, and since that time, the former President has remained an ardent advocate in support of a Palestinian state. With the recent election of Donald Trump as Obamas successor, Carter knows that his vision and hopes for the future of a two-state solution to finally bring lasting peace to the Middle East is lessening by the moment.



In an impassioned and urgent attempt to use the time left in Obamas term to salvage what he can of this situation, Carter called for Obama to take specific steps toward this aim at a peaceful resolution. One step specifically, among many mentioned, is Carters opinion that Obama should give formal recognition to a Palestinian state. In the editorial he explains that, I am convinced the United States can still have the future of the Israel-Palestinian conflict before a change in presidents, but time is very short.

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Publication date: December 2, 2016
A district court in Ohio dismissed a lawsuit that demanded for the removal of the national motto In God We Trust from U.S. currency.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio rejected the plaintiffs claim that the motto violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, their right to free exercise and free speech under the First Amendment, and the right to equal protection under the Fifth Amendments due process clause.

Plaintiffs cannot demonstrate that the use of the motto on currency substantially burdens their religious exercise, Judge Benita Pearson wrote in a ruling on Wednesday. Credit cards and checks allow Plaintiffs to conduct the bulk of their purchases with currency not inscribed with the motto. And for cash-only transactions, such as a garage sale or a coin-operated laundromat, the use of the motto on currency does not substantially burden Plaintiffs free exercise.

No reasonable viewer would think a person handling money does so to spread its religious message, Pearson continued.

"We're grateful that the court upheld the federal government's ability to display our National Motto on our currency," president and CEO of FIrst Liberty Institute Kelly Shackelford said in a statement.

"Federal courts have repeatedly upheld the National Motto as constitutional. 'In God We Trust' is deeply embedded in our nation's history and is a symbol of patriotism."

The lawsuit was filed by Michael Newdow and Ohio attorney Thomas M. Horwitz on behalf of several atheists, their children, and religious persons. Newdow, an attorney and emergency room doctor, filed similar lawsuits regarding the motto in the past. Others involved unsuccessful attempts to remove the phrase under God in recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fear Grips Christian Converts in Europe Refugee Camps Amid Death Threats From Muslim Extremists

For these Iranian Christian refugees, there seems to be no escaping persecution from Muslim extremists.

In a letter obtained by BosNewsLife, the refugees said they "fled from the Islamic Republic of Iran because we have been accused of being Christians and, therefore, have repeatedly been threatened by torture, imprisonment and the death penalty."

The refugees are now in migrant camps across Europe. Unfortunately, trouble seemed to hound them as they found themselves sharing their camps with Afghan Muslim refugees who openly despise them for converting to Christianity from Islam.

"Here, where we have been accommodated presently, we are exposed to the same kinds of threats as before, this time at the hand of Afghan Muslims, and we fear for our lives," the Christian refugees said.

"The Afghan refugees ... call us Iranian Christians 'apostates' and 'infidels' because of our decision to leave Islam and consider the shedding of our blood as legitimate (or even necessary)," they added.

Open Doors and other persecution watchdog groups earlier came up with reports on the maltreatment of Christians in refugee camps across Europe. One of the reports said at least 743 Christians have been attacked by Muslim fanatics in camps across Germany since January this year, The Christian Post reported.

"The documented cases confirm that the situation of Christian refugees in German refugee shelters is still unbearable. As a minority they are discriminated against, beaten up by and receive death threats from Muslim refugees and partly by the Muslim staff (securities, interpreters, volunteers) on grounds of their religion," the report said.

Worse, the report pointed out that the known persecution cases are only the "tip of the iceberg," saying that many other cases have not been reported.

The persecution watchdogs called on authorities at refugee camps to help protect Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities who are being targeted by their fanatical Muslim neighbours.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and other Christian leaders earlier warned that governments need to understand the special dangers that Christian refugees face in refugee camps in Europe.
Having Problems Conceiving a Child? Hope Springs Eternal With Medical Treatment  or Prayers and Belief in 'Miraculous Cures'

For couples wanting so much to have a baby but are having difficulty having one due to infertility problems, hope still springs eternal.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, infertility affects approximately one out of every six couples, with female infertility contributing to approximately 50 percent of all infertility cases.

Female infertility can be medically treated using various methods like taking hormones to address a hormone imbalance, taking medications to stimulate ovulation, using supplements to enhance fertility, taking antibiotics to remove an infection, and having minor surgery to remove blockage or scar tissues from the fallopian tubes, uterus, or pelvic area.

If these still don't work, a couple can resort to In Vitro Fertilization, which is one of the techniques in assisted reproductive technology. It's a process of fertilisation where an egg and sperm are combined manually in a laboratory dish, and then transferred to the embryo to the uterus.

Some couples facing this kind of problem resort to prayers combined with belief in "miraculous cures."

The Daily Mail listed at least 10 places in the world where infertile couples could try their luck in finding a solution to their problem.

For instance in Italy, there is the famous Miracle Chair of Naples, which some locals claim to hold the key to fertility.

It's ordinary old armchair under a worn blanket in a three-room flat in Naples. The site draws thousands of childless women from all over the world, according to Reuters.

All these women pray for the miracle of childbirth with the intercession from Saint Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Jesus.

A local nun would ask a visiting woman to sit on the "miracle chair." The nun would then touch the woman's belly with a "monstrance" or reliquiary containing a vertebra and a lock of hair from the saint as she prays.

In the Philippines, infertile couples seeking to be blessed with a child participate in the Obando Fertility Dance, according to Philippines Insider.

The Fertility Dance is celebrated in the town of Obando, Bulacan province in honour of Santa Clara, patron saint of the childless. People also dance to the saint in hopes of finding the right mate.

The Daily Mail also cited other places and events in the world where infertile couples could visit and participate in hopes of being blessed with a child. These are the Cerne Abbas Giant in England, the Chao Mae Tuptim shrine and Phra Nang Beach Cave in Thailand, the Festival of the Steel Phallus in Japan, the Watering of the Girls in Hungary, the Victor Noir Tomb in France, the Panagia Tsambika Monastery in Greece, the Khajuraho Temples in India, and the Osun Sacred Grove in Nigeria.
Looking at proposed changes being considered for the multiple medication violation penalty system (MMV), it's not readily clear how these changeswhen you just look at factors like reduced points for some infractionswould play out in the real world. But a hypothetical BloodHorse examination that applied the changes being considered to the previous record of trainer and well-documented multiple offender Rick Dutrow Jr. suggests an updated MMV would significantly reduce its bite.

The proposed changes have industry supportthe Racing Medication and Testing Consortium favors themand next will be considered by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI).

As the MMV changes are considered, one idea that has been suggested to accompany themmoving phenylbutazone and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications into a higher penalty classwould keep the teeth of the current MMV sanctions in place, at least based on the same hypothetical application of rule changes to Dutrow's record.

With participants and horseplayers raising concerns about trainers who repeatedly break the rules, the MMV is one of four pillars of the National Uniform Medication Program (NUMP). NUMP is the industry's effort to bring uniformity in medication rules and policies to all racing states. It is fully in place in 11 states: Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The other three pillars of NUMP are its list of controlled therapeutics, third-party administration of race-day furosemide (Lasix), and accredited testing labs. Of the four, the MMV provision has been the slowest to be adopted as it's fully in place in only a dozen states. Twenty states have the controlled therapeutics list, 28 have lab accreditation, and 18 have third-party Lasix.

The MMV uses a points system similar to that of many state departments of motor vehicles, in which violations are assigned points. If a person reaches a points threshold, sanctions in addition to the penalties for the latest offense are assigned.

The RMTC board supports changes to the MMV that supporters believe would retain effectiveness as a deterrent, while reserving the most severe penalties for horsemen with violations involving substances that call for the harshest penalties on the Association of Racing Commissioners International Uniform Classification of Guidelines of Foreign Substances.

When it meets Dec. 8, the ARCI model rules committee is scheduled to consider RMTC-recommended changes to the MMV that would eliminate points assigned for the lowest penalty category (Class D) and halve points assigned to Class C penalties. Also, the number of points for the first MMV sanctions to be applied would be raised from three to five, suspension days would be reduced, and the time period that points stay on a horseman's record also would be reduced.

What does all this mean? A BloodHorse examination of the proposed MMV changes applied to the established, available Dutrow record reveals that he'd have faced significant MMV suspension days. Those hypothetical suspension days, based on the dates the violations occurred, would be greatly reduced under the proposed changes.

Dutrow's record seems like a good one to apply to the proposed changes, because if racing fans in a Family Feud-type show were asked to name a trainer with multiple medication violations in recent years, Dutrow would be a good bet to be the "No. 1 answer." In Oct. 2011 the New York State Racing and Wagering Board suspended Dutrow 10 years for repeated medication violations and other rule violations.

If the current MMV rule were applied to Dutrow's long list of failed post-race tests from 2003-10, he would be required to serve 390 days of MMV suspension days. If the proposed MMV changes become reality without a change in the penalty schedule, that 390 number could be reduced to as low as 75 daysjust 19% of the initial MMV sanction.

In examining the available record of Dutrow from April 27, 2003 through Nov. 20, 2010, BloodHorse found 13 failed post-race tests that resulted in sanctions. Looking at these 13 failed post-race tests, four were for Class B substances and nine were for Class C substances. All 13 violations involved medications included on the list of controlled therapeutics.

Dutrow had a mepivacaine positive April 27, 2003 and he had a clenbuterol positive Jan. 11, 2004. Those two failed post-race tests for two Class B substances would eventually lead to New York handing Dutrow what amounted to a 60-day suspension. Had the current MMV rule been in place, it would have assigned Dutrow four points, and being higher than the three-point current MMV threshold, a mandatory additional 30-day suspension would have been added at the end of those 60 days.

While changes to the MMV rule would not reduce the number of points assigned to Dutrow for those two positives, they would increase the threshold for the initial penalty from three to 5.5 points. This would mean that under the same scenario, Dutrow would not receive any additional MMV days for two Class B penalties in less than nine months.

Under the current rule, following that initial points penalty, the seven straight Class C penalty infractions that show up on Dutrow's record would have piled on the points and suspension days. Granting that two violations probably would be viewed as a single infraction under the rule, the next six violations would have called for additional MMV days each time, five 30-day suspensions and then one 60-day suspension.

Two more violations for Class C penalties and two more violations calling for Class B penalties would follow, the final infraction being a Nov. 20, 2010 butorphanol (Class B) positive. In all, these 13 infractions would have called for 390 additional MMV days.

Under proposed changes, with lower points assigned for Class C infractions, a higher initial points threshold, and quicker elimination of accrued points, Dutrow would not have received his initial MMV penalty until after a Jan. 20, 2008 phenylbutazone positive. That is more than a four-year difference from his initial hypothetical MMV sanction under current rules.

Instead of being 30 days, that initial sanction would be 15-30 days. Three of his next four violations would have called for additional 15- to 30-day MMV sanctions through Nov. 20, 2010.

Back to the real world, to date only three trainers have received additional MMV sanctions. Why are changes being considered?

In encouraging states to adopt the current MMV rule, RMTC executive director Dionne Benson said some states have said their laws require latitude in sanctions, making it difficult to adopt the current rule. Also with the proposed changes, specifically a provision that provides latitude if it's determined contamination occurred, National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association chief executive officer Eric Hamelback believes his organization would support MMV.

RMTC vice chairman and Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association chairman Alan Foreman said he wanted the teeth of the program to be reserved for substances in the Class A and B categories. Hearing the calls to allow discretion in assigning sanctions, he recommended the changes.

"We'll adjust in the states that already have adopted the system and then this should free up jurisdictions around the country, as well as the HBPA, which has indicated it would now support the NUMP program after these changes," Foreman said. "This should be a catalyst to get NUMP moving in those states where it's been held up."

Foreman would like to see initial penalties strengthened for phenylbutazone and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. (I initially misunderstood Foreman in this regard and mistakenly reported he favors moving NSAIDs into the Penalty B Class. Foreman said he favors tougher initial penalties for NSAID violations without a change in penalty class.)



"Weve also gone back to RCI because the current penalty guideline may be too liberal with respect to phenylbutazone and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in that under current guidelines, you can get away with a few violations and not pay too much of a penalty," Foreman said of the initial penalty structure, not added MMV sanctions. "It was the clear consensus of the penalty committee that RCI needs to revisit that one portion of their guidelines. Theyre too liberal. Thats where this gets fixed, not the points system."

If phenylbutazone and the NSAIDs were moved to Class B, at least in the Dutrow example, it would return the teeth of even a revised MMV rule. Putting all of the proposed MMV changes in place but moving phenylbutazone from Class C to Class B would have meant that all of the Dutrow violations would have fallen in the Class B category. He would would have faced MMV penalties for eight of the 13 violations and those sanctions would have totaled between 240-420 MMV days. Under this scenario, the first MMV sanction would have been called from on Aug. 18, 2004or one violation after where the current rule would begin.

Note: From 2001-04, Dutrow had at least three Lasix overages, but because NUMP calls for third-party Lasix administration, those sanctions were not considered in this examination. Also, in 2000 he was sanctioned in New York for an "injectible vitamin." As it's unclear how that would have been handled on today's MMV rule, it also was not considered.
Why I've Given Up Singing Worship Songs

A few days after the election of Donald Trump, I was in a meeting which started with a couple of worship songs. But I found myself unable to sing them.

I love singing and have always found it a powerful way to connect with the Lord. Yet I am increasingly struggling with songs which seem to focus entirely on a sense of an exclusive, insular relationship with God. There seem to be endless songs of intimacy about how wonderful it is that God loves me, describing all the things he has done for me and just how amazing it is to be close to him. Just me and him existing together in an eternal love-in. It's all very cosy and reassuring.

But as I look at the world  at the suffering, heartache and injustice  I'm disturbed. These songs just aren't stirring me. As I look back at a year rife with division, hatred and brutal conflict, I'm desperate for something that speaks to these times. Something that reflects the enormity of God and how he relates to every part of the world; something that speaks to our call to be part of the bringing of his kingdom of peace, love and hope.

It strikes me that worship music has become symbolic of much of how we do church  and in essence what we believe it means to follow Jesus. Many of us were taught at a young age to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour. We were told to focus on that exclusive relationship, keep ourselves holy by reading the Bible, praying every day and abstaining from sex before marriage; to do everything possible to stay on track with God.

As I've travelled around the world and integrated myself into communities nothing like the one I grew up in, I've had a revelation of a different kind of Jesus. I've seen him in homeless alcoholics, suicidal men in mental health hospitals, those with all kinds of addictions and abilities, families living in Indian slums and rural farmers in Ghana. And it's changed me.

I can no longer look at the Gospels and interpret them only as a call to walk hand in hand with God, keeping myself as pure as possible and looking forward to a day when there won't be any of the disruptive distractions of this life.

That's why song after song which ignores the wider world, which refuses to engage with the reality of all existence and disregards any role I might have to play in shaking things up, as Jesus himself did  can feel at best unsubstantial and irrelevant, at worst dishonouring to the God of all creation.

A few contemporary worship leaders have written one or two popular 'justice' songs but one-off songs given this label can end up as tokenistic if these themes don't weave their way through the lyrics of all their music. God isn't the God of justice just sometimes.

There are rumblings of a different kind of music  and I would love to know of other examples. For years Andy Flannagan has broken the conventional mould, inspiring us with a global perspective and imploring pleas for justice. In We Are Blessed, the cry is to: "Bring heaven to earth, Lord/ Bring peace where there'd fear/ Bring life where there's death, Lord/ Bring joy in these tears." Lyrics you can shout or weep through. Lyrics you can sing while you're reading the newspaper.

Other artists like Martyn Joseph and Gungor are reaching further with the meanings behind their songs; and I'd encourage more writers to press deeper into this. To ask themselves: what does it mean to write songs of both joy and despair in 2016?

I've been struck recently by the heart-wrenching songs of David Benjamin Blower on Welcome the Stranger, a protest album about the refugee crisis. When I heard him play recently, I couldn't get this image out of my head: "Jesus Christ is at the door with the orphans of our war." I meditated on it, the words rolled through my mind; I was forced to imagine Jesus as a refugee knocking on my door as well as my own complicity in this unprecedented crisis.

They're not conventional worship songs but I connect to the words a whole lot more than those we usually sing in church. Songs that become intercessions and laments; songs that help us connect to God through the stories of our time. Songs that move me to action.

The theologian Karl Barth is famously stated as saying you should preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Could songwriters do the same?

Come on worship leaders, rise up. Give us something of substance that expands our worldview and speaks of God's passion for all of humankind. Give us songs we'll get hoarse singing as we grieve and hope for our world.

Write songs for such a time as this.
At least nine people were killed and more than a dozen others were unaccounted for after the worst fire in decades in Oakland tore through a makeshift collection of artists spaces packed with revelers attending a late-night music party, authorities said Saturday.

The blaze ignited shortly before 11:30 p.m. Friday in the two-story converted warehouse at 1305 31st Ave. at International Boulevard, in the Fruitvale neighborhood, while as many as 100 people were inside for a performance by the Golden Donna 100 Percent Silk touring electronic dance music show.

Authorities said they expected the death toll to rise, perhaps to as high as 24.

The building had permits for use only as a warehouse, not as a living or entertainment space, and there was no evidence the structure had fire sprinklers, officials said. Known as the Ghost Ship, the complex was under investigation by city officials for allegedly unpermitted construction and blight.

Firefighters said some victims were apparently trapped when they couldnt flee down a narrow, ramshackle stairwell leading to the second floor that was nailed together out of pallets and other bits of wood. Some victims bodies were believed to be in hard-to-reach corners of the unstable building, and recovering all of them could take days, authorities said.

Theres still a lot of the building that needs to be searched, Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said at the scene.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriffs Office, said most of the victims were in their 20s or 30s. We did not have a lot of victims go to hospitals, he said. It appeared they made it out, or didnt make it out.

The Sheriffs Office flew heat-seeking drones over the rubble early Saturday searching for survivors, Kelly said, but didnt find any. He said the coroners office was prepared to handle as many as 40 bodies.

As the fire engulfed the building north of Interstate 880, people streamed into the street outside. Scores of firefighters attacked the blaze, but when teams pushed into the building, the flames were so intense they had to back out again, said Deputy Fire Chief Mark Hoffmann.

We went in about 20 yards on the ground floor but were repulsed by the heat, smoke and danger from the indoor hodgepodge of hand-built furniture and artist work spaces, Hoffmann said. It was a labyrinth.

When the roof collapsed all the way to the first floor, all hope of quickly getting deep inside was lost.

Seven corpses were found on the buildings second level and two on the ground floor. By evening, all nine known victims had been removed from the building, and crews were carefully picking through the debris with excavators and other heavy equipment to search for more. None of the victims names was released.

Al Garcia, owner of Reed Supply Co. across the street from the burned building, said his sister lives near the warehouse and called him around midnight to tell him about the inferno. When he arrived, he said, flames were shooting out of the windows and roof.

I knew people were dead, he said. There was no way anyone could get out.

He found two young men, ages 17 and 18, sitting in the doorway of his business, dazed and clearly in shock. They told him they had heard about the party online and believed they were the last two people to escape the flames. They recalled rushing through thick black smoke, with the building caving in behind them.

One of the teens heard screaming, and he followed the voices outside, Garcia said. The businessman added, I couldnt sleep after hearing that.

Terry Ewing, whose girlfriend was at the electronic dance music show and was still missing Saturday, stood stone-faced outside the Alameda County Sheriff's Office on East 12th Street, which had been converted into an assistance center for survivors and families searching for missing loved ones.

Some friends came to my house this morning and told me there was a fire, and that we were missing some people, he said, shaking his head. Thats all we know so far.

Theres a lot of family in there. People in that place were very loved.

Joel Shanahan, the electronic musician from Madison, Wis., who performs as Golden Donna, the partys headline act, was confirmed to be safe by associates who posted the news on social media. Local musicians also performed on the bill, and some of them were still being sought by friends Saturday.

Mayor Libby Schaaf went to the scene and, between heavy sighs, called the fire a terrible tragedy and promised a thorough and methodical investigation. She said the main focus for now was on recovering victims and consoling survivors.

I met with a roomful of people who had loved ones that are missing, Schaaf said. It is painful to tell them it will be a considerable amount of time before we get the information they deserve.

Gov. Jerry Brown, a former Oakland mayor, said he and his wife were saddened to learn of last nights tragic fire in Oakland. Our thoughts are with the entire city in this difficult time, and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of those lost.

By early afternoon, a makeshift memorial with flowers appeared nearby on a fence at 12th Street and 31st Avenue, near the fire scene. Monica Rocha, 25, lives nearby and came to hang flowers. She said she had visited the building a year ago with a friend.

It was weird because we were walking through it with my friend and we were like, This is a tinderbox. ... We were like, This isnt safe. This could go down so easily, Rocha said.

She described the building as a maze of wooden things and mannequins  it looked like a madhouse.

A large, gray-walled warehouse with a skull and other ornate artwork painted outside, the Ghost Ship was filled with personalized, hand-built spaces tailored for musicians and artisans. Witnesses described a fantastical interior of tapestries, instruments and ornately carved ceiling and room structures.

Garcia, the neighboring businessman, said he had worried the place was a fire hazard because of the junk and debris around. The people who lived there, he said, had been trying to clean it up, painting the facade and adding the words Ghost Ship across the front.

City Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district and lives a block from where the fire occurred, said the building has been an issue for a number of years.

People have been living inside, and the neighbors have complained about it, he said. Some of these young people that were in there were underage. They frequently had parties there.

Darin Ranelletti, Oaklands planning and building director, said officials had received recent complaints about blight and unpermitted construction at the warehouse and had opened an investigation Nov. 13.

North of the warehouse at Elis Mile High Club, a dozen musicians who were friends of performers at the show or members of the audience gathered Saturday to wait and mourn. They paced, staring at their phones and wiping tears, hoping to hear from people they believed had been at the Ghost Ship event.

There are people unaccounted for; theyre just not responding, said Billy Agan, owner of Elis. He heard of the fire soon after it broke out and said he hadnt slept all night.

Agan said the music scene of young people in Oakland is so small that everyone knows each other.

Were all going to know them intimately, Agan said of the possible victims. Its going to affect culture in Oakland.

On social media, friends of the victims and the many missing partygoers desperately sought information, particularly on the Golden Donna tour site, asking for people to confirm who got out of the building  and in some cases expressing grief for those believed to be dead. Many posted descriptions of piercings and tattoos to help identify people.

Love and strength to all. Our thoughts and hearts are with you, posted one. Tragic loss for our community, posted another. Others listed names of possible victims.

Chief Deloach Reed said it was unclear how many of the more than a dozen people known to be missing might be dead. Were not sure if they have already self-transported to the hospital or they have gone to a friends home, she said. Were not sure.

The music party was scheduled from 9 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday. A party listing detailed musical acts and DJs. It said a secret East Oakland location was to be announced on the day of the event. Tickets were $10 before 11 p.m. and $15 after that.

It was not immediately clear what ignited the fire or where exactly it started, Deloach Reed said. The chief said a multiagency task force was gathering to investigate the fire and take up the task of recovering victims.

The building is a huge building, Deloach Reed said. Theres going to have to be a methodical way we go about body recovery, and then also trying to find out where the fire started and how the fires spread took place. ... We have not done a complete search of the building.

Even with the nine confirmed deaths, the blaze was Oaklands worst in many years. The toll could exceed that of the Oakland hills fire of October 1991, in which 25 people died.

The fire chief said the scope of Friday nights fire was just beginning to be fathomed and that it represented a tragedy for many families.

Its going to hit the city, its going to hit our organization, to have an incident of this type, of this magnitude, she said. Its just going to be hard on everyone.

Chronicle staff writers Jill Tucker, Erin Allday, Rachel Swan and Jenna Lyons contributed to this report.

Hamed Aleaziz, Michael Cabanatuan and Kevin Fagan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, fagan@sfchronicle.com

Finding details

on loved ones

and ways to help

Those who have information about missing people or are searching for relatives after Friday nights fire should contact the Alameda County coroners office at (510) 382-3000.

Sites raising money for victims and survivors:

Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/ghost-ship-fire-residents-support

Oakland As: https://www.youcaring.com/oaklandfirevictimsfrom130531staveinoakland-706680#mlb-oakland

Gray Area Foundation for the Arts: https://www.youcaring.com/firevictimsofoaklandfiredec232016-706684
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United Airlines' inaugural flight from Houston to Havana is scheduled to leave Bush Intercontinental Airport at 10:23 a.m. Saturday, a local indicator of thawed relations between the two countries.

Houston is United's gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean with 91 daily nonstop flights to 52 destinations. The Cuba route allows travelers from 20 other markets across the Central and Western U.S. to reach Havana with just one connection.

"Applications were heavily weighted toward South Florida," said Steve Morrissey, United's vice president of regulatory and policy. "We know that there's demand for this service from across the country."

RELATED: Feds give tentative OK to Cuba flights from Houston

Re-establishing scheduled commercial flights for the first time in more than 50 years was part of President Barack Obama's efforts to normalize relations with the island nation.

In February, officials from the U.S. and Cuban governments signed an agreement that allows U.S. carriers to operate 110 daily round-trip flights to Cuba. This breaks down to 20 daily round-trip flights between the U.S. and Havana, and 10 daily round-trip flights between the U.S. and each of Cuba's nine other international airports.

In addition to the Saturday-only service from Houston, United began offering daily nonstop flights between New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport and Havana on Tuesday.

Yet a Tweet from President-elect Donald Trump has created concern that his administration might roll back Obama's efforts to ease relations with Cuba.

"If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal," Trump Tweeted on Monday.

RELATED: Castro's death could open more business doors in Houston

Morrissey said the airline won't speculate about the future. It is focused on launching and growing its two routes to Havana, he said.

"As for what comes next, we'll focus on that when we need to and if we need to," he said.

In addition to United, the following airlines received approval to fly to Havana: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. They will fly to Havana from Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Los Angeles; Miami; Newark; New York City; and Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Fla..

Southwest Airlines, United's main competitor in Houston, did not apply for Houston-Cuba routes.

Outside of Havana, six domestic airlines were approved to fly to other Cuban cities. They will depart from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Philadelphia to Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba.

MORE: Houston now two hours away from Havana's 'magical realism'
An early-morning police chase ensued Saturday when a Houston patrol officer spotted an erratic motorist who threw a gun out of a car window on the far southwest side.

The incident happened around 1:40 a.m. at a gas station in the 10400 block of Bissonnet.
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Houston's Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the severe-weather threats for the region over the weekend. The National Weather Service is expecting the metro area to get at least 6 inches of rain over the next few days.

GRAB THE UMBRELLA: Soggy weekend ahead for Houston region

The Houston Fire Department has put some crews on stand-by in case they're needed for evacuations or high-water rescues. The Houston Police Department also checked to make sure its high-water vehicles are working, in case officers need to assist with rescues.

The potential for street flooding will increase as rainfall totals are expected to rise Sunday night through Monday morning. Floods are the leading cause of weather-related deaths.

Residents should monitor local media and the National Weather Service for weather updates throughout the weekend. Various watches and warnings may be issued by the NWS as conditions change. Residents should follow all safety instructions.

In the event of street flooding, remember "turn around; don't drown." Driving through high water or around barricades on flooded roadways or underpasses can be dangerous.

Here's where you can get live weather updates and safety tips:

Forecasts: Chron.com/weather, National Weather Service Houston-Galveston

Flood safety: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Houston road conditions: Chron.com/traffic, Houston TranStar

Texas road conditions: DriveTexas.org

Reporter Brooke A. Lewis contributed to this report.
A Harris County court has ruled that a local management district must reimburse commercial property owners in the Montrose area for money collected by the district, one of dozens in Houston that use such funds to promote economic development and make improvements to public areas in individual neighborhoods.

State District Judge Joseph "Tad" Halbach Jr. issued a finding on Monday that the original petition allowing the West Montrose Management District to begin making the assessments was not in compliance with state law. He said the "total amount of the assessment is void."

"The assessments paid by owners of real property within the district were not made voluntarily, but were paid under duress," the court wrote in a findings of fact and conclusions of law. No dollar amount was included.

It was the latest turn in an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2012 by a commercial property owner in Montrose accusing the management district of collecting assessments illegally and seeking its dissolution.

The district on Friday said it was limited in how it could respond because the case is still being litigated.

"Until a final judgment is entered in this case, the district will continue to assert its position that the assessment petition was valid and that the district is in compliance with all laws relating to its assessment on property owners," a lawyer for the district wrote in an email. He said the district would "exercise its available legal remedies before this court or in further appeals."

Halbach's finding specifically pertains to the district's state-required petition that allowed it to begin making assessments on commercial property owners after it was formed in 2009. Residential property owners are not assessed.

Once the district was established, organizers were required to collect signatures from at least 25 commercial property owners in the area to begin making assessments.

The court found the petition, signed by 26 property owners, included some residential property owners who were not assessed and therefore "none of the levied assessments were valid and are void as a matter of law."

Management districts in Texas are created by the legislature for such purposes as supporting economic development, improving public safety and promoting revitalization.

Advocates say they help neighborhoods by making improvements the city might not otherwise fund.

"I think they've contributed to the quality of life for the Montrose area," said City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen, who proposed the legislation for the Montrose district when she was a state representative.

She cited the reintroduction of lighting on bridges that cross the Southwest Freeway and an esplanade-improvement program.

The West Montrose Management District is part of the overall Montrose District. The greater district was created as a combination of the East Montrose and West Montrose districts.

Commercial property owners are assessed at a rate of 12.5 cents per each $100 of property value.
As I passed the corner of High and Hanover streets in Carlisle Thursday I spotted a bearded man holding a protest sign and a smart phone with a United States flag laying on the ground beside him.

I rolled my window down and could hear passers by shouting slurs, curses, and offensive comments.

I took a couple of pictures and sent them to Jeff Pratt, our editor, and let him know what was happening. He immediately dispatched reporter Josh Vaughn to get the full story.

Since then, I have read Joshs story, saw the additional pictures, and watched a video or two that people had posted on Facebook.

Seeing Old Glory burned or being dragged along a sidewalk offends me because I know and appreciate the sacrifice men and women have made for over 200 years to protect the nation, the constitution, and the core values our flag represents.

I can also appreciate the fact that those same young men and women fought and died to protect the very right of an individual, this individual, to protest by desecrating our flag.

You would be hard pressed to find someone with a greater appreciation of First Amendment rights than this columnist. I dont have to like it, but I must tolerate it. That is the essence of the First Amendment, that we allow dissent. We agree to tolerate different opinions, views, and voices, even when it hurts ... especially when it hurts.

The folks who confronted the protester also had every right to express their opinion. Does that mean those who confronted him are intolerant? I dont think so. I realize the definition of intolerance is unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from ones own, but I think the key here is the word accept.

I can accept that the protester has a different view, belief and behavior than me, but it doesnt mean I adopt them as my own. His First Amendment right is not abridged or violated when someone expresses an opposing view or when his ideas are rejected by others. The First Amendment right is merely a right to expression without fear of government intervention, not acceptance by fellow citizens.

I think the lesson here is to understand exactly what the First Amendment guarantees. It guarantees expression without fear of reprisal from the government. To that end, Carlisle police did not attempt to restrict or restrain his expression.

He expressed his view, other individuals expressed their view, neither were restrained by authorities, and its doubtful anyone changed their views as a result. All in all it was a display of our constitution at work, and it worked beautifully because in our country we may agree to disagree.
The Klein Oak High School Student Council has selected the Houston's Children Charity as its philanthropy project. The charity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston's underprivileged, abused and disabled children who have been otherwise left behind. To date, the student council has raised $25,000.

"We wanted to choose a local charity that benefitted local children," Megan Berra said, senior student council officer. "This year we wanted the funds raised to help as many children possible in the area."

Klein Oak High School Student Council officers include Trevor Payne, Madelyn Jeter, Megan Berra, Tori Borden, Emma Vollands, Bella Samper, Emily Nguyen, Jacob Duquette, Izzy Abuhammed, Mirna Hernandez, Devon Sayre, Kylie Watson and Jillian Dunbar.

The annual Christmas Toy Distribution is the Houston Children's Charity's holiday fundraising event. The event takes place in the span of two days in the George R. Brown Convention Center and is in partnership with Toys for Tots. The holiday event helps more than 25,000 children.

Klein Oak students can donate educational toys to Toys for Tots at the school. Drop off points at the school are in the library, freshman wing office, and main office.

"Houston Children's Charity was founded in 1996 as a way to help the children who have fallen through the cracks of other organizations or agencies," said Caitlyn Pesl, Houston Children's Charity, marketing and communications director. "Our number one goal is to leave no legitimate request for help unanswered."

The Houston Children's Charity has provided program services for more than 300 agencies and more than 1 million children. Programs for the charity include the Becker Emergency Fund, Chariots for Children, Limbs for Life, Houston Children's Charity Scholarship Fund, Houston Children's Charity Family Emergency Fund at Texas Children's Cancer Center, HCC Closet, Back2School, A Better Night's Sleep, Kool Kidz, and Toys for Tots.

Last month, Klein Oak students raised $2,000 through the Miracle Minute event. Students visited classes and collected spare change in a school-wide effort to raise money for the Houston Children's Charity.

"We believe that community involvement is the key to success for any nonprofit organization. We simply could not continue our mission without the help of our supporters in Houston. For students, it is important for them to know that they can make difference," Pesl said. The Klein Oak Student Council is truly making a difference in the lives of so many underprivileged children."

Susan Parent is the Klein Oak Student Council Advisor. Parent has held the position for 10 years.

"I think it is important that students are given the opportunity to connect with their community by giving their time and energy to helping others. It is our tradition at Klein Oak High School to choose a local charity to help each year," Parent said. "In the past four years, we have been able to raise over $200,000. It has been exciting to watch how much the school has gotten behind the charity each year."

Funds are raised for the Houston Children's Charity through other school-wide efforts such a homecoming carnival, T-shirts sales, various school clubs and organizations, support from Klein ISD feeder schools, and donations from area business for charity T-shirts. Upcoming fundraising events for Klein Oak High School incudes a male beauty pageant in February.

The Klein Oak Student Council won the award for the National Council of Excellence and is a state sweepstakes winning school each year.

The goal for the Student Council of Klein Oak High School is to raise $30,000.

"Klein Oak we not only feel that it is important to raise money, but to also volunteer," Berra said. "We like working hand in hand with the Houston Children's Charity."

Want to know more?

Houston Children's Charity

houstonchildrenscharity.org

230 Westcott, Suite 202

Houston, Texas 77007

Phone: 713-524-2878
A Liberty man suffered serious injuries Friday when he was run over by a tractor at a ranch off of FM 1009 in Devers.

According to Liberty County Sheriff's Capt. Ken DeFoor, Dusty Tousha, 26, who works as a ranch hand, was on a tractor and going to pick up a hay feeder around 7:30 a.m. when the accident occurred.
The upcoming new year means a new corporate office for Mike Wegner, owner of Lifestyle Financial Advisors in Friendswood.

A resident of the city since 1995, Wegner said he's happy to finally have his own building instead of the rental space he's been using to house his growing company, a venture he originally began in 1987 with offices in Houston and Galveston. He now operates out of Friendswood, Texas City and Deer Park.

"We wanted to build an office that was conducive to our needs, and I wanted to build in Friendswood because it's where I live. I have clients here, and it's centrally located (to my other locations)," he said.

Wegner's 10,000-square-foot office space is nearing completion at 211 W. Edgewood Drive, near downtown Friendswood. Once finished, 10 of Wegner's employees will occupy the building.

This is music to Karen Capps' ears. As economic development coordinator for the City of Friendswood, she and other city officials have worked to encourage entrepreneurial and business-minded residents to view the cozy bedroom community not only as a great place to put down roots and send their kids to school, but also as a great place to set up shop.

"We have a lot of business owners and CEOs who live here and many of them would prefer to put their businesses here," Capps said.

To entice them to do just that, the City launched the "Live Here Work Here" program (www.livehereworkhere.com) a few years ago, erecting billboards, printing T-shirts and gathering business testimonials to tout the benefits of homegrown business in Friendswood.

Many improvements

They've also made many business-friendly improvements in recent years. For one, city officials secured a $2 million Economic Development Administration grant and used the money to install more than two miles of infrastructure along an industrial zone on FM 2351. Landscaping and other beautification efforts also were included. This move made the area attractive to new businesses and easy for them to establish themselves.

Downtown Friendswood has experienced economic revitalization as well. In 2008 the City Council declared a two-block area in downtown - along Friendswood Drive from FM 2351 to Coward's Creek - as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone.

This means that any for-profit business that builds or relocates into downtown benefits from having all its city-related development fees waived, including water and wastewater impact fees. Capps said incoming businesses could save up to $15,000.

In addition, in 2009 voters overwhelmingly approved to lift downtown's alcohol ban, the only area of the city to have such a prohibition, paving the way for restaurants to serve alcohol and other businesses to come in and sell spirits for off-premise consumption.

Finally, Capps said a joint venture between the City of Friendswood and Galveston County provided for $3 million worth of drainage improvements which allows most downtown properties and businesses to purchase offsite detention ponds.

Capps said this is important for two reasons.

"On-site detention ponds are unsightly and, with some of the small lots in downtown, there really isn't room," she said.

Big impact

Although many of these efforts began several years ago, they're still making a big impact now, particularly as the economy continues to strengthen and rebound from the recession a few years ago. The city's economic development numbers reflect that growth.

In November, Capps reported to the City Council that during the past year 233,000 square feet of new commercial property was developed in Friendswood at a value of $27 million.

For example, residents can now stop in for a bite at La Escondida Mexican Grill on FM 528 or downtown's Brasserie 1895 Restaurant, or they can send their pooches for pampering at Gimmie a Bark, a dog daycare, spa and boutique also located downtown.

Looking ahead, Capps said another 390,000 square feet of development is planned or under construction. Those new ventures, including Willowick Professional Building and Robert's building addition in downtown, are valued at $38 million.

"Economic development has really picked up, and we really have a lot of everything going on," she said, including service companies and office, retail and medical space. "You feel very satisfied when your efforts work."

As for Wegner, he said he's not very surprised at the growth and business development Friendswood is experiencing, particularly from its own residents.

"The bottom line is that Friendswood is developed as a whole lifestyle community," he said. "People live here for the schools and, yes, the convenience of work. It's just a higher quality of life."
A Houston couple pleaded guilty on Friday to stealing the identities of 50,000 victims and then applying for tax refunds on their behalf, according to the U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

After a four-day trial and hearing the testimony of 21 witnesses, Tom Emasealu, 31, a permanent resident from Nigeria, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy, possession of at least 15 unauthorized access devices, access device fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

His 30-year-old Houston girlfriend, Krystal Prophet, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy, access device fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

In a statement, Magidson said the crimes occurred between January 2014 through May 2015, according to evidence presented during the trial and witness testimony. The 50,000 identities the suspects obtained across the country were used to help them apply and receive 230 debit cards.

The couple then used the stolen identities of the individuals to apply for fraudulent tax refunds, hoping to obtain $1.9 million in tax refunds. Emasealu and Prophet were able to make $250,000 in profit from the scheme, even though the IRS stopped the majority of the transactions.

The possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices and trafficking in unauthorized access devices both carry possible maximum sentences of 10 years. If charged with conspiracy, the couple could each face up to five years of prison time.

The wire fraud conviction carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The couple also must serve two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft.

Emasealu is currently in custody, while Prophet remains on bond until the hearing. They will face sentencing on March 6, 2017.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Secret Service and IRS investigated, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Searle and Douglas Davis prosecuted the case.
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Police have released surveillance images of four men suspected in a violent robbery of a home last month in southwest Houston.

The robbery happened about 8:40 p.m. Nov. 22 in the 5400 block of Willers Way near San Felipe, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said the incident began when a suspect dressed as a United Parcel Service worker who was carrying a package rang the doorbell at the home. After the homeowner answered the door, the suspect told the man he needed to a sign for the package. Then the suspect and three accomplices rushed into the home. They pistol whipped the homeowner. As the victim struggled with the suspects, a shot was fired, but no one was injured.

Two women and two small children who were in the home at the time of the robbery hid in closets. They were not hurt.

The suspects snatched jewelry and collectible firearms from the home and then left, speeding away in one of two cars, a dark sedan or white sedan.

The man who was beaten had severe head and neck injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital. His condition was not released.

The suspects were described as being black and between 20 years old and 25 years old.

One of the men wore a UPS jacket and a brown ball cap. Another had a medium build and wore a gray hoodie, jeans and red or orange sneakers. The third suspect was thin, wore camouflage pants and carried a backpack. He had a T-shirt around his face to hid his identify. The fourth suspect had a medium build and wore a blue hoodie and red and black sneakers.

Anyone with information about the suspects' identities is urged to contact the HPD Robbery Division at 713-308-0700 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
A 32-year-old man was arrested Nov. 25 for possessing a plethora of drugs.

A deputy was dispatched to 2301 N. Millbend to assist EMS with two men passed out in a vehicle in the parking lot. Medics arrived on scene and had difficulty waking one of the subjects and located a weapon on the floorboard at his feet, along with drugs.

The man was taken into custody for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and three counts of possession of a controlled substance: THC, cocaine and heroin.

District 2  South County

A 31-year-old Garland woman was arrested Nov. 25 for assault. A deputy was dispatched to the 30700 block of Wisteria Drive in reference to an assault. The deputy met with a man who said he and his girlfriend got into an argument and the woman struck him in the face several times and kicked out his vehicle windshield.

Two men were arrested Nov. 25 for theft. A deputy was notified of a theft in progress in the 3500 block of Discovery Creek. A witness had seen two men stealing equipment and was following them. The deputy was able to stop the vehicle and detained the two men and recovered the items. A 33-year-old Katy man and a 31-year-old Houston man were arrested. Both were charged with theft.

District 6  The Woodlands

A 30-year-old woman was arrested Nov. 21 for trying to return more than $600 worth of fraudulent returns to Macy's. A deputy was dispatched to The Woodlands Mall in reference to a shoplifter in custody. The woman attempted to take $610 through fraudulent returns at Macy's Department Store.

Two 18-year-old employees were arrested Nov. 25 for stealing almost $300 worth of merchandise from a store in The Woodlands Mall. A deputy was dispatched to the mall in reference to an employee theft. The deputy met with loss prevention officers who stated the two employees were creating false sales transactions and taking merchandise to their vehicle. The total amount of merchandise taken was $298. Both men were charged with theft.

A 29-year-old woman was arrested Nov. 25 for stealing more than $100 from Academy. A deputy was dispatched to 1630 Lake Woodlands Drive in regard to a shoplifter in custody call. The woman attempted to take $109 worth of merchandise from Academy. The suspect was taken into custody for theft. Due to multiple previous theft convictions, the charges were upgraded to felony theft.
Delhi High Court reverses ban on fixed dose combination drugs

Published: December 2, 2016

The Delhi High Court has quashed ban imposed on 344 fixed dose combination (FDC) drugs by the Central Government over fears that they are potential health and safety hazards.

The HC held that Centre had acted in a haphazard manner and did not take the advice of the statutory bodies under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act before issuing ban notification.

What is the issue?

India is one of the worlds largest markets for FDC drugs that make up almost half the market share. The Union Health Ministry had imposed the ban on 344 FDC drugs under Section 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act in March 2016 for being unsafe and not having a therapeutic justification. The ban was imposed based on the recommendations of Kokate committee. It was imposed over fears that these drugs cause anti-microbial resistance and might even cause organ-failure because of high toxicity. It also aimed at curbing the misuse of medicines. However, the pharmaceutical companies contend that no prior enquiry was made from them or show cause notice issued prior to ban notification by the Central Government. They also held that these drugs in the same combination are being marketed in other countries.

What Delhi High Court ruling says?

The Central Government acted in a haphazard manner without following procedure prescribed in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Government did not take the advice of the statutory bodies such as Drugs Technical Advisory Body (DTAB) and the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) before imposing ban. Power cannot be exercised in public interest for any reason other than the drug being risky or not having any therapeutic value.

What are Fixed dose combinations (FDC) Drugs?

FDC drugs are drugs having two or more active ingredients in a single dosage. They are widely used to improve patient compliance as it is easier for them to take one drug than several. They are acceptable only when the drugs so combined have a therapeutic advantage.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2016

Topics: Delhi High Court  Fixed Dose Combination Drugs  National  Pharma sector  Public health

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This week, Fidel Castro finally got something he had always wanted.

His admiration for Spain's rightist Catholic dictator, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, bewildered people who "knew" Fidel personally, but it should not have. The two were both essentially Spanish caudillos, but more, Fidel admired Franco, as he told me, "because he died in bed."

And so it was that Fidel, who lived by the tank, the machine gun and his cunning intuition, and who seriously wanted the Russians to send nuclear missiles into American cities in 1962, died in bed, too. He was 90.

As he was laid to rest in Cuba -- to some true mourning on the part of the Cuban people he had led on the path to penury, to an enormous amount of perfunctory theatrical ambivalence, and to degrees of outright hatred even thermometers could not measure -- there were few questions about him anymore.

He was a Latin strongman in the line of Juan Peron in Argentina. He used the Cuban Communist Party to keep power, but to commit his life to a foreign ideology that was not centered around himself? Impossible! To his many adoring admirers and followers, he would always be the revolutionary of the 20th century, come down from the mountains of the Sierra Maestra like Moses from Ur in Iraq.

Certainly, when I knew Fidel in 1966, none of these questions were totally settled. I talked with him for five days -- no, I take that back; HE talked for five days. Most of the conversations were incoherent. Let's just say that he was not a man to stick to one topic and develop it. In fact, he loved to slip off into talking about his special brand of ice cream, his yogurt, and his breed of cows that he insisted would give more milk. (They didn't.)

But by far the most important thing about Fidel was that he was totally, unrelievedly, irrevocably, boringly, obsessively anti-American. And this is what endeared him to so many in Latin America, India, Africa, the Middle East.

Without his abiding hatred, he would have been a nobody, a sloppy wannabe on a small island; with it, he strode the world like a titan, sending troops to Angola, to Congo, to Vietnam and Cambodia, to Syria, to Somalia, to Nicaragua, to Grenada, to Guatemala, to El Salvador and beyond. He became post-colonialism's poster child and generalissimo.

So the first question at his death should be why he hated us so much, and how he manipulated that hatred so brilliantly that it could entrance so many others.

Theodore Roosevelt surely did not think about that when he galloped up Cuba's San Juan Hill during the war against the Spanish in 1898. But the fact that he deliberately left the Cuban fighters for independence outside the city of Santiago de Cuba while the U.S. claimed defeat of the Spaniards rankled in Cuban hearts.

These events were followed by the Platt Amendment in 1901, which effectively gave Washington the right to monitor (read, "control") everything in Cuba for time to come. For the next 58 years, until Fidel marched down on Havana and the Americanos were out, the U.S. retained the highly questionable right to go in and out of Cuba, doing what it would. Usually, supporting military dictators.

Fidel Castro's Cuba and his generation, enraged by American behavior, became the exemplar of the poor, the humiliated and the repressed in the post-colonial world. No matter that he killed his opponents ruthlessly and couldn't bring the most basic necessities to his people; no matter that he actually would have brought nuclear war upon American cities.

That was not what those people cared about.

Had America paid attention to these emotions, it might have saved Washington the cost, the humiliation and the tragedy of going into Vietnam and Cambodia, and finally into Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, where many had the same resentments as Fidel.

So now Castro is laid to rest (if he will ever be at rest), and President Obama is attempting to open up Cuba. Little brother Raul is in charge. But don't expect any great epiphanies or meetings of national forgiveness on either side.

Presidente Raul still represents Ike's military-industrial complex, only in Cuba. He is a man of the military. His son, also military, will likely take over in 2018. Meanwhile, keep in mind that the Cuban military owns no less than 90 percent of all the commercial institutions in Cuba; Americans who want to "do business with Cuba" will have to deal with them, not with imagined budding little capitalists.

In the end, Fidel, the man who had moved not only crowds but the world with his deep voice and Mussolini-style movements, was left with a pitifully squeaky voice. He was dressed oddly in a blue tracksuit at the Congress of the Cuban Communist Party last spring, the last time he appeared, and he said that, yes, despite everything, he had survived. And he died, not in battle, but in bed.

"Soon," he told the gathering, obviously referring to the persistent siren song of death at the door, "I will be like everybody else."

But he was wrong. One thing Fidel Castro would never be was like everybody else.

Georgie Anne Geyer is the author of the biography "Guerrilla Prince, The Untold Story of Fidel Castro." She has been a foreign correspondent and commentator on international affairs for more than 50 years. She can be reached at gigi_geyer(at)juno.com
Have you ever found yourself dreading a leisurely activity you had eagerly scheduled days or weeks in advance?

I first caught myself doing this a few years ago when I was traveling home to Turkey. I had excitedly made plans to meet up with some old friends. But to my surprise, as the date approached, I started to feel reluctant and unenthusiastic about these long-awaited reunions.

I have to go get lunch with my friend, Id grouse to others, making it sound like a chore.

Was I an anomaly? Or do other people feel this way too? We increasingly rely on scheduling to organize our lives: phone calls, appointments, dates  and, yes, fun social activities. But can planning leisure activities also start to feel like work, too? Why might they become a source of dread?

As someone who studies consumer behavior and decision-making, I decided to explore this phenomenon with Gabbie Tonietto, a Ph.D. candidate in marketing. With Tonietto leading the investigation (the results would eventually become a part of her dissertation), we conducted a series of studies to see if filling out our calendars  even with fun activities  can have unexpected side effects.

Across 13 studies, we found that the simple act of scheduling makes otherwise fun tasks feel more like work. It also decreases how much we enjoy them.

For example, in one, we asked participants to imagine grabbing a coffee with a friend. Half of the participants imagined that they planned this gathering a few days in advance and put it on their calendar, while the other half were told that they decided to grab a coffee on the fly. We found that this simple, relaxing activity was associated more with work-like qualities (obligation, effortful, work) when it was scheduled, compared with when it was impromptu.

In several follow-up studies, we found that simply scheduling something fun  like a movie or social outing  felt like work even if it was something you regularly did, was something new or special or when you had nothing else planned for that day.

In another study, we set up a pop-up cafe on a university campus during finals that served free coffee and cookies. We flagged down students studying for their finals and gave them one of two tickets. The first asked participants to choose and schedule a time for them to take a study break and enjoy the free treats. The second simply told them that the cafe would be open during a two-hour window.

After participants showed up and had their coffee and cookie, we gave them a short questionnaire that asked them how much they enjoyed their study break. As expected, we found that those who had scheduled the study break didnt enjoy it as much.

So why can making set plans be such a drag?

We think that it has to do with how scheduling structures time. Scheduling, at its core, is about allocating time to activities. There are set beginning and end points. Such strict scheduling, however, is at odds with how people think about leisure and relaxation, which are associated with unconstrained freedom. As the saying goes: Time flies when youre having fun.

On the flip side, structured time is associated with work activities: Meetings start and end at specific times, deadlines loom and the specter of the clock is omnipresent.

So when your weekend is structured and planned  even if the activities are fun  they start to take on some of the qualities we tend to associate with work.

In another one of the studies, we asked participants to imagine that theyd just decided to spend their afternoon at a forest preserve doing a variety of activities, like canoeing and guided hikes. We told half the participants that theyd simply do two activates with a picnic in between. The other half were told they had signed up for activities at specific times (say, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.), with time reserved in between for a picnic. Basically all the participants were making a spontaneous trips to the park and all were going to participate in similar activities. The only difference was that some of the participants had strict schedules, while others didnt.

We found that structuring not only made the activity feel more like work, but also decreased participants desire to engage in them. In other words, even an impromptu leisure event starts to feel like work once its structured.

But this doesnt mean that scheduling will take the fun out of everything. After all, you cant do everything on the fly. For those who do need to make plans days or weeks in advance, something called rough scheduling can work wonders.

Because scheduling can make weekend activities feel like work, we reasoned that relaxing the structure might alleviate some of these negative consequences. To test this idea), we asked students to either schedule a get-together at a set time or by referring to a gap in their day (between classes). We found that eliminating specific boundaries not only increased excitement, but also worked as well as doing something spur of the moment.

So next time you want to make plans, make them flexible. Youll feel less constrained  and more likely to have fun, too.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Asad Khan got a call Sunday morning alerting him that something was wrong at his Galveston restaurant ZaZa Bar & Bites.

The 44-year-old business owner, who is Muslim, was shocked to find the front of his restaurant covered in bacon when he arrived.

"It shook me," Khan said. "It took me off guard because I wasn't expecting that."

It is religious practice for Muslims to abstain from pork.

This incident is the second this week for Khan, who also discovered bacon grease smeared on the front door handles on Thursday. He filed a report with the Galveston police, but there have been no arrests made in the case.

ZaZa Bar & Bites has only been open for about nine months, and Khan said he is worried about his employees' safety. Since opening his business on Postoffice Street. Khan also has received about five threatening phone calls telling him to go back to his country.

Khan immigrated from Pakistan to the United States in 1993. He has been splitting his time between Galveston and Florida for the last seven years. He said most of his experience in Galveston has been positive, which is why this incident took him by surprise.

"I don't have a victim mentality," he said. "I'm blessed to live in this country. Ninety-nine percent of my experience here has been nothing but phenomenal."

The business owner plans to install cameras on the outside of the restaurant because currently he only has security cameras on the inside.

"I feel bad for whomever did this because they're carrying so much hate in them," Khan said. "I will get over this. I hope they get peace."
Police in Texas have a suspect in a slaying that happened a year ago, but can't find him. Now, they want the public's help in tracking down 28-year-old Isaias Cabello.

Police say Cabello is wanted for the murder of 22-year-old Henry Anderson on Dec. 3, 2015 .
The governor of a state in Mexico has called on residents to boycott the Texas town of McAllen for shopping for 15 days.

The reason: They want to get President-elect Donald Trump's attention after he moved to keep 800 jobs in Indiana at a $7 million price tag.
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In August, 2015, when Donald Trump's improbable presidential campaign was just gathering steam, Texas Republican Michael McCaul told MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports" that the political newcomer's plan of building a border wall funded by Mexico is a "kind of a simplistic" and "kind of knee-jerk response."

But elections, as they say, have consequences. In a new opinion piece on Fox News, the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security has come to see the wisdom of Trump's plan.

The title: "Yes, we will build a wall, put Mexico on a 'payment plan' and enforce the law."

RETALIATION?: Mexican governor calls for boycott of shopping in Texas town

McCaul, who recently met with Trump as a contender for Homeland Defense Secretary, vows "to stand side-by-side with the Trump administration" and its agenda on the border.

McCaul has said before that much more was needed than a wall, and he's sticking to that line:

CONSERVATIVE STAR: Things to know about Tomi Lahren

"We are talking about more than just a wall," he wrote. "We are talking about a historic, multi-layered defense system so that drug cartels and terrorists cannot simply slip through the cracks. This means more border patrol agents, new authorities, aerial surveillance, sensors, and other technology to make sure we seal our territory from illegals for good."

As for the "payment plan:" "There are many reasonable ways to do this," McCaul said. "For starters, we can put in place new immigration fees from Mexico, institute a security toll at border crossings, 'seize and freeze" drug cartel assets, and more."

As yet, no price tag. But the congressman promised to lay out details next Wednesday when he delivers his annual State of Homeland Security Address at the Heritage Foundation.
In a little more than a year, a self-proclaimed "millennial" has become the queen of the conservative commentator circuit, racking up the social media views and controversy along her route.

Tomi Lahren, 24, launched her blistering, speed-talking broadcast career in 2014 as an anchor for One America News Network, an independent cable news outlet. Her most talked-about screed came in July 2015 when she criticized Obama's response to the Chatanooga attack that killed five members of the U.S. military.
One of the chief concerns of President-elect Donald Trump's detractors during the presidential campaign was that the brash and notoriously loose-lipped real estate mogul wouldn't be able to handle the delicate balancing act that is diplomacy. It's one thing to make wild claims domestically; it's another to inflame a fellow world power with a careless word or two.

Today, a fellow world power -- China -- is inflamed.

And Trump's controversial conversation with Taiwan's leader, which broke nearly four decades of protocol when it comes to U.S.-China relations, harks back to another controversial bit of diplomacy: Trump's first big foreign visit as the GOP nominee to Mexico.

That visit erupted into a major political problem for Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto, and by the end of it, the two sides were offering different versions of what had happened. Similarly, Trump and Taiwan seem to be at odds about precisely what just occurred.

Back in August, Trump claimed after a meeting with Pena Nieto that the two of them hadn't discussed Trump's plan to somehow force Mexico to pay for his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Pena Nieto and his staff quickly differed with that account, saying he had told Trump that Mexico wouldn't pay for the wall. The president tweeted, "At the beginning of the conversation with Donald Trump, I made clear that Mexico will not pay for the wall."

A week later, Trump doubled down on his version of events and seemed to suggest Pena Nieto wasn't being truthful, telling ABC News: "He didn't say that. He tweeted that long after the meeting was over. He didn't say that."

Much as with Mexico, Trump and Taiwan are now apparently differing about precisely what their call entailed.

After news broke of the call with Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen -- China considers Taiwan a province, and the United States has pursued a "One China" policy since the 1970s -- Trump explained that it was Taiwan who initiated the conversation, and he downplayed it as a "congratulatory call."

Trump tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" and "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."

But a spokesman in the Taiwanese president's office clarified to Reuters that the call was agreed to beforehand.

"Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact," spokesman Alex Huang said in response to Trump's tweet.

Taiwan's government also said the two sides discussed "strengthening bilateral relations" and talked about their "close economic, political and security ties" -- all words likely to make China cringe and suggestive of a more in-depth conversation than just a congratulatory call.

As with Mexico, we can quibble about just how at-odds the two versions of events are. Perhaps Taiwan did reach out first but there was some coordination before Trump picked up the phone. And Taiwan certainly has an interest in making the call out to be a big deal.

Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway and potential Trump foreign policy adviser Ric Grenell said Friday night that the flap was overblown.

"It was totally planned," Grenell said. "It was a simple courtesy call. People need to calm down. The 'One China' policy wasn't changed. Washington, D.C., types need to lighten up."

But the situation raises real questions about who is advising Trump when it comes to diplomacy with Asia. It also came just a day after the New York Times reported on building concerns about Trump's handling of other calls with world leaders and his preparation level. And the stakes are considerably higher with China than with Mexico and many other countries.

Even if it wasn't meant to be a big deal, it's clearly become a big deal to China. China has now lodged an official complaint with the United States over the matter, though it appears to be giving Trump the benefit of the doubt and blaming Taiwan. China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, called it a "petty" move by Tsai."The One China principle is the foundation for heathy development of Sino-U. S. relations," Wang said. "We don't wish for anything to obstruct or ruin this foundation."

So the flap could just as soon blow over. But it's notable that yet another Trump diplomatic call has turned into a sort of he-said-they-said.

And for those concerned that Trump doesn't have the discipline and knowledge to deal with the intricacies and very sensitive feelings involved in foreign policy and diplomacy, Trump is yet again proving their point by creating a needless headache over a "congratulatory call."
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Alaska is witnessing its coldest air in almost two years, and some of the biting chill is forecast to plunge into the western United States in about a week's time.

In Fairbanks on Tuesday morning, the temperature tanked to minus-31 degrees, ending a 624-day stretch in which it was warmer than that - the second longest on record. Tuesday afternoon, the mercury only recovered to minus-21, ending a record-long 658-day stretch with highs above minus-10.

It was even colder in Bettles, Alaska, on Tuesday, where the temperature dropped to minus-41 with a bone-chilling wind chill of minus-53.

Statewide, it was the first time Alaska's daily temperature index was significantly below normal in almost a year.

This morning, some locations in our 49th state plummeted as low as minus-40 to minus-45 degrees.

Although the weather in the Last Frontier is cold compared with the past two years, it has been much colder in the past. Alaska's coldest November temperature of minus-62 was set in 1970 at Prospect Creek.

Through October this year, Alaska was having its warmest year on record.

But it's cold now and expected to stay cold for at least another week or so. For the first time since February 2014, the National Weather Service predicts much of the state to be colder than normal in its six- to 10-day outlook.

As the cold continues to build over Alaska and western Canada over the next week, some of it will begin to bleed south.

Computer models are unanimous in bringing a significant blast of cold air to the western half of the United States in about six to eight days. On Wednesday afternoon next week, temperatures are forecast to be 20 to 30 degrees colder than normal in much of the Rockies and western Plains.

While the exact numbers are subject to shift, this would mean highs in the teens in Denver and Billings, Mont., and the 20s around Salt Lake City.

Some of this cold air is likely to shift toward the eastern half of the country in eight to 10 days, but models tend to suggest it will lose some of its intensity.

When the cold assaults the western United States this time next week and clashes with milder air to the east, a storm is likely to form, producing heavy snow west of its center and potentially strong thunderstorms to the east. It is far too early to pin down the specific storm track, but the central United States should start to monitor the situation in the coming days.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post
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.
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Fundatia de Binefacere Caritas Moldova solicita oferte de pret de la companii /furnizori de cozonaci de Craciun
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Museum of Art's growing commitment to contemporary art is taking an impressive, pugnacious, tough-minded turn in a major show on contemporary German painter Albert Oehlen that opens Sunday, Dec. 4.

A major figure in Europe whose work is less widely known in America, Oehlen is a virtuoso who rejects easy virtuosity.

He's an abstractionist who flirts with figurative imagery so simple that he calls it "stupid" - particularly trees, faces and roads with center stripes.

From these seemingly unimpressive starting points, Oehlen creates high drama. He wields a brush with high-velocity strokes and splashes that convey urgent physical action amid dark, turbulent clouds of pigment ranging from thick to watery.

Or he paints icy shapes with razor-edged precision and a wintry, searing luminosity.

Seeking challenges

Preview

What's up:

"Albert Oehlen: Woods near Oehle."

Venue:

Cleveland Museum of Art.

Where:

11150 East Blvd., Cleveland.

When:

Sunday Dec. 4 through Sunday, March 12, 2017.

Admission: Free. Call 216-421-7340 or go to clevelandart.org.

Oehlen makes life difficult for himself in the studio as a way to discover the unexpected. His work is an invitation to join a rugged but ultimately rewarding quest.

While helping to install his show on Wednesday, Oehlen, a tall, rangy and approachable 62-year-old in a black T-shirt, charcoal slacks and yellow sneakers, spoke of "the challenge and almost impossible aims I set for myself."

He described his working process as filled with stressful moments contemplating what to do next, without taking the easy way out.

"You need nerves, yes," he said. "Most of the time, you're looking at something very ugly. It needs the confidence that later that day or maybe in two days, you will solve the problem."

Organized by the museum in collaboration with friends of the artist involved in art, music and writing, the Oehlen show fills the museum's main special exhibition gallery with colossal etchings, drawings and paintings on canvas and Dibond, a type of smooth aluminum composite panel normally used in outdoor advertising.

Entitled "Albert Oehlen: Woods near Oehle," a play on the artist's name that evokes a non-existent place, the exhibition focuses primarily on Oehlen's fixation on trees as a starting point for explorations in the fresh possibilities of painting.

At a time in which painting has been considered exhausted and less relevant than, say, photography, video or installation, Oehlen is considered a master of those possibilities.

Reinvigorating a medium

As of Wednesday, the show's installation was still underway, but it was clear that although it covers several decades of Oehlen's work, it is less a career retrospective than a choreographed meditation on what makes the artist tick, creatively speaking.

The show includes 28 large drawings and paintings by Oehlen, plus a recent series of large-scale etchings, all focusing on twisty, angular tree forms.

But that's not all. Oehlen's friends, including the writers Julie Sylvester, Diedrich Diederichsen and American photographer Christopher Williams, suggested other additions that explore affinities to Oehlen's art.

Those works include a pair of late-career paintings (one from the museum's own collection, and one from the Whitney Museum of American Art) by Willem de Kooning, the American Abstract Expressionist to whose work Oehlen's has been compared.

Also on view are inverted photographs of trees by Canadian artist Rodney Graham; large-scale posters of roosters by Williams; videos by the German filmmaker Harun Farocki and poet Jackson Mac Low; and a John Chamberlain sculpture in crumpled metal from the museum's collection.

Music by the Swiss composer Wertmuller will provide the exhibit's soundtrack, repeating on a loop.

And, strangest of all, the show examines Oehlen's obsession with a 1940-49 painting by the visionary Ukrainian-American modernist John Graham, who influenced the Abstract Expressionists.

Entitled "Tramonto Spaventoso" - Italian for "Scary Sunset" - the Graham depicts a mustachioed man, the mysterious initial "H," a mermaid and a collection of suns floating in a constellation.

A personal obsession

Oehlen first spotted the painting in a reproduction in a book on the history of Abstract Expressionism, but said he was so perplexed by its enigmatic symbolism that he bought it about 10 years ago and has been painting and drawing his own variations on it ever since.

"I became fascinated by it, so I had to make versions of it, so I could understand it," he said.

Born in 1954 in Krefeld, West Germany, Oehlen is part of a second wave of highly influential German artists to be embraced in the United States, following an earlier postwar generation including Sigmar Polke, under whom Oehlen studied in the late 1970s, and Jorg Immendorff, whom he befriended while still in his teens.

The Cleveland show follows a 1995 exhibition at the Wexner Center in Columbus, and a more recent show in 2015 at the New Museum in New York, which was warmly received by critics.

In the catalog of the Cleveland show, museum director William Griswold described the current project as "the largest and most ambitious exhibition on a living artist's work in the institution's history."

Despite the increasing frequency of mid-sized exhibitions on artists such as Carrie Mae Weems, Jennifer Bartlett and Kara Walker, major solo shows on living artists have been rare occurrences at the museum.

Rare event

The institution, which has had a highly conservative reputation for decades, last used its biggest exhibit gallery for a solo show on a living artist in 2000, when it staged a retrospective on the work of Clevelander Viktor Schreckengost, then 94.

In a twist on the Cleveland museum's usual practice,

Oehlen played a mayor role in laying out his exhibition, in collaboration with Reto Thuring, the museum's curator of contemporary art.

Oehlen's design concept called for removing the customary right-angled walls in the museum's big, lower-level special exhibition gallery and treating it instead as a unified loft space.

In the center of the 13,000-square-foot gallery are two large, curved, freestanding walls, reminiscent of the architectural-scale sculptures of Richard Serra.

Without reaching the ceiling, the walls enclose a roomy, ovoid interior in which two colossal Oehlen drawings in charcoal on paper face off against the colorful, sinewy, sharp-edged shapes in the de Kooning paintings.

One of the walls is pierced with a rectangular window on which the artist will project the shadow of a leafless tree illuminated by a pulsating strobe, a 3-D evocation of his recent paintings.

Initially, Oehlen's art is not easy to look at.

The earliest works in the show, from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, are multilayered abstractions in earthy tones filled with drips, cloudy smears and partially erased imagery, but also jolting bursts of radiant light and color.

Tough on the artist, and the viewer

Oehlen's more recent paintings feature stark black forms afloat on fields of harsh white amid hard-edged fields of metallic blues and reds that fade from light to dark, like a glissando on an electric keyboard - a rapid run across notes from low to high.

The craggy black shapes in Oehlen's recent paintings, although ostensibly inspired by trunks and branches, can be jagged, strangely geometric or spindly and awkwardly attenuated. They can evoke a woman's breasts, a string of gourds, a high-powered rifle, the antlers of a cartoon animal or a barbecue fork with long tines.

But none of that matters to Oehlen as much as how the shapes are made. His aim is to deconstruct the act of painting by taking apart each and every way of touching the surface with paint to find out what happens if he re-engineers habitual ways of thinking and making.

"My idea is to take it all apart, question it all, and put it all upside down," he said.

For example, he'll take a line that looks like it's drawn very fast, but make it very slowly.

He'll begin a gesture freehand, but complete it using a ruler. Or he'll combine splashes and drips with razor-edged fields of paint that paradoxically contrast with exquisitely choreographed messiness.

"I'm driven by wanting to surprise myself with the result," he said. "I never think of the final result. I never have a vision of how it looks. I only think about how to get there and what would be fun on the way."
CH police car.jpg

Cleveland Heights police are investigating a carjacking case involving a woman, 70, and two male suspects.

(file photo)

Aggravated robbery, Woodward Avenue: At 4:35 p.m. Nov. 26, police were called to a location where a woman, 70, had her car stolen. When police spoke to the woman, she was in discomfort and passed out.

It was later learned when speaking to the woman in a hospital emergency room that as she drove and stopped at a stop sign, a black car that had been closely following hers hit the rear of her Subaru. The woman got out of her car and was told by a man in his 20s that his "brakes failed." Next, the man struck the woman in the face and she fell to the ground. A male passenger in the black car got out of that vehicle and into the woman's car, and drove away.

As the man drove away, the woman grabbed for the driver's side door handle, which was locked. She again fell to the ground.

It was later found that the robbers used the woman's credit cards to make purchases at three stores at Beachwood Place mall. Police plan to look at images from the one mall store that has surveillance video.

Breaking and entering, Pembrook Road: On the morning of Nov. 29, a woman reported that on Nov. 28 she had been at the home from which she recently moved, collecting her belongings. When she returned the morning of Nov. 29, she found that someone had broken into the home's rear door and stole two televisions, two compact disc players and two bicycles.

Disorderly conduct, Mayfield Road: At 1:50 a.m. Nov. 24, two women called police stating that a man they did not know was in their bathroom and two other men they didn't know were standing outside the bathroom.

Police found that all three men were intoxicated. The man in the bathroom, 26, told police he lived in the apartment. It was discovered that he lived one apartment away in the building.

The man, along with his two friends, 28 and 26, were charged with disorderly conduct/voluntary intoxication.

Theft, Cedar Road: At 2:40 p.m. Nov. 27, an employee of AT&T Midwest Mobility reported that a man and woman walked into the store and that the woman spoke with an employee while the man walked through the store. The man then selected headphones and a speaker and walked out the store's rear exit without paying for the merchandise. The woman then abruptly cut off her conversation with the employee and also walked out the back door.

The couple walked around the building and drove away in a white sedan.

OVI, South Taylor Road: At 10:10 p.m. Nov. 25, police stopped car whose driver made an illegal left turn and nearly caused an accident. The breath of the driver, a woman, 35, smelled of alcohol. The woman told police she hadn't had a drink since the night before.

Police asked the woman to perform field sobriety tests. While attempting to recite the alphabet beginning with the letter D, the woman hesitated after the letter M, stopped her recitation, and said, "That's crazy."

She performed poorly on other tests, as well, and when once again asked about her last alcoholic drink, admitted she last had a drink 30 minutes earlier. She was charged with OVI.

Aggravated robbery, Cedar Road: At 7:05 p.m. Nov. 27, police responded to a location where two girls had fought. As the girls fought, another girl, a boy and a man, 18, watched. When the girls concluded their fight, the man took out a gun and told one of the girls who fought, "I need everything. Phones, all that."

The other girl who fought, who was in the company of the gunmen, took from the girl with whom she had fought a bag she had been holding.

The two males and the two girls with them ran to a home. The man shot his gun before leaving, but did not hit anything. The other male used his cell phone to capture the robbery on video.

Police eventually located the home to which the suspects ran, that of the gunman. The girl robbed positively identified the four suspects. The gunman's mother told police her son was not involved and that he was with her all night.

Inside the house, however, police found the gun and stolen bag, containing hair weaves, hair gel, a comb and a brush. The four teens were all arrested as the investigation continued.

Fleeing and eluding, Mayfield Road:

At 11:50 p.m. Nov. 28, an officer watched as a driver weaved his way through traffic, changing lanes several times without signaling. At a red light, the officer found that the car's temporary tag returned as belonging to a man, 21, wanted on a Cleveland Heights police warrant for attempted murder.

The officer activated his overhead lights, but the driver accelerated and a chase ensued. The chase led to Euclid Avenue, East 123rd Street in Cleveland, and then to East Cleveland. The pursuit was ultimately terminated due to unsafe weather conditions and mild pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Hit-skip, Belvoir Boulevard: At 10:10 p.m. Nov. 24, a woman was driving east and preparing to make a turn north onto Belvoir Boulevard from Monticello Boulevard when an SUV drove past, heading west, and struck the front of her car. The impact sent both vehicles spinning. The driver of the SUV, however, immediately drove from the scene.

No one was injured.

Aided by accounts of the woman and two witnesses, South Euclid police found the SUV parked on a street in that city. It was found to be owned by a towing company. The SUV was towed as police determine who was driving it at the time of the crash.

If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page.
elyriapolice.jpg

Elyria police arrested three men and confiscated nearly $500.000 worth of Ford Mustangs and parts in a raid on an alleged chop shop in South Amherst. A pending Ohio bill would limit law enforcement's ability in Ohio to keep assets without a criminal conviction.

(Courtesy of Elyria Police Department)

Nick Sibilla works at the Institute for Justice in Virginia

ARLINGTON, Virginia -- Based on little more than mere suspicion, law enforcement can seize cash, cars, even real estate, from Ohioans who have done nothing wrong. Under "civil forfeiture" laws, property owners have fewer rights than accused criminals, while this process brings in tens of millions of dollars in revenue to fatten budgets for police and prosecutors. With a major reform bill currently pending in the Ohio Senate, lawmakers now have a chance to curb this abusive practice.

In Ohio, owners do not have to be convicted, or even charged with a crime, to permanently lose their property to civil forfeiture. Meanwhile, for prosecutors to win one of these cases, they need only show by a "preponderance of the evidence" (i.e. more likely than not) that a property has some connection to criminal activity. That is far lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard required for criminal convictions.

Thankfully, new legislation (House Bill 347) unveiled by Republican state Reps. Robert McColley of Napoleon, in Northwest Ohio, and Tom Brinkman of Cincinnati would restore due process for Ohioans caught in this legal nightmare.

First, their reform bill would only allow a property to be forfeited after the owner has been convicted in criminal court. In addition, McColley and Brinkman's legislation would raise the standard of proof to "clear and convincing evidence," which better protects property owners. Just as crucially, nothing in the bill would hinder law enforcement from seizing property, so long as they had probable cause for the seizure.

In May, the Ohio House overwhelmingly passed Substitute House Bill 347.

Left unchecked, forfeiture has become a booming industry for Ohio law enforcement. By participating in one federal forfeiture program called "equitable sharing," a local or state agency can keep up to 80 percent of the proceeds from a forfeited property by collaborating with a federal agency. A recent report by the Institute for Justice where I work found that between 2000 and 2013, Ohio law enforcement received nearly $140 million in federal forfeiture funds from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Countless Americans have fallen prey to this program. After 9/11, Ohio law enforcement seized cash from people never charged with a crime more than 1,900 times, The Washington Post uncovered in 2014. The Post later found that Ohio law enforcement agencies had spent more than $10 million in federal forfeiture funds on salaries, overtime, travel and training. In Reminderville, police even hired a face-painting clown with forfeiture money.

But if HB 347 is enacted, law enforcement will no longer be able to transfer seized property to a federal agency, unless the property was worth more than $100,000. According to The Washington Post, out of all cases where police seized cash and did not file charges, half of the seizures were below $8,800. In other words, the transfer ban would curb many unjust forfeitures.

Moreover, this provision would prevent police and prosecutors from circumventing the new reforms, should they pass. In other states, like Missouri and North Carolina, law enforcement agencies have routinely turned to equitable sharing to bypass tougher state laws.

Amid increasing political polarization, HB 347 has united liberals, conservatives and libertarians -- groups that don't often see eye to eye. The American Civil Liberties Union, the Buckeye Institute, FreedomWorks, the Institute for Justice and the NAACP all agree Ohio's abusive civil forfeiture laws must change. In fact, a poll by Fix Forfeiture found that, in Ohio, 74 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of Republicans and 87 percent of independents favor reform. Nationwide, only seven percent of Americans actually back the status quo for civil forfeiture.

Slowly but surely, lawmakers are beginning to heed what voters want. Minnesota, Montana and Nevada now all require criminal convictions before forfeiture, just as HB 347 would accomplish if enacted. New Mexico and Nebraska went even further and completely abolished civil forfeiture, replacing it with criminal forfeiture. Both states also implemented bans on transferring seized property to federal authorities, similar to the provision in HB 347. Notably, both the Democratic and Republican parties endorsed forfeiture reform as part of their national party platforms.

Ohio is poised to join a growing, national movement. To protect Ohioans' constitutional rights from government overreach, lawmakers must curtail civil forfeiture.

Nick Sibilla works at the Institute for Justice, a libertarian-leaning public-interest law firm based in Arlington, Virginia.

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Gloucester Beach in Montego Bay, on the northwest coast of Jamaica.

Vacation Express will fly nonstop from Cleveland to Montego Bay, Jamaica in late May. (New York Times)

(New York Times)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Tour operator Vacation Express is returning to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in 2017, with nonstop flights to Grand Bahama Island, Jamaica and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The flights, however, are very limited in scope - the Bahamas route, for example, will run only the month of July; flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica, will run from late May through early July.

Pamela Caltabiano, the public relations manager for Vacation Express, said the company is hoping to capitalize on the family vacation and honeymoon market with the summertime flights.

Caltabiano said the company has been talking to local travel agents and travelers, who were asking for nonstop routes to Jamaica, in particular.

"It's the first time in a decade that Cleveland Hopkins has had nonstop flights to Jamaica and Grand Bahama Island," said Caltabiano, who traveled to Cleveland Monday for a celebratory announcement at the airport. "We're really excited to be back in Cleveland."

In 2015, the company launched nonstop routes from Cleveland to Punta Cana and Cancun, Mexico, both of which were discontinued that same year, in part because of low-cost competition on the routes.

Frontier Airlines currently flies four times a week to Cancun from Cleveland; Apple Vacations offers a nonstop flight to Punta Cana.

Vacation Express books primarily package vacations that include airfare bundled with hotel rooms and transportation transfers. But travelers can book airfare separately.

Details of the new Vacation Express routes:

* Once-a-week flights to Jamaica begin Saturday, May 27 and run through July 1. Flights to Jamaica depart on Saturdays; flights back to Cleveland are on Fridays.

* Flights to Freeport, Bahamas, run intermittently between July 3 and August 2.

* Weekly Punta Cana flights will run May 15 through July 31.

All three destinations are currently on sale, with round-trip fares as low as $299 to the Bahamas.

Vacation Express is owned by Sunwing Airlines, a Canadian low-cost airline. Sunwing and Swift Air, based in Phoenix, will operate the flights from Cleveland, according to Caltabiano. The company, based in Atlanta, flies from 21 cities in the U.S. and Canada to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, FL on Thursday November 03, 2016. Jabin Botsford | The Washington Post | Getty Images

A phone call between Donald Trump and Taiwan's leader that risks damaging relations between the U.S. and China was prearranged, a top Taiwanese official told NBC News on Saturday. Trump  who lambasted China throughout the election campaign and promised to slap 45 percent tariffs on Chinese goods  tweeted that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen had called him. Tweet 1

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"Maintaining good relations with the United States is as important as maintaining good relations across the Taiwan Strait," Taiwanese presidential spokesman Alex Huang told NBC News. "Both are in line with Taiwan's national interest." He added that the call had not been a surprise.

The conversation represented a stark break in U.S. foreign policy and could enrage China. The U.S. has not had diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1979, when it recognized the People's Republic of China as sole legal government. China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and the two have nearly gone to war three times since 1949.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the White House's National Security Council, said that the administration remains "firmly committed to our 'one China' policy."

More from NBC News: Meet the pumi, a new dog breed thatlooks like a koala Mild Start to Weekend,Snow for Some by Sunday Meet the man who still doesn't knowwho won the election

Taiwan Presidential Office | AP

"There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues," he said Friday. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi initially called the call a "little trick played by Taiwan."

The ministry later issued a formal statement on the conversation, saying it had lodged "a solemn representation to the United States" over the call.

"It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China," the statement added. "One China policy is the political basis of China-U.S. relations."

The call is believed to be one of the first between a U.S. president and a leader from Taiwan in decades. China, a regional powerhouse, has long resented U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and has rebuffed U.S. pressure to curb its activity in the disputed South China Sea.

While the U.S. does not formally recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, it has sold $12 billion in arms to the island as part of a 1970s agreement that commits Washington to helping Taiwan defend itself.

Tweet 2

Taiwan Presidential Office | AP
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen waves to supporters during a rally campaign ahead of the Taiwanese presidential election on January 15, 2016 in Taipei, Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, leads in most polls ahead of Saturday's election in the island of 23 million people.

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday broke with decades of U.S. diplomatic tradition in speaking with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, a seemingly innocuous call that started the relationship between two of the world's greatest powers on the wrong foot.



Trump's call, and the ensuing debate over its meaning, created an initial furor on both sides of the Pacific. Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party makes Beijing uncomfortable because of its official stance that Taiwan is independent and sovereign, rather than an extension of mainland Chinathe government's position that underpins the "One China" policy.



Yet foreign policy experts think the fallout on U.S.-Sino relations will be limited. Beijing is likely to attribute the move to inexperience  even as elements of the U.S.-Taiwan call were unorthodox in more ways than one.



"The call by itself and the potential for shift in U.S. policy to strengthen ties in Taiwan would create enormous anxiety in Beijing regardless of who is president," Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, told CNBC.

"But with Tsai Ing-wen, a president seen as pro-independent and one that has not accepted the one China principle makes it even more alarming," she added.

As expected, the Chinese government was not happy with the news. China's Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement on the conversation, saying it had lodged "a solemn representation to the United States" over the call and echoing the country's Anti-Secession Law, "there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China."

This initial reaction from Beijing seemed constructive, noted Barry Pavel, senior vice president and director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. He said that China seems to be saying that it understands that Trump's team "made a mistake and we're going to let it slide."

Lindsey Ford, director of Asian security at the Asia Society Policy Institute, agreed that Beijing seems to be taking a wait and see approach.

"People are going to give a bit of latitude to a new administration, but that will only last for so long," she cautioned.

"On things like our U.S.-China policy and sovereignty that are extremely sensitive issues, it would be a tremendous concern were we to suddenly change our position on something like this that has been a fundamental basic element of how we approach China for many, many years," Ford added.
Collectors can visit the WheresGeorge.com website to register and/or track notes that have been rubber-stamped with a message referencing the website.

Readers Ask column from Dec. 19, 2016, Weekly issue of Coin World:

From time to time, Coin World receives inquiries from readers and other collectors about the appearance in circulation of $1 Federal Reserve notes bearing a stamped message in red ink referencing WheresGeorge.com. Ive come across such notes on several occasions, the most recent on Oct. 14 at the local McDonalds restaurant in Sidney, Ohio. For our print readers who cant access the website to learn what "Wheres George?" is all about, we offer an explanation.

Multiple email inquiries

Hank Eskin began Wheres George? on Dec. 23, 1998, as a one-man operation, and it continues today as a solo venture.

Eskin introduced the site simply for fun, as he explains on the website: Wheres George? was not created to make money or collect email addresses or anything like that. It was created to simply allow people to track their currency as it circulates around the country and around the world. The funds generated from the banner ads and the Friends program go to help pay for the hardware, software, and bandwidth it takes to keep the site running. The point is to have fun tracking your dollar bills and interacting with thousands of other fun and interesting people here at Wheres George?

Connect with Coin World:

Sign up for our free eNewsletter

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

The basic program costs nothing for users to participate. The Friends of Wheres George program provides enhanced features for a small fee.

Wheres George? used to offer for sale rubber stamps with which users could stamp notes, but it no longer offers the rubber stamps. The stamps new participants use are custom made and vary.

The website reveals that the Series 2013 $1 FRN I received in change from my McDonalds purchase entered circulation as a Crisp Uncirculated note May 6, 2016, in Collierville, Tenn., from a $100 strap of notes acquired from First Citizens National Bank in Collierville.

My posting was the first on WheresGeorge.com since the note entered circulation. Its not known where else the note traveled before reaching Sidney, but the website tracks that, from the Collierville entry point, the note took 161 days, 4 hours and 52 minutes to travel the roughly 471 miles to Sidney, an average of 2.9 miles per day.
Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low 62F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Dennis Gates and new-look Mizzou basketball ready for introduction

It's been an offseason filled with change for Missouri basketball. Now, Dennis Gates and company are ready to get the games underway
Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging think tanker, aspiring novelist, "tribal elder", parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, Speedboat, proudly banned from Twitter so officially more dangerous than the Taliban, eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me.
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CORNWALL, Ontario  At 10 am on Saturday December 3rd at the Civic Complex, Cornwall joined 41 other cities across Canada to hold the Salvation Armys Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk. This is the 3rd year Cornwall has participated in this event.

The 160 racers, which included a group of Cornwall Community Police members, took the 5k fun run or the 1k elf walk along a scenic race route, which included the bike path along the St. Lawrence River toward the gazebo and turned around just past the bridge.

Oren Cole, Pastor and Executive Director of the Salvation Army Cornwall, explained the Santa Fun Run and Elf Shuffle is one of three fundraisers the Salvation Army puts on. He said, We only do three fundraisers, the Santa Shuffle, Carols and Brass and of course the Christmas Kettles. These events help local individuals and families in need during the holiday season and throughout the year. Cole also said the income from the Thrift Store stays in our community as well to help fund community and family services year round.

Thrift Store Manager and Race Director, Julie Leroux said she was excited to organize the event. She said, Im excited. I was a runner before. Its fun to be on this side of it. Leroux said she was grateful to all the volunteers and sponsors, which included her staff, their families and friends, Mobile Gamerz, Cornwall MMA, Alba Automotive, Axxis Optical, Rick Boyer, Wholesale Club, Cardinal Meats, Cornwall Multisport and Running Room for their help and support.
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Except, it really does seem like love is supposed to be a two-way street. If the tree is supposed to symbolize a parent, it's a terrible message for the kid. ("Your parents exist only to serve you, then die!") If it's supposed to symbolize any other kind of relationship, it's a terrible message for a future adult. ("Eventually, something will come along that bleeds you dry, and that's just how it is!") Without reciprocation, "love" is the perfect recipe for abuse, and The Giving Tree is clearly an example of abuse, because the boy in the story does not give one hammered shit about the tree.

Harper & Row

"What do you think I am, a MONEY tree? HAHA ... ha ... *sniff*

Oh god, love me! *sob*"

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The two spend a lot of time together when the boy is young, but as soon as he starts getting interested in girls, he ditches the tree and fucks right off, only appearing later to ask for money. Because trees do not carry cash, the tree gives him apples to sell. More years pass with the boy nowhere to be seen. Then, he reappears asking for branches to build a house, presumably after taking a massive wash on the apple market.

Harper & Row

You're being an enabler, tree!

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Finally, all that's left of the tree is its trunk, on which the boy, now an old man, comes waddling up to park his flabby ass in some shade. The book ends by saying that the tree was happy, and we're supposed to feel good about the fact that the little boy spent his entire life depleting the tree and never doing anything for it in return.

We suppose it's supposed to be about the joy of selflessness or something, but it really does seem like insisting that the tree was happy is like insisting that an 18th-Century woman trapped in a brutal arranged marriage was happy -- they didn't have any other choice, so they forced themselves to smile through their hopeless situation and wait for the sweet release of death. The Giving Tree is the picture book version of that.

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For more things that were made for children that definitely should not have been made for children, check out 6 Insanely Dark Online Games For Young Children and 5 Insane Children's Books That Will Ruin Your Child.

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Daniel O'Brien can help your kids draft their own presidential fantasy team, with these hilarious-but-true profiles of our past leaders in Your Presidential Fantasy Dream Team!
Lindblad Expeditions newest addition, the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour ll, will make its maiden voyage on Saturday, December 3, 2016. That is one month ahead of schedule, according to the company.

The first voyage will be the 17-Day Epic Galapagos Photography Expedition.

Before sailing to the Galapagos, the National Geographic Endeavour ll was celebrated in Guayaquil with a traditional Ecuadorian religious blessing. Sven Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, hosted the celebration and onboard festivities.

A ship is a ship. It is a piece of hardware, it does its job, and it is an important one. But it is not nearly as important as the people who run the ship, who provide the experience for the guests, Lindblad stated in his toast.
A website launched earlier this week on the Darknet is calling for the assassination of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, due to an extreme difference in opinion on their political stance.

As you are all well aware, the consequences of having Donald Trump and Mike Pence as the leaders of the free world is extremely dangerous. The political, environmental and social consequences will change the United States for the worst, the website says.

Consisting of a single HTML file, and an image of President-elect Trump in the crosshair of a scope, the website is asking for donations in order to fund the assassination attempt.

We have several assets in different branches of government, security and even some working in secret services. Unfortunately, the plan we need to implement requires a lot of money to pay for equipment, bribes and also to pay those assets. If you are like us and wish to see our plan succeed for our society's, children's and planet's sake, you can donate anonymously...

Donations come from Bitcoin, and the advertised wallet has collected more than $88,000 since March 2016. However, since the assassination website launched this week, the wallet has only collected $119.

The incoming Trump administration has faced a severe backlash in the press and on social media, as many of those joining the administration have questionable, if not outright direct ties, to white nationalist organizations. Mike Pence is known for his dislike of anything related to the LGBTQ community.

A recent NY Mag article ran the headline stating Trump was building a team of racists. CNN has a constantly updated article tracking Trump-related hate crimes, and TIME recently published a story highlighting the rise in racist incidents since the election.

The US Secret Service is aware of this domain. Salted Hash has reached out to them for comment, and will update if more information becomes available.

Opinion:

Its fine to hate the incoming Trump administration and to protest against them, as well as all they stand for  thats our right; but you cant call for their death, or solicit funds to help make that notion a reality. Murder isnt a valid form of protest. A website such as this should upset non-Trump supporters as much as it would those who voted for him.

Update:

A person claiming to have hacked the assassination website has left a message in the source code. The message says theyve altered the Bitcoin wallet in order to deny funds, and names a Canadian as the person responsible for the websites development.

Salted Hash has reached out to the individual via Reddit, as well as the hacker via their Sigaint email address.

He's actually just a little scammer, but now he's calling to murder the president-elect. I don't see how anyone could sit back and watch someone doing that, the message said, referring to the websites developer.

I actually planned to send an email to the United States Secret Service about him, but I can't find an appropriate email address of the USSS, so I've to post this here. Please forward this message to the appropriate public authorities at your convenience.

While the information was forwarded to the US Secret Service, it is highly unlikely that the person responsible for the message couldnt locate reliable contact details on the agencys website.

"This is an unusual case. Not only is someone purporting to raise money to commit a very high-profile crime -- one that will certainly garner attention from the highest and most sophisticated levels of the U.S. government -- one or more actors appear to be sending messages through the allegedly hacked source code of the Darknet site in question," said Mark Turnage, CEO, OWL Cybersecurity.

"It's unclear as to whether this is a third party trying to expose the site owner as a scammer, a ploy to seed confusion or something else entirely. It will be interesting to watch."

A redacted copy of the source code is below.



Update 2:

Responding to questions emailed by Salted Hash, the individual claiming responsibility for hacking the assassination website said he got in via a backdoor on the webmasters server.

I hacked [his] server a year ago, the individual, who uses the handle 1k4 explained.

It was during this hack that all of the personal identification previously disclosed was discovered. The server housed a number of documents including ID cards, photos and more.

After the hack, the webmaster reinstalled the server software (OS X) which restored the backdoor too, 1k4 said.

He's just a little scammer, I think that he just put up that website to scam money from some crazy people. I don't know him, but I don't think, that he would actually (attempt or try to) kill the president-elect, the email from 1k4 goes on to state.

But because the US Secret Service takes such matters seriously, 1k4 altered the website in order to identify the webmaster - "I guessed that they actively search for such sites (and hoped that they'll look into the source code too), that's why I put his informations there (sic)."
A 45-year-old New Milford man who served as an enforcer for a loan shark pleaded guility Friday in federal court.

Howard Hammer made the plea before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to a federal extortion charge.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for Connecticut, said from late December 2015 to early January 2016, a loan shark lent an individual approximately $1,500. The individual was required to pay the loan shark the $1,500, plus an additional $500 in interest, within four days of the initial loan.

When the individual failed to pay the loan within four days, Hammer, at the loan sharks request, agreed to help the loan shark collect on the loan.

In pleading guilty, Hammer, admitted that he sent text messages to the victim that threatened harm to the victim if he failed to pay his debt. He then took screen shots of the threatening text messages and forwarded them to the loan shark. Hammer, and the loan shark also discussed taking the victims car either as payment for the debt or as punishment for failure to pay the debt.

On Jan. 25, 2016, the victim suffered permanent bodily injury in connection with this conduct, Daly said in a release.

Hammer, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in the collection and attempted collection of an extension of credit by extortionate means, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Arterton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 24.

Hammer has been detained since his arrest on May 27.
The Salt Lake TribuneDecember 2, 2016Courts  Lawyers also say at least two plan to plead guilty.Federal prosecutors have offered plea agreements to most of the 11 polygamous sect members accused of defrauding the food stamp program, lawyers said Thursday, and have given some of the defendants a chance to plead guilty to only a misdemeanor and avoid prison.At least two of the defendants, Kimball Dee Barlow and Ruth Barlow, plan to plead guilty, their respective attorneys said Thursday."It's anticipated he will accept a plea offer, yes," said Barlow's attorney, Rudy J. Bautista.Bautista, like other defense attorneys involved in the case  if they spoke at all Thursday  declined to discuss specifics of the plea agreement for fear that the deal could fall apart before it is entered in court.Bautista said his understanding was that prosecutors at the U.S. attorney's office in Utah have offered deals to everyone except Lyle Jeffs, a former bishop in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who absconded from home confinement in June.The U.S. attorneys office, through spokeswoman Melodie Rydalch, declined to to comment Thursday.Aric Cramer, who represents defendant Kristal M. Dutson, said she is pondering whether to accept a plea agreement.Cramer declined to say what Dutson was offered, but he said federal prosecutors have given at least some defendants the chance to plead guilty to a misdemeanor.Those defendants would not have to go to jail or prison, Cramer said, nor would they have to pay any restitution or testify against co-defendants."It's an amazing offer," Cramer said. "I have never seen in 27 years of practice a federal prosecutor offer a misdemeanor after filing felonies."Cramer said he had heard from other attorneys that the misdemeanor offers were made to defendants whom the government did not consider leaders in the FLDS. The leaders, including Seth Jeffs, who led the FLDS congregation in South Dakota, and former FLDS bishop John Wayman, received offers allowing them to plead to more serious offenses, which were still less harsh than the two counts of conspiracy with which all defendants were indicted in February , Cramer and other attorneys said Thursday.Prosecutors "kind of have this thing: 'It doesn't really matter what you've done. If your name is Jeffs, you're just evil and we're going to treat you as such,' " Cramer said.Defense attorney Ryan Stout, who represents Ruth Barlow, confirmed that she will plead guilty. He declined to specify whether she will plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge or the stiffer offense reserved for the leaders."Well, she's not considered one of the head honchos, I'll give you that," Stout said.Cramer said prosecutors gave defendants a Friday deadline to accept the deals. All 11 defendants are scheduled for trial on Jan. 30.They were indicted in February, each with one count of conspiracy to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and one count of conspiracy to launder money. Prosecutors say FLDS leaders required sect members to turn over to the church their SNAP cards or the food purchased with them, and in some cases SNAP benefits were used at church-controlled stores and converted to cash.Offers to plead guilty to lesser or fewer charges are a common tactic in the criminal justice system. Cramer said the offers here are not necessarily a sign that the government has weak cases, but perhaps that prosecutors pursued indictments too soon.Prosecutors and the FBI accumulated terabytes of evidence and have missed multiple deadlines to sort that evidence and provide it to the defense."It's a very sloppy investigation," Cramer said. "It's a very sloppy case."Former FLDS members have watched the case in hopes it would dismantle the sect, whose president, Warren Jeffs, is already serving a prison sentence in Texas for sexually abusing two underage girls he married. He is a brother to Lyle and Seth Jeffs.A half-brother, Wallace Jeffs, on Thursday said he was OK with the lesser defendants pleading guilty to the misdemeanors, but said the FLDS leadership needs to go to prison.Anything less is "another slap on the wrist to these guys," Wallace Jeffs said, "and they'll just keep doing what they've always done."ncarlisle@sltrib.comTwitter: @natecarlisle
Somerset County Treasurer will 'do what it takes' for best returns
Leading his marchers down Romes Via Ostiense a few days ago, the rising star of Italian politics took a tumble. F****** pothole! Who did this? roared Beppe Grillo, the foul-mouthed anarchic comedian who passes for the leader of the opposition in Italy these days.

On this occasion, the joke was on Grillo. As his opponents were quick to point out, Roman potholes  and I have seen some real shockers this week  are actually his responsibility.

It is now six months since his Eurosceptic, anti-capitalist, semi-bonkers party, the Five Star Movement, swept the board in mayoral elections across Italy. And Rome today is run by Five Stars own mayor, Virginia Raggi, 37, a leading light in this madcap political movement whose slogan is F*** Off  yes, really  and who still cant fix a pothole.

It is now six months since his Eurosceptic, anti-capitalist, semi-bonkers party, the Five Star Movement, swept the board in mayoral elections across Italy

Yet Italian politics are no laughing matter right now. Indeed, if tomorrows referendum on constitutional reform goes the way Mr Grillo wants  and the way most people think it will  this country could be about to fall off a cliff.

The vote is on fiendishly complex plans by Italys shiny centre-Left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi  a 41-year-old latter-day Tony Blair  to cut the cost of the legislature and strengthen his government by reducing the power and size of Italys Senate (the upper house).

This would make it easier for him to pass legislation.

Renzi has staked his political reputation on a Yes vote. If he loses, he says, hell quit.

Plenty of experts think that a rejection of Renzis reforms will trigger a crisis which could eventually bring down the entire European project  the EU, the euro, the Brussels gravy train, Uncle Tom Juncker and all.

For a No vote could be the prelude to an Italian Brexit vote  Quitaly, Exitalia, Pasta La Vista, call it what you will. And if Italy leaves the EU, the EU is finished.

Certainly, it would bring on a general election at a time when Italys two popular anti-Establishment parties, Mr Grillos Left-leaning Five Star Movement and the countrys hard Right Northern League, are both committed to a popular vote on Italy leaving the euro and, thus, the European Union.

Whats more, the vote coincides with this weeks news that the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Africa to Italy this year has reached a record 171,000.

Just when the Western liberal consensus thought 2016 could not get any worse, post-Brexit and post-Trumpquake, here comes a stonking great Italian meteorite.

This weekend also sees an Austrian presidential election which will return the most far-Right European head of state since Spanish dictator General Franco if Freedom Party candidate Norbert Hofer beats his Green opponent.

Beppe Grillo, the foul-mouthed anarchic comedian who passes for the leader of the opposition in Italy these days

Over the border in Germany, the hard-Right AFD recently overtook Chancellor Angela Merkels moderate CDU party in her own state. And France is only a few months away from a presidential election which will boil down to a choice between the extremist National Front and anyone-but-the-National Front.

In Italy, however, it is not just the far Right who are fiercely anti-immigration and avowedly Eurosceptic. Hostility to immigration and the EU can be found across the political spectrum, which makes the prospect of seismic political upheavals south of the Dolomites a distinct possibility.

On top of that, several Italian banks are in a critical condition. One of the countrys biggest institutions  the Banco dei Monti Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world  is teetering on the edge of collapse.

Unless it finds an injection of five billion euros in the next few days, it will go under (seven other banks are believed to be in the same boat). A rescue package from gas-rich Qatar is said to be contingent on a Yes vote.

So before any diehard Brexiteers start cheering, it is worth remembering that an Italian banking collapse followed by economic catastrophe across the Eurozone could be extremely painful for Britain, too.

Some economists say the Italian story will be a much bigger version of the Greek crisis, but with one crucial difference  the country is too large to be rescued. The potential chaos, they argue, could make the 2008 financial crisis, following the collapse of Lehman Brothers, look like a quarrel over small change.

But millions of Italians still intend to vote No, arguing that these apocalyptic forecasts are exaggerated and things cant get any worse.

No matter that the package of political reforms is so complicated that I have not met a single Italian who can recite the referendum question correctly.

(Say after me: Do you approve the text of the Constitutional Law on Provisions for exceeding the equal bicameralism, reducing the number of MPs, the containment of operating costs of the institutions, the suppression of the CNEL and the revision of Title V of Part II of the Constitution approved by Parliament and published in the Official Gazette no 88 of 15 April 2016?.)

The No campaign encompasses everyone from the far Left to the far Right and a great deal in between.

The vote is on plans by Italys centre-Left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to cut the cost of the legislature and strengthen his government by reducing the power and size of Italys Senate

As well as Mr Grillo and his populists, the hard-Right Northern League want a No vote, too. So does former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his remodelled centre-Right Forza Italia party. Some members of Mr Renzis own party have come out for No.

The vote has united communists, fascists, Greens, trade unionists and big business. Even the staunchly Europhile Economist newspaper has just urged Italians to vote No, arguing that Renzis reforms are undemocratic and fail to address Italys deep seated problems.

This week, I have visited chic Italy, rural Italy and inner city ghetto Italy. And I have met everyone from wealthy bankers to Leftie students who will vote No.

When I ask if they fear instability and chaos, they just shrug and say: This is Italy. Whats new? Talk of a wholesale collapse of the Italian economy, they say, is just scaremongering, like Project Fear ahead of Britains Brexit vote.

Unlike Britains June referendum, though, there are few obvious fault lines. There are no clear north/south, Left/Right, old/young, metropolitan/provincial divides. The chief factor seems to be whether you rate PM Renzi and his attempts to reform one of the Western worlds most bloated political systems.

For Mr Renzis package of constitutional reforms  to speed up law-making and reduce the annual cost of the biggest legislature outside China by 430 million a year  should be a massive vote-winner.

Ask most people in Britain if theyd like to see fewer politicians and cheaper, more efficient government and youd struggle to find anyone against.

A big problem for Mr Renzi, though, is that many Italians are deeply suspicious of any tinkering with the constitution, even if it is merely a recipe for inertia. This may be a system which has delivered 63 different governments since World War II.

This may be a system which has not produced an elected Prime Minister in seven years (Mr Renzi was not even an MP when the President plucked him from Florences city hall to run the country in 2014).

Two people, one wearing a mask of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (left), campaign for to vote 'Yes'

Italy is crying out for the financial stability and investment which the Yes camp is promising. But many Italians point out that these reforms give enormous parliamentary power to the party which comes out top. In this innately conservative society, many would rather have an impotent coalition than risk a dictator.

Newsagent Marco Gagliardi, 46, is not too worried that his No vote might cause a bank crash. Thats because his bank has lost all his lifes savings already.

He owns a busy tobacconist shop next to a superstore in the grand old Tuscan town of Arezzo. Like so many Italians, hes saved all his life with the local bank, in his case the Banca Etruria. In 2014, he had 90,000 euros of both personal and company savings in an account that returned a miserly one per cent.

Then his local bank manager persuaded him as a special customer to transfer to a much better rate in a supposed foolproof five-year subordinate account. In fact, he had been lured in to buying bank bonds.

I didnt know how it worked. I just trusted him and signed the form, says Marco.

A year later, he learnt that the government had ordered a bail-in of his bank  meaning shares, bonds and larger deposits were being sacrificed to avert complete catastrophe.

More than 130,000 ordinary shareholders were hit. One pensioner in Civitavecchia lost 72,000 overnight and hanged himself.

The day after he learned the truth, Marco went to his local branch in a state of shock. The father-of-two shows me the bank statement of November 25, 2015. It reveals that his investment of 90,000 euros had suddenly been revalued at 796.

As well as Mr Grillo (pictured) and his populists, the hard-Right Northern League want a No vote, too

One year on, he smokes like an old Alfa Romeo, has developed a twitch, cannot sleep and tries not to seethe all the time.

That bank failed because the bosses were handing out our money to their friends. In a normal country, they would now be in prison, he says, brandishing the fraudulent application form which the bank manager used to process his bond application.

The bank needed to prove that he was financially literate and had substantial assets. Neither applied in Marcos case.

Look, they wrote on this form that I have two properties. I dont even own my home. They said I had a degree. I dont. They said I invested regularly more than five times a year. All untrue. They just showed me where to put my signature. Now they call me a speculator.

He tries to be positive. Im young enough to come back and to fight this, he says. But I know one poor man of 60 who has gone mad.

I delicately ask about tomorrows referendum.

No! No! No! All the bank victims will vote No. We know Renzi and this government too well.

He points out that the vice-chairman of the bank which ruined him is the father of Maria Elena Boschi, the glamorous young lawyer-turned-minister for constitutional reform who has drawn up the referendum. Little wonder they hate the elites in these parts.

Up at the stunning town hall with its medieval frescoes, Arezzos mayor is a pro-European, independent moderniser from the political centre ground. A former university lecturer, Allessandro Ghinelli is a reformer who wants to slash the cost of basic services. But he turns out to be a No voter, too.

The constitution was created to unify Italy but Renzi is using it to divide the country. There are two types of politician. Those who work for Italy and those who work for themselves. Renzi is the latter.

As night falls, I head for Florence and a Yes rally featuring two big-hitters, the Italian Home Secretary and the Mayor of Florence (the post previously held by Mr Renzi).

Mayor Dario Nardella is a smooth, multi-lingual chum of the Prime Minister and is under no illusions about the magnitude of this vote.

This referendum is as important as Brexit, he tells me. It might be a different question but it is at the same level. The reputation of Italy in the world will go down if we vote No. The world will say: Look, Italy doesnt want to change. And Europe and the financial markets will reflect that. The No vote offers no solutions at all, just negativity.

Try as he might, its a pretty downcast gathering of just 100 Renzi supporters in a function room above a bustling food market. Half seem to have turned up for the free Prosecco and sandwiches. I do not sniff victory in the air.

Back in Rome, I meet the local co-ordinator for the hard-Right Northern League. Claudia Bellocchi, 46, a fast-talking Europhobe, believes that a victory for No tomorrow will kick-start the momentum towards an Italian Brexit.

My message to Europe? This will be another anti-establishment moment, like Trumps victory. It will be a strong message for change. I just hope Italians will be as brave as Britain when the time comes to leave.

In addition to the migration crisis, Claudia suggests that this years two big Italian earthquakes could be a factor in the No vote, too. Thousands are still waiting for temporary housing.

Renzi says the reforms will save 500 million euros, she says. And yet hes spent 2.5 billion euros on the migrants coming to this country. Most are not fleeing wars. They are 30-year-old men with phones, many of them delinquents. They get housing. But Italians displaced by these earthquakes have nowhere to live.

So will there be an fresh earthquake right across Italy tomorrow night?

I expect a No vote. But I still think the most likely scenario is for Italy  a nation wearily familiar with shambolic political uncertainty  to muddle through somehow and stagger on to the next crisis.
Like it or not, the 11 Supreme Court judges are faced with a highly political decision

All hell broke loose when this paper published the headline Enemies of the People beneath pictures of the three High Court judges who ruled that the decision of 17.4million voters in the EU referendum was not enough to trigger Brexit.

In an outburst of hysteria, Remainers took to Twitter and other media to accuse the Mail of undermining the judiciary.

Turning the truth on its head, some in the Left-wing media (not always noted themselves for their devotion to Establishment judges) even said we were threatening democracy.

Certainly, our headline  which reflected the views of several senior politicians (and countless millions who voted for Brexit)  was provocative.

But we make no apology for putting the vital issue of unaccountable judicial power on the map.

On Monday, this issue will come into even sharper focus as the 11 judges of the Supreme Court begin hearing the Governments appeal against the earlier decision.

At the heart of their deliberations must be the question: was the will of the people sovereign on June 23  as Remainers and Brexiteers alike told us repeatedly it would be?

(David Camerons 9million leaflet for Project Fear could hardly have been clearer: This is your decision. The Government will implement what you decide.)

Or was the referendum an elaborate charade at the electorates expense, with the result to be binding only if it went the Remainers way?

For make no mistake: the High Courts ruling that Parliament alone has the power to trigger EU withdrawal must be seen in the context that most MPs, and the overwhelming majority of peers, are committed Remainers, likely to do their utmost to sabotage Theresa Mays promise to implement Brexit.

This is in spite of the fact that MPs voted by a thumping six to one to give the last word to the people, while many who have pledged to frustrate the withdrawal process represent constituencies with huge Brexit majorities.

Like it or not, therefore, the 11 Supreme Court judges are faced with a highly political decision.

With no written constitution to guide them, this is not a mere question of law, to be solved like a quadratic equation, with a correct or incorrect answer.

Yet this is precisely the spirit in which the High Court tried to approach the case, citing pre-Civil War precedents and ignoring the fact that the June referendum was an unprecedented historic event.

With no written constitution to guide them, this is not a mere question of law, to be solved like a quadratic equation, with a correct or incorrect answer. Pictured: judges of the Supreme Court

In the devastating words of Attorney General Jeremy Wright, who is leading the Governments appeal, the three judges effectively ignored the will of the electorate, relegating the vote almost to a footnote.

This paper prays that the Supreme Court will not make the same mistake. But who could fail to have doubts?

With so little to help them in the law books, the risk is that the judges may be influenced by their personal opinions, no matter how assiduously they try to set them aside.

So the Mail believes we have every right to investigate the records of the 11 for clues to where they stand, both on the EU and the limits of judicial power to overrule MPs.

To be absolutely clear, this paper does not for a moment question the judges integrity or intelligence.

We just believe that on political matters, it is no more possible for them than for anyone else to be perfectly neutral, uninfluenced by their own views or those of the people with whom they share their lives.

It is no exaggeration to say that our judges have progressively assumed the role of the overtly political Supreme Court in Washington

With only a simple majority needed for a ruling, we therefore find it disturbing That no fewer than five Supreme Court judges have publicly expressed views which appear to be sympathetic to the EU, while six have close links with people who have publicly attacked the Leave campaign.

Among them is the courts president, Lord Neuberger, whose wife has tweeted her scorn of the referendum, describing it as mad and bad and dismissing Ukip and Brexit as a protest vote, while his sister-in-law is so seemingly ashamed of the result that she is applying for a German passport.

Meanwhile, his deputy Lady Hale  a feminist whose past judgments have been said to undermine marriage  has publicly suggested that a Bill to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act may have to be passed before Brexit can begin.

This might have to be followed, she said, by the comprehensive replacement of all

EU legislation, which could take years.

Quite what gives her the right to make such comments, just weeks before this controversial hearing, only she knows.

Like other Supreme Court judges, she has also repeatedly shown herself ready to overrule ministers and parliament.

On numerous issues, the courts have defied elected politicians, for example by amending the bedroom tax, overturning a ban on prisoners books, outlawing extended solitary confinement for jihadists so the list goes on.

And this surely is the nub: human rights laws are so broadly phrased that they allow judges considerable leeway to interpret them, often at the expense of the government of the day.

In this sense they have become judicial activists. Which is all very well, but they cannot then complain when their decisions are questioned and their backgrounds and views are analysed.

Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that our judges have progressively assumed the role of the overtly political Supreme Court in Washington.

For make no mistake: the High Courts ruling that Parliament alone has the power to trigger EU withdrawal must be seen in the context that most MPs, and the overwhelming majority of peers, are committed Remainers, likely to do their utmost to sabotage Theresa Mays promise to implement Brexi

But the crucial difference is that the American courts judges are appointed only after intensive public scrutiny of their personal and political views.

Ours, by contrast  all white, 91 per cent male, average age 68, nine from public schools and nine from Oxbridge  are selected by a cosy five-person special commission, out of public sight.

That is why it is so essential for a free Press to subject judges  no less than politicians, civil servants or archbishops  to the scrutiny they would otherwise escape.

Since judges are unaccountable, as former Tory leader Lord Howard QC puts it: Its of the utmost importance that the judiciary should not be immune from robust criticism.
The humiliation of billionaire's son Zac Goldsmith was greeted yesterday with predictable and wild exultation by those who don't want Britain to leave the EU.

For example, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron proclaimed that his party's by-election victory  Sarah Olney winning the seat of Richmond Park from Goldsmith  was a major political landmark.

He said: 'This result might change the direction of British politics. It's about people trying to say to Theresa May: we do not like the extreme version of Brexit outside the single market you are taking us down.'

Zac Goldsmith was humiliated when he lost the seat of Richmond Park to the LibDems

Other Remain campaigners went further, claiming that the election of a pro-EU Lib Dem MP in Richmond had delivered a potential killer blow to the Government's chances of taking Britain out of the EU.

Not surprisingly, Britain's critics abroad tried to exploit the situation. For example, the Britain-bating European Parliament chief Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt, was unable to hide his delight, tweeting that 'Europe is watching and we are proud'.

The BBC's Current Affairs team sensed blood and some of their political analysts broadcast that the Richmond result had put paid to any chance of an early general election  something that has been mooted by several Tories who want Mrs May to take advantage of Labour's weakness and grab the opportunity to strengthen her negotiating hand.

However, I have disappointing news for Mr Farron, Mr Verhofstadt, those anti-Brexiteers in the BBC and all who refuse to accept the result of the June 23 referendum. They are deluded. There is no going back on Brexit.

If anything, I believe yesterday's by-election result makes a general election in the spring more likely.

The humiliation of Zac Goldsmith was greeted yesterday with predictable and wild exultation by those who don't want Britain to leave the EU. Pictured: Sarah Olney and LibDems

For the fact is that the Lib Dems' triumph in the south west London constituency was not an anti-Brexit protest vote but a reaction against the inflated ego and vanity of Zac Goldsmith.

It was utterly vainglorious and selfish of him to pledge to resign his seat and fight a by-election to oppose a third Heathrow runway being built. Not only would he never be able to stop such a vital piece of national infrastructure, but, more importantly, he was exposing the newly established government of Mrs May to an unnecessary and unwanted electoral test.

Mr Goldsmith thought he knew better  ignoring the age-old truism that people always resent voting in unnecessary elections, and rightly so.

His wiser colleagues understood this all too well. Indeed, there are many other Tory MPs who represent constituencies under Heathrow flightpaths where feelings run every bit as high as in Richmond. They include Philip Hammond (MP for Runnymede and Weybridge) and Boris Johnson (Uxbridge and South Ruislip).

Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney speaks to the media following her victory in the Richmond Park by-election

Even though the Foreign Secretary once vowed to lie down in front of the bulldozers, only Mr Goldsmith was so self-regarding that he was prepared to weaken his Government by indulging in a by-election.

What exquisite hubris! He has now got the kicking he richly deserves.

Theresa May is trying to lead Britain through one of the most testing periods in our political history. She has a very small parliamentary majority and is faced by a Commons full of MPs who, in the main, wanted Britain to remain in the EU. Now thanks to Mr Goldsmith's arrogance and self-importance, that majority has dwindled to 13.

As I said earlier, though, this is no cause for anti-Brexiteers to celebrate. Richmond is not at all representative of Britain. It is one of the most affluent and privileged constituencies in the country.

Its residents are in the most part wealthy professional classes and highly educated. Around 70 per cent voted Remain in June  and they are insulated against the problems brought by uncontrolled mass immigration. To them, high immigration offers them the chance to hire cheap labour to clean or renovate their beautiful homes. They are members of a comfortable elite, and my guess is that the image of them popping champagne corks yesterday will only serve to harden the pro-Brexit views of those with less comfortable lives.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron proclaimed that his party's by-election victory was a major political landmark

Richmond is one of the most pro-European constituencies in Britain. This means that the idea that 23,000 Richmond voters can overturn the settled opinion of the 17.4 million voters in last June's national referendum makes no sense. Whatever the BBC, Guy Verhofstadt and Tim Farron might think, it is not being seriously entertained by anybody in Westminster who matters, least of all Theresa May.

Indeed, as I said earlier, I posit that yesterday's result makes a general election next year more likely. This is because it brings down the Prime Minister's already slim Commons majority and makes it a bit more likely that the government will be defeated in the House of Commons over Article 50.

Crucially, this minor upset in one seat by the Thames makes no difference to the fact that the Conservative Party enjoys a massive lead in the polls over all other parties.

Mrs May knows if she calls a general election she is likely to greatly increase her majority.

Zac Goldsmith is no longer an MP

She also knows that the true threat to her does not come from the Liberal Democrats but from an entirely different direction  mutinous and increasingly disappointed Brexiteers.

On Thursday, the House of Commons witnessed a much more significant event than the Richmond by-election. This was the bombshell announcement by Brexit minister David Davis that Britain intended to stay in the single market, and is prepared to pay for the privilege while continuing to tolerate significant immigration from Europe.

These comments deserved far greater attention than they were awarded in the British media.

New Ukip leader Paul Nuttall could never in his wildest dreams have hoped for such a bonus so early on in his leadership. As far as he is concerned, Davis's remarks mean that Father Christmas has come early. The minister's comments have also enraged pro-Brexit Tory backbenchers.

That is why I forecast a bitter winter of discontent for the Prime Minister. But these pending troubles have nothing to do with the Richmond by-election, which will be swiftly forgotten, as will its departed MP Zac Goldsmith,

His Tory colleagues are all too pleased to see the back of him. They see him as a deeply disloyal man (having switched from the Tories to stand as an independent), who brought his troubles on himself and always somehow gave the impression that he was doing them a favour, even when he talked to them.

Mr Goldsmith's career is now over, and he will be remembered only for one thing. That is for fighting the vicious London mayoral campaign last spring, when he was accused of stirring up resentment against Muslims in an appeal for votes.

London saw through him in the mayoral elections and now the voters of Richmond have kicked him out for good. I doubt he will be much missed.

Former PM Tony Blair

Why haven't MPs corrected Blair's Commons lies?

There used to be a convention that ministers told the truth in Parliament. If they failed to do so, they were under an obligation to return to the Commons and put the record straight at the first opportunity.

Last week, MPs turned their backs on that honourable tradition when they debated the false and misleading statements made by Tony Blair over the Iraq War. Former SNP leader Alex Salmond called the debate so that Mr Blair could be held accountable to MPs. Shockingly, 439 MPs voted against Mr Salmond's motion and just 70 in favour.

This is astonishing. I have in my files a long list of the untrue statements made by Tony Blair to the Commons about Iraq. Here are a few of them.

In September 2002, the then Prime Minister told MPs that the intelligence evidence contained in the dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction was 'extensive, detailed and authoritative'  when Britain's spies had explicitly told him it was sketchy.

On February 25, 2003, Tony Blair told MPs that Russia believed Saddam had WMDs. This was not true. In his notorious speech of March 18, on the eve of war with Iraq, Mr Blair gravely misrepresented the findings of UN weapons inspectors on the ground.

On June 4, he falsely told MPs there had been no objections from the intelligence world to his notorious claim that Saddam could deploy WMD in 45 minutes. There had been. So have any of these been put right? This week, I checked. All Tony Blair's claims remain on the official Hansard record. No attempt has been made to remove them.
A man flew a woman he'd met online across the world for a first date - before asking her to move in a week later.

Zsolt Levai, 32, from Hungary, said he instantly 'clicked' with 21-year-old Sariah Lizama after they met through Miss Travel, a dating site that pairs 'attractive girls' with 'generous guys' in need of travel companions.

So he wasted no time in booking the Mexican beauty a one-way ticket to meet him in Cyprus where he is currently living.

Zsolt and Sariah getting to know each other in Cyprus in September. They met through Miss Travel, which pairs 'attractive girls' with 'generous guys' in need of travel companions

Despite never having met him before, Sariah, an English tutor, said she 'followed her gut' and even celebrated her 21st birthday with him.

'I was not expecting anything serious in the beginning,' Sariah admitted. 'But as cheesy as it sounds it really felt right, I haven't been happier. He has treated me like a princess since day one.'

'I thought he was such a gentleman and very sweet, made me feel at ease.'

The pair first locked eyes at the airport arrivals gate in August, and say they have been inseparable ever since - despite neither of them looking for a relationship beforehand.

Love at first sight: Sariah, an English tutor, said she 'followed her gut' and even celebrated her 21st birthday with Zsolt. The pair have been living and travelling together ever since

Sariah said: 'I was not expecting anything serious in the beginning. But as cheesy as it sounds it really felt right, I haven't been happier. He has treated me like a princess since day one'

The pair first locked eyes at the airport arrivals gate in August, and say they have been inseparable ever since - despite neither of them looking for a relationship beforehand

'Globetrotter' Zsolt, an HR manager for a shipping company, had signed up to Miss Travel after a friend recommended it and says it wasn't long before he spotted Sariah as he scoured the site for other 'travel enthusiasts'.

'As a young girl living abroad I found it an interesting way to travel,' said Sariah, who stumbled across the website by chance.

But her new boyfriend is not the first man she's met through the site: 'I had used MT before for some trips and they were great experiences,' she admitted.

'I was not looking for love, rather just a way to be able to share the same passion I have for travelling with someone and sharing memorable moments.

Sariah, who stumbled across Miss Travel by chance, said: 'As a young girl living abroad I found it an interesting way to travel'

Sariah, pictured in Cyprus, admits her new boyfriend is not the first man she's met through the site: 'I had used MT before for some trips and they were great experiences,' she said

Zsolt said of their relationship: 'In this current era we are in, it should not be looked down upon finding someone online in a site where both parties are looking for the same experiences'

'I felt very comfortable once we met, and we spoke as if we had known each other for long. I followed my gut in accepting his invitation and it was not wrong!'

Zsolt agrees that while he wasn't looking for love either, he instantly 'clicked' with Sariah as the pair messaged online - and meeting her in person was 'far better than any expectations'.

'We messaged a lot before we met, every day basis,' he explained. '[We] got to know about each other as much as we could share online.

Zsolt, who forked out 150 (127) to fly Sariah from Milan to Cyprus, added: 'My first impression was that she was gorgeous. I was nervous and my heart was racing.'

'Globetrotter' Zsolt, an HR manager for a shipping company, had signed up to Miss Travel after a friend recommended it and says it wasn't long before he spotted Sariah's profile

Zsolt agrees that while he wasn't looking for love, he instantly 'clicked' with Sariah as the pair messaged online - and meeting her in person was 'far better than any expectations'

Zsolt, who forked out 150 (127) to fly Sariah (pictured) from Milan to Cyprus, added: 'My first impression was that she was gorgeous. I was nervous and my heart was racing.'

He claims it only took the pair 'about a week' to realise that it was something serious, when he surprised Sariah with dinner and cake to celebrate her birthday.

'We felt that we had already known each other for so long, and knew that this could end up a great love story.' he said. 'I made the right choice.

And while he knows some people may frown upon sites like Miss Travel, Zsolt, who is currently touring his home country with his new girlfriend before the pair move onto Mexico, insists it's a great way to meet people.
When Kendall Layt was a teenager she told her mum her dream was to become a bikini designer.

Now, more than a decade later, she's made that dream a reality, launching her own swimwear business: KOKOH Bikini.

The 30-year-old from the south coast of New South Wales started her business from scratch, while travelling around the world as a flight attendant.

Red hot: Kendall Layt (not pictured) launched her label KOKOH Bikini three years ago while travelling the world as a flight attendant

Growing passion: Ms Layt (pictured), from the south coast of New South Wales, had a passion for surfing and swimwear since she was a teenager

Creative thinking: Even at 15 she used to alter her own bikinis, because her 'flat bum' meant she couldn't buy the high cut style she wanted

It was, she admits, ridiculously hard work.

But her passion for surfing and swimwear meant she never gave up.

'I started surfing when I was 15, and I was always a bikini fiend,' Ms Layt told Daily Mail Australia.

'But I had quite a flat bum and I could never find a cheeky cut that would fit. So I would alter them myself.'

When she was 17 years old she told her mum her dream was to own a swimwear label.

But it would be 10 years later that her dream would become a reality.

Surfy chick: When Ms Layt was younger she would alter her own bikinis to accommodate for her 'flat bum'

Sky high: Despite her love for surfing and swimwear, she started her career as a flight attendant

Making waves: But she decided to follow her dream, and in August 2013 launched her website for her label

KENDALL'S TOP TIPS FOR STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS 1. Find something you love and believe in 'I know I have gotten this far because I am so passionate about what I do. If what you want to create is a little off-beat and hard to find, even better! If not, then find a way to stand out from the rest, give yourself a point of difference.' 2. Resourcefulness is essential 'Most new businesses don't start out with a heap of capital. Make use of the abundant blog posts out there on making your product shots look amazing at a low cost and how to become an SEO gun - if you cannot pay a professional, you need to learn. I just set out to make bikinis, the skills I know now are invaluable.' 3. Network and talk to people 'Its amazing at how many people will want to help you, especially other small venture owners like yourself; photographers, web designers, artists - collaboration is key - there's a whole other world that runs on a beautiful barter currency!' 4. No risk, no reward 'So getting started might cost you a little bit of cash, or you might have to sacrifice your free weekends for this new venture... just get started. A few years down the track you might be self-employed and working on your own terms.' Advertisement

Three years ago Ms Layt was still working as a flight attendant, but found she was burning out from the immense workload and constant travel.

'I really forgot what normal felt like, I used to drive four hours from home to Sydney, get on a plane and work for 14 hours, have a one night layover and then do it again to get back home,' she said.

It was then that she decided to start KOKOH Bikini, to try and see if she could make her mark in the swimwear industry as a designer.

She started working on designs and collaborating with manufacturers in February 2013, before launched her website and online store in August that same year.

Cheeky: Only eight months later the business was going so well that the designer took the leap and quit her job as a flight attendant

Taking a risk: Ms Layt (above) said that it was 'tough' to make the decision to leave a stable job for the unknown of a small business

Skimpy swimwear: Her designs include colourful stripes and prints, with cheeky-cut bottoms

Determined, she worked on her business in her downtime, answering emails from overseas hotels and focusing on the brand's social media presence.

Eight months after the site launch, Ms Layt realised that she wanted to focus on KOKOH full time, and took the brave step of quitting her job as a flight attendant.

'It was a tough thing to do, it was a tough call for me to make,' she said.

'I remember being worried that it'd be a big mistake, that I'd fail, that I'd never be able to travel like I was used to.'

Initial fears: When she quit her job Ms Layt worried that she wouldn't get to travel again

Tropical paradise: But in 2015 the designer lived in the Maldives for three months, running her business from the beach

Finding success: KOKOH is doing so well that it was chosen to be part of a pop up store roadshow run by Xero (Ms Layt is pictured)

But Ms Layt needn't have worried.

The business grew, and in its first year turned over $100,000.

'Since I left the job, my brand has taken me to places that I'd never dreamed of,' she said.

'This year, I went to Tahiti with 10 KOKOH fans where we created some magical content and finally got to meet face-to-face.

In 2015 she even lived in the Maldives for three months, running the business online from the beach.

KOKOH even had its first pop up store last week, as part of Xero's Cloud Street national roadshow.

Going social: The brand also has more than 69,000 followers on Instagram, which drives a lot of its sales

Bricks and mortar: The pop up store (above) was the first time KOKOH bikinis had been sold in person and not online

On trend: Ms Layt is excited about the future of the business, and even gave her tips for what trends people will be wearing on the beach, including hand-painted prints (pictured)

The roadshow aimed to show the benefits of Instagram-based businesses, like KOKOH, selling in stores as well as online.

In the future Ms Layt hopes to continue growing KOKOH Bikini, especially leading in to the Australian summer.
1 A WIFE IS FOR LIFE

Ive lived in this house in Brentwood in LA for 18 years with my wife Stacey, and my office here is my bolthole. Weve been married 38 years and were soul mates, as you can see in this picture. I met her when I was buying a coat in Beverly Hills and she was doing the PR for the store. I went back the next week to have an alteration and there she was again. I asked her out for a soda and that was it. She, our three children, Jed, Zoe and Max, and our four grandchildren make my life glide!

The Happy Days star and childrens author talks about his LA home office, which is his sanctuary

2 YOU BOOTEES!

These are my daughter Zoes first shoes  shes 36 now! As a child Id find her in her bedroom pretending to teach a class and now shes a great teacher, even though like me shes dyslexic. Im proud of all my children; my eldest Jed, whos actually my stepson, is a film producer and Max is a director. He made the penguin here out of clay when he was about five. He was obsessed with them. I took him and my granddaughter Lulu to see the penguins at San Diego Zoo recently, and boy do they smell!

3 WRITING A WRONG

As a child I was branded stupid, even my parents called me dumb. It wasnt until I was 31 that I was diagnosed with dyslexia. So the fact Ive now co-written 32 Hank Zipzer childrens books is incredible to me. My children all read my books to their children now, and I cant tell you how proud I am of that. So many children seem to identify with Hank, whos dyslexic, or they know someone like him. Weve sold four million books so far and CBBCs adaptation of them is one of their top shows.

Henry played the Fonz in the TV show Happy Days, which ran for 254 episodes

4 HAPPY DAYS

Although I donated the Fonzs leather jacket to the Smithsonian in Washington, I have many mementos from Happy Days. The Fonz  there I am in the picture  only had six lines in the first episode but the show ran for 254 more and changed my life. I have every script bound in leather, but this shelf is precious. It was behind Arnolds coffee shop and wed rest our cups on it before going on set. I started to write on it  for example if one of the other actors had a baby  and nearly all the cast ended up signing it.

Henry and his wife Stacey have been married 38 years and were soul mates, as you can see in this picture

5 GONE FISHING

Ive just got back from fly-fishing with Stacey in Idaho. Its one of the greatest things to do. We first went fly-fishing with my lawyer in Montana in the early 1980s and, pardon the pun, Ive been hooked ever since. Its just you, the fly and the fish. You cant think of anything else. Then theres the sound and beauty of the river, or the curious baby moose that comes out to look at your boat going by. The fish in this picture is a brown trout  he weighed about 4lb  but I always put them back.

Henry was 31 when he was diagnosed with dyslexia, and has now co-written 32 Hank Zipzer childrens books

6 HONORARY BRIT
A woman infuriated her husband after fooling him that she had mistaken a coyote for a dog and let it into their home.

Kayla Eby, a preschool teacher from Seaside, Oregon, sent Justin Bogh a Photoshopped image of their son Olly sitting next to a coyote referring to the wild creature as a 'pup'.

Justin sent her a barrage of expletive-ridden text messages in response which she shared on Facebook.

Disbelief: A man reacted with fury after his wife convinced him that she had taken in a coyote, pictured

Wild thing: She also sent him a Photoshopped image of their son Olly sitting on the sofa with the pup

Furious: Kayla Eby, a preschool teacher from Seaside, Oregon, pictured with her husband Justin Bogh, kept up the pretense as her partner's messages became increasingly angry

She claimed that she had found a 'cute little dog' outside their home which she had brought inside to get warm.

Kayla also sent him a photographic 'evidence' of the find - including a picture of the coyote outside their house and of it sat on the sofa with the caption: 'Look how cute'.

But Justin was less than impressed by her kindness to the animal, responding with the words: 'What the f*****g f**k'.

Prankster: In the messages, Kayla, pictured, claimed to have found the creature, which she named 'Spot', outside their home looking 'scared'

Joke: Justin responded with a series of expletive-laden messages

Popular: Kayla later shared their message exchange online where it has been shared more than a quarter of a million times

In another message he wrote: 'There's a coyote in my house and my lady is acting like it's a chihuahua. You've lost your mind.'

Furious that she had 'mistaken' the creature for a dog, he wrote: 'Have you even seen a coyote? And it doesn't look sweet, it looks p****d. Oh my God woman.

'I am going to come home to my family eaten by a wild coyote my wife brought into the house. This is the craziest thing you've ever done.'

Lie: Although coyotes are common in Oregon, there were no animals waiting outside Kayla's door

Extreme measures: When Kayla asked if she could 'keep' the animal, Justin replied, 'divorce'

Angr: When she owned up to fabricating the image, he said: 'I f*****g hate you,' pictured

When she asked him whether she could 'keep' the animal, which she pretended to have named 'Spot', he replied: 'Divorce. Just kidding. But no. That thing better be outside before I get home.'

Although coyotes are common in Oregon, there were no animals waiting outside Kayla's door.

When she owned up to fabricating the image, he said: 'I f*****g hate you.'
It's the story of a young girl who falls in love with a handsome prince.

On Thursday evening, a real-life prince and princess were in attendance to watch the opening of classic ballet The Nutcracker in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Australian-born Crown Princess Mary and Danish Crown Prince Frederik took their four children Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine along to the first night of the Tchaikovsky masterpiece.

But despite her parents' real-life love story, the youngest member of the royal family was seemingly unimpressed by the popular children's tale.

Young Danish Princess Josephine appeared unimpressed by the end of the performance of The Nutcracker much to the amusement of her mother Crown Princess Mary

The five-year-old looked stony faced as the crowd gave the performance a standing ovation

Australian-born Crown Princess Mary and her family earlier appeared excited to attend the opening night of classic ballet The Nutcracker in Denmakr's capital Copenhagen

Princess Josephine, five, initially appeared thrilled to be spending a late night out with her family, smiling cheekily as they posed for photos on the red carpet.

But once inside, the expression on the youngster's face changed dramatically.

As the crowd inside the Tivoli Concert Hall stood to applaud the dancers at the end of their performance, young Princess Josephine arose in front of her mother.

But while the remainder of the audience clapped, the youngest royal appeared stone faced.

Crown Princess Mary (far right), Crown Prince Frederik (far left), Princess Isabella (back left), Prince Christian (back right) and Prince Vincent (front left) were all smiles outside the theatre, but none appeared as happy as the youngest royal Princess Josephine (front right)

The elegant Crown Princess sat in between her eldest son Prince Frederik and young daughter

Despite her daughter appearing to be on the verge of tears, Crown Princess Mary seemed to see the funny side, smiling as she looked down on her daughter.

The glamorous princess appeared to enjoy the retelling of the famous fairytale, often smiling and laughing throughout the show.

Earlier she graced the red carpet alongside her family, looking elegant in a knee-length beige coat and tartan scarf, paired with some polka dot stilettos.

The six royals braved near freezing temperatures as they posed for photos, with all wearing large coats to keep themselves warm.

The Australian-born Crown Princess appeared mesmerised by the performance of The Nutcracker

The glamorous Crown Princess appeared to enjoy the retelling of the famous fairytale, often smiling and laughing throughout the show

Crown Princess Mary leaves the theatre hand-in-hand with eldest daughter Princess Isabella

Prince Christian - the eldest of the royal children - looked a spitting image of his father Crown Prince Frederik.

The 11-year-old donned a navy suit and polka dot scarf, matching his father's large blue overcoat.
Spend just a few moments in Emma Seatons company and youll realise shes got her work cut out. Its a scene familiar to any parents of toddlers: two small boys are trying to climb onto the windowsill in her living room, while another is whizzing round on a tricycle.

Its all a bit of a blur, not least because Alfie, Dylan and Connor are identical triplets. All wearing the same outfit  smart red-checked shirts, blue jeans and stripy socks  it can occasionally feel like you are watching one of them on a fast forward cine-reel as they maraud around the room.

They can certainly be a handful, Emma admits cheerfully.

However, the 32-year-old from Havant, Hampshire, rarely complains about it because, for a long time, it was touch and go whether her boys would survive at all.

Emma Bateman, from Havant, in Hampshire with her premature triplets who are the tiniest to have ever survived

Born at just 23 weeks, the triplets collectively weighed less than 3lb  little more than a bag of sugar.

On the very cusp of viability, doctors warned Emma and her partner Ray Bateman, 40, that there was no way of knowing whether the triplets would make it  and, if they did, whether there would be serious long-term health issues.

It would be several agonising months  populated by several touch-and-go medical scares  before those questions were answered.

Yet here we are just over two years later, and the biggest worry Emma and Ray face most days is how to keep their three boisterous little bundles occupied.

Moreover, not only are the boys healthy and thriving, but they have turned out to be double record-breakers, too. Last month, Guinness World Records confirmed that the trio were the lightest-born triplets in the world to survive and also the most premature.

Today, the certificates are waiting to be hung above the fireplace. It is an official record, if you like, of just how far the brothers have come.

The triplets were born at 23 weeks and weighed together 3Ib which is less than a bag of sugar. Pictured one of the triplets Alfie in intensive care

Its such a positive outcome for them after everything they have been through, says Emma. Its lovely that they have something official for when they get older.

And for all of us really, because there is not a day goes by when I dont think about the fact that things could have been different. Whenever its tough going, I always remember that we have been through much worse.

Emma is certainly a composed presence amid the chaos, despite the fact that she rarely has a moment without one of them clambering over her or requiring scooping out of trouble.

Peace is only briefly restored when the trio go down for their morning nap, giving Emma a chance to get on top of her never-ending round of chores, not least the mountains of washing.

The record-breaking family is all the more remarkable when you learn that her pregnancy wasnt even planned.

Already mum to Billy, now eleven, Emma says that while she and Ray, a highway maintenance worker, had planned to have another child at some point, they had never quite got round to it.

That is, until in early 2014, after days of nausea and exhaustion, a test confirmed that she was expecting once again. I was pretty surprised, but obviously happy, Emma recalls.

With no history of multiple pregnancies in either family, the couple assumed she was having just one baby  until the 12-week scan told them otherwise.

The doctor said it was twins, before announcing: Oh, hang on, theres another one, recalls Emma. Ray and I were in complete shock.

And not without reason: today scientists say the odds of naturally conceived triplets are around one in a million.

The pregnancy was high-risk, particularly as the babies were quickly established to be identical (generally where just one egg divides into three), and sharing the same placenta.

Fortnightly scans followed, while Emma battled exhaustion and endless nausea.

As with most multiple pregnancies, the couple knew that the babies would be delivered several weeks before their due date at the end of December.

So when, in late August, Emma started to experience mild contractions as she travelled into her work in telesales, she tried not to worry.

Left to right, Connor, Dylan and Alfie keep their parents on their toes when playing around at home as they are now healthy boys although a bit small for their age

I was only 22 weeks and six days at that point. I thought: This cant be it,  she recalls.

But she was wrong. The contractions got worse and, after visiting her GP, Emma was sent straight to hospital, where the consultant confirmed the worst: the babies were coming. We had a pretty awful conversation, Emma recalls quietly.

At that stage they did not know what the prognosis was. We thought we had lost our babies and we were devastated.

After hanging on for another two days  vital days in which Emma received steroid injections to help the babies lungs  her waters broke, and at 3pm on August 31, she gave birth to Alfie, weighing just 14.81oz. I remember seeing his tiny translucent little feet. They looked like something on an action man figure, she recalls.

There was no chance of a cuddle: Alfie was whisked away and put on a ventilator.

We both felt helpless, says Emma. Ray brought back photos to show me and Alfie looked so tiny, surrounded by so many wires and tubes.

The following day, first Connor then Dylan arrived, 90 minutes apart and weighing 15.16oz and 1lb 0.36oz respectively. Again, they were immediately rushed to special care, their lives in the balance.

It was a case of watch, wait and see, Emma recalls. All you can do is take it one day at a time but its very hard. You cant touch them, they are surrounded by machines in their incubator and all you can do is look at them and urge them to be strong.

Countless scares followed.

The couple went through some very tough months unable to hold their children for a long time

It felt like there was always a monitor going off, says Emma. We just had to trust the nursing staff, who were absolutely amazing.

Two weeks after his birth, Alfies lung collapsed and he had to be given a chest drain, while at five weeks, all of them had to undergo surgery to close a duct in their hearts which would enable them to come off their ventilators.

It was at this point that she and Ray got their first chance to hold one of their sons  Connor, the middle-born but at this stage the most robust  for the first time. It felt amazing, but a little bit frightening as well. He was so fragile.

Over the next few days they got to cuddle Alfie and Dylan, too. I felt like each day we were watching our babies get stronger, says Emma.

There were other hurdles to navigate though: all the boys had a retina disorder, common in premature babies, which can cause blindness and required laser eye surgery.

It was only in February 2015  six months after they were born, but less than two months after their due date  that the boys collectively arrived home for good.

The first few weeks were a blur, admits Emma. It was just a whirlwind of nappy changes and feeding. It was exhausting.

With two of the three babies on oxygen for the first few months too, it also meant huge planning to leave the house.

Aside from nappies and bottles I also had to take portable oxygen so sometimes it was just easier to stay home, Emma admits. Put it this way  we couldnt do anything last minute.

It hasnt got much less exhausting since now the trio are all on their feet. And while they are still slightly small for their age, they have plenty of energy, are happy and have no health problems.

Dylan probably has a bit further to go than the others, says Emma. He was on oxygen for longer and had feeding issues, so hes a little bit behind. But there is nothing that time wont sort, says Emma.

The boys personalities are developing in their own unique ways, too.

Connor is the bossy one, the brains. Id say hes the leader of the pack, says Emma.

Hes a lot more vocal than the other two. Dylan is the smallest so he gets frustrated sometimes, but hes the biggest cuddler. Alfie is somewhere between the two and hes probably the cheekiest.

The big question, of course, is how does she tell which is which? Aside from a slight difference in size  Dylan is a tad smaller  and what Emma insists is Alfies slightly rounder face, it is pretty difficult to distinguish them. Even I cant really tell them apart from the back, Emma admits.

And what about Billy  for so long an only child and now the elder brother to not one but three boisterous boys?

It was a big adjustment for him but hes been brilliant, Emma says. He mucked in from the beginning. When they were in hospital he would sit and read to them, and when they got home he changed nappies and helped to feed them.

Hes been really grown up. Like all of us, hes enjoying being a family of six.
Set in a parallel universe where technology is so advanced that robot servants called Synths are a must-have for any household, the 12 million drama Humans  which has its season two finale tonight  has given Channel 4 its biggest hit for 20 years, with more than six million viewers tuning in each week.

But is the concept as far-fetched as it may seem?

Not so, according to a research team at the University of Hertfordshire, which has revealed that they hope to make human-looking robots a part of family life for thousands of children with the learning disability autism within the next two years.

So far, 300 autistic children in Britain have had access to one of 20 robots  all called Kaspar  both at school and in their homes. There are 700,000 people in the UK with autism, with one in 100 children thought to be affected. The condition is characterised by difficulties in interaction and communication. It is not fully understood what causes it, and there is no cure.

The 12 million drama Humans  which has its season two finale tonight  has given Channel 4 its biggest hit for 20 years

Dr Ben Robins, who help build the first Kaspar in 2006, explained: 'The reason autistic children have problems communicating is because they find it difficult to interpret verbal and non-verbal language like gestures, tone of voice or facial expressions, and this can cause them to become extremely anxious.

'The robot looks like a person but is minimally expressive, always dressed the same and always has his hat on. So for children with autism he offers a reliable, familiar face to interact with.'

Kaspar has features that look slightly human, but are obviously not  therefore communication, with all its complex and frightening subtleties and nuances, is less complicated and more comfortable for the child. When Kaspar feels sad, his head bows down; when he's cross he turns his head to the side and puts his hand over his face.

There is no artificial intelligence  the robot is remotely controlled by a parent or teacher.

Its programming includes prerecorded speech and songs, and it can even wave and blink.

Dr Robins says that recent modifications have enabled Kaspar to use a knife and fork, comb his hair and brush his teeth  all skills that can be used to help autistic children at home with personal hygiene.

The robot can even encourage a child to sit down to a family meal  something those with the condition are often reluctant to do because it involves social interaction.

So far, 300 autistic children in Britain have had access to one of 20 robots  all called Kaspar (pictured)  both at school and in their homes

Dr Robins, who has been working on long-term trials with more than 70 autistic children aged from four to 16, says youngsters are happy to hug and kiss Kaspar, even if they are unable to have that same contact with their own families. Specialist teachers and therapists use the robot to encourage them to play games with other children.

Nan Cannon Jones, founder of Tracks, a specialist school for children with autism in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, said: 'We had a child who refused to eat or sit with the other seven children at the school.

'His mum sent him in with a box of biscuits, and with Kaspar's encouragement over the course of ten weeks, he eventually got to the stage where he would put a biscuit on the robot's lap and sit with him and the other children at the snack table and eat a biscuit himself.
The DJs personal chart toppers  from Jimmy Ruffin to Rufus Sewell and Le Carre to Van Gogh. And his ultimate sitcom? Dont tell em, Ken!

My movie magic

Following the American election, everybody should watch Frank Capras 1939 film Mr Smith Goes To Washington.

It stars Jimmy Stewart as an idealistic young man who becomes a senator and discovers that not everyone plays fair.

I mainly watch childrens films with my kids these days, but I thought The Imitation Game was brilliant. Benedict Cumberbatch was fantastic.

Following the American election, everybody should watch Frank Capras 1939 film Mr Smith Goes To Washington

Music to my ears

I knew music was going to be a big part of my life from the moment the crowd started going mad at the first gig I went to: Gerry And The Pacemakers in Glasgow in 1964.

My favourite song is Jimmy Ruffins What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted. I made a pilgrimage to the studio where it was recorded in Detroit.

Its tiny  its hard to comprehend how they made all that noise. At the moment Im enjoying Jack Savorettis Sleep No More.

Hes got a very attractive voice and writes beautiful songs.

My favourite song is Jimmy Ruffins What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

My TV gold

I still find myself laughing to Dads Army if I tune in on a Saturday night. It is cast and written brilliantly. I havent yet watched the film remake.

I thought Rufus Sewell gave a highly nuanced performance in ITVs Victoria. Alan Sugar still works for me on The Apprentice and, strangely enough, I love Gogglebox.

I still find myself laughing to Dads Army if I tune in on a Saturday night. It is cast and written brilliantly

I thought Rufus Sewell gave a highly nuanced performance in ITVs Victoria

Words of wonder

Fings Aint Wot They Used TBe, the biography of the composer Lionel Bart, does a great job of lifting the veil on the strangeness of his lifestyle. Ive just re-read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre. I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time.

I can never resist a bit of PG Wodehouse, either. Theres an effortless weight to the prose.

Its almost impossible to choose a favourite book, but Aunts Arent Gentlemen was written late in his life and published a year before his death, and showed hed lost none of the way with words even in his 90s.

Ive just re-read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carre. I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time

Dont touch that dial

There are some fantastic old comedy shows to catch up with on Radio 4 Extra, like Round The Horne and Take It From Me.

I enjoy the conversations and fun the commentators appear to be having on Test Match Special. Henry Blofeld is my favourite.

The plays the thing

An early Noughties production of The Producers starring Nathan Lane and Lee Evans was the funniest show Ive ever seen.

I took my son to see Emma Rices production of A Midsummer Nights Dream at Shakespeares Globe earlier this year.

Now that shes stepping down as artistic director there, I dont know if she and the theatre were the best fit together but her work is undeniably very good.

An early Noughties production of The Producers starring Nathan Lane and Lee Evans was the funniest show Ive ever seen

The art in my heart

I can stare for hours at Van Goghs painting Wheatfield With Crows. I find the openness and fresh air it evokes very soothing.

I came across it about 20 years ago when I went to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Im not a huge art fan and my knowledge of the subject is dreadful, but I could spend all day in there as opposed to other galleries, which I could get around in an hour.

I can stare for hours at Van Goghs painting Wheatfield With Crows. I find the openness and fresh air it evokes very soothing
He sawed off his own frostbitten fingers and scaled the worlds tallest peaks with a heart condition, so youd think Ranulph Fiennes was totally fearless. But, the explorer confesses to Event, hes plagued by... HIGH ANXIETY

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is so afraid of heights he wont even climb a ladder. I would never go up to clean the leaves out of the gutter, says the worlds greatest living explorer. Id send my wife up there Id hold the ladder up, obviously.

So how did he manage to climb Everest at the third attempt? And why is he now  at the age of 72  bidding to become the first person to scale the highest mountains on all seven continents?

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is so afraid of heights he wont even climb a ladder. He believes the secret to becoming a record breaker is conquering the mind

I set out to beat my greatest fear by facing it head on, says Fiennes, before revealing that it all started as a way of jolting himself out of the grief that followed the loss of his first wife, Ginny, in 2004.

Ginny had been his childhood sweetheart and he was devastated by her death, as he describes in his new book, Fear: Our Ultimate Challenge.

When she died, I didnt do anything at all for a while, he says. I was completely useless and full of self-pity. Then a friend decided I ought to click out of it, and what better way than by going for something that really frightened me?

Fiennes is not the obvious choice to write a book about emotions, having spent so much of his life pushing them aside in order to survive.

But theres a wild side to the man, who in his youth was chucked out of the SAS for carrying explosives off duty and went off to fight in the desert with the Omani army.

He became an explorer after failing an audition to become the new James Bond. In 1970, the producer Cubby Broccoli wanted a real-life action man to replace George Lazenby and invited Fiennes to an interview, but rejected him because he had farmers hands.

He is famously tough  he once sawed off the frostbitten ends of his fingers  which is what made him try to confront grief and vertigo at the same time by climbing the worlds highest mountain in 2006  only to be thwarted by a heart attack 1,000ft from the summit.

There was a lot of pain, he says. It felt like my chest was coming apart. This was at night, on Everest, dangling on a rope over ice. I panicked. I thought, Im going to die.

Fiennes is not the obvious choice to write a book about emotions, having spent so much of his life pushing them aside in order to survive

Fiennes fumbled for his heart pills, which he had taken with him on the insistence of a new wife, Louise.

Ginny had said on her deathbed that he should marry again and Fiennes had done so about a year later, after meeting horse trainer Louise Millington, 24 years his junior, at a Royal Geographical Society lecture.

Finding the pills was not as easy as youd think, he says. Youre in an oxygen mask with a lot of gear on, trying to hold on to a rope with one hand and feeling in your pockets with the other. I found the bottle eventually, took the pills and started foaming at the mouth.

Two-and-a-half days later, at base camp, the doctor asked to see my pills. I said, I took them all.

'He said, There were 80 in there. You were allowed two!

'Thats why I had been foaming at the mouth.

Now he is bidding to become the first person to complete an extraordinary grand slam: having walked to both the North and South Poles and climbed Asias Everest, Kilimanjaro in Africa and Elbrus in Europe, he is now planning assaults on Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Carstensz in Indonesia (Australasia), Aconcagua in South America and Mount Denali in North America.

So what happened to the vertigo?

Its still there. There are no big drops on any of these mountains, he says.

Is he sure of that? No.

Feel the fear and do it anyway  that could be Fienness motto.

My five decades of breaking records through taking risks have convinced me that successful control of your own mind gives you the best chance of winning the battle.

So there it is. Fear is all in the mind  as long as you have the extraordinary mind of Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Pick of the year

The Nice Guys, Shane Blacks homage to Raymond Chandlers Los Angeles, is a terrific comedy thriller.

Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling play pratfalling private eyes on the trail of a missing porn actress back in the sleazeball Seventies.

The Nice Guys, Shane Blacks homage to Raymond Chandlers Los Angeles, is a terrific comedy thriller starring Russell Crowe (above) and Ryan Gosling as pratfalling private eyes

Gosling is the star of The Big Short, too, which, though it explains the ongoing financial crash of 2008, is also a lot of fun.

The years best dialogue is to be found in Whit Stillmans Love & Friendship. Adapted from a Jane Austen story, this is the only film thats ever done justice to our greatest ironist.

Brooklyn, starring Saoirse Ronan is the years best weepie. Mind you, it faces stiff competition from Eddie The Eagle, Dexter Fletchers biopic of everybodys favourite Olympic ski-jumper

Brooklyn, starring Saoirse Ronan is the years best weepie. Mind you, it faces stiff competition from Eddie The Eagle, Dexter Fletchers biopic of everybodys favourite Olympic ski-jumper.

The kids will love these

Treat of the year is Finding Dory, which involves Dory (charmingly voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) tracking down her long-lost fish family.

The CGI colour scheme (sumptuous coral pinks and cobalt blues) might have been designed to soothe over-excited kids through the holidays.

Treat of the year is Finding Dory, which involves Dory (charmingly voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) tracking down her long-lost fish family

Thematically similar is Petes Dragon, a syrupy but still seductive remake of the Disney classic, with Robert Redford in the cast.

The BFG stars Mark Rylance, though there were times Id have sworn it was Paul Whitehouse behind that rubber nose.

The BFG stars Mark Rylance and this take on Roald Dahls melancholy tale comes with all the emotional lift you expect from Steven Spielberg

This take on Roald Dahls melancholy tale comes with all the emotional lift you expect from Steven Spielberg.

Ho-ho-ho!

Ab Fab is back, too, kicking off with a killer Botox gag. Divine, Sweeties

Its been 13 years since we said goodbye to The Office. But now David Brent is back, with a full-length film named after him  and its a cracker.

The self-styled Brentosaurus is now a lavatory hygiene salesman  but still hankering after a rock n roll career. I defy anyone to not be moved by the closing scene.

Ab Fab is back, too, kicking off with a killer Botox gag. Divine, Sweeties.

Family fun

Is Asterix unfilmable? Until this year you might have said so. But things have finally come good for the plucky Gaul with The Mansion Of The Gods.

Dads of a certain age will leap at the chance to introduce the kids to the 22-disc Blu-ray box set that is The A Team: The Complete Collection. All 98 episodes of the Eighties classic are here.

Trekkie types will love The Roddenberry Vault, a 50th-anniversary box of adventures aboard the Enterprise with Captain Kirk and Spock (William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, above)

For Tolkien fans theres a 30-disc box set of The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings trilogies, and for Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan fans theres a 20th anniversary Blu-ray of Space Jam.

Trekkie types will love The Roddenberry Vault, a 50th-anniversary box of adventures aboard the Enterprise.

Oh, what a drama

If its nostalgia you want, try the Complete Miami Vice (25 discs, out next week)

Billions, starring Damian Lewis, is the frothiest insight into hedge-fund plutocrats you or I are ever going to get.

And Belgian ten-parter Out-Laws is the blackest comedy of the year.

If youve yet to catch up with Frank Underwood, the troubled president in House Of Cards, try the newly released first four seasons box set.

Or if its nostalgia you want, how about the Complete Magnum PI (45 discs) or the Complete Miami Vice (25 discs, out next week)?

Music to your eyes

On Ron Howards Eight Days A Week  The Touring Years, the late George Martins son, Giles, has erased the snap and crackle from footage of the finest Beatles pop youve never heard before, while Mat Whitecrosss Oasis documentary Supersonic entertainingly skirts around the Gallagher brothers fallout.

In the year we said goodbye to him, revisit David Bowies The Man Who Fell To Earth on Blu-ray.

In the year we said goodbye to him, revisit David Bowies The Man Who Fell To Earth on Blu-ray

Likewise, Bob Dylan fans will adore the Blu-ray of 1966s Dont Look Back.

Classic choice

Chances are the oh-so-lovable movie version of The Railway Children will be on the box over the festive season. But why not try York Theatre Royals stage version of the story as it makes its debut on DVD?

First seen live at the York National Railway Museum, and then at Londons Waterloo station, this is a splendid spectacular.

York Theatre Royals stage version of the story makes its debut on DVD. First seen live at the York National Railway Museum this is a splendid spectacular

Less exciting, but no less rewarding, All Aboard! The Sleigh Ride is a slow-burn documentary in which cameras are bolted to a sled as it navigates an ancient postal route through the hills and forests of northern Norway delivering presents for Christmas.

Box sets go Bananas

A bumper year for Woody Allen fans, with the release of not one but two six-picture Blu-ray box sets that take us all the way from 1971s hilarious take on revolutionary politics, Bananas, through to 1985s amusing meditation on the power of art, The Purple Rose Of Cairo.

A bumper year for Woody Allen fans, with the release of not one but two six-picture Blu-ray box sets. No less moving is Bruce Lee: The Master Collection
Sarah Millican

In Outsider Live, graphic Geordie Sarah Millican is given to gynaecological oversharing: sensitive males steer clear but everyone else is invited to find out what goes on down there and enjoy routines that start, I had piles once Crack open the sherry and unleash the smutfest.

In Outsider Live, graphic Geordie Sarah Millican is given to gynaecological oversharing: sensitive males steer clear but everyone else is invited to find out what goes on down there

Tim Vine

If there were an award for best comedy DVD title, Tim Vine would win hands down

If there were an award for best comedy DVD title, Tim Vine would win hands down with Tim Timinee Tim Timinee Tim Tim To You.

His blissfully idiotic show comprises a full-on assault of killer one-liners, silly songs, daft dances and pop-up props.

File under traditional, swear-free, granny-friendly festive fun.

Romeash Ranganathan

Crawleys finest, Romeash Ranganathan, addresses his Sri Lankan roots on his debut DVD, Irrational, working up some angry rants to go with the bants.

His family exasperates him the most, including his feral five-year-old son who, whenever they go out, runs away like hes fleeing Isis and his mum who calls him a coconut (brown on the outside, white on the inside). A deadpan delight.

Crawleys finest, Romeash Ranganathan, addresses his Sri Lankan roots on his debut DVD, Irrational, working up some angry rants to go with the bants

Josh Widdecombe

The prematurely grumpy Devonian Josh Widdecombe shares his extensive list of woes in What Do I Do Now Live, from rubbish Christmas presents to the worst cracker in the cheese- biscuit selection box.

Britains second worst-dressed man (GQ mag), behind Paul Hollywood, is a Michael McIntyre-lite: a must-buy for petty gripers and lovers of first-world problems alike.

The prematurely grumpy Josh Widdecombe shares his list of woes in What Do I Do Now Live, from rubbish Christmas presents to the worst cracker in the cheese-biscuit selection box

Billy Connolly

He may be frailer but, at 73, Billy Connolly is still pounding the highways in defiant mood. High Horse Tour Live finds him mining his Parkinsons for gallows humour, mixed with nostalgic tales from his youth. Poignant and rapturously received.

At 73, Billy Connolly is still pounding the highways in defiant mood. High Horse Tour Live finds him mining his Parkinsons for gallows humour, mixed with nostalgic tales from his youth

Rich Hall

Modern politics move way too fast for most comedians in these troubling times but not for gravel-voiced American Rich Hall, who warned at the September recording of this show, 3:10 To Humour, that anything can happen in the US election.

The comic bluesman hits home with The Ballad Of Donald Trump, and also has a fine way with a line, remarking that Jeremy Corbyn looks like the last drumstick in a bucket of KFC. Clucking good call.
Rillington Place

Tuesday, BBC1

Rating:

Modus

Saturday, BBC4

Rating:

Although it may be that any drama starring Tim Roth and Samantha Morton is already 98 per cent there, if not 99 per cent there, you still wouldnt be able to pick fault with Rillington Place, which is wonderful on every single count.

I watched the first episode twice, just to be sure, and I am sure. Very. John Reginald Halliday Christie  known as Reg  was one of Britains most prolific murderers.

He killed at least eight women over a decade and buried their bodies (within walls, under floorboards) at his Notting Hill flat, 10 Rillington Place.

Samantha Morton and Tim Roth in Rillington Place

Serial killers are now a staple of television (see Modus below) but this did not depend on titillating, exploitative violence.

A woman wasnt stalked in a hotel corridor and then strangled in a lift (see Modus below, again).

And a woman wasnt stalked in a park and then stabbed to death. (I dont know where I saw that. Modus?)

This was chilling, but it was also the sad and affecting portrait of a marriage. A three-parter, it will be told from a different perspective each week.

This week it was the turn of Ethel (Morton), Christies wife. We first meet Ethel in 1938, sitting at a table at her brothers house in Sheffield.

We see only her back as she takes receipt of a letter. But we know from the cast of her shoulders that she is the sort of woman who will make the best of it, even when she does not know what she is making the best of.

Just the cast of Mortons shoulders tells us this. It is entirely miraculous. The letter informs her that Reg, the husband she has not seen for nine years, has been located.

Hes been in prison for, as he will later explain, borrowing a car that turned out to be stolen. (Yeah, right.)

The two decide on a fresh start in London, which isnt your usual, chirpy period London. It is dilapidated, gloomy, claustrophobic.

As is Rillington Place. Christie (Roth) is balding, wears glasses  oh, the banality of evil  and speaks in a soft, insinuating voice.

Roth is ghoulishly creepy but always believable. The script is clever. Rather than being weakened by our familiarity with the story, it feeds off it, exploits it. He instructs Ethel to close her eyes.

No peeking, he says. Is this it?, youre thinking. Is this the moment Ethel gets the whack to the head? Whats he going to the sideboard for? A hammer? Lead piping? Rope? Candlestick? (I seem to rely on Cluedo when it comes to weaponry.) A box of chocolates, it turns out. But the tension was extraordinary.

She is delighted with the chocolates. It doesnt take much to make Ethel happy. Poor Ethel. Ethel begins to wise up. Shes aware that Reg visits prostitutes, ogles other women and is a fantasist. She tells him to keep his hands off Muriel, a pretty colleague.

He holds Ethel by her throat to the wall. Not titillating. Not exploitative. We needed a glimpse of that repressed violence. She leaves, then returns. She doesnt know how to have another life. Women didnt back then. She eventually lies for him and you understand why.

I know Im not exactly sticking my neck out here, it being December, but Ill say it anyway: you wont see a better drama this year.

Modus is the latest Scandi noir from Sweden. There is cinematography. There is snow. There are pine forests. There are interiors. But the plot has more holes than a Swiss cheese.

The plot has more holes than a sieve. If you imagine a Swiss cheese sitting in a sieve, thats about the size of it.

How, for example, did the killer know that the TV chef (female) would be leaving her hotel room at just that moment? How did he know the bishop (female) would opt for a latenight walk in the park? There have been three murders to date but still only one detective working on the case?

A killer is on the loose. We know who he is. He lives in a caravan in a snowy wood, looks like Ray Liotta and seems to be taking instructions from a religious nut-job.

The detective is Ingvar (Henrik Norlen), who is handsome with a troubled home life, naturally. He is joined by Inger (Melinda Kinnaman), a criminal profiler who had decided to take a step back to look after her children  its the coming-out-of-retirement scenario, in effect  but one of her daughters is involved.

She witnessed one of the murders. But shes autistic, struggles to find words, plus the killer has pressed his finger to her lips and said, Ssshhhhhh.

It now turns out the killer is not just after women. Hes after gays. A gay man has just been garrotted, which was kind of a relief as I did not wish to sit through yet another female slaughter, but the fact it was a man did not detract from the fact Id already had to sit through two.
Sully Cert: 12A 1hr 36mins

Rating:

For all the very worst reasons, the sight of a passenger jet flying abnormally low over the skyscrapers of New York has become one of the most iconic images of modern times.

And, controversially, its an image that director Clint Eastwood uses repeatedly and provocatively in his new film. Has the veteran film-maker  now 86  strayed into what, for him, would be the unfamiliar territory of tastelessness?

After all, the subject of his film is meant to be the emergency landing that pilot Chesley Sully Sullenberger made on the River Hudson in 2009 when his plane, carrying 155 passengers and crew, suffered engine failure after running into a flock of birds. What could the events of 9/11 possibly have to do with it?

The jet crashes on the Hudson River

Well, quite a lot, Eastwood would argue. And while I initially had my doubts, he eventually won me over.

For if 9/11 was the day when everything went wrong in New York, this  albeit on a smaller scale  is the day when everything goes right. Its the stark, life-affirming contrast that gives this film its unexpected emotional power.

As someone eventually says: Its been a while since New York had news this good especially with a plane in it.

Tom Hanks as pilot Sully

Without that emotional impact, Eastwood would certainly have had a struggle on his hands because theres not a lot of basic material to work with here.

Yes, the landing was astonishing, and it does indeed seem like a miracle that everyone survived, but the fact is, from bird-strike to ditching lasted only 208 seconds. You try carving a feature film out of that.

So its no surprise to find Eastwood using every trick in the film-makers book. Our first piece of 9/11-style imagery comes courtesy of one of the nightmares that haunt Sullenberger immediately after the event.

Then there are the vivid daydreams and the flashbacks, fleshing out Sullys hitherto largely incident-free, 40-year flying career.

T he landing was astonishing, and it does indeed seem like a miracle that everyone survived

Throw in a resourceful ferry captain and a team of gung-ho emergency divers and we just about have a proper feature film on our hands.

Where some have suggested they have gone too far, however, is in ratcheting up the dramatic tension in the days and weeks after the emergency landing, as the inquiry into what happened got under way.

For while New York instantly proclaims Sully (Tom Hanks) and co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) as heroes, the men and women of the National Transportation Safety Board are portrayed  to a properly demeaning degree  as cynics and doubters.

Was ditching in the Hudson really the only option available to Sully? Couldnt he have successfully returned to La Guardia or made an emergency landing at a nearby New Jersey airport?

Laura Linney as his wife

Sully is initially certain he could not, but then the doubts set in. Might he have made a mistake after all?

Im not equipped to say how accurate all this is but theres no doubt, dramatically, that it works.

The final scenes at the inquiry are wonderfully tense, which is no mean achievement when we all think we know how this story ends.

IT'S A FACT When Sully's Hudson rescue scenes were being filmed, there was a shortage of the ferries used in the disaster. A visit by the Pope had taken them out of service. Advertisement

Hanks is spot-on as this modest, all-American hero who, like so many before him, seems ill-equipped for the adulation and media attention that engulf him.

Sully is a dry, meticulous man not over-blessed with a sense of humour but, of course, he loves his wife (Laura Linney) and children.

Eckhart has slightly more fun as his co-pilot and is even allowed to make a joke or two.

Would you have done anything differently? asks one of the investigators of the landing, which happened in the depths of January and left the survivors with a real risk of freezing to death in the Hudson.

Yes, replies Skiles deadpan, Id have done it in July.

The final scenes at the inquiry are wonderfully tense, which is no mean achievement when we all think we know how this story ends

Visual effects are key to a film like this, and while theyre excellent for most of the film  which was shot on IMAX cameras and is best seen in that format  they are no more than good-ish when it comes to those key few seconds when plane meets icy water.

But I found that didnt matter, and while Im sure Eastwoods film will have a particularly powerful impact on US audiences, its certainly not going to be wasted over here.

For if something does go wrong one day when were in a plane, this is what we all hope will happen next. And, besides, we all love a proper, real-life hero, dont we?

SECOND SCREEN

Moana (PG)

Rating:

The Edge Of Seventeen (15)

Rating:

Chi-Raq (15)

Rating:

Bleed For This (15)

Rating:

Festive family audiences will be rushing to Moana desperate to discover whether the latest animated Disney offering is another Frozen.

Alas, it isnt quite, despite gorgeous animation, a story anchored in the creation myths of Polynesia and at least one decent song.

Newcomer Aulii Cravalho, a 16-year-old from Hawaii, voices Moana (pronounced Mo-an-a), the feisty daughter of an island chief whose once idyllic kingdom is now in trouble  the coconut crop is failing and fish are disappearing from its coral-ringed lagoon.

But should the islanders just sit tight or should Moana follow her voyaging instincts and sail in search of mischievous demi-gods, missing hearts and the island-creating goddess, Te Fiti? Hmm, tough call.

After a sluggish start, things do improve but there are obvious structural echoes of Frozen and the incidental comedy is clumsy. Good but not great.

In The Edge Of Seventeen Hailee Steinfeld (above) lifts this likeable offering towards the higher slopes of the high-school, rite-of-passage genre pile

In The Edge Of Seventeen Hailee Steinfeld lifts this likeable offering from first-time writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig towards the higher slopes of the high-school, rite-of-passage genre pile.

She plays Nadine  socially awkward, lacking in confidence and, in her opinion, not as good-looking as her heart-throb older brother, Darian.

So when her only friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson) starts going out with Darian (Blake Jenner), Nadine goes into adolescent meltdown.

Chi-Raq sees Spike Lee taking the plot of Aristophanes play Lysistrata and using it to examine the modern-day violence in south Chicago.

I love the anger, the comedy and the use of music but untangling the moral rights and wrongs is a nightmare, with Lysistratas story of female empowerment  the women go on a sex strike until the men stop killing each other  sitting uncomfortably with the casual misogyny and sexism.

Bleed For This is a biopic of the fighter Vinny Pazienza who, having just won the world super-middleweight title in 1991, broke his neck in a crash.
It's a sordid scandal involving hawala and secretive money transfers by spiritual leaders and priests of popular centres of faith, in a rare spotlight on financial malpractices at religious institutions.

As a part of a series of stories exposing cash mafias following the November 8 ban on high denomination banknotes, India Today TV's special investigation team found several avowed holy men and women black-marketing illicit wealth for hefty commissions.

The government decision has tested the ingenuity of cash hoarders as they rush to save their dirty money accumulated without paying taxes.

Volunteers counting bank notes splurged at a religious function in Verawal, Gujarat

At the Vaishno temple in Ghaziabad near Delhi, its revered head, Radha Mata, quickly activated hawala operators when the undercover reporters approached her for the swap of fictitious unaccounted money.

Radha Mata, who draws the faithful from as far as southern India, offered exchange of the outlawed notes from banks at half their original value of Rs 2.5 crore.

The priest in Noida allegedly demanded a 40 per cent commission

'Son, that bank person will take 50 per cent (commission) and will provide all services at your doorstep,' she told the reporter, who was posing as a holder of black money.

'He'll give you new the notes. You can also take a cheque.'

Her shady network appeared to be transnational as she also suggested payments through international hawala channels.

'You'll get dollars wherever you want,' claimed Radha Mata.

'Can they give the money to me in Dubai?' asked the reporter. 'Yes,' she replied. 'You can take it in Dubai, Canada or England.'

Sudha Bhardwaj, head of Delhis Siddha Peeth Kalka shrine, reportedly guaranteed a 50 per cent return

In no time, Radha Mata called in a broker, who arrived in a UP government car.

The hawala middleman, proposed to transfer the cash in Dubai at a premium price of Rs 125 per dollar.

Secret remittances of corrupt wealth by spiritual gurus like Radha Mata is just one side of the story.

Anirudh and Ram Guru at the Vrindavan Bihari temple in Mathura wanted a 35 per cent cut

The investigation also dredged up the other - sacred shrines short-changing invalid currency.

In the ancient temple town of Mathura, several religious officials were found to be replacing scrapped banknotes clandestinely for huge cuts.

A priest at the Vrindavan Bihari temple, readily agreed to manipulate accounts to show black money as donation in back date.

'It doesn't matter even if you give black money to us. I'll show it in accounts and it will be deposited,' he said.

He then introduced India Today TV's reporters with Ram Guru, the chief of the temple trust, for a firm deal.

Radha Mata in Ghaziabad was reportedly ready to offer dollars; the priest in Noida wanted a 40 per cent commission

Ram Guru quoted a 35 per cent commission for the conversion, saying he could pay up to 25 lakh rupees in legal notes immediately for Rs 1 crore in black. 'You'll get Rs 65 for every 100,' he said.

The rates for bartering the tax loot varied from temple to temple.

After a bargain, Sudha Bhardwaj, the head of Delhi's Siddha Peeth Kalka shrine, guaranteed up to 50 per cent in legal tender.

'We'll pay you 40 per cent back and the 60 per cent will go into our trust,' she said before settling on a 50/50 share. 'You'll get all of it in new notes.'

India Today TV's crew met a member of the Sai temple near Noida's Atta market, who demanded a 40 per cent commission for the interchange.

'We'll initially deal in Rs 5-10 lakh,' said Manoj Paudwal, the temple member. 'We have a month's time. We'll do whatever can be done in this period.'
Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the Indian Army in July

A conversation between LeT chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani suggests that the two wanted to create a joint terror front in Kashmir.

The conversation intercepted by the spy agencies also proves Indian allegations that Saeed is fountainhead of Pakistan-backed terrorist operations in India.

The intercepted conversation in June was recorded before Wani was killed in an encounter in July.

The conversation also indicated that Saeed is a cult figure among terrorists.

Here's an excerpt:

TRANSCRIPT:

Burhan Wani: Greetings

Hafiz Saeed: Salaam Wallekum

Burhan Wani: Salaam Wallekum. How are you?

Hafiz Saeed: All fine. Burhan speaking?

Burhan Wani: Yes im Burhan. Hope you are fine?

Intercepts reveal LeT chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed offered to support Burhan Wani

Hafiz Saeed: Yes im fine. God is kind. Im thankful to him.

Burhan Wani: I was always keen to talk to you but with the grace of god im talking to you today. How is your health?

Hafiz Saeed: Yes. I am fine. By the grace of god everything is going fine. You people are living in very difficult conditions. Whatever you need just tell us we are ready for every help. You just tell us.

Burhan Wani: Inshallah, we will do everything. God has accepted my wish and with his blessings small people like me are also talking to you.

Hafiz Saeed: You are very dear to us and you are doing great work. We are very happy with you.

Burhan Wani: I just want to make small request. Here in Kashmir these Lashkar people don't get their stuff regularly, they are facing difficulties. If they have a weak network I can help.

Hafiz Saeed: I will definitely take note of this and will take all help from you.

Burhan Wani: I also want to say enemy is almost defeated and we have to maintain this. We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn't lose this opportunity. For this we need ammunition and support from the back. We should work together for this (Hizbul & Lashkar).

Hafiz Saeed: Inshallah! Give my greetings to all brothers and sisters there. We all are working for one purpose.

Burhan Wani: Grateful. I just want to say that Lashkar needs more back up from your side and for that if you need any support from me please let me know. I can do anything. They are our brothers and we have common purpose and enemy. Hafiz Saeed: All right. Inshallah.. inshallah.

Burhan Wani: Also these Lashkar people are saying that they never get to talk to Hafiz Sahib.

Hafiz Saeed: I only spoke to you. I got your message and called. You keep in touch with these people we also have all information about them.

Burhan Wani: Yes im in touch with them and will take care of them.

Hafiz Saeed: Ok bye
The government has suspended as many as 27 officials of various public sector banks and another six officers have been transferred to non-sensitive posts for irregular transactions that include helping black money hoarders to launder their cash.

'While all the efforts are being made to facilitate genuine transactions, illegalities will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken against individuals involved in irregular and unauthorised activities,' the finance ministry said in a statement.

The Income Tax Department has seized a huge cache of Rs 5.7 crore in new currency notes as part of unaccounted income found in the raids for which the role of some bankers is also being investigated.

Bengaluru IT department made biggest cash seizure of new notes post de-monetisation

I-T officials said the cash found, after searches were launched in Bengaluru on the premises of two engineers, working with the state government, and two contractors has risen to Rs 5.7 crore and these notes are in the denomination of the newly introduced currency of Rs 2,000.

A senior I-T department official said at a time when there is a acute shortage of cash such a large volume of new currency notes cannot be obtained without the connivance of bank officials.

In fact the huge pile of new currency notes had come as surprise to the tax authorities at a time when new notes are not available to the public which is queuing up to withdraw even small amounts from their accounts, a senior official remarked.

Both the I-T department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), along with other enforcement agencies and police, are undertaking these operations after reports of instances of illegal exchange of old currency and stashing of new currency notes to perpetrate hawala and money laundering.

Two days ago, the ED had seized Rs 10 lakh cash in new notes of Rs 2,000 from the premises of a Kolkata-based doctor.

ED had conducted nationwide search operations yesterday at 40 locations and seized about Rs 1 crore in new notes.

A manager and a cashier of a public sector bank were arrested at Bhatinda in Punjab on Friday for allegedly charging money for replacing demonetised currency notes which shows that some unscrupulous bank staff are exploiting the situation, a senior official said.

The Income Tax Department said it detected unaccounted income worth Rs 152 crore after it conducted searches in a dozen premises in Bengaluru and other locations.

The department also recovered 7 kg bullion and jewellery weighing 9 kg, worth Rs 5 crore, after these operations.

ED had conducted nationwide search operations yesterday at 40 locations and seized about Rs 1 crore in new notes (picture for representation only)

About 90 lakh has been found in the old demonestised currency.

In addition, several property documents were also found and seized. A team of over 50 I-T sleuths and police personnel had launched operations yesterday and searched premises in Bengaluru, Chennai and Erode in Tamil Nadu.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the policy making body of the tax department, had said in a statement here yesterday that: the new notes and bullion are learnt to have been obtained by exchange of demonetised notes by payment of commission of an engineer and a contractor.

The tax sleuths had also seized some notes of Rs 100, demonetised notes of Rs 500 and a few gold biscuits during the operation, they said, adding the department had to call in note counting machines and additional staff to ascertain the value of the cash.

What had surprised the tax authorities is the sheer amount of new currency stashed by these individuals at a time when new notes are not available to the common public which is queuing up to withdraw even small amounts from their accounts.

China offers help to tackle fake note menace

By Ananth Krishnan

China would like to strengthen cooperation with India to make a common effort to fight 'the cancer of corruption', in the wake of the demonetisation move. India and China are looking to set up a joint working group on fake currency.

Hong Kong has emerged as a key route for funneling Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) into India, with the recent arrest of a Pakistani national in Guangzhou, near Hong Kong, triggering alarm bells.

India has asked China to crack down on the racket. China is also battling a graft problem and attempting to recover ill-gotten assets, with a corruption crackdown a priority for the Xi Jinping government.

Beijing refused to comment on merits of note ban, saying it was an internal matter as it told its citizens to depoit old currency even as long queues continued in the Capital

On the demonetisation measure, the Chinese foreign ministry told India Today that its embassy in Delhi had reminded its citizens in India to pay attention to the new measures to protect 'their legitimate rights and interests'.

While Beijing said it would not comment on the merits of the move since it was an internal matter for the Indian government, at the same time it was keen to deepen cooperation with India on the issue of battling corruption.

'We have noticed that India has introduced currency reform recently. I will not comment on this since it is India's internal affair,' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told India Today on Friday.

'Considering there are many Chinese citizens in India, Chinese Embassy in India has, in order to ensure their legitimate rights and interests, released a consular notice to remind them to pay attention to Indian government's announcements and to deposit or exchange the older currency at the bank in time.'

Geng said Beijing was keen to make 'common efforts' with India on the corruption issue.

'In terms of anti-corruption cooperation, we would like to strengthen cooperation with all parties, India included, and make common efforts to eliminate the cancer of corruption,' he said.

China's top security czar Meng Jianzhu was visiting Delhi on the day of the announcement of the demonetisation measure, and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 9.

Both sides discussed the problem of fake currency during the visit, including Hong Kong's emergence as a key gateway for funneling Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) into India.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh raised with Meng the arrest of a Pakistani national in Guangzhou with fake notes and 'asked Beijing to clamp down on Pakistan's nefarious designs to smuggle fake Indian currency into India through China'.
Chitra Ramkrishna abruptly quit as Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange, ending her 20-year stint at the bourse with immediate effect, reportedly over sharp differences with some board members just weeks ahead of the proposed IPO of the exchange.

A source familiar with NSE's operations said that Ramkrishna had clashed with some board members over the timing of the listing, saying she had favoured a slower timeline.

According to sources, Ramkrishna decided to leave with immediate effect despite requests by the NSE board to stay on for some more time so that a smooth transition could be worked out.

Surprise resignation as CEO of NSE comes just ahead of stock exchange's IPO

Chitra was among the few women executives heading a leading exchange globally, Ramkrishna served NSE since its inception.

While the exchange cited personal reasons for her departure, sources said the exchange veteran decided to leave following serious differences with some board members on its proposed IPO.

NSE's initial public offer is being keenly awaited in the market as one of the biggest IPOs in recent times.

As recently as last month, Ramkrishna was named Chairperson of the board of World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), a global body of more than 200 market infrastructure providers.

Senior NSE official J Ravichandran has been given the interim charge till the NSE board, headed by former Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla, finds a full-time replacement for Ramkrishna, who rose through the ranks to head the exchange and was part of the team that set up NSE in 1992.

The surprise exit of 52-year-old Ramkrishna, also comes at a time when NSE has been in focus over a new regulatory framework for high frequency trades and co-location facilities, which some believe give undue advantage to some brokers and traders.

Her tenure was scheduled to end in March 2018.

She took charge as Managing Director and CEO in April 2013 when she succeeded Ravi Narain, who was also part of the first leadership team of the exchange.

Currently, Narain is the Vice Chairman of NSE. Sebi is keeping a close watch on the developments at the NSE, sources said.

The bourse would require the regulator's approval for top level appointments. Rival BSE is also in the process of launching its initial share sale.

For going public, NSE has been pitching for self-listing or oversight by an independent entity and not a rival exchange in case of cross-listing. Besides, NSE also proposed overseas listing of its shares.

In a release, NSE said its board of directors has accepted the resignation of Ramkrishna.

She tendered her resignation due to personal reasons and expressed her desire to step down with immediate effect.

The board, while accepting her request, appreciated her sterling contribution to the growth of the organisation over the long years that she had been associated with it, the release said.

NSE said the board has also decided to immediately start the process for selection of a new Managing Director and CEO and has set up a selection committee for this purpose.

The board of NSE has appointed J Ravichandran, Group President, to hold charge of the office of CEO with immediate effect.

Ravichandran has been associated with NSE for long years and brings with him a wealth of experience and full understanding of the functioning of the organisation, the release said.

Ramkrishna as also part of the team that drafted the legislative framework for the securities market regulator Sebi in 1987.

She has often been named among the top women business leaders from the country in various rankings.

There are not many women leaders heading a large exchange across the world and the stock market trading business has long been considered a male-dominated area.

NSE is among the top bourses in the world in terms of equity trades and also market capitalisation.

Ashok Chawla and Ravi Narain are the Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively of NSE.
The alleged kingpin of the international sex racket, Col (Retd) Ajay Ahlawat busted by Income tax officials in June this year, was was granted bail by a Delhi court, on Friday.

Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Jain observed that no purpose would be served by keeping Col Ahlawat in jail any more, as no new evidence has surfaced during the five day police custody.

The court asked him not to contact or influence the complainant in any manner.

Col. Ajay Ahlawat allegedly invited 30-35 girls from foreign countries to supply to his different clients along with the accused PN Sanyal

While opposing the bail, the police argued that Ahlawat along with the accused PN Sanyal that Ahlawat was the main person behind the international sex racket and had also influenced the 23-year-old women from Uzbekistan.

The woman was reportedly found with her wrist slit at Sanyal's residence and managed to get an affidavit in his favour.

Seeking bail for Ahlawat, his counsel Pradeep Rana argued: 'There was no incriminating evidence against my client and he has been cooperating with the police.

'He appeared before police initially and thereafter, he was exploring legal remedies available to him.'

'When Delhi High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail, he surrendered before the court himself.'

The police in its charge sheet mentioned that Ahlawat had invited 30-35 girls from foreign countries allegedly for supplying to his different clients.

'The girl was invited to India by Col. Ajay Ahlawat, who used to send her to his different clients at different places.

'He brought her to PN Sanyal's residence in Safdarjung Enclave,' said the charge sheet.

'The police also recovered several messages between the girl and Ahlawat where she mentioned that she was not happy with Sanyal and wanted to get away from the place,' the charge sheet stated.

Ahlawat was reportedly called 'Ally sir' by the woman.

In a conversation with Ahlawat she said, her life was a living hell and she felt 'like a bird in a golden cage'.

Sanyal confirmed to the police that Ahlawat had asked him to take care of the girl.

Ahlawat wanted Sanyal to live with girl like a couple and keep an eye on her through his servant Hari Ram.

However, the girl moved an application before the court to take action against the Income Tax officials for harassing her and fabricating her statement.

In June, IT officials had rescued the 23-year-old Russian woman from Sanyal's residence in Safdarjung Enclave.

The raid led to recovery of copies of passports of other foreign nationals as well as phone numbers of dozens of women from Central Asian countries.
It seems that a dog's life is far from a tough one as the nation's pet owners confess to pampering their pooches on a regular basis - and spending plenty of cash in the process.

The nation's dog owners are now spending upward of 10.6 billion on their pets  and just under half of that is dedicated to lifestyle products.

From dog birthday parties to 'pawlates'  pilates for dogs  the new canine economy is worth billions. And this is where small, specialist businesses have really spotted a gap in the market and sprung up to meet the demand.

Grooming marvelous: This pet is in for a treat at Hair of the Dog in North London

Six in 10 of the nation's dog owners said they used small independent businesses when shopping for their pets.

The most popular reason was the quality of service, followed by the one in four who said that the shopkeeper knows their pet and can find the best product for them.

And the premium dog industry looks set to expand further with one in four owners confessing that they spend more money on their pets now than five years ago. The same amount also said they were happy to make a special journey to buy their pet something from their favourite shop.

Almost half of owners admit to indulging their dog with gifts; six in 10 buy their pooch a birthday present and one in three even treat it to a (pet-friendly) cake. One in 10 of dog owners really push the boat out, pampering and grooming their pets once a week.

Dog food was revealed as the biggest single annual cost at almost 400 a year per owner, followed closely by an average spend of almost 250 on insurance and 75 on vets bills and medicine.

But while the essentials may burn a hole in their wallets they also found room for an eye-watering 541.46 on 'discretionary costs' - including toys, professional grooming, kennels, clothing and accessories.

The research was undertaken by American Express in time for Small Business Saturday, a grassroots campaign that encourages people to shop in local, small, independent businesses across the country. It was based on a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK pet owners, half of which were dog owners, in October 2016.

It is offering a 5 statement credit to its cardholders when they spend 10 or more at participating 'Shop Small' retailers from 3 -18 December 2016, valid once in every relevant shop.

Here are some of the UK's small businesses getting their paws on the nation's pampered pooches.

The Sudbury Dog Company, Suffolk

Dog's Dinner: These pets are getting their just desserts in the form of a special birthday cake

The Sudbury Dog Company was founded in 2012 and while it originally started offering dog training and pet supplies, it has since branched out to offer a range of services including dog birthday parties.

Owner Genevieve Parsons says: 'We are a family run business with the welfare of dogs at its heart and we offer a number of services that help dogs to be happy, confident and sociable - from puppy socialisation classes and training to dog birthday parties.

'As a small business, we have the opportunity to be nimble and offer programmes which really make a difference to pets and their owners' lives - so it's fantastic to be involved in a campaign which celebrates that.'

Hair of the Dog - London

Walkies? Afghan Hound Autumn helps pick her lead at Hair of the Dog

Hair of the Dog, based in Highgate, is a 'specialist grooming salon and concept boutique'. The business offers pampering treats including a full groom, wash and dry and nail clipping. It also offers dog day care and will even paint a portrait of your pet.

Manager Holly Johnson says: 'One of the benefits of being a small business is that we can talk to our customers on a daily basis, ensuring that we're constantly up to date with what they need so we can offer the best service and products for happy, healthy pets.

'We're also able to source unique products which aren't readily available on the high street, giving local pet owners a reason to come to us. As a result, we have a built a very loyal customer base over the years - those who have been with us since launching in 2010 and those who have joined since.'

Dipping Dogs - Middlesex

Dipping dogs: The special pool helps dogs to exercise weightlessly, to protect their joints

Dipping Dogs has been operating for 12 years and uses hydrotherapy to treat conditions such as arthritis, ligament damage, sprains and spinal injuries.

The business, which employs three people, has a specially designed fitness pool which allows dogs to exercise weightlessly, so that they don't put a strain on their joints.

Customers range from owners whose dogs participate in sporting events such as flyball and agility to police handlers who need to increase their dog's fitness or aid recovery after an injury.

Hydrotherapy manager Sue Keens says she has seen growing demand for the service: 'More and more people now own dogs as companions and family pets rather than working dogs, and are more likely to regard them as members of their family than they used to. Knowledge on animal welfare and best practice has also increased.'
The exact locations where nuclear weapons are stored have been pinpointed - and you have probably been closer to one than you may think.

A new video highlights where all the accountable nuclear weapons in the world are kept, many of which are within the blast range of major cities across Europe and the US, including London, Glasgow, Brussels, Denver and Seattle.

While the chances of a freak accident are incredibly remote, as many as 50 bombs have been lost or accidentally deployed over the years - some of which were active at the time and only did not explode through sheer good fortune.

As well as the cities that are in close proximity to nuclear storage sites, some are transported between one another, meaning you may well have shared a road with a vehicle that was carrying a nuclear weapon.

There are no nuclear weapons in the Southern Hemisphere, but the countries in red are the ones where nukes are kept

A map of Europe shows there is a fair chance that you have probably been within striking distance of a nuke

A map of all the locations in the United States where nuclear weapons are kept - some are actually within major cities

America has ten different locations in which it stores its nuclear weapons, including the Kirtland Underground Munitions Maintenance And Storage Complex, which is inside the New Mexico city of Albuquerque.

This is actually the largest complex in the world, and its underground space stretches across 28,000 square metres and has room for a fifth of the globe's supply of nukes.

The video, uploaded to YouTube by the RealLifeLore channel - points out that the bombs are disarmed and taken to another compound in Amarillo - suggesting anyone who has driven that route may have been metres away from a bomb without knowing it.

Another site just 18 miles from the Seattle, while there are hundreds of silos around North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado containing missiles ready to be launched at the President's command.

HOW MANY NUKES DOES EACH COUNTRY HAVE? RUSSIA: 7,300 USA: 6,970 FRANCE: 300 CHINA: 260 UK: 215 PAKISTAN: 125 INDIA: 115 ISRAEL: 60-400 (suspected, undeclared) NORTH KOREA: 15 (suspected, undeclared) Advertisement

The closest of these is 77 miles from Denver, while other areas where missiles are stored include one 55 miles from Kansas City, Missouri and another 32 miles from Jacksonville, Florida.

The main storage sites in the UK are 42 miles southwest of London, at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the Berkshire village of Aldermaston, and 27 miles northwest of Glasgow, at the naval base of HMNB Clyde.

America also keeps weapons in various locations across Europe - and the video highlights that some of these are not too far away from major cities.

These include a site in Rotterdam, an area 43 miles from Venice, sites 52 miles from Milan and Cologne, one 53 miles from the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Russia's 7,300 weapons are kept in top-secret locations but the video speculates that these are spread across the country but located within close proximity to Moscow, St Petersburg, Vladivostock and Saratov.

The map also shows the believed location of nuclear weapons in Russia (top), Israel (middle), and Pakistan and India (bottom)

Just last month Vladimir Putin unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France.

The RS-28 Sarmat missile, dubbed Satan 2 by Nato, has a top speed of 4.3 miles (7km) per second and has been designed to outfox anti-missile shield systems.

Also highlighted are the nuclear weapons that have been lost by the America and Russia - many of which are still unaccounted for, having lost 11 and 40 respectively.

Several were being transported by planes which crashed, including an instance in North Carolina, when one bomb ended up in a tree and another lodged itself in the ground without exploding.

Four were dropped over Greenland, while another is still reportedly sat on the ocean floor off the coast of Georgia.

The video speculates that if this lost bomb was to be triggered by something underwater, it could create a wave big enough to kill the 146,000 residents in the city of Savannah

Following a plane crash over North Carolina, one bomb ended up in a tree and another lodged itself in the ground without exploding

The video speculates that if this bomb was to be triggered by something underwater, it could create a wave big enough to kill the 146,000 residents in the city of Savannah.

The video was uploaded with the description: 'Nuclear weapons are terrifying in two ways.

'What they're capable of, and how close they may actually be located to you. You may have spent your entire life living near one and never knew about it, or maybe not.

'Either way if you want to put your mind at ease or want to get freaked out by it, then this video will tell you with "reasonable" accuracy of where most nuclear weapons are located in the world.

COULD RUSSIAN LAUNCH NUCLEAR ATTACK FROM SPACE? Russia is readying itself to become a leader in the construction of hypersonic aircraft, a new report reveals. Kremlin-backed media claim engineers in the Federation are among the first in the world to work towards new materials for planes capable of reaching hypersonic speeds. The move could help Russia produce a new fleet of aerial war machines that could launch nuclear attacks from space. Aviation researchers are reportedly working to develop the materials which can withstand the stress and high temperatures of travelling many times the speed of sound. Advertisement

'Some however, nobody knows of which means that technically... some could be located just about anywhere!'

And many people commenting were shocked at what they had seen.

One said: 'how tf do you lose a nuke. that's a whole new level of irresponsible.'

Another added: 'I live in Rotterdam and didn't even know there is a nuke here.'
A human skeleton was found leaning against a tree on a rural property in south-east Queensland.

A member of the public discovered the remains on a property at Glen Aplin in the Darling Downs region, south-west of Brisbane, on Thursday afternoon.

Police are treating the death as suspicious.

A member of the public discovered the a human skeleton leaning against a tree on a property at Glen Aplin (main road pictured), south of Stanthorpe in the Darling Downs region, south-west of Brisbane, Queensland

The first priority was identifying the remains and establishing a cause of death, Detective Inspector David Isherwood said.

But this could take up to six months given the state of decomposition.

'The fact that they've gone to nearly all skeletal remains would indicate they've been there for some time,' Detective Isherwood told the Brisbane Times.

He told the ABC that the neighbours were 'quite surprised and distressed' when they came across the bones.

The deceased is not believed to be associated with the home owners or neighbours.

The remains were found about 150-200m from the roadway and nearest house.

The remains were found about 150-200m from the roadway and nearest house in Glen Aplin

'The location is rocky, I think you can't make assumptions,' Detective Isherwood said.

'If you see the location it's quite reasonable to [assume] that he couldn't be seen.

'We believe it's a male because of the clothing. It would appear that it's male type clothing.

'At this point in time we have nothing.'
He also rents rooms and feeds neglected children and on

A former millionaire money lender who moved to Thailand after becoming a police target has quit his lavish lifestyle to help save homeless dogs and neglected children.

Tim Ward, dubbed 'Sharky' for his time as a loan shark on the Gold Coast, moved to Pattaya, in Thailand, seven years ago after finding himself in the crosshairs of the Australian police.

The nightclub body builder was turning over millions as a high-flying loan shark - charging up to 200 per cent interest.

A former millionaire money lender who moved to Thailand after becoming a police target has quit his lifestyle to help save homeless dogs and neglected children

Sharkie moved to Thailand to help save homeless dogs and neglected children

The muscle bound man helps abandoned children on the streets of Thailand

Tim 'Sharkie' Ward helps abandoned children and neglected animals on the streets of Thailand

The tattoo clad man now spends four hours every night handing out meat to dozens of stray dogs and cats on the streets of 'sin city'

But the tattoo-clad body builder now spends four hours every night handing out meat to dozens of stray dogs and cats on the streets of 'sin city'.

With more than 70,000 puppies born on the streets of Thailand every year, Sharky walks more than 10 kilometres a night feeding the desperate animals.

'I guess my passion for helping animals and kids comes from when I was vulnerable as a child. When I was a young I was very vulnerable so I know what they're going through,' the passionate animal carer said.

'Animals and kids cannot always take care of themselves so they need someone looking out for them.'

The muscular animal welfare warrior even goes as far as defending the animals when the drunk tourists take aim at the defenseless creatures.

Sharky also looks out for the abandoned children roaming the dangerous streets of Pattaya.

With more than 70,000 puppies born on the streets of Thailand every year, Sharky walks more than 10km a night feeding the desperate animals

The muscle bound animal welfare warrior even goes as far as defending the animals when the drunk tourists take aim at the defenseless creatures

He rents rooms for mothers and children to sleep in overnight or buys food and teddy bears for youngsters.

'Someone has to be here taking care of the animals and the children. If I don't do it, nobody else will,' the former Gold Coast businessman said.

'I started with nothing and made everything my self. Now helping the animals is what brings me most happiness in life.

'Kids ask me what they can do to make money. But it's a different world these days. You can't do what I was doing as a loan shark anymore. There'd be someone there with a smartphone every time you get to the door.

'I could see that Australia was getting pretty bad and I had to do something different. I made my money and I'm glad I got out when I did.'

With more than 70,000 puppies born on the streets of Thailand every year, Sharkie is doing his best to improve the situation

Sharkie spends nearly $40 a night and walks 10km to help feed cats and dogs

After police were rounding on Sharky, stepping up their intelligence, Mr Ward decided to move to Thailand in 2009, according to SWNS.

Looking back on his time as a powerful loan shark on the Gold Coast, Sharky said the luxurious lifestyle was all ' worthless, fake bull****t'.

'As for being a gangster, a judge once said that my very presence was extortion. But that's nonsense, I'm a gentle giant,' Sharky said.

'I'm just not comfortable driving the Lamborghinis and eating at fancy restaurants. I feel most at home sitting on the beach in the dirt with a couple of dogs by my side.'

The Australian court forced the New Zealand born Sharky to pay $270,000 over illegal loans back in 2002
A father-of-four who immigrated to Australia only a year ago is one of eight people to die from 'thunderstorm asthma'.

Sam Lau, 49, died on Tuesday after being admitted to Austin Hospital in Melbourne on November 21 suffering from a 'sudden onset of asthma' and now experts predict further thunderstorms.

Health authorities are concerned an upcoming round of thunderstorms set to lash Melbourne late on Sunday afternoon when a cool change sweeps the state and Monday will likely see a repeat of the fatal condition.

Scroll down for video

Sam Lau (right), 49, a father-of-four who immigrated to Australia only a year ago is among eight people to lose their life after 'thunderstorm asthma'

The predicted storms have seen Ambulance Victoria roster on more staff to avoid a repeat of last months horrendous outbreak of thunderstorm asthma in which eight people have now lost their lives.

Mr Lau who is originally from China, moved to Australia from New Zealand with his wife and two young children 'in search of a better life', leaving his two eldest children in Wellington.

The devastated daughter of Mr Lau, said that her father died after suffering complications with his brain and his heart .

'He was a genuine family man who always put his family first. He came from a poverty stricken area in China where he grew up, for a better life to support his family back home,' Sheila Lau told Stuff NZ .

'The doctors said he suffered a severe asthma attack due to the thunderstorm and that led to complications with his brain and his heart.'

The 25-year-old said that her father was the families sole money earner and the financial burden it now placed on her mother was tremendous.

A Give A Little page has now been set up to try and help with funeral costs in an attempt to fly Mr Lau back to New Zealand.

Hope Carnevali, 20 and Omar Moujalled, 18 also died when their asthma attacks were triggered by the intense storm system, which combined with a high pollen count and hot temperatures, proved to have a deadly effect.

The pair were lifelong asthma suffers that suddenly were faced with a freak condition caused by the extreme weather.

Mr Lau died on Tuesday after being admitted to Austin Hospital in Melbourne on the 21st of November suffering from a 'sudden onset of asthma'

Hospitals declared a 'major disaster' after receiving more than 1,900 triple-0 calls and almost depleting their Ventolin supplies from 6pm

Four in 10 people experiencing thunderstorm asthma symptoms had not been diagnosed with asthma yet most had suffered hay fever prior to last week's freak event in Victoria, an Asthma Australia survey has found.

Early results from the online survey conducted following the deadly thunderstorm asthma event have highlighted a 'worrying' lack of awareness about the common disease of the airways.

Of the first 2000 respondents who did have an asthma diagnosis, 68 per cent had been prescribed preventer medication but only 29 per cent took it every day.

Omar Moujalled, 18, who had just finished his year 12 exams, was the second victim of the freak 'asthma thunderstorm'

Hope Carnevali, a 20-year-old law student, died as a result of a freak 'asthma thunderstorm'

Preventer medications reduce the underlying inflammation of the airways, protecting people from symptoms and potentially serious asthma attacks when exposed to triggers like pollen.

Asthma Australia CEO Michele Goldman says the early results are proof that more needs to be done to improve asthma awareness and management.

'Asthma is a common condition that can be life threatening. Not only is good management essential for people diagnosed with asthma, such as taking preventer medication as prescribed, it is also vital that everyone is aware of asthma - how to spot the symptoms and what to do in an asthma emergency,' Ms Goldman said in a statement on Friday.

A massive thunderstorm caused an outbreak of asthma so severe emergency services in Melbourne ran out of ambulances to help those in need

A sand storm at St Kilda in Melbourne during the thunderstorm saw an unprecedented spike in asthma problems across the Victorian capital

Victoria's freak thunderstorm asthma event killed eight people and thousands were hospitalised.

Jo Foster was one of the 8500 Victorians who ended up in a hospital emergency department last Monday - unaware she had asthma.

She started suffering from shortness of breath and a persistent cough and says he felt like her body 'forgot how to breathe'.

'I have been to the GP twice. My lung capacity is still reduced so I'm now on steroids. Today is the first day since then I have not been coughing continually,' Ms Foster said.
A 66-year-old southern Iowa man was identified as the driver of a pickup truck that crashed through a southeast Iowa Wal-Mart, killing three in what officials believe was an accident.

Witnesses have said the driver, Dennis Mockenhaupt, of Knoxville, Iowa, plowed his Silver Ford truck through a glass front entrance of the Pella store at a high rate of speed.

The truck was traveling fast enough to break through concrete posts intended to protect the entrance from vehicles, and went well into the grocery portion of the store before coming to a rest after hitting a refrigerated produce display.

A silver Ford pickup truck driven by Dennis Mockenhaupt tore through a Pella, Iowa Wal-Mart and finally came to rest in the produce aisle

Law enforcement agencies work the scene of a deadly accident at Wal-Mart in Pella, Iowa, on Thursday, in which three were killed, two injured, including the driver

Walmart employees Carrie Zugg (left) and Lindsey Rietveld (right) were killed in the freak crash

Those killed in the Thursday morning crash were Carrie Zugg, 31, of Leighton, and Lindsey Rietveld, 29, of Bussey - both employees of the Pella store - and Ruth Jean DeJong, 76, of Pella, a shopper, officials said. Zugg was mother to a one-year-old son.

DeJong's 77-year-old husband, Robert DeJong, was injured in the crash and remained hospitalized Friday. Officials did not release his medical condition. The pair have five children.

'I'm personally shaken to hear about the loss of friends,' Wal-Mart cashier Don French told the Des Moines Register. 'We're a small town. We'll come together and get through this. That's what we do.We are a family here, these coworkers are still my people.'

Police tape cordons off a portion of a Wal-Mart store after a pickup truck crashed through the front entrance of the grocery portion of the store, killing multiple people

Ruth Jean DeJong, 76, was shopping with her husband, Robert, when they were hit - Ruth Jean was killed, Robert is in the hospital

At first, it was apparently unclear what the police were dealing with as they rushed the store with guns drawn, said Jamie McCarty, an employee at a Sally Beauty Supply, according to the outlet. 'Originally, I thought bomb threat or terroristic threat or something,' she said.

She said she then heard a voice over a loud speaker instructing people to evacuate the store.

The only other person injured was the lone occupant of the truck, Mockenhaupt, whom authorities said had been released from the hospital by Friday.

A woman who answered his home phone Friday afternoon hung up when reached by The Associated Press.

An AP search of public records showed no traffic or criminal violations against Mockenhaupt.

Amber Patch, of Pella, places flowers at a memorial at the Wal-Mart store in Pella

Officials declined to comment on whether a medical condition or some other issue caused the crash Friday, citing the ongoing investigation.

But State Patrol Sgt. Nathan Ludwig reiterated that investigators have no reason to believe it was anything other than an accident.

'Anything's possible at this time,' Ludwig said when asked if charges against Mockenhaupt are possible. 'That's why this investigation might take some time.'

Toxicology reports have been ordered for Mockenhaupt, officials said, but it could take weeks for the results to be returned.

Autopsies on those killed will be conducted next week by the state medical examiner in Ankeny, Iowa, officials said.

On Thursday, more than 100 people gathered at the First Christian Reformed Church for a prayer vigil.
His order is pizza with sausage and

William Sallie (pictured), 50, was sentenced to death for the murder of his father-in-law 26 years ago

A Georgia man on death row has ordered his last meal consisting entirely of junk food before his scheduled execution on Tuesday.

William Sallie, 50, was sentenced to death for the murder of his father-in-law 26 years ago.

Before his execution, he's ordered a pizza with sausage and pepperoni, chicken wings with buffalo sauce and a large soda, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Similarly, Steven Spears, the most recent man to be executed on death row in Georgia also ordered a pizza as his last meal before he died on November 19.

Sallie was sentenced after a gruesome ordeal with his ex-wife's family after she filed for divorce.

Robin Sallie moved out of their house in December 1989 and claims her ex-husband beat her with a belt, which caused her to take their two-year-old son to her parent's house in south Georgia.

Before his execution, he's ordered a pizza with sausage and pepperoni, chicken wings with buffalo sauce and a large soda (stock image of pizza)

Tensions bubbled over when Sallie claimed he was coming to visit his son but instead fled with his to Illinois.

CALORIES IN WILLIAM SALLIE'S LAST MEAL Pizza with sausage and pepperoni - 2,557 calories Six chicken wings with buffalo sauce - 960 calories Large soda - 480 calories TOTAL: 3,997 Source: caloriecount.com Advertisement

A judge later gave Robin Sallie full custody.

Then, after a friend bought him a handgun, Sallie returned to Georgia

Early on March 28, 1990, while everyone was asleep, Sallie broke into the home of Robin Sallie's parents and fired six shots into Robin Sallie's father, John Moore.

He then injured his mother-on-law Linda Moore and handcuffed her to her nine-year-old son.

Sallie then took his estranged wife and her 17-year-old sister to his mobile home where he later released the sisters, who promised not to press charges.

The entire final meal will run Sallie nearly 4,000 calories before his execution on Tuesday evening (stock image of wings)

Courts have denied appeals to Sallie's case and his lawyers will meet with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to try and have his lethal injection stayed.

If his execution goes forward, he will be the ninth man killed by the state of Georgia this year.
Wrapped in a blanket and grinning out of the window of a police van, this migrant in a red and white woollen hat, pictured below, is overjoyed at having reached Britain.

A few hours before the picture was taken, he, like countless others, had set out on a clandestine night-time journey from northern France in a people-smugglers boat across the English Channel.

Travelling in a small inflatable with six others, they brazenly phoned 999 when they got to the waters outside Folkestone harbour and were duly helped ashore by the rescue services.

Scroll down for video

Newly arrived in Britain: The incredible story of the laughing migrant (pictured right in hat) and his 3,000 mile journey because only Britain was good enough

Photographs taken of them after landing on the Kent coast then appeared in most national newspapers. They were said to be the first immigrants to arrive on British soil illegally since the closure of the Calais Jungle. The Mails headline on the story was The laughing migrants.

The mens identities  and nationalities  were unknown. But now I can reveal where the smiling young man came from, and the story of how he travelled thousands of miles from his home in the hope of beginning a new life in England.

He is Saeid Pakrooh, 24, from Iran. A student, he is one of many fellow countrymen who this year have made similar cross-Channel journeys in dinghies, on jet-skis and even by kayak. He is just one individual among the hundreds of thousands involved in Europes biggest migration crisis since World War II.

His journey began more than 3,000 miles away in the port of Anzali, on the Caspian Sea in northern Iran, in 2015.

On his arrival in Britain, I immediately recognised his photo in the Mail  realising I had met him twice while working on migration stories in northern France this year.

I first interviewed him in June, after finding him living at a migrants squat inside a deserted industrial building on the outskirts of Caen in Normandy, where he was biding his time to travel to England.

He invited me into his room (shared with other young Iranian men who, like Saeid, said they were Christians). The wall was draped with the Union Flag  a sign of his yearning to reach the UK, where he hoped to claim asylum, saying that his faith meant he had been oppressed by the Iranian Islamic regime. A gold-coloured crucifix hung on his wall and a Bible was on a nearby table.

Over a cup of tea, he said: I will never stop trying to smuggle myself to your country.

Waiting in France: Pictured in France in June, Saeid Pakrooh, right, with friends wanting to get to Britain

The next time I saw Saeid was, by chance, six weeks ago. Along with five fellow Iranians, he had moved 241 miles farther north to a purpose-built migrant camp in Grande-Synthe, a Dunkirk suburb.

I was visiting the Dunkirk camp on the day the infamous Jungle shanty village in Calais was demolished, wanting to see if migrants had relocated there to await an opportunity to make their way illegally across the Channel.

Wandering among the residents, I heard a shout of welcome. Sitting on a bench were Saeid and his friend Sayyad Khalil Khalili, 28. They both remembered me. We chatted for ten minutes, talking again about their determination to make it to Britain.

We have a better chance from here, said Sayyad. There are more boats and the traffickers are doing good business.

Every night, some migrants disappear and dont come back. We know they must have made it across the sea to England and we will, too.

So it was no surprise when I saw a familiar face in that photograph of new arrivals in Folkestone. But to make sure it really was Saeid  and since the Home Office refuses to publicly identify migrants who arrive here and lodge asylum claims  I returned to the Dunkirk camp last week to establish the truth.

There I found Sayyad, who excitedly confirmed that it was Saeid in the photo. He had disappeared 48 hours earlier, along with six other Iranians living at the camp.

When they didnt come back, I knew they had made it to the UK, he explained. We havent heard from him, but now we see from the photograph that he is safely in Britain.

Undoubtedly, by now, Saeid will have applied for asylum on the basis of his claim that he is a Christian and his faith means his life is at risk if he returns to Iran. For under the Islamic Republic of Irans rule by ayatollahs, Christians are forbidden from public religious expression.

Barefoot: One of the migrants is seen on UK soil. Migrants are said to have paid smugglers up to 13,500 for a place on a boat

According to last years U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report, 500 Christians have been detained and questioned for such activities in recent years. It warned: There have been numerous incidents of Iranian authorities raiding church services... arresting and imprisoning worshippers.

Most church services, therefore, have to be conducted secretly at private houses, and according to human rights groups, worshippers must sing very quietly, if they sing at all.

Christians are also treated as second-class citizens, finding it hard to get university places or jobs in the state sector and facing discrimination at work.

Two years ago, a Christian pastor in Anzali (Saeids home city) and two members of his congregation were arrested in a government crackdown against the spread of Christianity.

Britain is seen as a sanctuary by Irans Christian minority. Indeed, the Home Office, in a report published a year ago, said that Iranian Christians  including those who have converted from the Muslim faith  stand a good chance of being granted UK asylum.

Inevitably, such sympathetic messages have encouraged Iranians such as Saeid (who seemed to be a devout Christian, although it wasnt clear if he was born into the faith or is a convert).

When I first met him in the Caen squat, he, fork-lift truck driver Sayyad and 23-year-old engineer Mahyar Marco were each wearing a crucifix on a chain under their T-shirts. They showed them to me, saying they had left Iran because they felt persecuted.

Mahyar said: We are not liked by Muslims and we hate them. When we travelled to Europe among them, we did not make a big thing that we followed a different faith. It would have put us in danger.

It is only now we have reached France, a Christian country, that we dare admit our religion.

The three men were encouraged to leave Iran when Angela Merkel opened Germanys borders to Syrians trying to flee their countrys civil war. Her controversial decision prompted an exodus of people from other countries in the Middle East and Africa looking to begin new lives in Europe.

The Iranian trio made their way through Turkey, on to Greece and then north through the Balkan states into the EU, arriving 15 months ago in France.

And then, like so many others, they waited their chance to smuggle themselves to Britain.

Kent boat: Two of the rescued men are given blankets. Three of those found were said to be suffering from suspected hypothermia

Nowhere else but your country will do for us, Saeid and his friends told me. We will go on a ferry, on a boat, we dont care how we get there. We keep on trying.

And so he did.

Sayyad told me that their friend Mahyar Marco also made it to the UK a few weeks ago, smuggled in a refrigerated meat lorry.

Lots of Iranians from here in Dunkirk have been lucky, he said. There was one we know who took a kayak and two who rode on jetskis.

Saeid went with more of our friends. There were two Iranians, Mehdi and Ali, and an Iranian Kurd called Awat.

The migrant he mentions who successfully crossed the Channel in a kayak is worrying because, as the Mail and other papers reported last month, a migrant arriving by kayak, claiming to have been driven out of Iran after converting to Christianity, was accused of raping a female British charity worker at a migrant camp in Calais earlier this year.

Sayyad went on to explain how the people-traffickers operate. So as not to be traced by the authorities, they order migrants to throw their mobile phones into the Channel and to have no other identification on them. When they get to the UK, they will have nothing apart from their crosses, he said.

This is presumably why Saeid and his friends have not been in contact with Sayyad since their successful trip to Kent.

They are each likely to have paid the going rate of 13,500 for a place on the flimsy dinghy  money that will have been transferred to traffickers accounts in France or London by the migrants families back home.

Home Office staff will now be investigating how they got here  whether, for example, they took a ride in a French fishing boat for most of the 21-mile journey before being transferred to the inflatable for the final leg.

For his part, Saeid will be preparing his case for asylum to remain here. While he does so, like all asylum applicants, he will be entitled to free housing, NHS treatment and cash support of about 36 a week.

There is no reason to doubt Saeids claim to be a Christian, which means he could face imprisonment or even the death sentence if he ever returns to Iran. But it remains true that some Iranians (and other Muslim migrants) falsely claim to be Christian because it raises their chance of being granted asylum. Indeed, it is said that this is the most common justification for bogus asylum applications from Iran.

It is further claimed that, because such asylum-seekers realise they will be challenged by Home Office staff about their proclaimed faith, many have mugged up on the Bible. Such is their desperation to come to the UK.

Meanwhile, back in the Grande-Synthe camp at Dunkirk from where Saeid Pakrooh embarked on the final leg of his journey, 300 other migrants, mainly Iranians and Iraqis and almost all male, are intent on following him.

When the camp opened in March, with the support of the charity Doctors Without Borders and the local mayor, nearly 2,000 migrants were living there. It immediately became a hub for people-trafficking gangs.

Inflatable: The boat, complete with broken oar, that the migrants travelled in is seen at Folkestone Harbour

On the first night, 100 migrants disappeared, last seen heading for the UK on ferries and boats with the help of the people-smugglers.

And every day more join the mass departure, although the camps numbers are now being restricted and it may close in January because of the scale of trafficking from it.

Among those left are a few children, who, like the adults, stay up all night trying to get on lorries or vessels to England.

Some of the youngsters who are unsuccessful arrive back at the camp in the morning smelling of alcohol, which the traffickers give them to keep them quiet on the journey.

The children even play at being smugglers themselves, joking: You go to the UK? Thats 10,000.

A crackdown by French police on the smuggling gangs, many run from London, has resulted in more than 500 traffickers being arrested in this region since the start of the year. Twenty-nine of their networks are said to have been dismantled.

But while there are migrants willing to pay to get to Britain, there will be traffickers.

We cannot tell you every detail about how we get to Britain, Sayyad told me, putting a finger to his lips. Its secret and we dont want to get into trouble with the people-smugglers.

All I can say about Saeid is that in the evening he was here among us and the next morning he, and the others, were gone.

Sayyad hopes to join his friend soon. I want you to help me find churches when I get to the UK, he told me. See you in England.
A decapitated body found near a Massachusetts river on Thursday has been identified as a 16-year-old high school student after police recovered his head.

Family members are mourning the loss of Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino, 16, of Lawrence, who was identified on Friday by the chief medical examiner after he was reported missing about two weeks ago.

A woman who was walking her dog along the banks of the Merrimack River called the police at around 2.45pm on Thursday after she made the grisly discovery, and authorities are still investigating.

Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino (pictured), 16, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was identified after a woman walking her dog discovered a decapitated body on Thursday afternoon

Police found a severed head nearby along the Merrimack River in Lawrence, Massachusetts

The teenager was last seen on November 18, and his family frantically posted flyers (pictured, his father along the river before the Viloria-Paulino was identified on Friday)

The teenager was last seen on November 18, and his family frantically posted flyers and appealed for his return on social media before his body was found on Thursday near McCabe Court, CBS reported.

Arial footage showed two teams of detectives working in separate spots along the Merrimack River on Thursday and Viloria-Paulino's relatives were on the scene.

Police recovered the head nearby, according to Carrie Monahan, a spokesperson for the Essex district attorney's office.

Foul play is suspected as an investigation continues.

Family members feared for the worst and mourned their loss after the high school sophomore at Lawrence High School was identified on Friday.

Foul play is suspected as an investigation continues (pictured, authorities at the scene)

Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said Viloria-Paulino's death was an isolated incident (pictured, authorities collecting evidence)

The teenager's aunt Christine Michaud told the Boston Herald earlier Friday: ' I want people to know that he wasn't just another (expletive) kid from Lawrence.'

She said he was a good student who loved poetry, adding: 'He was a good boy, he loved his family, he helped others whenever they needed it...He is loved by so many.'

Michaud added that she and Viloria-Paulino ate dinner together, sharing a laugh and a hug before they parted ways the day he was last seen.

Fellow classmate Dalfry Lopez, 15, told the Boston Globe: 'I feel bad, because he was really friendly. Who would do something like that to him?

Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said Viloria-Paulino's death was an isolated incident, and said there was 'no further threat' to the community.
Former Fairbanks Police Officer Al Hutton (pictured) discovered the tragic scene where his family was found dead last week

A former Alaska cop discovered the tragic scene where his family was found dead in what has been described as a murder-suicide, authorities said.

Officers found former Fairbanks Police Officer Al Hutton crying in a second-floor hallway of a Hampton Inn hotel last Friday where his son McKay Hutton is suspected of shooting his mother, wife and infant daughter before turning the gun on himself.

Al Hutton directed police to a nearby room where they found the bodies of his 54-year-old wife Linda Hutton, his 22-year-old son McKay Hutton, his 22-year-old daughter-in-law Emily McDonald and his eight-week-old granddaughter Teagan.

He was not present at the time of the shootings and police said last week he is not considered a suspect in the case.

Al Hutton, who was on the force as a patrol officer from 2005 to 2009, has been cooperative with detectives during the ongoing investigation, police said.

Al Hutton's son, McKay Hutton (pictured), and his daughter-in-law Emily McDonald were married just last year and were found dead. McKay Hutton is the suspected gunman

Emily McDonald (pictured) and McKay Hutton were both found dead along with their two-month-old daughter Teagan Hutton (pictured) and McKay Hutton's mother, Linda Hutton

Police found the bodies at a Hampton Inn in Fairbanks, Alaska, on November 25 (pictured)

He told investigators the family was moving out of state, which is why they were in the hotel in Fairbanks, according to CBS News.

Preliminary evidence points to McKay Hutton as the gunman in the murder-suicide, police said.

He is believed to have shot dead his three relatives before taking his own life, police said.

Following the shootings, a member of the hotel staff called police at 1.25pm who arrived at the scene finding a distraught Al Hutton and the bodies in a nearby room.

A single firearm was later recovered in the room, however police have not revealed the make, model and location of where it was found.

Autopsies conducted on Monday in Anchorage revealed that all four died of gunshot wounds, police said.

McDonald (left) was married to McKay Hutton (right), and the two had an infant girl. McDonald also had a son from another relationship (pictured)

A member of the hotel staff at a Hampton Inn in Fairbanks, Alaska, called the police at 1.25pm on Friday following the shootings (pictured, McKay Hutton and McDonald)

Detectives are still seeking more information that would point to a motive in the shootings.

Police confirmed last week that all four were family and that McKay Hutton and McDonald were married just last year, according to their Facebook profiles.

There is no indication that drugs or alcohol was involved.

McKay Hutton married McDonald almost exactly one year ago on November 18, 2015, according to Facebook.

He wrote : 'To the one I love you much, my soul mate, my best friend, my lover my everything, our special night brought us both such happiness, the love I feel everyday to you waking up in my arms, you're the most cherished part of my life.

Pictured, the couple, McDonald's son and the Gadsden flag in the background

'To many more years with you sweetheart, I love you always and forever.'

It appears McDonald had a son from a previous relationship, and the two welcomed a baby girl eight weeks ago.

McKay Hutton also posted an image of a rifle on his Facebook cover photo, with text from the second amendment declaring the right to bear arms.

McKay Hutton's address is listed in Fairbanks, about 12 miles away from the hotel, and Linda Hutton, his relative, was a registered nurse.

A private memorial ceremony has been scheduled for the victims, according to Alaska Dispatch News.
The European Union parliaments chief negotiator on Brexit has been accused of interfering following the result of the Richmond Park by-election.

Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, who is now the EU parliaments chief negotiator on Brexit, suggested on Twitter that the shock Liberal Democrat win in the London constituency means Britain does not want to leave the EU.

But Eurosceptic former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, slammed Mr Verhofstadt, telling him to "mind his own bloody business".

Eurosceptic former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith (left), slammed Guy Verhofstadt (right), the EU parliaments chief negotiator on Brexit, telling him to "mind his own bloody business" after his comments on Twitter following the result of the Richmond Park by-election

Richmond Park's by-election was sparked when Tory Mr Goldsmith kept his promise to resign if the Government pressed ahead with plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

But, fighting as an independent, he came under pressure over his Eurosceptic views in one of the most pro-Brussels constituencies in the country. The Conservatives did not field a candidate against him, but his 23,000 majority was swept away by Lib Dem Sarah Olney, who finished 1,872 votes ahead.

The result swiftly became a debate about the possibility of a second EU referendum.

Mr Goldsmiths brother Ben accused voters in his former constituency of throwing a Brexit tantrum. But Remain supporters reacted with undisguised glee to the result  and claimed it gave them a mandate to fight Brexit.

Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney celebrates with her husband Ben (both centre) after winning the Richmond Park by-election

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron accused the Prime Minister of perverting the referendum result by pursuing an extreme Brexit. He said the by-election, which leaves his party with nine MPs, showed that it was back in business and called for a second EU referendum.

Former Tory business minister Anna Soubry, who campaigned for Remain, hailed the Lib Dem win as a sensational victory for common sense, tweeting: You can forget about hard Brexit.

Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, the EU parliaments chief negotiator on Brexit, also taunted the Government over the result. He tweeted: Congratulations Sarah Olney ... Europe is watching and Europe is proud.

Iain Duncan Smith, the ex-work and pensions secretary, said Mr Verhofstadt should mind his own bloody business, adding: I assume this means he is prepared to stand by the result of the EU referendum which means that we are leaving, so he should stop moaning and carping and trying to damage this.

Mrs Olney, an accountant who joined the Lib Dems only last year, claimed her win gave her a mandate to vote against triggering Article 50, the formal process for EU exit. Thats the commitment I made in my campaign and my by-election victory means I have got a personal mandate, she said.

Shock victory for one but humiliation for another: Lib Dem's Sarah Olney (left) and Zac Goldsmith (right) after losing his Richmond seat

But she later stormed out of a live interview with Talk Radio when she was challenged over her views. Presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer asked if the logic of Mrs Olneys call for a second EU referendum meant she should now face a second by-election. As Mrs Olney was being grilled, an aide stepped in and told the host: Im really sorry but Sarah has to leave now.

Last night Theresa May also dismissed calls from gloating Remainers following the result.

Downing Street said the vanquishing of Eurosceptic Zac Goldsmith would change nothing in the Prime Ministers approach to Brexit, despite cutting her already slender Commons majority.

Mr Verhofstadt (pictured back in 2000) tweeted: Congratulations Sarah Olney ... Europe is watching and Europe is proud'

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said it was no surprise that a Remain campaigner had won in a wealthy seat which had backed EU membership by 70:30 in June.

But he added: The Governments job is to represent the people of the entire country, not one parliamentary seat. Our job is to make sure Brexit goes ahead  that is the instruction of the British people.

Government sources last night dismissed suggestions that the Richmond result made an early general election more likely.
Controversial MP George Christensen has shrugged off his new found fame after a photo of him wearing a blue singlet with a whip slung over his shoulder emerged.

Mr Christensen, who appeared in a feature for Good Weekend on Saturday, said the jokes made at his expense were simply 'water off a duck's back'.

'It's alright. I knew it would create a bit of a stir but, so be it. There have been some pretty funny responses,' he told the publication.

'If @mearesy tells you he has a great idea for a photo, run! Just kidding!' Mr Christensen said

'I haven't stopped hearing about it since Question Time on Wednesday afternoon.'

Mr Christensen said the famed photo also captured the attention of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

'Even the Prime Minister mentioned it in his speech at the Coalition Christmas party when he was thanking the party whips. He said I had gone above and beyond the call of duty by posing for the photo,' he said.

The Member for Dawson in Queensland is a far right politician who often causes a stir with his inflammatory right-wing comments, but his most recent photo shoot arguably caused the biggest stir of his career yet.

'Quickly, someone get the man a skivvy,' Richard Di Natale posted to his Twitter account

Mr Christensen's (pictured) Twitter account has been overrun with comments and even cartoons ridiculing the MP's photoshoot

The image went viral after it was first shared on social media on Wednesday afternoon, prompting ABC News Breakfast host Virginia Trioli to describe it as 'an astonishing portrait that will go down in Australian political history'.

Since the controversial photo emerged on Wednesday, Mr Christensen has not shied away from laughing at his own expense.

'If (the photographer) tells you he has a great idea for a photo, run. Just kidding,' he wrote on Twitter.

He also quipped that certain publications would have to change their ratings 'to R (restricted) after showing that photo for so long'.

'Pick your preferred photos shoot': The photo was ridiculed online even prompting people to compare it to the infamous photo of George Constanza from Seinfeld in his underpants (pictured)

Mr Christensen even joined in a debate comparing his image to the infamous photo of George Constanza from Seinfeld posing in his underwear.'

Alongside the two photos, people were asked to 'pick your preferred photo shoot'.

Mr Christensen shared the comparison on his Twitter account with the response; 'Definitely Constanza'.

The image, which was shared hundreds of times on Twitter, even captured the attention of famed actress Magda Szubanski who likened Mr Christensen to a lesbian.

'Mixed messages much? This is, bar none, the gayest image I've ever seen. Totally could pass for one of my lesbian mates,' she said

'Mixed messages much? This is, bar none, the gayest image I've ever seen. Totally could pass for one of my lesbian mates,' she said.

'I know what my next film role is. I will play George Christensen in bio-pic of his life as a closet sadism and masochism lesbian.'

The photo was controversial, but that's exactly what Fairfax photographer Andrew Meares intended when he dreamt up the concept.

Mr Meares described the politician as a 'complex character'.

He said the whip symbolised his influence as the National party's 'chief whip' and his exposed Coptic icon tattoo told the story of his faith.

The image was shared hundreds of times on Twitter even capturing the attention of famed actress Magda Szubanski (pictured) who likened Mr Christensen to a lesbian in the image

'I know what my next film role is. I will play George Christensen in bio-pic of his life as a closet S&M lesbian' she said

'I would pay good money to see that movie,' Mr Christensen wrote in response to Magda Szubanski on Twitter

Mr Meares said his aim was to capture the provocative MP as he was, no bells or whistles.

And provoke it did.

Since first shared on Wednesday, Mr Christensen's Twitter account has been overrun with comments and even cartoons ridiculing the MP's photo shoot.

Cartoonist Harry Bruce created an image which depicted One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson 'swooning' over the MP and pleading with him to sign the cover photo for her.

With the cartoon, it's believed Mr Bruce was alluding to the two politicians' shared far right stance.

'Harry Bruce's take on George Christensen's whip cover shoot,' Cas Garvey said alongside the artist's cartoon

While he was happy to laugh at himself, the Queensland MP fired back at people who compared him to a lesbian and used the word 'gay' as an insult.

'It's interesting that so many Lefty Twitter warriors are saying my photo is 'gay' like it's some sort of insult. Homophobic much?' he said.

'The hypocrisy of the Left still astounds me.'

Mr Christensen has long been accused of having an opposition to gay marriage.

As recently as June last year, he posted a photo on social media which pictured a gun with a rainbow coloured magazine - symbolising gay pride.

Mr Christensen (pictured) has long been accused of having an opposition to gay marriage

He likened the US' open gun law policies to the nation's new-found acceptance of gay marriage, claiming Australia should not follow suit.

'I'm wondering how many people who look to USA and say we should follow them on 'gay marriage' because they're America the Great, would want us to follow their lead on the right to bear arms?', he said.

The tweet was deleted soon after.
Todd Kohlhepp was reported to real estate officials in South Carolina in 2009, seven years before he confessed to multiple murders and kidnapping

Scared neighbors of the South Carolina serial killer Todd Kohlhepp complained about his worrying behavior years before police discovered corpses and a woman he was holding hostage on his property.

In 2009, concerned residents wrote to the state's licensing board to call for Kohlhepp to be put out of work as a real estate agent after finding his Facebook account which was littered with vulgar posts about guns, sex and revenge.

'Something MUST be done to stop this crazy man before something dreadful happens,' said one person.

Kohlhepp was arrested on a 95-acre tract of land he owns near Woodruff on November 3 after police heard banging coming from a shipping container on the property.

Inside they found 30-year-old Kala Brown chained up. She had been missing with her boyfriend for two months.

Kohlhepp, 45, who hired Brown to clean houses he was selling and leasing as a real estate agent, confessed to killing and burying three others, including Brown's boyfriend Charles Carver, others on the land.

On November 28, he admitted carrying out an unsolved quadruple homicide at a motorsports store in 2003.

The 2009 complaints were looked into by South Carolina's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation but they could find no proof he had broken real estate laws.

Kohlhepp obtained his real estate license in 2006 after applying and sitting the exam.

He was forced to explain a previous conviction for kidnapping, for which he served 15 years in prison, but was given the license.

The charge stemmed back to a 1986 incident with a 14-year-old girl. Kohlhepp, who was 15 at the time, was convicted of raping her and keeping her hostage in his bedroom after marching her to his house with his father's gun.

Kohlhepp was arrested on November 3 after police discovered a missing woman chained up in a container on his property. He had been practicing as a real estate agent for three years when the complaints in 2009 were made

The report to the South Carolina licensing board referred to Kohlhepp's worrying Facebook posts

The 45-year-old made several ranting posts on social media about going missing before he was arrested

He also left comments about weapons online, prompting the concern of residents

Police discovered Kala Brown chained up by the neck 'like a dog' in the container (circled) on Kohlhepp's rural land on November 3

In 2014, he bought the tract of land near Woodruff. After Brown's rescue, police found the bodies of her partner and of another couple buried in shallow graves.

Carver and Brown had been missing since August 30 when they vanished after leaving a friend's house.

Meagan and Johnny Coxie disappeared in December 2015, four months after welcoming a new baby. Their bodies were found riddled with bullet wounds on Kohlhepp's land.

He allegedly shot the man before his wife and kept her hostage for a week before murdering her too on Christmas Day.

He has also confessed to the killings of Brian Lucas, Scott Ponder, Beverly Guy and Chris Sherbert who were gunned down outside Superbike Motorsports on November 3, 2003. The case was unsolved for years until Kohlhepp's confession last month.

On Thursday, Brown shed more light on the circumstances surrounding her kidnapping and her boyfriend's death in a lawsuit filed against the man.

She is suing him for unspecified damages for inflicting emotional distress, false imprisonment, assault and battery after spending two months chained up by the neck 'like a dog' at his will.

Kala Brown (left) and her boyfriend Charles Carver (right) disappeared on August 31. Brown described in court documents this week how Kohlhepp kidnapped her and shot her boyfriend on the day he took them captive

The bodies of missing married couple Meagan and Johnny Coxie who disappeared in December 2015 were also found on Kohlhepp's land

Kohlhepp also confessed to the 2003 killings of Scott Ponder and Beverly Guy (above)

Brian Lucas (left) and Chris Sherbert (right) were also killed in the massacre at a motorsports store

In court documents she said Kohlhepp kidnapped her and her boyfriend after discussing hiring her to clean one of the properties he was leasing as a real estate agent on August 31.

She said he murdered her boyfriend and locked her in the container that day.

Since her release police have described the atrocious scene they found on November 3 while rescuing her.

They also told how Kohlhepp would allow her out for walks around the land and to visit her dead boyfriend's grave and how he fed her just once a day.

The man's mother spoke out in his defense as his killings came to light last month, insisting he was 'not a monster' despite his murderous spree over more than a decade.

Regina Tague told CBS her son was acting out after being the victim of bullies for years.

'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,' she said.
A respected Perth child psychiatrist has pleaded guilty to a string of child pornography charges.

Dr Aaron Szen Yang Voon, 41, pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to nine separate charges - including filming boys at urinals, and producing and possessing child pornography material in four countries.

These countries included Canada, the US, New Zealand and Australia.

He replied 'guilty, Your Honour' nine times as Magistrate Joe Chicchini read out charges dating back to September last year.

Dr Aaron Szen Yang Voon (pictured), who ran a pediatric clinic in Perth, Western Australia pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada

Voon operated his Successful Development and Therapy Centre in Cockburn in Perth's south until his arrest in Canada.

It has been closed since and and he gave an undertaking to stop practising.

Voon attracted international media attention in May when he was arrested at a Canadian shopping mall.

A video posted on news sites went viral showing Voon being confronted by an angry father demanding to see his phone and accusing him of filming his son's genitals in the public toilet at the Edmonton shopping centre.

The Perth child psychiatrist was arrested in Canada in May for allegedly filming a boy in a public toilet in Canada. He was confronted by the boy's father (pictured)

Voon pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to nine separate charges, including filming boys at urinals

He is out on bail and will return to the District Court on January 27 ahead of sentencing

Voon was granted bail in Canada but was arrested at Perth Airport when he returned and the charges were bundled into the West Australian legal system.

West Australian and federal police raided his Mount Pleasant home and business, and seized electronic devices.

More charges were laid involving possession, obtaining or distributing child exploitation material involving hundreds of images and 12 videos, including more examples of him filming boys' genitals after following them into urinals in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
A girl of three desperately ill with sepsis died after doctors kept missing the fatal signs.

Blessing Matias death could have been prevented with a simple dose of antibiotics if medical staff had been able to identify the condition.

Speaking yesterday for the first time since her death, her distraught parents told of their frustration that her symptoms were missed repeatedly.

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Miesi Ziamo and her partner Alex Kasota with their son Jayden and a picture of their daughter, Blessing. Blessing (right) died after her sepsis symptoms were repeatedly missed by doctors

Their nightmare began when Blessing caught chickenpox from her brother Bright, eight.

Her mother Miesi Ziamo, 29, said she knew something was seriously wrong when Blessing became too sick to watch her favourite film, Frozen.

Miss Ziamo added: After she caught chickenpox she was going to school, but we were called to pick her up because she wasnt well. She had a high temperature, so I took her to hospital.

But the doctors werent worried and after hours of waiting, I needed to pick up her brother from school so we left.

When she still had a high temperature, I called 999 and said she needed an ambulance. They said it was nothing to worry about and to call 111 [the non-emergency medical helpline].

So I called 111 and they said to take all her clothes off and give her paracetamol. But you know your own child. You know when something is wrong.

The shop worker, of East Ham, east London, described how her bright and happy daughter became increasingly quiet and tired, unable to play games or eat meals. Then her leg swelled up, preventing her from walking. Her parents took her to hospital, but doctors discharged her, saying it was down to the weather.

THE DANGER SIGNS If a child or an adult who has had any infection  even a mild cold  develops one or more of the following symptoms, call 999 immediately and say you think they have sepsis: - Abnormally cold to the touch - Breathing rapidly or struggling for breath - Very lethargic or difficult to rouse, - They do not urinate (or have a wet nappy) for more than 12 hours - Skin is mottled, blueish or extremely pale Speed is of the essence. If potentially fatal sepsis is suspected by doctors, treatment with antibiotics must begin as soon as possible  ideally within an hour of the patients diagnosis  and even before any blood tests have been carried out on the patient. Advertisement

That night, Blessing continued to have a high temperature and became confused, telling her parents she was going home.

She told me she needed to sleep, then she said, Its cold outside and I got worried.

She was weak and her eyes were rolling. I was screaming and calling the neighbours.

I called 999. She was vomiting and shaking, then she was cold and after that she was gone. Blessing died on June 5 last year after suffering a cardiac arrest.

To add insult to injury, police even checked the family home to make sure her parents hadnt played a role in her death.

East London NHS Foundation Trust, which ran Newham Urgent Care Centre where she was treated, admitted liability for failing to notice her symptoms.

Tests revealed that Blessing died from a streptococcal infection as an extremely rare complication of chickenpox.

Miss Ziamo and her partner Alex Kasota, 36, took the trust to court, and yesterday the case was settled in their favour.

Experts said Blessing would have been saved had doctors prescribed antibiotics.

Mr Kasota, a security guard, said NHS staff must listen to parents, adding: We were treated very badly. They should have done tests. Any doctor should know it is an infection. They need to take sepsis more seriously. They didnt listen to us. I dont see the point of 111. How can they diagnose when they dont see patients and they arent doctors?

Miss Ziamo, who also has a son Jayden, one, added: Now I worry whenever my children get ill.

Experts said Blessing would have been saved had doctors prescribed antibiotics

Their lawyer, Sue Jackson, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: This is a tragic case of a girl whose life could have been saved.

East London NHS Foundation Trust said: We would like to express our sincere sympathy. Sepsis can be extremely difficult to identify. We undertook a review following this incident and implemented changes to the way we follow up patients.

In January, it emerged that the 111 service was unable to detect sepsis in children following the death of William Mead, one.
Perfume maker Chanel is kicking up a stink over plans for a high-speed rail line which it claims threatens the flowers it uses to make its classic Chanel No 5 fragrance.

The luxury goods giant has threatened to move out of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, if a French TGV line is built through the fields where it grows flowers for the perfume.

Chanel has threatened to move out of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, if a French TGV line is built through the fields where it grows flowers its famous Chanel No 5 perfume

The 1,000 jasmine flowers and dozen May roses that go into every 30-millilitre bottle of No 5 are grown close to the firms perfumery in Grasse.

In a strongly-worded open letter to planners, Chanel said a viaduct to carry trains over the picturesque Siagne valley, with its lavender fields and hillsides full of wild flowers, would be a disaster.

The company wrote: The construction of a viaduct and the regular passage of high-speed trains over these fields of flowers would force Chanel to cease supporting its artisanal activities in the region.

It said the quality of the flowers harvested around Grasse was unique and exceptional... and indispensable for the creation of Chanel perfumes.

Hollywood sex symbol Marilyn Monroe (pictured) famously only wore Chanel No. 5 to bed

Frances state-owned SNCF railway company argues that the new 5.5billion line would cut an hour from the trip along the French Riviera from Marseille to Nice. It said the line is the most congested in France outside Paris and desperately needs investment.

Despite its high tourist numbers, the Cote dAzur is one of the worst served by the countrys high-speed rail network.
It is unclear what Christie's visit was regarding on Friday afternoon

New Jersey governor was spotted with Kellyanne Conway at Trump Tower

to become next RNC head

Governor Chris Christie made a surprise visit at Trump Tower on Friday to visit president-elect Donald Trump.

Reports say that Christie could be in talks with Trump about an endorsement to name him the next Republican National Committee chairmen.

The New Jersey governor wasn't supposed to be at Trump Tower on Friday, where the future president is still holding meetings with his transition team and potential appointments to his cabinet.

Around 4pm, Christie was seen walking into the golden lobby of Trump Tower with Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway.

Governor Chris Christie (center) made a surprise visit at Trump Tower on Friday to visit president-elect Donald Trump

Around 4pm, Christie was seen walking into the golden lobby of Trump Tower with Trump's campaign manager Kellyanne Conway

Reports say that Christie could be in talks with Trump about an endorsement to name him the next Republican National Committee chairmen

Reporters tried to shout questions at the pair as they made their way through the Fifth Avenue lobby and up to see the president-elect.

However, Christie was tight-lipped as Conway smiled and chatted with him.

Conway also refused to respond to the press pool questioning the pair.

It has not been clarified if Christie was at Trump Tower to talk about the transition into the White House, the RNC position or something different, reported NJ.com.

Sources told NJ.com that Christie is still seeking to become the RNC chairman.

A source told the site that the role would be 'great' for Christie and another explained that the New Jersey governor could keep his role as the chairman job is a volunteer position.

The 168-member Republican National Committee will vote for a new chair in January. Current RNC chief Reince Priebus is taking a job in Donald Trump's White House.

The New Jersey governor wasn't supposed to be at Trump Tower on Friday, where the future president is still holding meetings with his transition team and potential appointments to his cabinet

Reporters tried to shout questions at the pair as they made their way through the Fifth Avenue lobby and up to see the president-elect

However, Christie was tight-lipped as Conway smiled and chatted with him. Conway also refused to respond to the press pool questioning the pair

It has not been clarified if Christie was at Trump Tower to talk about the transition into the White House, the RNC position or something different

Christie remains a vice chair of Trump's transition team. Three other Trump insiders told Politico today that Christie approached them about running the RNC

Politico says Christie, the ousted chairman of Trump's transition operation, is making a 'full-court press' for the position.

Christie remains a vice chair of Trump's transition team. Three other Trump insiders told Politico today that Christie approached them about running the RNC.

A Christie spokesman did not return a request for comment.

Previously Christie served as head of Trump's shadow government. He was forced to turn over the reigns to Vice President-elect Mike Pence days after Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton and demoted to vice chair.

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and Christie are said to have butted heads. Christie sent Kushner's father to jail on corruption charges.

Previously Christie served as head of Trump's shadow government. He was forced to turn over the reigns to Vice President-elect Mike Pence days after Trump's victory

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and Christie are said to have butted heads. Christie sent Kushner's father to jail on corruption charges

While the RNC's members will chose the party's next operational head, an official or unofficial endorsement from the president-elect would tip the scales

The president-elect was also displeased with the number of lobbyists involved in the transition effort.

He's since moved to purge his emerging government of Christie hires like Mike Rogers, a former House intelligence panel head, and is requiring all lobbyists who work in his administration to deregister and submit to a five year ban after their service.

While the RNC's members will chose the party's next operational head, an official or unofficial endorsement from the president-elect would tip the scales.
Follows Archbishop of Canterbury and others appealing for a remain vote

by Brexit if it had been listening

Claimed it would not have been

Bishop of Burnley the Right Rev Philip North said the CofE is run by academics and moneyed elites and has been ignoring the interests of the people

A Church of England bishop has accused his colleagues of failing in their duty to stand up for the family and of being embarrassed in the face of patriotism.

Bishop of Burnley the Right Rev Philip North said the CofE is run by academics and moneyed elites and has been ignoring the interests of the people.

He said if it had really been listening to the poor it would not have been surprised by the Brexit vote and the concerns of those who feel frozen out.

The bishops attack follows the embarrassment of senior Church leaders headed by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after voters disregarded their appeals to vote to remain in the EU in the June referendum.

His criticism in a Church Times article effectively accuses other prelates, who have repeatedly underlined their concern for the poor, of hypocrisy. It makes him one of the rare senior clergy in recent years to break ranks by voicing dissent.

The bishop, who was 50 yesterday, said the Church had allowed gay rights to dominate its concerns, and all too often middle class clergy squirm nervously during Remembrance Sunday and excise any hymns that hint of nationalism.

He said working class people were frozen out of the economy and suffered shrinking wages, but they are routinely accused of xenophobia, or worse, when they express concerns about changes imposed upon their communities by those who live far away.

Bishop North said working people felt abandoned by their own institutions and if the CofE was still adequately present in areas of deprivation, it would not have been surprised at the revolution in popular politics this anger caused.

He added: The Churchs agenda is being set not by the poor, but by academics, the moneyed elites, and certain sections of the secular media.

We then listen to the poor on condition that what they say backs up our own pre- conceived arguments.

The bishops attack follows the embarrassment of senior Church leaders headed by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after voters disregarded their appeals to vote to remain in the EU in the June referendum

He added: Across many communities, extended family life remains very strong. For all its frustrations, it is where most people find support, self-identity and purpose.

But too many Anglicans seem embarrassed to stand up for the sanctity of the family.

The bishop said that in the referendum campaign the leave side had called for voters to take back control of the country, and this had resonated with them.
Allies of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have warned the party could become crushed between UKIP and the resurgent Liberal Democrats.

Labour suffered a dismal night at the Richmond Park by-election, including the humiliating loss of its deposit for the first time in a London seat for more than a century.

Many supporters defected to the Lib Dems, provoking a fresh bout of soul searching in the divided party.

Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney (pictured) at the count for the Richmond Park by-election where she finished with 1,872 votes ahead

Richmond Park's by-election was sparked when Tory Mr Goldsmith kept his promise to resign if the Government pressed ahead with plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

But, fighting as an independent, he came under pressure over his Eurosceptic views in one of the most pro-Brussels constituencies in the country. The Conservatives did not field a candidate against him, but his 23,000 majority was swept away by Lib Dem Sarah Olney, who finished 1,872 votes ahead.

Labours Christian Wolmar polled just 1,515 votes, despite the fact the party has 1,600 members in Richmond and a further 700 registered supporters.

Labours Christian Wolmar (pictured) polled just 1,515 votes, despite the fact the party has 1,600 members in Richmond

Other Labour MPs are now said to fear losing their seats to the Lib Dems in the south, while the party sheds votes to Ukip in the north.

Ex-frontbencher Chuka Umunna yesterday said there were now no safe Labour seats.

In addition, speaking to The Times, another Corbyn allie, admitted Brexit has changed the dynamics with voters ditching old party loyalties and instead defining themselves as pro or anti EU.

Following the result, last night Theresa May dismissed calls from gloating Remainers.

Downing Street said the vanquishing of Eurosceptic Zac Goldsmith would change nothing in the Prime Ministers approach to Brexit, despite cutting her already slender Commons majority.

Ex-frontbencher Chuka Umunna (pictured) yesterday said there were now no safe Labour seats

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said it was no surprise that a Remain campaigner had won in a wealthy seat which had backed EU membership by 70:30 in June.

But he added: The Governments job is to represent the people of the entire country, not one parliamentary seat. Our job is to make sure Brexit goes ahead  that is the instruction of the British people.
A retired executive caught with child pornography on his computer was spared jail after blaming his addiction on side-effects from medication he was taking for Parkinsons disease.

Peter Beckett, who had a successful career with British Aerospace, found himself in the dock at the age of 69 after police seized his laptop and found indecent images.

However, at Blackpool Magistrates Court, his lawyer blamed his behaviour on a drug he had been prescribed for his Parkinsons, which has been linked to uncontrollable sexual desires and compulsive behaviour.

Peter Beckett was found with found images of girls, aged between six and 15, in obscene poses, on his computer (stock photo)

Beckett, whose weeping wife watched from the public gallery, was charged after police raided their 400,000 house in Staline, near Poulton le Fylde, Lancashire.

Officers seized his computer and found four images showing girls, aged between six and 15, in obscene poses, the court was told.

As the laptop was taken away, he told police I am not in a ring or anything, Pam Smith, prosecuting, told the court.

During the first interview, Beckett told police how he had surfed the web for obscene material for about ten years, deleting files to cover his tracks.

In a second interview he said he had been told the drug he was taking for his Parkinsons, ropinirole, had caused his compulsion to view such images.

His lawyer, Trevor Colebourne, said experts had concluded the medication had made the pensioner hypersexual and unable to control his moral behaviour.

He should have told someone what was happening to him, he said.

But he did not want to come off the drug because it was helping him come with the debilitating effect of his medical condition.

He added: It has been established and there are warnings that this type of drug causes hyper-sexual behaviour and lack of control.

At Blackpool magistrates court, his lawyer blamed his behaviour on a drug he had been prescribed for his Parkinsons

Mr Colebourne said while the side-effect did not amount to a defence against his criminal behaviour, it did provide some mitigation, adding: His coping mechanism failed him.

Beckett, who admitted downloading four indecent images of young girls, was given a 20-week prison sentence suspended for two years.

District Judge Jeff Brailsford told Beckett he had taken account of all the factors in the case including the drugs side-effects.

I do not accept there was a defence of automatism even though it might follow it did induce hyper-sexuality, he added.

Beckett was placed on a three year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, ordered to forfeit his computer equipment and pay 585 costs.
The Federal Government has threatened to revoke a West Australian council's power to hold citizenship ceremonies after it moved Australia Day to an alternative date 'out of respect for Aboriginal people.'

The City of Fremantle decided to move its traditional January 26 events to January 28 because of Aboriginal cultural sensitivities.

But assistant Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke told the Fremantle council in a letter that the federal government will revoke its citizenship ceremony powers if it presides over one on its 'anti-national day event'.

Mayor Pettit (pictured) said the council heard the complaints from Aboriginal elders

A Fireworks display as part of Australia Day celebrations at Bathers Beach, Fremantle in 2015

In November Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit said: 'The majority of Aboriginal elders I've spoken to in the Fremantle area, would rather we had another day than January 26.

'I can't see that January 26 is going to be a day that really will bring Australian's together. I know that is what people have tried to make it, and I really respect that.

'And I guess what has happened is as hard as we have tried as a country to make that a unifying date, it isn't really,' Mr Pettit told 6PR Radio.

But assistant Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke told the Fremantle council in a letter that the federal government will revoke its citizenship ceremony powers if it presides over one on its 'anti-national day event'.

'The government takes a very dim view of Fremantle City Council's decision to cancel their Australia Day events on political grounds,' he said in the letter, sent on Friday.

Crowds celebrate Australia day in Melbourne, Victoria

The federal government has threatened to revoke a West Australian council's decision to move Australia Day to an alternative date 'out of respect for Aboriginal people' (crowds enjoying Australia Day in Terrigal, New South Wales

Mr Hawke says the council is attempting to politicise Australian citizenship, which he believes is 'unacceptable' and a possible breach of the rules on citizenship ceremonies.

The ceremonies cannot be used for political, partisan or religious expression and should be apolitical and bipartisan,the assistant minister said.
The Chinese government has lodged a formal complaint with the United States over the historic phone call between President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan's President that has overturned decades of diplomatic protocol.

The president-elect received a phone call from Taiwan's Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak directly to the regime in 37 years.

On Saturday, China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang issued a statement that said 'there is only one China in the world'.

'We have noticed relevant reports and lodged solemn representation with the relevant side in the United States,' Shuang's statement reads.

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Donald Trump strayed from diplomatic tradition on Friday with a phone call with the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen (right) - a move which prompted heavy criticism and threatened to sour the US's relationship with Taiwan's enemy China

The president-elect defended the phone call in a Twitter post on Friday night hours after announcing it in a separate message to followers

'I must point out that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory... The 'one China' principle is the political foundation of China-US relations.

'We urge the relevant side in the US to adhere to the 'one China' policy, abide by the pledges in the three joint China-US communiques, and handle issues related to Taiwan carefully and properly to avoid causing unnecessary interference to the overall China-U.S. relationship.'

The 'One China' policy holds that Washington, while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan, does not recognize it as its own nation and therefore does not acknowledge its leaders as heads of state.

The dispute between Taiwan and Beijing began when the losing side of China's 1949 Civil War fled to the island and continued to declare itself the rightful rulers of China. Military tensions have existed between the communist regime and Taipei ever since.

Trump's opponents were quick to claim his phone call risked angering Beijing by seemingly disregarding decades of protocol built on America's acknowledgment of the 'One China' policy.

Defending his phone call, Trump said: 'Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.'

Hours earlier he confirmed his conversation with President Tsai who he said called him to congratulate him on his election win.

'The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!' he wrote.

The pair's conversation on Friday is the first time a US president or president-elect has spoken with Taiwan's leader directly since Jimmy Carter abandoned diplomatic relations with its government in 1979.

Meanwhile, China's diplomatic protest after learning of the phone call between Trump and President Tsai Ing has caused many officials to speak out in concern.

Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience.

The move has seemingly angered Chinese officials who harbor a frosty relationship with Tawain. China's President Xi Jinping is pictured

'This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community,' Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

'I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government.'

The US sided officially with China, which fosters a fragile relationship with the self-governing island, at the time and has continued to support its position that Taiwan is part of China and not an independent nation.

The government has however continued to allow the sale of weapons from US companies to Taiwan ever since, a business relationship that generates billions of American dollars.

The ongoing trade has strained the US's relationship with its ally China which has made no secret of its readiness to launch a war if Taiwan tries to claim independence.

In December, the Obama administration sanctioned a $1.35billion shipment of defense weapons to Taipei, Taiwan's capital, as tensions in the South Sea flared.

China protested to the shipment which it said 'violated' international laws and good faith.

They are not likely to be impressed by Trump's conversation with the Taiwanese leader on Friday which, a spokesman for the president-elect said, involved discussions on the future of US-Taiwanese relations.

'During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties ... between Taiwan and the United States,' the spokesman said.

The US officially supports China's position that Taiwan is part of its country. Trump's phone call on Friday strayed from the government's previous avoidance of any forthright contact with Taiwan. Above, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a climate summit in Paris in November, 2015

'President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year,' they said.

The White House was quick to insist there had been no change to the government's official position after learning of the conversation once it had finished.

'We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations,' said Ned Price, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

CHINA BUILDS-UP SOUTH SEA ISLANDS After decades of dispute, China began to reclaim parts of The Spratly Islands in the South Sea in 2014 and artificially enlarged their sand bases. One was made large enough for an airfield and prompted speculation the Chinese were arming themselves in anticipation of disruption in the region. US Navy officials spotted artillery vehicles on the strip last year. The US Navy has a base in the volatile area of sea. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter urgently called on the Chinese to halt construction, pointing out that none of the other claimants to the islands (Vietnam and The Philippines) had made such strides. Advertisement

The US maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan but does not support its bids for independence.

The phone call is the latest indicator of how Trump plans to establish his own foreign and diplomatic policy when he takes office in January rather than following those in place.

He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

China's already shaky relations with Taiwan have been made even more temperamental in recent years due to an ongoing dispute over an archipelago of islands in the South Sea.

The Spratly Islands have been the object of an ongoing territory disagreement between China, Vietnam and The Philippines. In 2014, China began reclaiming portions of them and expanding them in size.

Soon, artillery vehicles and airfields were spotted. Fears the government had reclaimed the islets for military purposes grew as did speculation it was arming itself.

In 2014, aerial photographs revealed China was expanding on a recently reclaimed South Sea island

It worked on a handful of the islands at alarming pace, stretching them out until one was large enough for an airfield

Friday's news came within hours of the Chinese President's admission he is watching Trump 'very closely'.

'The presidential election has taken place in the United States and we are now in a key moment.

'We on the Chinese side are watching the situation very closely. Now it is the transition period,' Xi told former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger.

China was the target of repeated complaints made by Trump throughout his economy and jobs-focused campaign. He said the Chinese were 'rebuilding' their country through 'piggy backing' America.
A screaming shopkeeper begged for her life as a gunman held a silver shotgun to her head during a raid on an off-license.

The petrified woman cowered in terror as she was told to lie on the ground by armed robber Michael Harkins.

Harkins, 37, repeatedly shouted at her to give him a code to open the till then yelled 'get on the floor or I'll shoot you'.

The footage showed Michael Harkins - who made no attempt to hide his face - waiting by the counter for the women to emerge from a back room

The entire robbery was captured on the CCTV system of Bargain Booze on Bents Lane in Bredbury, Stockport.

The footage showed Harkins - who made no attempt to hide his face - waiting by the counter for the women to emerge from a back room.

He pounced as soon as he saw her and chased her round to the till.

Harkins, of Marple Court, Stockport, was jailed for 10 years alongside Ashley Peter Wright, 34, of Haymans Walk, Manchester, who was also imprisoned for 10 years.

Both 'ruthless' men carried out armed robberies at four stores over an eight-day crime spree in July last year.

They subjected their five victims to 'terrifying ordeals' in the process, Greater Manchester Police detectives said.

Both pleaded guilty to robbery and were sentenced on Friday at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Harkins committed the robbery at Bargain Booze on Bents Lane alone.

He pounced as soon as he saw her and chased her round to the till

The entire robbery was captured on the CCTV system of Bargain Booze on Bents Lane in Bredbury, Stockport

He escaped with the store's takings of 1,800 - and even stole the woman's handbag containing around 100.

The pair then carried out two robberies on the same day - July 19 - striking first at a store in Shaw Heath, Stockport.

Police said that Harkins would enter a store first and pose as a customer before both men would return moments later.

They used weapons including a handgun and a meat cleaver.

One shopkeeper bravely fought back during a robbery, but was viciously assaulted by both Harkins and Wright.

They were arrested following a dramatic car chase involving armed police in New Mills.

Harkins points a gun at the shopkeeper after chasing her behind the till. He was jailed for 10 years

He escaped with the store's takings of 1,800 - and even stole the woman's handbag containing around 100

Wright drove a vehicle directly at a police van in a bid to get away, colliding with the front of it, but their car was pushed back against a wall and trapped.

Det Insp Gina Brennand said: 'Harkin and Wright were ruthless, robbing four shops in eight days and subjecting five victims to terrifying ordeals in the process.

'One of the victims was left with serious head injuries after he bravely fought to defend himself and his property.

'Wright and Harkin showed no mercy during their brutal assault.
The UK could carry on giving millions of pounds in aid cash to European Union agencies after Brexit, a minister suggested last night.

Asked about carrying on funding for EU aid bodies, development minister James Wharton told the House of Commons that Britain would look to work with international institutions of whatever type if they were doing a good job.

Last year the UK sent more than 1.3billion to Brussels so EU agencies could spend it on projects around the world. The amount went up by almost 200million in just one year, despite concerns about waste.

Development minister James Wharton told the House of Commons that Britain would look to work with international institutions of whatever type if they were doing a good job

Development money handed over to Brussels has been spent on Caribbean junkets and projects including trapeze and art lessons, as well as a study of coconuts.

The comments sparked fury among Eurosceptics. Last night pro-Brexit Tory MP Philip Davies said: God forbid. The EU wastes money on an industrial scale, why would we carry on giving it to them?

Why cant we just decide for ourselves what to spend it on? Why would we give it to them to spend it on their priorities? Its absolutely extraordinary.

It follows comments from Brexit Secretary David Davis on Thursday when he suggested the Government would be prepared to pay Brussels to secure access to the single market after we leave the EU.

His remarks indicated part of the total sent to Brussels, expected to be 13billion a year by 2019, could continue to be paid even after Brexit.

Peter Bone has called on the Prime Minister to make a statement on her Brexit plans and end the 'vacuum' of information

He also suggested Britain could still take in significant numbers of migrant workers.

Yesterday Tory MP Peter Bone, who campaigned for Leave, urged Theresa May to make a statement to the Commons about her Brexit plans to end the vacuum of information. The truth of the matter is we will end free movement and we wont be sending money to the EU, he told the BBCs Daily Politics. But I cant prove that because the Government is not willing to announce its position.

Do I think perhaps we should have a statement some time from the Government saying much more firmly what the broad position is, that we would have controlled migration, that we will not be sending billions of pounds to the EU? Yes that probably would be a good thing.

Asked about EU aid agencies continuing to receive British money, Mr Wharton said: I would suspect  I do not want to pre-empt the process of Brexit, which is taking place now  that where it can deliver value for money, wed look to work with international institutions of whatever type in order to secure the outcomes we want.
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Natural beauty has landed a remote beach in the Indian Ocean the prestigious title of Australia's best beach.

Tourism Australia's beach ambassador Brad Farmer released his book on Saturday, 101 Best Beaches 2017, crowning Cossies Beach - named after Governor-General Peter Cosgrove - in the Cocos Islands as the country's top sandy shore.

'It's as near to perfect as a beach can be,' Farmer said, comparing it to the Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays.

Australia's best beach for 2017 is Cossies Beach in Cocos (Keeling) Islands - and it is likely you have never been there before

'If you wrapped the Bahamas, Fiji, Seychelles and the Great Barrier Reef together, you would have Cossies Beach.'

But none of Australia's most famous beaches - such as Bondi, Coogee or Manly - made the top 20.

Farmer has been writing about beaches for the past 30 years and has seen about 4,000 Australian beaches in his lifetime.

With his colleague Professor Andy Short, a coastal geomorphologist, Farmer spent almost half a year trekking around Australia's coastline to assess the nation's top beaches.

A backpacker jumps in the air at Turquoise Bay, Cape Range National Park, in Exmouth, Western Australia

Tourism Australia's beach ambassador Brad Farmer released his book, 101 Best Beaches 2017, crowning Cossies Beach as the country's top sandy shore

Cossies Beach was named after Governor-General Peter Cosgrove with the permission of locals

Farmer says it is a better version of the Whitsundays and a mixture of the Bahamas, Fiji, Seychelles and the Great Barrier Reef

Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island, Queensland, is the second best beach in Australia this year

Waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, onto the white sandy beach at Burleigh Heads, on the Gold Coast, Australia

Burleigh Heads is the fourth best beach in Australia for 2017, according to beach expert Brad Farmer

Cossies Beach, located 750km north-west of Perth, is closer to Jakarta in Indonesia than Perth but can be reached by a 4.5 hour Virgin Australia flight from Western Australia's capital.

And it even has Wi-Fi, toilets, fresh water, barbecues and shelters.

But there is no accommodation, so beach-goers will have to camp.

'I named this little slice of paradise after Sir Peter Cosgrove, who like me ... was impressed by its absolute natural beauty,' Mr Farmer said.

According to the list, New South Wales has eight of the best beaches in the top 20, with Moonee Beach in the Coffs Coast taking out the third spot.

Queensland, particularly the far north, stole five spots with their top beach being Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island in the second overall spot.

Western Australia took out two of the top 20 beaches in Australia, while Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia have one each.

Australia is abundant with sandy shores - there are 11,761 beaches along nearly 60,000 kilometres of coastline.

THE TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN BEACHES 2017 1. Cossies Beach, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, WA/Indian Ocean 2. Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island, Far North QLD 3. Moonee Beach, Coffs Coast, NSW 4. Turquoise Bay, Coral Coast, WA 5. Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, QLD 6. Maslin Beach, Adelaide, SA 7. Dolly Beach, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean 8. Shelly Beach, Nambucca Coast, NSW 9. Boat Harbour Beach, North West Coast, TAS 10. Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, VIC 11. Horseshoe Bay Beach, Capricorn Coast, QLD 12. Garie Beach, Royal National Park, Sydney, NSW 13. Merewether Beach, Newcastle, NSW 14. Long Beach, Great Keppel Island, Capricorn Coast, QLD 15. Hawks Nest Beach, Myall Coast, NSW 16. Camp Cove, Sydney, NSW 17. Broken Head Beach, Byron Coast, NSW 18. Narrawallee Beach, Shoalhaven Coast, NSW 19. Dynamite Bay, Coral Coast, WA 20. Ellis Beach, Far North QLD Advertisement

Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, in Victoria, is the tenth best beach in Australia for 2017

Wind Woppa Reserve at Hawks Nest Beach, Myall Coast in NSW, is Australia's 15th best beach for 2017

Swimmers enter the crystal clear waters at Nudey Beach in Fitzroy, a 1.8km walk through the National Park in QLD

Narrawallee Beach at sunrise, Mollymook, South Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Australia is abundant with sandy shores - there are 11,761 beaches along nearly 60,000 kilometres of coastline

View from the headlands north of Garie Beach looking south, Royal National Park, NSW - the 12th best beach in Australia

A man walks across the sand at Turqoise Bay in Cape Range National Park - the second best beach in Australia

Shelly Beach on the Nambucca Coast of NSW is located 5 kilometers south of The Entrance and is well known as a surfing beach - it is the 8th best beach in Australia

A view of Maslin Beach, south of Adelaide, where beachgoers baked in 43 degree heat - the sixth best beach in Australia
The hunt is on for a man who was at the outback rest stop where a French tourist was stabbed to death in front of his wife in an unprovoked attack on Wednesday.

Police say the man, who is believed to be Indigenous, was at the Connors Well rest stop just 10 minutes before the gruesome attack.

French tourist Phileppe Jegouzohe, 33, was fatally stabbed in the neck in front of his 30-year-old wife, Aurelie Chorier, near Connors Well rest stop in the Northern Territory on Wednesday.

Melbourne man Pande Veleski (pictured) has been placed under police guard in hospital after he was arrested on Thursday over the alleged stabbing murder of the Frenchman

Police have described the attack near the isolated rest stop on the Stuart Highway as 'random' and 'unprovoked'.

Melbourne man Pande Veleski, 35, has been arrested over the murder of the Frenchman and remains under police guard in hospital where he is being treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Veleski fled on foot into bushland after the attack, prompting an overnight manhunt until a police helicopter located and arrested him about 8.30am on Thursday.

Northern Territory police have now called for any information that might help them to understand the chain of events which lead to the French tourist's murder.

The tourist and his 30-year-old wife had stopped at Connors Well, about 100km north of Alice Springs, when Veleski allegedly pulled up behind the couple

Police said they believed the two French tourists were at a rest stop 30km south of the Aileron Roadhouse (pictured) on the Stuart Highway when they were approached by an unknown man

'We would like to trace the last movements of the victim, and also track the movements of the alleged offender to try and piece together a timeline of events,' Superintendent Wurst said.

'We are particularly interested in speaking to a man who may have been at the Connors Well rest stop about 10 minutes before this incident occurred.'

The superintendent said the man they were looking for was possibly an Indigenous man.

'A description of the vehicle is unknown but we understand the driver may have been an indigenous male. He left the area prior to the silver Hyundai driving into the rest stop,' Superintendent Wurst said.

The getaway car: The attacker fled the scene in a silver Hyundai hatchback (pictured) with a Victoria-registered numberplate after he allegedly stabbed the French tourist on Wednesday

The French couple were at a rest stop 30km south of the Aileron Roadhouse (pictured)

In their attempts to piece together the day's events, police also released photos of the French tourists' red Toyota Rav4 and the alleged attacker's grey Hyundai i20 hatchback in the hope motorists may recognise them and report any helpful information.

Police also called for any motorists who may have captured either of the vehicles on their dash-cams, to share the footage.

The Northern-Territory police urged anyone who saw 'any activity' at the Connors Well roadside stop on Wednesday, November 30 to touch base with police.

The French tourist couple were travelling in a 1998 Toyota RAV4 (pictured)

Detectives set up a crime scene where the Frenchman was stabbed to death on Wednesday

'Police will continue to speak to a number of witnesses to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death,' Det Supt Wurst said.

'We are extremely interested in speaking with anyone who may have sighted either vehicle, or had contact with any of the occupants of these cars in the days leading up to yesterdays incident.'

A crime scene has been set up as the investigation continues.

How and why Veleski came to be at the Connor Well truck stop on the Stuart Highway 100 kilometres north of Alice Spring - more than 2,300 kilometres from Melbourne - is not known.

Veleski allegedly pulled up behind Mr Jegouzo and his wife at the truck stop and 'exchanged pleasantries', The Australian reported.

Police said Veleski, a father-of-one, who has a history of mental illness - fled into bushland on foot overnight, but he was arrested naked, 60km from Ti Tree - where British backpacker Peter Falconio was last seen alive.

Veleski spent the night in hospital seeking a psychiatric assessment while being questioned by police over the murder.

The brutal stabbing murder happened in Aileron, about 100 kilometre north of Alice Springs

The tourist and his wife had stopped at Connors Well, about 100km north of Alice Springs

Veleski's sister-in-law Mary Veleski on Friday said she was 'heartbroken' about the terrible chain of events and their hearts went out to the victim's family.

'We knew he was unwell, but we never knew it was to this point. I just feel for everybody. We don't know what to do,' she told the NT News.

'We're heartbroken, we're in a lot of hard time at the moment. This has never happened to our family.'

Ms Veleski said her husband Tony, Pande's brother, was distraught.

Detective Superintendent Travis Wurst (pictured) released a photo of the car the attacker allegedly escaped in after he stabbed a French tourist to death in the outback

Mr Veleski said the family did not know he had left his home state of Victoria because they thought he had travelled to the family's holiday house in Dromana, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

'He came and got my keys. He was supposed to be in Dromana,' Tony told Fairfax Media, adding that his brother had been treated for a mental health condition.

'We were meant to go there today [on Friday] to see him, to spend time with him, me and my son.

'We're really sorry for the French tourist, and we're sorry for my brother as well.'

The attack has eerie parallels with the case of Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio who were attacked nearbye 15 years ago

English backpacker Peter Falconio with his girlfriend Joanne Lees before his murder

Peter Falconio was told to pull over his Kombi by Murdoch - his killer who said the couple had engine problems before killing Falconio

It comes as emerging details of the shocking murder in Australia's red centre have an eerie resemblance to that of Mr Falconio 15 years ago.

The alleged attacker was found the following morning in the same area where the British backpacker Peter Falconio was last seen alive - 100kms from where he allegedly attacked the Frenchman.

Falconio - who was murdered by Bradley John Murdoch 15 years ago was also travelling with his partner through the red centre when he was attacked.

The British man, then 28, and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were directed to pull over on the night of July 14, 2001.

When Murdoch spoke to the couple he told them there was a problem with their Kombi - Falconio went to the back of the car to check it out and was never seen again.

Ms Lees said she heard a gunshot and was then tied up by Murdoch but managed to escape and flag down help after hiding in the bush for hours - waiting for the sun to rise.

The wife of the Frenchman also flagged down help - a nurse and her partner travelling to Ti Tree, north of Connors Well.

The nurse stayed with the couple while her husband travelled to the nearest roadhouse to call emergency services around 5.30pm.

NT Police believe the alleged attacker fled in a grey Hyundai i20 hatchback (pictured)

The foreigner was stabbed in the neck in Northern Territory's outback town Aileron

Ms Chorier tried to save her husband from the suspect by hitting him over the head with the picnic table.

She was released from hospital on Friday after being treated for shock, and was taken to a safe house to be interviewed by police.

'She's particularly traumatised by the event,' Det Supt Wurst said on Thursday.

'This is an absolutely devastating occurrence for her and for her family of the deceased as well. Our hearts go out to her and her family.

The Connor Well rest area 60 miles north of Alice Springs where the 33-year-old Frenchman was stabbed to death

A French tourist has been stabbed to death in front of his wife in a chilling echo of the horror film Wolf Creek after they stopped for a rest in the remote Australian outback

Northern Territory Police - who arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the incident

'And as far as the Northern Territory police are concerned, we'll investigate this matter thoroughly and efficiently and bring this offender to justice.'

'Police saw that vehicle near Ti Tree; as soon as that vehicle had seen police it stopped and the person ran into the bush,' Det Supt Wurst said.
Theresa May has fuelled speculation of a rift with her Chancellor by appointing a personal adviser on the economy.

Leading City analyst Douglas McNeill, former aide to George Osborne, has quietly joined Downing Street as Mrs Mays chief economic adviser.

It will fuel rumours of tensions between Mrs May and Philip Hammond over the economy and Brexit.

Theresa May (right) has fuelled speculation of a rift with her Chancellor Philip Hammond (left) by appointing a personal adviser Douglas McNeill on the economy

But one senior Tory said Downing Streets inner circle was so economically illiterate that Mr McNeills economic nous could even help their relationship. Mr McNeill served as head of economic research and as a senior economic adviser to the Conservative Party a decade ago. In the intervening period he has worked as a senior analyst at a string of banks and City institutions.

A Downing Street source insisted it would be wrong to see Mr McNeills appointment as a threat to Mr Hammond. The PM has appointed someone who already has a good relationship with him, the source said.

The revelation sparked rumours of tensions between Mrs May (bottom) and Philip Hammond (top) over the economy and Brexit

But the appointment follows rumours of growing tensions between Mrs May and Mr Hammond. For instance, Downing Street did not come to Mr Hammonds aid at the Conservative conference in October when he came under fire from Eurosceptic Tories for his gloomy economic warnings over Brexit.

Mrs May is thought to be the first prime minister since Tony Blair to appoint her own economic adviser.

David Camerons close relationship with Mr Osborne meant he never felt the need for independent advice on the economy. And Gordon Brown never completely let go of the Treasury when he moved to No 10.

But one senior Tory said Downing Streets inner circle was so economically illiterate that Mr McNeills economic nous could even help their relationship. Pictured Philip Hammond in Edinburgh

But previous incumbents in the role have often had fraught relations with the Chancellor of the day.
A black West Virginia teenager had a BB gun in his waistband but nothing in his hands when he was fatally shot by a white man, a police detective has testified.

According to police, 15-year-old James Means was shot in the chest and in the back November 21 by 62-year-old William Pulliam after they bumped into each other outside a Charleston Dollar General store and twice exchanged words.

Police said Pulliam showed no remorse and told investigators, 'That's another piece of trash off the street,' according to a criminal complaint quoted in The West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Pulliam has denied he said this.

James Means, above, was allegedly killed by William Pulliam after the two got into a confrontation - a detective testified that Means had nothing in his hands when he was shot

William Ronald Pulliam, 62, was charged with shooting dead James Means, 15, in Charleston, West Virginia on Monday. He claims he felt his life was in danger and that Means had a gun

James Means, 15, was shot dead allegedly by William Ronald Pulliam, 62, on a street near a general store in Charleston, West Virginia on Monday night

Pulliam, who faces a first-degree murder charge, said in a jailhouse interview that he shot in self-defense after he felt threatened.

'He told me that he shot him because he was hassling him,' Charleston Police Detective Chris Lioi testified during Pulliam's preliminary hearing Thursday.

According to Lioi, Means had a BB gun in his waistband, though video footage showed nothing in his hands when he was killed.

'James Means had nothing in his hands and I observed Mr. Pulliam pull out a gun and discharge one round. James Means then falls to the ground. As he gets up, William Pulliam fires another round,' Lioi said.

The detective also said that audio captured from the footage suggested Pulliam knew the BB gun was a toy.

'That toy gun is going to get you (expletive) killed,' Lioi said Pulliam could be heard saying before Means was shot.

'No, it's not,' Means responded, according to the detective.

Pulliam's attorney, Richard Holicker, said neither he nor his client has seen the footage, and he argued that prosecutors should play it in court.

Pulliam has been charged with first degree murder but police said he showed no remorse and allegedly said: 'The way I look at it, that's another piece of trash off the street'

Witnesses say Means and Pulliam exchanged words outside the store when they accidentally bumped into each other

'Hopefully, one day the state will let us see the video so we'll know what happened,' Holicker said in his closing statement. 'The fact that Mr. Pulliam shot Mr. Means doesn't make this a first-degree murder,' he said.

A Kanawha County magistrate found probable cause to send the case to a grand jury.

Pulliam had said he felt his 'life was in danger' because the teenager flashed a gun at him first.

Police said Pulliam showed no remorse after his arrest and allegedly said: 'The way I look at it, that's another piece of trash off the street.'

Scene of the crime: The shooting happened outside a general store in Charleston, West Virginia on Monday night

But in an interview with WCHS from South Central Regional Jail, Pulliam denied making such a claim to police and claimed the shooting had nothing to do with race.

Witnesses say the pair exchanged words near the store at the corner of Washington and Nancy streets at about 8.45pm when they accidentally bumped into each other.

Pulliam claims Means was with two other boys on the porch of a nearby house and one of them cursed at him as he walked by. He said Means then flashed a gun at him.

When Pulliam came out of the store a short time later, he said he walked on the opposite side the street but claims Means came towards him.

'I just shot him. I felt my life was in danger,' Pulliam said.

Friends and family held vigils for the slain teenager, remembering him as a 'funny, smart and a good friend'

Police said Pulliam used a .380 caliber revolver to fatally shoot the teenager and he later died at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital.

Pulliam said it was not racially motivated.

'I don't care if they're white or black. Nobody is going to do me like that. It doesn't make any difference if he's black. My God, everybody I live around over there is black. I get along with all of them, ask them,' Pulliam said.

At a vigil for the victim, he was remembered as a 'funny, smart and a good friend', the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported.

Obi Henderson, director of the nonprofit Dreams Community Development Corporation, said that James had attended weekly meetings with a youth group called the Dream Chasers to learn about communication skills and career development tools.

'James' name is not something that should be forgotten. His life was stolen from him,' Henderson said.

'It's important that we come together and unify people, and ensure that these young people do not continue to see their friends killed in the streets. Not only by their elders, like this gentleman, but each other.'

Penni Padget, who called Means' smile 'infectious,' said steps need to be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future.

'We've got to do something different, because it might be James today, but it (could) be somebody else tomorrow. His life mattered to us,' Padgett said.

Thirteen-year-old James Cooper witnessed the shooting on Monday.

'James was a good friend to me,' he said. 'He always came up with ideas of what to do and how to make it fun.'

During his arraignment via video from South Central Regional Jail (pictured), Pulliam was shocked to learn he would have to remain in jail

Police said Pulliam allegedly left Means to die and went home to eat dinner before hanging out at a female friend's house.

Due to a prior domestic violence conviction in 2013, Pulliam was not supposed to have a gun, the West Virginia Gazette reports.

Pulliam was arrested on Tuesday and charged with first degree murder.

During his arraignment via video from South Central Regional Jail, Pulliam was shocked to learn he would have to remain in jail.

'I'm going to be in here til December?' he asked the judge. 'I'm going to lose my job and everything.'
Snooty curators at the Victoria And Albert Museum sparked a row last year by declining to display Lady Thatchers suits because they werent fashionable enough.

But it seems the unflattering burkini, the full-length swimming costume designed to protect Muslim womens modesty, ticks the V&As sartorial boxes.

The London gallery has spent some of its multi-million-pound government grant on buying a burkini for a new exhibition on political and social change, after the garment sparked international debate when it was banned from French beaches in the summer.

Victoria And Albert Museum has spent some of its multi-million-pound government grant on buying a burkini

The Iron Ladys allies are appalled by the V&As stance, since the museum rejected the late Prime Ministers wardrobe, inherited by her children Carol and Mark, on the grounds that it focuses on garments of outstanding, aesthetic or technical quality.

Sir Bernard Ingham, Baroness Thatchers former press secretary, thunders: It is multicultural nonsense. The V&A is politically correct to the nth degree. Nobody takes them seriously, do they? I dont.

MENTIONING NO NAMES Which elegant socialite was making a play for other men while still officially going out with her boyfriend? Advertisement

The V&A received a 37.2 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2015/6, up from 31.1million the previous year.

However, the number of ethnic minority visitors to the V&As main site in South Kensington fell by almost 70,000 over the same period, so it is perhaps keen to increase its multi-cultural exhibits.

After the public outcry last year, the museum eventually accepted a donation of six of Thatchers outfits and a hat. Items on display alongside the burkini in the V&As Rapid Response Collecting Gallery include a flag designed for the refugee Olympic team and a Vote Leave leaflet  although the Brexit exhibit is unlikely to have been sanctioned by the V&As Europhile boss.

Martin Roth quit his 169,000 per annum post in September to return to his native Germany, calling the vote to quit the EU a personal defeat.

Im sure Mr Roths 258,000 pension pot will cushion the blow.

Sam Cam will not have to juggle too much when she launches her own fashion label next year  for her advisory role at the luxury goods store, Smythson, is being quietly scaled back.

Shes always been heavily involved, but with her new label shes going to be a lot busier, admits Smythsons head of marketing, Ruby Victor.

Samantha Cameron at the launch of a new contemporary brand, Cefinn, which is going to make her more busy

We will work around her new schedule, which were more than happy to do, because shes been a part of the family for so long. However, few will know just how involved Samantha has been since stepping down as 400,000-a-year creative director in 2010, two days after her husband became PM.

She helped us pick [actors] James Norton and Vanessa Kirby for our latest campaign, adds Ruby at the Browns Hotel Christmas party in Mayfair.
Thousands of military veterans began arriving at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation on Friday to join the protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline project.

They have come to support the Sioux Native Americans and environmental activists who are attempting to block the final stages of the $3.8billion pipeline which comes within a half-mile of the reservation. They believe the water supply is at risk of contamination and sacred burial sites have been destroyed.

Protesters, who describe themselves as water protectors, have been ordered by the government to leave the area by Monday but many are planning to hunker down at the camp.

On Friday, a small group made their way out from the camp to the edge of the pipeline construction zone.

Thousands of military veterans began arriving at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation on Friday to join the protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline project

They have come to support the Sioux Native Americans and environmental activists who are attempting to block the final stages of the $3.8billion pipeline

They set up several small tents and planted a U.S. and Marine Corps flag while sheriffs deputies and military personnel with a Humvee watched from behind barbed wire on the hill above.

One veteran told DailyMail.com that a group of their men had engaged in an operation to rescue canoes belonging to the Sioux people after they were allegedly stolen and smashed by authorities.

U.S. Army veteran Joseph Hock told DailyMail.com: Morton County Sheriffs Department and the Dakota Access Pipeline people came in the middle of the night and stole canoes which belong to the Sioux.

U.S. Army veteran Joseph Hock (pictured), who has served in the U.S. and overseas, said: I think the authorities are trying to create as much distress as possible

Ray Montoya (pictured), a Native American veteran from the Jicarrilla Apache and Navajo Nations in New Mexico, told DailyMail.com: Im here with the Veterans for Standing Rock to protect and Im here because of my oath'

Miguel Tully (pictured), an infantry veteran who served in Iraq, said that he had deployed to the Standing Rock reservation to protect the protesters and take a stand against the injustice of the pipeline

They took the canoes to their side to antagonize and send a message.

They broke them up and left them on the other side of the Cannonball River surrounded by concertina wire.

The other night, a bunch of veterans crossed halfway and pulled them back with grappling hooks.

The veteran, who has served in the U.S. and overseas, said that the canoes were used for water rescue. Several of the boats have blue first-aid crosses painted on the side.

He said: I think the authorities are trying to create as much distress as possible.

Mr Hock said he had no plans to leave on December 5 when the government eviction notice is served on the protest camp

Protesters, who describe themselves as water protectors, have been ordered by the government to leave the area by Monday but many are planning to hunker down at the camp

Many of the boats are beyond repair and cannot return to the water but may be turned into sleds. Part of being sustainable, he said.

The veteran, who is from Michigan, has been at Oceti Sakowin camp for three months protesting against the pipeline.

He said: We are fighting the same situation in Michigan with Enbridge Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. One-fifth of the worlds freshwater supply is in the Great Lakes and we have to protect it. There have been leaks already.

Enbridge Line 5 is a 60-year-old oil pipeline which carries half a million barrels of oil a day from western Canada to eastern Canada via the Great Lakes states. There are public concerns about the risk of an oil spill in the Straits of Mackinac. There was an oil spill involving Line 5 at Crystal Falls, Michigan, in 1999.

One veteran told DailyMail.com that a group of their men had engaged in an operation to rescue canoes belonging to the Sioux people after they were allegedly stolen and smashed by authorities

They took the canoes to their side to antagonize and send a message. They broke them up and left them on the other side of the Cannonball River surrounded by concertina wire,' Hock said

The other night, a bunch of veterans crossed halfway and pulled them back with grappling hooks, Hock added

Mr Hock said he had no plans to leave on December 5 when the government eviction notice is served on the protest camp.

Once they close down the pipeline, then Ill leave, he said.

Miguel Tully, an infantry veteran who served in Iraq, said that he had deployed to the Standing Rock reservation to protect the protesters and take a stand against the injustice of the pipeline.

We swore an oath to serve and protect in both foreign and domestic situations, he said.

Through non-violent actions, we need to show respect to the Sioux people. This is not the first time this has happened to them, they have been disrespected for generations and I hope this will be an end to it.

We are not going to leave. We are standing strong with them until this is done.

A message on the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock Facebook page warns that no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed at the campsite

That page asks veterans to bring bring body armor, has masks and earplugs

Retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark Jr; Marine veteran and former Baltimore police officer, Michael Wood Jr. will join around 2,000 veterans this weekend

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii who has served two tours in the Middle East, will also join the veterans this weekend

Ray Montoya, a Native American veteran from the Jicarrilla Apache and Navajo Nations in New Mexico, told DailyMail.com: Im here with the Veterans for Standing Rock to protect and Im here because of my oath.

These police officers are not following the constitution of the United States. We are fighting against domestic violence against our people.

A message on the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock Facebook page warns that no drugs, alcohol or weapons are allowed at the campsite but asks that veterans bring body armor, has masks and earplugs.
Psychology professor Bosco Tjan was stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus on Friday

A professor was stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus on Friday by a male student who has been taken into custody, police said.

USC President CL Max Nikias identified the victim as psychology professor and neuroscientist Bosco Tjan in a letter to the USC community.

The stabbing happened just after 4.30pm inside the school's Seely G. Mudd building, the site of a lab that Tjan ran and in the heart of campus, police said.

Investigators believe the attack was not random and 'was the result of a personal dispute,' according to the USC Department of Public Safety.

Tjan, an expert in vision cognition and perception, stabbed in the chest and was found dead with several stab wounds, officials said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He has been affiliated with the university since January 2001 and was a co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center.

He holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Minnesota, according to his LinkedIn.

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Tjan was stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus on Friday by a male student who has been taken into custody, police said

Officer Drake Madison said the stabbing happened just after 4.30pm inside the school's Seely G. Mudd building

The male student arrested in Tjan's killing was set to be interviewed on Friday night, Los Angeles Police Officer Meghan Aguilar said.

His name would be released after he was booked, Aguilar said.

Chris Purington, project manager at Tjan's lab, said he does not know of any problems Tjan was having with a student and was shocked by his mentor's killing.

He said Tjan was a married father of one son.

The university's Trojans Alert emergency texting service quickly put out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the Seely G. Mudd building, which houses science and medical classrooms.

'Police-related incident in progress at Seely G. Mudd. No danger to USC or the community. Stay away from the area,' the text read.

Tjan, an expert in vision cognition and perception, stabbed in the chest and was found dead with several stab wounds, officials said

The 10-story building is in the heart of campus near the school's running track.

No further details were immediately released.

Students on campus were shocked by Friday's slaying.

Yesenia Brasby, a freshman pre-med student, said she was rattled by the fatal stabbing.

'We feel safe in our little bubble, but that's just not the case. Anything can happen anywhere,' she told the Los Angeles Times.

'I feel like I always try to be aware of my surroundings now,' she added.

'Just because there's a gate (on campus), doesn't mean something won't happen inside, on campus.'

The university's Trojans Alert emergency texting service quickly put out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the Seely G. Mudd building, which houses science and medical classrooms

Police believe the professor was specifically targeted. They tweeted that the campus was secure and the suspect was in custody

USC was rocked last year by the beating death of a graduate student who was attacked by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.

Xinran Ji, a 24-year old engineering student, managed to return to his apartment, where his roommate found him.

In 2012 Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot to death as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

After Ji's murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.

On UCLA's campus last year, an engineering professor was shot dead by a former student in a murder-suicide.

Zhongtang Li, a fourth-year doctorate student from China and teaching assistant, said he was shocked by the killing and said he feels less safe now.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students

'I think I'm good with my students, but even so, I will be even more careful now on whether I'm going too hard on them,' he told the Los Angeles Times.

'I'm worried. It seems like more and more people are losing self control...,' he continued.

'I've been here for so long; this is the worst thing to have happened on campus, the hardest to understand.'

Professor William Krug, 39, was shot in a campus office by former student Mainak Sarkar who then turned the gun on himself.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students.

A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16 percent of the more than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.
Thousands of revellers have flocked to the NSW mid coast for the annual Subsonic Music Festival.

The festival is being held over the weekend at the Riverwood Downs in rural Monkerai near Dungog.

Festivalgoers made sure to dress up for the cosmic and space-themed carnivale, while incorporating the quirky and boho chic vibe of the electronic music festival.

A woman in a light pink costume with a hot pink feather boa poses for a mirror selfie

One woman gets ready for Subsonic with marijuana leaf pasties to cover her modesty

Hippie chic: A festivalgoer poses while sitting on the back of a ute at the Subsonic Music Festival

Some people accessorise with jewelry, but it appaears this festival-goer brought herself a third arm

But the festival got off to rocky start after 20 people were charged with drug offences after a police raid on Friday.

Amphetamines, LSD, Ketamine, ecstasy and cannabis were found on 17 people on the first day of the Riverwood Downs, Monkerai festival on Friday, police say.

A further three people were charged with supplying a prohibited drug, including a 30-year-old Erskineville man who was allegedly found with LSD and charged with supplying an indictable quantity of a drug.

Port Stephens Commander Superintendent Chris Craner said police were 'shocked' at the number of people risking their health by taking drugs.

'Consuming a prohibited drug is extremely dangerous - you don't know what is in the drug, how and where it has been manufactured, or what effects it can have on your body,' he said in a statement.

'The illegal activities at these events will put the future of any such event in this area in serious jeopardy.'

Some drug and health experts have been calling for governments to allow pill testing at major music festivals so that music fans can make informed decisions about what they plan on taking.

But NSW Premier Mike Baird earlier this year equated tests with supporting illegal drug use and dismissed a privately-funded planned trial as 'ridiculous'.

Say A! These partygoers go bright with bedazzled tops, purple hair and glitter everywhere

Fishnet tights and a multi-coloured playsuit and this festival-goer is ready to party

This year's Subsonic Music Festival was cosmic and space themed

Partygoers dab for the camera in their daring clothing and drinks in hand

Cute up-dos, crop tops and high-waisted bottoms made up most of the costumes

Festivalgoers pack the River Stage at the Subsonic Music Festival in NSW's mid coast

Four festivalgoers get excited as they drive towards Subsonic Music Festival

Festivalgoers gather under the tropical-like shelter areas at the Subsonic Music Festival

A performer during the Subsonic Music Festival, with neon lights lighting up the stage

The grounds of the Subsonic Music Festival resemble a tropical paradise

Tents line the grass fields at the Subsonic Music Festival in Riverwood Downs, Monkerai

Some drug and health experts have been calling for governments to allow pill testing at major music festivals
Dogs who foul the pavement in a French town will be caught immediately thanks to a controversial new DNA database, a far-right mayor announced.

Robert Menard, who is supported by the National Front, is setting up a new canine database that will provide crucial forensic evidence.

Dog owners in Beziers, in the south of France, will have to submit their animals' DNA to the local council.

Dogs who foul the pavement in a French town will be caught immediately thanks to a controversial new DNA database, a far-right mayor announced (stock image)

When excrement is found around the town, scientists will be able to link it to the owner, who will receive an automatic fine equivalent to 32.

'This is a common sense measure,' said Mr Menard.

'Local residents are in favour of the idea, because it will make the town cleaner and save money.'

Judges sitting at the administrative court in nearby Montpellier originally described the scheme as sinister and over officious.

Opponents also included local official Christian Pouget who said: 'The moment you make dog owners declare in a file that they're just taking their pet for a walk then it becomes disproportionate.

'And just because you're taking a dog for a walk doesn't mean you're not respecting health rules.

Robert Menard is setting up a new canine database

'An original legal ruling said the measure was 'not intended to keep the public safe nor to prevent offence, but was purely repressive'.

This has now been changed with the judges saying the scheme is 'disproportionate to the demands of public health and safety,' but 'not illegal'.

They said the DNA database has been authorised, but it can only apply to dog waste found in Beziers town centre.

Mr Menard is also a fierce opponent of migrants arriving in his town, and wants to clamp down on non-French fast food outlets, including kebab shops.

Dog excrement remains a major problem in most French cities and towns, where some owners allow their pets to foul pavements, without cleaning up.
Officials said an order to evacuate a wildfire that tore through Tennessee this week was not sent out to mobile phones in Gaitlinburg as the death toll rises to 13 on Friday.

Jeff Carter, one of many people claiming they did not receive any notice, went to sleep at 7pm on Monday and awoke five hours later as the blaze spread near his apartment, USA Today reported.

It remains unclear why the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System failed, although one spokesman said a cell tower damaged by the fires could have played a role.

On Friday, the death toll included two more people, and the victims Alice Hagler, 70, May Vance, and couples Jon and Janet Summers, along with John and Janet Tegler were confirmed dead.

Jon and Janet Summers (pictured) of Memphis, Tennessee, were in a car, celebrating their twin sons' birthdays when they tried to escape on foot and died

Their three sons Branson, Jared and Wesley were hospitalized, with one in critical condition

The death toll rose to 13 on Friday and several people in the area are still unaccounted for (pictured, the Summerses)

Alice Hagler died while she was staying at a cabin rental called Chalet Village

The wildfire, which erupted on November 23, eventually spread across 17,000 acres with the help of drought-parched brush and fierce winds.

Numerous spot fires to broke out before they exploded into an inferno on Monday, destroying nearly 1,000 buildings while 14,000 people were forced to evacuate from the resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Authorities have dubbed it the Chimney Tops 2 fire, which is now the nation's single deadliest wildfire since 2013, when 19 firefighters died near Prescott, Arizona.

Officials at the local, state and federal level confirmed alerts had not been sent out to people in Gatlinburg, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.

Dean Flener, spokesperson for the state's Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said an alert was issued to mobile phones in Gatlinburg at around 9.04pm, but said a cell tower engulfed in fire may have prevented some from receiving the message.

The wildfire in eastern Tennessee eventually spread across 17,000 acres. Dubbed the Chimney Tops 2 fire, it is now the nation's single deadliest wildfire since 2013

The Gatlinburg Fire Department ordered the mandatory evacuation of the town, but officials confirmed alerts had not been sent out to people in Gatlinburg

John Matthews, of the Sevier County Emergeny Management Agency, said he told TEMA to issue to evacuation notice, but Flener said Matthews had contacted the National Weather Service instead.

Matthews said he didn't remember who he issued the request to, since the fire had spread to the local command post, and emergency officials were too busy evacuating themselves.

Carter, who works at the Brookside Resort and Event Center, awoke to the fire and told USA Today: 'No text alerts, not anything. And you get Amber alerts on the phone.'

At least 13 people have died from the fires, and several people in the area are still unaccounted for.

A burned car sits in a parking lot Wednesday, in Gatlinburg

The mountain cable cars hover over the burned out mountainside (left) while smoke still lingers above the smoldering homes near Gatlinburg

Alice Hagler, 70, was staying at a cabin rental called Chalet Village. She was confirmed dead by her son.

Jon and Janet Summers of Memphis, Tennessee, were in a car, celebrating their twin sons' birthdays when they tried to escape on foot and died.

Their three sons Branson, Jared and Wesley were hospitalized, with one in critical condition. A crowdfunding effort has raised more than $64,000 for their medical expenses.

John and Janet Tegler, an elderly couple from Canada, were also among the victims at Chalet Village.

May Vance died from a heart attack caused by smoke inhalation.
A deal President-elect Donald Trump struck with an Indiana air conditioner maker this week to keep about 1,000 jobs in the U.S. rather than move them to Mexico has drawn criticism from Sarah Palin.

Palin, a Trump supporter who had been reported to be under consideration for a Cabinet job, condemned the Carrier Corp deal as 'crony capitalism.'

The former Republican vice presidential nominee wrote in an opinion piece on the Young Conservatives website on Friday that she is 'ecstatic' for Carrier employees, but joined critics who say the deal violates free market principles.

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A deal President-elect Donald Trump struck with an Indiana air conditioner maker to keep about 1,000 jobs in the U.S. rather than move them to Mexico has drawn criticism from Sarah Palin

Palin, a Trump supporter who had been reported to be under consideration for a Cabinet job, condemned the Carrier Corp deal as 'crony capitalism'

'When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent,' she wrote.

'Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail,' she continued.

The deal was unique because the president-elect became personally involved in it, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence was in a position as Indiana governor to help facilitate the incentives.

Carrier Corp will receive a $7 million incentive package in the deal in exchange for keeping hundreds of jobs at its Indianapolis plant, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The package will reportedly include $5 million in tax credits over the next decade, $1 million in training grants and up to $1 million in additional tax credits based on its planned $16 million investment in the factory.

'We don't yet know terms of the public/private deal that was cut to make the company stay, but let's hope every business is equally incentivized to keep Americans working in America,' Palin wrote.

'Foundational to our exceptional nation's sacred private property rights, a business must have freedom to locate where it wishes.

'In a free market, if a business makes a mistake (including a marketing mistake that perhaps Carrier executives made), threatening to move elsewhere claiming efficiency's sake, then the market's invisible hand punishes.

'Thankfully, that same hand rewards, based on good business decisions.'

'But this time-tested truth assumes we're operating on a level playing field,' she continued.

Palin went on to say that politicians 'picking and choosing recipients of corporate welfare is railed against by fiscal conservatives' because it is 'a hallmark of corruption and socialism.'

She added that the 'Obama administration dealt in it in spades.'

The former Republican vice presidential nominee (pictured) wrote in an opinion piece on the Young Conservatives website on Friday that she is 'ecstatic' for Carrier employees, but joined critics who say the deal violates free market principles

'A $20 trillion debt-ridden country can't afford this sinfully stupid practice, so vigilantly guard against its continuance, or we're doomed,' she wrote.

Palin also called for 'Reaganites' in the new administration, praising former president Ronald Reagan for establishing what she called a fiscal framework.

'Reagan's successes were built on establishing a fiscal framework that invigorated our entire economy, revitalized growth and investment while decreasing spending, tax rates, over-reaching regulations, unemployment, and favoritism via individual subsidies,' she wrote.

'However well meaning, burdensome federal government imposition is never the solution. Never. Not in our homes, not in our schools, not in churches, not in businesses,' she continued.

'Gotta' have faith the Trump team knows all this.'

She went on to say that she would be the first to acknowledge 'concerns over a deal cut by leveraging public interests to make a make a manufacturer stay put are unfounded - once terms are made public.'

The Carrier Corp deal was unique because the president-elect became personally involved in it, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence was in a position as Indiana governor to help facilitate the incentives

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence watch as employees work during a visit to Carrier factory on Thursday in Indianapolis, Indiana

Trump talks with workers during a visit to the Carrier factory on Thursday in Indiana

'But know that fundamentally, political intrusion using a stick or carrot to bribe or force one individual business to do what politicians insist, versus establishing policy incentivizing our ENTIRE ethical economic engine to roar back to life, isn't the answer,' she continued.

'Cajole only chosen ones on Main St or Wall St and watch lines stretch from Washington to Alaska full of businesses threatening to bail unless taxpayers pony up.

'The lines strangle competition and really, really, dispiritingly screw with workers' lives.'

She said it is 'beyond unacceptable' and said to anticipate 'equal incentivizes and positive reform all across the field - to make the economy great again.'

Palin endorsed Trump in January before the Iowa caucuses in a rambling speech, then joined him for just a few events on the campaign trail.

Her name is reportedly being floated to take over the troubled Veterans Affairs administration.

The Carrier Corp deal differs from most other economic development agreements in Indiana, where incentives are usually aimed at bringing in jobs, not retaining them.

Trump has criticized the use of such incentives in the past.

The deal was an early victory for the incoming administration and was mostly welcomed by the plant's 1,400 employees, who were told in February that their jobs would be dropped as the work moved to Mexico.

Palin is a Trump supporter who had been reported to be under consideration for a Cabinet job

But the deal will only save about 800 jobs that were initially slated to be outsourced.

That means an estimated 400 to 500 workers at the plant, as well as 700 employees at another plant owned by related company in Huntington, Indiana, will still lose their jobs.

Some economic development experts said the agreement is troubling.

'It's a potentially dangerous policy where you reward a company that threatens to leave. ... In this case, you're rewarding a company that is actually cutting a lot of jobs in the state,' Steve Weitzner of site selection firm Silverlode Consulting said.

Mitch Roob, who led the state's economic development agency under former Gov. Mitch Daniels, said economic development needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

He said awarding incentives for retention was not common.

'But there were certain circumstances when that became the best option for us, and we went ahead and did it,' Roob said.

The board of Indiana's economic development agency must still approve the deal.

As governor of Indiana, Pence is chairman of the board and appoints its members.
A teenage gunman with gang links who allegedly shot dead a man on the Gold Coast claims he didn't mean to kill him and that the death was an 'accident'.

Taylor Ruatara, 18, handed himself in at Southport Police Station at about 5pm on Friday after allegedly killing Jason Boyd at about 8.45 that morning.

Ruatara - who is an alleged associate of Nomads bikie group in Australia and the Black Power bikie gang in New Zealand - faced the Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

The teenager's lawyer Michael Gatenby said the teen claims to have found the gun while partying at the house and didn't realise it was a real firearm.

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Taylor Ruatara, who allegedly shot to death a man on the Gold Coast on Friday, claims he never meant to kill the man and it was in fact a tragic accident. Ruatara is pictured with his adoptive mother Renee Louise Moseley who is currently on the run over the incident

Ruatara (left) handed himself in at Southport Police Station at about 5pm on Friday night after allegedly killing Boyd at about 8.45 that morning. Moseley (right) is believed to be driving a white Holden Commodore

'The (police) allegation is that there's a party over there, everyone's over-indulged and the prosecution case is that the firearm's discharged - they say willfully and we say accidentally,' Mr Gatenby told the Courier Mail.

'My client gives a version that he never pulled the trigger of the gun. I think it's fairly well-accepted that it's not his gun.

'He provided a version to police that he didn't know it was a real weapon.

'He was told certain things by the deceased. But at the end of the day, people just can't play with guns.'

The Gold Coast Bulletin also reports Mr Boyd was shot through the heart with a single bullet.

Ruatara was remanded in custody but plans to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

He's also scheduled to re-appear in court on February 21 for a committal hearing mention.

The New Zealander's adoptive mother Renee Louise Moseley, who is his alleged accomplice, remains on the run over the shooting.

Ruatara, 18, is alleged to have killed Jason Boyd on Friday afternoon but claims his death was an accident. Both the teenager and Mr Boyd are alleged to have links to Nomads bikie group

Moseley (pictured), a heavily-tattooed mother-of-one, is still at large and running from police

It's alleged the 31-year-old was also at the party when Mr Boyd was shot, before the pair went on the run together before Ruatara handed himself in.

Moseley, a heavily-tattooed mother-of-one, is still at large and police believe she is travelling in a white Holden Commodore.

She bares the name 'Indi' on her neck, other names on her hand, chest and forearm, and designs featuring ladybugs, Piglet from Whine The Pooh, a dreamcatcher and a baby rattle on her arms with a yellow background.

Police remained at the scene of the shooting at Carrara on Saturday gathering evidence

In 2011 Moseley narrowly avoided jail for trying to sneak the drug buprenorphine into a jail for a prisoner who befriended her but she barely knew.

Police remained at the scene of the shooting at Carrara on Saturday gathering evidence.
The family of a New South Wales man who has been missing for more than three weeks is still desperately holding onto hope he will be found alive and well.

Doug Hunt, 38, went out on a fishing trawler with two other men on Friday November 11 and has not been heard from since.

The trawler 'Night Raider' departed Urangan at Hervey Bay in Queensland on November 11, with plans to arrive at the Sunshine Coast seven days later.

Doug Hunt, 38, (pictured with his son) went out on a fishing trawler with two other men on Friday November 11 and has not been heard from since

But when the trawler never arrived, police launched an air, sea and land search to find the three men.

Now three weeks and one day since Doug Hunt was last seen, and with no trace of the trawler found by search crews, his family is still in the dark about what's happened to their loved one.

Mr Hunt's sister Delwyn Hunt told Daily Mail Australia her entire family was in pieces.

'We just feel broken, at a complete loss,' she said.

She said it was 'the unknown' which made the situation so unbearable.

Doug Hunt (centre) pictured with four of his six children, went on the trip to make extra money for his family in the lead up to Christmas

Delwyn Hunt (pictured) said she felt 'broken' since learning her brother had gone missing

While Doug lived with his family in Port Macquarie on New South Wales' north coast, Delwyn said she and most of Doug's family still lived in New Zealand, where they grew up.

Delwyn said the distance made the situation even more difficult to comprehend.

'It's hard because we're over here, not over there,' she said.

'We just feel broken and helpless, it's hard to know what to do.'

Delwyn said Doug was a 'family man' who very much loved his partner Tracey Lee and the children.

With six children in his care, three shared with Tracey and three step-children, Delwyn said her brother worked hard to provide for the family.

She said it was this love for his family which ultimately lead him to go on the doomed fishing trip.

She said Doug wanted to make some extra money for the family ahead of Christmas.

'He hadn't been out fishing for years,' she said.

'I fully believe he just went out to make some extra money for the family, just a one off trip.

'It was for Christmas, that's the hardest thing.'

Doug was one of a team of three men who went missing on the fishing trawler.

Veteran professional fisherman Grant Sainty, 60, and an unidentified 24-year-old man were on board with Doug Hunt when the trawler vanished without a trace off the Fraser Coast.

Hervey Bay police launched the air and sea search on November 25, seven days after the men failed to arrive at the Sunshine Coast.

Doug (far right) and Tracey Lee (centre) pictured with their six children before he went missing more than three weeks ago

Delwyn said fishing was Doug's (pictured) passion, but he had not gone out on a job for years

Police said the search was only undertaken a week later because their late arrival 'was not deemed out of character by those known to the crew members'.

Water Police searched the coastline from Bustard Head to Urangan Harbour  where the men departed from  but found no sign of the trawler or its men.

The search was scaled back on Monday November 28 after an extensive air, sea and land search failed to locate any sign of the vessel.

Helicopters, police and Volunteer Marine Rescue vessels all contributed to the search which spanned thousands of square nautical miles.

While the search had been scaled back, Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that police were still conducting broadcasts over marine radio and there were ongoing patrols in coastal areas.

Daily Mail Australia was informed there were no longer 'dedicated search aircrafts or vessels' sent out, but the search had not been abandoned.

Doug Hunt's partner Tracey Lee also spoke out on Monday, claiming she was still 'praying' for good news.

'Doug is my soul mate and father of our three beautiful children as well as father to my additional three children who he adores,' Tracey told the Chronical.

'We have family, friends and church groups now praying for their safe return.'

Tracey said she remembered the last thing she said to Doug before he left for the job.

'I said 'I love you and we appreciate what you're doing for the family' and to be safe,' she said.

Doug's family said it had banded together since the trawler's disappearance.

Doug (pictured) was one of a team of three men who went missing on the fishing trawler

His sister Delwyn said her and her sister made plans to travel to Australia to be with Tracey and the family.

'We have a large family in Australia as well as New Zealand,' she said.

'We're all supporting each other.'

Delwyn also said she had the families of the other two men in her thoughts and hoped to reach out to them when she landed.

'We just obviously send our love to the other families,' she said.
A woman accused of killing her husband in an attempted murder-suicide - with their pet parrot as the only witness - appeared in court for the first time.

Glenna Duram, 46, is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting her husband, Martin, 45, on May 12, 2015 and then turning the gun on herself in their Newaygo County's Ensley Township home in Michigan. She survived.

The alleged murder-suicide has drawn attention for its unusual witness - the couple's pet parrot. Weeks after his death, Martin Duram's family recorded the bird 'parroting' what they believe to be the victim's last words: 'Don't f***ing shoot!'

The prosecutor says he hasn't ruled out putting the African grey parrot, Bud, on the stand, according to NBC News.

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Glenna Duram, above left, appeared at a preliminary hearing Friday in the first degree killing of her husband, Martin, pictured right, in 2015

A prosecutor says he hasn't ruled out putting African grey parrot, Bud, pictured, who is the only witness, on the stand

At the preliminary hearing on Friday to decide if the case goes to trial, a neighbor, Connie Ream, testified how she was the first one to find the couple.

She said she heard two gunshots in the morning, and thought that Martin might be hunting, but that it was too early.

The next day, she went to check on her neighbors and found them on the floor in the bedroom, with neither one moving. Martin had been shot five times, according to Wood-TV.

Durham recovered from her alleged suicide attempt and said she doesn't remember the incident but knows she would not kill her husband

Glenna would spend months in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Another witness said that the place looked 'ransacked.'

'Everything was just scattered all over the place. There was a lamp on the floor, everything was just like ransacked in there,' said the unidentified witness.

Martin's mother, Lillian Duram, insists the parrot, Bud, recounts what sounds like an argument - changing voices from male to female.

'That bird picks up everything and anything, and its got the filthiest mouth around,' she said.

'I personally think he was there and he remembers it and he was saying it,' said Martin's father, Charles, according to Wood-TV.

Winged murder witness?: The parents of a Michigan man who was shot dead at his home last year say his pet parrot, Bud, has the evidence that his wife is the killer, because he won't stop saying: 'Don't f---ing shoot'

Martin Duram, 45 (left), was shot and killed in his home in Sand Lake in May 2015 in what police first believed was a double-homicide. His wife, Glenna Duram, 46 (right), had been shot in the head, but survived

After the shooting, Glenna told police she did not remember the day leading up to what happened, but stressed that she did not kill her husband.

However, police documents show that Glenna was considered a suspect in the case, and that she had left three suicide notes in the house - one to her ex-husband and one to each of her children.

Lillian and Charles Durum are sure their daughter-in-law murdered their son, and believe the parrot is proof

The wife: Police documents say that Glenna Duram struggled with a gambling problem, and racked up $75,000 worth of gambling debts in one year

One of the notes read: 'i'm sorry but i love you and soo sorry i've been a disappointment to you these last 12 yrs or so Please forgive me your one of the best things I ever did  Love mom.'

Glenna also denied to investigators that she had written the suicide notes, but a handwriting analysis showed she did, said police.

The police records further detailed the couple's financial problems, gambling issues and a potentially troubled marriage.

One document from 2010 showed Glenna gambled nearly $75,000 on slots, more than twice what Marty gambled that same year.

Scene: Martin Duram, 45, was shot and killed in his home in Sand Lake in May 2015 in what police initially believed was a double-homicide. They later realized his wife was actually alive but in a critical condition

Family said the couple had been married more than 10 years and had been living in their Sand Lake home for more than 15 years.

The two always kept their doors locked, and none of the family had keys to the home, according to documents.
Walmart has agreed to pay out millions of dollars after a class-action lawsuit claimed the superstore denied spousal health insurance benefits to couples in same-sex marriages between 2011 and 2013.

The company agreed to the payout on Friday to settle the suit brought forward by Jacqueline Cote in July 2015.

Cote filed the lawsuit on behalf of other employees of Walmart who were also in same-sex marriages and denied the benefits, CNN Money reported.

Walmart says it only expects a few thousand people to be eligible for a payout from the settlement.

The company and Cote settled under tentative terms in a federal court in Massachusetts on Friday.

Jacqueline Cote (right) filed a lawsuit against Walmart for discrimination after her health insurance didn't cover her wife Diana Smithson (left) who had ovarian cancer

If a judge approves the filing, people who were employed by Walmart between 2011 to 2013 and in legal same-sex unions will be able to receive a payout.

However, it is unknown how many current and former Walmart employees will be affected by the $7.5 million settlement.

It is estimated it could be able 1,100, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Diana Smithson, who is married to Cote, was also a Walmart employee when she left the company to care for Cote's ill mother.

During that time, Smithson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.

The couple spent more than $150,000 on treatment after Smithson was denied coverage under Cote's plan.

Cote argued that the policy discriminated against gay employees, which federal law prohibits based on sex, religion, race and national origin.

On Friday, Cote expressed she was happy the case was settled.

In a statement she said: 'I'm pleased that Walmart was willing to resolve this issue for me and other associates who are married to someone of the same sex.

Walmart has agreed to pay out $7.5 million to eligible employees as a part of the class-action lawsuit (stock image of Walmart)

'It's a relief to bring this chapter of my life to a close.'

Walmart's senior vice president of Global Benefits Sally Welborn also said she was happy the company and current and former employees could reach an agreement.

'We're happy both sides could come together to reach a resolution,' she said.

The company began offering benefits to same sex couples in 2014.

Before that, it only offered benefits in states that legally required it to do so for people in same-sex domestic partnerships.
The Russian leader insist he did not order hackers to meddle in election

President-elect Trump says it is not 'certain' Vladimir Putin ordered it

Senior Democrats are putting pressure ob Obama to reveal new information they believe shows Russia meddled in the election to sway it

Democrats are putting pressure on Barack Obama to openly accuse Russia of meddling in the election to help Donald Trump.

Senior party figures sent a letter to the president imploring him to publish classified information which they believe proves the Kremlin interfered to boost Trump's chances of winning.

In October, intelligence committees issued a report suggesting Russian figures were behind the hack of thousands of emails from Hillary Clinton's inner circle.

Their motive was to undermine America's democratic process, it said, and not to intentionally help either of the candidates.

'These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process.

' Such activity is not new to Moscow  the Russians have used similar tactics and techniques across Europe and Eurasia, for example, to influence public opinion there."

'We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities,' Jeh Johnson, the secretary of homeland security, and James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said in a statement.

Sources now tell CNN new information suggests the hack was driven by a desire to put Trump in the white house.

Democratic senators on the intelligence committee all signed the letter addressed o Obama, it claims, in the hope he will share their findings publicly.

It says there is 'additional information concerning the Russian Government and the U.S. election.'

Vladimir Putin has insisted his administration had nothing to do with the attack which yielded thousands of private emails between Clinton aides.

According to members on the intelligence committee, new information suggests Putin ordered a hack to help Donald Trump clinch victory

The hack yielded thousands of emails from Clinton's inner circle which were released in a drip feed by Wikileaks in the days before the election

Their correspondences were drip fed in daily releases by WikiLeaks and could have contributed to her loss, said insiders after the election.

It was compounded by the FBI's sensational decision to revive a closed investigation into her use of a private email server days before the polls opened.

Trump's camp has remained sheepish on the subject despite the testimony of amateur sleuths who back up the committees' belief Russian-linked hacker groups were responsible for the breach.

The president-elect has repeatedly said it is not 'certain' that Putin was behind the attack.

Obama has shied away the topic, leaving most of the administration's angry rhetoric to those in the security and intelligence divisions.
Airbnb escaped facing punitive state laws against illegal sublets as it resolved its long-standing row with New York City officials.

The company filed a lawsuit against the city after it proposed plans to hold it accountable to punitive fines for advertising short-term apartment rentals.

It said that the ambiguous wording of the law meant it could be vulnerable to fines of up to $7,500 alongside the users acting illegally.

The grey area created the risk of civil penalties and criminal liability, it said.

Airbnb escaped facing punitive state laws against illegal sublets as it resolved its long-standing row with New York City officials

Under the terms of the settlement, New York City agreed that the law would not be enforced against the company and was instead aimed at individual violators, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

'The city will enforce this and other existing laws against bad actors, and appreciates the additional enforcement powers this new tool provides to protect New Yorkers and visitors from unsafe conditions,' said Melissa Grace, a mayoral spokeswoman.

San Francisco-based Airbnb in a statement said it saw this agreement as a step forward for its hosts, with both sides agreeing to work cooperatively on ways to address New York City's housing shortage.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR AIRBNB USERS IN NEW YORK? The rules for using Airbnb as a host or renter depend in New York City depend on how many other families live in the building. If there are three or more families living in a dwelling, an unhosted stay of less than 30 days in one of the units is prohibited. This means it is illegal for someone to sublet an apartment for less than 30 days without the host (lease or home owner) being present. In effect, it has been illegal in New York City to rent an entire apartment on Airbnb for less than 30 days since 2010. In October, the city passed a bill which would impose fines of up to $7,500 on anyone caught listing their home illegally. Airbnb said it would cause 'irreparable damage' to it as a company. Advertisement

'We look forward to using this as a basis to finding an approach that protects responsible New Yorkers while cracking down on illegal hotels that remove permanent housing off the market or create unsafe spaces,' Airbnb said.

The deal follows an earlier settlement with the New York state attorney general, who agreed his office would refrain from taking any action to enforce the law, citing an express provision stating enforcement would be carried out by the city.

The lawsuit came amid ongoing clashes between the online lodging service and public officials seeking to minimize the impact of short-term rentals on neighborhoods and urban housing markets.

Airbnb argues it cannot legally be held responsible for how landlords use its platform.

If it is required to enforce local laws on short-term rentals, that could drastically reduce listings in some of its biggest markets.
A man has been charged with storing and

A man allegedly caught with child pornography files believes he was targeted by hackers because he was a supporter of Donald Trump.

On Friday, police raided the home of a 36-year-old man from Nicholls, north of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, and found 4,500 explicit images and videos of girls aged three to nine-years-old on a hard drive and two USB drives, the ABC reported.

He was charged with using a carriage service for child pornography material and possessing child pornography and refused bail by the ACT magistrates court, the Canberra Times reported.

A 36-year-old man from Canberra, accused of storing 4,500 explicit child pornography images, believes was targeted by hackers because he was a supporter of US president-elect Donald Trump (stock image)

The man told police he did not know where the files came from, and suggested he may have been targeted by hackers because he supported Donald Trump.

His defence lawyer applied for bail proposing a ban on internet and device use, but the prosecution said there was a risk he could tamper or delete the evidence.

Senior constable Michael Harris said the man's use of TOR software, which allows people to communicate anonymously on the internet, suggested he has an understanding of the dark web.

'I find it difficult to be certain that he would not access internet from any other device he picks up,' he said.

The man was refused on bail by magistrate Karen Fryar who said he posed a risk to the public if released (stock image)

Magistrate Karen Fryar said there were enough security measures in place to stop him from accessing the internet.

She refused the man bail, adding he would be a risk to the public if released.
Glen Raymond Wright, 45, jailed for at least one year and 10 months

A man who had sex with a 14-year-old girl has been jailed for at least a year and 10 months.

Glen Raymond Wright, 45, had a sexual relationship with a girl and forwarded on intimate photos of the 14-year-old to her mother when the relationship turned.

He pleaded guilty in July to four counts of having sexual intercourse with a child and a charge of procuring a child for sexual activity in 2013 and 2014.

The man carried out a relationship with the teenager who was in love with the man, according to court documents.

A man who had sex with a 14-year-old girl and forwarded on intimate photos of the teenager to her mother when the relationship turned has been jailed for at least a year and 10 months (Stock Image)

They shared text messages and declared their love for each other and Wright arranged for her to join him at a motel for sex.

On one occasion Wright went out drinking with the girl's father and then crawled into the girl's bed in the morning after her father left for work.

The girl initially denied the relationship between them, telling investigators it was a 'little crush'.

But after the relationship soured Wright forwarded explicit photo messages the girl had sent him of her breasts and naked buttocks to her mother, asking them to leave him alone.

'Please stop your daughter messaging me and calling me it's not funny anymore... the pics are disgraceful if you want them I'm happy to send them if it doesn't stop I'll take legal action and trust me if that happens you'll run out of money before I do good luck,' one message said.

After again denying the relationship to police, the girl came forward and made a formal statement later that month.

At the Darlinghurst District Court in Sydney on Friday, Judge Mark Williams set an aggregate sentence of three years and three months in jail, with a non-parole period of one year and 10 months.
A mother has recalled the terrifying moment she was shot at while driving with three-year-old son sitting in the back seat.

The 39-year-old mother, who did not want to be named, said she saw a man appear from bushes on the side of the road 100 metres in front of her as she was driving outside Dwellingup on Pinjarra-Williams Road, south of Perth, on November 4.

He then aimed his rifle at her Mitishibishi Pajero and fired at close range when she drove past at 110 kilometres per hour, PerthNow reported.

When she felt safe enough to stop 20 minutes later she discovered a bullet stuck in her rear passenger door- only centimetres below where her son was sitting (bullet hole pictured)

Police have released a composite image of a man (pictured) they believe will be able to help with inquiries about the shocking incident

When she felt safe enough to stop 20 minutes later she discovered a bullet stuck in her rear passenger door- only centimetres below where her son was sitting.

'It wasn't until I got out of the car and saw the bullet hole in the car that I realised just how serious it could have been,' she told the publication.

'If he had shot a little bit higher or lower and hit my tyres or if he shot through the window, the bullet would have gone straight through my son.'

The three-year-old boy was shaken up by the incident, his mother said.

Police have released a composite image of a man they believe will be able to help with inquiries about the shocking incident.

He is believed to be of Caucasian appearance with short blond or dark blond hair.
At one point during her horrifying 22 days spent in captivity, Sherri Papini tried to find a moment of peace from just a piece of discarded cloth.

The mother-of-two rolled the cloth up and pretended it was her two-year-old daughter Violet, rocking it as if it was her baby girl.

This was just one of the emotional moments Papini's husband Keith shared during an exclusive interview with 20/20 that aired Friday, a week after his wife was found.

Keith revealed new details about how his wife was held captive by two Hispanic women who kept her shackled in a basement, starving, beating and branding her.

He said guns were involved, and that he believes the two women pulled over while Papini, 34, was out on a morning jog as she prepared for a Thanksgiving Day race.

Keith Papini burst into tears as he described his wife Sherri's harrowing ordeal as she was held captive for 22 days after being abducted on November 2

At one point the mother-of-two rolled the cloth up and pretended it was her two-year-old daughter Violet (pictured), rocking it as if it was her baby girl for a moment of comfort

The family was reunited after Papini was released from her captors, who have been described as two Hispanic women, on Thanksgiving morning last week

'It makes more sense that Sherri approached a vehicle that pulled up with to women inside, asking for help,' he said. 'That makes more sense to me'.

Keith said the women drove Sherri for two-and-half hours straight that day, speaking Spanish most of the time.

Papini was then shackled in captivity, and Keith said she revealed that guns had been involved.

She had little to comfort her, pretending to tuck her children in at night to feel closer to her family.

Papini's head was covered with a hood the entire time, making it hard to see anything but the women's eyes as they abused her.

Keith saw the extent of their beatings when he saw his wife for the first time in weeks on Thanksgiving Day.

That morning the women had cut the restraint that bound Papini inside the car and pushed her out onto the road around 4am.

There was still another chain around her waist, which one of her hands was cuffed to, but Papini managed to use her free hand to take off the bag over her head.

She then ran to a house where she hoped to ask for help, but it 'didn't look inviting', Keith said.

Papini then ran to a building but it was locked. That's when she decided that her best shot was standing on the side of the road of the freeway and waving down a car.

'People were driving past her and not stopping,' Keith said of the moment. 'In her mind, she's frightened and scared.'

'She's screaming so much she's coughing up blood.'

Keith saw the extent of his wife's beatings when he saw Sherri for the first time in weeks on Thanksgiving Day, saying her face was bruised black and her hair had been chopped off

Emergency responders who first arrived on the scene said Papini was 'heavily battered' in what looked to be 'some sort of assault'

Keith said his wife then realized the chain around her waist could be scaring people away, wondering if they believed she had escaped from a prison.

So Papini tried to tuck the chain under her clothes.

A woman named Allison was driving in the right-hand lane when she saw Papini frantically waving what she said 'looked like a shirt'.

'She had a wide-eyed panic look, it was dark, she came out of nowhere, I was startled to see her.'

'I figured if she was willing to risk being hit by a car, she must really need some help. I pulled over and called 911.'

Emergency responders who first arrived on the scene said Papini was 'heavily battered' in what looked to be 'some sort of assault'.

Keith said his wife was so disoriented she had no idea what time or day it was.

'The paramedics were the first to tell her happy Thanksgiving,' he said. 'And she said, "Oh, its Thanksgiving night?". They say, "No, its Thanksgiving morning.'"

Keith was shaving when his missed a call on his cell phone rang from a number he didn't recognize. Then, immediately after, his house phone began to ring.

On the other line was Papini, screaming his name in the background while a police officer told her to stay calm. She was alive.

'I'm panicked but I'm happy because at this point this is the first time I've heard her voice,' said Keith.

'I know she's alive.'

Keith fought back tears as he recalled grabbing his four-year-old son Tyler and sitting the boy down, saying: 'You know what buddy? I found mom'

Earlier the father had to tell his little boy that 'everyone in the world' was looking for his mom,

It was one of the family's first bright moment after three weeks full of questions, accusations and mysteries as to how Sherri could have disappeared on a morning jog

When they reunited, Keith said the whole family fell to the floor as they hugged each other

Keith then rushed to the hospital, where an officer said he needed to brace himself before seeing the extent of Papini's injuries.

'He put his arm around me and said, "Prepare yourself, she's alive and you just gotta be happy.'"

The officer then added, 'and they branded her'.

'I just wanted to see her,' Keith continued. 'I ran past everyone, throw open the curtain and she was there, and I just hugged her, I felt like I hugged her for 20 minutes.'

When Keith finally examined his wife's injuries, he said he felt 'nauseated'.

Her face was covered in yellow and black bruises, the bridge of her nose was broken. She was emaciated, weighing just 87 pounds.

'It was so hard for me to see her like that. The bruises were intense. Her hair, she's always had very long blonde hair, chopped it all off.'

Keith revealed that Papini's face was not branded, but would not say where it happened.

Neither Keith nor Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko have shared details about what was branded on Papini's body.

But Bosenko did tell DailyMail.com that he believed Papini's captors branded her with some sort of message.

'I would think that that was some sort of either an exertion of power and control and or maybe some type of message that the brand contained,' he said earlier this week.

'It is not a symbol, but it was a message.'

As Keith visited his wife in the hospital, their community in Redding was releasing yellow balloons to wish for her safe return - unaware she had already been found.

But before they would get to find out, Keith had the happy task of telling the couple's two children that their mom was finally back home.

A woman named Allison (pictured) was driving when she saw Papini frantically waving down cars. She pulled over and called 911

Papini (above with ABC's Matt Gutman) said that after telling Tyler he 'found mom' the young boy got the biggest grin, and her then told 2-year-old daughter Violet the news

Keith fought back tears as he recalled grabbing his four-year-old son Tyler and sitting the boy down, saying: 'You know what buddy? I found mom.'

Little Tyler sprinted '100 miles an hour' to hug his mother, who quickly burst into tears.

'She said, "I'm so happy", and my son said, "You don't cry when you're happy"', Keith recalled.

Papini replied: 'When you're this happy, you cry.'

It was then Violet's turn, and she screamed and 'took off running' into her mother's arm. The entire family then began to hug each other, all falling to the ground for 'big family snuggles', as they call them.

'It makes me smile,' Keith said. 'We're back, we're whole.'

It was 'family snuggles' that Keith thought were waiting for him when he returned home from work on November 2 only to find an empty house.

Keith said he remembers 'everything about that day', giving Papini a kiss around 6.50am on the way to check on their daughter before leaving for work.

When he returned home, he saw her car in the driveway and had no reason to believe anything was amiss.

But when Keith walked inside, he was greeted with silence.

'I thought, maybe they're outside. I thought they were all together,' he said. 'I had no reason to believe otherwise.'

TIMELINE OF SHERRI PAPINI'S KIDNAPPING November 2: Sherri Papini fails to pick up her two children from daycare and is reported missing by her husband Keith November 10: Keith Papini is ruled out as a suspect after passing a lie detector test November 18: The FBI joins the search for Sherri as an anonymous donor offers $50,000 for her return November 22: Christine Everson spots a woman she believes to be Sherri Papini at a rest stop in Redding, just miles away from the missing woman's home. The woman refuses to engage Everson in conversation after she approaches the dark SUV she is sitting in, the same tupe of car police are now looking for in the case. Everson leaves but reports her sighting to police. November 23: Cameron Gamble, a local 'negotiator', appears in a video on behalf of the anonymous donor to inform Sherri's captors the ransom was now 'off the table'. Instead it was turned into a $100,000 reward for information November 24: Sherri flags down a passing motorist at the intersection of I-5 and County Road 17 and is taken to hospital Advertisement

He turned on the Find My iPhone app and saw that Papini's phone was near their mailboxes a mile away.

'I wasnt looking for a phone,' he said. 'I was looking for Sherri.

But when he drove to their mailbox, she was nowhere to be found.

Keith said he first called his mom, who said she hadn't spoken to Papini. Then he called the children's daycare center - and found out they were still there.

That's when he realized something was very wrong.

He began to search for his wife's phone, using the app to make it ring. Keith found it right off the road, blonde hair still tangled in the headphones.

Keith took two pictures of the phone and then called 911.

'I knew she was taken,' he said adamantly.

After consenting - and passing - a polygraph test, Keith is ruled out as a suspect.

'To me, I was like no problem,' he said. 'Let's hurry up and get this over with.'

Investigators began to check with friends and family members to put together a timeline. They checked local area motels and hotels, looked into her finances.

They even reached out to Papini's ex-husband, who lives in another state and told them he had not talked to her in at least six years.

Keith began making TV appearances to keep his wife's face in the public eye, but inside he was constantly worrying about her.

'I'm just wondering about her health, are they feeding her, is she hot, is she cold, I thought about that,' he said.

'I thought about her being there, screaming my name, and that I wasn't there. That really got me.'

One of the hardest days was during a search when Keith and a group of friends were heading back to the home and he saw a group of birds circling the sky.

Police are looking for the two Hispanic women who released Sherri on Thanksgiving, saying they could be driving a dark-colored SUV (map of Sherri's disappearance and discovery)

Sherri (above on a family vacation) was kept isolated and shackled in a basement where she was beaten, starved and branded during her 22 days in captivity

'I just went to my knees and I thought, am I really hiking up here to look for my wife? I dont want to find her right now, but I do want to find her,' he said.

'It was a very sad and a very emotional and angry moment for me,' Keith said as he begins to cry. 'That was a tough one for me, that day.'

After a couple of weeks, Keith knew he had to tell something to Tyler.

'I picked him up, told him I had something important to tell him. He knew something was up. He said Dad you can tell me anything."'

'For a little four year old to say that, I wasnt prepared for that.'

Keith told Tyler that his mother had gone running and didn't come home.

'Are you looking for her?' he said Tyler asked.

'Everyone in the whole world is looking for her right now. And were gonna find her and were gonna get her back,' Keith promised his son.

One day during the search, Keith saw his son standing in front of one of Papini's missing posters.

'He's just sitting there with tears in his eyes, hands on her face,' Keith said.

He admits it was hard to here investigators said they weren't 100 percent sure if it was an abduction, but Keith said he never lost hope.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Department is still looking for clues to determine why Papini was targeted and the motive of her kidnappers in their ongoing investigation.

Bill Garcia, a private detective who has been looking into the case, said in an interview with Today on Thursday that he believes she may have been a sex trafficking victim.

Sherri (above in a family photo from earlier this year) was reported missing by Keith after going out for a jog near their home in Redding on November 2

Keith said his wife told him that she screamed until she was 'coughing up blood' trying to get a motorist to stop after being released by her captors

'I suspect based on the types of injuries Sherri incurred, the beatings, the broken nose, the cut hair, especially the chains and the branding, indicate that most likely it was one of these sex trafficking groups,' said Garcia.

When asked about sex trafficking being a possible motive Sheriff Bosenko would only say: 'We don't know if this was related to any cartel or sex trafficking.'

Bosenko told DailyMail.com on Wednesday: 'Right now we have no known reason why she was abducted, we do not know if she was specifically targeted or if this was a random abduction.

'It's still an active and ongoing investigation and we're still looking for the reasons or the motive for this abduction.

'Abductions are generally rare, especially in this area, but I mean in general an adult abduction is an unusual occurrence.'

Police said the women may be traveling in a dark SUV and that the younger of the two has long curly hair and a thick accent. She also has pierced ears and thin eyebrows.

The older woman has thick eyebrows and straight black hair with streaks of gray. The women are believed to be armed.

Keith made his first statement to the media about his wife's disappearance earlier this week after spending the weekend alone with his family.

In addition to describing her injuries, he also lashed out at those who have implied that his wife is lying about the kidnapping.

'Rumors, assumptions, lies, and hate have been both exhausting and disgusting. Those people should be ashamed of their malicious, sub human behavior,' said Keith in the statement, which was released just four days after his wife was found safe.

'We are not going to allow those people to take away our spirit, love, or rejoice in our girl found alive and home where she belongs.'

He later stated: 'I do not see a purpose in addressing each preposterous lie. Instead, may I give you a glimpse of the mixture of horror and elation that was my experience of reuniting with the love of my life and mother of our children.'

The family continues to live in a secret location to safeguard Papini's privacy and she continues to heal. Keith said he is just happy to have her back in his life.

'It made me sick that there is people out there that could do something like this,' he said.

'I just wanted to hold her. We just embraced each other and cried. I mean I was so happy though, youre upset at what happened - but youre happy.'
Anthony Weiner is allegedly so strapped financially he's unable to afford his sexting addiction rehabilitation at a Tennessee ranch, according to reports.

Weiner had intended to stay for a 90-day stint, but left after he ran out of money, an unnamed source told Page Six.

The cost of the program Weiner was reportedly $25,000 for a 35-day treatment session at the ranch.

'His parents took out a mortgage on their house to pay for his rehab,' a source told Page Six.

Serial sexter Anthony Weiner (pictured) is allegedly no longer able to afford his sexting rehabilitation on a ranch in Tennessee

As DailyMail.com exclusively reported, Weiner checked into the weeks-long program at The Ranch, a 2,000-acre facility an hour west of Nashville, in early October following our expose of his sexting relationship with a 15-year-old girl and ensuing FBI investigation.

The Ranch is recognized as one of the nation's top treatment centers for sex addiction.

There, 800 miles and a whole world removed from his home in Manhattan, the man whose sexting habits placed him at the center of the nation's most contentious presidential election, was learning to wean himself from the obsessions that led to his self-destruction.

Weiner, 52, was living in one of ten large buildings scattered throughout the property in tiny unincorporated Pinewood and neighboring Nunnelly. He and other male sex addicts are kept far away from women sufferers who are housed in separate buildings.

The Ranch (pictured) is recognized as one of the nation's top treatment centers for sex addiction and reportedly cost Weiner $25,000 for a 35-day treatment session

However, he was supposed to spend 90 days there but reports claim he can no longer afford the facility and has since returned to New York

All electronic devices, including cellphones and computers, are banned at The Ranch, where stays cost up to $30,000 a month.

Fishing on the picturesque Piney River, long hikes through the undulating countryside and horseback riding along trails in the leafy woods were among the activities offered to the man who has spent almost his entire life in bustling New York City and Washington, DC.

Weiner sought refuge at The Ranch as he is being investigated by the FBI following DailyMail.com's bombshell revelation that he had sent obscene sexts to a 15-year-old girl.

Despite knowing the girl's age, Weiner sent shirtless pictures of himself, called her 'baby' and asked her to dress up in schoolgirl outfits.

The relationship had started when the teen contacted Weiner via a Twitter private message. She told DailyMail.com she had become obsessed with him.

But despite all the worrying signs Weiner could not help himself and got caught up in an online relationship.

After his multiple notorious sexting scandals, the former congressman is out of work and is allegedly in debt.

Weiner was pictured back in his New York apartment last week. On Friday, he was fined $65,000 for improper use of campaign funds, which will likely add to any financial woes

Weiner shares the apartment with estranged wife Huma Abedin (pictured) and their four-year-old son Jordan

On Friday, the New York City Campaign Finance Board fined Weiner $65,000 for improper use of campaign funds from his failed 2013 mayoral run, which will likely add to any financial woes.

The board found that Weiner accepted contributions over the donation limit, failed to show that money he spent was in furtherance of his 2013 mayoral campaign and spent money after the election that was not related to the campaign.

The board is also ordering him to return $195,377 in matching campaign funds, DNA Info reported.

Money that Weiner spent for personal use included him paying his cell phone bill and another personal line he used for fundraising. For that violation, he was fined $2,308.

On Friday, the New York City Campaign Finance Board fined Weiner $65,000 for improper use of campaign funds from his failed 2013 mayoral run (pictured above in 2013)

The board is also ordering him to return $195,377 in matching campaign funds (pictured above in 2013)

After the election, Weiner spent $115,268 on expenditures that were not permitted including paying a consultant $46,169.

He also spent $1,500 on a dry cleaning bill, plus a $600 expenditure to someone for buying a television was unexplained, the board said.

Documents from the board show that Weiner paid the Esler Group $26,000 more than what had originally been described in their contract. He also failed to show how the spending was even related to the campaign.

In addition, he paid another $56,210 to people exceeding the amount that was described in their contracts or to people who did not have duties listed next to their names.

Last week, Weiner returned to his Manhattan apartment, which he shares with his estranged with, Huma Abedin, and their four-year-old son Jordan.

The couple announced their separation in August.
Donald Trump is taking on another Indiana manufacturer that has plans to let go of 300 workers and move operations to Mexico.

On Friday night Trump set his sights on Rexnord, a bearings factory just a mile away from the Carrier plant agreed to keep 1,000 jobs in the US this week.

'Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers,' Trump tweeted. 'This is happening all over our country. No more!'

Donald Trump is taking on another Indiana manufacturer that has plans to let go of 300 workers and move operations to Mexico

On Friday night Trump set his sights on Rexnord, a bearings factory just a mile away from the Carrier plant agreed to keep 1,000 jobs in the US this week

Trump announced on Thursday that he had made a deal to save a thousand jobs in exchange for about $7million in tax breaks and gains.

He told workers at the Carrier plant: 'Companies are not going to leave the United States anymore without consequences.'

As Trump praised his plan at the air conditioning manufacturer, Rexnord workers across the street were holding up signs that asked: 'What about us?'

'Is there hope? Theres always hope. But, in reality, our jobs are gone,' Rexnord machinist John Feltner told the Indy Star.

News of the Carrier deal was bittersweet for the Rexnord workers, who had stood by them during protests and once saw themselves in the same boat.

Now they fear they will be left out in the cold.

Trump's attack on Rexnord came just hours after Sarah Palin condemned his deal as 'crony capitalism'.

News of the Carrier deal was bittersweet for the workers at Rexnord (pictured), who had stood by them during protests and once saw themselves in the same boat

The former Republican vice presidential nominee wrote in an opinion piece on the Young Conservatives website on Friday that she is 'ecstatic' for Carrier employees, but joined critics who say the deal violates free market principles.

'When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent,' she wrote.

'Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail.'

The deal was unique because the president-elect became personally involved in it, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence was in a position as Indiana governor to help facilitate the incentives.

Carrier Corp will receive a $7million incentive package in the deal in exchange for keeping hundreds of jobs at its Indianapolis plant, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The package will reportedly include $5million in tax credits over the next decade, $1million in training grants and up to $1million in additional tax credits based on its planned $16million investment in the factory.

Trump's attack on Rexnord came just hours after Sarah Palin condemned the Carrier deal, saying it was an example of 'crony capitalism'

'We don't yet know terms of the public/private deal that was cut to make the company stay, but let's hope every business is equally incentivized to keep Americans working in America,' Palin wrote.

'Foundational to our exceptional nation's sacred private property rights, a business must have freedom to locate where it wishes.'

'In a free market, if a business makes a mistake (including a marketing mistake that perhaps Carrier executives made), threatening to move elsewhere claiming efficiency's sake, then the market's invisible hand punishes.'

'Thankfully, that same hand rewards, based on good business decisions.'

'But this time-tested truth assumes we're operating on a level playing field,' she continued.

Palin went on to say that politicians 'picking and choosing recipients of corporate welfare is railed against by fiscal conservatives' because it is 'a hallmark of corruption and socialism'.

She added that the 'Obama administration dealt in it in spades.'

'A $20trillion debt-ridden country can't afford this sinfully stupid practice, so vigilantly guard against its continuance, or we're doomed,' she wrote.

Palin also called for 'Reaganites' in the new administration, praising former president Ronald Reagan for establishing what she called a fiscal framework.

'Reagan's successes were built on establishing a fiscal framework that invigorated our entire economy, revitalized growth and investment while decreasing spending, tax rates, over-reaching regulations, unemployment, and favoritism via individual subsidies,' she wrote.

The Carrier Corp deal was unique because the president-elect became personally involved in it, and Vice President-elect Mike Pence was in a position as Indiana governor to help facilitate the incentives

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence watch as employees work during a visit to Carrier factory on Thursday in Indianapolis, Indiana

Trump talks with workers during a visit to the Carrier factory on Thursday in Indiana

'However well meaning, burdensome federal government imposition is never the solution. Never. Not in our homes, not in our schools, not in churches, not in businesses,' she continued.

'Gotta' have faith the Trump team knows all this.'

She went on to say that she would be the first to acknowledge 'concerns over a deal cut by leveraging public interests to make a make a manufacturer stay put are unfounded - once terms are made public.'

'But know that fundamentally, political intrusion using a stick or carrot to bribe or force one individual business to do what politicians insist, versus establishing policy incentivizing our ENTIRE ethical economic engine to roar back to life, isn't the answer,' she continued.

'Cajole only chosen ones on Main St or Wall St and watch lines stretch from Washington to Alaska full of businesses threatening to bail unless taxpayers pony up.

'The lines strangle competition and really, really, dispiritingly screw with workers' lives.'

She said it is 'beyond unacceptable' and said to anticipate 'equal incentivizes and positive reform all across the field - to make the economy great again.'

Palin endorsed Trump in January before the Iowa caucuses in a rambling speech, then joined him for a few events on the campaign trail.

Her name is reportedly being floated to take over the troubled Veterans Affairs administration.

The Carrier Corp deal differs from most other economic development agreements in Indiana, where incentives are usually aimed at bringing in jobs, not retaining them.

Trump has criticized the use of such incentives in the past.

The deal was an early victory for the incoming administration and was mostly welcomed by the plant's 1,400 employees, who were told in February that their jobs would be dropped as the work moved to Mexico.

Palin is a Trump supporter who had been reported to be under consideration for a Cabinet job

But the deal will only save about 800 jobs that were initially slated to be outsourced.

That means an estimated 400 to 500 workers at the plant will still lose their jobs.

Some economic development experts said the agreement is troubling.

'It's a potentially dangerous policy where you reward a company that threatens to leave...In this case, you're rewarding a company that is actually cutting a lot of jobs in the state,' Steve Weitzner of site selection firm Silverlode Consulting said.

Mitch Roob, who led the state's economic development agency under former Gov. Mitch Daniels, said economic development needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

He said awarding incentives for retention was not common.

'But there were certain circumstances when that became the best option for us, and we went ahead and did it,' Roob said.

The board of Indiana's economic development agency must still approve the deal.

As governor of Indiana, Pence is chairman of the board and appoints its members.
A man has been killed after falling asleep in his driveway and being run over by an Uber as it dropped his wife home from a night out.

The tragic accident which lead to the death of father-of-three Scott Stallman has sent shockwaves through the city of Toowoomba, south-west of Brisbane in Queensland.

The 44-year-old father died at the scene in front of his wife of 22 years, Monique.

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Scott Stallman, left, died overnight after he fell asleep in his driveway and was hit by an Uber bringing his wife, Monique, home

It's believed that the man was lying on the downwards sloping part of the driveway (pictured), meaning the Uber driver was unable to see him as he entered to drop the woman off

As the Uber brought the man's wife home it reportedly failed to see him lying in his driveway and ran him over, trapping him under the car

As the Uber brought Mrs Stallman home the driver reportedly failed to see him lying in his driveway and ran him over, trapping him under the car.

Emergency services were called and tried to free the man but were unable to save him.

Friends from across Queensland expressed their grief and shock over hearing of the 'top bloke's' sudden passing.

'Can't believe. Only talked to Scott couple days ago,' Brian Poulsen, an employee-turned-friend told Daily Mail Australia.

'When we spoke last he was saying how we should catch up for a beer next time he came to Bundaberg,'

'Scott was a great fella who would always look out for ya.

'We met working in the cotton season of 2000, he was the boss, but he cared about us and we knew that no matter what when we were finished for the day he would have a cold beer waiting for us.

'We appreciated that because it was hard, hot work,' Mr Poulsen said.

Mr Poulsen said it is an absolute tragedy for Mrs Stallman.

'She would be beside herself they were a very close family.'

The social media reaction to his death has reflected Mr Poulsen's words.

Scott and Monique had been married for 22 years and have three children

'Lost a good mate over night . Rip Scott Stallman, rip mate,' said another.

Another friend, Paul Farmer, said he felt 'honoured to have spent time with this champion of a man'.

'You leave a huge hole in the lives of those privileged enough to have known you mate,' he added.

Mr Stallman was also a well-loved boss who has received tributes from employees since his death.

A man has been killed after being run over by an Uber dropping his wife off from a late night out while sleeping in his driveway in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane

'Deeply saddened of tragic news today, A mate, an ever generous Boss who gave us a hand to permanently stay here in AU. and help changed life on lot of individual .. rest in peace,' Dante Dioneda said.

The father-of-three appeared to have a strong relationship with his children who shared family snaps on frozen mountain tops in Switzerland and in front of the Eiffel Tower in France.

Police told Daily Mail Australia a 38-year-old man was driving the Uber at the time.

Queensland police Senior Sargent Jamie Deacon said a drop down from the road into the driveway meant the driver didn't see Mr Stallman.

Emergency services were called and tried to free the man but were unable to save him

'Tragically when they've entered the driveway they haven't been able to see him,' he said.

An investigation is currently underway into the accident and police have not yet laid any charges.
An Australian student has come under fire for arguing the U.S. should ban high-powered guns like Australia did 20 years ago.

Kaia Delaney's opinion article titled What Australia Can Teach America About Guns was published in Washington-based political newspaper The Hill and its website.

The 22-year-old wrote that in Australia she felt safe walking alone at night or in a crowded area 'without thinking of people shooting me' but felt 'uneasy' in the U.S.

Her opinion article titled What Australia Can Teach America About Guns was published in Washington-based political newspaper The Hill and its website

'There is something about America that makes the ownership of guns ordinary, and mass shootings normalized,' she wrote.

'To know there is a man walking around with the power to end my life, and those around me with a pull of a trigger is not safe.'

The University of Queensland student, who is on exchange at the University of Richmond in Virginia, wrote Americans appeared to have learned nothing from their history of mass shootings.

She said massacres in Orlando, Newtown, Charleston, San Bernardino, among others, had not made significant policy or cultural impacts.

'When twenty bodies of school children lay lifeless across an elementary school, and fifty people in a nightclub who were dancing one second and shot dead the next, we have to ask ourselves when is enough, enough?' she wrote.

Ms Delaney, who has also studied abroad in Taiwan, said increased background checks for gun buyers, a hotly-debated topic in U.S. politics, would not be enough because of the volume of guns already in circulation.

She said Australia's buyback of more than 640,000 weapons in 1996 after the Port Arthur Massacre, where 35 people died, made the country safe, but acknowledged Americans' cultural attachment to their guns made a similar scheme difficult.

Ms Delaney said Americans appeared to have learned nothing from their history of mass shootings (San Bernardino in 2016 pictured)

The article received more than 100 comments on The Hill's website, the vast majority of which were critical of her views, particularly as a non-American.

'You can take your opinion on guns and shove it down under son,' one reader responded.

Another wrote: 'The AR 15 (assault rifle) is the musket of the 21st century and it's your right to own one should you choose to do so... just ask president Trump'.

Other readers pointed out things they believed were wrong with Australia, such as its 'white Australia policy' and. treatment of refugees.

She said shootings, like this one in a the Sandy Hook school, Newtown, in 2012, had not made a political or cultural impact

Another said Australia was a 'socialist society' that 'only appears to work because they are isolated and tirelessly control their borders from any entrance of unwanted minority groups and uneducated immigrants'.

'You still have a woman 13,000 miles away as your head of state. 'When you grow up and become an independent republic, get back to us,' another said.

Ms Delaney did have some support, with commenters calling the U.S. 'fundamentally an immature country' and branding its views on guns as 'gullible and moronic'.

Police cars block off the street outside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston after a shooting in 2015

Injured huddle together after the Pulse nightclub shooting, in Orlando, in June

'The stroppy red necked responses to a valid and reasonable question is the very reason she and millions of others around the world look at America with the same alarm and disbelief, and feel unsafe when they go there,' another wrote.

'When did Americans become so insecure?' a reader asked, but this was met with the curt reply of: 'When did foreigners become some arrogant as to feel they have the right to lecture us about our home?'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Delaney for comment.
The small business owner said a fireman informed her of the damaged mail

Chantelle Baxter said she has been swamped with customer complaints

Post office box in Preston, Sydney, was set on fire, burning their packages

A small business owner was left swamped with angry complaints after Australia Post delivered the company's packages burnt and mouldy to their customers.

Chantelle Baxter, founder of Be. Bangles said it has been 'the most insane week' after a post office box in Preston, Sydney, was set on fire just after she dropped off thousands worth of Christmas orders.

Ms Baxter claims a fireman informed her of the burnt packages rather than Australia Post.

Owners of Be. Bangles claims they were swamped with complaints after Australia Post delivered their packages burnt and mouldy

'Just wanted to let you know we attended a fire at a Post Box in Preston, and most of the contents were your bangles and packages  just thought you should know,' a message from the fireman said.

Ms Baxter said the day before the post office box was set on fire Be.Bangles dropped off packages to 80 customers which included 180 bangle, around $6,200 worth.

'We'd just spent an entire week sending out a tonne of Christmas orders, so we knew this was going to hit us pretty hard,' Ms Baxter said.

Unaware of the extent of the damage to the packages her business partner, Lauren Markwell, contacted Australia Post for an explanation.

A post office box was set on fire in Preston after an employee had dropped off over $6,000 worth of Christmas orders

Ms Baxter is accusing Australia Post of failing to assist her after calling the company numerous times

'On the first call they told us they had no record of a fire, and even if there was a fire all they could do was send us 10 stamps to replace what we'd lost,' Ms Baxter said.

'They wanted to give us $10 worth of stamps to replace $6,200 worth of bangles, plus $180 in postage, plus $40 in envelopes.'

But Ms Baxter said compensation for the damaged good was the least of their worries at that stage.

'Given the time of a year we knew there was a good chance they'd be Christmas presents, and no one wants to give a half burned bangle as a gift,' she said.

Australia Post informed Ms Markwell there was nothing to worry about as damaged packages are returned to the sender.

Be. Bangles was flooded with customer complaints stating their products were delivered 'waterlogged and smelling of smoke'

The bracelets appear charred and the written messages on the bracelets were unrecognisable

Despite the reassurance from Australia Post,customers were sent the damaged packages and Be. Bangle was flooded with complaints.

'Uh Hi, this may sound odd, but I've just received my bangles in the mail  and they look like they've been burned?' one customer said.

'In all years I've been receiving mail never has this happened! So upset!' another said.

'It's really strange  everything seems waterlogged and also smells of smoke.' read a third e-mail.

An Australia Post spokeswoman apologised for the inconvenience caused and noted steps will be taken to ensure this will not happen again.

'We sincerely apologise to Chantelle and her customers,' she said.

'We are arranging compensation and, as a gesture of goodwill, we will be reaching out to their customers who have been affected with a Load&Go card to enable them to repurchase a new item from Be. Bangle.

'We will also be speaking with our team to make sure this doesn't happen again.'

Australia Post has since apoligised for the inconvenience caused and are arranging compensation
A Ukrainian man who was found hanged in his flat had spent the last five years living alongside the mummified corpse of his dead mother.

The 46-year-old, who has not been named, was discovered dead after neighbours complained of a water leak coming from his property.

The man, who is reported to have been a loner, had spent years living with his mother's corpse in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

A Ukrainian man who was found hanged in his flat in Kiev, pictured, had spent the last five years living alongside the mummified corpse of his dead mother (file picture)

But earlier this week, several residents living in the same block of flats complained there had been a water leak.

They then called the police when they tried to knock at his door and there was no response.

When officers arrived they too tried to knock on the door and eventually forced their way into the flat.

They then discovered the man's body and established that he had killed himself.

But while searching the flat, they also found the body of his dead mother, underneath a blanket on the floor.

Given her mummuified remains, officers believe she had died five years ago and been in the flat ever since.

After the discoveries, neighbours said the man had always given different explanations to where his mother had gone when they stopped seeing her half a decade ago.

He had told some of them had his mother had moved to the countryside.
It's the most wonderful time of the year to lock up a criminal - if you can work out what they look like.

Europol, the law enforcement agency of the EU, has launched an advent calendar revealing a different most wanted criminal for 23 days in December.

But in a strange flaw, the agency cannot show the full faces of the wanted men and women, making it difficult for members of the public to spot them.

Europol has designed an advent calendar that counts down 23 of the EU's most wanted criminals in the lead-up to Christmas

A bizarre flaw in data protection rules means Europol is having to bar the eyes of every person it pictures on social media

Data protection rules mean that Europol cannot publish the images on social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter, so the wanted criminals have been pictured with black bars across their eyes.

Gerrit van de Kamp, chairman of the European Police Union, told Euronews: 'It would be nice that we dont have to deal with these kinds of small issues but otherwise its part of law and the protection of people and their rights.

'Sometimes it is frustrating but it is part of our job.'

The difficulty arises because of the difference in rules from one country to the next in the EU's 28 member states, and this solution is one-size-fits-all.

Europol has had to adopt a one size fits all policy as the 28 member countries have different levels of data protection and some don't allow full faces on social media

Europol spokesman Gerald Hesztera told the website Euronews that a photo of a suspect remaining in circulation after he or she was caught could influence whether the person gets a fair trial or not.

He added data protection rules consider a photo with the eyes blacked out as being sufficient to prevent identification.

The full images will be published on Europol's website, where they will be removed should the person be caught and about to stand trial.

The full images will be run on the agency's website and deleted after they are caught to ensure a fair trial

A spokesman for Europol announced the initiative with the comment: 'As of tomorrow, December 1, 2016, 23 countries, Europol and the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) will combine efforts to apprehend even more most wanted criminals. 23 days in a row, we will publish one fugitive per day, every day wanted by a different EU member state.

'All of us will look for him/her together and we are asking for your help. More importantly, the victims, their friends and relatives are asking for your support.
Blog Hinangai

While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity.
The is the horrific moment a pensioner is thrown into the air after a teenage driver ploughed into him as he crossed the road.

Arthur Bamsey, 82, has been left with catastrophic injuries including damage to his brain after he was struck by a car whose driver was distracted by his mobile.

Guilty motorist Ryan Niner, 19, was trying to ring his mother as he drove his Mini Cooper through a Welsh town centre, and didn't see the pensioner trying to cross the road.

Guilty motorist Ryan Niner, 19, was trying to ring his mother as he drove his Mini Cooper through a Welsh town centre, and didn't see the pensioner trying to cross the road.

His car struck Bamsey and sent the elderly man flying into the air, before landing on his head and suffering serious and life-changing injuries

His car struck Bamsey and sent the elderly man flying into the air, before landing on his head and suffering serious and life-changing injuries.

The sickening collision was captured on CCTV, and shows the pensioner trying to walk across the two-way road before Niner's car hit him.

The teenager, who was 18 when the accident happened, was trying to call his mum but went straight to voicemail and terminated the call.

Just seconds later he drove straight into Bamsey, who was on his way from home in Port Talbot to its town centre to pick up Fairy cakes and the morning newspaper.

Passers by, including an off-duty nurse, ran to his aid and called for an ambulance.

The former steelworker was left severely injured, and spent five months in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales before being transferred to Neath Port Talbot Hospital, where he remains 11 months later.

Niner, from Port Talbot, was arrested by police and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the collision on January 28 this year.

The former steelworker was left severely injured, and spent five months in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales before being transferred to Neath Port Talbot Hospital, where he remains 11 months later

Catherine Richards, prosecuting at Swansea Crown Court, told his sentencing hearing Bamsey is now barely able to communicate and requires a tube to be fed.

She said: 'His personality has changed. But his family are hopeful that he will ultimately come home.

'He is able to leave hospital for a few hours, but he needs help with most of his personal care.'

A statement from Bamsey's son, Dai, a manager at Tata Steel, said the doting grandfather had been 'incredibly fit' and regularly 'worked out' with weights in his garage.

Niner has been sentenced to 20 months in a young offenders institution, and banned from driving for two years

Bamsey would walk for miles over his favourite beaches and parks, the court heard, and was the 'go-to-guy' in the family.

Niner was given a temporary ban before he was sentenced, but was caught earlier this week driving while in possession of cannabis, a knuckle duster and 1,600 in cash.

Judge Paul Thomas QC said drivers who used their mobile phones at the wheel were a 'public menace', and called Niner's actions 'stupid.'

He told Niner: 'You would have had ample time to see the pedestrian crossing the road ahead of you had you not been distracted.

'Bamsey's life has been turned upside down because of your stupidity in using a mobile phone while driving.'

Niner was sentenced to 20 months in a young offenders institution, and banned from driving for two years.

PC Paul Jones, from South Wales Police's serious collision unit, said Bamsey's family's lives had been 'changed forever.'

He said: 'Using your mobile phone while driving is one of the main contributory factors in all road collisions.

'With the increase in mobile technology and social media, it is believed that a third of all motorists text, make a call or access social media while driving.
Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme hopes to establish a wildlife conservation park for elephants, rhinos and gorillas to outback Australia.

The 'Muscles from Brussels' was in Broken Hill, in far western New South Wales, on Friday looking at a possible site for an animal sanctuary to funded by himself and wealthy patrons for the protection of endangered animals.

'We are trying to give lots of freedom to those big animals by having some sort of land where it should not be exploited by tourism. They have a chance to breed, to be free,' the actor said in a report by The Canberra Times.

Jean-Claude Van Damme met with environmental minister Josh Frydenberg to discuss government assistance with his animal advocacy plans

Van Damme visited White Leeds Arid Wetlands, an 80,000 hectare area and met its owner Steve Radford, as a potential home for rhinoceroses.

'We don't know if Broken Hill is the solution, it... looks like heaven on earth, but we have to see how the government will help us,' Van Damme said.

Meanwhile, the rainforests of far north Queensland are being considered as a home for gorillas.

On Thursday, the Street Fighter star met with environment minister Josh Frydenberg to talk about getting government assistance for bringing endangered species through zoo importation programs.

The Street Fighter star hopes to establish animal conservation parks for endangered species such as rhinos and gorillas around Australia

The Universal Soldier actor said the plan would not cost the government anything as funding, for the program's veterinarians and security, would come from himself and other philanthropists.

The Universal Soldier actor is hoping to help his animal advocacy plans in Australia

'It's wonderful to have [Mr Van Damme] here to discuss important environmental matters, knowing how passionate you are about the preservation and conservation of Australia's native and indeed the world's native species,' minister Frydenberg said in a report by SBS.

The passionate animal advocate is hoping to use his 59 action films to help persuade politicians and potential private investors of his plans for a reserve for endangered animals around Australia.
Asthma suffers to be vigilant as huge storm forecast for NSW on Sunday

'Thunderstorm asthma' has already claimed the lives of eight people

The deadly thunderstorm asthma which has killed eight people in Melbourne recently could strike again in NSW, experts have warned.

During the horrific weather event the Victorian health system was sent into shock when it was flooded by thousands of people suffering severe asthma attacks at the same time - and another huge storm is now set to hit NSW on Sunday.

The national Asthma Council of Australia has released a warning to 'wheezers and sneezers' in NSW to be vigilant before the storm hits.

They say high pollen across the country could cause further life-threatening thunderstorm asthma episodes.

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Sam Lau (right), 49, a father-of-four who immigrated to Australia only a year ago is among eight people to lose their life after 'thunderstorm asthma'

Hospitals declared a 'major disaster' after receiving more than 1,900 triple-0 calls and almost depleting their Ventolin supplies from 6pm

Dr Jonathan Burdon AM, Chair of the National Asthma Council Australia and respiratory physician, said with the increasing incidence of asthma triggered by unusual weather conditions, it important to take preventative steps.

'As we have seen with the recent events in Melbourne any serious asthma attack can be life-threatening and have tragic consequences.

'Act quickly if you start to have symptoms such as shortness of breath or wheezing.

'Thunderstorm asthma is a potent mix of pollen and weather conditions that can trigger severe asthma symptoms. It occurs when a storm strikes on a hot and windy day during pollen season when there are high levels of pollen in the air.

'When the storm front hits, the pollen grains absorb the moisture and burst into tiny particles. The thunderstorm outflow winds blow these particles down to ground level, where they can then get inhaled deep inside the lungs and trigger a serious asthma attack.'

People with hayfever are also at risk during the weather events.

Mr Lau died on Tuesday after being admitted to Austin Hospital in Melbourne on the 21st of November suffering from a 'sudden onset of asthma'

The warning follows the death of an eight victim from Melbourne's storm.

Sam Lau, 49, died on Tuesday after being admitted to Austin Hospital in Melbourne on November 21 suffering from a 'sudden onset of asthma' and now experts predict further thunderstorms.

Health authorities are concerned an upcoming round of thunderstorms set to lash Melbourne late on Sunday afternoon when a cool change sweeps the state and Monday will likely see a repeat of the fatal condition.

The predicted storms have seen Ambulance Victoria roster on more staff to avoid a repeat of last months horrendous outbreak of thunderstorm asthma in which eight people have now lost their lives.

Omar Moujalled, 18, who had just finished his year 12 exams, was the second victim of the freak 'asthma thunderstorm'

Mr Lau who is originally from China, moved to Australia from New Zealand with his wife and two young children 'in search of a better life', leaving his two eldest children in Wellington.

The devastated daughter of Mr Lau, said that her father died after suffering complications with his brain and his heart .

'He was a genuine family man who always put his family first. He came from a poverty stricken area in China where he grew up, for a better life to support his family back home,' Sheila Lau told Stuff NZ .

'The doctors said he suffered a severe asthma attack due to the thunderstorm and that led to complications with his brain and his heart.'

Hope Carnevali, a 20-year-old law student, died as a result of a freak 'asthma thunderstorm'

The 25-year-old said that her father was the families sole money earner and the financial burden it now placed on her mother was tremendous.

A Give A Little page has now been set up to try and help with funeral costs in an attempt to fly Mr Lau back to New Zealand.

Hope Carnevali, 20 and Omar Moujalled, 18 also died when their asthma attacks were triggered by the intense storm system, which combined with a high pollen count and hot temperatures, proved to have a deadly effect.

The pair were lifelong asthma suffers that suddenly were faced with a freak condition caused by the extreme weather.

Four in 10 people experiencing thunderstorm asthma symptoms had not been diagnosed with asthma yet most had suffered hay fever prior to last week's freak event in Victoria, an Asthma Australia survey has found.

Early results from the online survey conducted following the deadly thunderstorm asthma event have highlighted a 'worrying' lack of awareness about the common disease of the airways.

Of the first 2000 respondents who did have an asthma diagnosis, 68 per cent had been prescribed preventer medication but only 29 per cent took it every day.

Preventer medications reduce the underlying inflammation of the airways, protecting people from symptoms and potentially serious asthma attacks when exposed to triggers like pollen.

A massive thunderstorm caused an outbreak of asthma so severe emergency services in Melbourne ran out of ambulances to help those in need

Asthma Australia CEO Michele Goldman says the early results are proof that more needs to be done to improve asthma awareness and management.

'Asthma is a common condition that can be life threatening. Not only is good management essential for people diagnosed with asthma, such as taking preventer medication as prescribed, it is also vital that everyone is aware of asthma - how to spot the symptoms and what to do in an asthma emergency,' Ms Goldman said in a statement on Friday.

Victoria's freak thunderstorm asthma event killed eight people and thousands were hospitalised.

Jo Foster was one of the 8500 Victorians who ended up in a hospital emergency department last Monday - unaware she had asthma.

A sand storm at St Kilda in Melbourne during the thunderstorm saw an unprecedented spike in asthma problems across the Victorian capital

She started suffering from shortness of breath and a persistent cough and says he felt like her body 'forgot how to breathe'.

'I have been to the GP twice. My lung capacity is still reduced so I'm now on steroids. Today is the first day since then I have not been coughing continually,' Ms Foster said.
An Italian tourist says she turned down a ride with the man charged with murder over the stabbing of a French tourist.

The traveler was hitchhiking across Australia when she says accused killer Pande Veleski, 35, offered her a lift but only 'when the sun went down,' 9 News reports.

' At that point my intuition said to me that this is really weird,' the Italian traveler said.

Northern Territory Police have charged a 35-year-old man with murder after French tourist Phileppe Jegouzohe, 33, was fatally stabbed in the neck in front of his 30-year-old wife, Aurelie Chorier, near Connors Well rest stop in the Northern Territory on Wednesday.

An Italian hitchhiker says she turned down a ride with Melbourne man Pande Veleski (pictured) who has been charged with murder over the stabbing of a French tourist

The traveler was hitchhiking across Australia when she says accused killed Pande Veleski, 35, offered her a lift but only 'when the sun went down'

Police have described the attack near the isolated rest stop on the Stuart Highway as 'random' and 'unprovoked'.

Following his arrest, Melbourne man Pande Veleski remained under police guard in hospital where he was treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Veleski fled on foot into bushland after the attack, prompting an overnight manhunt until a police helicopter located him about 8.30am on Thursday.

He was arrested naked, 60km from Ti Tree.

As of Saturday evening, Northern Territory police charged a 35-year-old with murder.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Monday.

Investigations are continuing.

On Saturday evening, Northern Territory police charged a 35-year-old with murder

The tourist and his 30-year-old wife had stopped at Connors Well, about 100km north of Alice Springs, when Veleski allegedly pulled up behind the couple

Police said they believed the two French tourists were at a rest stop 30km south of the Aileron Roadhouse (pictured) on the Stuart Highway when they were approached by an unknown man

Northern Territory police called for any information that might help them to understand the chain of events which lead to the French tourist's murder.

'We would like to trace the last movements of the victim, and also track the movements of the alleged offender to try and piece together a timeline of events,' Superintendent Wurst said.

'We are particularly interested in speaking to a man who may have been at the Connors Well rest stop about 10 minutes before this incident occurred.'

The superintendent said the man they were looking for was possibly an Indigenous man.

'A description of the vehicle is unknown but we understand the driver may have been an indigenous male. He left the area prior to the silver Hyundai driving into the rest stop,' Superintendent Wurst said.

The getaway car: The attacker fled the scene in a silver Hyundai hatchback (pictured) with a Victoria-registered number plate after he allegedly stabbed the French tourist on Wednesday

The French couple were at a rest stop 30km south of the Aileron Roadhouse (pictured)

Detectives set up a crime scene where the Frenchman was stabbed to death on Wednesday

The French tourist couple were travelling in a 1998 Toyota RAV4 (pictured)

In their attempts to piece together the day's events, police also released photos of the French tourists' red Toyota Rav4 and the alleged attacker's grey Hyundai i20 hatchback in the hope motorists may recognise them and report any helpful information.

Police also called for any motorists who may have captured either of the vehicles on their dash-cams, to share the footage.

'Police will continue to speak to a number of witnesses to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death,' Det Supt Wurst said.

'We are extremely interested in speaking with anyone who may have sighted either vehicle, or had contact with any of the occupants of these cars in the days leading up to yesterdays incident.'

Veleski allegedly pulled up behind Mr Jegouzo and his wife at the truck stop and 'exchanged pleasantries', The Australian reported.

The brutal stabbing murder happened in Aileron, about 100 kilometre north of Alice Springs

The tourist and his wife had stopped at Connors Well, about 100km north of Alice Springs

NT Police believe the alleged attacker fled in a grey Hyundai i20 hatchback (pictured)

The foreigner was stabbed in the neck in Northern Territory's outback town Aileron
Protesters took to the streets of Vienna to demand 'No Nazi in the Hofburg'

Hundreds of furious Austrians marched through the streets of Vienna on Saturday to protest against far right presidential candidate Norbert Hofer.

The leader of the Freedom Party could tomorrow become the first far right leader to be elected in Europe since WWII.

His anti-immigration stance has alienated many and protesters let their feelings known with banners reading 'No Nazi in the Hofburg - end with the trivialization of fascism'.

Meanwhile, Hoffer's supporters claim he will prove he is not a Nazi if he is elected as opinion polls show the result is too close to call.

Anger: Hundreds of furious Austrians marched through the streets of Vienna on Saturday to protest against far-right presidential candidate Norbert Hofer

Fury: The protesters held a sign reading 'F**k Hoffer' as they displayed their anger

Reinforcements: Police were present to ensure the protests stayed safe and peaceful

Protesters held banners reading: 'No Nazi in the Hofburg - end with the trivialization of fascism'

If he wins, Hofer will be the EU's first far-right head of state in a party first made famous at the turn of the millennium when Joerg Haider propelled the Freedom Party into a coalition government.

His party colleague Andreas Rabl, 44, was elected the mayor of the Austrain city Wels last year.

Among the policies he has implemented are intensive German language training in all schools and requiring all state funded schools and nurseries to celebrate Christian festivals.

Norbert Hofer, a member of the Freedom Party, will send shock waves throughout the political establishments of Europe if he succeeds with polls showing the result is too close to call

Fuming: One protester let his feelings about the far right candidate known on the streets of Vienna

Tension: The police marched alongside the protesters, who led with their huge rude sign

Crowd: Hundreds of protesters gather to rally against Hoffer

On the march: Protesters holding posters which read: 'No Nazi inside Hofburg palace'

And he has defended his colleague Hofer, saying his policies are a far-cry from the Nazis.

He told the Times: 'There is this constant message that the FPO is a Nazi party, the new fascism and dictatorial.

'The foreign report about radicalism and the far-right in Austria, I hear that all of the time. I ask myself, what are they talking about?

'New facism? I do not see it. Mr Hofer as president would have the opportunity to correct this view. We are a normal right-wing party, correct, but we are a far cry from the Nazi party.'

One of his close friends has claimed that if Mr Hofer is elected, he will prove he is not a Nazi

Rabl's comments come after it was revealed that if Hofer wins tomorrow's vote, he will push for a referendum on Austria's EU membership being dubbed 'Oexit'.

He is up against independent candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, who is being backed by the Green Party.

And while Hofer is not backing a Brexit-style withdrawal from the bloc, he says he wants a 'better European Union' and was afraid of more centralisation in the wake of the British retreat from the club.

'If the answer to Brexit would be to make a centralised European Union, where the national parliaments are disempowered and where the union is governed like a state....in this case, we would have to hold a referendum in Austria, because it would lead to a constitutional change,' he said.

During his election campaign, Hofer has enthused supporters, and horrified critics, with comments against Muslims - 'Islam is not part of our values' and 'Islam has no place in Austria' - and has promised to increase criminal penalties for immigrants committing crimes like rape while cutting back on assistance to newcomers.

While the 45-year-old is not backing a Brexit-style withdrawal from the bloc, he says he wants a 'better European Union' and was afraid of more centralisation in the wake of the British retreat from the club

This has prompted anti-fascist demonstrators to hold a 'F*** Hofer' rally through Vienna later today.

Meanwhile the election is also being closely watched as both candidates are hoping to exploit the Trump effect in the first EU nation to hold a vote since the US poll.

Experts say how the result plays out could be a barometer of its resonance in other countries with upcoming national elections that also feature strong populist and euro skeptic contenders.

Van der Bellen says he hopes that Trump's triumph will serve as a 'wake-up call' to vote for him against Hofer.

While Hofer previously greeted the U.S. election result as a victory for democracy blasting opponents who 'wildly berate' Trump.

It comes as many Austrian voters unhappy with the current ruling coalition, made up of the Social Democrats (SPO) and conservative People's Party (OVP), flocked to Hofer and his promise of 'putting Austria first'.

People walk between election posters in Vienna, Austria ahead of tomorrow's presidential election

Born on March 2, 1970 into a middle-class family, Hofer grew up as the son of a local OVP councillor in Burgenland, the country's least prosperous state near to the border with Hungary.

After a short stint working for the now-defunct Lauda Air airline, Hofer joined the FPO's Burgenland branch in 1994 and became party secretary two years later.

Moving up through the ranks, he later became a close advisor to Heinz-Christian Strache who took over the party from Haider in 2005.

He often carries a Glock pistol for protection and at his swearing-in as Freedom Party candidate, he wore a cornflower in his lapel, which was a Nazi symbol in the 1930s.

However, Hofer denies that his fondness for the cornflower has anything to do with the Nazis.

Under the new leadership, the party initially grew more extremist and re-introduced racist slogans - speech which has been modified by Hofer but, say critics, the party philosophy has not.

An avid social media user, his Instagram account shows him at a gun range with his four children. 'I just love to shoot,' he declared in a recent interview. 'I understand the rising trend of gun owners in Austria given the current uncertainties'.
Diane Breen was arrested for 'manhandling' a stewardess as she drunk champagne in her 5,000 seat

A millionairess was arrested for 'manhandling' an airline flight attendant as she drunk champagne in her 5,000 seat.

Diane Breen was only left off with a warning by magistrates because the plane was over international waters when she lunged at the woman at the first-class bar on board the Virgin Atlantic flight to Barbados.

The 52-year-old, who is a former stewardess herself, had been asked to keep the noise down following complaints from other passengers, and was arrested at the Caribbean Island's Grantley Adams International airport, according to the Sun.

Ms Breen, of Over Alderley, near Macclesfield, Cheshire, appeared at the District B Magistrate Court with her telecoms tycoon partner Steve Palmer.

JP Elwood Watts said: ''This happened three hours into a flight from England. A flight is usually eight to nine hours long.'

Mr Watts then told Breen: 'So go in peace, behave on the plane though. This attendant clearly felt your behaviour warranted intervention, don't find yourself here again.'

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman told MailOnline: ' Flight VS77 from Manchester was met by police upon arrival in Barbados on Friday (25 Nov) due to disruptive passengers on board.

She was only left off with a warning by magistrates because the plane was over international waters when she lunged at the woman at the first-class bar on board the Virgin Atlantic flight

'Following an investigation the customers may be banned from future travel with Virgin Atlantic

'The safety and security of customers and crew is always our priority and we will not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour on board our aircraft.
A number of Hindu temples have joined a vegetarian cafe in banning the new 5 note after it has emerged it is made from animal fat.

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has hit out at the Bank of England over the revelation and the Meat Is Murder singer suggested anyone who did not take issue with the revelation that traces of the derivative, known as tallow, are used in the production process should donate their own bodies for "decorative use in future five pound notes".

But some people have been handling the notes completely unaware since September.

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has hit out at the Bank of England for using animal fat with the new 5 notes

Satish Sharma from the National Council of Hindu Temples UK told BBC Asian Network he's aware of three temples which aren't allowing the new fivers, including Bhaktivedanta Manor in Aldenham, Hertfordshire.

Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge is also refusing to accept the notes as its owner said they were "repulsive".

Speaking more about the issue, the outspoken singer Morrissey said: 'If it had been revealed by the Bank of England that the new British Five Pound note contained slices of cat or dog, the country would be in an uproar.

Temples are starting to ban the new fivers including Bhaktivedanta Manor in Aldenham, Hertfordshire (pictured)

Satish Sharma from the National Council of Hindu Temples UK told BBC Asian Network he's aware of other temples which aren't allowing the new fivers. Pictured the Darshan at Bhaktivedanta Manor, Aldenham, Watford, as part of the celebration of the Krishna festival of Janmashtami.

'But because we have been trained to accept the vicious slaughter of cows, sheep and pigs, the UK media can only make light of the use of tallow in the new British fiver because animal slaughter is thought to be outside of the human grasp and concern.

WHAT IS TALLOW? Tallow is a hard, fatty substance made from rendered animal fat, particularly from beef or mutton. It is similar to suet but can be stored for longer periods and is commonly used to make soap and candles. The new 5 polymer note uses beef tallow, which is hard fat found around the animal's kidneys, stomach and other organs. It has now been revealed that the new fiver uses the substance with the polymer note, on a thin flexible plastic, scheduled to replace paper notes by May 2017. Tallow often made from beef or mutton Advertisement

'However, whether you care about animals or not, the use of their sliced bodies in the new five pound note evokes a mood and a vibration that displays a gaping hole in human intelligence and in the human race as a compassionate idea.

'It also tells us that the Bank of England has no understanding of doing anything in our time that revives the human image from basic savagery.

'If you feel that the use of animal flesh should not be a moral issue, then you should assert your conviction by donating your own body to the Bank Of England for decorative use in future five pound notes.'

Morrissey has been known to ban fast food outlets from cooking meat during festivals at which he is performing, having stormed off stage at Coachella in 2009.

Sharon Meijland, who runs the Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge, called the notes "repulsive" because of the tallow, a substance that is also referred to as suet.

Thousands of vegetarians, vegans and animal lovers were left furious after the Bank of England confirmed that the polymer notes used the ingredient, last week.

Sharon Meijland, who runs the Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge (pictured), has called the notes 'repulsive' because they contain tallow, a substance that is also referred to as suet

Mrs Meijland told the BBC: '[Tallow's] an animal product isn't it? Our whole business is based around not having anything like that on the premises.

'This is so repulsive... we are actually going to have to say that we can't take the notes in our restaurant.'

Mrs Meijland has erected signs saying that the cafe will not accept the notes but has apologised to customers for the inconvenience.

The restaurateur also claims that since it took its new policy not a single customer had complained.

A petition has been launched urging the Bank of England to remove tallow from the fivers.

Doug Maw, from Keswick in Cumbria, started the petition - which has garnered tens of thousands of signatures.

Bank of England confirmed the new 5 notes (pictured) contain tallow, a substance made from animal fat often used in soap and candles

Tallow is also used to make soap and candles (pictured) but the latest revelation has caused the most upset

It states: 'The new 5 notes contain animal fat in the form of tallow. This is unacceptable to millions of vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in the U.K.

'We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use.'

Mr Maw added: 'I understand old notes contain stuff as well - we can't do anything about what is in circulation - but the fact they are producing new ones is what really riles me.

A petition has been created calling on the Bank of England to remove tallow from the 5 notes

'There is no excuse for it. There has got to be other ways of making money without using animal products.'

It has also been revealed the new 10 notes, which come into circulation next year, and new polymer 20 notes, due to be released by 2020, are likely to be manufactured in the same way.

Discussing the use of tallow in its notes, a spokesman from the Bank of England said: 'We can confirm that the polymer pellet from which the base substrate is made contains a trace of a substance known as tallow.
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It's that time of year once again, where multimillionaire tobacco tycoon Travers Beynon aka 'The Candyman' throws one of his lavish parties filled with scantily-clad woman.

With the theme of the Seven Deadly Sins, no doubt lust was on Candyman's mind as bikini-clad women flocked to his side at the soiree held at his palatial Gold Coast home, nicknamed 'The Candyshop Mansion'.

According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, the lavish celebration featured rooms dedicated to the vices  pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth.

And with his adoration of all things female, it will come as no surprise that the Lust room was reserved for the party's biggest VIPs.

Candyman takes centre-stage on his balcony at his Gold Coast mansion, surrounded by leather bikini-clad woman wearing thigh-high boots

With the theme of the Seven Deadly Sins, no doubt lust was on Candyman's mind as bikini-clad women flocked to his side at the soiree. Pictured left is Beynon's wife Taesha and on the right is girlfriend Nisha

Keeping cool by the pool: This group of women enjoy the lavish amenities on offer at the wild bash

The guest-list was rumored to include high-profile guests such as Imogen Anthony, girlfriend of radio host Kyle Sandilands.

Sandilands is also to believed to have been invited along with co-host Jackie O, but it's understood they didn't make it to the wild event, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Australian model and DJ Brooke Evers performed for the event.

In a photo posted on Instagram of Evers and Candyman she thanked the businessman for 'the greatest party to ever hit the Gold Coast'.

Many other guests received their invite through a promotion from Candyman's chain of tobacco stores.

Others may have answered a Facebook post from a Gold Coast agent, inviting 'sexy bikini models' to the party.

'GIRLS  looking for some sexy bikini models for Candyman Mansion party this Saturday for 'event production' 2 hour call,' it read.

The post raises some questions about the popularity of the Candyman's bashes - as the invite was posted on Friday, just one day before the event.

Scantily-clad girls dance with drinks in hand at the festivities which took place on Saturday night

Can you guess the Seven Deadly Sin? Bedazzled in red sequins with a leather vest and ripped leather trousers, it looks like the businessman took an abstract approach with his costume

Sat on top of a tank-like vehicle driven by a pirate, the businessman sits on a futuristic looking throne, flanked by a group of cloaked woman

Swapping the seven seas for Seven Deadly Sins? A pirate is seen captaining the futuristic looking tank as a cameraman gets Candyman's best angles

A party isn't complete without beautiful woman in corsets skiing in unison

The crowded party was was rumored to have a guest-list that included high-profile attendees such as Imogen Anthony, girlfriend of radio host Kyle Sandilands

Like previous years, Candyman entered the party in show stopping fashion.

Sat on top of a tank-like vehicle driven by a pirate, the businessman sits on a futuristic looking throne, flanked by a group of cloaked woman.

He's no stranger to extravagant stunts, at his outrageous 250,000 party thrown last year, Benyon made an impressive arrival suspended from a flying fox.

At this years party, the tobacco tycoon was accompanied by his wife, Taesha Beynon and 10 girlfriends.

'I've got 5 (girlfriends) at the moment and I've got another 5 coming in from overseas,' he told 1029 Hot Tomato's Flan & Emily Jade.

Did these bikini-wearing woman answer the call? A Facebook post from a Gold Coast agent, invited 'sexy bikini models' to the party just one day before the event

Carefully balanced on a golden swan these women needn't worry about going without a drink, thanks to the poolside bar

Wherever Candyman went, he was flanked by his security guard and his entourage of stunning, scantly-clad women not too far behind

A guest dressed as President-elect Donald Trump poses with Candyman , who's hurriedly being pulled away by a mysterious female companion

The tabaccoo tycoon attended the wild bash with his wife, Taesha Beynon and 10 girlfriends

From day: A view from above of the wild extravaganza, the waterside mansion features a massive pool, perfect for models in need of a swim

To night: Smoke billows from the stage as lasers light up the night sky. Party-goers frolic in the seating area set into the pool

Flames form every direction as the party continues into the night

Of course the party would have a beautiful, half-dressed woman as the DJ. The banner behind international DJ Brooke Evers advertises Candyman's FreeChoice tobacco franchise

DJ Brooke Evers throws a toothy grin to the dancing crowd. In a photo posted on Instagram of Evers and Candyman she thanks the businessman for 'the greatest party to ever hit the Gold Coast'

Electrifying! Sparks fly out of this guitarist's instrument as he's safely protected with some rockin' shades

The night sky lights up with dozens of fireworks and lasers at the Seven Deadly Sins party
George Carson's mother smuggled Heinrich Steinmeyer out of the PoW camp in Cultybraggen to take him to the cinema for the first time

The son of a woman who befriended a German prisoner of war in a small Scottish village has told how she and her friend smuggled him out of the camp to see his first moving picture.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a former Waffen SS soldier during World War Two, was captured in France when he was 19-years-old and was held in the PoW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie, Perthshire.

He died in 2013, aged 90, a fortnight after the death of George Carson, a close friend he had made in the village and visited regularly.

Now Mr Carson's son, also called George, has revealed the amazing story of how his mother smuggled the prisoner out of camp wearing a borrowed school uniform so he could go to the cinema for the first time.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It sounds like an unbelievable story but it's absolutely true.

'My mother and her friends, all school children at Morrison's Academy in Crieff, made friends with Heinrich through the fence of the Cultybraggan camp.

'I'm not quite sure how they communicated but during these conversations they discovered that Henrich had never seen a moving picture, so they went up with their push bikes one morning and one of the girls had taken her brother's school uniform and they smuggled him out of the camp through the chainlink fence and into the cinema where he saw his very first film and he was absolutely blown away by the whole experience.'

POW: Heinrich Steinmeyer (pictured), 85, has given his home and life savings of 400,000 to a British village where he experienced kindness and generosity during his imprisonment

Under guard: Mr Steinmeyer pledged the money to elderly residents in Comrie, Perthshire, where he was held captive at Cultybraggan camp (above) during the Second World War

Friendships: Letters from Mr Steinmeyer sent to George Carson, an elderly resident of Comrie

Mr Carson said his parents had remained friends with him through their adult life, and he would come in from 'playing British and Gerries' to see him chatting with his mother and father.

Two years after Mr Steinmeyer's death, his wish to leave 384,000 to the village has been recognised and has been gifted to the village's local community trust and will be spent on local development for the elderly in the area.

Mr Carson said: 'I met him a couple of times and he was a wonderful man.

'He had meetings with the Comrie Development Trust in 2008 and asked them to manage his estate on his death.

'He was quite specific in his will that the money should only be used on the elderly in the village.

'This is his thanks for the kindness shown to him at the point of his life where he was at his lowest and he just wants to say thank you to everybody.'

Mr Carson's father, above, also called George, was a friend of Mr Steinmeyer right up to his death in 2013

The Courier newspaper said part of Mr Steinmeyer's will reads: 'I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter'.

The money has now been transferred to a Henrich Steinmeyer Legacy Fund and a consultation process will start to find out how the legacy should be spent.

Mr Steinmeyer was born in 1924 and grew up in Silesia - now part of Poland - with only basic education.

He came from a very poor family and worked as an apprentice butcher on a pitiful wage before joining the SS aged 17 and fighting on the Western Front.

He joined the Hitler Youth SS 12th Panzer Division - which has been linked to war crimes, notably the execution of 140 Canadian prisoners in 1944.

It was recruited from the ranks of the Hitler Youth and, with 20,000 men, first saw action in June 1944 in the Normandy campaign. It emerged with only 12,500 men.

After fighting the Americans in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 and later the Red Army, it withdrew to Austria and the 10,000 survivors surrendered in May 1945.

Mr Steinmeyer was expected to die defending the Fuhrer, but was captured in the fight for a bridge in Caen.

Mr Steinmeyer (left, as a young member of the SS) said both the guards at the camp (right) and villagers treated him so well that he remained in Scotland for seven years after the war

German home: In his later life Mr Steinmeyer lived in this house in Delmenhorst, near Bremen

In the present day: After the war Mr Steinmeyer decided to stay in Comrie after learning that his home town had become a part of Poland and was stunned by the kindness of villagers

He was classified as a category C prisoner when he was dispatched to Perthshire, which meant he was a hard-line Nazi, committed to the cause and dangerous.

After being captured, Mr Steinmeyer was held at Cultybraggan from September 1944 to June 1945.

From there he was sent to Watten, Caithness, another maximum security Nazi camp. At the end of the war Steinmeyer was sent to a camp in Ladybank, Fife.

He stayed in Scotland after he was released from detention in 1948 and settled in Stranraer where he found work on farms in the area.
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Satellite photographs taken from NASA's Earth Observatory show how far the shoreline was raised after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in New Zealand.

The images from space reveals sections of new land along the 20 kilometre stretch of the Kaikoura coastline, on the country's South Island.

As much as five-and-a-half metres of seabed was pushed upwards by the huge earthquake, which now make up part of the new shoreline, GeoNet reported.

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Satelitte photographs captured by NASA's Earth Observatory reveal sections of new land along Kaikoura coastline. This photograph taken on November 25, after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the seaside town, shows the new shoreline

This satellite pictured taken on October 12, 2016 shows the Kaikoura coastline six weeks before the quake struck

Comparison photos from space of the Kaikoura peninsula were taken on October 12 and November 25.

The newly exposed land caused by earthquakes can sink back down, the NZ Herald reported.

GNS science operations specialist Dr Natalie Balfour noted the land was unlikely to go back under the sea.

'The newly raised coastline of the Kaikoura coast is most likely a permanent feature. This is the type of movement that has built many of the mountain ranges in New Zealand,' she said.

 Slide me  GNS science operations specialist Dr Natalie Balfour said: 'the newly raised coastline of the Kaikoura coast is most likely a permanent feature'

Rain and strong winds battered central New Zealand threatening further damage - just days after the quake killed two people and sparked with huge landslides.

More than 1,000 tourists and residents have since been evacuated from the small seaside town by a fleet of helicopters and a naval vessel since the 7.8 magnitude quake struck early November 14.

Once submerged, the rocks - covered in barnacles, limpets and seaweed - have now been pushed up above the surface. As a result of the sudden uplift, sea life including lobster and abalone, have been seen stranded out of water.

The areas which appear purple in colour show how the sea bed has been forced up to the surface.

The photos, shared and liked more than 1,000 times on Twitter, also show the direct impact to wildlife following the earthquake with sea creatures stranded out of the water.

Devastation: Incredible photographs show how New Zealand 's 7.8 magnitude earthquake lifted the seabed two metres - and exploded through the sand

Damage: The enormous 7.8 magnitude earthquake not only tore apart the seabed, but homes and roadways, and some of the country's famed mountain areas

Landslide: Aerial photos capture the devastating aftermath of the New Zealand coastline after it was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake just after midnight on November 13

 Slide me  A 'before photo' taken in March 2016 shows how the coastline looked before the earthquake struck on November 14 (left). An 'after' photo taken in recent days shows the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake (right)

New Zealand woman Anna Redmond uploaded photos to her Facebook account showing the uplifted coast up close.

Her photos show abalone, or paua, covered seabed jutting out metres above the ground.

While incredible, the photos capture the devastating death of sea-life, most of which cannot survive above water.

While it is not the first time the island has been hit by an earthquake, experts claim it is the first time tremors have caused the New Zealand seabed to lift.

Marine Geologist Dr Joshu Mountjoy said he had 'never seen it before during an earthquake'.

'(It's a) very complex fault rupture,' Dr Mountjoy told Stuff.

Environmental and Engineering Consultants Tonkin and Taylor pinpointed the section of coastline where the aerial photos were taken. The sea bed is shown to have risen two metres in some parts

While incredible, the photos capture the devastating death of sea-life, some of which cannot survive above water

He said some faults went side-to-side and others vertically and the after-effects from the most recent earthquake look as if they moved vertically and pushed land upwards.

'It will take a while before this becomes normal again,' he said.

The experts were not alone in their shock with many going online to express their disbelief.

'That is unreal, that has to be at least 15-20 feet of upwelling to expose those pauas like that,' one Facebook user said.

'Amazing power of mother earth,' said another said.

The enormous 7.8 magnitude earthquake not only tore apart the seabed, but homes and roadways, and some of the country's famed mountain areas.

The quake claimed the lives of two people and caused extensive destruction.
March 25, 1928  Nov. 25, 2016

Lucky Newell said farewell to us here on earth on Friday, Nov. 25, to say hello once again to the love of his life, Audrey in the heavens above.

Born in a covered wagon in Yuba City, California in 1928, Lucky spent much of his youth breaking horses (he always said he would never be done breaking horses or raising kids) and honing his skills as a bronc rider.

After serving in the Army, Lucky came home and met the woman he was meant to love forever, Audrey. After a few short months of courtship, they were married and started a life only few have the privilege of leading. Lucky and Audrey had over 64 years together until her passing 21 months ago.

Lucky became an ironworker and hung iron all over California, Utah, Washington and Oregon. He was a member of the raising gang who put up the original structure known then as Parker Stadium and today renamed Reser Stadium at Oregon State University.

During his rodeo years, Lucky rode all three rough stock, bulls, saddle broncs and bareback, earning the title of Oregon State All Around Cowboy in 1963.

Lucky and Audrey bought a ranch in Airlie, where they raised three daughters, Sandi Revel (John), Melinda Schoonover (Rick) and Debby Chambers (Rick). Later they bought a ranch in Blodgett, and finally Hoskins, where Lucky remained until he hung up his spurs for good.

He started building wagons in the 1980s, which opened a whole new era for him, even hauling Santa Claus in the first ten Corvallis Light parades. While participating in many wagon trains in California and Oregon, Lucky was asked, and accepted the honor of being the Wagon Master for Polk Country Sesquicentennial Wagon Train in 1993.

There is so much more to be written here about this incredible man, but like he would say, I can tell you the stories, but you wouldnt believe them anyway.

Luckys life was almost as huge as the man. Always quick with a story and a song, believing that a mans handshake was his bond and his word was stronger than paper.

The world lost an original, and last of the true American Cowboys.

Lucky, rest in peace. Ride off on Partner into the sunset, with Audrey by your side and Taupe trotting along. Know your loved ones are grieving their loss, but so proud to have had the privilege of calling you Dad, (yep all three of us, along with those hairy-legged boys we married); Poppie, (six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren); Uncle (there are a few of those); and friend (cant even begin to come up with a number here!)

Happy Trails, Dad, you will be forever in our hearts.

A potluck/memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Kings Valley Elementary School to celebrate this wonderful mans life.
A Nigerian teenager has revealed how her family were slaughtered by Islamic insurgents before she was forced to marry one of them.

Halima, 16, who already has a young son called Ali, was seized from her family's farm after the extremists killed her father and husband before shooting dead her mother.

After fleeing her captors, she now lives in a large refugee camp with her young son and her newborn baby in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno.

Halima, 16, who was snatched by insurgents and forced to marry one of them after they slaughtered her family

It comes as award winning actor David Oyelowo and U2 frontman Bono warn of an unfolding humanitarian disaster in the heart of Africa with tens of thousands of children facing starvation as they flee the Islamist militants behind the kidnap of Nigerian schoolgirls.

In an unusual move, the stars have joined international agencies in highlighting the plight of children and their families trapped in North East Nigeria as donors meet in Switzerland to try and agree emergency funding for what agencies say is a forgotten crisis.

And speaking of her plight, Halima said: 'They killed my father and husband, then tied my mother to a tree and eventually shot her.

When they had killed everyone else they told me to come with them. I resisted so they threatened me with a gun. They tied my hands and tied me to a tree.

The teenager is currently living in a refugee camp with her two children. She is provided with help by support workers from Save the Children

They told me I would get married to one of them. I told them I never would after they had killed my family. They told me I had no choice. I was married two days later. I didnt even know who he was. I didnt even see him during the ceremony.

'From when I was married all of the other men turned their backs on me as it is forbidden for them to look at another mans wife.

The houses were like tents made with thatch. Ali and I were left alone in the house for one week. They gave me food but I didnt speak to anyone apart from Ali the whole time.

'All I could think was that my family was dead and I had no-one. The women were all kept in their tents and no-one was allowed to see each other.

She continued: Eventually I became pregnant. When I was eight months pregnant came the news that my husband had been killed in the fighting, and they brought his clothes to me. Soon after, I heard the sounds of war and I knew it was the military. Others ran to the bush, but I ran towards them.

A malnourished baby cries out after being brought to the nutrition site at the camp in Nigeria

The little boy is given some therapeutic milk at the camp to try and treat his severe hunger

'The military were surprised and asked why I didnt run away. I said I had been waiting for this moment. They gave me bread and water and took me away. Eventually they brought back the other women as well.

I hadnt been allowed to leave the house for a whole year before this point. I gave birth in the first place they took me.

Apart from what Save the Children gave me nothing here is mine. Even the cooking pot is borrowed. I need a trade. But at least I have my two children  they make me happy.

Fatimah is now three months. Sometimes my breast milk doesnt flow so I mix sugar in warm water and give that to her.

Saliha, who is 20 months old but looks much younger, is fed therapeutic milk by her mother at Save the Children's stabilisation centre

I think about my time with the insurgents a lot. When I see men approach I get scared, and when I hear loud noises Im afraid people are coming for me again.

The area of Borno and North East Nigeria has been devastated by conflict and is the heartland of the brutal Boko Harem, the Islamist group responsible for a wave of bombings, assassinations, rapes and abductions as it fights to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

The group, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, shocked the world in April 2014 when it kidnapped more than 200 children from Chibok town in Borno state, saying it would treat them as slaves and marry them off. Most are still missing.

But while their case has received international coverage with outraged celebrities and politicians backing campaigns for their release, the tragedy engulfing hundreds of thousands of families and children have gone virtually unnoticed.

Oyelowo, the British-Nigerian actor acclaimed for his role in Selma and the currently-showing United Kingdom, was raised in Lagos and London.

Rukaiya, aged seven drinks therapeutic milk. Her family fled their home when insurgents attacked two years ago

Hewarns in a joint letter to global leaders: The tragedy now unfolding in North East Nigeria is one of the worlds deadliest but least reported emergencies.over 4.7 million people are in need of food assistance and some 400,000 children are at imminent risk of starvation.

In a stark report released yesterday to coincide with the Geneva summit, Save the Children, which works on the frontlines in North East Nigeria, outlines the threat facing the region at a time when the eyes of the world are focused on the horrors and suffering of Syria and Aleppo in particular. It tells how :

Children are witnessing their parents and teachers being murdered  in some cases beheaded;

Hunger could kill around 200 children each day; and that girls as young as 13 are being forced into marriage;

45 per cent of children are stunted in their growth because of starvation;

Hundreds of thousands of children are stalked by the spectre of starvation;

160 children in every 1,000 never live beyond the age of five;

Two million people have been internally displaced, half of them children;

Millions of people are without access to clean water, health care, food and shelter;

Half of nine to 12-year-olds in the North East have never been to school,

Boko Harem does not believe in education and more than 600 teachers have been killed;

20,000 children who have become separated from their parents or guardians, and many who have been orphaned.

Kevin Watkins, Save the Children CEO, who visited the region last month said: North East Nigeria is teetering on the brink of widespread famine.

'The UN estimates that 75,000 children could die over the next year from malnutrition: thats as many as 200 children who could die every day.

Some of the mothers I spoke to had walked for two weeks to get their children treated. There is still a window of opportunity to prevent a full blown famine  but that window is closing fast. Failure to act would be indefensible and unforgivable.

The charity has teams of volunteers who go throughout communities looking for children who may be malnourished and referring suspected cases to our seven outpatient therapeutic feeding sites.

Falmata, 18, looks after her daughter Bintu, aged two who is so malnourished, she is also suffering from pneumonia and malaria

'It has also opened a stabilization centre to treat children who are severely malnourished with complications such as malaria and respiratory infections  a life-threatening combination.

'Food assistance to 7,500 families, with plans to reach another 5,000. It is installing latrines and water pumps to help people say healthy, and have a programme to reduce the risk of cholera.

'Both the charity and ONE, the policy and advocacy organisation co-founded by Bono, are calling for innovative financing opportunities to ensure the United Nations appeal for around 1 billion is fully funded.

'Importantly, Save the Childrens report highlights how large sums of money from Nigeria are illegally laundered through banks and property in the UK.

It has been recently agreed that criminal assets stolen from Nigeria and seized in the UK can now be returned to Nigeria, with the Nigerian government pledging to use any returned funds to benefit the poorest.

Two year old Abdalla has his mid-upper arm circumference measurement taken. The red reading means he is severely under nourished

Aisha, 20, waits with her six-month-old daughter Hajara during a visit to the outpatient therapeutic nutrition site

Mr Watkins said the charity was now calling on the government to expedite the return of these funds, and for the Government of Nigeria to use the funds for the humanitarian response.

In their letter, which is also signed by Aliko Dangote, one of Africas leading businessmen, Oyelowo and Bono stress: The international aid response has been inadequate.

'Less than 40% of the humanitarian response plan for 2016 was funded  and the shortfall has cost lives. Part of the avoidable tragedy is that only a small group of donors have risen to the challenge.

The UK, the US and the European Unions emergency fund account for most of the limited support provided so far. Donors conspicuous by their absence from the humanitarian response to North East Nigeria must now step up to the plate and do more.'
He was deported in March over links to the Rebels Motorcycle Club

Richmond's AFL star Dustin Martin's bikie dad want to come to Australia

The bikie father of AFL star Dustin Martin is fighting to be allowed back into Australia, claiming he has Aboriginal heritage, after he was deported over links to the Rebels Motorcycle Club.

Shane Martin, 49, New Zealand resident was forced to leave the country in March as part of the Federal Government's crackdown on organised crime, in particular outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Since his abrupt departure from Australia, where his children live, the motorcycle enthusiast has discovered his grandmother was an Aboriginal from Tasmania  The Herald Sun reports.

Shane Martin (left), Dustin Martin's (right) father, claims to have Aboriginal heritage and is looking to use it to get back into Australia

Martin was deported in March over links with the notorious Rebels Motorcycle Club

He says that given this information his deportation was unlawful, now he is taking steps to get back in to the country.

Martin's Aboriginal lineage was revealed to him by his uncle Dean.

'We got talking about family history ... and my uncle goes, ''You know your grandmother was Aboriginal?'',' Mr Martin told Sky News.

Dustin's prominent stomach tattoo matches a tattoo of his father's

Shane has applied for a 'Confirmation of Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander Descent' with the help of the Aboriginal Sobriety Group.

The group accept he now identifies as being a part of the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal nation - the traditional Aboriginal people of the lower Murray river in lower central Australia - near modern Adelaide.

Mr Martin understands proving his Aboriginal heritage does not give him a free pathway to citizenship  but his legal team are expected to meet on Tuesday to develop a plan forward.
Theresa May will make war with MPs and Lords who attempt to bring down the Brexit bill if it goes through Parliament.

On Monday, the Supreme Court will decide whether the government should be allowed to push through with the EU breakaway and invoke Article 50 without Parliament's approval.

Ministers expect the government's appeal to overturn the High Court's decision will fail - meaning MPs and peers in the House of Lords can call for changes to the government's proposals.

Theresa May will make war with MPs and Lords who attempt to bring down the Brexit bill if it goes through Parliament

Mrs May is said to be 'confident' MPs 'would not dare' vote down the bill which will be the subject of intense scrutiny.

There are concerns some Remainers who sit in the House of Lords may try and block the Brexit bill.

But ministers have said that it would likely mean serious reforms for the upper chamber - or even the Lords being abolished.

One minister in Mrs May's Government told The Telegraph: 'If the Lords were seen to be frustrating the will of the people to an extent, it might well be the case that they are signing their own death warrant,' the minister said.

'You could be talking about the Lords disappearing in its current form. They've managed to avoid abolition now for quite a long time.'

Mrs May would face a race against time to get the bill through Parliament ahead of her March deadline next year.

Jeremy Corbyn has today said that Labour would seek an amendment to the bill

Brexiteer and former minister, Iain Duncan Smith, said the legistaltion was already being prepared with the aim to go through Parliament in

Jeremy Corbyn has today said that Labour would seek an amendment to the bill that would aim to secure Britain's access to the single market, workers' rights and measures to protect the environment.

The far-left leader has also refused to rule out calling for a second referendum.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: 'We will put down an amendment that will be a statement of our wishes of the negotiating strategy.'

'There are those in the Tory party who want us to sever all connection with Europe, reduce corporate taxation, set up some kind of bargain basement trade agreement with the USA.
She converted to Islam in March 2015 and became radicalized by watching online videos promoting ISIS

The couple were arrested in August 2015 before they could board a flight from Columbus, Mississippi, with tickets for Istanbul

He and Jaelyn Young wed in secret before trying to make their way to Syria

Pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization

Muhammad 'Mo' Dakhlalla was sentenced in August to eight years in prison on federal terrorism charges

A former Mississippi State University student who tried to travel to Syria to join ISIS has said he was blinded by love.

Muhammad 'Mo' Dakhlalla, who hails from Mississippi, was sentenced in August to eight years in prison on federal terrorism charges.

The 24-year-old spoke about his ordeal in an interview with CNN, saying 'that love can ultimately... blind out your intelligence, your reasoning. I believe that.

'I mean, without that love there, I don't believe I would be here today, with my charge and talking to you today... I wouldn't have even considered it at all.'

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Muhammad 'Mo' Dakhlalla, a Mississippi State University student who tried to travel to Syria to join ISIS, has said he was blinded by love

Former Mississippi State University student Jaelyn Young (left) has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for seeking to join ISIS. Prosecutors said Young talked Dakhlalla (right) into going along

Dakhlalla, who was raised Muslim and whose father is an imam, said that he met Jaelyn Young, another Mississippi State University student, in his senior year.

He explained: 'She was beautiful and things like that, but also another thing that I find attractive in a woman is one who's, you know, bright, intelligent, open-minded.

'And that's how I got to know her a bit. We started hanging out. She not only was interested in me, but she had told me prior to us being together that she was interested in Islam.'

Dakhlalla said that 'it was a big surprise' when Young became a Muslim. She also chose to start wearing a niqab, he said.

Young and Dakhlalla developed views supporting ISIS in part by watching online videos and were arrested after making their own social media posts that attracted the attention of the FBI.

Dakhlalla told CNN: 'When she first looked at these videos, she had... a strong belief that, "OK, this is the group to really help out, you know, the Muslims."'

Prosecutors had portrayed Young, who converted to Islam while studying at Mississippi State University, as the mastermind who talked Dakhlalla into going along.

However, prosecutors said, Dakhlalla ultimately agreed to the plot.

Dakhlalla said: 'Throughout the time she convinced me of that... I don't know exactly how, you know, it came to be, but I know that she knew I loved her at that time, and I was just going to follow whatever she said, and I felt like she knew that, like, I was going to follow anything that she said.'

Authorities said the couple had contacted undercover federal agents posing as ISIS contacts, seeking online help in traveling to Syria.

Prosecutors say Young began to view Islamic State fighters as liberators.

By May 2015, she had begun seeking advice online on how to travel to Syria, eventually making contact with undercover FBI employees, according to prosecutors.

Young told the undercover FBI employees that she and Dakhlalla would like to be medics treating the wounded.

Dakhlalla, in online contacts, said he was good with computers and media and wanted to contribute to the Islamic State's struggle.

Court papers say Dakhlalla said online that he wanted to become a soldier, writing: 'I am willing to fight. I want to be taught what it really means to have that heart in battle!'

Young and Dakhlalla wed in secret before trying to travel to Syria, CNN reported.

The two were arrested in August 2015 before they could board a flight from Columbus, Mississippi, with tickets for Istanbul purchased using Young's mother's credit card without permission, WTVA reported.

Both Young and Dakhlalla had left farewell letters telling their families they would never return.

The two were arrested in August 2015 before they could board a flight from Columbus, Mississippi, with tickets for Istanbul

Pictured is the farewell letter Dakhlalla wrote to his parents

Dakhlalla was sentenced to eight years in prison in August, after he pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization. He was also sentenced to 15 years of probation.

Dakhlalla said in court that the FBI 'saved his life' by catching him and that ISIS propaganda videos misled him about what they are really doing in the Middle East - a truth he learned after watching the news in jail.

'I was completely wrong about what ISIS was. I've come to the conclusion that theyre really sick and twisted. They twist Islam for their own agenda. I denounce them. I condemn them,' he said.

He added: 'The FBI, they really saved my life. I was about to do something reckless and stupid. Even if I had been successful in getting over there, Id probably be dead by now.'

Dakhlalla was handed an eight-year sentence on federal terrorism charges

Dakhlalla faced up to 20 years in prison, $250,000 in fines and lifetime probation.

Young was sentenced in August to 12 years in prison and 15 years' probation, including mandatory mental health treatment.

At her sentencing, Young broke down in tears, saying she finds what she did 'surreal,' adding she felt shame over her actions and sorrow for the humiliation she caused her family.

She and her parents told the judge that Young had turned to Islam amid an emotional crisis.

Dakhlalla's mother had cancer at the time of his arrest and she died this year, CNN reported.

Dakhlalla told the news outlet: 'It is one of the biggest regrets that I have in my life -- still haunts me to this day.

'That I would prefer this woman that I've only been together with for under a year, and lie to my mother about where I was going.'
He worked on the force for 25 years - 16 were spent as a dog squad officer

Mr Brown left behind their two-year-old son William and his daughter, 27

A well-respected veteran NSW police officer died just two days after a surprise engagement to his 38-year-old partner.

Jeff Brown, 50, referred to as 'Browny' among his mates, died suddenly in his sleep from heart failure on the morning of October 31, The Daily Telegraph reported.

It was a whirlwind weekend for Amy Turbill, 38, who went from planning a wedding to a funeral in a matter of hours.

Jeff Brown, 50, died just within 48 hours of proposing to his partner Amy Turbill, 38

'In 48 hours I went from thinking we were going to be planning a wedding to planning his funeral. It was surreal,' Ms Turbill said.

'All the dreams you have for each other are suddenly gone.'

Mr Brown left the force in 2011 noting medical reasons after working for 25 years as a police officer, of which 16 years were spent as a dog squad officer.

The devoted father, of the couple's two-year-old son and his 27-year-old daughter Ashleigh from his first marriage, did not shy away from volunteering to work on the front line.

'So many people have said to me the Macquarie Field riots was one of the scariest things they went through, but when he stood in front of them, they never felt safer, because he was there. His proudest achievement was his dogs,' Ms Turbill said.

The well-respected veteran officer worked in the force for 25 years of which 16 years were spent as a dog squad officer

Before Mr Browns retirement he trained the dog Chuck who led officers to double murderer Malcolm Naden.

After the tragic news broke, family and friend took to social media to offer their condolences.

'I am so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you,' Megan said. 'My thoughts are with you, your beautiful little Will and your families.'

'Beyond distraught for you and Will and your families. Crying tears for you. All my thoughts and all my prayers are with you Amy,' Anna said.
A lawyer from Philadelphia has been caught on camera as he watched his friend daub a wall with anti-Trump graffiti while dressed in smart blazer and holding a glass of wine.

Duncan Lloyd, who is an assistant city solicitor has been identified in the surveillance footage that saw him and another man walking along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill on November 25.

Lloyd, who is smartly dressed in the video, is seen filming or taking photos, while a second man spray paints 'F*** Trump,' on the wall of a supermarket.

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Police say Philadelphia assistant city solicitor Duncan Lloyd was caught on CCTV helping to spray anti-Donald Trump graffiti on to the side of a grocery store

Philadelphia police are investigating an assistant city solicitor in connection with anti-Trump graffiti found on the side of an upscale supermarket in Chestnut Hill

Photographs snapped later show the graffiti to offensive and anti-Donald Trump.

The chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party, said that Lloyd, pictured, should be fired for his actions.

The city attorney has admitted he made a 'dumb mistake' but has still kept his job according to Philly.com.

'It's still working out. It's certainly hateful and inappropriate and unacceptable...but people are human beings and they make mistakes and it's a dumb mistake,' Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said. 'It's hateful graffiti, hateful graffiti is never acceptable whether it's a city employee or not.'

Lloyd, who makes $63,207-a-year, has worked for the city's Law Department since 2011, representing the city mostly in federal and state discrimination lawsuits.

The man in the jacket can be seen spray-painting graffiti near the front door while Lloyd appeared to snap photos or take video with wine glass in hand, right

The two men then left the area on foot on Germantown Avenue. Investigators say the estimated damage the vandalism caused is between $3,000 and $10,000

A second man, who has not yet been identified, was spotted spraying the graffiti on the wall

Mr. Lloyd has already contacted the Philadelphia Police and is cooperating with them. He has kept his job up to now

'We do not condone this type of behavior from our employees,' First Deputy City Solicitor Craig Straw said. 'To my knowledge, Mr. Lloyd has already contacted the Philadelphia police and is cooperating with them. We will decide on a course of action once we obtain more information about the investigation.'

Police have estimated the damage to be between $3,000 and $10,000.

The city's Republican Party have called for Lloyd's to be dismissed.

'If the image of an upper-middle-class city attorney clad in a blazer and sipping wine while vandalizing an upscale grocery store with an anti-Trump message strikes you as perhaps the most bourgeois sight imaginable, that's because it is,' said Joe DeFelice, chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party to Philly.com.

The video captured the incident which took place just after midnight on November 25

'Did the extra glass of Shiraz give him some sort of delusional confidence that there are no cameras on Germantown Avenue? The taxpayers should be entrusting exactly none of our faith into this man. He should be fired from our city's Law Department immediately.'

Lloyd, 32, attended Germantown Friends School and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University's Beasley School of Law, according to his LinkedIn page.

He was identified after police released a video which showing the attorney carrying a wine glass and holding up his cellphone while a second man spray-painted the wall.
Locals have lashed out at this Christmas market with a tiny Ferris wheel - branding it 'pathetic'

It was supposed to bring a touch of the Black Forest to the Black Country - but unhappy locals have been less than kind to their town's German Christmas market.

Described as a 'mini-continental market' in West Bromwich, West Midlands, the festive bazaar made up of a handful of stalls, a barrel organ and the 70ft Geris wheel costing 2 for a ride.

Views from the ride include the nearby M5, the local branch of Poundland and the shopping centre roof.

It opened on Thursday, running until Christmas Eve and has been promoted on the council's Facebook site.

But residents did not react well to the launch.

Writing on Facebook, Arron Priest said it was a 'pathetic attempt'.

Barry Harper added: 'Yippee! Saw it today. 'Market'? Two stalls, selling burgers.

'When is Sandwell going to get some inspiration?'

Dan Shaw added: 'Imagine the view from that wheel.'

The market is just five miles from Stone Street Square, Dudley, famous for 'Britain's worst attraction' - the Dudley Eye.

Views from the ride include the nearby M5, the local branch of Poundland and the shopping centre roof

The 114ft high wheel opened in March 2016 for the Easter period, and was slammed by many including Piers Morgan.

On Friday afternoon, the West Brom wheel had virtually no riders and the stalls offering 'traditional Black Country sweets' and hot pork rolls looked empty.

The festive market is also just 11 miles from Birmingham's famous German Market, the largest Christmas market outside Germany.

The attraction, run by Sandwell Council, is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.

Jane Jelley wrote: 'It's really quite rubbishy.. and they're not even German.'

And one post joked: 'You don't need to go into brum now bab.'

Described as a 'mini-continental market' in West Bromwich, West Midlands, the festive bazaar made up of a handful of stalls, a barrel organ and the 70ft wheel costing 2 for a ride

Councillor David Hosell, cabinet member for highways and environment said: 'We've held mini-continental markets at different times throughout the year in West Bromwich town centre.

'I'm surprised people would compare this small local market to the German Market in Birmingham, which is clearly a major and very well established regional attraction on a much larger scale.

'This market has about 10 stalls with a traditional Black Country Ferris wheel, fairground and an organ.
She never believed her aunt would disappear without telling her parents

Presumed dead, her body may never be found as the prime suspect died

Renata Wolanin left her Adelaide house on a cold, rainy night in 1989 barefoot and wearing only her pyjamas.

More than 27 years later her family fear they will never know what happened to her now that the prime suspect in her assumed murder, her husband David Wehner, is dead.

Her niece Michelle Wolanin said she was 'annoyed that he has gone to his grave and got away with it' but hoped someone might now feel safe enough to come forward.

'If there is anyone who knows something and has been afraid of him and had a fear of some sort of reprisal, then its now open slather. You do not need to have that fear any longer,' she told Adelaide's Sunday Mail.

Renata Wolanin disappeared from her Adelaide home in 1989 aged 41

The newspaper discovered this week the American-born Mr Wehner, who left Adelaide soon after his wife's disappearance died in Sydney aged 62 in June.

Ms Wolanin knew Mr Wehner could never be put on trial, but at least her aunt's body may be and given a proper burial even if she never got justice.

Renata Wolanin, then aged 41, said she was 'going for a walk' after a fight with her husband over the cost of curtains and renovations at about 10.30pm on August 1, 1989.

Mr Wehner, a former US Army military policeman, told police he awoke at 5 or 6am and there was no sign of her. She did not show up for a new job that day either.

Her family fears they will never know what happened after her husband and prime suspect David Wehner (L) died in June

Ms Wolanin said she never believed her uncle-in-law's explanation and never believed Renata would run away voluntarily because she was too close to her parents.

'It was all a lie. I didnt believe what I was being told, never did and still dont,' she said.

'She was extremely close to my grandparents and my dad. There is just no way she would just take off and not contact any of them.'

Her father Edward died in 2002 aged 79, and her mother Wanda died in 2012 aged 92. Her brother, Andrew, who is Michelles father, passed away in 2010, aged 59.

Her niece Michelle Wolanin (pictured) said she was 'annoyed that he has gone to his grave and got away with it' but hoped someone might now feel safe enough to come forward

'They were devastated. It upsets me there was never a resolution for them; no closure before they died,' she said.

Mr Wehner moved to Perth where police said he was likely 'involved with more than one woman', before studying in the U.S. and later living near Wagga Wagga, NSW.

He was extensively interviewed but never changed his story, remaining a person of interest until his death.

In 1992 he was given a $50,000 payout from Renatas estate.

There is a $200,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of Renatas body.
A 62-year-old Melbourne man has described how he fought off two alleged home intruders with a pocket knife  as one pointed a shot gun at his head and the other threatened to 'kill him' while armed with an axe.

John Vitale described the terrifying 'do or die' moment he stabbed the 17-year-old alleged gunman in a desperate attempt to protect his home and wife Maryanne.

The alleged attacked happened last Monday morning in Coburg in the city's north, the Herald Sun reports, and comes after a violent spate of similar style home invasions linked to the notorious Apex gang.

A 62-year-old Melbourne man has described how he fought off two alleged home intruders with a pocket knife (file image)

A man has recounted the moment he fought of two alleged home intruders in Melbourne's north (file image)

Mr Vitale told the paper he armed himself with a small pocket knife prior to confronting the alleged intruders, and that there was a struggle.

'It was either do or die, he had a gun and was pointing it at me, I was holding the barrel of the gun,' Mr Vitale said.

Mr Vitale said as he stabbed at the 17-year-old his friend threatened to kill him and waved his axe around.

The alleged intruders fled in the couple's 2008 Range Rover  which was sitting in the driveway. A 2007 convertible Bentley had allegedly been stolen on November 24.

A court heard the alleged gun-wielding intruder was on bail when the attack occurred.

They also heard he had admitted himself to Monash Hospital after he was stabbed  but would not cooperate with police. The teenager returns to court next year.
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, now 30, who faces charged of desertion after walking off his combat outpost in Afghanistan before being captured has asked President Obama for a pardon before he leaves office.

Bergdahl was held for five years by the Taliban, has asked President Obama for a pardon before he leaves office in the hope of avoiding a trial which could land him in jail for the rest of his life.

According to Fox News, Bergdahl wrote to Mr Obama to thank the president for rescuing him in May 2014.

The rescue was controversial at the time because it resulted in the release of five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. The letter also reportedly asked for a presidential pardon.

A Justice Department official has confirmed to Fox that it received a pardon petition from Bergdahl.

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The charges of desertion and endangering troops against Bergdahl stem from his decision to leave his outpost in Afghanistan in 2009. He has now asked to be pardoned by Obama

His release from the Taliban was secured by President Obama who exchanged five Guantanamo Bay detainees for his safe return. Above, pictured while being held by the Taliban

President Obama has said that the U.S. military does not leave its men and women behind

President-elect Donald Trump called Bergdahl a 'dirty, rotten traitor'

Bergdahl was quickly captured after walking off his combat post in Afghanistan in 2009, and held as a prisoner by the Taliban and its allies until President Barack Obama exchanged five Guantanamo Bay detainees for his safe return, saying the US 'does not ever leave our men and women in uniform behind.'

Obama's decision was harshly criticized. Some members of Congress said it jeopardized national security.

During the U.S. military's intensive man-hunt for Bergdahl over a five-year period it was reported that up to six American soldiers died and others were wounded in the search, but these claims have been disputed.

Shortly after he was returned to US custody, President Obama's national security advisor Susan Rice said Bergdahl served his country with 'honor and distinction.'

Trump has targeted Bergdahl for scorn dozens of times on the campaign trail, saying among other things that he should have been thrown from a plane.

Bergdahl's trial is scheduled for April of next year, however his defense says President-elect Trump has already damaged his chances for a fair trial by calling him a 'dirty, rotten traitor,' who 'should have been executed.'

The Army's primary investigating officer last year recommended against Bergdahl facing jail time, saying there is no evidence that any service members were killed or wounded searching for him in Afghanistan.

Bergdahl, now 30, faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. The latter charge is relatively rare and carries the potential of life in prison

The Taliban captured Bergdahl (pictured left looking thin) after he left his post in Afghanistan in 2009. He was freed years later, but will face trial in April 2017

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have been notified that threats against Bergdahl continue.

'Given the many incendiary comments that have been broadcast and otherwise disseminated about Sgt. Bergdahl, his immediate commander at Fort Sam Houston has taken measures to ensure his physical safety when leaving the installation,' his attorneys wrote in February.

A spokesman at the Texas post declined to describe these measures, citing security considerations. But as 'a group of soldiers, battle buddies, we all look out for each other,' Sgt. Maj. Matt Howard said.

Bergdahl can come and go the same as any other soldier from Fort Sam Houston, where he works a desk job in a headquarters unit, handling 'a lot of administrative work that needs to be done. Paperwork, moving stuff from place to place, things like that,' Howard said.
SafeHaven thanks supporters

SafeHaven Humane Society would like to thank all of our supporters who bought tickets in our annual Christmas Tree Raffle and helped raise over $8,000 for the animals!

The lucky winner received a beautiful woodland-themed Christmas tree professionally decorated by Twila Weder of Expressions in Bloom, delivered to their home or business, in addition to a $500 Visa gift card. Executive Director Chris Storm said, This year has been the most successful yet, with raising a record amount! I want to thank each and every participant who supports SafeHaven Humane Society in our efforts to end pet homelessness.

Special recognition goes to Rebecca Swanson of The Swanson Agency for her continued generous support of SafeHaven Humane Society and sponsoring this fundraiser. Without our committed donors, we would not have been able to save the lives of over 2,000 animals this year!

Brittany Milani

SafeHaven Humane Society

Thanks for the copier

We wish to extend warm thanks to GSI Water Solutions for its generous donation of a copy machine to our Linn County Healthy Families office.

The dedication of GSI staff members Kim Grigsby and Molly Monroe made possible the donation to us. The copier has been a welcome addition to our office, and it has been printing beautifully in its new home! We are so grateful to GSI Water Solutions and its staff for their generosity.

Medora Tuck Stevens

Old Mill Center for Children and Families

Food articles are nice addition

I just wanted to say how nice it is to see the addition of pieces by Jan Roberts-Dominguez in the Albany paper.

She is a great local writer and artist. Her food recipes are great. I like the way she writes almost as if she is having a conversation with you. I look forward to her future pieces.

Kathy Body

Albany

Gleaners thank Safeway, shoppers

Philomath Community Gleaners would like to thank Safeway and all the Safeway shoppers who donated to the Turkey Bucks program this year. Your generosity added up to 85 Thanksgiving dinners for our members. We are all so very grateful for helping up to have happy Thanksgivings.

Sara Cash

Philomath Community Gleaners

Park's residents thank businesses

The residents of Meadow Park Mobile Estates, would like to thank these area businesses and agencies for supporting our annual fundraiser: AAA, Burgerville, Dial-a-bus, Jiffy Lube, Kaady Car Washes, Market of Choice, On the Edge Salon, Rivas, Toyota of Corvallis and Yogurt Extreme.

Each year we support an area nonprofit organization by holding our community Gift Basket Auction & Drawing. Our residents did an amazing job creating gift baskets for the auction, while area businesses contributed items for both our auction and the drawing. This year we raised $2,655 for Benton Hospice. Thank you all for your generous support.

Maggie Polizzo

President, Residents Association

Donation aids police efforts

On behalf of all officers and staff members, the Corvallis Police Department and Friends of Corvallis Police thank each member of The Gathering congregation for their generous donation of $4,564 to Friends of Corvallis Police.

It is heartwarming to know such strong support for law enforcement exists in our community. It will be a pleasure to return the trust and generosity signified by their donation with furthered crime prevention efforts and community-police partnerships.

We know that, as a community, Corvallis residents have in common a desire to live where streets are safe and people feel secure in their homes and neighborhoods. The Gatherings donation will be put toward that end by supporting crime prevention, especially four core programs that create opportunities to develop positive and lasting relationships with community members and the Police Department.

Neighborhood Watch is aimed at reducing residential crime and making neighborhoods safe. It operates by neighbors forming a partnership among themselves and with the Corvallis Police Department.

The purpose of National Night Out is to stimulate active crime prevention efforts in neighborhoods, strengthen community-police partnerships, and develop enhanced connections among neighbors.

Business Watch is designed to reduce financial loss due to criminal activity. Any business may join.

Cops & Robbers (Citizen Police Academy) offers participants an opportunity to learn about the Corvallis Police Department. Its purposes are to build strong community-police partnerships and to enhance crime prevention awareness in Corvallis.

Crime-prevention programs in Corvallis rely on donations such as this one from The Gathering. We encourage everyone to join us in thanking members of The Gathering for coming together to make our community a better place to enjoy life.

Jon Sassaman

chief, Corvallis Police Department

Varien Tilton

Friends of Corvallis Police

To send Good Words

Items for the Good Words column are published to recognize good deeds and charitable events. No promotions or advertising, please. Include the senders name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification or in case of questions.

Good Words items can be up to 150 words or generally will be edited to that length. We prefer that they be sent electronically to news@gazettetimes.com or to news@dhonline.com, but can be mailed to the Gazette-Times, attention Good Words, P.O. Box 368, Corvallis, OR 97339-0368. Written copies can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at our office at 1837 N.W. Circle Blvd. Please label them Good Words.

Good Words are published Saturday on a space-available basis, generally in the order in which they are received.
Disgraced former general David Petraeus' mistress re-emerged Friday as the former CIA director remained in the run to become Donald Trump's Secretary Of State.

Paula Broadwell, 44, was walking her dog by herself in Charlotte, North Carolina, looking in the distance. Petraeus, an ex-four-star general, pleaded guilty in 2015 to sharing classified information with her.

Petraeus has since emerged as a potential candidate for the prestigious Secretary Of State job in Trump's administration. He was spotted at Trump Tower last month and has received praise from the president-elect.

But if he does get the job, Petraeus will have to check with his parole officer before accepting the position - within three days.

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Disgraced former general David Petraeus' mistress Paula Broadwell (pictured) re-emerged Friday as the former CIA director remained in the run to become Secretary Of State

Broadwell, 44, was walking her dog by herself, looking in the distance. Petraeus, an ex-four-star general, pleaded guilty in 2015 to sharing classified information with her

If he does get the job, Petraeus (pictured at Trump Tower on November 28) will have to check with his parole officer before accepting the position - within three days

Broadwell joked on Twitter Monday that she might accept a different nomination, writing: 'Since everyone is asking, I'd consider accepting Ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Equality if asked.' She ended her message with a winking emoji.

Petraeus, 64, was sentenced in April last year to two years' probation and fined $100,000 for sharing classified information with Broadwell. Petraeus also resigned as director of the CIA in the aftermath.

Broadwell and Petraeus' affair began in 2011, shortly after he retired from the Army and began his new job at the CIA, and ended in 2012, a friend of the former general said when the affair first came to light.

The pair had met in 2006, when Petraeus came to speak at Harvard, where Broadwell, who is also a West Point graduate, was studying. She wrote her PhD dissertation about Petraeus' leadership skills and later penned a biography of the Army man, titled 'All In: The Education of General David Petraeus'.

Broadwell, a married mother of two sons aged 8 and 10, told the New York Times in May: 'I'm the first to admit I screwed up. Really badly, I know that. But how long does a person pay for their mistake?'

If Petraeus became Secretary Of State, he would also be required to tell the officer before leaving North Carolina and be subject to warrant-less searches, as well as having all work-related travel cleared in advance,court documents obtained by USA Today have revealed.

'The defendant shall notify the probation officer within 72 hours of any change in residence or employment,' the document states.

'The defendant shall not leave the Western District of North Carolina without the permission of the Court or probation officer. Travel allowed for work as approved by U.S. probation office.

Petraeus carried on an affair with Paula Broadwell (right), a married woman who was his biographer, and shared classified material with her

Broadwell joked on Twitter Monday that she might accept a different nomination as ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Equality

'The defendant shall submit his person, residence, office, vehicle and/or any computer system including computer data storage media, or any electronic device capable of storing, retrieving, and/or accessing data to which they have access or control, to a search, from time to time, conducted by any US Probation Officer and such other law enforcement personnel as the probation officer may deem advisable, without a warrant.'

Broadwell wrote a biography of the Army man, titled 'All In: The Education of General David Petraeus' (pictured)

Current Secretary of State John Kerry set a record in April when it was calculated he has traveled more than one-million miles during his time in the role.

However, all those roadblocks to doing his potential job could be removed by a presidential pardon. Having a criminal record does not exclude someone from politics.

The former military man, who led the CIA until 2012 and was one of the people behind George W Bush's 2007 troop surge in Iraq, met with Trump on Monday.

Petraeus spoke about their conversation as he left Trump Tower - where the president-elect has been holding meetings since the election.

'I was with him for about an hour. He basically walked us around the world. Showed a great grasp of a variety of the challenges that are out there and some of the opportunities as well,' he said.

'Very good conversation and we'll see where it goes from here. We'll see where it goes from here.'

Trump tweeted about the meeting a short time later: 'Just met with General Petraeus--was very impressed!'

Other candidates for the job of America's top diplomat include 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker and California congressman Dana Rohrabacher.

Petraeus (pictured in Trump Tower Monday), an ex-four-star general, was sentenced to two years' probation and fined $100,000 for sharing classified information with Broadwell
The Ivorian, 33, was driving through Dagenham when police stopped his vehicle

Manchester City star Yaya Toure has been charged with drink driving after being pulled over in London.

The Ivorian, 33, was driving through Dagenham when police stopped his vehicle at around 11pm on Monday, November 28.

Police have confirmed to MailOnline that Toure, of Macclesfield, was arrested and then charged the following day.

Midfielder Toure has in the past claimed to be teetotal because of his Muslim faith.

In 2012, he turned down a man-of-the-match bottle of champagne, citing his religious belief as a reason.

Since then Premiership bosses have offered players the option of a bottle of rose water and pomegranate drink as an alternative.

Toure will appear at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 13.

Manchester City have declined to comment on the matter, but the club's head of media relations, Simon Heggie, told the Express: 'It's a personal issue so we would not comment, speak to his agent.'

The former Barcelona man was a key part of the title-winning team for several years until new manager Pep Guardiola kept him out of his first-team plans after a bust up with agent Dimitri Seluk.

The stand-off ended when Toure issued an apology last month and the player was brought back in for the Premier League victory at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.

Toure has vowed to keep working hard following his Manchester City recall.
Gina Miller arriving at the High Court for the decision on how Article 50 should be invoked

In the wake of the biggest ever televised trial in Britain, judges have been practising walking and sitting down.

According to The Times, the 11 judges who will sit at the Supreme Court to hear the historic Brexit appeal are so nervous about how they will come across on television they have done trial runs of walking and taking their seats.

Usually only five to seven judges sit at the bench, and the additional members of the bench indicates the importance of this appeal.

In an attempt to make sure there is no jostling for position, the 11 have met and rehearsed how they will enter, sit and leave again on Monday.

The Times reports that the dummy run went 'very smoothly' according to an observer.

An estimated 300,000 people will be tuning into the live streams by the court, its biggest audience, and 80 journalists have been accredited to attend.

On Monday, the Supreme Court will decide whether the government should be allowed to push through with the EU breakaway and invoke Article 50 without Parliament's approval.

Left, Baroness Hale of Richmond, and right Baron Mance, both thought to have been practising entering and sitting down ahead of the Article 50 appeal

Ministers expect the government's appeal to overturn the High Court's decision will fail - meaning MPs and peers in the House of Lords can call for changes to the government's proposals.

Theresa May is said to be 'confident' MPs 'would not dare' vote down the bill which will be the subject of intense scrutiny.

There are concerns some Remainers who sit in the House of Lords may try and block the Brexit bill.

But ministers have said that it would likely mean serious reforms for the upper chamber - or even the Lords being abolished.

Theresa May will make war with MPs and Lords who attempt to bring down the Brexit bill if it goes through Parliament

On Monday, Jeremy Wright, QC, the attorney-general will open the case for the government, and Lord Keen of Elie will add any specific issues affecting Scotland to the case.

Lord Pannick QC acting for Gina Miller will begin his reply on Tuesday.

The 11 justices will return a verdict in the new year.

The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that four of the 11 members of the Supreme Court have formal links to either the EU, its courts or European institutions; five have publicly expressed views which appear to be sympathetic to the EU; while six have personal links with individuals who have been critical of the Leave campaign.
Police have flipped the script on cyber criminals by 'mugging' them of their phones in the street.

After repeatedly being deprived of evidence by suspects' refusals to unlock their heavily-encrypted phones, they used the tactic to catch Gabriel Yew, who was jailed for five and a half years for supplying fake bank cards to criminals from his address in Holloway, North London.

They snatched the iPhone from him while he was talking on it in the street, but had to keep tapping to make sure it did not auto-lock itself while they downloaded the data.

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They snatched the iPhone from him while he was talking on it in the street, but had to keep tapping to make sure it did not auto-lock itself while they downloaded the data (file image)

Gabriel Yew's mobile phones contained conversations with orders for fake cards and the details of other individuals who contacted Yew to obtain fake bank cards

This enabled Operation Falcon, the Metropolitan Police's cybercrime unit, to gain access, having previously suspected he was talking to his network on the device.

Yew's mobile phones contained conversations with orders for fake cards and the details of other individuals who contacted Yew to obtain fake bank cards.

Police found thousands of blank cards, as well as several printing and embossing machines that were being using to produce fake bank and credit cards.

Searches of Yew's car and his home turned up more blank cards and printing machines linked to the production of false documents, as well as almost 5,000 in cash and two stun guns disguised as torches.

Officers also discovered high-value goods including luxury handbags and watches.

Searches of Yew's car and his home turned up more blank cards and printing machines linked to the production of false documents

Det Ch Insp Andrew Gould told the BBC: 'The challenges of pin code access and encryption on some phones make it harder to access evidence in a timely fashion than ever before.

'Officers had to seize Yew's phone from him in the street. This evidence was crucial to the prosecution.'
An Oregon mall has an ironic sense of holiday cheer.

A 'Hipster Santa' that you can take photos with has come back to Pioneer Place mall in Portland for the Christmas season.

The festive figure has a man bun, black glasses, and even peppermint candy earrings.

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A 'Hipster Santa' that you can take photos with has come back to Pioneer Place mall in Portland for the Christmas season

The festive figure has a man bun, black glasses, and even peppermint candy earrings

One photo shows a faux deer head above Hipster Santa - with his traditional red-and-white costume hanging from a coat rack nearby

Hipster Santa also wears a sweater like the one Jeff Bridges wears in The Big Lebowski - and on his arms are tattoos that say 'Naughty' and 'Nice'.

Snaps posted to social media shows him posing with people.

One photo shows a faux deer head above Hipster Santa - with his traditional red-and-white costume hanging from a coat rack nearby.

An image of Kris Kingle with two people on a couch was captioned on Instagram: '12.1.16 he knows if you've been buying organic, fair trade coffee.'

Hipster Santa debuted in 2015, according to KOIN.

This image was captioned '12.1.16 he knows if you've been buying organic, fair trade coffee'

Hipster Santa hangs out while some people sitting with him sport pink mustaches

Chiropractor Dr. Andrea Herrst, who along with her staff took a photo with him, told KATU: 'He's very approachable. I think that's great, especially for kids.'

The Yuletide figure was filmed by KGW saying 'Ho ho ho' and being merry.

The video showed him asking a boy: 'You want a new guitar. A Gibson, a Stratocaster, which one?'

Hipster Santa also wears a sweater like the one Jeff Bridges wears in The Big Lebowski - and on his arms are tattoos that say 'Naughty' and 'Nice'

Hipster Santa shows off his tattoos in this Instagram shot. He's available for photos at the Pioneer Place mall

He also asked the youngster : 'You want to see the ink?'

'I think those are tattoos, not ink,' the boy said.

'It is ink,' Hipster Santa replied. 'That's what they call tattoos, ink.'

Pioneer Place wrote on Facebook Friday: 'Get your pictures taken with Hipster Santa on December 8 from 12pm-8pm; and December 15 and 22 from 9am to 9pm.'

Reservations can be made to see Hipster Santa online.

The mall Santa poses with a child on his lap (left) and sits next to two youngsters (right)




The RAF's new drone which can spy on targets for two days and is armed with Hellfire missiles has been flown for the first time.

The unmanned Protector aircraft, which will replace the RAF's Reaper drone fleet, was tested in the Mojave Desert, California.

More than 400million has been committed to building 16 drones, with a further 10 on reserve order as part of a 800m programme.

The unmanned Protector aircraft (pictured), which will replace the RAF's Reaper drone fleet, was tested in the Mojave Desert, California

General Atomics has adapted the Protector to meet European flying rules meaning drones could patrol over the continent as part of NATO operations.

The drones can stay in the air for up to 40 hours at 50,000ft and will be equipped with a range of missiles, bombs and sensors.

RAF Reaper drones, which can only stay airborne for 25 hours, have been used in the fight against ISIS over Syrian skies.

They are controlled from secure bunkers at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

The UK Defence Journal reports information about the sale has been sent to the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The drones can stay in the air for up to 40 hours at 50,000ft and will be equipped with a range of missiles, bombs and sensors

RAF Reaper drones (pictured), which can only stay airborne for 25 hours, have been used in the fight against ISIS over Syrian skies

The statement reads: 'The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for Certifiable Predator B Remotely Piloted Aircraft, equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.0 billion.'

The Protector, which has a 79ft wingspan, can be flown in bad weather and survive bird strikes.

It is expected to be in active service by the end of the decade and will increase the number of drones the RAF operates from 10 to 16.

The Protector drones are being tested at Grey Butte Field Airport which was first used in the Second World War.
A hidden camera left in a forest to snap images of animals in the wild captured pictures of a naked man who believed he was a tiger after taking LSD.

The man, only identified as Marek H from the Czech Republic, took the drug to try and treat his depression.

But after taking LSD he then ran off into the Polish forest, stripped naked and starting behaving like a tiger.

A hidden camera left in a forest to snap images of animals in the wild captured pictures of a naked man who believed he was a tiger after taking LSD in Czech Republic

Later foresters looked back at the footage to try and see if they had captured any wild animals on camera.

But after watching footage of the man, they handed the pictures straight over to police, who later apprehended Marek H.

The 21-year-old then confessed to police that he had taken the hallucinatory drug LSD.

He said it started to work immediately and that he felt he had become a Siberian tiger.

The told police that it was then that is 'true personality' had woken up and that he had always connected with the animal.

The 21-year-old then confessed to police that he had taken the hallucinatory drug LSD, which made him believe he was a Siberian tiger

He added that while being high on the drug, he picked up a scent and felt compelled to follow it.

In eight hours he is believed to have travelled 15 and a half miles along the Czech-Polish border, in a forested area.
Guy Lardinois threw a punch at a stewardess after drinking four gin and tonics on a flight

A drunken plane passenger threw a punch at a stewardess at 30,000ft and was rugby tackled to the floor after she asked him if he was smoking in the toilets.

Guy Lardinois, a Belgian national who lives in Istanbul, Turkey, was on his way to Manchester for a funeral when the altercation happened on Thursday, December 1.

He was approached by the stewardess on the Turkish Airlines flight TK1995 from Istanbul, Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court heard.

The 40-year-old, who had drunk four gin and tonics, denied he was smoking and asked for another drink before returning to his seat.

Prosecutor David Lees said the defendant then started arguing, shouting and became abusive before getting out of his seat and moving to the rear of the plane.

Sitting by the 24-year-old stewardess he asked her: 'Do you know what I'm going to do to you? You're f***** up.'

Lardinois then threw a 'glancing blow' at the stewardess but missed as she put her hands up to her face, the prosecutor said.

'Another passenger then rugby tackled the defendant and knocked him to the floor', Mr Lees added.

The police came on to the flight after it landed at Manchester airport and arrested Lardinois

Several other cabin crew rushed over to assist their colleague and Lardinois suffered a broken leg, the court heard.

The defendant was arrested by police at Terminal 1 when the plane landed at Manchester Airport 30 minutes later.

Lardinois pleaded guilty to common assault and being drunk while on a flight.

He was handed a six-month custodial sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a 600 fine.

He must also pay 100 compensation, a 115 victim surcharge and 85 court costs before he leaves the country.

The contract manager pleaded guilty to common assault and being drunk while on a flight

The chairman of the bench told Lardinois: 'The fear you put the stewardess and passengers through on that aircraft is not acceptable.'

Matthew Corn, defending, said Lardinois is 'deeply ashamed' and wanted to apologise to the airline crew and passengers involved.

He said the father of one, who works as a contract manager, had been travelling to Manchester for the funeral of a company director and his drinking had exacerbated his already 'sombre' mood.

Mr Corn said his client also suffered a below the knee break in the incident and is now concerned he may lose his job.
The journey is more important than the destination. At least that's the philosophy of one 'genius' pilot who's been creating sky art with his spectacular flight patterns.

The mystery pilot spelled the word 'hello' during a 37-minute flight over the Niedersachsen region of Germany, his latest in series of bizarre routes.

His complex course was recorded by tracking website Flightradar 24 which posted images of his work online on Monday.

Talented: The mystery pilot spelled the word 'hello' during a 37-minute flight over the Niedersachsen region of Germany

Craft of choice: He used a privately owned Robin DR400/180 Regent aircraft to create his masterpiece

He used a privately owned Robin DR400/180 Regent aircraft to create his masterpiece.

The same plane has recently been recorded making flights in the shape of an airplane and even a love heart.

Flightradar 24 commented on its website: 'Drawing objects on Flightradar24 has reached a new level.'

'Not every flight is about getting from point A to B. Some flights are about the journey - or in this case, about the image.

'We'll continue to watch D-EFHN to see if the pilot decides to expand into other images or patterns.'

Flightradar24 started as a hobby project in 2006 when two Swedish aviation geeks decided to build a network of ADS-B receivers in Northern and Central Europe.

In 2009 they opened up the network and made it possible for anyone with an ADS-B receiver to upload data.

Previous work: The same plane has recently been recorded making flights in the shape of an airplane
Gambia's newly elected president is urging exiles who fled during the 22-year reign of his predecessor to return and help him reform the West African country.

Adama Barrow also vowed to free all political prisoners and declared the birth of 'a new Gambia.'

A former businessman and security guard in the Argos store on Holloway Road in north London, the 51-year-old was the unlikely victor in the Gambian presidential election this week.

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'Help me build a new Gambia': The new president of Gambia, Adama Barrow, has promised change in his home country

Mr Barrow said after his win: 'A new Gambia is born. We want everybody on board now. This is Gambia, politics is over'

A former businessman and security guard in a north London Argos store, the 51-year-old was the unlikely victor in the Gambian presidential election this week

Now a real estate mogul, Barrow became the unlikely head of a formidable opposition coalition, and has pledged to preside over a three-year transition before another presidential election is held.

He also says he wants to reverse President Yahya Jammeh's decisions to pull out of both the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Barrow said: 'A new Gambia is born. We want everybody on board now. This is Gambia, politics is over.'

Mr Barrow said that he owed his career success to his tough years in Britain, where he lived and studied property management between 1998 and 2002.

During that time he paid his rent with security jobs in offices, music festivals and high street stores, once tackling a shoplifter at Argos who was jailed for six months.

He also lived on a crime-plagued housing estate in Kidbrooke in south-east London, which has since been demolished.

Mr Barrow said that he owed his career success to his tough years in Britain, where he lived and studied property management

Adama Barrow vowed to free all political prisoners and declared the birth of 'a new Gambia'

Mr Barrow says he wants to reverse President Yahya Jammeh's decisions to pull out of both the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court

Official results in the West African country of 1.8 million gave Barrow 45.5 per cent of the vote against Jammeh's 36.7 per cent

Jammeh had vowed to rule his country for 'a billion years', but was this week been toppled by his unlikely rival - sparking celebrations in the streets.

A friend of Libya's late Colonel Gaddafi, Jammeh ruled the west African state of Gambia for some 22 years through a bizarre personality cult of witchcraft and brutality.

He was accused of crushing dissent and torturing opponents and few believed he would allow himself to lose Thursday's vote against opposition candidate Adama Barrow.

But in an address on state-owned radio on Friday evening, Jammeh accepted results announced by the electoral commission showing his defeat in a move that stunned the continent and sparked wild celebration in the capital Banjul.

'I feel different and when we woke up people were happy. How we are free to say everything we want to say,' said Yacouba Cisse, 34, a fisherman who took part in overnight celebrations in the capital.

A van packed with opposition supporters banging drums rolled through the streets on Saturday and many people were still wearing opposition coalition T-shirts from the night before.

Despite a heavy police presence there were few signs of tension or hostility, witnesses said.

Official results in the West African country of 1.8 million gave Barrow 45.5 per cent of the vote against Jammeh's 36.7 per cent.

Gambians gather for a photo around president elect Adama Barrow, center, at his residence in Yundum, Gambia

Barrow was in a meeting at his house today as supporters gathered outside

Gambian president elect Adama Barrow: Expectations are high among his supporters for an end to human rights abuses and for job creation

Jammeh's supporters deny abuses and he has often criticized Western powers for meddling in African affairs.

Barrow was in a meeting at his house today as supporters gathered outside.

Expectations are high among his supporters for an end to human rights abuses and for job creation.

'We expect him to remedy the 'back way'. We want him to create jobs for youths. Most of us are frustrated,' said farmer Harouma Diallo, 29.

The 'back way' is a Gambian description of the route illegal migrants take from the country to Europe.
The majority of Linn County's inmates are incarcerated in part due to issues with drugs, alcohol or mental illness, Sheriff Bruce Riley told members of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday afternoon.

Riley is the county's 39th sheriff since the office was conceived locally in 1898. The Linn County native has spent his entire law enforcement career in the area, starting in 1987. In January 2014 he was appointed to replace retiring Sheriff Tim Mueller by the Linn County Board of Commissioners, then elected to his first four-year term of office that November.

According to Riley, the history of sheriffs as peace officers dates back to ninth-century England, when the king divided his vast land holdings into shires to be protected by reeves." The two words eventually melded to form "sheriff."

In those days, the sheriff did pretty much everything for the king, from keeping the peace to collecting taxes, Riley said.

He also noted that a sheriff is the only elected law enforcement position in the country. It is nonpartisan. Other elected officials are the county clerk and treasurer.

We work for you. I answer to you and you only, he said. It is the only position where folks have a say, and we are an office, which means we stand alone, as compared to a department, which can mean being part of a larger group.

Riley said he is one of 36 sheriffs in Oregon and about 3,000 nationwide.

Riley said 80 percent of his $26 million annual budget goes toward staff and 20 percent to materials and services. The Linn County Sheriff's Office has 184 full-time staff members providing numerous services countywide, including patrolling more than 2,300 square miles and serving 117,000 residents.

There are six divisions: patrol, detectives, corrections, programs, civil and support services. The office motto is Keeping the peace with dignity, honesty and compassion.

Some 55 percent of the budget comes from a four-year levy of $2.83 per $1,000 of property valuation. Riley said local voters have strongly supported the levy for 30 years. It also helps support the District Attorneys office and Juvenile Department.

Another 17 percent of the budget comes from the general fund and 28 percent from revenues generated by programs such as contracted law enforcement services with seven area communities.

Two Linn County sheriffs, Charles Kendall in 1922 and William Dunlap in 1923, were killed on duty.

Riley is a firm believer that a strong deterrent to crime is having an open jail bed. He said there were 196 inmates in the 230-bed county jail one night this week.

Some 212 volunteers contributed more than 39,000 hours last year, valued at nearly $1 million, according to the sheriff.

Riley said Linn County remains a safe place to live, noting that violent crimes continue to trend downward, but property crimes such as thefts are rising.

We face challenges such as increased drug use and that it is becoming more difficult to attract good people into law enforcement, Riley said, adding that nationally, some communities hold negative feelings about law enforcement officers.

Ignore our gun and badge," he said. "We are members of the community just like you. We go shopping in the same stores and attend the same churches."
Just ten puffs on an e-cigarette can 'start the heart disease ball rolling'

Scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm have been researching

But studies have cast doubt on the assumption they are almost harmless

A decade ago, e-cigarettes were nothing more than a novelty. The battery-powered devices, which heat up a liquid containing nicotine and flavouring so it can be inhaled as a vapour, were dismissed by many as little more than a passing fad.

Now they are everywhere. Almost three million people use e-cigarettes in Britain today, drawn in by the seductive proposition they can happily puff away without damaging their health. The legion of users here grows daily.

So-called 'vaping' is also gaining popularity across the globe, encouraged by doctors who believe it is far safer than smoking real cigarettes.

Not surprisingly, tobacco giants, keen to defend their profits, are getting in on the act by buying up brands and creating their own products. But now a growing number of studies has cast serious doubt on the rosy assumption that e-cigarettes are an almost harmless alternative to smoking. And the latest research is truly worrying.

'Vaping' is gaining popularity across the globe, encouraged by doctors who believe it is far safer than smoking real cigarettes

Scientists at the world-renowned Karolinska Institute in Stockholm have discovered that just ten puffs on an e-cig is enough to trigger physiological changes that, in the words of one leading expert, 'start the heart disease ball rolling'.

This study follows others which have found that  just like 'real' cigarettes  e-cigs raise blood pressure and promote a hardening of the arteries.

Separate research indicates that the food additives used to flavour the vapour could be dangerous when heated and inhaled.

And another hotly disputed study, published earlier this year, even suggested that those who vape are 28 per cent less likely to quit tobacco than those who do not.

Despite all this, a number of medical organisations in the UK strongly support encouraging smokers to switch from tobacco to e-cigarettes.

Public Health England has issued a statement saying the devices are 'around 95 per cent less harmful than smoking'. And only last week the Royal College of GPs told its 52,000 members to advise those trying to give up smoking to switch to e-cigarettes.

However, critics of this approach are unconvinced by such enthusiasm.

Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: 'Many health organisations across the UK have significant concerns about promoting e-cigarettes to smokers.

'We simply can't know what their effect will be on health, if used over the long term, because they have not been around long enough.

'To me, it would be sensible to take a precautionary approach and regulate them as much as possible.'

And Dr Filippos Filippidis, lecturer in public health at Imperial College, London, said: 'We don't know whether we may start to see diseases emerge in ten or 20 years' time associated with some of the ingredients. We urgently need more research into the devices.' His warning is particularly pertinent because it took decades for the link between tobacco and lung cancer to emerge.

It became clear only thanks to the pioneering work of statistician Sir Richard Doll in the 1950s  work that has saved millions of lives.

In the Karolinska study, published in the journal Atherosclerosis, Swedish researchers took 16 occasional smokers of cigarettes and asked them to each take ten puffs on an e-cigarette.

Within the first hour, there was a 'rapid rise' in levels of a type of cell indicating damage to the inner lining of blood vessels, called endothelial progenitor cells or EPCs, said the scientists. This increase, they wrote 'was of the same magnitude as following smoking of one traditional cigarette'.

This 'very short exposure to e-cigarette vapour may indicate an impact on vascular integrity leading to future atherosclerosis'  better known as hardening of the arteries.

SO IS VAPING THE SAFE ALTERNATIVE? YES... By Prof John Britton We should not let studies rightly highlighting the potential dangers of e-cigarettes blind us to the fact that these devices are much, much safer than smoking tobacco. For a smoker, moving to e-cigarettes brings a huge health benefit. The decision should be a no-brainer. When you smoke a cigarette you inhale not only nicotine but also more than 4,000 highly toxic chemicals, including carcinogens. And you inhale many of them in fairly high concentrations. So there's nothing better you can do for your health than to quit smoking. Let's be clear: e-cigarettes are not harmless and we shouldn't be complacent. E-cigarette vapour contains toxic chemicals, and tiny particles that can harm lungs and blood vessels. But in terms of the harm they cause, they simply aren't in the same league as smoked tobacco. Advertisement

Levels of EPCs only returned to normal 24 hours later.

Professor Joep Perk, a heart specialist and spokesman for the European Society of Cardiology, said: 'It really surprises me that so little vapour from an e-cigarette is needed to start the heart disease ball rolling.

'It's worrying that one e-cigarette can trigger such a response.'

So will long-term use of e-cigs cause heart disease? That remains to be seen. But the Swedish team noted that the average user takes 230 puffs a day  raising the prospect that prolonged use could cause serious damage.

Nor is this study alone. In August, a team at the University of Athens Medical School claimed that puffing on an e-cigarette for half an hour led to similar levels of stiffness in the aorta  the main artery  as smoking a tobacco cigarette. Both activities raised blood pressure, too.

Study leader Professor Charalambos Vlachopulos said at the time: 'E-cigarettes are less harmful [than smoking tobacco] but they are not harmless.

'I wouldn't recommend them as a method of giving up smoking.'

New research is coming thick and fast. Last month, an American study found teenagers who used e-cigarettes were 71 per cent more likely to suffer bronchitis.

On Friday, another study claimed just one puff contained up to 270 times the safe level of toxic chemicals called aldehydes.

But it is a study in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine  which found e-cig users were 28 per cent less likely to quit tobacco smoking than those who didn't vape  that has perhaps caused the most dispute. This finding matters because the vast majority of e-cig users are those trying to quit tobacco.

Co-author Stanton Glantz wrote: 'While there is no question that a puff on an e-cigarette is less dangerous than a puff on a conventional cigarette, the most dangerous thing about e-cigarettes is that they keep people smoking conventional cigarettes.'

His findings have been leapt on by e-cig sceptics, who frequently quote the headline result.

But e-cig advocates have dismissed it as unscientific and even 'grossly misleading'.

Peter Hajek, of the Tobacco Dependency Research Unit at Queen Mary, University of London, said it looked only at current smokers who had used e-cigarettes in the past  ignoring ex-smokers who had given up tobacco thanks to the devices.

This study follows others which have found that  just like 'real' cigarettes  e-cigs raise blood pressure and promote a hardening of the arteries

Advocates of getting smokers to swap tobacco for e-cigarettes now fear their simple message  that switching saves lives  is getting lost in a cloud of confusion.

Smoking claims the lives of 93,000 people in the UK every year  accounting for almost one in every five deaths  as it significantly increases the risk of killer diseases including cancer, heart disease, and a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Professor John Britton, director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies at Nottingham University, said: 'The decision to switch should be a no-brainer There's nothing worse you could do for your health than smoke.'

And e-cigarettes did help 18,000 people quit smoking last year, according to research by University College London and Cancer Research UK.

Scientists such as Dr Britton believe that, despite the lurking dangers of e-cigarettes, they could deliver huge benefits to the country's overall health.

SO IS VAPING THE SAFE ALTERNATIVE? NO... By Prof Martin McKee Do we know what the long-term effects of regular e-cigarette use will be on human health? No  because they haven't been around long enough. But the evidence that is accumulating causes me very considerable concern. For a start, nicotine is more dangerous than previously thought. It negatively affects the developing brain, helps cancer spread by encouraging the growth of blood vessels around tumours, and increases the risk of dangerous heart rhythms in those who have just had a heart attack. The flavourings in e-cigs  usually food additives  might have been tested for safety in terms of ingestion though the gut, but taking them in through the lungs after heating is completely different. Vaping is almost certainly safer than smoking tobacco. But the limited evidence suggests using e-cigs actually reduces the chance of a smoker quitting tobacco. Advertisement

To that end, a group of 13 health bodies, led by Public Health England and including Cancer Research UK, the Royal College of Physicians and Faculty of Public Health, issued an unprecedented 'consensus statement' in July supporting the principle that smokers should be encouraged to switch.

They wrote: 'We all agree that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoking.

'One in two lifelong smokers dies from their addiction.

'All the evidence suggests that the health risks posed by e-cigarettes are relatively small by comparison, but we must continue to study the long-term effects.'

They concluded: 'The public health opportunity is in helping smokers to quit, so we may encourage smokers to try vaping.'

Yet this position is 'out of step' with opinion in the US and Europe, according to Prof McKee and Dr Filippidis, where health bodies are far more cautious.

Dr Filippidis said: 'Only time will tell who is right, but my personal opinion is that some more caution would be prudent until the evidence is more clear.

'Very soon, major tobacco companies will enter the market with their own e-cigarettes or similar products that promise harm reduction.

'I would feel very uncomfortable promoting products created by companies which have caused so much death and pain.
Police in California appear to be utterly conflicted over whether the disappearance of Sherri Papini was either a hoax or a genuine abduction.

The California mother-of-two was reunited with her family on Thanksgiving after she was found bound and beaten along a California highway.

Yet, investigators have told at least one news outlet that there is still the very real possibility that something might be awry with the case.

'I don't know if the words "ruled out" can be used,' a staff member from Shasta County Sheriff's office told The Huffington Post when asked whether the entire ordeal may have been a hoax.

Hours later, Sheriff Tom Bosenko told The Record Searchlight that they believed the kidnapping was genuine: 'Since speaking to Papini, based on information we've received, we believe her. We believe that this was an abduction.'

Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko says detectives have spoken to Sherri Papini (pictured above with her husband Keith on their wedding day) for several hours over the past two days

Still, police investigating her disappearance are still baffled as to why she was abducted - despite interviewing the mom-of-two for several hours over the past two days.

Sheriff Bosenko says detectives spoke with Papini for a second and third time on Monday and Tuesday but are no closer to establishing a reason or motive behind the kidnapping.

Papini, 34, was badly beaten, tortured and even branded during the ordeal, according to a statement released by her husband.

Police say they are hunting two Hispanic females driving a dark colored SUV and armed with a handgun.

But officers have been left stumped by the unusual case that has shocked America.

Papini, 34, was found on Thanksgiving day after going missing for three weeks. Her husband, Keith, said she was covered in bruises and burns when he saw her in the hospital (couple above with son Tyler and daughter Violet)

'Our investigators have spoken to Miss Papini for a number of hours Monday and then several hours again Tuesday,' Sheriff Bosenko told DailyMail.com

Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said that detectives are not any closer to establishing a reason or motive behind the kidnapping

'Right now we have no known reason why she was abducted, we do not know if she was specifically targeted or if this was a random abduction.

'It's still an active and ongoing investigation and we're still looking for the reasons or the motive for this abduction.

'Abductions are generally rare, especially in this area, but I mean in general an adult abduction is an unusual occurrence.'

When pressed on whether Papini herself had given detectives any theories as to why she thought was abducted, the Sheriff said: 'The victim may not know the reason why, so we don't know, at this stage of the investigation, the reason or a motive.'

This comes as frightening details of Papini's ordeal begin to emerge.

She was found alive on Thanksgiving day after being missing for three weeks.

Among her injuries Papini had a message branded into her skin, Sheriff Bosenko told ABC News.

'I would think that that was some sort of either an exertion of power and control and or maybe some type of message that the brand contained,' he said. 'It is not a symbol, but it was a message.'

Papini weighed just 87 pounds when she was found, Keith revealed, and all of her blonde hair had been chopped off

Papini was found chained on the side of the road near Sacramento, California, on Thanksgiving morning (above), 140 miles away from her home

TIMELINE OF SHERRI PAPINI'S KIDNAPPING November 2: Sherri Papini fails to pick up her two children from daycare and is reported missing by her husband Keith November 10: Keith Papini is ruled out as a suspect after passing a lie detector test November 18: The FBI joins the search for Sherri as an anonymous donor offers $50,000 for her return November 22: Christine Everson spots a woman she believes to be Sherri Papini at a rest stop in Redding, just miles away from the missing woman's home. The woman refuses to engage Everson in conversation after she approaches the dark SUV she is sitting in, the same tupe of car police are now looking for in the case. Everson leaves but reports her sighting to police. November 23: Cameron Gamble, a local 'negotiator', appears in a video on behalf of the anonymous donor to inform Sherri's captors the ransom was now 'off the table'. Instead it was turned into a $100,000 reward for information November 24: Sherri flags down a passing motorist at the intersection of I-5 and County Road 17 and is taken to hospital Advertisement

Papini's husband Keith released a statement to the media in which he said his wife endured mental and physical abuse while being held captive.

'My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed, her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of repeated beatings, the bridge of her nose broken.

'Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multicolored bruises, severe burns, red rashes and chain markings.

'Her signature long blond hair had been chopped off. She has been branded, and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers.

'Obviously, a very sick person who may have wanted to not only to cut it off to change her physical appearance, but also as to humiliate them, wear her down,' Sheriff Bosenko said.

Police are hunting for the alleged kidnappers, who dumped Papini 150 miles from her California home on Thanksgiving day.

She was able to flag down help even though she was bound with restraints.

Papini described her apparent captors as two Hispanic female adults driving an SUV and armed with a handgun, Sheriff Bosenko said.

Police are looking for the two Hispanic women who released Sherri on Thanksgiving, saying they could be driving a dark-colored SUV (map of Sherri's disappearance and discovery)

The Sheriff added that detectives are also no further forward in establishing the location of where Papini was held.

He told DailyMail.com: 'Right now we don't know where that location is, it is still an active and ongoing investigation, my investigators did talk with her, I don't have the information of whether they have been able to narrow down where she may have been held, but we are still working on this.'

The Sheriff also ruled out the account of witness Christine Everson who claimed to have seen Papini with two men at a Redding truck stop.

Marketing Director Everson claimed to have spoken to a woman who strongly resembled Papini and looked 'scared'.

But the Sheriff added: 'After she was abducted, Miss Papini was driven to an unknown location which would have been not at the truck stop and she would not have been contacted by anybody because this particular reporting person (RP) said that she spoke to the woman and that didn't occur.'
An emotionally disturbed woman has been taken to hospital for psychiatric evaluation after being found walking around Trump Tower.

Police say Valarie Blazek, 31, who does not live in the building, was spotted by Secret Service agents on the 24th floor Friday, the New York Post reports.

She was able to access Trump Tower in New York City through a tenants' entrance at around 9.30pm and was reportedly found talking to herself.

A woman was found walking around the 24th floor of Trump Tower despite heavy security

Blazek, who it is not believed will be charged, was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, the Post reported.

The woman was able to enter Trump Tower, which President-elect Donald Trump lives on the top floors of, even though outside there is a phalanx of cops armed with assault weapons, bomb-sniffing dogs and concrete barricades.

The measures, largely intended to fortify Trump Tower in a terror attack, have slowed motor and foot traffic outside and raised concerns among retailers it could hurt business during the holiday shopping season.

When Trump gets sworn in January, he is expected to have more than 900 Secret Service agents and personnel protecting him and his family in both Washinton D.C. and his hometown in New York City.

There is a phalanx of cops armed with assault weapons, bomb-sniffing dogs and concrete barricades at Trump Tower

His 17 family members will be protected, including wife Melania and son Barron and his four adult children, three of their respective partners and eight grandchildren.

Security at the moment to protect the President-elect is estimated to be costing $2 million per day.
Others have set out to intentionally get blocked by the president-elect

Blocked users cannot know about his latest decisions and announcements

Trump favors Twitter to communicate with public and hasn't given a news conference in the dark

Some attached a screenshot showing they can't see Trump's tweets

Dozens of users have reported being blocked by Donald Trump on Twitter

Donald Trump appears to have blocked dozens of users on Twitter - making it impossible for them to read his messages and find out about his latest decisions and announcements.

The president-elect, who has repeatedly used his own Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, to attack those who had crossed him, hasn't given a news conference since July. He has instead favored the social media platform to communicate directly with the public.

But several users have said in recent weeks that Trump has blocked them, sometimes attaching a screenshot of the president-elect's inaccessible timeline.

Some are inconvenienced and have to rely on friends and significant others to be informed of Trump's newest posts, but others see the shunning as a badge of honor and have decided to try and get blocked intentionally.

The president-elect hasn't given a news conference since July, favoring Twitter to communicate directly with the public. But several users have said that he has blocked them

'OMG YES! THANKS @realDonaldTrump he blocked me 2 now!' user Dtrainis1 announced last month, inclusding included a screengrab indicating that he had been blocked

Dtrainis1 had tweeted the same day, before announcing he had been blocked: 'As a gay man myself, I do not understand how other gays can vote for @realDonaldTrump'

'OMG YES! THANKS @realDonaldTrump he blocked me 2 now!' user Dtrainis1 announced last month.

He included a screengrab indicating that he had been blocked from Trump's Twitter account and as a result couldn't read the president-elect's tweets.

Dtrainis1 had tweeted the same day, before announcing he had been blocked: 'As a gay man myself, I do not understand how other gays can vote for @realDonaldTrump, do you not know what @mikepence thinks about us?'

Another user, Shizzlacher, tweeted last month: 'HAHA!!! I'VE BEEN BLOCKED BY TRUMP!!! I'VE BEEN BLOCKED BY TRUMP!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!'

Trump has used his Twitter account, not only to settle personal feuds, but to announce important news since his election. He used it to tell the public about holding meetings at Trump Tower to interview potential members of his cabinet. He also re-tweeted a video in which he detailed his plans for his first 100 days.

The president-elect also said on Twitter Friday that he had received a phone call from the president of Taiwan, going against decades of diplomatic protocol.

But some Twitter users had to find out via other means after getting blocked by Trump. The exact number of people in this situation is unknown, since blocked users aren't public - so only reported blockades can be accounted for.

Heather Spohr, who got blocked after tweeting she found Trump 'repulsive' during a GOP debate in August 2015, told the LA Times she relies on friends to send her screenshots of Trump's tweets.

She also asks her husband to check the president-elect's timeline in the morning.

'It makes me laugh in a way that's not funny,' Spohr said. 'I can't see the tweets of the president-elect. He's going to be my president. It's absurd.'
An enormous sculpture in the FBI's Miami field office is being blamed for sickening a number of the bureau's workers including the office nurse who had an extreme allergic reaction.

The 17-feet tall red cedar wood sculpture known as 'Cedrus' was installed early last year in the lobby, but soon after the unveiling employees began to feel ill.

Politico reports at least a dozen workers had to go to hospital with most suffering allergic reactions to the cedar dust from the sculpture.

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The sculpture that was installed at the FBIs Miami field office was made of Western red cedar sourced from forests near Vancouver, but it also caused allergies in numerous office workers

The sculpture  which cost $750,000  sent 17 people to the hospital due to serious health complications, including the FBI office nurse who was then unable to perform her job

The office nurse had one of the most frightening reaction and developed 'rhinitis, difficulty swallowing, sinus pressure, sneezing, had difficulty breathing and began to itch all over,' according to a letter uncovered by the website.

The nurse who was responsible for 1,000 other members of FBI staff on site was unable to work as she was unable to work in the building while the sculpture was present.

In another instance, an employee's 'face became very swollen along with their lymph nodes and they developed a fever.'

It was quickly noted that the complications resolved themselves as soon as they were out of the building for a period of time.

Ursula von Rydingsvard, an artist known for her work with large pieces of wood, created a piece called 'Cedrus,' designed to resemble a tornado, at a cost of $750,000

The 15,000-pound cedar sculpture sat in the lobby of the Miami FBI office. It was removed after months of making FBI workers sick

Although 17 staff were taken ill, Politico suggest government agencies were more concerned with the colossal amount of money that had been wasted.

The artist Ursula von Rydingsvard had been contracted to create the work at a cost of $750,000.

But the costs didn't end there. To have the artwork taken away last October cost taxpayers paid an estimated $412,000, bringing the total for the piece's commissioning, installation and removal, close to $1.2 million.

Politico managed to obtain documents that detail how the General Services Administration, an independent agency of the U.S. government that, among other things, leases office space to federal agencies like the FBI, were reluctant to remove the sculpture, despite people getting sick.

The GSA disputed such a claim stating: 'The GSA is fully committed to ensuring public health and safety in the buildings we manage and maintain on behalf of our federal partners.'
He shared several pictures on his Twitter account showing him and others gearing up for the trip and seemed excited to be going

Aldrin traveled to the South Pole as part of a tourist group earlier this week

He was flown out of the South Pole under care of a doctor who had said his 'condition deteriorated' and that he was 'ailing'

Officials say Aldrin is suffering from fluid in his lungs and he is being treated at the Christchurch hospital with

Buzz Aldrin, who is continuing to recover in a New Zealand hospital from his medical evacuation, is the oldest person to have reached the South Pole, it's been revealed.

Aldrin, 86, was visiting Antarctica as a tourist when he fell ill this week.

He was flown to Christchurch from McMurdo Station, a U.S. research center on the Antarctic coast.

Tour company White Desert said Aldrin has fluid in his lungs, but was responding well to antibiotics.

His manager Christina Korp, who accompanied him, said he was in good spirits.

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Buzz Aldrin's manager Christina Korp tweeted this photo, writing: 'I just told @TheRealBuzz that the #NSF said he now holds the record as the oldest person to reach the South Pole He'll be insufferable now'

Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted a picture of himself with NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman on Twitter. Aldrin, who was wearing pajamas and sitting up in bed, was giving a thumbs-up sign, as was Newman

'I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend ... She beat me to the South Pole by one day,' Aldrin wrote of Newman

Aldrin also posted a picture on Twitter showing him sitting up in bed and gesticulating, with a tray of food and juice in front of him

Buzz Aldrin has been hospitalized with fluid in his lungs and is being treated with antibiotics at Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand. He is pictured above smiling in the hospital bed next to his manager Christina Korp

The former American astronaut had to be medically evacuated from the South Pole after his 'condition deteriorated' during a tourist trip. He is pictured above arriving to the hospital in a wheelchair, as it appears he's receiving oxygen

White Desert, the private tourism company overseeing the trip, requested help for Aldrin and said that he was 'ailing'. He is pictured above being taken off the airplane and into an ambulance to be transported to a hospital

Aldrin was transferred by St John ambulance to the Christchurch Hospital. He is pictured above inside the ambulance with his manager Christina Korp

As Aldrin recovers, she said on Twitter, 'I did want to let people know that he did make it to the South Pole which was his objective. Thnx for prayers!'

Korp said on Twitter she'd told Aldrin he now holds the record as the oldest person to reach the South Pole, according to the National Science Foundation.

'He'll be insufferable now,' she wrote.

She said the evacuation had been grueling.

Aldrin had an unexpected bedside visit from NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman on Saturday.

Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted a picture of himself with Newman on Twitter.

Aldrin, who was wearing pajamas and sitting up in bed, was giving a thumbs-up sign, as was Newman.

'I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend ... She beat me to the South Pole by one day,' Aldrin wrote.

His manager released a Twitter message showing the astronaut made it to his destination

Before being evacuated from the Antarctica, Aldrin managed to make it to the South Pole

The space legend became ill shortly after this photograph of him was taken

The 86-year-old, who is the second man to walk on the moon, needed to be flown from the Antarctic coast to New Zealand on Thursday. He is pictured above during the historic Apollo 11 mission

Aldrin was said to be in stable condition when he was transferred to the medical team. He is pictured above in a tweet he shared before boarding a plane to the South Pole

Aldrin also posted a picture on Twitter showing him sitting up in bed and gesticulating, with a tray of food and juice in front of him.

Aldrin needed to be flown from the 'Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to McMurdo Station on the Antarctic coast and then to New Zealand,' the National Science Foundation, which manages the US Antarctic Program, said in a statement.

Once the plane arrived in New Zealand, he was transferred by St John ambulance to the Christchurch Hospital and was accompanied by his manager.

White Desert said the 86-year-old is in 'good spirits' after having to end his trip earlier than expected.

A photo shared to Aldrin's Twitter account late Thursday afternoon shows his manager standing next to him as he beamed with a wide smile in the hospital bed and is said to be 'recovering well'.

Video shows the moment Aldrin was taken into the hospital, as he was sitting in a wheelchair and appeared to be receiving oxygen.

Earlier this week, Aldrin shared several pictures on his Twitter account showing him and others gearing up for the trip and seemed excited to be going.

'South Pole here I come! #antarctica (sic) #WhiteDesert #GYATAntarctica' he wrote in a tweet on Tuesday alongside a photo of himself standing with his bag in front of a plane.

In another tweet on Tuesday, he wrote: 'We're ready to go to Antarctica! May be our last opportunity to tweet for a few days! We're go for departure to the launchpad!'

White Desert said the 86-year-old is in 'good spirits' after having to end his trip earlier than expected. The former astronaut shared the above tweet and photo before departing to the South Pole with the tourist group

He also tweeted the above message and photo before departing and said 'We're go for departure to the launchpad!'

'We wish Buzz a speedy recovery,' the London-based White Desert said in a statement.

Aldrin was part of an Antarctica sightseeing tour, along with son Andrew.

The group departed Tuesday from Cape Town, South Africa, on a trip that was supposed to last just over a week.

Aldrin is the second person to walk on the Moon when he joined Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins for the historic Apollo 11 mission.

The Montclair, New Jersey native who is a former fighter pilot, stepped on the moon about 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong took the historic first step on July 20, 1969.

Their moonwalk as part of the Apollo 11 lunar landing was watched by a then-record television audience of 600 million people.
Farhad Quami, known on the streets as 'The Afghan', has earned a reputation as one of Sydney's most feared gangsters.

Head of the Blacktown chapter of notorious Muslim gang 'Brothers 4 Life', the 34-year-old gang boss is on trial with one of his younger brothers Mumtaz for the alleged 2013 murder of debt collector Joe Antoun.

The feared underworld mobster is also awaiting sentencing for a string of other convicted offences including ordering shootings and manslaughter.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Quami allegedly schemed to kill two senior police detectives in a bid to scare off key witnesses giving evidence in the lengthy trial.

Farhad Quami, 34, has earned a reputation as one of Sydney's most feared gangsters

The publication reported that Quami - who vehemently denies the allegations - had obtained the address of one officer and was working on getting the second.

Known on the streets as 'The Afghan', the Brothers 4 Life gang leader is alleged to have schemed to kill two senior police detectives involved in his murder trial

The officers, from the Homicide Squad and the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad, were key figures in the investigation of his alleged crimes.

Speaking via his lawyers, Quami told the Daily Telegraph: 'I've never tried to kill a police officer. That has never crossed my mind.'

The detectives were given extensive protection and continued to attend the trial, which resulted in Quami being found guilty of conspiring to murder his rival Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy and the manslaughter of his cousin Mahmoud Quami.

Quami was born in Afghanistan but fled to Australia via India with his parents and two younger brothers in 1993.

'I was sitting in my classroom and the Russians were bombing the village next to my school,' Qaumi told the Daily Telegraph through his lawyer while in prison.

The refugee family settled in the multicultural suburb of Auburn in western Sydney.

Quami was born in Afghanistan but fled the wartorn country in 1993 - settling in western Sydney with his parents and two younger brothers

Standover man Joe Antoun (left) was shot dead in his family home in 2013. Quami is on trial with one of his younger brothers for his murder

By the age of 19 he had a criminal record, and after a stint in jail for gun charges in 2005 he started mixing with Bassam Hamzy, founding member of Brothers 4 Life.

After beating a murder charge in 2006, he was allegedly given control of a Brothers 4 Life crew in in Blacktown with the ambitious goal of 'taking over Sydney.'

'Put fear in a person's heart and they'll obey you,' Qaumi allegedly told his crew, the Daily Telegraph reported.

'We're going to give Sydney something it's never seen.'

He reportedly ruled his 'soldiers' with ruthless authority and regular violence - and by 2012 his gang had built a fearsome reputation in western Sydney.

Things unraveled in 2012 and 2013 as a spree of murders, shootings, bashings and drug deals all appeared to circle back to the notorious Brothers 4 Life gang - which was subject to a violent internal war between conflicting chapters.

Specialist police task forces worked tirelessly and members started getting put behind bars, coming to a head in 2015 when police declared the gang 'defeated' - with all key members behind bars, on trial, or dead.
The 'man in the moon' is a well known phenomenon but it now seems the sun is smiling right back at it.

A picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Friday appears to show the sun with a big grin on its face.

Scientist Karl Battams posted the picture on Twitter after it was uploaded to the observatory's website.

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A picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the sun with a grin on its face. If you tilt your head to the left, two eyes, a nose, a mouth and cheekbones can be seen

If you tilt your head slightly to the left, two eyes, a nose, a mouth and even cheekbones can be seen clearly in the image.

Battams told Mashable the eyes are likely active regions of the sun, while the mouth is a solar filament - plasma in the sun's atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the dark spots that resemble hair at the sides are coronal holes - regions where the sun's corona is dark.

Coronal holes are associated with 'open' magnetic field lines and are often found at the sun's poles, according to NASA.

NASA published a picture of the star in 2012, which it said 'bears a remarkable remarkable resemblance to the Sesame Street character Big Bird'

The Solar Dynamics Observatory is the first mission to be launched for NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) Program, a program designed to understand the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth, according to its website.

Back in 2012, NASA published a similar picture of the star, which it said 'bears a remarkable remarkable resemblance to the Sesame Street character Big Bird'.
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The Oakland warehouse where up to 40 people died in a massive fire early Saturday morning had no permits that allowed for a party to be held or for residential occupation, as city officials revealed that an attempt to inspect the building two weeks ago failed.

Fire Chief Teresa Deloche-Reed said that nine people are dead and at least another 24 people are unaccounted for after the deadly blaze started around 11.30pm Friday in the 1300 block of 31st Avenue during an event featuring musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour.

'We still have to do a more thorough search of the building and we don't know the potential number of other victims,' Deloche-Reed said. 'In my career of 30 years, I haven't experienced something of this magnitude.'

She added that there was no sprinkler system and that firefighters saw no evidence that smoke detectors were activated during the blaze inside the two-story building that is known as an artist's enclave called The Oakland Ghost Ship.

During an afternoon press conference, city officials said that the building owner had been cited by the city just last month and an investigation was underway into if the interior of the structure was illegal.

Officials said that the last use of the property was legalized to be just a warehouse and not a residential building, as the city was investigating reports that people were living inside the warehouse.

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The destroyed building is known as The Oakland Ghost Ship, as authorities say firefighters had a difficult time getting inside due to massive amounts of clutter. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

Deloach-Reed said that fire crews found a 'makeshift stairwell' between the first and second floor and that most people who died were on the second floor of the building. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

Deloach-Reed said that when fire crews first entered the building to fight the blaze, they were impeded by a massive amount of clutter that included furniture, art and several mannequins. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

She said: 'It filled end to end with furniture, whatnot, collections,' Deloach-Reed said. 'It was like a maze almost.' The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

It's unclear exactly how many people were inside of the building at the time of the deadly blaze. The interior of the warehouse before the fire is pictured above in an undated photo

A city inspector had attempted to secure access to the building on November 17, but the official was not able to enter inside. The city has not confirmed people were living inside.

Also during the press conference, a city official said the building had no permits for a party to be held at the space.

Deloach-Reed said that fire crews found a 'makeshift stairwell' between the first and second floor and that most people who died were on the second floor of the building that only had two exits.

She said that when fire crews first entered the building to fight the blaze, they were impeded by a massive amount of clutter that included furniture, art and several mannequins.

'It filled end to end with furniture, whatnot, collections,' Deloach-Reed said. 'It was like a maze almost.'

She said 50 to 100 people were believed to have been at the party when the fire started and that clutter 'made it difficult for people to escape.'

Alameda County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ray Kelly said they fear up to 40 people could have possibly died in the blaze that has destroyed the warehouse (above)

At least nine people died and 24 are still missing after a massive fire destroyed the Oakland warehouse during a party early Saturday morning

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said that she's spent most of the day with the family's of loved ones waiting for information.

'This is a devastating scene. This is going to take time to do a methodical investigation,' she said.

As of 6pm ET, authorities were only able to recover one of the deceased, as the building was not completely stabilized for them to go in and recover the rest.

They said they were working to stabilize the building, since the roof had collapsed onto the second floor, which collapsed onto the first floor making their process difficult.

Earlier in the day, some Facebook users commenting on a post about those who have been reported missing by family or friends shared their experiences at The Oakland Ghost Ship and how it apparently was severely disorganized by the clutter.

Oakland Police Department PIO Johnna Watson speaks to the media at a press conference as firefighters and investigators continue work at the scene of the warehouse fire

A person collapses to the street as coroners begin work at the scene of the warehouse fire on Saturday

An emotional man covers his face outside of the warehouse that was destroyed by a fire on Saturday

Flowers are placed on a street sign as people begin to leave memorials while firefighters and investigators continue work at the scene of the fire

George Goatmandan Weber said on Facebook: 'This was the nightmare I always had about hazmat. I spent alotta (sic) time planning escape routes from that sh******.'

Another user, Kristen Parks, replied back to him about how 'narrow' walkways were inside the building.

'yes (sic) true no windows too. I remember this (sic) place being super scary escape wise with wood everywhere and narrow walkways'.

Just last month city officials cited the owner of the warehouse and had launched an investigation into whether the interior structure was illegal, records show.

According to The East Bay Times, records show on November 13 a neighbor filed a complaint over a 'a ton of garbage piling up on the property' at 1305 31st Ave.

'Also, a lot of items are left on the sidewalk near the property,' the complaint said.

'Some of trash was hazardous. This property is a storage but the owner turned it to become trash recycle site.

'The yard became a trash collection site and the main building was remodel for residential. The change causes our neighborhood looks very bad and creates health issue.'

The Los Angeles Times reported that the building had at least three code violations this year.

Some Facebook users commenting on a post about those who have been reported missing by family or friends have shared their experiences at The Oakland Ghost Ship and how it apparently was disorganized by the clutter

Just last month city officials cited the owner of the warehouse and had launched an investigation into whether the interior structure was illegal. Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

Records show on November 13 a neighbor filed a complaint over a 'a ton of garbage piling up on the property' at 1305 31st Ave. Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

The next day the city launched an investigation into an illegal interior building structure, but the status of that investigation is unknown. Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district and lives a block from where the fire occurred, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the building 'has been an issue for a number of years.' Above firefighters work at the aftermath of the warehouse fire

The next day the city launched an investigation into an illegal interior building structure, but the status of that investigation is unknown.

Property records list the owner as Chor N. Ng and that he purchased the warehouse in 1997. He also owns other properties in the city.

Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale district and lives a block from where the fire occurred, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the building 'has been an issue for a number of years.'

'People have been living inside, and the neighbors have complained about it,' he said.

'Some of these young people that were in there were underage. They frequently had parties there.'

Michael Rosen described vivid details to The Daily Beast about the moments before the fire consumed the building, as one of his friends said, 'That place was a tinderbox.'

California Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement of condolences and said he and his wife, Anne, were saddened to hear about the deadly blaze.

In the statement Saturday he said: 'Our thoughts are with the entire city in this difficult time and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of those lost.'

The party located in the 1300 block of 31st Ave in the Fruitvale district of the city was part of musician Golden Donna's '100% Silk' West Coast tour

Firefighters assess the scene where a fire tore through a warehouse party early Saturday

Fire Chief Teresa Deloche-Reed (above) said that at least another 24 people are still unaccounted for after the deadly blaze started around 11:30pm in the 1300 block of 31st Avenue during an event advertised as 'Rave Cave' featuring musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour

Firefighters are still working at the aftermath of a warehouse fire in the Fruitvale district of Oakland at the corner of 31st Avenue and International Boulevard

It's unclear what started the deadly blaze that has left at least 9 people killed and dozens more missing

Firefighters examine the roof of the warehouse to check its stability after a portion of it collapsed in the fire

Alameda County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ray Kelly said they fear up to 40 people could have possibly died. Arson investigators have been on the scene since the morning to help with investigation, as well as federal authorities.

Kelly said that people inside during the party either escaped unscathed or were trapped inside.

'Right now there's 24 names of people that have not been accounted for,' Deloach-Reed said.

'We're not sure if they have already self-transported to the hospital or they have gone to friend's home. We're not sure.

'This is a true loss for the city, for the firefighters who responded, and the people who lost family and friend. It's just tragic, a real tragedy.'

The fire is thought to be one of the deadliest single-structure fires in Oakland's history.

The part started at 9pm and was supposed to last until 4am, officials say.

Saya Tomioka posted on the event page for the party saying she was looking for Griffin Madden (above) who is believed to be missing as no one has heard from him

Michela Gregory (pictured) is thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about her whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Donna Kellogg (pictured) is thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about her whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Johnny Igaz (left) and Micah Danemayer (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Jalien Adrian (left) and Barrett Clark (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Hanna Henriikka Ruax (left) and Alex Ghassan (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Denalda Nicole Renae is thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about her whereabouts on the Facebook event page

In terms of efforts of party-goers trying to flee or firefighters trying to rescue people, Deloach-Reed said, 'We know it was going to be difficult if it started anywhere near that stairwell.'

Alameda County Sheriffs Office Sergeant J.D. Nelson told KTVU that the building is not safe enough to enter.

He added that the coroner's office is preparing for 40 or more bodies, but no bodies have been removed from the building.

She explained that a multiagency task force was being created to investigate the fire and begin the task of recovering victims inside.

'The building is a huge building,' Deloach-Reed said. 'There's going to have to be a methodical way we go about body recovery, and then also trying to find out where the fire started and how the fire's spread took place. ... We have not done a complete search of the building.'

Jennifer (Kiyomi) Tanouye (left) and Cash Askew (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Ara Jo (left) and Chelsea Faith (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Jonathan Bernbaum (left) and Feral Pines (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Caw Charleston (left) and Jessi Canz (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Fifty-five firefighters battled the blaze at the scene, as crews found flames on three sides of the building located in the Fruitvale district of the city, Battalion Chief Lisa Baker told the East Bay Times.

An aggressive attack on the fire was underway when conditions suddenly changed and firefighters had to go back outside.

Officials say it took an estimated four hours to bring the huge blaze under control.

Firefighters are still at the scene along with police who are investigating what happened. International Boulevard is closed between Derby and Fruitvale avenues.

The Oakland Police Department says the building also functions as 'a live work/residence.'

Terry Lightfoot, a representative of Oakland's Highland Hospital, told CNN that 'the hospital received two patients and one of them has been discharged. Lightfoot did not know the condition of the patient who remained hospitalized.'

David Cline (left) and Nick Gomez-Hall (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Nex Iuguolo (left) and musician Alana Kane (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Peter Wadsworth (above) is thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about his whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Musician Amanda Allen (left) and musician Joseph Matlock (right) are thought to be missing as people have posted requesting information about their whereabouts on the Facebook event page

Sabrina May Dolan told DailyMail.com that her sister, Chelsea Faith, was performing at the party under her stage name Cherushii when the fire started on the second floor of the building.

Dolan said she is standing by waiting for an update, as her sister still has not been located and cannot be reached.

The electronic dance musician headlining the warehouse party was Golden Donna, whose real name is Joel Shanahan, was reportedly performing when the fire broke out.

Early reports indicated the Wisconsin-based musician was one of the missing, but a post on his Facebook late on Saturday morning confirmed he made it out of the blaze alive, according to CBS.

'Joel is safe but like many people he is heartbroken and has several friends among the missing,' the Facebook post read.

'Please refrain from messaging this page or Joel's personal channels unless you have information on the Oakland fire victims. Sending love to everyone affected by this horrific event.'

Numerous people have been posting on the event page on Facebook about who they believe is missing, as others have posted on the event page to say they are safe and escaped the fire unharmed.

'It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there,' Bob Mule, a photographer and artist who lives at the building and suffered minor burns, told the Times.

'I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldn't get the fire extinguisher to work.'

Mule was able to make it out of the building that was engulfed in a matter of minutes.

It's unclear how the fire started, as it's believed an artists' collective that is adjacent to the warehouse was also engulfed in flames. No firefighters were injured.

Oakland police said those who were concerned about missing people in the fire should contact the Alameda County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau 510-382-3000.

The electronic music label, 100% Silk, that hosted the party issued a statement offering up resources for friends and family of the victims.

'What happened in Oakland is an unbelievable tragedy, a nightmare scenario. Britt and I are beside ourselves, utterly devastated,' the statement shared to Facebook reads.

The electronic music label, 100% Silk, that hosted the party issued a statement (above) offering up resources for friends and family of the victims

Officials say betwen 50 to 100 people were in the building for the party when the fire started around 11:30pm PT

Fifty-five firefighters battled the blaze at the scene, as crews found flames on three sides of the building, Battalion Chief Lisa Baker told the East Bay Times

Numerous people have been posting on the event page on Facebook about who they believe is missing

'We are a very tight community of artists and we are all praying, sending love and condolences to everyone involved and their families.

'Thank you for everyone who's been reaching out, we are hoping so hard for the best. We will be posting here on how you can help, and any information as it comes to us.'

Schaaf released a statement late Saturday morning: 'Last night's fire was an immense tragedy. I am grateful to our first responders for their efforts to deal with this deadly fire.

'Our focus right now is on the victims and their families and ensuring that we have a full accounting for everyone who was impacted by this tragedy.

'We are fully committed to sharing as much information as we can as quickly as possible.'

Oakland Vice Mayor Annie Campbell Washington said: 'This is a huge tragedy for Oakland, such a deep loss of life last night.

'This is being reported as the worst structure fire in Oakland and I'm here to express my deepest condolences.'

Other people have posted on the event page to say they are safe and escaped the horrific fire unharmed

As of 4:20am PT, the fire was not officially under control, as smoke was still coming from an upper floor in the building. It took firefighters four hours to put the blaze out
A 15-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of his 16-year-old classmate whose headless and dismembered body was found near a Massachusetts river.

Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino's corpse was found Thursday and identified Friday after police recovered his head.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said Mathew Borges was arrested Saturday morning.

The two boys attended Lawrence High School. Blodgett said Borges will be arraigned Monday on a charge of first-degree murder. He'll be charged as an adult.

It was not immediately clear if Borges has a lawyer.

Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino (pictured), 16, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was identified after a woman walking her dog discovered a decapitated body on Thursday afternoon

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said Mathew Borges (pictured) was arrested Saturday morning

Police found a severed head nearby along the Merrimack River in Lawrence, Massachusetts

The teenager was last seen on November 18, and his family frantically posted flyers (pictured, his father along the river before Viloria-Paulino was identified on Friday)

The news came after Viloria-Paulino's family held a press conference at their home in Lawrence, the Boston Herald reported.

A woman who was walking her dog along the banks of the Merrimack River called the police at around 2.45pm on Thursday after she made the grisly discovery of the body.

The corpse was headless and his arms had been cut off close to the elbows, the outlet reported.

Viloria-Paulino, 16, of Lawrence, was identified on Friday by the chief medical examiner after he was reported missing about two weeks ago.

Gustavo Paulino (center) and Ivelisse Cornielle (right), the grandparents of Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino, are pictured at a press conference

The teenager was last seen on November 18, and his family frantically posted flyers and appealed for his return on social media before his body was found on Thursday near McCabe Court, CBS reported.

Arial footage showed two teams of detectives working in separate spots along the Merrimack River on Thursday and Viloria-Paulino's relatives were on the scene.

Police recovered the head nearby, according to Carrie Monahan, a spokesperson for the Essex district attorney's office.

Family members mourned their loss after the high school sophomore at Lawrence High School was identified on Friday.

A woman who was walking her dog along the banks of the Merrimack River called the police after she made the grisly discovery

Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said Viloria-Paulino's death was an isolated incident (pictured, authorities collecting evidence)

The teenager's aunt Christine Michaud told the Boston Herald earlier Friday: ' I want people to know that he wasn't just another (expletive) kid from Lawrence.'

She said he was a good student who loved poetry, adding: 'He was a good boy, he loved his family, he helped others whenever they needed it... He is loved by so many.'

Michaud added that she and Viloria-Paulino ate dinner together, sharing a laugh and a hug before they parted ways the day he was last seen.

Fellow classmate Dalfry Lopez, 15, told the Boston Globe: 'I feel bad, because he was really friendly. Who would do something like that to him?

Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick said Viloria-Paulino's death was an isolated incident, and said there was 'no further threat' to the community.
The grieving parents of a teenager killed when a sleepy teacher crashed a minivan during an overseas school excursion want compensation for psychological distress.

Derrick Runge and Pamela Shorland's 16-year-old son Gabriel Runge died in November 2014 when teacher Andre Vogel smashed head-on into a milk tanker in New Zealand.

The parents from Queensland's Sunshine Coast are suing their late son's alternative Steiner school for psychological injuries.

Gabriel Runge, 16, died in November 2014 when the minivan he was travelling in crashed

Grieving parents Derrick Runge and Pamela Shorland (pictured) are suing their son's school

'We seek a just and fair outcome that honours the loss of Gabriels life, improved protection for all students participating in outdoor education programs, accountability of those responsible for Gabriels welfare and financial compensation reflective of the value of Gabriels life,' they told the Sunday-Mail.

Their legal case against the Noosa Pengari Steiner School comes two months after Coroner Wallace Bain identified driver fatigue as the key factor in the deaths of the 36-year-old teacher behind the wheel and Gabriel.

The coroner reserved his finding into their deaths at Reporoa, near Rotorua, on November 28, 2014.

The crash also injured nine other pupils and a teacher, some seriously.

The parents said the need for closure and not money was their motivation for suing the school.

Teacher Andre Vogel died and when he crashed a minivan in November 2014, killing Gabriel

Queenslander Gabriel Runge (pictured) died during a school excursion to New Zealand

'We did not expect that by encouraging Gabriel to participate in a school excursion we would one week later have to go to New Zealand to bring his body back in a casket,' Mr Runge told News Corp Australia.

The students had been on an outdoor education trip to Tongariro National Park and Vogel had been one of two teachers on the excursion.

Noosa Pengari Steiner School principal Michael Layden said the school now had a policy of hiring commercial buses, or dedicated drivers, to transport students.

The inquest heard that shortly before the crash a driver had seen the minivan swerve to the left.

The only student awake when the crash occurred saw Vogel's hands slip from the steering wheel and his head loll to the side.

At the inquest in November 2015, Runge's parents raised a number of issues including criticism of the school for having no standard of care for their children and for having no management strategy in place. They also raised the issue of neither teacher monitoring each other's fatigue levels.
Peter Young, of Adam Smith International

Fat cat foreign aid contractors paid millions by the taxpayer tried to deceive MPs and protect their lucrative business by faking glowing testimonials about their work overseas, it can be revealed today.

Bosses at Adam Smith International (ASI) organised the sending of supportive statements to a powerful MPs committee investigating the vast profits made by so-called poverty barons on the back of Britains huge foreign aid spending.

They passed them off as independent submissions from senior foreign politicians and officials  but they were drafted by the firms staff.

It was a brazen attempt to ensure the companys 36 lucrative contracts  worth 329 million  were not cut after The Mail on Sundays startling expose of Britains 12 billion foreign aid giveaway.

But ASIs astonishing scam was foiled when sharp-eyed officials at the International Development Committee (IDC) realised they were being bombarded by submissions that all had suspiciously similar praise for the firms work.

These allegations are serious and concerning

A whistleblower, horrified by the deceit, leaked incriminating emails from the firm to The Mail on Sunday that reveal the extraordinary lengths to which they went to cover their tracks.

The messages reveal how a senior ASI director in one case warned staff writing fake statements not to pretend to be illiterate farmers writing in perfect English.

In another astonishing email, the same executive wrote: We need to take care that an ASI employee is not identified as the creator.

Seemingly fearing detection, he said it will look suspicious if all submissions were identical.

One foreign dignitary said he was later given a letter of recommendation to sign. He was angry when he discovered it was to be used as part of the firms submission to the inquiry.

Evidence: Kenyan food seller Asha with then-Aid Secretary Justine Greening

The emails also raise questions over involvement of the Department for International Development (DFID), which has come under increasing pressure over doling out massive sums abroad amid public spending cuts at home.

The emails say the testimonies were ordered by DFID and claim officials would nudge any aid beneficiaries reluctant to play ball.

The damning dossier of leaked messages also reveals that:

One of the secret documents  marked Official Sensitive on every page  reveals that it is certain that some of the British taxpayers money sent to Somalia will be diverted to Islamic State;

A former DFID official who now works for Adam Smith International illegally obtained confidential Whitehall reports to help the company bid for new contracts;

Ministers are still handing 70 million this year in bilateral aid to India, despite this fast-growing economy having its own space programme.

Last night ASI directors faced the prospect of being charged with contempt of Parliament.

These allegations are serious and concerning, said Stephen Twigg, chairman of the IDC, who said he would be recommending an investigation by his committee.

The bizarre plot was hatched in May when Mr Twiggs committee announced plans to extend an inquiry into DFID spending with a probe into its use of contractors.

This followed The Mail on Sundays expose of how private firms handing out British aid in the poorest parts of the planet were driving up their profits, pay and dividends.

We revealed how a small group of favoured contractors have seen turnovers soar and margins rise off the back of Britains aid boom.

Shortly before he appeared at the parliamentary Select Committee hearing into foreign aid spending, Peter Young wrote to his staff saying DFID, the Government department that gave them millions in contracts, required them to get testimonials on how well their money was being spent

Peter Young briefs staff on how to write the glowing testimonials

Young advises staff how to make testimonials more believable

A member of staff says how hard it's been to carry out Young's instructions

ASI is the biggest specialist firm. It saw post-tax profits more than double in two years to 14.3 million and handed out six-figure dividends to directors on top of salaries of up to 239,617.

MPs said there had been heavy criticism of DFIDs use of for-profit private organisations to deliver aid programmes. Dfid secretary Priti Patel has told colleagues she has been appalled by the closeness of between DFID and suppliers, telling them she will not tolerate profiteering off the back of the suffering of the worlds poorest.

No notes from illiterate farmers in perfect English

The Mail on Sunday understands she is planning to tough new transparency standards to open up contracts and budgets to hold contractors to account.

The cache of leaked emails reveals that director Peter Young, ASIs head of strategy, told staff that DFID urgently needed testimonies from the recipients of British foreign aid to ensure a strong response to the criticism.

Young outlined what should be in submissions, before suggesting staff should approach Ministers and permanent secretaries and the like as priorities, along with small entrepreneurs.

He asked colleagues to let him know if contacts need a nudge from DFID. He wrote: Frankly this is a time for beneficiaries to step up and be helpful. They are getting free, high-quality advice and should be prepared to chip in.

DFID plans to rebalance its spending in Nepal, where it is handing out 93 million this year

DFID spends nearly 80 million a year in Malawi as lead donor with high levels of political access

In one astonishing email, Young warned staff writing fake submissions from foreign beneficiaries: We need to be judicious. It would not be plausible for an illiterate farmer to submit a long note in perfect written English.

A senior manager responded days later, relaying his discussions with three named ministers in Afghanistan that he would turn into ideal submissions.

Young responded: Excellent work. I think we need to write individual submissions in each case, otherwise it will look too suspicious.

FOREIGN AID FAT CAT'S DIRTY TRICKS TO GET INSIDE INFORMATION Raja Dasgupta, a former employee of the Department for International Development obtained confidential files showing where the Government planned to invest taxpayers billions in foreign aid projects. He sent this information to his new bosses at Adam Smith International to help them with bids for a slice of lucrative DFID contracts such as... 147 MILLION FOR CONGO The confidential DFID reports says Britain pushed up spending to 147 million this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite endemic corruption. It admits the country is a challenge, with huge constraints on private-sector investment. ASI boasts on its website of designing and implementing a 50 million scheme to develop markets in the country. 80 MILLION FOR MALAWI DFID spends nearly 80 million a year in Malawi as lead donor with high levels of political access. It accepts the state is not conducive to supporting sustained poverty reduction with policy-making often driven by personal rather than public interests. It plans to put extra cash into anti-corruption measures  and ASIs previous work there has included a project in this field. 93 MILLION FOR NEPAL DFID plans to rebalance its spending in Nepal, where it is handing out 93 million this year. It admits trying to do too many things in a very unstable political environment with high fiduciary and corruption risks. But it retains a high risk appetite. ASI has run six lucrative schemes in the country, including helping ginger farmers and providing privatisation advice. Advertisement

Nine days later another manager confirmed he had produced submissions for two ministers. The challenge has been in ensuring the two sound sufficiently different, whilst conveying the main points Peter outlined, she wrote.

A statement purporting to be written by one of these men  Javid Sadaat, deputy minister of mines in Afghanistan  was later sent to the committee, along with submissions from politicians in Kenya and senior officials in Sierra Leone identified in the firms internal correspondence as agreeing to offer evidence.

Sadaats statement to MPs praised DFIDs expertise and professionalism, adding that ASI support in a 10.2 million scheme to help develop natural resources was incredibly useful and their continued presence essential for his ministry.

Afghan media later reported the countrys president Ashram Ghani had criticised the ministrys foreign advisers, saying they did not have any tangible achievements over past three years.

Others identified for giving evidence include the police commissioner of Somaliland and Asha, a 20-year-old woman running a food kiosk in Mombasa, Kenya, who was pictured in April with the then DFID Secretary of State Justine Greening.

An overseas source who signed one of the evidence statements said ASI staff asked for a letter of recommendation but did not say it was for a parliamentary probe.

I was very annoyed because they did not tell me what the letter was for, he said. The paper was drafted by them and then sent to me.

Young was so hands-on with the operation he instructed staff to draft the submissions in Microsoft Word. He sent another email explaining how to remove the hidden personal information in potentially embarrassing or sensitive metadata.

A clerk for the Select Committee told The Mail on Sunday that suspicions were raised after a large number of similar submissions praising ASI arrived from aid beneficiaries around the world.

The submissions were finally accepted as written evidence by the committee  but not categorised as being independent testimonies. The Select Committee publishes its final report early in the New Year.

DFID said it engages openly and honestly with Parliament. No evidence of wrongdoing has been received, said a spokeswoman.

The confidential DFID reports says Britain pushed up spending to 147 million this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo

ASI said it encouraged partners to submit evidence to the parliamentary inquiry, believing it important the committee members understood the strong support of beneficiaries for the good work being achieved.

A spokeswoman said submissions were either written entirely by the individuals or staff helped produce initial drafts after beneficiaries had articulated their views.

Submissions were agreed and signed off by each beneficiary.

She said Young did suggest that if based on a draft originating on a company computer, they should not contain data to identify ASI staff as originators as this would give the misleading impression they were our views, and not those of the beneficiary.

Goggle-eyed at his own deception? Aid fat cat in Parliament...

It is an extraordinary picture. In a wood-panelled committee room in the heart of the House of Commons, Peter Young, Adam Smith Internationals director of strategy, looked amazed as I submitted evidence to MPs savaging foreign aid fat cats like him, and questioning how much he had earned over the last decade in salary, bonuses and pensions.

The subject under discussion at the International Development Committee was whether the Government was frittering away taxpayers cash on such private contractors, creaming off millions meant for the worlds poorest people.

Stunned: ASI's Peter Young (centre, second row), looks perplexed as, in front of him, Ian Birrell asks about his salary and bonuses in a parliamentary inquiry in June

Little did the listening MPs know that Young was at the centre of a secret scheme to feed misleading evidence to their inquiry.

Sadly, Young declined to answer my query, although his chunky salary figure would be well into seven figures, given that in one year alone he paid himself a dividend of 800,000.

Under his guidance, ASI has become the dominant specialist private deliverer of British aid, driving up profits and margins on the back of the great British aid giveaway.

My expose in the MoS earlier this year that prompted the session in Westminster found ASIs turnover soared from 72 million to 111.7 million in just two years. Profits after tax more than doubled from 6.8 million in 2012 to 14.3 million in 2014.

The firms parent company shared almost 1 million pay among a small pool of directors, boosted by dividends of 440,885 paid to five of them. It previously paid one director a seven-figure sum in annual salary and bonuses, despite working in the poverty industry.

They do at least share the spoils with staff. According to its annual report, ASI pays its 105 employees an impressive average salary of 69,425 a year, despite more than doubling numbers in two years.

Young has been at the firm since it was founded in 1992. Sources say he is the brains behind the companys ascent.

A controversial former head of the Federation of Conservative Students, Young and his partners exploited the popularity of Thatcherism after the fall of the Berlin Wall by advising on economic and political reform in Eastern Europe. They soon saw lucrative opportunities in the swelling aid industry, expanding into Africa, Asia and Latin America as successive governments ramped up the foreign giveaway.

But success has led to criticism, with campaign group Global Justice alleging earlier this year that the Government was lining the pockets of wealthy consultants by paying ASI to promote projects with questionable benefits for the poor.

STEPHEN TWIGG, Chairman of the International Development Committee says: This is serious...Commons WILL act

Stephen Twigg, Chairman of the International Development Committee

The Mail on Sunday today reports on evidence submitted in June to the International Development Committee, which I chair.

We take very seriously our duty to ensure that British taxpayers money is well spent and that the Government delivers value for money.

Earlier this year, concerns were raised about the use of contractors by the Department for International Development, including by this newspaper.

We looked into this by asking if contractors deliver value for taxpayers money, and looking at how well DFID manages relationships with contractors.

We asked for written evidence. This was followed by a public session of the committee, during which we heard from critics and representatives of major contractors used by DFID.

Todays allegations are serious and concerning. We did receive written and oral evidence from Adam Smith International. It is sometimes the case that Select Committees will discuss evidence submitted to them that may lead to the submission being revised or updated before it is published.

I will be taking the allegations made in todays Mail on Sunday to the full International Development Committee and recommending we investigate them fully.

This week Secretary of State Priti Patel published long-awaited reviews of UK aid and development. We take evidence from her later this month.

In the New Year we will publish our final report on how DFID allocates its resources.

I've got hold of 'Official Sensitive' government business plans...I think they can help us on bids

A former government official now working for Adam Smith International obtained secret files revealing aid policies and spending plans for the next four years  then boasted this would help the firm when bidding for contracts.

Raja Dasgupta, ASIs senior international development manager for Africa, emailed the confidential documents  one marked Official Sensitive covering British activities in war-torn Somalia  to nine executives and one regional management team last month.

'Alarming': Tax-payers money could be stolen by terrorism groups including Al-Shabaab (pictured)

Please find attached some draft DFID Business Plans that Ive got hold of (unfortunately not all of the countries were interested in), Dasgupta wrote.

Id appreciate if you could treat these with the right level of sensitivity  it could be detrimental if DFID know that we have these, particularly via me.

I think these can help us on BD [business development] planning and strategic approach on bids.

Last night DFID said it had launched an urgent investigation into The Mail on Sunday revelations, which it called incredibly serious.

The 18 business plans were drawn up by civil servants and diplomats. They set out DFID strategies for spending billions in 18 key countries and areas of interest, including several of the biggest recipients of British aid, with detailed political and security analysis.

Legal experts said taking such secret state papers may break laws on confidence and procurement regulations, which could lead to the firm being sued and barred from working with government.

ASI are in real s***, said one source at DFID. This begs so many questions over how they operate.

Among those who received the documents from Dasgupta was Corin Mitchell, head of market development and impact investment. He replied with a simple two-word message: Very useful.

When asked about this on Friday, Mitchell said he could not recall last months email exchange.

Other recipients included Zane Kanderian, director of Middle East and Africa; Myles Bush, director of justice, security and peacebuilding; Adam Molleson, head of infrastructure; and Tim Ash-Vie, head of climate change. A spokesman for the firm said senior directors had no knowledge of confidential documents being circulated.

The revelation of such dirty tricks left rivals stunned. Its incredibly useful to have such information, said one experienced contractor. This is very valuable since the way to win procurement bids is to reflect back to DFID their own thinking.

I have never seen such things before. I find it quite extraordinary. It is simply wrong.

The detailed DFID reports provide candid political and economic insights into countries where it operates, together with risk analysis, policy shifts and spending plans for the next four years. The papers discuss corruption, thieving regimes, stability and security.

Among the draft and final documents taken by ASI are reports into Ethiopia and Pakistan, Britains two biggest aid recipients; conflict zones such as Somalia and Syria; regional development across Africa; and climate change strategy, allocated at least 5.8 billion up to 2021.

Sources at DFID said the reports were due to be edited, with sensitive political and security analysis and other parts removed before publication. The full and frank conversations in them would definitely come out, said one source.

Such advance insight into government thinking is invaluable for a firm such as ASI, which has built a hugely profitable business as DFID outsources big chunks of its spiralling aid spending  due to soar from 12 billion to 16 billion by 2020.

Former Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the allegations had to be addressed. It is important that delivery of Britains development and humanitarian programmes should be done with complete probity, he said.

ASI has become Britains biggest specialist aid contractor, winning projects around the world, from assisting mining practices in Afghanistan to tax reform in Oman. The firm won DFID deals worth more than 450 million between 2011 and 2015, plus another 112.2 million in the last financial year.

One aid veteran, who carried out jobs with ASI in Africa, said: When I worked for them it was an eye-opener to see the waste and how our aid was not about poverty-reduction but about jollies, corporate workshops and company profits.

We all wondered how they seemed to win so many bids from DFID.

Such fears are underscored by leaked ASI emails. One sent in June to directors from a manager in east and southern Africa reported that DFID sees us as partners, not suppliers. The emails also expose how ASI  whose directors include former Defence Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind  works hard to forge useful political relationships.

After a private lunch with DFIDs most senior civil servant, ASIs director of strategy Peter Young emailed staff in June to highlight a change in Whitehall policy that meant departments other than DFID would be spending 5 billion by 2020.

The public will be deeply concerned that their hard-earned cash is literally being handed out to terrorist organisations'. Pictured, Al-Shabaab fighters in Mogadishu

Young wrote: They will need large companies used to spending ODA [overseas development assistance], adding we should get to know two named Whitehall officials. Young also reported back to senior management on a productive meeting at the Tory Party conference with Kelly Tolhurst, the parliamentary private secretary to Priti Patel, the current DFID Secretary.

The director then emailed ASI staff last month with the urgent priority to identify how aid assisted British businesses, a shift of priority under Patel. It has been stressed to us informally that this is now being factored in to bid evaluation, he said.

A DFID spokeswoman said the allegations regarding confidential papers were incredibly serious and would constitute a clear breach of the high standards and integrity expected of all our contractors.

She said an investigation into possible misuse of DFID internal documents for commercial gain was under way.

There will be appropriate consequences for those found to have acted inappropriately.

A spokeswoman for ASI said they were conducting a rigorous inquiry into a member of staff who appeared to have circulated unpublished DFID reports in October. She said senior directors were unaware of any confidential documents circulated within their company, adding: Some unpublished DFID reports were sent to some members of staff, on an entirely unsolicited basis.

She said the documents contained information available elsewhere so did not provide a commercial advantage. We will not tolerate any incidents of malpractice.
Will be used to analyse data from NASA planet hunting mission

mass and how elliptical an exoplanet's orbit is

It uses techniques developed for Google's and

Machine learning software inspired by Google and Netflix's algorithms could discover alien life in outer space, researchers have revealed.

This powerful method is said to be 1,000 times faster than traditional techniques at predicting whether a planetary system can sustain life.

The researchers hope the tool will locate entire systems and reveal valuable new information about exoplanets that determine their stability and suitability for life.

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Machine learning software (pictured) that pull inspiration from Google and Netflix's algorithms could soon discover alien life in outer space. This method is said to be 1,000 times faster than traditional techniques at predicting whether a planetary systems is able to sustain life

HOW WAS IT DEVELOPED? The University of Toronto Scarborough has taught its system to find stable planetary systems by using AI from Google and Netflix. The team conducted a series of workshops that focused on how machine learning could assist with solving specific scientific problems. 'In order to train our algorithms, we generated a data set of 5000 N-body integrations of 3-planet systems over 107 orbits of the innermost body,' reads the study published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. 'We focus on 3- planet systems since there exists an analytic criterion for the case of two planets, and systems with more planets exhibit qualitatively similar behavior.' Advertisement

It works using a technique known as machine learning, a type of artificial intelligence that lets computers learn for themselves without being constantly fed data or programmed by humans.

These advanced systems are specifically designed to teach themselves how to improve on their own when exposed to different data.

Now, the University of Toronto Scarborough is using this technology to search through space for distant planetary systems that could potentially hold life.

'Machine learning offers a powerful way to tackle a problem in astrophysics, and that's predicting whether planetary systems are stable,' says Dan Tamayo, lead author of the research and a postdoctoral fellow in the Centre for Planetary Science at University of Toronto Scarborough.

Researchers explain that knowing if a planetary system is stable or not holds the key to how these systems originally formed.

'In order to train our algorithms, we generated a data set of 5000 N-body integrations of 3-planet systems over 107 orbits of the innermost body,' reads the study published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.

'We focus on 3- planet systems since there exists an analytic criterion for the case of two planets, and systems with more planets exhibit qualitatively similar behavior.'

Researchers explain that knowing if a planetary system is stable or not holds the key to how these systems originally formed. They conducted a series of workshops that focused on how machine learning could assist with solving specific scientific problems

Tamayo explains that there are numerous methods in place that are working on detecting exoplanets, which are capable of providing information on its size and its orbital period.

However, these technologies fail to determine the mass or how elliptical their orbit is  all of which are factors that affect stability.

To create their method, Tamayo and his team conducted a series of workshops at the University of Toronto Scarborough that focused on how machine learning could assist with solving specific scientific problems.

Current methods that detect exoplanets,can give details about its size and its orbital period. However, these technologies fail to determine the mass or how elliptical their orbit is  all of which are factors that affect stability - but the new AI can grab all of the data

'What's encouraging is that our findings tell us that investing weeks of computation to train machine learning models is worth it because not only is this tool accurate, it also works much faster,' he adds.

It may also come in handy when analyzing data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) set to launch next year.

The two-year mission will focus on discovering new exoplanets by focusing on the brightest stars near our solar system.

'It could be a useful tool because predicting stability would allow us to learn more about the system, from the upper limits of mass to the eccentricities of these planets,' says Tamayo.
Never mind sudoku, crossword puzzles or so-called brain training games.

The key to a healthy memory is regular sex  at least if youre a woman.

A study has found that women who enjoy an active love life scored better in tests measuring their working memory.

Experts think it may partly be due to the effect sex has on the brain.

And if the results are surprising, whats even more of a shock is that only one of the three scientists who came up with them is a man.

For the research, the team of experts at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, recruited 78 young women aged 18 to 29.

They were quizzed on their sex lives before undergoing a series of memory tests.

The tests involved looking at a group of 60 words and faces before later being asked to pick them out from a larger group of 90 words and faces. The idea was to measure their short-term recall, a measure of memory function.

The results, published in Archives of Sexual Behaviour, revealed the women who enjoyed the most frequent sex registered the highest scores on the memory tests.

But the effect was much more noticeable when it came to remembering words rather than faces, researchers said.

This was probably because word recall is largely handled by the hippocampus, while other brain regions control facial memory.

Scientists said this lends support to the theory that regular sex bolsters neurons in the hippocampal region. In a report on their findings researchers said: Neurogenesis in the hippocampus is higher in those women with a higher frequency of intercourse.

These results suggest sex may indeed have beneficial effects on memory function in healthy young women.

They support the hypothesis that frequency of sex is positively associated with memory scores.

Although the study only recruited women, previous research has hinted mens brains benefit as much if not more from plentiful sex.

Animal studies have previously suggested frequent sex stimulates a process called neurogenesis, the growth of new cells and tissue in the hippocampus  the part of the brain heavily involved in controlling memory.

And a healthy love life also boosts levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters.

Earlier this year, experts at Coventry University found men and women in their fifties, sixties and seventies who had an active love life had a lower risk of dementia.

The study of nearly 7,000 older people showed women who had regular sex scored up to 14 per cent higher marks in word challenges, while the most sexually-active men scored 23 per cent more than their rivals.

With Britains population ageing, scientists are desperately trying to find ways to preserve brain function in old age.

Alzheimers and other types of dementia recently emerged as the UKs biggest killer, pushing heart disease into second place.

The epidemic has triggered a boom in sales of trendy brain training computer games to those terrified of future illness.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believe their findings could help with condiment bottles like Tomato Ketchup (pictured)

Everyone has their own method of teasing the last dollop from the ketchup bottle.

It usually involves much shaking and thumping or perhaps a karate chop at a specific spot on the neck of the bottle.

But help is at hand. Some of the worlds best scientific minds have been working for a decade to find an easier way to overcome a vexing challenge that has been confounding us for generations.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been creating and studying slippery surfaces for use in industrial equipment such as steam turbines and desalination plants.

And they are now using their findings to make internal non-stick coatings for containers of all kinds so the contents will flow out smoothly  right down to the last drop. Their new coating, called LiquiGlide, acts as a slippery barrier between a surface and a viscous liquid.

Applied inside a condiment bottle, the coating clings permanently to its sides, while allowing the food to glide off without leaving a residue.

According to its inventors, millions of tons of products including sauces and toothpaste are thrown away globally every year because leftovers cannot be scraped from jars and bottles.

The MIT team, led by Professor Kripa Varanasi and David Smith, started out studying the lotus leaf, which is covered with microscopic air pockets that reduce surface tension and repel water so thoroughly that droplets tumble off them.

They tried to create a similar phenomenon in containers for ketchup, toothpaste, paint and other substances that have a gooeyness that means they get into the tiny air pockets and grab on.

To counter that, they replaced the air with liquids such as oils, according to The Economist. The effect is to make the surfaces self-lubricating, allowing even the stickiest substances to flow easily across them. The challenge was to get the right combination of surface structure and lubricating fluid to ensure the oily liquid doesnt mix with the substance being contained and flow out with it. That would leave what remains stuck in the corners  just as it always has done.

To get round that problem, the MIT team used a lubricant derived from the substance that will be filling the container itself. For instance, a lubricant for a food product would be made from a natural oil it contains. The state of the coating we end up with depends entirely on the properties of the product you want to slide over the surface, said Mr Smith.

Professor Varanasi added: Our coatings can work with a whole range of products, because we can tailor each coating to meet the specific requirements of each application.

LiquiGlide has now been licensed by a Norwegian company for use in mayonnaise products sold in Germany and Scandinavia.
Getting to Africa can take a long time. In my case, it took 16 years and three flights before my feet finally touched the sandy soil of the Okavango Delta. But it was definitely worth the wait.

After flying in ever-smaller planes, I finally found myself squeezed into a tiny cockpit, coming down to land on an airstrip cleared out of the scrub.

Beneath our wings, elephants bathed in pools, buffalo grazed in meadows, and at our wingtips, vultures circled lazily in the afternoon heat. It felt as if we were entering a land that time forgot  only without the dinosaurs.

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Stan Cullimore travelled to Botswana for the first time. He visited the Okavango Delta where he stayed at Chief's Camp (pictured)

The musician also took solace at Baines' Camp, which has rooms by the edge of a lagoon

Stepping out of the plane, I met Lena, my guide for the next few days. And it didnt take long for Africa to get under my skin.

Within five minutes, we turned a corner and found ourselves face to face with three hungry lions, munching on the remains of a buffalo.

As I leaned down to take a picture, Lena pointed upwards. There were vultures perched in every tree, with others drifting down to join them, all waiting their turn at the feast.

By the time we reached camp, my mind was reeling because there was so much to take in. Everywhere I looked there were incredible sights, including elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo  four of the Big Five. The only one missing so far was a rhino.

My African adventure had truly begun.

Actually, it had started 16 years ago when I read a novel, set in Botswana, by Alexander McCall Smith.

At Baines Camp, Stan saw hippos feeding in the reeds just a stone's throw from his room

Waiting and watching: Lions at the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Stan spotted most of the Big Five within minutes of arriving

It painted such a warm, gentle picture of the place and its people that I decided if ever I got the chance to visit the country, then I would jump at the opportunity. I wanted to see how the real thing compared to Alexanders fictional version.

If youre going to Botswana on a safari, you have to head for the Okavango Delta.

Its classed as one of the seven wonders of Africa, and according to a friend of mine who makes natural history films for a living, it contains more wildlife than you can shake a stick at.

My first home from home was the impressive Baines Camp  gorgeous thatched lodges, joined by a network of Indiana Jones-style rope bridges, and all nestling at the edge of a picture-perfect lagoon.

But it wasnt until I got inside my lodge that I realised just how luxurious this place really is.

At Chiefs Camp (pictured), Stan had a room that came with its own private plunge pool

Little and large: Left, Stan gets to grips with an elephant during his stay and right, guests walking with elephants at Baines Camp

The rooms are enormous, beautifully built, and have every modern convenience your heart could wish for: soft beds, body-drenching showers, a private veranda that faces out over the lagoon, and even wi-fi.

Over breakfast the next morning, I watched a pair of otters splashing across the water before I headed off to meet a couple and their three youngsters who live on the delta. Yes, this was my first close encounter with a herd of elephants.

Doug and Sandi Groves, who run the Living With Elephants Foundation, have rescued these gentle creatures from various unpleasant situations and are happy to let selected Baines Camp guests experience the thrill of meeting them.

It really is a thrill, too. You get to walk beside these enormous animals, watch them as they feed and snooze, and even have a few chances to get up really close to them.

It was at Chiefs Camp that Stan finally spotted rhinos, completing his search for the Big Five. Above, the Geoffrey Kent suite at Chiefs Camp

In my case, it was extremely close as they seemed to take a shine to my hat. The cheeky rascals kept snatching from my head so they could play with it.

By now, I thought the camp had shown me everything  but I was wrong. I got back that evening to find a surprise waiting for me on my veranda  a full-length slipper bath, filled to the brim with bubbles.

As I sank into the hot water and watched the stars come out, I heard a snuffling sound from the reeds  it was a hippo enjoying supper just yards from my slippers.

It was another magical moment, and one that made me thankful my accommodation was a safe distance above ground.

Later that evening, I wheeled my bed outside and spent a delicious night with nothing more than a mosquito net between me and the Milky Way.

The next day, I flew to Chiefs Camp. It was another perfect setting, and this one came with my very own private plunge pool. Talk about being spoilt rotten.

The rooms at Baines' Camp (above) are enormous, beautifully built, and have every modern convenience your heart could wish for

At Baines' Camp, there are soft beds, body-drenching showers, a private veranda (above) that faces out over the lagoon, and even wi-fi

However, when I arrived, I couldnt get into my room. Why? Because there was an elephant outside my door and I decided it would be safer to wait for him to finish eating all the berries from a nearby tree before I moved in to unpack my own trunk.

By now, I had really got into the safari spirit, and I was determined to spot a rhino to complete my Big Five. Luckily, my guide thought he might know where to find some of these reclusive beauties.

We set off on a game drive, and, sure enough, we soon found several. Job done!

With so many memories and incredible animal encounters, its hard to pick a favourite.

If pushed I would say the jewel in the crown was the moment we saw a pack of painted wild dogs.

The guide had stopped in the middle of a plain. It appeared to be empty, but then a pair of ears appeared above the grass, following by two more pairs.

Nature was found all around the camps. Stan even had to wait for an elephant to finish feasting before checking into his room at Chief's Camp. Above, one of the pools at Chief's Camp

Within moments we were surrounded by a pack of these gorgeous creatures.

The adults moved slowly and cautiously. We soon found out why. In the centre of the pack were 12 of the sweetest, fluffiest puppies Ive ever seen.

I wasnt tempted to get out and pet them. Apparently, of all the predators on the delta, these dogs are the deadliest. When they hunt, they are stone-cold killers.

When my trip came to an end, I boarded the flight that would take me home and I noticed a young lady reading the book that had set me on this journey all those years ago  The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Its a great book  but Botswana is one of those magical places where fact is better than any fiction.
There's almost no trace left of what once took place at Arisaig House. No hint of the extraordinary events that occurred here. Its as if the stories of the past have been airbrushed from history.

There is a good reason for this. Arisaig, now a comfortable country house hotel, was once the setting for some of the greatest secrets of the Second World War.

Here, on the remote shores of Loch Nan Uamh in the Western Highlands, Winston Churchill created a clandestine and controversial guerrilla army. It was so pivotal to the Allied war effort that the entire area was sealed off and made a forbidden zone.

While in the Scottish Highlands, Giles drove along a spectacular single-track road that hugged the contours of the snow-capped Cuillin Mountains (pictured)

In this stunning Victorian manor  where guests nowadays enjoy the bracing sea air and dine on locally caught lobster  an army of saboteurs and assassins were once trained to undertake missions of vital importance.

Their task was to smuggle themselves into Nazi-occupied Europe and cripple Hitlers war machine.

Seven decades after the last of the saboteurs set off on their missions, Im following their trail up to the Highlands, catching the night train from London to Fort William.

The only difference is that todays Caledonian Sleeper, with its convivial restaurant car and well-appointed cabins, is a great deal more luxurious than the unheated carriages used during the war years.

I wake at dawn, open the blind and am greeted by a sight so spectacular that I immediately reach for my camera. We are crossing the austere expanse of Rannoch Moor, whose surrounding mountains are topped with an unusually late powdering of snow.

A change of trains at Fort William sees me travelling on the branch line to Mallaig, a ride of jaw-dropping beauty.

Hidden past: Right, Arisaig House and left, members of the French Resistance being trained by the SOE

Churchills guerrillas and saboteurs got their first taste of what was to come while taking this train. It was invariably ambushed by men already undergoing training at Arisaig: it was good practice for the operations they would be undertaking.

Arisaig House (not to be confused with nearby Arisaig Hotel) gives the impression of having been specially designed to keep its secrets from the world.

Set in sprawling private grounds and reached via a twisting gravel drive, it is shielded from prying eyes by gigantic rhododendrons and rambling magnolias planted more than a century ago.

Arisaig House (not to be confused with nearby Arisaig Hotel) gives the impression of having been specially designed to keep its secrets from the world

You turn a final corner and there is the house itself, its grey granite walls buttressed against the stiff sea breeze.

The house is currently owned and run by two sisters  Emma Weir (the proprietor) and Sarah Winnington-Ingram (the manager). They have turned the place into a laid-back country-house hotel in which guests are greeted like friends of the family.

In the hours after dinner, everyone sits around the fire and chats over glasses of fine malt whisky.

It was very different 70 years ago. Arisaig House was then under the control of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and had been made the fiefdom of two extraordinary gentlemen whose role was to train Churchills guerrillas.

Eric Bill Sykes and William Shanghai-Buster Fairbairn were the worlds leading experts in silent killing.

Giles during pictured his trip to Scotland, where he followed the trail of the Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare

They had previously led the anti-gangster squad in Shanghai, where their uncompromisingly violent methods virtually destroyed the citys underworld.

In 1941, they were poached by the SOE and sent to Scotland to teach recruits their dirty tricks.

The excellent little Land, Sea and Islands Visitor Centre in Arisaig village has a permanent exhibition that describes some of the audacious missions planned from here. Churchill referred to his guerrilla unit as his Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Back at the hotel, Sarah points to a squat, brick building in the field below the house.

Arisaig was just one of a number of country houses in Scotland used to train Britains secret guerrilla army  the countryside was an ideal place to do it

That, she says, was the solitary confinement cell, in which men were locked up for days on end before being put through mock interrogations.

Many of the men trained here were British, but many, too, were foreign allies, including members of the French Resistance, and Jozef Gabcik and Jan Kubis, who in 1942 assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, Hitlers Butcher of Prague.

Arisaig was just one of a number of country houses in Scotland used to train Britains secret guerrilla army  the countryside was an ideal place to do it.

The surrounding mountains are as challenging as they are dramatic, while the nearby islands of Skye and Eigg are equally impressive.

The west coast of Scotland is a wild and blustery version of paradise. There are empty, silver-sand beaches, emerald-green headlands and tumbledown crofters cottages that are exposed to the elements.

The Jacobite train crossing the Glenfinnan viaduct on the route to Mallaig - a ride of jaw-dropping beauty

Youll need a hire car to explore fully the coastline and islands.

I picked up a diminutive Fiat 500 and took the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Mallaig to Armadale on Skye, driving along a spectacular single-track road that hugged the contours of the snow-capped Cuillin Mountains.

Although the SOE requisitioned a number of country houses across the British Isles, Arisaig House is the only one that is easily accessible  and certainly the only one in which you can spend the night.

As I settle into a leather armchair for a final whisky before bed, I toast the brave men who trained here for their missions.

What they learned inside these walls was to prove instrumental in defeating Hitlers war machine. But as the wind-swept memorial in Arisaig village makes clear, many of them would never come back.

Giles Miltons book The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare is published by John Murray at 20.
Rating:

The Carnarvon Arms is the Downton pub. Which is to say its next door to Highclere Castle, where the TV series was shot in all its extravagant glory.

You might think, given the name, that Highcleres present owners, Lord and Lady Carnarvon, own this country inn not far from Newbury, Berkshire, but in fact it has nothing to do with them.

If it did, I suspect prices might be higher. We pay 55 for a double room with breakfast thrown in. Admittedly its a Sunday night, but even so thats not bad value.

A classic? The Inspector stayed at The Carnarvon Arms, a country inn in Newbury, Berkshire

And its not a bad place to stay, although whats not spelled out is that the roaring A34 is just behind it. Though our room is not at the back, its still violently noisy.

There are 17 rooms, all with showers, no baths.

They are small and unimaginative, with tongue-and-groove headboards, framed photos of Highland cattle and tacky mirrors. The duvets are lumpy, the pillows lifeless.

But its all neat and tidy and the staff are friendly.

Iconic: Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was shot in all its extravagant glory, is a short drive from The Carnarvon Arms - and may be a better use of your weekend than a lie-in

A touch of flair is introduced by way of the hotel directory in the form of a Penguin book cover, on the back of which it says: a classic story of comfortable beds, delicious food

Then it loses the plot, concluding You will never want to leave this addictive slice of Great British hospitality.

At dinner, we share some tired smoked salmon and follow up with indifferent roast lamb and roast pork  from the Sunday roast menu.

Breakfast is no more inspired. No fruit, no nuts, the orange juice is from a carton and if you want an espresso or latte you pay extra.

Lady Mary types might want to look elsewhere.
Mention Istria and its amazing how many people are under the impression its simply part of Italy. The Italian influences are everywhere  from the food to the architecture.

But this heart-shaped peninsula, which has been controlled, variously, by the Romans, the Venetians, the Austrians and the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia, is firmly in Croatia.

And once British tourists, feeling the pinch of the plummeting pound, find out about the prices, it could be overrun.

Italian influence: The pretty port of Rovinj, with its historic basilica at the top of the outcrop

Walking up the cobbled alleys to the Basilica at the top of ancient Rovinj, you could be in Tuscany or on the Amalfi coast.

But stop for a coffee or beer, at about 1.50 a time, or sit down for lunch with the family at 5 a pizza, and you soon realise that a wad of Croatian kuna will go a great deal further in Istria than a bundle of euros in Chiantishire.

Even the most demanding Italian fashionista would approve of our stylish villa not far from Porec, a honey-coloured fishing town built by the Venetians.

Tucked away off a quiet farm track, the Villa Art is an old stone farmhouse with a designer finish  groovy sun loungers around a private swimming pool plus all mod-cons within.

Every bedroom is ensuite with air-conditioning, a godsend with three overheated children in high summer.

Robert and his family stopped at the town of Vrsar, where they enjoyed a swim at the beach

Operated by James Villas, it is one of its Best of James range of properties with a wow factor.

A very considerable wow was having a concierge service at the end of a phone, day and night, with a ready answer to every question, from how to operate the internet to where to eat.

There is lots to do once you have dragged yourself away from the pool.

Pula, the regional capital (and local airport with regular easyJet flights) is only 40 minutes away and has one of the finest surviving arenas anywhere in the former Roman Empire.

Historic Porec is smaller and perfect for an early evening wander.

We sit down for carpaccio and squid at the charming Konoba Cakula while our three children (ranged in age from nine to four) run up and down traffic-free streets dripping ice-cream.

In Porec, the Hardman family stopped off to buy fruit and truffle oil at the quayside market

Their favourite place was Aquacolors, a huge aqua park  one of central Europes biggest  which sits on the outskirts of Porec.

It has every sort of watery ride, slide and tube, though the queuing system can be chaotic. We spend a day driving along the coast road past a succession of pretty towns, enormous campsites and roadside spit-roasts.

But with so much traffic on the move in high summer, the best way to get up and down the Istrian shoreline is on a sightseeing boat.

Many of these offer what they call a fish picnic, which turns out to be a half-day cruise with considerably more than a picnic.

We board the Astral, a wooden schooner with a big upper and lower deck offering plenty of space in sun and shade.

Robert Hardman with his daughters during their trip in Istria. They also visited the Brijuni Islands, a national park that was once a holiday resort for Edwardian aristocrats

It takes us from Porec down the coast to glorious Rovinj where we get off for a couple of hours, buy fruit and truffle oil at the quayside market and walk through the old town.

Back on board, the crew lays out a huge buffet of fish, meat, chips and salad plus copious amounts of a robust local white wine.

We munch away as the Astral chugs up the astonishing Lim Canal, a giant fjord-like crack in the Adriatic coast which meanders for miles inland. Later, we stop off at the pretty town of Vrsar for a swim at the local beach.

And all this for less than 30 a head (half that for children).

It is such a hit with my lot that we go on another outing to the Brijuni Islands.

Now a national park, this exotic archipelago was once an exclusive holiday resort for Edwardian aristocrats and Eurotrash.

One of the sights on the Brijuni Islands is the zoo-cum-safari park where the family saw zebras

After World War II, it became the private retreat of Yugoslavias President Josip Tito. He built a zoo-cum-safari park on the largest island and invited world leaders and Hollywood stars to stay, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor among them.

Today, visitors arrive on the main island and jump aboard a little road train which potters its way around this unlikely safari park, now home to a single forlorn elephant, a few zebras and various deer.

Theres a fairly tired museum containing stuffed ex-residents of the safari park plus Titos limo, but the children cant wait to jump in the sea.

Many of the nicest bits of Brijuni are protected and off-limits to daytrippers.

So, sadly, we can only cruise past the island of Gaz, arguably the prettiest pimple in the Adriatic. A little cluster of greenery on a bed of white rock, it is shaped exactly like a fish. The perfect spot, in fact, for a fish picnic.
The filmmaker wished he'd had even more time to

Incredible drone footage has captured the breathtaking beauty of Norway and Iceland from a unique aerial perspective.

The enthralling video shows the dramatic landscape of the two countries, from enormous craggy craters bearing no sign of life to beautiful waterfalls cascading down grass-covered cliffs.

Dmitry Bubonets, from Moscow, Russia, used a Phantom 4 drone during his trip in August and has called the final film Nord.

Incredible drone footage has captured the breathtaking beauty of Norway and Iceland from a unique aerial perspective

The enthralling video shows the dramatic landscape of the two countries, from enormous craggy craters bearing no sign of life to beautiful waterfalls cascading down grass-covered cliffs

Dmitry Bubonets, from Moscow, Russia, used a Phantom 4 drone during his trip in August and has called the final film Nord. Here an enormous geyser erupts as a small group of excited tourists eagerly look on

The stunning footage records a plethora of beautiful landscapes, many of which wouldn't seem out of place in a Lord of the Rings film.

Amazing rock formations tower above lush green grass, a road snakes between miles upon miles of apparent nothingness and an enormous geyser erupts as a small group of excited tourists eagerly look on.

Nord evokes a great sense of space and the wilderness of both Iceland and Norway. Squawking birds and the occasional human visitor seem to be the only living beings present.

No one landscape is focussed on for long in the film, giving viewers an impressive snapshot of the beauty of the two countries in just four minutes.

However, according to Bubonets, he still didn't have enough time to capture everything he'd hoped to.

The stunning footage records a plethora of beautiful landscapes, many of which wouldn't seem out of place in a Lord of the Rings film

Amazing rock formations tower above lush green grass and a road snakes between miles upon miles of apparent nothingness

Nord evokes a great sense of space and the wilderness of both Iceland and Norway

No one landscape is focussed on for long in the film, giving viewers an impressive snapshot of the beauty of the two countries in just four minutes

Squawking birds and the occasional human visitor seem to be the only living beings present in most of the film

However, according to Bubonets, he still didn't have enough time to capture everything he'd hoped to

'I'm looking forward to a second trip to enjoy the sunsets, auroras, take some hikes in the mountains, shoot some timelapses and make a selfie with a puffin,' the filmmaker said

The amateur filmmaker wrote on video sharing site Vimeo: 'Nord is an aerial adventure that was captured entirely on Drone. All footage was captured during a summer trip to Norway and Iceland in August 2016.

'I'm looking forward to a second trip to enjoy the sunsets, auroras, take some hikes in the mountains, shoot some timelapses and make a selfie with a puffin.'
Nicole Kidman's longtime publicist Wendy Day has received some good news following her 'suspected heart issues'.

Wendy, who also represents actor Russell Crowe, was due to undergo a medical procedure on Tuesday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

But Wendy's heart was given a 'clean bill of health' - just days after Nicole's mother Janelle Kidman also reportedly suffered a 'heart scare'.

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Health scare: Nicole Kidman's (L) longtime publicist Wendy Day (R) has received some good news following her 'suspected heart issues', according to The Sydney Morning Herald

Reports surfaced on Monday that Janelle, 76, had been rushed to Sydney North Shore Hospital last Thursday.

Meanwhile, a source told The Daily Telegraph this week Nicole had not returned home to see her mother at the time.

But it is understood the condition was not as serious as first thought.

Loyal supporter: Wendy (R) has been Nicole's publicist since the early 1980s

Scare: The news comes days after reports Nicole's mother Janelle Kidman (L) had been rushed to Sydney North Shore Hospital last week. Pictured at the 2004 Golden Globes in Beverly Hills

'They are of course concerned, but if it was anything super serious, Nicole would have been home straight away,' the source explained.

Janelle had reportedly been released later on Thursday into the care of her daughter Antonia, who is holidaying in Sydney from her home in Singapore.

Two years ago, Janelle lost her husband Antony Kidman to a sudden heart attack.

Family: Two years ago, Janelle lost her husband Antony Kidman (R) to a sudden heart attack.

Antony, a psychologist, was visiting his daughter Antonia in Singapore before he collapsed and later died in hospital. He was 75 years old.

Last year, Antonia's ex-husband Angus Hawley died from a suspected heart attack in New York aged 46.
Gabi Grecko is no stranger to posting revealing videos of herself on Instagram.

And the busty ex-wife of Australian businessman Geoffrey Edelsten added two more clips to her portfolio on Friday.

The former prostitute, 27, filmed a raunchy striptease before suggestively sucking on a Christmas candy cane in a pink bra.

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Double the fun! Gabi Grecko uploaded TWO racy videos to her Instagram page on Friday

Gabi showed off her EXTREMELY ample breasts in the first clip, dancing around her New York apartment in a bra and jeans.

In the video, she whips her blonde hair while pulling her jeans down to reveal she's wearing no underwear.

In the caption Gabi wrote, 'Messy hair don't care', with the hash tag: 'Casual Friday'

No pants day? Gabi showed off her EXTREMELY ample bust in the first clip, dancing around her New York apartment in a bra and jeans

No knickers? In the video, she whips her blonde hair while pulling her jeans down to reveal she's wearing no underwear

Gabi's second video of the day took on a festive theme, involving Christmas candy canes as props.

She puts on a busty display in a pink Moschino bra while jiggling her sizable assets towards the camera.

Gabi then provocatively sucks on the candy cane before throwing it at the camera later in the video.

'Tis the season to be busty! Gabi's second video of the day took on a festive theme, involving Christmas candy canes as props

This is not the first time the former Melbourne-based socialite has taken to Instagram to express her personality.

She recently posted a video of herself pouring milk across her breasts while posing in nipple tassels and pink string dress.

And only last week, she shared a clip of herself dancing in a busty silver jumpsuit to a rap song called 'Cocaine'.
She's enjoying a welcome break from her busy schedule before filming for Our Girl picks up again.

And Michelle Keegan was looking her best in a striking silver dress as she treated herself to a night out at Menagerie Bar & Restaurant in Manchester on Friday.

The 29-year-old beauty exuded glamour in the strapless garment, which clung to her hourglass figure.

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Silver stunner: Michelle Keegan was looking her best in a striking silver dress as she treated herself to a night out at Menagerie Bar & Restaurant in Manchester on Friday

Michelle's embroidered dress was set off with some choice pieces, including a statement choker with metallic embellishment.

She rounded off her party look with a pair of black pumps and a classic shoulder bag.

The former Coronation Street actress went heavy on the bronzer and highlighted her eyes with a feline flick of liquid eyeliner.

Gorgeous: Michelle's embroidered dress was set off with some choice pieces, including a statement choker with metallic embellishment

Glam girl: She rounded off her party look with a pair of black pumps and a classic shoulder bag

It was recently reported that Michelle was 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 star wants a 'modern, airy flat' in Sea Point, Clifton or Camps Bay areas of Cape Town, according to The Sun on Sunday.

Jetsetter: Michelle 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
Larry Lamb has sent a heartfelt appeal for his long-lost daughter and secret granddaughter to get in touch.

The I'm A Celebrity star has a daughter Vanessa he has only seen once in 40 years with his ex-wife Anita, and an 18-year-old grandchild who is reportedly studying at university in London.

The EastEnders actor, 69, told The Daily Mirror: 'I have to say if my daughter or my granddaughter were to contact me, I, and all my extended family would be thrilled.'

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Candid: Larry Lamb, 69, has sent a heartfelt appeal for his long-lost daughter and secret granddaughter to get in touch

Urging his long-lost family to contact him, he added: 'You can't start denying that sort of thing because it is something deep inside of me.

Speaking about how the topic came up in the I'm A Celeb jungle, he said: 'This is something that I find very moving, which is why, when the conversation came up, there was no way I could sit there and say "No, no"'.

The actor added that he felt like it was 'not my place' to get in touch with Vanessa and his first wife Anita after she remarried.

Emotional: Urging his long-lost family to contact him, he added: 'You can't start denying that sort of thing because it is something deep inside of me'

The news that Larry Lamb has unknowingly been a grandfather for 18 years, according to The Sun on Sunday, was revealed last week.

The paper revealed that his distant daughter Vanessa, who he only met once when she was seven months old, is mother to a girl in her late teens.

The news emerges after the actor admitted he 'may have a grandchild' when he discussed his 'long-lost daughter' on this year's I'm A Celebrity.

The Daily Mirror reported last week that Larry fathered a daughter, Vanessa, with his first wife Anita, and only saw her once when she was seven months old.

Revealed: Larry Lamb has unknowingly been a grandfather for 18 years, according to The Sun on Sunday

Family ties: The Sun revealed that the star has a secret granddaughter, who is currently at uni in the UK, from his long-lost daughter Vanessa, who he fathered at 21

The Gavin and Stacey actor then discussed the situation with Adam Thomas in the celebrity jungle later that week - admitting he 'might be a granddad' after confirming he had a 'long lost daughter' who he fathered at 21.

It has now emerged that this speculation could be true - with The Sun reporting that Vanessa is mother to an 18-year-old girl of her own.

It is believed that Larry's secret granddaughter is currently studying at a UK university, while her mother resides in Murcia, Spain, where she is a teacher.

As he is still competing on I'm A Celebrity and living in the Australian outback, it is assumed Larry remains unaware of his younger family member.

Getting personal: The news emerges after the actor, 69, admitted he 'may have a grandchild' when he discussed his 'long-lost daughter' with Adam Thomas on I'm A Celebrity (above)

The actor, who is famed for his role as Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, admitted on I'm A Celebrity last week that he had not seen or been in contact with his estranged daughter for over 40 years.

Larry had met first wife Anita when he was 20, and the pair fell pregnant following a Christmas reunion.

Although Larry is said to have wanted an abortion, they decided to have the child and married when he was just 21 and working in Germany.

Long lost family: Larry admitted during the chat that he had 'always wanted to know' his daugher, but after 46 years he couldn't just 'go bouncing back' into her life

Talking to Emmerdale star Adam by the jungle camp fire, Larry explained: 'I always wanted to [know her], but me and her mum broke up, and then she was adopted by her mum's new husband, so I never had anything to do with her.'

'And I can't just go bouncing back into someone's life,' he added.

When Adam asked whether he knew where she was or what she doing currently, the fan favourite further explained: 'I have no idea where she is, but I do think about her a lot.'

Next steps: Larry later married Linda Martin in 1979, and the couple had TV presenter son George (above) during their 17 years together

Reflecting on his troubled past, Larry then admitted he regretted not making the effort, but that he could not have done anything else at the time as he was 'just a kid'.

He said of his younger self: 'I was such a baby, I was 21 when I had her, just a kid. And I knew absolutely nothing. But now years later, I think 'Oh my god - all that part of your life that you've missed out on''.

Larry later married Linda Martin in 1979, and the couple had TV presenter son George during their 17 years together.

He has been with his current partner Clare Burt, 49, for 20 years and the couple have daughters Eloise, 17, and Eva, 13.
He's bowing out of Strictly Come Dancing after 12 years on the panel.

And departing head judge Len Goodman, 72, has been given a fitting costume for the upcoming Strictly festive special, sporting a look fit for a King.

Clad in a gold crown and matching cape, the veteran TV star beams with joy during what will be his last ever televised appearance on the BBC One ballroom show.

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Festive treat: Departing head judge Len Goodman has been given a fitting costume for the upcoming Strictly festive special, sporting a look fit for a King as he joins Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli (from left to right) on the panel

The panel has received a panto-tastic makeover for the occasion, with Darcey Bussell looking every inch the ice queen.

The retired ballerina is glamorous in a faux fut stole, silver crown and grey hairdo.

Bruno Tonioli perches on the end of the line-up in the sneak peak image, clad in a Huntsman inspired ensemble complete with leather vest.

Meanwhile, Craig Revel-Horwood looked unrecognisable in a Wizard Of Oz themed Cowardly Lion look.

This comes after Len dusted off his ballroom shoes to perform in a group dance on the show during filming for the one-off episode, which reportedly took place last Monday.

Quitting: Len filmed his farewell episode for the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special on Monday night

Len's final performance will feature on the Christmas Day special where celebrities including Frankie Bridge, Denise Lewis and Ainsley Harriott take part.

'The whole night was very emotional,' a source told The Sun.

And Len's fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood was impressed with the veteran's turn on the dance floor.

'Len's a fantastic dancer,' he told the newspaper.

Earlier this year, the veteran panellist stunned fans by announcing his departure from the BBC ballroom competition.

Irreplaceable: There is as yet no word on who is being lined up to replace the TV favourite on the panel, but names including former judge Arlene Phillips have been suggested

The ones he's leaving behind: Len's fellow judges Crag Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell will carry on with a new judge on the show

He said in a statement: 'In 2004, I was asked to take part in a brand new BBC Saturday night show and who would have thought me, old Len Goodman, would still be part of this amazing series more than ten years on.

'This adventure began when I was 60 and now that Ive reached my 70s, Ive decided after this year its time to hand the role of head judge to someone else.

'It is an honour being part of the wonderful Strictly Come Dancing family and Im looking forward to my last series very much and to whatever comes next.'

However, it's not yet clear who'll take over from the plain-speaking star with a variety of star including former judge Arlene Phillips, ballroom dancer Karen Hardy and Australian Dancing With The Stars judge Helen Richey.

How they began: Len in the very first series of Strictly, alongside Bruno Tonioli, Arelene Phillips and Craig Revel Horwood

On the news of Len's departure, Charlotte Moore, Director of Content at BBC, said: 'After 12 years, our wonderful Head Judge Len has decided it's time to hang up his Strictly Come Dancing shoes!

'I know we are all going to miss him tremendously, but I also know Len's final series is going to be full of unmissable moments and I hope audiences will give him the special send-off he so deserves.'

Louise Rainbow, Executive Producer of Strictly, added: 'We are absolutely delighted that Tess, Claudia and our judges are all returning for another year.

'Whilst we will be sad to say goodbye to Len, as our way of saying thank you, we are all determined to make this series the most spectacular, most glittery and entertaining yet.'
He's been recently spotted working on his fitness.

And Karl Stefanovic continued his health kick on Thursday, as he enjoyed a smoothie during a business meeting in Double Bay, Sydney.

The sighting took place the day before Karl's final appearance on Today for 2016, as he takes time off work for personal reasons.

In September, it was revealed Karl had split from his journalist wife Cassandra Thorburn after 21 years of marriage.

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Health kick: Karl Stefanovic (R) was spotted in Sydney's Double Bay on Thursday, enjoying a cold pressed smoothie during a business meeting

Karl appeared to have arrived at the Eastern Suburbs cafe, straight from the Today show.

A crisp white shirt was rolled up at the elbows, while a slim tie was loosened.

Pairing the shirt with dark trousers, Karl sported a silver statement watch and a red string bracelet.

The 42-year-old looked deep in conversation with a man wearing a checkered shirt.

Work gear: Karl appeared to have arrived at the cafe straight from the Today show

Pensive: Karl appeared to have a lot on his mind during the business meeting

Karl has faced public scrutiny after his split from wife Cassandra was announced earlier this year.

New Idea reported in November the TV presenter had left his post on Today - rumours which were quickly dismissed by the network.

Last month, a Channel Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Karl is definitely on Today in 2017, alongside the team who have had such a successful year in 2016.'

Additions: Karl sported a silver statement watch as one of his accessories

Health kick: The household name has been spotted working on his fitness of late

Nine's National Director of News and Current Affairs Darren Wick also confirmed that Karl will be taking at least a month off work as he deals with family issues.

And according to Karl's employer, the breakfast TV star is 'happy' about the break.

'I think any of us would be happy to take a holiday at the end of the year,' Darren said.

Engaged: Karl looked like he had plenty to discuss during the meeting

Respectful: The father-of-three pushed his stool back in as he prepared to leave the eatery

Pick-me-up: Karl appeared to have also purchased a supplement from the wholefoods cafe

Karl has been the host of Channel Nine's breakfast show since 2005.

Initially, he was worked alongside Tracy Grimshaw for a year before Jessica Rowe joined Karl for 2006.

He later struck up a nine-year partnership with Lisa Wilkinson, the current co-host.

Popular role: The journalist will return to the Today show early next year
Christmas is set to be an busy time for Grantchester residents.

First look images for the ITV drama's Christmas special see actors James Norton and Morven Christie cosying up in the snow - before all hell breaks loose.

Vicar Sidney Chambers, played by 31-year-old hunk James, is seen hitting the bottle in the special festive edition of Grantchester, set to be broadcast on Christmas Eve at 9pm.

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Boozing: Vicar Sidney Chambers, played by James Norton, is seen hitting the bottle in the special festive edition of Grantchester

Must-watch: First look images for the ITV drama's Christmas special see actors James Norton and Morven Christie cosying up in the snow

He is shown boozing in the church yard, while his love interest, Amanda Kendall, played by Morven Christie, goes into labour in the vicarage.

The 90-minute Christmas special of the popular ITV detective drama shows a very snowy Grantchester and promises a mix of murder, mystery and malice.

Amanda left her husband at the end of the last series and visited Sidney to tell him she was pregnant.

Drowning his sorrows? Amanda left her husband at the end of the last series and visited Sidney to tell him she was pregnant

Drama: The 90-minute Christmas special of the popular ITV detective drama shows a very snowy Grantchester and promises a mix of murder, mystery and malice

Baby's on the way: His love interest, Amanda Kendall, will go into labour in the vicarage.

Cheeky: James and his co-star Robson Green were seen messing around in the snow

Now it is Christmas Eve 1954 and she is living nearby with her Aunt CeCe.

Sidney loves her, but whether she is married or divorced there is no way he can be with her.

James looked typically dashing in his dog's collar while Morven was clad in a smart tweed look.

Behind-the-scenes: The crew set the scene for Christmas with a fake snowstorm

Joking around: The stars were spotted having a snowball fight in between takes

Popular programme: The hit drama is a small-screen adaptation of crime-fiction book series The Grantchester Mysteries by James Runcie

Goofing around: Morven gave Robson a cheeky push as they frolicked in the snow

Period costume: James looked typically dashing in his dog's collar while Morven was clad in a smart 1950s look

Robson Green - who plays crime-solving Detective Inspector Geordie Keating - was also spotted on set.

The hit drama is a small-screen adaptation of crime-fiction book series The Grantchester Mysteries by James Runcie, with the first series based on the six stories from the first book.

The first series pulled in an average of 6.6 million viewers when it debuted in October 2014. A second series was broadcast in March and April 2016.

The six new episodes are being filmed in London and Grantchester as well as in Cambridge's city centre, and will air in 2017.

Ratings hit: The first series pulled in an average of 6.6 million viewers when it debuted in October 2014

Fan favourite: A second series was broadcast in March and April 2016

Tucking in: The scene was set for Christmas dinner in Grantchester

Tune in: The festive edition of Grantchester, set to be broadcast on Christmas Eve at 9pm
He's reportedly been offered a whopping 7.3million to reunite with his band The Police for Desert Trip 2017 festival.

But Sting put in a solo appearance at the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada on Friday, flashing a coy smile.

The 65-year-old star cut a dapper figure in a sharp black suit as he walked the red carpet.

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Dapper chap: Sting put in a solo appearance at the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada on Friday, flashing a coy smile

Dressing down his look with a navy shirt, the music legend was the picture of cool as he made his grand entrance, hands slung in his pockets.

In October Desert Trip (AKA Oldchella) saw the likes of The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Neil Young play to sold out crowds.

And now it seems organizers are attempting to entice more legendary acts to perform in the desert next year, and they have their sights set on The Police.

Smart: The 65-year-old star cut a dapper figure in a sharp black suit as he walked the red carpet

Going solo: Dressing down his look with a navy shirt, the music legend was the picture of cool as he made his grand entrance, hands slung in his pockets

According to the Mirror, Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copland have been offered 7.3million to play a reunion show as part of next year's festival in Indio, California.

The band, who first broke up in 1986, are being offered a deal close to $9million. Though they could earn in excess of that figure with merchandising.

MailOnline have contacted a representative of the band for comment.

The '80s rockers, who are famous for songs such as Roxanne and Message In A Bottle, have not played together since they reformed for a series of reunion tours.

Big ask: Sting and his former band The Police have been offered 7.3million to play a reunion show at the 2017 Desert Trip festival in Indio, California (Sting pictured performing in 2016)

Not the end? The band, who first broke up in 1986, are being offered a deal close to $9million. Though they could earn in excess of that figure with merchandising (pictured here in 1979)

The Police Reunion Tour took place between 2007 and 2008, and over its 151 dates saw the band travel the world from Europe to South America.

The Reunion saw the band earn a reported 292million, so its no surprise that festival bosses are thought to be offering the hefty 7million paycheck with expenses thrown in on top.

However, Sting - who has gone on to have a wildly successful solo career - has previously hinted that another reunion would be out of the question.

Rare: The Police last took to the stage in 2007 and 2008 for the Reunion Tour, which took in 151 dates across the world from Europe to South America.

Speaking about taking on another reunion show, he previously said:

'Its done. Over. I thought with The Police that everything we achieved in the short amount of time we were together, in five or six years, we achieved 10-fold, 50-fold, and that artistic park has been used up.'

They have reportedly already declined several other big money offers to reunite.

'Its done. Over': Sting - who has gone on to have a wildly successful solo career - has previously hinted that another reunion would be out of the question

Other bands rumored to be playing Desert Trip in 2017 include Bon Jovi, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.

This year the festival - held over two weekends - had a near legendary line-up consisting of: The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Sir Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters, and The Who.

Ahead of the festival Forbes reported that the two weekend extravaganza would gross close to $160million.
50 Cent has agreed a settlement with lawyers he'd accused of not doing a good job in representing him in legal proceedings related to his failed headphones deal with Sleek Audio.

The rapper is getting $14.5 million as a result of the malpractice suit he filed against the attorneys, according to TMZ on Friday.

However, the cash will likely go straight into the pockets of his creditors whom he is still paying off after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015.

Big bucks: 50 Cent has agreed a $14.5 million settlement with lawyers he'd sued for malpractice in legal dealings with Sleek Audio, TMZ said. The cash will go to pay off debts he owes as part of his Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He's pictured arriving at bankruptcy court in July

50 Cent - AKA Curtis Jackson - lost his case against Sleek and as a result owed the company money.

He also has other creditors and owes a total of $23 million, $17 million of which is owed to Sleek Audio, TMZ reported.

The bankruptcy judge still needs to sign off on the deal.

Meanwhile, the 41-year-old recording artist weighed in on Kanye West's breakdown during an appearance on Thursday night's Watch What Happens Live.

Opinion: In a segment called 50's Two Cents on Watch What Happnes Live Thursday, he was asked his opinion of fellow rapper Kanye West's hospitalization

Not surprised: The recording artist - real name Curtis Jackson - offered up that 'you could kind of see that happening' when asked about Kanye's breakdown

In a segment called 50's Two Cents, he was asked his opinion on a number of celeb headlines, including his fellow rapper's hospitalization earlier in the week.

'Oof! That was interesting 'cause I kind of like, felt you could kind of see that coming,' he said. 'In pieces, it was like, little outbursts.'

He surmised that Kim Kardashain's robbery in Paris the month before played a big role in it.

'I think that was a part of Kanye's breakdown,' he opined.

However he was quick to defend Kanye against claims he faked the whole thing just to win an insurance payout for his cancelled concerts.

'Nooo!' he insisted. 'He could have just went to work.'
The ex-Big Brother contestant has changed drastically since rising to fame in 2014.

But on Saturday, Skye Wheatley gave fans a glimpse at her most untouched self in a baby picture shared to Instagram.

The sweet throwback photo shows the 23-year-old reality TV star as an infant, sitting next to her teddy bear.

Is that you, Skye? Reality TV star Skye Wheatley shared a baby photo on Instagram over the weekend, after revealing she underwent a nose job on Wednesday

In the caption, Skye explained her eye colour has since changed from blue to green.

But that is far from the only thing to have transformed in the last 23 years.

After appearing on Big Brother, the Instagram model has enthusiastically modified her appearance.

'It's just the nostrils': After appearing on Big Brother in 2014, Skye has enthusiastically modified her appearance - and most recently underwent a nose job in Sydney

Who's that? Skye (pictured in 2014) is unrecognisable following her extensive surgeries

On Tuesday, Skye spoke candidly about her plans to get a nose job in Sydney the following day.

'It's the nostrils I'm really self conscious about,' she explained on YouTube.

'I don't think it complements my face at all... it's something I've always been so insecure about.'

In 2015, Skye travelled to Bangkok for a breast augmentation.

Plumped up: The former reality TV contestant has admitted to receiving lip fillers in the past

Looking a little flat? Skye had a breast enlargement after her time on Big Brother Australia

If you've got it, flaunt it: Skye likes to show off her 'plastic fantastic' appearance on Instagram

The surgery was botched, and left her with a 'double bubble' in her chest.

Skye was open about the incident, and told Daily Mail Australia in August she planned to have surgery to correct the issue.

She has also admitted to receiving lip fillers, and appears to have had a chemical treatment to straighten her beachy waves.
She may be a millionaire, he may be one too, and they may have been dining at one of Los Angeles' most expensive restaurants, but this star is not afraid to wear a chain store find.

Miley Cyrus may have donned her fair share of couture in her time but looks like this star is all too happy in something a little cheaper as well.

The 24-year-old was a babe in a budget as she headed out for an early dinner with fiance Liam Hemsworth in Malibu, California, on Friday night.

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Date night: Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth grabbed a bite to eat at Nobu in Malibu, California, on Friday

The couple arrived earlier at celeb hot spot Nobu so they could watch the sun set over the water.

For their date of fancy sushi, Miley wore an out there but not too crazy - for Miley at least - look.

While she has a lot of designers at her beck and call, for her night out the Wrecking Ball star chose to wear a surprisingly affordable piece.

Namely the pop star threw on a $23 black sweater with sequined cherries on it which she picked up from none other than Forever 21.

Chain store chic: While she has a lot of designers at her beck and call, for her night out the Wrecking Ball star chose to wear a surprisingly affordable piece

The cherry on top: The pop star threw on a $23 black sweater with sequined cherries on it which she picked up from none other than Forever 21

Colour match: Following her sweater's theme, the Hannah Montana star wore a pair of Dr. Martens that had red love hearts on them

The star wore the off the rack piece with a black mini skirt and black almost opaque stockings.

Following her sweater's theme, the Hannah Montana star wore a pair of Dr. Martens that had red love hearts on them.

But Miley being Miley could not help but go little OTT with her accessories namely wearing big red cateye sunglasses and some cat ears to the restaurant.

Lovely layers: The star wore the off the rack piece with a black mini skirt and black almost opaque stockings

Meow: Miley being Miley could not help but go little OTT with her accessories namely wearing big red cateye sunglasses and some cat ears to the restaurant

Just in case she got a little chilly after the sun went down, the Last Song star also brought a spotted cardigan.

Liam meanwhile, dressed very casually with the 26-year-old Australian wearing some blue jeans, a grey and blue jacket and Nike sneakers.

The couple got back together earlier this year after calling off their engagement in 2013.

The young pair met on the set of the 2010 movie The Last Song and Liam got down on one knee two years later.
There are still weeks to go until Rogue One: A Star Wars Story premieres, but already it is shaping up to become a huge blockbuster.

And on Friday, during a Twitter Q&A with the cast, a new clip from the film was released - giving fans a sneak peek of the divide between Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones).

The clip shows Cassian attempting to retrieve a weapon from Jyn after learning from K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) that she is armed.

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Trust issues: In the sneak peek, Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) butts heads with Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) after learning she had somehow acquired a weapon

Against his better judgement? Cassian reluctantly agrees to let her keep it, even against the advise of droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk)

Ultimately, however, the pair come to a truce, and Cassian allows her to keep the weapon, even against the advise of K-2SO.

The sneak peek begins inside a ship, as K-2SO asks Cassian, 'Why does she get a blaster and I don't?'

'What?' Cassian turns around to look at Jyn, who is sitting at the back of the ship with the weapon in hand.

'I know how to use it,' she replies.

This is news: Cassian turns around after realizing Jyn was armed

Experienced: 'I know how to use it,' she replies

'That's what I'm afraid of,' Cassian says as he begins to approach her.

Stretching out his hand, he instructs her, 'Give it to me.'

But Jyn is firm, as she needs the weapon for her safety.

'We're going to Jetta,' she explains. 'That's a war zone.'

Deadlock: Cassian attempts to change Jyn's mind

'That's what I'm afraid of': Cassian explains he's actually unnerved that Jyn knows how to operate the weapon

Exasperated, Cassian asks, 'Where did you get it?'

Jyn replies mysteriously, 'I found it.'

K-2SO chimes in, 'I find that answer vague and unconvincing.'

Standing her ground: Jyn says the weapon is necessary as a safety precaution

Truce: Cassian wordlessly agrees to allow Jyn to keep her gun

After a stretch of silence, Jyn tells Cassian, 'Trust goes both ways.'

Cassian returns to the driver's seat and, as he puts on his seat belt, an astounded K-2SO asks, 'You're letting her keep it!?'

'Would you like to know the probability of her using it against you?', K-2SO asks. 'It's high!'

He did the math: K-2SO asks, 'You're letting her keep it!?', before adding, 'Would you like to know the probability of her using it against you? It's high!'

After Cassian insists on continuing ahead, K-2SO adds, 'It's very high!'

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is based on a group of Rebel spies, who are required to steal plans to the Death Star, the Empire's formidable base.

On Monday, the website of ticket booking company Fandango exploded thanks to the rebel heroes of new Star Wars movie 'Rogue One'.

Listening to his gut: Cassian appears contemplative after making his final decision

Advance tickets for the Star Wars prequel went on sale just after midnight on Monday morning, and was immediately swamped by fans hoping to see at its official release on December 16.

Hundreds of thousands of tickets were sold in minutes, but the sheer force of the fandom was too much for the website, which creaked under the pressure, CBS reported.

Customers reported long wait times, page-loading failures and other problems as they tried to buy up the much-coveted tickets.

Others were simply redirected away from the Rogue One landing page to a picture of Han Solo and Chewbacca fixing a spaceship engine with the message 'Argh! Try again soon', according to Fansided.

Out of this world: The film is based on a group of Rebel spies, who are required to steal plans to the Death Star, the Empire's formidable base
She's been at home raising newborn twins Tom and Darcy following their birth in September.

And Channel Nine presenter Rebecca Judd appeared to take some 'me time' on Saturday, as she stepped out to celebrate the Postcards program Christmas party.

Taking to Instagram, the 33-year-old mother-of-four shared a playful snap from the previous night, alongside the caption: 'Fun times with our crew.'

'Fun times with our crew': Rebecca Judd, 33, took to Instagram on Saturday, to share a playful snap while at her Channel Nine Postcards Christmas party on Friday. Rebecca is pictured far right in each picture of the collage

'Fun times with our @9postcards crew at our 9 Xmas party. I'm so lucky to work with such a great team....bring on more fun adventures in 2017,' Rebecca captioned the image.

The photo saw the AFL WAG posing alongside a group of Channel Nine colleagues, sporting a number of photobooth props.

Rebecca was pictured in the background, having styled her tresses sleek and straight, and opting for a glamorous makeup palette.

Doting: Rebecca often takes to Instagram, posting precious snaps of her twin sons

The Melbourne-based star gave birth to twin boys Tom and Darcy, on September 29.

Rebecca, married to Carlton player Chris Judd, took to Instagram shortly after to announce the birth.

'Tom and Darcy Judd are here!' she captioned a precious family snap.

'Born at lunch time today, perfectly healthy. We are the luckiest parents in the world.'

Leaving: The entrepreneur recently announced she is leaving her weather presenter role at Channel Nine

Proud: The Melbourne-based star gave birth to twin boys Tom and Darcy, in late September, taking to Instagram shortly after the birth to share a sweet snap

Makeup-free Rebecca beamed for the photo alongside an equally ecstatic Chris, as their newborns were introduced to the world.

Now a mother of four, the cute arrivals join Oscar, 4, and Billie, 2, in the Judd family residence.

In addition to her role as a Postcards presenter, Rebecca also featured as a weather presenter for Channel Nine.

Taking to motherhood: Rebecca is now a mother-of-four to Oscar, 4, Billie, 2, and twin sons Tom and Darcy. Pictured at Melbourne's Land Rover Polo in The City last month

She recently told the Herald Sun she will be giving up her duties at Channel Nine to focus on her family.

'Ive deliberated about it for six months and we need some time together as a family,' she said.

'When I found out I was having twins I thought Im not sure I can go back to working weekends.

Taking things slowly: The former model will continue her role as host for Channel Nine's travel program Postcards, once a week from January

'I might go back once the kids are older. Channel Nine were fantastic about it,' she concluded.

Channel Nine's Director of News Hugh Nailon supported Bec's decision, saying she 'will always be part of the Nine News family.'

The former model will continue her role as host for the network's travel program Postcards once a week from January.

She will also be working on her active wear label Jaggad and fulfill her duties as a fashion ambassador for Myer.
They're the unlikely couple to emerge from this year's season of The Bachelor.

And on Saturday, the shenanigans of Megan Marx and Tiffany Scanlon continued as one of them filmed the other in the shower before sharing it to social media.

The footage shared via Megan's Instagram story showed a completely nude Tiffany pulling silly faces behind the glass, before her girlfriend opens the door, appearing to join her.

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Sexy face? Tiffany Scanlon was seen pulling silly faces in the shower after being interrupted by her girlfriend Megan Marx

'Tiffany's got her sexy face down pat,' Megan laughed as Tiffany pressed her contorted face up against the shower door.

The 27-year-old health promotions worker then said: 'Gotta let me in now,' while opening the door.

Meanwhile, Tiffany was seen covering her chest with her arms while shying away from the camera.

'Let me in': Megan shared the video of her girlfriend having a shower, while seemingly preparing to join her

The reality TV pair have been busy flaunting their love for each other on social media since meeting on the show earlier this year.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia at Maxim's Hot 100 last month, Tiffany revealed they confessed their love for each other on 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.

Modern day love story: The reality TV couple met in bizarre circumstances, with both of them competing to win Richie Strahan's heart on this year's seasons of The Bachelor

Her partner 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.

Instant connection: Megan admitted that while she was on the show to get to know Richie, she knew there was a spark between her and Tiffany

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.

Last week, Megan gushed over her girlfriend while enjoying an outing at Bather's Beach House in Fremantle.

'It started in June': Tiffany told Daily Mail Australia their romance began during a trip to Bali in June, but 'it wasn't until October that people noticed'

Megan posted a picture of herself holding Tiffany complimenting the 29-year-old Training Administrator for her 'adventurous and fun' qualities.

'I want Tiffany to be considered bold/inspiring not because of her sexuality or relationship status.

'But because she is adventurous and fun and warm and delicate, and full of a love for others and life that sometimes I cannot relate to.'

Posting the same picture Tiffany wrote: 'The way she looks at me makes me feel like I'm the most beautiful person in the whole wide world!'

They're not shy! Since their short stint on The Bachelor, Megan and Tiffany have been constantly flaunting their relationship with affectionate displays on social media




She gave birth to twin boys Tom and Darcy in late September.

And as a doting mother, Rebecca Judd has been non-stop with the baby spam, regularly taking to Instagram to share precious snaps.

Another photo shared to the site on Saturday, saw the 33-year-old going makeup-free and cradling son Darcy at a tranquil ranch, with the caption: 'This is Darcy.'

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'This is Darcy': Rebecca Judd, 33, continued with the baby spam on Saturday, posting another precious snap of son Darcy to Instagram

The candid snap saw Rebecca positioned in front of a serene backdrop.

Rebecca cut a casual figure in a sleeveless striped top that showed off her lithe arms, while her makeup-free face was concealed behind a pair of gold-rimmed Dior sunglasses.

Cradling son Darcy in her arms, the Channel Nine presenter who styled her brunette tresses in loose waves, simply captioned the snap with the hash-tags #thisisdarcy and #ranchlyfe.

More precious snaps: A previous snap shared to Instagram, saw the former model commenting on the size of her premature newborns' hands

A previous snap shared to Instagram, saw Rebecca commenting on the size of her premature newborns' hands.

As Tom and Darcy lay next to each other on a yellow rug for the sweet image, one of the twins wore a bib to catch his drool.

Their big blue eyes were captured in the snap, but the mother-of-four was more preoccupied with pointing out another extremity.

She captioned her post in part: 'These big handed little dudes have grown so much since they came home 1 week ago (when this pic was taken).'

The brunette beauty finished the post, but saying how amazing it was that they're doing so well 'earthside' as they were born well ahead of their November 3 due date.

Proud parents! Rebecca and husband Chris Judd (pictured) have shared numerous baby-related posts about twins, Darcy and Tom, to their respective Instagram accounts, since their birth on September 29

Footy-playing hands: Her followers were quick to cheekily suggest that her twins' growing hands could be the sign that they'll take after their AFL playing dad some day

'Tom thumb': The mother-of-four compared Tom's foot to the size of her thumb on her Instagram account

The television presenter welcomed twins Tom and Darcy in Melbourne via emergency cesarean section on the afternoon of Thursday, September 29.

The 'perfectly healthy' boys were born just a minute apart at 35 weeks gestation, Rebecca confirmed the following day.

'Tom and Darcy Judd are here!' the stylish WAG captioned a precious family snap, shared to Instagram.

Rebecca and Chris also share son Oscar, 4, and daughter Billie, 2.

Bundles of joy: Rebecca welcomed twins Tom and Darcy in Melbourne via emergency cesarean section on the afternoon of Thursday, September 29
They began dating in high school.

And over two years following a brief five-month break, Ansel Elgort and girlfriend Violetta Komyshan are still going strong.

While at a New York Knicks game on Friday, the lovebirds shared cuddles and a sweet kiss.

So in love! While at a New York Knicks game on Friday, Ansel Elgort, 22, and girlfriend Violetta Komyshan shared cuddles and a sweet kiss

Ansel looked handsome in a white T-shirt layered underneath a fitted, brown sweater.

The 22-year-old was relaxed in a pair of light wash jeans and sneakers.

Violetta was chic in a fitted black turtleneck, denim trousers and heeled booties.

Last month, The Fault in Our Stars actor opened up to CBS News about his serious relationship.

Childhood sweethearts! The two began dating in high school and briefly split for five months in 2014 but have been together since

Keeping cosy! Ansel looked handsome in a white T-shirt layered underneath a brown sweater

'Im kind of wifed up to be honest. I think of it like Im f***ing married.'

While he may be head-over-heels for his girlfriend, he feels zero affection towards President-elect Donald Trump.

When asked how he thinks the country should move forward following his win, the Hollywood actor believes all is doomed.

Simplicity: Violetta was chic in a fitted black turtleneck, denim trousers and heeled booties

'Im kind of wifed up': Last month, The Fault in Our Stars actor opened up to CBS news about his serious relationship

'I think its hard to move forward because hes already done a lot of damage. The Supreme Court is going to be really right-wing, and thats not what we need,' said Ansel.

'Our country should be a progressive country -- that means moving forward and progressing -- and what Trump means is the opposite of that. Hes going backward, and what he stood for in his campaign was very blatantly racist and sexist and not what America stands for and not what it stood for these past eight years.'

'We need to move past racism, slavery, genocide -- things like what Shailene [Woodley] is doing, protesting at the DAPL. Shes protesting the disrespect of Native Americans.'
Temperatures were below freezing when Iggy Azalea hit the stage in Minnesota on Friday night.

But that didn't stop the Australian rapper from flashing a generous amount of skin in a plunging velvet jumpsuit as she performed at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

The 26-year-old cut a striking figure as she showcased her curvaceous frame and ample assets in the revealing blue one-piece.

Taking the plunge! Iggy Azalea braved the freezing conditions in Minnesota on Friday night and sported a plunging velvet jumpsuit

Iggy wowed in the statement number, leaving very little to the imagination as she braved the -2 degrees Celsius (28.4 Fahrenheit) conditions.

With more than a hint of cleavage on display, Iggy showed off her surgically-enhanced assets, the result of a boob job she underwent last year.

The figure-hugging number showcased her sizeable derriere to perfection and drew attention to her enviable legs.

Stunner: Iggy wowed in the statement number and gave more than a glimpse of her ample assets

It's nippy! The Australian singer braved the -2 degrees Celsius (28.4 Fahrenheit) conditions

Flaunting it: Iggy had more than a hint of cleavage on display, showing off her surgically-enhanced breasts

Her long blonde tresses were worn in loose curls and left to cascade down her back to better showcase her physique.

She kept her makeup dewy and natural as she belted out her top hits for the vying admirers.

Iggy gave fans just a slight glimpse of her new sleeve tattoo, which was first unveiled last month.

Those locks: Her long blonde tresses were worn in loose curls and left to cascade down her back to afford an even closer look at her physique

Rocking it! She kept her make-up dewy and natural as she belted out her top hits for the vying admirers

Just a glimpse! Iggy gave fans just a slight glimpse of her new sleeve tattoo, which was first unveiled last month

The abstract piece seems to feature a bird as the focal point, possibly a Kookaburra, which is native to Australia and New Guinea.

Fans previously took to social media urging Iggy to fully reveal her new ink.

'Please show the other side of your tattoo,' one said, while another wrote: 'Take a picture of your new tattoo please.'

The 26-year-old is yet to give any clues as to what inspired the latest addition to her growing number of tattoos.

Famous curves: The figure-hugging number showcased the 26-year-old's sizeable derriere
She was linked to heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio earlier in the year.

And Barbara Palvin proved just why she turned his head as she attended KISS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday.

The Hungarian model, 22, flaunted her minuscule waist in a cropped top and jeans.

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Model credentials! Barbara Palvin proved just why she turned his head as she attended KISS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday

The low-cut bralet showed off her taut stomach to perfection, and she teamed it with a pair of low slung ripped black jeans.

Opting for a casual look, she wore trainers and a khaki bomber, nailing relaxed chic.

Showcasing her natural beauty she accentuated her bright blue peepers with winged black eyeliner, adding a touch of dark Gothic lipstick.

Accessorising with a drop necklace choker and leaving her glossy tresses loose, her look was complete.

Toned: The Hungarian model, 22, flaunted her minuscule waist in a cropped top and jeans

Later on she changed a cropped woolly jumper emblazoned with an angry face and rainbow striped sleeves.

Barbara had reason to smile at the event, after being recently named a brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris - making her the youngest ever representative of the company.

Speaking of her partnership, she said: 'What has happened to me is like a fairy tale. I am so excited to be part of the L'Oreal Paris family next to women as strong and iconic as Julianne Moore and Doutzen Kroes.'

Wintry: Later on she changed a cropped woolly jumper emblazoned with an angry face and rainbow striped sleeves

Formula 1 ace Lewis was first linked to Barbara in May, following rumours they fell for each other during the Cannes Film Festival.

Yet during New York Fashion Week, Lewis was romantically linked to fellow model Winnie Harlow - partying with her until 5am just one day before Barbara was spotted leaving his hotel.

However a representative for Lewis has since insisted that the two are just 'good friends'.
Earlier this year, she revealed she was going under the knife AGAIN to fix a botched breast augmentation which left her chest 'wonky' and 'uneven'.

But Skye Wheatley, 23, told fans on Tuesday that she'd decided to park the idea to get her nose done instead.

Fans probed her decision in the comments section of a video blog posted to YouTube asking her why she'd decided not to get her 'boobs fixed first'.

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Could she be hinting at motherhood? Skye Wheatley tells probing fan that she didn't get her 'boobs fixed' because she 'might have babies first'

'I thought you were getting your boobs fixed first?' asked one curious fan.

'Nahhh I'll explain that in another video ... I might have babies first,' explained Skye hinting at the possibility of motherhood.

The Big Brother star revealed she would have had to fork out $28,000 to fix her breast enlargement after going under the knife in Bangkok, Thailand last year.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in August, Skye, who has spoken at length about her ordeal, warned others not to be lured in by the promise of cheap plastic surgery.

'It's time to crucify these nostrils': The comments come after Skye revealed she was going under the knife to get her nose done in Sydney's Double Bay

'Don't, it's not worth it, stay in Australia,' she started.

'If something goes wrong you have to pay for another flight to more costs to get it fixed. Do your research, I wish I had done mine better.

'I want my old boobs back as it will cost too much to fix and will be so much hassle than if I had got them done in Australia.'

Botched: The Big Brother star revealed she would have had to fork out $28,000 to fix her breast enlargement after going under the knife in Bangkok, Thailand last year

Revealed: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in August, Skye, who has spoken at length about her ordeal, warned others not to be lured in by the promise of cheap plastic surgery

Skye, who rose to fame in Big Brother Australia 2014, underwent surgery in Bangkok courtesy of an Australia-wide medical travel agency.

For years, she'd felt unhappy with an A-cup right breast two sizes smaller than her C-cup left.

She'd hoped the augmentation would fix her asymmetrical chest - but instead woke up with D-cups and complained of puckering in the crease below her right breast.

Enhanced: Skye is also a fan of hair extensions, teeth whiteners, laser hair removal, and collagen lip fillers

Reality star: Skye found fame after starring on the reality show Big Brother in 2014 (pictured)

On Tuesday, Skye revealed she was going under the knife to get her nose done in Sydney's Double Bay and is yet to reveal the results of the surgery.

The busty blonde has also revealed she is a fan of hair extensions, teeth whiteners, laser hair removal, and collagen lip fillers.

Skye is currently dating on-again-off-again boyfriend Cameron McCristal who she recently wished happy birthday adding, 'I love you' to a snap posted to social media.
He revealed his hopes of moving back to Australia earlier this year.

And Curtis Stone, 41, certainly has the support of his mother Lorraine, who told the Daily Telegraph this week that she is struggling with her celebrity chef son living all the way in Los Angeles.



'I hate having him in LA,' she said.

'I hate having him in LA': Celebrity chef Curtis Stone's mother has admitted she 'hates' her son living overseas

'They (Curtis and wife Lindsay Price) know it and get told quite often, 'are you ever coming back?''

She added: 'I told him, 'just be careful that you don't blink and your boys are teenagers. You have a beautiful wife in LA and you need to have special times, when you can, together.''

Lorraine went on to say that she hopes her son is not as busy as he is currently, in 10 years time.

Despite his mother's pleas, the reality star's career in the US has shown no signs of slowing down.

'Just be careful': Curtis' mother warned him not focus too much on his career while his sons are growing up

It was recently announced he will host an upcoming series of My Kitchen Rules in the US, and the show will feature a celebrity line-up.

The series premieres in the US on January 12, while Aussies will have to wait a little longer to catch the show with no local air date confirmed.

Curtis shares five-year-old sons Hudson and two-year-old Emerson with Lindsay, who is best known for her role on Beverly Hills 90210.

The pair began dating in 2009 after meeting on a blind date.

Not slowing down: The celebrity chef will host an upcoming American series of My Kitchen Rules

Curtis and Lindsay tied the knot in 2013.

In March, he revealed his hopes of raising his family in his native of Australia.

'I want my kids to be little Aussie kids as much as they're little American kids, it's important for them to spend time at home,' he said.

'I have no imminent plans, but one day I'd love to. The kids are getting a little older, they're approaching school age so you have to make decisions at some point.'
She was recently spotted cosying up to a mystery man four months after calling off her engagement.

And Hilary Swank no doubt turned the heads of many potential suitors at the Mon Cheri Barbara Tag Ball at Postpalast in Munich on Friday.

Clad in a plunging purple gown, the 42-year-old actress oozed glamour as she walked the red carpet.

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All eyes on her: Hilary Swank no doubt turned the heads of many potential suitors at the Mon Cheri Barbara Tag at Postpalast in Munich on Friday

Flaunting her impeccable figure, the plunging neckline showed off her ample bust, whilst the flattering material cinched in at her tiny waist, with lace panels further highlighting her svelte frame.

Flaring out to full length, the garment skimmed past her lean legs, whilst intricate embroidery gave the gown some extra glamour.

Layering up, the Million Dollar Baby star also donned a long black coat that she slung over her shoulders.

Glitz and glamour: Clad in a plunging purple gown, the 42-year-old actress oozed glamour as she walked the red carpet

Wearing her chestnut coloured locks in loose waves, she swept her glossy tresses over one shoulder, a nod to old Hollywood glamour.

Keeping her make-up simple so as not to detract from the glamorous gown, she lined her cheekbones with a sweep of rouge whilst she painted her plump pout a glossy shade of pink.

Injecting another burst of colour into her ensemble, she painted her nails a duck egg blue, whilst she opted not to wear any jewellery.

Playful in purple: Flaunting her impeccable figure, the plunging neckline showed off her ample bust, whilst the flattering material cinched in at her tiny waist

Brunette beauty: Wearing her chestnut coloured locks in loose waves, she swept her glossy tresses over one shoulder, a nod to old Hollywood glamour

Nailed it! Injecting another burst of colour into her ensemble, she painted her nails a duck egg blue, whilst she opted not to wear any jewellery

Hilary was recently spotted out with a handsome male companion, but has not announced she is dating anyone since splitting from her fiance, Ruben Torres in June.

The pair began dating in March 2015 and spent a year together before getting engaged.

However, signs that their romance was on the rocks came about in May when she neglected to wear her engagement ring at the 2016 French Open.

She also excised her engagement announcements from social media.

Hilary has been married once: her ten-year legal union with Chad Lowe, brother of Rob, was officially dissolved in 2007.
They flirted up a storm while they were still in the infamous jungle.

And now Im A Celebritys Joel Dommett has announced that he'd like to join the Mile High Club with Carol Vorderman.

The 30-year-old was asked whether or not he plans to 'get it on' with Carol, who at 55 is 25 years his senior, after he leaves the jungle and joins her and the other evictees in the hotel.

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Love is in the air-plane: I'm A Celeb's Joel Dommett suggests he and Carol Vorderman join the Mile High Club on the flight back to the UK

Kiss and tell: They flirted up a storm while they were still in the infamous jungle. And now Im A Celebritys Joel Dommett has announced that he'd like to join the Mile High Club with Carol Vorderman

'When are we going to get it on? Maybe when we leave whilst were in a plane together,' he suggested.

Carol has also revealed the has found herself face-to-face with Joel's mother in the jungle's breakfast tent and that it's been a little awkward.

'Poor Joel, Im older than his mum,' Carol said. 'Ive been talking to his mum in the breakfast tent, its not really fair on Joel.

'Joel is an absolute fitness freak. Even if I was the same age as Joel, I wouldnt be Joels type because Im not a fitness freak.'

Toy boy: The 30-year-old was asked whether or not he plans to 'get it on' with Carol, who at 55 is 25 years his senior, after he leaves the jungle and joins her and the other evictees in the hotel

Joel of the jungle: 'When are we going to get it on? Maybe when we leave whilst were in a plane together,' he suggested

Carol also added 'and he doesnt fly an air plane', referring to the fact that she is a qualified pilot.

The pair have often been caught throwing cheeky comments in one another's direction over the course of the past week, with Carol declaring herself as single and on the market earlier in the series.

When they were thrust together to attempt to win a treat for camp in a Dingo Dollar Challenge, Carol was caught calling Joel 'my little bush cock' while Joel ordered her to 'shove it up' him (with reference to an inflatable egg he had to sit on).

'I never thought Id be stuffing something between his legs,' Carol laughed in response.

Meet the parents: Carol has also revealed the has found herself face-to-face with Joel's mother in the jungle's breakfast tent and that it's been a little awkward

Fit: 'Joel is an absolute fitness freak. Even if I was the same age as Joel, I wouldnt be Joels type because Im not a fitness freak,' Carol insisted

Carol's friend, author Amanda Prowse, appeared on Lorraine earlier in the month to discuss the flirtation between her and the 30-year-old.

'I think lots of people are attracted to her because shes gorgeous and funny and kind and warm but I think its just fun,' she said.

Elsewhere, Joel's ex-girlfriend Natalia Noir has given their potential romance her seal of approval.

The Russian stylist, 28, dismissed their age difference and told The Sun: 'You can't tell your heart what to do. It's not just about age, it's about different things which people like about each other.'

Gone girl: Carol was voted out of the jungle this week while Joel remains in the final few

One sexy bird: Things continued to get flirty in I'm A Celeb... between Carol Vorderman and Joel Dommett

These remarks came after an innuendo-laden conversation between the pair on one episode of the show involving Joel's 'shaft'.

'When was the last time you had a good stick?' Carol asked the jungle hunk. 'Is anyone allowed to touch this stick, Joel?'

A cheeky Joel then responded: 'Absolutely, Carol. You can touch the stick. It's such a sturdy shaft.'

Saucy: 'I'm single, but I don't know if I'm ready to mingle. I like maths. I like to show my working out. I think she would appreciate that,' said Joe

Before entering the jungle, Joel was asked whether or not he fancied the former Countdown maths genius.

He said: 'I'm single, but I don't know if I'm ready to mingle. I like maths. I like to show my working out. I think she would appreciate that.'

Carol is known to have split from her pilot boyfriend Gareth Duff, who was 14 years her junior, earlier this year.
Her social media accounts are filled with snaps showcasing her incredible figure.

But Australian model Erin Gleave (nee McNaught) opted for a change of pace on Saturday.

The 34-year-old glamour shared a photo of herself and DJ hubby Example trying to 'perk up' after starting an early morning road trip.

'Example... not so much': Australian model Erin Gleave (nee McNaught) shared a snap on Instagram as she attempted 'perkiness' after starting a 4.30am roadtrip

'I'm attempting perkiness after a 4.30am wake up for a trip down to the Mornington Peninsula with the fam,' the former Miss Universe Australia wrote alongside the snap.

While she was doing her best to look her sharpest, Erin was less impressed with her hubby's attempts.

'Example... not so much,' she added to the caption.

Happy family: The couple tied the knot in 2013 and welcomed son Evander Maxwell Gleave in December 2014

While working for MTV in 2011, the Australian beauty met the English DJ, real name Elliot John Gleave, when she interviewed him as part of her hosting duties.

She tweeted him afterwards to thank him for the chat and from there, they hit it off.

They tied the knot in Australia in 2013 and welcomed son Evander Maxwell Gleave in December 2014.

The pair have spoken in the past of their desire to expand their family, with Erin revealing shortly after her first son's birth that she 'couldn't wait' to have more children.

Flaunting it: Erin is well known for showcasing her incredible figure on social media

Erin was chosen from nineteen finalists to represent Australia in the Miss Universe 2006 competition, but failed to make it to the top 20.

Despite defeat during the international pageant, Erin managed to negotiate various presenting roles and modelling gigs with top Australian brands.

The catwalk star then secured a spot on the long-running soap Neighbours, before securing a permanent presenting role on MTV.

Rise to fame: Erin was chosen from nineteen finalists to represent Australia in the Miss Universe 2006 competition
She's fresh from the Victoria's Secret catwalk in Paris.

And Adriana Lima was ever the jet-setter as she attended An Evening of Music, Art, Mischief and Performance to benefit Raising Malawi presented by Madonna at Faena Forum on Friday.

The stunning Brazilian model, 35, sent pulses racing in a floor-length emerald green dress slashed to the hips.

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Model behaviour! Adriana Lima was ever the jet-setter as she attended An Evening of Music, Art, Mischief and Performance to benefit Raising Malawi presented by Madonna at Faena Forum on Friday

The show-stopping gown brought out her trademark turquoise eyes, contrasted by her raven black hair which was slicked off her face to reveal her model bone structure.

Highlighting her cheekbones with a touch of bronzer, she rocked a bold red lip and statement earrings.

The long-sleeved velvet number exposed her toned tanned pins, and she teamed it with delicate gold sandals, showing off her ankle tattoo.

Leggy: The stunning Brazilian model, 35, sent pulses racing in a floor-length emerald green dress slashed to the hips

And adding a simple gold necklace and a nude manicure, the mother-of-two's look was complete.

Adriana also posed alongside stunner Jasmine Sanders, who turned heads in a strapless bardot black dress.

Wearing her golden curls loose around her naturally stunning face, she accentuated her bright blue peepers with statement black eyeliner.

And adding a diamond necklace, she and Adriana made a breathtaking duo.

Stunner: The show-stopping gown brought out her trademark turquoise eyes, contrasted by her raven black hair which was slicked off her face to reveal her model bone structure

Squad strong! Adriana also posed alongside stunner Jasmine Sanders, who turned heads in a strapless bardot black dress

Maryna Linchuk also put in an appearance, donning a floor-length satin cream dress.

The spaghetti strap frock flaunted her model proportions, and she wore her blonde tresses loose down her back.

The genetically blessed trio were there to raise awareness for Madonna's charity which helps raise funds for children in Malawi.

Model behaviour: Wearing her golden curls loose around her naturally stunning face, she accentuated her bright blue peepers with statement black eyeliner
She has experienced something of a busy week having strutted her stuff in Paris as part of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

And Joan Smalls was showing off her svelte figure yet again on Friday night as she headed out to the gala dinner for the Business Of Fashion in Oxfordshire.

The 28-year-old model looked as stunning as ever in a slinky maroon dress with mesh overlay.

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Simply stunning: Joan Smalls was showing off her svelte figure yet again on Friday night at the gala dinner for the Business Of Fashion gala dinner in Oxfordshire alongside Mario Testino

The star caught up with famous photographer Mario Testino at the gala dinner in support of the organisation's Voices event.

The Puerto Rican-born model teamed her frock with oversized double hooped earrings and strappy black high heels.

Dark black eyeliner and pale lipstick completed the look as she mingled with other guests including fellow model Amber Valletta.

Striking: Dark black eyeliner and pale lipstick completed the look

Busy week: The model's appearance came just two days after she strutted down the catwalk for Victoria's Secret

Amber plumped for a slinky number of her own, stepping out in a slinky black high necked top and skirt complete with side split.

It's been a busy week for Joan who joined a slew of the world's top models including Gigi Hadid, Alessandra Ambrosio and Kendall Jenner at the Victoria's Secret Show on Wednesday.

And Joan is something of a seasoned pro, having walked in the Victoria's Secret Show for six consecutive years,catwalk for the underwear giant for several years.

Mingling: Guests Imran Amed, Miroslava Duma, Amber Valletta, Mario, Joan and Tim Blanks posed for a group shot

Back to black: Amber sported a slinky black high necked top and skirt complete with side split

Following her catwalk turn, the stunning star joined a group of models including Gigi and Kendall to tuck into some comfort food at a local burger restaurant.

'Burger, please!' the 21-year-old Kendall wrote of her post-fashion show feast.

And fellow model Bella Hadid shared a Snapchat video of the Keeping Up with the Kardashians starlet chowing down on molten macaroni and cheese as Gigi watched on.
They were rumoured to be giving their relationship another go 18 months after they split.

But it has now been claimed that Kourtney Kardashian is not ready to rekindle her romance with Scott Disick.

The pair first sparked reconcilation rumours last month after they holidayed together in Mexico, but sources told TMZ that Kourtney has stated there is 'no intimacy' between them.

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On-off: They were rumoured to be giving their relationship another go. But it has now been claimed that Kourtney Kardashian is not ready to rekindle her romance with Scott Disick

Sources told the website that whilst the couple are on good terms, they are not involved romantically.

They added that the pair often stay at each other's houses, but only for the ease of co-parenting.

MailOnline have contacted representatives Kourtney and Scott's representatives for comment.

Single lady: The pair first sparked reconcilation rumours last month after they holidayed together in Mexico, but Kourtney has stated there is 'no intimacy' between them

The comments came amid E!'s claims that the on-off duo 'are back together.'

'They are back together and giving their relationship a try again,' a source told the site.

Scott and his girlfriend of nine years, Kourtney, split up in July 2015 and share three children: Mason, Penelope and Reign

Kourtney & Scott: A relationship timeline 2006: Kourtney and Scott meet at a house party thrown by Scott's friend Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis in Mexico. Kourtney initially found Scott 'annoying' October 2007: Scott makes his TV debut on the Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiere in the U.S. Kris Jenner thinks Scott is a playboy with commitment issues. March 2008: Kourtney becomes suspicious her beau is cheating after finding text messages under someone listed as 'my wife' on Scott's phone February 2010: In Las Vegas for Kim's birthday, Scott gets so drunk he ends up shoving a $100 bill in the waiter's mouth May 2010: Kardashians boycott Scott's birthday due to his bad behaviour. August 2010: A drunken Scott punches through a mirror and badly injures his hand in scenes aired on Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami. Kourtney breaks up with Scott telling him: 'I love Mason more than I love you.' April 2011: Scott buys an engagement ring and considers proposing to Kourtney. However, Kourtney isn't interested, telling Scott she's happy 'with the way things are' and Scott doesn't propose July 2012: Kourtney gave birth to second child, daughter Penelope Scotland August 2013: Male model Michael Girgenti claims he's Mason's true dad. Scott takes a paternity test which proves he is Mason's father October 2013: Scott's mother Bonnie dies aged just 63 after a 'long illness' January 2014: Scott's father Jeffrey passes away March 2014: Kourtney describes Scott as an 'amazing partner' who helps her with motherhood June 2014: Scott reacts badly after Kourtney tells him she's pregnant with their third child after concealing the news from him for several weeks November 2014: Hard partying Scott decides to return to rehab during filming Kourtney & Khloe Take The Hamptons December 2014: Kourtney gives birth to the couple's third child, son Reign Aston March 2015: Scott checks himself into rehab in Costa Rica saying 'I realise my issues are bigger than me'. However, he only stays for one week July 2015: The couple split after pictures surface showing Scott canoodling with his rumoured ex Chloe Bartoli in Monte Carlo March 2016: Scott tells an Australian radio show that Kourtney's his 'best friend' and he'll love her 'til the day I die' December 2016: The couple reconcile Advertisement

Father-and-son: Amid reconciliation rumours the father-of-three was seen out with son Mason grabbing some ice cream in Calabasas

Simplicity itself: Scott was LA cool in a black T-shirt layered underneath a hoodie

The rekindling appeared to have come after Scott toned down his wild ways.

'Their love for each other never went away. He's been trying to win Kourtney over for a while now, but his constant partying was a huge issue,' the insider explained.

'Scott's mellowed out a lot and hasn't been partying.

'He got sick of it and decided to clean up his act. He was having people over at his house to party until 6 a.m. all the time, and he hasn't been doing that either.'

The source also added that their children are another reason the duo want to try and make it work.

Sticking to the basics: The reality star added a pair of grey skinny jeans and white sneakers to complete his look

Trying it out again: E! has learned that the always on-off duo 'are back together'

'He's been spending a lot more time with Kourtney and the kids and proving himself to show that his family is the priority.'

Scott was LA cool in a black T-shirt layered underneath a hoodie on Thursday as he took his son out for a treat.

The 33-year-old added a pair of grey skinny jeans and white sneakers to complete his look.

'Chillin': Kourtney shared a Snapchat photo on Friday while relaxing in a ball chair in a pair of Rob Kardashian's Arthur George socks

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas: The mother-of-three decorated her tree with Mason

Son Mason was undoubtedly happy, eating his yoghurt.

Meanwhile, while rumours swirled about his relationship status, Scott was spotted out for a walk in Calabasas in Los Angeles County, near the home he used to share with Kourtney.

The Lord, as the family call him, wore a dark grey jacket over a light grey hoodie, stonewashed jeans and white sneakers for his stroll on Friday.
They have collaborated on a clothing line together.

And Binky Felstead and Bilie Faiers put their fashionable foot forward as they attended a clothes show in Birmingham.

The Made In Chelsea star, 26, and the TOWIE star, 26, looked stylish as they arrived in matching over-the-knee boots and navy dresses on Saturday.

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Fashionistas! Binky Felstead and Bilie Faiers put their fashionable foot forward as they attended a clothes show in Birmingham

Binky showed off her trademark understated chic look in a loose blue swing dress with flare sleeves.

Skimming the tops of her toned thighs, she teamed it with a pair of black boots, carrying a blue holdall.

Showing off her natural beauty, the reality star added a touch of mascara and glittery eyeliner, wearing her brunette hair in loose curls.

Stylish duo! The Made In Chelsea star, 26, and the TOWIE star, 26, looked stylish as they arrived in matching over-the-knee boots and navy dresses on Saturday

Understated elegance: Binky showed off her trademark understated chic look in a loose blue swing dress with flare sleeves

Meanwhile Billie flaunted her tiny bump in a ribbed poloneck with an array of Kanye-inspired holes.

The thigh-skimming piece flashed her slender pins, and she wore coordinating black boots.

With her blonde tresses perfectly blow dried, she went for bold brows and a touch of lipgloss and highlighter.

The duo put on cheery display as they arrived at the venue.

Chic: Meanwhile Billie flaunted her tiny bump in a ribbed poloneck with an array of Kanye-inspired holes

She is! Billie changed into a 'Cute but Crazy' black jumper later in the day

Leggy: She teamed it with leather look leggings

Monochrome maven: The reality star stunned in a black dress with trumpet sleeves

Legs for days! She flaunted her enviably lean limbs in the daringly short dress

Billie is expecting her second baby- a boy, in 2017 with fiance Greg Shepherd.

She is also mother to two-year-old Nelly, and the trio recently returned from a sun-soaked break in the Maldives.

Billie confirmed she was expecting a boy last month, telling OK! magazine: 'We cant stop smiling. Greg got quite emotional, but hes over the moon.'

Their own best ad: The duo posed in front of their clothing line poster

Looking glamorous! The pair looked preened to perfection

Snap-happy stars: The duo beamed as they played on their phones

Faier-s enough! Billie seemed to be taking a video of the event

Making an entrance: They ensured all eyes were on them as they took to the floor

Fancy footwear! The clothes designers both sported matching black suede thigh high boots

Having a natter: They happily chatted away onstage later at the event

Got a point to make? Binky appeared particularly animated at one point

Taking centre-stage: The good-looking duo looked glamorous even as their monochrome outfits

Mane attraction: Binky wore her chestnut-hued tresses in glossy tumbling waves

'We want to see him first but we love traditional names like Edward and George.

'I definitely wont be naming him baby Greg like Sams baby Paul. We might make the middle name Gregory, but it wont be a first name.'

Meanwhile Holly Hagan and Fearne McCann were also in attendance at the fashion event.

Wintry: Holly Hagan also went for over-the-knee boots

She teamed the boots with a stylish grey slouchy mini dress

On trend: Georgia Kousoulou also rocked thigh-high boots and teamed with with a burgundy wooly jumper dress

Cheery: Ferne McCan appeared at the event for an interview

Earning her stripes! She put on a bright appearance in a red jumpsuit
She never fails to turn heads on a night out.

And Ferne McCann ensured all eyes would be on her as she stepped out in a striped scarlet co-ord to attend the Clothes Show in Birmingham on Saturday.

Oozing confidence as she strutted into the venue, the 26-year-old TOWIE star was a vision of beauty on the outing.

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Lady in red! Ferne McCann ensured all eyes would be on her as she stepped out in a striped scarlet co-ord to attend the Clothes Show in Birmingham on Saturday

Flashing her toned stomach, Ferne donned a cropped wrap top that also featured a plunging neckline to show off her cleavage.

She teamed the garment with matching trousers that flared out over a pair of pointed gold heels.

She finished off the look with a pair of gold cross-shaped earrings just visible through her glossy chestnut coloured locks.

Fernelicious! Oozing confidence as she strutted into the venue, the 26-year-old TOWIE star was a vision of beauty on the outing and didn't fail to turn heads

Abs-olutely stunning! Flashing her toned stomach, Ferne donned a cropped wrap top that also featured a plunging neckline to show off her cleavage

Brunette beauty: She finished off the look with a pair of gold cross-shaped earrings just visible through her glossy chestnut coloured locks

Ready for anything: Ferne attended the event with a pair of circular sunglasses that complemented her ensemble but seemed rather unnecessary in winter

Oozing confidence, it's difficult to believe Ferne suffers with self-esteem issues. But she recently opened up to MailOnline about her journey to loving herself.

She said: 'It's really difficult. Sometimes I spend nights on my Instagram feed and feel really s**t about myself.

'I find myself thinking there's just so many beautiful people out there and I feel rubbish about myself, we all get those ugly days.'

Sitting pretty: The reality starlet took to the stage as she answered questions about her own sense of style

Loving life: The star was very animated during the Q&A session at the show

In the same breath, the reality TV star went on to say that she's better at praising herself for the little things now, offering advice on combating her 'self-loathing'.

'Yeah, I don't look like a Victoria's Secret model,' she told MailOnline. 'But I [tell myself I] did ace that job interview today.

Though as a public figure, Ferne still faced questions over whether she was advocating surgery to a younger audience, especially given the loyal following of ITVBe's The Only Way Is Essex.

Ferne's response was: 'For people thinking that I'm promoting plastic surgery, is just rubbish because you can see what type of girl I am, I'm not that 'surge' looking girl.

'It's not like I'm a walking, walking plastic surgery promoter, it was just my one insecurity but I'm still a big believer in learning to love yourself from the inside.'
She's not normally one to retreat from the limelight, usually more than happy to flash the paps a smile as she's coming and going.

But this was not the case on Friday as Blac Chyna shielded her face from the glare of the paparazzi's bulbs whilst in her car with fiance Rob Kardashian.

The former exotic dancer, 28, wore a dark hoodie but grasped it and pulled it around her face, with only just her eyes peeking out able to see the road ahead.

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Toothache? Blac Chyna uncharacteristically shies away from the cameras and covers her face with a hoodie as she leaves dentist with Rob Kardashian

Rob, 29, also wore a hoodie but was less fussed with being snapped in the couple's black Bentley.

They were leaving a Los Angeles dentist together - perhaps the reason for Blac's coy change in character.

Normally more than pleased to throw a wide grin at photographers, she could easily have been suffering from her time in the dental chair and so unwilling to flash her pearly whites.

The pair were presumably heading home - the house Rob had previously walked away from following the pair's alleged blazing rows that took place while she was with child.

Getaway car: Blac Chyna shielded her face from the glare of the paparazzi's bulbs whilst in her car with fiance Rob Kardashian

Cover up: The former exotic dancer, 28, wore a dark hoodie but grasped it and pulled it around her face, with only just her eyes peeking out able to see the road ahead

Show us a smile: Normally more than pleased to throw a wide grin at photographers, she could easily have been suffering from her time in the dental chair and so unwilling to flash her pearly whites

Rob has returned to live with his fiance and their baby daughter - Dream - since she was born a month ago.

Blac claims to have already lost more than 20 pounds since giving birth to Dream.

She was seen much less covered up and flaunting her figure as she took yet another trip to the dentist on Thursday, this time with her son King Cairo.

She was grinning with glee as she pushed Lycra to the limit as she stepped out in tight leggings for her orthodontic outing.

Root (canal) of the problem? The pair were presumably heading home - the house Rob had previously walked away from following the pair's alleged blazing rows that took place while she was with child

Don't hide and drive: Blac struggled so see over the steering wheel of her Bentley

King Cairo's father is of course her partner Rob's half-sister Kylie Jenner's boyfriend Tyga, which is doubtlessly an endlessly amusing anecdote at family get togethers.

She started dated the rapper in 2011, however they ended up splitting in 2014, despite getting engaged two years earlier.

Following the classy starlet as she made her rounds was a camera crew, who were no doubt gathering plenty of first class footage for her cerebral and endlessly stimulating show Rob And Chyna.
The Grand Tour launched on Amazon Prime two weeks ago, delighting fans of the former Top Gear team.

And the cast have most recently been spotted in Scotland, where Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are shooting new episodes.

And their latest segment has taken them to banks of Loch Ness, where the trio of petrol heads were spied lingering on set.

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Motorists in the mist: The Grand Tour trio loiter on set irritably as filming is postponed due to sudden bought of heavy fog around Loch Ness

Snazzy: May was the one looking most eye-catching as he stepped out in his jazzy blazer

Whatever sequence they were shooting was reportedly postponed due to the mists rolling in across the infamous Loch.

Clarkson was seen dipping in and out of his trailer, and strolling around at a loose en between a variety of parked vehicles, including a large tractor.

Hammond also emerged, wearing a sharp-looking suit, chatting to members of the production crew, probably asking for an update on the weather.

May was the one looking most eye-catching, however.

Loch Ness Mons-Car: The Grand Tour launched on Amazon Prime two weeks ago, delighting fans of the former Top Gear team

Double denim: May braved the chilly Scottish climes by changing into a snazzy denim blazer, blocked in various shades of blue and cream

What's the forecast? Hammond emerged, wearing a sharp-looking suit, chatting to members of the production crew, probably asking for an update on the weather

He was at one stage seen wrapped up in a red hoodie, with I Am Lancaster written across the chest, talking on the phone.

He then braved the chilly Scottish climes by changing into a snazzy denim blazer, blocked in various shades of blue and cream.

Shooting scenes at Fort Augustus, heavy fog reportedly wiped out the Loch completely, compromising both land and water activities for the eager machine-addicts.

Instead, the trio killed time around their trailers, waiting for the haze to disperse from the notoriously atmospheric waters.

Killing time: Shooting scenes at Fort Augustus, heavy fog reportedly wiped out the Loch completely, compromising both land and water activities for the eager machine-addicts

Spare wheels: The men didn't know what to do with themselves as the loitered around the Loch's banks in the damp misty weather

The team arrived on-location at Loch Ness on Thursday, where Clarkson, 56, and his two co-stars were seen preparing for filming as their travelling studio was erected next to the lake.

Invading the tiny Scottish village with their army of crew and production staff, they all appeared excited to be back at the day-job.

With the big black tent, which now serves as the studio for the trio's motoring show, planted next to the lake, it looked as though the trio were planning some water-based hijinks.

All the way to the banks: The team arrived on-location at Loch Ness on Thursday, where Clarkson, 56, and his two co-stars were seen preparing for filming as their travelling studio was erected next to the lake

Flashing a smile! Richard Hammond smiled as he sat in the car

In good spirits: Pen in hand, the presenter was more than happy to sign autographs for fans

And that seemed to be the plan indeed, as members of the crew were seen testing the waters in a dinghies and rowing boats.

Scotland is barely far-flung, however, compared to some of the other locations The Grand Tour have been filming their series.

Other locations so far include California, Johannesburg in South Africa and Whitby on the Yorkshire coast.

Keeping warm: He was at one stage seen wrapped up in a red hoodie, with I Am Lancaster written across the chest, talking on the phone

Grand tour, indeed: Scotland is barely far-flung, however, compared to some of the other locations The Grand Tour have been filming their series

So far the programme has delighted fans with its action-packed content, which has included huge stunts and some of the world's most expensive cars.

Episode one, The Holy Trinity, saw the trio race each other in a Ferrari La Ferrari, McLaren P1 and a Porsche 918.

The second installment of the series then featured a death-defying mission (a pastiche of Tom Cruise's The Edge Of Tomorrow), which saw them race around a city with machine guns in an Audi.
She's the million dollar Australian export, who recently admitted to washing her own underwear by hand to save money.

And despite her frugal habits, Ruby Rose is still one of Hollywood's most fashion-forward celebrities as the actress was seen sporting a chic all-black ensemble on Friday in Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old stepped out in a faux fur jacket and black designer hat, to shade her eyes from the California sun.

Fashion forward: Ruby Rose, 30, steps out for lunch in Los Angeles in an all black ensemble which includes a faux fur jacket and figure hugging leather-look pants

Ruby wore leather-look pants and heeled boots with the ensemble, that also included a faux fur jacket - as she made her way to lunch at a vegan restaurant.

The natural beauty appeared to be makeup-free for the outing and accessorised with a black handbag.

Meanwhile, despite being worth a reported two million dollars, Ruby Rose revealed on Wednesday that she's quite the penny-pincher.

The Orange Is The New Black actress refuses to pay to have her underwear cleaned when travelling and told Nova's Smallzy's Surgery most of her income goes to family.

Big heart: The brunette beauty, whose currently promoting her latest film xXx: Return of Xander Cage, said she gives most of her income to her mother as a 'thank you' for raising her

'I want to be good with my money and I want to make sure I put it in the right places, because I came from nothing and I want to make sure that I can support my family.

'When you go to wash your underwear at a hotel it's like $5 for a piece of underwear. Like $6 to wash your socks . I'm like, not going to happen!

She continued: 'You could buy underwear for that price. I don't care if I do the biggest film in the universe, I'm still not going to spend $5 to wash my underwear.'

The brunette beauty, whose currently promoting her latest film xXx: Return of Xander Cage, went on to add that she makes a conscious effort to save cash.

Candid: Ruby Rose revealed she can be quite the penny-pincher as the actress refuses to pay to have her underwear cleaned whenever she travels

She admitted that she gives most of it to her mother as a 'thank you' for raising her.

Despite her frugal approach to spending, Ruby is certainly not facing any shortage of income.

Earlier this year, American gossip website TMZ reported that DJ-ing alone is quite lucrative for the Melbourne-born star.

The DJ income is secondary to money she brings in from her acting gigs.

Rip off! '... When you go to wash your underwear at a hotel it's like $5 for a piece of underwear. Like $6 to wash your socks . I'm like, not going to happen!' she told Nova's Smallzy's Surgery

In her latest film, xXx, She stars alongside a number of esteemed actors, including burly hunk Vin Diesel.

She recently spoke about training three to four hours a day for her role as Adele Wolff.

'The gym was every day. It was three or four hours leading up to the film,' Ruby told YahooBe.

'I just wanted to compete with Vin. So if Vin did five hours, I did five hours,' she explained.
She's best known for her tumultuous relationship with Stephen Bear.

And Lillie Lexie Gregg ensured she still turned heads as she attended The Clothes Show in Birmingham on Saturday.

The reality star, 25, flaunted her legs in a short jumper dress and thigh-high boots.

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Standing out! Lillie Lexie Gregg ensured she still turned heads as she attended The Clothes Show in Birmingham on Saturday

The beige long-sleeved number was adorned with delicate rips, skimming the tops of her thighs.

Teaming it with nude suede boots she showcased her slender pins, wearing a coordinating cross-strap shoulder bag.

Preened to perfection, she wore her blonde tresses in loose curls.

Leggy! The reality star, 25, flaunted her legs in a short jumper dress and thigh-high boots

And going for frosted lipgloss and lashings of mascara, her look was complete.

Lillie caused quite the stir in August after she confronted her former boyfriend Stephen Bear in the Celebrity Big Brother house over his escapades with Chloe Khan.

Lillie and Bear first met while filming the current series of MTV's Ex On The Beach in April, and the two continued their romance once filming finished in Thailand.

Toned! The beige long-sleeved number was adorned with delicate rips, skimming the tops of her thighs

Strutting her stuff! Teaming it with nude suede boots she showcased her slender pins, wearing coordinating cross-strap shoulder bag

Despite appearing to be loved-up, Stephen hit it off with housemate Chloe Khan while on CBB and had viewers captivated by their full-on relationship.

Having previously claimed that Lillie wasnt the one following his romance with Chloe, the starlet then entered the house as part of a task to get closure from the situation.

However, Bear's brother Danny told The Sun at the time: 'She's incredibly fame hungry. Stephen tried to end their very short relationship after we all saw through her, but once his contract for the show came through she started pulling at his heart strings.'
He surprised her for her recent 29th birthday while she presents I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Outta Here down under.

And Vicky Pattison put on a loved-up display with John Noble as they headed for dinner on Saturday.

The Geordie Shore star turned heads in a champagne coloured frock as she enjoyed a date night with her beau.

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Loved up: Vicky Pattison put on a loved-up display with John Noble as they headed for dinner on Saturday

Flashing a hint of cleavage in the plunging floor-length piece, the strappy piece showcased her slender waist perfectly.

Featuring a subtle slit revealing a hint of leg, the dress was a sophisticated choice for the starlet.

And teaming it with delicate metallic sandals and a gold YSL clutch her look was complete.

Elegant: The Geordie Shore star, 29, turned heads in a champagne coloured frock as she enjoyed a date night with her beau

John looked thrilled with his girl, matching her chicness with fitted black jeans, studded trainers and a simple black T-shirt.

Putting on an affectionate display, the happy duo paused to pucker up for a kiss before continuing to dinner.

Vicky confirmed she was dating the hunk on her Instagram page last week, by uploading a selfie of the pair and her mum enjoying a dinner to celebrate her birthday in Australia.

Stylish: Flashing a hint of cleavage in the plunging floor-length piece, the strappy piece showcased her slender waist perfectly

The reality star has been presenting ITV2's I'm A Celebrity... Extra Camp on the other side of the world to her stomping ground of Newcastle - making her new beau's birthday surprise extra special.

However their romance has already been hit by drama, despite having only hit headlines this month.

Earlier this week, her former flame Jordan Wright slammed the star for moving on with John just a day after their own romance ended - a claim Vicky staunchly denies.

Leggy: Featuring a subtle slit revealing a hint of leg, the dress was a sophisticated choice for the starlet

Talking to The Sun Online, he said: 'Less than 24 hours after we split she had her tongue down another geezer's neck!'

He continued: 'I was obviously p***ed off. The thing that f**ked me off the most about the whole situation is the way she brushed us under the rug  like we weren't even a thing. Like she said we weren't serious.'

However Vicky was quick to hit back at her ex's warring words, with an inspirational quote posted to her Instagram which read: 'Always be careful of what you hear about a woman. Rumours either come from a man that can't have her or a woman who can't compete with her.'
She's famed for her carefree and kooky personality.

And Suki Waterhouse exhibited her fun-loving attitude at Beautycon London on Saturday.

Despite the claims that her ex-boyfriend Bradley Cooper is expecting a baby with his new love, Irina Shayk, the model, 24, seemed in good spirits on the day.

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Chic and cheerful: She's famed for her carefree and kooky personality. And Suki Waterhouse exhibited her fun-loving attitude at Beautycon London on Saturday

Chic as ever, the blonde beauty donned a short sleeved grey top that showed off her toned arms.

She teamed the garment with a floor length black skirt that offered a glimpse at her pins through its mesh material.

She finished off the look by styling her golden locks in loose waves that framed her pretty features.

Model moment: Chic as ever, the blonde beauty floor length black skirt that offered a glimpse at her pins through its mesh material

Getting shirty: The British bombshell also donned a short sleeved grey top that showed off her toned arms

Suki was all smiles on the day, despite the recent claims that her ex beau is due to become a father.

The pair first met the Elle Style Awards in London in 2013, and called an end to their romance last year..

Page Six reported in March last year that the actor dumped Suki because he felt neglected following his Broadway stint in the Elephant.

The column also reported that he was upset that Suki decided not to spend Valentine's Day with him in New York rather enjoying a girls' weekend away in Texas.

The split came as a surprise as it was claimed that couple were house hunting together in London.

Blonde beauty: She finished off the look by styling her golden locks in loose waves that framed her pretty features

Baby love: Suki was all smiles on the day, despite the recent claims that her ex beau is due to become a father

It's over: Suki enjoyed a two-year relationship with Bradley that came to an end in February 2015. They first met at the Elle Style Awards in London in 2013

However, Bradley has well and truly moved on with Irina, and it was claimed on Wednesday that the Russian beauty is now pregnant.

E! News is reporting that Irina is in her second trimester and is 'so excited' about becoming a mother for the first time.

They have yet to comment on the rumours.
He's fresh out of the jungle - and could be heading straight back to Albert Square.

Larry Lamb is rumoured to be making a sensational return to the cast of EastEnders, despite being killed off years ago.

The 69-year-old actor's character in the soap - Archie Mitchell - might very well be dead, but reports say that show bosses are planning to bring him back following his stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

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Back from the dead: Larry Lamb set to return to EastEnders as new producer considers resurrecting murdered Archie Mitchell

A source told the Daily Star: 'EastEnders has a new producer on board so anything can happen. The nation has fallen in love with Larry once again and this time it could spell the return of Archie.'

Addressing the rumours himself, Larry said: 'The problem is when I left EastEnders nobody knew who killed Archie Mitchell.

'So six months later when Im long gone and having a new life, then they go and kill Archie Mitchell and you start finding out all this. Stranger things have happened!'

The news comes as photos emerged of Larry attending his own character's funeral, aired in 2010, as he bid a fond farewell to the East End villain.

Resurrection: The 69-year-old actor's character in the BBC One soap - Archie Mitchell - might very well be dead, but reports say that show bosses are planning to bring him back following his stint on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Seeing ghosts? The news comes as photos emerged of Larry (pictured with Barbara Windsor) attending his own character's funeral, which aired in 2010

As the cast filmed Archie's final few moments 'on-screen' in 2009, as his body was laid to rest in the cemetary, Larry popped by to say farewell to his co-stars and his character.

Spending some time with Barbara Windsor on the shoot, it looked as though Larry was having a grand time - despite witnessing his character's funeral.

Should he return to the soap, he will come back to a much-changed situation in Walford.

Archie's back: Larry Lamb is rumoured to be making a sensational return to the cast of EastEnders, despite being killed off years ago

Farewell: As the cast filmed Archie's final few moments 'on-screen' in 2009, as his body was laid to rest in the cemetary, Larry popped by to say farewell to his co-stars and his character

Surreal? Dressed in a dark black suit, overcoat and fedora, Larry blended into the background on the set

Do you think he'll be back? The actor and Barbara enjoyed a catch-up in-between takes, and were in high-spirits despite the sombre setting

Keep on smiling: Larry had his co-star in stitches at one point - possibly rpedicting the unlikely return of Archie?

Peggy Mitchell - his former sister-in-law-turned-ex-wife - has died; Stacey has since owned up to and been imprisoned for his murder - but eventually released and back in Walford; and his daughters Roxie and Ronnie will be no-where to be seen - thought to be being killed off in a forthcoming dramatic episode.

Archie will most certainly have to come to terms with the losses that have occurred in Albert Square since his murder in 2009.

However, another issue the writers would have to tackle is the side-story that Archie was suffering from terminal cancer before he was killed, and only had weeks to live anyway.

The usual suspects: Archie had numerous enemies, and before Stacey owned-up to the crime there were any number of suspects in the square

Stomping ground: Archie will most certainly have to come to terms with the losses that have occurred in Albert Square since his murder in 2009

'Stranger things have happened': It's unclear how this will be resolved - but it seems that in soap land, nothing is surmountable

It's unclear how this will be resolved - but it seems that in soap land, nothing is surmountable.

As for the jungle - Larry faced off against Martin Roberts in the public vote, and found himself booted off the show on Thursday night after failing to win over the public.

The former EastEnders actor followed Carol Vorderman, Jordan Banjo, Ola Jordan, Lisa Snowdon, and Danny Baker out of the Australian jungle - although Martin has since been eliminated as well.
Amy Schumer has scored the lead role in the upcoming Barbie movie, it was announced on Friday.

And it didn't take long for body shamers to bark their hateful comments online.

One especially angry woman wrote: 'Better lose a lot of weight for that role.'

But she looks great! Amy Schumer has scored the lead role in the upcoming Barbie movie, it was announced on Friday. And it didn't take long for body shamers to bark their hateful comments online. Here Amy is seen in 2015

Mutant: A graph compiled by mental health treatment site Rehabs.com in 2013 claimed a full size barbie would not be able to hold her head up and would have to walk on all fours, in addition to only having a fraction of her intestines and liver

Another wrote: 'More fat f***s making the news. @amyschumer as Barbie? The mental illness in Hollywood is mind-boggling.'

And then there was this: 'If Barbie became obese and heinous to men, @amyschumer is perfect.'

However there was plenty of positive feedback too, with one Tweeter writing, 'I love this, Amy has a real body,' and another adding, 'Awesome, she will rock it.'

Team AS: However there was plenty of positive feedback too, with one Tweeter writing, 'I love this, Amy has a real body,' and another adding 'Awesome, she will rock it.' Here Schumer is pictured in September

Sony's live action film based on the beloved Mattel toy is due out in 2018.

According to the site, the film will be a 'fish out of water' story in the mould of Splash of Big.

It is set in Barbieland, a world inhabited by the many different version of the doll - more than 180 - whose names, personalities and professions are defined by the particular outfit they wear.

However Schumer's Barbie - who isn't 'perfect enough, is a bit eccentric and doesnt quite fit the mould' - is an outcast.

She then goes on an adventure in the real world, before returning to save her hometown, armed with the knowledge that real beauty is on the inside, and the key to happiness is freeing oneself from an unattainable standard of perfection.

Legend: In her 57 years, more than one billion Barbies have been sold worldwide, cementing her place as a pop culture icon

The site claimed the film had gone through many writers and incarnations, before a funny female empowerment plot caught Schumer's eye and she signed on.

In her 57 years, more than one billion Barbies have been sold worldwide, cementing her place as a pop culture icon.

And while her ability to take on literally any career in the world has been lauded, her impossible proportions have long been viewed as conveying an unrealistic body image to young girls.

Indeed her original measurements scaled to human size are a 36 inch chest, 18 inch waist and 33 inch hips.

In fact a graph compiled by mental health treatment site Rehabs.com in 2013 claimed a life-size barbie would not be able to hold her head up and would have to walk on all fours, in addition to only having a fraction of her intestines and liver.

However recent incarnations of the doll have been given more realistic proportions; and parent company Mattel are clearly happy with the self-critical storyline as they have signed off on it.

Barbie's film will not be the first based on a toy: Hasbro has enjoyed massive success with its Transformers franchise, while GI Joe more than doubled its $300million budget.

More than meets the eye: Barbie's film will not be the first based on a toy: Hasbro has enjoyed massive success with its Transformers franchise, while GI Joe more than doubled its $300million budget.

However, Hasbro's 'girlie' effort Jem And The Holograms was something of a flop.

Mattel actually brought its toy line - He-Man - to the big screen 20 years before Hasbro did in 1987, but it was a commercial failure.

A reboot has been in development hell for decades, with Twilight star Kellan Lutz the most recent name attached to the Most Powerful Man in the Universe.
Art Basel sees the biggest names in fashion, business and art flock to Miami.

And Lady Victoria Hervey was naturally in attendance at the glamorous art fair, donning a glittering gown with a backless cut as she parted at the Nu Muses event, held at at the W Hotel in South Beach on Saturday.

The 40-year-old socialite was looking lovely in the floor-skimming number, which highlighted her long and lean physique.

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Glamorous as ever: Lady Victoria Hervey donned a glittering gown with a backless cut as she parted at the Nu Muses event during Art Basel in Miami, held at at the W Hotel on Saturday

Victoria dazzled in the crystal embellished number, flashing a hint of skin thanks to a sheer panel on her stomach.

She coiffed her blonde locks in an elaborate updo, piling her tresses on top of her head for extra volume.

The British It girl complemented her deep tan with plenty of blusher and a slick of pink lipstick.

Statuesque: The 40-year-old socialite was looking lovely in the floor-skimming number, which highlighted her long and lean physique

Glittering gown: Victoria dazzled in the crystal embellished number, flashing a hint of skin thanks to a sheer panel on her stomach

Hair-raising: She coiffed her blonde locks in an elaborate updo, piling her tresses on top of her head for extra volume

She commanded attention as she partied at the bash, posing up a storm on the red carpet.

Lady Victoria - who is the daughter of the late 6th Marquess of Bristol - recently told the Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare that English women struggle to be sexy.

'Women in London are too conservative and dont have the courage to wear sexy outfits. Its an English thing,' she said.

Grand arrival: Lady Victoria - who is the daughter of the late 6th Marquess of Bristcommanded attention as she partied at the bash alongside Cameron MacDonald

Here she comes: The star turned heads in her floor-skimming dress as she sashayed along

'I grew up in the South of France so I have a much more international approach.'

Victoria added that she still leads by example, sporting an array of sheer ensembles at parties recently, she said: 'Its empowering to dress provocatively'.

Her body confidence put her in good stead during her modelling career, which saw her work for the likes of Christian Dior.

Speaking out: Lady Victoria recently told the Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare that English women struggle to be sexy
She's been sure to document the peaks and troughs of her her difficult pregnancy.

And now Stephanie Davis, 23, has sparked health fears after she shared a distressing tweet, admitting she was left unable to walk on Saturday.

The former Hollyoaks actress insisted she's been left exhausted as she struggles to prepare for her newborn in the alarming post.

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Sparking concern: Stephanie Davis, 23, has sparked health fears after she shared a distressing tweet, admitting she was left unable to walk on Saturday

The Celebrity Big Brother star is set to raise her son as a single-mother, after she split with her Irish model ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell.

Pouring her heart out online, she wrote: 'Sooo over did it yesterday, really hurting to walk today..Still so much to do..must keep going!! Ive got to or who else will get it done..'

The brunette beauty peppered her post with a number of emoji's, an upset face and a house.

'Really hurting': The former Hollyoaks actress insisted she's been left exhausted as she struggles to prepare for her newborn in the alarming post

Worried: The former Hollyoaks actress insisted she's been left exhausted as she struggles to prepare for her newborn in the alarming post

The alarming social media post has since sent her 418,000 followers into a tizzy as they urge her to 'rest' ahead of the birth in the coming weeks.

One wrote: 'You need to RESTIm serious honey. Ive been where you are right now.exactly where you are. Please just stop and rest. For you and for him [the baby].'

As another shared: 'Just take it easy, yours and your baby's health comes first the rest can wait until you feel more up to it.'

While a fan urged: 'You are Miss independent, let people help you, you should be taking it easy now, everything will get done.'

Red alert: The alarming social media post has since sent her 418,000 followers into a tizzy as they urge her to 'rest' ahead of the birth in the coming weeks

The actress will give birth to her first child in the new year after reportedly falling pregnant during a short lived romance with former MTV star Jeremy, who she met while appearing in Celebrity Big Brother.

Despite furiously denying he had fathered her child, Jeremy previously did admit: 'If what is circulating is true, I'll always be responsible for my actions'.

Stephanie said on Loose Women last week, that ex Jeremy had failed to make contact during her pregnancy.

Newborn: The actress will give birth to her first child in the new year after reportedly falling pregnant during a short lived romance with former MTV star Jeremy McConnell

Meanwhile, she recently revealed she would like to film her birth.

Her latest decision was sparked after a recent conversation with Jacqueline Jossa, who has 10-month-old daughter Ella with her partner Dan Osborne.

Eastenders star Jacqueline reportedly assured her she'd be so enamoured with her bundle of joy, she'd be raring to have another one.

Writing in her blog for Ok online, the Stephanie explained: 'I'm definitely going to take it all on board and make the most of it. I'm even thinking about filming it as it would be nice to have a personal memory to watch back when I want.'

No contact: Stephanie said on Loose Women last week, that ex Jeremy had failed to make contact during her pregnancy




Rapper Tyga tossed stacks of money into the crowd at his nightclub performance in Miami.

Tyga, whose birth name is Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson, performed at E11even nightclub on Friday night, where girlfriend Kylie Jenner watched.

This comes after several reports that the 27-year-old has not been paying his bills. As recently as Monday TMZ reported the rapper being sued by Alex Benedict for failing to make payments on his red Ferrari 488. He has already had his Ferrari repossessed twice.

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Making it rain: Rapper Tyga tossed stacks of money into the crowd at his nightclub performance in Miami on Friday even though he has been failing to pay his bills

Well, there goes $3: It appears as if the singer was only tossing out ones

Wearing a blinged-out watch and diamond-encrusted chains, earrings, bracelet and ring, the performer held multiple stacks of money on stage.

He tossed what appeared to be dollar bills from the stacks into the crowd during his performance.

Apparently not shy about it, Jenner's boyfriend also snapped video of the flamboyant episode for all of his fans, and other interested parties, to see.

Caught on camera! Apparently not shy about it, Jenner's boyfriend also snapped video of the flambouyant episode for all of his fans, and other interested parties, to see

Caught on camera! Apparently not shy about it, Jenner's boyfriend also snapped video of the flambouyant episode for all of his fans, and other interested parties, to see

This also comes after the famous couple were both reportedly questioned regarding a $200,000 settlement owed to celebrity jeweler Jason Arasheben of Jason Of Beverly Hills.

According to the attorney for Arasheben, Tyga has now paid half of the money owed to the jeweler, stemming from a 2013 lawsuit that alleged Tyga never paid for close to $300,000 in jewelry for himself and given as gifts to the youngest Jenner.

The jeweler's lawyer had called in the rapper's young love for questioning, wondering what the source of income was for other gifts he'd given her, as he prepared to argue those gifts themselves should be used to satisfy his debts.

Money trouble: The rapper performs at E11even in Miami, where he threw out money to the crowd despite mounting financial troubles

Matchy matchy: The lovers arrived to E11even before the show in matching black and white shoes, both dressed in mostly black

The lawyer, Danny Abir of Abir, Cohen, Treyzon and Salo, told ET that Tyga plans to pay the remaining balance off by November 17.

But that's not all the money he owes. The music artist's financial troubles also include an order to pay almost $200,000 in past-due rent.

There's also an outstanding settlement for nearly half a million dollars from a separate eviction case.

Sister, sister: Kendall Jenner joined the party dressed in a sparkly skirt covered with sequins and a black, lace top

The lovers arrived to E11even before the show in matching black and white shoes, both dressed in mostly black.

Tyga wore a red and blue flannel and a backwards hat along with his extravagant jewerly. Kylie wore a simple tank dress.

The couple was also accompanied by Kendall Jenner, who put on her own show for Kylie's many social media followers. Dressed in a sparkly skirt covered with sequins and a black, lace top, she was dancing and having a good time with her sister.

His little lady doing what she does: Kylie shared this photo from her Miami residence

Back to basics: The stunner has more Instagram followers than her sisters

Party hard? Kylie and her beau were seen leaving E11even nightclub later on, following their wild night out

Leaving through the side door? The reality star and the rapper chose to leave the club in a quiet manner, exiting through a side-door

Lemme get that for you: Kylie's paa seemed to be pre-occupied with her hair

Let me just get that: And it was clearly something she couldn't ignore
US moves to block Chinese purchase of German tech firm Aixtron

US President Barack Obama on Friday moved to block a Chinese company's purchase of German semiconductor equipment maker Aixtron by rejecting the inclusion of Aixtron's US business in the deal.

The US Treasury Department said a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) chaired by Obama found the risks posed by the deal, which could place sensitive technology with potential military applications in Chinese hands, were too great.

"CFIUS and the president assess that the transaction poses a risk to the national security of the United States that cannot be resolved through mitigation," the Treasury said in a statement.

The headquarters of chip equipment maker Aixtron pictured in Herzogenrath, western Germany on October 25, 2016 Oliver Berg (DPA/AFP/File)

It said publicly-traded Aixtron SE's expertise in technology key to making advanced compound semiconductors used for LED lighting, lasers and solar cells also has military applications.

Washington does not want to see such technology end up in the hands of the Chinese government-backed company which wants to buy Aixtron, Grand Chip Investment.

The Treasury said Aixtron's US business is an important contributor to that technology.

In late October, the German government withdrew its initial approval for the 670 million euro ($714 million) takeover after Washington raised security concerns.

Citing German intelligence sources, Handelsblatt daily reported that the United States had expressed fears that China could use Aixtron technology to bolster its nuclear program.

After receiving the information, the German economy ministry said on October 24 that it would reopen its review of the deal.

- Chinese government role cited -

The US Treasury said Friday that Grand Chip is a German company expressly set up for the deal and is "ultimately owned by investors in China, some of whom have Chinese government ownership."

It added that the deal would be financed by a unit of China IC Industry Investment Fund, a Chinese government-supported industrial investment fund designed to support the country's integrated circuit industry.

The Treasury statement did not say what military application of the German company's technology had concerned US officials.

Aixtron's specialty is a technology for depositing thin layers of atoms on semiconductor wafers that are used in electronic devices and systems that produce, control and convert light. It is popularly used in making solar cells.

There was no immediate reaction from Aixtron or Grand Chip. In a November 21 US securities filing, the two said they were awaiting the US presidential review and that they "plan to continue to actively engage in further discussions to explore means of resolving the US national security concerns identified by CFIUS."

If the US rejected the deal, they said there were no assurances that they would be able to proceed with the transaction.

CFIUS reviews foreign investments in US companies, and has both approved and turned down a number of Chinese takeovers in recent years.

In 2005 it blocked China National Offshore Oil Corporation's bid for Unocal, and in 2008 electronics giant Huawei dropped its offer for US communications company 3Com before an expected rejection by the committee.

In 2014 it approved Lenovo's purchase of IBM's computer server unit, but early this year its concerns led to Dutch electronics giant Philips dropping a planned $2.8-billion majority share sale of its Lumileds lighting unit to Beijing-based GO Scale Capital.

Also early this year Chinese tech firm Unisplendour Corp dropped its $3.8 billion offer for 15 percent of US hard disk maker Western Digital before a CFIUS review.

But in August the committee gave its OK for state-owned China National Chemical Corp's $43 billion takeover of Swiss pesticide and seed giant Syngenta.

The Treasury statement Friday said the CFIUS panel was not opposed to foreign investment and was only focused on national security issues.
US moves to block Chinese purchase of German tech firm Aixtron

US President Barack Obama moved to block a Chinese company's purchase of German semiconductor equipment maker Aixtron by rejecting the inclusion of Aixtron's US business in the deal.

The US Treasury Department said a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) chaired by Obama found the risks posed by the deal, which could place sensitive technology with potential military applications in Chinese hands, were too great.

"CFIUS and the president assess that the transaction poses a risk to the national security of the United States that cannot be resolved through mitigation," the Treasury said in a statement.

In October Germany withdrew initial approval for a Chinese company to purchase semiconductor equipment maker Aixtron, after Washington raised security concerns Oliver Berg (dpa/AFP/File)

It said publicly traded Aixtron SE's expertise in technology key to making advanced compound semiconductors used for LED lighting, lasers and solar cells also has military applications.

Washington does not want to see such technology end up in the hands of the Chinese government-backed company which wants to buy Aixtron, Grand Chip Investment.

The Treasury said Aixtron's US business is an important contributor to that technology.

In late October, the German government withdrew its initial approval for the 670 million euro ($714 million) takeover after Washington raised security concerns.

Citing German intelligence sources, Handelsblatt daily reported that the United States had expressed fears that China could use Aixtron technology to bolster its nuclear program.

After receiving the information, the German economy ministry said on October 24 that it would reopen its review of the deal.

- Chinese government role cited -

The US Treasury said Friday that Grand Chip is a German company expressly set up for the deal and is "ultimately owned by investors in China, some of whom have Chinese government ownership."

It added that the deal would be financed by a unit of China IC Industry Investment Fund, a Chinese government-supported industrial investment fund designed to support the country's integrated circuit industry.

The Treasury statement did not say what military application of the German company's technology had concerned US officials.

Aixtron's specialty is a technology for depositing thin layers of atoms on semiconductor wafers that are used in electronic devices and systems that produce, control and convert light. It is popularly used in making solar cells.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang warned against interference, in comments to AFP.

"This acquisition you mentioned is a normal business activity," he said.

"Since its a normal commercial acquisition, it should follow the normal principles and the rules of the market. We hope that there will not be an excessive political interpretation on this acquisition or political interference in it."

There was no immediate reaction from Aixtron or Grand Chip. In a November 21 US securities filing, the two said they were awaiting the US presidential review and that they "plan to continue to actively engage in further discussions to explore means of resolving the US national security concerns identified by CFIUS."

If the US rejected the deal, they said there were no assurances that they would be able to proceed with the transaction.

CFIUS reviews foreign investments in US companies, and has both approved and turned down a number of Chinese takeovers in recent years.

In 2005 it blocked China National Offshore Oil Corporation's bid for Unocal, and in 2008 electronics giant Huawei dropped its offer for US communications company 3Com before an expected rejection by the committee.

In 2014 it approved Lenovo's purchase of IBM's computer server unit, but early this year its concerns led to Dutch electronics giant Philips dropping a planned $2.8-billion majority share sale of its Lumileds lighting unit to Beijing-based GO Scale Capital.

Also early this year Chinese tech firm Unisplendour Corp dropped its $3.8 billion offer for 15 percent of US hard disk maker Western Digital before a CFIUS review.

But in August the committee gave its OK for state-owned China National Chemical Corp's $43 billion takeover of Swiss pesticide and seed giant Syngenta.

The Treasury statement Friday said the CFIUS panel was not opposed to foreign investment and was only focused on national security issues.
Malaysia hits out at Myanmar over 'ethnic cleansing'

Malaysia accused Myanmar of engaging in the "ethnic cleansing" of its Rohingya minority Saturday, as former UN chief Kofi Annan visited a burned out village in strife-torn Rakhine state.

Tens of thousands of Muslim Rohingya have fled their homes since a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar army in the western state of Rakhine sparked by a string of deadly attacks on police border posts in early October.

"The fact that only one particular ethnicity is being driven out is by definition ethnic cleansing," Malaysia's foreign ministry said in an unusually strongly-worded statement.

Ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees hit a placard with a portrait of Myanmar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi during a protest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia MANAN VATSYAYANA (AFP/File)

Myanmar has balked at such criticism, saying the Rakhine crisis is an internal issue -- but international pressure on the country is mounting.

Malaysia's statement noted that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring countries in recent years -- including some 56,000 to Muslim-majority Malaysia.

That, the statement said, "makes this matter no longer an internal matter but an international matter".

On Saturday morning, a convoy carrying the former UN chief arrived outside the Rohingya village of Wapeik, which has seen signficant damage from fire.

Non state media journalists were stopped by police from coming close to the convoy or entering the village, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

Annan is not expected to brief the media until Tuesday -- after his visit to Rakhine ends.

Myanmar has restricted access to the northern part of the state and says its military is hunting down the militants behind the attacks.

But rights groups and Rohingya refugees who have made it to Bangladesh have accused the military of killing civilians and razing entire villages as a form of collective punishment.

The Rohingya have long faced persecution and government restrictions on movement that many have likened to apartheid.

Much of Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many have lived there for generations.

"The Bengali people who brand themselves Rohingya are not Myanmar citizens," Parmaukkha, a nationalist monk, told a small group of supporters protesting outside Malaysia's Yangon embassy on Saturday afternoon.

"The one who is encouraging terrorism is the Malaysian Prime Minister (Najib Razak), he is also a terrorist," he added.

- 'Fires of resentment' -

Before the latest violence broke out, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi formed a commission tasked with trying to solve the Rakhine crisis, headed by Annan.

That task has been made considerably harder since fighting broke out.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has also been criticised for not defending the Rohingya.

Since winning an historic election last year, she has hardly spoken out on the issue.

But during a trip to Singapore this week she gave a rare interview in which she hit out at international criticism.

"I would appreciate it so much if the international community would help us to maintain peace and stability, and to make progress in building better relations between the two communities, instead of always drumming up cause for bigger fires of resentment," Suu Kyi told the state-owned Channel News Asia.

Her hands are somewhat tied by Myanmar's notoriously abusive military.
Sri Lanka police clash with protesters outside parliament

Police fired teargas and water cannon to disperse thousands of opposition-backed protesters outside parliament Saturday as lawmakers debated the annual budget.

Demonstrators led by loyalists of former president Mahinda Rajapakse held up traffic and blocked the main access to the parliament complex for several hours in the capital.

Opposition lawmaker Ranjith Soysa said protesters were demanding local elections which were due last year, but postponed to devise a new electoral system.

Mahinda Rajapakse -- who served as Sri Lankan president from 2005-2015 -- walks past the parliament building during a 2010 ceremony in Colombo Ishara S. Kodikara (AFP/File)

"Police unleashed a vicious teargas attack and 10 opposition MPs, including myself, were hit," Soysa said in parliament while pointing to his drenched clothing.

The latest police clash follows a protest by private bus operators and taxi drivers who stopped work over a proposed 50-fold increase in traffic fines in a bid to make Sri Lankan roads safer.
Gambia's new leaders push for political prisoners' release

The Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow held talks with his team Saturday to plot his transition to power, with the release of political prisoners emerging as a top priority for the new administration.

Barrow's shock election victory ended the iron-fisted 22-year rule of Yahya Jammeh on Friday, and the scenes of jubilation on the streets after the results were released have given way to a calm but buoyant mood in the capital Banjul.

Jammeh's rule over the tiny ex-British colony -- which began with a coup in 1994 -- was marked by frequent allegations of rights abuses and the regular arrests of politicians, journalists and activists, often on spurious charges.

A man waves a Gambian flag while he celebrates the victory of Gambia's opposition candidate Adama Barrow during the Presidential Elections on December 2, 2016, in Serekunda, Banjul MARCO LONGARI (AFP)

Barrow, a businessman and political novice, met with the eight leaders who make up the coalition that sealed his remarkable rise to power in Thursday's vote, with the talks focusing on the challenges facing the administration.

The talks went "very well, we are reflecting on the way forward," said Isatou Touray, one of the leaders.

Touray said the release of political prisoners was the "most urgent" issue facing the new government, with expectations this could happen very soon.

"We are looking at next week," she said.

The leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), of which Barrow is a former member, is appealing a three-year jail sentence he received with several other UDP officials for holding a peaceful protest in April.

- UN support sought -

Touray added the team expected the United Nations to play a key role in smoothing the transition that will see Barrow, a businessman who once worked as a security guard as an economic migrant in Britain, take office in mid-January.

"We will try to get the UN to give us support," Touray told AFP by phone. "It is urgent, we need to have it as soon as possible."

Ibn Chambas, the UN's west Africa representative, said meetings with the opposition had been fruitful, raising expectations of a government that would reverse some of Jammeh's policies that have isolated The Gambia internationally.

Barrow has pledged to rejoin the International Criminal Court and the Commonwealth, both institutions which Jammeh railed against and withdrew from, to the dismay of many.

The UN envoy also said he was "willing to work with the Gambians to establish a truth and reconciliation commission", but would not be drawn on whether Jammeh could face prosecution.

Allegations of rape, torture and execution at the hand of the National Intelligence Agency, which reports directly to Jammeh, have long tarred The Gambia's image.

Barrow told French media Saturday that "we are not witch-hunting anybody, nothing is personal" when asked whether Jammeh would be prosecuted.

Due process would be followed, Barrow said, adding he had "no problem" with the outgoing president remaining in The Gambia.

The strongman's whereabouts are currently unknown after Gambian television broadcast an unexpected statement to the nation in which he promised he would step down in line with voters' wishes.

Jammeh congratulated Barrow late Friday for his "clear victory" in a jovial conversation that saw him joking about becoming a farmer in his hometown, with the exchange caught on film and broadcast.

It was a shock for many to see Jammeh, who had promised to bury critics "nine feet deep" and whose regime has prosecuted peaceful protesters, calmly accept defeat.

- '22 years is enough' -

After late-night victory parties held by many Gambians to celebrate Jammeh's departure after Barrow swept 45 percent of the vote, life was returning to normal.

Sulayman Drammeh, a dock worker, summed up the mood: "We are very happy. Twenty-two years is enough," he told AFP at a Banjul market.

"That's why Africa has a problem -- if you come to power, you don't want to move. We are all Gambians, so let's come together to work," Drammeh added.

The coalition will govern for three years with Barrow as its figurehead, after which elections will be held and he will step down in line with a memorandum signed by all the parties involved.

"My party will continue but I'm not part of the process," Barrow pledged to media Saturday when asked about the three-year commitment. "I'm a businessman, I'll continue my business," he added.

Greeting UN officials and working with the European Union on development plans will be a completely new experience for Barrow, who until Friday had never held office or even held a senior role within a political party.

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh (centre) leaves a polling booth in Banjul on December 1, 2016 MARCO LONGARI (AFP)
Fund set up to protect endangered heritage sites

Representatives of around 40 countries on Saturday approved plans to establish a fund to protect heritage sites in war zones and a network of safe havens for endangered artworks.

A closing statement issued after two days of talks in Abu Dhabi did not specify the total amount pledged for the fund but French President Francois Hollande said a target of $100 million remained achievable.

The meeting, co-sponsored by France and the United Arab Emirates, was spurred by the systematic destruction and looting of archaeological treasures in Iraq and Syria by the Islamic State group.

The remains of the Arch of Triumph in Palmyra after it was destroyed by the Islamic State group in Syria Maher AL MOUNES (AFP/File)

The world watched in dismay as the jihadists systematically destroyed temples and tower tombs in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra last year.

In Iraq, videos showed IS using bulldozers and explosives to destroy Nimrud, a jewel of the Assyrian empire, and ransacking pre-Islamic treasures in the Mosul Museum.

"This is the first time that countries, organisations, experts and donors have come together to protect the property of humanity and to provide the means to achieve it," said Hollande.

But proposals for ancient artefacts to be taken abroad for safekeeping met with reservations from some countries -- notably Greece and Egypt -- which saw treasured artworks removed for display in museums in Europe and North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Participants in the meeting, who also included representatives of international organisations and private institutions, pledged "to safeguard the endangered cultural heritage of all peoples, against its destruction and illicit trafficking."

The Geneva-based fund they set up will be charged with safeguarding cultural heritage endangered by conflict, financing preventive and emergency operations, combating the illicit trafficking of artefacts and helping restore damaged cultural property.

"The creation of this fund breaks new ground," UNESCO director Irina Bokova said. "I see this as the starting point of something... global."

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan urged all countries to "cooperate and coordinate to control the trafficking of cultural property.... especially in some Arab countries that have suffered from the dangers of violence and terrorism."

France is to contribute around $30 million (28 million euros) to the fund.

"Our objective is to collect at least $100 million, and we can reach this," Hollande said.

Participants hope the international network of safe havens will be used to temporarily store cultural property endangered by conflicts or extremism.

Countries such as Bosnia and Senegal offered to host endangered artworks, a delegate told AFP.

- Last resort -

But with sovereignty a sensitive issue, ancient artefacts would only be moved out of a country at the request of its government, a participant in the meeting told AFP.

Works of art would first be moved to a safe place within the country concerned. Safeguarding them in a neighbouring country would be the next option while moving them elsewhere would be a last resort.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told participants it should be the "last option" and there should be "guarantees for the safe return" of cultural property removed for safe keeping.

Greece has long sought the return from Britain of ancient sculptures that once decorated the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Athens but were taken by British diplomat Lord Elgin two centuries ago.

Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said that "establishing the fund is an excellent idea and has our full support but such a fund will only work if people in countries such as ours have the training and commitment to work with agencies managing the fund."

Participants at the UNESCO-backed conference called on the UN Security Council to support the initiative.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will oversee the safeguarding operations.

The meeting coincided with an announcement by Swiss authorities that they had seized cultural relics looted from Syria, Libya and Yemen that were being stored in Geneva's free ports.

Swiss representatives told the meeting of the country's experiences in providing safe haven for art works during the conflicts of the 20th century.

A follow up conference will be held in 2017 to assess the implementation of plans and the first projects to be financed by the international fund.

Iraqi troops point out the destruction caused by the Islamic State group at the archaeological site of Nimrud SAFIN HAMED (AFP/File)
No solution for Aleppo without negotiations: EU, UN

Top EU and UN diplomats warned on Saturday that there could be no victory in the battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo without negotiations aimed at ensuring a viable future for the war-torn country.

"You can win a war but you can lose the peace," said Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, at a conference on the Mediterranean region in Rome.

"Who is interested in winning a war in Syria and getting at a price a country that is divided, armed, full of terrorists... isolated in the international community?" Mogherini asked, adding that she did not consider President Bashar al-Assad's regime as having already won the Aleppo battle.

Syrian residents fleeing the eastern part of Aleppo arrive at the Jabal Badro crossing point, which was recently retaken from rebel fighters by the regime forces, on November 30, 2016 George Ourfalian (AFP/File)

As of Saturday the Syrian army controlled more than half the rebel part of Aleppo after seizing overnight another sector in an offensive that has claimed more than 300 civilian lives and forced tens of thousands to flee the fighting.

UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, who was also at the Rome conference, voiced concern about the Assad regime's advances in Aleppo.

"If this is going to be an occasion for the government to say: we won the war, and therefore no need for negotiations, I hope not," he said, adding that's why he counts on "the influence of Russia and Iran" to convince Damascus to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict.

The loss of Syria's second city to Assad's forces would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.

"Now it's time for negotiation, but negotiating in real terms, which means power sharing... Otherwise, the alternative could be no major conflict but a creeping, ongoing guerilla (war) and no reconstruction," de Mistura said.
Up to 40 feared dead in California warehouse fire

Fire crews in California on Sunday were searching the charred remains of a warehouse gutted by a blaze during a rave party, with officials saying the death toll could reach 40.

Relatives of dozens of people missing in the Friday night blaze in Oakland near San Francisco endured an anxious wait for news. Nine people have been confirmed dead so far.

The converted two-story warehouse was used by artists as a living and work space but had no license for this, officials said, nor for the electronic dance party under way when the blaze broke out. The cause of the fire was not yet known.

Firefighters said the two-storey warehouse in Oakland seemed to have no sprinklers or smoke detectors Virginie Goubier (AFP)

Firefighters said the building seemed to have no sprinklers or smoke detectors.

Orange flames shot through the roof as the fire burned for hours and thick smoke billowed into the sky. The roof collapsed onto the second floor, which officials said was connected to the ground floor only by a makeshift system of wooden pallets.

Firefighters had to withdraw from the building to shore it up when part of the fragile structure began to move.

Sergeant Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's department said Saturday evening that about two dozen people who were reported missing had been located.

But at least two dozen more remain missing, he said.

"We don't know how far into the process we are, because we don't absolutely have a number of people that we know are deceased inside of there," Kelly said.

"Theres still a lot of the building that needs to be searched," Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said.

An official at the sheriff's office who declined to be named said early Sunday the death toll could rise to 40 or higher.

Most of those who perished in the blaze that started about 11:30 pm Friday (0730 GMT Saturday) were thought to have died on the upper floor of the warehouse known as the Oakland Ghost Ship, Reed said.

- 'Expecting the worst' -

"It must have been a very fast-moving fire," she added.

The electronic dance music party was attended by an estimated 50 to 100 people.

The sheriff's office station in Oakland became a center for relatives of the missing. The Salvation Army dropped off 50 meals for them, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Daniel Vega told the newspaper he is looking for his brother Alex and his girlfriend, who had said they were going to a rave in Oakland.

"If he is dead, if he is in the rubble, fine, I'll get over it. But I just want to find him," Vega told the Chronicle.

Al Garcia, who owns a supply company across the street, said that when he learned of the fire and went to the scene, flames were coming out of the windows and roof.

"I knew people were dead," he told the Chronicle. "There was no way anyone could get out."

Some of the missing were believed to be from overseas, making identification of the victims -- thought to be in their 20s and 30s -- more difficult.

The warehouse had numerous partitions added to the original building.

Some of the structural changes made it extremely difficult for people to escape, Reed said.

"There wasn't a real entry or exit path," Reed said.

The clutter hampered firefighters' efforts to put out the blaze.

"It was filled end-to-end with furniture, whatnot, collections," Reed said. "It was like a maze, almost."

Friends and families of partygoers took to social media to search for news about their loved ones, with some posting information on the event's Facebook page.

"Please tell me you are safe," one woman wrote, adding a friend's name, while others posted prayers.

"I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke," Bob Mule, a photographer who lives in the building, told Fox television affiliate KTVU. "I couldn't get the fire extinguisher to work."

The fire was described as the deadliest incident in Oakland since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in northern California, which killed 63 people.

The deadliest nightclub fire in the United States in recent decades occurred in 2003, when pyrotechnic effects by the rock band Great White set off an inferno at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island, killing about 100 people.

California warehouse fire Sophie RAMIS (AFP)

Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed told reporters that investigators were still searching the building after the fatal blaze on December 3, 2016 Elijah Nouvelage (Getty/AFP)
Grim wait for word of loved ones after fatal fire

Young men and women with glassy eyes waited anxiously in Oakland for firefighters to search a charred building where a blaze may have killed dozens attending a party.

Some paced nervously on the sidewalk beneath an elevated commuter rail line, with voices or sobs drowned out by frequently passing BART trains.

People hugged, paced or smoked nervously. Inside a family center set up in a county building, some 30 more people waited for word about missing friends.

The two-story commercial building dubbed Ghostship was a space where artists lived and worked Elijah Nouvelage (Getty/AFP)

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf updated them as morning gave way to afternoon, with not much new to say since firefighters had to back off from searching the building due to fear of collapse.

"We are all just hoping people ditched their phones when they got to the party," said David Marks of San Francisco, who was searching for news of a friend.

Dan Vega worried that his 22-year-old brother might be among the dead. Vega wasn't certain, but thought his brother and a girlfriend may have gone to the party.

Their car was still parked at a BART station near the home the brother shared with his mother, and the young man has given no sign yet.

"It is just not like him," Vega said.

Marks had planned to go to the party after working late, but checked Facebook before setting out and saw news of the deadly blaze.

- 'Ghostship' -

The two-story commercial building dubbed Ghostship was a space where artists lived and worked.

A rickety set of wood plank stairs led to a second floor space used for events. The place was described as being rife with nooks and cluttered with art, statues and other creations.

"And there were tons of organs and pianos," said Marks.

He and others estimated that maybe 20 or 30 people lived in the Ghostship.

Police and fire officials were asking people sharing names, descriptions, clothing and other details about missing friends on social media to get the information to them to help with the difficult task of identifying charred bodies.

Facebook initiated a safety check feature that lets people check-in to let friends know they are safe. News and comment about the tragedy was flooding Twitter with an #oaklandfire hashtag.

At the scene, yellow police tape cordoned off the streets around the gray two-story warehouse building, windows blackened and broken, burned furniture piled on the sidewalk below.

The gray building on the edge of a Latino neighborhood bore graffiti and the word Ghostship.

Police were investigating whether what appeared to be bodies in the rubble could in fact be mannequins in the artists' colony.

The roof had caved in to the second floor.

"This is a very rough day for the city of Oakland," Alameda County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Ray Kelly said.

- 'Mass casualty event' -

The county coroner's office was prepared for a "mass casualty event," according to Kelly.

Up to 40 people are feared dead in the tragedy, though the initial death toll stands at nine.

The list of missing included people from outside the US, Kelly said.

"We have a lot of people missing," Kelly said. "We are trying to make sense of all the chaos."

The county coroners office was collecting information about people who might have been at the party and what they were wearing, to help with identifying any bodies found.

"This is going to be a very difficult process for us," Kelly said.

News helicopters hovered overhead as firefighters were preparing drones equipped with thermal imaging capabilities to fly through the building to find "hot spots" that might still be burning inside.

Firefighters and police at the scene of an overnight fire that claimed the lives of at least nine people at a warehouse in the Fruitvale neighborhood on December 3, 2016 in Oakland, California Elijah Nouvelage (Getty/AFP)
The "Two Trumps" surface in president-elect's transition

NEW YORK (AP)  Donald Trump's skeptics hope the presidency will reveal a serious side of the brash businessman. His supporters want him to keep the freewheeling style that rattled Washington.

In true Trump fashion, so far he's doing both.

Trump has soothed some Republican establishment anxieties with many of his early Cabinet picks, including the respected retired Gen. James Mattis to lead the Pentagon and Georgia Rep. Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon tapped to head the Department of Health and Human Services. He's hinted that he's open to shifting some of his most controversial policies, including his rejection of climate change and support for torture. He's been full of praise for President Barack Obama and largely respectful of Hillary Clinton, his vanquished campaign rival.

President-elect Donald Trump raises his fist as he speaks during the first stop of his post-election tour, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

But Trump is also refusing to abandon the raucous, stream-of-consciousness rallies and Twitter tirades that defined his presidential campaign. He's continued to level false statements, claiming without evidence that millions of people voted illegally in the election. And he's infused the normally staid Cabinet selection process with reality television drama, inviting cameras into his dinner with Mitt Romney, a leading candidate for secretary of state, and announcing the secretary of defense pick in an arena, seemingly off the cuff.

"He was a very unconventional candidate," House Speaker Paul Ryan said. "He's going to be an unconventional president."

Despite his tell-it-like-it-is reputation, Trump is fueled by a deep need to be liked, according to long-time associates. He often modulates his tone to his setting and frequently tries to curry favor with his audience by telling them what he thinks they want to hear. He often speaks in vague generalities, his policy plans short on details, and that allows supporters to read in what they wish.

And sometimes he seems to move in contradictions, as when he made simultaneous appointments of Reince Priebus  a nod to the Washington establishment  and Stephen Bannon  a shot across the establishment's bow  to fill two key roles in his administration, giving opposing factions of his coalition something to cheer.

People who meet with the president-elect personally talk about there being "two Trumps"  the self-promoting celebrity that's seen in public and the amiable and courteous grandfather who emerges in private.

"He's charming in person," said John Allison, the former CEO of BB&T, who recently met with Trump. "He absolutely has a lot of personal charisma."

Indeed, Trump has appeared to win over some of his toughest Republican critics since defeating Clinton. GOP lawmakers have praised all of his Cabinet nominees, some of whom hold more traditionally conservative views than Trump himself. Romney, who was one of Trump's fiercest critics during the campaign, emerged from their dinner this week with warm words for a man he'd only recently called a "phony."

"He continues with a message of inclusion and bringing people together and his vision is something which obviously connected with the American people in a very powerful way," Romney said in a stunning turnabout for the 2012 GOP nominee.

But Trump appears acutely aware that the enthusiastic supporters who propelled him to the White House are watching carefully to see if he'll back away from his pledges to shake up the political system. Supporters shouted their opposition to Romney being in the Cabinet Thursday as Trump stood on stage in Cincinnati for the kickoff of a "thank you" tour for voters.

Trump gave them plenty else to cheer about, fully re-embracing his firebrand and raucous campaign persona.

He took the stage full of swagger and as focused on score-settling as he was during the campaign. He spent more than 10 minutes bashing the press, recounting how the media doubted his chances of winning.

"These are very, very dishonest people," said Trump, one of several times during the night when he incited the crowd to jeer the press gathered in the pen at the back of the arena. "Ok, I love this stuff. Should I go on with this just a little bit longer? I love it." Shifting to how he broke Clinton's so-called Midwest firewall, he said, "We didn't break it, we shattered that sucker. We shattered it, man. That poor wall is busted up."

Trump did hit some of the right notes in terms of unifying the nation when he managed to stick to the script rolling down the teleprompter. He called for a "truly inclusive society, where we support each other, love each other, and look out for each other."

But he also reminisced how "fun" it was "fighting Hillary." He stunned even his own advisers by announcing his nomination of Mattis from the stage. And facing the pressures of the presidency, he seemed to still be reliving and relishing his victory.

"We had a lot of fun," he said, adding: "The bottom line is, we won."

An all-encompassing need to win seems to be one thing the "two Trumps" have in common.

"Nothing is presidential except victory," Trump said in March. "Victory is presidential."

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Pace reported from Washington.

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Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Jonathan Lemire at http://twitter.com/jonlemire
Man gets decade in prison for Colombia rebels weapons plot

NEW YORK (AP)  A Romanian convicted of conspiring to sell military-grade weapons in Europe was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams imposed the sentence on 43-year-old Virgil Georgescu in Manhattan. Georgescu was arrested by Montenegrin authorities in December 2014 and was brought to the United States two months later for trial. He was convicted by a jury in May.

Georgescu was arrested in a Drug Enforcement Administration sting operation. Prosecutors said he teamed with a former Romanian government official and a former member of the Italian Parliament from May 2014 to December 2014 to try to sell an arsenal of weapons including machine guns and rocket launchers. Prosecutors said they did not know they were communicating with DEA informants who posed as associates of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the decades-old rebel group known as FARC.

Prosecutors said Georgescu was told the weapons would be used against American forces helping the Colombian government.

"Having sought to profit from the murder of U.S. officers abroad, Georgescu will now spend years in a U.S. prison," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement.

In court, a defense lawyer said Georgescu had served as an informant for the FBI from 2001 through 2003 and called the CIA in 2012 to report the weapons plot. He said Georgescu never intended to attack the United States.
Obama: Health care act is law, US can't go backward

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Barack Obama is urging the public to help save his health care law, which is in serious danger of being repealed under President-elect Donald Trump.

In a Facebook Live appearance, Obama says the Affordable Care Act has improved millions of lives over the six years it's been the "law of the land." He says the country can't go "backward."

Obama is also encouraging viewers to tell Republicans in Congress "we want to build on the progress we've made, not abandon it."

Congressional Republicans have tried for years to repeal the law. The chances of success increased with Trump's election. He's called the law a disaster.
The Latest: Police: Shooter impersonated cop at Tacoma mall

SEATTLE (AP)  The Latest on the fatal shooting of a police officer in Tacoma, Washington. (all times local):

6:30 p.m.

Authorities say a man who fatally shot a Tacoma police officer Wednesday impersonated a law enforcement officer about two weeks prior at the Tacoma Mall.

Tacoma Police Department animal control officer Kate Madden salutes during the procession for Tacoma police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Tacoma, Wash. Crowds gathered to pay respects to Gutierrez who died Wednesday after being shot while responding to a domestic violence call. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times via AP)

The News Tribune reports (https://goo.gl/f1wl8z ) Bruce R. Johnson was spotted walking through the mall Nov. 15 carrying what looked to be a soft rifle case over his shoulder, wearing handcuffs on his belt and a hat reading "Sheriff's."

Authorities say security officers confronted Johnson and called Tacoma police. Police later sent out a bulletin to law enforcement agencies in Pierce County, notifying them that Johnson had been impersonating an officer.

Police say Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez was fatally shot by Johnson when Gutierrez and his partner went into the house to investigate a domestic violence call. Officials say Johnson was killed early Thursday by a sheriff's sniper during a standoff.

___

10:32 a.m.

Officials say a sheriff's sniper in Washington state killed a gunman with a single shot after one of the two children he had been using as human shields ran onto a porch and the suspect was exposed.

Authorities say 38-year-old suspect Bruce R. Johnson was killed Thursday after an 11-hour standoff in Tacoma that began with a domestic violence call.

Police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez was fatally shot Wednesday night when he and his female partner went into the house to investigate the call.

Gutierrez's partner returned fire and helped get Johnson's wife safely out of the house before the standoff began.

Police will escort Gutierrez's body to a funeral home Friday

Erika Edwards, left, and Michelle Pigott, teachers at McCarver Elementary School, hold a sign of support during the procession for Tacoma police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Tacoma, Wash. Crowds gathered to pay respects to Gutierrez who died Wednesday after being shot while responding to a domestic violence call. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Raven Smith, 11, and Anita Carnes hug while watching the procession for Tacoma police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Tacoma, Wash. Crowds gathered to pay respects to Gutierrez who died Wednesday after being shot while responding to a domestic violence call. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Tacoma Fire Department members takes down a flag honoring Tacoma Police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez during a procession on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in Tacoma, Wash. Crowds gathered to pay respects to Gutierrez who died Wednesday after being shot while responding to a domestic violence call. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times via AP)

A visitor walks past the growing memorial at Tacoma Police Headquarters, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in memory of Tacoma Police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez. Gutierrez was shot while responding to a domestic violence call Wednesday and died later in the day at a hospital. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Tacoma City Councilmember Victoria Woodards holds a candle as she attends a vigil Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, for fallen Tacoma Police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez. Gutierrez was shot while responding to a domestic violence call Wednesday and died later in the day at a hospital. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

This undated photo provided by the Tacoma Police Department shows officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez, who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash. Gutierrez, had served with the department since 1999 and was highly respected and experienced, Tacoma Police Chief Donald Ramsdell said Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (Tacoma Police Department via AP)
Indonesia police release treason suspects, continue probe

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesian police said they released eight people Saturday who were arrested a day earlier for suspected treason and other crimes. They said they were continuing to investigate the eight, who include prominent citizens, and that three others who were arrested were still being held for questioning.

Police initially said they had detained 10 people, but national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar said that an 11th suspect, Alvinida Al-Farasi, was arrested Friday.

They were detained hours before the second major protest by conservative Muslims against the minority Christian governor of Jakarta. Friday's rally drew at least 200,000 people to the city's streets and ended peacefully.

Amar said the group planned to use the mass rally to occupy parliament and force lawmakers to hold an extraordinary session to overthrow the government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

He said those released included Rachmawati, the daughter of Indonesia's founding president and the younger sister of former President Megawati Sukarnoputri; retired army Gen. Kivlan Zein and activist Ratna Sarumpaet.

They were cooperating with the investigation so their continued detention wasn't necessary, Amar told reporters.

Some opposition politicians criticized the arrests.

Police also released musician-turned-politician Ahmad Dhani, who is accused of defaming Jokowi. Authorities are still holding Sri Bintang Pamungkas, a noted political prisoner under late dictator Suharto's regime, and two people suspected of breaches of the electronic information and transactions law.

Dhani and Sarumpaet were part of the campaign team for Prabowo Subianto in the 2014 presidential election that Subianto lost to Jokowi.

Amar said that Friday's arrests were a law enforcement issue and not an attempt to deny freedom of speech or opinion.
US cautions crackdown in Myanmar could radicalize Muslims

WASHINGTON (AP)  It's a scene straight out of Myanmar's dark past: a military offensive waged beyond world view that forces ethnic minority villagers from the smoldering ruins of their homes.

The U.S. government, a key sponsor of Myanmar's democratic transition, says a security crackdown that has displaced tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims and left an unknown number dead risks radicalizing a downtrodden people and stoking religious tensions in Southeast Asia.

The military moved in after armed attacks by unknown assailants on police posts along the border with Bangladesh in October. The attacks in Rakhine State were a possible sign that a small number of Rohingya were starting to fight back against persecution by majority Buddhists who view them as illegal immigrants although many have lived in Myanmar for generations.

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2016, file photo, a Muslim woman wears a mask of Myanmar's Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi during a rally against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims, outside the Embassy of Myanmar in Jakarta, Indonesia. Its a scene straight out of Myanmars dark past: a military offensive waged beyond world view that forces ethnic minority villagers from the smoldering ruins of their homes. The U.S. government, a key sponsor of Myanmars democratic transition, says a security crackdown that has displaced tens of thousands Rohingya Muslims and left an unknown number dead risks radicalizing a downtrodden people and stoking religious tensions in Southeast Asia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, is critical of the military's heavy-handed approach and says the escalation of violence risks inciting jihadist extremism in the country also known as Burma. He is also calling on neighboring countries, such as Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, to resist the urge to stage protests that could further stir religious passions.

Assistant Secretary of State Russel told The Associated Press that, "if mishandled, Rakhine State could be infected and infested by jihadism which already plagues neighboring Bangladesh and other countries."

The plight of the Rohingya, once characterized by the U.N. as the world's most friendless people, has attracted the attention of Muslim extremists since a spike in intercommunal violence in Rakhine in 2012 that left hundreds dead and forced more than 100,000 into squalid camps.

The Somali-born student who launched a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University this week reportedly protested on his Facebook page about the killing of minority Muslims in Myanmar. And last weekend, Indonesian authorities arrested two militants who were allegedly planning to attack the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta.

It has also raised hackles in the political mainstream. Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, facing domestic pressure over an investment fund scandal, is reportedly planning to attend a protest in his religiously moderate country this weekend condemning the military operation in Myanmar.

Daniel Sullivan at the advocacy group Refugees International said increasing numbers of Rohingya are fleeing across the land border to Bangladesh, and the spike in violence could set off another exodus by sea.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled by rickety boats in recent years to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, but those routes have been blocked since a crisis in 2015 when thousands were stranded at sea.

The U.S. and other nations have called for an independent investigation into the latest violence in Rakhine. Estimates of the death toll range between dozens and several hundred. Human Rights Watch said Nov. 21 that satellite imagery showed at least 1,250 buildings have been destroyed.

With journalists barred from the affected area, it's been near-impossible to substantiate reports of rapes and killings by Myanmar soldiers  the kind of conduct that has long blighted the military's reputation in ethnic conflicts.

Adama Dieng, U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide, said this week that if reports of excessive use of force in Rakhine were true, "the lives of thousands of people are at risk."

Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was appointed by Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in August to find ways to help resolve the communal tensions. On a fact-finding visit Friday, he said that security operations must not impede humanitarian access.

That's been a repeated demand from the international community, including the United States, but it's made little impact.

The U.N. World Food Program said Friday that since Oct. 9 it has been able to deliver food or cash to only 20,000 of the 152,000 people who usually receive assistance, and to about 7,000 newly-displaced people.

The Obama administration has diminished leverage. It was instrumental in ending the former pariah state's diplomatic isolation as it shifted from five decades of military rule but the last U.S. sanctions were lifted in October.

The military's crackdown in Rakhine has also exposed the limits of Suu Kyi's power. The Nobel laureate's party won elections a year ago, but the military still controls key levers of government power, including access to sensitive border regions.

Human rights activists who once lionized Suu Kyi now criticize her for failing to defend the stateless Rohingya, but Russel defended her.

"We all should have confidence in her judgment and not fall prey to the idea that she does not get it and she does not care. She does get it, and she does care," he said.

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Iran condemns US senate vote to extend sanctions

TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran's foreign minister condemned the U.S. Senate's extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation, state TV reported Saturday.

On Thursday the Senate voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act by 10 years. The measure will now be sent to outgoing President Barack Obama to sign. Iran's state television quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the extension "shows the lack of credibility of the U.S. government."

On Friday, Bahram Ghasemi, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, issued a statement condemning the extension of sanctions against Iran and said the act is a clear violation of the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world powers last year.

Ghasemi said, "The U.S. president has agreed within the framework of the nuclear deal that he would use his authority to prevent the legislation and enforcement of any measures in violation of the deal, such as the recent act by the Congress."

The nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers lifted a variety of international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program. However the U.S. still maintains its own separate set of sanctions, which are set to expire Dec. 31 if they are not extended.

Ali Akbar Salehi, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said on Friday that Iran will carefully consider how to respond. "We will definitely make no emotional decisions but will make a decision based on prudence, vigilance and wisdom," he said.

Earlier in November, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, warned that, "Definitely, the Islamic Republic of Iran will react" if the U.S. sanctions were renewed.

State TV also reported quoted Iranian president Hassan Rouhani as saying that all signatories to the nuclear deal need to honor their commitments.
Death toll from last month's IS bombing in Iraq rises to 92

BAGHDAD (AP)  Iraqi officials say the death toll from a Nov. 24 suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group has risen to 92, including about 40 Iranians.

The hospital and police officials said Saturday that another 105 people were wounded in the bombing at a gas station near the city of Hilla, south of Baghdad.

The latest death toll is an increase by 19 over the figure announced by officials a day after the attack, which targeted Shiite pilgrims returning home after marking a major religious occasion in the holy city of Karbala.

The officials attributed the rise in the death toll to the completion of the identification of bodies burnt beyond recognition.
Thai activist arrested for Facebook share about new king

BANGKOK (AP)  Police in Thailand arrested a student pro-democracy activist Saturday for sharing a story about the country's new king that was posted on Facebook by the Thai-language service of the BBC.

The arrest was apparently the first under the country's tough lese majeste law since King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun took the throne on Thursday, succeeding his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Lese majeste, or insulting the monarchy, carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison.

Duangthip Karith of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that law student Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa was arrested while attending a Buddhist ceremony in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum. Jatupat posted that he was being arrested and briefly broadcast the police reading the charge on a Facebook Live video stream.

Jatupat is a prominent member of Dao Din, a small student organization that has held public protests against Thailand's military government.

Critics of the lese majeste law, known as Article 112, say it is used to silence political dissidents. The military regime that took power in a 2014 coup has especially cracked down on commentary on the internet.

The authorities had warned that even "shares"  links to posting, rather than the content itself  could be considered in violation of the law. Jatupat also posted several passages from the BBC Thai story.

The BBC story included mentions of the king's personal life when he was crown prince, including details of three marriages that ended in divorce and other material that cannot be published in the Thai press.

Duangthip said Thai Lawyers for Human Rights believed that Jatupat's case was the first where the accused had nothing to do with the creation or editing of the content considered illegal.

It also appeared that the case may be the first involving material produced by a respected mainstream media outlet, although previous cases have involved content from several foreign tabloids. Mainstream media have had stories about the Thai monarchy censored, by blocking their websites and the voluntary stopping of distribution of editions of magazines and newspapers in Thailand, including The Economist and The International New York Times.

Dao Din issued a statement calling for Jatupat's immediate and unconditional release, and the dropping of the charge.

"He is one of thousands of people who shared a news story published (by) BBC Thai, but in his case a warrant for his arrest under Article 112 was issued for sharing this information," it said.

The statement called the arrest a violation of human rights.
The Latest: Iran and Russia reaffirm alliance in Syria war

ALEPPO, Syria (AP)  The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran and Moscow will continue to cooperate in the Syrian war "until the ultimate goal of eradicating terrorism and restoring peace and full security to the region is achieved."

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016 file photo provided by the Rumaf, a Syrian Kurdish activist group, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows people fleeing rebel-held eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo into the Sheikh Maqsoud area that is controlled by Kurdish fighters, Syria. The U.N. humanitarian aid agency said Friday an estimated 31,500 have been displaced from the government advances into the rebel-held enclave since this weekend, in one of the most dramatic shifts in the conflict now in its sixth year. (The Rumaf via AP, File)

The comment was delivered in a Saturday meeting in Tehran between Rouhani and Russia's special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.

In the meeting, Rouhani stressed that the Syrian situation can only be resolved through political dialogue and with full respect for the will of the Syrian people, who he said are the main and ultimate decision makers on the future of the country, according to IRNA.

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3:30 p.m.

The U.N. envoy for Syria says he'd tell U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to remember "the lesson we learned in Iraq and Libya" when mapping a strategy to end the six-year-old war in Syria.

Staffan de Mistura told reporters at a Rome news conference on Saturday that "we need to find a political, inclusive solution that includes those who feel disenfranchised, particularly Sunni communities in Iraq and certainly in Syria."

He says whether the Syrian war ends with a "military victory or a non-military (resolution)," the real solution must be a politically inclusive one involving the region.

Both the U.S.-led war in Iraq that ended Saddam Hussein's regime and the Western-backed uprising against then-Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi were followed by factional violence and instability, and left those countries fertile for intrusions by the Islamic State group.

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3:00 p.m

Russia says it's ready to hold quick talks with the U.S. on the exit of rebels from the besieged city of Aleppo.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave him Washington's proposals for settling the situation in Aleppo during their Friday meeting in Rome.

Lavrov said Saturday that the U.S. proposals conform to Russia's longtime offers. He added that Moscow is ready to immediately send its experts to Geneva for talks with the U.S. that would coordinate joint action to "ensure the withdrawal of all rebels without exception from eastern Aleppo, ensure humanitarian supplies to the city residents and the restoration of normal life in eastern Aleppo."

Russian-backed Syrian government forces have driven the rebels out of several neighborhoods in this week's offensive.

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12:30 p.m.

Syrian warplanes, artillery and mortar rounds have pounded areas in the eastern rebel-held Aleppo enclave, killing at least three, according to opposition activists.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bombings in the central al-Shaar neighborhood killed three. The Syrian Civil Defense put the death toll at six.

The bombings Saturday came hours after government troops made new advances on the rebel-held parts of Aleppo city. State media reported that government and allied troops have moved in on new neighborhoods, pushing one kilometer (0.6 mile) deeper into the enclave from the far east. The new advances tighten the government's grip on the besieged enclave and reduce the territory the rebels hold by more than half.

The new advances also secure the airport road east of Aleppo.

A general picture shows Aleppo citadel and the President Mosque, in the Syrian government controlled central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. Syrian state media is reporting from areas newly captured during a government ground offensive in the besieged enclave of eastern Aleppo, showing resettlement of civilians, restorations of roads and removal of debris. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Gambia leader's hold on power ends with surprising speed

DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  In July 1994, three days after Gambia's first president was toppled by military officers, the local Daily Observer newspaper featured a front-page photo of coup leader Yahya Jammeh under the headline: "We Will Never Introduce Dictatorship In This Country."

In what the newspaper billed as the officers' first post-coup interview, the men discussed the challenge of forming a government composed of "honest intellectuals." Jammeh, then a 29-year-old lieutenant, said his plan was to step aside after three months so Gambia could hold democratic elections.

Instead, Jammeh contested and won the vote in 1996 and engineered the removal of term limits so he could stay in power indefinitely. After casting his ballot in 2011, Jammeh said that, God willing, he could rule for a billion years.

Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow against longtime President Yahya Jammeh in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

But on Friday night, almost as quickly as he came to power, Jammeh announced he was leaving. Hours after the election commission declared he had lost Thursday's vote, state television showed footage of Jammeh placing a concession call to the winner, opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow. Battling a spotty connection as he sat behind a desk in his trademark white robes, Jammeh said he would not challenge the result and smiled broadly when he mused about becoming a farmer in his home village.

"You are the elected president of The Gambia, and I wish you all the best," Jammeh told Barrow. "I have no ill will."

A tiny country of 1.9 million people surrounded almost entirely by Senegal, Gambia under Jammeh became notorious for its abysmal human rights record as well as the president's erratic behavior.

In 2007, Jammeh claimed to have developed a cure for AIDS that involved an herbal body rub and bananas. Alarming public health experts, he insisted patients stop taking antiretroviral medications so his remedy could have an effect.

Two years later, his government rounded up nearly 1,000 people in a literal witch hunt, forcing the supposed witches to drink a hallucinogen that caused diarrhea and vomiting. The unidentified liquid led to serious kidney problems, and two people died, according to Amnesty International.

More recently, Jammeh seemed bent on exacerbating Gambia's isolation on the world stage. In 2013 he exited the Commonwealth, a group made up mostly of former British colonies, branding it a "neo-colonial institution." He issued increasingly virulent statements against sexual minorities, vowing to slit the throats of gay men and saying the LGBT acronym should stand for "leprosy, gonorrhea, bacteria and tuberculosis." And in October, Jammeh said Gambia would leave the International Criminal Court, which he dismissed as the "International Caucasian Court."

All the while, Gambia's economy stagnated, prompting thousands to try to migrate to Europe on dangerous water routes.

Jammeh's exit was brought about in no small part by a fed-up population, said Jeggan Grey-Johnson, a Gambian advocacy and communications coordinator for the Open Society Foundations.

Beginning in April, opposition activists staged rare protests demanding electoral reforms. Though police arrested and allegedly beat the organizers, the protests emboldened Gambians in the run-up to this week's vote, Grey-Johnson said.

"The fear factor had been lifted," he said. "The Gambian population was already inoculated moving forward in the sense that they could face down a dictator."

Once voting was underway, on-the-spot counting at polling stations  a new feature for this cycle  made the process more transparent and would have complicated any attempt by Jammeh to contest his defeat, Grey-Johnson said.

"The on-the-spot counting was fundamental. I believe if there was no on-the-spot counting, that would have made a difference in the sense that there would have been. an avenue for maneuvering for mischief moving forward," he said.

The security forces who had helped Jammeh survive at least four coup attempts  most recently in December 2014  seemed unmoved by his defeat on Friday, standing idly by as celebrating Gambians ripped down posters bearing the president's face. It was a further sign that Jammeh had no choice but to concede, Grey-Johnson said.

"At the end of the day, he was a sitting duck and there was nothing he could do," he said.

Reflecting on the transfer of power, Gambians said much of Jammeh's legacy would be difficult to undo overnight. "We are conscious of the difficult task of rebuilding our country and healing our nation after 22 years of brutal tyranny," said Pasamba Jow, a Washington-based activist.

As Gambia charts a new path, Jammeh made clear he expects this process to play out without him.

"You Gambians have decided that I should take the back seat," he said in his televised remarks Friday night. "You have voted for somebody to lead our country. This is our country, and I wish you all the best."

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Corey-Boulet reported from Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow by tearing down a poster of longtime President Yahya Jammeh in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambians celebrate the victory of Opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow against longtime President Yahya Jammeh in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. An opposition candidate was declared the winner Friday in Gambia's presidential election, an upset victory over longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh that could lead to the first transfer of power in the West African country in more than two decades. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambians celebrate the victory of Opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow against longtime President Yahya Jammeh by hitting a teddy bear symbolizing the defeated president , in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. An opposition candidate was declared the winner Friday in Gambia's presidential election, an upset victory over longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh that could lead to the first transfer of power in the West African country in more than two decades. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow against longtime President Yahya Jammeh in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow against longtime President Yahya Jammeh in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow against longtime President Yahya Jammeh in the streets of Serrekunda, Gambia, Friday Dec. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Russia warns Japan not to expect quick progress on islands

MOSCOW (AP)  Russia's foreign minister warned Japan Saturday against expecting a quick breakthrough in the territorial dispute between the two nations ahead of President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to Japan.

Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida that the settlement would require a painstaking work. He added that its rendering in the media "in either a confrontational spirit or by encouraging excessive expectations of a quick progress" wouldn't help.

The disagreement over the Pacific islands, seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II, has kept the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their wartime hostilities.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during a news conference following his talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to travel to Japan later this month to meet the Japanese prime minister and discuss a territorial dispute over the southern Kuril islands which keeps the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their World War II hostilities. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing for progress in the dispute over the islands, called the southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan.

The sparsely inhabited islands lie just north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, in an area rich in natural resources, and they also serve as a strategic vantage point for the Russian military. Last month, Japan protested after Russia announced the deployment of new anti-ship missiles on Pacific islands to the Kurils.

Abe's two visits to Russia this year have led many to believe Tokyo and Moscow are moving toward a breakthrough, Kishida met with Putin Friday to deliver Abe's message to Putin.

Putin said at the start of his meeting with Kishida that Russia is working on Abe's proposals to expand ties between the two countries, but he made no mention of the Kuril islands.

Lavrov on Saturday offered a similar indication that Moscow sees a progress in economic ties as key condition for success of talks on the islands.

"The more we act together, the more broadly we develop our ties in all spheres without exclusion searching for a balance of interests of Russia and Japan ... the easier it will be for us to solve the most difficult problems," he said.

Russia has pledged adherence to a 1956 declaration in which the Soviet Union said it was ready to hand two of the four Southern Kuril islands to Japan, but Lavrov underlined that it stipulates that the signing of a peace treaty should come first.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, arrive to attend a news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. Russian President Vladimir Putin is going to travel to Japan later this month to meet the Japanese prime minister and discuss a territorial dispute over the southern Kuril islands which keeps the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their World War II hostilities. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Ex-German POW gives legacy to Scottish village

LONDON (AP)  A former German soldier has left his life's savings to a small Scottish village where he was held as a prisoner of war during World War II.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a Waffen SS soldier, was 19 when he was brought to POW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie in Perthshire. After the war, he regularly visited.
Navy christens submarine USS Colorado in shipyard ceremony

GROTON, Conn. (AP)  Annie Mabus smashed a bottle of sparkling wine from a Denver vineyard against the Navy's newest attack submarine Saturday, christening it the Colorado as the vessel prepares to join a fleet expected to number more than 300 ships by 2019.

The 377-foot-long submarine will become the USS Colorado when it is commissioned as the 15th in the Virginia class of attack submarines, each costing $2.7 billion. The vessels are equipped to carry out warfare against submarines and surface ships, as well as conduct surveillance and deliver Special Operations troops.

Mabus joined her father, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, and others for the ceremony at Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. The bottle of Balistreri Vineyards wine had been chilled before the ceremony in a bucket of water from the Colorado River.

Hundreds gather as General Dynamics Electric Boat hosts the christening ceremony for the USS Colorado in Groton, Conn., on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. The 377-foot-long vessel is the 15th in the Virginia class of attack submarines, each costing $2.7 billion. (Tim Cook/The Day via AP)

Secretary Mabus said the christening was his last since Democratic President Barack Obama picked him to lead the Navy in 2009.

"I could not have picked a better boat, a better place, a better person to celebrate this final christening," he said during the ceremony, which also included speeches from political leaders from Connecticut and neighboring Rhode Island, where Electric Boat does some of its shipbuilding work.

The submarines are being built in a partnership between Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Construction of the Colorado began in March 2012. Its commanding officer  Cmdr. Ken Franklin, a native of Plant City, Florida  has been serving on submarines since 1991.

The Colorado is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the state. The first was a three-masted frigate launched at Norfolk Navy Yard in 1856. The most recent was a 1923-commissioned battleship that won seven battle stars during World War II.

"After the war, she was assigned to magic carpet duty and brought more than 6,000 veterans home to their families," Mabus said.

He said the crew of the new submarine will be "the rightful heirs to the sailors who crewed the USS Colorado in World War II."

The crew of the USS Colorado stands at attention alongside the submarine during its christening ceremony in Groton, Conn., on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. The 377-foot-long vessel is the 15th in the Virginia class of attack submarines, each costing $2.7 billion. (Tim Cook/The Day via AP)

The crew of the USS Colorado arrives for its christening ceremony in Groton, Conn., on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. The 377-foot-long vessel is the 15th in the Virginia class of attack submarines, each costing $2.7 billion. (Tim Cook/The Day via AP)
Within hours, wildfires set Tennessee mountain city aflame

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP)  Tracey Mayberry told her boss to fire her.

It was 2 o'clock Monday afternoon in Gatlinburg, and the sky was dark with smoke. Mayberry's shift as a manager at the resort where she worked did not end until 5 p.m., but she could see a wildfire crawling down the mountain. Local officials said the city had nothing to worry about, and Mayberry's boss had no plans to close. But she knew something was wrong, so she walked home, coughing and crying through the smoke until a stranger handed her a mask.

That wildfire had ignited five days earlier on a steep, rugged peak known as Chimney Tops, about 4 miles away from Gatlinburg. In less than 24 hours, aided by 87 mph winds and months of suffocating drought, the blaze would spread, forging a path to this tourist mecca. In all, 13 people were killed, about 85 were injured and nearly 1,000 homes and businesses were charred or destroyed.

Charred home and cars sit on a property, while a neighbor's home, background, is undamaged Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

The flames came with little warning.

At 5 o'clock, there were no fires in Gatlinburg. Within an hour, 20 buildings were ablaze.

Over the next few hours, the fires transformed a city busily preparing for holiday festivities in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains into the scene of a grim, building-by-building search for the missing and the dead. Rain fell by midweek, dousing much of the fire but leaving hollow-eyed city officials, firefighters and police officers working around the clock. Many had to put news of their own gutted homes from their minds.

Tracey and her husband also named Tracy  packed their 2007 Ford Escape with valuables. They stopped when a tree fell on their house and sparks from a downed powerline showered their yard. It was time to go.

They did not get far. Traffic was snarled on the parkway heading out of town. Tracy, sitting anxiously behind the wheel, watched as the wind blew a fireball into the Alamo Steakhouse just a few feet from his window. He gunned the engine and swerved into the middle turn lane, the speedometer racing toward 90.

"I wasn't stopping for nothing or nobody," he said.

Across the city, firefighters were locked in a hopeless battle. The wind was scattering chunks of flame across a thirsty landscape and knocking trees into power lines, creating new fires. At 6 o'clock, authorities shifted their focus from stopping the fire to evacuating the city. More than 700 people fled the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort and Spa. At the Lodge at Buckberry Creek, a chef and an event planner evacuated more than a dozen people before the flames destroyed the property. At a local hospital, 57-year-old Mark Howard was recovering from pneumonia when a neighbor called to tell him his house was on fire. He dialed 911 from his hospital bed.

The operator said, "'Are you kidding me? You're calling us?" Howard said. "I said, 'Yeah, is there another number I should call?'"

The fire had been burning for several days, mostly in the unreachable peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park not far from the edge of one of the most popular hiking trails. The fire was so small and so remote that for days firefighters could not get to it. Instead they came up with a plan to contain it. But beginning Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning, the moisture vanished from the air, the temperature rose and the wind began galloping through the trees.

By Monday afternoon, "There was no stopping the fire," said Clayton Jordan, deputy superintendent for the park.

Wolf McLellan, a 30-year-old street magician, was re-stringing his guitar at the Rainbow Motel on Monday night when things got bad.

"The sky just lit up, like the sun was just on the other side of the tree line," he said. "The wind sounded like a freaking freight train. It was absolutely horrifying as it would whistle through the window gaps."

McLellan left with his guitar, two computers and two bags that he would later abandon on the side of the road. His dog Kylie  a bulldog, bloodhound mix with floppy ears  just stared at the flames. McLellan tried to pull her with the leash, but she wouldn't budge. He decided to leave her when he saw a deer streaking down the street away from the blaze.

About a mile away, Heather Stargle was on the phone with her mother at the Travellers Motel when there was a knock at her door. It was her neighbor, warning her that police officers were at the bottom of the hill asking people to leave. She took a red backpack and stuffed it with three changes of clothes, a hair brush, deodorant and two bottles of medicine. She grabbed a half case of Coke on the way out the door.

Flames surrounded the motel as she left. But Stargle had one more stop to make. She pounded on the door of another neighbor, Pamela Johnson  "Mama Pam" to those who frequented the McKinney Food Mart where she worked for the past 13 years.

"I sat there and said, 'Pam, please just open up the door and come on.' I said, 'The place is catching on fire,'" Stargle said. "She said, 'Get away from the door, I am not coming.' She said that if she was meant to live, she would live. If not, she wouldn't.

"And that was the last thing we had heard."

The Travellers Motel was completely destroyed. On Wednesday, authorities announced they had discovered an unidentified body at the scene. Behind the door that night, Johnson had been on the phone with Karyssa Dalton, her 19-year-old granddaughter. They had talked for five minutes at 7:40 p.m., and again for six minutes and 47 seconds at 8:45 p.m.

At 10:36 p.m., Johnson did not answer. It was the first of 29 unanswered calls.

"It's emotional. Very, very emotional," Dalton said. "I do not know where she is, I don't know if she is safe, I don't know if she is gone. I just need everybody to know she is still missing and that she needs help, that she needs family."

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Jonathan Mattise contributed reporting from Nashville, Tennessee.

A burned car sits in a parking lot Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., after a wildfire swept through the area Monday. Three more bodies were found in the ruins of wildfires that torched hundreds of homes and businesses in the Great Smoky Mountains area, officials said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The charred foundation is all that remains of a home in the Cobbly Knob area of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Amy Smotherman Burgess/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)

Smoke billows from the remains of a home on the northern outskirts of Gatlinburg, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. A devastating wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings on Monday. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)

Veronica Carney looks at the skyline from the remains of the home she grew up in, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. Carney flew in from Massachusetts to assist her parents, Richard T. Ramsey and Sue Ramsey who safely evacuated as a wildfire approached Monday evening. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)

Smoke rises around the charred remains of two vehicles Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., after a wildfire swept through the area Monday. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)

Polo Gutierrez climbs onto the foundation of a destroyed home to try and see if his apartment building is still standing, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, in Gatlinburg, Tenn., after a wildfire swept through the area Monday. Gutierrez fled his apartment with other residents as fires approached the previous night. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)

In this aerial photo, smoke rise above Gatlinburg, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, the day after a wildfire destroyed numerous homes and buildings. (Paul Efird/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
As transit fares soar, NYC advocates push for discounts

NEW YORK (AP)  For most New Yorkers, subways and buses are necessities of city living that fall right behind food, clothing and shelter. But with the price of 30-day MetroCard transit pass at $116.50, and possibly primed to rise as high as $121, they're also on the verge of becoming unaffordable for the 1.7 million city residents living in poverty.

The cost of getting around has gotten so high, some advocates are proposing that New York join a handful of other cities, including Seattle and San Francisco, in offering discounted rides to some low-income residents.

That would be a boon to people like Joshua Mootoo, 29, of Brooklyn, who stopped working as a mechanic a few months ago so he could take classes and get a high school equivalency degree.

Samuel Santaella, 23, from the Queens borough of New York, speaks during an interview the offices of Riders Alliance, in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. The Riders Alliance, a commuter advocacy group, along with the anti-poverty group Community Service Society of New York, has been calling on Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to include an estimated $200 million in the citys preliminary budget plan this January that would help pay for discounted subway and bus rides. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

"When you're not getting that much income, to take out half of it and put it on a MetroCard  I can't do it," said Mootoo, who has two small children.

A commuter advocacy group, the Riders Alliance, along with the anti-poverty group Community Service Society of New York, has been calling on Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio to include an estimated $200 million in the city's preliminary budget plan this January that would help pay for discounted rides.

Even an increase of a few dollars would be an additional hardship, said Samuel Santaella. The 23-year-old, his mother and 10-year-old sister get a couple of hundred dollars a month in public assistance.

"The MetroCard is a must," Santaella said. And to pay for it, he said, "We have to cut down on food a little bit toward the end of the month."

If the city implemented a discount, he said, that would help his family free up money they could use for groceries, or maybe to get mobile phone service, which he doesn't have now.

The mayor's office said the idea was being considered, but added that the city's subsidy of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's transit system is already substantial. Last year, the city provided the MTA with nearly $1 billion for its operations and committed $2.5 billion toward its capital plan, according to the mayor's office.

Under the discount proposal being put forward by advocates, about 800,000 people living under federal poverty limits would qualify for the discount, said Nancy Rankin, vice president for policy research at the Community Service Society of New York. She estimated about half of the people eligible for a discount would apply.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency implemented a plan in 2005 that allows low-income households to get a monthly pass at half price. In Seattle, a reduced fare for low income riders was introduced in early 2015.

The vital role the public transportation system plays makes it incredibly important for the city to take up the idea, said Rebecca Bailin, who is managing the campaign for Riders Alliance.

"Physical mobility is economic mobility everywhere, but especially in New York City," she said. "We have to do this if we are really taking economic inequality as an issue."

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A look at some of the worst nightclub, music venue fires

LONDON (AP)  A fatal fire Friday night at a party in a converted warehouse in the San Francisco Bay Area has claimed the lives of at least nine people. More than two dozen are still unaccounted for. Fire officials say the roof collapsed during a music event.

A look at some other nightclub and music venue fires that have exacted terrible death tolls in crowded conditions:

 October, 2015: A blaze at the Colectiv nightclub in the Romanian capital of Bucharest killed 64 people and injured nearly 150 others. The fire erupted during a rock concert by the band Goodbye to Gravity. A spark from the band's pyrotechnic show ignited the foam ceiling, erupting into flames. It's known as the worst fire in Romania's modern history.

 January, 2013: A fire killed more than 200 people at the Kiss nightclub in the city of Santa Maria in Brazil. Investigators said soundproofing foam on the ceiling caught fire and released poisonous gasses that quickly killed those attending a university party.

 December, 2009: Some 152 people died when a blaze broke out at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia. It started when an indoor fireworks display ignited a plastic ceiling decorated with branches.

 January, 2009: An indoor fireworks display after a New Year's countdown ignited a blaze in the Santika club in Bangkok, Thailand, killing 67 people and injuring many more. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and from being crushed.

 September, 2008: A fire killed 44 people at the jammed King of Dancers nightclub in Shenzhen, China, when a stampede broke out after a fireworks show ignited the ceiling.

 December, 2004: In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a fire killed 194 people at the crowded Cromagnon Republic club after a flare ignited ceiling foam. Club owner Omar Chaban was sentenced to 20 years in prison for causing the deadly fire and for bribery. Others received lighter sentences.

 February, 2003: A fire at the Station nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island, in the United States, killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Fireworks being used by the band Great White set fire to flammable foam inside the club.

 December, 2000: A fire that was blamed on a welding accident killed 309 people at a disco in the central Chinese city of Luoyang.

 October, 1998: An arson attack against an overcrowded youth disco in the Swedish city of Goteborg killed 63 people and left around 200 injured. Four people were later convicted for starting the fire.

 March, 1996: A fire at the Ozone Disco Pub in Quezon City, Philippines, killed 162 people. A large proportion of the victims were students partying to mark the end of the academic year.

 March, 1990: An arson attack at the Happy Land nightclub in the Bronx borough of New York City killed 87 people. It started when a man angry with his girlfriend threw gasoline on the club's only exit and set it on fire, and then jammed down the metal front gate so people were trapped.

 December, 1983: A fire at the Alcala dance hall in Madrid, Spain, left 78 people dead and more than 20 injured.

 May, 1977: A fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Southgate, Kentucky, in America killed 165 people and injured more than 200.

 November, 1942: The deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history killed 492 people at Boston's Cocoanut Grove club. The fire at what had been one of Boston's foremost nightspots led to new requirements for sprinkler systems and accessible exits.
While fake news stories have been widely criticized after the elections, one police chief credits a false press release with saving the lives of two men.

Police Chief Ralph Martin of Santa Maria, California, issued a false press release claiming two men had been arrested so authorities could shielding them from gang members while keeping their sting operation under wraps.

The ruse was criticized by news organizations that reported it as fact, but Martin said it bought investigators three weeks to gather evidence that led to the arrest of 17 gang members on charges of 10 murders and plots to kill eight others, including the two cousins, who remain under protection.

Police Chief Ralph Martin (pictured) issued a false press release claiming two men had been arrested so authorities could shielding them from gang members

The phony announcement issued in February was discovered in court documents and only reported this week by the Santa Maria Sun, a weekly newspaper in the city 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The daily newspaper and local television stations were unaware the information in the release was false when they reported that two men, Jose Santos Melendez, 22, and his cousin Jose Marino Melendez, 23, had been arrested for identity theft and handed over to immigration authorities.

Using wiretaps and surveillance, police learned the two men, members of a rival gang who lost another cousin to violence seven months earlier, were about to be killed, he said.

Police worried the hit men might harm family members instead if they thought the two men were in hiding. But they also did not want to expose their long-running sting operation by making arrests.

So they took the two men into protective custody and fabricated the news release.

After MS-13 gang members returned the next day looking for the two, police overheard a phone conversation among the MS-13 gang members discussing the news that their targets had been arrested.

Martin said he's taken some flak from news media, but he has also received about two dozen supportive calls. 'I think if they were in my shoes they would have done the same thing,' he said.

He added: 'It was a moral and ethical decision, and I stand by it. I am keenly aware and sensitive to the community and the media. I also had 21 bodies lying in the city in the last 15 months.'

Police worried the hit men might harm family members if they thought the two men were in hiding. They also did not want to expose their long-running sting operation by making arrests

Kendra Martinez, news director at KSBY-TV, said she was 'deeply troubled' that police misled the public and news organizations.

'While we strongly support the police department's efforts to protect citizens in harm's way, we are concerned this type of deception can erode the basic trust of our residents and viewers,' Martinez said.

The sting comes to light as news organizations try to set the record straight as truth and fiction blur amid a proliferation of 'fake news' spread by social media.

Jonathan Kotler, a professor at the USC Annenberg journalism school, said there was nothing illegal about what police did, but it could raise questions about the department's future credibility.

But he added that the public was unlikely to appreciate the importance of that issue, particularly when the police said it was matter of life and death.

So they took the two men into protective custody and fabricated the news release, a move that was criticized for eroding trust

Sending bogus information to the media to advance law enforcement goals is rare but not unheard of.

Police in Ottawa, Canada, were criticized for issuing a press release with false information about evidence connected to a 2014 murder case so they could see how the suspects reacted.

Sting operations routinely use ruses to lure deadbeat parents, traffic-fine scofflaws and people wanted for all kinds of outstanding warrants to collect prizes they think they've won.

But those stings, while reported as news, don't make the press a player in the operation and don't dupe law-abiding citizens.

'They used a public system paid for with public dollars to present false information to the public,' said Marga Cooley, managing editor of the Santa Maria Times.

Louis Dekmar, vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, said he's only heard tactics like that used three times in his four decades on the force.

He would only try such subterfuge in the rarest cases without other reasonable options and only after weighing the long-term consequences.

'Any time you enter into a ruse that involves the media, it creates a real distrust between the police and the folks we rely on,' said Dekmar, who is police chief in LaGrange, Georgia.
What would possess a man described as a 'world-renowned neurosurgeon' to kill his wife, herself a respected family doctor and mother of his three children?

That is what investigators in Toronto are trying to piece together after the arrest of Mohammed Shamji, who is being charged with murdering his wife, Elana Fric-Shamji.

Shamji, 40, appeared in court Saturday to face a first-degree murder charge just 24 hours after coroners identified his 40-year-old wife's body that was first spotted a day before beside a river in suburban Toronto.

She was determined to have died from strangulation and blunt force trauma, according to police.

Mohammed Shamji (left), a renowned neurosurgeon, appeared in a Toronto court on Saturday. The body of his wife, Elana Fric-Shamji (right) was identified by coroners on Friday

Shamji has been ordered remanded in custody until December 20, local media reported.

News of the murder and Shamji's alleged complicity has been met with shock in the Toronto area, particularly within the medical community.

The Shamjis were highly regarded doctors whose 12-year marriage produced three children.

Fric-Shamji worked as a family doctor at the Scarborough and Rouge Hospital in Toronto.

Mohammed Shamji (seen left with his wife) was arrested and charged with first-degree murder

Shamji is a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital and a faculty member at the University of Toronto.

They both had advanced degrees  Fric-Shamji a master's degree in public policy and Shamji a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering - from Duke University in the US.

Police took statements from witnesses who reported hearing the couple arguing at their home.

Law enforcement officials believe that after a loud argument, Fric-Shamji was strangled and struck with a blunt force object in the couple's garage.

Her body was then stuffed into a suitcase and driven to York Region, Ontario, where it was dumped on the side of a river near an underpass.

Coroners say that Elana Fric-Shamji died of strangulation and blunt force trauma. Police believe her husband killed her in the couple's garage after a heated argument

Neighbors told the Toronto Sun newspaper that Elana Fric-Shamji had filed for divorce from her husband and that she was in 'good spirits' in the days leading up to her death because she was 'looking toward her new life.'

The couple' children  Yasmin, 12; Faiza, 9; and Marius, 3  were placed in the care of her maternal grandparents, according to reports.

The reports of the grisly death are a far cry from images of the couple on their social media accounts, which show a husband and wife enjoying one another's company.

The couple had been married for 12 years and had three children together. Friends say that Elana Fric-Shamji was 'in good spirits' after filing for divorce recently

While the couple kept up an appearance in public of marital bliss, police sources said that they were called to their home on previous occasions

The Shamjis are seen above with two of their three young children. Authorities said that the children have been placed in the care of their maternal grandparents

But sources are also quoted as telling the Toronto Sun that the marriage was marred by previous incidents in which the police were called to the house.

People who knew the victim were shocked at the news. They remember a very popular doctor beloved in the community.
Landlord charged with trespassing for sex in renters' bed

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP)  A Colorado landlord faces a felony trespassing charge after a renter with a video security system caught the man having sex in his apartment.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Carlos Quijada of Colorado Springs. KKTV-TV (bit.ly/2gSyKEc) asked Quijada for comment on Wednesday afternoon, but the man drove away.

Logan Pierce says he received an alert on his phone from his security system, looked at the feed from the bedroom camera and said he was in complete and utter disbelief. He said he called his wife and told her they were going to have to move, then he called police and turned over the video evidence.

Police Lt. Howard Black said landlords don't have the right to go into tenant apartments and do whatever they want to do.

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Nazi PoW leaves 400,000 to 'kind' Scottish village

A former German prisoner of war has left nearly 400,000 to a small Scottish village for the kindness shown to him during his imprisonment.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a former Waffen SS soldier during World War Two, was captured in France in 1944 when he was 19 and was held at the PoW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie, Perthshire.

He was classified as a category "C" prisoner - or hardline Nazi - and was held in Perthshire until June 1945, when he was then moved to another unit in Caithness and then a camp in Fife before eventually being released in 1948.

The legacy is to be used specifically for the elderly in the village

He returned to Comrie regularly after he was freed and made life-long friendships in the area. He died in 2014, aged 90, and his ashes were scattered in the hills above the camp.

Two years on, his wish to leave 384,000 to the village has been recognised and has been donated to the village's local community trust to be spent on local development for the elderly.

The Courier newspaper said part of Mr Steinmeyer's will reads: "I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter".

Mr Steinmeyer made close friends with a local man in the area named George Carson who died only two weeks prior to his own.

Mr Carson's son, who is also called George, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It sounds like an unbelievable story but it's absolutely true.

"My mother and her friends, all school children at Morrison's Academy in Crieff, made friends with Heinrich through the fence of the Cultybraggan camp.

"I'm not quite sure how they communicated but during these conversations they discovered that Heinrich had never seen a moving picture, so they went up with their push bikes one morning and one of the girls had taken her brother's school uniform and they smuggled him out of the camp through the chainlink fence and into the cinema where he saw his very first film and he was absolutely blown away by the whole experience.

"I met him a couple of times and he was a wonderful man.

"He had meetings with the Comrie Development Trust in 2008 and asked them to manage his estate on his death.

"He was quite specific in his will that the money should only be used on the elderly in the village.

"This is his thanks for the kindness shown to him at the point of his life where he was at his lowest and he just wants to say thank you to everybody."
James Horwill returns to captain Harlequins a fortnight after finger fracture

Australia lock James Horwill has proved his tenacity once again, missing just one match due to his gruesome compound finger fracture.

Horwill will captain Harlequins for Sunday's Aviva Premiership trip to Newcastle Falcons - just two weeks after suffering his nasty finger injury in the 25-6 loss at Leicester Tigers.

Quins skipper Horwill asked physios to tape up his finger so he could keep playing at Welford Road on November 20, but was hauled off as the broken bone had pierced his skin.

James Horwill will captain Harlequins for the trip to Newcastle just two weeks after suffering a nasty finger injury

Now the 31-year-old is back in action having only missed last weekend's 21-20 win over Bath at The Stoop, and is joined in Quins' line-up by centre Jamie Roberts, back after Wales duty.

"We are very pleased to have James Horwill and Jamie Roberts back into the fray for what will be an undoubtedly tough trip to Newcastle," said Harlequins boss John Kingston.

"Falcons had an excellent victory over Northampton Saints last weekend and while they will be looking to build on this, it's important that we in turn follow up the success we had against Bath."

Tim Swiel slots in at fly-half for Quins who are without former All Black Nick Evans due to a hand problem.

Canada lock Evan Olmstead slots in for the suspended Calum Green for Newcastle, returning to the Falcons' starting line-up after autumn international Test duty.

Centre Fred Burdon makes his first Aviva Premiership start, with Mike Delany at full-back and Alex Tait on the wing.

Former Harlequins boss Dean Richards will be up against old faces this weekend in his guise as Newcastle rugby director. And the ex-England number eight hailed Fiji wing Vereniki Goneva as "one of the best finishers in the world" after his match-winning score at Northampton last weekend.

"In terms of Niki, he is a huge asset," said Richards of Goneva.

"It's no wonder people regard him as one of the best finishers in the world, the way he took that try at the end last week. It was outstanding to finish the way he did."

Worcester host Wasps in Sunday's other Premiership clash, with Dewald Potgieter captaining the Warriors from the hosts' back-row.

Flanker Sam Lewis will win his first league start, while ex-Ireland lock Donncha O'Callaghan slots into the engine room.

Wasps are missing some 15 players for their Sixways trip, 12 through injury with Nathan Hughes on England duty and Joe Launchbury and Elliot Daly suspended.

Jimmy Gopperth's knee injury and Kyle Eastmond's chest issue creates an entirely new centre combination of Alapati Leiua and Brendan Macken.

Rugby director Dai Young believes Wasps can still cope in the absence of a host of familiar names however.

"Yes we are down on numbers but it happens and we're no different to any other team," said Young.

"It's going to be a test of our squad, that's what the squad is there for, and we'll see the strength of it at Worcester.
Tories accuse Labour over Article 50 debate amendment plan

The Conservatives have accused Labour of trying to "frustrate the will of the British people" over Brexit, after Jeremy Corbyn said they would seek to table an amendment if the Supreme Court rules there must be a vote in Parliament.

On Monday the highest court in the land will begin hearing the Government's appeal against a High Court ruling that the Prime Minister must gain the approval of MPs before triggering Article 50, marking the start of the formal negotiations to leave the EU.

Mr Corbyn said that if the Supreme Court's decision - expected early in the new year - meant the Government was required to bring forward legislation, Labour would seek to amend it.

Jeremy Corbyn said that if the Supreme Court's decision meant the Government was required to bring forward legislation, Labour would seek to amend it

"When the Article 50 debate comes up, we will put forward an amendment to it, which will be on the issues of market access and protections. We want those to be part of the negotiation," he told Sky News.

The Labour leader denied that the party was seeking to prevent the Government invoking Article 50 altogether.

"We are respecting the result of the referendum. It might not be the one we wanted but it's the one we've got," he said.

"We are not going to block it. We don't think it is right to do that but I do think there may well be a considerable body of MPs on both sides who would support an amendment which does require a trading agreement with Europe in future."

However the Conservatives said the move was clearly designed to delay the Brexit process while limiting the Government's room for manoeuvre in the negotiations.

"Yet again, Labour have shown they want to frustrate the will of the British people by slowing down the process of leaving the European Union and trying to tie the Government's hands in a negotiation," a Conservative spokesman said.
Helsinki rejects Guggenheim museum plan

By Jussi Rosendahl

HELSINKI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Helsinki will not follow Bilbao and Venice in hosting a Guggenheim museum after city councillors finally rejected proposals first made five years ago for a new building on the Finnish capital's waterfront.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation raised the idea for the museum in 2011 but the project faced strong resistance from the start as many Finns coping with an economy in recession and austerity measures considered it a waste of money.

Following a five-hour meeting, Helsinki city council turned down the plan to build the museum on what is now a car park for the third time in the early hours of Thursday, with 53 members voting against a revised proposal and 32 supporting it.

Osku Pajamaki, a council member from the Social Democrats, said he was happy with the vote, adding: "There are no shortcuts to tourism and cultural attractions when the Finnish capital is in question."

Under the revised plan, the city of Helsinki would have paid 80 million euros ($85 million) and private donors about 66 million euros of the building costs. The government ruled out any state aid for the museum in September due to opposition from the co-ruling nationalist Finns party.

The museum's promoters had said it would give Finland a cultural and tourism boost, citing the example of the Bilbao Guggenheim which helped to transform the northern Spanish city into a popular art and architectural destination.

Finnish foundations, companies and private individuals such as Nokia's former chief executive Jorma Ollila had pledged funds for the project.

The Guggenheim Foundation's deputy director Ari Wiseman told newspaper Helsingin Sanomat he believed the vote meant the project was "practically finished".
U.S. sanctions North Korean companies, officials after nuclear test

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The United States on Friday blacklisted seven people and 16 North Korean companies for ties to the North Korean government or its nuclear and weapons programs, the U.S. Treasury said in a statement.

The measures come after North Korea conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test in September. The United States opposes the development of nuclear arms by North Korea and its missile program, but a U.S. policy of both sanctions and diplomacy has failed so far to dent North Korea's aims.

Treasury blacklisted several individuals who it said were North Korean officials, including at the Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry, which oversees the nuclear program, and the Workers' Party of Korea, the ruling party.

Three of the people it sanctioned on Friday were also named in a United Nations Security Council resolution passed unanimously on Wednesday that blocked their assets and instituted a travel ban, in addition to imposing new sanctions on North Korea aimed at cutting its export revenue.

"These sanctions aim to cut the flow of financial resources to North Korea and further counter the regime's destabilizing and provocative behavior," said Adam Szubin, the Treasury's acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in the statement. "From financial services to mining and energy, today's action targets individuals and entities operating in key industries that support North Korea's illicit activities."

The companies sanctioned on Friday include Air Koryo, North Korea's national carrier, and 16 aircraft it has an interest in, as well as six financial services companies, and companies which the U.S. Treasury said trade in North Korean metal, coal and minerals or supply North Korean laborers overseas.

U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order in March that targeted North Korea's mining, transportation, energy, and financial services sectors, its trade in graphite, metal, and coal, and the revenue it earns from North Korean laborers abroad.
Reuters Odd News Summary

Following is a summary of current odd news briefs.

Philippines president pines for motorcycle, doubts will ride again

Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte spoke of his sadness on Friday at having to forfeit his beloved motorcycles in becoming president, and offered tips on handling two wheels and why a Honda was better than a Harley. The 71-year-old reminisced about touring the Philippines by motorbike and how as a city mayor he used to ride every week on a motorcycle that his security team made him mothball a day after winning a presidential election in May.

Egyptian man grows 'Beard of Bees', hopes to promote apian benefits

Mohamed Hagras stands barechested as dozens of honeybees congregate around his face, eventually forming what he calls the "Beard of Bees". To attract the insects he has a box housing their queen's hormones strapped to his chin. The 31-year-old engineer-turned-beekeeper has been doing this for years both competitively - he fondly recalls a Canadian model's "Bikini of Bees" at a beekeeping event - and as an effort to educate Egyptians on the usefulness of bees.

New York thief grabs pot of gold off armored truck: police

New York police are searching for a green-clad man who swiped an 86-pound (39 kg) pail of gold flakes off an armored truck two months ago and disappeared with the estimated $1.6 million in treasure. The city's police department late Tuesday released photos and video of the suspect, who was lingering near the truck on the afternoon of Sept. 29 and took advantage of a moment of distraction by its security guards to snatch the five-gallon (19-liter) bucket.

Bank of England asking supplier of currency to find animal fat alternative

The Bank of England said its supplier of currency, Innovia, is working toward removing the use of animal fat in the production of its new plastic five pound note after objection raised by thousands of vegetarians. The bank said it did not know about traces of tallow, which contains animal fats, in the production of the currency when it signed the contract with Innovia.

Police threaten Nickelback music on Canadian drunk drivers
One dead in Peru after angry mob tries to lynch pollsters

LIMA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - One woman has been killed and some 40 people were arrested in a Peruvian shantytown after an angry mob tried to lynch two pollsters whom residents believed were butchering local children to take their organs, authorities said Friday.

False rumors on social media claiming dead children had been found with their organs missing fanned mass hysteria in the shantytown Huaycan on the outskirts of Lima, prompting residents to target two employees of a polling company who had been conducting door-to-door marketing surveys, said Police General Hugo Begazo.

"From one second to the next, people started to surround us," said visibly shaken Luis Nunez with polling firm Quantum in broadcast comments. "They nearly lynched us and set us on fire."

Police managed to pry Nunez and his colleague from the mob, which then attacked the police station in Huaycan where they were being held for their protection, Begazo said.

Police are investigating the death of a Huaycan woman who died from a bullet wound following the unrest late on Thursday, Begazo said.

Footage of the clashes showed police launching tear gas at a crowd and firing bullets in the air as people ran screaming and men threw rocks.

Begazo said more than a dozen police were injured and that Molotov cocktails were thrown and cars set on fire.

The clashes in Huaycan underscore the deep mistrust that often exists between authorities and residents of poverty-stricken areas across Peru where policing is scant and residents regularly band together to fight crime.

Peruvian Interior Minister Carlos Basombrio called the organ trafficking rumors "irresponsible" and designed to instill fear.

"Those spreading this information will pay the consequences," Basombrio said, without offering specifics.

One Facebook post warned Huaycan residents, many of whom are migrants from the Peruvian highlands, to keep their children safe after the arrival of "pishtacos," a monster in Andean folklore known for killing people to extract their fat.

Other posts said the bodies of children were turning up without eyes or other organs, and with cash or thank you notes left behind.

After the polling workers were cornered, someone used a megaphone to summon residents to help punish them, said Nunez.

The woman killed was a mother who collected discarded recyclable materials for a living and was not a part of the mob, her neighbors told TV journalists.
China lodges protest after Trump call with Taiwan president

By Ben Blanchard

BEIJING/WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the "petty" move.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".

China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant U.S. side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.

"The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship," it said.

The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation.

Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience.

"This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

"I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government."

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said that exchange had sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations", according to the ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a "petty" move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."

WAYWARD PROVINCE

Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

Chinese state media downplayed the possibility of a major blow-up in Beijing's relations with Washington as Trump prepares to assume office.

Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else.

"We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do."

China's official Xinhua news agency said Trump needed to know Beijing can be a "cooperative partner" as long as Washington respects China's core interests, including the issue of Taiwan.

"China and the United States are not destined rivals," it said in an English-language commentary.

Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

"Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the U.S. election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what U.S. policy has been" on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. The White House also said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the U.S. military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy".

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.
May's Brexit plans face British Supreme Court test

By Michael Holden

LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May's government launches a challenge on Monday against a court ruling that it requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, a decision that could upset Britain's Brexit plans.

If the Supreme Court, the United Kingdom's highest judicial body, dismisses the government appeal it could derail May's timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and leaving the EU.

The government's legal fight comes against a backdrop of claims by some politicians and newspapers that establishment judges want to thwart the Brexit process.

It will be the most high-profile and complex case the court has considered since it came into being seven years ago and is due to last for four days. For the first time all its 11 justices will sit on the panel with the verdict due later in January.

"The case raises difficult and delicate issues about the constitutional relationship between government and parliament," Brenda Hale, the Supreme Court's Vice-President said in a speech last month.

"What is meant by the exercise of the executive power of the state? We do not have a written constitution to tell us the answer. But I doubt whether many written constitutions would tell us the answer either."

If May wins, she can proceed with her plans to invoke Article 50 by the end of March.

But if she loses, parliament could in theory block Brexit as most lawmakers (MPs) supported staying in the EU in a referendum in June, though few observers expect such an outcome. Even so, lawmaker approval could open the process to greater scrutiny and delay.

Investors believe the greater parliament's involvement the less chance there is of a "hard Brexit" in which tight controls on immigration are prioritised over European single market access. The pound surged after November's High Court ruling.

In a sign of how thorny the process could be for May, the pro-EU Liberal Democrat party says it would vote against Article 50 unless there is a new referendum on the final Brexit deal, a concession May is highly unlikely to make.

The party won a ninth seat in parliament on Thursday in a local by-election vote.

The High Court challenge was brought by investment fund manager Gina Miller with hairdresser Deir Tozetti Dos Santos the second claimant.

Other parties will also be allowed to offer legal arguments this week, including the devolved Welsh government, a group of ex-patriate Britons, and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain which represents mainly low-paid migrant workers.

So too will the Scottish government, which strongly opposes Brexit and has been seeking ways to keep Scotland in the EU.

The case hinges on whether the government can use a historical power known as "royal prerogative" to invoke Article 50 without lawmakers' assent.

USEFUL DISTRACTION?

The challengers argued that Britons would inevitably lose rights granted under an act of parliament when leaving the EU, and that under Britain's unwritten constitution such rights could only be taken away with parliamentary approval.

The High Court agreed with this, rejecting the government's assertion parliament had given its approval by allowing a referendum and that it was established the executive alone could make or leave international treaties.

The government's prepared argument for the Supreme Court is little changed from before. Miller has told Reuters she suspected May might be happy to lose, with the court battle providing a useful distraction to ministerial divisions and Brexit indecision.

June's vote to leave the EU exposed deep divisions in Britain, and some pro-Brexit politicians condemned the High Court for flouting democracy. The Daily Mail newspaper called the three senior judges involved "enemies of the people".

Miller herself has become a target of hate and has received abuse and death threats.

Some lawmakers in May's Conservative Party have also called for Supreme Court President David Neuberger to stand down because his wife had posted anti-Brexit messages on Twitter.

One of the court's justices, Brian Kerr, said judges would not be swayed by personal views.

"That's not to say we don't have personal views, but we are all extremely conscious of the need to set aside our personal views and apply the law as we conceive it to be," he told the BBC last month.

Meanwhile, upsetting the media, politicians and some of the public is unlikely to faze Neuberger and the other justices.
Syrian rebels lose more ground in Aleppo - monitor

BEIRUT, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Syrian government forces have captured 60 percent of the area previously held by rebels in eastern Aleppo after gaining new ground on the city's eastern edge, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday.

At least seven plumes of smoke were seen rising from rebel-held areas of the city on Saturday morning as the sound of jets could be heard overhead, a Reuters witness in the government-held western Aleppo said.

The Syrian army backed by allied militia has captured large areas of rebel-held eastern Aleppo in the last week in a ferocious campaign that threatens to deal a major defeat to the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad.

The Observatory and a Syrian military source said the army had built on its gains by capturing the Tariq al-Bab district late on Friday. A Turkey-based official with one of the rebel groups in Aleppo said government forces had advanced in the area but rebels were repelling them.

Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said the total area lost by the rebels was "easily 60 percent".
UN envoy hopes for "formula" to avoid "terrible battle" in Aleppo

ROME, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The U.N. envoy for Syria said on Saturday he hoped "some type of formula" could be found to avoid a "terrible battle" in Aleppo, where government forces and their allies are gaining ground in an attack aimed at taking back the whole city from rebels.

Staffan de Mistura, speaking at a Rome conference, indicated the battle for Aleppo would not last that much longer, saying "the fact is that Aleppo is not going to stay that long".

"I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas-New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula," he said.
Iran says extension of sanctions act shows U.S. unreliable

DUBAI, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 years shows the world that Washington cannot be relied upon to act on its commitments, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday.

Iran has vowed to retaliate against the ISA extension, passed unanimously on Thursday, saying it violated last year's agreement with six major powers to curb its nuclear programme in return for lifting of international financial sanctions.

"To the world community, the extension of sanctions against Iran shows the unreliability of the American government," state broadcaster IRIB quoted Zarif as saying on arriving in India for an official visit. "America is acting against its commitment."

U.S. officials said the ISA renewal would not infringe the nuclear agreement. U.S. lawmakers have also said the ISA extension would make it easier for sanctions to be quickly reimposed if Iran contravened the nuclear deal..

But Iran's nuclear energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, who played a central role in reaching the nuclear deal, described the extension as a "clear violation" if implemented.

The diplomatic thaw between Washington and Tehran over the past two years looks in jeopardy with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month. He said during his election campaign that he would scrap the nuclear agreement.

The U.S. Senate vote was a blow to pragmatist Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who engineered the diplomatic opening to the West that led to the nuclear deal.

"The (nuclear accord) is the result of efforts by seven countries, and one country should not be allowed to weaken it," state news agency IRNA on Saturday reported Rouhani as saying.

Last month, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the extension would be viewed in Tehran as a breach of the nuclear accord and threatened retaliation.

Behrouz Nemati, spokesman for parliament's presiding board, was quoted by state television on Saturday as saying MPs would introduce a measure on Sunday demanding the government "return to initial (nuclear) enrichment conditions" before the deal.

Another group of lawmakers plan to introduce a bill on Sunday to ban "the purchase of U.S. consumer goods including animal and agricultural products", IRIB reported.

Such a bill could also endanger deals including U.S. planemaker Boeing's tentative accord to sell passenger jets to Iran, upgrading a fleet long deteriorating due to sanctions.

Khamenei and his hardline loyalists have criticised the deal and blamed Rouhani for its failure to deliver swift improvements in living standards since sanctions were lifted in January.
Rebels won't surrender Aleppo, rebel official says

BEIRUT, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Syrian rebel commanders in Aleppo will not surrender eastern Aleppo to government forces, a rebel official said on Saturday, after Russia said it was ready for talks with the United States on the withdrawal of all rebels from the area.

"I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender'," said Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, speaking from Turkey.
Russia seeks full withdrawal of Aleppo rebels

By Tom Perry, Isla Binnie and Vladimir Soldatkin

BEIRUT/ROME/MOSCOW, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday it was ready for talks with the United States about a withdrawal of all Syrian rebels from eastern Aleppo, where advances by the Russian-backed Syrian army and its allies threaten to deal a crushing blow to the rebellion.

In just over a week, the army and allied militias have seized large areas of the opposition-held territory in eastern Aleppo in a fierce campaign that may leave the rebels with no choice but to seek a negotiated passage out of their area.

With tens of thousands of civilians still living in the rebels' shrinking, besieged enclave, the U.N. envoy for Syria suggested eastern Aleppo could fall by the end of the year and hoped a way could be found to avoid a "terrible battle".

Responding to the Russian proposal, an official with an Aleppo rebel group said commanders in the city had vowed to fight on. They would support the opening of corridors for civilians to leave the city, but would not surrender it.

The government advances in Aleppo have brought President Bashar al-Assad to the brink of his biggest victory yet in a civil war that grew out of protests against his rule in 2011.

Backed by the Russian air force and Shi'ite militias from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, the government has gradually closed in on eastern Aleppo this year, encircling the eastern parts of the city before launching a major assault in September.

The United Nations estimates that close to 30,000 people have been displaced by the latest fighting, 18,000 of them leaving to government-held areas and a further 8,500 going to the Kurdish-controlled neighbourhood of Sheikh Maqsoud.

Supplies of food and fuel are critically low in eastern Aleppo, where hospitals have been repeatedly bombed out of operation. Hundreds have been killed in the bombardments.

"NORMALISE LIFE"

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said more than 100,000 people

may still be in the rebel-held area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that reports on the war, said it could be as many as 200,000 people.

Russia, which has assumed a pivotal role in Syria since it deployed its air force there 15 months ago, said the withdrawal of all rebels would "normalise life" in eastern Aleppo.

"We are immediately ready to send out military experts, diplomats to Geneva in order to agree mutual actions with our American colleagues to ensure the pullout of all the rebels without exclusion from eastern Aleppo," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

There was no immediate comment from the United States, which has backed some of the rebel groups fighting Assad, including Free Syrian Army factions fighting in the Aleppo area.

Long outgunned by the Syrian military, Russia's air force and militias that include Lebanon's battle-hardened Hezbollah, the rebels say they have been abandoned to their fate by foreign governments including the United States.

With no good options, the rebels have been holding talks with Russian officials which they say had produced agreements including the departure of all jihadist fighters from Aleppo. The aim was a ceasefire where FSA rebels would stay in the city.

But Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, said Lavrov's comments had "cancelled everything" and the meetings in Turkey had "almost come to a halt".

"The military commanders in Aleppo said 'we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city'," Malahifji said.

Russia has acknowledged contacts with the rebels but given no details of the talks in Turkey. The Syrian army has vowed to take back the whole city from rebels.

Speaking to journalists in Aleppo, General Samir Suleiman, head of the media arm of the army's political directorate, said Russian efforts were being conducted in coordination with the Syrian leadership.

"We open the way to any political solution that halts the bloodshed, the killing, the destruction", he said, adding the army had taken back around half of the area the rebels had held.

The army command issued a statement calling on residents to return to their homes in areas of northeastern Aleppo that were captured from the rebels, saying they were being rehabilitated.

PLUMES OF SMOKE

The Observatory and a Syrian army source said government forces had advanced further, capturing the Tariq al-Bab area.

The rebels said the assault on Tariq al-Bab had been repelled. Fierce clashes were underway in the Aziza as rebels sought to repel another attempted advance, a rebel official said.

At least seven plumes of smoke were seen rising from rebel-held areas of the city on Saturday morning and the sound of jets could be heard overhead, a Reuters witness in government-held western Aleppo said.

The Observatory said at least three people were killed in an air strike on the al-Shaer neighbourhood of eastern Aleppo.

The civil defence rescue service in eastern Aleppo said a gathering of displaced people had been struck and put the death toll at more than six. The army denies targeting civilians.

The Observatory also reported that rebels shot down a Syrian war plane over Aleppo, killing the two pilots on board. Reuters could not obtain Syrian military confirmation of the report.

Speaking at a conference in Rome, U.N. envoy de Mistura indicated eastern Aleppo could fall by the end of the year, saying "Aleppo is not going to stay that long".

"I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas/New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula," he said.

In apparent reference to the talks between Russian and rebel officials, de Mistura said "informal negotiations" had reduced the level of fighting in eastern Aleppo - a comment rebel officials dismissed as out of touch with reality.

The government has reached numerous local agreements with rebels in besieged areas by which they have been given safe passage to the insurgent-held province of Idlib in northwestern Syria. Some analysts believe the Aleppo rebels may eventually be forced to accept such an agreement.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, speaking in Rome, said she was certain Aleppo's fall would not end the war, and there would be other military escalations.
Egypt refers two officials to court for migrant boat capsizing

CAIRO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Egypt has referred two maritime inspection officials to trial for their role in the capsizing of a migrant ship that led to the death of over 200 earlier this year, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday.

A boat carrying about 450 people capsized off Egypt's northern coast in September. Some 202 bodies were subsequently recovered from the sea and 169 people rescued.

The largest Arab nation has said it is committed to developing a strategy to combat what has turned into a growing smuggling industry along its northern seaboard. It passed a law in October aimed at curbing human trafficking.

Egyptian authorities arrested four crew members just after the boat capsized in September and opened an investigation.

MENA said prosecutors ordered two inspection officials at the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety - a government agency - to trial after their investigation concluded that the inspectors colluded with the ship's captain to allow it to operate without a valid license.

The officials were not named.

A growing number of migrants have tried to cross to Italy from the African coast, particularly from Libya, where people-traffickers operate with relative impunity. But boats have increasingly departed from Egypt.
Trump targets another company, draws Sanders' criticism

By Doina Chiacu

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump drew a rebuke from former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Saturday, after turning his attention to another Indiana company planning a move to Mexico.

"Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more!" Trump said in a Friday night Twitter post.

Rexnord Corp, an industrial supplier based in Milwaukee, announced plans in October to move a bearing plant, and its 300 jobs, from Indianapolis to Mexico, employees told the Indianapolis Star at the time.

Company representatives on Saturday did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's tweet.

The Republican, who takes office on Jan. 20, warned on Thursday of consequences for companies that move jobs out of the United States but did not specify what they would be.

Trump, who campaigned on promises to keep manufacturing jobs from fleeing the country, claimed credit for a deal in which Indiana state officials agreed to give United Technologies Corp $7 million worth of tax breaks to encourage the company to keep around 1,000 jobs at its Carrier unit in Indianapolis instead of hiring in Mexico.

The agreement was less than a complete victory for Trump, as the air conditioner maker will still send an estimated 1,300 jobs there.

The deal does nothing to prevent other employers from shipping work out of state and has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike who call it corporate welfare.

Sanders, who attacked U.S. trade policy in his race against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, said Trump's deal with Carrier set a "very dangerous precedent" of having taxpayers subsidize multi-billion dollar corporations to "beg them" to keep jobs in the country.

On Saturday, he challenged Trump over his Rexnord tweet.

"What are you going to do, @realDonaldTrump? Stand up for working people or give the company a massive tax break?" Sanders tweeted in response to Trump's post.

Sanders supports tougher policies on corporations for outsourcing.

During the presidential campaign, Trump said his administration would put a 35 percent import tariff on goods made by American manufacturers that moved jobs offshore. He frequently pilloried Carrier for planning to move production to Mexico as he appealed to blue-collar voters in the Midwest, including in Indiana, whose governor, Mike Pence, is the vice president-elect.
Anura K asks Law and Order Minister to reveal who the Sir is

The controversial cellular phone call to the Police Chief could have been from anybody, House Leader and Minister Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament yesterday.

He said this when Chief Opposition Whip and JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake asked whom the Police Chief was addressing as 'Sir' while answering a cellular phone call he received during an event on the previous day.

I raised this matter on Thursday but I did not receive an answer. Law and Order Minister should reveal to Parliament whom the Police Chief was addressing as 'Sir'," he said.

"One 'Sir' instructed him not to arrest a Dishan Wickramaratne Gunasekara," the MP said.

"The parliament has a right to know about it. Dishan Gunasekara was the former Basnayake Nilame, a close relative of VVIP family connected to the previous regime. He was also the former acting director and chairman of the Ceylon Mineral Sands Corporation. There are several cases filed against him by the FCID. We want to know whether it is the minister who instructed the IGP not to arrest Mr. Gunasekera. What I believe is that for the IGP the 'Sir' can either be the minister related to the Police or the Prime Minister. So the relevant minister should reveal to the Parliament as to who instructed the IGP not to arrest Dishan."

Mr. Kiriella said the MP is only interpreting an incident and the government is not prepared to answer questions which are based on interpretations.

The person whom IGP addressed as 'Sir' could be anyone as school teachers are also called Sir. I still call my school teacher sir, the minister said. (Yohan Perera)
The 18 suspects who were arrested in connection with the Negombo incident were remanded till December 9 by Acting Magistrate Shantha Niriella.

The suspects were arrested this morning in connection with the incident where a group of people staged a protest by obstructing the Colombo-Negombo main road yesterday.

Six three-wheelers and a private bus were also taken into police custody. (Hubert Fernando)
What does Patali know about politics that Harini doesnt know?

Sri Lanka is going through great pains to get its economy in order after the
Sri Lanka's future economic growth is not a threat to the region as it is playing a sub role in Asias development, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

He said this at the 'World 2017' summit organized by the economist Magazine in Hong Kong on Thursday.

"Sri Lanka which is situated at a strategic location in the Indian Ocean needs the support of other countries in the region," the Prime Minister said adding that Sri Lanka could play a role in the region's development while developing itself.

He said Sri Lanka would develop and maintain bilateral relations with all countries in the region while opting for free trade agreements with several of them.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by the Economist Magazine's Executive Editor Daniel Franklin.
I am a retired newspaperman. I am 69 and live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 45 years, Lou Ann. We grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather.

More on who I am is here.

Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com




"Trump, who lost the popular vote, has now sent the message it is open season for massive corporations to seek specialized tax breaks from the incoming Administration. This is crony capitalism at its worst. Trump is not only failing to drain the swamp, he is fertilizing the swamp."

-Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA)

Washington Post, In reference to what Gaius was talking about this morning, let's look at some of the fallout from Trump's Carrier announcement. The first time I ever heard about Carrier announcing they would move their plant from Indiana to Mexico was when Bernie started campaigning on it-- loudly. Trump saw that too and quickly started parroting Bernie's complaints on the the campaign trail. Yesterday Bernie penned an OpEd for the Carrier just showed corporations how to beat Donald Trump , warning that American workers have a lot to be worried about because of the nature of the deal Trump cut with United Technologies, Carrier's parent company (in which Trump holds an immense financial stake personally). The deal, he writes, "keeps less than 1,000 of the 2100 jobs in America that were previously scheduled to be transferred to Mexico. Lets be clear: It is not good enough to save some of these jobs. Trump made a promise that he would save all of these jobs, and we cannot rest until an ironclad contract is signed to ensure that all of these workers are able to continue working in Indiana without having their pay or benefits slashed."





In exchange for allowing United Technologies to continue to offshore more than 1,000 jobs, Trump will reportedly give the company tax and regulatory favors that the corporation has sought. Just a short few months ago, Trump was pledging to force United Technologies to pay a damn tax. He was insisting on very steep tariffs for companies like Carrier that left the United States and wanted to sell their foreign-made products back in the United States. Instead of a damn tax, the company will be rewarded with a damn tax cut. Wow! Hows that for standing up to corporate greed? Hows that for punishing corporations that shut down in the United States and move abroad?



In essence, United Technologies took Trump hostage and won. And that should send a shock wave of fear through all workers across the country.



Trump scores publicity win after Carrier keeps jobs in Indiana. Now will other companies take advantage?



...Trump has endangered the jobs of workers who were previously safe in the United States. Why? Because he has signaled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives. Even corporations that werent thinking of offshoring jobs will most probably be re-evaluating their stance this morning. And who would pay for the high cost for tax cuts that go to the richest businessmen in America? The working class of America.



Lets be clear. United Technologies is not going broke. Last year, it made a profit of $7.6 billion and received more than $6 billion in defense contracts. It has also received more than $50 million from the Export-Import Bank and very generous tax breaks. In 2014, United Technologies gave its former chief executive Louis Chenevert a golden parachute worth more than $172 million. Last year, the companys five highest-paid executives made more than $50 million. The firm also spent $12 billion to inflate its stock price instead of using that money to invest in new plants and workers.



Does that sound like a company that deserves more corporate welfare from our government? Trumps Band-Aid solution is only making the problem of wealth inequality in America even worse.



I said I would work with Trump if he was serious about the promises he made to members of the working class. But after running a campaign pledging to be tough on corporate America, Trump has hypocritically decided to do the exact opposite. He wants to treat corporate irresponsibility with kid gloves. The problem with our rigged economy is not that our policies have been too tough on corporations; its that we havent been tough enough.



We need to re-instill an ethic of corporate patriotism. We need to send a very loud and clear message to corporate America: The era of outsourcing is over. Instead of offshoring jobs, the time has come for you to start bringing good-paying jobs back to America.



If United Technologies or any other company wants to keep outsourcing decent-paying American jobs, those companies must pay an outsourcing tax equal to the amount of money it expects to save by moving factories to Mexico or other low-wage countries. They should not receive federal contracts or other forms of corporate welfare. They must pay back all of the tax breaks and other corporate welfare they have received from the federal government. And they must not be allowed to reward their executives with stock options, bonuses or golden parachutes for outsourcing jobs to low-wage countries. I will soon be introducing the Outsourcing Prevention Act, which will address exactly that.



If Donald Trump wont stand up for Americas working class, we must.





State Rep. Kaniela Saito Ing (D-Maui) is certainly the most progressive political leader in Hawaii-- and the only progressive elected official in the whole state to back Bernie's hugely successful primary campaign-- and he saw right through the little ploy. "Trump," he told us after the announcement in Indiana yesterday, "is setting a dangerously low standard for corporate handouts. Threaten your workers with offshoring, exploit them as pawns, then watch the business-friendly corporate tax breaks roll in. The Carrier charade is an anti-worker moral hazard, that voids corporate bosses of all accountability. A true pro-worker agenda starts from the ground up through living and prevailing wage laws, collective bargaining, paid leave, and putting an end to Trump's union-busting agenda."





Retired Marine Colonel Doug Applegate, who nearly toppled predatory multimillionaire Darrell Issa this month in the suburbs north of San Diego-- and who is Blue America's first endorsed candidate for 2018-- took one look at Trump's "deal" and mentioned that "the annual tax rebates to Carrier from the State of Indiana in the amount of $700,000... Sounds like Republican corporate welfare checks to me!"

Wall Street Journal, a bastion of neo-liberalism with a screwed up but internally consistent way of analyzing this whole thing, Even today's, a bastion of neo-liberalism with a screwed up but internally consistent way of analyzing this whole thing, looked askance at the clumsy, ineffective way Trump went about this.

[R]eal job security depends on the profitability of the business. Carrier wanted to move the production line to Mexico to stay competitive in the market for gas furnaces. If the extra costs of staying in Indianapolis erode that business, those workers will lose their jobs eventually in any case.



This isnt to fault Mr. Hayess decision, since Mr. Trump made him an offer he couldnt refuse. The state of Indiana threw in $7 million in tax incentives, but those werent decisive. Mr. Trumps real hammer is his threat to impose a tariff on Carrier imports to the U.S. Carrier has a 30% share of the U.S. gas-furnace market, and a 35% tariff could kill the business. Thats the same sword Mr. Trump previously held over Ford Motor Co.



United Technologies also gets about 10% of its revenue from sales to the Pentagon, another source of government leverage. Then theres the potential damage to the Carrier brand, especially its consumer air conditioner sales, if Mr. Trump decided to blast it from the bully-- and we mean bully-- pulpit. So United Technologies decided to take the small cost against earnings and invest to make the Indiana plant more competitive.



...A mercantilist Trump trade policy that jeopardized those exports would throw far more Americans out of work than the relatively low-paying jobs hes preserved for now in Indianapolis. Mr. Trumps Carrier squeeze might even cost more U.S. jobs if it makes CEOs more reluctant to build plants in the U.S. because it would be politically difficult to close them.



Mr. Trump has now muscled his way into at least two corporate decisions about where and how to do business. But who would you rather have making a decision about where to make furnaces or cars? A company whose profitability depends on making good decisions, or a branding executive turned politician who wants to claim political credit?



The larger point is that America wont become more prosperous by forcing companies to make noneconomic investments. A nation gets rich when individuals and business are allowed to take risks as they see fit in a competitive economy. Politicians are rotten investors. Mr. Trump would help the economy, and his Presidency, far more if he focuses on getting the pro-growth parts of his agenda through Congress.



Like the Nixon Administration, Donald Trumps unpredictable, non-ideological policy-making will sometimes be disorienting for those who claim to believe in free markets. Some conservatives will be tempted to tolerate bad policies that appear to be popular that theyd never accept from President Obama. Many Republicans stayed silent or supported Nixon as he imposed wage-and-price controls and created the EPA, only to regret it later. They shouldnt make the same mistake with Mr. Trump.



The better strategy is to support him when his policies promote growth and try to block him when he veers into big-government cul-de-sacs. In that spirit, his Carrier shakedown is a short-term political victory that will hurt workers and the economy if it becomes the norm for the next four years.

Even Palin-- currently sucking around for a Cabinet appointment -- slapped Trump around today over the Carrier nonsense, calling it crony capitalism. "When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies," she wrote, "favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent. Meanwhile, the invisible hand that best orchestrates a free peoples free enterprise system gets amputated. Then, special interests creep in and manipulate markets. Republicans oppose this, remember? Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail... [F]undamentally, political intrusion using a stick or carrot to bribe or force one individual business to do what politicians insist, versus establishing policy incentivizing our ENTIRE ethical economic engine to roar back to life, isnt the answer. Cajole only chosen ones on Main St or Wall St and watch lines stretch from Washington to Alaska full of businesses threatening to bail unless taxpayers pony up. The lines strangle competition and really, really, dispiritingly screw with workers lives. Its beyond unacceptable, so lets anticipate equal incentivizes and positive reform all across the field-- to make the economy great again."

Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, is happy for the workers who will get to keep their jobs-- fewer than half-- but pointed out that "the Carrier deal is only a bandage on the economic wounds in our industrial heartland. Over the past 16 years, America has lost more than 60,000 manufacturing facilities, and 5.5 million manufacturing jobs since 2000. Not all of those jobs can be reclaimed, but smarter policies will give factory workers a brighter future. A tougher trade policy, a tax code that incentivizes reshoring jobs and production, investments in infrastructure, research, and training are all urgently needed. America has manufacturing know-how, abundant energy resources, a culture of entrepreneurship, a strong homegrown consumer market, and access to amazing innovation. Smarter policies will help us compete. We know these issues enjoy bipartisan support among voters, and they should be the focus of Congress and the Trump administration in 2017."
Washington Post with a simple question: Yesterday, Greg Sargent started the news cycle rolling at thewith a simple question: Will Donald Trump really go through with all of it? . Like many of us, Sargent is rightfully worried that Trump, Pence, Ryan and McConnell "may soon be going forward with an agenda that could inflict radical, disruptive change on millions of people," especially in regard to gutting the Affordable Care Act and destroying Medicare. "We dont know," he wrote, "how far Trump will actually go. Its also true that Republicans are taking steps to mitigate the short-term impact of some of the changes being mulled, and are struggling internally with the details in ways that suggest their best laid plans could conceivably go bust. But is there any particular reason not to anticipate the worst at this point?"





Los Angeles Congressman Ted Lieu is thinking along similar lines but he focused on another GOP threat to healthcare-- V.A. privatization. "As the Member of Congress representing the nations largest VA hospital," Lieu told the media, "I oppose any effort to privatize VA healthcare. My opposition to privatization is guided by the voices of veterans and advocates in my district, who understand that we can improve service delivery to our veterans without tearing the VA down brick by brick. On average, our veteran population is older and sicker than the rest of America-- they have earned and deserve a world-class healthcare system designed to meet their unique needs. Finally, as a veteran myself who served on active duty, I humbly believe that a veteran should be at the helm of the VA. Our nations warriors deserve a leader with a profound understanding of their service and sacrifice. They deserve a leader dedicated to guaranteeing timely access to the highest quality care."





A poll taken between Nov 15 and 21 by the the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation found that only 1 in 4 Americans want the Republicans to repeal Obamacare . 52% of Republicans would like that to happen, significantly less than the 69% would said they wanted that to happened before the election, but majorities across party lines support many Obamacare provisions-- though not the mandate-- which basically pays for the goodies they all want. This is what the vast majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents all support from the Affordable Care Act:

 allowing young adults to stay on a parent's insurance until age 26.

 no copayments for many preventive services.

 closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the "doughnut hole."

 financial help for low- and moderate-income people to pay their insurance premiums.

 a state option to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income adults.

 barring insurance companies from denying coverage because of a person's medical history.

 increased Medicare payroll taxes for upper-income earners.





Some Republicans are getting nervous about moving from demagoguery to actually taking away people's-- voters'-- healthcare. But not all. Ryan, Pence and Tom Price are all willing to set themselves aflame on a pyre that burns up Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security if it comes to that. Trump... perhaps not so much-- not that anyone knows what Trump thinks about any policies. In his column yesterday, Paul Krugman asserted that Trump is about to betray the white working class voters in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania who made him the electoral college winner.

The evidence of that coming betrayal is obvious in the choice of an array of pro-corporate, anti-labor figures for key positions. In particular, the most important story of the week-- seriously, people, stop focusing on Trump Twitter-- was the selection of Tom Price, an ardent opponent of Obamacare and advocate of Medicare privatization, as secretary of health and human services. This choice probably means that the Affordable Care Act is doomed-- and Mr. Trumps most enthusiastic supporters will be among the biggest losers.



The first thing you need to understand here is that Republican talk of repeal and replace has always been a fraud. The G.O.P. has spent six years claiming that it will come up with a replacement for Obamacare any day now; the reason it hasnt delivered is that it cant.



Obamacare looks the way it does because it has to: You cant cover Americans with pre-existing conditions without requiring healthy people to sign up, and you cant do that without subsidies to make insurance affordable.



Any replacement will either look a lot like Obamacare, or take insurance away from millions who desperately need it.



What the choice of Mr. Price suggests is that the Trump administration is, in fact, ready to see millions lose insurance. And many of those losers will be Trump supporters.



You can see why by looking at Census data from 2013 to 2015, which show the impact of the full implementation of Obamacare. Over that period, the number of uninsured Americans dropped by 13 million; whites without a college degree, who voted Trump by around two to one, accounted for about eight million of that decline. So were probably looking at more than five million Trump supporters, many of whom have chronic health problems and recently got health insurance for the first time, who just voted to make their lives nastier, more brutish, and shorter.



Why did they do it? They may not have realized that their coverage was at stake-- over the course of the campaign, the news media barely covered policy at all. Or they may have believed Mr. Trumps assurances that he would replace Obamacare with something great.



Either way, theyre about to receive a rude awakening, which will get even worse once Republicans push ahead with their plans to end Medicare as we know it, which seem to be on even though the president-elect had promised specifically that he would do no such thing.

As Krugman pointed out, during the campaign, Trump solemnly swore to not cut Medicare (and reassured his fans that he would replace Obamacare with something "great." So how did Pence talk him into an extremist crackpot like Tom Price as Health Secretary?









TalkingPointsMemo provided a handy reminder and roadmap to Ryan's plans to assault and destroy Medicare , his life's dream. Will Trump be able to-- or even want to-- stop him?

Ryan has been pushing his privatization plan-- or what he calls "premium support"-- for years. It's been part of his annual budget blueprints, and it has evolved over time. The basic idea is that Ryan would give the elderly a set amount of money to buy health insurance rather than Medicare's fee-for-service system where the government pays doctors and hospitals based on the services they provide.



How much money the elderly would receive to buy insurance, the quality of the plans available, how the government would regulate them and the rate at which the benefits would increase have varied over the years and sometimes have been unclear.



As Medicare is currently configured, American workers and employers contribute equally to the public insurance program via the Medicare payroll tax. When people turn 65, they become eligible for Medicare's guaranteed coverage, pay premiums and receive a robust package of benefits.



Looming as the biggest unknown is whether Medicare-- in its current form as a single-payer, guaranteed-coverage, fee-for-service system-- will remain intact.



Will Medicare be eliminated explicitly, as it has in past Ryan plans? Will it be changed so substantially that the long-term effect will be to weaken it so that phasing out it out is inevitable? Or will Ryan seek to change Medicare in fundamental ways while still preserving its most important protections?



How committed President-elect Trump and Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), his nominee as secretary of Health and Human Services, are to Medicare privatization is another wild card in the mix.



"It is quite clear at this point that Ryan and Price would say they are retaining traditional Medicare as an option, but the question is under what terms. Is it provided under terms that would allow traditional Medicare to continue and flourish? Or is it conversely under terms that would cause it to wither and perish?" said Paul Van de Water, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.



Over the years, Ryan's plans have evolved, in part because of pressure from his own members. Ryan told the New Yorker in 2012 that he recognized his plan needed to be accepted by more than just a few conservatives in the House. He needed to develop a plan that met the vision for the broader Republican conference.



...[T]he underlying principle for Ryan's plans comes from the conservative idea that private businesses are more efficient at managing health care than the government would be. That, some experts argue just isn't true. Medicare, by and large, is a fairly efficient program. Seniors manage to get a lot of health care they are happy with for a decent price.



"Medicare is more efficient than private insurance for two main reasons. One it is able to pay providers less and second it also because of its size, it has lower administrative costs as well," Van de Water said.



Health care experts who have spent years analyzing Ryan's plans note that there are still a lot of questions to be answered. Here's what we do know:




ALLETE, Inc. operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. The company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 145,000 retail customers and 15 non-affiliated municipal customers. It also owns and maintains electric transmission assets in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. In addition, the company focuses on developing, acquiring, and operating clean and renewable energy projects; and owns and operates approximately 1,000 megawatts of wind energy generation facility. Further, it is involved in the coal mining operations in North Dakota; and real estate investment activities in Florida. The company owns and operates 158 substations with a total capacity of 10,066 megavolt amperes. It serves taconite mining, paper, pulp and secondary wood products, pipeline, and other industries. The company was formerly known as Minnesota Power, Inc. and changed its name to ALLETE, Inc. in May 2001. ALLETE, Inc. was incorporated in 1906 and is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota.
General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates in five segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. It offers ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream, nutrition bars, wellness beverages, and savory and grain snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. It also supplies branded and unbranded food products to the North American foodservice and commercial baking industries; and manufactures and markets pet food products, including dog and cat food. The company markets its products under the Annie's, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Blue Basics, Blue Freedom, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, EPIC, Fiber One, Food Should Taste Good, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardetto's, Go-Gurt, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Haagen-Dazs, Helpers, Jus-Rol, Kitano, Kix, Larabar, Latina, Liberte, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Oui, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Total, Totino's, Trix, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Wilderness, Yoki, and Yoplait trademarks. It sells its products directly, as well as through broker and distribution arrangements to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, e-commerce retailers, commercial and noncommercial foodservice distributors and operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and pet specialty stores, as well as drug, dollar, and discount chains. The company operates 466 leased and 392 franchise ice cream parlors. General Mills, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The following companies are subsidiares of Kroger: 84.51 HQ Building Company LLC, 84.51 LLC, Alpha Beta Company, Ansonborough Square Investors I LLC, Ansonborough Square Retail LLC, Ardrey Kell Investments LLC, Bay Area Warehouse Stores Inc., Beech Tree Holdings LLC, Bleecker Ventures LLC, Bluefield Beverage Company, Box Cutter Inc., CB&S Advertising Agency Inc., Cala Co., Cala Foods Inc., Cheeses of All Nations Inc., Country Oven Inc., Crawford Stores Inc., Creedmoor Retail LLC, Dillon Companies LLC, Dillon Real Estate Co. Inc., Dillons, Distribution Trucking Company, Dotto Inc., Edgewood Plaza Holdings LLC, Embassy International Inc., FM Inc., FMJ Inc., Farmacia Doral Inc., Food 4 Less GM Inc., Food 4 Less Holdings Inc., Food 4 Less Merchandising Inc., Food 4 Less of California Inc., Food 4 Less of Southern California Inc., Fred Meyer, Fred Meyer Inc., Fred Meyer Jewelers Inc., Fred Meyer Stores Inc., Glasswing Labs LLC, Glendale/Goodwin Realty I LLC, Grubstake Investments LLC, HT Fuel DE LLC, HT Fuel NC LLC, HT Fuel SC LLC, HT Fuel VA LLC, HTGBD LLC, HTP Bluffton LLC, HTP Plaza LLC, HTP Relo LLC, HTPS LLC, HTTAH LLC, Harris Teeter, Harris Teeter LLC, Harris Teeter Properties LLC, Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc., Harris-Teeter Services Inc., Healthy Options Inc., Henpil Inc., Home Chef, Hood-Clayton Logistics LLC, Hughes Markets Inc., Hughes Realty Inc., I.T.A. Inc., IRP LLC, ITAC 119 LLC, ITAC 265 LLC, Inter-American Foods Inc., Inter-American Products Inc., J.V. Distributing Inc., Jondex Corp., Jubilee Carolina LLC, KCDE  2013 LLC, KCDE-2 LLC, KCDE-3 LLC, KCDE-4 LLC, KCDE-5 LLC, KGO LLC, KPF LLC, KPS LLC, KRGP LLC, KRLP Inc., KV Anderson LLC, Kee Trans Inc., Kessel FP, Kiosk Medicine Kentucky LLC, Kirkpatrick West Retail LLC, Kroger Community Development Entity LLC, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co., Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC, Kroger G.O. LLC, Kroger HQ LLC, Kroger LM Real Estate Holdings LLC, Kroger Limited Partnership I, Kroger Limited Partnership II, Kroger MC Holdings LLC, Kroger MTL Management LLC, Kroger Management Co., Kroger Management  Corryville LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Athens I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Champaign I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Champaign II LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Cincinnati I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Dallas I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Danville I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Logansport I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Missouri I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Oak Ridge I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Olney I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Omaha I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Portsmouth I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Starkville I LLC, Kroger Management  NMTC Topeka I LLC, Kroger NMTC Fremont I LLC, Kroger OZ1 Inc., Kroger OZ1 LLC, Kroger OZ2 Inc., Kroger OZ2 LLC, Kroger OZ3 Inc., Kroger OZ3 LLC, Kroger Opportunity Fund I Inc., Kroger Prescription Plans Inc., Kroger Specialty Infusion AL LLC, Kroger Specialty Infusion CA LLC, Kroger Specialty Infusion Holdings Inc., Kroger Specialty Infusion TX LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy FL 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 2 Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 3 Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings I Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy LA LLC, Kroger Texas L.P., LCGP3 Home Cooking Inc., Latta Village LLC, Local Mkt LLC, Main & Vine LLC, Matthews Property 1 LLC, Mega Marts LLC, Michigan Dairy L.L.C., ModernHealth LTC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays LIC LLC, Murrays Table LLC, Pace Dairy Foods Company, Paramount Logistics LLC, Pay Less Super Markets Inc., Peyton's-Southeastern Inc., Plum Labs LLC, Pontiac Foods Inc., Queen City Assurance Inc., RBF LLC, RGC Southeast Properties LLC, Ralphs Grocery Company, Relish Labs LLC, Rocket Newco Inc., Roundy's, Roundys Acquisition Corp., Roundys Illinois LLC, Roundys Inc., Roundys Supermarkets Inc., Second Story Inc., Shop-Rite LLC, Smiths Beverage of Wyoming Inc., Smiths Food & Drug Centers Inc., Southern Ice Cream Specialties Inc., Stallings Investors I LLC, Sunrise R&D Holdings LLC, Sunrise Technology LLC, TLC Corporate Services LLC, TLC Immunization Clinic LLC, TLC of Georgia LLC, The Kroger Co. of Michigan, The Little Clinic LLC, The Little Clinic Management Services LLC, The Little Clinic of Arizona LLC, The Little Clinic of Colorado LLC, The Little Clinic of IN LLC, The Little Clinic of Kansas LLC, The Little Clinic of Mississippi LLC, The Little Clinic of Ohio LLC, The Little Clinic of TX LLC, The Little Clinic of Tennessee LLC, The Little Clinic of VA LLC, Topvalco Inc., Ultimate Mart LLC, Ultra Mart Foods LLC, Vandervoort Dairy Foods Company, Vine Court Assurance Incorporated, Vitacost, Vitacost.com Inc., Woodmont Holdings LLC, and YOU Technology.

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Ann Coulter had an anti-Trump impurity breakdown on twitter yesterday, ostensibly over Nikki Haley , although as you can see above, she got a little more general a few minutes later. Remember, Trump took his whole xenophobic shtik directly from Coulter and she made like she was worshipping at his bigoted alter for the duration of the campaign-- primarily because he wanted to round up Hispanics and ship 'em to camps and beyond. She's a Pence-and-Ryan hater and flipped out when Pence told Scott Pelley of CBS News today that he and Ryan are going to work on an immigration bill. That's what inspired the "If Trump sells out" tweet.





But she does hate Nikki Haley. Remember a week or two ago when she wrote that if Trump wants an Indian Secretary of State, he should pick Tonto. Although Trump has no use for Native Americans at all, he is smitten by Hindu nationalists and just loves Narendra Modi-- and crackpot right-wing cultist Tulsi Gabbard, who he interviewed a week or so ago, ostensibly for some second-tier job that the crazy-ambitious Gabbard would never take anyway. Haley got an errand-boy job (UN Ambassador-- no decision-making allowed) so that Secretary of state gig... well, I bet Tulsi would eat all the requisite frogs legs to get that. I'd guess she has as much a chance as Dana Rohrabacher... but Steve Bannon sure likes her, so who knows.





Hill contributor and Tulsiphile, thinks he knows: Maxwell Anderson, acontributor and Tulsiphile, thinks he knows: Tulsi Gabbard is the pick for Secretary of State, not Mitt Romney . After all, like Trump, Gabbard is an American nationalist and an Islamophobic maniac. "Whoever," he wrote, "the President-Elect taps to be his secretary of state will play a crucial role in shaping the President-Elects vision for the future of American foreign policy. One person reportedly 'under serious consideration' to fill the position is United States Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who made headlines in February when she resigned as vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee in order to endorse Bernie Sanders for President."





Never mind that she played the Bernie card to help her in her plan to primary progressive Senator Mazie Hirono (an actual progressive), not because she agrees with Bernie on much of anything. His ProgressivePunch score is "A" (as is Mazie's), while Tulsi's is "F." Just keep in mind that an "F" isn't a "C" or a "D." You have to work really hard on a wide array of issues for a long time to earn an "F." He continued that "Gabbard embodies the very essence of the President-Elects ideological departure from the interventionist policies that have plagued this nation for the past two decades" pointing out that Gabbard, from a very prominent, very right-wing family ran for the Legislature in 2002 (age 21) and became the leader of her state's small but noisy anti-gay faction.





Tulsi with her fanatically homophobic dad, also part of Chris Butler, aka Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa's crackpot cult





The legislature was too hot for her and she enlisted in the Hawaii National Guard and volunteered to deploy to Iraq, very loudly singing her own patriotic praises every step of the way, like many aspiring politicians do. Anderson doesn't quite see it that way; he misses Gabbard's entire essence.

Gabbard is not one to play politics. On Monday, the President-Elect invited her to Trump Tower to discuss the United States Syria policies and approaches to fighting terrorism. Rep. Gabbard did not let her differences with the President-Elect dictate whether she accepted his invitation.



After their meeting, the Congresswoman put out a statement describing the substance of the meeting, and declared, Let me be clear, I will never allow partisanship to undermine our national security when the lives of countless people lay in the balance.



Rep. Gabbard stands on principle, not politics, and that makes her an impeccable choice for Secretary of State.



The other name that has received a lot of attention lately is failed 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Given Mr. Romneys gaffe-filled trial run at diplomacy during the 2012 campaign, it is difficult to understand why he is even on the shortlist. Mr. Romney was proven to be nothing more than a choke artist.



But more broadly, Mr. Romney was the establishment figure that went after the President-Elect in the harshest and most vile manner. Mr. Romney even came out of the woodwork, trying to cling onto whatever relevance he thought he had, to deliver an address in which he called then-candidate Trump a phony, a fraud and accused him of playing the American public for suckers.



While Trump supporters are among the most loving and compassionate people in this country, Mr. Romney is likely to elicit more pity than forgiveness from them. That is not only because of his implication that Trump supporters are stupid (i.e., being played for suckers), but also because he carried the mantle for an old order that is utterly despised by the people of Middle America for turning its back on them.



Even if Mr. Romney altered his positions to fit the President-Elects agenda (e.g., not taking a hardline approach to Russia), he would still fare no better in the minds of those in Trump Country. After successfully crushing two political dynasties dismantling two political establishments, a return to Romney would symbolize a return to grazing the same unproliferous political pasture that yielded nothing but failure.



On the other hand, the President-Elect could be playing Mr. Romney for, well, a sucker. There is perhaps no act of revenge more cold than pretending to bury the hatchet with a rival only to stab them in the back with a paring knife. Yet that same vindictiveness-- in the form of slapping companies that outsource American jobs with a tariff on imported goods-- is what drew many to Trump in the first place.



If this is the case, then it puts the President-Elect in another situation where Mr. Romney, perceptually, is begging him for something. The first time it was for then-citizen Trumps endorsement for President in 2012. This time it could be for secretary of state.



The only difference is that this time, Trump might actually say, Mitt drop to your knees.

Meanwhile, Trumpists-- like Bill Mitchell-- are sick of Coulter and pushing back.
The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. 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Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceutical Trading Limited Liability Company (a/k/a Pfizer Kft. or Pfizer LLC), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Limited, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pfizer Pigments Inc., Pfizer Polska Sp. z.o.o., Pfizer Private Limited, Pfizer Production LLC, Pfizer Products Inc., Pfizer Products India Private Limited, Pfizer Research (NC) Inc., Pfizer Romania SRL, Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A. (Belgium), Pfizer S.A. de C.V., Pfizer S.A.S., Pfizer S.G.P.S. Lda., Pfizer S.L., Pfizer S.R.L., Pfizer SRB d.o.o., Pfizer Saidal Manufacturing, Pfizer Sante Familiale, Pfizer Saudi Limited, Pfizer Seiyaku K.K., Pfizer Service Company BVBA, Pfizer Service Company Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Services 1, Pfizer Services LLC, Pfizer Shared Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Shareholdings Intermediate SARL, Pfizer Singapore Holding Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Singapore Trading Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited.

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Duck Creek Technologies, Inc. provides software-as-a-service core systems to the property and casualty insurance industry in the United States and internationally. The company provides Duck Creek Policy, a solution that enables insurers to develop and launch new insurance products and manage various aspects of policy administration ranging from product definition to quoting, binding, and servicing; Duck Creek Billing that provides payment and invoicing capabilities, such as billing and collections, commission processing, disbursement management, and general ledger capabilities for insurance lines and bill types; and Duck Creek Claims that supports entire claims lifecycle from first notice of loss through investigation, payments, negotiations, reporting, and closure. It also offers Duck Creek Rating that allows carriers to develop new rates and models and deliver quotes in real-time based on the complex rating algorithms; Duck Creek Insights, an insurance analytics solution that allows carriers to gather and analyze data from internal and external sources and facilitate analysis and reporting on a single system; Duck Creek Digital Engagement that offer digital interactions between property and casualty insurers and their agents, brokers, and policyholders; and Duck Creek Distribution Management that automates sales channel activities for agents and brokers, including producer onboarding, compliance, and compensation management. In addition, the company provides Duck Creek Reinsurance Management that automates financial and administrative functions; and Duck Creek Industry Content that provides pre-built content, including base business rules, product designs, rating algorithms, data capture screens, and workflows for insurance lines of business, such as commercial auto, inland marine, and workers compensation. It has a partnership with Shift Technologies, Inc. to implement AI fraud detection. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics.

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Usually when news about Russia makes it to American late night shows, Russia either gets hit by a meteorite, or it annexes part of a neighboring country. Either way, it is illustrated by Putins bare-chested photograph on a horse. This time, however, neither celestial bodies, nor Putins nipples were at stake. Several high-profile newspapers and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah reported on an ice-skating dance routine.

Wife of Putins ally [putting aside the whole sexist tradition of defining a woman through her male companion] was widely criticized for her Holocaust-themed ice-dancing routine. Even though the press secretary of the Russian Federation of Jewish Communities said in a commentary that the story didnt have anything to it and there was no reason to get upset over the dance, as the Holocaust has been used as a theme in many art projects. The champion ice-skater Tatyana Navka was also surprised at the negative reactions and insisted that the routine was done to remind our children about that horrible time.

No offence, American media, but you kind of live in a bubble that does not include Holocaust deniers and anti-Semitic crime. Oh, sorry, now you no longer do. Russia is a different story. Holocaust was never really a part of Russias collective memory. Most monuments erected during the Soviet era on the sites of Jewish massacres were dedicated to civilians while their Jewish identity was brushed over. Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz in 1945 and Soviet citizens knew about concentration camps, but the Jewish identity of the victims was downplayed. Through the works of Ilya Ehrenburg, Evgeny Yevtushenko or Vassily Grossmann some people were familiar with mass executions of Jews. But these works were far from mainstream and were a protest against Soviet governmental policy of hushing up the final solution. This is yet another example of warped mourning over the victims of wars, famines, repressions and purges in Russia.

Anti-Semitism is not a part of Russian governments policy  so much so that Russian far-right nationalist groups accused Putin of being a crypto-Jew. The situation is not ideal, but it is a big improvement over the publication of the first edition of Protocols of Elders of Zion in 1903 in Tsarist Russia and the campaign against rootless cosmopolitans under Stalin. On a grass-roots level there are a number of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. They usually echo Soviet era frames about Jews being agents of the West, which is often found in barbs against liberal journalists in Russia: suitcase, train station, Israel  the anti-Semitic version of if you dont like it go to Russia [or the kind of critique Colin Kaepernick received after kneeling during the American anthem].

The ice-skating routine was not meant to mock Holocaust victims and it certainly did not deny it. In general, the number of Holocaust-deniers in Russia is pretty low, but many people believe that all Jews were hiding behind the frontlines during World War II. Yes, tell that to my grandfather, my grandmothers brothers who died at the Kursk tank battle and other more than 500,000 Jews who served in the Red Army during war. You may wonder where this kind of exact statistics may come from, but almost all forms of Soviet IDs and official forms had a so-called 5th box that identified the ethnicity of the citizen. That made it easier for anti-Jewish purges after the war.

You know what, I am glad that Tatyana Navka and her partner did this routine. Maybe someone will watch Life is beautiful. Maybe someone will listen to Noas message of peace. Maybe after watching it somebody will think about the dangerous path from hate speech and discrimination. I am looking at you, Donald Trump.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a life sciences company, focuses on the provision of preparedness and response solutions that address accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats (PHTs) in the United States. The company's products address PHTs, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; travel health; and emerging health crises and acute/emergency care. It offers BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; ACAM2000, a smallpox vaccine; Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent to treat botulinum disease; vaccinia immune globulin intravenous that addresses complications from smallpox vaccine; raxibacumab for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax; Anthrasil to for inhalational anthrax; reactive skin decontamination lotion kits; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate. The company also provides NARCAN, a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vivotif, an oral vaccine for typhoid fever; and Vaxchora, a single-dose oral vaccine to treat cholera. In addition, it is developing AP003, a Naloxone multidose nasal spray; AP007, a sustained release Nalmefene injection for treatment of opioid use disorder; AV7909, an anthrax vaccine; CGRD-001, a pralidoxime chloride/atropine auto-injector; CHIKV VLP, a chikungunya virus VLP vaccine; COVID-HIG for the treatment of SARS-CoV2; EGRD-001, a diazepam auto-injector; SIAN, an antidote for the initial treatment of acute poisoning of cyanide; and UniFlu, a universal influenza vaccine. Further, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services comprising drug substance and product manufacturing, and packaging, as well as technology transfer, process, and analytical development services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
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.
The following companies are subsidiares of Transocean: 15375 Memorial Corporation, Agon Shipping Inc., Aguas Profundas Limitada, AngoSantaFe - Prestacao de Servicos Petroliferos Limitada, Angola Deepwater Drilling Company (Offshore Services) Ltd, Arcade Drilling AS, Asie Sonat Offshore Sdn. Bhd., Barents Rigco Limited, Blegra Asset Management Limited, Blegra Financing Limited, Caledonia Offshore Drilling Services Limited, Challenger Minerals Inc., Covent Garden - Servicos e Marketing Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Deepwater Drilling (Transocean Ghana) Limited, Deepwater Drilling North Africa LLC - Free Zone, Deepwater Pacific 1 Inc., Deepwater Supply Inc., Drillship Alonissos Owners Inc., Drillship Hydra Owners Inc., Drillship Kithira Owners Inc., Drillship Kythnos Owners Inc., Drillship Paros Owners Inc., Drillship Skiathos Owners Inc., Drillship Skopelos Owners Inc., Drillship Skyros Owners Inc., Eastern Med Consultants Inc., Entities Holdings Inc., GSF Leasing Services GmbH, Global Marine Inc., Global Offshore Drilling Limited, GlobalSantaFe (Labuan) Inc., GlobalSantaFe B.V., GlobalSantaFe C.R. Luigs Limited, GlobalSantaFe Denmark Holdings ApS, GlobalSantaFe Drilling (N.A.) N.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Company (Overseas) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Operations Inc., GlobalSantaFe Drilling Services (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Trinidad LLC, GlobalSantaFe Drilling Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe Financial Services (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., GlobalSantaFe Group Financing Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe Holding Company (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe Hungary Services Limited Liability Company, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Corporation, GlobalSantaFe International Drilling Inc., GlobalSantaFe International Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Nederland B.V., GlobalSantaFe Offshore Services Inc., GlobalSantaFe Operations (Mexico) LLC, GlobalSantaFe Saudi Arabia Ltd., GlobalSantaFe Services (BVI) Inc., GlobalSantaFe Services Netherlands B.V., GlobalSantaFe Servicios de Venezuela C.A., GlobalSantaFe South America LLC, GlobalSantaFe Tampico S. de R.L. de C.V., GlobalSantaFe Techserv (North Sea) Limited, GlobalSantaFe U.S. Holdings Inc., Indigo Drilling Limited, Inteliwell JV GP Limited, Inteliwell JV LP, Kalambo Operations Inc., OCR Falklands Drilling Inc., OR Norge Operations Inc., Ocean Rig, Ocean Rig 1 Inc, Ocean Rig 2 Inc., Ocean Rig Canada Inc., Ocean Rig Cuanza Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Cubango Operations Inc., Ocean Rig Deepwater Drilling Limited, Ocean Rig Investments Inc., Ocean Rig Management Inc., Ocean Rig Operations Inc., Ocean Rig UDW Inc., Ocean Rig UDW LLC, Offshore Ghana Transocean Limited, Offshore Rig Operations AS, Olympia Rig Angola Holding S.A., Olympia Rig Angola Limitada, Orion Holdings (Cayman) Limited, Orion RigCo (Cayman) Limited, P.T. Santa Fe Supraco Indonesia, PT. Transocean Indonesia, Platform Capital N.V., Platform Financial N.V., Primelead Limited, R&B Falcon (A) Pty Ltd, R&B Falcon (Caledonia) Limited, R&B Falcon (M) Sdn. Bhd., R&B Falcon (U.K.) Limited, R&B Falcon B.V., R&B Falcon Deepwater (UK) Limited, R&B Falcon Drilling Co. LLC, R&B Falcon Exploration Co. LLC, R&B Falcon International Energy Services B.V., RBF Rig Corporation LLC, Ranger Insurance Limited, Reading & Bates Coal Co. LLC, SDS Offshore Limited, Safemal Drilling Sdn. 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Friday Night Video: Cuba, Sanctions, Biting Cats, and Trump By: David Henderson

I was on RT, the Russian-government-funded news network, earlier this week, talking about various issues. My segment begins around the 15:00 point and goes to about 22:30.

Some friends have questioned the wisdom of going on a network funded by the Russian government. I understand their concerns. Heres what I can say: In all the times Ive been on, theyve never edited the interviews to distort. Indeed, on average, they are better, at least to me, than other media, government-funded and otherwise, in the United States. One of the worst experiences I ever had with media distortion was with the Los Angeles Times, which isnt government funded. Another of the worst was with Warren Olney, on a radio station that might get some government funds.
The Italian referendum By: Alberto Mingardi

Tomorrow, Italians will go to the ballot, for a referendum on a constitutional reform promoted by the government led by Mr Renzi. The referendum is widely supposed to be likelywere the anti-Renzi side to winto trigger financial turbulence. A no vote is read by many as an event comparable to the British people going for Brexit. This is a bit curious: what is considered potentially devastating, this time, is a vote that would in fact secure the status quo.

To be fair, fear-mongers do have a point. Italy is widely (and rightly) perceived as a country that needs extensive reforms. If Italians vote for the status quo, the impression that the country is indeed irreformablethat is, that in Italy there is such an intricate nexus of corporate interests that it is impossible to disentangle itmay consolidate, ultimately driving investments away.

In actual fact, the constitutional reform were going to vote on implies by no means a drastic change in our political governance. It changes the role and the composition of the Italian Senate, without sweeping it away; it re-centralizes powers from regional governments; it fine tunes the legislative process to fit the new context. It doesnt increase the powers of the prime minister, or give him the power to dissolve parliament. Mr Renzi claims the new reform will allow for faster and thus more productive law making, but its hard to argue that Italy has a shortage of laws.

The astonishing fact is that for reforms of the kind that only law scholars could feel passion about, one way or the other, Italians have engaged in basically five months of hectic electoral campaigning.

This is because the referendum has by now little to do with the essence of the constitutional modifications approved by Parliament and now put to the voters: Italians will be voting for or against the Renzi government.

Mr Renzi became prime minister in 2014, after winning the leadership of his own party in an in-party contest open to all voters. Although he did not win an election running for head of government, after his appointment, his party scored an impressive 40% in the European election of May 2014, which gave him legitimacy. But the very fact that Mr Renzi wasnt anointed by a popular election may explain his eagerness to personalise the referendum vote, making it a take-it-or-leave-it vote on his government. This strategy also made sense in view of the nature of a constitutional reform: a foggy and obscure matter that voters find of little interest, whereas a referendum on Mr Renzi himself offers a much more exciting electoral battle.

Pools predict a victory for the no side, but you never know these days.

What I personally find more problematic is the sort of political equilibrium that would emerge after the referendums result. Mr Renzi has approved, during his tenure, a new electoral law with a majority bonus system. However, this electoral law applies only to the House of Deputies, on the assumption that the Senate was changed by the constitutional reform into an indirectly elected organ, representing local governments.

If the no side wins the referendum, then Italy will have two very different electoral laws, an old one for the Senate and a new one for the House. Both the chambers are supposed to give the government a confidence vote. This is why, if the no wins, there would be no immediate elections before a new electoral law, applicable to both the chambers, is enacted.

If the no side wins, moreover, this will be widely considered a triumph of the populist Five Stars Movement, a heterogeneous political force that brings together an emphasis on transparency and the fight against corruption with a strong anti-business and anti-capitalism attitude.

Even Renzis enemies will freak out at the perspective of the Five Stars Movement winning the next election. This is why it is very likely that the new electoral law that establishment parties are more likely to agree on is a pure proportional representation system. Is that a brilliant idea? As the likelihood of any party winning a clear majority of the votes is astonishingly small, this would make Italy a country run by a permanent grand coalition between the right and the left, with the sole purpose of keeping the Five Stars at bay. In such a context, however, everybody tries to avoid the negatives for their own constituency, instead of forgoing vetoes and negotiating reforms. This would decrease and not increase the likelihood of reforms being approved, with perhaps the unintended consequence of strengthening the Five Stars Movement even further.

This said, I think the Economist nails it, when it writes that Mr Renzi has already wasted nearly two years on constitutional tinkering and argues for the no side. Writes the British newspaper:

the fact that the struggle to pass laws is not Italys biggest problem. Important measures, such as the electoral reform, for example, can be voted through today. Indeed, Italys legislature passes laws as much as those of other European countries do. If executive power were the answer, France would be thriving: it has a powerful presidential system, yet it, like Italy, is perennially resistant to reform.

Mr Renzis economic reform record is not exciting so far, if you maintain that what Italy needs is supply side reforms to ease wealth creation.

The Wall Street Journal has been likewise critical of Mr Renzi, arguing that European partners should be afraid not so much of the referendum reform but of the fact that after years of stagnation, the eurozones third-largest economy can claim as its most promising reformer a politician whose main project is a constitutional reform of debatable value. The Financial Times ran an op-ed by Francesco Giavazzi of Bocconi University, one of Italys most distinguished economist. Giavazzi takes Renzis side (Were Mr Renzi to resign, the dream of a generational change among Italian politicians would vanish. And with it, I fear, the chances of Italy remaining in the euro).
Three University of Virginia students will share the second annual Hannah Graham Memorial Award, named in honor of the student who was murdered in 2014.

Nadjad Nikabou-Salifou, Golda Houndoh and Jessica Amick  all second-year students  will receive funding and support for global health projects in African nations.

Nikabou-Salifou and Houndoh will help hospital administrators in Lome, Togo, conduct a needs assessment and develop best practices, according to a release from the university.

Amick will conduct a research project titled Maternal Mortality and Morbidity following Cesarean Sections at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali in Rwanda.

The award, created by the Graham family in May 2015, is based on Grahams interests  international nonprofit work and French. Recipients typically travel to developing Francophone countries to work in the field of public health, another one of Grahams passions.

The first award winner, Claire Romaine, traveled to Rwanda last year to do research on gastric cancer treatment and prevention.

The award is supported by an endowment established by UVa and supported by members of the Graham family and outside donors.

More information is available at hannahgraham.org.
Next fall, 20 first-year University of Virginia students will begin their academic careers in London  part of a study abroad pilot program that administrators hope to expand across the globe.

On Friday, the university announced the launch of UVa London First, a semester abroad program for entering first-years.

Students selected for the program will attend Regents University London, which will provide some classroom instruction, as well as lodging, food and opportunities to explore the citys cultural offerings. Students can enroll in pre-selected courses approved by UVa; all credits will count toward their degrees.

When they return to Grounds, students will take part in a special orientation session and spend the semester in the International Residential College.

Eventually, UVa administrators intend to expand the program to cities around the globe, Ian Baucom, dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, said in a statement released by UVa.

More information  including cost and financial aid  is available at college.as.virginia.edu/uva-london-first.
WILLIAMSBURG  The four Republican candidates for Virginia governor promised Friday to jump-start the state's lackluster economic growth, generally agreeing with one another in calling for reducing regulations and cutting taxes.

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, state Sen. Frank Wagner and former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie spoke to a crowd of business leaders and public policy officials at an economic forum in Williamsburg hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, the only Democratic candidate, addressed the group at a different event earlier in the day.

All four Republicans focused on the economy in their brief speeches, which came after the release of the 2016 State of the Commonwealth by Old Dominion University, which found that while the state's economy has improved since the end of the Great Recession, it hasn't kept pace with growth nationally and appears to be decelerating.

"We need to not just compete for new jobs but also aggressively work to keep companies in Virginia," said Wittman, who appeared in a video filmed in Washington and added that regulations needed to be reined in to benefit businesses.

He also called for "reinventing" the state's education system by equally emphasizing career and technical education.

Stewart, one of president-elect Donald Trump's earliest and most brash supporters in Virginia, emphasized his record in Prince William County, where he said household income has increased during his tenure.

He said North Carolina had worked harder than Virginia to improve its business climate and was stealing jobs and new business opportunities.

"North Carolina is eating our lunch," he said.

Like Wittman, he said Virginia couldn't turn things around by only recruiting big businesses and instead said the state needed to reform taxes and invest in transportation projects like widening Interstate 81 to create new jobs.

Gillespie, who challenged Sen. Mark Warner in 2014 and narrowly lost, said Virginia wouldn't solve its budget shortfall by "raising taxes on hard-working Virginians." A polished political insider who endorsed Trump, but with muted enthusiasm, Gillespie said he was optimistic that Trump's election would turn "headwinds" from Washington into tailwinds.

Wagner, who spoke last, said that while all the candidates had recognized that economic development and job creation was the No. 1 issue in Virginia and across the nation, he's the only candidate who's "walked the walk."

Wagner said that as a shipyard owner he'd seen firsthand how onerous government regulations can be.

"Long before regulation was sexy, I understood what it was about," he said.

Northam, who spoke in the morning, joked that audience members would be hearing a lot later from the Republican candidates about how poorly Virginia's economy is doing.

"We have a lot to be proud of here in Virginia," Northam said, citing the state's low unemployment rate and a ranking by Forbes magazine this year as the sixth best state in the nation to do business.

He said North Carolina had lost "millions and millions" of dollars in business to Virginia over its law limiting civil rights protections for LGBT people and requiring transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to their biological sex.

"We need to continue to be an inclusive state. ... As long as I'm in charge, that's the way it's going to be in Virginia," Northam said.

None of the candidates took questions from the audience.

Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe cannot run again because Virginia governors are barred from serving consecutive terms.
As Syrian and Russian planes continued their horrific bombing of eastern Aleppo, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power excoriated the Syrian regime and its Russian ally for their relentless war on the Syrian people.

In an address at the UN Security Council, Ambassador Power said, The reality is that the Assad regime and Russia are continuing their starve, get bombed, or surrender strategy in eastern Aleppo to see if any will surrender to the Assad regime - a regime that, as both we and the Syrian people know, has systematically tortured those who have found themselves under its custodial authority.

Ambassador Power listed by name some of those involved since 2011 in killing and injuring civilians with Syrian government military assaults on cities and residential areas. The United States will not let those who have commanded units involved in these actions hide anonymously behind the facade of the Assad regime, she said. She named Major General Adib Salameh, Brigadier General Adnan Aboud Hilweh, Major General Jasdat Salbi Mawas, Colonel Suhail Hassan and Major General Tahir Hamid Khalil.

Ambassador Power also took note of the suffering and torture that take place in detention centers throughout Syria, and promised that the individuals who run these centers will one day be held accountable for their crimes. She named several of these individuals as well: Major General Jamil Hassan, Brigadier General Abdul Salam Farj Mahmoud, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mala, Colonel Qusai Mihoub, Brigadier General Salha Hamad, Brigadier General Shafiz Masa, Major General Rafiq Shihadeh, and Hafiz Makhlouf.

Ambassador Power pointed out that non-state terrorist groups in Syria have also committed heinous crimes against civilians, and she condemned such actions in the strongest terms, noting that ISILs atrocities are in a category unto themselves, which is why the United States leads a 67-member coalition to defeat this terrorist organization.

But as President Barack Obama recently said, it is Assad who has decided that destroying his country, turning it to rubble, and seeing its population scattered or killed was worth it for him to cling to power.

Ambassador Power declared all United Nations Member States must be clear that the Assad regime and their allies are responsible for this destructionAttacks on civilians fuel terrorism, they dont defeat terrorism. Perpetrators must know that like their ignominious predecessors through history, they will face judgment for their crimes.
STERLINGIn an industrial area of Dulles International Airport where cargo is handled, four travel-weary dogs walked circles in a grassy patch after a two-day, transcontinental journey from South Korea.

By early evening, they were put back into their crates and loaded into a van bound for the Richmond SPCA, where they will eventually be placed for adoption. They were to be joined by two more groups of dogs arriving on later flights.

The 14 dogs destined for Richmond were rescued from a dog meat farm in South Korea, where they would have been prepared for slaughterup to 2.5 million dogs in the country each year meet that fate, said Robin Starr, CEO of the Richmond SPCA.

Dogs like this that have been saved from this fate are incredibly fortunate, Starr said. Were just so happy to get to be a part of some of their lives.

Since 2014, when Humane Society International began working to end the dog meat trade in South Korea, 540 dogs from the country have been brought to the U.S. and Canada, said Matt Gray, Virginia state director at the Humane Society of the United States. Rescued dogs have been taken to several shelters in Virginia, including in Alexandria, Arlington County and Roanoke.

The Richmond SPCA has previously sheltered dogs displaced by natural disasters elsewhere in the country, but the dogs that arrived Friday were the first brought from overseas.

The dogs are raised for human consumption, making them larger in size. Because there isnt a market in South Korea for large dogs as pets, Gray said they are transferred to the U.S.

According to Humane Society Internationals website, dogs bred at these farms often suffer from disease and malnutrition and are subjected to daily neglect or even deliberate cruelty.

The dogs headed for Richmond were rescued from a meat farm in Jeonju, South Korea, and were sheltered, vaccinated and quarantined in Daegu and Isla before being flown to San Francisco and, eventually, Dulles, according to the Richmond SPCA.

Abbey Howarth, a spokeswoman for the Richmond SPCA, said she was told by Humane Society representatives that Korean officials found the dog meat farm to be operating illegally and ordered it to close after the officials were tipped off by neighbors.

Starr said the group of dogs consists of nine males and five females, including a mother and her litter. Its unlikely the dogs, most of whom are a year or two old, are any breed that we would recognize, she said.

The dogs first few days in the country will entail veterinary and behavioral checks. There was also talk of naming the dogs, perhaps after South Korean cities or Korean pop stars.

Starr said she expects some of the animals to be ready for adoption in about a week or so.

When we save the lives of animals that were really facing not only short lives of utter misery but then a terrible death, nothing could be more central to the accomplishment of that, she said.
In the spirit of this Christmas season, and as the angels proclaimed in Luke 2:14, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (King James Version), I would like to tell you about another earthly kingdom, about as far as one can get from Culpeper (10,474 miles).

Many people have never heard of Bhutan nor have any idea where it is located.

Its bigger than Maryland but just smaller than West Virginia  about the size of Switzerland. Its population is about 770,000  more than that of Alaska, North Dakota or Wyoming.

Its a small, land-locked country nestled in the eastern Himalayan mountains bordered by China (Tibet) on the north and India on the south. It is separated from Nepal by Sikkim, a small sliver of India on the west.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is the worlds youngest democracy, more specifically, a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy (like the UK) that began its transition from an absolute monarchy in 2005. For those of you who might not know, the United States is considered a federal presidential constitutional republic. Look it up on Wikipedia.

The 4th king, Jigme Singye Wanchuck, used the new constitution, instigated at his behest, to impose democracy upon the country, including provisions to impeach kings and have them retire at age 65. He then promptly retired at the age of 51 at the peak of his popularity in favor of his son, the 5th Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was coronated in 2008. The constitution was adopted in this same year by the newly elected parliament, and was passed by a public referendum in which 80 percent of the electorate voted. The young royal family, by the way, is adored by the Bhutanese.

I was fortunate to visit this magical place with 23 fellow travelers under the aegis of our professional travel agent and guide, Culpepers own George DeSerres, who lived in Bhutan for five years.

Affectionately and professionally known there as Captain George, he spent those five years training the pilots of Drukair, the Royal Bhutan Airlines, in the late nineties. Drukair operates out of the Paro Airport, located in a narrow valley surrounded by very tall mountains, making it one of the most challenging in the world. I can personally attest to being a little nervous.

Why talk about Bhutan?

Aside from its absolutely, breathtaking natural beauty, its stunning biodiversity, its ancient Buddhist history and culture that lives on today in its fortresses, monasteries, temples, and its daily life, with its genuinely warm and friendly people, Bhutan  some call it the last Shangri La  is taking a unique approach to its development as a new democracy. Bhutan has no diplomatic relations with the United States  in fact, it has none with any of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay characterized Bhutan (in a fascinating, recent Ted Talk -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lc_dlVrg5M) as a small, developing country that is now thriving despite the economic dominance of its closest neighbors, gigantic China and India. Bhutan is far down the list in terms of Gross Domestic Product  the usual measure of economic progress  at number 156 in the world with a GDP per capita of $7700. For comparison, the United States is at number 19 with $56,000, Qatar is at number 1 with $132,900. Bhutans poverty level is at 12 percent in comparison to our countrys 15 percent. Mississippi is at 22 percent.

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a term that was coined by the 4th king at an international conference on economic development in 1972, while still a teenager. The term embodied the concept that happiness is a better measurement of societys fulfillment than a simply economic concept such as the ubiquitous gross national product.

Beginning with its enlightened monarchs, the country has been working tirelessly since that time to develop a holistic national strategy that works toward that end.

The strategy rests on four pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, conservation of the environment, preservation and promotion of culture, and good governance. These four pillars support nine domains, which articulate the different elements of GNH in detail and form the basis of 33 indices and screening tools, all of which allow the government to track the nations progress in measurable ways.

In Bhutan, education and health care are free. Although the native language is Dzongkha and there are 22 other dialects, classes are taught in English beginning in elementary school.

Forests cover 70 percent of the country and the Constitution prescribes that at least 60 percent remain forested. Thus, Bhutan has a carbon negative footprint, absorbing vastly more carbon dioxide than it emits. Nonetheless, Bhutan suffers from global warming in terms of melting glaciers and the resulting flash floods, landslides, and destruction of life and property.

Despite its limited resources and the challenges of revenue and financing, Bhutan aims towards free electricity for rural farmers, conversion to electric automobiles, a paperless government, and preservation of its pristine environment. It has prohibited export logging, poaching, coal mining, sport hunting and mountain climbing. It has established core protective areas -- parks, sanctuaries, preserves, and forests that are connected by biological corridors that permit the free movement of wildlife.

Globalization has presented a myriad of challenges to this young democracy and traditional society, but it has a vibrant, entrepreneurial economy that is raising the standard of living throughout the country.

Well then, perhaps it would be worthwhile to step back and look at ourselves after seeing how others set their priorities, their strategies. Learning is an ongoing process. We could learn a great deal from this little nation with the big ideas.
On Tuesday, Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine asked the chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to protect funding for the Carrier Replacement Program during the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations process.

If a defense bill is not passedwhich is probablethe Department of Defense will be funded temporarily via a Continuing Resolution. If that happens, the advance procurement funding for the program will continue at Fiscal Year 2016 levels. That reduction would cause delays in shipbuilding, jeopardize national security and threaten jobs in Hampton Roads. The senators are requesting that legislation for the CR include an exception for the Navy to move forward with the FY 2017 funding levels requested by President Obama.

The senators wrote: The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier fleet is already stretched thin, and as a result, the Navy has required a waiver to have one fewer operational carrier than the 11 required by Congress. The current fleet of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is being utilized at unprecedented rates because of a complex security environment and a delayed procurement of additional ships. This over-utilization is resulting in extended deployments, deferred maintenance, reduced operational availability, increased ownership costs and potentially shortened life spans for these strategic assets.

The Department of Defense requested, and the subcommittee recommended, FY 2017 funding for the Carrier Replacement Program at $1.37 billion, about $500 million more than FY 2016 appropriations. The additional funds are necessary to meet procurement costs and ensure the timely delivery of the USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the third Ford-class aircraft carrier that will be constructed by Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Funding the program at FY 2016 levels would create delays that could place even greater strains on an already-stretched carrier fleet and could put local jobs at risk.

Keeping the Navys fleet of 11 carriers mission-ready has long been a bipartisan priority for the entire Virginia congressional delegation. We urge the subcommittee to heed the senators request.
Following the announcement of the formation of the U.S. Myanmar Partnership by President Barack Obama and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during her visit to the United States in September, an inter-agency delegation from Washington, including officials from the Departments of State, Commerce, Treasury, Defense, USAID, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency joined Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Scot Marciel for the First U.S. Myanmar Partnership Meeting held in Naypyitaw, Burma in mid-November.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin led an inter-agency delegation from the government of Burma.

The meeting covered a variety of topics, reflecting the expanding U.S.-Burma relationship and focusing on areas of current and potential cooperation. It was also an opportunity to exchange views on Burmas peace process, continuing challenges in Rakhine State, democratic transition, and efforts to improve human rights and rule of law. Both delegations discussed ways in which they could build a strong economic and commercial partnership, including through management of natural resources, responsible investment, and inclusive economic development. The dialogue also focused on people-to-people ties as a means to strengthen the bilateral relationship and improve human capital in Burma.

The U.S. delegation recognized Burmas progress towards consolidating its transition to democracy and stressed the main goal of U.S. policy toward Burma and this new Partnership will help Burma succeed.

The Partnership will be anchored by annual dialogues led by the U.S. Department of State and Burmas Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will create mechanisms for cooperation in areas including political and diplomatic relations, trade and economic ties, science and technology, education and training, environment and health, defense and security, humanitarian protection and promotion of rule of law, human rights, and people-to-people connections.

The United States is proud to partner with Burma and will give its full support Burmas full transition to democracy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed an agreement establishing a joint military force between Russia and leaders in Abkhazia, a so-called breakaway region of Georgia.

Along with the region of South Ossetia, Abkhazia was recognized by Russia and a very small number of countries loyal to the Kremlin as independent, after Russia invaded Georgia in 2008. Georgia regards the two regions as occupied.

Among other provisions, the joint military agreement allows for a Russian military base in Abkhazia, along with motorized rifle battalions, and artillery and aviation groups. Also, in case of a potential threat or war, troops in the united group would be under the command of a leader appointed by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia denounced the agreement, saying These kinds of provocative steps by the Russian Federation serve the purpose of ultimate annexation of the occupied regions of Georgia, which is a complete disregard of the fundamental principles and norms of international law and undermines the established international order.

In a written statement, State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said the United States strongly opposes the agreement between Russia and the de facto leaders of Georgias breakaway region of Abkhazia regarding a joint military force.

We do not recognize the legitimacy of this so-called treaty, which does not constitute a valid international agreement, said Mr. Kirby. The United States position on Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains clear: these regions are integral parts of Georgia, and we continue to support Georgias independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Russia, he declared, should fulfill all of its commitments under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, and provide free access for humanitarian assistance to these regions.
Promoting the human rights of persons with disabilities has been a key objective of U.S. President Barack Obamas administration both at home and internationally.

Disability rights are not abstract concepts wrote Secretary of State John Kerry. They are about things you can see and touch that make a difference. They are about sidewalks with curb cuts; public buildings with accessible bathrooms; restaurants, stores, hotels, and universities with ramps and elevator access; buses with lifts; and train platforms with tactile strips.

Judy Heumann is the United States first Special Advisor for International Disability Rights. She came to the State Department to help implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities -- which the U.S. is a signatory to. During her tenure, she has used diplomacy to promote disability rights worldwide:

According to the World Bank and the World Health Organization at least 15 percent of the worlds population have disabilities

When you are excluding a large percentage of a population, it has economic implications on the country, needless economic consequences  We try to work both with civil societies in other countries and government to make them recognize that disabled people can make the same contributions as other people if those barriers are removed.

Special Advisor Heumann, who is herself a wheelchair rider, has traveled to nearly 40 countries to engage governments and civil society on disability rights. Her team has worked to empower the voices of Disabled Peoples Organizations, helping them to help their governments draft laws that protect disabled persons from discrimination. She has worked within the State Department to expand visitors and exchange programs so that government and non-governmental representatives can learn first-hand how the Americans with Disabilities Act is implemented in the United States.

Special Advisor Heumann and her team have trained State Department staff to create more inclusive environments in U.S. embassies and to recognize and document abuses of disability rights in some countries for inclusion in the Congressionally mandated Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

Our work, said Special Advisor Heumann Is to encourage disabled people to fight for their rights, to give them their needed information on how to do it  [and] to encourage governments to do ultimately what I think they realize is the right thing.
Pretensioners tighten up any slack in the seat belt webbing in the event of a crash and work in tandem with air bags. Ford said it was aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with the issue.

Ford Motor Co said on Friday it was recalling about 650,000 vehicles in North America to fix issues that could prevent seat belts from functioning properly in a crash. The recall includes certain 2013-16 Ford Fusion, 2015-16 Ford Mondeo and 2013-15 Lincoln MKZ cars, Ford said.

In the affected vehicles, increased temperatures generated during deployment of the seat belt anchor pretensioner cables could cause them to separate, potentially reducing the seat belt's ability to adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, Ford said.

Pretensioners tighten up any slack in the seat belt webbing in the event of a crash and work in tandem with air bags. Ford said it was aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with the issue.
A personal gripe of mine is hearing people denigrate the Humboldt River, calling it a miserable little river, an intermittent stream that cant even manage to flow all year long. The Humboldt River is a 330-mile long, vibrant river, the longest U.S. river located entirely within one state. It is also one of the most historically significant rivers in the United States.

Another gripe is talking to people who feel the river has always been as it is seen today. Many old newspaper accounts describe Elko residents walking down to the river on a summer evening and returning home with a nice catch of trout. A California Trail traveler in 1863 described Shoshone Indians near todays Elko trading cutthroat trout 18 to 24 inches in length to emigrants.

I wonder how much of this attitude toward the river comes from instances like this past September, when drivers crossing over the 12th Street Bridge looked down at a dry riverbed. What these drivers possibly did not see is that a few miles upstream and downstream from this bridge, the river flowed just fine. September was a dry month and the rivers flow was small, but only through Elko did the riverbed dry up.

Something bad happens to the Humboldt River as it flows through Elko. Sherm Swanson is the Riparian Extension Specialist for the County Extension. He is quick to say that without a study, he cannot be sure what has happened to the river, but he has his suspicions.

The river through Elko was damaged in the early 1980s when Project Lifesaver moved the railroad tracks from downtown. The tracks themselves are not the problem, but the project also straightened the river through town. Checking old aerial photos of Elko shows before the project, a large curve in the river went north almost to River Street at Eighth Street. Todays FISH building would have sat in the middle of the river in 1980. This type of river redesign would most likely never be allowed today.

Other damage included widening the riverbed and bordering it with flood levies. The man-made riverbed has adjusted, filled in somewhat with sediments, and this has raised the riverbed. This may make it easier for water to flow through the sediments rather than on top and explain why, during low summer flows, the river dries up at 12th Street.

Upstream from town, several large pits have been dug to mine sand and gravel. The water in these ponds probably moves between the river and the ponds and may allow more water to flow through the gravels and not above ground.

On this same dry September day, the river was flowing upstream, beside Last Chance Road. Downstream, it had also begun flowing by the time it passed the Hot Hole, although this area is probably helped by flow from the springs at the Hot Hole. The river may also receive water from the ground water beneath Elko.

Sherm would like to see a study done on the upper part of the Humboldt River that would include the stretch through Elko. Many area streams have been assessed for proper functioning condition, a look at the health of the stream. The main river has not received this assessment and many people feel such a study is needed.

We have created the Humboldt River we see today and work is needed to study and protect this important Nevada river.
Mumbai: Fifth bi-monthly policy review for the year 2016-17 and the first after the demonetisation was imposed in country on November 8 will take place at the Reserve Bank of Indias two days review talks on December 6 and 7.

The ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 high value notes has given rise to the hopes that the central bank would go for a rate cut given the uncertain fiscal environment in country due to severe cash crunch.

Interestingly, Wednesdays policy review is going to be second policy stance to be decided by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) formed on the lines of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in the US.

RBI governor Urjit Patel who dragged much flak for vanishing from the post-demonetisation scene will take part in his second policy review decision since he assumed office on September 5.

Earlier, the RBI governor in consultation with three deputy governors used to take a call on key rates.

The MPC that was formed to take a unanimous call on rate cut will put up its result on the RBIs website at 2.30 pm on Wednesday.

In the last policy review, the central bank broke away from its tradition of holding a press meet at 11 am after taking decision on key policy rates.
The Council will reconvene on Saturday to discuss the law and on the contentious point of dual control of assessees under the new indirect tax regime.

New Delhi: The GST council again failed to reach a consensus on the model Goods and Services Tax law on Friday. The Council will reconvene on Saturday to discuss the law and on the contentious point of dual control of assessees under the new indirect tax regime.

It will also deliberate on impact of demonetisation on revenue. On duel control there is no consensus so far. It will be taken up tomorrow, Jammu and Kashmir finance minister Haseeb Drabu said after the meeting, and also expressed hope that April 1 target for the GST roll out is possible. He said the finance ministers discussed State GST law and in Saturday meeting we would be able to clear large chunks of model GST law.
New Delhi: Goods and Sales Tax Council, a high-level body of the Centre and states which met on Saturday for a straight second day, failed once again to reach a consensus on how they divide taxpayers among themselves for assessment under the proposed new tax regime.

The fifth GST Council meeting also couldnt complete the approval process for the four drafts  Central GST, State GST, Integrated GST and State Compensation Law.

The Council, which has Union finance minister Arun Jaitley as its chairman and state finance ministers as members will meet again on December 11 and 12 to try and reach a consensus. Mr Jaitley indicated that he was not in favour of a voting in Parliament to resolve the issue. But in case things are not resolved, he might be forced to conduct a voting.

Are we close to resolving this issue (on cross-empowerment or dual control)? I will keep my fingers crossed. Once this issue is resolved, I would consider it a done deal, said Mr Jaitley.

GST must by September 16, 2017, says Jaitley

Finance minister, who heads the council, said, I hope during the next meeting on November 11-12, there is a positive movement as far as laws are concerned. But on the critical issue of cross empowerment, two-three suggestions have come."

He went on to say that the new regime will have to be put in place latest by September 16, 2017, as it is a constitutional requirement. Explaining further, Mr Jaitley said during the two days the Council discussed draft CGST and IGST laws.

"We started approving the laws clause by clause and almost nine chapters of each have been discussed. We are heading towards consensus on these laws. There are two other laws - Compensation and IGST, which will be discussed in the next meeting on December 11, 12. The issue of dual control-linked IGST remains unresolved and we will discuss this as well in the next meeting, he said.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac said, There is no consensus...We were not able to arrive at a consensus regarding the cross empowerment model. Therefore, the GST laws could not be completed.
A still from the movie 'Katti Batti'. Kangana, who plays the role of a Cancer patient in this film, had become extremely sensitive towatrds things and had to take care of her emotional health.

Mumbai: The 29-year-old actress says she does not like what she goes through while portraying different characters in her films.

"I don't like anything about my job, to be honest. I don't like to meet these crazy people who I have to, as my characters. I don't like the situations and circumstances my characters go through. I don't like to emote to imaginary circumstances."

"I don't like to go in mud and water when it is zero degree. Honestly I don't like anything about my job."

When asked how she deals with it, she quips, "I remind myself the bills that I have to pay."

Kangana was in conversation with Manu Joseph at the Times LitFest festival.

The 29-year-old says when she is approaching a new character in a film, her process involves sculpting the imaginary person in front of her and conversing with her, before finally fully knowing the role.

The process, however, can be too taxing at times with the character almost overpowering the real self which can be dangerous for actors.

"Actors need to bring about certain sensitivity by stimulating to situations which don't exist, where you can almost behave mechanically to situations. Like 'action' and

you have to enact. Over a period, you can grow to be emotionally unhealthy, or sensitive."

The Queen star recalls how she went through a very emotional process while shooting for Katti Batti.

"When I was playing a cancer patient in 'Katti Batti', I was enacting my death scenes, I would cry all the time even for the smallest things. I had become so sensitive that I had to literally take care of myself, that it doesn't affect my emotional and physical health."

Kangana says, it is in this regard that if not an actress, she would rather be a director as soon as she can.

"I would rather be a director. There is always that next step that you want to take, but that doesn't mean that I cannot (get) enough to unleash my creative forces where I already am. At some point I would like to (be a director), as soon as I can."
Mumbai: 'Last Tango in Paris' upon release had been surrounded in controversy courtesy its graphic portrayal of sexual violence.

Though the Franco-Italian film had opened to unanimous acclaim, a video has surfaced where director Bernardo Bertolucci admits to have shot the particularly infamous rape scene involving protagonist Marlon Brando without the consent of co-actress Maria Schneider. The director had conspired with the veteran actor to shoot the scene, in which Brandos character uses a stick of butter to rape Schneider.

"The sequence of the butter is an idea that I had with Marlon in the morning before shooting," Bertulocci had said. Though he admitted to have felt horrible in a way, he defended his action saying he needed a genuine reaction from her and not an act. I wanted her to react humiliated," he said. "I think she hated me and also Marlon because we didn't tell her."

Marlon, then 48, was involved through the ideation of the scene, while the unsuspecting Schneider, then 19, haplessly responded to her plight, which was eventually captured on film.

Bertolucci, however didnt have the least bit of remorse, adding, "To obtain something I think you have to be completely free," he said. "I didn't want Maria to act her humiliation her rage, I wanted her to feel...the rage and humiliation. Then she hated me for all of her life."

Schneider would go on to never shoot a scene in the buff, post her horrifying experience on the film. She went on to battle serious drug problems and depression.

In an interview to the Daily Mail in 2007, Schneider had written that she had felt violated by the experience."I felt humiliated and to be honest, I felt a little raped, both by Marlon and by Bertolucci," she said. "After the scene, Marlon didn't console me or [apologize]. Thankfully, there was just one take."

Watch the interview here:
n October 25, she had moved a family court seeking its intervention to unite her estranged husband, who is now in Canada, with her under provisions of the Hindu Marriages Act. (File photo)

Mumbai: Yesteryear actor Rambha today moved a Family Court here seeking to declare and appoint her as a natural guardian of her minor children.

On October 25, she had moved a family court seeking its intervention to unite her estranged husband, who is now in Canada, with her under provisions of the Hindu Marriages Act.

The court had then posted the proceedings in the case for today. She had filed the petition under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriages Act, which paves the way for restitution of conjugal rights to the aggrieved partner.

According to Section 9 of the Act, when either the husband or wife withdraws from the other without reasonable excuse, the aggrieved person may go to court for restitution of his or her conjugal rights.

The actress had submitted that she would like to live with her husband Indran Pathmanathan, a Canada-based businessman, whom she married in April, 2010. The couple have two children and they have been living separately for some time now.

Rambha, whose original name was Vijayalakshmi, shot to fame with her movie 'Ullathai Allitha' (1996) in Tamil and she has acted in many films in several languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.

She submitted today that her husband was married to one Dushyanthi Selvavinayakam and it was dissolved by a decree of divorce with effect from December one, 2003, which was not disclosed by her husband at the time of marriage and she came to know about only later.

The actress contended that she suffered a lot in the hands of the family of her husband.

She was made to stay away from her children after a petition was filed by her husband in the Canada Court. After filing a petition in Superior Court, she got back the kids.

Indran had also filed an insolvency petition and it was declined by the Canadian Courts and later her husband and his family members apologised to her, following which a compromise between them was arrived at following which they again started living together.

However, later Indran deserted her and went to Canada, she submitted.

It is the legal and moral duty of the parents of the minor children to provide better education and medical facilities. But these were refused by her husband following which she filed the present plea seeking legal custody of the children.

As the Presiding Officer of the Family Court Sivadhanu was on leave, the matter was adjourned to Janury 21, 2017, for further hearing.
In cinema, there are no permanent friends or enemies! At least, thats what we could infer when producer council head Thanu, who is at loggerheads with Nadigar Sangams secretary Vishal, came forward to release president Nassers son Luthfudeen Baashas flick, Parandhu Sella Vaa, in a big way.

A rom-com, PSV, directed by Dhanapal Padmanaban and produced by Arumai Chandran, is shot entirely in Singapore. The film has two leading ladies  Aishwarya Rajesh and Narelle Kheng. Comedians Satish, Karunakaran and RJ Balaji are also part of the cast.

At the meet Thanu said, Nassers wife Kamila Nasser wanted me to watch the film Parandhu Sella Vaa. I thought I am going to spend about two hours watching the film. To my surprise, it was so engrossing that I spent four hours discussing about the movie. It is highly entertaining. I am really happy to release this film.

Nasser, on his part, said, Producing a film is an easy task. But what is highly tough is to release the movie. I have also made four flicks. In the present scenario, there are 400 films, which have been censored, and lying still in the cans for want of screens. So, I must thank Thanu sir for coming forward to release Baashas film. Baasha said that PSV is a significant start for him and the experiences he got through the film have given him the confidence to face anything independently.
Mumbai: The most-awaited comeback film of Megastar Chiranjeevi, Khaidi No 150 is in its last leg of shoot. The film which is being helmed by V V Vinayak has completed the shoot of its talkie part, except for some patch work.

Proudly produced under the Konidela Production Company banner, Producer Ram Charan informed that the talkie part has been successfully wrapped up and the team is currently rolling the last song of the movie in Ramoji Film City.

With great production values and renowned technicians on board, the film has shaped up at a brisk pace. A Mass number composed by Devi Sri Prasad is being filmed on Chiranjeevi and Kajal Aggarwal to the choreography of Shekar Master, in a hugely erected Moulin Rouge themed set in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, the team has equal pace at post-production work so as to be able to smoothly release the film for Sankranthi. Teaser and Audio release details will be announced very soon.

Even before it was announced, the film had received a great deal of attention since it is the highly anticipated comeback film of Megastar Chiranjeevi and the makers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the final product extremely appealing.

The recently released posters, which unveiled Chiranjeevi's look completely, have left not just the megastar's fans but also the regular audience hooked to check out the film. If the first look motion poster had generated a buzz, the unveiling posters did manage a storm of sorts.
Suriyas Tamil-Telugu bilingual Singam 3 and a Kannada film Sundaranga Jaana have now postponed their release dates. The films were supposed to release on December 16, but now have been pushed for a week on the request of producer Allu Aravind.

Allu Aravind wants to clear the deck for at least two weeks, for his film Dhruva that stars his nephew, Ram Charan. So he requested Suriya and his filmmakers apart from Kannada film producer Rockline Venkatesh to postpone their releases. Both the groups obliged, says the source.

Dhruva will be releasing on December 9, and since Telugu films are doing very well in Karnataka right now, thats one reason why Allu Aravind requested the Kannada filmmaker as well.
The airline reportedly decided to cancel the tickets of the other passengers onboard in order to accommodate the 17 latecomers. (Representational Image)

A Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Bhopal was delayed for around two hours when a group of passengers prevented the aircraft from taking off without their delayed companions. It is alleged that the airline bowed down to their demands because the group - a Gujarati family of 80 - was closely connected to a powerful minister.

The airline reportedly decided to cancel the tickets of the other passengers onboard in order to accommodate the 17 latecomers. The resultant chaos, which ensued for an hour, ended with five people getting off the plane after accepting a compensation of Rs. 10,000 offered by Jet Airways.

Flight 9W 7083, on which the incident took place, was earlier scheduled to take off at 5:55 am on Friday. Jet Airways even released a statement regarding the unruly situation.
Many years ago, a fabulous city sprang up on the slopes of an incredibly rich mountain of silver. The country was a high desert region of mountains and canyons. The miners soon found that the local native Indian tribes had to be tamed before the full potential of the silver strike could be realized. Once the Indian problem was resolved, the mining resumed at a fast pace and the city grew to become the largest in the territory.

Before long, there was so much silver being taken from the mines, a mint was established to coin the silver. The mint later became a museum. The mine became the largest producer of silver the country has ever known. Much of the wealth from the mines was used to pay off debts from a long and bloody war. As always happens with mining boom towns, the ore eventually ran out and many of the thousands of fortune seekers either died from the hardships of their life in the mines or moved on. A few continue to this day, trying to revive the great successes of the old days.

I am sure most of you are thinking I have described Virginia City and the Comstock. In fact, this article is not about Virginia City. All these things are true of the Comstock, but they are also true of another place, thousands of miles away in Bolivia called Potosi. The similarities end with those described above. The differences between the two places are even more amazing than the similarities.

In 1546, the Spanish conquistadores founded the town of Potosi in South America on the slopes of a mountain named Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain). The native Inca Indians had mined silver from this mountain for centuries. The Spanish took over the mine and enslaved many of the local Inca Indians to work in the mines and mills at the mountain of silver. Later, African slaves were also brought in to supplement the native slave laborers. Working conditions in the mine were brutal and the slaves died at an early age from silicosis due to the dusty conditions. Those who worked in the mills died from mercury poisoning since they were forced to trod the ground up ore with their bare feet in the amalgamation process. Hundreds of thousands of these workers died due to the deplorable working conditions. Some estimates suggest there were millions of work related deaths.

By the 1600s the population of Potosi had grown to 200,000 persons. This was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world at that time. There were eighty-six churches and the production of silver was estimated at 45,000 tons between 1556 and 1783. The elevation of Potosi at over 13,420 feet makes manual labor even more difficult. At that elevation, Potosi was the highest city in the world. The elevation at the top of Cerro Rico is 15,827 feet above sea level. The miners typically worked 12 hour days and there were no coffee or lunch breaks. They chewed coca leaves which kept them awake and warded off hunger. Very few of them survived beyond the age of 40.

The vast quantities of silver mined from Cerro Rico prompted the establishment of the first Spanish Colonial Mint to produce coins, mostly doubloons or pieces of eight from the silver. Before the mint was established, the silver was cast into ingots and shipped back to Spain or to mints in other countries. The old mint building has been refurbished and is now a museum.

Between the years 1530 and 1800, approximately six to eight billion dollars worth of silver was shipped back to Spain. This was when silver was worth less than a dollar an ounce. In 1621 Spain still ruled the seas despite challenges from the English, French and Dutch. The Spanish were desperate to replenish their treasury due to the cost of fighting the Thirty Years War. Every year, the Spanish treasure fleet gathered gold, silver, emeralds and other treasure from each of their South American colonies and shipped the wealth back to Spain before the hurricane season hit. Every year approximately 20% of the treasure was lost to pirates or to ships being sunk in high seas or hurricanes.

In 1621 the treasure fleet met up at the harbor in Havana Cuba to sail in a group back to Spain. One of these ships was the Nuestra Senora de Atocha or simply the Atocha. As the Atocha and a sister ship, the Santa Margarita approached the Florida Keys on their way back to Spain, a terrible hurricane hit the area and forced the two treasure laden galleons off course. Just a few miles east of Key West Florida, near the Marquesas Keys, the two galleons broke apart and sank in shallow water.

After years of research and diving using several sunken ship hunting techniques, Treasure Salvage Company owned by Mel Fisher announced the discovery of the wreck of the Atocha on July 20, 1985. Recovery of the amazing cargo began and a museum was set up in Mel Fishers office in Key West where the items were brought for cleaning and restoration. While the recovery efforts were still being done, I had the opportunity to visit the office of Mel Fisher and see for myself much of the treasure that had been recovered.

In front of the office there were two of the huge ornate bronze cannons that had been brought up from the wreck. Inside the office there were several hundred silver bars from Potosi stacked up like cordwood around the perimeter of the room. These were over a foot long and were stacked along the edges of the room to prevent the floor from collapsing due to the weight. Over 1,000 of these silver bars were recovered from the wreck of the Atocha.

A crew was busy cleaning and sorting gold bars, emeralds and over 100,000 silver pieces of eight (eight reals), the dollar of the Spanish empire. These were found on the bottom of the sea in chest-shaped conglomerates where the shipping chests had rotted away leaving blocks of fused and corroded silver coins. These were then separated and cleaned electronically. Most of these were minted at the Potosi Mint. Fascinated with these, I bought one of them from Mel Fisher to add to my small collection of Carson City Mint dollars.
When New York-based French designer Sophie Theallet whose feminine designs have appealed to the likes of Michelle Obama refused to dress Melania Trump, everyone raised an eyebrow. But Sophie stood her ground. Designer Nachiket Barve states, Its important to stick by principles. As a pet owner, my mind changed about working with fur. I will never work with it even if someone asks for it, and specifically with a fur called karakul which is horrifyingly made with unborn lambs. Today, humans have the ability to design space travel... we can surely find humane substitutes for fur.

Actor John Abraham is known to have refused to dance at weddings, unlike his other contemporaries as he believes that it is against his principles. Superstar Akshay Kumar who doesnt indulge in drinking or smoking has stated that he would never endorse any liquor or tobacco brand. Even Pierce Brosnan, the suave Bond made headlines recently for pulling daring stunts for a Pan Bahar ad that left his fans shaken if not stirred. Did he believe in it? Well, we dont know. Kajols sister, actor Tanishaa Mukerji who was last seen in Bigg Boss 10 agrees, Celebrities are people and when people choose to not go against their beliefs, its a very human thing. Celebrities are no different from others and if they dont believe in that product or cause then they should stand by their belief. They have their priorities too, they have to live with themselves and they have a conscience they are answerable to. Its an individual choice. But, I believe that if somebody chooses to endorse a cause outside his belief, then they should have the freedom to do it. Freedom of thought, expression, to be who you are are important for every individual.

Even Kangana Ranaut has refused a Rs 2 crore deal to endorse a fairness cream. Sandalwood star Sanjjanaa Archana Galrani says, Endorsement of a product or cause just for the sake of money and compromising ones ethics is something that doesnt work for me. I believe in power yoga, and thats why I promote it. I have said no to many requests that I feel are unethical.
Itanagar: An Assam Rifles jawan was killed while nine others were injured when armed militants ambushed an Assam Rifles convoy near Wakka in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh today.

The attack took place 20 km from Indo-Myanmar border. Defence PRO Lt Colonel Chiranjeet Konwar said the militants ambushed the convoy of 16 Assam Rifles stationed in the district near Wakka at around 1.45 PM killing one jawan on the spot while injuring nine others.

He, however, could not divulge the name of the deceased nor the group involved in the ambush.

"Search operation is going on in the area and efforts were being made to evacuate the injured jawans," he added.

Unconfirmed reports from Longding said the ambush was carried out jointly by NSCN (K) and ULFA (Independent) cadres.
Kolkata/New Delhi: The presence of army personnel at toll plazas in West Bengal triggered a row with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remaining at the state secretariat overnight in protest. The CM finally left the building on Friday evening, after spending almost 30 hours in her office.

"I have great respect for the Army but why are they being used for political vendetta? This is wrong," Mamata said, wonder if it was an 'army coup' against her government.

Her remarks had drawn stinging condemnation from the Centre which said the remark showed her "political frustration".



The row echoed in Parliament on Friday with Trinamool Congress seeing "sinister" designs behind the move and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar vehemently denying the charge, saying it was a routine exercise. Parrikar also said it was very unfortunate that army has been dragged into an "unnecessary controversy".



The Army on its part strongly rebutted Banerjee's allegations that its personnel were deployed at toll plazas without informing the state government and were collecting money, saying the exercise was being carried out in coordination with Kolkata Police. The Army personnel, however, had left the toll plaza near the secretariat last night.



TMC MLAs and ministers also staged a dharna outside Raj Bhavan in Kolkata.



Banerjee left the state secretariat in the evening after she spent over 24 hours and fired a fresh salvo at the Modi government.



Accusing the Modi government of making a "wrong and concocted" statement in Parliament regarding the deployment of Army, Banerjee said her voice could not be stifled by "hatching conspiracy and showing force".



Banerjee also said the state government will take legal recourse if there is no withdrawal of army personnel from all toll plazas in the state.



Speaking to reporters late last night at 'Nabanna', the state secretariat in Kolkata, she said, "I will stay at the secretariat to guard our democracy".



"Is this a military coup?" she asked.



She said that army personnel were there in different districts like Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, North 24 Paragans, Burdwan, Howrah, Hooghly etc.



"The army is deployed without informing the state government. This is unprecedented and a very serious matter."



The issue was raised in both Houses of Parliament with main opposition Congress too seeking clarification on the army deployment at 19 toll plazas in West Bengal.



In Lok Sabha, Parrikar termed the deployment a "routine exercise not unique to West Bengal" and saying similar operations to collect information on heavy vehicle movement that can be used during national emergencies had last month being conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
New Delhi: Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, whose killing had put the Valley on edge, had spoken to Lashkar-e-Taiba chief (LeT) Hafiz Saeed just days before his death.

21-year-old Burhan Wani was killed in a joint operation by security forces on 8 July 2016 along with two other fighters in Bumdoora village of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, Wani had called Hafiz Saeed and had extended support to his militant group. He had sought Saeeds blessings and conveyed that Hizbul and LeT should combine forces to wage jihad against India.

A news channel on Friday said that it had an audio tape of the two militants speaking on the phone. The channel could not verify the authenticity of the tape, where Wani is purportedly heard urging Saeed to help LeT terrorists and provide them more arms and money for their cause.

"You people are living in very difficult conditions. But you don't have to worry. Whatever you need just tell us, we are ready for every help. Will be ready for anything. You just have to tell us," Saeed tells Wani in the audio tape.

Wani claims that the "the enemy is almost defeated", while talking to the LeT chief.

"We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn't lose this opportunity. For this, we need ammunition and support from the back. We should work together (Hizbul and LeT) for this," Wani tells Saeed.
Bengaluru: If you thought cash crunch was the only problem one can face at the bank, you're wrong. There is an unwritten policy where a person can withdraw only in the branch where they hold an account but not any other branch of the same bank.

Nirmala Ramaswamy, a senior citizen, faced problems withdrawing cash because of this rule. I am an arthritis patient and need money for my medical test on Saturday. Though I am a customer of this bank, they told me to go to the branch where I hold my account. I can't keep running around like this, she complained.

Fortunately, considering her condition, the bank made an exception and let her withdraw Rs 4,000. Since the amount is not enough, she will have to return to the bank next week. She is one among the many, suffering the effects of demonetisation.

The withdrawal limit in certain banks is much below the RBI prescribed limit of Rs 24,000. For those who run businesses, paying their workers are an added stress along with personal expenses.

I own a factory that manufactures chamber pots. We have daily wage workers who are paid Rs 450 a day. I got only Rs 4000 from the bank, and only in Rs 2000 denomination. How am I supposed to pay each of them? questioned Shashikala. However, some banks are reportedly disbursing the amount as stipulated by RBI.

A bank official, on condition of anonymity said, If a bank has many branches in Bengaluru, it will have to ensure they all receive cash. Thus, each branch will get little. Those banks that have few branches in the city, can give more to each customer, he said. This also explains why we tell our customers to only go to their own branch, he added.

With December 2 the last day to accept the old `500 notes and distribution of the new ones yet to begin, the cash crunch may not see much of an improvement in the next few weeks.
New Delhi: Issuing a veiled warning, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said one cannot convert black money into white by merely depositing unaccounted cash in bank accounts as taxes are required to be paid on them.

"By just depositing it (unaccounted money), you don't avoid the responsibility of paying tax," he said when asked about surge in deposits in banks following withdrawal of high denomination currency notes.

He further said the income tax department is keeping an eye on such deposits.

As per RBI, about Rs 8.45 lakh crore in scrapped Rs 500 and 1,000 notes were deposited with banks by November 27.

Following the government's decision to demonetise from November 8 mid-night, people have been depositing these notes in banks.

The Lok Sabha has amended the Income Tax Act to provide for higher tax and penalty on such undisclosed income. The Bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha.

As per the amendment, the government will levy a tax of 50 per cent on unaccounted demonetised cash if it is disclosed voluntarily till December 30. After that, a steep tax and penalty of up to 85 per cent will be levied on undisclosed wealth that is discovered by authorities.

Replying to a question of long queues for withdrawal of cash at banks, the finance minister said RBI has increased the supply of new Rs 500 notes and asserted that the situation will improve soon.

Jaitley also discussed the issues concerning demonetisation with the state finance ministers after the GST Council meeting.

Several state finance ministers, he said, demanded relaxation in the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) norms as well as an increase in Ways and Means Advances to deal with their public finances.
Hyderabad: Taking exception to the Trinamool Congress' "coup" allegation after the Army's presence at toll plazas in West Bengal, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said it is not in national interest to drag the armed force into controversies.

"What is coup? And then, dragging the Army into controversy; it is not in the national interest. It is totally condemnable who ever has done it. Not only Trinamool, unfortunately Congress and others also, without knowing the full truth, they try to make it a big issue and what happened at the end? It has boomeranged on them.

"So, let's not drag Indian Army, which is the pride of our nation, into these controversies," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

The presence of the Army in West Bengal to which the Trinamool has taken exception was a routine drill and there was nothing new in it, he said.

"It is a routine drill which is to happen every year. This year also it happened in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam. It happened in Bengal last year. It happened this year also. There is nothing new. There is nothing like deploying Army, coup, nothing like that. They are doing a false campaign," he said.

Presence of army personnel at toll plazas in West Bengal had kicked up a storm with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remaining at the State Secretariat overnight in protest, asking was it an "army coup".

A false campaign was on over different issues as well, including that there was shortage of salt, that gold would be seized and that emergency would be imposed with Army being brought in, Naidu alleged.

"Do not indulge such false campaign...about demonetisation also," he said.

Acknowledging that people faced inconvenience following demonetisation, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said initial difficulties would be there when there is a transition.

"In any transition, in every transformation, there will be some initial difficulties. That is why we said temporary pain for long-term gain. That is why the Prime Minister said, 'give me 50 days'," he said.

The idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to transform the entire economic system and check problems like terrorism, hawala transactions and other such offences, he said.

"He (Modi) wants to transform the entire economic, financial system in the country. He wants to weed out black money, he wants to tackle terrorists, separatists and also people who are funding, aiding terrorism and also take care of the hawala operators and people who are hoarding money. That is the idea of the Prime Minister," he said.

The citizens are applauding the Prime Minister's move despite the difficulties they faced as they have become aware of the government's intentions, Naidu said.

Naidu expressed regret over Parliament not functioning properly during the ongoing winter session. "Parliament should work. People want Parliament to work. I (government) propose, you (opposition) oppose, let the House dispose. That should be the spirit," he said.

The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, who spoke at a workshop on capacity building for working Urdu journalists of Telangana at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) earlier, deprecated the practice of sensationalising news.

"There is no sense in sensationalism. Journalists should be sensitive to social issues and problems," he said.

Hailing Urdu journalism, he said, "Complete and authentic history of the Indian freedom struggle cannot be written without taking into account the contribution of Urdu journalism and its role in the freedom movement."

Urdu journalism should take advantage of new technological advances that are radically changing the way information reached masses, he said.

Noting that All India Radio is a pioneer in reaching out to masses in regional languages, he said Urdu has been part and parcel of radio broadcasting from pre-Independence era.

He said DD Urdu is doing a wonderful job in spreading Urdu language and DD Kashmir is playing a vital role in bridging the gap between J&K and the rest of the country.

Emphasising on the importance of mother tongue, he said, "Language and culture has a definite relationship. We must teach our children to speak in their mother tongue rather than English. Nothing wrong in learning English, we should not become Englishmen."

Hailing India's culture and heritage, Naidu said efforts should be made to preserve them. "We should feel proud of our culture, heritage and country."
TNLA Opposition Leader M.K.Stalin along with alliance party leaders met and gave a memorandum to form assembly committees to TN Governor in charge Ch. Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan on Friday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Friday submitted a memorandum to Governor C.H. Vidyasagar Rao demanding the formation of Assembly committees.

Speaking to reporters after submitting the petition, Stalin said the Governor had promised to take action for the formation of the committees. If the Governor did not take action, the opposition parties would be forced to hold joint agitations to press for the demand.

Besides, they would have to move the court with demand for constitution of Assembly committees, he said and added that the Governor would prevent such a situation by taking suitable measures.

Stalin recalled that the DMK and its alliance parties had already submitted a petition with the same demand to Speaker P. Dhanapal and Leader of the House O. Panneerselvam.

But, not action had been taken by Panneerselvam and the Speaker is silent about the issue. When the demand was raised in the Assembly, the Speaker promised to form the committees soon. Stalin was accompanied by Congress floor leader K.R. Ramasamy and IUML state president K.M. Khader Moideen.
Ahmedabad: City-based property dealer Mahesh Shah who had disclosed a whopping Rs 13,860 crore of unaccounted income under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS) in October, has gone missing.

Income Tax searches were conducted on the office and residential premises of Shah in the last two days, but he was nowhere to be found. The I-T sleuths also swooped down on premises of his Chartered Accountant firm Appaji Amin.

Though, the I-T Department is tight-lipped about the searches, Shahs CA Tehmul Sethna, who is a partner in Apaji Amin & Co, informed the media about the searches carried out at various places, including on the premises of those connected with his client (Mahesh Shahs friends).

I-T department officials could not be contacted even after several attempts.

The search operations were conducted on November 29, 30 and December 1, Sethna told mediapersons.

According to him, Shah was untraceable after these searches.

In his statement to media, Sethna claimed Shah made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore of cash under the IDS scheme. The IDS scheme was closed on September 30.

"Shah was in my touch since 2013 and took our advice on several occasions in the past. He was not my regular client. He was mainly into land dealings. When IDS scheme was declared, I advised him to make the disclosure for peace of mind, as he is almost 67-year-old and is not keeping well due to some heart related ailments," said Sethna.

"After taking guidance from senior I-T officials, he made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore cash under the IDS scheme. He was supposed to pay Rs 1560 crore, which is 25 per cent of 45 per cent tax on the disclosed amount, as the first instalment. Though November 30 was the last date, he failed to deposit the instalment with I-T department," said Sethna.

According to Sethna, there is possibility that Shah never had such a huge amount with him when he made the declaration.

"When I-T department conducted an enquiry, they started doubting Shahs capacity to pay the instalment by the due date. Thus by November 28, I-T department cancelled his IDS Form-2 and initiated search operations the next day. I gave my full co-operation to them and showed all the papers related to Shah, who is untraceable after the searches," he said.

"Though I knew that Shahs financial condition was not sound, I did not doubt anything because he himself claimed to have such huge money which he wanted to declare under IDS. Ultimately, client has to show money, otherwise, I-T department will step in. I now believe that Shahs disclosure was suspicious," Sethna said.
New Delhi: Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over its diplomats in the High Commission here allegedly not being allowed to withdraw their salaries, which is paid in US dollars, by the bank.

Asserting that not allowing its officials to withdraw their salaries was in breach of Vienna Protocol, Pakistan has also threatened that in case the matter is not resolved soon, it may consider retaliatory action against salary disbursal for Indian diplomats there.

RBL Bank, an Indian private bank, holds the salary account of the Pakistan High Commission staff.

"We are not allowed to withdraw our own salary. It is not a demonetisation issue. It appears that it is done more at the instructions of the Indian government," a senior Pakistan High Commission said.

While there was no official reaction to Pakistan's protest from Indian side, officials here maintained that the matter is between the bank and the depositor and government has no role to play.

Diplomats can draw their tax free salaries in dollars and only have to give reason for the withdrawal beyond USD 5,000.

According to Pakistan High Commission officials, they are not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and have been asked for 'letters of purpose' for withdrawal of any dollar amount.

Incidentally, demonetisation has led to a sharp spike in demand for dollars and other foreign currency, making it scarce.
Nov. 3

Joshua Kelton Kovall was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of grand larceny and burglary.



Fa De Chen was bound over to Elko District Court on felony charges of crimes against property, cheating at gaming, and committing or attempting to commit a fraudulent act in a gaming establishment.



Refujio Marquecho Rivera was bound over to Elko District Court on a charge of intimidating a public officer or others, with immediate threat or use of physical force.



Refujio Marquecho Rivera was bound over to Elko District Court on a charge of theft valued between $650 and $3,500.



Everett Blaine Travis Jones was bound over to Elko District Court on three counts of destroying or injuring real or personal property valued at $5,000 or greater; possessing, receiving or transferring stolen vehicle valued at less than $3,500; and driver evading, eluding or failing to stop on signal of peace officer, endangering other person or property.

Nov. 9

Kiana Nicole Soto was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of trafficking a controlled substance and two counts of child abuse or neglect, following a preliminary hearing.

Nov. 10

Jonathan Paul Diaz was bound over to Elko District Court on a charge of lewdness with a child under 14. His bail was ordered to be reduced from $250,000 to $100,000 during a preliminary hearing.

Nov. 15

Joshua Anthony Davis was bound over to Elko District Court on a charge of child abuse or neglect.



Darrell Keith Palmer was bound over to Elko District Court on three counts of selling, transporting or giving a controlled substance or attempting to sell, transport or give a controlled substance; conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substances act; 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance; and possession with intent to sell a controlled substance.



Chandler Clift Evans was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of selling, transporting, giving or attempting to sell, transport or give a controlled substance; and conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substances act.

Nov. 16

James Andrew Roth was bound over to Elko District Court on two charges of burglary



Javier Santiago was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of sexual assault, lewdness with a child under 14, and statutory sexual seduction.



Zackery Sackett Morse was bound over to Elko District Court on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.



Christina Nicole Braithwaite was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of attempting to obtain and use personal identity information of another to avoid or delay prosecution, felony crimes against property, and possessing document or personal identity information to commit forgery, counterfeiting unlawful computer act, or unlawful credit or debit card act.



Edwin Ernesto Chacon was bound over to Elko District Court on two felony counts of crime against property

Nov. 28

Robert George Cardona was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of attempted statutory sexual seduction, open or gross lewdness, and child abuse or neglect.

Nov. 30

Adasha Garcia was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of possession of a controlled substance and destroying or concealing evidence.



Nicolas William Fagoaga was bound over to Elko District Court on charges of burglary, grand larceny of an auto and possession of a controlled substance.
A customer pays for fuel with old 500 rupee notes at a petrol station in New Delhi on Friday, the last day on which the old currency can be used to purchase fuel. (Photo: AP)

Chennai: Petrol pumps will no longer accept old notes with Rs 500 denomination as the deadline set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ended on Friday midnight, while users of toll plazas across the country will have to pay charges.

Owners of petrol pumps heaved a sigh of relief, as they will no longer be forced to accept old Rs 500 notes from Saturday. We have had a lot of problems for the past few weeks. Though the government asked us to accept payment in old `500 and Rs 1000 notes, we were not given adequate Rs 100 notes to tender change. This resulted in lot of problems to owners of petrol pumps, owner of a petrol pump located on the suburbs said, seeking anonymity.

Majority of the owners whom Deccan Chronicle spoke to said that several people deliberately came to filling stations to get their Rs 500 notes exchanged, resulting in several problems for the staff. The problem has finally ended, another petrol pump owner said.

The Reserve Bank of India had on Thursday said petrol bunks would not accept old denomination notes from Friday midnight. After having suspended toll since November 9, toll plazas across the country would start accepting charges from users on all highways. And the toll plazas would accept only valid currencies.
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday granted bail to four accused, including two policemen, who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Dalit flogging incident at Una town of Gir-Somnath district.



Those granted bail by Justice A J Desai are Shantibhai Monpara, Nitin Kothari, suspended police inspector of Una Nirmalsinh Zala and sub-inspector Narendradev Pandey. Monpara is the trustee of Sanatan Gau-Seva Trust, while Kothari is associated with the trust and allegedly thrashed the Dalits.



During the arguments today, Monpara and Kothari's lawyer Virat Popat pleaded that both of them should be released on bail as the investigations into the case is complete and the charge sheet is also filed in September.



The counsel urged the court that both his clients are having a clean track-record and no other offence was lodged against them in the past except this one. He urged the court that there is no meaning of keeping the duo in jail at this juncture.



The state government opposed the bail plea of all the four accused, saying that the offence committed by them was of serious nature. Gujarat government also pleaded that the accused may threaten the victims if they are granted bail.



On July 11, seven Dalits of Mota Samadhiyala village of Una taluka in Gir-Somnath district were allegedly thrashed by cow vigilantes when they were skinning a dead cow.



Later, four of these Dalit youth were taken to Una town, where they were tied up with a vehicle and allegedly thrashed by the gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes).



The matter came to light after a video of flogging, allegedly made by the vigilantes, went viral on social media platforms. Later, the probe was handed over to CID-Crime.



In the charge sheet, filed in September, CID has alleged that four policemen attached to Una police station, including Zala and Pandey, misused their position by not acting against the perpetrators.



It is alleged that though four Dalits were thrashed for almost 4 to 5 hours by self proclaimed cow vigilantes, these policemen did nothing to stop the crime.



As per the charge sheet, Kothari is accused of beating these youth in Una along with some other cow vigilantes.



Monpara is accused of inciting these cow vigilantes and sending them to the village, which resulted in the atrocities on Dalits.
Earlier this week, T N Chikkarayappa and SC Jayachandra , two top officials in Karnataka, were raided by the IT department. This is, in a sense, vindication for all of us out here who have objected to the demonetisation process from the start. Those who decried the move, saying corruption couldn't be rooted out by bringing the salaried class and common man to their knees were branded as anti-nationals and our motives questioned.

Economic prosperity begins from the bottom. Rooting out corruption however must start at the top. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his demonetisation, Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party opposed it, saying that it will not bring an end to black money or corruption, so much as it will 're-monetise' banks and corporate NPAs.

Exposing black money holders is a lot more complicated than denotifying currency. Those who do keep wealth in the form of cash have the ability to do so only because they are an intrinsic part of an elaborate, well-oiled machinery. It is within this system, entrenched as it is in corruption, that they will find other ways to convert black money to white. Undeclared income is usually converted into assets like real estate and gold.They realise keeping it in the form of cash will mean depreciation of their wealth and also that they are likely to be caught.

If the Rs 150-crore of unaccounted wealth in the form multiple luxury residential apartments, kilos of gold or the fleet of ultra high-end cars (including a Porsche and Lamborgini) recovered from the two Karnataka officials isn't enough to convince you, the Rs 5 crore found in new currency, the millions who have been waiting in endless queues to withdraw their quota of `2000 and the resultant nearly 70 deaths across the country certainly should!

The many instances of huge amounts of cash being stored in new currency notes, by people in positions of power and influence, amounts to a nothing more than a mockery of justice. It is a slap-in-the face for every patriotic Indian who has willingly made huge sacrifices in the interest of national good.

People who have stood in lines or tried to draw money over the last few weeks will fully appreciate how big a feat it is to lay hands on such large amounts of cash in new currency! Again, this couldn't have been achieved without that well-established network, which includes corrupt officials across government offices and banks, and most importantly, without direct political patronage.

The case of these two officials is still just the tip of the iceberg. While there are many honest and sincere officers, politicians ensure they post corrupt officials in key posts, where they serve as conduits and collection agents for their political masters. That both Chikkarayappa and Jayachandra had close ties with our CM and with PWD Minister HC Mahadevappa is well known. In Chikkarayappa's case, members belonging to the ruling Congress party's CLP not only objected to his promotion as PWD secretary in 2013, but even complained to central observer Digvijay Singh, to no avail.

As people across Karnataka continue to struggle, hoping to contribute in some way to the fight against black money and corruption, nothing has changed in reality. Congress replaced the BJP and Siddaramaiah replaced Yeddyurappa.

The Republic of Mysore replaced the Republic of Bellary and H.C. Mahadevappa replaced none other than Janardhan Reddy. Not a single question was raised by the government, despite his unsavoury past, about the source of his staggering wealth, brought singularly into focus by the lavish wedding he held for his daughter during the very worst of the demonetisation crisis.

The crux of the problem is the present political system, which does not inspire any hope. The answer, however, to "bad politics" is not "no politics" but "good politics."

The writer is State Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party Karnataka and a member of the National Executive of AAP.



*All views expressed in these columns are personal.
New Delhi: Former British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday referred to The Asian Age, which had reported about his wife, Samantha Camerons launching of a fashion label.

Mr Cameron was in New Delhi to speak on the HT leadership summit. The former Prime Minister said that after his arrival in India he was expecting to see his name and stories about him on the newspapers.

I had a bit of a shock this week when I arrived here. A copy of The Asian Age newspaper was left in my hotel room. Previously when I came to India I was hopeful that something on the front page about Cameron fighting for this or fighting for that would be there, he said.

Then came his reference to The Asian Age. Well, there was a Cameron on the front page, but it was my wife on the launch of her new fashion label. I think, I would be now taking more of the kids to school and cooking dinner, he said amidst laughter.

Mr Cameron defended his decision to hold a referendum which led to Britains exit from the EU. He said that today there are issues that go above Parliament and not taking peoples consent on vital subjects is a potential problem.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves langar during his visit at Golden Temple on in Amritsar on Saturday. (Photo:PTI)

New Delhi: Pakistan PMs adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz advanced his travel plans and reached Amritsar shortly after 7 pm on Saturday by a special flight for the two-day Heart of Asia (HoA) Summit on Saturday.

In a goodwill gesture on Saturday evening, Mr Aziz sent a bouquet to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj extending his sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery from illness.

Ms Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the HoA conference and finance minister Arun Jaitley is heading the Indian delegation at the ministerial deliberations.

Sunday will be the main day of the summit. The agenda of this international summit will include tackling the terror threat and with India and Afghanistan leading diplomatic efforts to corner Pakistan on this, the Amritsar Declaration that will be adopted on Sunday is expected to have a strong focus on the issue of terrorism and safe havens that unfortunately still exist for terrorists. Both New Delhi and Kabul are furious over cross-border terror attacks on their respective soil by Pakistan-backed terrorists.

Mr Aziz, leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of the HoA, was received at the Amritsar airport by Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit.

Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last years HoA Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue that was to cover all outstanding issues.

The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January. Earlier this week, Mr Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready.

India, however, has already made it clear that it will never accept continuing cross border terrorism as the new normal in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of continued terror.

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota. India will step up its drive to corner Pakistan diplomatically and is set to mobilise support for concrete action against state-sponsored terror at the two-day conference.

Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment during the annual Heart of Asia conference, a platform set up in 2011 to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.
Moradabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that he was considering transferring money of the corrupt to the bank accounts of the poor. The PM also asked the poor not to return the money deposited in their accounts by the rich and corrupt.

All account holders should not return the money that others have put in your accounts. If you promise to do so, I will work hard to devise a formula to send all depositors to jail, and to ensure the money goes to poor households, the PM said.

He was addressing a rally at UPs Moradabad ahead of next years state elections. His remarks came even as his decision to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes as part of a crackdown on tax dodgers and counterfeiters has left millions cashless, prompting the Opposition to mount a relentless attack on his government.

Mr Modi, however, said being a fakir he had nothing to fear. Jhola le kar aye hain, johla lekar chale jayenge, he said amidst a thunderous applause.

Mr Modi said that the people of the country were his leaders and that he had no high command (like the Congress).

Modi bats for online transactions

He said India must go for online transactions, refusing to accept the Oppositions argument that a large part of the country was still technically challenged. He also spoke of reports of a video going viral showing a beggar flash a swipe machine after a man told him that he had no change.

There are 40 crore smartphones in the country today. Every-thing is available on mobile banking, net banking and through credit and debit cards. You just need to download an app on your phone, and for 40 crore people, everything is possible without visiting a bank or standing in queues, he said.

He reiterated that hardships would ease shortly, and said, this will be the last queue for the people who have been standing in lines for the last 70 years for their daily needs.
In one instance, Rs 1.3 crore of cash meant for exchange at Golconda was used to convert black money. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: The postal cash exchange scam may be bigger than what it was thought to be. Sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday booked another FIR against top postal officials including senior superintendent of post offices in the city K. Sudheer Babu.

In one instance, Rs 1.3 crore of cash meant for exchange to public at Golconda was used to convert black money of traders into white by taking a commission. The CBI has also detected another fraud in Karwan where crores of rupees got diverted to traders particularly in Old City and politicians in the city.

Sudheer Babu emerges kingpin in postal scams

Sleuths of the CBI on Saturday booked another FIR against top postal officials including senior superintendent of post offices in the city K. Sudheer Babu. In one instance, Rs 1.3 crore of cash meant for exchange at Golconda was used to convert black money.

CBI sources said the fraud is similar to that of the Himayatnagar fraud where `36 lakh cash of new currency was diverted. The key accused Sudheer Babu is absconding. Mr Sudheer Babu has emerged as a kingpin of the postal cash exchange scam.

A CBI source said, Sudheer Babu formed a gang of commission agents and along with other postal staff had diverted at least 50 per cent of around Rs 30 crore that was supposed to be distributed in one of the divisions of Hyderabad region

The CBI on Saturday booked an FIR against Golconda Post Office Sub Postmaster Govinda Rao, office assistant at the senior superintendents office, G. Ravi Teja and another employee Syed Ehteshamuddin.

The CBI conducted searches in the house of Govinda Rao, Ravi Teja and Ehteshamuddin in Golconda and Gachibowli and seized Rs 3.5 lakh cash of new currency they got as commission.

Earlier, the CBI also recovered Rs 10 lakh cash of new currency as commission from the houses of the friends of Mr Sudheer Babu. Mr Sudheer Babu and Mr Ravi Teja were named in Himayatnagar scam too.

The alleged fraud took place on November 16 and 19 in Golconda Post Office. The accused may have converted the money of traders, jewellers and businessmen. Postal Vigilance has formed 25 teams for in 6,000 post offices in the state where about Rs 170 crore of cash has been exchanged.

A senior postal official said, Our teams are conducting surprise checks across TS . When we get information we will pass it on to the CBI. The fraud at Karwan has also been confirmed and the CBI has seized records.

Telangana state is divided into two regions  one is Hyderabad City Region, including Hyderabad, Medak and Sangareddy and the other is Hyderabad region that includes rest of Telangana. Around Rs 110 crore has been distributed in Hyderabad City Region.

Hyderabad City region is further divided into four divisions  Hyderabad city division headed by Mr Sudheer Babu,  Secunderabad, Hyderabad South East and Hyderabad GPO,

The CBI is also suspecting fraud may have occurred in Hyderabad South East Division that comprises post offices like Vanasthalipuram and in Old City. Mr Sudheer Babu had earlier worked in Chandrapur and was transferred here a year- and-a-half ago.

The CBIs Hyderabad unit booked the second case under criminal conspiracy; criminal misconduct, criminal breach of trust, as also criminal breach of trust by a public servant, cheating and falsification of books of accounts.
Bengaluru: After the currency demonetisation and the following cash crunch, bankers are working overtime to cope with the public demand. Having worked for two weeks straight, bank employees are feeling the strain.

A Punjab National Bank Branch manager told DC, We have been working till about 11 pm each day, disbursing cash. We have put our regular lives on hold and are working like dogs.

And for what, he asks? A meagre compensation is provided, but we are working for days without leave. Family life has taken a hit.

To top it all off, bank officials have to face irate crowds demanding money. People are creating a ruckus day after day. On Thursday we just got Rs 20 lakh in cash, that too in Rs 2,000 denominations.

Imagine how angry people were, there was shouting all over, he said and pointed to his officer-in-charge of the floor. The officer-in-charge grunts with anger, The RBI keeps claiming that they have printed and issued currency notes and that the situation should ease. But where is the money? All we got today was Rs 20 lakh in Rs 2000 notes. No 50s, 10s, 100s, nothing! The people are cursing us. We are in the line of fire. We face the publics fury, he added.

A State Bank of Travancore official said, Currency keeps running out and is not replenished as regularly as needed. Although we nationalised banks are in a better position than private banks as we get more from our respective currency chests.
5 CRPF jawans hailing from Uttar Pradesh, who were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir last week.

Guwahati: In yet another lethal attack of suspected NSCN-K rebels, at least one Assam Rifle soldier was killed and nine others including an officer were critically wounded near Wakka in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.

The ambush took place in between a place called Tissa and Nignu village close to Indo-Myanmar border. Security sources confirmed the involvement of the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW) rebels comprising the rebels of NSCN-K and Ulfa(I) in the ambush.
New Delhi: In a move that indicates Pakistans push for talks to break the ice with India amid border tensions and terror attacks in J&K by Pakistan-backed militants, Pakistan PMs adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz advanced his travel plans and reached Amritsar shortly after 7 pm on Saturday evening by a special flight for the two-day Heart of Asia (HoA) Summit on Afghanistan that began there on Saturday with official-level talks.

Mr Aziz, who was supposed to reach Amritsar on Sunday, also decided to attend the special dinner on Saturday night for the HoA delegates that is being attended by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

With speculation rife on whether the two countries will have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conclave, Mr Aziz is again expected to meet Mr Modi on Sunday
ELKO  The most expensive bed in any city is the one in the local jail, but specialty courts can help lessen the number of people using them, Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael Douglas told a group Friday in Elko.

Elko District Judge Nancy Porter invited Douglas to help with a program she set up to educate the legal community and local organizations that assist people with addictions by making them aware of new street drugs, what is happening in the court system, and how drugs, alcohol and mental health issues are contributing to crimes in the state.

Specialty courts have been increasing in number throughout the country for about 25 years, Douglas said. They have been in Nevada since 1992.

We were one of the first five states to have a specialty court, he said.

According to the annual report of the Nevada Judiciary, the goal of a specialty court is to break the cycle of addiction and to support participants in achieving total abstinence from drugs and/or alcohol.

Elko County has adult and juvenile drug courts.

Elko Justice of the Peace-elect Elias Choch Goicoechea said during his campaign that he would consider establishing a drug court.

These courts began as just drugs and alcohol, but they have increased to mental health, truancy and prostitution, Douglas said.

You name it, were trying to get a court for it, he said.

The courts werent meant to be involved in drug and alcohol treatment, because judges and attorneys arent trained to become healthcare professionals, Douglas said.

Before specialty courts, when someone committed a crime they were either sent to jail or put on probation.

Please understand that the most expensive bed in the community that you live in is not in Las Vegas  its the jail, with fulltime correctional officers to wait on you and serve you food, he said. The worst place, but the most expensive place, lets take that money and put it back into education and roads and parks and other things that benefit everybody.

Douglas said both liberals and conservatives have come together to bring specialty courts into existence.

If you put someone in jail, its costing the taxpayers, he said. If you attempt to rehabilitate them, and Ill use the term to fix them, so they can help themselves, they can continue to contribute to the community and more importantly their family, and lastly they can take care of themselves so theyre not a burden.

If people in Nevada want to fix the problems in their communities they have to begin talking to each other to solve them, Douglas said.

We can start. Its like every long journey, it begins with the first step, and so thats what we have to do, we have to take that step, he said. We have to decide what we want to do, figure out how were going to do it and get good, smart people and let them do (it), and its thinking outside the box. We cant do what we did five years ago, 10 years ago. We have a new problem. We have more things out there than weve ever had before  good and bad.
BELAGAVI: With BJP legislators digging their heels in on their demand for resignation of primary and secondary education minister, Tanveer Sait, for the second consecutive day, presiding officers of both Houses of legislature adjourned the proceedings sine die on Saturday.

Soon after the Legislative Assembly assembled, BJP members stormed into the well of the House and raised slogans against the government and Mr Tanvir Sait.

They had launched a sit-in in the well on Friday, demanding the ministers resignation for allegedly flipping through sleazy videos on his mobile phone during a public function in Raichur. Opposition leader Mr Jagadish Shettar had charged the CID with trying to give a clean chit to the minister, and demanded Mr Saits resignation on moral grounds.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and law minister, T B Jayachandra, spoke in defence of Mr Sait, resulting in a verbal duel with BJP legislators. Mr Siddaramaiah said there was no evidence of the minister allegedly watching sleazy videos during Tipu Jayanti celebrations.

The government, however, government sought the assistance of CIDs cyber cell to ascertain facts. Officers of the cyber cell, too, confirmed that Mr Sait was not guilty. Therefore, there was no question of the ministers resignation, he added.

Soon, both Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Jayachandra tried to turn the tables on BJP legislators, saying they had no moral right to seek Mr Saits resignation as some of their party colleagues including ministers were caught watching porn inside the Legislative Assembly though mobile phones were banned inside the House.

At this juncture, Speaker K B Koliwad tried to commence the question hour, saying BJP members could rake up the issue after question hour. JD(S) legislators sought the proceedings to continue as per the agenda.

When BJP legislators, however, did not relent, Mr Koliwad adjourned the House for ten minutes and later sine die. The Legislative Council, too, witnessed protests by BJP legislators forcing Chairman D H Shankaramurthy to adjourn the House sine die.
Hyderabad: The Telangana state government is worried over the implementation of Goods and Service Tax from April 1, 2017 in the wake of adverse impact on its revenues on account of demonetisation. The government plans to seek its postponement by at least five-six months. It is concerned that demonetisation had resulted in huge revenue loss for the state government and if GST came into force from April 1, less than four months away, its revenues would be further hit as it would lose the power to impose various taxes on its own.

The government wants clarity over how the states would be compensated for revenue loss on account of demonetisation by the Centre in the remaining four months of this fiscal before bringing in the GST regime. Finance minister Etela Rajender, who attended the GST Council meet in New Delhi on Friday and Saturday, laid out the the states concerns over demonetisation and GST.

Despite the Centre releasing Rs 1,813 crore to Telangana state on Friday towards tax devolution for December, which is in excess of Rs 404 crore over its due share, it failed to restore the confidence in the state government. Normally, the state receives Rs 997 crore every month from the Centre towards tax devolution. In November, the Centre released Rs 584 crore resulting in a shortfall of Rs 413 crore. The government raised severe objection over this.

To compensate, the Centre released Rs 997 crore for November along with last months arrears of Rs 413 crore. Surprisingly, it also released an excess of Rs 403 crore, totaling Rs 1,813 crore this month, which brought relief to the government that was reeling under financial crisis following demonetisation.

In the meeting, Telangana state officials felt that it would be better if the Centre took all states into confidence by addressing demonetisation issues first before implementing GST. Even the finance ministers of non-BJP states were learnt to have expressed a similar view stating that the time is not ripe to implement GST from April 1 without addressing demonetisation issues.

They brought to the notice of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley that all the state governments had supported GST with the hope that the Centre would compensate states for the revenue losses suffered on account of GST. The Centres sudden announcement on demonetisation has changed the entire situation with financial condition of state governments becoming delicate.
Hyderabad: The Telangana state government which has expedited measures to switch to cashless economy following demonetisation, has started the exercise to create awareness among employees on the need to make cashless transactions. The government organised a Digital Financial Literacy Camp at Secretariat on Saturday to creating awareness among its employees on doing cashless transactions.

Chief adviser to Telangana government Dr Rajiv Sharma and Chief secretary K. Pradeep Chandra launched the programme. Hundreds of employees thronged the venue to interact with bankers to know how cashless transactions can be done in secure mode. Employees expressed apprehensions over how safe their amount would be in casheless transactions and how secure their bank accounts would be in this mode.

Bankers clarified all their doubts and explained them about the precautions they need to take for cashless transactions. Mr Rajiv Sharma said all employees have to shift to cashless transactions mode as early as possible since they had to face several hardships on account of demonentisation with currency crisis. Mr Pradeep Chandra said making India a cashless economy remains the main aim of Centre behind demonetisation announcement and the governments would only encourage cashless transactions in future to meet this goal. Mr Pradeep Chandra said it would be better if employees adopt cashless transaction mode now to avoid problems in future.
A student who was separated from his wife by their families after their marriage earlier this year reportedly attacked her with a blade in Saroornagar. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: A student who was separated from his wife by their families after their marriage earlier this year reportedly attacked her with a blade in Saroornagar. Police said B. Mamatha, 19, and G. Ramesh, got married in January this year after a two-year affair. Mamatha is a nursing student from Medak district while Ramesh from Saagareddy is doing his degree final year.

Their parents came to know of the marriage and separated them, police said.

Mamathas parents recently joined her in a nursing course in a college in Kothapet and she was residing in a hostel. Ramesh who came to know that Mamatha was in the city started meeting her. However, he began suspecting that Mamatha was avoiding him and thought that she had entered into a relationship with some other person.

Often they quarrelled on the issue, police said. Enraged, Ramesh came to Mamathas hostel on Saturday morning and called her out for a talk. Both of them went to a nearby ground and spoke for more than an hour. Another argument broke out between them and Ramesh slashed her throat with a blade he was carrying. Morning walkers who heard her screams for help came to her rescue and caught Ramesh and handed him over to the police.

Mamatha was rushed to a hospital and her condition was critical. We suspect that he took this step due to a suspicion on her character, an investigating official said. At attempt-to-murder case was booked and Ramesh was detained. The case is under investigation.
Highly placed sources in the MEA told Deccan Chronicle that the decision was taken since the December 7 congregation is just a simple ceremony to thank people who helped in the construction of the new church.

Chennai: Indian fishermen will not be allowed to travel to Katchatheevu to participate in a congregation to be organised by St. Antony's Church on December 7, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday. The Union ministry rejected a demand made by Tamil Nadu to send a delegation of fishermen to the event.

Highly placed sources in the MEA told Deccan Chronicle that the decision was taken since the December 7 congregation is just a simple ceremony to thank people who helped in the construction of the new church.

We understand it is a simple ceremony to thank all those who helped in the construction of the new church. This is a restricted event to which no devotees, either from Sri Lanka or India, are invited. The grand opening of the church is expected to be organised coinciding with the annual Katchatheevu festival in March 2017, a source in the MEA said.

The decision comes a day after the Tamil Nadu Government dashed off a letter to Foreign Secretary S.Jaishankar seeking urgent action to accord no objection for fishermen from Tamil Nadu to participate in the event. The famed St. Antony's Church is Katchatheevu is of significant cultural importance to fishermen of Rameswaram who had been using the island to take rest while fishing before it was ceded to neighbouring Sri Lanka in 1974.

A group of fishermen had also petitioned Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar early this week seeking permission for 100 fishermen to travel to Katchatheevu to take part in the congregation. A new building is being added to the St. Antony's Church in Katchatheevu.

The MEA source said the Indian Government would consider allowing Indian fishermen to travel to Katchatheevu during the annual festival organised in March. M Ilango, General Secretary, National Fish Workers Forum, told DC that the Union Government should reconsider the decision and allow Indian fishermen to participate in the church function next week. This is in fact shocking. I can understand if Sri Lanka objects to it, but why Indian Government is not allowing fishermen. By this decision, India is toeing the line of Sri Lanka that Katchatheevu belongs only to Sri Lanka and no one claim ownership. There is every record to show that Katchatheevu was part of the Ramanathapuram zameen,  Mr Ilango said.
"We said there can be nothing better if it helps curb corruption, bring out some amount of black money and illegal work is stopped to some extent," he said. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid growing protest by opposition against demonetization, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday again voiced support to the Modi government's decision, saying it is a positive step which will lead to benefits.

"This 'notebandi' is a positive step which will lead to benefits. It will happen," he said addressing a JD(U) meeting, where differences in the party came in the open as former party chief Sharad Yadav targeted the Modi dispensation over demonetization.

Terming corruption and black money as a big sin and a "festering wound" which must be eradicated, Kumar said, "Severe steps will have to be taken. That is why we offered our support to this (demonetization). It is a positive beginning."

The JD(U) president also refrained from any criticism on the implementation issue, which has been vociferously raised by the opposition.

He, however, added that demonetization alone will not end lack money.

He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to also launch a crackdown on benami properties immediately and target black money hoarded in assets like gold and diamonds.

"Currency forms a significant part of black money but total black money is much more than that. The country's money has been laundered to overseas as well and that too should be brought back," he said.

Kumar's remarks in support of demonetization, which has united most of the opposition parties against it, came after Yadav hit out at Modi dispensation over the issue.

Yadav alleged the decision is aimed at capitalising banks that were "sinking" due to Rs 8.5 lakh crore of NPA and its goal is not to target black money.

The decision has forced entire country to stand in queue, said Yadav, who played an active role in rallying opposition's protests before Kumar declared his support to demonetization.

He, however, also spoke in the same vein that his party supports the step but is critical of the ill-prepared manner in which it was executed.

Kumar, however, did not touch on the implementation part of demonetization, merely saying that his government does everything with due preparation and so should the Centre.

"We support demonetization. It should be implemented with preparation. We do our work with full preparation. They (Centre) should also have done that.

"We said there can be nothing better if it helps curb corruption, bring out some amount of black money and illegal work is stopped to some extent," he said.
Mumbai: JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "better" than the US President-elect Donald Trump.



Kumar was speaking at a panel discussion on 'From Bihar to Tihar' at Times LitFest in Mumbai.



"Despite several differences (he may have with Narendra Modi), Modi is better than Trump. There has been a rise in authoritative sentiment across the world and if you see the kind of language that was used in (US) presidential election, the comments made against migrants and women were unprecedented," said Kumar, who earlier this year faced a sedition case over 'anti-national' slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University.



The student leader quoted the iconic African American leader Martin Luther King, saying "bad people are shouting not because they are more powerful but because the good people are quiet."



Speaking about Najeeb Ahmed, JNU student who has been missing for the past several weeks, Kumar said, "Government is actually doing nothing but throwing some issues before us. It is happening because there is no powerful opposition that would keep a check on this government. The issues of Dadri (lynching by cow-vigilantes), JNU's anti-national slogans and Najeeb's missing are being diverted.



"In Dadri case, the committee is focusing on whether it was beef or not, in Rohith Vemula case the committee was set up to decide his caste, in JNU's anti-national slogan case the committee was set up to find out whether footage was doctored or not and there are many other similar cases," he said.



Why no charge sheet was filed in the JNU anti-national slogans case even after nine months if the government was serious, Kumar asked.
Kanpur: There have been reports of people dying while waiting in long queues across the country to withdraw money following the demonetisation of big notes, but in an unusual incident, an Uttar Pradesh bank saw new life take birth in its premises on Friday.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, a pregnant woman who was waiting to withdraw cash from a bank in the Kanpur Dehat district delivered her baby inside the bank branch as an ambulance failed to reach the spot on time.

30-year-old Sarvesha was at the bank with her mother-in-law when the incident happened and was assisted by other women who were present at the spot in the delivery. Despite no professional help, Sarvesha delivered a healthy baby girl and the mother and child were later shifted to a hospital in a police van with the help of local cops.

She is weak but the baby is healthy. I was afraid that I may lose Sarvesha but she delivered a beautiful baby and is recuperating, her mother-in-law said.

Sarvesha had lost her husband in September this year and had gone to the bank to get the compensation amount that had been given to her family by the government.
He stood in the queue at 7.35 am, became unwell after 20 minutes and fell down. (Photo: PTI/Representational image)

Hooghly: A state government employee who was returning home in Kolkata from his place of posting died while standing in a queue in front of an ATM counter near Bandel station in Hooghly district on Saturday.

The employee, Kallol Roychoudhury (56), was returning to his Behala home in South Kolkata from Cooch Behar in North Bengal where he was posted.

He got down at Bandel station from Paharia Express this morning with his colleague and was supposed to catch another train to come to Kolkata.

But then, he decided to withdraw some money from an ATM counter at Station Road near the station.

He stood in the queue at 7.35 am, became unwell after 20 minutes and fell down.

The police said nobody extended a helping hand and he remained unattended for 30 minutes.

Later, the security personnel of the ATM called a doctor who pronounced him dead and advised the security man to take Roychowdhury's body to a hospital.

Some vendors took Roychoudhury's body to Chinsurah Imambara Hospital where doctors pronounced him brought dead.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as "unfortunate" and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking note of it.

"Unfortunate death toll continues... This morning Kallol Roy Chowdhury collapsed and died in front of SBI ATM at Bandel station. My condolences to the bereaved family. Is Modi babu listening?" she said in a tweet.

Two elderly persons had died yesterday in South 24 Parganas district of the state while standing in a queue to withdraw money.
New Delhi: Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac on Saturday described the Centre's decision to demonetise old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes a "national calamity" which has put the nation in a turmoil.

The crisis following the cash deficit has percolated to even the organised sector and will result national production loss of Rs 2.5 lakh crore, he said while addressing reporters here today.

This has led to people thronging banks and ATMs to withdraw their money. The Reserve Bank has set cash withdrawal cap at Rs 24,000 a week.

"There is going to be a severe downturn. Even if you take 2 per cent (decline in GDP as suggested by former prime minister Manmohan Singh)... it means something like loss of production of Rs 2.5 lakh crore...," Isaac said, adding that the Centre's move is now impacting almost all sectors of the economy.

He dubbed it as a failed exercise, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shifting the goalpost to cashless economy. "Whole nation has been put into turmoil. Modi's demonetisation has become national calamity," he said.

He countered Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's claims of about Rs 3 lakh crore expected gains from the exercise, reeling off data that he said suggest about Rs 11.5 lakh crore of the invalid currency have already returned to the banking system.

"Even if you give a very generous estimate of Rs 1 lakh crore (of gains)... you have sacrificed Rs 2.5 lakh crore of national product for unearthing Rs 1 lakh crore of black money. This is an enterprise that has totally failed," he said.

Referring to 2002 Gujarat riots, Isaac said "he (Modi) looked unruffled, took it in his stride and for various reasons, he was able to take people of Gujarat along with him. I think he wants to do another similar exercise (about demonetisation) at all-India level".

"What the Prime Minister should understand that things are getting out of hand. There is limit to people's patience. How long can they stand in the queue...Let us come to senses. Have a discussion in Parliament accept something terrible has happened," the Kerala minister said.
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Panaji: Launching a scathing attack on Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the opposition Congress on Friday said his push for making Goa cashless will spell "doom" for state.



The party also alleged that Parrikar was acting as a "proxy" Chief Minister and has been given "extra judicial powers" by the Centre to intervene in the state's affairs.



"The defence minister is rushing Goa into another doom in the form of cashless society," Congress spokesman Jitendra Deshprabhu told reporters here.



He said the move is similar to ban on mining industry.



Parrikar had recently chaired the meeting in Panaji where a roadmap was chalked out for "cashless Goa".



The Laxmikant Parsekar-led government recently set a deadline to make Goa a cashless society by December 31.



Deshprabhu said Goa has become a chief minister-less state where Parrikar is acting as the "appellate authority".



"I feel that the Centre has given him (Parrikar) the extra judicial powers to resolve the problems of Goa and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is just a name," he said, adding that Parrikar is acting like a "proxy chief minister".



Deshprabhu demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, all BJP MPs and ministers across country should declare their assets and cash in hand since demonetisation decision was announced.
Hyderabad: AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said he had no differences with his Telangana state counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Speaking in a meeting at Delhi on Saturday, Mr Naidu they said, Chandrasekhar Rao and I are colleagues, I know KCR well, I am ready to work together with the Telangana state government. He said that after bifurcation, AP had raised some problems with Telangana state.

Mr Naidu said that the AP government was giving top priority to agriculture and irrigation sectors. He said the government has constructed the interim Secretariat at Amaravati and some universities would be coming to Amaravati.

Mr Naidu said his goal was to make Amaravati one of the top three cities by 2022 and and the best city by 2029. He said the AP was power surplus state. Mr Naidu said every thing will depend on technology in future, technology will not wait for us, and we have to catch it.

Mr Naidu said the party was running the state government as welfare and development main objective. He invited industrialists to invest in AP.

He said in the previous year state government has achieved 10.99% growth rate and added the success of the state is achieving double digit growth. He said that AP state has turned in a positive for ease of doing business.

He said state government is providing cable TV, internet and landline phone facilities for just Rs 149 per month. He said internet facility will be provided to every household in the state in future.
In a country riven with political divides, there is at least one issue on which the people of India appear to be overwhelmingly in agreement: Parliament should function. The daily spectacle of the unseemly disruptions of the highest democratic forum of the worlds largest democracy is creating in the common Indian a sense of alienation with democracy itself. The question is no longer who is at fault, the Opposition or the Treasury benches. The question ordinary citizens are asking is: Can there not be some solution to this unedifying impasse? It is true that the primary responsibility to ensure that the House functions lies with the Treasury benches. This was a point the BJP repeated ad nauseum when it was in the Opposition. It is also true that when the UPA government was in power, the BJP created a record for the maximum number of parliamentary disruptions. In fact, both Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha then, and Sushma Swaraj, his counterpart in the Lok Sabha, sought to give parliamentary disruptions democratic validity.

In different ways, both of them said publicly that not allowing Parliament to function is a legitimate form of democratic practice. Entire sessions of Parliament were washed out in pursuit of this dubious democratic theory. To my mind, the current impasse, that has seen the current session of Parliament adjourned day after day, is a consequence of an original mistake committed by the BJP. That mistake was the conspicuous absence of the Prime Minister when Parliament took up, on the very first day, the burning issue of demonetisation. The debate began in the Rajya Sabha in the expectation that the Prime Minister would join. That expectation was not unwarranted. The Prime Minister had taken ownership of this momentous decision. He had announced it personally on national television on November 8. It was only to be expected that he would, therefore, participate in the debate on this decision, specially when the entire Opposition in unison was asking for him to be there. After the debate began, when the Prime Minister did not show up until the House broke for lunch, and nor did the Treasury benches give an assurance about his participation, the Opposition was naturally incensed, and disrupted the House.

This disruption continued for several days thereafter, but the Prime Minister seemed to have made it a prestige point not to concede to the Oppositions demand. This was truly mystifying. In any other mature democracy the Prime Minister would himself wish to be present in a debate on an issue that had deeply impacted the entire country, specially if he had so publicly advertised the fact that it was his decision. In the United Kingdom, for instance, can you imagine a situation where on a pivotal debate, such as Brexit, the Prime Minister would not lead from the front, and stay away from the House, arguing that his senior most minister could deputise for him? To the best of my knowledge there is no specific formal rule that can compel the Prime Minister to be present in a debate, yet the best practices of parliamentary democracy require a Prime Minister to do so voluntarily and willingly. Previous Prime Ministers, including Atal Behari Vajpayee, would, I am sure, not even have waited for the Opposition to make this demand. They would have done the courtesy to listen to the leaders of Opposition parties, and even if they did not sit continuously through the proceedings, made their presence felt, intervened when necessary, and replied at the end of the debate.

It was wrong on the part of Narendra Modi, therefore, to make his non-attendance a prestige point, specially since, even when Parliament was in session, he was speaking on this very subject in other forums. But this being said, when after several days of the parliamentary logjam, the Prime Minister did show up, and Mr Jaitley, the Leader of the House, said that he would participate in the debate, I think it was in the Oppositions interest to begin the debate and allow Parliament to function. Indeed, the debate did begin, but when the Prime Minister was not seen in the House in the post-lunch session, the Opposition again stormed into the well and disrupted the House. After several days of disruption, when the Prime Minister showed up again, the Opposition insisted that he first apologise for his comment outside Parliament that those opposing demonetisation were doing so only because they had not been given enough time to prepare.

Many Opposition parties took that comment as a slur on their bonafides, and insisted on an apology from the Prime Minister, which, expectedly, he has as yet not tendered. The net result is that the debate on the vital issue of demonetisation has not resumed. The position is similar in the Lok Sabha, where the Opposition is asking for the debate to take place under a rule that requires voting, and for some inexplicable reason, the BJP, that has a brute majority in that House, is not willing to accede to this demand. The current impasse requires maturity from both sides of the divide. The original mistake was that of the BJP and the Prime Minister. The subsequent distortion was expected, but should have been contained by the Opposition when the opportunity arose, because it was in its own interest to have a debate and present its point of view forcefully on the floor of the House. Given its track record of disrupting Parliament when it was in the Opposition, the BJP is hardly in a position to sermonise on the need for the House to function. Yet, at some point, even the present Opposition has to realise that this tit for tat game has to stop, if for no other reason than the distressing fact that the people of India are fast losing both their respect and faith in Parliament itself.
Is I&B minister M. Venkaiah Naidu in line for the vice-presidents post, which falls vacant next year? Thats the buzz in New Delhi, especially since Mr Naidu goes out of his way to be seen and heard by his party bosses. It is four months since Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshuffled his Cabinet and shifted Mr Naidu from the parliamentary affairs ministry and replaced him with Ananth Kumar but if the last two Parliament sessions are anything to go by, it is difficult to believe that Mr Naidu is no longer the parliamentary affairs minister. Mr Naidu is quick to take on the Opposition both inside and outside Parliament. As soon as the Rajya Sabha is adjourned following the mandatory disruptions by the Opposition, Mr Naidu comes out to brief TV channels about the developments. It is a normal practice for a parliamentary affairs minister to brief the press every evening about the legislative business the government plans to take up, how it plans to tackle the Oppositions demands and the debates listed in the coming days.

As it happens, Mr Naidu is continuing to brief mediapersons, now in his capacity as I&B minister. Mr Kumar also meets the press but since he is not as forthcoming as Mr Naidu, he gets a passing mention while Mr Naidu gets full play in the media. But mediapersons are not complaining as Mr Naidu invariably has some interesting nugget for them, unlike Mr Kumar. Since the Opposition parties had given a call for a Jan Aakrosh Diwas on November 28, they asked the Rajya Sabha chairman and deputy chairperson to adjourn the House soon after it assembled because they would, in any case, not allow it to function as they had to participate in protest marches. It was even suggested that instead of making any attempts at running the House, it might be a good idea to announce an adjournment as a mark of respect to the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Parliamentary affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was present at this meeting, said he would get back to them after consulting his leaders.

The top bosses in the Narendra Modi government, however, did not agree to this as any laudatory reference to Castro might be offensive to the new US administration. With the government rejecting its suggestion, the Opposition had no choice but to disrupt proceedings. It was only after this orchestrated protest that the Opposition succeeded in having its way. The Punjab-based Shiromani Akali Dal was baffled when its leaders were recently approached by a group of political leaders from Manipur who wished to join their party. Apparently, this group camped in Chandigarh for several days to get an audience with Akali leader and Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal to make a formal request. They are reported to have told him that they had identified the Akali Dal as their choice after they examined the pros and cons of doing business with other political parties. They even produced character certificates from the police when bemused Akali leaders dithered over their request on the plea that they may be taking them for a ride.

Not only do they want to set up a state unit of the Akali Dal in Manipur, but this group also wants to contest next years Assembly polls on its ticket. Surprised at this request, the Akali Dal leadership is still trying to figure out how these politicians from Manipur hope to benefit from joining a party which has no presence in their home state. The delay in appointing the next chiefs of the R&AW Wing and IB has led to speculation that the two current chiefs may get an extension. R&AW is currently headed by Rajinder Khanna whose term is ending in December. It is the same case with the IB head Dineshwar Sharma who took charge in December 2014 for two years. Officials from the two agencies have been suggesting that the new chiefs be appointed at least a month in advance to enable them to work with the outgoing bosses to help them settle down fast in their new posts. According to grapevine, the two officers may be given an extension, as the government is busy with the implementation of its demonetisation scheme. The R&AW chief, it is said, has been sitting in on the high-level meetings called to review the governments progress on this. Mr Sharma, on the other hand, is an expert on Pakistan and Islamic terrorism and has worked with national security advisor Ajit Doval.
After much hemming and hawing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started publishing FIRs on its website. The agencys website shows details of 19 FIRs filed by the agency since November 15. Sources say that the agency had been putting up a stiff resistance to do so, citing exemption under the Right to Information Act. So, whats behind this sudden change of view? It is being said that the decision to publish FIRs on its website is purely voluntary. However, the agency had little choice following a Supreme Court directive ordering every police force to publish and place FIR records in the public domain within 24 hours of registration.

The apex court upheld a direction of the Delhi high court in 2010 and said except for sensitive cases, all police forces must publish the FIRs for the accused and the public to go through so that any accused or public person can access the FIR for redressal of grievances. Getting more specific, the Supreme Court said that a decision not to upload an FIR shall not be taken by an officer below the rank of DSP.

New innings in Delhi

Whistleblower Indian Forest Service officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi, whose appointment as officer on special duty (OSD) to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was shot down by the Centre, has been posted in the national capital by the Uttarakhand government. Mr Chaturvedi, a 2002-batch officer of Uttarakhand cadre, was awaiting posting for over three months. He has been appointed as OSD in Uttarakhands resident commissioners office and assigned work relating to National Green Tribunal.

The officer, who had been at loggerheads with the Centre and had approached courts against some of the decisions of the Central government of allegedly denying him due service-related benefits, was recently promoted as conservator of forests. Mr Chaturvedis appointment assumes importance as at least 180 cases of alleged violation of environment norms in Uttarakhand are pending trials in NGT. He worked as chief vigilance officer and then as deputy secretary in All-India Institute of Medical Sciences from June 2012 to June 2016, largely being ignored by the Centre. Last year, he had sought inter-cadre deputation to Delhi government. Hopefully his new stint in Delhi will be a happier one.
I am writing this column from my family home in Surat, one of Indias oldest and largest cities. Unlike some of the other big cities, like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and even New Delhi, Surat was not built by the British. It was built by Indians and it has a recorded history going back centuries. It was already a city in the period of the Delhi sultanate and it was the largest provider of tax revenue in the subcontinent in the Mughal period. In 1608, the British first landed here, when it was famous as a big and successful port and trading centre under emperor Jahangir. Three centuries later, though the port shifted to Mumbai, it was still large and famous enough across the world for Leo Tolstoy to write a short story called The coffee house of Surat. Today Surat is the worlds largest diamond polishing centre (about two-thirds of all diamonds found anywhere in the world have passed through Surat).

And it is one of the worlds largest textile centres. It has a population roughly the size of London and it has the highest per capita income of any city in India. I am saying all this because it has become almost impossible for me to visit my hometown. From Bengaluru, where I now live, there is no flight to Surat. This is because Surat has an airport that is dysfunctional. No private airline flies to the city. Shortly after this government took over, a buffalo walked into the Surat airport and an airplane crashed into it, damaging its jet engine. This flight, the only private one connecting Surat to Mumbai and Bengaluru, was discontinued. Narendra Modis minister for civil aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the beast had come in through a gap in the fence, which he ordered would be walled up. But this has not inspired any confidence from the airlines and so they have avoided Surat for the last two years. To get here, I had to first fly to Mumbai and then drive for five hours.

The distance is 300 km and the road is part of Indias best highway network, the golden quadrilateral, which connects Mumbai to Delhi. So why does it take five hours to cover this distance? Because just outside Mumbai there is a broken or cracked flyover near a place called Fountain Hotel. It is unsafe to have traffic from both sides go over it together and so automobiles from one side are made to wait, often for over an hour, while the other side is let through. This is a heavily used highway, perhaps the busiest in India, and so the halted cars and trucks form a line many kilometres long.

I asked the man driving the taxi how long this had been the case and he said at least four months, and work on repairing the flyover had not yet begun. When I reached Surat I noticed that another flyover which had collapsed the last time I was visiting, killing 11 people, had still not been rebuilt. It was a brand new structure and two years ago one section of it fell down after the supporting scaffolding was removed. For two years this single piece had not been fixed rendering the flyover, on Surats most important road, Athwalines, unusable. This, to at last get to the point I am trying to make, is the same route that Indias bullet train is taking. The high-speed rail network starts at Ahmedabad and comes to Surat, which is about mid way, and then to Mumbai.

There is no demand from Gujaratis for a bullet train. What they want is airports that are functional. Where animals are not permitted to walk around. They want national highways, which have flyovers, which are strong enough to carry normal traffic. They want city infrastructure that does not break down before it is built and which is not left unfixed for two years. What is required is boring leadership that ensures that the basics are right and not genius leadership that dreams of bullet trains. It is remarkable to me that there is such a casual attitude to the development of a historical city that is, as I said earlier, the size of London. A successful city with Indias highest per capita income (over Rs 4.5 lakh per household in 2008). A city with such poor connectivity, that it is more difficult for me to reach it from Bengaluru than it is to fly to London.
The relatively small investment sizes, typically a few million dollars, allow corporates to build up a varied portfolio of speculative investments.

Europe's biggest energy companies have ploughed more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) into startups, according to Reuters calculations, with several deals announced in the past month as they accelerate a quest for new technologies to outpace rivals.

Taking a leaf out of Silicon Valley's playbook, companies such as Germany's Innogy, France's EDF and Dutch Eneco, as well as oil majors like Total, have set up their own venture capital funds to scour the globe for potentially disruptive technologies. The race is being driven by the fast-changing nature of an industry that has seen traditional energy providers scrambling to keep up with renewable power and seeking any edge over competitors in an increasingly fierce and fragmented market.

Investment targets range from startups developing batteries to store solar power in massive amounts to those creating systems to better manage the use of household appliances like washing machines and thermostats. Companies are casting their nets wide and their funds each typically scan around a thousand pitches from startups a year, but invest in only 1-2 percent of them. The relatively small investment sizes, typically a few million dollars, allow corporates to build up a varied portfolio of speculative investments.

Among deals announced in the past month, Norwegian power firm Statkraft's fund, Statkraft Ventures, has invested in smart meter software company Greenbird, while French utility Engie's fund has bet on U.S. home services startup Serviz and Canadian smart grid management platform Opus One Solutions.

"Nobody knows where it's (the industry) heading, that's what's exciting about it. Corporations do not know, startups don't know but everyone is trying to own this game," said Petr Mikovec, managing director of Inven, the 180 million euro venture capital fund set up in 2014 by Czech utility CEZ.

The new industry landscape, partly driven by an explosive growth of renewable energy over the past decade fuelled by government subsidies, saw energy firms take 26 billion euros worth of impairments on unprofitable power plants, according to consultancy Capgemini. It has also changed the way some large corporates view venture capital.

In the past, venture capital funds were often regarded as luxuries and were among the first spending areas to be scrapped when finances were squeezed. Over the past five years, however, they have become a central part of business models as companies are forced innovate to defend their market share and survive.

INTERNET OF THINGS

The strategy has a somewhat different focus than many other venture capital funds around the world. Rather than seeking significant or quick returns on their investments, these energy company funds are looking for startups they can integrate into their businesses, allowing them to trial and benefit from new tools and techniques.

"We are here to detect those startups which could bring value to Total and help us to imagine the future," said Francois Badoual, chief executive of Total Energy Ventures (TEV).

TEV is one of the oldest European corporate venture funds in the energy industry, launched in 2008, and has invested 150 million euros in more than 25 startups, ranging from energy storage companies like LightSail Energy to off-grid solar firm Powerhive.

The fund is closely linked to the oil major parent company, which showed it was serious about its strategy of diversifying away from oil with a 950-million-euro takeover of battery maker Saft this year.

TEV investments, which typically start at 2-3 million euros, have to be signed off by a group of Total managers and some startups are directly working with Total, such as solar power storage company Sunverge whose products are sold by Total's SunPower. Badoual's sentiments were echoed by Grzegorz Gorski, a senior executive responsible for venture capital at French utility Engie.

"Today our investments are not translated into big figures. We need much more than the return, we need to build value," he said.

For example the two-year-old Engie New Ventures fund's investment of 3 million euros in Sigfox has allowed it to sell the French startup's wireless network - which links energy-consuming devices in homes- to its customers.

INVESTOR PRESSURE

Investing in startups, especially at an early stage, is relatively cheap, compared with other investments energy companies make on a daily basis - such as infrastructure upgrades - allowing them to cover a large part of the startup scene. The quest for the disruptive technologies of the future is not only driven by internal forces.

Companies are under growing pressure from shareholders to execute a strategy that leaves them fit for survival in a world where consumers dictate the market, enabled by technology.

Europe's 25 biggest energy companies lost as much as 23 percent of their market capitalisation between June 2015 and May 2016 mainly due to huge writedowns and weak energy prices, according to Capgemini. Analysts at investment bank Macquarie said inflexible utilities would be the losers of the radical transformation happening in the sector.

"Investors will increasingly favour European utilities which have an exposure to the technologies that will reshape the utilities sector," they said.

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Law enforcement agencies around the globe are hunting for the criminals who stole the money using fraudulent wire-transfer requests sent over the SWIFT bank messaging network.

Hackers stole more than 2 billion rubles ($31 million) from correspondent accounts at the Russian central bank, the bank said on Friday, the latest example of an escalation of cyber attacks on financial institutions around the globe.

Central bank official Artyom Sychyov discussed the losses at a briefing, saying that the hackers had attempted to steal about 5 billion rubles. Sychyov was commenting on a central bank report released earlier in the day, that told about hackers breaking into accounts there by faking a client's credentials. The bank provided few other details in its lengthy report.

Financial regulators around the world have recently urged banks to beef up cyber security in the wake of a string of high-profile heists on banks around the world. Fears about attacks on banks have mounted since February when unknown cyber criminals stole $81 million in funds that Bangladesh's central bank had on deposit at the New York Fed. Law enforcement agencies around the globe are hunting for the criminals who stole the money using fraudulent wire-transfer requests sent over the SWIFT bank messaging network.

Separately, Russia said on Friday that it had uncovered a plot by foreign spy agencies to sow chaos in the country's banking system via a coordinated wave of cyber attacks and fake social media reports about banks going bust.

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Rumors regarding the upcoming Galaxy S8 have been around since quite some time. Newer information regarding the speculated smart phone keeps coming up each day. The latest being that the Korean giant may drop dual camera plans for the device.

Although, Samsung officials announced that the Galaxy S8 will feature an improved camera setup, but there was no reference about the dual camera setup. There is a possibility that one variant of the device will sport a dual camera setup.

It seems strange as Samsung has decided not to use the dual camera setup which has become standard in high-end smartphones. There are many half baked speculations and rumours about companys next flagship featuring a larger display and a dual camera setup, while few reports contradict these speculations.

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S8 three months from now, so we recommend our readers to take this information with a grain of salt.

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New York: Nearly 100,000 US citizens have signed a petition demanding that Melania Trump leave New York, as they do not want to pay for her security. It was announced that the soon to be first lady would continue staying in Trump Tower until her son finishes his current academic year.

Traditionally, the family of the new president elect immediately moves into the White house in Washington. According to the Independent, the security cost to keep Melania in the luxurious penthouse in the 58-story skyscraper in midtown Manhattan amounts to $1,000,000 a day, which is paid out of the Taxpayers money.

The petition asks the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, and City Mayor Bill De Blasio to refuse to pay for Melanias protection after Trump moves out of the Trump Tower.

If this decision has been made, between the two of them they should be the ones to pay for it. Not New York taxpayer dollars that could be used on roads, schools, transit, sanitation, new jobs and other expenses that the city has, one of the petitioners wrote. They added: This is what tax dollars should be used for, improvements for the city and all the people of the city, not just one.

According to a close source of the Independent, Melania became extremely close to her 10-year-old son Barron Trump during the campaign trail and does not want to disrupt his academic calendar.

No official statement has been released by the Trump family regarding transition timing, but like any parents, they are concerned about pulling their 10-year-old son out of school in the middle of the year, said Janson Miller, a spokesman for Donald Trump.

As Trump Tower is located in a busy street and has been surrounded by protesters, members of the press and police since the election result, their staying back would create a security challenge for the Secret Service and the New York Police Department.

If his family stays back, it is likely that Trump would fly back frequently to visit them. During the campaign, Trump was known to fly back late at night just to wake up in his own bed.
Elko Countys presidential votes could end up being recounted as the result of a last-minute filing to review five other counties in Nevada.

Clinton won the states Electoral College votes after beating Donald Trump by a margin of slightly more than 2 percent. If the recounts in selected precincts in Clark, Carson City, Douglas, Mineral and Nye counties reveal a discrepancy of more than 1 percent Nevadas secretary of state could order recounts in all other counties.

But dont expect the outcome in Elko County to change, even if there is a huge discrepancy. Clinton captured only 18 percent of the vote here, fewer than the amount President Obama received in the two prior elections.

The recount is being funded by candidate Roque Rocky De La Fuente, who got even fewer votes than None of the Above on the statewide ballot. He claimed he was filing the recount bid because Green Party candidate Jill Stein was not qualified to, after she failed to make it on the ballot here.

The impetus behind Nevadas recount is puzzling, considering Clintons victory. De La Fuente told The Associated Press he wanted to counterbalance a recount that Stein requested in Wisconsin, and claimed in a news release his goal was to champion election reform.

We doubt that this or any other recount will change the outcome of the presidential race, but they definitely add another chapter to the already bizarre campaign and election cycle. The media blasted Trump when he said he might not accept the election results, but now Clinton is participating in multiple recount efforts herself while liberal critics are crying, Not my president!

We also doubt any widespread voter fraud will be uncovered. If there are any big discrepancies they will more likely be due to incompetence among the people we trust to collect and count our votes on the county level.

With todays electronic balloting it is absurd for a state like Michigan to take three weeks to figure out who got the most votes. A few other states also took ridiculously long to come up with a final tally.

Whats the big holdup? Here in Nevada, Elko County once again was among the first to compile its results  despite the fact that we are one of the largest counties in the country geographically, and ballots have to be driven more than a hundred miles from outlying poll stations.

Michigan election officials blamed the high number of absentee and mail-in ballots for the delays. Its hard to believe we can still vote by snail-mail on the day of the election, then wait for the post office to deliver, and wait some more while ballots pile up on a clerks desk to be counted.

Its also hard to believe that candidates who didnt come within a snowballs chance in hell of winning the election are allowed to request recounts.

But thats how it is, so we will just have to be patient. The recount process could drag on even longer than the 2000 presidential election fiasco in Florida, which failed to change the outcome of a Republican win.

We expect the same result this time, even without hanging chads to add a bit of carnival flair to the process.

Trump won the Electoral College vote and will be our next president.
A fire broke out during a party in a warehouse in Oakland, California, local media reported. (Photo: Videograb)

California: At least nine people were dead and 13 others missing after a fire broke out during a party in a warehouse in Oakland, California, local media reported on Saturday, quoting city fire officials.

The building in the Fruitvale district housed units where people lived and worked, and it had no sprinkler system, Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed told the East Bay Times newspaper.

The San Jose Mercury News quoted fire officials as saying that they were told up to 70 people were at the Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour event.
Several people taken hostage on Friday evening in a Paris travel agency were released safe and sound. (Photo: AFP)

Paris: Several people taken hostage on Friday evening in a Paris travel agency were released safe and sound, police said, but the armed robber who seized them was on the run.

"Armed robbery on Massena Boulevard in Paris: operation over," police tweeted. "Six people have left. The thief is not on the premises."

Other police sources said seven hostages had been "found safe and sound" after the hold-up at the travel agency in the Chinatown area of southern Paris' 13th arrondissement.

The incident sparked a major police operation in the French capital, where security jitters remain high after a string of terrorist attacks over the last two years, including the November 2015 Paris attacks which left 132 people dead.

Police set up a security perimeter around the Asieland travel agency, which specialises in Asian travel.

Drivers were warned to stay away from the area. Police sources told AFP earlier that the robber was armed with a handgun.

The agency sits in Paris' 13th arrondissement, a residential area that is packed with Asian restaurants and is home to a large Chinese community.

The ground-floor offices sit at the base of a large residential tower block and next to one of Paris' main tram lines.

The robber had attacked the company at around 6:30 pm (1730 GMT), trapping several people inside.

The hostages were let out around two and a half hours later, "their hands on their heads", a police source said, adding that they were "taken into the care of emergency services in a neighbouring building".

Police then searched the building and realised the attacker had fled the scene.

"We saw four or five people coming out with their hands on their heads, followed by around 15 officers," local resident Zinedine told AFP.

"There was no shooting, we heard no explosion. It's over," said the 55-year-old, who had left home to buy cigarettes.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo thanked police for their "speed and professionalism" on Twitter, adding: "I offer all my support to the staff and customers of the agency that were confronted with this criminal act."

The capital is under tight security, with troops patrolling the streets daily, under a state of emergency imposed by President Francois Hollande after last year's Paris attacks.

The hold-up in Chinatown comes at a time of heightened safety concerns among Paris' large Chinese community following a fatal attack on a tailor in August and a series of muggings.

More than 10,000 Chinese Parisians staged a protest march in September calling for increased security for the community following the killing of Zhang Chaolin, beaten to death during a robbery.
An Indian businessman in the US has pleaded guilty to committing a visa fraud by enrolling foreign nationals at a college and illegally obtaining full-time work authorisations for them without attending classes.

Washington: An Indian businessman in the US has pleaded guilty to committing a visa fraud by enrolling foreign nationals at a college and illegally obtaining full-time work authorisations for them without attending classes. Tejesh Kodali (45) admitted to recruiting foreign nationals and enrolling them at the New Jersey college to maintain their student-visa status and obtain full-time work authorisations without having to attend classes, the Department of Justice said on Thursday.

Kodali, who lives in Edison city of New Jersey, pleaded guilty before the US District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $2,50,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2017. According to court papers, Kodali, who was the director of operations of Promatrix Corp and Blue Cloud Techs Corp, purported international student recruiting and consulting companies located in Edison.

In total, Kodali and his conspirators fraudulently maintained and attempted to obtain 37 student visas and work authorisations. Kodali told his foreign national clients that for a fee, they could enroll at University of Northern New Jersey without having to attend any classes and that their enrollment would enable them to fraudulently maintain their non-immigrant status.

With full knowledge that the recruits were not bona fide students and would not attend any courses, earn credits, or make academic progress toward any legitimate degree at UNNJ, Kodali caused Forms I-20 to be issued to the foreign nationals, federal prosecutors alleged.

As per court papers, Kodali also caused the foreign nationals to be reported in government databases as legitimate foreign students. In his guilty plea Kodali admitted that his intention was to profit from the scheme by outsourcing these foreign individuals through Promatrix and Blue Techs as information technology consultants with various businesses in the United States for commissions.
Washington: US President Barack Obama is expected to sign US legislation extending sanctions against Iran for 10 years into law, the White House said on Friday.

"We believe the Iran Sanctions Act extension is not necessary, but we also believe it won't interfere with the Iran deal," spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters at a daily press briefing. "I would expect the president to sign this piece of legislation."

The US Senate had passed the 10-year extension of sanctions against Iran on Thursday, sending the measure to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign into law and delaying any potentially tougher actions until next year.

Responding to the US Senate vote, Iran had on Friday threatened to retaliate, saying the extension of Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) violated last year's deal with six major powers that curbed its nuclear program.

The ISA was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in Iran's energy industry and deter its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. The extension was passed unanimously on Thursday.

US officials said the ISA's renewal would not infringe on the nuclear agreement, under which Iran agreed to limit its sensitive atomic activity in return for the lifting of international financial sanctions that harmed its oil-based economy.

But senior Iranian officials took odds with that view. Iran's nuclear energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, who played a central role in reaching the nuclear deal, described the extension as a "clear violation" if implemented.

"We are closely monitoring developments," state TV quoted Salehi as saying. "If they implement the ISA, Iran will take action accordingly."
Bangkok: A prominent Thai dissident was arrested under the country's draconian royal defamation law on Saturday for sharing a BBC Thai profile of the new King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Facebook, supporters said.

Thailand's monarchy is protected from any criticism inside the kingdom by a harsh lese majeste law, use of which has skyrocketed since the military seized power in 2014.

Vajiralongkorn, 64, ascended the throne on Thursday, seven weeks after his widely revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej died after 70 years on the throne.

The military authorities have vowed to pursue critics of the royal family at what is a delicate transition for the monarchy given Vajiralongkorn does not yet boast the widespread popularity of his father.

Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa, a leader of a small group of anti-junta students in the country's northeast, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

"Pai was arrested this morning and is in police custody now," Sunai Phasuk, a researcher with Amnesty International's Thailand office told AFP.

Police did not respond to requests for comment.

But a copy of the arrest warrant seen by AFP showed the filing was made by a court in the northeastern city of Khon Kaen.

In a statement published on Facebook, the anti-junta New Democracy Movement confirmed Jatupat's detention, adding the arrest was over a profile of Vajiralongkorn he had shared on Facebook.

"He is one of several thousands who have shared news on their Facebook page from BBC Thai. But he is being charged with 112," the statement said, referencing the section of Thailand's criminal code that outlaws insults to the monarchy.

"This is a severe violation of the principle of human rights and contradicts the principle of freedom of expression under a democracy," the statement added.

Media inside Thailand must heavily self-censor when covering the monarchy.

Vajiralongkorn's ascension has been met with hagiographies in the Thai press and quotes from locals who are reported to be overjoyed.

However the arch-royalist junta has struggled to tamp down dissent online.

The BBC's Thai service, based in the UK, is one of the few platforms outside the country that publishes comparatively unfiltered reporting in the Thai language.

While critical reporting on Vajiralongkorn is curbed inside the kingdom, most Thais are aware of his colourful lifestyle, his three marriages and some of the uncensored overseas articles that have been published about him, largely thanks to social media. But posting such articles can be perilous.

Last year a woman was sentenced to a record 30 years in jail for six comments she made on her Facebook account that were deemed critical of the monarchy.
Taipei: US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday spoke with the president of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen, a move that will be sure to anger China.

It is highly unusual, probably unprecedented, for a US president or president-elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the US broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland. Under that policy, the US recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

A statement from Trump's transition team said he spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai, who offered her congratulations.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties ... between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," the statement said.

Trump tweeted later: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

The Taiwanese presidential office issued a statement early Saturday saying Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of US relations with Taiwan.

"The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer cooperative relations," the statement said.

"The president also told US President-elect Trump that she hopes the US will continue to support Taiwan's efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future," Tsai's office said.

It said the two also "shared ideas and concepts" on "promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defense" to improve the lives of ordinary people.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.

China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Friday's call is the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees US diplomacy.

Tsai was democratically elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The US policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled.

Although the US does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has close unofficial ties. Taiwan's government has a representative office in Washington and other US cities. The US also has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Taiwan is separated from China by the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. The island counts the US as its most important security partner and source of arms, but it is increasingly outgunned by China.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trump's conversation does not signal any change to long-standing US policy on "cross-strait" issues.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," Price said. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."

The NSC stressed that every president has benefited from the "expertise and counsel" of the State Department on matters like this, which suggested that the White House was frustrated by Trump's conversation with the Taiwanese leader.

Still, the White House said Obama remains committed to a smooth transition to the new administration.

Diplomatic protocol dictates that Taiwanese presidents can transit through the US but not visit Washington.

Douglas Paal, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan during the George W. Bush administration, said that to his knowledge the call was unprecedented. He said he expected Beijing to issue a verbal warning that there's no space to change the rules over Taiwan relations.
A petition titled 'Remove tallow from bank notes' has gathered nearly 126,000 signatures. It will be delivered to the Bank of England when it hits 150,000. (Photo: AP)

London: Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB), an umbrella group of Hindu organisations and temples in the UK, has called on the Bank of England to withdraw the new 5-pound note from circulation because it uses animal fat.

HFB said it was convinced the move was not "malicious" but a result of "ignorance" and called for the notes to be made "Karma-free" at the earliest.

"Saving and sharing wealth (the Goddess of fortune) in currency tainted by unnecessary harm to animals is somewhat of an oxymoron," said Shree Gauridas, spiritual commissioner of HFB and a director of the UK's ISKCON temple.

The group has been encouraging people to sign a petition calling for the withdrawal of the notes as vegans and vegetarians continued to express outrage at the use of tallow, a substance derived from animal fat, which emerged in a Twitter response earlier this week.

A petition titled "Remove tallow from bank notes" has gathered nearly 126,000 signatures. It will be delivered to the Bank of England when it hits 150,000.

It reads, "The new 5 pound notes contain animal fat in the form of tallow. This is unacceptable to millions of vegans and vegetarians in the UK. We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use."

The new notes with an image of Britain's war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill became legal tender in September this year.

A vegetarian cafe in the university town of Cambridge is refusing to accept the new notes and Sharon Meijland, owner of Rainbow Cafe, has put up signs warning customers about the policy.

"Tallow's an animal product isn't it? Our whole business is based around not having anything like that on the premises.

Although the same person doesn't handle the money that handles the food, that's not really the point," she said.

The Bank of England says it is now looking into ways of removing the substance from the supply chain.

"We are aware of some people's concerns about traces of tallow in our new five pound note. We respect those concerns and are treating them with the utmost seriousness," a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Australian pioneer of the polymer banknote says its "stupid" that vegetarian and vegans are protesting in the UK about the five pound polymer note containing animal fat.

Professor David Solomon says the polymer notes contain trivial amounts of tallow, which is also used in candles and soap.

"It's stupid. It's absolutely stupid. There's trivial amounts of it in there. It picks up less drugs than paper notes and you don't chop down trees. It's more hygienic than a paper note by a long way," he said.
Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday said ahead of a visit to Japan by President Vladimir Putin that the countries' leaders are pushing to end a territorial row dating back to World War II.

Relations between Moscow and Tokyo have been strained for decades over of the status of four Pacific islands near Japan's north coast, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan.

"The main area where our positions concur is the clear-cut political striving of our leaders for a mutually acceptable resolution," Lavrov said after talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Moscow.

Japanese President Shinzo Abe is due to meet Putin on December 15 in the city of Yamaguchi in western Japan with the aim of making progress on the territorial dispute. It will be Putin's first such visit since 2005.

"We have an interest in resolving this protracted problem," Lavrov said, while admitting: "it's clear that it's not simple to bring the two sides' positions closer."

Kishida said the talks were "meaningful, important and useful" ahead of a visit he called the most important event in the countries' relations this year.

The row dates from the end of World War II when Soviet troops seized the southernmost islands in an archipelago off the northeast coast of Hokkaido just after Japan surrendered.

The seven-decade dispute over the islands' ownership has kept Moscow and Tokyo from signing a post-war peace treaty and hindered trade and investment.

Russia prompted protests from Japan last month by deploying coastal missile systems to boost its military presence on the islands.

"On the question of the peace treaty, we would like to reach a result that would be welcomed by the people both of Japan and Russia," Kishida said in comments translated into Russian.

He said he wanted "energetic talks" to "finally resolve the sovereignty of the four islands in a mutually acceptable form and conclude a peace treaty."

Lavrov said the diplomats "expressed mutual readiness to try to move forward in resolving practical questions."

He said they agreed "to continue the line that our leaders agreed on the utmost all-round development of our relations in all spheres without exception."
London: A 12-year-old Australian boy, Declan McLean-Pauley, who is in remission from lukemia was granted his request to "blow stuff up" with an elite police squad.

Make-A-Wish Australia teamed up with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to help Declan fulfil his wish. Declan, who was diagnosed in 2015, got to detonate explosive devices during controlled training exercises at the AFP headquarters. He was taken behind-the-scenes at a police training facility, participated in a hostage-rescue exercise.

He also rode in an armoured car, a speed boat and even got to meet the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Turnbull wrote, Declan hasnt been well lately but today found out what it was like to sit in the prime minister's chair and visited the cabinet room before exploring the rest of Parliament House.

What a great thing to do, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten replied. Declan looks right at home. Assistant Commissioner David Sharpe from the Australian Federal Police said it was not hard to find volunteers for the exercise. Declans wish was to blow something up and obviously thats something we can do, he told the BBC.

But this is not just about Declan. Its about his recovery, his family and delivering something for them as well, he said. Make-A-Wish had approached Declan during his seven months of chemotherapy treatment. What inspired Declans wish, I think was for

him to do something different and something to take his mind off his illness, said Declans mother Belinda. You dont realise how important these wishes are until youre receiving one.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980, with the ambition of granting memorable experiences to children with life-threatening medical conditions.  Agencies
Government troops and allied forces seized the district of Tariq al-Bab where heavy fighting had raged a day earlier. (Photo: AP)

Aleppo: Syria's army advanced overnight deeper into east Aleppo where it now controls more than half of the former rebel stronghold after a fierce assault that has sparked an international outcry.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled eastern neighbourhoods of the battered city since President Bashar al-Assad's regime began its latest offensive in mid-November.

Overnight, government troops and allied forces seized the district of Tariq al-Bab where heavy fighting had raged a day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday.

The government has now recaptured around 60 percent of eastern parts of the city that the rebels overran in mid-2012, according to the Britain-based monitor.

The advance opens the road leading from the government-controlled west of the city to the international airport just outside Aleppo to the east, which is also held by the regime.

And it has prompted more civilians to flee, heading either further south into remaining rebel-held districts or crossing into government-held territory or areas under Kurdish control.

Assad's forces have made swift gains in east Aleppo, and its loss would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since the conflict started with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half the country's population has been displaced.

Over 300 killed

The government has trumpeted its advances, and state television on Saturday showed buses full of residents going from west Aleppo back to their homes in neighbourhoods retaken by the army.

More than 300 civilians have been killed in the government's assault on east Aleppo since November 15, according to the Observatory.

The monitor says nearly 65 civilians have been killed in the same period by rebel fire on government-held west Aleppo, including nine on Friday.

Rebels have struggled to hold back government ground forces, who have advanced backed by air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery fire.

On Friday, they rolled back some regime gains in the Sheikh Saeed district on Aleppo's southeastern outskirts, but it was unclear how long they could hold that line.

Sheikh Saeed borders the last remaining parts of Aleppo still in rebel hands -- a collection of densely populated residential neighbourhoods where thousands have sought refuge from advancing regime forces.

In preparation for street-by-street fighting in these districts, hundreds of fighters from Syria's elite Republican Guard and Fourth Division arrived in Aleppo Friday, the Observatory said.

The fighting has prompted more than 50,000 people to leave east Aleppo for territory controlled by either the government or Kurdish forces.

On Friday, as the army advanced in Tariq al-Bab, an AFP correspondent said residents had emptied out of neighbouring Shaar district, anticipating the arrival of fighting there.

He said just a few rebels could be seen in the district, manning positions in front of shuttered shops and bakeries.

Vegetable stalls that had been selling the most meagre of supplies after more than four months of government siege were lying shattered in one street by artillery fire.

On Saturday, the Observatory said three people were killed and at least 10 others wounded in air strikes on Shaar, and that raids were targeting several other eastern neighbourhoods in the city.

The escalating violence has been met with international outrage, including a UN warning that east Aleppo could become "a giant graveyard".

Race again time

Moscow, a staunch ally of the regime, has proposed setting up four humanitarian corridors into east Aleppo.

"We have informed the UN in New York and Geneva that there is no longer a problem with the delivery of humanitarian cargo to eastern Aleppo," Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

He said the UN was coming up with a plan and approval from Syrian authorities remained essential.

Moscow has announced several humanitarian pauses in Aleppo to allow civilians to flee, but until the recent escalation, only a handful did so.

Many civilians in the east previously expressed fear of leaving to government-held areas or through passages run by Moscow, which began a bombing campaign in support of Assad's forces in 2015.

But Damascus and Moscow accuse rebels of holding civilians hostage and using them as "human shields."

Of those who have fled in the east in recent days, nearly 20,000 are children, according to estimates by the UN's children's agency UNICEF.

"What is critical now is that we provide the immediate and sustained assistance that these children and their families desperately need," UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac said.

"It's a race against time, as winter is here and conditions are basic."
Rescue efforts were hampered by debris from the blast in some of the tunnels. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Beijing: At least 38 people were killed in two separate Chinese coal mine blasts this week, according to death tolls reported by state media Saturday.

One blast occurred late Tuesday at a private mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province, trapping 22 workers, Xinhua news agency said.

Twenty-one were confirmed dead Friday night, it said, citing provincial authorities.

Rescue efforts were hampered by debris from the blast in some of the tunnels, according to an earlier report.

In a separate incident, a mine in Inner Mongolia was struck by an explosion that left at least 17 dead, according to figures from local authorities. An unspecified number of miners were still buried under the ground and rescue efforts were underway, Xinhua said.

China is the worlds largest coal producer and deadly accidents are common.

A further 33 miners were killed in a colliery explosion on October 31 in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, and in September at least 18 were killed in a mine blast in the northwestern Ningxia region.

Officials say the number dying annually in the countrys mines has fallen substantially in the past decade, to fewer than 1,000 a year. But some rights groups argue the actual figures are significantly higher due to under-reporting in a sector with poor oversight.
Beijing: Beijing has lodged a protest with the United States over a call between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen, the foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday.

"We have already made solemn representations about it to the relevant US side. It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," the statement said.

"We urge the relevant parties in the US to abide by the commitment to the one-China policy" and "to handle Taiwan-related issues with caution and care to avoid unnecessarily interfering with the overall situation of Sino-US relations," it said.

Trump's telephone call with Tsai broke with decades of foreign policy and fuelled fears he is improvising on international affairs.

China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing's rule, any US move that would imply support for independence would likely trigger fury.

During Friday's discussion, Trump and Tsai noted "the close economic, political and security ties" between Taiwan and the US, according to the president-elect's office.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi had earlier labelled the call a "ploy by the Taiwan side that simply cannot change... the One China framework".

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with the island in 1979 and recognises Beijing as the sole government of "One China" -- while keeping friendly, non-official ties with Taipei.

But since coming to office this year, Tsai has refused to accept the "One China" concept, prompting Beijing to cut off all official communication with the island's new government.

As he came under fire for the move, Trump defended his decision to speak with Tsai, saying the island's president initiated the call and brushed off the resulting criticism.
Colombo: Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday alleged that Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is leading a "police state", hours after security personnel used water cannon and tear gas on the former strongman's supporters who were protesting in favour of fresh elections.

The backers of former president Rajapaksa, whose nearly a decade-long regime was ended by Sirisena last year in January, gathered near Parliament to protest the government's continuous postponement of elections for over 300 local councils.

Police used water cannon and tear gas on Rajapaksa's supporters who were members of local councils near Parliament.

"The police attacked them when they protested calling for elections. They are creating a police state by doing so," Rajapaksa said.

The Joint Opposition raised a privilege issue in Parliament over the attack.

The government states that elections, postponed since 2015, would be held once the current delimitation process is complete but the Rajapaksa backers claim that Sirisena was scared of losing ground to them.

Several members of Sirisena's party recently floated a new political party to contest elections separately.
Islamabad: Pakistans new Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday said that any Line of Control (LoC) violation by India will be responded with full force in the most effective manner.

Speaking to troops near the LoC, the Army Chief said Indian aggressive posture solely aims to divert attention of the world from atrocities being committed by their troops in Kashmir.

He said that core issue of Kashmir will have to be resolved between the two countries in the line with UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir for lasting peace in the region.

On the occasion, General Qamar Bajwa was given a detailed briefing about prevailing security situation at LoC in view of recent violations and escalation by Indian troops, said a military statement.

The Army Chief, it said, appreciated troops for their operational readiness and befitting response given to unprovoked Indian firing in violation of cease fire agreement.

The Army Chief directed the troops to keep highest level of vigil at all times, it said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that Pakistan will continue extending moral, political, and diplomatic, support to the peaceful freedom struggle of the people of Kashmir.

In a meeting with Kashmiri politicians here, he said Pakistan will not forget the people of Kashmir, who are facing brute Indian atrocities to achieve their birth right to self-determination.

The Prime Minister urged the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leaders to focus their energies for the development and progress of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.



"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.



In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.



On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".



"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence.



Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.



On Trumps conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.



"By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.



Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency".



In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.



NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country's "separation" from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.



"Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama's administration had been working to curb," NYT said.



Trump also praised Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for "fantastic success", in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev's strongman rule.



According to the Kazakh government's readout of the call, Trump "stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle".



The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.



"If you travel to the US you should let me know," he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party  a "slap to May", NYT said.



Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added.



In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter.



"The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trump's businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the U.S. government, with which she has no role," it said.
In reference to Donald Trump's conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, an influential US Congressman has said that the President-elect is unlikely to push back against Pakistan after he takes office.



"I don't think anybody should have any doubt that Donald Trump will push back against Pakistan. He's been very clear about that," Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told CNN in an interview.



"In this case, you have a statement from a transcript that maybe was or wasn't said that I don't think necessarily shows how Donald Trump will be when he comes to being the President of the United States on these very important issues," he said when asked about his phone call with Sharif.



According to the Pakistan PMO, Trump called Sharif "a terrific guy" and said he is ready and "willing to play any role that you (Sharif) might want me to play".



"Trump has been criticised by many foreign policy analysts in the US. I think it's a little over the line to tell somebody. I will play whatever role you want me to play.



"Obviously, as the United States, we're proud of the fact that we're the leader of the free world. We're proud of these alliances we have, but we're also in the driver's seat in most of these alliances," Kinzinger said.



"We need to be because of our values and systems. So, I think if that actually was said, and again, I don't have anything besides what I have just seen reported. If that was actually said, it was probably a bridge too far," he said.



He also stressed that Donald Trump is really new at this. "And I think as you kind of get your sea legs under you, as you learn about diplomacy and everything, maybe that changes. Maybe that tone changes," Kinzinger said in response to a question.
Finalising a counter-terror framework, ways to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and boosting regional connectivity for the war-ravaged country's economic growth were some of the major focus areas during first day's deliberations at the Heart of Asia conference today, being attended by major regional and global powers.



The two-day annual conference, aimed at helping Afghanistan's transition, began in this holy city amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan with speculation rife on whether the two countries will have a bilateral engagement on the sidelines of the conclave.



Being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, NATO and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia  Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.



Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz is representing Islamabad at the Ministerial conference tomorrow, which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.



Today, senior officials of 14 member countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations deliberated on a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and ways to deal with threat of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.



In the meeting, delegation from Afghanistan pushed for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment by member countries to effectively deal with the terror networks.



The country representatives also visited the Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Bagh.



Ahead of the conference, India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the "greatest threat" to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at tomorrow's deliberations.



Issues like enhancing Afghanistan's connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were also discussed at the senior officials' meeting which was co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.



The meeting has also finalised the text for the Ministerial Conference and is also deliberated on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

There was no clarity on a possible Indo-Pak bilateral meeting.



India had already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the "new normal" in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".



The conference, whose theme is security and prosperity, will also deliberate on major connectivity initiatives including Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project.



There may be deliberations tomorrow on TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project.



The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.



The platform was floated to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.



The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the U.S.



Amritsar, which is not very far from the Indo-Pak border, has been brought under a heavy security cover as a major international event is being hosted by the city for the first time in many years.
China today lodged a protest with the US over President-elect Donald Trump's unprecedented telephone talk with Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wenz, asking Washington to honour its commitment for One-China policy.



"China has lodged solemn representations with the US, urging the US to honour its commitment to the One-China policy," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said today.



"We have taken note of the relevant reports and made solemn representations about it to the relevant US side. It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," he said.



The Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legitimate government representing China, which is a fact recognised by the international community, he said.



The One-China principle is the political foundation of Sino-US relations, he said.



"We urge the relevant parties in the US to abide by the commitment to the One-China policy and abide by the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiques, and to handle the Taiwan issue with caution and care to avoid unnecessarily interfering with the overall situation of Sino-US relations," he said in comments posted on the Foreign Ministry website.



Geng's appeal to "relevant parties" came after reports that Trump bypassed US State Department in talking to Tsai.



Apparently the call came from the Taiwanese President, who is adversely viewed by China as she was elected early this year on anti-China platform.



Earlier today, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi played down Trump's telephone talk with Tsai, dismissing it as a "small trick by Taiwan" that cannot change the One-China framework or damage Sino-US ties.



"I do not think it will change the One-China policy that the US government has insisted on applying over the years," Wang said, Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV reported.



"The One-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-US relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Wang said after Trump spoke to Tsai, a striking break with decades of US diplomatic practice not to directly speak with Taiwan leader.



While Trump's call caught China by surprise, Wang's quick reaction played down expectations of a strong reaction from Beijing which wants to establish full contacts with Trump administration after he formally takes over power next month.



Like most of the countries in the world, US too pursued a so-called "One-China" policy since 1979, when it shifted its diplomatic recognition by formally recognising Peoples Republic of China (PRC) instead of Taiwan which broke off with mainland in 1949 after the formation of the PRC.



However, US continues to maintain low-key contacts with Taiwan including supplying military hardware to it.
An elderly Mumbai-based couple, whose son is lodged in a Pakistani prison despite having completed his jail term, is seeking justice from visiting Pakistani Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for his release.





They are camping in this holy city, bordering Pakistan, where Aziz is visiting to participate in the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process tomorrow.



Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries are attending the summit that will also see the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.



"We are here just to get justice for our son who is imprisoned in a Peshawar jail," Fauzia Ansari, mother of 32-year-old Hamid Ansari, said.



The couple, who has two children, including Hamid, said he was sentenced to three years in prison and his term ended one year ago.



Fauzia, along with her husband Nehal, has been carrying a placards to display outside the venue of two-day Heart of Asia conference.



She said she had earlier sent a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for Hamid's release but in the absence of any reply from his office, she had no option but to stand near the venue of the conference and display placards.



Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012 from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistani girl he had been in touch with through e-mails.



There was no whereabouts of him after November 10.



The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years' imprisonment.



Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court seeking release of her son after the completion of his jail term. The petition was dismissed as the court had observed that the army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.


The Karnataka government today told the Assembly that IAS officer D K Ravi, whose 'mysterious' death had raised a storm in the state, had committed suicide under "mental pressure".





35-year old Ravi was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room at a flat in Bengaluru under suspicious circumstances in March last year.



Bowing to public pressure, the state government had handed over the probe into the incident to CBI.



Ravi was known as an "upright" officer and his death had led to national outrage and state-wide protests.



Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra tabling the CBI report on behalf of the Home Minister in a statement said, "CBI, after completing the investigation, had on November 24 submitted the report to Assistant Commissioner, Bengaluru South Sub-Division and Sub-Divisional Magistrate.



"It had been communicated (by the magistrate) to the government about accepting the CBI report and closing the case on November 26 as per section 176 of CrPC (Inquiry by Magistrate into cause of death).



"As documented in the CBI report, the opinion expressed by medical experts, forensic science lab report and statement of evidence recorded during the investigation, was that IAS officer D K Ravi committed suicide under mental pressure," Jayachandra said.



As Jayachandra read out the Home Minister's statement, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar accused the government of handing over the investigation to CBI late, "after evidence was destroyed".



The family of Ravi, who had taken on the sand and land mafia besides ordering crackdown on tax evaders, had suspected foul play into his death and demanded an inquiry by the central agency.



Opposition BJP and JDS had also launched an offensive against the Siddaramaiah government.



Initially, the Congres-led state government had said a CID inquiry would be adequate in the incident, but later yielded to calls for CBI probe.
Modi said many governments in the past made announcements but this is the first government which gives an account of the work done to the people of the country.



The Prime Minister said government should not be merely for making announcements. It should launch schemes and ensure their effective implementation.



Attacking the opposition, he said parties in power in the past had worked only for themselves and for their near ones, but not for the poor.



"I had announced from Red Fort that power will reach 18,000 villages deprived of it in 1,000 days. There were over 1,000 villages in Uttar Pradesh alone. In half the time, over 950 villages have been taken care of," he claimed.



He rued that corruption has snatched rights of the poor and said, "Shouldn't I fight corruption? Is fighting corruption a crime? Why are some people calling me a wrong doer for fighting corruption."



Asking the poor not to withdraw any money from their Jandhan accounts, he said, "I will fix those who used to chant 'money, money' earlier and are now saying 'Modi, Modi'."



Modi said his decision to ban notes did not go down well with the corrupt as they were facing the pinch.



He said the rich do not have the strength to stand in queues and are thus queuing up outside the homes of the poor for depositing their money into their accounts.



"The dishonest people are unable to go to banks and deposit their ill-gotten wealth. They are the ones complaining against the government's demonetization move," he said.



"Today the dishonest are queuing up outside the houses of the poor after demonetization for their help through the Jandhan accounts," he said.



"The corrupt and rich people have asked poor villagers to safeguard their money for them, to stand in lines and deposit it in banks for them. Instead of standing in queues at banks, they are standing in queues outside the houses of the poor," the prime minister said.



"Those who have money to hide are the ones blaming me," he said, asking the gathering, "Should I not fight corruption? Will corruption disappear by itself?"



The common man is fed up with corruption and "if people come to know the intentions are good, they are ready to face any challenge", he said referring to those standing in long queues outside banks and ATMs.



Asking people to go digital, Modi told them to use their mobile phone as their wallet and there was no need to use cash.



"People will not forgive the corrupt, the country has to be rid of all ills during the past 70 years," he said.



Modi reminded BJP volunteers and party workers once again of the government's assurance that things will ease up after a period of 50 days.



"I had said there will be hardships for now, but things will improve. You might have to stand in queues to withdraw money, but it's essential to eliminate corruption," he said, and cited instances of parents doling out heavy sums for admission of their children in schools and for higher studies.



On shortage of currency notes, Modi suggested use of plastic money and to go cashless.



"There are 40 crore smartphones in the country today. Everything is available on mobile banking, net banking and through credit and debit cards. You just need to download an app on your phone, and for 40 crore people, everything is possible without visiting a bank or standing in queues," he said.



Modi also hit out at those saying people were resisting change or were technologically challenged, saying "they should remember that the same people elected a new government by pushing a button."



"Some people have lost glow on their faces... earlier they used to chant money-money, now they are chanting Modi-Modi," he said.



He said to eradicate poverty from country, it has to be removed first from big states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and West Bengal.



Modi cited the example of Madhya Pradesh to highlight the efficiency of BJP rule.



"Madhya Pradesh was considered a 'Bimaru' state. But the people of MP gave BJP a chance. The state government there, led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has transformed the state. Today, Madhya Pradesh is a shining example of efficiency," he added.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he is working on a formula on how to send the corrupt to jail who deposited their money in Jan Dhan accounts of poor after demonetization and ensure this money goes to the poor households.Responding to criticism over long queues outside banks and ATMS since the note ban decision on November 8, he accused his rivals of trying to "spread disinformation and despair" and said "this will be the last queue for the people who have been standing in line for the last 70 years for their daily needs"."All those who are Jan Dhan account holders, you should not return the money that others have put in your accounts. If you promise to do so, I am working hard on to devise a formula to send all those who deposited their money illegally into your accounts to jail and to ensure the money goes to the poor households," Modi said addressing a public rally here.Jan Dhan accounts were opened under a special campaign for providing banking facilities to the poor launched by the Modi Government in August, 2014.He said the corrupt rich are not doing any favour, as they have looted this money from the poor in all these years."I salute the people of the country for standing for long hours in queues."I want to ask those politicians who are crying over these long queues."You kept the entire nation in queues for 70 years after independence, as one had to stand in lines for even sugar, kerosene and wheat in the past. This is the last queue to end all those queues," he said to applause from the crowds.The PM said only the honest can queue up outside the banks to deposit the money, while the corrupt are standing outside the houses of poor.Modi said he was being hounded by his rivals as "culprit" on the note ban issue and pledged that this fight against the corrupt and corruption shall not stop "come what may"."I am being hounded as if I have committed some crime by waging a battle against graft. But, what can my opponents do to me? I am a fakir (hermit)...jhola ley kar chaley jayenge (I will exit with my little belongings)," he said.Modi was addressing BJP's Parivartan Yatra to mobilise public support ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.Tearing into the opposition, he said, "Some call me a culprit.... Is it a crime to fight corruption which is at the root cause of all ills prevailing in the country for the past 70 years?"Without naming any party, Modi made a subtle reference to Congress when he said that the 1.25 crore people were his leaders and he had no high command."You are my leader...I have no high command," he said.His attack against the opposition came in the backdrop of their protests inside and outside Parliament on noteban, where the Winter Session has so far been almost washed out with the uproar eclipsing the proceedings every day.Talking tough, Modi said corruption will not go on its own and has to be wiped out.
Taking a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, one of the most vocal critics of demonetization who had attacked him at a public meeting in Patna, Nitish Kumar said too much aggression affects perception which is important in democracy. "People will ask why somebody is so aggressive."



"I support something which I agree with and oppose which I do not... Media does not look at things in a simple and normal way and does things for publicity," he said, referring to political speculation over his support to demonetisation.



Playing down reports that he could be prime ministerial candidate, he said nobody attains the highest office just by declaring oneself a candidate, and if somebody has to become Prime Minister, it does not matter whether he is a candidate or not.



"Just by having ambition one does not become Prime Minister... My national ambition is to make JD(U) a national party like the original Janata Dal which my party represents now."



He also batted for nation-wide prohibition, which he has enforced in Bihar, saying a lot of black money is generated by the liquor trade and now is the right time to go after it.



At the party meeting organised by its Delhi unit, he asked workers to establish the outfit across the city which has a substantial population of migrants from Bihar.



Condition in many parts of Delhi is worse than villages in Bihar, he said.



His party had supported AAP in the last assembly polls.



Kumar asked party leaders to raise the issues of prohibition in Delhi and granting the city full statehood.



Unmindful of murmurs in the opposition over his stand on demonetisation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today maintained his support to the exercise, asserting that he will back any attack on corruption irrespective of party affiliations.Often seen as a possible opposition candidate for prime ministership in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said no serious attempt is currently being made to bring together non-BJP parties.A grand alliance of the opposition parties at the national level is certain to win the elections but no such scene was in sight, he said.He asserted there is no problem in the ruling grand alliance in Bihar and mocked speculation about his growing proximity with BJP, saying he would not offer denial on all kinds of reports as denial is 50 per cent confirmation.Kumar's strong support to 'notebandi', which has riled leaders like TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, came at a meeting organised by his party JD(U) and later at HT Leadership Summit even as another top leader of his party Sharad Yadav targeted the Modi government over demonetisation in his presence."This 'notebandi' is a positive step which will lead to benefits. It will happen," the JD(U) President said, terming corruption and black money as a "big sin and festering wound" which must be eradicated."Severe steps will have to be taken. That is why we offered our support to this (demonetization). It is a positive beginning... Whenever there is an attack on corruption, I will support it," he said.The JD(U) president also refrained from any criticism on the manner of its implementation causing inconvenience to people, an issue vociferously raised by the opposition and his party colleague Yadav.Asked about Yadav and other opposition parties raising the issue of people's difficulties, he said, "I don't speak about it because those facing difficulties should be speaking. No such voice is being heard. People are in difficulty but the poor thinks he is facing problem today but a lot of money of the rich is sinking."Yadav is highlighting these difficulties, Kumar said, adding that there is no problem in that. "We have no difference of opinion."Kumar, however, added that demonetization alone will not end black money and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to also launch a crackdown on benami properties immediately and target tainted money hoarded in assets like gold and diamonds. Now is the right time to do so, he said."Currency forms a significant part of black money but total black money is much more than that. The country's money has been laundered to overseas as well and that too should be brought back," he said.Kumar's remarks in support of demonetization, which has united most of the opposition parties against it, came after Yadav hit out at Modi dispensation over the issue.Yadav alleged the decision is aimed at recapitalising banks that were "sinking" due to Rs 8.5 lakh crore of Non- Performing Assets and its goal is not to target black money.Kumar, however, did not touch upon the implementation part of demonetization, merely saying that his government does everything with due preparation and so should the Centre."We support demonetization. It should be implemented with preparation. We do our work with full preparation. They (Centre) should also have done that."We said there can be nothing better if it helps curb corruption, bring out some amount of black money and illegal work is stopped to some extent," he said.
Be it Mount Olympus for the ancient Greeks or Mount Meru for the Hindus, since antiquity mountains have been deemed sacred due to their proximity to the heavens. From Africa to the Far East, indigenous people have considered mountains as abodes of gods and spirits, worthy of respect. However, for the Westerners, they have always been objects of conquest.





At 19,340 ft, Kilimanjaro towers above the Serengeti plains of Tanzania, visible for hundreds of miles all around. Natives describe it as a place where spirits seek everlasting rest. The Masai tribes call the mountain Ngaje Ngai (or the House of God); early colonisers called it the Crown of Africa; while to mountaineers, it was the greatest panoramic view in the world. The local Chagga tribe believe the peak was crowned with silver that would melt in the hand, guarded by spirits who would inflict pain and chills on anyone who ventured too high. The tallest peak is called Uhuru, Swahili for freedom.



One of Australias most recognisable natural landmarks, Uluru or Ayers Rock is a reddish sandstone formation in the Northern Territory. The local Anangu do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance, and request visitors not to climb the rock for their own safety. Though it just stands 348 m tall, it has claimed 35 lives. To the Anangu, Uluru is a spiritual place where their tjukurpa (creation stories) converge, which govern their ceremonies, art, and rules for living. The rock straddles a sacred Dreamtime trail that was a traditional route of their ancestral Mala men. Despite warning signs, some visitors still climb Uluru. A chain was added in 1964, and extended in 1976, to make the hour-long climb easier, but it is still a steep hike to the top.



In Japan, the solitary snow-clad Mount Fuji has inspired artists and poets alike. Its first representation in Japanese art goes back to the 11th century, and over the years, it has become an internationally recognised icon of Japan. Climbing the 3,776-metre-high peak might be fashionable today, but in the past the holy mountain represented an arduous spiritual pilgrimage for the Japanese. Traditionally footed in straw sandals and white robes, today, scaling the peak in summer is like the rush hour in Tokyo and not as Zen as it used to be. Over 3,00,000 people make the climb each year, and the numbers are only growing ever since it received the UNESCO World Heritage tag in 2013.



Sacred space



When Eleanor Hawkins, Lindsey and Danielle Petersen, and Dylan Snel climbed Mount Kinabalu and took a nude selfie, little did they know that they would be accused of causing an earthquake of 5.9 magnitude. Most Malaysians consider the mountain sacred. And Sabahs Kadazan Dusun tribe believe the mountain houses the spirits of their dead ancestors. They often act as guides, instructing climbers to treat the mountain with respect. The name Kinabalu is derived from Aki Nabalu or resting place of the dead. Each December, the tribe conducts the monolob ritual to appease the spirits and allow climbers to visit the mountain safely. Besides several offerings, a priestess sacrifices seven white chickens, which are cooked and given to the ceremony participants. In the past, this ceremony was conducted before every ascent, and climbers used the cooked meat as rations for their sacred journey.



So what is it that makes people put themselves at such great risks to climb mountains? When English mountaineer George Mallory, who took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1920s, was asked, Why did you want to climb Mount Everest? Mallory famously replied, Because its there. His immortal words are often described as the three most famous words in mountaineering. During the 1924 expedition, Mallory and his climbing partner Andrew Irvine disappeared on the North-East ridge, just 245 m from the summit. Their fate was unknown for 75 years, until his body was discovered on May 1, 1999 by an expedition that had set out to search for the climbers remains.



George Mallorys son, John Mallory, three years old when his father died, said, To me, the only way you achieve a summit is to come back alive. The job is only half done if you dont get down again. Sir Edmund Hillary echoes the sentiment: If you climb a mountain for the first time and die on the descent, is it really a complete first ascent of the mountain? I am rather inclined to think personally that maybe it is quite important, the getting down, and the complete climb of a mountain is reaching the summit and getting safely to the bottom again. As the saying goes, What goes up, must come down.



The history of mountaineering began in 1492 when Antoine de Ville, lord of Domjulien and Beaupre, became the first to scale Mont Aiguille in France. Aided by a small team, ropes and ladders, it is believed to be the first recorded climb of any technical difficulty. In 1573, Francesco De Marchi and Francesco Di Domenico ascended Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennine range. It was the era of Enlightenment, and the spirit of curiosity to discover the natural world led to many mountains being climbed for the first time.



Richard Pococke and William Windham scaled Chamonix in 1741. In 1760, Swiss scientist Horace-Benedict de Saussure offered a reward for the first person to ascend the French peak Mont Blanc, a prize that was claimed in 1786. By the early 19th century, many alpine peaks were conquered; Grossglockner in 1800, Ortler in 1804, Jungfrau in 1811, Finsteraarhorn in 1812, and Breithorn in 1813.



In the UK, mountaineering as a sport took root with the ascent of Wetterhorn (1854) by Sir Alfred Wills, which ushered the golden age of alpinism. The same year (1857) as India grappled with the First War of Independence, the Alpine Club  the worlds first mountaineering club  was founded.



As a sport



One of the landmark events was the trailblazing ascent of Matterhorn in 1865. English illustrator Edward Whymper led the climbing party; unfortunately, four climbers fell to their deaths. This ascent is believed to mark the end of the golden age of mountaineering. By this time, the sport had reached its modern form, with fixed guidelines, equipment and professional guides. Climbers started exploring other ranges like the Pyrenees and the Caucasus. D W Freshfield became the first man to conquer Mount Kazbek, and most of the Caucasian peaks were successfully conquered by the late 1880s.



Mountaineering in the Americas became popular in the 1800s. In North America, the 14,410-feet-high Pikes Peak in the Colorado Rockies was first climbed by Edwin James in 1820. Fremont Peak (13,745 ft) in Wyoming, erroneously believed to be the tallest mountain in the Rockies, was scaled in 1842 by John C Fremont. Pico de Orizaba (18,491 ft), the highest peak in Mexico and third tallest in North America, was first summited by a US military team in 1848. But it was not until 1913 that Mount Mckinley (20,237 ft), the tallest peak in North America, was successfully scaled. Mount Logan (19,551 ft), Canadas tallest peak, was first climbed in 1925 in a two-month-long expedition.



The exploration of the Andes in South America began in 1879-1880, when Whymper climbed Chimborazo (20,564 ft) and explored the mountains of Ecuador. In 1883, Paul Gussfeldt ascended the 17,270-feet-high volcano Maipo and attempted to climb the tallest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua (22,837 ft), but was unsuccessful. Aconcagua was finally summited in 1897 by Matthias Zurbriggen during an expedition led by Edward Fitzgerald. By the turn of the century, mountaineering went truly global as Mount Kilimanjaro was climbed in 1889 by Ludwig Purtscheller and Hans Meyer, and Mount Kenya in 1899 by Halford Mackinder. The final frontier in climbing was the youngest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas.



The Himalayas



Initially surveyed by the British for military and strategic reasons, Sir William Martin Conway explored the 23,000-feet-high ranges of the Karakoram in 1892. In 1895, Albert F Mummery died while attempting Nanga Parbat, while in 1899, DW Freshfield went to Sikkim. A number of Gurkha sepoys were trained as expert mountaineers by Charles Granville Bruce, which led to further explorations.



English mountaineer Oscar Eckenstein was a pioneer of modern climbing techniques and mountaineering equipment. He introduced shorter ice-axes that could be used one-handedly, designed modern crampons and improved the nail patterns of climbing boots. In 1902, the Eckenstein-Crowley Expedition, with author and occultist Aleister Crowley, was the first to attempt to scale Chogo Ri (or K2). They reached 22,000 ft before turning back due to weather and other accidents. Undaunted, in 1905, Crowley led the first expedition to Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. Four members of the party were killed in an avalanche and they failed to reach the summit.



By the 1950s, all the eight-thousanders but two had been conquered, starting with Annapurna, in 1950, by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. The last great peak was the highest of them all  Mount Everest. After several attempts by the British, the summit was finally reached on May 29, 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay from the south side in Nepal. A few months later, Hermann Buhl made the first ascent of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m or 26, 657 ft) in a siege-style expedition, walking the last 1,300 m (4,265 ft) alone under the influence of drugs  coca tea, Padutin and Pervitin, a methamphetamine-based stimulant used by soldiers during World War II. Mount K2 (8,611 m or 28,251 ft), the second-highest peak in the world, was first scaled in 1954 by Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. In 1964, the final eight-thousander to be climbed was Shishapangma (8,013 m or 26,289 ft), the lowest of all the 8,000 m peaks.



Sought after



From the ascent of the Pandavas to the heavens to sadhus and mystics, many have thronged the Himalayas for answers. But mountaineering in India developed after Independence, under the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1950, an ascent of Bandarpoonch in Garhwal was attempted, then Trishul in 1951  the first time an Indian team had successfully scaled a 7,000 m peak. A year after the ascent of Everest, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was established (in 1954) in Darjeeling, and the very next year, Indian teams climbed Kamet. In 1958, Cho Oyu, on the Tibet-Nepal border, became the first 8000 m peak that was climbed by Indians, followed by Nanda Kot and Chaukhamba in 1959.



By the 1960s, climbing as a sport took root as mountaineering institutes were established in 1960 and 1961 at Sikkim and Manali. Despite close attempts of the Annapurna range and Mount Everest between 1960 and 1962, the first Indian ascent of the Everest took place in 1965, when nine mountaineers conquered the mighty peak, a record held for 17 years. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) was set up in 1961, while the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering was established in Uttarkashi in 1965.



Mount Kailash in Tibet, widely regarded as Shivas sacred abode, has also been a holy grail for climbers. In 1926, after studying the 6,000-feet-high north face, Hugh Ruttledge believed it was utterly unclimbable and considered an ascent of the northeast ridge, but ran out of time. In 1936, when Herbert Tichy was attempting to climb Gurla Mandhata, he asked one of the Garpons of Ngari whether Kailash was climbable. The Garpon replied, Only a man entirely free of sin could climb Kailash. And he wouldnt have to actually scale the sheer walls of ice to do it  hed just turn himself into a bird and fly to the summit.



Legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner was given the opportunity by the Chinese government to climb it in the mid-1980s, but he declined. In 2001, the Chinese gave permission to a Spanish team to climb the peak, but international disapproval led the Chinese to ban all attempts to climb the sacred mountain. Messner made his disenchantment public  If we conquer this mountain, then we conquer something in peoples souls... I would suggest they go and climb something a little harder. Kailash is not so high and not so hard.

In Nepal, the 22,943-feet-tall Machapuchare or Fish Tail Mountain, named after its distinctive peak, is sacred to the Hindus, who believe it is Lord Shivas abode. Wilfrid Noyce, a member of the first successful Mt Everest expedition in 1953, came the closest anyone has come to the summit on his 1957 expedition.



The King of Nepal asked Noyce not to set foot on the summit out of respect for Hindu religious customs. Noyce and his climbing partner, ADM Cox, turned back 150 ft short of the summit. This expedition produced the only climbing record of this mountain, a rare book titled Climbing The Fishs Tail. Many climbers have chronicled their expeditions, and no one can be left unmoved by the challenges and highs and lows of mountaineering. Several books like North Face, Touching the Void, Into Thin Air and Vertical Limit have been immortalised into films. It spawned a climbing craze and a competitive quest for records (fastest, youngest, oldest, you name it), most apparent in Nepal, often raising ecological concerns, issues of over-commercialisation and the plight of sherpas.



Purists describe Everest as the highest garbage dump in the world! Some countries like Bhutan have taken a leaf out of Nepals experience. Though ranked the 40th highest mountain in the world and measuring 24,981 ft, Bhutans Gangkhar Puensum counts as the worlds highest unclimbed mountain. Often described as awful but fascinating, the mountain eluded several mountaineering teams for over a decade. Out of respect for local spiritual beliefs, the unconquered Ganghkar Puensum was closed to climbers in 1994, along with all other peaks in Bhutan higher than 6,000 m (19,800 ft).



Strong beliefs



The worlds third-highest mountain, Kangchenjunga (28,208 ft), located on the Indo-Nepal border in Sikkim and smaller only to Mount Everest and K2, has been regarded as one of the greatest challenges in mountaineering. It was first climbed in 1953 by Charles Evans from the Nepal side, until a ban on foreigners was imposed in 1955. Only three teams have ever reached its summit by ascending its perilous north-east face. However, that route has been closed due to pressure by local Buddhists, who are incensed by the disregard of godless foreigners. The Sikkimese regard it as a deity as well as an abode of gods; and the legendary yeti or Abominable Snowman, Nee-gued in Sikkim, is believed to roam its slopes.



In April 2016, an Austrian team was given permission to attempt the near-vertical trek in exchange for $20,000. The team, led by climber Willie Bauer, tried to pacify local Buddhists by agreeing to turn back 10 m short of the top. But the furore it caused led the state government to ban expeditions to Kangchenjunga and seven others sacred peaks, just as 18 unclimbed mountains elsewhere in India have been opened for the first time. Several Himalayan peaks in the 6,000-7,000 m range are unscaled because they escaped the attention of mountaineers, who focused on the 8,000 m (26,400 ft) club.



As the tussle between rationalism and age-old beliefs continues, more and more mountains that were once off limits are now reachable, including the 104 peaks that were recently opened in Nepal. After all, cash-strapped countries like Nepal depend a lot on the mountain economy. Perhaps its only a matter of time before those last unclimbed peaks are scaled.



Landmarks



1492: Antoine de Ville, Lord of Domjulien and Beaupre, scaled Mont Aiguille in France.

1786: Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, was successfully scaled.

1854: In the UK, mountaineering as a sport took root with the ascent of the Wetterhorn in 1854 by Sir Alfred Wills, which ushered the Golden Age of Alpinism.

1857: Alpine Club, the worlds first mountaineering club, was founded.

1892: The Himalayan Exploration began as Conway of Allington explored Karakoram Range.

1953: Explorers Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest for the first time.

1954: Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) was established in Darjeeling.

1958: Mho Oyu, on the Tibet-Nepal border, became the first 8000-metre peak to be climbed by Indians.

1978: Mount K2 (8,611 m), the second-highest peak in the world, was first scaled by Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni.


Top EU and UN diplomats warned today that there could be no victory in the battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo without negotiations aimed at ensuring a viable future for the war-torn country. "You can win a war but you can lose the peace," said Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, at a conference on the Mediterranean region in Rome.



"Who is interested in winning a war in Syria and getting at a price a country that is divided, armed, full of terrorists... isolated in the international community?" Mogherini asked, adding that she did not consider President Bashar al-Assad's regime as having already won the Aleppo battle. As of today the Syrian army controlled more than half the rebel part of Aleppo after seizing overnight another sector in an offensive that has claimed more than 300 civilian lives and forced tens of thousands to flee the fighting.



UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, who was also at the Rome conference, voiced concern about the Assad regime's advances in Aleppo. "If this is going to be an occasion for the government to say: we won the war, and therefore no need for negotiations, I hope not," he said, adding that's why he counts on "the influence of Russia and Iran" to convince Damascus to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict.

The loss of Syria's second city to Assad's forces would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.



"Now it's time for negotiation, but negotiating in real terms, which means power sharing... Otherwise, the alternative could be no major conflict but a creeping, ongoing guerilla (war) and no reconstruction," de Mistura said. More than 300,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict started with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half the country's population has been displaced.
Up to 40 people were feared dead in a huge fire that tore through a rave party held in a warehouse near San Francisco, authorities said, warning that the initial death toll of nine would likely rise once crews swept the stricken building.



Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said most of those who perished in the blaze that started about 11:30 pm (1300 IST) yesterday were thought to have died on the upper floor of the two-story warehouse known as Oakland Ghostship.



"It must have been a very fast-moving fire," she told reporters.



It was not immediately known what sparked the inferno at the electronic dance music party attended by an estimated 50 to 100 people.



By mid-day today, fire crews had not yet been able to fully sweep the scene and officials braced for more casualties once rescuers entered the building.



"We are prepared for several dozen fatalities," Sergeant Ray Kelly, of the Alameda County Sheriff's department, told reporters. "We are prepared to deal with 30, 40 deceased people."



He said some of the missing were from overseas, making identification of the victims -- thought to be in their 20s and 30s -- more difficult.



The warehouse, which housed an artist collective, had numerous partitions that had been added and a makeshift stairwell built from pallets.



Some of the structural changes made it extremely difficult for people to escape, Reed said.



"There wasn't a real entry or exit path," she said.



"I don't know where the fire started, but I do know that the way the building was situated made it difficult for people to escape."



Firefighters were hampered in their efforts to put out the blaze by clutter.



"It was filled end to end with furniture, whatnot, collections," Reed said. "It was like a maze almost."



She added that it appeared no smoke detectors were activated in the building, which also had no sprinkler system.



The fire raced through the structure quickly and got out of control at one point, forcing firefighters to pull back.



Friends and family of partygoers went to social media to try and find news about their loved ones, with some posting information on the event's Facebook page.



"Please tell me you are safe," one woman wrote, adding a friend's name, while others posted prayers.



The rave party featured a little-known act called Golden Donna and several other performers. It was unclear if any of the DJs were among the dead.



"I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke," Bob Mule, a photographer who lives in the building, told Fox television affiliate KTVU. "I couldn't get the fire extinguisher to work."



Another artist told the station that the fire broke out in the back of the building where some 18 artists shared space.


Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment at the annual HoA conference, a platform set up in 2011 to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.



In the midst of heightened Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz arrived here this evening to attend the Heart of Asia conference amid speculation about whether the two sides will have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conclave to break the ice in ties. Hours after his arrival, Aziz attended a dinner where he exchanged pleasentaries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Aziz was earlier scheduled to arrive here tomorrow but came a day early due to prevailing weather condition. Almost the entire northern India has been affected by thick fog for the last two days, delaying flights and train operations. Aziz advanced his visit after he was informed about the weather condition, sources said. There was no clarity on whether there will be a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conference.Interestingly, in a goodwill gesture, Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, extending his "sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery" from illness. Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the Heart of Asia conference and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the Indian delegation at the Ministerial deliberations.Aziz, who arrived here on a special flight, was received at the airport by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit. Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last year's Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start a 'Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue' which was to cover all outstanding issues. The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January this year.Earlier this week, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready. India has made it clear it will never accept continued cross border terrorism as the 'new normal' in bilateral ties with Pakistan and that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror". Tension between the two countries escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota.During tomorrow's proceedings at the conference, India is likely to step up its efforts to corner Pakistan diplomatically by mobilising support for concrete action against state-sponsored terrorism.
CleanMax Solar, a leading rooftop solution provider and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, has said that it will invest Rs 1,200 crore over a period of two years ending 2018, in Karnataka.





In an interaction with DH, CleanMax Solar South India Business Development Head Andrew Hines said the company will set up a solar farm with a total capacity of 200 mW. Besides rooftop solar plant, we are present in supplying power from a solar farm to the grid. With a progressive policy of Karnataka, we are planning a long-term investment of producing 200 mW, he said.



CleanMax has commissioned 30 mW solar farm in Tumakuru district in March 2016. Our second farm is expected to come up in March, and that will be another 50 to 60 mW. Karnataka solar policy provides some sort of incentives for solar plants, set up until March 2018. Under that window we are looking to set up a plant of approximately 200 mW, he said.



Hines said each mega watt will have a capex investment of Rs 6 crore and so the total investment for 200 mW will be Rs 1,200 crore. Besides, 0.5 mW rooftop solar plant at Bengaluru airport, the company also plans to come up another project with Bangalore Metro.



We are Indias largest supplier of solar power under the corporate sector with different models. The first one is we install rooftop solar plant and supply directly to them. The second model is we supply power from a solar farm in a rural area into the grid and then the corporate consumer can avail it, he said.



He said in corporate model, the company offers investment. Then we own and operate the plant for 2025 years and sell the solar power to our customers. From our customers perspective, it is a zero investment opportunity for them. So all they have to do is get into a contract with us to buy the solar power that will also be at a discount of whatever their power supplier offers, he said.



There are two ways that we raise capital  One from within the company itself and the second for a particular project. So, for a specific project we can raise some capital at a project level also, he said.



The Mumbai-headquartered ClearMax has completed 72 projects across 20 plus industries with presence in Rajastahn, NCR, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.






Foreign Grants Received by the RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources

The Union of Informed Citizens NGO continues to report on the foreign grants received by the RA state bodies. So, let us turn to the foreign grants received by the agencies of the RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in 2005-2015. During this period, the agencies under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources received 13.3 million USD in grants from foreign organizations. We remind that we had revealed that the Islamic Republic of Iran had allocated 2 million USD to Hayrusgazard CJSC for the construction of gas supply system for the settlements in Armenia bordering with Iran. However, no gas supply system was constructed in those settlements. We were informed by the ministry that the Project Contractor Sanergy finished the supplies of the relevant devices, equipment and materials (from Iran) necessary for the construction of gas supply network for Meghri and Agarak communities. According to information provided to us, the construction works started in 2016 and were planned to end after 6-7 months. We called Meghri and Agarak municipalities regarding the issue, and though 11 months have passed instead of the promised 6-7 months, we were informed by the Meghri Municipality that the works have not been completed yet. And we were informed by the Agarak Municipality that the works were stopped a few weeks ago and it is not clear when they will resume. In 2008, 3.1 million USD grant was received from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid Trust Fund, as a result of which Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund carried out a project on making accessible the high quality services of gas and water supply in municipal residential buildings. In 2009, The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Global Environment Fund allocated a grant amount of 90 thousand USD by means of which the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund implemented preparatory works for the electricity supply reliability and energy efficiency program. During the same year, the same fund implemented a project aimed at studying the feasibility for a geothermal project with a 1.5 million USD grant provided by the same donor organizations. In 2012, the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund under the RA Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources received a 4.82 million USD grants from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Global Environment Fund for the implementation of projects aimed at reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through elimination of obstacles in investments targeting energy efficiency. Within the framework of preparatory works for the geothermal project, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development allocated 300 thousand USD to the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund in 2014. During the same year, the World Bank allocated 670 thousand USD to the High Voltage Electric Networks CJSC for preparation works of the Electricity Transmission Network Improvement Project in Armenia. In order to extend the operation period of the 2nd unit of the nuclear power plant, according to the loan agreement signed between Russian and Armenian Governments, 10% of the contract value is provided as a grant, and that amount formed 867.8 thousand USD in 2015. Tatevik Vardanyan, Union of Informed Citizens
Teabox, a global direct-to-consumer tea company, is looking at tripling its production capacity to 12,000 tea bags per day by March 2017, from the current capacity of 4,000 tea bags per day. The company has recently launched TeaPacs, individually packaged tea bags sealed at the source using a natural nitrogen flush that keeps tea fresh.





Speaking to DH, Kaushal Dugar, founder and CEO of Teabox said, TeaPacs offers the highest quality loose-leaf teas from Teaboxs premium collection in a more convenient, on-the-go option, without compromising on flavour or freshness. We want to ensure that every cup of tea consumed is the freshest in the world, but we know that not everyone has time to steep loose leaf. So, we have created TeaPacs that anyone can enjoy anywhere and anytime.



Dugar pointed out that Teabox is the worlds first company to use a natural nitrogen flush in the beverage market, a technique most commonly used in packaging food items, including potato chips.



This innovative approach creates a non-reactive environment that protects the TeaPac tea from oxygen, light, heat and moisture  elements that compromise the integrity of tea, causing deterioration and ultimately, loss of flavour.



Sharing the growth of the company, Dugar said, We are seeing multi-fold growth year-on-year. Since the time we started in 2012, Teabox has shipped over 35 million cups worth of teas to customers across 95 countries in a short span of time. We will be shipping to another three countries in the coming period, and will cross the 100-mark before the end of this year.



In 2014-15, the company has shipped five million cups of tea. In 2015-16, the number of cups have increased to seven million. During the current fiscal, it has shipped about 14 million cups of tea.



The company has raised $7.5 million in funding from Ratan Tata, who invested an undisclosed amount this year. Besides,Teabox is backed by Singapore-based JAFCO Asia, Accel Partners, Keystone Group LP and Dragoneer Investment Group.



Looking at the growth of the company and demand for our products, we will continue to raise funds mid next year, Dugar added.



We source premium loose-leaf teas from over 150 tea estates in Darjeeling, Nepal, Nilgiri, Assam and Kangra regions in India, he added.



About the future plans, he said, I hope to give a Silicon Valley makeover to our tradition-bound tea industry. I want to introduce newer varieties of teas that are fresh and delicious that people can have anywhere in the world.
India and Qatar on Saturday agreed to act jointly to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing, even as they signed a pact for cooperation to deal with cyber crime.





A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani here was followed by signing of five documents, including a protocol on technical cooperation in cyber space and combating cyber crime between the Ministry of Home Affairs of India and the Ministry of Interior of Qatar. The two prime ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation, sources said.

Sheikh Abdullah, who is currently on a visit to India, also called on President Pranab Mukherjee. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Ministers National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, too, called on him.



The meeting between the two prime ministers saw both sides discussing about follow-up to the landmark decisions taken during Modis visit to Qatar in June. Both leaders acknowledged that the current level of trade and investment was much below the potential. Modi sought greater Qatari investment in Indias infrastructure and energy sectors and outlined the measures taken by India to open up Indian economy and welcome foreign direct investment, sources said.



The two leaders identified civil aviation as a priority sector for enhancing bilateral cooperation. Modi said India would welcome a long-term arrangement with Qatar for supply of urea. India imports eight million tones of urea every year, he noted during his discussions with Sheikh Abdullah.



India could also meet Qatari needs in the area of food security, Modi said. He also pointed out that India and Qatar should move beyond buyer-seller relationship to include joint ventures, joint research and development. Indian companies were ready to invest in both upstream and downstream projects in Qatar in the hydrocarbon sector, sources said quoting Modi during his meeting with Sheikh Abdullah.
Even as the Army provided documents to support its claim on troop deployment, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stood firm on her accusations for the third day in a row. On Saturday, she took on Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi, who disapproved of her comments.



The Army has been maintaining that the state administration was informed about the routine exercise of deploying troops at toll plazas. Talking on the sidelines of an event in Kolkata, Tripathi told reporters, Every person should be careful while making allegations against a responsible organisation like the Army. Mamata lashed out at him saying that he was speaking in the voice of the Central government. Calling Tripathi's statement unfortunate, she said, He was not in the city for about eight days. Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate.



Trinamool Congress leaders, who met the governor on Saturday, criticised him for making loose comments. This comes a day after Trinamool MLAs and ministers staged a demonstration outside the Raj Bhavan on Friday, demanding withdrawal of Army from toll plazas, but they could not meet Tripathi since he was not available. Despite the discouragement from Tripathi, Mamata continued her tirade against the Army and stuck to her accusations that Army personnel were collecting money from passing vehicles at toll plazas. The drama that unfolded over the 33 hours Mamata spent at the state secretariat, was part of her crusade against demonetisation.




Azizs is the first high-level visit from Pakistan to India in 2016, which saw a series of setbacks to the efforts to restart the stalled bilateral dialogue  after many terrorist attacks on Indian armed force bases.



Islamabads envoy to New Delhi, Abdul Basit, has been over the past few days signaling Pakistans willingness for a bilateral engagement with India on the sideline of the Heart of Asia conference.



India and Pakistan did not have any bilateral engagement on the first day of Heart of Asia meet in Amritsar, even as Sartaj Aziz, foreign affairs adviser of the neighbouring countrys prime minister M Nawaz Sharif, advanced his arrival to the city by a day.Aziz advanced his visit apparently to attend the dinner hosted for the representatives of the 13 other Heart of Asia nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President M Ashraf Ghani also joined the other dignitaries for the dinner. V K Singh and M J Akbar  the two Ministers of State for External Affairs  hosted the dinner.Modi, however, just shook hands with Aziz and exchanged pleasantries as he did with all other leaders of the delegations from Heart of Asia nations. There was no bilateral engagement between India and Pakistan on Saturday, said sources.Aziz was to arrive in Amritsar early on Sunday  just a few hours before Modi and Ghani would jointly inaugurate the sixth ministerial conference of Heart of Asia  a 14-nation initiative to help stabilize conflict-ravaged Afghanistan.Though Islamabad has not yet officially cited any reason for advancing Azizs arrival in Amritsar, it was apparently a move by Pakistan to explore opportunities for a bilateral engagement with India on the sideline of the multilateral conclave, the sources said.Aziz was also among the foreign ministers and other representatives of the Heart of Asia nations who collectively called on Prime Minister late at night on Saturday. Pointing out that his several interactions with both the common people of Afghanistan and the country's leadership had convinced him that the people of Afghanistan were tired of the continuing violence and terrorism, Modi stressed the need to end terrorism and violence for fostering stability, security and development in Afghanistan and our region, Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said.
Mahesh Shah, the land dealer from Ahmedabad who declared Rs 13,860 crore under Income Disclosure Scheme (IDS) and was untraceable for the last two days, surfaced on a local television channel on Saturday and stated that the money he declared belonged to a group of big people.



On the live television broadcast, Shah claimed that the declared amount belonged to powerful people, who could be businessmen, politicians or officials. It is a bhel puri (mixture), said Shah, a real estate dealer, adding that he took the step of voluntary disclosure before the I-T department, on being lured by these big fishes in expectation of hefty commission.



IDS offered immunity to those who declare their unaccounted income and pay the tax. Accordingly, Shah was to pay 45%, roughly Rs 6,237 crore, of his declared money as tax. The first tranche of this, about Rs 1,560 crore, was due on November 30. However, when he failed to pay the first installment till November 28, I-T sleuths, smelling foul play, cancelled his Form No 2 under Section 193 of the Finance Act, 2016 (IDS) and began search operations at the addresses of Mahesh Shah and his CA firm. It was after this that the name of 67-year-old Shah came to light. Throughout the interview on Saturday, Shah maintained that the declared money did not belong to him and that he had done so for personal needs.


Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday made it clear that his support to demonetisation does not mean he is moving towards the BJP. Nitish said that such interpretations will not deter him from supporting attack on black money. He also said that demonetisation alone would not be sufficient and other steps such as action against unnamed property and prohibition are required.



Speaking at the Hindustan Times Summit, Kumar gave a clear indication that though he is not going to be soft towards the BJP, he would not be going out on the streets against demonetisation like other Opposition leaders. He hit back at Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee for calling him a traitor and dismissed her street politics. Excessive aggression changes peoples perception, Nitish said.



The Bihar chief minister, however, clarified that he does not have any difference with senior party leader Sharad Yadav. There is no habit left to see things easily and normally. We should look beyond politics, Nitish lamented, and said that his support to demonetisation should be viewed in the context of his crackdown on corrupt bureaucrats and other such measures.



In order to further distance himself from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nitish accused him of always being in news and asked: Is this what you mean by governance? Work less but focus fully on campaign, is this government?




A century after its renovation, Jaipurs famous Jantar Mantar received the tools the British used to restore it. Iain Richard Scott Shore returned 12 tools to the Rajasthan government used by his great-grandfather Arthur Folliott Garret, an engineer at Roorkee invited to Jaipur by the then Maharaja Madho Singh to repair Jantar Mantar.



A former army man living in Britain, Shores association with India goes back several centuries, which is why returning the relics he inherited was harder. These are more than just tools, a moist-eyed Shore told DH. When my grandmother told me my great-grandfather had used these tools at Jantar Mantar, I immediately thought of giving them back to India so that they are (maintained) by those who can treasure it. My great-grandfather stayed in Jaipur for 15 months for the renovation.



Accompanied by wife Kshma and sister Sue, Shore visited Jantar Mantar and touched the walls. Later, he handed over Garrets instruments to Hridesh Sharma, Director of the Archaeology Department of Rajasthan, suggesting they be displayed at the local observatory created by the astronomer ruler, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, when he established the city of Jaipur in 1727. The instruments include a geometry box containing a ruler made of ivory and other engineering tools made of steel.



Jantar Mantars superintendent Shashi Prabha Sharma said: Its rare that a British citizen comes to India to return the tools he has inherited. We will be placing them at the museum in Jantar Mantar. With the arrival of the tools, the interpretation centre will be enriched as the tools origin dates back to 1901 and are historically important. Shore is on his way to Saharanpur to pay homage to his grandfather Walter Francis Shore at the Indian Veterinary Corps office on December 6, where he will hand over a silver cigarette case to the officers mess as a souvenir.



I could have sent these items by parcel, but Im emotionally attached to them, Shore said. His forefathers came to India in 1680 and the bond has continued with the country since.




The Election Commission, along with the Law Commission, has proposed massive reforms in the election laws to cleanse the political system. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said the Election Commission (EC) is awaiting the government response on the proposed amendments in relevant provisions of the laws, including the Representation of the People Act.



The proposed amendments include increasing punishment to two years in jail for filing false affidavit, debarring candidates charged with cognisable offences from contesting polls; and prohibiting anonymous contribution above Rs 2,000 to political parties.



The Commission is also seeking to empower itself to countermand elections in cases where money power is abused, drawing from the recent experience of Tamil Nadu elections, where candidates in countermanded polls contested again with impunity.



Delivering the inaugural address at the National Interactive Conference on Electoral Laws, Zaidi said the legal researchers of the poll body, in collaboration with legal luminaries and institutions, are working to address the need for a comprehensive review of the Representation of the People (RP) Act.



Electoral reforms is an important area which needs to be addressed in a very systematic manner. We are happy to release a compilation of 47 proposals of electoral reforms sent by the Commission from time to time for law making, he said. These have also been examined by Law Commission and many proposals of EC have been endorsed for legislation, Zaidi added.




In search of work: Who will be the lucky one? (video)

After a year of futile attempts to find a job economist Sergey Movsisyan appeared in a job fair. The economist with more than 40 years of work experience became unemployed following heart surgery. The 60-year-old man is surprised by the requirements of employers. People are putting age restrictions. It seems to be in vogue Wherever you go, they demand that the employee be under 35 with a higher education, someone who has served in the military, knows languages It already makes 40 Things do not happen that way It is absurd. But as they say he who pays the piper calls the tune, Mr. Movsisyan says. Despite the set of strict educational and experience requirements included in job announcements, the ingrained tradition of hiring an employee through kinship and nepotism has not disappeared in Armenia. It is strongly rooted in our society and do not think that it may disappear after the change of the prime minister or ministers, the economist says. After a year of job search the economist came to different, even contradictory conclusions. One cannot feel satisfied with one job as he can hardly pay for utilities with the salary proposed by employers. The system of differential pricing does not work in Armenia. Russia is not one of the most developed countries in the world, but wages and pensions are differentiated quarterly and yearly there which is not the case in Armenia. We all see frequent price hikes and depreciation of the Armenian currency that hit the public hard and even people with regular jobs cannot work under those conditions. The salary is not enough for them in a year or two, he adds. Sergey Movsisyan would like to work by his profession again. But he has lost every hope and is now considering all proposals with great difficulty. I would like to find something close to my profession but I am ready to do even manual work, he says. Anyway, Sergey Movsisyan did not approach the labour pavilions where the employer was looking for employees himself. The economist says he cannot do the work offered by them. A shoe factory was looking for shoemakers. Petros Gevorgyan, who settled in Armenia after fleeing his home in Syria a year ago, has opened a workshop in his homeland with one of his friends. At present, he has four workers. We are ready to take new orders. We are optimistic that there will be a large amount of orders, says Petros. As of September 1, 2016 the official number of job-seekers makes up 95.800 people, 62.600 of whom are women. Not only unemployed look for a job. The number of the unemployed persons makes up 80.4% (about 77000 thousand people) of job-seekers. Many job-seekers want to change their place of work. There are also students among them who want to combine work with studies. There were 1877 vacant positions and 1156 pending jobs in Armenia as of September 1. The State Employment Agency arranges regular job fairs to organize meetings between employers and job-seekers. It is one thing to send job-seekers to organizations, their HR departments or contact via phone and ask questions, and it is another thing that job-seekers and employers meet in one place, says Artak Mangasaryan, Head of the State Employment Agency. During the recent years annually 11 job fairs have been organized in the Republic. From 2007 until now, 5000 people have found jobs as a result of 74 job fairs Our studies, years experience show that during three months, at least 60 percent of the available jobs are hold. Not only vacant jobs are held, but also information is received about employers, and employers themselves take CVs and if necessary contact the beneficiaries, invite for interviews. It means the process takes long, notes Mr Mangasaryan. Doctors are mainly in demand in regions, in Yerevan there are vacant jobs in service sector. According to the age, among the unemployed 30-44-year-old people make up the largest age group- 39.1%, the second group, 16-29-year-old people, makes up 24.4%. Among the unemployed 45-54-year-old people make up 20.0%, people over 55- 16.5%. 40.5% of those, who look for a job for the first time, are young people. 24-year-old Petros Margaryan, who was demobilized three months ago, is looking for energy specialists or financiers job. Petros doesnt think about working by other profession, If you can see yourself in a certain sphere, have certain qualities, which will help you to work in the sphere you desire, if you do another job, it will hinder you to reach your goal. While choosing a job, the young man also takes into account the salary, I have given an interview, but I wasnt satisfied with the salary. I had warned them not to phone me, if the salary is less than AMD 125.000, but they phoned and offered a job with AMD 95.000 salary, and the job wasnt appropriate. Petros says that he is confident in his knowledge and professional skills, thats why he believes that one day he will be able to find a job of his dreams: A skillful specialist cannot remain without a job for a long time. I accept that there are spheres, where the tradition of kinship and nepotism is strongly rooted, but there are spheres, for example information technologies, where kinship and nepotism, roughly speaking, dont work and have no role. Nevertheless, what will he do if his search turns to be in vain? A reserve option is left, any job only to have some income. But I dont have such plans, such a scenario is not real for me, says Petros. Syrian-Armenian shoemaker Petros Gevorgyan received phone calls few days after the job fair, but he has only given promises to them, There are many people, who have turned to us. Now we are waiting so that orders increase and we enter foreign market in order to hire those job-seekers, notes shoemaker. The authorities have promised to help Petros Gevorgyan still several months ago, when he started up his production. The participation at the job fair and different exhibitions helped to finally accelerate the process, We have been promised to be given new territory. The territory is located near Komitas. They told me that it will be given for free for two years. Petros Gevorgyan hopes that soon he will phone job-seekers and will offer jobs to shoemakers. But now he doesnt mention concrete time: We cannot foresee, as we have just settled here and dont know from where to start. In the first six months of this year, 13425 people have found jobs through the State Employment Agency, but the jobs of 7285 people are seasonal and temporary. 2616 of those, who have been hired, are young people, 802 out of them have been provided with seasonal and temporary jobs.
Bengaluru Urban district authorities on Saturday bulldozed several structures of a holiday resort running illegally on a lake land in Anekal taluk. According to Anekal tahsildar Asha Parveen, Meenakshi Resort, spread across 25 acres of land, had encroached upon one acre and 21 guntas of land in Nanjapura village of Jigani hobli. She said the land belongs to Sanjay Goel of Haryana, which Vajra Kumar Jain had taken on a monthly rent of Rs 9 lakh to run the resort.



Lake land encroached

Parveen said, The resort (in survey number 27 of Nanjapura) did not have any approach road. So the owner of the land encroached the lake land and developed a road on it. We demolished the boundary wall of the resort and took possession of it.

She said the entire resort was operating illegally since running a business on agricultural land is not permitted. A report will be sent to the deputy commissioner to initiate action against the owner of the property.



Action at other places

Around 15 acres of government land was also recovered in taluk in the of villages Mantapa, Dasanapura, Marsur, Balagarnahlli and Pandithana Agrahara. The value of the recovered property in Anekal taluk is estimated at Rs 40 crore. The district authorities raided an illegal filter sand production unit at Varthur village in Tavarekere hobli of Bengaluru south taluk on Saturday and took possession of the entire property and lodged a complaint with the local police against them for carrying out illegal activities.



Burial ground recovered

In another action, Bangalore East tahsildar Thejas Kumar and his team reclaimed half-an-acre of government land in Munnekolalu Village. A burial ground on two acres which was encroached upon, was also recovered in Bidarahalli hobli of the East taluk.
Fifty-two schoolchildren were evacuated from a BMTC bus moments before it caught fire. The incident occurred near Shivahalli, off Mudigere, in Channapatna taluk of Ramanagaram district on Saturday. The bus was taking the students of BEL School, Jalahalli, to Srirangapatna and Talakadu on an excursion. The school had rented the bus attached to the BMTCs depot number 8 in Yeshwantpur. A teacher was travelling with the students.



The driver, Sudarshan, was quick to notice smoke billowing from the engine. He pulled in and asked the students and the teacher to get off the bus. They did as told, and the bus caught fire in no time. Passersby called the jurisdictional Channapatna Rural police station. Police and firefighters arrived at the spot. The fire was put out after sometime.



Traffic disrupted

The incident disrupted traffic on the busy Bengaluru-Mysuru highway for half an hour. Traffic resumed partially after the bus was moved to the roadside. A senior police officer said the children were accommodated in other buses that were carrying the remaining students from the same school. He lauded the drivers quick thinking, saying that had he driven on, there would have been a major accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was caused by short circuit. Police have asked the BMTC authorities to examine the bus and submit a report.




A complaint has been filed with the Anti Corruption Bureau against managing director of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam T N Chikkarayappa and chief project officer of Karnataka Highways Development Project S C Jayachandra for amassing wealth disproportionate to the known sources of their income.





The Income Tax department had raided their houses and unearthed wealth worth Rs 152 crore including cash of Rs 5.7 crore in Rs 2,000 denomination.



Sai Datta, an activist, lodged the complaint on Saturday quoting newspaper reports to back his claim. He said the Income Tax department has issued a press release, which newspapers have published.



Datta said the ACB by now should have taken note of the news reports, obtain information from the Income Tax department to act against these officers and file a case against them. The fact that the ACB would not do so  even in the case that has become public knowledge, is a clear testament to its failure to uphold the rule of law. Such a failure has necessitated this complaint by a private citizen.



Anticipating that the ACB will not register a case against the officers, Datta said in case the ACB feigns ignorance about the raids, it should know that the two officers have been suspended on December 2 following the recovery of wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.



I-T sleuths in Mysuru



A team of officials from the Income Tax department and CBI is said to be in Mysuru for further investigation following seizure of crores of rupees from the houses of two government officers in Bengaluru, reports DHNS from Mysuru.



According to sources, a government employee working in T Narasipur taluk has been taken into custody by the team for questioning. The officials suspect that the new currency notes to the above officers have been sourced from a nationalised bank in Mysuru. However, the manager of the said bank, who wished anonymity, said that I-T officials had not visited banks for investigation in connection with the case.






Does Bengaluru need this network of elevated corridors? Do Bengalureans foresee a drastic decongestion of the city roads once these flyovers take shape? DH Pointblank spoke to residents across the city and motorists to gauge the public mood about a massive infrastructure project that will affect everyone.



Dileep Gowda, an accounts officer at a manufacturing firm, finds the project politically motivated. The government, he says, is hurriedly implementing these big projects to gobble up as much money as possible prior to the 2018 elections.



The intention is not to develop the city. Why cant the government develop the Namma Metro and widen the existing roads? The government should finish the projects already initiated rather than starting new ones. If it is so concerned about traffic congestion, it should encourage the public to commute by public transport, he reasons.



Gowdas recipe for a better city commute: Cyclists and pedestrian-friendly tracks along the roads, and speeding up pending construction tasks of the existing Metro services. These, he says, are far easier than the mega projects such as the elevated corridor.



More roads will only encouarge more traffic in the city, notes Swaroop, a degree student from the Bishop Cotton Womens Christian College. This, she says, is a big budget project and some experts are even terming it as the second costliest infrastructure project in Bengaluru, after Namma Metro.



But her question is this: How will this mega project facilitate public or mass transport? More roads and flyovers simply mean more cars and more traffic. Lakhs of vehicles will be added in the next few years. Is the government prepared to handle this? These elevated expressways are going to get congested in no time. The government just wants to clear the traffic jams, but little does it know that the traffic will be shifted to another place.



Is the solution to keep building more of such elevated expressways? Instead, she says, the government must spend on improving the BMTC services or expand Namma Metro. We want a sustainable solution. If people in Delhi can accept odd-even, then why not Bengaluru? she wonders.



Pratap Chauhan, a businessman, says he was apalled to know that the government had initiated the elevated corridor project despite foreseeing its consequences. Five elevated roads around the city? This government seems so determined to choke Bengaluru. These are the times when every citizen is talking about reducing traffic on roads, which in direct sense means cutting down the number of vehicles. But the government is going on announcing projects like steel flyover and elevated roads which would put more burden on the general public as well as the environment,he says.



His specific grouse: I regularly commute towards Tumakuru and the Nelamangala expressway is many a times choked over the weekends. Now, why would I pay toll and spend my time in jams? It is going to be a huge waste of public money. Infrastructural development is a prerequisite for better commute through Bengaluru. But when considering and praising all the pros of such advancements, the government also needs to be cautious of its cons in the long run.



The impact the elevated corridor project could cause to the environment and the ecosystem would be disastrous, points out Rathiesh Mohan, a motorist. Land acquisition would lead to felling of trees followed by other several ecological imbalances.



Considering the estimated cost, duration, beginning of soil testing for the project even without inviting public opinion, it seems the government is up for another scam. The decision on this project should be revised, he says. Rathiesh, who is back in the city after four years, feels a drastic change in the climatic conditions here. The greenery has been reduced to a great extent. This is not a good sign, he says.



Copying the structural advancements of developed nations is good. But blind implementation without understanding our environment and ecology is a very immature and foolish decision. First of all, let the width of the existing roads be increased, renovated, repaired and maintained, he suggests.




The Tanveer Sait issue reverberated in both Houses of the state legislature with BJP members demanding that the minister resign for watching objectionable content on his mobile phone during Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrations.





The Legislative Assembly and Council were adjourned sine die with BJP members continuing their dharna. The Upper House witnessed BJP members staging a walkout accusing inaction by the government against Sait.



In the Assembly, as soon as the House met, BJP members raised slogans in support of their demand and displayed placards demanding Saits resignation. Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said Sait had no moral right to continue in office and should resign immediately. Law Minister T B Jayachandra said the BJP was politicising the issue and targeting Sait as he was from the minority community. Sait had kept away from the legislature on Saturday.



Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the question of Sait resigning does not arise. BJP has been targeting Sait as he is from the minority community. Earlier, the party was behind Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, he said. As the war of words between the BJP and Congress members continued, Speaker K B Koliwad adjourned the House sine die.



In the Council, BJP members said Sait had brought disrepute to the dignity of the post he held through his conduct.



Home Minister G Parameshwara said the incident had come to light through media reports, following which the government had ordered a CID probe into the matter.



The government can initiate action against the minister only after the CID completes its investigations and submits the report, he said.




Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said he alone was not responsible for giving permission to the NICE project. Then industries minister R V Deshpande and former public works minister Dharam Singh had made a series of recommendations to give permission for the project, he added.





The minister, reacting to the report which indirectly said that the controversial project was cleared during his tenure as urban development minister, said he was ready to face any action.



There are sustained efforts to tarnish my image. I have the capacity to face it. I have not come to Bengaluru for nothing. I am here to do politics, he said, while interacting with reporters.



The original agreement was first approved by H D Deve Gowda. Even the Centre had given a No Objection Certificate. With an ambition of providing a good road to the old Mysore area, the road project was approved. I gave consent as minister and not as an officer.




A House committee which probed the irregularities in the implementation of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project has found that the promoters of the project diverted 756.33 acres for real estate purposes.





The 11-member committee, headed by Law Minister T B Jayachandra, tabled its 392-page report in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.



The report states that the market value of land illegally diverted by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE), the promoters of the project, is Rs 7,077 crore.



According to the framework agreement signed between the state government and NICE, land acquired for link road and peripheral road cannot be diverted for housing projects. The agreement specified that layouts and commercial complexes can come up only in the five townships along the BMIC expressway.



The report states that NICE had submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court that 6,999 acres were required for the peripheral road and link road. The company had also given an undertaking before the Apex Court that the land acquired would not be utilised for real estate or commercial purposes.



However, NICE has violated the provision of the framework agreement and its assurance given to the Supreme Court. In addition, it illegally entered into joint development agreements with various builders, the report notes.



The House committee scrutinised the sale deeds, encumbrance and mortgage deeds that NICE had signed with real estate developers.



Also, Bengaluru-based Institute of Social and Economic Change was requested to estimate the value of the land. Besides, the documents available at sub-registrar offices and the guidance value of the land were also taken into consideration. It was estimated the land diverted for real estate purposes was worth Rs 4,951 crore. According to the present the market rate, the value of the land is estimated at Rs 7,077 crore, the report states.



The report states that the land could not have been diverted without the involvement of officials of the Public Works Department, Law Department and Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Area Project Authority.






Native Diver, a black gelding known for his brilliant speed, represented the pinnacle of horse racing in the mid-1960s in the west. Between his debut in 1962 and his death from colic days after winning the Del Mar Handicap in 1967, he made 81 starts and won 37 of them.

He won the San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields three times and the San Diego Handicap here at Del Mar three times. There were more active racetracks in California in the years that Native Diver raced and he won at six of them. He was trained by Buster Millerick, and ridden most often by Jerry Lambert.

Native Diver was the first California thoroughbred to win over $1 million ($1,026,500) and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has committed to keeping him alive in memory.

The 39th running of the $150,000 mile and one eighth Native Diver Handicap for three year olds and up will be run on Sundays card, Nov. 27. It is the third time it will be run at Del Mar.

The Hollywood Gold Cup, Hollywood Parks premier race were triumphs for him three times  in 1965, 1966 and 1967 and his winning times for the race just kept getting faster.

He did not win outside of California; his fiery nature and fractious behavior made shipping out of state too risky.

But he won so many times at Hollywood Park that after his death a handicap race was named after Native Diver that was part of the racing calendar for 36 years.

When the Hollywood Park land was sold to developers and closed in 2013 Del Mar was happy to continue the tradition of this California star by running the Native Diver Handicap in the new Bing Crosby Season.

Race goers loved to watch him show his brilliant speed and there is visual proof still available by searching YouTube.

He died at the equine hospital at UC Davis, where he was taken in an attempt to save him during a colic attack. He was returned to Hollywood Park and buried under the trees in the walking ring and a striking and colorful memorial designed by Millard Sheets was placed near his grave.

When Hollywood Park closed in 2013, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club was asked to receive his remains.

There was already a small graveyard in the infield where Direct Express, a champion pacer, and Star Fiddle, the winner of the inaugural Del Mar Futurity in 1946 are buried.

After 47 years, Native Divers bones were carefully unearthed by Lynn Swartz Dodd and Tom Garrison from the Archeology Department of the University of Southern California, placed in several large plastic containers, and delivered to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The track carpentry staff took on the project of building an appropriate-sized coffin with traditional handles to contain Native Diver in what is expected to be his final resting place.

The memorial designed by Sheets is now embedded in a wall on the west side of the tunnel the horses pass through to get to the track.

But the story of the little graveyard in the infield goes on. Shared Belief, a dark brown gelding, who won the Eclipse Award as a Champion two-year-old thoroughbred, and who won the TVG Pacific Classic here as a three-year-old in 2013, also died of colic Dec. 3, 2015 at UC Davis. His owner, Jim Rome, brought his cremated remains here to be buried during a small ceremony at the end of the 2016 Summer Season.
Chess tournament on holiday of King Abgar

Ararat Patriarchal Diocese for the fourth time in this year will hold a chess tournament, celebrating holiday of King Abgar. Today at the meeting with journalists, Senior Priest of St. Sargis Church said that the tournament will be held on December 6. As chess is considered to be royal game, four years ago the young people of our diocese decided to celebrate King Abgars holiday in this way. The tournament was named after him, as Abgar was the first king, who believed and accepted Jesus Christ while he was alive as son of God. According to the words of the priest, the tournament is extending year by year, If during previous years we invited people, today participants themselves come. Mainly employees from state agencies- municipality, chess schools adjacent to municipality, the Ministry of Defense, the educational complex of the police- take part in the tournament, said Malyan, adding that they do not have age limitation. This year two GMs have been invited to the tournament- Karen Grigoryan and Artashes Minasyan. Senior Priest Petros Malyan added that the example of King Abgar shows how one can believe without seeing, and the holiday is based on that idea. I would like our officials to think like King Abgar, summed up the priest.
J.T. Tuimoloau's NIL value surges after win over Penn State

Ohio State defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau could see some very tangible benefits from his performance against Penn State.
Feature 

: For the past five years, Russia has been building walls around its web and packing it with tech oligarchs, startup cities, face-finding algorithms, and hacker hunters. In this episode (video below) of Bloomberg's Hello World (published Nov 30, 2016), Ashlee Vance traveled to Russia to see how they do tech:
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Gardai are warning retailers to be especially vigilant after a Dublin based gang used false credit cards at a number of stores in Letterkenny.

Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Paul Wallace told the Democrat today that the gang made off with thousands of euros worth of high end goods and cash in the scam yesterday evening.

"They used false credit cards to buy high value goods such as phones, laptops, tablets, designer watches and fragrances at a number of shops in Letterkenny on Friday evening. Another tactic they used was to ask for cashback," he said.

Sgt Paul Wallace

Prevention is key

Sgt Wallace appealed to shop owners to take a few minutes at the start of the day to ensure all their staff are familiar with the security protocols.

"The criminals are aware that many towns and villages are in the midst of their Christmas promotions. Shops are busy and there are a lot of inexperienced, seasonal staff doing their best.

"Taking ten minutes at the start of the day to go through all the security protocols can save a lot of anguish," he advised.

Tips for debit and credit card security can be found at www.safecard.ie

Owners and staff are also advised to be extra wary if a customer they don't know immediately asks to see the most expensive range of goods on offer, especially something that could be sold on very easily, or looks for a lot of cash back in addition to their card transactions.

Counterfeit notes

In addition, Sgt Wallace warned that false notes, especially 50 and 20 notes, are in circulation.

Again, he said, there are some simple safety measures that can prevent a business being caught out.

"Go to the Central Bank website for guidelines on how to tell the difference between real notes and counterfeits, and ensure that your staff are familiar with these.

"We also recommend using a security light for cards and notes, as that's the best way to reveal whether important security features are missing.

"There is a lot of helpful information easily available on how to prevent crimes such as these," Sgt Wallace said. "They key thing is to ensure that you and your staff know about them and can spot such scams as they happen."
An Irish Navy patrol has boarded the world's second largest trawler off the coast of Donegal.

The Irish Naval Service posted pictures this week of the LE James Joyce approaching the 143 metre long FV Margiris, which was banned from fishing Australian waters in 2012.

The vessel was fishing approximately 50 km off the coast of Donegal.

Members of both the fishing industry and wildlife groups in Ireland have repeatedly expressed concerns at the impact such a huge fishing vessel, which can process as much as 250 tonnes of fish per day, may have on fish stocks and other wildlife, especially dolphins.

Naval crew members boarded the Lithuanian registered vessel on Tuesday and carried out an inspection as part of their fisheries protection patrol duties.

The Irish Wildlife Trust welcomed the news but called on MEP's to press for the introduction of full-time, independent observers on supertrawlers.

In a statement, the IWT said, "The Irish Wildlife Trust welcomes the intervention by the naval service to board the supertrawler Margiris. However, in order to address the concerns around these very large boats, it is imperative that full-time, independent observers are placed on board to monitor their activities.

"The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) recorded the highest level of strandings of common dolphin ever during the first three months of this year, after a busy winter of supertrawler activity off the west coast," the statement continued.

Both the IWT and the IWDG wrote to Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, earlier this year outlining their concerns but have had no progress reportrs since, the IWT stated.

IWT campaign officer Padraic Fogarty commented, "The IWT is now calling on our MEPs, some of whom have shown support for this campaign, to use their influence to progress matters.

The European Commission have had all year to digest the evidence and yet we are now entering another winter with nothing done. As supertrawlers gather in our waters, we are once again faced with the prospect of a slaughter of our marine life.
Was president-elect Donald Trump played by Carrier? The company, a division of United Technologies that makes heating and air conditioning units, agreed to keep 1,000 jobs in Indiana rather than move them to Mexico.

Donald Trump addressing supporters Dec. 1 in Cincinnati as part of his post-election "Thank You Tour." He also stopped in Indianapolis to celebrate Carrier's decision to keep 1,000 jobs at that plant rather than move them to Mexico. (Click image to watch the president-elect's full speech)

But Carrier also got some nice tax incentives from Uncle Sam and Indiana for its apparent change of mind.

Apparently, corporate negotiators read Trump's "The Art of the Deal." And some think they made out better than the incoming 45th president.

Corporate hostage template: Former Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders, the again-Independent Vermont Senator who tapped into a liberal vein of populism, said in a Washington Post op-ed piece that Trump "has signaled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives."

What kind of deal did Carrier cut to keep 1,000 Hoosiers working? We're not sure yet about the federal ransom cost, but many speculate that there was an implicit threat that Uncle Sam might pull the current $6 billion in federal contracts United Technologies has, primarily for Pentagon projects.

At the state level, officials in Indiana, home of vice-president-elect Gov. Mike Pence, reportedly will give Carrier $7 million in incentives over the next decade for keeping the 1,000 workers employed.

Special tax treatment deals like the one made for Carrier -- which, by the way, state officials say hasn't been finalized -- are commonplace. But most economists say that such government interference in the free market discourages companies from making the most productive and efficient decisions from a business point of view at the expense of public coffers.

Trump turnaround: Those types of payments were slammed by presidential campaigner Trump as costly giveaways.

Many economists say that The Donald's pre-election analysis was correct. They say that cutting individual deals with different companies is a costly and ineffective way to slow U.S. business moves in today's competitive global economy.

Scott Drenkard, director of State Projects at the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, says that tax incentives are not supported as good tax policy by either theory or empirical literature.

"Good tax policy has a broad tax base and low tax rates. Special tax abatements, exemptions, exclusions, deductions, and credits all narrow the tax base, meaning a higher overall rate is required to bring in the same amount of government revenue," writes Drenkard in a post about the Carrier deal at the nonprofit's Tax Policy blog. "The latest survey of the empirical literature on tax incentives finds that most studies show tax incentives to be linked with statistically insignificant effects on the broader economy, or negative economic outcomes."

Many tax experts agree. For years, business analysts and economists have argued that special tax breaks aren't the best way to attract or keep businesses within a particular jurisdiction. They say a better way to get businesses to come to or expand in your location is to tax all firms, newcomers and existing offices, equitably and provide a well-educated pool of people they can hire.

Instead of making deals to keep companies from leaving, Drenkard says U.S. policy makers need to focus on comprehensive tax reform.

"Some of the draw for companies to move a manufacturing plant to Mexico is based on labor costs, and the United States doesn't necessarily want to compete on having the lowest wages of any country. However, we can compete on having a simple, low rate, broad-based business tax code," writes Drenkard.

He adds (with some links provided by me):

We can also make a tax code that has international components that tax companies based on where they make their profits (a territorial tax system) or where they sell their goods and services (a destination-based system, as proposed in the House GOP Blueprint plan). Our current international tax provisions, by contrast, tax companies based on where their headquarters is and tax all their profit obtained from anywhere in the world. This is why companies have recently been "inverting," or moving their headquarters. Unless we fix these issues, wed find ourselves cutting quite a lot of deals to try to convince companies to stay or relocate and grow here. It would be much better to have a system that is open and competitive to all comers.

You win some jobs, you lose some jobs: Still, it's easier sometimes to just throw tax money at companies, even when they aren't completely effective.

That's the case at Carrier. The company still plans to shut down other operations.

The New York Times reports that workers arriving for work after the Trump/Carrier announcement and victory tour visit by Trump and Pence received a letter titled "Company Update on Indianapolis Operations." The message informed them that, "While this announcement is good news for many, we recognize it is not good news for everyone. We are moving forward with previously announced plans to relocate the fan coil manufacturing lines, with the expected completion by the end of 2017."

So goes business and politics.

Trump's honeymoon, in and out of D.C.: How long will Donald Trump's honeymoon last? That depends on which of his supporters you ask.

Some are upset already that he seems to be reneging on his "Drain the Swamp" campaign call.

Conservative talk radio host and former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois summed up his and his followers feelings in a recent Tweet prompted by the president-elect's recent cabinet picks: "What about the swamp? Huh? Can you hire someone who doesn't work for Goldman Sachs?"

Others are, let's say miffed, too.

The New York Times reports that "some supporters, including those closest to Mr. Trump, are warning him that after running for president as a disrupter of the political and ruling classes, he risks charges of hypocrisy by bringing into his administration the kinds of people he vowed to drive out of Washington."

Even Sarah Palin, former veep nominee and earlier reported to be under consideration to head Veterans Affairs in the Trump Administration (but probably no longer), derided the Carrier deal as "crony capitalism."

But those without Washington, D.C. connections seem to be standing by their man.

The workers at the Carrier plant effusively welcomed the incoming president. He also held forth before cheering crowds as he and Pence made other stops in Rust Belt communities to thank supporters for helping in his surprise White House win.

Trump's persona and big league talk may be enough to get him some breathing room among voters outside the Beltway. But if he doesn't deliver more than a 1,000 jobs saved here and there, things ultimate could change even among the Trump faithful.

You also might find these items of interest:
It hardly seems like the best part of a half-century that traffic lights have been in operation in Dundalk but it is true that they have been there since December 1971. An entry in the Dundalk Democrat of the time says  'Dundalk traffic lights came into operation this month and there was also an announcement at the monthly meeting of the Urban Council that traffic wardens would be employed in Dundalk in the New Year.'

The first lights were at the Park Street, Anne Street and Dublin Street junction and there were also a sets of lights at the Market Square which, at that time was still part of the main Dublin-Belfast N1 roadway.

It has been pointed out to me that the 'Yield Right of Way' sign the junction in the middle of Park Street has been removed recently.

This sign has always been a little controversial because the normal practice at such a traffic junction should be the other way around, so that vehicles coming from the Dublin direction would yield to those coming up from the Square direction.

When this was pointed out to the authorities at the time, they replied that the lights at this junction were only a pedestrian crossing and the flow coming from the Dublin direction needed to have priority.

However, traffic in the centre of town has much changed since then with the opening of both Inner Relief Road on the east side of the town and the M1 motorway to the west and with Earl Street having become pedestrianized. There is not so much heavy goods traffic using this junction now but there is still a need to indicate which flow of vehicles has the right of way here to prevent accidents!

Dundalk Chamber of Commerce

An old almanac shows Dundalk Chamber of Commerce is 125 years old this month. It states that the Inaugural Meeting took place on Wednesday 24 November 1891.

It does not say where this meeting took place but it was probably in the Dundalk Club premises at Roden Place, completed in 1886. Most of the Council elected were also directors of the Club.

The first President was W. R. Rogers and the Vice-President Henry O'Connell. Ex-oficio members of the Council included Tim Healy, who was to become the first Governor General of the Free State in 1922, he was then M.P. for North Louth; and Peter Hughes, Knockbridge, who was to become the first Chairman of the Louth County Council two years later.
Freewaters is a brand dedicated to creating casual footwear that offers comfort, innovation, and fresh styling to individuals with active and travel lifestyles. The brand caters to anyone who is daring and committed enough to carve their own paths in life. But aside from their products, there is one more thing thats wonderful about the brand  every Freewaters pair is a step towards clean drinking water. A portion of its sales goes directly to fund the brands clean drinking water projects.

To this day, the brand has built 20 freshwater wells in Kenya and distributed 7 water filters and a rain catchment system in Haiti. In the Philippines, 20 filter systems have been donated to 2,200 residents of 4 barangays in Casiguran, Aurora earlier this year with its #FeelsGood to be Part of 1,000 campaign.

Casiguran is an up-and-coming surf spot in the Aurora province that was greatly devastated by the Typhoon Lando. It made access to clean drinking water even more difficult than it already was. The brands core advocacy is to transform lives with water through its products. Casiguran was the perfect location to show its support in providing clean drinking water to distressed communities and those in need, explained by Anna Viray of Freewaters Philippines.

The campaign needed a purchase of 1,000 pairs of Freewaters footwear in order to bring the project to life. With its success, Freewaters and the Casiguran community wish to extend its deepest appreciation and gratitude to everyone who was involved and supported the campaign.

FALL 2016 COLLECTION

Freewaters makes sure to equate its heart and passion for its advocacy with the quality and design of its products. This season, the brand is ecstatic to present their Fall 2016 Collection, inspired by nature with utilitarian and minimalist sensibilities.

For its Mens line, the brand introduces the TREELINE with its new Therm-a-RestTM Memory Footbed giving a good grip with a soft cushion and incredible arch support. It uses a geometric pattern with camping graphic lining on its Polyester Webbing strap plus its anti-slip with its Grippy Rubber Outsole.

Another addition to the range is the SKY SLIP-ON KNIT which is made with an Engineered Knit Upper for superior breathability, has an instant soft fit with its Minimalist Welded Design, insanely light with its Sponge Lite Construction, and extremely soft with the Super Pillow Insole.

For its Womens line, the TALL GIRL puts on a Hydro-leather Strap that is water-friendly. It features a foot bed with Arch Support and Heel Cup, High Rise Midsole for insane cushioning, and Flex Groove Outsole for that extra soft flex and grip.

With the goal and desire of being even just a small part of the solution, Freewaters strives to continue reaching out to anyone who shares their vision; with the hopes of inspiring more people to get involved in different innovative and creative ways one can think of and to make a positive change in the world, one footwear at a time.

You may purchase Freewaters at the 2nd floor, Trinoma kiosk as well as in ResToeRun, Grind, and ROX. For more information about Freewaters, visit www.facebook.com/freewatersphilippines.

Freewaters is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by the Primer Group of Companies  Asias next retail giant. You may purchase Freewaters at the 2nd floor, Trinoma kiosk as well as in ResToeRun, Grind, and ROX. For more information about Freewaters, visit www.facebook.com/freewatersphilippines.
Like President-designate Donald Trump, and his nominee for Secretary of Education, Michigan billionaire and Amway heiress, Betsy DeVos, Im a huuuuge proponent of school choice.

Whats more American than the freedom to choose (unless youre a woman, and were talking about reproductive health choicesbut I digress)? Its a fundamental human right to be able to make important personal choices about your life, a right that conservatives like Mr. Trump and Ms. DeVos believe in deeply (unless youre gay and want to choose marry your same-sex partner; or transgender and want to choose what bathroom to usebut again, Im getting off track).

In fact, why limit the notion of choice to only the question of what school to attend? As a conservative, I believe that the principle of choice should be applied across other arenas of our lives.

For example, I question why hotel choice isnt the law of the land. When I travel, I want the choice to stay only in hotels with 1200 thread count bedsheets, 55 high-definition TVs, plush robes, turn-down service, and in-room masseuse. After a long day of hedge fund manager-ing, or investment banker-ing, a patriot just craves a little pampering.

As a teacher, however, I just dont have the budget to plunk down $1200 per night for that level of luxurybut like my hero, Michelle Rhee, I question why my zip code (code for socio-economic background) should determine the quality of hotel I can afford.

If charter school principals like Michael Fehte can charge their luxury hotel room bills to their school-issued credit cards and get those gullible government school taxpayers to cover the costs, why cant I get a hotel voucher provided by public tax dollars to subsidize the difference in cost between my luxe boutique hotel and the Red Roof Inn next door, my normal choice? Whats fair is fair!

While were at it, a freedom fighters got to eat, so Im also a big fan of restaurant choice. Now, I can head to my local burger joint to get my feed bag on, but believe I should have the choice to dine at the upscale steak house across town. Problem is, the difference in cost between the $10 burger and a beer special and the $200 cowboy-cut ribeye with creamed spinach and a lovely Cabernet is just a touch out of my reach.

Fortunately, this particular gastronomic problem would be solved with a restaurant debit card, a nifty little invention that decouples the cost of that meal from ones ability to afford it. Funded by public tax revenues, these cards would allow the diner to choose whatever restaurant she or he selects, with one tiny caveat: the card is only worth $60, which wont quite cover the $200 bill at the steakhouse.

So, while that restaurant debit card promises to level the playing field between burgers and steaks, it cant possibly turn ground chuck into prime rib. Whats marketed as an epicurean equalizer turns out to be nothing more than an elaborate bait & switch, leaving diners frustratedand hungry.

Butchoice!

Now I hear some of you liberals out there saying that hotels and restaurants arent public institutions, like schoolsso Im comparing apples & oranges. Well, Im also a believer in fire department choice, so how do you like them apples???

When my house is on fire, instead of waiting for my local firefighters to respond to the call, I want the choice to have my home protected by an innovative private fire department. Because privatizing public institutions, like prisons, has worked out so well, right?

However, in order to have two parallel fire departments in my community, some changes will need to be made. First, those government fire fighters are going to have to give up their fat pensions and retirement benefits, and health insurance coverage. If we are going to subsidize our private fire department with public resources, there are just not enough public dollars to go around. Cuts need to be made; belts tightened. This new fire company/old fire company plan may also mean that some folks houses will burn down as the public fire department right sizes.

There will also be some kinks to work out with the new fire department co-location plan. Under this approach, our private fire company would be housed in the same facility as the old fire department, and would share all equipment, including trucks, hoses, and other materials.

Critics of fire department co-location contend that these arrangements place untenable pressures with respect to the equitable allotment of resources on already under-funded institutions, and can create clashes between departments with different cultures and ways of doing business.

Butchoice!

Turning back to school choice, there is another way to ensure that all children receive a free, high-quality educationand it worked beautifully in our country before the explosion of charter schools, and the specter of vouchers reared its ugly head.

It was called our public school system.

And before radical conservatives set out to systematically defund and destablize our schools, and destroy teacher unions through Right-to-Work laws, and demoralize teachers by slashing their pensions and eliminating their job security, the public schools were points of pride and the crown jewels of communities all across the United States.

The truth is that Americas public schools are in excellent shape, and getting better. Graduation rates are at an all-time high; international test score results, when controlled for SES, show US students performing as well as any country in the world; and, the achievement gap, while it remains stubborn, is narrowing. All in all, our public schools and teachers, in spite of chronic and persistent under-funding, and relentless attacks from the corporate reform crowd, are doing nothing less than heroic work under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

Just as the narrative of failing schools is a false narrative, the narrative of school choice is a false choice. The manufactured crisis in the public schools that has been created by competition and choice wont be solved bycompetition and choice.

Mr. Trump knows this, and Ms. DeVos knows it as well. They are betting they can fool enough folks into believing this lie in order to advance their agenda of privatizing our schools, and redistributing public dollars into private bank accounts.

The truth is that no one should have to choose to attend an excellent public school, anymore than they should have to choose a safe source of drinking water, or choose to drive on a well-maintained road or bridge. Providing these things is a basic function of government, not a choice to make on a daily basis.

Tell Donald and Betsy that you know the truth: school choice is a false choice.
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According to this new information the Russians have known about alien civilizations for several decades, to many this comes as no surprise,...
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
The Victoria's Secret Angles are now in Paris, preparing to walk in the 2016 Victoria Secret Show. Fans might be surprised not to see the Show veterans Karlie Kloss, Candice Swanepoel, and Behati Prinsloo to be a part of the fashion show.

Swanepoel and Prinsloo just had their first babies in October and September. However, both of them assure that they will be coming back in 2017.

According to ELLE, despite the fact that Candice Swanepoel and Behati Prinsloo did not attend the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, both ensures their fellow angels that they are with them in spirit.

"Opening the#vsfashionshow for the first time was a dream comes true opening twice in a row was just NUTS, still pinching myself. To the girls and crew, good luck in Paris, me and Dusty Rose will be cheering." Prinsloo posted in her Instagram.

Swanepoel also cheered for the supermodels that hit the runway via social media and extended a "good luck" to her fellow angels who modeled for the crowd in Paris.

"I'm sad to miss it but am wishing everyone all the best from afar! There is truly no show quite like the VS Fashion Show, and there is no feeling quite like walking on that magnificent runway," Swanepoel wrote on her Instagram account.

IBTimes reported that most Victoria Secret models couldn't stay away from the runway show for so long. Adriana Lima, for example, returned to the runway two months after having her second child in 2012. The same with Victoria Secret Heidi Klum who returned to the show six weeks after giving birth to her fourth child in 2009.

Doutzen Kroes also flaunted her toned abs four months after she gave birth to her second child last 2014. Victoria Secret Fashion Show 2016 was held in Paris - a place which is dubbed as the world's greatest fashioin houses and runway shows. And finally, the magnificent show started as the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show rolled out the pink carpet at the Grand Palais.






Two parties from Andhra Pradesh and Telanganathe Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)are vying for national party status. The TDP had strongly opposed the demand for a separate Telangana state until the very end but reconciled itself to the inevitable situation and also discerned an unexpected opportunity in the new situation. With a presence in two states, the TDP began to leaf through the rule book on national party status to see what else it needs to qualify.

Ahead of the party conference, Mahanadu 2015, according to one report in Andhra Jyothi, the TDP was proceeding cautiously on this front but decided to take a final decision only after a thorough study. For the present, a party central committee has been set up with members from the two state committees (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh).

In the [erstwhile] united Andhra Pradesh the TDP was registered as a regional party. After the bifurcation, it was registered in both the states. Further, having decided to expand its base to neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, the Andamans, etc, the party had even launched membership drives. (Andhra Jyothi, 27 May 2015)


Dave Seleski: the go-to businessman for business advice on Cuba

Urbane and well-groomed, career banker Dave Seleski is an unlikely revolutionary. Tiny by US standards, with assets of around $3 billion, Seleskis Stonegate Bank has found itself in the extraordinary position of being the only US bank to be authorized by both Washington and Havana to do business in Cuba.

The nimble Seleski has, for the moment at least, an effective monopoly on US banking with Cuba; his reward for resolving an issue that had threatened to derail Washingtons diplomatic rapprochement with the Castros.

As influential rivals look on, Stonegates credit and debit cards are today the only US-issued plastic acceptable in Cuba. Stonegate also has US bankings only correspondent relationship with a Cuban bank, the state-owned Banco Internacional de Comercio. Stonegate also banks Cubas new diplomatic missions in the US and is opening US accounts for the fast-emerging private-entrepreneur class transforming Cubas command economy.

Beyond banking, Seleski has become the go-to businessman for business advice on Cuba, a fixture on the seminar circuit for those anxious for insight on how to enter one of the worlds last untapped markets.
The drive to renationalize the Polish banking sector is gaining momentum as public-sector buyers close in on assets belonging to UniCredit and Raiffeisen, and Deutsche Bank joins the list of foreign players looking to exit the market.

State-controlled insurer PZU and development fund PFR were reported in late November to be on the verge of buying UniCredits remaining 40.1% stake in Bank Pekao, Polands second-largest lender.

Meanwhile, Raiffeisen Polbank is expected to be sold by the end of the year to Alior Bank, the local lender in which PZU acquired a controlling stake in May 2015.

PZU has indicated plans to combine its banking assets  which include BPH Bank, bought by Alior from GE in March  to create a new Polish national champion.

The new lender would have a market share by assets of close to 20%, putting it ahead of long-time market leader and fellow public-sector bank PKO BP.

PKO BP is itself taking part in the current round of M&A, having agreed in November to buy Raiffeisens Polish leasing arm for Z850 million ($202 million).

Consolidation

Bankers say further consolidation is likely, given the highly fragmented nature of the Polish market and the diminishing returns available. Already squeezed by low interest rates, profits have been further crimped this year by a punitive bank tax.



Piotr Chudzik,

Trigon

Growth in the banking sector in Poland has stopped, so we are seeing a natural trend towards consolidation as players with substandard size start to leave the market, says Piotr Chudzik, managing partner at local investment bank Trigon.

Poland currently has 13 universal banks, of which only PKO BP and Bank Pekao have a market share of more than 10%. Chudzik predicts that as many as eight smaller players could exit the market over the next two to three years, leaving five or six large universal lenders.

That would mean disposals by a number of foreign banks with subscale Polish franchises. Deutsche Bank Polska, which was put up for sale in November, is one of the smallest, with assets of just Z38 billion. Other western banks with less than 5% market share include Citi and BCP, owners of Bank Handlowy and Bank Millennium, as well as BNP Paribas.

Ownership

On the buy side, the main players will likely continue to be public sector institutions. Polands ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), which took power in 2015, has made it clear that it wants to see more of the banking sector under domestic ownership  which, for the moment, seems to mean state ownership.

Deputy prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, former chairman of Santander subsidiary Bank Zachodni WBK, explicitly stated in August that the government would look to buy or domesticate any foreign-owned banks that come up for sale.

Locals confirm that non-Polish bidders were warned off participating in recent bank sales. There are plenty of foreign players who would still like to expand in Poland, says a senior banker in Warsaw. If they were allowed to, they would buy  but they have been deterred by the state.

Topping the list of would-be foreign buyers are Santander, Commerzbank and ING, all of which have strong Polish operations. BZ WBK has a market share of 9.1%, while Commerzbank subsidiary mBank and ING Bank Slaski are also in the top five by total assets.

They would all likely want to participate in the current wave of consolidation if they were permitted to in order to increase their market shares to over 10%, says Gunter Deuber, head of CEE research at Raiffeisen Bank International. At the same time, he adds, all three are large enough not to be forced out of the market. They have proven business models and sizeable operations, he says. I dont expect to see them exiting Poland in the short term.

Difficulties

For banks that do want to leave, meanwhile, the ban on acquisitions by foreigners has made for a difficult market. Competition on the buy side is all but nonexistent, giving potential acquirers a very strong hand in negotiations  particularly as several sellers are known to be working to tight deadlines.

UniCredit was reportedly looking to agree terms for the sale of Bank Pekao by December 4 to avoid any potential turbulence following the Italian referendum. Meanwhile, the Polish regulator KNF has ordered Raiffeisen to find a buyer for Polbank by the end of the year, after the Austrian bank reneged on a commitment to list its subsidiary on the Warsaw Stock Exchange earlier this year.

Raiffeisens task has been made more challenging by its large holdings of legacy Swiss franc mortgages, which KNF has made it clear the seller must retain. Alior is also reported to be seeking to force the Austrian bank to carve out other long-term loans in Polbanks portfolio ahead of the acquisition.

This is definitely a buyers market, says Deuber.

Deutsche will face similar hurdles in disposing of its Polish arm, which has high concentrations of foreign currency loans, according to locals. Bank Pekao, by contrast, was one of the few foreign banks to avoid the Swiss franc exposures that have plagued Polish lenders since the zlotys collapse after the financial crisis.

Deuber also notes that Polands deteriorating economic outlook could add to sellers difficulties: If this raises issues on the fiscal side, there is a chance that the banking tax could become more punitive, which would again be a negative for any ongoing M&A procedures. This is another reason to think that it may be better to get deals done sooner rather than later.
Mozambique has added a new chapter to the sorry tale of its involvement in the international capital markets after telling creditors that its debt levels are not sustainable.

The country is working to regain the support of the IMF.

It met creditors in London on October 25, not long after Alexei Yakovitsky, chief executive of VTB Capital, a bank that has worked closely with Mozambique on its debt issuance, struck a positive note on the countrys debt prospects.

Yakovitsky told Euromoney on October 12, that there was no reason to believe that state-owned Mozambique Asset Management, which had missed a $178 million payment on a $535 million loan provided by VTB, would not work things out.

The story is not over yet, he said, upbeat.

The story has indeed developed, and sooner than most analysts expected, but the development is hardly a positive one.

Though the countrys debt has a dismal rating, as one financier active in Mozambique puts it, investors were surprised by the October announcement.

The sovereigns bond quickly lost value in secondary trading, and analysts wondered if this latest event would harm the countrys prospects of regaining IMF funding.



Stuart Culverhouse,

Exotix

Stuart Culverhouse, global head of research at Exotix, says Mozambiques announcement and the timing of it may have something to do with the discussions the country has been having with the IMF, as well as an upcoming coupon payment.

Why wait?

In the context of the recent discussions, he says, and with the coupon coming in January, maybe its accelerated their view about where they are and therefore why wait any longer, if theyre up against it now?

The IMF pulled its budget support for Mozambique earlier this year, when it emerged that it had misinformed the fund about the size of its debts, hiding $1.4 billion of loans for its interior ministry and two state-controlled firms  among them, the $535 million VTB loan.

These revelations follow a scandal over the misuse of $850 million of notes issued by a state-owned company, Ematum. Investors thought they were lending the money for the purchase of a tuna-fishing fleet, when in fact the proceeds were being used for military purposes.

The IMFs withdrawal seriously hurt the governments accounts, Mozambique told investors, adding that its primary objective is to resume relations with the IMF to stabilize the economy and restore the confidence of the international community.

Gross public debt has reached 130% of GDP, from just 38% five years ago, according to IMF data.

Help at hand

But the situation is not all bad for Mozambique. Help from the IMF may yet materialize. An IMF delegation visited the country in June and September, ahead of possible formal negotiations toward renewing involvement with it.

Two conditions would have to be met for the IMF to agree a new loan: first, Mozambiques debt must no longer be unsustainable, or it would at least have to be on a path to sustainability; second, an audit into the tuna bond would have to be launched.

From the apparent woes of Mozambiques debt pile  the country itself says it is in debt distress  as well as from the countrys aura of secrecy  the undisclosed loan and misappropriated tuna bond are prime examples  one might be excused for thinking neither condition will be met.

Prospects could be better than they appear, however. Mozambique is looking to restructure its debt, which would make it more sustainable. And the country has already appointed Kroll to audit Ematum. The audit could begin within weeks.

Macroeconomic conditions are starting to look up, too. In recent weeks, the exchange rate has been quite stable in nominal terms. The rise in the price of coal, to $300 a tonne, is also a positive for the country, as it has much of that natural resource.

Arduous

For Mozambique, negotiations are likely to be arduous on all fronts in the coming months  with bondholders, the IMF and VTB.

Since the bond investors may not agree to a restructuring until the IMF releases funds, the IMF and bondholder discussions may have to happen in parallel, so that neither side feels that it has agreed to a settlement without the support of the other. If that all goes ahead, Mozambique may yet put its finances in order.

Still, the situation is tense, and emotions are running high.

VTB sent a combative statement out after the October 25 meeting, saying: We have properly executed these deals and are absolutely sure of our legal position. It remains unclear to us why Mozambique, as it turned out, didnt disclose the correct amount of debt to the IMF.

And it added: Essentially, the government misled us.
Conscience is a good thing. It is the path to repentance, forgiveness, and healing. Take Project Rachel, the compassionate pro-life project that aids women overcome the grief and guilt some experience from having had an abortion.

But France doesnt want women to feel badly for having aborted a Down syndrome baby. Accordingly, it censored an advertisement to air that shows the positive side of parenting a child with Down. From the Wall Street Journal:

Abortion is legal in most of Europe, but its proponents are bent on suppressing efforts to change the minds of mothers considering it. Witness Frances ban on a television commercial showing happy children with Down Syndrome (DS). Produced to commemorate World Down Syndrome Day, the commercial showed several cheerful children with DS addressing a mother considering abortion. Dear future mom, says one, dont be afraid. Your child will be able to do many things, says another. Hell be able to hug you. Hell be able to run toward you. Hell be able to speak and tell you he loves you. Frances High Audiovisual Council removed the commercial from air earlier this year, and in November the Council of State, the countrys highest administrative court, upheld the ban, since the clip could disturb the conscience of French women who had aborted DS fetuses.

So much for free speech. Worse, France is saying saving the lives of these future children is less important than protecting the feelings of those who aborted their babies.

More broadly, it reflects a rampant view that aborting Down babies is the preferred course. Indeed, this censoring is merely a small part of an effort, easily discernible, to see people with Down disappeared from the face of the earth via eugenic abortion.

Cross-posted at The Corner.
After Brexit and the US Presidential elections turned the polls upside down, most of the investing community were hoping that the early polls got the Italian referendum wrong.

As currency investors react to the Italian Referendum result, the euro to dollar exchange rate is seen trading 0.68 percent higher on the day at 1.06397.

EUR/USD plunged to a twenty-month low, but has seen a strong bounce during today's session.

According to Lloyds analysts, the euro-dollar pair is at a key juncture:

"After spiking to new multi-month lows at 1.0506 following the Italian constitutional referendum, EURUSD is at a key juncture."

"The pair remains vulnerable to political developments, and the performance of banking stocks and the wider system will also be carefully watched."

"Key support remains in the 1.0500-1.0450 region. A break of this important area would open 1.0250 and then 1.01-0.99."

See the Guardian's live blogging event here.

Latest Euro/Dollar Exchange Rates

On Thursday the US Dollar to British Pound exchange rate (USD/GBP) converts at 0.876 FX markets see the pound vs us dollar exchange rate converting at 1.141. At time of writing the pound to pound exchange rate is quoted at 1. Please note: the FX rates above, updated 3rd Nov 2022, will have a commission applied by your typical high street bank. Currency brokers specialise in these type of foreign currency transactions and can save you up to 5% on international payments compared to the banks.

The historical currency chart below clearly shows the negative EUR/USD movement in the days leading up to the risk event:

The pound was able to advance against the euro (GBP/EUR) ahead of the weekend to trade close to multi-month best levels of 1.9333.

Too close to call, with polls banned in the run-up to the event.

No poll results are published two weeks before the vote according to an Italian law. In the last reported polls, the No vote was leading the Yes vote by 5 percentage points.

However, the number of undecided voters, which stood at 15% and can be a major deciding factor in the outcome of the referendum.

Threat to the Euro back on the table

While Brexit rendered the first blow to the unity of the eurozone, the Italian constitutional referendum is at risk of walking down the same path.

The opposition parties smell blood as the Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said that he will resign if the referendum is defeated.

An overwhelming support for a no vote is likely to push the country towards fresh elections.

What happens if fresh elections take place?

The polls show the populist Beppe Grillo led Five Star Movement is just 5% behind Renzis Democratic Party and a win for the no vote can tilt the trend in favor of the 5SM.

The markets are wary of the 5SM because the party has promised to re-discuss the EU and euro parameters, and threatened to have a referendum to ask the public about the relationship with the euro area.

"If (the EU) won't listen to us, we will propose a referendum on the euro to ask the Italian citizens what they want to do," said Luigi Di Maio, a member of the Five Star Movement to CNBC.

Market reaction if a No vote wins

If a no vote wins and the Italian Prime Minister announces his resignation, the Italian yield spreads will widen in comparison to the German bunds, the Italian bank stocks will nose dive and traders will focus on the need to bail out Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS).

The European Central Bank will have to act swiftly and convincingly to stem the damage from the result. The EUR/USD is likely to fall close to 2%, according to various experts.

What happens if a yes vote wins

In the event of a win for the Prime Minister, the markets will heave a sigh of relief and the euro to dollar exchange rate is likely to show a knee jerk reaction by rising close to 2%.

Cyclically, EUR/USD rallies in the final weeks of the year.

Taking 20yrs of trading, the final 4-5 weeks of the year show a very strong gain on average for EUR/USD. There is debate over the reason for this, but it may be more a dollar phenomenon rather than euro specifically with corporations with dollar receivables exposure more actively hedging in preparation for the new calendar year ahead, said Derek Halpenny, European Head of GMR at MUFG, reports FXStreet.

However, this year the market will shift focus to the forthcoming policy meetings of the ECB and the US Fed.

Our View: What does the chart forecast for the EUR/USD exchange rate?

The EUR/USD has pulled back from the lows, however, a no vote can take the pair towards the lows of 1.046.

On the other hand, a win for the yes camp can take the pair above the 1.0710 levels and towards the 1.084 levels, close to the 50 day exponential moving average.

As the possibility of wild gyrations is high, it is better to wait for the market to settle down on Monday following the results before taking any fresh position on either side.

Leading FX Institutions and Their Forecasts

TD Securities suggest the FX markets have priced-in a "no" vote, but warn of ECB decision:

"For the Italian Referendum, we think that a No vote has largely been priced into markets already. The fragility of the Italian banking system leaves the risk though of an outsized market reaction."

"The ECB decision is likely to be the bigger market driver next week. We look for the ECB to gently, gently open the door to tapering its asset purchase programme in 2017."

"But we do look for a more hawkish QE scenario than what seems to be market consensus of a 6-month extension of purchases at an 80bn/month pace."

Their analysts note a possible rebound for the euro against the US dollar:

"While the dense event risk calendar is likely to see a bout of EUR volatility, the balance of risks favours a rebound against the USD and other major currencies."

"The extent of that will depend crucially, however, on how the ECB communicates its policy intent behind any decision to dial back on its pace of asset purchases."

UBS highlight the importance of the what comes after the "no vote", the next election in Italy:

"Crucially, however, Renzi's potential departure from the premiership does not in itself represent the most serious downside risk. What matters most is the outcome of the next general election, whenever this takes place (due by May 2018)."

"At the moment, opinion polls show support for Renzis PD as close to that for the anti establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), which is running on a eurosceptic platform, including a pledge to hold a referendum on Eurozone membership. See Italy - The referendum and beyond for a full write up and the associated impact on the Italian economy."
Friday, December 2, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 5 Authors Book Signing-LA County Store!

Contact: Peter Bedard, MA, C.Ht. (323) 384-8433, peter@convergencehealing.com

Highly-Recognized Authors Come Together for a Group Book Signing

Give the gift of health and healing and set your inner actor free!

(Los Angeles, Silver Lake, CA)  Peter Bedard, MA, C.Ht., author of Convergence Healing, Healing Pain with Energetic Love has gathered four of his friends and fellow authors to share their work with him at the super cool Los Angeles County Store in Silver Lake, CA. Bedard will be sharing his work along with actor guru Kevin E. West, 7 Deadly Sins the Actor Overcomes, activist Dr. Davina Kotulski, Behind Barbed Eyes, stress expert Dr. Kathy Gruver, Conquer Your Stress with Mind Body Techniques (five-time award-winner), and anti-pharmacist Dr. Leyla Ali, Off Balance, the American Way of Health.

The event will benefit Luxe Paws animal rescue (www.facebook.com/LuxePaws) based in North East Los Angeles with a raffle and is hosted by Mary Anne LoVerme, owner of the Los Angeles County Store, which features products and gift items from local Southern California artists, artisans, and craft makers.

Convergence Healing, Healing Pain with Energetic Love  Peter Bedard, MA, C.Ht. (Simon & Schuster/Enliven Books) is a story of how teacher and healer Peter Bedard came back from a near death experience (NDE) and healed himself of chronic pain and an assortment of dis-eases through a tried and true 10 step process he created and now uses with his clients across the globe. www.ConvergenceHealing.com

7 Deadly Sins the Actor Overcomes  Kevin E. West; Veteran television actor, expert opinion leader for the business of acting, public speaker and publisher. Founder of The Actors' Network. www.kevinewest.com, www.actors-network.com.

Behind Barbed Eyes  Dr. Davina Kotulski (Red Ink Press) When Bonnie Maldonado is incarcerated for driving the getaway car in a bank robbery, it's just another entry in the list of bad things that happen to her. A Dear John letter from her boyfriend, proves to be the final straw, and she breaks, drawing the attention of prison psychologist Dr. Victoria Thomas, an idealist who believes everyone deserves a second chance. Through their journey together, Maldonado and Thomas will uncover and face their darkest secrets and the consequences of their toughest choices. A realistic portrayal of the lives of women in prison and the prison system itself."

Off Balance, the American Way of Health  Dr. Leyla Ali, is a pharmacist's unique perspective of a failed healthcare system in which the medical doctors that many depend upon for all their healthcare needsare no longer trained in the basics of health; they are only trained in pharmaceutical drugs as a solution. She also has interviews with several individuals who have healed themselves from health conditions their doctors could not treat. www.DrLeylaAli.com

Conquer Your Stress with Mind Body Techniques  Dr. Kathy Gruver (Lotus Press) is a buffet of options for reducing your stress. Included is how to recognize stress, how stress manifests in the body and then dozens of techniques like meditation, mindfulness, visualizations and many more. This five-time award-winning book has something for everyone! www.thealternativemedicinecabinet.com

For more information call (323) 384-8433 or email peter@ConvergenceHealing.com

Saturday December 10, 2016



5:00 pm to 7:00 pm



LA County Store



4333 Sunset Boulevard, LA, CA 90029
When information emerges that minorities are not participating in employer-sponsored retirement savings plans in equal numbers and have less access to them, the news is bad for San Antonio and its Hispanic majority population.

Hispanic and black families cannot build up household wealth or pass on wealth through inheritances in percentages similar to the rest of the country if they are not saving for retirement.

The latest information came recently from the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington-based think tank specializing in economic policies for low- and middle-income workers.

Only 34.5 percent of Hispanic workers employed at companies offering retirement savings plans, such as the 401(k) plan, participated in the plan in 2012.

The participation rate for non-Hispanic whites was 58.8 percent. The participation rate for blacks was 52.6 percent.

Employers with 401(k) plans often match part of the pay employees set aside for retirement savings as an incentive to participate. The plans also allow savers to defer income taxes on the amounts they contribute toward retirement savings.

Other retirement savings exist besides those offered by employers, such as individual retirement plans. Again, Hispanics lag. Only 26 percent of Hispanic working-age families had a retirement savings account of any kind as of 2013. Sixty-five percent of non-Hispanic white families had retirement accounts then, as did 41 percent of black families.

In addition, minorities had lower median savings in retirement accounts. Hispanic and black workers who have retirement savings accounts of some kind had saved a median amount of $22,000 in 2013, compared with $73,000 for non-Hispanic white families.

The 2012-13 figures were used by EPI because the U.S. Census Bureau changed its Current Population Survey questions in 2014, causing unexplainable drops in participation rates and casting doubts about the surveys accuracy over the past two years.

But the retirement savings survey results have been similar going back to the 1980s. The institute offers no reason to indicate that participation and savings trends have changed much since 2013.

One of the sad aspects about the disparity is that Hispanics need retirement savings more than other ethnic groups because they live longer.

According to the institute, Hispanic life expectancies are 86.1 years, vs. 84.3 years for non-Hispanic whites and 83.1 years for blacks.

This all adds up to one truth: Hispanics and blacks must rely on Social Security more and often must work past normal retirement ages.

More information is needed to help national policymakers understand whether current retirement savings tax incentives are strong enough to avoid a disastrous retirement crisis in the coming years.

Ruth Rivera is not surprised by the institutes analysis. Rivera is a certified 401(k) specialist and retirement plan services vice president for Bukaty Companies Financial Services in Austin. She works with companies and their retirement plans across Texas and has San Antonio clients.

If advisers (to companies) dont understand the culture and the language, they cant relate with Hispanic employees at companies offering retirement plans, Rivera said.

Retirement plan marketing materials and web pages might be in Spanish as well as English, Rivera said, but the forms, the investment languages and the plan highlights are always just in English. Thats the most important information, she said.

Plan advisers often dont take the time to work with employees making $15,000 or $20,000 a year because the fees are not high enough, even though those are the workers who most need to save, Rivera said.

A companys top human resources manager is the key to making sure plan advisers are truly involved in educating workers about the need to save for retirement, she added. But they (HR staffers) often are overwhelmed at their jobs, she said.

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.

The institute points to another possible way to boost retirement savings. It cites a Secure Choice retirement savings program signed into law in California in September. Several other states have similar programs, but not Texas.

The California version requires employers with five or more employees to automatically enroll their workers in individual retirement accounts with an initial default contribution rate of 3 percent of wages, which could ultimately increase to 8 percent.

This is not costly to employers because the law does not require the company to match the contributions. Under the California law, employers could devise their own retirement plans, such as a 401(k), to avoid having to comply with the Secure Choice program rules. Employees who do not wish to save for retirement under Secure Choice or another program still can opt out.

Under the Secure Choice plan, wage contributions from workers would be held in managed accounts invested in U.S. Treasurys or other low-risk investments for the first three years. A state board would authorize other investment choices in future years.

Proposals in Congress to make a similar program national have gone nowhere. Rivera agrees Texas needs to be a state with Secure Choice-type plan. Its not that hard, and it would help the outlook for so many families.

If someone had done this (require enrollment) with my mom and my uncle, who are in their 70s, they would have money, Rivera said. I want my race, la raza, to be up there in the numbers with the other cultures. Theres a lack of information that fits our culture. I have a long road ahead of me.

dhendricks@express-news.net
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INDIANAPOLIS  The long-promised call from Donald Trump to the heating and cooling giant Carrier came early one morning about a week after the election, when he unexpectedly won the industrial heartland.

The president-elect warned Gregory Hayes, the chief executive of Carriers parent, United Technologies, that he had to find a way to save a substantial share of the jobs it had vowed to move to Mexico, or he would face the wrath of the incoming administration.

On Thursday, as he toured the factory floor here to take credit for saving roughly half of the 2,000 jobs Indiana stood to lose, Trump sent a message to other businesses as well that he intended to follow through on his pledges to impose stiff tariffs on imports from companies that move production overseas and ship their products back to the United States.

This is the way its going to be, Trump said in an interview with the New York Times. Corporate America is going to have to understand that we have to take care of our workers also.

Trump was accompanied by his vice president-elect, Mike Pence, who is currently Indianas governor. He was in the room at Trump Tower when the president-elect placed his initial call to Hayes, and he was the one who sealed the deal with the chief executive with a handshake in the building Monday.

I dont want them moving out of the country without consequences, Trump said, even if that means angering the free-market-oriented Republicans he beat in the primaries but will have to work with on Capitol Hill.

The free market has been sorting it out ,and Americas been losing, Pence added, as Trump interjected, Every time, every time.

But since the pact was disclosed Tuesday, critics have pounced on Carriers receipt of $7 million in incentives from the state of Indiana  just the kind of corporate giveaways Trump knocked as he slammed Carrier on the campaign trail last spring.

Others have pointed out that cutting individual deals with different companies is a costly and ineffective way to stem the powerful forces that impel business to move factories and jobs in a highly competitive global and national economy.

He has signaled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., wrote in an op-ed on Thursday for the Washington Post.

In Washington, Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, suggested that Carriers decision, while good news, was only a drop in the bucket.

Mr. Trump would have to make 804 more announcements just like that to equal the standard of jobs in the manufacturing sector that were created in this country under President Obamas watch, Earnest said. So this is good news, but the incoming president has a high bar to meet when it comes to putting in place the kind of economic policies that would benefit American workers.

Still, Trumps appeal is likely to lead to a more fundamental shift in the way Washington approaches dealing with corporate decisions on where to locate jobs.

Contrary to early reactions from the left and the right, the Carrier deal opens the door to a new approach to U.S. economic growth policy that is sorely needed, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a research and advocacy group, said in a statement. It sets the precedent that growing, attracting and retaining globally traded, innovation-based industries that are both high-value and pay high wages is central to U.S. economic growth.

Despite the cheers Trump received as he walked around the factory floor, where the lines continued to run and he had to shout at times to be heard, another 1,000 workers for the company in Indiana will be losing their jobs.

This includes 700 at a United Technologies factory in nearby Huntington, as well as several hundred here. The 800 or so jobs that are being preserved are mostly on the lines that build medium- and high-efficiency gas furnaces.

Not long after Trump and Pence departed for the airport and to another rally in Ohio to celebrate his victory, workers coming in for the night shift received a letter titled Company Update on Indianapolis Operations.

While this announcement is good news for many, we recognize it is not good news for everyone, the letter stated. We are moving forward with previously announced plans to relocate the fan coil manufacturing lines, with the expected completion by the end of 2017.

United Technologies, Carriers parent, saw the writing on the wall as soon as Trump declared victory last month. The offer to preserve jobs, even at the cost of some of the $65 million savings the company expected from the move, could serve its larger corporate interests.

Every penny counts, but if we step back and Im looking at earnings of $6.60 per share this year, 2 cents is an easy concession if the president-elect listens to some of the companys bigger concerns, said Howard Rubel, a senior equity analyst with Jefferies, an investment banking firm in New York.

And Trump and Pence, while providing a carrot through the state incentives and promises of future business tax cuts, held an implicit stick: the threat of pulling federal contracts from United Technologies. Trump and his team were well aware that the amount the company stood to lose in those contracts dwarfed the savings from moving some of its operations to Monterrey, Mexico, from Indiana.

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.

Despite only accomplishing half of what had been promised in the campaign, Trump and Pence predicted that the number of jobs ultimately preserved could rise as Carrier follows through on its promise to invest more than $16 million in the state.

That provision plus the incentives were worked out between Carrier and officials from the state of Indianas economic development office, with Pence overseeing the process.

The vice president-elect insisted that the incentives did not represent a giveaway on Trumps part, saying United Technologies had turned down a similar-size package of breaks in March.

What made the difference, he said, was Trumps public pressure, as well his promise to cut corporate taxes and ease regulation.

These jobs were gone, Pence said. I sat the executives down in my governors office in the statehouse in early March. They said we arent in a position to reconsider this in any way, shape or form.

Trump, too, played down the role of the incentives. And he said he did not directly raise the $5 billion to $6 billion in federal contracts United Technologies receives, much of it from the Pentagon.

But company officials are acutely aware that its Pratt & Whitney unit, among other things, supplies jet engines to the Air Forces most advanced fighter and many other planes, making it much more vulnerable to political pressure than other, lesser-known manufacturers that have been steadily closing shop in the Midwest and moving production south of the border.

It may have a played a role in their equation, Trump allowed. I never mentioned it. I didnt feel I had to.

What about the fact that Trump frequently sourced products for his properties overseas, along with some popular Trump-branded merchandise? Will he lead by example and buy more goods made in the USA?

I buy thousands and thousands of TVs, he said. I would like to, but they essentially dont make them in the U.S. You know the hats I do? It took us forever to find a company that can make a hat in the U.S.
Plans to have women register for the draft were dropped by lawmakers in the draft of the national defense bill released this week.

Conservatives in both the Senate and House objected to the provision to register women in the Selective Service System, Leo Shane at Military Times reported.

Early drafts of the annual defense authorization bill included women in the draft in response to the opening of combat roles to women, Shane wrote.

I dont think you want to take half your population off the sidelines in case of a national emergency, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who served in the Air Force for years, told the Huffington Post earlier this year.

The Selective Service System was put in place in the event of a draft, but the military has not used conscription since it became an all-volunteer military in 1973.

The Senates Republican Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, said he believed women should register, but the effort to strip the provision from the NDAA came from lawmakers such as Rep. Mac Thornberry and Sen. Ted Cruz.

I cannot in good conscience vote to draft our daughters into the military, sending them off to war and forcing them into combat, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said, as reported by the Huffington Post. I will continue my efforts to speak out against the effort to force Americas daughters into combat.

As a practical matter, women troops have been exposed to combat conditions for a long time, Gregory Korte and Tom Vanden Brook at USA Today noted.

More than 280,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan out of nearly 2.5 million troops. In those wars, 152 women have died in battle or from non-combat causes and more than 950 have been wounded in action.

In a statement to USA Today, President Barack Obama became the first president to endorse universal draft registration since Jimmy Carter.

The statement was mostly symbolic, coming after the provision had already been stripped from the NDAA, USA Today wrote.

The $618.7 billion NDAA defense bill funds the Pentagons programs and overseas wars.

The Washington Post reports the NDAA also includes expanded authority to develop the nations missile defenses, an extension and expansion of a program to provide visas to Afghans who worked for the United States military and embassy mission as translators and interpreters, and provisions prohibiting the president from spending money to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay were also included.
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AUSTIN  The ornaments that adorn the Christmas tree in the Texas House include treasures as distinct as the 150 lawmakers wholl take their places in the chamber come January, and with good reason.

State representatives have the opportunity each year to supply an ornament highlighting something special about their districts.

Some are charmingly decorated by schoolchildren, some are created by artists. Some represent an important cause, were made as a family project or illustrate a lawmakers sense of fun.

The project was initiated by Speaker Joe Straus wife, Julie, after her husband was elected to the House leadership spot and she contemplated the need to decorate a giant tree in the chamber each holiday season.

We just didnt know where all those ornaments were going to come from, but we did know that members loved their districts and had lots of things to be proud of within those districts. So necessity was the mother of invention here, she said.

We bought hundreds of these clear glass ornaments and invited members to identify something special about their district, something about the way their community celebrated Christmas, and illustrate that on one of these ornaments, she said. What came back was just beyond anything we ever could have imagined.

A favorite of hers features peppers and was crafted by former El Paso Rep. Chente Quintanillas grandchildren. Another favorite, bright red with green leaves, was contributed by former Jacksonville Rep. Chuck Hopson as a reminder that his hometown once was given the title Tomato Capital of the World.

Straus ornament this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts Gold Award, its highest distinction. Last year, there were two Straus ornaments, one representing the Childrens Bereavement Center of South Texas and the other, the Childrens Shelter in San Antonio.

Leslie Wood, director of grief education and community response at the Bereavement Center, helped decorate last years tree with one of her daughters, Meredith, now 9, who recalls it as a special day that included a Capitol tour. Woods girls were clients at the center after their father died.

The opportunity to help with the House tree was one of the unexpected joys that you find after something really, really sad and horrible like that happens. There still can be good, shining times in your life, Wood said.

With the warmth of Christmas decorating comes the risk of broken ornaments, and the Texas House is no exception. Straus confessed to having accidentally broken one herself and being scared to death to call the lawmaker who had contributed it. She could not have been more gracious, she said.

Unfortunately, there are about one or two casualties every year, she said, particularly since some lawmakers fill the ornaments despite warnings not to do so. Invariably, during every party, you hear a little splat, and there it goes.

But theres a bright side: Youd be amazed at how many artists are delighted to paint another one and it shows up in one or two days, she said. They are amazingly nimble in the face of adversity.

The House isnt alone in getting gussied up for the holidays. The Senate chamber has its own tree under Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and the senators were invited to bring a favorite ornament from their district to decorate it.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
After an extraordinarily contentious election, crucial elements of the rules that determine how Americans vote will be under assault from conservatives and facing legal challenges heading toward the Supreme Court as Donald Trump prepares to become president.

Trumps claims of a rigged election  made before he won  and his false declaration after his victory that millions of people voted illegally for Hillary Clinton made headlines.

They also amplified long-standing Republican claims that rampant voter fraud justified a welter of state laws making it more difficult to register and vote. Democrats say the laws are not about combating fraud but about suppressing the vote of minorities and other Democratic-leaning constituencies.

Trump will have enormous power to shape future policy on voting.

The last time we had a national government that was as hostile to the protection of minority voting rights as we may have with this president was probably near the end of the first Reconstruction after the Civil War, said Pamela S. Karlan, a Stanford University law professor, who was a deputy assistant attorney general under President Barack Obama until 2015.

There are still strong Republican protectors and champions of voting rights, she said. But they dont seem to have the whip hand in their own party.

Such concerns could prove overstated. Beyond warnings of fraud, Trump has offered little specific about his views on voting rights. Four Trump transition officials did not reply to emailed requests for comment.

One conservative scholar of election law, Hans A. von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, called the worries way overboard.

The emphasis may be a little different, he said. But this idea that when Republicans come in, theyre suddenly going to stop enforcing the Voting Rights Act and other laws  the evidence doesnt bear it out.

Trump will take office at a pivotal moment in a battle over the rules governing voting and elections, one in which voting-rights advocates seemed to be gaining an upper hand.

Several potentially decisive federal court rulings on voting rules and redistricting, most favoring voting-rights advocates, now appear bound for a Supreme Court whose ideological balance is in Trumps hands. Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a linchpin of some of those cases, will fall to a Justice Department whose likely attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is viewed with deep suspicion by civil rights advocates.

One Trump adviser, Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state, is among the most aggressive national crusaders for voting restrictions.

Entering a meeting with Trump last week, Mr. Kobach was photographed carrying a sheaf of policy recommendations. The visible text proposed to Draft Amendments to the National Voter  an apparent reference to the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, the motor voter law that has come under sharp attack from Republicans.

The law prohibits states from purging voters from the rolls for technical reasons like moving within a district, and imposes a waiting period and other requirements to remove voters.

Conservatives say the requirements keep ineligible voters on the rolls and promote fraud. Democrats say the law prevents partisan purges of poor and minority voters.

Kobach, who once suggested that Obama was plotting to replace U.S. voters with socialist-leaning legalized immigrants, is the leading advocate of requiring everyone to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote instead of swearing an oath. Critics say the poor are far less likely to have those documents, and the costs of obtaining them essentially amount to a poll tax, which has long been unconstitutional.

But some actions that voting-rights advocates call regressive actually would improve election integrity and efficiency, von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation said. Requiring citizenship documents, he argued, would reduce fraud. And he said Obamas Justice Department has failed to enforce the part of the motor-voter law that requires election officials to cull voter lists of people who have died or moved.

A Justice Department while Trump is in office is likely to press on both those fronts, he said.

In general, he noted, Obamas Justice Department has filed far fewer lawsuits to enforce the Voting Rights Act than the department under President George W. Bush, where von Spakovsky worked on civil rights cases.

Theyve been sitting on their rumps for eight years, he said.

Others say the departments Civil Rights Division in the Bush era was sometimes a hostile environment  an inspector generals report noted that one leader compared voting-rights lawyers to mold spores  and that Obama-era lawsuits, while fewer in number, have had national rather than local impacts.

Trumps greatest influence over election policy may lie in the Supreme Court, where he has pledged to nominate a reliable conservative to the seat vacated by Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February.

At least two major voting lawsuits against the Texas and North Carolina state governments seem likely to be appealed to the court. In both, federal courts of appeals this summer voided or modified Republican laws requiring voters to produce photo IDs, saying they disproportionately reduced minorities turnout.

The court has upheld photo ID requirements before. But the new cases marshal far more evidence of their outsize effect on minority voters. The North Carolina ruling concluded that the state intentionally imposed restrictive rules with almost surgical precision to suppress African-American voters.

Whether the Supreme Court will agree is an open question. Many legal experts say the eight justices appear evenly split over whether the Texas and North Carolina laws violate the Voting Rights Act or the Constitution. Should the cases be heard after a Trump nominee is approved, legal analysts agree, the chance that the laws will be reinstated will markedly increase.

If it is someone whose stance is like Justice Scalia, you should expect a reversal of the appeals courts, said Ellen D. Katz, a former Justice Department lawyer and a law professor at the University of Michigan. Every signal theyve given us to date is that they would overturn the decisions.

Yet some analysts are less certain. In recent cases, for example, courts have broadly agreed that ID laws must be written so that people who cannot reasonably obtain required identification cards still get an opportunity to vote.

Courts are going to insist on a safety net for voters without proper IDs, said Edward B. Foley, a professor and director of the Election Law Project at Ohio State Universitys law school. Even conservative appeals judges are buying into that.

The Supreme Court also seems certain to address a second important question: whether majority parties in state and local governments can gerrymander political maps during redistricting, redrawing boundaries in ways that solidify their hold on power.

Gerrymandering to dilute minority voters power has long been illegal. But while justices have said partisan gerrymandering is wrong, they have never decided whether they can outlaw it. Three partisan gerrymandering cases are moving toward hearings in a Supreme Court that some experts say could be poised to rein in the tactic, even with a Trump appointee.

Other policy questions remain unanswered, Katz and others said, including whether the Justice Department will pursue voting rights lawsuits that the Obama administration started or joined. Nor is it clear how vigorously it will enforce Voting Rights Act clauses that remain.

The 2013 ruling ended the departments power to oversee voting and election rules in jurisdictions with histories of racial bias. Advocacy groups and pro bono lawyers have assumed some of those watchdog duties. But whether the agency will enforce remaining clauses of the law by bringing or joining lawsuits like those in the Texas and North Carolina cases is unknown.

The consequences here will be in what they dont do as well as what they affirmatively do, Katz said. Should enforcement taper off, she said, its not clear that the private bar can step up and do all the things the Justice Department has been doing.

Still, officials at voting-rights organizations said they hope to build a bipartisan consensus on issues like automatic voter registration and restoring voting rights to ex-felons where some Republicans support reforms.

Beyond that, they said, they will regroup and decide what causes are most important.

One leading organization, Common Cause, will renew efforts to block any resurgence of state or federal laws making registration or voting more difficult. Theres a concern at the federal level that there could be the introduction of laws to make photo IDs a national requirement or to require documentary proof of citizenship at registration, said Allegra Chapman, the groups director of voting and elections.

It is a sharp turnabout from the scenario most expected would unfold under a Clinton presidency.

Whats the phrase? These are the times that try mens souls, said Lloyd Leonard, director for advocacy at the League of Women Voters in Washington. Well be playing defense in a number of areas.

______

Steve Eder contributed reporting.
In the annals of NIMBY  Not In My Backyard  now comes a helipad.

The backyard is Tobin Hill, a gentrifying neighborhood just north of downtown. The helipad will soon sit atop Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, a 330-bed facility on the southern edge of the neighborhood  that is, unless a contingent of residents has anything to do with it.

On Thursday evening, in the living room of a century-old Tobin Hill home, Jerry Cohen led a meeting of about a dozen residents opposed to the hospitals plans, most of them upset about the coming noise of helicopters flying in and out of the neighborhood at all hours.

The best thing we can do is make it a neighborhood issue, Cohen said, acknowledging that the hospital needs no prior approval to begin construction. Are they and do they want to be a good neighbor?

Hospital officials insist that they do.

We dont want to be a nuisance or a hindrance to the neighbors, said Palmira Arellano, vice president of marketing and public relations for Methodist Healthcare. Weve established that most of the neighborhood will be a no-fly zone.

Every month, the hospital accepts about 150 patients from rural counties outside Bexar County.

About six are brought here by helicopter; the absence of a helipad means these patients  many of them heart attack or stroke victims  must first land at Baptist Medical Center across Interstate 35 before an ambulance can take them to Methodist.

If you have a heart attack or a stroke, time is of the essence, Arellano said.

None of this has earned the sympathy of Cohen, whose living room looks out on the hospitals tower.

If a patient is really that medically emergent, they can go to a different Methodist hospital with a helipad, he said, adding, My concern isnt the approach (of the helicopter). No matter where youre approaching from, youre still landing a block and a half from my house.

The hospital has the full support of the Tobin Hill Community Association, according to its president, Cody Doege.

Every board member voted in favor of the hospital having this pad, Doege told me Thursday. We talked about it and felt it was a very good idea.

Later that day, I learned that Greg Seiler, chief executive officer of Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, is on the associations 11-member board, although he lives in Alamo Heights. Seiler did not return a call for comment.

I dont think the residents of Alamo Heights would tolerate a helicopter taking off and landing in their neighborhood, Cohen said. I dont know why the residents of Tobin Hill would tolerate a helicopter taking off and landing in their neighborhood.

When I called Doege back Friday to ask whether Seiler had recused himself from the boards vote, he told me there actually had not been one.

There was no objection, Doege said. The discussion was brought up about the hospital installing the helipad, and there was no objection to the helipad.

He added, It wasnt something we were voting on to accept because truly, in my assessment, the hospital can put a helipad in if they want to put a helipad in. So its a matter of working together.

Last month, after the board had discussed the matter, Seiler came to an association meeting to talk about the planned flight path and how the hospital and the FAA are working together to minimize noise, according to a public meeting report on the THCA website.

Jeff Moorhead, Cohens partner, said he attended that meeting.

They compared (the helicopter noise) to whispering in a dark room or birds calling, Moorhead said. It was just absurd.

Doege said he hoped residents would keep an open mind.

None of us know how its going to sound, he said.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
Alma E. Hernandez, For the San Antonio Express News / Alma E. Hernandez / For the San Antonio Express News

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A group of local Democratic precinct chairs has launched an effort to persuade party chairman Manuel Medina to run for mayor.

The move comes on the heels of a successful November election run for Bexar County Democrats, who defied national and state trends by dominating their contested races. Under Medinas get-out-the-vote leadership, local Dems flipped three legislative seats and the sheriffs office and swept the judicial slate.

One veteran Democrat, who was invited to a recent draft-Medina meeting, said the chairmans champions are thinking, We can translate the November results to a nonpartisan city race.

Medina did not respond to an interview request, but Gloria Uribe, a precinct chair who has encouraged him to run, said Medina is giving the idea serious thought.

If he makes the leap, Medina would be joining a candidate field that includes incumbent Ivy Taylor and District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg. Southwest Side Councilman Rey Saldana is also viewed as a possible contender.

Medina, a native of Mexico, spent more than $100,000 of his own money to unseat the late Choco Meza as Bexar County party chair in 2012. For a couple of reasons, he would be an unconventional mayoral candidate.

First, as a high-powered political consultant who has masterminded campaigns in Panama and other Latin American countries, Medinas role generally has been that of kingmaker, rather than king.

Also, even by the standards of past party chairs, he has been an aggressively partisan  and unabashedly provocative  figure.

For example, in the weeks before the 2014 midterm election, he launched a series of Spanish-language ads (bankrolled by personal-injury attorney Thomas J. Henry) on Univision that characterized tea party Republicans as radical terrorists. Its hard to see how that history would play on the conservative North Side in a nonpartisan race that demands a broad coalition of support.

Medina views his party organization as an instrument for social change and has brought tremendous energy to his leadership role. By any of the usual metrics, he has been effective: tapping into new fundraising sources; filling precinct chair positions; working on outreach to the African-American community; and building the kind of grass-roots machine that gave Bexar County Democrats a straight-ticket voting edge of nearly 58,000 this year.

But he also has a tendency to cut corners and blur ethical boundaries.

In 2013, he organized a straw-poll fundraiser at the Granada Ballroom that required Democratic primary candidates to shell out $250 apiece for a promotional booth and a speaking slot at the event. Some candidates privately seethed, sensing that the party chairman was using his organization for a pay-to-play shakedown.

The next year, his consulting firm, Professional Campaign Services, received more than $452,000 for campaign work from U.S. Senate candidate David Alameel at a time when Alameel faced Democratic primary opposition. Medinas critics were alarmed that the chairman profited from taking sides in an intraparty contest and used the partys office as a de facto headquarters for Alameel.

Nonetheless, local Democrats who embraced Medinas insurgent campaign for party chair four years ago now feel vindicated by his organizational successes.

I think he would make a very good mayor, Uribe said. If he runs, hes running to win.

Castros UTSA option

Last Wednesdays column focused on the political possibilities for Julian Castro once he completes his tenure as secretary of Housing and Urban Development in January.

But theres a nonpolitical option for the former San Antonio mayor thats quietly gaining steam: UTSA president.

Dr. Ricardo Romo, who has served as the universitys president since 1999, announced in September that he will step down next August, and the university is in the process of picking a successor.

Such a move would make sense for Castro, given his longtime focus on education. In countless mayoral speeches and interviews, he described brainpower as the new currency of success, and his legacy achievement as mayor  Pre-K 4 SA  created an early education program intended to be a model for other communities.

Best of all, the UTSA position would give Castro a public platform, while taking him out of the divisive arena of partisan politics.

ggarcia@express-news.net

Twitter: @gilgamesh470
The British farming sector needs to 'produce more' and is now more than ever dependent on food imports, Judith Batchelar, Sainsburys brand director has said.

In 2013 the UK was 55 per cent self-sufficient in vegetable production and 10 per cent self-sufficient in fruit production, according to Defra's horticultural statistics. Overall, self-sufficiency in fresh produce has decreased from 46 per cent in 2000 to 34 per cent in 2013.

The latest statistics reveal the UK is around 60 per cent self-sufficient in food, it produces enough food to last for 219 days. In 1991 self-sufficiency was 75 per cent and the figure has also dropped by two per cent since last year.

Speaking to the Sainsbury's farming conference, she said the UK is more exposed than it has ever been to the export trade, "we have to produce more."

"We need to build a much more resilient food system, we are starting to live the new industrial revolution through big data, the internet of things and cloud computing.

"We need to get our fair share of what the government is putting into the new industrial strategy," she said.

Mike Coupe, Sainsbury's chief executive said it was important for government to recognise that the UK food industry is the biggest employer and exporter.

"We're working with the representative groups including the NFU and British Retail Consortium to make sure our views are represented."
Seventeen of the UKs leading wildlife, conservation and environment groups are calling for the current EU restrictions on neonicotinoid insecticides to be retained  and extended to all crops - to 'protect Britain's bees'.

In an open letter to the UK government, the organisations say it is clear that there is now more than enough evidence to retain the ban and extend it to all crops, and that this is essential to reverse the decline of bees and other pollinators.

The EU restrictions, which ban the use of three neonicotinoids on flowering crops, is due to be reviewed next year. The ban was introduced in 2013 after European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that the chemicals posed a 'high acute risk' to honey bees.

In the letter, the organisations - which include Friends of the Earth, RSPB, Greenpeace, The Wildlife Trusts, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation and Bat Conservation Trust - say: Since 2013 many more independent laboratory and field studies have found neonics impairing the ability of different bee species to feed, navigate and reproduce resulting in declining populations.

The government says it will not hesitate to act on evidence of harm. The third anniversary of the neonics restrictions is Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsoms chance to catch up with scientific evidence and public opinion by keeping and extending the ban as part of properly protecting Britains bees and pollinating insects.

Farmers access to right inputs 'crucial'

Food sustainability and agriculture experts at the University of Hertfordshire say pesticides have an important role

In a debate on crop protection at CropTec 2016 this week, National Farmers Union chief crops adviser Guy Gagen said farmers need to be ready to talk to the public about crop protection products, and to emphasise the work farmers to do for the environment and to promote biodiversity on their farm.

The NFU has been meeting with both domestic and European politicians, Defra government officials and stakeholders to deliver the message that it is 'crucial' that farmers have access to the right inputs so their farm businesses can be 'competitive, profitable and progressive'.

Mr Gagen stressed the importance of increasing public awareness around the use of crop protection products, such as pesticides, underlining their importance to farm businesses.

He said: We still have to deal with regulatory pressures coming through the EU, these are not going away and without key products, the situation for farmers could become very serious, very quickly.

There are simple, but effective, measures available to promote biodiversity and protect water such as keeping slug pellets and herbicides out of the water and participation in stewardship schemes such as the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.

Agriculture experts from the University of Hertfordshire have said key crop protection products, such as pesticides, play an important role in ensuring food is safe and healthy for the world's population. Global food production could fall by as much as 35-40 per cent without them, the scientists warn.

'Dozens of new studies'

Three of the UKs leading bee experts have said that the scientific case against the use of the three pesticides has grown over the past three years, and that the restrictions should continue and be extended to other crops.

Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology at Sussex University, said that three years ago, EFSA's analysis of the scientific evidence concluded that neonicotinoids 'pose an unacceptable risk to bees'.

Since then dozens of new studies from around the world have been published, including a major Swedish field trial in which neonicotinoids were shown to impact profoundly on bumblebee colonies and solitary bees.

Work from Italy has showed that even tiny doses of neonicotinoids impair the immune system of honeybees, rendering them susceptible to infections. Perhaps more concerning, it has become clear that neonicotinoids are persistent and pervasive in the environment, so that soils, wildflowers, ponds and rivers commonly contain significant levels.

He said: This widespread pollution of the environment with these potent neurotoxins has now been linked not just to bee declines but also to declines in butterflies, aquatic insects, and insect-eating birds. With farmland wildlife populations in free fall, it is surely time to extend the moratorium on neonicotinoids to cover other uses."

Open letter in full

December 1st marks the third anniversary of the introduction of Europe-wide restrictions on three neonicotinoid pesticides - often known as 'neonics' - after they were found by scientists to pose a "high acute risk" to honeybees.

It is clear that there is now more than enough evidence to retain the ban and extend it to all crops, and that this is essential to reverse the decline of bees and other pollinators.

Since 2013 many more independent laboratory and field studies have found neonics impairing the ability of different bee species to feed, navigate and reproduce resulting in declining populations.

There is now solid evidence of harm from neonics to wild bumble and solitary bees which are even more sensitive to these pesticides than honeybees. Evidence has also grown of neonics harming the wider environment with studies indicating a link to butterfly population decline, identifying risks to bird species and finding neonics accumulating to dangerous levels in wildflowers surrounding crops.

2017 will be a crucial year for decisions on bees as scientists will publish the official review of the evidence of harm to bees from the three restricted neonicotinoids.

The government says it will not hesitate to act on evidence of harm. The third anniversary of the neonics restrictions is Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsoms chance to catch up with scientific evidence and public opinion by keeping and extending the ban as part of properly protecting Britains bees and pollinating insects.

Yours faithfully,

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive, Friends of the Earth

Dr Jeremy Biggs, Director, Freshwater Habitats Trust

Pauline Buchanan Black, Director General, The Tree Council

Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive, Sustain

Martin Harper, Conservation Director, RSPB

Heidi Herrmann, Co-Founder, Natural Beekeeping Trust

Dr Maggie Keegan, Head of Policy, Scottish Wildlife Trust

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, Angling Trust & Fish Legal

Peter Melchett, Policy Director, Soil Association

John Sauven, Executive Director, Greenpeace UK

Matt Shardlow, Chief Executive, Buglife

Kit Stoner, Chief Executive, Bat Conservation Trust

Steve Trent, Executive Director, Environmental Justice Foundation

Steve Trotter, Director, The Wildlife Trusts

Dr Keith Tyrell, Director, Pesticides Action Network

Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive, Butterfly Conservation

Catherine Weller, Head of Biodiversity Programme, ClientEarth
Farmers do not trust the Welsh government to deliver fit for purpose subsidies when the UK leaves the European Union, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has said.

Speaking on the first day of the Royal Welsh Fair, Mr Davies said farmers had more confidence in the UK government rather than the devolved assembly. Currently, under the EU CAP policy, Wales receives around 250m per year.

"There is a view among farmers and most businessmen and women in the rural economy that they would not trust the Welsh government to deliver a package of support that would be fit for purpose, they would have greater confidence in the UK government being able to do that.

"From my conversations with people in agriculture, and I am a farmer myself, most people seem to identify a role, an important role, for the UK Government in shaping UK government policies because there is such a thing as UK agriculture."

But Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths said there was 'little appetite' from farmers for Westminster to take control.

"I have detected little appetite for Westminster to retake responsibility over agriculture in Wales. Indeed, many have indicated a keen willingness to work with me to develop distinctively Welsh agriculture policies, responsive to the unique needs and interests of Wales' farming communities," she said.

Dr Andrew Francis, the NFU's chief economics and international affairs adviser, said: "he EU single market is by far our biggest export destination, and access to foreign markets is crucial for farming businesses.

"The NFU is urging government to limit our exposure to imports produced at lower standards in order to safeguard our sensitive sectors. It is a very early stage to formulate a detailed alternative to CAP. However, we need a flexible policy framework reflecting the business and trade settlement that includes volatility mitigation and a broad scheme for the farmed environment, amongst other measures."

'Thousands of farms at risk'

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mark Williams launched the 'not a penny less' campaign in September, highlighting that the UK is 'failing' to support farmers in the long term.

"The subsidy regime is not something farmers welcome but it's a reality for the farming industry at the moment. There has been some concern in farming circles that those existing subsidies will be removed... this is a lifeline so I understand their anxiety.

"The ramifications of many farming businesses going bust [are] huge for rural communities. It's at that point you factor in how feasible it is for village schools to stay open, as well as other service providers and bus routes."

He said that "on balance", he would prefer to see the Welsh Government, not UK ministers, keep control of farm support payments.

The Lib-Dems said 4,402 farms in the South West alone were at risk. Nationally, it estimates 20,600 farmers would be driven out of businesses unless they continue to get financial support.

"Farmers making decisions now about buying livestock and investing for the future are being left in the dark about what will come after 2020. I am calling on the government to reassure farmers that they are not going to face cuts to the support they rely on after 2020," said Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.

'UK government has failed'

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Simon Thomas, has hit out at Wales' Tory leader.

According to Plaid Cymru, the UK Government has 'failed' to guarantee that payments will continue beyond 2020, despite the guarantee of the Leave campaign ahead of the referendum that Welsh EU cash would be maintained.

Plaid Cymru's Simon Thomas AM said: "Back in June, Andrew RT Davies loudly proclaimed "we now know that funding for each and every part of the UK would be safe if we vote to leave." Five months on and the empty pledges made by the Brexiteers to Welsh farmers are unravelling.

"Rural Wales benefits greatly from EU funding. Far from guaranteeing that direct payments will continue post-2020, the UK Government has completely failed to offer any security to farmers whose livelihoods are on the line.

"With this attitude being adopted by the Westminster government, it is absurd and irresponsible for the Leader of the Conservatives in Wales to claim that farming subsidies would be better administered from London.
Hundreds of farmers in areas that were badly affected by last winter's storms are still waiting to receive emergency funding to restore agricultural land.

The winter floods struck on December 4 2015 with intense rainfall hitting farming communities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, County Durham and Greater Manchester.

Two thirds of surveyed Cumbrian farmers suffered damage to riverbanks, over half were left with gravel deposits on their land while more than 700 sheep were killed by flood waters.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) was instrumental in establishing the Farming Recovery Fund, and around 1,100 applications have been made totalling over 9million. The fund covers activities such as drain and boundary repairs and reseeding.

Last winter's floodings caused havoc for many farmers

However, NFU Deputy President Minette Batters said it was extremely frustrating that hundreds of farmers were bracing themselves for another winter while still waiting for funding to help recover from the previous one.

Storm Desmond and the subsequent flooding brought devastation to farming businesses and many are still feeling the effects. Farmers have faced months of uncertainty over access to the flood recovery fund, piled on top of delays to their annual farm payments. This is totally unacceptable and must be resolved as a matter of urgency.

Scotland and Northern Ireland had their farming recovery funds done and dusted by the middle of 2016. So why are so many farmers in England being forced to wait for their emergency funding? The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) created some delays when processing the original applications. But we appreciate that they are still waiting to receive claims from affected farmers partly due to the high level of evidence farmers are required to submit.

'Whole catchment approach'

Early next year, the NFU will be launching its flooding manifesto. This will set out policy asks and action for government and others to mitigate flood risk in the future.

Miss Batters continued: We believe a whole catchment approach to flood management must be adopted. This includes accurate consideration of the importance of the food and farming industry  one that contributes 108bn to the economy, employing more than 1 in 8 people of the workforce. Some of our most productive and highest value agricultural land is in the floodplain or coastal regions, vulnerable to flooding, and deserves to be protected.

Natural flood management schemes do have a place and Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsoms recent confirmation that 15million will be assigned for natural flood management is a step towards finding such a scheme. However, they are not a universal solution and must be used alongside a package of measures across the catchment to improve flood resilience to both urban and rural communities, including traditional hard-engineered structures and their maintenance.

Miss Batters said in order for the UK to improve resilience across the country, two things are crucial - accurate modelling and suitable funding.

She said: Flood models must be continually updated to account for the extreme weather events which are becoming all too regular.

Capital and maintenance budgets for flood risk management must also be reviewed. As we increase the number of assets improving the resilience of rural and urban areas to flooding, maintenance budgets have to be increased to cope with the demands placed on the pot of money. In short, the governments strategy to manage future flood risk must be to plan, protect and pay."
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Two 14-year-old boys have been charged in connection with having a gun at Unity Reed High School in Manassas this week. The gun was not brandished toward other students and was not part of an
Voter Guide: Everything Cumberland County voters need to know

Early voting is underway, with local, state and federal races on the ballot in Cumberland County.
Daisy Lowe put her 'Strictly Come Dancing' disappointment behind her as she attended the Disney x Cath Kidston VIP launch event on Friday (02.11.16).

Daisy Lowe, Pearl Lowe and Betty Goffey

The 27-year-old model was joined by her mother Pearl Lowe and her half-sister Betty Goffey as well as celebrity guests including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Fearne Cotton, Jo Whiley and Sarah-Jane Crawford at the VIP launch of Disney and Cath Kidston's Mickey & Minnie Mouse range at the Cath Kidston store in Piccadilly, London.

During the event, Sophie wowed the VIP guests with a DJ set whilst they admired the new range of fashion, bags and accessories, homeware and kids clothes, which has been released to coincide with Mickey Mouse's 88th Anniversary.

Impressively, the company's Winnie the Pooh range managed to sell out in a few hours when it was released earlier this year and there are plans for more characters to have their own ranges in 2017.

Daisy had a huge smile on her face throughout the night as she shook off her disappointment of not being able to dance at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom after exiting the BBC One ballroom and latin competition last month.

Speaking about her exit from the show, she said: "I'm pretty heartbroken but I'm really proud of myself because I actually managed to survive eight weeks of it. I loved every minute of it and I'm never going to stop dancing. It created the most mental adventure of my whole entire life.

"I had the worst stage fright. I always end up so shaky. Even to give someone an award, I end up shaking so much. So, actually to try and figure that out and get out there and do a dance is amazing to me. I've never done anything like that before. I've never done live telly before so it's a really cool experience."

Disney x Cath Kidston's Mickey & Minnie Mouse range will be available to purchase at selected Cath Kidston stores and online at cathkidston.com.
Danny Mac topped the leaderboard as 'Strictly Come Dancing' celebrated some of the world's biggest musicals.

Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse

The former 'Hollyoaks' star and his professional partner Oti Mabuse wowed on the latin and ballroom show on Saturday (03.12.16) with a stunning tango to 'One Night Only' from hit musical 'Dreamgirls'.

Head judge Len Goodman said: "It's not One Night Only. Every night you come out on the dance floor, you produce fantastic dancing. I love that section in promenade when all of you were in a line. Great choreography. Danny, you are one heck of a dancer."

Whilst Bruno Tonioli added: "It really was a star turn. You took it as a leading man. Every moment of that dance was under your control. You were the star of the show. I cannot give you a better compliment. You were the leading man tonight."

Elsewhere in the show, Louise Redknapp and her partner Kevin Clifton performed an impressive 'Calamity Jane'-inspired quickstep.

Len said: "I think you could go on the West End stage; it really captured the spirit of the musical."

Claudia Fragapane and her dancer AJ Pritchard's salsa to 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King' from The Lion King impressed Darcey Bussell for the sheer amount of lifts and turns the dance included.

She said: "That routine was packed full with high energy. I haven't seen that before, well done Claudia! I loved that double cartwheel leg when you turned aswell, some really great details."

Ore Oduba opened the show with an impressive foxtrot to 'Pure Imagination' from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' but was critiqued for a few "unsteady moments".

Len shared: "It was delicious. Who can kick off this show in style? The Candy Man can! A couple of little unsteady moments from me."

Whilst Darcey added: "There was such control there and it's such a difficult ballroom genre."

Despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard, Judge Rinder was praised for his "wonderful individual style" as he danced the samba to 'Oh, What A Night' from Jersey Boys.

Darcey told him and professional partner Oksana Platero: "The energy, the enjoyment. You gave 100 per cent as soon as you jumped off that stage. You have this wonderful individual style and it's great fun. I loved watching you."

'Strictly Come Dancing' continues on Sunday (04.12.16).
A brand new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is right around the corner, as original wives Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards are joined by Lisa Rinna, Eileen Davidson and Erika Jayne AKA Erika Girardi for another run of episodes sure to be packed full of drama, chaos and the good life.

Joining the series as an official housewife for the first time is Dorit Kemsley - a 40-year-old designer, fashionista and full-time mother. As the wife to the manager of Boy George, Paul 'PK' Kemsley, Dorit is no stranger to being right in the middle of social circles with the stars.

New housewife Dorit Kemsley / Credit: Bravo

Lisa Rinna's friend Eden Sassoon will also be joining the show, on a 'Friend of the Housewives' basis. As the daughter of late style icon Vidal Sassoon, Eden is working on expanding her own salon and Pilates business after overcoming her battle with alcoholism. Free-spirited and outspoken, Eden's always game for a fun time and is committed to looking for love in her free time, when she's not fulfilling her duties as a single mother, of course.

This season will see Lisa Vanderpump attempt to keep her head high as she navigates her friendships with those who believe she's treated them badly in the past. Meanwhile, Erika Jayne's career in the music industry soars, with the release of a new music video and headlining gig in Greece. She's not always having fun however, as a simple question of social etiquette with Dorit turns into an assault on one another's character.

Lisa Vanderpump

Kyle continues to dig in her heels as a television producer, whilst also expanding her retail business in New York. When a new acquaintance tries to meddle in her personal business however, she's forced to fend off what could be VERY damaging words.

With the recent loss of her mother, Eileen is struggling with grief and continues to question her former friendship with Lisa Vanderpump. Still close with Lisa Rinna, the latter causes more chaos when those 'lips that were made for talking' get her into hot water once more. Questioning a former housewive's behaviour, she reopens old wounds and causes a dramatic rift right down the middle of the group.

Nothing will stop the housewives from speaking their minds however, whether they're enjoying a boat trip along Mexico's coastline or visiting one of the world's biggest Buddhas in Hong Kong. This season is set to be the most fabulous yet, and we can't wait to see how it all turns out

Erika Jayne Girardi

Catch the UK premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 7 on Wednesday, December 7 on hayu, the reality on demand streaming service.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Sahil Anand entered the Bigg Boss house along with the drool-worthy model Jason Shah, German-Russian actress Elena Kazan and troublemaker Priyanka Jagga. Although the 'Student Of The Year' actor is trying to remain cordial with co-contestants, it seems Manveer Gurjar and Manu Punjabi are in no mood to reciprocate the feeling.



For a task, each housemate were given a test tube containing a liquid named after a contestant, which they were supposed to empty after every gong. The contestant, whose test tube holds the liquid till the end of the task, becomes the contender for captain's task.



Sahil, however, loses the race to captaincy as Manveer was the first to empty his test tube. The latter justified the act, saying that Sahil did not deserve to become the captain as he did not gel with others. Manu later got into an argument with Sahil, while he is talking to Priyanka.



In fact, the social media is abuzz with the equation between the trio. One of the fans tweeted, "Manu is awfully dominating." Another fan tweeted, "#ManuPunjabi ka kaam hi dussro ke conversation mein ghusna."



One thing is sure that these insecurities will lead to more fights, which will in turn raise the temperature inside the Bigg Boss house.



Next Story : Not Your Average Gift: Our Handpicked Thoughtful Diwali Gifts
With the rising demand for Bangladesh apparel in Slovenia, government is keen to import RMG from Bangladesh, said Tanja Strnisa, visiting Slovenian deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and food, who was in Dhaka on a three-day visit. Bangladesh commerce minister Tofail Ahmed assured the visiting dignitary of all assistance for the same.

Bangladesh will take necessary steps to increase its apparel exports to Slovenia, said Ahmed in a meeting with Strnisa at his secretariat office in Dhaka. Bilateral trade between both the countries is $54.37 billion, which can be increased manifolds. The government will take all the necessary steps to increase export to the country, said Ahmed.

Strnisa said that there is an increasing demand for Bangladesh readymade garments as the quality of their apparel is good. She assured Ahmed that Bangladesh can also use their ports for exports to other member countries of the EU. At present, under Generalised System of Preferences, Bangladesh has duty free access to Slovenia as it is a member of the EU.

With the rising demand for Bangladesh apparel in Slovenia, government is keen to import RMG from Bangladesh, said Tanja Strnisa, visiting Slovenian deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and food, who was in Dhaka on a three-day visit. Bangladesh commerce minister Tofail Ahmed assured the visiting dignitary of all assistance for the same.#

A large part of export is done to the EU market, said Ahmed, adding that there is a need for exchange of business delegation between both the countries.

In the last fiscal year, of the $39.17 million exports to Slovenia, $34.60 million came from the clothing sector, according to Bangladesh's Export Promotion Bureau. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME) 2016 commenced on December 3 in Mumbai with more than 1050 exhibitors from 38 countries. The six-day show focusing on innovation and modernisation of the textile industry, is an effective platform for joint ventures between stakeholders of the textile industry in India and overseas.

The event was inaugurated by Sanjiv Lathia, chairman and Seema Srivastava, executive director, of India ITME Society that hosts the event once in every 4 years. The 10th edition of the exhibition that displays worlds state-of-the-art machines and technologies, will witness launch of 24 products, besides discussions, knowledge sharing, profiling of artisans, photography exhibition and more, said the organisers.

The Make in India initiative in textile engineering is being promoted to the visiting foreign business participants. Government schemes and incentives for the textile industry in India are also being propagated at the event. States of Gujarat and Karnataka are participating as state partners at the exhibition that is supported by the department of heavy industry, Government of India, textiles ministry and Maharashtra government.

The India International Textile Machinery Exhibition (India ITME) 2016 commenced on December 3 in Mumbai with more than 1050 exhibitors from 38 countries. The six-day show focusing on innovation and modernisation of the textile industry, is an effective platform for joint ventures between stakeholders of the textile industry in India and overseas.#

Weavers of Maharashtra have their traditional fabric craft like himroo, paithani, block printing and tie dyeing on display at the event. Students of MIT Pune and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) are also displaying their creative designs at the fair.

Senior officials from universities in Bangladesh, Philippians, Myanmar, Ethiopia and more are visiting India ITME-2016 to interact with Indian educational and technology institutions for graduate students/faculty exchange program.

Institutes like The Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences, Bhiwani (TIT), DKTE Society's Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (ICT), The Textile Institute of UK, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and design from MIT Institute are also participating in it along with foreign and domestic business leaders, academicians, research scholars and government officials among others.

The textile sector is one of the largest contributors to Indias exports with approximately 11 per cent share of total exports. Indias overall textile exports during fiscal 2015-2016 stood at $40 billion and the industry is expected to reach $223 billion by 2021.

India ITME Society is four-decade old non-profit organisation with a vision to support the industry through exhibitions facilitating investments and joint ventures and technology transfer. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Regional office of the textile commissioner in Ahmedabad, Ministry of Textiles, has organised camps for opening bank accounts of workers in the sector to facilitate cashless payment following demonetisation. The camps are being set up with the help of industry association and banks in major locations where the textile industry is essentially concentrated.

Workers in the textile and apparel industry have always been paid wages in cash. The liquidity crunch in the country following the demonetisation of high currency has compelled the industry to consider cashless payment of wages.

The regional office of the textile commissioner has also urged workers to approach banks or visit the camps to open their accounts to make the transition to cashless transaction mode.

Regional office of the textile commissioner in Ahmedabad, Ministry of Textiles, has organised camps for opening bank accounts of workers in the sector to facilitate cashless payment following demonetisation. The camps are being set up with the help of industry association and banks in major locations where the textile industry is essentially concentrated.#

The labour and employment ministry has announced that 9,15,431 bank accounts were opened by organising 33,145 camps across the country. The ministry launched the campaign for opening bank accounts especially for workers in the unorganised sectors.

The objective of the campaign is to ensure that all workers come into banking fold and their wages are paid directly into their account. This will not only prevent exploitation of workers and payment of wages without cut but will also inculcate the habit of using cashless transactions, said the labour and employment ministry in an official statement. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
When Akshay Kumar's first look from Rajinikanth's 2.0 was revealed, it left everyone guessing about his role in the movie. Also the 'crow look' which was leaked earlier when the actor was shooting generated a lot of buzz among the audience. Reportedly he is the main antagonist in the film and essays the role of a scientist.

Now, if the latest reports are to be believed then Akky's character is that of an avid bird lover. A leading daily quoted a source saying, "The central theme of 2.0 revolves around birds and their characteristics. Thousands of exotic birds like macaws, cockatoos and African grey parrots, were brought to the set, and Akshay shot a few scenes featuring these exotic birds. Interestingly, these birds play a pivotal role in taking the film forward. These scenes were shot at huge sets which were erected in Chengalpattu and Thirukalukundram.

At the trailer launch of 2.0, Rajinikanth had praised Akshay and said, "The hero of 2.0 is not Rajinikanth but Akshay Kumar. Had I been given a chance, I would have taken that (Akshay's) character. Hats-off to Akshay that he worked so hard. It's a brilliant role. The whole country will be proud of Akshay."

On the other hand, Akshay had revealed that he was quick shocked when the makers chose him to act with the Thalaivaa himself.

We believe you, Rajini Sir and can't wait to see Akky's evil side this time!

2.0 is a sequel to Shankar's hit film, Robot and also stars Amy Jackson as the leading lady.
NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / May 16, 2017 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until July 3, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against PCM, Inc. (NasdaqGM: PCMI), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 17, 2015 and May 2, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

What You May Do

If you purchased securities of PCM and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com ). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by July 3, 2017.

About the Lawsuit

PCM and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On June 17, 2015, PCM publicly filed the financial statements of En Pointe, a company it had recently acquired. Then, on May 2, 2017, Seeking Alpha reported that in the course of litigation with En Pointe's prior owner, the Company had stated that "[a]udited financials provided by En Pointe, and filed with the SEC, materially overstated the profitability of the business"; thus, PCM's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On this news, the price of PCM's shares plummeted.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com

1-877-515-1850

206 Covington St.

Madisonville, LA 70447

SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Tallinn, 2016-12-16 16:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --During the period from 12.12.2016 until 16.12.2016 the following buyback transactions have been made:Tallinn Stock Exchange:Date Amount of shares bought back Average share price Cost in total EUR EUR 12.12.16 0 0 0 13.12.16 0 0 0 14.12.16 0 0 0 15.12.16 0 0 0 16.12.16 8 617 3.0499 26 280.99 Total amount: 8 617 3.0499 26 280.99Accumulated total under the share buyback program since 30.06.2016:Amount of shares bought back Average price per share (EUR) Cost in total (EUR) 459 821 2.1710 998 289.58After the transactions listed above, within the framework of the share buy-back program, approved by the shareholders meeting on 29.06.2016, AS Silvano Fashion Group has acquired 459 821 shares in total for the total amount of 998 289.58 Euros, resulting an average acquisition cost of 2.1710 Euros per share.With its share buyback program to be carried out in accordance with the held on June 29, 2016 the general meeting of 8 March 2016, by Regulation (EU) No 2016/1052 supplementing the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 concerning regulatory technical standards back programs and stabilization conditions applicabl. The programme is managed by SEB Pank AS, which will buy back shares on behalf of AS Silvano Fashion Group. SEB Pank carries out the buyback according to the regulations and within the framework of the programme, and will make its trading decisions independently of, and without influence by AS Silvano Fashion Group with regard to the timing of the purchases.Jarek Sargava Board Member Silvano Fashion Group Tel +372 6845 000 E-mail: info@silvanofashion.com

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.




The new route broadens the choices for passengers transiting between Asia and North America

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The maiden voyage of Hainan Airlines' new non-stop service took off from Beijing and landed at McCarran InternationalAirport in Las Vegas at 11:00 am on December 2, 2016, following a 12-hour journey. The flight, serviced by a Boeing 787 with a Kung Fu Panda motif adorning the plane's cabins, served as the announcement of Hainan Airlines' formal launch of non-stop service between Beijing and Las Vegas. The new service further complements the airline's intercontinental network. Hainan Airlines is the sole Chinese airline providing non-stop service between the two cities.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161203/445295

A brief yet grand welcoming ceremony for the maiden voyage was held by the Las VegasConvention and Visitors Authority at the arrivalshall in McCarran InternationalAirport, after the plane landed at the airport. Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Luo Linquan, Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, Las VegasConvention and Visitors Authority president Rossi Ralenkotter; Clark Countydirectorofaviation Rosemary Vassiliadis, McCarran InternationalAirport port director Warren Eales, Hainan Airlines vice president of marketing Hou Wei and brand director Xu Fei, government officials of the City of Las Vegas, representatives from local companies and chambers of commerce, Hainan Airlines VIP customers and established media organizations took part in the welcoming ceremony. Mr. Hou and Ms Vassiliadis exchanged gifts having characteristics that represented the essence of their native nation or region, in celebration of the exciting moment when the maiden voyage of the Beijing-Las Vegas non-stop service touched down.

Data from the US government shows that close to7.3 million Chinesetourists are projected to travel to theUSbetween now and2021. Since the launch of the Beijing-Seattle service in 2008, Hainan Airlines has continued to expand its flight services to the US. Hainan Airlines' non-stop flight to Las Vegas adds an additional transportation choice for business travelers, international students and tourists traveling between China and the US.

Hainan Airlines now operates ten China- North American routes, connecting Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angles, Calgary, San Jose and Boston to destinations in China. All of its airplanes serving North American routes are Boeing 787s equipped with in-flight WiFi. The airline provides its Business Class passengers with high-quality BOSE noise-cancelling headphones, BVLGARI-brandedtoiletry bags, Sola-branded stainless steel dinnerware and an airborne cuisine menu designed by Michelin-starred chefs, providing passengers with a comfortable, safe and hospitality-focused flight experience. The Kung Fu Panda design painted on the side of the plane and themed characters adorning the insides of cabins, combined with the fusion of the Oriental style of hospitability with modern creativity, serves as a dynamic approach that gives passengers an opportunity to get acquainted with Chinese culture during the flight.

Hainan Airlines has been committed to globalization for years based on an open and win-win principle. Since the airline's first voyage, Hainan Airlines has safely operated its fleet for 23 years and its flights have logged over 5 million hours. It was named as a SKYTRAX five-star airline for six consecutive years and ranked fifth in Airline Safety Ranking 2016 by JACDEC, a German airline safety data evaluation firm, winning high praise from both its domestic and international passengers. HNA Group ranked 353rdon the FortuneGlobal 500 list issued in July 2016.


By Tanya Vasundharan

I still remember a conversation that took place at a dinner table more than a decade ago. I was 13 at the time, and had a boyfriend who was five years older, a fact that scandalised many people around me. Years later when I was jokingly called a child bride and he a cradle snatcher, I struggled to articulate that I had complete agency in the relationship  that I was, in fact, in control of my sexuality and desired everything that happened. All I got were looks of utter disbelief; they explained that it was irrelevant whether I thought I wanted it because it was still wrong.

Which is why my initial response to Memories of a Machine, a Malayalam short film by Shailaja Padindala featuring actress Kani Kusruti, was that most people would dismiss instinctively it as unbelievable. In it, a woman narrates her first sexual experience to her husband who is shooting a home video of sorts. She explains that she was eight years old when she was touched on the vagina by an attendant in school, and when her husband asks whether she thinks that it was wrong, she says: I dont want to say right or wrong but its not wrong. Because it was reciprocated  she enjoyed being touched and the man stopped when she asked him to.

The film is creating ripples on the internet: its gone viral on YouTube, and reportedly received a great response at its premiere at the Bangalore Queer Film Festival this year. But it has also been heavily criticised for normalising child abuse. Public intellectuals like author NS Madhavan have praised aspects of the film, but say it pardons paedophilia and should be taken off YouTube. Padindalas response has been to deny that the film romanticises or condones child abuse: that is why in the film the man tells the woman, Dont tell this to a paedophile.

The tricky part, though, is that this statement is presented as a joke in the film (the mood throughout is breezy, bordering on sexual tension) rather than as a disclaimer. Padindala also said in an interview with Narada News: The movie aims to show how an eight-year-old girl was first introduced to sex and her natural thought towards it was that of pleasure. It is immaterial whether that introduction was by an adult or a peer.

Is it really immaterial though? The films open and unapologetic attitude to confronting sexual experiences is interesting, but it does appear to suggest that if a minor enjoys a sexual experience then there is no problem, similar to the message of The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could, a section of The Vagina Monologues that came under fire for apparently propagating the sentiment, If it was a rape, it was a good rape. While this assumes that pleasure from an act and its ethical standing are two mutually exclusive conversations, the question I found myself and my friends puzzling over is that if this makes the film dangerously slanted, should it have included a caveat? Should it have ended with statistics about how this incident might have been an outlier but child sexual abuse is rampant and victims are frequently denied justice and left confused and floundering in the aftermath of such an incident? Feminist and historian Devika Jayakumari felt that the film could, at the very least, carry a warning for people with disturbing memories of childhood sexual abuse. But does the film undermine the traumatic experiences of people who have been sexually abused as children, or could it be engaging for those who enjoyed an early sexual experience and later felt guilty?

A woman friend mused, People have probably overreacted because I dont think the films existence means that paedophiles are going to be going oh great, kids like us. But in general, we value childhood and children, and assign them guardians because we feel that they cannot give consent, and the films portrayal of a chilling experience as okay because the woman enjoyed it made me deeply uncomfortable.

Another was both exasperated and bored by specific props and the set-up of the film: the annoying husband who is egging her on from behind the camera, the Nymphomaniac DVD on the bed (a painfully obvious allusion to Lars von Triers film where a woman who claims to be a sex addict recounts her history of abuse to a man), the way the woman is irritatingly sexualised (taking off her bra, constantly fingering her mouth). One friend appreciated the intimacy of the film and found it intriguing to witness a frank conversation without trigger warnings. Another said she was neutral: It didnt provoke me at all. If I said its perverted if would shower us all in a brahmachari light. It looks at consent differently. From a legal perspective, a minor is considered incapable of making choices but I think this film is just suggesting the exception, the possibility that people can react differently, without saying what happened was okay.

A Malayali friend wondered what all the fuss was about, Yeah, its a big debate here but nobody cares about this outside of Kerala. Ultimately, I have to agree: I found no write-home quality to the film. I have watched scores of coming-of-age films which focus on a male child or teenagers sexuality and in that way this film was an interesting departure, but it was not groundbreaking in any way. While I dont think it congratulates paedophilia, there is certainly a tricky omission of the immorality of child sexual abuse. But the question (it didnt captivate me enough to call it a dilemma) it opened up for me was whether I had the right to tell someone that an experience she enjoyed was ethically dubious, especially as someone who once felt insulted when people said my early sexual experiences were disturbing because I did not know what I was doing at the time.

Watch Memories of a Machine here:

The Ladies Finger (TLF) is an online womens magazine
By Maya Palit

What do you do when a films hook is its exploration of a pressing social problem, but then, after a lot of build-up, it offers you some exciting elements and a really feeble take on the issue itself? A bit like when some weak tea has spot-on amounts of adrak and elaichi.

Thats the way the newly released thriller Kahaani 2, the second film in the Kahaani series directed by Sujoy Ghosh, unravels. It attempts to make the horrors of child sexual abuse its central theme. Vidya Balan plays Durga Rani Singh, a secretary at a school in Kalimpong, where she encounters Mini, a six-year old child who is unnaturally silent and acting odd in class. From a stray comment, Singh gauges that things are awry at Minis home, only to find out that her uncle forces himself on her all the time.

The subject matter is path-breaking for Bollywood (apart from Monsoon Wedding, and more recently, Highway, where it was alluded to but remained in the backdrop, there arent too many incisive portrayals of child abuse by a member of the family). The problem, though, is with the execution of the theme.

At no point does the film expound on the emotional trauma from the childs perspective. Instead, all you get are close-ups of frantic adults and their emotions. Minis story is hijacked by Durga, and she is shuttled (literally as well, because she is depicted as a helpless person in a wheelchair) from villain to saviour, kidnapped once for a good cause and once more by the malign uncle. And saviour-giri becomes the crux of Balans character in the film, at the expense of any other traits.

Maybe the film is disappointing partly because of the motives it gives Durga. Her fixation with the girl begins with intrigue but then rapidly becomes an obsession once she sees herself mirrored in the girl, because she was also sexually abused as a child. This parallel is clumsily constructed because her past experiences and their impact are never explored in any depth. The way Durga goes about ferreting out the details of the abuse by growing close to the child borders on eerie (Maine uski dost banne ka mauka uthaaya, she writes in a diary entry). Her adoption of an obsessive mother role indicates a sad lack of imagination: arent there ways to capture a profound engagement with children without jumping on the wild mother bandwagon? Minis predicament makes Durga gladly sacrifice her relationships and job, and remain holier-than-thou martyr while doing so, because the assumption is that shes doing what any mother would do.

This is precisely where the revenge scenario of the previous film worked better. In Kahaani, Balan plays a pregnant woman looking for details about her missing husband. Unlike Kahaani 2, where Balan is out in a coma for a lot of the film, leaving the sleuth work to be done by a pretty convincing Arjun Rampal and a few bumbling older cops, the first film has her striding through Kolkata, taking on shady IB officials, homicidal hit-men posing as LIC agents, sexist police-men and endless bureaucracy. And the denouement, where she takes off her prosthetic belly before shooting the person responsible for her husbands death, is a much bigger sucker-punch than the agonising second half of Kahaani 2, where Durga is bleeding from the liver and dragging herself to Mini's rescue. The first film is much more appealing because it spared us the saint or sinner dichotomy and had Balan play a character who is single-mindedly looking for a shot of straight-up, cold-blooded, no-holds-barred revenge (at the end, it turns out to be revenge for her husband and unborn child, but theres still no saintly spiel). She has no qualms about playing the pregnancy game because it makes her more sympathetic to strangers.

The only bit where Kahaani 2 redeems itself is at the end, when you are led to think its about to make Durga a thoroughly deranged character as she douses a house she is hiding in with kerosene and threatens to kill herself and Mini so that they can be together forever. This turns out to be a ruse, and its a relief to escape the Medea style melodrama, but theres still plenty of stuff about her being Minis saviour for eternity: Jab tak mein zinda hoon, tumhe kuchh nahi hoga. It is possible that because the film is a fast-paced, action thriller, it misses the chance of teasing out the psychological complexities of Durga, her child, or the various avatars their relationship could take in such a scenario, rather than have motherhood assumed by a person and foisted on a kid who is already grappling with too much. (As, for instance, The Changeling does with its portrayal of a mother who is declared a psychopath when she claims that an imposter has taken the place of her missing son.)

Balans engrossing performance does get you to root for her throughout Kahaani 2, but the film ends up riding on the back of an important theme like child sexual abuse while giving the issue itself a formulaic treatment. "The entire nature of Vidya's character is based on mothers  my mother, your mother and everyone else's mother," says director Sujoy Ghosh. All right, but heres hoping that sometime soon there will be a space carved out for motherhood in contemporary Bollywood that will give mother figures the chance to show their idiosyncratic colours and variety of eccentricities, rather than be stuck records on a saviour trip. The internet is full of caustic Nirupama Roy memes poking fun at her aasoon, so maybe thats the wake-up sign we need to begin inventing other kinds of mums, or other kinds of child-adult dynamics.

The Ladies Finger (TLF) is an online womens magazine
Akodara, a tiny village in Gujarat, became India's first digital village in 2015 and is now reaping benefits of a cashless economy. While the whole country is stressed due to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, the villagers of Akodara, who transact on mobile banking almost on daily basis, have nothing to complain. Now a tiny village Dhasai, some 70 km from Thane, and around 140 km from Mumbai, has become Maharashtra's first cashless village. But, unlike Akodara, where mobile banking is the main mode of payment, here it's card payments via EDC machine.

Post demonetisation, the situation in the village got worse. No one had cash in hand and all business were conducted only on credit. However, there's a limit to which a business can function on credit. Barbers had to cut their customers' hair on credit; groceries were sold on credit; chicken, meat and medicines were bought on credit; seeds and fertilisers were bought and sold on credit.

Naresh Raiker, a barber in the village, says: "Post demonitisation, I gave people haircuts on udhar (credit). The first day after the demonetisation, I did a business of Rs 450, but carried no money home, as everything was done on credit."

Same views were echoed by Sayed, the chicken shop owner, "I had to sell chicken and mutton on credit, and it's been 18 days now. Some have not even paid back the money they owed me and I allowed it in good faith."

The impact of demonetisation was extreme. Firstpost spoke to farmers, villagers, shopkeepers, and all voiced the struggle. With a population of less than 10,000, most have Jan Dhan accounts and RuPay debit cards. However, most never used the card before demonetisation. Primarily, a village of farmers and adhivasis (tribals), it has around 150 shops and is the biggest village amongst the 25 villages in the surrounding area.

There are two banks in the village  Thane District Central Co-operative Bank and Vijaya Bank. Neither had any cash to dispense in the initial days post the note ban. Even those who managed to get cash later had Rs 2,000 notes and no one could tender change for such a high denomination.

When the situation got out of hand, the villagers, traders and local NGO Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak in collaboration of Bank of Baroda decided to change things and ditch the dependency on cash.

Navtej Singh, the general manager of Bank of Baroda, Mumbai Zone, says, "Nearly 40 percent of shops have already been given POS/EDC machines. In a few days, the whole village will become cashless."

Dr Atul Chaudhary also saw a dip in the number of patients post the currency ban. The OPD number fell by 50 percent. However, the doctor was quick to apply for the ECD machine and had already gotten a few patients using their debit cards to pay him consultation fees. "The literacy in this area is low, just 60-70 percent of the population is educated, that too till 10th or 12th grade," he says.

"Going cashless have many alternate routes, like card payments, net banking and mobile payments but low literacy is primarily the reason why we chose debit cards as the mode of payment instead of mobile banking," says, Navtej Singh.

Which means as long as the trader knows how to use the EDC machine and swipe the card, using a debit card to make payments becomes a pretty painless act for most villagers, especially the illiterate ones.

The bank has installed the machines for free and the trader has to pay a fee for every swipe. The fee, also known as interchange money in banking parlance, is fairly less just 0.75 percent for transaction up to Rs 2,000. That's just 0.75 paise for every Rs 100 swiped.

Raiker, the barber we spoke to, says: "I don't mind spending a small fee of 0.75 percent. The money will move directly from the customer's bank account to my account. If I have cash in hand I tend to spend it, now it will reach my account directly and I will automatically be able to save more."

Many villagers said that carrying cash wasn't particularly the best option but now carrying a debit card will make their live much easy.

Maruti Behre, a farmer who made his first debit card transaction to buy a kilogram of mutton says, "Now that I have an ATM card, I won't be using cash."

Unlike the digitally-equipped Akodara, where literacy level is also high, Dhasai still has to learn the basics. Although this looks like the first step towards a cashless economy in the tiny village of Maharashtra, it may just be the beginning.
By Steve Stecklow

| MIAMI

MIAMI A U.S. standards-setting body said it would investigate New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc (EDU.N) in the wake of a Reuters report that detailed allegations of academic fraud at the company.The American International Recruitment Council, which certifies agencies that recruit foreign students on behalf of U.S. colleges, will investigate the company in response to the report, said Jeet Joshee, AIRCs president-elect. Its concerning, highly concerning, he said of the allegations in the report.The article can be read here: reut.rs/2gHWbwZShares of New Oriental plunged after the council told Reuters of its plan to open a probe. The drop in the stock, as much as 24 percent at one point on Friday afternoon, wiped out more than $1.8 billion from the company's stock market value at its lowest point. It was last down about 14 percent at $42.16.AIRC is a non-profit membership organisation comprised of 289 colleges and universities and 78 agencies that refer foreign students to U.S. schools often for a commission. It establishes best practices for international student recruitment and certifies agencies in a process that includes inspections.

Joshee said AIRC certified New Orientals counselling division - Beijing New Oriental Vision Overseas Consultancy Co -- about three or four years ago. He said AIRC could revoke the certification if the fraud accusations are confirmed.Reuters reported today that eight former and current New Oriental employees had told the news agency that the Beijing-based company had helped to write college application essays and teacher recommendations, and had falsified a high school transcript. A New Oriental student contract reviewed by Reuters stated that its services included writing or polishing parts of applications. The contract also said New Oriental would set up an email account on behalf of the client for communicating with colleges, keeping sole control of the password. Several former employees said some students never even saw their applications.

Its most concerning that they would actually handle the whole application for a student, said Joshee, who chairs AIRCs certification body. Joshee also serves as associate vice president for international education at California State University, Long Beach.New Oriental denies condoning or wittingly engaging in application fraud. The publicly listed company, with annual revenue of $1.5 billion, is Chinas largest provider of private education services.The company's American Depositary Receipts, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange, were down $1.02 Friday afternoon at $47.97 a share, off 2.1 percent on the day.

In addition to offering college counselling services to thousands of Chinese students seeking to study in the United States, New Oriental has contracts with colleges including Arizona State University, the University of Cincinnati and Temple University. Those colleges pay New Oriental commissions when it refers students who enrol.Two New Oriental employees at AIRCs annual convention in Miami told Reuters the company had relationships with about 100 U.S. colleges and universities. They declined to say how many of those schools pay commissions to New Oriental.Joshee said his school - California State, Long Beach - signed a contract this year with New Oriental, although it has not provided any students to date. He said the university normally pays agents $1,500 to $2,000 for each student who enrols. He said his university would await the results of AIRCs probe before taking any action. (Edited by Michael Williams and Lisa Shumaker)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Sanjeev Miglani

| AMRITSAR, India

AMRITSAR, India India and Afghanistan are likely to announce an air cargo service on Saturday to help increase trade that both say is stymied because of their tense political relations with Pakistan that lies between them.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were meeting in Amritsar, a short distance from the Pakistan border, for the Heart of Asia conference aimed at stabilising Afghanistan.Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have gone to war three times and remain bitter foes while ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become strained despite their shared religious and cultural identities. Officials say the focus of the air cargo service is to improve landlocked Afghanistan's connectivity to key markets abroad and boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while it battles a deadly Taliban insurgency.Afghanistan depends on the Pakistani port of Karachi for its foreign trade. It is allowed to send a limited amount of goods overland through Pakistan into India, but imports from India are not allowed along this route.Afghan director general for macro fiscal policies Khalid Payenda said the potential for trade with India, the largest market in the region, was far greater than allowed by land and so the two countries had decided to use the air route."That would be air cargo between Afghanistan and India. We have a lot of potential for trade on both sides. On our side, it's mostly fruit and dried fruit and potentially through India to other places for products like carpets and others."

He said that a joint venture involving an Afghan and an Indian cargo firm would be set up and that the two governments were working to set up infrastructure at Kabul and Delhi airports.An Indian government source attending the meeting in Amritsar said air cargo route details were still being worked out and could include Kandahar as a point of origin for shipping fruit directly to India. Indian foreign ministry official Gopal Baglay, who oversees Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, said several proposals were being discussed to improve Afghanistan's trade and transport links.

"There have been very many ideas on how to enhance connectivity, overcome current challenges and also expand the trade basket," he said.Pakistan's top foreign policy adviser, Sartaj Aziz, will be attending the conference on Sunday.Ties with India have deteriorated further in recent months after a series of attacks on Indian military bases in the disputed region of Kashmir, which New Delhi says have either been carried out by militants sneaking in from Pakistan or orchestrated by groups based there.Pakistan denies stoking violence in Kashmir and says India must open talks on the future of the revolt-torn Muslim majority region.

Indian officials said no talks with Pakistan were scheduled on the sidelines of the Amritsar conference. Afghanistan's ties with Pakistan have also become strained after a series of violent attacks, several of them in the capital Kabul, that it said showed Pakistan had failed to rein in the militant groups operating from its soil."Unless we take a collective measure to fight terrorism, to fight the breeding ground for terrorism, the safe sanctuary, we will not be able to bring peace and stability either to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the region, including India," said Afghan ambassador to India Shaida M. Abdali.Pakistan says it is itself a victim of terrorism and says India is using its close ties with Afghanistan to stir trouble in its restive Baluchistan province. (Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in KABUL; Editing by Nick Macfie)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Guwahati: Two soldiers were killed and eight others injured as militants, believed to be from the banned Naga outfit NSCN-K, ambushed a convoy of the Assam Rifles along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, a defence spokesman said.

An Assam Rifle spokesman said the attack took place at Nginu village in Tirap district, in the radius of 20 km from the border.

"Soldiers belonging to the 16 Assam Rifles were returning from a patrol when the heavily armed militants fired at them. While two of them including a JCO (junior commissioner officer) died, eight others were injured. The condition of two of them are stated to be serious," the spokesman said adding more forces have been sent to launch counter-insurgency operations in and around the area.

"We believe it to be the handiwork of anti-talk faction, Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang militants who have some presence in Tirap district.

On 19 November, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) had carried out an ambush on Army personnel in Assam's Tinsukia district, killing three soldiers and injuring four others.

After this attack, the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), which is a joint platform of all the northeastern militant outfits ambushed a group of commandos of 21 Para in Chandel district of Manipur on November 26, injuring five soldiers.
Bhopal: Thirty two years after Bhopal gas tragedy  one of the worst industrial disaster mankind has known and which resulted in death of 15,278 persons (official figure), people are still suffering due to the after-effects of the tragedy.

Nearly 40 tonnes of lethal methyl isocyanate gas had leaked out of the Union Carbide plant on the night of December 2-3, 1984. Several thousands died after inhaling the gas, many of them in their sleep. Lakhs suffered serious ailments for the rest of their lives.

Toxic waste contaminates soil, ground water; contamination spreading

Hundreds of tonnes of toxic waste that is lying in the premises of the Union Carbide factory is causing soil and water contamination. Also, when the factory was functioning, the waste was dumped for years at a pond near the factory.

This highly toxic waste is causing water contamination through seepage. "The hazardous chemical waste has not been removed. With every passing year, especially, after rains, it seeps into underground water,"says Abdul Jabbar, convener of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS), a non-governmental organisation that works among victims of gas tragedy.

Besides this, contamination is spreading to underground water in many adjoining localities. Groundwater contamination is spreading and over a dozen localities around the Union Carbide plant are now facing it, says a latest study conducted by Sambhavna Trust, which provides medical aid to gas victims apart from conducting research.

Cancer prevalence higher among gas victims

Bhopal Group for Information and Actions Rachna Dhingra says that relief and rehabilitation have been a major cause of concern. The victims are unable to afford cost of treatment, especially, in case of renal failure, she further said. Dhingra says that the prevalence of cancer is ten times higher among gas victims. Rashida Bi, a gas victim, who now works for welfare of survivors, says that Dow is responsible for the clean-up around the factory, but the company doesnt even respond to the courts notices.

Survivors suffer from health issues, hospitals lack infrastructure

Lack of proper treatment for gas victims is another major issue. Most of the victims belong to poorer sections of society. The hospitals set up for the purpose of treating the gas victims, today, lack infrastructure and victims dont get the care and treatment that is needed. The super-specialty Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) perpetually remains mired in controversies  either due to lack of adequate doctors and facilities or because of tug-of-war over its control.

No high-level research on affects of gas on victims

Activists say that the medical issues ranging from pulmonary problems to throat and kidney ailments or particular womens ailments (and disorders that have passed to next generation) need dedicated treatment and high-level of research and monitoring but this wasnt done. Even after so many years the proper protocol for treatment of each gas-related ailment has not been evolved. The symptomatic treatment, over-medication and lack of proper monitoring apart from sub-standard drugs led to increased number of renal failures among the gas victims.

Children born to the survivors too suffer from ailments. There was no high-level research in this regard. Most hospitals are running with skeletal staff, Jabbar says. Even the line of treatment is not correct. Take for example Shakir Ali Khan hospital, which lacks equipment and even emergency facility. Even BMHRC is functioning without a proper system, he adds.

Inadequate compensation to gas victims

The victims say that the settlement between government of India and union carbide over compensation was a sham and the victims didnt get adequate compensation. There are multiple issues that need to be addressed  from rehabilitation of victims to prosecution of the culprits. The survivors who were widowed by the gas tragedy find tough to make both ends meet.

Many gas victims were not classified under permanent injury category and hence denied proper compensation and treatment. The cases regarding this issue as well as lack of adequate compensation are in the court.

The gas had leaked from the Union Carbide due to poor safety standards in the Bhopal-based plant that manufactured pesticide. It had resulted in instant deaths of thousands. The official figure was later revised to 15,278 deaths though unofficially it was believed that the figure was much higher.

Nearly 5 lakh suffered the affects for the rest of their lives after inhaling the gas. Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) was then under control of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), a US-based multi-national which was later taken over by Dow Chemical.

A petition with over 1 lakh signatures was made earlier this year, urging US Department of Justice to uphold international law and make Dow accountable for the suffering in Bhopal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message in the latest Mann Ki Baat program on All India Radio was loud and clear. He exhorted the nation to start transitioning from less cash to cash less economy. This sounded like a big boost to the cards and digital wallet industry. In fact, this may not be true. India may soon not only be moving to cashless economy but might be moving towards card less economy. Digital wallets tied to specific banks or provided by specific merchants too may soon be history.

Dealing a deadly body blow to the card industry and proprietary digital wallet industry are two indigenous innovations. One is the purported move to have Aadhar chip embedded in smart phones which support Iris scans. And the other is the launching of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).

In current scenario, when a purchase is made using a card it is swiped on the point of sale machine and a pin is entered to authenticate the card. This affects money transfer from the customers bank to the account of the merchant. In cases where money has to be transferred using a digital wallet, it is done using the digital wallet app. Money from one digital wallet can be transferred to another digital wallet provided they subscribe to the same provider ie PayTm, HDFC Chillr etc. This scenario is now set to change.

Iris scan supported Aadhar card enabled smart phones provide for authentication through the mobile phone. Process is simple. If a transaction has to be made once the Iris is scanned, Aadhaar chip embedded in the phone will communicate with Aadhaar servers and provide instant authentication. Once the authentication is done, money transactions can be done. There will be no need of either a point of sale machine or a card for the purposes of transaction.

Alongside proposed Aadhaar enabled mobile phones, UPI, launched by NPCI with Reserve Bank of India is revolutionising the way digital wallets get used and transactions are made. Using UPI app, people can create their digital wallets and have a virtual private address. This virtual private address could either be the Aadhaar card number of just the mobile phone number of the person.

In case of any transfer to be affected, it can be done from one VPA to another without the restriction of these digital wallets being of the same bank or the same provider. Money in case of UPI enabled wallets always remains with the banks and transactions involving transfers are free. This is unlike the current digital wallets where money gets out of the banking system and in case money has to be sent to the bank there are charges for the same. With this ease of use and freedom to transact across participating banks its only a matter of time that UPI enabled apps will replace proprietary digital wallets.

UPI is also enabling person to person (P2P) transactions besides person to merchant (P2M) transactions. In P2P, people transact among themselves using UPI enabled digital wallets. Once this happens even the 2.1 lakh ATMs may become redundant. Each mobile will become a payment device both accepting and making payments.

Making this a reality, are the current 371 million mobile internet users (35 percent of the population as of June 2016) in India, and approximately 108 crore Aadhaar card holders (as per UIDAI). These numbers coupled with an estimate 50 Million internet users getting added each year; Narendra Modi's wish for a cashless economy may well get realised much sooner than anticipated.

The author is Currently Additional Director General Home guards, Mumbai and former Controller, Legal Metrology, Maharashtra.
Srinagar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir has admitted that people in the state are facing 'tough times' due to Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to demonetise the Rs 500 and 1,000 currency notes, which has led to a shortage of currency notes in circulation.

The difficulties have been aggravated across Kashmir due to the lack of bank branches in the state, with banks even refusing to advance loans to businessmen who defaulted on payments of interest due to the four month long shutdown. Majority of the over 2-lakh loan accounts are running in default due to delays in payment of interest.

The government has, for the first time, admitted that people are facing grave inconvenience due to demonetisation. Through an order issued by the states finance department on 19 November, it was directed that a part of the salary for the month of November will be released in advance and the employees will be provided cash of Rs 10,000 to overcome the difficulties that they have been facing due to demonetisation.

The government directed that the salary be released by 24 November to non-gazetted officers and other lower income employees. The order read, "the shortage of notes in circulation has resulted in inconvenience to a cross section of society, particularly the low income sections of society including the non-gazetted and class-IV employees."

Only four days later, however, the government expressed its inability to implement the order and informed the employees that the advance salary cant be released as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had expressed difficulties in providing additional cash to the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) bank.

The J&K bank is the lead financial institution in the state, with the government holding majority stake in the bank, and the employees' salaries get credited into the accounts operated by the bank. As per the revised order of the government, "the salary for the month of November 2016 will be credited into the accounts of employees at the end of the month as usual. The employees, however, are free to withdraw the cash requirements from their bank accounts within the ceiling imposed by the RBI." The order was issued by the Commissioner Secretary, Finance, Navin K Choudhary.

Minister of State for Finance, Ajay Nanda, however, appeared to be optimistic and said that the rush witnessed outside the ATMs had declined. "Once the bar on the withdrawal limits is eased by the government, the situation will improve."

President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, said that the cash flow of the business units had dried up due to demonetisation. "The note ban has come at a time when we are already asking the government to restructure the loans. We couldnt pay back the loans due to the restrictions and the curfews imposed by the government. The onus lies on the government to restructure the loans," Wani said.

Majority of the banks in Kashmir have decided not to provide any fresh loans to account holders running in default, and to those whose accounts have been declared as non-performing assets (NPAs). The situation is more grave in the state as the banks here were already unable to meet their credit disbursal targets and as there are many areas where the bank branches don't exist. Across Jammu and Kashmir, the banks have extended credit of Rs 15,753 crore to the 4.8 lakh beneficiaries against the target of Rs 23,605 crore in the last financial year.

The banks have also lagged in opening their branches in the state. The RBI had directed the state that the 104 villages with a population of 5,000 plus, which are devoid of banks, should be covered with new branches. However, against the target of opening 18 new branches in the last fiscal year, only one was opened. And records reveal that against the overall plan of opening of 246 branches in the state during the last financial year, only 54 branches were opened by different banks, thus drawing further flak from the government.
Amritsar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will reach Amritsar on Saturday evening to take part in the annual conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.

They are also likely to hold bilateral talks to strengthen India-Afghanistan ties, an official said here.

They are also scheduled to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, the official said.

Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which is being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference. Aziz will return on the same day.

With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the ministerial conference. He is reaching here on Sunday.

To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at a heritage village, named 'Sadda Pind' or 'our village', located on the outskirts of this holy city.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner hosted by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Over two months after Indias decision to stay away from Saarc summit in Islamabad, Pakistan was virtually sidelined in the South Asian regional group; the Heart of Asia Summit on 3 and 4 December will further reinforce that when representatives from 14 countries gather in Amritsar.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair and India as a co-chair will use the summit to yet again focus spotlight on Pakistans explicit connection with terror groups in fomenting trouble in both the countries. President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, a firm believer that Pakistan does not support establishment of peace in his country will, set the tone of the conference.

The draft declaration on counter-terrorism circulated by Afghanistan will call upon Pakistan (without naming it) to stop harbouring and supporting terror groups on its soil. Both India and Afghanistan have joined hands to nail Pakistan on this issue once again at an international conference. Modi and Ghani will leave no stone unturned to hold Islamabad responsible for poor connectivity in every sector across the South Asian region.

Pakistans government under domestic pressure from sending a delegation to Amritsar Summit has decided to send just a two-member team headed by advisor to prime minister Nawaz Sharif, former foreign secretary Sartaj Aziz.

Nawaz Sharif decided to send Aziz given the fact that Heart of Asia is an international conference on bringing stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan believes it has an important say in that landlocked countrys future. Aziz days before the summit publicly announced that Pakistan was in touch with anti-India elements to keep New Delhi under pressure on the Kashmir issue.

The Pakistani team will arrive in India on Sunday for a few hours and Sartaj Aziz is bound to rake up the issue of tension with India and blame Modi government for spiking tensions in the region.

Arriving in India on Saturday, President Ghani will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day in Amritsar, carefully selected to remind everyone that a city that stands on the historic Grand Trunk Road route that once linked Kolkata to Kabul via Delhi and Lahore, provides an opportunity to break connectivity barriers.

It will remind the world that as they gather in Amritsar, a city that sits on the now infamous GT Road, Pakistan remains a major obstacle in their dream to reconnect and rebuild Afghanistan with rest of South Asia.

President Ghani today loses no opportunity to emphasise Pakistans continued support to terror groups operating in Afghanistan, the role of its military and ISI in their steadfast refusal to help connect his country with India across Pakistan.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was founded in 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Heart of Asia, the official website claims, provides a platform for sincere and results-oriented regional cooperation by placing Afghanistan at its center, in recognition of the fact that a secure and stable Afghanistan is vital to the prosperity of the Heart of Asia region.

The Heart of Asia has 14 participating countries, 17 supporting countries, and 12 supporting regional and international organizations.

On the eve of the summit the Afghan ambassador in India set the tone when he told journalists in Delhi that as we all know, terrorism is a creation of this region and the solution lies within this region only. Therefore the upcoming Heart of Asia is very well timed and very well placed to discuss how we should find solutions to the theme that we have already put forward, he remarked.

Afghanistan is angry at Pakistans continued refusal to allow India overland access to their country. At the last summit in Islamabad foreign minister Sushma Swaraj had asked for Indias admission to Afghanistan Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement but, that was turned down, as expected.

The Chahbahar Port agreement between India-Iran-Afghanistan is seen as a serious initiative to help landlocked Afghanistan to get access to global market by connecting Persian Gulf with Kabul and beyond to Central Asia through a road network.

Given its geography Pakistan has held Afghanistan to ransom, by controlling land access to and from the country and using unstable security situation over the decades to help and sustain terror groups in that country.

Afghanistan heavily leans on India today for its moral, diplomatic, political and material support as it seeks to fight Afghan Taliban, Islamic State groups and Pakistans military establishment to rebuild a war-torn nation.
Students from the LGBTQ community in the Tata Institute of Social Sciences have complained of being harassed and discriminated against, according to a report by The Times of India. Some even submitted their complaints with the institute's Gender Amity Committee (GAC) citing harassment in relation to their non-normative appearances or sexual preference claims the report.

The institute is known for fostering social justice, birthing and nurturing equality, and as the defender of all social identities. It provides multiple specialisations even within a single masters category: such as on the topics of identity, womens citizenship and governance, womens writing and engendering governance, all offered as a sub-range within the MA in Womens studies. In particular, it has stood out as the champion of the liberals, champion of all causes, in what other universities have stayed woefully inept in cultivating  a human agenda.

It was in May this year that we celebrated the news of a street sweeper with the BMC, 36-year-old Sunil Yadav who beat all odds to secure a MPhil degree from Tiss Mumbai, in Globalisation and Labour and expressed the aim of pursuing a PhD to deeply understand the social system that has marginalised our (sweeper) class in the society. When the news of discrimination against the LGBTQI community arises in an educational institute such as Tiss, it must be taken up as matter of serious concern.

The provision of such keenly domain knowledge by the institute serves as the metaphorical potter to shape experts out of all kinds of clay. Though, where such temples of knowledge are often unfairly seen as churning partisan intellectualism, the knowledge of discrimination within its halls could have finally falsified this notion and proved that it truly is a melting pot of different thought processes. A member of the Gender Amity Committee (GAC) said it like it is: "Tiss still exists in India."

A student* who identifies as queer studying in the institute has said that he faced discrimination in the form of ostracism. He was refused as a roommate and in another instance, a fellow student refused to take a selfie with him based on his gender identity. "I think the campus does claim to be inclusive and sensitive but fails to really provide us a safe space," he said.

But on the other hand, a student of media studies in the institute, Kamesh S denies having witnessed any discrimination. He has said that there are two formal unions to deal with such issues  the GAC and the Centre Against Sexual Harassment (CASH). "They have many procedures against sexual discrimination, ranging from counseling to stricter ones such as suspension or withdrawal of admission, depending on the case," he clarified.

Following these complaints, the GAC has issued a circular against discrimination and have launched initiatives to increase gender awareness and sensitisation programmes.

A GAC member went on to say that the committee, which though is independent of the Students Union, is running joint programmes with the union to ensure a wider reach. The committee has received a total of two or three formal complaints, and no reports of physical abuse. We have planned for open talks, role play activities and panel discussions in the coming months, with a proper timeline to combat the problem. Our objective is to destroy the pre-conditioned biases of people, and thus big or small were taking this very seriously.

However, a student who identifies herself as an outsider to the community, and is taking her masters in social work from the university, said that she had heard about two separate incidents of discrimination from other students, one where a security guard had taunted a person for his appearance and another incident where a technical staff from the library made comments. Tiss constitutes of a very diverse campus and attracts people from very multicultural backgrounds and so everyone is largely accepting of one another. But this very reason could be the cause of clashes  too different a background. When asked as to what was done to counter this after the first incident, she said that a mail was sent by the Tiss Students Union, but not much else.

The mail, dated 29 September, 2016, by the union acknowledges the problem, and reads:

"Many of us find it difficult to go beyond the binary of male and 'female.' However this does not give us the right to infringe upon the dignity or personal choice of any individual whatsoever. While it is necessary to immediately activate a mechanism to ensure that no one faces further discrimination or/and harassment on the basis of gender or sexual orientation; establishment of a gender-just campus will take some more efforts."

The mail also announced that the union has strongly condemned any acts of discrimination while simultaneously calling upon the student body to engage in a process of dialogue to unlearn biases. The union has committed to working closely with the GAC-CASH in the future.

Furthermore, the mail confirmed that the administration of the university had taken cognisance of the incidents and had arranged for an immediate sensitisation program for the security guards.

However, one of the students* who lodged a formal complaint has accused a member of the Student Union of allegedly making insulting remarks. I joined Tiss knowing that they follow a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination and inequality. But some queer people have been at the brunt of humiliating taunts and interrogations based on their dressing style. We have filed a complaint and in the process have started to see what can be done where we cannot seek legal intervention. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in the institutions existing system to take corrective measures. GAC and CASH have boosted its attempts at sensitisation. Where these matters used to take place before as well, they have now planned for more movie screenings and peer awareness programmes, he said. In a way these cases have propelled our visibility in the campus, made it stronger, he added.

A source within the GAC pointed to the fact that this was an internal issue, and they were not allowed to talk about it. However, the GAC page on the Tiss website states that they have to follow the Vishaka Guidelines against Sexual Harassment mandates that it shall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work places or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts, of sexual harassment by taking all steps required, which is further delineated in the Sexual Harassment of Women (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) at Workplace Act 2013, in which it is outlines that sexual harassment constitutes physical contact and advances; or a demand or request for sexual favours; or making sexually coloured remarks; or showing pornography; or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature. But the purview of this law is restricted to women, and the section 377 ruling of the Supreme Court that re-criminalised homosexuality makes it difficult for such bodies to operate, and find an outlet to help other genders and sexual identities.

There might be no written procedure or legal process that unions all over India can follow to address harassment to LGBTQ people. Long time LGBTQ rights activist, Sonal Giani saw both negative and positive aspects to these developments. She said: On the one hand its distressing that a place as progressive as Tiss has witnessed such discrimination, but on the other, it goes to show that its students have the courage to stand up to bullying. Its heartening that there is a redressal mechanism that exists, and nothing is shoved under the carpet. Its however a catch-22 situation that the student has to come out and talk about it. Where the onus should lie on the varsity to make space inclusive for the trans-person, it is often expected that the trans-person has to take the onus of claiming space for himself or herself. More than anything, this episode highlights what should be the larger focus that the government cant just expect to create reservations for various minorities to build a pluralistic society, it has to do more to sensitise the spaces.

Diversity is a social condition, but pluralism is a political programme; a manifestation of what we wish India to be, says Ramachandra Guha, and goes on to list five varieties of pluralism that universities must seek to achieve, in his essay on Pluralism in the Indian university. Tiss has almost achieved all  a pluralism in the student body, then in the teaching staff, a plurality of disciplines, approaches within a discipline, and pluralism in its funding. As Hunar Mehta, currently studying community organisation and development practice in the institute, has said, discussions among friends and in classes help to change your perspective subtly. When exposed to scientific reasoning to what is not considered normal, it helps one accept reality.

Moreover in the case of Tiss, that has about two years to work with its student population to break years and years of prejudices, sensitivity is the key word. We would have to be boorish at the very least, to say that in the light of the recent events that it has failed in serving its reputation. It is perhaps because it is Tiss that these issues have received attention, and the kind of propriety it deserves.

The Supreme Court had heard a curative petition in February, 2016 to revisit its 2013 judgment, signifying that it recognised that the LGBTQ issue was a 'constitutional' one and not a 'moral' one, according to this Firstpost article. And the Tiss issue among many, may hopefully pave the way for another one.

*Students spoke to Firstpost on the condition of anonymity
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said those guilty of an alleged gangrape of an American woman in March this year at a luxury hotel in the national capital won't be spared and has asked Delhi Police to register a case.

However, a case was yet to be filed even as the woman had, in an email written to Delhi Police, said that she was raped by five men at a Connaught Place five-star hotel during her visit to India.

Taking cognizance of media reports about the alleged rape, Sushma Swaraj in a series of tweets said she spoke to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Indian Ambassador in US Navtej Sarna about the matter.

I have seen the media reports about gang rape of an American tourist in Delhi in March this year. /1  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 3, 2016

I have spoken to the Lt Governor Delhi and told him that Police should register a case and bring the guilty to book. /2  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 3, 2016

I have also asked Indian Ambassador in US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty./3  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 3, 2016

"I have seen the media reports about gang rape of an American tourist in Delhi in March this year," she said.

She said she told Jung that "police should register a case and bring the guilty to book.

"I have also asked the Indian Ambassador in the US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty," Sushma Swaraj added.

Delhi Police had earlier received an e-mail complaint from the woman about the alleged gangrape.

The woman has said she had hired a tourist guide who, she alleged, was one of the rapists.

Police sources told IANS that they were investigating the allegations and have questioned some employees of the hotel. "A case will be registered soon on the basis of the victim's statement," a police officer said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday continued to hard-sell the BJP government's decision to demonetise high-denomination currency notes and lambasted the critics. Addressing approximately 2 lakh BJP party workers during a rally in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Modi owned the audience with his impassioned pleas, asking the junta to "have patience" with the government over note-bandhi.

"There will be hardships for now, but things are already improving. I salute citizens of the country," he said, adding it was a queue that would put an end to all other queues in the country.

Training his guns at detractors and the media, who are criticising the government, the prime minister called himself a "fakir" (hermit) and asked, "Have I committed any crime by attacking corruption and black money?"

Modi's rhetoric on Saturday, however was not much different from the previous BJP rallies or gatherings, where the prime minister spoke at length about the demonetisation drive and tried to drill the fact in his audience's head that the move to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 has been taken for the well-being of the country.

Here are a few key takeaways from Modi's Saturday rally:

Furthering the cause of cashless economy

A cashless economy is a better economy and that's what we (Indians) should be aiming at, was the crux of Modi's zealous plea to those who gathered at the rally."You have a phone, and your phone is your wallet. You don't need to withdraw money from ATMs. You can buy what you want from the money in your account through your phones," Modi said.

Turning the table on his critics for slamming the demonetisation move, the prime minister pitched for a developed India, where using cash will soon be passe. Taking a dig at detractors, Modi said that as a country, we should shut up all of them who call us (Indians) "technologically-challenged". "They should remember that the same Indians elected a new government in place by pushing a button," he said.

The Centre, and especially the prime minister, has always sold the move to demonetise as a moral crusade rather than a war of democracy. By appealing to people's morality and conscience, the prime minister's speeches have always been about "the right thing to do" and those who are complaining are the ones in the wrong. Modi's plea that India needs to adopt a cashless economy if it wants to develop, was sold similarly.

Modi referred to a WhatsApp video showing a beggar using a swipe machine to persuade people to shift to digital monetary transactions, insisting Indians do not take long to accept new things if they know the intention behind an action is right. "I don't know how far it is true but there is a video going viral on WhatsApp of a beggar being told by a man that though he wanted to help, he does not have change," Modi told BJP's Parivartan Rally.

"The beggar asks him not to worry and takes out a swipe machine and asks for his debit card," the Prime Minister said, as the crowd burst into peals of laughter. He said Indians do not take long to accept new things if they are told the intentions are right.

And this is not new for the prime minister either. On 27 November, during another election rally in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar, Modi urged all Indians to get familiar with the concept of cashless transactions.

The same day, during his radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he said, "Learn how this digital economy works. Learn the different ways you can use your bank accounts and internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. Learn the different ways you can use your bank accounts and internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. Learn about card payments and other electronic modes of payment. Look at the malls and see how they function. A cashless economy is secure, it is clean. You have a leadership role to play in taking India towards an increasingly digital economy."

Modi and his Cabinet ministers have now launched a major social media effort to promote cashless transactions, which include e-banking (or banking over computers or mobile phones), debit and credit cards, card-swipe or point-of-sales (PoS) machines and digital wallets.

Interesting to note here is that while India's internet users surpass the America's, smartphone ownership and internet penetration remain low. Also, as many as 68 percent of transactions in India are done in cash, according to a newspaper report, while other estimates say 90 percent of all transactions are in cash.

Seeking support for note-bandhi, Modi roared, "Bhrashtachar apne aap jayega kya? Usko danda leke nikalna padega ki nahi? Agar koi bhrashtachar ke khilaf ladta hai toh gunehgar hai kya? (Will corruption go on its own? It has to be driven out. Is fighting corruption a crime? Why are some people calling me a wrongdoer for fighting corruption.")

The crowd, in turn, chanted pro-Modi slogans.

Eye on Uttar Pradesh elections

The Moradabad rally was also an attempt to reach out to voters ahead of one of the most crucial political events to be held next year  the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Modi said, "If one has to eradicate poverty from the country, it is essential to develop big states like UP, Bihar and Maharashtra."

Moradabad rally was Modi's fourth in Uttar Pradesh since the BJP launched its campaign in the state. Earlier, Modi had addressed Parivartan rallies in Ghazipur, Agra and Kushinagar. "I have not fought from Uttar Pradesh only to become an MP, but also wanted to initiate the fight against poverty from this huge state," said Modi.

The heightened rhetoric around demonetisation and urging people to take up e-banking apart, Modi also hit out on the Opposition, which is united against the note-ban drive. Interestingly, the major opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh  BSP, SP and Congress  have been stalling Parliament proceedings for the past two weeks and demanding answers from the prime minister and BJP over the decision to demonetise.

Modi cautioned the poor not to get misled by the corrupt. "I want to tell poor people in whose account money has been deposited, don't touch that money, if they insist on asking for money, ask for proof," said Modi, warning people that if they touch that money, they'd land in trouble. "I am finding ways to put behind bars those guilty of stashing their black money into Jan Dhan accounts of the poor.

Why is Modi not speaking in Parliament?

Prime Minister has, so far, addressed four rallies in the poll-bound state and in all of them, the dominating subject has been demonetisation. Interestingly, all rallies have happened at a time when Parliament has turned into a war-zone, where the Opposition parties have demanded that Modi speak on the issue of note-ban. The prime minister has successfully evaded that situation as of now.

Political observers had also argued that Modi will not address any of the Houses about the demonetisation drive until things on the ground are settled. Others have argued that the prime minister's silence in Parliament will only make the Opposition look stronger and their claims that Modi is scared of speaking in Parliament more noticeable.

However, the skilled politician that Modi is, he knows better than to address Parliament on demonetisation. The prime minister has only spoken on demonetisation and its several benefits while addressing large gatherings or on radio addresses to the nation through Mann ki Baat. The Moradabad rally on Saturday was no exception.
Long before Narendra Modi emerged as a leading dramatis personae on the scene of Indian politics, Mamata Banerjee was Bengals undisputed queen of political melodrama. The recent events that have unfolded in rapid succession  first, the fracas over an IndiGo aircrafts delayed landing in Kolkata airport, and then the row over army deployment in Bengal  reveal that the Trinamool Congress chief still has a flair for the dramatic; never mind that she now occupies the highest governmental office in the state. Mamata's refusal to leave the state secretariat (Nabanna) till the army withdrew from a toll plaza near it, provides further testimony to this aspect of Banerjees character.

I wont leave unless the army is withdrawn from near the secretariat. Ill keep vigil to protect democracy, to protect my democratically elected government, Banerjee told a hurriedly convened late night press conference this Thursday. Arguably, her ongoing battle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as Banerjees own national ambitions (now that Bengal is firmly under her thumb,) are potent enough incentives for such theatrical skills to flourish further.

If Modi can tearfully choke up in the process of exhorting people to bear the agony of demonetisation, Banerjee can easily outperform the Prime Minister in the department of unleashing powerful emotions.

Rewind to Banerjees long and flamboyant tenure as opposition leader.

Those were the decades when she honed her dramatic skills to perfection, delighting and repelling her audience by turns. Her political tormentors could never quite anticipate the next spectacle that Banerjee would put on display. Her admirers, for their part, were spellbound by Didis frequent and unexpected emotional outbursts.

Consider the scene that unfolded on Kolkatas streets in the run up to the 1996 polls: Refusing to contest the elections, Banerjee charged the Congress  the party to which she belonged then  of fielding incompetent, ineligible candidates. Banerjees withdrawal from the contest provoked a hysterical outpouring from her admiring followers. Amid the high-pitched drama, Mamata threatened to hang herself with her fabled black shawl, even as delirious with rage, her supporters surrounded her, pleading with her to change her mind. Which she subsequently did, filing her nomination and going on to win the South Kolkata constituency. That was her third term in Parliament.

Alongside theatricality, Banerjee has continued to nurture her predilection for conspiracy theories. Sample the Chief Ministers latest response to army presence in her state: Is this a military coup? she asked, adding, even for a mock drill, the army has to take the states permission, and they have not. Just days ahead of the spat with army, the Trinamool Congress had floated dark insinuations about Banerjees life being endangered, alleging that an IndiGo airline flights delayed landing (by 13 minutes) occurred due to fuel shortage. The government has now ordered an inquiry into the delay.

According to a report in The Hindu: Trinamool member Sudip Bandyopadhyay raised the matter in the Lok Sabha. Today, it is one Opposition leader ... this Opposition leader is at the forefront ... [of the fight against the government], Derek OBrien said in the Rajya Sabha, suggesting that there was a perception that Opposition leaders were not safe.

High theatricality and emotional manipulation are today the leitmotif of politics. Though at the opposite ends of the political spectrum, Modi and Banerjee, have grasped the effectiveness of this idiom in defining contemporary electoral politics. The chief objective is to plunge the audience into an emotional vortex. Facts and prosaic rationality seem to drown in an emotional deluge unleashed by politicians. This is an idiom that is most effectively leveraged by politicians with the gift of the gab, those with a flair for whipping up mass frenzy and taking people on a rollercoaster ride of feelings that may have little relation to facts. Such experiences are amplified by multiple social media platforms, with their continued flow of comments and news (often fake,) and deliberately rendered sensational.

For instance, consider how facts relating to the efficacy of demonetisation as a means to eliminate black money have been pushed to the background in the face of the Prime Ministers emotional outbursts. Scores of economists have questioned the wisdom of a policy as drastic and painful as demonetisation. But what seems to stick is the rhetoric of feeling, the emotional pitch orchestrated by Modi.

Instances like these show quite plainly, the ineffectiveness of fighting political fights purely through data and ignoring the emotional appeals at the core of the message.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed BJP volunteers at the Parivartan Rally in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. According to ANI, the rally was flagged off by the party president Amit Shah in Saharanpur on 5 November. This is Narendra Modi's fourth such rally. After his rally in Moradabad, Modi will go to Rampur.

Modi took to the stage and turned the tables on those criticising his government over the demonetisation move, saying it's only the corrupt themselves who are facing the pinch.

"It's the dishonest people who are unable to go to banks and deposit their ill-gotten wealth. They are the ones complaining against the government's demonetisation move," Modi said. "The corrupt and rich people have asked the poor villagers to safeguard their money for them, to stand in lines and deposit it in banks for them. Instead of standing in queues at banks, they are standing in queues outside the houses of poor people."

"I am a person who has highlighted corruption. The ones who have money to hide are the ones blaming me," lamented Modi. "Should I not fight corruption? Will corruption disappear by itself?" he asked.

Modi reminded BJP volunteers and party workers once again of the government's assurance that things will ease up after 50 days. "I had said there will be hardships for now, but things will improve. You might have to stand in queues to withdraw money, but it's essential to eliminate corruption."

He also reiterated the government's push to go cashless. "There are 40 crore smartphones in the country today. Everything is available on mobile banking, net banking and through credit and debit cards. You just need to download an app on your phone, and for 40 crore people, everything is possible without visiting a bank or standing in queues," he said.

Modi also hit out at those saying Indians are resisting change or are technologically challenged. "They should remember that the same Indians elected a new government in place by pushing a button," he said.

Modi further highlighted the lack of progress made by the country's villages, blaming successive state governments for their failure in acting on their promises. "There were 18,000 villages in the country without electricity. I had asked for 1,000 days to ensure India no longer suffers from electricity shortages. Not even half of that time has passed, but we are already well on our way to delivering on our promise," he said.

Taking a swipe at state governments, Modi used the Madhya Pradesh example to highlight the efficiency of the BJP. "Madhya Pradesh was considered a 'Bimaru' state. But the people of MP gave the BJP a chance. The state government there, led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has transformed the state. Today, Madhya Pradesh is a shining example of efficiency," Modi said.

The party has been using these rallies to kick up a political storm in the poll-bound state of Uttar Pradesh, hoping to destabilise the position that Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party occupy in the state. He said big states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar  incidentally all ruled by non-BJP governments  need to prosper first for the country to develop. "If we want to make India prosperous, we need to make the big states poverty-free first. States like UP, Bihar, Maharashtra and

West Bengal need to prosper," he said.

Earlier governments, he said, used to work only for their own benefit. "The parties worked for their own, never for the poor. But I am my own man. I don't have a high command. I report only to the people. And if they want me to leave, I will pack my bags and leave," he said.

According to this earlier Firstpost article, BJP's Parivartan Yatra is not focused around a single leader and is expected to raise the poll fever in the state and spice up the campaign narrative.

Modi's last and concluding rally would be held in Lucknow on 24 December. A national leader, a state leader and an MP (by rotation) would be present for all four yatras. The party has also has formed a team of 15000 parivartan sarathis, who will visit 50,000 village panchayats in the state and hold 'parivartan chaupals', asking people to bring about change. They will cover around 1700o kilometers in 402 Assembly constituencies. 
By Ben Blanchard

| BEIJING/WASHINGTON

BEIJING/WASHINGTON China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the "petty" move.The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant U.S. side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties."The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship," it said.The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation.Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience. "This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying."I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government."In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country. Wang said that exchange had sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations", according to the ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.China's Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a "petty" move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added.Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."WAYWARD PROVINCE

Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.Chinese state media downplayed the possibility of a major blow-up in Beijing's relations with Washington as Trump prepares to assume office.

Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else."We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do."China's official Xinhua news agency said Trump needed to know Beijing can be a "cooperative partner" as long as Washington respects China's core interests, including the issue of Taiwan."China and the United States are not destined rivals," it said in an English-language commentary.Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump."Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the U.S. election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what U.S. policy has been" on Taiwan.Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. The White House also said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed.Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the U.S. military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy".Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation. (Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici, David Alexander, Yara Bayoumy, John Walcott, Arshad Mohammed, Eric Beech, Jeff Mason and JR Wu; Writing by Jeff Mason and Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Nick Macfie)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Amritsar: Finalising a counter-terror framework, ways to bring lasting peace to Afghanistan and boosting regional connectivity for the war-ravaged country's economic growth were some of the major focus areas during first day's deliberations at the Heart of Asia conference on Saturday, being attended by major regional and global powers.

The two-day annual conference, aimed at helping Afghanistan's transition, began in this holy city amid soaring tensions between India and Pakistan with speculation rife on whether the two countries will have a bilateral engagement on the sidelines of the conclave.

Being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, Nato and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia  Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including the revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani arrives in Amritsar (Punjab) for the #HeartofAsia conference pic.twitter.com/1qxwgFgEyI  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz is representing Islamabad at the Ministerial conference on Sunday, which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

On Saturday, senior officials of 14 member countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations deliberated on a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and ways to deal with threat of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.

In the meeting, delegation from Afghanistan pushed for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment by member countries to effectively deal with the terror networks.

The country representatives also visited the Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Bagh. Ahead of the conference, India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the "greatest threat" to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at tomorrow's deliberations.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistan's connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were also discussed at the senior officials' meeting which was co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

The meeting has also finalised the text for the Ministerial Conference and is also deliberated on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

There was no clarity on a possible Indo-Pak bilateral meeting.

India had already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the "new normal" in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".

The conference, whose theme is security and prosperity, will also deliberate on major connectivity initiatives, including Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project. There may be deliberations tomorrow on TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The platform was floated to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US.

Amritsar, which is not very far from the Indo-Pak border, has been brought under a heavy security cover as a major international event is being hosted by the city for the first time in many years.
Diplomats and analysts are bewildered over Donald Trump's telephonic chat with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday; bewildered and flummoxed because of Trump's sudden fondness for Sharif and Pakistan.

Admitting that Trump had never met Sharif in the past and yet he knows that Nawaz "has a very good reputation" and understands Sharif "is a terrific guy." Trump further felt like he was talking to a person he had "known for a long time". Interestingly, Trump has never visited Pakistan, yet he knows "the country is rich with tremendous opportunities." And Pakistanis are "one of the most intelligent people". Trump said, in the telephonic conversation, "he would love to visit a fantastic country. "

Waxing eloquence on Pakistan, and in such a generous measure, and even before Trump takes over the coveted office of the President of the United States, throws up a question mark on the veracity of the chat leading to possible examination of the transcript. As there has not been any contradiction by the either side, let us assume the conversation was genuine.

What's intriguing is Trump's pathological hatred towards Muslims in his entire campaign trail insinuating Pakistan as abetting terrorism. Yet within a short span of time, what's the dire need for cozying up to Pakistan who has never been kind to the US? Pakistani terror footprints are almost all over the world and US is the prime target. Americans have been targeted time and again and US has been using advisories every now and then to avoid visiting Pakistan and be watchful about the Pakistanis. Still, Trump's love for Pakistan belies all logic.

It would appear that Trump is completely ignorant about Pakistan. Pakistan became the nursery for all terror groups who bred and flourished on the Pakistani soil with rigorous training on suicide attacks, weaponry, indoctrination , cross border terrorism targeting Indian vital installations specially Kashmir.

Unholy nexus of Pakistan with Pan Islamic terror groups including Al Qaeda, IS and home grown jehadis like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad etc is known to the entire world. US being the chief of world terror policing, is expected to know the nuances even better. Even Afghanistan remains on Pakistani radar for fomenting terror targeting western forces (no exceptions to the Americans till they withdrew). Mumbai attacks of 26 November must be fresh in Trump's memory. Most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden was sheltered by Pakistan for long and it is highly suspected that his refuge in Abbottabad (Pakistan) had the State patronage.

Mr Donald Trump, you can not turn a blind eye to such well crafted misadventures of Pakistan.

It's hard to imagine Trump describing Pakistan as a fantastic country worth paying a visit? Can he still maintain his statement that Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people? If Trump is looking for opportunities for wholesale human rights' abuses and killings in PoK, Balochistan and target killings of Shias, Ahmediyas , Hindus and Christians , then Mr President designate you have rightly said Pakistan "is rich with tremendous opportunities."

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is tainted with scandals in Panama papers and Opposition parties are demanding his scalp through street agitations. Trump still portrays Nawaz Sharif as "terrific guy with a very good reputation." Judging by Trump's superlatives of Sharif and Pakistan, experts now may have to rethink the definitions of some of the words used by him in extolling these virtues of Pakistan. In the larger interest of geopolitics and global peace, one wonders if these words were indeed said during the phone conversation between Trump and Sharif. This development is indeed a sharp U-turn in US stance towards Pakistan.

International community must keep track of this developing bonhomie.

The writer is a retired IPS officer and senior fellow with India Police Foundation and Indian Police Institute . Views are personal.
Washington: In reference to Donald Trump's conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, an influential US Congressman has said that the President-elect is unlikely to push back against Islamabad after he takes office.

"I don't think anybody should have any doubt that Donald Trump will push back against Pakistan. He's been very clear about that," Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told CNN.

"In this case, you have a statement from a transcript that maybe was or wasn't said, that I don't think necessarily shows how Donald Trump will be when he comes to being President of the US on these very important issues," he said, when asked about Trump's phone call with Sharif.

According to the Pakistan PMO, Trump called Sharif "a terrific guy" and said he is ready and "willing to play any role that you (Sharif) might want me to play".

"Trump has been criticised by many foreign policy analysts in the US. I think it's a little over the line to tell somebody, 'I will play whatever role you want me to play.' Obviously, as the US, we're proud of the fact that we're the leader of the free world. We're proud of these alliances we have, but we're also in the driver's seat in most of these alliances," Kinzinger said.

"We need to be because of our values and systems. So, I think if that actually was said, and again, I don't have anything besides what I have just seen reported. If that was actually said, it was probably a bridge too far," he said.

He also stressed that Donald Trump is really new at this. "And I think as you kind of get your sea legs under you, as you learn about diplomacy and everything, maybe that changes. Maybe that tone changes," Kinzinger said in response to a question.
Franz Kafka died in 1924, but for all we know, he might still be the silent author of the script being played out between India and Pakistan. It's difficult otherwise to make sense of the relationship, that has crossed all realms of tragedy, comedy, even tragicomedy, and now resonates in absurdism. The pointlessness of engagements between the two nuclear-armed neighbours reminds one of the world Kafka created in The Trial.

Very often, just a single prescient satirical line can express more than a 1,000-word column. @GernailSaab  a sassy, sardonic, acerbic Twitter handle that parodies the army chiefs of Pakistan (General Qamar Bajwaa is the newest incumbent) recently joked about Islamabad's likely India policy under Bajwaa.

My foreign policy for India;

Day1: Ready for talks

Day2: Send biradars to border

Day3: India strikes back

Day4: There was no strike Repeat.  General Qamar Bajwaa (@GernailSaab) November 29, 2016

The tweet perfectly exposes Pakistan's perfidies and India's predicament, trapped inside a bleak, gory, meaningless, vicious cycle, one without an exit route. As the Heart of Asia conference began in Amritsar on Saturday, with 40 countries deliberating on the challenges and opportunities facing Afghanistan, host nation India would be pondering over the future of its Pakistan policy.

Islamabad, of course, is once again "ready for talks". Its foreign office has tried to package Sartaz Aziz's participation in the 14-member conference as Pakistan's "commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan", even as it winks at the Taliban and bombs go off in different parts of the war-ravaged country.

Aware of its unique positioning as a juvenile delinquent who isn't expected to mend, much less show, contrition for engineering terror across both its eastern and western borders, a brash Pakistan has dropped large hints that it expects to take part in a bilateral discussion on the sidelines in Amritsar, and has even suggested that the ball is in India's court.

The audaciousness of the manoeuvre is breathtaking, coming as it does immediately after the terror attack near Indian Army's 16 Corps Headquarters at Nagrota, in which two majors and five jawans were killed. One more attack, incidentally, was reported at Kulgam in Kashmir on Saturday, resulting in the death of one civilian.

It is almost as if Pakistan is mocking at India, fully aware that New Delhi has no choice but to follow an existentialist script that offers misery on top of repeated humiliation. Islamabad knows well, or at least is arrogant enough, to test the limits of India's patience and verify whether or not Narendra Modi's government is in control over the escalation ladder, having launched a surgical strike in the not-so-recent past.

Pakistan's confidence in playing this dangerous game of one-upmanship stems from an altered geo-strategic universe and India's domestic compulsions. Post the Barack Obama era and Hillary Clinton's defeat, with Washington on the cusp of a more inward-looking policy under Donald Trump, Pakistan feels confident of a Sino-centric Asian order. As US exceptionalism ends and an aggressive China rises, Islamabad naturally feels a lot more secure about its future vis-a-vis India.

India has so far held out that there is no possibility of talks, the only rejoinder that it can manage in an otherwise bad script. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters, for the umpteenth time, on Friday, "India has always been open to talks, but obviously it cannot be that talks take place in an atmosphere of continued terrorism. India will never accept continued terrorism as the new normal of the bilateral relationship."

There are two problems with this stance.

One, it is an old, hackneyed response. Every word of this has now been memorised by policy wonks on both sides of the border. Instead of intimidating, these lines now evoke laughter in Islamabad and are seen as an indication that New Delhi is running out of options. India's refusal to hold talks worry Pakistan as much as Washington is vexed each time Leftists take out processions in India against US imperialism.

And secondly, because once again as part of another well-rehearsed screenplay, Pakistan knows the domestic pulls and pressures that every Indian Prime Minister is under. These pulls and pressure were evident no sooner did Nagrota end. First off the blocks, as always, were the Abdullahs of National Conference, whose only relevance now in national politics is directly proportional to the outrage that their remarks generate. If papa Farooq Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, wants both countries to create "an atmosphere for dialogue" and India to hold talks with Pakistan at "some point", beta Omar, another former CM, has alleged that Nagrota happened because India was too triumphalist over surgical strikes  thereby firmly shifting the blame of terror on India's shoulders.

If one was inclined to be outraged about the victim blaming and Omar's confusion about whether he is the former CM of an Indian state or the spokesperson of the neighbouring state's foreign office, out came the Congress, never failing to disappoint the nation in these troubled times.

Former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh said India must make "every effort" to keep dialogue open with Pakistan. "My party and I personally have always held that dialogue with our neighbours should always be open. We can't have a situation of no dialogue with our neighbours," he was quoted by Times Now as saying.

On Friday, during the launch of former national security advisor Shivshankar Menon's book in New Delhi, P Chidambaram advised India to "continue engaging with Pakistan" despite heightened tension. According to a report in The Telegraph, Chidambaram said, "You have to continue to engage with Pakistan. Eventually, you have to live with your neighbours and you have to learn to live with them. Yes, you must be on your guard, but the answer is to engage Pakistan."

In the asymmetric war that Pakistan fights with India, statements of these kind are its biggest weapons and they cut New Delhi the deepest. It chips away at India's moral strength while tackling Pakistan on global forums because it puts the onus of Pakistan's bad behavior against India, telling the world at large that no matter what Islamabad does, New Delhi must always come round to turning the other cheek.

This self-defeating logic will continue to erode India's credibility on leading the war against terror, no matter what happens during the Heart of Asia conference and whether or not the vision document comes down hard on cross-border terrorism.

Pakistan knows this, as much as anyone else. It only needs to stick to the carefully rehearsed Kafkaesque screenplay.
Baghdad: At least 24 people were killed in an attack by the Islamic State militant group in the Iraqi city of Mosul on Saturday.

The news comes a day after Islamic State militants launched an attack using two car bombs on Kanaos village in the south of Qayyarah, killing two soldiers and injuring 29 others, Press TV reported.

Iraqi forces recaptured Qayyarah, which lies on the western bank of Tigris river, some 60 kilometres south of Mosul, from Islamic State late in August.

Iraqi media reported on Saturday that fierce clashes were underway between Iraqi security forces and the Islamic State near Mosul's airport.

Iraq's Almada Press website reported that Iraqi forces thwarted an Islamic State assault on the Aden district, east of Mosul, killing 13 terrorists, including the senior commander, Talaat Ahmed Fathi aka Abu Mohammed al-Iraqi.
By Ahmed Rasheed

| BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD No food or fuel has reached Mosul in nearly a week and the onset of rain and cold weather threatens a tough winter for more than a million people still in Islamic State-held areas of the city, residents said on Saturday.Iraqi troops waging a six-week-old offensive against the militants controlling Mosul have advanced into eastern city districts, while other forces have sealed Mosul's southern and northern approaches and 10 days ago blocked the road west.But their advance has been hampered by waves of counter-attacks from the ultra-hardline Islamists who have controlled the city since mid-2014 and built a network of tunnels in preparation for their defence of north Iraq's largest city.The slow progress means the campaign is likely to drag on throughout the winter, and has prompted warnings from aid groups that civilians face a near complete siege in the coming months.A trader in Mosul, speaking by telephone, said no new food or fuel supplies had reached the city since Sunday. Despite attempts by the militants to keep prices stable, and the arrest last week of dozens of shopkeepers accused of hiking prices, the trader said food had become more expensive and fuel prices had tripled."We've been living under a real state of siege for a week," said one resident of west Mosul, several miles (km) from the frontline neighbourhoods on the east bank of the Tigris river."Two days ago the electricity generator supplying the neighbourhood stopped working because of lack of fuel. Water is cut and food prices have risen and it's terribly cold. We fear the days ahead will be much worse".A pipeline supplying water to around 650,000 people in Mosul was hit during fighting this week between the army and Islamic State. A local official said it could not be fixed because the damage was in an area still being fought over.

Winter conditions will also hit the nearly 80,000 people registered by the United Nations as displaced since the start of the Mosul campaign. That number excludes many thousands more who were forcibly moved by Islamic State, or fled from the fighting deeper into territory under its control. MILITANTS COUNTER ATTACK

Islamic State authorities, trying to portray a sense of normality, released pictures which they said showed a Mosul market on Friday. It showed a crowd of people and a stall selling vegetable oil and canned food but no fresh produce.They also said they carried out several counter attacks in the last 24 hours against Iraqi troops in eastern Mosul and the mainly Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation forces who have taken territory to the west of the city.

Amaq news agency, which is close to Islamic State, said they retook half of the Shaimaa district in southeast of the city on Friday, destroyed four army bases in the eastern al-Qadisiya al-Thaniya neighbourhood and seized ammunition from fleeing soldiers in al-Bakr district, also in the east.A source in the Counter Terrorism Services, which are spearheading the army offensive, said Islamic State exploited the bad weather and cloud cover, which prevented air support from a U.S.-led international coalition.He said the militants had taken back some ground, but predicted their gains would be short-lived."This is not the first time it happens. We withdraw to avoid civilian losses and then regain control. They can't hold territory for long," the source said.

Amaq also said Islamic State fighters waged attacks on Saturday against the Popular Mobilisation paramilitary units near the town of Tal Afar, west of Mosul, showing footage of two damaged vehicles, one with interior ministry markings on it.A spokesman for the militias said those attacks had been repelled. "Daesh attacked at dawn to try to control the village Tal Zalat," said Karim Nouri. "Clashes continued for two hours, until Daesh withdrew, leaving bodies (of dead fighters) behind."In Baghdad, a car bomb blew up in a crowded market in the centre of the city on Saturday, killing seven people and wounding 15, police and medical sources said.There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Islamic State fighters have stepped up attacks in the Iraqi capital and other cities since the start of the Mosul operations.Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi launched the Mosul offensive on Oct. 17, aiming to crush Islamic State in the largest city it controls in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.The campaign pits a 100,000-strong U.S.-backed coalition of army troops, special forces, federal police, Kurdish fighters and the Popular Mobilisation forces against a few thousand militants in the city.Defeat would deal a heavy blow to Islamic State's self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria, announced by its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi from a Mosul mosque two years ago. (Writing by Dominic Evans; Editing by Clelia Oziel)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to send an envoy to the US to hold meetings with Donald Trump's transition team, two days after a "productive" telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the President-elect. Pakistani Prime Minister's special assistant for foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi will visit the US this weekend to meet officials of the Trump transition team.

Fatemi's meeting with officials of Trump transition team was confirmed by Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US.

"Besides meeting members of the transition team, Fatemi will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration," said Jilani.

US President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take the oath on 20 January but he has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Fatemi, who is coming on a two-week official visit, is also expected to meet some members of this team and in Washington, "he will also meet new US lawmakers elected last month," Jilani told a news briefing at the embassy. "This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the 8 November elections," Jilani said. The development came days after a telephonic talks between Trump and Sharif.

Sharif called Trump last week to congratulate him as the two leaders discussed various issues. "I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honour and I will personally do it. Feel free to call me any time even before 20 January, that is before I assume my office," Trump told Sharif, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office.
By Andrea Shalal and Mike Stone

| SIMI VALLEY, Calif.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. Norway on Friday urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to enunciate a clear and predictable policy on Russia as soon as possible, amid growing concerns in Oslo about increasing Russian military activities in the "High North" or Arctic region."What is most important to us right now is to have both a predictable and a very clear policy on Russia," Norwegian Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told Reuters ahead of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California."The earlier and the clearer that the new administration comes out with this, the better it is, also for European security," Soereide said.Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg spoke by telephone with Trump on Thursday, addressing concerns of the transatlantic NATO alliance and Europe about Russia's increasingly aggressive military stance, Soereide said.She said Trump reassured Solberg about the United States' commitment to the NATO alliance and common security.

During the U.S. election campaign, Trump talked of building closer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He questioned whether the United States should protect allies seen as spending too little on their defence, raising fears he could withdraw funding for NATO. Soereide said Norway was concerned by Russia's testing of new missiles that could reach Europe, upgrades of existing equipment, and its adoption of quieter submarines that were harder to detect. The combined effect was a new challenge that Europe and NATO need to address, she said."They are effectively capable now of closing off allied reinforcements, which of course is a huge strategic challenge," Soereide said, citing what she called Russia's ability to block the so-called GIUK gap that runs between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, a strategic "gateway" to the north Atlantic.

Norway announced plans last week to buy five Boeing Co (BA.N) P-8A maritime surveillance planes that it could use to better track Russian submarines, cooperating closely with Britain, which is buying nine of the planes. U.S. and NATO officials say the level of Russian submarine activity in the region is at its highest since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s.

Russian control of the Arctic chokepoint would make it difficult for NATO forces to bring warships and heavy equipment into the area during a future potential conflict, Soereide said.Norway was monitoring developments nearly "hour by hour," she added."They have been reestablishing their 'bastion' defence concept," she said in reference to the Soviet Union's Cold War strategy of heavily defending maritime areas such as the Barents Sea. "They have to a great extent shown that this area is strategically even more important to the Russians now than it used to be," she said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Andrew Hay)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Martin Petty and David Brunnstrom

| MANILA/WASHINGTON

MANILA/WASHINGTON U.S. President-elect Donald Trump invited Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, a Duterte aide said on Friday, amid rocky relations between their two countries.A statement issued by Trump's transition team, however, made no mention of an invitation.Trump's brief chat with the firebrand Philippine president follows a period of uncertainty about one of Washington's most important Asian alliances, stoked by Duterte's hostility towards President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defence ties.The call lasted just over seven minutes, Duterte's special adviser, Christopher Go, said in a text message to media, which gave few details.Duterte congratulated the U.S. president-elect, the Trump team's statement said, and the two men "noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern."In five months in office, Duterte has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the United States, making overtures towards historic rival China and pursuing a new alliance with Russia.His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian countries wary about Beijing's rising influence and Washington's staying power as a regional counterbalance.Duterte has praised China and told Obama to "go to hell" and called him a "son of a bitch" whom he would humiliate if he visited the Philippines.The anger was unleashed after Democrat Obama expressed concern about possible human rights abuses in Duterte's war on drugs, during which more than 2,000 people have been killed.Duterte initially expressed optimism about having Trump in the Oval Office, saying he no longer wanted quarrels. But he has continued to rail against U.S. "hypocrisy" and "bullying".

Republican Trump, a New York businessman who has never previously held public office, told Reuters during the election campaign that Duterte's comments showed "a lack of respect for our country." But he also stressed the "very important strategic location" of the Philippines and blamed Obama for failing to take the time to get to know world leaders. 'CLEAN SLATE'

A source who has advised Trump's transition team on security policy told Reuters last week the president-elect would start a "clean slate" with Duterte, and analysts see some similarities in their blunt style."He is perfectly capable of talking to Duterte in an open way without being wedded to previous policy failures," the source said of Trump, while stressing the importance of security ties. Sometimes called the "Trump of the East" because of his mercurial ways, Duterte has threatened repeatedly to sever U.S. defence ties, saying he "hates" having foreign soldiers in his country.

Joint military exercises look set to be scaled back as Duterte has demanded and a question mark hangs over the future of a 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a deal of strategic importance to Washington because it allows U.S. forces access to Philippine bases on a troop rotation basis."EDCA is a concern and some of the things Duterte has said are a concern," the source who has advised Trump's transition said. "That is not going to change based on who the president is."Duterte caused a stir when he visited China in October and announced his "separation" from the United States. He has said Washington could not be trusted to support the Philippines if it were attacked, as mandated in a joint defence treaty. In an article published just before the U.S. election, Trump advisers Peter Navarro and Alex Gray blamed the breakdown on the Obama administration's failure to intervene in 2012 when China seized the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, which the Philippines considers its fishing ground."Washington's utter failure to uphold its obligations to a longtime, pivotal ally during one of its most humiliating crises has no doubt contributed to (Duterte's) low opinion of American security guarantees  and his recent move toward a China alliance," they wrote.

Some experts say Duterte's appointment of special envoys to Washington suggest he aims to keep good ties.Among the envoys is multi-millionaire real estate tycoon Jose Antonio, who bought the rights to name a new office tower in Manila "Trump Towers".U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said he did not know whether the department had assisted in setting up Trump's call with Duterte, but stood ready to provide such help.Philippines expert Ernest Bower of the Bower Group Asia consultancy said it was likely the call was facilitated by Trump's business partners in the Philippines and a core group of advisers, who include his children.Bower said Trump's election victory could offer Duterte a face-saving way to move back from his anti-U.S. rhetoric, while Duterte could provide Trump with a way to stress the importance of Asian alliances, which he appeared to question during the campaign.Murray Hiebert of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that the Philippines would be chairing the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year and it was common for the United States to extend an invitation to the chair ahead of the U.S.-ASEAN summit.Bower said this may have been fortuitous on Trump's part."My guess is he was more interested in making a point - that he could deal with Duterte in ways Obama couldn't - than in the strategic wisdom of driving alignment with the ASEAN chair ahead of the ASEAN and East Asian summits." (Addtional reporting by Manuel Mogato in Manila and Steve Holland and Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Grant McCool and James Dalgleish)

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By Tom Perry, Isla Binnie and Vladimir Soldatkin

| BEIRUT/ROME/MOSCOW

BEIRUT/ROME/MOSCOW Russia said on Saturday it was ready for talks with the United States about a withdrawal of all Syrian rebels from eastern Aleppo where advances by the Russian-backed Syrian army and its allies threaten to deal a crushing blow to the rebellion. An official with an Aleppo rebel group accused Russia of backtracking on ideas agreed at talks in Turkey that would have led to a ceasefire, and said rebel commanders had vowed to fight on even as they face intense bombardment and ground assaults.Russia has acknowledged contacts with the rebels but given no details of the talks in Turkey."I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender'," said Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, speaking from Turkey.But with the rebels under fierce assault in their shrinking enclave, the U.N. envoy for Syria suggested eastern Aleppo could fall to the government by the end of the year and hoped a "formula" could be found to avoid a "terrible battle". The government advances in Aleppo have brought President Bashar al-Assad to the brink of his biggest victory yet in the war that grew out of protests against his rule in 2011. Backed by the Russian air force and Shi'ite militias from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, the government has gradually closed in on eastern Aleppo this year. The latest phase of the attack has driven rebels from more than half the territory they held.The United Nations estimates that close to 30,000 people have been displaced by the latest fighting, 18,000 of them leaving to government-held areas and a further 8,500 going to the Kurdish-controlled neighbourhood of Sheikh Maqsoud.Tens of thousands of people are thought to be sheltering in the rebel-held east, where supplies of food and fuel are critically low and hospitals have been repeatedly bombed out of operation.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that reports on the war, said up to 200,000 people may still be in the rebel-held area. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said it could be more than 100,000 people.Russia, which has assumed a pivotal role in Syria since it deployed its air force there 15 months ago, said the withdrawal of all rebels would "normalize life" in eastern Aleppo.

"We are immediately ready to send out military experts, diplomats to Geneva in order to agree mutual actions with our American colleagues to ensure the pullout of all the rebels without exclusion from eastern Aleppo," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.REBELS ABANDONED

There was no immediate comment from the United States, which has backed some of the rebel groups fighting Assad, including Free Syrian Army factions fighting in the Aleppo area.The rebels say they have been abandoned to their fate in eastern Aleppo by foreign governments such as the United States.With no good options, the rebels have been holding talks with Russian officials which they say had produced agreements including the departure of all jihadist fighters from Aleppo. Malahifji said Lavrov's comments had "cancelled everything" and the meetings in Turkey had "almost come to a halt".

"The military commanders in Aleppo said 'we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city'," Malahifji said. The Observatory and a Syrian army source said government forces had advanced further, capturing the Tariq al-Bab area. The Observatory said government forces had seized at least 60 percent of the area the rebels had held.Rebels officials said the assault on Tariq al-Bab had been repelled. Fierce clashes were underway in the Aziza as rebels sought to repel another attempted advance, a rebel official said.At least seven plumes of smoke were seen rising from rebel-held areas of the city on Saturday as the sound of jets could be heard overhead, a Reuters witness in the government-held western Aleppo said.The Observatory said at least three people were killed in an air strike on the al-Shaer neighbourhood of eastern Aleppo.The civil defense rescue service in eastern Aleppo said a gathering of displaced people had been struck and put the death toll at more than six. The army denies targeting civilians.

The Observatory also reported that rebels shot down a Syrian war plane over Aleppo, killing the two pilots on board. Reuters could not obtain Syrian military comment on the report.ALEPPO'S FALL WON'T END WAR

Speaking at a conference in Rome, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura indicated eastern Aleppo could fall by the end of the year, saying "Aleppo is not going to stay that long"."I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas/New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula," he said.In apparent reference to the talks between Russian and rebel officials, de Mistura said "informal negotiations" had reduced the level of fighting in eastern Aleppo - a comment which rebel officials dismissed as out of touch with reality. The government has reached numerous local agreements with rebels in besieged areas by which they have been given safe passage to the insurgent-held province of Idlib in northwestern Syria. Some analysts believe the Aleppo rebels may eventually be forced to accept such an agreement.European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, speaking in Rome, said she was certain Aleppo's fall would not end the war, and there would be other military escalations."This will only make things worse and, by the way, I am convinced the fall of Aleppo will not end the war. We will have other military escalations. So if a call to stop has to be made, it has to be made now, not tomorrow or in a week's time," she said. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

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New York: US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties, The New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," The New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

On 30 November, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".

"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.

On Trumps conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels. "By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency". In a 2 December conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington. NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country's "separation" from the US during a recent trip to Beijing. "Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama's administration had been working to curb," NYT said.

Trump also praised Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for "fantastic success", in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev's strongman rule. According to the Kazakh government's readout of the call, Trump "stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle". The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"If you travel to the US you should let me know," he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party a "slap to May", NYT said. Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added. In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter. "The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trump's businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the US government, with which she has no role," it said.
Washington: The White House has said India-US relations have gained strength during President Barack Obama's regime, and hoped the momentum would continue during Donald Trump's administration.

"I know that President Obama speaks to his counterparts as heads of state frequently. Prime Minister (of India) Modi is one that he enjoys speaking with. They touch base regularly," said White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz on Friday. "So it's a good thing for the United States if that relationship continues in some strength."

Schultz was responding to a question on remarks made by President-elect Donald Trump before the elections in which he called for a strong India-US relationship.

"I don't know who can tell you about the future, but I think we'll leave it to historians to judge the contours of the relationship between the United States and India. Obviously, the president is enormously proud of his record of working closely with Prime Minister Modi," he said.

"They've worked together on a number of projects, most recently the Paris agreement, that a lot of the work that went into that, again was a deal brokered between nearly 200 countries, but India was a vital part of that. And that could not have been done without Prime Minister Modi's leadership," Schultz said.
One thing is quite clear: The world still needs lots of oil. In fact, global oil demand is expected to continue growing until 2040. I think the oil stocks with the best potential to win here are Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), Suncor Energy (NYSE: SU), and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP).

I believe these three offer similar risk profiles as their big oil brethren but with much more upside.

Built like big oil but with more growth

Two things set big oil companies apart from the rest of the industry. Their portfolio is a globally diversified mix of stable oil and gas assets that get integrated with refining and marketing assets to provide some counter-cyclical benefits. While Occidental Petroleum does not own any refining assets, it does own a counter-cyclical chemicals business, as well as midstream assets. Furthermore, it controls a diverse portfolio of producing assets, including shale, enhanced oil recovery, and conventional oil and gas assets in the Middle East. It clearly has the size, scale, and diversification to be considered big oil.

That said, what makes Occidental Petroleum a more compelling buy is that it combines the safety and security of big oil with outsized growth potential. Thanks in part to its prime position in the oil-rich Permian Basin, Occidental Petroleum believes that it can grow its production by 5% to 8% per year over the long term. To put that into perspective, ExxonMobil and Chevron are forecasting low-single-digit production growth through 2020. Furthermore, Occidental's production growth will come mostly from high-margin shale, which should provide it with ample cash flow to continue boosting shareholder distributions, especially if oil prices rebound.

Canada's big oil stock

Suncor Energy is another company that fits the big oil risk profile but with more growth potential. That is because like ExxonMobil and Chevron, it operates several refineries, which it has integrated into its asset base. Furthermore, it controls diverse oil assets, including being the largest producer in the Canadian oil sands, as well as operating offshore platforms in the Canadian Atlantic and the North Sea.

However, where Suncor stands apart from other large oil companies is in its growth potential. In 2017 it expects to grow production by 13%, thanks to recently increasing its stake in the Syncrude oil sands facility, as well as the expectation that it will complete two major projects by the end of next year. In fact, those two projects put the company in the position to deliver 6% compound annual production growth on a per-share basis through 2019 as it ramps up output. That is a pretty healthy growth rate for a company of its size.

Flexibility to expand if needed

Once upon a time, ConocoPhillips was considered part of the big oil elite. However, after spinning off its refining, chemicals, and midstream assets into Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) a few years back, it no longer qualifies as an integrated oil company. That said, ConocoPhillips still produces a prodigious amount of oil and gas every day through a diverse set of assets around the world, so it is a massive oil company.

Most oil companies of its size lack the flexibility to respond to market conditions because they typically invest in expensive, long-term mega projects. ConocoPhillips, on the other hand, is putting the finishing touches on the bulk of its major projects and is instead turning its attention to short-cycle shale plays going forward. This shift gives the company the ability to ramp its production up in response to rising oil prices. For example, at $50 oil the company can grow output by up to 2% per year. However, it can ramp that rate up to 4% at $60 oil and up to 8% at $70 oil if needed. That is flexibility and growth potential that few companies of its size can match.

Investor takeaway

Most big oil companies are so large that they are unable to grow their production by more than a low-single-digit rate, and they cannot quickly respond to higher oil prices. That limits their upside potential in a rising oil price environment. On the other hand, large oil companies Occidental Petroleum, Suncor Energy, and ConocoPhillips check most of the big oil boxes while offering much more upside because of their robust growth potential. That is why these three are the best big oil stocks to buy, given the outlook that oil prices should head higher in future years.
Ford Motor Company (F -2.54%) took the wraps off of the European version of its all-new Fiesta subcompact this past week.

The new Fiesta is a refined, more upscale version of the small Ford that has been a best-seller in Europe and other global markets for many years. That refinement is part of a larger strategy: Ford is hoping that the new Fiesta will be more profitable than the outgoing model. That will make a big difference in Europe, where the Fiesta is Ford's best-selling model.

How will the U.S. model differ from this European Fiesta?

Ford hasn't shown the U.S.-market version of the all-new Fiesta yet. I expect it to look almost exactly like the European model, but there will be differences in the options available.

The thing to remember is that while the Fiesta is kind of an afterthought in the SUV-mad U.S. these days, it's one of the best-selling cars in Europe. Ford is offering the European Fiesta in four different versions and with a slew of options -- but it's likely that the Fiesta lineup will be greatly simplified for the U.S. in order to reduce manufacturing costs.

What's new about it?

A lot -- enough that we call it "all-new" -- but not everything. Like the current model, the new Fiesta is built on Ford's "Global B" vehicle architecture, so it's about the same size as the current car and shares some parts and engineering under the skin. But the new Fiesta's "touch points," the body and interior, are all new, and together give the impression of a more premium product.

The new Fiesta's shape is similar to the current car's, but a bit curvier, with some styling tricks (the horizontal taillights, for one) that make it look lower and more sleek. Ford has added finish details (tighter gaps between panels, hidden windshield-washer sprayers) that are subtle but together deliver a more upscale appearance.

Inside, the interior has been restyled. It's also more upscale-looking, with an 8-inch touchscreen system and (in the European models, at least) more personalization options. There's also more room in the back seat, a welcome improvement.

As with other recent new Fords, buyers of the new Fiesta will be offered a long list of high-tech safety and convenience features, including (again, at least in Europe) Ford's new Traffic Sign Recognition and Cross Traffic Alert systems.

And as I mentioned above, Ford is offering the Fiesta in four different flavors in Europe. In addition to the "regular" Fiesta, there are also luxurious (Vignale), crossover-ish (Active), and sporty-looking (ST-Line) variants.

How will the new Fiesta boost Ford's profits?

We don't know for sure how the profitability of the new Fiesta will compare with the current model's. The profitability of any specific car model is a closely guarded secret. But we do know that Ford emphasized a premium feel with the new Fiesta, suggesting that it will seek a premium price. We also know that Ford has created new extra-cost options and upscale trim lines, both of which it hopes will tempt more buyers into selecting loaded models. (Generally, base-model versions have thin profit margins. Options are very profitable.)

And we know what CEO Mark Fields and other Ford executives have said recently about Ford's new small-vehicle strategy: It's likely that, despite the upgrades, the new Fiesta costs less to build than the outgoing car.

Add that up, and it should result in a more profitable Fiesta.

What's next for the new Fiesta?

Ford hasn't said exactly when the new Fiesta will arrive at European dealers -- and officially, it hasn't said anything at all about the timing of the U.S.-market version. My guess is that the new Fiesta will be available in the U.S. late next year as a 2018 model, but Ford hasn't confirmed that yet.

It's very likely that Ford will show the U.S. version of the all-new Fiesta at one of the major U.S. auto shows between now and spring. We'll know more when that happens.
This could very well go down as the best year for the marijuana industry on record. It's tough to top 1996, the first year medical marijuana was approved in a state (California), or 2012, when Colorado and Washington simultaneously became the first states to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis to adults aged 21 and up. However, in 2016 the pot industry saw residents in nine states vote on marijuana initiatives, with eight states (sorry Arizona) voting to approve their respective marijuana initiative or amendment.

Cannabis has had a stellar 2016

Following the 2016 elections, eight states (and Washington, D.C.) have recreational marijuana laws on the books, which is double where we began the year, and a whopping 28 states have now legalized medical cannabis. This year, five new states -- Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, North Dakota, and Arkansas -- have legalized the use of medical cannabis to treat certain ailments such as epilepsy, cancer, and glaucoma, to name a few.

This rapid state-level expansion has business booming for the legal marijuana industry. Investment firm Cowen & Co. has projected that legal sales could climb from $6 billion today to $50 billion in a decade. That's great news for state and local governments that are looking for additional sources of revenue -- and an incredible opportunity for marijuana businesses.

This expansion is also a big win for medical marijuana patients. Having more than half of all U.S. states legalize medical weed represents a major step forward in potential treatment pathways. Nationally, according to a 2015 CBS News poll, 84% of Americans want to see medical marijuana legalized nationwide.

Yet marijuana remains a schedule 1, and therefore illicit, drug at the federal level, leaving states to pass cannabis laws individually. Furthermore, two dozen U.S. states, some of which are led by conservative lawmakers who oppose the expansion of marijuana, had neither an initiative nor a referendum, which could make it difficult for certain patients to gain access to medical marijuana.

Three states that could legalize medical marijuana next

Of the 22 states that haven't legalized medical cannabis, some may never legalize it. However, the following three states could very well be the next to legalize medical marijuana, and one is quite the shocker.

Oklahoma

Medical cannabis supporters in Oklahoma tried diligently to get State Question 788 on the ballot prior to the November elections, but a battle in the Oklahoma Supreme Court squashed that hope.

On one hand, Oklahomans have collected more 67,700 signatures in favor of putting a medical cannabis measure on the ballot to be voted on by residents. This was nearly 2,000 signatures more than was needed, and opponents didn't challenge the signatures collected. In short, it's not a question of whether a medical cannabis initiative will be voted on; it's just a matter of when.

On the other hand, detailing the title of Question 788 has proven a sticky situation. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, long an ardent opponent of the expansion of cannabis, rewrote the title of the bill in such a way that the question appears to ask whether "marijuana" should be legalized in Oklahoma as opposed to "medical marijuana." Though readers would discover that medical marijuana is what's being voted on by reading further, the rewrite of the bill -- in particular the first sentence, which does not include the term "medical" -- is somewhat misleading, and proponents fear it could be defeated without the original title. Thus Question 788 is headed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to decide whether the original title language can be used as opposed to Pruitt's modified title.

Oklahomans may have to wait a while to find out the verdict, but a medical marijuana measure of some sorts is heading to ballots within the next two years, and it seems to have a decent shot of passing.

Missouri

Another state with a strong chance of getting a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot in 2018 is Missouri. The Show-Me state was already one of the finalists on track to get a medical cannabis initiative on the 2016 ballot, but it wound up falling a few thousand votes short of the signatures needed when Secretary of State Jason Kander invalidated more than 10,000 signatures.

Interestingly, however, Kander came out in support of using the legislative process to legalize medical cannabis shortly after the measure failed to collect enough signatures to get on the 2016 ballot. In a statement from the secretary of state's office, Kander said:

While supporters of this important proposal can try to put it on the ballot again in two years, I believe it is time for the state legislature to step up. The Missouri General Assembly should pass legislation to allow medical marijuana so Missouri families that could greatly benefit from it don't have to watch their loved ones continue suffering. If the legislature is not willing to do that, they should at least put the measure on the ballot themselves in 2018 to give Missouri voters the opportunity to decide on the issue.

With Kander in their corner and marijuana advocacy groups now focusing their attention on Missouri, a medical marijuana measure looks to have a good shot at being on the 2018 ballot -- and probably passing based on national sentiment toward medical pot.

Texas

Remember that shocker I promised? Well, this is it. The Lone Star state of Texas could be in a prime position to legalize medical marijuana within the next two years.

Historically, Republican-led states are a tough sell for medical or recreational cannabis. Speaking generally, Republican lawmakers take a pretty conservative approach to marijuana use, with many avoiding legalization within their respective states. Texas is a longtime Republican stronghold, so it would seem likely that medical cannabis will remain illegal.

However, times could be changing. Earlier this year, Senate Bill 339 surprisingly passed in both the state's House and Senate, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law. This bill allows patients suffering from a rare form of epilepsy access to cannabidiol, or CBD, the non-psychoactive component of marijuana. Furthermore, at the State Convention of the Republican Party of Texas, Republicans approved part of a platform calling for a law to "allow doctors to determine the appropriate use of cannabis to prescribed patients." The Texas Department of Public Safety is set to begin granting CBD permits in June 2017, and it's possible an expansion of medical marijuana's use could soon follow.

Legalizing medical marijuana in Texas could also generate substantial sales on the order of $2 billion to $3 billion annually. This isn't to say that Texas is having difficulty meeting its budgetary needs, but the tax revenue generated from medical cannabis would further buoy the state's budget.

A fairly recent Texas Tegna Poll found 71% support for legalizing medical pot in the state compared to just 19% opposition. The remainder were undecided. This overwhelming support, coupled with a softening legislative stance and some very large dollar figures, could push Texas to legalize medical cannabis by 2018.
Because of uncertainty around oil prices, investors should seek out energy stocks that will thrive even when oil declines. Here are five stocks that are in a great position for 2017: EOG Resources (EOG -0.53%), Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP -0.27%), Enbridge (ENB -0.56%), Core Labs (CLB -3.40%), and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP -1.29%).

The best oil growth stock

The management team of leading U.S. oil producer EOG Resources (EOG -0.53%) spent much of the past two years putting the company in the position to thrive at lower oil prices. Thanks to efficiency gains, advances in technology, and innovation, the company now controls a vast inventory of wells that can achieve at least a 30% after-tax rate of return at $40 oil. These wells are a game-changer for EOG Resources, which is now in the position to grow its oil production by a 15% compound annual rate through 2020 at just $50 oil. Furthermore, EOG Resources can deliver this growth, and pay its current dividend, all while living within cash flow. That is industry-leading growth for a company of EOG's size.

The best renewable energy stock

While solar stocks are often hot commodities in the market, they have a tendency to scorch investors by taking on too much debt to grow. That is why investors looking for some clean energy exposure should turn their attention to Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP -0.27%), which is one of the largest pure-play renewable power operators in the world. What differentiates Brookfield Renewable Partners is a focus on owning and operating hydropower assets because they provide very stable cash flows over the long term, enabling the company to pay a lucrative distribution that is currently yielding more than 6%. And thanks to a robust pipeline of proprietary development projects and a history of making accretive transactions, Brookfield Renewable Partners plans to increase its payout by 5% to 9% annually. That is a growing income stream few renewable companies can match.

The best pipeline stock

Speaking of growth and income, Canadian energy infrastructure giant Enbridge (ENB -0.56%) has the most clearly visible future in the energy sector. The pipeline giant has already promised investors a 15% dividend increase next year, fueled by recent acquisitions and growth projects. That boost, however, is just the beginning, with the company forecasting that it will grow its payout by a 10% to 12% annual rate through 2024. Driving that growth is the fact that Enbridge is currently working on $20 billion of fee-based projects and has another $37 billion of projects further along in its development pipeline. Because of that pipeline, there isn't an energy stock that comes close to matching Enbridge's dividend growth forecast.

The best oil-field services stock

The oil-field service business is a tough one for investors because these companies earn low margins thanks to intense competition and have high capital costs due to the equipment needed to service wells. However, that is not the case for Core Labs (CLB -3.40%), which offers proprietary services that help oil and gas companies get the most oil and gas out of their reservoirs. Because of its focus on technology, Core Labs operates an asset-light business, which enables the company to generate healthy cash flow. So far this year Core Labs has converted $0.23 of every dollar of revenue into free cash flow. Those numbers should start heading higher next year given that the oil industry is expected to start investing more money into its services. In fact, Core Labs believes that a "V-shaped" recovery in oil prices, oil-field services, and its financial results has already begun. That outlook suggests the company could have an outstanding year in 2017.

The best utility stock

Most utility companies are low-growth enterprises that are often weighed down by debt. Not so with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP -1.29%), which offers investors the risk profile of a utility due to the regulated or contract frameworks supporting its assets, enabling the company to generate stable cash flow to pay a generous distribution that currently yields 4.7%. However, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners also offers much more upside than a traditional utility due to its organic growth backlog and pipeline of acquisition opportunities. In fact, thanks to recent acquisitions and growth projects, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners expects to grow its distribution to investors by 9% next year and is aiming for 5% to 9% annual distribution growth in future years.

Investor takeaway

There's plenty of uncertainty as we head into 2017, which could be a volatile year for energy stocks. That's why the best energy stocks to own in what could be an uncertain year are those with a clearly visible path to grow no matter what happens. That is exactly what's in the forecast for these five stocks, all of which see ample growth in 2017 and beyond.

Before investing in stocks, here's some information to help beginners choose the right ones.
What happened

Crude oil roared higher this week, ending up double digits after OPEC officially agreed to cut its production by more than 1 million barrels per day. That agreement also sparked a huge rally across the oil patch. But while the entire sector moved higher, the biggest beneficiaries of OPEC's announcement are companies that had struggled with low oil prices. That's why some of this week's biggest movers, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, were Atwood Oceanics (ATW), Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS), Denbury Resources (DNR), Whiting Petroleum (WLL), and Oasis Petroleum (OAS):

So what

The offshore drilling market was in trouble well before OPEC started its market share war. That is because the sector was battling an oversupply of rigs and high costs, which only grew worse once prices started crashing. However, with OPEC changing course and supporting prices, it should remove a huge weight that had been holding back offshore drilling activities. A return of stable pricing should give offshore producers the confidence to increase their capex budgets, which could lead to more work for contract driller Atwood Oceanics and service company Hornbeck Offshore Services. That said, oil needs to move much higher, and the industry needs to continue to right-size its equipment inventory and cost structure before it is smooth sailing for Atwood Oceanics and Hornbeck Offshore.

Denbury Resources is another company that needs outside help to get back on track. One of the enhanced oil recovery specialist's biggest challenges is that its most profitable oil hedges expired at the end of the second quarter, leaving the company even more exposed to lower oil prices, evidenced by a $10-per-barrel decline in its average realized oil price last quarter. On top of that, Denbury Resources has a rather bloated balance sheet, which forced it to take several actions to cut debt including selling non-core assets and buying back notes on the open market at a discount. That said, what the company needs are steadily rising oil prices, which would provide it with the cash flow to pay down debt and reinvest in its asset base. Those higher prices are now much more likely thanks to OPEC.

Finally, Bakken-focused drillers Oasis Petroleum and Whiting Petroleum will also benefit from the additional support OPEC will provide to the oil market. In Oasis Petroleum's case, it has only been able to keep its production roughly flat during the downturn while it worked on getting its costs down. However, it has made substantial progress in that area and was poised to deliver mid-teen production growth through 2018 at $50 oil. Unfortunately, Whiting Petroleum is not quite to that level, as it needs roughly $50 oil to keep production flat. With a new Bakken oil pipeline nearly complete, which should push its transportation costs down by $3 per barrel, the company was getting to that point where it could start growing again. But with OPEC stepping in, it should drive prices higher and enable Whiting and Oasis to accelerate drilling in the future.

Now what

The entire oil market breathed a sigh of relief this week now that OPEC has decided to end its market share war and instead will go back to bringing stabilization to the market. This agreement should cause prices to rise steadily, which would incentivize producers to invest more money into offshore development. Furthermore, the deal should also provide a much-needed boost to companies that have higher breakeven levels because it should supply them with more cash flow to pay down debt and invest in their production base.
Steven Mnuchin, who was nominated by Donald Trump as the next Treasury secretary, is stepping down from the board at Sears.

Mnuchin, 53, has been on the Sears Holdings Corp. board for more than 11 years, according to the company. He was the Yale roommate of Sears Chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert.

Mnuchin was tapped in May to head Trump's campaign finance operation, and said this week that he had been asked by Trump to head the Treasury.

Sears, based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, said Mnuchin's departure reduces the number of board members to nine.
Image source: Getty Images.

This could very well go down as the best year for the marijuana industry on record. It's tough to top 1996, the first year medical marijuana was approved in a state (California), or 2012, when Colorado and Washington simultaneously became the first states to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis to adults aged 21 and up. However, in 2016 the pot industry saw residents in nine states vote on marijuana initiatives, with eight states (sorry Arizona) voting to approve their respective marijuana initiative or amendment.

Cannabis has had a stellar 2016

Following the 2016 elections, eight states (and Washington, D.C.) have recreational marijuana laws on the books, which is double where we began the year, and a whopping 28 states have now legalized medical cannabis. This year, five new states -- Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, North Dakota, and Arkansas -- have legalized the use of medical cannabis to treat certain ailments such as epilepsy, cancer, and glaucoma, to name a few.

This rapid state-level expansion has business booming for the legal marijuana industry. Investment firm Cowen & Co. has projected that legal sales could climb from $6 billion today to $50 billion in a decade. That's great news for state and local governments that are looking for additional sources of revenue -- and an incredible opportunity for marijuana businesses.

This expansion is also a big win for medical marijuana patients. Having more than half of all U.S. states legalize medical weed represents a major step forward in potential treatment pathways. Nationally, according to a 2015 CBS News poll, 84% of Americans want to see medical marijuana legalized nationwide.

Yet marijuana remains a schedule 1, and therefore illicit, drug at the federal level, leaving states to pass cannabis laws individually. Furthermore, two dozen U.S. states, some of which are led by conservative lawmakers who oppose the expansion of marijuana, had neither an initiative nor a referendum, which could make it difficult for certain patients to gain access to medical marijuana.

Image source: Getty Images.

Three states that could legalize medical marijuana next

Of the 22 states that haven't legalized medical cannabis, some may never legalize it. However, the following three states could very well be the next to legalize medical marijuana, and one is quite the shocker.

Oklahoma

Medical cannabis supporters in Oklahoma tried diligently to get State Question 788 on the ballot prior to the November elections, but a battle in the Oklahoma Supreme Court squashed that hope.

On one hand, Oklahomans have collected more 67,700 signatures in favor of putting a medical cannabis measure on the ballot to be voted on by residents. This was nearly 2,000 signatures more than was needed, and opponents didn't challenge the signatures collected. In short, it's not a question of whether a medical cannabis initiative will be voted on; it's just a matter of when.

On the other hand, detailing the title of Question 788 has proven a sticky situation. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, long an ardent opponent of the expansion of cannabis, rewrote the title of the bill in such a way that the question appears to ask whether "marijuana" should be legalized in Oklahoma as opposed to "medical marijuana." Though readers would discover that medical marijuana is what's being voted on by reading further, the rewrite of the bill -- in particular the first sentence, which does not include the term "medical" -- is somewhat misleading, and proponents fear it could be defeated without the original title. Thus Question 788 is headed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to decide whether the original title language can be used as opposed to Pruitt's modified title.

Oklahomans may have to wait a while to find out the verdict, but a medical marijuana measure of some sorts is heading to ballots within the next two years, and it seems to have a decent shot of passing.

Image source: Getty Images.

Missouri

Another state with a strong chance of getting a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot in 2018 is Missouri. The Show-Me state was already one of the finalists on track to get a medical cannabis initiative on the 2016 ballot, but it wound up falling a few thousand votes short of the signatures needed when Secretary of State Jason Kander invalidated more than 10,000 signatures.

Interestingly, however, Kander came out in support of using the legislative process to legalize medical cannabis shortly after the measure failed to collect enough signatures to get on the 2016 ballot. In a statement from the secretary of state's office, Kander said:

With Kander in their corner and marijuana advocacy groups now focusing their attention on Missouri, a medical marijuana measure looks to have a good shot at being on the 2018 ballot -- and probably passing based on national sentiment toward medical pot.

Image source: Getty Images.

Texas

Remember that shocker I promised? Well, this is it. The Lone Star state of Texas could be in a prime position to legalize medical marijuana within the next two years.

Historically, Republican-led states are a tough sell for medical or recreational cannabis. Speaking generally, Republican lawmakers take a pretty conservative approach to marijuana use, with many avoiding legalization within their respective states. Texas is a longtime Republican stronghold, so it would seem likely that medical cannabis will remain illegal.

However, times could be changing. Earlier this year, Senate Bill 339 surprisingly passed in both the state's House and Senate, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law. This bill allows patients suffering from a rare form of epilepsy access to cannabidiol, or CBD, the non-psychoactive component of marijuana. Furthermore, at the State Convention of the Republican Party of Texas, Republicans approved part of a platform calling for a law to "allow doctors to determine the appropriate use of cannabis to prescribed patients." The Texas Department of Public Safety is set to begin granting CBD permits in June 2017, and it's possible an expansion of medical marijuana's use could soon follow.

Legalizing medical marijuana in Texas could also generate substantial sales on the order of $2 billion to $3 billion annually. This isn't to say that Texas is having difficulty meeting its budgetary needs, but the tax revenue generated from medical cannabis would further buoy the state's budget.

A fairly recent Texas Tegna Poll found 71% support for legalizing medical pot in the state compared to just 19% opposition. The remainder were undecided. This overwhelming support, coupled with a softening legislative stance and some very large dollar figures, could push Texas to legalize medical cannabis by 2018.

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Sean Williamshas no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen nameTMFUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle@TMFUltraLong.

The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.
It's no secret that many Americans struggle to save for retirement. In fact, an estimated 33% of Americans have no retirement savings whatsoever, and that statistic includes older workers with limited time to catch up. But while Americans have different reasons for why they can't manage to save, not having access to a 401(k) is a more popular one than you may have thought. According to a recently released Wells Fargo study, 41% of workers don't have the option to participate in an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan. And it's unquestionably restricting their ability to save for the future.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

A huge impediment to saving

The benefit of 401(k) plans is that they make saving for retirement relatively easy. If your employer offers a 401(k), then all you need to do is decide how much of your paycheck to allocate to retirement savings, fill out some paperwork, and let your company's payroll team take care of the rest. So it's no surprise that workers with access to a 401(k) are saving much more than those without. Wells Fargo reports that the median amount saved for retirement among workers with a 401(k) is $87,000, compared to just $10,000 for those without 401(k)s.

Not only that, but 70% of workers who have consistently saved for retirement since the beginning of their careers are those who had access to a 401(k) plan throughout. Furthermore, 73% of workers admit that they wouldn't have saved as much for retirement without a 401(k), and 71% of current retirees feel the same.

Of course, it's not just the convenience of 401(k)s that helps workers save; employer matching dollars play a big role as well. Though not all companies offer this benefit, the average employer match is estimated at 2.7% of compensation. A worker earning $50,000 a year would therefore be eligible for up to $1,350 a year with this type of match -- and that's essentially $1,350 in free money.

But while saving for retirement may be more challenging in the absence of a 401(k), there are other tools out there that can help you achieve the same goal. You may just need to be a bit more proactive in pursuing them.

Other savings avenues

If you don't have the option to participate in a 401(k), an IRA could be your next best bet. Traditional IRAs offer the same up-front tax benefits as 401(k)s: The money you contribute goes in on a pre-tax basis, but you pay taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. Roth IRAs work the opposite way: Your contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but your withdrawals aren't taxed down the line. Whether you choose a traditional IRA or a Roth, you can put in up to $5,500 a year if you're under age 50. If you're 50 or older, you're allowed to pitch in a total of $6,500. Though these limits are lower than those for a 401(k) -- $18,000 if you're under 50, $24,000 if you're 50 and over -- you can still amass a sizable amount for retirement if you start saving early on.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for a less common type of IRA: The SEP IRA. Short for Simplified Employee Pension, the SEP IRA allows self-employed individuals to save for retirement and benefit from up-front tax breaks. The primary benefit of the SEP IRA is its generous annual contribution limit. You can currently put in up to 25% of your earnings or $53,000 -- whichever is lower.

Another option to consider is the SIMPLE IRA. Short for Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, the SIMPLE IRA also comes with an annual contribution limit that's higher than that of traditional and Roth IRAs. Currently, anyone under 50 can contribute up to $12,500 per year to a SIMPLE IRA, and if you're 50 or older, you can put in up to $15,500. Furthermore, with a SIMPLE IRA, employers are obligated to match part of their employees' contributions, and if you're self-employed, you get to contribute as both employer and employee.

Furthermore, if you're self-employed, you can also consider a solo or individual 401(k). The annual contribution limits for solo 401(k)s are the same as those of regular 401(k)s. The major difference, however, is that if you're self-employed, you can also allocate up to 25% of your business's earnings on top of your own contribution, up to $53,000 per year if you're under 50 or $59,000 per year if you're 50 or older.

While opening up any one of these retirement plans may require more legwork than signing up for a traditional 401(k) at the office, the time you put in will be well worth the effort in the long run. After all, your financial future is at stake, so you shouldn't hesitate to take matters into your own hands.

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As a fairly typical Puerto Rican, I understand bad blood. Like the Irish of stereotypical lore,sometimes all we Latinos remember are the insults. And there is no doubt that Donald Trump grievously insulted Senator Ted Cruz during their bitter primary fight this past year.

Clearly, Cruz is neither willing to forget nor forgive.

Lyin Ted was a vicious put-down that hobbled the ambitious Texan at a key moment in the Republican presidential primary campaign. Like Little Marco, the withering Trump put-down that shrank the candidacy of Florida senator Marco Rubio, Cruz was stuck with the Lyin Ted label once Trump saddled it on the Harvard cowboys back.

Nobody in the hall bought the disingenuous double-dealing, self-serving stunt. The guy needed security just to get out of the arena. People averted their eyes when he and Heidi walked past.  Geraldo Rivera

Worse, Trump insulted Cruz wife Heidi, showing side-by-side pictures of the former Goldman Sachs executive, implying that she was not as easy on the eyes as his own drop-dead gorgeous Melania and implying the question too of which woman would red-blooded Americans prefer spending the next four or eight years looking at.

Trump also kicked sand in Cruz senior's face, picking up on an internet conspiracy theory that put Rafael Cruz in the middle of Lee Harvey Oswalds supposedly Cuban-exile-inspired plot to assassinate John F. Kennedy in 1963. Since the senior Cruz is a deeply religious person, the preposterous assault hurt the clan deeply.

I could go on about Trumps effective delegitimizing Cruzs run for the White House with all the Native Born Canada jokes, but it should be enough that everyone can understand why the senator would carry deep loathing of the flamboyant, quick-triggered billionaire GOP nominee.

So why did Cruz accept Trumps invitation of a coveted prime-time slot at the Republican National Convention here in Cleveland, only to refuse to endorse the man who invited him? It is like accepting an invitation to a hated rich guys party and then spitting or worse in his punchbowl in full view of all the other guests.

Watching it, I was appalled by the bad manners and totally agreed with the legion of hecklers who bombarded Cruz with a salvo of boos and catcalls. I get that by merely showing up and espousing conservative principles Cruz was trying to walk a tightrope that he thought might help his prospective 2020 presidential campaign. He fell off.

Nobody in the hall bought the disingenuous double-dealing, self-serving stunt. The guy needed security just to get out of the arena. People averted their eyes when he and Heidi walked past. Then he was shunned by VIPs in the hallway of the arena and was barred from entering the luxury suite of GOP power broker, Las Vegas Casino owner and mega donor Sheldon Adelson.

His former rival and now Trump acolyte New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was apoplectic, sputtering how Cruzs speech was awful and selfish as he reminded everyone how Cruz like all the GOP contenders had signed a pledge to accept the winner of the nominating process.

Of course, Gov. Christie did not mention his own tepid endorsement of Mitt Romney in 2012 or his infamous gushy embrace of President Barack Obama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Candidate Trump claimed later that he found out that Cruz was not going to endorse him two hours ahead of time, but decided to let him speak anyway, maybe hoping Cruz would slip in a sentence or two of magnanimity. Something modest like, So lets all turn out to vote in November. I know I will and Ill be voting for Donald Trump. Never happened.

My personal pique came when Cruz, one of the nations highest-ever-ranking Latinos, enthusiastically endorsed the Great Wall of Trump. But whatever his Machiavellian maneuvering, what Cruz forgot is what people remember. Sometimes we forget praise, but insultos, never.
On Saturday, Donald Trump brought the Republican veepstakes to an end. I am here to introduce the man who will be my partner in this campaign, he declared at an event in New York City. With that, Indiana Governor Mike Pence officially became Trumps pick for Vice President. Trump praised Pence as a man of honor, character, and honesty.

While Pence said that Trumps words about Curiel were inappropriate, he never condemned them or stated that Trump should apologize. That Pence should show disregard for a fellow citizen and fellow Hoosier is both revealing and troubling.  Raul A. Reyes

But as might be expected of someone who agreed to be Trumps running mate, Pence is no friend to the Latino community. He holds extreme views on civil rights. He has favored harsh, impractical immigration policies. On healthcare, abortion, and gun control, he is out of sync with Hispanic voters. Like Trump, he would be a nightmare for Latinos.

Until now, Pence was probably best known as the governor who signed a 2015 law that would have allowed business owners to use their religious beliefs as an excuse to discriminate against LGBT Americans. This effort proved to be a public relations and economic disaster for Indiana, provoking a huge backlash from corporations and the business community. Perhaps because we know what it is like to face discrimination, most Latinos are opposed to such legislation. Nearly three-quarters of Latinos support laws that protect LGBT people from discrimination, according to a Public Religion Research Institute poll, while 66 percent of Hispanics oppose allowing businesses to refuse service to LGBT people based on religious beliefs.

On immigration, Pence is a hardliner. He signed his state onto the lawsuit opposing President Obamas executive action on immigration, which could have helped four million undocumented people live and work without fear of deportation. He defended SB 1070, Arizonas controversial papers, please law, which was later mostly struck down by the Supreme Court. In 2004, when he was a congressman, he actually wanted to arrest and deport undocumented people who were in the hospital.

Pences most notable contribution to the immigration policy debate demonstrated how little he understands the issue. In 2006, he favored what he called no amnesty immigration reform. It was a plan that would have required all the undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to return to their home countries, and then apply for a guest worker program so that they could re-enter legally. Consider the economic and social disruption that would have been caused if 12 million people, a group about equal to the population of Ohio, up and left the country. What about their citizen children? Who would have paid for these folks to return to Mexico, China, or Central America? Not surprisingly, this impractical idea went nowhere.

Pence holds a host of other positions at odds with the Hispanic community. Unlike most Latinos, Pence is against raising the minimum wage. He wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which has helped millions of Hispanics access health care. While an overwhelming majority of Latinos favor gun control, Pence is staunchly against it. And while most Latino voters believe a woman should be able to make her own decision on abortion, Pence is strongly against womens reproductive rights.

Pence describes himself as A Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order. However, as governor he tried to block Syrian refugees from coming to Indiana, and he complained to the Obama administration about 245 Central American refugee children who were placed with caring Indiana families. That does not seem very Christian.

True, in 2010 Pence received an award from the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute. Yet no one could figure out why. The D.C. newspaper Roll Call referred to Pence as a Mystery Winner, and Pence himself couldnt say why he deserved the honor. Much more telling of Pence is his reaction to Trumps bigoted criticism of Judge Gonzalo Curiel earlier this year. While Pence said that Trumps words about Curiel were inappropriate, he never condemned them or stated that Trump should apologize. That Pence should show disregard for a fellow citizen and fellow Hoosier is both revealing and troubling. It is also telling that Pence has an approval rate among Hoosiers of around 40 percent  and these are the voters who know him best.

At Saturdays campaign announcement, Pence said that he considered the ancient question of Who am I, oh Lord? Now we know who he is. He is a narrow-minded politician who is willing to attach himself to the most anti-Latino, anti-immigrant presidential candidate in modern American history.
With less than a year left on the job, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske announced in June that Mark Morgan will be the new U.S. Border Patrol Chief. It was a curious move. With so little time before Kerlikowske is replaced in the next administration, it was surprising to some that he would appoint a new chief for whom he will have no responsibility nor accountability  at least not for long.

Nevertheless, Chief Morgan is taking the reins of an agency facing significant challenges. Here are five priorities for him to tackle on Day 1.

An effective Border Patrol Chief must have his finger on the pulse of whats happening south of the border. That takes working relationshipsand not just with Mexico City. We need strong relationships in places like Matamoros, Reynosa, Tijuana, Juarez, and Tampico.  Nelson Balido

1. Engender Agency Support

It has been 92 years since a Border Patrol Chief was drawn from an outside agency. Morgan is currently the Assistant Director of the FBI Training Division, and his career includes a 2014 stint as acting assistant commissioner for CBP Internal Affairs. While he brings a strong law enforcement background, Border Patrol agents on the frontlines have intimated that they are at least confused (and at most resentful) of why the outgoing CBP Commissioner would select a leader who has never made an immigration arrest in his career, even as that is one of the fundamental responsibilities of the U.S. Border Patrol.

A primary challenge for Morgan will be to rapidly secure the confidence of the rank and file agents. Not an easy task, considering these agents have spent their entire career guarding the border and climbing the ranks  only to see an outsider placed at the top of hierarchy. Morgan can achieve this goal, in part, by pushing partisan politics out of policymaking. He also needs to immediately integrate his efforts with the existing leadership team and ensure he takes their suggestions seriously. Without their support, Morgans tenure will be short.

2. Satisfy Equipment Needs on the Border

Border Patrol agents lack tools, resources and the full support they need. Former U.S. Border Patrol National Deputy Chief Ron Colburn told me in February, I see it in the eyes and hear it in the voices of the men and women of the Border Patrol. They understand the mission, and they want to accomplish it, but they feel like they have been abandoned, when talking about the communications infrastructure on the border.

Morgan must reverse course and use his authority to deliver the necessary equipment for his agency to operate. The immediate needs include:

- Communications technology that works. Currently, Border Patrol agents working in the vast uninhabited stretches of land along the U.S.-Mexico border can often find themselves without any means of contacting their fellow agents, their local law enforcement partners, and their superiors.

- Improved mobile surveillance along the border. The Border Patrol must be able to move to emerging threats. Static surveillance infrastructure simply pushes drug traffickers, illegal migrants and others to less secure, less monitored portions of the border. The agents must be able to go where the mobile threat is located.

- Sufficient weaponry for every agent. It was reported in 2015 that Border Patrol agents are forced to share rifles, creating a serious detriment to operations. Before use, a rifle must be sighted in, meaning the sights are adjusted to the individuals eye and adjusted to compensate for other factors  a process that takes a while to perform. Shared rifles means that in critical situations, agents may be more at risk than most think.

- Ensure that elements of Holding the Line in the 21st Century, authored by Assistant Chief Robert Schroder, are put into motion and not just remain in soft bound copy, especially when it comes to intelligence processing and sharing between the Joint Task Force agencies  a gap that is seriously lacking and has gone mostly ignored.

3. Work with All Stakeholders

Given that Morgan is new to the agency, it is essential that he solicit the counsel of the organizations and private citizens who are directly impacted by border security policies and tactics. As Chairman and CEO of the Border Commerce & Security Council, I regularly interact with law enforcement, citizen advisory groups, and private individuals on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. From experience, there are critical insights that Morgan will need to hear if he is to effectively advance the Border Patrol mission.

One approach is to establish a quarterly roundtable where Border Patrol leadership meets with the stakeholders directly impacted by the policies dictated from the DC Beltway. It is imperative that the new chief gets a real understanding of the field from a non-federal perspective. At the same time, Morgan needs to speak with the citizen advisory groups that have formed independently to support and advance oversight and accountability. The citizens have taken this into their own hands, and the new chief must recognize these groups as the valuable assets they are.

4. Build Relationships Across the Border

The new governor-elect of Tamaulipas, Francisco Javier Garcia Cabeza de Vaca, has been working to mend the broken trust between Mexican and U.S. officials, meeting with every U.S. agency at the federal and state levels, including the Border Patrol, the Texas Rangers, the DEA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and many others. The governor is but one example of a willingness by some in Mexico to build new, stronger relationships with the United States. This is an opportunity to enhance border security.

An effective Border Patrol Chief must have his finger on the pulse of whats happening south of the border. That takes working relationshipsand not just with Mexico City. We need strong relationships in places like Matamoros, Reynosa, Tijuana, Juarez, and Tampico. If we are able to build better relationships with the Mexican police and military, we can more effectively halt illegal movements before individuals cross the border and not once they cross into the United States. Doing that will go a long way toward solving many of our border security problems.

5. Be a Champion for the Agency

While Morgan was briefly serving as CBP Acting Assistant Commissioner for Internal Affairs, he redesigned CBPs Use of Force Incident Response protocols, launched CBPs criminal and serious administrative misconduct investigative unit, and obtained new authority for CBP to investigate allegations of misconduct against its employees. That previous role may cast suspicion for some that he is less an organizational leader than an organizational critic. Morgan needs to show that his role is not about focusing on the agencys missteps but rather about leading the agency toward mission success.

The chief will need to show support for hard-working border patrol agents, while carefully navigating external critics who have consistently made overly broad accusations about agents exceeding their authority. Legitimate concerns about abuse must be addressed, but its vital that Morgan challenge unfair allegations levied against Border Patrol agents who are doing their job and enforcing the law of the land.

To that end, when partisan persuasions arise, it is the chiefs obligation to double-down on the mission. When the politics of immigration reform threaten the Border Patrols allegiance to the rule of law, Morgan will need to back his men and women in uniform. And when unfair allegations of use of force are levied because the Border Patrol agents are simply doing their job and enforcing American laws, Morgan must stand to the fore and defend the people he now leads.

Chief Morgan has a steep hill to climb, little time to do it, and the agency he is charged with leading is skeptical of his agenda and credentials. Those are difficult circumstances in which to operate. Success will mean winning the support of his agents and delivering the resources and relationships they desperately need. Failure will be maintaining the status quo, and if thats what the Morgan pursues, nothing will improve. I am hoping for the best.
As I watch vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine speak Spanish, I can only imagine what most smart and decent Republicans must be asking each other. As they hear him say fe/faith, todos somos Americanos/were all Americans and Hillary esta lista/Hillary is prepared  they have to be thinking, Why not us? Thats right. Republicans would have the presidency locked up right now, if theyd chosen wisely.

Latinos are ripe for Republican leadership, but we would have settled for Republican respect.  Rick Sanchez

They would be looking at winning as much as 35 to 45 percent of the Latino vote if they had selected one of any number of qualified candidates who appeal to conservative Latinos.

Imagine right now if Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio were able to give a prime-time address and seamlessly switch to Spanish when appropriate just as Kaine did or maybe better. Instead, conservative Latinos are forced to watch as Tim Kaine schools them on diversity. What a shame.

By the way, if you ask yourself if it would really matter since most Latinos are not conservative  allow me tell you just how wrong you are. In fact, if you ask yourself how many Latinos are intrinsically conservative, my answer is one word: most. Latinos are ripe for Republican leadership, but we would have settled for Republican respect.

We attend church and abide by family values in greater numbers than most groups. We build more small businesses in greater numbers than any group. We buy homes on average in greater numbers than any group. We were less apt to default on a loan during the great recession than any group. We represent the youngest workforce and inject more tax subsidies into the U.S. economy than any group.

I could go on and on, but let me leave you with this: We fight and die in your wars in greater numbers than any group. Thats right. Go and look at the numbers from the most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and youll find that on average there was more Hispanic-American blood spilled than any other, because Latinos signed up and served in larger numbers than any other minority group.

Wait, theres more. According to a study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, Latino soldiers were 21 percent more likely than any other subgroup to die on the battlefield.

Given all that, Latinos in America eager for a GOP embrace get what? Donald effing Trump! Really? If you asked us to describe the least likely candidate to attract Latinos to the Republican Party the answer would unequivocally be Trump. Yes, he trumps the field when it comes to offensiveness, indecency and unsuitability toward Hispanic voters.

Before Kaine spoke, former New York mayor and almost independent candidate for president, Michael Bloomberg explained the faults with Republicans and Democrats. He said, Republicans blame immigrants for our problems and Democrats blame the private sector and theyre both wrong.

Could Democrats have gone further with their vice presidential pick and chosen a real Latino instead of an Anglo who simply speaks Spanish? Of course they could have and should have. But you know why they didnt? They dont have to.

The GOP has let them off the hook by making Latinos feel offended, even unwanted. For Hispanics, its not a new message. Theyve heard it for more than 10 years, but usually only from the most extreme conservative voices  Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Jeff Sessions, Steve King and a handful of others in and out of talk radio and politics.

As Latinos, we never believed our Republican Party would embrace such abusive and divisive language. We thought those angry and offensive voices were outliers. Then along came Donald Trump who encompassed the worst of the worst  who seemed hell bent on kicking us in the teeth. And then we watched as millions voted for him and cheered for him as if to say "we agree."

It didnt have to be this way. We should have been embraced. We should have been respected, or at least not insulted. Republicans and Latinos should be a perfect match. What happened? How did we let it happen?

Im watching Tim Kaine. His Spanish is not like mine. Its kind of rough, not exactly fluent despite what the non-Hispanic news readers on CNN and MSNBC say. However, at least hes trying, hes trying to reach out  even though he may not have to.

Republicans have, after all, ceded me and all others like me to the Democrats. We have been wrapped in a pretty Puerto Rican bow and mailed to Hillary.

What a shame. As I watch Tim Kaine speaking Spanish  I think of Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and even Ted Cruz and Im left to imagine how different it could have been.
Over the past few weeks, tens of millions of Americans tuned in to the political conventions. And not surprisingly, Obamacare was a central issue during both conventions. One party chanting for its repeal, the other touting its successes.

During his address, Donald Trump chalked up the need to repeal and replace Obamacare to the fact that you will be able to choose your own doctor again. This was in stark contrast to Hillary Clintons mention of Obamacare which she says has insured 20 million people since its adoption.

So, why does the GOP have such a doom and gloom view of Obamacare? And why have they spent the past six years challenging the most comprehensive and inclusive health legislation ever passed by Congress? For starters, they might not want you to know that its working  particularly for the Latino community. And, that you actually CAN choose your own doctor, among other benefits.

In the six years since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed, we have made great strides to address health disparities in the Latino community. Before health care reform, 32 percent of Latinos were uninsured  the highest uninsurance rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. That lack of insurance was particularly troubling as Latinos tend to suffer from many illnesses and chronic health conditions at much higher rates than white Americans.

Since its enactment, the ACA has resulted in more than 4 million Latino adults gaining insurance coverage. Nearly 9 million Latinos with private insurance can now access free preventative healthcare, including flu shots, mammograms, depression and cervical cancer screenings. They can no longer be dropped by their insurer just because they get sick. Major federal investments and ongoing reforms to our health care system will soon improve the quality of care and management of chronic diseases. So its clear that Latinos stand to lose the most during a Donald Trump presidency.

Regardless of the progress we have made in increasing health equity, Obamacare has faced (and survived) two Supreme Court challenges and more than 60 repeal votes. Just a few months ago, Congressional Republicans came closer to repeal than ever before by using a fast-track legislative tool that sent a repeal bill to President Obamas desk with only a simple majority in the Senate (it was of course vetoed).

While Obamacare seems invincible, its important that voters and supporters of the law not become complacent. Make no mistake, this election marks a critical juncture for Obamacare and our country. One that presents both opportunities and challenges for health reform, and will determine whether we want a more equitable, accessible, and patient-centered health system, or whether we reverse course toward a system of increasing health disparities.

Still, there is much more work to be done to ensure that the Latino community receives the high quality and equitable health care they deserve. While blacks and whites have seen their uninsured rates decrease by 50 percent as a result of Obamacare, Latinos have only seen theirs fall by 25 percent. According to the Urban Institute, 1 in 5 Latino adults are still uninsured and most are unaware of financial assistance available through the ACA. This means we have more to do to make sure Latinos fully realize all of the benefits accruing from the ACA. Health providers, promotoras de salud, navigators and other community leaders must do a better job connecting with Latino communities to educate them about the health insurance marketplace and the many low cost coverage options available.

So, where should the Latino community go from here? First, go to healthcare.gov to explore options if you havent already. Open enrollment for getting into the ACA health insurance exchange is fast approaching and you might not want to miss out.

From there, go to the polls this November. Its not only important that you cast your vote to ensure the right presidential candidate makes it to the White House, but that you are making your voice heard when it comes to electing local and state legislators. They are often the ones making decisions on state healthcare matters, so make them aware of the issues and how you want them to act on your behalf.

Because not voting could mean waking up on November 9 to find a wall built between you and the healthcare coverage that is your right and privilege.
These days it seems that most movies are made solely to push boundaries, appeal to the most vulgar tastes and glorify the basest impulses. Movies might be entertaining, but you wont leave feeling elevated, and you might even feel ashamed you brought your teenagers to see them.

How amazing in this day and age to leave a movie filled with high aspirations and resolutions: To love better, forgive more promptly, show greater courage, live more generously.  Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie

This summer, thankfully, you can take them to see Ben-Hur. This modern retelling of the wildly popular 1959 film is thrilling and beautifully made. The chariot racing and naval battle scenes are so vividly intense and realistic that they will keep the most jaded teenage boy on the edge of his seat. (I had to watch parts of them through my fingers.) The story line builds slowly as it develops the complicated plot of friendship, romance, and betrayal, and speeds up frantically to the exciting climax.

And the best part, the most wonderful, amazing part? You will want to be a better person when you leave the theater.

The story takes place in Jerusalem, during the time of Christ. Judah Ben-Hur is a Jewish prince whose Roman foster brother Messala returns home after a long absence as commander of a Roman legion. Tensions in Jerusalem are high, as the oppressed Jews mount small but violent insurrections against their occupiers. Judah takes in an injured revolutionary, Dismas, who shoots an arrow at a Roman commander from the Ben-Hur house. Although Messala knows Judah is innocent, in his fury and pride he sends Judah to the Roman galleys for life and imprisons his mother and sister.

Judah suffers horrors, chained day and night to an oar in the fetid warship, whipped and abused for years, with death the only possibility for deliverance. When a violent shipwreck frees him, his only thought, understandably, is revenge.

This is when the story turns. Something amazing has been going on in Jerusalem. There is a new spirit abroad, the spirit of radical forgiveness. The old reasonableness of an eye for an eye, of love your friends and hate your enemies, is being replaced. Judah meets a better, higher, purer way of being when he watches Christs crucifixion: a vile offense cancelled out by the Saviors perfect mercy.

The choice becomes clear for Judah: angry revenge and the cycle of perpetual hate and violence, or the mercy that restores brotherhood and peace.

Ben-Hur shows us how the Christian message came upon the ancient world like a thunderclap. It arrived powerfully in a time when slavery, blood-sport, and tyranny were the natural accompaniments of a culture that had never heard of human dignity. It was a culture that had never considered the idea that giving might be better than receiving and that serving others might be more glorious than being served. It was a culture that had never been taught that joy lies on the other side of sacrifice. These ideas swept through the minds of men and women, changing them, and changing the history of the world forever.

These concepts are not news to us, 2000 years later. But we need to be reminded. Pope Francis, who personally blessed the work of the actor that plays Jesus in the film, named this year the Jubilee of Mercy for exactly that reason.

Mercy, that binds wounds, rebuilds relationships, and joins hearts even across vast chasms, is needed more today than ever.

We will likely never know betrayal like Judahs. All the same we are all beset: by the ungrateful child, bullying co-worker, lying friend, cheating spouse. Betrayed and hurt, by big or little things, we also can choose the better waythe Christian way.

How amazing in this day and age to leave a movie filled with high aspirations and resolutions: To love better, forgive more promptly, show greater courage, live more generously.

And just as importantly: Although we may never have been as wicked as Messala, we have also done unforgivable things, and Ben-Hur makes us suspect that we can also be forgiven.
Note to all Americans: When a presidential candidate opens his campaign with a hateful and offensive charge against an entire nationality, which in essence tells us hes a bigot: believe him!

Remember this?

When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

 Donald Trumps presidential announcement, June 16, 2015



Who says something like that? Why offend the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States? What type of candidate insults an entire nationality? Many of us recognized right then and there that Donald Trump was  at best  an idiot not fit to be president, or  at worst a bigot not fit to be president.

He knows exactly what he was suggesting. It was the assassination of a presidential candidate. Otherwise, why single out gun rights activists? Why not activists opposed to immigration reform, abortion rights or any other constitutional issues before the Supreme Court?  Rick Sanchez

Back then, I repeatedly warned of what was to come, so did some other Hispanic journalists. But for the most part, the media ignored us. Why? Because, in case you havent noticed, the media in the United States is a lot like Donald Trump, they generally know nothing about Latinos  nor do they give a crap about them; they simply dont say it as plainly as he does.

Whats worse is what I heard on both prime time and morning shows almost every day after Trumps rapists comment. News presenters were falling over each other to make excuses for Trumps comments with many even defending his insult. They did so with words like, thats not really what he meant or he didnt say all of them or hes really tapping into something.



Fast-forward to the present as Trump offends one group after another and the outrage against him seems universal, leaving many of us to ask, Where was the indignation when he attacked Hispanics?

Trump  who has since questioned the heroism of a captured POW, attacked the parents of a KIA American Soldier, suggested we institute a Muslim ban, accused the majority of blacks of going around killing whites and consistently been cozied up to white supremacists with winks, nods and convenient denials  no longer has members of the media making excuses for him.



And now, in what may be among the most outright disgraceful things any presidential candidate in modern times has ever done, Trump is suggesting that gun rights activists should consider assassinating his opponent.



Yesterday at a rally in North Carolina, Trump unmistakably suggested that some of the second amendment people among his supporters could do something about Hillary Clinton.



If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks, Trump said, as the crowd began to boo. He quickly added: Although the Second Amendment people  maybe there is, I dont know.



He knows. He knows exactly what he was suggesting. It was the assassination of a presidential candidate. Otherwise, why single out gun rights activists? Why not activists opposed to immigration reform, abortion rights or any other constitutional issues before the Supreme Court? Amid the outrage, Trump is not exactly apologizing for his suggestion. In fact, he seems to think this assassination flap will help his candidacy.

I have to say, in terms of politics, there is few things, and I happen to think that if [the media] did even bring this up, I think its a good thing for me, Trump told Sean Hannity.

Yes, Trump has attacked, offended and insulted many people since the very first days of his campaign. In fact, he appears to almost revel in it, thinking perhaps that most Americans will enjoy, excuse or relate to his insults  just as the media did when he insulted Latinos.
Donald Trump's recently declared the election will be rigged against him. He believes is not fair for courts to throw out restrictive laws which result in voter suppression. Trump told The Washington Post, The voter ID situation has turned out to be a very unfair development. We may have people vote 10 times.

The strongest statement you can make is with your vote. You must be part of choosing the next president of the United States.  Sofia Martinez Ramos

The reality is the voting system will not allow anyone to vote more than once. It is simply not possible, but Trump's message is, keep implementing more restrictive, voter suppressing tactics. Suppression tactics often seem benign and logical but result in denying votes to change election outcomes.

Compounding the problem is the fact that some people, in particular people of color, say they will not vote to make a statement, because their votes do not matter, or they are not happy with the choices. However, messages encouraging people of color not to vote only serve to suppress important voices. Refusing to vote silences your own voice and has the same effect as the voter suppression efforts. Remember, Su voto es su voz, or Your vote is your voice.

Votes and voices are suppressed by: state laws requiring voters to provide a specific photo ID at polling stations, closing voting sites without notice, not allowing someone to pre-register to vote or to vote early, or not allowing someone to register to vote on an election day. In Arizona, polling places were closed during the last primary election.

Since 1848, barriers including laws, literacy tests and poll taxes have been used to keep women and people of color from being part of the political process or influencing elections results. A woman's right to vote resulted from 72 years of hard work. It is hard to believe that it was legal to create state and local barriers to prevent African Americans and other people of color from voting was legal until the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Unfortunately, the story does not end there, as our numbers continue to grow, along with the threat of increased influence, voter suppression becomes more creative.

In the upcoming presidential election new voting restrictions will be in place in 15 states just in time to suppress votes and influence election results. Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin have all put new laws ranging from stricter photo ID requirements to registration restrictions.

As voter suppression tactics increase, court challenges follow but may not be decided in time for the upcoming election. In July 2016, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down voting restrictions in North Carolina and a federal court enjoined North Dakotas photo ID law in August 2016. The federal court struck down a North Carolina voter ID law saying it was discriminatory, and targeted black voters, with almost surgical precision. Court challenges of restrictive laws in Texas and Wisconsin still resulted in requirements more restrictive than what was in place for the 2012 presidential election.

In Arizona an effort to suppress voters ended up in court. Polling places were reduced from 200 to 60 in Maricopa County on election day. Most importantly, the polling places in densely-Latino communities were closed on the primary election day. More than 40 percent of Phoenixs 1.5 million residents are Latino. Democratic State Sen. Martin Quezada told AZCentral.com the lack of available polling locations for the Latino community was problematic.

There is so much at stake in this voting cycle. The next president may get an opportunity to nominate three new Supreme Court Justices. They will likely decide the outcomes of immigration reform legislation, universal healthcare, womens reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and the unending challenges to affirmative action.

Voting is something we now take for granted. Before you decide not to vote as a protest or to make a statement, remember if you don't vote, you lose the right to complain. President Obamas famous line, don't boo, vote! is the best antidote for voter dissatisfaction and voter suppression tactics.

If you are tempted to opt out of voting in the upcoming elections either to make a statement or because you believe neither candidate is perfect, dont. I say, go ahead and boo, but you must vote. The strongest statement you can make is with your vote. You must be part of choosing the next president of the United States.
This is a critical election for Latino voters in our country.

On one hand we have Donald Trump's ugly rhetoric on immigration, which is unacceptable to Latino voters in this country. On the other hand we have Hillary Clinton, who has a long record when it comes to issues affecting the Latino community.

So the question is, should we ignore Hillarys 20+ years record of being against immigrants and vote for her just because she changed her speeches this year now that she needs our votes?  Robert G. Deposada

So this year we should ask ourselves: Should we support someone who in 1994 told Congress that illegal aliens should not have access to new health care programs? Or someone who in 2004 told a radio station people need to stop hiring illegal immigrants?

Should we support someone who in 2006 called for building a fence at the U.S. Mexico border and two years later opposed drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants?

Should we vote for someone who in 2015 said that undocumented children from Central America had to be returned to their country?

By the way, this someone above is not Donald Trump. This is Hillary Clintons record when it comes to immigration. You can watch a video of these comments here.

When voters take a close look at Hillary Clintons record, one quickly realizes that her record on Latino issues is not much better than Trumps rhetoric.

We cant ignore that last year, when addressing an overwhelming white audience in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton bragged about the fact that as a U.S. senator she voted numerous times to spend money to build a barrier to try to prevent illegal immigrants from coming in.

The problem here is an issue of truthfulness and credibility  an issue that has plagued the former secretary of state throughout her campaign.

So the question is, should we ignore Hillarys 20+ years record of being against immigrants and vote for her just because she changed her speeches this year now that she needs our votes?

When it comes to Donald Trump, aside from his divisive rhetoric, he advocates for policies on immigration and trade that would be destructive to our economy. Most frightening, he has displayed a frightening lack of knowledge on both foreign affairs and the basics of our own U.S. Constitution.

The good news is that the insults from Donald Trump and the double-talk from Hillary Clinton are not our only options. This year, we do not have to settle for the lesser of two evils.

The fact is that our community deserves something better than Hillary or Trump. We need Una Tercera Opcion, a third option, and that option is the Libertarian Party nominees for president and vice president: Governors Gary Johnson of New Mexico and Bill Weld of Massachusetts.

Governors Johnson and Weld are two of the most successful governors in America and they present the best hope to lead our country in the years ahead.

Unlike Trump and Clinton, since 2001 Gary Johnson has opposed Trumps wall and Clintons fence. As the former two-term border state Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson knows that our goal should be assimilation, not exclusion. Johnson and Welds approach provides intelligent and common sense solutions to immigration reform. They strongly believe that our immigration policy must not be regulated by politics, but by the marketplace.

On other issues important to Latino families, Governors Johnson and Weld have a very successful record. Both of them were recognized nationally for turning around the economies of their states; for reforming education to allow parents with lower incomes better opportunities to select a high-performing school for their children; and for advocating reforming a criminal justice system that give our young people and families a second chance at the American dream.

They did all this as Republican Governors of states with overwhelming Democrat legislatures, successfully working across party lines to create jobs, improve schools and reform an unjust criminal justice system.

In 1999, Gary Johnson became the highest-ranking elected official in our country to advocate the legalization of marijuana, and he has urged the nation to treat drug abuse as a health issue, not as a criminal one.

This is an issue of critical importance to Latino families. In the past few years, we have seen a 400 percent increase in the number of Latinos who have been arrested for non-violent drug offenses  most of them for possession, not for distribution. With an arrest in their record, they will be denied the chance to get a license to practice careers  denied the opportunity to build a better life.

During an election year, candidates will promise you the sky. The question is whether they can deliver on their promises. There is no doubt that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are highly polarizing figures that will expand the partisan gridlock that has paralyzed Washington. Compare this to Gary Johnson and Bill Weld, who were highly successful in working across party lines to get things done as Republican governors with Democrat-majority legislatures.

This is a critical election. We must make sure that we research the record of all the candidates and make an educated decision when voting for president.
The man that many argue is destined to become Cubas next president has been fighting his government with a sense of old world defiance, which by todays standards seems as rare as the '48 Chevys still parading along Havanas Malecon.

Oscar Elias Biscet is a doctor who is described by his fans around the world as fearless, ballsy, and tough as nails.

I live in Cuba because thats where I need to say the things I need to say, not here. Anything you hear me say to you here, I also say in Cuba.  Oscar Biscet

He has repeatedly given Fidel and Raul Castro the finger with acts of outward rebellion and provocation  displaying Cubas flag upside down in his yard, criticizing his own countrys much talked about health care system, defending the rights of the unborn.

Along the way, he has been sent to jail on several occasions.

Biscet has been arrested, re-arrested and placed in solitary confinement, yet he doesnt seem to be bothered or threatened by it. He has spent much of the past eight years serving a prison sentence, which was originally set at 25 years.

Most recently, Biscet arrived in the United States and quickly held audiences with editorial boards, politicos and fans alike. When I approached him during a rally in Miami, he seemed to be basking in the outright adoration of the Cuban exile old-guard fandom, where he is revered almost as a vestige of what they once represented during their glory days of the Reagan v. Castro Cold War standoff.

As I approached Biscet, I could immediately see why he attracts so many followers. He seems sure-footed, confident and yet quiet. He is handsome  almost a better-looking Barack Obama, but in no way taken by his own presence.

He knew me as I approached him from apparently following my career on Miami and cable TV, but he was surrounded by at least 20 microphones and a crush of reporters and devotes.

I wanted to pull him away, but didnt want to make it obvious and cause a scene so I signaled him to follow me behind a curtain and there we got to talk about the presidency of Cuba, relations with Cuba and President Obama.

Rick Sanchez: Many are convinced you should be the next president of Cuba...

Oscar Biscet: It is something I havent thought about, but if people think that, it means that I must be doing something right. I consider myself a doctor and that is my objective in life, but if it comes time to defend democracy in Cuba that is what I will do.

Sanchez: Many people in the U.S., especially outside Miami, do not understand why we are still enemies with Cuba. In fact, the majority of Americans want improved relations with Cuba. What do you think we should do?

Biscet: There are a lot of people who dont understand it, but this is a dictatorship and we have to maintain Cuba as an enemy; because they violate the dignity of human beings. I am sure that any American citizen who was told they are going to have their children taken away from them would understand why we should not have relations with a country that does that. We want to have a bill of rights just like Americans, we want liberty, human rights, and democracy.

Sanchez: Why do you think youre so revered here among this group of Cuban exiles and how do you see these exiles' role in the shaping of future U.S.-Cuba relations?

Biscet: Most of the people here today in this audience have families that have been tortured or put before firing squads or imprisoned. Many have had things taken away from them and have had their country destroyed. Despite the fact that they have lived in the same tyranny that was represented by Hitler and by Stalin, they still keep fighting for their rights here in Miami.

Sanchez: Youre here in the U.S. now, why dont you stay? Why do you want to continue living in Cuba when you could be right here in Miami?

Biscet: I live in Cuba because thats where I need to say the things I need to say, not here. Anything you hear me say to you here, I also say in Cuba. Yes, I am always afraid of what they will do to me, but that does not stop me from doing what I must, which is to fight against the tyranny that exists in Cuba today.
Fifteen months into Donald Trumps campaign for president, one could argue that we know less about his stance on immigration than we did on Day One.

When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best, he said in his June 2015 announcement speech.  Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

America is better than the confusion and chaos Trump is presenting as an immigration policy. Until Trump provides specific, coherent, written policy proposals on immigrants and immigration that replace his insults of the past year-plus, we are all left to speculate and interpret.  Ali Noorani

For 15 months, Donald Trump has made anti-immigrant rhetoric the centerpiece of his campaign. Then came Tuesday.

There could certainly be a softening because we're not looking to hurt people, he said of his hardline immigration proposals during a town hall with Fox News Sean Hannity, without providing specifics.

Therein lies the rub. Without details, we have nothing more than talking points from a candidate who may finally realize that Americas changing demographics are something to fear only if youre a presidential candidate who is alienating most of them.

But Trump has not moved to the position most Republicans support, as reconfirmed by a Pew Research poll released Thursday: that we need responsible immigration reform that provides a way for hardworking immigrants to earn eventual citizenship, side by side with ensuring that our border remains secure.

Rather, where Trump stands on immigration has become a moving target. Key conservatives such as Erick Erickson hope that he is seeing the light, and it would be good news for the GOP if he and others truly are.

But, quite simply, we do not know what Donald Trumps policy proposals are on immigration.

Sure, everyone agrees with Trump when he says we need to deport violent criminals. Or, as Republican strategist Rob Jesmer told the Huffington Post, To say youre for deporting murderers and rapists, well thats great news  so is Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, George Bush and Chuck Schumer.

But when Trump, one day after the great softening, tells Anderson Cooper, There's no path to legalization unless they leave the country, the lack of detail is glaring.

At best, Trump is still developing an immigration position. At worst, he is advocating for self-deportation before legalization.

America is better than the confusion and chaos Trump is presenting as an immigration policy.

Until Trump provides specific, coherent, written policy proposals on immigrants and immigration that replace his insults of the past year-plus, we are all left to speculate and interpret.

But heres what we do know: Conservatives support the creation of a new immigration process that addresses legal immigration, maintains a secure border, allows families to remain united and provides an opportunity for immigrants without documentation to earn citizenship.

No matter the soundbites between now and November, thats the immigration process we need the next president to encourage. And its the one Republicans and Democrats in Congress must come together and pass in 2017.
"Today begins the end of suffering, pain and tragedy of war. This is how President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos began the speech he delivered on the night of August 24, 2016 on national TV, announcing the world the success of the peace negotiations with the rebel group FARC, the oldest active guerrilla in the world.

After more than 50 years of violence that has left more than seven million victims  a figure that horrifies  Colombians have, for the first time, a real chance to finally live in peace. The last six presidents of Colombia tried it before, without success, but prepared the ground for it. The winning formula was achieved by President Santos and his negotiating team, with great patience, sacrifice, tenacity and a large dose of humility.

I feel privileged to be able to live to tell what has been the most important moment for my country after our independence. I would like my grandchildren to know that thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of thousands, they were born in a more fair and prosperous country, in a country in peace.  Maria Isabel Nieto, Consul in NY

What has been achieved is not a perfect agreement, but "it's the best deal possible" as chief negotiator of the government said. It could not be otherwise.

Those who wanted to see the subversive behind bars, humiliated and defeated, must understand that this is not a process of surrender, but a process of negotiation. A revolutionary movement that sought to seize power by force of arms should be given guarantees to participate in the democratic life of the country and have support for their reintegration into society.

The critics should understand that among the combatants of the FARC are thousands of young people who as children were taken by force from their homes into the jungle, changing their toys for weapons. Others saw in the guerrillas a form of survival in the absence of opportunities. The vast majority are farmers who also deserve a better future.

I am a firsthand witness, since I worked alongside with President Santos in recent years, of the commitment by which this government assumed the process, which is unparalleled in the world.

The victims, those seven million Colombians who were kidnapped, disappeared, displaced from their land, sexually abused, extorted and whose relatives were killed, were from the first day the center of the process.

Reparation for the victims began long before the peace agreement was signed, and several months ago, the guerrillas started collaborating with the authorities in identifying mass graves, where abductees and combatants were, in many opportunities, found together; also, they have been working together in the map of places where land mines are buried to prevent further deaths and mutilations. It has been a process that allowed the negotiations in Havana to go on without declaring a cease-fire, nor a centimeter of territory ceded. An inclusive process, with open arms to all sectors without exception and where minorities were considered for the claim and the respect of their human rights.

Today, Colombia is a country that has overcome, with huge effort, the painful reference to drug trafficking and violence with whom the world has relates us for decades. Today, Colombia is a country with a strong democratic tradition, impeccable handling of its economy, significant foreign investment, employment opportunities, wonderful tourist development and many champions who have given us moments of glory in sports, music and arts. The Narcos have been replaced by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Shakira, James Rodriguez, Fernando Botero, Juanes and Carlos Vives, among many others.

We are facing a unique and unrepeatable historical moment. This morning, Monday August 29th, 2016, by order of the President, a definitive cease-fire was declared; the days of armed confrontation among Colombians are over; not a single bullet will be fired as part of this conflict. The whole world will witness today the rebirth of a country full of hope in a better future.

Personally, I have experienced firsthand, like most of my compatriots, the rigors and horrors of war. I feel privileged to be able to live to tell what has been the most important moment for my country after our independence. I would like my grandchildren to know that thanks to the efforts and sacrifice of thousands, they were born in a more fair and prosperous country, in a country in peace.

On Oct. 2nd, all Colombians, including those living abroad, will have the opportunity to vote on a plebiscite to approve or disapprove the peace agreement signed in Havana. We cannot turn our back to our moment in history. As John F. Kennedy once said: "We have come too far, we have sacrificed too much to disdain the future now."
In the rhetoric-laden 2016 presidential race, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been characterized as a detriment to the American worker and the U.S. economy. The agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico that eliminates most tariffs on trade was intended to provide an economic benefit.

So has it?

Republican nominee Donald Trump, former Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders and other politicos dont think so. But much of their NAFTA-bashing hyperbole has been overly simplistic and light on specifics. Here are some facts about this 20-year-old trade deal.

1. NAFTA has yielded a net benefit to the U.S. economy.

While the United States has experienced a net loss of 15,000 jobs per year because of the trade agreement, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, higher productivity and lower prices have generated about $450,000 for each job lost. And despite the modest job losses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that trade with Canada and Mexico still supports 14 million American jobs, 5 million of which are a result of NAFTA. The agreements positive effects have been more prominent in some states and regions. In Texas, for example, there was a six-fold increase in exports to Mexico between 2004 and 2015 (NAFTA was fully implemented in 2008), and more than one million Texans work in the states export industry.

2. Many economic and industry trends attributed to NAFTA arose before the trade agreement and would have continued without it. There was a surge in Japanese imports in the 1980s, which impacted the Rust Belt states, depressing the steel and automotive industries. Between 1976 and 1990, for example, the share of Pittsburg workers in manufacturing fell from 35% to 17%. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of Chinese manufacturing took a heavy toll on U.S. manufacturing.

While the auto industry in the north (notably in Detroit) has been decimated, it is in part because manufacturers moved into southern states where there are fewer unions, a trend that began in the 1950s. At the same time, facing increasing foreign competition and a need for lower operating costs, there has been a steady increase in robotics across the manufacturing industry. This has erased the need for low-skilled labor and created a new need for a skilled labor force that can build and operate advanced machines and robotics. Currently, there are 5.4 million unfilled jobs in the United States owing largely to an absence of high-skilled American workers. For job hunters and presidential candidates, Americans need to learn a trade, not blame free trade.

3. NAFTA allows American companies to more economically produce goods, increasing prosperity and job creation. Manufacturing is not a one-way street; often, goods produced by U.S. companies and sold abroad cross North American borders multiple times before they are ready for market. That creates economic activity and jobs in commercial logistics and more vibrant manufacturing sectors. Indeed, about 40% of the materials used to make Mexican exports are originally produced in the United States and sold tariff-free by U.S. companies.

Some jobs have been relocated to Mexico, true, but U.S. businesses have been smart to take advantage of the absurdly low labor costs across the border. While Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton touts raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, the minimum wage in Mexico is $4 per day. The enormous cost savings found in accessing this cheap labor force gives U.S. companies a significant competitive advantage in the global marketplace, allowing them to sell at lower prices, outcompete businesses in other nations, and in turn raise the U.S. GDP. This is particularly important because at 35%, the United States holds the highest corporate tax rate in the world, making U.S. companies decidedly noncompetitive globally.

4. Pulling out of NAFTA would have real consequences for American consumers and the U.S. economy. Closing off trade dramatically reduces purchasing power for middle- and lower-income Americans. This is because higher tariffs lead to higher business costs that are passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. Taking the United States out of NAFTA would also hurt U.S. businesses, in turn decreasing job creation. Mexico is the number one trading partner for nearly two dozen states in the Union.

A denim manufacturing plant in Mauldin, SC, for example, exports 85% of its product to Mexico, where it is turned into jeans. Adding tariffs would increase the cost of denim, pushing Mexican manufacturers to source their materials from cheaper suppliers in other countries and hurt the American business in the process. This scenario holds true for many U.S. industries. As former Mexican president Vicente Fox told CNN, There are a lot of great friends around the worldwhere Mexico can do business. If [the] United States would not like to do business with Mexico, we can do it somewhere else.

Perhaps the most important point about NAFTA is that free trade is enormously complex with many factors at play, all of which make it difficult to precisely measure cost and benefit. To be sure, however, that complexity cannot be expressed in angry talking points, and this important subject should be treated with the intelligence and sophistication it deserves.
For one shining moment yesterday, Donald Trump seemed reasonable  maybe even statesmanlike.

He finally got a world leader to share a stage with him. Israels Bibi Netanyahu wanted no part of him and neither did the Scottish Parliament, while Irelands Enda Kenny announced he would only meet with Trump to tell him hes a racist.

The problem for Donald Trump is exactly what a TV executive once warned me about when I kept insisting on booking an easily excitable guest  He scares people.  Rick Sanchez

So along comes Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto, who also happens to be the third most despised entity South of the Border behind only Trump and lice (yes, in that order), to throw the Republican presidential nominees floundering campaign a lifeline.

Needless to say, it was not a popular move by Pena Nieto.

In fact, with this one very public act of kissing Trumps behind, he forever cements his image in the minds of the Mexican people as President Pendejo Nieto. He worshiped at the foot of the man who called his people rapists.

Pena Nietos image, horribly tarnished by charges of corruption against both him and his wife and by his ham-handed attempt to brush the disappearance of 43 students under Mexico's carpet, is now even more damaged and may have just guaranteed a win by the conservative National Action Party (PAN) in the next presidential election.

Meanwhile, Trump seems to have gained, if nothing else at least a great photo op in which in that one brief moment he seemed almost presidential. But then he went and blew it by running back to his base at a rally in Arizona where people were actually holding up Hillary Clintons bloody head on a stick (not kidding, look at the video) and screaming for more than an hour. Trumps message was as simple as it was wrong: Undocumented immigrants are bad and dangerous and I will get rid of them all. Nice!

The problem for Donald Trump is exactly what a TV executive once warned me about when I kept insisting on booking an easily excitable guest  He scares people.

This is bad, real bad for Donald Trumps campaign. Not because its going to affect his base, the ones we saw last night at his Arizona rally. Theyre locked in.

The voters he is scaring off are the very people who were willing to give him a chance. These voters arent Latinos or African-Americans, theyre long gone. nor are they Muslim, Asian or young. Trump has no chance with them either.

The one voting block Trump could possibly grow or at least maintain is made up of disaffected white, non-Asian, non-Latinos. These potential Trump voters would have been more than willing to support the GOP candidate as they have in the past. Many if not most of them chose John McCain and Mitt Romney over Barack Obama. They voted for Bill Clinton, but then turned around and voted for George W. Bush.

You could argue these are the voters who truly moderate our elections. Could I go as far as to suggest they keep us sane?

No, then lets call what is going on right now white flight.

The so-called moderate or undecided white voters appear to be abandoning Trump by record numbers in states that have been unheard of for Republicans to lose in past elections  places like Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Arizona, where Trump and Clinton are tied, and in places like Texas, Indiana and South Carolina where Clinton is within striking distance.

Let me say that again, the Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States is within a 4 to 8-point margin of winning in Texas, South Carolina and Indiana.

If present trends continue, what were witnessing is historic  a true game changer.

The election of Donald Trump, which once seemed improbable, is now looking downright impossible. In fact, the only thing that could make it worse, make it a complete blowout, would be for Trump to lose the support of his base. Then we would be looking at a landslide.

That could never happen, right?

No, because the only thing that could bring that about is a major Trump shift on his core positions. For example, Trumps raison d'etre  his reason for being, his essence  is immigration. He has based his entire campaign on kicking out the illegals faster than our heads can spin on Day 1 of his presidency.

Devoted Trumpsters love that kind of talk. Its their sweet spot, the sugar in their Southern sweet tea, the baloney in their sandwich and the gravy on their meatloaf. You cant have one without the other. There is no Trump base without a Trump message about kicking out the illegals.

And that is why last night Trump had to undo whatever goodwill President Pendejo Nieto may have bestowed on him.
"Birtherism" is dead. Thats was the message from Donald Trumps campaign last week. On Wednesday, Vice Presidential candidate Mike Pence said that he accepts that President Obama was born in Hawaii. On Thursday, Rudy Giuliani told MSNBC that he and Trump agree that Obama was born in the U.S. On Friday, Trumps campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told CNN that her candidate believes the president was born here. So the conspiracy theory that Obama was foreign-born is over, right?

It is poor strategy for Trump not to disavow his association with Birtherism. If he apologizes soon, he can put it behind him. If he does not, the topic will certainly come in during the debates, where he cannot control the narrative.  Raul A. Reyes

Wrong. The "birther" movement will never be over until Donald Trump renounces it. Trump spent years promoting this false and dangerous idea, and only he can put the controversy to rest. His recent policy of not talking about it is no substitute for an apology to all Americans.

Despite his campaigns attempt to move away from "birtherism," Trumps history with it is well documented. In 2011, he launched his pursuit of the presidents real birth certificate, raising the issue on the Today Show and The View. That same year, Trump penned an op-ed in USA Today, pressing the president to release his long-form birth certificate (which the president later did). After claiming to have sent investigators to Hawaii to look into whether Obama was foreign-born, Trump announced, They cant believe what they are finding. In 2012, he tweeted that an extremely credible source had told him that Obama was a fraud. Just last year, Trump refused to say whether he thought Obama was a legitimate president.

Absent repudiation from the candidate himself, Trumps "birtherism" cannot be overlooked or forgiven. Trumps advisors may be having a change of heart on "birtherism" because, now that the polls are tightening, the campaign has realized the importance of the African-American vote. But African-Americans of all political affiliations are offended by Trumps suggestion that the countrys first Black president is not legitimate. No wonder that Trump polls in the single digits among African-Americans (in some polls, he polls at zero with Blacks). If the campaign thinks a visit by Trump to a Black church might somehow turn things around, they are mistaken. The damage has been done.

Latinos can look at Trumps treatment of President Obama and see, by extension, how the candidate views us. To Trump, Obama is the other, foreign, and therefore undeserving of respect. Thats pretty much the way Trump sees our community, too. He started his campaign insulting Mexicans and immigrants. He booted Jorge Ramos out of a press conference. He maligned a distinguished American judge solely on the basis of his Mexican heritage. And this is someone who wants to lead the nation?

Even worse, Trumps embrace of "birtherism" is undermining our democracy. Among Trump supporters, 59 percent believe that President Obama was not born in the U.S. NBC News reports that 72 percent of registered Republican voters still have doubts about the presidents citizenship. What is troubling is that Trump has taken an idea with no basis in fact and successfully sold it to part of the electorate. This is dangerous, because the more that the public loses faith in the legitimacy of our government, the weaker we are as a country.

Lately Trump says that he doesnt want to discuss "birtherism" anymore. "I dont talk about it because if I talk about that, your whole thing will be about that, he told reporters on his plane last week. Thats not good enough; its no apology and he still will not acknowledge that our president was born in this country. Equally shameful is that some of Trumps supporters have floated the idea that Hillary Clinton was responsible for elevating "birtherism" in the public arena, a claim that has been debunked by Politifact, FactCheck.org, and the Washington Post.



Sure, both President Obama and Hillary Clinton have made indiscreet remarks  and they have apologized for them. Just this weekend, Clinton expressed regret and said she was wrong for calling half of Trump supporters deplorables. Trump should be held to the same standard as any other candidate or president: when you say something wrong, apologize. Besides, it is poor strategy for Trump not to disavow his association with "birtherism."

If he apologizes soon, he can put it behind him. If he does not, the topic will certainly come in during the debates, where he cannot control the narrative. Then again, as the New York Times pointed out, In the 'birther' movement, Mr. Trump recognized an opportunity to connect with the electorate over an issue many considered taboo: the discomfort, in some quarters of American society, with the election of the nations first black president.

How ironic that Trump has probed deeply into Obamas background while refusing to disclose his own detailed medical history, his tax returns, or information about his wifes immigration history.



"Birtherism" is toxic, discredited, and indefensible. That Trump has not renounced it is a national disgrace.
On Oct. 2, Colombians will vote on whether to approve or reject a flawed peace agreement reached by the government and the FARC narco-terror group.

While generally praised by the international community for his efforts to secure peace for Colombia, President Juan Manuel Santos has been criticized by some for investing virtually all of his energy into securing an agreement, while deprioritizing important challenges such as tax reform, poverty and corruption that have undermined Colombias competitiveness and growth.

In effect, Santos has wagered too much of Colombias interest on a peace deal, forcing government negotiators to grant many costly concessions. The lack of jail time for war criminals, the inclusion of special economic benefits to demobilized guerrillas not available to law-abiding citizens and the granting of automatic congressional seats to a FARC political party make this deal unacceptable to many Colombians who have suffered from the FARCs 50-year terror campaign.

The criticisms of the agreement and of Santos handling of the process are well deserved; but the consequences of rejecting the agreement are just as unacceptable.

If rejected, years of negotiations will have been wasted, and the country will face a return of war and of a host of economic and societal problems largely ignored by the government  all without the international goodwill and financial support which the peace process has garnered.

The Colombian opposition argues that rejecting the agreement does not mean a return to war but, rather, a return to the negotiating table where the government and FARC leaders will fix the problematic elements of the agreement. However, after years of turbulent negotiations that nearly collapsed on multiple occasions, it is hard to believe that the FARC will react to the agreements rejection with a gracious return to the negotiating table, knowing that the goal would be an agreement that includes jail time or less generous political and economic concessions.

For all its faults, the agreement to end the conflict will provide opportunity for renewed economic growth and stability for Colombia that was previously unavailable. The government will be able to extend its presence into previously ungoverned spaces, allowing the private sector to regain safe access to and develop natural resources which will foster growth for the country. The end of the conflict will also attract renewed foreign investment crucial to stimulating the economy.

If this agreement is not approved, these opportunities will likely remain unavailable for years to come.

At the same time, Santos and others should be wary of overselling the benefits of the agreement with predictions of dramatic economic growth and social progress to an already skeptical public that has too often felt the sting of false promises.

The end of the conflict with the FARC removes a great barrier to growth, but it will not automatically give Colombia the capacity to take advantage of it.

A weak government presence, outdated investment and tax codes, deep societal and economic divisions, corruption and criminality will remain after the agreement and must be addressed before Colombia can take full advantage of the opportunity presented by peace.

Indeed, the biggest challenges of the process will come after the agreement, when Colombia must address these issues throughout the country, including in areas that have largely been left to fend for themselves.

While the conflict with the FARC would end, remaining organized criminal elements such as the ELN and BACRIM will still be a source of violence that will continue to require significant attention and resources to combat.

The potential of FARC's narcotrafficking element infiltrating Colombian politics remains a serious concern and brings back unpleasant memories of Pablo Escobars corrupting political involvement, leaving many with the fear that FARCs political leadership will take Colombia down the same road as Nicolas Maduro has in Venezuela.

To prevent history from repeating itself, the Colombian government will have to be vigilant in ensuring that the vast wealth the FARC has derived from narcotrafficking does not find its way into the political campaigns of its candidates and that criminal entities do not reoccupy the space left after demobilization.

However, we should also have enough confidence in democracy and the Colombian people to believe that when they reach the ballot box, they will reject the warped ideology presented by FARC guerrillas who have terrorized the country for decades and continue to embrace the principles of economic freedom, rule of law and individual liberty that kept the country together throughout this destructive conflict.

By signing this agreement, Colombia can begin to close this sad chapter of its history, and the U.S.'s key ally in the region will be all the stronger for it.
Talk of non-interventionism from the Venezuelan regime belies an eagerness to expand influence beyond their borders. For many years, they have had their eyes on Colombia; now the so-called Peace Agreement will open the door for 21st-century socialism, perhaps irreversibly.

The lengthy negotiation with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) proceeded under the protection of communist Cuba in Havana, after five decades of conflict with the brutal terrorists. Now the 297-page agreement is up for approval on Sunday. It needs a majority of votes and support from 13 percent of the electorate.

Beyond the impunity, the terms create the institutional and political gateway for a new member of this Bolivarian Alliance. Colombia would ignite the Chavista dream of a socialist Gran Colombia, a short-lived 19th-century republic under Simon Bolivar.  Fergus Hodgson

On both counts, passage looks probable. Half of constituents plan to vote, and the "yes" side has the edge in support. Many on the "no" side will abstain and discourage participation, since they deem the referendum unconstitutional.

Almost no one will read the agreement before voting, and the devil is in the details. Adamant support from Bolivarian Alliance neighbors, however, indicates what lies beneath the surface. This bloc, the brainchild of Hugo Chavez, opposes US influence in the Americas and advocates 21st-century socialism. Presidents Rafael Correa and Nicolas Maduro continue Chavez's ambition in Ecuador and Venezuela.

These regimes have some of the most suffocated economies in world and a flagrant disregard for human rights such as free speech. Venezuela came in 159th and last in the latest Fraser Institute freedom ranking, and Ecuador is not much better at 142nd.

Venezuela is now more violent and dangerous than Colombia, with regime-backed militias such as the Tupamaro. Last week a gang took over the Caracas University Hospital, and over 100 Caracas policemen have been murdered in 2016.

The Marxist FARC are overt Chavistas and have a strong presence in Venezuela  with mutual affection expressed by both Chavez and Maduro  so they have negotiated in that direction. The agreement has 161 mandates, with 114 solely on the government.

Beyond impunity, the terms create the institutional and political gateway for a new member of this Bolivarian Alliance. Colombia would ignite the Chavista dream of a socialist Gran Colombia, a short-lived 19th-century republic under Simon Bolivar.

The agreement sets up a Reconciliation Council, local councils, long-term agrarian reform, and 10 guaranteed seats for the FARC through 2022: five in both the Senate and the House. In other words, new socialist bureaucracies and guaranteed political power.

The FARC have largely boycotted past elections, but would be a force to be reckoned with. In part, they have already succeeded, since President Juan Manuel Santos's coalition included sympathizers whose priority was the agreement. They would be able to draw on drug-cartel funds, activist networks, violence and intimidation, and state propaganda from the Chavista TeleSUR. All TeleSUR presidents have been Colombian since the 2005 founding, with an eye on influence there.

The agreement prohibits drug trafficking, but some FARC fronts will likely ignore this. The like-minded guerrilla Popular Liberation Army is also ready to move into vacated territory and sustain the profits.

Further, many politicians support the FARC goal of 21st-century socialism. That includes Gustavo Petro Urrego, a former Bogota mayor, guerrilla, and now presidential aspirant with an approval rating of 40 percent.

To make matters worse, the deal comes when Colombians are vulnerable and desperate. As Colombian Senator Ivan Duque Marquez has noted, "[Colombia] has the perfect conditions for Chavista rhetoric: economic crisis and corruption."

Like other Latin American countries, Colombia already has socialist leanings. At 116th on the Fraser Institute ranking, she only needs a nudge to line up with her authoritarian neighbors.

This downward spiral would be hastened by the cost of the agreement's implementation, which necessitates national debt and new taxes. Negotiation was in the tens of millions of dollars, but that is pennies compared to what is in store, up to $187 billion in the first 10 years. One reason is the bribe for FARC members: $700 up front and $217 per month for two years for 10,000-17,500 people.

Gushing international praise from the likes of President Barack Obama is naivete and wishful thinking. There are reasons why former President Alvaro Uribe Velez (2002-2010) rejected any concessions. He understood that there was no common ground, and that the FARC would renege on any agreement.

Colombia yearns for peace, but she need not capitulate before Latin America's most bloodthirsty guerrillas. Voters can still reject this agreement and pursue a just and lasting solution.
We have a successful President-elect before he is even sworn in. We have 1,100 excited families looking forward to a happy Christmas when for weeks they had been sick with worry about their futures. And we have a news media unable to report on success.

How? President-elect Donald Trump convinced Carrier to keep 1,100 jobs in the United States. He was helped by Vice President-elect Mike Pence who had additional interest in and leverage over this decision because he is Governor of Indiana where Carrier is located.

The people employed at Carrier are ecstatic.

They were about to face a gloomy Christmas. Now they have their jobs and they are thrilled that the President-elect intervened decisively and successfully.

This was actually Trump's second intervention. (He earlier convinced Ford not to move one of its assembly lines to Mexico.) But because the media focused so much on the 1,100 jobs, and because Carrier's management had been so much more public about its determination to move to Mexico, the Carrier case has acquired much more intensity and importance than Ford.

There are several important points about this achievement.

First, this was pure Trumpism. Don't wait to be inaugurated. Don't spend a lot of time with staff studying the issue. Don't delegate to someone else and hope for the best.

Trumpism includes intuitive decisions followed by rapid, personal intervention to force success. Its clearest predecessor in style was President Theodore Roosevelt. Trump is similar to Roosevelt in the sheer exuberant energy with which he lives out each day.

Winston Churchill had slips of paper in World War II that read Action this Day. He clipped them to important items in an effort to force the bureaucracy to move faster. Trump is a living example of Action this Day.

Second, Trump understands that winning the right symbolic victories early can have very big consequences. Scott Adams wrote brilliantly on this technique. Millions of Americans who worry about their jobs feel better today knowing that Donald Trump cared enough to act before he was even sworn in. While the propaganda media (formerly the news media) and the critics may think this was a small achievement, it was symbolically and emotionally a big achievement.

Third, Trump understands that winning is always better than losing. Americans have watched Barack Obama fail to save jobs. In fact, he mocked Trump and publicly asked if he was going to wave a magic wand to save jobs at Carrier. Now it is Obama who looks impotent and incompetent  and Trump looks like maybe he has a magic wand.

In history, winning increases the likelihood of winning. Losing increases the likelihood of losing. Today, President-elect Trump looks like a winner.

Finally, Trumpism is transforming the roles of our two political parties. While Democratic elitists are mocking the Carrier achievement and minimizing its importance, millions of blue collar Americans are glad someone finally cares about them. The isolation of the Democrats into a left-wing club of clueless and out-of-touch elitists continues. The transformation of the Republican Party into the party that cares about families and jobs moves forward.

Eleven hundred happy families at Christmas is a big deal.

This year it is Donald Trump's deal. It is quite an achievement seven weeks before being sworn in as President of the United States.
During a shouting matching Thursday night between top aides of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the President-elects campaign manager Kellyanne Conway summed up a key reason for why my Democratic Party lost  and will likely continue to lose. Theres a difference for voters between what offends you and what affects you.

To understand what she meant, look to the recent developments in Indiana. Millions of voters in the Rust Belt are in awe as 1,100 of their fellow blue-collar workers at Carrier narrowly missed being laid off. Instead of training Mexican replacements, these Hoosiers are celebrating an American paycheck.

WE HAVE 1,100 HAPPY FAMILIES AND A NEWS MEDIA UNABLE TO REPORT ON SUCCESS

In normal times, my fellow Democrats would have celebrated this modest victory in the fight against globalization. They might have even applauded the president-elect for helping make it happen.

But these are not normal times.

Media reaction captures how tone deaf we have become. My party is advancing stories of outrage over the generous tax incentives that Carrier received  some $7.0 million at present.

Were hearing disbelief that companies can now blackmail Trump into getting their own sweetheart tax deals. Even trade critics like Bernie Sanders are complaining that Trump didnt save enough jobs from being shipped overseas.

While theres merit to these concerns, Ms. Conway knows that however offended some people may be, there are far more who are affected by the outcome.

From now until Christmas, we will see narratives of hard working Americans emotionally recalling how much they feared joblessness and bankruptcy once Carrier shut off the lights. They will tell us of the Christmas that almost was, complete with heartbroken children with no presents under the tree.

But now? There will be presents aplenty. And they will have President-elect Trump to thank for it.

Facts aside, how does this look to average Americans in North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin? For better or worse, the headline is clear: Trump is a president who picks up the phone and saves jobs. Democrats are whiners. It doesnt matter whether thats fair.

Trump 1, Democrats 0.

My party continues to make this same mistake with Trump over and over.

During the election, Secretary Hillary Clinton levied a million arguments for why Trump wasnt fit for the presidency. He was accused of hating women, gays, Latinos, Jews, Muslims, and overweight beauty queens. He had a bad temperament. He was a Russian spy. He bankrupted contractors. He hadnt paid taxes since the 1980s. His skin was orange and his hair fake.

Since the election, weve stuck to the same script. His chief strategist is a white supremacist. His cabinet picks are Islamophobic. His business interests are in conflict with Washington protocol.

But guess what? Most voters didnt  and still dont  care. In the Rust Belt and rural communities, they have bigger problems to tackle. Idle factories, saw mills, and coal mines. Families falling apart from opioid addiction. Incomes that have less buying power than 40 years ago. Kids living at home because they are swamped with student debt.

Theyre running out of hope.

Enter Donald Trump and his willingness to shame an American corporation into submission. First with Ford in Kentucky. Now Carrier in Indiana.

Love him or hate him, voters see a man who delivers.

All of which begs the question: how will Democrats be relevant in this new era of a hands-on president? After all, the country needs a faithful opposition. We are not China with their one Communist Party.

Thankfully, the path to relevancy is surprisingly straightforward.

First, we must swallow our pride and acknowledge that Trump is Americas president. It doesnt matter if we dont like the man. The American people have chosen.

We gain nothing by supporting Jill Stein and Hillary Clinton as they engage in fruitless recounts. No more excuses. We lost and its time to move on. The 2018 elections will wait for no one.

Next, lets celebrate if Trump succeeds. When over 1,000 men and women in Indiana keep their paycheck, lets be joyful and figure out how to do it again. Wishing for his failure  or minimizing his successes  is petty and undignified. Voters see right through it.

Third, lets find common cause with Trump where its in concert with our values. Start with renegotiating NAFTA and our participation in the WTO. Collaborate on rebuilding Americas roads, bridges, and rail lines. Update our water systems to avoid lead poisoning in our children. And lets build high-speed internet service for our rural communities.

Of course, there are important differences between the parties where compromise will be tough. The social safety net  Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security  is a fiscal mess. Republicans want fewer benefits, Democrats higher taxes. Were all going to have to give a little. Nobody will get everything they want.

Make no mistake, there are areas where we simply cannot compromise. We believe in a womans right to control her body. We believe that gay and lesbian Americans deserve equality. But even here we can at least be civil as we disagree. Voters and the courts will decide who is right.

All told, Democrats have a choice: we can make the next four years productive for the American people, or we can choose obstruction.

But lets remember that the friends and family of those Carrier workers are watching. And so, too, are the American people. If we handle ourselves poorly, neither history  nor elections  will judge us kindly.
Floridas Puerto Rican voters, viewed as a force that could make a difference in the battleground state on Nov. 8, are overwhelming supporting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, a new poll shows.

If the election were held now, the poll shows, 74 percent of Puerto Ricans would vote for Clinton  leaps and bounds over the 17 percent who favor her GOP challenger, Donald Trump.

The poll, released Wednesday afternoon by Latino Decisions and the Center for American Progress, also showed that 68 percent of Puerto Ricans in Florida have a favorable view of Clinton, compared with 15 percent who have one of Trump.

Puerto Ricans have settled in the state at a rate of about 1,000 a month since the economic crisis hit the island in 2013. The poll surveyed 504 registered Puerto Rican voters currently living in the state.

Political strategists say that Trump must win Florida in order to win the White House. And some say that winning Florida means winning the central part of the state, where Puerto Ricans increasingly are dominating in numbers and influence.

Others disagree, saying that if Trump can win enough support from white Florida voters, he doesnt need to win many votes from Latinos.

Puerto Ricans now comprise at least 30 percent of the states Latino registered voters. They are mostly Democrats but there are also some conservatives.

While they voted mainly for President Barack Obama in the last two elections, they also voted for Republican Charlie Crist in Floridas 2006 gubernatorial race. Years later, Crist switched his political party to Democrat.

Clintons level of support among Puerto Ricans in Florida (74 percent) marks an increase over the 69 percent of Puerto Ricans nationwide who said in an August poll by Fox News Latino that they would vote for her. Trumps share of support among Puerto Ricans in the Sunshine State and nationwide remains tied, with 17 percent in both instances saying they would vote for him.

The Fox News Latino poll over the summer showed that of all Latino subgroups, Puerto Ricans had the strongest support for Clinton.

Respondents in the newly released survey also favored 56-to-25 percent seeing Puerto Rico become the 51st state, versus it remaining commonwealth.

As for a candidates views on the statehood issue, 55 percent said it was very important when deciding who I will support, and 23 percent it was somewhat important. The rest said it is not very important or completely irrelevant to their decision.
When Republican nominee Donald Trump announced that he was running for president in the summer of 2015, he identified illegal immigration as one of the biggest problems facing the United States. Mexico, he suggested, was sending rapists and people that have lots of problems across the border, and they were bringing crime with them.

Fifteen months later, those words still dominate headlines. At the vice presidential debate, they were repeated so often by Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate, that Trumps running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, dismissed them as, that Mexican thing.

Which made the internet explode.

During a heated exchange on Tuesday night, Kaine said, As a candidate, [Trump] started his campaign where he called Mexicans rapists and criminals.

Pence smiled and chided Hillary Clintons running mate, "Senator, you've whipped out that Mexican thing again."

The response on Twitter was immediate.

The Indiana governor's remark quickly became one of the most talked about moments from the forum, trending online under #ThatMexicanThing and #ThatMexicanThingAgain. Twitter ranked it as the third-most tweeted-about moment of the debate.

The posts were divided in their tone, but most poked fun of Pence for his phrasing and his apparent dismissal of complaints about Trump having been insensitive. A few referenced last months taco truck on every corner controversy.

As of Wednesday mid-morning, #ThatMexicanThing remains the fifth-most trending term on Twitter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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In a break with decadeslong diplomatic tradition, President-elect Donald Trump spoke directly with the president of Taiwan, a move that drew an irritated response from China and looked set to cast uncertainty over U.S. policy toward Asia.

It is perhaps unprecedented for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the U.S. broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.

In first comments apparently meant to downplay the significance of the call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday that the contact between Taiwan's president and Trump was "just a small trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change U.S. policy toward China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-U.S. relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Wang was quoted as saying.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland. Under that policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

A statement from Trump's transition team said he spoke Friday with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who offered her congratulations on his election win.

Trump tweeted later that Tsai "CALLED ME." He also groused about the reaction to the call: "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."

The Taiwanese presidential office said Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of U.S. relations with Taiwan.

"The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer cooperative relations," the statement said.

Tsai also told Trump that she hoped the U.S. would support Taiwan in its participation in international affairs, the office said, in an apparent reference to China's efforts to isolate Taiwan from global institutions such as the United Nations.

It said the two also discussed "promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defense" to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Taiwan's presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said separately that Taiwan's relations with China and "healthy" Taiwan-U.S. relations can proceed in parallel. "There is no conflict (in that)," he told reporters in Taipei.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.

China's embassy in Washington and its foreign ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing did not respond to requests for comment.

Friday's call is the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

"President-elect Trump is just shooting from the hip, trying to take phone calls of congratulatory messages from leaders around the world without consideration for the implications," said Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Glaser said such a call was "completely unprecedented" or at least has never been known publicly. China is likely to be trying to identify whether this signals any intent on the part of Trump to alter long-standing U.S. policy toward Taiwan, Glaser said.

"They will hope that this is a misstep, but I think privately, they will definitely seek to educate this incoming president and ensure that he understands the sensitivity of Taiwan," she said.

In particular, China would want to highlight to the incoming administration the risks involved in any form of signal from the United States that it supports strengthening a relationship with Taiwan under a president that Beijing views as pro-independence, Glaser added.

Last month, Trump had a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping during which Trump's office described him as saying he believed the two would have "one of the strongest relationships for both countries."

Despite China's muted response Saturday, concern about Trump's policy toward China is growing, said Shi Yinhong of Renmin University in Beijing, one of China's best-known international relations scholars.

"In the mind of Chinese leaders, concerns are mounting about U.S. policy toward China" under Trump's administration, Shi said.

Tsai was elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

The call with Trump could "convince people in Taiwan that the island can establish good relations with the U.S. and encourage (Tsai) to continue to resist pressure from Beijing," Shi said.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The U.S. policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled. The U.S. has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Taiwan's official Central News Agency said Edwin Feulner, former president of the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based conservative think tank, was a "crucial figure" in setting up communication channels between the sides, leading to the call. Feulner could not immediately be reached to comment on the report, which cited anonymous sources.

Feulner had met with Tsai in October when he led a delegation from the think tank on a trip to Taiwan, according to a release at the time from Taiwan's presidential office. That release says Tsai called Feulner a "longtime friend to Taiwan" and conveyed her gratitude to his foundation for its support.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trump's conversation does not signal any change to long-standing U.S. policy on cross-strait issues.

In Beijing, a U.S. business group said it expected the new U.S. administration to respect the status quo.

"American business operating in Asia needs certainty and stability," said James Zimmerman, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. "The new administration needs to get up to speed quickly on the historical tensions and complex dynamics of the region."


Another one bites the dust  Queen, 1980

To the casual observer, the leadership contest between House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California, and Rep. Tim Ryan, Ohio, offered a look into the fissures cleaving the Democratic Caucus.

Democrats reelected Pelosi to her post Wednesday after shes served 14 years as either minority leader or House speaker. Pelosis longevity is impressive. But her success and staying power simultaneously frustrated junior lawmakers and stunted their opportunities for advancement.

Pelosi vs. Ryan provides a glimpse into the problem younger, ambitious Democrats have with promotion opportunities. But the sudden announcement Thursday about House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., leaving Congress lays out the essence of the issue -- in IMAX 3D with Technicolor and Dolby Surround sound.

California Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown nominated Becerra to serve as the states attorney general. If confirmed by both bodies of the California legislature, Becerra succeeds Sen.-elect Kamala Harris, D-Calif. Harris leaves the California attorney generals post to take the seat of retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Becerra was long thought to be in line to climb the leadership ladder.

Hes the fourth-highest ranking position in his partys hierarchy. But Becerras term limit expires at the end of this Congress.

Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., is set to succeed Becerra in January. Ahead of them both are Pelosi, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. All three of them are in their mid-seventies. Becerra is a youthful 58. Crowley is 54.

So, with Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn sticking around, how long would have Becerra been willing to cool his heels and wait for movement?

Becerra isnt the first to face this conundrum.

Interpreting which House Democrats were on the rise is reminiscent of Cold War-style Kremlinology. When tracking the Soviet Union, political scientists and intelligence officials track where Soviet leaders sat at the May Day Parade. They would also read Pravda to see whether the titles of some positions were capitalized and which were listed in lower case.

As far back as 2005, many viewed current Chicago Mayor and then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., as Pelosis possible successor in the House leadership.

Sure, Hoyer was immediately behind Pelosi. But Pelosi and Hoyer have a rivalry that dates back to when they worked together for the late-Sen. Daniel Brewster, D-Md., in the 1960s.

Remember that Pelosi is Maryland native. Some observers contend Pelosi seemingly relished blocking Hoyer at various turns. Pelosis friend, the late-Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., ran against Hoyer for majority leader in late-2006 when Democrats captured the House. But Hoyer still defeated Murtha.

Emanuel found himself on track to be a star in the House, chairing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and leading the Democratic Caucus. However, things changed dramatically when then President-elect Obama asked him to serve as White House chief of staff in late-2008.

Pelosi then drafted Rep. and now Sen.-elect Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., to serve in a position she created: Assistant to the Speaker. Some viewed the slot as a slap at Hoyer, especially since Van Hollen also hails from Maryland.

Political watchers think Van Hollen bailed. He elected to run for the Senate and succeeds retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., in January.

After two rounds chairing the DCCC, Pelosi drafted Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., for a leadership post a few years ago. Israel served as one of Pelosis top lieutenants and headed communications efforts. Some Kremlinologists conjectured about Israels positioning relative to Pelosi. But then Israel announced in January he wouldnt seek re-election.

Pelosi hoped to work in tandem next year with the first female president. There was speculation that Pelosi might eventually enjoy an appointment to serve as U.S. ambassador to Italy or the Vatican. Such a scenario would open up an opportunity for Hoyer -- and certainly Becerra.

If Pelosi did depart, one wonders whether she would have backed her sometimes-adversary Hoyer from her native Maryland -- or preferred Becerra from her adopted state of California. Incoming Democratic Caucus Chairman Crowley would have been in the mix, too.

Regardless, there was a path for Becerra to advance. The question was just if and when that would come.

Some California Democrats hoped to elect a Hispanic U.S. senator from the Los Angeles area. Boxer and fellow Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein have represented California in the Senate since 1993.

Both hail from the Bay Area. The late-Democratic Sen. Alan Cranston, was also from northern California. Former GOP California Sen. Pete Wilson, served as mayor of San Diego before becoming the states governor.

Some observers think Boxers retirement gave Becerra -- who represents a district in urban Los Angeles -- a shot at the Senate. But he declined to run, preferring to stay in the House. Harris, an Oakland native, defeated Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez, a Latina from southern California -- for Boxers Senate seat last month.

There was also chatter that Becerra could serve in a potential Clinton administration. Various titles wafted about the political ether. White House chief of staff. budget director. Treasury secretary.

Again, the Clinton universe failed to materialize. Becerra was stuck in the House without much of a portfolio for the next Congress.

Then came Tuesday night.

Out of the blue, Rep. Sander Levin, Michigan, shocked his colleagues by announcing he would no longer serve as the top Democrat on the important House Ways and Means Committee. Levin immediately threw his support for the post to Becerra.

Becerra dashed off a Dear Colleague letter, which pitched his bona fides to succeed Levin as the next ranking Democrat on the committee.

The speed of the letter was astonishing considering the breaking news of Levins decision. Many suggested that Becerra drafted much of the missive long ago and had it waiting in a drawer for just the proper occasion.

In the letter, Becerra laid out how he would tangle with President-elect Donald Trump incoming Republican administration and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc.

I write to ask for your support to serve as our Caucus' Ranking Member on the Ways and Means Committee for the 115th Congress, Becerra wrote. With the White House and Congress in Republican hands, we need a strong, experienced and energetic leader who will take the fight for our democratic values on the Ways and Means Committee to the American people.

"Over the next two years, many of Americas toughest policy decisions will play out in this committee. The change we seek is not the change that Republicans plan. The Republican Majority threatens to bury the Affordable Care Act, privatize Medicare and Social Security and turn our tax code into the textbook for trickle-down economics. 

Becerra told Democrats that over the years, I have prepared for just such an assignment.

Rep. Richard Neal, Massachusetts, is the longest-serving Democrat on the Ways and Means panel. A bewildered Neal arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday night to learn the Levin news. Fellow Michigan lawmakers hadnt even heard about Levins plan to give up his plum assignment.

In 2012, an internal Democratic committee picked Neal to serve as the top Democrat on Ways and Means, leapfrogging Levin. The full Democratic caucus then re-appointed Levin, sidelining Neal. Fox is told that Neal was furious at what looked like an effort to edge him out again -- especially considering the 2012 treatment.

So who might prevail this time? Becerra or Neal?

And then Jerry Brown suddenly asked Becerra to succeed Harris as the states attorney general.

Governor Brown has presented me with an opportunity I cannot refuse -- to serve as Attorney General of my home state, Becerra said.

Becerra suddenly found a landing spot -- but not in the House, Senate, or for that matter, the Clinton administration.

Neal is all but assured of a high-profile gig as he tussles with Trumps team and congressional Republicans over central policy disputes.

As surprising as the Levin news was Tuesday, Becerras announcement rocked the U.S. Capitol and Sacramento. Many Democrats lawmakers were preparing to support Becerra for the Ways and Means job.

He just asked me on the floor last night to vote for him, said one amazed Democrat who asked they not be identified when informed of Becerras rapid exit. Now I dont even get to do that.

Becerra would serve as Californias top law-enforcement officer through 2018. What comes next is anyones guess. Another round as Attorney General? A gubernatorial campaign? Could Becerra run for Senate in 2018 if Feinstein retires?

Establishing himself statewide helps Becerra. But nobody knows whether Feinstein, the oldest living U.S. senator, steps down in two years.

Either way, after years of warming up in the wings, Becerra finally gave up on his chances of earning a promotion in the House.

Hes not the first. Consider Messrs. Emanuel, Van Hollen and Israel. They simply moved on as well.
Sarah Palin -- an early Donald Trump supporter and possible administration hire -- is questioning whether the president-elects Carrier jobs deal is a case of crony capitalism.

The former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice-presidential nominee says shes ecstatic for Carrier employees.

However, she also wonders whether Trumps successful bid to keep the manufacturer from moving 1,000 jobs from Indiana to Mexico is in fact a case of political influence on the free market, while acknowledging that the specifics of the deal remain unclear.

When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent, Palin wrote in an op-ed for the Young Conservative website.

The deal purportedly involves the furnace and air conditioning manufacturer getting $6 million in tax subsidies and $1 million in training grants over 10 years.

Fiscal conservatives repeatedly criticized outgoing Democratic President Obama of picking winners and losers for providing tax credits and other incentives to so-called green energies like solar and wind power while introducing more federal regulations on coal-firing plants.

Republicans oppose this, remember? Palin wrote. We support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail.

Palin is purportedly being considered for the post of Veterans Affairs secretary.

Trump vowed on the campaign trail to help military veterans receive better health care through the agency and to keep the Carrier jobs from going to Mexico, part of his overarching promise to stop U.S. companies from moving operation from Midwest manufacturing states to countries with lower costs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
After criticism about Donald Trump talking with Taiwans leader jeopardizing U.S.-China relations, Beijing and a former American ambassador suggested Saturday that Americans have perhaps overacted and that the president-elect's willingness to talk with isolated world leaders doesnt signal a dangerous foreign policy shift.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the call was "just a small trick by Taiwan" and that he didnt think it would change U.S. foreign policy toward China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

The conversation Friday between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Trump, a first-time elected official with no official foreign policy experience, indeed broke with decades-long diplomatic tradition.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland.

Under that policy, the United States recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

Wang also expressed hope Saturday that the call would not damage or interfere with Washington-Beijing relations.

That Trump might speak directly with Taiwans leader is not a huge surprise, considering how during the campaign season he extolled the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for a tempered approach to diplomatic relations with the former Cold War rival.

And since winning the Nov. 8 election, Trump has apparently undertaken calls with other foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

On Friday, Trump also took a call from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has criticized outgoing President Obama and the State Department for raising concerns over his crackdown on illegal drug dealing.

Duterte, who took office in June, has been antagonistic to the U.S., his countrys treaty ally, while reaching out to China and Russia. And he has met Chinese President Xi Jinping twice and Putin once.

John Huntsman, a former American ambassador to China and Utah Republican governor, on Saturday suggested Trumps call to Taiwan and other such diplomatic outreaches should be expected, with Trump being perhaps the most unconventional presidential candidate of a generation.

We ought to be giving (Taiwan) a little more space, Huntsman said on Fox News, noting mutual economic, national security and human rights issues.

Arkansas GOP Sen. Tom Cotton said Friday: I commend President-elect Trump for his conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen, which reaffirms our commitment to the only democracy on Chinese soil. I have met with President Tsai twice and I'm confident she expressed to the president-elect the same desire for closer relations with the United States."

The Democratic National Committee said Friday: Donald Trump is either too incompetent to understand that his foolish phone call threatens our national security, or hes doing it deliberately because he reportedly wants to build hotels in Taiwan to pad his own pockets.

Whether Trump or Tsai initiated their call continues to be an open question, with critics arguing that Trump made the potentially dangerous first move.

Trump tweeted Friday: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

However, The Taipei Times is reporting that the Trump team orchestrated the call.

A statement from Trump's transition team said Tsai during the call offered her congratulations to the president-elected.

The statement also said the two leaders discussed their close economic, political, and security ties and that Trump, a Republican, congratulated Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year.

The Taiwanese presidential office issued a statement early Saturday saying Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of U.S. relations with Taiwan.

"The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer cooperative relations," the statement said.

"The president also told U.S. President-elect Trump that she hopes the U.S. will continue to support Taiwan's efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future," Tsai's office said.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Iran's foreign minister is condemning the U.S. Senate's extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation.

On Thursday the Senate voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act by 10 years. The measure will now be sent to outgoing President Barack Obama to sign. The Saturday report on Iranian state television quotes Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the extension "shows the lack of credibility of the U.S. government."

Iranian officials claim the extension of the U.S. sanctions would violate the nuclear agreement signed this year between Iran and six world powers  which lifted a variety of international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program.

However the U.S. still maintains its own separate set of sanctions, which are set to expire Dec. 31 if they are not extended.
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl--held captive for five years after being captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan--has requested a pardon from President Obama, Fox News has learned from two senior US officials.

According to a well-placed source, Bergdahl thanked the president for rescuing him in May 2014 in a controversial exchange for five Taliban prisoners from Gitmo, in addition to asking for a pardon in the letter.

The Secretary of the Army was copied on the letter to the president, but the pardon was not formally requested through the military chain of command.

A Justice Department official confirms that it received a pardon petition from Bergdahl. Pentagon and White House officials would not immediately respond for comment.

OBAMA DEFENDS BERGDHAL TRADE DESPITE CHARGES

Reached by phone, Eugene R. Fidell, the attorney representing Sgt. Bergdahl, would not comment on the letter.

Last month, Sgt. Bergdahls court-martial trial was delayed for a second time and will now begin May 15 at Fort Bragg, NC.

Bergdahl faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy and could face up to life in prison.

President-elect Donald Trump called Bergdahl a dirty, rotten traitor early in his presidential campaign during a town hall in August 2015.

The Army general who investigated Bergdahls disappearance from a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009 recommended that Bergdahl not receive jail time.

After being captured by the Taliban a short time after he left his post, Bergdahl was transferred to the Haqqani network, which top officials say is the most dangerous militant group in the region.

The State Department designated the Haqqani network, based in Pakistan, as a foreign terrorist organization in 2012.

The US officials have long accused Pakistans spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, of supporting the Haqqani network made up of Taliban fighters in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

During the U.S. militarys intensive man-hunt for Bergdahl over a five-year period it was reported that up to six American soldiers died and others were wounded in the search, but these claims have been disputed.

Shortly after he was returned to US custody, President Obamas national security advisor Susan Rice said Bergdahl served his country with honor and distinction.



Fox News' Matt Dean contributed to this report.
The Latest on the death penalty trial of Dylann Roof in the Charleston church shootings (all times local):

7:35 p.m.

A judge has finished picking the 67 people who will make up the jury pool for Dylann Roof's death penalty trial in the killing of nine black people at a Charleston church.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, prosecutors and Roof, acting as his own attorney, spent this week picking jurors who could be open-minded about imposing the death penalty if Roof is found guilty.

A pretrial hearing will be held Monday, and the final panel of 12 jurors and six alternates will be selected Wednesday with testimony beginning soon after.

The trial is expected to last until January with a break over Christmas.

Roof, who is white, is charged in federal court with hate crimes in the shootings of nine people during a June 2015 Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

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10:50 a.m.

Defense attorneys dismissed by Charleston church shooting defendant Dylann Roof say they want to get back on the case.

The lawyers filed a motion Friday expressing concern that Roof may not present evidence that could sway a jury to spare his life.

The lawyers said they did not know why Roof wanted to represent himself but added that other defendants in capital cases have fired their lawyers because to avoid having embarrassing evidence revealed.

The motion calls Roof an "untrained layperson" and a "ninth-grade dropout."

Roof faces a death penalty trial in federal court in connection with an attack at a Charleston church last year that left nine black churchgoers dead. Roof has asked the court for more time to prepare his case and delay testimony until Dec. 11.
Rescue workers found the body of a construction worker Friday evening in the rubble of a building that had collapsed hours earlier in South Dakota's largest city.

Pieces of the building being sawed through and removed pic.twitter.com/Q2YCA4FM7L  Dana Ferguson (@bydanaferguson) December 2, 2016

Recovery of the body came hours after authorities managed to pull a woman, injured but alive, from the debris of the brick building in downtown Sioux Falls. The woman, 22-year-old Emily Fodness, was rushed to the hospital, and her family said in a statement that she's in good condition.

The view from the top of the parking garage east of Phillips Ave. pic.twitter.com/GAsb9K2gk5  Megan Raposa (@mlraposa) December 2, 2016

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Chief Jim Sideras said officials found the body of the man in a void using a search dog. Officials don't believe anyone else is in the debris and don't know what caused the building to collapse.

"After we moved all that rubble, we did find him, and it just didn't work out for us, unfortunately," said Sideras, who didn't identify the man. Rescue workers also pulled the woman's dog alive from the rubble of the building where she lived.

SIX MORE PEOPLE DETAINED OVER CHINA PLATFORM COLLAPSE THAT KILLED 74

Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether said in a statement that "the family of the young man who passed needs to know they are not alone tonight in their sadness."

It was not clear what triggered the collapse. "All I know is they were taking down the old brick wall and replacing it with a two-by-six wood wall," Tim Kant, who recently sold the building, told the Argus Leader. Photos showed a massive pile of debris spilling into a downtown street, which was impassable.

The building has been vacant since the Copper Lounge closed in September. Lewis Drug planned to open in the space next spring.

The collapse broke sprinkler systems there, the newspaper added.

Beckie Hurley, of Sioux Falls, was across the street when she saw a wall of bricks collapsing and then a wave of dust. The 34-year-old who works at a manufacturing company left her belongings in a coffee shop to run outside, thinking there were probably people in the structure.

"For a couple of minutes, it was just a stunned silence," Hurley said, before first responders arrived.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
At least nine people died when a fire tore through a warehouse in Northern California during a rave party and officials fear the death toll from the tragedy could rise to 40.

So far, nine bodies have been recovered from the site, which is not considered a "crime scene." Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said Saturday the bodies have been taken to the coroner's office to be identified.

Kelly says there are more bodies trapped in the debris that are hard to reach and need to be "cut from the wreckage."

He says excavators, a crane and dumpster trucks are being brought in to help in the recovery and the building is being flooded with light to allow crews to work through the night.

Kelly says crews will have to move very slowly as they pull out debris and look for more victims. He said that at least two dozen people remain missing.

Firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire at the warehouse in Oakland around 11:30 p.m. local time Friday. They fought the fire for hours before putting it out.

Officials said there may have been between 50 to 100 people inside the two-story building in Oakland's Fruitvale district when the fire broke out. People either got out unscathed or were trapped inside the structure, which had no sprinkers.

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement: "Anne and I were saddened to learn of last night's tragic fire in Oakland. Our thoughts are with the entire city in this difficult time and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of those lost."

The city of Oakland started investigating nearly three weeks ago whether people were illegally living in the warehouse.

Darin Ranelletti, of the City of Oakland Planning Department, says the city had received reports of people living illegally in the building, which was only permitted as a warehouse.

They opened an investigation on Nov. 13. He says an investigator went to the premises on Nov. 17 but could not gain access to the inside of the building. Ranelletti says they had not yet confirmed people were living inside.

Photos posted online of the warehouse - called the "Oakland Ghost Ship" - showed pictures of a bohemian, loft-like interior made of wood and cluttered with beds, rugs, old sofas, pianos, paintings, turntables, statues and other items.

Neighbors had complained of trash piling up outside the property and concerns the garbage posed a danger, according to the city's Planning and Building Department website.

Just before noon local time officials said they were beginning "a recovery and identification process."

"This is just a tragedy," Sgt. Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the sheriff in Alameda County said.

The warehouse party featured musician Golden Donnas 100% Silk West Coast tour.

Most of those who were killed were found on the second floor, the East Bay Times reported.

Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed said firefighters saw no evidence that smoke detectors were activated during the fire and there was no sprinkler system in the building, according to the paper.

The blaze is already being called one of the deadliest single-structure fires in Oaklands history, if not the deadliest, the paper reported.

This is a true loss for the city, for the firefighters who responded, and the people who lost family and friend. Its just tragic, a real tragedy, the paper quoted the fire chief as saying.

At a morning news conference, Deloach-Reed said the warehouse space was divided by partitions and the only staircase to the second floor was made of wood pallets.

The way the building is situated, it made it difficult to escape, she said.

She said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Friends and family of those unaccounted for were on social media early Saturday looking to confirm the whereabouts of their loved ones, according to the paper.

Some people have posted images and messages on Facebook of people they believe are missing, while other have posted that they had escaped safely, the paper reported.

A photographer who lives in the building told reporters the flames forced him to leave behind a friend who broke his ankle.

It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there, Bob Mule said, according to the East Bay Times. I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldnt get the fire extinguisher to work.

Mule, who suffered minor burns, told KTVU he hoped his friend was alright.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Firefighters battled a massive 10-alarm fire in Cambridge, Massachusetts, working late into the night on Saturday.

The fire began just around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon on Berkshire Street and quickly spread -- prompting fire departments from several towns to respond. The blaze was contained about six hours later.

Authorities said two police officers and one firefighter were hurt. Their injuries were believed to be minor.

Officials announced that seven buildings were on fire. The flames engulfed several homes and at least one church. It's believed that the building where the fire began may have collapsed.

Dozens of families were displaced and moved to a temporary shelter.

Boston Globe employee Michael Workman, who lives across the street from the blaze, said that it erupted in a three-family residence that was undergoing renovations and that flames quickly jumped to another home as well as a former church building.

"It went up in a heartbeat. It was just raging ... It was just going so fast. Ive never seen anything like that," Workman told the Globe.

Flames shot through the roof of multiple structures in the area.

Local residents on social media posted images and video that showed that the blaze could be seen from miles away, being fanned by high winds in the area.

Authorities said power has been shut off in the neighborhood and could remain out for most of the night. The city turned a recreation center into a shelter for displaced residents.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The jury in the murder trial of a former South Carolina police officer charged with gunning down a black motorist will continue deliberating next week, despite at one point Friday appearing deadlocked by a juror who told the judge he could not "with good conscience approve a guilty verdict."

The panel of one black and 11 white jurors has now deliberated for more than 16 hours over three days on whether to convict former North Charleston police Officer Michael Slager in the death of 50-year-old Walter Scott. They will return to the jury room Monday.

Twice on Friday the jurors told Judge Clifton Newman they had reached a stalemate. One juror sent a letter directly to the judge saying he could not "with good conscience approve a guilty verdict." The juror added he was not about to change his mind.

But then in the courtroom, the jury foreman told the judge that he thought jurors could reach a unanimous verdict and deliberations continued. Newman did not say whether the jurors were leaning toward a conviction on murder or on voluntary manslaughter.

Slager pulled over Scott's 1990 Mercedes for a broken taillight on April 4, 2015. Scott was shot five times in the back as he fled the traffic stop. A passer-by captured the shooting on cellphone video that stunned the nation.

Slager was fired from the department and charged with murder after the video surfaced.

Jurors are considering the charge of murder, which in Slager's case could carry a sentence of from 30 years to life in prison, and a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, which carries a sentence of two to five years.

The city of North Charleston reached a $6.5 million civil settlement with Scott's family last year. Following the shooting, the city also that the U.S. Justice Department to review its police department policies with an eye toward how the department can improve its relationship with residents.

Slager also faces trial next year in federal court on charges of depriving Scott of his civil rights.
A 4-year-old macaw named "Bird" is an instant celebrity after appearing in a posed booking mug shot in Oregon with his unfortunate owner.

Craig Buckner left Bird in a tree outside court in Washington County while he went in for an appearance Thursday in an ongoing drug and theft case, said Sgt. Bob Ray, the sheriff's spokesman. Buckner was not expecting to be arrested, but when he fell asleep while waiting for his case to be called, he was taken for a drug urine test and failed, Ray said.

When he realized he was going to be arrested, Buckner got very upset and deputies finally realized why.

"He was very concerned about Bird the bird," Ray said. "Very distraught."

Bird was 30 feet up the tree, Ray said, and it was getting dark and rainy. Temperatures were in the low 40s.

Deputies realized there was no way Bird  a tropical parrot  would survive overnight, but he would not come to them.

They eventually brought Buckner outside and removed the restraints from one of his hands.

Bird immediately flew down to Buckner and landed on his shoulder.

The macaw stayed with deputies for several hours and feasted on peanuts until they reached a friend who could pick Bird up.

While they waited, deputies let Buckner's feathered friend sit on his shoulder in a set up booking shot, just for kicks.

They also took a real booking photo of Buckner without Bird  but the macaw still managed to photo bomb it with a few of his colorful feathers, Ray said.

"It's quite funny," he said. "How can you resist that?"

The department is proud of how it landed the Bird, even if it did take extra time on a busy day, Ray said.

"We're not all robots. We're humans, we love animals and we want to do the right thing," he said.

"For the animal, and for Mr. Buckner too."
The student police say stabbed to death a psychology professor at the University of Southern California was identified Saturday.

Police said David Jonathan Brown, 28, had been charged with Fridays stabbing Professor Bosco Tjan in the building that houses Tjans lab.

Brown, a psychology grad student, accordig to USC's website, is being held on $1 million bail. He was taken into custody after the stabbing. Tjan died the scene.

USC President C. L. Max Nikias said Tijan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center.

"As the Trojan family mourns Professor Tjan's untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts," Nikias said.

According to the USC Department of Public Safety, the attack is believed to be the "result of a personal dispute," also stating that investigators believed the attack was not a random one.

The university's Trojans Alert emergency texting service quickly put out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the area that the attack occured.

#lapd USC campus secure no outstanding suspects-stabbing not a random act. Suspect is in custody.  LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) December 3, 2016

"Police-related incident in progress at Seely G. Mudd. No danger to USC or the community. Stay away from the area," the text read.

Chris Purington, project manager at Tjan's lab, said he never heard of anyone having a problem with Tjan -- a married father of one son listed in public records as 50 years old -- and had no idea who would have wanted him dead.

"He was somebody who really cared about people. I know he cared about me," Purington said through tears. "He mentored people and he looked out for them. He spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a mentor and guide people."

He said the professor gave him a job both after he graduated from USC and after graduate school at the University of California-Berkeley.

"People talk about scientists as very cold or robotic. Bosco is a guy that he could talk to anybody about anything," he said. "He couldn't move through a room without being sidetracked in all these conversations.

"He just had this energy about him. Kinetic might be the word," Purington added. "He had a huge impact on my life."

USC has nearly 44,000 students enrolled.

A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16 percent of the more than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of his 16-year-old classmate whose headless body was found near the Merrimack River in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said Mathew Borges was arrested Saturday morning.

The decapitated body of 16-year-old Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino was discovered by the riverbank Thursday by a woman walking her dog. Police recovered the head a short distance away. The boy had been missing for about two weeks, last seen at his grandmother's home in Lawrence on Nov. 18.

The two boys attended Lawrence High School. Blodgett says Borges will be arraigned Monday on a charge of first-degree murder. He'll be charged as an adult.

It was not immediately clear if Borges has a lawyer.
A former German soldier has left his life's savings to a small Scottish village where he was held as a prisoner of war during World War II.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a Waffen SS soldier, was 19 when he was brought to POW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie in Perthshire. After the war, he regularly visited.

He died in 2014, leaving 384,000 pounds ($485,000) to the village in his will. His wish was to help the elderly in the community. It was unclear why nearly two years elapsed between his death and the announcement of the legacy.
The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local):

3:00 p.m

Russia says it's ready to hold quick talks with the U.S. on the exit of rebels from the besieged city of Aleppo.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave him Washington's proposals for settling the situation in Aleppo during their Friday meeting in Rome.

Lavrov said Saturday that the U.S. proposals conform to Russia's longtime offers. He added that Moscow is ready to immediately send its experts to Geneva for talks with the U.S. that would coordinate joint action to "ensure the withdrawal of all rebels without exception from eastern Aleppo, ensure humanitarian supplies to the city residents and the restoration of normal life in eastern Aleppo."

Russian-backed Syrian government forces have driven the rebels out of several neighborhoods in this week's offensive.

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12:30 p.m.

Syrian warplanes, artillery and mortar rounds have pounded areas in the eastern rebel-held Aleppo enclave, killing at least three, according to opposition activists.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bombings in the central al-Shaar neighborhood killed three. The Syrian Civil Defense put the death toll at six.

The bombings Saturday came hours after government troops made new advances on the rebel-held parts of Aleppo city. State media reported that government and allied troops have moved in on new neighborhoods, pushing one kilometer (0.6 mile) deeper into the enclave from the far east. The new advances tighten the government's grip on the besieged enclave and reduce the territory the rebels hold by more than half.

The new advances also secure the airport road east of Aleppo.
Thai police have arrested a student pro-democracy activist for sharing a story about the country's new king that was posted on Facebook by the Thai-language service of the BBC.

Duangthip Karith of the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that law student Jatupat "Pai" Boonpattararaksa was arrested Saturday on a charge of lese majeste  insulting the monarchy  in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum.

The BBC Thai story was a profile of King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, who took the throne on Thursday, succeeding his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The arrest was apparently the first under the lese majeste law since Vajiralongkorn became king. Critics of the law, which carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison, say it is used to silence political dissidents.
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Russia's foreign minister warned Japan Saturday against expecting a quick breakthrough in the territorial dispute between the two nations ahead of President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to Japan.

Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida that the settlement would require a painstaking work. He added that its rendering in the media "in either a confrontational spirit or by encouraging excessive expectations of a quick progress" wouldn't help.

The disagreement over the Pacific islands, seized by the Soviet Union in the final days of World War II, has kept the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their wartime hostilities.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing for progress in the dispute over the islands, called the southern Kurils by Russia and the Northern Territories by Japan.

The sparsely inhabited islands lie just north of the Japanese island of Hokkaido, in an area rich in natural resources, and they also serve as a strategic vantage point for the Russian military. Last month, Japan protested after Russia announced the deployment of new anti-ship missiles on Pacific islands to the Kurils.

Abe's two visits to Russia this year have led many to believe Tokyo and Moscow are moving toward a breakthrough, Kishida met with Putin Friday to deliver Abe's message to Putin.

Putin said at the start of his meeting with Kishida that Russia is working on Abe's proposals to expand ties between the two countries, but he made no mention of the Kuril islands.

Lavrov on Saturday offered a similar indication that Moscow sees a progress in economic ties as key condition for success of talks on the islands.

"The more we act together, the more broadly we develop our ties in all spheres without exclusion searching for a balance of interests of Russia and Japan ... the easier it will be for us to solve the most difficult problems," he said.

Russia has pledged adherence to a 1956 declaration in which the Soviet Union said it was ready to hand two of the four Southern Kuril islands to Japan, but Lavrov underlined that it stipulates that the signing of a peace treaty should come first.




Hang Thol, advisor to CPP Vice President Say Chhum and deputy head of the CPPs Commission for External Relations, made the affirmation during a meeting with head of the Party Central Committees Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai in Hanoi on December 2nd.

He expressed his profound thanks for the valuable, timely and effective support that Vietnam has provided for Cambodia in the national liberation cause, removal of the genocidal regime and the current national construction and development, saying that the achievements of the CPP and Cambodia are inseparable from the great assistance offered by the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people.

Mai, for her part, hailed the outcomes of talks between the two Partys external relations commissions and wished that both sides would work closely together on bilateral and multilateral issues, share information and experience and enhance the supervision of the implementation of high-level agreements between the two Parties and countries.

She expressed her belief that under the sound leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni, National Assembly, Senate and government in which the CPP plays a crucial role, the Cambodian people will continue maintaining peace and stability and achieve greater successes in the national construction and development.

The same day, the two Partys Commission for External Relations held talks to discuss specific measures to consolidate ties between the two Parties and countries in the near future.

During the visit, the Cambodian delegation held working sessions with authorities of Hanoi capital city, the central Thanh Hoa province and northern Ninh Binh province./.
FREDERICKSBURG

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle, will host the folk music group Shenandoah Run on Sunday at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $15. 540/310-4001 or 610/698-6896.

The Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg, 810 Princess Anne St. The Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg presents A Musical Telling of the Shepherds Story: Songs of Hope and Sharing on Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Benefits the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. $10 adults, $5 students. ccfbg.org.

St. Georges Episcopal Church, 905 Princess Anne St., will host Voices from the Storm, a program presented by the congregation and the National Parks Service to remember the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Free. 540/373-4133.

Shiloh Baptist Church New Site, 525 Princess Anne St. Voices of the Gospel will be celebrating its 19th annual Christmas Celebration concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. The Volunteer Celebration Choir welcomes new members and will hold a rehearsal on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. 540/373-4426, 703/509-5130 or donnawolk@hotmail.com.

Fredericksburg Baptist Church, 1019 Princess Anne St., will present Angels Over Fredericksburg, an indoor/outdoor drama celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 5-8:30 p.m. Free. Performances will include live animals. Refreshments will be served. The viewing time is approximately 35 minutes. 540/373-4402; fredericksburgbaptistchurch.org.

Riverside Church, 3461 Fall Hill Ave., invites the community this Christmas season, to experience The Great Reveal-A Christmas Musical Drama at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, or Sunday, Dec. 18. Riverside has two services on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. 540/548-0715; rchurch.net.

Peace United Methodist Church, 801 Maple Grove Drive, is changing its food pantry days. The food pantry will only be in operation the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 9:3011 a.m. 540/786-8585.

Trinity Bible Church, 6331 Campus Drive, will hold a midweek Bible study beginning Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. on the Book of Revelation. The church will also continue to host Sunday evening AWANA ministry from 57 p.m. Email admin@tbc.me.

Old Salem Church, intersection of Route 3 and Route 639. The congregation of Salem Church will present its 31st annual holiday music program at 6 p.m. Sunday. Sponsored by the congregation from the new Salem Baptist Church, the program features music performed in the old church during the holidays for more than a century. Parking available at new Salem Baptist Church, 4044 Plank Road. Free. 540/693-3200 ext. 4040 or ext. 4050; nps.gov/frsp.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY

Mt. Hope Baptist Church, 6823 Harrison Road. The Fine Arts Ministry will sponsor the fifth annual Christmas production Miracle on Main Street (The Little Pageant That Wont Give Up) today at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. 540/786-4274.

Goshen Baptist Church, 9800 Gordon Road, will begin a brief advent series through the opening two chapters of Lukes Gospel on Sunday. This series will culminate on Christmas day as the congregation considers the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. 540/786-7500.

First New Hope Church, 4508 Dickerson Road, Partlow, will host Elder Robert Brice, Temple Of Deliverance HCG, Mineral, as guest preacher for the 11 a.m. service on Sunday. 540/895-5052.

Branch Fork Baptist Church, 6930 Stubbs Bridge Road. The William Poindexter Unity Choir invites the community to the 2016 Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. The concert will feature the following gospel artists: Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choir from Spotsylvania, One Accord from Louisa and the New Destiny Choir from Fredericksburg. 540/854-7354.

St. Jude Catholic Church, 10725 Courthouse Road. The Building FUNdraisers is planning a seven-day Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade from April 23-30, 2017. A raffle for $4,000 in cash or a free cruise for two based on double occupancy will be held on Dec. 11. You need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are $25 or $65 for three. Net proceeds go to the St. Jude Catholic Church Building Fund. Call Roman Marciniak Jr. at 540/850-2737. The church will also host an open-mic Christian Music Cafe on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. Sign-ups begin at 6:30 p.m. Christmas-themed. 540/891-7350; music@stjudechurch.us.

The Fredericksburg VA Womens Connection will host a lunch and Christmas concert at the Fredericksburg Country Club, 11031 Tidewater Trail, on Dec. 13 at 11:45 a.m. $16.50 inclusive. Christmas concert presented by Adam Davis, founder and director of Keep Your Heart Ministries. Candi Johnson from Johnstown, Pa., will share different seasons of her life in A Story for All Seasons. Reservations required by Dec. 11. 540/371-8327, 540/972-2954.

STAFFORD COUNTY

Mt. Hope Baptist Church, 1653 Brooke Road, will observe Annual Mens Day on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Richard Hardy of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Centreville, will be the guest preacher. 540/659-4219.

Union Bell Baptist Church, 407 Hollywood Farm Road. The Seniors Usher Ministry will hold a candlelight service on Sunday at 5 p.m. Guest will be the Rev. Charles Wormley. He will be accompanied by his church and choir of Mt. Zion Baptist Church from Spotsylvania. 540/373-3473.

Berea Baptist Church, 28 Fleet Road, will be collecting Lottie Moon Christmas Offerings for International Missions with the goal of $3,000. Berea is partnering with Stafford Countys S.E.R.V.E. to provide Christmas gifts for local teenager. The deadline is Dec. 11. 540/752-4406.

CAROLINE COUNTY

St. John Baptist Church, 17080 S. River Road, Woodford, will celebrate its Annual Ushers Day on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Rev. Carl Butler, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, will be the guest preacher along with his choir, ushers and congregation. 804/448-3866.

CULPEPER COUNTY

The Blue Ridge Chorale will have a Christmas concert Sing Gloria, Sing at Verdun Adventure Bound, 16436 Carpe Diem Drive, Rixeyville, Sunday at 3 p.m. Under the direction of Bob Burnett, the concert will feature accompanist Brittany Bache and percussionist Jeff Wolf. $12. Tickets available online or at the door. 540/219-8837, brcsings.com.

Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 S. West St. All are invited to a free Christmas concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. Featuring The Spotsylvanians 70-voice chorus with special appearances by the Culpeper Baptist Church Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs. 540/825-8192, spotsylvanians.org.

Oakland Baptist Church, 28348 Eleys Ford Road, Richardsville, will have its Christmas program on Sunday at 6 p.m. The evening celebration will have special music, including Christmas carols, a drama, a Christmas message and fellowship and refreshments. It will also hold its Christmas Eve service on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. The church will have an evening of scripture and special music, closing with a candle lighting and Silent Night. 540/399-1248.

Beulah Baptist Church, 9297 Eggbornsville Road, Rixeyville, will host a free call-in Bible study with Pastor Kenneth Pitts every Wednesday from 77:30 p.m., studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Call-in number 302/202-1118; access code 862090.

St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 115 N. East St., (Parking: 120 N. Commerce St.). Three Holy Communion Services will be offered every week: Sunday at 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.; childcare from 9 a.m. to noon; and Wednesday Centering Prayer at 11 a.m. and Healing and Holy Communion at noon. 540/825-8786, ststephensculpeper.net. Facebook: St-Stephens-Episcopal-Church-Culpeper-VA.

ORANGE COUNTY

St. Isidore the Farmer Catholic Church, 14414 St. Isidore Way, Orange, will hold its Christmas Bazaar today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bazaar will include 20 vendors from around the area and an assortment of unique items, including a 12 Days of Christmas quilt. Proceeds from a raffle will benefit the Paul Stefan Foundation and Shining Hands Inc. 540/672-4933.

County Line Baptist Church, 3461 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen. The Music Ministry will present The Living Christmas Tree on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m. Childcare is available for ages 4 and under. Free tickets are available by calling the church office. 804/448-2915.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 143 W. Main St., will partner with Orange Presbyterian Church, 162 W. Main St., to present A Night of Rejoicing, a cantata for Christmas by Lee Dengler and Susan Naus Dengler. The cantata will be sung during services on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7:15 p.m. and at Orange Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 7:30 p.m. 540/672-3544 or 540/672-4240.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY

Shiloh Baptist Church (W), 1126 Stratford Road, Montross, will hold its anniversary celebratory service on Sunday at 4 p.m. The guest preacher will be Pastor Charles H. Hilliard of the Second New Hope Baptist Church accompanied by his church family. 804/493-8345.

REGIONAL

Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 18580 Partlow Road, Beaverdam, will have a Breakfast with Santa & Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine. Breakfast & Photo with Santa $5, Christmas Bazaar, Elf Shoppe (shopping for children 10 and under), crafts and baked goods. 804/448-3619.

HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS

Information to be included in the weekly notices of area church services must be delivered in writing to The Free LanceStar, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, faxed to 540/3738455, or emailed to newsroom@freelancestar.com, no later than noon Wednesdays. Include complete name of church, location, time and date of event. Include the name and telephone number of a person to contact if more information is needed.
K9 Dux had a gaping hole in his side when he ran up to Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Deputy K. Kelley that Sunday night in October.

The 2-year-old German Shepherd from Hungary had bullet fragments in his neck and a bullet lodged 2 centimeters from his spine. He was alert, but Kelley was understandably worried about his canine partner of a little more than a year.

He quickly drove the dog to an animal hospital, where Dux underwent surgery for the bullet wounds.

The best way to put it is were best friends, said Kelley, 31. Were together 24/7. He kind of feeds off me, and I feed off him.

Dux has since made a full recovery and returned to duty the day before Thanksgiving, almost two months after he was shot during a pursuit of a suspect.

King George County resident Joseph Conway, 34, who is accused of wounding Dux and shooting at deputies, has been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder and felony assault on a law enforcement officer. He is scheduled to appear in Spotsylvania Circuit Court Dec. 19.

During his recovery, Dux was on a drug cocktail that Kelley said took the edge offhelping him to stay calm so his body could heal. At one point, his wounds became infected.

Walks were limited to five minutes, a big lifestyle change for a dog that likes to swim and chase sticks on his days off. In fact, the normally 75-pound Dux put on about 5 pounds because somebodys been feeding him a little too many treats, Kelley said.

A little too much peanut butter, the deputy added.

Dux normally stays outdoors, but slept in a kennel inside Kelleys home during his recovery. He couldnt stay quite as warm outside because some of his fur had been shaved off for the surgery, the deputy explained.

Kelley describes Dux as a very good tracker who can locate drugs and apprehend suspects if needed.

In one case, Dux found a man hiding in the woods after deputies arrived at the site of a car break-in, he said. The suspect was later linked to a host of other break-ins of both homes and vehicles.

In another case, Dux found 4 pounds of marijuana while sniffing through a vehicle, Kelley said.

Dux, he said, knows it is time to go to work when the deputy gets out his harness.

He stressed that the public should not try to touch Dux or other K9s, just in case they get startled and bite. Police dogs are not mean, he said, but we ask them to do a tough job.

Before going back to work, Dux passed a stress test with flying colors, Kelley said. The test recreated the incident from October, gunfire included, to make sure Dux could still perform in scary situations.

He said Dux has not had to respond to any major incidents since coming back, but that will probably change in a week or two.

He has no lasting bad effect  of getting shot that we can see at this time, Kelley said.

The only reminder of Duxs injuries is the white stripe down the middle of his back, where the fur has not completely regrown. Kelley plans to adopt Dux when the K9 retires, which may not be for another six to eight years.

Hes pretty resilient, he said. Hes a strong-willed, alpha-male dog.
Based on comments Westmoreland County officials received from residents in the spring and summer, they created two options for limiting the impacts of oil and gas drilling in their rural locality.

One would prohibit the activity altogether and the other would limit the location of operations to provide clearer standards for protection from potential negative impacts, according to the proposals.

Westmorelands Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the draft amendments to its zoning ordinances at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The meeting will be held in the George D. English Sr. Memorial Building, 111 Polk St. in Montross.

Westmoreland is the second county in whats known as the Taylorsville basin to consider zoning changes in light of the possibility of hydraulic fracturing. Thats the process of injecting water and chemicals deep underground to loosen trapped gas and oil. Also known as fracking, the process has generated big paydays for companies and landowners as well as big controversy about environmental impacts from polluted water to a higher prevalence of earthquakes.

The Taylorsville basin is a five-county area east and south of Fredericksburg where a Texas-based company leased more than 84,000 acres for possible drilling. The other counties in the basin are Caroline, Essex, King George and King and Queen.

King George County is the only one to change its ordinance to address potential drilling activities. Instead of putting in place an outright ban, as Supervisor Chairwoman Ruby Brabo described it, county officials limited where the drilling could take place.

Adopted in August, the King George ordinance does not allow drilling within 750 feet resource protected areas, such as rivers and creeks, as well as roads, buildings and schools. Under those guidelines, 9 percent of the county potentially is eligible for drilling.
LIKE many conservative never-Trumpers, I have decided to take a wait-and-see attitude on the president-electand so far, Id give him mixed reviews.

Donald Trump has made some good Cabinet appointments. Betsy DeVos is an education reformer who will do well at the Department of Education. Rep. Tom Price as secretary of health and human services starts the job with a sound background in medicine and public policy, and he may actually have some ideas on how to provide health care to those who have trouble affording it, while not destroying the worlds best medical care system in the process. Similarly, Elaine Chao has credentials as an experienced agency head, having served George W. Bush for eight years as labor secretary, and as deputy secretary in the Department of Transportation, where she will now have the top job.

Mike Pompeo and Jeff Sessions are both clearly prepared for their jobsas CIA director and attorney general, respectivelythough the latters hard-line stance against both legal and illegal immigration is worrisome.

Trumps pick for Defense, James Mattis, a retired general who led U.S. efforts in the Middle East as Central Command chief from 2010 to 2013, has drawn praise from Democrats.

But Trumps choices for Commerce and Treasury are a bit puzzling. Wilbur Ross, his nominee for secretary of commerce, is part of Trumps elite New York billionaires crowd, but hes also a Democrat and a protectionist, and at 79, he hardly seems likely to be able to change his tune much. Steve Mnuchin, Trumps pick for treasury secretary, is also an odd one. Trump railed against Wall Street and hedge funds in particular, yet Mnuchin is a veteran of both, having founded his own hedge fund after leaving Goldman Sachs, where he worked for 17 years.

What both men have in common is that they are Trump supporters and have lived and worked in the circles Trump is most comfortable in for years.

Too bad the president-elect hasnt occupied himself solely with picking people for his Cabinet and other top posts during the past three weeks. Conservatives might have had their quibbles, and liberals would have had the usual heartburn, but he would have played out the role of his many predecessors properly. Instead, hes taken to Twitter to suggest that flag burners should have their citizenship revoked or be jailed and accused millions of undocumented immigrants of voting in the election.

Of course, he did this a lot during the campaign and still won, which seems to be his rationale for continuing to do it. Hes also fulfilled one of his campaign promises, to keep several hundred jobs in Indiana at a Carrier plant that was scheduled to move some of its operations to Mexico. Hell be given plaudits by his supporters for this.

But the question remains: Is this what a president should be doing? Meanwhile, he apparently is skipping many of his daily national security briefings and keeps picking up the phone to talk to foreign leaders without any preparation or background to keep him from sticking his foot in his mouth. A call from Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Trump has raised eyebrows. Our relationship with Pakistan is fraught, given the role some believe that Pakistani intelligence has played in fostering terrorism, so Trumps effusive praise for Sharif and the country may prove premature. Your country is amazing, with tremendous opportunities, Trump said, according to the Pakistani government. Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people. I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems.

Maybe Donald Trump will grow in the role, learning when not to say anything and, more importantly, learning how to listen to people who actually know what they are talking about. Maybe hell finally give up his Twitter account, start reading briefing papers and learn something about complex issues hes not been interested in before. Or maybe he will just keep picking good people and let them do the job of running the government. We just dont know yet. Weve never had anyone like him in the Oval Office before.

The American people placed a big bet. The wheel is still turning, and no one knows where the ball will eventually land.

Linda Chavez is a columnist with Creators Syndicate and author of An Unlikely Conservative: The Transformation of an Ex-Liberal.




The PM said as a founding member, Vietnam always proactively contributes to the development of the ADB and makes efforts to build a close and effective relationship with the bank.

The opening of the ADB representative office in Vietnam in December, 1996, is an important landmark in the Vietnam-ADB relationship and since then, the office has acted as a bridge, helping bring the relationship to a new height, the PM said.

He noted that the two sides have signed and implemented more than 160 programmes and projects worth around USD16 billion in total, including Official Development Assistance and concessional loans.

The ADBs projects in Vietnam cover a wide range with a focus on supporting equal and sustainable growth, PM Phuc said, stressing that they have been implemented effectively, helping transform Vietnam from a poor nation into a middle income country deeply integrated into the region and the world.

The PM affirmed the ADB has been not only a sponsor but also a partner in advising policies for the Vietnamese government and the ABDs researches and reports have been useful consulting materials for the Vietnamese government.

The head of the Vietnamese government said despite difficulties and challenges, Vietnam will continue to strongly implement reform programmes, maintain macro-economic stability, perfect institutions, improve investment environment, develop the workforce, protect the environment and respond to climate change while ensuring social security, thus laying a firm foundation for long-term development.

In that process, Vietnam will always treasure and use effectively the capital and loans provided by the ADB, he said, expressing the hope that the bank and its Vietnam office will closely work with ministries and localities for the successful implementation of the Vietnam-ADB Country Partnership Strategy for the 2016-2020 period.

The PM also asked the bank to continue working with Vietnam in regional mechanisms like the Mekong sub-region, ACMECS, CLMV, and CLV for economic connectivity, transport infrastructure, sustainable poverty alleviation, and climate change response.

At the event, the ADB Country Director Eric Sidgwick said in the past 50 years, the bank has loaned USD250 billion for infrastructure, research, and knowledge sharing to open up opportunities and create prosperity across Asia-Pacific.

The ABD has closely worked with the Vietnamese government to promote equal development, reduce poverty and support sustainable development in the transition from a centrally-planned economy to a market economy, he said.

Sidgwick affirmed the ADBs commitment to stronger support for Vietnam via encouraging the creation of jobs, enhancing competitiveness, boosting the coverage of infrastructure and service provision, improving environmental sustainability and responding to climate change./.
Here's a look at some recent news affecting the Fredericksburg region and our take on it.

COMPASSION

Thank goodness for people who care about others. So the headlinessometimes hopeful, often tragicremind us almost every day.

One such individual is Connie Kincheloe of Culpeper County, who was honored last week by the Germanna Community College Educational Foundation, which named her its 2017 Philanthropist of the Year.

Kincheloe helped Germanna build partnerships with other entities in its far-flung service area through her efforts as a member of the Culpeper Regional Hospital Board of Trustees, University of Virginia Medical Center Operating Board and Virginia Hospital Association Board.

Her years of community college work were grounded in personal experience.

When I see the students we serve, I see my family, she told the crowd last Friday at the Culpeper Center & Suites. My father grew up in an orphanage. How much our Great Expectations program for foster youth wouldve meant to him as he left to make his place in the world. My mother never finished high school. That haunted her for the rest of her life. What could she have done with the second-chance opportunity our Middle College program offers people?

Community colleges save peoples lives, and thats no exaggeration, Kincheloe said. Ive seen it, heard it and read it in countless student stories over the past 20 years.

Culpeper resident and foundation board member Joe Daniel said of her: You will never find anybody who will dedicate as much time and energy to a project as Connie will. ... She cares about students across the commonwealth. She cares whether people are able to achieve their life goals.

Kincheloe has opened doors for countless students, Germanna President David A. Sam said, praising her passion, intelligence and heart.

Even when some students did not believe in themselves, Sam said, she has always believed in them and has taken action to help them find and achieve their dreams.

Clearly, Virginias community colleges can count themselves lucky to have Kincheloe among their supporters. We applaud her.

BREAKTHROUGHS

Then there are the pioneers.

Medically, put Dr. Kurian Thott in that category.

On Tuesday, Stafford Hospitals chief of obstetrics and gynecology live-streamed a laparoscopic hysterectomy via the internet to a global, public audience.

Sharing a 360-degree, you-are-there view of an unusual surgery is a game-changer, Thott said. Often, he noted, medical students and residents cant get into operating rooms to witness procedures and learn from them.

Putting live video on the net breaks through that barrier, educating viewers anywhere theres decent Web access. They can pan and zoom the camera around the OR, which in some respects probably improves on university hospitals surgical theaters of old.

The ideas still brand-new. Stafford Hospitals partner in this, the GIBLIB medical platform, had previously live-streamed two surgeries. One, broadcast from Mongolia, drew more than 800 viewers from 41 countries.

Thott, mercifully, is accustomed to having people peer over his shoulder to see his minimally invasive technique, which cuts the average recovery time from six weeks to two weeks. About every three months, gynecologists from across the country visit here to learn about it, firsthand.

We know a well-regarded obgyn whose highly productive career was sparked by watching one surgery, a C-section, early in their medical school days. So its easy to imagine how seeing a skilled physician demonstrate an innovative procedure can advance professionals appreciation for surgery and their understanding of a new, trauma-reducing technique.

Great to know that this sort of life-changing work goes on right here, thanks to Dr. Thott and his brethren.
Local mosque still raises concerns

OK, letter writer Sierra Wesley [Mosques expansion would benefit our region, Nov. 21], put me in the rude and ignorant column as to why I have concerns about a Spotsylvania mosque expansion. And heres why. I am all for freedom of religion, everybody gets that, even us rude and ignorants.

My big concern is that some local Muslims are not raising any hue and cry against a sector of their religion that commits unspeakable acts of horror against innocent people. Since we have freedom of speech in this country, dont be shy, speak up. Get on a bandwagon, for goodness sake, and honestly tell us why radicalism will not be tolerated in a local mosque.

In my estimation, their silence is out of fear of retaliation or agreement with that sector. Neither option should be acceptable.

Lets face it, radicals arent meeting in the local library, they are meeting and being taught in mosques and madrases. Its like build it and they will come. And dont even think about throwing the racist word around. I, for one, am sick and tired of it. I feel like I am beat up over and over again just by turning on any media and reading daily articles in this paper.

It is up to the Muslim community to prove to us why they should expand and not by accusing us of intolerance. And before everybody has a fit over what I am saying, take the time to look up the meaning of Al-Taqiyah. It is in the Quran, and clerics encourage Muslims to practice it.

Jimmye Prescott

Spotsylvania
Uganda will increase funding to its public cancer institute by 25 percent after government officials met in the capital, Kampala, with Uganda Cancer Institute Director Dr. Jackson Orem and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center President and Director Dr. Gary Gilliland and Senior Vice President Dr. Julie McElrath.

Fred Hutch has partnered with the UCI for more than a decade. What began as a small research collaboration has grown to include training and outpatient clinical care in a new, 25,000-square-foot UCI-Fred Hutch Cancer Centre, which opened in May 2015.

It was Gillilands first visit to the site, which he described in a meeting Thursday back in Seattle with Fred Hutchs Global Oncology staff as a state-of-the-art facility as good as anything we have here in the United States.
Editor's note: This story was first published in Dec. 2016, when the results of this study were presented at the American Society of Hematology's annual meeting. It has been updated to reflect the researchers' publication on Monday of their results in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The published paper shows that about 70 percent of patients with the most common adult leukemia had their tumors shrink or disappear following an experimental immunotherapy based on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. The researchers also found that measuring genetic traces of cancer cells taken from bone marrow biopsies might be a better indicator of prognosis than the standard lymph node scan.

The 24 patients had undergone most standard therapies available to them and yet their chronic lymphocytic leukemia had come back strong. Almost all of them had been treated with a newly approved, targeted drug called ibrutinib; data from other studies show that most patients whose disease progresses after ibrutinib treatment do not survive long. The majority of the 24 had chromosomal markers in their leukemia cells serve as predictors of a bad response to most standard therapies, said Dr. Cameron Turtle of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

But most of these patients, who were enrolled in a small, early-phase trial, saw their advanced tumors shrink or even disappear after an infusion of genetically engineered immune cells. Turtle, one of the studys leaders, first presented these results in December at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Diego.

In the trial, participants disease-fighting T cells were removed from their blood and genetically engineered in a lab at Fred Hutch to produce an artificial receptor, called a CAR, or chimeric antigen receptor, that empowered them to recognize and destroy cancer cells bearing a target molecule called CD19. After patients received chemotherapy, the CAR T cells were infused back into their bloodstream to kill their CD19-positive cancers.

While all 24 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, received the experimental therapy, the study authors focused on the results in a subgroup of 19 patients who received particular chemotherapy regimens and doses of CAR T cells the researchers now prefer, based on recent data in other groups of patients on the trial.

Fourteen of 19 experienced a partial or complete regression of their disease in their lymph nodes. And of the 17 who had leukemia in their bone marrow when they enrolled on the trial, the marrow became cancer-free in 15 after they received CAR T cells.

Its very pleasing to see patients with refractory disease respond like this, Turtle said. The research team had seen very good responses [to the same CAR T-cell therapy] in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, so we hoped responses would be good in CLL too.
TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING officially launched their new website

TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING, today announced it will launch a new website, an outstanding source for information on the tourism industry, which gives customers an easier way to learn more about Romania.

--

TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING, today announced it will launch a new website, an outstanding source for information on the tourism industry, which gives customers an easier way to learn more about Romania, especially Transylvania, with all the historical regions, stunning natural places, myths and legends, and so on.

TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING is delivering client service that exceeds customer expectations every time. The website was specifically built to help usability for their customers, and also to allow people to navigate and discover more about their tours, vacations, city breaks in Transylvania.

We invite you to visit our website www.discoveringtransylvania.ro, where you will discover valuable information about our services, recommendations and special offers.

According to Ionut Dragos Onescu, General Manager at ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING the new tour operator and travel agency is helping you to plan your dream vacation. "We are very pleased with the look, feel and usability of our new website," affirmed Mr. Ionut Dragos Onescu. "We have tested our website with focus groups to confirm it is easy-to-use and delivers the information our customers expect. With just one click you can plan your trip in Romania and worldwide. At TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING we make things simple for you. We offer the opportunity to book a trip, a hotel or a package via laptop, tablet or mobile phone. We recognize the important contribution of the technological industry to viable development".

More information about TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING

Founded in 2016, TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING is part of ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING, a Romanian company which provides business and management consultancy to the highest quality standards. The company was founded in 2003 and since then has been dynamically involving by offering a wide range of services, from business and management consultancy to governmental, structural and international funds consultancy and feasibility studies.

TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING mission statement is "to offer you and your family a safe and memorable experience, an unforgettable journey (TOUR TRAVEL by ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING)".

To learn more about this tour operator, you can always contact our team at +40744 TRAVEL (872 835) or office@discoveringtransylvania.ro.

For more information, please visit http://www.discoveringtransylvania.ro

Contact Info:

Name: Ionut Dragos Onescu

Email: office@discoveringtransylvania.ro

Organization: TOUR TRAVEL BY ODAS GLOBAL CONSULTING

Address: Mihai Viteazu Square, 1-3 I.P. Voitesti Street, Cluj Napoca

Phone: 0744872835

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/tour-travel-by-odas-global-consulting-officially-launched-their-new-website/151478

Release ID: 151478

For more information visit r



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During his stay, Quy paid a courtesy call to Paraguayan Foreign Minister Eladio Loizaga Caballero, held talks with his counterpart Oscar Cabello Sarubbi, met Vice Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Marcos Alberto Medina, Mayor of Asuncion city Mario Ferreiro, the Paraguayan friendship parliamentarians group with Vietnam, and the Rural Association of Paraguay.

During meetings and talks, both sides discussed in depth measures to boost bilateral ties and underscored the importance of the political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries in further strengthening Vietnam-Paraguay friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

They agreed to facilitate the exchange of all-level visits, notably the coming Vietnam visits by Paraguayan Foreign Minister Callabero and Mayor Ferreiro next year.

The Paraguayan side proposed further deepening affiliations across the fields of economy, trade, investment, aquaculture, and culture; and wished that the two countries would continue implementing signed agreements while carrying out negotiations towards signing new agreements, creating a legal corridor for long-term cooperation.

They affirmed that the recognition of Vietnam as a market economy contributes to further increasing two-way trade.

The Vietnamese side vowed all possible support for the two countries businesses to set up partnership in telecommunications, waterway transport and agriculture.

The two sides applauded their close coordination and mutual assistance at international organisations and multilateral forums over the past time and discussed regional and global issues of shared concern.

The host side expressed support of Vietnam and ASEANs stance on the peaceful settlement of disputes at sea in line with international law and the United Nations Charter./.
Story Highlights 47% want to keep Electoral College, up from 35% in 2011

Republicans shift decisively in favor of Electoral College

Most Americans correctly answer that Hillary Clinton won popular vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' support for keeping the Electoral College system for electing presidents has increased sharply. Weeks after the 2016 election, 47% of Americans say they want to keep the Electoral College, while 49% say they want to amend the Constitution to allow for a popular vote for president. In the past, a clear majority favored amending the U.S. Constitution to replace the Electoral College with a popular vote system.

Donald Trump secured enough electors in the Electoral College to win the presidency, despite Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote. With Clinton's popular lead total continuing to expand, now at more than 2.5 million votes, there have been persistent calls since Election Day to abolish the Electoral College. Such sentiment has clearly prevailed when Gallup asked this question twice in 2000 -- after George W. Bush won the Electoral College while Al Gore won the popular vote -- in 2004 and in 2011. In each instance, support for a constitutional amendment hovered around 60%.

From 1967 through 1980, Gallup asked a slightly different question that also found majority support for an amendment to base the winner on the popular vote. Support for an amendment peaked at 80% in 1968, after Richard Nixon almost lost the popular vote while winning the Electoral College. Ultimately, he wound up winning both by a narrow margin, but this issue demonstrated the possibility of a candidate becoming president without winning the popular vote. In the 1976 election, Jimmy Carter faced a similar situation, though he also won the popular vote and Electoral College. In a poll taken weeks after the election, 73% were in favor of an amendment doing away with the Electoral College.

This year, for the first time in the 49 years Gallup has asked about it, less than half of Americans want to replace the Electoral College with a popular vote system.

The reason for this shift in opinion is clear: In the aftermath of this year's election, the percentage of Republicans wanting to replace the Electoral College with the popular vote has fallen significantly.

Currently, 19% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents favor basing the winner on the popular vote, down from 49% in October 2004 and 54% in 2011. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents already widely favored having the popular vote determine the winner and are slightly more likely to do so now than in the past.

Most Americans Know Hillary Clinton Won the Popular Vote

Because of the divergence of the Electoral College and popular vote, the popular vote is garnering particular attention this year. Two-thirds of Americans correctly name Clinton as the winner of the popular vote, while 15% incorrectly name Trump and 18% say they are unsure. Eighty-five percent of Democrats correctly name Clinton as the winner of the popular vote compared with 56% of Republicans.

Winning the National Popular Vote From what you have heard or read, who won the national popular vote this year -- that is, the most votes in the country overall -- Hillary Clinton (or) Donald Trump, or are you unsure? Clinton Trump Unsure % % % National adults 66 15 18 Democrats 85 8 8 Republicans 56 23 20 Independents 59 16 25 Gallup, Nov 28-29, 2016

Americans' ability to correctly identify the winner is similar to what it was after the disputed 2000 election -- 65% named Gore the popular vote winner, 16% said Bush was and 18% were unsure. The results by party in 2000 were also similar to what they are today.

Bottom Line

Despite some Democratic elected officials and media pundits calling for intensively studying, if not doing away with, the Electoral College, the country is now sharply divided on the issue.

In previous years, Americans preferred amending the U.S. Constitution to abolish the Electoral College, but not in 2016. One possible reason is that Republicans are aware that President-elect Trump would not have won the presidency without winning the Electoral College, and that Republicans possess a state-by-state advantage in this area, at least for now. Also, the popular vote is clearly advantageous to Democrats, who can accumulate big totals in heavily Democratic states such as California.

With two-thirds of Congress and two-thirds of states needed to pass this kind of constitutional amendment, it is unlikely the Electoral College is going anywhere.

These data are available in Gallup Analytics.

Survey Methods

Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Nov. 28-29, 2016, on the Gallup U.S. Daily survey, with a random sample of 1,021 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting.

Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 60% cellphone respondents and 40% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods.

View complete question responses and trends.

Learn more about how the Gallup U.S. Daily works.
'Mass Effect: Andromeda Release Date, News and Updates: All Original Trilogy Species Excluded?

Electronic Arts is set to release the new sequel of the "Mass Effect" series, the fourth installment of the franchise entitled "Mass Effect: Andromeda." The new trailer has been released and some gameplay footage was revealed.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" features a much larger world compared to the "Mass Effect 3." The trailers are showing that "Mass Effect: Andromeda" has four races around the Milky Way including Asari, Krogan, Salarian and of course the Humans according to the Euro Gamer. Though it has never mentioned any character for the "Mass Effect: Andromeda," a name Drack and Cora were iterated by BioWare.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" will be retaining one of its greatest features -- players will still be engaged in a romantic relationship. BioWare said before that this feature will still be included in the upcoming series along with the highly criticized same-sex relationship.

In addition, "Mass Effect: Andromeda" offers a wide range of side missions and quest which definitely put every player on their seat for long hours of play. There is also the so-called Strike Team Mission which can be played in Multiplayer mode with up to three players.

Mac Walter, the creative director of "Mass Effect: Andromeda" stated that they designed an IP that could allow users to show all the trilogy species, according to Gamespot. Unfortunately, they cannot be available in the first game. But the creative director assures that players will still meet all the original trilogy species in the near future. The Tempest will also accompany the players on their ships and there are some species added that were not seen in the previous series.

"Mass Effect: Andromeda" developer Bioware claimed that Andromeda is the biggest game ever. The fans could also expect some more Andromeda games along the way. However, it pointed out that having a trilogy has no significance. "Mass Effect: Andromeda" is set to be released in March of 2017. Are you excited for its release? Share your thoughts below.
The Mummy Reboot Release Date, Spoilers, Cast, News & Update: Tom Cruise Replaces Brendan Fraser; Sofia Boutella Plays Villain [WATCH TRAILER]

A reboot of the popular 90's movie franchise, "The Mummy," which featured the adventures of archaeologist Rick O'Connell, played by Brendan Fraser, will be released soon. However, Fraser will no longer play the lead as "Edge of Tomorrow's" Tom Cruise has taken over. Other details and the trailer tease for the movie have just been revealed.

While Brendan Fraser's version of "The Mummy" was comical and adventurous with a hint of creepy, the reboot starring Tom Cruise is said to be creepier. There is also a major difference in the upcoming reboot - the villain is a female mummy, as opposed to the original one, played by Arnold Vosloo.

"The Mummy" tells of a story of an ancient queen, played by Sofia Boutella, who believed that it wasn't her time to go. She was placed in a tomb, which is found in a crypt beneath the desert. Fast forward to the present day, this queen woke up and is determined to unleash terror. Tom Cruise plays globetrotting Nick Morton, also a Navy SEAL that hunts down terrorists, who will need all the help he can get to vanquish this modern-day evil.

The new teaser for "The Mummy" reboot only takes 15 minutes of your time but it gives a sneak peek to the action that's bound to happen. "The Nice Guys'" Russell Crowe, who plays Henry Jekyll, is also part of the cast and he had given a comment about the movie in a previous interview. Crowe told Collider that the reboot was "designed to seriously scare the s--t out of you."

Also on board for "The Mummy" reboot are Annabelle Wallis, Jake Johnson and Courtney Vance. The reboot is included in Universal's Monsters Universe franchise. Alex Kurtzman directed the movie, which will hit theaters on June 8, 2017. This should be an exciting adventure movie to watch. Stay tuned to GamenGuide to get more updates!
Nokia D1C Release Date, Specs, Features, News & Update: Smartphone to Compete with iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7; Specs, Features Revealed

Nokia D1C will be the first smartphone release for the former tech giant and many fans could not wait to learn more about it. The Finnish multinational communications and Information Company had dominated the mobile phone market in the early part of the 2000's; however, after several disappointing smartphone releases, the once mighty tech company got left out from the circuit.

Now, new reports have surfaced suggesting that the new Nokia D1C will come out as Nokia's redeeming factor in the smartphone industry. According to reports, the upcoming smartphone will carry impressive specs and features and it is ready to compete with the current devices by the big players in the business today such as Apple iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7.

Despite its quality specs under the hood, the new Nokia D1C is said to arrive with a much cheaper price tag than expected. The entry version of the new Nokia handset will carry a 5-inch screen with a display resolution of 1080p. According to reports, the basic model will run on a Snapdragon 430 Processor paired with 2 GB of RAM and the Adreno 505 GPU for better graphics experience.

Other features of the Nokia D1C will include a 16 MP primary camera coupled with a quality selfie snapper. Although no concrete details have been reported as of the moment, several industry observers that the new Nokia D1C will have a high-end variant that is expected to carry the same processor but with a higher RAM size at 3 GB. The new handset will also be sporting a bigger screen at 5.5 inches with the same display technology at 1080p.

Meanwhile, there are speculations circulating all over the Internet suggesting that the new Nokia D1C will run on Google's latest mobile operating system, Android Nougat 7.0. According to Gizmo Times, Nokia might release its new smartphone during the MWC event, which is already scheduled to arrive in 2017. Stay tuned for more news and updates about the development and release date of Nokia D1C.
Samsung Galaxy S8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7: New Flagship Has Better Specs, Features Than Galaxy S7 & Galaxy Note 8; Details Revealed

Samsung Galaxy S8 is one of the most anticipated smartphone releases in 2017 alongside Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and Apple's iPhone 8. Although the South Korean tech company has yet to provide concrete details with regard to the development and release date of its flagship smartphone, tech observers are already comparing the new device to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S7.

Several reports have already revealed the possible specs and features of the new Samsung Galaxy S8. Despite the lack of information, fans are pretty excited for the upcoming release of the handset. According to the latest reports, Samsung Galaxy S8 will feature several advanced features that are not found on the current Samsung Galaxy S7 including a selfie snapper with an auto-focus feature.

The existing flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 runs on a Snapdragon 820 processor from Qualcomm paired with 4 GB of RAM. On the other hand, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 is rumored to be powered by a much faster and more efficient processor, the Snapdragon 835 from Qualcomm with 6 GB of RAM. There are also reports suggesting that the high-end version of the upcoming flagship will carry a 256 storage capcity.

According to a report by GSM Arena, the Samsung Galaxy S8 will sport a 5.7-inch screen with an amazing display technology. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is carrying a 5.1-inch display. There are also speculations suggesting that Samsung may ditch the headphone jack and the home button on the next flagship smartphone. Rumor has it that the device might have a new USB Type-C audio jack instead of the traditional headphone connector.

Meanwhile, Samsung is said to be focusing on the safety feature of its upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8. The company has found itself in a major controversy this year following the critical issue they recently had with its Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

As of the moment, Samsung has yet to make an official announcement with regard to the development of Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Stay tuned for more news and updates.
Microsoft Corporation Latest News & Updates: Windows 10 Build 14977 Exclusive For Windows Insider Mobile Users; No New PC Builds?

Microsoft company just recently released their major update for Windows 10 to Insiders who are enrolled in the Fast Ring and exclusively available in mobile devices. This update was called, "Windows 10 Build 14977" that has new and improved features.

Windows 10 Mobile Build 14977 only comes up with EPUB file formatted ebooks reader in Microsoft Edge. Along with this, it allows you to change the font, font family and you can now bookmark certain parts of an EPUB file. In addition, it also has three different themes for EPUb readers. Windows 10 Mobile Build 14977 was previously introduced first on PCs a few weeks ago.

Microsoft has added other features aside EPUB reader which was connected in the so-called Third Party Alarm. Even if your phone was in the Quiet Hours, build 14977 has the ability to notify you for the alarms using the Third Party Alarm. The company has changed its rendering technology used for UWP app contents. However, there was no information released about the significant changes coming from Microsoft. Due to an unspecified blocking bug, Microsoft officials added in their announcement that there will be no new PC test build.

With these changes and improvements from Windows 10 Mobile Build 14977, you could expect that Microsoft Edge will be an advanced browser and powerful document reader without any tweaks as well. Furthermore, when you wished to install these update, the testers should avoid installing speech packs, new languages, and keyboards on the mobile device for it will only cause of the downloading interruption. For Windows Insider in the Fast Ring users, Windows 10 Mobile Build 14977 is available from Windows Update in the Settings application.

This coming week, Microsoft company is expected to have a meeting with its OEM partners in WinHEC in Shenzen, China regarding about the company's future release after the Windows 10 Mobile Build 14977 including the Creators Update. We could all now wait for other great updates coming from Microsoft company that will make our technology experience be more concise and useful.
Nokia Smartphone Release Date, News & Update: 2017 Release To Complete Global Success Ladder Position Against Huawei?

Nokia is finally back, after a 10-year licensing deal between the company and HMD Global Oy was confirmed six months ago. However, reports suggest that the new Nokia handset appears to look very similar to the old models.

According to reports, HMD Global was established to create Nokia phones, with a plan to bring the designs and quality that the brand of Nokia has long been known for. In fact, the remaining part of Nokia, the Nokia Technologies, is reportedly part of the board of directors of HMD. However, with reports claiming that the new Nokia has a lot of similarities with the brand models, observers believe that it is an attempt to resurrect Nokia.

Although Nokia's first phone division was a huge player in the market, it reportedly struggled to keep up the smartphone revolution. Nokia, at that time, got stuck with Symbian OS until 2011 when a deal was signed to exclusively use the Windows Phone from Microsoft. However, this move almost brought Nokia into bankruptcy, prompting Microsoft to buy Nokia's phone division outright in 2013.

While the official Nokia website presents a number of features, the new company assures the public that they are aiming at joining the global smartphone market. The Finnish company is planning to execute through the next generation of Nokia handsets that run Android in 2017, ARSTechnica reported.

Meanwhile, shipments of Nokia phones were reportedly down by 40 percent in 2015, and HMD is expected to reverse the decline as they try to break back into the market, where competition is stiff among smartphone manufacturers. According to HMD head Arto Nummela, the long time partnership of their team with phone service retailers and providers may help HMP persuade Nokia feature phone owners to upgrade in markets such as Indonesia, Russia and India.

Nokia smartphones in the UK, including other smartphone-dominated markets, are expected to overcome the different contenders for the world number three spot, which is currently held by Huawei, The Guardian reported. Watch Upcoming Android Smartphones 2017 | Nokia Edge Concept Trailer 
'Grimm' Season 6 SPoilers, Renewal: Season 7 Confirmed? Netflix to Pick up Series? David Giuntoli to Direct More Episodes

Grimm Season 6 is NBC's final season for the detective procedural drama series. After airing for almost 5 years, the showrunners are ready to say goodbye. However, David Giuntoli and the cast along with the Grimmsters are still hoping that maybe there is more than six parts set to be released in the near future.

Last August, NBC officially announced "Grimm" Season 6 is the final run for Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt's series. But fans did not take it as the network's final decision as they started to appeal that there are still other story arcs that are still waiting to get noticed. In particular, there is Rosalie and Monroe's story as well as Trubel's character. They have been on the show for so long but the showrunners have only given the viewers a glimpse of their story.

According to Mobile and Apps, there are Grimmsters who are convinced that if NBC will not renew the show for another season or seasons, might as well call the attention of Netflix or Freeform. These two networks have been granting the wishes of fans, though not always but Grimmsters think that they are the only hope for Season 7 and 8.

In David Giuntoli's interview, he expressed his desire to see more season for his longtime running detective procedural drama series. He even opened the possibility that after "Grimm" Season 6, there might be one or two seasons to come. This revelation from the lead actor of the series triggers more the devotion of the fans to push NBC and another network to pick up "Grimm".

David Giuntoli's Directorial Career

In GameNGuide previous report, Grimmsters and David Giuntoli's fans are hoping to see more of the actor's directorial skill. The 36-year-old American actor started to embark the work behind the scenes in "Grimm" Season 6, as news claim that he had his directorial debut in his own show.

If "Grimm" Season 6 is not the series' final installment, then there might be a high possibility that Grimmsters will see more of David Giuntoli's work as the actor expressed that hopefully, he could direct more episodes of "Grimm" in the near future.
MacBook Pro 2017 Release Date, Latest News & Update: Next Round Of Apple Notebooks Coming With Intel Kaby Lake Processors Inside?

The refreshed MacBook Pro from Apple has been getting hit left and right by criticism, most feeling that the Cupertino company could have done better. Among the things that potential buyers are hitting are the processor and the limited 16 GB RAM.

As mentioned in a previous post, the MacBook Pro is limited to 16 GB of RAM which was meant to ensure energy efficiency of the latest Apple notebook model. The Cupertino company focused on delivering a device that could last longer with most questioning its power potential.

Aside from that, there is the use of Skylake processors. While this chip packs a punch, many feel that Apple would have been better off with Intels latest SoC. The problem is that Apple is believed to have had supply problems of the chip though all that could change when the MacBook Pro 2017 comes out next year.

Are Intel Kaby Lake chips launching at CES 2017?

All this depends on whether Intels move to unveil the Kaby Lake chips. The company is widely believed to be revealing the more powerful chip at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 in Las Vegas next year, ramping up possibilities of seeing MacBook Pro 2017 models sporting better chipsets, Digitimes reported.

Conflict among MacBook Pro owners and future buyers

All this should be good news considering many were expecting the refreshed MacBook Pro to actually sport an Intel Kaby Lake processor. However, it does beg to ask how early bird buyers settling for the Skylake SoCs would react.

Obviously those initial batch of MacBook Pro 2016 buyers will be disappointed so Apple may need to do something to even things out. They could either swap processors from Skylake to Kaby Lake, something only Apple can do.

A price hike or perhaps giving early owners of the MacBook Pro 2016 some gift or token could be also be possible. All these are speculations from the grapevine so watch out for a stormy year for the next batch of MacBook Pro 2017 models.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date, News & Update: Camera Improvements, 2 Versions Digital Assistant Featured; The Most Spectacular Camera, Processor Coming?

Samsung Galaxy S8 is confirmed to launch next year. According to reports, the Korean tech company is looking at a huge comeback through Galaxy S8 by offering great features, like camera improvements and a new digital assistant.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to come with a digital assistant, which rumors suggest will have different names for female and male voice assistants. The male voice will be named Kestra, while the female AI will be called Bixby. Aside from that, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is also reported to have the best display. In fact, the upcoming Samsung flagship is believed to have an increased resolution of up to 4K or 2,160 x 3,840, which would obviously top the current S7 line.

Other reports also indicate that Samsung Galaxy S8 will sport a dual-curved screen, similar to the Edge look. Moreover, as all the major smartphone manufacturers already using digital assistants in their respective devices nowadays, Samsung has no plan to watch on the sidelines. According to reports, Samsung purchased Viv Labs to develop its own AI assistant for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 model.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is also rumored to come with a 30MP rear camera, although some reports suggest that the handset will come with a dual lens and a 12MP Sony lens. There are also speculations that Samsung Galaxy S8 will come with an 8MP front camera and a 13MP rear camera, according to report. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is also believed to feature a 10nm processor architecture, which seems to follow the practice of providing its flagship devices with an Exynos and Qualcomm version.

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 version as well as an Exynos 8895 processor version, along with a 10nm processor architecture. Compared to the 14nm architecture of the current device, the 10nm architecture is believed to provide 30 percent faster performance, Yahoo reported.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Trailer 2017
Nokia D1C Latest News and Updates: Big Comeback by Nokia, Launching at MWC 2017 & Rumored Specs

For the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2017 on February 27, Nokia has already set it up as a launching event for its latest Android smartphones, the Nokia D1C. The smartphones are a result of collaboration with HMD Global, the company that has the license to deploy Nokia's new gadgets for the next 10 years under an exclusive global brand.

Not so long ago, Nokia had been reluctant to incorporate Android OS for their smartphones and instead embedded Microsoft's Windows OS. After a hard awakening, Nokia is finally bouncing back. According to Gizmoids, details about the future Nokia D1C were leaked on the Internet last November 2016. The rumors suggest that the Nokia smartphone will have a metallic body and rounded sides with a possible fingerprint sensor.

The available colors for Nokia D1C are black, white and gold.Nokia is probably aiming to launch first its mid-range smartphones starting with Nokia D1C.

The Nokia Android smartphone is expected to have an Android 7.0 Nougat OS according to PhoneArena. It is powered by an octa-core CPU from Qualcomm Snapdragon plus Adreno 505 GPU, 3 GB RAM, and 32 GB internal memory.Nokia D1C has a 1080 x 1920 resolution full HD display and a 13 MP back camera and 8 MP camera.

PhoneArena cited that much of the information was leaked by an Antutu benchmark site. Leaked information suggests that the smartphone has 5.2-inch and 5.5- inch screen sizes. Nokia D1C is rumored to have IP68 certification as well, meaning the device has high resistance against water and dust which is a key feature of Samsung Galaxy S7 series.

To fuel more speculations about the possible launching of Nokia D1C this coming MWC 2017, it is also confirmed that Nokia's CEO, Rajeev Suri will be delivering a keynote speech at the event. This is exactly one good reason for people to believe that Nokia's big comeback is in the year 2017.
Nokia SmartPhone News & Update: Nokia Android Smartphone Is Ready To Compete Globally!

"Finnish Company HMD" confirmed that it Nokia branded smartphones will be released in the first half of next year. The press release this week confirmed one small detail that many expected - the handsets will be running Android.

One of the most hotly anticipated names in the mobile world is set to return next year. The Nokia name will return to the smartphone in the first half of 2017, and will be using "Google's Android" operating system.-as confirmed by HMD.

"Today marks a happy and important day for HMD. Nokia has been one of the most iconic and recognizable phone brands globally for decades. The excitement of re-introducing this much-loved, well-known and trusted brand to smartphone consumers is a responsibility and an ambition that everyone at HMD shares," as stated by CEO Arto Nummela.

HMD global was set up in May 2017 next year and has licensed the Nokia brand from the eponymous Finnish behemoth. It expects to create "a full range of Nokia branded smartphones, tablets, and feature phones for the next decade." As well as licensing the Nokia name for smartphones, it obtained the rights to use the "Nokia" brand on feature phones and other design elements.

There is a lot of love for the Nokia name, it is already well known brand when it comes to cellphones and although the licensing structure is a few more steps than most will realize. The Nokia name on a smartphone will catch consumers' eyes, no doubt allowing the handset the grace and favor of being considered alongside handsets from the likes of "Samsung and Apple."

Using Android will determine that HMD can immediately tap into the "Application Economy" and have compatibility with countless online services. The bigger question is how well these new handsets will stand out from sea of Android handsets.

With HMD signed up to appear at "Mobile World Congress" in February 2017, many will be hoping to get their first look at the new handsets at the Barcelona event.
Android Nougat Update For LG, OnePlus And Sony Now Rolling Out

Android Nougat is now rolling out to different devices. After months of waiting and supposed developer testing, consumers are now in the process of getting the latest Android update. Do take note however, that the rollout process isn't expected to be fast-moving and flagship devices are expected to be the first in line in getting the update. Non-flagship (but eligible) Android smartphones will follow through over the next months. The completion of the Nougat rollout is still a mystery but it's still good news that the rollout has at least begun.

LG G5 Is Now Getting The Nougat Update

Just recently, Android Nougat has started rolling out to LG G5 devices from different carriers. According to GSM Arena, the update begun coming to LG G5 in South Korea but has eventually been sent out to US carriers as well. This includes providers like T-Mobile, US Cellular, Sprint and just recently, Verizon. This 1.6 GB worth of download has commenced around December 1 and it is expected to continue rolling out in the coming days. Aside from the LG G5 devices in the US and South Korea, it was also said that G5 units in Brazil and Europe have also started receiving the Nougat update.

OnePlus 3 Android Nougat Beta Is Already Out

OnePlus adhered to its self-imposed Android Nougat rollout date for the OnePlus 3. Just this recent month-end, the company has released the said update in the form of the Open Beta 8 OxygenOS. The company has provided a download link through the OnePlus forum page but they eventually took it out after getting enough feedback. Needless to say, it's good news for OnePlus 3 users that OnePlus has already started releasing the Nougat update even if it is still in beta form.

Sony Xperia XZ Android Nougat Update Rolls Out Too

It was said that Sony Xperia XZ devices are also getting the Android Nougat update. However, since the rollout is still in its early phase, not all countries are getting it yet. Right now, Turkey, Australia and Netherlands are the only reported countries getting the Nougat update for their Xperia XZ devices.
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.
Motorola Adds Two New Mods to their Moto Mods Lineup: Battery Mod and a Smart Car Dock Launched News oi -Chakri Kudikala The new battery mod is expected to deliver 60 percent more juice.

Motorola Moto Z users have a pleasant news. Motorola has introduced two new Moto Mods to their Moto Z series of smartphones, and they are priced little less than $100 (approx. Rs. 6,800). One of the Moto Mod introduced is the Mophie-made battery pack, and the another one is the Incipo car dock.

The Mophie-battery Mod is said to extend the smartphone's battery life by 60 percent, and it can be used as the other Mods. Juts attach the Mod to the magnetic pins present at the rear panel. The battery pack is of 3000mAh battery and comes with LED lights to indicate the battery level. Also, it comes with a Type-C USB port.

Also Read: This New Battery Made From Nuclear Waste Can Last for '5000 Years'

Speaking about the other Mod launched, the Incipo car dock easily attaches to the car's dashboard and it even turns on the Android Auto mode automatically when placed on the car's dashboard. And, the user can perform the regular Android Auto functionalities.

Coming to the pricing department, the Mophie-battery pack is priced at $80 (approx. Rs. 5,000) and the Incipo car dock will be available for little less price at $65 (approx. Rs. 4,000). Both the mods will be available starting next week in the US and some other foreign regions.

Also Read: New Apple iPhone 8 Rumor Suggests a Curved OLED Display

Also, there is no word on when the products will be available in Indian market. But, we expect the company to launch them shortly.

Apart from this, owners of Moto Z and Moto Z Force also have another reason to enjoy. The Lenovo-owned company is pushing out the Android Nougat update all over the world along with support for Google's latest Daydream support.

Best Mobiles in India
Lenovo Phab 2 Listed to Launch in India Soon: Heres How it Differs from Phab 2 Plus Features oi -Chakri Kudikala The Lenovo Phab 2 doesnt differ much from the Phab 2 Plus.

Not so long ago, Lenovo launched the Phab 2 Plus in India and at that time, the company haven't revealed much news about the Phab 2 launch in India.

However, it now looks like the company is bringing the Phab 2 as well to India. A new listing in e-commerce site Flipkart reveals that the Lenovo Phab 2 is exclusive to them and it also shows that the smartphone is coming to India in next few weeks.

SEE ALSO: BSNL Offers Unlimited Data With No Data or Speed Limit To Combat Rivals

But, there is no relevant date on when it will be launched in India. To recall, the Lenovo Phab 2 and Phab 2 Plus were unveiled at the Lenovo Tech world in June 2016. It is worth noticing that both the Lenovo Phab 2 and Phab 2 Plus has almost similar specifications. Here's how they differ from each other.

Same Display Size, But Only an HD Panel in Phab 2! The Lenovo Phab 2 comes with the same display size as the Lenovo Phab 2 Plus of 6.4-inch. However, the significant difference here is the Phab 2 only has an HD display and the Phab 2 Plus comes with a Full HD display. Almost Similar Hardware The Lenovo Phab 2 is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT8735 chipset along with 3GB of RAM. On the other side, the Phab 2 Plus features a slightly powerful MediaTek MTK8783 chipset along with the same 3GB of RAM. Both the phones offer the same amount of internal storage. Click Here for New Android Smartphones Best Online Deals No Fingerprint Sensor on Phab 2 One of the noticeable features that Phab 2 doesn't feature is the fingerprint scanner, whereas the Phab 2 Plus does feature a fingerprint sensor on the rear. Both Run Android Marshmallow The Lenovo Phab 2 and Phab 2 Plus both runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out-of-the-box, and both the phones have support for dual SIM's as well. Same Battery Capacity as well Both the Lenovo Phab 2 and Phab 2 Plus feature the same 4050mAh battery capacity, which is expected to power the smartphone for an entire day. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals

Best Mobiles in India

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'Freedom 251' Manufacturers Again in a Controversy: Heres Everything that You Need to Know News oi -Samden Sherpa Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd. has been summoned by the Delhi court in relation to a Rs 2 crore cheque bounce case.

Despite Freedom 251's attractive package and the smartphone making a huge splash across the globe, appearing in every media house writing as the "miracle device", it might have been the biggest tech disappointment of 2016.

SEE ALSO: Freedom 251, the Rs. 251 Priced Smartphone is Missing: Let's Find Out!

Now in another instance, the claimed manufacturers of 'Freedom 251, have been summoned by a Delhi court in a Rs two-crore cheque bounce case filed by a private firm.

The court has authoritatively called the accused, Ringing Bells Pvt Ltd (RBPL), its authorized signatory and Managing Director Mohit Goel, its Directors Anmol Goel and Sumit Goel, CEO Dhaarna Goel and President Ashok Chaddha to be present at the court. The complaint has been filed by M/s Aryan Infratech Pvt Ltd (AIPL).

It has been brought to light by Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria that even after the legal notice was sent to the accused when the cheque bounced the company failed to pay the amount.

As such, the court said that adequate materials have been made available on record to summon all the accused. While posting the matter for April 28 for the next hearing the court added that a prima facie case punishable under section 138 Negotiable Instrument Act....Issue will be registered which beckons all the accused to be present at the court.

SEE ASLO: Top 20 Smartphones to Buy in December 2016

According to the complaint, Freedom 251 manufacturers had issued a cheque in favour of the complainant firm AIPL towards discharge of their liability. However, the check was returned by the bank on October 28 due to "insufficient funds".

Hence while this was a matter of some urgency and involved a large sum, AIPL sent a legal notice to the accused but the payment did not happen and AIPL approached the court. As per the developments, AIPL has sought prosecution of the firm and its office bearers and payment of the amount along with compensation.

Ringing Bells was already in a controversy with its launch of Freedom 251 with some alleging it to be a scam and now the company seems to be in the soup again.

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Nokia and Google Are Working Closely to Integrate Near Stock Android in Upcoming Devices News oi -Chakri Kudikala Nokia is working closely with Google says reports.

It's all but confirmed. Nokia-branded Android smartphones are scheduled to release by early 2017. A couple of days, HMD Global, who acquired the license to manufacture and sell Nokia phones confirmed that Nokia smartphones would be released in early 2017.

How many of you remember- Nokia's old-time member: Arto Numella who worked with Nokia in the period of 1990's recently spoke with Bloomberg on the Nokia's comeback to smartphone arena. He quoted that Nokia will be aiming for a spot as 'one of the key competitive players in the smartphone business.'

Also Read: Nokia D1C to Come in Two Variants With Varied Display, RAM, and Camera!

All the leaks and rumors till date suggested that, Nokia smartphone will run Android OS and all of them correctly showed as Android Nougat. So, it's no secret that Nokia phones will be powered by Android.

But, the real question here is 'Will Nokia opt for a clean stock-based Android or will it go with a heavily customized skin as the Samsung TouchWiz or Xiaomi's MIUI.' For some extent, the debate will end after hearing to Numella's words to Bloomberg and Reuters.

Also Read: New Nokia Phone Concept Hits the Web and it's Absolutely Gorgeous

In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Numella claimed that 'HMD is working closely with Google to develop the operating system for Nokia phones.' We all know what Motorola has achieved under Google, and their smartphones are massively famous for providing near Stock Android.

So, will we witness Nokia smartphones with zero bloatware? Going by the words of Numella, it seems like we can see them.

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Reliance Jio Might Be Fined Just Rs. 500 For Using Prime Minister Modi's Photo in Ads News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Just Rs. 500 fine for Reliance Jio?

Reliance Jio is making news since September as it announced the Welcome Offer with freebies and the cheapest tariff plan ever.

A couple of days back, the service provider created a stir in the telecom arena again with the announcement of the Happy New Year Offer that is nothing but the extension of the Jio Welcome Offer until March 2016. With this announcement, Jio is not only in the headlines for the freebies but also for a controversy that it has created.

Also Read: Did You Know These 5 Interesting Facts About Reliance Jio

Well, the service provider has triggered a controversy by using the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's picture in the advertisement. The controversy is that the government claims that Reliance Jio never sought its consent to use Modi's photograph in the print and electronic advertisements.

Apparently, its known that the government might end up imposing a penalty on Reliance Jio for using the photograph of the Prime Minister without seeking its permission. As per a report by The Times of India, Reliance Jio might be paying a negligible fine of just Rs. 500 for using the PM's photograph.

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As per the law governing the prevention of inappropriate use of names and emblems of 1950, the service provider must pay this meager penalty to the government. A similar situation took place a few weeks back when the Prime Minister announced the demonetisation of the old Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes.

Also Read: 5 Reasons to Get Reliance Jio SIM in India

Well, Paytm used the photograph of the Prime Minister in an advertisement and this created a spark in the country.

Source

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Army announces conversion of Fort Stewart-based Infantry Brigade

By Army Public Affairs November 30, 2016

WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Army announced today that the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, will convert from an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) to an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). Conversion of the 4,200 Soldier IBCT to an ABCT, equipped with Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, better postures the Army to execute contingency plans in response to future potential adversaries.

"The complexity of global security challenges is increasing, and as Secretary of Defense Carter has said, addressing these challenges requires some new thinking on our part, new posture in some regions and also new and enhanced capabilities. The conversion of an IBCT to an ABCT better postures the Army to meet the defense strategic guidance by developing force structure capabilities to regain and retain overmatch in key warfighting functions," said Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, Army director of force management.

Conversion of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which begins in the summer 2017, will provide the nation a 15th ABCT; 10 ABCTs in the Regular Army and five in the Army National Guard, ensuring a more balanced distribution between its light and heavy fighting forces. Once the conversion is complete, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division will mirror its sister ABCT at Fort Stewart, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which recently returned from deployment to Eastern Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

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Pentagon Details Progress for Mosul; Third Axis at City's 'Doorstep'

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2016  Iraqi forces are making significant progress in isolating Mosul, as part of efforts to liberate the northern Iraqi city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Defense Department's press operations chief told reporters at the Pentagon today.

Iraqi forces have been approaching the city from the east, the southeast and the north, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said, noting forces from two axes have already entered Mosul.

"The third, the northern axis, they're now ... essentially on the doorstep of Mosul city as well," he said. "So you'll see very soon here there will be three axes that are now inside of Mosul proper."

Additionally, a group largely made up of Popular Mobilization Forces, along with Iraqi security forces, have retaken Tal Afar airfield. The forces have cut off a highway west of Tal Afar, Highway 47, the main artery connecting Mosul and Tal Afar all the way to Syria, Davis explained.

"This is significant," he said. "This essentially means now that Mosul, everything east of this point, is isolated."

Previously, there was free communication along Highway 1 and Highway 47 to connect Mosul with the rest of ISIL-controlled areas in Syria, according to Davis.

Other progress, he said, includes the coalition disabling four of the five bridges connecting east and west Mosul.

Targeting Bridges

The targeting of the bridges was to cut off the flow of fresh fighters from the east into the west and stem the flow of car bombs, which were a problem for Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service forces as they came into eastern Mosul, Davis said.

The liberation of the city will take time, he noted.

"We have said all along this was going to be a very hard fight," he said, explaining urban warfare requires a slow, methodical approach. "It's not going to happen quickly," he said.

ISIL casualties in Mosul have been significant, Davis said, adding, "They have lost many of their best fighters in eastern Mosul."

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Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 2, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted four strikes in Syria:

-- Near Shadaddi, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Raqqah, a strike engaged an ISIL chemical weapon and ammunition storage facility.

-- Near Day az Zawr, two strikes destroyed four oil wellheads, two oil tanker trucks, an oil tanker-trailer and an oil work-over rig.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft, and rocket artillery conducted four strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Haditha, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL-held building.

-- Near Mosul, three strikes engaged two ISIL tactical units and a weapons cache, destroying four heavy machine guns, four fighting positions, two vehicle bombs and a rocket-propelled grenade. A tactical unit was suppressed and eight supply routes were damaged.

Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat it poses to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. The destruction of targets in Syria and Iraq further limits ISIL's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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Mistaken Kunduz Airstrike Results in Greater Focus, Official Says

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2016  The importance of international humanitarian law and how the Defense Department conforms to and complies with it is critical, Mark Swayne, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for stability and humanitarian affairs, said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Global Security Forum here yesterday.

Swayne discussed the department's mitigation efforts that followed the accidental 2015 U.S. airstrike on a Doctors Without Borders trauma center in Kunduz, Afghanistan, in the panel discussion, "In the Cross-Hairs: The Surge of Violence against the Health Sector."

According to published DoD News reports, the trauma center was mistaken for a combatant target in Kunduz Oct. 3, 2015, after the Afghan government requested U.S. close-air support while Afghan troops conducted clearing operations in the area. The accidental airstrike left 42 people dead and 229 wounded, according to reports.

DoD Claimed Ownership Of Strike

"[The airstrike] was a mistake made by our Department of Defense that resulted in the attack against a medical facility in Kunduz, and we claimed ownership and responsibility for it," Swayne said, encouraging the international community to also claim ownership when tragic errors occur.

"[We are] strongly committed to upholding the international humanitarian law protection of civilians, which includes humanitarian personnel and facilities," he said.

"Since the tragic mistake of Kunduz, we have taken proactive measures to demonstrate our commitment to international humanitarian law, including development of best practices that often exceed IHL requirements that can be used as examples for other states," Swayne said.

Mitigation Policies Outlined

He cited examples of mitigation efforts taken since the Kunduz incident:

-- The United States and 48 U.N. member states at the World Humanitarian Summit in May signed a declaration affirming the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law. The declaration cites unhindered humanitarian access and includes protection of humanitarian personnel, medical facilities and internally displaced persons.

-- President Barack Obama signed an executive order to "memorialize" the best practices developed by DoD to protect civilians during operations involving the use of force, and

-- Defense Secretary Ash Carter issued a department-wide statement of principles in October that addresses protection of medical care provided by impartial humanitarian organizations during armed conflict.

"These principles reflect the existing legal protections drawn principally from the Geneva Convention," Swayne said.

In addition, to help alleviate the consequences of the October 2015 airstrike, DoD offered condolence payments to the wounded and families of those killed and is working to reconstruct the building destroyed by the airstrike. DoD also took steps to help alleviate the region's need for medical care, such as purchasing medical equipment for, and constructing a security perimeter around, a separate Kunduz Regional Hospital, defense officials said.

Principles Highlight Importance

DoD takes great care in its operations and training to mitigate the likelihood of civilian harm, and continually seeks to improve the use of its best practices, he added.

"We have a robust system of investigating credible reports of civilian harm, so that we take more appropriate steps to address such incidents," Swayne said.

"We didn't come up with anything new," he said of the statement of principles. "It's all the things we were already doing inherent to international humanitarian law, but it highlights the importance of stressing to our force how to conduct and operate, and it [gave us] something we can use with our partners."

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The Kyiv draft budget for 2017 provides for a substantial increase in funding for health care and education sectors, the press service of the Kyiv mayor has said.

"Realizing that the state of the health care system is not very satisfactory, we additionally increased funding by UAH 3.8 billion," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

In addition, extra UAH 2.8 billion will be allocated for education in Kyiv.

"Education of our children is also one of the priorities. We build more kindergartens, schools, raise teachers' wages," Klitschko said.

He also noted Kyiv authorities have the task to prevent formation of queues in kindergartens.

Klitschko expressed hope Kyiv City Council will adopt the Kyiv budget for 2017 by mid-December. The mayor also stressed the current budget was overfulfilled due to the transparency of revenues and the use of funds, as well as thanks to prevention of a number of corruption schemes. In addition, he added revenues to the 2016 budget were raised thanks to the implementation of the Smart City program, as well as holding open tenders and auctions.
Afghan Forces Prevailing Against Enemy, U.S. General Says

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2016  Afghan forces were put to the test and prevailed during the 2016 fighting season, Army Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., the commander of the Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, said here today.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Nicholson told reporters the Afghan forces went into 2016 with a campaign plan in hand, compared to the year before when they reacted to enemy activity.

The Afghans developed a sustainable security strategy, the general said, and used "a fight-hold-disrupt strategy, so it identified areas of the population that they would hold, areas that they would fight for, and then other areas where they would do an economy of force and merely disrupt the enemy."

"This ability to deal with simultaneous crises  is a sign of an army that's growing in capability, [and] that's maturing in terms of its ability to handle simultaneity and complexity on the battlefield," he said.

"When I look at my security assessment at the end of 2016 going forward," the general said, "I believe that what we're seeing right now is what I would call an equilibrium  that's in favor of the [Afghan] government."

Growth of Capability

The growth and progress made by Afghan forces in the past year is also due to the 17,000-member special operations force, which operates independently of the U.S. military 80 percent of the time, and the rapidly growing capability of the Afghan air force, Nicholson said.

"They are not only adding attack aircraft," he said of the Afghan forces, "They're adding the capability to control those aircraft on the ground."

Nearly 20 aircrews have been added to the Afghan air force complement since their first A-29 Super Tucano strike combat mission in April, Nicholson said, adding, "The [Afghan] air force is going to continue to grow over the next few years and into the future."

Since the start of the Taliban's campaign in April, Afghan forces have prevented them from accomplishing their strategic objectives, he said.

"They've been unable to mass because of air power, both Afghan and coalition air power," Nicholson said, "and they resorted to small-scale attacks on checkpoints around cities in attempts to isolate the cities and create panic."

Challenges In 2017

Looking to challenges in 2017, leadership and corruption are two factors that need improvement, the general said. Both factors have led to poor soldier sustainment in the field, he said, and "because of some ineffectiveness and corruption in the supply system, young soldiers out on outpost don't always get the ammunition, water [or] food they need in order to conduct the fight."

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani is very serious about addressing those issues, the general said.

"As we go into this winter campaign," he said, "the Afghan police and army will focus on replacing ineffective or corrupt leaders. President Ghani and his administration are dedicated to this, and they are acting quickly and systematically to make necessary leadership changes."

Nicholson also cited Afghan government stability as a concern, going into 2017.

"One possible risk of Afghan political instability is a fracture, but we have not seen this happen within the security forces," he said.

The general said there's also concern about the malign influence of external actors, particularly Pakistan, Russia and Iran. "And we're concerned about the external enablement of the insurgent or terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, in particular where they enjoy sanctuary or support from outside governments," Nicholson added.

The convergence of terrorist groups is also a continuing issue, he said.

"[With] 13 [terror groups] in Afghanistan and seven in Pakistan, the morphing of these groups into more virulent strains or the fact that sometimes they cooperate  the whole becomes greater than the sum of the parts," Nicholson said, adding the groups participate from complementary alliances, capabilities and networks, which requires continuous pressure to prevent them from becoming "something worse."

Security Forces, Coalition Offer Protection

Capable Afghan forces and a continued coalition presence will help protect the U.S. homeland and its allies from terrorist attacks and other disruptions from the region, he said, adding that a secure Afghanistan with regional and international development efforts helps ensure regional stability.

"We are stabilizing what was once a deteriorating situation and have the international support to progress even further in the coming years," Nicholson said. "The Afghan leadership remains focused on the future as the men and women of the security forces fight daily for a safe and stable Afghanistan."

And the Afghans' resolve is bolstered by continued U.S. commitment, he added.

"Our dedication to them sends a clear message to the enemies of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the world that [the terrorists] will not win," the commander said. "The people of Afghanistan know we are with them to help them realize their future."

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Deputy Secretary Discusses Last Official Trip, DoD Transition

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Dec. 2, 2016  On the first leg of his last official trip, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work yesterday sat down with reporters to discuss his upcoming visits with two defense contractors, the Reagan National Defense Forum, and what a changing defense leadership means for innovation and the third offset strategy.

Work is on a four-day trip to Tucson, Arizona, to meet with officials from Raytheon, and then to Huntington Beach, California, to meet with officials from Boeing before moving on to the defense forum at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

"A big priority for [Defense Secretary Ash Carter] has always been advanced capabilities, improving the defense industrial base and connecting with our commercial sector," Work said. "This year, although I can't give you a lot of details, I'm comfortable saying that in [the president's budget for fiscal year 2018] he asked us to take a close look at munitions."

Visiting Defense Contractors

The Raytheon Company is a premier builder of missiles, including the Standard Missile line of ship-borne guided missiles and others, Work said.

"And by all accounts" he added, "[the company] has expended a lot of effort to improve production."

Work said he was told of the company's "a state-of-the art facility [and] cutting-edge processes, and I'm going out to see it."

In Huntington Beach, Work will visit the Boeing facility that supports defense and space programs. Boeing's defense work, according to its website, includes fighter jets, rotorcraft, embedded product support, cybersecurity products, surveillance suites, advanced weapons, missile defense and commercial aircraft derivatives.

Later in the day, 79 miles northwest of Orange County at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, Work will attend several panels and take part in Panel 6, Restoring Deterrence in an Era of Revanchist Powers. Other panelists include Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley.

Defense Transition

Work said that President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is now working at the Pentagon and is gradually increasing its staff.

"The interactions have been extremely professional," Work said, "[and] I've been impressed by the questions being asked."

Among the things they discussed was the third offset, he said, adding, "We've said all along that regardless of what [the third offset] is called in the future, it's really about arresting the steady erosion of our conventional overmatch and reestablishing a healthy overmatch, because we feel very strongly that is the basis for conventional deterrence."

Work said they also spoke about innovation and the whole innovation agenda, as well as the way he and Carter approached it.

The deputy secretary said, "We're making as strong a case as we can that [we consider] the work we've done to be foundational, and that [the third offset] was specifically designed for any administration to take it any way that they want it to go."

Work said he's focused on helping the transition and also on fiscal year 2017.

"We just got the [National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2017] and we're pouring through it now to see what's in there. We're also putting together the [defense portion of the] president's budget for 2018, which is a recommendation to the new administration," he said.

"We're still trying to implement all of Secretary Carter's initiatives," he added, "so we have plenty to do between now and Jan. 20 to support Secretary Carter, and at the same time we have to support the transition team and help them get ready."

The transition team is starting at the top, the deputy secretary said. On Nov. 30, he said, the team held a roundtable with the Joint Staff and they're beginning to hold roundtable discussions with the military departments.

"I'm going to do everything I possibly can to assist the new administration," Work said, "whether it's just writing on my own, or talking."

Third Offset, Innovation

Innovation and third-offset constructs are among the things Carter and Work have envisioned as approaches to future deterrence and warfare, including potential conflicts with near-peer nations.

Offset strategies, Work often says, are about technologically enabled operational and organizational constructs that give the joint force an advantage at the operational level of war and at the tactical level, and so strengthen conventional deterrence.

In any future state-on-state conflict, the deputy secretary said, initial steps will occur in domains where attacks are hard to attribute, especially cyber, space and undersea.

"One of the key things a democracy has to do is [ask], 'Are we under attack and what is the proportional response?'" Work said.

So, in domains where attacks are hard to attribute, he added, the longer it takes the United States to determine that it's under attack and who the attacker is, the more difficult such a delay could be for the nation.

Defending Space

In the space domain for example, Work said the department is worried about current trends.

He said China and Russia have invested heavily in counter-space capabilities and even states like Iran and North Korea have the ability to jam the Global Positioning System and do other kinds of damage in the domain.

"We rely on space," Work added, "and that's why we're so focused now on the defense of our [space] constellation."

Also in the space domain, the third offset's first organizational and organizational construct is the Air Force's Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center, or JICSpOC, at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, he said.

JICSpOC went live in October 2015 as collaboration among U.S. Strategic Command, the National Reconnaissance Office, Air Force Space Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the intelligence community and commercial data providers, according to the Stratcom website.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited the center in May.

Work said the JICSpOC is designed mainly to maintain the battle management and command and control the United States and certain of its allies will need to maintain space capabilities while under attack.

"It's the first thing that I can point to -- to say that we've never had an organization like this before. We created this organization and it's establishing all of its TTPs -- tactics, techniques and procedures -- it's doing experiments, we're starting to man it up, and it reflects our concern that our space constellation  is under threat and we have to prepare for it," Work said.

Work said JICSpOC started its first experiments in 2015, and that it will achieve initial operating capability before Jan. 20, 2017.

"We're not planning for unrestricted war in space," he added, "... but we sure as heck are planning to be able to respond if someone else is."

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Transcript

Presenter: General John W. Nicholson Jr., commander, Resolute Support and U.S. Forces Afghanistan December 02, 2016

Department of Defense Press Briefing by General Nicholson in the Pentagon Briefing Room

GENERAL JOHN W. NICHOLSON: Good morning, everyone. It's great to be back with you all again. Want to thank you again for covering our mission in Afghanistan.

What I'd like to do this time since my last update with you in September is really review 2016 and where we've come and a little bit about the way forward.

As you know, our main objective in Afghanistan is to prevent the country from being used as a safe haven for terrorists to attack to the U.S. or our allies. And to achieve this, we execute two missions. First is the U.S. mission, which is a counterterrorism mission called Operation Freedom Sentinel, and second is the NATO Resolute Support Mission, which is primarily to train, advise, and assist the Afghan security forces.

So in the U.S. mission, Freedom Sentinel, we're focused on CT operations for the Central Asia-South Asia region, hence the name CA-SA CT. This counterterrorism effort has two lines of effort. The first is unilateral, and this is where the U.S. is focused on Al Qaeda and Islamic State in particular.

The second is with our Afghan special forces, whom we advise and assist as they conduct operations against these CT threats to their country. Our shared goal with our Afghan partners is the defeat of Al Qaeda and Islamic State Khorasan inside Afghanistan.

Now, there are 98 U.S.-designated terrorist groups globally. Twenty of them are in the Af-Pak region. This represents the highest concentration of terrorist groups anywhere in the world. Now, while some of these groups may have larger numbers in other countries, like ISIL in Syria for example, the number of groups in one region, again, is the highest concentration in the world.

The -- the danger in that is that these groups mix and converge. So for example, Islamic State Khorasan today is formed of members of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and even some former members of the Afghan Taliban.

So this year, our U.S. CT forces conducted operations against the enemy across the country all year. They conducted over 350 operations against Al Qaeda and Islamic State in 2016. Nearly 50 Al Qaeda and -- and AQIS leaders, this is Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent. So nearly 50 leaders from those two organizations, facilitators, key associates were killed or captured. And when they're captured, of course, they go to the Afghan judiciary and detention system. Additionally, about 200 other members of Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda Islamic State, were killed or captured as well. Our CT forces rescued the son of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Haider Gilani in a raid against Al Qaeda in

eastern Afghanistan.

We have killed a total of five emirs of these terrorist groups -- of these 20 terrorist groups in Afghanistan. On October 23, U.S. forces killed for Farouq al-Qatari, the emir of eastern Afghanistan. He was also their external operations director. These individuals were directly involved in planning threats against the United States in the last year.

There was also the strike in Pakistan against Mullah Mansour, the emir of the Taliban and a designated U.N. terrorist. We killed Hamidullah, the emir of the Islamic Jihad Union, and Omar Khalifa, who is the Tariq Gidar Group emir. The Tariq Gidar Group, you'll remember, is the group that perpetuated those horrendous attacks in Pakistan against a Peshawar army school in which they killed over 130 children, and the Bacha Kan University where they killed dozens of professors and students, as well as a Pakistani air force base.

With respect to ISK, we've conducted operations this year we call green sword series of operations. They specifically have targeted this ISIL affiliate in Afghanistan. These operations have been led by U.S. CT forces working with our Afghan allies. These operations so far this year have killed the top 12 leaders of Islamic State Khorasan, including their emir, Hafiz Saeed Khan, back in July.

They -- we reduced their force by roughly 25 to 30 percent, or roughly 500 Islamic State Khorasan casualties.

About two dozen command and control facilities, training facilities were destroyed. Financial courier networks were disrupted. And the ISK sanctuary that once was nine districts in Afghanistan has been shrunk down to three.

All of these actions are integral to our dual mission in Afghanistan. So, on the one hand, we're focused on keeping military pressure on these networks. Likewise, we're -- we're focused on helping the Afghan Security Forces to build their capability to defend their own country.

So, as we shift now to Resolute Support, which is the train, advise, assist part of our mission, this is the largest and longest NATO operation in their history -- in our history of NATO. It is primarily focused on training, advising and assisting the Afghan security forces.

It has been particularly important as their security forces have taken over responsibility since the ISAF, or the end of 2014. Thirty-nine nations in the coalition, or one quarter of the world's nations, have been together in the region for more than 10 years helping our Afghan partners.

So, in July, at the Warsaw Summit, these nations reaffirmed their commitment to Afghanistan. Thirty nations pledged roughly $800 million annually to support the Afghan security forces through 2020. And we still have significant commitments to troops in Afghanistan, about 6,000 from our allies which complement the U.S. contribution.

So, this essentially gives us four more years of funding, time and advising for the Afghan security forces.

In October, international donors met at Brussels and expressed an intent to commit another $15.2 billion in support of developmental needs in Afghanistan.

So -- so, if I were to sum all that up, I'd say that these events represent both progress and protection in terms of our way forward.

So, the first we just discussed, the -- the protection through U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan, help protect our homeland and prevent future attacks against the U.S. and her allies; essentially to prevent another 9/11.

The second reason we're there is progress, the evolution of the Afghan Security Forces during this past year.

So, it's important to remember that five years ago, when we started building the Afghan security forces, we had about 140,000 U.S. and coalition troops in the country. We are now down to less than one-tenth of that. Today, it's the Afghan security forces who are responsible for securing their own country, with the assistance of our advisory and CT effort.

We have seen definitive growth and progress in a couple of areas, in the last year in particular.

First I would mention are the Afghan special forces. So, 17,000 special forces, arguably the best in the region. And they conduct about 70 percent of the Afghan Army's offensive operations.

They operate independently of the U.S. about 80 percent of the time. So, when I mention these CT operations, many -- many of those are conducted with the Afghans but the majority are conducted on their own.

These troops are specially selected and trained. This also includes a special mission wing, which is an Afghan air force wing, which is fully capable of night flying operations, goggle operations. And they provide all the day and night helicopter support for the Afghan special forces.

The Afghan air force is rapidly gaining capability as well. They've effectively incorporated the MD-530 helicopter into their daily ops this year. And they're now conducting most of their escort and resupply missions for the army across the country. And this was something that previously was exclusively done by U.S. or coalition forces.

So, before March of this year -- before March of 2016, the Afghan air force had no ground attack aircraft. So, beginning in April they've added eight aircraft for this and -- and have also, more importantly, added about 120 Afghan air -- tactical air controllers. So, not only are they adding the attack aircraft, they're adding the capability to control those aircraft on the ground.

So, they ran their first A-29 strike combat mission in April, but nearly 20 air crews have been added since we began fueling this so this air force's going to continue to grow over the next years in the future.

If I were to characterize how the Afghan security forces performed last year, I would say they were tested and they prevailed. So, they were tested and they prevailed. This year, they went into the year with a campaign plan which last year was more of a reaction to enemy activity.

So, this year, they went in with a campaign plan called Operation Shafaq, executed it largely through the end of July, and then beginning in August we saw the enemy try -- made eight attempts to seize provincial capitols inside the country. Every one of these attempts failed.

So, President Ghani calls 2015 the year of survival as the government security forces did not have this coherent strategy, but 2016 was more of an anticipatory year in some respects than 2015. So, this took the form of what we call a sustainable security strategy which the Afghans developed for this year and it -- and it identified a fight, hold, disrupt strategy so it identified areas of the population that they would hold, areas that they would fight for, and then other areas where they would do an economy of force and merely disrupt the enemy. So, it was a very deliberate strategy.

I mentioned the eight attempts to seize the cities. This was three times in Kunduz, twice in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, twice in Tarin Kowt, and also in Farah City in Farah Province. On the 6th of October, the Afghans faced four simultaneous attacks on their cities and they defeated each one of these attacks.

This -- this ability to deal with simultaneous crises, as a military professional, I can tell you this is a sign of an army that's growing in capability, that's maturing in terms of its ability to handle simultaneity and complexity on the battlefield.

So, again, this is a -- when I say they were tested, it's obvious that they were and they prevailed in terms of defending their cities and continuing to secure the majority of the population of the country. So, shifting to that, when I look at my security assessment at the end of 2016 going forward, I believe that what we're seeing right now is what I would call an equilibrium, but one that's in favor of the government.

The Afghan security forces have a hold approximately 64 percent of the population. Now, this was down slightly from my 68 percent that I talked about in September. The decrease has not meant more control to the Taliban. We see them still holding less than 10 percent of the population. More of the country -- slightly more is now contested. So, we say they still hold roughly two-thirds of the population. The enemy holds less than 10 percent and the balance is contested.

Since the start of the Taliban's campaign in April, the Afghan security forces have prevented them from accomplishing their strategic objectives. They've been unable to mass because of airpower, both Afghan and coalition airpower, and therefore they resorted to small-scale attacks on checkpoints around cities in attempts to isolate the cities and create panic.

This did not succeed in causing any cities to fall. They have also conducted high-profile attacks, as you're well aware, that have resulted in large numbers of civilian casualties, but the overall number of high-profile attacks is lower than last year.

So, inside Kabul, for example, we had 18 high-profile attacks at this time last year attributed to the Taliban in Kabul. This year only 12, so a reduction of about a third. Now, we have seen a new element this year, which is Islamic State Khorasan Province conducting high-profile attacks, five or six that have occurred this year. But again, an overall reduction in Taliban attacks.

So, despite Taliban promises to safeguard civilians, the vast majority of civilian causalities have been caused by the insurgency. Sixty-one to 72 percent, depending on which international organization you -- you use, but the statistics are compiled by UNAMA as well as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Taliban have intentionally destroyed bridges and roadways, resulting in serious disruption of civilian trade routes and the country's economic development. The Taliban has destroyed Afghan's infrastructure while the government seeks to build it.

And so while the enemy controls slightly more terrain than before, they do not control more of the population than they did in April. Additionally, the Afghan Security Forces have inflicted high casualties on the enemy during this year.

So, as we look forward to 2017 in areas for improvement, one of the important areas is they were looking at -- or the two areas are leadership and corruption. So, these do play some portions of the Afghan Security Forces.

And what it has led to is a poor sustainment of soldiers in the field. So, because of some ineffectiveness and corruption in the supply system, young soldiers out there on outpost don't always get the -- the -- the ammunition, the water, the food they need in order to conduct the fight.

So, this is a specific area of focus over the winter that we're working closely with the Afghan leadership on. And I've spoken very frankly to them about these issues. I know President Ghani is very serious about addressing these issues over the winter.

So, as we go into this winter campaign, the Afghan police and army will focus on replacing ineffective or corrupt leaders. President Ghani and his administration are dedicated to this. And they are acting quickly and systematically to make necessary leadership changes.

So recently, the Afghan government arrested a senior official, a minister of interior, for bribery and suspended another for corruption. They've referred these cases to the Anti-Corruption Justice Center, which has been newly opened this year. And it has tried its first cases to root out corrupt government leaders and to improve the security institutions.

As I look forward to the next year, one of the things we're most concerned about in terms of risks.

Now, in addition to improving the corruption and leadership situation, we also obviously are concerned about the -- the stability of the Afghan government going forward. I know you all have been tracking closely with the ongoing political evolution. You know, my message to our Afghan partners and members of the political opposition is that we respect your political process, but please don't allow that process to undermine security gains, which have been made this year at such great cost.

And one possible risk of Afghan political instability is a fracture, but we have not seen this happen within the security forces.

Second concern would be the -- the malign influence of external actors and particularly Pakistan, Russia, and Iran. And we're concerned about the external enablement of the insurgent or terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, in particular where they enjoy sanctuary or support from outside governments.

Finally, we're concerned about the convergence of these terrorist groups. I mentioned the 20 groups, 13 in Afghanistan, seven in Pakistan. The -- the morphing of these groups into more virulent strains or the -- the fact that sometimes they cooperate and then the hole becomes greater than the sum of the parts.

These groups participate from a complimentary alliances or capabilities and networks, and required continuous pressure on them to prevent them from becoming something worse than they already are.

We also, obviously, track very closely the non-security factors which effect Afghanistan's future. And again, we're encouraged by the $15.2 billion pledged from the Brussels conference. And I know this will go to focus on the Afghan economy. We closely track their population growth and demographics.

The impact of a narcotics trade on the insurgency in the economy is a concern. Corruption, again, and of course Taliban reconciliation and reintegration -- or reconciliation and reintegration of any of the belligerents. And so while we don't directly control or influence these factors as a security lead, they all have an impact on the success of our mission going forward.

So, in conclusion, the capable Afghan security forces and a continued U.S. CT presence will help us protect our homeland and that of our allies from terrorist attacks and any other disruption emanating from the region. A secure Afghanistan, coupled with regional and international development efforts also helps ensure regional stability.

We are stabilizing what was once a deteriorating situation and have the international support to progress even further in the coming years. The Afghan leadership remains focused on the future as the men and women of the security forces fight daily for a safe and stable Afghanistan.

Their resolve is bolstered by our continued commitment. We have great partners and President Ghani and the leaders of the security ministries. And we enjoy a close working relationship going forward.

Our dedication to them sends a clear message to the enemies of piece and stability in Afghanistan, and the world frankly, that they will not win. It lets the people of Afghanistan know that we are with them to help them realize their future. And with the result of the Warsaw Summit we have four more years of commitment and support to help them enable that progress and protection.

So again, thanks for covering the story. I look forward to your questions.

STAFF: We'll start with Idrees Ali from Reuters.

Q: Hey, general. I appreciate your point about the Afghan forces being able to repel attacks on the cities. But the fact is that it seems to be happening far more often than it did before.

And after 15 years of war, you know, hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars spent, life lost, how is that acceptable that we repelled attacks rather than, you know, there weren't any attacks? I mean, how is that acceptable after 15 years?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, it's important to remember how far we -- we've come in 15 years, Idrees.

So, a few years ago you had 140,000 coalition forces in the country and a growing Afghan security force. So, in less than five years we've grown them to 300,000 troops and shrunk our presence down to less than 1/10th of what it once was.

So, this -- this military -- this security force is attempting to grow itself while fighting a very difficult war. And I think your -- your point is, we -- we saw an uptick in terms of, you know, there was attack on Kunduz that occurred in 2015. They briefly took the city, the Afghans retook it.

This year, eight attacks on cities, all of them failed. So, in our view this is a sign of real progress. The ability to deal with multiple simultaneous crises around the country. Remember, this is an insurgency that still enjoys sanctuary and support from outside the country, that's very difficult for the Afghans to defeat.

But they are taking the responsibility for their security. They're the ones fighting the fight with our training and advising and assistance. And that's a significant difference from when we began this 15 years ago -- or even just two years ago with the end of ISAF.

Q: Do you think there need -- need to be more NATO troops and is that something you would recommend to the incoming administration?

GEN. NICHOLSON: The -- the -- the NATO command -- first off, important to remember, 39 nations in this coalition, in Afghanistan. So, we have strong international commitment. We go through every six months, on the NATO side, a review of our progress and recommendations for the future.

So, in the time I've been in command, I've submitted these recommendations twice. And this is continually reviewed by the alliance.

And my assessment of our current capabilities, we have adequate resources to conduct this mission at a moderate level of risk going forward. And then again, this is acceptable for what we need to conduct.

I can't speak for the alliance or the U.S. administration on any decisions they might make about the -- about the situation going forward.

STAFF: Next we'll go with Thomas Watkins from Agence France-Presse.

Q: Hello, general.

We -- we saw you recently at Resolute Support. Good to see you again.

The question that came up there was the number of Afghan casualties, and at the time you were saying you're tracking about 20 percent over last year. SIGAR then released a report, a few days after we left actually, that said that they gave the number through August 19 of 5,523. Do you have, like, year to date numbers that you can give us?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Those -- those numbers that SIGAR uses, they come from the Afghan government, who provide them to us and then we -- we provide them to SIGAR. So, what -- what I would be able to offer you, Thom, is simply whatever the Afghan government has said.

So, we'd be -- we'd be happy to get you the latest figures that we can from them on that, but -- but essentially I have nothing to add to what -- what you've already seen.

And -- and again, those figures are coming directly from the Afghan government.

I might offer, if you reach out directly to them, they might be able to provide you some greater clarity, but we'll certainly follow up as well.

Q: And then, just a second question if I may, Afghanistan got scarcely any kind of mention during the election cycle, during the campaign. Have you received any reassurance from the incoming administration about where they see Afghan -- Afghanistan as a priority?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, I outlined the policy going forward. Of course, it's counterterrorism and training, advising, and assisting the Afghan security forces. It's a very, very sound policy. This is the course that we're on, and I know that's what this administration will hand off to the next administration.

STAFF: Next to Joe Tabet from Al Hurrah.

Q: Thank you, sir.

GEN. NICHOLSON: Hi, Joe.

Q: In your opening statement, you have mentioned Russia and Iran. Would you please elaborate more about what type -- what's the nature of the Russian and the Iranian influence in Afghanistan? Have you seen any evidence that they are linked to any terrorist group in the country?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Thanks for asking that, Joe.

So, Russia has overtly lent legitimacy to the Taliban. And their narrative goes something like this: that the Taliban are the ones fighting Islamic State, not the Afghan government. And of course, as I just outlined for you, the Afghan government and the U.S. counterterrorism effort are the ones achieving the greatest effect against Islamic State.

So, this public legitimacy that Russia lends to the Taliban is not based on fact, but it is used as a way to essentially undermine the Afghan government and the NATO effort and bolster the belligerents.

So, it's not helpful. And it's something that the Afghan government has addressed with Russia.

Shifting to Iran, the -- you have a similar situation. There have been linkages between the Iranians and the Taliban in the past. This might have been based, you know, upon hedging strategies concerned about the outcome.

I know the Afghan government's engaged in a dialogue with the Iranian government over this issue. But many other equities. So as a neighbor, they have other equities, such as water rights, trade, as well as a security situation.

We're hopeful -- speaking now as commander Resolute Support -- that these outside actors will act in a positive way, so we can work together to help bolster the capability and legitimacy of the Afghan government, not the belligerents.

And so, this -- and again, let me finish where I started. The -- the Afghan government and the U.S. counterterrorism effort are the ones taking on Islamic State inside Afghanistan, ensuring that we reduce their capability, reduce their enclave so that as pressure is applied against Islamic State and Syria, they do not see Afghanistan as a place that they can move to because that enclave will be reduced and defeated within the next year.

Q: Quick follow up, sir. Have you seen any relations between the Islamic State in Afghanistan and ISIS in Syria? Any -- any flow of foreign fighters into Afghanistan from Syria?

GEN. NICHOLSON: We do see a connection. Islamic State Khorasan is a -- is a recognized affiliate of the central Islamic State in Syria. So, they apply for membership, they receive this, they pledge their fealty to al-Baghdadi. Hafitz Saeed Khan, who we killed in July, went through the application process, if you will.

They were acknowledged and recognized in ISIL's publication, Dabiq. So, we've seen support provided to them in terms of advice, in terms of -- of publicity, and -- and some financial support. We have not seen fighters move to Afghanistan. And of course, as I mentioned by defeating Islamic State Khorasan inside Afghanistan, Afghanistan will not be a safe haven for any Islamic State fighters that leave Syria.

STAFF: Next, Jennifer Griffin with Fox News.

Q: Thank you.

Sir, can we get your reaction to the announcement that General Mattis is the pick for the next Defense Secretary. Is there anything you can tell us about him? Any personal anecdotes, something we may not know about him.

GEN. NICHOLSON: Yes, I've known General Mattis for 10 years. In fact, I first met him in Afghanistan. He's highly respected across the ranks and so we all congratulate him. I -- I don't want to obviously make any comment. He's got to go -- he will go through a confirmation process as far as, you know, any policy issues going forward that would be a matter for the transition team.

Q: Any particular story about him that you'd like to relate?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, he's a soldier's soldier, a Marine's Marine. I'm sure that's what he would say. And again, I first met him in Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan while we were in a tough fight in 2006, and he's a very inspirational leader. And I know he inspired me as a soldier on the ground as we talked about that very tough fight in those days. And again, we wish him the best of luck and say congratulations.

Q: And if I could just follow up. Could I get your reaction, what effect did President-elect Trump's praise of Nawaz Sharif during recent phone call have on your efforts to engage with the Afghans and to fight against the Taliban? We both know the Pakistanis over the years have supported the Haqqani group, which have killed U.S. troops in Afghanistan. What effect did that conversation have on you?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, of course I can't speak for the transition team and the transition effort, I refer you to them for anything having to do with that. I -- I look forward to meeting the new Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General -- or General Bajwa. I'll meet him upon my return to -- to the region here next week.

And there are many areas of mutual cooperation with the Pakistanis with respect to the border, our joint efforts against terrorism and so forth. And so, we're looking forward to working closely with them going -- going forward.

Q: Have the Haqqani attacks gone down or up in the last year?

GEN. NICHOLSON: The Haqqanis still pose the greatest threat to Americans and to our -- to our coalition partners and to the Afghans. And the Haqqanis hold five American citizens hostage right now. I think this is worth remembering as we think about the Haqqani network. And they remain a principal concern of ours. And they -- and they do enjoy sanctuary inside Pakistan.

STAFF: Courtney Kube, NBC News.

Q: Actually Joe Tabet asked my question, but if I can ask just a little bit more about the malign influence issue, what is the -- has there been any practical -- Russia's lending legitimacy to the Taliban, has there been any practical or sort of tangible reaction or response to that in Afghanistan that you can point to?

Can you explain a little bit more about how that and how Iran's, you know -- what exactly Iran was doing to support the Taliban and how that has had any kind of real impact on the ground for you.

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, any external enablement of an insurgency is going to sustain that fight. You know, if -- if the insurgency was in Afghanistan exclusively and that didn't have external bases, it would be a different nature to that -- to the conflict. Obviously external support enables and strengthens them and -- and I mentioned a legitimacy piece that we're concerned about.

So, I think the legitimacy piece is an important factor. It's important to remember that the Afghan population, 87 percent of the Afghan population think Taliban rule would be bad for the country. Roughly the same percentage support the Afghan security forces. So, it's important to remember that the Taliban are not welcome by the people of Afghanistan.

So, when these external actors, be it Russia or Iran, publicly legitimize a movement that's not supported by the people, they're not advancing the cause of stability in the region.

So, this -- this to us is what we all want. We want a stable, prosperous, secure Afghanistan. We think this will be positive for the region and so we would hope that actors, like the ones I mentioned, would support that instead of legitimizing a belligerence.

Q: What do you think Russia's motive is for doing that?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, certainly there's a competition with NATO, but I don't want to conjecture as to what Russia's motives are. We just would like to see a change in their behavior in terms of not legitimizing the enemy.

Q: And this is one of things from your opening statement. You mentioned that the high casualty that the enemy has -- been inflicted upon the enemy by the Afghans this year. Do you have any numbers? How many enemy --

GEN. NICHOLSON: I don't have any numbers for you but we know they have suffered very high casualties.

STAFF: Ryan Browne, CNN.

Q: Hello general, thank you for doing this.

I actually have a couple of follow-ups, one quickly on -- you mentioned that the 17,000 member of the Afghan special forces were conducting I think 70 percent of operations. I mean there's been reports that --

GEN. NICHOLSON: Offensive.

Q: Offensive operations. I mean is that, you know, that's a pretty small, relative to the size of the ANA, that's a pretty small force. I mean is there a little bit of worry about whether they can sustain that?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Yeah, so the Afghan special forces are again, specially selected and trained. We are concerned about that and for that reason, during the winter campaign, the regeneration effort focuses on our Afghan special forces. And also in discussions with President Ghani and his security ministers, we're looking at the growth of the Afghan special forces over the coming years. Of course the key with any special forces is maintaining the high quality.

So, it's not something you want to rush but when we look at the years provided in the Warsaw commitments of four years, we believe we can help to grow the special forces so that they can sustain and actually increase the tempo of operations going forward. This year, with 10 commando battalions, or kandaks, they were able to successfully defend these eight attempts against cities and to conduct offensive operations against the Taliban in a number of areas.

So, as we increase the number of commandos and special forces, not only will they be able to defend the sovereignty of the country, but they'll also be able to relegate the enemy to more remote areas of the country.

So this combination of increased special forces and the growth in the size and capability of the air force will give the Afghan security forces an offensive punch that they don't have right now or -- or I should say, they have in a smaller quantity, and this will grow over the coming years, and we'll really begin to change the nature of the fight.

Q: Just to follow up on that, whether it's the officers academy, which I know you just visited out in Karga, or -- or, you know, you -- you discussed the resources right now being adequate for a moderate level of risk.

Would additional resources, trainers from either NATO or the United States -- how could that reduce the level of risk? And could you be able to do these kinds of things, which is improve the leadership problems you were talking about through the officers' academy, or grow this -- the number of kandaks in the special forces?

I mean, it would seem like more trainers, more resources would help, kind of, move that process along.

GEN. NICHOLSON: So, the -- the force-generation cycle, we call it, for NATO is a semi-annual process. So, every six months I support a report and I lay this out. And you've touched on all the issues. So, we lay these out, we go to the alliance and say "Here's the capabilities we need."

In fact, we saw some nations increase their commitments. The Germans, the Italians, and some of the others have increased their commitments. And -- and they're targeting some of these specific areas that we talked about.

For example, in Karga we have the ANOA which the British provide. The -- the -- an excellent advising capability for that.

We've seen other -- for example, the Germans recently added an expeditionary advising package for Kunduz to assist the 20th Division.

We have reorganized our U.S. advisory structure, so as we are transitioning from 9,800 to 8,450 this month, we're -- we're actually reorganizing as we transition to spread our advisers out to cover some of these issues. So, we're adding training teams and sustainment teams in each of the corps in the American zones of responsibility.

So, this is going to enable us to then refine and target the specific areas where we need help.

One of the biggest areas in terms of leadership is the central -- a centralized, merit-based selection process. So, President Ghani, under his leadership, has established, along with Chief Executive Abdullah, a method for more centrally controlled, merit-based selection.

So, this process is actually being put together right now. The first example of that was the selection of the new sergeant major of the army for the Afghan Army, Sergeant Major of the Army Chamkani who replaced Sergeant Major of the Army Roshan.

And so, this was a merit-based process which -- where many outstanding candidates came in, their files were reviewed, they interviewed with a panel of leaders from across the security forces, one was selected, president approved it.

This -- this process was very, very important, because it was a -- it wasn't a decision made by one individual or two individuals, it was actually a very open, transparent process.

President Ghani praised this process; he wants to apply this to the whole army. We're going to begin using that here in the coming year with them to enable a merit-based selection process.

Another -- another dimension is the proper placement of graduates of the school that you mentioned.

So, soldiers graduate from ANOA. They're new lieutenants; making sure they get to the right units where they're needed, instead of maybe going back to an administrative assignment in Kabul instead. And so getting -- getting these properly trained leaders to the point where they'll be most effective is extremely important.

So, I didn't mention these in my opening remarks because I'm taking it into the weeds a little bit on the details, but these are the kind of details we're working with the Afghans.

So, a lot of it is -- is really saying "What did we learn? What do we need to fix?" using our existing advisory structure to do it, and then where we need -- we want to augment, I try to reorganize the resources I have or we go back to the nations and we ask for more.

STAFF: Thomas Gibbons-Neff from the Washington Post.

Q: Hi sir, thanks for doing this.

A couple questions. First one, kind of talk about in the last few months we had green on blue, small arms KIA and a suicide bomb on a -- or a suicide vest in Bagram.

Going to the earlier this -- or early November, you've have two Green Berets killed in  (inaudible) -- in Kunduz, and a couple of air strikes that presumably killed a large number of civilians. Can you kind of talk about, in your own words, what happened there?

There was also some reports that the Afghan commandos who you were -- you were talking about at the beginning of your statement were routed or abandoned their positions with the Green Berets.

And then I have a -- a follow-up about the Air Force.

GEN. NICHOLSON: Okay, so, on the specific incidents you mentioned, Tom, the -- those are under investigation. And we'll certainly share the results of that when we're complete. But any comments I make right now would be getting in front of those investigations.

The -- the issue on Bagram is being -- is being examined. I would -- I would say right off the bat, as soon as that incident occurred, we undertook a complete review of our force protection measures around the country, especially in terms of local national contract employees. And that -- that's -- this individual's a local national contractor.

So, we are re-vetting and rescreening all those individuals before they are able to resume their positions, and reviewing all -- all of our procedures. So, there's nothing more important to us than force protection.

It's right up there with accomplishment of the missions that I outlined. So, we're looking at this very closely.

And again, as we -- as we complete those investigations, we'll be sharing the results of those. You -- you asked about the commando attack in CIVCAS. As you know, we take every possible effort to avoid civilian casualties.

On this -- I believe the -- the incident you're -- you're mentioning recently, I made a statement within 48 hours -- 48, 72 hours of the incident that we believe it was likely that there were civilian causalities and that we're investigating that. So, we're doing a joint investigation with the Afghans.

Again, that result -- those results will be available soon and we'll release those.

I would comment though on that, the -- some of the initial results of that investigation showed that the enemy was fighting from civilian homes. And so our forces -- and when I say "our", I mean the Afghan Special Forces and the American advisers who were with them -- in self-defense, responded to those fires. And we believe that may -- maybe of one of the civilian casualties occurred.

But, it was self-defense. And it was self-defense because the Taliban were fighting from civilian homes. So, the Afghan government came out strongly to the Taliban please stop doing this. Don't endanger civilians. It is counter to the Taliban's public message as of April. In Operation Omari, they say they would try to reduce civilian casualties.

Yet here, they were fighting from civilian homes which invited a response and self-defense, which then may have contributed to civil casualties. So, that's -- that's point number one.

There were dozens of Taliban killed or injured in that fight. It was a significant fight. Again, I don't want to get too far into the details. But that was a preemptive strike by the Afghan Special Forces against an -- a Taliban enclave that could have been used for another attack on Kunduz City -- attack which never materialized.

So, I think it's important to remember those couple of points. Taliban endangering civilians by how they're fighting, Afghan Special Forces taking the fight to the enemy preemptively to prevent an attack on Kunduz, and then again, because of the way the Taliban fought, unnecessarily endangering civilians is what was a contributing factor to the incident.

Q: And the second question on the -- the Afghan Air Force, talking about how that's kind of a capability you guys are constantly building and heavy relied on the MI-17 fleet by far, the most experienced fleet in the Afghan Air Force. And there's been some reports that you'll -- you'll be replacing them with Black Hawks.

How does that kind of factor into keeping this force going forward without taking two steps back?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Right. So the -- the -- as you know, the decisions on the MI-17s were made prior to Crimea, prior to Ukraine, prior to the international sanctions on that. So the Afghans traditionally had a core of MI-17 pilots who were trained on the airframe and some of them very experienced. So early before Crimea, Ukraine, before sanctions, there was international support for continuing with Russian-made airframes.

That all changed after 2014 and after those sanctions were imposed. So the issue now is the sustainment of that -- of that fleet to continue while we field a new fleet. President Obama forwarded to the Hill a request and the supplemental for purchase of UH-60 alpha model helicopters. So these helicopters will be modified with an improved drivetrain transmission so to enable them to operate better in the environment up there. But it will involve a transition for the pilots.

So in addition to the equipment that's being purchased -- so it's not just the UH-60, it's also more A-29s, more MD-530s. So an increased close air support capability, an increased lift capability and then a transition program for the pilots and for the maintainers. So I already mentioned in my opening remarks about the -- fielding 120 Afghan tactical air controllers, so they're out in the field able to start doing this.

So it's a -- it's a comprehensive program to not only get the airframes there, but the -- but the pilots trained, the maintainers trained, the -- the attacks trained so that we'll field a complete capability. And then -- and then during this period, we need to sustain the MI-17s long enough to bridge through this period. So we're getting help from some allies on this and partners on the this, the Australians, others are helping to fund maintenance on the MI-17s to -- to enable them to bridge this period until the UH-60s are fielded.

Q: But ideally, they'd want to keep the MI-17s, correct, because this is a step back as far as having to retrain pilots?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, the MI-17s are a great airframe that the Afghans use and they're comfortable with. The -- the issue's gonna be the ability to maintain them. And so this -- so maintaining the airframe -- you know, keeping the airframe in the inventory but not being able to maintain it was not -- would not be positive. And so the -- the Afghan government has gone to the Russians and asked for their assistance in this. The Russians have not provided it.

And -- and so the Afghan government solicited from them help with maintaining these airframes. They haven't -- they have not agreed to do it. And because of the sanctions on Russia, the maintenance of this fleet's gonna be very difficult.

STAFF: Kristina Wong from the Hill?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Hi, Kristina.

Q: Hi. Good to see you, general.

With a lot of -- with still a large number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and a continuing fight with the Taliban for the foreseeable future, do you think there's room for adjustment of the rules of engagement or do you think that's -- you don't think that that's necessary at this -- at this time?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, in June, President Obama gave me additional authorities. It was called strategic effects, but what it -- what it amounted to was that I can use U.S. combat enablers to support the Afghans in offensive operations. Previously, we could use U.S. combat enablers to prevent a defeat. Now, we can use them to enable them to take the initiative and go on the offense.

So these authorities we've used every day since -- since they were authorized. So these authorities are extremely important and they give us what we need to do our mission on the ground. They -- the U.S. troops always have -- if they are in an advisory capability or an advisory role and they find themselves in a situation such as I was discussing with Tom, where they're threatened or under fire, they always have the right of self-defense. So, there's no restriction at all on the ability of our soldiers to defend themselves if they need to. And then with these additional authorities to assist the Afghans, we've been able to make good progress.

So, we -- we think these authorities are very important for us -- for our ability to do our job going forward.

Q: So, you don't think it's necessary to further loosen those rules of engagement? There are some in Congress who are pushing for that.

GEN. NICHOLSON: I think -- I think the -- I think the package of authorities that we have is adequate for us to do our job and so we'd like to continue to be able to use those authorities going forward.

STAFF: Corey Dickstein from Stars and Stripes.

Q: Thank you sir.

(CROSSTALK)

Q: Can you tell us where -- where in Afghanistan the Taliban has gained some new territory? And then can you tell us a little bit about what's going on in the Helmand Province since you were last here? Do we still have U.S. advisers down there?

GEN. NICHOLSON: Right, so -- in the areas that are -- where the Taliban -- and I'll just take it back to those statistics I quoted up front. So we assess less than 10 percent control or heavily influenced. These are more remote areas, not the populated areas. So, the Afghan strategy was to focus on the -- on the most densely populated areas, to hold them or fight to defend them, hence the fights around the cities.

And so the areas of the -- that we would call more remote, or less populated, and as a general -- as a general observation, that's where the Taliban are more likely to be found. So, in the case of Helmand, the enemy has fought hard for Helmand. Why?

Because they receive much of their funding from the narcotics trafficking that occurs out of Helmand. As you know, Helmand produces a significant amount of the opium globally that turns into heroin and is -- and this provides about 60 percent of the Taliban funding, we believe.

So, the control of these areas is very important to the Taliban. They tax the farmers, they tax the narcotics traffickers and this is how they derive their revenue. So, this -- so there's a nexus here between the insurgency and criminal networks that's occurring in Helmand that makes Helmand such a difficult fight. I think it's important for observers of this to you know, don't -- I would suggest you don't look exclusively through the lens, of you know, Taliban versus government.

But in the case of Helmand, consider there's more going on here, especially with the criminal enterprises that have been profiting enormously from the opium production. So, what we see in Helmand then are these criminal networks coupled with insurgents fighting to retain their freedom of action to continue to make money. And so this has been a big part of what's going on. And then the money that's generated from the opium industry is what fuels the insurgency and why we see so much fighting going on in Helmand. This is my personal observation having been there a few years. So I think that's part of what we're seeing going on there and then the other -- the other areas where we see the Taliban try to extend their influence are areas where there's mining or other things where they can extract revenue, so when you look at opium cultivation, mining, extortion and kidnapping.

This is how this movement funds itself. So again, it's revealing about the true nature of the Taliban. And the way that -- and the way they rely on criminal networks and these kinds of activities. Drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion, to raise money and this really reveals who they really are.

STAFF: I'm -- I'm sorry, we're about out of time. Go real quick.

Q: The training mission in Helmand, I think it's the 215th Corps, if --

GEN. NICHOLSON: The 215th Corps.

Q: How has that progressed? How -- how --

GEN. NICHOLSON: Well, yes, a very tough fight. So, they're in the fight and we're trying to -- so, what you -- what we did last year as -- as you probably  (inaudible) -- so, at the end of the fighting season, because of high casualties, we did a regeneration effort with six of their kandaks -- six of their battalions.

We brought them in, new personnel, new equipment, maintain their equipment, get them back in the fight. We're going through a similar process this year. That started this week. So, we have companies coming off the battlefield, they go into the base, they get replacements, new weapons, refurbish their equipment and they get back in the fight.

So, this -- we're calling this process force regeneration. This is the centerpiece of our winter campaign. The winter campaign will run for the next four months and that's roughly the time last year we took to regenerate the -- this didn't come up, but what we see in terms of recruitment, recruitment has roughly stayed -- kept pace with losses, plus or minus, but -- but roughly.

So, this is enabling them to make this system effective and then by focusing on the supply and procurement system and fixing the corruption and diversion that goes on in there so that supplies get to the troops and they can regenerate. This is the main focus in the winter. Helmand continues to be a top concern as does Uruzgan.

So, these are the two areas we'll continue to watch closely as we go through the winter.

Q: Thank you, general. We --

(Inaudible)

MODERATOR: If he wants to, we can do it.

Q: General, since early October, 11 Americans have been killed in action in Afghanistan in combat. What message does it send the enemy that this January the United States is going to withdraw more than a thousand troops? Is it sending the wrong message?

GEN. NICHOLSON: The -- first off, our condolences go out to all those families. These American heroes who have -- who have given their lives in Afghanistan. It's been a long fight, 15 years. But I think it's one we got to remember this -- their actions, their sacrifice are protecting our homeland. The 9/11 attacks emanated from this region.

Al Qaeda, the group that did that, is still there; reduced significantly. Their leaders have been killed. You know, Osama Bin Laden was killed in 2011. We just killed -- killed Faruq al Qatari, who was working on external operations. So, the presence, the sacrifice of Americans in Afghanistan continues to protect the homeland.

And when you think about the height of our commitment there are 100,000 troops to now being down to 9,800 troops. One-tenth of what -- of what it once was. The forces that we have are adequate for us to do the mission. I would point out that we can draw upon additional capabilities as we require them from over the horizon.

We have done this numerous times this year to do these counter terrorism operations, for example, against Islamic State or against Al Qaeda. We can call forward additional forces as required to go after these forces.

So, I think that the message that I would ask that people remember is that the daily service and sacrifice of our service members over there is protecting our homeland from not only al Qaeda, but also the rest of these 20 terrorists who -- who threaten all Americans.

Thank you.

Q: Thank you, general. Thank you for taking the time to do this and Godspeed as you head back to theater.

GEN. NICHOLSON: Thanks very much.

Thanks, everyone, look forward to seeing some of you in theater.

Take care.

-END-

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1019029/

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Joint press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

02 Dec. 2016

(As delivered)

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili, it is a great pleasure and a great honour to welcome you once again to NATO Headquarters. And I think that your visit here just reconfirms the very strong partnership we have developed over several years, and also the friendship and the partnership that you and I have developed over the years, meeting in different formats in Brussels, in Tbilisi and also other places and always expressing strong support together to enhancing the partnership between NATO and Georgia.

I would also like to start by thanking Georgia and the soldiers in the quick reaction force in Resolute Support in Afghanistan for the way they reacted very quickly in defence of the German consulate that was attacked in Mazar and where the Georgian soldiers were very brave and professional in defending the consulate. And luckily no one was wounded and there were no casualties, so this is just yet another example of how Georgia contributes to our shared security and how Georgia contributes to NATO and the important role and the professionalism of your soldiers when they conduct operations in NATO, in Resolute Support in Afghanistan.

NATO's partnership with Georgia is something we really appreciate and we attach very great importance to and it's a partnership which we have developed over many years.

We discussed during our meeting how we can strengthen that partnership and how we can develop it further. The North-Atlantic Council visited Georgia in September, there we met with you and many of your ministers and we also assessed the progress we are making when it comes to the implementation of the substantial NATO-Georgia Package which we agreed at the Warsaw Summit.

I would also like to congratulate you on the elections in Georgia. Your reappointment as Prime Minister but also the way you conducted the elections in Georgia, free and fair elections which have been conducted in a way which has been highly recognised by the international community and it just expresses the progress you are making on the reform path and NATO will continue to support you in implementing those reforms and we will continue to provide both political support and practical support for Georgia. We will provide strong political support for your independence, for your territorial integrity and sovereignty and we will continue to provide practical support for both the importance of implementing the reforms but also to continue to conduct exercises, to make sure that we fill and strengthen the Joint Training Centre and also that we make sure that the NATO-Georgia Commission continues to be an important platform and tool for political dialogue but also for practical cooperation.

As we have stated many times before, Georgia has all the practical tools for membership, we will continue to support you in your aspirations and in your efforts to strengthen your ties with NATO and we are here to provide that kind of support and that kind of help.

So we will also continue to work with Georgia on the challenges we see in the broader Black Sea region, we have made an assessment of the security situation in the Black Sea region and of course Georgia being a little state, Georgia is one of the countries which are important for NATO to work closely with because the Black Sea region is of strategic importance for the whole NATO Alliance and the partnership with Georgia is an important part of that.

So once again I welcome you to NATO, it's always a pleasure to meet with you and I look forward to continue to work with you and your government and the ministers that you had with you in your delegation today. So welcome.

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NATO Allies wrap up exercise Iron Sword 2016 in Lithuania

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

20 Nov. 2016 - 02 Dec. 2016

Troops from 11 NATO Allies concluded a two-week training exercise in Lithuania on Friday (2 December 2016). Dubbed "Iron Sword", the annual exercise tested the combat readiness of participating soldiers.

Over 4,000 troops took part in the exercise, which began on 20 November in Pabrade and Rukla, Lithuania. Led by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, participants exercised in tactics used in urban combat. Soldiers conducted an assault on an urban warfare training site. Working as part of multinational battalions, they also took turns attacking and defending the site over several days.

The exercises tested the readiness, coordination and interoperability of the participating forces. It demonstrated Allies' resolve and commitment to collective defence. Under the auspices of the OSCE, military observers from Belarus and Kazakhstan visited the exercise. NATO partners Sweden and Ukraine also sent military observers.

NATO and Allied exercises, such as Iron Sword, increase the readiness and flexibility of our forces. They remain a fundamental part of how the Alliance provides security to its members.

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Navy to Christen Submarine Colorado

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161202-01

Release Date: 12/2/2016 8:56:00 AM

From Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will christen its newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the future USS Colorado (SSN 788), during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Dec. 3 at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.

The Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. His daughter, Anne Mabus, is serving as the ship's sponsor.

"The christening of the future USS Colorado is an example of our enduring partnership with our nation's shipbuilders, and this ceremony marks a milestone along the journey to add another submarine to our Navy fleet-a fleet that will reach more than 300 ships by 2019," Mabus said. "Colorado and its crew will, for decades to come, carry the American spirit and the name of this great state around the world as a testament to the hard work and patriotism of those who built SSN 788 and the people who call Colorado home."

Colorado (SSN 788) is the 15th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the fifth Virginia-class Block III submarine. The ship began construction in 2015 and is scheduled to commission in 2017. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea superiority well into the 21st century.

The submarine will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with the name Colorado. The first Colorado was a three-masted steam screw frigate that participated in the Union Navy's Gulf Blockading Squadron and that fought in the Second Battle of Fort Fisher with then Lt. George Dewey, serving as her executive officer. In the early years of the 20th Century, the second Colorado (ACR-7) was a Pennsylvania-class armored cruiser that escorted convoys of men and supplies to England during World War I. The third ship of her name, the lead ship of the Colorado class of battleships (BB-45), supported operations in the Pacific theater throughout World War II, surviving two kamikaze attacks and earning seven battle stars.

Colorado has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, mine delivery and minefield mapping, and special forces delivery and support.

Virginia-class submarines, built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News, are 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length, have a beam of 34 feet and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. They are built with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship-reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

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USS Carney Completes Second FDNF Patrol

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161202-12

Release Date: 12/2/2016 11:34:00 AM

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Weston Jones, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs



Navy Public Affairs Support Element East Detachment Europe

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, Dec. 2, completing its second forward-deployed ballistic missile defense patrol in the U.S. 6th fleet area of operations.

Carney is one of four guided-missile destroyers to be forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

QUOTES:

"I could not be prouder of Carney and her Sailors. Over the course of the last four months, this ship has literally saved lives, assisting in the rescue of 97 migrants adrift in the Mediterranean Sea; we have reinforced strategic partnerships through exercises with Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria; and we have taken the fight to those who threaten our nation through participation in Operation Odyssey Lightning. The ship gets the credit, but it's the Sailors of 'Carney Nation' that made it happen." - Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, Commanding Officer, USS Carney

"With more than 20 years in the Navy, I can honestly say that I have never been more impressed with the attitude, motivation, and professionalism of Carney Sailors. The crew's ability to always be flexible and attack any challenge that comes their way is a true measure of the quality of today's Navy Sailors. I am privileged to be a part of their Navy and honored to have the responsibility of leading them every day!" - Master Chief Petty Officer Gary Rosenbaum, Command Master Chief, USS Carney

QUICK FACTS:

Carney left for this second patrol July 25.

On July 29, Carney assisted in the rescue of 97 migrants in a small craft in the Mediterranean Sea.

Carney was attached to the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group during Operation Odyssey Lightning and directly supported operations conducted against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in Sirte, Libya.

Carney conducted an at-sea change of command ceremony where Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen relieved Cmdr. Ken Pickard as commanding officer Nov. 5.

Many Sailors aboard Carney reached a new milestone in their careers while on patrol. Thirty-one enlisted Sailors and one officer were promoted. Two officers earned their surface warfare officer pins, one officer earned her surface warfare Supply Corps officer pin, and 36 Sailors earned their enlisted surface warfare specialist pins.

While on patrol, Carney conducted 12 strait transits, more than seven small-boat operations, and nine replenishment-at-sea evolutions with ships from the Military Sealift Command and Spanish navy.

Carney conducted flight operations with the Wasp ARG, and the Spanish and Turkish navies.

Carney participated in SMARTEX-162, an integrated maritime training exercise with the Spanish navy, and Exercise Mavi Balina 16 -- a Turkish led, multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise.

Carney's port visits included Rota, Spain; Souda Bay, Greece; Piraeus, Greece; and Aksaz, Turkey.

Carney is the fourth Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer to be forward deployed to Rota, Spain, in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquarted in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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Hue City Departs for Composite Unit Training Exercise

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS161202-10

Release Date: 12/2/2016 11:24:00 AM

By Ensign Danielle Abad, USS Hue City (CG 66) Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) departed Naval Station Mayport to begin a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), Nov. 28.

During COMPTUEX, the final phase in preparing the cruiser for its upcoming deployment, Hue City will test its operational readiness through cooperative efforts within GHWBCSG.

Hue City will be evaluated on its ability to defend critical assets in the battle group by exercising pre-planned responses through a series of varied scenarios. These realistic and challenging scenarios will allow the strike group to gauge readiness on multiple mission areas, including maritime interdiction operations, counter-piracy, and strike warfare.

"The 'Golden Dragons' of Hue City are looking forward to the operational challenges presented at COMPTUEX," said Capt. Dan Gillen, Hue City commanding officer. "This is a great exercise that will test our skills to collectively operate and fight as a strike group. Hue City Sailors have trained hard and are anxious to get on deployment."

The exercise will vastly improve Hue City's familiarization with GHWBCSG, and establish a proficient warfighting team. Upon the successful completion of COMPTUEX, Hue City will be considered capable of deploying for worldwide operations.

GHWBCSG is comprised of aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron 22, guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Laboon (DDG 58), and guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and Hue City.

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Gambia says opposition candidate Barrow won presidential election

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:13PM

Gambia's presidential election has been won by opposition candidate Adama Barrow, 51, ending the reign of longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh.

"I hereby declare Adama Barrow duly elected president of the Republic of Gambia for the next five years," Alieu Momarr Njai, head of the election commission, announced on Friday.

Barrow was declared the winner on Friday with 263,515 votes, or 45 percent, from Thursday's balloting.

Jammeh finished second with 36 percent, and a third candidate, Mama Kandeh, received 17 percent of the votes.

Jammeh, who is also 51 years old, had said he would lead the tiny West African nation for "a billion years." He had seized power in a coup in 1994 and then swept elections in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 after a 2002 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits.

Critics say those earlier elections were not free and fair.

Voting against Jammeh was a rare show of defiance against a leader who has effectively ruled by decree and who human rights groups say routinely crushes dissent by imprisoning and torturing opponents.

The latest vote was held amid a total blackout of the internet and all international calls, and with land borders sealed.

Barrow, a former businessman and real estate developer, has promised to revive Gambia's economy, end widespread human rights abuses and to step down after three years in an effort to boost democracy.

Victory rejoicing

"We are happy to be free," said Omar Amadou Jallow, an opposition leader for the People's Progressive Party, which joined the coalition supporting Barrow.

"We are able to free the Gambian people from the clutches of dictatorship, and we are now going to make sure Gambia becomes a bastion of peace and coalition. Our foundation will be based on national reconciliation," he said.

Meanwhile, celebrations took place in the streets of the capital Banjul with people shouting, "We are free. We won't be slaves of anyone."

Gambia, with less than 2 million population, is a small country popular among European tourists for its diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and pristine beaches.

The majority of the country are Muslims.

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200,000 protest in Indonesia against Jakarta gov.

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 9:56AM

Some 200,000 Indonesians have taken to the streets in Jakarta in a second, major protest rally against the governor of the capital .

They gathered in Jakarta's National Monument park on Friday, calling for the arrest of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a who is being prosecuted as a suspect in a blasphemy case.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who is a political ally of the embattled Jakarta governor, unexpectedly arrived at the site and called for protesters to disperse peacefully.

Over 20,000 security forces had been deployed to the city to ensure the demonstration stayed orderly. Police said they had arrested eight people suspected of "treason."

Two other people were arrested for alleged crimes under Indonesia's law on electronic information and transactions.

A previous protest in Jakarta had attracted about 100,000 people, who marched on the presidential palace and called for Purnama's dismissal, on November 4.

Clashes during that protest left one person dead and dozens of others injured. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the demonstrators.

Purnama stirred controversy after he dismissed a political attack by his opponents by invoking a verse from the holy Qur'an. His move was perceived as an insult to Islam by his opponents.

The governor is being investigated for blasphemy, which is considered a criminal offense in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

On Wednesday, the Office of the State Prosecutor announced that the police record on the case had met the requirements for Purnama's blasphemy case to proceed to a trial.

The ethnic Chinese governor could be imprisoned for five years if found guilty.

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and President of Poland Andrzej Duda have agreed to hold a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation in spring 2017, giving appropriate instructions to the co-chairs of the commission, according to the official website of the Ukrainian president.

Poroshenko noted the effective Ukrainian-Polish cooperation in the development of border infrastructure and thanked the Polish government for the issue of a $100 million credit at 0.15% per annum for 30 years with a five-year grace loan for building infrastructure, roads and checkpoints.

Duda, in turn, assured Poroshenko of Poland's continued support in reforming Ukraine. Poroshenko thanked for such assistance, noting that the Polish model was used as a basis for Ukrainian decentralization.
Trump chooses James Mattis for US secretary of defense

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 3:15AM

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that retired Marine General James Mattis, an outspoken critic of the Iran nuclear agreement, will serve as his secretary of defense.

"We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defense. But we're not announcing it until Monday so don't tell anybody," Trump told a rally on Thursday in Cincinnati, the first stop on a post-election "thank-you tour."

"They say he's the closest thing to Gen. George Patton that we have and it's about time," he added.

Mattis, 66, served more than four decades in the Marine Corps. The retired four-star general, known as "Mad Dog" and the "Warrior Monk," had been involved in several key military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In November 2001, he led Marines that carried out a raid in helicopters on Afghanistan's Kandahar province, giving the US military a new foothold against Taliban militants after the October 2001 American-led invasion of the country.

In 2003, Mattis commanded a division of Marines during the Iraq war, and in 2004 he led Marines in bloody street fighting in the city of Fallujah.

Like Trump, Mattis is also an opponent of the Iran nuclear agreement, which was reached last year between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany. Under the deal, Tehran agreed to limit some aspects of its nuclear program in exchange for removal of sanctions.

According to The Washington Post, Mattis favors a tougher stance against the countries which Washington considers its foes. He particularly holds anti-Iran views.

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in April, Mattis called Iran "the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East."

He further said that "America has become somewhat irrelevant in the Middle East, and we certainly have the least influence in 40 years," in the region.

Mattis served as the commander of the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) from August 2010 to March 2013.

But President Barack Obama purportedly decided to remove Mattis -- about five months earlier than expected -- from his National Security Council over his confrontational military strategy with regard to Iran.

The retired general was considered very close to Israel and certain Arab regimes. According to his one confidant, Steven Simon, Mattis made several trips to Israel and its Arab neighbors in a bid to build up an Israeli-Arab alliance against Iran.

Simon, who worked with him at CENTCOM, said Israelis and Arabs "respected Mattis because they saw him as a straight shooter and a good listener."

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Trump Taps Ex-Marine General As Defense Secretary

RFE/RL December 02, 2016

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped a retired U.S. Marine Corps general known for blunt talk and battlefield victories in Iraq and Afghanistan to be his defense secretary.

Trump made the announcement that he wanted General James Mattis to head the Pentagon during a rally on December 1.

Mattis, 66, led Marine divisions in the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, and then the 2003 invasion to topple Iraq's Saddam Hussein. He later commanded the U.S. troops that retook the Iraqi city of Fallujah during one of the war's bloodiest battles in 2004.

He led U.S. Central Command beginning in 2010, overseeing military operations in the Middle East until his retirement in 2013.

Since retiring, Mattis has been outspoken in his criticism of President Barack Obama's policies in the region, saying they had contributed to the rise of extremism there.

He's also voiced tough positions on Iran, as well as Russia, something that puts him at odds with the conciliatory stance Trump has expressed toward Moscow.

Known within military circles by the nickname "Mad Dog," Mattis's blunt, acerbic manner has earned him rebukes in the past.

In 2005, he drew criticism when he told a panel discussion in California, "It's fun to shoot some people."

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said in comments that were recorded on video. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

Mattis is likely to get strong backing from Congress, which must approve his nomination.

Before they do that, however, they will have to pass an exemption to current law restricting when military personnel can hold senior civilian Defense Department positions after retiring.

With Mattis's nomination, Trump has named most of his top foreign-policy advisers and cabinet members, though he has still not settled on a candidate to be secretary of state.

With reporting by The Washington Post and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-mattis- defense-secretary/28151604.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Danish Foreign Minister Confirms Pulling Fighters From Syria, Iraq

Sputnik News

18:36 02.12.2016

Danish foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen said that Denmark decided to withdraw its fighter aircraft from military operations in Syria and Iraq, but about 150 Danish specialists will provide consultative help to the anti-Daesh coalition.

STOCKHOLM (Sputnik)  Danish foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen confirmed on Friday reports on the country's decision to pull seven F-16 fighters participating in an operation against the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terror group in Iraq and Syria.

Earlier on Friday, media reported that Denmark decided to withdraw its fighter aircraft from military operations in Syria and Iraq due to their involvement in a US-led coalition airstrike, which accidentally killed Syrian army servicemen in September.

"Denmark offers a new form of cooperation to the coalition, so about 150 specialists will provide consultative help. Today we also informed the [parliament's] foreign policy committee that in 2017 the government will continue to support the coalition but, as it was earlier planned, will pull aviation," Samuelsen said, as quoted by the Foreign Ministry's press service.

Denmark is also going to provide areas liberated from Daesh, outlawed in Russia, with necessary aid, he said.

On September 17, coalition planes hit the Syrian army positions near the Deir ez-Zor airport, killing 62 servicemen and injuring more than 100, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The attack was later confirmed by the US Central Command, which said that Syrian troops were mistaken for the Daesh jihadists.

The US-led coalition has been carrying out anti-Daesh strikes in Syria and Iraq since September 2014 without the approval of the UN Security Council or Syrian authorities.

 Sputnik

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US Drills Fending Off Russian 'Hybrid War' in Norwegian Cold

Sputnik News

17:06 02.12.2016(updated 17:27 02.12.2016)

Norway, where 330 US Marines are to be stationed next January to enhance the country's security, is holding joint exercises with American soldiers in the trademark Nordic cold. The goal of the "realistic scenario" exercise near the town of Bardufoss is to prepare for the Russian "hybrid war."

In the course of the joint exercise, Abrams tanks were set farther north than they ever have been before. Additionally, a unit from North Carolina is training with Norwegian troops. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, this is a special occasion to train against "hybrid war" on Russia's part, Norwegian daily Dagbladet reported.

The very concept of hybrid war has spread outside military circles after the conflict in Eastern Ukraine broke out in 2014. The notion of hybrid war implies a state or another actor using diplomatic, military, economic or technological means to inflict damage to another country.

According to brigadier Eldar Bernil, Crimea's re-unification with Russia, which was perceived as a hostile takeover, made Norway shift its focus from Afghanistan to collective defense.

At present, Norway reportedly stands prepared for the "Crimean" scenario. The first strategy involves the presence of armored vehicles, which would confront "separatists" and force their backers, i.e. Russia, to introduce armored vehicles of its own, thus making state backing obvious. Secondly, the presence of US Marines ensures that any encroachment on Norwegian territory automatically involves US retaliation.

The controversial decision to station 330 US Marines at Vrnes base, which according to Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Sreide was "in line with the general Norwegian policy," came under fire from the opposition for "relinquishing the responsibility for Norway's security to US marines."

The Russian Embassy in Oslo stressed in an e-mail to Adresseavisen that the policy of avoiding foreign troops on Norwegian soil always has been an advantage to Norway, even in the time of the Cold War.

On a curious side note, despite the fact that Bardufoss lies over 500 kilometers away from the Russian border, many media presented the maneuver as if it was held in Russia's immediate proximity. Earlier this week, CNN published its report on the exercise with dateline Kirkenes, which is in fact a town near the Norwegian-Russian border, which led fellow media outlets into the erroneous belief that the exercise was held on NATO's frontier to Russia.

Remarkably, Norwegian daily Dagbladet and Swedish tabloid Expressen both fell into this trap, informing their readers that US soldiers trained "just off the Russian border." Later, the error was rectified.

This annoying inaccuracy made Thomas Nilsen, editor of the Kirkenes-based Independent Barents Observer magazine, shake his head in disappointment.

"For us who daily follow the propaganda of the Russian state media, CNN's coverage proves the fact that the drums of war are played rather subjectively even in American media," a dismayed Thomas Nilsen told iFinnmark outlet.

 Sputnik

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US Army to Upgrade Georgia Light Infantry Unit Into Heavy Armored Brigade

Sputnik News

01:10 02.12.2016(updated 08:11 02.12.2016)

The US Army announced Wednesday that next summer it will re-convert a Georgia-based light-infantry brigade into a heavy-armored brigade, as part of an effort to strengthen the service's ability to fight threats on foreign soil.

According to an Army statement, midway through 2017 the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart will be renamed the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, and the unit will trade in its light-infantry equipment for infantry fighting vehicles, complete with self-propelled howitzer cannons and upgraded armor, along with tanks.

It was reported that 200 armored vehicles would be added to the unit in the conversion, bringing the Army's total armored brigades to 15, five in reserve and ten in active duty. The service has stated that it will be better equipped to respond to potential conflicts with China, North Korea, Iran and Russia, which Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and other officials have highlighted as the future of US military focus.

Army force management director Major General Andrew Poppas noted that some of these nations have begun closing the gap in military power with the US, and the transition will help give Washington the ability to "overmatch" their capabilities.

"The Spartan Brigade" took part in the 2003 Iraq invasion and was a central force in "Thunder Runs," the operation to capture Baghdad. It has only been a light infantry unit for two years, and was converted as part of Army drawdown efforts in May 2015.

"The Army is pragmatically and proactively increasing the number of armored brigade combat teams in the force to address the several security challenges that have been identified by the secretary of defense," said Col. Brian Ellis, force management division chief for Army operations.

He told the Army website that, "As part of our Army processeswe're always reviewing requirements based on strategic guidance to provide the right mix of capabilities to support geographic combatant commanders."

Ellis added that brigade would begin training in 2018 and in 2019 would conduct a combat center training rotation.

 Sputnik

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Philippine Leader Suggests Talks With Violent Muslim Rebels

By Ralph Jennings December 02, 2016

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has offered to negotiate with two of his country's most violent Muslim rebel groups after months of military strikes, making his strategy for ending a complex 45-year conflict unclear despite pledges to settle it.

In a recent speech, Duterte called for negotiations with Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group, another Muslim separatist camp in the country's southwestern corner.

In August, after a month in office, the president, known as a strict crime fighter, told police and the armed forces to "seek them out in their lairs and destroy" Abu Sayyaf, a group of about 400 people often described as a ransom-seeking business organization.

Earlier success

Many voters figured Duterte would get the job done because he had made peace with a rebel group in Davao City while mayor there for 22 years. Davao City is on Mindanao, a southern island of 21 million people where Abu Sayyaf and Maute also operate.

"There was sort of hope that perhaps there would be more progress under Duterte, but this is a long-running issue. I think any claims of being able to solve it overnight are somewhat dubious," said Christian de Guzman, vice president and senior credit officer with Moody's in Singapore. "When we talk about [the core of] the issue, it goes back to before the founding of the republic."

Abu Sayyaf formed in 1991 and has patched itself up quickly whenever attacked by government forces. The group gets support from local people, as well as officials, on smaller islands near Mindanao by offering a share of kidnapping ransoms. The Maute group, also known as Islamic State in Lanao, is a 3-year-old guerrilla movement.

Both groups identify with the violent Islamic State organization known for terrorist acts in multiple countries. The Maute took over part of a Mindanao town last month and lost 19 people in battles with armed forces trying to retake it. Abu Sayyaf kidnapped two German tourists in November and killed one of them. It's suspected of a deadly nighttime bomb blast in a market in September.

Abu Sayyaf had been "driven to desperation" and "pushed to the wall," local media quoted Duterte telling a university alumni gathering recently in Metro Manila. Yet the group feels "nationalism for the land" it has historically occupied, he added, and "you cannot finish (the war), because that place belongs to them."

No offer, response yet

Residents in Mindanao, where rebel violence has hampered economic development, hope any negotiations will help.

"It's kind of like new ground for us, too. Everybody's hoping, but cautiously hoping. I'm hopeful, but still there's a part of me going, 'yeah, but we don't know what these people want,'" said Rhona Canoy, president of the International School Cagayan de Oro and part of a local political family.

Duterte has not said what he would offer Abu Sayyaf or the Maute group in negotiations, and neither group has answered his overture.

Questions about how to handle Abu Sayyaf underline the complexity of the rebel movement in Mindanao and outlying Sulu Sea, an area the Islamic Moro people have inhabited for centuries. Other Muslim rebel groups have stirred trouble since the 1960s, leading to an estimated 120,000 dead. Many want more control of the land they occupy.

Duterte may be mulling dialogue with Abu Sayyaf because another rebel group is sheltering it, analysts say. The leader of that group, the Moro National Liberation Front, resented the former president for signing a 2014 peace and autonomy-sharing deal with a third group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or MILF. The deal did not become law because of a shootout between MILF members and government troops in 2015.

Filipinos are unsure how seriously to take remarks from the president, who has changed his mind on other issues since taking office. But many, particularly those from Mindanao, expect Duterte to have answers because he had pushed a once violent leftist group into the hinterlands of Davao City in the early 1990s.

Duterte says the two liberation fronts are willing to hold talks with his government.

"Basically the way he deals with rebel groups in Davao is a very pragmatic way, 'keep out of my city and don't make trouble here and I won't go after you,' something like that," said Jay Batongbacal, associate law professor at the University of the Philippines.

At the national level, Batongbacal said, "he'll want to have an agreement whereby government will give the MILF whatever it needs for them to basically not make trouble."

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Evicted Jakarta Residents Join Hardline Rally Against Governor

By Krithika Varagur December 02, 2016

Far-right Islamic parties were the driving force behind a massive religious demonstration Friday against Jakarta's governor, but those weren't the only interests represented among protesters. Hundreds of residents of poor neighborhoods like Luar Batang and Pasar Ikan, where the governor has pushed for massive evictions, also showed up in solidarity.

The rally was the second major protest against the governor, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian who has been accused of blasphemy. More than 200,000 protesters showed up for the demonstration convened by the right-wing Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) party, and they were joined by Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, who made a surprise visit and urged the crowds to remain peaceful.

Many of those who gathered are upset over Ahok's aggressive eviction policies in North Jakarta. Development in the area, which abuts the waterfront and has a scenic old town and harbor, has affected more than 16,000 residents.

His administration hopes to turn Luar Batang, which has a historic mosque, into a religious site, and Pasar Ikan, which means "fish market," into a tourist area. They say the neighborhoods are unsuitable for residences because of frequent flooding and rising ocean levels.

Less than one-third of affected residents has been offered alternative accommodations, according to the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation. And those who have are reluctant to leave for crumbling apartments in North and East Jakarta, far from their families and hyperlocal economies.

FPI's opportunism

It's no accident that residents of these neighborhoods were easily able to mobilize mass protests. As soon as the government threatened to evict about 1,000 Luar Batang residents in April 2016, FPI set up a charity operation there. They supplied food and clothing to potential eviction victims for three months, and when they closed shop in June, they had accrued strong ideological support from local citizens.

"I've studied FPI for over a decade and they have no particular interest in poverty, social justice, or land rights," said Ian Wilson, who researches Indonesian politics at Murdoch University in Australia. "I think they just saw a good opportunity to exploit popular support." People who live in evicted neighborhoods share a common enemy with FPI, which opposes Ahok for his ethnicity and liberalism. "What is surprising to me, though, is how fast young people in these neighborhoods have become sucked into FPI ideology, especially on social media. It's their frame of discourse now, including the racist, sexist, and reactionary logic of FPI dogma."

"FPI's support has been immense," said Mansur Amin, secretary of the Luar Batang mosque and a longtime resident. "When people were threatened with eviction, for a month, three times a day, FPI provided them with food, milk, volunteers, and other provisions. This adds up to more than 100 million rupiahs. FPI did this continuously, silently, and without exposing themselves to the media. It was done sincerely and full of goodwill." Although Amin could not attend Friday's rally for medical reasons, he enthusiastically went on November 4, and said hundreds of his friends in the neighborhood went again today.

No one in Luar Batang has been evicted yet; the effort has been stalled due to complications in the low-cost apartments where residents are to resettle; but, if and when the time comes, they are ready to fight. And they have a powerful mouthpiece in FPI.

An ambitious lawsuit

"The demo today was great: peaceful, timely, and orderly," said Dharma Dhiani, a Pasar Ikan resident and neighborhood activist. "We simply demanded that the blasphemer and law-breaker is treated according to the existing laws;" but, she, and her neighborhood, aren't pinning their hopes for their homes just on protests or regime change. The rally was sort of a cathartic break amidst a seven-month-long class action lawsuit levied by the entire neighborhood of Pasar Ikan on the city of Jakarta for wrongful eviction.

"We're hoping that the court finds that the provincial government is wrong, and we're also seeking [monetary] liabilities on forced evictions cases in Pasar Ikan," said Matthew Lengu, a lawyer with the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute who is overseeing the case. There are 320 residents named in the lawsuit and Dhiani is a lead plaintiff. More than 100 residents showed up at a hearing at the Jakarta state court on November 24, waiting over four hours, but the judge heard them for just a few minutes before pointing out paperwork issues and suggesting that they return in two weeks. This type of stalling is a classic technique of Jakarta courts, said Ian Wilson.

Although the defendants' chance of absolute success is "close to zero," according to Wilson, they may yet win some useful concessions like getting the government to rebuild destroyed houses.

Dhiani, who has four school-age children, is still defiantly squatting in her one-room house, just steps from Jakarta's famous Sunda Kelapa harbor. Its tin roof is full of holes and whenever it rains, which is every day, the house slightly floods. She's lived there for 21 years.

Overlooked lower class

"We don't care about Ahok's religion or ethnicity; it's his policies that are ruining our lives," said Dhiani. "We are not racist. In fact, one of the lawyers on our case is Chinese!"

The same refrain was heard all through Luar Batang and Pasar Ikan, which are separated by a narrow strait of water. They've lived here for 30, 40 years, they said. And the new apartments, where about one-third of Pasar Ikan residents have resettled, are by many accounts sub par, with dirty water and cramped quarters.

These people's alignment with FPI is understandable, although not inevitable. What transpired is analogous to what has happened with similar working-class concerns across the globe. The majority party serves, or is perceived to serve, middle-class and global interests, and radical parties or politicians give voice to the marginalized poor. In Indonesia's case, two sentiments that many believe have been sidelined under the current administration, fundamentalist Islam and poor people's land rights, amplified each other's concerns.

The best case scenario of the lawsuit and for these neighborhoods at large depends on who wins the gubernatorial election in February. "Two months ago, I felt Ahok had it on lock, but it's conceivable that he could lose next year," said Wilson. It wouldn't be the only surprising election result this year.

There are no easy solutions. Ahok remains quite popular, these coastal neighborhoods will eventually become unlivable due to climate change, and it's true that Jakarta's tourist infrastructure needs extensive development; but, for these residents today, it's better to protest robustly than submit to a poorly thought-out eviction regimen.

"I mean, look around this place," said Dhiani, after we walked through the flimsy houses, tents, ad hoc mosque, and piles of rubble that make up Pasar Ikan. "Doesn't it make you sad? It makes me very sad."

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China-U.S. Relations

Some say the United States and China both need an enemy because fear of the enemy, or metus hostilis, would enhance domestic cohesion. In the first century BC, the Roman historian Sallust wrote that the republic had descended into internal strife because of the destruction of its enemy, Carthage, in the Third Punic War. Without an adversary, Romans turned their knives inward: when the minds of the people were relieved of that dread [of Carthage], wantonness and arrogance naturally arose.

The period that was broadly described as engagement has come to an end, Kurt Campbell, the U.S. coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs on the National Security Council, said 26 May 2021 at Stanford University. Beijing's behavior was emblematic of a shift toward "harsh power, or hard power" which "signals that China is determined to play a more assertive role," he said. Campbell said Xi Jinping was at the heart of the new US approach to China. He described the Chinese president was deeply ideological, but also quite unsentimental and not terribly interested in economics. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has almost completely disassembled nearly 40 years of mechanisms designed for collective leadership.

The China-US competition is heating up. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described China-US relations as "competitive when it should be, collaborative when it can be, and adversarial when it must be." The last global realignment took place immediately following WWII. Washington wants to hold on its global dominance for as long as possible while Beijing is eagerly working to supplant the USs superpower status, first in Asia, then in Africa and the Middle East. The Chinese strategy in achieving its objectives is quite clear: unlike the USs disproportionate investments in military power, China is keen on winning its coveted status, at least for the time being, using soft power only.

In China, the period between 1842 and 1949, when the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) was founded and the country ceased to march to the beat of a Western drum, is called the century of humiliation. Even now, Chinese President Xi Jinping only expects China to have caught up with the West once again by 2049, a century after the country resumed its course of development.

China has warned the US against starting a new cold war and said it's not trying to replace America's role in the world.Their already patchy trade relations have worsened in recent weeks. Many are saying the Phase One deal reached by the US and China was precarious to begin with and there's little chance of it being renegotiated. China had weakened its currency to its lowest level since 2008 after renewed threats from the US to slap fresh tariffs on the Chinese economy. China was committed to increasing energy imports from the US but this doesn't look likely.

The US intervened in China twice in the 19th century, helping the British to take the key trading city of Guangzhou in the Second Opium War and then sending troops as part of the multi-national imperialist effort to crush the Boxer Rebellion, the widespread 1899-1902 rebellion against the Western powers that had all but taken over China. At home, in 1882, the US also passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned all immigration from China - again, on the argument that such immigrants posed a threat to the integrity of American society. The law was not fully repealed until 1965.

After the Communist Party of China won the civil war against the Republic of China, which then became Taiwan, the CIA reportedly spent nearly $100 million funding a guerrilla force inside the new PRC. The CIA also had an entire program aimed at destabilizing Tibet by funding guerrilla forces there - a program US President Richard Nixon only abandoned in 1971 - and the US has provided extensive support to Taiwan, even after legally acknowledging the PRC as the sole legitimate government of all of China in 1979.

In 2015, Beijing unveiled a strategic plan called Made in China 2025. It set out a roadmap for establishing China as the worlds top player in key industries, but also triggered the countrys ongoing tensions with Washington. The latest developments could compound that situation. Some experts say Xi was using the friction to further strengthen his grip on power. At the same time, many people believe his policies to promote innovation are the key to making China a global powerhouse.

The American approach to China since the start of "reform and opening up" in the early 1980s was based on the premise that trade and engagement with China would eventually produce a peaceful, democratic state. Successive American presidents facilitated the peaceful rise of China. The Communist Party of China led the West to believe that the its system and the Party-ruled People's Liberation Army were peaceful and posed no threat.

With the advent of Xi Jinping, the hope of promoting a benign People's Republic of China appears to have failed. In fact, these policies produced the emergence of a 21st Century Evil Empire at least as dangerous as the Cold War Soviet version. This revisionist nuclear-armed communist dictatorship was focused on a single overriding strategic objective: overturning the hegemoney of the United States of America. Defeating the United States was the first step in achieving global hegemony in a new world order centered on China and based an ideology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Under Modern Conditions.

Along the way technology theft from American companies took place on a massive scale through cyber theft and unfair trade practices. The losses directly supported in the buildup of the Chinese military that now threatens American and allied interests around the world. The military threat was only half the danger as China aggressively pursues regional and international control using a variety of non-military forces, including economic, cyber and space warfare and large-scale influence operations.

By 2020 the US/PRC strategic competition had entered a new phase with no certain endpoint or predictable end-state. US national security strategy and DoD planning, budgets and programs are making a shift not seen since the end of the Cold War. DoD had long thought China was an emerging military threat that would require adjustments in US defense policy. This view reached a new level of concern/awareness under the Trump Administration. China was now viewed in many ways as a military "peer" with credible capabilities in specific areas that have been purposely pursued to negate US & allied military advantages in the Pacific.

China created an impression of power, and it was not clear how the US administration would proceed with China: by 2009 there was the impression of a shift within the US administration towards greater accommodation of China. The American reaction to the USS Impeccable incident in March 2009 showed a disconnect, and created the impression that the US felt the need to accommodate the Chinese. It looked like the US was adjusting to a new reality. The US response to the Impeccable fed into China's efforts to create an impression of power that might be used to coerce other nations.

During the course of the November 2014 APEC Summit in Beijing, the US and China signed a series of agreements in the military sphere that will help the two countries reduce the risk of a military confrontation in Eastern Asia. The agreements establish a framework for cooperation in the event that either side takes any large-scale military actions, requiring the parties to inform each other in advance of any such steps. The document also sets out a code of conduct to be followed if U.S. or Chinese military air or naval units come into contact with each other.

The countries decided to sign the agreement because lately there had been an increase in incidents (in particular, China's inclusion of the East China Sea territory in its air defense zone) that are capable of placing Beijing and Washington on the verge of a conflict that would be disadvantageous for both sides.

The Democratic Partys proposed platform criticizes Chinas trade practices, proposes less spending on national defense, and opposes forever wars as it seeks to lay out the partys foreign policy goals and highlight differences with President Donald Trump. China became one of the central foreign policy issues in the 2020 presidential race, heightened by President Donald Trumps trade war with the country as well as the coronavirus pandemic, which originated there. In their party platform, Democrats took a strong stance against Chinas trade policies and sought to portray Trumps efforts against the country as not tough enough.

"The Trump Administration has failed time after time to deliver for American workers on this crucial issue, siding with corporate interests over our workers and launching a trade war with China that they have no plan for winningcreating incredible hardship for American farmers, manufacturers, workers, and consumers in the process .

"Democrats will take aggressive action against China or any other country that tries to undercut American manufacturing by manipulating their currencies and maintaining a misaligned exchange rate with the dollar, dumping products like steel and aluminum in our markets, or providing unfair subsidies. Unlike President Trump, we will stand up to efforts from China and other state actors to steal Americas intellectual property and will demand China and other countries cease and desist from conducting cyberespionage against our companies.... We will build on this foundation to negotiate arms control agreements that reflect the emergence of new players like China, capture new technologies, and move the world back from the nuclear precipice....

"Democrats believe that if the United States does not work with its allies and partners to shape the terms of global trade, China will shape them for usand American working families and the middle class will pay the price. Thats why we will work with our allies to mobilize more than half the worlds economy to stand up to China and negotiate from the strongest possible position.

"Democrats believe the China challenge is not primarily a military one, but we will deter and respond to aggression. We will underscore our global commitment to freedom of navigation and resist the Chinese militarys intimidation in the South China Sea. Democrats are committed to the Taiwan Relations Act and will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues consistent with the wishes and best interests of the people of Taiwan.

"Rather than stand with President Xi Jinping as he cracks down on Hong Kongs autonomy, Democrats will stand for the democratic rights of its citizens. We will fully enforce the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, including by sanctioning officials, financial institutions, companies, and individuals responsible for undercutting Hong Kongs autonomy. And we will bring the world together to condemn the internment of more than one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in concentration camps in China, using the tools provided by the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act."

Biden claimed credit for paving the way to the Paris Agreement by convincing China to enter into an earlier landmark climate deal with the United States, in 2014. But his rhetoric changed in recent years as U.S.-China relations have deteriorated. In a June 2020 op-ed in Foreign Affairs, Biden said his climate agenda would include insisting that China  the worlds largest emitter of carbon  stop subsidizing coal exports and outsourcing pollution to other countries by financing billions of dollars worth of dirty fossil fuel energy projects through its Belt and Road Initiative.

"To win the competition for the future against China or anyone else, the United States must sharpen its innovative edge and unite the economic might of democracies around the world to counter abusive economic practices and reduce inequality.... The United States does need to get tough with China. If China has its way, it will keep robbing the United States and American companies of their technology and intellectual property. It will also keep using subsidies to give its state-owned enterprises an unfair advantageand a leg up on dominating the technologies and industries of the future."

At a Democratic campaign event in Florida in October 2018, Biden said the U.S. was "better positioned than any nation in the world to own the 21st century," adding that China is "a divided country in 1,000 ways ... Don't tell me China's going to own America. It's not possible."

"China is going to eat our lunch? Come on, man  They can't even figure out how to deal with the fact that they have this great division between the China Sea and the mountains in the West. They can't figure out how theyre going to deal with the corruption that exists within the system. Theyre not bad folks, folks Theyre not competition for us." Biden said at a campaign stop in Iowa on 02 May 2019.

On 22 May 2020 Biden said "For more than three years, President Trump has given Xi Jinping and autocrats around the world a pass on human rights. Trump has repeatedly turned a blind eye to Chinas deepening repression in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and throughout China. In fact, just last November, Donald Trump declared that he was standing with Xi Jinping on Hong Kong and praised Chinas leaders for acting very responsibly. Now we see the consequences: leaders in Beijing are proposing a law to further erode Hong Kongs autonomy and the rights of its citizens. It is no surprise Chinas government believes it can act with impunity to violate its commitments. The Administrations protests are too little, too late  and Donald Trump has conspicuously had very little to say. We need to be clear, strong, and consistent on values when it comes to China. Thats what Ill do as president."

Right now, by every key metric, Chinas strategic position is stronger, and Americas strategic position is weaker, Antony Blinken, now U.S. secretary of state, told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce two months before the November 2020 presidential election.

President-elect Joe Biden planned to sign a series of executive orders soon after being sworn into office on 20 January 2021, demonstrating that the countrys politics had shifted and that his presidency would be guided by new priorities.

Biden said on Day One hell reassure the USs allies that were back and you can count on us again.

rejoin the Paris climate accords

reverse President Trumps withdrawal from the World Health Organization

repeal the ban on almost all travel from some Muslim-majority countries

reinstate the program allowing dreamers, who were brought to the USA illegally as children, to remain in the country,

But pushing major legislation through Congress could prove to be a challenge. In a 14 July 2020 speech, Biden promised that if elected, he would reverse Trumps rollbacks used to enable fossil fuel extraction, like orders that allowed oil and gas companies to speed through permitting processes for new pipelines. Biden could also issue a number of his own executive orders to reduce extraction, like directing the Department of the Interior to halt oil and gas leases and fracking on federal lands.

Voice of America reported a list of US president-elect Joe Biden's potential advisors on China policies, including former deputy secretary of state Antony Blinken, former ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, former assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Kurt Campbell, deputy director at the Center for a New American Security Ely Ratner, former national security advisors Jake Sullivan, Susan Rice and Thomas Donilon. According to their resumes, almost all of them come from the administration of former president Barack Obama.

Donilon in 2019 published an article in Foreign Affairs magazine, arguing that US incumbent President Donald Trump's trade war is "the wrong way to compete with China," and the US should focus on renewal, rather than protectionism. Blinken said in September that, "China's strategic position is stronger and ours is weaker as a result of President Trump's leadership." He also said that Trump left "a vacuum in the world for China to fill." Campbell and Sullivan wrote in Foreign Affairs in 2019 that, "the goal should be to establish favorable terms of coexistence with Beijing in four key competitive domains - military, economic, political and global governance."

Judging from the narratives from these advisors, the goal of Biden administration's China policy is almost identical to that of the Trump administration, albeit more tactfully stated. The Biden administration will continue to regard China as its main rival, seeing China as the biggest threat to maintain its position as a global hegemony. However, Biden will differ from Trump on dealing with this challenge.

Blinken said Trump had weakened American alliances, abandoned US values and gave China a green light to trample on so-called human rights and democracy. This reflects the reality that the Biden administration will underline human rights and democracy, and will create an ideological alliance by uniting its allies such as Europe, Japan and South Korea in a bid to pile pressure on China.

On 13 November 2020 Donald Trump signed an executive order banning Americans from investing in Chinese firms the administration says are owned by or controlled by Chinas military. The order covers 31 Chinese firms that Washington said "enable the development and modernisation" of China's military and "directly threaten" US security.

Karen Freifeld writing for Reuters reported 22 November 2020 that Commerce Department had drafted a list of 117 Russian and Chinese aerospace companies it intended to designate as military end users, which would complicate U.S. exports to those companies. Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) and Aviation Industry of China (AVIC), China's two largest aerospace firms, were on the list. The enterprises have joint ventures with US companies. COMAC builds the C919, a single-aisle aircraft that competes with the Boeing B737 and the Airbus A320. COMAC uses a number of American key components and engines for the C919. U.S. companies would need export licenses to supply designated companies. Those licenses could be granted, but there is a presumption of denial. Designating 89 Chinese aerospace companies as "military end users" might be difficult to undo.

China said 02 Janaury 2021 that it would take necessary countermeasures after the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) began delisting securities of three Chinese telecommunications companies. The NYSE announced earlier this week that it would halt the trading in shares of China Mobile Ltd., China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. and China Telecom Corp Ltd. by January 11. The stock exchange said it took the decision because of the executive order from US President Donald Trump that barred Americans from investing in firms with ties to the Chinese military. All three telco companies are state-run enterprises that operate under Beijing's firm control. They are the only three companies in China that are allowed to provide broad-band telecommunication services, an industry the government believes should remain under state control.

Biden used his first visit to the Pentagon as commander in chief 10 February 2021 to announce the formation of a new Defense Department China Task Force, charged with reexamining the U.S. approach in areas from strategy and force posture to technology and intelligence. The task force will work quickly, drawing on civilian and military experts across the department to provide within the next few months recommendations to [Defense] Secretary [Lloyd] Austin on key priorities and decision points so that we can chart a strong path forward on China-related matters," Biden told reporters.

A March 2021 Pew poll found that Americans express substantial concern when asked about eight specific issues in the U.S.-China relationship. About three-quarters or more say that each issue is at least somewhat serious. Still, four problems stand out for being ones that half or more describe as very serious: cyberattacks from China, the loss of U.S. jobs to China, Chinas growing military power and Chinas policies on human rights. Tensions between mainland China and Hong Kong or Taiwan are seen as less serious problems for most Americans. While about three-quarters say these two geopolitical issues are at least somewhat serious problems, only about three-in-ten say they are very serious.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated China's three bottom lines in effectively managing and controlling divergences in China-US relations

the US should not challenge, smear or seek to subvert the Chinese path and system should not seek to interrupt or disrupt China's development should not violate China's national sovereignty or territorial integrity

unconditionally revoke the visa restrictions over Communist Party of China (CPC) members and their families

revoke sanctions on Chinese leaders, officials and government agencies

remove visa restrictions on Chinese students

stop suppressing Chinese enterprises

stop harassing Chinese students

stop suppressing the Confucius Institutes

revoke the registration of Chinese media outlets as "foreign agents" or "foreign missions"

revoke the extradition request for Meng Wanzhou

during his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on 26 July 2021 during Sherman's visit to north China's port city of Tianjin. Such a proactive way of laying out Beijing's bottom lines and elaborating major concerns to Washington followed a hardline diplomatic approach, first used at the China-US Alaska meeting in March 2021. On 26 July 2021 Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng handed down a "List of US Wrongdoings that Must Stop" and a "List of Key Individual Cases that China Has Concerns". This came in a meeting between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng, who is in-charge of the US-China relations. In the List of U.S. Wrongdoings that Must Stop, China urged the United States to:

In the "List of Key Individual Cases that China Has Concerns", China expressed serious concerns to the United States on some key individual cases, including:

some Chinese students' visa applications being rejected

Chinese citizens receiving unfair treatment in the United States

Chinese diplomatic and consular missions being harassed and rammed into by perpetrators in the United States

growing anti-Asian and anti-China sentiment

Chinese citizens suffering violent attacks

China has been more proactive in handling relations with the US. In the past, it was the US bringing up the lists toward which China responded. By taking the initiative, Chinese officials also demonstrated a 'new normal' in diplomacy. This solidified an important posture adjustment in China's approach to dealing with the US that began with the Anchorage talks: We will no longer make unilateral efforts to maintain the public opinion atmosphere in China-US relations.

The fundamental reason for the deadlock in China-US relations is that some in the US always see China as an "imaginary enemy," Xie told Sherman. "Washington has been trying to contain China, thinking that will solve its problems, as if the only way for the US to become great again is to contain China's development," Xie said.

The US hope may be that "by demonizing China, it could somehow shift domestic public discontent over political, economic and social issues and blame China for its own structural problems. It seems that a whole-of-government and whole-of-society campaign is being waged to bring China down," Xie told Sherman at the meeting. Before Sherman's visit to Tianjin, China used its newly enacted Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law for the first time to impose reciprocal sanctions on six US individuals and one entity, including former US secretary of commerce Wilbur Louis Ross. China seems to have no worries that this may affect the atmosphere of the Tianjin talks during Sherman's visit.

An unsigned editorial in Global Times [ie, representing the official Chinese Communist Party line], stated "Chinese society has become fed up with the bossy US and we hold no more illusion that China and the US would substantially improve ties in the foreseeable future. The Chinese public strongly supports the government to safeguard national dignity in its ties with the US and firmly push back the various provocations from the US. In the face of the malicious China containment and confrontational policy adopted by the two recent US administrations, the Chinese people are willing to form a united front, together bear the consequences of not yielding to the US, and win for the country's future through struggles. In other words, Chinese society would unconditionally support whatever tough counterattacks the Chinese government would launch in the face of US-initiated conflicts in all directions toward China. The US should abandon forever the idea of changing China's system and policies through sanctions, containment and intimidation.

"China must accelerate the building of its comprehensive strength and prepare for the worst-case scenario of escalating confrontation with the US and its main allies. The US wants to use strategic containment to crush China, and we must use continuous development and strength building to crush the US' will."

The Deputy Secretary raised concerns in private about a range of PRC actions that run counter to American values and interests and those of allies and partners, and that undermine the international rules-based order. In particular, she raised concerns about

human rights, including Beijings anti-democratic crackdown in Hong Kong

the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang

abuses in Tibet

the curtailing of media access and freedom of the press

Beijings conduct in cyberspace

the Taiwan Strait

the East and South China Seas.

the cases of American and Canadian citizens detained in the PRC or under exit bans

the PRCs unwillingness to cooperate with the World Health Organization and allow a second phase investigation in the PRC into COVID-19s origins

At the same time, the Deputy Secretary affirmed the importance of cooperation in areas of global interest, such as the climate crisis, counternarcotics, nonproliferation, and regional concerns including DPRK, Iran, Afghanistan, and Burma.

A rare extended virtual meeting between the top leaders of the world's two major powers on 15 November 2021 concluded with the leaders agreeing on two consensuses in principle such as rejecting a new cold war and reaffirming the importance of China-US relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping had thorough and in-depth communication and exchanges with US President Joe Biden in a face-to-face virtual meeting between the two leaders which lasted three-and-a-half hours. It was a highly expected and closely watched interaction after the two leaders spoke twice on the phone, in February and September, since Biden became US President.

During the meeting, which came at the request of the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out three principles and four priorities for growing bilateral ties in the new era. In terms of principles, the two countries first need to respect each other's social systems and development paths, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and respect each other's right to development. They also need to treat each other as equals, keep differences under control, and seek common ground while reserving differences. The other two principles include peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Xi demonstrated Beijing's "high-minded manner and full confidence in pushing Washington to correct mistakes that have led the bilateral relationship to deviate in recent years", Chinese experts said. Beijing drew up several red lines not only on matters related to sovereignty like the Taiwan question but also those concerning its social system and development path. After the struggles in recent years, China is now trying to push the US to correct and reset its problematic policy toward China, and this is China's new diplomatic stance "from the position of the strength" and "on a fair and equal basis," experts said.

There were major differences in Chinese and US readouts following the virtual meeting. In a shorter statement from the White House, compared to the nearly 4,000-word Chinese statement, Biden recognized the importance of managing strategic risks as well as "the need for common-sense guardrails to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict." Chinese top leader drew up several red lines for the US not only concerning sovereignty-related matters like the Taiwan question, but also on China's social system and development path, with Biden reiterating that the US does not seek to change China's system, the revitalization of its alliances is not anti-China, and the US has no intention to have a conflict with China.

The Biden administration announced 06 December 2021 a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. No government officials will attend. US athletes will still be allowed to compete. The Biden administration decided on a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Games because of the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and other issues.

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Europol warns about more terror threats by Daesh

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 6:25PM

The European Union's law enforcement agency has published a report outlining the high probability of more attacks by the Takfiri Daesh terrorists in some European countries.

In a report released on Friday, Europol warned that EU countries participating in the so-called US-led coalition purportedly fighting Daesh in Syria and Iraq are most susceptible to the terrorist attacks, not only in the near future, but also in the coming years as battle-hardened European terrorists return to their homes.

Britain and the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Belgium have joined forces in the coalition, while Germany's military is also involved but not in combat capacity.

The EU police chief Rob Wainwright said in an interview on Friday that Europol was currently working with several counterterrorism agencies against the threat posed by Daesh as well as similar extremist militant organizations such al-Qaeda.

He said the Hague-based agency's European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC) was presently cooperating with these agencies in the investigation of more than 50 terror cases across the continent.

"That says something about the level of the threat, but also about the level of interconnectedness amongst the counterterrorist community here," Wainwright told reporters at Europol's headquarters.

"The scale of this threat has been widely acknowledged in Europe, triggering an intensified cooperation between police and security services across the continent leading to an increase of arrests and plots foiled before terror attacks could be carried out," the Europol official stated.

"This shows that the increased cooperation and exchange of data between all relevant services across Europe is a successful means to mitigate the threat posed by IS," he added, using an alternative name for Daesh.

Wainwright said community leaders, clerics and parents play a role in diminishing the Daesh threat.

"We have to work in the community with faith leaders, with parents, with teachers to try and make sure that these young impressionable minds are not turned so easily," he said.

'Indiscriminate attacks a main goal of terrorism'

The Europol report noted a shift in Daesh attacks from targets such as police officers and military personnel to attacks on civilian targets.

"Indiscriminate attacks have a very powerful effect on the public in general, which is one of the main goals of terrorism: to seriously intimidate a population," according to the report.

The report warned that currently the EU is facing a range of terrorist threats and attacks from groups or individuals either directed or inspired by Daesh.

If Daesh is defeated or severely weakened in Syria and Iraq, there may be an increased rate in the return of European militants and their families from the region to the EU or to other conflict areas, according to the report.

Daesh has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Europe, including the assaults in Paris, where a total of 130 people were killed, and the Brussels attacks that claimed the lives of over 30 people.

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Russia Warns Of Planned Cyberattacks On Banks

December 02, 2016

Russia's main domestic security agency says it is taking measures to foil a plot by unspecified foreign intelligence services to launch "large-scale" cyberattacks from December 5 aimed at disrupting the activities of a number of major Russian banks and at destabilizing the country's financial system.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said on December 2 that the computer servers involved in the planned attacks were located in the Netherlands and were registered to Ukrainian web-hosting company BlazingFast.

A statement said the attacks would be accompanied by a stream of text messages and posts on social networks containing claims of an imminent collapse of Russia's major banks and the financial system's breakdown.

It said the attack would target several dozen Russian cities.

Russia's central bank said it was aware of the threat, adding that it had drawn up a plan to counteract any attack.

"The situation is under control," it said. "Banks have been given necessary guidance."

The director of Kyiv-based BlazingFast, Anton Onoprichuk, said no intelligence agency had been in touch with his company. He also said he was waiting for more information so the company could investigate.

Based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-warns-planned- cyberattacks-banks/28152077.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the issue of $3.42 billion to the Pentagon in the coming financial year within the initiative to support security in Europe, according to the Deutsche Welle edition, with reference to the document posted on the website of the U.S. Congress.

According to the publication, the United States plans to pass to the preferential support of partners and allies in Europe to contain the Russian Federation.

According to the document, it is also planned to limit military cooperation between the United States and Russia. With a few exceptions, funds from the U.S. defense budget cannot be spent on any bilateral military projects until Russia stops the occupation of the Ukrainian territory and aggressive actions that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and NATO members, the report reads.

The second condition for the resumption of cooperation is the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements by Moscow. It is separately stated that the United States does not contest the status of Russian military bases in Crimea, located in the territory of Ukraine on the basis of the 1997 agreement.
Brazil's senate leader indicted for alleged embezzlement

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 6:16AM

Brazil's top court has voted to put Senate President Renan Calheiros, a key ally of President Michel Temer, on trial for alleged embezzlement.

The Brazilian Supreme Court voted 8-3 on Thursday to try Calheiros for allegedly misusing public funds in a nine-year-old case.

According to prosecutors, Calheiros falsified his Senate expense accounts, using funds to cover up child support payments for a daughter he had in an extramarital affair.

The Senate's president faces 11 counts of corruption in total, eight of which have been described as kickbacks in a massive scandal involving state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., also known as Petrobras.

Calheiros denies the accusations, according to his office, which argues that prosecutors had failed for nine years to provide evidence against him.

The senator survived previous accusations of corruption, including charges that he traveled on an Air Force jet to get hair implant treatment. He stepped down as Senate leader in 2007 to save his seat in the legislative body, before he was again elected president of the Senate in February 2013.

Calheiros' term, however, ends in February 2017, long before the court reaches a conclusion in the embezzlement case.

The senator, along with some other politicians, is also under fire for trying to obstruct a probe into allegation of corruption at Petrobras, dubbed Operation Car Wash by investigators, which is focused on graft involving engineering firms and the state-controlled oil company between 2003 and 2014.

Only this week, he tried to fast-track legislation that would have weakened the powers of prosecutors and judges to pursue suspects in the case.

Such efforts by lawmakers to shield themselves have led to anger among Brazilians, who are scheduled to hold protests in 100 cities across the country on Sunday, according to organizers.

They also criticize Temer's administration for not pushing back hard enough against the lawmakers who are trying to end the Car Wash probe, which has so far sent scores of top political and business figures to prison.

Temer's six-month-old administration has been engulfed by political turmoil from the beginning. He has lost an average of one minister a month since taking power.

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North Korea conducts artillery drill as UN, South Korea, Japan impose sanctions

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 6:32AM

North Korea has carried out a large-scale artillery drill simulating an attack on South Korea, as Seoul and Tokyo unveil fresh unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile program following a UN sanction resolution.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday guided the military exercise, which involved multiple batteries of frontline heavy artillery units and targeted five border islands as well as mock "reactionary ruling organs" in Seoul and other cities, North's official Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, reported.

"If a war breaks out, such a deadly strike should be inflicted upon the South Korean forces to completely break their will of counteraction at the start and make a clean sweep of them," KCNA quoted Kim Jong-un as saying during the artillery drill. "Nobody and nothing would survive," he said.

The exercise came just hours after the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution imposing tough new sanctions on North Korea following its fifth nuclear test in September.

The 15-member council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution that curbs Pyongyang's biggest exports of coal by at least 60 percent. It also bans copper, nickel, silver and zinc exports from North Korea.

The UN resolution, spearheaded by the United States and passed by a 15-0 vote, condemned "in the strongest terms" North Korea's latest nuclear test on September 9.

On September 9, North Korea said that it had conducted a successful "nuclear warhead explosion" test. State media claimed the test had achieved its goal of being able to fit a miniaturized nuclear warhead on a rocket.

North Korea on Thursday condemned the new resolution as a violation of its sovereignty.

KCNA quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that the sanctions would not make North Korea abandon its nuclear program and would rather trigger "tougher countermeasures for self-defense" and would "inevitably escalate tensions."

North Korea has been under a raft of UN sanctions over its nuclear and missile tests.

Pyongyang says it will not abandon its nuclear "deterrence" unless Washington ends its "hostile" policy toward the country.

Meanwhile, South Korea on Friday unveiled its own sanctions against Pyongyang, adding dozens of individuals and organizations to a blacklist of entities suspected of involvement in the North's nuclear program.

Seoul said its expanded measures would blacklist senior North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong-un's closest aides, Choe Ryong-hae and Hwang Pyong-so.

Senior government policy official Lee Suk-Joon said that given the absence of any trade links or meaningful contact of any sort between the two Koreas, the South's measures are largely symbolic, and more aimed at "raising awareness."

Japan also said it would expand its own list of unilateral sanctions against North Korea, including a ban on all ships that have called at ports in North Korea.

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US Sanctions 7 People, 16 Entities Over North Korea's Nuclear Program

Sputnik News

19:14 02.12.2016(updated 21:14 02.12.2016)

Treasury Department said that United States sanctioned seven individuals and 16 entities, including the state-owned carrier Air Koryo, for ties to North Korea's nuclear program.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States sanctioned seven individuals and 16 entities, including the state-owned carrier Air Koryo, for ties to North Korea's nuclear program, the US Treasury Department said in a press release on Friday.

"From financial services to mining and energy, today's action targets individuals and entities operating in key industries that support North Korea's illicit activities," Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Adam Szubin stated.

The sanctioned individuals included an official with the Ministry of Atomic Energy Industry, the president of the Second Academy of Natural Sciences, the vice chairman of the Second Economic Committee and the president of the Korean Kumsan Trading Corporation.

North Korea's Air Koryo and other state-owned entities, including the Koryo Development Bank and Korea Oil Exploration Corporation, were also added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list.

Additionally, OFAC sanctioned four companies for "exporting" North Korean workers to countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Some of the revenue generated by those workers overseas is used for weapons development, the release explained.

Szubin said the sanctions aim to cut the flow of financial resources to the central government and disrupt Pyongyang's nuclear program in response to nuclear tests, violations of UN Security Council resolutions and the development of weapons of mass destruction.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council unanimously approved new sanctions on North Korea in response to the country's latest nuclear test in September. The sanctions ban the export of statues and several metals and restrict coal exports by 60 percent.

 Sputnik

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South Korea, Japan Add to Sanctions on North Korea

By VOA News December 02, 2016

South Korea and Japan have imposed unilateral sanctions on their nuclear-armed neighbor, North Korea.

The announcement of the sanctions Friday followed Pyongyang's promise to retaliate against new U.N. sanctions imposed earlier this week.

South Korea and Japan had sanctions in place against North Korea. The new sanctions, however, are mainly symbolic, because trade and exchange between the North and its two neighbors are largely nonexistent thanks to existing sanctions, especially those imposed by the United Nations.

But North Korea's latest round of nuclear tests has prompted its neighbors to announce the new restrictions.

New sanctions

Seoul's new sanctions ban two top aides to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un: Choe Ryong Hae and Hwang Pyong So.

South Korea is also banning the entry of foreign missile and nuclear experts, if their visits to North Korea are deemed to be a threat to South Korea.

Japan said Friday it will not allow ships into the country that have called at ports in North Korea. Japan said it will also freeze the assets of groups and individuals associated with North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

UN sanctions

On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council unanimously voted to impose a new round of targeted economic sanctions against North Korea because of its September 9 nuclear test.

The sanctions take aim at sectors of the defiant nation's economy that generate cash to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and could cost Pyongyang more than $800 million a year in lost funds, the equivalent of a quarter of its total export revenues.

The resolution focused its toughest action on Pyongyang's coal export industry, which, according to global trade figures, is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue this year and is the country's single largest source of external funds.

The resolution imposed a hard, binding cap that will cut the country's coal exports by more than 60 percent; that could add up to some $700 million per year, experts said.

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France's Hollande not to run for president again

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 3:31AM

French President Francopis Hollande has announced that he will not stand for re-election in the upcoming presidential poll amid low popularity ratings and a fairly high unemployment rate in the Western European country.

"Today I am aware of the risks that going down a route that would not gather sufficient support would entail, so I have decided not to be a candidate in the presidential election," Hollande said in a live televised address broadcast on national television from the Elysee Palace on Thursday night.

He said his only concern was "the superior interest of this country" and that he could not stand for "the break-up of the left," adding that his time in power had taught him "humility".

The unprecedented decision comes as Hollande is the first incumbent French president since the Second World War not to attempt to run for second term in office.

The 62-year-old Socialist president's satisfaction rating recently dropped to as low as four percent, the lowest for a French president since the war, prompting many of his aides to publicly warn against his certain defeat if he chose to run in the presidential race.

The Socialists now have to find a leading contender against Francois Fillon, of the center-right Republican party, and Marine Le Pen, of the far-right Front National.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls is thought to have higher success chances than others for a Socialist primary race in January. He has been praised by analysts and citizens as a tough law-and-order voice and pro-business reformist.

Pundits maintain that Hollande lacks the kind of toughness that Valls shows, and such personality trait could help the premier compete in the general election next spring.

Meanwhile, Fillon has reacted to the news of Hollande's move not to stand for a second term, posting on Twitter, "This evening, the President of the Republic admitted clearly that his clear failure prohibits him from going any further."

"This five-year term ends in political chaos and the collapse of power. More than ever, the recovery of France must be built on solid foundations," the right's presidential candidate added.

On November 27, Fillon won the country's center-right party's nomination in the presidential primary after his opponent and former Prime Minister Alain Juppe conceded defeat.

The French presidential election takes place next April and May.

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Anti-Daesh Coalition Loses Key French Aircraft Carrier to Maintenance

Sputnik News

03:55 02.12.2016(updated 08:53 02.12.2016)

The Charles de Gaulle, France's lone aircraft carrier, is set to return to France this December for scheduled maintenance, a move that could deal a blow to the US-led coalition against Daesh.

Refueling and maintaining the massive flattop cannot be delayed any longer, according to French officials, but France is intent on assisting the effort against Daesh in other ways.

"Daesh is enduring tremendous pressure," Rear Admiral Olivier Lebas said, adding, "it's very important to maintain this high pressure to take advantage of this positive momentum in the theater."

Previously, French President Francois Hollande had postponed the maintenance, expected to last about a year. The Charles de Gaulle has deployed over 1,000 airstrikes over Iraq and Syria since the start of September 2015, Stars and Stripes reports, including at least 100 strikes since the battle over Mosul began.

Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces have continued their push into Mosul as Russian allies have advanced into Aleppo. Meanwhile, Kurdish forces are also working to isolate Raqqa, Daesh's capital, according to Stars and Stripes.

 Sputnik

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Hollande's Decision Not to Seek Re-election Reflects Broader Upheaval in Western Politics

By Lisa Bryant December 02, 2016

President Francois Hollande's decision not to run for a second term may not change the outcome of French elections, analysts say, but it reflects a broader populist backlash that is upending politics in Europe and the United States.

Hollande headed to Abu Dhabi Friday, hours after his announcement that he would not seek another term. The Socialist leader becomes the first president in modern French history not to run for re-election, but he also faces record unpopularity, with approval ratings recently dipping to 4 percent.

"In the months to come, my only duty will be to continue to lead my country," Hollande said in a hastily scheduled televised address Thursday night, in which he did not endorse a leftist successor.

"Very different times"

All eyes are now on Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who is widely expected to announce a run in the coming days. Valls, however, is saddled with the same political legacy as Hollande, making his own presidential prospects uncertain.

BFM TV, a 24-hour rolling news and weather channel based in France, described Hollande as handing his prime minister a "poisoned present."

The shakeup in France may be replicated elsewhere in Europe, most immediately in Italy, where Prime Minister Matteo Renzi faces a key referendum on Sunday. In the Netherlands, far-right leader Geert Wilders is polling strongly ahead of the 2017 elections, and even German Chancellor Angela Merkel may face a tough re-election bid next year.

"We're moving to new times, and very different times," said Philippe Moreau Defarges of the Paris-based Institute of International Relations. "Like the last 1920's and 30's, something is changing, and it means we are going to have new leaders."

Decision is welcomed

Closer to home, Hollande's departure may reflect the start of a difficult political chapter, said analyst Bruno Cautres of the Centre for Political Research at Sciences Po, a university in Paris.

"We see a whole series of tensions that are putting pressure on French democracy and on the Fifth Republic," he said of a political system founded in 1958. "Citizens no longer believe in political promises. There's something that is broken in our democracy."

Across the political spectrum, many saluted Hollande's announcement as "courageous" and "dignified." Some 80 percent of French also back it, according to a Harris poll Friday.

Fillon next in line?

Former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who won the conservative primaries and may well be the nation's next president, said Hollande was "lucid in admitting his defeat," while describing his term in office as ending in "political turmoil and creeping rot."

Far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen said it "marked a very heavy political failure."

Hollande has steered his country during particularly tumultuous times marked by three major terrorist attacks in France and upheaval in the Middle East and Africa. He struggled to shake his image as an indecisive leader and deliver on promises to grow the economy and jobs  although he said Thursday that was happening, albeit more slowly than he would have liked.

Socialist primaries in January

Several ministers left his Cabinet, and two of them entered the presidential race. Additionally, a recently published, tell-all book recounted deeply controversial remarks he made about Islam, immigration and even the judicial system.

Hollande's departure, however, may not boost the chances of his deeply divided leftist party.

"For some, Francois Hollande failed because he wasn't enough to the left, and Manuel Valls will face the same criticism," if he runs, analyst Cautres said. "For others, economic capitalism is the only solution."

These battling tendencies will likely play out in next month's Socialist primaries, which could pit centrist-minded Valls against much more leftist ex-economy minister Arnaud Montebourg.

"Manuel Valls' gamble will try to synthesize these two tendencies, which is no longer possible," said political researcher Etienne Schweisguth, of Sciences Po.

There are other unknowns, including what happens to another ex-minister and independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, who is coasting on his outsider status.

Runoff elections in May

As things stand now, many analysts believe French runoff elections next May will pit conservative Fillon against far-right leader Le Pen.

Fillon has strong backing from his center-right party; but, so far, he has failed to win over disgruntled working class voters who still back the far-right.

Even so, most experts still discard the chances of an electoral upset similar to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's.

"In every case when the extreme right had a chance of winning, we saw a large mobilization voting against the National Front," analyst Schweisguth said. "But this situation of protest and discontent is going to last. Whether it grows or not is difficult to say."

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Scorpene Data Leak: India-France Joint Group to Consider Changes

Sputnik News

20:31 02.12.2016

India is going ahead with the commissioning of its Scorpene submarines despite a data leak about its generic features.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  India is putting up a brave front on the leak of data about Scorpene submarines but will set up a joint committee with France to consider changes if any of the configurations have been compromised.

"We will see if have to make changes on the platforms. But the leaked data dates to the pre-2010 period. It does not have details on the armament. There is no critical leak," Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba told the media on Friday.

India's much-delayed project to locally assemble six Scorpene submarines seemed to have come back on track when a whistleblower disgorged 22,400 pages of its generic details to an Australian newspaper. The data leak about the submarine's stealth capabilities and sonar has compelled an Indian government probe.

After five months of rigorous investigations, India has decided to set up joint group with France to consider changes in Scorpene class submarine platforms, if required. Sources told Sputnik that the Government yet to finalize the investigating partner; whether it would be the French government or the original manufacturers DCNS.

India has played down the data leak even as the first submarine is undergoing sea trials and the second is scheduled for launch. The remaining four submarines are in different stages of construction.

The Navy's concern is more on the four-year delay in adding to its force levels and in ensuring the on-time commissioning of the remaining four submarines.

 Sputnik

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US, Swedish Aviation Majors Offer Technology Transfer to Bag Indian Jet Tender

Sputnik News

18:52 02.12.2016

Two of world's major military aviation companies have sweetened the terms for making combat jets in India. The Government expects response from Russian companies too.

New Delhi (Sputnik): India has received proposals from two foreign companies within two months of asking countries like the US, Sweden and Russia to locally build a fighter under a generous technology transfer (ToT) arrangement.

The winner will bag the right to sell the fighters to India for several decades as the Indian Air Force seeks to build 42 active squadrons.

"SAAB of Sweden and Lockheed Martin from the USA have shown interest in manufacturing single engine fighter jets in the country. The initial proposals of both the companies entail ToT for manufacturing of fighter jets in India," Subhash Bhamre, India's Minister of State for Defense informed Parliament on December 2.

However, these global aircraft manufacturers have till now not detailed documents to back up their expression of interest proposals. Sources say that Saab is offering 'ITAR-free' Galium Nitride AESA radar technology but it is not clear whether Lockheed Martin was making a similar offer. Indian government plans to replace all the MiG-21 squadrons with the new single-engine fighter in the next few years.

India is expected to issue a formal request of proposal (RFP) after receiving the initial response from the global manufacturers. In the absence of a RFP, global manufacturers are unaware of demanded numbers, technical requirements and cost of the exercise.

India is staring at a startling shortage of combat jets to fight two front wars with Pakistan and China. Recently, India has decided to procure 36 Rafale aircraft from France but the first delivery will be made two years and the numbers will equip only two squadrons.

The current strength of the Indian Air Force is 34 squadrons (18-20 aircraft per squadron) which is far below the required strength of 42 squadrons suggested by Indian Parliamentary committees panels for two front wars.

 Sputnik

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West Bengal's Fiery Chief Minister Upset Over Army Deployment

Sputnik News

17:44 02.12.2016

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised objections against the deployment of army in her state without taking permission from the civil authorities. She fears this is happening because of her opposition to the Indian PM's policies.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has flared up following the deployed of the Indian army in several parts of the state as a part of routine exercise. The Chief Minister rushed back to her office on Thursday night to "protect democracy" after receiving reports of army personnel standing at several toll booths in her state.

Following clarifications from the army, the Chief Minister and her party want the Defense Minister to come clean on the entire sequence of events that led to apprehensions of an army takeover.

"We want a clarification by the Defense Minister on army deployment in [West] Bengal without informing the local administration. The army is stopping traffic and putting stickers on the vehicles. The army has been deployed at 19 places in West Bengal. The Central government should clarify why haws the army been deployed in the state," Sudip Bandopadhyay, Member of Parliament of the Trinamool Congress Party, said.

Mamata Banerjee has reasons to feel hemmed in. A day earlier she alleged that the Modi Government had tried to kill her by refusing permission to her plane to land even though it was low on fuel. She has also joined hands with anti-corruption crusader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to oppose Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetization drive.

The Central Government says army deployment in north-eastern states including West Bengal is a routine affair. "It's a routine exercise and it will last till three more days," Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said in Parliament.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Anant Kumar said the exercise was also carried out last year. "I am very disappointed that political parties are politicizing the routine exercise of the military," he said.

Rebutting the claims of Mamata Bannerjee, the army said it was conducting the exercise in coordination with Kolkata Police. "This is being done in coordination with local police authorities. The exercise was earlier planned for November 27 and 28. The dates were changed to November 30 to December 2 on a specific request by Kolkata Police due to an agitation on November 28," said the Army General Officer Commanding of Bengal area Major General Sunil Yadav.

"This is an exercise carried out for our operational purposes. The Army from Eastern Command is carrying out a routine annual data collection exercise," he further added.

"The exercise involves collection of data in all North Eastern states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Sikkim. Over 80 such collection data points established in the entire region, personnel of army consisting of 5 to 6 at each point are unarmed."

While replying on the army deployment, Defense Minister of State, Subhash Bhamre said, "the allegations leveled are factually incorrect. The Army was collecting routine data."

"At each toll plaza only five to 10 army persons are collecting data on the number of vehicles. The exercise is going on in all the eastern states with due permissions and no permission have been withdrawn so far," Bhamre added.

Earlier Mamata Banerjee's associate had written a letter to Parliament Speaker demanding an explanation from Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar over the alleged military deployment in West Bengal.

 Sputnik

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Minister of Public Works and Transport Inigo de la Serna and Spanish business representatives in February 2017 will visit Ukraine, Ukraine's Ministry of Infrastructure has said.

The ministry wrote on its official Facebook page, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Volodymyr Omelyan during his visit to Spain invited the Spanish officials to visit Ukraine.

"The head of the profile ministry together with a delegation of Spanish businessmen will come to Ukraine in February 2017. The Ukrainian-Spanish business forum will be held during the visit. Especially promising is the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of rail transport and infrastructure, cooperation in maritime and road sectors," a statement reads.

Omelyan in Spain also held a meeting with State Secretary of Spain for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing Julio Gomez-Pomar.

"This is the first contact at the level of ministry heads after the formation of a new government in Spain, the meeting became the beginning of a new political dialogue at the level of governments of the two countries," the report says.
Indian Navy Increases Vigil as China Deploys Nuclear Submarine in Pak Waters

Sputnik News

17:01 02.12.2016(updated 17:02 02.12.2016)

China's naval wooing of India's neighbors has compelled the Indian Navy to step up vigilance of its maritime domain. As of now the Indian Navy is sanguine about monitoring Chinese naval activity on both its oceanic flanks.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The Indian Navy has geared up for heightened Chinese activity in the oceans around its territorial waters.

"We have the capability and assets to take on any force which is deployed, and if and when this happens, we have plans in place to tackle it. PLA nuclear submarine was deployed and did a port call at Karachi. As far as deployment of PLA navy, ships and submarines are concerned, we keep a close eye and monitor their movement," says Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba.

This is for the first time a senior Indian defense official has mentioned activity by a Chinese submarine near its western coast.

Indian Navy''s revelation about Chinese submarine deployment in Pakistani territory comes in the backdrop of recent announcement by Bangladesh Navy that would take delivery of two old refurbished Chinese Type 035G Ming-class diesel-electric submarines by March 2017.

It will further increase Chinese naval activity in the Bay of Bengal.

"The long-term submarine training and maintenance needs of Bangladesh Navy would enable China's military presence in the Bay of Bengal, and enable it to collate sensitive data for PLA Navy's submarine operations in the future," says Captain Gurmeet S Khurana, Executive Director at National Maritime Foundation.

The Pakistani government claims that China proposes to deploy its naval assets in Pakistani maritime boundary to safeguard Gwadar port, which is the gateway to the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

 Sputnik

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Iran MPs mull triple-urgency motion on nuclear activities resumption

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 6:53PM

A member of the Iranian Parliament's Presiding Board says the legislature is preparing a triple-urgency motion which would mandate the government to resume nuclear activities halted under a landmark agreement between Tehran and the group of six countries known as the P5+1.

The move is part of a response to the US Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 years, Akbar Ranjbarzadeh told IRNA on Friday.

"The three-urgency motion on the resumption of nuclear activities has been drafted due to the urgency [required] to counter the US move," he said.

He added that the motion consisted of a single article and five notes, saying that the double or triple urgency of the motion was still to be debated by the lawmakers.

The US Senate passed the ISA 99-0 on Thursday after it easily cleared the House of Representatives last month.

The ISA was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in Iran over its nuclear program.

According to a White House official, US President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill, which includes penalties against Iran's banking sector as well as its energy and defense industries.

Ranjbarzadeh further said the Iranian lawmakers sought to adopt "a fundamental and principled" measure proportionate to the blatant move by the US Congress.

"The US and its Congress are the ones who have acted in violation of international law and trampled upon it," he added.

He emphasized that the motion calls for "the swift, comprehensive and complete" resumption of nuclear activities in Iran.

Ranjbarzadeh said Iran would "repeatedly and round the clock declare to the world through its diplomatic apparatus and media that it was Washington which initiated this illegal action and that we (Iran) had no option but retaliation."

He added that Iran's approaches were "defensive and retaliatory" in nature.

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, also said on Friday that the Islamic Republic was fully prepared to respond to the US Senate's decision to extend the ISA but would act wisely and with prudence.

Salehi emphasized that the US move was a "blatant violation" of last year's nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries.

"This legislation (ISA) does already exist but it has been neutralized by the US president but, if it becomes operational again, it is a clear violation of the JCPOA," he added.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council  the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia  plus Germany started to implement the JCPOA on January 16.

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related bans imposed against Tehran.

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Iran vows 'appropriate' response to US sanctions

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 8:8AM

Iran says the US Congress' vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for another decade violates last year's nuclear accord, adding Tehran will take "appropriate measures" against the decision.

The extension passed the Senate on Thursday, after easily clearing the House of Representatives last month, with a White House official saying President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Friday Tehran "is carefully monitoring the US government behavior in regard" to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which prohibits new sanctions on the country.

The ministry, he said, is about to "present a complete report to the supervisory committee on implementation of the nuclear accord in order to make a decision and take appropriate measures."

"As repeatedly stated by high-ranking Iranian officials, the recent bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate to renew sanctions against Iran is against the JCPOA and US obligations under international law not to interfere in domestic and international affairs of other countries," he said.

The ISA was first adopted in 1996 to punish investments in Iran over its nuclear program but all outstanding issues were resolved between Iran and the US as well as other countries last year.

"Under the JCPOA, the president of the United States has undertaken to use his prerogatives to prevent the implementation of measures against the JCPOA, including the recent Congress bill," Qassemi said.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said last month that if the sanctions were extended, Iran would definitely respond to it.

"Iran has shown its commitment to its international agreements, but it has also made all appropriate projections for any possible scenario," Qassemi said on Friday.

Tehran, he said, has made "necessary preparations to effectively, strongly and prudently protect the rights of the Iranian people under any circumstances."

A senior lawmaker said Iran's parliament is weighing a series of measures in response to the US Congress.

Bahrouz Nemati, spokesman for parliament's presiding board, said some 220 lawmakers have prepared a resolution which condemns US extension of the sanctions.

A two-starred motion on prohibiting US-made products is also moving through the chamber for approval, Nemati added.

The parliament is expected to take other counter-measures against the ISA extension which he did not specify.

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Iran Says Extension Of Sanctions Act By U.S. Congress Violates Nuclear Deal

December 02, 2016

Iran says the extension of sanctions legislation by the U.S. Congress is "a violation" of the nuclear deal reached between Tehran and world powers last year.

"We will report it to Iran's committee assigned for monitoring the implementation of the deal," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said on December 2.

"We are ready to firmly protect the nation's rights under any circumstances," Ghasemi added.

The statement comes after the U.S. Senate unanimously approved legislation on December 1 to renew the Iran Sanctions Act for 10 more years.

The House of Representatives has already passed the bill to extend the decades-old law allowing the United States to impose sanctions on companies for doing business with Iran.

The bill now goes to the White House, where U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to sign it.

Officials in Obama's administration say they've determined that the legislation does not violate the agreement that curbed Iran's controversial nuclear program -- satisfying a key condition the president had established for his approval.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/iran-says- us-sanctions-violate-nuclear- deal/28152062.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iraqi forces liberate two more neighborhoods in eastern Mosul

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 7:9PM

Iraqi Special Operations Forces have retaken the full control of two more neighborhoods in Mosul as they try to drive Daesh Takfiri militants out of their last urban stronghold in the country in joint operations with army soldiers and pro-government fighters.

Lieutenant Colonel Muhanad al-Timimi said the special forces recaptured the densely populated neighborhood of Zohour on Friday, more than a week after they first marched into the area.

He added that government forces were also in complete control of Qadissiyah-2 neighborhood, bringing to 23 the number of neighborhoods that Iraqi Special Operations Forces have liberated ever since Mosul liberation operations got underway on October 17.

The remarks come as government forces are heading toward al-Mishraq district in the eastern quarter of Mosul, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad.

Additionally, fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi, thwarted a Daesh car bomb attack against their position west of Mosul.

The pro-government forces intercepted and precisely targeted the explosives-rigged vehicle as it was driving at high speed towards them.

Daesh terms use of instant messaging apps 'cardinal sin'

Meanwhile, the Takfiri Daesh militant group has warned its extremist members against the use of instant messaging applications, describing the practice as "a cardinal sin."

The terror network announced in its Arabic-language al-Naba newsletter that the use of instant messaging services, namely Telegram and WhatsApp, would enable Western enemies to locate the exact location of its bastions, and carry out precise strikes against them.

Daesh abducts 55 civilians in Hawijah district

Meanwhile, Daesh terrorists have also abducted 55 civilians in al-Hawija district of the oil-rich northern province of Kirkuk on charges of attempting to shift the local residents out of areas under their control to government-held territories.

An informed source, requesting anonymity, said the abductees have been taken to an unknown location, and no information is available about their fate.

Daesh moving heavy military equipment from Iraq to Syria

Furthermore, Daesh terrorists have started the withdrawal of their heavy military equipment, mainly rocket launchers, battle tanks and armored vehicles, from the towns of al-Qa'im, Rawah and Anah in Iraq's beleaguered western province of Anbar to the city of Raqqah, which serves as their main stronghold in neighboring Syria.

The move comes as Iraqi government soldiers, Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters and Kurdish Peshmerga forces continue to win significant gains in joint operations against Daesh terrorists.

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Iraq: 'Staggering' number of civilian casualties in November; Baghdad hardest hit, says UN

2 December 2016  Last month, Iraq suffered thousands of deaths and injuries  including by a significant number of civilians  in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict, according to recently released figures by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Jan Kubis, the UN Special Representative and Head of UNAMI, pointed to the Mission's latest statistics, which reveal that 2,885 Iraqis were killed and another 1,380 injured, saying: "The casualty figures are staggering, with civilians accounting for a significant number of the victims," he stated.

"In its desperate attempt to cling on to territory it controls in Mosul and Ninewa areas, Da'esh [also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL] has been employing the most vicious tactics, using civilian homes as firing positions, as well as abducting and forcibly moving civilians, effectively using them as human shields," Mr. Kubis explained.

In counting civilian casualties, UNAMI included Sahwa civil defence, Personal Security Details, facilities protection police and fire department personnel. In November, these groups were among the 926 civilians killed, including seven federal police, and the 930 injured, including 18 federal police. Fifty-two foreign civilians were also killed and 31 injured.

Baghdad, the worst affected Governorate, suffered 733 civilian casualties 152 killed and 581 injured. Elsewhere, 332 were killed and 114 injured in Ninewa; 60 killed and 88 injured in Salahadin; 56 killed and 23 injured in Babil; and in Kirkuk, 18 were killed and 17 injured.

According to information obtained by UNAMI from the Health Directorate in Anbar, 292 were killed and 98 injured in the Governorate, totalling 390 civilian casualties  inclusive up to 27 November.

Mr. Kubis noted that despite continuous tactics of ISIL/Da'esh to the contrary, Iraqi security forces have declared their staunch efforts during Mosul military operations to keep civilians out of harm's way  often resulting in additional casualties among the security forces.

The UNAMI chief urged that all necessary actions necessary be taken to ensure the protection of civilian inhabitants from the effects of armed conflict and violence.

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Japan to Boost Military Spending in 2017 Fiscal Year to Record $46Bln

Sputnik News

08:45 02.12.2016

Japan's government plans to boost military spending in the next fiscal year, starting in April, to a record 5.1 trillion yen (roughly $46.4 billion).

TOKYO (Sputnik)  Spending on air defense capabilities will be one of priorities in the aftermath of North Korea's frequent ballistic missile launches, Japan's Mainichi daily newspaper said Friday.

The money will be spent specifically on providing Japan's self-defense forces with missiles capable of taking on ballistic missiles, as well as with spy submarines.

The government's budget plan will also ramp up the security of the Senkaku islands in the South China Sea. They are referred to as the Diaoyudao Islands in China, which claims them for itself.

Japan has been ratcheting up its defense spending for five consecutive years amid rising security threat from North Korea and China's assertive policy in the region. Tokyo spent 5.05 trillion yen in the ongoing fiscal year.

 Sputnik

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Kofi Annan arrives in Myanmar to probe army abuse against Muslim minority

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 10:19AM

Former UN chief Kofi Annan is on a fact-finding mission in Myanmar to probe a bloody army crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in the country.

Annan and his team on Friday arrived in the volatile northwestern Rakhine State, where an army crackdown has killed at least 86 ethnic Rohingya Muslims, according to government figures. Independent groups say as many as 400 people have been killed.

The team was greeted by a group of protesters, who carried signs that read "Ban the Kofi Annan commission" and chanted, "We don't want the Kofi Annan commission," referring to the task force appointed by Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi to investigate the violence against the Rohingya.

Suu Kyi in August appointed Annan to lead the nine-member commission, which includes nine independent members, including six national and three international experts.

Maung Khin, a farmer at the Friday protest said "The Rakhine issue is an internal affair. We cannot accept interference from outsiders."

"We don't need foreigners for our internal affairs. This shows how the government mishandles the case," he said.

Suu Kyi, promoted in the West as a "democracy icon," has been widely blamed for failing to protect Rohingya Muslims from what rights groups say is a systematic campaign of abuse by the army. She has remained silent despite mounting evidence of army abuse in Rakhine, including UN acknowledgement of "ethnic cleansing" of the Muslim minority.

The appointment of the commission came only after massive international criticism.

During his visit to Myanmar, Annan will spend a day in the state capital, Sittwe, before heading to other areas in Rakhine. The state has been under military lockdown since an attack on the country's border guards left nine police officers dead on October 9. The government blamed the Rohingyas for the assault.

There have been numerous accounts by eyewitnesses of summary executions, rapes and arson attacks against the Rohingya by security forces ever since. The military has also banned journalists and aid workers from entering the zone.

At least 30,000 Rohingya have been internally displaced in Rakhine, while 10,000 others have tried to reach Bangladesh over the last month to seek refuge among the Rohingya refugee population that already lives there.

Bangladesh has also started to crack down on the incoming refugees by either preventing them at border transit points or confining them to refugee camps.

The latest wave of violence poses the biggest challenge to Suu Kyi's eight-month government and has renewed international outcry that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has done too little to help the Rohingya minority, who, even before the ongoing crackdown in Rakhine, were denied citizenship and access to basic services.

Rakhine, home to around 1.1 million members of the minority Rohingya Muslim community, has been the scene of violence against the ethnic Muslims since 2012.

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EU Leader Says Russia Sanctions Likely To Be Extended

December 02, 2016

The head of the European Union's executive body has said he expects EU sanctions against Russia to be extended next year, but that it will be harder to do that in the future.

Donald Tusk, who is president of the European Council and a former Polish prime minister, made the comments in an interview broadcast on December 1 by Polish station TVN24.

He said France, Germany, and the United States had supported him in maintaining a cohesive response to Russia's military actions in recent years.

He said he expected another extension of the sanctions to be approved in January, for the usual six-month period.

But he also said the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president will also make it harder to preserve Western unity toward Russia.

"I believe that after the [U.S.] elections and Donald Trump's victory it will be harder to build such unequivocal, uniform policy of the Western world toward Russia," Tusk said.

Trump has expressed a more conciliatory approach toward Moscow.

And in France, many observers are predicting the next president will be Francois Fillon, a former prime minister who also advocates more cooperation with Russia.

Based on reporting by AP and TASS

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/eu-tusk-russia- sanctions/28151605.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Sappers Fly to Syria for Aleppo Mine-Clearing - Defense Ministry

Sputnik News

20:32 02.12.2016(updated 20:39 02.12.2016)

Defense Ministry said that Russian sapper unit departed on Friday to Syria to conduct mine-clearing operations in the embattled city of Aleppo.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  A Russian sapper unit departed on Friday to Syria to conduct mine-clearing operations in the embattled city of Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Servicemen from a forward-deployment sapper unit of the International Mine Action Centerboarded military transport planes at the Chekalov airfield to depart for the Hmeymim airbase [in Syria]," the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian General Staff said Wednesday that over 200 Russian servicemen and 47 pieces of combat and special equipment would be deployed for mine clearing in Aleppo.

 Sputnik

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The former commander of the interior military forces of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine, Stanyslav Shuliak, claims he was not notified of the introduction of an anti-terrorist operation (ATO) regime on February 18, 2014.

"I, as the head of the interior military forces, was not notified of the event either verbally or in writing," Shuliak said, asked whether he knew about the introduction of the ATO regime on February 18.

He said seven law enforcement officers were killed on February 18, including five internal troops servicemen and two from the Berkut special forces unit, while 84 were seriously injured, 26 of whom are interior troops servicemen.
Russian Army to Use Syrian Campaign Experience in Combat Training - Shoigu

Sputnik News

13:01 02.12.2016(updated 13:25 02.12.2016)

Defense Minister said that Russia's military experience gained during the anti-terrorist campaign in Syria must be incorporated into service personnel training.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia's military experience gained during the anti-terrorist campaign in Syria must be incorporated into service personnel training, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.

"On December 1, the winter military exercise period started. The main efforts must be applied to increasing service personnel individual combat training performance It is necessary to incorporate the experience of combat action in Syria," Shoigu said.

The Defense Ministry will also incorporate the Syrian experience into Russia's military school programs, he added, noting that the main vectors of the military education program have been charted up to 2020.

"Approaches were developed to actively incorporate the experience gained in Syria by the Aerospace Forces and the Navy into the combat experience learning process, as well as to implement modern education methods," the minister said.

Russia started aerial anti-terrorist operations in Syria in September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government.

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the pullout of the bulk of the Russian contingent in Syria as the anti-terrorist campaign's objectives had broadly been completed. A limited number of troops remained at the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia.

On October 7, Russia's lower house of parliament ratified an agreement with Syria that authorizes the deployment of a Russian air group at the Hmeimim airbase for an indefinite period of time. According to the document, Moscow may use the base "free-of-charge" and carry out supplies of necessary equipment and ammunition to the base without customs or any other duties.

 Sputnik

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Syrian government troops recapture southern town near capital

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 2:42PM

Syrian army forces have retaken full control of a town near the capital Damascus after foreign-backed gunmen agreed to withdraw from the area and move to militant-held areas in the northwestern province of Idlib under a deal with the Damascus government.

The Russian military's Center for Reconciliation in Syria announced in a statement on Friday that government troops recaptured Khan al-Shih, located about 25 kilometers southwest of Damascus, the previous day.

The statement added that 1,846 militants and 1,164 of their relatives have already moved to Idlib, located roughly 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Damascus, onboard buses provided by the government.

It noted another 100 armed men and 300 members of their families will head towards Idlib within the next few days.

Khan al-Shih had been under the control of foreign-backed militants since 2012.

Similarly, foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants have begun leaving al-Tall city, located about 10 kilometers northeast of the capital, under a deal with authorities this week.

An unnamed military source said on Friday that nearly one thousand militants and their families started moving to the terrorist-held city of Idlib in the afternoon after handing in their assault rifles.

The source added that Syrian officials have allocated a few dozen buses to transfer the militants from al-Tall, with a population of over 700,000 people, to Idlib.

Syrian government forces also won significant gains in other parts of the country on Friday.

Army soldiers targeted a militant hideout in al-Rastan city, located 25 kilometers north of Homs, killing and injuring scores of Takfiri terrorists.

A large number of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as the al-Nusra Front, terrorists were also killed and wounded when government forces pounded their positions in al-Bajabjeh area of Dara'a al-Balad district in the southwestern city of Dara'a, located about 90 kilometers south of Damascus.

The conflict in Syria, which flared up in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people, according to an estimate by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

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Kerry: U.S., Russia Studying New Ways To Stop Syria Fighting

December 02, 2016

The United States and Russia are studying new ways to break a diplomatic deadlock over how to stop the fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Kerry spoke on December 2 after meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Rome.

"We have exchanged a set of ideas, which there will be a meeting on early next week in Geneva, and we have to wait and see whether those ideas have any legs to them," Kerry told reporters.

He said both sides believe it's important to continue diplomatic efforts.

"Nobody is waiting for the next administration. We both feel there is urgency," the U.S. top diplomat said.

Kerry said he will gauge progress with Lavrov when they meet again on the sidelines of a European security conference in Hamburg, Germany, next week.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on December 2 that Syrian government forces have recaptured half of rebel-held territory in Aleppo since launching a Russian-backed offensive for the city in mid-November.

The United Nations' humanitarian affairs chief warned earlier this week that Aleppo risks becoming "one giant graveyard," amid intense fighting between Syrian pro-government forces and rebels.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/kerry-us- russia-studying-new-ways-to-stop- syria-fighting/28153031.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Syrian Army Asks Militants to Leave Southern Suburbs of Damascus Within 2 Weeks

Sputnik News

19:24 02.12.2016

The Syrian Army's general command asked militants of the Daesh and abhat Fatah al Sham (also known as the Nusra Front) to leave southern suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus over the course of two weeks, according to local media reports.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik)  The Syrian Army's general command requested militants to leave southern suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus over the course of two weeks, local media reported Friday.

The requirement primarily concerns the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) jihadist group and Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as the Nusra Front) militants, whose main outposts are on the territory of the Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus, according to the Al-Watan newspaper.

Earlier in the day, a military source told RIA Novosti that around 1,000 militants besieging Tal city on the northern outskirts of the Syrian capital began leaving the city as part of a local ceasefire agreement with the government. After giving up arms, they were allowed to go together with their families to Idlib province controlled by Jabhat Fatah Sham group.

Syria's civil war has been raging for over five years, with armed opposition and terrorist groups, including Jabhat Fatah al Sham and the Daesh, both outlawed in many countries, including Russia, fighting against government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. Violence around the capital started in 2012, when rebels infiltrated the capital's suburbs from the surrounding countryside.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Opposition to Continue Contacts With Russia on East Aleppo Fighting

Sputnik News

13:25 02.12.2016(updated 13:32 02.12.2016)

Syrian opposition representatives will continue discussions with Russia on ending violence in the besieged areas of eastern Aleppo, local media said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The talks between armed opposition representatives and Russia will resume later in the day in the Turkish capital of Ankara, the Al-Watan newspaper reported.

Earlier in November, reports said, citing Turkish sources, that Syrian opposition representatives had met with Russian representatives in Ankara. The talks, brokered by Turkey and attended by Turkish-influenced groups, reportedly focused on negotiating a deal to end the conflict in Aleppo.

On Thursday, Samir Nashar, an opposition official from the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces confirmed that the talks had lasted for three days. Nashar said UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura's proposals on corridors to allow safe passage for civilians in exchange for a ceasefire were discussed but no deal was reached as fighters were set on continuing resistance.

Over recent months, Aleppo became major battleground in Syria, engaging government forces, jihadists, and numerous opposition groups. Eastern Aleppo is currently encircled by government troops, and the fighting has affected thousands of civilians still trapped in the city. Previous internationally mediated ceasefires have collapsed as militants continued attacks and opposition failed to expel terrorists from the city.

Earlier in the week, Syrian government forces made major strides in east Aleppo, liberating almost half of the area by late Monday, according to the Russian reconciliation center in Syria.

 Sputnik

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UN Stops Humanitarian Relief Offers After Syrian Troops Liberate 40% of E Aleppo

Sputnik News

10:30 02.12.2016(updated 13:26 02.12.2016)

The Russian Defense Ministry urged the United Nations to get down to work and provide real humanitarian aid to the residents of Aleppo instead of merely talking about it.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The United Nations has not provided humanitarian assistance to the liberated parts of eastern Aleppo, Syria, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Friday.

"Unfortunately, there is no UN humanitarian relief in the liberated areas of eastern Aleppo," Konashenkov said.

He said that the ministry was unaware of some 30,000 residents who fled eastern Aleppo receiving humanitarian assistance, as estimated by UN special envoy for Syria Jan Egeland on Thursday.

Konashenkov voiced hope that Egeland would "instead of unsubstantiated allegations finally embark on real work of providing humanitarian aid to the residents of eastern Aleppo."

The United Nations has stopped its proposals of humanitarian aid deliveries after Syrian government forces liberated 40 percent of eastern Aleppo neighborhoods, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

"After the liberation by government troops of more than 40 percent of the city's eastern districts, home to about 90,000 inhabitants, all proposals for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo stopped," Konashenkov said.

 Sputnik

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Thousands Flee Eastern Aleppo as Conditions Deteriorate

By Lisa Schlein December 02, 2016

Some 31,500 civilians have fled eastern Aleppo since Syrian government forces captured more than one-third of the rebel-held besieged territory this week.

The United Nations reports 18,000 civilians have fled to Jibreen, an industrial zone in eastern Aleppo; 8,500 have gone to Kurdish-inhabited Sheikh Maqsood, north of the city; and 5,000 have been displaced inside the besieged area.

Jens Laerke, spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said some people fleeing eastern Aleppo reportedly were experiencing difficulties and, in some cases, putting their lives in danger.

"We have reports that some men and boys have been detained when crossing into government-controlled areas, and some internally displaced people have reported that they have had their documents confiscated upon crossing into government of Syria-controlled areas," he said.

"We also have reports that some people trying to move have been shot at, resulting in death and injuries."

Laerke said rebel groups also reportedly "have sought to prevent people from leaving eastern Aleppo."

Council criticized

In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized divisiveness among regional powers and the Security Council for failing to find a political solution to end the nearly six-year-old conflict, and he called again for a cessation of hostilities.

"We have been trying to make a political deal. Unfortunately, all this divisiveness of politicians has led us to this very tragic situation," he told VOA in an interview Friday.

The U.N. Children's Fund reports that children constitute about 60 percent, or nearly 19,000, of those displaced by the recent fighting.

"The staff who met with children over the last few days noted that you could see the loss and horror in their eyes," said Christophe Boulierac, spokesman for UNICEF.

"Let us keep in mind that every single child under the age of 5 in Syria has known nothing but war."

Boulierac said there was "a race against time" to provide immediate and sustained assistance for the children and their families. As part of this effort, he said, UNICEF has installed 10 water storage tanks at three locations, including the Jibreen area, "to provide access to safe water and improved sanitation facilities."

He told VOA that UNICEF and partners were continuing to run a lifesaving vaccination campaign, noting that "many children have missed out on critical routine vaccinations, and that clearly endangers them for preventable diseases."

Before the conflict began more than five years ago, about 95 percent of Syria's children were immunized against diseases such as measles, polio and respiratory infections. The coverage rate reportedly has since dropped to around 20 percent.

As civilians continue to flee eastern Aleppo, the displacement problem in the western government-controlled part of the city has been growing. The United Nations reports 400,000 people have now been displaced in western Aleppo.

Adrian Edwards, spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency, said temperatures in the region were dropping quickly, so providing shelter to this large population of destitute people was now the most urgent need.

"Many of those who have fled the eastern districts are present in unfinished or partly destroyed buildings. Unsanitary conditions, overcrowding  these are already challenges in a congested city with few open spaces," Edwards said.

He said his agency and partners were working to rehabilitate buildings in Jibreen, in government-controlled southwestern Aleppo and other areas where the displaced are present. He said this was crucial, because some of the buildings "are now at risk of collapse."

Edwards said that the UNHCR had largely shifted its humanitarian operation to government-controlled western Aleppo. He said the reason was that his agency was unable to reach the many thousands without food, water and shelter in eastern Aleppo as temperatures drop and fighting rages.

Rebel-controlled eastern Aleppo has been besieged for nearly five months. The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad has not allowed humanitarian aid into the city since early July, nor has it given the United Nations permission to evacuate hundreds of seriously wounded and sick patients in urgent need of medical care.

The Russian Federation has proposed opening four corridors so these humanitarian operations can take place. Russia has questioned why the U.N. has not taken it up on its proposal for safe passage in and out of the city.

In response, OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke told VOA that the U.N. would discuss with the Russian Federation "how we may use these corridors to evacuate people, especially the sick and wounded, and use them to get medical supplies and other relief in."

"As with any humanitarian corridor, it is fundamental that all parties to the conflict guarantee safe use." He said the most urgent priority was to get access and reach everybody in need.

VOA's Margaret Besheer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

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Syria's Rebels Say Regardless of Aleppo, They Will Fight On

By Jamie Dettmer, Jeff Seldin December 02, 2016

Syrian rebel commanders and opposition politicians insist the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad will continue even if they lose their tenuous hold on parts of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city.

Most military observers and diplomats estimate it is only a matter of weeks before the rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo will fall entirely into the hands of the Russian-backed regime forces. Even so, rebel commanders say they will fight on, using neighboring Idlib Province to continue their guerrilla-style war against the Assad regime.

The prime minister of the Syrian Interim Government, formed by an opposition umbrella alliance, added his voice to a defiant chorus, saying, in an interview with VOA, that the loss of Aleppo won't mark the end of the more than five-year-long revolution. "This will go on for a few more years," says Jawad Abu Hatab.

Hatab said he doesn't think there can be an overall military win for the rebels, but he argues resistance will be maintained and eventually Assad will go - "he will eventually be killed," Hatab says. When that happens, a political solution will be possible. "When this conflict began, I said it would take 10 years," he adds.

Keep fighting

Other opposition leaders, as well as rebel commanders and their supporters, say they have no alternative but to keep fighting, arguing they can't make a deal with Assad and wouldn't trust an amnesty offer.

"We want freedom and democracy in Syria without Assad and his security apparatus. No one can trust this regime and go back to Syria. If Bashar said, 'There's no problem, come back' and I did, I would be killed immediately," says Gen. Salim Idris, a former commander-in-chief of the Free Syrian Army who defected from the Syrian military in the early days of the revolt.

U.S. military and intelligence officials, speaking to VOA on condition of anonymity, acknowledge the days are numbered for Syrian opposition forces in Aleppo, with one saying, "The slaughter could go on for weeks."

The officials also agree with Syrian rebel commanders that Aleppo will not end the fight to oust Assad.

"The opposition will not be easily defeated," the official said. "The possibility exists for the five-year Syrian civil war to descend into a protracted battle fought through hit-and-run-style attacks, which regime forces are not prepared to handle."

Such tactics, U.S. officials say, have frustrated Syrian regime forces in the past. And for the regime to even push the rebels to the brink in Aleppo, it had to resort to a scorched earth bombing campaign with considerable help from the Russians, as well as significant support from Iranian-directed Shi'ite militias.

"The moderate opposition has grown in skill and size over the years to the point where they won't disappear," said a U.S. intelligence official.

One U.S. intelligence estimate puts the size of the moderate Syrian opposition forces at more than 100,000 fighters. And it's not just the moderate rebel groups that are managing to survive.

"None of these parties, whether the moderates or whether the hard core Islamists, none of those parties has actually been dealt any decisive blows," said Stratfor senior military analyst Sim Tack. "That's something that the Syrians and the Russians have not been able to achieve, to knock anyone out of the fight."

Some rebels are drawing comfort from remarks earlier this week by Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul-Rahman al-Thani, who told the Reuters news agency that the Gulf emirate wasn't thinking of abandoning the anti-Assad insurgents and would continue to arm them.

"This support is going to continue. We are not going to stop it. It doesn't mean that if Aleppo falls we will give up on the demands of the Syrian people," he said. Nor if President-elect Donald Trump decides to end U.S. support for the rebels, which he has indicated he may. "We are not going to change our position."

Even with arms supplies from the Gulf states, the rebels face a massive military dilemma - what strategy do they pursue after losing Aleppo? They are suffering losses elsewhere in the country - in the south, militias are barely holding their ground and in the Damascus suburbs, the regime is also making advances.

Military strategy

In recent months, Aleppo has been one of the twin geographical anchors for the rebellion.

The other, Idlib, seems now to be in the sights of the regime. Russian warplanes have already started pummeling the province and in mid-November, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu announced the start of a "major operation" that he said would target IS and al-Qaida in Idlib.

As with Aleppo, the FSA and Islamist militias are bearing much of the brunt of airstrikes, including from sorties flown by Su-33 'Flanker-D' fighters launched from the Russian aircraft carrier 'Admiral Kuznetsov' in the eastern Mediterranean.

Yet some in the West think such a strategy is destined to backfire.

"They have succeeded in pushing many pretty moderate groups into the arms of Nusra," a U.S. official said, referring to the Syrian al-Qaida affiliate that has since rebranded itself as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.

The likely loss of Aleppo may only serve to accelerate that process, playing into al-Qaida's long-term strategy in Syria, based on intertwining itself with the local populations while carefully selling itself as the only group capable of defeating the Syrian regime.

Former FSA Gen. Idris sees the strengthening of al-Qaida and groups like it as inevitable.

"Assad staying in power fuels the extremism," he said. "If the conflict continues for many more years, it will just help al-Qaida and the other extremists - they thrive on chaos and instability."

At the same time, unlike some of the U.S. officials, Idris believes the loss of Aleppo will deal an irreversible blow to the status of what remains of the moderate and more secular militias.

Aron Lund, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based research institution, believes the loss of Aleppo would mark, in effect, "a strategic checkmate for the Syrian opposition, as currently construed."

He acknowledges that foreign-backed rebel contingents in other locations could continue a fight but it wouldn't compensate "for the loss of Aleppo, or lead to a dismantling of Assad's regime that opposition backers seek, or even compel him to accept meaningful compromises," he adds.

Already, some rebel fighters admit they may join with the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat Fatah al-Shama and the hardline Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham, which al-Qaida veterans helped to found.

Others are prepared to walk away.

Mohammed, a rebel fighter with a militia aligned with the Free Syrian Army, is currently resting in the Turkish border town of Kilis. He said the loss of Aleppo would end his commitment to the war. "It has been too long, this war. It will end up as an even more difficult guerrilla war - I am just too tired."

"But many will fight on - in Idlib, in the mountains of Latakia and with the Turks in northern Syria," Mohammed added.

Turkey's role

Indeed, the evolving Turkish role in Syria will also likely be crucial to the fate of many militias, both in terms of supplying arms and allowing arms from other countries to cross into Syria.

Some rebels fear that the Turks could be bought off in a deal with Damascus.

"If Assad and Moscow guarantee there will be no Kurdish state in northern Syria, at what point does Ankara decide to withdraw its support," queried a top rebel commander, who asked not to named as his militia has recently received weapons from Turkey.

"To be honest, I don't trust the Turks and in the end they will decide to do what is in their interests and not ours," he added.

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In Break With Policy, Trump Speaks to Taiwan President

By Nike Ching December 02, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump made several phone calls to world leaders Friday, most notably to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, a move that breaks decades of policy and one that could risk raising tensions with China before Trump takes office.

The call is believed to be the first such contact between a U.S. president or president-elect and a Taiwanese leader since the United States broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979.

While there was no immediate response from China, the call would likely anger the nation. China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has never renounced the use of military force to bring the island under its control.

In the phone call, Tsai expressed her hope that the United States would continue to support Taiwans participation and contribution in international issues, according to a statement released late Friday by Taiwans Presidential Office.

They also exchanged views on the regional situation in Asia, as well as the future relationship between Taiwan and the United States. The president [Tsai] looks forward to strengthening bilateral contacts and to closer cooperation, said Taiwans government.

Trumps spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway said the president-elect is well aware of what U.S. policy has been on Taiwan.

President-elect Trump is fully briefed and fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless of who is on the other end of the phone, Conway told CNN Friday.

Tsai speaks perfect English and no interpreter was needed during the call that lasted more than 10 minutes.

Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee and Tsais National Security Adviser, Joseph Wu, were present during the call as well.

White House, State Department

The White House was not told about the call until after it happened, a senior administration official told The New York Times.

However, it said there was no change to the United States longstanding one China policy after Trumps discussion with Tsai.

We remain firmly committed to our one China policy, Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Obama, told Reuters. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations. The Taiwan Strait separates China and Taiwan.

The State Department declined to comment on whether it was notified or asked to brief the transition team on U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan before the phone call.

Our job is to offer support whether thats in terms of facilitation, translation or context, which we have done and will continue to do, State Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday.

But the degree to which its utilized is really for the transition team to decide, and its really more appropriate for them to speak to, Kirby added.

Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee who was named by Trump as White House chief of staff, met with Tsai last October while leading a Republican delegation to Taiwan.

A game changer?

Experts said the conversation between Trump and Tsai shows a clear break with the so-called pivot to Asia and could be a game changer.

While one phone call certainly cant replace a clear strategy for Asia or the rest of the world, President-elect Trump has shown guts in shaking up the status-quo on foreign policy issues that are of supreme importance, Harry Kazianis, director of Defense Studies at the Center for the National Interest, said.

John Bolton, who was U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations during former President George H.W. Bushs administration, met with Trump Friday.

Bolton, who emerged as a contender to be the next secretary of state, had advocated for an upgrade of Taiwans relations with the U.S.

The new U.S. administration could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department; upgrading the status of U.S. representation in Taipei from a private institute to an official diplomatic mission; inviting Taiwans president to travel officially to America; allowing the most senior U.S. officials to visit Taiwan to transact government business; and ultimately restoring full diplomatic recognition, according to a commentary article Bolton wrote for the Wall Street Journal earlier this year.

A statement released by the Trump transition team said Tsai congratulated Trump on his election win and he congratulated her on her win earlier this year.

Trump also talked by phone Friday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani; Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; and the Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Trump priorities

He also promised to have most of his Cabinet posts filled by next week, calling his nominees tremendous people.

The president-elect made the statement in an interview Friday on Fox News, a day after naming Marine Corps General James Mattis as defense secretary, an appointment that will be made formal Monday.

Meanwhile, Vice president-elect Mike Pence was quoted Friday in a Wall Street Journal article as saying the Trump administration will focus on illegal immigration, abolishing and replacing Obamacare (health care reform signed into law during the Obama administration), strengthening the military, and filling the vacant post on the nations Supreme Court.

Washington, D.C., is going to get an awful lot done in a short period of time, Pence told the Journal.

New York security costs

Also Friday, two members of the New York City Council began an online petition, asking Trump to provide federal funds to reimburse the city for the increased security costs of $1 million a day to protect his family.

Trump lives in Trump Towers in Manhattan and his transition team is working out of there as well.

We ask you to commit the necessary federal funds to reimburse New York for all costs of protecting you and your family, both before and after your inauguration as president of the United States of America, the petition said.

Police have used barricades and dump trucks filled with sand to help fortify the area around Trumps building.

The city has estimated, according to the petition, that the cost of security at the New York residence could reach $4 billion by the end of a four-year term.

Bill Ide in Beijing contributed to this report.

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Trump has 'historic' phone conversation with Taiwan president

ROC Central News Agency

2016/12/03 08:37:18

Washington, Dec. 2 (CNA) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen () on the phone Friday in what is described as "a first since the diplomatic ties between the United States and Taiwan were cut off" nearly 38 years ago.

According to a press release issued by the Trump transition team, the president-elect "spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations."

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties exists between Taiwan and the United States," according to the press release.

"President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," it said without giving other details about the conversation.

Tsai was among four "world leaders" that Trump spoke with during the day, according to the press release. The other three, all from Asia, were President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore.

In its headline, Financial Times of London said Trump "risks China rift" with the call to Tsai. The paper said the call was "the first from a U.S. president-elect since (bilateral) diplomatic relations were cut in 1979."

The Agence France Presse quoted an unidentified member of the Trump transition team as saying that Trump and Tsai discussed the possibility of closer cooperation on issues related to economy, politics and security.

There were no immediate comments from Taiwan's presidential office.

The press release from the Trump transition team, which was also sent to reporters by e-mail, was missing from the transition website as of 17:45 EST, with the web page showing a message that said "file not found."

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has vigorously obstructed any official contacts between Taiwan and other nations. Taiwan currently is recognized by only about two dozen countries, mainly in Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

(By Rita Cheng)

Enditem

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First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleh Hladkovsky has taken part in a regular meeting of the joint Ukraine-NATO working group on military-technical cooperation.

The NSDC press service said the meeting was held on December 2 in the NATO headquarters (Brussels, Belgium). The NATO party was headed by Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment Camille Grand.

"The participants in the meeting considered the results of cooperation with NATO in the field of arms and military-industrial complex and defined priorities for a further cooperation within the framework of the roadmap of Ukraine-NATO military-technical cooperation," the report says.

The parties also discussed the ways to improve the effectiveness of implementing projects within the framework of NATO trust funds in reforming logistics systems and standardization, modernization of control and communications systems, practical areas of cooperation in the framework of the NATO programs and projects for support and supply, as well as other areas of cooperation.
Turkish president eats his words on call to end Assad's rule

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 1:48AM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has backtracked on his earlier statements that his country's military forces launched operations in neighboring Syria to end the rule of the incumbent Damascus government, asserting that the offensives there are aimed only at terrorists.

"The aim of the Euphrates Shield Operation [in northern Syria] is not any country or person, but only terrorist organizations," Erdogan said in a speech at the presidential palace in Istanbul on Thursday.

He added, "No one should doubt this issue that we have uttered over and over, and no one should comment on it in another fashion or try to derail it."

The remarks came only two days after Erdogan said the Turkish army marched into Syria to end the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, whom he accused of terrorism and causing the deaths of thousands.

The Turkish president further alleged that Ankara had no territorial claims in Syria, and that Turkey was seeking to restore "justice" in the war-torn Arab country.

"Why did we enter? We do not have an eye on Syrian soil. The issue is to provide lands to their real owners. That is to say we are there for the establishment of justice," he said.

He went on to say that he estimates almost one million people to have died in the conflict in Syria. This is while UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura puts the number of people killed in the five-year foreign-sponsored militancy at more than 400,000 people.

Those remarks caused consternation in the Kremlin, with Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov demanding Erdogan to clarify anti-Assad goals in Syria.

Late on Wednesday, the Turkish leader and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the latest situation in Syria over the phone. The two statesmen also talked about efforts to find a solution to the humanitarian crisis in the divided northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo.

On August 24, the Turkish air force and special ground forces kicked off Operation Euphrates Shield inside Syria in a declared bid to support the Free Syrian Army militants and rid the border area of Daesh terrorists and fighters from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and Democratic Union Party (PYD).

The offensive was launched in coordination with the US-led military coalition, which has purportedly been fighting Daesh extremists since 2014.

The incursion was the first major Turkish military intervention in Syria, which drew strong condemnation from the Syrian government for violating the Arab country's sovereignty.

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Turkish MP Says Operation in Syria Serves to Protect Turkish Borders

Sputnik News

17:41 02.12.2016

A Turkish lawmaker said Ankara's incursion into Syria was aimed at protecting Turkey and not at waging war in the neighboring country.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Turkish Parliament voted for the military operation in northern Syria not to start a war but to protect Turkey's security, Mevlut Karakaya, the deputy president of the Turkish Nationalist Movement Party told Sputnik on Friday.

"By voting in the parliament in favor of the mandate for the operation in Syria, we only had one goal in mind, countering the terrorist threat and ensuring national security on the border, not waging war in a neighboring country," Karakaya said.

The lawmaker added that his party was a firm supporter of the territorial integrity of the neighboring countries and their sovereignty.

On August 24, Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, began a military operation dubbed the Euphrates Shield to clear the Syrian border town of Jarablus and the surrounding area of the Daesh terrorist organization. As Jarablus was recaptured, the joint forces of Ankara, the coalition and Syrian opposition groups continued the offensive southwest. Syrian authorities have denounced Turkey's involvement as an invasion.

 Sputnik

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MOD agrees 1 billion deal for UK test and training sites

2 December 2016

The MOD has agreed a 1bn contract amendment to modernise and run some of its UK test and training sites that will deliver 300M of efficiencies over the next 11 years.

The considerable efficiencies have been made possible through an amendment to the existing Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) contract with UK company QinetiQ.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin said:

"This new deal will ensure our Armed Forces get world-class training and testing facilities and services while making substantial efficiencies, ensuring excellent value for money for the taxpayer."

"Backed by a rising Defence budget and our 178 billion equipment plan, all three sites will continue to have a major role in supporting our defence capability. This investment will help secure their futures for the longer term."

Under the contract amendment QinetiQ and the MOD have agreed to invest approximately 180 million to modernise air ranges at MOD Aberporth, Wales and MOD Hebrides, Scotland and test aircrew training at MOD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire.

QinetiQ, which employs some 5,500 staff across the UK, will reduce infrastructure costs, modernising equipment and aircraft, and adopt a more strategic approach to the delivery of Test and Evaluation and Training Support capability.

It has also pledged to work with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to foster innovation and develop future skills to help deliver the LTPA.

The Hebrides and Aberporth test and evaluation ranges will be modernised ensuring that these essential capabilities are able to meet the needs of our Armed Forces for the foreseeable future.

At MOD Boscombe Down investment will provide a fleet of modern training aircraft and an up-to-date syllabus for Test Aircrew Training at the world-famous Empire Test Pilots' School.

Chief Executive Officer of the MOD's Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Tony Douglas, said:

"The LTPA contract amendment represents a great deal for both the MOD and the UK Defence industry for the next 11 years. It is another example of how DE&S works with UK companies to ensure value for money and the best equipment and support for our Armed Forces."

The LTPA is a 25-year enabling arrangement contract with QinetiQ with a total cost estimated at 5.6 billion, which came into effect on 1 April 2003.

The arrangement covers the costs of running UK test and evaluation ranges, the operational staff that support the ranges and the equipment that they use to support the MOD.

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600k could face severe water crisis in eastern Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Fri Dec 2, 2016 6:8PM

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has warned that about 600,000 impoverished people in eastern Ukraine could face a severe water and power crisis this winter following a move by Kiev to cut off supplies.

Alexander Hug of the OSCE's special monitoring mission for Ukraine said on Friday that the situation was becoming dire for people in the east of Ukraine, especially as sub-zero temperatures prevail in the country.

"Urgent steps needed as 600,000 people in the Lugansk region (are) at risk of being left without water, electricity and heating," Hug said in a message posted on Twitter.

The parts of Lugansk that are held by pro-Russians receive nearly 20 percent of their water from Kiev-controlled areas of Ukraine and occasional humanitarian aid from Russia.

Two Ukrainian firms that have been providing the region with water have cut off supplies allegedly due to their failure to pay their own electricity bills.

In October, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it would pay Lugansk's debt to Kiev. However, the ICRC called it "a stop-gap measure, not a sustainable solution."

The official news agency of Lugansk reported that Kiev had stopped supplying portions of the region with water on Thursday.

Kiev has also threatened to stop the electricity supplies to the region if authorities there do not cover unpaid bills in the coming days.

In April 2014, the government in Kiev launched military operations in Donbass, which includes the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, to crack down on ethnic Russians in the area who are against the Ukrainian rule.

The move then turned into a full-fledged armed conflict, which has left some 10,000 people dead, according to the United Nations.

Talks aimed at reaching a viable ceasefire have failed numerous times.

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Ukraine Military Ends Guided Missile Tests Near Crimea Amid Russia's Protests

Sputnik News

12:47 02.12.2016(updated 12:48 02.12.2016)

Ukraine has announced an end to its missile drills near Crimea.

KIEV (Sputnik)  The Ukrainian Armed Forces have wrapped up surface-to-air missile tests in southern Ukraine, Chief of General Staff Gen. Viktor Muzhenko said Friday.

"Flight and control tests of anti-aircraft guided missiles are successfully completed. The armed forces have taken an important step in increasing their combat capability and gaining opportunities to protect their state," Muzhenko wrote on his Facebook page.

Russia's air transport agency Rosaviatsia said last week that Ukraine unilaterally decided to hold missile firing exercises near Crimea's Simferopol on December 1-2 in violation of international agreements.

Moscow repeatedly called Kiev's missile launches in the Black Sea a threat to the safety of Russian civilian flights to Crimea and a provocation. Russian aviation authorities also informed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the tests, so far without a response.

The Russian Defense Ministry summoned Ukraine's defense attache last week to serve a note protesting Kiev illegally restricting the use of airspace over the Black Sea during the missile firing drills near Crimea.

 Sputnik

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Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met with Marshal of the Polish Sejm Marek Kuchcinski and discussed the process of reconciliation between the peoples of Ukraine and Poland.

"The parties agreed on the importance to avoid politicization of the delicate pages of the past and appreciated the joint declaration of memory and solidarity adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Sejm of the Republic of Poland in October this year," the press service of the Ukrainian president said.

The parties also noted mutual interest in the continuation of an active dialogue at the level of parliaments of the two countries and separately between the parliamentary committees and friendship groups.

Poroshenko supported Poland's initiative to hold the inter-parliamentary forum of Central and Eastern European countries.

The sides also discussed the issues of consolidation of the international community in support of Ukraine amidst Russian aggression.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2016) - Rubicon Minerals Corporation (TSX:RMX) ("Rubicon" or the "Company") announces that the resolution (the "Plan Resolution") approving the Company's plan of compromise and arrangement (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Company's previously announced refinancing and restructuring transaction (the "Restructuring Transaction") was approved by the requisite majorities of Affected Creditors that voted, in person or by proxy, on the Plan Resolution at the meetings held on December 2, 2016.

Rubicon intends to seek approval of the Plan ("Sanction Order") from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) on December 8, 2016 and will proceed to close the transaction shortly thereafter. Implementation of the plan is subject to receipt of the Sanction Order and to the satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions precedent set forth in the Plan.

A copy of the term sheet which outlines the terms of the Restructuring Transaction is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR and on the Company's website at www.rubiconminerals.com.

Share Sale Agreement

Pursuant to and upon completion of the Restructuring Transaction, the principal amount outstanding under the loan agreement between the Company and CPPIB Credit Investments Inc. ("CPPIB Credit") dated May 12, 2015 will be reduced to C$12 million and in exchange CPPIB Credit will receive consideration including a payment of C$20 million and 14,536,341 newly issued common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") representing 26.97% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. CPPIB Credit has agreed to sell 4,536,341 common shares in a private transaction to BMO Capital Markets ("BMO") at a price of C$1.33 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$6,033,333.53. The sale to BMO is conditional upon, among other things, the completion of the Restructuring Transaction. Rubicon understands that BMO intends to sell those shares, as principal, to investors. Following the sale to BMO, CPPIB Credit will hold 10,000,000 Common Shares representing approximately 18.56% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.

TSX Expedited Listing Review Update

The Company has been notified that the TSX has deferred its decision regarding delisting the common shares of the Company with respect to meeting the requirements of continued listing until December 29, 2016. Although the Company believes that it will be in compliance with all TSX continued listing requirements upon conclusion of the delisting review, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of such review and therefore, continued qualification for listing on TSX. The common shares will remain suspended from trading until further notice.

RUBICON MINERALS CORPORATION

Julian Kemp, Interim President, CEO, and Chair

Cautionary Statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and other Cautionary Notes

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "intends", "may", "will", "should", "plans", "anticipates", "potential", "expects", "estimates", "forecasts", "budget", "likely", "goal" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may or may not be achieved or occur in the future. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the Restructuring Transaction, the Company's intended actions during the CCAA proceedings and the anticipated timing of the various steps of the CCAA proceedings, and the intentions of CPPIB Credit and BMO in respect of the sale of common shares of the Company.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and represent management's best judgment based on facts and assumptions that management considers reasonable. If such opinions and estimates prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed in the forward-looking statements. The material assumptions upon which such forward-looking statements are based include, among others, that: the demand for gold and base metal deposits will develop as anticipated; the price of gold will remain at or attain levels that would render the Phoenix Gold Project potentially economic; that any proposed exploration, operating and capital plans will not be disrupted by operational issues, title issues, loss of permits, environmental concerns, power supply, labour disturbances, financing requirements or adverse weather conditions; Rubicon will continue to have the ability to attract and retain skilled staff; and there are no material unanticipated variations in the cost of energy or supplies.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Rubicon to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery or throughput rates; uncertainty of mineral resources, inability to realize exploration potential, mineral grades and mineral recovery estimates; actual results of current exploration activities; actual results of reclamation activities; uncertainty of future operations, delays in completion of exploration plans for any reason including insufficient capital, delays in permitting, and labour issues; conclusions of future economic or geological evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents and other risks of the mining industry; delays and other risks related to operations; timing and receipt of regulatory approvals; the ability of Rubicon and other relevant parties to satisfy regulatory requirements; the ability of Rubicon to comply with its obligations under material agreements including financing agreements; the availability of financing for proposed programs and working capital requirements on reasonable terms; the ability of third-party service providers to deliver services on reasonable terms and in a timely manner; risks associated with the ability to retain key executives and key operating personnel; cost of environmental expenditures and potential environmental liabilities; dissatisfaction or disputes with local communities or First Nations or Aboriginal Communities; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social conditions; the implementation and impact of the Restructuring Transaction; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or obtain adequate financing to fund our capital expenditures and working capital needs and meet our other obligations; the volatility of our stock price, and the ability of our common stock to remain listed and traded on the TSX; our ability to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, employees, stockholders and other third parties in light of our current liquidity situation and the CCAA proceedings.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Rubicon disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the risk factors identified in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for period ending December 31, 2015 under the heading "Risk Factors" for a discussion of the factors that could cause Rubicon's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are further cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors is not exhaustive and it is recommended that prospective investors consult the more complete discussion of Rubicon's business, financial condition and prospects that is included in this news release. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2016) - US Oil Sands Inc. ("US Oil Sands" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:USO), an innovator of oil extraction technologies, announces an update on corporate liquidity and the PR Spring Project (the "Project") construction, commissioning and start-up costs and timing. In summary, the Company is planning to defer the start-up of the Project until it has closed a US$7.5 million financing (the "Financing") with ACMO S.a R.L. ("ACMO"), the Company's largest shareholder.

With mechanical construction of the Project complete, the Company focused on and has substantially completed commissioning. As a result of liquidity constraints, the Company elected to defer final commissioning steps that would have introduced liquids and solids into the extraction facility, thereby allowing for ease of equipment preservation and lay-up of the facility pending closing of Financing.

In order to preserve working capital, the Company has temporarily laid off most Canadian and U.S. employees, retaining only those essential to close a financing. Certain U.S. employees may also be retained on a part-time or short-term basis to assist in equipment preservation and lay-up of the facility and to maintain basic U.S. operations.

The Company expects to close the Financing in mid to late December and to bring back employees in early January 2017 to complete the last few commissioning procedures that will lead into commercial production.

"This has not been an easy period for all our stakeholders. We have made considerable efforts in sourcing additional capital and ultimately are fortunate to continue to have ACMO provide the Financing" said Cameron Todd, CEO of US Oil Sands. "The decisions we have had to take have not been made lightly as we know they affect many businesses and families. But slightly delaying the Project and completing this Financing is believed to be in the best interest of all concerned, including our shareholders. We are looking forward to making first oil early into 2017 and profitably demonstrating the Company's commercial technology."

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Company is pleased to report that the Project is mechanically complete and all but final commissioning activities are also complete. The plant's four processing systems: ore handling and conditioning system, extraction, distillation, and utilities systems have all been handed over to operations. The Company's operations team has been working through its 996 step commissioning plan with approximately 35 deferred until completion of the Financing and initiation of start-up procedures. The final commissioning steps involve introduction of liquids and solids into the system which would make equipment preservation and lay-up of the facility much more difficult and costly.

With mine opening complete and ready for active mining operations, the Company completed a 4-week mobilization and field training program of the Company's mining machine which will be used in the mine to mill the oil sand deposit. The program also produced a stockpile of ore for the Company to use during initial commissioning and start-up of the plant.

LIQUIDITY

As previously disclosed, the Company has limited working capital for funding of remaining Project construction costs incurred, commissioning and start-up, operations and ongoing corporate G&A costs. As of the date hereof, there are approximately US$5.0 million of current liabilities directly related to the Project. In addition, there are an estimated US$0.2 million in expenditures required to complete commissioning of the Project that have not yet been committed. Based on these estimates and without the Financing, the Company would not have sufficient capital resources to fund the current working capital deficiency, along with the remaining commissioning and start-up costs.

FINANCING

The Company has signed a non-binding letter of intent with ACMO in respect of the Financing. The Financing is a US$7.5 million senior secured term loan bearing interest at 15% per annum, payable upon loan maturity. The loan is repayable in one year with a further 12-month extension available if the Company meets certain production volume and cost targets. In consideration for providing the Financing, the Company will issue to ACMO 1.2 billion warrants exercisable at C$0.015 having a five-year term to expiry. The Company currently has 1,814,097,605 common shares issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis. With 3,014,097,605 shares outstanding if as and when ACMO's warrants are exercised, the Company anticipates completing the previously announced and shareholder approved share consolidation, either concurrently with or shortly after closing the Financing. Upon closing the Financing, the Company will reconstitute its Board of Directors such that the number of directors will decrease from eight to six and ACMO will increase its representation on the Board from two to three directors. Completion of the Financing is subject to negotiation of definitive agreements which will require final board approval and satisfaction of the conditions therein. The Financing will be subject to TSXV Exchange (the "Exchange") approval which will require a waiver of Exchange policies relating to the warrants proposed to be issued as part of the Financing. There is no certainty that the Exchange will approve the Financing.

ACMO elected not to exercise 160,725,000 warrants that expired on November 30, 2016. The warrants were exercisable at C$0.015 and were issued in consideration for providing a standby commitment in conjunction with the Company's rights offering that closed on May 31, 2016.

ACMO currently owns 556,716,222 common shares of the Company, representing approximately 31% on a fully diluted basis. Assuming full exercise of the warrants associated with the Financing, ACMO would own approximately 58% of the Company's fully diluted shares.

OUTLOOK

The Company is focused on negotiating definitive agreements in respect of the Financing, obtaining Exchange approval and closing the Financing in December 2016. Shortly thereafter, the Company plans to focus on final commissioning procedures and start-up of commercial operations of Phase 1 of the Project in the beginning of 2017.

Demonstrating the commercial viability of the Company's patented and unique technology is expected to open the opportunities for future developments in other oil sands areas outside of Utah, in addition to capacity expansion on the Company's Utah production.

The Company continues to evaluate specific markets and transportation for sales of crude oil and other petroleum products.

Management will continue to investigate and pursue business development opportunities for the Company's technology, including opportunities to work with Athabasca oil sands developers to demonstrate the technology's favourable extraction outcomes. The Company will broaden its working relationships with leaseholders and government agencies supporting development of Canadian oil sands.

ABOUT US OIL SANDS INC.

US Oil Sands is engaged in the exploration and development of oil sands properties and, through its wholly owned United States subsidiary US Oil Sands (Utah) Inc., has a 100% interest in bitumen leases covering 32,005 acres of land in Utah's Uinta Basin. The Company plans to develop its oil sands properties using its proprietary extraction process which uses a bio-solvent to extract bitumen from oil sands without the need for tailings ponds. The Company is in the pre-production stage, anticipating the commencement of bitumen production and sales once it has completed commissioning and start-up of the Project.

The foregoing contains forward-looking information relating to the future performance of the Company including information relating to the development and construction of the Project, expectations that the Company will complete commissioning, start-up and operate Phase 1 of the Project during 2017, expectations relating to completion of the Financing on the terms contemplated herein in Q4 2016, construction activities, capital requirements, corporate development activities and international opportunities. Forward looking information is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, changes in world commodity markets or equity markets, the risks of the petroleum industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the oil and gas industry, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities (available at www.SEDAR.com). Forward-looking statements are made based on various assumptions and on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made. In particular, forward looking statements regarding the completion of construction, commission, start-up and operation of the Project are subject to the necessary financing being obtained to complete these steps and the Financing is subject to negotiation of definitive agreements and obtaining all necessary approvals and waivers from the Exchange and satisfying any conditions that may be imposed by the Exchange. There is no certainty that the Financing or the Project will be completed within the time contemplated herein.

Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking information contained herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these assumptions, beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 2, 2016 / Canadian Silver Hunter Inc. (TSXV: AGH.H) ("Canadian Silver Hunter" or the "Company") announces that it has granted 1,200,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and employees/consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. These options are granted for a five-year term and were granted in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. These options are the only options issued by the Company at this time.

About Canadian Silver Hunter Inc.

Canadian Silver Hunter Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on the exploration of silver-cobalt deposits on its flagship South Lorrain Project (formerly the Keeley Frontier Project). The South Lorrain Project is located within the historic South Lorrain Silver Camp, which along with the historic Cobalt and Gowganda silver camps is part of the world class silver and cobalt district in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt between Temagami and Kirkland Lake, in northeastern Ontario. The South Lorrain Project is made up of four properties, centered by two prolific past producing silver-cobalt mines, the Keeley and the Frontier. Combined historic production from the two mines totaled 19.2 million ounces of silver, and 3.3 million pounds of cobalt, with an average grade of 58 ounces of silver per tonne. The company will continue to focus its exploration efforts on the existing targets located on the Keeley-Frontier property portion of the project. For further details about the Company's project and plans please visit the Canadian Silver Hunter Inc. website at www.canadiansilverhunter.ca.

Canadian Silver Hunter Inc.

Jeffrey Hunter

President and CEO

(647) 348-6966

info@cshi.ca

www.canadiansilverhunter.ca

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward- looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward- looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe Harbor.

SOURCE: Canadian Silver Hunter Inc.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense will use all the funds allocated this year for purchase of arms and equipment, but the defense order will not be executed, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has said.

"This year we have accepted 17 units of new weapons and military equipment, bought a lot of rocket and artillery weapons, ammunition, armored and automotive equipment, thermal imagers, and other types of equipment. There is no disruption of procurement, however there is underfunding," Poltorak said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"We saw a shortage of UAH 3.6 billion for the execution of the state defense order. We planned to get the funds from special confiscation, but the Verkhovna Rada has not passed the relevant law. Therefore we failed to execute the state defense order," he added.

However, the minister assured the funds allocated will be spent.

"But the money we have obtained will be used by the end of the year. Just two weeks ago the last billion of hryvnias was allocated. These funds were blocked but there is a government resolution to unblock the money and all the contracts for purchase of arms and equipment have been signed," Poltorak said.
(TNS) -- Your credit card may start winking at you soon in an effort to keep your data safe.French digital security company Oberthur Technologies, which maintains a significant design and production operation in Los Angeles, has developed a digital display powered by a micro-thin battery. It will change the three or four-digit CVV number  that stands for credit verification value  on the back of credit and debit cards as often as 72 times every 24 hours.This latest defense against financial data theft wasnt available for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. But when it comes to the United States, as early as 2017, it may help plastic remain the dominant payment option.Oberthurs Motion Code technology promises relief to U.S. merchants who havent exactly embraced the most recent technology upgrade  security chips built into credit cards. This new development wont require retailers to buy expensive new hardware to process transactions.There is a constant balancing act between security and simplicity, said Martin Ferenczi, Oberthurs president for North America operations. Motion Code solves this better than any other option.The United States has been a laggard in adopting technology to protect credit and debit card data, and consumers and merchants have wound up paying for the delays.Americans account for about 23% of global purchases and cash volume but suffer nearly 39% of the worlds credit card fraud, according to the Nilson Report, which tracks payment card data. Thats because the United States hasnt embraced what is pretty much old news in Europe  so-called EMV smart-chip cards, named for developers Europay, Mastercard and Visa.The embedded EMV chip is that small metallic-colored square that is usually found on the left of the credit cards face. The chip issues a special code with each use, making it far more difficult to counterfeit a payment card.Keeping up with the current EMV chip technology hasnt been simple, said John G. Mooney, who specializes in information systems and technology management as an associate professor at Pepperdine Universitys business school.Merchants have been slow to adopt the chip readers, Mooney said, partly because the smartcards require a chip reader that can cost $500 apiece. Many are still using the old swipe machines which do not take advantage of the chip.As of October, about 2 million U.S. merchants had installed the chip readers, or about 25% of the nations 8 million retail establishments, according to the Nilson Report. Moreover, some businesses that have the chip readers arent using them yet.The EMV chips also have limitations, doing nothing for the consumer when he is sitting in front of the computer, tablet or phone, online, and deciding to buy whatever it is he wants to buy, Ferenczi said.Some have tried to add security to online credit transactions by requiring an added step of verification, such as a number that is texted to ones phone or sent to an email address.The number of transactions that are dropped through this is too high, Ferenczi said. Merchants dont really like it. The phone might not be on or the battery might be dead or you might not be able to get to your email quickly enough.Ferenczi said Oberthurs Motion Code improves the safety of in-store and online payments without expecting more from the merchant or the consumer.Lawrence Harris, a finance professor at USCs business school, agreed that creating a system that changes the CVV number on a regular basis provides an additional level of security.That should be very attractive to merchants and card issuers, he said. Consumers can use their cards over the Internet with some additional confidence.Oberthur, the worlds second largest manufacturer of chip-enabled smartcards, employs about 1,200 people in the United States and Canada, part of a global workforce of nearly 6,500. About 300 work in Southern California.The new Motion Code technology hasnt arrived yet at the Oberthur facility in Rancho Dominguez, where workers put the final touches on plastic cards produced at an Oberthur factory in Pennsylvania.The plastic is mated with the personal information of a future cardholder on something that resembles an assembly line in miniature. The company recently upgraded its network of Oberthur machines, which rapidly improved output, said William Hoskins, the facilitys deputy director.The card is finished in one pass through the machine, which is twice fast as the equipment we used to use, Hoskins said. We have more than doubled our production capacity to 200 million cards per year.The work is taken very seriously at Oberthur. The windows have steel bars as thick as those used to protect fine art storage buildings. Reflective window glass means no one can see inside.The secured sections of the building sit behind turnstiles so sensitive that workers have done face-plants into the glass before mastering the technique.Smartphones are collected at the door. The lab coats have pockets just wide enough for a pen and little else. Getting a job there requires 10 years of employment and residential history.Theft isnt the only threat facing Oberthur.Digital payments using the likes of Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Venmo and Google are making inroads into the use of credit cards. Millennials are the biggest concern because they havent shown the same trust in banking as previous generations, experts say.I dont think that credit cards are going to go away for quite some time, Pepperdines Mooney said. But, he added, I would not bet on the credit card industry continuing to be as profitable as it has been.Ferenczi said Oberthurs own history is one reason to have faith in its future. The company name comes from Francois-Charles Oberthur, a master printer and lithographer whose company in 1842 produced currencies and stock certificates.Oberthur eventually got out of the paper money business, expecting plastic payment cards to replace banknotes. But paper currencies survived. So will plastic, Ferenczi said.Even so, Oberthur has hedged its bets widely. For one thing, its products are also inside smartphone hardware.You have a SIM card in your phone, Ferenczi said. We produce SIM cards for the largest mobile networks in the world. Additionally, Oberthurs reach extends to citizen access and identity. We are involved with electronic passports, electronic identification cards and other types of physical access IDs.We consider ourselves as an embedded security software developer, Ferenczi said. We dont have any fear that the need for that technology is going to go away.
A new audit of state computer systems by the Oregon Secretary of States office found that most of the 13 agencies it reviewed lacked adequate security plans, processes or staffing to complete fundamental security functions to protect information systems and data.The document also noted longstanding vulnerabilities in the states computer systems. State officials who worked on the audit declined to be quoted directly but said it revealed definite deficiencies that need to be addressed.CIO Alex Pettit, who has held the post since early 2014, said his office generally agrees with the findings but that a Sept. 12 executive order (EO) from Gov. Kate Brown gives his office new authority over the security of the 80-some agencies."Released Wednesday, the audit assessed seven security functions: security planning and staffing, vulnerability management, network security, user account management, security patching and anti-virus, outdated operating system replacement, and security awareness training at 13 state departments.The agencies, including Revenue, Corrections, Parks and Recreation, and the state police, were chosen because they comprised a representative cross-section of state departments.The audit, conducted between September 2015 and September 2016, found most agencies reviewed did not provide adequate security for computer programs and data. All showed weaknesses in at least two survey areas, and more than half had weakness in six of the seven areas.All 13 agencies had security weaknesses in user account management and security patching and anti-virus, while 11 agencies were found to be using outdated operating systems.Only seven agencies were found to have deficiencies or vulnerabilities in network security, the least problematic survey area.Citing confidentiality requirements, audit team members declined to provide specific examples of vulnerabilities or deficiencies discovered, or to name agencies that experienced these issues.The audit recommended the Office of the State CIO (OSCIO) collaborate with state agencies to make plans to fully implement the requirements of the governor's executive order: develop sufficient statewide standards and processes for oversight to ensure the security of computer systems; work with agencies to remediate specific weaknesses identified in the audit; and work with the governor, legislature and agency directors to ensure staffing and resources are available to implement security measures at the agency level.In a statement, Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins said the audit found this is a critical time for more leadership and oversight from the OSCIO to ensure security of the states computer systems.We also need the Legislature and the governors office to continue engaging on this mission so that the CIO has adequate support as more and more government services are provided online, Atkins said. Specifically referencing the state's posture relative to security, she added: Were behind. I think theres no doubt about that.But the audit also highlighted a long-existing pattern of vulnerabilities in state computer systems.For more than 15 years, audits of state agency systems and controls have identified significant security weaknesses with computer systems and controls at state agencies, the audits authors wrote.State officials providedwith two earlier audits. 2015 audit of Oregon's data center, operated by the Department of Administrative Service, found security weaknesses had put confidential information at risk during the previous nine years.Among its recommendations were developing and maintaining configurations and processes for monitoring systems to detect unauthorized changes and ensuring users remain authorized, and replacing unsupported network equipment and obsolete operating systems. 2010 data center audit found that most security issues identified in previous audits could be successfully mitigated without new or overly complex technical solutions, yet continued to exist.Among the 2010 audit's recommendations was that the shared services governance structure be revised to facilitate timely resolution of security issues.Pettit said in an official response letter Tuesday that his office generally agreed with the latest audits findings. As mandated in the executive order, the OSCIO will complete an "enterprise-wide security risk assessment" by mid-2017, followed immediately by the development of an Enterprise Security Plan, according to Pettit.The OSCIO agreed on almost all of the audit's points, mentioning, for example, that implementation of an Enterprise Vulnerability Management Program, under development for more than a year, has been accelerated.An exception was the charge it had "not yet provided sufficient and appropriate IT security standards and oversight."The OSCIO "generally" agreed with this, and said in the response letter it collaborated with 11 state agencies to rewrite Information Security Standards that will be published this year. Next year, the letter said, policy and guidance standards are also being redone, and will be published next year in conjunction with the release of the new Enterprise Security Plan.In an interview, Pettit said Oregon's track record was his biggest concern after reading the audit, that fundamentally the state has not been making progress in this area.I think that right there was the most alarming thing to me and is also the most encouraging thing, because now weve certainly changed how this is going to be done, Pettit said, referring to the executive order.The EO outlined a process to unify IT security functions and transferred executive department state agency security functions to the OSCIO through June 30. It directed agencies to work with the OSCIO's new security group to create and implement security plans, rules and policies, and to cooperate with OSCIO in its risk assessment and remediation.Auditors noted OSCIO has "developed proposed milestones related to security and education awareness, risk assessments and vulnerability scanning."But they said few details exist as to how the CIO and agencies will achieve the EO's requirements.The EO, auditors wrote, transfers security functions from agencies to the CIO without adding staffing or resources to support the shift. This, they said, could "lead to confusion" for staffers transferred to OSCIO but still directed by their agencies for daily functions."Its pretty hard not to agree with some things when theyve been citing them over and over," Pettit said in an interview, referring to the new audit. "Having said that, the other piece of some note, the OSCIO has only had the authority to mitigate some of these things for 10 weeks now."Pettit said his office will do "a complete inventory," assessing everything from the ages of systems, hardware and software to the ingress and egress of online traffic.He praised the EO which he said he hopes the Legislature will make permanent, and said it "empowers us to mitigate the risk the state is subject to by having access to the data."Weve been able because of the protections we have in place, we've been able to prevent ... any significant loss or elimination. But that doesnt stop that its an ongoing war for us. Its a constant struggle to protect our systems and our information and our citizens' data," Pettit said.
The Ukrainian parliamentary delegation has put forward an offer to hold a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Kyiv and will insist on it, the First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Gerashchenko has stated.

"The visit of the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to the NATO headquarters and the Secretariat of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is coming to end. We've offered holding a PA meeting on Ukraine. The schedule of these important inter-parliamentary meetings has been formed for a few years in advance, but the Ukrainian delegation will stand for holding a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Kyiv in the next years," Gerashchenko wrote on her Facebook page.

According to her, Ukrainian MPs also offered to hold public parliamentary hearings on the potential of development of cooperation between NATO and Ukraine in March 2017.

"The Ukraine-NATO Inter-parliamentary Council will be held in March, and this is a good reason for talking in detail about the potential of our relations," she added.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has noted the importance of ensuring conditions for inclusive education for children with special needs.

"Especially I would like to emphasize the creation of conditions for inclusive education. We cannot close children with special needs in the environment, which, in principle, will not create conditions to get out of the situation in which the child is," he said in Kyiv, when opening public hearings regarding the development of priorities in children's rights protection in Ukraine entitled "Children in need of special protection of the state: the key aspects of public policy reform."

The prime minister noted that ensuring the rights of children is the priority for him, and the Cabinet of Ministers is ready to support such initiatives.

As reported, China will provide more than UAH 5 million for the development of inclusive education in Ukraine.

The Cabinet intends by 2022 to transfer pupils from special schools for children with mental retardation to inclusive forms in schools.

Inclusive education is based on understanding that disabled people in today's society can (and should) be involved in the community on the basis of forming access to education for everybody, including children with disabilities.
The initial conference on planning Ukrainian-American Sea Breeze 2017 exercises, the theme of which was conducting multinational security operations in the crisis area, has been completed in Odesa.

According to a report from the press center of the Naval Forces of Ukraine posted on the official website of the Defense Ministry, the event was attended by Ukrainian and American military sailors, as well as representatives from Georgia, Poland, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Romania, Canada, the UK, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Turkey.

Ukrainian Navy representatives noted close cooperation between the groups at the conference, participants' activity.

Over the three days of work, the idea of future exercises was formed, maneuver control components and system were defined.

In addition, the participants discussed the aspects of logistics and interaction with mass media, defined the range of combat exercises and training forces.
Data from Sente Mortgage shows that, although 92 percent of Americans understand that purchasing a home makes more financial sense than renting, 70 percent don't know where or how to begin the process.

The complexity of finding and applying for a mortgage could be putting people off, Sente suggests. In their findings, 44 percent of the respondents surveyed admit that the home buying process seems intimidating to them. Meanwhile, 30 percent didn't know how large a home loan they could afford, while 25 percent admitted they had no understanding of the future impact on their finances of buying a home. Also, one fifth of people believed that their lack of financial education meant they couldn't buy a home without help.

Sente Mortgage chief executive Tom Rhodes said, "Unfortunately, many of the most valuable resources available to buyers go grossly under-utilized, but with the right guidance and support, owning a home can be one of the biggest contributing factors to long-term financial success."

From the collated information, it was clear that 11 percent of people were more likely to seek advice on vacationing than on buying a home. People are twice as likely to compare TV prices than mortgages. In such cases, it's up to real estate agents to help buyers find the right lender and provide guidance through these complex transactions.
GREENWICH  A dispute is brewing over proposed cuts that some parents say pit a desire to control spending against the school systems most vulnerable  yet expensive  students.

In November, Superintendent Sal Corda proposed several cuts to the special education department as part of the school districts 2017-18 operating budget.

They include a reduction in funds to place special education students at private schools that can accommodate their needs, and in funds to cover tuition settlements with parents.

Corda insisted the cuts will not affect the level of services offered to special education students  and mandated to them by law.

There will be no impact whatsoever, he said.

But the proposals come amid an already challenging year for special education. Several para-professional positions were cut from the current years budget. And with a $41.6 million cut to the states Education Cost Sharing Grant in April, special education is receiving much less state support across the board.

In this climate, Cordas budget has drawn particular scrutiny from school officials and parents as the Board of Education moves to finalize the operating budget on Dec. 15.

Board member Jennifer Dayton objected to the proposed cuts, telling Corda that, in light of the decreased state aid, she didnt have confidence in his decision to reduce the department further.

If we hadnt had the cuts, I might feel better, but I feel like we have two things working against us, she said.

At a BOE budget meeting on Nov. 21, a parent from the PTA Councils Educational Difference Support Committee said the budget calls for a disproportionate amount of cuts made to special education, as compared to general education.

Parents who spoke to Greenwich Time this week described a long history of frustration in trying to get services for their children, and said the cuts represent a further handicap to a system that already fails special needs kids.

Tuition students

The cuts target a small group of special education students who are placed in private schools, and parents who choose to have their special education student outplaced.

The proposed cuts decrease the funds available for tuition payments by 2.56 percent in 2017-18, dropping from a budgeted $4,483,500 this year to $4,368,901 next year.

This years outplacement tuition, which serves .25 percent of the student body, makes up almost 3 percent of the districts operating budget.

Funds for Pupil Personnel Services settlements, which take place when parents are dissatisfied with the special education that their child is receiving in the district and seek to have the district pay a portion of their childs tuition at a private institution, will drop by 8 percent from $125,000 budgeted in 2016-17 to $115,000 in 2017-18.

The district has made 21 of these settlements so far this academic year. It made 40 Pupil Personnel Services settlements in 2015-16 and 49 the year prior. The size and terms of the settlements are confidential.

Parents pointed to the settlements as evidence of dissatisfaction with the available special education services in Greenwich.

Many hire attorneys to negotiate the settlement process, incurring thousands in legal fees while fighting for their childrens education.

Its a sad state of affairs, said the parent of an elementary special education student.

Parents spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying they fear retaliation against their children if they publicly criticize the special education system.

Mary Forde, director of Pupil Personnel Services, said their fear is unwarranted.

I am sorry to hear that any of our parents fear retaliation if they speak out, she said. If any parents feel that way, I would encourage them to reach out directly to me and I will ensure that their concerns are properly heard. Our goal is to partner with parents to resolve issues.

Forde justified the cuts, saying that school officials looked at spending in these categories in the past few years and predicted how much the district would need next year.

Is there a shot in the dark on some of this? You betcha, said Corda about their projections in a recent Board of Education meeting. Nevertheless ... we think were going to be able to manage.

He and Forde have sought to assuage parent concerns by pointing to state law, which requires districts to meet the particular needs of each special education student.

Parents of kids with disabilities are always afraid that budget cuts will impact their child, Forde said. Every parent is afraid that a budget cut will impact their child. They should be assured that if they have an IEP (individual education plan) and there are services on that IEP, they will get those services.

But parents said therein lies the crux of the issue: Special education parents  themselves included  frequently disagree with the school district over the services that their child should be receiving.

A childs IEP, which dictates the services he or she will receive, is produced by a team of central office evaluators, psychologists, speech therapists and other professionals who examine the student. But the central office staff also produces the yearly budget responsible for funding the services that they have identified.

Parents say that produces a conflict as school administrators are told by town finance officials every year to keep budgets low.

Other cuts

Corda has proposed other special education cuts, including the elimination of one special education teacher and two Greenwich Alternative High School teachers.

Forde said the full-time special education teacher can be eliminated because shifting numbers means care for some special education students can be absorbed by other teachers. She said she has not yet selected the special education teacher she will eliminate.

Two alternative high school teachers can be eliminated because the program options for a redesigned GAHS, to be rolled out next year, require fewer staff, Forde said.

The budget also proposes spending less on occupational and physical therapy services, which Forde said could be provided at the same levels for less.

The parent of an elementary special education student said she didnt understand how the same level of service could be provided with fewer teachers and spending cuts.

Less is less, period, said the mother, who has paid for additional occupational therapy for her child.

Forde said the decision to make any cuts was difficult.

It makes me nervous because its average spending, she said. If you talk to any special education director, I think theyll tell you the thing that gives them the most agita is budget. Were just always waiting for the next shoe to drop. ... Kids move and sometimes when they move they bring with them some pretty significant service needs.

Some school board members gave hints on how they will vote on the cuts.

I dont believe the proposed cuts will impact students since the budgeted amounts have typically exceeded the spending levels, said board Chair Laura Erickson. If there is a situation where more spending is needed to meet student need, we will certainly act to address that.

Board member Peter Bernstein said he didnt think the operating budget unfairly targeted any one department, but Any cut to our budget makes me take pause. We need to understand the justification for any decrease or increase in the budget, he said.

Bernstein suggested that now is the right time to look under the hood and examine spending.

Dayton seemed to challenge her fellow board members.

While the district plans to support the needs of special education students in the local schools, it cannot anticipate the highly variable costs of requests for out-of-district placements, she said. In all due process hearings, Connecticut, unlike other U.S. states, places the burden of proof that special education decisions are appropriate on the school district. Therefore, allocations must be scrutinized by board members carefully.

emunson@hearstmediact.com; @emiliemunson
Cos Cob

People can drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Cos Cob Fire House and the Banksville Community House on Dec. 10 as part of Toys for Tots.

Donations will go to needy kids in the area, with Greenwich kids given the priority. The United States Marine Corps will use a seven-ton personnel carrier to collect the toys and take them to the main distribution center in Stamford.

The Marines and members of the Greenwich police and fire departments will help with the collections. Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance.

Collection will take place in Cos Cob, 200 East Putnam Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon, and in Banksville, 12 Banksville Road, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Toys for Tots collection continues a holiday tradition spearheaded by town residents Jack Kriskey and Ronnie Staplefield. Kriskey oversaw the effort for 14 years before handing the reigns over to the Silver Shield Association, the Greenwich police offers union, last year. Carrying on the tradition is possible through a support team including Chief of Police James Heavey, John Pugni of the Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Company and longtime supporter and Greenwich resident Kerrin Coyle, Kriskey said.

I really enjoy doing this, Kriskey said. Its such a special cause to be involved with and a real chance to give back to kids who need something this holiday, and so many people come out to help. Its a real community building experience.

Kriskey was honored in 2014 with the Toys for Tots Commanders Award for his years of service.

Any new unwrapped toy will be accepted, but Kriskey said the group could use more presents for girls in their early teens. People can also bring checks made out to Toys for Tots, which allows the organization to fill any gaps on wish lists.

Collection is also ongoing at Town Hall. People can make donations through Dec. 16 at the Finance Department on the second floor.

Downtown

The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor will be marked on Dec. 7 at the war memorial on Greenwich Avenue in front of the Havemeyer Building.

The ceremony, which is being put together by the newly formed Greenwich Veterans Council and the American Legion Post 29, will begin at 4 p.m. In case of bad weather, it will be across the street inside the Public Safety Complex.

All members of the public are invited to attend.

The aim of the Dec. 7 program is to remember those who lost their lives on the day so aptly described by President Franklin Roosevelt as a date which will live in infamy, as well as those who, in the angry face of war, bravely defended the United States and its military assets, said Barbara Heins, assistant to First Selectman Peter Tesei and liaison for the council. Representatives of the councils member organizations plan to attend and participate in Wednesdays program.

American Legion Post 29 Commander Christopher Hughes said there remains a need to keep alive memory of the sacrifices and bravery of World War II veterans.

I am extremely happy to see the continuation as this is an important date that many have seemed to forget (and) the impact it had on our country, Hughes said.

The council includes American Legion Post 29, the Byram Veterans Association, Cos Cob VFW Post 10112, the Greenwich Military Covenant of Care, the Ninth District Veterans, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the town Department of Social Services.

Glenville

The Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center in Glenville will host a performance of A Christmas Carol on Dec. 15 starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $7 per person.

The play, courtesy of the towns Department of Parks and Recreation, is targeted for children from kindergarten to the sixth grade. The Hampstead Stage Company members will perform an adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens story about miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge and the three ghosts that visit him one Christmas Eve.

The Hampstead company, which has toured for more than 25 years, is named after the area of London where founders Daniel Matmor, Michael Phillips, Katherine Preston and Gordon Preston all came from. The company now is out of New Hampshire.

Tickets are on sale at the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center and can be purchased online at www.greenwichct.org/webtrac.

Central Greenwich

More than 40 volunteers were expected to participate in the third Holiday Mail for Heroes program Saturday, creating cards of support and well wishes for those serving in the Armed Forces and their families.

The project, which is a partnership between Greenwich Hospital and the American Red Cross, was designed to encourage kids and parents to work together to send messages of thanks and cheer. The hospital provided the materials. Organizers hoped to outdo last years total of 100 cards.

This is a really nice event, Stacey Green, the hospitals director of Volunteer Services, said. This is one of those ways where we feel we can make a difference and if we can help anyone out, especially this time of year, we want to do it.

Plans are under way to expand the program in 2017 by involving Greenwich Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other youth groups.

Events and efforts like this are far more important to our service men and women than you can ever imagine, said American Legion Post 29 Commander Christopher Hughes, a Marine veteran.

The impact it has on morale and as a show of support cannot be overestimated. Some people feel making a monetary donation to a veterans group is good, which it is, but they do not realize what a direct and profound impact sending care packages and letters have on our troops, he said. That is the preferred support of our men and women in uniform.
Management says it always asks people to remove headwear. This photo indicates otherwise. Photo: Chris Weeks/WireImage

A Muslim woman had her meal cut short at Las Vegass Peppermill, the very Vegas-y restaurant from Martin Scorseses Casino, after staff told her that her hijab was banned for security reasons. Louvenia Daan says she was in the eaterys Fireside Lounge when a server approached and remarked that, whatever that head covering was, it had to go, per Peppermill policy. Daan tells local station KTNV of the encounter, She said, Oh, Im sorry that I called it the wrong thing, but you cant wear that in here. Daan says she tried explaining why it wasnt possible for her to just take it off (Its like telling a woman to stand in front of a bunch of people and be completely naked), but staff werent moved by this argument, so she just left.



A manager tells the station that the policy is in place so surveillance cameras can record guests whole faces, and that theyve made similar requests of their guests for ten years. Though, as you can see from the photo accompanying this post  which is from a party celebrating the opening of Stella McCartneys first Vegas store  the anti-headwear policy doesnt seem so ironclad.



After it became aware of the incident, Peppermills corporate office kicked into gear and issued this statement:



The Peppermills Fireside Lounge has a long-standing policy that prohibits hats and headwear of all kinds because of past gang activity in the area. The policy was put in place only for the Peppermills Fireside Lounge location, and is not a corporate policy. It was meant to ensure the safety of all Fireside Lounge customers. The policy had a clear, long-standing religious exemption, but because of a recent miscommunication, this exemption was not followed correctly.

But thanks to this miscommunication, Peppermill says its had an opportunity to review the Fireside Lounges headwear policy and decided it is no longer necessary.
The ZUK Edge is anything but a secret after being certified by TENAA a month ago, and subsequently appearing for some live shots (and again, and again). While the two color schemes were already confirmed by these sightings, we're now treated to a high-res render of the white/gold option.

What that does for us is give us a much better idea of body proportions and screen-to-body ratio (pretty good) than the previous murky shots. Also it serves as yet another confirmation that the ZUK Edge won't be much of an Edge, in the curved screen sense - just some 2.5D glass treatment.



ZUK Edge in white/gold

As for specs, TENAA's listing was pretty detailed and we know that the FullHD 5.5-incher will be powered by the Snapdragon 821 and will sport a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing one. While the Chinese regulator quoted 4GB of RAM, an Antutu listing later cited 6GB, so there may be two versions.

Today's leak gives us another number, though, and that's price - at CNY 2,699 ($390), the ZUK Edge is set to be one of the most affordable Snapdragon 821 devices. Just as a reminder, the launch date has been confirmed for next week.

Via
Nougat arrives to LG G5 in Europe and Brazil as well

After South Korea and the United States, the Nougat update has started hitting LG G5 units in other countries as well. A couple of our readers have just tipped us that the device has started receiving the update in Europe and Brazil.

This comes less than a month after LG officially announced the rollout of the G5 Nougat update. Over in the US, all the major carriers - including T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, as well as US Cellular - have already pushed out the update.

Thanks for the tip, Tux!!!
Media Streaming Company Plex has announced that their Cloud Sync feature - that allows you to sync content from your library to a cloud storage provider - now supports Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive.

The announcement came in the form of a Reddit post from the Plex Cloud team. "Weve made managing your media in the Cloud more flexible by allowing you to link multiple Cloud storage providers, so you can create libraries with content from any of them," the team said.

Following are the steps that you need to take in order to add or change cloud storage providers:

Log in to Plex Web and click on your user icon in the upper right corner, then click Account.

Click Plex Cloud in the menu on the left of the Account page.

Link, unlink, or reauthorize any cloud storage providers you have, as appropriate.

Your linked Cloud storage providers will be available as file location choices when adding or editing a library.

The Plex Cloud team also revealed that they've run into technical challenges with the Amazon Drive integration. "We are working hard to resolve the issues, so please stay tuned."

Source




Haiti - Security : Sandra Honore deplores and condemns the attacks and intimidation!





The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Haiti, Sandra Honore, deplores and condemns the attacks and intimidations against of citizens and journalists in the performance of their duties.



The head of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) reiterates her call on all of you to refuse any incitement or recourse to violence, defamation, intimidation of all kinds and refrain of any act which might contribute to disturbing the peace and stability of the country.



The Special Representative welcomes the steps taken to put an end to these practices and recalls that national authorities have a responsibility to intervene to ensure that the individuals guilty of unlawful acts be prosecuted and tried under the Electoral Decree and other applicable law.



S/ HaitiLibre


















Premier Li Keqiang met with Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma on Friday, calling on both countries to enhance cooperation in infrastructure development and production capacity.

Hailing the fruitful bilateral cooperation since establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, Li said China hoped to further deepen political mutual trust, practical cooperation and coordination in international affairs with Sierra Leone.

"China is willing to tap the potential of the two countries' economic complementarity by focusing on infrastructure development cooperation, industrial production capacity cooperation as well as partnership in mining, agriculture and fishery in line with market principles," the premier said.

Li said China will also cooperate more with Sierra Leone in public health, hospitals and medical staff training and continue to send medical teams to the country.

Koroma thanked China for the aid sent to his country during the Ebola outbreak in 2014.

Sierra Leone will learn from China's experiences of development, strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure building, mining, agriculture, telecommunication, public health and tourism, Koroma said.

Koroma is on a state visit to China from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
U.S. should not shirk obligations in name of "market economy status": Ministry of Commerce spokesman

The United States should not shirk its international obligations in the name of "market economy status (MES)," a Chinese official said Friday, urging the U.S. to grant MES to China.

Recognizing China's MES and abandoning a surrogate country approach when calculating anti-dumping measures against Chinese exports are two different issues, said Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Commerce Ministry.

Shen made the remarks in response to U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker who said in November that the time was "not ripe" for the U.S. to grant China the MES.

When a surrogate country approach is in effect, a third country or region's prices can be used to assess if a certain country is exporting below market value or dumping.

The approach applicable to China is due to expire on Dec. 11, according to Article 15 of the protocols for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

It is a right that China should enjoy and an obligation that all WTO members must abide by, said Shen, asking the U.S. to stop using a surrogate country approach against China from Dec. 11.

Shen asked the U.S. to fulfill the obligations of the Article 15 on time, fully and completely, so as to promote the smooth development of China-US economic and trade relations.
Apple Inc has released a statement on its Chinese website addressing the flaw that causes unexpected shutdown with its iPhone 6s and apologized to Chinese customers who had encountered this problem.

The statement, dated December 2, was released two days after China Consumers Association said on November 30 that the US tech giant needed to take further measures to address the problem. The Association further pointed out that the company had failed to meet the basic consumer needs for normal wireless communication. It was the second notice the group has sent to Apple in a month.

Consumers in China and the rest of the world have been complaining that their iPhones shutdown unexpectedly, even though their batteries reportedly still have 30% power remaining.

Apple then on Friday published on its website a statement in Chinese and English, apologizing for any inconvenience this has caused customer. We found that a small number of iPhone 6s devices made in September and October 2015 contained a battery component that was exposed to controlled ambient air longer than it should have been before being assembled into battery packs. As a result, these batteries degrade faster than a normal battery and cause unexpected shutdowns to occur. It's important to note, this is not a safety issue. The statement then offered to help with the customers who are experiencing this issue, and offered to replace batteries in affected devices, free of charge.
2015 CRIME IN HAWAII REPORT RELEASED

News Release from Office of the Attorney General, December 2, 2016

HONOLULU  Attorney General Doug Chin announced today the release of the State of Hawaiis annual Uniform Crime Report, Crime in Hawaii, 2015. The report shows that in calendar year 2015, a total of 48,919 Index Crimes* were reported in the State of Hawaii, yielding a rate of 3,417 offenses per 100,000 resident population. Hawaiis total Index Crime rate in 2015 was 0.3% below the rate reported in 2014, and 24.7% below the rate reported a decade earlier (2006).

There were 3,530 violent Index Crimes reported statewide in 2015, yielding a rate of 246.6 offenses per 100,000 residents. Hawaiis violent Index Crime rate in 2015 was 2.3% more than the rate reported in 2014, and 12.9% below the rate reported in 2006. There were 45,389 property Index Crimes reported statewide in 2015, yielding a rate of 3,171 offenses per 100,000 residents. Hawaiis property Index Crime rate in 2015 was 0.5% below the rate reported in 2014, and 25.5% below the rate reported in 2006. Other highlights of Crime in Hawaii, 2015 include the following:

 The rate of reported offenses for two violent Index Crimes decreased in the State of Hawaii in 2015: rape, by 1.9%; and aggravated assault, by 1.6%. The rate of reported offenses for the other two violent Index Crimes increased: murder, by 6.5%; and robbery, by 12.4%.

 Rates of reported offenses increased by 1.3% each for two property Index Crime categories: larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. The rate of reported offenses for burglary decreased by 9.5%.

 The rate of reported offenses for arson increased by 66.1% statewide in 2015.

 Based on the proportion of arrests (plus cases closed by exceptional means) to reported offenses, the statewide clearance rate for total Index Crimes decreased, from 16.2% in 2014 to 15.3% in 2015.

 The number of Index Crime arrests fell by 5.0% statewide in 2015. Arrests for violent Index Crimes decreased 8.7%, and arrests for property Index Crimes decreased 3.9%.

 Adult arrests comprised 83.0% of all Index Crime arrests in 2015; juvenile arrests accounted for 17.0%. Crime in Hawaii 2015 provides state and county data on the age, gender, and race/ethnicity of arrestees.

 The City & County of Honolulus total Index Crime rate increased 1.2% in 2015. The violent and property crime rates increased by 6.6% and 0.8%, respectively. The City & County of Honolulus rates for murder, rape, and burglary were the lowest in the State of Hawaii, while its robbery rate was the highest.

 Hawaii Countys total Index Crime rate decreased 2.8% in 2015; the property crime rate fell 2.1%, and the violent crime rate dropped 13.7%. Hawaii Countys crime rates rose for four of the ten Index Crime offenses, with notable increases of 162.3% for murder and 69.4% for arson. Hawaii County reported the lowest robbery and arson rates in the State of Hawaii, and the highest rates for murder, motor vehicle theft, and human traffickingcommercial sex acts.

 The total Index Crime rate in Maui County increased 2.3% in 2015; the violent crime rate rose 7.6%, and the property crime rate edged up 1.8%. Maui Countys crime rates increased for six of the ten Index Crime offenses, with a notable increase of 86.4% for arson. Maui County reported the highest statewide rates for total, violent, and property Index Crimes, as well as rape, aggravated assault, and larceny-theft.

 The total Index Crime rate in Kauai County decreased 22.7% in 2015. Kauai Countys violent crime rate decreased 26.3%, and the property crime rate dropped 22.4%. Kauai Countys arson rate increased by 828.9% in 2015. Kauai Countys rates for total Index Crime, total violent crime, total property crime, aggravated assault, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft were the lowest in the State of Hawaii, while its rates for burglary and arson were the highest.

 Twenty-nine murders were reported statewide in 2015. Males comprised 72.4% of the murder victims and 75.0% of the alleged offenders. One-third (33.3%) of known relationships between murder victims and offenders in 2015 were strangers, while about one-quarter (25.9%) were immediate family members.

 Of the 2,992 murders, robberies, and aggravated assaults reported statewide in 2015, 47.1% were committed using strong-arm weapons (i.e., hands, fists, and feet); 25.0% with other or unknown weapons; 17.3% with knives or other edged weapons; and 10.5% with firearms.

 Over $85 million in property value was reported stolen in the State of Hawaii in 2015, up 8.1% from the figure reported in 2014. Of the total value stolen in 2015, 29.5% was recovered, marking an increase from the 25.7% that was recovered in 2014.

 No police officers were killed in the line of duty in the State of Hawaii during 2015, but 401 officers were assaulted, yielding a rate of 13.6 assaults per 100 officers. Crime in Hawaii 2015 also provides data on the time of day, type of Department of the Attorney General News Release 2016-81 Page 3 assignment, and the weapons used in assaults against police officers (see Appendix D).

 On October 31, 2015, a total of 2,939 police officers and 826 civilians were employed by the four county police departments, denoting a 0.3% decrease in workforce from the figures reported from October 31, 2014.
The bail payment for the former boss of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) has finally been paid, allowing the release of his passport, say his Brazillian lawyers.

There was some initial confusion when Pat Hickey's senior counsel, Arthur Lavigne, said the legal team had no knowledge of any payment.

However, late last night, lawyer Simone Kamenetz confirmed that the money had finally arrived in Brazil.

Mr Hickey's lawyers are now waiting for the money to pass through banking compliance systems so that it may subsequently be lodged to the courts.

Mr Hickey was arrested in Brazil at the end of August on ticket touting allegation.

The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), of which Mr Hickey was vice-president, had said it would pay the 410,000 required by Brazilian courts.

The money would allow Mr Hickey to retrieve his confiscated passport and leave Brazil after more than three months.

ANOC said it had agreed to temporarily loan the money to Mr Hickey to allow him to return home for "medical reasons".

Mr Hickey's legal team hope the Brazillian courts will allow him to leave South America "as soon as possible", but that he "needs to pay the bail".

Judge

It is likely that on receipt of a payment to the courts, the return of Mr Hickey's passport would take about a week, depending on how quickly the judge could formally order its return.

The bail conditions laid down by the courts in Rio de Janeiro state that Mr Hickey's passport may be returned to him to enable him to travel home to receive medical attention.

But they state that he must fully comply with the ongoing legal process in Brazil and return when requested by court officials.

The bail would be returned in full to Mr Hickey on completion of the legal process if he were acquitted.

The money would also be returned in full if the case were shelved before reaching court.

This has been requested by the legal team, but such a request has been denied by the Special Court for Supporters and Large Events.

If Mr Hickey were condemned, the money would be used to meet legal costs, fines, or compensation arising from the case.

When granting bail conditions for the return of Mr Hickey's passport, Judge Juliana Leal de Melo acknowledged the possibility that, once bailed, he might not return to Brazil.

However, she said this needed to be weighed up against Mr Hickey's right to receive medical treatment, and the fact that Mr Hickey does not have any ties to Brazil, where he has spent the last three months.
A murder accused told his mother "I f**ked up, ma" after he was arrested for stabbing a man over a 100 drug debt, a court has heard.

William Gilsenan (24), of The Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Road, Santry, Dublin 17, has denied murdering Edward Fitzgerald (29) outside his home on October 17, 2014.

Mr Gilsenan's mother, Marie, yesterday told the Central Criminal Court that she received a phone call from her son that afternoon.

He told her he had a fight and stabbed Mr Fitzgerald in the leg and that he was going to hand himself in to gardai. When she next saw him, she hugged him and he told her: "I f**ked up, ma."

Worried

Ms Gilsenan said she knew her son owed Mr Fitzgerald 100 because he had been worried about it for some time and Mr Fitzgerald often called him looking for his money.

On October 5, Mr Fitzgerald called at Ms Gilsenan's home and asked for her son. When she told him he did not live there, Mr Fitzgerald said, "He owes me money".

When she told him to take it up with her son, he said, "I f**king will", before speeding off up the road.

Ms Gilsenan said money was "tight" so she called her son and offered to pay 50 towards the debt, but he said could not afford to pay the balance.

She told the court her son was studying horticulture at Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education and that, as the eldest of her children, he took his responsibilities seriously.

Mr Gilsenan's father, William Kinsella, told prosecuting counsel Orla Crowe that he was at home in Cromcastle Avenue when his son arrived soon after the stabbing.

"He was panicked and he was grey," he said. "I got the feeling something was wrong. He didn't seem to know what to do."

Lauren Meehan, who had been engaged to the defendant in 2014, said she knew about the debt because Mr Fitzgerald had contacted her through Facebook.

She agreed with defence counsel Caroline Biggs that Mr Fitzgerald wanted his money and he was "getting p****d off".

The trial will continue on Monday in front of Justice Paul Butler and a jury of seven women and five men.
A 63-year-old man, who tried to murder his partner by repeatedly stabbing her after she told him she no longer wanted to be with him and planned to leave, has been jailed for nine years.

Patrick O'Rourke, of Cooline Drive, Ballyvaloon, Cobh, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Donna Foster at Cooline Drive on August 11, 2015. He also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a minor at the same address on the same date.

Yesterday at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed a nine-year sentence on O'Rourke and backdated it to when he went into custody on the day of the attack.

He also sentenced O'Rourke to three-and-a-half years for the charge of assault causing harm to a minor, to run concurrently.

Serious

Before handing down sentence, Mr Justice McCarthy said it was clear that this was "an extremely serious attack" by O'Rourke on his former partner.

"They were still living together and had been together for 15 years," he said.

The judge said there was no evidence of violence during their relationship but arguments arose as their relationship came to an end.

"Ms Foster was entitled to bring that relationship to an end and any possible adverse reaction by her partner must be regarded as beyond comprehension," he said.

Mr Justice McCarthy said Ms Foster suffered a number of serious wounds when the defendant stabbed her with a boning knife and she was "obviously extremely fearful and distressed".

The judge referred to Dr Emmet Andrew's medical report where he outlined that Ms Foster had received "two particularly serious lacerations" and it was miraculous that she was not injured more severely.

The judge also referred to the minor who was in the house at the time and witnessed "the horrific event" which caused "grave distress" on her part.

"It seems there was a laceration across the palm of her right hand when she was intervening to protect Ms Foster and also a superficial abrasion to her left palm. This is a significant injury which has left her with significant challenges and limited movement," he said.

Referring to Ms Foster's victim impact statement, Mr Justice McCarthy said: "She truly and honestly believed she was going to die. She states she is grateful for having survived and now has a different perspective on life."

The court heard that it was accepted in evidence that the accused was described by gardai as "very co-operative" and he had difficulty coming to terms with what he had done but claimed responsibility for the attack.

The judge said that, while the evidence against O'Rourke is "very strong", he has been described as contributing positively to prison and is a well-behaved prisoner.

Mr Justice McCarthy said it was still a mitigating factor that O'Rourke pleaded guilty at the very end of the legal process.

Remorse

The judge said he had taken into account O'Rourke's previous good character, his age, as well as behaving well in prison.

"The remorse is in good faith and he read out an apology from the witness box," he said.

Speaking outside the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Ms Foster said: "I'm just happy it is all over and now myself and the girls can just draw a line under it and move on with our lives. I'm feeling OK. I had a make-up artistry business and that's gone as I now can't do the work I was doing with the injuries I have."

Her father, Harry Foster, said: "At least he is paying for what he did."
The King's Hospital school said in a statement that it has adhered to policies concerning the reporting of the incident

Gardai investigating an alleged sexual assault on a boy at a prestigious west Dublin boarding school are trying to establish if similar incidents happened there in the past.

The revelation comes as a major gardai probe continues into allegations that a 13-year-old student was sexually assaulted in the dormitory of The King's Hospital school in Palmerstown on Thursday of last week.

Last night a senior source said: "Everything is being looked at here, including if similar incidents happened in that same location in the past."

Gardai have not yet formally interviewed any of the eight male pupils who have been suspended since the shocking allegation came to light.

Social workers will also speak to those students.

Recorded

Officers are also expected to analyse mobile phones belonging to some of the teenagers after reports that the assault had been recorded on at least two devices.

Due to an apparent four-day delay in the reporting of the incident to gardai, it has emerged that gardai fear key evidence may have been tampered with.

The school responded to these allegations last night in a statement but did not clarify when the report was made.

The statement said: "Management and staff have actioned the correct procedures and requirements, including liaising with the appropriate agencies."

The school also denied contacting the child and family agency, Tusla, with a "hypothetical" situation before reporting the incident, or defying legal advice.

"The safety, health and welfare of the student concerned and all students have, from the very outset, been and will continue to be the priority for every member of staff at The King's Hospital," the statement said. "The management and staff have actioned the correct procedures and requirements, including liaising with the appropriate agencies.

"We also ensured that the parents of the alleged victim and of the students allegedly involved were briefed as soon as possible. At no stage did the management and staff fail to act on legal advice.

"Neither did the school seek advice from the State agencies by using hypothetical scenarios."

It is understood the school made attempts to contact social workers at the Tusla Cherry Orchard office on the Friday and again last Monday morning.

This is in line with protocol that alleged incidents must be notified to local area social workers.

Concerns

Asked to respond last night, a spokeswoman for Tusla said it does not comment on individual cases.

However, she said:"Tusla responds immediately to all child protection concerns."

She said clear guidance on reporting a concern to Tusla is provided on its website.

"This clearly states that, where someone wishes to report a child protection concern outside of office hours, they should contact An Garda Siochana."

Specialist gardai are expected to interview the eight suspended male pupils as part of an investigation, which is being led by officers based in Lucan.

Sources said there was "pandemonium" at the school following the discovery of the alleged incident.

The teenage victim is believed to have received medical attention after the incident.
File photo of John Terry. [Photo: Xinhua]

Former Chelsea midfielder and Sunderland manager, Gus Poyet has been appointed manager of Chinese Super League team Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, immediately sparking rumours that he will seek to sign his former team-mate, and current Chelsea club skipper, John Terry.

On Tuesday, the Argentinian was confirmed as boss of the club for which former Chelsea players Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba have both played. And he will be looking to strengthen a squad that finished fourth in the recently completed season.

35-year-old Terry is currently servicing a one year extension to his contract, which came after he reportedly accepted a considerable reduction in his salary.

If he does decide to see out his career in China, then he can expect a significant boost to his earnings, like many other top players and managers.

Poyet joins a list of managers well known in the UK, now plying their trade in the CSL: former Italy boss Marcelo Lippi, former England boss, Sven Goran Eriksson and former Brazil and Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari.

Terry will have to wait until January before he can speak to overseas clubs, and there is reported interest from Turkey and the US, but the lure of a big pay-day in China may be irresistible.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye addresses the nation at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 29, 2016. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday that she will follow parliamentary decision including her shortened presidency. (Xinhua/Blue House)

South Korean lawmakers put forward a historic bill to impeach scandal-hit President Park Geun-hye early Saturday, after the opposition bloc heralded a vote on the motion on Dec. 9.

A parliamentary official told Xinhua on the phone that the bill was handed in to the relevant office at about 4:10 a.m. local time (1910 GMT).

It marks the second impeachment proposal since the country's constitutional government was launched about seven decades ago. The latest was in 2004 for late President Roh Moo-hyun.

The impeachment motion was filed with the National Assembly by 171 opposition and independent legislators. The ruling Saenuri Party, which has 128 lawmakers, refrained from taking part in the proposal.

The assembly's speaker Chung Se-kyun of the biggest opposition Minjoo Party failed to join the move for political neutrality rules, but he reportedly plans to participate in the vote.

Three main opposition parties, including the Minjoo Party, People's Party and the Justice Party, have agreed to vote on the impeachment on Dec. 9 when the regular session ends.

The impeachment motion states that President Park comprehensively and gravely violated laws and the constitution in her office for nearly four years. Park took office in February 2013.

It says Park's breach of laws and constitution was threatening enough to justify the expulsion of the president and that Park betrayed legitimacy and trust granted by the general public.

The constitutional violations, according to the impeachment bill, include the president's permission of her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil and other associates of Choi to meddle in state affairs and influence the appointment of government officials behind the scenes.

Also included in the breach of the constitution is the government's initial bungling of rescue operations in one of the country's most devastating maritime disasters on April 16, 2014 when a passenger ferry Sewol sank in waters off southwestern South Korea.

Controversy arose over the whereabouts of the president for seven hours right after the ferry tragedy occurred. The impeachment bill says President Park failed to recognize what was happening during the "golden time" for rescue.

Park's inappropriate response to the disaster has been denounced for contributing the most to the death of over 300 passengers, mostly high school students on a class trip to the southern resort island of Jeju.

The infraction of laws referred to by the impeachment motion is the bribery. Park's decades-long friend has been charged with extorting tens of millions of U.S. dollars from large conglomerates to set up two nonprofit foundations controlled by Choi.

Prosecutors branded President Park as a criminal accomplice to Choi in multiple charges including abuse of power and extortion. The prosecution office was investigating whether Choi used her relationship with the president to grant business favors in return for donations.

The headquarters of Samsung Group was raided by prosecutors on suspicion that the country's largest family-run conglomerate bribed Choi in exchange for support from the national pension fund in last year's controversial merger of two subsidiaries of the group to create a de-facto holding company.

The offices of Lotte and SK, two of the country's top five chaebols, were also searched on charges of offering kickbacks to Choi in return for getting licenses for lucrative duty-free shop operation.
How can people be truly awful, as in abusing children for years, but then tell God they are sorry and get into heaven? How can God let some decent families have better success with salary or children than others? Some take less offense by his justice and judgment and take more offense by grace.

Gods saving grace is not fair. Christmas means Jesus came when we were still in darkness of sin and despair, deserving judgment. God sent his one and only Son to show his light, his understanding of life, purpose.

Jesus spoke to those who take offense by his grace. He told of some workers (Matt.20:8-15) hired at different hours and paid as though each had worked the whole day. Those paid by the owner for their days work were offended that those who worked for the last hour were paid the same days wage. As Matt Guerino suggested, in Gods kingdom nobody is shortchanged who receives the blessing of heaven through faith in Christ. Salvation is a free gift (Eph.2:8 - By grace you have been saved through faith. . .) God makes promises which apply to all of us: forgiveness without your having to earn it; his presence no matter how alone you are; deep peace and joy no matter what turmoil you endure.

But his promises do not mean the same blessing for each in material success, solution to problems. Gods grace coming at the first Christmas is not fair and it is not for comparison. Suppose your preacher told you to dig on a beach for eight hours to find a million dollar treasure. Suppose he told someone else to dig farther down for an hour and that person found the same treasure. Does it cheapen your treasure? Does it devalue his guidance? God might be extra generous to some, but hes generous to all who love and trust him. Joy with Christ depends on contentment with what hes given us.

The main point is that God, like the landowner, chooses who and how to bless. He chooses to be gracious to many, and extremely gracious to some. God owes each person  nothing.

But salvation is about grace. He does what he promises, and Mary and Josephs baby is the proof. Grace invites all who hear his call any time to enter Gods eternal family. Our most healing response is what to be thankful for in this period between two special holidays.
SERVICE

ST. LUKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Bristol, Va. 105 North Street. Dec. 24, 6 p.m.: Candlelight Christmas Eve service, everyone welcome, 276-669-2441.

REVIVAL

MOUNT HOLSTON BAPTIST CHURCH: Bluff City, Tenn., 301 Graybeal Hollow Road. Dec. 4, 6 p.m., Dec. 5  7, 7 p.m.: Revival service, guest speaker Evangelist Dana Williams of Wedowee, Alabama, everyone welcome.

SINGING

WATAUGA CHAPEL: Abingdon, Va., Watauga Road Route 677. Dec. 4, 6 p.m.: Christmas singing, featuring Joyful Hearts, everyone welcome.

ST. LUKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Bristol, Va., 105 North Street. Dec. 18, 5 p.m.: Gospel singing, featuring Lessons in Carols, several UMC church choirs from Bristol will sing pieces from Christmas cantatas, reception to follow, everyone welcome, 276-669-2441.

COMMUNITY

ADVENT LUNCHEON SERIES: Bristol, Tenn./Va., 105 North Street. Nov. 30  Dec. 21, 11: 50 a.m.  1 p.m. every Wednesday: Nov. 30: St. Luke UMC, 105 North Street, guest speaker, Rev. Scott Spence, of Beech Groove UMC. Dec. 7: South Bristol UMC, 1809 Southside Avenue, guest speaker Rev. Robert Kariuki of John Wesley UMC. Dec. 14: Virginia Avenue UMC, 1127 Virginia Avenue, guest speaker Rev. Jeremy McMillan, of St. Luke UMC. Dec. 21: John Wesley UMC, 311 Lee Street, guest speaker Rev. Liz Hamilton, of Addilynn Memorial UMC. Worship begins noon. Lunch served 12:30  1 p.m., everyone welcome.

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Bristol, Tenn., 136 Highridge Street. Dec. 3, 1  4p.m.: Great Christmas Stocking giveaway, first 500 kids present can choose a stocking, fill with candy, snacks, toys, free refreshment, everyone welcome, 423-341-5240.

FIRST BROAD STREET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Kingsport, Tenn., 101 East Church Circle. Vol-unteer two hours any day Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marlene Hudson, 423-817-8332, to help with food, Bob Smith, 423-246-3966. Clothing and other donations can be brought to Single Vision or taken to Shades of Grace.

FAIRVIEW UNITED METHODISH CHURCH: Jonesborough, Tenn., 878 Highway 81 North. Third Saturday each month, 7-10 a.m.: Country breakfast, bacon, fresh ground sausage, eggs, pancakes, gravy, biscuits and more. Donations. Located 5 miles from downtown Jonesborough going toward Fall Branch.

YARD SALE

WOODLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH: Bristol, Tenn., 1400 Southside Avenue. Nov. 26, 8 a.m.  2 p.m.: Indoor yard sale, 423-968-2287.

PENTECOSTAL CHURCH: Abingdon, Va., 17535 Jeb Stuart Highway off Exit 19 toward Damascus: Yard Sale, second Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Name brand childrens and maternity clothes, plus tons of good quality baby equipment. Proceeds benefit the Mayan malnourished children of Guatemala, and children in our orphanage and those in our orphans at home program. www.safehomesforchildren.org.

HOW TO SUBMIT

News and calendar items for the Religion section should be emailed only to features@bristolnews.com with Religion Calendar in the subject line or sent by mail to Religion Editor, Bristol Herald Courier, P.O. Box 606, Bristol, VA 24203. Mailed items must be typewritten. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include the complete address of event location, name and telephone number of a contact person. If you have questions, contact Dorothy Hurt at 276-645-2556 or email dhurt@bristolnews.com. The service is free.
Our plan was to spend the weekend with my wifes sister in Lawrenceville, Ga.  in Metro Atlanta  then attend a conference in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Sammies sister, Johnsie Cooper, has metastatic cancer and was in the hospital for procedures to treat her symptoms. She needs your prayers.

Part of our plan involved a night in Pigeon Forge on our way to "Murfisbura." The night we had planned to spend in the foothills of the Smokeys was Monday, Nov. 29, with arrival in Murfreesboro on Tuesday. You probably have figured out that there was a change in plans.

Driving into the Great Smokey Mountain National Park from Cherokee, North Carolina, we were greeted by a gate across US 441 and a blinking sign that indicated that the road was closed. Making a U-turn, we pulled into the visitors center, which was also closed, but were fortunate to find a custodian in the building who handed us a map and directed us to Pigeon Forge, via an hour and a half detour through Cosby and Gatlinburg. He had no way of knowing that route was an inferno. Fortunately, we chose to go on up to I-40 and take another road to Pigeon Forge.

Arriving at our destination, having passed an orange sky behind Dollywood, we found the air filled with smoke and ash that burned our eyes and irritated our lungs. We checked in, went to dinner, then returned, retrieved our things and joined the traffic headed toward the interstate. Instead of a night in Pigeon Forge, we spent the night in Knoxville, then headed for Middle Tennessee.

Before leaving Knoxville, we sat glued to the TV in our room with cell phones stuck to our ears as we communicated with family. By the time this column runs in the paper, the devastation will have become more clear. Right now there are more questions than answers. There are also requests:

Please pray for the people affected by the horrendous fires in the Smokey Mountains. Mayors, the governor and others have made prayer the number one priority.

Contribute funds and supplies to help in the efforts to bring life back to some form of normalcy. Check with local agencies for how to do this.

Remember the heroes. Local TV coverage in Knoxville was unbelievable. There was uninterrupted coverage for hours with no commercial breaks. And of course the emergency personnel sent from other areas. We met convoy after convoy of emergency vehicles headed toward Gatlinburg on Monday night and all day Tuesday. Tennessee is not called the Volunteer State without good reason. That spirit from a century and a half ago lives today.

Especially, remember Who is in control. We should make plans, but always remember that in His omnipotence and omniscience, God is still in charge. Our plans may change, but He is unchanging.

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."  Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

"For I know the plans I have for you (thats yall in Hebrew)," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

 Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
A kick-off party is held on December 2, 2016 as China is set to send an infantry battalion of 700 peacekeepers in South Sudan. [Photo: mod.gov.cn]

China will send an infantry battalion of 700 peacekeepers in South Sudan, including a 13-soldier female squad, the army unit dispatching them said Friday.

It is the third batch of Chinese peacekeepers sent to South Sudan. From Sunday, they will take United Nations charter flights to the mission area, replacing the second batch of Chinese peacekeepers.

The female infantry squad will carry out humanitarian relief and protect the rights of women and children, said Ding Hailong, battalion commander.

A kick-off party is held on December 2, 2016 as China is set to send an infantry battalion of 700 peacekeepers in South Sudan. [Photo: mod.gov.cn]

The battalion is comprised of officers and soldiers from the 54th Group Army, including foot soldiers, armored units, artillery forces, signal troops and special warfare troops and others.

A total of 138 have conducted peacekeeping missions before, and 166 peacekeepers have won merits of third-class and above.

The infantry battalion will be deployed in South Sudan's capital city of Juba, protecting civilians, UN staff and humanitarian relief programs, with patrols, escorts and other missions.

A kick-off party is held on December 2, 2016 as China is set to send an infantry battalion of 700 peacekeepers in South Sudan. A soldier takes photo with his family after the kick-off party. [Photo: mod.gov.cn]

Ding Hailong said all peacekeepers have been trained for three months and passed all related tests so they are capable of carrying out peacekeeping missions.

Since April last year, China has deployed peacekeeping infantry battalions in South Sudan. In July this year, two Chinese peacekeeping soldiers were killed in fighting between South Sudan's rival army factions in Juba.
Meitu CFO Gary Ngan (left), founder and Chairman Cai Wensheng (middle), and founder and CEO Wu Xinhong pose for a photo during Meitu IPO news conference in Hong Kong. Edmond Tang / China Daily

Meitu, the maker of popular apps to edit selfies, announced on Friday details of its proposed listing in Hong Kong. It is seeking to net about HK$5 billion ($644 million) from an offer of 574 million shares at a price ranging between HK$8.5 and HK$9.6 per share.

Although lower than the $710 million expected earlier, the initial public offering is likely to the city's largest in nine years.

Based on the prospectus, 90 percent of the total global offering will be offered under the international placing to cornerstone investors Kingkey Enterprise and Ports International, and the remaining 10 percent will be offered under the Hong Kong public offering, which will open from Dec 5 to 8. Shares will be traded in board lots of 500 shares each with an entrance fee of HK$ 4,848.37.

Cliff Zhao Wenli, chief strategist and deputy head of equity research department of China Merchants Securities (HK) Co Ltd, said the successful listing of Meitu will bring change and liquidity to the existing structure of the Hong Kong equity market, which currently is dominated by transitional sectors. Numerous unicorns in the Chinese mainland could seek opportunities to list in Hong Kong, afterwards.

Models pose for a photo during Meitu IPO news conference in Hong Kong, China, December 2, 2016. Edmond Tang/China Daily

The problem at this stage, according to Zhao, is that most of the unicorns are still at a phase of expanding users. So, different valuation methods lead to a divergence of investors' views toward this type of company. And, the future development of startups usually depends on the quality of the company's founders.

Kenny Wen, wealth management strategist at Sun Hung Kai Financial, pointed out that investors may fancy Meitu stock due to familiarity and an appetite for the internet sector, but should be aware of possible fluctuations in the stock price at the beginning because the current business model is unclear.

Meitu is saving on costs and most of the company's deficits are primarily due to an accumulated fair value loss of the preferred shares of 5.1 billion yuan ($739 million) as of June 30, 2016, excluding the impact of which and share-based payments of 75.4 million yuan, its accumulated loss would have been 1.1 billion yuan.

The company expects to turn from deficits to profits at the end of 2017, according to Gary Ngan King Leung, chief financial officer at Meitu.
It's been 125 years since Dracula was published. And it's still scary.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that allowed 611 billion U.S. dollars' defense budget for 2017.

The bill, which gave an extra 9 billion dollars than the original request by President Barack Obama, was passed in a 375-34 vote.

The extra money would cover a 2.1 percent pay raise for troops, 0.5 percent higher than requested, 16,000 and 3,000 more personnel for the army and the marine corps, respectively.

The upper chamber of Congress is expected to vote on the paper next week and send it to Obama for ratification, a White House spokesman said. The president will decide whether he approves the revision after studying the fine print.

Despite the extra money, House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry thought the budget was not enough.

"My great hope is that the new incoming administration will submit to Congress a supplemental request that can really get about the job of rebuilding the military, which is so essential," he said.

Within the budget, Base Budget, which finances running costs of the U.S. military, is 543.4 billion dollars, while 59.5 billion dollars are marked Overseas Contingency Operations Budget, also known as the war budget.

The overall budget showed a slight hike from the 607 billion dollars budget provided for 2016.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

Turkey is grateful to Azerbaijan for the support during difficult times and cooperation security sphere, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Cavusoglu made the remarks during a joint briefing with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku Dec. 3.

I am pleased to once again be on a visit in Azerbaijan, which is also our homeland. My last visit to Azerbaijan was after the coup attempt in Turkey, and I once again express my gratitude to the leadership and people of Azerbaijan for the support to Turkey in those difficult days, noted the Turkish minister.

He said that the fight against the terrorist organization of Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of being involved in the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, is also important for Azerbaijans security.

We always support Azerbaijan in the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement. Armenian troops must withdraw from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, said Cavusoglu adding that Turkey, for its part, is ready to help Azerbaijan in the conflicts settlement.

The Turkish minister added that he informed Mammadyarov about negotiations with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that was held in Turkeys Alanya on Dec. 1.

Russia had initiatives on the conflicts settlement beyond the OSCE Minsk Group, said Cavusoglu.

I noted that Turkey stands by Azerbaijan in this issue, he added.

We support resolution and efforts of Russia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement, added the Turkish minister.

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.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

Armenia hasnt confirmed its consent yet for the 3+2 format meeting (three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers) within the 23rd meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg Dec. 8-9, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said.

He made the remarks at a joint briefing with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Baku Dec. 3.

Yesterday [Dec. 2] I talked to Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk on this issue and he didnt give a clear response, Mammadyarov said. Azerbaijan is ready to any contacts with Armenia, in any format. However, the holding of the meeting in Hamburg with participation of foreign ministers would show a serious approach to this issue.

He went on to add that a certain standstill is currently observed in the negotiation process.

Following the meeting in St. Petersburg, we expected a certain revival in the negotiation process, but Armenia is trying to avoid the talks in every possible way, Mammadyarov added.

A presidential meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia was held June 20 in St. Petersburg, Russia, with mediation of Russias President Vladimir Putin.

There were always tensions on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops and the presence of Armenian Armed Forces on Azerbaijans occupied territories is the reason for that, Mammadyarov said.

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.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Asebaa
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of a new building of Children`s and Youth Chess School, which was constructed at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Tartar.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the building.

There are photo stands in the foyer of the school reflecting national leader Heydar Aliyev`s and President Ilham Aliyev`s visits to Tartar, as well as their meetings with the district public. There is also "Brave Azerbaijani Army" photo stand reflecting Armenia's shelling Tartar district this April, Azerbaijani Armed Force's respond to the enemy, as well as President Ilham Aliyev's and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva's viewing the damage to the region and their meetings with residents and the wounded in frontier villages.

The three-storey building, which occupies a total area of 1300 square meters, has administrative rooms, offices, conference and game halls. Classrooms in the school were supplied with necessary equipment. A monitor for watching live competitions was also installed here. The school employs 15 people.

The head of state and his wife wished young chess players success and posed for photographs with them.
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For reasons unknown, movies and nationalism have been going hand in hand since the past couple of months in India. The most recent encounter being the Supreme Courts ruling that National Anthem must be played before every movie in the theaters. Lets not forget the nationalistic hullabaloo and selective targeting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for starring in Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) in October.

However, the fervour seems to have died down. It has been a week since Gauri Shindes Dear Zindagi hit the theatres, beat demonetisation and earned Rs 47 crore in seven days. And why not? I watched the film and found it intriguing.

Except for one itch. It starred Ali Zafar, an actor from the same land as Fawad Khan.

I wondered where all the patriots and self-proclaimed nationalists were? In the bank queues, perhaps?

Lets jog our memory: Karan Johars ADHM was mired in controversy when hardline Hindu-nationalist parties (read MNS) and some patriots called for a ban on the movie in the backdrop of the Uri attacks and Indias surgical strikes against terror camps in Pakistan in September.

Khan ruled my Facebook timeline, Twitter as well as newsroom and drawing room discussions. The major perception on social media was that any support for ADHM will be against the national interest.

But our nationalism seems to be selective. While people demanded strong counter-action to Pakistan after the Uri assault, Tuesdays Nagrota attack seems to have found place only in discussions by our ministers. Perhaps our nationalism only sees the light of the day when there are no other issues to be bothered with, such as demonetisation and cash crunch. May be our selective furore against Fawad Khan erupted because we all had sufficient change in our pockets.

As controversy over ADHM spiralled, the Cine Owners and Exhibitors Association of India announced that no films starring Pakistani actors will be released in single-screen theatres while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) threatened multiplex owners with violence and vandalism. The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association also announced a ban on Pakistani actors. Soon the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress, NCP and others also asked Bollywood to boycott Pakistani artistes. Many personalities -- including those from Bollywood -- and news anchors too called for a boycott.

Pahlaj Nihalani, the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, also jumped onto the bandwagon, saying: Producers should restrain from getting Pakistani artistes on-board. So much so that Karn Johar had to bring out a video, pleading for the safe release of his film and clarifying that he was a patriot, for whom his country came first. He even said he wont engage with Pakistani artists in future.

Some theatres that released the movie were still vandalised in parts of Maharashtra and screenings were stopped in various parts of the country.

While Fawads screen time in ADHM was nine minutes, Ali Zafars screen time in Dear Zindagi included two of his songs and some dialogues -- well over nine minutes.

So what happened in just one month? Have we all suddenly turned from countrys conscience-keepers to peacekeepers or learnt to love thy neighbour? Or did we realise that boycotting a film wont end terrorism?

For a small regional party to behave this way is one thing but what about the millions of Indians who blindly followed the herd, vandalised, threatened and abused anyone and everyone who defended an artiste doing his job?

Nationalism does not mean singling out one issue or an actor and a film just because it does not conform to your standards and munching on popcorn when you are busy with your own problems.

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In art, adversity has its uses. Ask Delhi-based artists Rahul Chaudhary and Pankaj Saroj, who were stuck in a cashless situation in a small town in Uttar Pradesh on the evening of November 8. Since September, the two had been travelling across the country on a yarn bombing project  a form of street art in which the artist transforms public spaces with colourful knits or crocheted yarn or fibre. On the night of November 8, the artists were left with just four Rs 500 notes.

Over the next few days, however, many locals came forward to help them tide over the cash crisis  the hotel owner asked them to pay whenever they got back home, restaurants offered free food and many others accepted the old currency to bail them out.

In those moments, the artists say the yarn that they had been knitting and wrapping at various sites became a metaphor for the community ties that they shared, and the bonds that they forged with people they met en route.

Bombing for a cause

Over the last decade, yarn bombing or yarn storming has become popular in countries such as the US, UK and Australia. Knitting and wrapping objects in colourful yarn, or making objects out of threads is often done as an act of subversion, and as a means to reclaim public spaces. At times, it may be done merely to add colour to an otherwise drab environment.

A tree that has been wrapped in yarn. The idea behind yarn bombing is to reclaim public spaces.

The mother of yarn bombing, Texas-based artist Magda Sayeg, started out in 2010 by wrapping stop sign poles and fire hydrants in something warm, fuzzy and colourful. In a Ted talk on her work, Magda says her work became popular because it offered people something relatable in a fast-paced digital world. Other yarn stormers in the UK describe their work as kooky and eccentric.

Read:Stamped in history: Artist Shelly Jyotis works have Ajrakh prints on khadi

Chaudhary and Saroj, however, contend that yarn bombing has its roots in Indian culture. Haven't we been doing this for centuries? Our grandmothers have been knitting; we tie rakhis, and also wrap threads around trees in dargahs, says Chaudhary, who focusses on knitting, while Saroj works on larger sculptures using the macrame technique (knotting strings in patterns to make objects).

Pankaj Saroj (left) and Rahul Chaudhary are on a journey to yarn bomb at public places such as tea stalls, small shops, rickshaws and trees.

The idea behind the yarn bombing project, says Shailin Smith, curator, Raj Art initiative (part of the Raj Group in Panipat), was to celebrate the lives and stories of the weavers working at the group's carpet factories in Panipat. The route for the journey was chosen keeping in mind the weavers migration patterns, she says.

Accessible art

With that idea and kilos of yarn sent in batches from Panipat, Chaudhary and Saroj started bombing tea stalls, small shops, rickshaws and trees  and even a non-functional hand-pump  in towns and cities that fell on their way from Delhi to Mumbai, and Lucknow to Majuli.

How did the locals react? "We got everything ranging from sheer curiosity and scepticism to heart-warming enthusiasm, recalls Chaudhary. In the district of Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, curious onlookers started asking the two what this prachaar (advertising) was for. The district is a big centre for yarn, and people thought we were advertising for some factory. It was hard for them to believe that we were doing it for free, says Chaudhary.

However, once they noticed the bright yarn on an e-rickshaw, many started requesting the artists to decorate their shops, windows and bikes. Rickshaw-pullers in Kolkata did so after sensing that the bombed rickshaws were attracting more clients.

A yarn bombed rickshaw in Kolkata. Many rickshaw pullers wanted their rickshaws to be wrapped in yarn because it was attracting more passengers.

Now, buoyed by their experiences, the artists, currently working on a rhino sculpture in Assams Majuli island, are preparing to come back to Delhi next week. They began with Delhi, and had wrapped the yarn at a few sites in the Mandi House area. But some of it was pulled out. The journey might be ending (once they move to Panipat from Delhi), but the artists feel that much like the yarn found its way into peoples lives, it will find some form in their work too.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of a new bridge over Tartar River in Sarijali village, Tartar district.

Chairman of Azeravtoyol OJSC Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state about the bridge, which was constructed in the 10th kilometer of Barda-Istisu highway under State Program on socio-economic development of districts of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2014-2018.

The three-span bridge is 107 meters in length, 12 meters in width and 15 meters in height.

The head of the state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the bridge.
Kokila Bhattacharya, 23, was not even born when the gas disaster struck Bhopal in 1984. She, however, could not remain untouched by the pain and the helplessness of those affected by it, and took to painting to spread awareness about the tragedy.

Drawing remains my primary medium of communication. When I was in college it irked me that we were not using communication design to talk about issues that mattered. I have been involved with the Bhopal issue since school, and this journey has made me who I am today, says Bhattacharya, who has been holding exhibitions across the country on the gas tragedy.

Her paintings have already been exhibited in Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore, and will be displayed in Delhi next month. Eyes Wide Shut, the title of the exhibition, talks about ignorance, mostly from the elites who are disconnected from ground realities and the ones who suffer generally.

People have stopped reading and questioning. No one has the patience anymore to dig the details. Here is where art and design intervene and a graphic visual will always tell a story better. Music, theatre and contemporary mixed arts have also come out lately as effective means of breaking taboos and provoking conversations, she says.

One of her creations Toxic Waltz, where a dancing couple can be seen wearing masks, is quite popular. On asking about the same, she says, It is drawn from an incident when the multinational corporation was asked whether they will clean up the toxics at the Carbide plant and decontaminate the area. They said It is not our responsibility. This is how I imagine negligent businessmen and women to be dancing happily having polluted a town.

Ask her what she gets back from her art, she says, Conversations. Whether my art talks of gender, environment or children, I know it has made an impact when there are conversations.
Following complaints that a number of private schools in Bhopal insisting that parents pay their wards fees in cash, district education officer on Friday directed educational institutes to accept cheques and online payments until December 31.

We will take action against schools that refuse to accept fees through cheques and online transfers, said Dharmendra Sharma.We have received complaints about a few schools pressurizing parents to pay fees in cash after demonetisation and also levying late fees, Sharma told Hindustan Times.

We have issued a show cause notice to All Saints School, on Airport Road as we found that normally the institution accepted cheques but since the scrapping of 1,000 and 500-rupee banknotes, the management is forcing parents to pay fees of their wards only in cash, he said.

There is a reason why schools are not in favour of accepting fees through online transfers and cheque payments, said Prabodh Pandya, general secretary of Pallak Mahasangh.

After informal inquiries with the accounts section of a few city schools, we found that the management charges between Rs 3,000 and 5,000 every month from each student and collect crores, he said.

If fees are paid through cheques or transferred online, it will be recorded by banks and even though educational institutions are exempted from paying taxes, the school managements are being cautious as a number of the institutes are run by big business houses.

A number of parents, who did not wish to be named, said that schools, including Theodosian Academy, Mansarovar Public School, Azad Public School, Mother Teresa School and Scholars Public Home, are only accepting cash payments and the institutes have also not extended the last date of paying fee after the Centre demonetised high-value banknotes.

Panel formed for cashless system

The state cabinet on Friday took a decision to form a committee chaired by finance minister Jayant Malaiya to see how a cashless system can work effectively in Madhya Pradesh. The move comes in the wake of the central governments demonetisation scheme.

The cabinet meeting took place on evening chaired by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. However, the CM was taken ill after the meeting and all his programmes on Saturday were cancelled.

As per official sources, the committee would look into the areas and suggest to the government where cashless transactions are possible. It would also look into the practical problems associated with the cashless system being put in.

The cabinet also approved a bill which would be tabled in the state assembly during its ensuing winter session from December 5 to 9. If passed, a green tax would be imposed on old vehicles in the state.

The cabinet also approved the proposal for a supplementary budget during the assembly session.
A BJP MLAs relative was shot dead by unidentified people while he was on a morning walk in Bhind on Friday morning.

Fifty-year-old Lalji Singh, cousin of ruling party legislator Narendra Singh Kushwah, was killed around 500 metres from his house in Block Colony around 5.30 am. Police said the accused fired twice. While the first bullet missed Singh, the second hit him in the back  killing him instantly.

Though Kushwah was rushed to a hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.

A case of murder has been lodged against unidentified people, and an investigation is underway, said superintendent of police (Bhind), Navneet Bhasin.

Police said Singh, a rich farmer who used to dabble in real estate, left his house about 15 minutes prior to his murder. Significantly, the incident took place in the vicinity of Kushwahs residence.

According to sources in the Bhind police, the deceaseds sons  Shivam and Saurabh  were recently accused of attempted culpable homicide and using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty respectively. They were yet to be arrested.

Bhind police are yet to identify the motive behind Singhs murder. Various angles, including the recent crimes allegedly committed by his sons and possible rivalry in land dealings, are being investigated.

The murder took place just two days after Jamila Khan, a minority cell leader of the BJP, was found murdered at her house in Bhopals Gautam Nagar.
A 34-year-old doctor died after falling off a third floor balcony at Misrod locality in Bhopal, police said on Friday.

Dr Akhilesh Mishras 3-year-old daughter had accidentally locked the door of the bedroom of his house in second floor when she went to sleep.

He decided to enter the bedroom from the balcony as he didnt want to disturb his sleeping daughter by breaking the bedroom door.

Mishra went to his neighbours house in the third floor on Thursday night and tied a bed sheet from the window-grill there. He tried to go to the balcony of his house using the bed sheet.

While going down, Mishra lost his grip on the bed sheet and fell sustaining serious head and back injuries, police said.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The police received the information about his death from the hospital at about 2.30am after which it registered the matter under relevant sections of IPC, said assistant sub-inspector Lakhan Lal Namdeo.

He said that Mishras neighbour asked him not to climb down to his house but the doctor refused.
A Lidhora-based woman died after a sterilisation surgery in Madhya Pradeshs Tikamgarh district on Friday evening. Her father claimed the hospitals negligence led to her death.

Sources said 25-year-old Seema Sen had come to the Lidhora Community Health Center to undergo the sterilisation surgery. Her father, Ashram Sen, had accompanied her.

During her surgery, Seemas condition deteriorated.

Sources in the hospital said the doctors administered drugs, to which she didnt respond well.

Her condition worsened and she was rushed to the Tikamgarh district hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.

Seemas father Ashram said her condition worsened after the doctors administered the drugs.

The doctors negligence resulted in my daughters death, he claimed.

Chief medical health officer, Dr AK Tiwari, said prima facia evidence suggested that it was not a case of medical negligence. He said an autopsy would be conducted on Saturday to determine the cause of death.

Hindustan Times had, on November 22, 2016, published a report on the unhygienic conditions in which surgeries were conducted at the Prithvipur community health centre.

The report had revealed that after surgeries, women patients were forced to sleep on wet floors, littered with garbage, with stray dogs roaming nearby.
Emraan Hashmi is currently in Jaipur, Rajasthan, shooting for his next project, Baadshaho, which also stars Ajay Devgn. The project will be the second time that the two actors will be seen together in a film.

Speaking about his co-stars, Emraan says Ajay is very secure as an actor. Ajay is not imposing or interfering. He has a point of view, but if someone has a better idea about something, he will consider it. He doesnt have that ego, says the actor.

Emraan adds that he and Ajay trust the directors vision while working on a film. I wont give my two cents unless somethings going drastically wrong in the film. And he doesnt do that either. Actors sometimes put up a facade, and its very common in this industry. You wear a mask and roam around. You dont really know the person. Ajay is not like that. I think he says what he feels. He doesnt pretend, and thats a unique quality, says Emraan, adding that very few people are themselves in the industry.

And that was a great show with the showstopper Ayaan !! A photo posted by Emraan Hashmi (@therealemraan) on Aug 28, 2016 at 6:36am PDT

The actor, who has mostly worked in thrillers and horror movies, has never been a part of a slapstick comedy project. When asked if he would ever sign an outright comedy film, Emraan says, I dont like slapstick. I dont understand [it], its very juvenile. I am more into dark humour.

Done with a 5k run and off to #Baadshaho shoot!! @tokastraining A photo posted by Emraan Hashmi (@therealemraan) on Aug 27, 2016 at 1:08am PDT

However, the actor may surprise his audience by signing such a film in future. Never say never. At the moment, I like a different kind of comedy. But, unfortunately, not many films of that nature are being made in Indian cinema. I tried doing Ghanchakkar (2013), which was a dark comedy. Some people probably didnt understand it, he says. Emraan adds that Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) is the kind of comedy that he likes in Indian cinema. That, for me, is good comedy, he says.

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Reports have been rife that Hithik Roshan recently left for a holiday in Singapore with someone special as he was spotted leaving without his entourage.

The actors team has denied the news and said that he was reportedly in the island city not to spend time with `someone special but for a business meeting with Hollywood executives.

Hrithiks spokesperson said, Hrithik visited Singapore three days ago purely for work. He was there to meet a team of executives from a Hollywood studio and had gone alone. He returned to India within a day, on Wednesday morning.

On a related note, the 42-year-old actor is currently busy with promotions of Kaabil, opposite Yami Gautam that is set for a Republic Day weekend release along with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees.

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She may have bagged National awards and won a lot of acclaim for her work, but actress Kangana Ranaut has said she does not like anything about her job.

The 29-year-old actress said she does not like what she goes through while portraying different characters in her films.I dont like anything about my job, to be honest. I dont like to meet these crazy people who I have to, as my characters. I dont like the situations and circumstances my characters go through. I dont like to emote to imaginary circumstances.

I dont like to go in mud and water when it is zero degree. Honestly I dont like anything about my job. When asked how does she deal with it, she quipped, I remind myself the bills that I have to pay.

Kangana was in conversation with Manu Joseph at the Times LitFest in Mumbai.

The 29-year-old said when she is approaching a new character in a film, her process involves sculpting the imaginary person in front of her and conversing with her, before finally fully knowing the role.

The process, however, can be too taxing at times with the character almost overpowering the real self which can be dangerous for actors. Actors need to bring about certain sensitivity by stimulating to situations which dont exist, where you can almost behave mechanically to situations. Like action and you have to enact. Over a period, you can grow to be emotionally unhealthy, or sensitive, she added.

The Queen star recalls how she went through a very emotional process while shooting for Katti Batti. When I was playing a cancer patient in Katti Batti, I was enacting my death scenes, I would cry all the time even for the smallest things. I had become so sensitive that I had to literally take care of myself, that it doesnt affect my emotional and physical health.

Kangana says, it is in this regard that if not an actress, she would rather be a director as soon as she can.

I would rather be a director. There is always that next step that you want to take, but that doesnt mean that I cannot (get) enough to unleash my creative forces where I already am. At some point I would like to (be a director), as soon as I can.

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After Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir, the next generation of Kapoors is all set to enter the Bollywood film industry!

The newcomer Aadar Jain, who is a cousin to the Kapoors and Raj Kapoors grandson, is being launched by none other than Aditya Chopra. Karisma recently shared a snapshot of an article of a leading daily on her Instagram account that divulged all the information about the star kids entry.

To new beginnings #congrats #cousinbrother #workhardandshine #familylove @aadarjain @rimosky, wrote the proud sister.

To new beginnings #congrats#cousinbrother#workhardandshine#familylove @aadarjain @rimosky A photo posted by KK (@therealkarismakapoor) on Dec 1, 2016 at 12:51am PST

An alumnus of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Aadar was also first AD on the sets of Karan Johars Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The report also suggests that Adi might launch Aadar on the same scale as Ishaqzaade, in a romantic drama helmed by Habib Faisal.

Talking about Adar, casting director Shanoo Sharma told the daily, He was on my radar even then. Rima is a family friend and these kids have grown up before my eyes. I would keep running into Armaan and Aadar at Dharma Productions, while casting for Karans (Johar) movie. I told Aadar that I wanted to capture him on video just talking. He came across as very charming and incredibly cute. Theres a whole different side to him - flirtatious and mischievous - Aadar has Shashi Kapoors energy about him. I showed the video to Adi who liked him, too, and said we could cast him whenever something suitable was happening.

She also added, Aadar did not get Habibs film because he is Raj Kapoors grandson, but because this boy has it in him. He is incredibly watchable, arresting and has that charisma. In the end, no matter what, if Habib Sir didnt believe in the boy, nothing would have made him sign him. It has to be the perfect casting.

Ranbir Kapoors sister Ridddhima also took to her social media to congratulate the super star and wrote, The next super star has arrived!!!! All the best baby bro Aadar Jain love you Rima Jain @aadarjain @rimosky.

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Remember when director Anurag Kashyap accused Arjun Rampal of stealing the girl he liked? To which the actor has retorted that it was all in Kashyaps mind.

Earlier, Kashyap had told us, I liked this girl, and next day I see Arjun dating her. I was angry. So years later, when Ram Gopal Varma told me that he wanted to cast Arjun in Mast (1999), I told him that Arjuns a bad actor. Thats how the film went to Aftab Shivdasani.

Apparently, he had a crush on her and he made up in his mind that he was dating her and that I took his girlfriend away from him. Maybe thats why he started making such dark films after that.

In an earlier interview with HT City, Kashyap also said that we all hated him because he took all our girlfriends away!

Arjun was in Delhi on Tuesday and we asked the actor how true Kashyaps allegations were, and if a girl actually ditched the filmmaker for him. If I were the girl, I would do the same, Arjun quipped.

Explaining his version of the incident, the actor told us, I was dating this girl from Miranda. Apparently, Kashyap had a crush on her too, and he made up in his mind that he was dating her and that I took his girlfriend away from him.

He continued, Maybe thats why he started making such dark films afterwards. But anyway, whatever he tried turned out to be positive for me ... because I never wanted to be cast in Mast. God bless, Anurag. I do hope that nothing like this happens with him. And the next time, Ill call him up and ask if I can date somebody in case he has a crush on that girl too!

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

By Seba Aghayeva  Trend:

Meeting of energy ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan is planned for early 2017, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Cavusoglu made the remarks during a joint briefing with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku Dec. 3.

Azerbaijan and Turkey also intend to develop cooperation within trilateral formats with the participation of the regions other countries, noted the Turkish minister.

He added that Azerbaijan and Turkey have common goals in the region and the two countries intend to act together, support each other.
A veritable repository of neuroses, I often imagine that poor idiot sneezing across the same room could infect me with SARS, that the cretin coughing across the road will cause me to swiftly die of tuberculosis, and that the itch on my arm is the first sign of an as-yet-undiscovered and terribly malignant form of leprosy which will eat away my very soul in a matter of weeks. As a result, Im always well stocked with hand sanitizer and cleaning products. I am loath to actually use them, though, because, well, they might also contain the secret ingredient X that will smite me dead. Varanasi is a nightmare for such lily-livered individuals as myself. I went there once as child and the Ganga jal I had dutifully collected was kept on my grandmothers pooja stand for a couple of decades before it found its predestined holy way down my grandfathers gullet on his deathbed.

The ghats of Varanasi on Chhat pooja, November 6, 2016 (Manjula Narayan)

You killed him. He couldnt have survived that water, my 15-year-old, who has lately taken to proclaiming his atheism, commented. I thought of that and giggled as I scrambled onto the boat at Bhainsasur Ghat. The marigold encircled diya, my offering to the mighty river, the Ganga, bobs away as the boat man, still a boy really, steers the vessel expertly out into the middle of the great stream. It is early November and darkness, like a cloak, has fallen on Varanasi with an abrupt swiftness. My companions, most of whom are very young people in flimsy footwear by now besmirched by the Gangetic slush, and I, are headed to BrijRama palace on Darbhanga Ghat for the inauguration of the three-day Mahindra Kabira Festival. We glide past the ghats lulled by the gentle current, past Gaay ghat, past Bhonsale ghat, past Narad ghat and Munshi ghat and suddenly it is upon us like a vision of the netherworld, a burning mountain, a giant edifice with fires that have been blazing from the beginning of Time, a huge funeral pyre that will burn on even unto the end of the world. Manikarnika ghat.

My mouth goes dry, and my eyes seek refuge in the dark banks opposite where no one, only wild animals the boatman says, lives. After that I need Kabir like I need a Brufen on the days when my feminine innards are savagely twisted by Nature just so I dont forget Im still capable of going forth and multiplying. And Shabnam Virmani of the Kabir Project, who performs at the inaugural session, does a good job of introducing everyone to the peculiar straight talk, the radical thought and refreshing honesty of the 15th century mystic.

Welcome guest (Manjula Narayan)

Over the next few days, as I wander the winding streets of Varanasi, float down the Ganga watching folk lower the ashes of their loved ones into the river, peep into living rooms where meditative men feed rotis to cows, quaff the best lemon-masala-hajmola-tea in the world at Assi Ghat, and sway to the varied renditions of Kabirs savagely ironic and totally contemporary poetry by Prahlad Tipaniya, Mukhtiyar Ali and Neeraj Aryas Kabir Cafe, I feel something shift within myself.

Prahlad Tipaniya performing at the Mahindra Kabir Festival in Varanasi in November 2016 (Manjula Narayan)

When its time to leave, I notice Im still a repository of neuroses. But I now have a line in deathly jokes.

Make sure you dunk my ashes in the Ganga when Im dead, I say to my obnoxious 15-year-old who, somewhat predictably, demurs.

Isnt the water dirty; do I have to do it? he asks before going on to discuss the logistics of getting my remains to Varanasi on the plane. Its the sort of talk that Id have balked at in my pre-Banaras avatar.

Neeraj Aryas Kabir Cafe performing at the Mahindra Kabira Festival in Varanasi in November 2016 (Manjula Narayan)

Now I just jauntily break into Kabir Cafes up-tempo version of Chadariya jhini re jhini, Kabirs song about, what else, the fragility of life.

Watch more: Celebrating poetry at the Kabira Festival

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Im an Indian Hindu, who cant understand a word my grandmother says. I once visited my ancestral village; all I remember is the feeling that I was intruding. Who would blame me, really? A child of the 1980s, my world was dominated by Coca Cola and Kit Kat. But to not know your roots is a gnarling self-doubt.

The story of Deep Blue Singh has many themes: suicide, depression, the story of an immigrant in a hostile country All of this boils down to loss. It is the pure sorrow pouring out of its pages that makes this otherwise painfully-written book a moving read.

The narrator, a frustrated Sikh boy growing up in small town America, is surprisingly reliable. His thoughts are strewn on paper without a hint of coyness or dishonesty. Its as if the story flowed out of the author, Ranbir Singh. I know little about Singh beyond this book and his last, which won the prestigious Pushcart Award, but Im certain theres more than a hint of reality in Deep Blue Singh.

The story has several layers, one of which features Deeps desire to get away from his dysfunctional family, his callous father and pill-popping mother. Then theres his desire for Lily, a married Caucasian-Chinese woman who loathes her heritage as much as he does his. Some moments with Lily are cliched, describing a puppy love, with none of the complications and subconscious self-hatred that presumably brings the two characters together. But those are easily forgotten after a surprising scene where Deep pleasures himself in full view of her through a bedroom window, even as her unsuspecting husband stands there. Its an authentic and ridiculous moment, the kind that only makes sense in a frenzied teenagers mind. But it provides comedic relief in a novel that offers much scripted, lack-lustre comedy.

What is interesting about Deep Blue Singh, though, is the sense of homelessness that pervades the book. The author has written about a Sikh immigrant familys life in the United States, about the racism, alienation and disconnect from the larger family that comes, literally, from another continent. In the midst of the confusion, there are references to Khalistan, Operation Blue Star, and mentions of Sikhs funding the fight for their own country. It culminates with the loss of the war for Khalistan. These are old wounds for some in India, but the gashes still bleed.

It takes a while for Deep Singh Blue with its unnecessary lines and sentences that open doors to no passages to grab the reader but what eventually hooked me was the real connection between Deeps loss of his Sikh identity and the situation in Indian Punjab today. Familial repression, religious confusion, self-hatred and drug abuse are all problems that plague Punjab. The Sikh community, especially, hasnt had closure and memories live on with multiple causes and effects. Psychiatrists have deduced a somewhat straight line from dependencies to deeper trauma. Such as those that have not been addressed since Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984, which feature prominently in this book written in 2016 by the son of a Sikh immigrant. The accused and many of those who survived continue to await trial, thus denying the living the relief of closure. This books most interesting feature is the straight line it draws between issues. What plagues those who escaped to a foreign land is also at the root of the demons that haunt those who stayed behind in their homeland.

Read more: Book Review | 1984: The Anti-Sikh Violence And After

Deep Singh Blue also looks at the Indian familys stubborn refusal to deal with mental illness. Its in the family, OK, says an uncle to the protagonist, who is trying to bring up his brothers suicidal tendencies. This rings true because it is. Depression is widespread among Indians, but few seek help.

There are some beautiful portions but for all its deep-felt writing, this is a predictable novel. As a winner of the Pushcart Prize for Fiction, Ranbir Singh Sidhu stands with the likes of Kathy Acker and William H Gass. I suspect hes a bigger fan of the latter than the former. Heres the proof: a paragraph in which all that the characters do is walk to a car.

Instead of walking down the stubborn ruins where the sun blasted down on what looked at times like a single pastel-coloured wall stretching all the way to Livemore, she led me to her car

Why, Sidhuji? Why?

Would I read this book again? Only for the scene where the protagonist masturbates against his married amours window, while her husband lifts dumbbells.

Avantika Mehta is an independent journalist.
It was 2010 the first time I went to Barcelona for a week-long visit with a pen pal. Coincidentally, it was also the first time I read The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, on the flight to El Prat airport. Since then, I have reread it several times.

The words were fresh in my mind that week in Barcelona, and my friend, also a fan of the novel, took me to some of the places mentioned in it. At the end of my visit, I felt as though Id left a small part of myself behind; unaware that I would get another chance at exploring this enigmatic city.

Fast forward to 2014-2015, and I found myself with a job as a conversational assistant for English at a school in Igualada. Right on top of my weekend exploration list was a literary walking tour based on The Shadow of the Wind.

Chapter one

On a spring evening in 2015, our guide waited outside the Centre dArt Santa Monica on Las Ramblas, the famous wide promenade that runs through the old city of Barcelona. She was armed with a copy of Zafons book to read out relevant passages.

Our first stop was Calle del Arco del Teatro. It gets its name from the Teatre Principal, the oldest theatre in Barcelona. Stepping through its arch, we entered a narrow street, trying to imagine the location of the fictional Cemetery of Forgotten Books among the graffiti and rusted shutters. We tried to picture the young narrator, Daniel Sempere, brought here by his father on a hazy morning, in the opening chapter.

(Getty Images)

Our next destination was El Call, the Jewish Quarter, which has shadowy, narrow streets. Though it was once a seedy area, it is now transforming into quite a trendy neighbourhood. It hosts the historic Sinagoga Major de Barcelona, one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. It has undergone many restorations and renovations over the years, including an archaeological finding of part of the Roman wall that surrounded the old city.

Returning to the hectic activity of Las Ramblas was a bit disorienting, even with the soft, early evening light. The readjustment was apt for our next halt a few steps away on our right: Placa Reial (Royal Plaza), with its palm trees and vibrant, outdoor cafes, home of Daniels first love, the blind Clara Barcelo. We walked towards the back and moved towards Placa de Sant Jaume through an arch where a jilted Daniel first meets my favourite character, Fermin Romero de Torres. The square, where the Barcelona city hall and the Catalunya parliament are located, is a wide space, impressive in its magnitude, but we hastened to Calle de Sant Jaume, stopping only on the corner where it joins Calle de Montcada, which, with its crumbling houses and empty courtyards, is the inspiration for the Santa Lucia hospice where a key character from the book, an old nurse, lives out her last days.

Into the barri

Further on Calle de Montcada is Passeig del Born, and just like that we were in the barri, vibrant with bars, restaurants and boutiques that pay homage to the areas artisanal past. El Born was the site of merchant guilds in the Middle Ages; individual streets named after each trade. Even now there are commemorative bronze plaques set in the uneven cobblestones in honour of each guild.

The magnificent Santa Maria del Mar (featured in another popular Spanish book  Ildefonso de Falconess The Cathedral of the Sea) in El Ribera was next. We associate churches with opulence, but this one has a unique history. In medieval times, Vilanova del Mar (mar means sea in Spanish and Catalan) was an important neighbourhood, and the Santa Maria del Mar square was its centre. Local entrepreneurs and guilds paid for its construction by local craftsmen  a true symbol of the middle class. Built in the Catalan Gothic style, the monument embodies the feeling of freedom and space, of high arches, light and beautiful glass windows (some of which had to be replaced after various bombings).

Later it was time for my favourite part of that evening. We retraced our steps to Calle Freneria and entered El Barri Gotic. Barcelonas Gothic Quarter is the heart of the Old City. Characterised by the same Catalan Gothic features of austerity as Santa Maria and the narrow, criss-crossing streets of the rest of the old city, this historically significant area is the site of remnants of the Roman walls that enclosed the Ciutat Vella. It also houses the Barcelona Cathedral and one of two underrated squares we discovered on the tour, Placa de San Felipe Neri. It was getting dark and the dimly lit lamps and the half, moving shadows on the buildings and cobblestones fit perfectly with the gothic atmosphere.

(Getty Images)

Nuria Montfort, another piece of the mystery Daniel is trying to solve, lives in a building next to the small church in the quiet San Felipe Neri. Despite the remnants of its violent past (bullet holes and shrapnel scars on the walls from a bombing by General Francos air force in 1938, killing 42 people, mostly children), there was a sort of peace there and you could imagine Nuria peeking down from her terrace waiting for an ill-fated love that would never return.

Similarly, our next point of interest made it impossible not to think of Daniel, the stubborn, naive, but endearing boy we see mature into adulthood by the books end. We were on Avinguda Porta del Angel, a popular shopping spot. The Els Quatre Gats on Calle de Montsio just off this, where Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali were patrons, is where Daniels parents first meet. A few metres away, on Calle Sant Ana, is the location of their future family home and bookstore. Fittingly, the tour ended in the quieter, even more inconspicuous Placeta de Ramon Amadeu, a contemplative square housing the Santa Anna church.

Cities and stories

As we stood there, past dusk, I marvelled again at how the citys multiple layers of time and history felt stronger in the dark, and somehow more accessible. I appreciated a city where Gaudis intricately designed lamp posts co-existed with the gothic features of Santa Maria and the modernism-inspired bright colours and lights of Quatre Gats. A unique identity not unlike our own, composed of disparate events, thoughts and influences, constantly changing, evolving, however minutely.

Zafon shows how these identities can be shaped by stories, written or oral, and passed down through the generations. These stories, and the people and places in them, have a soul contributing to the whole; adding to the history we feel when we walk anywhere in the world. Looking back, it is difficult to imagine whether I wouldve felt that keen, immediate belonging if I hadnt had the evocative association of the book. But there is no separating me from that book or the book from the city.

About the book

The Shadow of the Wind was first published in 2001 and translated into English by Lucia Graves in 2004. It is a gothic mystery set in a 1940s Barcelona still reeling from the effects of the Civil War.

From HT Brunch, December 4, 2016

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There are only a handful of Indians who have made much impact on the global food world. Theres Camellia Panjabi who, apart from writing one of the most successful Indian cookbooks of all time (50 Great Curries of India), also set up the Bombay Brasserie in London, overturning British preconceptions about Indian food. After she left the Taj, she joined up with her sister Namita and Namitas husband, Ranjit Mathrani, to open a series of successful Indian restaurants, two of which have Michelin stars.

Also in London, theres Vineet Bhatia, the pioneer of the new style of upmarket food in the UK, first at Zaika, then at his own Rasoi and eventually at a variety of restaurants around the world. It was Vineet who first put truffle oil on a naan, chocolate inside a samosa, turned butter chicken gravy into an ice-cream and gave the khichdi pride of place.

In America, theres Floyd Cardoz who opened the excellent Tabla and introduced savvy New Yorkers to the delights of Indian spicing. Tabla was about two decades ahead of its time and when the lease ran out, Floyd went to do a number of other things, including cook at the North End Grill and win Top Chef Masters. Now he has suddenly had a resurgence in public attention with two successes in two continents. Paowalla is getting raves in New York and The Bombay Canteen took only a few months to become one of the citys most loved institutions.

That leaves Gaggan Anand who changed all the rules when he introduced molecular techniques to Indian cuisine at his eponymous restaurant in Bangkok. Gaggan has been rated as Asias best restaurant two years in a row.

The Taj Campton Place restaurant in San Francisco

Almost every time you go to a restaurant in India and find a dish that has molecular elements, you are eating food that has been influenced by Gaggan. The funny thing is that Gaggan himself is moving away from molecular gastronomy. His food, these days, is even more brilliant for its starkness and simplicity, influenced perhaps by the growing influence that Japan has on his cooking.

All of these men and women are legends. The debt that we owe them for their role in taking Indian food to the world is incalculable. But there is something that none of them has ever managed.

For many chefs, the acme of recognition is a Michelin star. There are problems with Michelin. Critics say that while it is an authority on French food, it cant tell the difference between good Indian and mediocre restaurant fare.

And yet, all chefs aspire to get Michelin stars. Within the chef community, there is no greater accolade and the desire to win a star keeps top chefs motivated while the loss of a star can lead to suicidal depression.

So far, Michelin has been willing to hand out a single star to Indian restaurants in Hong Kong, New York, Geneva, London and more recently, Singapore. But no Indian restaurant has ever won more than a single star while Japanese and Chinese places have often got three  the top rating  stars. I have wondered why this should be so. Could it be that Michelin does not regard Indian food as worthy of more than one star?

Then, last year, Michelin awarded two stars to Campton Place, a restaurant at the Taj-owned hotel of the same name in San Francisco. I was thrilled because I have always regarded the chef Srijith Gopinath as one of the great Indian culinary stars.

For reasons I have never understood, the Taj has treated Srijith as a secret chef, never to be talked about

Still, I thought to myself, this could be a fluke. Lets see if Srijith can pull this off a second time? When he did  this years stars were announced a few weeks ago  I recognised this for what it was: a historic achievement. No Indian chef has ever got this far.

At this stage, I see you pause and ask, Srijith Who?

Good point. For reasons I have never understood, the Taj has treated Srijith as a secret chef, never to be talked about. When he won his first star, many years ago, I expected fireworks.

Nothing. The Taj said virtually nothing.

When he got two stars, I had to tweet about it to draw attention to this unique achievement because the Taj publicity machine refused to give him his due. I resolved then that I would fly to San Francisco and write about him. By the time I finally planned my trip, he had won two stars for a second year running.

Those of you with very long memories may remember that I wrote about Srijith eight years ago in Rude Food. In those days, he was cooking largely Western food, and though I ate at many of the top SF restaurants, I wrote that Srijiths was easily the best meal I had in San Francisco and the best Western meal Ive ever had at a Taj hotel.

At that stage, Srijith was expected to come home at the end of his posting and so I wrote when Srijith does return to India  assuming no American hotel steals him  the Taj will have a major star.

Maine Lobster with Madras potatoes, Savoy cabbage and coastal curry sauce (Susie Biehler Photography)

I was right about him being a major star. But wrong about him returning to India. The Taj has left Campton Place on its own and Srijith has flourished, far from the mediocrity of the Tajs Indian food. But even I, who rated him so highly, never dreamt that he would be the first Indian chef to win two Michelin stars.

What makes his success so extraordinary is that he has had no advantages. He was hired for the Taj Exotica in the Maldives and impressed Vikramaditya Singh, the general manager. When Vikramaditya moved to Campton Place, he took Srijith with him.

At that stage, the Taj had wanted to outsource the restaurant but because no big-time American chef would take it, they stuck with the low-cost option of a chef pulled from the ranks of the Taj group. Srijiths expertise was in Western food and he quickly adapted his style to suit Californias fabulous produce. That was when I first tried his food.

Later, he decided to go Indian but because he was so far from both India and Europe, there were no role models for him to follow. So his food owes nothing to Vineet, Gaggan, Manish Mehrotra or any of the other big stars of Indian cuisine. Instead, he created his own distinctive style.

Like everyone else in California, Srijith focuses on the flavours of the ingredients. But he manages to give Indian spices equal importance. So his food is an unusual blend of first rate ingredients, enhanced (but not smothered) with spices. The Maine Lobster on his menu is perfectly poached in a mixture of oil and butter but it comes with an authentic Malabar curry. The Cornish hen at his restaurant is treated with a respect no Indian chef gives poultry, roasted whole and shown to guests at the table before being carved and served with a buttery tomato gravy and a chestnut khichdi.

Luxury ingredients are given a respectful but witty treatment. Golden oscietra caviar comes on a tiny appam, the foie gras is spiced and put on a sheermal, and naan dough is adopted to make a bun which is topped with Alba truffles. A square of black cod gets a cocoa-masala coat and shrikhand comes in a little tartlet.

It is hard to characterise his food. Perhaps the best way to describe it is by understanding its origins. A Malayali chef, who is adept at Western techniques, comes to California, is bowled over by the produce and reaches into his spice memory to create a new kind of Indian food.

You may hear a little more about Srijith now. He has done a guest spot on Masterchef India and there is a dinner planned in Hyderabad next year. Im hoping that the Taj wakes up and does pop-ups in India so we can all try his food without having to come to San Francisco.

But the truth is that Srijith doesnt need any of us. As the most acclaimed Indian chef in the world, he can write his own ticket. He has stuck with an Indian company so far. But he must know that if he is to get that third Michelin Star, he needs a fancier room than the Campton Place restaurant which is cosy but hardly grand.

No matter how things pan out, there is much for us to celebrate. There finally is a Michelin two-star restaurant that serves Indian food; so that jinx has been broken.

And the chef who has won those stars has done it without the benefit of a vast publicity machine or any hype. He has got there because of the most Indian of all virtues: an ability to think outside the box and to rise to the top in a foreign land only because of hard work and sheer talent.

From HT Brunch, December 4, 2016

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May you live in interesting times! You may be familiar with the phrase, but not its source. Its a loose translation of a purported Chinese curse, one that ironically denotes that interesting times are full of disorder and chaos. Well, the phrase is currently very apt for the world of mobiles.

Demonetisation is a big shock to the system. In our country, most phones under Rs 20,000 are bought in cash (just easier to buy a new phone every three months with unaccounted income). This isnt going to be an easy recovery at all. There will be a lot of collateral damage that follows with some of the smaller Indian and Chinese brands shutting shop in the next few months. Cheap phone wars and ridiculous online discounting may disappear forever. People will change phones less frequently and look for real reasons to actually plunk down their hard-earned tax-paid money on a new toy. Hopefully, this will give time to companies to innovate and test phones properly and bring in truly radical devices with great features.

The most brutal effect of all this though, will be felt by the companies that have launched phones right around the time that massive chunk of money was converted to toilet paper. Three very different companies come to my mind.

HTC: The big bang comeback

HTC, a brand that is synonymous with state-of-the-art innovation and cutting-edge features. Until it lost momentum and went into slow mode. Well, it is back and how! Three new phones and one of them is a real standout at a very aggressive price. The HTC Desire 10 Pro is a stunner with matte finish body and gold accents. Fingerprint scanner, 5.5 inch Full HD display, whiz bang processor, 20 megapixel back camera with LED flash and laser auto focus, 13MP front camera with a 150 degree wide angle and an audio frequency adjust feature that uses submarine sonar technology to customise the sound to your ears. Usually, HTC would get the phone right and screw up the price. Not this time. Its priced at about Rs 25,000 for a flagship. HTC seems to have understood the market and may be able to whip-off the demonetisation shroud.

Blackberry: The disaster experts

BlackBerry came out with more new phones in India and managed to make the same mistakes all over again. None of them have a keyboard, the pricing is still way off and the phones arent competitive with other Android phones. The only thing they have going for them is that they are the most secure phones you can buy. Unfortunately, in typical BB fashion, the launch was low-key and this one big differentiator was spoken about almost in whisper mode. With WhatsApp going into wont work on BlackBerry phones from December 31, 2016, this was the time for BB to launch a BlackBerry Android with a classic keyboard and sell it in millions. They have managed to screw up royally once again! Demonetisation will hit BB harder than ever before.

Vivo: The anomaly agents

A phone with a front camera that has a better sensor than the one at the back? A Vivo phone that is priced at around Rs 18,000? An expensive phone that comes with a plastic body and not even a full HD screen? Yes, the Vivo V5 has all these anomalies and more. Its main USP is a 20-megapixel front camera with a LED flash that has been rebadged as a Moonlight Dew Flash. In a world where selfies, and now, video calls rule the roost, this is a great move. The back camera is 13-MP and not a very good one. The strange thing is the price. Vivo is an economy and budget brand, Oppo plays the field in the medium range while OnePlus hits out at the higher levels. Many dont know that all three brands are basically owned by BBK Electronics. And for them to get a Vivo take on Oppo and OnePlus with a very mediocre phone is strange. Watch this Vivo phone tank under the demonetisation onslaught.

Many more launches are planned in the coming weeks. Its time to review phones based on features, form factor, hardware and the demonetisation effect. The DM factor will determine the success or failure of a phone for the next six months.

Rajiv Makhni is managing editor, Technology, NDTV, and the anchor of Gadget Guru, Cell Guru and Newsnet 3

From HT Brunch, December 4

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Union water resources minister Uma Bharti urged people of Uttarakhand not to support the Congress as the party had not withdrawn support to the Mulayam Singh Yadav government when it unleashed atrocities on agitationists for a separate state.

Uttarakhand was carved out of UP in November 2000 after 70 years of struggle by people of the hilly region.

The Congress tried to commit foeticide of the state even before it was born, Bharti said in Ranikhet on Saturday, addressing a parivartan rally. The BJP kicked off the parivartan yatra in Uttarakhand on November 13 ahead of assembly elections due early next year.

It is good that the BJP did not form a government in the state with the help of nine rebel Congress MLAs earlier this year as its energies would have gone to keeping the rebels happy, rather than focusing on its agenda, the minister said.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modis policies, Bharti said, He wielded the flute and Sudarshan Chakra at the same time. He is compassionate as well as strict in governance.

Modi is an international Robinhood who, without using violence, has made the corrupt and black money hoarders disclose their money, she said.

In our mythology, Sahastrabahu had 100 hands but he could not defeat Ravana. Lord Rama, who wore khadau on his feet, defeated Ravana with the help of monkeys. Our Prime Minister is doing the same thing for us and will take our country to great heights. We will be among the top five nations.

The minister said she felt a great connect with Uttarakhand. If people give our party a mandate to form government in Uttarakhand, we will make the state the biggest hub of traditional medicines on the lines of Kerala.

Taking a dig at the West Bengal CM for raising a hue and cry over army deployment, Bharti said Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi would have gone to Italy had Mamta Bannerjee remained in the Congress.

Ranikhet was the land where saint Lahiri Mahashay had meditated, and it was a pity that the place was reeling under water crisis, she said. I will do whatever I can to resolve the crisis, Bharti said.

I have been to Switzerland, but Uttarakhand scores over the country, as it is a place of pilgrimage. The minister said she was not opposed to power projects in Uttarakhand, but wanted that the flow of rivers should not be channelised through tunnels.

Former chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari said, CM Rawat says that I use bad words against him at rallies. I will greet him with flowers if he starts doing good work.

BJP state president Ajay Bhatt said, Touts have gained entry into the CM office.
Commotion broke out at a nightclub in south Delhis Hauz Khas after a group led by a gym owner clashed with a group of Nigerian nationals and bouncers, fired bullets and attacked them with sharp weapons late on Friday night.

The altercation broke out after the gym owner, his girlfriend and four friends were denied entry, as the Nigerians had booked the pub for a private party, police said.

One Nigerian national, identified as Nnamdi Makuochuk, and bouncer Manoj suffered stab wounds after a group of five attacked them with sharp weapons. The gym owner, identified as Rahul Chaudhary, too suffered injuries after someone from the other group hurled a brick that hit him on the head. Chaudhary is a resident of Madangir in south Delhi, police said.

Nupur Prasad, additional deputy commissioner of police (south), said that a case of attempt to murder, physical assault with common intention and arms act was registered against Chaudhary and his friends. Chaudhary, who admitted himself to AIIMS Trauma Centre after the fight, was arrested on Saturday by the police. Another case was registered against the other group at the Safdarjung Enclave police station on the basis of Chaudharys medical examination report and his statement to the police.

According to the additional DCP, the incident took place around midnight at Salotto Cafe and Bar in Hauz Khas when Chaudhary reached the pub with his friends. As they were climbing the staircase leading to the bar, one of the Nigerian nationals, Nnamdi Makouchuk stopped them from entering the bar.

Makouchuk told them that the whole place was booked by them for a party. He said that they had asked the restaurant authorities to put up a notification outside so that other visitors can be restricted and they do not face any inconvenience, said a police officer.

When Makouchuk asked the five to leave, they entered into an argument with him. The argument soon turned into a scuffle during which Chaudhary pulled out a sharp object and stabbed Makouchuk on his thigh. The Nigerian national screamed for help and Manoj, one of the bouncers, rushed for help. As Manoj tried to intervene, Choudhary attacked him as well on his thighs.

The five forcibly entered the club and started creating ruckus. One of them pulled out a pistol and fired two bullets, aiming the ceiling of the pub, said the officer.

Hearing the gunshot, the others guests at the restaurant tried to rush out and it led to further commotion. Amid the commotion, someone from the crowd picked up a brick and hurled it at Choudhary which hit his head.

An official of the club said that they have shared the CCTV footage from the club with the police. One of our guests and an employee were stabbed by the youths. We have filed a case and pursuing it, said the official, who did not want to be named.
Manoj Tiwari, the new president of Bharatiya Janata Partys Delhi unit, seems to be man with a plan. He understands the gigantic task ahead of him and is ready to hit the ground running.

Soon after taking charge on Wednesday, the actor-turned-politician said he will visit every constituency in Delhi and interact with the people. He said he will take forward the mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi against black money and corruption.

In this regard, he told HT in an interview, he will ask all BJP councillors in Delhi to submit their bank account statements for the duration between November 8 and December 31.

Q. You have taken over the party at a time when it is going to face a crucial election. What will be your priorities as Delhi BJP chief?

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has duped people of Delhi. They made a lot of promises before the assembly elections. But chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has disappeared. In the next 10 days, I will go from door-to-door in all assembly constituencies with a list of promises made by Kejriwal. I will ask people how many of those promises the AAP government fulfilled to expose their false claims.

Q. Civic services in the city are in a mess. Allegations of aiding illegal constructions and rampant corruption are rampant against the municipal corporations. Your party is ruling the civic bodies for the past 10 years. What is your view of the problem?

I visited slum clusters and illegal colonies during MCD bypolls. I am aware of the sufferings of the people living there. It is unfortunate that the AAP has used them as their vote bank but did not make any efforts for their development. We will make sure that the middle-class and lower-middle class residents are ensured of all civic amenities. At the same time, we will have to see that the corporations improve their financial health.

We will make Delhi a dream city. With regard charges of corruption, I admit that there are some deficiencies. I will say that all of them are not dishonest. Fight against corruption has begun with demonetisation. No one will be spared. I will ask all councillors to submit their bank transaction details of the duration between November 8 and December 31.

Q. As the partys state unit chief, how do you propose to end factionalism?

We will sit together and discuss issues. We will decide how are we going to move forward. I believe in working together. I think we will certainly find better solutions if we will move together. BJP is a strong organisation. It possesses strength to conquer challenges.

Q. Do you feel pressure?

No, not at all. I will try to justify the faith reposed in me by the national party president Amit Shahji. I will work honestly for the betterment of Delhi. My aim will be Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Dilli Ullas. I will win hearts of the people of Delhi.

Q. You are on good terms with AAP minister Kapil Mishra. Do you also plan to reach out to AAP to implement your plans for development?

I have good relations with a lot of people. It is not about any particular person. I believe in performance. I am committed to my constituency, hence I take every possible step for their betterment.

Read: Manoj Tiwari appointed chief of Delhi BJP

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Police booked on Saturday five men including a tourist guide for alleged gang rape of an American woman at a five-star hotel in Delhi in March, an official said on Saturday.

The decision to register a first information report (FIR) was taken after police went through a complaint filed on behalf of the woman and was emailed to the Delhi police chief a week ago.

Police have identified the tourist guide named as the prime accused in the complaint. The prime suspect is a resident of Delhi but he is presently out of Delhi, the officer added.

The American woman is the second foreign tourist to have been sexually assaulted in Delhi in recent years.

A court last year sentenced to life five men found guilty of gang raping a Danish woman near the Delhi railway station in 2014, an incident which had earned negative publicity for the national capital known to be one of the most unsafe places for women in the country.

In her complaint, the American woman has expressed her willingness to travel to Delhi and record her statement, police said.

The woman has said the tourist guide befriended her while showing her tourist spots in Delhi and adjoining states. The woman said on the night of the incident, he entered her room with four of his friends, also related to the travel agency, on the pretext of discussing their next days journey route plan.

They had drinks in the room after which the tourist guide forced himself on her, she said. The others also took turns to rape her before leaving the room, said a source familiar with the complaint.

The traumatised woman went back to the US shortly after the alleged gang rape, the complaint read.

Police have asked a Delhi-based lawyer, who is assisting the survivor in the case, to assist them in contacting her.

We will approach the US embassy to assist us in contacting her. We will record her statement before a magistrate if she agrees to come to Delhi. If she is unable to visit us, her statement can be recorded through video conferencing as well, the officer added.

The officer said they were keen to know why the woman did not approach the hotel staff or the police before leaving.

On Friday, police checked the guest records of the hotel in Connaught Place and confirmed her stay for four days.

However, there was very little chance of finding CCTV footage as the hotel informed police that they dont store video recordings for more than a month.

The hotel staff also said she did not raise the issue with them.

Police have collected details about the tour and travel agency for which the prime suspect works.

Another team has been tasked to track down the guide and bring him to Delhi for questioning.
Police will book five men including a tourist guide for alleged gang-rape of an American woman at a five-star hotel in Delhi in March, an official said on Saturday.

The decision to register a first information report (FIR) was taken after police went through a complaint filed on behalf of the woman and was emailed to the Delhi police chief a week ago.

The officer said the FIR will be registered by Sunday and the police have identified the tourist guide who was named as the prime accused in the complaint. The prime suspect is a resident of Delhi but he is presently out of Delhi, the officer added.

The American woman is the second foreign tourist to have been sexually assaulted in Delhi in recent years.

A court last year sentenced to life five men found guilty of gang-raping a Danish woman near the Delhi railway station in 2014, an incident which had earned negative publicity for the national capital known to be one of the most unsafe places for women in the country.

In her compliant, the American woman has expressed her willingness to travel to Delhi and record her statement, police said.

The woman has said the tourist guide befriended her while showing her tourist spots in Delhi and adjoining states. The woman said on the night of the incident, he entered her room with four of his friends, also related to the travel agency, on the pretext of discussing their next days journey route plan.

They had drinks in the room after which the tourist guide forced himself on her, she said. The others also took turns to rape her before leaving the room, said a source familiar with the complaint.

The traumatised woman went back to the US shortly after the alleged gang-rape, the complaint read.

Police have asked a Delhi-based lawyer, who is assisting the survivor in the case, to assist them in contacting her.

We will approach the US embassy to assist us in contacting her. We will record her statement before a magistrate if she agrees to come to Delhi. If she is unable to visit us, her statement can be recorded through video conferencing as well, the officer added.

The officer said they were keen to know why the woman did not approach the hotel staff or the police before leaving.

On Friday, police checked the guest records of the hotel in Connaught Place and confirmed her stay for four days.

However, there was very little chance of finding CCTV footage as the hotel informed police that they dont store video recordings for more than a month.

The hotel staff also said she did not raise the issue with them.

Police have collected details about the tour and travel agency for which the prime suspect works.

Another team has been tasked to track down the guide and bring him to Delhi for questioning.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of a new administrative building of Tartar district branch of the New Azerbaijan Party.

The head of state cut the ribbon to officially open the building.

President Ilham Aliyev then viewed the conditions created here. A bust of national leader Heydar Aliyev was installed in the foyer of the building. There are also photo stands reflecting the life and activity of national leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev, as well as their participation in the New Azerbaijan Party-related events. Brave Azerbaijani Army photo stand was installed in the foyer as well.

The building occupies a total area of 510 square metres. The two-storey building houses a 50-seat assembly hall, offices and technical rooms.

Tartar District branch of the New Azerbaijan Party has 5,872 members, including 3,121 women and 1,449 young people.

President Ilham Aliyev congratulated members of the Tartar District branch of the New Azerbaijan Party and wished them success.
The Delhi government will need at least a month to prepare before the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme can be introduced under a Supreme Court directive to curb pollution in the capital, officials said on Saturday.

The top court on Friday said the scheme can be implemented if pollution levels rise beyond a limit for two consecutive days, clearing potential hurdles for the government in re-introducing the radical plan that allows vehicles to ply on alternate days based on the last digit of their registration numbers.

There will be chaos on (the) streets if we do not plan it well. As we dont have enough number of buses, we have to hire buses to improve public transport as people will leave cars, an official told HT.

Hiring buses will need a month and similarly, we also hire civil defence volunteers to manage traffic on roads. Doing all this immediately after high pollution for two consecutive days is almost impossible as public also need to be informed in advance.

The Arvind Kejriwal government had introduced the scheme twice though experts are divided over its efficacy, besides the hardships it causes to a city of 16 million people.

Since Diwali in October-end, Delhi has seen one of the worst pollution spikes in recent years with the level of deadly PM 2.5 and PM 10  fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs  rising several times beyond the safe limit.

The SC said the odd-even formula can be automatically enforced and all construction activities stopped if air pollution breaches the PM2.5 emergency level of 300 micrograms per cubic metre for 48 hours at a stretch.

In October 2015, only one day had such severe air quality. In November, it was 16 days, in December 10 days, while in January this year, 14 days had PM2.5 more than 300 microgram per cubic metre.

This means the department needs to be ready from the start of October till February. This is possible when we have adequate buses and are ready to provide the last-mile connectivity to people who are leaving cars. In the beginning there is bound to be inconvenience as the odd-even rule will be flexible, the official said.

Sources indicated the scheme can be introduced during the winter break of schools as was done in January this year.

Delhi reeled under a thick cover of smog and haze for at least seven days after Diwali, sparking health concerns among the citizens. Faced with criticism, the city government announced a raft of measures, including closing down of schools.

Sources said ministers and officials will meet next week to discuss how to proceed on the matter.

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Delhi governments inability to decide on the size of buses required for its roads has stalled plans of adding buses to the depleting Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet.

According to the sources, the finance department has asked the transport department to reconsider the proposal of buying mini buses as it may in the long run burden the exchequer. Mini buses can carry up to 35 passengers at a time while standard floor buses can carry up to 70. The transport department needs to deploy the same number of staff for operating both the buses.

We will be paying the same salary to the drivers and conductors and support staff irrespective of whether they work on mini or standard floor buses. So, in mini buses the same staff will be able to carry fewer passengers, which means we are not fully utilising the staff. That is why, to make it more cost efficient, we need to have standard floor buses. Standard floor buses will also reduce congestion, said a Delhi government official.

Sources said that proposal has been prepared to procure 3,064 buses, but the size of these buses will be finalized by the chief minister. While a standard bus costs about Rs 42/km to operate, the cost of running a mini bus is Rs 20/km.

There should be a mix. On some routes you need large buses, but if you want to provide door step service then mini buses are required. In a multimodal system, you need to have different size of buses. The size should be demand based, said AK Bhattacharya, advisor, sustainable mobility, CSE.

Sources in the transport department said that the government will identify long routes and these routes will be complemented by feeder routes, where smaller buses will ply.

Buses in the national capital meet more than 60% of peoples travel demand. However, no new buses have been added to the existing fleet in the past six years.

With just 4,150 buses covering around 557 routes, the fleet of DTC is at a six year low. Estimates suggest that by January next year, the number of DTC buses is further likely to come down to 3,775 buses as about 400 of the old standard floor buses are going to be phased out. In comparison, Delhi in 2010-11 had 6,204 buses plying on its roads.

As per Delhi governments own estimates, the city at present needs at least 11,000 more buses. By 2020, this requirement is set to touch 20,000. The DTC carried 43.47 lakh passengers per day in 2013-14, which reduced to 38.87 lakh per day in 2014-15 and in 2015-16, it further came down to 35 lakh.

On the other hand, the Delhi Metros average daily ridership is 27 lakh.

As a result, Delhis roads have almost 90 lakh vehicles today, which is way more than what it can take. Besides, the government admits that half the cars plying do not comply with Bharat Stage-IV emission norms and are Bharat Stage-III compliant or below.

Vehicular emissions contributes around 20 per cent to Delhis fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and 9% to PM 10, apart from other gaseous pollutants like ozone (O3), Nitrogen Oxide (Nox), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2).

To discourage the use of private vehicles, there has to be a robust transport network to fall back upon. In Delhi, barring the present metro system which can serve at most 10-15% of population, the quality, efficiency and reliability of public transport has been deteriorating for the last 3-4 years. This has led to a gradual decline in the number of public transport users and increase in private motor vehicles. Delhi needs to reverse this trend and strengthen its public transport, said Nalin Sinha, programme director, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (India).
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) may stop accepting cash payments for property tax from the next financial year.

SDMC commissioner Puneet Kumar Goel said taxes will have to be paid online. Goel made the proposal while presenting budget estimates on Friday.

Goel said the corporation will introduce a mobile application and e-wallet facilities by next year to help taxpayers make cashless payments.

Although people can make payments by cheques and drafts, our staff will help those who cant access the online facility. We will create a window in each zone to help taxpayers fill in the property tax forms, he said.

The corporation will also organise camps in each ward to help taxpayers understand the functioning of these applications.

Digital records

Taking a step towards in its bid to digitise the property tax records, the corporation has also launched a scheme called Link all your record. Under the scheme, the corporation will collate all information related to a taxpayer, with the help of a unique property identification card (UPIC). This information can be accessed by the taxpayer on the SDMCs webpage.

The idea is to reduce the public interaction and bring in more transparency into the system, Goel said.

Once the information is collected, the corporation will issue an e-passbook and UPIC, and maintain an online demand and collection register containing details of receipts and dues for each property.

We will conduct a door-to-door survey to ensure that everyone is covered under these schemes. It will help us identify defaulters and take action against them, a senior SDMC official said.

The corporation will also launch a software for online mutation of property. Mutation is the change of title ownership from one person to another. The process takes lot of time. To resolve the issue, this software will be launched shortly, said Goel.

Tax mop up

SDMC is expecting to collect 742 crore as property tax during the fiscal year 2017-18. For the fiscal year 2016-17, the amount is estimated to be 775 crores.

The commissioner also said that rebates to those who pay taxes on time will be reduced from 15% to 10 % in 2017-18. For senior citizens/ disabled/ women taxpayers, the rebate will be reduced from 30% to 20%. No rebate will be given to DDA/CGHS flats built over a 100 square-metre area.

No rebates will be given to heritage land or buildings that are notified by the corporation or the ASI, used for commercial purposes.

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External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said those guilty in the alleged gang-rape of an American woman at a five-star hotel in March this year will not be spared and asked the Delhi police to register a case.

The woman had, in an email written to the Delhi police, said she was raped by five men at a Connaught Place hotel during her visit to India.

Read: Delhi police to book five for raping American woman in five-star hotel

Taking cognizance of media reports about the alleged rape, Swaraj, in a series of tweets, said she spoke to Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung and Indian ambassador in US Navtej Sarna about the matter.

She said she told Jung that police should register a case and bring the guilty to book.

I have also asked the Indian ambassador in the US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty, Swaraj added.

The Delhi police had earlier received an e-mail complaint from the woman. The woman has said she had hired a tourist guide who, she alleged, was one of the rapists.

Police sources said they were investigating the allegations and had questioned some employees of the hotel.
There are scores of myths about the Common Admission Test (CAT). Candidates often hear that engineers have an advantage over other test takers, women candidates have an edge in CAT and the English section has more weightage. Students often worry about these and how their scores will be impacted. In this article, we bust some common myths.

Engineers are preferred in CAT. Fact or myth?

Myth! The CAT can be cracked by anyone irrespective of his/her educational background. The CAT does not favour engineers. It checks quantitative aptitude based on mathematics of Class 6 to Class 10, which everyone has studied in school.

A large number of engineers crack CAT. Fact or myth?

Fact! However, dont panic if you are a non-engineer. CAT is a test of aptitude and skills, not a test of knowledge. While it is true that a lot of engineers get through, their engineering degree is not a reason for the same. The fact is that lots of good students in India choose science courses in Class 11 and Class 12. These students either traditionally go for engineering courses or medicine courses. Doctors also appear in the CAT and are fairly successful. However, a bulk of good applicants happen to be engineers. Being an engineer is not a cause of cracking the CAT. A good student who cracks the CAT could be an engineer. Lots of good students who take commerce courses or humanity courses also crack the CAT. In fact, to increase diversity of the incoming batch, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other good B-schools offer extra points to non-engineers.

I am a woman candidate. I have heard that it offers me some advantage. Fact or myth?

Fact! Many IIMs and other good B-schools, in an attempt to increase the diversity of the incoming batches, offer extra points or official/unofficial reservation to women candidates. Check the websites of these institutes to gain a deeper understanding of the selection process.

I have heard that English will have more weightage in the CAT. Fact or myth?

Cant say! The CAT authorities have released many details on their website. Among them is the sectional time limit of 60 minutes each for the three sections of verbal ability/reading comprehension (VARC), quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning/data interpretation. Thus, it is unlikely (but remotely possible) that the weightage of the VARC section will increase. Dont pay attention to rumours. Prepare well and have a strategy that works in all scenarios. Such a strategy depends on time allocation in proportion to the marks of the section/sub-section.

I tried the CAT last year and was not successful. I dont think I have it in me to crack it. Fact or myth?

Myth! As discussed above, the CAT is a test of aptitude and skills, not a test of knowledge. If you were not successful the last year, improve your aptitude and skills and avoid silly errors.

My friend prepared for 1.5 years and was not successful. I have prepared for only three months and I am fearful that I cannot crack. Fact or myth?

Myth! The outcome does not depend on the time spent but also on where you started from versus where your friend started. Also, the time spent is much less important than the efficiency of studies. Dont worry and do your best.

I want to attempt all the questions in the exam but I am not able to. I dont think I can crack the CAT. Fact or myth?

Myth! The CAT deliberately gives a large amount of work to be done in a comparatively small amount of time so that you need to demonstrate your time management skills by leaving tough (time consuming) questions. Most candidates can choose two out of the following three: Doing all the questions, in the given time, accurately. Dont sweat over questions left. Make sure that you leave the tougher ones.

The author is chief knowledge expert, Triumphant Institute of Management Education, Delhi

Read more: Instructions out for CAT on Sunday: Remember, no henna on hands and do check the weather
Deepak Chopra, known the world over as the mind and body healer who counts Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian as friends, is trying to make medicines obsolete through technologies such as virtual reality (VR).

Progresses in this field give Chopra hope that doctors prescriptions will change drastically.

In a few years, this will replace traditional pharmaceuticals. You go to a doctor, he will tell you to go for a VR session, he said in an interview on the sidelines of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Saturday.

VR rewires the neural network, it influences the gene network. We are pioneering this in a big way.

In that he is living up to the role of someone who switched tracks from practising traditional medicine to transcendental medication.

A trained physician specialising in endocrinology, Chopra migrated to the US in the 1970s.

In 1985, he was in the audience at a science conference in Washington, DC, addressed by Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, known for having The Beatles among his disciples. The Yogi picked Chopra from the audience, probably because he was the only Indian there, and said he wanted to speak to him later.

A trained physician specialising in endocrinology, Deepak Chopra migrated to the US in the 1970s. (HT Photo)

At their subsequent meeting, Yogi asked Chopra what he did. At the time, Chopra was doing research in brain chemistry. He knew emotions and thoughts affected biology. It was a radical new idea then.

Yogi told Chopra he should look at Vedanta for more insights. That made the doctor switch tracks.

Things went smoothly until 1993, when Chopra exploded on the big American stage, thanks to an hour-long appearance on the Oprah show. It was the first time the mass audience in the US heard a diluted version of Vedanta, Chopra recalled.

The topic was ageless body, timeless mind. And enough people watched the programme because Chopras book on the subject sold 800,000 copies in the week following the show.

Chopra, who has always used modern technology, is using VR to treat the trickiest of conditions, including phobia.

VR is a good way to treat phobias, such as the fear of flying, by simulating conditions.

The same goes for eating disorders.

Give a person a feeling of fullness and you can teach them to eat right. If someone does not want to eat, you can make them feel hungry.

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You know that hologram of a live brain that had Pepper Potts so excited in Iron Man 2? Were not there yet, but there was some stuff at a recent medical technology meet in the US that caused almost as much of a stir.

There was a robot-supported angiography system, VR 3D models of a foetus, and automated tools that let you 3D print anatomical models  in real time  based on a specific patients CT, MR or X-ray images.

These new tools, unveiled at the annual summit of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) that began on Sunday, are helping make surgery less invasive, helping treat anomalies and congenital disorders in an unborn baby, and letting physicians simulate hard and soft tissue to better customise joint replacements, plan complex procedures and even teach and explain procedures to patients.

In the VR 3D foetus model, the virtual reality headset allows you to see the developing foetus instead of the traditional ultrasound. You can study the 3D foetal anatomy by just moving your head, said study co-author Heron Werner from the Clinica de Diagnostico poor Imagem in Brazil, who presented the findings at RSNA.

Virtual reality 3D models of foetuses help doctors diagnose and treat unborn babies.

Essentially, the VR tools have transformed imaging from a purely diagnostic tool into an instrument that offers clinicians an immersive experience to help them predict disease progression, plan therapies, lower risk of infection and predict treatment outcomes, says Dr Vidur Mahajan, associate director at Mahajan Imaging, one of Indias largest medical diagnostics and imaging centres.

NEW FRONTLINES

One of the biggest challenges for surgeons is the growing number of patients showing up for treatment with one or more chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension (persistent high blood pressure), kidney disease, chronic lung disease, etc. Such people are at higher risk of complications and death, and take longer to recover from an intervention and surgery, even if it is unrelated to the medical condition for which they are seeking treatment, says Dr Pradeep Chowbey, chairman of surgery and allied surgical specialities at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.

Given that 200 million Indians have hypertension, 70 million have diabetes, and more than 6 million have chronic kidney disease, the threat from complications is very real.

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who underwent abdominal surgery had longer hospital stays and higher rates of complication and death than otherwise healthy patients, found a study of more than 333,000 patients in the US, published in the journal Surgery, in April.

In the most complex part of the human body, anatomical brain images offer highly accurate renderings of fibre bundles. (Max Planck Institut, Leipzig, Germany)

People with diabetes, a history of heart disease, blood diseases, and chronic kidney disease are also at risk of contrast-induced nephropathy from contrast material given during diagnostic imaging exams such as MRIs, CT scans and angiograms.

PRECISION TREATMENT

Innovations in imaging are making surgery safer even for very high-risk patients. The robot-supported Artis pheno angiography system optimises imaging parameters to minimise radiation, lower risk of infection and treat patients with coexisting chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and kidney disease, among others. Its clinical software application produces 3D images using less contrast materials, to lower the load on kidneys, while its multi-tilt table improves manoeuvrability for improved clarity while scanning extremities and for improved precision while operating on obese patients who weigh up to 280 kg.

The image-guided system is used for interventional radiology, cardiac surgery and minimally invasive procedures. Artis is particularly useful for minimally invasive valve replacement and complex spine surgeries, including spinal fusion procedures, using lower doses of anaesthesia, smaller incisions and more precision, all of which lower risk of complications and result in faster recovery, says Elisabeth Staudinger-Leibrecht, president (Asia-Pacific Region) at Siemens Healthineers, makers of the system.

Even in relatively simple cases like multiple rib fractures, technology offers doctors an immersive experience. (General Hospital of Vancouver, Canada)

The system can be fitted with optional software applications for complex cases involving multiple health issues that complicate minimally-invasive procedures.

EARLY DETECTION

The foetal model, meanwhile, lets parents virtually watch their unborn baby grow inside the womb, through technology that uses MRI and ultrasound data. More importantly, it helps doctors better diagnose and treat a baby inside the womb.

Using a headset, physicians can listen to the babys heartbeat and interact with the pictured organ or tissue using devices such as VR viewers and styluses that even let them prod the virtual organs, tissue and bone, plan surgeries and even cut into virtual tissue before making a real incision.

MOVING FORWARD

This is just the beginning, and already the possibilities seems magical - as with the automated segmentation tools that let you use CT, MR and X-ray images to 3D print anatomical models for medical use. It may not be a holographic map of the brain, but its already helping surgeons plan complex heart, vascular and cancer surgeries.

3D-printing has caught the medical worlds imagination for the leverage it has in manufacturing patient-matching medical devices, drugs and biologics, says Dr Mahajan. In the US, a 3D-printed bioresorbable airway splint has been used to save a childs life, a 3D-printed implant has replaced 75% of a mans skull, and implants for knees and joints are being manufactured customised to each patients anatomy for comfort, optimal range of movement and longer life of the joint.

As Dr Mahajan puts it: Any tool that improves a clinicians understanding of diseases and their management fills a real gap, and VR imaging is doing just that.

Just for fun, check out that scene in Iron Man 2 where Potts was wowed by the hologram of her live brain

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As the 72-hour routine lead carrier information exercise of the army came to an end, it has withdrawn from the Palhit toll plaza and other areas.

CPRO defence SS Birdi said, As 72-hour exercise got over, we withdrew deployment from Palhit toll plaza and other areas Friday night.

When the army deployed its team at two plazas in West Bengal, chief minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the deployment was made without any prior information to state government. She also termed the day as black day, pointing out that such a deployment takes place only normally during disasters.

The army, however, clarified on the issue by releasing a series of letter stating that it was very well in contact with the Kolkata Police and that it was nothing but a routine exercise which takes place every 3-4 years.

This is an exercise carried out for operational purposes, which will terminate to its logical and tonight. They are only collecting data of heavy vehicles, which is an annual exercise being carried out every year. Similar exercises are also being carried out in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar from September 26 to October 1 this year, said acting general officer commanding (GOC), (Headquarters), Bengal Area, major general Sunil Yadav.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MLAs staged protest outside Raj Bhavan in Bengal, demanding withdrawal of the army deployed at toll plazas.

BJP lashed out at Mamata Banerjee for dragging in the army into politics and sought an apology from her and her party. BJP spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh said, Its very unfortunate, the kind of politics Mamata Banerjee has been doing after demonetisation. BJP is of the opinion that the issue of army deployment in Bengal has been politicised.

Read| Mamata to protest undemocratic actions even as army rebuts her charges
Bihars vigilance investigation bureau (VIB) spooked the marriage plans of an engineer of the energy department, arresting him for accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 barely a week before he was to tie the knot.

While the wedding has been put off indefinitely, both his and the girls families are in a quandary as to how to deal with the situation. He was to get married on December 9.

According to a VIB official, assistant electricity engineer Satish Kumar was posted at Saraiya supply division of Muzaffarpur.

Kumar, who was arrested in Muzaffarpur on Thursday, became the 106th person so far this year to be caught red handed by the VIB, while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a farmer, Ram Babu Sharma.

Sharma, in his complaint to the VIBs police station in Patna on November 23, said Kumar had demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 to correct his electricity bill. But he was accepting Rs 10,000 in Rs 2000 denomination notes, when he was caught.

To put pressure on him, Sharma said the electricity department lodged a case against him at the Saraiya police station on October 18, accusing him of energy theft. Many consumers were being implicated in false cases to force them to pay bribe, he claimed.

However, before paying the money to him I informed the VIB and they caught him red handed while I was offering him the money, Sharma said.

An official of VIB said Sharma had decided to hand over the money to Kumar. However, he changed his mind at the last moment and decided to approach the vigilance bureau.

On the advice of VIB official he fixed the rendezvous and a 14-member team led by DSP Mohammad Jamiruddin caught the assistant engineer red-handed accepting the bribe.

A raiding team official told HT the team found evidence from the mobile phone of the accused indicating his involvement in bribery for a long time.

Right now, we cannot say anything more because our investigation is at preliminary stage, the officer added. Kumar had joined the post in 2014.

VIB DG Rabindra Kumar said the accused was produced before a special court in Muzaffarpur on Friday which sent him to judicial custody.

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Two Assam Rifles personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed and eight others injured when their convoy was ambushed by a Naga rebel group in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.

Defence officials said suspected militants of the SS Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) carried out the attack about 2 pm near Nginu village close to the India-Myanmar border.

A column of the 16 Assam Rifles were returning from a routine patrol they had set out for on Friday. They came under heavy fire from the militants who used automatic weapons. While two personnel died, the condition of two of the eight injured is critical, an Assam Rifles spokesperson said from the paramilitary forces headquarters near Shillong.

The injured, including a deputy commandant, were airlifted to a military hospital in adjoining Assam.

This is the third ambush by the militants on security forces in the Northeast in the past fortnight.

On November 19, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent attacked the Armys Kumaon Regiment personnel in Assams Tinsukia district, killing three and injuring four others.

On November 26, five commandos of 21 Para were injured in an ambush in Chandel district of Manipur.

Most insurgent outfits of the Northeast have their bases in Myanmar. At least five of them formed a coordinated front named United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of newly constructed Flag Museum in Guzanli, Aghdam district.

The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the Museum.

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva were informed that the construction work started this year. The museum occupies a total area of 300 square meters. All necessary conditions were created in the Museum where 146 exhibits can be showcased.

The Flag Museum highlights different periods of Azerbaijan`s history, the flags and emblems of the states which existed in the territory of Azerbaijan, maps, constitutions, orders and medals as well as national symbols.
Pakistans top diplomat Sartaj Aziz will arrive in Amritsar on Saturday to attend a key meet of Asian leaders, advancing his trip by a day in a surprise move even as New Delhi and Islamabad struggled to improve frosty ties.

It was also learnt the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani could now take place on Sunday instead of Saturday, on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia conclave.

The Heart of Asia initiative, launched in 2011, includes 14 countries including China and Russia and is aimed at encouraging economic and security cooperation.

Aziz, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs foreign policy adviser, was to arrive in Amritsar on Sunday to attend the ministerial meet on Afghanistan but will now land at around 7.30 pm by a special flight. However, there was no formal reaction from the external affairs ministry on the change in plan.

Aziz is expected to attend the dinner for the participants of the Heart of Asia conference.

The adviser is coming by a special flight. He will likely attend the dinner. This is because there is a change in his schedule at the last moment, a source told HT.

Ties between India and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply in recent months after a series of attacks on Indian military bases in Kashmir and Punjab, which New Delhi says have either been carried out by militants sneaking in from Pakistan or orchestrated by groups based there. Pakistan denies the charges.

Ahead of the Amritsar conference, India said cross-border terrorism cannot be the new normal in India-Pakistan ties, signalling in a hardening of posture against the neighbour.

However, surprises never eluded India-Pakistan ties which many times went against a predicted script including an unannounced visit of Modi to Lahore to meet Sharif. But whether a gesture by Aziz to attend the dinner would dramatically change the current hostile India-Pakistan narrative remains to be seen.

The last two Heart of Asia conclaves had India-Pakistan bilateral meetings. In December 2015, Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia ministerial in Islamabad. And early this year foreign secretary S Jaishankar met his Pakistan counterpart in the meeting of the senior officials grouping in New Delhi.

A regional counter-terror mechanism and plans to boost connectivity and investments to Afghanistan will be the likely outcome of the ministerial meeting to be inaugurated by Modi and Ghani on Sunday.
After the Goods and Services Tax (GST) council failed to reach a consensus after its two-day meeting, finance minister Arun Jaitley said he was keeping his fingers crossed and was still targeting April 1, 2017 for the rollout of the new tax structure.

The council will hold its next meeting on December 11 and 12 to find a common ground on issues related to dual control, central GST and state GST.

Sources said states were concerned about the impact of demonetisation on their revenue and Jaitley also held informal discussions with state finance ministers on the issue after they insisted.

We are still targeting April 1, 2017, for rollout of GST. Are we close to a resolution? I will keep my fingers crossed, Jaitley said after the meeting.

He told reporters that that issue of cross empowerment and compensation would be taken up in the next meeting.

GST Council had discussed draft CGST and SGST laws, but approval will take some time. Discussions on dual control of assessees remain inconclusive, the finance minister said.

The issue of dual control  whether the centre or the state will have authority on GST assesses is one of the thorny issues that needs to be ironed out. Three GST legislations  CGST, IGST and compensation law  need to be finalised after which they will be introduced in Parliament.

The NDA government is keen to introduce these in the ongoing session, which is on till December 16.

One would hope that there would be a headway in the next council meeting ..It looks increasingly difficult to get the GST laws passed in the winter session of Parliament, said Pratik Jain, partner and leader indirect tax, PwC.

Read | HTLS 2016: Demonetisation, GST instances of rapidly changing India, says Jaitley
Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Opposition on Saturday for criticising the Centres decision to junk high-value notes, claiming credit for electrification of villages and making a development pitch to voters ahead of next years polls in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a BJP rally in western UPs Moradabad, Modi said he would continue his fight against corruption and warned people trying to park their illegal incomes in poor peoples jan dhan accounts.

I want to tell the poor in whose account money has been deposited, dont touch that money and ask for proof if they (those who have deposited the money) insist, he said.

What he said Modi warned people trying to park their illegal incomes in poor peoples jan dhan accounts This queue (outside bank branches) is the last queue to end all the queues. For states like UP, Bihar and Maharashtra to progress, poverty must be eradicated from the grassroots.

I have no other high command. The people of the country are my high command.

Read | Large volumes of cash source of corruption: PM Modi

He attacked opposition parties who have pointed to long queues outside banks and ATMs as proof of the governments poor planning over the past three weeks since the scrapping of Rs500 and Rs1,000 was announced.

For 70 years, the people of the country queued up for essential items. This queue (outside bank branches) is the last queue to end all the queues, he said, to thunderous applause. He was looking for ways to put in jail those who were using jan dhan accounts to deposit illegal cash, he added.

The prime minister has been at the forefront of the BJPs election campaign in Indias most populous state that goes to the polls early next year. The saffron party has been out of power in the state for more than a decade and is locked in a tough fight with the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress.

Are hum to fakir aadmi hain, jhola leke chal denge (I am a fakir, will leave with the few belongings I have).

Modi said he was fighting to weed out corruption in the country. But I am surprised that some people of my country are accusing me, he said.

I am fighting this war for you and what will those accusing me do? Are hum to fakir aadmi hain jhola leke chal denge (I am a fakir, will leave with my belongings), Modi said.

On his first visit to the brass hub of the country after becoming prime minister, Modi talked about poverty and development. I fought election from UP because this is the biggest state of the country and poverty is prevalent here (in UP). I want to fight poverty of this state and country, he said.

I came to Moradabad late, but before coming I ensured that your years-long demand for electricity was met.

Pitching for development in Uttar Pradesh, Modi said in order for states like UP, Bihar and Maharashtra to progress, poverty must be eradicated from the grassroot level.

He also thanked the people of Uttar Pradesh for voting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in the 2014 general elections.

Read | They are perturbed: PM Modis demonetisation barb draws Oppn fury
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the post-bifurcation issues with the Telangana government have been sorted out. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Saturday, Naidu said bifurcation is a reality and both states need to move forward for better prospects. Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

Here are some excerpts from his speech:

On demonetisation

We need to think of ways to reduce suffering caused by demonetisation. We need to think forward. One of the ways is the use of digital currency. For standby, there should be some physical currency too. You need currency if you visit small shops.

This decision will help improve transparency and reduce corruption and black money.

On Amaravati

Amaravati will be a blue and green city. It will be among the top 10 cities in the world. Linking of rivers has happened for the first time in Andhra Pradesh.

On stiff competition with Telangana

Andhra Pradesh does not have a shortage of resources, we can make the state a logistics hub. This year, our state ranked number 1 in ease of doing business.

On agriculture and farm income

I am focusing on agriculture and irrigation. I have waived off all loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh for farmers. I want to make AP one of the best cluster in the world in agriculture.

On education

In a few years, Andhra Pradesh will be the best in primary and higher education in the country.

On how to ensure continuity in governance

Dont lose elections. Keep winning them one after another.
Parking unaccounted money into bank accounts wont make them white, finance minister Arun Jaitley said when asked about surge in deposits following demonetisation.

By just depositing it (unaccounted money), you dont avoid the responsibility of paying tax, Jaitley said.

The Income Tax department is keeping a keen eye on deposits, he added.

As per RBI, about Rs 8.45 lakh crore in scrapped Rs 500 and 1,000 notes were deposited with banks by November 27. Following the governments decision to demonetise high-value banknotes from November 8 mid-night, people have been depositing these notes in the banks.

The Lok Sabha has passed an amendment on the Income Tax Act to slap higher tax, penalties and surcharge on undisclosed income. The Bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha.

As per the amendment, the government will levy a tax of 50% on unaccounted income if it is disclosed voluntarily before December 30. After that, a steep tax and penalty of up to 85% will be levied, if discovered by authorities

Replying to a question of long queues at banks, the finance minister said RBI has increased the supply of new Rs 500 notes and asserted that the situation will improve soon.

Jaitley also discussed the issues concerning demonetisation with the state finance ministers after the GST Council meeting.
The Election Commission is examining a request from the Congress party, seeking a years time to hold organisational elections.

Under the ECs rules, all registered political parties have to hold organisational elections annually.

According to sources, the EC received a letter from the Congress more than a week ago, seeking more time for holding organisational elections.

If the party gets the ECs nod, it will mean a years extension for Congress president Sonia Gandhi and for the office bearers including vice president Rahul Gandhi. It would also mean that Sonias term as party president would be extended for a second time. She had been given an extension after her term ended on December 31, 2015.

The Congress working committee on November 7 recommended a years extension for her as party president.

Unless the grounds for delaying elections are not satisfactory, there should not be a problem in giving an extension. But the call with be taken by the EC after examining the request, said a source.

The grand old party wants to delay internal polls keeping in view the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur early next year.

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Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday criticised the Centre for failing to take concrete measures to curb the unrest in Kashmir post the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani and said that it would be a grave mistake to always blame Pakistan and turning a blind eye to internal issues.

Simply blaming Pakistan for the present situation, then, it would mean that we dont have to do anything to prevent the unrest, which I think would be a grave mistake. We need to have talks internally, we need to solve this political crisis and until we are conscious of this reality, I dont think we can take any concrete action, Omar told reporters here.

Omars remarks came days after he reprimanded incumbent chief minister Mehbooba Mufti for the prolonged unrest in Kashmir and asked the latter to take responsibility for the same.

Mehbooba Mufti blamed me for 2010 situation (unrest), I accept the blame. Will she accept the blame for 2016? said Abdullah.

Normal life across the Kashmir Valley was disrupted yet again on Friday after the separatists called for strikes against the ruling dispensation in the state.

The separatists are spearheading this agitation against the killing of Wani who was gunned down on July 8 by security forces in southern Kashmir.

The present unrest has claimed more than 86 people, including two cops and several thousand others injured in the ongoing unrest in the Valley.

More than 5000 security personnel have also been injured in the clashes.
A plan to fight terrorism and measures to boost investments in Afghanistan will be the likely outcome of the Heart of Asia ministerial meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will inaugurate on Sunday.

As many as 40 countries and groupings will participate in the meet aimed at helping war-ravaged Afghanistan in its political and economic transition. Finance minister Arun Jaitley will co-chair the meeting in the absence of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

India and Afghanistan rooted for strong measures to counter terrorism  which both believe is aided by Pakistan  at a senior officials meeting held on Saturday. Senior officials of the 14 Heart of Asia countries and 17 supporting countries discussed the issue, among others. The threat of terrorism, terror sanctuaries, funding, drug trafficking and increasing radicalisation figured in the discussions  along with plans for connectivity and means to promote the economic well-being of Afghanistan, an official said.

The senior officials meeting was co-chaired by foreign secretary S Jaishankar and Afghanistan deputy foreign minister Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

Read | Heart of Asia summit: India, Afghanistan team to isolate Pakistan on terror
The income tax department has detected undisclosed amounts of Rs 1.64 crore and other inconsistencies in its countrywide investigations into the sudden popping up of suspicious amounts in Jan Dhan accounts.

The department has detected suspicious activity in these accounts in banks in Kolkata, Midnapore, Ara (Bihar), Kochi and Varanasi even as officials said some other accounts in over half-a-dozen cities are under the scanner of the taxman.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the policy-making body for the I-T department, said, Rs 40 lakh has been seized from one such account in Bihar.

Such accounts have a deposit limit of Rs 50,000.

Investigation being conducted by the I-T department across India into the sudden surge in cash deposits in Jan Dhan accounts have revealed various inconsistencies.

Undisclosed monies of approximately Rs 1.64 crore deposited by persons who have never filed returns of income being below the taxable limits, into their Jan Dhan accounts have already been detected at Kolkata, Midnapore, Ara (Bihar), Kochi and Varanasi, it said in a statement.

The CBDT added that the undisclosed income so detected will be brought to tax as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 apart from other actions depending upon the outcome of investigations.

As per updated data till November 23, the Jan Dhan accounts have seen a huge surge in deposits, with Rs 21,000 crore being parked in such accounts following demonetisation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8.

Following the currency scrap, the total balance in these accounts had crossed Rs 65,000 crore to Rs 66,636 crore. As of November 9, the balance in about 25.5 crore such accounts was Rs 45,636.61 crore.

With a view to increasing banking penetration and promoting financial inclusion and with the main objective of covering all households with at least one bank account per household across the country, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) was launched on August 28, 2014.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley had earlier said that the government is looking into sudden popping up of money into these zero-balance accounts.

Read| | Punjab driver, who got Rs 9,800 cr in Jan Dhan account, yet to recover from shock

The CBDT said it once again urges the account holders not to consent to any kind of misuse of their accounts which would expose them to the dangers of being held responsible for the tax evasion by unscrupulous elements.

Taxman had earlier warned people against depositing their unaccounted old currency in someone elses bank account, like Jan Dhan, the department will slap charges under the newly enforced Benami Transactions Act against violators that carries a penalty, prosecution and rigorous jail term of a maximum seven years.
India and Afghanistan are likely to announce an air cargo service on Saturday to help increase trade that both say is stymied because of their tense political relations with Pakistan that lies between them.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were meeting in Amritsar, a short distance from the Pakistan border, for the Heart of Asia conference aimed at stabilising Afghanistan.

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have gone to war three times and remain bitter foes while ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become strained despite their shared religious and cultural identities.

Officials say the focus of the air cargo service is to improve landlocked Afghanistans connectivity to key markets abroad and boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while it battles a deadly Taliban insurgency.

Afghanistan depends on the Pakistani port of Karachi for its foreign trade. It is allowed to send a limited amount of goods overland through Pakistan into India, but imports from India are not allowed along this route.

Afghan director general for macro fiscal policies Khalid Payenda said the potential for trade with India, the largest market in the region, was far greater than allowed by land and so the two countries had decided to use the air route.

That would be air cargo between Afghanistan and India. We have a lot of potential for trade on both sides. On our side, its mostly fruit and dried fruit and potentially through India to other places for products like carpets and others.

He said that a joint venture involving an Afghan and an Indian cargo firm would be set up and that the two governments were working to set up infrastructure at Kabul and Delhi airports.

An Indian government source attending the meeting in Amritsar said air cargo route details were still being worked out and could include Kandahar as a point of origin for shipping fruit directly to India.

Indian foreign ministry official Gopal Baglay, who oversees Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, said several proposals were being discussed to improve Afghanistans trade and transport links.

There have been very many ideas on how to enhance connectivity, overcome current challenges and also expand the trade basket, he said.

Pakistans top foreign policy adviser, Sartaj Aziz, will be attending the conference on Sunday.

Ties with India have deteriorated further in recent months after a series of attacks on Indian military bases in the disputed region of Kashmir, which New Delhi says have either been carried out by militants sneaking in from Pakistan or orchestrated by groups based there.

Pakistan denies stoking violence in Kashmir and says India must open talks on the future of the revolt-torn Muslim majority region.

Indian officials said no talks with Pakistan were scheduled on the sidelines of the Amritsar conference.

Afghanistans ties with Pakistan have also become strained after a series of violent attacks, several of them in the capital Kabul, that it said showed Pakistan had failed to rein in the militant groups operating from its soil.

Unless we take a collective measure to fight terrorism, to fight the breeding ground for terrorism, the safe sanctuary, we will not be able to bring peace and stability either to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the region, including India, said Afghan ambassador to India Shaida M. Abdali.

Pakistan says it is itself a victim of terrorism and says India is using its close ties with Afghanistan to stir trouble in its restive Baluchistan province.

(Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in KABUL; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

Trend:

The April battles are our glorious history, said President Ilham Aliyev as he met with representatives of general public as part of his visit to Tartar. The head of state praised heroism of the Azerbaijani Army and Azerbaijani citizens during the April battles. The President noted that the Azerbaijani Army gained military victory as they repulsed the attack of the enemy. By conducting counterattack operation from unfavorable positions, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces liberated the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region - present Aghdere region, as well as large territories in the direction of Jabrayil, Fuzuli from the occupation.

For many years Armenia has been spreading lies and myths about its army, suggesting that it allegedly has an invincible army. The April fighting showed which army is actually invincible. The Azerbaijani army is invincible.

The President said that Azerbaijan not only showed its strength in these battles and once again proved to the enemy and world that, we will never reconcile with the current situation. Nagorno-Karabakh is our historic land. So are Shusha, Khankendi and other lands, which remained under the occupation.

Our historical geography was very wide, President Ilham Aliyev said. The head of state added that Yerevan, Goyche and Zangazur are the historical lands of Azerbaijan.
India is the worlds most attractive destination in the energy sector that has the potential to attract a trillion dollars in investment over the next few years, Union power minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.

The minister of state with independent charge for power, coal and renewable energy said that his optimism for the energy sector stemmed from the Narendra Modi governments climate commitment.

India has signed the Paris climate accord and is committed to significantly reducing its carbon footprint. And taking a lead on this mission is Goyals ministry of renewable energy. The government has set an ambitious target of setting up 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022.

Solar is a major focus. From 2500 MW in 2014, installed renewable energy is now 8500 MW. We have done three times in two years of what was done in the past many decades, said the power minister on the second day of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

But Goyals ministry is working on adding equal weightage to other forms of green power such as wind and hydropower, by easing policies.

The government is in the process of giving final touches to a hydropower policy that will address several issues that have plagued these projects, especially land acquisition.

He was quick to clarify that India was not responsible for the worsening global warming concerns -- even with 17% population it contributes to 2-2.5% of green house gases  but the government was committed to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

It is an article of faith with the Modi government that we expand renewable energy and reduce pollution as we generate power, Goyal said.

The minister said the developed world had emitted a bulk of the greenhouse gases and based on the polluter pays principle, the West had a responsibility to help India.

We hope the West will come up to their promises. So far their efforts have been terrible.

Of Indias total installed power capacity of over 300 GW, about 46 GW is renewable including solar, wind and small hydropower projects.

While Piyush Goyal is working overtime to increase the percentage of renewable sources in Indias energy mix, the minister feels that his initiatives will not disincentivise coal-based power projects.

We need coal-based thermal power to provide stable base load in the grid to support renewable sources of power, said Goyal. Simply put, to avoid instability in power transmission, coal-based power is required to flow through grids, as renewable energy supply depends on weather conditions.

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India needs a long-term plan to overcome its water crisis but inter-linking of rivers is not a workable idea, two American professors said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Saturday.

Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University suggested that a pricing mechanism and smart engineering solutions to curb water wastage could solve one of the countrys biggest problem.

Also, he criticised the lack of long-term planning to solve the crisis.

His University of California counterpart, David Sedlak, said solutions offered in India such as inter-linking of rivers would not work. He also suggested long-term goals for efficient use of natural resources.

He said solutions, such as an affluent treatment plant for a group housing society, might appear expensive at the moment, but would become affordable once the scale of manufacturing increases.

Moderator of the session  titled Global Water Crisis. What Next?  Mihir Shah agreed with Sedlak that a study has shows river-linking can adversely impact Indias monsoon cycle as less water will flow into the Bay of Bengal.

India primarily agriculture-driven economy depends on the annual monsoon rain. Deficit rainfall triggers farm distress, which the country has recorded in the past two years with back-to-back droughts. Moreover, rising temperatures is claiming thousands of lives across the world and 2016 is set to be the warmest in recorded history.

India could contribute significantly to stop the climate change by moving from coal-fired technology to cleaner options, said Sachs, a former director of Columbia Universitys Earth Institute.

His remarks came just two sessions after power minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the summit, ruled out the possibility of Indias dependence on coal to fuel its power units and industries.

Sachs agreed with the minister that the developed world is responsible for the climate change and should now pay to clean up the mess it created.

If India makes a spirited financial proposal I will stand by it. But India cannot hide behind the rhetoric that the developed world needs to act first, he said.

Sachs criticised the political class for not acting on climate change and air pollution.

These political leaders are irresponsible louts. They just want to stick with power and dont do anything to ensure that my children and grandchildren breathe safe air. People in Delhi should decide on how they want to demand pollution-free air for their children and grandchildren, he said.

For other stories from HT Leadership Summit, click here


Years ago, Hamid Ansari believed love would set him free. Today, after spending ages in a Peshawar prison, he knows that isnt always the case.

The parents of the Mumbai-based engineer have reached Amritsar in the hope that a meeting with Pakistani top official Sartaj Aziz would help secure his release.

Though Ansaris mother Fauzia has been running from pillar to post in her attempts to get him pardoned, she seems no closer to achieving her goal than the day he was arrested in November 2012. On Saturday, she was spotted carrying a placard stating: Honourable Aziz saheb, you are here on a peace mission. Let mother meet son.

Ansari was just 27 when he left for Afghanistan in search of a job on November 5, 2012. Later, his family came to know that he had fallen in love with a woman from Kohat in western Pakistan. The youth crossed the Pakistani border to prevent her from marrying another man, only to end up behind bars for forgery and illegal trespass.

Read | Aziz to arrive Saturday in Amritsar as Heart of Asia kicks off

Police said Ansari was allegedly told by friends in Pakistan that entering the country from Afghanistan was a breeze.

Ansaris parents are being supported by the Hind-Pak Dosti Manch, an NGO.

His father, Nihal Ahmed, was equally fervent in his appeal for mercy. We last spoke to our son on November 10, 2012. We are here to appeal to the Pakistan government that Hamid be freed because he has already served the three-year sentence imposed upon him. In fact, its almost four years now, he told mediapersons.

Fauzia met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in August, and was assured all possible help from the Union government. At least give us a Pakistani visa, so we can see our son. We applied over 20 times, but we dont even know if they are even processing our requests, she lamented.

The engineers mother said she fears for Ansaris safety, considering that he has been attacked by fellow-inmates at least thrice since his ordeal began. We are from a middle-class family, and have already spent lakhs in our attempts to free our son, she added.

Ansaris parents said humanitarianism must transcend any strain in India-Pakistan ties. Human relations mean more than politics. People on both sides of the border have hearts big enough to understand the relationship between a son and his mother. I am positive that my son will return, said Fauzia.

Aziz is Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs advisor on foreign affairs.

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The encounter between security forces and militants that broke out in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district has ended as the terrorists fled the spot

A government employee was killed during the overnight counter-insurgency operation but the militants managed to give security forces the slip, officials said on Saturday.

The security forces including army launched a counter-insurgency operation in Chancer area of Kulgam district last night, following information about presence of ultras in the area, police officials said.

The officials said an employee of the Fisheries Department, Assadullah Kumar, was killed in the firing that broke out minutes after the security forces had cordoned off the area.

An army official said the operation was called off this morning after the security forces did not find any militant.

The militants might have escaped taking advantage of darkness, the official said.

However, the official was tight-lipped about the death of the civilian.

Meanwhile, local residents staged a protest against the killing of Kumar and blocked Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Vessu.
A Bengaluru-bound Jet Airways plane from Kolkata, with 142 passengers and eight crew members onboard, was on Saturday evening diverted to Hyderabad where it made an emergency landing after its pilot reported technical problems.

On landing at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, one of its tyres burst, however, all the passenger were deplaned safely, Hyderabad airport sources said.

The aircraft remained stuck at the runway, forcing the airport authorities to halt operations for a brief period.

The Bengaluru-bound plane was diverted to Hyderabad after its pilot reported hydraulic failure, they said.

At about 2035 hours information was received about the diversion of the aircraft following which all emergency landing procedures were put in place. The aircraft made emergency landing at 2044 hours and on arrival one of the planes tyres turned flat. However, all 147 passengers were deplaned safely, sources said.

Operations remain suspended for about one-and-a-half hour as the aircraft was stuck at the runway, they said, adding following which four flights were diverted to other nearby airports.

The aircraft was later towed away to a parking bay, after which the operations resumed at around 1015 hours, they added.
Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac described the Centres decision to demonetise old Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes a national calamity which has put the nation in turmoil.

The crisis following the cash deficit has percolated to even the organised sector and will result in a national production loss of Rs2.5 lakh crore, he said.

This has led to people thronging banks and ATMs to withdraw their money. The Reserve Bank has set cash withdrawal cap at Rs 24,000 a week.

There is going to be a severe downturn. Even if you take 2% (decline in GDP as suggested by former prime minister Manmohan Singh)... it means something like loss of production of Rs2.5 lakh crore..., Isaac said, adding that the Centres move is now impacting almost all sectors of the economy.

He dubbed it as a failed exercise, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is shifting the goalpost to cashless economy.

Whole nation has been put into turmoil. Modis demonetisation has become national calamity, he said.

He countered finance minister Arun Jaitleys claims of about Rs3 lakh crore expected gains from the exercise, reeling off data that he said suggest about Rs 11.5 lakh crore of the invalid currency have already returned to the banking system.

Even if you give a very generous estimate of Rs 1 lakh crore (of gains)... you have sacrificed Rs 2.5 lakh crore of national product for unearthing Rs 1 lakh crore of black money. This is an enterprise that has totally failed, he said.

Referring to 2002 Gujarat riots, Isaac said he (Modi) looked unruffled, took it in his stride and for various reasons, he was able to take people of Gujarat along with him. I think he wants to do another similar exercise (about demonetisation) at all-India level.

What the Prime Minister should understand is that things are getting out of hand. There is a limit to peoples patience. How long can they stand in queues all day... Let us come to our senses. Have a discussion in Parliament, accept something terrible has happened, the Kerala minister said.
A state government employee who was returning home in Kolkata from his place of posting died while standing in a queue in front of an ATM counter near Bandel station in Hooghly district on Saturday.

The employee, Kallol Roychoudhury (56), was returning to his Behala home in South Kolkata from Cooch Behar in North Bengal where he was posted.

He got down at Bandel station from Paharia Express this morning with his colleague and was supposed to catch another train to come to Kolkata.

But then, he decided to withdraw some money from an ATM counter at Station Road near the station.

He stood in the queue at 7.35 am, became unwell after 20 minutes and fell down.

The police said nobody extended a helping hand and he remained unattended for 30 minutes.

Later, the security personnel of the ATM called a doctor who pronounced him dead and advised the security man to take Roychowdhurys body to a hospital.

Some vendors took Roychoudhurys body to Chinsurah Imambara Hospital where doctors pronounced him brought dead.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as unfortunate and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking note of it.

Unfortunate death toll continues... This morning Kallol Roy Chowdhury collapsed and died in front of SBI ATM at Bandel station. My condolences to the bereaved family. Is Modi babu listening? she said in a tweet.

Two elderly persons had died yesterday in South 24 Parganas district of the state while standing in a queue to withdraw money.
Acting under instructions from the prime ministers office (PMO), income tax officials on Friday met the top brass of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and sought details of the revenue collected by the civic body through property tax post-demonetisation.

The development triggered angry reactions from chief minister Mamata Banerjee who is already busy garnering support against the Prime Ministers move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Sources said the PMO also sought details of tax revenue earned by the KMC from November 2015 to November 2016. The under secretary of municipal department has received a letter from the Centre in this regard to ensure the information reaches the government.

This development created a flutter in the secretariat and chief minister Mamata Banerjee termed it as undue interference of the Centre in state affairs. The PMOcannot do it. They are trying to loot the money of the people. We will not allow it, she alleged at the state secretariat.

It may add another page to the continuing chapter of confrontation between the Bengal chief minister and the Centre on a number of issues over the past few months, demonetisation triggering just the latest round of acrimony.

The KMCs decision to accept property tax in old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes after demonetisation proved to be a major boon for the body that is constantly struggling to extract payment of unpaid property tax from the citizens.

The civic body collected Rs 40 crore till Thursday from the day of the announcement of demonetisation on November 8.

The I-T officials want us to share the amount of the revenue and details of the tax payers who have paid a high amount. We have informed them that several people have cleared their long-pending taxes with the old notes, said a KMC official.

Officers from tax department claimed property tax collection reached a record high on November 16 when they collected more than Rs 8 crore, the major share of it being in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

In 2011, KMC had collected `6 crore on a single day through revenue tax. Subrata Mukherjee was the mayor and he waived off a considerable amount of fine that was due for years. In fact, even now, through this move we have collected a lot of long pending dues, another KMC official added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani led delegation-level talks in the national capital on Saturday.

A wealth of opportunities in #IndiaQatar ties. PM @narendramodiand PM Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani lead delegn talks, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Al Thani arrived on Friday in what was the third exchange of high-level visits between India and the Gulf nation in less than two years.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited India in March 2015 which was followed by the visit of Modi to that Gulf nation in June 2016.

India enjoys close and friendly relations with Qatar, which are based on mutually beneficial commercial exchanges and extensive people-to-people contacts.

Qatar is not only an important trading partner for India in the Gulf region but is also the largest supplier of LNG, accounting for 66% of the total imports in 2015-16.

Indians form the largest expatriate community in Qatar and their positive contribution in the progress and development of their host country is well recognised. There are over expatriate 630,000 Indians in Qatar.

On Friday, soon after his arrival in New Delhi, Al Thani addressed a meeting of Indian business during which he called for boosting of bilateral economic and trade ties.

Addressing the inaugural meeting with Indian businessmen, Al Thani emphasised that India and Qatar were bound by a historically good relations stretched over hundreds of years, according to a statement issued by the Qatari embassy in New Delhi.

He said that economic issues top the priorities of Qatar and India and hence, the two countries with their diverse and different political systems were striving to strengthen the role of the private sector and go across their innovations far from any restrictions.

He further said that India was considered to be among the five top trade partners of Qatar as the trade exchange between the two countries exceeded $10 billion.
The recall of high-value currency wont curb illegal incomes unless the government enforces a nationwide ban on drinking and cracks down on properties registered in fake names as both of these practices thrive on black money, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Saturday.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, the Bihar leader also said his support for the governments move to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was driven by his anti-corruption stand  not politics.

The government said the move will help tackle black money and counterfeit currency. That is why I supported it. But it must be accompanied by an attack on benami property and national prohibition as there is a lot of illicit money in the liquor trade, Kumar said.

With his vocal support for the Centres move, Kumar has stood out among the Opposition that has gone hammer-and-tongs at the governments demonetisation move, which is said to have hurt the poor and farmers.

Kumar  who teamed up with arch-rival Lalu Prasad last year to trounce the NDA in the Bihar polls  triggered speculation that he was getting cosy with the BJP after his vocal support for demonetisation.

But on Saturday, the Janata Dal (United) leader laughed off any such suggestions.

Whenever I see anti-corruption measures, I support it without thinking twice. I am an Indian first, party comes later.

He also cautioned the Opposition  especially West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee  on the perils of aggression.

Banerjee  the Trinamool Congress chief  has emerged as the face of the Opposition protest against demonetisation, hitting the streets against the move and holding rallies in a number of cities ranging from Delhi to Lucknow. At a rally in Patna recently, she had referred to betrayers  a reference, many said, to Kumar.

But the Bihar chief minister refused to be drawn into a war-of-words. All I will say is too much aggression can spoil the perception of people, he said.

Prohibition of alcohol has been a pet initiative of Kumar, who promised a ban on alcohol during his state poll campaign last year. His move to ban liquor has won accolades from womens groups but has outraged many, who say prohibition attacks their livelihoods and stringent penal measures for even possessing alcohol are unconstitutional.

Kumar has also spoken out repeatedly in the past against benami properties. The Centre brought in stringent measures recently to deal with people parking their unaccounted-for wealth in real estate in the names of their drivers, maids or through shell companies.

Under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, a transaction is named benami if property is held by one person, but has been provided or paid for by another person. People caught with benami properties could end up with up to seven years in jail and pay a fine of up to0 n10% of the market value of the property.

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 3

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Today, December 7, marks the last day before the presidential elections in Uzbekistan.

A day of silence has been declared in the country.

The day of silence before the presidential elections has been announced for the first time. Relevant amendments to the law On elections of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan have been made by the Uzbek parliament at the end of 2015.

While introducing these amendments, members of the Uzbek parliament were guided by the belief that the day of silence allows voters to decide independently on their preferences, without the impact of pre-election campaign, and make a weighted decision on voting for a particular candidate.

Holding pre-election campaign on the day of voting and a day before the voting is prohibited, according to the law.

Only appeals to voters to visit polling stations are allowed on the day of silence.

Earlier, Chairman of Uzbekistans Central Election Commission (CEC) Mirza-Ulugbek Abdusalomov called on voters to actively participate in the presidential elections.

It was previously reported that Uzbek presidential candidates completed their campaigning. All candidates were provided with equal opportunities for free campaigning in the media. The candidates and their authorized representatives held about 1,000 meetings with voters in all regions of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan will hold an early presidential election December 4 due to the death of ex-president Islam Karimov, who passed away after suffering a stroke at the age of 79 on Sept. 2.

Candidates from four political parties of Uzbekistan participate in the presidential election - Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party (UzLiDeP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDPU), Milly Tiklanish (National Revival) Party, and Adolat (Justice) Social Democratic Party.

Among the presidential candidates are the countrys Acting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev from UzLiDeP, Sarvar Otamuratov from Milly Tiklanish Party, Nariman Umarov from Adolat Party, and Hotamzhon Ketmonov from PDPU.
Digital literacy among all sections of society is the only solution to overcoming the adverse effects of demonetisation, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said in New Delhi on Saturday.

Answering a volley of questions from Bobby Ghosh, Editor-in-Chief of HT Digital Streams at the penultimate session of the 14th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit-2016, Naidu admitted that demonetisation had affected everybody, rich and poor, young and old.

But since the decision has been taken, we need to prepare people to go in for digital currency through device-to-device transfer of money, online transactions and usage of swipe machines. Of course, people still need liquid cash, Naidu, who has been named convenor of the CMs panel to study the effects of demonetisation, said.

The Andhra CM claimed that in the last two and a half years, he has aggressively pushed for digitisation in administration and enabled various sections of people to switch to digital transactions and that was why his state was not so badly affected by demonetisation.

Read| Demonetisation will reduce corruption but we need to think digital: Andhra CM

Naidu also explained how he was bringing about digital transformation in the new state by running optical fibre cable network along with the electricity distribution network.

In the next couple of years, we plan to provide high-bandwidth internet to every household at a nominal rate of Rs 149 per month. In future, I can directly interact with farmers even in remote villages through video conferencing on their mobiles, he said.

Naidu said he did not want to compare AP with states like Telangana or Gujarat. I dont mind replicating the best practices of these states My objective is to make AP one of the top three states in the country by 2022 and one of the top 10 states in the world by 2029.

On losing Hyderabad to Telangana, Naidu said, It was my brainchild and I developed Cyberabad by bringing top IT companies of the world including Microsoft. I wish it continues to flourish.

At the same time, he was confident that all the big corporates and IT giants will come to invest in the new capital Amaravati. If they dont, they are going to lose a big opportunity, he added.

For more stories from HT Leadership Summit, click here
A day after tax sleuths launched a search for a missing Gujarat real estate businessman who had declared unaccounted for income of Rs 13,860 crore, he surfaced on TV and was later detained by I-T officials. Shah claimed he was just a face for money belonging to others.

Ahmedabad-based realtor Mahesh Shah, 67, maintained he did not have any black money. Kuch Hindustanio ka paisa hai (the money belongs to some Indians), he said on Gujarati ETV on Saturday.

Before his detention, Shah said he would contact the I-T department and give the names of those who had convinced him to declare their unaccounted income as his own. I am going to fully cooperate with the I-T department because now I want to raise the curtain on the mystery.

The realtor, whose business interests are mostly in Mumbai, was missing after he defaulted on the first tax instalment of over Rs 1,500 crore on the amount he had disclosed. He was supposed to pay the instalment by November 30 as a part of the amnesty called the income declaration scheme (IDS).

Shah said something happened following which he could not pay the first instalment. The due date of the first instalment was November 30, but the I-T department was at my residence for a survey on November 28, he said. The I-T department has cancelled his IDS claim.

Shah said he was aware the amount he had declared was huge and he knew the consequences. He claimed he was confident all the instalments would be paid. The realtor, however, said he feared for himself and his familys security.

Taxmen and police came for him before he could act on his claims. Shah, who hit the TV screens around 6 pm, was picked up by I-T officials and Ahmedabad police, from the studio around 8pm.

We first took him to Sarkhej police station. The I-T department is likely to take his custody for questioning, said a police official who did not want to be named, as he is not authorised to speak to the media. The official added that a case of money laundering was likely to be filed against Shah soon.

While on TV, Shah claimed the I-T department had seized documents from his home during searches in the last couple of days.
Pakistan has lodged a formal protest with India after its diplomats in the high commission in New Delhi were allegedly not allowed to withdraw their salaries, which is paid in US dollars.

Asserting that not allowing its officials to withdraw their salaries was in breach of Vienna Protocol, Pakistan has also threatened that in case the matter is not resolved soon, it may consider retaliatory action against salary disbursal for Indian diplomats in their country.

RBL Bank, a private bank, handles salary account of the Pakistan high commission staff.

We are not allowed to withdraw our own salary. It is not a demonetisation issue. It appears that it is done more at the instructions of the Indian government, a senior Pakistan High Commission said.

While there was no official reaction to Pakistans protest from Indian side, officials in New Delhi maintained that the matter is between the bank and the depositor and government has no role to play.

Diplomats can draw their tax free salaries in dollars and only have to give reason for the withdrawal beyond $ 5,000.

According to Pakistan high commission officials, they are not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and have been asked for letters of purpose for withdrawal of any dollar amount.

Interestingly, demonetisation has led to a sharp spike in demand for dollars and other foreign currency, making it scarce.
Pakistani authorities refused on Saturday to accept the body of a suspected intruder who was shot dead by Indias border guards in Punjabs Pathankot district, officials said.

The rebuff by Pakistan Rangers, which guards the countrys borders, is seen as its refusal to acknowledge the suspected intruders Pakistani citizenship, officials said.

Border Security Force (BSF) had called a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers on Saturday to hand over the body.

Pakistani currency, a cigarette packet, a matchbox and a soft drink pouch were found on the slain intruder, said Pathankot senior superintendent of police Rakesh Kaushal.

We have sent the body for post-mortem as the other side has refused to take it, he added.

Officials said two more infiltrators may have gone back after coming under heavy fire.

The intruder was shot dead near the Tinda border outpost in the Bamyal sector, the same area through which Pakistan-based militants had crossed over to attack the air force base in Pathankot and later a police station in Dinanagar, according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Security forces launched a search operation on Friday after a speech impaired man claimed to have seen suspected militants on the Punjab-Himachal border.

In an unrelated incident, a government employee was allegedly killed in crossfire during an encounter between security forces and militants in Kashmirs Kulgam, triggering protests by local residents.

The militants, whose number was not known, managed to escape under the cover of darkness on late on Friday, a police official said.

Officials said the state government employee, Assadullah Kumar, was killed in firing minutes after the security forces had cordoned off the area. It was not clear how Kumar was hit.

Officials were also tight-lipped about the civilian death.

Local residents protested against the killing of Kumar and the blocked Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Vessu for several hours.

Police also recovered five Indian army uniforms and related military paraphernalia on the Samba-Kathua highway, raising fears of militant movement in the area which saw a brazen attack on an army camp earlier this week that left seven Indian soldiers dead.

An army official, however, said on Saturday the uniforms belongs to a Rashtriya Rifles sepoy, Sandeep Singh, who lost the bag while going home in Gurdaspur on November 21.

There is no terrorist connection to it, he added.

Pakistan-based militants have repeatedly targeted Indian defence installations in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir this year, starting with a siege of an air force base in Pathankot in January.

In the latest attack on the Army camp at Nagrota near Jammu on Tuesday, the militants were dressed in police uniform. The place from where the uniforms were recovered on Friday is about 50 km from Nagrota.
Pakistani Prime Ministers foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz sent a bouquet to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday and wished her a speedy recovery.

The bouquet was delivered to Swarajs residence this evening. Swaraj is being treated at AIIMS for kidney failure.

Aziz sent a bouquet to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj at her residence this evening extending his good wishes for her speedy recovery, a source said.

Aziz is representing Pakistan at the Heart of Asia conference on Sunday, which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
A popular Hindu shrine in Rajasthan just got richer by more than Rs 9 lakh  all in crisp, new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 banknotes.

And these new notes were donated by devotees at the Sanwaliya Ji temple in Chittorgarh, within 20 days of the governments shock decision on November 8 to recall high-value banknotes that pulled out an estimated 86% of the currency in circulation.

Since the demonetisation, the government has struggled to replenish banks and ATMs with cash quickly enough to meet the demand, leaving millions of people struggling to withdraw money to meet their daily needs.

But for the faithful, there is always some cash, new and old, kept aside to be offered to god.

We opened our donation box (on November 28)where offerings by devotees received in the last two months were kept. We have found 441 new currency notes of Rs 2,000, the value of which is Rs. 8.8 lakh, said Bhagwan Lal Chaturvedi, the temples administrative officer.

Among the offerings were 67 new Rs 500 banknotes, worth Rs 33,500.

Chaturvedi said the total value of the offerings for the last two months is an estimated Rs 4.5 crore.

We are still counting the value of money received in small denominations such as Rs 100 and Rs 10. Owing to demonetisation, we have also received increased number of cheques this year, said Chaturvedi.

The donations received being counted at the Sanwaliya ji Temple at Chittorgarh. (HT Photo)

For the past few days, the temple administration is busy counting the offerings in a highly secured room which has 14 CCTV cameras.

We have deployed police personnel in the temple to provide increased security during the counting of the offerings, said Hajari Lal, station house officer of Badsora in Chittorgarh.

The Sanwalia Ji temple is very popular among pilgrims in Rajasthan and is one of the most visited temples in the state, particularly for devotees of the Vaishnav sect.

Hindu shrines in India are believed to hold the biggest treasures in the country, mostly in the form of gold bars offered by devotees. They also receive crores of rupees donated by devotees and have special vaults where the currency and other valuables are kept.

According to rough estimates, around 20,000 tonnes of gold is stashed away in temples in India but the shrines managements have been reluctant to give away their exact worth.

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About Rs 30 lakh unaccounted cash was seized on Saturday at two places in the city and three persons were arrested for holding it without documentary proof, police said.

In one case, Ishwarappa, 66, a farmer from Andhra Pradesh, was nabbed at Whitefield for illegally carrying Rs 12.10 lakh in Rs2,000 notes in a car to exchange them for old notes at 20% commission, said a police statement.

In a similar case, two persons were arrested from near a private hospital at Hebbal for illegally carrying Rs 18 lakh in cash.

A patrolling police team nabbed Ishwarappa and his friend after a car chase from a petrol retail outlet.

On interception, the farmer confessed that he was asked to go to the city by his contact to hand over the cash in return for old currency with commission. As he did not have documentary proof for carrying so much cash, we called the Income Tax officials and asked to ascertain the source of the amount, said the official.

In the other case, Sridhar and his friend Mohan, were caught waiting for their contact to deliver Rs 10 lakh in Rs 2,000 and new Rs 500 notes and Rs 8 lakh in Rs 100 notes.

The duo was taken into custody and the cash was recovered from a car in which they were waiting to hand over to their contact. They were also handed over to the tax officials for investigation as they did not have documents to prove the moneys source, added the official.
Amid soaring tensions, Pakistani Prime Ministers foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz arrived in India on Saturday night to attend the Heart of Asia conference with speculation rife on whether the two countries will have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conclave.

Aziz was earlier scheduled to arrive on Sunday but came a day early for the conference. There was no clarity on whether there will be an Indo-Pak bilateral on the sidelines of the conference.

Interestingly, in a goodwill gesture, Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj extending his sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery from illness.

Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the Heart of Asia conference and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the Indian delegation at the ministerial deliberations.

Aziz, leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting of the HoA, was received at the Amritsar airport by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit.

Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last years Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue that was to cover all outstanding issues.

The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January.

Earlier this week, Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready.

India had already made it clear that it will never accept continuing cross border terrorism as the new normal in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of continued terror.

The tensions between the two countries escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota.

India will step up drive to corner Pakistan diplomatically and is set to mobilise support for concrete action against state-sponsored terror at the two-day conference beginning here at this holy town tomorrow.

Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment during the annual HoA conference, a platform set up in 2011 to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.
Security has been tightened and SPG sleuths deployed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Parivartan rally in Moradabad in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

The PMs speech will begin around 2 pm.

The Moradabad rally , which was flagged off by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah in Saharanpur on November 5, will be the Prime Ministers fourth address in the yatra after Ghazipur, Agra and Kushinagar.

The yatra, which was started from four corners of the state, will reach here on Saturday and stay for two-days before leaving for Rampur.

After travelling all 403 assembly constituencies, the four yatras will culminate in Lucknow on December 24.

The state will go to polls early next year.

Read| Our govt is for poor, farmers, Dalits: Highlights of PM Modis Kushinagar rally
The India-US relations have gained strength during President Barack Obamas regime and hoped it would continue with the same momentum in the Donald Trump administration, the White House said.

I know that President Obama speaks to his counterparts as heads of state frequently. Prime Minister (of India) Modi is one that he enjoys speaking with. They touch base regularly, White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz told reporters on Friday.

So its a good thing for the United States if that relationship continues in some strength, he said.

Schultz was responding to a question on remarks made by President-elect Donald Trump before the elections in which he called for a string India-US relationship.

I dont know who can tell you about the future, but I think well leave it to historians to judge the contours of the relationship between the United States and India. Obviously, the president is enormously proud of his record of working closely with Prime Minister Modi, he said.

Theyve worked together on a number of projects, most recently the Paris agreement, that a lot of the work that went into that, again was a deal brokered between nearly 200 countries, but India was a vital part of that.

And that could not have been done without Prime Minister Modis leadership, Schultz said.
Tehran, Iran, Dec. 3

By Mehdi Sepahvand, Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Any country which attempts to undermine Iran's nuclear deal will lose, Irans economy minister, Ali Tayebnia, said.

Tayebnia made the remarks on the sidelines of the 23rd National and 9th International Conference on Insurance and Development started on Dec. 3 in Tehran, Trends correspondent reported from the event.

He further said that the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka nuclear deal) is multilateral, not bilateral agreement which is ratified by the UN Security Council.

Tayebnia said that the Iranian administration circumvented sanctions and achieved positive economic growth.

He added that the Islamic Republic intents to make more economic gains in the post-JCPOA period.

The US lawmakers have recently reauthorized the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which was first introduced in 1996 to punish investments in Iran's energy industry based on accusations that Tehran was pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

While the US President Barack Obama is expected to approve the legislation on the renewal of sanctions against Iran for the next 10 years, Iranian leaders have sharply criticized the motion describing it as a breach of the last years landmark nuclear deal.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Tayebnia asked Irans Insurance Syndicate to prepare ground for presence of foreign insurers on Irans market in the coming months.

Some 2,500 domestic and foreign entrepreneurs in the insurance industry have taken part in the Tehran conference which focuses on 'Market Functions and Mechanisms in the Insurance.'

Besides Tayebnia, Governor of Central Insurance of Iran Abdolreza Hemmati and officials working in the insurance industry are present at the conference.

Several guests from Germany, Britain, Lebanon, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Japan have attended the international insurance conference as well.
Cyclonic storm Nada, which hit Tamil Nadu coast on Thursday, has induced moisture into Madhya Pradesh from Bay of Bengal, as a result of which high clouds were formed in south-west part of the state.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Bhopal Centre observed that Nada has contributed to prevailing warmth in south-west MP, which covers Malwa-Nimad area. However, its effect has weakened now, which will cause changes in weather from Saturday, said IMD Bhopal director Anupam Kashyapi. The department has predicted change in wind pattern, wherein northerly, cold winds will blow causing night temperatures to fall, and a gradual decline in day temperature. It has ruled out major fluctuations in day and night temperatures in coming days.

The day remained moderately cold across Malwa-Nimad on Friday. City recorded maximum temperature of 27.3 degrees celsius, one degree below normal. The minimum temperature at 14 degrees celsius was two degrees above normal. Though winds remained variable reaching maximum speed of 12 km an hour, northerly winds began to blow by evening.
An awareness programme to apprise farmers of the benefits of digital banking was launched by Ruchi Soya, in partnership with State Bank of India (SBI), at Jal Sabhagraha in Indore on Friday.

The seminar  Kisan Kalyan Ayojan  introduced farmers to digital banking and government schemes to ease the payment methods. More than 100 farmers from Sanver, Manglia and Ujjain mandis participated.

SBI regional manager Virendra Kumar said, Our staff is trying hard to make people digitally active. Once the farmers go digital, they will receive their payment directly in their accounts.

SBI deputy general manager PK Balaji said the bank has been taking initiatives to educate people on digital banking for a very long time. We have lunched Buddy wallet application in 13 languages for our farmers and issued Imprest cards (a card issued to corporate entities for making payments to their employees). He added that digitisation will greatly benefit farmers too.

HC issues notice to Centre, state, RBI over demonetisation

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Friday issued notices to the Union government, Reserve Bank of India and the state government seeking replies on measures taken to reduce inconvenience caused to citizens due to demonetisation.

The notices were issued in response to a public interest litigation moved by Akash Sharma, a law student, who urged the court to issue a writ of mandamus to the respondent state authorities to make separate counters at the banks to provide immediate relief to people suffering due to cash crunch.

Sharma said, Work that can be finished in 5-10 minutes, is taking more than 5-6 hours due to unorganised queues before banks. This has made many people ill and some had to pay through their lives. The inconvenience could have been reduced if authorities had prepared themselves. Pushing people into such an inconvenience is violation of Article 21 (Right to Life & Personal Liberty) of our Constitution, Sharma added.
The ongoing face-off between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the elite Bombay Gymkhana is now likely to be fought in the high court.

The BMC has received a legal notice from the gymkhana, which states that due procedure of law was not followed before the civic body implemented its plan to widen the Hazarimal Somani Marg  the road outside the gymkhana. It states that the road will encroach upon gymkhana-owned land if the plan is implemented.

This means that the civic bodys plan to widen the crucial road connecting CST to MG road, and to also make it more pedestrian-friendly, could now face a major setback.

Sources in the civic body told HT that the notice states that the BMC has specified Hazarimal Somani Marg as a Development Plan (DP) road without taking into consideration the gymkhanas opinion.

The gymkhana was not consulted even while the proposal to widen the road was forwarded to the collector. The proposal is now pending with the state. Sources said the notice tells the BMC not to carry out construction on the strip of land, used for parking.

Officials said a petition was filed and is likely to be heard on Monday. Despite repeated attempts to reach Darius Udwadia, gymkhana president, he was unavailable for comment.

A wards assistant municipal commissioner, Kiran Dighavkar, confirmed that the BMC received the notice but did not wish to comment.

Read

BMC to float fresh tenders for road -widening with Gymkhana land

Maharashtra govt joins BMC-Gymkhana tussle, says CST footpath is theirs

Bombay Gymkhana: CEOs bungalow not a heritage structure, says BMC

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The Congress on Saturday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) used black money during the recently-held first phase of municipal council elections, citing allegations made by the BJPs ally, the Shiv Sena, in its mouthpiece Saamana. It also asked the election commission to probe the matter.

Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress president met state election commissioner JS Saharia and requested him to issue notices to Saamana and its editor Uddhav Thackeray. He also asked Saharia to probe the allegations in detail as they are of a serious nature.

Contrary to the expectations of political parties, the BJP emerged as a winner in the first phase of civic body elections held in 147 municipal councils. The results came as a surprise against the backdrop of the cash crisis caused by demonetisation, a move that severely affected rural areas. A majority of municipal councils were controlled by the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) prior to the BJPs win.

In its editorial published on November 30, Saamana, quoting a news report, said the BJP offered poll funds to candidates with elective merit.

A portion of the funds was deposited in civic bodies in the form of old currency. It said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis needed to provide an explanation for this. Pointing to a statement made by Fadnavis on demonetisation, during an election rally at Ratnagiri in coastal Maharashtra, Nirupam also charged the BJP with flouting the code of conduct.

The chief minister had stirred controversy by calling those opposing the Centres demonetisation policy anti-national. All of us must stand behind Modiji in this 50-day long battle against black money...Those who dont support this are anti-national, said Fadnavis.

Nirupam said the speech amounted to a violation of the election code of conduct as Fadnavis was trying to influence the people directly. He asked the election commission to take note of the incident. Nirupam has also demanded a fair probe into the case of minister Subhash Deshmukh, as Rs91.5 lakh was recently seized from a vehicle belonging to his company  Lokmangal Group.

Read

Why BJP is using the nationalism card to justify demonetisation

Municipal council polls: BJPs Maha winning streak continues

Opposition parties claim BJP rigged municipal polls

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A 22-year-old man was held for stabbing his colleague to death over a monetary dispute on Saturday around 3 am in Kranti Nagar in Kandivli (East).

Police said the accused, Nitesh Mishra and the victim, Sajid Shaikh, 25, worked together as movers and packers. Mishra owed Shaikh some money.

Mishra claims he owed Shaikh Rs100, however Shaikhs family said he owed them Rs700. We have secured custody of Mishra, said L Vhanmane, senior inspector at Kurar police station.

The two started fighting outside Mishras residence, said the police. The fight intensified and Mishra stabbed Shaikh with a knife. Shaikh sustained injuries on his back and leg. He was rushed to Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Kandivli, where he was declared dead. Following this, the police were alerted.

The police registered a case of murder against Mishra.

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The fire department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will now map the various water sources in the city for firefighting following the major fire that gutted the JK Somani building in south Mumbai on Thursday, sources said. Delayed supply of water during firefighting has been one of the major concerns of the fire brigade and the mapping of functional water hydrants will give the department a major boost.

In the monthly review meeting of the civic chief with all the ward officers and head of departments, the instruction of mapping the water hydrants and other available water sources in the city for firefighting were given to fire officials. Recently, one of the nominated corporators, Avkash Jadhav, along with the hydraulic engineering department of the BMC pointed out that about 66 British-era water tanks were lying unused and were ill-maintained in the city.

Apart from instructing the mapping of water sources, the civic chief has also instructed officials to come up with a standard operating procedure (SOPs) on firefighting at the spot depending on the seriousness of the fire. The fire brigade has a SOP for reaching the spot within minutes of a disaster call. For instance, the number of fire tenders to be sent out for which level of fire call has been laid down in the guidelines, but the strategy of fire fighting has not been formulated. In Thursdays incident there was no clarity on whether the fire personnel should enter the building or fight the fire from outside, sources said.

The civic chief, however, has suggested that fire officials should formulate firefighting strategies for certain types of construction by considering past cases that can ultimately prove to be helpful in protecting the lives of firemen.

A senior civic officer present in the meeting, on condition of anonymity, said, While there were no casualties, the fire was doused only after 10 hours. In such cases, there should be set rules to fight fire so that firemen are saved from getting hurt. The civic chief has asked fire officials to think and come up with guidelines.

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To encourage landowners to give up their land in the 32 villages through which the proposed 126-km Virar-Alibaug multi-modal corridor will pass, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is exploring the land pooling option.

The entire corridor is proposed to be 99-metre wide, with a 30-metre Metro line on the median. The MMRDA will also provide for eight lanes on both sides for buses and vehicular traffic, besides walkways and parking slots.

The corridor is expected to halve the travel time between Virar and Alibaug.

In land pooling, small chunks of land owned by private owners are clubbed together for a public project in exchange for a share in the developed land. It turns landowners into stakeholders in a project. For instance, land pooling is being used to construct the ambitious 710-km Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expresssway.

The Virar-Alibaug corridor could help the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in creating new growth areas in the citys hinterland and decongesting the megapolis.

Read: Multimodal transport corridor between Virar-Panvel gets green nod

The project, which was proposed in 2010, recently got a boost after the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) gave a go-ahead to construct an 80-km link between Navghar in Virar and Chirner near Panvel in the eco-sensitive coastal regulation zone (CRZ) near creeks and mangroves.

However, the next major challenge before the implementing agency is to acquire land for the project.

According to sources, MMRDA officials faced opposition from locals when they conducted a survey to demarcate the land in July and August.

Locals opposed the survey as they feared that the government would take away their land without giving them any compensation, said a senior official requesting anonymity.

There is always a trust deficit when it comes to dealing with government, but we are yet to engage with landowners and work out a compensation plan, the official added.

The total land required for the project is 583 hectares, of which, 180 hectares is forest land.

We will engage with landowners and if they want, we are open to exploring the land pooling option for the project. It depends on what landowners want, said Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA.

Another senior official on condition of anonymity said, We have completed the land survey and we will soon engage with the locals by the next month.

Road to creating new growth centres in MMR

The entire corridor is proposed to be 99-meter wide with a 30-meter metro rail line on the median

The corridor is estimated to cost Rs13,000 crore

The project will also provide for eight lanes on both sides for buses and vehicular traffic, besides walkways and parking slots

The projects is likely to halve the travel time between Virar and Alibaug

The Navghar-Chirner phase (80km), expected to cost about Rs10,000 crore, will connect the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, Dedicated Freight Corridor and the JNPT port.

The 126-km corridor is crucial step towards the development of the area and job-creation in Virar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Dombivali, Panvel, Taloja and Uran

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the implementing agency, has conducted a survey for land acquisition and may explore the land pooling option

The land pooling is being used to construct the ambitious 710-km Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expresssway

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Even as the lucrative offshore offers made by United States (US)-based companies at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) have dipped over the past few years, there has been a surge in Japanese firms offering students positions in their home country.

By the end of the second day of IIT-B placements, around a dozen Japanese companies had visited the campus and offered 22 students jobs. Last year, only five such companies made 17 offers to the students.

On Thursday, day one of the first phase of placements, Japanese electronic component manufacturer Murata  which made its IIT-B debut this year  selected seven students. Tokyo-based information technology (IT) firm NEC Corporation  which visited the campus last year  made six offers.

However, missing from the list was Japanese giant Sony, which offered 11 students jobs last year.

On the second day, e-commerce firm Rakuten Inc selected two students. The Japanese arm of technology firm Yahoo selected six candidates. Both companies had come last year as well. NTT Corporation, a Tokyo-based telecommunications company, picked one student.

On Saturday, Toyo Engineering, Hitachi and Sekusui Chemical Company  core engineering companies that were absent last year  recruited students.

Technology firm Konica Minolta hired two students. Engineering company Tanaka hired one. Both companies are also slated for day three.

However, offers from US-based firms have decreased, owing to difficulties in obtaining work visas. Only three US-based companies  Microsoft, Uber and Oracle  reportedly offered students jobs this year. Google and Facebook stopped offering offshore positions since last year. Financial services firm Visa, which had reportedly selected a student for its US office last year,did not make any international offers this year.

While the pay packages offered by Japanese firms do not match those of US companies, many students applied to them, seeking a chance to work abroad. Sources said these companies offered annual salaries ranging between 20lakh and 60 lakh yen. Another source said Japanese firms offered packages ranging between 30lakh-40 lakh yen.

We tried to get more international offers this year. The Japanese companies made offers that are more or less at par with Indian firms. Students choose them based on their own preferences, said a student who works with IIT-Bs placement cell.

An MTech student who was placed at Yahoo, said there is a belief that Japanese companies do not pay as much as Indian companies. Pay packages differ from company to company. Rakuten and Yahoo pay 60 lakh yen a year. One has to factor in the cost of living in Japan [before making a decision], he said.

Read

Uber, Mastercard, P&G and PayPal among new entrants to IITB placements

Flipkart may be back at IIT-B with placements

Microsoft offers IIT grads 70 lakh a year

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The number of people who have registered to donate their bodies at Bycullas Sir JJ Hospitals anatomy department increased from 412 to 1,288 between 2013 and 2016.

The number of cadavers, however, that medical students get to examine and study from dropped by 27% during the same period.

Cadavers donated to anatomy departments of medical colleges are used by students to learn dissections and understand the structure of the organs.

Doctors who teach the subject said the donations are sufficient, but more would benefit students. The numbers of donations have decreased, but not to the point that it affects the students learning. But, more cadavers would mean lesser number of students per cadaver and better leaning of the subject, said a doctor from the department of anatomy, JJ Hospital.

Meanwhile, students from the same college said that they get less time to learn dissections owing to lesser number of cadavers.

It is the most important subjects that any medical student learns . There are 12-14 students per cadaver and sometimes, we dont get to spend enough time with each student to develop the skills of making incisions and differentiating between different tissues, said a medical student of JJ Hospital.

A city-based, ear-nose-throat surgeon, said it is important to learn the nuances of dissection from the beginning of the career. The blood vessels and nerves are so close that one cannot afford to make any mistakes, he said.

Doctors also said the only way encourage donations is by increasing awareness.

According to Dr Anjali Sabnis, head of department of anatomy, MGM medical college Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, the number of donations to her department increased from 26 to 39, in the last year because her efforts to create and increase awareness. I have been to senior citizen forums and delivered lectures on cadaver donations. We will get more donations only if people are sensitised about the issue, she said.

Ideally there should be one cadaver for every five to six students. There is no doubt that the students learn better when there are not too many students learning to dissect the same body, she added.

Read

Mumbai creates history, records most cadaver donations in a day

Mumbai docs perform eight transplants in 24 hours

Brain-dead 10-year-olds organs save 4 lives
Putting aside the recent show of camaraderie between chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, the latter continued his barrage of criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modis demonetisation decision.

Thackeray said the move has adversely affected the citys tourism business.

This week, Fadnavis and Thackeray have shared the stage thrice.

The chief minister has expressed his willingness to form an alliance with the Sena for the crucial municipal corporation elections to be held in 10 major cities, including Mumbai and Thane, in February 2017.

Tourists are clueless. I have no idea whether they are able to shop or not. Same is the case with Mumbaiites, Thackeray said, while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Red Carpet Wax Museum at R City Mall in Ghatkopar.

The museum will also house a wax statue of Bal Thackeray, the Sena founder.

Thackerays regular attacks on Modi may cast a shadow on the alliance.

Two days after the scrapping of high-value notes, Thackeray had called a press conference and said Modi had betrayed peoples trust by subjecting them to harassment. He had asked for an immediate end to peoples hardships.

The Shiv Sena welcomed the surgical strike on black money. But looking at what has been happening in the last two days, it looks like there has been a surgical strike on ordinary people who have to queue up for hours to get their hard earned money or withdraw cash, Thackeray had then said.

Are these the people who have stashed black money? These are the people who believed in Modis promise that each of them will get Rs15 lakh in their account from the recovered black money. But Modi has betrayed this trust, Thackeray had added.

Interestingly, in an apparent jibe at the Sena, its senior leader Manohar Joshi had on Friday praised the November 8 demonetisation decision.

Those who havent even understood the (demonetisation) scheme are talking about it. But I can say with conviction, if our country has to progress then such measures are important, he had said.

READ MORE

Alls well between Sena and BJP, says Manohar Joshi
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 1



By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:



The recent decision by OPEC to curb the level of output may be "the dawn of a new power play" in the oil market over the next few years, an Iranian expert believes.



Mehrdad Emadi, consultant at the UK-based Betamatrix International Consultancy, told Trend that OPEC's decision to impose a ceiling on output below the existing level of production by the member countries may be considered the most significant agreement since 2006 reached by the organization.



According to Emadi, the new agreement was reached only after all member countries agreed that Iran will be exempted from the voluntary cuts and/or freeze on the production levels. He said the decision will enable Iran to regaining its footprint in the crude oil market after losing its market share due to the sanctions.



Iran is back, lobbying fails



It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia and Algeria, prior to the announcement, had insisted that Iran should abide by the cuts or at least freeze its output.



"By expanding its market share and increasing its output, Iran sent an important message to the energy suppliers inside and outside the cartel [OPEC] that it was back and it is determined to pursue its interests with renewed rigor and the country will neither bow to lobbying nor to intimidating threats," Emadi stated.



"In my view, this actually may benefit the organization in that the willingness of the other OPEC members to accommodate Iran in return for a united voice in the energy market and acknowledging the role of Iran as a key producer will make it much more likely to see the reemergence of a more disciplined OPEC that will put unity and long term interests ahead of regional bickering and short terms gains. Such a unity will generate a new level of political and economic credence to the organization in the global energy market," Emadi believes.



Language of constructive dialogue returns to region



"Given the current differences between Iran on the one side and the Saudis as well as Kuwait on the other side concerning the best course of action on how to resolve the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, the fact that an agreement could be arrived at without making swipes at any member country or making any negative comments about the challenge of attaining the agreement may signal the return to the language of constructive dialogue instead of solely relying on the instruments of hard power."



This can only benefit the region in that it reduces the space and the need for intervention by other countries including the US and Russia as power brokers.



"It is my assessment that this will benefit all the members and those in the region and encourage economic growth and investment in the area".



Impact on investment in Irans energy projects



Iran's ability to persuade the OPEC members to recognize its right to regain its pre-sanctions capabilities to produce oil will significantly enhance the promise of better returns to investment in its energy projects by the West, Japanese and Korean firms that have shown interests in developing new projects in the energy sector in Iran but have somewhat remained wary because of the implicit and explicit threats of new sanctions by the new administration in Washington.



By increasing its exports, economic ties between the EU, Japan, Korea and Iran will deepen making it more difficult for Washington to recruit support for new measures against Iran.



"In this context, I expect a new impetus in the West to invest in the energy projects in Iran. I expect within couple of years we may see a tripled foreign investment in new projects in Iran. In my private discussions with one of the leading European oil companies I have heard the desire to help Iran reach the target of 6.2-6.6 million barrels per day (mbd) as its output before 2020. This requires an investment if more than $100 billion in less than four years in the country by foreign investors," Emadi said.



Return on investment in Iran higher than the average for world



"Although the rapid developments in the alternative energies and their improved commercial competitiveness together with the decline in the projected global growth rate have slowed down investment in upstream projects in the industry, the impact on Iran may be less than other countries since the potential return on investment in the country is higher than the average for the region and indeed globally," he noted.



This is primarily due to under developed opportunities due to sanctions and a very inefficient commercial management of investment projects in the last 10-12 years. To this end, there are still many projects that when developed upon their completion will see attractive returns to the initial capital outlay once the technological know-how and managerial skills are transferred to the country, Emadi concluded.
A 19-year-old boy, Naresh Paka, chased down 35-year-old con man who tried to use the chaos and confusion of the demonetisation drive to cheat him of Rs2,000 at an ATM.

According to the police, the accused, Sarfaraz Siraj Khan, is a resident of Agripada.

An officer from Nagpada police station, who did not wish to be named, said, His modus operandi was to stand in long queues at ATMs and keep an eye on people withdrawing money.

He said that since demonetisation was announced, ATMs have been functioning slowly and hanging often. As soon as Khan noticed a person having difficulty withdrawing cash, he would go inside on the pretext of helping them, the officer said.

He would ask his victim to insert the card again and inserting the pin number. Then, he would say that the machine has stalled again. He would then pretend to withdraw money using his own ATM card. But after the victim stepped out of the kiosk, he would withdraw money from their account, added the officer.

However, Khan eventually chose the wrong person to con. When he withdrew Rs2,000 from Pakas account, the 19-year-old immediately got a message on his phone. Incensed, he chased Khan for more than a kilometre.

Paka was scared to confront Khan alone, so he found a police patrolling van. He narrated the incident to the police, after which they arrested Khan, said an officer.

The police said that Khan has more than seven cases registered against him, for similar crimes, at various police stations in south Mumbai.

He been booked under Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code and has been remanded in the custody of the Agripada police.

Similar cases

November 25: A 63-year-old SoBo businessman was duped of Rs 57.5 lakhs by three men who said they would help him buy a house using his old Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes.

November 20: The Pydhonie police arrested two men who took advantage of the crowds at banks to deposit 93 fake Rs1,000 notes in Punjab and Maharashtra Co-Operative Bank.

November 15: A builder was duped of Rs 3 crore in demonitised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes by five men who promised to exchange them for him at a private-sector bank. Investigations unearthed the role of a police officer and an alleged bank official in the scam. The police officer was suspended.

Help lines

You can contact the Mumbai police on the following numbers

07738133133, 07738144144 (SMS)

022-22633333, 022-22623054 (call)

You can also tweet the police @MumbaiPolice

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Currency crunch: People find, chase cash vans to ATMs!

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The Bombay high court, in a recent order, rapped the state government and a private school for their failure to create a conducive environment for specially-abled students under the provisions of the Right to Education Act (RTE).

A bench comprising chief justice Manjula Chellur and justice MS Sonak reminded the state and all schools, that under the RTE, no school can deny admission to a child on the grounds of disability and that it was the duty of the state to sensitise teachers and staff to the needs of such children. The bench added that all infrastructure and teaching-related handicaps must be done away with.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by the parents of a Class 7 student of a Nashik-based private school, who was suspended for being overly aggressive and hyper active.

The student suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to experts, ADHD can induce an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity.

The school however, failed to take this into consideration and suspended him about two-and-a-half months ago. The institution said, among other things, that he would poke his classmates with pencils and compasses and was creating a nuisance in class.

The court however, was categorically displeased by the schools conduct and went on to say that such insensitivity could have a bad impact on him. You must take special care of such children, else, the time is not far when we will also face a situation similar to that of western countries, where the youth go around firing in schools and colleges, it said.

The court summoned the schools principal and the students class teacher and got them to meet a psychiatrist and the students parents.

It has now directed the students mother to accompany him to class for a week. His father must accompany him for a month. The school must arrange for a shadow teacher and ensure there is a congenial atmosphere for the child.

The court also directed the school to create a separate training programme for the child to compensate for the loss incurred when he missed classes.

The court is likely to take up the matter for further hearing on January 9.

Read

Schools cannot selectively apply RTE provisions: Bombay High Court

RTE admissions: 1,618 seats find 200 takers in Round 2

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A day after an exhaustive 5,786-page charge sheet was filed and submitted to the Thane court, police officers of the Thane crime branch got crucial information, regarding the accused in the fake call centre scam who are missing.

A team of the branch will soon leave for Gujarat.

Police have obtained information on Rachit Joshi, Dhruven Shah and Tapesh Gupta. The three are on the run and are yet to be arrested.

The accused have been contacting their families to find out what the situation is in Thane. It seems that they are running out of money. We will also detain friends of the accused and question them if it appears that they know where the accused are hiding, said a source.

We have started a manhunt to look for the accused. The team will go to Gujarat by Sunday, based on information we received about them. We told their families to alert us if the accused tries to contact them again. We have not yet been able to trace the location of the accused. Sources say they maybe in Dubai, or on an isolated island or in several different countries, said a police officer from the Thane crime branch.

The police will also question the families of the accused to find out where they are.

The charge sheet includes details of the investigation, which started on October 4 after the raid. Witnesses have helped us make the case stronger. We have also seized physical evidence from the call centre and the residences of the accused, said another officer.

The charge sheet was filed by the Thane police crime branch on Friday in the call centre scam busted in October after raids on nine call centres in Mira Road.

It says the employees, masquerading as American revenue officials, made threatening calls to people in the US, forcing them to make payments. The charge sheet, however, is silent on money trail.

Deputy commissioner of police Parag Manere said 80 people have been named as accused in the charge sheet, which has been split into three parts  one for the case at Kashimira and two more for cases Naya Nagar police station. Three accused are common to all cases. The scams alleged kingpin, Sagar Thakkar, alias Shaggy, his sister Reema , business partners Tapesh and Jimmy are among the 28 who are wanted.

The charge sheet has statements from 200 witnesses, including 10 who were under oath assistant commissioner of police, crime, M Hatote told HT.

This will bolster evidence in the case, Manere said.

He added that the police also came across the numbers of some of the victims. We sent them text messages, requesting them to register complaints, he said. The police provided them an email address and links to fill complaint forms.

So far, we have received 40 complaints from the US. This will be used as evidence, Manere said. Seized cars and laptops, computers, hard discs, chairs and tables have all been clubbed as evidence.

The accused have been charged under sections of the Indian Penal Code for extortion, cheating, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy, apart from sections of the Indian Telegraph Act and IT Act.

Read

Thane call centre scam: 5,786-page charge sheet filed

Thane call centre scam: Another partner arrested

Thane call centre scam: Police get vendors details from emails

Thane call centre scam was scripted: Cops

Thane call centre scam: He made a fortune in just seven years

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Long queues greeted motorists heading in and out of Mumbai on Saturday morning as toll plazas started collecting tax at the five entry points three weeks after the Centres shock demonetisation move resulted in a waiver.

Severe snarls were reported on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the Sion-Panvel highway, as many toll operators were not equipped with debit card machines and did not accept e-Wallet payments, despite promises by the Maharashtra government to promote cashless transactions at toll plazas.

Traffic officials told Hindustan Times the problem on the Expressway began near the Khalapur and Talegaon toll nakas around 8am, as several people paid in Rs2,000 notes.

The scenario was worse near the Vashi toll naka on the Sion-Panvel highway. These plazas still have not been provided with card swipe machines. They had to collect toll in cash, and motorists were giving them notes of Rs2,000 right from the morning. Toll officials did not have enough change,  said Rajesh Babshetty, police inspector of Vashi traffic unit.

As it was a weekend, the traffic out of Mumbai to places such as Pune, Raigad and Ratnagiri was more. This added to the problem, he said.

Walkeshwar-resident Sonal Mehta, who was travelling to Pune via the Vashi toll plaza said she spent 40 minutes waiting as the operator was not accepting Rs2,000 and Rs500 notes. I was stuck for nearly 40 minutes. There were similar scenes at Khalapur toll plaza on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway too.

An employee at the Dahisar toll plaza said many motorists were demanding change for Rs500 notes when they had to pay a toll of Rs35. Not only does it become difficult to give everybody change, it also takes up a lot of time, he said.

As queues grew longer through the day, police officials asked toll nakas to let vehicles go without collecting toll to clear the traffic. After the morning rush passed, they started collecting toll again. They had to stop again a couple of times later in the day when the traffic got heavy, Babshetty said.

MEP Infrastructure Developers Ltd, the firm in charge of collecting toll at the five entry points in Mumbai, has not installed any debit card machines yet. We have tied up with IDBI Bank and State Bank of India (SBI) for machines and are expecting them by Monday. We should be able to have them online by Monday, said Jayant D Mhaiskar, the firms vice chairman and managing director. Mhaiskar, however, added that installing debit card machines wont the problem. The number of motorists presenting debit or credit card is 0.001 percent. Debit card machines will not solve the issue of traffic, as it is a cumbersome and time-consuming process.

As an immediate measure, Mhaiskar said arrangements were made for lower denomination notes. We tied up with SBI to give us a certain amount in smaller denomination notes and coins. We are also encouraging people to buy cash cards and RFID tags, Mhaiskar said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd, which collect toll at 60 toll plazas across the country said, The toll collection restarted successfully; but some traffic was observed in view of the weekend.

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Petrol pumps get into digital overdrive, play up wallets

After currency ban, Rs 2.28 crore donated in scrapped notes at Shirdi temple
City-based lawyer and environmentalist Afroz Shah was awarded the United Nations (UN) top environmental accolade  Champions of the Earth award  for his efforts in launching what is the worlds largest beach clean-up, at Versova. Its the first time an Indian has won the award.

Along with five other environmentalists from across the world, Shahs efforts were recognised by the UN in a programme hosted by the government of Mexico at the 13th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cancun on Friday.

Awarded in the Action and Inspiration category, Shah was recognised for inspiring hundreds of volunteers over the past year to help rid 4,000 tonnes of plastic, glass and filth, which had built up on the sand at Versova beach.

For the past 12 years, the annual Champions of the Earth award is awarded to outstanding leaders from government, civil society and the private sector whose actions have had a positive impact on the environment.

His [Shah] efforts, and the hundreds of volunteers hes inspired, is a wonderful example of citizen action and reminds the rest of the world that even the most ambitious, global agreements are only as good as the individual action and determination that brings them to life, said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment, who joined Versova Residents Volunteer (VRV), a citizens group cleaning up Versova Beach for over a year now, for a day to collect waste from the beach in October. His outstanding leadership is drawing global attention to the devastating impacts of marine litter.

In October 2015, Shah and his 84-year-old neighbour, Harbanash Mathur, who died of natural causes earlier this year, decided to do something drastic to reclaim the beach from the rubbish that had overwhelmed it. They began clearing the 2.5-km strand of the litter, including plastic bags, cement sacks, glass bottles, pieces of clothing, and shoes.

This award is in honour of the hundreds of volunteers who have joined me over the past year to clean our beach and ocean, said Shah. I just hope this is the beginning for coastal communities across India and the world. We have to win the fight against marine dumping and that involves getting our hands dirty.

Shah also rallied residents and fisherfolk in the area by knocking on doors and explaining the damage marine litter causes. In just over a year, what began as a two-person crusade has mushroomed into a 1,500-strong operation of community volunteers. Afroz Shah has done India proud, said Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Ocean, who also visited India earlier this year. Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.

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Traffic snarls were witnessed at the Dasna toll plaza as the collection of toll on national highways resumed from December 3. Officials said that most customers paid in cash despite the availability of card swipe machines.

After the demonetisation of the old 500 and 1,000 notes on November 8, the government had suspended toll collection at all government-run tolls in the country.

According to official estimates, the Dasna toll plaza witnesses the movement of nearly 15,000 vehicles per day and makes an average collection of over 8 lakh. The toll plaza caters to those moving from Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida towards Hapur, Moradabad and further towards Uttarakhand.

RP Singh, project director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said, The congestion at the toll plaza was not beyond the normal level, it is witnessed every day at the plaza. We had procured six smart card machines and are in the process of procuring more as the plaza has 10 gates. Only 30 customers, from midnight to 12 noon on December 3, availed the facility of swiping their card to pay the toll. The rest paid in cash.

Movement of vehicles towards Hapur was hampered for a short time as commuters had an altercation with the toll staff over paying the charges with the scrapped 500 notes. But, no major incident was reported.

According to the directions by the ministry of road transport & highways on December 1, the scrapped 500 notes will be accepted till midnight of December 15, but only on the purchase of FASTags and where the toll charge exceeds 200. Those using highways were also advised to carry adequate change and to make use of electronic payment systems.

A number of customers were still forcing us to accept the scrapped 500 note, but we refused to accept it in instances where the toll was below 200. We had enough change and vehicles passed through without any hindrance, Rahul Kumar, a toll staff, said.

The toll staff accepted the scrapped 500 notes from those who were purchasing the monthly pass for 235 and also from those using bigger vehicles and had to pay a toll in excess of 200.

The toll plaza is proposed to be shifted to Nizampur in Hapur under the Delhi-Meerut Expressway project. The work for 6-laning Dasna-Hapur section is already awarded and the process will take one year to complete, Singh said.

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Accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of selling tickets to outsiders and tainted candidates, party rebel volunteers on Saturday decided to contest assembly polls on all 117 seats in Punjab against the AAP nominees.

Earlier, we had decided to contest on 59 seats from where the AAP has fielded tainted and outsiders. But today, all volunteers were of the opinion that we should contest polls on all seats to expose the AAP and its claims of being an honest party, said party rebel from Tarn Taran Harinder Singh Zira after a meeting of disgruntled AAP volunteers at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall here.

The volunteers also adopted a few resolutions in which it was decided to bring all disgruntled AAP leaders, except former party Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, to guide them. Except Chhotepur, the volunteers front was united in inviting Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, Fatehgarh Sahib MP Harinder Singh Khalsa, Dr Daljit Singh, Jassi Jasraj, Karamjit Singh and all others to guide the front in exposing the double standards of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and his team in allotting tickets. The political affairs committee will visit all these leaders appealing them to join us, said Zira.

Accusing the AAP leadership of corruption, party volunteer Amarjit Singh Khalsa said: A few days before the ticket allotment, partys Jalandhar zone observer Rajiv Chaudhary said ticket would be given to those who could spend Rs 2 crore in elections. This was the partys ploy to give ticket to Chandan Grewal, who joined party a day before the ticket allotment. However, Chaudhary denied the charges.

Some volunteers alleged that the party asked its candidates to shell out at least Rs 40 lakh each for showing achievements of the Delhi government through LED screens, posters and the hoardings.

We had a notion that Kejriwal was not aware of the misdeeds of the party affairs in-charge Sanjay Singh and organisational head Durgesh Pathak, but now it is clear how all this is being done at the behest of the party chief, just to keep Punjabi leadership at bay, said another volunteer Bharpur Singh.

Later, the volunteers burnt Kejriwals effigy..
Tired of listening to no availability of cash daily and standing in long queues, people have found another way of getting money from ATMs and banks; they now chase cash dispensing vans.

Such cases are being witnessed in Jalandhar as people can be seen striving to be among the first ones to immediately get the money as within an hour after refill, most of the banks and ATMs run out of cash.

Public standing in front of ATMs and banks said that they were left with no option but to find and follow the vans to banks and ATMs as they are in dire need of the money.

Radha Kumari, a factory workers wife, who was standing outside Bank of India said, We dont have anything to eat. Yesterday, we saw a cash dispensing van and followed it till long and only then we got Rs 2,000.

A teacher in a private school, who was standing in a queue outside Punjab National Bank said, One of my relatives too chased the van today and immediately withdrew money from the ATM.

But you have to be lucky enough to find such vans and then follow it to right path, she said while laughing.

Shyam Seth, who runs a grocery shop said, Since majority of the ATMs and banks are not getting cash, it becomes important to look for some alternatives to get the money. One is to come and stand early in the morning and wait till the cash dispensing vans come or to follow the vans and become the first one to get the cash.

Non-gazetted employees yet to get Rs 10,000

Non-gazetted employees of the government were supposed to get Rs 10,000 as their salaries but only few banks received cash. Due to this, many employees could not get their salaries while some got a limited amount.

State bank of India, railway station branch, gave Rs 8,000 to people while Oriental Bank of India and Union Bank of India could not provide the cash in full.
In 2012, Abhinav Verma was probably still in college on the outskirts of Chandigarh. He and I did not yet have that one mutual friend we now have on Facebook. Narendra Modi was still the chief minister of Gujarat. Banknotes had not become expensive jokes. And demonetisation was a word buried in dictionaries or books of economics.

That was the year The Amazing Spider-Man released. Remember, the one that had Irrfan Khan! It was a moment of inspiration. No, not because an Indian actor had got a blink-and-miss role in a mega-movie based on a Marvel comic. Abhinav did not start wearing spandex, I believe. I am not sure, though, if he managed to find a girlfriend as disarmingly and disappointingly cute as Gwen Stacy.

But the inspiration, as is clear now, was Dr Curtis Connors.

Abhinav, an engineer, evidently became a science guy in love with making new things. By last year, he came up with a product called LiveBraille  a finger-mounted device that acts as an obstruction sensor to replace the walking-stick for the blind. It could possibly change the lives of millions, as he underlined. A star innovator, he attended conferences about weird things that eventually become addictive products, delivered lectures at start-up meets where ideas meet executors and executioners, and wore thick-rimmed glasses with a beard at all times, or so says my research on social media. He also managed to put the product in markets of a dozen countries and more. He was broadly inspired, like most techies I know, by Steve Jobs. And, of course, by Marvel comics and movies!

The year 2014 went by, and changed everything. Narendra Modi became what he has become. LiveBraille found a mention from Modi in December of 2015 at the Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru. It was commercially launched this year, touted as an innovation under the Make in India programme. Abhinav ended 2015 with a pat from our Made-in-India Supreme Leader, but, a year later, he is sitting in jail for printing fake banknotes of 2,000-rupee denomination worth lakhs.

Obviously, our poor, ill-educated, third-world country, brought up on downmarket stuff such as Nagraj, Pinky and Sabu, did not quite know much about his inspiration. Otherwise, those who praised him would have been more cautious, I am sure. Somewhere along the way, Abhinav became what Dr Connors became in The Amazing Spider-Man  a super-villain with a back story of brilliance, frustration, and uncontrollable ambition.

Maybe, like Dr Connors does with the regenerative serum that turns him into The Lizard, our guy found a way to print the notes but did not yet want to share the technology for fear of misuse. Yet, someone made him do it, and that turned our guy into a villain.

Maybe he just got sick of standing in a queue and decided, What the heck! Why stand in line when you can print your own?

More plausibly, maybe he was just having some fun with a scanner, printer, computer and other such stuff, and doing some charity on the side for all those people whose old notes he exchanged by taking a 30% commission. Such was the quality of his charity that he managed to hand out at least Rs 30 lakh in the fake notes before one of his beneficiaries noticed.

Not for nothing does he ignite extreme admiration, even sympathy, among people at least in Dhakoli, his residential locality in Chandigarhs suburbia. Many, such as I, who live in the same locality wish theyd known him before and used his capitalistic business model to avoid those communist queues.

Much like the Marvel characters, he is the dark one that everyone actually likes and wants to be like. For himself, he only bought a fancy car. Villains, after all, are more human than superheroes. We all know that.

(Views expressed are personal. Writers email: aarish.chhabra@hindustantimes.com)

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Four employees, including a branch manager, of HDFC Bank here were sacked for allegedly indulging in unauthorised exchange of demonetised currency notes, the bank said in a statement on Saturday.

Services of the employees, posted with the Sector-15 branch here, were terminated immediately after it was discovered they were allegedly favouring a person known to one of them by exchanging his demonetised currency notes with new notes, it said. The bank said the isolated incident of unauthorised currency exchange involving the employees came to its notice after its systems detected an inconsistency.

In another incident, a bank manager and a cashier of a public sector bank were arrested by the Punjab police on Friday in Bathinda for allegedly charging money to replace demonetised currency notes.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3



By Khalid Kazimov  Trend:



Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized the US over its legislation related to renewing the sanctions against Iran.



The extension of the sanctions will bring discredit upon the US on the international arena, IRNA news agency quoted Zarif as saying upon his arrival in India this morning.



He added that the sanctions will have no impact on the third countries planning to do business in Iran.



He further called on the US officials to halt the implementation of the sanctions against Iran.



Iranian officials have earlier called on the outgoing President of the US Barack Obama to exercise veto power to prevent the legislation on Iran.



The US lawmakers have recently reauthorized the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which was first introduced in 1996 to punish investments in Iran's energy industry based on accusations that Tehran was pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.



While the Barack Obama is expected to approve the legislation on the renewal of sanctions against Iran for the next 10 years, Iranian leaders have sharply criticized the motion describing it as a breach of the last years landmark nuclear deal.



Javad Zarif has arrived in Delhi at the first leg of his regional tour to Asia.



Zarif will address the Heart of Asia ministerial conference in India and then will visit China and Japan at the official invitations of the foreign ministers of the East Asian nations.


The sessions court in Rupnagar on Saturday acquitted former Punjab director general of police SK Sharma and three other cops in a 25-year-old fake encounter case.

Sessions judge BS Sandhu gave benefit of doubt to the four accused, including then Morinda station house officer Balkar Singh, ex-deputy inspector general SPS Basra and former assistant sub-inspector Gurcharan Singh.

Amrali village resident Ajaib Singh had alleged that his son Kuldeep Singh was picked up by police on October 24, 1990, from Krishna Mandi area in Morinda.

On May 15, 1991, Ajaib Singh read a report in a newspaper wherein then Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) SK Sharma claimed that Kuldeep was killed in an encounter at Tholiwal village under the Barnala police station on May 1. The SSP also said Kuldeep was wanted in many extortion, robbery and dacoity cases.

After a long legal battle, charges were framed against the accused under section 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder), 302 (murder),201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and 120-B(criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) on June 3,2014.

After the acquittal, Kuldeeps relatives created a scene inside the courtroom and later raised slogans.

Ajaib said great injustice had been done to them, adding that they would appeal against the judgment in the high court. He also demanded a judicial inquiry into the case.

Kuldeeps cousin Satwinder Pal Singh said the police had given in writing to the human rights commission and United Nation agencies that Kuldeep was not wanted by them in any case. The acquittal is shocking, he added.

SK Sharmas counsel Harmohan Singh Paul said no case was made out against his client, who was falsely implicated in the case. He said there was no evidence against Sharma.

Case files

Oct 24, 1990: Rupnagar resident Kuldeep Singh kidnapped by unidentified persons from Morinda.

May 15, 1991:.Kuldeeps father Ajaib Singh sees a newspaper report wherein then Patiala SSP SK Sharma says Kuldeep has been killed in an encounter with police on May 1, 1991. Police say Kuldeep was wanted in many extortion, robbery and dacoity cases.

March 14, 2002: Complaint filed against four cops SK Sharma, Balkar Singh, SPS Basra and Gurcharan Singh

Aug 28, 2010: Rupnagar court summons accused

June 3, 2014: Charges framed against the four accused for murder

Dec 3, 2016: Sessions judge acquits the four accused for want of evidence
Top Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders from West Bengal on Saturday assembled at the district board ground in Dhanbad to hold a protest rally against the Centre move to demonetise high-value banknotes and garner support of opposition parties in Jharkhand.

Though it was widely published by TMC functionaries in the state party chief Mamata Banerjee will be attending the protest rally that drew hundreds of supporters, Mamata Banerjee was conspicuous by her absence.

West Bengal law minister Moloy Ghatak, who presided over the function said since Didi had prescheduled programme at another location, she did not attend the rally.

Demonetisation is not a political issue but we are fighting for the rights of the common man who were facing problems despite having money are not in being able to get medicines and food, said Ghatak.

Our fight against demonetisation will continue until it is withdrawn by the Centre, he said.

He further said that the BJP used huge amount of black money to purchase huge tracts of land in Bihar and other states just before the announcement of demonetisation.

The BJP also deposited more than Rs 350 crore in the party bank accounts. The Prime Minister must clear from where the money came to purchase the land and the bank deposits, he said.

TMC Rajya Sabha member and former railway minister Mukul Roy, who also addressed the rally, said It is bure din (bad days) for the common man.

In the last 32 months, the Modi government has just cheated people. There have been major cuts in important developmental projects by the government, especially those that were aimed at poverty elimination, he said.

The Centre is using the army to intimidate TMC leaders and its main focus is to eliminate our chief minister. We have been fighting against the BJP and will continue to fight and expose the evil designs of the Modi government against us.

Though leaders from the JVM, RJD and JMM were present at the rally, the Congress abstained from sharing the dais with the TMC leaders.

Congress district president Brajendra Prasad Singh told Hindustan Times that state party chief Sukhdeo Bhagat advised party workers not to participate in the rally.

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Authorities in East Singhbhum district have directed the opposition JMM to pay a compensation of `32 lakh for burning of two vehicles allegedly by its cadres during a Jharkhand bandh last month to protest changes in two British-era land laws.

Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer Suraj Kumar on Friday sent a notice to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) district unit president Ramdas Soren to this effect. A dumper was burnt in Potka while a 10-wheel truck was set afire in Pipla during the dawn-to-dusk bandh on November 25.

You are requested to deposit the amount at the district nazarat (treasury) within 30 days of receiving this notice, read the notice, a copy of which is with the HT.

Sporadic violence marked the bandh to protest amendments made in the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1949 by the states BJP-led government. The amendments allowed use of agricultural land of tribal people for non-agricultural purposes.

The notice also carried a copy of Jharkhand High Courts (HC) order on November 24 warning political parties against violence and arson during the bandh.

Party presidents will have to pay compensation if their workers and supporters are found resorting to vandalism and causing loss of public and private properties during the bandh, a bench of acting chief justice PK Mohanty and justice Ananda Sen ruled.

Citing district transport officers report, the notice asked JMM leader Soren to give `27 lakh to the dumpers owner and `5 lakh to the trucks owner.

Soren said the vehicles were running illegally without any valid document. Moreover, the drivers didnt file an FIR but police filed FIRs in both the cases. The vehicles were burnt by the administration itself to malign the JMM. And not just the JMM but Congress, JVM-P, JD (U), RJD, CPI  entire opposition was involved in the bandh, said Soren.

Authorities in West Singhbhum district also issued notice to JMM and Congress district presidents over violence during the shutdown.

We have served notice to JMM and Congress district presidents for breaking the flank lines of a national highway here. Weve sought a report from the National Highway Authority of India about estimated loss. Once we get it, the parties will be asked to deposit the compensation amount, deputy commissioner Shantanu Agrahari told HT on Saturday.

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Heres some great news for fans of Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor - the actor So heres a treat for all the ShaMira-fans, who have been dying to get glimpses of one of Bollywoods cutest couples!

After being clicked at different social events and elsewhere, Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput will finally be before your TV screens for one-long-hour, speaking about their life, marriage, baby Misha and many more things.

All credit goes to the one and only Karan Johar and his very hot and sensational couch.

Confirming their presence on Koffee With Karan, season five, the 35-year-old new daddy took to Instragram to share a picture from the set and wrote alongside, On the couch with my [love].

On the couch with my  A photo posted by Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) on Dec 1, 2016 at 7:37pm PST

The Udta Punjab actor has reached the mark of seven million followers on the photo-sharing app.

Looks like this snap is to celebrate his big-fat Insta-family. It sees Shahid, all suited up, in a bearded-Padmavati look and wife Mira glowing in purple coloured dress.

And in an hour, the picture garnered 86.7 thousand likes and numerous comments. From this, it can be very well understood that the shows TRP will shoot up to the sky on the day the episode will be aired.

The Haider star has been a regular visitor on the show, other than the very first season. In the second season, he appeared with the Kapoor sisters Kareena and Karisma; in the third Sasha was accompanied by Priyanka Chopra and fourth had Sonakshi Sinha with him.

But of course, this season is the most special for not only his fans, even for the actor himself!

On the work front, where Mira is busy nurturing her little one Misha, daddy Shahid is busy on the floor shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati, alongside Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Kapoor.

The actor will also be seen in Vishal Bhardwajs Rangoon, along with Saif Ali Khan and Kangana Ranaut, slated to release early next year.

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The great American movie icon, Samuel L Jackson, will be honoured by the Dubai International Film Festival, opening on December 7. He will be presented with the festivals prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

An equally iconic actor from India, Rekha -- who has enthralled millions with her riveting roles in Utsav, Umrao Jaan, Silsila and Khubsoorat --will also be honoured, as reported earlier in these columns, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jackson will receive the accolade during the festivals opening ceremony on December 7.

Two days later on December 9, fans will have an unique opportunity to hear Jackson speak about his eventful life and illustrious career. The session, In Conversation, will also include a question-answer segment with the audience.

Jackson got into movies in 1972 with Together for Days -- a romance between an African-American and a Caucasian, and the turmoil this causes in the two families. This film reminded one of a Sidney Poitier starrer, Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, in 1967 that also dealt with an inter-racial relationship.

Samuel L Jackson in a scene from Django Unchained. (Dubai International Film Festival)

After playing a motley group of characters, Jackson emerged with his breakout performance in Spike Lees drama, Jungle Fever (1991). As drug addict Gator, he walked away with a Special Jury Prize for a supporting role at the Cannes Film Festival.

It was, however, Quentin Tarantinos blood-and-gore Pulp Fiction in 1994 -- which incidentally was Jacksons 13th movie -- that firmly established the actor as one of Hollywoods greats. The number 13 proved lucky for him, and he clinched the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award for his supporting part as Jules Winnfield. He was also nominated for the Golden Globe and Academy Award.

Ironically, he almost lost the chance to play in Pulp Fiction when he was overshadowed by Paul Calderon, but Tarantino accepted a suggestion from his producer to put Jackson through a second audition, and he won by acting out the dinner scene with a touch of brilliance. Pulp Fiction got the Palm dOr at Cannes.

Samuel Jackson in a scene from The Legend of Tarzan. (Dubai International Film Festival)

In a four-decade career, he made a mark as the highest grossing actor in the history of cinema, and he has had the magnificent opportunity to work in over 100 movies with celebrity directors like George Lucas, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Travolta, Kevin Spacey, Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis and Robert Downey Jr.

Jacksons upcoming films in 2017 include Kong: Skull Island and The Hitmans Bodyguard.

Jackson -- who will be in Dubai for the first ever time -- will join the ranks of such famous men and women as Omar Sharif, Catherine Deneuve, Faten Hamamah, Adel Imam, Jameel Rateb, Sabah, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Shah Rukh Khan, Daoud Abdel Sayed, Youssef Chahine, Rachid Bouchareb, Martin Sheen, Nabil El-Maleh, Oliver Stone, Danny Glover, Terry Gilliam, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Mahmoud Abdel Aziz and Sami Bouajila.

Let us conclude with a couple of highlights from Jacksons life that were published in The Guardian last June. The Legend of Tarzan actor, Jackson, told Tarantino after reading his script, Django Unchained: So you really want me to play the most hateful black character in cinematic history, huh? OK, lets do it!

Earlier on, he had started boozing, smoking weed and doing LSD at college in the late 60s, and has said that until he got clean in 1991 - after a crack-induced meltdown that involved his eight-year-old daughter finding him zonked out in the kitchen among his dimebags and paraphernalia - he had never set foot on stage without some kind of substance in his body.

But then Jackson had this amazing ability to shake himself out of this mess and give us some outstanding movies

(Gautaman Bhaskaran will cover the Dubai International Film Festival.)

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Twenty-one miners who were trapped for four days after an explosion hit their unlicensed coal mine have been confirmed dead, and four people have been arrested in connection with the disaster, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Saturday.

Among the four suspects are the mine owner and three managers, the emergency rescue headquarters said in a statement carried by Xinhua.

One miner is missing in the city of Qitaihe in Heilongjiang province in northeast China, and the rest of the bodies were retrieved on Friday night, Xinhua said.

China is the worlds top producer and consumer of coal, and government officials have made a commitment to shutting down unlicensed mines in an attempt to improve safety.

Although the cause of the blast has not yet been identified, such incidents usually occur when unventilated coal gas is ignited by a spark or open flame.
At least nine people died and authorities said they feared the toll could rise as high as 40 in a fire that broke out during a rave at a converted warehouse in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Oakland fire chief Teresa Deloche-Reed said at least another 25 people were unaccounted for as of Saturday morning and authorities were working to verify who was in the cluttered warehouse when the fire broke out around 11:30 PM Friday night.

Alameda County Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly said authorities were prepared to deal with 30 to 40 deaths.

Between 50 and 100 people were believed to have been at the party when the fire started, Deloche-Reed said. It was not immediately clear what started the fire, but there did not appear to be sprinklers in the building, she said.

The interior of the warehouse made it difficult for people to escape, Deloche-Reed said.

The warehouse was partitioned into artist studios and was packed with furniture, mannequins, statues, lamps, and other objects and that it did not have a clear entry or exit path, the fire chief said. The only way out of the second floor was a makeshift stairwell made of pallets.

There is still a large portion of the building that still needs to be searched, she said. There is large timber and debris that will need to be removed and its going to have to be removed in a slow and methodical way.

The fire caused the buildings roof to collapse and investigators were having trouble entering parts of the warehouse to search for any remaining bodies because the structure was deemed unsafe, Deloche-Reed said.

The building in a gritty part of Oakland was still smoldering Saturday as firefighters used tools to chop a path through debris.

The fire tore through the building during an event featuring musician Golden Donnas 100% Silk West Coast tour.

Survivors said they struggled to find working fire extinguishers.

It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there, Bob Mule, a photographer and artist who lives at the building and suffered minor burns, told the East Bay Times. I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldnt get the fire extinguisher to work.

People used a Facebook page Saturday to post and seek information on family and friends who may have been in the building.

Oakland police urged those concerned about missing people to call the Alameda County Sheriffs Coroners Bureau at 510-382-3000.

The office said the coroners were also at the scene Saturday morning and unavailable for comment.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced that he will contest elections from his mothers constituency Larkana and aims to become the prime minister of Pakistan in 2018, according to media reports on Saturday.

Bilawal, the only son of assassinated former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has said earlier he will contest by-elections or general elections - whichever come first.

At a Foundation Day gathering in Lahore on Saturday, Bilawal targeted Nawaz Sharif, saying that the prime minister did not know how to rule the country. The time will come when PPPs flag will hoist on houses of all chief ministers, the prime minister and the president of Pakistan.

With your support, I will become Pakistans prime minister in 2018, the 28-year-old said.

Bilawal, who is the nominal chief of the PPP  although his father Asif Ali Zardari wields real influence in the party  became eligible to stand for elections only three years ago when he turned 25.
US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but China, which considers the self-ruled island its own, said it was confident Washingtons one China policy would not change.

The 10-minute telephone call was the first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of one China.

Hours after Fridays call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange.

This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the one China structure already formed by the international community, Wang said at an academic forum, Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV reported.

I believe that it wont change the longstanding one China policy of the United States government.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call. The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.

The two noted that close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States, the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwans presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Photographs released by Taiwans presidential office showed Tsai, her national security council chief and her foreign minister participating in the call with Trump.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Defeated Nationalist forces fled there at the end of a civil war with the Communists in 1949.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Taiwans then-President Ma Ying-jeou last year but relations between the two sides have worsened since the election of Tsai as president in January.

Washington remains Taiwans most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call, Trump said in another tweet.

Trump well aware

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

The White House responded to the call by saying that longstanding policy on China and Taiwan had not changed.

We remain firmly committed to our one China policy, said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was well aware of what US policy has been on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trumps team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time.

Randy Schriver, a former deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for East Asia, including Taiwan, under former President George W. Bush said he believed the call was primarily a courtesy.

China should have no objection ... They know better than anyone that contact between leaders does not violate a US one China Policy, he said.

However, Gerrit van der Wees, a former Dutch diplomat who lobbies on behalf of Taiwan, said the call indicated Trump would be less bound by conventions and restrictions in foreign policy and was signalling a broader change in US policy towards Taiwan.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy toward China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US military in part in response to Chinas increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Trump was entitled to change policy, but his approach was potentially dangerous.

Foreign policy consistency is a means, not an end. Its not sacred. Thus, its Trumps right to shift policy, alliances, strategy, Murphy, a Democrat, said in a note on Twitter.

But he added: What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy w/out any plan. Thats how wars start.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leaders office, as a terrific guy.

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill US soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a very engaging, animated phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trumps transition team made no mention of the invitation.
At least 38 people were killed in two separate Chinese coal mine blasts this week, according to death tolls reported by state media Saturday.

One blast occurred late Tuesday at a private mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province, trapping 22 workers, Xinhua news agency said.

Twenty-one were confirmed dead Friday night, it said, citing provincial authorities.

Rescue efforts were hampered by debris from the blast in some of the tunnels, according to an earlier report.

In a separate incident, a mine in Inner Mongolia was struck by an explosion that left at least 17 dead, according to figures from local authorities. An unspecified number of miners were still buried under the ground and rescue efforts were underway, Xinhua said.

China is the worlds largest coal producer and deadly accidents are common.

A further 33 miners were killed in a colliery explosion on October 31 in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, and in September at least 18 were killed in a mine blast in the northwestern Ningxia region.

Officials say the number dying annually in the countrys mines has fallen substantially in the past decade, to fewer than 1,000 a year.

But some rights groups argue the actual figures are significantly higher due to under-reporting in a sector with poor oversight.

Read more | 13 dead, 20 missing in China coal mine blast
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 3

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Russias special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev met with Irans President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran Dec. 3.

Lavrentiev discussed the latest development in Syria with Iranian president during the meeting, Tasnim news agency reported.

In the meeting, the two parties stressed the need for peaceful resolution of the Syrian crisis and political coordination in fighting against terrorism as well as mutual coordination in the international arena.

Lavrentiev also expressed Russias full support for implementation of the nuclear deal.

Rouhani, for his turn, said that the nuclear deal is product of efforts by seven countries.

A country must not be allowed to undermine the deal based on its own desire, he added.

Rouhani also underlined that for the sustainability of the nuclear deal, P5+1 members need to keep to their commitments.

Russian media reported that the countrys Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov will visit Tehran on Dec. 5 for further coordination on Iran-Russias counterterrorism positions.

Bogdanov will hold talks with Iranian officials on issues of mutual interest, the regional developments, particularly in Syria, and to discuss further coordination between Iran and Russia on their counterterrorism agendas.

Tehran and Moscow share the same stance towards Syria, supporting the Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Tehran has always expressed support for the Syrian government since it sees the Assad regime as its main strategic ally in the region and as a part of an "axis of resistance" against Israel.
US president-elect Donald Trump kicked off a fresh controversy on Friday when he spoke to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in a major departure from Americas decades-old China policy, a move that drew an angry response from Beijing.

A bristling China on Saturday dismissed the phone call as a petty trick by Taiwan, saying it will not have any impact on Washingtons One-China policy.

Chinas foreign ministry lodged a complaint with the US, with official Xinhua news agency reporting Beijing had urged Washington to cautiously, properly handle the Taiwan issue to avoid unnecessary disturbance to Sino-US relations.

China considers Taiwan as its territory and most countries, including the US, diplomatically acknowledge the island nation as part of one China. There have been no known contacts between a US president, or a president-elect, and a leader of Taiwan since president Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979.

In a readout of the call with President Tsai, the Trump transition team said the two leaders noted the close economic, political, and security ties exists between Taiwan and the United States. Trump also congratulated Tsai on her election earlier in the year.

The call was initiated by Tsai to congratulate Trump. After Fridays telephone conversation, Trump tweeted: The President of Taiwan called today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!

An hour later, as the call was criticised, he added: Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

The US continues to seal big defence deals with Taiwan despite having no diplomatic relations with it  the Obama administration approved a $1.83 billion defence agreement in 2015 despite protests from Beijing.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi described the call as a trick by Taiwan.

The phone call was a trick of the Taiwanese side and wont change the international consensus that there is only one China, Wang was quoted as saying during an interview after a symposium on international development and Chinas diplomacy in 2016.

The One China principle is the cornerstone of Sino-US relations and we dont want to see the political principle be disrupted or damaged, said Wang.

Since 1979, Washington has upheld the One China policy, which lays the foundation for the two sides efforts to develop relations in a full-fledged way and make bilateral trade the largest in the world. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) hopes the US changes its stance on the One China policy, but this is unimaginable, the nationalistic tabloid, Global Times, said in a report.

It added: The One China policy is a widely acknowledged principle in international relations and one of the fundamental rules that shape the contemporary international order. There is no motive in the US or the world that can break the principle, and no power to ensure that adopting a different policy can bring gains.

But was this a deliberate move?

Experts and observers cautioned against dismissing Trumps call with Tsai as a mistake or a blunder.

Many of his close advisers have long believed that the US has been pandering to China by not establishing contacts with Taiwan.

Trumps phone calls with foreign leaders  Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first, speaking to him on November 9  have come under increased scrutiny as he has conducted them without the advise of the state department.

Asked about a call with the Philippines president also on Friday, state department spokesman John Kirby told reporters, What I can tell you is we stand by to assist and facilitate and support communication that the transition team is having with foreign leaders. I dont have any specific  I dont know of any specific support that was provided for that call.

Trumps calls, a routine matter of protocol for incoming presidents, began to get attention when it was reported he spoke with UK Prime Minister Teresa May, a close US ally, much after many other world leaders.

His call with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made more headlines around the world than any of the others. He was effusive in his praise of the Pakistanis. According to a transcript released by Islamabad, Trump called Sharif a terrific guy, and Pakistan an amazing country.
Former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted photos on Saturday of his recovery in a New Zealand hospital after he was evacuated from the South Pole due to illness.

Aldrin, 86, who was visiting the pole as part of a tourist group, was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, early on Friday local time when his condition deteriorated.

Official statement about Buzz and his evacuation from the South Pole. He's recovering well in NZ. Full statement https://t.co/OacRI4577Z pic.twitter.com/QdrEaHuQHq  Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 1, 2016

He has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and is in a stable condition, according to his official website.

Aldrin appeared in good spirits on Saturday after receiving a visit from NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman at Christchurch Hospital.

I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend, he wrote on Twitter.

In the photos, Aldrin can be seen giving a thumbs-up sign and sitting in front of a tray of food and juice.

His manager Christina Korp, who travelled with him to Antarctica, posted photos on Thursday of the former astronaut walking over snow at the South Pole.

I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend @DavaExplorer @NASA Dep Administrator. She beat me to the South Pole by one day. pic.twitter.com/NMKEAcxs65  Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 2, 2016

Aldrin was a fighter pilot during the Korean War before joining the US astronaut program. On July 20, 1969, he stepped on the moon about 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong had taken the historic first step.

Their moonwalk was part of the Apollo 11 lunar landing was watched by a then-record television audience of 600 million people.

Read more | Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin stable after being evacuated from South Pole
US president-elect Donald Trumps call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders, the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwans president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a fantastic country full of fantastic people that he would love to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as terrific and Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people, according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems.

Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistans behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes, the New York Times said.

On Trumps conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call risks infuriating China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state, it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency.

In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.

NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his countrys separation from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.

Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obamas administration had been working to curb, NYT said.

Trump also praised Kazakhstans leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for fantastic success, in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayevs strongman rule.

According to the Kazakh governments readout of the call, Trump stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle.

The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

If you travel to the US you should let me know, he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party  a slap to May, NYT said.

Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added.

In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter.

The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trumps businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the U.S. government, with which she has no role, it said.
A former Nazi prisoner of war has left his entire estate in his will to a small village in Scotland to show his appreciation for the kindness he received there during his captivity.

Heinrich Steinmeyer, a Waffen SS soldier during the World War II, was captured in France and held in the Cultybraggan POW camp near Comrie in the Scottish highlands, where the 19-year-old received an unexpectedly warm welcome.

The acts of kindness began when local children reportedly befriended him through the fence and smuggled him out of the camp to watch a film at a nearby cinema.

Throughout his captivity, Heinrich Steinmeyer was very struck by the kindness shown to him by Scottish people, which he had not expected, said Andrew Reid of the Comrie Development Trust, which will administer the legacy fund worth 384,000 ($489,000, 458,000 euros).

The former German soldier stayed on to work in the Perthshire village for a time after the war and later returned to visit, making lasting friendships, said Reid.

He vowed to leave everything he owned for the benefit of older people in the place he wanted to thank, Reid added.

Steinmeyer died in 2013, aged 90, a fortnight after the death of George Carson, a close friend he had made in the village.

However, his estate has only now been settled following a lengthy legal process in Germany.

In his will, cited by the Comrie Development Trust, Steinmeyer said: I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter.

The money from the sale of his house and possessions will be spent on services for the elderly in the area, to be determined by members of the local community.

Carsons son, also called George, described his fathers friend as a wonderful man.

It sounds like an unbelievable story but its absolutely true, he told BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, recounting how his mother and her friends befriended the prisoner through the camp fence.

They discovered that Heinrich had never seen a moving picture, so, dressing him in a school uniform, they smuggled him out of the camp through the chain-link fence and into the cinema where he saw his very first film... He was absolutely blown away by the whole experience.

Mr Steinmeyer always maintained he was lucky to be captured by the Scots, said Reid.
At least 24 people were killed in an attack by the Islamic State militant group in the Iraqi city of Mosul on Saturday.

The news comes a day after IS militants launched an attack using two car bombs on Kanaos village in the south of Qayyarah, killing two soldiers and injuring 29 others, Press TV reported.

Iraqi forces recaptured Qayyarah, which lies on the western bank of Tigris river, some 60 kilometres south of Mosul, from IS late in August.

Iraqi media reported on Saturday that fierce clashes were underway between Iraqi security forces and the IS near Mosuls airport.

Iraqs Almada Press website reported that Iraqi forces thwarted an IS assault on the Aden district, east of Mosul, killing 13 terrorists, including the senior commander, Talaat Ahmed Fathi aka Abu Mohammed al-Iraqi.
Its not exactly an uprising on the scale of the 1857 revolt, but Hindu organisations, vegetarians and others in Britain are not amused at last week's revelation that the new 5 polymer note issued by the Bank of England uses tallow as part of its production process.

As the National Council of Hindu Temples (UK) recalled the use of tallow in cartridges that sparked the 1857 uprising in colonial north India, the bank said an extremely small amount of tallow was used in an early stage of production of the note.

The bank said: We are aware of some peoples concerns about traces of tallow in our new five pound note. We respect those concerns and are treating them with the utmost seriousness. This issue has only just come to light, and the Bank did not know about it when the contract was signed.

Information recently provided by our supplier, Innovia, and its supply chain shows that an extremely small amount of tallow is used in an early stage of the production process of polymer pellets, which are then used to create the base substrate for the five pound note, it added.

The supplier, the bank said, was working intensively with its supply chain and would keep it informed on progress towards potential solutions.

Amid reports that some temples in Britain were refusing to accept the new polymer notes, Satish Sharma of NCHTUK said: From the Hindu and Dharmic perspective, producing currency and casually incorporating substances which are derived from acts of violence upon vulnerable non-aggressive creatures is not the behaviour of civilised beings.

The 5 note ceases to be a simple medium of exchange but becomes a medium for communicating pain and suffering and we would not want to come into contact with it. Hindu temples are centres of positive holistic compassionate humanity and we can fully understand that Hindu temples would consider that they wish to remain free of a symbol of the wholesale barbaric slaughter of tranquil, vulnerable and fully sentient beings, he added.

The Hindu Forum of Britain widely circulated and encouraged people to complete a petition calling on the bank to withdraw the note, which had been signed by over 125,000 people by Saturday afternoon.

The new 5 note introduced in September was described by the bank as one that can survive a splash of Claret, a flick of cigar ash, the nip of a bulldog, and even a spin in the washing machine. It was introduced with the idea that it is cleaner, safer and stronger than the current cotton-paper generation of banknotes.

Of the four denominations - 5, 10, 20 and 50 - the first to be introduced in polymer form is the fiver, featuring an iconic image of Winston Churchill on one side and that of Queen Elizabeth on the other.

The fiver features Churchills portrait, and behind the portrait is an illustration of the Houses of Parliament.The hands on the Big Ben are set to the time on 13 May 1940 when Churchill made his inaugural speech to the House of Commons as Prime Minister.

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Pakistan has decided to send the Prime Ministers special assistant for foreign affairs to the US to meet officials of the Trump transition team.

Besides meeting members of the transition team, Tariq Fatemi, the special assistant, will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration, said Pakistans Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani.

President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take the oath on January 20 but he has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Fatemi, who is coming on a two-week official visit, is also expected to meet some members of this team and in Washington, he will also meet new US lawmakers elected last month, Jilani told a news briefing at the embassy.

This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections, Jilani said.

The visit follows a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Trump on Wednesday during which the US leader expressed his desire to continue a productive relationship with Pakistan.

The Trump-Sharif conversation has generated much interest in the US capital where the opposition Democrats and the media were both criticising the president-elect for talking to foreign leaders... without consulting US officials.
A 68-year-old Pakistani citizen has been arrested for attempting to import heroin into the United States with an aim to establish an international narcotics smuggling empire.

Shahbaz Khan was taken into custody by Liberian authorities on December 1 and brought to the United States. He was presented before United States Magistrate Judge James Cott yesterday, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara said.

Bharara said Khan allegedly had designs on establishing an international narcotics smuggling empire and sought to arrange for five kilos of pure heroin to be imported to New York from Asia, promising to supply hundreds of kilograms more.

Between August and October 2016, Khan participated in a series of telephone calls and in-person meetings in countries in Southwest Asia with undercover law enforcement officials who he believed were heroin traffickers interested in purchasing kilogram quantities of heroin for importing into the US.

Khan agreed to supply hundreds of kilograms of heroin from Southwest Asia, saying he could send heroin to the US, Canada, and anywhere else in the world, and that he was able to send the narcotics by plane or ship.

In late September, Khan travelled to a country in Southwest Asia where he met with the undercover officers and agreed to provide an initial shipment of five kilograms of heroin. He said once the five kilograms of heroin successfully arrived in New York City, he would begin supplying larger quantities of heroin on a regular basis.

If convicted, Khan faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
President-elect Donald Trump invited Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during a very engaging, animated phone conversation, a Duterte aide said on Friday, amid rocky relations between their two countries.

A statement issued by Trumps transition team, however, made no mention of an invitation.

Trumps brief chat with the firebrand Philippine president follows a period of uncertainty about one of Washingtons most important Asian alliances, stoked by Dutertes hostility towards President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defence ties.

The call lasted just over seven minutes, Dutertes special adviser, Christopher Go, said in a text message to media, which gave few details.

Duterte congratulated the US president-elect, the Trump teams statement said, and the two men noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that the two governments would continue to work together closely on matters of shared interest and concern.

In five months in office, Duterte has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the United States, making overtures towards historic rival China and pursuing a new alliance with Russia.

His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian countries wary about Beijings rising influence and Washingtons staying power as a regional counterbalance.

Duterte has praised China and told Obama to go to hell and called him a son of a bitch whom he would humiliate if he visited the Philippines.

The anger was unleashed after Democrat Obama expressed concern about possible human rights abuses in Dutertes war on drugs, during which more than 2,000 people have been killed.

Duterte initially expressed optimism about having Trump in the Oval Office, saying he no longer wanted quarrels. But he has continued to rail against US hypocrisy and bullying.

Republican Trump, a New York businessman who has never previously held public office, told Reuters during the election campaign that Dutertes comments showed a lack of respect for our country. But he also stressed the very important strategic location of the Philippines and blamed Obama for failing to take the time to get to know world leaders.
A student stabbed a psychology professor to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Friday in what was a personal dispute, authorities said.

Los Angeles police officer Meghan Aguilar said the professor was killed inside the Seeley G. Mudd building in the heart of campus. She said a male student was arrested without incident immediately after police arrived at the scene of the attack but his name was not released. Aguilar could not say who called police but said it wasnt the professor or the student.

Aguilar said the student was set to be interviewed Friday night and that his name would be released after he was booked.

USC President C. L. Max Nikias identified the professor killed as Bosco Tjan in a letter addressed to the USC community.

Tjan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center, Nikias said.

As the Trojan family mourns Professor Tjans untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts, Nikias said.

The USC Department of Public Safety said in a statement that investigators believe the attack was not random and was the result of a personal dispute.

Chris Purington, project manager at Tjans lab, said he never heard of anyone having a problem with Tjan  a married father of one son listed in public records as 50 years old  and had no idea who would have wanted him dead.

He was somebody who really cared about people. I know he cared about me, Purington said through tears. He mentored people and he looked out for them. He spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a mentor and guide people.

He said the professor gave him a job both after he graduated from USC and after graduate school at the University of California-Berkeley.

Purington traveled with Tjan for various science conferences and said that everyone knew and loved the professor.

People talk about scientists as very cold or robotic. Bosco is a guy that he could talk to anybody about anything, he said. He couldnt move through a room without being sidetracked in all these conversations.

He just had this energy about him. Kinetic might be the word, Purington said. He had a huge impact on my life.

USC was rocked last year by the beating death of graduate student Xinran Ji, who was attacked and beaten by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.

After Jis murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.

In 2012, Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot to death as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students. A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16 percent of the more than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.
The White House on Friday said there was "no change" to the United States' longstanding "one China" policy after President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Reuters reported.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."
Hundreds of thousands of protestors marched in Seoul for the sixth-straight week on Saturday demanding ouster and arrest of scandal-hit president Park Geun-Hye ahead of an impeachment vote in parliament.

Organisers claimed a turnout of more than one million for the candlelight rally in the South Korean capital, while police put the number at just over 200,000.

It was the latest in a series of massive anti-Park demonstrations and came just hours after opposition parties filed an impeachment motion that will be put to a vote by lawmakers on Friday.

Whether the motion is adopted or not, Park is firmly on course to become the first democratically-elected South Korean president not to complete a full, five-year term.

The 64-year-old stands accused of colluding with an old friend who has been formally indicted for attempted fraud and abuse of power.

Along with the now-normal slogans for Park to step down, there were growing calls at Saturdays rally for her to face criminal charges, arrest and imprisonment.

Dozens of life-size cardboard cut-outs of the president showed her wearing jail uniform and bound by ropes.

While the protestors want her out immediately, the political establishment is struggling to find a similar unity of purpose.

The impeachment motion introduced in the early hours of Saturday morning carried 171 signatures -- accounting for every legislator from the three opposition parties and independents.

In order to secure the two-thirds majority required for impeachment in the 300-seat national assembly, it will need the support of more than two-dozen lawmakers from Parks ruling Saenuri Party.

People in central Seoul attend a protest rally, calling for South Korean president Park Geun-hye to step down. (Reuters photo)

Shifting alliances

Just a week ago, the backing of enough Saenuri rebels seemed assured, but a rather confused resignation offer by Park on Tuesday strengthened the hand of her loyalists who insist she be allowed to step down voluntarily.

The party has since proposed she resign in April -- a timeline it justifies as more conducive to a calm and steady preparation for an early presidential election.

Observers say the Saenuri rebels are likely to fall in line with the proposal and vote against the motion on Friday.

The prospect of an April departure for Park will do little to assuage the public anger that has driven the mass street protests of recent weeks.

I no longer believe a word the president or her party says, said bank employee Kim Hak-Won who was marching Saturday with his teenage daughter.

How can we tell our children to respect the law when our own president refuses to do so? Kim said.

And there was widespread anger with the Saenuri party over what were seen as its efforts to block the impeachment process.

I am so full of rage right now, I could set fire to the party headquarters, said 30-year-old office worker Park Sung-Jin.

Lengthy process

But even if impeachment were approved by the assembly on Friday, Park would likely remain in office for some considerable time.

An adopted motion would still require approval of the Constitutional Court -- a process that could take up to six months.

Saturdays mass rally culminated in a march to the presidential Blue House, led by 50 protestors holding flaming torches.

Following a court order, police allowed the marchers within 100 meters of the complex housing Parks residence and offices.

As well as the huge crowd in Seoul, there were reports of large rallies elsewhere including 100,000 people in the southeast city of Daegu -- considered a staunch Park stronghold.

The scandal that has engulfed Park and paralysed her administration has focused on her friendship with long-time confidante Choi Soon-Sil.

Choi has been charged with meddling in state affairs and using her Blue House connections to force dozens of conglomerates to donate around $70 million to two foundations she controlled.

In a first for a sitting South Korean president, Park has been named a suspect by prosecutors investigating Choi.

As president, Park cannot be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason, but she would lose that immunity once she steps down.
Taliban militants hanged a university student in public in a village west of Kabul after accusing him of involvement in the death of a senior Taliban official, a local government spokesman said on Saturday.

Abdul Rahman Mangal said Faiz ul Rahman Wardak, a fourth-year student at Kabul Polytechnic University, was hanged in Sewaka village in Chak district, 60 km (37 miles) outside the Afghan capital.

He said local Taliban insurgents accused him of being involved in the assassination of a Taliban intelligence official named Mullah Mirwais.

He wanted to spend his holiday at home but was captured on Thursday by local Taliban and they hanged him in public, Mangal said. As soon as we got information, we tried to help him but the Taliban hanged him immediately.

Photographs apparently showing the body of the man, hanged by the neck from an improvised gallows, circulated on social media.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the main Taliban spokesman, said the case was under investigation. Once we finish our investigation and fact-finding, we will share the details, he said.

The Taliban, who US authorities say control or contest around a third of Afghanistan, have an extensive presence in Maidan Wardak, just to the west of Kabul, where they challenge the authority of the Western-backed government.
Thai police arrested an anti-junta activist on Saturday for defaming the monarchy in what rights groups said was the first case of lese-majeste brought under Thailands new king.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn formally ascended the throne on Thursday following the death of his father, revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died aged of 88 in October.

Police Colonel Jaturon Trakulpan, a superintendent in northeastern Chaiyaphum province, said Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, an activist who has staged several anti-junta protests, was arrested and charged with royal insult under Article 112 of Thailands criminal code.

We caught him at a temple, Jaturon said.

Thailands junta has cracked down on critics of the monarchy since it took power in a May 2014 coup. iLaw, a Bangkok-based group that monitors such cases, said they had increased since King Bhumibols death.

Read | Thailands crown prince returns from abroad to become King Rama X

Article 112 says anyone who defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent will be punished with up to 15 years in prison.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a rights group representing Jatupat, said in a Twitter post that he was charged with royal insult for sharing a link on Facebook to a BBC Thai-language profile of the new king.

Anon Chawalawan of iLaw said the case was the first royal insult case to be filed under the new monarch.

This post was shared many times. We question why he was singled out, Anon told Reuters. It might be because he has a history of staging anti-junta protests.

International rights groups and some Bangkok-based Western diplomats have decried Thailands harsh sentences for lese-majeste convictions.

Last year, two people received record jail sentences of 25 and 30 years respectively for Facebook posts deemed insulting to the monarchy.
Thomas Edisons door key to the 19th century lab in New Jersey where he invented the phonograph goes up for auction this weekend, along with lightbulbs he perfected.

Six keys in all from the famous inventors Menlo Park home and work place will be auctioned Saturday in Dallas, along with five lightbulbs, including two that he created. Heritage Auctions will open the bidding on the two lots at 11 a.m. EST.

The items were acquired by Charlie Knudsen, 69, of Pittsburgh and had belonged to his great-aunt. She was married to one of the attorneys whose law firm represented Edison in patent lawsuits.

Tags on some of the keys list the doors that they opened, including Edisons 1876 lab that became known as the invention factory. Another key says motor shed, and a third shop.

Edison had applied for about 400 patents, including improvements to the incandescent bulb, before he left for New York City in 1882, said Kathleen Carlucci, director of the Thomas Edison Center.

The lab itself was built by Edisons father about 30 miles northeast of Trenton and was the worlds largest in its day. Carlucci said it also was the first research and development facility.

The bulbs up for auction were part of a collection used in patent infringement lawsuits. One bulb in particular was used in a case where he (Edison) was able to prove he had a patent, Knudsen said.

After making lightbulbs commercially viable, the Wizard of Menlo Park turned his attention to New York City where he worked to develop an electric utility.

Squatters took over the abandoned Menlo Park property, raising chickens and crops, Carlucci said. Local residents held dances in the lab.

Today, Menlo Park is a national historic site and a state park. None of the original buildings remain, but a museum and education center highlight Edisons accomplishments.

A 131-foot memorial tower to commemorate his work on the lightbulb stands on the site. It was restored last year and its 14-foot tall replica bulb shines in the night.
US president-elect Donald Trump foreign policy stance is a mystery at the moment but India could be a key component of his plans for South Asia, American experts Alyssa Ayres and Daniel Twining said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Saturday.

They also said the real estate mogul could be more pragmatic once he assumes office and set aside some of the controversial pledges he made while on the campaign trail. They noted he had gone back on promises to bring back waterboarding for terror suspects and to prosecute his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Ayres, senior fellow for India, Pakistan and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, pointed out Trump was the first presidential candidate to make a campaign advertisement in Hindi and was aware that India is a major market.

New Delhi could be key to Trumps South Asia policy and he could even work with India on Pakistan, she said. Trumps outreach to Indian-Americans  including the advertisement in which he spoke of Aab ki baar Trump sarkar  was a reflection of this, said Ayres, a former deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia.

Twining, director of the Asia Program at The German Marshall Fund of US, described Trump as a rational man who can be persuaded and an American nationalist, not an isolationist. Speaking during the session on The new US president and South Asia, he said: Watch what he does, not what he says.

He noted there was a misunderstanding in India about the US-Pakistan military relationship. He said there had been a marked shift in the US militarys policy as American military personnel had seen their colleagues killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan.

Trump is probably going to be harder on Pakistan as he doubles down on India, Twining said. Besides, Indias vigorous economy would have a natural appeal for Trump, he added.

In some ways, Trumps election win could be compared to Prime Minister Narendra Modis victory in 2014 as both men wanted to shake up the existing ossified set-up, said Twining, who has worked with previous Republican administrations.

Trump could also take a harder position on China, and a planned build-up of the US Navy could allow Washington to move from a position of speaking loudly and carrying a small stick to a position of wielding a big stick, he added.

Ayres expressed concern that the US could lose its place as a key player in climate change negotiations if Trump walked out of the Paris Accord.

For other stories from Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, click here
US President-elect Donald Trump told Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte that Manila was conducting its deadly drug war the right way, Duterte said Saturday, in stark contrast to the criticism he received from President Barack Obama.

The Philippine president called Trump late Friday evening to congratulate him on his election victory with Trump wishing him success in his controversial anti-crime crackdown, in which some 4,800 people have been killed since June, according to Duterte.

He was quite sensitive also to our worry about drugs. And he wishes me well... in my campaign and he said that... we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way, Duterte said in a statement Saturday.

Duterte, 71, launched an unprecedented war on drugs that drew a wave of global criticism with Obama urging the leader in September to conduct his campaign the right way following concerns over alleged extrajudicial killings.

Trumps office released a brief statement following the conversation, saying Duterte had congratulated Trump and the two agreed to work together closely.

Duterte won presidential elections in May after pledging to kill tens of thousands of drug suspects, warning that otherwise the Philippines would turn into a narco-state.

Since assuming office, he has called on police and even civilians to kill drug users.

Duterte also said he would be happy to slaughter three million drug addicts, and likened his campaign to Nazi leader Adolf Hitlers efforts to exterminate Jews in Europe.

In October Duterte announced a separation from the United States and had called for the withdrawal of American troops from his country, putting into question Manilas 70-year-old alliance with Washington.

But on Saturday, Duterte said he could sense a good rapport with an animated Trump.

Video released by Dutertes office showed the Philippine leader laughing as he chatted on the phone, later saying Trump would would be a good president for the United States of America.

Duterte said the president-elect invited him to visit New York and Washington DC and he returned the favour by asking Trump to attend a regional summit that the Philippines is set to host next year.

If Im around, he wants to be notified of my presence, Duterte said.
President-elect Donald Trump kicked off a fresh controversy Friday when he spoke to President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan in a major departure from Americas decades-old China policy that could earn him a rebuke from Beijing, or a protest at the least.

There have been no known contacts between a US president, or a president-elect, and a leader of Taiwan, which China counts as a province, since the US broke diplomatic relations with the island nation in 1978, in pursuit of one-China policy.

In a readout of the call with President Tsai, Trump transition team said the two leaders noted the close economic, political, and security ties exists between Taiwan and the United States. Trump also congratulated Tsai on her election earlier in the year.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

As criticism bubbled up on news networks and social media, Trump pushed back, defending himself in a tweet: Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

He is right. The US continue to do big defense deals with Taiwan despite having no diplomatic relations with it  the Obama administration approved a $1.83 billion defense deal in 2015, despite protests from Beijing.

Trump has been criticized for showing complete disregard for stated US policies and protocol in his conversations with world leaders calling to congratulate him on his victory, and, as with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he has contradicted himself.

US media reported that the call to Tsai was possibly the first known contact between leaders of the two countries after President Jimmy Carter shut down US embassy in Taipei and broke diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1978.

The United States adopted a one-China policy after the historic meeting between President Richard Nixon and Chinas Mao Zedong in 1972. But a break in diplomatic ties has not stopped the US from selling arms to Taiwan, as Trump pointed out.

But was this a deliberate move?

Experts and observers cautioned against dismissing Trumps call with Tsai as a mistake or a blunder. Many of his close advisers have long believed that the US has been pandering to China by not establishing contacts with Taiwan.

The president-elects phone calls with foreign leaders  Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first, speaking to him on November 9  have come under increased scrutiny as he has conducted them without the advise of the state department.

Asked about a call with the Philippines president also on Friday, state department spokesman John Kirby told reporters, What I can tell you is we stand by to assist and facilitate and support communication that the transition team is having with foreign leaders. I dont have any specific  I dont know of any specific support that was provided for that call.

Trumps calls, a routine matter of protocol for incoming presidents, began to get attention when it was reported he spoke with Teresa May, prime minister of the United Kingdom, a close US ally, much after many other world leaders.

His call with Sharif made more headlines around the world than any of the others. He was effusive in his praise of the Pakistanis. According to a transcript released by Islamabad, he called Sharif a terrific guy, and Pakistan an amazing country.

It was the same country that he had been brutal abut in the past. Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend, he said in 2012, and later said he was worried by their nuclear arsenal and would like to involve India in doing something about them.
In reference to Donald Trumps conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, an influential US Congressman has said that the President-elect is unlikely to push back against Pakistan after he takes office.

I dont think anybody should have any doubt that Donald Trump will push back against Pakistan. Hes been very clear about that, Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger, a veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told CNN in an interview.

In this case, you have a statement from a transcript that maybe was or wasnt said that I dont think necessarily shows how Donald Trump will be when he comes to being the President of the United States on these very important issues, he said when asked about his phone call with Sharif.

According to the Pakistan PMO, Trump called Sharif a terrific guy and said he is ready and willing to play any role that you (Sharif) might want me to play.

Trump has been criticised by many foreign policy analysts in the US. I think its a little over the line to tell somebody. I will play whatever role you want me to play.

Obviously, as the United States, were proud of the fact that were the leader of the free world. Were proud of these alliances we have, but were also in the drivers seat in most of these alliances, Kinzinger said.

We need to be because of our values and systems. So, I think if that actually was said, and again, I dont have anything besides what I have just seen reported. If that was actually said, it was probably a bridge too far, he said.

He also stressed that Donald Trump is really new at this.

And I think as you kind of get your sea legs under you, as you learn about diplomacy and everything, maybe that changes. Maybe that tone changes, Kinzinger said in response to a question.
A powerful Congressional committee will next week hold a hearing on restrictions imposed by the Indian government on an American NGO.

The announcement for a Congressional hearing by the House Foreign Relations Committee came the day Colorado-based Compassion International launched a national campaign against the Indian Governments decision which it alleged is preventing it from sending funds to its more than 500 local child development projects throughout the country.

In three weeks, Compassion International - which provides critical tutoring, nutrition and medical services to children in India - could be shut down... Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said.

It is my hope that by bringing attention to this issue, 145,000 children will not be tragically denied services they desperately need. And then, relations between the two countries will be even stronger, said Royce, who is known as one of the best friends of India in the Congress.

He was one of the founders of the House Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and is its previous co-chairs.

Titled American Compassion in India: Government Obstacles, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has invited three experts for the hearing.

They are Stephen Oakley from Compassion International, John Sifton from Human Rights Watch and Irfan Nooruddin from Georgetown University.

Since the start of its humanitarian work in India in 1968, more than a quarter-million Indian children and their families have benefited from Compassions programmes, said Compassion president and CEO, Santiago Jimmy Mellado.

Our desire to continue serving these children has led us to encourage our supporters to request the help of their congressional representatives. We want nothing more than to comply with Indian law and find favour in the eyes of those with the power to authorise our ongoing care to these children who are suffering in extreme poverty, Mellado said.

Earlier in the day, Compassion International launched a nationwide campaign to protect its holistic child development work in India, where the organisation has operated since 1968.

Due to recent changes to the Indian governments interpretation and application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Compassion has not been allowed to send funds to its more than 500 local child development projects throughout India, it said.

This change has directly impacted nearly 145,000 children registered in Compassions program within the country, the NGO claimed.

The new rules required each of Compassions 580 child development centers to submit an application to the Indian government by October 31, 2016, it said adding that 63 of Compassions partners were denied FCRA approval.

Despite repeated requests, the Indian government has not provided an explanation for these denials. Compassion made the difficult decision to end its partnership with the 63 centers, impacting more than 14,500 Compassion children in India, the media release said.

Compassion is also unable to fund any of the remaining partners that received FCRA approval, it said.
US President-elect Donald Trump has assured Afghanistans leader in a phone call that his administration stands ready to up support to the country if necessary, a Kabul statement said Saturday.

If Afghanistan needs more security assistance, his administration, after assessing the needs, will focus on providing more security support, the statement released by President Ashraf Ghanis office read.

The statement cited a phone call between Trump and Ghani on Friday, the first official communication between the two since Trumps November 8 election.

President elect Trump praised the Afghan forces defence of Afghanistan and its people and emphasised that the US will continue to remain with the government and people of Afghanistan during his term, it said.

Fifteen years and hundreds of billions of dollars after the US led an invasion of Afghanistan to oust the Taliban in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the security situation in the country remains unstable.

Afghan police and army units took over providing security for Afghanistan from Nato in 2015.

Their first year was something of a disaster, when they sustained more than 5,000 fatalities and saw the regional capital Kunduz briefly captured by the Taliban.

Around 8,400 US and Nato troops are still engaged in assisting Afghan forces in the war against a resurgent Taliban militancy.

During the recent US election however, Afghanistan got scarcely a passing mention at debates between Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Nevertheless, the situation there will be an urgent matter for the new president.

On Friday, the chief US and Nato commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson said the Afghan forces had lost control of a small percentage of terrain they previously held.

Additionally, Islamic State group fighters have been trying to expand their presence in Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry have discussed certain issues of bilateral relations that were negatively affected by the decisions of the Obama administration, the Russian Foreign Ministry says, Sputnik reported.

The talks were held on Friday on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Dialogues Conference.

"Certain issues of bilateral relations that have seriously suffered as a result of the confrontational actions of the administration of Barack Obama were touched upon," the ministry said in a statement.

Kerry and Lavrov also discussed the Syrian crisis, as well as the situations in Iraq, Yemen and Libya.

Kerry, who has served as US secretary of state since February 2013, will leave office at the end of US President Barack Obamas term. Kerry and Lavrov are expected to meet again next week on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) conference in Hamburg, Germany.
Its a scene straight out of Myanmars dark past: a military offensive waged beyond world view that forces ethnic minority villagers from the smoldering ruins of their homes.

The US government, a key sponsor of Myanmars democratic transition, says a security crackdown that has displaced tens of thousands Rohingya Muslims and left an unknown number dead risks radicalizing a downtrodden people and stoking religious tensions in Southeast Asia.

The military moved in after armed attacks by unknown assailants on police posts along the border with Bangladesh in October. The attacks in Rakhine State were a possible sign that a small number of Rohingya were starting to fight back against persecution by majority Buddhists who view them as illegal immigrants although many have lived in Myanmar for generations.

The top US diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, is critical of the militarys heavy-handed approach and says the escalation of violence risks inciting jihadist extremism in the country also known as Burma. He is also calling on neighbouring countries, such as Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, to resist the urge to stage protests that could further stir religious passions.

Read | Rohingyas: Its a case of State policy-feeding terror

Assistant Secretary of State Russel told The Associated Press that, if mishandled, Rakhine State could be infected and infested by jihadism which already plagues neighbouring Bangladesh and other countries.

The plight of the Rohingya, once characterized by the UN as the worlds most friendless people, has attracted the attention of Muslim extremists since a spike in intercommunal violence in Rakhine in 2012 that left hundreds dead and forced more than 100,000 into squalid camps.

The Somali-born student who launched a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University this week reportedly protested on his Facebook page about the killing of minority Muslims in Myanmar. And last weekend, Indonesian authorities arrested two militants who were allegedly planning to attack the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta.

It has also raised hackles in the political mainstream. Malaysias Prime Minister Najib Razak, facing domestic pressure over an investment fund scandal, is reportedly planning to attend a protest in his religiously moderate country this weekend condemning the military operation in Myanmar.

Daniel Sullivan at the advocacy group Refugees International said increasing numbers of Rohingya are fleeing across the land border to Bangladesh, and the spike in violence could set off another exodus by sea.

Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled by rickety boats in recent years to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, but those routes have been blocked since a crisis in 2015 when thousands were stranded at sea.

The US and other nations have called for an independent investigation into the latest violence in Rakhine. Estimates of the death toll range between dozens and several hundred. Human Rights Watch said Nov. 21 that satellite imagery showed at least 1,250 buildings have been destroyed.

Read | Myanmar pursuing ethnic cleansing of Rohingya: UN official

With journalists barred from the affected area, its been near-impossible to substantiate reports of rapes and killings by Myanmar soldiers  the kind of conduct that has long blighted the militarys reputation in ethnic conflicts.

Adama Dieng, U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide, said this week that if reports of excessive use of force in Rakhine were true, the lives of thousands of people are at risk.

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was appointed by Myanmars civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in August to find ways to help resolve the communal tensions. On a fact-finding visit Friday, he said that security operations must not impede humanitarian access.

Thats been a repeated demand from the international community, including the United States, but its made little impact.

The UN World Food Program said Friday that since Oct. 9 it has been able to deliver food or cash to only 20,000 of the 152,000 people who usually receive assistance, and to about 7,000 newly-displaced people.

The Obama administration has diminished leverage. It was instrumental in ending the former pariah states diplomatic isolation as it shifted from five decades of military rule but the last US sanctions were lifted in October.

The militarys crackdown in Rakhine has also exposed the limits of Suu Kyis power. The Nobel laureates party won elections a year ago, but the military still controls key levers of government power, including access to sensitive border regions.

Human rights activists who once lionized Suu Kyi now criticize her for failing to defend the stateless Rohingya, but Russel defended her.

We all should have confidence in her judgment and not fall prey to the idea that she does not get it and she does not care. She does get it, and she does care, he said.

Read more | At least 10,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, says UN
The White House reaffirmed Friday its backing for the policy that recognizes Beijing as the sole government of One China after President-elect Donald Trump risked Chinese ire by calling the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, in a break with US norms.

There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues, National Security spokeswoman Emily Horne told AFP.

We remain firmly committed to our one China policy based on the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.
Today Ronnie Fieg opened the doors to KITHs brand new flagship store located at 1931 Collins Avenue in Miami just as Art Basel kicks off in South Beach.

In celebration of the brand new KITH boutique, the iconic Linen Air Force 1 was stocked on the shelves for all of the early birds who lined up outside of the shop prior to the grand opening, but there was much more Miami themed apparel inside for all who came out in support of Fiegs latest shop.

Miami has always been like a second home to me, and its been an important step Ive wanted the brand to take since our first pop-up there in 2013. This will be our most elevated store design to date, and I believe that we have something to offer the Miami customer that no other retailer can, Ronnie Fieg said.

The shop looks more like a palace than a streetwear boutique and will surely become a must-see destination for everyone in the 305. Check out some pics of KITH Miami in the gallery above and be sure to check it out if youre in the area.

KITH Miami
WASHINGTON - Two years ago, with the world awash in oil and prices falling, OPEC nations considered cutting production to prop up the market. Instead, they took a different path to curb supplies, choosing to keep pumping oil, a move that many interpreted as the beginning of a campaign to push down prices until U.S. shale drillers and other high cost producers were driven out of business.

But last week, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries called a pause in the stand-off, agreeing to cut production for the first time in eight years and signalling that whatever victory the cartel might have achieved, it was far from total. The two-year price war has driven scores of Houston, Texas and U.S. companies into bankruptcy, but it has also left the oil-dependent budgets of OPEC nations in tatters, creating large deficits and forcing their governments to burn through reserves to maintain public services.

And as prices recover, OPEC may find that its strategy has given rise to even fiercer competitors, who survived the worst oil bust in 30 years by becoming more efficient.

At an event here on Friday, Hess Oil chief executive John Hess recalled the words of the former oil minister of Saudi Arabia, Ali Al-Naimi, who, as prices headed below $30 a barrel earlier this year, said high-cost U.S. producers needed to "lower costs, borrow cash or liquidate." Hess told Naimi, who also spoke at the event, the former oil minster had proven to have "the right vision."

Oil Prices Interactive Written By John D. Harden

Copyright  Houston Chronicle 2016

Caption: In and up and down year for oil, OPEC's agreement to cut production sent crude prices to their biggest dollar gain since 2009. Click the button below to change the chart.

"Now the market is getting into balance," Hess said. "Producers have to compete and it has to be on the basis of efficiency and cost."

Few winners

Some analysts have viewed the deal to cut production as a retreat by OPEC, which underestimated the resiliency of U.S. shale drillers and hurt its members economies. Others say the cartel, by not intervening in the market earlier, accomplished much of what it wanted, lowering U.S. production and leaving behind a diminished U.S. shale industry. But ultimately, the extended downturn produced few winners.

Today, the oil industry finds itself in a very different world from the summer before that 2014 OPEC meeting, when crude was selling for more than $100 a barrel and investors were buying up any lease they could find. Since then, more than 100 North American oil and gas companies have filed for bankruptcy as of mid-October and the number of rigs operating in the United States is down below 600, less than one-third of the more than 1,900 rigs spread across the country two years ago. An estimated 350,000 workers have been laid off worldwide.

Despite a modest resurgence as crude has climbed from its low of $26 a barrel February to more than $51 Friday, the stock prices of Houston oil companies like ConocoPhillips and Apache Corp. are down more than one-third from the summer 2014. Lending to U.S. oil and gas companies has by and large shut down over the past 12 months, meaning the firms don't have access to the capital needed to launch new projects ,said Andrew Slaughter, executive director of Deloitte's Center for Energy Solutions

"Some of the U.S. independents have maintained strong balance sheets so they have financing capacity, but I would say that's the minority," said Andrew Slaughter, executive director of Deloitte's Center for Energy Solutions. "It's not something where you get a price (increase) and everyone can be back to work the next month. I think it would be an 18- to 24-month recovery process."

At this moment, ramping up operations is not a priority for many drillers. Oil and gas CEOs say they want to see prices in the $55 to $60 range for a sustained period of time before increasing spending. Following OPEC's move to cut production, many analysts are forecasting that prices could rise to $60 next year and $70 in 2018.

After turning what was thought to be worthless rock into a flood of oil, drillers around Midland and South Texas were forced during the downturn to hone their drilling techniques and logistics to lower the cost of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling that opened shale reserves. The challenge now will be seeing how much of those cost savings can be maintained as energy service companies like Halliburton and Baker Hughes unwind the deep discounts they offered producers during the worst of the bust and labor costs rise as companies try to lure workers back to the oil patch, said Michael O'Connor, a director at the consulting firm AlixPartners.

"They have to be thoughtful around maintaining their development costs, looking for the fields with the best economics," he said. "If they continue to do that they could grow their production, but they have to be disciplined."

'We tend to cheat'

OPEC's agreement to cut 1.2 million barrels a day gave a jolt to oil markets, with crude climbing 14 percent from Tuesday to settle at $51.68 a barrel in New York Friday. It was the highest closing price of the year.

In the days leading up to the decision, many analysts were skeptical that the cartel could make the deal. But, analysts said, these oil-dependent economies were also feeling the pain of stubbornly low prices. Saudi Arabia, for example, is running a budget deficit equivalent of 20 percent of the nation's economic output - double the size of U.S. deficit during the worst year of the Great Recession, according to the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. The Kingdom has pushed back major infrastructure projects, cut state employee wages and burned through $180 billion in financial reserves, a quarter of its coffers, as oil prices have languished.

At the Washington event Friday - staged by the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies - Al-Naimi, who was dismissed as Saudi oil minister in May, said that when OPEC met in 2014 , members like Algeria and Venezuela wanted the cartel to reduce supply - only were not willing to do so themselves.

"Nobody wants to take a cut except Saudi Arabia," he said. "There's still more supply than demand (now). If (the OPEC countries) make a concentrated effort to reduce, there will be a balance. But that remains to be seen. Unfortunately, we tend to cheat."

That tendency is among the reasons that many analysts and energy executives remain cautious about the OPEC deal. It won't be known until mid-February, when OPEC nations report production figures, whether cartel members are sticking with the agreement. In addition, the deal is contingent on Russia and other non-OPEC producers, which meet later this week, lowering their output by 600,000 barrels a day.

Even before the OPEC production agreement, there were signs that the glut of oil supplies were shrinking and markets stabilizing. The Energy Department reported that as of Nov. 25, U.S. stockpiles were down to 488 million barrels - a decrease of 24 million barrels, or 5 percent, since April.

For now, oil executives and analysts generally remain bullish on the future of the U.S. hydraulic fracturing industry. On Friday, Hess called it a business "still in its infancy" and said production from U.S. shale fields should hold steady at $50 a barrel and rise by 300,000 barrels a day at $60.

But finding workers to get those rigs up could provide the next challenge to the industry. After a severe downturn in which so many oil and gas workers saw their livelihoods disappear, enticing veteran hands back could prove easier said than done, said Bill Herbert, managing director at Simmons & Co.

"The bigger issues is not the solvency of the industry, it's going to be the labor force," he said. "We're in a full employment economy, and people who were laid off are not exactly going to be salivating to get back into the industry."
FMC Technologies

The last of the countries conducting antitrust reviews for the proposed merger between FMC Technologies and Technip has granted clearance.

Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense this week issued a clearance decision, according to a joint statement from the companies. Though subject to a 15-day waiting period, Brazil's OK moves both companies closer to forming a large global oil and gas drilling service company.
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Pecan trees rustled in the wind as Leanna Cox, a 22-year-old survivor of sex trafficking, discussed the importance of the place around her.

"You're coming into a community; you're coming into a personal kind of relationship and family," she said. "Deep down, that's what a survivor wants."

Here, on 84 acres in rural Fort Bend County, members of the group Elijah Rising are working to open a shelter for women like Cox. Organizers say it will help address an important - and vastly unmet - need in a metro area considered a hub for human trafficking.

In 2015, Texas ranked second in the volume of calls placed to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. Mayor Sylvester Turner this year launched an effort to combat it.

The facility being refurbished by Elijah Rising sits on the outskirts of the city of Kendleton, a predominantly black community of about 400 that was first populated by freed slaves. The space - for survivors of what has been termed modern-day slavery - is called Kendleton Farms.

The nonprofit, which began in 2010 as a prayer group, carries with it a certain defiance of the status quo. It's known for leading tours of brothels in Houston, Cypress and Katy.

More Information For information on Elijah Rising, visit www.elijahrising.org See More Collapse

The planned shelter stands in contrast to that work; it replaces urban spaces with pastoral ones, a sense of danger with a feeling of safety, daring with domesticity. The endeavor is one that Elijah Rising's founder, Cat French, acknowledges she didn't feel eager to pursue but realized they couldn't do without.

Bed space is scant for sex trafficking victims in the Houston area.

Another group, Redeemed Ministries, operates a small house in the Houston area. Arrow Child & Family Ministries runs a shelter for minors, called Freedom Place. Harris County offers help in its jail.

"When I get a referral for an adult, it's really tricky for me," said Shandra Carter, executive director of Freedom Place. "There's not this reliable source for stable care for women - adult women."

'Little to no shelter'

Kendleton Farms hopes to have 50 beds, but even that won't be enough. At Freedom Place, which serves girls ages 9 to 17, Carter says she can comfortably house 24. But she might receive 10 to 15 referrals a week.

Initiatives like Freedom Place, entering its fifth year, have primarily focused on serving minors, said Melissa I. M. Torres, director of the human trafficking research portfolio at the University of Texas. A push to meet the needs of adults came as a result.

"There's little to no shelter in place for victims of sex trafficking overall," Torres said.

Still, identifying victims needs also to improve, Torres continued. With minors, one doesn't need to prove coercion to define the selling of sex as trafficking. For adults, the line is murkier between prostitution, which is entered into of one's own volition, and trafficking, which is forced.

At Redeemed Ministries, Executive Director Dennis Mark said he and his wife realized the domestic, adult victim population was often the one with the least resources available, even if many were first trafficked as minors.

Mark and his wife started working with women in strip clubs. Eventually, law enforcement agencies asked if two trafficking victims could live in their home. They realized that if more women got out of the system, they would have nowhere to go. So the organization opened its adult recovery house in 2010.

Mark can speak in detail about the complex care they provide. Don't expect to work with jubilant women, he advises staffers. There may be anger, relapses. He, too, receives more referrals than he can handle, perhaps four or five a week. Early next year, the house is set to move to a new location with six to eight beds.

'There's a need'

"The bottom line is, there's a need for beds," he said, "and there's a need for programs."

Approximately 932 victims of sex trafficking got help this year at the Harris County Jail, said Jennifer Herring, director of re-entry services.

There, the women take classes on topics ranging from life skills to finances to yoga. Staff keep in touch for six months after they leave.

Women develop plans for when they get out, but it can be difficult when they're no longer in the jail's stable environment, Herring said. Staying free of the business can require overcoming issues like substance abuse and a history of victimization.

The key, Herring reasoned, would be mimicking safe environments that weren't jail.

In the past, Elijah Rising has taken creative approaches to help women who couldn't find a place to stay. At least one has lived with a staff member. If someone wanted to return home, a staff member could drive her.

YMCA International, similarly, might turn to a motel, emergency shelter or rental assistance to house victims.

The group finds that many wish to live with family or friends and would leave a shelter if placed in one, wrote Constance Rossiter, social responsibility director, in an email.

Still, the plans for Elijah Rising's new space extend beyond simply providing somewhere to sleep. Modeled after a facility in Nashville, Tenn., called Thistle Farms, the shelter will offer long-term care and opportunity for women to work in businesses they run.

Free services

The founder of Thistle Farms had realized that when women tried to re-enter society, criminal records and a lack of experience made it hard to get jobs, said Kat Milam, the director of education and outreach. Social enterprise consequently became an important part of their model.

With the success they've seen, the organization aims to help others start something similar. Milam said more than 35 similar programs across the country have since launched or are being planned, including at least one other in Texas.

"So often in this work, there's not enough resources," Milam said. "But in a community, you always have what you need."

Already, at Kendleton Farms, a room for a market is being decorated. Staff have planted produce to sell there, along with eggs from their chicken coop.

Several of the employees, including Cox, who works on volunteer engagement, have moved to the property with their families. They envision eventually raising cattle in an empty field, operating a boxed-water company in a gutted room and launching a wedding venue in the metal shell of what was once an auto shop.

Cox began as a volunteer with Elijah Rising before joining as staff. Now a mother herself, Cox said her parents trafficked her. She went through a rehabilitation program elsewhere. From that experience, she's been able to offer valued input for Kendleton Farms on how things should run.

"I am here to just make sure that, as a survivor, as someone who's been there, I'm here to know how it should be done, how to have this operated in a way where it is trauma-informed but also more family-oriented," she said.

It's important to offer services for free, Cox says, and to tackle issues at their root, rather than only work on symptoms, like substance abuse. She added that survivors need love and support, and a more personal program like that at Kendleton Farms.

"I finally figured out that this isn't just a program ... this is life," she said.

French, 56, came to the issue through a background in sociology. While teaching at Houston Community College, she began volunteering with groups combatting trafficking. It quickly frustrated her. No one seemed to understand how to stop the problem.

And so, in 2010, French organized the monthly prayer meetings.

For a year, the group gathered to beat drums and worship. In that time, an organization called to hire French to investigate sex-oriented businesses. She began inviting others to come see what she saw. Hence the van tours - and Elijah Rising - were born.

'Justice warriors'

Today, the organization's headquarters sit in what used to be a brothel. It shut down in 2013, when, French says, the landowner agreed to lease it to her if she would stop mentioning his name on tours. The structure faces the Southwest Freeway, just west of Chimney Rock. Inside, spaces once used for showers now display parts of a museum on sex trafficking

The organization, put simply, is waging war. They want to mobilize "justice warriors," as French puts it, to fight with prayer, awareness and intervention.

An important piece of the puzzle, rehabilitation, will require patience, acknowledges Evie Swayne, 32. She is being trained in horse therapy, which will be a main form of working with women at Kendleton Farms.

Piece by piece, the vision has come together. With help from donors, they've put together a counseling room, a clothing boutique and several bedrooms in the dorm they hope to open next year.

Getting where they are has required determination. When they learned of the property, once owned by a Christian college, they offered $750,000 - a third of the appraised value - and closed the deal in 2015. When their power went out, an electric company donated free labor and found a discounted transformer. And when their well busted, an organization donated one.

Said Swayne: "We've literally had to learn how to rely on miracles."
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GALVESTON  Family members of Toby Dean Cummins, who was shot to death earlier this week by a Friendswood police officer after allegedly stealing a beer, are describing him as a kind, charismatic man who roamed the country earning his living as a jack-of-all-trades.

"If he only had a dollar in his pocket and you needed it, it was yours," said Cummins' sister, Stephanie Mosley, 58, of Campbell, Calif. "He loved life and he loved being around people, that's his main thing."

Authorities said Cummins, 55, also of California, was fatally shot Tuesday after walking out of a service-station convenience store without paying for a can of beer. Police say Cummins displayed a boxcutter with the blade extended after being confronted about four blocks from the convenience store.

Friendswood Police Chief Robert Wieners said the officer, whose name was to be disclosed Friday, feared for his safety and fired his weapon. Bystanders said they heard three shots.

COMING UP: Friendswood police set to release name of officer in fatal shooting

Mosley said her brother had left Campbell a few weeks earlier on a bus bound for New Orleans in search of work. He stopped in the Houston area and then took a job building decks.

Cummins was ready to return to his sisters, as he always did after his forays, and had asked Mosley to send him a bus ticket, his sister said.

Another sister, Katherine Augustine, 60, of Reno, Nev., said Cummins would have returned to California this week. "All he had to do was get through one more night and he would have been on his way home," Augustine said.

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS: More details emerge about police shooting death

The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of three independent investigations, Wieners said. Police are conducting a criminal investigation into Cummins's actions; the department's internal affairs division is determining whether the officer violated police policy, and the Galveston County District Attorney's Office is reviewing whether the officer may have violated the law.
Apple Senior Vice-President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about the prices for iPad Pro on stage during a Special Event at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Sept. 9, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Stephen Lam)

People looking to buy a new tablet ought to wait for some more time, because a slew of new devices are expected to arrive in the market in 2017. Some of the best tablets rumored to be launched in 2017 include Microsoft Surface Pro 5, Google Nexus 7 or Pixel 7 and iPad Pro 2.



Advertisement

Surface Pro 5



Since the Surface Pro 4 is approaching is first anniversary, rumors are that the Redmond tech titan is currently working on a sequel. Earlier reports suggested that Microsoft has postponed a major update of Windows 10 until 2017 spring to correspond with the launch of a new hardware, Tech Radar reported. In all likelihood, the new hardware will be the Surface Pro 5.



Rumors also hint that the Surface Pro 5 will run on Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake processor. Moreover, the next-gen Surface Pro may come with 4GB/ 8GB /16GB RAM configurations and equipped with up to 512 GB on-board storage capacity. It is also expected that Microsoft will deal with the problems face by Surface Pro 4 users to deliver a seamless Surface Pro 5.



According to reports the next tablet from Microsoft will run on Windows 10 Redstone 2, in addition to supporting USB Type-C. While earlier reports suggested that the new tablet will be available as soon as January 2017, latest rumors hint that Microsoft will launch the device in the second half of 2017.



Google Nexus 7



Like its flagship smartphones, Google may brand its upcoming tablet, Nexus 7, as Pixel 7. Since the device will come from Google's stable, there is no doubt that the Pixel 7 will run on the tech titan's latest mobile OS, Android 7.1 Nougat.



There are rumors that the Pixel 7 will be equipped with a 7-inch Quad HD screen having a display resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. Inside, the upcoming tablet may possibly run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, and have 4GB RAM and Adreno 530 GPU.



Rumors suggest that the Pixel 7 may come with 64GB of internal storage; offering the option to expand the memory to up to 2 TB via a microSD card. In addition, it may boast a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera. If the Mountain View tech titan's plans are on track, eager customers may see the device on the shelves soon.



iPad Pro 2



Rumors are rife that Apple may launch three iPads in 2017; each with different display screens. The new iPads may be available with 9.7-inch screen, 12.9-inch screen in addition to a new model with 10.5-inch screen, DigiTimes reported. According to speculations, the new iPads may arrive sometime in Q1 2017.



Despite their different screen sizes, all the new iPads are likely to run on the company's A11 chip and have 3GB RAM. These new tablets are expected to come with 32GB/ 128GB/ 256GB internal storage capacities. Since iPads never come with a microSD card to allow an expanded internal memory, customers are hoping that the Cupertino tech giant will introduce a 512GB iPad 2 model.



Watch the iPad Pro 2 concept below:






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When Kathy and I were married, a pair of bamboo Japanese cranes graced the top of our wedding cake to symbolize the longevity of our marital bond.

In Asian societies, cranes are symbols of happiness and long life. American Indian tribes saw cranes as symbols of peace, leadership and good omens for fishing.

The Greek myth of Ibycus tells of a lyrical poet killed by robbers and avenged by cranes, and the Greek philosopher Aristotle saw flying cranes with leaders holding flocks in unison as a lesson for human societies.

Cranes are likely the most ancient of modern living birds. Fossil records for North American cranes date back at least 2.5 million years. Small wonder cranes symbolize longevity.

America's two species, whooping and sandhill cranes, already are settled on Texas wintering grounds.

Sandhill cranes are the most abundant worldwide, with populations exceeding a quarter million. The birds arriving in our area may come from Canadian breeding grounds.

The 4-foot-tall birds prance along nearby prairies on long thin legs and big feet, while holding their long necks in an S-shape. Plumed in gray and capped in red, the birds display an arresting bundle of rump feathers called a bustle. This distinguishes cranes from herons and egrets.

More Information Events What: Holiday with the Cranes on Galveston Island When: Dec. 10-11 Where: Various locations Activities: Lectures, field trips to see cranes, other birding field trips, private preserve visit for cranes at sunrise Fees: Variable by activity Info and registration: galvestonnaturetourism.org/holidaywiththecranes.asp What: Whooping Crane Festival When: Feb. 23-26 Where: Port Aransas Civic Center Activities: Boat tours to see whooping cranes, birding field trips, bird identification and bird photography workshops, trade show Fees: $20 registration, plus varying fees per activity Info & registration: whoopingcranefestival.org See More Collapse

They fly on 6-foot wingspans with outstretched necks while uttering chortles used to "talk" with each other.

Whooping cranes fly majestically on 8-foot wingspans and arrive on winter grounds at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge from their breeding grounds at Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta, Canada.

They stand 5 feet tall and strut like avian royalty wearing silk-white plumage, rouge crowns and black-trimmed wings. When flying, they seemingly announce their nobility with booming calls - like an introduction from military buglers.

While they are a symbol for longevity, the endangered birds actually cling to existence. They once numbered around 1,400, nesting on the Great Plains in the U. S. and Canada. But their numbers plummeted to about 18 birds in 1938 due to overhunting.

Work by wildlife agencies, conservation groups and governments enabled the whooping- cranes to rebound to a current wild population of about 330 at the Aransas refuge. Most of the population breeds at the Canadian park and then winters at the delicately if not precariously balanced prairies and marshes of the Aransas refuge.

Take time to see sandhill and whooping cranes. Every time Kathy and I watch the stately birds, we clasp hands like we did when taking our vows.
SAN ANTONIO - We are sitting in the lobby of a La Quinta Inn near Lackland Air Force Base, the desk clerk on a slow afternoon swabbing the floor around us with a mop, and I'm trying to imagine Gilbert Meyer, the elderly man sitting across the table, as a fresh-faced young sailor on a grand morning seven decades earlier.

The date is Sept. 2, 1945, and the 21-year-old fireman first class from Texas, a Pearl Harbor survivor, is standing on the crowded deck of the USS Detroit. Watching through binoculars, he's witness to the conclusion of the calamitous events the Japanese attack had set in motion nearly four years earlier. One of several thousand sailors aboard the 250 ships at anchor in Tokyo Bay, he trains his glasses on the nearby USS Missouri. He sees crowds of sailors, photographers and spectators leaning over superstructure railings, peering down at the momentous proceedings taking place on the main deck. Above them, the ocean breeze is whipping the flags of the United States, Britain, the Soviet Union and China.

Through the glasses, Meyer sees sailors in their dress whites in formation and helmeted soldiers with rifles at "present arms" forming an honor guard, as Supreme Allied Commander Douglas MacArthur, Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and other American and Allied dignitaries come aboard. The Americans are wearing their informal khakis or "suntans," collars open, no neckties, ribbons or sidearms. They are followed by the top-hat-wearing Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, and General Yoshijiro Umezu, along with other members of the 11-man Japanese delegation.

He watches as Shigemitsu steps forward and sits at an ordinary mess table, where he signs the Instrument of Surrender for the emperor and the government. Umezu, who had threatened hari kari a few days earlier, signs for the armed forces. MacArthur and Nimitz then lead 10 Allied signatories in turn. The formalities last 18 minutes. As they end, the sun breaks through low-hanging clouds.

Meyer is one of the few surviving World War II veterans who both lived through the Pearl Harbor attack and was witness to the surrender. He's one of six surviving veterans of the USS Utah, hit by torpedoes and sunk at Pearl Harbor. The oldest is 100; he's the youngest at 93.

When the torpedoes hit

A widower since 2003, the slender, occasionally cantankerous, old salt lives with his daughter near Lytle, south of San Antonio. He still drives, is still opinionated - journalists are liars, he told me; Trump is bad, but Obama is so much worse - and still stays in touch with the rapidly dwindling number of men and women who experienced firsthand "the day which will live in infamy." He's participated in Pearl Harbor anniversary ceremonies every year for the past 15 and will be in Hawaii again next week for the 75th.

Meyer was born in 1923, in Pelly, now a part of Baytown, where his dad worked for Humble Oil and Refining. He dropped out of school at 17 (although he graduated 20 years later) and in 1940 got his folks to sign his enlistment papers.

On the evening of Dec. 6, 1941, he was aboard the Utah, after being promoted the day before to fireman first class. The Utah, a target ship for bombing practice - flour bombs were used - had moored at Pearl Harbor the day before but not with the Arizona, the Oklahoma and the other vessels clustered at Ford Island that were sitting ducks for Japanese bombs and torpedoes. On that Saturday night Meyer remembers listening to the "Lucky Strike Hit Parade;" "Elmer's Tune," by big-band leader Dick Jurgens, was number-one that week. Later he watched a movie, drank coffee in the fire room and then stood watch from midnight to 4 a.m.

"I was dead tired," he said, "and when I got off, I went to bed." The galley stayed open until noon on Sundays, so he planned to sleep late and then have breakfast. At 8:01, he was still in his berth a couple of decks below when the first of two torpedoes slammed into the ship. He was on the starboard side; the torpedoes hit on the port side. The noise, he said, was like an electrical transformer being struck by lightning.

"The first torpedo hit, and I didn't think much of it," he said. "I didn't know what the hell was going on. I tried to get back to sleep, but just a few seconds later another torpedo hit, and I knew then I've got to get the hell outta there." The lights went out, the Utah was beginning to list to port and Meyer and his shipmates were trying to scramble up to the main deck. "You couldn't walk; you sort of had to climb," he said. "People were in front, and they wouldn't get outta of the way. There was a big, husky machinist's mate - I'll never forget him - and he just cleared 'em all out, and I followed him. Got topside and she had rolled so far you couldn't climb over the side."

'Loved the Navy'

He and two shipmates paused on the precariously listing deck and stared around them as ships exploded, black smoke billowed into the blue morning sky and desperate men jumped off sinking vessels into flame-shrouded water. It seemed unreal. "We were watching the war. It was funny for a young kid," he said. "I'd never seen anything like that - airplanes flying around dropping bombs, torpedoes. Then they started strafing us, and when the projectiles from the strafing hit the deck, they made a helluva noise."

It was time to go. Wearing only his skivies, Meyer slid down the hull into the water. "A lot of people in their diaries later on said there were barnacles, but I didn't encounter any barnacles," he said. "If there had been, I would have had a tore-up rear-end too."

A finger cut by shrapnel his only injury, he swam the 400 feet or so to shore. For most of the next two hours he watched the attack from a trench. He didn't know it at the time, but among the 2,403 Pearl Harbor casualties were 58 of his Utah shipmates, including his friend and fellow fireman's mate, John Reeves Crain. Chief Watertender Peter Tomich remained below decks and made sure the boilers didn't blow up, so his crew could escape. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions.

On the 10th, Meyer signed on with the USS Detroit, a light cruiser that had escaped serious damage. For the rest of the war, the Detroit was a convoy escort between Pearl Harbor, the South Seas and the West Coast and also saw action at Attu Island in the Aleutians, the first battle on American soil since the Civil War. He stayed in the Navy for 22-and-a-half years, seven ships in all, and then worked for the Air Force at Kelly Field in San Antonio, repairing guidance systems for planes carrying atomic bombs.

"I loved the Navy," he told me earlier this week.

He also loves seeing his old shipmates, said Houston nephew Al Peoples, who'll be accompanying his uncle to Hawaii. "He loves to talk," Peoples said. "Plus, they treat him like a rock star there."

Opinionated

Meyer told me his only child, a daughter nearing 70, isn't all that interested in his stories, his memoirs and his memorabilia. He blames Patty Hearst. They went to school together, he said. "Even though my daughter's conservative, some of those values rubbed off," he said.

I stared into his pale blue eyes to see if he was joking. He wasn't. He does have his opinions, I was thinking.

I had another thought: This is a guy who fought a war for the right to say what he thinks.
Sarah Rhea was out of town on a weekend business trip when her husband called, worried that their four-year-old son's fever, sore throat and cough were worse than the day before.

It sounded like it could be strep throat, which usually might warrant a trip to the nearest urgent care center. But the Rheas tried a handy new option, launched last month in The Woodlands: summoning a nurse practitioner to their home through an Uber-like smartphone app.

"She determined it was likely just a virus and definitely not strep," said Rhea, executive director of a Montgomery County non-profit. "But the great value was that it provided us peace of mind. That's no small thing when your child is sick."

The pilot program, a partnership between Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and a new Dallas-based startup called PediaQ, marries today's technology-driven clamor for in-demand services with the old-fashioned house call. Thanks to the tool, parents are able to quickly connect with nurse practitioners who can diagnose and treat common childhood injuries and illnesses during the off hours when pediatrician offices are typically closed.

There are a number of app-based services providing house calls in certain big cities  Pager, Heal, Medicast and Dispatch Health are the best known  but PediaQ says it's the first to cater specifically only to kids, not adults. It is the first of any kind of such services in Houston.

It's also part of a broader ongoing effort, from telemedicine to walk-in clinics in retail stores, to make health-care more convenient to the patient. Memorial Hermann officials say their partnership with PediaQ marks "an evolution" in personal pediatric health and represents their latest strategy to "transform the way health-care is delivered."

Primary-care experts offer mixed views on whether the transformation is a good thing.

"PediaQ's approach plays on notions of fear and the market rather than providing real added value," said Dr. Stephen Martin, a professor of family medicine and community health at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. "If it was being offered to kids on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, it would be more compelling. But this is just getting people with money to pay for additional health care, monetizing what should be happening in primary care anyway."

But Dr. Igor Shumskiy, a pediatric resident physician practicing at several Boston area hospitals and self-described house call advocate, said the Memorial Hermann-PediaQ program seems like "a great service that complements primary care." He said the model  patients get quality care at home, the family's pediatrician gets a report of the visit  is preferable to the family going to the ER, where the child may contract someone else's infection and the doctor rarely gets a report.

House calls were commonplace in the U.S. in the 1930s and 1940s, but died out as medicine became more technologically sophisticated. By 1980, they had become just 1 percent of doctor appointments, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.

PediaQ leaders in 2014 first saw the potential for the practice to make a comeback. Sensitive to parents' cries for more care options during after hours and millennials' push to obtain on-demand services, PediaQ determined nurse practioners could be a great source of home care. Increasingly, they are being given authority to provide care as one solution to the nation's shortage of doctors, projected to reach 90,000 by 2025.

The company launched in 2015 in north Texas without a hospital partner; in 2016 in Waco with Baylor, Scott & White Medical Center as its partner; and in 2016 in Houston, initially without a hospital partner but now with Children's Memorial Hermann. In that time, about a year, PediaQ nurse practitioners have provided more than 3,500 house calls in Texas.

The company plans to go national soon.

In Houston, the partnership is currently available only in The Woodlands and surrounding communities on weekends, with weeknights soon to follow. The plan is to expand services throughout the area if the pilot program is successful.

"For the last several years, parents have told us how nice it would be to have pediatric home visits," said Dr. Victoria Regan, senior vice president for Memorial Hermann's women's and children's service line. "Families today frequently have two working parents, parents who can't always get to doctors the next morning like they'd like. This helps them plan their week and know what to expect so they won't miss a lot of work."

The service works as simply as Uber. Parents open the app, plug in their information and request a home visit. Within minutes a nurse practitioner will call for details and make sure the situation doesn't warrant a trip to the ER. If the family still desires a house call, the nurse practitioner will arrive within an hour, armed with any necessary tests. The next day a visit report is sent to the family's pediatrician.

If the visit is covered by insurance  PediaQ accepts BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthCare  families pay a standard co-pay plus a $25 convenience fee (currently being waived). Without insurance, it's $150 plus the fee. Any lab tests are extra. There's no fee if a nurse practitioner doesn't make a house call after the phone consult.

The program seems bound to be a hit with parents, but is it a good use of health-care dollars? The business moved away from house calls because it was more efficient to bring patients to doctors; enlisting nurse practitioners during off hours changes the equation a bit, but it will still tie up well-salaried employees in a lot of drive time. It's also unclear if house calls will actually cut ER use: experts say studies have found that other "patient-friendly" ventures touted for having the same potential  telemedicine and retail clinics  don't result in a decrease. They function as additions to health-care use, not replacements.

Martin extols the value of house calls for patients who are vulnerable, newly discharged from the hospital or with transportation challenges. But he says most after-hours house calls sought by concerned parents would be unnecessary, involving either mild illnesses, such as earaches and sore throats, that can't be resolved overnight and can wait until the next morning; or more serious issues, such as neonatal fever and asthma flares, that need care at an ER or urgent care center anyway.

Martin says house calls for relatively healthy people is a perfect example of "the inverse care law" that characterizes so much of America's health practices: "the less treatment you really need, the more you get; the more you need, the less you get."

Shumskiy, who's conducting research on the subject, thinks a cost-effective house call business model can be achieved for under served inner-city populations. Eighty-five percent of such families his team interviewed, he notes, said they would love telemedicine and house calls and would prefer them to going to the ER.

Shumskiy adds that a home visit, with its window into how the family lives, provides the practitioner more patient information and creates a bond hard to duplicate in the clinic. He also notes the primary benefit of many appointments at a doctor's office is no different than that which families often get out of a house call  peace of mind.

"It made perfect sense to move away from house calls the past five decades, but this may be the perfect time to transition back to home care," said Shumskiy. "We can run strep throat screens and blood tests at home. Low-acuity cases don't need to come to the hospital or doctor's office."
A former Houston police officer accused of trying to hire an assassin to kidnap and sexually assault his wife and another woman was hospitalized last month after attempting suicide, his lawyer said Friday in court.

Clarence McNatt, 63, wanted someone to murder one or possibly both victims, police said after he was arrested. Court documents identify the targets as Mary McNatt, his estranged wife, and Marivic Milton.

In court Friday, a judge set bail for McNatt at $250,000 and ordered that he have no contact with the intended victims.

After the brief hearing, defense attorney Tommy LaFon declined to expand on McNatt's mental condition saying he is still investigating the situation and the allegations. A neighbor who said she has been friends with McNatt since 1978 confirmed that he had been despondent after a series of marital problems.

Prosecutor Anna Emmons said an emergency protection order was put in place to keep McNatt from contacting the victims. He would be required to wear a GPS monitor and have a curfew, she said.

McNatt joined the Houston police force in July 1982 and trained at the Houston police academy, according to records from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

He was suspended indefinitely in October 1986 for violating rules that govern outside employment, HPD spokeswoman Jodi Silva said. The Houston Chronicle has requested his personnel records.

Within months of leaving HPD, McNatt joined the police force of Ames, a small town in Liberty County where records show he spent just 16 months. A few years later he worked 30 months for the department in the Galveston County town of Clear Lake Shores, where he obtained an Advanced Peace Officer certification before he left police work in 1995.

McNatt's daughter by a previous wife said she attended the court hearing Friday.

"We are all doing the best we can and hoping for the best at this point," the daughter, 21-year-old Margarita "Maggie" McNatt, wrote in a message on Facebook.

Pasadena police arrested McNatt earlier this week after two undercover detectives posed as hitmen. The police had received information that he was looking to hire someone to kidnap and sexually assault two women.

McNatt offered to pay detectives $500 for the acts but eventually paid the officers $100 cash and three gold rings containing various stones.

When he was arrested, police said, they found items in his car that could have been used to bind and torture victims. Because of those items, he is charged with solicitation to commit capital murder and two counts of solicitation to commit aggravated kidnapping with intent to commit sexual assault.

McNatt was convicted in 1996 of the manufacture, sale or distribution of a decoding device. His punishment included a fine and a year of probation with the condition that he not consume alcohol and submit to monthly urine tests.

He remained in the Harris County Jail as of Friday afternoon.

Keri Blakinger contributed to this report.
The first shipment of heavy vests to protect Houston officers from high-powered rifle shots have arrived in the city and will be handed over to the Houston Police Department next week.

The 200 vests are part of a 600-unit gift from the Houston Police Foundation to HPD front-line officers following this year's sniper attacks in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., that killed several lawmen in both instances.

"These vests will stop just about anything," said Tilman J. Fertitta, the Houston Police Foundation chairman who is a billionaire businessman as well as chairman and CEO of Landry's Inc. "Remember, 95 percent of the budget of the Houston Police Department is labor. Only 5 percent is what they need to protect them in safety. ... We're able to give these police officers the right tools to do their job."

Each external vest will cover an officer's abdomen with a ceramic plate on the chest and another on the back to repel shots that could fatally damage organs. The 25-pound units are in addition to under-the-clothes vests that largely protect from handgun rounds. Each heavy vest costs about $289, according to Houston Police Officers' Union vice president Joe Gamaldi.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have been seeking ways to provide body-armor protection for officers, seeking vests, helmets and other technology.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and HPOU members were at the union headquarters near downtown Friday for the announcement about the first shipment of vests.

"I am just delighted for what has been done by the foundation, and I cannot thank the foundation enough," Turner said. "These Level IV heavy vests definitely make our police officers a lot safer in doing the dangerous jobs that they do every single day ... and I want to thank those who have given money to the foundation to help make this gift, especially, possible for our police officers."

The next 200 vests will be delivered this month, Houston Police Foundation executive director Charlene Floyd said.

Each vest can be passed along during the three shifts of a day, potentially protecting three officers in a 24-hour period. Stored in a backpack, a protective vest can be pulled out and placed over an officer's uniform in the event of an active shooter incident.

Gamaldi added that supporters hope to raise more money to buy additional vests.
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The first shipment of heavy vests to protect Houston officers from high-powered rifle shots has arrived in the city and next week will be handed over to the Houston Police Department.

The 200 vests are part of a 600-unit gift from the Houston Police Foundation and the 100 Club. The super-tough exoskeletons will shield HPD front-line officers following this year's sniper attacks in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., that killed several lawmen in both instances.

"These vests will stop just about anything," said Tilman J. Fertitta, the Houston Police Foundation chairman who is a billionaire businessman as well as chairman and CEO of Landry's Inc. "Remember, 95 percent of the budget of the Houston Police Department is labor. Only 5 percent is what they need to protect them in safety. ... We're able to give these police officers the right tools to do their job."

Built like a sandwich board with straps, each external vest will cover an officer's abdomen with a ceramic plate on the chest and another on the back to repel shots that could fatally damage organs. The 25-pound units will complement lighter, under-the-clothes vests that largely protect from handgun rounds.

Each heavy vest costs about $289, according to Houston Police Officers' Union vice president Joe Gamaldi.

The Houston Police Foundation - which exists to provides equipment and training HPD cannot afford - will purchase 400 vests, executive director Charlene Floyd said. The other 200 will be donated by the 100 Club, which mainly provides financial support to the families of fallen officers and firefighters in three dozen counties surrounding Houston. That organization, heralded by members with colorful car decals, also purchases life-protecting equipment for police.

With shipping, each vest will run about $300, Floyd said. Altogether, 600 vests will cost about $180,000.

Law enforcement agency leaders nationwide have been seeking ways to provide body-armor protection for officers through vests, helmets and other technology.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and HPOU members were among those at the union headquarters near downtown Friday for the announcement about the first shipment of vests.

"I am just delighted for what has been done by the foundation, and I cannot thank the foundation enough," Turner said. "These Level IV heavy vests definitely make our police officers a lot safer in doing the dangerous jobs that they do every single day ... and I want to thank those who have given money to the foundation to help make this gift, especially, possible for our police officers."

The next 200 vests will be delivered this month, Floyd said.

Each vest can be passed along during the three shifts of a day, potentially protecting three different officers in a 24-hour period. Stored in a backpack, a protective vest can be pulled out and placed over an officer's uniform in the event of an active shooter incident.

Gamaldi added that supporters hope to raise more money to buy additional vests. Interested donors can visit houstonpolicefoundation.org to contribute.
WASHINGTON - The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., at the hands of a mentally disturbed gunman sparked a heart-wrenching debate about gun control but little action from Congress.

Now, close to the four-year anniversary of Sandy Hook, Congress is poised to finalize health policy legislation with wide-ranging reforms for the nation's mental health system. Some of the provisions could determine how people with mental health issues - particularly veterans - can access firearms.

One of the chief architects of the reforms is Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who says new funding and treatment options could stave off the sort of gun rampage that erupted in Newtown on Dec. 14, 2012, when 20-year-old Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 children and six adult staff members before killing himself.

"I've always thought about Adam Lanza's mother," Cornyn said, "who, as she knew he was getting sicker and sicker  what sort of tools might be helpful to her to get him the treatment he needed."

Though passage of the $6.3 billion 21st Century Cures Act is virtually assured this week, it has not been without controversy along the way - largely because of mental health provisions aimed at keeping troubled people with mental illnesses out of the nation's streets and jails, and a contentious measure, which was dropped, that would have made it easier for some people with mental illnesses to get guns.

While much of the legislation focuses on cancer research and speeding up the delivery of new medical devices, drugs and therapies, the mental health reforms in the Senate bill are based largely on legislation Cornyn proposed last year promoting pretrial screening to identify criminal offenders with mental illnesses, in some cases diverting them to treatment.

It also mandates mental health court pilot programs, crisis intervention teams, and services for people with mental and substance abuse disorders.

No gun violence cure

Gun control advocates who were thwarted in their efforts to ban assault weapons and significantly expand background checks after Sandy Hook see mental health reform as a poor substitute for long-debated gun restrictions, scapegoating mental illness for America's problem of chronic gun violence.

Along the way, negotiations involving Sandy Hook families persuaded Cornyn to drop a Republican-backed plan restoring gun rights to certain mentally ill people.

Meanwhile, even as many mental health advocates have welcomed the bill's new funding for research and treatment - including $1 billion for opioid-abuse prevention - some have balked at measures that make it easier to obtain court-ordered care for people with serious mental illnesses who might otherwise not seek help.

"All of these coercive solutions seem to have been taken up by some people in Congress to say, 'Oh, we don't need to do gun control. We'll just force crazy people to take treatment and that will solve the problem,' " said Jennifer Mathis of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a group that advocates for the rights of people with mental disabilities.

Cornyn and other lawmakers who have spent years shaping the mental health reforms say they are focused primarily on providing pathways to treatment for people who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Though it has not been explicitly pitched as a gun violence prevention bill, its authors have frequently alluded to Newtown and other mass shootings.

The mental health reform's chief House sponsor, Republican Tim Murphy, a psychologist from Pennsylvania, said in a committee hearing last week that Sandy Hook stirred him to research untreated mental illness: "That horror is etched on our collective memories."

The overall health care bill was passed by the House on Wednesday with overwhelming support, 392-26. Six Democrats, including San Antonio U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, voted against the bill. Some cited concerns about provisions streamlining the approval process for new drugs and medical devices.

Twenty Republicans also voted no out of concern for increased federal spending. Among them were Texans Brian Babin, Blake Farenthold, Louie Gohmert, John Ratcliffe and Randy Weber.

A final vote is expected next week in the Senate. Cornyn said he is confident of passage, despite opposition from both liberals like Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and conservative groups like Heritage Action for America. Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is still reviewing the bill, according to a spokesman.

The bill also would mandate specialized training to better equip police to de-escalate conflicts involving people with mental health problems, an initiative patterned after a successful pretrial diversion program in San Antonio championed by Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau.

Mental health practitioners have generally backed Cornyn's proposals to decriminalize mental illness and emphasize treatment. But views differ on the bill's expansion of a procedure called Assisted Outpatient Treatment, which allows family members to seek court-supervised care for loved ones whose illnesses make them potentially dangerous.

Some experts say coercive treatments can be counterproductive. Others see them as a humane alternative to neglect.

"They're ending up in our jails or in emergency rooms and being boarded there," said Frankie Berger of the Treatment Advocacy Center. "Those are the worst places you can put somebody who is really sick with a mental illness."

Controversial provision

Even more controversial was Cornyn's original plan - since dropped - making it easier for some people with serious mental illnesses to buy firearms. Long-standing federal law prohibits people who have been involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals from having guns until their rights are restored by a court.

Cornyn's proposal, based on an earlier plan pushed by Cruz and Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, would have automatically restored patients' gun rights at the end of their commitment periods - unless authorities obtained another court order.

Cornyn and gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association, argued that further judicial proceedings are a matter of "due process" under the Constitution. But some mental health experts pointed out that mental patients are at a critical point in their recovery after they are released from a hospital. Gun control advocates also noted that it would allow former patients, no matter how vulnerable, to go directly from the hospital to a gun store. They also argued that it would weaken the FBI's background check system by invalidating hundreds of thousands of mental health records.

The Sandy Hook families also got involved, with the help of Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

"If someone is sick, it doesn't make sense for that person to be discharged and get their gun back," said Murphy, a Democrat. "It was never going to be part of this bill."

Cornyn eventually abandoned the provision. He also agreed to water down another that would have made it harder for the Department of Veterans Affairs to block beneficiaries deemed mentally deficient from buying and possessing guns. Under a compromise, those veterans are guaranteed appeals before being denied gun rights.

Gun control groups tracking the legislation say they can live with the compromise, despite a suicide epidemic that claims the lives of 22 veterans a day.

"It gives clarity and protections to veterans who may be dangerously mentally ill without pulling apart the mental health system," said Lizzie Ulmer of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Closing reporting gap

Cornyn, meanwhile, says the bill strengthens the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, known as NICS, by clarifying the scope of mental health records required to be uploaded and providing incentives to ensure that states promptly share their records.

Lawmakers on both sides of the gun control debate have long lamented the reporting gap that came to light after the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting rampage, in which Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year-old student, killed 32 students and teachers. A judge had declared Cho mentally ill two years earlier, but state authorities did not report it to NICS, allowing him to pass a background check by a licensed gun dealer.

Texas ranks in the top 15 reporting states - controlling by population. Last year, the Lone Star State submitted 262,069 mental health records to the national background check system, out of more than 1.5 million gun checks in the state.

Nevertheless, gun control advocates say the background check system remains woefully incomplete, notably because of the exemption for background checks at gun show and other types of private sales.

But amid the crossfire from left and right, Cornyn believes he's found the right balance: "It means we have it just about right."
Armed officers guarded a closed-door committee meeting. Discriminatory comments surfaced at City Hall. Latino-backed council members were hustled from chambers by police.

The accounts of perceived intimidation and back-door dealings were detailed during testimony in a closely watched seven-day trial of a federal voting rights lawsuit that wrapped up Friday in a Houston courtroom.

Now, U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal will decide if Pasadena violated the federal Voting Rights Act by reconfiguring its city election system, a ruling that is expected in time for February filing deadlines for May elections in which city council seats and the mayor's job are up for grabs.

A group of Latino voters filed the federal lawsuit, saying city leaders changed the structure of council elections in a deliberate attempt to quell the Hispanic vote.

"The city moved to dilute voting strength just as Latinos were starting to exercise it," said Nina Perales, lead attorney in the suit for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, in her closing arguments to the court.

City attorneys argued that leaders did not set out to diminish Hispanic representation by presenting an option to voters to change the city election systems. The growing Latino population has an equal chance to participate in the political process to elect their candidate of choice, said C. Robert Heath, a veteran attorney who specializes in voting rights and election law.

"No one said, 'Vote yes (on the ballot measure) to diminish Hispanic representation,' " he said.

Horrified by comment

The city's election system was changed to eliminate two of the eight single-member district seats and add two at-large council seats. The lawsuit says the change violates the Voting Rights Act by making it harder for Latino-backed candidates to get elected and leading to unfair allocation of resources.

The revisions came in the aftermath of Shelby v. Holder, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated the requirement for cities to get advance clearance from the Justice Department before they altered their method of holding elections.

Two days after the ruling, Pasadena's mayor, Johnny Isbell - who held the tiebreaking vote in all disputed matters - began drafting a proposal to reconfigure the election system, and it was approved by voters in 2013.

Witnesses testified that the mayor and his backers funneled money and resources to the mostly white, south side of town and tapped into those communities for support. The largely Hispanic north side, however, did not get similar resources.

A Hispanic Republican testified that she attended a meeting where a supporter of the charter change warned a restaurant full of white voters they should back the changes or city government might "turn blue." She said she was horrified by the comment because "blue" was code for Hispanic, since local Hispanics skew Democratic.

On the north side, however, residents faced battered sidewalks, pockmarked roads and backed-up toilets from flooding, Perales said.

Heath argued that the new election system did not dilute the Latino vote, offering expert testimony and copious demographic and election data to support the city's position.

Committee rejects

Under the old system with eight single-member districts, Latino voters had four preferred candidates on council and non-Latino voters had four.

But MALDEF argued that when one seat looked like it might tilt toward the Latinos' choice, the mayor feared he would lose control of the council.

Isbell then called for formation of a committee, which initially was billed as a bond committee but soon turned to revising the city charter.

The charter committee held a closed meeting with police at the door. One committee member, who testified under subpoena, said the committee voted 10-1 to reject the charter amendment, yet the mayor brought it before the city council anyway.

When the issue came up for a vote, one council member was removed from the council meeting after violating a new rule that limited members to two minutes of speaking time. Three of her colleagues marched out behind her and the remaining five votes put the charter proposal on the ballot. At another meeting, a council member was ejected for objecting to the mayor's position.

During the election, the measure passed by 79 votes.
After an extraordinarily contentious election, crucial elements of the rules that determine how Americans vote will be under assault from conservatives and facing legal challenges heading toward the Supreme Court as Donald Trump prepares to become president.

Trump's claims of a "rigged" election - made before he won - and his false declaration after his victory that "millions of people" voted illegally for Hillary Clinton made headlines.

They also amplified long-standing Republican claims that rampant voter fraud justified a welter of state laws making it more difficult to register and vote. Democrats say the laws are not about combating fraud but about suppressing the vote of minorities and other Democratic-leaning constituencies.

Trump will have enormous power to shape future policy on voting.

"The last time we had a national government that was as hostile to the protection of minority voting rights as we may have with this president was probably near the end of the first Reconstruction" after the Civil War, said Pamela S. Karlan, a Stanford University law professor, who was a deputy assistant attorney general under President Barack Obama until 2015.

Court victories

Such concerns could prove overstated. Beyond warnings of fraud, Trump has offered little specific about his views on voting rights. Four Trump transition officials did not reply to emailed requests for comment.

One conservative scholar of election law, Hans A. von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, called the worries "way overboard."

"The emphasis may be a little different," he said. "But this idea that when Republicans come in, they're suddenly going to stop enforcing the Voting Rights Act and other laws - the evidence doesn't bear it out."

Trump will take office at a pivotal moment in a battle over the rules governing voting and elections, one in which voting-rights advocates seemed to be gaining an upper hand.

At least two major voting lawsuits against the Texas and North Carolina state governments seem likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court. In both, federal courts of appeals this summer voided or modified Republican laws requiring voters to produce photo IDs, saying they disproportionately reduced minorities' turnout.

The court has upheld photo ID requirements before. But the new cases marshal far more evidence of their outsize effect on minority voters.

The Supreme Court also seems certain to address a second important question: whether majority parties in state and local governments can gerrymander political maps during redistricting, redrawing boundaries in ways that solidify their hold on power.

Gerrymandering has long been illegal. But while justices have said partisan gerrymandering is wrong, they have never decided whether they can outlaw it.

Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a linchpin of some of those cases, will fall to a Justice Department whose likely attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., is viewed with deep suspicion by civil rights advocates.

'Motor voter' law

One Trump adviser, Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state, is among the most aggressive national crusaders for voting restrictions.

Entering a meeting with Trump last week, Mr. Kobach was photographed carrying a sheaf of policy recommendations.

The visible text proposed to "Draft Amendments to the National Voter" - an apparent reference to the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, the "motor voter" law that has come under sharp attack from Republicans.

The law prohibits states from purging voters from the rolls for technical reasons like moving within a district, and imposes a waiting period and other requirements to remove voters.

Kobach, who once suggested that Obama was plotting to replace U.S. voters with socialist-leaning legalized immigrants, is the leading advocate of requiring everyone to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote instead of swearing an oath. Critics say the poor are far less likely to have those documents, and the costs of obtaining them essentially amount to a poll tax, which has long been unconstitutional.
Chinese Navy Admiral claims Chinese Air Force can Simultaneously Fight Two Air Battles against the US Navy

Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo. (Photo : PLAN)

An admiral of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) claims the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) can now fight in two separate warzones at the same time based on its first simultaneous mission over two strategic locations beyond what China describes as the "First Island Chain."



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The incredulous claim was made by PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhou, a member of the PLAN's advisory board on cybersecurity and a former national political adviser. He was also a committee member of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.



He regarded as "unprecedented" the PLAAF flying a small number of its aircraft over the Bashi Strait and the Miyako Strait at the same time for a routine drill in the western Pacific on Nov. 25.



Adm. Yin said the synchronized flights over two straits means that the PLAAF is capable of fighting in two seas at the same time. This is an incredible statement considering the PLAAF has fewer than 20 long-range aerial refueling tankers such as the Xian H-6U and Ilyushin Il-78 whose presence permits short range jet fighters like the PLAAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKK from operating far from shore.



Bashi Strait, which is 1,000 km away from the nearest PLAAF air base, separates Taiwan from the Philippines while the Miyako Strait lies between Miyako Island and Okinawa in the East China Sea.



"Flying over two straits at the same time is indeed a serious challenge for the PLA Air Force," said Adm. Yin.



"Even if warfare breaks out in the East China Sea and the South China Sea at the same time, the PLA Air Force is still capable of responding."



Previous to the Nov. 25 missions, the PLAAF conducted seven drills in the western Pacific.



The PLAAF said it accomplished its anticipated goals in the drill, and said it will continue to conduct drills in remote waters.



PLAAF will also maintain a "strategic capability in accordance with China's national interest."


LANSING, Mich. - President-elect Donald Trump and his allies have filed separate legal challenges in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in a robust effort to stop the presidential election recount efforts there.

None of the challenges immediately derailed the recounts in those states, but they promised to complicate them with more legal wrangling by Trump, groups supportive of him, state officials and Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate. Stein initiated the recounts and a successful fundraising drive after suggesting that voting machines were susceptible to hacking.

On Friday, Trump filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Appeals in an attempt to block the recount there, which had not yet begun.

Bill Schuette, Michigan's attorney general and a Republican, filed a separate lawsuit in a bid to halt the recount, saying that it put the state's voters at risk of "paying millions and potentially losing their voice in the Electoral College in the process."

In Wisconsin, a lawsuit against the state Elections Commission was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court by the Great America PAC, the Stop Hillary PAC and Ronald R. Johnson, a Wisconsin resident. The lawsuit said that the recount could "unjustifiably cast doubt" on Trump's victory in that state.

The plaintiffs argued that the recount, which began across the state's 72 counties on Thursday morning, should be halted immediately, in part because there was a substantial chance that it cannot be accurately completed by mid-December.

A U.S. judge said Friday he would not halt the recount but allowed the lawsuit to proceed.

Lawyers for Trump and his allies also are seeking to halt legal proceedings by Stein to contest the statewide election results in Pennsylvania.

The chance that these state recounts could reverse the outcome of the 2016 election was "essentially zero or infinitesimal," said Edward B. Foley, director of the Election Law Project at Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law.
WASHINGTON - The Republican-led House on Friday overwhelmingly backed a $611 billion defense policy bill that rejects a number of President Barack Obama's key proposals for managing the nation's vast military enterprise.

Lawmakers passed the legislative package, 375-34. The bill now goes to the Senate where a vote is expected early next week.

The bill, crafted after weeks of talks between House and Senate negotiators, prohibits Obama from following through on his longstanding campaign pledge to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The bill also bars the Pentagon from reducing the number of military bases even though senior U.S. defense officials said there is excess capacity, and it awards U.S. troops their largest pay raise in six years. Obama had recommended a smaller pay increase.

The bill would prevent the Pentagon from forcing thousands of California National Guard troops to repay enlistment bonuses and benefits they received a decade after they signed up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers would have to return a bonus only if a "preponderance of the evidence" shows they knew they weren't eligible to receive the money.

Even at $611 billion, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee lamented that more money is needed in the defense budget to restock the U.S. arsenal worn down by 15 years of conflict. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas said he is hopeful President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged during the campaign to spend more on the military, will ask Congress early next year to boost fiscal year 2017 military spending even further.

The defense legislation also authorizes a 2.1 percent pay raise for the troops - a half-percentage point higher than the Pentagon requested in its budget presentation. The Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said it's the largest military pay increase since 2010.

The White House Office of Management and Budget objected to the larger raise. A bigger increase, the budget office said, would upset the careful balance between competitive pay and acquiring cutting-edge equipment and training.

The bill blocks the Pentagon's planned reductions in the number of active-duty troops by prohibiting the Army from falling below 476,000 active-duty soldiers - 16,000 more than Obama's defense budget had proposed. The bill also adds 7,000 service members to the Air Force and Marine Corps.

House and Senate negotiators dropped a House plan to shift $18 billion from the emergency wartime spending account to pay for additional weapons and combat gear the Pentagon didn't include in its budget request. They elected instead to boost the wartime account by $3.2 billion.
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WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Taiwan's president on Friday, a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China even before Trump takes office.

Trump's office said he spoke with the Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing-wen, "who offered her congratulations." He is believed to be the first president or president-elect who has spoken to a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when the United States severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of the People's Republic of China.

In the statement, Trump's office said the two leaders noted "the close economic, political, and security ties" between Taiwan and the United States. Trump, it said, "also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year."

Trump's motives in taking the call were not clear. In a Twitter message late Friday, he said Tsai "CALLED ME."

But diplomats with ties to Taiwan said it was highly unlikely that the Taiwanese leader would have made the call without arranging it in advance, and Taiwan's Central News Agency hailed it as "historic."

Trump has shown little heed for the nuances of international diplomacy, holding a series of unscripted phone calls to foreign leaders that have roiled sensitive relationships with Britain, India and Pakistan. On Thursday, the White House urged Trump to use experts from the State Department to prepare him for these exchanges.

The White House was not told about Trump's call until after it happened, according to a senior administration official. The potential fallout from the conversation was significant, this official said, noting that the Chinese government issued a bitter protest after the U.S. sold weapons to Taiwan as part of a well-established arms agreement grudgingly accepted by Beijing.

Trump's call with Tsai is a bigger provocation, though the Chinese government did not immediately issue a formal response. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has adamantly opposed the attempts of any country to carry on official relations with it.

On Nov. 14, Trump spoke with Xi Jinping, China's president, and a statement from Trump's transition team said the two men had a "clear sense of mutual respect."

'Most sensitive spot'

Initial reaction from China about Friday's telephone call was surprise, verging on disbelief. "This is a big event, the first challenge the president-elect has made to China," said Shi Yinhong, professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. "This must be bad news for the Chinese leadership."

Official state-run media have portrayed Trump in a positive light, casting him as a businessman China could get along with. He was favored among Chinese commentators during the election over Hillary Clinton, who was perceived as being too hard on China.

Trump's exchange touched "the most sensitive spot" for China's foreign policy, Shi said. The government, he said, would most likely interpret it as encouraging Tsai, the leader of the party that favors independence from the mainland, to continue to resist pressure from Beijing.

Among diplomats in the United States, there was similar shock. "This is a change of historic proportions," said Evan Madeiros, a former senior director of Asian affairs in the Obama administration. "The real question is, what are the Chinese going to do?

"This is not only suggesting that the basis of the relationship with China may not be respected," Madeiros added, "but also that the Trump presidency is willing to give Taiwan enhanced status, perhaps equivalent to diplomatic status."

Ties between the United States and Taiwan are currently managed through quasi-official institutions. The American Institute in Taiwan issues visas and provides other basic consular services, and Taiwan has an equivalent institution with offices in several cities in the United States.

These arrangements are the outgrowth of the so-called "One China" policy that has governed relations between the United States and China since President Richard Nixon's historic meeting with Mao Zedong in Beijing in 1972. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter formally recognized Beijing as the sole government of China, abrogating its ties with Taipei a year later.

Reports of hotel plans

The call also raised questions of conflicts of interest.

Reports in the Taiwanese press said that Trump has explored building a luxury hotel as part of a major development next to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The reports cited the mayor of Taoyuan, Cheng Wen-tsan, as confirming that a representative of the Trump Organization visited in September and that Trump's son Eric planned to visit by the end of the year.

A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization, Amanda Miller, said the company had "no plans for expansion into Taiwan nor is Eric Trump planning a visit." She did not address whether an official had visited.

Donald Trump's call with the Taiwanese president came just as President Barack Obama delivered a more subtle, but also aggressive, rebuff of China: He blocked, by executive order, an effort by Chinese investors to buy a semiconductor production firm called Aixtron.

Obama took the action on national security grounds, after an intelligence review concluded that the technology could be used for "military applications" and help provide an "overall technical body of knowledge and experience" to the Chinese.

The decision is likely to accelerate tension with Beijing, as Chinese authorities make it extraordinarily difficult for U.S. technology companies, including Google and Facebook, to gain access to the Chinese market, and Washington seeks to slow China's acquisition of critical technology.

Trump has made little effort to avoid antagonizing China. He has characterized climate change as a "Chinese hoax," designed to undermine the U.S. economy. He has said that China's manipulation of its currency deepened a trade deficit with the United States. And he has threatened to impose a 45 percent tariff on Chinese goods, a proposal that critics said would set off a trade war.
Almost a year has passed since the Houston Police Department was last commanded by a permanent chief, so it's with both pleasure and a sense of relief that we're finally welcoming Art Acevedo to the helm of HPD.

The new chief takes over one of the toughest and most important jobs in our city, so we're not only counting on him, we're also rooting for him to become a great leader of our city's police force. And like a lot of other people who've bent his ear since he moved into his new office, we'd like to offer Chief Acevedo some unsolicited advice.

As our new chief probably knows, the police department he's now commanding has historically been a source of both pride and shame for our city, sometimes cheered and sometimes reviled. After a series of harrowing police brutality cases in the late 1970s, HPD underwent an unprecedented era of reform and emerged with a reputation for community-oriented professionalism that profoundly changed public attitudes about Houston's police force.

Given that history, we're encouraged Acevedo was unafraid of making unpopular decisions during his tenure as Austin's police chief. And that brings us to one of our most important pieces of advice for the new chief: Don't let the police union run the police department.

The union does indeed have its finger planted on the pulse of rank-and-file officers and often brings important issues to the chief's attention. But its recommendations, no matter how sincerely they're offered, are generally focused on the interests of members. The chief must have a broader perspective, protecting his officers while giving taxpayers the best results for their investment and ensuring that justice is meted out fairly.

Chief Acevedo is probably just finding his way around police headquarters - an old building we really need to replace - but we hope he'll meet soon with Harris County's newly elected district attorney and sheriff. Kim Ogg and Ed Gonzales have both been passionate advocates for citing and releasing low-level offenders who needlessly crowd our jails.

With a little ingenuity, the three of them might even free up enough law enforcement resources to catch more burglars, far too many of whom are breaking into our homes and automobiles without any fear of ever getting caught. We want to call the new chief's attention to a particularly sorry data point. Only 5 percent of burglary cases in Houston were cleared in 2015. So far this year, that number is up to 7 percent, but that still means roughly 93 percent of burglaries in our city go unsolved. We hope the chief agrees that's utterly unacceptable, and we need him to do something about it.

We also need him to clean up the mess surrounding the handling of body camera videos. Prosecutors, defense attorneys and journalists all complain they can't get their hands on video evidence. And all too often, officers' cameras were turned on too late to record critical incidents. This technology was supposed to increase transparency in law enforcement, but it doesn't do any good at all if the video is unavailable.

Mayor Sylvester Turner is already tackling the most complicated issue facing HPD, the pension fund problem that threatens our city's financial future. The plan the mayor and pension fund leaders have agreed upon will apparently cause a potentially serious staffing issue, because it has led some high-ranking officers to decide they'll leave HPD. Although it's troubling to lose professionals with decades of invaluable experience, we hope the new chief will see this as an unprecedented opportunity to reshape a department whose organizational chart seems top-heavy with assistant chiefs.

Finally, we encourage the chief to take a look at some incisive work done by a couple of citizen task forces that recently studied Houston's public safety and criminal justice systems. Shortly after he was elected, Mayor Turner assembled some of our city's best and brightest minds to come up with recommendations for his transition. They worked hard on these reports, and their insights on everything from body camera policies to Stingray technology to attracting more diverse cadet classes deserve consideration.

If Chief Acevedo looks in the lobby of the police headquarters building, he'll find a wall lined with photographs of former HPD chiefs dating back more than a century. And if he looks alongside Memorial Drive just outside downtown, he'll see a monument to the Houston police officers who've given their lives in the line of duty.

They're both sobering reminders of the solemn responsibility Chief Art Acevedo has just assumed, the duty to command the police force that protects us all. They're also reminders of why we all need to wish our new police chief the very best of luck in his new job.
Texas law is supposed to protect policyholders from the unequal bargaining power of insurance companies. Traditionally, insurers who failed to settle property insurance claims fairly and promptly were subject to penalties for bad faith, delays, attorney fees and interest. These penalties were designed to prevent big insurance companies from cheating consumers. Those protections are now under siege.

A growing number of Texas judges are gutting these consumer protections by treating eleventh-hour property appraisals as a kind of get-out-of-jail-free card. Faced with insurers who lowball claim settlements or delay payments for months or years, these judges don't force the insurers to pay any penalties so long as the insurer invokes and pays a last-minute appraisal of the original damage claims.

This judicial trend completely reverses the protections in Texas law. Insurers who used to be punished for not paying claims fairly and timely now are incentivized to lowball and drag out claims - knowing that many policyholders can't afford to pay lawyers, adjusters and engineers to defend their rights. When policyholders do pay such professionals to press a case to trial, the insurance company uses the last-minute-appraisal game to wiggle off the hook for any penalties. Insurers now have everything to gain and nothing to lose by failing to pay legitimate claims. They have been emboldened to the point where they'll even gouge a church.

One insurer stiffed Richardson East Baptist Church after a Dallas hail storm ruined the church's roofs in 2013. The insurer's representatives, claiming the roofs only required spot repairs, repeatedly put the damages at a third or less of the $32,713 that a roofing company quoted the church for replacing the roofs. Subtracting a $2,500 deductible, the insurer sent Pastor Wayne Lewis a $7,942 check. The church hired its own adjuster, who put the cost at $36,373. The insurer wouldn't budge. Seven months after the storm, the church filed a lawsuit. Days thereafter, the insurer demanded an appraisal. Mirroring the original roofer's estimate, two appraisers agreed that the roofs needed replacement, setting the damages at $30,175. The insurer paid the appraisal award, doubling its pre-suit claim payment. Though the church had to pay a slew of professionals to make the insurer honor its policy, a state district judge and an intermediate appeals court ruled that the insurer's last-minute appraisal payment absolved it of any other liability for stringing out the church's claim.

Reversing longstanding legal protections, this and similar cases invite insurers to stall and lowball claims unless - and until - they're on the verge of trial. The Texas Supreme Court is now considering hearing the church's appeal of this case. This appeal could give the state's highest court an opportunity to resurrect longstanding consumer protections for property-owning consumers and businesses. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick includes curbing "hailstorm lawsuit abuse" on his top-10 list for the 2017 legislative session. Patrick's diagnosis fails to recognize that policyholders typically hire an attorney only after an insurer has failed to promptly settle a legitimate claim.

The disturbing legal trend described above undermines the real value of every property insurance policy in Texas. Insurance companies wrote $7.8 billion in homeowner premiums in 2015; they paid out 52 percent of that amount to loss claims, according to the Texas Department of Insurance (loss ratios under 60 percent generally are considered profitable). Increasingly, your policy is not worth its face value until you have spent thousands of dollars to force your insurer to honor it. Only the Texas Legislature or the Texas Supreme Court can make policyholders whole again. Betting the ranch on either of these fixes is risky for Texas families and business owners, but it's their only hope. After all, nobody was covered for this particular insurance disaster.

Loyd heads the San Antonio-based Loyd Law Firm, which specializes in protecting the insurance rights of consumers and businesses.
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What happens when a Muslim comedian ends up sitting next to Eric Trump for hours? A supremely awkward conversation.

American comedian Mohammed Amer told The Huffington Post that he felt a strange vibe as he boarded a plane on Wednesday, but didn't know what was happening  until he got to his seat and saw Trump.

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"Sometimes God just sends you the material."

"You dont even know how fantastic this is for me," Amer said to Trump. "Im a Muslim named Mohammed who happens to be a stand-up comedian, and Im sitting next to you. Its perfect."

Amer made good use of his time as they travelled from New York to Scotland, pressing the U.S. president-elect's son on issues such as a proposed registry of Muslim immigrants.

Later, Amer shared a photo of his encounter with Trump on Facebook, writing: "Good news guys Muslims will not have to check in and get IDs. That's what I was told."

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Amer said the two had a "decent conversation," before Trump fell asleep and other passengers began taking photos of him.

The chat helped the comedian, who is of Palestinian descent, realize that people of different views can "talk about these things intelligently and work through the problems."

As a bonus, Amer said he got some great content for his stand-up shows.

"Sometimes God just sends you the material."

Also on HuffPost
On a reserve north of Saskatoon, University of Regina student Hanah Molloy had an experience shell never forget.

She sat with the medicine woman of Beardys and Okemasis First Nation, who showed her the natural remedies she forages and explained the significance of her position.

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To have a one-on-one experience with this woman was quite profound for me, Molloy, 25, said. We really got to feel the importance of her role.

Molloy is white, but has Plains Cree siblings. She comes from a long line of activists  her grandparents advocated for health care services in Saskatchewan and her father, Brian Rands, lived on a northern Saskatchewan First Nation to build relations with the indigenous community there.

Rands was also part of a student union movement to create bridges between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians, something she also aspired to.

Its kind of a birthright for me, Molloy said. I was just waiting for the platform.

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The perfect platform came along when she heard through friends about the Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE). Launched in 2009, the charity provides on-reserve experiences for young Canadians of all backgrounds.

Molloy stayed on the First Nation for five days with about a dozen other young people, getting to know her hosts and learning about the nations traditions.

It was such an honour to be a guest, she said. I really believe that we can learn from indigenous communities how to take care of each other  There was such a strong sense of responsibility and kinship.

Shattering stereotypes

The program focuses on shattering stereotypes and exposing Canadas youth to the side of reserve life thats not often spoken about.

If I ask a Canadian to describe a reserve  what theyll tell me is they see poverty, co-executive director Max FineDay said. They see broken people, they see addictions, they see crumbling infrastructure. Its never anything positive.

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What I see, and what the exchange participants see ... is potential. They see young people attending schools. They see their chief and council working to build new facilities for their community. They see higher-educated young people coming back to work in their home communities. And they see progress.

CRE organizes programs for youth aged 14 to 29 across the country every year. It also runs workshops to teach high school students about treaties and organizes an annual conference on reconciliation.

Were really walking the walk on reconciliation, said FineDay. Every level of the charity  from volunteers to chairs of the board  sees equal participation from indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians.

The friendship that Canada forgot

Its about building that first meaningful friendship with one another, which is what this nation was founded on  friendship between indigenous and non-indigenous people  that somewhere along the way Canada forgot, he added.

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Many Canadians are only beginning to learn the realities indigenous Canadians live with  and how much work it will take to build a new relationship.

People in my parents generation are beginning to understand they were robbed of the opportunity to learn about indigenous peoples and see them as more than just poor people with needs, FineDay said.

Canadian kids still learn more about medieval Europe than they do about our countrys own heritage  or even indigenous peoples current situation, said co-executive director vibhor garg.

People in my parents generation are beginning to understand they were robbed of the opportunity to learn about indigenous peoples ...

Program manager Sahar Golshan said shes proud to have grown up in multicultural Toronto as someone of mixed Chinese and Iranian ancestry.

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But I didnt know anything about indigenous peoples or the land where I lived, she said. I felt that there was something missing in my education.

Residential schools may have existed for over a century, but their deep and disturbing impact didnt come to the mainstream until 2015, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations peoples when he took office, critics say his government is really just offering more of the same.

Rather than waiting for government to take the lead, CRE staff want to create real-life reconciliation between Canadians of all races and religions.

Theres a big role for people of colour, newcomers, and refugees to play in reconciliation, Golshan said. We all benefit from the contact that Europeans had here and therefore we all have a role.

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That approach means that the program doesnt dispel stereotypes about just native people, but all marginalized communities.

Justine Wolfe, 20, visited Manitoulin Island as part of a CRE exchange in November. For her, it was a chance to learn more about people from Muslim, Hindu, and European backgrounds.

It was really cool how we all came together and learned from each other, said Wolfe, a Laurentian University student of Oneida, Ojibway and Potawatomi descent. I dont think there was ever a quiet moment.

The participants swapped phrases in Farsi and Arabic, with everyone noticing similarities in the pronunciation and meaning of certain words in their native languages.

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Wolfes group learned how to make hand drums, sacred items used for healing and connecting people in song. She shared the teachings her parents had passed down to her, and learned how they differ from the traditions on Manitoulin Island.

FineDay hopes the relationships forged during CRE exchanges will stay with participants for decades to come.

When these people are in their 40s and 50s in positions of power  I want them to think back and remember their friends, the stories they heard from elders about our worldview, he said. The promise of young people is so, so powerful.

Also on HuffPost
Spider-Man as seen in 'Captain America: Civil War' (Photo : YouTube/MarvelStudios)

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" is currently in production but very little has been revealed to the public. During the Comic Con Experience in Brazil Sony held a panel and unveiled an exclusive trailer for the crowd. While short, it does showcase Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) and a new suit for the titular hero.



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The trailer has not been released to the public but a description has been posted on Twitter, courtesy of Marvel Digital Media Executive Editor Ryan Penagos.



According to Penagos, the trailer is shot in a POV style and first showcases Happy meeting up with Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland). As an envoy for Stark Industries, Happy gives Peter a case. Inside is an upgraded Spider-Man suit. The trailer then showcases a random sequence of short clips from the film.



Happy's inclusion further points out that Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) will have a strong influence in the film. Tony Stark was responsible for giving Peter a proper suit in "Captain America: Civil War" and appears to be giving constant upgrades as long as Peter is his ally.



The suit itself appears to be based on the original Steve Ditko design, reported Movie Web. The most notable features are webbings under the arms, which reportedly allow Spider-Man to glide. It is noted that this will become useful in his battle against the main villain, the Vulture (Michael Keaton).



In the original comic books Tony Stark also made the "Iron Spider" suit but this suit was not shown in "Captain America: Civil War" and it is uncertain if it will debut in the solo Spider-Man film.



Cinema Blend reported Spider-Man is also shown in Washington D.C. In "Captain America: Civil War" it was established that Spider-Man was from Queens, New York and it is still unclear why he had to head to the capitol.



A full HD version of this trailer has not yet been officially released online. However, the trailer is stated to be attached to the theatrical release of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" this Dec. 16. Trailers are often released online a few days prior to their theatrical debut and the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" trailer may release before "Rogue One" launches.



"Spider-Man: Homecoming" releases on July 7, 2017.






A friend tells me that I'm wasting my time with my efforts to engage the conservatives of my very red congressional District (VA-06), using challenging weekly op/ed pieces in the region's newspapers.

He tells me that my efforts -- to bring their beliefs into alignment with reality, and their political allegiance into alignment with the values they claim to hold -- are useless. These Republican voters are trapped in the right-wing propaganda bubble. They will never listen to a liberal intellectual like me. In any event, their thought processes are impervious to evidence and logic. And he challenges me to adduce any evidence that my efforts are moving them at all.

We should just write those people off, my friend advises, and instead focus on defeating them. My attention should be directed not on moving these Republicans, but instead toward boosting the ability of Democrats to organize effectively at all levels to win elections.

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Is he right?

I certainly agree that working to make the Democratic Party more effective at winning elections is important. (Whatever criticism one may have of the Democratic Party, it is the only conceivable force to block this era's rogue Republican Party from continuing to demolish all that's best in American civilization.)

But on whether to write these people off, I emphatically disagree: I say that trying to cure what ails them is the central political challenge of our time.

Let me explain why.

**************************

If the election of a monster of a man like Trump to the presidency has shown us anything, it should have shown us that the consciousness of these people -- the beliefs they hold pertaining to the realm of American politics. the passions that drive them -- has now become the main reservoir of the force of brokenness that has taken over the political right over the past generation.

Would we not all agree that Trump's ascendancy to the Oval Office represents a major advance in the power of the force of brokenness in America?

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It is important that we recognize that the impetus for this advance of brokenness -- the rise of Trump to the presidency -- came from below, from the American public.

America now has a most dangerous presidency descending upon it because of the dangerous state of consciousness of the Republican electorate.

The Republican electorate inflicted Trump upon us in two stages.

In the opening stage, the decisive role was played by the 40% of the Republican primary electorate that was enthusiastic about making Trump the Republican nominee, contrary to the preferences of the powers at the top -- the Republican Party establishment and of the Big Money power (as represented, for example, by the Koch brothers).

Bottom up: it seems that the only ones who wanted Trump to become president, aside from Trump, were the grassroots.

Then, in the next stage (the general election), it was the willingness of the whole Republican electorate to rally around Trump -- along with additional support from other components of the American public -- that gave him the victory in the Electoral college.

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So this unprecedentedly dangerous Trump presidency is the product of -- and a reflection of -- a profound level of brokenness in the consciousness of a great many Americans.

(Anyone interested in the case for why support for Trump demonstrates this profound brokenness in the ways of thinking and feeling of his supporters can find the argument -- sketched in a few broad strokes -- below as a NOTE.)

All of which means that we have just witnessed a dramatic demonstration of a significant fact: the state of consciousness of the "conservatives" of America poses a great threat to our nation's well-being.

Given that this reservoir of broken consciousness -- false beliefs mixed with dark passions -- has shown itself (in the election of Trump) to be capable of inflicting major damage on the nation, does it not follow that among the battles to determine the destiny of America, that waged for the "hearts and minds" of the conservatives will be as important as any?

And should we not be wary, therefore, of any political strategy that would take that powerful reservoir of brokenness as a given, and leave a toxic state of consciousness of the people on the Republican side alone?

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(The second and final installment, which will be posted here tomorrow, will begin with showing how --over the course of the rise of the destructive force that has taken over the American right-- the sickness of consciousness in the "conservative" electorate has grown more and more central to the main political battle in America today.)

*****************************

NOTE: How We Know Something Has Gone Seriously Amiss in the Consciousness of Trump Voters

We should note how clearly the support for Trump demonstrates the profound and dangerous brokenness in the consciousness of the "conservatives" of America who have elected him president. This case I'll make here briefly with two main points.

Trump showed himself to be precisely the kind of person any sensible person/nation would most want to keep far away from power. He showed himself clearly to be

a bully, getting jollies from using his power to humiliate people;

a shameless liar, making things up to a degree unprecedented in more than two centuries of presidential candidates;

not only disrespectful for the norms American culture has used to civilize political behavior, but positively eager to trample on them;

profoundly ignorant, and to lack the capacity and/or desire to gain essential knowledge, and grossly arrogant in his unwarranted confidence in his understanding;

willing to exploit people by conning and/or stiffing them, for his own enrichment and advancement;

to be a narcissist for whom everything is about him.

Who in their right mind - if they saw all this -- would want to invest such a person with the powers of the presidency?

"If they saw all this." Which leads to the second point in making this case:

Trump demonstrated all this so blatantly, that the validity of that portrait should have been crystal clear to anyone paying even rudimentary attention to the campaign. Unless, that is, something had gone awry in their connection to reality and to their own moral/spiritual core.

And who in their right mind would believe, as Trump voters presumably do, that Trump was a person who would make things better-- that he would better their condition, and better the state of the nation?

Anyone watching the campaign should have been able to see that all of Trump's basic impulses are destructive. They should have been able to see that he was already systematically making America worse (e.g. with his impact of increasing inter-group tensions and hostilities, with his degradation of the norms constructed over generations to safeguard our democracy, with his degradation of our national discourse, etc.).
Fake news is an old story.

It has featured in domestic politics and international affairs since the beginning of time.

The British famously defined an ambassador as an "honest man sent abroad to lie for the good of his country."

A prime mission of the Central Intelligence Agency is to spread false news to influence the outcome of foreign elections. The very first CIA covert action manipulated the 1948 Italian elections. By its own later admissions to the House Select Committee on Intelligence, the agency forged documents and letters purported to come from the Communist Party of Italy (PCI) to besmirch its reputation and discredit its leaders; funded anonymous books and magazine articles vividly detailing alleged communist activities in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union; and, published pamphlets exposing PCI candidates' sex and personal lives and insinuating they harbored fascist or anti-church sympathies.

The CIA intervened with multiple covert actions costing between $800,000 and $1 million in Chile's 1970 presidential election with the hope of derailing Marxist candidate Salvador Allende. The Senate Select Committee found: "Propaganda placements were achieved through subsidizing right-wing women's and 'civic action' groups."

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It would thus be stunning if the Russian or Chinese intelligence services refrained from seeking to influence elections in the United States to their advantage by imitating the C.I.A.'s modus operandi abroad of spreading false news. Intelligence services do not play by Queensbury Rules.

In any event, prohibiting fake news would be problematic. Generally speaking, falsehoods and truths are both protected by the First Amendment. The United States Supreme Court explained in United States v. Alvarez (2012) that false statements may not punished unless they cause some demonstrable concrete harm, for example, fraud, defamation, or a miscarriage of justice. The Court in Alvarez invalidated a federal prohibition on lying about receiving military decorations or medals. In reliance on that precedent, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus voided an Ohio statute prohibiting malicious falsehoods in political campaigns for the purpose of influencing the outcomes.



Justice Louis Brandeis lectured in Whitney v. California (1927) that the customary remedy for bad speech or demagoguery is more speech or superior arguments, not enforced silence. He largely echoed John Milton's Areopagitica: "Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?"



Brandeis and Milton were too rosy. Mark Twain was more right than wrong in quipping that, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."

But prohibiting "fake" or "false" news would be a cure worse than the disease, i.e., censorship by other means. The government cannot be trusted with distinguishing fake from genuine news because it has ulterior motives. News the government dislikes would be conflated with fakery, and news the government approved would be conflated with truthfulness. Private businesses like Facebook cannot be trusted with distinguishing fake from genuine news because its overriding mission is to make money and to win popularity, not to spread truth. It would suppress news that risked injury to its reputation or profits but leave news that did the opposite undisturbed.

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The entire concept of fake news is troublesome. Candidates for public office routinely make statements divorced from truth. Was it "fake" news for 1968 presidential candidate Richard Nixon to maintain he had a "secret plan" to end the Vietnam War when he had no such thing? Is it "fake" news when candidates make fanciful promises to create millions of new jobs, cut taxes, balance the budget, and slash government spending which carry the plausibility of King Canute's stopping the tides? The lion's share of campaign speeches typically dwell outside the domain of credibility. Are they all "fake" news? They seek to persuade the audience to believe in a future they know is impossible.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes captured the optimal approach to fake news in his famous dissenting opinion in Abrams v. United States (1919):

"[T]he best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market...That at any rate is the theory of our Constitution."
In previous columns, I've made clear when I disagree with Pope Francis. But the pope was absolutely right when he called out the "virus of polarization and animosity" that is beginning to permeate the church. "Little by little," the Pope told 17 new Cardinals on November 26, "our differences turn into symptoms of hostility, threats and violence."

The Pope recognizes that people of good will can disagree, that in our efforts to address the world's problems, we can come up with different solutions. But he cautions us not to take those disagreements into the realm of judgement, where we believe ourselves the "good guys" and demonize those who disagree.

Frank discussion is good for the church. But not when disagreement descends into something mean and nasty, as it often does in the political realm.

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That's what makes one of President-elect Donald Trump's pledges so upsetting to me. He would throw all restraints off churches from engaging in full-throated political activism. As a Catholic, I don't want to belong to a church riven with political dissension.

During the Republican National Convention, Trump promised to repeal the Johnson amendment. The amendment, quietly tucked into the Revenue Act of 1954 by then-Senator Lyndon Johnson, barred churches and other tax-exempt charitable groups from engaging in partisan political activities.

Partisan activity jeopardizes two big benefits churches - and other charitable organizations receive - exemption from paying federal corporate and income taxes, and the ability to raise contributions that the donors can deduct from their federal taxes.

For more than half a century, the Johnson amendment has restrained churches, including mine, from issuing partisan calls to action from the pulpit. It also has meant that the contributions I make to my church are not going to be used to elect political candidates or support political parties I oppose.

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The faith we celebrate when we come together in prayer ideally will help us treat everyone we encounter in our workaday world with empathy and respect, even when it's hard to see beyond their party preferences.





The Johnson amendment isn't perfect. A lot of churches get away with a lot of partisan activity without the Internal Revenue Service levying any penalties. Nevertheless, it has been a good way to moderate what religious leaders do in public.

If we remove these restraints, I worry what will happen. As a Catholic, I am aware that U.S. bishops often take positions that differ greatly from the views of the Catholic laity. For example, while U.S. bishops consistently support a legal ban on abortions, roughly half of all Catholics express support for keeping abortion legal. Surveys have shown that Catholics in the pews have far more tolerance for gay marriage, couples living together, and birth control than church leaders.

Hillary Clinton lost the Catholic vote in 2016. But Catholics supported President Obama. The Catholic vote in 2012 is particularly telling, given that by then, the U.S. bishops had been engaged in a lengthy legal battle over the contraception mandate in the Affordable Care Act.

Certainly the Johnson amendment hasn't stopped bishops from hinting very broadly about their political preferences. But Catholics don't usually get threatened with hell fire if their votes don't reflect the bishops' public policy views.

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And the Johnson amendment has never prevented any church from getting involved in policy fights over specific issues such as abortion, contraception, gay marriage, immigration or our obligation to help those in poverty.

But to bring partisan politics directly into our houses of worship seems like a terrible idea. Right now, by and large, when I attend Mass, I leave my politics at the door. What would happen if our pastors started taking sides in elections and using the pulpit to do it?

Yes, there are churches where overwhelming majorities of members lean towards either the Republican or Democratic parties. But scores of religious denominations, including Catholicism, include members with varying political views.

In my parish, I know I am worshiping with people with political beliefs that disagree with mine. Part of my faith experience is meeting my fellow Catholics in a ritual that transcends politics. We all need love, forgiveness and tolerance. The faith we celebrate when we come together in prayer ideally will help us treat everyone we encounter in our workaday world with empathy and respect, even when it's hard to see beyond their party preferences.
Children often get caught in the line of divorce cross-fire. Secretly they wish it could all go away. Instead, they develop mannerisms and symptoms to cope with parental conflict. As time progresses, children witness silent hatred, alternating with a barrage of angry words. Not only are they ill-prepared to deal with their parents' anger, but they are cut off from having a framework for successful relationships.

The issues which manifest for children stem directly from their parents' inability to resolve their inner conflict. Before long, children become pawns in their parents' complicated negotiations. The wounds of the parents create problems for the children who are caught in the middle of conflict.

As a private court-approved mediator, I am called to help families resolve conflict. I am neither a therapist nor an attorney. I focus solely on mediation.

Most clients seek me out because they want an alternative to the legal system. They want a peaceful and confidential process for their divorce, probate, estate issues, co-parenting, and elder care disputes. In most of my mediations, I rarely wish I were an attorney. Legal merit seldom motivates my clients. (If it does, I encourage them to bring their attorneys to the mediation, or at least consult with him/her.) Therapists are an equally valuable resource for people in the midst of conflict. Sometimes I wish therapists were involved in the mediation process with me. They bring real value in helping people focus on the future for the sake of resolution. Therapists can cut through the psychological gridlock and help divorcing couples become unstuck. They have a unique insight into what motivates actions and desires during conflict.

As a divorce therapist, I help couples and individuals diffuse intense emotions so they can focus on what matters most--their children. What I see is divorcing couples often get so caught up in their own emotions that they can lose sight of what is in the best interest of their children. Divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster. There are days when everything feels good; other days, trying to get out of bed may drain the last drop of energy. Volatile feelings often lead to blame-based communication and further injury. The first step toward resolution is disengaging from conflict. Mediators and therapists can work in tandem toward a resolution that can put a stop to conflict.

Approximately 25% of US children live with only one parent. This is probably due to divorce, death, or parents who never married. By nature, children are resilient. They learn to cope with most situations if they have good role models. When parents are willing to communicate and connect in a positive manner, their children benefit and learn better-coping skills themselves. However, when children become pawns, they learn negative coping skills. Dealing with the inherent stress of divorce (reduced parenting time, financial instability, living in two homes, dealing with one parent relocating) while their parents fight in front of or through them is damaging to children. Here are some negative behaviors that can result from children being treated as pawns:

ANXIETY

Anxiety can arise when children don't know what to expect from Mom or Dad, what "sets off" Mom or Dad, or when they witness yelling matches and passive-aggressive behaviors. Children who are overly anxious may exhibit excessive anger, worry, sadness, oppositional behavior, troubled relationships, or poor school performance. Children who are caught in the cross-fire miss out on key developmental phases in which they learn kindness, understanding, and friendship. Instead, they struggle with self-confidence.

ESTRANGEMENT

Parental estrangement or parental alienation refers to a child's rejection of a parent. When children feel abused, used, or ignored, they may refuse to have a relationship with that parent. Parental alienation occurs when a parent is maligned until the child refuses or severs contact. When this happens, not only does the marriage fail, but the family does too.

LOYALTY ISSUES

These can arise after years of being asked to align with one parent over another. This goes against a child's natural inclination to please both parents. The child faces a quandary: no matter what the child does, it does not repair the situation. Often times, children are enlisted as the spokespeople for exchange times, school forms, or activities. They are not emotionally equipped to broker deals between their parents, and no matter what they do, they fall short of pleasing either parent. Children learn ways to move around this reality by manipulating and lying.

When asked by courts and lawyers to defend or decry a parent, the child may feel forced to choose a parent. Parents respond in turn, sometimes feeling rejected, and this further complicates the child's feeling of loyalty and how it is earned or displayed.

But parents can divorce differently, with dignity and civil discourse that models good behavior and cuts down on conflict and drama. Frankly, through mediation and counseling, parents can save money, time, stress and emotional collateral damages to themselves and their family. Here's how to divorce or co-parent through divorce mediation and therapy.

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

Leave the past where it belongs. The past is your history, and you need to focus on your future. Mediation focuses on the future. Therapy does too.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF

Marriages end. How your marriage ends is up to you. Be honest with the role you played up to the point of divorce. Decide that you need to divorce well for yourself and your child(ren). Therapists and mediators can help you confront your situation in a manageable and honest way.

Don't respond to angry e-mails. Instead, use a free platform such as talkingparents.com to factually document all your communication instead of using real-time, back and forth communication. This platform can save your sanity when dealing with a high-conflict ex or spouse who might have mental health issues.

SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP

You may be too emotionally invested to think clearly about your future and the future needs of your child(ren). A good therapist or mediator can help you pinpoint your needs and interests. Both will guide toward progress and how to stay positive. Mediators are more short-term and can come and go as needed. Therapists often work with you for a longer period of time. Therapists who specialize in divorce can provide a structured process and supportive guidance to help you diffuse the intense emotions resulting from divorce. Through divorce counseling, you learn to let go of the pain and move beyond the hurtful past.

BE YOUR IDEAL SELF

There are so many distractions. Try not to succumb to negative messages from people or the media. Instead, seek a higher ground. Focus on being a positive role model for your children even if it means meeting with someone to help that happen.

STAY CONNECTED

This may be the worst time to disconnect from family, work, or social obligations. Even though your family is transitioning, it's not right to cut off ties with your ex, family, friends or school. You need to stay connected and engaged for the sake of your children. Find and exercise positive ways to communicate and stay on top of your children's behaviors and needs. Don't let children take advantage of the situation, and do not take advantage of your children during this time period.

Divorce is hard (marriage is, too), but you have a choice in how you do it. With the help of good mediators and therapists, you can divorce better. You can do this differently. You owe it to your children to try. We believe that with some guidance, you can regain your confidence and get back to the life you want.
The Oscar folks ought to take their cue from the Gotham Independent Awards, which kicked off awards season November 28. Whoever's in charge, and that's got to include Frank PR, the Gothams are a helluva show. This 26th year there was a zaniness careening around the cavernous Cipriani on Wall Street, the event's usual site. Up on the balcony the braying melded in a great blast of bellini-infused egos. James Schamus, fresh off Indignation, seemed drunk on talk.

In keeping with the indie vibe, Anya Taylor-Joy, winner of Breakthrough Actor for The Witch, rocked a crinoline bordered in what looked like gosling peacock feathers. Cate Blanchett, who honored Amy Adams and professed an actor-crush on her, wore yuuge pastel frames and said "fuck" a couple of times. In a class by himself was Damien Lewis; he needed only to angle through the crowd in impeccable tailoring to be Fabulous.

A shared love of story telling was in the air, along with a mutual admiration of craft and solidarity among all the players in movie world. Well, the appearance of solidarity: it can't have been fun to lose; Lily Gladstone should have snagged Breakthrough Actor, dammit, for her turn as the farmhand smitten with Kristen Stewart in Kelly Reichardt's Certain Women.

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The only downside remained, as in previous years, the ambient sound from the audience during the actual awards. You'd think the entire room had just been released from a vow of silence. One presenter marveled, "If you start cursing and yelling they stop the chit chat." My table in Siberia included a couple who deserved an award for nonstop yakking. That's when they weren't canoodling, preferable, because it shut them up. Conceivably, they'd wandered in off the street, sneaking past the bouncers, in search of a warm, dimly-lit place.

The evening's big winner was Moonlight, a coming-of-ager about a boy growing up gay and poor in Miami, which collected 4 awards: for Best Screenplay, Best Ensemble, and the Audience Award. Repeatedly called back to the stage to be honored, director Barry Jenkins - surrounded by his cast -- seemed alternately dazed and amazed; he kept marveling, "but I haven't made a film in 8 years!" I have yet to see Moonlight but Jenkins already has me with the still of a man in the sea smiling radiantly as he holds a skinny kid in his arms.

The other big winners were Casey Affleck, sporting a weird pony tail and facial hair, for his turn as a janitor frozen by unspeakable loss in Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester by the Sea. It's a performance for the ages. His reedy voice, with its overtones of Appalachia, rings as indelibly as Michael Douglas's. On the podium Affleck looked more bewildered than honored. He seemed bemused that a role which allowed him to strut his outsize talent had not come along sooner.

This year, of course, politics were front and center. Emcee Keegan-Michael Key lead off by pretending he'd missed the election, and had to scotch a pre-written speech about Hillary Clinton as the next president. Unfortunately, I missed some of the jokes on account of the late-life lovers at my table. I wondered where Cate and Casey and Isabelle were seated. Damien Lewis - for him the crowd fell silent -- took a wicked swipe at America's electoral college. Oliver Stone, director of Snowden, and honored for making over fifty films, lent the evening gravitas, exhorting filmmakers to "stay independent. You can be critical of your government. The next president ... will have the authority to really close down the system in a way that is much more oppressive than it's ever been. The surveillance state, 1984, cyber warfare, drone warfare is with us."



This speech I mostly heard; the greying Casanova was deep in a kiss, two fingers to his date's carotid artery. "Why don't they get a room," a neighbor muttered. By now my table was deserted, a mini Chernobyl, with only a strapping, impassive guy remaining, maybe a bodyguard.

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The crowd gave it up for Ethan Hawke, honored for being ... Ethan Hawke. He joked that he'd been declared "washed up" at fourteen. Regarding the movie biz: "The only thing I know for certain: I'll be washed up again very very soon."

Loony Award for the evening went to Winona Ryder and her tribute to Hawke, a long, weepy aria that sounded more like a psychiatric breakthrough than a tribute. The charm of the Gothams: they allowed her to let it rip.
Today, it's more important than ever that our young people develop the critical thinking skills needed to solve tough 21st century problems.

In October, Michael Bloomberg gave the Museum of Science a $50 million gift. Calling the Museum, "the first teacher to have a profound impact" on his life, he said that on his frequent Saturday visits he, "learned to question, to think, to recognize just how much there is to learn about the world."

In one transformative act, the philanthropist, engineer, and three-term New York City mayor is offering millions of children and teens the opportunity to explore the world around them, just as he did at the Museum of Science. He believes that young people need the analytical skills associated with scientific inquiry to succeed as workers in every field, as citizens, and as future leaders.

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Mike also believes in the power of science museums to inspire. The key for him was our Museum's "hands-on exhibits" which "made everything come alive." Moreover, science and technology centers across the country are ideally suited to bring together people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to think and talk about challenging issues, spurred by new research and innovations. Students need to know much more than what's on standardized tests; we want them to learn how to ask questions, conduct research, and use that knowledge to solve problems.

According to the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), attendance at 151 U.S. science centers in 2013 was nearly 54 million. With resources that most schools don't have, science museums offer interactive activities involving realistic situations that can intrigue students who might not see themselves as "smart." Museum educators can demonstrate, in non-threatening environments, that problem-solving often involves trying and failing first. Just as museums need to invest significant time and energy prototyping, testing, and revising exhibits to ensure they meet educational goals.

Like Mike, I believe that science museums can inspire and foster critical thinkers in different ways. Here are a few examples:

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry engages visitors in large-scale experiments involving powerful natural events in its Science Storms exhibition. Visitors can test the vortex variables of a 40-foot tornado, set loose a tsunami in a 30-foot wave tank, or discover how fire reacts to different conditions.

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Museo Movil Interactivo is bringing interactive science to Mexico City's 22 million residents over the next five years. Visitors, guided by young scientists, explore the free mobile museum's exhibits on the brain, geology, scientific vocations, and the science of daily life. Museum general director Arturo Barba Navarrete said, "We want to show that science allows people to make better decisions" and helps address important problems.

A 2013 study by San Francisco's Exploratorium found that learning to ask good questions such as "What if?" or "How can?" often leads to more questions, more experiments, and better interpretations. Its Mind exhibition encourages guests to test their thought processes and emotions. For example, visitors drink from a water fountain resembling a real but unused toilet and explore their reactions. And conversations with a computer encourage museum-goers to question if its responses are evidence of consciousness. Visitors there also discover how expectations can cloud their ability to interpret new experiences. Other exhibits explore the process of decision-making.

Science museums and scientists across the country have been holding events and using kits featuring hands-on Building with Biology activities to spark conversations between the public and scientists about synthetic biology, a new field with exciting possibilities and concerns over potential applications. The goal is for the public to learn to make informed choices and for scientists to discover what the public thinks. Recently, Jefferson City, Missouri, Boys & Girls Club youth participated in kit activities about cells and DNA. Club educators appreciated both the science and, equally important, the "exposure to life skills."

Our own Provocative Questions exhibit addresses issues often deemed controversial: Should parents know the genome of their future or newborn child? Should scientists genetically modify mosquitoes to control disease? Provided with scientific evidence, visitors have discovered how their personal experiences and values can shape their decisions. Being explicit about the role of personal values and experiences can help people integrate science into different viewpoints and make them more open to other perspectives.
Podcaster newbies are launching shows into the digital marketplace at growing rates. Exactly how many? Data is unclear. However, according to an article by Josh Morgan, in 2015 alone, podcasters added some 5,000 new podcasts to iTunes US per month. A likely estimation considering iTunes currently has 350,000 active podcasts, up from the 325,000 The New York Times reported on in May 2016. The bottom line--podcast creation is growing. With it, so is the need for beginner resources.

Let's start with practical advice. I was able to connect with several industry leaders to offer tips to those of us who are novice podcasters, or interested in getting started. These well-known experts share proven tactics from their own experiences. Here's what they wished they had known before launching their podcasts:

___________________________________

1) LAUNCH WITH AT LEAST THREE PODCAST SHOWS ON ONE DAY

"When it comes to the one lesson I wished I had known prior to starting my podcast, truly it was wishing that I had launched with more than one at a time. I made the mistake of launching in 2010 with just one. And that's the time where you really want to hit hard because you want to give people--especially those excited about listening--opportunities to listen to more calls to action, to subscribe to the show, [to] increase your download numbers and to share your shows. Even with a large audience behind me already from my blog, I lost out on those potential opportunities.

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"To anybody launching a podcast: launch with at least three--five would be

preferable--all on one day. Make a big deal out of it. Make an event out of it and hit a home run," said Pat Flynn.

Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income and AskPat



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2) HAVE GOOD SOUND QUALITY

"Audio sound is so important. It's like within that first 30 seconds of your show and your sound is not good, I am going to turn it off and I am going to remember that it's not good. It's kind of like that Head and Shoulders technique, you only have one chance to make a first impression. Get good equipment, make it sound crisp and don't let [poor sound quality] be a factor for why people turn off. You can have good content but if the sound is crap, people won't be able to take in that great content. That would be what I wish I knew then," said Colt Cabana.

Colt Cabana of The Art of Wrestling with Colt Cabana



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3) SOLICIT HELP/ BUILD A TEAM

"I wish I had built a team early on. It's hard to create great shows alone--spread the workload with help," said Shannon Cason.

Shannon Cason of Homemade Stories



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4) STRATEGIZE FOR PODCAST GROWTH

"My one thing would be I wish we had understood how quickly a podcast could grow. I feel like we grew before we were ready. We were kind of in our infancy and we needed to be a little more prepared for that "New and Noteworthy" period," said Beth Silvers. "I would tell people to really, really think it through before you start putting your content out there for the world to consume."

Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics Podcast (Silvers on right, co-host Sarah Stewart Holland on left)



___________________________________

5) FACTOR IN TIME TO GROW YOUR AUDIENCE

"What's the one thing you wish you knew about podcasting before you began?" repeated Alex Blumberg of Gimlet Media. "That's a little bit difficult because I began podcasting almost at the beginning. I was working at This American Life and we began putting our radio show as a podcast pretty early on, probably about 10 years ago.

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"But before I launched the company? We're doing a particular kind of podcast. A podcast that is by design, high production, difficult to produce, and they require larger teams and a lot of time. And, in order to justify that time and expense that we put into our podcasts, they have to get large audiences. So, we have learned that you got to get the launch right and take your time in developing them so that they can reach as large an audience as possible.

"I wish that I would had known that we had to build in development time to our launches and that's something that we've started doing. That's a lesson that I learned."

Alex Blumberg of Gimlet Media, featuring podcasts including StartUp


GOLEM opened on 23 September 2016 at the Jewish Museum Berlin. Curated by the German American female duo, Martina Ludicke (German) and Emily D. Bilski (American), the breakthrough exhibition ushers in an essential new dialectic of the Shadow simultaneously into academia and the international art world in 2016.



The golem can look back on a long career, in Judiasm and far beyond. Its story begins in the Hebrew Bible and continues, in constantly new transformations, into the present day. The ancient human dream of creating artificial beings connects with today's world: genetic technology and artificial intelligence, computers and robots. All these endeavours to create a kind of golem.

--Peter Schafer, Director of the Jewish Museum Berlin



Indeed, the bible story of Enki, the Aquarian god, out to prove that men don't need a womb to create life as he fashions a human out of clay, might be taken for an Aquarian mythology. Yet, more likely, this mythology reveals the Shadow of the Aquarian Age neglecting the feminine role as an equal partner in natural creation as germination of a seed.

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The golems of Israeli artist Mira Maylor reveal the alchemical rite of centering the seed within the vessel.



Appropriately, GOLEM has seven chapters reflecting the seven levels of the Ziggarret where the hieros gamos was celebrated in ancient Sumer. These include: The Golem Lives On (the golem of computer games and action figures), Jewish Mysticism (juxtaposing medieival manuscripts with Golem recipes with contemporary artworks), Transformation: Art as an Act of Creation (the alchemical process by which the golem escapes its creator); Legendary Prague: The Myth Continues (two exhibition rooms revealing the legend of the 16th century Rabbi Judah Loew, who created a golem out of clay to protect the Jewish ghetto from persecution); Horror and Magic ins which the three channel installation of AE/MAETH by Stefan Hurtig and Detlev Weitz juxtapose clips from Wegener's cinematic masterpiece The Golem: How He Came into the World of 1920 with Frankenstein (1931) and more contemporary films); Out of Control, the Golem as Protector and Destroyer (exploring the narrative of the responsibility of creation reflected by exhibition objects); and finally, Doppelganger and Epilogue revealing the mirror image as Shadow permeating the culture.



Golem-Doppelganger, Fotografie um 1914  Deutsches Filminstitut, Frankfurt am Main, Nachlass Paul Wegener - Sammlung Kai Moller

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Today's leading Kulturindustrie theorist, Dr. Laurence Rickels, has been the pioneering interpreter of the Shadow in academia through his psychoanalysis of the popular genre of the horror film. His penetrating research of the past two decades reveals the vampire to have entered German literature through the doppelganger. The utilization of the terminology of doubling (Doppel) for the Shadow associated with the life-draining vampire is significant. This is the external projection utlized by the film medium of celluloid to evoke the internal barrier to human transcendence out of realism.





By way of his 2016 entry into social media, a dialogue on his Facebook page drew direct correlation between his terminology of "Vampire Integration" and Shadow integration, thereby creating a direct parallel between the Jungian terminology and that of continental philosophy:



The occult associates ego with Saturn, known as Old Man Time depicted with an hourglass, thereby projecting the inner barrier outward; Saturn is the last planet revolving around the Sun with the Earth that can be seen by the human eye. That the ancient cultures projected this feeling of fate onto the planets (the wanderers) established the art of astrological prediction. Saturn represented the ego boundaries to the transcendental expression of the outer planets that could not be seen, but only felt in fleeting impressions of the spirit. The effect of this energy on the human body is that of time and therefore as fate, i.e. the agonizing feeling that the outcome of events is a result of measures adopted through time reaching a culmination that is beyond human means of control.



The Spanish artist Jorge Gil discussing his golems on opening day.

The monstrous golems created by the binary media as a result of political turmoil provided the fissure in the collective to usher in a dialectic of the Shadow into western art and the academy at the same time. The first target required the revival of Carl Jung, not as a philosopher or prophet, but as artist, with The Red Book as the literal centerpiece of the 2013 Venice Biennale. Subsequently, it means revealing the founder of depth psychology's personal process of penetration into the archetypes of the collective unconscious by means of ego breakdown. Once confronted at the border that had both internal and external meaning for his breakthrough, Jung was capable of interpreting the Shadow as a universal archetype.

The birth of a new astrological age, Joseph Campbell informed us, is accompanied by the archetypes of a new mythology. These will surround the icon that Jung referred to as the Self and Wolfgang Pauli interpreted, along with Richard Tarnas, as the ancient icon of the hieros gamos.

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The ways that contemporary artists can give form to this newly emerging archeytpe and its Shadow are as numerous as the artists' themselves. I have personally confronted the mythology of this human awakening in the studio of the Manhattan artist Barbara Rachko, whose "Black Paintings" are the apothesis of this former Naval commander's process of loosening ego control and entering the hieros gamos of right/left brain to filter the personal and collective Shadow into her narrative trajectory after her husband was killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.



If Andres Serrano were a painter, he would do a Barbara Rashko. Indeed, the ascent of an erotic consciousness that Serrano initiated in the hyperrealist medium of photography now extends to canvas; Barbara Rachko newly interprets painting as the subject/object "capturing site" of the 360-degree perspective of the hieros gamos. (Barbara Rachko "Black Paintings" Pastel on Paper 2009-2016 screenshot from www.barbararachko.com).



GOLEM is the authentic irony of our current epoch: the Monster that breaks down the wall between ego and the uncertain realm of dark energy has the sheer force to explode boundaries between the art world and the academy while pointing towards the human transcendence that comes with surrender into the 96 percent unseen universe.

Dr. Lisa Paul Streitfeld is a Kulturindustrie theorist and critic. Her 2016 dissertation is entitled "UBERMENSCH: Nietzsche, Salome & the Ages of Aquarius". See HERMENEUTICS OF NEW MODERNISM for writings on the Shadow dialectic.

Dr. Streitfeld will be presenting "Excavating the Templar Treasure: Re/Searching the Hieros Gamos in Artistic & Critical Practice" on December 4, 2016 at the CARU Arts re Search Conference 2016 at Oxford Brooks University, Oxford:

"What does it mean to research art / to research through art?"

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My uncle served on the front lines of Germany in World War II. And, like most heroes of his generation, he didn't talk much about it. But as the years passed, I was lucky enough to hear a few first hand experiences of that time in history. Usually over early morning scrambled eggs when he and my father would visit.

One of those stories was about a fellow serviceman who became a lifelong friend. This man had been a POW. Then escaped. Forced to hide in a cave for nearly two years, he survived only through the bravery and kindness of a German family who risked their own wellbeing to sneak him food.

Hearing this story taught me that the battles of justice and equality are not always fought on the front lines. And sometimes you find allies where you least expect them.

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In today's fight for justice and equality, which seems to have just ramped up to a new level, I have found an ally in one of the most unexpected places of all. On Wall Street.

Here, among the wolves we hear so much about, is a pack of lionesses. Strong, fierce, forward thinking women who are doing their part to protect the pride known as humanity.



They are The Lily Group at Morgan Stanley: An all-female team of financial advisors who collectively embody the mind of a financial wizard and the heart of an activist.

These ladies are everything you would expect from strong, sharp, socially minded female leaders. They nurture talent. They embrace clients as their own. And they know how to roll up their sleeves and go into ball buster mode when it comes to driving success. They help create financial wealth for their clients. They just strive to do so in a way that improves the planet and life for those of us who walk upon it.

As a team that includes a mother-daughter duo, the women of The Lily Group understand the value of family. There is real humanity within their walls. Holidays are sacred. Children are welcome in the office. In fact, open a drawer and you just might find some crayons to keep kids occupied while parents meet with their advisors.

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Tapping into the fierce female tendency to care for our own, The Lily Group aims to manage money in ways that protect our resources, our minorities and our civil rights through purpose-driven impact investing.

Impact investing, an investment approach that aims to generate market-rate returns while demonstrating positive environmental and social impact, has become quite popular in recent years. But The Lily Group did not jump on the impact investment bandwagon. They navigated its covered wagon.

True pioneers in the movement to invest according to your values and convictions, they have blazed a trail that clearly shows making money is not always driven by greed. Sometimes it is driven by awareness, responsibility, advocacy, ethics, environmentalism, and humanity.

These women have been working to prove that making money and making a difference are not mutually exclusive since the days of the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

At that time, The Lily Group took a stance by consciously divesting from South African gold funds when major players were determined to invest in gold. And although divestment was just one weapon in the battle against Apartheid, it was an effective one that played its role in bringing such injustice to an end.

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From the beginning of the gay rights movement, The Lily Group has leveraged their clients' voices as shareholders to help push the recognition of domestic partnerships. Ask them and they will tell you that June 26, 2013, the day the Supreme Court recognized the legitimacy of same-sex marriage on a federal scale, is one of their proudest.

The list goes on. In the last year alone, they have worked with their clients through socially responsible investing to support measurable minimum wage reforms, create corporate commitment to sustainable sourcing of natural resources and renewable energy, help end slave labor and improve working conditions in the supply chain, reduce the gender wage gap and increase workplace and boardroom diversity.

Given the power and influence business is going to have moving forward in the new political landscape, taking up the battle for justice, conservation and equality in the boardrooms will be essential. Beyond financially supporting social responsibility, your impact investment dollars can help shape social and environmental initiatives and corporate behavior through proxy voting and drafting shareholder initiatives.

Your money has power. Even if you don't have a lot of it. The Lily Group requires no minimum investment. And beyond that, as of 2014, there are over 925 distinct funds that adhere to strong positive Environmental, Social and Governance criteria with asset minimums starting under three hundred dollars.

But don't consider impact investing just because it is good for the world. Do it because it is good for you personally as well. According to the world economic forum, impact investing has grown from 12 million to over 400 billion in the last decade. A meteoric rise in behavior like this in the financial world happens for only one reason: Because it makes money. Impact investing is a smart and savvy way to create financial security.

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Companies that are considered leaders in socially responsible policies are leading the pack in stock performance by an average of 25% over the long term. And other studies show socially responsible investing has outperformed the S&P 500 for decades.

Individually, we can make a difference. As groups, our power grows. Take for example the millennial generation. This particular group is about to receive one of the largest transfers of wealth in modern history. A projected $30 trillion in financial and non-financial assets will pass down from Baby Boomers to their heirs in North America alone. This kind of money, when invested with the help of professionals focused on positive impact and deserving of our trust, has the potential to put Wall Street in a position to help defend those of us living on Main Street.
Co-authored by William D. Hansen, president and chief executive officer of USA Funds.

High-quality instruction has been the backbone of an American higher education system that remains the envy of the world. But how to measure effective teaching and gauge its impact on an ever more diverse population of students is vital if we are to dramatically increase the number of Americans able to earn a college degree.

That is why the American Council on Education (ACE) and USA Funds have launched a groundbreaking initiative to engage in cutting-edge research to examine higher education instruction and assess the connections between teaching quality and student success. Both of our organizations have long worked to create and implement student-centered, attainment-focused approaches and practices that lead to improved student outcomes and more timely postsecondary degree and credential completion.

For several decades, ACE has led the national dialogue on efforts to respond to the changing higher education landscape--providing quality assurance for college-level learning outside the classroom, promoting alternative education pathways, and working with institutions to create educational experiences and support systems that meet the needs of nontraditional students. This work aligns with USA Funds' goal of promoting innovation in the delivery of higher education and smoothing transitions at key junctures in the educational process to provide students a more purposeful path toward a postsecondary credential--and is an example of USA Funds' new direction in support of Completion With a Purpose, which aims to enhance postsecondary education completion rates while also helping graduates more successfully launch into rewarding careers.

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We are invested in researching the relationship between more effective pedagogical approaches that lead to improved student outcomes. It is our belief that individuals who embrace the most effective teaching practices are more likely to improve the student experience, and lead to increased student retention, persistence, and success. Institutions of higher education must leverage their unique assets--faculty expertise, educational technologies, and academic advising--to proactively design and implement ways to expand pedagogical training that prepares a greater number of faculty to positively affect the student experience in and out of the classroom.

We also recognize that more effective instruction might enhance institutional efficiency. Budgetary challenges facing higher education institutions have resulted in increased numbers of courses being taught by contingent faculty; these are individuals hired for their expert content knowledge but not necessarily for their teaching skills. Contingent faculty now represent 75 percent of postsecondary instructors, and this percentage is expected to increase each year for the foreseeable future.

Higher education in the United States comprises more than 4,000 diverse institutions--public and private universities, major research institutions, liberal arts colleges and community colleges--that serve millions of part-time and full-time, traditional and nontraditional learners. All of these institutions will continue to pursue their own unique missions, including determining how to prepare faculty to teach their respective student populations. But we also recognize the importance of developing benchmarks for quality, scalable faculty development solutions that will equip more faculty with enhanced pedagogical skills.

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Our goal is simple yet ambitious.

Together, ACE and USA Funds want to prepare the academy for a postsecondary culture in which the importance of faculty development and preparedness goes beyond the traditional tenure-track or research model. We are striving to equip instructional faculty across this country with practices and techniques to support students through an improved holistic higher education experience that enhances learning and improves persistence and success.

Given what the research on students from underserved backgrounds has uncovered about the barriers they face in achieving credentials and degrees, we anticipate that our effort will have a disproportionately large and positive impact on students from underserved communities.
Attention workers who voted for Trump, either eagerly or as a vote against the hawkish, Wall Street favorite, Hillary Clinton: Donald Trump, less than a month after the election, has already begun to betray you.

You can often see where a president-elect is going by his nominations to high positions in his forthcoming administration. Across over a dozen crucial posts, Mr. Trump has chosen war hawks, Wall Streeters (with a former Goldman Sachs partner, Steven Mnuchin, as his pick for Treasury Secretary) and clenched teeth corporatists determined to jettison life-saving, injury and disease preventing regulations and leave bigger holes in your consumer pocketbooks.

In addition to lacking a mandate from the people (he lost the popular vote), the president-elect continues to believe that mere showboating will distract from his breathtaking flip-flops in his campaign rhetoric. Remember his last big TV ad where he blasted "a global power structure" responsible "for robbing the working class" with images of Goldman Sachs flashing across the screen?

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Fast forward several weeks and he has selected cabinet secretaries who want to dismantle the public school system with your taxes going to private schools, reduce regulation of banks, cut consumer protections and weaken labor laws and job safety standards. Other appointees say they want to privatize Medicare, which has led health insurance company stocks to soar, and some want to transfer Medicaid to even more hostile state manipulations.

Regarding national security, his White House advisors are advocates of imperial intervention and bombing Iran. Trump wants to renege on the Iran nuclear agreements the U.S. made with a dozen leading nations and risk escalation of hostilities. Granted, Trump did talk about the Iran deal, with little knowledge of its careful safeguards and ongoing implementation. He also told voters that he didn't believe in the U.S. policing the world with costly military might.

Perhaps the best sign of where Trump is heading comes from the major surge in the stock markets, the booming bank stocks anticipating looser regulations so they can speculate more readily with "other peoples' money" and industries looking forward to more easily emitting pollutants into your air, water, and soil.

As an accomplished sleight-of-hand specialist - a failed gambling czar who always jumped ship with his gold and left his workers, creditors and shareholders stranded - Trump recently traveled to Indiana to brag about the decision by Carrier to keep intact 800 of the 2000 jobs it plans to ship to Mexico. You'll recall Trump made Carrier, a subsidiary of giant United Technology (UT), his poster-child for showing how the U.S. is losing jobs under NAFTA.

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Well Trump's boast, for starters, will cost Indiana taxpayers $7 million for Carrier to agree, with presumably, additional goodies for United Technologies coming later. Already, UT and Carrier have long been loaded up with tax and other "incentives," subsidies and all the complex corporate welfare that defense companies receive from the Pentagon.

Being a long-time recipient himself of crony capitalism, Trump hopes that his working class supporters will never catch on to this kind of back room "deal-making" when he is in the White House. Big corporations are drooling at the prospect of further tax cuts, weaker law and order (e.g. deregulation) and the many sub-visible freebies of the corporate welfare state.

Guess who gets left holding the bag? Why, you, of course, the workers and small taxpayers. Stay tuned, for more corporatists, Wall Streeters and militarists are on their way to Trump's Washington.

A French writer once said, "the more things change, the more they remain the same." Then there is Trump's highly bruiseable and dangerous ego, as he gets up at 3am to tweet his mad impulses and false assertions.

Trump doesn't like to be accused of disloyalty by workers who supported him. Therein lies some leverage. Laborers, who were crucial to the Boaster's Electoral College victory, will have many opportunities to laser-focus on Trump's betrayals in very personal ways. They should take them.
Have you heard this saying?:

"Your email list is your ATM."

Whether or not you agree with it, email marketing is by far the most profitable marketing channel, bringing in over 25% of Black Friday sales online in 2014.

Email marketing has a 44.25x return, meaning on average you'd rake in $4,425 for every $100 you spent on that marketing channel.

Not bad right?

But email marketing is only effective if you have a strong email list. And one of the best email list building strategies available online is guest blogging.

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Why? Well, there are a few reasons.

Guest Posting Exposes You to Huge Numbers of Your Target Audience

Writing exclusively for your company's own blog is like working your butt off on a speech only to deliver it to your family in your living room.

Your audience is limited to those who are already following you and interested in what you're doing, and the content of your speech never gets the attention it deserves.

Guest posting, on the other hand, exposes you to massive amounts of your target audience - people you may have not been able to reach if you hadn't gotten in front of them where they already hang out.

For example, SumoMe has somewhere close to 700,000 email subscribers. When somebody contributes to our site, they'd get in front of a huge number of those subscribers.

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With my very first guest post I was able to collect 800 new subscribers from my post on Fast Company (in just under 5 hours of work).

And a guest post I published on the blog Smart Blogger is still collecting emails a year and a half later.

Guest Posting Features You on Larger Publications

Guest posting to be featured on large publications is not new to most content marketers.

This is exactly what I'm doing right now. I'm guest posting on Huffington Post.

When you're published on large, popular media publications like Huff Post, not only are you able to get your content in front of audiences larger than yours that you wouldn't otherwise have access to but you're building social proof, too.

And guest posting is the easiest way to get a feature, too.

Every content marketer, company, blogger and publication experiences the same issue: the scarcity issue. Great content is scarce, and even more scarce is the time to create it.

So if you're willing and able to write solid content for a large publication, it's an easy way to reap the benefits of being published on it.

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Social proof increases conversions (yes, to your email list) by giving you authority and encouraging people to pay attention. There are 13 different social proof types you can use to build it, and these features are one of them.

Guest Posting Helps Your SEO

Say what you want about search engine optimization, but it's important.

After all, there's no better way to get a sustainable, steady stream of traffic to your website month over month than relying on search engines to send it to you.

But to rank for any meaningful keyword in search engines requires backlinks.

Backlinks from strong websites - and the more popular the website, the more effective the backlink for helping you climb up the ranks.

You can use the opportunity of your guest post to include 1-2 backlinks to strong pieces of content you want to rank for.

Of course, make sure these links integrate with the content effortlessly and don't break the flow of the reader (or piss off the editor of the host site), but if you keep it to a minimum and only link to highly valuable resources you'd like to rank for, this builds some great links to your site.

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Guest Posting Should Be Part of Your Marketing Strategy

Guest posting is one of the best things I've ever done for my personal brand, and one way that many websites have grown their email lists substantially.

In 2017, if you're not using this marketing strategy, you could be leaving a ton of email subscribers on the table.
Kevin Rabinovitch stands straight and speaks in clear, clipped tones - more like a naval officer than a corporate quant - as, on the screen behind him, a daunting mass of threads and whorls illustrates the global flows of Brazilian soybeans from thousands of individual municipalities across Brazil, through specific exporters and importers, to countries around the world.

"We buy a lot of soy from Brazil," he says. "But we also buy things that eat soy in Brazil before we buy them," he continues, referring to the chickens and cows that end up in pet food manufactured by food giant Mars Inc, where he's Global Director of Sustainability.

Known for its ubiquitous Mars and Milky Way candy bars, privately-held Mars, Inc also makes Whiskas cat food, Wrigley's chewing gum, and dozens of other products that require tens of thousands of tons of cattle, soy, and palm oil - all of which are packaged in products derived from pulp & paper.

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These are the "big four" commodities responsible for most of the world's deforestation, and they achieved that status because thousands of companies buy them from hundreds of thousands of farmers around the world, and many of those farmers chop forests to make way for plantations.

But a relative handful of companies have been acting more like environmental groups than for-profit entities, largely because unsustainable agriculture means unsustainable business. Mars, for example, recently teamed up with Danone to launch the Livelihoods Funds, which invest in sustainable small-scale farms around the world, and it's one of 56 companies to endorse the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims, among other things, to purge deforestation "from the production of agricultural commodities such as palm oil, soy, paper, and beef products by no later than 2020."

Even before endorsing the NYDF, Mars had established concrete goals for improving the way it gathers raw materials, and it set tight deadlines for achieving them. Now it's reporting solid progress on two of them: the Forest Trends Supply Change project shows Mars reporting it is 91% of the way towards achieving its palm oil goal and 89% of the way towards achieving its packaging goal.

But the company hasn't yet publicly reported progress on its soy or cattle pledges, both of which have 2017 due dates, and Rabinovitch says the task is proving more difficult than he and most corporate sustainability directors imagined.

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"Privately amongst ourselves - and even publicly in forums - there's a lot of head-scratching that goes on," he says. "We know we want to end deforestation, but it's not obvious how we're going to do it, and it's critically important to have the data community step up and say, 'Here are tools that can help you.'"

That massive blob on the wall behind him could be one of those tools (see "How it Works", below).

Further Coverage on Bionic Planet

Scroll down to continue reading, or hear more on the latest episode of of Bionic Planet, which is available on iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, and elsewhere. The latest episode features extended interviews with the team that developed Trase, as well as a walk-through of the platform.

Trasing the Globe

It's called "Trase", which stands for "TRAnsparence for Sustainable Economies", and was developed jointly over the past two years by the Global Canopy Programme (GCP), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and the European Forest Institute (EFI).

It's designed to help companies and watchdogs track the impact that the purchases in one part of the world are having on the ground in other parts, and it works by tracking soybeans from every Brazilian municipality that produces them - more than 2,000 in total - through brokers, exporters, and importers, and then providing an overlay to compare the supply chain with environmental conditions in the municipality of origin.

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"Traders tell us that they need to be able to filter the threats and opportunities quickly to be able to prioritize those places - and the other actors associated with those places - where they need to be acting first, and with the highest priority," says Toby Gardner, an SEI Research Fellow who demonstrated the portal at year-end climate talks in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The demonstration came just days before Climate Focus presented an assessment report consolidating data from 12 transparency initiatives, including Supply Change and GCP's Forest 500, as well as interviews with corporate sustainability officers, finding a disturbing lack of transparency around progress among NYDF companies.

Tedious Research; Simple Interface

Trase lets users view both a supply-chain map and a geographical map, and the data driving it was cobbled together over two years using bills of lading, customs declarations, and other documents generated in the harvesting and transport of soybeans. Many were purchased from trade intelligence companies.

"Tellingly, this is data that already existed, but it was not tapped by the sustainability community," says Gardner. "We were looked upon with bemused astonishment when we approached trade intelligence companies to use these, and I wonder how many other useful sources are out there just waiting to be tapped."

They plan to expand the portal to include other Latin American countries, then to facilities that crush soybeans into meal and oil, as well to feedlots that turn soybeans into chickens and beef, and finally to the other big four commodities. Internally, they assign confidence ratings to many of the "threads" in the supply-chain map, which is constantly being improved through site-specific research.

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"If a company declares that they have a production farm in a given municipality, that's something we can take into account," says Clement Suavet, who lead development of the platform. "As we gain more information, we can add certainty incrementally, and we would like to make this available on the site as well."

Yin and Yang

The platform is designed to blend with others that show different parts of the supply-chain puzzle. Trase, for example, ends at the port of import, which means it doesn't yet show end retailers and manufacturers. Supply Change, on the other hand, begins with end retailers and manufacturers, as well as brokers.

"Each of our platforms are tackling different parts of the puzzle, and there are many others coming at it from other angles as well - from supply chains transparency and data collection tools such as CDP Forests Program to the sustainable commodity certification agencies such as RTRS and RSPO," says Stephen Donofrio, Supply Change's Senior Advisor. "As Supply Change relies solely on self-reported commitment declarations and progress updates, then in a sense, Trase compliments this in that it could provide a ground-truthing, or spot check, against what companies are saying in their own documentation."

Rabinovitch says that, as more entities shine more transparency on supply chains, good companies will be more willing to show their cards, leading to virtuous cycle of more and more disclosure.

"The default mindset of corporate entities is, 'If I share data, something bad could happen; someone could figure out something about my business,'" he says. "But as soon as a number is out there, a customer or supplier says, 'I'm assuming that number applies to you, because Trase says it's the deforestation number of companies in your country,' so good actors now have a motivation to say, 'Whoa, hang on. Disaggregate us from that lot. These are our numbers,'"

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Thomas Sembres works with the UN REDD Facility and EFI. He contributed to the platform's development and sees such tools providing support to cash-strapped regulators, and cites the European Union's long development of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative, which is designed to identify sustainable sources of timber coming into the EU.

"If this type of platform had existed when we were negotiating FLEGT, we would have been able to identify much more sharply the key actors from the private sector, as well as the key jurisdictions that have a stake in the trade between countries, and incentivize progress along the way," he says, adding that good actors are already becoming dramatically more transparent.

"We're seeing transparency becoming a competitive advantage," he says. "We've struggled for so many years to try to convince the private sector to release more data on supply chains, but we've never had a complete picture."

And that complete picture is critical, because transparency can be a double-edged sword, according to Rosa Maria Vidal, Executive Director of the Governors' Climate and Forests Fund.

Use and Abuse: To Flee or to Fix?

Vidal says she's a big believer in transparency, but she cautions that it can backfire if disclosure scares companies away from problematic municipalities instead of encouraging them to engage productively.

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"We're working to build new partnerships across 35 subnational jurisdictions responsible for 30% of the world's deforestation," she says. "These are jurisdictions that have promised to reduce deforestation 80% by 2020 by bringing benefits to communities, but they haven't seen any finance yet."

If the emerging transparency efforts shine a light on companies that are sourcing material from high-deforestation areas, she says, they should encourage those companies to actively improve conditions rather than pull up and move elsewhere.

"If we don't facilitate this dialogue - if we just say, 'It's a risky jurisdiction' - it will mean more deforestation because of fewer jobs and opportunity," she says - and Gardner agrees.

"It's unrealistic for all companies to just pick up and move to where there are no problems, and if they tried, no one would ever meet their commitments," he says. "But companies often don't even know their impacts, and this makes it possible for them to know where they need to invest."

How it Works

The address is www.trase.earth, and the portal offers introductory tutorials at the bottom of the page. Or you can click on "explore the tool" and see where your mouse takes you:

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The first layer shows all known soybean flows from Brazilian municipalities, through trading companies and exporters in Brazil to importers working in other countries.

You can color code to highlight supply chains by various criteria - in this case, the type of biome from which the soybeans come:

The Amazon may be Brazil's most famous biome, but the country has six of them, and some are more fragile than the forest.

Or you can filter it to one or several countries - in this case, China:

China is the leading importer of soybeans.

Filter to one trader - Bunge - and you get this:

Bunge is the largest soybean trader operating in Brazil.

You can then reduce it to one importer - Guangxi - and you get this:

Now you can trace all the flows through Bunge and Guangxi into China.

Finally, you can expand the municipality bar to see where Bunge gets the beans that it sells to Guangxi. In this case, hundreds of strings appeared, but we highlighted just four. The municipalities you select will show up on the map, and you can begin layering in factors like deforestation rates, reported rates of forced labor, and water scarcity.

Bunge buys from hundreds of municipalities in Brazil, but here we have highlighted four of them. Note their appearance on the map. You can also layer in various risk factors, such as rate of deforestation or reported cases of slave labor.

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Are you a parent? Are you thinking of getting a dog? I most definitely want one. A big one. I had one as a kid, then another as a young adult. Since then, it's been a 23-year dry spell. Much of this comes down to circumstance. I've lived most of those years in places that either didn't allow pets, or simply couldn't accommodate a medium to large-sized pup.

The good news: I now reside at a location that's decently suited for pet ownership. (Nice-sized apartment, adjacent, park, etc.) The bad news: Adding a dog to my life means some financial planning is in order. We're talking vet bills, doggie toys, grooming supplies, the healthiest and safest dog foods - the list goes on.

So yeah, basically, a budget. This is infinitely easier said than done. The reason: budgets are all about math - a field everyone seems to comprehend except me.

So much so that heightened abilities in the field of mathematics (recognition of algorithms, numerical patterns and the like) have become a 21st century 'must-have'; one that overshadows everything from telekinesis to the ability to harmonize to Lou Reed songs. Previously, this was the kind of freak talent you'd only see on shows like Numb3rs, where the guy who wasn't Rob Morrow would thwart drug cartels using only a blackboard and an abacus or some such thing.

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The implication here being that if you're a left-brained dude who knows his way around Pi, the world will eventually be your oyster. Hey, it worked for former floor mopper (and apple enthusiast) Will Hunting, a young man whose exceptional linear algebra skills nabbed him Minnie Driver and the nickname 'Good.'

I can relate to this skill in exactly zero ways. From the ages of twelve to sixteen, I failed math on no less than five occasions. During those years, the only July I wasn't condemned to remedial math summer school was spent mopping floors. Were I not petrified of calling anything ironic (thanks Alanis), I'd call this ironic.

I was, in fact, so bad at math, my school eventually barred me from taking the subject, something quite unprecedented in the hallowed institution's history. My principal literally wanted me to stop learning - a counterintuitive move for an educator, one might say.

So please, give some pause to me, the child left behind in our 'No Child Left Behind' world. Had I only been afforded a tutor or a more patient teacher, perhaps I too could now possess the mathematical prowess to understand Dungeons & Dragons dice or landing page templates or Sudoku puzzles. How different my life could have been.
Once again we turn to the cinematic mirror to see what we can learn about the human condition.

This new movie is the thought provoking and gutsy Austrian entry to this year's Oscars titled, 'Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe,' by the actress-turned sometimes director-screenwriter, Maria Schrader.

It was brave for Austria to claim this film, for arguably the most prestigious award in the world, because it deals with such sensitive topics.

The center of this somber and subtly nuanced biopic was the last few years of the life of a prolific internationally acclaimed writer of short stories and biographies, Stefan Zweig. His fame which expanded in the freewheeling 'anything goes' Europe of the 1920s to mid '30s came to a halt when he was thrown into exile. His books were banned by the Nazis because of Jewish themes in his work and a heritage he reluctantly acknowledged.

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At the height of Stefan's career he was forced to find a new home in 1936 with his much younger severely asthmatic second wife, Lotte, who doubled as his secretary.

They found relatively safe harbor in the tropics of Brazil with its own contradictory provincial complications. This seemed to be their best option after bouncing around a bit. To his credit, Zweig (played by one of Austria's most acclaimed comedic actor Josef Hader) never stopped writing even as they trekked through the countryside and cities driven by their trusty man-Friday in a luxury car which became more beat up as the film progresses. Perhaps the car was a fitting metaphor for the couple. Like the car they carried on and even appeared to be finding a new stride. The humid warm weather suited Lotte's (played by Aenne Schwarz) health condition. Tell tale signs became increasingly apparent as despair grew in Zweig over their 6 years in exile.

Stefan's aplomb and patience diminished as he was greeted with conditions and restraints increasingly dictatorial and unappealing to his independent spirit.



Feeling colonized himself, Zweig's last novel about injustices of the plantation system surrounding sugarcane upset their hosts, Brazil's politicians and elites.

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Zweig was portrayed as a cool consummate gentleman despite all of this, including poor reviews from critics. He seemed pained, but amiable enough, provided with nice living quarters, surrounded by old friends and their driver who stayed with them to the end. The growing discomfort was palpable though not overbearing, or so one might think. As sales from books dried up, Zweig was incapable of earning the excellent living he had become accustomed to. Instead he was subsidized by the kindness of strangers, in exchange for currying favor from diplomats who could provide safe passage from Europe.



Part of the exchange was the expectation he would be trotted out like a circus act on a regular basis, expected to perform as a cultural creative and political in a way he had not experienced before being run out of his beloved birthplace.

All of this must have taken a toll on Zweig that the audience is not fully privy to until one day refugee friends, like themselves, found them fully clothed lying in bed as if they were ready for the day. Instead they were dead from self-administered poison, victims of a double suicide.

It was in 1942 and Zweig was 60 years old. Stunning as it is relevant, this film does not yet have distribution in the U.S. A big hit in Europe it is available on demand. Themes of exile and non-assimilation are as fresh today as they were 70 years ago - with a twist. One difference, Zweig's refugee status was the reverse of what is currently experienced. His journey ejected him from the height of bourgeoisie civilization, a celebrity in the first world, back to hinterlands of the colonies.

As a viewer I wanted to believe the Zweigs would make the journey from refugee to ex-pat life even the horrors of what was happening in Europe dawned on them and the pressure mounted to help people flee. Only when the film ends was this viewer certain he hid being inconsolable with the need to be more in control of his life and destiny. Perhaps if Zweig had articulated fully the extent of his distress in living an inauthentic life he could have reversed the negative effects on his emotional stability and mental well-being. After all, the Zweigs were not alone.

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The Zweigs belonged to a community of survivors, and herein lies the problem: Like a spurned lover, he rejected the tribe which would have him.

Zweig had trouble embracing sympathizers and members of a religion he was born into, of an agreeable mindset and coping with similar problems. Remember he was singled out and persecuted for being a religion he appreciated for entertaining and story telling purposes only. Unfortunately, he would not allow himself the pleasure of being a member of a club that would admit him, to paraphrase a self deprecating old joke.

For me Zweig was played almost too convincingly. What remains most bothersome is the Zweigs must have left unexplored options on the table for making a new life in the United States. They could have gone to Miami, Florida, in the winter for the better weather. In New York City for fall, spring and summer, it was Zweig's first wife Friderike, a writer of note herself, who was supportive of the couple, even though it is clear Zweig cheated on her with Lotte in the lead up to their divorce.



Friderike is played masterfully by Barbara Sukowa, as she held court with her two daughters, not Zweig's biological children. She was a true woman or valor, a pillar of strength who resumed her role as a doyenne in the new world, just as she had been in Europe.

We know from history many refugees were able to reproduce and even improve upon the bourgeoisie lifestyle they left in Europe.

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Perhaps if the Zweig's had a child they would have renewed their interest in life, tackled their problems and wrestled free of their pessimism. Living spaces more cramped and less luxurious in the short run, as they lost all material wealth and worldly possession in World War II, in addition to the loss of status. Crushed and abandoned, at least they had each other in the U.S. Zweig may have also been able to come to Los Angeles as others like him had done under similar circumstances. The Zweig's death of hope and imagination for a better life upsets me as I write. The whys remain a mystery to me.



The tale of Zweig's scandalous, tragic death has kept him more famous and in the public eye than his writings in recent years.

Perhaps the desire to revisit Zweig's final years raises other resonant aspects of exile without having to leave home. Quarter-lifers (the first mid-life crisis) and aging boomers alike may experience diminished support and funds for launching an adult life, staying there and leaning into the Golden Years.

Without a safety net and optimistic attitudes necessary to conjure up a plan and bereft of strategies, darkness wins over. Imagine if Zweig had our technological tools would he have found success with a pod cast and better tackled the challenges of self-employment in exile?

What separates this film about World War II was its singularity as a personal and idiosyncratic snapshot of life and death on the run.

No scenes with stars of David sewn on jackets, swastika embossed flags, vehicles and rallies with marching soldiers and tanks or starving concentration camp inmates. This information is relayed by others as first and second hand testimony, is a novel approach for this genre.

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Staying focused on the details of their story lulled this viewer into yearning for a different outcome. I rooted for the Zweigs and was impressed with their pluck under pressure haunted by undeniable facts weighing on their hearts and minds. Zweig believed Europe would make a come back, yet was incapable of holding onto this vision to fruition. I would have liked to have been the Zweigs' therapist. Together with Lotte in session as well, we would have gotten to know more about all that plagued him and them.

With unfounded hope of what was not to be for the Zweigs, I tend to think of Stefan leading the band toward their dire end and Lotte in her 30s following his lead. With empathic interventions, instead of acting on his fear-fueled impulses, perhaps we would have talked through the issues and obstacles they would have been able to manage better. In any event, this was an interesting film, but not particularly easy to watch.

Disclaimer Alert: Though viewing films can reveal insights about life it is not a substitue for therapy. If you or someone you know is suicidal, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional or trusted family member or friend to get needed help.

___________________
Laura Kelly, Derek Schmidt locked in close governor's race, poll shows

New polling released Wednesday shows races for Kansas governor and attorney general remain toss-ups, as the Nov. 8 election nears.
Vice President Joe Bidens Meeting with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia - The Vice President met Thursday night with President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia in Cartagena, Colombia to discuss bilateral cooperation between the United States and Colombia and the next steps in the Colombian peace process. The Vice President congratulated President Santos on yesterday's vote in the Colombian congress to approve the peace accord negotiated between the Colombian government and the FARC.

The Vice President also praised the Colombian people who have worked with courage and unflagging determination to reclaim their country, and whose representatives have now voted to ratify the Colombian peace accord and officially end the longest-running armed conflict in the Americas. The Vice President reiterated the commitment of the United States to support implementation of the peace accords, including demobilization and disarmament of FARC combatants, protection of victims' rights, and application of the transitional justice framework in a transparent manner with the full engagement of civil society. The Vice President emphasized that continuing to engage critics of the peace accord, as well as a renewed focus on counternarcotics, will be essential to maintaining and broadening support for the peace agreement in Colombia and the United States. The Vice President underscored the administration's continuing commitment to its Fiscal Year 2017 budget request of $450 million, which includes $391 million in foreign assistance to implement President Obama's "Peace Colombia" strategy. Both leaders hailed the fact that, after 52 years of violence, it is now possible to envision a hemisphere fully at peace.
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Amy Schumer is set to play an 'imperfect' Barbie in an upcoming film, according to reports.

The comedian and actress is currently in talks to star and rework the script for the live action film Barbie, which will add a contemporary spin to the iconic toy brand.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Barbie film will try to address the brand's issues of self-image and race in a story that begins in the perfect land of Barbies, where one woman (Schumer), awakens to the idea that she doesn't fit in.

Expelled from Barbie land, she travels to the real world and discovers that being unique is a good thing.

Sony studios is reportedly hoping to create an imaginitive family comedy using the Tom Hanks 'fish out of water' classics Splash and Big as touchstones, as well as the Amy Adams film Enchanted.

It is expected that Schumer will rewrite the script with her sister, Kim Caramele.

Schumer wrote and starred in the 2015 Judd Apatow comedy Trainwreck, which received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $140.8 million in the US against a budget of $35 million.
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France's film certification board the CNC is being criticised for its decision to award Sausage Party a 12 rating, which means that children are legally allowed to watch it.

The Hollywood film was released in cinemas around France on 30 November.

It was written and directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, is an animated story about a sausage called Frank who, along with his friends from the supermarket, attempts to find the truth behind his existence.

In the UK it was given a 15 certificate and is rated R in the US, due to its consistent references to drug use, use of expletives, and an orgy scene involving a taco and a hotdog.

The CNC's decision has attracted backlash from family and religious groups over the film's use of sexual innuendo and often blasphemous dialogue.

Jean-Frederic Poisson, president of France's Christian Democratic party, said: "An orgy scene for 12-year-olds! There is so much more to be done to combat early exposure to pornography."

The Association of Catholic Families scrambled to warn parents of any potential confusion as to the themes in the film, saying that although the film "gives the appearance of being intended for young people and children", its content is "not only coarse, but also clearly pornographic, under cover of being 'politically incorrect'".

Le Manif Pour Tours, a campaign group which argued against same-sex marriage, posted from its official Twitter account: "Hello CNC, can you explain how you could authorise the screening of a giant orgy for the whole family?"

Attitudes towards sex on screen in France tend to be more leniant than those in the UK or the US.

Fifty Shades of Grey maintains its 12 rating, while in March of this year, French media were delighted by the uproar over BBC drama Versailles, which made headlines even before it aired for being branded as "porn dressed up in a cravat and tights".

Even France couldn't go quite so far as Sweden, however, which awarded Sausage Party an '11' rating. This means that the film can be seen by children as young as 7 provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Some cinemas attempted to make it as clear as possible that the film was marketed more towards adults, with one posting a synopsis which included the line: "Sausage Party is NOT a family movie."
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While were well aware that giving a gift isnt about how much you spend, trying to find something that the guy in your life will appreciate for under 50 can be taxing. What do we buy for the boys? Another tie? Some socks?

Guys are notoriously difficult to shop for but even if youre operating on a shoestring budget there are plenty of items hell love this holiday season and beyond. Whether youre shopping for a friend, brother or significant other, weve picked the top gifts every man will want. Whats more they promise to be kind on your wallet and look like they cost you a whole lot more.

Sandqvist Dow Slim Tan Leather wallet 45, Urban Outfitters

Pep up your chaps back pocket with this minimalist wallet from Swedish brand Sandqvist. With a classic-tan leather outer layer, and three-slot holder inside, it makes for an uncomplicated, functional yet super-stylish gift that will hold all his essentials.

Adidas Seeley shoes 49.95, Adidas

For self-confessed sneaker-heads theres only one real option but rarely can you find a pair of kicks for less than 50. Enter Adidas Seeley shoes. Inspired by the classic Gazelle, theyre built with lightweight canvas, a rubber outsole and are finished with printed camo detailing.

Valentino Uomo EDT 47, Boots

The same goes for fragrance, which can give your bank balance a hit but, for someone who loves their lotions and potions, opting for an eau de toilette is your best bet. Our favourite it Valentinos Uomo which is super soft and smoky with hints of coffee, hazelnut and leather.

Austin Army Socks backpack 50, Eastpak

Backpacks are one of the most useful bit of casual luggage that most men are guaranteed to appreciate. With a classic, heritage design this one from Eastpak is perfect for weekend escapades or the commute to work.

Carhartt WIP x Klean Kanteen Bottle 34, Carhartt

Never has drinking on-the-go been so stylish. Specifically built to eliminate the need for plastic bottles this stainless steel version is the perfect gift for any style and health-conscious man. The high performance design keeps drinks hot for up to six hours and iced beverages cool for 24 hours.

Jason Mark Premium Shoe Cleaning Kit 16, End Clothing

An absolute must for any footwear enthusiast this shoe cleaner is one of the most sought-after on the market. The set includes a bottle of Jason Markk shoe cleaner  which can clean up to 100 pairs of shoes  and a handcrafted, wooden-handle cleaning brush.

Casio Gold Digital Vintage Style Watch 40, Asos

You cant go wrong with an understated time piece especially from cult brand Casio. This gold, stainless steel watch will finish off any look perfectly from weekend to office attire. Its designed with digital movement, a stopwatch, backlight and date function.

Tan Popper Overshirt 35, Topman

For the style-conscious, pick an item crucial to a mans winter wardrobe, like an overshirt. This will guarantee versatility and a gift that he can make the most of beyond Christmas Day. Overshirts are great for layering and this tan option is a steal; it fits with a classic collar, popper fastening and is made from 100 per cent cotton.

Beard trimmer BT5050 49.99, Braun

For guys that like to take their grooming to the next level, Brauns beard-trimmer offers serious precision. It has two trimming combs with 25 settings that span lengths of 1mm-20mm. Its also fully washable for easy cleaning and gives you 50 minutes of cordless shaving time.

Votive Candle Set 34, Malin & Goetz

For the man that has everything, male-appropriate candles are a great way to give him something that not only smells good but looks good on his bedside table too. Malin & Goetz have packaged together three of their best-selling candles  Rum, Vetiver and Tobacco  to create the perfect sampling mix.
The court, however, rejected appeals on articles 7, 8 and 19 of the law

Egypts Supreme Constitutional Court said on Saturday that Article 10 of the controversial protest law, which permits the countrys interior minister to bar scheduled protests, is unconstitutional.

The court said that those looking to organise street protests are merely obliged to notify authorities beforehand and present all needed documents as required by law, and are not required to obtain prior approval.

The court argued that Article 10's provisions granting the interior ministry the authority to deny citizens the right to protest is unconstitutional, saying that authorities have no right to prohibit protests once all documents have been submitted.

However, the court rejected challenges against articles 7, 8 and 19 of the protest law.

Article 7 defines what contstitutes obstruction of traffic and and threats to "citizens interests" in relation to protests, while Article 8 outlines police notification procedures. Article 19 stipulates that violators of the law are to receive a minimum two years in prison and a fine of EGP 50,000.

The court reasoned that the three articles are in line with the constitution, which gives legislative branch the right to issue laws regulating meetings, parades and protests with prior notifications.

The verdict comes in response to two lawsuits challenging the legislation filed by a number of prominent rights lawyers, including Khaled Ali, Ali Ayoub, Tarek El-Awadi, and Tarek Negeida.

Negeida told Ahram Online that Saturday's ruling will not result in the release of protestors imprisoned for defying the protest law.

The court said that if authorities see the need to prevent a protest from taking place, they are to raise the issue with the judiciary, which will then decide if there are interests, rights and freedoms that should be put before the right to protest.

The protest law, issued in late 2013, has led to the imprisonment of thousands of youth activists, as well as secular and Islamist protesters. It has been widely criticised by local and international rights groups.

Rights lawyer El-Awadi told Ahram Online that although the court's verdict is final, the court can still hear other suits challenging other articles of the protest law.

El-Awadi added that although the verdict is disappointing for the families of those detained under the protest law, it is still a partial victory as it curtails the interior ministry's power to block protests.

"There are other ways to push for amending this law, [such as] through political initiatives," El-Awadi said.

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From small gestures to extravagant gifts, when it comes to Christmas shopping for the man who has everything youre often required to splurge a little more than usual. But if you cant pull out all the stops at this time of year when can you?

Luxury gifts are all about an emphasis on quality and design, giving him something really worth showing off. Indulge the gentleman in your life with our curated collection of stylish and sophisticated gifts from menswear, tech and seductive grooming products hes guaranteed to love.

Alexander McQueen Ribcage Leather Cardholder 95, Ssense

This buffed leather cardholder makes the ultimate style investment. Keep your mans cards in check and put an edgy spin on an everyday essential with Alexander McQueens embellished ribcage design. It has five slots for cards and comes with a handy dust bag to keep it pristine when not in use.

Oral B Genius 9000 Electric Toothbrush 99.98, Superdrug

Forget smartphones and TVs because this toothbrush from Oral B is seriously genius  so much so, its even in the name. Designed with the help of dentists, its the brands most advanced brush yet  with visual alerts to tell you if youre brushing too hard. You can even sync it with your phone via Bluetooth to get feedback on your brushing technique.

Polo Ralph Lauren Reversible Scarf 55, Harvey Nichols

Ideal for men with a love of timeless, classic style this Polo Ralph Lauren scarf is perfect for the milder months. Expertly cut from a soft wool-blend it comes in three colours  khaki, burgundy and black  and is finished with tasseled ends. The lighter shade reverse adds a touch of flair while the iconic embroidered pony can be found at the base.

Bleu de Chanel 100ml 72, John Lewis

Christmas is a great time to discover your new signature scent and Bleu de Chanel will undoubtedly become a firm favourite. Give him a little something to class up his dresser with a bottle of, arguably, the most timeless scent of all. Housed in a dense, black-blue glass, this is a powerful, fresh-woody fragrance that your man is guaranteed to fall in love with.

Misfit Ray Rose Gold Fitness + Sleep Monitor 80, Urban Outfitters

Is the man in your life a fitness fanatic or simply looking to improve his overall health? Then this discreet and stylish activity and sleep monitor you can wear every day could be the perfect gift. Worn on the wrist this premium tracker logs steps, distance, calories and sleep for an accurate breakdown of your fitness. Whats more, its water resistant up to 50m and the battery lasts up to six months  and its so tastefully designed it wont clash with any of his outfits.

Dr Martens Kaya Navy Desert Boots 110, Lyst

Dr Martens has really upped its game with this pair of rugged desert boots that fuse classic mens style with an outdoor look. Crafted from smooth nubuck leather theyre designed with clean lines, for a more sophisticated take on desert boot style, and feature the brands iconic AirWair Bouncing Souls. Also available in nut and grey.

London Undercover Whangee Telescopic Umbrella 59, End Clothing

An umbrella might seem like an unassuming gift but for most men theyre a point of contention  theyre often too girlish, bulky or jarring to their ensemble. Luckily, British brand London Undercover looked to return the brolly to its rightful position as a fashion accessory and has succeeded. This umbrella combines quality and reliability with intricate design, featuring a natural bamboo handle for a modern take on a practical product.

Padded Cotton Parka 175, Cos

If the man in your life still hasnt invested in a warm winter coat then this hooded parka from Cos guarantees to keep him dry and looking seriously stylish. Made from a crisp cotton-blend its lightly padded and has a smooth silky lining making it perfect for those who prefer to layer. Its cut with a clean straight shape, two inside pockets and press-stud front pockets with a hidden button fastening. Avalable in both navy and khaki green, you cant go wrong with this classic style.

Hero5 Black 349.99, GoPro

This option is pretty spendy, but if your man is adventurous or loves the outdoors then he needs a GoPro. This latest version is dubbed the best GoPro ever and its not hard to see why. A number of features help to set it apart from previous models including high-quality 4K video, voice control with simple voice commands for hands-free control and a 2in touch display that lets you preview and play back your shots. Its also waterproof up to 10m. For the man thats got everything, being able to capture life on-the-go will be a surefire Christmas hit.
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A hangover cure, fuel for hard labour, and an indulgence on the weekend  the full English breakfast is so ingrained in British culture its hard to imagine life without it.

But there was, of course, a time before it was the nations go-to comfort food.

A plate piled with sausage, egg, bacon, beans, black pudding, hash browns, fried tomatoes and mushrooms is associated with builders in greasy spoon cafes and up-market brunch spots. However, that image is only a very recent one, food historian Professor Rebecca Earle of Warwick University told The Independent.

In the 17th century, the items which make up the traditional fry-up were only eaten by the upper and upper-middle classes, such as bankers. In wealthy Victorian houses, enormous buffet-style breakfasts would also include kedgeree, pork or lamb chops, friend mushrooms, and bread.

As meat was expensive, the rest of the population would eat bread and butter for breakfast, with cheap jam containing little fruit.

Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Show all 6 1 /6 Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Six healthy breakfast recipes to try You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost. Method: 1) Cook your turkey breast so that its ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as its healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. 1) Cook your turkey breast so that its ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as its healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon Method 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurts credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if youre trying to lose weight. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of healthy fats, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day. DW Fitness

Working men could not afford to eat in a restaurant in general in the Victorian era, and in the early 20th century bacon and eggs might be eaten as a special weekend dish, and even then not necessarily by everyone in the family," said Professor Earle.

The dish appeared in Isabella Beeton's Book of Household Management in 1861, but it was not until around 100 years later that the ingredients were cheap enough to make the meal available to the masses.

The greasy spoon is itself a post-war development. A fry-up requires cheap food, which arrived in the 1950s. Tinned beans, for instance, were a costly import before WWII.

But nowadays, Professor Earle argues, tourists are more likely to eat the full English than Brits, as research shows only 5 per cent of the population eats a fry up for breakfast.

In the future, Professor Earle predicts a far healthier trend: Because of our current fascination with porridge perhaps we will renew our appreciation for the filling, sustainable and tasty grain puddings and pottages that have fuelled working people all over the world for millennia."
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Hackers have stolen 2bn rubles  more than $31m (24m)  from correspondent bank accounts at Russias central bank, Russian officials have disclosed.

Discussing the incident at a briefing on Friday, central bank official Artyom Sychyov said the cyber attackers had attempted to steal some 5bn rubles, but had not succeeded.

The hackers had broken into the corresponding accounts held at the bank by forging a clients credentials, it was reported.

The banking institute said it was able to recover around $26m (20m) of the stolen funds, part of which was said to be frozen in other bank accounts the hackers had used to move the cash.

It remains unclear who was behind the attack however, or when the incident occurred.

We cant say exactly when, but we can say today [Friday] it was stolen, Ekaterina Glebova, a central bank spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal.

The theft is the latest in a string of major cyber-attacks experienced around the world, prompting financial regulators to urge banks to step up their security measures.

Russias central bank has also sent out special recommendations to banks across the country as to how they should prepare for additional attacks, the news source reported.

In January this year, hackers gained access to an Ecudorian banks codes using SWIFT, the worldwide interbank communication network.

The following month, $81m (64m) was stolen from Bangladesh central banks account at the US Federal Reserve Bank in New York.

Hackers had attempted to steal $951m (747m) from the Bangladesh Banks account, but were stopped before completing the heist.

Separately, Russia said on Friday that it had uncovered a plot by foreign spy agencies to cause chaos in the country's banking system via a coordinated wave of cyber attacks and fake social media reports about banks going bust.
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Failing education standards in some parts of England have contributed to the feelings of discontent that led towards the Brexit result, the chief inspector of schools has said.

Outgoing Ofsted boss, Sir Michael Wilshaw, said while standards were rising overall, there were still a worrying number of poorly performing schools in the north and East Midlands that were contributing towards the sense of a divided nation.

The decision to leave the European Union was therefore connected to resentment felt by some poorer communities over the north-south divide in the education system, he added.

Recommended Theresa May planned to put immigrant children to bottom of school list

Speaking to the BBC ahead of Ofsteds annual report, Sir Michael said: The situation is very, very serious, he said. If you look at Manchester nearly one in three schools [is] not good. In Liverpool, half are good. If you look at satellite towns, things are worse.

It's feeding into a sense that the people of Liverpool, Manchester and the North are not being treated fairly - that their children have less of a chance of educational success than people south of the Wash.

And that's feeding into a wider malaise that I sense with the Brexit vote, that actually this wasn't just about leaving Europe, it's about our needs being neglected, our children are not getting as good a deal as elsewhere.

The Ofsted chief added that he had been amazed and shocked by documents leaked to the BBC this week showing that the Home Office wanted to deprioritise the children of parents unlawfully in the UK for school places.

He added: Schools should not be used for border control.

The comments follow concerns raised over the controversial new census requiring schools to provide details on pupil nationality and birthplace.

In his last official public engagement before stepping down as the watchdog's chief inspector later this month, Sir Michael told Parliament that the gap in standards was of particular concern among secondary schools.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. 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Furthermore, the knowledge and skills gap found is threatening the countrys productivity in a competitive market, he said, particularly in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Referring to those who had voted to leave the EU, he said the issue feeds into a sense that somehow they're not getting a fair crack of the whip.

They sense that somehow their children are not going to get as great a deal as youngsters in London and the South of England.

If they sense that their children and young people are going to be denied the opportunities that exist elsewhere, that feeds into a general sense that they're being neglected.

It wasn't just about leaving the European Union and immigration, it was that sense of a disconnection with Westminster.

If they feel that their needs are being ignored, that their children are not getting the sort of education that others in the South are, then they will feel resentful.

 Government's controversial school census to record pupil nationality 'has all the hallmarks of racism' Lords warn

He said regions that are already less prosperous than the South are in danger of adding a learning deficit to their economic one.

He added: Recent political history shows what can happen when large parts of the population feel alienated because they feel they are not being dealt with fairly.

The Ofsted annual report, published on Thursday morning, highlights that overall standards are rising, with 1.8m more pupils in good or outstanding maintained schools in 2016 than in 2010.

During this period, the curriculum and assessment regime had become more rigorous and children from poor backgrounds were gaining ground on their peers in national primary tests.

But to become truly world class, the report said England needed to have high standards in education in every part the country, helped by the recruitment of more teachers and leaders in in the right areas.

It also highlighted the poor quality of education in the more geographically and economically isolated parts of the country, including coastal areas.

In a statement referencing official figures released last week, School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said: Good and outstanding schools now make up 89% of all schools inspected in England, with the proportion of primary and secondary schools in this category continuing to rise in every region of the country, including in the North and the Midlands.

We want every child to have access to an excellent education, regardless of their background or where they live.

We know there is more to do, and that's precisely why we have set out plans to make more good school places available, to more parents, in more parts of the country - including scrapping the ban on new grammar school places, and harnessing the resources and expertise of universities, independent and faith schools."
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Jamie Oliver has still not recovered from incurring the wrath of Spain by tampering with the country's signature dish.

His addition of chorizo to paella was made at a time of political turbulence and division. Suddenly, Spaniards were united across the country - against him. Paella hails from the Valencia region and traditionally includes meat, fish, shellfish and vegetables. The rage was unprecedented and summarised in tweets such as, this is an insult not only to our gastronomy but to our culture.

They went medieval on me, the chef said during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show, where he was forced to relive the trauma.

Norton proceeded to read out a host of tweets mocking him, much to the amusement on Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. Oliver, however, was less amused.

The world's biggest food fights Show all 11 1 /11 The world's biggest food fights The world's biggest food fights La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain Biel Alino/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain Biel Alino/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights La Tomatina, Bunol, Spain Biel Alino/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights World Custard Pie Championship, Kent Funk Dooby/Flickr The world's biggest food fights World Custard Pie Championship, Kent Funk Dooby/Flickr The world's biggest food fights La Merengada, Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltru The world's biggest food fights La Merengada, Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltru The world's biggest food fights Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, Italy Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, Italy Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights Clean Monday, Galaxidi, Greece Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images The world's biggest food fights Clean Monday, Galaxidi, Greece Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images

By the way, Oliver interjected, it got so much darker than that. It trended. For weeks! I had death threats and all sorts because of a bit of sausage.

Honestly, I was in Canada at the time, and I was talking to the President [sic]. We were doing whole things about great things about childhood obesity strategies in Canada because our one fell to pieces, and as I went out the BA lounge they went, 'Oh, you're in the paper today! And I went brilliant, good solid work, and she went, yeah - chorizo. Spanish dont like it.

Whatever I did that month was overtaken by the chorizo.

Oliver then climbed back into the frying pan, out of it, and into the fire once again.

By the way, just FYI, it tastes better with chorizo.
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Calls for Jon Stewart to come out of retirement for good have grown steadily louder after Donald Trumps election.

Stewart left the show famed for lampooning Mr Trump after 16 years at the helm in August 2015. His presence is now sorely missed amid growing concern over the direction the President-elect will take America.

Stewart's brief returns to the pulpit before the election were short but sweet. The former Daily Show host emerged a week before the US presidential elections, at a moment when polls were suddenly making those who had roundly dismissed Mr Trump nervous, by reminding the then Republican nominee of a tweet he would rather forget. His intervention was ultimately ineffective and Stewart is now feeling reflective.

He made another return during a Times Talk on Friday to promote his forthcoming book, The Daily Show (The Book): An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, where he addressed the apocalyptic predictions about Mr Trump's administration.

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Mr Trump made a number of anti-Muslim, anti-refugee and anti-immigration comments throughout his campaign but Stewart rejected claims everyone who voted for Mr Trump was a racist.

Not everybody that voted for Trump is a racist. I dont give a f**k what any of you say to me. You can yell it at me, you can tweet it at me. Theyre not all racists. Or theyre not giving tacit support to a racist system ... We all give tacit support to exploitative systems as long as they dont affect us that badly. "

Stewart a life-long Democrat, has made his position clear since the election that the inadequacies of both Republicans and Democrats are to blame for Mr Trump's victory. He denied his show and the way satire was used more generally to deconstruct Mr Trump's campaign had anything to do with his victory.

I think of one of the lessons of this book and what were talking about is to put satire and culture in its proper place  that controlling a culture is not the same as power. And that while we were all passing around really remarkably eviscerating videos of the Tea Party  that we had all made great fun of  [they were] sitting off a highway at a Friendlys taking over a local school board. And the lesson there is, as much as I love what we did and I liked it, there is a self-satisfaction there that is unwarranted, unearned and not useful.

Recommended Jon Stewart says Democrats and Republicans both to blame for Trump

Stewart said Trump won the election because of deep-seated hypocrisy inherent in America. He happened because that's the push and pull of this nation at all times. It's a push and pull between nativism and a more inclusive multi-cultural approach. It's a country that writes in its founding document all men are created equal but only white men who own property can vote. That's the earliest contradiction, and we've been fighting that battle ever since."

Ironically, he looked to President Obama's unfulfilled promises and failings as a leader to reassure those concerned about the impact Mr Trump could have on the US.

Obama didn't change and fix everything and Trump can't ruin everything. If we're that vulnerable to one guy, that guythat's how we're going out? he said. This incredible experiment in liberty and democracy that we fought and died for is going to go outwith that guy. That can't be how this story ends... F**king buckle your seat belt and get ready.

Stewart's warning was shown to be prescient on Saturday when it emerged Mr Trump had broken four decades of US policy by speaking on the phone with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, angering Chinese officials and raising questions over whether he plans to change US diplomacy. The White House was only aware of the conversation after it took place.
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Nadia Murad is only 23 and yet already a number of labels have been ascribed to her. Escaped Isis sex-slave. Yazidi advocate. UN goodwill ambassador. Human rights activist. Award-winner. Survivor.

When Isis came to Kocho in northern Iraq in 2014, Murad had just passed eleventh grade and was getting ready to start the twelfth. She was 21, living with her brothers, their wives and children and her mother. Her days were spent working on a farm and attending the local school.

This was a life of a village; a simple life, says Murad. This was a life away from things I am in now.

Murad has now travelled the world, given evidence before the United Nations and addressed various heads of state. But before Isis came, her whole world existed inside the village she had never left.

Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Show all 15 1 /15 Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Isis in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Isis in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community settle at a camp at Derike, Syria. In the camps here, Iraqi refugees have new heroes: Syrian Kurdish fighters who battled militants to carve an escape route to tens of thousands trapped on a mountaintop Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A pilot based at RAF Marham entering a Tornado GR4 prior to taking off for the reconnaissance mission over Iraq. Several RAF Tornado jets set off from RAF Marham in Norfolk this afternoon to travel to a "pre-position", from where they will fly to northern Iraq to provide improved surveillance of the situation on the ground. The jets, fitted with Litening III targeting and surveillance pods, will be able to fly over the crisis area to provide intelligence and help with the delivery of humanitarian aid Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A British Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4 aircraft equipped with the Litening III pod from RAF Marham, eastern England, on their arrival at RAF Akrotiri Cyprus for their reconnaissance mission over Iraq Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Aid inside a Royal Air Force (RAF) Hercules C130 J aircraft before being airdropped to civilians in Iraq Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A Royal Air Force (RAF) Hercules C130 J military transport plane at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Britain made a third round of airdrops of supplies to aid refugees stranded on a mountain in northern Iraq, officials said, as Tornado fighters arrived at an RAF base in Cyprus preparing to provide surveillance support for the humanitarian effort Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4 aircraft, flown in from Britain, stand on the tarmac at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis A displaced man helps a woman, both from the minority Yazidi sect fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Isis in Sinjar town, as they make their way towards the Syrian border, on the outskirts of Sinjar mountain, near the Syrian border town of Elierbeh of Al-Hasakah Governorate Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Iraqis including Turkmen, Shabaks, Kurds, Yezidis and Christians, fleeing from assaults of army groups led by Isis, take shelter at Bahirka Camp in Arbil Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community look for clothes to wear among items provided by a charity organization at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community gather for food at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community gather for food at the Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Syrian Kurdish Peshmerga fighters take a sick Iraqi Yazidi woman to the clinic at Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria Iraq crisis: Yazidi nightmare on Mount Sinjar Iraq crisis Sick displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community wait for treatment at a clinic at Nowruz camp in Derike, Syria

Kocho was the village Amnesty International would later say Isis tried to wipe off the map in one of the worst reported massacres in the weeks after the group launched its insurgency. It took the human rights organisation days to find survivors.

Isiss devastating assault was rapid. Thousands fled to Mount Sinjar, but militants quickly surrounded Murads village and those inside could not escape. Six hundred men, including her brothers, and women who were deemed too old to be sexually exploited were rounded up the day she was taken and slaughtered. Murads mother was among those killed.

She was part of a group of 150 women and children who were taken to the city of Mosul and then separated. Each militant took one woman. From that moment on, they began to inflict what an investigation by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) would go on to describe as unimaginable horrors on the women. Murads simple life was suddenly overcome with pain and dehumanisation. She was beaten, raped and abused by her captors every day.

Before August 2014, we did not know there was something called human trafficking. I only heard this for the first time when they took us to Mosul and they said to me: You are an enslaved captive.

When she spoke at the United Nations Security Council and gave a full account of the barbarity the group unleashed on her, recalling how Isis militants would gang rape her until she fell unconscious, the men in the room cried.

Former Isis prisoner Nadia Murad delivers her speech after winning the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize in the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, 10 October, 2016 (EPA)

The Independent met Murad after she delivered the keynote speech at the Trust Women Conference in London where she bravely relived her trauma, as she has done countless times, to launch a rallying cry for the world to do more to prevent the persecution of the Yazidi community. More than 5,500 Yazidis have been murdered by Isis in the two years since she was taken. At least 3,000 are still being held by the group. Isis really changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, not just for me but for the women who have lost their husbands, for the children, for the 6,500 who were taken.

Softly spoken and small framed, she has summoned incomprehensible strength in order to repeat her nightmare again and again.

One of the oldest minorities in Iraq, Isis considers Yazidis heretics and has declared non-Muslim women and children to be taken and sold as slaves. A disturbing pamphlet distributed by Isis deemed it permissible to rape a female slave immediately after taking possession of her and permissible to have intercourse with the female slave who hasn't reached puberty if she is fit for intercourse.

After a failed attempt at escaping, Murad eventually fled via an unlocked door and, with the help of a Muslim family, made it to a refugee camp. Now she is the most powerful voice to emerge from the Yazidi community and an advocate who uses the abject horror of her own experiences to draw global attention to the crimes inflicted on her community.

In October Murad was jointly awarded the Sakharov Prize, the most prestigious human rights prize in Europe. Now living in Germany, she visits refugee camps and travels around Europe to raise awareness of the brutality Isis subjects women to.

 Young Yazidi girl gives powerful speech at UN

Ive been trying to change the world for a year, trying to show the images of humans and victims before the eyes of leaders, politicians and world leaders the tragedy in order to stand with us, so they stop terrorism and trafficking.

Murads fight for justice has been bolstered by the presence of Amal Clooney. The human rights lawyer stood before the UN Security Council to condemn the inaction of world leaders over the persecution of Yazidis, where those present were unprepared for what she would say. This is the first time I have spoken in this chamber, Clooney began. I wish I could say I'm proud to be here but I am not. I am ashamed as a supporter of the United Nations that states are failing to prevent or even punish genocide because they find that their own interests get in the way.

Not one member of Isis has been held accountable for the atrocious crimes they have committed against the Yazidi community. In no uncertain terms, Clooney told delegates that Murad and other women who have suffered so egregiously at the hands of Isis deserve to see their abusers held to account.

Murads fight is one Clooney takes with her when she travels, most recently using her keynote speech at the Texas Conference for Women in Houston to call on women to take action where world leaders have not by uniting against the persecution of Yazidi women and the abuse of women worldwide.

Clooney has shone a light on the Yazidi cause, says Murad, and with that, given them a small ray of hope. When Amal said that (she felt ashamed), thousands of people in the camps were very happy because people thought that if the world can feel ashamed then they might do something.

Recommended Amal Clooney asks women to fight for rights of Yazidi community

She came in while the world was vastly silent about these crimes and she is an international lawyer. She is doing this for free for us and she is someone who fights for human rights. We are very lucky that she has taken on this case.

Murad is contacted constantly by the families of captive Yazidi women desperate for help in rescuing their loved ones. Isis often asks for tens of thousands of pounds as ransom money, which many displaced families living in refugee camps simply cannot pay.

Her advocacy has made her a public figure, and this visibility comes at great personal risk. Murad recently received a message from her niece, who said when Isis see her on television they vow to capture and enslave her again.

It is a dangerous thing to speak against them publicly, but when you see the enormity of what they have done, of their crimes, what type of tragedy they have caused... If its going to take my life alone to save lives of millions of people and to expose the crimes they have committed, then thats fine.

It is not an easy thing to go and speak about the rape, the genocide, to say that you were the victim of genocide and rape. But it is something that I feel obligated to do because they are following us, attacking us with the intention to exterminate us. And if they are capable of doing that, they will do that. Unless we can end the terrorism and the ideology of terrorism, we cannot feel safe.

Freedom is the most valuable thing that a human being can ever have. Freedom is life itself. When your freedom is restricted you find yourself worthless, to be used in the manner you could never imagine.
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Sarah Palin lambasted President-elect Donald Trump for the deal reached with Carrier and United Technologies, calling him out for crony capitalism.

Ms Palin, the former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, has been an outspoken supporter of Mr Trump. In fact, she is being considered for the Veterans Affairs spot in his Cabinet.

In an editorial published on the Young Conservatives website, Ms Palin said the deal  which would keep Carrier from sending 800 of about 2,000 Carrier jobs to Mexico  was political intrusion using a stick or a carrot to bribe or force one individual business to do what politicians insist.

 Sarah Palin compares Donald Trump's election run to Brexit

Carrier would receive $7m over 10 years as part of the deal, although most of the details are still unknown.

When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favouring one business over others, she wrote, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent.

Ms Palin added: Republicans oppose this, remember? Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail.

After comparing the deal to some Obama administration legislation, she walked back her criticism of Mr Trump, saying that she has to have faith the Trump team knows all this.
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Stephen Hawking has had to go to hospital in Rome after feeling unwell, but according to a spokesman his condition is not believed to be serious.

Professor Hawking, 74, was in Rome to attend a conference at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and had met Pope Francis on Monday.

But on Thursday night the motor neurone disease sufferer was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital  where popes are treated - for checks, after he was reported to not be feeling well.

He spent two nights in hospital in the Gemelli as a precaution, according to hospital sources, but they added that the situation was under control.

A Vatican source meanwhile said plans for Hawking and his entourage to leave on Saturday had not been changed.

The physicist and cosmologist has been vocal on world affairs in recent weeks. In a column on Thursday he delivered a rallying cry for the human race to work together and break down barriers following Donald Trumps election victory.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi 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and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty

Professor Hawking added that it would be a terrible mistake to ignore the populism behind the votes for Brexit and the billionaire tycoon in the US, before going on to warn that we are at the most dangerous moment in the development of humanity with the technology to destroy the planet.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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A man has been charged with murder following an assault at an immigration centre in greater London.

Police were called to the incident at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre in Harmondsworth in the west London borough of Hillingdon at 9.15am on Thursday.

The 64-year-old victim Tarek Chowdhury was taken to hospital but died at 9:30pm, Metropolitan Police said.

A 31-year-old man was charged on Friday following the incident.

The suspect, who was in the care of the centre, will appear in custody at Hendon Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

He was one of three men, aged 31, 32 and 35, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command was opened up following the incident.

The other two men were released without charge.

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Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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Colnbrook, which is located nearby Heathrow Airport and managed by Home Office subcontractors Mitie Care and Custody, opened in September 2004 and has a capacity of 408.

It is a centre for men but includes a Short Term Holding Centre, where both women and men are held usually for a few days, according to Detention Action. It also contains a unit for women, which has a capacity of 20.

A Her Majestys Inspectorate of Prisons inspection of Colnbrook in 2013 found significant concerns with the centre.

It said there was widespread, anxiety among detainees about issues ranging from the behaviour of other detainees to the availability of drugs.

The report also described some areas of centres as cramped and dirty.

Some areas, particularly on upper floors and on stairs, were caked-in dirt, it said. Rooms were poorly ventilated and many were also dirty. Some toilets were filthy.

Additional reporting by PA
Related Egypt prosecution summons deputy head of Doctors Syndicate Mona Mina for questioning

The deputy head of Egypt's Doctors Syndicate Mona Mina has been released on EGP 1,000 bail after four hours of questioning by Cairo prosecutors.

Mina was summoned to appear before the prosecution after cases were filed against her by Egypt's health minister, the head of Cairo University, and lawyer Tarek Mahmoud.

Mahmoud accused Mina of "disturbing security and social order, spreading panic among citizens, and defaming the state."

Mina came under fire recently after stating publically that hospitals in the country have substandard hygiene practices.

Mina is an outspoken proponent of better wages and working conditions for doctors and an advocate for healthcare reform.

A statement of solidarity with Mina has been signed by over 500 prominent figures and activists as well as a number of professional syndicates following the backlash over her comments.

In 2012, Mina, a long-time leftist activist, became the first woman to become secretary-general of the Doctors Syndicate.

Mina, a founding member of the Egyptian activist group Doctors Without Rights, has also been politically active beyond the scope of her profession, participating in anti-regime protests since the era of former president Hosni Mubarak.

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A family court judge told a father he was unwise to have taken his ultra-Orthodox Jewish children to a museum where images and exhibits depicted the theory of evolution.

Judge Judith Rowe made the remark in a judgment on a fraught custody dispute between a separated couple from the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Satmar sect, which regards belief in evolution as heretical.

The May 2015 decision, which has only now been published, was the third of four in a drawn-out case that highlighted the difficulties faced by religious communities like the Satmar if they encounter modern influences.

Its members adhere to a strict 19th-century interpretation of Judaism and contact with the secular world can be taboo.

In her remarks Judge Rowe, sitting at West London Family Court, further criticised the man for telling his five-year-old son that a mum and dad are needed to make babies, because it was beyond the knowledge a child from the group would have been expected to possess by that age.

In an earlier judgment in 2014, she said the father had also been unwise to let his children watch televison as they would not have been used to it in their mother's home. The familys identity has been protected for legal reasons.

The judges remarks were in the context of trying to balance the welfare and educational needs of children in a strict community and their gradual exposure to secular influences.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate Purim in Jerusalem

The mother compained that, following his exit from the Satmar community in 2013, her two children had been exposed to television and other outside influences by their father.

According to the second judgment, from November 2014, she did not trust the fathers willingness and ability to support the childrens primary way of life.

Judge Rowe stressed in that initial decision  which granted the attuned, hands-on father alternate weekend visits from his children including on the Sabbath, and set out school and holiday arrangements  that the childrens welfare was paramount and that she relied on prior guidance relating to people for whom every aspect of their lives, every aspect of their being is governed by religion.

She found the father understood that if he took things too quickly or insensitively, then the children will find the transition difficult and confusing.

But just weeks later the case was back in court over claims the man had exposed the children to images relating to the theory of evolution during a museum visit and spoken to his son about where babies come from.

The father, who remains an observant Jew, told the court: I do not accept that showing them children's story books or pictures on the wall, with pictures of monkeys with human faces or standing upright, is teaching evolution.

However, Judge Rowe concluded that was naive. She said: Given the Satmar approach to that theory, it seems to me to have been unwise of the father to take the children to a museum which exhibits pictures which appear  or may be taken  to depict extracts from that very theory.

They are likely to prompt these bright young children to ask questions which, if answered honestly, would involve some explanation of that theory.

The father was criticised for allowing his children to watch CBBC (Getty Images)

Further complaints by the mother included that the father had combed one of his childrens curls on the Sabbath and allowed them to watch CBBC television. The judge criticised him for being careless and said he displayed continuing difficulty in accepting some of the Satmar strictures as sufficiently important to require him to follow them when the children are with him.

In the October ruling, the judge said: My overall impression of the father was of a man far calmer and more at peace with himself than he was in the quite fraught proceedings of 2015.

The judge also criticised the mother for failing to have any understanding of the fathers position. She said in her October judgment: She said that she could arrange to visit the fathers community and I consider it would be immensely helpful for the children if that could be arranged. Surely some awareness by the mother of the fathers way of life would help to alleviate the suspicions and uncertainties that continue to motivate her.

It seemed that she was looking for evidence to confirm her worst suspicions, and whilst the father has been dismissive when she has tried to raise things with him on occasion I did gain the clear impression that the mother has been making the very presumptions that I cautioned against in 2015.

The ultra-Orthodox Jewish Charedi community is regarded as insular. Men wear 19th-century Eastern European dress including long black coats and black hats, while married women must dress modestly and cover their hair.

There are some 30,000 strictly Orthodox Jews living in the UK, of which Satmar is the largest sect. The communitys leaders in New York recently decreed that young women must not go to university in case they gain dangerous secular knowledge.

This family lived a Satmar ultra-Orthodox life until early 2013, when the father left in what was described as a seismic event. He continued to follow Judaism but for some time did not practise within a settled community, though he now does.

Judge Rowe said in 2015 that the man must not say or do anything which risks marginalising the children within their community.

But she added: However hard the father works to honour this commitment, the children will inevitably see and hear things when they are with him that they would not and should not hear within Satmar.

Whilst he must help them to make sense of such matters in a protective and supportive way, the mother must equally understand that this will happen.

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In October this year the judge noted that the children continue to benefit from a close, deep and loving relationship with both parents and urged the pair to work together to avoid further court involvement.

The British Humanist Association said it was outraged by the comment on evolution and that the dispute was part of a far wider problem in faith education.

Its campaigns manager Richy Thompson said: Incidents like this simply wouldnt arise if private schools were held to the same standards as state-funded schools, obliged to teach a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares children for life in the modern world, and barred from promoting pseudo-science and creationism.

This father and his children were failed by the education system and now theyve been failed by the legal system, and its vital that reforms are introduced if these kinds of situations are to be avoided in the future.

That a judge could criticise a father for seeking to educate his children in line with the established scientific consensus, information they would have received had they attended any state school in the country, and then defend the attempts of their mother and their school to withhold such information from them, is appalling.
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The owner of a vegetarian cafe who introduced a policy of refusing to take the new five pound note because they contain traces of animal fat has told The Independent she is a nervous wreck after receiving a barrage of online abuse over the ban.

Sharon Meijland, who owns Rainbow Vegetarian Cafe in Cambridge, put signs up in her restaurant on Wednesday informing customers that they would no longer be able to pay with the new notes after the Bank of England revealed they were made with tallow  a substance containing animal by-products.

Three days later, Ms Meijland told The Independent she was struggling to cope after being subjected to an influx of "nasty" comments in response to the policy, saying it was difficult to handle the level of vitriol being aimed at her.

On Saturday afternoon a number of comments could be seen on the restaurants Facebook page, with people accusing the cafe of using the ban as a publicity stunt and calling the owners pathetic.

Ms Meijland, who has owned the cafe for 30 years, said told The Independent: I'm a nervous wreck. I can't handle this level of vitriol. I just want it to blow over.

People are finding every kind of criticisms like blowing up our pictures to see what kind of shoes we have. There are so many nasty comments about cheap publicity stunt. It seems unfair.

When I look at the hundreds of thousands of meatless meals I have served in the last three decades, each one a meal that has not got one piece of animal on it, I would have thought that would be appreciated. But instead, its Burn the Witch time.

Ms Meijland put up a sign in the restaurant informing customers they would refuse new five pound notes because of the revelation they contain animal by-products (Sharon Meijland) (Sharon)

On the Rainbow Venegtarian Cafe Facebook page, one commenter wrote: Plastic bags, car and bike tyres, even the glue that is used in wooden musical instruments and furniture can and usually have animal by products in them.

You are the attention seekers who tarnish all vegans with the same pecker brush.

Another wrote: You actually are pathetic, do you use gas and petrol? because if so I suggest you stop since they use animal by products.

The restaurant owner said she had had to give her phone to her husband so that she couldnt hear the pings and that there had been an abusive call made to the restaurant itself, but she confirmed that no one had been abusive in person.

Despite the online abuse, Ms Meijland said the restaurant was sticking to the policy, and said that if anyone were to take up the legal tender issue, their five pound note would be donated to a local animal shelter.

If we get someone who is truly determined to take up the legal tender issue, we have an envelope ready for then to drop the five pound note in, and it will go direct to Wood Green Animal Shelter, she said.

"What these people don't seem to realise is they are not abusing some massive company  it's a restaurant run by a 66- and 68-year-old couple."

The restaurant has won at the Free From Eating Out Awards for five consecutive years among a number of other successes.

The revelation sparked outrage among vegetarians and vegans in the UK, and a petition demanding that the note be scrapped because it is unacceptable to millions of vegans and vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in the UK has so far garnered more than 125,000 signatures.

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news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty

In response, the Bank of England said it was trying to find a way to remove traces of animal fat from new five pound notes, and said they were unaware of the use of tallow when a contract was signed with suppliers Innovia.

The Australian inventor of the polymer bank note has since said British vegetarians and vegans were being stupid for protesting about the issue, saying the notes contain trivial amounts of tallow, which is also found in candles and soap.

The new polymer notes came into circulation in September and are said to be safer and stronger than other notes, with the ability to be wiped clean and to survive a standard laundry cycle with minimal damage.
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Labour has few "safe seats" left after a resurge in support for Ukip and the Liberal Democrats following the Brexit vote, senior party sources claimed.

The party was defeated in the Richmond Park by-election on Friday when Lib Dem Sarah Olney clinched victory, losing its deposit for the first time since 1909 in a London by-election.

Labour sources now fear the Liberal Democrats, who wiped out incumbent Zac Goldsmiths 23,015 majority, could usurp the party as a credible anti-establishment opposition, with its pro-European approach to Brexit.

Some believe the Richmond Park defeat could catapult the party into an electoral crisis as the Lib Dems gain support in pro-Remain and historically Conservative areas, while Ukip gains confidence among working-class voters in Labours heartlands of the north and Midlands.

Former leadership hopeful Chuka Umunna told The Times there were no safe Labour seats.

We do have two different strong pulls. There are metropolitan seats, in London, Manchester and Leeds; they are strongly pro-EU. Then equally, there are dozens and dozens of seats which are working class, where many did not vote to remain. Theres no doubt its difficult to balance the two, a senior Corbyn ally told The Times.

Shadow business secretary Clive Lewis called for the party to consider electoral pacts with opposition leaders, following Labours embarrassing defeat in Richmond Park, where it polled just 1,515 votes.

Its quite clear that the usual political playbook parties use isnt necessarily going to work in the situation we find ourselves in now, he told Politico.

However, others called for Mr Corbyn to take a stronger stance on Brexit in order to reassure voters, with many attributing the rise of the Lib Dems to the party's anti-Brexit stance.

While some believed Theresa May would push for a general election prior to 2020, Zac Goldsmiths crushing defeat is likely to dissuade her from taking advantage of Labours weakened state due to the increasing unpredictability of the political climate.

Many now believe that Remain or Leave have taken over from the traditional Left or Right, with a British Election Study in October revealing people identified more strongly with how they voted in the EU referendum than a political party.

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The EU referendum revealed a more fundamental divide, Chris Prosser, of Manchester University, said.

Labour is braced for another by-election defeat next week in the Tory-held seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham in Lincolnshire.

Stephen Phillips QC resigned over irreconcilable policy differences in the wake of Brexit, and his party are the firm favourites to win again.

He won 56 per cent of the vote in 2015, compared to 17.3 per cent for the Labour Party and 15.7 per cent for Ukip. The Liberal Democrats won 5.7 per cent of the vote.

However, Labours opposition power could be blighted by Ukip.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron called on Sleaford voters, of whom 40 per cent voted Remain, to hammer home the message that they opposed an extreme Brexit following the Richmond Park victory, that many believe will lessen the chance of a hard Brexit.
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A former German Waffen SS soldier who was captured during the Second World War has left almost 400,000 to a Scottish village for the kindness he was shown as a prisoner of war.

Heinrich Steinmeyer was captured in France as a 19-year-old and brought to Cultybraggan camp near Comrie, Perthshire, where he was held captive.

The widower, who had no children, died two years ago aged 90, leaving 384,000 to the village after being shown unexpected kindness by the villagers and making lasting friendships.

I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Scotland for the kindness and generosity that I have experienced in Scotland during my imprisonment of war and hereafter, he wrote in his will, according to ITV.

His wish will now be recognised and the money has been gifted to the villages local community trust to be spent on development for the elderly in the area, as per Mr Steinmeyers wishes.

The former soldier said the Scots had saved his life on three separate occasions: from the French when he was captured, from the Polish when he was transported and, finally, with their kindness while he was being held captive.

The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures Show all 6 1 /6 The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures Crew of the U-boat ORP Sokol, one of the Terrible Twins" which with ORP Dzik distinguished itself in the Mediterranean in WW2 Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures Polish Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service) march in England in WW2 Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures Polish seamen fighting with the British Navy take surrender of German U-Boat at end of WW2 Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures King George VI visits pilots of 303 Polish Air Force Squadron (top scoring in Battle of Britain) 26 September 1940 Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures Polish Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service) being taught English Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum The Polish fight alongside Britain - in pictures Polish seamen fighting with the British Navy take surrender of German U-Boat at end of WW2 Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum

He said he would have stayed in Scotland but instead he returned to his native Silesia, East Germany, to be with his elderly widowed mother, and later settled in Demlmenhorst, near Bremen.

However, his ashes were scattered in the hills near to the Cultybraggan camp.

Mr Steinmeyer became great friends with George Carson from Comrie, who died just two weeks before him.

It sounds like an unbelievable story but its absolutely true. My mother and her friends, all school children at Morrisons Academy in Crieff, made friends with Heinrich through the fence of the Cultybraggan camp, Mr Carsons son, also called George, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

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Im not quite sure how they communicated but during these conversations they discovered that Heinrich had never seen a moving picture. So they went up with their push bikes one morning  one of the girls had taken her brothers school uniform  and they smuggled him out of the camp through the chainlink fence and into the cinema, where he saw his very first film, and he was absolutely blown away by the whole experience.

I met him a couple of times and he was a wonderful man. This is his thanks for the kindness shown to him at the point of his life where he was at his lowest, and he just wants to say thank you to everybody.

The money left by Mr Steinmeyer is currently being held in the Heinrich Steinmeyer Legacy Fund while a consultation takes place to confirm where it should be spent.

Heinrichs personal history is an amazing story of friendship and appreciation, and people in Comrie will both honour and benefit from his legacy, Andrew Reid from the Comrie Development Trust said.
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The Attorney General has argued the High Court judges who ruled that Parliament should vote on triggering Article 50 consigned the EU referendum result to almost a footnote.

Jeremy Wright QC, head legal officer for the Government, will fight the judgement in the Supreme Court next week, claiming that Prime Minister Theresa May can start Brexit proceedings alone.

Mr Wright said the judges who made Novembers ruling were wrong to relegate, almost to a footnote, the outcome of the referendum and to dismiss it as merely a political event.

He added in a legal argument submitted to the court that the issue cannot be resolved in a vacuum, without regard to the outcome of the referendum.

The submission was signed by Mr Wright and other lawyers, including Advocate General for Scotland, Richard Keen QC.

Over the course of four days from Monday, they will seek to persuade 11 Supreme Court judges to overturn the decision, but no judgement is expected until the New Year.

The ruling will be broadcast live and the president of the court, Lord Neuberger, will explain the reasoning behind it.

The judgement risks derailing the Prime Ministers vow to trigger Article 50 before the end of March and according to reports, ministers have said there is an expectation the Government will lose the appeal.

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

Earlier this week, one law professor predicted that the PM would lose 11-0 when the justices in the Supreme Court reach a decision.

Professor Michael Zander QC said the High Court judges who ruled Ms May could not act alone when triggering Article 50 had given a unanimous and very strong decision.

Around 80 MPs are expected to vote against the legislation in the Commons, including newly elected Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney.
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Theresa May will reportedly challenge MPs and peers to defy the will of the people if she loses a crucial Supreme Court battle on the right to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

It comes as Government lawyers prepare to present their case for triggering the untested mechanism of leaving the EU without an act of Parliament. The case, which will begin on Monday, is expected to reach a judgement in January and risks derailing the Prime Ministers pledge to trigger Article 50 before the end of March.

According to The Daily Telegraph ministers have said there is an expectation they will lose the case  as they did in the High Court  and that the PM is already preparing to introduce a short three-line bill to allow MPs a vote on Article 50. But, the newspaper adds, allies of Ms May are confident MPs would not dare vote the legislation down.

Theresa May has made clear that people bringing this legal action over Article 50 must not be allowed to thwart the will of the people  she will take exactly the same approach in the Commons when she addresses MPs.

It is expected that around 80 MPs will vote against the legislation in the Commons. On Friday the newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, who overturned her Conservative rivals 23,000 majority, became the latest to go on record saying she will vote against Article 50. Ms Olney said the result in Richmond Park gave her a mandate to vote against Brexit.

Newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney celebrates her win on Friday. She has said she will vote against the triggering of Article 50 (Getty)

One law professor earlier this week predicted that the PM is heading for an 11-0 defeat when the justices in the Supreme Court reach a decision. Professor Michael Zander QC said the High Court judges who ruled Ms May could not act alone when triggering the Article 50 notice had given a unanimous and very strong decision.

Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned  forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA  because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty

He wrote: I would be surprised if the Attorney General and his team of supporting QCs and other lawyers have given ministers reason to hope that there was any great hope of the [High Courts] unanimous and very strong decision being reversed.

The appeal is to be heard in December  for the first time with all 11 [Supreme Court] justices sitting ... In my view, the Government could be looking at losing 11-0.

A Government spokesperson told The Independent: The country voted to leave the European Union in a referendum provided for by an Act of Parliament. The Government is determined to respect the result of the referendum. The Governments case is that it does have legal power to trigger Article 50 on the timetable set out by the Prime Minister. We do not believe another act of Parliament is necessary.
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The UK could seek a deal that looks to get sections of the economy access to the EUs customs union after Brexit, according to Greg Hands, the international trade minister.

Mr Hands said there would not be a choice between remaining within or leaving the customs union when Britain negotiates leaving the European Union.

The customs union operates alongside the free trade area and the single market and includes all EU member states as well as Andorra, the Channel Islands, Monaco, Turkey and San Marino.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Mr Hands said the UK could be selective about which sectors of the economy it wished to be covered by the arrangement.

"You can choose which markets, which products the customs unions affect and which they don't, so there isn't a binary thing of being inside the customs union or outside of the customs union," the international trade minister said.

"The history of international trade has got all kinds of examples of customs unions."

The comments come as Brexit Secretary David Davis suggested the UK would not axe free movement in a way that damages the British economy.

The Cabinet minister made the pledge as he suggested that firms should not be wringing our hands, but helping the Government forge the UKs future after Brexit.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty

A Downing Street spokesman said: "As we enter these negotiations to leave the EU, what is important is we get a deal that makes sure our economy is successful and is able to draw on the resources and talent we need to be successful.

"We have made no secret of the fact we will continue to encourage the brightest and best to come to Britain."
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David Cameron has said the victory of Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate in the French presidential elections, would be a body blow for the European project.

In one of his first interventions since resigning as Prime Minister, following his defeat at the European Union referendum in June, Mr Cameron also reiterated his belief that it would have been better for Britain to remain inside the 28 member state bloc.

Speaking in New Delhi, the former Prime Minister, who was in Downing Street between 2010 and 2016, added: Our neighbours, our partners, our friends and our allies and I wanted us to stay in the room with them when they make decisions that affect us and our continent.

But Mr Cameron said that Brexit is not a dead end for Britain. He added: We were inside the EU but out of many of its elements we are now out but in some of its elements.

At the event in the Indian capital hosted by the Hindustan Times, Mr Cameron also said he was hoping for a victory of a mainstream party that can unite people behind their candidacy in Aprils presidential elections in France.

Polls in France have consistently shown the Front National leader Ms Le Pen will make it to the final round but will struggle at that stage against Francois Fillon  the 62-year-old socially conservative former Prime Minister who last week won the primary to be the candidate for the right. Earlier this week, the unpopular French president Francois Hollande announced he would not seek a second term at Elysee Palace at the elections next year.

David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 David Cameron's premiership - in pictures David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Queen Elizabeth II greeting David Cameron at Buckingham Palace for an audience to invite him to be the next Prime Minister on 11 May 2010 PA David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha wave from the steps of Number 10 Downing Street on 11 May 2010 Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures On 12 May 2010 Prime Minister David Cameron said in a press conference with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who was then deputy PM, they plan to "take Britain in a historic new direction" and Conservative-led coalition government would be united and provide "strong and stable" leadership Rex David Cameron's premiership - in pictures A decade ago, David Cameron visited the Arctic to witness the effects of climate change. However since coming to power in 2010, his government has gradually dropped down a succession of green policies David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David cameron told the then New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Queen had purred down the line after he told her Scotland had voted against independence in September 2014. He was forced to apologise for breaking constitutional convention Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron greeted soldiers working on flood relief in York city centre after the river Ouse burst its banks, in northern England in December 2015 REUTERS David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Claims that David Cameron performed an obscene act with a dead pig and smoked cannabis during his studies at Oxford University spread around the world in September 2015. The extraordinary allegations were made in an unauthorised biography of the Prime Minister written by Lord Ashcroft David Hartley/REX Shutterstock David Cameron's premiership - in pictures In 2016, Mr Cameron was caught up in a worldwide scandal dubbed the Panama papers Reuters David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha with seven week old Regan as they meet her parents, first time home buyers Robert Arron and Kelly Jeffers at the Heritage Brook housing development in Chorley, Lancashire. David Cameron has joked that he wants "another baby" and said that he feels a "bit broody" every time he sees a newborn on the campaign trail David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron was criticised for branding refugees in the Calais jungle camp as a bunch of migrants in January 2016 after thousands of refugees died in their attempt to cross the Mediterranean in 2015 Sky News David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during an EU summit meeting on 17 March 2016 at the European Union council in Brussels. Cameron was in Brussels to renegotiate deal of UK membership with other European leaders. The deal, sealed after hours of haggling at a marathon summit, paved the way for a referendum on whether Britain will stay in the EU AFP/Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures President Barack Obama shakes hands with British Prime Minister David Cameron at a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on 22 April 2016. The President and his wife visited 10 Downing Street where he joined press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron and made his case for the UK to remain inside the European Union Getty Images David Cameron's premiership - in pictures After David returned from Brussels claiming victory in his renegotiation with European leaders, Boris Johnson announced that he will not support the Remain campaign. The prime minister said publicly he was "disappointed but Boris remains a friend" PA David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Prime Minister David Cameron makes a joint appearance with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan as they launch the Britain Stronger in Europe guarantee card at Roehampton University on 20 May 2016 in London. The 'guarantee card' lists five pledges should Britain remain in the EU, including the protection of workers' rights, full access to the single market and stability for Britain David Cameron's premiership - in pictures Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron speaks outside 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016. Cameron announced his resignation after Britain voted to leave the European Union after a bitterly divisive referendum campaign AP

He said the rise of anti-system, populist and quite extreme political parties across the continent did not mark the end of globalisation, but warned of the need to make a major course-correction.

News agency AFP reported the former PM added: If France were to elect Marine Le Pen, that would be obviously a very big body blow for the European project.

But we do need to understand very profoundly the things that have happened, that have caused the events you have seen in Europe and the wider world in the last one year.

According to the Hindustan Times, Mr Cameron was also asked what his plans were for the future. Umm, well, I am writing a book on my time in politics he said.
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Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the US Justice Department will send mediators to the site of the Dakota Access Pipeline demonstrations to assist in defusing tension between local law enforcement and protesters.

Ms Lynch made her announcement as North Dakota officials ordered Standing Rock Sioux protesters to leave the construction site in Cannon Ball, or face arrest by 5 December. While peaceful protesters have endured increasing aggression, Ms Lynch urged all parties to remain non-violent.

Recommended Thousands of veterans will join protesters at Standing Rock

Let me stress that violence is never the answer and that all of us have a responsibility to find common ground around a peaceful resolution where all voices are heard, she said in the video statement released Friday evening. Our first concern is the safety of everyone in the area  law enforcement officers, residents, and protesters alike.

In recent weeks, law enforcement equipped with full military gear escalated their assault on protesters, who are protesting the $3.8bn (3bn) pipeline that is planned to span 1,172 miles with concerns that the local water supply will become tainted and sacred sites destroyed.

Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Show all 15 1 /15 Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota A person pours a pepper spray antidote into a protester's eyes during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People swim across a river to where the police officers are standing guard during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota A man holds up a ceremonial object while police officers look down from a hill during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota November Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Two people stand in the water of a river while police officers guard the shore during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota A man stands on a makeshift bridge over a river while police officers stand on the opposite shore during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Tonya Stands recovers after being pepper sprayed by police after swimming across a creek with other protesters hoping to build a new camp to block construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, near Cannon Ball, Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Dakota Access Pipeline protesters stand in the foreground and in the waist-deep water of the Cantapeta Creek, northeast of the Oceti Sakowin Camp, near Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Officers in riot gear clashed again Wednesday with protesters near the Dakota Access pipeline, hitting dozens with pepper spray as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipeline's developer. Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Dakota Access Pipeline protesters stand in the foreground and in the waist-deep water of the Cantapeta Creek, northeast of the Oceti Sakowin Camp, near Cannon Ball, N.D., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016. Officers in riot gear clashed again Wednesday with protesters near the Dakota Access pipeline, hitting dozens with pepper spray as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipeline's developer. Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People who were tear gassed return to the shore during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota People yell at police officers standing on the opposite shore of a river during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters Protesters occupy Standing Rock reservation, North Dakota Police use pepper spray against protesters in a boat during a protest against the building of a pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation near Cannonball, North Dakota, U.S Reuters

Officers deployed water cannons in sub-freezing temperatures, tear gas, and rubber bullets  injuring at least 17. One womans arm was severely injured when it was hit with a canister.

We recognise the strong feelings that exist about the Dakota Access Pipeline  feelings that in many instances arise from the complicated and painful history between the federal government and American Indians, Ms Lynch said. We will remain committed to working with all stakeholders to enforce the law, to maintain peace, and to reach a just solution to this challenging situation.

The Justice Department has been in discussions with North Dakota authorities as well Standing Rock Sioux Tribal chair David Archambault II. Officials from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (Cops) and the Office of Tribal Justice will be among those sent to oversee the situation.

 Hollywood Stars Join Standing Rock Sioux Members to Protest North Dakota Pipeline

Hundreds of veterans travelled to Cannon Ball this weekend to serve as a human shield between Standing Rock protesters and law enforcement.

A Gofundme campaign to raise money for the Veterans for Standing Rock, called for participants to assemble as a peaceful, unarmed militia to stand in solidarity with protesters amid the escalation from law enforcement.

Its time to display that honour, courage, and commitment we claim to represent, the campaign reads. It has raised nearly $1m (790,000) in only a few weeks. Its time for real patriots. Now more than ever, its time for anyone and everyone to lead.

President Barack Obama had suggested the possibility that the pipeline could be rerouted  but no such plan has come to fruition.

And as Mr Obamas presidency comes to an end, it is unlikely that President-elect Donald Trump will side with the Standing Rock tribe. Mr Trump recently came out in support of the pipelines construction  although he insisted it had nothing to do with his business interests.

Mr Trump has a stake in the company behind the construction, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, as well as Phillips 66, which also holds a share.

But the Trump transition team insists that his investment in the company  which went as high as $1m (790,000) in 2015  has nothing to do with his personal investments and everything to do with promoting policies that benefit all Americans, a note from the team read.

Those making such a claim are only attempting to distract from the fact that President-elect Trump has put forth serious policy proposals he plans to set in motion on day one.
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President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen - breaking with nearly four decades of US policy - in a move protested by China.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of One China.

China's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it had lodged a protest with the relevant side in the United States - with experts saying that officials in Beijing will have been angered by the call.

Shortly after reports broke about the call, Mr Trump issued a tweet saying that Ms Tsai called him. However, according to a Taipei Times report the call was apparently "arranged by his Taiwan-friendly campaign staff".

"The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" Mr Trump tweeted, but Alex Huang, a spokesman for Ms Tsai, said later: Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact. .

The Trump transition team confirmed that the pair spoke in a statement, but did not disclose who called whom.

"President-elect trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen, who offered her congratulations," they wrote. "During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties [that] exist between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year."

It is not clear whether the New York businessman intended to signify a change in US diplomacy. The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official. Regardless of Mr Trump's true intentions, the act is likely to provoke a response from China.

"The Chinese leadership will see this as a highly provocative action, of historic proportions," former Asia director at the White House national security council, Evan Medeiros, told the Financial Times.

"Regardless if it was deliberate or accidental," he added, "this phone call will fundamentally change China's perceptions of Trump's strategic intentions for the negative.

Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall  and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY

"With this kind of move, Trump is setting a foundation of enduring mistrust and strategic competition for US-China relations."

Hours after Friday's call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, perhaps looking to avoid a major rift with Washington just before Mr Trump assumes the presidency.

This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'One China' structure already formed by the international community, Mr Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported.

The US first adopted the 'One China' policy in 1972 following meetings between then President Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao Tse-tung. The agreement was finally solidified by Jimmy Carter. Under that policy, the US recognises Beijing as representing China, but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

On Saturday, Taiwan's policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call calmly.

We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship, the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Ms Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

China's influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Mr Trump really overturned the One China principle upon assuming office, it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else.

We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do.

Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Mr Trump.

Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call, Trump said in another tweet.

Mr Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

The White House said after Trump's call that longstanding policy on China and Taiwan had not changed.

We remain firmly committed to our 'One China' policy, said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Mr Trump was well aware of what US policy has been on Taiwan.

Other experts were also quick to call on China not to rush to judgement over the call. "[It] would be a mistake for Beijing and others to over-interpret the meaning of a phone call between President-elect Trump and the President of Taiwan," former Bush White House Asia adviser, Dennis Wilder, said.

 Trump says China is 'raping' US.mp4

He continued: Mr Trump is "not steeped in the diplomatic history of US-China relations and probably has not been briefed by the Department of State on the US-China understandings on our unofficial ties to Taiwan. ...

"We are in uncharted territory with Trump foreign policy, and nations should give him some latitude as he forms his foreign policy team."

Throughout his campaign, Mr Trump had been overtly critical of US policies with China.

"We can't continue to allow China to rape our country," he said at a campaign rally in May.

Mr Trump's call with Ms Tsai comes only hours after China foreign ministry spokesperson's remarks of a new defence spending bill that suggests the US conduct military exchanges with Taiwan.

"China firmly opposes the United States and Taiwan carrying out any form of official contact or military exchange," Mr Geng said, as he urged the US to "scrupulously abide" by decades-old policy or risk damaging relations between the two countries.

Reuters contributed to this report
The committee will hold a series of hearing sessions on a government-drafted law aimed at forming three bodies to be in charge of regulating the media

The head of the Egyptian parliament's culture, media and antiquities committee, Osama Heikal, revealed Saturday that the committee will begin Sunday holding a series of hearing sessions on two government-drafted media laws: one to create three media regulatory bodies, and the other seeking to supervise the media as a whole, including the press, radio and television and electronic news websites.

"This comes upon the recommendation of the State Council, which advised that the creation of three regulatory bodies come in a separate law, and ahead of discussing and passing a unified law on the media," Heikal told reporters Saturday.

Heikal said that articles 211, 212 and 213 of Egypt's 2014 Constitution stipulate the creation of three media regulatory bodies  the Higher Council for Media Regulation (HCMR), the National Press Organisation (NPO) and the National Media Organisation (NMO).

"While the second and third bodies will be in charge of regulating a certain media sector, the first will be mandated with overseeing the performance of all media outlets in general," Heikal said.

Mostafa Bakry, an independent MP and a high-profile journalist, told reporters Saturday that "each regulatory body will govern a certain media sector, and the National Press Organisation (NPO) is the most important."

"This NPO will replace the current Higher Press Council, taking charge of supervising the state-owned or national press. The NPO will be responsible for selecting board chairmen of national press organisations and the editors of their affiliated publications. Each board will comprise 17 members  nine of them elected and eight named by the NPO. Boards will serve a three-year term," Bakry said.

Ali Hassan, chief editor of the government-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA), said last week at a press seminar at Ain Shams University that "The draft law on media regulatory bodies states that the NPO should guarantee the independence of national press organisations."

"The NPO will make sure that national newspapers and magazines act in a professional way, reflecting all points of view in a neutral manner, because they are national media outlets not private or partisan mouthpieces," said Hassan.

Hassan also indicated that the new NPO will be mandated to name the chairs of national press organisations.

"Candidates must meet a number of conditions. They must have no less than 20 years professional experience in press, administrative and financial circles, have no criminal record, no shares or stocks in any press organisation, no affiliation with any political party, and be in a position to fully exercise their political rights," said Hassan.

The law also states that the NPP separates editorial staff and organisation boards.

"Editorial teams composed of 11 senior journalists will determine the publication's editorial policy without any interference from the board," says Hassan.

Editors-in-chief, who must have at least 15 years professional experience, will serve three-year terms that can be renewed just once.

The law also states that journalists retire at the age of 60. "It does, however, allow journalists to work until they are 65 providing they are approved by the board on an annual basis," said Hassan.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Magdi Al-Agati told MPs last week that "It was originally proposed that a unified law on the media and its affiliated three regulatory bodies be drafted, but the State Council recommended that the legislation be divided into two separate laws: one on the unified media law and the other on regulatory bodies."

Al-Agati indicated that members of the three media regulatory bodies  the Higher Council for Media Regulation, the National Press Organisation, and the National Media Organisation  will be selected ahead of the passing of the unified media law.

"The constitution stipulates that these bodies and their boards be formed ahead of the unified media law," said Al-Agati.

In addition to boosting the performance of national press organisations and naming their chairmen and editorial staff. the NPO will be entrusted with conducting periodic reviews of the financial and administrative performance of these organisations.

"It will act like a watchdog, ensuring national press organisations generate profits, place maximum and minimum limits for wages and set the price of papers and magazines," said Hassan.

On the other hand, the National Media Organisation (NMO), which forms another part of the media regulatory bodies, will oversee state-owned audiovisual, radio and digital media institutions in a manner that guarantees their independence, professionalism and profitability.

The NMO will primarily face the difficult task of reforming the giant Radio and Television Union.

The NMO will focus on turning the union from a huge loss-making institution into a profitable and attractive business.

As for the Higher Council for Media Regulation (HCMR), the law states that it will supervise all media outlets in Egypt.

"The HCMR will regulate all forms of media outlets, audio, visual, digital and print in coordination with NPO and NMO," said Bakry.

The draft law states that the HCMR's board will comprise of 13 leading media experts.

It will give priority to reviewing all media laws, including the Press Syndicate Law, which dates back to 1970.

The HCMR will also draw up a code of media ethics, respecting public morals and national security concerns, which all media organisations  public, private or partisan  will be expected to abide by.

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President-elect Donald Trump has spoken directly with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen - breaking with nearly four decades of US policy - in a move brought a swift protest of China amid fears relations with Beijing could be damaged.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of one China.

China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant US side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in the relationship of the two superpowers.

"The one China principle is the political basis of the China-US relationship," it said.

The US first adopted the 'One China' policy in 1972 following meetings between then President Richard Nixon and Chairman Mao Tse-tung. The agreement was finally solidified by Jimmy Carter. Under that policy, the US recognises Beijing as representing China, but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and relations between the two sides have worsened since Ms Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

Speaking hours after the call, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi apparently blamed Taiwan for the exchange.

"This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Mr Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported.

"I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government."

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks on the phone with US President-elect Donald Trump at her office in Taipei, Taiwan (Reuters)

On Saturday, Taiwan's policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call calmly.

We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship, the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides.

The White House was adamant there was "no change" to the longstanding "one China" policy.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."

Mr Trump took to Twitter and said: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Ms Tsai, later said both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.

China's influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Mr Trump really overturned the One China principle upon assuming office, it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else.

We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do.

Taiwan's official Central News Agency, citing anonymous sources,claimed Edwin Feulner, former president of the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based conservative think tank, was a crucial figure in setting up communication channels between the sides, leading to the call. Mr Feulner had met with Tsai in October when he led a delegation from the think tank on a trip to Taiwan, according to a release at the time from Taiwan's presidential office. That release said Ms Tsai called Mr Feulner a longtime friend to Taiwan and conveyed her gratitude to his foundation for its support.

The call also has drawn attention to Taiwanese media reports that the Trump Organisation is interested in investing in the Taiwanese city of Taoyuan, near Taipei. The city's mayor, Cheng Wen-tsan, said in a statement on the city government's website last month that a representative of the Trump Organisation had visited the city and expressed interest in investing in hotels near the airport. The statement said the visit was too brief for both sides to get into details. The Trump Organisation has denied it has any projects planned in Taiwan.

Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Mr Trump.

Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call, Trump said in another tweet.

Mr Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

During the call, Mr Trump and Ms Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement.

Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Agencies contributed to this report
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A Chinese man has had his rape and murder conviction overturned, 21 years after being executed.

Nie Shubin was killed in 1995 aged 20 after he was found guilty of the crimes in Shijiazhuang, in Hebei province.

Mr Nies family have been campaigning for over two decades to clear his name and the Supreme Court finally ruled the evidence used in his trial was unclear and insufficient.

Eleven years previously another man claimed to have carried out the crime  but this was rejected, the BBC reported.

Wang Shujin, who had been sentenced to death for raping three women, two of whom he murdered, said he also committed the crime it was believed Mr Nie was responsible for.

Mr Wang appealed to delay his execution on the grounds he had not yet been prosecuted for the crime he committed in 1994 that Mr Nie was found guilty of.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Nies case received a lot of media attention in China and has become synonymous with wrong convictions.

China is currently the worlds top executioner and estimates from Amnesty International suggest more than 1,000 people faced the death penalty in 2015.
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Malaysia has branded the treatment of Burma's Rohingya Muslim minority "ethnic cleansing", following reports of escalating violence and allegations of potential human rights abuses in the country.

The Muslim-majority nation issued the deeply critical statement ahead of a planned solidarity march in Kuala Lumpur, expected to be led by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Burma recently warned Malaysia that it must respect policy held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) and not interfere in its internal affairs.

Yet Malaysia's foreign ministry in a statement: The fact that only one particular ethnicity is being driven out is by definition ethnic cleansing.

This practice must stop, and must be stopped immediately in order to bring back security and stability to the Southeast Asian region.

The foreign ministry said that since hundreds of thousands of Rohingya had fled the largely Buddhist country in recent years, including around 56,000 to Malaysia, the issue was of international concern.

Malaysias language towards Burma has become increasingly stern in response to violence in the countrys northern Rakhine State, where there has been a army-led crackdown, sending hundreds fleeing across the border to Bangladesh.

Satellite imagery have revealed hundreds of buildings burned to the ground across multiple villages, with the true scale of destruction difficult to gauge because of government-imposed media and foreign aid restrictions.

A convoy carrying the former UN chief Kofi Annanarrived outside the Rohingya village of Wapeik on Saturday morning, which has seen signficant damage from fire.

But non-state media journalists were stopped by police from coming near the convoy or entering the village, an AFP photographer at the scene reported.

In recent weeks Rohingya women in the Rakhine state have alleged that Burmese soldiers have raped and sexually assaulted them at gunpoint.

Myanmars Rohingya losing faith in new government

The surge in violence was triggered by the killings of nine police officers at border posts on 9 October in Rakhine, home to some 800,000 Rohingya.

Several government officials blamed a militant Rohingya group for the attacks. Security forces then sealed off access to Maungdaw district and launched a counter-insurgency operation.

There have been no arrests, and a formerly unknown Islamist militant group has taken responsibility.

Burmese government officials deny that they are responsible for the attacks on the Rakhine district, and have alleged that the Rohingya are burning down their own houses.

But in November, a senior UN official John McKissick said Burmese security forces are striving towards the "ultimate goal of ethnic cleansing of the Muslim minority in Myanmar".

Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state Show all 2 1 /2 Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state pg-38-homelesss-getty.jpg Getty Images Homeless and helpless: The Rohingya Muslims of Rakhine state pg-38-homelesss-2.jpg

Diplomats and United Nations officials have privately said the 9 October attacks and subsequent crackdown have dismantled years of work rebuilding trust between the Muslim and Buddhist communities in Rakhine after ethnic and religious violence broke out there in 2012, Reuters reported.

There has been disappointment that Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party took power this year from the military, has failed to ease the suffering of the Rohingya.

Although, Ms Suu Kyi bowed to weeks of international pressure late on Thursday to appoint a commission to investigate the original attacks and the allegations of human rights abuses in the military operation that followed.

However, she raised eyebrows with her pick for the chief of the team, vice president Myint Swe, who headed the feared military intelligence under former junta leader Than Shwe.

Ms Suu Kyi has also appealed for understanding of her nation's ethnic complexities, and said the world should not forget the military operation was launched in response to attacks on security forces that the government has blamed on Muslim insurgents.

I would appreciate it so much if the international community would help us to maintain peace and stability, and to make progress in building better relations between the two communities, instead of always drumming up cause for bigger fires of resentment, Ms Suu Kyi told Singapore state-owned broadcaster Channel News Asia during a visit to the city-state on Friday.

It doesn't help if everybody is just concentrating on the negative side of the situation, in spite of the fact that there were attacks against police outposts, she said.
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Is there really an international wave of a hard-right populism? Are the masses rising up around the world to topple corrupt elites? Or is talk of this colossal political shift just jargon, guff and cocktail chatter concocted by analysts searching for patterns when the victories of Donald Trump in the US presidential election and Britains decision to leave the EU  to name the two most significant results in the West  could just be unconnected blips?

A year ago, the evidence for a global phenomenon was weak. Hungary and Poland had elected rightist, anti-globalisation governments, and France, the Netherlands, Sweden and a few other European nations had hard-right parties that were beginning, maybe, to look like electoral contenders. The UK Was heading for a vote on its EU membership, but few people thought a majority would vote for Brexit. At that point, Trump seemed to be just a whacky sideshow in a Republican primary.

The evidence of an international populist surge has grown since then. Trumps victory has made it harder for centrists to close their eyes and hope nationalism will just disappear. His triumph was a shock in many ways, but one of the most sobering aspects of it is his warmth towards prominent authoritarian leaders and foreign politicians with frankly alarming views. Trumps counterparts in Europe, long confined to the margins of politics, will watch with admiration as the billionaire, soon to become the worlds most powerful person, takes office on 20 January.

If the financial sector fled the EU it would be a major reason for Leave voters to switch to Remain (PA)

The 45th US president will have a growing amount of like-minded company at marquee meetings like the G20 and the UN General Assembly, where the power players have, in recent years, been centrists like President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. If the Front Nationals Marine Le Pen wins the French presidential election in May, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council would be led by Trump, Le Pen, Russias Vladimir Putin, Chinas Xi Jinping and Britains Theresa May, who is ushering the UK. Out of the EU (even though she campaigned, tepidly, for it to remain). With the possible exception of May, none seem thrilled about how the world has worked since the end of the Cold War.

In the two pieces that follow, we look at whats happening in Eastern and Western Europe to try to understand whats behind this populist revolt. The last time the world saw a spike in nationalism  the early 1990s  the cause was fairly clear: the end of the Cold War had allowed many long-suppressed national desires to violently erupt, often along ethnic lines. So whats behind the current tumult? No single political upheaval has shaken the world  and by many measures, people are generally richer, healthier, better educated and living in less violent societies than ever before.

But the world today is also far more divided between rich and poor than it was a quarter of a century ago. The 10 wealthiest people on the planet collectively hold $500bn (400m), more than most countries produce in a year, according to Forbes. Theres also an increased sense that the very rich buy political influence, perhaps more than ever. Increased migration has revealed how many in the West remain hostile to outsiders  from Syrian refugees to Polish or Honduran immigrants; champions of globalisation had assumed that sort of animus had waned. And social media and information technology have accelerated our ability to form closed, like-minded groups  and to get very angry at one another in public without apparent consequence. As defined, populism  ideas intended to give ordinary people what they want  seems beneficent. But is what the people want now as violent as their leaders rhetoric? And with insurgencies mounting from east and west to throw out the elites in cosmopolitan cities like Paris and Amsterdam, which side will prevail?

Matt McAllester

The new nationalism: battle lines are drawn

By Josh Lowe

Six days after Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential election, social media users in Britain awoke to a photograph of the President-elect standing beside another familiar face  Ukip leader Nigel Farage. The two men, who both pitch themselves as champions of ordinary men and women, stood beaming before a glittering, gold-plated elevator door in Trumps $100m New York City penthouse. The image wasnt just a sign of a budding bromance; it was evidence of a wider convergence. Like-minded figures from the populist hard right are looking across borders and celebrating one anothers successes. They saw Brexit as an inspiration for their campaign,  a triumphant Farage said. If you look at the last weeks of the Trump campaign, every single night at every single rally, he said this is going to be bigger than Brexit.

Farage has traveled some way to reach the golden pinnacle of Trump Tower. It was only two and a half years ago that I waited in the freezing rain to watch him speak in a faded hall in Portsmouth. It was a spit-and-sawdust affair, with an eccentric merchandise stand selling comedy tea towels that described thenEuropean Council President Herman Van Rompuy as a damp rag. Now Farage and other politicians across the world with similar views think the movement has moved from the fringe to the centre. In June, the British masses surprised the experts and voted to leave the European Union. Then came Trumps victory. As news of that sunk in, Florian Philippot, vice president of Frances Front National, tweeted his delight: Their world is collapsing. Ours is being built.

Across Western Europe, right-wing populists are preparing for battles against nervous progressive or centrist politicians. In Austria, which faces a rerun of its presidential election on Sunday, Norbert Hofer, the candidate of the far-right Freedom Party, might win the largely symbolic but still important office. That would make him the first hard-right head of state in the EU. In March, the Netherlands will hold parliamentary elections in which the anti-Islam Party of Freedom is set for a tight race against the incumbent centre-right government. Later, the Front National also has a chance at victory in the French presidential election. In Germany, which will have a federal election early in the second half of 2017, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a new anti-immigration and anti-Islam party, is likely to win its first seats in the national parliament.

Yet its far from certain that the hard right will prevail in all these contests. The Austrian presidential election is too close to call. Marine Le Pen, the Front Nationals presidential candidate, is polling around 30 per cent, enough to get her to the second round of voting in France but a long way below the 50 per cent shell need to win the Elysee Palace. In the Netherlands, the Party of Freedom and Prime Minister Mark Ruttes centre-right Peoples Party swing between first and second place.

None of that means moderates and progressives are safe. If you had told me a year ago, in one years time, youll be living in Brexit Britain while Trump is elected, I would have said, Oh, but the likelihood is really low, says Daphne Halikiopoulou, an analyst of the European far right at the University of Reading. Where we are now, I wouldnt put anything past anyone.

These right-wing populist parties are not identical, but they have all positioned themselves between the starched shirts of the centre right and the swivel-eyed thugs of the extreme right. They all share a put us first! flavour of nationalism plainly visible in their slogans, from Farages we want our country back to the Austrian Freedom Partys guiding principle, Austria first, to Trumps swaggering promise to make America great again.

Opposition to immigration is a cornerstone of their appeal, but where some give explicitly cultural or racial reasons for this, others couch it in more practical terms. The leading hard-right parties in Germany, France, Austria and the Netherlands are explicitly anti-Islam, for example, while Geert Wilders is happy to refer to the Netherlands mega Moroccan problem. (Unlike its right-wing counterparts elsewhere in Europe, Ukip has focused more on immigration to Britain from other EU states.)

These parties all draw some support from working-class communities, often in post-industrial areas, and are happy to take up causes like economic protectionism and even nationalisation, which have been more associated in recent decades with the left than the right. But their support cannot be reduced to purely economic concerns. Relationships between the rightist movements arent always warm; some of these newly empowered populists are rapacious opportunists with fractious personalities. Farage has sought to distance himself from Le Pens party, for instance, which he has accused of anti-Semitism. This denunciation helped him be seen as a legitimate political voice on British television and in the countrys established newspapers. If some of these parties win power, its not hard to imagine the friction as a collection of put us first! governments slug it out. But this is a criticism the parties dismiss. Farage sums up their reasoning with a disarming cliche: Good fences make good neighbours.

The personal links between these parties and movements are only deepening. Farage is linked to Trumps White House via his former adviser and close ally, Raheem Kassam, editor of the London branch of the hard-right news site Breitbart. Kassam is a protege of Breitbarts former chairman Steve Bannon, who Trump just appointed as his chief strategist, and who Farage has known, as he puts it, for some years. Meanwhile, in 2015, the Dutch and Austrian Freedom parties, the Front National and others created a group in the European Parliament called Europe of Nations and Freedom; the parties will back one another in their upcoming contests. Farage says he does not rule out supporting these parties.

Some may soon share a sympathetic media outlet too. Breitbart, whose abrasive and sometimes racist or Islamophobic content was lapped up by Trump supporters and has been unfalteringly pro-Ukip, is set to expand into France and Germany, potentially boosting Le Pen and the AfD. In some ways, says Halikiopoulou, its not so important whether these parties agree on every detail; their chances of electoral success will improve simply by projecting a shared sense of purpose. They can put forward a facade that emphasises that their aims, their goals are the same, she says. Each electoral success for one member of the group  and especially Trumps in America  adds legitimacy and momentum to the others.

France's far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen waves to supporters during a summer meeting in Frejus, southern France (AP)

Theyre saying, Look, weve been right all along, says Halikiopoulou. If they win national elections, the insurgent populist parties of Western Europe could align on some issues with Hungary and Poland, both governed by populists of the religious right  Fidesz in Hungary and Law and Justice in Poland. These parties do not advocate withdrawing from the EU, but they are often opposed to European interference in areas like immigration and refugee policy; Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Law and Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski have pledged to wage a cultural counter-revolution against liberal Europe.

Meanwhile in Italy, the populist Five Star Movement  less nationalist but similarly anti-establishment  stands to gain if Prime Minister Matteo Renzi loses Sundays referendum over constitutional reform, on which he has staked his job. Wilders and Le Pen both want to hold in/out EU referendums if they win. (Hofer would not have that power if he prevails.) They want to leave the EU and create a new system in which nations work together in a much looser structure.

Brussels is keenly aware of the threat: We need to turn this painful awakening into a political wake-up call, Pierre Moscovici, the European commissioner for economic and financial affairs, said in a speech after Trumps victory. But few EU leaders can agree on a strategy to push back. For European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the solution is more cross-border cooperation: There is not enough Europe in this Union, and  there is not enough union in this Union, he said in September. Others think the EU should retreat from controversial areas like asylum policy and stick to functions like promoting competitiveness in business. The common thread is that all these parties complain that they have lost control over their own fate,  says Pieter Cleppe, head of the Brussels office at the think tank Open Europe. The EU is definitely part of that; the anonymous bureaucrats in Brussels taking very important decisions.

Farage, Le Pen and others like them arent making the big decisions just yet. Rutte and former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe could easily win the Dutch and French elections respectively. Both are centre-right moderates with deep experience, calm temperaments and international outlooks. But what both Trump and Brexit have demonstrated is that a promise of unfettered independence for a nation and cultural or racial homogeneity for its people can prove extremely compelling. As the tide of nationalism rises, centrists must find a way to make the opposite case better  or find themselves drowning beneath it.

The biggest winner is Putin

By Owen Matthews

Falling dominoes: Thats what US President Dwight Eisenhower called countries coming under communist control in the 1950s, while warning that aggressive Soviet expansion would cause the disintegration of the free world. Over the next four decades, thousands died in proxy wars from Vietnam to Afghanistan, as the US and its allies fought to contain Moscows global influence.

In November, dominoes began falling once again in a new contest between Europe, which is struggling to maintain its unity, and a Russia that has become increasingly assertive in recent years. In the EU member state of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev  a pro-Russian former air force general with no political experience  beat a candidate from the centre-right political establishment in the countrys presidential elections. On the same day in Moldova, once part of the USSR, a pro-Moscow political outsider, Igor Dodon, won the presidency, defeating a pro-Western former World Bank economist. Russia is trying to destabilise Europe, warned outgoing Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev.

In Moscow, by contrast, the news was greeted with glee. The tide in Europe is finally turning against American-dictated Russophobic hysteria, said Duma deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov. Suddenly, the world seems to be going Vladimir Putins way. Moldova and Bulgaria are just the latest victories in a series of electoral gains for groups that support the Kremlins attempts to divide Europe and weaken Nato. From the Netherlands rejection of a treaty between the EU and Ukraine in April, to Brexit and Donald Trump more recently, Putin is likely to remember this year with great fondness.

Bulgarias Radev ran on a ticket of lifting EU sanctions on Russia imposed in the wake of Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea. He said Europe should be pragmatic about punishing Putin for violating international law. In Moldova, Dodons position was even more radical  to scrap an agreement signed in 2014 setting out free trade and integration with the EU and instead join the Moscow-dominated Eurasian Economic Union.

Bulgarias economy is suffering, partly because of a slump in the number of Russian tourists since Western sanctions were introduced, while its agricultural sector has been badly hit by a tit-for-tat ban imposed by Russia on the import of all foodstuffs from the EU. Moldova, meanwhile, has been hammered by sanctions on wine and produce, implemented by Moscow supposedly for health and safety reasons  but put into effect right after Moldova signed its trade deal with the EU.

The nations of Eastern Europe havent seen any benefit from Nato expansion, from the Middle East conflict, from sanctions against Russia, says Russian Senator Oleg Morozov, a member of the Federation Councils Committee on International Affairs. What we are seeing today is a global revolt against elites. A new crop of politicians are coming to power all over Europe. Some are openly pro-Russian, some less so  but they will all be necessarily more pragmatic, which will be good news for Russia.

Putin has become a kind of Che Guevara for the anti-establishment right, says Brian Whitmore, author of Radio Free Europes influential Power Vertical blog. Some of Europes ultra-left seems to admire Putin too. In Greece, for instance, senior members of the socialist Syriza party  including Nikos Kotzias, the current foreign minister  have close links with Alexander Dugin, a Russian Orthodox ultranationalist ideologue now favoured by the Kremlin. What were seeing is the breakdown of traditional party systems and the rise of protest parties all over Europe says Dmitry Abzalov, vice president of the Moscow-based think tank the Centre for Strategic Communications. Left-wing candidates are taking the positions of the right  on immigration, for instance. 

Russia has deployed a diverse arsenal to back up its allies in Europe. Economic carrots have included a large loan offered by the Kremlin in 2014 to Greece during its euro crisis, and cut-price gas supplies offered to Hungary and Bulgaria. Sticks include sanctions imposed on countries like Moldova that have dared to sign agreements with Brussels. Getting the EU to scrap sanctions, up for review at the end of January, is Moscows main goal. The other is to divide Nato. Trump has already alarmed the Baltic states by calling the alliance obsolete and suggesting that the US would respond to a Russian attack only after determining whether the victims have fulfilled their obligations to us.

Novembers US election results dont, so far, mark a deep split inside Nato. Bulgarias President-elect Radev  a fighter pilot who once studied at the US Air War College in Alabama  pledged to maintain his countrys place in the alliance. Being pro-European doesnt mean being anti-Russian, he says. But alongside Hungarys strongly anti-immigrant and pro-Moscow Viktor Orban, Russias influence is on the rise at the same time that voters faith in the EU is waning. In Moldova  Europes battleground state, tugged by both Moscow and Brussels  two-thirds of respondents in a recent survey by the countrys Institute for Public Policy said they trusted Putin, compared with just a quarter who had faith in Angela Merkel. As the hard right continues to push westward and support for a united Europe teeters under the weight of a stagnant economy and persistent refugee crisis, it may be just a matter of time before more dominoes fall Putins way.

 Newsweek
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The Norwegian government has urged Donald Trump to outline a clear policy on Russia amid fears over intensifying military activity in the far north.

Ine Eriksen Sreide, Norways defence minister, said the country was concerned by missile tests carried out by Vladimir Putins forces, equipment upgrades and the deployment of submarines from six Arctic bases.

They have been re-establishing their 'bastion' defence concept, she told Reuters, referring to the Soviet Union's Cold War strategy of heavily defending maritime areas such as the Barents Sea.

 Putin: Russia ready to restore US relations after Trump win

They have to a great extent shown that this area is strategically even more important to the Russians now than it used to be.

There has been widespread speculation that Russia will intensify its military activity worldwide following Mr Trumps victory in the US elections after warm overtures from the President-elect.

The State Duma burst into spontaneous applause upon news of his election, while he and Mr Putin have agreed to straighten out relations between America and Russia on the phone.

Mr Trump praised the Russian President as a great leader during his campaign and has been largely uncritical of his support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and intervention in the Ukraine conflict  two of the key issues generating discord with Barack Obamas administration.

Nato has called on the incoming President to continue his predecessors commitment to the military alliance and its operations bolstering the defence capabilities of countries bordering Russia, after he raised fears he could withdraw crucial American funding for Nato.

Erna Solberg, the Norwegian Prime Minister, raised her countrys concerns in a phone call with Mr Trump on Thursday.

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

Ms Sreide said she offered reassurance about the US commitment to Nato and common security but questions remained.

What is most important to us right now is to have both a predictable and a very clear policy on Russia, she added.

The earlier and the clearer that the new administration comes out with this, the better it is, also for European security.

Norway has announced plans to buy five Boeing P-8A maritime surveillance planes that it could use to better track Russian submarines, cooperating closely with Britain, which is buying nine of the planes.

The defence minister said Russia is now capable of closing off allied reinforcements in the GIUK gap, which runs between Greenland, Iceland and the UK to function as a strategic gateway to the north Atlantic.

US and Nato officials say the level of Moscows submarine activity in the region is at its highest since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s.

Hailing the completion of a new jumbo Arctic military base on Kotelny Island last year, state broadcaster Russia Today said a series of smaller bases were being built on Wrangel Island and six new airfields were to be completed in 2017, with troops being deployed the following year.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Russia has said it is ready for talks with the US to allow for the withdrawal of rebels from eastern Aleppo as the Syrian governments advance continues.

President Bashar al-Assads forces and allies from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah are estimated to have seized 60 per cent of territory formerly controlled by the opposition in a bloody campaign marred by allegations of war crimes on both sides.

We are immediately ready to send out military experts, and diplomats to Geneva in order to agree mutual actions with our American colleagues to ensure the pullout of all the rebels without exclusion from eastern Aleppo, said Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister.

The United Nations and humanitarian groups have demanded safe passage for civilians to leave opposition areas amid fierce fighting and bombardment, with hundreds reportedly killed since the regimes offensive started last month.

 At least 45 Syrian refugees killed by regime missile while trying to flee Aleppo

Russia has demanded all terrorists  a term used by Syria to refer to all rebels  withdraw and calls by the UN for jihadi groups to separate themselves from more moderate elements have failed.

A statement published by an alliance calling itself the Opposition Council for Aleppo on Saturday denied making any agreement with the Syrian government or other parties and vowed to fight on.

Zakaria Malahifji, from the Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters: I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender'.

The military commanders in Aleppo said we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city.

Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, said some rebel groups had been preventing civilians leaving their territory and told the Security Council he hoped a formula for stability could be found to end the violence.

In pictures: Aleppo bombing Show all 14 1 /14 In pictures: Aleppo bombing In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Smoke rises after airstrikes on the rebel-held al-Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria April 29, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian family runs for cover amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of Al-Qatarji in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, on April 29, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A man reacts as he stands on blood stains at a site hit by airstrikes in the rebel held area of Aleppo's al-Fardous district, Syria, April 29, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo The damage of the airstrikes in the rebel-held area of Aleppo on April 28 Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo The damaged the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-backed al-Quds hospital after it was hit by airstrikes, in a rebel-held area of Syria's Aleppo Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrians evacuate an injured man amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following an air strike on a rebel-held of Aleppo on April 29, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo People inspect the damage at a site hit by airstrikes, in the rebel-held area of Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr AP In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A man leads a woman in tears and child out of the scene after airstrikes hit Aleppo AP In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Civil defence members search for survivors after an airstrike at a field hospital in the rebel held area of al-Sukari district of Aleppo Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian boy is comforted as he cries next to the body of a relative who died in a reported air strike in the rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Soukour in the northern city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian family walks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike in the Bustan al-Qasr rebel-held district of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrian civil defence volunteers and rescuers remove a baby from under the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Kalasa in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrians help a wounded youth following an air strike on the Fardous rebel held neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrian civil defence volunteers evacuate people from a damaged building following a reported airstrike in the rebel-held neighbourhood of Tareeq al-Bab in the northern city of Aleppo

He has called for the departure of any groups falling until the UNs definition of terrorists but days after a range of moderate, Turkmen, Islamist and jihadi groups pledged to unite against Assads forces, that prospect looked less likely than ever.

Speaking at a conference in Rome, Mr de Mistura predicted eastern Aleppo could fall by the end of the year, saying: Aleppo is not going to stay that long.

I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas/New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula, he said, alluding to informal negotiations.

Almost 30,000 people have been displaced by the fighting, 18,000 of them moving to government-held areas and a further 8,500 going to the Kurdish-controlled neighbourhood of Sheikh Maqsoud.

Tens of thousands are believed to remain in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, under heavy bombardment and with supplies of food, fuel and healthcare critically low after several hospitals were destroyed.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least three people were killed and 10 injured by air strikes in the al-Shaar neighbourhood on Saturday, leaving several people in a critical condition.

A general view taken from the government-held side of Aleppo shows smoke billowing during fighting between Syrian regime forces and rebel fighters in east Aleppo, on December 3, 2016. (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

The White Helmets volunteer group said a gathering of displaced people had been struck and put the death toll at more than six, while Syrian state media said four civilians were killed in regime-held areas by rebel rocket attacks and shelling.

Around 310 civilians have been killed in the governments assault since 15 November, the Observatory said, with at least 69 civilians killed in the same period by rebel fire on regime-held west Aleppo.

The Tariq al-Bab district was the main focus of fighting overnight, with rebels claiming they had repelled a government assault but photos showing soldiers flashing victory signs in its rubble-strewn streets.

Regaining control of Aleppo, formerly Syrias most populous city, would be a symbolic victory for President Assads government in the fifth year of the civil war.

The government has gained ground elsewhere by reaching numerous local agreements with rebels in besieged areas, giving them safe passage to the insurgent-held province of Idlib in exchange for their surrender.

Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief, warned that Aleppos fall would not end the war in Syria, where Isis, the former al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, Kurdish groups and numerous rebel factions are competing for territory.

This will only make things worse and, by the way, I am convinced the fall of Aleppo will not end the war, she said.

We will have other military escalations. So if a call to stop has to be made, it has to be made now, not tomorrow or in a weeks time.
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It was late at night when Hanna Run, a 26-year-old ballroom dancing champion from Iceland, woke up with searing chest pains in Penza, a city some 400 miles southeast of Moscow. Alarmed by her worsening condition, her Russian in-laws did what anyone else would do, they called an ambulance. Run would soon wish they hadnt. After an ambulance ride down potholed roads, Run was placed in a hospital ward with moldy walls, filthy sheets and screaming nurses who crudely administered an intravenous drip. In the hospitals corridors, patients sat or lay on grimy floors. But it was the hospitals restrooms that shocked her most.

The floor was soaking wet and muddy, and the toilet was jammed full of urine and faeces, she wrote in a blog post, since deleted, about what she called her nightmare in Penza. Holding her sweater over her nose to keep out the stench, Run tried not to touch anything in the restroom: The sink was full of blood, she wrote. After doctors suggested carrying out an operation to make sure her internal organs were working properly, Run decided to leave. It later turned out she had been suffering from heartburn.

Run declined to discuss her hospital stay with me, but Icelandic and Russian media widely reported the story. A foreign woman in a Russian hell was how Ilya Varlamov, a well-known Moscow-based blogger, described the dancers experience. Others saw it differently. Its possible it was difficult for her to adapt after hospitals in Iceland, said Dmitry Zinovev, the head doctor at the Penza hospital. He suggested the much-discussed blog post was a deliberate attempt to discredit Russian medical facilities. While many Russians were supportive of Run on social media, others called her a pampered foreigner. But its not just tourists and expats who are shocked by the dire condition of Russian state healthcare.

On paper, Russian citizens are entitled to free universal healthcare. In practice, however, they are required to take out compulsory private medical insurance, while its also common for patients at state hospitals to bribe doctors for adequate treatment. Although hospitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the countrys two biggest cities, are largely serviceable, the situation is different in cash-strapped regions such as the province of Penza. Donald Trump, the US President-elect, and right-wing politicians in Europe may be feting Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strong leader. But the grim reality of Russian provincial state healthcare often has more in common with Third World countries than a supposed resurgent superpower: 17, 500 towns and villages across Russia have no medical infrastructure at all. Russia's state hospitals and clinics are in a tragic condition, especially in the provinces, says Gennady Gudkov, an opposition politician and retired KGB colonel. There is outdated and often nonfunctioning equipment, a lack of medicines and hospital beds, and a shortage of medical specialists. The families of patients are often forced to bring them food. Trump is very wrong if he thinks Putin cares about the Russian people; he only cares about making his friends richer at the expense of the national budget.

Patients stand in the registry line aboard the Doctor Voino-Yasenecky Saint Luka train, which serves as a free consultative and diagnostic medical centre (Reuters)

Russias state healthcare watchdog, Roszdravnadzor, declined to comment on what it says are abstract allegations of widespread substandard conditions at government clinics and hospitals. Its rare a week goes by without a horror story about state healthcare. In October, a cancer patient in Perm, a city in Russias Urals region, called his wife at 4am. To rescue him from doctors whose drunken attempts to set up an intravenous drip had caused his arm to swell. You are so drunk, you cant even put two words together, the mans wife, Veronika Mikhailova, told one doctor in footage she later posted online. Everyones got problems, slurred the doctor in response. Your husband is ill, theres nothing anyone can do to help him,  said another. The doctors were dismissed after national news websites picked up on the story. That incident came just days after an outraged father in Mezhdurechensk, a town in western Siberia, posted a photograph of a foul, stain-covered mattress in a local childrens ward. There are terrible conditions here, he wrote on VKontakte, a popular Russian social media website. There are cockroaches in the ward. We have an awful level of medicine, and no one gives a shit.

The consequences are sometimes fatal. This year, a 28-year-old woman named Yelena Poddubetskaya died during childbirth in eastern Siberia after drunken medics were unable to carry out a blood transfusion in time. Ambulance drivers stopped at a local market to do their shopping while transporting Poddubetskayas body and her grieving relatives to the morgue, human rights workers said. Regional health officials later admitted medical personnel had been to blame for the womans death. Given incidents like this, its unsurprising that a mere two per cent of Russians say they are proud of the countrys state healthcare system, according to a recent public opinion survey by the Levada Center, a Moscow-based pollster. International experts are also critical.

Recommended Russia says Obama is damaging relations with the Kremlin

Russia placed last out of 55 developed nations in this years Bloomberg report on the efficiency of the national health care systems. Things are unlikely to get better anytime soon: Russias government recently announced plans to cut the budget for healthcare by 33 per cent next year, bringing annual spending down to just 4.6bn. Thats a level of funding equivalent to spending on health in Latin American or developing Asian countries, according to a recent report by Natalia Akindinova, director at the Center of Development Institute of Moscows Higher School of Economics.

Its not only haphazard medical care that poses a danger at state hospitals. Salaries for doctors and nurses in the countrys poorest regions can be as low as 197 a month  just above the countrys official poverty level. There are no official statistics, but the low pay, combined with high on-the-job stress, sometimes results in outbreaks of violence at state hospitals and clinics,according to nongovernmental watchdogs and medical personnel. This year, a doctor at a state hospital in Belgorod, in western Russia, was jailed for nine years after killing a patient with a blow to the head following a dispute.

A Doctor attacks and kills a patient in Russia

In October, in Norilsk, a former gulag town in northern Siberia, a dermatologist at a state hospital was gunned down by a disgruntled patient. Other violence has been triggered by what critics say are the harsh Soviet-era attitudes toward patients that continue to hold sway in Russian state hospitals. One example of these attitudes is the ongoing refusal of many hospitals to allow family members and relatives to visit patients in intensive care units, even for short periods. Even though there is no law forbidding access, it is routine practice across Russia for such patients, including dying children, to be kept completely isolated from the world.

A Doctor attacks and kills a patient in Russia

These are mainly Soviet-era doctors who think family members and relatives should not be in intensive care units  that they will prevent them from working by asking too many questions, says Lida Moniava, deputy director at the Lighthouse, a childrens hospice in Moscow. In one incident reported last year by the opposition-friendly website Meduza, a mother forced doctors at gunpoint to let her see her dying 5-year-old daughter.

After a public outcry, including a query this year to Putin during his annual televised Q&A session, Russias Health Ministry issued a statement confirming family and relatives have the legal right to visit loved ones in intensive care. However, even that intervention has failed to bring about change. The Ministry of Healths recommendations are not being observed at all, says Moniava. The main difference is that now, if the parents are persistent, they are able to gain entry to intensive care units to see their child by appealing directly to the ministry. But even in these cases, they are usually not allowed in on the first or even the second day. And if they are not persistent or do not call Health Ministry officials, they will not be allowed in at all. 

This approach to healthcare is likewise reflected in the dire deficit of painkillers for terminally ill people. Although the government has taken some steps to improve the situation, Russias strict medical bureaucracy means that around a million cancer patients currently lack access to painkillers that would alleviate their suffering, according to official figures. Another 300, 000 have already died without receiving medication.

For some critics, this inability, or unwillingness, to alleviate suffering is the logical consequence of decades of authoritarian rule. Russians dont want to relieve their suffering and the suffering of those close to them for the simple reason they have been taught to view themselves as replaceable, insignificant screws in the system, whose personal feelings are meaningless, says Alexey Kascheev, a Moscow-based spine surgeon with a large social media following. Both doctors and patients are willing to put up with physical and psychological torment. People think, "What does it matter if I am in pain, if I am nothing?

Widespread distrust of state medicine has also resulted in Russians spending millions of dollars every year on so-called magical healers. It is often the case that people with life-threatening illnesses choose to first turn to alternative forms of medicine. When they eventually visit a doctor, it is already too late, says Yury Zhulev, a spokesman for the Russian Patients Association. Experts at the Russian Academy of Sciences say there are about 800, 000 occult and faith healers operating in the country, compared with 640, 000 registered doctors. If the litmus test of a state healthcare system is the willingness of members of the political elite to place their own health and that of their loved ones in its hands, then Russia fails miserably. Unlike in many Western European countries, where ministers and other government officials routinely use their nations health services, political leaders in Russia often jet abroad for medical care. In 2013, Pavel Astakhov, then Russias top official for child welfare, gave a candid answer when asked why his wife had given birth in the south of France rather than in Russia. I was concerned about my wife and future child, he replied. I couldnt take the risk.

Forced to gamble with their health and sometimes their lives, thats a luxury millions of Russians cannot afford.

 Newsweek
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Top female employees earn an average of 6,500 a year less than their male counterparts five years after leaving university, latest government figures have revealed.

Womens salaries are marked at 31,000 on average across a range of graduate professions  18 per cent lower than men, who earn an average of 37,500.

The findings, from the Department for Educations Longitudinal Education Outcomes report have prompted fresh concerns over a widening gender pay gap.

Recommended The government needs to extend the living wage to young people

Analysing data from 236,630 men and women who graduated in the 2008-09 academic year, the statistics are the first of their kind to track university leavers and their wages according to gender.

While men and women were found to be earning the same or similar pay during the first year after graduatation, the gap increased with each year of employment and was particularly noticeable in the upper wage range industries.

By year three, high earning women were found to be earning almost 15 per cent less - 26,500 compared to 31,000 for men.

Five years after graduating, the lowest earning men were found to have overtaken women completely  earning an average of 20,000 compared to 17,500.

The DfE report also noted that Black and Asian British-Pakistani graduates earned the lowest average salaries five years after graduation.

Commenting on the figures, Fawcett Society Chief Executive, Sam Smethers, called the gender pay gap a "huge waste of potential".

She said: We have the best educated female workforce that we have ever had but these figures show that we are just not getting them into the right roles at the right levels.

"The pay gap is a productivity gap. We need to end occupational segregation and open up senior roles to flexible & part-time work.

Asking students to estimate their starting salary post-graduation, the National Student Money Survey reported that women expect to make over 3,300 a year less than their male equivalents, indicating they may be "primed" to expect lower earnings from a young age.

A Trade Union Congress (TUC) report earlier this year also found that women earn less than their male peers at every stage of their careers.

TUC head, Frances OGrady, said the figures suggested the UK was almost half a century off achieving equal pay.

A Government spokesman said: No woman should be held back just because of her gender. We now have the lowest gender pay gap on record, and we are working to get more women into the top jobs at our biggest companies.

But we know theres more to do  thats why we are requiring employers to publish their gender pay and gender bonus gap for the first time from April and we are working to get more girls studying science, technology, engineering and maths subjects so that they get into more lucrative professions when they are older.
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This is an exciting moment for the UK. We can at one and the same time cast off the costly and bureaucratic embrace of the European Union, and take up a new economic policy for greater prosperity.

Prosperity, not austerity, must be the guiding hand of Britains new economic approach. As Britain prepares to leave the EU, the country will need to adjust, making a range of changes  to education, energy, transport, taxation, budgets and trade  to make the most of Brexit opportunities.

During the referendum debate, the two sides portrayed a very different future. The Remain camp regarded the single market as some priceless gem which they claimed was essential to continued growth and prosperity. They produced a number of negative forecasts of what the UK economy might look like, both in the short term and the longer term, in the event of leaving without accurately assessing our arrangements for trade with the rest of the EU.

These have been criticised for failing to provide an accurate view of what is likely to happen. Their short term forecasts have already proved very wide of the outturn.

By contrast, the Leave campaign argued that the UK would make more rapid progress if it could make its own trade deals with the rest of the world, spend its own money on its own priorities, insulate itself more from the trouble of the eurozone, and  because the continent would not wish to lose access to the UK  probably keep much of its present access to the EU market.

Brexit agreement 'impossible' within two-year period

The longer the time-frame of the Remain forecasts, the less reliable they were. The evidence, in fact, indicates that when Britain first joined the EEC, and then joined in the single market project with its first completion in 1992, there was no increase in UK growth as a result.

Indeed, the contrary is true: the UKs growth rate was slower after the completion of the single market in goods than before it joined the EEC. The inauguration of our time in the single market was particularly prone to disaster, coinciding as it did with UK membership of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.

Recommended These six elections are set to change Europe forever

Far from giving us a growth spurt, the advent of the single market began with a deep recession and continued thereafter with a lower overall rate of growth. More bizarrely, we saw the growth rate in UK exports to the EU proceeded at a slower pace than the increases in US and Chinese exports to the EU from outside the single market.

As the EU sells us so much more than we sell them, it seems likely that once their disappointment and anger at our decision to leave dies down, they will come to the view that they must not damage their access to our market. In turn, that means we will keep good access to theirs.

When I and others put the case against the UK joining the euro, we faced the same wall of disbelief from many in the UK business and government establishment. They allied with powerful interests on the continent, to tell us that the City would be badly damaged if we stayed out and that the UK economy would suffer as a result.

They used a familiar mixture of false forecasts and wild threats. They said the City would be banned from European markets, and many businesses would wish to locate to within the eurozone.

The opposite happened. The City grew mightily outside the single currency, while many individuals and businesses on the continent were drawn to invest and trade here, given the liquidity of UK markets and the concentration of skilled staff available.

Brexit offers a three-fold benefit. It allows us to spend our own money and boost our economy and public services as a result. It allows us to pass our own laws best suited for expanding employment and investment. It permits us to conduct our own trade negotiations with the major countries of the world outside the EU, where currently under EU control we have no trade deals.

These opportunities will allow us to change current economic policy to create the conditions for increased prosperity here at home.

John Redwood is Conservative MP for Wokingham.This is an edited extract from his latest publication 'Brexit Benefits: Prosperity not Austerity  Britains New Economy', published by Politeia
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It is not too much of an exaggeration to claim that the imminent votes in Italy and Austria could determine the future of the European project. Such is the popular mood that no establishment leader, party or structure can be judged safe from assault by the extremists and populists. Europe will see many such tests over the next year, and the first is this weekend.

In Austria the authorities have decided to rerun a poll for the federal presidency. It is a purely ceremonial role, but there is a significant possibility that one Norbert Hofer, of the far-right Freedom Party, will succeed to that role, beating a socialist rival. If so, then it will be the first time the extreme right will have held an elected head of state in Europe since the end of the Second World War.

Austria was once known for the stable dominance of its conventional social-democratic tradition. Today, like so many other places in the West, it is polarised and divided, and increasingly forgetful of its past.

Of greater immediate consequence is the Italian constitutional referendum. The irony here is that the proposed changes are designed to bring Italy more effective government and economic reform. Instead, Matteo Renzi, the Prime Minister, has tied his and his government's fortunes to the result. The chances are that he will lose, and that the subsequent crisis of confidence will pile further pressure on Italy's banking system.

That could mean a Greek-style bailout and ever deeper concerns about the solvency of the Italian state itself. As the third largest economy in the eurozone, the problem this time could be not that Italy is too big to fail but that it is too big to save. The consequences for the future of the single currency and the EU itself are too grim to contemplate easily.

And so will Europe enter 2017, approaching the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, increasingly nervously.

Elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany will follow, each one another plebiscite on the established order. As David Cameron has warned in a rare intervention, a victory for Marine le Pen and the Front National in France would be a body blow for the EU. So it would be. The right, sometimes in unlikely parallel with the radical left, is on the rise, and the EU is under the most sustained political attack in its history.

But where is the sense of urgency among those leaders who want to save the vision of a united, democratic and liberal Europe? Reform of the EU is now imperative, not just because it is right in principle  although it is  but to avoid its destruction.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with a group of US lawmakers and discussed American aid to the country and other bilateral issues during the third day of his visit to the US, Egypts foreign ministry said on Saturday.

In an official statement, Egypts foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry met with John McCain, the chairman of the House of Representatives armed services committee, where they discussed bilateral relations, with a focus on USs economic and military aid.

According to the statement, Shoukry outlined to the American senator efforts by the Egyptian military to combat terrorism in Sinai, and the challenges and sacrifices made by the armed forces.

The US provides Egypt with annual military aid worth $1.3 billion.

In October 2013, the United States announced the suspension of its aid to Egypt in protest at the government's crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood supporters following the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July the same year.

In March 2015, the Obama administration resumed US aid to Cairo despite its continuing "concerns" about Egypt's human rights record.

Abu Zeid added that Shoukry also presented Egypts vision on several regional conflicts, including Libya, Yemen, and the Syrian crisis, in particular the priority of dealing with the humanitarian side of the conflict.

In a separate meeting, Shoukry also met with Ed Royce, the chairman of the Houses foreign affairs committee. Abu Zeid said Shoukry answered the senators queries on the economic situation in Egypt and the recently drafted and controversial NGO law that and its effects on the activities of American NGOs operating in Egypt.

The law, passed by parliament last week, has been widely criticised; 22 NGOs and six political parties signed a statement saying that it would end civil society by putting it under the control of government and security bodies.

Shoukry explained aspects related to the Egyptian governments economic and social reform programme to Royce and the recent deal between the government and the International Monetary Fund, saying that it was a sign of commitment by the Egyptian government to the adoption of a reform programme and to facing economic challenges and imbalances.

The Egyptian foreign minister also spoke about important decisions undertaken by Egypt, including a pardon for a group of youth prisoners convicted on several charges, and the outcomes of the national forum for youth in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The recent decisions are a proof of the political leaderships belief in the important and pivotal roles for Egyptian youth to execute the transition and development witnessed by society, as well as countering different challenges to help in getting out of the bottleneck, the statement by the Egyptian ministry read.

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Italy matters. It matters hugely in cultural and historical terms, for it has been the very heart of European civilisation. But it also matters for Europe now, for its success or otherwise will shape the future of the European Union. It is, for Europe, much more important than the UK.

This is why the referendum on Sunday has attracted such attention. The question on the ballot paper is whether voters approve of amending the constitution in ways that supporters believe would make the country more governable. It is not about the euro or the EU. However, in practice it has become about satisfaction with the Italian state, and more generally about Italys place in Europe  suggesting that Italy might be starting down some slippery path towards exiting the eurozone or indeed the EU itself.

One of the huge lessons of the past year is that, if voters are unpredictable, the consequences of their decisions are even more so. In the UK it was predicted that were the country to vote leave there would be an immediate recession. In the US, a Trump victory was predicted to lead to a slump in shares. And in Italy? Well, there have been predictions that in the event of a no vote, there would be a collapse of the banking system. It is certainly true that several large banks will require some sort of rescue funding, but rather than see this vote as a make-or-break event, here is another way of looking at the Italian situation.

 Italy referendum: Renzi says there is 'extraordinary desire for change'

This is to see what has happened in Europe since the Second World War as a continuing process of political adjustment, rather than a path to a single goal. Europe is and will remain a patchwork. There was a single vision articulated in the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and that made sense in the context of a Europe that had torn itself to bits and was then divided in half by the Iron Curtain. As the original Common Market took in more members and eventually was transformed into the present European Union, the rigidities of that original vision clashed with its members identities. You can understand why the new members in central and eastern Europe wanted to join, but you can also understand why the UK had a majority of voters who wished to leave.

For many years the Common Market and EU membership worked well for Italy. It enjoyed rapid growth in the 1950s and 1960s, growth that was described as the Italian economic miracle. At the end of the 1980s GDP in Italy briefly passed that of the UK and France  though there were some questions as to whether this really happened. But since 2000 the Italian economy has barely grown at all. It enjoyed a boom in the early 2000s but now is pretty much back where it was when the euro was introduced. Why?

As with most economic questions there is no single, simple answer. It has something to do with the north/south divide, though that was there during the boom years too. It has something to do with the inefficiencies of the Italian political system. Italian labour legislation protects insiders who have jobs vis-a-vis outsiders who dont. Many of the young are outsiders. But the big change since 2000 is that Italy has had a fixed exchange rate.

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Before that, if it allowed costs to rise too much the country could devalue. Since then it has not been able to do so, with the result that in many industries costs are too high to be competitive. Growth has stagnated. Too many of the well-educated young have emigrated, often to the UK. And the real value of its national debt, more than 130 per cent of GDP, is no longer whittled away by devaluation of the lira.

There is a sad irony here. The country that has topped the league table as having the most desirable lifestyle in the world finds that its people are choosing to leave it.

Whatever happens in the months ahead Italy will remain a core European country, just as the UK will remain a peripheral European country. Geography does not change. Culture does not change, or at least only slowly. But the rigid EU model will have to adapt, so that Italy is given the space to offer greater opportunities to its people. It has to make reforms but the pain of those reforms has to be eased. I dont think it is possible at the moment to see quite how the EU will give Italy that space. Maybe there will be some form of debt pooling, maybe a common EU bank rescue scheme, maybe a two-tier euro. But unless the economic performance of Italy improves, the European project will indeed be undermined.

Whatever your views of the EU, a worried and weak Italy is bad for Europe and the world.
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Ukrainian business moguls still own seven of the countrys eight major TV stations.

But, three years after mass protests gripped the nation, demanding political and social reform, the old system continues to resist change  including to its media.

There are signs of progress. Two years ago, a new law passed requiring Ukraines only state-owned National TV and Radio Broadcasting Company (NTU) to become an independent, public broadcaster. The NTU was restructured with the appointment of an independent board of trustees representing parliament, civil society and media professionals, and public investment amounting to 0.2 per cent of the state budget. Yet, even with the NTUs single-digit percentage share of the media market, the change has been viewed as a threat to the interests of the countrys political and business elites.

As well as seeing the state-owned Soviet-style TV channel turned into a modern high-quality public broadcasting company, Ukraines current reforms envisage the de-nationalisation of print and broadcast media, transparency of media ownership, digitalisation and an independent regulator.

 Boris Johnson flies in to address Ukraine crisis but is left sidelined

Creating a democratic, transparent and accountable media landscape is crucial to Ukraines transformation. But there are signs that the reforms are stalling. The recent resignation of the NTUs Director General, Zurab Alasania, sends a worrying signal. His departure was prompted by proposals to drastically cut the broadcasters budget for the coming financial year. Alasania took his decision, he said, to draw greater public attention to moves that undermined the reforms. He also cited his refusal to take part in illegal financial transactions in preparation for the 2017 Eurovision song contest as a factor.

TV is the main source of information for 84 per cent of Ukrainians. But according to a Council of Europe poll, 90 per cent of Ukrainians are unaware of what a public broadcaster is. In an environment dominated by oligarch-controlled media, an independent broadcaster could be a game changer in terms of transparency and trust. These channels define the discourse and shape the political agenda in Ukraine, and contribute to the exceptionally low levels of public trust in politics.

According to a recent International Republic Institute poll, not a single prominent politician has an approval rating of over 27 per cent. The Presidents approval rating is 20 per cent. The overwhelming majority of Ukrainians are dissatisfied with the pace and depth of reform in the country.

There is also a desperate lack of effective, objective public communication about media reforms. They appear to lack necessary political will and western attention. Neither the Ukrainian National Reform Council nor the Brussels-based EU Ukraine Support group have appointed anyone to oversee the transformation.

Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Show all 12 1 /12 Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman stands near the grave of her brother, a "liquidator" or an emergency worker who fought the blaze at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, during a commemoration ceremony on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster at the Mitino cemetery in Moscow Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Belarussian soldiers of an honor guard carry wreaths during a memorial service for the victims of the Chernobyl disaster in Minsk EPA Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman holds a portrait of her relative, a victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, as she visits the memorial during a commemoration ceremony in Kiev Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko lays flowers during a commemoration ceremony at a monument to "liquidators", emergency workers who fought the blaze at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman puts flowers to a monument to Chernobyl liquidators at Mitino Cemetery in Moscow AP Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Nataliya Khodemchyuk, 64, from Ukraine, a widow of Chernobyl liquidator Valery Khodemchyuk, sits at his grave at the Mitino Cemetery in Moscow AP Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman holds portrait of her relative, a victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, as she visits the memorial during a commemoration ceremony in Kiev Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Ukrainians light candles and lay flowers at the memorial for 'liquidators' who died during cleaning up works after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, during a ceremony in Slavutich city EPA Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A rescue worker which served during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster visits a memorial during a commemoration ceremony in Kiev Reuters Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Women hold portraits of their lost husbands near a monument honoring people who were killed during cleanup efforts after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, during a memorial ceremony in Kiev EPA Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman lays flowers at the Chernobyl victims' memorial in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev Getty Images Ukraine marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster A woman holds a photograph of her husband who died following the clean-up operations for the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear explosion, at the Chernobyl's victim monument in Ukraine's capital Kiev AP

This isnt the first attempt to establish a public broadcaster in Ukraine. Following the 2004 Orange Revolution, an effort was hijacked by allies of the then President Victor Yushchenko, who sought to preserve media control ahead of the 2006 parliamentary elections.

The current reform process has already moved further  which is why it is too important to fail. The threat of reform being reversed is real. The likelihood of early parliamentary elections is increasing, as the current government coalition is fragile. This could, once again, increase the temptation to scrap or further stall the reforms. It would only take one talented demagogue to mobilise discontent and deliver victory to critics.

There is a pressing need for greatly increased public engagement and open debate on the issue. A recent open letter in support of the reforms was signed by just 109 media professionals, and went largely unnoticed by the general public. There was no major statement either from the EU or from any key western figures on Alasanias resignation.

Ukrainian society needs a high-quality public broadcaster. Proponents of reform should ensure that the 2017 budget guarantees funding for the NTU and its charter enshrines its independence from political influence.

In the meantime, the international media can play an important role in drawing attention to the reforms, giving a voice to Ukraines reformers and providing much-needed objective reporting on the process.

Orysia Lutsevych is manager of the Ukraine Forum in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House
A parcel of 53.2ac of land in the heart of Kildare stud farming country sold last week for 1m or a strong 18,800/ac.

Located at Carnalway 3km from Kilcullen and 3km from Brannockstown the land has good road frontage.

While there are no completed buildings on the property a partially built house is located in the first field. The property once had planning (expired since September 2015) for a polo centre, dwelling and equine facilities.

The auction proceedings opened when Pat O'Hagan of Savills accepted a bid of 500,000.

With that a lively auction took off and three bidders in bids of 10,000 and 50,000 initially drove the pace to 800,000 when the property went on the market.

Matters did not end there as two remaining bidders continued to engage until the 900,000 mark was reached and a new customer joined the action.

The sale continued until Mr O'Hagan brought his gavel down at 1m in favour of one of the original bidders who bought it in trust for an undisclosed client.

Tipperary auction

A 47.3ac farm located at Cahernahallia, Cappawhite in Co Tipperary sold in two lots at auction last week making a total of 389,000 or 8,200/ac.

With road frontage on to a cul-de-sac the major part of the land extends to some 35ac and is described by auctioneer Mark Donovan as excellent quality grazing ground.

The holding, includes a residence and an old farmyard.

On the day the residence and yards on 46ac sold to a local farmer for 375,000 while a 1.3ac parcel across the road from the main farm was sold for 14,000.

Carlow Kilkenny sales

Moving east to Carlow and Kilkenny John Dawson had a good day out when he sold one parcel of ground under the hammer while he sold another immediately after auction.

A 17ac holding at Priestvalley, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny sold for 110,000 or 6,500/ac.

Described by Matthew Conry of selling agents Dawsons as a nice piece of grazing ground, the place is in permanent pasture with plenty of road frontage.

The land has no buildings and came to auction with a guide price based on agricultural prices.

On the day the interest in the piece was local and it was bought by an adjoining farmer.

At the same auction a 12.6ac parcel at Ballycreinnigan and Ballyling at St Mullins in th e southern end of Carlow sold after auction to a local farmer after it had been withdrawn at 55,000

The holding came with a derelict, two storey stone farmhouse and the remains of an old stone forge.

According to Matthew Conry the buildings are set on a magnificent site in the foothills and with some sensitive renovation they could be transformed into residences of great character.
"It's all about educating people, especially the gardai," says Martina Kenny, co-founder of the charity, My Lovely Horse Rescue.

In so many rescue cases involving horses, the gardai dont actually know what they can or cannot do, Martina (right) added. In a bid to highlight this, and many other horse welfare issues, Ms Kenny recently made a presentation to a number of TDs, including Mary Butler (Fianna Fail) and Mattie McGrath (Independent).

The presentation was organised by People Before Profit TD, Gino Kenny.

Gino has been campaigning about this for years, and has been very supportive, but it was an opportunity for some of the other TDs to hear first-hand about the serious problem that still exists, despite legislations being in place. They were all shocked to learn that between 2008 and 2015 approximately 15,200 equines were euthanised at a cost of almost 11.5m to the Irish government, she said.

In her presentation Ms Kenny made a number of proposals, several of which she says might go some way towards alleviating the heavy burden on rescue centres, including My Lovely Horse, which caters for anything up to 100 horses and ponies on an ongoing basis.

Many of the legislations such as compulsory passports and microchipping are already in place but we really need to make sure that they are adhered to. We need to generate awareness amongst the gardai and communities of the laws, even if it means talking to those in training in Templemore even before they graduate. Indiscriminate breeding is also a major problem in many areas. We know that when horses are impounded, the owners can get replacements straight away from unscrupulous breeders.

Ms Kenny proposed that gardai be equipped with scanners so that they can check microchips randomly.

I also highlighted the fact that much of the anti-social behaviour that involves horse cruelty actually takes place at the weekends, when many of the officers have clocked off work. If some of our volunteers were given authorisation, we could continue to do our work seven days a week.

Rules are being broken on a daily basis. Just recently we had a case of a pony being swapped for a mobile phone. The pony was in a bad way and needed immediate attention of the vet. One eye was so badly damaged it had to be removed and the pony is now blind in the remaining eye.

Ms Kenny said that Clondalkin continues to be an area of concern.

There is a place known as the death field where there are up to 50 horses. It is a regular dumping ground and we often find carcasses scattered there. Gino Kenny has recently succeeded in creating the Clondalkin Equine Club which is expected to be up and running by the spring. We are delighted that this is nearly off the ground, Mr Kenny said.

The project is being funded by the Department of Agriculture and the Dublin City Council and will have stabling for 20 horses on three acres. There will also be an education centre for young horse owners in the area, he added.
MEP Luke Ming Flanagan is calling for review of the implementation of the GLAS scheme, with a particular emphasis on the unfolding situation regarding farmers on Commonage lands.

Flanagan said in the implementation of GLAS, some of the practices being employed lack transparency and fairness, in addition the percentage of the fund being swallowed up by administration appear excessive resulting in much less support for the intended recipients.

This is far from the ideals of the Rural Development Plan which has at its core encouraging environmentally sustainable farming practices while maintaining rural populations, he said.

Flanagan said that he has heard reports that farmers being asked for upfront payments from both Teagasc and private planners in order to have their interim Commonage Management Plan submitted, which he described as essentially a box ticking exercise.

He said farmers were of the impression that their Teagasc planner would be completing their commonage plan.

They are now finding that the plan will be done by an outside contractor on a short term contract that will leave them with no support and back up should problems arise.

Furthermore, Flanagan said when farmers contact the department requesting to change their planner, as many now wish to have a private planner complete their plan to have some continuity and support, they are refused this.

A deliberate policy of delay and procrastination culminating in the usual tactic of an 11th hour rush to sign documentation without proper information being made available and explanation given.

For commonage to be a priority asset and be paid for in GLAS 3 the farmer had to have had the commonage in his 2014 BPS application.

This appears to be a discrimination against commonage farmers, as for other land types a leasing agreement beginning at the start of the five year program is sufficient to be eligible for payment, he said.

Flanagan called on the Minister to address these matters as a matter of urgency.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) has signed an agreement with US healthcare provider Northwell Health that will allow Irish firms immediate access at an early stage to key market leaders in the US.

The Northwell partnership will look to develop and commercialise new medical technologies from Irish businesses as well as securing joint ventures with US firms. As a result of the partnership, companies here will have access to clinicians and decision makers in a health network that will provide insights on products and services needed in the future.

Northwell Health is amongst the biggest providers on the east coast of America, comprising of 21 hospitals and 61,000 employees.

The company will allow EI clients to enter departments within its hospital system as part of the deal.

Northwell Health ceo Michael Dowling said the partnership will help promote innovation in health care.

"Our relationship is mutually beneficial. It exposes Northwell to keen ideas, innovative technologies and small businesses which the Irish Government has already invested in," he said.

Mr Dowling's business also consists of a venture, and research and development arm and educational schools of medicine.

EI global business development executive director Kevin Sherry said the deal will further Ireland's status as a leader in healthcare solutions.

"There has been a highly active and productive engagement between EI and Northwell Health over the last two years and this relationship has been very beneficial to Irish companies looking to gain a deeper understanding and access to the US health system."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was present at the signing of the partnership during his tour of the US.

As part of his trip Mr Kenny met with Apple boss Tim Cook where he said there are no concerns about the US tech company's future in Ireland despite the controversy over its taxes.
Almost 850 people were left without power this afternoon after a cable fault in North Dublin

The ESB will start selling electricity and gas to consumers in England, Scotland and Wales next year.

The decision to enter the British consumer market is arguably one of the biggest strategic decisions ever taken by the ESB, whose chief executive is Pat O'Doherty.

Codenamed Project Arrow, the semi-state's push into the British market will begin with a soft launch in July, and a hard launch next October, it has told potential service providers to its new British business.

The UK energy market is dominated by the 'Big Six' suppliers, including Centrica, which owns Bord Gais Energy in Ireland, and SSE, which owns Airtricity.

But there are 50 gas and electricity suppliers in the consumer market there, including many smaller operators.

The ESB, whose retail arm here is called Electric Ireland, already has a UK presence, but only in transmission and electricity generation.

It owns NIE Networks, having bought that business in 2010 for over 1bn (1.2bn). NIE Networks employs around 1,300 people but owns and manages transmission infrastructure rather than having a retail customer base.

Power NI, which was once part of NIE, was not part of the sale to the ESB. Power NI is owned by Viridian, which was itself sold earlier this year to US investment group I Squared Capital for about 1bn. Viridian also owns Energia in Ireland.

The ESB also owns power stations in Britain, including the 884MW Carrington plant outside Manchester that was commissioned this year. That cost over 700m and can generate enough electricity to power one million homes. The ESB also owns the 350MW Corby power plant in Northamptonshire, as well as two windfarms in England and one in Wales.

It also owns a stake in a 200m-plus biomass power generating plant in Essex that's due to be operational from next year.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, the ESB insisted that its Project Arrow is at a "very early stage" despite having pencilled in a launch date, and that it is just "one of the opportunities being explored" to position the company competitively in the emerging all-islands energy market.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority finalised a two-year probe into Britain's energy market during the summer.

It now aims to make the market more competitive and encourage people to switch providers. The measures it introduced include a price cap on power provided on pre-pay meters.

The UK's energy regulator, Ofgem, said last week that in the first nine months of 2016, 5.5m consumer energy accounts were switched to new providers. That was a 28pc increase on the corresponding period in 2015.

The level of switching activity in the first nine months of 2016 was the highest in four years.

There has been speculation that the UK Government might also intervene in the market to tackle high energy prices.

The ESB is currently seeking a company to undertake residential gas and electricity meter-reading activities for it in Britain.

The four-year contract is set to begin early next year.

The ESB made an operating profit of 287m in the first half of 2016, and paid 31m in dividends to the State during the period.
Maxol ceo Brian Donaldson said the underlying performance in 2015 had been "very strong", and that this had continued in 2016

The family owners of fuel group Maxol have no plans to emulate rival Applegreen by floating on the stock exchange, according to Maxol ceo Brian Donaldson.

He said that the group has enjoyed a strong performance in 2016 and that its development plans have sufficient funding for the next three to five years.

Mr Donaldson was speaking to the Irish Independent as the company behind the Maxol brand - McMullan Bros - posted a pre-tax profit of 11.1m for 2015, on revenue of 569.8m.

The profit figure was more than triple the 3.1m that was reported in 2014. But the 2014 figure had been hit by a 4.8m exceptional charge related to the closure of a defined benefit pension scheme in the North. The 2015 profit figure was helped by an exceptional 3m gain on the sale of an asset.

Mr Donaldson said the underlying performance in 2015 had been "very strong", and that this had continued in 2016. He expects the group to post close to a double-digit increase in pre-tax profits this year. That's despite a fall in sterling, which has a negative translational effect on profits.

McMullan Bros also paid a 1.6m dividend last year to shareholders.

"We don't have anything on the cards in terms of an IPO (Initial Public Offering)," said Mr Donaldson. "We are a well-funded, privately owned business, and we have our finance in place to support our growth plans over the next three to five years."

Applegreen floated on the stockmarket last year, raising nearly 92m to expand its business in Ireland and the UK.

Maxol - founded in 1920 - operates about 111 company-owned forecourts, while there are a total of 234 stations across the island of Ireland. It also has about 10 unmanned service stations.

In 2015, it opened a flagship 5m forecourt off the M3 in Mulhuddart in Dublin. That was the single biggest development ever undertaken by the group. It features retail offerings such as Supermac's, Insomnia and Chopped. It also uses its own Moreish fresh food brand at forecourts.

Mr Donaldson said the group has spent about 30m on forecourt development this year, compared to 22m in both 2015 and 2014.

Maxol has also teamed up with AIL Group, the owners of the Abrakebabra, O'Briens and Bagel Factory, to trial an offering from the franchise group at an outlet in Dublin.

But Mr Donaldson said that the group will continue to experiment with its food offering until the end of next year, before it has "consolidation and consistency" across its network.

Last year, food accounted for 38m of rival Applegreen's 126m gross profit, and its store operations for 39m. Mr Donaldson said that at Maxol, its performance is heading in that direction, but the group remains in transformation.

He said Maxol remains focused on developing its network on the island of Ireland and that growth will continue to be "prudent, controlled, and balance-sheet driven".

"That's not to say that we wouldn't be looking outside of the island at the appropriate time," he said.
New lending drawdowns at State-owned AIB have surged by 15pc to 4.7bn in the first nine months of the year.

Elsewhere, the bank has reduced its bad debts by 18.4bn since the peak in June 2013 - a reduction of 63pc over the three years.

AIB ceo Bernard Byrne said the institution is trading in line with expectations.

"We have strong underlying profitability, a robust capital base and an improving risk profile.

This positions the group well for future opportunities and challenges in a growing Irish economy," he said.

"We are continuing to invest to support our strategic priority of creating better customer experiences through a simple and efficient operating model."

AIB expects regulatory costs related to the Banking Recovery and Resolution Directive, the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, and the Bank Levy to raise up to 108m in 2016.

Mr Byrne also said the bank had paid a further 1.8bn in capital and interest to the State in July on the maturity of the Contingent Capital Notes.

AIB's market share in the mortgage, personal, and business lending sectors has improved this year.

The group now claims 35pc of mortgage drawdowns across the country, 21pc of personal lending, and 44pc of business current accounts.

The bank's Nama Senior Bonds fell to 2.5bn in the year to date, a trend it expects to continue into 2017.

AIB's net interest margin (NIM) grew strongly in the third quarter of the year, up eight basis points to 2.16pc from 2.08pc in June.

Goodbody analyst Eamonn Hughes said he expects the bank's tier 1 capital ratio (CET1) to rise further in the remaining months of 2016.

"We would flag that discount rates have moved AIB's way in Q4 to date, implying a likely material rise in the CET1 ratio in Q4," he added in a note.
Ahram Online translates the text of Egypt's new law on protests and demonstrations

The new protest law consists of 25 articles, which outline in detail the conditions that must be met before a protest, political meeting or march is held. It also details the penalties for violations of the law.

Chapter 1: General rules and definitions

Article 1: Citizens have the right to hold and join public meetings, marches and peaceful protests in accordance with the provisions and regulations of the protest law.

Article 2: A public meeting is any gathering in a public location or place wherein persons may enter or be allowed entry without a personal invitation and whose number is no less than 10, for the aim of discussing or exchanging opinions about a subject of a public nature.

Electoral meetings are considered part of general gatherings in the application of this law when the following conditions are met:

1. That their aim is choosing a candidate or candidates for parliament or hearing their electoral programmes.

2. That it only includes the voters and the candidates or their representatives.

3. That the meeting is held during the period allotted for election campaigning.

Article 3: A march is a procession of at least ten persons in a place, road or square, to peacefully express non-political opinions and aims.

Article 4: A protest is a gathering of at least ten persons in a public place or moving in roads and squares, with the aim of peacefully expressing their political opinions, demands or objections.

Article 5: Prohibition of any political gathering in houses of worship, their vicinities or buildings associated with them, in addition to barring houses of worship from serving as meeting points for marches.

Article 6: Participants in protests, meetings or marches are prohibited from carrying any weapons, explosives, fireworks or other items that may put individuals, buildings or possessions in danger.

Wearing masks to hide the face during such actions is prohibited.

Article 7: Violations of general security, public order, or production are prohibited, as well as calling for disrupting public interests. It also forbids actions which could impact on public services, transportation or the flow of traffic, as well as assaults on security forces or exposure of danger to individuals, public or private possessions.

Article 8: Anyone wanting to organise a public meeting, march or protest must notify in writing the police station whose jurisdiction includes the public meeting's location or the starting point of a march or protest, the notification must be given in a minimum of three working days prior to the public meeting, march or protest, and a maximum of 15 days, and this period is reduced to 24 hours if the meeting was an electoral meeting, on the condition that the notification be given first-hand or through a marshal, and must include the following statements and information:

1. The place of the public meeting or route of the march or protest.

2. The start and end time of the public meeting, march or protest.

3. The subject of the public meeting or march or protest, its aim and the demands and slogans adopted by the participants in them.

4. The names of the individuals or organising organisation of the public meeting or march or protest, their description, place of residence and communication information.

Article 9: The interior minister shall issue a decree forming a permanent committee in each governorate presided over by its security director, its mission being to establish procedures and measures to secure public meetings, marches and protests that have given notice, and the modes of operation to deal with violent protests, in accordance with the provisions of this law.

Article 10: The interior minister or the security director may authorise a reasoned decision to prohibit or postpone or change the location or route of a public meeting or march or protest before its stated start time if serious information or evidence of threats to security or peace are obtained by them, notifying the organisers of the decision a minimum period of 24 hours in advance.

Without prejudice to the purview of the Administrative Court, the organisers may appeal the decision to ban or postpone decision.

Chapter 2: Procedures and regulatory controls

Article 11: Security forces in official uniform should disperse protests, meetings or marches in the event of a crime at the order of the field commander.

The field police commander can ask a judge to determine the non-peaceful state of a meeting or protest. A decision should be issued immediately.

Article 12: Security forces must utilise methods of gradual dispersal for protests in breach of the law.

Authorities must first ask participants to voluntarily leave through audible verbal warnings, which should be repeated several times whilst indicating and providing secure paths out of the venue of assembly.

If participants refuse to leave, security forces have the right to use water cannons, batons, and teargas to disperse protesters.

Article 13: In the case of security forces failing to disperse gatherings through afore mentioned measurements, or if violent assaults erupt against security forces, escalatory measures may be taken.

In this case, security forces should first fire warning shots, then escalate by using rubber bullets and finally metal pellets.

If participants use weapons, security forces should respond using means proportional to the danger imposed.

Article 14: The Minister of Interior, in coordination with the concerned governor, should designate a safe space for protesters in front of vital institutions.

Such institutions include government, military, and security buildings, as well as courts, prosecution centres and museums.

Article 15: Protests in specific spacious venues will be allowed to take place without prior notification. Such spaces will be defined by the governor.

Chapter 3: Penalties

Article 16: The following states the penalties in the case that earlier articles are violated.

Article 17: Whoever possesses weapons or explosives while participating in a protest, meeting or march could face imprisonment of seven years and pay a fine of between LE100,000 and LE300,000.

Article 18: A participant who has received or given money and/or benefits to protests, meetings or marches is to face prison and a fine of between LE100,000 and LE200,000. The same penalty will be imposed on whoever is responsible for inciting such a crime.

Article 19: A participant who violates Article 7 in the protest law could face 2 to 5 years of imprisonment, in addition to the possibility of paying a fine of between LE50,000 and LE100,000.

Article 20: Violating Articles 5 and 14 or wearing masks while committing a crime during a protest could lead to a maximum sentence of a year in prison and a fine of between LE30,000 and LE50,000.

Article 21: Holding a protest, meeting or march without giving prior notification as dictated by Article 8 could result in a fine of between LE10,000 and LE30,000.

Article 22: For any of the listed crimes, the courts can order the confiscation of tools or money used during protests or marches. However, this article excludes those who act with good intentions.

Chapter 4: Procedural provisions

Article 23: Law 14, issued in 1923, is to be annulled, in addition to the cancellation of any laws that contradict the new protest law.

Article 24: The cabinet is to issue decisions regarding the implementation of the provisions of the protest law.

Article 25: This law is to be published in the official gazette, and will be in effect the day after publication.

This is not an official translation.



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The British are famously sniffy about whether Americans understand irony. The implication being that irony has a particular appeal to British tastes.

If so, they'll have enjoyed this week's financial results from the company that publishes the Daily Mail.

The Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) warned that the UK vote to leave the European Union in June now represents a risk to the business, though one the company believes is "manageable".

The vote could "accelerate the decline in print advertising revenue" in Britain, the company said.

It may also hurt the financial services sector, the company said, that will hurt DMGT units like Euromoney, a business that provides news and data to bankers.

No doubt the leader writers at the Daily Mail, which backed the vote to leave, are unphased by such wimpish sentiments.

"If you believe in Britain vote Leave," its headline writers wrote on the day of the vote, and its writers have referred to Remain campaigners unhappy after the result as "Bremoaners".

Its not clear if DMGT chief executive Paul Zwillenberg is in that camp, but he certainly seems less than enamoured of Britain's exciting post- Brexit prospects.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

European stock markets ended yesterday's session in the red, pushing them to a weekly loss.

Investors are still concerned that a constitutional referendum in Italy on Sunday could be rejected, sparking the possibility of contagion to financial stocks especially.

Italy's FTSE-MIB closed flat yesterday ahead of the vote, but the Stoxx Europe 600 declined 0.4pc. It closed at the lowest level in more than two weeks, having fallen 0.9pc this week.

"There are dire warnings that eight Italian banks could fail should Italy vote 'No', which makes us think it's not entirely clear if markets are really reflecting the risk of this event properly," said Neil Wilson, senior analyst at ETX Capital.

"Even if we get a 'Yes' vote, it's hard to see the problems dissolving into thin air."

European equities have been under-performing Wall Street, which has surged to record highs on expectations of a massive fiscal stimulus after president-elect Donald Trump enters the White House.

In Ireland, the ISEQ Overall Index was flat at 6,184.10.

Declines in CRH, Smurfit Kappa and Ryanair were offset by gains in financials after AIB issued a strong trading statement.

Shares in State-owned AIB rose 13pc to 5.65. Bank of Ireland also rose, adding 1.4pc to just under 22 cent. Permanent TSB fell 2.5pc to 2.53, however.

The UK's FTSE-100 fell 0.3pc. Germany's DAX retreated 0.2pc and France's CAC-40 was 0.7pc lower.

Italy's FTSE-MIB index was flat ahead of its constitutional referendum on Sunday.

European banks fell 1.3pc, the biggest decliner in the sector, dragged down by a 2pc to 4.6pc decline in Banco Popular, Royal Bank of Scotland , BNP Paribas and Credit Suisse.
Kodaline and Gavin James are just two of the acts that are set to take to the stage of the 3Arena tonight for the 2FM Xmas Ball.

Kildare duo Picture This will be performing at the 3Arena for the first time in what they say will be the highlight of the year so far.

We havent even gone on stage yet and we already think this will be a highlight, they said.

RTE 2FM presenters Eoghan McDermott, Lottie Ryan, Chris Greene and Ciara King are hosting the show, with over 14,000 people expected to attend.

The Academic, Brian Deady, All Tvvins, Aine Cahill and DJ Jenny Greene and the RTE Concert Orchestra complete the lineup for the show, with all proceeds raised going to the ISPCC.

The 2FM Xmas Ball tonight along with Jenny Greene and the RTE Concert Orchestra at Electric Picnic and 3Arena means we brought incredible live music to over 30,000 people in just three months, said head of 2FM, Dan Healy.

A total of 460,000 was raised in aid of ISPCC, while all crew, artists, staff, suppliers and the 3Arena provided their services free of charge for the event.

Caroline Downey, president of the ISPCC and producer of the Xmas Ball said: We are absolutely thrilled with the amount of money raised for the ISPCC from the 2FM Xmas Ball.

"We are indebted to all of the artists involved, without them it would not have been possible to raise much needed funds for such a worthy charity.

The complete funding of the concert goes towards the financial support and aid of the 24 hour phone line and the ISPCC services dedicated to helping children.
Funny girl Amy Huberman will be showing her serious side in new RTE drama Striking Out when it debuts in the new year.

The comedy actress will ditch her usual glitzy outfits to play a conservatively-dressed lawyer in the new four-part series.

She takes on the part of Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty who is left distraught when she finds out on her hen night that her fiance has been cheating on her with a colleague.

The discovery prompts the petite lawyer to strike out on her own to make a fresh life for herself in the legal world.

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In a trailer for the show, a dressed-down Amy is seen arguing for a client in a courtroom as she states: "Nobody loses their right to privacy or dignity."

The clip ends with her looking devastated and crying in the shower.

She and the crew recorded the show last summer and were given special permission to film the legal scenes in the Four Courts.

The series is expected to be one of the highlights of RTE's 2017 schedule.

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Busy Amy was last seen on our small screens in hit comedy series Can't Cope, Won't Cope, and she said it was nice to take on a different kind of role in Striking Out.

"I love doing comedy, I really do. It's a different type of energy," she said. "But it's really great to be able to do other things if you have the opportunity.

"The last two jobs I've done have been very 'drama', which is nice because it had been a long time since I'd done one.

"It good for the acting head to flex both muscles."

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Striking Out also stars Men Behaving Badly actor star Neil Morrissey, Fiona O'Shaughnessy and Emmet Byrne.

Amy, who has two children, Sadie (3) and Billy (2), with Brian O'Driscoll, also spoke about juggling her career with her family.

"I miss my family when I'm working, but I love what I do and no one's forcing me to do it," she said.

"So you kind of have to be where you are, when you're there, and stop torturing yourself."

A woman with fingers in many pies, she recently branched out into the jewellery business when she designed a new range for Newbridge Silverware.

She also went into business with Ireland rugby player Rob Kearney after the pair jointly invested in Oslo health and beauty in Ballsbridge.

In addition, she has signed up to star in a new Irish film about a war-time elephant. The actress landed the lead role in Zoo, based on the true story of Belfast woman Denise Austin who saved the life of an elephant during the bombings of 1941.
Stylish ending: Derek Riddell as Adam Gettrick and Abigail Hardingham as Sophie Girou in BBC's 'The Missing', of which the finale aired on Wednesday

Towards the end of 'The Missing''s outstanding second season finale, our hero detective Julien Baptiste says: "You put a great deal of thought into this."

He is speaking to the gruesome, Fritzl-like child abductor Adam Gettrick, but his words could just as easily apply to the show's writers, Harry and Jack Williams.

The BBC series brought us eight hours of extraordinary drama, but it was no easy ride for viewers.

The densely plotted thriller challenged audiences with a complex story that jumped across three timelines, set in various locations around Germany, France and the Middle East, with no more than the shifting hairstyles of the characters to indicate what year we were in.

Early on, critics dismissed the show's second outing as too ambitious, but for those who persevered, it turned out to be more than worth it. The breathtaking finale happily sticks the landing, delivering a sucker punch of an episode that left viewers reeling for hours afterwards.

Despite the killer being unmasked back in episode five, the show still managed to torment viewers with heart-stopping cliff-hangers that had you worked up into a frenzy waiting for the next instalment.

To top it all off, the final episode built and built to a riveting climax at Gettrick's hideaway in the Swiss countryside, where he had locked away both missing girls Sophie Girou and Alice Webster.

The audience held its breath as Alice's parents Sam (David Morrisey) and Gemma (a superbly affecting Keeley Hawes), accompanied by the ailing Baptiste (an astonishing Tcheky Karyo), inched through the thick forest towards the cabin, until Gettrick (Derek Riddell) started firing his hunting rifle in a desperately effort to preserve his 'family'.

Sam was shot down, but at least he got to see his daughter one last time. He and his wife were finally, poignantly reunited with Alice - the real Alice - while Baptiste talked down Sophie from the edge of a cliff, making amends for his inability to do the same when her mother died by suicide a decade previously.

With Gettrick apprehended at last, the innocent butcher Kristian Hertz was freed, but as he stepped out of the prison gates, he turned away from his wife Nadia without a word.

Henry Reid and Adrian Stone's involvement was teased throughout the episode, before reaching the tragic revelation that Gettrick had murdered Reid after his attempt to alert police to the kidnapping - offering some sort of explanation for why Sophie had left flowers on his grave.

Fans of the tireless detective Baptiste were delighted to find him at last undergoing surgery for his brain tumour, after bidding a heart-rending "a tout de suite" to his wife.

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As the anaesthetic initially failed to knock him out, the surgeon quipped: "Perhaps you're made of stronger things, Mr Baptiste." Let's hope so, so that he may live to ensure that this year's best thriller will be next year's best thriller, too.
EMBATTLED Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has claimed he has not spoken to the three politicians he named in an email to Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan since the latest controversy surrounding the IRA murder of prison guard Brian Stack emerged last week.

Mr Adams also doubled down on his claim that Mr Stacks son Austin gave him the names which he forwarded to the Garda Commissioner. Austin Stack has insisted he did not give the Sinn Fein leader any names.

The Irish Independent revealed Mr Adams named four people in an email to Ms OSullivan, three of which are Sinn Fein politicians. Today, he claimed he wrote to the commissioner to tell her he had no information on Brian Stacks murder in 1983 but did reveal he had been passed names by Austin Stack.

Speaking before a Sinn Fein Irish language event, Mr Adams said: Why would I suggest for one second that Austin Stack gave me names if he didnt give me names? How could Austin Stack expect me to try and get people to meet with him if he didnt tell me who he wanted to meet. Come on,

I didnt name suspects. I never said anybody was a suspect, he added.

The Sinn Fein leader, who just returned from Fidel Castros funeral in Cuba, said he was given the names of four people by Austin Stack in 2013. At the time, Mr Adams arranged for Austin and his brother Oliver to meet with and IRA figures to discuss their fathers death.

That engagement with the Stack family culminated in a meeting with the former IRA leader who had undertaken an investigation of sorts. The Stack brothers made it clear to me they wanted an acknowledgement if republicans were involved and they wanted closure," he said.

At the end of that process they got that acknowledgement and in their own words they got closure of sorts and they thanked me, he added.

Mr Adams said he did not forward the names to gardai earlier because it wasnt an issue. He said the issue was brought up maliciously during the General Election campaign when Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan accused him of having information on the murder.

Earlier this week, Mr Adams revealed that an IRA member had been disciplined by the terrorist organisation for their role in the murder of Mr Stack.

Today, he said he did not know the name of the individual and he was not aware how they were disciplined because he did not ask.

He accused Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin of using the new information to make a political attack on him. He said snide remarks by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the issue were also politically charged.
'Was she an easy child to love?" counsel for the defence, Ken Fogarty asked the partner of the GP on trial for the manslaughter of her profoundly disabled daughter.

"To love? Yes," was his reply.

Dr Bernadette Scully is charged with unlawfully killing Emily Barut (11) at their home at Emvale, Bachelor's Walk, Tullamore, Co Offaly. It is alleged that she killed her by an act of gross negligence involving the administration of an excessive quantity of chloral hydrate on September 15, 2012. She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

On the opening day of the trial on Tuesday, Tara Burns SC for the State told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that the prosecution had to prove that Dr Scully had a duty of care to the deceased on the basis of being both her mother and GP, and that she was in breach of that duty.

She said Dr Scully would have realised that there was a risk of harm. She explained that Emily was born with profound physical and learning disabilities, including microcephaly and epilepsy, and that her mother had acted as her GP throughout her life. "Emily was very well cared for at home," she said.

On the second day of the trial, Dr Scully's sister Teresa told the court that her sister had been a compassionate and caring person who had acted as a breadwinner for her mother and siblings when their father had died when they were young. She had also been a "pillar" of support when her husband had died with the UK armed forces in Afghanistan.

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"All Bernie wanted was a little baby of her own," she said, explaining how Emily had been born on her sister's third attempt at IVF.

On learning of her pregnancy, Bernie was "over the moon". "The sun shone on her. Nobody could darken her days," she said. But it became apparent that there were difficulties, starting with feeding. Eventually, Emily was diagnosed with microcephaly and epilepsy.

Bernie's world went black and she was devastated by the news that her little baby was going to struggle in life, she said. "Bernie's instinct was to care," she said. "With her love, compassion and devotion to that little baby... she decided to use her expertise as a doctor to improve her life, her outcomes... but most of all her dignity."

She said her sister would spend up to two hours several times a day trying to feed Emily, who could gag at any moment, bringing all the food back up.

She said Dr Scully went to a number of clinics in England to try to learn about her daughter's condition and would be happy if she came away "with even one piece of information to improve Emily's life".

Teresa said that the time leading up to Emily's death was difficult and exhausting for her sister and her marriage had broken down. Emily was unable to speak but could make "little sounds", she explained.

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Again on the second day of the trial, Dr Scully's partner Andrius Kozlovskis told the court he had lived with Dr Scully and played an active role in Emily's care.

Two weeks before her death, the child had an operation to have a feeding peg replaced in her stomach, leaving her in constant pain and crying, he said.

Dr Scully herself had been through difficulties for the past six months, suffering from burnout. She took time off work but had to return because she owned and managed the GP surgery. Just a few days after Emily's operation, Dr Scully had also undergone a general anaesthetic for exploratory surgery for uterine cancer and was back at work the next day because there was nobody to replace her.

He said on that Saturday morning Dr Scully told him Emily wasn't good and later sent him to the pharmacy to get medication.

When he returned, she said there were not enough tablets and he went to get more. On returning again, she sent him out to get food when Mr Kozlovskis discovered a brown envelope in Bernie's car.

He read the first two lines and then Bernie ran out of the house. He stopped the car and wanted to ask her "what the story was" but she grabbed the envelope from his hands.

When he returned, he tried to convince Dr Scully to eat but she was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch.

At 9pm, he checked Emily and found her cold and tried to rouse Dr Scully but could not. The 999 call he made was played in court in which he could be heard begging to send two ambulances and to "hurry, hurry".

He told the court Emily was Dr Scully's "number one priority".

A note found by gardai in a handbag was read: "If anyone thinks I'm awful for doing this, you should have listened to poor little Emily crying the last eight days. I love her dearly, Bernie."

The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
A FORMER councillor who made 40 threatening phone calls of a "vile and personal nature" to a colleague over a six-hour period has been ordered to pay 700 to charity.

Killian Forde was a Dublin City Councillor with Sinn Fein from 2004 to 2010, before moving to Labour. He resigned his council seat in 2011 after he was made chief executive of the Integration Centre.

Forde made the abusive phone calls to Paddy Banks, a board member of the Integration Centre, in 2014.

He appeared before Judge Patricia McNamara in Tallaght District Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to making a hoax telephone call at an address at Homelawn Drive, Tallaght, on October 7, 2014.

The court had heard that the calls were "drunken gibberish" and Mr Banks had been threatened.

Judge McNamara said Forde, with addresses at Carndonagh Park, Donaghmede, and Sutton Park, Sutton, was going abroad.

The court heard the incident arose after an Integration Centre board member was made redundant but eventually had their position reinstated.

intoxicated

Forde said he had no recollection of making the calls, which took place between 12.25am and 6am. Judge McNamara noted that he said he had been intoxicated that night.

Mr Banks told the court that the calls were "abuse, personal abuse and threats".

"It was vile, personal abuse of such a nature as to leave me with a deep sense of apprehension that I made a complaint to the gardai," he said.

"I did not wish to be looking over my shoulder when I go out. I have a number of medical conditions and I am told to avoid stress at all costs. I found this extremely stressful and still do to some extent.

"It was said to me I would be got and I would pay for what I did. He did not appear to me to be intoxicated. I will not accept an apology from Mr Forde. I have been deeply offended."

Judge McNamara said Forde had no previous convictions.

She said he was not at risk of re-offending and would apply the Probation Act if Forde pays 700 compensation. Mr Banks said he wanted the money to go to the hospice in Harold's Cross.

The case was adjourned for two weeks.

Speaking to the Herald afterwards, Forde said the incident was "regrettable". "It should never have happened and I am very sorry that it did," he said."It was totally out of character."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday Moscow was ready for talks with the United States about a complete withdrawal of all rebels from Syria's eastern Aleppo.

Syrian government forces have captured 60 percent of the area previously held by rebels in eastern Aleppo after gaining new ground on the city's eastern edge, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Saturday.

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A Garda who survived a shooting in the United States last year is alleged to have punched two women in the face after a row erupted over a 15 fee for a lift home.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath heard an outline of the case against Garda Brian Hanrahan (34) at Nenagh District Court as it was confirmed he vehemently denies all the allegations.

Michelle O'Connell, for the State, said gardai became aware of an incident in Nenagh about 4am on March 6. Two young women were on their way home when they agreed to give a man with red hair a lift for a fee of 15.

"This man became abusive when talking about Nenagh," she said.

The women became offended, stopped the car and asked him to get out.

Ms O'Connell said the front-seat passenger got out of the car and asked the man, who was seated in the back of the car, for the 15 fee agreed as he exited the car.

"It was at this point this man punched her in the face when she asked for the money," she said.

"The other woman was also assaulted when she went to help her friend."

Gardai who attended the scene later saw one woman with blood on her mouth.

Officers then spotted a man with red hair who was walking further along the roadway but staggering as if he was drunk.

When approached, the man identified himself as Brian Hanrahan and said he was an off-duty member of An Garda Siochana.

Gardai at the scene noticed Mr Hanrahan had "a cut on his hand by his knuckles".

Daniel O'Gorman, solicitor for Mr Hanrahan, said his client would be vehemently denying all the allegations.

"He is disputing all the (allegations) on the night. He denies any allegation," he said.

He said it was his client who had contacted gardai.

Judge MacGrath, who accepted jurisdiction in the matter, adjourned the case for hearing until February 3.
Few cases have packed out courtrooms in the Four Courts since murder trials were moved up the road to the Courts of Criminal Justice building six years ago.

Civil matters have never attracted the same level of interest from the public, no matter how important the issues in play may be.

It is not unusual for the most significant of cases to be argued out in sparsely occupied courtrooms.

This trend was turned on its head last Thursday with the appearance of one of Ireland's richest men in Court 29.

Anyone who failed to show up at least 20 minutes early for the appearance of Denis O'Brien failed to secure a seat.

By the time he came to give evidence, the body of the court was thronged with standing onlookers.

Mr O'Brien spent an hour and 20 minutes in the stand arguing his case against the State, the Clerk of the Dail and the Dail Committee on Procedure and Privilege (CPP).

The media and telecoms mogul believes his constitutional rights were breached when two TDs disclosed details of his banking arrangements with the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in May and June 2015. At the time he was taking injunction proceedings against RTE, which had sought to broadcast the banking information.

The businessman claims that the TDs effectively determined the outcome of that case and has asked the High Court to censure them for it. He believes their actions were a "calculated effort to breach the court order" and to "usurp the court".

Mr O'Brien also believes the Dail should have done more to stop them from revealing the information and that the CPP made an error when it cleared the TDs of any wrongdoing.

He is seeking various declarations from the court to endorse his point of view.

Perhaps the most arresting evidence was his disclosure that he had received death threats just three weeks after the first disclosure was made by Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy.

Details were not expanded on in his oral evidence and Mr O'Brien said he was not suggesting the TDs were in any way involved. But it later emerged in his written submission to the court that threats had been made via an email and Facebook posts respectively to slit his throat and shoot him in the head. The threats were reported to gardai.

The Irish Independent understands the individuals involved live in Ireland, but were not known to Mr O'Brien. Gardai are said to have spoken to them but no further action was taken.

As upsetting and unpleasant as the threats were, they did not form the meat of the case Mr O'Brien wished to argue.

He said he had brought the action because of his strong view that private records should not be thrust into the public domain.

"I am here today to see if there is a way for this to never happen again, for any citizen," he said.

Mr O'Brien's views on privacy were made plain in his written submission to the court.

"Over the period of many years I have been the subject of media, public and political comment involving regular criticism both generally and for my attempts to protect my entitlement to privacy in my business and personal life. This is something I have learned to accept," he wrote.

He expanded this further in direct evidence, saying: "I would hope that people's privacy will be respected, that people's private banking material is not ventilated in the Dail. It could be someone's private medical records the next time."

The defence of the action has been equally as robust as Mr O'Brien's evidence and has involved reams of case law on various aspects of the Constitution.

The most persuasive argument made for the court to reject Mr O'Brien's case was articulated by Michael Collins SC, for the committee, who referred to High Court and Supreme Court rulings on Article 15.13 of the Constitution, which gives TDs immunity from the courts for anything they say under Dail privilege.

It was argued the only body that could have censured the TDs for what they said in the Dail was the House itself and it had rejected Mr O'Brien's complaints.
The man shot dead in Dublin on Friday night was a well-known criminal with a long history of violent crimes.

Mark 'The Guinea Pig' Desmond (41) was a native of Ballyfermot and he was involved in criminality from an early age.

He was catapulted into national headlines in 2000 when he was arrested for the gruesome murder of Darren Casey (19) and Patrick Murray (20).

Both young men were shot in drug-related killings and their bodies dumped in the Grand Canal at Karneystown, Co Kildare, between December 19, 1999, and January 10, 2000.

In a surprise move ther murder charges were dropped by the Director for Public Prosecutions and the Court of Criminal Appeal later overturned Desmond's conviction and eight-year sentence on a charge of unlawful possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.

During this latter court case, graphic evidence of Mark Desmonds violent tendencies was presented in court.

Desmonds former girlfriend Jennifer Devine testified that he threatened to kill her with a shotgun when he thought she was smoking heroin in the same house as their baby son, Caylum.

In 2002, he was questioned about male rape allegations concerning a 15-year-old boy while in custody in June 2000.

Desmond was previously linked to the July 2009 execution of drug dealer Anthony Cannon  one of feuding crime boss Brian Rattigan's key enforcers.

It is understood that the 'Guinea Pig' had wanted Cannon dead because he blamed the drug dealer for shooting at him during an incident in Tallaght in the summer of 2006.

Desmond was also suspected of playing a key role in the murder of James Kenny McDonagh (below).

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McDonagh went missing in October 2010 and his remains were found in the Dublin mountains 14 months later. Associates of McDonagh have claimed Desmond ordered the hit in revenge for an earlier incident.

He regularly clashed with members of the Real IRA in Dublin and was threatened by dissident groups including one led by murdered Alan Ryan.

He has been based in Co Sligo recently and was acting as a 'heavy' for a local drugs gang. This again brought him in conflict with dissident groups including one run by former associates of Ryan.
Education Minister Richard Bruton with Rachel Doherty (left) and Georgia Gammell, 6th class students from St Olafs National School, Sandyford, taking part in a Minecraft Hour of Code class at Microsofts offices. Photo: Damien Eagers

Education Minister Richard Bruton joined pupils in a crash course in coding to cram for next week's global "Hour of Code", where people from around the world can tune into Skype for a simultaneous tutorial.

The minister, along with pupils from St Olaf's National School in Sandyford, south Dublin, were given a special tutorial on coding at Microsoft's headquarters in Sandyford yesterday.

The session was conducted in a classroom format and was designed to bring them up to speed on coding, which is a basic form of computer programming that tells a computer what to do.

Thousands of students from across Ireland are expected to take part in the 'Minecraft Hour of Code' tutorial taking place next Wednesday at 11am.

The free session features the Minecraft video game with a special session on coding basics that can be accessed worldwide on the Microsoft website.

Meanwhile, Mr Bruton said he was happy to support the initiative and was "very committed to rolling out coding at primary levels" of schools once computer science becomes part of the Leaving Cert curriculum from 2019.
The topic of water charges continue to stir emotions, like when protesters burned their Irish Water application forms in Sligo in January 2015 Photo: James Connolly

Two good things have come out of the water charges debate which has dominated political discourse over the past six years.

The first is that the public and body politic is now talking about the state of the network, the leakage rates and raw sewage being discharged without treatment, the fact that so many drinking water supplies are at risk of failure and the need to invest.

The second is that we finally have a utility in charge of a national asset, and getting to grips with the challenges that lie ahead.

But the business case for the company is rapidly falling apart. Not only does it now have no clear source of funding over the longer term, it's unclear if it can or will collect the money it's legally owed.

Many of its 'customers' don't want to be customers, and there's been little political appetite displayed over the years for tackling its reason to be - maintaining and upgrading the network.

Whatever about the aspiration, it's hard to see how it can ever function as a standalone utility without State support.

But over the course of the past few days, there has been little said from any party about abolishing Irish Water.

The focus has been on whether those who paid should be refunded, or whether those who refused should be chased for payment.

Heavy-hitters within Fine Gael including Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar are opposed to refunds, but their partners in Government, the Independent Alliance, appear to favour some sort of rebate.

Fianna Fail suggests a cost-benefit analysis to ascertain what is in the public interest, while Sinn Fein, Labour, AAA/People Before Profit, the Greens and Social Democrats say people should get their money back.

But this is only window dressing. The biggest issue this Government or the next faces is addressing how the Expert Commission's recommendation that water services be funded from general taxation marries with our obligations under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Aimed at improving water quality and obliging those who pollute to meet the costs of treatment, the WFD is more than 15 years old.

Ireland's compliance is poor. Not only are we the subject of an infringement case for our failure to treat raw sewage, we now face a second legal action over the presence of trihalomethanes (THMs) - a by-product of the treatment process - in drinking water.

While we had a derogation from introducing charges, the European Commission has made it patently clear that it does not believe they can now be scrapped following their introduction in January last year.

"The directive's flexibility does not allow 'disapplying' water charges once instated," it informed the Expert Commission.

This is because the directive includes a requirement for 'cost recovery' from consumers - in other words, meeting the cost of providing water and wastewater - which allows for the "proper funding" of infrastructure. It also includes the 'polluter pays' principle which incentivises conservation.

While the Expert Commission is of the view that charging people for 'wasteful' use of water covers this off, it's far from clear how the issue of cost recovery as set out in the directive can be overcome.

This is not a case of the EU coming in at the last minute to force policy upon the State. Brussels has been a central player from the outset. Not only have all member states implemented and agreed to higher environmental standards as set out in the WFD, it also decided that Irish Water's borrowings had to remain on the State's books after it failed to meet the so-called Market Corporation Test in July last year.

While this week it said it would "evaluate" the Expert Commission's report, its position is clear. If the Dail ultimately decides that water charges are gone, it's hard to see how we avoid a trip to the European Court of Justice.

If we win, we're in the clear. If we lose, fines can be imposed and we will have to return to a charging system and the merry-go-round begins all over again.

We have repeatedly heard how if ever there was a lesson in how not to establish a new utility and introduce an unpopular tax it's exemplified by this mess. One academic paper, published in the journal 'Utilities Policy' from sociologist Patrick Bresnihan, makes the point that the public backlash against charges is partly driven by "familiar slogans" which claim water as a human right and oppose the concept of privatisation.

But he says that as a State-owned utility, Irish Water is technically a "public utility". He also suggests that the utility does not emerge as a "well-formed neo-liberal project implemented by canny policymakers with no regard for the public good". He's absolutely correct. There's nothing canny about any of this.

But he adds: "It is an experiment which must be placed within a longer process of failed water service models and emergent financial and environmental demands."

And that is the nub of this matter. The 'old' policy of publicly funded, local authority controlled water services didn't work. The 5.5bn investment bill we all face is testament to that. The trick is somehow coming up with a formula that improves standards at least cost to households and the exchequer.

A Joint Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services will now consider the Expert Commission's report. It's essential that all the facts are laid out for the committee and wider public, including addressing the issue of refunds and non-payment and the long-term costs of financing upgrades.

Read More: Irish Water - Five questions committee must try to answer

One document it will presumably seek is a report prepared by NewEra, an arm of the NTMA which sets out future funding and debt options for Irish Water, and the views of consultants and management on these issues.

Astonishingly, this was not available to the Expert Commission, and it's unlikely to be published any time soon. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has refused to release it, citing the old chestnut of commercial sensitivity. This is despite Irish Water not being a commercial body as it has no competitors, and the fact that the public is entitled to know the long-term implications of scrapping charges.

This is a bad start to this process of finally putting the water issue to bed. In an issue of such national importance, the public is entitled to know the truth. If nothing else, the water fiasco of the last few years shows that a lack of transparency serves no one well.
Yemeni government forces have sent reinforcements to the Red Sea coast to drive Iran-backed rebels away from a key global shipping route, military officials said on Saturday.

Shia Houthi insurgents and their allies, forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, control most of the country's Red Sea coastline.

That includes Dhubab, just 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the strategic and busy Bab al-Mandab strait linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Two US warships and an Emirati vessel in the Red Sea came under missile attack from rebel-held territory in September and October.

The government now aims to "push back the rebels away from the western coast and Bab al-Mandab, and to secure maritime navigation in the southern part of the Red Sea," a military official said.

Pro-government forces have been sent to the area, backed by tanks, other armoured vehicles and Katyusha rocket launchers, military officials said.

They said the offensive aimed to wrest back control of the coast from Dhubab as far north as Al-Khukha 90 kilometres (60 miles) farther north.

Troops were also sent by the Saudi-led Arab coalition which intervened in March 2015 to prop up the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Pro-government troops seized Dhubab in early October 2015, giving them effective control of Bab al-Mandab.

The rebels managed to recapture the area in February.

Hadi ordered the assault ahead of meeting UN special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in southern port city and temporary capital Aden on Thursday.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed was there to discuss a new attempt to end the country's conflict.

The government-run sabanew.net website said Hadi handed him a letter reiterating the government's rejection of a roadmap the envoy presented in October, which would see the president eased out of power.

Hadi, who has spent most of his time in Riyadh since the conflict broke out, flew to Aden last Saturday on a surprise visit.

Thursday's meeting was his first with the UN envoy to take place in Aden.

Clashes raged on Friday in several areas in northern Yemen, along the border with Saudi Arabia, military officials said, as coalition warplanes pounded rebel positions.

Air strikes targeted rebels in Nahm, east of Sanaa, and in Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea.

More than 7,000 people have been killed and nearly 37,000 wounded since the conflict escalated after the Saudi-led military coalition intervened in March 2015 to support Hadi.

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A 30-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was left critically ill in hospital.

She was injured at a house in Downpatrick in County Down. The incident happened in Thomas Russell Park in the town.

The woman was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment.

A police spokesperson said: "Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident at a house in Downpatrick.

"A woman has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident.

"Officers are working to establish how the woman sustained her injuries."

South Down SDLP MP Margaret Ritchie said : "I have been to visit the estate.

"I noticed two police officers currently conducting enquiries - and I would urge anybody with information to give it to the police to help apprehend the person or persons that may be responsible for this."
Fine Gael members of the Oireachtas committee on water will be allowed to have an 'open mind' on the issue of refunds, Housing Minister Simon Coveney has said.

Despite consistently saying he believes everybody should be forced to pay their bills, Mr Coveney has now told the Irish Independent he is not taking a hard line.

"Everyone is going to have to move a little towards the middle to deliver an outcome," he said.

The minister's comments open the door to the possibility that Fine Gael's six members of the water committee could compromise on the issue.

Although Mr Coveney insists his "personal view" is that refunds would set a "dangerous precedent", he added: "If I'm too prescriptive at the start, our team won't have any room to negotiate at the committee."

While acknowledging that there were "differing views" within Fine Gael about whether to refund customers or chase those who had not paid, he said: "To expect a hard-line view within all parties now is just not fair."

He described the issue as "toxic" and said it was time to "put this issue to bed once and for all".

Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen said the minister's statement about needing to ensure everybody paid their charges was "rushed".

"He jumped to the gun when he had no right to," Mr Cowen said.

"It will be up to the committee to explore, analyse and check the costs associated with chasing people or giving refunds."

Fianna Fail has five members on the water committee, which will spend three months considering its proposal for a way forward, meaning it will have major influence when it comes to the question of refunds.

However, the Labour Party's member on the committee, Jan O'Sullivan, said Mr Cowen was trying to sit on the fence.

"The only thing to do is to refund people if they are going to get rid of charges," she said.

"Fianna Fail need to take responsibility like the rest of us have and take a position going into it. We don't all agree on the positions but we'll go in and debate them."

Read More: John Downing: Government's botched exit from water fiasco tells all

In response, Mr Cowen said the former minister "needs to get a better grasp of what the committee is tasked with".

"She is missing the point. This needs to be dealt with calmly, methodically and have a resolution that's evidence based," he said.

"If they had done that in the first place, the Labour Party wouldn't have just seven seats now."

Meanwhile, one of the Fine Gael members of the committee, Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell, said he intended to give all sides "a fair hearing".

"I've been told the issue of refunds or pursuing people is for the committee to decide," he said. "If we go down the road of pursuing people through the courts, we're on a hiding to nothing. It will become martyrdom for some people."

Meanwhile speaking in the United States, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he believed "very strongly that the committee should be allowed to do it's work and fulfil it's remit".

"Irrespective of what conclusion it comes to that it would come back to the Dail and in respect of the provision of water obviously there has got to be a payment process because water is not free," he said.

"I do believe that it is important that we let the committee do its work now."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has denied any suggestion he was snubbed by US president-elect Donald Trump during his visit to New York.

Mr Kenny said his trip to the United States was arranged before the outcome of the election, and there had been no political meetings planned.

The US tycoon has met Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe and former Ukip leader Nigel Farage since his election win.

The Taoiseach was asked at a press conference if he had been hopeful of meeting Mr Trump and if he has been snubbed.

Mr Kenny brushed off the question saying: "This trip was arranged long before the outcome of the election. This is a business, trade and investment trip, both on the west coast and here. There are no political meetings on this occasion."

Mr Kenny said that he had spoken to Mr Trump by phone on the day after the election and added: "I look forward to meeting him in March."

Mr Trump has invited the Taoiseach to the White House for the traditional St Patrick's Day reception.

The president-elect gave what's being termed a victory speech in Cincinnati on Thursday where he returned to the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the campaign. Mr Kenny was asked if this is cause for concern for the fate of 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US. He said: "I think the priorities for the president-elect ... were the issues of the border and immigrants with criminal records."
Six people have been brought to hospital after a road traffic collision on the Finglas Road in Dublin this evening.

Four ambulances and several units of the Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene.

One person was removed from the car using a cutting device.

None of the injuries are thought to be life-threatening.

2 car RTC earlier on Finglas Road with 6 patients in total, 1 trapped. Finglas fire eng, rescue tender from Phibsboro, 4 Amb (3 DFB, 1 NAS) pic.twitter.com/OMlDv4Z0hY  Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) December 3, 2016

A spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade said: "None of the injuries are thought to be life threatening."

They added that "the side airbags probably prevented catastrophic injury."
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has hailed a decision by US authorities to allow new transatlantic flights as an opportunity emulate "what Ryanair have done for short-haul travel in Europe."

The US transportation Department this evening announced it is granting flying rights to Norwegian Air to operate routes from Ireland.

Speaking at the Irish Consulate in New York, Mr Kenny said: "On the last occasion in the White House speaking to President Obama we did raise the issue that had been around for a while... the proposal by Norwegian Air to fly direct to America from Cork and Shannon and to do for long-haul travel what Ryanair have done for short-haul travel in Europe."

"I am pleased to tell you that following that conversation and all of the discussions that have taken place since, approval issues today for Norwegian air."

He added: "Looking to the future we will continue to stand tall and strong."

One of the proposed routes is Cork to Boston.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny was present for the signing of a deal between Enterprise Ireland and US firm Northwell Health which will help Irish companies sell to the American healthcare sector.

The President and chief executive of Northwell Health, Michael Dowling, hails from Limerick and he has been asked to serve as Grand Marshall of New York's St Patrick's Day parade next year.

He told Independent.ie it was "a major surprise" and he is "humbled" by the honour.

Mr Dowling said the new deal with with Enterprise Ireland is "mutually beneficial", adding: "It exposes Northwell to keen ideas, innovative technologies and small businesses in which the Irish government has already invested in.
THE mother and sister of Clodagh Hawe have set up a crowd-funding page with the aim of helping Women's Aid, which works to end violence against women.

Mary Coll and Jacqueline Connolly are aiming to raise 50,000 - that would be enough to fund the Women's Aid helpline for more than 120 days.

Expand Close The Hawe family home in Cavan (Inset: mum Clodagh, dad Alan, and their three young sons) / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Hawe family home in Cavan (Inset: mum Clodagh, dad Alan, and their three young sons)

Clodagh (39) was brutally murdered, along with her three young sons, by husband and father Alan Hawe in a frenzied attack inside the family home in Cavan last August.

Alan Hawe, who worked as a vice principal, killed them all using knives and a hatchet before taking his own life.

The three boys, Liam, Niall and Ryan were all in their pyjamas when they were tragically killed.

Now Clodagh's mother and sister want to raise fund to help women who need it.

Expand Close Alan Hawe with his wife Clodagh and their children Liam, 13, Niall, 11 and Ryan, six Credit: Hawes/Coll families/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Alan Hawe with his wife Clodagh and their children Liam, 13, Niall, 11 and Ryan, six Credit: Hawes/Coll families/PA Wire

"Clodagh was strong and beautiful inside and out and was so loving," the family say on the crowd-funding page.

"She was warm, loving, bright and capable and she was bringing her boys Liam, Niall and Ryan, up to have those same qualities. They will live on and her strength will live on.

"We want their deaths to help other women who are living in fear and isolation in their own homes. So please support our fundraising appeal for Womens Aid.

"One in five women in Ireland experience domestic abuse and many women are isolated and alone.

"Womens Aid runs the 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 which is a confidential service for women affected by domestic abuse.

"Their work makes a life-changing difference and we hope the donations made in Clodaghs name will help them be there to listen, to believe and to support women. Every single time."

Margaret Martin, Director of Womens Aid said:

We are very touched that Mary and Jacqueline have set up a fundraising appeal for Womens Aid in memory of Clodagh and her children. Our work makes a life-changing difference and this donation page will help us be there to listen, to believe and to support women.

"Every single time. One in five women in Ireland experience domestic abuse. They need us to listen to them, and to support them and their children. Since our 24 Hour National Freephone Helpline extended to become a 24/7 service last January, we now answer an average of 41 calls a day.

"By the end of the year well have answered over 5,000 additional calls during the new night-time service, with many more contacts through our website. But our resources are already extended to breaking point, and we need all the resources we can to keep the 24 Hour National Freephone Helpline open. It takes a lot of strength to call us. We have to be here for every woman who needs us, at any hour of the day or night.

The page can be accessed here.

Earlier this week, Jacqueline and Mary spoke out for the first time since the devastating murders to urge victims of domestic abuse not to suffer in silence.

Jacqueline and Mary from Virginia, Co Cavan, called on other families living with silent, secretive abuse to look for the dangers and seek help.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Mirror, Jacqueline said: We strongly believe that we must now be the voices for Clodagh and our wonderful boys.

In time we will work to highlight domestic violence, especially the silent type where there are no obvious warning signs, just like Clodaghs situation.

She had no idea she was in danger. If she had known she would have acted to prevent it and safeguard the boys and herself.

While Clodagh was planning their future, he was planning her end. While she had thoughts of sunshine and fun, he had murder on his mind.

Clodagh never stood a chance and so the boys never stood a chance. Not once in their lives had they been vulnerable or in danger because Clodagh was just the best mother.
A primary school is grading parents on how much they support their children, it has emerged.

Parents of pupils at Greasley Beauvale primary school, in Newthorpe, Notts in the UK, are marked from A to D based on their involvement with their childrens education.

The system is intended to improve the children's performance at school by encouraging their mothers and fathers to attend events, such as parents evenings and plays, and help with learning at home.

It has been in place since 2011 and has become public knowledge thanks to an Ofsted report this week which commended the school for its startling results.

For many children at this school, it is making a huge difference, wrote Sir Michael Wilshaw, head of Ofsted, assessing Nottinghamshire schools in his final annual report.

He said that children of parents in groups A and B make significantly better progress than those whose parents are in groups C and D, but that the system ensures less-engaged parents are productively supported by the school.

Telling a parent what the impact their lack of engagement is having on the life chances of their child is not easy, wrote Sir Michael. But for many children at this school, it is making a huge difference.

Not all parents are enamoured of being graded. Theyll have us all wearing dunces hats next, said a mother-of-one, who did not wish to be named. Its absolutely ludicrous.

She said that its one thing when your child gets a bad grade, but now they openly embarrass their parents too.

Another mother, who argued that the move had unfairly shifted responsibility from teachers to parents, said: I thought I was past the dreaded school report, but trust parents to bring it back.

I try not to take notice of it, but it really irritates me that they are sat in the staff room judging us all and giving us marks too.

Those parents who work nine to five won't have time to have as much input as, say, stay-at-home mums who have the time to contribute more and go to more school events.

But Pat Walker, 63, whose eight-year-old granddaughter attends the school, supports the scheme.

She said: "I think it's very beneficial to the pupils and the parents and the grandparents as well.

In his report, Sir Michael praised the schools inspirational headteacher Donna Chambers, who came up with the system after becoming frustrated with some parents reluctance to support their children in school.

Ms Chambers said the most difficult part of the project had been having hour-long conversations with parents who the school believed could be doing more.

I have always been known as saying it as it is," she said. I sat down and showed them the criteria and statistics on how it could affect their child's learning but I reassured them we could work together.

Ms Chambers said that between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of parents started out in the lower categories, but that had now been reduced to just two per cent.

That one-hour initial conversation saying they could improve will pay dividends for the rest of that child's academic life, she said.

Greasley Beauvale caters for 346 pupils, aged four to 11, and was rated "good" by Ofsted at its last inspection in May this year  a step up from the "requires improvement" verdict delivered before the grading was introduced.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Premium

What will it take to unite Ireland? Opinions are divided

There are those for whom Northern Ireland is a geographical fragment of the UK holding true to empire on its western flanks, and those for whom partition is a century-old wrong that must be overturned. Somewhere in the middle are the persuadables  people willing to accept either unity or union, so long as the justification is logical. One way or another, the unity conversation is in the air.
One of the many disturbing aspects of the assault allegations concerning King's Hospital is the hitherto incoherent response of the involved adults.

It must be stressed that these are as yet all unproven claims. But in the Ireland of 2016, one would imagine that the failure to act quickly regarding an alleged sexual assault of a minor under any circumstances will not wash anymore.

There have been too many revelations of child abuse for parents or teachers to defend their actions by saying they didn't know what to do or how to react.

In all circumstances, parents and teachers need to be ready for such an event and they need to respond appropriately.

As Winston Churchill pointed out: "It is not enough that we do our best, sometimes we have to do what is required." Doing our best isn't enough when there is an allegation that a child may have been sexually attacked - instead adults need to bypass our horror and shock and fly to the side of the vulnerable child.

Where there are any allegations of assault, the deep shame, horror and vulnerability that the child can feel as they reveal the incident is unspeakably intense.

This is the time for the adults to dig deep and show the child that they are on the child's side. The time is now.

At this crucial moment, the child is intensely vulnerable and they need to be reassured that they aren't complicit in some way, that it won't happen again and that sanity will be restored. If in any circumstances the immediate reaction is to close ranks and worry about the fallout that will happen to reputations, then the child may feel guilty that they are causing trouble and, even worse, they may feel that it's their own fault.

The 'flight, fight, freeze or appease' instinct might render many of us silent for a moment at the crucial moment of disclosure and yet we can still take the child's hand, we can still demonstrate our loyalty with our eyes and, as soon as we can speak, then we must immediately reassure the child that we are on their side and we will do our utmost to relieve the child of their pain and suffering.

At the best of times, many adults are so horrified about the snippets of information we hear generally in the media about the disturbing behaviour of teenagers that we prefer to turn away and pretend that it doesn't concern us. Our brains simply cannot process an allegation that something terrible could be done and then recorded on a phone.

Our natural feelings of horror can be overwhelmed by a desire to push it all away. This is the brain's defence mechanism at work - we deny and suppress things that we simply cannot process.

But there have been too many stories in the public domain over the years where teenagers have been seen to behave terribly.

Usually by the time we have become adults most of us have learned to live by a certain code of ethics. However during the middle-teen years, when the approval of peers has a heightened supremacy, many teenagers' actions can be easily influenced by mob rule and they can behave with brutality and cruelty.

We have seen several cases where mob rule often creates an identity all of its own. This identity might be shaped by the strongest personalities of the group. However, sometimes, depending on the context, group identity can be shaped by the interests of the group.

So if a group of teenagers enjoys playing violent video games together, their views of what is socially acceptable can become completely distorted. This is a dangerous but very common scenario that parents need to watch out for.

Experience has shown us that it is not that being involved with a group of kids who enjoy playing violent video games is an inherently 'bad' thing to do, it is that if a group of kids whose identity is centred on violence and cruelty exists within a bullying environment, then a lot of nasty behaviour can unfold.

Denying the hold that mob rule has on our teenagers' lives is denying reality. Parents need to be aware that teenagers' brains aren't fully formed yet. The teenage brain is more impulsive and more attracted to dangerous behaviour than the adult brain; also, teenagers are more influenced by their peers' approval than we are.

Where there are hordes of teenagers gathered together, there will be issues with behaviour. This doesn't mean that we should prevent youths from meeting one another - far from it, this is how they grow and develop their identity.

But parents and teachers need to be vigilant that poor behaviour is nipped in the bud before it turns into degrading and vicious brutality.

Most of all, adults need to be ready to step in and act responsibly and quickly.
I suppose it was to be expected that the proposed visit to Ireland by Pope Francis would lead many in the media to a great deal of negativity and Colette Browne certainly didn't disappoint (Irish Independent, November 29). No one minds constructive criticism, but we seem to only get a selective and biased brand where the Catholic Church is concerned.

She refers to the divesting of Catholic schools without any reference to the fact that in most areas where consultations were held, the majority disagreed with this proposal.

I am certainly "not fooling myself" in believing we have not yet achieved the status of an independent secular state, but would like to ask Ms Browne if she believes that is what the majority of Irish people really want?

Of course, it is hard for her to consider that they may not want this State, when most in the media are trying to convince us that this is something to be aimed for.

How long have we to wait for balanced and factual reporting on the issues of the day here? The US presidential election is a case in point, where there was a completely one-sided debate on the outcome.

As Ms Browne mentioned, abortion is another issue where only one side is considered 'the right one' regarding the Eighth Amendment and where it even involves precluding the term 'pro-life'. Seemingly, we now have to be referred to as 'anti-choice'.

How hypocritical can one get when not accepting that allowing a choice for abortion indicates support for it. I certainly never allow someone a choice for something which I consider unacceptable, thereby indicating that I am against it.

I live in hope for another while that our press will step up to the mark and give us the facts in an unbiased manner and allow us to make up our own minds.

Mary Stewart, Donegal Town, Co Donegal

Kelly is wrong on Vatican abuses

Michael Kelly, editor of the 'Irish Catholic', refers to Taoiseach Enda Kenny's demeanour on his last visit to the Vatican as una brutta figura (oafish) as he sat in front of Pope Benedict and ignored Benedict's address (Irish Independent, November 26). Mr Kenny hardly needed to worry too much about this kind of snootiness as he visited the Vatican on Monday.

Pope Francis has been elected to clean up the Vatican, and with all Francis's good intentions, Mr Kenny has arguably achieved more reform at home than Francis has in Rome.

At the time of the last visit, Benedict had in fact decided that the corruption in the Vatican was out of hand and beyond him, and he was shortly to resign.

Mr Kelly stated: "It was in the towns and villages of Ireland rather than in the Eternal City that a blind eye was turned to the abuse of Irish children." I think that there are many people in Ireland who would disagree with that.

The American Vatican representative in Dublin, Charles Brown, comes in for favourable mention in Mr Kelly's piece.

Mr Brown, he stated, has "admiration and respect". "He has put a positive public face back on the Catholic Church". And he has been wooing the right people. However, the less public face of the Catholic Church is another matter.

Anyone who dips into the website of the Association of Catholic Priests will find a far more critical view of Mr Brown.

The scene described there is one of neglect and decay in the Catholic Church in Ireland. There is the curious case of the bishop (unnamed) who is trying to evict one of his priests, even though the man has nowhere to go. The place-holders in the Catholic Church have always known that holding on to power involves possession of information (including denying information to a wider public), exclusive rights to perform certain functions, and control of assets. Abuses are fostered by secrecy.

Mr Kelly said that both sides (Vatican and Dublin) will be "keen to draw a line under the past". He doesn't ask whether the wider population of Catholics, victims especially, agrees with that.

S Macken, Dublin 15

Lump water and gas together

I implore this Government not to make water a costly red herring all over again; much of the groundwork and research is already in place. The certainty is that water is a life-giver and must come with guarantees of continuity of supply, sustainable quality control and an efficient maintenance service.

Don't be fooled - every essential service costs money and in the case of water, the obvious possibilities for payment are through public taxes or being invoiced, as with any other services. In either case, every consumer in the country must be metered. Only under such a system would supplier and user have full control of what is happening, when and where.

The authorities and customer can monitor and check leakages and charges from readings, and possible disputes are ruled out.

Finally, infrastructure for installation of water is very compatible with that of gas or electricity. Why not make massive savings, infrastructurally and administrative-wise, by lumping amenable aspects of both projects together? Supplying pure water involves teamwork - united we live; divided we fall.

James Gleeson, Thurles, Co Tipperary

Get those letters to Santa now

Greetings to everyone from the North Pole!

Christmas is fast approaching and the elves are working at full pace to get all the toys and gifts ready to load onto the sleigh this Christmas Eve.

Letters are pouring in from all around the world, so I would like to remind all the boys and girls in Ireland to write and post their letters to me as soon as possible.

All the boys and girls need to do is:

- Write their letter and pop it in an envelope addressed to 'Santa Claus, The North Pole';

- Write their own name and full postal address (in very clear handwriting) on the top left-hand corner of the front of the envelope;

- Stick on a 72c stamp and;

- Post it in any post box or at your local post office - that's important!

I wish all your readers a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Santa, The North Pole

Trump doesn't know his history

Donald Trump's assertion he will be the 45th president of the United States (Irish Independent, December 1) shows that his grasp of history is as shaky as his grasp of reality.

Mr Trump will serve in the 45th presidency, but he will be the 44th president. Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms in the 22nd and 24th presidencies, which will make Mr Trump the 44th person to hold the title of president.

Would some kind soul who understands the intricacies of tweeting enlighten him?

George Dalzell, Stillorgan, Co Dublin
Syria's army advanced deeper into east Aleppo where by Saturday it controlled more than half of the former rebel stronghold after a fierce assault that has sparked an international outcry.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled eastern neighbourhoods of the battered city since President Bashar al-Assad's regime began its latest offensive in mid-November.

Overnight, government troops and allied forces seized the district of Tariq al-Bab where heavy fighting had raged a day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The government has now recaptured around 60 percent of eastern parts of the city that the rebels overran in mid-2012, the monitor said.

The advance opens the road leading from the government-controlled west of the city to the international airport just outside Aleppo to the east, which is also held by the regime.

It has prompted more civilians to flee, heading either further south into remaining rebel-held districts or crossing into areas under regime or Kurdish control.

Assad's forces have made swift gains in east Aleppo, and its loss would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since the conflict started with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half the country's population has been displaced.

The government has trumpeted its advances, and state television on Saturday showed buses full of residents going from west Aleppo back to their homes in neighbourhoods retaken by the army.

More than 310 civilians have been killed in the government's assault on east Aleppo since November 15, the Britain-based Observatory says.

Nearly 69 civilians have been killed in the same period by rebel fire on west Aleppo, including nine on Friday, it says.

Rebels have struggled to hold back government ground forces, who have advanced backed by air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery fire.

On Friday, they rolled back some regime gains in the Sheikh Saeed district on Aleppo's southeastern outskirts, but it was unclear how long they could hold that line.

Sheikh Saeed borders the last parts of Aleppo still in rebel hands -- densely populated residential neighbourhoods where thousands have sought refuge from advancing regime forces.

In preparation for street-by-street fighting in these districts, hundreds of fighters from Syria's elite Republican Guard and Fourth Division arrived in Aleppo Friday, the Observatory said.

The fighting has prompted more than 50,000 people to leave east Aleppo for territory controlled by either the government or Kurdish forces.

Of those who have fled, nearly 20,000 are children, the UN's children's agency estimates.

On Friday, as the army advanced in Tariq al-Bab, an AFP correspondent said residents had left the neighbouring district of Shaar, fearing the arrival of fighting.

He said just a few rebels could be seen in the district, manning positions in front of shuttered shops and bakeries.

Vegetable stalls that had been selling meagre supplies after more than four months of government siege were shattered by artillery fire.

On Saturday, the Observatory said three people were killed in air strikes on Shaar, and that raids were targeting other eastern neighbourhoods.

Five people were killed by rebel fire on west Aleppo, the Observatory and state news agency SANA said.

The Observatory said two Syrian air force pilots were killed overnight when rebels brought down their plane near Aleppo airport, which is close to rebel-held areas.

The escalating violence has been met with international outrage, including a UN warning that east Aleppo could become "a giant graveyard".

On Saturday, top EU and UN diplomats warned there could be no victory in the battle for Aleppo without negotiations to ensure a viable future for Syria.

"You can win a war but you can lose the peace," EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said.

UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said he hoped a regime victory in Aleppo would not lead "the government to say: 'We won the war, and therefore no need for negotiations'".

Moscow, a staunch Damascus ally, has proposed setting up four humanitarian corridors into east Aleppo but said regime approval remained essential.

Moscow has announced several humanitarian pauses in Aleppo to allow civilians to flee, but until the recent escalation, only a handful did so.

Many civilians in the east previously expressed fear of leaving to government-held areas or through passages run by Moscow, which began a bombing campaign in support of Assad's forces in 2015.

But Damascus and Moscow accuse rebels of using civilians as "human shields".

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On Friday night, I headed for the Lisdoo where a 30th birthday party was being held for Ian Martin from Kilcurry and there to make sure he had an excellent night were his parents Olive and Sean, brother Conor and sisters Kelly and Sarah and his partner Kane Fox from Dublin Road and a huge collection of family, friends and workmates.

Ian now works for National Pen and is also involved with the Red Cross and told me he was looking forward to a brilliant night with everyone there.

I wasn't too long in the door when met up with Ian's aunt Marie McElligott from Ashling Park who was with her granddaughter Rachael along with godmother Anne Sellick from Fatima Court with her husband John and daughter Carrie as well as Lynn McElligott her partner Jens Stokel from Germany and daughter Aoife from Ardee Road who all wanted to wish Ian all the best on his big night and assured me they'd be Partying until the wee small hours.

Also in their company were Mary Clarke and Rose McGrath both from Fr. Murray Park and Catriona Joyce from Castletown Road who were in great form when I caught up with them and aunt Liz Martin from Seafield Lawns who was with husband Gerard who was having a laugh with Ian's ad Sean who assured me it was going to be an epic night for sure.

Not too far away I got a word with Ian's siblings Conor, Kelly and Sarah Martin from Kilcurry who told me they wanted to wish Ian all the best on his 30th and they were going to have a fantastic night.

They were sitting with their mum Olive and Susan Rice from Oliver Plunkett Park who were definitely up for making the best of the party.

Making my way over to another table I then got talking to Carrie Sellick from Castletown Road, Rachel McElligott from Ashling Park and Aoife Casey from Ardee Road who wanted to wish 'the cuz' all the best on his big night.

After this I headed over for a chat with Stacey Kelly from Baldoyle and Karen Brosnan from Kildare, Jamie Moffett from Cavan, Katie Dunwoody from Dublin and Siobhan Nolan from Dublin who assured me they were all on for a wild night's crack with Ian.

Meanwhile over at another table I caught up with some more of Ian's workmates and they included Misato Micutani from Dublin Road, Luka Maric from Town Centre and Emi Kimura from Lis Na Dara who were ready to party the night away with the birthday boy.

Making my way to another table I then got a word with Stephanie Rocks from Blackrock, Amy Maguire from Cooley and Paddy Vincenot from Rockfield Manor who assured me that the party was only really getting started.

Finally, before I departed I then caught up with Gerry and Kathleen Connolly from St. Nicholas Avenue who are family friend and wanted to wish Ian all the best on his big night. Gerry and I had a good laugh about the days I used to call round to all the pubs on a Monday evening, I used to drop in to the Bridge Inn to see him as part of my page round out, when pubs were pubs eh Gerry?
Dundalk and surrounding areas are well represented at the biggest ever National Crafts and Design Fair at Dublin's RDS which ends this Sunday, December 4.

Among the local craftspeople showing off the best of Louth talent are jewellery makers Garrett Mallon, and Mia Mullen, Carlingford, visual artist Orla Barry from Bridge Street Studios, candlemakers Emma's So Natural from Ardee, eco-friendly homeware brand Green Gorgeous from Blackrock and Edmund McNulty Knitwear from Drogheda.

The Fair showcases an incredible renaissance of traditional talents, as well as an abundance of new skills in all areas of crafts and design.

There will also be a Christmas Food Emporium featuring over 120 artisan food producers. The National Crafts and Design Fair 2016 takes place at the RDS Main Hall from 10am.
Part of the attendance at the reception after the Eucharistic Celebration of Thanksgiving for the refurbishment of St. Oliver Plunkett Church by Archbishop Eamon Martin

Former Minister Dermot Ahern gets Noel Sharkey to sign a copy of his book 'A Journey Through Time from Land to Sea' at the reception held after the Eucharistic Celebration of Thanksgiving for the refurbishment of St. Oliver Plunkett Church by Archbishop Eamon Martin

A Journey Through Time From Land to Sea in the Parish of Haggardstown and Blackrock' - a new 176 page history book which celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of our parish was officially launched at a special ceremony in St. Oliver Plunkett National School, Blackrock, by Most Rev Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, following the Mass of Thanksgiving.

The publication which has been compiled and written by Noel Sharkey is priced at 20, and is now available in local shops Centra in Blackrock, and Pat Flanagan Motors, Dublin Road, Haggardstown. The book can also be purchased in Dundalk at Carroll's Books, Park Street

Commissioned by Fr. Padraig Keenan P.P. and the Parish Pastoral Council, 'A Journey Through Time From Land to Sea in the Parish of Haggardstown and Blackrock' features over 350 previously unpublished photos, over 50 of which are in full colour, and covers the history of our parish from the first Christian mission of the 5th century.

The opening chapter includes extensive features on the life, ministry and death of St. Oliver Plunkett, the effects of the potato famine in the Dundalk Union Workhouse at Rath on the Ardee Road, the Mary Stoddart disaster in Blackrock Bay and also features some ultra-rare photos of members of the Fortescue family, local landlords.

A nostalgic pictorial journey through the parish from 1900 to 2000 includes some 230 photos, many of great antiquity and will appeal to young and old alike.

The last section 'Into the New Millennium' features a stunning set of colour reproductions of our church windows courtesy of photographer Owen Byrne and includes in-depth coverage of the recent parish initiatives untaken by Fr. Padraig and his various parish committees.

The book will make an excellent Christmas present, and once the cost of publishing has been covered, surplus funds will be directed to clearing outstanding debt on St. Oliver Plunkett Church and constructing a proper enabling access and toilet facilities in St. Fursey's Church.
Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick has welcomed confirmation of 100,000 in funding for the county under the 2016 REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zones) programme.

'The REDZ scheme aims to stimulate economic development in rural towns and their hinterlands,' said Deputy Fitzpatrick.

'This is the latest in a series of funding schemes which have been announced by the Government which aims to boost economic activity and improve living standards here in Louth and across rural Ireland.'

'The REDZ scheme aims to improve links between rural towns and their hinterlands to stimulate activity at a local level. This initiative encourages Local Authorities to work with local communities, business interests and other State bodies, to identify areas of greatest economic need which can make better use of their local assets to generate economic activity.'

'Funding has previously been provided to towns and villages across Louth under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Both schemes will work in a complementary way to ensure that all rural areas have strong economic and social centres, which support a higher quality of life for both town dwellers and those who live in the rural hinterlands.'
A children's Christmas art competition is underway, hosted by Bray & District Chamber of Commerce.

Children have until Friday to submit a drawing which represents 'Christmas Time in Bray'. There are five different categories for children from pre-school up to 6th class.

Entries must be submitted by close of business on Friday, December 2, to the Chamber Office, 10 Prince of Wales Terrace, or Bray tourism office, Civic Plaza, Bray.

The competition will be judged by a local well-known artist. Prizes include a 50 voucher for the winning entry in each category with the overall winner receiving 250 towards their schools library or computer fund. Highly commended entries will be exhibited in the Bray Town Hall building where Santa's Grotto will be this year.

For more information call Bray Chamber at (01) 2828248 or email info@braychamber.ie.
A shameful episode of bigotry during the post-war decline of the British Empire provides rich source material for Amma Asante's handsome and deeply moving love story.

Anchored by impassioned performances, A United Kingdom dramatises the true romance of a defiant African prince and a London salesman's daughter, which embroiled two continents in an ugly tug-of-war for supremacy.

The central couple are kept apart for many years, including the birth of their first child, and scriptwriter Guy Hibbert captures the terrible injustice and anguish of this period of exile with aplomb.

Hibbert also gifts leading man David Oyelowo several barn-storming speeches against apartheid and intolerance, including a pivotal meeting of tribal chiefs, where the prince tearfully tells the assembled throng, 'I love my people, I love this land - but I love my wife.'

His unswerving belief that love conquers all, at a time when the world still bears the scars of bitter conflict, galvanizes every beautifully composed frame and plucks the (heart) strings of composer Patrick Doyle's lush orchestrations.

Cinematographer Sam McCurdy contrasts the industrial grey of London with the sun-baked golds, oranges and browns of southern Africa, a ravishing backdrop where poisonous emotions take root and produce bitter fruit.

Seretse Khama (Oyelowo), heir apparent to the nation of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), is studying law in 1947 London before returning home to lead his people.He has been prepared for this role by his proud uncle Tshekedi (Vusi Kunene) and a council which kowtows to the British.

At a dance organised by the London Missionary Society, Seretse falls in love with typist Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), whose bigoted father George (Nicholas Lyndhurst) would never condone the flourishing romance. 'Father will hate (Seretse) on sight,' observes Ruth's sister Muriel (Laura Carmichael). 'He's cleverer than him...and he's black.'

Paternal rage pales next to the indignation of Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport), the British government's representative in southern Africa. 'If you choose to marry the leader of an African nation, you will be responsible for the downfall of the British empire,' he coldly informs Ruth.

Unperturbed, the couple marries and Ruth accompanies Seretse to Bechuanaland, where she faces hostility from uncle Tshekedi, aunt Ella (Abena Ayivor) and Seretse's sister Naledi (Terry Pheto).

Meanwhile, the British - represented by snivelling district commissioner Rufus Lancaster (Tom Felton) - and the South African government use underhand tactics to separate the lovebirds.

A United Kingdom is a stirring ode to love, distinguished by molten on-screen chemistry between Oyelowo and Pike.

Asante elegantly navigates the political quagmire, eschewing heavy-handed sermonising about the controversial inter-racial romance, including powerful scenes of Ruth attempting to win over the sharp-tongued women of Bechuanaland.

Archive photographs over the end credits hammer home the couple's remarkable sacrifices and their enduring legacy in Botswana, and far beyond.
Mallow Tidy Towns held their AGM last Thursday in the Hibernian Hotel.

Niall O'Keeffe gave the Chairman's report and began by thanking the volunteers for their contribution throughout the year, in particular for all the hours that were put in to the 'Neighbourwood' Scheme. He thanked Cork County Council for their monetary contribution and support throughout the year.

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership was praised for its help with providing TUS workers for the Cork approach road project. AIB Mallow, Mallow Development Partnership, Mallow Credit Union and Mallow Men's Shed were all thanked for their help also.

The business community were thanked for their support by way of spot prizes for fundraising Table Quiz. Appreciation was expressed to Dermot Casey, Mallow Commercials and others who provide goods and services for free or at cost price.

Projects undertaken during the year included the Cork Road triangles permanent planting, the provision of seats and bins along the Riverbank Walk, the hanging baskets along Main St, the Gilbert Centre Rockery and the regeneration of Bowling Green.

Five points were gained in the National Tidy Towns competition this year and it was noted that since Mallow entered the competition back in 2001, they have increased points total by over 100, from 171 to 275, which is a phenomenal achievement by any standards.

The meeting also expressed thanks with the involvement of the Mallow Business Group and it's 'Adopt a Patch' initiative.

Each area of Mallow will see a concentrated blitz of cleaning and tidying at various times throughout the year.

Certificates of Recognition presented to those who, in MTT view and that of the National Tidy Towns competition adjudicator, have excelled in their efforts to help make an improvement to Mallow's appearance. They included Albert Lynch's Bar, The Roundabout Inn, Shoozz, The Lime House, The Kranky Barber, The Bridge House Bar, Bohan's, Dairygold, Cork County Council and Sean Moylan Park Resident's Association.

The newly elected officers are Chairman: Niall O'Keeffe, Vice Chairman: Brendan O'Shea, Joint Treasurers: Eileen Gyves and Mary Ware, Secretary / P.R.O.: Paudy McAuliffe; Assistant Secretary: Sheelagh O'Shea, Company Secretary: Mervyn Shorten, Schools Liaison Officer: Sheelagh O'Shea, Community Liaison Officer: Trish Kennedy, Health and Safety Officer: Tommy Collins and Project Planner: Eileen Gyves.
This weekend marks the first anniversary of the untimely death of Denis Carroll, Kilberehert, Freemount, who died on December 4, 2015.

The Freemount community and neighbouring communities were dumbfounded on hearing of the passing of Denis during a family visit to Australia.

Denis was a proud family man. His loyalty to his local community was noteworthy, with active involvement in numerous organisations, particularly in the fields of sport, politics and agriculture.

Denis was born the second youngest in a family of four. Having attended both Freemount N.S. and Kanturk Technical School, Denis chose to remain in his native home of Freemount, taking over the family farm in the 1970's.

Like many of his era, Denis became an active member of Freemount Macra na Feirme. Winning the Farm Accounts Competition in 1973 was a major achievement for Freemount Macra na Feirme, putting the club on the map at both county and national level. Denis was a member of the winning team who were treated to a five day sponsored trip to the Smithfield Show in England.

Following many years as an active member, Denis went on to become Chairperson of the club in 1976.

In the years that followed, Denis became pro-active in numerous farming organisations including the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), taking on the role of Chairperson of Freemount IFA in 2001.

Denis was also a passionate member of the Cork Friesian Breeder's Club (CFBC), representing the North Cork Region.

This experience and longstanding commitment to farming affairs lead Denis to becoming elected on the Kerry Co-Operative Board in 2004 and an elected member of the Kerry Group PLC Board in 2005.

During this period, Denis represented local farmers at management level, highlighting relevant farming issues which commonly arose in the agricultural sector.

Denis was most passionate about politics. His own family were steeped in Fine Gael tradition and he was a proud Fine Gael member throughout his life. His leadership qualities were recognised when he was elected Chairperson of the local branch in 2008. He held this position up until the time of his death.

He represented the branch at constituency and national level by attending regular meetings and Ard Fheiseanna.

His accurate analysis of political affairs and his advice and recommendations for our public representatives was most evident at branch meetings. His dedication and commitment to Fine Gael was most obvious during election time where he energetically canvassed for local candidates, even during the springtime, a notably busy time in the world of farming.

Denis gave a lifetime of service to the GAA as a player, selector and administrator. After a long playing career with Freemount, he was a selector on numerous Freemount, St. Marks, Duhallow and Cork teams. These teams would have included the Freemount team that contested the County Junior Hurling Final in 1998, the St. Marks minor hurling team which won the County Minor A Hurling League in 2003, the Duhallow minor hurling team that won the County Rural Premier Minor title in 2002, and the Cork under 15 hurling team which won the 2000 inter county hurling tournament.

Having previously served as Secretary of Freemount GAA, Denis was Chairman from 1989 to 1991. He represented the Club as delegate to both the Duhallow adult and juvenile boards for over 20 years.

Denis gave tremendous service to the juveniles acting as Chairman of the Juvenile Club between 1995 and 2003. He also served as vice chairman of the Duhallow Juvenile Board and was a member of the GPC of the Duhallow Juvenile Board and later Rebel Og North up to the time of his untimely death.

Denis, father of the late Niamh, is survived by his wife, Teresa, daughters Fiona and Grainne, and son Ben. He will be remembered for his boundless energy and the time he committed to his community which he held so dearly.
Analysis by Teagasc economists indicates that farm margins dropped on most Irish farms in 2016 after the fall in sterling. according to a review of 2016 by Teagasc presented at a conference in Dublin this week.

Teagasc Economist Trevor Donnellan said "Even though milk prices fell by over 10 per cent, Irish milk production increased by about 5 percent in 2016."

"Dairy production costs fell, but Irish dairy margins were lower in 2016 due to the drop in the value of milk sales. However a late season rally in milk prices helped limit the drop in dairy farm income."

Dairy sector competitiveness indicators produced by Teagasc also show that Irish dairy farms continued to be one of the lowest cost producers internationally in 2016, despite the fall in margins.

Increased supplies of beef and slowing demand led to lower cattle prices in 2016. Teagasc economist Dr Kevin Hanrahan said Ireland's reliance on the UK market also contributed to a 5 per cent drop in Irish finished cattle prices after a fall in the sterling's value.

Sheep prices fell marginally compared with 2016, but margins on sheep farms are estimated to have increased by 3 per cent when measured against the lower costs of production in 2016.

Margins were low for the Irish cereal sector in 2016 after a fall in yields amidst low cereal prices and another bumper global harvest, Teagasc economist Dr Fiona Thorne explained.

"The average cereal farmer will struggle to return a positive market based on net margin in 2016," she said.

Michael McKeon of the Teagasc Pig Development Department said "Pig farmers had a year of two halves, with very low profitability in the first half of the year, offset by a significant improvement in the second half as China increased its pig meat imports."

In spite of the fall in margins, agricultural income in Ireland in 2016 is likely to be broadly in line with the 2015 level, as receipts from the Basic Payment Scheme and GLAS should be higher in 2016.

The outlook by Teagasc for 2017 is mixed. A slowdown in global milk production should see dairy margins increase next year, with milk prices expected to rise by about 20 per cent.

The Irish beef sector is facing into a difficult year. EU beef supplies are forecast to increase, with demand for beef not particularly strong. Teagasc predicts beef prices are likely to fall by up to 10 percent in the EU, and it's anticipated a weak sterling will also affect Irish beef prices adversely.
Farmers' livelihoods in Cork are now at risk of failure as a result of Revenue's decision to hit hundreds of Kerry Co-op members with fresh tax demands at a time of already intense pressure on the sector.

400 milk supplying members of Kerry Co-op were left reeling last week after receiving letters from Revenue demanding they pay tax on the 'patronage' shares issued by Kerry Co-op.

The letters came just weeks after farmers had settled last year's tax demands with money borrowed from the banks in many cases. Some of the biggest suppliers are now facing tax bills of upwards of 25,000 with just days left to respond to Revenue before the agency takes further action and publishes the names of the alleged defaulters it has threatened by letter.

One Cork TD is now calling for the Chairperson of the Revenue Commissioners to answer questions on the decision before the Oireachtas Finance Committee.

Revenue is meanwhile calling on all farmers in receipt of the letters to engage immediately with the service.

The tax demand came like a 'bolt out of the blue' according to ICMSA President John Comer, in letters setting out Revenue's belief the patronage shares issued by Kerry Co-op constitute additional trading income rather than assets - regardless of whether or not they were sold or merely held.

Shares are given by the co-op for volume received at the rate of one share per 1,000 gallons of milk in a scheme that has been in operation since 2000 among the 3,200 members of the co-operative. "Some farmers have received tax bills in excess of 25,000. Very few farmers would be able to absorb such a bill, especially in light of falling milk prices and increased costs," Fianna Fail TD for Michael Moynihan warned this week.

"This is a new decision by the Revenue Commissioners; one that will put many family farms at risk of failure if applied immediately," he said, adding: "In the Dail I asked that the Chairperson of the Revenue Commissioners be brought before the Finance Committee to explain how this decision came about, and how it will be enforced."

"There are a number of tax questions that need to be answered by the Revenue Commissioners. Awarding preferential shares to farmers who supply milk to groups such as Kerry Group is a long standing practice, and is nothing new."

"The response from Minister Eoghan Murphy, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, confirmed that no change with regard to the imposition of income tax or CGT to such share awards has occurred."

"If this is the case, why have the Revenue Commissioners attempted to retrospectively charge these farmers income tax on their share awards from Kerry Group?" Deputy Moynihan asked.

"Revenue must explain how it came to this decision; why it was not communicated well in advance to farmers and milk producers and what plans they have to help farmers who are innocently affected by this tax ruling meet their tax obligations without putting their farms at risk," Deputy Moynihan said.

Revenue said a number of co-ops had come to its notice for issuing 'patronage shares' in a statement to The Corkman this week in which it also urged affected farmers to begin engaging with the process.

"It has come to the notice of Revenue that certain co-operatives have issued 'patronage shares' to members. A particular scheme has involved the issuing by the co-operative of shares to members arising from the trading relationship between the member and the co-operative...Taxpayers are invited to review their returns submitted and to avail of the qualifying disclosure facility under Revenue's Code of Practice where incorrect returns may have been submitted."
Young Louth Voices, a Drogheda-based choir from Music Generation Louth, and Carlingford's Cor Chairlinne (Association of Irish Choirs) will feature on a brand new RTE CD release of One Hundred Years a Nation, a major piece of choral music specially commissioned by RTE from composer Shaun Davey with text by writer Paul Muldoon and recorded with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and conductor David Brophy.

On Wednesday 21 December at 11.20pm, RTE One Television will broadcast One Hundred Years a Nation, featuring Cor Chairlinne and Young Louth Voices performing as part of 'A Nation's Voice' on Easter Sunday at the National Museum, Collins Barracks.
A delighted Councillor Paul Bell Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council expressed his satisfaction with the commencement of restoration and rethatching works on one of Drogheda's only two remaining thatched cottages after a lengthy campaign.

"I am simply delighted that works to save Harty's Thatched Cottage on Crusrhod Avenue have at last commenced and will in short space of time see this once beautiful example of a traditional Irish cottage returned to it's former glory for all to enjoy. Monies secured under the endangered structures grant scheme some 50,000 in all will be fully spent on this project which I campaigned for, for over three years and I so happy I did" said Bell.

Commenting on the impact which the works will have on the local area the Cathaoirleach stated "The works are of a major nature, with not only thatching required but also the reconstruction of the Cottage's wall and roof. As such it is necessary to restrict traffic at the junction with Beechgrove as it is necessary to install scaffolding on the actual road. Hopefully weather permitting the works will be well on the way or completed by the Christmas holiday. I wish to thank all road users in advance for their co operation. I will of course keep my campaign running to have the Thatched Cottage on Donore Road fully restored in 2017".
Eleven teenagers are busy fundraising in advance of a journey to help those in the care of the Christina Noble Children's Foundation (CNCF) in Vietnam.

The group of students decided on the project after speaking with the foundation's base in Dublin to find out about their work.

After much planning they decided to contribute to the foundation's work in Vietnam, which provides housing, education and healthcare to abandoned, disadvantaged children. There was an invitation given to the girls to travel out from Ireland and contribute to the work being done in Vietnam, but they would have to pay their own way. The idea grew from there.

The girls, with their parents, organised several meetings to come up with a plan to raise funds for the foundation. The CNCF informed them that some young children in Vietnam must walk up to 10 miles each morning to get to school. This dangerous journey to and from school results in many dropping out at a very young age. It was pointed out by the charity that a simple bicycle could change a young child's life, allowing them to get from remote areas to school and health centres.

The plan was set for the girls to first raise as much money as possible in various fundraising events, then to travel to Ho Chi Minh City at their own expense, and to buy as many bicycles as possible out there (with helmets) with the funds they raised to present to the Christina Noble Foundation.

So far, the girls have raised money in coffee mornings, bake sales and bag packing events in local supermarkets. Each of the eleven girls have also made a presentation about their plan and the work of the foundation to the students of their old primary schools who have all contributed generously.

There are many more future events planned. One of these will take place this Saturday, December 3rd; there will be a sponsored Spinathon held in Scotch Hall Shopping Centre from midday to 6pm, followed by the raffle of a 500 bicycle sponsored by Quay Cycles.

The following weekend, Sunday 11 December, again in Scotch Hall, the girls will be carol singing in the afternoon with all of the money collected being spent on bikes for Vietnamese children.

They fly on April 6th (Easter holidays) via London/Singapore and onto Ho Chi Minh City and will work at the charity's facilities for 5 days in total. The girls would like to thank everybody who has supported them to date, and if anyone wishes to make a donation to this worthy cause, the girls would be very grateful. They have opened a bank account ' The Noble Transitioners' in AIB Drogheda sort code 932094 account number 82602013 into which donations can be lodged. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Drogheda Chamber of Commerce has announced activist and filmmaker Brendan Fay as keynote speaker at their upcoming Christmas lunch. on Friday 9th December in The d Hotel.

Members and non-members alike will be treated to a warming mulled wine reception where everyone can mingle and network followed by a delicious three course meal with some prizes on offer along the way! Proceeds from the raffle on the day will go to local charity "Late Night Leagues" which is run by the Garda Siochana Drogheda Community Policing Team for Foroige.

The highlight of the annual lunch though is sure to be the keynote speech by New York based Brendan, a Human Rights Activist, LGBT Leader and Filmmaker. He will offer an inspiring and diverse talk on overcoming adversity and how Drogheda and its people have influenced him.

Fay moved to Queens, New York in 1984 and is perhaps most well known for his founding of St. Pats for All, New York's inclusive St. Patrick's Parade.

However he also has a long history of campaigning for a number of causes. He is a founder of Lavender and Green Alliance, he helped form Irish Aids Outreach (IAC), he has testified in Washington DC and New York and has a long history of civil rights campaigning. A respected filmmaker, Brendan coordinated Silence to Speech a documentary series on being Irish and gay in America. He directed the film, Remembering Mychal, and co-produced Saint of 9/11, documentaries about Fr. Mychal Judge, the FDNY Franciscan chaplain who died in the World Trade Center tragedy.

Involved in the marriage equality movement since 1998 and also in work for the Irish Diaspora and Irish American community in New York, Brendan will be in Ireland to accept a Presidential Award from President Michael D. Higgins on December 8th and Drogheda Chamber of Commerce are delighted and honoured he will be speaking at their Christmas lunch on the following day.

Tickets are available from the Chamber offices and all are welcome. Contact Luciana on 041 9833544 or email enquiries@droghedachamber.com for more information.
Drogheda & District Chamber held their 12th Annual Business Excellence Awards in the Citynorth Hotel on Saturday with a crowd of over 250 heralding some magnificent winners.

"This year saw another huge turnout to the awards, which is fantastic and signifies the importance of the Awards as the principal event in the calendar for all Companies and Businesses in the locale, allowing them an opportunity to come together and celebrate their successes,' a chamber spokesperson stated. Gerry Kelly was the MC for the night and did a fantastic job with his usual flair.

Blackstone Motors Limited won the SME Business award, sponsored by AIB.

Fuschia Make-up, which has become a major international brand had the Best Customer Service, with that award sponsored by Irish Cement

P.Townley and Sons. Funeral Directors were deemed the best in Professional Services. Award sponsors were Cathedral Financial Consultants

Aphix Software won the best Best Micro & Start-Up. This award was funded by the Local Enterprise Office

Haven Holistic & Beauty Centre won the Hair, Health, Beauty & Fashion with the Drogheda Chamber sponsoring this section,

Aura Drogheda Leisure Centre were deemed best in the Environmental Awareness sector with sponsors, Indaver.

Scholars Townhouse Hotel won the Hospitality award, sponsored by Diageo Ireland

Anglo Printers Limited are the best Manufacturing & Industry outfit, again the award sponsored on the night by Hanley Energy

Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre won the Best Tourism Offering, this award backed by Louth Council Council.

Louth Volunteer Centre won the Corporate Social Responsibility Award. It was sponsored by State Street.

Mor Solutions won the Empowering Woman section. It was sponsored by Coca-Cola International Services.

Gavin Duffy collected the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Glanbia

If you would like information about how your business can be part of the Drogheda Business Excellence Awards next year, or for any other events or services provided by Drogheda & District Chamber please contact their office on 041 9833544 or email enquiries@droghedachamber.com.
Concerns about potential pollution from a planned extension by Irish cement were raised at the monthly meeting of Louth County Council.

Cllr Kenneth Flood proposed that the local authority, 'noting the public's concerns on the planned extension by Irish Cement, make a submission querying potential threats to health and environmental safety in the Louth area if this extension goes ahead.'

He drew attention to the proximity of the development fo Drogheda and South Louth and said that various community groups in Meath, south Louth and Drogheda had voiced their concerns about air quality, environmental health, water quality, if waste material was going to be incinerated at the site, where the material would come from and how it would get to the site. People wanted to know if trucks would be by-passing the tolls and going through Drogheda.

Cllr Kevin Callan supported the motion saying that there have been 'many, many incidents where residents wake up to their windows destroyed by dust.' He said that the response of the EPA to residents was 'deplorable' and that these incidents appear to happen at nighttime and there is never any indication given as to what causes them. 'We need to have a presence from the EPA on the ground.'

'They have absolutely negated their obligation to the residents of the area,' he claimed.

Cllr Oliver Tully said that while the site in question was in Co Meath, over which they had no jurisdiction, they were talking about dust and other issues which had been a problem for years, with exports being taken through the town. There was no proper infrastructure and while there was take about building a road, there was no guarantee it would be used. He said that the material which was being taken through the Port was not being done so in a proper manner and there was an awful lot of dust which ends up in Baltray thanks to the prevailing winds.

Cllr Mark Dearey noted that there are 1,200 deaths in Ireland per annum which are directly linked to air pollution, and that particle matters was the second highest in the list.

He didn't believe there were proper baseline figures for air pollution in Louth.

He totally supported the sending of a strongly worded letter to the EPa.

Cllr Frank Godfrey wanted to know what would be going on in the extension.

He called on the council officials to facilitate the making of a submission to the planning authorities.

Cllr Pio Smith said he would like to see the EPA and Irish Cement invited to address the council so that members could get a response from them.
News that the HSE won't fund Cystic Fibrosis drug Orkambi is 'devastating' according to Julie Forster, but she is not going to let it prevent her from keeping up the fight to get access to the drug for her daughter.

At the weekend, the Sunday Business Post broke the news that the drug will be rejected for use by the HSE after their drug committee recommended against funding the drug at a recent meeting. According to the article, the committee, which includes several senior clinicians, decided it did not deliver enough benefits to patients to justify its 159,000 price tag.

Ballindaggin resident Julie Forster, whose three-year-old Ruth suffers from the illness, learned of the news through a Tweet on Saturday night, only days before she and members of a CF action group for parents will hold a presentation in the Dail to push for the funding of the drug.

'The way it broke is just disgraceful. Members of the Cystic Fibrosis community and even Cystic Fibrosis Ireland learned of the news through a Tweet. We took that pretty hard and at first, we were wondering if it was misinformation,' she said. 'It just shows the way that the CF community is treated in general. Apparently Simon Harris didn't even know about this. The fact that they went to the newspapers first is a disgrace.'

Julie said that she was 'absolutely devastated' to learn of the news, which according to her, has taken away a lot of hope for parents and sufferers of Cystic Fibrosis. The possibility that the drug may not be funded by the HSE would also bring the drug trials, that several people around Ireland are currently undertaking, to a halt. Though Julie's daughter is not currently trialling Orkambi and is 'quite well' at the moment, she said that this could affect several families that she knows.

'I am in touch with some families whose teenagers are on the trials and are doing really well. They have been on it for three years and can't contemplate what life would be like if they are taken off the drug,' she said.

Despite the huge disappointment brought by the recent news, Julie is still prepared to fight in the Dail on Thursday along with representatives from 14 other families who are affected by the illness.

'This Thursday, we will still do our presentation and hope that we can get as many TDs as we can to back it. Simon Harris has the power to overturn the decision but he has said in the past that he wouldn't. The drug company Vertex have issued a statement saying that they are still willing to negotiate on the price. So our options are either to negotiate on the price or make Minister Harris change his mind,' she said. 'We are hoping that we will come to some agreement.'

Julie has invited the five Wexford ministers to the presentation and has received responses from all of them. James Browne has promised to attend the meeting, while Mick Wallace said either he or a representative will be there. She was informed that Brendan Howlin will do his best to attend. Paul Kehoe is unavailable but has contacted the group to say that he will meet them on another date. Meanwhile, Michael D'arcy said that he could not attend.

Other members of the group nationwide have also called on their TDs to attend, while all are encouraging people to attend a separate march to the Dail on December 7.

'We have received quite a promising response from TDs. Hopefully when they come out, they will learn more about the illness. It might help them to put faces to numbers,' said Julie. 'It is a matter of trying to get this funded and in my opinion, it has to be done. It is a matter of life and death to some people.'
The controversial application made on behalf of Enniscorthy Municipal District to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has been successful, according to District Manager Padraig O'Gorman.

Mr O' Gorman informed the members that their application to fund two footpaths has been approved and both will commence in the new year. They will receive 110,000 to fund the extension of two footpaths in Bunclody and Enniscorthy.

'As we all know, it was announced in a tight timeframe. We will start preparing early in the new year for next year's application,' he said.

Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan requested that a list of criteria be distributed to the members so that they know what kind of projects may be eligible for funding.

At last months meeting, councillors expressed their annoyance on the decision to apply to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government's new scheme for funding without their consultation on what projects they should put forward. Considering the tight timeframe, Mr O'Gorman said that they wouldn't have had time to consult with people as they needed to have a project ready to go.

At last week's meeting, Mr O'Gorman also informed the members that they are one of two successful applicants in Wexford to receive CEDRA funding to develop an agri-tourism strategy. They will receive 36,500 to develop the strategy, fund brand development and pay for relevant marketing. Mr O'Gorman deemed it great news, saying they were one of 13 successful applicants in Ireland.
Senior Housing Officer Liz Hore presented the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme to the members, who had various questions on how it would be rolled out.

The aim of HAP is to provide greater housing support compared to rent supplement to tenants with a long term housing need. It will allow tenants to return to fulltime employment without losing housing support and, as housing support will be realigned with local authorities, they will now have a single agency point of contact. Meanwhile, HAP aims to provide better management of rental payments as landlords are paid directly.

HAP will kick in in Wexford from December 1. Once it is available, rent supplement will no longer be available for new applicants. Instead, they can apply for HAP accommodation. To meet the criteria for HAP, they must have been approved by Wexford County Council to have a housing need.

Though the local authority will serve as the middleman, the main contract will be between the tenant and the landlord. The tenant is required to source a suitable property themselves within the rent caps, pay differential rent to the local authority and remain in the property for a minimum of two years, The tenant also must pay the deposit; however, applications for exceptional needs payment will be considered.

Meanwhile, the local authority are currently assessing if current long-term rent supplement recipients are eligible to transfer to HAP. This will be determined by two factors: whether the landlord is agreeable and whether the rate of support currently being paid to the tenant under rent supplement can be matched by HAP.

In a slideshow presented to the members by Ms Hore, HAP was described as social housing support with the flexibility of the private rental market which expands choice to areas with little or no social housing.

The houses will be inspected by Wexford County Council.

Cllr Johnny Mythen asked what the purpose of the minimum two year stay was, and Ms Hore said this was more for the stability and benefit of the tenants. However, Cllr Keith Doyle asked what would happen if the landlord finds themselves with an unsuitable tenant and wanted them out before the two year period. As the contract is between the tenant and the landlord, Ms Hore said that the landlord has the same entitlements as any regular landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act.

Ms Hore also informed the members that that once on HAP, the tenants will go off the housing list as they are deemed to no longer have a housing need.

Ms Hore said that the scheme has a number of benefits and said that they welcome its introduction.
One of north Fingal's biggest employers held its very own version of the Oscars in Balbriggan recently the Moriarty Group lined up the awards in recognition of staff members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service of the company's many customers.

At a dazzling ceremony in the Bracken Court Hotel no less than 55 employees of the popular local supermarket and hotels group won awards, including Rolanda Zselemi who works in the Bracken Court Hotel and was named Employee of the Year 2016.

The Moriarty Group was established by Luke Moriarty in 1987 and currently employs 500 plus people working at SuperValu supermarkets in Balbriggan, Palmerstown and Skerries, and two top four-star hotels, the Court Yard Hotel in Leixlip and Balbriggan's Bracken Court, as well as a development company and a property business.

Presenting the 2016 Employee of the Year award to Rolanda Zselemi, Luke Moriarty said that Rolanda represented everything that was great about the Moriarty Group businesses.

Mr Moriarty said: 'We operate in the service industry and professionalism in our sector is about going above and beyond for the customer, while at the same time working well with colleagues and contributing to the success of the business.

'Rolanda consistently meets the highest standards in all aspects of her role and it is a pleasure to recognise this outstanding commitment.'

The Employee of the Year award is based on the selection of four outstanding Moriarty Group employees, one each quarter. Runner-up in the closely contested 2016 competition was Annette Arnold from SuperValu Balbriggan.

Another highlight of the Moriarty Group Gala Evening was the presentation of long service awards for employees who have been ten or more years with the business.

The locally owned group prides itself on the degree of staff loyalty, with many employees having only ever worked with the Moriarty Group in their entire career. From 10 years to 25 years service with the company, there were dozens of winners all demonstrating the loyalty the group inspires. Generous prizes were awarded to all the winners on this very special night for the company.
Wild animals have no owners, and the State does not have the funds to pay for their care. So when they get into difficulties, it's up to the public to work together with local vets to find the best possible way to help them. Most vets are happy to offer first aid free of charge to wild creatures that have been found by the public.

Last Tuesday, I received a call from Seal Rescue Ireland: a baby seal had been found washed up on a Bray beach, wedged between rocks. The seal pup was injured and the tide was coming in: she needed to be rescued urgently. A man walking his dog had come across the seal pup, and had phoned Seal Rescue Ireland looking for help: they were now calling me to go out to assist.

I headed down at once, meeting the man and following him half a mile along the beach to the seal pup. She was tucked away out of sight, hidden between large rocks. The man had been walking his dog on the beach, and hadn't seen her. It was only when his dog had started barking at the rocks that he'd taken a closer look and spotted her. She was only around four weeks of age, still with her downy seal pup fur, and she had a bleeding, painful area on her back. There was no sign of a mother: she must have been abandoned. There was no doubt: she would have drowned in the incoming tide if we hadn't been there to rescue her.

There are two species of seal in Irish waters: the Grey seal and the Common seal (also known as the Harbour seal). They have a similar appearance, but the Grey seal is bigger, and they normally pup between the winter months of October and February. The Common seal gives birth in the summer months.

Baby seals (pups) are vulnerable, fragile creatures, and it's common for them to be washed up on Irish beaches at this time of year. The mortality rate of seal pups is 40% so undoubtedly if these seal pups were not rescued, they would die. Some might call this "nature", but they're sentient, intelligent creatures, so it's appropriate to rescue them when possible, and to care for them as best as can be done. The big question is: what should be done for them once they've been picked up from the beach? Caring for seal pups is a speciality, requiring knowledge, skills and experience. The general public and local vets are not equipped to deal with them.

The good news is that for several decades, some individuals have dedicated their time and resources to rehabilitating seal pups. For many years, the Irish Seal Sanctuary was run in North Dublin by former zookeeper, Brendan Price. In the last decade, the organisations behind seal rescue have changed, and now Seal Rescue Ireland is the most active. This is a registered charity, with one employee and a wide network of volunteers. It was originally based in Dingle, moving to Courtown in County Wexford two years ago.

Seal Rescue Ireland is a not-for-profit charity that works around the clock, 365 days a year. A team of eighteen hard working resident volunteer interns from around the world cares for Grey and Common Seals that have been rescued from Irish beaches and transported to the rescue centre. Around 60-80 seal pups are cared for every year: the team bring the pups back to full health and then return them to the wild. They're usually released back into the sea from the beach where they were found.

Seal Rescue Ireland relies entirely on public donations to fund their work. The Courtown facility is more than just a rescue centre: it's set up as an educational resource that welcomes the visiting public, with a gift shop, bathrooms and education area. It's open daily for visitors to see the rehabilitation work first hand and meet the seals in care. The interns provide guided tours of the facility, explaining the rehabilitation process, and telling the stories about each individual animal. Right now, there are 45 seal pups in residence.

As well as the resident interns, Seal Rescue Ireland depends on members of the public around Ireland to act as an active network of volunteers to help injured and sick seals. Anyone with an interest in this work can go on a course at the Courtown centre to learn how to pick seals up and handle them safely. Seals are wild animals and it's natural for them to try to defend themselves from humans. Even young seals can give a nasty bite if not handled carefully. It's important to realise that not every washed-up seal pup needs to be rescued: sometimes volunteers are asked to keep an eye on a pup, to make sure that its mother is still around.

Seal Rescue Ireland has trained volunteers on the phone line, so that the network of helpers on the ground can be kept advised on how best to proceed. Simple methods- like sending Whatsapp images of seals that have been found - make it easier to share information.

The seal that I helped to rescue was named Alice. She's around four weeks old, and she has a nasty cut on her right shoulder. She was badly dehydrated when she was found, although oral rehydration fluids were given to her at once, so that was soon remedied. She's now been cared for in Courtown and should be ready for release in a few months.
Students of a Swords secondary school who are taking part in an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship have just held a successful exhibition of art, craft and design projects.

Fingal Community College was recently awarded the title of an Edison Entrepreneurial School by Education and Training Boards Ireland, a Leonardo de Vinci Transfer of Innovation project funded by the European Commission.

The Edison programme aims to promote entrepreneurship as an integral part of programmes within the school by focusing on teachers and helping them become entrepreneurial teachers. It also focuses on students, by helping them develop entrepreneurial attitudes through the use of entrepreneurial learning strategies.

The teachers in Fingal Community College decided to enhance students entrepreneurial skills by teaching them active learning strategies which in turn enabled them through cross curricular links, to curate an art exhibition and host peer team teaching workshops to primary students within the local community.

The Edison Entrepreneurial Exhibition of students' Art, Craft and Design projects from the 2016 State Exams was held in the school, curated by the Transition Year students and their Art, Home Economics and Career Guidance teachers Ms Lynch, Ms Hearun and Ms Kennedy.

The exhibition demonstrated cross curricular links of Art, Home Economics, Metalwork and Woodwork, all of which achieved excellent results in the State exams.

Local primary schools paid a visit to the exhibition that was held in the school hall and over 500 pupils participated in small workshops facilitated by the Transition year students.

The exhibition was officially opened by Paul Smyth SEO from Fingal County Council Trade and Enterprise and was attended by parents, students, teachers and local primary schools.

The adjudicator Paul Smyth from Fingal County Council was overwhelmed by the standard of work in all four categories and had a very difficult job choosing winners.

The Transition Year students hope to embed these Edison Entrepreneurial Strategies by hosting their own workshops through a peer team teaching initiative in the areas of Home Economics, Art, Music and Woodwork.
It's hard to imagine life without electricity but it's only 70 short years ago that the first electricity pole in Ireland was erected.

And that pole was erected on land in Kilsallaghan by the ESB of the Rural Electrification Scheme in north county Dublin on Saturday, November 5th, 1946 - marking the beginning of a massive undertaking that would change the country.

The pole, which was erected on Kilsallaghan farmer Aidan Donnelly's farm in a field known as The Bell Field, has now been located by local residents.

It was replaced almost 20 years ago by a newer pole. However, it was never removed from the site and was recently located by Garristown woman Patricia Lynam and Robbie Walker, also from Kilsallaghan.

The finding of the pole came about after another local woman Maura Norton was in West Cork and happened to come across an article appealing for people to tell their stories on pre-electrification Ireland for a radio documentary on RTE.

'I happened to mention it to Patricia and she said she was aware the first pole erected in rural Ireland was somewhere on her brother Aidan Donnelly's land,' Maura told the Fingal Independent.

'So Patricia and Robbie Walker, whose father Frank had worked on the farm, decided to go searching for it. They came across the pole which was lying on the ground behind the glasshouses.'

'It has No. 1 pole stamped on it,' said Maura.

Brendan Delaney of the ESB was invited out to view the pole and according to Maura, he became quite emotional at the sight of it.

'The ESB have now decided they want to take it away to preserve it. I am actually surprised it was still on the land and hadn't been taken away for fire wood after all these years!,' she said.

The pole was erected in 1946 by WF Roe, Engineer-in-Charge, PJ Dowling, ESB Secretary and a small gathering of Rural Electrification Office (REO) staff and the event was recalled in details in the November edition of the REO News from 1948.

'The evening was cold as we got to Kilsallaghan. We were glad it was not raining but doubts were expressed as to whether the light was good enough for a photograph. Mr Ennis took charge of the camera and the photo taken is now a treasured possession of Rural Head Office. There was no ceremony. The times were not suitable: rationing was being enforced. As the pole was raised in the gathering dusk of that November evening, those present realised that start was being made on a scheme which was to bring new life to the hills and valleys of rural Ireland, and a new outlook and renewed hope to those who dwell there.'

One million poles were driven into the ground over three decades and thousands of kilometres of cable was strung along highways and byways until finally, in 1977, the last remaining outposts such as the Black Valley in Co Kerry were linked up with the National Grid.
A total of 25 new jobs in the retail sector have been created in Swords with the opening of a brand new Aldi store in Seatown.

The new Aldi store brings to 19, the number of outlets the German retail giant now has in Dublin alone and is the 128th Aldi store to open in Ireland since the supermarket chain came to the country in November of 1999.

Speaking at the store opening, Patrik Polak, Manager of Aldi's new Swords store said: 'Buying fresh, quality Irish foods in Swords just got easier thanks to the opening of our new Aldi store. Each Aldi store we have opened so far has been a fantastic success and we are really looking forward to serving the local community.'

The opening of the store should also provide a boost for local food producers in Fingal. Aldi says it has established solid roots in many of Ireland's local communities having developed long-standing partnerships with numerous Irish producers.

Suppliers from County Dublin include Martin Flynn of Martin Flynn Nurseries, which supplies Aldi with a range of Irish locally grown tomatoes, Robert Roberts, which supplies Aldi's multi-award winning McGrath's Irish tea range and Traditional Cheese Company, which supplies artisan cheeses to Aldi.

In the last five years Aldi has recruited over 70 new Irish suppliers, meaning Aldi now partners with more than 175 Irish producers. Over 50% of Aldi's supplier spend is now with Irish suppliers, producers and manufacturers and all of Aldi's fresh meats, fresh poultry, eggs, bread, flour, and many of its teas, coffees, soft drinks, waters and snacks are provided by leading Irish suppliers.

The development of the Aldi site has also presented Swords Men's Shed with an opportunity to build a new home for its activities.

Michael Quinn, Chairman of Swords Men's Shed, who has been the driving force behind the development of the Swords Shed right from the start and as its number of members grew to over 100, a bigger premises of their own was required.

In stepped Anthony and Paul Dunne of Knife Edge Fencing Ltd, who were involved in the development of a two acre site for an Aldi store, and offered Swords Men's Shed a site of their own to build their permanent home.

Michael told the Fingal Independent, earlier this year, that 'The Shed' received a call 'out of the blue' from Anthony Dunne of Knife/Edge Fencing Ltd, in February 2015, who wanted to meet with them.

Michael said: 'He told us he wanted to build us a building for our Men's Shed. They already had planning permission for the Aldi store.' The new Men's Shed is due to be built and ready to go late this year or early in 2017.

The development of the Aldi store has not been without its difficulties and neighbours of the site remain concerned about the development's impact on traffic in the surrounding area.
Parking will be free on each of the three Saturdays in December in Fingal towns

Parking will be free on each of the three Saturdays in December, running up to Christmas in all Fingal towns with pay and display parking.

Fingal County Council is repeating what has become a recent Christmas tradition in throwing open pay and display parking bays to Christmas shoppers for free on each of the three Saturdays.

It means that in Balbriggan, Malahide, Rush, Skerries and Swords, pay and display parking will be free on December 10, 17 and 24.

Fingal County Council said it wants to support local enterprise and it hopes that this initiative will assist local businesses in the towns at the busiest shopping time of the year.

On that very subject of shopping local this Christmas, Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) from Swords has encouraged his constituents to buy their Christmas gifts in the Fingal capital.

He has launched a 'Support Swords Village' Christmas campaign this December, challenging Swords people to buy at least three Christmas presents in the village, this year.

Cllr Smith said: 'In recent years, studies have shown Irish people spend between 500 to 1,200 - depending on the size of one's family - on Christmas presents and gifts.

'We usually flock to shopping centres, retail parks and Dublin City Centre for the majority of these purchases. We seem to ignore the variety and value available in our own villages and on our own main streets.

'With progress being made on Swords Castle, many people are mentioning to me that Swords village is lagging behind, with many vacant units still blighting the town. People love their Village and want to support it.

'What I am promoting this December is a special challenge for people in Swords to commit to buying at least three gifts in Swords village, this year.'

It's a message that could apply to any town in Fingal and a timely reminder of the value of shopping local this Christmas.
A meeting between airport neighbours concerned about the impact of the development of a new runway at Dublin Airport and Minister for Transport Shane Ross has been welcomed by a local TD who said it was important that the Minister Ross 'be aware of the concerns of local residents and to act upon them'.

Deputy Alan Farrell said he does not object to the development of a second runway at Dublin Airport but insisted that 'its economic benefit cannot be allowed to outweigh the needs of residents in the surrounding communities'.

Deputy Farrell said: 'I am pleased that Minister Ross met with myself, representatives of local residents in Portmarnock, Malahide, Drynam Hall, Rivervalley, St. Margaret's and The Ward and other public representatives.

'The need for Minister Ross to be aware of the concerns of local residents, and to act upon them, is of the utmost importance. While the development of the second runway itself is not objected to, its economic benefit cannot be allowed to outweigh the needs of residents in the surrounding communities.'

Deputy Farrell has backed residents calling for the retention of planning conditions on the new runway that restrict night-flying at Dublin Airport.

The daa is arguing strongly to overturn those conditions, saying they are too restrictive and akin to building a new lane on the M50 and then not being allowed to drive on it. The company believes night-flying is essential to its business.

Deputy Farrell argued against overturning those night-flying conditions, saying: 'It is the case that local residents are being impacted by the noise emanating from Dublin Airport, particularly in terms of night flights. As such, the conditions associated with the planning approval which limits the number of night time flights at Dublin Airport must not be overturned.'

The Fingal TD said he would continue to engage with Minister Ross on the issue and 'also to make sure the DAA are being held to account by the Department'.
Dublin Airport recently welcomed a group of 23 Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme students from St Finian's Community College in Swords, as part of the airport's 'Business in the Community' initiative.

DAA has been involved in this community initiative for 11 years now, pairing companies with local schools in an effort to bridge the gap between education and the working world.

The Swords students visited The Loop in T1 where they were guided by retail category manager, Sarah Farrelly. She emphasised the variety of jobs that people can have in an airport as well as the importance of hard work and showing an eagerness to learn. Staff on the floor also offered an insight into the challenges of running such a large operation.

A visit to the award-winning Candy Cloud store completed the tour as students watched retail staff demonstrate the world's first 3D gummy candy printing machine.

Dublin Airport's community liaison manager, Maura Cassidy said: 'These visits are really important for both the students and our colleagues in retail. It's a fun way to give students a behind the scenes idea of what happens in retail while at the same time helping them to understand the career opportunities that are available in this area.'

Aisling Fleming of Business in the Community said the partnership with the daa and St Finian's is one of the organisation's strongest, with students consistently showing a high level of engagement in the programme.
A young man who was found guilty of blocking a Labour TD from moving his car after he held a constituency clinic in Rush has been ordered to complete community service in lieu of a two month prison sentence.

Christopher Faulkner (19) was one of three men who were protesting against water charges as well as austerity measures, which they believed, had been introduced by the Labour Party.

However, as soon as the judge imposed the community service order of 240 hours in lieu of two months in prison at Swords District Court, Faulkner immediately lodged an appeal.

At a previous court sitting, evidence was given that the men were among a group of 15 people, some of who were wearing Hallowe'en mask and carrying placards, blocked the car Brendan Ryan TD was in, from leaving the Main Street in Rush and brought traffic to a standstill, causing tailbacks of to a kilometre-and-a-half.

Deputy Ryan was stuck in his car until senior gardai arrived and cleared the protesters road the road.

Faulkner, of Rowan Heights in Drogheda, was found guilty of failing to follow directions of gardai, wilfully preventing the movement of traffic and refusing to provide his name and address to gardai on Main Street, Rush on October 20, 2015 after he had pleaded not guilty.

Two other men, Quinten Radford (45), of Marigold Road in Darndale and Stephen Ward (44) of Fassaugh Road in Cabra were ordered to complete 240 hours community service work in lieu of a prison sentence at a previous sitting of Swords District Court, after they both pleaded guilty to wilfully preventing the movement of traffic on Main Street in Rush on October 29th, 2015.

Sergeant Patrick Whelan said Deputy Ryan had held his weekly constituency clinic in Rush and was leaving the community centre around 7.30pm when his car was blocked by a number of water protesters.

Sgt Whelan told the court that some protesters stood in front of Deputy Ryan's car, walking over and back the road, preventing him from moving his car.

Sgt Whelan said the protest brought traffic to a standstill.

Sergeant Sean Pender said he directed Faulkner to leave the area and provide his name and address to gardai, but he failed to do so.

In his evidence, Faulkner denied gardai asked for his details, and claimed he was grabbed from behind and arrested.

He also claimed he is 'very passionate', has a 'strong social conscience', and was engaging in 'peaceful assembly' on the footpath to protest against the Labour Party's austerity measures.

Finding him guilty, Judge Dempsey said he was satisfied Faulkner had blocked traffic.

At last Monday's sitting of the court, a positive Probation Report was handed in deeming Faulkner suitable for community service work.

After Judge Kathryn Hutton finalised the case and made the order for community service work, defence barrister Patrick Jackson said the defendant wanted to appeal the ruling.
Insp. Pat Cody hands over 1,700 to Kieran Byrne and Myles Doran from 'Heart to Hand' charity

A large number of gardai across Wexford swapped their uniforms for their running gear recently to raise money for charity.

Organised by Inspector Pat Cody the Blue Flyer race saw gardai from across the district compete in a number of heats to determine who was the fastest guard in Wexford over 100 metres.

Inspector Cody said the event had been a great turnout for the event which was held to raise money for the Heart to Hand charity. Inspector Cody said that local man Kieran Byrne from Scarnagh in Gorey is a director of the charity and in the past the Blue Flyer was held at Enniscorthy district garda level to raise money for the charity.

'This year I decided to do a county wide event and gardai from all across Wexford were asked to take part. We also had sponsorship cards for people to guess the fastest time.

'The fastest man was newly promoted inspector Jarlath Duffy who is now stationed in Dublin but who was previously a sergeant in Enniscorthy while Catherine Keogh of Gorey was the fastest woman. The fastest over 40 was Detective Alan O'Shea from Gorey.

'We held four district heats, one for Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford and New Ross and then the fastest over 40, the fastest man and the fastest woman from each of these heats then competed in the final.

'It was a great event and we raised over 1,700 for Heart to Hand which was great.'
Shoppers across Wexford have given the seal of approval to Seal Rescue Ireland based in Gorey as part of the Tesco Community Fund.

The fund which helps thousands of local causes right across Ireland donating over 2 million to over 5,000 local causes since 2014.

Last week Seal Rescue Ireland was one of 450 groups which benefited from the fund.

The team at Seal Rescue Ireland used the funding they received to replenish their supply of essential food. Seal Rescue Ireland is the Ireland's only rescue and rehab facility for seals, helping between 60-80 seals a year and is open 365 days a year.

The sanctuary receives very little government funding and depends on the public for support. One lovely way to contribute to their cause is to adopt a seal. This costs just 35 and helps support these mammals on their road to recovery.

Ivan Kelly, the manager of the facility, said: 'Rescued seal Thumper, named after the most lovable of Disney characters, is just one good recovery example that was supported by the funding from the Tesco Community Fund. We would love to be involved in the fund again in the future, in the meantime, members of the public can ensure that seals like Thumper will get the care that they need all year round if they become members of Seal Rescue Ireland by logging on to sealrescueireland.org.'

Tesco also spent the day filming with Seal Rescue Ireland to show how they used their Community Fund donation.
For tasty and delicious food to suit all palates the obvious choice is the Holy Grail Restaurant.

With the fifth branch of the highly respected restaurant opening its doors in Gorey this Thursday the Holy Grail is going from strength to strength.

The new Gorey restaurant will be located at 100 Main Street which is very accessible to everyone in the town and those travelling from further afield.

All five branches of the Holy Grail open seven days a week from 10am until 10pm offering breakfast, lunch, light bites and a full a la carte menu. All five also have a full bar licence.

The branches which are located in Ballindaggin, Enniscorthy, Wexford, New Ross and now Gorey are headed up by Biju using only the best of local and seasonal ingredients to prepare wholesome, nutritious, fresh and delicious food.

Breakfast options which are served from 10am are extensive while lunch options which are served from 12pm until 4pm include their renowned curry dishes as well as a range of mains and snacks. There is also a children's menu for the little ones.

It is with their a la carte menu that the Holy Grail cannot be beaten. Served from 4pm it is a very extensive and varied menu which has something to suit everyone's palate - from young to old.

Served from 4pm daily diners can chose from Indian or Chinese cuisine, pasta dishes, mixed grills, steaks, fish and vegetarian dishes offering a very multi-cultural menu. All five restaurants also offer a take away service which is very popular and is especially handy for those exhausted after a long day.

The menu at the Holy Grail has something to suit all taste buds and for children there is an extensive choice as well.

The curry dishes at the Holy Grail are known far and wide with people travelling from surrounding counties to enjoy their delicious curries.

As well as serving delicious food the Holy Grail also offers exceptional value and this was recognised recently when the restaurant chain picked up the Best Value Restaurant award at the South East Radio hospitality awards.

In addition the Holy Grail is also known for the excellent outside catering service it provides. Communions, weddings, confirmations, christenings and parties are just some of the events that the staff at the Holy Grail can cater for and no function is too big or too small for their excellent chefs.

Christmas party nights at the Holy Grail are proving exceptionally popular thanks to the tasty food and the excellent price and service. Even before it opened its doors the Gorey branch had 16 groups booked in for Christmas parties which is a testament to its popularity.

Biju who heads all five kitchens has a long history in the catering industry working in a number of five star hotels in his native India before arriving in Ireland in 2002. Here he worked as a head chef in a number of restaurants before starting his own restaurant in Ballindaggin.

Thanks to the success of that he branched out opening a further four premises around the county which are manned by his brothers who are themselves highly qualified and fully trained chefs in their own right.

The Gorey branch of the Holy Grail which opens on Thursday has a special opening offer between 12 noon and 4pm on Thursday where all curry dishes will be half price which is sure to go down a treat with everyone.
Celebrations were in store at McCauleys of Redmond Square last week as they celebrated 25 years in business with an all-day bash.

Crowds came from across the county to join on the celebrations in what was the first branch of the successful McCauley's chain. In true birthday style, a large cake was unveiled in the afternoon and store founder Sam McCauley himself was there to do the honours of cutting the first slice. He made a speech to all of the staff and customers and posed for photos with many of them.

A health and beauty bonanza was in store throughout the day, with plenty of make-up demos, prizes and samples up for grabs. Special guest at the event was beauty blogger Michelle Regazzoli Stone of Mrsmakeup.ie, who boasts regular clients such as model Rosanna Davison and Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud fame. She shared some of her tips and tricks to her audience during her highly-anticipated make-up demo and was on-hand to answer questions afterwards.

Also there on the day were representatives from Canon and Fuji who gave tips to budding photographers on how to grab the perfect shot.

Many of the guests were delighted to go home with some free gifts which were dished out every hour to lucky visitors. One thrilled customer also scooped themselves a hamper worth 500 which included plenty of goodies. Those who weren't winners were still able to avail of samples and some special promotions for the day that was in it.

As the first branch of the McCauleys chain, McCauleys in Redmond Square has been a landmark store for 25 years and despite plenty of change in the area during this period, the business has grown and flourished. Since its humble beginnings in 1991, the store has been expanded in an effort to accommodate a growing list of products and services. It now houses some of the big-name brands in make-up including Stila, Benefit, Bare Minerals and Clinique, which sets itself apart from other pharmacies in the Southeast. It also is home to an in-house hair and beauty salon and photo printing service. McCauleys of Redmond Square have also expanded their pharmacy section over the years, offering everything from medicines to travel health products and anything in between.

Since it began in Redmond Square 25 years ago, Sam McCauleys has expanded and is now a household name. The Sam McCauley Chemists Group currently operates 30 stores nationally, with a strong presence in counties Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. Last week, Sam McCauley visited Navan to cut the ribbon on their 30th store in the country.

The group employs over 570 staff and has an annual turnover in excess of 80m. It also sells successfully online through it's partner buy4now and continues to grow in both online and retail sales.
Wexford's brightest and boldest young entrepreneurs will go head-to-head tonight (Tuesday) in the County Final of the Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur competition.

Following a series of bootcamps, 12 young entrepreneurs have made it through to this year's IBYE County Final and are ready to face the judges in County Hall this evening. Six of these will be chosen across three categories - Best Business Idea, Best Start-Up Business and Best Established Business - to win a share of a 50,000 investment fund.

The finalists in the Best Business Idea category are Patrick Kinsella, Mark Rowe, Sandra Martin, Rob Kramer and Andy O'Connor. Patrick will try to impress the judges with his innovative current account for smartphones idea, while Mark hopes to get through to the next round with a plan concerning healthcare date and analytics for sleep disorder breathing. Meanwhile, Sandra Martin will pitch her app for national tourist boards and Andy will lay out his idea for a popular opinion website. Rob Kramer will hope to win a share of the fund with his parking app idea.

IN the Best Established Business Category, Jack Harte hopes to win his way into the next round when he presents his cast-iron outdoor lighting business to the judges.

Ronan McGrath, Richard Murphy, Aleksandra Riquet, Gillian Duggan-White, Robert Tierney and Katie Hillis have all made it through to the county final under the Best Start-Up Business Category. Ronan will outline his online marketing referral organisation to the judges, while Richard aims to get top marks for his online platform covering physical and mental wellbeing. Aleksandra's fruit arrangement business will be in the spotlight during her interview, followed by Gillian, whose business concerns designing greeting cards, mugs and prints. Robert hopes to move forward with his social media marketing agency idea while Katie plans to brew up success when she discusses her wholesale coffee bean company with the judges.

This year's competition attracted a record 1,800 entries around the country.

'The exceptionally high standard of entries will make the competition tough and challenging, but it will also help bring out the full potential of entrants and inspire them to succeed whether they win at the County Final stage or not,' said LEO Head of Enterprise Tom Banville.

The county winners will proceed to eight regional finals in January and February 2017 to compete for the national title of Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur.
Five local volunteers have recently returned from a trip to Belarus with the Children of Chernobyl Foundation Ireland.

Local woman Reiltin Mates said the trip had been a great success saying that the volunteers travelled to help out a young girl called Vika who has cerebral palsy and her family.

'Major renovations were made to their home with the hopes of improving their living conditions and also their self worth. Over the week windows were installed, a bedroom divided to enable siblings to sleep separately from each other, tiles and kitchen were installed and the house decorated throughout. It must be said with all that work and five volunteers the days were long.

'However the group became close and it was an emotional moment for all when the time came to say goodbye to Vika and her family. For volunteer Aidan Murphy it was his first trip to Belarus working alongside a charity. Other volunteers were Pat McNanamon, Pat O'Shea, Will Kavanagh and Laurence O'Neill.

'This Christmas we will welcome six children here for the holidays. They will travel with two carers and stay from December 23 until January 5. All host families are looking forward and planning for the trip.'
The highland country straddling counties Kerry, Cork and Limerick was once an ''asylum'' for outlaws and a risen peasantry, according to the latest issue of the biennial Sliabh Luachra Journal, which has just been launched.

Many of the principal roads that run through the area today were not built until the 1820's and '30's by the British authorities who wanted to gain more control of the territory.

''The wild hilly country on the borders of the three counties was outlaw territory,'' writes Martin Murphy in an article on Whiteboys and Ribbonmen, relating the activities of secret societies against landlordism.

This vast region of around 1,000 square miles did not have proper roads, a British Government report noted in 1822. Engineer Richard Griffiths was commissioned to design and improve roads and he also built stone-arched bridges still in use today.

Griffiths described Sliabh Luachra as an asylum for Whiteboys and robbers whose ''wickedness had frequently escaped punishment.'' The 17th issue of the local history journal, published by Cumann Luachra, was launched by Fr Pat Moore, in Gneeveguilla, last Friday night.

''It's very hard to really define Sliabh Luachra which has probably been best described as a state of a mind,'' said Fr Moore who formerly served as a curate in the Rathmore and Kilcummin parishes.

''But one thing is certain - the people of the area have their own identity, wit and cultural richness. I learnt a lot from them when I was among them and loved my time in there.''

The story of the 1916 Easter Rising, in which volunteer Patrick O'Connor, from Rathmore, was killed, features prominently in the 120-page journal which also has a wide range of other articles and lots of old photographs.

As might be expected from Sliabh Luachra, a deal of space is given to traditional Irish music. Popular accordionist John Brosnan, who lives in Milleen, Kilcummin, tells of his life and times. He also recalls memories of the legendary fiddle master Padraig O'Keeffe and how he visited the Lyrecrompane area where John grew up.

There's also an article on ceili bands in Sliabh Luachra by journal editor Donal Hickey who, for instance, traces the history of the Brosna Ceili Band from its origins in the late 1950's to the present day.

A trip to Killarney Fair as a boy with his father in the 1940's is recalled by John Kelly. He had a day off from school to drive in cattle they sold at the fair.

The journal is on sale now for 12.
Irish Water says it has invested over 4m to address wastewater issues in Kerry.

The Utility made the claim following the publication of a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency on the state of Ireland's waste water treatment network.

The EPA report shows that a substantial and sustained increase in investment in waste water treatment infrastructure is needed to eliminate discharges of raw sewage into the water supply.

According to the report raw sewage is still discharging straight into lakes, rivers and the sea in 43 areas, and the planned delivery of treatment plants at half of these areas has now been delayed by an average of almost two years.

Kerry fared well in the report with no areas in the county found to be in breach of safe effluent standards.

However the report did identify Kilgarvan as the sole 'urban' area in the county where "improvements are needed to resolve priority issues."

The report also noted that a new treatment plant has been built at Ballylongford.

A spokeswoman for Irish Water, which took over responsibility for waste water treatment plants from 2014 said investment was increasing.

"The report is a timely reminder of the decades of under investment in wastewater infrastructure in Ireland and the impact that this has had on communities all around the country including Kerry," the spokeswoman said.

"Using the EPA figures, published today, it is clear that between 2000 and 2010 270m annually was invested in wastewater infrastructure in Ireland. But she said from 2011 to 2013, there was a 50 percent drop in investment in wastewater infrastructure to 136m."

"When Irish Water took over responsibility in 2014, the national utility set about reversing that trend," she said.
A Kerry man who raped a grandmother had to be removed from court on Monday after he launched a foul mouthed tirade at his victim whom he labelled a 'filthy prostitute."

Convicted rapist Richard O'Brien (57) of Arlington Lodge, Church Street, Tralee, had to be removed from his sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court after he repeatedly interrupted proceedings, tried to sack his barrister and shouted abuse at his victim.

The courts previously heard how O'Brien had lured his victim to a caravan in Dublin before raping her, assaulting her and biting her during a sustained and vicious attack on March 19, 2011.

He then fled to the UK before being extradited in 2013. He was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of rape, attempted rape, false imprisonment and assault causing harm.

At the start of his sentence hearing on Monday O'Brien repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, ordering prosecution barrister Anne Rowland SC to "get her facts straight", before turning on his defence barrister, Damien Colgan SC, and telling him: "On your bike".

After giving O'Brien several warnings, Mr Justice Tony Hunt ordered that he be removed from court. As he was led away, O'Brien turned towards his victim and verbally abused her.

The sentence hearing continued after the judge asked Mr Colgan to continue to represent O'Brien. He has already sacked at least one legal team and is "the client from hell", Mr Justice Hunt said.

Garda Ruth Brett told Ms Rowland that the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was having birthday drinks with friends in a Dublin pub when O'Brien offered to buy her a drink. He then invited her back to a house party, telling her it was his sister's birthday.

However, when the woman arrived at the home, she became uneasy and asked to get a taxi home. O'Brien invited her into a caravan at the back of the property on the pretext of ordering her a cab. Once inside he pushed her on to the bed, punched her repeatedly, bit her on the chest and neck and raped her. The prolonged attack ended only after two men entered the caravan and stopped O'Brien.

In her victim impact statement the woman said she has suffered nightmares every night since the attack. "For the last five years of my life I have been existing, not living," she said.

The court heard O'Brien has a previous conviction for rape and false imprisonment of a woman.

Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter for two weeks, saying he needed to consider sentencing.

The judge also expressed concern at O'Brien's behaviour in court, saying "one gets a very real flavour" of his character. He adjourned the case for sentencing on December 12.
Some of the first shoppers through the door enjoying a glass of bubbly

The staff of the new Molloy's SuperValu in New Ross at the official opening of the store last week

Hundreds of people attended the launch of the newly refurbished Molloy's SuperValu in New Ross on Thursday morning.

Colum and Bernie Molloy, who are well-established retailers within the Musgrave network, bought the business in August and have said they are in the town for the long term.

Mr Molloy said: 'We have made a substantial investment in the store. My vision is to keep everything as local as possible as much as we possibly can. We are all about Irish.'

He said his company's purchase of the store on the quay and investment in it is a vote of confidence in New Ross.

'These past few months have been phenomenal. The people of New Ross have been very welcoming and I would like to extend our thanks to them. We are delighted to be in New Ross. The new store is great for morale in the town.'

After six weeks of refurbishment, the store, complete with a new bakery section, is offering a wider selection of products.

Mr Moloy said it has gone done well with customers. 'The customers are brilliant. Many of them are there from the L&N days and the support is fantastic. Everyone sees us as their local shop and we want it to remain as that. We are going to be here for a long time.'

The supermarket has 46 staff, having taken on two staff in recent weeks. There have been no changes in terms of conditions for colleagues at the store which was previously run by the Caulfield group for 19 years.
Fethard on Sea resident Johanne Powell has been inundated with calls of support from other carers across the country having spoken powerfully about the life of a carer on the Late Late Show on Friday night.

Ms Powell cares for her daughter Siobhan, who was born in 1984 with a rare genetic condition of ring chromosome 8. Now 32, Siobhan wasn't expected to survive more than a year. Born with an unusually small head, she has profound mental disabilities and wears clothes for an eight-year-old. She cannot walk, is nonverbal, does not eat solid food, is doubly incontinent, and has only one kidney, which functions at well below normal levels.

Norwegian native Ms Powell, who is married 39 years to Alan, spoke with Ryan Tubridy of her grief at not having the daughter she dreamed of having and of the psychological, emotional and physical toll being a carer involves.

Her story was highlighted in a national newspaper earlier this month and after it broke, other carers started coming forward with their stories. Speaking to this newspaper, Ms Powell said: 'I have had a massive amount of calls, tweets and Facebook messages from carers. We are sick and tired of people calling us special people. We are just like anybody else. I wouldn't wish it on anybody but you never know when a parent could become a carer. We don't cope because we are special people, we cope because we have to.'

Ms Powell receives four hours every Saturday home support and three respite weeks a year. 'The hours on Saturday aren't what I really want. I am tied to them. I have spoken to a lot of carers. We want to be partners in the decisions that are made. We don't want to be told this is what you are getting. What I need is not what someone else needs.'

In 2013 a HSE official told Ms Powell it would cost 200,000 a year to care for her. She said carers deserve more, adding that she has achieved some of her aims by going national with her story.

'Carers are starting to speak out. I have made so many new contacts. These people are all saying "Me Too!", "Me too!" They are talking for their own good. We're speaking out to get the Government moving. It's scandalous how carers are treated in Ireland. What I really, really want is the HSE to start building homes for my child and for people like her. I am aware there is no space.

'There are 158 residential beds in County Wexford and they are all full. 61 people are on waiting lists and I know several people who are not on the list because they feel they will get nowhere.'
Good Counsel College students attended training in Dublin last week to become Green-Schools Water Ambassadors.

The training workshops, attended by 29 students from 14 schools across the country, focused on providing students with the skills necessary to spread the message of water awareness in their communities.

The morning session saw talks from Green-Schools, Irish Water and Clean Coasts on topics including: the water theme; communication techniques; water and wastewater treatment; and the impacts of marine litter. In the afternoon students went to Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant for a tour followed by a discussion and feedback session.

Praising the ambassadors, Green-Schools Manager Cathy Baxter said: 'The students have shown real determination and ambition in putting themselves forward to be Ambassadors in their schools and communities.'
The old Finches building in New Ross has been sold, along with a prime one acre site at the ring road in front of Tesco.

The building at Butlersland industrial park off the N25 was vacated by Finches owners C&C in January with the loss of 20 jobs.

The premises was sold by John Radford of Sherry Fitzgerald Radford in New Ross. It had a guide price of 650,000 but the actual price paid for the premises is not being revealed.

Mr Radford said: 'A local company located on this side of the bridge which is expanding has bought the premises which means more local employment.'

The sale went through in mid-November and further details on the expansion are expected in the coming months. C&C announced in January that 126 positions were being cut at Borrisoleigh in County Tipperary with additional job losses in Portlaoise and New Ross as the drinks company announced that it was cutting costs in Ireland and the UK.

Meanwhile the site at Tesco retail park was sold in the autumn to a New Ross businessman who plans to develop a business there.

The site had a guide price of 100,000 and sold for around this figure, having previously been valued at around 500,000.

'It had previous planning for a multi storey retail development. It was sold by private treaty having changed hands a few times previously. It was great to see it go as it's going to be used which will mean more jobs for New Ross,' said Mr Radford.

The site is zoned retail and has an excellent profile. 'It would be ideal for a drive through as the access is quite good, especially from the Ballymacar junction of the bypass.'

Mr Radford believes the bypass will be great for New Ross, adding that large volumes of traffic will be attracted into the town.

He said commercial property is starting to move at pace in New Ross as investors see the potential that the New Ross Bypass, which could be open to vehicles by late 2018, has in retail and industrial opportunities.

'Some good commercial lettings from several different retailers are planned. People are feeling a bit more confidence so there is more of an appetite for activity in the town here.'

Domestic properties have also been selling at pace. 'Three years ago in County Wexford there were 4,000 properties on the market and today there are 1,200. It's all down to supply and demand. We've seen prices increase by 30,000 in New Ross on a three bed house. These are now selling for 135,000. Investors are also buying up two bedroom apartments as there are no houses left to rent and they can make good returns as the apartments, the high end ones, are making 600 a month. The investments don't come down to the banks as they aren't lending excessively anymore.

'Four bedroom houses on the outskirts of New Ross have been selling for around 230,000. We can't keep them,' said Mr Radford.

'One came on the market last week and already we've had six viewings. It's selling for 230,000. We sold a house in Inistioge recently for 410,000. This is all happening in November, a time of year which is usually quiet, because people are copping on to the fact that there is value there at the minute. However I don't see the market going mad. It's very busy as members of the Polish community, who were previously reluctant to buy due to job uncertainty, have started buying. Brexit slowed us down for a few weeks but we're back in business now.'
Sligo filmmaker Marilyn O'Connor says she is 'overwhelmed' with the response she has received to her new film about domestic violence.

Ms O'Connor, who lives in Ballinafad, screened 'Change The Conversation' in Boyle on Sunday. The film has received over 10,000 views on Facebook already.

"The response has been amazing, we've received a lot of really positive feedback," said Marilyn. She released her own film ahead of the National Moment of Remembrance for Women murdered through domestic violence in Ireland.

"I had my own experience in the past with violence. We have a terrible problem with abuse in this country. The services are there but there's a real shortage of refuges for women who are brave enough to leave their abusive partners," she said.

Marilyn, a writer, self-funded the film and was keen to give roles to local actors and actresses, which she did. Grainne Caldbeck and Kieran Cunnane were cast as the main characters, while Grainne's daughter Heidi also played a role. "We had to find a little girl who had a connection with Grainne, so Grainne's daughter Heidi came along."

"When I wrote it I had two endings, one happy ending and another was more shocking.

"On the night before we started filming my instincts kicked in and I chose the shocking ending because that's more of a reality for people.

"I want to portray the impact that domestic violence has not only on the women involved but the children too," she said.
Irish Rail has given assurances to a six-year-old boy that it won't be closing the Sligo to Dublin rail line after the youngster expressed concern in a letter that his mother needed the service in order to get to the capital for medical treatment.

A family member posted on Facebook that Darragh Walsh from Collooney was reading The Sligo Champion and: "saw on the front page that the Sligo-Dublin train was at risk of closing. He took it upon himself to send Irish Rail a letter and asked me to send it to them, I took the picture and tweeted Irish Rail and just got the loveliest reply!"

Irish Rail was so touched by Darragh's concern it offered his family a free return journey to anywhere in the country.

The boy's letter read: "To Irish Rail, I seen on the Sligo Champion that you are closing the Dublin-to-Sligo train. Please don't, because my mum wants to get to hospital to see the doctor. Please don't close the train, From Darragh Walsh, age 6."

A new Irish Rail report, highlighted in The Champion last week shows that the service is in doubt unless Irish Rail gets more Government funding to keep routes open.

An Irish Rail spokesperson said: "Darragh's letter was a timely reminder that behind discussions, about funding the future of rail transport and infrastructure, are very human stories and realities.

"Lots of people, including Darragh's mother, rely on our services for essential travel, including important hospital appointments.

"It was clear, from Darragh's letter, that he is caring for, and looking after, his mother, while her hospital visits continue, so we thought that, along with his family, he would appreciate a train trip to anywhere in the country," the spokesperson said.

"We've made contact and will set up the journey for whenever they choose to travel. We're grateful Darragh took the time to write his excellent letter to us, and hope we've eased his worries about his Mam's travel."

The spokesperson said Darragh is not the only person to have aired their concern for the future of the rail network.

A national review of rail services found 600m was needed to meet the funding gap and cover losses at Irish Rail over the next five years.
Then Mayor of Sligo Cllr Declan Bree with the Mayor of Havana Cllr Juan Contino Aslan in 2004

Local Independent councillor Declan Bree says President Michael D Higgins' message of sympathy on the passing of Fidel Castro reflected the views and the values of the great majority of the Irish people.

Cllr Bree visited Cuba on a number of occasions. He heard Fidel Castro speak in 'Revolution Square' during his first visit to Cuba in 1978, when he was one of the 120 young Irish people who participated in the World Festival of Youth and Students.

When he was Mayor of Sligo in 2004 he visited Havana on the invitation of its Mayor, Juan Contino Aslan. The Mayor and City Council hosted a Conference for Co-operation and Solidarity with Havana which was attended by over 150 mayors from all parts of the world.

Speaking yesterday Cllr Bree said: "Ireland is similar to Cuba in many respects. We have a population who cherish the concept of freedom and liberty. And like Cuba we are a small nation that for many years sought to assert its independence and sovereignty - an island nation, which has had to suffer constant and consistent interference from a larger neighbour.

"Cuba's biggest export is not cigars or rum, but doctors. And every time there's an emergency, or a natural disaster, it's the Cubans who are first to bring aid and sustenance to the people.

"In addition to training tens of thousands of medical students from developing countries free of charge Cuba has, over the years, sent over 185,000 health workers to more than 100 countries.

"Of course the Cuba that Fidel built is not the perfect society, nor has it ever claimed to be, but when we compare it to so many other countries its achievements can clearly be recognised."

"President Higgins was right when he said that the Fidel will be remembered as a giant among global leaders whose view was not only one of freedom for his people but for all the oppressed and excluded peoples on the planet," he concluded.

"In my view Fidel Castro will forever remain as an inspiration for all those who value freedom." said Cllr Bree
Upgrades to four Sligo water treatment plants have finally been given the green light by Irish Water.

The Council's annual budget meeting was told that the tenders and contracts for work at Strandhill, Grange, Tubbercurry and Ballinafad sewerage schemes are due to be signed by March 2017.

"We've had so many false dawns but once a contract is awarded it's certain. Our best assessment is that work will begin in the second quarter of 2017," Director of Services Tom Kilfeather told councillors.

The Tubbercurry scheme is a particular priority as it's on a European Court of Justice list for breaches of environmental regulations: "Tubbercurry cannot fall off the radar," he added. Councillor Marie Casserly welcomed the signing of the contracts.

Meanwhile it's emerged that water works on O'Connell Street will resume in January. Mr Kilfeather said that as a result, there would most likely be road closures again on O'Connell Street in January.

"There have been some discussions with the traders already and when we do know there will be more discussions," he said.
A burglar jailed for life for the murder of "well-respected" Sligo man Eugene Gillespie has had appeals against his conviction and sentence dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Simon McGinley (32), of Connaughton Road Car Park, Sligo had admitted killing Eugene Gillespie (67) at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012 but denied it was murder.

The Central Criminal Court heard the manslaughter plea was not accepted by the State and a jury was sworn in for the trial. He had pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie as well as trespass to commit robbery on the same occasion.

Mr Gillespie was a retired telecoms broker who also worked in the family shop and lived alone with his dog Tiny.

He had a passionate interest in antique cars and spent much of his time going to antique car rallies. He was found tied up in the hallway of his home by his nephew and his brother two days after the assault.

McGinley was found unanimously guilty of murder and he was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on April 3, 2014.

Mr Justice Sheehan also handed down a 10-year sentence for the false imprisonment charge and seven years for the burglary to run concurrently with the life sentence.

McGinley brought appeals against his conviction and sentence which was heard in the Court of Appeal.

But that afternoon, the three-judge court dismissed both sets of appeals on all grounds.

McGinley was returned to prison where he will continue to serve his sentences.

Giving judgment on both sets of appeals, Mr Justice George Birmingham said McGinley had entered the home of Mr Gillespie in the course of a burglary.

Mr Gillespie was subjected to a serious degree of violence. He was pummelled and the house was ransacked.

The house was like a "bomb had gone off," according to one witness. A number of pieces of furniture were broken.

At one stage McGinley restrained Mr Gillespie by tying his hands behind his back with a cord and left him tied up.

Mr Gillespie was a "very well respected figure in his local community and his death was a great loss to his extended family," the judge said.

A "powerful and moving" victim impact statement was presented to the Central Criminal Court, he said.

Mr Justice Birmingham said McGinley's lawyers, who had not represented him at trial, had "formulated a large number of grounds of appeal" none of which were raised at trial. They included multiple criticisms of the trial judge's charge to the jury

Mr Justice Birmingham said no one involved in the trial had any criticisms to make of the judge's charge. "Very understandably so," he said, because the judge's charge was clear, concise and had accurately stated the law.

It was not at all surprising that there were no criticisms of it at the time, Mr Justice Birmingham said. "Quite simply there was nothing to criticise".

Despite the industry deployed by lawyers who have since become involved, the Court of Appeal was of the view that "no point of substance has been raised" and the appeal against conviction was "not a meritorious one".

Turning to McGinley's sentence appeal, Mr Justice Birmingham said the court could not conclude that the sentences were excessively severe.

The offences were of the utmost seriousness committed by a person with a significant prior record. McGinley had 21 previous convictions including convictions for burglary, robbery and assault.

Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, accordingly dismissed McGinley's sentence appeal.

McGinley held his head low while the judgment was delivered.

Members of the extended Gillespie family were in court for the hearing.
A 29-year-old man has been further remanded in custody charged with the murder of a 59-year-old man in Sligo on August 2015. His sister has also been charged arising out of the same murder.

Keith Brady of 13 Cartron Estate, Sligo appeared before Sligo District Court on Thursday where he was charged with the murder of Martin 'Matt' Kivlehan at 1 The New Apartments, Holborn Street between August 2nd and 3rd 2015. The well known musician was found stabbed in his apartment.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Detective Inspector Tom Colsh. Brady replied when the charge was put to him: "I just want to say I'm sorry for what happened. I never meant for any of this to happen and to this day I still don't know what went wrong."

Keith O'Grady BL with Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor (defending) said the accused had a very long and serious history of drug misuse.

Brady saw an addiction counsellor for the first time only last week, said Mr O'Grady who also stated that it had become clear there were psychiatric issues as well.

He was currently in custody on other matters with a release date of April 2017 but another sentence was due to commence then. There would be no application for bail, added Mr O'Grady.

Brady was remanded in custody to Harristown District Court in Castlerea on Friday.

Judge Kevin Kilrane directed at Mr O'Grady's request that the accused receive such treatment as necessary for his addiction, be it counselling or otherwise along with a psychiatric assessment.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said the book of evidence would be ready on December 22nd.

Meanwhile, the accused's sister, Janice Brady (26) also of Cartron Estate appeared before the District Court in Dublin on Wednesday where she was charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person knowing or believing that person to be guilty of Mr Kivlehan's murder. She was also further remanded.

She made no reply to the charge after caution.

She was represented by Mr Joe Barnes BL, instructed by Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor.
Parishioners across Elphin will be invited to reflect on the place of the family in the Church and Society in advance of the Pope's visit to Ireland in 2018.

Pope Francis confirmed yesterday (Monday) that he will travel here for the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in August 2018 in what will be the first papal visit since Pope John Paul came to Ireland in 1979. Taoiseach Enda Kenny extended the invitation to Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican yesterday.

Responding to the news, Bishop of Elphin Most Reverend Kevin Doran said it was "early days" to talk about any possibilities of the Pope visiting Sligo, but added "it would be great to have him."

"I think the important thing is to keep in mind that the focus of his visit is the World Meeting of Families," he told The Sligo Champion. "Like the other two big international events in the Church calendar (World Youth Day and the Eucharistic Congress) the WMF is a festival of faith.

"It is also, in some sense a journey or pilgrimage for the Irish Church. I think Pope Francis has invited us to host this in Ireland because he believes that it will be helpful for Catholics at this time to reflect on the place of family in the Church and in Society and on how we can be supportive of families, especially those in difficulty.

"So we will be inviting parishioners over the next eighteen months to reflect on these questions, using Pope Francis' own recent letter of encouragement "The Joy of Love". His visit will, please God, be the "icing on the cake"," added the Bishop.
If the seas around Arklow could speak, they would have many tales to tell. Tales of tragedy and joy, of brave rescues and of lives that couldn't be saved.

This year marks 190 years since Arklow RNLI was established, the oldest lifeboat station and volunteer crew in the country.

The service was launched in Arklow in 1826.

Almost two centuries ago, before any formal lifesaving service was on hand, the duty was taken on by the local fishing community, who carried out rescue and search operations as best they could.

While the standard of vessel, and technology has improved vastly over the past 190 years, the dangers at sea remain the same as ever, proving that the lifeboat will always be needed.

While Arklow received its first lifeboat in 1928, just four years later that boat was relocated to Co Down and it was only in 1857, after a series of sea tragedies and disasters, it was decided to re-open the Arklow station.

Under the first appointed coxswain, Peter Kavanagh, the service resumed and there was no shortage of volunteer crews with various rescue operations launched in the early years.

A highlight of 1963 was the arrival of the Arundel Venables, the station's new lifeboat which replaced its first vessel - which had no recorded name.

Over the next decade she would be launched 34 times, saving 93 lives, which, according to historian Jim Rees in his publication on the history of Arklow RNLI 'To the banks and beyond', was 'the highest ratio of lives saved per launch of any Arklow lifeboat'.

Sadly though, there is trace of life lost during the tenure of the 'Venables' as recorded on a headstone in Arklow's old Abbey Graveyard.

It is that of Augustine Coughlan, who perished while trying to save the lives of passengers and crew of the wrecked Armenian off the Arklow Bank in 1865. Three of his crew-mates also died in the operation.

Later that year, one of the lifeboat's most 'spectacular' rescues was of a cargo ship laden with 250,000 of goods en route to Calcutta.

Such was the extent of the bravery and quick-thinking shown by coxswain Peter Kavanagh that he received the institution's Silver Medal, the first award made to the Arklow station.

However, in 1866 Kavanagh fell victim to the Arklow cholera outbreak and was one of many who died as a result.

He was succeeded by John Cummins who welcomed 'Out Pensioner' as the new lifeboat in 1873, which got its name from the British pensioners who fundraised for her construction who lived outside the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

From 1889 to 1915 the Frances and Charlotte patrolled the Arklow seas, followed by the John Taylor Cardwell until 1938, when the first boat named in honour of the town arrived.

The Inbhear Mor was a fixture until 1968 and held a record of 30 years of service with the station.

During this time the crew under coxswain Peter Kenny was rewarded for outstanding service and skill. In 1955 the crew was presented with a bottle of rum for each man by the Sugar Manufacturing Association of Jamaica who have a tradition of presenting a token of thanks to lifeboat crews.

The Arklow crew was chosen that year in recognition of enduring the longest winter service that year. Fr James Piggott made the presentation in Arklow and paid tribute to the men who spent a gruelling 15 hours at sea on a rescue operation which turned into a double outing for the Gansey and later, after 12 hours, the George Emilie.

Today's lifeboat, the Ger Tigchelaar arrived in 1997, brand new at a cost of 1.1 million and named after a generous Dutch donor who requested that the vessel was named in honour of his wife.

The vessel which saved 20 lives within five months of arriving in Arklow has seen its own share of history made, including, in 2003 - the first female crew members to launch with the local volunteers - Siobhan McCabe, Roisin McCabe and Noeleen Hurley.

Preserving the past, and the history of Arklow Lifeboat is just as important as looking to the future, however and Tony Fennell of the fundraising committee who assisted Jim Rees in getting the history published says that the 190th anniversary event will be a special one for current volunteers and relatives of past members, as well as relatives of those who have been lost at sea.

'Records weren't kept at all until around 1857 or 58 and even then they were sketchy. Certainly compared to today, the technology wasn't as sophisticated. While the Ger T is nearly 20 years old, the internal operations have been upgraded in that time. Today we have about 35 volunteer crew members who drop everything to launch. There is no payment for what they do and we rely completely on fundraising, and yet we never have a shortage of people willing to train up, such is the belief in what the lifeboat does,' he says.

190 years of Arklow Lifeboat will be celebrated at a special ecumenical service at Ss Mary and Peter's, Arklow on Friday, December 2, at 7.30 p.m.

Prayers will be said for all the past and present volunteers and their families and a colour party featuring Arklow Sea Scouts and RNLI will open the service.

Music will be provided by the Arklow Male Voice Choir, Tommy Breen and Tom Clancy and Don McGuinness, Naoimh Penston Vocal Academy and piper Denis New.

A reception will take place afterwards in Arus Lorcain.
The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick for allegedly misleading auditors about multi-million euro loans is significantly overrunning, a judge has said.

A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard earlier this month that loans taken out by Mr FitzPatrick, his wife and family members increased from in the region of 10 million in 2002 to around 100 million in 2007.

The State's case is that the amount of these loans was 'artificially reduced' for a period of two weeks around the bank's financial end of year statement by short term loans from other sources, including Irish Nationwide Building Society, and that these loans were not disclosed to the bank's auditors Ernst & Young, allegedly contrary to the 1990 Companies Act.

Mr FitzPatrick (68) of Whitshed Road, Greystones, has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges of making a misleading, false or deceptive statement to auditors and six charges of furnishing false information in the years 2002 to 2007.

Last Wednesday morning (November 23), Judge John Aylmer told the jury, who have so far only heard a summary of the allegation, that the trial would now likely run to the end of February.

He said this was the worst case scenario timeline. He told the jurors that the case is 'overrunning to a significant extent' because of continuing legal argument.

The trial began last September when a specially enlarged jury of 15 was empanelled over the course of two days. The jury was told then the trial would finish by Christmas.

Since then, there have been weeks of legal argument in the absence of the jury and two jurors have been excused from service because of health and professional reasons.

Judge Aylmer asked the jurors last Wednesday to discuss amongst themselves whether they were in a position to continue serving on the jury. After a brief period the jury returned to court and the jury forewoman told the court that everyone is happy to continue serving.

She said there may be problems if it goes into March as one juror has holidays booked for then.

Judge Aylmer thanked the jurors for their patience, telling them: 'we assure you we are all grateful for it'.

The judge told the jurors that the current legal issue would be dealt with by next Wednesday and they could begin hearing the State's evidence then.

He said there is an estimated six weeks of evidence in the case. There is also another two weeks needed for another legal issue to be discussed in the jury's absence, which will bring the case into early February.

Judge Aylmer said it is very difficult to predict how long legal arguments take.

'We are trying to give you the worst case scenario. We've gone twice the time on the second [legal] issues. Nobody can be blamed. These things take their course and they can't be rushed,' Judge Aylmer said.
John Healy, Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) ambassador, Dr Kate McGarry, President of the IHF, Deirdre Ryan and Joan Carey from Servier Industries in Arklow, and Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Three Wicklow companies were among those recognised for their healthy eating practices at the Irish Heart Foundation's recent Healthy Eating and Active@Work Awards ceremony.

Commscope in Bray received the Gold Active@Work Award, Servier Industries in Arklow received the Silver Award and Aramark Ireland, Takeda in Bray received the Bronze Healthy Eating accolade.

The ceremony, celebrates how Irish businesses are fighting back against the World Health Organisation's prediction that by 2030 Ireland will be the most obese nation in Europe by promoting healthy workplace practices among staff.

President of the Irish Heart Foundation Dr Kate McGarry said: 'Serious health problems face us as a nation and yet both obesity and cardiovascular disease are largely preventable. Creating a supportive environment to empower individuals where they work or live is essential and it is extremely heartening to see so many companies across the country receiving these awards.'

The Healthy Eating Award is valid for two years and the Active@Work for one year and the new graded system of gold, silver and bronze is designed to encourage companies to set their targets high, continue to promote healthy living and strive for the Gold medal standard.
Kieron Doyle (left), from Wicklow town, winner of the Topaz Play or Park magical family trip to Lapland with his daughter Hailey Doyle, partner Emma Jane Duffy and nephew Arron Hill

A Wicklow town family will embark on the Christmas holiday of a lifetime to Lapland thanks to the Topaz Play or Park.

Kieran Doyle chose to play his points at his local Topaz on the Dublin Road. The award winning loyalty game allows customers to collect points every time they refuel or make a purchase at participating Topaz Stores.

Now Kieran, his partner Emma Jane and daughter Hayley, will start the festive season in sensational style as they head off to enchanted Lapland as part of a Sunway trip.

The family will also be handed 2,000 spending money.

Kieran admitted he was stunned when he first heard about the Lapland adventure.

'I was initially lost for words when I got the call from Topaz telling me that I was October's Play or Park winner. I've never had an opportunity to travel to Finland, let alone the magical Lapland!

'My partner and I just couldn't wait to tell Hailey, sure it would be impossible to keep news like that from your little one.

'We're all so excited and Hailey can't wait to meet the real Santa Claus.'

The prize package includes return flights for the family, Four Star accommodation, reindeer sleigh ride and licence certificate, snowmobile ride and tobogganing, husky sleigh ride, trip to Jolukka Forest of Dreams, private meeting with Santa, a Santa Park festive dinner and show, as well as the 2,000 in spending money.
(L-R) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the Oscars held at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston at the Oscars in Hollywood in 2015.

Jennifer Aniston reportedly turned down a dinner invitation from Brad Pitt when they were both in London recently.

The actor was in town to promote his new World War II movie Allied, his first major appearance since the news of his divorce from wife of two years Angelina Jolie broke. And just a mile away Jennifer was in the capital promoting her new movie Office Christmas Party at the BBC.

However, while Brad was reportedly keen to meet up with the former Friends star, according to Heat magazine happily married Jennifer was a little more reticent.

He called her and they had a brief conversation. But Jen, who is married to actor Justin Theroux told Brad that, while she supported him in spirit, she didnt have time to see him, an insider told Heat.

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Its been a turbulent time for the 52-year-old actor, as Brad was recently cleared of any wrongdoing in an investigation by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services over claims he abused son Maddox in an incident that occurred on a private jet.

While Jennifer was dragged into the crossfire of her former husbands relationship fallout, after the 47-year-old began trending on Twitter after news of Brad and Angelinas split went public.

Brad reportedly apologised to the Horrible Bosses star by email, but it appears that after realising they were both in town he wanted to follow it up with a friendly meeting. The insider explains that Jen was unwilling to risk having dinner with her ex even though they were minutes away from each other in London.

She is happily married and meeting Brad would be an insult to Justin. She knows what matters and its her marriage, the source stated.

Expand Close (L-R) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the Oscars held at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp (L-R) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the Oscars held at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Brad filed for joint custody of his children after Angelina filed divorce papers in Los Angeles in September. While the actor is hoping to move forward peacefully, according to reports the father-of-six spent Thanksgiving weekend with a pal at private villa Amanyara, in Turks and Caicos, after Angelina didnt invite him to spend time with their children.
Oti Mabuse and Danny Mac during rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing

Danny Mac failed to score another perfect 40 during Strictly Come Dancing, but the former Hollyoaks star is still top of the leaderboard.

Mac and his professional partner Oti Mabuse scored two 10s during their tango as the remaining five couples battled it out to earn a place in next week's semi-final.

Their tango to One Night Only from Dreamgirls for this week's musicals theme was praised by head judge Len Goodman, who told the actor "you are one heck of a dancer, trust me".

Judge Craig Revel Horwood chided Mac for his less-than-perfect heel leads, but admitted he thought it was a "dynamic routine".

Bookmakers Coral have predicted that T V barrister Judge Rinder will be the next to depart from the show.

"The betting suggests Judge Rinder's run on Strictly Come Dancing will come to an end this weekend as he is long odds-on to depart and miss out on a spot in the semi-final of the competition," said Coral's John Hill.

The TV star and his partner Oksana Platero performed a samba to Oh, What a Night! from Jersey Boys that earned them the lowest score on the leader board with 31 points.

Revel Horwood commented that Rinder's "bottom was bouncing for Brazil" during the high-energy routine.

Goodman said: "I'd like to watch it again. I don't mean in the dance-off, it was so much fun and enjoyment, well done."

Sports presenter Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton earned 36 points for their foxtrot to Pure Imagination, which was first performed by the late Gene Wilder in 1971's Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.

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Gymnast Claudia Fragapane managed to score her first 10 of the series and earned a score of 37.

She is in joint second position with Louise Redknapp on the leaderboard, despite a stumble at the end of her salsa to the Lion King's I Just Can't Wait To Be King.

The judges loved Redknapp's western-themed quickstep to The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane, with Bruno Tonioli saying it was "a great tribute to the Wild Wild West, Broadway style".

Other highlights from the BBC One show included a glimpse of British astronaut Tim Peake, who was a guest in the audience, and an opening number led by Strictly favourite Anton du Beke, who channelled his inner Bruce Forsyth as he sang and danced to kick off the show.

:: Strictly returns on Sunday night at 7.20pm on BBC One.
Actors Nicole Kidman and husband Tom Cruise arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty images)

Australian actress Nicole Kidman tells John Hiscock why her new film, Lion, has stirred up her emotions about the children she adopted with ex-husband Tom Cruise and how she and husband Keith Urban made it through his stay in rehab.

During the past year, Nicole Kidman has had what she describes as a massive amount of work, both as an actress and a producer. But the one thing she wanted more than anything was to accept the offer to star in the Broadway production of the award-winning play Photograph 51 which was such a success for her in the West End.

She played Rosalind Franklin, the X-ray crystallographer whose work at Kings College London in the Fifties led to the discovery of the DNA double helix. Her colleagues James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded a Nobel Prize; Franklin was not  and her significant contribution has only been acknowledged posthumously.

Its a great play and a great role, and I would have had an amazing time, she says ruefully. But we had a family meeting and my kids said No. They didnt want to go to New York for four months  and I get it. Im not a single girl and not a childless woman, and I need to bow down to that.

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Whatsapp Australian actress Nicole Kidman poses on the red carpet after arriving to attend a gala screening of the film "Lion" during the BFI London Film Festival

Kidman, who has two daughters, Sunday Rose (8) and Faith (5) with the musician Keith Urban, now lives in Nashville, but we meet to discuss her latest film, Lion, at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. She is in the middle of a particularly hectic schedule and has taken a brief break from filming Sofia Coppolas The Beguiled, a remake of the 1970 film that starred Clint Eastwood.

The story has particular emotional significance for Kidman, who has a grown-up son and daughter, Connor (21) and Isabella (23), whom she adopted when she was married to Tom Cruise. After she and Cruise split up in 2001, Kidman shared custody of the children, but they chose to go to live with their adoptive father, were brought up as Scientologists, and over the years, it has been reported that their relationship with Kidman has been vexed.

Earlier this year there were stories of an emotional reunion with Isabella following her daughters marriage to Max Parker, an IT specialist. Asked at the time about her relationship with her parents, Isabella said, Of course [we talk], theyre my parents. Anyone who says otherwise is full of s**t.

When I read the script, I didnt know it was a true story and I was still so moved, the 49-year-old actress tells me. I just wanted to be in it. I hadnt played an Australian woman like this, so it was my way of connecting back to my country. And I loved the message of unconditional love.

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The movie is a love letter to my children who are adopted and its not about anything other than I wanted you and whatever your journey is, Im here to love and support you. Thats what I connected to. I wanted to make the film for them.

When you are an adoptive mother, of course you think about the birth mother and the birth parents and what it all means and how our lives are intertwined in some way, whether the child chooses to find the birth parents or not.

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I sense a desire for reconciliation in Kidman and indeed a few weeks after we speak she gives an interview to an American magazine where she talks in glowing terms about the first time she met Tom Cruise in an audition for Days of Thunder (He got out of the car and walked through and I was like, Ah. My jaw dropped); and about their subsequent marriage and adoption of Connor and Isabella (It was a beautiful marriage and all of those things that came out of it. Two beautiful children. The rest is history.)

For the last 10 years Kidman has been settled in Nashville with Urban.

Expand Close Actors Nicole Kidman and husband Tom Cruise arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Actors Nicole Kidman and husband Tom Cruise arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty images)

I love it there, I really do, she says. I am lucky because I travel, but in terms of a home base, its so good for us. Its very quiet and easy, and its just a really lovely way of life.

Keith has lived there for 25 years. So when I met him he said, How do you feel about Nashville? And I was like, Absolutely, I will move. And I did, but I think I could move pretty much anywhere if I loved somebody. Im not attached to an environment  I am probably far more attached to a person. So having to move somewhere would never be a deal-breaker for me.

Its an easy, simple life there. On weekends well go to peoples houses and everybody is around the piano and playing the guitar and singing. For me, the highlight is being around a whole different type of people. Ive been around actors and filmmakers my whole life, so now I love being around musicians and seeing what gets put into their music. I get to sit in the background and listen and watch and hum along and its beautiful.

She and Urban met at an Australian promotional party in Los Angeles in January 2005 and quietly dated for several months before becoming engaged. They married in June the following year in Sydney, but four months later her new husband checked into the Betty Ford clinic in California for 90 days of rehab for alcohol abuse.

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She stuck by him, encouraging him in his recovery.

I learnt an enormous amount having a relationship with someone in recovery, she says. We were in a bad, painful place and managed to step through it. I love him for his honesty and bravery. Simply put, hes a wonderful, wonderful man and Im very lucky to have him  though as this article goes to press there are reports that she and Urban have enrolled in a $10,000 couples retreat.

Kidman has come through bad times  the failed marriage to Cruise, separation from her adopted children and the recent death of her father  and is now, she tells me, down on my knees grateful for my life and truly I mean that. I dont think I would ever have imagined this. But also, if I really think about it, what I do is make movies.

I was lucky enough to get a job when I was 14 and Im still doing pretty much exactly the same thing that I was doing then  and with the same amount of passion.

Lion is out on January 20.
Norbert Hofer, vying to become the first freely elected far-right head of state in Europe since World War II, said opponents who repeatedly accused him of seeking a break with the European Union were themselves damaging Austria.

Mr Hofer had initially said Austria could follow Britain's vote on the EU with one of its own within a year. Although he quickly backed away from that suggestion, his opponent Alexander Van der Bellen has cited it as proof that Mr Hofer wants Austria to follow Britain's Brexit referendum with an "Oexit" vote of its own.

Austria's neck-and-neck presidential election tomorrow will be a new measure of the wave of populism sweeping through Europe and the United States.

The issue was one of several the two men clashed over in an ill-tempered debate on Thursday night, accusing each other of lying and unfair tactics.

"People who permanently talk about Oexit and accuse others of damaging the country with talk of Oexit should take a look at themselves and think about whether they are the ones damaging Austria the most," Mr Hofer told a campaign meeting.
At least nine people are dead after fire tore through a warehouse in California hosting a late-night dance party, and officials fear the death toll could rise as high as 40.

They said people either escaped from the cluttered building in Oakland or died inside, where the only way down from the second storey was via a stairwell constructed entirely of wooden pallets.

"It appears that either you got out or you got trapped inside," said Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt Ray Kelly.

Firefighters used chain saws and axes on Saturday to cut through the debris of the building in a gritty area of the San Francisco Bay Area city, where the fire broke out at about 11.30pm Friday.

Oakland fire chief Teresa Deloche-Reed said at least another 25 people were unaccounted for in what authorities were calling the most deadly building fire in the city in recent memory.

The victims were believed to be young people in their 20s, Mr Kelly said. He said as many as 40 may have perished and that the coroner is preparing for a "mass casualty event" that could include victims from other countries.

The warehouse was known as the Oakland Ghost Ship. Its website showed pictures of a bohemian, loft-like interior made of wood and cluttered with rugs, old sofas and a garage-sale like collection of pianos, paintings, turntables, statues and other items.

The website included advertisements for various electronic music parties. On Friday night there was an event featuring musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour.

Panicked friends and family posted messages on the group's Facebook page trying to find out if their loved ones were among the dead.

Those searching for the missing were sent to a local sheriff's office, where Dan Vega was anxiously awaiting news.

He had been unable to find his younger brother or his brother's girlfriend. Mr Vega said he was not sure if the two were at the party Friday night but that his brother liked to go to raves and he had not been able to reach him Saturday. His girlfriend's car was still parked at a transit station in San Bruno, south of San Francisco.

Fighting tears, Mr Vega said he was frustrated authorities had not been able to tell him anything about his 22-year-old brother.

"I just want to go over there. I have my work boots on, I'm ready to go," Mr Vega said. "Just give me some gloves. I'll help out any way, shape or form, I don't care. This is infuriating. I don't know where my brother's at. I just want to find him."

It was not immediately clear what started the fire, but there did not appear to be sprinklers in the building, Ms Deloche-Reed said. She said 50 to 100 people were believed to have been at the party when the fire started and that clutter "made it difficult for people to escape".

The warehouse was partitioned into artist studios and was packed with furniture, mannequins, statues, lamps, and other objects and did not have a clear entry or exit path, the fire chief said.

"There is still a large portion of the building that needs to be searched," she said. "There is large timber and debris that will need to be removed and it's going to have to be removed in a slow and methodical way."

The fire caused the building's roof to collapse and investigators were having trouble entering parts of the warehouse to search for any remaining bodies because the structure was deemed unsafe, Ms Deloche-Reed said.

One survivor said he struggled to find a working fire extinguisher.

"It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there," Bob Mule, a photographer and artist who lives at the building and suffered minor burns, told the East Bay Times. "I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldn't get the fire extinguisher to work."

AP
Republican legal efforts are underway to stop the recounting of U.S. presidential ballots in three states where President-elect Donald Trump scored narrow victories last month.

Requests for recounts in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were initiated by the Green Party, which has said they are attempts to ensure the integrity of the U.S. voting system and not efforts to change the results of the November election. If the votes are recounted, experts say, they are very unlikely to change the outcome of the election.

In Michigan, Attorney General Bill Schuette said Friday that he had filed a suit asking the state Supreme Court to stop the recount. Schuette argues that the Green Party, whose presidential candidate was Jill Stein, could not justifiably seek a recount in Michigan because Stein was not "aggrieved" to an extent that the miscounting of votes could have caused her to lose the election. Stein captured only about 1 percent of the vote.

In a statement, Schuette said a recount "threatens to silence all Michigan votes for president." The earliest a recount could begin in Michigan is next week.

Supporters of the president-elect -- the Great America PAC, the Stop Hillary PAC and voter Ronald Johnson -- filed a federal lawsuit late Thursday in Wisconsin. The suit contends that the recount threatens the due process rights of Johnson and others who voted for Trump.

The Wisconsin Republican Party said it had also filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission over the recount effort.
A woman cries at the scene of a warehouse fire Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. A deadly fire broke out during a rave at the converted warehouse in the San Francisco Bay Area. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson)

A fire that roared through a warehouse dance party in Oakland, California, killed more than nine people and left at least two dozen others missing and feared dead inside the gutted building, officials said on Saturday, as anguished friends and relatives awaited word of their fate.

The cause of the blaze and precise number of casualties remained undetermined hours after flames engulfed the two-story, structure that occupied about half a city block and housed a cluttered warren of artists' studios, craft booths, antiques and furniture.

The blaze started at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday in the city's Fruitvale district, a mostly Latino, blue-collar area that is also home to many artists living and working in converted lofts.

Oakland and Alameda County officials said they expected to find more victims once the burned-out ruins of the building were fully shored up and recovery crews were able to safely comb through the structure's charred interior.

City Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed, said the blaze marked the worst single-structure fire she had seen in her career. Mayor Libby Schaaf called it a "devastating scene."

Shaken friends of the missing huddled at a nearby pub waiting for word on possible victims, while about a dozen others gathered at a neighborhood sheriff's station seeking news.

Expand Close Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed speaks to members of the media after a deadly fire tore through a warehouse during a late-night electronic music party in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) / Facebook

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"I don't have high hopes," said a woman with four friends among the missing, declining to give her name. "We've just spent the night calling hospitals and listening to police scanners.

Parents and others shared contact information on a Facebook page and asked anyone with information about the missing to call. "ANY information please!" wrote a woman looking for her son.

Nine fatalities were initially confirmed, and authorities were "expecting the worst" as they sought to account for "a couple of dozen" people who were reported missing, Sergeant Ray Kelly, a spokesman for the county sheriff, told an afternoon news conference.

He later clarified that at least two dozen people remained unaccounted for Saturday night besides the nine victims whose remains were initially found and recovered from the rubble. Those bodies were transported to the coroner's bureau for identification.

He said an additional, unspecified number of bodies have since been spotted in the compromised structure but had not been reached.

Many of the victims were young people in their 20s or 30s, authorities said.

Drone aircraft equipped with thermal-imaging technology were sent inside the gutted structure looking for any signs of life, but none was found, Kelly said.

Deputy Fire Chief Mark Hoffmann said about a dozen people survived the blaze. Kelly said "several dozen" people who had been unaccounted for earlier had been found safe.

HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS

The dance party, featuring electronic music performances, took place on the second floor of the building, which had just two exits. A single makeshift staircase inside appeared to have been constructed from pallets.

The warehouse roof collapsed onto the second floor of the building during the fire, according to authorities, and portions of the second floor caved in on the first story.

Authorities said they did not suspect arson, but investigators want to find out if the building had a history of building code violations.

The city had received complaints about unpermitted construction at the building and opened an investigation, but an inspector failed to gain access to the structure in November and the inquiry remained open, according to the city's buildings and planning chief, Darin Ranelletti.

He said the city was aware of reports that people were living there, but no permits had been issued for habitation. It was unclear, he said, whether special permits would be needed for the artists who had set up shop inside.

Video footage posted on social media showed flames shooting from the structure, which was adorned with elaborate graffiti and colorful murals, as fire vehicles pumped plumes of water and heavy smoke engulfed the neighborhood.

'LIKE A CONCRETE KILN'

Authorities have said they did not know how many people were at the party or how many lived on the premises.

But one eyewitness, who said he left the party to buy liquor and returned to find flames shooting from the second floor, said on Twitter that he saw about 60 to 70 people in the building.

"It was an inferno," Seung Y. Lee recounted in a post on his verified Twitter account.

Lee, who declined an interview, tweeted that the entire first floor was "covered in wood - antiques, furniture, etc. Beautiful but labyrinthine." He also described the wooden stairway as rickety and hazardous.

A Facebook event page showed 176 people planned to attend the party.

Ben Koss, an Oakland resident and musician, told Reuters he was on his way to the party with friends and arrived late to find smoke billowing from the warehouse moments before firefighters arrived.

"We tore down a fence so people could get out, but nobody came out," he said. "It was like a concrete kiln."

A few dozen mourners assembled Saturday night at the Church of the Chimes, about 7 miles (11 km) from the fire scene, to offer prayers for the dead and missing.
A female teacher has been accused of seducing two pupils and ranking their sexual performance.

Kelsey Leigh Gutierrez, 25, had sex with one of the teenage students in a car park and later in his bedroom, police claimed. She now faces charges in Texas.The English teacher was fired in November after her school district launched an investigation based on a tip-off, it was reported.

KPRC 2 News said court documents alleged Ms Gutierrez met an 18-year-old pupil in a car park just under a week before she was fired. They kissed in the front seat of her car and then climbed into the back to have sex, it was claimed.

She was also said to have visited him at home for sex four days later. Investigators found evidence on both their phones about the teen's sexual performance and Ms Gutierrez admitted the relationship, according to reports.

It was also alleged that last year she met another student and they kissed in her car at a petrol station car park. The pair were said to have met four times.

School authorities told KPRC 2: "As soon as the district learned of the allegations, an internal investigation began including campus administrators and the district police department, and the teachers employment with the district ended.

We take very seriously any concerns that relate to the well-being of each of our students and our first priority is the safety and education of our students in our district.

"Inappropriate actions by teachers will never be acceptable in this district."
A routine police mugshot took an unexpected turn when a pet parrot named Bird decided to gatecrash the photo.

Craig Buckner was arrested as he waited at a Washington County courthouse in Oregon after falling asleep and failing a drug urine test.

He had left his well-trained pet macaw in a tree outside the courthouse but became concerned for the birds welfare after he was taken into custody on November 28.

Mr Buckner had not expected to be at the courthouse long and had placed the bird into a tree on the courthouse grounds to wait, Washington Country Sheriffs Office explained.

He was taken into custody on his court case and was very concerned for the wellbeing of his companion animal.

The four-year old macaw, named Bird, was very well trained and would not leave the tree for anyone other than Mr Buckner.

Court security deputies escorted the suspect outside to retrieve his feathered friend from the tree and then allowed the macaw inside the court booking area.

They took a mock mugshot with the pet, only for the parrot to then photobomb the real booking shot.

Deputy Shoana McKelvey, who cared for Bird as police dealt with his owner, said: Our Sheriffs Office has very strong core values of doing the right thing. I also have very strong moral values of treating all people with compassion no matter what role I am taking.

Mr Buckner was already in a stressful position and did not need the additional stress and worry of his loved pet, Bird! Bringing the two together brought me joy and brought relief to Mr Buckner and safety to his bird.

Meanwhile, hot mugshot guy Jeremy Meeks has posed for his first modelling photo.

Is this the most meta mugshot ever taken?

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, a call China dismissed as the "petty action" of a self-ruled island it claims as its own.

The 10-minute telephone call was the first such contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".

Hours after Friday's call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency.

"This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the one China structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum, state media reported.

"I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government."

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said the exchange "sends a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations", according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."

Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Photographs released by Taiwan's presidential office showed Tsai, her national security council chief and her foreign minister participating in the call with Trump.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

ARMS SUPPLIER

Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

"Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the U.S. election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

The White House responded to the call by saying that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what U.S. policy has been" on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time.

Randy Schriver, a former deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for East Asia, including Taiwan, under former President George W. Bush said he believed the call was "primarily a courtesy".

"China should have no objection ... They know better than anyone that contact between leaders does not violate a U.S. one China Policy," he said.

However, Gerrit van der Wees, a former Dutch diplomat who lobbies on behalf of Taiwan, said the call indicated Trump would be less bound by conventions and restrictions in foreign policy and was "signalling a broader change in U.S. policy towards Taiwan".

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the U.S. military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy".

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation.
Woman was shot between the chest and shoulder by her daughter

A STUDENT has stabbed a psychology professor to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles over a personal dispute.

Los Angeles police officer Meghan Aguilar said the professor, identified by university staff as Bosco Tjan, was killed inside the Seeley G Mudd building in the heart of the campus. A student was arrested.

Ms Aguilar said the student was being interviewed and that his name would be released after he was booked.

USC president Max Nikias identified Prof Tjan in a letter addressed to the USC community.

Prof Tjan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Centre, Mr Nikias said.

"As the Trojan family mourns Professor Tjan's untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts," Nikias said.

The USC Department of Public Safety said investigators believed the attack was not random and "was the result of a personal dispute".

Chris Purington, project manager at Prof Tjan's lab, said he never heard of anyone having a problem with the academic - a married father of one son listed in public records as 50 years old - and had no idea who would have wanted him dead.

"He was somebody who really cared about people. I know he cared about me," Mr Purington said through tears. "He mentored people and he looked out for them. He spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a mentor and guide people."

He said the professor gave him a job both after he graduated from USC and after graduate school at the University of California-Berkeley.

Mr Purington travelled with Prof Tjan for various science conferences and said everyone knew and loved him.

"People talk about scientists as very cold or robotic. Bosco is a guy that he could talk to anybody about anything," he said.

"He couldn't move through a room without being sidetracked in all these conversations.

"He just had this energy about him. Kinetic might be the word. He had a huge impact on my life."

USC was rocked last year by the beating death of graduate student Xinran Ji, who was attacked and beaten by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.

After Mr Ji's murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.

In 2012, Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot dead as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students. A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16% of the more-than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.
HE IS famed for getting into the trenches with his troops, quoting Marcus Aurelius on the battlefield, and declaring that war is a "hoot".

Now James 'Mad Dog' Mattis, the tough-talking retired Marine Corps general who fought in the 2003 Iraq war, has been selected to serve as Donald Trump's secretary of defence.

The US president-elect made the announcement at a rally in Ohio - the first stop on an unprecedented "thank you tour" across swing states that helped him to win the election.

Joking that his audience should keep the news "inside the room" until he formally publicised his choice next week, Mr Trump described Gen Mattis as "the closest thing we have" to George Patton, the Second World War general.

Michael Fallon, the UK Defence Secretary, welcomed the decision, describing Gen Mattis as a man with a "deep understanding of our shared military culture as well as experience of serving alongside British forces".

A member of the Marine Corps since he was 19, Gen Mattis rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential commanders of his generation.

Expand Close General James Mad Dog Mattis with US president-elect Donald Trump at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey. Photos: Reuters / Facebook

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Whatsapp General James Mad Dog Mattis with US president-elect Donald Trump at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey. Photos: Reuters

Between 2010 and 2013, he oversaw wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but his tour was cut short by the Obama administration, which saw him as too hawkish on Iran.

After retiring, Gen Mattis told Congress that the White House's "policy of disengagement in the Middle East" had contributed to the rise of extremism in the region.

Gen Mattis will also be seen as a reassuring choice by Eastern European nations concerned by Mr Trump's admiration of Russia's Vladimir Putin as he had praised their contribution to operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He gained respect as a military leader by "getting into the trenches", and is known for carrying into battle a book of quotes from Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and philosopher.

He too has coined phrases that have become legendary in the military, once advising: "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet".

Read More:

Gen Mattis will need Congress to pass a waiver exempting him from a law stating that defence secretaries must not have been on active duty in the previous seven years, but, as a popular figure among Republicans, that is not expected to be a major obstacle.

If Gen Mattis's appointment breaks with convention, that is in keeping with the nature of Mr Trump's White House.

The president-elect yesterday spoke by phone with the Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte, and invited him to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" talk, an aide to Mr Duterte said. It came after months of anti-American rhetoric from Mr Duterte, fuelled by his anger over the Obama administration's concerns about his deadly war on drugs.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, on Thursday night, Mr Trump began dutifully reading from a speech that called on Americans to unite after a brutal election, but he soon veered off script.

He mocked Hillary Clinton's failed ambition to "break the glass ceiling" to become the first woman president, adopting her language to describe how he stole support in Democratic states.

"Donald Trump can't break the blue wall, right? We didn't break it, we shattered that sucker. We shattered it, man. That poor wall is busted up," he said. He also repeated his promise both to build a wall on the border with Mexico and to restrict Muslim immigration into the US, and he reiterated his recent threat that "if people burn the American flag, there should be consequences." ( Daily Telegraph London)
A student has stabbed a psychology professor to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles over a personal dispute.

Los Angeles police officer Meghan Aguilar said the professor, identified by university staff as Bosco Tjan, was killed inside the Seeley G Mudd building in the heart of the campus. A student was arrested.

Ms Aguilar said the student was being interviewed and that his name would be released after he was booked.

USC president Max Nikias identified Prof Tjan in a letter addressed to the USC community.

Prof Tjan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Centre, Mr Nikias said.

"As the Trojan family mourns Professor Tjan's untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts," Nikias said.

The USC Department of Public Safety said investigators believed the attack was not random and "was the result of a personal dispute".

Chris Purington, project manager at Prof Tjan's lab, said he never heard of anyone having a problem with the academic - a married father of one son listed in public records as 50 years old - and had no idea who would have wanted him dead.

"He was somebody who really cared about people. I know he cared about me," Mr Purington said through tears. "He mentored people and he looked out for them. He spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a mentor and guide people."

He said the professor gave him a job both after he graduated from USC and after graduate school at the University of California-Berkeley.

Mr Purington travelled with Prof Tjan for various science conferences and said everyone knew and loved him.

"People talk about scientists as very cold or robotic. Bosco is a guy that he could talk to anybody about anything," he said.

"He couldn't move through a room without being sidetracked in all these conversations.

"He just had this energy about him. Kinetic might be the word. He had a huge impact on my life."

USC was rocked last year by the beating death of graduate student Xinran Ji, who was attacked and beaten by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.

After Mr Ji's murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.

In 2012, Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot dead as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students. A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16% of the more-than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.

AP
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon apologized to the people of Haiti on Thursday, more than six years after UN peacekeepers were blamed for causing a deadly cholera epidemic on the island nation.

"On behalf of the United Nations, I want to say very clearly: We apologize to the Haitian people," Ban told an informal meeting of UN member states.

"We simply did not do enough with regard to the cholera outbreak and its spread in Haiti. We are profoundly sorry for our role," he added.

The secretary-general addressed the Haitian people directly, making his apology in both Creole and French, as well as English.

Ban's apology, his most direct to date, fell short of admitting that UN peacekeepers brought the potentially fatal illness to Haiti.

"This has cast a shadow upon the relationship between the United Nations and the people of Haiti," he said. "It is a blemish on the reputation of UN peacekeeping and the organization worldwide."

Ban, who will leave office at the end of this month, said the UN has a moral responsibility to act and deliver for the sake of the Haitian people, but also for the sake of the United Nations itself.

"We now recognize that we had a role in this, but to go to the extent of taking full responsibility for all, is a step that would not be possible for us to take," Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told reporters.
Syrian warplanes, artillery and mortar rounds pounded areas in eastern Aleppo on Saturday, drawing rebel rockets, as government troops gain new ground in the shrinking opposition-held enclave.

After four years of holding nearly half of the divided city, rebel fighters have been increasingly squeezed into the centre of the eastern enclave.

Government and allied troops, including Lebanese, Iraqi and Iranian fighters, have concentrated their fight on the north-eastern part of the enclave, swiftly taking new districts since their offensive began last week.

Another front on the southern outskirts of the city has been slower, as rebel fighters push back government advances there.

The advances have caused massive displacement. The UN estimated that more than 31,000 have already fled their homes, either to government or Kurdish areas, or deeper into the besieged enclave. The fighting has also intensified the rebel shelling of government-held areas in Aleppo.

The state broadcaster al-Ikhbariya said "precise operations" by government and allied troops aim to root out "terrorists", which is how the government refers to all armed opposition groups.

The sound of war prevailed in the city early Saturday. Warplanes made several runs overhead, drawing what appeared to be rebel machine gun fire toward the aircraft.

The Russian Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed Syrian military official as saying that a light ground attack aircraft, an L-39 jet, was shot down near Aleppo, and its crew killed.

The opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, said two pilots were killed when rebel fighters targeted the aircraft as it approached Aleppo airport to the east of the city.

Asked about reports of the downed plane, Syrian army spokesman Brigadier General Samir Suleiman said "we have no such information about such an incident and when such things happen the army announces them". He was speaking to reporters in Aleppo.

Suleiman said the Syrian army has regained control of 45% to 50% of east Aleppo, and accused insurgents of hiding among civilians.

Syria's defence minister and other senior officers visited newly captured areas in Aleppo on Saturday, according to state-run media.

The Syrian Civil Defence in eastern Aleppo said six people were killed in bombings of the central al-Shaar neighbourhood. Opposition news agency Thiqa also put the death toll at six. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three, adding it was likely to rise.

In government-held Aleppo, rebel shelling killed five people, according to the state news agency SANA.

To the south of the city, government cannons could be heard firing toward rebel-held areas.

Residents in eastern Aleppo also reported intense shelling in al-Sukkari neighbourhood on the southern edge of the enclave, where many of the newly displaced have sought refuge.

"The noose is tightening quickly," said Mohammed Abu Jaafar, a medical official in besieged eastern Aleppo. "Our resources are also running low and beginning to disappear."

The bombings Saturday came hours after government troops made new advances on eastern parts of the enclave, including in Tariq al-Bab and al-Khaterji districts. State media reported that government and allied troops have moved in on new neighbourhoods, pushing about a mile deeper into the enclave from the far east.

The new advances tighten the government's grip on the enclave and reduce the territory the rebels hold by more than half, according to the Observatory.

The new advances also secure the airport road east of Aleppo, leading to the city's international airport and a military airbase. The pan-Arab Mayadeen TV station said intense bombing in eastern Aleppo was designed to ensure rebels have been cleared from the airport road.

Moscow, a main backer of the Syrian government, says its warplanes haven't bombed Aleppo since October 18. But the Russian military has helped fend off rebel attempts to break the siege of the city.

"We and the Russians are allies and everything that is happening is co-ordinated between Russian and Syrian leadership," said Syrian army spokesman Suleiman.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready to hold quick talks with the US "to ensure the withdrawal of all rebels without exception from eastern Aleppo, ensure humanitarian supplies to the city residents and the restoration of normal life in eastern Aleppo".

Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet in Geneva early next week. After their meeting in Rome on Friday, Lavrov said Kerry gave him Washington's proposals for settling the situation in Aleppo, which he described as conforming to Russia's longtime offers.

Lavrov said Moscow is ready to immediately send its experts to Geneva for talks with the US to co-ordinate.

AP
Donald Trump spoke by phone to Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, pictured, who offered her congratulations on his election victory (AP)

China's foreign minister has said he hopes Beijing's relations with the US would not be "interfered with or damaged" after president-elect Donald Trump broke with decades-long diplomatic tradition and spoke directly with Taiwan's leader.

Wang Yi dismissed the call between Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen and Mr Trump as "just a small trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change US policy towards China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-US relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Mr Wang said.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland.

Under that policy, the US recognises Beijing as representing China, but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

Mr Trump's transition team said of the conversation: "During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year."

Mr Trump tweeted later: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

The Taiwanese presidential office said the leaders discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of US relations with Taiwan.

"The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer co-operative relations," it said.

"The president also told US President-elect Trump that she hopes the US will continue to support Taiwan's efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future."

It added that the two also "shared ideas and concepts" on "promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defence" to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Taiwan's presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said separately that Taiwan's relations with China and "healthy" Taiwan-US relations can proceed in parallel. "There is no conflict (in that)," he said.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official.

Friday's call is the starkest example yet of how Mr Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the November 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees US diplomacy.

Ms Tsai was democratically elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The US policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled.

Although the US does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has close unofficial ties. Taiwan's government has a representative office in Washington and other US cities. The US also has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Taiwan is separated from China by the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. The island counts the US as its most important security partner and source of arms, but it is increasingly outgunned by China.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change to long-standing US policy on "cross-strait" issues.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," Mr Price said. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."

The NSC stressed that every president has benefited from the "expertise and counsel" of the State Department on matters like this, which suggested that the White House was frustrated by Mr Trump's conversation with the Taiwanese leader.

Still, the White House said Barack Obama remains committed to a smooth transition to the new administration.

Diplomatic protocol dictates that Taiwanese presidents can travel through the US, but not visit Washington.

Douglas Paal, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan during the George W Bush administration, said that to his knowledge the call was unprecedented.

AP

The call also has drawn attention to Taiwanese media reports that the Trump Organisation is interested in investing in the Taiwanese city of Taoyuan, near Taipei.

The city's mayor, Cheng Wen-tsan, said in a statement on the city government's website last month that a representative of the Trump Organisation had visited the city and expressed interest in investing in hotels near the airport. The statement said the visit was too brief for both sides to go into details.

AP
CONCORD- History buffs and Christmas lovers are in for a treat this weekend when The Residents of Historic Concord present the 2016 Holiday Tour of Homes in Historic Concord.

During the tour, which will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1-7 p.m., those that attend will visit beautifully-decorated homes in the Historic District. The organization holds the tour every other year and President Lea Halloway said its great for the community.

Its just a sense of community to get people excited about the Historic District, she said.

Proceeds benefit the First Presbyterian Churchs Backpack Program which supplies food to elementary school students in need and other causes such as repopulating the canopy in Historic Concord.

The group also gives small grants to neighborhood organizations with the money raised.

We try to help out the neighborhood and this is our biggest fundraiser, Halloway said. This is how we make all the funds.

As tour-goers arrive at the first house on the tour, Ritchie Hill at 391 Union Street South, they can sip on some hot chocolate and then board a trolley that will transport them into the holiday spirit; or back in time for those only participating to see the old houses.

When they arrive at each home, some of them dating back to the 1800s, they will be greeted by volunteers stationed in each room to share historical facts. Halloway said she has over 100 volunteers participating this year.

We try to convince the home owners to show at least one of their bedrooms, Halloway said.

One of the home owners participating is Holly Cagle, who is opening up her home on Union Street North to visitors. Cagle s home, the James W. Cannon House, is an Italianate home and was built around 1897 by U.S. Industrialist James W. Cannon. Cannon was the founder of Cannon Mills Corporation and the patriarch of the Cannon family in Concord.

The home features original Italianate details on the first floor including marble mantels, 14 foot ceilings and a wooden filigree carving.

The home is where Charles A. Cannon was born, and was lived in by the family until 1900 when J.W. Cannon and his wife, Mary Ella Bost, built their second home at 65 Union Street North, which later served as the first Cannon School.

Cagle actually decided to purchase the home after attending a holiday tour of homes.

My husband grew up here and the houses are so amazing and neat, she said.

She has been tirelessly decorating and preparing the house for the tour. She said she is excited to welcome people to her home and hopefully encourage others to learn more about the Historic District.

This has always been a fun thing and on my radar. Im excited to be a part of it since Ive lived here five years now, she said. I think its a great opportunity to come in and meet people you wouldnt normally meet.

Halloway added that the home tours are perfect for people who are curious about the historic homes. She and Cagle look at it as a community-building activity and say they are also excited about seeing their neighbors homes.

Every house is so unique and so different. There are things you love in each one of them, Cagle said. Hopefully it recruits a few outsiders to come to Concord.

And its just another fun, holiday activity in town.

People love to see the houses decorated, Halloway said. This just adds to the joy with all of the other Christmas activities downtown.

Other homes on the tour

- First Presbyterian Church Fellowship House; E.T. Cannon House (Presented by Residents of Historic Cabarrus)

This splendid Jacob Ethan revival style brick residence was built in the 1920s and is the only example of this style in Cabarrus County. It was designed by Charlotte architect William Peeps, who designed various houses throughout the historic district. It features Tudor arches for interior and exterior doorways. Formerly the home of Eugene T. Cannon, one of James William Cannons six sons.

- John Osborne Wallace House (Sponsored by Cabarrus Brewing Co.)

John Wallace, who was one of the first Clerks of Court in Cabarrus County, built the brick Italianate house in 1830. It features corbels and curved windows characteristic of Italianate homes of the period. It is listed on the National List of Historic Places and is one of the only houses in the Historic District with record on enslaved workers living on the property.

- The Bill and Nita Grady House (Sponsored by NorStar Land Surveying, Inc.

This cottage style home was built in 1930. As is typical of this design, the home features an over-scaled chimney on the front, a cross-gabled roof with projecting eaves and casement windows. During renovations in 1999 the owner found school papers hidden in the second-story eaves. They belonged to the Gradys son Tom, who put them there to hide bad grades from his parents.

- Dr. F.Y. Ketner House (Sponsored by Craven & Company Realtors)

The fine Tudor Revival residence was built in 1935. It was designed by Charlotte architect William H. Peeps, who also designed the E.T. Cannon house on North Union. It includes an ornate living room mantel with scoll-like foliated brackets, unusual cutout balusters adorning the stairs and four panel doors.

- Lowe House (Sponsored by Team Honeycutt)

Mr. and Mrs. Lowe built this traditional home in 1937. The home has gone through multiple renovations, including the addition of the front porch, enclosing a screened-in porch and an addition of a master bedroom suite. The current owners collect regional art and have many notable pieces displayed throughout the home.

- Ritchie Hill (Sponsored by Carter Group Realtors)

This residence was built between 1897 and 1902. The home was purchased by Charles F. Ritchie in 1906. It was originally constructed in a Queen Anne style, but underwent a Colonial Revival remodeling in the early 20th century. The home, still owned by the Ritchie family, is now used as a banquet home for private functions.

- Williford House (Sponsored by Rehab Development, Lofts 29 and MB Property Management)

This Colonial Revival Home was built in 1913 by Mr. Crawford, the former mayor of Concord, for his son-in-law and daughter. It maintains much of the original woodwork throughout the house including pocket doors, original oak mantles, heart of pine floors and seven fireplaces.

For more information about the home tour or the Residents of Historic Concord Organization visit www.residentsofhistoricconcord.org.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased at the Ritchie Hill House on 391 Union Street South. They are $35 each.
The Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office responded to an assault this week in Midland after a man pointed a gun at another driver.

A woman was driving at the U.S. 601 South and Jim Sossoman Road in Midland. She was getting ready to pull onto the road when she noticed a car behind her close enough to rear-end her, law enforcement said. When she looked back at the vehicle, the report said she noticed he was gesturing rudely at her.

As the woman turned, law enforcement said she noticed he had a gun pointed at her out of his drivers side window. When he turned off the road, the report said, she called 911.

While talking with sheriffs deputies, the woman pointed out the car, which had circled back around. Officers pulled the vehicle over and arrested Devin Shane Jenkins of Locust, charging him with assault by pointing a gun. Officers also recovered a GLOCK 23 pistol from the vehicle.
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, two Salisbury residents were arrested following a six-month long undercover investigation by the Rowan County Sheriffs Office.

The Salisbury Police Department and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations assisted the sheriffs office in the investigation.

On Nov. 29, John Wayne Gray Jr., 44, and Sarah Marie Hoffner Pharr, 29, both residents of 314 Mocksville Ave. in Salisbury, were arrested following a 43-gram delivery of heroin in a parking lot of a business inside the city limits of Salisbury. Following the delivery, a search was conducted at 314 Mocksville Ave., and investigators seized $480 in United States currency, 2.6 grams of heroin, opiate tablets, a shotgun and shotgun ammunition.

Pharr was charged with traffick heroin by transportation, possession and sale, and conspiracy to traffick heroin. Pharr was placed under a $100,000 secured bond.

For the events on Nov. 29, Gray was charged with trafficking heroin by transportation, possession and sale, conspiracy to traffick heroin, and felony maintaining a vehicle. Gray had additional charges stemming from a previous undercover purchase on Nov. 17 and was charged with trafficking heroin by transportation, possession and sale. Gray was placed under a $500,000 secured bond.

The amount of heroin seized on Nov. 29 will subject both defendants to a Level III drug trafficking charge with potential sentences ranging from 18.75 years to 23.25 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

Gray and Pharr are the third and fourth individuals charged with Level III drug trafficking charges in the past several weeks.
The recent post of Dulquer Salmaan in Facebook reveals that Amala Neerad`s latest film is shot in Mexico. Dulquer is the hero of the film. The actor, director and crew are in Mexico to can some portions of the film. The actor has posted snaps posed with the Mariachi Band in Monterrey, Mexico. Dulquer went to the extent to state that he will come again for another visit.

Dulquer is essaying the role of Aji Mathew from Pala. The film is yet-to-be titled. The love interest of Dulquer`s character in the film is Karthika Muralidharan. The first schedule of the film was completed in Kottayam. The scriptwriter Shibin Francis (Pavada fame) has written the script for this film. Ranadive handles the camera.
Markets see a day in red Indian equity markets saw a day in red today. Nifty 50 ended the day, down by 62.55 points. Sensex ended the day, down by 215.26 points. Top Gainers today were Hindalco, Sun Pharma, ITC. Top Lo... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 4:08 pm

Pudumjee Paper PBT rises 57% during Q2FY23 Pudumjee Paper Products Limited (PPPL), has reported impressive results for the six-month period ended September 30, 2022. During the six-month period ended September 30, 2022, the C... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 3:23 pm

Airtel crosses 1 million customers on it 5G network Bharti Airtel on Wednesday has announced that it has crossed the 1 million unique 5G user mark on its network. The company achieved this milestone in less than 30 days of its commercial la... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 2:50 pm

Rupee declines 12 paise against the dollar In morning trade on Wednesday, the rupee lost 12 paise to 82.71 against the US dollar due to a flat trend in domestic stocks. Forex traders reported that the rupee started the day flat before t... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 2:45 pm

Markets near day's low with Nifty below 18,100 Domestic benchmark indices trading in the red after a gap-down opening on Wednesday. Both the Sensex and Nifty benchmarks are marginally lower in the afternoon market session. Moreover, globall... November 02, 2022 | 02-11-2022 2:00 pm
Colors

According to recent reports, Swamiji had been asked to pack his bags and exit the Bigg Boss house because he had to appear before a court today, i.e 3rd December. The reason for the exit has been stated as a non-bailable warrant (NBW) that has been issued against him.

But now, according to a Miss Malini report, Manu Punjabi will exit the house because of a very tragic reason. There are strong rumors about Punjabi's mother passing away and he has been made to exit the show midway to attend to the family emergency.

Colors

A Twitter account (unverified) that posts news about the show posted that Manu Punjabi has lost his mother.

Twitter

#BB10 Manus mother has passed away and this is the reason why Bigg Boss 10 makers had to give him an emergency exit. This is truly sad!  The Khabri (@BiggBossNewz) December 3, 2016

It's not known if he will come back on the show but we hope he and his family find the strength to cope with this huge loss. Last year, Keith Sequeira had made an exit midway because of his brother's unfortunate death but he returned on the show. We are hoping that Manu returns as well.
For the 5.5 lakh survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster, the 32nd anniversary brings small relief from their twin struggles against disability and in the search for justice.

Although health facilities are better, the state government has still not issued health cards and full medical histories, despite Supreme Court orders.

ANI

So, symptomatic treatment is still what they get. And, this leads to them being categorised as having 'temporary' disability although it is the 32nd year of recorded treatment

As a result, the central government too is seeking more compensation for them just for temporary disabilities. Meanwhile, all their hopes are pinned on various court cases, winding their way through the legal maze, from Bhopal to Delhi.

The disaster happened when a deadly cocktail of poisonous gases exploded out of a Union carbide owned fertilizer factory on the night of December 2/3, 1984. The gas cloud spread over the sleeping city causing choking, burning, and a painful death to many while survivors are debilitated with weak lungs, eye problems, and a host of other gastrointestinal, neurological, genetic and psychiatric issues.

ANI

In 1998, survivors' organisations approached the SC for better healthcare to those suffering. In 2012, the court ordered the state and central governments to computerise all patient histories, issue health cards, standardise protocols of treatment and restart research on the condition of patients.

Over four years have passed since that order but there's not much progress, says N D Jayaprakash, who has been fighting for the victims' rights. "Even 32 years after the disaster, most of the gas-victims seeking treatment continue to be classed as suffering from the temporary injury to deny them compensation for permanent injury," Jayaprakash said.

AFP/representational image

The compensation for the world's worst industrial disaster was fixed at a meagre Rs 705 crore in 1989 by the apex court. Twenty-one years of protests and advocacy forced the government to file a curative petition in 2010 seeking enhancement of the compensation amount to Rs 7,728 crore.

The primary reason was that the earlier deal had underestimated the number of victims.

As it turned out, over 20,000 persons have died due to direct consequences of the killer gas and another 5.5 lakh are suffering. But not a single hearing has taken place on the curative petition in six years.

The central government doesn't seem interested and the court has been giving continuations. The criminal case against the Union carbide (taken over by Dow Chemical in 2001) and their Indian partners continues to languish.
Days before he was killed in an encounter in Anantnag, Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani had spoken to Lashkare-Taiba chief and "most wanted" terrorist Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and sought his "blessings" to fight a "common enemy".

Twitter

Wani had reached out to the Pakistan-based outfit for funds and operational coordination with Hizbul Mujahideen. In an audiotape of the conversation between Wani and Pakistan-based Saeed put out by CNN-News 18, Saeed could be heard praising Wani for his "great work and sacrifices" and offering all help to Hizbul militants fighting for the 'Kashmir cause' and religion.

Wani, on the other hand, sounded in awe of Saeed, saying how he was keen to talk to him for long and how, by the grace of god, his wish had finally been granted.

It is apparent from the transcript released by the channel that Saeed's call to Wani followed a message sent by the latter, possibly through LeT commander in Kashmir, Abu Dujana. It also showed that Wani was in regular touch with Lashkar cadres based in Jammu and Kashmir, and wanted Hizbul and LeT to put up a united fight.

LeT and Hizbul have for long worked with each other in J&K, with their top leadership and patrons based in Pakistan-PoK. Hizbul cadres arrange the logistics and local resources for their LeT counterparts in the state, while LeT has offered support to Hizbul's fight to "liberate" Kashmir.

AFP

A senior intelligence officer, when asked to analyse the conversation, said it pointed to Wani's initiative to reach out to LeT. "It shows his attempt to project himself as a big Hizbul leader, who is willing to go into any fold," said the officer.

Sources added that in one of their other conversations not yet in the public domain, Wani requested Saeed not to mention to his top leadership, particularly Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin, that he had independently got in touch with him.

"Wani was more into religion-based jihad and believed in khilafat, shahadat and rule of Sharia, rather than fighting purely for the Kashmir cause. There were times he differed with the Hizbul leadership... for instance, Salahuddin and company had disapproved of his plan to kill J&K police personnel. It seems that in conversations with Saeed, he was speaking as Burhan Wani rather than for his outfit," the intelligence officer said.

Twitter

In the tape put out, Saeed tells Wani that he has been following the latter's activities and that he was very happy. "Your people are living in very difficult conditions. But you don't have to worry. Whatever you need just tell us we are ready for every help," he tells Wani.

Wani tells Saeed that "the enemy is almost defeated and we have to maintain this". "We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn't lose this opportunity. For this, we need ammunition and support from him back. We should work together for this (Hizbul and Lashkar)," he adds.
The Navy has rejected the naval version of the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), holding that the "overweight" fighter cannot optimally operate from aircraft carriers, and is now looking to induct an alternative fighter from abroad in the next five to six years.

tejas.gov.in

"We will continue to support Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), but the naval LCA in its present form unfortunately does not meet our qualitative requirements for carrier capability," said Admiral Sunil Lanba on Friday.

Also Read: India In Talks To Export LCA Tejas Fighter To Friendly Countries Confirms Def Minister Manohar Parrikar

The single-engine Tejas, which is "too heavy", does not meet the "thrust-to-weight requirement to take off with a full fuel and arms load" from an aircraft carrier's deck. At present, the Navy has inducted over 30 of the 45 MiG-29K fighters acquired from Russia for $2 billion.

Both the MiG-29Ks and the naval Tejas were supposed to operate from the 44,400-tonne carrier INS Vikramaditya as well as the under-construction 40,000-tonne INS Vikrant, which will be ready by 2019-2020.

tejas.gov.in

"In addition to MiG-29Ks, we now need an alternative aircraft to operate from these two carriers. If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier-capable aircraft sooner than later. So, I am looking at next five to six years," said Admiral Lanba.

tejas.gov.in

While the IAF is going to get at least 120 Tejas, under the LCA project which was cleared way back in 1983, the Navy was supposed to get around 50 of the indigenous fighters. IAF had earlier ordered 40 Tejas jets, with the defence ministry in November giving the initial approval for procurement of another 83 Tejas Mark-1A fighters from HAL for Rs 50,025 crore.

Also Read: Indias Tejas Fighter Jet To Soon Fly With The Indigenous Kaveri Engine
"All animals are equal but some are more equal than others" famous line from George Orwell's classic work, Animal Farm.

This seems to be the case for budget airlines, Jet Airway, which allegedly asked five passengers of its Mumbai-Bhopal flight to make space for a wealthy Gujarati family.

Screen grab

According to reports some 80 members of the family was to travel on the flight 9W7083, but 17 of them were late for check-in which resulted in the cancellation of their bookings giving other people preference.

The 'influential family' then created ruckus onboard, threatening to abandon the flight all together if others were not accommodated.

Initially, the airline crew denied boarding to the 17 travellers who came in late. But then the rest of the group on board refused to fly without them, Aditi Shrivastava, a passenger onboard was quoted saying.

The flight crew reportedly asked other passengers to give up their seats, so that the the 17 latecomers could travel, but no one was willing.

Screen grab

The situation got ugly after members of wedding group blocked the aircraft doors to prevent it from shutting down.

Following this, the crew offered a compensation of Rs 10,000 for passengers volunteering to give up their seat, and promised them to be accommodated on the next flight. Only five passengers came forward to accept the compensation, which resulted in the situation dragging on.

A video uploaded online by a passenger on the flight, shows a woman representing the marriage group requesting other passengers that the 17 be allowed to board.

Screen Grab

"You are only bothered about your bloody marriage, not about the 63 of us who need to reach Bhopal," a frustrated passenger is heard screaming. The woman in question seems unaffected by the outburst and only says that a lot of passengers need to be accommodated on the flight.

The intimidation ensured that the flight was delayed by three hours and five passengers were offloaded voluntarily. At this point, the pilot announced that the Bhopal airport was scheduled to close at 9 am for renovation.

The airlines blamed the issue on a technical glitch which caused over booking.

Jet Airways Statement on flight 9W 7083 (S2 4621) Mumbai - Bhopal of December 02, 2016. pic.twitter.com/G3RnH6nSAu  Jet Airways (@jetairways) December 2, 2016

The statement added that the offloaded guests  part of a larger group, refused to accept the airline's offer of compensation / re-accommodation on alternative flights, and together with other members of the group, proceeded to hold up the flight, leading to an unruly situation, necessitating the intervention of law enforcement officials and delaying the flight by 90 minutes.
Abhinav Verma, once a poster boy for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project 'Make in India, is once again back in the news - this time in a not-so-good way.

YouTube

21-year-old Abhinav along with his accomplices, his cousin Vishakha Verma and Ludhiana-based property dealer Suman Nagpal were arrested by Punjab police for printing fake Rs 2,000 notes.

The trio duped individuals who wanted to exchange their old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, charging a 30 per cent commission.

PTI

Fake currency worth Rs 42 lakhs was recovered from the trio, who were travelling in a brand-new SUV, which incidentally had a red beacon.

The money was reportedly printed at Vermas Chandigarh office.

The notes are of fine quality and look exactly like the new notes of Rs 2,000, Parminder Singh Bhandal, Superintendent of Police said.

PTI

Abhinav, a mechanical engineer by qualification, had first made headlines at the age of 18, for his innovation, Live Braille, a device to help the vision-impaired to walk without a walking stick. It gained popularity and was touted as an innovation under the Make In India programme. Live Braille has reportedly won awards at major engineering institutes across the country and at Illinois State University. It also won the TiEGER Award by TiE Silicon Valley USA.

Even Prime Minister Modi had mentioned him at the Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru last year.

What a U-turn.
BSF has foiled a cross-border intrusion bid after its troopers shot down a suspect at Dhinda post in Pathankot district of Punjab.

AFP/representational image

BSF personnel shot the intruder dead on Friday night after he came close to the border fence in Bamial area, a police official posted in Pathankot said.

A massive search operation was launched on Friday by the police forces of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and the Army in Pathankot after a local resident claimed to have spotted four to five armed men roaming around suspiciously.

AFP/representational image

As many as 250 security personnel, including SWAT commandos, were deployed in the search operation in the hilly areas located on the border of Punjab and HP.
A woman delivered a child while standing in a queue to withdraw cash in front of Punjab National Bank in Kanpur.

Screengrab

Sarvesha Devi who had come to withdraw Rs 5,000, was standing in the queue for hours since morning.

But by afternoon she went into labour, and with the help of other woman customers, she delivered a male child on the premises of the bank.

The bank officials later apprised local police, who then rushed them to the local hospital.

PTI/ Representative Image

"The woman gave birth to the child at around 3.45 p.m.while the bank was flooded with customers. Both the woman and the child are admitted to the Jhinjhak CHC. Doctors said their condition is stable," a senior bank official said.

"The sad part of the story is that the woman had lost her husband, Jasmernath, about three months ago following prolonged illness," a local resident said.
In a bid to encourage women and draw their attention towards the possibility of local entrepreneurship, a theatre group in Telanagana is using street plays to spread awareness about the importance of women in business.

Nishumbita Ballet and Theatre Group, along with Hyderabad US Consulate, began a series of street plays to create business consciousness among rural women. These plays are a means of propagation, play director, Dr Ram Holagundi told Indiatimes.

According to Dr Ram, the group, which started in 1995, believes in two things: Quality theatre and spreading a social message about women and the girl child.

Their current theme of plays tells true stories about women who broke free from circumstances that were shackling them and became independent through business.

Dr Ram/Nishumbita

The first story is about a Gujarati company called Lijjat Papads, which is the brainchild of a Gujarati home-maker, Lijjat, who wanted to do something worthwhile with her free time at home. At the time her papads fetched her Rs 80. Now, the company has a whopping Rs 639 cr turnover a year and employs 46,000 women from all over the country.

Nishumbitas stories are improvised for the local audience.

So, when they are performing in Telangana they make it relatable by adding the Telangana dialect and flavor. Similarly theyll tweak the story for when they perform in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr Ram/Nishumbita

Their street plays use different forms of performing arts, including miming and puppetry, and is for an unprepared audience.

We perform where space allows  in between streets, at junctions  and people gather around to watch. At the end we have our Sutradhar, who narrates the story as well and that ensures nothing is lost in communication, said Dr Ram.

Dr Ram/Nishumbita

Dr Ram, 42, has been doing theatre for over 27 years and has experimented with some new styles that have never before been incorporated into street plays for this particular initiative. He introduced a mimetic act, which doesnt imbibe the exaggerated gestures and vocal chords of street plays, but rather acts in silence and uses placards where necessary.

Dr Ram/Nishumbita

Another story that the group tells is of Mahananda, a Karnataka woman, who becomes a Devdasi after her ailing mother dies and she is left without familial support. Dr Ram told Indiatimes that the culture of Devadasi existed in Karnataka till very recently so it is still very pertinent to talk about these issues which was a part of our history till not so long ago.

Mahananda is sexually abused and becomes pregnant as a result. She leaves her owner to join a social organisation, where she learns how to stitch. A former Devdasi eventually becomes an independent woman by joining a business and is able to educate her children as well.

Dr Ram/Nishumbita

Nishumbita wants to empower women to fend for themselves and teach them the importance of being financially independent. Each act has about 14-18 actors connecting with the audience through miming, which is how we first learn to communicate in the first place as children  we gesticulate to communicate.
A man was arrested by US Police in New York after he was found stuck in an air vent after allegedly attempting to break into a local pizzeria.

The man was found lodged in a vent in the roof of a Pontillos pizzeria in Penfield when Monroe County Sheriffs deputies responded to reports of a man yelling, WHEC reported.

The alleged attempted burglar was identified as 44-year-old Richard Graham and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.

He was as far down as he could go without coming out on top of an oven, Penfield assistant fire chief Earl Lubanski told the Democrat and Chronicle. The ductwork got narrower as you get down closer to the kitchen.

John Helfer of Monroe County Sheriffs Office said Graham caused $2,000 in damages and was arraigned on charges of third-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.

Lubanski was astounded at the mysterious robbery attempt and said it was the first of its kind he had experienced.

I have been in Penfield 17 years. This is the first time I have seen it in this town. I have only seen it on TV, he said.
Unknown gunmen on Saturday attacked the campaign office of Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central), the Police said.

According to the lawmakers aide, Suleiman Sule, some supporters of the senator who has been embroiled in one controversy or the other in recent times were having meeting at the office, when the hoodlums came in large numbers and started attacking people.

Some residents of the area who witnessed the attack said the attackers came in large numbers.

They were all with dangerous weapons and all headed across the road where Shehu Sanis office was. They dispersed some people who were holding meeting in the office, one resident said.

Thank God it is a busy area and there is always the presence of police officers. Before it could get out of hand they thugs ran away.

A police spokesperson who identified himself as Abba Danjuma, an Inspector, confirmed the incident, but called for clam.

The Kaduna police are on top of the situation as our officers have arrived the scene and investigation has begun. There was also no report of casualty at the moment, the police said.

Reacting to the development, the senator who was recently suspended indefinitely by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have blamed Governor Nasir El-Rufai for the attack.

Mr Sani in a statement posted on his official Facebook page said: Some few minutes ago I received a report that some heavily armed thugs raided and attacked my constituency office located at Stadium Roundabout by Constitution Road, Kaduna.

They unleashed terror on my social media team whom where meeting in the office. They vandalized the office in their violent act.

We have the lead and the information that Thugs were fully recruited and paid by political appointees of Governor Nasiru el-Rufai, he said.
Nigerian newspaper headlines December 3, 2016.

Vanguard

Experts from many African and European countries have blamed lack of transparency and unethical practices as some of the reasons preventing Nigerian universities from making the list of best global institutions.

Punch

Ahead of the December 10, 2016 National Assembly rerun election in Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said that the allegations made by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, that the commission planned to rig the rerun election could endanger the lives of the commissions workers.

Guardian

Eminent personalities, including Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and former Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof Anya O. Anya, would grace tomorrows end of the year dinner and seminar of Umu-Aba Connect holding at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Thisday

Nollywood actor, Leo Mezie, is full of thanks to Nigerians, most especially to Apostle Suleiman Johnson of Omega Fire Ministries for donating towards saving his life.

Leadership

The Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC) yesterday called for an end to the mindless killings in Zamfara and Benue states and in southern Kaduna.

Premium Times

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday warned Nigerias government against demonising Shiites and their Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN.

The Sun

Nigeria and Morocco have signed eight bilateral agreements to boost fertilizer production, Bilateral Air Services Agreement and fisheries.

The Nation

Ahead of Saturday`s Federal House of Representatives by-election into Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency, some political parties in Lagos State on Friday signed a peace agreement.
BENIN Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, yesterday unveiled his plans to establish farms in several communities across the kingdom. Oba Ewuare II said produce from the farms would be sold to low income earners at prices lower than prevailing market prices. Speaking at his first enlarged meeting with his people at his palace, Oba Ewuare II told the people that his ascension to the throne was a sign of good things to come to the kingdom. Oba Ewuare II said the aim of the meeting was to discuss on way forward for the kingdom and the general welfare.

The Benin monarch told the people that activities of Fulani herdsmen in the kingdom was being investigated through the help of security agencies. Oba Ewuare II, who announced the dissolution of all panels set up by palace chiefs to settle dispute, said decision of many panels were found to be biased. He warned the chiefs not to turn the palace to business centers by selling justice to the highest bidder. Oba Ewuare II condemned activities of Community Development Association (CDAs), saying youths have become terror in their communities.

He frowned at the current situation where the CDA chairmen are custodian of community land instead of the Enogie, Odionwere or Ohen (Chief Priest). According to him, The Oba has land in all the villages and we plan to reintroduce Ugbo Oba (Oba Farms). People will work there and the produce from the farms will be sold at special markets at reduced prices to the poor. A committee to be set up will ensure that only the poor have access to buy things from the special markets.

The era of injustice being perpetrated by some chiefs in the past will not be entertained. Chiefs who will deliberate on matters relating to land crisis will not be men of questionable characters. Youths who encroach on land or grab other peoples land will be dealt with. Oba Ewuare II expressed worry over the extinction of the Benin language and low depth of Benin history, even by palace Chiefs.

Source: TheNation
Bud, a parrot, appeared in a court on Friday to stand as a witness to an alleged crime involving a woman from Michigan, USA accused of gunning down her husband.

The case of Glenna Duram made news last year when it was revealed that her parrot was the sole witness of the fatal shooting of her 45-year-old husband Martin on May 12, 2015.

Dont f**king shoot, Bud could be heard on a video that family members recorded several weeks after the killing  and in which they insisted he was mimicking the couple as they were arguing.

That bird picks up anything and everything, the victims mother, Lillian Duram, told Today in June. Hes got the filthiest mouth around.

Duram, who survived what prosecutors believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, is charged with first-degree murder.

Witnesses took the stand as Duram heard evidence against her at the preliminary hearing Friday. One witness said the state of the house suggested a struggle.

The local prosecutor previously told the station that he has not ruled out putting the African Grey parrot on the stand.

But Buds current owner said the prosecutor believes he has enough evidence against Duram to convict her.

This is unusual, NBC analyst Lisa Bloom said earlier on Today. We dont often have an animal being called to come in and testify as an eyewitness to a murder.

Duram was her husbands second wife and police said the marriage was strained by financial and gambling problems.

Police, earlier, said Duram left several suicide notes. She denied writing them and is being held without bond at the Newaygo County Jail.
US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday defended in a series of tweets his decision to break with decades of American diplomatic precedent by speaking with Taiwans leader.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! Trump said in a first tweet.

An hour later, he fired off a second post: Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

Source: Punch
Universities in Nigeria have been charged to undertake research activities that are relevant to, and support national goals as well as which promote the uptake of life changing research outcomes, for the country to realise its potentials.

A two-term former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor Ladipo Ayo Banjo gave this advice yesterday in Abuja, while delivering the maiden International Lecture Series of the National Universities Commission (NUC). The quarterly lecture was titled Global Rankings and the Nigerian Higher Education System.

It was organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), and designed to address topical national issues especially as they affect the Nigerian University System (NUS). Yesterdays lecture was held to address the controversial issue of ranking among universities on the global scale.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Abubakar Rasheed had in October issued a statement to disagree with global ranking of Nigerian universities, saying such rankings were untrue and unfair. He had stated that the NUC would in 2017 conduct its own ranking of Nigerian universities, and the lecture title of yesterday was to begin the process.

Reacting to the constant criticism of Nigerian universities poor showing in global ranking, Professor Rasheed submitted that many of the variables, parameters and indicators of those rankings were outside the control of Nigerian universities and the NUC.

The NUC scribe, however, dissociated the commission from any reported ranking of Nigerian universities in the mass media, saying it had not embarked on any such exercise in the last 15 years. It was, therefore, embarking on next years ranking to put an end to the spurious claims and innuendoes about the academic standing and quality of Nigerian universities, the statement quoted Professor Rasheed to have said.

At the lecture yesterday, Professor Banjo agreed that reports issued by even the biggest ranking bodies have been subjected to critisisms with a lot of holes picked in them. According to him, ranking is overly problematic, reducing a university to a number, derived from sometimes controversial indicators which are used to rank it.

This is evidently unsatisfactory. In view of the large generational, historical, linguistic, national, regional and continental diversity of the over 17,000 universities which must be considered in a fully inclusive ranking project, the daunting challenge is how, if ever possible, to formulate globally acceptable, precise and effective comparability criteria and performance indicators for accessing the quality of excellence of every university in every nook and cranny of this world, Professor Banjo said.

According to him, the fact that most criteria and indicators are non-global, deals a blow on global rankings. Besides, ranking fuels cut throat competition, while undermining meaningful multilateral cooperation among universities, he said.

He, however, added that in line with emerging trends that are fostering comaparability and competition in the global higher education sector, the Nigerian university system needs to develop and implement its own ranking system.

He noted that this step will be a lot beneficial especially by helping the NUC monitor the state of affairs within the system and strenghtening the criteria it uses for accreditation. Would-be proprietors of universities will also have a clear idea of what is involved in starting an running a university, he said.

Professor Banjo also noted that a ranking system for the NUS will stimulate healthy rivalry among universities and make each university perform its role in accordance with best practices. Also, it will guide parents and students to make their choices of universities.

He then recommended the formation of a Nigerian Universities Ranking Council (NURC) which would provide a platform where expertise of relevant stakeholders can be harnessed to provide a creditable framework for the ranking exercise.

He suggested that the NURC resides mainly in the Nigerian Academies and among laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit, and be funded through the NUC. It is to develop the underlying philosophy and key objectives of each of its different kinds of ranking, determine the frequency of ranking exercises and to determine how the ranking would be done and what criteria to use in ranking.

The Emeritus Professor reminded of the need to comply with the Berlin Principles on Ranking of Higher Education Institutions.

Earlier while declaring the lecture series open, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the Director in charge of Tertiary Education, Hajia Fatima Ahmad, commended the NUC for the initiative of setting up the lecture series which are designed to address topical issues in the university system. He said the discussions were designed to mark the beginning of well established ranking in the the Nigerian university system.

Chairman of the ocassion, and former President of the Academy of Science, Professor Umar Shehu expressed support for the decision to establish a ranking process for the university system in Nigeria. Academics will continue to engage in this process, he said.

Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Rasheed said the lecture series was meant to invigorate the university system. He added that seasoned educationists of international repute will deliver the lecture series. Professor Rasheed informed that the next lecture which has been slated for February 2017, will be delivered by a former Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola.

Source: Guardian
Expanded Limit Bounce for Midweek Cotton Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Front month cotton futures extended their bounce on Wednesday, with 4 cent gains through the May 23 contract. December gapped higher to start the day, and failed to close the gap. The online cotton... CTZ22 : 78.92 (-0.10%) CTH23 : 77.90 (-0.94%) CTK23 : 77.53 (-1.67%)

Cattle Close Mixed on Feeder Strength Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Feeder cattle futures ended the day with triple digit gains capturing some of the weakness in the corn market. Fats bled 7 to 55 cents weaker on Wednesday, though August 23 ended the day up by 12 cents.... LEZ22 : 151.400s (-0.36%) LEG23 : 154.900s (-0.23%) LEJ23 : 158.500s (-0.24%) GFX22 : 178.925s (+1.13%) GFF23 : 180.000s (+1.01%)

Hog Futures Fall on Wednesday Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Lean hog futures closed the midweek session with $0.42 to $1.90 losses on the day. December was down the most on the day with a 2.2% loss to the lowest since 10/17. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price... HEZ22 : 83.300s (-2.23%) HEJ23 : 92.650s (-1.01%) KMZ22 : 93.850s (-1.60%)

Soy Futures Close Mixed Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Soymeal futures ended the session off the lows but still down by $0.30 to $1.20/ton. Soy oil was the leader on the day, having rallied +3% on the crude oil strength. Beans themselves found balance from... ZSX22 : 1435-4 (-0.31%) ZSPAUS.CM : 14.1311 (+0.60%) ZSF23 : 1452-6 (-0.09%) ZSH23 : 1460-6 (unch)

Hard Losses for Midweek Wheat Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Russia re-entering participation for the Black Sea grain export corridors dropped the market back to last weeks levels. CBT SRW gave back 4.5% to 6.2% on the day and mostly erased the gains to start... ZWZ22 : 843-6 (-0.27%) ZWH23 : 862-0 (-0.35%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.7768 (-6.65%) KEZ22 : 940-2 (unch) KEPAWS.CM : 8.9804 (-5.26%) MWZ22 : 949-2 (unch)

Corn Markets Close Red Barchart - Wed Nov 2, 4:43PM CDT Corn futures ended the day off their lows, but still gave back 5 3/4 to 10 1/4 cents on the day. December printed a wide 17 1/4 cent range. Analysts project corn bookings were between 250k MT and 600k... ZCZ22 : 685-6 (-0.25%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.8342 (-1.34%) ZCH23 : 691-2 (-0.22%) ZCK23 : 690-6 (-0.25%)
A trio of trading technology honchos speaking at the iiFintech Symposium said controlling costs is one of the biggest challenges they face when it comes to deploying top technology to traders.

The competitive race to provide financial traders with state-of-the-art technology is a never-ending challenge to financial executives. A large part of that challenge is in containing the costs that come with continually updating trading platforms and hiring top engineers, industry practitioners say.

A trio of C-suite executives speaking on a trading technology panel at Institutional Investors inaugural iiFintech Symposium, held on Thursday at Chelsea Piers in New York, agreed that innovation comes at a price.

Each speaker represented a critical link in the trading chain. Daniel Coleman is CEO of broker-dealer KCG Holdings, formed in the July 2013 merger with high frequency trader Getco, requiring the consolidation of many technology platforms.

Were a traditional broker-dealer at a not-traditional time, said Coleman, adding that two thirds of the firms 900 employees can code. (Unfortunately Im in the one-third that cant, he joked.) To hold down costs in the market-making side of his business, said Coleman, all our technology is homegrown.

Chris Concannon, CEO of Bats Global Markets, represents the second-largest securities exchange by U.S. equity market share and the No. 1 exchange in Europe. Appointed president in December 2014 and CEO the following March, Concannon oversaw the second attempt at Bats IPO on April 15, 2016 following an embarrassing technical glitch that sabotaged the first IPO in March 2012.

We dont sit around and think how we can be more innovative, he said. Its more like how can we attack the landscape: Whats the opportunity set, how many dollars can be assigned to it, how certain are we around it?

He added that whether a financial company sees itself as a technology firm or a finance firm can influence the share of resources spent on technology. With operations in ten markets around the globe, Bats 328 employees have to believe in their technology, have to live and breathe it, have to turn to it for all their needs, he explained.

As the former head of information technology and software development at the multistrategy and quantitative hedge fund firm D.E. Shaw, Gaurav Suri, CEO of Arcesium, started out building trading systems for the firms different quant businesses. Eventually, the need for a cutting edge posttrade system became more critical, leading his team to develop one internally.

Nothing out there could deal with what hedge funds deal with, he explains. As a tech firm, it was always technology first. Once they achieved their goal, the hedge fund firm spun off the posttrade technology in March 2015, dubbing it Arcesium.

Aside from building or buying technology innovations, the three CEOs have to grapple with the high costs of hiring experienced technologists, perhaps the biggest challenge of all. Concannon reported that Bats's Kansas City headquarters has been unexpectedly helpful in attracting engineers from both coasts of the U.S. who seek a less stressful lifestyle.

For his part, said Coleman, the recent relocation from Jersey City to New York has aided in KCGs hiring process. Suri agreed that Arcesiums large development center in India has helped keep down costs. For a small company with large ambitions, it has the advantage of talent at a lower cost, he said.
Donald Trump ha avuto una conversazione telefonica con Tsai Ying-wen, presidente di Taiwan. Una svolta che puo riaprire le relazioni diplomatiche tra i due Paesi dopo 37 anni ma rischia di far infuriare la Cina e, quindi, di vanificare il lavoro fatto dallamministrazione Obama per creare una nuova era nei rapporti con Pechino.

La telefonata

I primi a dare la notizia del colloquio sono stati il Financial Times e il Taipei Times. Poi e arrivata la conferma di un portavoce del neo presidente Usa. I due leader  dopo le congratulazioni di rito al tycoon per la vittoria nella corsa alla Casa Bianca  avrebbero quindi espresso la volonta di riallacciare le relazioni tra Washington e Taipei. Con buona pace di Pechino che considera lisola di Taiwan non uno Stato indipendente ma una sua provincia.

Pechino cauta

Anche se i primi commenti giunti dal grande Paese asiatico sembrano minimizzare laccaduto. Il ministro degli Esteri, Wang Yi, si e detto speranzoso che laccaduto non creera interferenze o rotture nelle relazioni con Washington. Questa e solo una piccola manovra fatta da Taiwan  ha spiegato a Phoenix Tv- Fondamentalmente e impossibile che cambi la struttura di una unica Cina che si e gia formata nella comunita internazionale. Credo inoltre che (la telefonata, ndr) non possa alterare la politica di ununica Cina per molti anni sostenuta dal Governo degli Stati Uniti. Il principio di ununica Cina e il fondamento del sano sviluppo delle relazioni sino-americane.

Imbarazzo

E, in effetti, poco dopo la Casa Bianca si e affrettata a precisare che sulla politica della One China non ci sara alcun cambiamento. Ned Price, portavoce del Consiglio di sicurezza nazionale, ha chiarito che gli Stati Uniti sono interessati a relazioni stabili con Pechino.

I rapporti

Dal 1972 gli Usa perseguono la politica chiamata One China, una sola Cina, da quando il presidente Richard Nixon visito Pechino e avvio un percorso di disgelo tra le due super potenze. Nel 1978 il presidente Jimmy Carter riconobbe formalmente il governo di Pechino come lunico per tutta la Cina, compresa Taiwan. Segui la chiusura dellambasciata Usa a Taipei lanno seguente.
What Are Nonfarm Payrolls?

Nonfarm payrolls is the measure of the number of workers in the U.S. excluding farm workers and workers in a handful of other job classifications. This is measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which surveys private and government entities throughout the U.S. about their payrolls. The BLS reports the nonfarm payroll numbers to the public on a monthly basis through the closely followed Employment Situation report.

In addition to farm workers, nonfarm payrolls data also excludes some government workers, private households, proprietors, and non-profit employees.

Key Takeaways Nonfarm payrolls is the measure of the number of workers in the U.S. excluding farm workers and workers in a handful of other job classifications.

The nonfarm payrolls classification excludes farm workers as well as some government workers, private households, proprietors, and non-profit employees.

The data on nonfarm payrolls is collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and put in its monthly "Employment Situation" report, which also includes the unemployment rate.

Understanding Nonfarm Payrolls

While the name nonfarm payrolls insinuates that farm workers be excluded from the statistic, there are also several other categories that the BLS does not count when compiling nonfarm payrolls data. According to the BLS, nonfarm employee classifications account for approximately 80% of U.S. business sectors contributing to gross domestic product (GDP). While this represents a significant majority of the U.S. labor force there are some notable exclusions in addition to farm workers:

Government workers: Government is a key part of the Employment Situation report each month but there are some government workers who are excluded. The government category covers civilian employees. However, it excludes military employees and employees of government-appointed officials. Employees of the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, National Imagery and Mapping Agency, and the Defense Intelligence Agency are also excluded.

Private households: Private household employees and domestic household workers are excluded.

Proprietors: Proprietors are generally unincorporated business owners. This includes sole proprietors and self-employed workers that operate without a registered business incorporation (e.g., without limited liability corporation or partnership status).

Non-profit employees: Though quite large, the non-profit sector is not included for consideration in the nonfarm payroll statistics.

Analyzing the Monthly Report

The Employment Situation report is a closely followed monthly report released by the BLS on the first Friday of the month subsequent to data reporting collection. The BLSs Employment Situation report is always released at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The monthly Employment Situation report is created from two comprehensive surveys: the Household Survey and the Establishment Survey. This results in two separate reports compiled together to form one comprehensive monthly report. The Household Survey provides the unemployment rate report as well as details on employment demographics. The Establishment Survey segment of the BLSs Employment Situation report is also known as the nonfarm payrolls report, providing the headline number of new nonfarm payroll jobs added within the national economy.

Household Survey

Key components of the Household Survey include:

The unemployment rate

Unemployment rates by gender

Unemployment rates by race

Unemployment rates by education

Unemployment rates by age

Reasons for unemployment

Employment data by types of alternative employment

The participation rate

Establishment Survey

The Establishment Survey portion of the Employment Situation report provides details on nonfarm payroll additions and can be known as the nonfarm payrolls report. Key components of the Establishment Survey include:

The number of total nonfarm payrolls added by entities for the reporting month

Nonfarm payroll additions by industry category: durable goods, non-durable goods, services, and government

Details on hours worked

Details on average hourly earnings

Economic Analysis

The nonfarm payrolls number and the unemployment rate are headlines of the Employment Situation report but economists and policymakers use all of the available data for assessing the current state of the economy and forecasting future levels of economic activity. The report contains many valuable insights into the labor force that have a direct impact on the economy as well as the stock market, the value of the U.S. dollar, the value of Treasuries, and the price of gold.

Economists analyze the Household Survey data when considering the trend in the unemployment rate, participation rate, and other trends that may be associated with demographics. The Establishment Survey/nonfarm payrolls report offers valuable information on sectors with detailed sector segregation. Several types of analysts may incorporate sector-specific nonfarm payroll data into their analysis. This breakdown can often be used by stock analysts reporting on stock sectors and earnings releases.

Nonfarm payroll statistics also show which sectors are expanding and contracting. Expanding sectors will contribute a higher number of new payrolls and contracting sectors may have low or negative contributions showing a reduction in job availability.

Wages and wage growth found in the Establishment Survey are also of high importance to economists. Historically, the best month for wage growth is usually May, with an average of 129,000 additional jobs. August is the worst month, with an average of 69,000 added jobs. For nonfarm payrolls, the year 1994 was the best on record with 3.85 million jobs added. In 2009, the job force lost 5.05 million jobs, marking the worst statistical year for the nonfarm payroll count. In 2018, payroll employment growth totaled 2.6 million compared to additions of 2.2 million in 2017 and 2.2 million in 2016.
An engineering student in Kochi, India has managed to bypass Apples anti-theft Activation Lock feature found on its iOS devices. The final-year mechanical engineering student named Hemanth Joseph had previously received upwards of $7,500 from Google earlier in the year for disclosing a bug in its cloud platform.

Joseph said that he can bypass the iOS Activation Lock on an iPhone or iPad when it has been locked using the Find iPhone app. He managed to achieve this by taking advantage of the lack of any character limit in the input fields for name, username, and password.

In his blog post, Joseph reveals that he purchased a used iPad Air for his friend from eBay which had its Activation Lock enabled. When the iPad prompted him to enter a username and password to disable the Activation Lock, he used the unlimited input field to his advantage to crash the iCloud layer. The process did involve him using an iPad Smart Case to lock/unlock the device.

The vulnerability discovered by Joseph works on any iPhone or iPad running iOS 10.1.1, though he had already informed Apple about this in early November. It is likely that we will see the Cupertino company fix this bug in the upcoming iOS 10.2 update.

[Via Hemanth Joseph
OOP  #MattJordan sends a shoutout to his new boo #TiffanyMaiyon! Sources say Matt gave #KenyaMoore the boot sense she was enamored with drama.  #RHOA A photo posted by The Real Housewives of Atlanta (@therealhousewivesofatlanta) on Dec 1, 2016 at 7:36am PST

Kenya Moores on-again, off-again boyfriend Matt Jordan has finally ended their tumultuous relationship  and hes already moved on with someone new, who happens to look likestar. Jordan's new girlfriend Tiffany Maiyon is spilling all the tea on her relationship with Matt and throws shade at Kenya.Yes, I am confirming that we are dating currently, the urban model toldThe breakup news comes after Moore told The Daily Dish on November 18 that she gave Jordan a second chance after their June breakup.Thats sad shes still doing interviews and such saying so, Maiyon said. I met him a few months ago. We were friends and didnt decide to date publicly once they were completely broken up.Jordan clearly has a type, as Maiyon, who runs her own business as a plastic surgery consultant, resembles the Bravo star with her long hair and curves.After Tiffany Maiyon confirmed her relationship, Kenya Moore posted a screenshot of her conversation with her ex from Friday, November 25.Were not going to play these games, she captioned the flirty exchange. Thanks @todd167 for hosting us for Thanksgiving.In the now-deleted screenshot, Jordan texts Moore, I wish I could kiss u between your thighs. Todd got me really drunk Im sick. Can u come take care of me?But Maiyon insists the text messages arent from last week! Shes reaching, she told. Those are old texts.Meanwhile, Jordan confirmed his relationship with Maiyon by posting a photo of his new love, in the now-deleted Instagram post, however lucky for us,a RHOA fan page shared the deleted post.I was too busy yesterday and forgot to make her my #wcw, he captioned the snap of Maiyon. Good job girlfor looking so good she gotta be fake!!! For looking so good shes not even a woman. I think she look so good she cant be human. #Superhumansexy lol. But thanks for remaining classy and mature and most of all sexy, During the clown show. #tiffanymayion.As previously reported, cops were called to Moore Manor on May 31, 2016 because of a domestic dispute between the former couple.I arrived and found a suitcase in the driveway that was thrown down from the top with clothes everywhere, the report obtained from the Sandy Springs Police Department read. I met Kenya Moore who had called 911 about a dispute with her former boyfriend.Moore explained how he began a verbal argument with her following a trip to Hawaii. Matt left her after she called 911, but threw her bag down the steep driveway from his vehicle, the report continues.Moore and Jordan announced the end of their one-year relationship only days after the incident. Then on August 15, 2016, Moore accused Jordan of damaging her beloved Moore Manor.I asked Kenya about the suspect, she believed it was Matt Jordan, the report read. Jordan is an ex-boyfriend, they had been together for about a year and had broken up in the past week. Kenya believed the vandalism was related to the breakup.Jordan was accused of damaging her glass garage door, garage door, outdoor security camera and Range Rover.Photo Credit: Getty Images via Radar Online
Paralleling this is radio producer and aspiring writer Inbar, who impulsively leaves Berlin to go to South America to escape the grief of her brothers death and a boyfriend she doesnt love.

Although it takes nearly half the book for Inbar to finally arrive in South America, the two patterns eventually cohere when Dori and Inbar meet.

And this is where the story could possibly have started because it is only when they converge does the plot take off, as she helps him in his quest to locate his father.

His fathers own quest we learn at the end was for a utopian Jewish neuland or, as the promiscuous and down-to-earth Alfredo, employed to trace the missing man, saw it: Mr Doris father wants to build something on a farm from a hundred years ago.

The novel offers a lot in its epic proportions of more than 600 pages and shows great evidence of research, but it doesnt quite deliver in engagement.

It is full of longueurs and in need of severe cutting and ordering.

Dialogues in particular are inclined to be drawn out and it sometimes treads tired and worn territory, for example, when Inbars mother tells her daughter that not all Germans were Nazis.

The book contains interesting and perhaps significant insights into modern Jewish culture, but more than that is needed to constitute a novel.

There are some good particulars about the characters such as the brown age spots on Inbars mothers arms and some good descriptions of inner worlds effected through modern technology as when Dori, fearful of his growing feeling towards Inbar, wonders at his keyboard if he could turn the H on its belly and place it between them like a bridge.

But other details are repetitive or occasionally, as in the case of Inbars writerly reflections, squirm-inducing: Pouring out your heart is sometimes just pouring out your heart or writing in a journal is sometimes just writing in a journal or the inane only the present is present.

Some of the best writing lies in the portrayal of South America where one gets a real feeling of being in these places, as in the fraught insights about Lima where police were on every corner and the chemist had to dispense medication through bars.

Or as they move outside Buenos Aires the bleakness of the scene is captured very well: birds perch on electric wires that sink in the middle like hammocks, and a rusty sign advertises a hotel which is not there.

The best line perhaps belongs to Nessia, Inbars fictional alter ego, who was not attracted to writers because they all take on the shape of a chair after a while and youre always afraid theyre sleeping with you as part of their research.

The narrative wanders into stream of consciousness as Lenny unfolds his hallucinogenic vision of a community therapeutic space away from the trauma of living in Israel.

The weakest writing is in the description of the so-called utopia itself. It is vague and pseudo-hippy: Gardens had a harmonious, balanced symmetry and young people wearing heavy sweaters and woollen hats filled the lanes and the place bustled with vibrant, joyous life It felt like we were going to see The Wizard of OZ.

James Lawless latest novel is American Doll; jameslawless.net

Neuland by Eshkol Nevo. Vintage, 24.90
A coal mine explosion in northern China has killed 17 people and trapped another 19.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the 17 were confirmed dead after Saturday's explosion at a coal mine run by the Baoma Mining Co Ltd in Mongolia.

Another 100 workers managed to escape when the midday blast occurred at the mine in the city of Chifeng, said state news agency, the China News Service.

Reports said the local government has launched search and rescue operations.
China's foreign minister has said he hopes Beijing's relations with the US would not be "interfered with or damaged" after president-elect Donald Trump broke with decades-long diplomatic tradition and spoke directly with Taiwan's leader.

Wang Yi dismissed the call between Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen and Mr Trump as "just a small trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change US policy towards China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-US relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Mr Wang said.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland.

Under that policy, the US recognises Beijing as representing China, but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

Mr Trump's transition team said of the conversation: "During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year."

Mr Trump tweeted later: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

The Taiwanese presidential office said the leaders discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of US relations with Taiwan.

"The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer co-operative relations," it said.

"The president also told US President-elect Trump that she hopes the US will continue to support Taiwan's efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future."

It added that the two also "shared ideas and concepts" on "promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defence" to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Taiwan's presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said separately that Taiwan's relations with China and "healthy" Taiwan-US relations can proceed in parallel. "There is no conflict (in that)," he said.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official.

Friday's call is the starkest example yet of how Mr Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the November 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees US diplomacy.

Ms Tsai was democratically elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The US policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled.

Although the US does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has close unofficial ties. Taiwan's government has a representative office in Washington and other US cities. The US also has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Taiwan is separated from China by the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. The island counts the US as its most important security partner and source of arms, but it is increasingly outgunned by China.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Mr Trump's conversation did not signal any change to long-standing US policy on "cross-strait" issues.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," Mr Price said. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."

The NSC stressed that every president has benefited from the "expertise and counsel" of the State Department on matters like this, which suggested that the White House was frustrated by Mr Trump's conversation with the Taiwanese leader.

Still, the White House said Barack Obama remains committed to a smooth transition to the new administration.

Diplomatic protocol dictates that Taiwanese presidents can travel through the US, but not visit Washington.

Douglas Paal, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan during the George W Bush administration, said that to his knowledge the call was unprecedented.
Thirteen people are feared dead after an Indonesian police plane lost contact during a flight on Saturday to the island of Batam near Singapore.

The plane, carrying five crew members and eight passengers, dropped out of contact mid-morning about 50 minutes after taking off from Bangka island off the south-east coast of Sumatra island, a police statement said.
In 2008, the Cork charity had a cash reserve of at least 4m but over the past seven years this fund was called upon repeatedly as the charity tried to cope with the unprecedented rise in calls for help.

Despite the countrys improved economic figures, St Vincent de Paul in Cork expects it will send out three times more Christmas Day hampers this year than last.

Requests for help have increased by 10% this year compared to last year, according to the regional vice president for the south west Brendan Dempsey. Last year also saw a 10% increase on 2014.

We are not seeing any signs of an upturn. If anything its getting worse for many people, he said.

Already, the charity has requests for 3,500 Christmas Day hampers.

This figure is expecting to grow significantly over the next three weeks. Last year, the charity sent out 1,200 hampers on Christmas day.

Also, for the first time in its history, St Vincent de Paul is not seeking toys this Christmas

It is asking solely for food donations as it has been overwhelmed with requests for help with groceries.

Many of the couples that we are helping are well-educated people who worked hard all their lives, created jobs and were well able to look after themselves, said Mr Dempsey.

They are a section that we were able to turn to for help but now we are helping them.

He said he would like to invite Taoiseach Enda Kenny to visit Cork and see our work at the coalface.

Upturn? What upturn? Its worse than its ever been, he said. We have never been so dependant on donations and church collection. Up until April this year we always had money in the bank but now thats gone and the requests for help keep growing and growing. We are now living week to week.

Id like Enda Kenny to meet us in Cork and see some of the desperation that we see every night of the week.

VM Ware and EMC-Dell staff were at St Vincent de Pauls warehouse yesterday filling up 1,600 hampers with dry food such as porridge, peas, and beans.

In the days before Christmas, these will be topped up with perishable food such as chickens, ham, pork chops, potatoes, and eggs so they can be distributed on Christmas Eve. n St Vincent de Paul church collections take place on the first Sunday of every month with one due tomorrow.
It followed a decision by the US authorities to grant a foreign carrier permit to Norwegian Air International (NAI) - the Irish subsidiary of low-fares giant Norwegian, which applied for the licence almost three years ago.

Bitterly opposed by several US and European airlines and labour unions, the application has been one of the longest pending applications of its kind.
Derek Mulligan was living a law-abiding life as an estate agent until he became a DJ and got embroiled in the drug world, Judge Melanie Greally said as she sentenced him.

Mulligan, aged 43, of Bancroft Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply on February 5, 2015. His two previous convictions are for drugs and firearm offences.
Offaly GP Bernadette Scully, aged 58, is charged with unlawfully killing Emily Barut, aged 11, at their home at Emvale, Bachelors Walk, Tullamore, by an act of gross negligence involving the administration of an excessive quantity of chloral hydrate on September 15, 2012. She has pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Insp Ger Glavin of Portlaoise Garda Station testified he invited Ms Scully to Tullamore Garda Station on September 20. She attended voluntarily and gave a statement about the death of her daughter, who had severe epilepsy, microcephaly and cerebral palsy.

As you know, Emily was severely disabled, she began, explaining that she had taken care of her at home all her life, with the consent of her paediatrician.

If she was in hospital, they didnt know how to look after her, she said.

When Emily has an episode of colic, she screams and screams. For a few hours, she would be content and then she would scream again. Every time she opened her eyes, she was crying. I find it very upsetting to see her like that. I was doing by best. Painkillers dont work. Nothing works.

She said they had tried to manage with dignity: She was my baby and I just loved her.

She said Emily had a procedure a couple of weeks earlier. The court had already heard that the child was in pain and not sleeping following this: I sat with her on my knee all week.

She said she administered chloral hydrate to ease her pain and stop her seizure at 2am, 6am, and 11am, that Saturday. She said Emily woke around 2am and she gave her the first dose, the normal dose of 10ml: She woke again around six, screaming. Normally I wouldnt have given her chloral hydrate twice.

I had her in the bed with me to comfort her. Emily was screaming and crying. I had to give her more, she said, later explaining that Emily liked her to hold her.

She said Emily had a terrible fit after her partner left for her nephews funeral that morning: I was really panicked because I hadnt seen it [so bad] before. She said she gave her chloral hydrate, again, maybe two syringes: I know I gave her more than I should have.

She stopped breathing. Emily was my life. I just thought I cant live without her

The fit just wouldnt stop. It was prolonged, she said, adding that her legs and arms were jerking.

I gave her more for the fit. She just stopped breathing and I wanted to die myself.

She then described her two failed suicide attempts that day, the first while her partner was at the funeral. When this failed, she said she thought she had to get drugs. She wrote out a prescription for medication for her mother and also one for an antidepressant.

It wasnt fair, but I sent Andrius to the chemist, she said, referring to her partner, whom she had met five years earlier.

I just didnt want to be around after Emily was gone. People will ask why I didnt call an ambulance. But I was just exhausted. I wasnt thinking rationally. I was confused and panicked.

She recalled: When Emily passed, I wrapped her up in duvet, adding that she gave the child her Padre Pio medal and little teddy. I felt Emily was gone, she said. I kissed her and I said Im coming with you right now.

She was asked what she thought led to her daughters death: Im not 100% sure. I think Emily had a massive fit. Im not sure but I suppose the chloral hydrate could have contributed.

She said her feeling was that she didnt harm her: It was a demented mother with a screaming child. I feel I did my best that night. Why would I do something not to keep her? she asked.

She said she gave her daughter what she could to stop it: It did stop the fit, but she also stopped breathing. The first two doses were just to stop her crying; the third was pandemonium. I dont know how Im going to live without her.

Earlier, Paddy Carragher of Quirkes Medical Hall in Tullamore testified that his pharmacy was where Emily got most of her medication.

Under cross-examination by Kenneth Fogarty, defending, he said such was the volume of Emilys medicine that Ms Scullys partner used to collect it in a van.

He said Ms Scully was so caring in such a difficult situation: Id say it was phenomenal care. In our pharmacy, it was the subject of conversation, how good Bernie was in looking after her for 11 to 12 years, of a very disabled child.
William Gilsenan, aged 24, of The Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Rd, Santry, Dublin 17, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Edward Fitzgerald, aged 29, in a car park outside the accuseds home on October 17, 2014.

His mother, Marie Gilsenan, yesterday told Caroline Biggs, defending, she got a phonecall from her son that afternoon. He told her he had a fight and stabbed Mr Fitzgerald in the leg and that he was going to hand himself over to gardai. When she arrived at the house he had called her from, gardai were already there.

She said she hugged him and he told her: I fucked up, ma.

Ms Gilsenan said she knew her son owed Mr Fitzgerald 100 because her son had been worried about it for some time and Mr Fitzgerald often called him looking for his money. On October 5, 12 days before the stabbing, Mr Fitzgerald called to Ms Gilsenans home and asked for William. When she told him William did not live there Mr Fitzgerald said: He owes me money.

I told him to take it up with him, she said. He said: I will, I fucking will, and he sped off up the road.

Ms Gilsenan said money was tight at the time but she called her son and offered to pay 50 of the debt, but he could not afford to pay the balance.

Ms Gilsenan said her son was studying horticulture in Colaiste Dhulaigh and was a keen footballer. She said he took seriously his responsibilities as the eldest of her children.

Mr Gilsenans father, William Kinsella, told Orla Crowe, prosecuting, that he was at home in Cromcastle Avenue when his son arrived soon after the stabbing. He said he seemed like a headless chicken, adding: He was panicked and he was grey. I got the feeling something was wrong. He didnt seem to know what to do.

He said William told him about the fight and that he had stabbed someone and accepted he had to hand himself over to gardai.

Lauren Meehan told Ms Crowe that she was engaged to Mr Gilsenan in 2014 but they have since split. She said she knew about the 100 debt because Mr Fitzgerald had contacted her through Facebook. She agreed with Ms Biggs that he said he wanted his money and he was getting pissed off. She told him she would pass on the message.

The trial will continue on Monday.
Brian Hanrahan, aged 34, of Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, is charged with two counts of assault arising from an incident in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on March 6.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath yesterday accepted jurisdiction in the case at Nenagh District Court and was told Mr Hanrahan is pleading not guilty to the offences, which are completely denied.

Outlining the allegations against Mr Hanrahan, state solicitor Michelle OConnell said gardai in Nenagh were made aware of an incident shortly after 4am on March 6. On arrival at the scene, they found a young female who had an injury to the mouth and was visibly upset, Ms OConnell said.

She had blood on her face and said her tooth was loose.

This woman told gardai that her friend had agreed to give a man a lift home, for a fee of 15. She was a front-seat passenger in the car when the man became abusive while talking about Nenagh during the journey. They became offended and the driver, this womans friend, stopped the car and asked him to get out.

It was at this point that this male punched her in the face when she asked for the money. The man was tall and had red hair, the woman told gardai.

The other woman, the driver, said she was assaulted when she tried to stop the man assaulting her friend. She said she was then punched in the face. The man then walked away.

While gardai were at the scene, a tall man with red hair was seen staggering and appeared to be drunk.

He gave his name as Brian Hanrahan and identified himself as an off-duty member of An Garda Siochana. The gardai noticed that the man had a cut on his hand, by his knuckles. He was brought to the Garda station in Nenagh and his hands were photographed.

The woman initially punched in the face had a swollen and tender upper lip and was in severe pain at the time, Ms OConnell told the court. She had a fracture to a tooth and a ligament was widened. She needed dental work which cost 510. The other woman had bruising to the left side of her face and said she was punched twice with a fist. She didnt require medical treatment.

Judge MacGrath said she was accepting jurisdiction in the case and noted the DPP had directed that the matter be dealt with summarily.

The accuseds solicitor, Daniel OGorman, said the offences are completely denied and his client is pleading not guilty. It was Mr Hanrahan who rang the gardai on the night, and denies any allegations.

The accused was in court yesterday but was not requested to speak. Judge MacGrath remanded Mr Hanrahan on continuing bail until February 3

Mr Hanrahan came to public attention last year when he was shot while on holiday in the United States.
James Maughan, aged 38, was already claiming disability benefit in his own name when he made a claim for Jobseekers Allowance in a false name. After his picture was taken for his public services card, suspicious staff ran the image through facial recognition software and discovered his true identity.

He has 55 previous convictions, including the 11 social welfare convictions.

Maughan, of Conyngham Rd, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to inducing another to accept an application for Jobseekers Allowance in a false name and stealing 438 in Jobseekers Allowance, the property of the Department of Social Protection, in July 2015.

The court heard sentencing had been adjourned earlier this year to allow Maughan attend rehabilitation at Cuan Mhuire. He attended there in August but subsequently left in September.

Judge Melanie Greally issued a bench warrant on that occasion. He was arrested and remanded in custody since November 1.

Rebecca Smith, defending, told Judge Greally her client had managed to stay drug-free and was allowed to work while on remand in Cloverhill Prison because of his status. She said there was a cheque in court, which had been provided by a friend of Maughans, to repay the balance of the money which was owed to the state.

He had to repay that money and a relative in Leeds contacted him to say he had a job for him on his fruit and veg stall when he was released from custody.

Judge Greally noted that Maughan had reimbursed the department and made good efforts to rehabilitate himself. She handed down a three-year sentence but suspended the final two years.
Straight Ahead, a charity founded by orthopaedic surgeons who operate pro bono on children who would otherwise remain too long on waiting lists, has organised a fun Santa cycle through the streets of Dublin and Cork tomorrow to fundraise for a paediatric orthopaedic ultrasound scanner for the Cork orthopaedic team.

However, while hundreds of Santas will light up the streets after dusk, bringing with them lashings of good cheer, there is a darker side to the story: combined figures for Crumlin Childrens Hospital and Temple St Childrens Hospital show more than 3,000 children are awaiting outpatient orthopaedic appointments, with 605 waiting more than a year. Between the two hospitals, another 1,038 are awaiting inpatient procedures, of whom 236 are waiting more than 12 months.

For some of these children, delayed surgery results in deformity and significant curvature of the spine.

Crumlin, though, got a pre-Christmas boost, with the opening just this week of a new state-of-the-art orthopaedic theatre, which Pat Kiely, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Crumlin, described as the fastest project in HSE history. It was mooted in 2014 and finished by spring 2016, and the first two surgeries were performed there last Thursday.

Mr Kiely said the next step is to get it up and running five to seven days a week to catch up with the backlog.

In the meantime, since the charity was founded in 2011, he and some fellow surgeons, nurses, and supporters have raised enough money to put 85 children through surgery.

Tomorrows Cork Santa cycle is fully subscribed but additional donations can be made online by clicking straightaheadireland.ie/donations/

As an added bonus, a video made with the help of the crew behind the Young Offenders movie to promote the charity cycle has gone viral, with more than 100,000 views (see shr.gs/IGXuHai). Old Offenders sees Cork Lord Mayor Des Cahill, decked out in Munster jersey, wellies, a baseball cap, and the chain of office, play a starring role.

Connie Wiseman, who also stars in the video, said since they released it things had been a little out of control with more than 300 sign-ups to the Cork Santa Cycle.

As of yesterday morning, funds raised through the Santa cycle amounted to 10,500, just shy of the 12,000 required to purchase the scanner.

The 7.5km Cork cycle will be setting off from outside Goldbergs pub on Victoria Road at 7.30pm, while in Dublin proceedings get underway a little earlier at 4pm at the Phoenix Park.
Enda Kenny, who announced additional funding to the Irish Arts Centre and Irish Repertory Theatre during his US visit, said he spoke with Mr Trump by phone the day after the US election.

At the Irish consulate in New York, just six blocks away from Trump Towers, Mr Kenny said: This trip was arranged long before the outcome of the election. This is a business, trade, and investment trip, both on the West coast and here. There are no political meetings on this occasion.

Although no meeting has been scheduled, it is understood that Irish officials were in contact with Mr Trumps team on the possibility of scheduling one. Mr Trump has already met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

Obviously, I have spoken  on the day he was announced as being the president-elect  to president-elect Trump, and I look forward to meeting him in March. We set out the position that we would work with the American administration.

He said the issue of undocumented and legal immigration from Ireland during the Trump presidency is a matter of considerable interest.

I think the priorities for the president-elect in his comments were the issues of the border and immigrants with criminal records, but clearly from our point of view we will work with the administration in engaging in Washington with them.

Mr Kenny said he will be fighting to save the J1 visa, which Mr Trump vowed to abolish during campaigning: I wouldnt want to see that go. I think the J1 has been an incredible opportunity and a brilliant example of connecting different countries, different cultures. For young people, it has always been an adventure. It has always been a measure of excitement, of freedom to come to a different country; experience a taste of work; and having the opportunity of working in a different place. I would like to think that we could work to develop that for the future. It keeps that very strong cultural, social, business link alive.

At an Irish/American reception last night, Mr Kenny announced the allocation of 1m in funding to the Irish Arts Centre, which he described as a central plank of the cultural and political relationship with New York City Council.

The centre is due to be completed in 2019 at a cost of between $57m and $60m, but still has a funding shortfall of $9m, which has to be raised. Mr Kenny also announced $265,000 in funding for the Irish Repertory Theatre.

A partnership agreement between Enterprise Ireland and Northwell Health, a leading US healthcare provider, was signed at a separate event attend by the Taoiseach yesterday. As a result, Irish companies will have access to clinicians and key decision makers in a major health network.
Mr Kenny said he would be very upset if reports about the delays in reporting the alleged assault to gardai were true.

The incident is reported to have taken place on Thursday, November 24, at The Kings Hospital School and there was allegedly a delay in reporting the incident to the relevant authorities. The school has disputed this but did not provide a timeline.

Mr Kenny said children are central to government and hoped the allegations would be dealt with quickly and effectively by the authorities.

Speaking in New York yesterday, Mr Kenny said: We have enshrined in the Constitution a minister for children and support for both the Department of Education and Tusla (the child and family agency).

While Mr Kenny said that Mr Bruton was exceptionally distressed about the allegations, he said it was not his place to comment any further until the authorities have carried out a full investigation.

Also speaking on the matter yesterday was Mr Bruton, who described the allegations as very disturbing.

I think [the allegation] here is very disturbing, theres no doubt about that, but there are now authorities investigating this.

The primary responsibility is obviously [with] the gardai in respect of some elements and Tusla in respect of child protection.

He said any parent would be worried about such an incident.

Clearly this is a matter that worries  any parent would be worried about an incident such as this but I think we have to step back and allow those that have the authority to investigate to get the time and space to do that, the education minister added.

Last night, a spokesman for the school issued a statement in response to the alleged reporting delay.

The spokesman said they did not want to prejudice the investigation but that it was imperative to correct any inaccuracies.

An Garda Siochana and Tusla are currently investigating an alleged incident which occurred at The Kings Hospital School on 24 November 2016, he said. We cannot make any statement which might prejudice those investigations. However, it is imperative that certain inaccuracies reported in the media which have caused understandable anxiety to parents of our pupils and to the wider public are corrected.

The management and staff have actioned the correct procedures and requirements, including liaising with the appropriate agencies.

At no stage did the management and staff fail to act on legal advice.

Neither did the school seek advice from the state agencies by using hypothetical scenarios.
A member of the public contacted Tesco via social media on Wednesday night to complain about the inclusion of the Every Life Counts group in its Community Fund drive.

The initiative sees customers allocate blue discs to a plastic token bank representing one of a number of causes selected by each store. At the end of the campaign, funding is allocated among the causes in proportion to the number of tokens they receive.

Every Life Counts is registered with the Companies Registration Office, and says its aim is to work towards an Irish perinatal hospice. However the group does not appear on the regulators register of charities.

It has previously written to legislators to voice its opposition to Clare Daly TDs bill which would allow for abortions in instances where there is a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality.

You do realise this is a politically motivated anti-choice group? Is that within t&cs of community fund? the customer posted on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the group said the funds would have gone to organise memory-making sessions and counselling for bereaved families, and accused the supermarket of making the decision without contacting Every Life Counts.

The mothers who have lost babies cant understand Tescos reaction at all, especially when some of them have been totally failed by the HSE and only received counselling and support through ELC, the spokesperson said. Were also upset that Tesco didnt contact us before they made the decision to be bullied by this person on Twitter, though it is nice to see all the support from people who saw news reports about whats happened, she said.

Tesco said it is its policy to only include causes that are apolitical and neutral.
But no, some three months ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the Wolfsburg concern has provided us with the first look at what the company describes as the fascinating contours of its new top saloon, the Arteon.

The Arteon, we have been told this week is a totally new model which will sit above the Passat in the companys model line-up which also, according to VW, emphasises emotionality in the upper mid-class, whatever that means.
Business The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (November 3)

Bagan / The Irrawaddy

Japan Expands Its Portion at Thilawa Zone

Japan is set to expand the size of the area it is developing within the Thilawa Special Economic Zone south of Rangoon.

The portion of land to be developed in the zone by the Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development Co. will increase by 20 percent to 500 hectares (1,235 acres), the joc.com website reported.

The Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development Co. is a joint venture between the governments of Myanmar and Japan. It is 49 percent owned by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, (JICA), and the Mitsubishi Corporation.

The timing to commence the project construction will be determined after taking into consideration the progress of land acquisition and resettlement implemented by the government of Myanmar, JICA said in a statement announcing the deal.

In late 2016, a total of 33 Japanese companies are based in a 400-hectare section of the zone, including Suzuki Motor, Nippon Kouatsu Electric, Yakult, Fujifilm, and Yusen Logistics, according to the website.

It added that Thilawas new port is scheduled to open at the end of this year and is forecast to handle up to 187,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units per year by 2019.

Yoma Chair Invites Filipino Audience to Invest in Burma

The chairman of Yoma Strategic Holdings told an audience in the Philippines this week that Burma was an attractive investment option for Filipino agribusiness, The Manila Times reported.

Rice, banana, and coconut were among the promising sectors for Filipino investors suggested by U Tin Htut Oo, who was speaking as a recipient of the DL Umali Award of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

Burmas new foreign investment policy, which allows 100 percent foreign ownership, will have implementing rules by next year, he said.

The law provides a lot of benefits and incentives because Myanmar needs investment not only for capital but for technology and market access, U Tin Htut Oo said.

The Philippines is a rice importing country. Myanmar is a rice surplus country. For Filipino entrepreneurs, why not come to Myanmar and invest? You grow it [in Burma]. We buy it. We mill it, and we export it to the Philippines, said the SEARCA awardee, who was being recognized for his contribution to Burmas agriculture sector.

The Philippines was considered a global leader in coconut and banana plantations, he said. You are successful in coconut, [in which] you have downstream businesses. Were not utilizing coconut as much as the Philippines. Its not a commercial crop. Filipino entrepreneurs can turn our industry [into a commercial one].

Technologies in fruits were another key area with potential for Burma-Philippines cooperation, U Tin Htut Oo added.

Filipino entrepreneurs can bring in a lot of technology, most especially the market. You have everything on the downstream side. Myanmar has all the land and the farmers, but has no access to markets. Its a good marriage for both of us.

Filipino companies that have already invested in Burma include the SL Agritech Corp. and Universal Robina Corp.

Taiwans SheenHo and Partner to Start Franchise Outlets

The Creation Strength company has been awarded the master franchise to operate outlets of Taiwans SheenHo restaurants in Burma.

The SheenHo International Creation Group is planning to invest about 1.3 billion kyats in the deal. Around 20 branches of the restaurant are expected to open within five years,

DealStreet Asia reported.

Chefs from Burma will receive training in SheenHo cuisine in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, DealStreet Asia also reported that Thailand-based TOA Paint has gained approval to invest $12 million in a manufacturing operation at the Thilawa industrial zone.

TOA Paint produces construction chemicals such as waterproofing products and elastic bonding as well as wood coatings and marine system coatings.

Burma-Singapore to Increase Investor Ties

Burma and Singapore are set to begin discussions on a bilateral investment treaty and update an agreement on avoidance of double taxation, The Straits Times reported during a visit by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to the island state this week.

The discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had sent a positive signal to investors and could boost economic growth in Burma, PM Lee Hsien Loong said.

Burmas Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that air connectivity between Singapore and Burma will be enhanced. Singaporean carriers have been seeking to introduce multi-city flights to Burma.

A 30-day visa exemption between both countries was inaugurated this month and the number of travelers from Singapore is expected to increase significantly as a result.

In 2015, 43,000 Singaporeans traveled to Burma. As of August this year, more than 32,000 had visited this country, an increase of 18 percent over the same period in 2015.

Singapore is Burmas second-largest investor after China.

CB and JCB to Issue New Payment Card

The Co-Operative Bank (CB Bank) is set to begin issuing debit cards to its customers this month.

The bank is working with the Myanmar Payment Union Public Co. Ltd (MPU), and Japanese JCB International Co. Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd, to issue the CB-JCB debit card, the Business Standard reported.

Card users will be able to use MPUs nation-wide merchant network across the country and JCBs international merchant network with over 31 million locations. Three types of debit card are on offer: Platinum, Gold and Standard.

Meanwhile, US-based payment company Visa said it expected that demand for electronic payments would continue to rise significantly in Burma.

The value of transactions made by Burmese cardholders while traveling overseas had grown by 54 per cent, Visa said in a statement. The number of Visa cards issued in Burma had increased by 80 percent.

The demand for electronic payments from both Myanmar people and international tourists is strong. Myanmars fast growing economy can benefit from expanding access to electronic payments, particularly when it comes to enabling more people to pay and get paid electronically, said Arturo Planell, Country Manager for Visa Burma.

Visa has been focusing on expanding the acceptance of electronic payments across Burma to support tourism development. The number of retailers that accept Visa cards in the country had increased by 49 per cent in 2016 to approximately 3,500 retailers, the statement said. The number of ATM machines in the country had increased by 39 per cent to approximately 2,000.

MPT Customers Donate to Bagan Earthquake Relief

State-owned Myanma Post and Telecommunication (MPT) received a total of 152,136,500 kyats ($112,000) from more than 300,000 individual text message donations between Sept. 9 and Oct. 31 for the restoration and preservation of heritage sites damaged by earthquakes in Bagan and Mrauk-U.

The company has now transferred the money to WHO at ceremonies in Naypyitaw and Arakan State, it announced.
Dateline Dateline Irrawaddy: If the Death Penalty is Introduced, Some Child Rape Cases Will Go Unreported

The Irrawaddys Kyaw Kha discusses with rights advocates what actions should be taken in cases of child rape now in the spotlight in Burma.

Kyaw Kha: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy. This week, well discuss what actions should be taken in child rape cases, which have recently entered the spotlight in Burma. Director Daw Htar Htar of the Akhara Groupwhich works to protect the rights of women and childrenand lawyer U Robert San Aung join me for the discussion. Im Irrawaddy Burmese Edition reporter Kyaw Kha.

Disgustingly, we have seen reports of child rape almost every day lately in both mass media and social media. Daw Htar Htar, you work to protect women and children. How bad is the situation?

Htar Htar: The situation is fairly serious. It has not only just become serious though. It was already serious. Because of greater press freedom, more victims dare to report these crimes now.

But it is also true that rape cases have increased. There have been around 800 reports of rape against women and children so far across the country this year. If only child rape cases are counted, there were around 500 in the past 10 or 11 months, with December yet to come. The total number has increased compared to previous years.

KK: Who are the offenders? Are they usually from the victims families?

HH: Regarding child rape, about 70 to 80 percent of the offenders are from the victims immediate families or are otherwise related to the victims. This is the same as in other countries.

KK: There has been criticism in the media and online that the penalties for the crime are not tough enough to deter potential child molesters. What do you think, Robert San Aung?

Robert San Aung: Police are the first people responsible for establishing a case. Rather than handling these cases vigorously and dutifully, police stations slack in their duties, which essentially encourages sex offenders.

This makes it quite hard to address the problem of child rape. The best option I could suggest is to form an anti-child rape squad, similar to the already-existing anti-human trafficking squad. What happens now is that police do not immediately open a case when a rape is reported at a police station. Instead, they procrastinate by giving various excuses; such as the head of police station is absent. That is a violation of the police manual and criminal code of procedure.

Suppose you have suffered from their mishandling and filed a complaint against them. They never get punished, only transferred to another police station at worst. So, the first thing we need to do is to force police to work in line with the law. Upper echelons of the judicial system need to monitor and punish judges who dont perform their duties well. Only then, can this problem be solved. There is rampant sexual abuse of children across the world. In our country, rape cases have increased compared to previous years. This is very bad. The cases of rape and murder where the bodies are left in public places are the worst. This blatantly challenges the countrys rule of law.

KK: There is weakness among law enforcement personnel. But are the laws themselves weak?

RSS: According to Article 376 of the Penal Code, up to 20 years imprisonment or 10 years imprisonment can be handed down for rape. But in reality, courts usually dont deliver such long sentences. This has provoked public outrage and people have called to introduce the death penalty. In cases where the offenders are under 16, the death penalty cannot be handed out because they are minors.

Only when imposing a sentence of 20 years does not work should we consider increasing the penalty. People have called for the death penalty because in some cases, police do not establish cases properly and courts therefore only hand down light penalties. In rape cases, there are accomplices as well as those who aid and abet rapists. Police choose not to bring charges against them because they think cases will be messier with more defendants. Thats why rape cases have spiraled out of control.

KK: Ma Htar Htar, organizations like yours are taking steps outside of Parliament to eliminate child rape. What is your organization doing and how much progress has been made so far?

HH: There have been calls for the death penalty against offenders and new laws against child rape. As parliaments and legal institutions start to take action, we will work closely with them to find short and long-term solutions.

KK: What particular measures are womens organizations taking outside Parliament to raise the issue in Parliament?

HH: In particular, we educate policewomen to properly handle rape victims when they come to file complaints at the police station. When filing a complaint, the rape victimor the mother of the rape victim if she is underagehas to read the complaint letter thoroughly before signing it to ensure that the officer correctly documented the victims account.

In some cases, police incorrectly record rape cases as attempted rape. We are educating policewomen regarding this. And we call for appropriate penalties according to the provisions. In practice, some offenders are given four years and some only get two years. If a rapist is only given two years, we dont know if he will commit the same offense against after he is released. It is dangerous for the victims family. If the law prescribes 10 years imprisonment, offenders must be handed 10 years. For the time being, we will demand suitable penalties. In the long run, we will cooperate with parliament to properly enforce the laws and amend them if necessary.

KK: There have been calls for the death penalty against molesters. What do you think about it? Do you think they deserve death penalty?

RSS: The death penalty can be given for the rape of either adults or minors under certain circumstances. It can be given if a victim is raped and killed under Article 376/302 (1) (a) or (c) of the Penal Code. But courts do not give the death penalty and police also do not establish enough facts for cases to attract the death penalty. They only loosely establish cases. In a case in Hledan Township, a victim was raped and killed and the inspector should now charge the offender with both rape and murder in court. Rape, when coupled with murder, deserves the death penalty. We have to see if this will be established. What happens is that most police do not establish the facts of the cases comprehensively.

KK: Do you support the death penalty?

RSS: Under those circumstances, the death penalty must be applied because it is rape and murder.

KK: What do you think, Ma Htar Htar?

HH: There have been loud calls for the death penalty for rapists. I understand these feelings. They deserve the death penalty considering the things they did. But considering that even suitable penalties are not currently given, will the death penalty actually be imposed? Even if the death penalty is introduced, suppose a child is raped by her father. No daughter wants to participate in the evil deed of having her father killed. In a religious country like Burma, people do not even kill mosquitos or flies. No daughter wants her father, uncle, brother, or grandfather to be killed because of her. If the death penalty is introduced, some child rape cases will go unreported. Now because of transparency and public support, many victims are brave enough to report their cases. The death penalty will only discourage them from reporting. According to international precendent, the death penalty discourages rape reports. If a suitable penalty is given according to the law, the death penalty is not necessary because it will only worsen the situation.

KK: What measures should be taken to curb rape cases?

RSS: If tough penalties were given in accordance with the law, cases would decline.

KK: What is your view?

HH: First of all, it is because there is no rule of law, as U Robert San Aung said. The rule of law is of utmost importance. Laws must be enforced effectively. I would like to call for effective enforcement of the law at each levelward level, township level, police stations, courts and so on.

KK: We can conclude from our discussion this week that the law needs to be properly enforced to fight against child rape cases. Thank you all for joining the discussion.
RANGOON Two piles of charcoal stoves, bricks, cooking pots and food stand side by side in Ma Aye Chann Mons painting Amay Latyar which means mothers homecooking.

It is one of 500 works of art by Burmese women on display in the Myanmar Ladies Art Exhibition that opens on Friday at the Yangon Gallery.

I want to show that womens hands, which used to hold salt, oil, knives and spoons, can also hold the paintbrush and can paint, organizer of the exhibition Daw Nwe Nwe Ye said.

The 78-year-old artist said the exhibitionwhich brings together works of 136 female artists from Rangoon, Mandalay, Irrawaddy and Pegu Divisionsaims to redress the often overlooked art created by women.

Women dont often paint scenery because they cant go outside as much as menthey paint while they are cooking and doing household chores, she said. Many of their paintings are still life works of pots, dishes, vegetables and fruits.

The artists featured in the exhibition range in age from teenagers to women in their eighties and include teachers, engineers, doctors, writers, and students working in acrylics, watercolor, ink on paper, colored pencil, mixed medium, collages and gem art.

Im happy to be able to participate in the exhibition along with senior women artists, said Ma Kyal Cin Thit, a 14-year-old graffiti artist from Rangoon who has seven paintings on show at the exhibition.

Another artist, Ma Soe Pa Pa Myint, said that more and more women are participating in art exhibitions and competitions.

The exhibition opens on Friday and will run until Dec. 6 at Yangon Gallery at the Peoples Park Compound on Ahlone Road, in Rangoon. The gallery is open from 9am to 5pm.
In 2015, Martin Shkreli was called 'the most hated man in America' after he bought the right to Daraprim - a medication used to treat malaria and HIV. The drug was sold in the US for $13.50, but Shkreli raised the price to $750.

Teenage Students From Australia Recreated The Drug For Just $20

17-year-old students from Sydney Grammar in Australia were able to synthesize Daraprim's active ingredient, pyrimethamine, in their school science laboratory. The boys produced 3.7 grams of pyrimethamine for just $20. The same quantity would have cost about $110,000 in the US.

"It wasn't terribly hard but that's really the point, I think, because we're high school students," said Charles Jameson, one of the boys.

The Boys Were Surprised When They Made The Final Discovery

Brandon Lee, a member of the student team, said that they were very happy when they met their goal. "At first there was definitely disbelief. We spent so long and there were so many obstacles... it surprised us, like, 'Oh, we actually made this material' and 'This can actually help people out there'. So it was definitely disbelief but then it turned in to happiness as we realised we finally got to our main goal."

Experts Say There Is No Reason For Daraprim To Be So Expensive, If These Aussie Boys Were Able To Replicate Them

Daraprim was first developed in the 1950's and is the best treatment available for parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis. The decision of Shkreli to increase the price of the drug by about 5,000 percent faced international uproar. HIV and malaria patients who relied on the drug found the increase heartbreaking. University of Sydney research chemist, Dr Alice Williamson, who supported the boys' project said: "If you can obtain it cheaply in schools, then there's no excuse for charging that much money for a drug. Especially from people that really need it and probably can't afford to pay for it."
Zika is normally transmitted through a bite from an infected mosquito. However, in rare cases, you can also get Zika from your sex partner. This is what happened to a woman in the UK. Although the mosquito type which carries the virus is not found in the UK, the woman's partner recently travelled to a Zika-infected area, and when they had sex, the virus was passed on to her.

Use Condoms For Six Months After Travelling, Doctors Say

Pregnant women face a high risk for being infected. Zika virus is known to cause microcephaly, a birth defect giving babies abnormally small heads. If your spouse came from a trip from a region which is affected by Zika, it is safe to have them wear condoms during sex for about 6 months.

Public Health England's Zika incident director, Prof Dilys Morgan, said: "PHE advises all male travellers regardless of symptoms to avoid conception and use condoms and other barrier methods during sexual activities for six months following return from a Zika high- or moderate-risk country."

Sexually Transmitted Zika Is Very Rare

The news about a sexually transmitted Zika case in the UK did not come as a shock, health officials say. "News that one case of sexual transmission of Zika has occurred in the UK is not unexpected. About 60 cases of sexual transmission of Zika have been reported worldwide, so we think this is quite rare. Discovering just how common it is for the virus to be passed during sex by a man or woman is a key focus for Zika researchers," Prof Jimmy Whitworth from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said.

Just last month, the World Health Organization said Zika is no longer a global health emergency. Dr. Peter Salama, executive director of the W.H.O.'s health emergencies program, said: "We are not downgrading the importance of Zika. We are sending the message that Zika is here to stay and the W.H.O. response is here to stay."
Recently, tobacco giant Philip Morris, has launched its revolutionized smokeless cigarette which promises 90 percent less toxin content which has the ability to deliver the same nicotine hit, as compared to the ordinary types of cigar. The company proudly said that it could in fact pave the way for traditional cigarettes to be phased out sooner or later. As revealed by the company, the IQOS product costs 45, is already on sale in over a dozen markets, including Japan, Switzerland and Italy.

IQOS: How Different Is It From The Rest?

According to Daily Mail, it was found that the electronic device is used with mini tobacco sticks as opposed to a nicotine-laced liquid that usually costs 8 for 20. As experts of the said product explains the process of using it, they are then placed into the device before being heated, which makes it much less harmful due to the fact that no burning of tobacco takes place in the entire action.

Despite these claims, health experts believe that the new device will never be safer than e-cigarettes and doesn't appear to be a safe option. However, in one of the company's statement revealed by Mogaznews, Andre Calantzopoulos the company's chief executive, has claimed that there will come a moment in time where I would say we have sufficient adoption of these alternative products... to start envisaging, together with governments, a phase-out period for cigarettes, adding that he hopes this time will really come soon. It was found that the tobacco giant, who also manufactures Marlboro cigarettes everywhere except the US, gets the vast majority of its sales and profits from traditional cigarettes.

Meanwhile, chief executive of ASH Deborah Arnott, said that Philip Morris has only stated that their product has the ability to potentially reduce the risk of smoking, thus, it also goes without saying that if smokers switch to electronic cigarettes or other products that can be shown to cut the risks to their health, this could lead to a big improvement in public health. However, she adds, we still need independent evidence to support any claims made by the tobacco industry.

The World Health Organization predicts more than 1 billion tobacco-related deaths will occur this century. On the other hand, Philip Morris' director of scientific engagement, Dr. Moira Gilchrist has assured their consumers that the studies conducted on IQOS are well advanced.
Non-profit organization WikiLeaks released 2,420 relating to the German parliamentary inquiry into the cooperation between the German spy agency - the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) - and the National Security Agency (NSA). The disclosure consists of 90 GB trove of information from several agencies -which features press reactions, admin documents, agreements, and correspondence- including 33 documents from the Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz (BfV), 72 from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), 125 from the spy agency BND, and more.

Germanys Leadership In The EU Could Be Compromised

According to the International Business Times, some of the documents revealed alleged spying agreements between the BND and the NSA regarding the XKescore spy program, in which a staffer of the German spy agency was tasked with contributing to it. In a release, the radical transparency organization explained that the disclosure showed a detailed insight into the mechanics of the inquiry and agencies themselves.

By his part, WikiLeaks leader Julian Assange said that these revelations disallowed Germanys leadership role within the European Union (EU), considering how its parliamentary processes are subjugated to the interests of the state that doesn't belong to the EU. Naturally, this is a situation that put Angela Merkels government in a delicate situation, considering the upcoming elections and the way in which many countries are betting to a new geopolitical order in which the EU could disappear, or lose its power in the continent.

The Spy Agency Files Comes After BND Chief Told That Russian Hackers Would Interfere With The Elections

According to Express, Assange also explained that the substantial body of the evidence released, clearly proves that documents from NSA former analyst Edward Snowden have been used by the inquiry, which shows its cowardice to everyone since it hasn't allowed him to testify about the content of the documents.

The German spy agency files came just after WikiLeaks published another classified document in which it was revealed the U.S. involvement in the Yemens civil war, arming the Yemeni forces. As it was reported in a previous article, BND president Bruno Kahl said that state-sponsored Russian hackers are going to interfere with the German elections, which made people believe that WikiLeaks disclosures about the spy agency could also be related to it.
There are various reports about Netflix original series, Orange is The New Black being cancelled. However, fans can relax now as that was debunked by the producers and the network.

Orange Is The New Black: The Legacy Continues

The American Comedy Drama just basically destroyed every category and awards that TV Series has to offer. The show displayed uniqueness and full of surprises in their Season premier last 2013. Right now, they are one of the most feared TV series,since they know they are that damn good. The Netflix original series already captured a total of 31 awards with 70 nominations. While others are struggling in adjusting with Streaming series, Orange Is The New Black is excelling at it.

Netflix And Orange Is The New Black Cast Having Some Issues

This is not the first time we have heard or read a report about Netflix having issues with their stars. This issue alarmed the fans and they started doing the petition. One fan states that "If they cancel the show prematurely, then bye bye Netflix too". Other fans were making their movement via social media accounts. Having issues on the set is normal as long as it is not taken too personally. Amidst their success, this issue won't seem to die down.

Netflix as reported by one of the respected magazines is already ready to move with Orange Is The New Black. They are already talking to big stations such as CW and HBO. If they did release the show, both CW and HBO will be considered as winners. If there's two characters or actors that has personal issues with Netflix, that would be the main character Taylor Schilling and Laura Prepon.

According to reddit user, Taylor Schilling who plays the role of Piper Chapman had some issues with one of Netflix boss. There are no concrete evidence with the claim but the gap between Taylor and Netflix is already visible. Also, Laura Prepon or most commonly known as Donna Pinciotti in the hit series That 70's Show is going through a rough patch with Netflix. Talent fee and personal issues are said to be the reason why they have a beef.
Apple's anniversary phone is not going to be a joke and the Cupertino-based company is making sure of that. Along with the string of design and specs rumors for the iPhone 8, the company is also said to be testing at least ten prototypes for the unveiling next year.

There is a lot of pressure on the tech giant to produce the best handheld that it has ever released. And, as Mac Rumors notes, Apple is getting by with the help of almost a dozen prototypes. However, the publication also explains that these prototypes might mean that the company will not release its highly anticipated version of an OLED display.

For a while now, it has been speculated that the iPhone 8 will ditch Apple's standard LED display and finally make the upgrade to an OLED screen. Not only would this feature make the smartphone thinner and lighter, but it would also give Apple more flexibility in terms of the units aesthetic. The downside is that these screens can be US$50 cheaper per device, thus making the anniversary iPhone even more expensive than those in the current market.

It has been reported by Tech Spot that Apple will work with Samsung to produce the OLED components. However, LG Display, Japan Display and Sharp are also said to be part of the production line and will therefore increase their numbers for the next years. The Cupertino-based company is definitely tapping into the best in the market.

With Apple's sales trend diminishing this year, the world is excited to know what kind of product will be released next year. Not only is the design expected to change, but the iPhone 8 is also sure to sport the best specs that the market can currently offer. By the looks of it, Apple is poised and ready to take center stage again.
When Snapchat Spectacles were first introduced to the market, the general public was thrilled at the change of owning something that seemed to belong to the future. The idea of physically wearing a camera that easily turns on and off was novel. But the hype died down a few days after and the eyewear has not gained any other momentum

As Fortune notes, Snapchat first entered the market five years ago with a service that was unlike any of its competitors. Though there are ways around it, the service was simple: Temporary photos and videos. But Snapchat was its best when it allowed users to share hilarious and embarrassing moments.

The problem was that these instances have oftentimes been too quick to capture. Most users were unable to unlock their phones, open the application and film before the funny moment passed. And then came Snapchat Spectacles in November, a piece of eyewear with an attached camera that cost US$130.

The camera that was embedded into the Spectacles were connected to the Snapchat application. At that time, they were a major hit. There were long lines to get the coveted new accessory, which resulted in pretty tough online auctions and positive reviews. Unlike Google Glass, the public welcomed this new piece of technology.

Every purchase of a pair of Snapchat Spectacles come with a charging case, a USB charging cable and a ghost-shaped cleaning cloth and buyers can choose between a black, teal and coral. The battery could record about 100 10-second snaps per charge and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Furthermore, the eyewear worked even without close range of the the handset, as it will just sync once Wi-Fi and distance allow it.

PC Mag adds that using the Spectacles to record daily activities is easy. Wearers simply need to tap the left button to record a 10-second step, with each additional tape recording an additional 10 seconds to the video. Nevertheless, the recording can be stopped when the button is held down for two seconds.

The LED lights are important as well. When the lights flash in a circle, this means that the glasses are recording -- which doubles as letting the people around you know they are being filmed. One LED flash three times, on the other hand, signals low battery. Five LED flashes three times means that storage is full. Two LED flashes three times mean that Snapchat has to be updated.

However, actually finding a pair might be difficult. Snapchat only sells the Spectacles via vending machines they call Snapbots. These machines are not clearly marked out, but they have been units found in New York, Los Angeles, Oklahoma, Arizona and Florida as well. Otherwise, those eyeing the device need to buy them secondhand online.

Snapchat Spectacles are a great piece of technology, but it is not for everyone. It definitely is more appealing to the younger generations. They are brightly colored, easy to use and efficient. The item will definitely be a hit this holiday season - if the company releases enough units.
Humans produce much waste. Much of the environment is being harmed by the waste created by human activity. Although there are efforts to educate people about waste management, beach litter shows a rise in plastic product use, and the still rampant disregard for the environment.

Researchers from the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory have looked into surveys made over the last 10 years made by the Marine Conservation Society's Beachwatch program. There has been a large amount of litter taken by the surveys, and have noted that there are some types have become more frequent. Overall the amount of litter has not significantly increased, though some items have seen an increase.

Litter that has increased over the years include small plastic fragments, plastic food packaging, wet wipes and polystyrene foam among others. Also found were balloons and plastic fishing nets. While there has been much of those items found, regions do vary in how much of those have been found there.

Beaches in Southwest of England and South Wales have many of the items, according to Phys Org. Beaches north and west of Scotland have the lowest recorded amount of the items. Most of the items that were found were land-based in origin.

Of note are the number of balloons that have been found. Sarah Nelms, author of the study and a Ph.D. researcher from the University of Exeter has said that mass balloon releasing events such as funerals are likely to account for the number of balloons found. Wet wipes have come from waste water from communities.

The presence of plastic items are a concern since they could pose harm to marine wildlife, as Cornwall Live reports. Fishing nets could get marine animals entangled into them. There have been cases already of marine mammals getting entangled in nets, some of which have resulted in drowning.

The researchers have said that there is a need to continue monitoring the beaches. Programs such as Beachwatch can help in monitoring. This would help in keeping much of the sea almost free from litter. Greenpeace is ensuring that the oceans remain free from such pollutants, with it urging for the ban of microbeads.
In keeping with its fast-paced story-telling, "Criminal Minds" season 2 episode 7 has the BAU facing more dangerous enemies. The episode involves close calls and a lot of twists and turns. An old adversary, Mr. Scratch, appears to be lurking around every other corner in the show. This could probably pave the way for Hotch's comeback.

Tara Meets Her Impostor Brother

In episode 7 of "Criminal Minds" season 2, Tara was met by her supposed brother Gabriel. However, she notices that there's something different to the guy who is posing as her brother. That man is not Gabriel but Desmond who is afflicted with a dissociative illness that induces him to forsake his true identity, through the help of none other than Mr. Scratch, or Peter Lewis.

Tara's real brother was held up somewhere in episode 7 of "Criminal Minds" season 2. But by way of some sets of numbers and a voice record of Gabriel where he is heard shouting "Luke" over and over again, Tara was able to discover a message in a verse contained in a gospel of the Bible. They used the information from these sources and were able to locate Gabriel just in time before the blast of nails from above could kill him.

A Logical Reason For Hotch's Return

Hotch was earlier cut from "Criminal Minds" season 2 allegedly for some violent altercations with the showrunners. The show's ratings plummeted when fans were not able to see Hotch doing his thing on the show anymore. However, an earlier episode showed that Hotch, together with his son are in some kind of a witness protection program.

The WPP is supposed to protect them from who else but Mr. Scratch. It appears that the terrorism that this villain is inflicting at BAU is stepping up into a higher level. Could this be the possible reason that the showrunners have thought of so that Hotch could logically return to the show? Fans have to wait for the release of the upcoming episode to know if Hotch will indeed come back.
Nokia confirmed that its feature phones will be continued with HDM Global marketing as part of its integrated portfolio. Also, the Finnish company said that the feature phones will be sold alongside a new range of smartphones and tablets that will be announced later by HMD itself. There has been a considerable amount of rumors going around regarding Nokias plans to make Android smartphones. Just a few days ago, the company made it official by announcing HDM Global as its new home for its phones.

The Nokia Smartphones Are Back

Nokia has launched a new phones section on its official website. The page confirms that the company will be introducing new smartphones in 2017. The page also clearly shows that the website is operated by HMD Global Oy, the company that now owns the Nokia brand for the next 10 years. The site is saying the following:

Nokia.com/phones website is operated by HMD Global Oy, the exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand for phones and tablets. We use cookies to improve and personalize your experience and to display advertisements. By using this site, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn more

According to International Business Times, Nokia announced today that HMD Global has completed its acquisition of the Nokia license from FIH Mobile Ltd. and Microsoft. This means that HMD Global can now start making new phones under the Nokia brand.

"We've been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown around the world for the return of the Nokia brand to smartphones," Nokia's interim president Brad Rodrigues said. "The HMD Global team has the ambition, talent and resources to bring a new generation of Nokia branded phones to market, and we wish them every success. I'm sure our millions of Nokia fans will be excited to see their new products!"

Know More About HMD Global

HMD global Oy is a Finnish company that develops mobile devices under the "Nokia" brand name. It was formed in May 2016 by purchasing part of the feature phone business of Microsoft Mobile, the company founded after Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile phone business in 2014. It is headquartered in Helsinki and made up of veteran Nokia staff.

As reported by Gadget 360, HMD Global Oy was formed in May 2016 with the aim of securing the licensing deal and to bring the iconic Nokia brand back to the mobile market. Nearly all key HMD executives have a Nokia connection - with many of them having worked at both Nokia and Microsoft Devices in the past - and you can sense their excitement at bringing the Nokia name where they feel it belongs. While Nokia is not an investor in HMD, it does have representation on the HMD board, and will receive royalty on every Nokia-branded device that the company sells.
After the release of Motorola's Moto Z line, rumors of a new Moto X have surfaced.

The Moto X line will likely have a 2017 model if the leaked images are true. The hands-on images were leaked by TechDroider.

Unfortunately, the images are the only things that have come out as news regarding the possible new Moto X. Specifications and other details such as price, release date and even an announcement have yet to be heard.

However, there are a few details that can be picked up from the leaked images.

First, the rumored 2017 Moto Z comes in gold. The phone seems to be made up of "a metal frame or a fully metallic construction", as described by GSMArena. There is also a fingerprint scanner on the phone's front while a camera is situated at its rear. The rear camera has a dual-LED flash and is located within a round protruding area which is similar to how the Moto Z was designed.

On the other hand, the phone in the leaked image had no pins on the back's lower side indicating that it will not support the Moto Mods. This fact is proof that the leaked phone is not part of the Moto Z line. Lenovo has also mentioned that the high-end Moto phones that will be released in 2017 will all support the Moto Mods. If that is the case, then the device in the leaked photos is indeed not a Moto Z and more likely a Moto X.

Interestingly, the leaked device also looks similar to the Moto M. Both phones have the same metal chassis.

Digital Trends estimates that the new Moto X phone will as impressive as the Moto Z and even previous Moto Z devices. While it does expect the Moto X 2017 to have decent specs, Digital Trends mentioned that the X line is no longer Motorola's flagship phone. That distinction now belongs to the Moto Z.
Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have discovered that augmented reality and machine learning can help reduce phantom limb pain in chronic cases.

Dr. Max Ortiz Catalan, who pioneered the study, told Inverse that the therapy is "non-invasive [and] low-risk" and that it "holds great potential to treat the condition." The study, which found that phantom limb pain was reduced by over 50 percent with the use of augmented reality, was published Thursday in The Lancet.

"The approach we propose to treat phantom limb pain showed promising results in patients for whom all previous treatment failed," Catalan said.

The researchers utilized a form of artificial intelligence called machine learning to create a brain-computer interface that was able to gather and interpret neurological signals sent to the patient's phantom limb. The computer would then translate these signals into movement commands.

For the study, the researchers attached surface electrodes on the stumps of the patients' amputated limbs. These electrodes recorded muscle activation. The AI would then connect the patients' intended movements with the signals collected by the electrodes, eventually learning how specific signals correspond to the patients' intended movements. Catalan had the idea to match these movements and signals with augmented reality. From these, he built a system that created a live augmented reality feed of the virtual limb based on the AI's output.

While the researchers' findings still need to be confirmed by a larger study, the team remains hopeful that the technology will prove useful in the treatment of phantom limb pain. "The results from our study suggest that it may be useful to 'exercise' the phantom limb," Catalan told Science Focus. "Our treatment offers an engaging way to do this while also providing a non-invasive and non-pharmacological treatment which was found to reduce chronic pain with no observed side effects."

A number of tech companies have released VR headsets that may prove useful for amputees. Microsoft has announced that it has a new set of VR products that will be released in the near future. Facebook also has the Oculus Rift while HTC has the Vive. Google has the daydream and recently released a Tango-enabled phablet which may also come in handy.
Netflix gears up for another round of the infamous adult animated series "BoJack Horseman." It has been confirmed that Season 4 is underway and fans can expect to see more twists and turns in the upcoming installment.

"BoJack Horseman" captivated the interest of its growing fan base with its unique and relatable approach to life issues especially mental health concerns. It's no secret that there are very few shows that address such issues so having "BoJack Horseman" for another season is definitely a good move.

According to reports, Netflix gave the green light for "BoJack Horseman" Season 4 due to the positive reception of the viewers. Apparently, the show's idea of dealing with issues not commonly tackled in an animated show left a huge impact to spectators.

Despite confirmation that "BoJack Horseman" Season 4 is currently underway, very little details have been disclosed so far. With that, fans of the show started theorizing as to what will transpire in the upcoming installment of the series.

Rumors are rife that "BoJack Horseman" Season 4 will have a lot of revelations, especially about BoJack. It is speculated that BoJack will finally reveal his alleged secret daughter in the upcoming season. It can be recalled that in the third season, a mysterious lady appeared which fans speculated as BoJack's secret daughter. It remains unclear though as to who is the mother or if the speculations are even true.

There were also claims that in "BoJack Horseman" Season 4, fans can expect to see more of Margo Martindale and less of Mr. Peanutbutter. In a recent poll posted on the official Twitter page of "BoJack Horseman," fans get to vote what they would want to see in the upcoming season. "More Margo Martindale" took the lead with 39 percent of votes while "Everything is Underwater" landed on the second spot with 28 percent of votes. The "100% Less Mr. Peanutbutter" ranked third with 20 percent of votes while "50% Less Mr. Peanutbutter" got the lowest votes with only 13 percent.

So far, there has been no official announcement as to which of the poll results will be used in "BoJack Horseman" Season 4. Fans might have to wait until its release date which is speculated to be around August 2017.
Hit horror franchise "Insidious" is about to release another installment. With James Wan and Leigh Whannell's spooky storylines, the upcoming film "Insidious: Chapter 4" is on its way with a whole new twist.

"The Taking of Deborah Logan" director Adam Robitel will work with "Insidious: Chapter 3" writer Whannell in this spooky franchise's newest instalment. The story will follow Chapter 3's trail and reveal a prequel about Elise. It will tell of how the psychic medium Elise Rainier played by Lin Shaye meets Tucker (Angus Samson) and Specs (Leigh Whannell), the ghost hunters from "Insidious 1 and 2."

It will take off from Chapter 3 as the three walk off with plans of starting a company named Spectral Sightings. The two, Tucker and Specs, will be living with Elise and will seem like sons of her own.

"So it starts out in a very jovial, happy place and then goes downhill from there. And "downhill" meaning "uphill" though," Shaye stated in an interview. "It's a fantastic story and it took me back into what made Elise who she is. You meet my family, my mother, my father - we go back to my hometown, which is in New Mexico. And so that's where this takes place and her quest to find the bad guy that's been haunting her."

Shaye also talked about Whannell's creative progress with the film's script. She shared that Whannell even went to a big, giant stone house in Spain to write and be inspired. The gist of the story is focused on the team of three's venture to find the mysterious demonic entity that has been haunting her character in the movie.

The "Insidious: Chapter 4" is produced by Jason Blum, Oren Peli and Wan. The horror flick will be directed by Robitel. "Insidious" fans now have something to look forward to as the film will be released in theaters on Oct. 20, 2017. It is brought to life by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse.
Subaru has been on the roll in the recent years winning awards of being the best in different segments in the auto industry. From the looks of it, this is not going to change anytime soon. In fact, it appears that the 2017 Outback is set to take Subaru to greater heights as it continues its streak of success that has already lasted for quite a long time.

The Long Steak Of Success

Subaru has been on a path of continuous growth. In fact, the Japanese automaker already holds the longest streak of sales growth in the U.S. auto market. According to a report from Torque News, the 2017 Outback is leading the way towards Subaru achieving its 60th consecutive month of growth in terms of sales. Accordingly, the previous month had been the best one for the wagon in the U.S. market and it has already overtaken the Subaru Forester SUV as the brand's top seller

Subaru Continues To Gain Attention

It was reported that the increase in production capability of Subaru's plant in Indiana, Lafayette is one of the biggest reason for the current success of Subaru. Thanks to the new capacity of the plant, more Subaru Outbacks are being made for buyers. This is also another reason why Subaru continues to gain attention. "We continue to attract new customers to Subaru at a record rate," said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales of Subaru America.

2017 Outback Set To Take Subaru To Greater Heights

The real deal-maker for the 2017 Outback is how it combines power and safety in one package. The Car Connection reported that the 2017 Outback has a 3.6-liter flat-6 engine capable of putting out 256 horsepower in the Touring trim. Safety features include an optional EyeSight safety system that has adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and rear-cross traffic alerts. The 2017 Subaru Outback is set to take Subaru to greater heights and it iss likely to happen given the fact that it has already helped a lot in taking the brand this far.
Jason Momoa of the "Game of Thrones" fame is to take the lead role of Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, in an upcoming DC movie. The actor's fans were exhilarated after learning that he had been cast in the DC Extended Universe earlier this year to play the iconic role of Aquaman.

In a recent interview, the actor who has also taken a role in "Conan the Barbarian" was asked how he was able to connect to the Hybrid hero. He then made a bit shocking revelation when he shared that he was able to identify with the character's pain in being an outcast.

"How I identify with that is kind of being... a bit of an outcast. You see, he wasn't really too accepted... I wasn't too accepted," he said in the interview.

Momoa then went to explain that he grew up in a small, rural country in Iowa where not too many races existed. The Hawaii-born actor would usually go see his father and feel a bit discriminated because he was not raised in Hawaii. He shared that he felt like he was an outcast that could not seem to fit in any of both worlds.

Though the connection between the actor and the Aquaman role is a bit sad, good news awaits his fans as Warner Bros. finally set a premiere date for the movie. "Aquaman" had been scheduled to be released earlier but Paramount recently gave the movie's previous release date to "Mission: Impossible 6."

The movie will be directed by James Wan along with Peter Safran as its producer. Executive producers Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder and Rob Cowan will also be executive producing the superhero film.

The DC Comics based "Aquaman" movie will be shooting in Australia next year. Now, those who have been waiting to see Momoa taking in the Half-human and half-Atlantean role in "Aquaman" can look forward to its premiere date that is scheduled on Oct 5, 2018. Viewers can enjoy it in 3D and Imax.
COMPANIES from across the Island celebrated success tonight (Friday) at the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards For Excellence 2016.





A glitzy evening at Cowes Yacht Haven was kicked off with a speech from president Geoff Underwood, who highlighted how tumultuous the year had been, before praising Island businesses for punching above their weight.





After a three course meal, TV personality Fred Dinenage took centre stage to introduce each award.





Chief among the winners were Tapnell Farm, scooping the Business of the Year Award for their "inventive, distinctive and forward-thinking" approach.





The President's Cup for Business Person of the Year went to High Sheriff Robin Courage.





Presenting the award, Mr Underwood praised the High Sheriff's introduction of IW Day back in September.





"He used his role in public office to launch a new idea, which brought together Isle of Wight businesses in celebration with the wider community."





Award winners:





Start Up Business Award sponsored by Glanvilles - VIP Cottages





Small Business Award sponsored by Liz Earle - Wight Fire and Security





Skills and People Development Award sponsored by PC Consultants - In2Action





Hovertravel Digital, Media and Communication Award - Style of Wight





Customer and Team Service Award sponsored by Lucas Fettes - Tapnell Farm Accommodation





Wightlink Business in the Community Award - Storeroom2010





Green on Wight Award sponsored by HJ Bennett - Crossprint Media





Tourism Business of the Year Award sponsored by Red Funnel





Marketing and Design Award sponsored by Isle of Wight Radio - Brightbulb Design Limited





Steve Porter Transport Growth Business the Year Award - Red Composites UK Ltd





Lifeline Alarm Systems Ltd Innovation Business of the Year - RFEL





Isle of Wight County Press Business Investment Award - Vikoma





IPL Manufacturing and Technology Award - Innovative Physics





Moore Stephens Internation Business of the Year Award - Gurit UK





Member of the Year Award - Liz Earle Beauty Company





President's Cup - Robin Courage





Isle of Wight Business of the Year - Tapnell Farm









For full coverage, interviews and pictures from the night, see the Isle of Wight County Press next Friday, December 9.








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Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who is the current Indiana Governor, has agreed to offer $7 million worth of tax incentives for the next 10 years in order to encourage the Carrier company not to pursue its plan of transferring its plant to Mexico. Over 2,100 laborers will lose their jobs once the relocation of Carrier's plant will be pushed through.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the United Technologies Corporation will also be credited from Indiana as it kept over 300 research as well as headquarters job posts that were not intended to transfer abroad. Carrier, in its official statement released on Thursday, said that the monetary incentives offered by the government are depending on factors such as job preservation, employment, and capital investment, CNBC reports. In return to the $7 million worth of tax breaks to be given by the government, Carrier must capitalize $16 million it the company's facilities within the state.

February this year, the heat and air-condition unit company announced the closure of its manufacturing plant located in Indianapolis for a possible transfer to Mexico. In the middle of Trump's campaign in the 2016 US Presidential election, he made it a point that among his top priorities is the protection and preservation of the manufacturing jobs in US so as to create and maintain the employment of the Americans.

Trump has been notable for his continuous attack on Carrier and other manufacturing companies that expressed their plans relocate jobs on countries other than the United States. Just recently, Jobs & Hire reported that President-elect Trump entered into talks with Carrier's management aiming to urge the company to remain in Indiana instead of moving to Mexico.

The workers union already entered into an agreement of separation with Carrier. In contrary, just weeks after he was hailed as the 47th president of the United States, Trump has made it a point to fulfil the words that he has promised during his campaign.

Trump also said on Thursday that he called Greg Hayes, the CEO of United Technologies. Hayes, however, confirmed that the newest facility in Mexico where Carrier is about to transfer has been already built. "Rent it. Sell it or knock it down. I don't care," Trump responded.

This move from Trump is about to prove that the President-elect is being true to making into reality all his plans for the US that he promised during the campaign. Will Carrier accept the bait made by Trump and Pence? Check out Jobs & Hire.
Samsung really does a great job in promoting good looking and quality smartphones all year long. Even after the scandal about Galaxy phones, here comes Samsung again, together with its new quality phone, the Samsung Galaxy S8.

But what can be the unique features of this upcoming smartphone? What can it do to bring Samsung on the #1 list of Smartphones?

There are numerous rumors spreading on the internet about this new smartphone. According to International Business Times, Samsung is poised to release Galaxy S8 at the MWC next year. Samsung fans now have to make a big decision to whether wait for the Galaxy S8 to be released or buy Galaxy S7 who is currently the latest model of Samsung now.

But what makes S8 a lot more special? Tech Advisor posted about the rumored specs of the all new galaxy.

Some of the best-rumored features of the Samsung Galaxy S8 are:

- 5.5 / 5.7 inch Quad-HD SuperAMOLED Always-On display with dual-curved edge

- Android 7.1 Nougat

- AI assistant

- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835/Exynos 8895

- Will have 6GB / 8GB of ram

- Dual Camera, Selfie Cameras with autofocus

- USB-C with support for digital audio

As of now, Galaxy S8 design will more likely be same like the other Galaxy design. Usually metal frame and Glass-covered front. S8 also rumors to have 6GB or 8GB of ram which is typically a really great news for Gamers out there.

Also, it has a dual camera with a Selfie camera that has autofocus, taking pictures will be as great as ever. Although, no rumors about the featured megapixels.

This might be one of the monster smartphones ever built, and also be one of the best sellers. Meanwhile, the question still lingers for galaxy users.

As of now, Galaxy S8 rumors to be released on or before April 2017. Should the people wait for it to be released or buy the Galaxy S7 which is available in every market, malls or online stores.

Read more about Galaxy S8 on one of the reports of Jobs & Hire.
The Horton fire in Watauga County should be fully extinguished by Sunday, authorities said Friday.

The fire, which started on Nov. 21, burned nearly 1,500 acres, causing evacuations and putting dozens of homes in jeopardy this week.

Shoshana Cooper, a spokeswoman for the Idaho Incident Management team, one of several out-of-state agencies helping to fight the fire, said that many crews should end their battle with the blaze by Sunday.

Were down to about 50 people total now, including the crews and incident management team, Cooper told the Watauga Democrat.

At the height of the fire, more than 150 people helped to fight the fire, Cooper said.

Watauga County received about 3 inches of rain to help firefighters put out the fire.
Wells Fargo board director Stephen Sanger is getting a sizable bump in pay to go along with his duties as independent chairman of the San Francisco-based bank.

The companys board Thursday announced a bylaws change requiring Wells CEO and chairman posts be held by different people, a move made after chief executive John Stumpf stepped down in October amid the banks sales scandal. Sanger, chairman since Stumpf left, will receive an annual retainer of $250,000, higher than the $60,000 retainer in his previous role as lead director, the board also disclosed Thursday.

To be sure, Sanger, a Wells Fargo director since 2003 and former CEO of General Mills, will also receive new responsibilities as chairman of a bank tasked with repairing its reputation since news of the sales scandal erupted in September.

Wells Fargo remains under intense political and regulatory scrutiny following authorities claims employees opened millions of customer accounts potentially without authorization to meet aggressive sales goals. Additional federal probes have also been opened into the banks practices.

The banks board did not immediately provide comment.

Sanger, 70, who is also on the board of Pfizer, was among Wells Fargos highest-compensated directors in 2015. He earned a total of $382,027, which included $180,027 in stock and $202,000 in cash.

In addition to losing his lead director retainer, Sanger will also no longer receive fees to chair board committees, under the bylaws change. Sanger currently chairs Wells governance and nominating committee, a role that paid $25,000 last year, according to a securities filing.

A source familiar with the matter said Sanger will remain chair of that committee. Sanger also sits on the banks human resources and risk committees.

Of the largest U.S. banks, Wells Fargo is the only one aside from Citigroup that splits its chairman and CEO roles.

Citigroup, which has had an independent chairman since 2009, gave Chairman Michael ONeill $500,000 in compensation last year, all of which was in cash. Like Sanger, ONeill is a non-employee director.

Also Thursday, Wells Fargo disclosed it will pay an annual retainer of $100,000 to its independent vice chairman, a role given in October to Elizabeth Duke, a director since January 2015.

Duke received $354,414 in total compensation from Wells in 2015.
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As much as I appreciate silence, sometimes a little noise is reassuring.

Thats not an obvious conclusion when you live with the constant sounds of civilization  jets zooming overhead, trains rumbling down the tracks, sirens of emergency vehicles screaming, lawn mowers coughing to life.

This time of year once afforded the pleasant swooshing of rakes gathering leaves. Now probably half the residents of your street use gasoline-powered machines to blow the leaves across their yards. My word, some of those things sound like stump grinders!

We all can tell stories of losing sleep to noisy neighbors celebrating something or other deep into the night (and not inviting us!) or their idiot dogs howling at the moon.

Too rare are the times when we can get away somewhere and experience near-perfect serenity. A silvery lake at sunset where little can be heard but a fishing line dropping into the water. A mountain peak where a breeze is the only thing moving. Maybe just your backyard hammock for a few magical moments before someone in the next block fires up his leaf blower.

But if were honest, we also must admit that silence, like darkness, can be unnerving.

Were startled when someone approaches, unheard, from behind.

I jumped when, backpacking in a remote place many years ago, I saw a military jet appear at low altitude right over my head. It didnt make a sound  until I heard the terrifying sonic boom.

The first and only time I went snorkeling in the ocean, I understood my vulnerability  because I couldnt hear anything around me. Yes, I wouldnt have known if a shark was behind me until it bit me on the, well, you know where.

And then there was the time I was camping in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. What animal did I worry about when I visited the outhouse in the middle of the night? Not a growling lion or a bush-crashing elephant but the stealthy black mamba, which kills without the courtesy of a rattlesnakes alarm.

Sometimes, a rattle of warning can save ones life.

So I applaud the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its new rule requiring the manufacturers of quiet cars to equip them with noisemakers.

Seriously.

Under this rule, electric and hybrid cars, light trucks and vans must emit sounds when traveling below 20 mph beginning Sept. 1, 2019. At greater speeds, tire and wind noise is sufficient for safety reasons, the agency says.

Whats all this about? Why isnt it a good thing that electric and hybrid vehicles run quietly? Imagine how much more pleasant our neighborhoods will be when all our internal combustion engines are replaced with machines that operate with no more noise than a bicycle.

Except that those vehicles are still heavy enough to do real harm if they run into someone, even at the modest speed of 19 mph.

The rule requires manufacturers to create an alert sound that is recognizable as a motor vehicle in operation that allows blind and other pedestrians to detect nearby electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles operating at lower speeds.

I get it, and Im not quite blind. But almost, when Im jogging without my glasses early in the morning.

When Im entering an intersection, I often rely on hearing a vehicle coming from the left or right.

This is especially important when drivers arent using headlights in the half light of dawn. A dark car can be just about invisible. Id rather it be a noisy car.

I run on the left side of the street so I can see approaching cars. I assume that cars coming from behind are in their own lane, but thats not always the case. So its better to hear them coming, too.

Obviously, for people who are blind, the ability to hear cars is critical. Its got to be dangerous enough to cross the street without having to worry about stealthy vehicles whose drivers may as well be blind for all they care about pedestrian safety.

What kind of noise must be emitted is outlined in the agencys 372-page rule. Thats not a typo. It covers decibels and octave bands and Lord knows what else. Compliance will add from $55 to $130 per vehicle.

I expect this rule, which was prompted by a 2010 act of Congress, to meet some resistance from the new Trump administration. While the government estimates it could avert 2,400 injuries a year, some of them fatal, this seems to be a poster child for federal over-regulation.

Worse, it could be twisted into an argument against electric and hybrid vehicles. They kill people! Like how clean-energy wind turbines are harmful because they whack too many birds. But at least the wind turbines make noise.

Im all for electric and hybrid cars. Id just like to hear them coming before I get whacked.


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by Yoram Meital | (Informed Comment) |  

The toppling of a regime, whether by civil insurrection or military coup, invariably gives rise to a fierce struggle over the lineaments of the new order. This transition phase is the moment of truth in every revolution. It is informed by a collapse of the justice system, a deep sense of uncertainty, and a resort to exceptional means on the part of those steering the helm. Among the more pronounced governing measures that tend to be implemented during this juncture is the prosecution of the new regimes opponents in special courts. In light of the above, Revolutionary Justice focuses on the unique and decisive role of two such tribunals that were set up in Egypt following the military coup on July 23, 1952.



Revolutionary Justice, by Yoram Meital

While show trials against political dissidents are generally considered of little historical value, Revolutionary Justice argues that the rhetoric generated by the special courts under review played a crucial role in the denouement of political struggles, the creation of new historical narratives, and the shaping of both the regime and oppositions public image. The deliberations at these tribunals nourished the prevailing emergency atmosphere, which helped the Free Officers tighten their grip on the helm and advance their plans for a new dispensation in the face of strident resistance. On the other hand, the responses of defendants and witnesses to the questions thrust at them during the trial exposed weaknesses in the official hegemonic narrative. Paradoxical as it may seem, oppositional views that the regime tirelessly endeavored to silence and exclude from the public discourse were tolerated and recorded in the courtroom.

Although the Egyptian legal system has merited considerable scholarly attention, there is a glaring shortage of in-depth analysis on its special courts. To date, references to these sort of tribunals center around their verdicts and sentences, and most of the information is gleaned from the eras press reports. Conversely, Revolutionary Justice focuses on the goings on within and outside the courtroom by predicating itself on the original ten volumes (in Arabic) of the courts under review. The significance of this corpus stems from the fact that the courts transcripts not only document positions, but they afford a rare glimpse at a direct and wide-ranging dialogical exchange between parties that held conflicting views. Put differently, these records have preserved voices and arguments of hegemonic speakers, namely judges and prosecutors, as well as those of the opposition  defendants and witnesses. In the process, they reveal the unbridgeable gaps between the official narrative and the counter narratives put forth by the regimes critics.

The focus of Revolutionary Justice is on a select number of trials that were held at the Revolutions Court (Mahkamat al-Thawra) and the Peoples Court (Mahkamat al-Shab). Over a thousand of the new regimes adversariesthe majority of whom were members of the Muslim Brothers, but also senior officials in the previous governmentwere prosecuted within the framework of these special tribunals. By dint of the swift convictions and severe punishments handed down by these courts, the opposition was kept out of the public sphere for the better part of two decades. What is more, the Peoples Court decided the outcome of the epic power struggle within the upper echelons of the military government pitting Prime Minister Gamal Abd al-Nasser against President Muhammad Naguib, as the judges and prosecutors left no stone unturned in their effort to demonstrate the existence of a conspiracy between Naguib and the heads of the popular Islamic movement to seize power. At the conclusion of the trials against the movements top brass, the president was stripped of his authority and placed under house arrest, where he would remain until his passing some thirty years later. Naguibs powers were transferred to the Nasser camp whose members thus became the undisputed masters of the Nile Valley.

At the outset of the July Revolution, the Free Officers strove to replace the monarchy with a democratic system of government that raised the banner of equality and justice. Their social and political achievements notwithstanding, Nasser and his confederates laid the foundations for an authoritarian government that would reign well into the next century. The tribunals under review were dissolved at the end of the July Revolutions transitional period. However, the long-standing Egyptian practice of adjudicating citizens before special courts would reach new heights in the decades to come. Although the names given to these institutions changed over the years, they were all conferred with exceptional powers. The widespread use of these tribunals, including the military variety, turned this exception into the rule.

As the more recent popular uprising against Hosni Mubarak gained momentum, a riveting public discourse took shape in Egypt that compared the revolution of July 1952 to that of January 2011. In both cases, a strongmans ouster raised hopes among many Egyptians that a new beginning was just around the corner. Additionally, each of the attendant transition phases were undergirded by the following developments: a military council assumed control over the daily running of the state; the powers that be declared a national state of emergency; and a fierce political struggle erupted over the contours of the new dispensation. What is more, the acting governments took extraordinary measures, foremost among suspending the constitution, disbanding parliament, and summarily arresting thousands of people. Many of the detainees were ultimately prosecuted by military and special courts. President Mubarak, members of his family, and senior government officials were brought to justice in what Egyptians have dubbed the trial of the century. Perhaps the most dramatic occurrence of the Egyptian 2011 revolution was the Muslim Brotherhoods rise to power. However, the movement quickly discovered that assuming the throne is far easier than calling the shots. Exactly one year after being sworn in as the sixth president of the republic, Mohamed Morsi was ousted from his post (July 2013) and is currently on trial for a long row of serious crimes. Drawing on insights gleaned from the July Revolution, the books concluding chapter compares the transition phase now underway to the events of 1952.

A comprehensive study on the role of special tribunals and the justice system at large in the making of republican Egypt is bound to attract researchers and students from various disciplines who are interested in why the surfeit of revolutions in the Global South has mostly spawned authoritarian regimes. Unlike the over-generalizing orientalist and essentialist theories according to which the southern hemisphere is inherently undemocratic and its religions and cultures inimical to liberal values, Revolutionary Justice point of departure is that the particular justice system in each country has loomed large in the final outcome of these successions. Given the universal engrossment with the Arab Spring and the trials against the regions ousted strongmen, this study is also likely to merit an extensive readership beyond the halls of the academe.

Yoram Meital is Professor in the Department of Middle East Studies and Chairperson of the Chaim Herzog Center for Middle East Studies and Diplomacy at Ben-Gurion University.
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By Tom Engelhardt | ( Tomdispatch.com) |  

For decades, Washington had a habit of using the Central Intelligence Agency to deep-six governments of the people, by the people, and for the people that werent to its taste and replacing them with governments of the [take your choice: military junta, shah, autocrat, dictator] across the planet. There was the infamous 1953 CIA- and British-organized coup that toppled the democratic Iranian government of Mohammad Mosadegh and put the Shah (and his secret police, the SAVAK) in power. There was the 1954 CIA coup against the government of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala that installed the military dictatorship of Carlos Castillo Armas; there was the CIAs move to make Ngo Dinh Diem the head of South Vietnam, also in 1954, and the CIA-Belgian plot to assassinate the Congos first elected prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, in 1961 that led, in the end, to the military dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko; there was the 1964 CIA-backed military coup in Brazil that overthrew elected president Jango Goulart and brought to power a military junta; and, of course, the first 9/11 (September 11, 1973) when the democratically elected socialist president of Chile, Salvador Allende, was overthrown and killed in a U.S.-backed military coup. Well, you get the idea.

In this way, Washington repeatedly worked its will as the leader of what was then called the Free World. Although such operations were carried out on the sly, when they were revealed, Americans, proud of their own democratic traditions, generally remained unfazed by what the CIA had done to democracies (and other kinds of governments) abroad in their name. If Washington repeatedly empowered regimes of a sort Americans would have found unacceptable for ourselves, it wasnt something that most of us spent a whole lot of time fretting about in the context of the Cold War.

At least those acts remained largely covert, undoubtedly reflecting a sense that this wasnt the sort of thing you should proudly broadcast in the light of day. In the early years of the twenty-first century, however, a new mindset emerged. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, regime change became the phrase du jour. As a course of action, there was no longer anything to be covert about. Instead, the process was debated openly and carried out in the full glare of media attention.

No longer would Washington set the CIA plotting in the shadows to rid it of detested governments and put in their place more malleable client states. Instead, as the sole superpower of Planet Earth, with a military believed to be beyond compare or challenge, the Bush administration would claim the right to dislodge governments it disdained directly, bluntly, and openly with the straightforward use of military force. Later, the Obama administration would take the same tack under the rubric of humanitarian intervention or R2P (responsibility to protect). In this sense, regime change and R2P would become shorthand for Washingtons right to topple governments in the full light of day by cruise missile, drone, and Apache helicopter, not to mention troops, if needed. (Saddam Husseins Iraq would, of course, be exhibit A in this process and Muammar Gaddafis Libya, exhibit B.)

With this history in mind and in the wake of the recent election, a question came to me recently: In 2016, did the American people leave the CIA in a ditch and potentially do to themselves what the Agency (and more recently the U.S. military) had done to others? In other words, in the strangest election of our lifetimes, have we just seen something like a slow-motion democratic coup detat or some form of domestic regime change?

Only time will tell, but one sign of that possibility: for the first time, part of the national security state directly intervened in an American election. In this case, not the CIA, but our leading domestic investigative outfit, the FBI. Inside it, as we now know, fulminating and plotting had been ongoing against one of the two candidates for president before its director, James Comey, openly, even brazenly, entered the fray with 11 days to go. He did so on grounds that, even at the time, seemed shaky at best, if not simply bogus, and ran against firm department traditions for such election periods. In the process, his intervention may indeed have changed the trajectory of the election, a commonplace in the rest of the world, but a unique moment in this country.

Donald Trumps administration, now filling up with racists, Islamophobes, Iranophobes, and assorted fellow billionaires, already has the feel of an increasingly militarized, autocratic government-in-the-making, favoring short-tempered, militaristic white guys who dont take criticism lightly or react to speed bumps well. In addition, on January 20th, they will find themselves with immense repressive powers of every sort at their fingertips, powers ranging from torture to surveillance that were institutionalized in remarkable ways in the post-9/11 years with the rise of the national security state as a fourth branch of government, powers which some of them are clearly eager to test out.

Blowback and Blowforward as the History of Our Times

It took 22 years  in the wake of Washingtons 1979 decision to use the CIA to arm, fund, and train the most extreme Afghan (and other) Muslim fundamentalists and so give the Soviet Union a Vietnam-style bloody nose  for the initial American investment in radical Islam to come home big time. On that blowback path, there would be American military housing in Saudi Arabia blown sky high, two U.S. embassies bombed in Africa, and a U.S. destroyer ripped apart in a harbor in Aden. But it was 9/11 that truly put blowback on the map in this country (and, appropriately enough, turned Chalmers Johnsons book with that title, published in 2000, into a bestseller). Those al-Qaeda attacks, estimated to cost only $400,000, were aimed at three iconic structures: the World Trade Center in Manhattan (representing American financial power), the Pentagon in Washington (military power), and assumedly either the White House or the Capitol (political power)  as United Airlines Flight 93 was undoubtedly headed there when it crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Those strikes by 19 mainly Saudi hijackers were meant to deliver a devastating blow to American amour propre, and so they did.

In response, the Bush administration launched the Global War on Terror, or GWOT (one of the worst acronyms ever), also known to its rabid promoters as the Long War or World War IV. Think of that war, including the invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, as a kind of blowforward, or a second vast, long-term investment of time, money, and lives in Islamic extremism that only entrenched the phenomenon further in our world, helped recruit more supporters for it, and spread it ever more widely.

In other words, Osama bin Ladens relatively modest $400,000 investment would lead Washington to squander literally trillions more dollars in ever-expanding wars and insurgencies, and on the targeting of growing, morphing terror outfits in the Greater Middle East and Africa. The resulting years of military effort that spiraled out of control and into disaster in that vast region led to what Ive called an empire of chaos and set a new kind of blowback on a path home, blowback that would change and distort the nature of American governance and society.

Now, 37 years after the first Afghan intervention and 15 years after the second one, in the wake of an American election, blowback from the war on terror  its generals, its mindset, its manias, its urge to militarize everything  has come home in a significant way. In fact, we just held what may someday be seen as our first 9/11-style election. And with it, with the various mad proposals to ban or register Muslims and the like, the literal war on terror is threatening to come home big time, too. Based on the last decade and a half of results in distant lands, that cant be good news. (According to the latest report, for instance, fears of persecution are growing even among Muslims in the Pentagon, the CIA, and the Department of Homeland Security, and with Islamophobic sentiments already rampant inside the newly forming Trump administration, you can conclude that this wont end well either.)

Historys Deal-Breaker?

On September 12, 2001, you would have been hard put to guess just how the shock of the attacks of the previous day would play out in the U.S. and the world, so perhaps its idle to speculate on what the events of 11/8/16 will lead to in the years to come. Predictions a dicey business in the best of times, and the future ordinarily is a black hole. But one thing does seem likely amid the murk: with the generals (and other officials) who ran Americas failed wars these last years potentially dominating the national security structure of a future Trump administration, our empire of chaos (including perhaps regime change) will indeed have come home. Its reasonable to think of the victory of Donald Trump and his brand of right-wing corporatist or billionaire populism and of the rising tide of white racism that has accompanied it as a 9/11-style shock to the body politic, even if it proves a slo-mo version of the original event.

As with 9/11, a long, blowback-ridden history preceded 11/8 and Donald Trumps triumph. That history included the institutionalization of permanent war as a way of life in Washington, the growing independent power and preeminence of the national security state, the accompanying growth and institutionalization of the most oppressive powers of that state, including intrusive surveillance of almost every imaginable sort, the return from distant battlefields of the technology and mindset of permanent war, and the ability to assassinate whomever the White House chooses to kill (even an American citizen). In addition, in blowback terms, domestically you would need to include the results of the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision of 2010, which helped release staggering amounts of corporate and 1%er funds from the engorged top of an increasingly unequal society into the political system (without which a billionaire running for president and a cabinet of billionaires and multimillionaires would have been inconceivable).

As I wrote in early October, a significant part of the white working class feels as if, whether economically or psychologically, its back is up against the wall and theres nowhere left to go many of these voters have evidently decided that theyre ready to send a literal loose cannon into the White House; theyre willing, that is, to take a chance on the roof collapsing, even if it collapses on them. Think of Donald Trumps election, then, as the victory of the suicide bomber the white working class dispatched to the Oval Office to, as people now say politely, shake things up.

In a moment that, in so many senses, is filling with extremism and in which the jihadists of the national security state are clearly going to be riding high, its at least possible that election 2016 will prove the equivalent of a slow-motion coup in America. Donald Trump, like right-wing populists before him, has a temperament that could lend itself not only to demagoguery (as in the recent election campaign), but to an American version of authoritarianism, especially since in recent years, in terms of a loss of rights and the strengthening of government powers, the country has already moved in an autocratic direction, even if thats been a little noted reality.

Whatever Americans may have ushered in with the events of 11/8, one thing is increasingly certain about the country that Donald Trump will govern. Forget Vladimir Putin and his rickety petro-state: the most dangerous nation on the planet will now be ours. Led by a man who knows remarkably little, other than how to manipulate the media (on which hes a natural-born genius) and, at least in part, by the frustrated generals from Americas war on terror, the United States is likely to be more extreme, belligerent, irrational, filled with manias, and heavily armed, its military funded to even greater levels no other country could come close to, and with staggering powers to intervene, interfere, and repress.

Its not a pretty picture. And yet its just a lead-in to what, undoubtedly, should be considered the ultimate question in Donald Trumps America: With both the CIAs coup-making and the militarys regime-change traditions in mind, could the United States also overthrow a planet? If, as the head of whats already the worlds second largest greenhouse gas emitter, Trump carries out the future energy policies he promised during the election campaign  climate-science funding torn up, climate agreements denounced or ignored, alternative energy development downplayed, pipelines green-lighted, fracking and other forms of fossil-fuel extraction further encouraged, and the U.S. fully reimagined as the Saudi Arabia of North America  he will, in effect, be launching a regime-change action against Planet Earth.

All the rest of what a Trump administration might do, including ushering in a period of American autocracy, would be just part and parcel of human history. Autocracies come and go. Autocrats rise and die. Rebellions break out and fail. Democracies work and then dont. Life goes on. Climate change is, however, none of that. It may be part of planetary history, but not of human history. It is instead historys potential deal-breaker. What the Trump administration does to us in the years to come could prove a grim period to live through but a passing matter, at least when compared to the possible full-scale destabilization of life on Earth and of history as weve known it these last thousands of years.

This would, of course, put 9/11 in the shade. The election victory of 11/8 might ultimately prove the shock of a lifetime, of any lifetime, for eons to come. Thats the danger weve faced since 11/8, and make no mistake, it could be devastating.

Tom Engelhardt is a co-founder of the American Empire Project and the author of The United States of Fear as well as a history of the Cold War, The End of Victory Culture. He is a fellow of the Nation Institute and runs TomDispatch.com. His latest book is Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World.

Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead, and Tom Engelhardts latest book, Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World.

Copyright 2016 Tom Engelhardt

Via Tomdispatch.com
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

By Friday evening outside observers like Rami Abdelrahman of the Syria Observatory in the UK were saying that even more of the East Aleppo pocket had fallen to the Syrian Arab Army, Hizbullah and Iraqi militias and that the government forces had consolidated their control over districts taken midweek. About half of the eastern city has now been lost to the rebel forces. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled, some to regime-held West Aleppo and others into Kurdish-held territory.

At the same time, according to the Saudi-owned, London-based pan-Arab daily al-Sharq al-Awsat [The Middle East], secret talks between rebel leaders and Russia in Ankara collapsed on Friday over Russias demand that several hundred fighters belonging to the Levantine Conquest Front, formerly the Nusra Front, leave Aleppo before any cessation of hostilities could be agreed to. The US and Russia list the LCF/ Nusra as a terrorist organization; its leader is sworn to allegiance to core al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri.

The some 3,000? remaining rebel fighters of the East Aleppo pocket include a diverse set of groups. Some are defenders of a neighborhood and by all accounts not very ideological. Most probably believe in some form of political Islam and some are Muslim Brotherhood. Russia maintains, however, that the Salafi Jihadi LCF is the de facto leader of all the militias in East Aleppo and therefore tars them all with the brush of al-Qaeda and terrorism. For their part, the rebel leaders are unwilling to let go of al-Qaeda because its ranks contain the best fighters and they fear the Russians are attempting to divide and rule them. What guarantee, they ask, do they have that if LCF fighters exited, the Russians would keep their word and conclude a cessation of hostilities?

The Syrian rebels unlovely attachment to the al-Qaeda group has been one of the reasons for their downfall, since it was difficult for Western powers to back them or to fend off Russian objections that their efforts were spearheaded by Bin Laden, and later al-Zawahiri.

Russian and regime airstrikes and artillery, and return fire by the rebels, have allegedly killed about 300 civilians since the current campaign began two weeks ago. Inasmuch as some of the airstrikes appear to have been indiscriminate, those would be war crimes. The rebels are accused of having shot civilians attempting to flee their control.

In a recent panel discussion on a foreign affairs television show in Moscow, Evening with Vladimir Solovyev, the Russian analysts were virtually licking their lips over the prospect of a decisive win in East Aleppo. The discussion was translated by BBC Monitoring:

One guest, the president of the Academy for Geopolitical Issues, Leonid Ivashov, said that the taking of East Aleppo was not purely a tactical success, but rather is a matter of geopolitics as well. He said that the The Russia-led coalition in Syria is radically altering the world, adding that: a new multipolar, fairer and safer, world is coming into being there.

Veniamin Popov, director of the Centre for Alliance of Civilisations, said he had hopes that East Aleppo would be taken quickly. At that point, he observed, the Middle East will be seriously changed and a trend in geopolitics would begin that recognizes that it is necessary to reckon with Russia.

Ivan Konovalov, head of military policy and economics at the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies, said that a victory in Aleppo would greatly change Russias influence in the region.

That is, these Russian analysts see the imminent fall of the East Aleppo pocket as not only a significant turning point in the Syrian Civil War but as the announcement that Moscow is back. The Russian Federation is a superpower in world affairs, they are implying, just as the old Soviet Union had been.

Russia will henceforth be seen as a force that must be reckoned with, they are saying.

Ivashov argues that the emergence of Russia as a great power is good for the Middle East. Now the dynamics of the region will differ from country to country, depending on the diplomatic and other aid each receives, and from which power. But the new Middle East aborning in the ruins of East Aleppo will be multipolar. The era of the US as sole superpower is over. And on top of that, this multipolar world will be more just and more fair. (Source: Rossiya 1 TV in Russian 1410 gmt 30 Nov 16, BBC Monitoring).

Not sure if the news of the 300 civilian deaths has reached them.



Related video:

France 24 English: Syria: Intense fighting in Aleppo as regime troops cut the rebels northern sector
The prosecutor for the Special Department for War Crimes [official website] on Friday indicted [press release, in Bosnian] six former officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for crimes against humanity committed during the Bosnian War. The men were members of a so-called Crisis Staff, which has been accused of committing genocide against ethnic groups during the Bosnian War. Their group operated in the Serbian municipality of Skelani from April to August of 1992, where they participated in widespread and systematic attacks against the Bosniak and Romani minorities, according to the statement. The men are accused of murdering at least 40 people, in addition to beating, robbing and displacing more than 1,000. Their alleged war crimes fall under Article 172 of the Criminal Code [materials, in Croatian] of BiH, which imposes prison sentences up to 10 years for each crime. The prosecutor expects to call about 100 witnesses to testify against the men.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) [JURIST backgrounder] and the Balkan States continue to prosecute those accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity that left more than 100,000 people dead and millions displaced during the Balkan conflict of the 1990s. In October a Croatian prosecutor charged eight ex-Yugoslav military officers [JURIST report], including commander Borislav Djukic, with war crimes perpetrated during the Croatian War of Independence. In July Brazilian authorities arrested a man charged with committing war crimes in 1992 [JURIST report] against the civilian population of former Yugoslavia. The search for wanted criminal Nikola Ceranic began in late June after Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) authorities forwarded an extradition request to the Brazilian Justice Ministry and Supreme Court. In April a French court ruled to extradite Radomir Susnjar [JURIST report], who is suspected of war crimes committed during Balkan conflict of the 1990s, to Sarajevo where he will face charges concerning his involvement.
The Supreme Court of Iran on Saturday affirmed [report] the death sentence of 42-year-old Iranian oil billionare Babak Zanjani, according the countrys state-run news agency [official website]. Zanjani was arrested in December 2013 on charges of embezzlement, money laundering and fraud, and sentenced [JURIST report] in March of this year. Zanjani was charged with owing the government USD $2.7 billion for oil sales on behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum. This decision has been criticized [Reuters report] by some who believe executing Zanjani will make it difficult, if not impossible, to recover the funds owed and discover the officials who were complicit in his corruption. In addition to Zanjani, two others were implicated in the scheme, though their death sentences were revoked.

Much international pressure has been directed toward Iran in recent years for its use of the death penalty. In January Amnesty International (AI) released a report [JURIST report] on the many juvenile offenders on death row in Iran. The report states that 73 executions of juvenile offenders took place between 2005 and 2015 and that 160 juvenile offenders are currently on death row. Iran executed [JURIST report] Saman Naseem, a juvenile offender who was 17 years-old when sentenced to death in February of last year; he was charged in July 2011 with enmity against God and corruption on earth. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Ahmed Shaheed urged [JURIST report] Iran in April 2014 to immediately halt the execution of Reyhaneh Jabbari. Jabbari was executed [JURIST report] the following October despite international opposition. In June 2014, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay condemned [JURIST report] Irans use of the death penalty for juvenile offenders and called on authorities to halt the announced execution of Razieh Ebrahimi, who was 14 years old when sentenced to death.
[JURIST] President-elect Donald Trump [official website] and his supporters filed legal challenges in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin [complaints] last week, in an effort to prevent recounts in those three states. Green Party candidate Jill Stein [official websites] initiated the controversial recount efforts last month. On Thursday Trumps lawyers filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania challenging the recount, stating in the complaint that [d]espite being no more than a blip on the electoral radar, Stein has now commandeered Pennsylvanias electoral process, with an eye toward doing the same to the Electoral College. The same day, the Great America PAC, the Stop Hillary PAC and others filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin against the Elections Commission [official websites], seeking to halt a recount in that state. On Friday, a federal judge in the Western District of Wisconsin [official website] denied the motion [Tucson report] to halt the recount, but permitted the underlying lawsuit to proceed. At the same time, Trump, and Michigans attorney general Bill Schuette, filed separate lawsuits in the Michigan Court of Appeals [official websites] in an attempt to block the recount effort there, alleging that such dilatory efforts might result in Michigans electoral college votes not being counted.

Led by its presidential nominee Jill Stein, the Green Party filed suits for recounts late last month. Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled [JURIST report] that a Wisconsin recount can go forward, but denied that the recounts be done by hand. For a recount to be done by hand, the requesting candidate must provide clear and convincing evidence that the recounting machines will produce an incorrect result and that there is a substantial probability that recounting by hand will produce a more correct result. The Wisconsin recount began [JS report] Thursday, with other recounts [JURIST report] set to begin soon. Shortly thereafter the Clinton campaign came out in favor [JURIST report] of the recount efforts, but has thus far provided only minimal assistance to the cause. The recount motions come as an inversion of the pre-election status quo where President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on the charge of a rigged vote and refused to commit [Washington Post report] to the election results before he saw them.
[JURIST] The Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) on Thursday suggested to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson [official websites] that the government should move away from housing immigration detainees in private prisons. At the behest of Johnson, an HSAC subcommittee reviewed such use of prisons and developed a report [text] concluding that private prisons are the only realistic way to temporarily house those arrested on immigration-related charges. When the report was presented to the greater HSAC body, however, the group voted to dissent from the subcommittees finding, voting instead to encourage the gradual move away from private prisons. As moving away from private prisons is expected to be a slow process, Johnson is expected to use the report and dissent while working with the Trump administration on reform.

US immigration law [JURIST backgrounder] continues to be a controversial and heavily politicized area of law at both the state and federal levels. Earlier this week the Supreme Court heard argument [JURIST report] in , an immigration case that will determine the permissible length of detention before a bond hearing is necessary, if one is required at all. In October the Supreme Court denied a petition to rehear [JURIST report] , a case challenging the Obama administrations policies supporting deferred action which would permit around 4 million immigrants to legally remain and continue working in the US. In September the Ninth Circuit ruled that children facing deportation proceedings may not file a class action suit [JURIST report] to determine whether they are entitled to an attorney as a due process right. In September 2015 the US Commission on Civil Rights issued a report criticizing [JURIST report] the Obama administrations immigration detention facilities, stating that some are not fully complying with detention standards regarding medical care, legal information and other basic standards of treatment. In August 2015 a California judge upheld her July decision [JURIST reports] and ordered the government to release immigrant children held in family detention centers, without necessary delay.
The US Senate [official website] voted unanimously on Thursday to pass the Iran Sanctions Act [text, PDF], which would extend economic sanctions against companies doing business with Iran for 10 more years. Originally approved in 1996, the extended bill was passed onto the Senate with only one vote against it [official website] from the House in November. Prior to Senate approval, Irans Ayatollah Khamenei warned [press release] that he saw passage of the bill as a violation of the Iranian nuclear deal:

Starting a sanction [from scratch] is no different from renewing it after its expiration, and the latter is [also an example of imposing] sanctions and a violation of the previous commitments undertaken by the opposite side.  The current US government has breached the deal in many occasions. The latest is the extension of sanctions for 10 yearsif it happens, [it] would surely be against [the nuclear deal], and the Islamic Republic would definitely react to it.

The Iran Sanctions Act will be presented to President Barack Obama, who will decide whether to sign the bill into law [press release] in the coming days.

The relationship between Iran and the US concerning nuclear power has been tense in past months. In November the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said [JURIST report] that Iran has repeatedly failed to keep its stockpile of heavy water below 130 metric tons. Heavy water can be used for nuclear energy or for the development of nuclear weapons. The IAEA reported [text, PDF] as recently as September that Iran had successfully maintained its commitments under the nuclear agreement. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [text, PDF] was reached [JURIST report] in July 2015 after 20 months of negotiations. Iran has repeatedly claimed [JURIST report] that it has a right to nuclear technology, and that its aims are peaceful.
[JURIST] South American trade bloc Mercosur [official website, in Spanish] on Friday notified Venezuela that the country will be suspended in light of its membership requirement violations. Leading member countries Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay reportedly determined [Reuters report] that Venezuela, a member since 2012, had not met the organizations economic, trade and immigration standards and had given the country a December ultimatum back in September. Venezuela would be required to renegotiate its membership to end the suspension, but such a feat is expected to be difficult in light of the countrys tensions with the member countries. Previously, Brazil and Argentina made efforts to prevent [WSJ report] Venezuela from taking its turn as the organizations leader. Venezuelas Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez, who initially denied the recent suspension, later accused the countries of hijacking Mercosurs mechanisms to attempt a coup against the country. The suspension threatens to isolate the country as it continues to struggles with overwhelming political and economic issues under President Nicolas Maduros [BBC profile] administration.

Venezuela has recently been crippled by legislative tension between the pro-government controlled Supreme Tribunal of Justice and the opposition-majority National Assembly of Venezuela [official website] following Maduros election. Last month the National Assembly postponed [JURIST report] a symbolic trial of Maduro in an effort to ease political tensions. In October the National Assembly voted to open criminal impeachment proceedings [JURIST report] against Maduro, alleging that he manipulated the constitution to remain in power. That same month the Assembly also declared [JURIST report] that there is a breakdown of constitutional order and that the government had staged a coup by blocking an attempt to remove Maduro from power. In June government officials asked the Supreme Court to deny a referendum [JURIST report] to remove Maduro proposed by opposition leaders. In April Venezuelas opposition-led parliament approved [JURIST report] new referendum rules. In March the Supreme Tribunal of Justice ruled that the Venezuelan national assembly may not review the appointment of 13 justices [JURIST report] to the high court by the Socialist Party. The 13 justices were sworn in on December 23, immediately prior to the exit of prior Socialist Party majority. In February the court upheld Maduros economic emergency decree [JURIST report] as legal and valid despite a rejection by the national assembly. The decree allows the president to control the budget, companies and the currency.
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FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2016, photo, President-elect Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a "USA Thank You" tour event in Cincinnati. RussiaAos government staunchly denies reports that it tampered in the U.S. election or supported either candidate, but once the results were in, members of President Vladimir PutinAos United Russia party didnAot hold back. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Israelis voted on Tuesday for an unprecedented fifth time in four years to break the political impasse that has paralysed the country.
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It was Thanksgiving morning. My wife was standing in the living room when she received a text message from her father. Her face went pale, and her expression turned to one of anger and disbelief. She cursed. She cried. Her mother had complained of chest pain and stroke-like symptoms and was being rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Many hours went by with few answers and endless speculation. We had moved to Washington State for my job as an OB/GYN and her parents had moved to Washington, DC for their jobs with homeland security. We were across the country from each other. It felt like we were on different planets as we waited for brief updates in group texts  as we waited for those faithful notification rings from our phones indicating a new message. It felt like we were in the wrong Washington.

Finally, we received word that she was being transported to another hospital where a cardiac surgeon was available because her imaging indicated an aortic dissection.

Today, I spoke on the phone with the cardiac surgeon who will be performing my mother in laws aortic dissection repair on Monday. Leading up to this, I couldnt help but wonder: How good is this surgeon? How often does he do this surgery? Is he one of the best for this procedure?

I know when a patient comes to me they often think the same things. Sometimes they ask and sometimes they dont. When they ask, they often preface it with an apology as if I would be offended by someone verifying me when they are about to risk their life on my OR table. Im always happy to discuss my training, my volume, my outcomes. I am happy to let them know how many times this procedure is done at our hospital, and why I feel our team of doctors, nurses, anesthesia providers, etc. provides excellent care.

Those who work with me know how OCD I am. I believe if we are going to do something we must do it well or we have an obligation to send the patient elsewhere. We train. We practice. We perfect. We can never guarantee an outcome and sometimes things dont go as planned, but we can walk out of the OR that day knowing that the patient was given the best chance for a positive outcome.

Sometimes the drills get tedious. Sometimes its hard to make the time to read that new study in the journal when youve had a full day and cant remember the last time you spent time with your family. However, we always remember that the person we are operating on is someones mother, someones sister, someones daughter. So we push through.

The cardiac surgeon told me he was the medical director of cardiac surgery. He told me who he trained with and where. He told me of the high volume of cases he and his center perform. He then clarified that he did not want to seem arrogant or like an advertisement but rather thought it was important for me to know him, to trust him. It reminded me of a quote by Dr Mehmet Oz:

As a surgeon you have to have a controlled arrogance. If its uncontrolled, you kill people, but you have to be pretty arrogant to saw through a persons chest, take out their heart and believe you can fix it. Then, when you succeed, and the patient survives, you pray, because its only by the grace of God that you get there.

I was comforted by what he told me. Im still worried, but I know my mother in law is in good hands. On Monday, I will have her in my thoughts and prayers. On Monday, I will also continue to work as the medical director of our obstetrics unit to make sure we can provide the same comfort and care to the next patients family who comes through the door.

Nariman Heshmati is an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
San Bernardo Avenue turned into Christmas central Friday Evening as thousands lined the streets to catch LISD's Very Merry Christmas Parade.

Kids from Laredo schools brought everyone into the Christmas spirit with their holiday costumes and floats.

The LISD Very Merry Christmas Parade has become a tradition for many and has grown to nearly 100 entries.

The parade ended at the Laredo Civic Center where LISD ushered in the Christmas season with their tree lighting ceremony.
St. Marys Cathedral looked resplendent when it was filled to capacity with hundreds of people from across the Diocese and further afield who gathered for a special concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the recent retirement of Bishop Seamus Freeman, S.A.C., who served as Bishop of Ossory for almost nine years.

The solemn occasion coincided with the Feast of Christ the King and the conclusion of the Extra Ordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy which saw Bishop Freeman formally close the Holy Door of Mercy in the Cathedral which he had opened on the First Sunday of Advent last year.

Priests and Religious working in the diocese along with members of the Pallottine Community of which Bishop Freeman served as Rector General in Rome for many years prior to taking up his episcopal ministry as Bishop of Ossory in 2007, concelebrated the Eucharist, the main celebrant and homilist being Mgr Michael Ryan, Administrator of the Diocese of Ossory.

He was joined in the Sanctuary of the Cathedral by Bishop Seamus Freeman, SAC, Very Rev. Dean Seamus McEvoy, Very Rev. Archdeacon Sean O Doherty, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Kieron Kennedy, Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Brian Griffin, most recently ordained priest for the Diocese of Ossory, Father Derry Murphy, Provincial of the Pallottine Community, Most Rev. Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Most Rev. William Lee, Bishop Emeritus of Waterford and Lismore, Most Rev. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop Emeritus of Cashel and Emly and Most Rev. Raymond Field, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin.

Also present for the celebration was Bishop of Ferns, Most Rev. Denis Brennan and Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore.

The Deacons were Rev. Liam O Donovan, SAC., and Rev. Charles Lafferty, SAC. Deacon Liam is a native of Slieverue Parish and will be ordained in his home parish in June of next year.

Members of Bishop Freemans family and his many friends were present for the Liturgy which was prepared by the Cathedral Parish Team and in which representatives of religious life and various organisations from within the Diocese participated.

Parishioners from St. Marys Cathedral Parish, Diocesan Staff, and members of the lay faithful from around the diocese read Prayers of the Faithful, presented the Offertory gifts and delivered the Communion Reflection.

The appropriately selected sacred music which enhanced the Liturgy was provided by St. Marys Cathedral Choir and soloist Niamh Sheehy, under the direction of Sean ONeill, and accompanied by Organist, Joy Bibby.

After the distribution of Communion the Dean of Ossory, Very Rev. Seamus McEvoy spoke of the many qualities of Bishop Seamus and made a special presentation to him on behalf of the priests of the diocese in recognition of his years of dedicated service and to wish him good health and abundant blessings in the years ahead.

In his address to the congregation, Bishop Freeman expressed his deep appreciation to all those who had organised, participated in, and attended the Mass of Thanksgiving in his honour. I extend my gratitude to the priests of the diocese for their presentation to me this evening. It is very much appreciated and I thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the women and men of Consecrated Life and all the good people of our diocese for their generosity by way of messages of goodwill, gifts and prayers since my retirement, Bishop Seamus said.

He continued: I thank my brother bishops, members of my Pallottine Family, priests, religious, family, friends and all you good people of the Diocese of Ossory and beyond, for the courtesy of your presence here with me this evening in our beautiful Cathedral, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God.

Bishop Freeman concluded by conveying his special blessings to the congregation and paid tribute to all present.
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 ...
ATHENS, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Francois Hollande agreed that a deal on Greece's bailout review must be reached by Monday, when euro zone finance ministers are meeting in Brussels, Tsipras' office said on Saturday.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of a summit in Abu Dhabi, also agreed that debt relief measures for the crisis-hit country must be defined by the end of the year, Tsipras office said in a statement. "They both underlined that a deal on a technical level is demanded by Dec. 5," it said.

The two leaders also welcomed a decision to resume talks on reuniting the divided island of Cyprus next month, the statement said, adding that Hollande was expected to visit the island.

The island was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

In the latest round of U.N.-brokered talks in Switzerland, Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci failed to strike a deal. They will meet again in Geneva on Jan 9. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
North Kitsap girls soccer keeps state tourney streak alive

Four teams  North Kitsap, Bremerton, Olympic and Sequim  came away victorious in the first round of the Class 2A West Central District tournament.
The Atheist Americans holiday campaign debuted in Monroe yesterday with two digital billboards near Hwy 165 and Pecanland Mall.

"It's definitely a strong Christian community and a lot of strong believers in this area," says Kyle Klitzke of Monroe.

With its location directly in the center of The Bible Belt, this year's Atheist American holiday billboards are not welcome by a majority of residents.

"I praise God that there was so much stirred up about it that it was taken down," says Shawn Cooper, also of Monroe.

The two digital billboards were highly visible from Hwy 165 near Pecanland Mall and promoted the idea to skip church this Christmas.

"The fact it says atheist Christmas goes against what they're trying to push in the first place," says Joey Kennedy, pastor of New Life Church of God in Bastrop.

"We're kind of the heart of The Bible Belt here. On the east coast or west coast it would probably be more accepted," says Klitzke.

Program director for American Atheists, Nick Fish, says the controversy in Monroe was expected.

"We kind of expect it to happen at least once every holiday season," Fish says.

The billboards lasted less than two hours in Monroe before the billboard company, Outfront Media, suggested the organization take it down.

Fish says it does not matter if their message was well-received.

"They need to get over themselves and realize this is a country with a lot of viewpoints, and they're not the only ones with a view on this," Fish says.

Ultimately, The American Atheists holiday campaign was moved to Shreveport.
Chimney Tops 2 Fire update for December 3

DECEMBER 3, 2016 at 1:46 p.m.





Great Smoky Mountains wildfire. Image by Jeaneane Payne



GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK  The Chimney Tops 2 Fire was reported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, TN on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at approximately 5:20 p.m. The wildfire began burning in a remote location (Chimney Tops) of the park in steep terrain with vertical cliffs and narrow rocky ridges making access to the wildfire area difficult for firefighting efforts. On Monday, November 27, the exceptional drought conditions and extreme winds caused the wildfire to grow rapidly, causing numerous new wildfire starts from embers carried miles away and downed power lines in and adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The wildfire was determined to be human-caused and is currently under investigation.



To date, there are 16 confirmed fatalities. Fifteen were caused directly by the fire; one was a heart attack that occurred while the victim was fleeing from fire. Over 80 individuals sustained injuries, and more than 875 structures were destroyed.



Chimney Tops 2 Fire is currently burning in brush, hardwood slash, and leaf litter. Fire crews are continuing to mitigate hazards and secure the fire perimeter. The Southern Area Red Team will support State and Park efforts, if there are any new fires. "We have resources ready to assist those requests," said Stephen Weaver, Operations Section Chief. The priorities are: 1) public and responder safety, 2) structure protection and 3) limiting the fire spread. Fire crews and TN Department of Transportation crews will be working on U.S. 441, locally known as The Spur, to keep it open for emergency traffic. The Tennessee Division of Forestry is integral in assisting our crews in forested areas outside of the park. Aircraft will be overhead today to assist with suppression efforts.



The Cobbly Nob Fire is burning to the east of the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. Active flames may be seen during the heat of the day, but minimal fire spread is expected.



Safety is still a large concern even though fire activity has diminished. "I encourage everyone to manage their risk by evaluating the known hazards and mitigating them," Dave Vitwar, Safety Officer, reminded firefighters during morning briefing. "We are working with weakened trees, downed power lines, steep terrain, aircraft, and traffic to name a few." The community should be aware that emergency vehicles and personnel may be working in areas open to the public.
A man serving a life prison sentence for a double murder 20 years ago argued for a new trial at a hearing in a Greene County courtroom on Friday.

Michael Swain, 46, has been in jail or prison since 1995, when he was 25 years old. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in 1996 and received four life sentences with a chance of parole. The fatal shootings of Bryan Jones and James Brown happened near the former Springfield Stockyards near Division Street at Kansas Expressway in Springfield.

In the probable cause statement used as the basis of the charges, a detective wrote that Swain says the shootings were self-defense. He pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder.

After 20 years in prison, he started asking about parole. Swain says his attorney at the time told him he would be eligible for parole after 25 years. That's why Swain filed a request to change his plea and asked for a new sentence. He said he was misinformed.

Swains filing says he wrote to a parole officer in 2013 at the prison where he is serving his sentence. Swains filing says he asked why there was no indication of his first opportunity for parole in sentencing paperwork. The filing claims the parole officer responded, saying Swains first opportunity for parole would be in 2038, at which point he would have served 43 years in jails and prisons.

Swain wants a judge to throw out his guilty pleas so he can enter new ones and get a sentence that would make him eligible for consideration for parole after having served 25 and a half years, or throw out the guilty pleas and send the case back to court for a trial.

At the hearing on Friday, Swains appointed defense attorney said he needed more time to prove the case. Greene County prosecutors argued the request for post-sentence relief was filed well past the time limit imposed by Missouri court rules.

The judge scheduled another hearing for Dec. 8 at 3:30 to hear the legal arguments, and Swain headed back to the Greene County jail.
Less than two weeks after a Nigerian, 38-year-old Chijioke Obioha, was executed in Singapore for smuggling 2.6kgs of cannabis into the country, another 38-year-old man, Augustine Uchenna, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Lagos for trying to smuggle 10.2kg of cannabis to China, another country that punishes drug importation with death.

NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said Uchenna, a safety equipment trader in Lagos, was nabbed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport during the outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to China.

NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that the weeds were discovered inside garri, bitter leaf, bitter cola and other spices, which Uchenna said he was travelling with.



The suspect said during interrogation that he was simply not aware that drug trafficking in China was punishable by death.

He told NDLEA officials, My friend in China promised to pay me N600,000 for the cannabis. This is my first time of smuggling drug,even though I have been going to China since 2011. The economic recession affected my business and my rent is also due.

Uchenna, an Enugu State indigene said he is married with three children and was desperate to make ends meet.

NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), said the agency had taken measures to improve screening for narcotics at the nations airports.

He said, All countries with death penalty for drug trafficking and source countries are all high risk destinations. The main objective of drug control is to promote public health and security.

I am glad that the arrest was made here thereby preventing the suspect from facing the death penalty in China.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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PRESS RELEASE

Schumer: Ready To Work with Trump, Fast, on $1 Trillion Plan

Dec. 2, 2016 (EIRNS)In an interview carried in big-city press around New York State yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took a step to try to accelerate action on the $1 trillion national investment in new infrastructure which President-elect Trump promoted throughout his campaign.

Schumer told Syracuse.com the Democrats

"stand ready to work with the incoming administration to pass a major infrastructure bill with a trillion dollars in real Federal funding. This can be done within the first 100 days of the new Congress."

The paper said Schumer called for "substantial and direct Federal funding" and attacked "gimmicks."

"Schumer told Trump in a private meeting that [Trumps] plan would lead to investment only in the most profitable projects and could lead to significantly higher tolls on privately owned roads and bridges. The senator said he told Trump the bill needs to be stronger and bolder than ever before. Simple tax credits will not work."

The criticisms are quite true, and wouldnt prevent a successful collaboration to commit $1 trillion to infrastructure investments over three years. But there are major problems, which should be attacked from the standpoint of the package of "Four Laws To Save the United States" conceptualized by EIR Founding Editor Lyndon LaRouche.

First, Schumers own idea of how to general entirely Federal funds for this large investment, is itself the kind of "tax giveaway" he is attacking in the plan of Trumps presumptive Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Schumer specified a very low special tax rate for companies which repatriate cash they had stashed in offshore locations to avoid taxes.

Second, and more important, Schumer has thus far discussed nothing "stronger and bolder" than road widening, new municipal sewer systems, and localized rail development. Neither he nor Trump are yet in the universe of real technological and scientific frontiers for "infrastructure" development, which alone raise the overall productivity of the economy.

And third, there is no orientation to the new international development banks started by China, which has invested $1 trillion or more into new economic infrastructure in each of the last ten years.
PRESS RELEASE

Lavrov: U.S. Applying Double Standards to Iraq and Syria

Dec. 2, 2016 (EIRNS)Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blasted the U.S. Administration, again, for failing to keep its promise to separate the jihadis from the "moderate" opposition. Actually, its now clear that the Russians and the Syrian military are accomplishing that task, as among the thousands of people that have fled out of jihadi held areas of Aleppo are, according to the Russian reconciliation center in Latakia, about 500 militants who have decided that theres no future in staying with the jihadis.

"The task the Americans once pledged to cope withto separate the moderate opposition from Jabhat al-Nusra has remained unresolved,"

Lavrov said, while in Antalya, Turkey, yesterday. From there, he went on to expose the double standards of the United States and its allies. In Iraq, these powers are calling on civilians to get out of Mosul so that they dont get caught in the crossfire, but in Aleppo, they accuse the Syrian army of driving civilians out of the jihadi-held districts.
Megyn Kellys bestselling memoir is called Settle for More, but the star anchor may have to settle for less money if she decides to leave the Fox News Channel.

Kelly is said to have not made up her mind about staying with Fox News beyond the end of her contract in July, even with an offer of more than $20 million a year to stay, which would put her in the same income bracket as NBCs Today co-anchor Matt Lauer.

So far no other networks have offered to top Foxs figure, according to network news executives and agents familiar with the talks and who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. A spokesperson for Creative Artists Agency, which represents Kelly, declined to comment on her contract negotiations.

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Kellys future is being closely watched. She is the first breakout talent in the TV news business in recent years, becoming an even bigger name in the aftermath of her showdown with President-elect Donald Trump at the first Republican primary debate in 2015.

In an earlier era, her availability likely would have commanded a bidding war. But in a fragmented media environment where there are no longer surefire ratings hits, networks are cautious about making major financial commitments.

Fox News is willing to give Kelly a raise over the $15 million a year she is currently earning because she consistently attracts more than 3 million viewers a night for her prime-time program The Kelly File. But there is no guarantee that the loyalty of the Fox News audience is transferable to another channel, where Bill OReilly, the most popular personality on cable news, would not be her lead-in.

One agent who handles TV news talent noted how executives have been wary of taking a star out of a successful format since Katie Couric moved from NBCs Today in 2006. After leaving the top-rated morning show, Couric was unable to move CBS Evening News out of third place in the ratings. She then failed in a bid with a daytime syndicated talk show.

Katie Couric is the perfect example of how her success at the Today show never transferred to anyplace else, said the agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. And that happens with most people.

A story on the Drudge Report, citing unnamed sources, said CNN President Jeff Zucker is making an aggressive play to bring Kelly to his network, which trails Fox News in the ratings. CNN declined to comment on the report.

While Zucker is a fan of Kellys work, there is internal skepticism that he can poach her because his network has eschewed huge salary deals for on-air talent.

Anderson Cooper is the top earner at CNN, receiving between $10 million and $12 million a year in his latest contract. After Cooper, the salary drop-off is significant, with no other CNN anchor earning more than $3 million a year.

Zucker thinks Megyn Kelly is great, but were not going to pay her enough, said one executive not authorized to comment publicly. I think its more likely that she convinces the Murdochs [the family that controls Fox News parent 21st Century Fox] to pay her what she wants.

ABC News has been cited as the top broadcast suitor for Kellys services on its major profit center Good Morning America. But after report from the Drudge Report surfaced Thursday, executives said the network is no longer pursuing her.

NBC could spread the expense for Kelly across its broadcast network programs and its cable news network MSNBC, but another agent has not heard of any interest from the network. A spokesperson for NBC News declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.

The newest round of speculation about Kellys next move comes amid negative reaction within Fox News over her new book, which includes allegations that she was sexually harassed by the divisions former Chief Executive Roger Ailes. Ailes resigned from his position in July amid a sexual harassment lawsuit and allegations from other women in the company. He has denied all of the accusations.

OReilly has said he believes that rehashing the Ailes case in the book was hurtful to the company, which has tried to get past the controversy.

Relations between Kelly and OReilly have reportedly been strained over the past year since Kelly first clashed with Trump. But internal tensions have never kept millionaire anchors from working side by side at any network.

stephen.battaglio@latimes.com

Twitter: @SteveBattaglio

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Robert Bob Bennett, a television industry pioneer and 31-year resident of Newport Beach, died Tuesday at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach after a long illness, according to longtime friend and business associate Paul Rich.

Bennett, who was 89, had a career in television that spanned more than 50 years. He worked in Los Angeles and later managed stations in Washington, New York and Boston. With media magnate John Kluge, Bennett helped build Metromedia Broadcasting into one of the nations most prominent station groups.

In 1985, Kluge and Bennett sold the chain for $2 billion to Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch and oil tycoon Marvin Davis.

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That small station group  which included KTTV-TV Channel 11 in Los Angeles  formed the backbone of the Fox Broadcasting television network.

He really helped create of the fourth television network, although he doesnt get credit for it, said Rich, who went to work for Bennett in the early 1970s at the Boston station.

Bennetts bid for Bostons WCVB-TV Channel 5, along with some Boston-area professors, included a nearly 10-year battle that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Once he took over the station, he saw how a broadcast outlet could serve as an influential part of a community.

Bennett built the Boston station into a juggernaut known for strong local programming  60 hours a week of original shows, including a magazine and public affairs program called Chronicle, whichremains on the air.

The station had its own daily childrens program, Rich said, and even produced movies and shows for network television, including Summer Solstice, starring Myrna Loy and Henry Fonda in his last film role, according to a biography provided by family spokesman Jerry Digney. There was also a syndicated situation comedy developed with Norman Lear called The Baxters.

He earned the respect of his competitors.

Bob was an innovator, said media executive Tony Vinciquerra. Boston was probably the best-served market in America because you had these two TV stations banging away at each other.

He was bigger-than-life, a John Wayne-like swashbuckling character, said Vinciquerra, who ran rival station WBZ-TV.

Born in Altoona, Penn., in 1927, Bennett began his broadcasting career in 1948 as a page for CBS Radio in Hollywood. In 1952, he went to work as a salesman for the Los Angeles television station, KTTV, then owned by Times-Mirror Co., the publisher of the Los Angeles Times. Bennett became sales director before rising through Metromedia Broadcasting.

He was a member of the Bel Air Country Club and the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. Three years ago, he published the book, WCVB-TV Boston: How We Built the Greatest Television Station in America.

He is survived by his wife, Marjie, daughter, Kelly Bennett, and grandson, Brandon Bennett of Santa Monica, and a son, Casey Bennett of Marina del Rey.

meg.james@latimes.com

@MegJamesLAT
The time it takes to fly from New York to London may be cut by more than half if Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and a Denver start-up are successful in their effort to create a new supersonic passenger plane.

The manufacturing team for Bransons Virgin Galactic company is working with Boom Supersonic to test a prototype next year of a passenger plane that can fly at Mach 2.2, more than twice the speed of a typical commercial jet.

Supersonic flights came to a halt after the July 25, 2000, crash of an Air France Concorde outside Paris that killed 113 people, and the downturn in the aviation industry after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

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Blake Scholl, chief executive of Boom, said safety concerns were not the reason the Concorde jets were taken offline. Instead, he said the planes were too expensive to operate.

Today, we are sitting on 50 years of progress on aerodynamics, fuel economy, design, he said.

Instead of spending seven hours and paying up to $5,500 for a flight from New York to London on a Boeing 747, travelers can spend about $2,500 for a three-hour flight to cross the Atlantic on a supersonic jet, according to Boom.

Supersonic travel for both cargo and humans will result in many exciting benefits, Branson said in a video statement. Under the partnership, Branson is expected to fly the Boom jets in his Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia airlines.

The idea has the support of the travel industry.

A survey of more than 2,000 travel boards and tourism industry groups taken last month found that 63% of senior travel executives expect supersonic flying to become a mainstream form of commercial transportation.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.

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Delta Air Lines lifetime ban of a profane supporter of President-elect Donald Trump highlights a little-known but growing club of travelers who have earned the ultimate airline punishment.

As the Trump fan discovered, airline tolerance only goes so far.

The unnamed man whose loud pronouncements were captured on video didnt get kicked off the flight but did get kicked off the airline.

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In a memo to employees, Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastain said the Trump supporter displayed behavior that was loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers.

A review of several recent onboard disruptions shows that being inconsiderate isnt enough to trigger a lifetime ban from an airline. It takes defiant disdain for crew members or a threats to fellow passengers.

United Airlines imposed a lifetime ban on cybersecurity expert Chris Roberts last year after the founder of One World Lab in Denver sent a tweet while he was a passenger on a United flight suggesting that he could hack into the airlines onboard system to trigger the oxygen masks to drop.

Last year, RyanAir banned a British man for harassing women on his flight from England to the Canary Islands and then passing out in the planes bathroom.

In 2011, a Georgia man was banned from Delta Air Lines after he was booted from a Dallas-to-Atlanta flight for telling another passenger that he was carrying poison gas in a canister and igniting a lighter near the passengers legs.

In 2012, Air Canada banned a man who became loud and abusive with airline employees and threatened a staffer after missing a flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Montreal.

In the latest incident, on a Nov. 22 flight from Atlanta to Allentown, Pa., the unnamed passenger stood in the aisle of the crowded plane and asked: We got some Hillary bitches on here?

Bastain said a review of the video showed that the man should have been ejected from the plane, although he was not. Delta not only banned the passenger from all future flights but refunded the cost of the flight for his fellow passengers.

The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility in our planes and in our facilities, the CEO wrote to employees.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.

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Cicely Tyson took home a lifetime achievement award from Ebonys Power 100 gala Thursday night, but not before receiving two standing ovations and demanding that the audience rise one more time mid-speech to honor the magazines late founder, John H. Johnson.

Recounting a memory of Johnson, Tyson was overcome with emotion.

To say that I am indebted to him and what hes done for me personally and for all of us  is indelible, she said. Like our host [Cedric the Entertainer] said, we need someone to show us who we are, what we are, and what we can be. And so Im grateful. Stand up. Stand up!

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For the fifth consecutive year, Ebony magazine honored 100 black professionals, entertainers and civic leaders at its annual banquet.

The private event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was sponsored by Nationwide and honored doers, risk takers and makers as varied as HBOs Insecure creator Issa Rae, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and late PBS NewsHour journalist Gwen Ifill. Music producer Nile Rodgers was awarded the Ebony Icon award; Disneys Skai Jackson received a Future Achievers award; and funk band Earth, Wind & Fire took home a lifetime achievement award.

Other honorees not in attendance included Beyonce, Colin Kaepernick, Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, Solange Knowles, Chance the Rapper, John Legend and Ava DuVernay.

Throughout the night, Cedric the Entertainer broke up his hosting duties with the latest (and sometimes outdated) hood news of the evening, ranging from rapper Kodak Blacks release from prison to reality stars Rob Kardashian and Blac Chynas baby news. He also alluded heavily to the events sponsor, singing improvised riffs on the brands slogan and insisting, Im selling these, man. Nationwide is going to buy one of these jingles from me tonight!

On the red carpet, television stars such as Rae, The Real co-host Loni Love and members of OWNs Queen Sugar cast were effusive in their praise for fellow TV creators and honorees.

To be on air at the same time in history [as Donald Glovers Atlanta] is exciting, said Omar Dorsey of Queen Sugar. Theres been a new direction in television, and Im proud to be on TV right now as an actor and also proud to be an audience member.

What Donald Glover is doing with Atlanta, it really shows you what happens when you let other people into the room, said Love. I just have to give it up to FX for allowing him [artistic control over] his own masterpiece, and youre seeing the same thing with Insecure on HBO, when you allow an artist to actually be himself and speak from the heart. Thats what we need. Thats why were all connecting.

Rae, in particular, poignantly captured the intersectionality of the push for more diversity and the need for voices that are still absent onscreen.

I think there are more Afro-Caribbean stories to tell, African stories to tell, she said. There are so many things in the black experience that we havent touched on, [but also] Id love to see more Asian stories, more Native American stories, more Latino stories. I think we have a long way to go in terms of diversity and inclusive television.

The writer, actress, and author later got a huge laugh from the crowd when she accepted her award directly after Tyson.

Id just like to say a selfish prayer for the Lord to sustain my melanin for as long as he has for Cicely Tyson, Rae quipped.

Rodgers brought down the house with his band Chic, performing crowd-pleasers such as Everybody Dance and Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah). Lion Babe delivered a pitch-perfect performance of three songs from the duos latest album, Begin.

And, embodying the events essence, Tyson ended her acceptance speech with a powerful recitation of Langston Hughes poem Mother to Son.

Dont you fall now, for Ise still goin, honey, Tyson recited from memory. Ise still climbin, and life for me aint been no crystal stair.

sonaiya.kelley@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @sonaiyak
Writer-director Damien Chazelles new film La La Land is an unabashed love letter to the movie musical. The film, which opens Dec. 9, stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, who sing and dance their way around Los Angeles (including on a freeway).

Music is clearly in Chazelles filmmaking blood; his last movie, Whiplash, about a talented young drummer and his sadistic teacher, featured jazz as a key component of the storytelling. We asked Chazelle to reflect on his feelings about film musicals  and to pick out some that influenced him the most.

Musicals are about a very simple idea. If you feel enough  if youre in love enough, joyful enough, heartbroken enough  then the rules of the ordinary world will cease to apply. You can break into song, an evening stroll can turn into a dance, and that mythical 90-piece orchestra can arrive from the heavens to score it all.

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Theres real audacity in that idea. Thats what I love about musicals: They favor emotions over logic. Theyre not a literal reflection of life  theyre about how life feels.

In that sense, I think the musical can be just as truthful as any realist genre. Musicals can get at the way it feels to hold hands in a movie theater, when your heart is beating a thousand times per second. They can nail what it feels like to fall in love. They can describe with absolute accuracy what its like to stubbornly cling to a dream when the odds seem stacked against you, and the pain you feel when that dream is dashed. Likewise, they can capture like no other genre the joy and the triumph when the dream comes true.

Thats the idea that was at the heart of La La Land. I wanted to make a movie that would embrace the magic of musicals but root it in the rhythms and texture of real life. I wanted the dances to feel like honest extensions of the characters feelings. I wanted to make it seem as though breaking into song were the most natural thing in the world. I wanted to make a movie about how life feels when youre in love and full of dreams in the big city.

I was inspired by dozens of movies. These are just a handful.

Love Me Tonight (1932)

Director: Rouben Mamoulian

Stars: Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald

Watching this movie, you get the feeling of a genre thats still figuring itself out. Theres an almost frenzied sense of play here: fairy-tale sets, bravura editing, Maurice Chevalier in peak form. But it all begins with what appears at first to be documentary footage: Paris at dawn. All is quiet. No music, barely any sound. Then one storefront opens. Then another. A wheelbarrow rolls against cobblestones. A broom begins sweeping dust.

One by one, the sounds accumulate, build, cascade  until we hear them in rhythm, and a full-blown musical number is born. In a few seconds, we have gone from unvarnished reality to pure fantasy. Its a miraculous transition, and a reminder of a time when sound on film was still new and the musical was still in its infancy.

Summer Stock (1950)

Director: Charles Walters

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly

This Gene Kelly-Judy Garland two-hander is all kinds of dazzling, but the scene that gets me the most here is the movies quietest. Kelly is alone on a stage, and he notices that one of the floorboards creaks. Theres also a stray newspaper that has fallen. The creaky board and the newspaper  thats all Kelly needs to concoct an absolutely magical movie moment. The technique of the dancing here is stunning, but its the idea behind it all that really moves you: magic can be found in the most everyday settings, among the most mundane things.

The Band Wagon (1953)

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Stars: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse

Vincente Minnelli, Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse  hard to go wrong with those three. The fluidity of Minnellis camerawork here is astonishing  so supple and graceful  and the whole movie is so much damn fun. What youre left with more than anything, though, is the movies depiction of a performer coming to terms with irrelevance.

Like a more hopeful version of Chaplins Limelight, its a great portrait of the artist as an older man, learning what to hold on to, what to adapt to  in short, how to live. Astaire performs it all brilliantly, and the movie achieves one of the great tricks in musicals: Underneath the Technicolor razzle-dazzle and the swinging score, its a thoughtful, bittersweet story about aging, compromise and second chances.

Touki Bouki (1973)

Director: Djibril Diop Mambety

Stars: Magaye Niang, Mareme Niang

This movie by Djibril Diop Mambety bursts with energy and brio, and its got such verve and immediacy that it seems perpetually modern. At its heart its a melancholy story of two young lovers with big dreams, and a portrait of a society grappling with transition. It uses music to map those dreams and that transition: A Josephine Baker song becomes a refrain, while a host of other musical forms collide and mix. What French new wave quasi-musicals like A Woman Is a Woman or Shoot the Piano Player did for France in the 60s, this does for Senegal in the 70s. Its not a full-fledged musical, but its musical filmmaking at its greatest.

Beau Travail (1999)

Director: Claire Denis

Stars: Denis Lavant, Michel Subor

Also not really a musical, per se, but this movie by Claire Denis contains one of the single greatest dance scenes in the history of cinema, so I cant not include it. I dont want to give away too much, but Ill say this: The scene features Denis Lavant, the great French actor whos been at the center of other extraordinary musical numbers in non-musicals (see the Leos Carax movies Mauvais Sang, The Lovers on the Bridge and Holy Motors), and like many great musical numbers this one serves as the culmination of layer upon layer of unspoken feelings. Its a defining moment for the character and the story, a moment when emotion does finally trump logic  and its one of the most euphoric and moving things Ive ever seen in a film.
How it got to be December is anyones guess, but here we are, in the lull between one holiday and the next. Which means its a great time to take a break from baking cookies and figuring out what to get Luke Walton for Christmas, and get back to exploring this towns complex and glorious restaurant scene.

If you need a break from heavy holiday food, maybe try Erven, the subject of Jonathan Golds latest review. Its vegan, it has things called slurpables, and it has sauerkraut-stuffed doughnut holes. Yeah, yeah, I know, but Jonathan really liked them. Beer-battered tofu sandwiches not your thing? Then head to Casa Vega, where you can get the kind of old-school Mexican cooking that the Vega family has been making for 60 years. Or go over to the mall, yes the mall, for a fantastic bowl of ramen. Or to a new food truck from a haute cuisine chef. Fun times.

 Amy Scattergood

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Vegan dining

Chef Nick Erven is maybe not the guy youd expect to open a vegan restaurant  one of his popular dishes at Saint Martha was steak tartare with oysters  but here he is in Santa Monica at Erven, a plant-based restaurant that, writes our restaurant critic, may be the best vegan place in town. Los Angeles is at the moment smack in the age of vegetable-focused cooking, Gold writes. Order the savory doughnut holes.

Green juice prepared by chef Nick Erven, at Erven restaurant in Santa Monica. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times )

60 years of enchiladas

When you can get a taco with uni or confit duck hearts at your favorite taco truck, sometimes its easy to overlook the old-school Mexican restaurants in this town. Food writer Jo Stougaard opens the doors of Casa Vega, which has been making enchiladas and margaritas in the San Fernando Valley for six decades. Christy Vega Fowler and her father, 82-year-old Rafael Ray Vega, have made sure that their family restaurant isnt going anywhere.

Classic elote from Casa Vega restaurant in Sherman Oaks. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )

The NoMad food truck

Among the many chefs from other cities, particularly New York, who are making their way to our horizontal town? Daniel Humm, the celebrated chef from Eleven Madison Park and NoMad, which Humm is opening in L.A. sometime next year. But before that happens, Humm is already cooking here in L.A.  hes opened a NoMad food truck, and is making fancy burgers and hot dogs. Of course he is.

Chef Daniel Humm (right) and Will Guidara (left), co-owners of the Nomad food truck, are photographed near the truck outside of the Line Hotel in Koreatown. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times )

Ramen in Glendale

In her weekly restaurant news column, Jenn gets details on the latest expansion of Tsujita, the great Hakata-style ramen shop on Sawtelle Boulevard. The new Tsujita is opening in Glendales Americana at Brand. Fantastic news for those of us who love noodles way more than shopping. (Maybe the crowds will split between Tsujita and Din Tai Fung.) In other news, chef David Lentz is closing two of his three Hungry Cat seafood restaurants; happily for us all, the original in Hollywood isnt going anywhere.

A bowl of ramen served at Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles on Sawtelle Boulevard. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times )

Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants, the authoritative annual guide to local dining, is online for subscribers and now features his 2016 Best Restaurants. If you didnt get a copy of the booklet, you can order one online here.

City of Gold, Laura Gabberts documentary of Jonathan Golds Los Angeles, is available on Amazon.

Check us out on Instagram @latimesfood

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Check out the thousands of recipes in our Recipe Database.

Feedback? Wed love to hear from you. Email us at food@latimes.com.
Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, The Times letters editor, and it is Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. The Cold War was declared over 27 years ago today. Heres a look back at the week in Opinion.

The right may have won the battle, but the numbers say the left will win the war. Gay marriage is here to stay (even Donald Trump thinks so). A majority of seniors may have voted for Donald Trump, but if millennials made up the electorate, Hillary Clinton would have won by hundreds of electoral votes (small consolation now, but still). And so on.

Now theres this: The rate of gun ownership among young adults is falling fast, to 14% today from 23% in 1980. In fact, about half the firearms in this country are owned by just 3% of adults, suggesting the National Rifle Assn. lacks the public support to continue achieving legislative and electoral victories across the country. In an op-ed article, Firmin DeBrabander reports on the demographics that do not bode well for Americas gun lobby:

Given these trends, it should come as no surprise that public opinion also stands against the NRA. Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, polls indicated that more than 70% of Americans favored universal background checks for gun transactions. And a 2015 Johns Hopkins study found that majorities favor a host of stronger gun safety measures, including allowing lawsuits against negligent dealers, enacting safe storage laws and preventing sales to individuals with domestic violence restraining orders. While Missouri lawmakers recently approved a permitless carry law in their state, a majority of residents oppose the measure. The NRA has traditionally succeeded in overcoming the popular will because it knows how to pressure (or threaten) lawmakers into its corner. Even after Sandy Hook, for instance, the NRA rallied enough members of Congress to block background checks. And the gun lobby obviously did well in this last election  though it spent a record amount  getting the president it wanted, as well as several new lawmakers to manipulate. NRA opponents, however, have discovered a powerful line of attack that promises to make the legislative landscape better reflect the state of gun ownership and gun rights support. Instead of appealing to lawmakers, who are corrupted and corruptible, theyre going directly to the people. Gun safety advocates sponsored ballot initiatives in four states, and won three, barely losing the fourth. Nevada passed universal background checks, California banned possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines and Washington state allowed judges to issue orders enabling authorities to temporarily seize guns from people who are deemed a threat to themselves or others. Maine voters narrowly declined to approve universal background checks. The gun safety movement has suffered so many gut-wrenching setbacks in recent years, it was high time for a new approach. And, evidently, its working. When voters are asked directly about gun safety measures, they will check the box. It was not long ago that the gun lobby enjoyed support from both sides of the political aisle. No more. Now the NRA is a fixture of the right  and increasingly, the right wing of the right  as it insists on an uncompromising agenda that alienates more and more Americans. In short, the gun lobby is marginalizing itself.  Click here to read more.

Fidel Castro died as he lived  praised by useful idiots. Jonah Goldberg gives the gold medal in the Useful Idiot Olympics to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his cringe-worthy praise of the late Cuban dictator as that countrys longest-serving president. Goldberg then goes after Geraldo Rivera for praising El Comandante because, you know, Riveras thinking is so reflective of the entire lefts. L.A. Times

In Trumpworld, getting 2.5 million fewer votes than your opponent is a landslide victory. Simple math ought to show why Trumps win over Hillary Clinton was about as close as they come, but columnist Doyle McManus debunks the president-elects claims that millions of people voted illegally and that his margin of victory in the electoral college somehow gives him a political mandate. L.A. Times

Another Trumpworld fantasy: Millions of immigrants will self-deport. It sounds easy, but in reality its just as difficult as rounding up 11 million immigrants here illegally and deporting them by force. Trumps top immigration adviser believes the incoming administration can make life so burdensome for the immigrants in the U.S. illegally that many of them will simply choose to go home, but that would require cracking down on the employers and countless small businesses that rely on affordable labor, a politically untenable undertaking. L.A. Times

Big cities like L.A. have vowed to forgo cooperation with Trump on deportations. Over at the New York Times opinion website, two scholars debate the responsibility of cities to serve their residents by shielding them from federal action or to assist Washington in enforcing immigration law. New York Times

Who cares if a few left-wing college students burn American flags? The debate over criminalizing flag desecration  reignited this week when Trump called on people who set Old Glory aflame to be locked up and have their citizenship revoked  is a stupid one, caused largely by attention-seeking college kids and conservative retailers of false outrage, writes Mark Oppenheimer. He suggests a better way: Radical, safe-space-obsessed students are a minority within a minority, and its time for politicians, and the rest of us, to cease writing, or legislating, about what they drink, whom they bed and what they do to their American flags. L.A. Times

Set my inbox on fire: paul.thornton@latimes.com
All summer long, I celebrated the California coast, marking the 40-year anniversary of protections built into the Coastal Act.

Now winter is coming on, and Im scared of what could happen to the greatest 1,100-mile beach on the planet.



For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that President Richard Nixon was a former California governor. He was a California senator.

We have a president-elect who said hed like to bulldoze the Environmental Protection Agency, thinks global warming is a fairy tale, and has surrounded himself with knuckle-draggers who would frack in marine sanctuaries and drill in Yosemite if they could get away with it.

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I think Californias clean-coast economy is hanging on by a thread right now, said Ocean Foundation senior fellow Richard Charter, who has worked for decades to protect coastal waters from offshore oil and gas drilling.

There have been three or four instances in the last three years where the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to either open up new leases off Southern California or to require the secretary of the interior to promote new drilling from existing leases, said Charter.

Those efforts were beaten back, but Charter fears President-elect Donald Trump might spearhead future attempts to chip away at restrictions and drill, baby, drill. At the moment, leading candidates to head the Energy and Interior departments include a billionaire oil magnate and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, who declared Oct. 13 Oilfield Prayer Day in her state.

Former California Sen. and U.S. President Richard Nixon, an arch conservative in his day, is an environmental visionary and hero next to Trump and his minions. Nixon was stunned by the horrific damage from the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and helped create the EPA, a key achievement in the birth of the modern environmental movement.

Not that the coast has ever been clear.

1 / 121 A woman takes a break from riding her horse on Imperial Beach, one of only a few places along the coast where horses are allowed. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 121 Palm fronds reveal a surfer, a couple and children taking in sunset at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 121 The tide splashes up on the beach at sunset on a warm summer evening at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 121 Backdropped by San Diegos skyline, former Sen. James Mills, 89, stands at his Coronado apartment with the bike he rode from Sacramento to San Diego in 1972 to promote Proposition 20, which created the Coastal Commission and led to the Coastal Act. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 121 Children camping at Campland on the Bay paddle around on body boards in the warm waters of San Diegos Mission Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 121 A view from the Torrey Pines Gliderport cliffs, overlooking Blacks Beach and Torrey Pines State Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 121 A California sea lions basks in the evening sunlight while resting on a rock in the La Jolla Marine Reserve, one of 11 California marine protected areas (MPAs). (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 121 A bod surfer is upended amid the crashing shorebreak at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 121 A surfer heads in by a fire pit, hammock and palapa at dusk at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 121 Mila Renieri and Diego Merli of Milan, Italy, play on a homemade teeter-totter at San Onofre State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 121 A no beach access sign is posted at Dan Blocker Beach scenic viewpoint. The beach is one of several in Malibu that dont allow public access. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 121 RV campers have an ocean view, just across from Pacific Coast Highway at the Malibu Beach RV Park in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 121 A kayaker checks out the clear waters of Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 121 A snorkeler swims around a reef/ rock formation at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 121 A snorkeler looks for fish at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 121 Garibaldi, the California state fish, swim and feed on rocks at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 121 Small fish swim at the reef at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 121 A surfer rides a wave at sunset at Old Mans surf break at San Onofre State Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 121 A bodyboarder rides a wave at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 121 Anders Hamborg rides a wave before his shift working as a Huntington Beach city lifeguard on a warm summer day in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 121 A view of the beach through a telescope at Pacific City, a new 31-acre mixed use development in Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City U.S.A. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 121 The site of the proposed Banning Ranch development now before the Calif. Coastal Commission. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 121 The tide rolls in at twilight at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) nuclear power plant located on the border of San Diego County and San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 121 A view of the AES Huntington Beach Generating Station, where an ocean water intake pipe is located that uses a technique of once-through cooling that is harmful to marine life scheduled to be phased out by 2020. The California Coastal Commission is holding a hearing on the proposed Poseidon Huntington beach Desalination project September 7/8. Poseidon would operate next to the AES power plant and use its ocean water intake pipe. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 121 A dolphin leaps out of the water with a view of south Laguna Beach in the background on Aug. 12, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 121 A pod of dolphins leaps out of the water with a view of south Laguna Beach in the background on Aug. 12, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 121 The Spirit of Dana Point, a traditionally built replica of a 1770s privateer schooner used during the American Revolution, takes a sunset cruise past The Headlands, center, and The Strand at Headlands development, left, in Dana Point. The Coastal Commission approved the 121-acre development known as The Strand at Headlands in 2004, but only after a decades-long fight between conservationists and the developer. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 121 The orange glow of the setting sun shines through palm trees on a warm summer evening in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 121 Beach combers enjoy a warm summer evening exploring the ocean and coastline of Main Beach, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 121 Couples enjoy a sunset on a warm summer evening in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 121 Beach combers are silhouetted by the skys glow while exploring the rocks at sunset on a warm summer evening in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 121 Children run along the beach at twilight near the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 121 The sun sets over the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 121 Kayakers take a scenic cruise in Monterey Bay on a summer day in Monterey. In the background, sand dunes line the coast where the proposed hotel and condominium Monterey Bay Shores development in Sand City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 121 Isabella, 9, and Holden, 7, roast marshmallows over a beach fire with their parents, Steve and Amy Knuff of Aliso Viejo at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 121 Incoming tide rolls onto the beach at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 121 A photographer captures the sunset over the ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 121 The Point Vicente Lighthouse illuminates the landscape at twilight in Rancho Palos Verdes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 121 A person climbs up the giant Point Mugu Sand Dune, across from Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Ventura County. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 121 Taylor Geer and Marissa Acosta of Thousand Oaks relax on top of the giant Point Mugu Sand Dune, across from Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Ventura County. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 121 Kids play on a stand-up-paddleboard at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 121 Vivienne Lee, 7, of Thousand Oaks, jumps across rocks under the arches of a rock formation while watching the tide roll in at twilight at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 121 Keenan Yoo watches the waves crash at twilight at El Matador State Beach in Malibu. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 121 A tidal inlet reflects the surrounding landscape as a couple walk with their dog at twilight along Arroyo Burro Beach County Park in Santa Barbara. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 121 A Blue Heron flies over the Naples State Marine Conservation Area. Phil McKenna, president of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, says the portion down-coast of Point Conception contains approximately 50% of its remaining rural coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 121 A man fishes in the ocean at sunset at Arroyo Burro Beach County Park in Santa Barbara. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 121 A deer takes a break from grazing to look out over the meadow in Cambria. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 121 A man walking his dog is viewed underneath a Cypress tree canopy over the beach boardwalk along Moonstone Beach in Cambria. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 121 A surfer rides a wave near a rock formation in Morro Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 121 The sun, filtered by forest fire ash and fog, goes down at the Morro Bay Marina, with a view of Morro Rock and sailboats. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 121 Surfers walk down the beach after surfing in front of Morro Rock. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 121 A windmill lines an undeveloped stretch of coast along Cayucos Estero Bay with Morro Rock visible in the background. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 121 A child bundled up in a thick wetsuit, cap and life jacket, skips to the waters edge with an adult taking them body boarding in Morro Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 121 A child toting sand toys heads across the sand dunes at Morro Bay State Park in Morro Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 121 The tide fills in between jagged rock and cliff formations at Montana de Oro State Beach in Los Osos. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 121 The tide fills in between jagged rock and cliff formations at Montana de Oro State Beach in Los Osos. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 121 Elephant Seals battle one another on the beach rookery at Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve, San Simeon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 121 A scenic view of the setting sun shining through the fog along the Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 121 A scenic view of a waterfall spilling onto the beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 121 A scenic view of an iconic California coastline gem, the Bixby Bridge, Big Sur. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 121 Tourists sit together at a lookout point while exploring the Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 121 A scenic view taken from Rocky Point, looking out over the Big Sur coastline. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 121 Elephant Seals gather on the beach rookery at Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve, San Simeon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 121 Kayakers take a scenic cruise on Monterey Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 121 A scenic view of Garrapata State Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 121 A view of Carmel Sunset Beach on a summer day. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 121 A child climbs a dune on the site of a proposed, nearly 400-unit hotel and condominium development in Sand City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 121 A Western snowy plover, a threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act, stands amid critical habitat at the site of the proposed Monterey Bay Shores condo and hotel development in Sand City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 121 Amid fog, Mark Massara, a decades-long coastal steward, surfs in front of Shark Tooth Rock at Martins Beach, where an access gate remains locked despite a judges order to landowner Vinod Khosla to to open the private gate and allow public access to the beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 121 Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez revisits Santa Cruz, where he surfed as a boy. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 121 Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez surfs in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 121 The sun illuminates the incoming tide as a child plays in the water near Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 121 A harbor seal lets out a yawn while relaxing on the rocks at Pigeon Point Light Station near Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 121 A sailor heads out to sea from Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 121 A mural on a beach cottage wall at Martins Beach, where an access gate remains locked despite a judges order to landowner Vinod Khosla to to open the private gate and allow public access to the beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 76 / 121 The sun sets as a crew team glides through the water near Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 77 / 121 A tourist takes in the coastline scenery at Pigeon Point Light Station near Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 78 / 121 A view of the scenic Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park in Pescadero. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 79 / 121 Sailboats and stand-up-paddle boarders share the water off Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 80 / 121 Ash from a nearby forest fire creates a yellow-hued sky at sunset at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 81 / 121 A view of one of Californias most beloved coastal gems: the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 82 / 121 An egret searches for breakfast on a foggy morning at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve in Stinson Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 83 / 121 A family walks across the beach amid the fog at Dunes Beach in Half Moon Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 84 / 121 A man checking the surf is silhouetted by evening sunshine reflecting off the ocean amid fog at Dunes Beach in Half Moon Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 85 / 121 Harbor Seals relax in the mud at low tide on a foggy morning at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve in Stinson Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 86 / 121 A crab crawls through the mud at low tide at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve in Stinson Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 87 / 121 White pelicans and sea gulls perch on a sand bar in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 88 / 121 Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, left, gets a kayak tour through the eel grass from Amy Trainer, right, deputy director California Coastal Protection Network. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 89 / 121 A coyote hunts for food along the shore in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 90 / 121 Tom Baty, a local environmentalist, has a collection of Japanese glass fishing floats he found on the beach over the years. They are used to hold up fishing nets. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 91 / 121 Tom Baty has been involved in the fight to close the oyster farm on Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 92 / 121 A harbor seal checks out kayakers in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 93 / 121 Steve Lopez, left, gets a kayak tour from Amy Trainer, in white kayak, Brett Miller and Cicely Muldoon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 94 / 121 Remnants of oyster racks are part of a restoration project to remove 470 tons of marine debris and 5 miles of oyster racks in Drakes Estero (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 95 / 121 Amy Trainer, deputy director California Coastal Protection Network, kayaks past oyster racks in Drakes Estero. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 96 / 121 Amy Trainer, deputy director California Coastal Protection Network, kayaks past oyster racks in Drakes Estero. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 97 / 121 The tide pools at the scenic Shell Beach in Sea Ranch, Calif. Sea Ranch rallied a generation of coastal stewards demanding public access to the rugged and scenic beauty on the Sonoma County coast. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 98 / 121 A view of flowers overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Bodega Head, Bodega Bay. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 99 / 121 A blue heron perches on a branch at The Hole in Bodega Head that was meant to hold a nuclear power plant. Photo taken at Bodega Head, Bodega Bay, Calif. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 100 / 121 A view of the rugged beauty of the Sonoma County coast. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 101 / 121 Couples take a scenic walk on the beach in Crescent City. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 102 / 121 The rocky coastline of Shelter Cove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 103 / 121 Fog partially obscures the high cliffs of the Lost Coast, where early conservation activists fought development in Shelter Cove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 104 / 121 A woman watches the tide roll in on Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove along the Lost Coast. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 105 / 121 A woman walks along Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 106 / 121 An evening view of the Mendocino County coastline in Northern California. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 107 / 121 A full moon rises at dusk over the protected Ma-lel Dunes in Arcata, which contain eight distinct habitats. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 108 / 121 Sunset illuminates Battery Point Lighthouse and sea stacks in Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 109 / 121 A surfer heads out at sunset to catch a wave near a sea stack in Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 110 / 121 Flowers overlooking Enderts Beach near Crescent City on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 111 / 121 The Battery Point Lighthouse illuminates the night sky near sea stacks in Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 112 / 121 A couple walks along the beach at Pelican Bay State Beach after crossing the California border from Oregon on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 113 / 121 Empty half-acre lots and paved roads are now part of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 114 / 121 A blue heron lands on a tree branch amid the rich habitat of the south Lake Earl Wildlife Area, which was formerly private Bliss Ranch and is now public land near Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 115 / 121 Water ripples among reeds in the near-empty half-acre lots and paved roads that are now part of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 116 / 121 Sunset illuminates sea stacks and the coastline at False Klamath Cove in Redwood National Park near Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 117 / 121 The sun sets behind trees at False Klamath Cove in Redwood National Park near Crescent City on July 18, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 118 / 121 A view of the Smith River National Recreation Area in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 119 / 121 Times columnist Steve Lopez, right, kayaks with Grant Werschkull, left, co-executive director of the Smith River Alliance, on the Smith River National Recreation Area in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 120 / 121 An elk grazes in the meadow at sunset in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park on July 19, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 121 / 121 Patterns formed by the wind and bird footprints in the sand at the Ma-lel Dunes North, which contains eight different habitats, in Arcata on July 19, 2016. The dunes are highlighted as a victory for the coast after a years-long fight by conservationists to keep off-highway vehicles off the unique sand dunes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Marin County supervisor before heading off to Congress in 1983, recalls watching Ronald Reagans Interior secretary, James Watt, promise to drill off the California coast.

We organized the fishermen and the environmentalists and the tourists and we beat them back, said Boxer. Weve been beating them back...ever since.

The coast was in peril when she went to Washington, she said, and its in peril now that shes about to retire. Boxer joined Sen. Dianne Feinstein and senators from Oregon and Washington in a mid-November plea to President Obama. The president has extended a ban on Pacific oil and gas leasing through 2022, but the senators asked him to make it permanent.

Were awaiting a response, said Boxer, who told me both the five-year ban and a permanent ban could be hit with legal challenges by Trump, but shed rather have a permanent ban in place.

Also lobbying for a permanent ban are state legislators including Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), the Center for Biological Diversity and a gaggle of environmental groups.

And wheres Gov. Jerry Brown?

Missing in action.

I asked a spokesman if I could speak to the governor or at least get a comment on whether Brown supports the call for a permanent ban on coastal drilling.

Instead, I was emailed a copy of a 2014 letter from Brown and the governors of Oregon and Washington in which they asked the federal government to extend a ban through 2022.

Gee, thanks. But thats 2  years old. Besides, we now have a ban through 2022, but we also have a president-elect surrounded by drill-happy oil tycoons.

Does the governor of California, who has been a climate change leader, have nothing more to say?

Apparently not. Hes doing the mummy act again, like he did during an entire year of turmoil on the California Coastal Commission, with its arrogant firing of the executive director and its shameless penchant for breaking the rules on private meetings with developers.

Meanwhile, a candidate to replace Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, will be on the spot this week as a member of the State Lands Commission. Newsom sits on that three-member panel, which may decide what to do about the Silicon Valley billionaire who is fighting to keep people off a beach, near Half Moon Bay, enjoyed by the public for decades.

The state couldnt reach a settlement with Vinod Khosla on the price of an easement allowing public access, and now the Lands Commission has to decide what to do about it. One option is to condemn the property through eminent domain and buy it for the public.

I say yes. If the bully wont agree to a reasonable price for a simple trail to a beach thats owned by the public, play hardball. Condemn his property, evict him and take it back, even if it that means a long court fight, and even if the money is hard to come by.

This state, its elected officials and its appointed regulators have got to send a stronger message that the coast is ours, by law, by right, by virtue of our voter-approved mandate that a gift of nature is not a commodity, but a public treasure.

Thats especially important now that Trump is on the loose.

The oil companies would love to pump money out of the seabeds off of La Jolla, Orange County, Malibu, the Gaviota coast, the Lost Coast, and if theres more drilling with fewer protections, fisheries, birds and beaches are in peril.

Were going to have to rely more on our state government, our local governments and just plain citizen involvement...otherwise any part of the California coast thats not in a marine sanctuary today is toast, said Charter.

He added that the last line of defense is the California Coastal Commission. If you want to drill off shore, he said, you need an onshore operation to transport or process whatever is being pumped, and thats where the coastal commission can put up roadblocks.

The agency has enormous and unique power that sometimes supersedes federal control. With five or six replacements due on the 12-person commission, and a search under way for a new executive leader, thats all the more reason for Brown and legislative leaders to build a stronger, more professional team of coastal stewards, and for the public to scrutinize their every move.

As Ive noted before, Peter Douglas, the late godfather of the Coastal Commission, once said the coast is never saved, its always being saved.

That call to action is more important now than ever.

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

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UPDATES:

9:55 a.m.: This article was updated to include Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon among those lobbying for a permanent ban on Pacific oil and gas leasing.

This article was originally published at 3 a.m.
A fugitive Jamaican gang member suspected of killing four people in a bloody gun battle at a popular South L.A. Jamaican restaurant was captured Friday, a day after he was added to the FBIs Ten Most Wanted list.

Marlon Jones is believed to be the suspect in the shooting with rival gang members that also left 10 people wounded at an Oct. 15 party at a Caribbean restaurant inside a home. Jones was captured after a car chase on the 110 Freeway near the Adams Boulevard exit while being pursued by FBI agents, said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman.

The FBI Fugitive Task Force had received a tip earlier on Jones whereabouts, she said.

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The federal agency announced Thursday that it was offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Jones, who is the 510th fugitive to be named to the list.

He was charged with four counts of murder, and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest after being charged with unlawful flight from prosecution.

Jones has a lengthy history of violence and belongs to a Jamaican criminal gang that operates on the U.S. East Coast, L.A. Police Department investigators said. The group is involved in large-scale drug distribution, and Jones and other members may have come to L.A. to settle a dispute with rivals, authorities said.

Jones, who is a Jamaican national, had been living in New York, authorities said. He was in the U.S. illegally and was known to use a variety of aliases, including Rasheen Brantley, Floyd Evans Jr. and Junior. He operated in New Jersey, Connecticut, Tennessee and California, as well as the Caribbean.

The deadly gun battle in October erupted between two groups at a birthday party in the 2900 block of South Rimpau Boulevard. The house in which the killings occurred serves as a popular underground Jamaican eatery called Dillys Kitchen.

Jones and a second person, who police said fired into a crowd, fled before police arrived.

LAPD arrested two Jamaican nationals on suspicion of murder in connection with the shooting: They were found at hospitals being treated for gunshot wounds, said Capt. Peter Whittingham, the head of the South Bureau Criminal Gang Homicide unit.

In the wake of the gun battle, Mayor Eric Garcetti said the West Adams shooting was the latest example of a senseless gun violence epidemic that causes so much pain and sorrow in our city and across the nation.

The FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was established in March 1950. Since then, 478 fugitives have been apprehended or located, FBI officials said.

richard.winton@latimes.com

Follow @lacrimes on Twitter

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A convicted con man who plotted to have a federal judge killed with a wood chipper and federal prosecutors and FBI agents slain in a scheme for revenge was sentenced Friday to 20 more years in prison.

John Arthur Walthall, 61, a former Laguna Beach resident, was already serving a 14-year prison sentence in Lompoc for defrauding an elderly couple out of $5.5 million by claiming he could extract gold from abandoned mines.

According to authorities, Walthall hatched a grisly plan for retribution against the federal prosecutors, agents and judge who helped put him behind bars.

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On Friday in Santa Ana, U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney sentenced Walthall to an additional 20 years  the maximum sentence  for one felony count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence. A jury found him guilty in July.

Carney said Walthall likely will spend the rest of his life in prison. He recommended that Walthall have limited access to other prisoners.

Mr. Walthall is a manipulative, angry, cruel and sadistic man, Carney said during the sentencing. He concocted his diabolical, murderous scheme so he could get out of jail and continue a life of crime.

Walthall said he intends to appeal the sentence to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The case began in 2007 when Walthall persuaded an Orange County couple in their 80s to invest millions of dollars in a partnership that would pull gold out of abandoned mines. Instead, Walthall used the money to pay his sons film school tuition, buy a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and pay alimony to his ex-wife, prosecutors said.

Walthall was charged in 2009 and stretched out his prosecution with delays and a claim of illness, according to court papers. In 2011, he jumped bail and fled to Mesquite, Nev., where he lived under the alias Art Langford. He was found with a handgun, cellphones and the book How to Be Invisible.

In 2012, jurors convicted Walthall of four counts of wire fraud and one count of failure to appear in court.

Prosecutors contended during his most recent trial that once he was behind bars, Walthall prepared a detailed plan and approached two inmates, Antonio Rodriguez and Crisanto Diego Trejo-Ortiz, to help him carry out his revenge plot.

The plan, prosecutors said, was for hired hands to kill the prosecutors and FBI agents who won the conviction against Walthall.

Judge Andrew Guilford would be kidnapped and forced to exonerate him. Then the judge would be tortured and shredded by a wood chipper, according to court papers.

Walthall would pay up to $1 million per victim, according to court papers.

But the two inmates alerted the FBI, and Walthall later laid out his plans to an undercover agent, court documents state.

Defense attorney Timothy Scott said in court Friday that the informants entrapped and manipulated Walthall, who he said suffers from mental illness, in an effort to reduce their own prison sentences. Scott said the two men have a track record of foisting time onto other people.

I stand by the notion that Mr. Walthall was approached by these two inmates, Scott said.

Walthall alleged during Fridays hearing that the judicial system, including his own attorney, was conspiring against him.

Hes going to send me to prison to die, Walthall said.

Fry writes for Times Community News.

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A Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy accidentally shot an arson suspect as the man fought with deputies in front of his burning home in Paramount, authorities said Friday.

When county firefighters pulled up to Rodolfo Martinezs home Thursday afternoon, the house was engulfed in flames and Martinez was refusing to leave the building, officials said.

Armed with a fire extinguisher, Martinez, 32, used it to fight off the firefighters trying to put out the blaze, said sheriffs homicide Lt. John Corina, who is investigating the incident because a deputy fired a weapon.

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Martinez hit one firefighter with the extinguisher and sprayed its contents at the others until they retreated and called sheriffs deputies for backup, according to a news release.

Hes taking medication, hes been depressed and cant find work, Corina said of Martinez, who was living with his parents at the home in the 6500 block of San Luis Street.

Authorities allege Martinez lit four fires inside the home while his parents were away. His parents told authorities he had never been suicidal and the motive for the fires was under investigation, Corina said.

When deputies arrived to help, Martinez grabbed his fathers walker and fought them, according to a news release.

It took three deputies  two women and a man  to wrestle Martinez to the ground, Corina said.

What happened from there came in quick succession, authorities said.

Martinez managed to grab at a gun of one of the female deputies that was unclasped from its holster, so a firefighter jumped into the melee to help, Corina said. Meanwhile, At the same time, the male deputy stepped back and pulled out his gun to possibly shoot Martinez, Corina said.

But before the male deputy fired, a fourth deputy ran up with a Taser to use on Martinez, so the male deputy decided to holster his weapon, Corina said.

But the weapon discharged, Corina said. The gunshot struck Martinez in the buttocks, but the wound was not noticed in the commotion, he said.

Martinez was ultimately subdued and taken to the hospital, where the gunshot wound was discovered. Martinez is expected to survive and was booked on suspicion of arson, assault on a peace officer and firefighter, and attempting to disarm a peace officer. He is being held on $350,000 bail.

The deputies were treated for smoke inhalation and released. The deputy who mistakenly shot Martinez was put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Investigators plan on testing all the deputies guns to verify that it was the male deputy who fired, Corina said.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.
A Stockton bank robber who used a hostage as a human shield during a police pursuit pleaded guilty to murder and a host of other charges Friday, San Joaquin County prosecutors said.

Jaime Ramos, who faced a death penalty trial, also pleaded guilty to carjacking and attempted murder on a peace officer and will be sentenced to life without parole for his role in the July 2014 incident.

An accomplice, Pablo Ruvalcaba, pleaded guilty to murder and will be sentenced to 25 years to life, officials said.

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Ramos and Ruvalcaba were among four men who robbed the Bank of the West in Stockton on a weekday afternoon, took three hostages, then fled with officers in pursuit. Their two accomplices were killed in a shootout with police.

The murder charges stem from the death of bank customer Misty Holt-Singh, who had stopped at the bank with her daughter and became one of three hostages the robbers kidnapped and took along during the chase.

The two other hostages were injured during the chase and escaped the vehicle. Holt-Singh, however, was kept in the SUV and was ultimately shot 10 times by Stockton police who returned fire at the robbers.

The pursuit was one of the most violent incidents in Stocktons history, police said. It spanned three counties and involved at least 35 officers. More than 20 officers discharged their weapons, officials said.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.

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A USC psychology professor was stabbed to death inside a campus building Friday by a 28-year-old student who was taken into custody, Los Angeles police said.

Bosco Tjan, a co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center who joined the faculty in 2001, was identified as the victim by USC President C.L. Max Nikias.

As the Trojan family mourns professor Tjans untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts, Nikias said in a prepared statement. He said counseling would be available for students.

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Authorities said they arrested Jonathan David Brown, a Los Angeles resident, and booked him in jail. Brown is a PhD student in the lab that Tjan ran, according to a USC website.

Police received a 911 call from USC around 4:30 p.m. about a victim with multiple stab wounds, said LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar. Responding firefighters found Tjans body inside the Seeley G. Mudd building in the southwest corner of the campus.

Tjan was stabbed in the chest, authorities said. Brown was apprehended at the scene and taken into custody without resistance, they said.

We want to make clear this was not a random act, Aguilar said. This victim was targeted by the suspect.

Aguilar said police were interviewing possible witnesses at the campus police station across the street from the Mudd building, which houses the psychology department and classrooms used for biology, chemistry and other science courses. Clusters of students passed by the building, but walkways through the area were cordoned off.

Earlier, in immediate response to the stabbing, USC issued a campuswide alert about police activity on campus. No danger to USC or the community, the text said. Stay away from area.

There were no signs that the stabbing death had rekindled the widespread concerns about campus safety that flared after the high-profile slayings of students from China in 2012 and 2014 prompted USC to adopt more extensive security measures.

Murad Houry, a senior pre-med student, said the attack did not make him feel less safe. He said it only made him more aware of how violence can occur anywhere and saddened him that some students apparently could be driven to such unimaginable acts.

When he heard the news, he said he immediately thought of the slaying of a UCLA professor earlier this year by one of his students. William Klug, a popular engineering professor, was shot and killed by Mainak Sarkar, 38, a former doctoral student who accused him of stealing his research and giving it to someone else.

UCLA immediately came to mind, he said. Another stressed-out student, another professor.

Houry, a resident assistant for many pre-med freshmen who took classes in the Mudd Building, texted all of them to check on their safety. They were fine, he said, but he was preparing to offer support and a listening ear Friday night.

Yesenia Brasby, a freshman pre-med student who had a chemistry class this semester in the building where the stabbing occurred, said she was surprised the violence occurred next door to the police station.

We feel safe in our little bubble, but thats just not the case. Anything can happen anywhere, she said. With the recent stabbings at Ohio State University and the UCLA shooting, she said, I feel like I always try to be aware of my surroundings now. Just because theres a gate [on campus] doesnt mean something wont happen inside, on campus.

Zhongtang Li, a teaching assistant and fourth-year doctoral student in chemical engineering from Shanxi, China, said he was stunned when he learned of the slaying after encountering a campus police barricade and having to turn around and walk home.

He said the stabbing seemed more frightening than a shooting because it was up close and personal. Li said he does not feel as safe as before and is second-guessing how he interacts with his own students.

I think Im good with my students, but even so, I will be even more careful now on whether Im going too hard on them, he said.

Im worried. It seems like more and more people are losing self-control. ... USC is a good school. The students here work hard to come here. They have a good education  how can anyone act like this? he said. Ive been here for so long; this is the worst thing to have happened on campus, the hardest to understand.

He said he thinks about the other senseless violence that has occurred in the area. Random killings off campus, now a stabbing on campus, he said, shaking his head.

Im just trying to graduate as soon as possible, he said, walking quickly away.

In July 2014, Xinran Ji  then a 24-year-old engineering student  was bludgeoned to death near campus with a baseball bat and wrench while walking home from a study group. He managed to crawl to his apartment but died in his bed.

Prosecutors say three males and a female targeted him because he was Chinese, and they suspected he had money. All four were charged with one count of murder each, with the special circumstance of murder during an attempted robbery in the attack, which was caught on surveillance cameras.

A jury convicted the female  Alejandra Guerrero, now 18  of first-degree murder in October. Trials for the three men  Andrew Garcia, 20, Jonathan Del Carmen, 21, and Alberto Ochoa, 19  are expected to begin next year.

Two other graduate students from China were slain less than a mile from USC in April 2012. Ming Qu and Ying Wu, who were studying electrical engineering, were talking after a night at the library, parked outside the home where Wu lived on a tree-lined stretch of Raymond Avenue just south of Adams Boulevard.

A gunman approached Qus BMW and opened fire on both students, shooting Qu in the head and Wu in the chest. Qu attempted to run for help and was found collapsed on a nearby porch, while Wu was discovered slumped over in the passenger seat of the car.

Javier Bolden and Bryan Barnes were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of the murders.

The attacks made headlines around the world and prompted USC to beef up safety measures for foreign students. Upgrades include requirements for international graduate students to take extended safety education programs, a new international student safety advisory group and campus police training about the different cultures of international students.

Nikias, in a letter to the campus Friday night, praised campus polices response to the attack.

Our Department of Public Safety officers responded immediately, and apprehended the suspect on the scene, he wrote. We are extremely proud of our Department of Public Safety officers for their quick response, and our university counselors for immediately offering support at the scene.

Tjan was an expert in adaptations that people make to overcome central vision loss.

According to a USC website, Tjans laboratory was devoted to studying the human visual system to address basic and translational questions pertaining to vision loss, restoration, and rehabilitation.

Tjan came to USC in 2001 as an assistant professor and became an associate professor in 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile. In 2014, he was made a professor. He held a doctorate in computer science from the University of Minnesota.

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UPDATES:

11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with more details about the suspect.

8:35 a.m.: This article was updated with the name of the suspect.

5:15 a.m.: This article was updated with biographical information about Bosco Tjan.

4:30 a.m., Dec. 3: This article was updated with more details from USC President C.L. Max Nikias letter.

8:02 p.m.: This article was updated with new details from police.

This article was originally published at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 2.
Los Angeles County prosecutors filed a lawsuit this week to remove Maywood City Councilman Sergio Calderon from a regional water board, claiming both offices are a conflict of interest and violate state law.

Calderon, 40, is a board member of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California and oversees a division that includes southeast L.A. County cities, including Maywood.

The lawsuit, which prosecutors filed Wednesday, claims that both positions have overlapping territory, duties and responsibilities, and a clash of duties is likely to arise in the exercise of both offices simultaneously.

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Calderon could not be reach for comment Friday.

This is not the first time Calderon has gotten into trouble on this issue. Prosecutors filed a similar lawsuit in 2008 when they tried to remove him from the Maywood council because he was already serving on the water board.

Calderon resigned from his council post before the matter went to trial. He was elected again in November 2015.

Last month, the state attorney generals office issued an opinion on the matter that allowed prosecutors to move forward with the suit, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office.

Prosecutors sought permission to sue Calderon in a process known as a quo warranto. After the attorney general grants approval, quo warranto actions allow individuals and public agencies to challenge a persons right to hold office.

Earlier this year, prosecutors went through the same process when they filed a lawsuit against Carson Mayor Albert Robles, who also serves on the same regional water board with Calderon. His case is pending.

Calderon has 30 days to respond to the civil action.

ruben.vives@latimes.com

For more Southern California news, follow @latvives on Twitter.

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Janeth Calderon flipped on the kitchen light and the windows burned bright in the pre-dawn blackness. Next she slayed the quiet, turning on a radio that filled the room with traditional Mexican music. A few pots and pans clattered as she began making breakfast for her four children.

Mario was up first. The 11-year-old with his short, dark hair and lanky frame already was taller than his mother, and he had to bend slightly to get a morning kiss.

Next came Xitlaly Calderon, who would turn 8 that Saturday. Dressed in her tan school uniform, she was excited about the birthday cupcakes shed be giving out to her classmates.

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Leche? mom asked.

Si, her son replied.

She poured him a cup of milk and turned back to the French toast. Janeth usually would ask her son about tests or homework. But mornings had been a little more somber since Nov. 8, when Mario came home from school and told her what the kid had said on the bus  that because he was a Mexican hed have to start sitting at the back now that Donald Trump would be president.

Mario had never felt a sting like that before  he was born in Idaho, just like his sisters. His stomach churned. He was confused. Lonely. Anger muscled its way forward too. The bus driver reprimanded the kid, and Mario didnt sit in the back. But the seed was planted. He worried that it would happen again.

I felt sad, he said.

Janeth already had plenty to worry about as her son grew older  she would fret about his grades, about his growing up so quickly and she still was learning how to gradually surrender her protective instincts to time. Now she struggled with the quiet fear that Marios dreams could be strangled by something new and ugly. For 11 years, hed never felt like hed been targeted for the way he looked.

Donald Trumps victory changed that.

Before the election, I didnt worry about this for my kids, she said softly. Now that hes elected, it feels different.

Trumps comments during the campaign were well-documented. His claim that Mexico was sending drug dealers and rapists to America was particularly incendiary, but so to were his tough immigration proposals that prompted supporters to chant build the wall! at rallies.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has been tracking incidents of harassment since election day. As of Monday, that number stood at 701.

The bulk of the harassment has been labeled as anti-immigrant, with 206 falling into that category. Among those totals, most incidents have occurred at K-12 schools.

Trump didnt address the issue until Nov. 13 on 60 Minutes.

Im so saddened to hear that, Trump said. And I say, stop it. If it  if it helps, I will say right to the cameras: Stop it.

He also condemned white supremacist groups at a meeting with the New York Times last week.

But Trump had done some troubling things. He picked Stephen K. Bannon to be his chief strategist. Bannon oversaw Breitbart News, which became a key forum for a movement that has, in many cases, pushed a racist agenda. Trump met with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who wrote the papers please law in Arizona fueled by sentiment against immigrants in the U.S. illegally. And Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) is Trumps pick to be attorney general. Sessions, an anti-immigration hard-liner, has been criticized for making racist remarks in the past.

American-born Jorge Calderon remembers being called racial slurs when he moved to Idaho from California decades ago. (David Montero / Los Angeles Times )

Janeths husband, Jorge Calderon, 36, felt as if he was watching clocks spin backward to his days as a teenager. Fears hed put to rest years ago began to resurface amid conversation at his job in the nearby sugar beet factory.

Jorge moved to Idaho with his parents more than two decades ago. He came to love Idaho after a rocky start when his parents got jobs and he helped them in the summer picking fruit.

We were in the fields, and across the highway there were some Caucasian people calling us wetbacks and saying, Go back to your country  you dont belong here. It made me angry and it made me think I wanted to go in front of them and say something back, Calderon said. But I knew they were bigger and older and I wasnt going to be able to do something.

The outburst on the bus surprised him. It hurt him. It scared him too.

Since Trumps election, immigrants living in the country illegally and their advocates have expressed fears of mass deportations and workplace raids. But for people like the Calderons, the fear is being targeted not for the legal status, but for their ethnicity.

Both of Jorges parents were legal permanent residents when he was born in California. Janeth and her parents are legal permanent residents too.

He wondered whether their status would be enough protection for them amid anti-immigration zeal that seemed to surround Trumps campaign. Perhaps they should become citizens to be on the safe side. Janeth said she would start the process to becoming a citizen now. Jorge figured his parents  close to retirement age  wouldnt try. Janeth thought hers would.

When Jorge walked in from the garage after getting off work from the overnight shift at the factory, he had just missed Mario taking out his violin to play Ode to Joy  something to pass the time while Janeth lightly put Vaseline in Xitlalys hair to keep it from drying out. She helped her put in earrings too.

Mario wiped the strings on the violin and put it away in its case while 5-year-old Xochilt played with her younger sister, 2-year-old Sarnay. Jorge had picked up some doughnuts on the way home from work and put them on the kitchen table and they swarmed the box. Two languages bounced about the kitchen as the family rushed around, mostly speaking English but tossing in Spanish here and there.

School would be starting soon and Janeth made one last check that they had everything they needed. Coats were buttoned and backpacks slung overshoulders. Xitlaly asked if they had to go. Yes, Janeth said.

Jorge went outside to unlock the car. The sun had risen, but it provided little warmth. Ice scrapers for car windshields finally were called into duty after an unseasonably warm fall. The sprinkler systems had been blown out, and tree limbs still stubbornly clung to crisp leaves  one storm removed from nakedness.

His sons story about the bus worried both of them. Janeth said she noticed he was staying late at school for math tutoring since election day, despite already having solid grades in the subject. She wondered whether he was avoiding the bus ride home. He had said he would be staying late again that day. Could they pick him up? Of course they could.

The reality of what had changed seemed hard to grasp. And while harassment was occurring across the country, she said the large protests in places such as Los Angeles, Phoenix or Portland, Ore., seemed to offer some solace where larger populations of Latinos lived. In Idaho, with just 12% of the states population being Latino, the family felt more removed  with 60% of voters in Idaho going for Trump and two-thirds in their county backing the Republican.

Janeth also had heard of harassment through friends and local media.

Ivan Carrillo, a paralegal at Ramirez-Smith & Tvinnereim in the nearby town of Nampa, said his sisters friend was spit on and called names. Carrillo said he and a friend went to a local bar and were called derogatory names.

Trystan Gray, an 18-year-old Latino, told the Idaho State Journal that some of his classmates in Pocatello were telling him it would only be a few more days until Trump sends you out of here.

Jorge and Janeth said they wanted to tell their son things will be OK. That his dreams of starting a band at 15 and maybe joining the Army like Jorges two brothers did after high school are still possible. Or maybe going to college. Before the election, anything seemed possible.

He is trying hard, he said.

Janeth Calderon, holding daughter Sarnay, 2, waits for her childrens school bus in Caldwell, Idaho. (David Montero / Los Angeles Times )

Janeth kept busy during the day while Jorge slept after his overnight shift. She delivered Girl Scout cookies. She visited a friend who recently had surgery. Janeth was still wearing a wrist brace from surgery shed had for carpel tunnel syndrome, which made her unable to cook a big birthday meal for Xitlaly.

They decided theyd ask Xitlaly where she wanted to go for lunch on Saturday. But all day, Janeth worried about Mario. When it was time for the bus to dropXitlaly off, Janeth dressed up Sarnay in a jacket, slipped on her coat and boots and walked along the sidewalk, past some homes. A couple pulling out of the driveway waved. She waved back.

As Janeth stood on the edge of the road, bracing against a cold wind, the yellow bus rolled up and finally lurched to a stop. The doors opened and a few kids trickled out. She saw Xitlaly trundle out.

Then, a surprise.

Off the bus stepped Mario. He walked with his sister to meet Janeth at the corner. He smiled. She sighed as he bent slightly to give her a kiss.

david.montero@latimes.com

Twitter: @davemontero

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The phone rang in the empty restaurant on a cool November evening, and Todd Gibson just wished he didnt have to say the words upon answering. Still, he knew he must.

We need to let you know were not selling alcohol, Gibson said. Is that OK?

There was a pause. Each call since October had become another moment of truth for Lambs Grill in downtown Salt Lake City. Would the diners make a reservation at one of Utahs oldest, iconic restaurants? Or would they hang up and go to a restaurant offering a full assortment of alcoholic drinks?

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He sighed in relief when the reservation held.

It didnt used to be this way. Lambs Grill, with dark wood and red leather chairs, evokes an era of fedoras and flared dresses  faces lit by the soft glow of small lamps. Liquor? The word cocktails is stenciled on the plate glass window facing Main Street. Since 1919, it had been anything but dry. Until this year.

A paperwork goof by Lambs owners left the restaurant without a liquor license, and the desperate owners applied for a new one in October. No way, said the state liquor board, unless they paid fines and built a wall to hide where cocktails were made.

The wall. For seven years, its been debated, praised and mocked. Business advocates have tried to knock it down while the Mormon Church has proudly propped up what many call the Zion Curtain.

But Lambs high-profile controversy  coupled with a near-disaster in September when the newly built $119-million Eccles Theater faced being a dry zone because it didnt have a Zion Curtain  has put the states liquor law in a position to be repealed or altered.

State Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson, a Republican who generally handles most alcohol legislation, said he expects that legislation to revisit the law will be introduced in January.

Ive looked at this doggone thing forward and upside down to make sense of it, Stevenson said. Its a very complicated issue, and I think were trying to solve it with a simple answer. But its not a simple answer.

When it comes to alcohol in Utah, its never simple.

The state is dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are forbidden from drinking liquor. The House and Senate are led by Mormons. Gov. Gary Herbert is Mormon.

In a recent statement the church said, Any discussion of change in Utahs alcohol policy should require clear evidence that the proposed changes will not increase....negative societal costs.

The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control  which oversees all licensing and runs the states liquor stores  is not allowed to advertise or promote liquor even though its a cash cow.

Total annual liquor sales have been increasing, up from $367.2 million in 2014 to $396.4 million in fiscal year 2015. A state audit found the number of liquor stores in Utah is so woefully inadequate, another 19 could be added just to keep up with demand.

State Sen. Jim Dabakis, a Democrat who tried to abolish the Zion Curtain in the last legislative session, said the law creates a weirdness level we dont deserve. It ought to be torn down and torn down immediately. The weirdness factor costs Utah jobs. It costs us tourism.

The law was passed in 2009 under a compromise when the state got rid of its private club requirements, where members had to sponsor people to drink alcohol at establishments serving drinks. New restaurants were required to erect a wall at least 7 feet 2 inches high  taller than Utah Jazz icon Karl Malone  to shield patrons from seeing alcohol being mixed, poured or prepared.

But Lambs and a handful of other restaurants had their liquor licenses grandfathered in so they didnt have to build walls.

Lambs lost its license because key paperwork wasnt submitted to the state when the restaurant was sold. Lambs recently agreed to build a wall, and state regulators this week reinstated the license after levying a $9,000 fine for selling alcohol without a valid license.

Lambs general manager Ashley Francis said, however, the wall addition was not only costly amid revenue losses that exceeded $1,000 a week, but it aesthetically would detract from the historic vibe inside the restaurant. She said the wall is expected be up Monday and will cost $2,000.

Were trying to adhere to the old traditions of Lambs, Francis said.

The Zion Curtain isnt roundly popular in the state. A February poll by Dan Jones & Associates showed 70% of those surveyed opposed the law.

The Salt Lake Area Restaurant Assn. also announced in November it would be lobbying the Utah Legislature to remove the Zion Curtain, arguing the current inconsistencies in the law make it difficult for smaller establishments to comply and compete.

Lambs felt the sting of trying to compete without a liquor license for those months while it waited to get a new license.

Maria Ivanova and Atakan Ekiz came to Lambs on a Friday night while it was still dry and after getting an explanation of the restaurants plight, decided to dine there anyway.

I had a glass of wine before we came, Ivanova said with a laugh. But it would be nice to have one with dinner. Still, Id like to support them and help them out.

Francis said despite getting the license back, the state Legislature needs to address the law. She said shed love to see the law go away even if it meant tearing down the Zion Curtain they were just erecting.

I dont know how this will end, she said. I just keep hoping it will get resolved soon.

david.montero@latimes.com

Twitter: @davemontero

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The jury in the murder trial of Michael Slager, a white former North Charleston police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man, Walter Scott, informed a judge Friday it was unable to reach a unanimous decision.

One juror is refusing to consider a conviction, according to the jury foreman.

After deliberating for more than two days, the jury of 11 whites and one African American cannot seem to agree on any of its three options: convicting Slager of murder, convicting him of voluntary manslaughter, or acquitting him.

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I cannot in good conscience consider a guilty verdict, the dissenting juror wrote in a letter that Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman read out in court.

We all struggle with the death of a man and with all that has been put before us, the juror wrote. I still cannot, without a reasonable doubt, convict the defendant. At the same time, my heart does not want to have to tell the Scott family that the man who killed their son, brother and father is innocent. But with the choices, I cannot and will not change my mind.

In separate notes, the jury foreman wrote to the judge: Its just one juror that has the issues and that juror needs to leave.

The jurors inability to reach consensus, in a case that presented video evidence of Slager shooting Scott in the back, points to the immense challenge of convicting law enforcement officers amid a charged national debate on police violence.

The April 2015 shooting was one of a string of fateful police interactions with African Americans that inspired street protests and national criticism of officers use of force against black people. Scotts death incited particular outrage after a bystander released a cellphone video showing Slager, 35, firing at Scott as he fled from a traffic stop.

Early Friday afternoon, when the jury indicated it was struggling to reach agreement, Judge Newman urged jurors to return to their deliberations and reexamine the questions before you based on the law and the evidence in this case.

It isnt always easy for even two people to agree, so when 12 people must agree, it becomes even more difficult, he said. You have a duty to make every reasonable effort to reach a unanimous verdict. Discuss your differences with an open mind.

A few hours later, the jurors reported that they remained deadlocked. The foreman told the court he believed an explanation of the law would help them reach consensus. A defense attorney asked the judge to call a mistrial, a motion that prosecutors opposed.

Court recessed Friday without a final decision after jurors reported they were beat and wanted to continue deliberations Monday morning.

I can understand if youre beat, Newman told the jury. I think were all beat.

If the jury fails to reach agreement, forcing the judge to declare a mistrial, it will be the second time a jury has deadlocked over a police shooting in less than a month. On Nov. 12, a judge in Ohio declared a mistrial after a jury failed to agree on the case of a white former University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, charged with murder in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black motorist, Samuel DuBose.

During the monthlong South Carolina trial, prosecutors argued that Slager fired eight shots at Scott out of malice, ill will and total disregard for human life. Slagers legal team countered that Slager shot Scott in self-defense.

While the grainy eyewitness video captures the shooting, it does not show the moments leading up to the incident. On Tuesday, Slager testified that he pulled Scott over for a broken taillight and went back to his police cruiser to write up a warning ticket. Suddenly, Scott ran from his vehicle, Slager pursued, and the two men became embroiled in a physical altercation. Slager said he was left in total fear after Scott grabbed his Taser and pointed it at him.

Before the jury announced it was unable to reach a decision, there were signs that it was struggling over the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. On Thursday, after nine hours of deliberating, jurors asked the judge to explain the difference between fear and passion. While Slagers defense hinged on his fear for his life when he fired at Scott, the manslaughter charge involves killing in the heat of passion.

On Friday, the jury asked for the testimony of Feidin Santana, the bystander who recorded the cellphone video. Then, minutes after that request, the jury sent another note to the judge: It is clear that jurors will not be able to come to consensus, it said.

Community activists were stunned. Many have long drawn attention to practices by officers from the North Charleston Police Department, arguing there is a history of police profiling and excessive force against African Americans.

You tell me that you can clearly see a man being executed on video and you cannot come up with a verdict? said Charles Tyler, president of the Charleston chapter of the National Action Network. That sends a strong message to people of color. The message it tells police officers is you can execute a person of color and get away with it.

Something is wrong with the system, he added. Clearly, the country is divided.

News of the jurys failure to reach a verdict came just a few days after a prosecutor in Charlotte, N.C., announced no charges would be filed against a police officer in the September shooting of Keith Scott, an African American man whose death inspired violent protests in North Carolina. He was not related to Walter Scott.

In that case, prosecutors said Keith Scott had a gun in his hands, and that the police officer, Brentley Vinson, was justified in shooting Scott when he refused to heed commands to drop it.

In the Ohio case that resulted in a hung jury last month, the officer testified that he feared for his life when DuBose tried to drive away. His attorney argued that DuBose tried to use his car as a deadly weapon, yet prosecutors said body-camera evidence contradicted the officers story, showing Tensing fired before the car started moving.

South Carolina officer shoots fleeing black man

Jarvie is a special correspondent.

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Good morning. It is Saturday, Dec. 3. Heres what you dont want to miss this weekend:

TOP STORIES

Signs of hope: The year since the terrorist attack that killed 14 people has been challenging for San Bernardino, which has seen a spike in homicides that has claimed 60 more lives. But there are also clear signs the troubled city is moving forward. Its close to exiting municipal bankruptcy, and some parts of the city are seeing a revitalization fueled in part by its educational institutions. Los Angeles Times

Day of remembrance: It was a somber day across San Bernardino, where thousands of people marked the anniversary of the terrorist shooting. There was mourning, but also a defiant spirit that the violence should not come to define the city. Los Angeles Times

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Struggling to cope: For victims and their families, there is no going back. There are times when I think Im still going to wake up from a dream, said one. You just feel like you dont fit anymore. You put on this face, you pretend youre OK, and you show up. San Bernardino Sun

USC stabbing: A USC psychology professor was stabbed to death, allegedly by a student, inside a campus building on Friday, law enforcement officials said. Los Angeles Times

Sentencing: A convicted con man who plotted to have a federal judge killed with a wood chipper and have federal prosecutors and FBI agents slain in a scheme for revenge was sentenced Friday to 20 more years in prison. Los Angeles Times

iMob: A swarm-style robbery of the Apple store in San Francisco was caught on tape. SFGate

Old school: Long before cold-pressed coffee and Whole Foods 365, Silver Lake had a different generation of hipsters with great influence on many aspects of culture. Los Angeles Magazine

Nervous time: In Silicon Valley, foreign tech workers are anxious about what a Trump presidency might mean. Mercury News

Anchor away: Longtime KTTV Channel 11 anchor Jeff Michael signs off. LA Observed

Thats a lot of gold: A new report says bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles would cost $5.3 billion. Los Angeles Times

Whats cooking: How California is leading the way  in home-made cookie freedom. Wall Street Journal

THIS WEEKS MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA

1. California, here they come? Did the Obama family buy a house in Rancho Mirage? The rumors are back. Desert Sun

2. Venice rising: Watch this drone video over Venice Beach and be amazed. Vimeo

3. Lessons learned: Metro will pay nearly $300 million more to the company that widened the 405 Freeway. Los Angeles Times

4. Save the fish: Some think the poke craze in L.A. is ruining the environment. LA Weekly

5. The new Dr. Ruth: The sex ed teacher who is a YouTube star. ABC News

ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEKS GREAT READS

Presidential snub: Meet the Ventura County mother who is now one of an untold number of people who are blocked from following President-elect Donald Trump on Twitter. Its a distinction that ordinarily wouldnt matter, except that Trump, who hasnt held a news conference since July, uses the social media platform as his primary tool for communicating with the American public. Los Angeles Times

Follow the money: There are questions over where the money is going at a famed San Francisco charity favored by the citys blue-blood society types. San Francisco Chronicle

Dont laugh: The Persian Palace mansion in Beverly Hills has been a punchline for years, and a symbol to many of excess over fine architecture. But there is much culture and history contained in these homes, and over time many have come to respect and even love them. Curbed Los Angeles

Land of opportunity: Orange Countys newest congressman has a backstory highly relevant in the age of Trump. He lived much of his early life in Mexico, learned English as a second language and says his life story was largely written on some of the countys toughest streets. To me, its a testament to the greatness of this country, where a person that grew up in this neighborhood can actually make it to the U.S. Congress, says Lou Correa. Los Angeles Times

LOOKING AHEAD

Weekend: The 710 Freeway will be closed between the 60 and 5 in East L.A. as part of a major improvement project.

Monday: New L.A. County supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger will be sworn into office.

Tuesday: UCLA Anderson Forecast will host its quarterly economic forecast conference.

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Shelby Grad.
Donald Trumps aides have been boasting, with some justice, that his transition is moving faster than most of his predecessors did. Trump has named almost half his Cabinet; in 2008, President Obama didnt get that done until mid-December.

Now Trump has set a speed record he never intended: He appears to have touched off his first diplomatic crisis seven weeks before hes scheduled to take office.

On Friday, Trump spoke on the telephone with Taiwans president, something no U.S. president or president-elect has done since 1979.

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Thats a big problem, because ever since the Jimmy Carter administration the United States has officially recognized the Peoples Republic of China  the very large country with its capital in Beijing  as the only fully legal government of China.

Not only that, the Trump transition issued a cheerful official statement about the phone call, lauding the close economic, political, and security ties  between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year.

All of that was taboo under normal U.S. diplomatic practice  and virtually certain to enrage China. (Ari Fleischer, a White House press secretary under George W. Bush, noted on Twitter that he wasnt even allowed to refer to the government of Taiwan; he had to call it the government on Taiwan.) And China is, of course, a considerably more important country to the United States  economically, politically and militarily  than Taiwan.

It wasnt clear how the telephone call came about. Its possible that President Tsai Ing-wen just got lucky, and that Trump and his staff made a rookie mistake.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME, Trump tweeted afterward, as if to explain. Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

But the Taipei Times reported that the call was arranged by [Trumps] Taiwan-friendly campaign staff after his aides briefed him on issues regarding Taiwan.

Did Trump deliberately touch off a diplomatic tiff with China, the biggest power in Asia, even before settling on a secretary of State?

This wasnt even the first time Trumps impulsive style of diplomacy led to controversy.

On Wednesday, Trump took a call from Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and  according to a Pakistani government summary that appeared to be written in verbatim Trumpspeak  lavished praise on Sharif.

You are a terrific guy, Trump said, according to the Pakistani summary. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way. Your country is amazing with tremendous opportunities.

The problem? U.S. relations with Sharifs government have been prickly, not terrific. And any sudden warming with Pakistan would worry a closer U.S. ally  Pakistans archrival, neighboring India.

That misstep can probably be papered over, especially since Trump has also said he wants to be best friends with India. (He also said hes a big fan of Hindu.) But the call to Taiwan is a serious problem. Chinas communist government is sensitive about its recognition as a major regional power  and hypersensitive about anything regarding Taiwan. Dont expect this one to go away easily.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @DoyleMcManus

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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One of the guilty pleasures of editing letters to the editor is occasionally reading novel, colorful insults included in submissions that do not make it into print. Almost all of the time, the rhetorical flourish in these letters cannot make up for the lack of a substantive argument, so they get left out.

Thats not the case for the responses to an article Saturday on the two Los Angeles-area twentysomethings behind the Donald Trump-friendly fake news site LibertyWritersNews. The two letters published Thursday were the softest of the roughly two dozen submissions that expressed nothing but scorn. Sprinkled among the barbs were earnest points about maintaining an informed citizenry.

Ernie Orfila of Spring Valley, Calif., puts the two journalists into Hillary Clintons basket of deplorables:

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I wonder who raised them; even if they were raised by wolves, the wolves should be ashamed.  Mike Greene, Tustin

Kudos to the real-life journalist who turned over the brain-dead rock to shed light on Tweedledee and Tweedledum of the alt-right, fake news-dispensing site LibertyWritersNews. Like two poorly adjusted adolescents who get their kicks shouting fire in a crowded theatre, they have found the key to making money without regard to facts, ethics or morals.

Hillary Clinton, here are your deplorables.

Tustin resident Mike Greene encourages the two writers to find a different line of work:

Words fail me. There is so much wrong, on so many levels, with the shamelessness personified by these two young guys. I wonder who raised them; even if they were raised by wolves, the wolves should be ashamed.

That they have no problem with their faces being shown and their names and backgrounds being printed only amplifies just how big a problem this whole fake news thing is.

The most ironic line of the story is buried right in the middle, when one of them utters, You have to trick people into reading the news. The stuff theyre putting out isnt news, and to call it that is beyond ridiculous.

Guys, get an honest job.

Jeffrey Peter Bates of Toluca Lake parodies a fake-news headline:

FAKE NEWS TROLLS RIG ELECTION OUTCOME! Hopefully The Times will not resort to headlines like this to increase its readership, leaving it instead to fake journalists Paris Wade and Ben Goldman, who are enthusiastically tapping into peoples fears, prejudices and ignorance.

While I applaud their entrepreneurial guile, I abhor the glee with which they practice their click bait tactics. They have made it much more difficult for readers to distinguish between reliable and yellow journalism.

And to answer their question about being complicit should one of their readers take out a fellow human being: The answer is yes.

Allen F. Dziuk of Carlsbad wonders about LibertyWriters News audience:

I worry less about Trump being our president than I do about the voters who put him in the White House.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Gram Parsons often is referred to as the father of country-rock.

The musician who pioneered the concept of a rock band playing country music in the late 1960s and early 70s may not have sold many records, but his influence on fellow musicians, from Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones to The Byrds, Jackson Browne and the Eagles, continues to shape rock and country artists.

Parsons would have been 70 in November  he died at age 26 on a trip to Joshua Tree from a lethal ingestion of morphine and tequila  and fans and friends are still celebrating his style of alt-country, calling his sound a mix of country, rock and R&B.

This enduring legacy is why Don the Beachcomber, a restaurant and bar in Huntington Beach, is planning Parsons 70th Birthday Bash on Saturday, when 15 regional bands, influenced by Parsons hybrid sound, will play three of their favorite Parsons songs in their sets.

Hes such a pivotal figure in the history of rock and country music, and in my mind is the most important figure in the melding of the two, said promoter Will James, who brought a Parsons-themed show last year to Don the Beachcomber and is back for a second.

James, of Buffalo, N.Y., is the head of the traveling road show in remembrance of Parsons. He researched bands near the towns on the tour for bookings and also arranged for all the groups for Saturdays concert. One of the performers on Saturdays lineup is Kai Clark, the son of original Byrds band member Gene Clark.

James also has organized a petition to get Parsons into the Country Musical Hall of Fame, in Nashville. He has gathered more than 12,000 signatures since he started the effort in 2007.

Saturdays show, James said, is not a tribute in the strict sense of the word, but rather an appreciation for Parsons legacy, with bands performing their own brand of alt-country music.

Parsons was born in Florida to a wealthy citrus-growing family on Nov. 5, 1946, and raised in Georgia. As a child, Parsons learned how to play the piano, and after seeing Elvis Presley perform at his school, he decided to become a musician.

After graduating from high school, Parsons enrolled at Harvard to study theology, but after one semester, he devoted his time to playing music rather than attending classes.

He spent a few months with the Byrds and later joined musician Chris Hillman. The duo formed the Flying Burrito Brothers, and through Hillman, Parsons met Emmylou Harris, with whom he collaborated musically. But though they released an album to good reviews, sales were poor.

Though he didnt sell many records, Parsons wrote a body of work in five years that he called cosmic American music, including the songs In My Hour of Darkness, Return of the Grievous Angel and Hickory Wind.

Pamela Des Barres, author of the book Im With the Band: Confessions of a Teenage Groupie, first met Parsons when she was dating Hillman. She is godmother to Parsons daughter, Polly.

Des Barres said she will attend Saturdays show and showcase shirts she had made for Parsons to wear onstage.

One memory of Parsons particularly stood out to her, she said by phone from her home in Los Angeles, as she remembered watching the Flying Burrito Brothers perform at Hollywoods famed Whisky a Go Go.

She was standing close to the stage, leaning against a metal fence, and gazed up at Parsons while he sang George Jones She Once Lived Here.

Parsons had certainly known loss, Des Barres said, and as people danced to the music, she watched the musician weep as he sang: There must be a tow-own without memories, but not this one, cause she once lived there.

No one seemed to notice his tears.

He had more soul and feeling then Ive ever seen, Des Barres said. He was deeply connected to it, and I want people who have never heard of him to come to this concert because then theyll revere him. I promised him Id keep his spirit going.

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IF YOU GO

What: Gram Parsons 70th Birthday Bash

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: Don the Beachcomber, 16278 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach

Cost: $20 to $225

Information: Call (714) 809-6146 or visit donthebeachcomber.com

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
Dozens of people gathered in Laguna Beach on Thursday to mark World AIDS Day by taking time to reflect on lives lost and yet finding words of hope amid the glow of candlelight.

About 70 people gathered around a wooden replica of a tree on Main Beach. Many wrote on paper hearts the names of loved ones who had died of AIDS, a disease that weakens a persons immune system, and then hung them on the branches of the little tree, which sat on a table. The remembrance was organized by the citys HIV Advisory Committee.

Participants also took turns speaking the names of those loved ones.

AIDS continues to be a major global public health issue that has claimed more than 35 million lives since the beginning of the epidemic, according to a World Health Organization website.

HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, attacks the bodys immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T-cells), which help fight off infections, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of T-cells in the body, making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers.

Daniel Garza, chairman of the advisory committee, was diagnosed with AIDS when he was 30. Garza, now 45, said the news did not shock him.

I got really sick with pneumonia and a stomach infection, Garza said. I had an idea. I was an addict [drugs], an alcoholic. I did not take care of myself.

Garza said his family was not supportive at first but eventually rallied around him.

I was cool about it, but they were scared, Garza said. I came from a traditional Catholic family. They did not have a lot of information available to them.

The diagnosis spurred a change in Garza, to the point where the virus is undetectable. He attributed this feat to a good support system, medication, meditation and a reduction of stress.

Garza encourages people recently diagnosed with HIV or AIDS to seek help.

There is a group of people willing to help you get through this, he said.

But those infected often dont know they have the virus. The WHO says 40% of the worlds population with HIV  more than 14 million people  remain unaware of their health status. And yet todays drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission, the WHO says.

Committee members on Thursday offered cards redeemable for a free HIV test at the Laguna Beach Community Clinic.

In the United States, HIV is spread mainly through anal or vaginal sex with an infected person and the sharing of needles or syringes contaminated with the virus, the Department of Health & Human Services website said.

B.J. Beu, who has officiated several World AIDS Day events in Laguna, focused his remarks on the significance of light.

The light you hold in your heart reflects the light you hold in your hand, said Beu, former reverend at Neighborhood Congregational Church.

Earlier in the ceremony, Beu cited a Bible passage from John 1:5: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
I had a chance this week to talk to one of our newest Newport Beach City Council members, Brad Avery.

I first met Avery in 1979, when he started at the Orange Coast College Sailing Base, and I was attending a big boat sailing class aboard the boat Scandalous.

As we set sail and headed out into the harbor, the boat was greeted by a rather big puff of wind. As it leaned over in the breeze, I and most of the crew put two hands onto the boat. Its Genoa sail needed to be skirted and lifted over the boats lifelines.

As the call from the helmsmen to skirt the sail was requested, most of us sat tight and looked around for who would be the first to stand up and walk out on the pitching foredeck. Just then, a flash went by me, and the Genoa was skirted.

Avery returned to the cockpit and was also attending to the mainsail. I thought to myself, OK, thats how its done.

Avery had been doing the big boat thing from the time he was a kid on his fathers 8-meter racing sailboat. Averys father Chuck was one of the first yacht brokers with David Fraser in 1965 in the Lido Village area. Another yacht broker, Ed Cox, was also working in the same office.

Cox opened one of the first sailing clubs in the harbor, and Brad Avery was 14 at the time, washing boats as a part-time job.

Thats how I got into teaching sailing, Avery said. The sailing instructor did not show up one day, and Cox walked down the dock and said, Drop that brush, kid. You are the new sailing instructor.

As a kid I would hang out at Richards Market; they used to have a huge bulletin boat with a chart of the Pacific with pins with boats names that where competing in the TransPac. This is only way we could follow the race at that time.

After graduating from Newport Harbor High School at the age of 17, Avery packed his sea bag and flew down to Panama, where he signed up as a crew member and sailed through the canal and cruised the Caribbean. On his return to Newport Beach, he immediately stepped on another boat headed back through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Avery spent some time backpacking around Europe and then sailed back. The next season he returned to the Caribbean and once again to Europe to sail in the Mediterranean. After about three years, Avery returned home and attended school at USC.

After graduating, Avery started working as the director of sailing at the OCC Sailing Base, where he has been working ever since.

I knew Avery had a strong interest in the history of our harbor, so I asked about his favorite stories about the harbor.

When I got out of journalism school, I had a chance to interview Hans Dickman, who immigrated from Germany after WWI, he said. Dickman told me a story of riveting submarines during the war before he came over to the U.S.

Because of the Great Depression, Dickman was able to purchase some waterfront property next to the Cannery, where he opened up his shipyard to repair wooden fishing boats. Another great part of this story is after the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, Dickman found an old markets archway that he placed on a custom trailer and towed it down Pacific Coast Highway.

The archway was attached to a building already in place, and a Newport Beach icon was born. That whole area was very commercial in those days, and it was a small town at that time.

When asked about some of the changes hes liked around the harbor over the years, Avery said, Thats what I like best about the harbor; the city has done very well to keep the character of the harbor. The iconic buildings, like the Cannery and Pavilion.

Iconic institutions like the ferry are still there. The mooring fields are the same. Major components of the harbor are still the same, which is really nice.

Avery addressed any concerns about the harbors future. again pointing out the importance of keeping the harbors character.

Its the constant erosion of that character, with the pressure to build maximum square footage of the building next to the water, that is the concern, he said. We will always have to manage that in the degree that we can. Access to the harbor is of importance with public docks, anchorages, water quality and to find a way that a couple of dredging firms can exist in the harbor so that dredging can be ongoing.



A reminder that at 9 a.m. Dec. 10, the Harbor Commission will be taking other civic leaders and interested members of the public on a two-hour harbor tour aboard one of Balboa Island car ferries.



Boat name of the week: Galatea.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist for the Daily Pilot.
Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon will hold her last town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

A new mayor is expected to be chosen at the City Councils Dec. 13 meeting.

The town hall will include an introduction of District 5 Councilman-elect Jeff Herdman and discussions of sidewalk safety in Corona del Mar, city finances and John Wayne Airport-related matters.

H.B. beach cleanup to feature speakers and yoga

A beach cleanup will be held Sunday in Huntington Beach with guest speakers and beach yoga.

The Xanadu Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization, will present the free event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1606 Pacific Coast Hwy.

The program also will include a group circle discussion and team-building activities.

To RSVP, go to bit.ly/Xanadu-cleanup.

Costa Mesa school to host creativity labs for kids

Reid Day School in Costa Mesa will host a public Creativity Labs Museum on Wheels Workshop for children ages 7-13 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday.

Participants will design and create personalized art pieces called PlasTikobots, made from reclaimed plastics.

Admission is $10. To register or for more information, visit reidday.org.

Pancake breakfast with Santa set in H.B.

Huntington Beach families can celebrate the arrival of the holidays at a pancake breakfast with Santa Claus on Dec. 10.

The $10 event will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. or 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Murdy Community Center, 7000 Norma Drive.

The program also will include holiday music, arts and crafts, a bounce house and photo opportunities with Santa.

To sign up, visit hbsands.org.

Resolution Run will aid cancer research and H.B. high schools

The fourth annual Resolution Run scheduled for Dec. 11 in Huntington Beach will benefit the McKenna Claire Foundation and all schools in the Huntington Beach Union High School District.

The McKenna Claire Foundation, based in Huntington Beach, raises money and awareness for research and treatment of pediatric brain cancer.

The Resolution Run will feature a 1-mile run starting at 8 a.m. and a 5K (3.1-mile) run starting at 8:30 a.m. After the races, runners can attend a health and fitness expo and a free pancake breakfast provided by the Huntington Beach Fire Department.

For more information or to register, visit hbuhsd.edu/events.

Newport philanthropists to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Heritage Pointe, a nonprofit Jewish-oriented retirement community in Mission Viejo, will honor Newport Beach philanthropists Scott and Leslie Seigel with its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award during Heritage Pointes annual fundraising gala Dec. 11 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

The Seigels have operated California Closets in Southern California for 35 years and are involved in several other community organizations.

Bank of America gives grants to local nonprofits

Three local organizations were among 17 Orange County nonprofits recently awarded a total of $410,000 in grants from Bank of America, according to a news release.

The grants included $10,000 for the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach to help create a nature play area, $50,000 for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for its artistic and educational programming and $35,000 for South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa for its education and community outreach programs.
Newport Beach Councilman Scott Peotters troubling rant in which he tries to weave his personal right-wing political views into the Museum House controversy shows just how far an elected representative in Newport Beach thinks he can go to support developers in lieu of his constituents (Commentary: Why I voted in favor of the Museum House proposal, Dec. 2)

Arent SPON, Greenlight and the museum itself part of his constituency? Are there any constituents he did not insult? Even Newport Centers boring buildings were skewered. All residents were derided in his restaurant comments.

Why is he so troubled that a restaurant needs approval from residents who want to sleep at night? Ironically, if more of those residents felt they could get through the traffic on Coast Highway now, many businesses might actually do better.

Museum House opposition has nothing to do with these divisive views. Anyone who has experienced South Beach in Miami has seen the good, the bad and the density of high-rise development along the shoreline. Is that what we want for Newport Beach?

Already traffic, noise and bright lighting from existing Newport Center high rises intrudes into surrounding residential areas. Not considered anywhere in his rant is the loss of a cultural institution. This museum was a gem of a collection choked out by too little support.

Newport Beach does need growth, and it needs to be intelligent, considered growth, not kicking the can down the road one high rise at a time.

Comparing SPON to Hillary Clinton supporters read like the old Brer Rabbit story, Oh please dont throw me into that briar patch!

News flash: Orange County voted 62% Democratic in the national election for the first time. Mr. Peotter needs to do his job and represent the entire community, the residents, the activists, the environment, the cultural institutions, as well as a few developers.

If he cannot do that it would be fine with me if he moves to Detroit to join the Trump majority he endorses.

Gail Kalscheur

Newport Beach
My name is Jim Place and my wife, Pat, and I have lived in Newport Beach since the 70s. We are appalled at the arrogance of the City Council voting for the Museum House this past Tuesday.

If you will recall, Team Newport dominates the current council and was elected over issues with boat dock fees and concrete bunnies at the new City Hall.

Its members totally ignored the general plan, approved by voters in 2006, which mandated slow growth to keep us a beach community where spectacular ocean views, height restrictions and casual living were the order of the day.

Instead they approved the development rather than calling for a vote of the citizens who elected them. [For The Record: An earlier version of this article said that the Museum House project was approved with spot zoning. It was not.]

If the vote is not overturned, look for more high-density projects that will create more traffic, which is already a problem on MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway.

Car uses per day will go up with the Museum House. Water usage will also rise.

Doesnt the City Council know we are living in a desert with water restrictions, which they choose to ignore?

Finally, the notion of mixed residential/commercial use, where people can walk to work, is ridiculous.

Does anyone walk to work in Newport Beach? They drive to work.

And I can just see a woman with two grocery bags walking to the Museum House from Whole Foods in Newport Center.

The real reason they approved it is the money.

The City Council forgot that Newport Beach, with about 90,000 residents, is known as a destination city around the world, just as Paris, London and New York are with their distinctive characters that set them apart as places people want to visit.

Now if their decision stands, and the referendum fails, we will become another Miami Beach with more tall condos and hotels spread around the city. I can just see a tall condo near the Crab Cooker on Balboa Peninsula.

I believe that is called hodgepodge development, and even the Irvine Co. is against the project.

My wife and I recommend that people sign the Line in the Sand petition to overturn the poorly thought out vote on the Museum House by the Newport Beach City Council.

You will see tables set up for you to do this in shopping centers, grocery stores and in some homes.

JIM PLACE lives in Newport Beach.
Why is it that we so often appreciate people more after they are gone? Councilman Tony Petros isnt gone yet, but he is leaving the Newport Beach City Council soon. When I expressed my feelings of disappointment over his departure with some of my neighbors, they too said that they were sincerely sorry to see him go. I wish that we had told him earlier how much we appreciate his candor and his independence.

It is not as if Petros always saw things your way. But when he didnt, he was honest and upfront about it. He was definitely no pushover.

My first involvement in city politics was a discussion that I had with Petros a few years ago over my displeasure in outsourcing trash collection in Newport Beach. He disagreed with me and was not shy in stating his views. But I wasnt either and in the end my concerns were addressed.

Petros got personally involved with issues that were taking place in his area, from the revitalization of the post office on Riverside Drive to the replanting of Cliff Drive Park. One of the most controversial interactions with residents in which he was involved was no doubt, the under-grounding movement that caused great division in Newport Heights.

The under-grounding of utilities was taking place all over Newport, but Petros district became one of the most divided and vociferous over its feelings about this issue. It must have been difficult for him to have to grapple with his personal feelings and those of his constituency.

His unhappiness showed, however, when it came time for a crucial decisive vote on the issue at a City Council meeting. Petros was the only council member who voted to follow the rules that the council itself had established, because it was very apparent that he was in touch with the feelings of his constituency, like them or not.

It was at the Nov. 29 council meeting that Tony again voted against his own opinion on Museum House because he knew that that was what the people he represented wanted him to do. He was the only council member who did this.

It is actually through this comparison and contrast with some of his peers that his true value as a council member becomes apparent. He speaks intelligently, decisively and most importantly, extemporaneously. Not using a prepared speech shows that he has not come to the meeting  at which he is supposed to be listening to both sides of an issue  with his decisions already established.

He was aware of the large crowd in the audience that was there to oppose the building of Museum House. He speaks and acts professionally at council meetings, not resorting to personal attacks, pettiness or remarks to those who do not agree with him. Petros intellect and leadership skills stand out and will be sorely missed on the City Council.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

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City is working out Art Walk issues

The city of Laguna Beach has received questions regarding recent enforcement efforts during Art Walk. The police department has been working with the Art Walk Board to address issues related to the event.

While some notices were provided to participating businesses, they clearly did not convey the necessary information to the right people and, unfortunately, citations were issued that exceeded the intent of the cooperative effort to gain compliance with all applicable laws.

In the spirit of working with Art Walk participants, the city reached out to the district attorneys office, who will not be pursuing those citations, and the recipients have been notified.

The city values the Art Walk program and how it celebrates our communitys heritage and culture. The police department will be working with the Art Walk organization over the next several months to establish an appropriate program that respects the purpose of the event while ensuring that a safe and legal environment is provided for all. In the meantime, the event will continue while solutions are developed.

We appreciate everyones patience as we work through the issues.

City Manager John Pietig

Police Chief Laura Farinella

Laguna Beach

*

Banning Ranch should be open to all

Kudos to the Newport Banning Ranch project for exposing the rampant dysfunction of the California Coastal Commission.

I was extremely disappointed in its rejection of Newport Banning Ranchs plan to clean, restore and open the property, protect wildlife and plants, and provide biking and hiking trails for our community. We have the right to access this space and Newport Banning Ranch proposed an environmentally friendly and economically feasible option to transform the industrial brownfield.

The staff report and the commissions rejection denied us this wonderful opportunity, even after the Newport Banning Ranch spent years cooperating with the commission to find a solution that would satisfy the needs of the environment and the community. The bias that the commission carried against the proposal was unjust and should be legally scrutinized.

I was happy to hear that Newport Banning Ranch is continuing its fight to give us what is rightfully ours and support its decision to take legal action against the commission.

Jon Anderson

Costa Mesa
A La Crescenta jewelry store owner has released security footage of a burglary that occurred at his business in early November, and said hes frustrated with the lack of progress with the investigation into the crime.

Ishkhan Poghosyan, owner of Pogani Jewelry, said he decided to release footage of the Nov. 3 burglary after a month went by without any progress by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department investigating the incident.

-------------------

FOR THE RECORD

An earlier version of this post stated that the burglary occured Nov. 2. It occurred Nov. 3.

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Its past a month, and they didnt catch the guy yet, Poghosyan said. Maybe this way, somebody knows the guy and we can catch him.

The footage shows the man breaking into the store, located at 3115 Foothill Blvd., at around 2 a.m. by climbing through a hole he had cut into a wall the business shares with an adjacent vacant storefront.

Additional footage of the Nov. 3 burglary at Pogani Jewelry in La Crescenta. The security footage was released by the stores owner.

Poghosyan said the man stole over $80,000 in merchandise from two display cases. He also said the stores alarm didnt go off initially.

He goes in, cut the wall, come into the store, open the cases and grabbed whatever was in them and gone when the alarm went on, he said. The alarm went on late, I dont know why.

The sheriffs department was initially unaware that the stores owner had released the footage.

Detective Roger Burt from the departments Crescenta Valley station said they didnt want to release the footage because its still an active investigation. Releasing it prematurely would make the investigation more difficult, he said.

We were trying to identify this person by other means, Burt said. If you release a video to the public and the suspect sees it, then theyll know youre onto them and get rid of the jewelry.

He added that the image quality isnt that good.

Regardless of the videos release, the detective said he welcomes anybody who is able to identify the suspect.

--

Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc
A health-care professional at Glendale Adventist Medical Center was fired Wednesday over a privacy breach involving hundreds of patient medical records.

Glendale Adventist officials said in a statement on Friday that the protected health information of 528 patients was accessed without authorization by a hospital employee. The unauthorized access included 88 patient records from Glendale Adventists sister hospital, White Memorial Medical Center in Boyle Heights.

The breach was discovered during a routine security review in June and, after an investigation, the source was confirmed as an employee and not an external hack. The employee, who was terminated, was working as a per-diem nurse.

Our patients are our top priority and privacy is a critical part of our commitment to patient care, hospital spokeswoman Alicia Gonzalez said in an email. We sincerely apologize for any impact this incident may have on patients affected.

The hospital has since informed all the patients whom they suspect were affected by the breach with information about how to further protect themselves.

Because it is an ongoing investigation, Glendale Adventist could not confirm specific data that was accessed or for what purpose.

Officials have confirmed, however, that there is a possibility that data includes patient demographics and more sensitive clinical information such as name, date of birth, address, diagnosis and Social Security number.

The employee had limited clinical access and exceeded the employees authorization when accessing the 528 medical files, Gonzalez said.

The privacy rule of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act limits the disclosure of what health information can be revealed without a patients permission. A person who violates the privacy rule may face fines of up to $50,000 and up to one year imprisonment.

We take this breach very seriously, and as a result are taking additional steps to both ensure this event is resolved as well as ensuring these events dont happen in the future, according to a hospital statement.
A man was arrested Saturday in connection with a homicide investigation into the death of a woman whose body was found Friday afternoon in her Huntington Beach home, police said.

The Orange County coroners office identified her as 50-year-old Marylou Sarkissian.

Jason Becher, 41, was arrested in Oregon, Huntington Beach police said. No other information was immediately released.

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Becher had been sought as a possible suspect since Sarkissian was found dead at about 1 p.m. Friday in the 9000 block of Litchfield Drive after officers made a welfare check on her, police said. The cause of her death was not released.

Police said Saturday that Bechers car, a white 2015 four-door Lexus ES320 with California license plate 7MZP290, had not been found.

Becher and Sarkissian knew each other, according to police, who said they had not confirmed the nature of their relationship.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Huntington Beach police information hotline at (714) 375-5066 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6227.
The killers came hunting their former teachers, gunning them down in their offices and in their classrooms.

At the top of Boko Harams kill list: head teachers, examiners, primary school staff and science and geography teachers, whose curriculum contradicted the groups flat-Earth ideology.

The second lesson of the day was under way when terror came to Yagana Sandas school for primary and secondary students in Bama in northeastern Nigeria. Sanda ran for cover as screaming boys and girls scrambled to jump the schools fence, some of them falling and breaking limbs.

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Two of the gunmen chilled her: Tukur had once been her brightest student, a earnest boy who had never missed a school day. Gomna had disrupted any class he was in until he dropped out early.

The gunmen headed straight to the office of headmaster Yaya Buba Jam and shot him dead. They killed another teacher, Al Haji Modu, in his classroom.

In Boko Harams savage campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate in western Africa, education is a primary target. The war on learning has robbed children of years of schooling  a deficit some may never make up  and perpetuated illiteracy and poverty in one of the poorest and least educated corners of Nigeria.

Nigerias teachers union estimates that since 2009 Boko Haram has assassinated 611 teachers, burned down 910 schools and forced the closure of at least 1,500 others. More than 19,000 teachers and almost 1 million school-age children have fled the violence.

The attack on Sandas school occurred three years ago, and she recounted the horrors of that day from a displaced persons camp in Maiduguri, where she has resumed teaching.

That Gomna had joined Boko Haram didnt surprise Sanda. The militants mainly recruit poorly educated children of illiterate parents to fight. But Tukur? He could have been someone.

He was a perfect student, Sanda said. He was hard-working. He was silent, just concentrating on his work.

But in 2012, Sanda said, Tukur butchered his father with a knife in their home for refusing to join Boko Haram.

Bama is no longer under Boko Harams control. The group once held vast portions of the country, but a counteroffensive by the government has driven the extremists out of some areas and put them on the defensive. Still, many parts of Nigeria are still threatened by extremist attacks, making it unsafe for schools to reopen or families to return to their towns.

They were the ones who were looking for us to kill us or slaughter us, said Fatima Liman, another teacher from Bama. We were living together with them. They know us. They know our houses and some of them are students.

Schoolteachers, who pressed reluctant parents to educate their girls, and kept on teaching despite death threats, are the unsung heroes in Nigerias war on Boko Haram.

Every day, they were killing teachers. They targeted us.  Miriam Sandabe

Every day, they were killing teachers. They targeted us. Some were killed in their houses, some outside their houses, some in the market, said Mariam Sandabe, 38, the former deputy headmistress of another school in Bama. Five teachers at her school were assassinated.

When Boko Haram emerged in 2002, it gained popularity for opposing government corruption. The war on secular education began slowly enough, with the group urging school graduates to burn their diplomas.

After its first major rebellion in the large city of Maiduguri in 2009, then-leader Mohammad Yusuf told police that secular education is haram, or sinful because, all knowledge that contradicts Islam is prohibited by the Almighty. That same year the extremists began burning schools.

Boko Haram believes Earth is flat, and that Muslims are permitted to take slaves and duty-bound to kill infidels. Culture and history also play a role in the groups fixation with secular education, according to analysts. British colonialists brought education and Christianity to the region at the beginning of the 20th century, triggering long-held resentment which lingers to this day.

After Nigerian independence in 1960, educations reputation diminished further when well-educated but notoriously corrupt elites developed a reputation for sending their children to top foreign universities using stolen money.

Muslims in the northeast have long been suspicious of secular schooling. More than 52% of boys and 61% of girls in the region had no formal education, according to Nigerian government data in 2013. Seventy percent of women and 48% of men aged 15 to 49 were illiterate.

Theres a perception among Muslims that the content of education is Christian-led. They saw it as a ploy to Christianize their children, so to be a good Muslim was to keep them away from those kind of schools, said Mausi Segun, a researcher with the group Human Rights Watch, who recently wrote a report on Boko Harams attacks on education.

Aisha Dalhatu, a onetime deputy headmistress in Gudu village, said before Boko Harams school attacks, teachers vainly urged illiterate parents to keep their children in school. But girls were usually married off by 13 or 14.

They prefer to give the girls in marriage and get cows and goats, she said, referring to the bride price. But in Bama, Liman said, parents were beginning to accept the benefits of Western education  until Boko Haram came.

In 2012, the death threats started, like the warning letters dropped at Mafoni Day Secondary School in Maiduguri. On Sept. 25, a senior teacher and examiner, Mohammed Yahaya Nige, was standing by the gate chatting with the geography teacher. Just after he went inside, he heard shots: Gunmen had killed the geography master.

Chemistry teacher Mohammed Yahaya Nige, 50, narrowly missed being killed by Boko Haram gunmen in this office at his school in Maiduguri, Nigeria. (Robyn Dixon / Los Angeles Times )

On March 18 of the following year, Nige had finished teaching his first class and dropped by his office for a textbook.

I was going to sit down, but I decided to move. I had not reached the next building when I heard the shots. The school was in chaos, Nige said. Nobody knew which direction to run. I and two other teachers ran into a classroom and locked ourselves in.

Three women had fled to Niges office. All were killed.

Dalhatu, the former deputy headmistress, said her school was shut down after a warning visit from three Boko Haram fighters. We could not go to the market. We were afraid of being called teachers. They were looking for us, she said.

Fighters went to the home of a local headmistress to kill her. But she was out, so they shot dead her 25-year-old son, Dalhatu said.

One of her former primary school students, Awal Buba, became a Boko Haram commander, and was seen in the village burning schools.

Thats why we cannot go back to our area. He knows us, Dalhatu said.

In July of 2013, 30 male students and teachers were massacred in Mamudo. In September, 50 male students were slaughtered in Gujba. The next year, it got worse. In February, 59 schoolboys in Buni Yadi were burned to death, shot, or had their throats cut.

Abubakar Shekau, by then Boko Harams unpredictable and violent leader, declared in a chilling March 2014 video that his religion was nothing but killings, killings and killings, adding, I hate university! You should quit university. I hate it! Western education is totally forbidden. Girls, you should return to your homes.

He threatened to take women as slaves, just weeks before the abduction of 276 school girls from Chibok.

In Bama, men in wearing black told Sandabe, the deputy headmistress, she would die if she kept teaching. But she and others clung on at the school defiantly, hoping the worst was over. In 2014, she had another visit from two men wearing traditional white cotton jalabiyas, or caftans.

They  said if I didnt resign theyd come and kill me. I said I had already resigned, she said. Sandabe fled a few months later and now heads a UNICEF-supported school in a displaced persons camp in Maiduguri.

Teachers in northeastern Nigeria say many Boko Haram fighters are school dropouts or unemployed high school graduates rejected by universities. The regions dire illiteracy rate also left people vulnerable to the extremists appeals.

Thats why were suffering, said Sanda, the teacher from Bama. Boko Haram brainwashed people. Theres no teaching in any religion to kill someone or slaughter someone or kidnap someone.

After missing years of schooling because of attacks by Nigerian Islamist extemists, Boko Haram, these teenagers in a Maiduguri refugee camp have returned to school. (Robyn Dixon / Los Angeles Times )

Falmata Usman saw her brother killed by Boko Haram fighters. At 16, she has completed junior high school at a UNICEF-supported school in a displaced persons camp. (Robyn Dixon / Los Angeles Times )

Now Sanda keeps childrens dreams alive, by teaching in a displaced persons camp in Maiduguri. Dalhatu and Liman teach at the same camp.

One recent evening, five camp girls, wearing blue Islamic hijabs, whirled and laughed in a joyful circle at the end of the school day. Two had once seen brothers killed by Boko Haram. Two sisters saw a third sister abducted. Another lost her father to the extremists.

As eloquent as teachers are about the benefits of education, the girls put it better.

Falmata Usmans father was a teacher, supporting his daughters education when others sent theirs away to early marriage. She saw her brother dragged by Boko Haram gunmen from their house in Monguna, reciting the Koran as his mother pleaded vainly with the killers not to shoot him. At 16, she has completed junior high school at a UNICEF-supported school in the camp.

If you get educated, you will be useful to yourself and your society  even to your children and relations, she said.

In the classroom the smell of chalk pervades, and the schoolgirl smiles.

I want to be a doctor.

robyn.dixon@latimes.com

Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT

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Italians will vote in a referendum Sunday on reforms proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi that would bring complex changes to Italys constitution, but which he says would streamline the countrys sluggish lawmaking and centralize state power.

Voter approval of Renzis plans could dramatically change the Italian government by, among other things, reducing the number of senators from 315 to 100. If the reform vote succeeds, most laws could be passed without Senate approval.

A no vote would mean a rejection of Renzi, who has said he would resign, and his reform plans. It could also be seen as part of a global populist surge that has already resulted in Britains June vote in favor of leaving the 28-nation European Union and the U.S. November election of Donald Trump as its next president.

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Here is a brief guide on the referendum.

What exactly does Renzi want to achieve?

Renzi took power in 2014 promising to turn Italys Parliament from a sloth-like bastion of cronyism into a fine-tuned lawmaking body ready to effect the reforms needed by Italys sclerotic economy and creaking justice system.

To do this he proposed replacing the 315 senators in the upper house with 100 regional councilors and mayors who would have far fewer lawmaking powers. Under the existing system, the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Senate must both approve bills, meaning some measures bounce back and forth for years while being amended.

Crucially, when prime ministers ask Parliament for a vote of confidence to continue governing, votes must be held in both the lower house and the Senate. Numerous administrations have collapsed after losing confidence votes in the Senate.

To clip the wings of the Senate, Renzi needed to change Italys 1948 constitution, and to do that, he needed a referendum. While he was at it, Renzi added measures to restore to Rome powers over key infrastructure and health programs, which are currently controlled by 21 regional governments, leading to waste and overlaps.

What are the objections to Renzis proposals?

Critics say the reform will kill off checks and balances and give the government of the day too much power. Denuding regional authorities of their powers will deny local communities the chance to oppose new infrastructure programs like power stations or highways, they say.

Chief opponent of the reforms is Beppe Grillo, a former comedian who built an antiestablishment political party, the Five Star Movement, after launching a wildly successful blog. The party rivals Renzis center left Democratic Party in the polls.

Renzi has tried to show a willingness to be antiestablishment and anti-big government through his plans to slash the head count in the Senate. Grillo, however, accuses the prime minister of plotting to strangle Italian democracy.

Beppe Grillo, leader of the Five Stars Movement party, attends a rally on the upcoming constitutional reforms referendum in Rome on Nov. 26, 2016. (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press )

So Grillos the populist here?

Grillo celebrated Donald Trumps victory by claiming, It is those who dare, the obstinate, the barbarians who will take the world forward. We are the barbarians!

Five Star officials have also accused powerful international banks like JP Morgan of encouraging Renzi to weaken Parliament and pass more business-friendly laws.

Grillo told voters this week to vote with your gut, not with your brain at the referendum. Renzi replied that if voters did use their brains they would surely vote yes on Sunday and back him.

Why does Renzi seem to have so many opponents?

Early in his campaign, Renzi promised to resign and quit politics if he lost the referendum, a statement he has come to regret, since his opponents have seized on the vote as a chance to oust him. And because Renzi has not turned around the flatlining Italian economy in his 2 years in office, he has plenty of opponents, particularly in the moribund south of the country.

What happens if Renzi loses Sunday?

If Renzi loses, Italian President Sergio Mattarella may ask him to try to form a new government. If Mattarella asks and Renzi declines, the president could appoint a nonpolitical government of experts to run Italy until elections are held.

Economic markets may punish European stocks on Monday if the no vote wins. That would be bad news for Italys banks, which have already lost half their stock market value this year because of the toxic loans they are sitting on. If they start collapsing, there could be a nasty Europewide fallout.

Which side is expected to win the referendum?

Italy banned opinion polls for the two weeks running up to Sunday so voters would not be influenced. The last polls showed the no side leading.

But in a rally Thursday, Renzi promised that he was lagging by only a few thousand votes.

Some observers believe Italys civil servants, who do not traditionally talk to pollsters, may ride to Renzis rescue  not least because they were given a raise this week.

Renzi has also been trying to win over undecided voters with a push of rallies and exposure on television and radio.

Never have there been so many people undecided, he wrote on social media Friday. The referendum match will be decided in the last 48 hours.

Kington is a special correspondent.
Fidel Castro changed the flavor of the milk Cuban children drink at breakfast. He filled Cuban kitchens with energy-saving rice cookers, and he gave a two-hour lesson in their use live on national television.

He even changed the nations lightbulbs, launching a nationwide campaign to replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescents that cast a pallid white light in Cuban homes to this day.

Castro, whose ashes will be interred in the eastern city of Santiago on Sunday, gained global stature with grand visions: confronting the United States; building universal healthcare and education; sending Cubas doctors to heal the Third Worlds sick and its soldiers to fight alongside socialist allies from Vietnam to Angola.

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At home, he expended vast quantities of time and energy remaking the minutest aspects of life in the country he ruled for nearly 50 years. Obsessive, restless, fixated on details, Castro is being remembered by many Cubans for his decades of smaller-scale, often quixotic initiatives to implant Soviet-style central planning on an unruly and improvisational Caribbean island.

Ten years after Castro turned power over to his brother Raul, the artifacts of his time in command still feature in the daily lives of average Cubans, particularly those related to Castros passions for agricultural productivity and saving energy.

Millions of Cubans still depend on the pale-blue ration book that once provided a months worth of free food, reduced today to about 15 days of rice, beans, eggs, chicken, cooking oil, salt and sugar.

In November 2005, Castro tried to persuade his countrymen to also feed their children chocolatin, a mix of powdered milk and cocoa distributed to families in 200-gram (seven-ounce) bags.

Seven of every 11 grams are whole milk powder, believe me, he said. Check it if youre skeptical. Take it to a laboratory and test it. Theres also four grams of cocoa, which is very strong, as strong as it is healthy. I know that our doctors over there in the mountains of Kashmir are drinking their chocolate every night.

To this day, its hard to find a Cuban child who doesnt ask for chocolate-flavored morning milk, itself a legacy of Castros pledge to give every Cuban under age 7 one liter of milk every day.

In 1961, two years after Castros revolution won power, the new Cuban government launched an ambitious campaign to stamp out illiteracy. Some 250,000 volunteer teachers, many of them young women, fanned out across the country, especially in rural areas where access to education was spotty and the need was greatest.

In the space of a year, about 700,000 people learned to read and write, said Maestra, a documentary that explores the initiatives history. Today, Cuba reports a literacy rate of 99.8%, on par with the most developed nations in the world.

In 1960, Castro launched the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, neighborhood watch groups given the job of implementing social welfare projects and natural disaster assistance, looking out for the elderly and organizing modest block parties.

They also serve as the governments eyes and ears, networks of informants that enforce compliance and watch for suspicious activity such as political dissidence or an illegal satellite hookup. The committees are so ubiquitous that just about everyone in Cuba, especially in the cities, still lives within sight of the home of a committee member.

In 1985, many Cubans stopped smoking when Castro abandoned his ubiquitous cigars as part of a nationwide campaign against tobacco, which remains one of the islands principal exports.

Some Cubans fondly remember his personal involvement in the daily problems of individual citizens, while others say he created a leader-dependent autocracy that remains virtually immobile without direct commands from the president.

A friend of mine solved her housing problem when she got Fidels response to her letter seeking help, said Elisa Marquez, a 54-year-old state human resources manager. With his signature on the letter, it got fixed.

In 2005, Castros government decided as part of its energy revolution that the incandescent light bulbs time was up. Workers went door-to-door across the country as people handed over old 60-watt bulbs and were given energy-efficient, mostly less luminescent, replacements, with the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution helping keep track of those who complied.

The switch is still evident today in millions of dimly lit homes, stores and offices. Some people have complained that the light is barely enough to read by or for kids to do homework after nightfall.

In March 2005, Castro stunned islanders with the sudden announcement that the government would hand out 100,000 new pressure cookers each month until some 2.5 million were distributed in all  and that still more would then be made available at subsidized prices, along with Chinese-made rice cookers.

The move will do away with the rustic kitchen, Castro said in remarks to the Federation of Cuban Women.

Today the pressurized appliances remain a fixture in households everywhere.

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Fidel Castros final tour across the homeland he ruled for nearly half a century
President-elect Donald Trump had a potentially provocative phone conversation Friday with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan, which could upset delicate relations between the U.S. and the Chinese government.

It is believed to be the first call between a president or president-elect with a Taiwanese leader since 1979, when the U.S. recognized the mainland government and cut ties with Taiwan.

China has claimed sovereignty over the self-ruled island since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s and insists that its more than 170 diplomatic allies, including the U.S., avoid making official contact with the islands leadership.

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But Washington has remained a staunch informal supporter of Taiwan, part of its network of Pacific Rim allies even after the U.S. cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 in favor of the economically more powerful China.

On the 10-minute call, a first between a Taiwan leader and a U.S. president-elect since that year, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said her government wanted stronger ties with the United States, Tsais office said in a statement.

The president hopes to strengthen two-way interaction and communication and establish closer cooperative relations, the statement said. The president also told Trump that in the future she hopes that on the question of international relations, the U.S. side can continue to help Taiwan have more chances to participate and make contributions.

Tsai won election in a landslide in January after running on a platform that included taking a harder line with China than her predecessor, including a refusal to adhere the tacit deal that only one China exists, united on both sides of the Strait of Taiwan.

But her popularity has plummeted amid economic malaise; more than 100,000 people protested outside her office in September. She could face growing pressure to propose conditions for dialogue with China.

China opposes Taiwans joining any international organizations, such as the United Nations, that require statehood as a prerequisite. Lack of formal ties abroad has hampered the export-reliant island of 23 million from signing trade deals with other countries.

On the call, first reported by the Financial Times, Trump and Tsai also exchanged ideas about stimulating Taiwans economic development and stepping up security, the presidential office said in a statement. The U.S. government has sold Taiwan advanced weapons in the past despite strong disapproval from China, which is 99 miles away and the islands most likely opponent in any war. China has not ruled out use of force if needed to make the two sides unify under one flag.

Tsai used the call to compliment Trump on his Nov. 8 election and expressed respect for his victory amid intense competition, the statement from her office said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi played down the call, referring to it as a little trick by Taiwan. Wang, speaking Saturday on Hong Kongs Phoenix TV, said he did not believe it would alter longstanding U.S. policy toward China and hoped the relationship would not be interfered with or damaged.

Tsai took office May 20 on pledges to engage Beijing only without its precondition that both sides see themselves as part of a single China. That standoff has killed chances of proceeding with the dialogue that her predecessor normalized in 2008. Most Taiwanese oppose unification with China, though many want peaceful relations and strong economic ties with the worlds No. 2 economy.

The call is likely to be publicly popular in Taiwan, where many are concerned about their governments lack of high-level contact with the United States, said Alexander Chiang, associate professor of international politics with National Chengchi University in Taipei.

But Trump may not be able to keep up contact after he takes office Jan. 20, Chiang said. China does not let its diplomatic allies, the United States included, make official contact with Taiwan.

Trump is still president-elect, so we have to wait and see what he does, Chiang said. Its a trial balloon and Trump wants to see how far he can go because hes still president-elect. After he becomes the president, he wont be able to do that.

On the other hand, the call with Tsai shows that Trump may not follow the usual foreign policy protocol, said Sean King, senior vice president with the New York political consultancy Park Strategies. Other Asian democracies should see the contact with Taiwan as a sign Trump will support them over China, he added.

It shows Trump doesnt adhere to foreign policy taboos and that everythings on the table, King said. Although they wont admit it for fear of angering Beijing, it also gives our other Asian allies confidence that America has their back.

Trump repeatedly criticized China during his campaign, promising to brand the country a currency manipulator, which could also add tension to relations with the Pacific power. He blamed China for undermining U.S. manufacturing jobs by selling artificially cheap exports.

The Trump transition team confirmed the call Friday in a statement summarizing contacts with four foreign leaders, including leaders from Afghanistan, the Philippines and Singapore.

President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations, the statement said. During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties exists between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming president of Taiwan earlier this year.

Trump added on Twitter that he had not initiated the call.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

He added: Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment, but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

The White House was not informed of the call in advance, Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said in a statement.

There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues. We remain firmly committed to our one China policy. ... Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations, she said, repeating longstanding, and carefully adhered to, diplomat-speak regarding the sensitive issue.

Less than two weeks ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping sat across from President Obama at an economic summit in Peru and declared that the U.S.-China relationship was at a hinge moment following the election of Trump.

I hope the two sides will work together to focus on cooperation, manage our differences, and make sure there is a smooth transition in the relationship and that it will continue to grow going forward, he said at the start of a bilateral meeting with Obama, their ninth face-to-face encounter.

Xi spoke with Trump days after he was elected. The Chinese president told Trump that cooperation was the only correct choice for China and the United States, Chinese state media reported.

The White House has not been getting direct reports about Trumps calls with foreign leaders. In some cases, they have gotten informal summaries from foreign counterparts.

On Thursday, a day after Pakistans government released candid details of a call between Trump and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest diplomatically counseled the incoming president and his team about the value of following State Department guidance about sensitive foreign contacts.

Every president, regardless of which party theyre in, benefits enormously from the expertise and service of thousands of patriotic Americans at the State Department, he said. "... And Im confident that as President-elect Trump takes office, those same State Department employees will stand ready to offer him advice as he conducts the business of the United States overseas. Hopefully hell take it.

Special correspondent Jennings reported from Taipei. Times staff writers Bierman and Memoli reported from Washington. Special correspondent Jessica Meyers in Beijing contributed to this report.

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UPDATES:

9:05 p.m.: The article was updated with a statement from the Chinese foreign minister.

This article was originally published at 6:45 p.m.
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
A motorist who lost control of his car while getting on Interstate 78 on Tuesday night was cited with driving at unsafe speeds, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The three-car crash occurred about 8:40 p.m. near the Route 33 interchange in Lower Saucon Township.

State police said Raj Subramanian, 36, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, lost control as he went from southbound Route 33 to eastbound I-78. His Mazda 6 spun out, crossed both eastbound lanes and hit a guide rail before traveling back into the right lane facing in the opposite direction.

The Mazda was struck by an eastbound Jeep operated by Jason Engelhardt, 46, of Flemington, and by a Volvo driven by Justin Chonko, 28, of Harrisburg, Pa.

Neither of the other two driver was cited or injured, according to state police.

Subramanian received a minor injury but didn't require hospitalization, state police said. Dewey Ambulance of Hellertown responded to the call.

All three drivers were wearing seat belts, state police said.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is seen in June 2013 on South Side Bethlehem. In the foreground is an ore crane that had been used by the former Bethlehem Steel Corp., prior to the company's bankruptcy and site's redevelopment fueled, in part, by the casino's opening. (Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

(Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

Pennsylvania State Police investigating the theft of 20 lottery tickets identified Friday the suspect as 68-year-old Nafez Hanna, and say he is charged with theft.

Hanna, of Whitehall Township, allegedly took the tickets Thursday afternoon from a Pennsylvania Lottery kiosk inside Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

Police asked for the public's help Thursday in finding the perpetrator, and released additional information on the investigation Friday morning, including a surveillance photo said to show a person of interest in the investigation.

Taken into custody Friday afternoon by members of the state police Bureau of Gaming Enforcement, Hanna is accused of taking the tickets and fleeing through the retail mall exit at Sands on South Side Bethlehem.

He was released pending a hearing before District Judge Joseph Barner in his Bethlehem courtroom.

The victim in the case is identified as Sands Bethlehem.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Colonial Regional police administered a life-saving overdose reversal drug, then charged the recipient with drug possession.

Officers at 4:32 a.m. on Tuesday were called to the Extended Stay America hotel at 3050 Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

Police said 24-year-old Kristin Nicole Davis, of the 8400 block of Brookdale Road in Breinigsville, had overdosed on heroin, and they used naloxone to reverse the effects of the drug.

She was charged with possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

In her purse, police said, the found four packets with a white powder that tested positive for heroin. They said they also found six wax packets used for storing heroin.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.


Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka's health has worsened, to the point where he is in hospice care, the wrestling star's wife told a Lehigh County judge on Friday.

Attorneys were back in court for Judge Kelly Banach's review of whether Snuka is competent to stand stand trial in the 1983 death of his mistress.

The judge ruled June 1 that due to his dementia and other factors, Snuka was not competent to stand trial on third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

Snuka was not in court Friday, but participated in the hearing via video conferencing.

Snuka's attorney, Robert Kirwan, said the former wrestler has suffered a number of infections, and was hospitalized on Monday after the most recent infection led to psychosis and hallucinations.

Snuka, who has been living in Florida, improved in the past few days but was not fit enough to travel, Kirwan said.

Carole Snuka said her husband is in hospice care, and is receiving morphine and other drugs to make him "medically comfortable."

Kirwan said the doctor's prognosis is that if Snuka's health continues to worsen, he may die in the next six months. Prosecutors said they were told by a doctor that Snuka is terminal.

After Banach's bombshell decision that Snuka could not help in his own defense, prosecutors asked he be ordered into in-patient treatment, which Banach immediately denied. Then, in August, prosecutors asked the judge to either send the former wrestling star to treatment, or dismiss the murder case against him.

Banach pushed the decision to the December hearing, saying if Snuka was at the same mental capacity or worse, she would dismiss the charges.

On Friday, the judge said she would need to review records of Snuka's treatment over the last six months and will issue a decision later.

The judge can uphold her ruling that Snuka is not competent and schedule another review hearing; she could determine he is competent and prepare for trial; or the judge can dismiss the charges.

Doesn't know who won the election

In the interview with Banach, Snuka couldn't remember if he voted in the presidential election, and did not know who won.

"I'm trying to think here -- I'm not really sure," he said.

Asked how he was feeling, Snuka said, "Actually, to be honest with you, not too good," and then described pain in his knee and leg.

Snuka became animated when he spoke about swimming and walking around the neighborhood. Asked if he's wrestled in any matches lately, Snuka told the judge, "I wish I could go back," doing what I loved to do.

Carole Snuka said her husband tries to leave the house, thinking he's going wrestling, and gets mad when he can't go.

"He wants to get in the car to go wrestle," she said. That's in addition to his reported psychosis moods when he tries to leave out whatever door or window is available, she added.

The killing of Nancy Argentino

The ex-wrestler was charged in September 2015 in the death of Nancy Argentino in Whitehall Township, following a grand jury investigation.

Argentino, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was pronounced dead May 11, 1983, after authorities were called to a Whitehall Township hotel room. Snuka, the former WWF great known for his high-flying moves, wasn't charged until last fall after a county grand jury investigation.

Judge Maria Dantos, the supervising judge of the grand jury, previously rejected the diagnosis that Snuka was not competent to testify before the grand jury. Snuka took the witness stand, but did not testify before the grand jury.

Snuka did testify twice during the competency hearings before Banach, which were held over four days.

Prosecutors have accused Snuka of being a malingerer, an actor faking his mental health maladies. The prosecution's expert witness testified to the same in May.

The defense's psychologist testified multiple concussions and dementia have left Snuka "a shell of a man."

When Banach issued her ruling, she said "I find that Mr. Snuka is suffering," and gave a handful of reasons why she found him incompetent.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
safe harbor

The Safe Harbor homeless shelter in Easton.

(Lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

TROPHIES

Come in, warm your bones. The

in Easton is looking to re-establish a warming center program for homeless people during the winter months. The warming center, which was located at a community drop-in center on North Fourth Street last year, is expected to move to the Safe Harbor facility on Bushkill Drive. When the shelter's 36 beds are full, chairs and blankets will be offered to up to 20 more people in the warming center, Director of Operations Jeffrey Poch said. City Council has agreed to find the funding for the center, which offers mental health services. Greater Shiloh Church in Easton plans to house up to 25 people on Thursday and Friday nights this winter, and serve meals there. To donate cash or supplies, contact Safe Harbor at 610-258-5540, or Miriam Rodriguez at Greater Shiloh at 610-659-5396.

After she rounded up eight pairs of unused eyeglasses in her own home,

decided to seek discarded eyewear from others in the community to donate to New Eyes for the Needy. The Hackettstown teen has recovered 500 pairs and set a goal of 2,000. New Eyes, a New Jersey-based nonprofit, purchases eyeglasses for those who need them in the U.S. and recycles donated glasses for others around the world. Collection sites have been set up at several churches and retirement communities in the Hackettstown area, along with the Warren County library branch in Independence Township, Flex Fitness Gym in Allamuchy and the Hackettstown Regional Medical Center. For information or to arrange a pickup, contact Szpakowski at 908-914-1248 or

In the years since the death of their 12-year-old daughter Allison,

have found several ways to honor her memory. The Bethlehem Township, Pa., couple has established a foundation that has raised $40,000 for projects in the Bethlehem Area School District and community. Now they're looking to help students with college costs, setting up a $20,000 endowed scholarship at Northampton Community College. The first recipient will be a Freedom High School student who would have been one of Allison's classmates. Donations can be made to the Allison Nicole Perno Scholarship Fund c/o The Perno Family, or the Allison Nicole Perno Endowment Foundation c/o Northampton Community College.

The

will observe its 50th anniversary next year by awarding $300,000 in grants in six areas of concern it has identified. The application periods for $50,000 grants are still open in categories of cultural enrichment, food and housing access, environment and sustainability, human trafficking, and veterans affairs. The organization was created in 1967 as the Bethlehem Area Foundation. For more information on the grants, visit the foundation's website at

TURKEYS

Former West Easton Borough Council President

wasn't billed for garbage collection for five years -- a gap discovered when records were being transferred to a new computer system earlier this year. Gross, who served on council until she was defeated for re-election in 2015, had been paying a combined sewer-garbage bill for her apartment until April 2010, when the garbage fee was removed from the bill. Gross denied any wrongdoing, saying that she wasn't responsible for the trash bills, which were sent to her father, Mayor Gerald Gross, who owns the property. Gerald Gross said he was "blindsided" by news about the lack of payment, and wrote a check for $1,804 to cover the period, including late fees. An investigation by the Northampton County District Attorney's office did not determine that anyone had illegally manipulated borough records, District Attorney John Morganelli said, and no charges were filed. The lack of payment went unreported publicly until lehighvalleylive.com obtained the records through a Right-to-Know request.

Delta Airlines has permanently banned an

whose provocative comments appeared to challenge other passengers on a flight from Atlanta to Allentown. A video captured by a passenger shows the man standing in the aisle, yelling, "We got some Hillary b-----s on here? Donald Trump! He's your president. Every g-----n one of ya's. If you don't like it, too bad." Delta's CEO said if the flight crew had witnessed the incident first-hand, they would have removed the man from the plane. "Our responsibility for ensuring all customers feel safe and comfortable ... includes requiring civil behavior from everyone," Delta said in a statement. Passengers were told they would receive refunds for their fares.
A prestigious award in film making and the best junior film at the 2016 FIS film awards has come to Laois courtesy of first class pupils at Portlaoise Educate Together National School.

The class attended a special awards ceremony in the Helix Dublin on Wednesday November 16 to pick up their award.

The then senior infants made their film last March 'The 1916 Rising', to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter rising.

The seven minute film features re-enactments of events leading up to, during and after the Easter Rising, with parliamentary discussions on the Government of Ireland Act, secret meetings of the seven leaders, the firing of the first shots in Colt woods in Laois, the reading of the Proclamation outside the GPO, and the eating of biscuits at Jacob's Factory.

The film also showed the events of aftermath on the streets of Dublin, and the wedding of Joseph Mary Plunkett to his darling Grace, followed by his execution.

It was shot in Laois, with locations including County Hall and Emo Court.

The students teacher is Elaine ORourke.

I am immensely proud of my talented boys and girls. When we started this project I never thought that they would take to it so well.

I was apprehensive about the subject matter because they were so young, only five and six year of age at the time. I needn't have worried. They totally embraced the project. We had a class of rebels all willing to join forces against the British army. Their passion and interest in the film was incredible. It allowed for cross curricular learning in a fun and engaging way, said Ms O'Rourke.

Reading the revolution papers in preparation for the project really brought the topic to life. It became their favourite part of the day. It is a lovely testament and it was a great way for the children to mark the centenary year. Many of the pupils are learning English as a second language and they did a super job reading and learning the script, the teacher said.

The movie stars were, Khawaja Ayen Ahmed, Sean Cheah, Filip Ciupinski, Hannah Cretu, Juliette Marie Duffy, Excel Ekemhenrekhiah, Malik Elkhabir, Veronica Grjaznova, Nadia Hajdenrajch, Charlie Hennessy, Gerry Jan Husar, Agata Jasecskaja, Claudia Katra, Olivia Lodinska, Ryan Manion, Rowan McKenna, Rihanna Merkininkaite, Thato Nisimane, Nils Pelinens, Amelia Rugine, Samual Scanlon, Leigh Sheridan, Dominika Wardeska, Roza Witkowska and Nikita Zizmevski.

See the film on vimeo.com /188296675?ref=fb-share
IFA President, Joe Healy has said that the areas currently designated as Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) must be fully protected in the forthcoming review of areas, and payments must be increased in this vital support scheme for low-income farmers on marginal land.

Speaking at an IFA Rally in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon last night, attended by MEPs from the west and border areas, Mr Healy said, ANC payments represent a significant support for up to 95,000 farmers who farm in some of the most difficult conditions. This must be recognised by European and national politicians. Every effort must be made to protect the already designated areas and to restore payments to farmers to their pre-2009 levels when Budget cutbacks were made.

The IFA President stressed that the Government, in the negotiations with the EU Commission on the review, must put forward strong arguments which support this vital scheme.

IFA Rural Development Chairperson, Joe Brady said that there are sufficient flexibilities in place in the Guidelines to Designate ANC Areas to protect areas already classified in the upcoming review. At a recent meeting in Brussels, the EU Commission has made clear that member states can make a case based on local conditions to ensure that areas retain their status and continue to qualify for payments.

In addition, Ireland can make a case for areas that have difficulty in qualifying under the new biophysical criteria by classifying them as areas with specific constraints. This should allow various options to be used as it can add an additional 10% of the utilisable area in addition to those areas that would qualify under the biophysical criteria.

Speaking on behalf of hill farmers, IFA Hill Committee Chairperson, Pat Dunne said that ANC payments are a vital support along with other direct payments for sustaining hill farming.

The ANC support should be pitched at a level which reflects the conditions which farming is carried out in the most marginal and hilly areas. The addition of funding that must be provided by the Government can be a major help in this regard for the 20,000 farmers who have hill land," he told those gathered in the Bush Hotel.
In the run up the Christmas Party season, more than 90 percent of Irish employees would rather their companies spent money on giving them a bonus rather than the Christmas party, according to research by IrishJobs.ie.

The research also shows the majority of Irish job seekers in the private sector are unhappy with the salaries in their current jobs and are planning to ask for a pay rise or to change jobs within the next 12 months.

New Years Exit Strategy

The research also showed that employees are already planning their exit strategy with 73% percent believing the jobs market is stronger than in 2015. In the new year, 61% are planning to upskill in anticipation of a new role, with 25% planning to brush up on their IT skills. 57% plan to look for a new job in the New Year as 73% of those surveyed felt the market had improved in the last year

The IrishJobs.ie survey of 1,239 job seekers revealed that 56% of respondents havent had a salary increase in 2016 with 70% planning to ask for an increase in the coming year.

Pressure on Government

These findings come at a time when the government is under increasing pressure from workers unions in the public sector. This year has been marked by ongoing industrial action from teachers, bus drivers and Luas drivers and proposed strikes from An Garda Siochana, nurses and junior doctors.

This survey reveals the unhappiness over pay is also prevalent in the private sector too. With 50% feeling worse off now than last year. When asked, 62% of those surveyed were unhappy with their current salary.

Increasing rents, childcare and insurance costs have all taken a bite out of peoples pay packets and our research certainly reflects that many people feel that they should be paid more for the job they do, said Orla Moran, General Manager, IrishJobs.ie.

The common belief is that the best way to increase your salary is to move jobs so its not surprising that 57% of our respondents told us they intend to job hunt next year. The job market is incredibly buoyant at the moment; weve thousands of jobs available on IrishJobs.ie, which certainly is positive news for all those prospective jobseekers.

At this time of year, I would also suggest that people take a step back, review their professional achievements and consider how they added value to their company over the last 12 months. Negotiation is a key part of getting a salary increase so if you want a pay rise then you should be able to prove why you deserve it. "

IrishJobs.ie Three Tips to Getting a Pay Rise

1. Show you have earned it

You need to justify why you should be earning more. If you cant do that then you wont get anywhere. If at all possible quantify your contribution in monetary terms. Show how you have reduced costs, improved profits, won new business or improved efficiencies. All of this will strengthen your case.

2. Keep your approach professional

Approach any negotiations about a pay rise in a business-like manner. Dont take any refusal personally or confuse it with your worth to your company. There could be external factors, which you may not be aware of, that could influence your employers decision.

3. Dont fear refusal

Your boss may say no so be prepared for that. If they say no then use your meeting to discuss how you can add value to the company. Hopefully, you can start to take the steps that will ensure the next time you ask for a pay rise youll get it.
First a little about myself. I am 53 years old and have worked in health care for over 22 years. I have voted Liberal, latterly Liberal Democrat, for nearly 40 years now. I, like others, have been frustrated by the ongoing swing politics that has affected the United Kingdom since the last war. Whilst like many others I am saddened by the outcome of the referendum I know as a party we are committed to be outward looking and pro-European. This will mean maintaining and fostering close links our European neighbours. However we need to plan now as to how we can win the next General Election in 2020, and in doing so protect to NHS as a public service.

The voting public must be made aware what is at stake and we must put forward a radical but costed vision for the health service. In 1997 New Labour came to power and pumped money into the NHS whilst establishing targets for waiting times. This was a sensible approach, but in recent years this has evolved into ever-increasing fines for failing to meet those targets. Therefore, despite the Conservative governments much lauded promise to increase funding for the NHS, the reality is that year on year hospital trusts fall ever further into debt, leading to cuts in staff & frontline services in real terms. This is neither a responsible or sustainable approach to meeting the needs of the public or the NHS.

I propose that when elected the party would immediately freeze fines on hospital trusts for a period of two years. This would enable trusts to channel funds into staff recruitment and retention and also to plan spending to meet the demands of a growing and ageing population, after that initial period. Instead of fining trusts for failing to meet waiting times at A&E. or delayed discharges at the end of treatment trusts would be paid a premium for meeting those targets, thus incentivising innovation & service delivery.

During this initial two-year period trusts would look closely at how services are delivered, for instance an A&E department could reduce waiting times by setting up a GP service at weekends. This could be done in most towns and cities by requiring GP surgeries to provide cover on Saturdays and Sundays on a 4-weekly rota basis. This would reduce the burden on A&E departments at weekends and allow the public to see their own GPs rather than an expensive and often over-stretched out of hours service. Also rolling out in-reach services to treat residents already living in care homes, but requiring I.V. treatment for chest infections or other similar conditions. Provided by a rapid response team run by experienced nurses with access to doctors and the necessary medicines, who could crisis manage these patients in their homes without the need to take into hospital via A&E departments. These services would be accessed by nursing staff working in the homes who had been trained to recognise the deteriorating patient by using the NEWS (National Early Warning Score) assessment tool.

These measures would then allow hospitals to concentrate on treating acutely ill patients following accidents, injury & sudden onset conditions alongside planned services such as routine surgery on a day case basis and outpatient services. Historically we have either prioritised treating people in hospital or in the community, but I believe that with a little forward planning we could deliver both and they would complement each other, delivering an NHS that can meet the needs of Great Britain in the 21st century. To meet those needs we would need to train more doctors, nurses and related therapists. A commitment to reintroduce bursaries for student nurses would recognise their contribution and the fact that they have never taken part in industrial action (to date). We will also need to address the funding and delivery of social care alongside this, but that merits a separate discussion.

* Jon Taylor is a member of the Liberal Democrats from Worcester.
LIMERICK Animal Welfare chairperson Marion Fitzgibbon has vowed that she "will go to jail" rather than pay commercial rates, which she claimed will force the closure of its charity shops and the withdrawal of its vital out-of-hours service.

LAW, which houses hundreds of vulnerable animals, received a legal notice from Limerick City and County Council this month, in relation to outstanding commercial rates in one of its city stores.

Ms Fitzgibbon, incensed, told the Leader that more than 40,000 is owed in rates, between LAWs three charity shops in the city, which provide one third of the organisations funding.

Well, Ill go down [to court], but I will go to jail. I am not paying it. Because if we close down in the morning, there is going to be several hundred more dogs in the dog pound, she said.

She said that the charity faces its most expensive year to date, with a likely annual expenditure of more than 600,000, 130,000 of which is to be spent on vet bills. This is almost double on LAWs budget in 2010, when it spent 340,853. Last year, it spent 580,795 in total, and 109,613 on animal expenses.

A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said that the council gave a contribution of 3,800 to Limerick Animal Welfare in 2016.

In a letter written to the council, she said that LAW is at a loss to understand why we are being billed for rates considering the work that we do for Limerick City and County. If we are forced to pay rates, it will cause the closure of our shops and withdrawal of all out of hours and weekend services

It will impact on the service provided in our sanctuary. If this happens, Limerick City and County Council will see a huge increase in the number of dogs being surrendered into the Limerick Dog Pound, she wrote.

There are around 250 animals in the sanctuary in Kilfinane, 80 dogs in its kennels, and 70 cats in LAWs cattery. At the moment, refurbishment works are taking place at its first building, which will cost around 80,000. Fencing is also required for LAWs stables, costing 10,000.

We have incurred huge expenditure over this period providing a public service for the abandoned animals. For the last six years, we have expanded our work to include horse rescue. This has required the building of additional stables and horse shelters at our sanctuary. We also provide emergency mobile number out of hours service at weekends, bank holidays, and during Christmas and Easter period when the City and County Council cannot respond, the letter stated.

We would also draw your attention to the fact that we have received legal opinion from our barrister stating that we should not be served with a demand for rates as all monies received from our three charity shops are exclusively used for charitable purposes.

Ms Fitzgibbon told the Leader that they were never levied for commercial rates before the Limerick City and County Council merger, and that other animal welfare organisations in Tipperary and Galway are not levied for rates because of their charitable status.

A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said: Commercial Rates are charged on properties that are valued by the Valuation Office. If a commercial activity is being undertaken then commercial rates will apply.

If Limerick Animal Welfare applies to the Valuation Office for charitable status for their shops, and the Valuation Office grants this, then the local authority will stop charging them. However the amount levied up to that date remains due to the council. As with all rate payers, Limerick City and County Council would encourage them to contact the finance department to discuss their rates.

Ms Fitzgibbon invited the council to visit the Kilfinane sanctuary to see for yourselves the work that we do.

She wrote that, since the company started in 1988, it has maintained meticilous audited accounts which are lodged with the Charity Regulatory Authority and Companies office.
AN AGRICULTURAL consultant who represents landowners along the proposed route for the M20 Limerick/Cork motorway thinks the link may only go as far as Mallow and Charleville initially.

John Crowley, who is based in Bandon, North Cork, has written to around 110 people on foot of the government approving 1m to move the proposed Limerick/Cork motorway to the planning stage.

In the letter, he says: "The original scheme was a multi-million euro project. In my opinion for financial reasons, I cannot see the entire scheme as proposed being constructed in one.

He predicted the two major towns along the route  Mallow and Charleville  will be bypassed in the first instance. But Limerick City may have to wait to see the full benefit of the road, Mr Crowley predicted.

Its going to have to tie into the Limerick/Foynes road, its going to tie in with the Adare by-pass if that goes ahead. Thats what I think will happen at that side, he told the Leader.

Asked what he is basing this on, he said: Its very simple. Its a matter of money. There is no way this [1bn] budget is going to be made. When the scheme was first proposed, it was in the middle of the Celtic Tiger and was quite ambitious then.

Around 15m has been spent on bringing the M20 to planning which included an oral hearing on the scheme taking place in 2010.

However, a year later, the then Transport Minister Leo Varadkar mothballed the project.

Mr Crowley  who insists he is expressing a personal opinion only  believes that had that oral hearing finished a small period sooner, the motorway may be further along.

However, he still thinks the government is farther on with the project than it is letting on.

The consultant said he sent the letter out to landowners he had represented to keep them in the loop.

We are constantly getting phone calls from people, he added.

Fine Gael Senator Kieran ODonnell, who has raised the matter of the M20 in the Upper House, says Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will likely be seeking permission for the entire route.

The TII is working with the local authorities looking at the work done to date and put a brief in place to appoint consultants to the project. I will be pushing for the project to be built in one go. However, we have lost five years. I didnt want any time more lost. It may be done on a staged basis, but the main thing is it starts  it has been on the back-burner for too long, Mr ODonnell stated.

I will be looking that this project which is so vital in terms of the entire region  Limerick, Cork and Galway  that this will be given funding under the mid-term capital review, he added.

Speaking at the Chamber awards, Mr Varadkar  now Social Protection Minister  said he put the project on hold back in 2011, due to recessionary times. I could not justify spending 140m to buy land to build a motorway that we could not afford at a time when we could not afford to maintain the roads and railways we had. However, it was always my intention that the M20 should be re-ignited as the major infrastructural project for Munster, he said.
LIMERICK TD and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick ODonovan has stoutly defended his West Limerick accent and has declared he will not be changing it.

And he defended local and regional accents as part of "who we are".

I wont be taking any elocution lessons, the Minister for State for Tourism and Sport told the Limerick Leader.

His comments came on foot of the recent letter he received from a Dublin man criticising his pronunciation of certain words. The man took exception to Minister ODonovans th pronunciation in particular, claiming, for example that he pronounced other as udder.

Minister ODonovan tweeted the letter, leaving out the writers name, and declared he would not be changing anything.

Just picked this following @SaturdayRTE The way I speak is the way I speak, and it won't be changing! pic.twitter.com/BPmkZPGR3e  Patrick O'Donovan (@podonovan) November 28, 2016

But the minister said he found the whole thing very funny.

It is fairly pathetic when people will take the time to email you criticising how you speak, he added. When I looked at it, I thought, this person has little to be troubling them.

If you were to look a bit deeper, its as if we should all talk the same jargon, the same lingo, in the same accent. That is a box I will not fit into.

Our accents are part of who we are and where we come from, Minister ODonovan emphasised. And as Minister for Tourism, he is aware that Irish accents are part of the charm for many visitors.

One of the good things about Ireland is that although it is such a small place, we have a lot of different accents.

Accents too can tell us what part of the country, or even of the county, a person comes from, he added.

There was also brought another, more humorous, tilt at the Newcastle West born Fine Gael TD. In her weekly column in The Irish Times, Miriam Lord wrote of him: The puckish Patrick ODonovan has been described as the Flurry Knox to Shane Rosss Irish RM.

But Minister ODonovan was unfazed. He even saw it as a compliment. He had to go back to see a few episodes of the Irish RM to remind himself of who exactly Flurry Knox was and decided it was a compliment.

He is the man who, at the end of the day, always gets his way.

But he declined to comment on his senior minister Shane Rosss depiction as an Irish RM.

I have my job to do and he has his job to do.
SHANNON Airport has welcomed a US decision to award a permit to Norwegian Air International to fly across the Atlantic.

The US Department of Transport decision to award a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian is likely to level the playing field for low cost operators looking at the transatlantic market, according to industry experts, while Shannon has had extensive discussions with the airline and expects services to follow.

A spokesperson welcomed the decision, announced overnight on Saturday, and said it was good news for Ireland and connectivity to the regions in particular.

Further to our extensive discussions with the airline we look forward to welcoming air services with Norwegian in due course.

Mayor of Limerick Cllr Kieran OHanlon welcomed the decision, as did Limerick Chamber CEO James Ring.

This is really positive news for Limerick, Shannon Airport and the greater region. All the indications are that this will translate into more transatlantic services, which will help underpin the growth in tourism and the hugely successful ongoing campaign to attract inward investment, said Mayor OHanlon.

Shannon International Airport is a huge asset to us in that regard as multi-national investment has stated time and time again. Shannon also has a particular offering, in that not alone has it a long standing tradition on transatlantic services, but it also has US pre-clearance, which benefits the business and tourism passenger greatly.

Its also hugely positive news for passengers, both inbound and outbound, as it will mean more affordable fares. Anything that enables people travel more frequently is good news for Limerick, not least given the attractiveness of this region for tourism and doing business in.

Chamber CEO James Ring said it was no secret that Shannon has been activity engaged with Norwegian on this matter from as far back as 2014, right from the very start, and for good reason.

This will translate into new services between Shannon and the US, which is very good and deserved news for Shannon but, moreover, for the wider region.

As the Taoiseach said, this has the potential to do for long-haul what Ryanair has done for short-haul. That means lower prices, more services and the fact that Ireland and Shannon has been at the very start of this movement is very good news for this region. It will be good for tourism and very good also for business.

I want to congratulate all at Shannon for their role from the very start of talks in helping to make this happen, he added.

Norwegian had received preliminary approval earlier in the year for the permit, yet the issue became something of a political one in the US presidential campaign, with then Democratic hopeful Bernie Sanders among those to voice opposition to the deal.

Shannon lodged a submission in support of the carriers attempts to win a permit to operate services between Ireland and the US.

Most of the major carriers in the US were against the Norwegian bid, including American, US Airways and Delta, yet industry experts believe the deal will level the playing field for low cost operators looking at the transatlantic market.

It is understood that a service between Boston and Shannon could be on the cards, now that the way has been cleared.

Ireland is likely to become an anchor point for the States, offering a hub opportunity both for Norwegian and other carriers.
Why was this 1970 cover from Rhodesia rejected?

May 2, 2021, 2 PM

The 2 stamp on this 1970 cover mailed from Rhodesia to Zambia was rejected by the Zambian post office, because Rhodesias stamps had been deemed invalid on international mail. The recipient paid postage due to collect the letter.

By Ken Lawrence

After the white minority government of Rhodesia (formerly Southern Rhodesia) issued its unilateral declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1965 to forestall the transfer of power to the African majority, its stamps became invalid on international mail to countries other than apartheid South Africa.

Although this June 4, 1970, cover from Essexvale, Rhodesia, to Luanshya, Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia), is franked with a 2 Ruins of Zimbabwe stamp (Rhodesia Scott 277), the Zambian post office rejected it.

The recipient paid postage due, reflected by the canceled 5-ngwee International Year of African Tourism stamp (Zambia Scott 55).

In 1980, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe under black majority rule.

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A gigantic, 112-lb. (50 kilograms) catfish was reeled in by a North Carolina man the day before Thanksgiving, according to local news reports.

The man, Riahn Brewington, caught the massive fish in the northeast section of Cape Fear River in North Carolina, local ABC affiliate WWAY reported. Despite its mammoth size, the fish was 5 lbs. (2.3 kg) shy of the state record for a reeled-in catfish.

Brewington said he could tell the catch was big, but he had only a 10-lb. (4.5 kg) line on his fishing rod. [Photos of the Largest Fish on Earth]

"In the water, it felt like it was pretty big  I thought it would have already snapped the line," Brewington told WWAY. "I didn't realize how big he was until I actually got my hands underneath him."

The beast pulled all the slack from the line, twice, during a 30-minute battle, before Brewington finally reeled in the catfish, WWAY reported. The fisherman took a few photos with the incredible catch, but then released the catfish back into the river.

A number of factors contribute to catfish growth, but according to Hal Schramm, a fisheries research biologist at Mississippi State University, temperature is a major factor.

"They begin active feeding and resume rapid growth at water temperatures above 70 degrees F [21 degrees Celsius], and growth isn't suppressed at high temperatures in natural waters if adequate food is available," Schramm wrote in an article for outdoor magazine In-Fisherman.

According to Schramm, catfish grow faster and larger in the warm waters of the South.

Original article on Live Science.
An article casting doubt on climate change that was promoted in a tweet from the U.S. House of Representatives' science committee is "extremely misleading" and "disgraceful," climate scientists told Live Science.

The article in question, written by a staffer at the far-right website Breitbart, contains cherry-picked data that makes it appear as though global temperatures are decreasing, when in reality, 2016 is expected to be the hottest year on record, climate experts said.

The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, which has 179,000 followers on Twitter, posted the story on Thursday (Dec. 1), saying, ".@BreitbartNews: Global Temperatures Plunge. Icy Silence from Climate Alarmists."

See more

The Breitbart story outright ignores the "deleterious impact that our profligate burning of fossil fuels is having on the planet," said Michael Mann, a distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Pennsylvania State University. [Images of Melt: Earth's Vanishing Ice]

"Just weeks from now, 2016 will go down as the hottest year on record, having beaten out the previous warmest year  2015  by a substantial margin," Mann told Live Science in an email. "For anyone, least of all the House Committee on Science, to at this particular moment, be promoting fake news aimed at fooling the public into thinking otherwise, can only be interpreted as a deliberate effort to distract and fool the public."

Misleading headline

The problem with the Breitbart story starts with the headline, which states that global temperatures have plunged. However, in a subheading, the author clarified that it's not global temperatures, but rather "global land temperatures" that have decreased.

This clarification is important, because land temperatures fluctuate a lot more than ocean temperatures, said Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. When land and ocean temperatures are combined, it's clear that, overall, global temperatures are indeed increasing, he said.

To illustrate why land temperatures vary more than the ocean's, Trenberth said to imagine a teapot. An empty teapot placed on a hot stove would heat up fairly quickly, but a teapot filled with water would take longer to heat, he said. The land is like the empty teapot; its temperature fluctuates more rapidly with seasonal weather, whereas the water-filled teapot is akin to the ocean. It takes more energy to change its temperature, meaning its temperature doesn't fluctuate as much, he said.

In addition, there are problems with the way the article used data on global land temperatures taken from satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Trenberth said. These satellites measure the temperature of the air several miles from the ground's surface, he said. Usually, when scientists use this data, they combine the satellite numbers with recordings of ground temperatures taken at weather stations around the world, to give a more accurate picture of global land temperatures than can be had from the satellite data alone, Trenberth added.

But the Breitbart piece did not include these warmer ground temperatures, making the land temperatures appear colder than usual, Trenberth said.

"[The tweet] is extremely misleading and it's disgraceful actually, because they get it out to a whole lot of people who don't understand that it's wrong," Trenberth said. [The Reality of Climate Change: 10 Myths Busted]

El Nino

The Breitbart piece claims that the drop in land temperatures was met by "icy silence from climate alarmists." Again, that's not the case, Trenberth said. Scientists fully expected to see a temperature drop, because El Nino has just ended.

El Nino is a phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean in which warm water in the western tropical Pacific Ocean flows eastward toward South America, heating up surface waters off of northwestern South America. These warm waters are more prone to evaporation than cooler waters would be, and they can fuel Pacific hurricanes and other unusual weather events. The El Nino of 2015 and 2016, which ended in June, was among the strongest on record and led to widespread warming while it was occurring, Trenberth said.

"Now, we're in a La Nina," in which oceans absorb heat rather than releasing it as they do during an El Nino, Trenberth said. "This is where it's much cooler along the equator."

He added, "We've been in a La Nina pattern since about summer, but it's only in the last two months or so that it's beginning to have an effect on the weather. It's had a noticeable effect on the atmospheric circulation across the United States in the last couple of months," hence the cool air temperatures measured in October, as Breitbart noted.

Because of La Nina's cooling effects, scientists expect that global temperatures in 2017 will be lower than in 2016, Trenberth said. But in the long run, the global climate is still warming, he said.

Tim Barnett, a research marine physicist at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, agreed.

"If the temperature changes from one year to the next year, so what? That's natural variability, or something else that's not global warming," Barnett told Live Science. "People really need to stand back and look at the record from a 20-year period to get a good feel. And when you do that, it's very clear that there's an upward trend."

This isn't the first time the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology has raised doubts about climate change on Twitter, but other elected officials tweeted back, refuting the Breitbart story. They included Rep. Don Beyer (D-Virginia), who tweeted, "This isn't factual. It's embarrassing, and Breitbart is not a credible news source. We need to bring *science* back to the science committee."

Live Science reached out to the committee for a comment on scientists' criticism of the tweet, but did not hear back by press time.

See more

Original article on Live Science.
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A recent spate of accidents along a stretch of road close to Kenagh prompted one local area representative to seek assistance from Longford County Council during a meeting of members of the Ballymahon Municipal District last week.

Cllr Colm Murray (FG) called on the local authority to erect crash barriers along a 150m stretch of the R397 between Kenagh and McGiffs Cross where, he added, There is a steep verge and where a number of accidents have occurred.

There have been a number of accidents along this stretch of road and in fact there have been at least two in the last six months, added Cllr Murray before pointing out that it really has been luck that nobody was killed.

Barriers could be erected along the route. I feel that may help to reduce the number of accidents that are occurring - it is badly needed.

Replying to Cllr Murrays request, Area Engineer Alan Slattery said that he carried out an inspection of the area in recent weeks and found there was insufficient space on the route for crash barriers.

The road is six metres wide and that means that there is not enough space for a crash barrier - the road would need to be seven metres for that, continued Mr Slattery.

Maybe it is possible for a sign to be erected there, but to be honest with you, I dont envisage a crash barrier there.
Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here.
Meg Boulware Meg Boulware

The annual meetings were much smaller when Meg Boulware joined the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). And the number of women at those meetings was infinitesimal. I think there were about three of us! she says.

The women of AIPLA naturally banded together. By the early 2000s, just after the end of Boulwares tenure as president of AIPLA, about 25 women were attending AIPLA and the Women in IP Law Committee formed.

At first, honestly, the group was more of a support group, says Boulware, who now serves as the co-chair of the committees Advancement and Retention Subcommittee. The committee still serves that function, because we really want to have good resources for people, Boulware says. Now, the whole committee has diversified, so it really turned out great, she adds.

Randi Karpinia has served as chair of the committee for one of the two years of her appointment and is the director of intellectual property law at Motorola Solutions, where she has spent her entire career. Embedded in a field she loves, her work with the Women in IP Law committee, coupled with her role at Motorola Solutions, shapes a career that really gets me up in the morning and gets me going, says Karpinia.

Karpinia has long been a member of AIPLA and has served on a number of its committees. She says the Women in IP Law committee has always had a special draw for her.

The committee offered a warmth and like-mindedness that other groups didnt, and felt like a worthwhile place from which Karpinia could have a lasting impact. Karpinia is motivated to change the ways that women deal with all of the negativity around the leaky pipeline and the gender gap in the IP community, she says. She wants to accomplish this by turningthe conversation around into helping each other and fostering our community, she says.

Turning into a win-win

In deciding the direction she wanted to take the Women in IP Law committee, Karpinias priority was having a vision that we all share, she says. Then having goals and putting them into something that was tangible.

Randi Karpinia Randi Karpinia

To that end, Karpinia broke the committee into four core subcommittees: advancement and retention, outreach, professional and personal development, and presence and branding. Karpinia chose leaders for each subcommittee, including Boulware (and her co-chair, Melissa Buss),for the advancement and retention committee. With a philosophy of inclusion and opportunity, each [subcommittee chair] took their buckets and have just run with empowering anyone who raises their hand and wants to get involved to be able to do so, says Karpinia.

For her part, Boulware says that as co-chair of the advancement and retention subcommittee, she is on the grass-roots level of the committee. We are trying to explore every single way that we can get the word out to the community that retaining and advancing women is going to be a long term positive goal for your institution, says Boulware. If women do not stay in IP, its going to be a loss to the US economy and to the entity that worked hard to train them, hopefully, and that they were contributing to, and, its just a lose-lose situation. Were trying to turn that into a win-win.

It seems to be working so far. Boulware notes that women and men alike attend the Women in IP Law Committees regular breakfasts, which feature panel discussions among prominent women in IP. Were not preaching to the choir at AIPLA, says Boulware. Were trying to be the best advocate we can to the best audience we can. We dont need to be talking to ourselves, we need to be talking to the community as a whole.

Take your rightful seat

Boulware also leads by example. With a Masters degree in biochemistry, she became, not only a partner at, but the head of the IP group at the now-defunct Jenkins & Gilchrist. She then became a partner at Baker & McKenzie before she and another female partner there, Tamsen Valoir, struck out to form their own IP boutique in Houston.

I think that theres probably an overlay of feminism in the way we run everything, says Boulware, but our goal is to have just the highest quality law practice with the most engaging and very open and friendly environment.

Karpinia and Boulware think that women have generally gained confidence in themselves to take charge, and are pushing one another. I think women are feeling very empowered to help each other to help themselves, said Karpinia. I dont hear the woe is me kind of complaints that maybe I wouldve heard 20 or 30 years ago. She says women now have a stronger history of and ability to get a seat at the table, where they have greater power and influence.

Like Boulware, Karpinia has found her way of doing this, having worked her way up Motorola Solutions ranks, both as a mechanical engineer and  after attending law school while working full time  as in-house IP counsel.

Im just fascinated with the law. I love my job, I love what I do, and what Ive found is that Ive been able to meet and form relationships with so many smart, successful people and so many smart, successful women in my field, says Karpinia. She has leveraged her wide network of IP practitioners to help her to understand and work with the market.

Karpinias appreciation for the benefits of these kinds of communities is reflected in her work for the Women in IP Law committee. In 2017, the committee will celebrate the 10th year of its Global Networking Event, which is hosted in more than 20 countries.

The focus of the networking event has always been to bring people into a smaller community, to give you that network not only for personal strength but professional, says Karpinia. In addition, the Women in IP Law committee helps to encourage and organise community service opportunities (a new initiative), book groups and lean-in circles for its members.

Looking forward

Both women agree that IP is becoming an increasingly important field and therefore important for women to succeed in. That comes with a host of opportunities, says Karpinia, so I really think that women, and men also, should set their sights high, engage others, and most importantly, give back  always give back. My most rewarding moments have been those when Ive helped others in this field, because, inevitably, theyve taught me as much as Ive taught them.

Boulware echoes her sentiments, and emphasises the divergent career paths one can choose within IP as one of the fields draws. We have a very special niche in the legal area and I think that gives you more flexibility in your career path, she says. And now, IPs a big deal. We are a technology exporter, we are intellectual property exporters, thats what our economy is based on. So, to anyone in IP, Boulware says: I think youve picked a great area, I would say stick with it!
Gold And Silver  Do Not Expect Much Difference With Trump Compared To Obama

Obama was the Yes, we can! hope and change candidate that become the deep state elites presidential lackey. It was Obamas choice to sell his political and personal soul in serving the globalists.

History has been somewhat hidden from the public but still in the open for those who take the time to look. The US went bankrupt in 1933 when Roosevelt declared the Bank Holiday. Its purpose was to eliminate any and all banking independence and give all control over to the Federal Reserve cartel. Every bankrupt entity has a bankruptcy judge to oversee the bankruptcy. That job went to the Secretary of the Treasury as agent for the globalists that took control over the United States.

Does anyone ever wonder why the Secretary of Treasury is always chosen from Goldman

Sachs? It is the banking arm for the globalists. As a bankrupt entity, the corporate United States has no choice and must bow to the dictates of the Treasury Secretary. Trump has no choice. This is one of the reasons why this country has constantly been under the War Powers Act since the 1930s. Under the War Powers Act, the Constitution is suspended, and the president runs the country by Executive Order.

Despite Trump stating that Clinton was a puppet of the Wall Street banks, much like Obama said Wall Street would be held accountable once he was elected, he proceeded to place chosen Wall Street elite bankers into high Cabinet posts. Trump, now as president- elect, is following in Obamas footsteps. He has no choice if he [Trump] wants to stay in office, or even stay alive. Many of Trumps selections have Rothschild ties.

Steve Mnuchin, Trumps choice for Treasury is a Goldman Sachs Alumni. Wilber Ross for Commerce Secretary ran Rothschilds NY investment office for around 18 years and helped bail out Trump when Trump almost went bankrupt with his casinos. Trump owes Ross, big time. Time for payback, bigger time.

There may be a change in presidential style, but there will be no change in substance as the deep state retains a stranglehold on the leadership of this country. The office of president, Congress, and the Senate are nothing but Bread and Circuses for public consumption.

Where in the Constitution does it allow the government to spy indiscriminately on the American people? [Hint: Nowhere!]. Under Trump, that will not change, and in fact, it will get worse. Look up Rule 41, just passed, that allows even more powers for spying, at will, on your e-mails, phone calls, computers, etc, etc, etc. There is no more privacy for anyone.

Germanys BND, that nations federal intelligence service and, embarrassingly for Germany, is a de facto arm of the CIA. It has been spying throughout Europe and sending the information back to the CIA. Just like Rule 41 was passed, the BND was also granted even more spying powers. Elsewhere, the UK has unabashedly removed any and all obstacles for spying on British citizens. These are unified and controlled events by the globalists as they continue to tighten their noose on a hapless public.

The trap has been developing and is all set for the final steps to place the world under the umbrella of the New World Order. One of the final phases is to destroy all fiat paper, [Problem], and throw the world into financial chaos [Reaction  Anyone aware of Indias sudden elimination of 1,000 and 500 Rupee notes knows what to expect]. Those unaware will likely remain unaware, playing into the hands of the globalists.

The globalists Solution will be the introduction of the Special Drawing Rights [SDR] to replace the world financial system. The SDR will usher in the One World Currency. Local currencies will still exist, to a limited degree, as the inexorable march to a cashless society will make everyone dance to the globalist bankers digital world. Then, every financial transaction you, or anyone, makes will be under total scrutiny of the New World Order government.

Gold and silver remain as the only true money recognized all over the world. Those who have it can function and survive outside of the digital system, but just as cash vanishes and is no longer allowed in financial transactions, it is a matter of time before the bankers also outlaw the use of gold and silver in any transactions. It is hard to imagine any other way.

This may take at least a few years, maybe more, to be implemented. All countries are on board, including China, including Russia. No country can survive the power of the globalists without incurring financial suicide in a currency war conducted by the central bankers, much as the US has been doing for decades around the world.

The charts show low prices for gold and silver and no signs of a turnaround, yet. These low prices defy logic, defy supply and demand, but they fully reflect the financial power of the globalists to act at will and with no opposing forces. Chinas, Russias, and even Indias amassing of physical gold is not to topple the Western elites and Western central bankers, at all. These countries are accumulating gold, not to back any currency, but to be in a position of power to participate in the New World Orders one global currency.

The SDR is a given, if anyone reads the position of the International Monetary Fund [IMF], and its boss, the Bank of International Settlements [BIS], the handwriting is on the proverbial wall. All paper fiat currencies will become subservient to the elites ultimate SDR, another paper currency that will be created perhaps initially on the partial strength of a countrys gold holdings, but like Federal Reserve Notes were initially backed by gold and silver from 1913 to 1933, the SDR gold backing will eventually disappear, and the globalists will be in total control of the world, creating money out of thin air, just like the Fed has been doing.

In the interim, those who have gold and silver will fare best while they can until the transition is completed, again, years away. Those concerned about the current price of gold and silver, instead of doing everything possible to have and accumulate physical possession of them, are playing a fools game. China, Russia, India, even central bankers are all amassing as much physical gold and silver as is possible. Take a page from those who rule and do the same. Accumulate whatever you can, while you still can.

As an aside, and seemingly unrelated, mainstream news media continues to blame Russia for interfering in American politics without an iota of evidence. The Bread and Circuses Congress just passed H.R. 6393: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 at the following location which also endeavors to blame Russia [and deflect any responsibility for the US shortcomings], can also be part of a Trojan Horse to gain more and more control over the internet, to the detriment of everyday users. The globalists are everywhere, doing everything possible to rid people of all freedoms. Count on it.

[We recently posted two articles on how the federal government deceitfully functions that offer yet more tangental information that supports the premise of this commentary.] Elite-Controlled Federal Government Does Not Represent You, and Federal Government False Flag Actors, for general reading.

It is a guess on our part that the high volume in November is an attempt to run as many longs out of the paper market as possible while smart money is covering what they can in eliminating competition. We could be wrong on that, which is okay because we are not advocating positions in the paper market from the long side.

Exactly what is going on is not clear, except for the potential for lower prices. It is why it becomes essential to monitor the character of how the market responds to current negative conditions. For sure, the market is not indicating strong reasons to be long the heavily manipulated paper futures market.

The weekly chart confirms the weakness seen in the monthly. Last week there was an easing of the downward momentum as price closed only slightly lower from the prior week. It does not negate the fact that last week was a lower high, lower low, and lower close. We are just taking note that it will take more effort for sellers to press the market lower, or buyers will try to take advantage and mount a rally. There is no assurance that will happen which is why we take a cautious approach to wait and see how the market develops, week by week.

Daily gold is and looks weak with no evidence that buyers could make even a feeble rally effort since price cascaded lower a few weeks ago. There is no apparent strong base from past market activity to act as a basis for support and prompt a turnaround. Absent that,

the long side of the paper market has little to offer in potential reward amidst conditions where longs have been punished harshly. Stay away.

The chart comments cover what needs to be addressed. The sideways activity does not indicate any change in either direction. The lower range around 13.50 could be retested without worsening the chart structure. The damage would be more psychological for those long, including the physical metal, which the globalists would welcome in this efforts to make life miserable for those choosing precious metals instead of their worthless fiat.

Of all the charts, weekly silver offers the slimmest glimmer of hope for a rally. Price is in an oversold condition [always remembering oversold can become more oversold], while at the same time the downside momentum came to a halt by virtue of 2 weeks moving sideways and not sharply lower. This is no reason for being long futures, rather, it is an observation to monitor the character of how the market continues to develop.

Price has been moving sideways since mid-November, much like it did throughout October, but the rally that ensued in November was short-lived. This demonstrates why trying to trade from the long side has been the wrong way to trade.

Buy the physical; avoid paper. In fact, avoid any investment that is recognized only by holding a piece of paper as proof of owning something. Physical gold and silver is the only asset that has no third-party counter-risk.

By Michael Noonan

http://edgetraderplus.com

Michael Noonan, mn@edgetraderplus.com, is a Chicago-based trader with over 30 years in the business. His sole approach to analysis is derived from developing market pattern behavior, found in the form of Price, Volume, and Time, and it is generated from the best source possible, the market itself.

 2016 Copyright Michael Noonan - 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.

Michael Noonan Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Today, December 3, the comrades of Lal Salaam, the IMT in Pakistan, gathered for their first congress since the split in The Struggle group. On the first day of congress around 260 comrades were present from all over Pakistan.Tomorrow, on the second day, more comrades are expected to arrive, especially worker comrades who will not be at work.

Comrades arrived from far off areas of Baluchistan, including Gwadar where the Chinese have built a big deep sea port, members of the Executive Committee of the Baloch Student Organisation and students of the Pushtoon Student Federation; from the ship-breaking yard in Gadani, near Karachi; a big delegation of over 30 from Karachi; delegations from Hyderabad and Dadu in Interior Sind; the biggest delegation was from South Punjab, with ten textile workers from Bahawalpur and students from universities in Multan, Bahawalpur and students from DG Khan; textile workers along with students from the Agriculture and GC universities from Faisalabad; a delegation of teachers, students and workers from Gujranwala; students from the Islamic International University of Islamabad and workers from the Ordnance Factory in Wah; a delegation from Pushtoonkwha consisting of students from Peshawar and Malakand universities, along with workers from the Electricity Department, the Teachers Union and others; a big delegation from different parts of Kashmir, including students and workers; and the host region Lahore had a big participation of students from the UET of Lahore, the University of Lahore, the Punjab University of Lahore and others, along with Young Doctors, Electricity workers and workers from other departments.

The first session was on World Perspectives with comrade Fred Weston of the International Secretariat of the IMT giving the lead off. Comrade Claudio Bellotti of the Italian section of the IMT, Sinistra Classe e Rivoluzione, also spoke in the session. Comrades Aftab Ashraf, Ajmal Rashid who had come from Durban, South Africa to attend the conference, and comrade Karim Parhar also contributed to the discussion. There were also many questioned posed to the speaker. Fred Weston summed up the discussion.

In the afternoon, after the lunch break, comrade Adam Pal led off on Perspectives for Pakistan. Comrades from the different regions participated in a lively discussion, along with many questions posed to the speaker, Adam Pal. The congresses divided up into commissions on Trade Union work, Youth work and Work Amongst Women.

Comrade Paras Jan made a very effective financial appeal, raising about $500, which is a big amount considering the level of wages in Pakistan and the high levels of unemployment.

We will provide a more detailed report in the forthcoming days, but here we want to provide a taste of the congress with the pictures included in this article.

(Lahore, December 3, 2016)
Nicolae Pacuraru

Nicolae Pacuraru of Greenfield, is a Moldova native who registered for his family's first Toy for Joy ever and will be returning to pick up toys for his three children this Christmas during the Greenfield Salvation Army's distribution period on Dec. 19 and 20.

(Jordan Grice / The Republican)

Christmas is a holiday that many hold near and dear as a time to be with family and exchange gifts.

For one Greenfield resident and his family, this year's Toy for Joy program will help make that happen.

Nicolae Pacuraru, a native of Moldova, made his way to the Salvation Army last week to register his family to participate in the 94th annual Toy for Joy.

The program, sponsored by the Salvation Army in partnership with The Republican and MassLive, seeks to raise $150,000 by Christmas eve to provide toys and gifts to needy children in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Salvation Army units in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield oversee the registration of families and distribution of toys.

Pacuraru said he and his wife first heard about Toy for Joy through the Women, Infants and Children program which provides referrals to healthcare and health information to low-income mothers, infants and children up to 5 years old.

He has been out of work for the last six months, recovering from surgery and not expecting to return to work until next year, making things a bit more difficult for his family.

Pacuraru said he feels programs like Toy for Joy are important because they help people get the things they need, especially during the holiday season.

With a 4 year old, 1 year old and a newborn, Pacuraru added that it's important to be able to give his children gifts on Christmas. Christmas is also celebrated in his homeland, said Pacurau, who came to the U.S. in 2011.

Toy for Joy provides gifts for children from birth through age 16. All families who register must provide documentation of need.

Capt. Scott Peabody, of the Greenfield Salvation Army, said his unit registered more than 150 families with more than 300 children expected to receive gifts.

To learn more about Toy for Joy, call the Salvation Army's Springfield citadel at 733-1518.

Online donations can be made by clicking here

Today's Toy for Joy Donations:

Hope you enjoy the Christmas season, $50

Missing Jeff, Mary, Annette, Mom and Dad from Carol, $100

In loving memory of my husband Richard Burrage, $25

Merry Christmas, peace and love, Emma, Dublin and Aran, $20

Merry Christmas Gianna, Elisa, Mia, Joseph, Stefania, Jude, Tresa and Lorenzo, $150

In loving memory of Samuel Rigby, my dad, $10

In loving memory of Richard E Mastey, love Craig, Darlene, Matt and Brett, $25

In loving memory of Carmella Staples, love Craig, Darlene, Matt, Katie and Brett, $25

In loving memory of Cyndi Whitney, love Darla, $25

Patricia and David, $75

In loving memory of Marian, Bill and Sadie who made Christmas fun, $35

Fond memories of Raymond Mulcahy, $15

William, $300

In memory of Benta and Joseph Moura from Rosa, $5

In memory of Acacio Moura from Rosam, $5

In memory of Isabel Moreno from Rosa, $5

In memory of Bob and Gloria Kemple who so loved Christmas from Kathy and Bob Kemple, $500

In memory of Annmarie Bredenbeck and Jimmy Kennedy, $50

In loving memory of our beautiful daughters Kris and Kim, love Mom and Dad, $30

In loving memory of family members who have passed, love Rich and Maureen Haglund, $20

In loving memory of my wonderful husband Red and parents Ted and Alice, beloved pets Precious, Reagan, Tasha, Maggie, Princess, Change, Lucky, Morris, Kitty and Meenu from Bentley, Stanley and Ruby, Merry Christmas, $25

In loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Francis M Austin, $50

In loving memory of Edward A Pratt, $100

For family and friends, $50

Kaela (Marsh) Costa, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, love Grandma Barbara, $20

Thank you St. Jude for favors granted, Joni Smith, $20

In memory of my Mom, Blanche E. Roberts 1/25/07 - 9/9/01, so dearly loved, so sadly missed, $30

In memory of my precious son, Tim Smith 10/18/60 - 11/30/80, all my love Mom, $36

In memory of my Dad, Michael A. Roberts , $30

In memory of Tiger, Tasha, Bandit, Candy, Nero, Gypsy, Buffy, Buford, Smitty, Missy and Skeeter, $30

Thank you St. Anthony for favors granted, $20

In memory of Freddie Facchini, $20

Jesus is the reason for the season, $30

In memory of Rachel, a cat who loved Christmas, $2

In memory of Harry and Claire Broderick, love your family, $10

In memory of Marie L Brunelle and Thomas J Murphy, love your family, $5

In memory of our Jackie Bear, we miss you, love your family, $3

In memory of Maggie our beautiful girl, love your family, $3

In memory of Tessa, love your family, $2

Merry Christmas, Mason James Ward, love Grammie and Papa, $5

In memory of Flynner, love the Montagna family, $10

Alyssa, Nick, Matt and Louis Catjakis, $25

Merry Christmas all, $5

From a friend with love, $5

In memory of Uncle Herb and grandmother Lucy from Granville Mass., $1

RECEIVED: $2,007 TOTAL TO DATE: $8,867 STILL NEEDED: $141,133
This updates a story posted at 2:04 p.m.

WARE  One person has been arrested following an incident involving a "threatening message" at Ware Junior-Senior High School on Friday, according to an email sent to parents of students at the school.

The incident resulted in a shelter-in-place order, with students and staff being told to stay inside classrooms for safety while police investigated.

The message to parents regarding a recent arrest appears to have been sent to parents by Ware Public Schools at 5:18 p.m., and states that, as the result of "investigation that was conducted by school officials, the Ware Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police," the students involved in the incident have been identified.

The email also says charges likely will be filed against at least one student, and that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"We hope you can appreciate the steps that were taken today to ensure that this matter was brought to a quick and successful resolution," the email reads.

Officer Diana Gliniecki of the Ware Police Department confirmed that one person had been arrested in relation to the incident and that they are expected to face charges.

Gliniecki further stated that there is a possibility that several other parties may face charges as well, but that only one person has been arrested so far.
BOSTON  Six students at the Urban Science Academy in West Roxbury were hospitalized on Friday after eating what may have been marijuana laced brownies, according to The Boston Globe.

Police said that it appeared the students had eaten "some sort of hallucinogenic substance."

The Boston Public Schools issued a statement saying the students were taken for medical evaluation after exhibiting signs of illness.

The school further stated that if students were found to have ingested drugs, that they could be "subject to disciplinary action."

"Boston Public Schools does not tolerate students in possession of, or under the influence of, controlled substances while at school," the statement iterated.
BOSTON  Authorities are investigating after The Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland received a "hate letter" that referenced Donald Trump, according to The Boston Globe.

The same letter has been sent to Islamic organizations across the country, and purportedly describes Muslims as being "vile and filthy people" who will be confronted with a "day of reckoning" due to the fact that "there's a new sheriff in town -- President Donald Trump."

The letter further says that Trump will do to Muslims what "Hitler did to the Jews."

Mosques in California, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island, and a number of other states have also received the exact same letter.

The letter that The Islamic Center of Boston received appears to be a scanned copy of a letter that was written by hand.

Wayland Police Lieutenant Patrick Swanick said that detectives are investigating the incident.

John Robbins, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Massachusetts commented that law enforcement had been "very responsive" so far and that "the FBI appears to be taking this seriously."
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Firefighters struggled to get to bodies in the rubble Saturday after a fire tore through a converted Oakland warehouse during a late-night electronic music party, killing at least 9 people and making the charred structure unsafe for emergency crews to enter. Officials said at least two dozen more were missing in the rubble of the building.



Officials described the scene inside the warehouse, which had been illegally converted into artist studios, as a death trap that made it impossible for many partygoers to escape the Friday night fire. And a day later, the maze of debris and devastation was complicating efforts to extract the bodies.



"It was just a labyrinth of little areas. We knew people were in there, and we were trying to get them out. But it was just a labyrinth," Oakland deputy fire chief Mark Hoffmann told reporters Saturday afternoon.



He said that firefighters had to stop their search and rescue operation Saturday afternoon for safety reasons and shore up the structure, but they expected to resume later in the day. The building's roof had collapsed into the second floor, which in places fell to the bottom floor.



Oakland officials said they had opened an investigation just last month into the warehouse after numerous complaints filed by neighbors who said trash was piling up outside the property and people were illegally living in the building, which was zoned as a warehouse.



Darin Ranelletti, of the Oakland Planning Department, said the city opened an investigation Nov. 13 and an investigator went to the premises on Nov. 17 but could not get inside the building. The city has not confirmed people were living inside.

So that's what this was pic.twitter.com/KGLNYCIHS3  Tomasz Finc (@flyingclimber) December 3, 2016

One survivor, however, said that 18 artists lived inside the warehouse.



Bob Mule said he was one of the artists living in the collective space. He told KGO-TV that he and another person smelled smoke and spotted the fire in a back corner and started yelling.



"The fire went up really, really, really quickly," he said.



Mule said he tried to help someone who had an injured ankle but couldn't. "There was a lot of stuff in the way, the flames were too much," Mule said, trailing off. "I hope, I hope he's OK."



Online records listed the building's owner as Nar Siu Chor. The Associated Press could not locate a telephone number for her Saturday and efforts to reach her at other Oakland addresses associated with her were not successful.



The warehouse was known as the "Oakland Ghost Ship." Its website showed pictures of a bohemian, loft-like interior made of wood and cluttered with rugs, old sofas and a garage-sale like collection of pianos, paintings, turntables, statues and other items.



The website included advertisements for various electronic music parties. Friday night's event featured musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk West Coast tour. A message on the group's website said "Joel is safe but like many people he is heartbroken."



It's unclear what sparked the fire. But officials said the clutter served as a tinderbox and there were no sprinklers inside.



"Something as simple as a cigarette could have started this," Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said, adding that people either escaped from the building or died inside, where the only way down from the second story was via a stairwell constructed entirely of wooden pallets. "It appears that either you got out or you got trapped inside."



By nightfall Saturday, rescue crews had recovered nine bodies from the building and said about two dozen were still unaccounted for. None of the nine dead have been identified.



About 50 to 100 people were believed to have been at the party when the fire started around 11:30 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said at least 25 people were unaccounted for. The victims were believed to be people in their 20s, Kelly said. He said as many as 40 may have perished and that the coroner is preparing for a "mass casualty event" that could include victims from other countries.



Searchers brought in cranes and heavy equipment to search through the night.



"We know there are bodies in there that we can't get to -- that have been seen but not recovered," Kelly said. "There's bodies that are trapped in there, that need to be cut from the wreckage."



Monica Kat, a paralegal, feared four of her friends perished in the fire.



"I texted one of my friends immediately and you know, people were checking in on Facebook, we were all checking in looking for them and they're still not accounted for and I can only think the worst at this point," she said.



Panicked friends and family posted messages on the group's Facebook page trying to find out if their loved ones were among the dead. Those searching for the missing were sent to a local sheriff's office, where Dan Vega was anxiously awaiting news. He had been unable to find his younger brother or his brother's girlfriend.



Vega said he was not sure if the two were at the party Friday night but that his brother likes to go to raves and he had not been able to reach him Saturday. His girlfriend's car was still parked at a transit station in San Bruno, south of San Francisco.



Fighting tears, Dan Vega said he's frustrated authorities hadn't been able to tell him anything about his 22-year-old brother.



"I just want to go over there. I have my work boots on. I'm ready to go," Dan Vega said. "Just give me some gloves. I'll help out any way, shape or form, I don't care. This is infuriating. I don't know where my brother's at. I just want to find him."



Oakland police urged those concerned about missing people to call the Alameda County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau at 510-382-3000.
gulluni school.JPG

Hampden District Attorney speaks before a classroom at the South End Middle School in September. Gulluni on Wednesday is sponsoring a "Safe School Summit" for area educators.

(Republican file photo)

SPRINGFIELD -- Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni on Wednesday will host a day-long conference for educators and administrators concerned about violence in schools.

Called the Safe School Summit, it will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Massachusetts Center in Tower Square.

The event is sponsored with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and it is open to school personnel in Hampden County, including teachers, education support professionals, principals, school adjustment counselors, school resource and law enforcement officers, school nurses and superintendents.

The idea of teaming schools with the DA's office is to look for ways to ensure safe, healthy schools that are suitable for learning.

Topics include creating a trauma-sensitive classroom management program, practical strategies to reduce bullying, providing restorative and accountable behavior supports, and interventions in middle and high schools.



A full list of events and presentations is available online.



The keynote speaker will be Chaplain Clementina Chery, who is an internationally recognized peace educator and violence prevention leader. She has 21 years of experience in peer mentorship, facilitation, advocacy and leadership.



Breakfast, lunch and parking will be provided.

Those interested in attending must register online in advance.
After yesterdays surprise announcement that UM President Royce Engstrom was asked to step down, we take a look at the woman who will lead University of Montana while a national search is conducted for the next President.

The Commissioner of Higher Education chose Dr. Sheila Stearns to lead UM during this transition period saying she will bring a fresh perspective to campus.

By Don Fisher

Full Story: http://www.kpax.com/story/33855584/getting-to-know-um-interim-president-sheila-stearns
In a letter to the University of Montana campus community on Friday, outgoing President Royce Engstrom said hell be leaving the position with warm feelings toward the school and urged supporters to back interim President Sheila Stearns, who takes over on Jan. 1.

The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education announced that Engstrom would be stepping down from the position, effective Dec. 31.

On Friday, Engstrom issued the following letter:

Martin Kidston

Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/business/2016/12/um-president-engstrom-letter/
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina has acquired a 93-acre tract in the Dysartsville Township of eastern McDowell County. This acquisition permanently protects the headwaters of Cane Creek and a piece of Revolutionary War history.

The property, known as the Melton Tract, adjoins the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commissions South Mountains Game Lands to the west, and U.S. 64 to the east. Foothills Conservancy will eventually transfer the property to the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission, thereby connecting existing state game lands to U.S. 64, according to a news release.

This project really exemplifies the fact that this region, and in this particular case the South Mountains, offers so much opportunity to meld the protection of our natural and historic resources for public benefit, said Andrew Kota, Foothills Conservancys stewardship director. Not only has this acquisition protected important watershed lands at the headwaters of Cane Creek, it has also preserved an area of Revolutionary War significance. And when the property is added to the adjoining South Mountains Game Lands, we plan to partner with the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission to develop a point of public access with educational and interpretive information about the ecological and historic values of the South Mountains.

The property contains 3,500 linear feet of Cane Creek and tributaries within the Broad River Basin, and more than 500 linear feet of a tributary stream of Magazine Branch in the Catawba River Basin. Both are significant river basins for recreation and drinking water in the region, according to the news release.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail passes through the middle of the tract. Foothills Conservancy has hired an archeologist with funding from the National Park Services American Battlefield Protection Program to locate the Cane Creek Battlefield site where a 1780 Revolutionary War skirmish occurred. The archeologist has discovered that the Melton property is situated within the boundary of the Cane Creek battlefield, and will recommend that the battlefield be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places as a significant historic battlefield related to events of the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War in general, and the Overmountain Victory Campaign specifically.

In the fall of 1780, the Overmountain Men left their homes in the Southern Appalachians to fight the Loyalist forces led by British Major Patrick Ferguson. They crossed through the mountains and foothills and scored a major victory in the American Revolution at the Battle of Kings Mountain in October 1780.

But along the way, they fought smaller battles and skirmishes like the one at Cane Creek. This small battle was fought on Sept. 12, 1780 between Fergusons troops and the patriot militia.

The acquisition was made possible by a generous contribution of $350,000 from Fred and Alice Stanback and a $13,000 grant from the Conservation Trust for North Carolinas Mountain Revolving Loan Fund Mini-Grant Program, according to the news release.

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited, nonprofit regional land trust based in Morganton. The conservancy works cooperatively with landowners and public/private conservation partners to preserve and protect significant natural areas and open spaces. Focus areas include watersheds, forests and farmland across the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills in eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford. Since 1995, Foothills Conservancy has protected more than 50,000 acres, including lands added to South Mountains, Lake James and Chimney Rock state parks; Wilson Creek, South Mountains and the Johns River state game lands; Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found online at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.
by Sara Guaglione , Staff Writer, December 2, 2016

Few companies have felt the effects of a changing publishing climate more than Leaf Group, formerly Demand Media.

Once a prime example of how search-engine-optimized articles produced in large numbers could rake in traffic and ad dollars, the company was hit hard when Google changed its algorithm in 2011, punishing content farm sites that churned out a high number of low-quality, spam-like content.

Now, Leaf Group is going back to the basics, prioritizing the production of higher-quality articles in less volume and creating dedicated verticals for its most popular categories of content.

Daniel Bornstein, the companys SVP of media, believes this is a lesson all publishers can learn from. While scale is still important, its become increasingly clear that the explosion of data analytics allows publishers and advertisers to target specific profiles of audiences with multifaceted interests.

Leaf Group has scale, as the 26th largest publisher on comScore on an ad-supported basis, according to the company. But this year, Leaf Group added new verticals to target passionate audiences: Cuteness.com for pet owners, Techwalla.com for tech news and Sapling.com for millennial-focused personal finance.

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This works very well for advertisers because they can buy our audience programmatically and have our rich data to target individuals, Bornstein said.

Leaf Group isnt the only media company to have made these changes. Publishers across the board have launched verticals targeting specific audiences. For example, About.com, a general-interest site, created separate sites for health, home, travel, tech and personal finance content.

But the challenge for publishers is unified buying through platforms like Google and Facebook, Bornstein said, which have enormous scale and the ability to microtarget.

Theres no single publishing site or entity in the aggregate that can compete with that scale, Bornstein said.

Publishers will see brand dollars flock to their site for their specific audiences only when they focus on creating high-quality content that consumers are passionate about.

Another challenge facing the industry is the explosion of ad-tech vendors, Bornstein said

This has proved detrimental to the relationship between publishers and advertisers, creating a moat between the two, he said.

There are too many third parties The frustration with intermediaries and ad tech has reached fever pitch, Bornstein said. 2017 is going to be the year where advertisers and publishers start to realize having a direct relationship is very valuable.

Publishers and advertisers can then figure out the best means of transacting that are mutually beneficial. This will weed out all the ad tech players and middlemen who are non-essential to the transaction, he said.

Improved viewability, ad verification and fraud detection built into platforms will be more efficient, instead of licensing a bunch of different technologies, all tracking different things and making the consumer experience worse, Bornstein said.

Next year, Bornstein predicts publishers will focus on finding ways to distribute branded content on their own platform, moving away from content recommendation engines.

In an ideal world, publishers will have a built-in distribution channel for sponsored content, with a lot of scale in the aggregate as well as a unique editorial voice across specific types of audiences.

You will see a lot more of that, he said.
by Barbara Lippert , Featured Columnist, December 2, 2016

So its a December to rememberthe time of year, starting from Black Friday on, when car companies traditionally flood the airwaves with local dealer spots. Most of the commercials feature the usual low-budget, ole-timey formula of some form of family arriving in the showroom. Hey, everyone has to make a living.

But just two days into our 12th month, I have, at the very least, named a winner for Worst holiday ad ever.

I mean, is there anything cheesier than a naughty Santa?

Well, yes. This Fiat Black Friday Event commercial manages to pack in so many sexist, culturally tone-deaf, throwback, and cringe-making elements in 30 seconds that its hard to know where to begin.

But how about with the lead character: Cialis Santa? Yup, hes a playa. A Hugh Hefnerish/faux hipster-late-50s-ish North Pole dweller with the artisanal beard to prove his street cred, he blows into the showroom escorting two 20something, silent, blank-faced female elves, one on each arm. The elf candy were given Spock-like ears, to offer, perhaps a cute little counter-balance to Santas ubercreepy, inappropriate, Jeffrey Epstein-like-vibe.

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Still, its horrifying to suggest that Santa, with his dated but still pretentious scarf, tight jeans, red velvet blazer, and Bruce-Wayne-like voice, is presumably having sex with his elves. It seems like a violation of workshop etiquette at the very least. And whatever happened to Mrs. Claus?

The muy macho set-up is that much more infuriating, since Santa-Daddy is shown an array of Fiat cars, all of which, I must say, greatly appeal to me, an older woman who doesnt usually get excited about cars.

Never mind that women love these exceedingly cute little cars, the ad seems to be saying. These are Italian muscle cars for he-men who live the Playboy lifestyle, and unless you can be a silent, beard-stroking elf, no girls are allowed!

So this young foil of a millennial salesman (no chick magnet, he!) shows Old Beardy The 124 Spider Abarth with its 164 horsepower turbo engine. And here, with Creepo Santas response, we achieve full mortification. Too hot for the North Pizzle, he responds.

No shizzle!

I imagine the creators thought this was clever and funny. But its bizarrely tin-eared. Snoop Dog came out with the lingo,what, like seven years ago? Can someone please ask him to sue?

The music, by the way, is Zillionaire, by Flo Rida, a hip-hop star who sings about a sugar daddy buying Jimmy Choos.

The upchuck, I mean the upshot, is that Santa is shown another great car deal, and he says, You better not be jingling my bells.

Please, Santa, dont mention your bells!

Then the hapless sales guy, no match for this much testosterone, has to, gulp, repeat it.

I guess I shouldnt be so shocked that something so backward , gender-wise, could run as a contemporary commercial. There is a political corollary, with a new sheriff in town who has his own harassment problems. But I assume the spot was created before the Presidential race.

And Fiat Chrysler, the parent company has a history of running sexist, culturally clueless spots for Fiat USA. The very best in fact, appeared on the Super Bowl and featured a protracted joke about a certain little blue pill. But it was a real crowd-pleaser and won awards because it was set in Italy and reflected an authentic Italian sensibility. Besides, it had the right tone throughout, and made fun of the guy.

Another ad was quite popular, especially appealing to men, showing the car embodied by a fiery, sexy woman. But that My Fiat  that bitch goddess who done you wrong" thing is such a cliche, as is "You'll never forget your first one," the wink-wink sexist tagline.

The company did famously create one ad in 2011 for the U.S. market with an actual female spokesperson who was in control: Jennifer Lopez. Homegirl is shown driving her cute Fiat 500 from Manhattan back to the Bronx.

There was a side scandal involving the fact that the producers reportedly used a body double for the shots of Lopez driving in the Bronx. But never mind that embarrassment. The spot was universally panned for its racial insensitivity. By the end of Jenny from the blocks visit, passing stereotypically mean streets, with children playing in open hydrants, and poor little black children running after her car, I thought she might throw them some dimes.

With this latest recalibration, I imagine naughty Santa returns to the Pole, takes off his beard and girdle, and passes out. Meanwhile, the arm candy elves steal his ride. Another misfire for Fiat: a jingle bell crock.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, December 2, 2016

Google online paid-search ads drove sales up 13% year-over-year (YoY) through mid-November, but the U.S. Thanksgiving season showed strength in mobile advertising and product listing ads (PLAs), which remained the biggest growth drivers.

Google PLAs drove 65% of retail sales from non-branded Google search ads between October and mid-November. The increase, however, slipped on Black Friday -- mirroring seasonality from recent years. On Cyber Monday, PLAs produced a bit more than 59% of non-brand sales.

Thanksgiving Day sales driven by Google paid search rose 12% between 2015 and 2016. "There were a wide range of results, however, with the variability in growth rates from one retailer to the next running about twice as high as on Black Friday or Cyber Monday," wrote Merkle Senior Director of Research Mark Ballard in a blog post. "We saw a similar pattern last year and this phenomenon likely reflects the impact of differing promotional strategies from brand to brand."

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Brands benefited from using PLAs as the shift from desktop to mobile continues. Ballard estimates that mobile traffic share peaked at 69% on Thanksgiving Day hitting 69% of search ad clicks. Phones produced 58% of clicks, up from 42% a year earlier. Tablets produced 11% of clicks, down from 17% in 2015.

Text ads continue to deliver for advertisers as well, as consumer search and shopping behavior changed after Thanksgiving. Text ad sales rose 16% YoY from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, December 2, 2016

AT&T appears to be violating the net neutrality rules by exempting DirecTV video from customers' data caps, the Federal Communications Commission told the company this week.

The agency's move came just days after AT&T officially launched "data-free TV" -- a zero-rating program that allows wireless customers who purchase DirecTV to watch video through the provider's mobile app, without burning through their monthly data caps.

That program appears to violate the net neutrality rules because it "strongly favors AT&T's own video offerings while unreasonably discriminating against unaffiliated ... providers," FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief Jon Wilkins wrote Thursday in a letter to AT&T.

In other words, the decision to offer DirecTV on a "data-free" basis gives consumers an incentive to purchase DirecTV, at the expense of companies like Netflix or Amazon.

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Wilkins added: "We have therefore reached the preliminary conclusion that these practices inhibit competition, harm consumers, and interfere with the 'virtuous cycle' needed to assure the continuing benefits of the Open Internet."

Wilkins also told Verizon Thursday that it may be violating the net neutrality rules by exempting its Go90 video service from wireless users' data caps. The FCC asked AT&T and Verizon to provide more information about their zero-ratings programs by Dec. 15.

The net neutrality rules broadly prohibit ISPs from blocking or degrading service and from creating online fast lanes. The regulations also ban Internet service providers from engaging in conduct that interferes with people's ability to access Web content. Zero-rating could potentially violate that prohibition, depending on the circumstances. The FCC said last year that it intends to take a case-by-case approach to the question.

Consumer advocates, as well as companies that offer Web content, have argued for many months that Internet service providers like AT&T shouldn't give consumers an incentive to watch video from affiliated companies, like DirecTV, over unaffiliated ones like Amazon Prime, Netflix or YouTube.

Data-cap exemptions "present a serious threat to the Open Internet: they distort competition, thwart innovation, threaten free speech, and restrict consumer choice -- all harms the rules were meant to prevent," advocacy groups including the Center for Media Justice, Daily Kos, Electronic Frontier Foundation and Free Press wrote to the FCC earlier this year.

AT&T and other Internet service providers have countered that data-cap exemptions benefit consumers by allowing them to access programs without the possibility of incurring extra charges.

While the current FCC appears to have rejected that argument, an FCC led by an appointee of President-elect Donald Trump may well feel differently. All three of the transition team members advising Trump on telecom policy have criticized the net neutrality rules, and one -- Roslyn Layton -- has made it clear that she doesn't believe zero-ratings schemes are problematic.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that features extreme shifts in mood, during which psychosis can occur. Psychosis refers to a disconnected view of reality. A person with bipolar disorder can experience extreme shifts in mood and other symptoms. It can impact energy, activity levels, sleep, communication, and the ability to function on a daily basis. Moods can range from manic to depressive episodes. Manic episodes include periods of extreme elation and great energy. During depressive episodes, if they occur, the person may feel so low that they are unable to function or take any kind of action. Psychosis can happen at different stages of bipolar disorder. However, it is not always present, and not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience it. It can be a frightening experience for the person and those around them, but a psychiatric provider can offer treatment to control and relieve the symptoms.

Psychosis Share on Pinterest Lisa Schaetzle/Getty Images Psychosis can occur with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, some types of dementia, and other conditions. The persons thinking becomes disconnected, or dissociated with reality. A psychotic episode can involve: hallucinations

delusions

confusion and disturbed thoughts

a lack of insight and self-awareness The pattern of symptoms will vary between individuals and according to the situation. In a study published in 2015, researchers noted that there is not just one type of psychosis, but different types, some of which have a more severe impact than others. The scientists found that different biomarkers in the brain seemed to correlate with different types and severity of symptoms. This may indicate that different changes in brain function and brain chemicals lead to different forms of psychosis.

Bipolar psychosis Bipolar psychosis happens when a person experiences an episode of severe mania or depression, along with psychotic symptoms and hallucinations. The symptoms tend to match a persons mood. During a manic phase, they may believe they have special powers. This type of psychosis can lead to reckless or dangerous behavior. If bipolar psychosis occurs during a low period or a depressive episode, the individual may believe that someone is trying to harm them, or that they themselves have done something wrong. These beliefs can trigger feelings of extreme anger, sadness, or fear in the person. Psychosis in bipolar disorder and in schizophrenia Bipolar disorder shares some symptoms with schizophrenia, which is another brain disorder. Psychosis can occur in both conditions. Both conditions can disrupt a persons life enough to interfere with daily activities and their ability to maintain close relationships or hold down a job. Bipolar psychosis generally lasts for brief periods of time. A person who is experiencing an episode of bipolar psychosis is likely to return to a lucid state with treatment.

In children and adults The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) lists the same symptoms of bipolar disorder for children and adults. Bipolar disorder may include psychotic features. Bipolar disorder and psychosis are difficult to diagnose, particularly in children and teens. A psychiatrist needs to confirm that the behaviors they are exhibiting are not due to other factors. Other causes of symptoms could include: everyday highs and lows, the result of stress that is common in teens

acute trauma

another mental health problem However, if a child or a teen shows signs of psychosis or experiences changes in mood that are more severe than usual for their age group, it is important to consult a doctor.

Symptoms A person may experience the following: Visual and other hallucinations : The person sees, hears, and maybe smells things that are not there.

: The person sees, hears, and maybe smells things that are not there. Delusions : The person may be certain that something is true when it is not. They may believe that they are important, have contacts in high places, or have a lot of money, or are related to royalty, when in fact they are not. Some people become afraid that someone is seeking to hurt them or that others are working against them, such as the government.

: The person may be certain that something is true when it is not. They may believe that they are important, have contacts in high places, or have a lot of money, or are related to royalty, when in fact they are not. Some people become afraid that someone is seeking to hurt them or that others are working against them, such as the government. Paranoia and fear : The individual may believe that they have done something terrible or that someone wants to cause them harm.

: The individual may believe that they have done something terrible or that someone wants to cause them harm. Unusual or racing thought patterns : This can lead to rapid, constant, or confused or disjointed speech with rapid changes of topic. The person may forget what they were talking about.

: This can lead to rapid, constant, or confused or disjointed speech with rapid changes of topic. The person may forget what they were talking about. Lack of insight: The person is unable to recognize unusual behavior in themselves, though they may recognize it when they see it in others, whether it actually exists or not. These symptoms can occur during episodes of mania, depression, or during a mixed episode, when a person with bipolar disorder shows signs of both a low and high mood. They can cause the person to behave in unusual ways, and this can impact their relationships with others, whether in their personal life, at work, or in other situations. If the person believes they are very important, they may behave in ways that are outside the law. In some cases, this can lead to aggression, for example, if someone confronts the person. An individual who believes that they have committed a crime or that someone is coming after them may become defensive or talk about suicide. If a person has bipolar disorder and they shows signs of psychosis, they should see a doctor, if possible, as there is a risk of unwanted consequences.

Diagnosis A doctor will ask about the persons symptoms, medical history, and any recent events, such as a trauma, that they may have experienced. They will also ask about the use of prescription or other drugs. To receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a person needs to display some or all of the symptoms listed in the DSM-5. Psychosis can be difficult to diagnose because it can share symptoms with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. In addition, people with bipolar disorder often do not see that their actions are unusual. They may think that their problems stem from the people around them rather than themselves. Effects of not using medication for bipolar disorder Because a manic phase makes a person feel good, they may not want to change, and they may not see any need to seek help. As a result, they often do not seek help, and they remain without a diagnosis. People who have received a diagnosis in the pastoften during a low periodmay stop taking their medications. If this leads to a manic episode, they may not want to seek help. Effect of antidepressants Sometimes, a person who has never had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder shows signs of depression. At this stage, they may receive antidepressants from a doctor. If the person has underlying features that make them susceptible to bipolar disorder, some antidepressants can trigger a manic episode. Friends and family who are aware of bipolar disorder and its symptoms can help a person who is experiencing psychosis by encouraging them to seek help.

When to see a doctor If a person experiences severe episodes of depression or mania, they should seek help from a doctor or a mental health professional, or a friend or loved one should encourage them to do so. If a person talks about suicide or attempts suicide, someone should seek emergency treatment immediately. People with bipolar disorder are often unaware of their symptoms or reluctant to seek help. Family and friends may need to encourage the person to talk to someone about what is going on.

Treatment Treatments for bipolar disorder will include treatment for psychosis, if necessary. It usually combines counseling services and appropriate doses of medication. Medications A number of medications are available for treating psychosis in bipolar disorder. Antipsychotics are typically used with psychotic symptoms. There are older and newer types. The newer types may have fewer side effects. The older treatments include: Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

Haloperidol (Haldol) The newer ones include: Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Clozapine (Clozaril)

Quetiapine (Seroquel)

Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Risperidone (Risperdal) A person will use these medications in addition to mood stabilizers and appropriate antidepressants. However, research into how these drugs can help people with psychosis is limited, according to an article published by the National Institutes of Health. As a result, it can take time, sometimes years, to find a suitable drug and dosage. Side effects Antipsychotic medications can also have adverse effects. Unwanted and uncontrollable muscle movements can result, especially with the older medications. Often, these go away after the person stops using the drug, but they can be permanent in some cases. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome can occur in very rare cases. This is a life-threatening condition that involves a high fever and sweating, muscle stiffness and changes in blood pressure. Serious infection due to a low white-blood-cell count, when using clozapine. Peoeple who use clozapine should expect to have regular blood tests to monitor their white blood cell count. During pregnancy, a doctor may advise against using antipsychotic medication, as the effect on an unborn child remains unclear. However, they may advise taking it if stopping might increase the risk to the woman or her unborn child. For example, there may be a risk that she may harm herself or her child. Ongoing treatment Continued treatment needs planning to make sure the symptoms remain under control. This includes: ensuring that medication is available

making sure the person takes their medication regularly

ensuring that they attend any counseling sessions as needed In some cases, the person may attend day or substance abuse programs. Sometimes, they may have to go to the hospital for a short time. Treatment team A psychiatrist is normally the best guide for treatment, but a treatment team may consist of social workers, therapeutic support staff, counselors, a family doctor, and other specialists.

Tips for caregivers Bipolar disorder often affects family members and friends, as well as the person who has the condition. Caregivers may need to seek help in order to manage situations. Here are some tips: Learn as much about bipolar disorder as possible , to develop an understanding of what it means to have the condition, how the individual feels, and how to respond to it.

, to develop an understanding of what it means to have the condition, how the individual feels, and how to respond to it. Find ways to manage stress through exercise and other activities, group counseling, and other outlets. This applies to both the person with bipolar disorder and their loved ones.

through exercise and other activities, group counseling, and other outlets. This applies to both the person with bipolar disorder and their loved ones. Join a support group for family member or friends of people with bipolar disorder.

for family member or friends of people with bipolar disorder. Help the person to set goals , as far as possible, and to join support groups, get involved in the community, and follow treatment.

, as far as possible, and to join support groups, get involved in the community, and follow treatment. Set boundaries and limits, and seek support to stick with them if needed. This can help prevent behaviors that can arise at times, such as excessive alcohol consumption and shopping sprees.
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Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes painful, itchy, scaly patches called plaques on the skin. While conventional treatments can help manage the plaques, some people cite coconut oil as an effective treatment. However, no current scientific studies support this as an effective treatment or as a cure. Taking this into consideration, coconut oil is an effective moisturizer, and while it does not directly help to reduce the size and extent of psoriatic scales, the oil can soothe the dryness that accompanies them. No full cure is available for psoriasis, but your doctor can help you manage the symptoms with medication. However, it may also help to soothe symptoms by using natural or home remedies. Keep in mind that home remedies may help some people and not others, as well as helping in one flare-up and not during others. In this article, we look at the effectiveness of coconut oil as a treatment for psoriasis as well as other possible home remedies.

Coconut oil and psoriasis Share on Pinterest People claim that coconut oil can treat psoriasis. However, little evidence is available supporting this. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer, and applying it can help to reduce dry skin, particularly in the winter. The oil is available at most health food stores, either in a pure form or incorporated into lotions and ointments. If a person has psoriatic plaques on the scalp, the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends massaging the oil into the scalp. For children with psoriasis, the National Psoriasis Foundation also recommends adding coconut oil to a warm bath to soothe the skin as an alternative to traditional oatmeal baths. Pat the skin dry after the bath without vigorously rubbing it. Mixing coconut oil with aloe vera might also enhance its skin-softening properties. Despite this anecdotal evidence, the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database advises that insufficient evidence is currently available to suggest coconut oil as an effective treatment for psoriasis. Researchers have studied the application of the treatment before using ultraviolet light therapy, but the results were inconclusive. Side effects As a topical treatment, coconut oil is a safe option without many, if any, adverse effects. However, it rarely serves as an effective treatment for psoriasis on its own. It is normally used as a moisturizing therapy, alongside other treatments. Coconut oil can possibly cause an allergic reaction if a person has sensitivity to it. An allergic reaction would cause additional redness, itching, and warmth at the point of contact on the skin. A person may need to try other topical, moisturizing treatments to relieve the symptoms, as coconut oil is often not effective.

What causes plaques in psoriasis? Psoriasis disrupts the immune system, instructing the body to grow skin cells faster than usual  in a matter of days rather than weeks. The body does not shed these skin cells as it normally would. Instead, the cells start to build up on the skin, causing the characteristic plaques in psoriasis to develop. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that is normally passed on through families or environmental factors, but it is not contagious. However, the autoimmune nature of psoriasis means that a full cure is not yet possible. While coconut oil cannot reverse this process of excess skin cell production, it can provide moisture and temporary relief.

What is coconut oil? Share on Pinterest Psoriasis can form scaly plaques on the skin, and the coconut oil has moisturizing qualities. According to Harvard University, coconut oil is gaining popularity both as a topical treatment and as a cooking oil. The flavor makes it suitable as an ingredient for baked goods and other dishes. Coconut oil consists of 90 percent saturated fat  much higher than butter, lard, or beef fat. However, coconut oil helps to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or good cholesterol, despite also contributing to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, in the diet. Topical coconut oil can also be used as a beauty treatment in a number of ways. These include: moisturizing the skin

improving hair texture

reducing stretchmarks

removing makeup When a person applies to the skin, coconut oil can reduce skin inflammation. It can also help to relieve skin dryness because it reduces the amount of water lost from the skin. Fatty acids also have skin-soothing benefits for treating psoriasis. Coconut oil might help soften the skin, due to containing lauric, capric, and caprylic acids, which are all types of fatty acid. Lauric acid also has antimicrobial activity, which helps to reduce the risk of skin infections and irritation. Click here to purchase coconut oil online. Please note that link will take you to an external site.

Other natural treatments for psoriasis While topical ointments, oral and intravenous medications, and light therapy are available to treat the symptoms of psoriasis, a range of natural and alternatives have demonstrated positive effects on psoriatic plaque. Alternative and home remedies for soothing psoriasis might include the following: Aloe vera and propolis: A combination of aloe vera and propolis, a natural bee product, showed promising effects on psoriasis in a 2018 study . Fish oil: Including certain fatty acids in the diet can help maintain normal bodily function and prevent anomalie s of the skin. Probiotics: Some microbial supplements can help regulate the immune system, such as Bifidobacterium infantis, according to this 2013 study. This might help reduce the inflammatory effects of psoriasis. Bathing with colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts: Some anecdotal evidence suggests that a bath containing oats or Epsom salts can soothe symptoms. Applying moisturizer afterward might also help to retain moisture in the skin. Exposure to sunlight: Phototherapy is a recognized treatment for psoriasis, as ultraviolet (UV) light slows the growth of skin cells. Natural sunlight also contains UV light, and 5 to 10 minutes of exposure to the sun at its highest point, around noon, can provide similar effects. Few studies support natural remedies as a psoriasis treatment. Much evidence supporting their use is anecdotal, and controlled research provides inconclusive results. However, trying these options is rarely harmful, and if they provide relief in particular instances then this can improve the quality of life for people with psoriasis. Seek medical advice before beginning any alternative treatments for psoriasis to ensure that these treatments will not interfere with any prescription creams. A person might need to try a few different treatments before finding effective relief.
According to a large, longitudinal study, being part of a community group could help prevent the cognitive decline associated with age. The current findings add further evidence that social engagement is good for the mind. Share on Pinterest Being part of a social network might help us keep our brains in top gear. Earlier research has hinted that having a strong social network, integrating socially, and engaging with others is associated with better cognitive outcomes. Similarly, community opportunities  such as recreational, social, and leisure activities and voluntary and group work  are all linked with higher levels of well-being and lower mental stress. These types of so-called social capital opportunities also reduce overall stress, isolation, and loneliness. Being involved in civic groups  such as neighborhood watch, environmental groups, voluntary service groups, and other community-based groups  seems to be a healthful option.

Measuring engagement over decades Although previous work in this area has generated positive outcomes in relation to social engagement, very few studies have been longitudinal; in other words, they have not followed people throughout their lives. A team of scientists from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom set out to plug this gap. They designed a study to help understand the impact of social engagement throughout adult life on cognitive function at the age of 50. The study utilized data from the British National Child Development Study (NCDS), a sample of the general population of England, Scotland, and Wales. Data was first taken when the participants were born in 1958 and then at various points throughout their lives. By the age of 33, only 17 percent of participants were part of a civic organization and 14 percent were involved in one group; by the age of 50, 36 percent were in these types of groups and 25 percent were involved in one. In total, 8,129 of the study group took cognitive tests at 11 (covering math, writing, reading, and general ability) and also at 50 (covering speed and concentration tests, memory, and visual attention). Overall, almost one third of the respondents cognitive abilities declined between the ages of 11-50, while mental abilities were unchanged in 44 percent of the group. Roughly one quarter had improved cognitive prowess at 50.
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For this study, the researchers sent trained "secret shoppers" into 265 full-service, sit-down restaurants in seven different regions around the U.S. At each restaurant, the patrons ordered one well-done hamburger and one medium-rare hamburger to go. The shoppers then recorded how, if at all, the restaurant communicated about risk. This study is the latest in a long line of real-world research that Chapman and his collaborators have conducted. "We try to actually match what people do versus what they say they do because people will say anything on a survey," Chapman said.Adding, "We've looked at cooking shows; observed handwashing and cross-contamination in commercial kitchens; examined hand hygiene during a norovirus outbreaks and others. What people actually do is the difference between an enjoyable meal and a foodborne illness. "For example, did the server mention risks associated with undercooked meat when the shopper ordered? If not, the shopper would ask about the risk of getting sick, and then record whether the wait staff responded with clear, accurate information," he said. The shoppers also looked to see whether restaurants included clear, accurate risk information on their menus.The study found that 25 percent of restaurants wouldn't even sell an undercooked hamburger to secret shoppers. However, at restaurants that would sell a medium-rare hamburger, the majority of servers - 77 percent - gave customers unreliable information about food safety. "Servers said that meat was safe because it was cooked until 'until the juices ran clear' - which is totally unreliable," said Ellen Thomas, the lead author of the study . Adding, "Those 77 percent didn't mention things like cooking meat to the appropriate temperature - either 155F for 15 seconds, or 160F for instant kill.The indicator of safety most widely reported by servers was the color of the burger, and that's also not a reliable indicator at all," Thomas says "Time and temperature are all that matter. An undercooked, unsafe burger can be brown in the middle, and a safely cooked burger can still be red or pink in the center." Meanwhile, almost all of the menus complied with FDA guidance. But what servers told customers often contradicted the information on the menu. "If a menu says something is risky but a server says that it isn't, that can downplay the risks for consumers and impact a customer's decisions.It's confusing, leaving the patron to choose which message to believe," Chapman said. The researchers also found that chain restaurants fared much better than independent restaurants at having servers offer reliable risk information. "That's not surprising. Large chains implement standardized training across all outlets for servers in order to protect their brand and reduce the likelihood of being implicated in a foodborne illness outbreak. That's bad for business," he said. Adding, "This study tells us that servers aren't good risk communicators. We encourage consumers to ask food-safety questions, but they should probably ask a manager," he concluded.Source: ANI
SHERMAN TOWNSHIP  A NextEra Energy Resources official promised to pay $1,000 a year to anyone who owns property in the proposed Sherman Township wind overlay district Thursday at a special township meeting.

Ryan Pumford, project manager for Huron Wind LLC, told a packed township hall that the energy giant will pay residents who do not have windmills on their property, no matter how much or how little property they own.

Bryan Garner, manager of communications for NextEra, told the Tribune that the offer is also good for the remainder of the district, which is proposed for parts of Sigel, Sand Beach and Delaware townships.

Of the 65 proposed turbines, 45 are planned for Sherman Township. It will remove less than 100 acres of agricultural land from Sherman Township, Pumford said.

Anyone with questions about whether their property is in the overlay district can email Robert Adle at robert.adle@nexteraenergy.com.

That wasnt the only financial commitment Pumford made during the question and answer session with residents and township officials.

He said all taxes paid for the 30 years that the project is expected to last would be assessed according to the Michigan Renewable Energy Collaborative (MREC) table.

For the life of the project I will use the MREC table. You can get that in writing, Pumford said.

The way it would work out, if the state table prevailed at the tax tribunal, then this extra payment would be in the form of a host community payment, which is not a tax payment, per say, its an additional payment.

This applies to county and school taxes as well, Pumford said.

I will pay all taxes as if the MREC table were the prevailing table.

While Pumford made his points about the payments for all landowners and turbine taxation being assessed according to the MREC table, the words get it in writing were heard throughout the hall.

Two Huron County Commissioners who attended the meeting are skeptical of Pumfords promises as well.

Weve heard that before, Commissioner Ron Wruble told the Tribune. Not necessarily from this company, but from other prospective projects.

He noted that NextEra is contesting the value of all of the companys turbines in the state with the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

If they have the wherewithal, and these projects are worth it to them, then why dont they do that to the existing project they already have in place?

Its not about money, he said. Its about money to some people, but its more about quality of life and a way of life.

(Money) might have a bearing on some people, but people on the opposite side of the equation dont care if theres more tax dollars spread out (within the overlay district).

Commissioner David G. Peruski told the Tribune he was at the meeting to listen.

He said at this point, he considers Pumfords words to be hearsay, and that he has no comment on how this would affect the wind debate until he sees what NextEra proposes in writing.

Treasurer Ladonna Volmering pointed out that school taxes paid by NextEra would only apply to a schools debt.

In the case of Harbor Beach Community Schools, this would only last the remaining life of its debt, which Volmering estimated to be about 10 years.

Turbines are taxed as industrial personal property, and their value depreciates over time, Pumford said.

For the most part, audience members wrote questions on index cards, which were read by township board members.

Many questions had to do with contracts and the perceived secrecy surrounding them.

Our signed landowners are able to talk freely about the turbines, Pumford said.

He added that there would be no gag order attached to contracts with landowners with or without turbines on their property.

One person questioned whether NextEra can sell the contracts and create a lien on farmland.

Put a lien on the farm? No, we dont do that, Pumford said. As far as the contracts, one of the things you get with NextEra  again, not every wind developer is created equal.

Our business motto is to build, own and operate the project.  We want it to be a NextEra truck that you see throughout the life of the project.

We dont sell the contract to other people. We do mortgage the contract and use that for financing, but that doesnt put a lien on your property. It doesnt affect your property at all. Its just a mortgage of our lease hold rights.

A major complaint among residents regarding turbines is the blinking red lights that steal the night sky, as stated by township resident Pat McCullough.

Pumford said that NextEra plans to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration to get permission to use aircraft detection lighting systems, which only light up if there is a plane overhead.

If turbines come in, McCullough said, Its never going to be the idyllic agricultural area it once was.

McCullough, a former state senator, also said that $92 billion in taxpayers money has been spent to encourage wind development.

He called it the most expensive, least efficient way to generate energy.

McCullough also criticized the turbines for potential health hazards.

The World Health Organization says that turbines should not be within one mile of human habitation, McCullough said.

Kim Camp, who lives near Harbor Beach, said that if it goes to referendum, people need to show up at the polls.

Whatever you feel, get out and vote, she said, noting that she is not in favor of the turbines.

Some residents questioned how the turbines would be decommissioned.

Pumford said NextEra has been in the wind business for 28 years.

The company is currently decommissioning 700 kilowatt turbines, and replacing them with 2 megawatt turbines. This will triple the landowners income, he said.

The landowner agreements we have, Pumford said, have a dollar-per-megawatt fee associated with it, and people who have turbines receive the greater of a minimum number per megawatt installed or percentage of revenue, whichever happens to be greater.

He added that NextEra will bond the necessary funds for decommissioning each turbine.

Pumford said NextEras customer that is lined up for the electricity is the Michigan Public Power Agency, a nonprofit conglomeration of municipal energy providers, to which Sebewaing Light and Water belongs.

The entire project would bring 250 construction jobs, and six to 10 full-time salary jobs, Pumford said.

Any road or crop damage the project causes will be repaired and paid for by NextEra, Pumford said.

In the first year, Pumford said, the project will bring $250,000 in tax revenue, with $3.6 million coming in over the lifetime of the project. Lease payments will total $24 million over the life of the project.

The Sherman Township Board of Trustees will have a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss taking back its zoning from the county. Clerk Kathi Jahn said its unknown whether any decision will be made.

And the Huron County Board of Commissioners will again address whether to approve this overlay district at the Dec. 13 meeting, since it was tabled at the previous meeting, pending examination of the overlay district boundaries.

On Dec. 14, the Huron County Planning Commission will host a hearing on a proposed five-year moratorium on wind development.
In 2004, a sheriff's deputy in Oregon put together mug shots of people booked for methamphetamine use as a warning to others: Don't be those people.

The Faces of Meth project, operated by Oregon's Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, aims to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse. Others claim the project unnecessarily shames people while others say it further cements rich and poor class divisions.
Im still feeling thankful, very thankful I did not get caught up in that record-breaking holiday traffic. Hope all those travelers made it back home safe and hope the next group traveling for the big holiday will travel safe also.

If we broke records for Thanksgiving, whats it going to be like on Christmas? The online people: Amazon, Google and many retailers, got crushed on Cyber Monday. Seems like everyone is in a shopping mood. Brick and mortar stores will soon be chuck full because some folks still like to put their hands on what they purchase.

During the long Thanksgiving weekend and extending into the next week, the Cuban population in our country and their homeland, both celebrated and mourned the passing of Fidel Castro. In Cuba most of the population able to attend paid homage to the only leader many of them ever knew.

South Florida, centered in Miami, exploded with joyful displays and demonstrations, with partying going on all night after the announcement of Fidels death.

Most of our populace of late, unlike the Cuban people I described, think when anything takes place that doesnt suit them, they should take to the streets and protest abusively. Im beginning to believe, as others have mentioned, there are professional protesters making huge sums of money from our countrys division and malcontent.

Without taking sides, I fail to understand why those demonstrating, for any reason, believe they have the right to break windows and doors and help themselves to goods from local businesses. Many of those causing chaos seem to have no connection to the issue that created an excuse to demonstrate. Setting fire to police cars, shooting one another and burning buildings cannot be recognized as peaceful.

When firefighters respond, they often watch helpless because the protesters block their access and even damage their equipment by cutting their hoses.

As I see it, we are approaching the biggest, most joyful holiday season of the year. It could be a great time for everyone to step back and absorb what has been going on. Shootings, arsons, breaking and enterings, car thefts, murders, and out of control drug use is perhaps the cause of much of it. Every community in our country is feeling the effects of these out-of-control actions.

Why not focus on finding a way to help control all the abusive behavior? If we all concentrate our efforts, reach out to those we know are troubled and help them find assistance, it could make a difference and perhaps save a life.

Remember when you head out to join the shopping melee, after hearing all my above concerns, be cautious and aware of those around you. Be especially careful with your personal data but have fun and dont spend too much, save enough for the Christmas feasting.

Capt. Fred Davis is a retired charter captain and nationally published author of boating articles. As I See It columns appear Saturday in the Huron Daily Tribune and his Boat Smart articles are published online at www.captainfredsboattips.com.
Welcome!

Welcome to FH & Other Things! One of my favorite things is studying The Male Form in Art, photography, the media and culture. Although you will find many great looking men on the blog, I strive to showcase talent, both in front of, and behind the camera. You will also find some of my favorite things, not just from today, but from years gone by. FH also loves to focus on upcoming talent; actors, photographers and models. So sit back, relax and spend a bit of time with some of my favorite things
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in the United States. The company's securities portfolio primarily consists of the United States Government-sponsored entity's (GSE) and the Government National Mortgage Administration's issued or guaranteed securities backed by fixed rate, hybrid adjustable rate, and adjustable-rate home loans, as well as unsecured notes and bonds issued by the GSE and the United States treasuries, as well as money market instruments. It also invests in other securities backed by residential mortgages for which the payment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by a GSE or government agency. The company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, it would not be subject to corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that is distributed to shareholders. ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is based in Vero Beach, Florida.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. The company offers general purpose servers for multi-workload computing and workload-optimized servers; HPE ProLiant rack and tower servers; HPE BladeSystem and HPE Synergy; and solutions for secondary workloads and traditional tape, storage networking, and disk products, such as HPE Modular Storage Arrays and HPE XP. It also offers HPE Apollo and Cray products; and HPE Superdome Flex, HPE Nonstop, HPE Integrity, and HPE Edgeline products. In addition, the company provides HPE Aruba product portfolio that includes wired and wireless local area network hardware products, such as Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, and sensors; HPE Aruba software and services comprising cloud-based management, network management, network access control, analytics and assurance, and location; and professional and support services, as well as as-a-service and consumption models for the intelligent edge portfolio of products. Further, it offers various leasing, financing, IT consumption, and utility programs and asset management services for customers to facilitate technology deployment models and the acquisition of complete IT solutions, including hardware, software, and services from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others. Additionally, the company invests in communications and media solutions. It has a partnership with Striim, Inc. to offer high performance and mission-critical solutions with real-time analytics. It serves commercial and large enterprise groups, such as business and public sector enterprises; and through various partners comprising resellers, distribution partners, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendors, systems integrators, and advisory firms. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Imperial Oil Limited engages in exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for, and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had 386 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, blending of refined products and the distribution, and marketing of refined products. It also transports crude oil to refineries by contracted pipelines, common carrier pipelines, and rail; maintains a distribution system to move petroleum products to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and owns and operates fuel terminals, natural gas liquids, and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In addition, this segment markets and supplies petroleum products to motoring public through approximately 2,400 Esso and Mobil-branded sites. Further, it sells petroleum products, including fuel, asphalt, and lubricants for industrial and transportation customers, independent marketers, and resellers, as well as other refiners serving the agriculture, residential heating, and commercial markets through branded fuel and lubricant resellers. The Chemical segment manufactures and markets various petrochemicals, benzene, aromatic and aliphatic solvents, plasticizer intermediates, and polyethylene resin. Imperial Oil Limited has a strategic agreement with E3 Metals Corp. to advance a lithium-extraction pilot in Alberta. The company was incorporated in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
Zoetis Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products in the United States and internationally. It commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses. The company also offers vaccines, which are biological preparations to prevent diseases of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts or induce a specific immune response; anti-infectives that prevent, kill, or slow the growth of bacteria, fungi, or protozoa; and parasiticides that prevent or eliminate external and internal parasites, which include fleas, ticks, and worms. It also provides other pharmaceutical products that comprise pain and sedation, antiemetic, reproductive, and oncology products; dermatology products for itch associated with allergic conditions and atopic dermatitis; and medicated feed additives, which offer medicines to livestock. In addition, the company provides portable blood and urine analysis testing, including point-of-care diagnostic products, instruments and reagents, rapid immunoassay tests, reference laboratory kits and services, and blood glucose monitors; and other non-pharmaceutical products, including nutritionals and agribusiness services, as well as products and services in areas, such as biodevices, genetics tests, and precision animal health. It markets its products to veterinarians, livestock producers, and retail outlets, as well as third-party veterinary distributors through its sales representatives, and technical and veterinary operations specialists. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Specialty Insurance segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services. This segment also provides closing and/or escrow services; products, services, and solutions to mitigate risk or otherwise facilitate real estate transactions; and appraisals and other valuation-related products and services, lien release and document custodial services, warehouse lending services, default-related products and services, mortgage subservicing, and related products and services, as well as banking, trust, and wealth management services. In addition, it accommodates tax-deferred exchanges of real estate; and maintains, manages, and provides access to title plant data and records. This segment offers its products through a network of direct operations and agents in 49 states and in the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and internationally. The Specialty Insurance segment provides property and casualty insurance comprising coverage to residential homeowners and renters for liability losses and typical hazards, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and other types of property damage. It also offers residential service contracts that cover residential systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems, and appliances against failures that occur as the result of normal usage during the coverage period. First American Financial Corporation was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.
Newell Brands Inc. designs, manufactures, sources, and distributes consumer and commercial products worldwide. It operates in five segments: Commercial Solutions, Home Appliances, Home Solutions, Learning and Development, and Outdoor and Recreation. The Commercial Solutions segment provides commercial cleaning and maintenance solutions; closet and garage organization products; hygiene systems and material handling solutions; and home and security, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms products under the BRK, First Alert, Mapa, Quickie, Rubbermaid, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Spontex brands. The Home Appliances segment offers kitchen appliances under the Crock-Pot, Mr. Coffee, Oster, and Sunbeam brands. The Home Solutions segment provides food and home storage; fresh preserving; vacuum sealing; and gourmet cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and home fragrance products under the Ball, Calphalon, Chesapeake Bay Candle, FoodSaver, Rubbermaid, Sistema, WoodWick, and Yankee Candle brands. The Learning and Development segment offers writing instruments, including markers and highlighters, pens, and pencils; art products; activity-based adhesive and cutting products; labeling solutions; and baby gear and infant care products under the Aprica, Baby Jogger, Graco, NUK, Tigex, Dymo, Elmer's, EXPO, Graco, Mr. Sketch, NUK, Paper Mate, Parker, Prismacolor, Sharpie, Waterman, and X-Acto brands. The Outdoor and Recreation segment provides outdoor and outdoor-related products under the Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio, and Marmot brands. It serves warehouse clubs, department and drug/grocery stores, mass merchants, home centers, office superstores and supply stores, contract stationers, and distributors, e-commerce, sporting goods, specialty, and travel retailers. The company was formerly known as Newell Rubbermaid Inc. and changed its name to Newell Brands Inc. in April 2016. Newell Brands Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Instructors at the U.S. Army's Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course said they would serve under the first 13 female lieutenants who graduated the course "in a heartbeat."

"They blew us away during our field training exercises," said Staff Sgt. William Hare, an instructor at the course. "Their ability to plan, adapt on the fly and execute that plan in a clear and concise manner and communicate plan changes on the go -- it was amazing."

Hare was among a handful of instructors and leaders who spoke to reporters about the first gender-integrated class of ABOLC that graduated 53 male and 13 female officers at Fort Benning, Georgia, on Thursday.

Two women and six men did not meet the standards and will recycle, Benning officials said. Two males were medically dropped from the course.

This is the latest step in the Army's effort to integrate women into combat arms jobs such as armor and infantry.

In late October, 10 female lieutenants graduated from the first gender-integrated class of Infantry Officer Basic Leaders Course at Benning.

And in August 2015, Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver became the first women to graduate Army Ranger School. Maj. Lisa A. Jaster became the third woman to graduate from Ranger School two months later.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter in December 2015 ordered all military jobs, including special operations, opened to women. His directive followed a 2013 Pentagon order that the military services open all positions to women by early 2016.

Thursday's graduation of the 13 female officers from ABOLC is "consistent with what you have seen over the last 18 months," said Maj. Gen. Eric Wesley, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Benning.

"We always knew that when we entered this effort that we wanted the process to be standards-based," Wesley said. "In the case of Ranger School, we wanted to make sure there were clear objective standards to determine qualification to become a Ranger. In terms of IBOLC the same thing -- it was all standards-based. And now, in the armor community, we have done the same thing."

The 13 female graduates performed as well as their male counterparts on the High Physical Demands Test, a series of tasks designed to validate that any soldier serving in an MOS has "the right physical attributes to perform in that particular military occupational specialty," said Brig. Gen. John Kolasheski, commandant of the Armor School at Benning.

"It's gender-neutral, and they performed at the same rate as their male peers in all of those tasks."

The new graduates now will go to the Army Reconnaissance Course at Benning. After that, some will go to Airborne School and Ranger School before being assigned to operational units, Benning officials said.

Once they leave Benning, female combat arms officers are being assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Staff Sgt. George Baker, another instructor at ABOLC, said he had his doubts initially about women in the armor community.

"There was some skepticism at first, just to see can they do it  but as soon as they started performing to those same standards -- because we didn't change anything and they performed to those same standards, and they met and exceeded those same standards -- it solidified that they have a place here," Baker said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis already has strong and widespread support within the ranks, and on Capitol Hill, for his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as defense secretary. But two hurdles stand in the way -- one legal, and the other political.

Right now, it's against the law for Mattis to serve as defense secretary under long-standing congressional mandates aimed at preserving civilian control of the military, and Democrats have begun citing the law as a potential roadblock to the nomination.

In addition, Mattis is sure to be challenged at confirmation hearings on his bluntly stated views on Israel, Iran and women in the military.

As an officer who retired in 2013, Mattis is currently barred from a cabinet post under the law, which states that servicemembers must be retired for at least seven years before they are eligible for a post requiring Senate confirmation.

Mattis would first need a waiver from Congress before the nomination process could begin and he was expected to get it. However, opposition immediately surfaced after Trump said Thursday, following some confusion among his transition team on the timing of the announcement, that the general he calls "Mad Dog"would be his choice.

"We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defense," Trump said in Cincinnati at his first post-election rally.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that will hold hearings on Mattis' nomination, said she was against granting him a waiver.

"While I deeply respect Gen. Mattis' service, I will oppose a waiver," she said in a statement. "Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule."

Last month, as Mattis' name emerged as a frontrunner for the defense post, Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and ranking member of the defense panel, also voiced concerns on a waiver.

"It is clear that Gen. Mattis is a respected Marine and strategic thinker who served with honor and distinction," Reed said in a statement. "What is less clear is how Congress would go about changing the law to allow him, or any recently retired senior officer, to serve as the head of the Pentagon. That would require a debate about our constitutional principle of civilian control of the military and passing a new bill."

Earlier, Trump got around the law against having retired officers in cabinet posts in the case of retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who also had been considered as a possible defense secretary nominee. Instead, Trump named Flynn his White House national security adviser, which does not require Senate confirmation.

Should Mattis receive the waiver, there could be debate at his confirmation hearings over his previous comments on Israel, Iran and the roles of women in the military. In Israel, the Jerusalem Post ran a story Friday citing Mattis' previous remarks about Israeli settlements on the West Bank under the headline: "Will Defense Secretary Mattis Help or Harm Israel?"

The Mattis choice "has already stirred controversy among right-wing pro-Israel groups, with some lamenting the choice and others praising it," the newspaper said.

The Zionist Organization of America has opposed Mattis' nomination while the Republican Jewish Coalition called Trump's choice of Mattis "smart and important."

Shortly after retiring in 2013, Mattis spoke at the Aspen Security Forum about the problems U.S. support of Israel caused for him when he headed U.S. Central Command.

"I paid a military-security price every day as the commander of CentCom because the Americans were seen as biased in support of Israel," Mattis said.

He favored the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and warned that Israel risked becoming an "apartheid" state over its treatment of Palestinians.

"Either it (Israel) ceases to be a Jewish state or you say the Arabs don't get to vote -- apartheid. That didn't work too well the last time I saw that practiced in a country," Mattis said in reference to South Africa.

However, Mattis' views on Iran appeared to line up with those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mattis has called Iran the "greatest threat" to Mideast peace.

Questions about his support for Israel nearly derailed President Barack Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel, the former Republican senator from Nebraska, as defense secretary. After stormy hearings held by the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Hagel got past the confirmation by a vote of 14-11.

"Chuck never recovered from that," Lawrence Korb, a military analyst at the Center for American Progress, said of Hagel, who resigned as defense secretary two years ago.

Referring to Mattis, Korb added, "I think he's going to get confirmed." Korb, a former assistant defense secretary in the administration of President Ronald Reagan, said he thought so because of the public's high esteem for the military.

Even so, the confirmation hearings could still pose a challenge for Mattis, Korb said. Mattis will inevitably be grilled on "how he will handle the social issues," he said.

Mattis has questioned whether women in the military are suited for what he has called the "intimate killing" of close combat.

Since the law against recently retired military officers taking cabinet posts was passed in 1947, Congress has made one exception -- for the nomination in 1950 as defense secretary of retired Gen. George C. Marshall, the Army's Chief of Staff during World War II.

Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican and SASC chairman who will preside at hearings on Mattis, has praised Trump's nomination of Mattis and said he expected approval by Congress of a waiver, possibly in the lame-duck session.

Tom Donnelly, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said he would "bet the mortgage" that Mattis gets the waiver and Senate confirmation. "Mattis is as good at it gets" in terms of the potential nominees Trump could have picked, Donnelly said.

"This is not his first rodeo," Donnelly said of Mattis, who has testified frequently before the Senate, including in his confirmation for U..S. Central Command.

Mattis is certain to be grilled on women in the military -- "that's for sure," Donnelly said, but Mattis can assert that the "combat exclusion rule" on women was lifted by Congress and it was settled policy, despite his personal opinions.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

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Student loan debt is rising and getting a degree is no longer a guarantee for success. What's a veteran to do? Many individuals are foregoing the four-year route and jumping straight into the job market. Traditionally this would cause career counselors and parents alike to hem and haw, but these days it's not a bad idea. If you decide that college isn't right for you or you'd like to put it off for a while, it's best to enter the job search knowing what your best options are.

Business Insider took a look at some of the highest paying jobs that only require a high school diploma or associate's degree. But, to save you time, we've cherry-picked the top 10 jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree. Business Insider's original list was created by looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and looking at "The median annual wages listed includ[ing] hourly, weekly, annual pay, sales commissions, and production bonuses. Overtime wages are not included in the data."

Related: For the latest veteran jobs postings around the country, visit the Military.com Job Search section.

1) Engineering Technicians (Except Drafters)

Median annual wage (May 2010): $58,020

Degree required: Associate's degree

Description: Engineering technicians solve technical problems. Some help engineers and scientists do research and development. They build or set up equipment. They do experiments. They collect data and calculate results. They might also help to make a model of new equipment. Some technicians work in quality control where they check products, do tests, and collect data. In manufacturing, they help to design and develop products. They also find ways to produce things efficiently.

Search for engineering jobs.

2) Business Operations Specialist

Median annual wage (May 2010): $62,450

Degree required: High school diploma

Description: Some business positions require an individual with a broad range of skills, and not all of these positions require a degree. They can be difficult to find, but many of these "ground floor" positions can prove fruitful in later years.

Search for business operations specialist jobs.

3) Power Plant Operators

Median annual wage (May 2010): $63,080

Degree required: High school diploma

Description: Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. Power plant operators, dispatchers, and distributors need a combination of education, experience, and extensive on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license. Many jobs require a background check, and workers are subject to drug and alcohol screenings.

Related: Does your resume pass the 6-second test? Get a FREE assessment.

4) Registered Nurses

Median annual wage (May 2010): $64,690

Degree required: Associate's degree

Description: Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associates degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must also become licensed by passing a national licensing examination.

Search for nursing and healthcare jobs.

5) Commercial Pilots

Median annual wage (May 2010): $67,500

Degree required: Postsecondary non-degree award

Description: Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes or helicopters. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule. Commercial pilots fly aircraft for other reasons, such as charter flights, rescue operations, firefighting, aerial photography, and crop dusting.

Search for commercial pilot jobs.

6) Firefighter and Prevention Worker Supervisors

Median annual wage (May 2010): $68,250

Degree required: Postsecondary non-degree award

Description: Firefighters protect the public by responding to fires and other emergencies. They are frequently the first emergency personnel on the scene of an accident. Firefighters typically enter the occupation with a postsecondary non-degree award in fire science or a related discipline. In many jurisdictions, however, the entry-level education needed to become a firefighter is a high school diploma or equivalent. Most firefighters also must pass written and physical tests, complete a series of interviews, and hold an emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. All firefighters receive extensive training after being hired.

Search for firefighter jobs.

7) Nuclear Plant Reactor Operators

Median annual wage (May 2010): $75,650

Degree required: High school diploma

Description: Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. Power plant operators, dispatchers, and distributors need a combination of education, experience, and extensive on-the-job training. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license. Many jobs require a background check, and workers are subject to drug and alcohol screenings.

8) Police and Detective Supervisors

Median annual wage (May 2010): $78,260

Degree required: High school diploma

Description: Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who sometimes are called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. Law enforcement officers duties depend on the size and type of their organizations.

Search for law enforcement jobs.

9) Construction Manager

Median annual wage (May 2010): $83,860

Degree required: Associate's degree

Description: Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from early development to completion. Employers increasingly prefer candidates with both work experience and a bachelors degree in a construction-related field. However, some construction managers may qualify by working many years in a construction trade. Certification, although not required, is becoming increasingly important.

Search for construction jobs.

10) Air Traffic Controllers

Median annual wage (May 2010): $108,040

Degree required: Associate's degree

Description: Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to ensure that planes stay safe distances apart. To become an air traffic controller, a person must be a U.S. citizen, complete an air traffic management degree from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified school, achieve a qualifying score on the FAA pre-employment test, and complete a training course at the FAA Academy. Controllers with previous air traffic control experience, such as from the military, may not need to complete the FAA education requirements. Those without previous air traffic control experience must be younger than 31 to become an air traffic controller.

Search for air traffic controller jobs.

Related: To apply for jobs that match your skills, visit the Military Skills Translator.

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The Nationals and Pirates re continuing to discuss a lot of different angles that would result in outfielder Andrew McCutchen landing in D.C., according to ESPN.coms Jim Bowden (via Twitter). He notes that the information came from a source in the Pittsburgh organization.

There had been some suggestion that the Nats wanted to make a move on McCutchen before this evenings non-tender deadline. The idea, it seems, was that the club would non-tender shortstop Danny Espinosa if it added McCutchen, which would free Trea Turner to move back into the infield.

As it turned out, nothing is yet done and Washington tendered Espinosa. That apparently isnt posing much of an obstacle to continued exploration of a deal involving McCutchen. Its worth bearing in mind that even tendered players arent guaranteed their full contracts until late in the spring. And Espinosa would likely be a plausible trade candidate if D.C. decided to part ways.

Regarding the fact that there are still many different scenarios at play, thats perhaps not surprising. All indications are that the Bucs wish to obtain premium young talent in any trade involving McCutchen. Weve heard top Nats prospect Victor Robles mentioned quite a bit, along with a variety of the clubs quality, youthful starting pitching. From the perspective of the Nationals, though, giving up even Robles seems like a big ask given McCutchens struggles in this past season. It seems possible that the organizations are working on ways to balance out the value  perhaps, even involving other teams  to facilitate a mutually agreeable swap, though its all guesswork at this point.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Police are working with the FBI to investigate recent reports of intimidation in the city.

In mid-November, police received reports that a man threatened a woman wearing a hijab; that two men pushed a woman wearing a hood down a hill and, in another incident, someone slashed a woman in the face with a sharp object.

Lt. Detective Matthew Lige said Ann Arbor Police are working with the FBI to determine and verify the events as they were reported.

There are no new updates regarding the investigations, he said.

On the evening of Nov. 11 in the 600 block of East William near State Street, a University of Michigan student reported to police a man threatened to set her on fire if she didn't remove her hijab. She complied and left.

In a second incident on Nov. 12, a U-M student wearing a hood told police two men pushed her down a hill near South University and Washtenaw avenues in Ann Arbor. One man asked her if she knew she's in America, according to police.

A woman told police an unknown man slashed her on the cheek with a sharp object, possibly a safety pin, while she was walking Nov. 15 in the 600 block of Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor.

She thought it may have been related to a safety pin she was wearing, a sign of support for vulnerable people that's become popular since the presidential election.

Anyone with information about the Ann Arbor incidents should contact the U-M Division of Public Safety and Security at 734-763-1131, call 911 or the Ann Arbor Police Department tip line at 734-794-6939 or email tips@a2gov.org.

Here's a summary of other recent incidents reported in Michigan:

Cab driver describes beating from man yelling 'Trump'
ANN ARBOR, MI - Thousands of Ann Arbor residents took to the streets of the greater downtown area to kick off the holiday season at Kerrytown Kindlefest and Midnight Madness.

The eighth annual Kerrytown Kindlefest on Friday, Dec. 2, hosted about 80 vendors and thousands of people, according to Karen Farmer, organizer and manager of Kerrytown Market and Shops.

"After the third year it really took off," Farmer said. "One of the reasons we put Kindlefest on is Midnight Madness is a downtown Ann Arbor event, which is really wonderful. But what was happening is people would come to Kerrytown markets and shops and start their evenings and then they would leave the neighborhood and go to the other neighborhoods and shop."

Food, handmade craft vendors and musical acts gathered at Kerrytown Kindlefest.

"The townspeople really show up to support downtown, that is why Ann Arbor is such a wonderful place to live in," said Ed Davidson, owner of Bivouac on State Street.

Bivouac has been participating in Midnight Madness since the beginning and almost everything in the store was 20 to 50 percent off.

Multiple other stores in the Kerrytown, State Street and Main Street areas kept their doors open late for the thousands of residents.

"It is probably the busiest night of the whole year for all of these merchants, and probably their highest grossing sales night," Farmer said. "This is more of a festive party to kick off the party."
FRENCHTOWN TWP., MI - A licensing extension is on hold for the Fermi 2 nuclear energy plant as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviews how the plant would protect residents if there was a major release of radioactive steam, The Blade in Toledo reported.

Citizens Resistance at Fermi 2 earned the delay by arguing DTE Energy, which owns and operates the plant, did not adequately address in its final environmental impact statement the possible distribution of potassium iodide pills, the newspaper reported.

Potassium iodide is a salt protects the thyroid gland against "internal uptake of radioiodines" that could be released in there was a nuclear reactor accident, according to the regulatory commission.

In an internal memo, an official with the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation said staff has been directed to review the citizens group's contention and provide a recommendation to the commission's governing board in the coming weeks, the newspaper reported.

"This contention alleges a deficiency or error which has enormous independent health and safety significance," The Blade wrote, citing the motion.

The hope is DTE and the state of Michigan will distribute the salt to every household within the "emergency planning zone," a chair of the citizens group told the newspaper.

This is not within the scope of the license renewal, a DTE spokesman said, according to The Blade.

The nuclear plant between Detroit and Monroe began operating in the 1980s. Its license expires in March 2025, but DTE, the Detroit-based utility, is seeking to extend that license to 2045, according to The Blade.

Its application has been pending for years.
A 27-year-old man has been charged with multiple charges after police found a dead white dog whose body was found near a bottle of accelerant.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office reports David Westly Didlake has been charged with killing/torturing animals, resisting and obstructing police, and abandoning resulting in the death of an animal.

According to a news release from the office, police were called Oct. 29 to East James Street in River Rouge.

Upon arrival, Didlake is said to have resisted police.

The News Herald reports the dog was Didlake's girlfriend's Shih Tzu, and officials have not released a reasoning behind the incident.

He was arraigned Friday, Dec. 2 in the 25th District Court in Lincoln Park, where he received a $75,000 cash surety bond.

The 27-year-old has a probable cause conference set for Dec. 13, and preliminary examination on Dec. 20.
FLINT, MI -- A federal judge has denied the state's request to delay bottled water delivery to Flint homes which could leave a multi-million bill, according to a Dec. 2 Detroit News article.

U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson issued a preliminary injunction Thursday, Nov. 10, ordering that the state have bottled water delivered to Flint residents unless officials can prove there is an operating, properly-installed water filter in their home - A move that state officials said would cost Michigan tax payers $10.5 million monthly and it may cause a shift water crisis efforts in Flint.

"We will continue recommending the use of filtered water for cooking and drinking due to the ongoing work to replace lead service lines," said Anna Heaton, press secretary for Snyder, said in an email statement to MLive-The Flint Journal. "Independent testing by researchers from Virginia Tech shows that the water quality has improved dramatically and filtered water is safe for all populations. Reverting to bottled water will drain resources from pipe replacements and move the city's water system backward in its recovery."

On Monday, Nov. 21, the state filed a notice of its intent to contest Lawson's ruling.

Attorneys for the Michigan Department of Treasury and Flint Receivership Transition Advisory Board filed the notice, but the Treasury Department referred questions to the governor's press secretary.

Heaton said recent research shows that lead levels are dropping in Flint and the state is going to continue a push to have residents drink filtered water.

"The state continues to deliver bottled water and filters by request, just as we have been, and the distribution centers around the city remain fully operational for the pickup of water and filters," Heaton said. "Additionally, the state and city are working together to increase the number of door-to-door teams in the city to check filter installation and maintenance."

Virginia Tech researchers announced today that lead levels in Flint dropped dramatically in the city.

Results from water sampling sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in November showed that homes registering above 15 parts per billion of lead have dropped from 17 percent in August 2015 to 15 percent in March 2016 to 6 percent in November.

Under Lawson's order the state is required to deliver water to homes unless residents opt-out or unless the state can verify faucet filters are installed. For households for which the state officials couldn't show compliance, the court ordered bottled water be delivered.

The order is related to lawsuit filed by the Concerned Pastors for Social Action, Natural Resources Defense Council, Flint resident Melissa Mays and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The parties are demanding the government provide door-to-door water delivery, filters and water line replacement at no cost to residents.

On Nov. 29 the city of Flint joined the state in fighting Lawson's order requiring door-to-door delivery.

The Flint Journal could not reach Mayor Karen Weaver or Flint Spokeswoman Kristin Moore for comment.

In a filing at the U.S. Court of Appeals Tuesday, Nov. 29, attorneys for the city say a preliminary injunction issued by Lawson is "overboard, and moreover, the city lacks the resources required to comply."

Lawson's order also requires residents be provided with clear and current information about the lead contamination of their water supply and notices must be presented in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Hmong.

MLive Staff Writer Ron Fonger contributed to this story.
POLKTON TOWNSHIP, MI -- Firefighters are headed to a report of turkey barns on fire south of Coopersville.

The fire, reported at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, is near 76th Avenue and Garfield Street.

Firefighters initially were told that one barn was fully involved in flames. Dispatchers later reported that five barns were on fire.

Multiple fire departments have been called to provide fire tankers, including Blendon, Olive, Allendale Marne, Coopersville.
you are here:
December 03, 2016

Roy Gutman's Hakawati

The so called "journalist" Roy Gutman is marketing an old fairy tale in three acts. It was the Syrian President Assad who created ISIS. Assad also faked the Al-Qaeda bombings in Syria to get sympathy in the "west". The Daily Beast even paid Gutman to publish this nonsense:

This series charts Assads major role in the rise of Islamic extremism from the inside.

...

the regime likely staged bombings of its own security facilities in 2011 and 2012 to foster the impression that al Qaeda had an armed presence in Syria long before it did.

...

Syrian intelligence received orders to stand by when al Qaeda fighters crossed from Iraq into Syria in 2012.

But where did Gutman get such extraordinary information? On would think that some very credible witnesses were needed and on-the-ground research would be necessary to verify these claims. But as he himself writes:

Raed Ilawy, an Islamist recruit from Hama, was among the Syrians who traveled to the mosque. Some of the trainers, he recalled in an interview at an Istanbul cafe, ...

and

Dendal was introduced to this reporter by a former regime judge from Aleppo who deserted to the opposition. Interviewed in a cafe in Istanbuls popular Fatih district, ...

Deserters and Islamist activists telling stories which blame their declared enemies - excellent witnesses. Those stories then must be true. Right? Gutman himself writes that the CIA does not believe the fairy tales he was told over coffee in Istanbul, nor does anyone else who is knowledgeable about the issue. Gutman is unable to get any official confirmation for his claims. Indeed the DNI refutes his tales:

The CIA declined to comment but did not dispute the validity of the question. I looked into this, and there is nothing we can add, a spokeswoman said.

...

The CIA declined to comment.

...

After bombings in Damascus Jan. 6 and Aleppo Feb. 10, 2012, James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, told Congress in mid-February that the explosions had all the earmarks of an al Qaeda-like attack. He added: And so we believe al Qaeda in Iraq is extending its reach into Syria.

In 2012 Rania Abouzeid interviewed Jabhat al Nusra (al-Qaeda) fighters in Raqqa and wrote about it for Time. They confirm that many came from Iraq and were silently in Syria even before the "revolution".

But whatever - activists say the Syrian government did it ... - is all the validity Gutman needs.

In the second act of the farce Gutman meets another witness:

the actual numbers were smaller, according to Abdullah Hakawati, an activist who helped organize anti-government protests in Aleppo ... Hakawati provided the name of the officer, but he could not be reached to verify the account.

Elijah Magnier urged Gutman (who does not speak Arabic) to find out what that activist's alleged surname means.

From the description of a book titled The Hakawati we learn:

As the family gathers, stories begin to unfold: Osama's grandfather was a hakawati, or storyteller, and his bewitching tales are interwoven with classic stories of the Middle East.

So this was one of Gutman's witnesses?



Pic: Syria: al-Hakawati  the Storytelling Tour in Sweden 2015

Ha! Some Syrian activist made a joke over duping a gullible journalist over coffee in Istanbul by giving his name as Mr. Storyteller! Dumb as bricks the journalist and his editors at the Daily Beast fall for it.

Gutman stenographed a great fairy tale just as the various hakawatis in Istanbul's cafes tell it. With that he vividly demonstrated how "fake news" are created. I doubt though that this was his intention.

(Edited Sun, Dec 4, 0:45am, CIA part corrected with added quotes - b.)

Posted by b on December 3, 2016 at 15:27 UTC | Permalink

Comments
I think anything past a double D is starting to get out of control it feels like all you are is boobs.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A man charged with setting fires in western North Carolina told authorities he did it out of boredom.

In court documents, U.S. Forest Service agent Brian Southard says Keith Mann of Franklin told him he set two fires in Macon County because "I was just bored."

Media outlets report Mann also said he "wanted to see something burn" and didn't have much to live for after his wife left him. The 49-year-old was arrested Wednesday and charged with destroying real property by means of fire.

The fires started Oct. 27 and Nov. 22 and burned 16 acres.

Southard says he went to Mann's home after listening to a 911 call from Mann reporting the second fire.

Mann is in Buncombe County jail without bond. He has requested a public defender.
On gay rights, America has come a great distance in a short time. Remember the days, not so long ago, that gays stayed in the closet, sodomy was a crime, same-sex marriage was banned and people could be fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation?

Actually, you don't have to try to remember that last. It's still the case in 28 states, including Mike Pence's Indiana, that holding hands with your same-sex partner in public can mean losing your livelihood. A bigoted boss can cashier a good employee for loving someone of the wrong gender.

This unprotected status is an anomaly under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which forbids employment discrimination on the basis of "race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." African-Americans and other racial minorities are protected, Catholics and Muslims are protected, women are protected and immigrants are protected. Gays are not.

Many libertarians, whose general principles I share, think the law is an intolerable infringement on contractual freedom. When Gary Johnson, the party's presidential nominee, said at the Libertarian Party's national convention in May that he would have voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act, he was booed.

But pretty much everyone else agrees that ship has sailed, as well it should have.

The question now is not whether federal law should ban discrimination on the basis of certain criteria. It's merely which criteria deserve inclusion.

On this issue, the public took the side of gays even before coming around on same-sex marriage. Most Americans think discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation should be illegal. Not only that, a 2015 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute found that 75 percent think it already is.

A study by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law reported, "A majority of Americans in every U.S. congressional district support laws that protect against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

Such an expansion would make sense, because gays are similar to other minorities that have long been targets of hostility and mistreatment. But when the 1964 law was passed, no one was thinking of protecting gays, who were widely viewed with ignorant disgust. And a bill known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been repeatedly introduced in Congress, to no avail. So federal law leaves gays out in the cold.

Or does it? A lawsuit heard on Nov. 30 before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago argues that the federal law against discrimination on the basis of sex should be interpreted to cover sexual orientation. Nearly all of the judges who asked questions appeared to find much merit in the argument.

Frank Easterbrook, a renowned conservative appointed by Ronald Reagan, noted that in its 1967 decision in Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court struck down a law forbidding interracial marriage because it treated people of different races differently. A black woman could marry a black man but not a white man. She was penalized solely because of her race.

In the gay rights case, community college teacher Kimberly Hively said she lost her job after she was seen kissing her female partner goodbye in the parking lot. Had she been seen kissing her male partner, she would not have lost her job. "Why isn't that sex discrimination by exactly the reasoning of Loving?" demanded Easterbrook.

Hively allegedly suffered retribution not for having a female partner, which would be perfectly fine if she were a man, but for being a (SET ITAL) woman (END ITAL) who has a female partner. How can that not qualify as sex discrimination?

The obvious retort is that the lawmakers who approved the 1964 Civil Rights Act didn't mean to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and therefore it doesn't. But they also didn't set out to deter sexual harassment of men by men or to prevent the firing of women because they are perceived as unfeminine  both of which the Supreme Court has ruled illegal under the law.

Conservative hero Justice Antonin Scalia, writing in 1998 for a unanimous court, agreed that such conduct was not what Congress had in mind. "But statutory prohibitions often go beyond the principal evil to cover reasonably comparable evils," he wrote, "and it is ultimately the provisions of our laws rather than the principal concerns of our legislators by which we are governed."

Sooner or later, discrimination against gays will no longer be treated as an acceptable, legal practice. Then Americans will wonder why on earth it took so long.

Steve Chapman blogs www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chapman. Follow him on Twitter @SteveChapman13 or at www.facebook.com/stevechapman13. To find out more about Chapman, visit www.creators.com.
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Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable.
Tips for Building Stubborn Calves

Written by Team MD

27 March 2019

Tips for Building Stubborn Calves

Want Big Calves? Train for Muscle Growth

The calves are a troublesome body part for most bodybuilders, some of whom look like light bulbs with huge upper bodies, and notably smaller calves. This calf-building primer is a collection of science-based principles for muscle growth that can be applied to build those stubborn calves. Here are five training tips, backed by research, to grow great calves.

Train Calves First

When you see a bodybuilder who is lacking calves, they always seem to train them after a major muscle group such as chest or back. Researchers in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research reported that exercise order has a definite impact on muscle growth.

Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. One group began performing large muscle group exercises and progressed to small muscle group exercises (LG-SM), whereas another group started with small muscle group exercises and advanced to large muscle group exercises (SM-LG). The exercise order for LG-SM was bench press, machine lat pull-down, triceps extension and biceps curl. The order for the SM-LG was biceps curl, triceps extension, lat pull-down and bench press. At the end of 12 weeks, both training groups demonstrated greater strength improvements than the control group, but only bench press strength increased in the LG-SM group, compared to the SM-LG. Triceps muscle volume increased in the SM-LG group.

Based on this study, the muscle group you train first is going to get the most gain in strength and muscle mass, compared to the muscle group you train last. So if you want bigger calves, train them first.

Spineti J, de Salles BF, et al. Influence of exercise order on maximum strength and muscle volume in nonlinear periodized resistance training. J Strength Cond Res, Nov;24(11):2962-9.

Use A Full Range of Motion

Guys in the gym love to load up the calf machine and do quarter-reps and half-reps. Arnold used to train barefoot so he could get a full range of motion for better calves. So how important is range of motion for maximum muscle growth?

Researchers from Italy examined the effect of range of motion at different loads on electromyographic (EMG) activity during the military press. Six experienced lifters performed three sets of 10 reps, each one with a different range of motion (ROM): the first set had a final elbow angle of 90 degrees (R1); the second set had an angle of 135 degrees (R2); and the last set had a final elbow angle of 180 degrees (R3). The 90-degree angle was a partial rep, the 135-degree angle was an incomplete or almost locked-out position, and the 180-degree angle was a full range of motion from the bottom all the way until the arms were locked out.

Not surprisingly, the execution of a complete ROM elicited the greatest deltoid EMG activity, together with the trapezius, showing their synergic activation. During the partial-elbow ROM, there was a decrease of deltoid EMG activity, together with a parallel decrease of the trapezius activity which suggests you not perform the military press with partial-elbow ROM. The intermediate ROM (R2), where the elbow did not completely lock out, did not reduce EMG activity of the deltoid, but significantly reduced electrical activity of the upper traps.

Based on this study, using partial or intermediate reps is not going to fully activate the deltoids and trapezius muscle like doing a full range of motion. The same can be said about calf raises if you are not using a full range of motion, you are not fully activating the muscle.

The days of having a guy sit on the calf machine and doing stinky reps are over. Lighten the weight and use a full range of motion. You may want to consider taking off your shoes to get a better range of motion.

Paoli A, Marcolin G and Petrone N. Influence of different ranges of motion on selective recruitment of shoulder muscles in the sitting military press: an electromyographic study. J Strength Cond Res Jun;24(6):1578-83.

High Reps Increase Protein Signaling in Muscle

Tom Platz used to recommend regular sets of 100 reps to stimulate muscle growth. If you are going to perform 100 rep sets, you are going to have to reduce the amount of weight you are using severely. No more throwing a bunch of 45s on the top of the calf raise machine with the pin at the bottom of the rack. Based on research, you are going to get better increases in muscle growth with lighter weight.

Researchers reported that when subjects trained at 30 percent of one-repetition maximum (1RM) and 90 percent of 1RM, both training protocols stimulated muscle protein synthesis but shockingly, training with the lighter weight and more reps and volume led to greater increases in protein synthesis than training heavier. Specifically, the 30 percent of 1RM to failure protocol induced similar increases in muscle protein synthesis as the 90 percent of 1RM to failure protocol at four hours post-exercise but this response was only sustained at 24 hours in the 30 percent of 1RM group. This means that high volume produced sustained increases in protein synthesis above and beyond the high-intensity protocol.In the past, most researchers speculated that muscle protein synthesis was entirely weight or load dependent.

Another interesting finding was that genes for muscle hypertrophy (i.e., the expression of MyoD mRNA, which is associated with satellite cell activation) tended to be greater than the value at rest at 24 hours post-exercise in the 30 percent of 1RM protocol.

In conclusion, the researchers demonstrated that low-load, high-volume resistance exercise has a potent stimulatory effect on anabolic-signaling molecules, MyoD and myogenin mRNA expression, and muscle protein synthesis.

Burd NA, West DW, et al. Low-load high volume resistance exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis more than high-load low volume resistance exercise in young men. PLoS One, 9;5(8):e12033.

High Volume for Muscle Growth

Many bodybuilders will perform 30-plus sets for chest, yet perform about five sets of calves and call it a day. You need to crank of the volume of exercise in order to get those diamond calves to stick out.

In an article published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers suggested that a greater volume of resistance exercise turns on signaling proteins for increased protein synthesis. Resistance exercise causes the acute increase in several mediators of protein synthesis, in particular mTOR, p70S6 kinase (p70S6k) and the ribosomal protein S6, which are thought to regulate muscle protein synthesis. Moreover, previous research reported that increased p70S6k following an initial bout of resistance training is closely correlated with the increase in human skeletal muscle mass after a few months of continuous training.

Researchers from Greece performed muscle biopsies on subjects before exercise, on an empty stomach. After the biopsies, subjects were broken into three groups to perform one set of 6RM, three sets of 6RM, or five sets of 6RM. Immediately after exercise, the subjects had another muscle biopsy taken to examine the changes from pre- to post-exercise. At the end of the study, two key regulators of protein synthesis, p70S6 kinase (p70S6k) and the ribosomal protein S6, were increased acutely after exercise to an extent that depended on exercise volume. The group that performed five sets of exercise had greater increases in molecular responses of protein related to muscle hypertrophy.

This was a rare study that acutely looked at the molecular events associated with performing more sets. Furthermore, it seems that molecular proteins enhancing muscle hypertrophy are responsive to the number of contractions performed, which may lead to enhanced muscle mass following high-volume exercise. Based on this study, to get those calves growing, you need to perform just as many sets as any other muscle group such as chest or back.

Terzis G, Spengos K, et al. The degree of p70S6k and S6 phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle in response to resistance exercise depends on the training volume. Eur J Appl Physiol, published online.

Donkey Calf Raises Are King

Arnold was a big advocate of donkey calf raises for increasing muscle growth of the calves. Perhaps youve seen the classic black-and-white photo of Dave Draper on Arnolds back, while Arnold is doing donkey calf raises. The donkey calf raise machine, which you can rarely find in gyms these days, is one of the best machines for blasting calves. In a study of electrical activation of the calf muscle in response to different exercise, the donkey calf raise turned out to be the king of exercises for working the calves.

EMG Activity of Different Calf Machines

Donkey Calf Raises  80%

Standing One-leg Calf Raises  79%

Standing Two-leg Calf Raises  68%

Seated Calf Raises  61%

Bompa T. Periodization - 4th Edition: Theory and Methodology of Training. Copyright 1999.

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Volusia deputies arrested a 56-year-old Edgewater man early Saturday and charged him with molestation and possession of child porn after a search of his computer uncovered pictures of him sexually molesting a teenage girl.

Investigation into Fred Harvey, 56, launched after Volusia deputies received tip

Search of Harvey's social media activity turned up multiple child porn images

Search also uncovered emails containing pictures of molestation

Officials said investigators began looking into Fred Harvey, 56, following a tip received on September 29 that he'd been downloading child pornography from the internet.



The county's Child Exploitation Unit confirmed the images were being downloaded to a computer with an Internet provider account in Harvey's name. A subsequent search of Harvey's social media activity uncovered multiple child porn images, some with victims as young as one and two years old.



The search also uncovered emails containing images of Harvey sexually molesting a 14-year-old girl.



Following these findings, sheriff's investigators, along with agents from the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant of Harvey's home in Edgewater late Friday. Harvey was taken into custody and booked into the Volusia County Jail in Daytona Beach on the following charges:

Lewd and lascivious molestation

possession of sexual performance by a child

promoting sexual performance of a child

Harvey is being held without bond.

Investigators identified the 14 year old as someone known to Harvey. Due to Harvey's job with the New Smyrna Beach Parks and Recreation Division and his position as a Boy Scout Troop leader, however, they fear Harvey might have had more victims.



Anyone with information about Harvey is urged to either call the Sheriffs Office at (386) 323-3574 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 277 TIPS if they prefer to remain anonymous.
As I celebrate the one year anniversary of my divorce, yes I said celebrate, I am often asked, how can one get divorced on a budget?

Divorce can be emotionally and financially draining. Even in the most amicable divorces, the stress of meeting with lawyers, paying for lawyers, dividing up assets, and figuring out your next steps are extremely nerve wracking.

Uncontested divorces, ones where both parties agree on all aspects of the divorce, are ideal, and by far, the most affordable. Divorcing couples simply meet with the lawyer, draft up the formalities, and submit the paperwork to the court for official filing. Unfortunately, most divorces are not amicable.

Careful preparation, before you decide to divorce, could pay off.

The more you do yourself, the less youll have to pay an attorney to do. As you prepare for your first consultation, ask what information you should bring to help the attorney understand your situation. Attorneys charge by the hour, so the better prepared you are, the more work can get done during your initial meeting.

Know your finances. Hidden debt is a common surprise among divorcing couples. Review your bank account records, retirement accounts, credit card statements, loans, life insurance, medical insurance, and basic day-to-day living expenses.

In Texas, a community property state, divorcing spouses are generally held responsible for half of their spouses debt, even if the debt is in only one spouses name. This debt may include loans or credit cards even when one spouse did not benefit from such debt.

To prevent surprises that may affect your credit, keep track of your credit history. Download the free app Credit Karma and get weekly updates on your credit score. Protecting your good credit may be essential to securing a house or purchasing a car post divorce.

Consider selling the house. Your house may have sentimental value, but keeping it doesnt always make financial "cents," especially if its a stretch to pay for the mortgage and property taxes. Also consider the cost of the utilities, ongoing and unexpected expenses, and its future selling value.

Take your half whether you want it or not. You may not have liked the lumpy mattress in your guest bedroom, but it has value, and household items sell. Liquidating assets that you don't need or want may help pay off lawyer fees and future expenses.

Reevaluate your unnecessary expenses. Now is not the time to incur debt. Consider your wants versus your needs. Avoid spending money on eating out, monthly manicures, Starbucks coffee, cable TV subscriptions and monthly gym membership fees.

Survival may come down to eliminating everything from your budget but your needs. Many of the things you thought were necessities will probably become optional.

Cash in on future benefits. Just because you are divorced doesn't mean you are not entitled to your ex's Social Security benefits.

According to the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, you can receive your share of your ex-spouse's Social Security benefits without filing any special papers at the time of the divorce as long as you remain unmarried, are 62 years of age or older, and you're earning benefit is not higher than your spouses. You will qualify for those benefits even if your ex remarries.

Join me on Facebook, search Coupon Clippin' Cuties and and yourself to our group. Discover that you can celebrate divorce if it doesn't devour your hard-earned dollars.

Sandra Dulakis is a nurse, mother and founder of Coupon Clippin Cuties.
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Winning the Plainview Christmas Parade of Lights Comet Award for best decorated vehicle on Thursday was Garland Street Church of Christ using a vintage Plainview Fire Department booster truck. This years 25th annual parade drew 91 entries, making it the largest Christmas parade ever. Other top award winning floats include St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rudolph Award (best representation of theme  A Texas Christmas); South Plains College/MET, Vixon Award (best small entry); Ray Lee Equipment, Dasher Award (best large entry); and Templo Sinai, Blitzen Award (judges choice).
PLAINVILLE  Less than a month before she died, former state Rep. Betty Boukus reflected on her years in office.



Where did the 22 years go? she said during a Nov. 16 interview with the Citizen.



The State Bond Commission, which she co-chaired, had paid tribute to her service earlier in the day. Boukus, who died Friday at 73 after a long battle with cancer, said she was touched by the remarks from her colleagues.



I greatly appreciate it all, she said.



During the Bond Commission meeting, Governor Malloy presented her a proclamation and spoke of her work.



Youve been a partner in making sure we invest in Connecticut at an appropriate level, which, quite frankly, we had not done for a period of time, Malloy said. Theres nobody who can fill Bettys shoes with her great charm, her great sense of humor, her great interest.



Boukus had not planned to slow down until January, when William Petit, who defeated her at the polls in November, would officially take the 22nd House District seat.



On Friday, Petit released a statement on her passing.



She leaves behind large shoes to fill, but I will strive to follow her example and work just as diligently on the countless projects that she championed for our community, he said. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Gary, and her children and grandchildren.



In last months interview with the Citizen, Boukus said she had many memories of her years representing Plainville in the state legislature.



A little five-year-old who came to me said he wasnt getting into kindergarten, she mentioned. He was ready, he just needed somebody.



Boukus went to the state Department of Education to find a solution.



I went to Linden Street School and saw the boy sitting in his chair, so proud, she said.



The retired educator said she enjoyed visiting schools in town.



Boukus was also instrumental in commissioning a statue of Connecticuts state heroine Prudence Crandall at the State Capitol.



Its my fondest memory, she said.



In a statement Friday, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said that the annual ceremony celebrating Crandall would live on.



Betty was one of a kind. She will be missed, Merrill said.



The Connecticut Mirror reported that Boukus had defied a cancer diagnosis this year to keep working in Hartford.



In October, Boukus was hospitalized for pneumonia. She missed a few events before getting back to her campaign.



Several legislators also offered their condolences.



Every day she worked to make Connecticut a better place, said Republican State Sen. Henri Martin. The state has lost a dedicated and honorable public servant.



Speaker of the House-elect Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin/Southington, spoke of her friendship.



Betty Boukus was a great friend, an incredible person and a dedicated legislator. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Betty knew that her personality could fill an entire room, he said.



Boukus said last month she didnt know what was next and was taking it day by day.



Its in my blood, she said. I have work to do now.






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The highest point of San Franciscos Bayview hill had been a mound of dirt with a rusty old sundial for years now.

But Saturday, community leaders and elected officials at local and state levels celebrated the reopening of the new and improved Hilltop Park at La Salle Avenue and Whitney Young Circle.

Now, the giant 70-foot sundial at the top of the hill shines a bright golden yellow, the dirt hill has been replaced with bright green grass, and the old skate park  celebrated as the citys first skate park  has been revamped by the Tony Hawk Foundation.

The $6.7 million renovation was funded in large part under AB31, pushed by state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, in an effort to bring open land and space to children in all areas of the city.

Every single child, irrespective of who you are, where you are from, the hue of your skin, your ZIP code, and yes, your legal status, deserves access to land and space, de Leon told the crowd.

A number of groups came together, from the local Parks 94214 organization and the Trust for Public Lands to the state Department of Parks and Recreation, to fund the project.

Jeffrey Miller, a landscape architect on the project, looked at the final product of the four-year design plan with pride.

It was just two big sand pits, he said Saturday morning, staring at the sun-and-moon-themed childrens play areas and the concrete slide that has been there from the parks beginnings in the 1970s.

The old park, built under then-Mayor George Moscone in 1978, had been in disrepair for years, said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the citys Recreation and Park Department.

Ginsburg was excited to show off every inch of the improved 3-acre park.

Wow. Look at this place. Look at this place, Ginsburg, emcee for the event, told his audience. This place is off the hook. This is one of the best parks in San Francisco.

Jenelle Mitchell, who brought 3-year-old son Darrin to the event, agreed.

This is really awesome, she said as her son begged to go higher on his swing. The kids needed something to do.

Earlier, Darrin had screamed at the top of his lungs as he went down one of the concrete slides, using a cardboard box as a makeshift sled.

Mom, look at these houses! shouted 10-year-old Aliyah Hopkins, getting an up-close look at the neighborhood from one of the parks telescopes.

I feel like Im surrounded by nature, she said. Its fun.

Her mother, Gigi Hill-Hopkins, is a director of the YMCA in Bayview, and remembers roller-skating in the old skateboard bowls back in the 70s.

I was born and raised here. This is my stomping area, she said. This was a place where everyone could come and just have fun.

It seems it is again, and Supervisor Malia Cohen, who represents the area, says the plan is to revitalize even more local parks.

Gilman Playground was improved over the summer, McLaren Park is in the midst of improvements, and one of the more ambitious goals is to transform the India Basin shoreline into a public space.

For a long time, the southeast neighborhoods have suffered. These days are gone, Cohen told the crowd. Every park in D-10, every park in the southeast of San Francisco, will be clean, will be safe, and will be a fun place.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
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The old civics lesson that says every vote counts is not likely to be lost on retired schoolteacher Clementina Duron anytime soon.

It may be the stuff that keeps her up at night, counting votes the way others count fluffy lambs leaping over the fence.

Thats because one single vote was the difference between Durons winning and losing a seat on the Albany school board in the Nov. 8 election.

Candidate Kim Trutane got 3,681 votes. Candidate Duron got 3,680 votes. As a result, Trutane won a seat on the board for four years and Duron won the right to put her head in a bucket of ice water and ponder the ways of fate.

Duron, the woman who came up one vote short in a race officially certified last week, said gamely that the voters have spoken and shes perfectly OK with it. Being a former teacher, she is not allowed to speak anything but the truth, as unlikely as that truth might sound.

Im pleased that I got as many votes as I did, Duron said, and that people were just willing to look at my literature and say, Hey, she might not do such a bad job.

And had she, perhaps, placed that literature in just one more voters hand, might that have made a difference? Duron has listened to such questions for nearly a month, patiently, the way a teacher listens. When reflecting about the results, she, at times, giggled. But she says shes never been angry, not once.

Actually, reflecting about it, I felt pretty good because Im sort of an unknown, Duron said.

Duron, 68, worked for 30 years as a teacher and principal in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco. Since retiring in 2006, she has been volunteering in a first-grade classroom in Albany, which means she makes even less money than a teacher does.

Trutane, the woman who beat her for the second of two open spots on the Albany Unified School District Board of Education, said she was just clearing her Thanksgiving dinner table when she received a text saying the registrar of voters had certified the results.

I was just amazed, said Trutane, whose two sons attend middle and high school in Albany. Its remarkable that it would be so close.

Trutane became involved in Albany schools when her oldest son entered preschool 12 years ago. She has served as a PTA president and decided to try for school board after running a campaign to pass two school construction bond measures in June. As a board member, she said she intends to keep an eye on school construction spending and help bring technology into the classroom.

Even though I dont have a teaching credential, I have always been interested in education, Trutane said. When I got involved in the preschool, that really sparked.

As a member of the school board, Trutane said she wants to make sure that we get the most out of every dollar that we are spending on any school construction.

Alameda County registrar of voters Tim Dupuis issued perhaps the most indisputable official decree in the history of the vote-counting profession.

This is pretty close, he said.

He also said he was very confident that the vote is correct.

Having close races, having them decided by just a few votes, that can happen and its part of the business, he said.

People who study elections say that one-vote election results are rare but not unheard of. In a 2001 study, economists Casey B. Mulligan and Charles G. Hunter found that, out of 47,000 national and state elections since 1898, a total of eight were decided by a single vote.

Other statisticians studying presidential elections have estimated the chances of one vote deciding the U.S. presidency to be about 1 in 50 million.

Since the Albany results came in, Trutane said that plenty of people have told her it was their vote that won her the election.

Everyone wants to have the one vote that put me over, said Trutane. Every single one of those votes was necessary, and Im so grateful to all of my supporters.

Duron, who would like to have had one or two of those single votes her opponent was talking about, is the kind of educator who said she didnt have to look far to find what her profession calls a teachable moment.

I hope teachers talk about this in civics classes, she said. This is a good lesson for kids and for everybody else  that every vote counts.

And she is still kicking herself, good-naturedly, about one of her neighborhood campaign walks. She said she stopped at the home of a 90-year-old woman near her house and left some literature, but never tried to knock on the door a second time, even though she knows the woman on sight.

After the election, she bumped into the woman, who said she didnt know Durons name, despite their acquaintance. Duron is convinced that her elderly friend voted for her opponent. If that vote were taken from Trutanes column and given to Duron, shed be on the board instead.

My son did say to me, Mom, you should have knocked on one more door, Duron said. Hey, if I had taken just one more extra step. Thatll teach me.

Trutane and first-place finisher Jacob Clark, who got 3,929 votes, will be sworn in on Dec. 13. Duron said she might try again in the next election.

Never say never, she said.

Chronicle staff writer Steve Rubenstein contributed to this report.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
BRIDGEPORTOfficials confirm that a 1-year-old child died early Saturday morning of unknown causes.

There doesnt appear to be any foul play, said police information representative Av Harris. It appears to be sudden infant death syndrome; were waiting on autopsy results.

The infant was rushed to St. Vincents Medical Center Saturday around 1 a.m., but died before reaching the emergency room, according to Harris.

Bridgeport police Sgt. Chris Robinson responded to the call while on duty with embedded video journalists, and his reaction to the tragedy was broadcast nationally.

Unfortunately it doesnt look like the baby survived, Robinson told a Live PD producer after the incident, in a cold, official tone. It was kind of lifeless upon arrival at the hospital. Its um ...

The show, Live PD, films in near real time and is largely unedited. Neither the hosts nor the viewers are likely to have anticipated that Robinson would show his softer side.

Its a heartbreaking scene, Robinson said, wiping his eyes as his voice cracked. These are the calls that just... they get to you.

Earlier in the show, Robinson told producers about another child fatality that had occurred on his first day as a sargent. Trying to hold back tears, he spoke generally about the tragedies he and his fellow officers witness.

Its horrible... its right around Christmas, and these kids lose their sibling and the parents they lose their baby. And you know, the medics are trying to do everything they can.

The response from Live PD viewers on Twitter was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.

Watching (host Dan Abrams) on Live PD, wrote user @Fireman306. Great showing the sensitive side of cops, as a (firefighter and paramedic) Ive seen it as well. Enjoying the show.

Twitter user @YesJody wrote the hashtag realmencry.

The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood in north-central Bridgeport off Madison Avenue. Harris could not immediately confirm Robinsons report to Live PD that the baby was in the custody of a foster parent.

Live PD can be seen Friday evenings at 9 p.m. on A&E, owned by Hearst and Disney, which also owns Hearst Connecticut Media, including the Connecticut Post.

The show follows five additional police departments: the Walton County Sheriff in Florida, the Richland County Sheriff in South Carolina, the Tulsa Police Department in Oklahoma, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Utah Highway Patrol.
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STAMFORD  Home for the holidays.

Its a concept that exists outside the Perry Como Christmas song. For too many in the Stamford area, another year is passing without a permanent place to live  let alone celebrate the holidays. Others are learning to cope without a home of their own for the first time.

As chronic homelessness across the state declined this year, Stamford is in a unique position. Data from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness shows homelessness in the Stamford-Greenwich area eked up 1 percent, driven by a 35 percent jump in street homeless  or those without access to shelter.

The people filling the beds at the citys two homeless shelters  Inspirica and Pacific House  are not all part of one demographic, though. Both facilities address ongoing factors that can lead to homelessness, including substance abuse and debilitating mental illness, but it is becoming clear there is a much larger population to serve.

A salary of as much as $50,000 may qualify a two-person family for affordable housing in Stamford, the fifth most-expensive housing market in the country. Then, theres the wage gap. Average median income for a two-person family is $105,400, but the state minimum wage is less than $10 an hour.

Its those daunting economic contrasts that are forcing even fully employed members of the community into homelessness.

More Information Editor's note: This is an occasional series showing the many faces of homelessness in our community. We will find out what it means to be homeless during what, for many, is the most joyous time of year. See More Collapse

Jason Shaplen, CEO of Inspirica, which runs the largest shelter in Fairfield County, calls this new population economic homelessness.

Far and away, homelessness today is pure economic homelessness, Shaplen said. Almost 30 percent of the people who came to us last year had a job. ... The soaring cost of living and stagnant wages have created a very volatile situation here.

Inspirica has responded with individualized programs for clients, who are matched with their own team of experts that provide services ranging from career counseling to budgeting lessons. For families with children, specialized education centers and after-school programs give parents a chance to re-enter the workforce without worrying about the expense of child care.

Winters approach

At Pacific House, a bright spot has executive director Rafael Pagan feeling optimistic.

During winter months when (temperatures) go below 33 degrees, we typically would go beyond capacity, and could get to up over 100 people in our emergency shelter, Pagan said in a recent interview. In the last year, though, we saw a trend that we were not maxing out in the winter months, staying in the 80s.

That trend falls in line with CCEHs data, showing that emergency-shelter populations have declined by 9 percent in the Stamford-Greenwich area. People can stay at emergency shelters up to 90 days.

The emergency shelter at Pacific House has an 82-person capacity, and is capable of handling up to 100 people on overflow nights. It is most busy during the cold winter months, Pagan said.

While the emergency shelter is at capacity less often, Pagan said there is still a pressing need for transitional housing. A new 16-unit affordable housing development on Spruce Street will help provide transitional housing to the growing economic homeless population.

Given the cost of living in Stamford, we need to give (clients) a way out of the shelter, he said during a tour of the Spruce Street complex this fall. With a place like this, they have permanent housing while we help them get on their way.

Changing face

Economic homelessness is posing new challenges for local shelters, but other populations have seen some improvement, as evidenced by some of the empty beds at Pacific Houses emergency shelter.

An end to chronic homelessness is also within striking distance, and for the first time this year, veteran homelessness was at a functional zero, according to CCEH.

These are all positive signs, but homelessness remains a serious issue in Stamford, Shaplen said.

We are barely containing this problem, he said. The face of homelessness is changing, not disappearing.

Inspirica will prepare its no-questions-asked overnight warming shelter starting Dec. 11 for nights when temperatures drop below freezing. But Shaplen said seasons are now less of a factor to homelessness.

There is no more seasonality to homelessness, Shaplen said in an interview this fall before the cold weather hit. We are at capacity year-round, and we have a waiting list.

nora.naughton@scni.com; twitter.com/noranaughton
New York

A U.S. prosecutor in Manhattan told a jury Friday that Brian Coll, a former correction officer at the Rikers Island jail complex, abused his power "to savagely kick" a seriously ill inmate to death in 2012, then tried to cover up his crime by repeatedly lying to investigators and persuading other officers to lie as well.

Coll, wearing heavy work boots, repeatedly kicked the prisoner, Ronald Spear, 52, in the head as two other officers held Spear face down on the ground, prosecutor Jeannette A. Vargas told the jury.

Vargas said that after Coll repeatedly kicked Spear, he knelt down, grabbed and lifted up his head, and then moved his face close to his and said, "Remember that I'm the one that did this to you."

Vargas leveled her accusations at Coll in an opening statement on the first day of his trial on a charge that he had violated Spear's constitutional right to be free from excessive force, and other counts related to the alleged cover-up.

If Coll, 47, is convicted of the civil rights charge alone, he faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced by the judge, Loretta A. Preska.

At the time of the attack, Spear, a pretrial detainee who had been at Rikers for about three months, was being held in a medical infirmary unit. He had diabetes, heart disease and end-stage renal disease that required regular dialysis, Vargas said. He usually walked with a cane and also wore a bracelet indicating that he was at "risk of fall," she said.

"He kicked him again and again," Vargas said of Coll. "He kicked him so hard that Mr. Spear started bleeding on the inside of his skull."

The city has paid $2.75 million to settle a lawsuit by Spear's family.

Spear's death came at a time of increased attention on violence in the city's jails, including by the office of Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, class-action lawyers and the news media. Last year, a U.S. judge approved a settlement of a lawsuit in which the city agreed to far-reaching reforms, including the appointment of a monitor, to address pervasive brutality in the jail complex.

In the defense's opening statement, Joshua L. Dratel, a lawyer for Coll, said that the evidence would show "quite a different set of facts" from what prosecutors have alleged, and that there had not been a "calculated, unprovoked assault on an inmate."

Dratel said that Spear had "a history with everyone at Rikers," and that his medical problems "were so severe that he could have died at any moment."

"This is about an altercation started by the inmate himself, whose aggressive resistance to corrections officers and his extremely poor health led directly to his own death," Dratel said.
A downtown building caught fire Friday morning, authorities said.

At 9:47 a.m., Laredo firefighters responded to Perfumeria Las Palmas in the 300 block of Convent Avenue. They encountered smoke emanating from the store.

As per store employees, they evacuated the store after seeing heavy smoke coming from the restroom in the back of store, the Fire Department said in a statement.

First responders had the fire under control within minutes, officials said.

No one was harmed.
One year ago, Mario Woods was fatally shot by five San Francisco police officers in the Bayview neighborhood, in a shooting that sparked outrage, national attention and unprecedented local police-reform efforts after it was captured on video.

Community members and Woods family marked the anniversary Friday afternoon with a vigil and march to the place where he died at Third Street and Fitzgerald Avenue.

Holding candles and red, black and white balloons  Woods favorite colors  mourners set up a makeshift shrine in front of the fence where one year ago he staggered as officers surrounded him with guns drawn.

City attorneys have defended the shooting, saying the officers who killed the 26-year-old on Dec. 2, 2015  after failing to subdue him with pepper spray and beanbag rounds  used lawful self-defense on a stabbing suspect who still had a knife, refused to obey commands and was under the influence of methamphetamine.

But activists said the video showed the officers using an excessive amount of force, firing at least 27 times, on a man who was posing no apparent threat to the officers and those around him.

The diverse crowd that gathered Friday fluctuated between shedding tears and shouting for justice. Pastor Michael McBride opened the proceedings with a prayer that energized the group with a chant that would ensure no one would allow Woods to fade from the public consciousness.

Say his name! McBride shouted. Mario Woods! the mourners shouted back.

Say his name! Mario Woods!

Woods mother, Gwen Woods, spoke about how, in disbelief, she finds herself partaking in this practice to remind herself of what she has lost.

There are days I say, I had a son. I had a baby son, she said, choking back tears. I have to say his name out loud. He used to be here. And he mattered.

As she spoke, Gwen Woods was surrounded by women who have lost children to encounters with law enforcement all throughout California, from Richmond to Stockton to Anaheim. Woods said the women were just a fraction of the mothers who are suffering.

There are so many mothers you have to pray for, so many sleepless nights, so many dragging themselves out of bed, she said. This is our truth. Our babies are not platforms. Theyre not agendas. They are our babies.

Many of the women called for justice and accountability in these sorts of cases, for charges to be filed against the officers involved in fatal shootings. Earlier in the day, activists protested at District Attorney George Gascons office, demanding that the five officers who shot Woods be charged. The case remains under review.

We believe, and the video evidence proves, that Mario Woods was gunned down like a wild animal in this city, minister Christopher Muhammad of the Church of Islam told a crowd of about 20 people gathered at the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St. Mario was judged by a jury of police, and they became his executioner, and now Mario is dead.

Max Szabo, a spokesman for the district attorneys office, said Friday, We take these cases incredibly seriously, but as this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment at this time.

Officials with the police officers union, which typically provides legal representation for officers involved in shootings, did not return requests for comment. But Martin Halloran, union president, has long maintained that he believes the officers were justified in using deadly force as the threat to life was imminent.

The Woods shooting spurred an unprecedented push for change in how officers police the city. Within a week of his death, the Police Commission reopened the Police Departments use-of-force policy for the first time since 1995, citing the need to put more of an emphasis on de-escalation.

The policy is stalled in negotiations with the police union, whose officials have filed a grievance regarding a section of the policy that prohibits officers from firing at moving vehicles in most cases.

Woods death prompted Mayor Ed Lee and others to ask the U.S. Justice Department to open a collaborative review of the city force that, months later, found a department with concerning deficiencies in every operational area assessed. Lee has pledged that every reform suggested by the Justice Department will be enacted.

In September, Gascon and the mayors office said they were working on a plan to give Gascons office the lead in police shooting investigations, which could ease concerns about cops policing themselves.

Weve changed our use-of-force policies, were embracing the sanctity of life, de-escalation, proportionality, said interim Police Chief Toney Chaplin. Were going to push the reforms we agreed to do, and I think there are going to be even more significant changes that well see. I think the department is going to get better and we are going to be that model for the rest of the country.

But Friday, those reforms were not enough to Gwen Woods and many who gathered where Woods bullet-ridden body laid one year before. Before she released the red, white and black balloons into the night sky, into the heavens from where she said she hoped her son was watching, she beseeched the gathering to work together so that no ones child killed by police violence would be forgotten.

However, were trying to get to where we are trying to get, she said. Ultimately, the goal is to get to where we all need to get. We need some type of justice. We need somebody to be held accountable.

Chronicle staff writer

Jenna Lyons contributed

to this report.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
STAMFORD  It was the laughing.

Billy Bush cracked up when Donald Trump told him that, if youre a star, you can grab women and do whatever you want to them.

The conversation was caught on a 2005 video that aired repeatedly in October, when Trump was running for president. It showed the then-host of Access Hollywood accompanying Trump to a television set where Trump was to appear on a soap opera.

Whatever you want, Bush repeated. Ha, ha, ha, ha.

A Stamford woman recoiled each time she heard it.

Im sure Trump thought it was funny, too, the woman said. But to hear Billy Bush laughing  I wanted to throw up.

It brought her back to a June night in 1992, when she was 23 and running from three men who had raped her. They followed her in a car as she ran.

They were hooting and hollering, she said. I was on foot and they were in a car, laughing at me.

She ran to one house and knocked but nobody answered. She ran to a second house and a man came to the door but refused to open it. He must have called police, the woman said, because an officer arrived a few minutes later.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has never spoken out about the attack. Now she is among scores of American women  including a dozen who claim Trump groped them  who are revealing histories of sexual assault because of the video.

When the women started coming forward about Trump, people were attacking them, saying they must all be liars, otherwise why are they bringing it up now? the woman said. In most cases women have no incentive to lie. I buried it for 20 years. It took all that time to think maybe I dont need to keep feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

She was assaulted in Westport after she went with her friend to a Norwalk bar, where she met a young man and agreed to go to his place.

As soon as I walked in, I knew it was a bad situation, she said.

The man and two of his friends restrained her and repeatedly raped her. According to a report from the Westport Police Department, they were New York men staying in a cottage on the grounds of a large house theyd been hired to paint. Each was charged with first-degree sexual assault, which carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison.

But in July 1993 they pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of third-degree sexual assault. A judge gave them three-year suspended sentences  meaning no prison time  three years of probation, and ordered each to pay the woman $5,000 to cover the costs of counseling.

Bad advice

An Advocate story from September 1993 reported that then-states attorney Bruce Hudock said there were problems with the evidence. The woman had been drinking, which could have impaired her judgment and memory of events, and the men said she consented to sex, Hudock said.

I believe she has been victimized, he said at the time. My consideration also has to go to how a jury will react to a particular set of facts.

She was not drunk, the woman said, and she did not consent.

I said no many, many times, she said. I tried to defend myself but I couldnt. I gave up because I thought I would live, or not get hurt as bad. I have second-guessed myself for that many times.

She was persuaded to go along with the plea deal, she said.

I was young and I probably got bad advice. I was told, This will be a big attack on you. It will make you look like a slut and an alcoholic, she said. I went to police and they didnt treat me as a victim. They questioned me as a witness. If I had been beaten and left on the side of the road, I would have been treated as a victim. But because I [said I] was raped, maybe I lied. Once it becomes a sexual assault, something changes.

She saw the men in the courthouse after the plea deal was struck, the woman said.

They were staring me down with smiles on their faces, she said. They were laughing at me.

The boogeyman

It has affected everything - her marriage, her divorce, her thoughts about raising her children, her relationships with friends, colleagues and family members.

All kinds of things trigger feelings of not being safe. You start panicking. You dont want to go near a window or be in the dark or leave your room. You think the boogeyman is out there, she said. But, for me, the biggest trigger is the laughing.

Her experience as a victim is all too common, said Ivonne Zucco, executive director of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis and Education in Stamford. Victims often create boundaries to protect themselves, which makes relationships difficult, and they can be overcome with fearfulness, Zucco said.

Sexual assault is more likely than other crimes to be minimized, she said.

Its because its an intimate crime; usually there are no witnesses, she said. Its also a confusing crime. People internalize it. They feel they did something to make it happen. Then other people second-guess them. There is this idea that the victim is in charge of preventing the assault. But the only one in charge of preventing it is the perpetrator.

Its easy to understand why only 40 percent of sexual assaults are reported, Zucco said.

The president-elects banter about kissing and groping women should horrify people, not amuse them, the woman said.

The laughing is a lightning rod, she said.

Requests for comment emailed to Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks were not returned.

angela.carella@scni.com; 203-964-2296; stamfordadvocate.com/angelacarella.
Donald Trump

Prominent geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer slammed President-elect Donald Trump's decision to speak with the president of Taiwan by phone on Friday.

The call could strain US relations with China. Trump's call to President Tsai Ing-wen is the first time a US president has directly spoken with Taiwan's leadership in more than 30 years.

The US suspended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 after establishing a One China position in an effort to establish diplomatic channels with Beijing.

"Beijing will be absolutely incensed," Bremmer tweeted.

He continued:

Trump almost surely unaware of Taiwan-China sensitivities before taking President's call. They don't yet have Asia expertise on team.  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 2, 2016

Having inadvertently caused a major diplomatic incident w China, does Trump:

1 Act like it was intentional

2 Admit mistake



I'd go with 1  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 2, 2016

Maybe Trump starts attending those intel briefings now?  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 2, 2016

In Beijing last week, Chinese officials all told me they hoped to work w Trump as a businessman.



That view now put to rest.  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 2, 2016

A complete lack of policy experience is not necessarily a plus for a President.  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 2, 2016

Bremmer expanded on his thoughts in an email to Business Insider.

"Trump is just taking all sorts of calls of congratulations and has ignored both protocol and intel briefings," he said. "This is his first serious misstep accordingly. We'll surely see more."

Story continues

He continued: "Inconceivable the Chinese won't react harshly to this. This is a red line for them. And hard to imagine Trump saying 'no big deal' and not talking to the Taiwanese going forward. We are now stuck [with] escalation, and US-China relations under Trump get off to a particularly ugly start."

NOW WATCH: Its surreal to watch this 2011 video of Obama and Seth Meyers taunting Trump about a presidential run





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Three East Montgomery County residents face up to two years in jail for allegedly stealing electricity from Entergy.

Edward King Jr., 35, Belinda Mizell, 54, and Angela Pogue, 44, are charged with criminal mischief, a state-jail felony. Law enforcement believes they bypassed an Entergy meter on their property, effectively stealing electricity from the company.

Deputies with the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office met with an Entergy worker on the property in the 20900 block of South Navasota Aug. 10, according to court documents. The worker told the deputies that a home had a meter being bypassed, and that a trailer on location also was using the electricity through an extension cord.

The deputies told the worker to disconnect the power to the house before meeting at the Constable's Office to take a statement.

When deputies got back on location about two weeks later, the power was again connected, according to court documents. The deputies spoke with Mizell, who was living in the trailer. She said she paid King $50 a month to have her trailer on the location. She admitted that she knew the electricity she was using was illegally obtained, court documents show.

Deputies then spoke with Pogue, who lived in the main house on the property with King. She also said she knew the electricity was illegally obtained, according to court documents.

King and Pogue have previous convictions for stealing materials together in 2012. King also has previous convictions for another theft in 2012 and possession of a controlled substance in 2014.

All three are being tried in Judge Kathleen Hamilton's 359th state District Court.

Montgomery County grand jury indictments for Nov. 29:

Israel Hall, tampering with governmental record

Shawnda Brown, possession of controlled substance

Gilberto Loza, stalking

Justin Kubenka, unauthorized use of motor vehicle and accident involving personal injury

Cristopher Starks, assault family strangulation

Anousone Manokham, possession of controlled substance

Vicki Curry, possession of controlled substance

Robert Stone, theft

Sidney Snellings, injury to an elderly individual

Nanette Holman, possession of controlled substance

Daniel Volquardsen, possession of controlled substance

Douglas McDougal, possession with intent to deliver/manufacture controlled substance

Rebecca Garrett, possession of controlled substance

Brittney Eldridge, possession of controlled substance

Douglas Garrett, possession of controlled substance

Gregory Shaw, evading arrest detention with vehicle

Kyler Coker, possession of controlled substance

Okey Grimm, assault causing bodily injury family enhanced

Tommy Alldredge, assault causing bodily injury family enhanced

Robert Foster, assault causing bodily injury family enhanced twice within 12 months and assault family strangulation

Justin Edward, assault causing bodily injury family enhanced

Jerome Kutach, assault family strangulation

Cameron Young, assault family strangulation (two counts)

Julian Harvey, sexual assault of a child

Ryan Veal, deadly conduct  discharge firearm

Demond Turner, burglary of habitation and credit/debit card abuse

Katherine Bordeau, DWI  with a child and harassment of public servant

Christopher Moore, possession of controlled substance

Stewart Cook, unauthorized use of motor vehicle

John Vaughn, possession of controlled substance

Courtney Pilkington, possession of controlled substance

Martha Gunn, possession of controlled substance

Antonio Bautista Jr., assault causing bodily injury family enhanced twice or more within 12 months

Rocky Diggs, DWI  third or more

Darrell Speck, failure to report change of address and possession of controlled substance

Joel Zavala-Garcia, DWI  third or more
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A judge issued a final judgment Friday to prevent the state from issuing a child care license for family detention centers, such as the 2,400-bed immigration detention center in Dilley or a 1,000-bed center in Karnes County, according to the Austin-based advocacy group Grassroots Leadership.

The group sued the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services along with the Corrections Corporation of America and the GEO Group earlier this year after DFPS issued a child care license for the Karnes County Residential Center. In June, State District Judge Karin Crump issued a temporary injunction against the department.

During hearings in May and June, Judge Crump heard testimony from mothers detained at the facilities who testified to the prison-like conditions at the facility, and child welfare and faith leaders who argued that children locked up with their mothers in immigrant family detention camps are not safe, physically or mentally, a press release from Grassroots Leadership read.

The state rule to allow detention centers to be designated child care centers was proposed after a federal judge in California found a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy violated a 1997 lawsuit settlement by detaining female-headed families in unlicensed, secure residential centers.

The states executives admitted in documents and testimony that DFPS wanted to license these facilities to help the federal government, and not the children. Motive matters and we believe it was the key to the case, said Jerry Wesevich, an attorney with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, who represents the plaintiffs in the case, in the press release.

The plaintiffs included mothers detained with their children in the Dilley and Karnes centers.

Requests for comment from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the GEO Group werent immediately returned. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

frahman@express-news.net
One man is dead after he was shot multiple times at a Northwest Side apartment complex.

San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Mark Hubbard said the man, 27, was in the breezeway in the Slate Creek Townhomes, 2210 Rogers Road, at about 6:15 p.m. when he was struck by several bullets.
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SAN ANTONIO  Two people were arrested in San Antonio after investigators uncovered a prostitution ring involving minors that was being run by a Texas jail inmate, according to court documents.

Bernard Blanchard, 43, faces a third-degree felony charge of aggravated promotion of prostitution and a first-degree felony charge of compelling prostitution of a child, according to Bexar County jail records.

Genevieve Castille Aguirre, 25, faces two counts of aggravated promotion of prostitution and two counts of compelling prostitution of a child, according to Bexar County jail records.

RELATED: SAPD: 2 men arrested on capital murder charges for Thanksgiving weekend killings

According to an arrest affidavit, a 17-year-old girl who was pimped out by these two suspects told police she read a post on Facebook that asked Who wants to make some money? Assuming the post was referring to selling drugs, the girl responded and met with the suspects at a home at 10 Moonwalk Crest in San Antonio. She later learned she would be performing sexual acts for money.

Blanchard lived at this residence and would transport girls to different locations to have sex with paying customers, the affidavit said. Blanchard even drove some of the prostitutes to Corpus Christi and Houston.

RELATED: Affidavit: S.A. man exchanged drugs, money for sex acts with 3 female juveniles

Blanchard, who was arrested Nov. 23, told police the girls posted ads on Backpage.com in order to meet people looking for prostitutes. Many of the girls involved would have sex with customers at the home at Moonwalk Crest, according to the affidavit.

Investigators later learned the prostitution ring was being run by an unnamed inmate in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. That inmate would communicate with the girls via cellphones that were snuck into the prison, the affidavit said.

Once those phones were confiscated by corrections officers, Aguirre then began taking over the prostitution operation from outside the prison, the affidavit shows.

The inmate would then write letters to the Aguirre and some of the girls being prostituted, saying things such as  the biz must go on, the hustle must go on and keep the others motivated to stack paper, according to the arrest document.

RELATED: Police identify teen killed by big rig on I-35, say death is likely a suicide

Its unclear at this time if the inmate has been charged with anything in relation to the prostitution ring.

The suspects, if convicted, face between five and 99 years, or life in prison for the first-degree felony charges and up to 10 years in prison for the third-degree felony charges, according to the Texas Penal Code.

Text "Breaking" to 48421 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
San Antonio fire fighters rescued two people from a stalled vehicle in high water on the far West Side late Saturday morning, SAFD reported.

The high-water-rescue was at Commerce Street near U.S. 90 where two people were trapped in a black Mustang that got stuck in rising water.
Throughout his 51-year career at Kelly AFB, Emilio G. Torres held many positions of responsibility, including as an airplane technician and program manager.

But it was his skill as an artist that brought him the most attention.

He started out doing a lot of lettering  and it just grew, his daughter Elizabeth Seubert said. He did a project for someone, then before we knew it he was drawing for certificates, drew some of the homes the generals and colonels lived in so they could take it with them when they left.

Designer of the Kelly Field Veterans Monument, which was dedicated in 1992, Torres sculpted ten of the busts installed in the ring of honor.

Eventually becoming Kellys special projects officer  a position created specifically for him at the behest of the generals for whom he worked  Torres did everything from updating the officers club to painting murals.

His job was to do anything to enhance the beauty of a place, his wife Lillian Torres said.

Torres died Nov. 27 at 88.

Interested in art from an early age, Torres planned to become an architect before being diverted to a career at Kelly after serving in the Navy in the late 1940s.

More Information Emilio G. Torres Born: Jan. 5, 1928, San Antonio Died: Nov. 27, 2016, San Antonio Preceded by: Parents Emilio and Elida Torres. Survived by: Wife Lillian Torres; daughters Esther Wiggins and son-in-law Jerry, and Elizabeth Seubert and son-in-law Stephen; grandchildren Laura Tatsch (Kurtis), Ashley Brown, Jerry Wiggins Jr., Justin Seubert (Ludi); and seven great-grandchildren. Services: Celebration of life at 2 p.m. today at Woodlawn Christian Church, 1744 W. Gramercy Place, followed by a reception. See More Collapse

There was a  federal apprentice program, a four-year commitment, his wife said. It trained the men to work in every part  of the base.

It wasnt long until people discovered his artistic abilities.

He always did art work, no matter where he worked, his wife said, including building the Kelly AFB parade float for Fiesta for several years.

Deeply interested in history, Torres also drew Kelly By Emilio, a comic strip that illustrated the history of Kelly and its contributions to aviation during the nations bicentennial year.

Published in the San Antonio News newspaper, the strip was so popular it ran a year longer that originally intended.

Other projects included designing the plaque used by the Kelly Field Heritage Foundation and original art for presentation to Kelly distinguished visitors.

Retiring in 1999, Torres was presented with the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award and received letters of congratulations from President Clinton and Gov. George W. Bush.

At home, Torres was fun-loving and caring, Lillian Torres said. He adored his family, me and the girls; everything he did, he did for our little family.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
Donald Trump

China's Foreign Ministry lodged a diplomatic complaint on Saturday following US President-elect Donald Trump's 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Reuters reported.

The 10-minute call on Friday marked the first time a US president had spoken directly with Taiwan's leadership in more than 30 years and could strain US-China relations. The US broke formal ties with Taiwan in 1979, taking on a One-China position  switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China  as it looked to establish diplomatic channels with Beijing. Tsai is openly against the One-China principle.

China's Foreign Ministry has now moved to lodge "solemn representations" with "the relevant US side," according to a statement from Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

The statement continued: "It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China. This is a fact that is generally recognized by the international community."

The Ministry urged the US "to cautiously" and "properly" handle Taiwan issues to avoid "unnecessary disturbance" China-US relationship.

Earlier on Saturday, China's foreign minister Wang Yi dismissed the phone call as "just a small trick by Taiwan" that he hoped would not affect the US' China policy.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-U.S. relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Wang was quoted as saying on Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

Trump's transition team said on Friday the Taiwanese president had called him to offer her congratulations on his election victory.

The statement said: "During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties" between Taiwan and the United States. The statement continued. "President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year."

Story continues

Trump tweeted later on Friday, saying: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency."

The President-elect followed that tweet up with another, in a response to critics: "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment, but I should not accept a congratulatory call."

Prominent geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer slammed Trump's decision to take the phone call from President Tsai Ing-wen. He tweeted that Beijing will be "absolutely incensed" and told Business Insider: "Trump is just taking all sorts of calls of congratulations and has ignored both protocol and intel briefings. This is his first serious misstep accordingly. We'll surely see more."

However, Trump adviser and former campaign manager Kellyanne Conway brushed off concerns about the unprecedented conversation with Taiwan's president.

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Conway accused Democrats of blowing things out of proportion. She pointed specifically to a tweet from Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut saying Trump's approach to foreign policy is "how wars start."

"This is how wars start and it's a major policy shift because he had a phone call? That's pretty negative and pretty presumptuous," Conway said. "This is the President-elect, this will be his administration, he'll be commander-in-chief, and he'll be president of the United States imminently ... he's well aware of what US policy has been."

NOW WATCH: Why Ivanka can't serve in a Trump cabinet





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The first thing to know about Donald Trumps alleged proposal for a Muslim registry is that it isnt a Muslim registry.

This has been lost in a freak-out that has some brave souls already promising acts of civil disobedience to disrupt and overwhelm the prospective registry. The controversy tells us much more about how the media will cover the Trump administration  i.e., through the lens of a fact-free hysteria  than about the administrations immigration-enforcement agenda.

The source of the fracas is a comment from Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Trump immigration adviser and (excellent) candidate for Homeland Secretary director, to Reuters. Kobach noted that the administration might reinstate a Bush-era program tracking visitors to the U.S. from countries with active terrorist threats. This suggestion was spun into a first step toward herding our Muslim neighbors into internment camps.

Kobach was referring to the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, or NSEERS, which placed special requirements on adult male visitors from countries like Saudi Arabia. Implemented after Sept. 11  when, you might recall, adult male visitors from Saudi Arabia toppled the World Trade Center  it collected fingerprints and photographs when visitors from the select countries arrived and required them to check in periodically to confirm that they were abiding by the terms of their visas.

It also required that certain individuals from these countries who were already here go through a process of special registration, including an interview with immigration officials.

This is a far cry from Franklin D. Roosevelts notorious Executive Order 9066 setting in motion the Japanese internment of World War II.

It is true, as the critics point out, that the selected countries all were, with the exception of North Korea, majority Muslim. But any program concerned with international terrorism will, inevitably, focus largely on Muslim countries (although European countries like France and Belgium have developed an indigenous terror threat). The 9/11 hijackers, notably, all came from majority Muslim countries.

Although tracking down anyone here who has ties to terrorism isnt necessarily something to sniff at, the Bush program proved best-suited to identifying visa overstayers. Of the 85,000 initial registrants, nearly 14,000 were put into removal proceedings. For the critics, this is an indictment. Liberal website Vox complains that the program made it easier to deport someone who then overstayed his visa than it would have been to deport him if hed refused to register at all.

But why shouldnt it be easier to deport visa-overstayers, who constitute about half of the population of illegal immigrants? If we are serious about our immigration rules, our approach to visa-overstayers from all countries should be much more restrictive and hardheaded.

The requirements of the Bush program were watered down over time until it was suspended by the Obama administration in 2011. But the program wasnt illegal or unconstitutional. Nor was it immoral  foreign visitors should be subject to any reasonable strictures we impose in exchange for the privilege of coming here.

That the so-called Muslim registry is now a thing, a subject of high dudgeon and hot debate, is testament to how the same media that complain about fake news are committed to manufacturing and driving their own narratives only loosely connected to reality. The Trump administration will have to pursue its agenda against a backdrop of media hostility and constant misinformation.

comments.lowry@nationalreview.com
Hillary Clinton won the national popular vote, by perhaps as many as 2 million or more. Donald Trump, thanks to the Electoral College, nonetheless won the presidency.

The Electoral College  despite its origin with the Founding Fathers  is an affront to the principle of one person, one vote. It is undemocratic and should be eliminated.

The Founding Fathers motivation was a perceived need to appease smaller states but also a distrust of the mob. That would be us, the voters.

When youre voting in a national election, youre voting for your states electors, the folks who actually choose the president in December. These electors are generally chosen by political parties. The slate winning the most popular votes is elected  this is how the winner-take-all system works in all but two of the nations states.

The result is an outsized role for so-called battleground states, where electoral votes can swing an election. If you include the 2016 election, candidates have won the presidency five times despite losing the popular vote. This is five times too many.

Electors are expected to vote according to their states popular vote  winner take all  but they are not constitutionally required to. This has engendered some fanciful hope that this will occur this time. Dream on. Mostly, electors vote in winner-take-all fashion, according to the plurality in the states votes. When electors switch, it has never been enough to change a presidential outcome.

In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote by about a half-million votes, but he lost the election to George W. Bush after a recount drama in Florida and the intervention of the U.S. Supreme Court. Clintons popular vote lead could be four times as much or more. And Trump will still be president, unless those recounts in key states surprise many. Even if Clinton ultimately wins the Electoral College, it should still be scrapped.

Changing this process should be a priority no matter whether your partisan ox is gored or helped in this election or in recent Electoral College history.

Happy with a repudiation of the popular vote this time? Consider: Though Trump upended it this time, Democrats are thought to have the real Electoral College advantage. Clinton arguably blew that by not paying enough attention to the Rust Belt.

Retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., has introduced a bill that seeks to eliminate the Electoral College by triggering a constitutional amendment. For that process to happen, a two-thirds majority of Congress must approve the measure and then three-fourths of the states must ratify it within seven years of congressional action.

Constitutional amendments are not as rare as supposed. There have been 27 in the nations history, the last governing how Congress can give itself raises. Though this amendment was proposed early in the nations history, it wasnt reprised and approved until 1992. This is not ancient history, and the role of the popular vote in presidential elections is at least as important as how Congress gets raises. Actually, more.

Even voters in smaller states will likely understand the basic fairness issue involved here. Which is why it will likely never be put to them. Boxers bill is given little chance of being taken up in the GOP-controlled Congress. It was an important bill to introduce as a symbol nonetheless.

In reality, elections determined by the popular vote give every voter in every state more individual power. Winner-take-all electoral votes will not be overruling their votes anymore if on the losing side in their states, nor giving them outsized power if on the winning side.

Yes, this country is not a pure democracy. It is a democratic republic. But that adjective  democratic  is meant to convey a path for the noun in that political description. The popular vote is operative in all other elections in the country  except for the most important one. That makes no sense.

As is, there are states that never see a presidential candidate who is not on a TV screen. Candidates dont bother unless there are enough big donors in the state to require their presence for moola.

There are alternatives to amending the Constitution. The nonprofit National Popular Vote, for instance, advocates a compact by the states that the winner of the national popular vote will get all those states electoral votes. Ten state legislatures and the District of Columbia, representing 165 electoral votes, have agreed. It wont kick in until enough states representing 270 electoral votes join in.

In the interest of fairness, Texas should be among those states. But whatever the process, the Electoral College must go. It is an anachronism that thwarts the popular will.
Re: Dreamers fear worst, fight for best, Carlos Aguilar, Another View, Nov. 17:

Every year, more than 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in the U.S. Many aspire to attend college.

Sadly, our society has adopted discriminatory policies and beliefs against immigrants, but we must acknowledge that there are dynamic individuals in the immigrant community. Many are valedictorians of their high schools. Many have gone on to become medical students who have incredible talents to serve American society. We are holding them back from serving our communities.

What we must do is help these students so they become valuable, contributing members of our society. We can do that by supporting the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or the Dream Act, legislation giving undocumented immigrants brought to our country as children the opportunity to gain residency if they maintain a productive lifestyle and gain an advanced education. What is there to lose by gaining law-abiding, educated, hardworking individuals? Nothing!

We need to support this legislation. The Dream Act supports only those who abide by its strict conditions. It is a win-win. As they gain legal residency, we gain incredibly talented professionals. Contact your congressman and ask them to support the Dream Act.

Priscilla Terrazas

Control guns

Re: Attacks on police may be hate crime; Bill could include all first responders, Metro, Nov. 25:

We have heard it so much we think it is true: The only thing that stands in the way of a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.

San Antonio Police Officer Benjamin Marconi was a good guy with a gun. Open carry didnt save him. Background checks didnt save him. The Second Amendment didnt save him.

Maybe we should finally implement some controlling measures that will protect the police and all of us from senseless gun violence.

Mark Porter

Leave guns alone

Re: Obama commutations surpass 1,000, Nation & World, Nov. 23:

The article states: Most of those who have received clemency are nonviolent drug offenders, though many were also convicted of firearms violations related to drug crimes.

Whats wrong with this picture? He releases people convicted of firearms crimes early. Meantime, the Democrats work overtime to regulate the availability of guns for the law-abiding among us until theyll no longer be available to us for protection of self and others.

There are already more than enough laws and regulations concerning firearms. If they really want to cut down on gun crime, they should apply the existing laws to the maximum extent with no option of early release, and leave law-abiding citizens with the Second Amendment right of self-defense.

Al Koppen, Fair Oaks Ranch

Hate and hypocrisy

Although I believe the Hes not my president demonstrations are counterproductive, I have to laugh when Donald Trump supporters write in get over it comments.

Do they mean as the Republicans got over Barack Obamas election in 2008, when Sen. Mitch McConnell immediately announced their primary goal was to make him a one-term president? And when the Republicans, especially the tea party wing, refused to participate in governing?

In truth, many on both sides have become hate-filled hypocrites, and given the rights foolish mistrust of the traditional media, I am not optimistic about improving our public discourse and cooperating to solve the serious issues we face on the political, economic and environment fronts.

Laird Loomis

Count county votes

The Electoral College was set up to provide representation for all states to provide a fairer representation. Otherwise, candidates would campaign only in the denser population centers and promise all kinds of entitlements for the big cities to win a simple majority vote.

I have noticed over the years that Democrats are OK with the Electoral College when it benefits them and hate it when it doesnt.

All anyone has to do is look at the red-blue election map and see how the backbone of the country leans. Most of the rural counties seem to be red. Why should concentrations of kooks and takers get to dictate to the makers who gets to govern?

Maybe the new system should be that each county counts as one vote. Then tally up the total number of counties each one won. What could be more fair?

Democrats would never go for this, of course.

Gene Peterson

Let him go first

Donald Trump is offended and demanding that the cast of Hamilton apologize because the audience booed Mike Pence?

Well, he first needs to apologize to the disabled reporter he mocked, the Gold Star family he insulted, all the women he allegedly sexually assaulted, and everyone else he insulted and bullied during his nasty, hate-filled campaign.

He can dish it out, but he cant take it!

Rebecca Hernandez

Grabbing at money

Re: City, county to form airport task force, front page, Nov. 20:

I see Mayor Ivy Taylor and County Judge Nelson Wolff have again come up with a way to go after your tax money. Now its an airport to handle international traffic, bigger planes, etc. If they build it way out of town, the rail issue will resurface  and more money.

What I cannot understand is, do they know anything about San Antonio at all? There is a giant airport that can handle the biggest plane already built on the South Side. Have they never heard of Kelly? Build a new civilian terminal to handle all types of civilian carriers, a little road improvement, and the local taxi service will be close at hand.

Oh, yes, fewer tax dollars to be spent, less land speculation, and fewer eminent domain lawsuits. Too bad they only think of your money and how to get it.

Philip McKeon, Converse
Compare and contrast.

Native Americans protesting and trying to block the Dakota Access oil pipeline have been arrested by the scores and been bombarded with water cannons  in freezing weather  rubber bullets, pepper spray, tear gas and, according to the protesters, concussion grenades. An explosion damaged a womans arm and there were initial fears that amputation would be necessary.

The pipeline, which will convey oil from North Dakota to Illinois, crosses ancestral lands and, the activists say, threatens their reservation water supply. They are trying to stop the pipeline from crossing the Missouri River and going under a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. A large tribal coalition and others have joined them, occupying federal land in an encampment. Theyve been ordered off. So far they are refusing. Stay tuned for how much authorities escalate.

Flash back to Oregon earlier this year. Following a 41-day armed standoff at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon, a jury recently acquitted seven gunmen of the milquetoast charge of conspiracy to prevent federal employees at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge from doing their jobs  jobs hard to do with armed folks in their midst.

During their 41 days of occupation there were no water cannons, rubber bullets, pepper spray, grenades or tear gas. There were arrests  on a roadway after the gunmen gave up the occupation.

Yes, one was killed, after he tried to escape and reached for a gun. This is on the gunman and the occupiers, not the authorities.

The lesson: Protesting while Native American carries more risk than protesting while white  even if the whites are armed. Authorities say theyve been attacked with rocks and burning logs and law enforcement has alleged some shots from the Native Americans? Bottom line the same, however: Native Americans get attacked, armed white insurrectionists, er, protesters not.

Im not advocating that federal authorities should have dislodged the, um, protesters at the refuge by force. And Im not advocating that tribal protesters arm themselves. Threatening violence only seems to work if you are a white occupier. Done by Native Americans in large scale, this could be a bloodbath.

I am, however, noting the disparate reactions to armed occupation of public land  as in belonging to you and me  with the reaction when private property rights, as in corporate rights, are intruded upon. Yes, public roads are blocked in North Dakota. But, again, force is used to dislodge them. Not so in Oregon.

There is a Texas connection here. The majority pipeline owner is Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners. It is set to be acquired by Sunoco Logistics, which, along with Phillips 66, is a partner in the $3.8 billion pipeline project. Sunoco Logistics website lists one of its two regional headquarters in Sugar Land and three of its eight regional field offices in Texas  in Snyder, Sour Lake and White Oak. Phillips 66 headquarters are in Houston.

Texas, of course, is thought to be a property rights state. You know, a state whose policy makers and courts hold private property as paramount in terms of protecting individual rights. Unless, of course, a pipeline wants to get across your property and then eminent domain and condemnation proceedings can make it clear that these rights are not so paramount when big companies are involved.

The Dakota Access pipeline is running almost entirely across private property. But, yes, eminent domain is possible here as well. So, what leverage does a balking property owner have? Not much, as some Texas property owners have learned.

More compare and contrast. Armed white protesters seize federal lands for 41 days. Theyre acquitted  and uninjured, except for that guy who reached for a gun (after the protest was concluded).

Road-blocking, largely unarmed Native Americans whose lands have been effectively taken not just in North Dakota but everywhere in the U.S., claim damage to stolen ancestral lands and a threat to their actual drinking water. Among other repressive tactics, theyre arrested and pummeled with water cannon in freezing weather.

Yup, weve got those property rights  and other rights  down pat, dont we?

o.ricardo.pimentel@express-news.net

Twitter: @oricardopimente
1 Indonesia protest: Indonesian police arrested 10 people including prominent citizens for suspected treason and other crimes and said they were planning to use a mass protest in the capital, Jakarta, on Friday to cause chaos and overthrow the government. The second major protest by conservative Muslims against the minority Christian governor of Jakarta drew some 200,000 people to the citys streets and ended peacefully. Gov. Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama is being prosecuted for blasphemy, a criminal offense in predominantly Muslim Indonesia. The eight arrested for alleged treason include Rachmawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of Indonesias founding president and the younger sister of former President Megawati Sukarnoputri; retired army Gen. Kivlan Zein; and musician-turned-politician Ahmad Dani. Two people were arrested for suspected breaches of the electronic information and transactions law.

2 Vatican honors U.S. priest: The Rev. Stanley Rother, a soft-spoken Oklahoman who was killed in 1981 during Guatemalas long and bloody civil war, has been declared a martyr, a step that could clear the way for him to become a saint, the Vatican announced Friday. Rother went in 1968 to serve in the Roman Catholic mission at Santiago Atitlan, a poor area in the rural highlands in southwestern Guatemala. He became a champion of the indigenous community and generally supported the leftist rebel groups that battled government paramilitary squads during the 1960-96 civil war. He taught residents in his parish to read and write, helped them with farming, and founded a hospital, a school and a radio station. On July 28, 1981, three masked men entered the parish rectory and shot him twice in the head. He was 46. No one was ever charged.
YouTube vlogger and Beme cofounder Casey Neistat. (AP)

Amid a rapidly changing digital climate, CNN has bought the video app Beme and plans to launch a new video company using its technology, the cable network announced this week.

The acquisition is an effort to future-proof the network, said Andrew Morse, general manager for CNN Digital, in a CNN memo shared with Yahoo Finance.

The deal did not come cheap for CNN. The Wall Street Journal reports that CNN shelled out $25 million to acquire Beme and its 11 employees, including co-founder and YouTube star Casey Neistat, who has nearly 6 million followers on YouTube and nearly 1 million on Twitter.

Beme, which will shut down at the end of January, launched in 2015 and allows users to make 8-second videos taken by holding your phone to your chest. The app had a lot of initial buzzit reportedly raised $2.6 million in seed funding in its very first weekbut eventually lost steam amid competition from Snapchat and Instagram. By this past May, Neistat was announcing a refresh in a video he called, What the hell happened to Beme?

The dissolution of Beme comes just weeks after Twitter announced it plans to shut down the 6-second looping video app Vine, which birthed many individual video stars but couldnt generate revenue for Twitter. Recent reports now say that Twitter still might sell off Vine at a loss.

CNNs new standalone company using Bemes technology is expected to launch in summer 2017 and will focus on, timely and topical video and empowering content creators to use technology to find their voice, a CNN spokesperson tells Yahoo Finance.

Apart from that, specific details are scant. But thats sort of the point. We have 6,000 ideas and are trying to pin them down, says the spokesperson, adding that more concrete ideas will take shape in the coming months.

Neistat told The Verge that CNNs confidence in the Beme team is in the lack of specifics.

If that sounds strangethat a large corporation is putting its faith in something that never proved itself, and without any concrete vision yet for what to do with itconsider it the new normal.

Story continues

Cable television networks know they need to capture the millennial audience, and fast. The average age of a CNN viewer is 59, according to Nielsen. (For Fox, its 68.) But the network is not aiming to get millennials to tune into CNN (that might be too lofty, given the rise of cord-cutting) but rather to engage them where they already areon their phones.

The goal isnt to necessarily get his viewers to start watching CNN but to build an audience of our own, starting with the ones whove closely followed Neistats YouTube channel, says CNN. Neistat has nearly 6 million subscribers on YouTube.

The new companys business model will likely look very similar to that of Great Big Story, launched in October as a digital independent subsidiary of CNN. Great Big Story aims to tell feature-type stories that are substantive but not categorized as hard news.

In addition to traditional branded content models, were looking at non ad supported models and were building a technology play into that monetization, Morse said in the CNN memo. We made an acquisition based upon a model that shows considerable growth with the [Great Big Story] path and thats why we feel good about it.

CNN has seen a boost in television ratings in the months leading up to and including the presidential election. The network led the coveted 25-54 demographic for the first time in 15 years in October and was up 53 percent in total day viewers in November 2016 compared to November 2012. Despite that streak, it faces the same problem as all cable networks right now: young people are watching less television. Older millennials (ages 25-34) watched 25.6% less television between October 2011 and October 2016, and Generation X (ages 35-49) saw a 12% decline over the same time period.

So networks have to go after digital to capture the audiences that have left television. In October, NBCUniversal made an additional $200 million investment in digital media company BuzzFeed on top of last years $200 million investment. CNN.com is among the top five news publishers on the web, according to SimilarWeb. CNN hopes the Beme team can help it rise.



Laura Sanicola is a reporter at Yahoo Finance.

Read more:

The NFL looks to virtual reality to grow its audience

Connected TVs could be the next frontier in digital advertising

How a fake Chinese holiday turned into the worlds biggest shopping event

Is your cellphone number as important as your social security number?
Dollywood, a theme park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, partially owned by Dolly Parton, announced its plans to set up a fund for victims of recent wildfires, local news outlets reported Thursday.

We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires, Parton said in a video announcing the plan. To aid in their recovery effort, the Dollywood Foundation will provide $1,000 a month to all of those families who lost their homes in the fires for six months so that they can get back on their feet."

Wildfires in Gatlinburg earlier this week destroyed over 150 buildings and forced the evacuation of at least 14,000 people. High winds and a historic drought caused the fires that spread across Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge, both resort towns near the Smoky Mountains.

Parton's companies, including the Dollywood Theme Park, DreamMore Resort, and the Dollywood Foundation, among others, came together to create the "My People Fund" to help families displaced by this natural disaster.

Dollywood isnt the only local entity that has looked to help the community rebuild in the wake of the fires. The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce announced their Gatlinburg Relief Fund in partnership with a local bank that allows people to donate to community efforts in rebuilding.

Other local groups, including the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Remote Area Medical, are collecting and distributing funds and resources for those affected.

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Jerri-Lynn here: In this Real News Network interview, Nancy Altman, Co-Director of Social Security Works and the author of a book entitled, The Battle for Social Security: From FDRs Vision to Bushs Gamble, discusses the enhanced threat of privatisation of Medicare and Social Security raised by the membership of President-elect Donald Trumps transition team and recent nomination announcements.

I have some reservations about this interview but will only raise two quibbles here. First, theres an assumption embedded in the framing employed herein that Democrats are angels who consistently and adamantly oppose tampering with Social Security and Medicare, and its only the nasty Republicans who seek to jettison these highly popular programs. To swallow this assumption is to ignore bald evidence to the contrary. Bill Clinton was poised to privatize parts of Social Security and might well have succeeded, but for the disclosure of his Oval Office dalliance with Monica Lewinsky. And also remember that it was the Obamamometer who in 2010 created the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform  more widely known as the Simpson-Bowles Commission that put entitlements spending on the chopping block. So both parties must be watched carefully if we turn our backs, who knows what they might get up to?

Second, while its true that Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican Party stalwarts have long had these popular programs in their crosshairs, Im less certain than Altman seems to be that President Trump is looking to gut them fresh out of the starting gate the worrisome appointments discussed below notwithstanding. The combination of more awareness that these programs are threatened and the greater pushback thus triggered might help keep the Donald from succumbing to these pressures.

KIM BROWN: Welcome to The Real News Network. Im Kim Brown in Baltimore. President-elect Donald Trump, continues to round out his cabinet selections and the recent decision to appoint representative Tom Price, a six-term Republican Congressman from Georgia, has many in the medical community a bit alarmed, especially those who are concerned about protecting Medicare and Medicaid.

Today we are joined with Nancy Altman to discuss this. She is the founding Co-Director of Social Security Works. She has a 40-year background in the areas of social security and private pensions. Shes also the author of the book titled, The Battle for Social Security: From FDRs Vision to Bushs Gamble. And shes also the co-author of, Social Security Works: Why Social Security Isnt Going Broke, And How Expanding It Will Help Us All. Nancy, thank you so much for joining us.

NANCY ALTMAN: Thank you so much for having me.

KIM BROWN: Nancy, give us a bit of the background about Tom Cole [sic]. We know that he is a former orthopedic surgeon, but his selection by Donald Trump, really sent a red flag to many who are worried about whether or not Medicare and Medicaid will be on the table for privatization. What do we know about him?

NANCY ALTMAN: Well, first of all, privatizing Medicare has been in the crosshairs of Speaker Paul Ryan and the Republicans for a very long time. President-elect, Donald Trump said he would cut Medicare, but his selections really make you have us all concerned. Because Tom Price was a lieutenant of Paul Ryan, he is very much against Social Security and against Medicare. He was head of the Budget Committee but now he had him right in the Administration in a key position along with Paul Ryan, and these are not good signals for those of us who believe that Social Security and Medicare are extremely important programs that work and, indeed, should be expanded, not cut.

KIM BROWN: Yeah, 130 million Americans rely on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. So why are the Republicans so enthusiastic about gutting Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and making it available to be privatised?

NANCY ALTMAN: These are programs that work. They show government at its best. Social Security is extremely efficient, as are Medicare and Medicaid. They are indeed more efficient than private sector counterparts. They are an example of how government can fill needs not met by the private sector, and do it better than the private sector. This is against the anti-government zealots view. It really is a shining example of how government, which really is all of us just working together collectively, can work for us.

Since the 1930s with Social Security and since the 1960s with Medicare and Medicaid, the conservatives and anti-government types have had their eyes on getting rid of these programs, but theyve never been able to. But now they have an opening, and we now have a president who at least said during the campaign he wouldnt cut these programs, but hes putting people in place who will. And its really and, in fact, Speaker Ryan, right out of the block said he wants to take Medicare up in January as part of getting rid of the Affordable Care Act. Nobody voted to destroy Medicare, so theres a bait-and-switch going on. But that is exactly what appears to be about to happen in 2017.

KIM BROWN: Well, Congressman Price has long held the position that he wants to limit federal Medicare spending by giving the states block grants, and Donald Trump has also said that he is supportive of the idea of block grants. Nancy, is this a bad idea? And if so, tell us why.

NANCY ALTMAN: Its a terrible idea. There are two ideas. One is to block grant Medicaid, and the other is to turn Medicare, ironically, into Obamacare, instead of a government-provided, government-guaranteed program, they want to change it so all they do is they give seniors and people with disabilities some money and say, Go out in the private sector and find some insurance for yourself. That just doesnt work.

Its a way to make the federal governments balance sheet look better, because both of these are expensive programs. Theyre expensive not because theyre inefficient. Theyre extremely efficient. Theyre expensive because healthcare costs, private as well as public, are rising astronomically high, and we need to control healthcare costs in the private sector as well as in the public sector.

We shouldnt be shifting costs and what the block rated Medicaid and turning Medicare into Obamacare does, is it shifts costs from the federal government, in the case of Medicaid, to the states, and in the case of Medicare, to seniors and people with disabilities.

KIM BROWN: Talk to us about some of Congressman Prices affiliations. Because one person that he will be working with as Secretary of Health and Human Services is an individual named Seema Verma. Trump picked this person to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and she has a bit of an interesting background when it comes to privatization of healthcare.

NANCY ALTMAN: Yes. Despite his rhetoric in the talking about Donald Trump, despite his rhetoric in the campaign, hes surrounding himself with people who are hostile to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. We can start with his Vice President. Mike Pence is on record against all of these programs. He has advisors who have come out against them. And now it looks like, well, the announced nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, and the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid programs, are both, along with Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, both have had their eye have wanted to end Medicare as we know it all of them, I should say, have wanted to end Medicare as we know it for a very long time.

The transition team people he has looking at the Social Security Administration and they have an important part of Medicare. They are all privatized use, as well. And we dont even have to imagine it, because Speaker Paul Ryan has already said that he wants to take up Medicare along with the Affordable Care Act, so-called Obamacare. And President Trumps spokesperson has said that Trump will look at Paul Ryans alternatives, which is Washington-speak for, Hey, Im gonna go along with you, but I dont want to say it because thats not what I ran on, and thats not what the American people want.

KIM BROWN: Well, Nancy, I want you to paint a picture for us, because, as you mentioned, President-elect Trump and some of the appointments that hes making are all individuals who are seemingly very hostile towards entitlement programs, and weve heard this sort of overarching theme consistently from Republicans about people being on the government dole, or on the government teat. But when we talk about privatizing these programs, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, what would the privatization of these systems look like for the 130 million Americans who rely on these benefits?

NANCY ALTMAN: An excellent question. Before I answer it, let me talk about some language embedded in your question, which has become common in Washington, but it should raise antennas: and that is that Medicare and Medicaid are earned benefits. They are benefits that people have paid for, have worked for, and have earned. Back in the 1990s, those who Paul Ryan and others, whove been against Social Security, have subtlety changed the language to call them entitlements, which sounds like government handouts, and talked about Makers and Takers and all of that sort of thing. These are programs that are earned benefits and Medicaid is a program for the lowest income and most vulnerable people around us.

What they would do, they would basically end all three programs. Social Security provides basic wage insurance when wages are lost in the event of death, disability, or old age. Its been around for 80 years. It works extremely well. Its extremely efficient. What they would do is, instead of money to pay for these guaranteed benefits  these are benefits youre entitled to a percentage of your wages if you become disabled or died leaving dependents, or you reach old age  youre entitled to a percentage of your benefits for the rest of your life. You cannot outlive Social Security, even if you live to 120.

What this privatizing means is, instead of setting the money aside and putting it in a trust fund in the government and having these guaranteed benefits, it would be invested in the stock market and youd have the ups and downs of the stock market, all the risks, and if you run out of money, thats your problem. Youre on your own. Thats Social Security.

Medicare right now, you sign up, youve got your card, youve earned it your whole working life. You go to a hospital, you go to your doctor, you present the card, and the costs are paid for. What this would do is the federal government would say, Heres some money, go out on the market and go talk to all these various insurance companies and figure out what you want. Now, before Medicare was enacted, thats what we had, except without the government subsidy. What seniors found and people with disabilities, where that most people couldnt afford the insurance and when there was insurance, it was three or four times what other people paid. It is very expensive to cover these groups, and so forcing people just to go out to the market themselves is not going to work.

The third is Medicaid, and they talk about block-granting that. That now is partly paid by states and partly paid by the federal government. This would shift all the money to the states. The federal government has borrowing authority. Most states do not. So, this would mean that the states would be limited in how much they could spend, and the lowest income people would probably find that they were not able to afford the essential healthcare they need.

KIM BROWN: So, Nancy, this is not the first time that a Republican president has at least spoken or floated the idea of the privatization of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Bush 43, President George W. Bush, made this a priority of his second term and in 2005 this is a campaign that he really embarked upon. And once he began to do that, that seemed to be a rallying point for congressional Democrats who stood uniformly against what President Bush was proposing at the time. And it sort of sent the Republicans in a bit of a tizzy and it drove his disapproval ratings upwards because most Americans dont really want their Social Security privatised.

So, why did what President Bush try to do in his efforts to privatize these programs, why did it fail?

NANCY ALTMAN: Well, excellent question, and I think its going to be harder this time around. But let me answer why it failed. The American people are polarized about many issues but Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, they are not. People will poll after poll shows, whether youre a Tea Partyer, or whether youre a union member,in the household, whether youre old, young, in the middle, that you understand that Social Security is incredibly important and more important than ever.

People who have seniors who now are receiving Social Security understand how valuable it is. So when President Bush sought to privatize it, it was not like weapons of mass destruction in Iraq or something else. When the American people really had no way of knowing whether it was a good or bad idea, or whether it was accurate or not, this was one where everybody knows youve seen Social Security coming from your pay check, you know people who are receiving the benefits, and its a known commodity.

President Bush to his credit went around the country trying to sell his proposal, and everywhere he went he was met with opposition. And indeed, as you correctly said, even though there were Republicans control of the House and Senate, it never even got a vote, and really started to be the end of President Bushs popularity.

The reason I say its different this time is, unlike President Bush, who went around and sold it, which is the right thing to do  we are a democracy the Republicans Paul Ryan, Tom Price and perhaps Donald Trump, are going to try to do this in, kind of, the stealth of night. Theyre talking about first of all, theyre lying about it. Theyre saying that it has to be done because of the Affordable Care Act. That is nonsense. The Affordable Care Act had very little to do with Medicare. And to the extent there were Medicare provisions, it actually increased the funding for Medicare, so quite the opposite of whats being talked about, and theyre talking about. But the other thing theyre planning to do is use an arcane process known as reconciliation, which goes through a very fast, limited debate, no chance to filibuster, and so they can ram this thing through without the American people even knowing its happening.

This is why Im so pleased that you are having this show and that youve invited me on, because theyre talking about perhaps as early as January and certainly within 2017. People who care about these programs have to know that this is going on.

KIM BROWN: So, Nancy, as you mentioned what the congressional Republicans and possibly, President-elect, Donald Trump plan to do is to make this a thing in the dead of night with limited public scrutiny available. What can the American people do to try to ensure that that doesnt happen? Are there any recourse besides the obvious of reaching out to your public officials. I mean, how else can the American people pressure Washington to make sure that this is not rammed through, as you say?

NANCY ALTMAN: Again, wonderful question. Our organization, Social Security Works, is going to be working around the clock every day on this issue. Weve already started. If people want to go to our website, which is Socialsecurityworks.org, we have a petition about, Hands Off Medicare, and indeed, are going to be delivering it on December 7th, with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in the Senate, Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the House, Senator Sanders, Senator Warren, others. The Democrats are already on high alert about this.

So, if people go to our website, they can sign the petition, it will get delivered to Speaker Ryan and the President-elect Donald Trump, and it will and they can also sign up for emails that will keep them posted on things that are going on. Its very important to call your representatives and senators, its important to write letters to the editor, and its also important simply to talk to your friends and neighbors, urge them to go to Social Security Works or other websites to find out what is going on, and to join the fight. Because this is one where the American people are united. No one voted on these issues. They voted on many other issues including Obamacare, but not on Medicare, not on Medicaid, and not on Social Security. They should know that these are in jeopardy and people need to speak up.

KIM BROWN: Weve been speaking with Nancy Altman. She is the founder and co-director of Social Security Works, and shes also the author of The Battle for Social Security: From FDRs Vision to Bushs Gamble, and shes co-author of Social Security Works: Why Social Security Isnt Going Broke, and How Expanding It Will Help Us All. Nancy, we appreciate your expertise today. Thanks a lot.

NANCY ALTMAN: Thank you so much.

KIM BROWN: And thanks for watching The Real News Network.
Tipperary hurler Brian Hogan is asking the people of Tipperary to support Trocaires work with refugees and other vulnerable groups throughout the developing world this Christmas.

Last year, over 1m was donated to Trocaires Christmas appeal, allowing the humanitarian agency to provide life-changing support to communities in over twenty countries around the world.

County senior hurler Brian Hogan said: I would like to say a huge thank you to the people of Tipperary for their continued support of Trocaires overseas programmes.

Now more than ever we need to give the gift of hope and solidarity to those experiencing conflict and extreme poverty in the developing world.

Trocaires Christmas appeal is vital for supporting projects throughout the year, while their ethical Christmas Gifts range allows people in Tipperary to buy practical gifts that will change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

Brian, from the Lorrha Dorrha Club, is pictured above with shoes that once belonged to a 5 year old Syrian refugee who wore them while she travelled over 2,000km before reaching a Trocaire-funded project in Serbia where she received humanitarian aid including new shoes for her continued journey to Germany.

Trocaire, working in Serbia, Greece, Syria and Lebanon, is responding to the urgent needs of Syrian refugees by providing them with shelter, hot food, shoes, hygiene kits, baby supplies and health services.

Trocaire also works with displaced people in countries such as Myanmar, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Donations to the organisations Christmas appeal will fund development and humanitarian projects throughout the developing world.

To support Trocaires work this Christmas donate at trocaire.org/Christmas by calling 1850 408 408 or visit Trocaires centres in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.
Fianna Fail TD for Tipperary Jackie Cahill has said that he is horrified by the scandalous jump in the number of patients on trolleys in South Tipperary General Hospital over the past two years.

Deputy Cahill was commenting following the publication of yearly trolley figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation.

Between November 2014 and November 2016, the number of people who were left on trolleys waiting for a hospital bed rose by 344% from 153 to 680.

This is just simple unacceptable. Only last week, two days before Fianna Fail Leader and I, visited the hospital, 41 people were lying on trolleys.

The health system is failing patients by leaving them on trolleys. Theres no two ways about it.

This trend in rising trolley numbers must be reversed. Minister Harris much flaunted Winter Initiative was clearly too little, too late, and has done very little to rectify the national trolley crisis.

Within the South Tipperary area, we need to find a local solution to this problem; the Minister clearly isnt able to fix the issue.

Non-acute patients should be treated, and cared for, in Our Ladys in Cashel leaving the acute beds in the General Hospital for those coming into the Emergency Department.

Our Ladys needs to be used as a step-down facility; it has the facilities required after receiving significant investment over the past number of years. It just requires the will of the HSE and local consultants to provide clinical cover.

Too many people in our community are being treated badly by being kept on trolleys in our hospitals. Its time for action, rather than empty promises, concluded Cahill.
(Natural News) A recent study has made a shocking discovery about poultry in the United Kingdom: up to two-thirds of it is contaminated with E. coli. And in England alone, up to 78 percent of fresh chicken sold in grocery stores contains this bacterial species.

Experts say that the strain of E. coli being found in these chickens doesnt cause the typical diarrhea and vomiting associated with its namesake, but there may be other effects. They fear that this particular strain of bacteria can actually inhabit the gut for several years, and may cause future antibiotic resistance in the face of other infections.

Escherichia coli is a large and diverse group of bacteria. Some are harmless, while others can cause any number of symptoms. In addition to the common symptoms of food-borne illness such as diarrhea and vomiting, E. coli can also cause urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, pneumonia, and other illnesses. Given that bacteria are rather efficient at spreading antibiotic resistance, you can see where this could become problematic.

Researchers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra) and Public Health England joined forces to collect samples of poultry from supermarkets, butchers shops and other smaller stores and examine them for E. coli. Meat was gathered from some of their most popular stores, such as Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, and Morrisons  and 80 percent of it was farmed right in the UK.

Their findings yielded some interesting results. Chicken in England was found to be the most contaminated, with 78 percent of it containing the bacteria. In Scotland, researchers found that 53 percent contained E. coli, while only 41 percent of chicken was contaminated in Wales.

One theory behind the overwhelming presence of E. coli in the chicken is that it is the result of heavy antibiotic use in poultry farming.

The use of antibiotics in livestock has been heavily scrutinized, and for good reason  it is a huge threat to public safety. As the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA) notes, over half of the antibiotics used in just the United States are being used in animal food production. This overuse is a problem that simply is not acknowledged enough. In both human and veterinary medicine, when bacteria are exposed to antimicrobial agents, their potential for developing resistance increases. This happens with every single exposure. Antibiotic resistance can lead to infections with even relatively common pathogens that are resistant to standard treatments, and increase the number of infections that occur.

The relationship between antibiotic use in animals and antibiotic resistance in humans has been a topic of immense discussion and research. Evidence that the overuse of antibiotics in food production is indeed playing a role in the growth and spread of so-called superbugs is continuing to pile up. Even the federal governments Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance has stated, [T]he extensive use of antimicrobial drugs has resulted in drug resistance that threatens to reverse the medical advances of the last seventy years.

While there has been some effort to encourage doctors and patients to not rely so heavily on antibiotics, little has been done to stop the overuse of these medications in the agricultural industry. Antibiotic resistance is a global problem that will persist and continue to worsen if it is not addressed by the world at large. While there have been some strides made toward reducing the use of antibiotics in food  such as large chain restaurants appeasing to consumer demands and removing antibiotics from their products  we still have a long way to go.

In 2014, when the WHO first reported on antibiotic resistance, Dr Keiji Fukuda, the WHOs Assistant Director-General for Health Security stated, without urgent, coordinated action by many stakeholders, the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill.

Sources:

Independent.co.uk

CDC.gov

Emerald.Tufts.edu

ConsumersUnion.org

WHO.int
(Natural News) Keep reading if you want to know the real story about Trump, Taiwan and communist China. While mainstream media outlets are losing their minds over the fact that Taiwan president Tsai Ying-Wen called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, the simple, irrefutable fact is that mainstream media reporters are not only intentionally dishonest, they are incredibly ignorant of geopolitical reality.

As someone who lived in Taiwan, speaks Mandarin Chinese and traveled throughout Asia, I can tell you a few key truths that the rest of the media doesnt know (or wont admit).

Lets start with the basics: Communist China is a bigoted, intolerant, radical leftist communist regime that can best be described as being run by libtards with nukes. The Red China government routinely arrests people for their religious beliefs and harvests their organs for black market profits. The best way to imagine China is to think about where California is right now with mandatory vaccines, political correctness and safe space colleges, then fast forward about 25 years and add in a layer of massive industrial pollution. Thats China. Its deeply corrupt, hopelessly polluted and run by completely insane radical leftists who bully the entire world with their insane demands.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is a nation of free markets, entrepreneurship, innovation and democracy. Taiwan might be viewed as the Texas of Asia, except its a whole lot smaller than Texas, and citizens cant own firearms. The Taiwan people are amazingly intelligent, resilient and determined. Theyre also honest and hardworking, and anyone who deals with imported goods from Asia knows that Taiwan manufacturers have far higher quality and ethics than China manufacturers.

Communist China ridiculously claims it still owns Taiwan

Now heres the real piece you need to know in all this: Ever since Chiang Kai-shek split off from the mainland and set up his own sovereign government in Taiwan (back in the 1940s), communist China has claimed it owns Taiwan. The communists have done everything in their power to prevent Taiwan from being recognized as a sovereign nation by world government bodies such as the UN. Even to this day, the UN still does not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, even though it has its own government, its own culture, its own language, its own president, its own economy and so on.

The United States Previously recognized Taiwan as a nation, but that changed under President Nixon, who dropped Taiwan to embrace communist China as the official ruler of all China, including Taiwan. (This was the first selling out of Taiwan by the United States.)

Ever since then, all U.S. presidents have refused to recognize Taiwan because they didnt want to anger China, the largest purchaser of U.S. Treasury debt. In order for the U.S. government to keep running massive debt spending, they needed foreign suckers (er, I mean governments) to keep buying U.S. debt while the Federal Reserve continued printing more fiat currency money to fund its increasingly power-hungry growth of big government. On top of that, China is also obviously a huge trading partner with the United States, and it supplies U.S. consumers with cheap plastic crap sold at WalMart, helping to convince the dumbed-down, fluoridated masses that life must be okay since they can still buy non-stick cookware for $4.99.

All the while, U.S. leaders (who were of course complete sellouts to the globalists) looked the other way on Chinas extreme human rights abuses in order to maintain economic stability. None of the U.S. Presidents since the 1970s have dared even accept a phone call from Taiwan, purely out of fear of angering China, the communist bully nation run by libtards with nukes.

As all this was happening, China was of course constantly threatening to stage a military invasion of Taiwan. This stance continues to this very day.

Taiwans economy is now deeply intertwined with Chinas factories and cheap labor

But things have now become more complicated on the economic side. Taiwan manufacturing businesses, in search of ever cheaper labor, began opening factories in China. This involved a massive shift of manufacturing technology to China, essentially handing over technology in exchange for cheap labor. Today, tens of thousands of Taiwan business people live in China (or visit China frequently) to oversee Taiwan factories that are actually offshored to China for their cheap labor and practically non-existent environmental regulations.

As all this is going on, China is routinely and deceptively manipulating its currency in order to create an artificial advantage in exporting products to other nations. This currency manipulation makes a mockery of free trade, and when combined with Chinas utter lack of environmental regulations, it gives China a wildly unfair advantage in international trade. President-elect Trump correctly identified Chinas currency manipulation as an enemy of legitimate free trade, and this is why Trump will very likely (and correctly) initiate a trade war with China. Yes, its time to start slapping tariffs on imported goods from China. The smirking neoliberal economists who taught you in college that tariffs are always bad are totally clueless about geopolitical reality.

China pushing false climate change narrative to give themselves a trade advantage

To further leverage their export advantage, China is pushing hard for Trump to maintain Americas climate change taxes so that energy production in the USA is financially penalized. Meanwhile, China is releasing extreme pollution from dirty coal thats cheap to produce, making Chinese manufacturing very cheap compared to USA production due to energy costs associated with all manufacturing.

And yet, Chinas pollution blows right across North America, depositing mercury, cadmium, tungsten and other toxic heavy metals all across the U.S. landscape. In other words, U.S. consumers get cheap goods from China while exporting U.S. manufacturing jobs but importing pollution from China. What a deal! The result is a nation of unemployed Americans living on food stamps and voting for Democrats to bail them out with more government entitlements in other words, a Clinton paradise.

Climate change, you see, is just another economic hoax being leveraged by China to suppress U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Its all completely bogus, founded in quack science and dirty politics. Yet Obama kept it all going for the obvious reason that one of his primary goals from day one was to destroy U.S. economic productivity (while also destroying American culture, sovereignty and democracy).

Globalists are now aligned with China to spread communism and crush freedom in Taiwan and the USA

The globalists are all colluding to destroy America, suppress Taiwan and take over the world: Communist China, Barack Obama, George Soros, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates these people see freedom and sovereignty of nations like Taiwan and the USA as threats to the globalist agenda (of total economic domination and obedience enslavement of the world population).

Trump, like Taiwan, is a threat to the globalist agenda. Thats why Taiwans media has recently been taken over by globalists who print all the same fake news you hear on CNN and NPR. Taiwans recent election of Tsai Ying-Wen was almost exactly the same sort of anti-establishment uprising we experienced in America with the election of Donald Trump.

Just like the Democrats in America are all left-wing commie-loving globalist f##ktards, the KMT party in Taiwan is exactly the same thing. But Taiwans new president, Tsai Ying-Wen, represents the DPP party, which is all about Taiwan independence and sovereignty. In fact, the first thing China did after she won the election was to threaten Taiwan with a military invasion.

In other words, the election uprising we just saw with Trump in the USA already took place a few months ago with Thai Ying-Wen in Taiwan. Its a global phenomenon, too: consider BREXIT and the upcoming elections in France and Italy. Everywhere you look, the people are rejecting the corrupt, globalist political elites.

Its also important to note that Taiwan lived under Japanese occupation during World War II. People still alive today in Taiwan suffered mass starvation, brutal rapes and a military police state under the Japanese emperor. They know what its like to live as slaves under a brutal dictatorship, and they arent going to let that happen again.

Thats why Taiwan is defiant against Chinese rule. Its also why Donald Trump should recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. The people of Taiwan deserve our support as freedom-loving Americans.

Globalists hope you never learn the truth about Taiwan and China

The reason the Wall Street Journal wont tell you any of this is because WSJ writers work for the same globalist manipulators who are trying to enslave humanity and rule the world with fraudulent currency and electronic totalitarianism.

Now you know why the corrupt, globalist-run mainstream media is condemning Trump for accepting a simple phone call from the President of Taiwan.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) plans to contest a US$18 million penalty imposed last month by a judge for violating Washingtons campaign finance laws.

In 2013, Washington voters narrowly rejected a food-labeling initiative by a margin of 51.1 percent to 48.9 percent. PepsiCo, Nestle USA Inc. and The Coca-Cola Co. were among the food and beverage giants that contributed millions of dollars to defeat Initiative 522, which would have required labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

While GMA was identified as the largest contributor to a political committee opposing the initiative, dozens of its members that financed the campaign through a special account were not initially identified as donors, according to the office of Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The top five contributors to the account included PepsiCo, Nestle USA, Coca-Cola, General Mills and ConAgra, Fergusons office said in a Nov. 2 news release.

In March, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Anne Hirsch ruled GMA violated state law by failing to register as a political committee and report its contributions from its members to defeat Initiative 522. The trade association, which received roughly $11 million to defeat the initiative, didnt disclose the individual contributions of its members, and in reporting its initial contribution on June 10, 2013, it listed the contributors name as Grocery Manufacturers," Hirsch noted in her March 9 opinion.

Last month, Hirsch imposed against GMA $6 million as a civil penalty for multiple violations of the state campaign finance disclosure law, and she tripled the penalty for intentional violations of the law.

The ruling against GMA is reportedly the largest campaign finance judgment in U.S. history.

I took this case to trial because the GMA needed to be held accountable for their arrogance and willful disregard of Washington state campaign finance laws," Ferguson said last month in a statement.

But GMA plans to contest the judgment and anticipated Hirsch would enter a final judgment as early as today, which would trigger its rights to file a notice of appeal.

The Washington, D.C.-based GMA, which was founded in 1908 and represents some of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, argued that it acted in good faith in reliance on the advice of counsel.

GMA believes there is no basis in law or fact to support this unprecedented, inequitable and clearly excessive penaltynearly 18 times higher than any other Washington state public disclosure fine," the trade group said last month in a statement. The courts decision ignores uncontradicted testimony and uncontroverted evidence that GMA reasonably believed, after being advised by multiple outside attorneys, that it was complying at all times with Washington state law."
Solar cells have been steadily gaining popularity because of the environmental and financial benefits. This technology is continuously being improved by researchers, such as the team from North Carolina State University who have discovered a new method to improve the efficiency of plastic solar cells.

With plastic solar cells now competing with solar cells made from silicon in terms of their efficiency in converting power, the research team wanted to extend the range of photonic energies plastic solar cells could absorb. The lead author of the paper published in Advanced Materials, Masoud Ghasemi, wanted to produce solar cells with a wider absorption range and greater efficiency. A graduate student in physics at North Carolina State University, Ghsemi worked with a team of other North Carolina State University physicists headed by Harald Ade as well as chemists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill led by Wei You to achieve this goal.

Ternary solar cells have been in production for years. But due to unfavorable mixing, this mixture of three materials that forms a light-harvesting layer haven't been performing as well as scientists had hoped. A calorimetric tool was proposed by the researchers to study the morphology of a ternary system with two absorption-matched donor polymers and a fullerene acceptor. The traditional method of combining all three materials and then depositing them onto a substrate yielded poor results.

"Using thermodynamic techniques, we were able to find that this particular mixture was undergoing 'alloying,' in which the donor polymers tend to group up together and push the fullerene away," Ghasemi explained. "This explains why so many conventionally produced ternary cells may have low efficiency."

Ghasemi and his team proposed a solution: mix each polymer separately with the fullerene, rather than mixing all three materials together at once. This would then yield two separate mixtures that were layered onto the substrate, creating sequentially cast ternary (SeCaT) solar cells. To the researchers' delight, this method was not prone to alloying.

"The SeCaT solar cells prevent the polymers from mixing due to their layered structure," Ghasemi shared. "This novel design allows fabrication of plastic solar cells with wider optical sensitivity using cheap and scalable processing steps and with reduced materials selection constraints. Hopefully, this new method can be particularly useful for greenhouse applications toward zero energy farming, as the materials used to demonstrate our method have optical properties compatible with applications."
Some survivors of last Decembers San Bernardino terrorist attack are fighting for care after the countys workers compensation program denied medical and mental health treatments. Survivors brought their concerns to county supervisors during a meeting on Monday.

County worker Sally Cardinale said she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after hiding in a bathroom during the attack. She said she had to plead for more medication when she was notified that she would be weaned off of it.

We just want help, she said. We just want them to acknowledge that we were victims. That what we are feeling is real and stop making us feel like its not.

The concerns raised by the shooting survivors in San Bernardino spotlight what hundreds of Californias injured workers and their doctors call a broken workers compensation system.

The NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit first exposed this summer that the system designed to help get workers better and back on the job can actually make their recoveries more difficult by dragging out medical care or outright denying treatments their doctors say they need.

Many injured workers and doctors have questioned the medical review process mandated by the state. The process called utilization review helps guide decisions about which medical treatments are appropriate. Third party companies working on behalf of insurance carriers or self-insured employers review requests for medical treatment and approve or deny care based on a set of guidelines.

San Bernardino leaders said the county is taking steps to speed up the medical review process to get workers the care they need.

Based on concerns expressed by the Board of Supervisors, the county will hire a firm whose sole function will be to expedite the process for our employees, Chairman James C. Ramos said in a statement. Moving forward, the board will continue to monitor cases to ensure employees are receiving the care and attention they deserve in a timely manner.

Ramos also said many of the concerns raised by county workers coping with psychological and physical injuries stem from the county not receiving supporting documentation from employees providers. He said the county will work with doctors to obtain the proper paperwork needed to approve treatments.

Christine Baker, the director of the Department of Industrial Relations, which oversees Californias workers compensation system, said she is working hand in hand with San Bernardinos risk manager to expedite treatment for the countys injured workers.

Baker called last years attack an extraordinary event that resulted in serious psychological injuries. While not dismissing the value of treatment guidelines, she said reviewers need to take a common sense approach when reviewing requests that involve complex mental health issues.

We have to look at the situation more holistically instead of just looking at guidelines, Baker said.

The state has continued to tout the effectiveness of evidence-based medicine, which requires the use of medical guidelines to determine if treatments are medically necessary and appropriate. But Baker also said she encourages better communication between doctors requesting care for their patients and claims adjusters handling injury claims for workers.

She said shes confident that San Bernardinos leaders are taking necessary steps to address problem areas.

I am hopeful that appropriate treatment will be provided in a timely fashion, Baker said.

If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit, email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS. Follow Liz Wagner on Twitter and Facebook.
Bernie Sanders supporters turned out at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach to hear the senator from Vermont speak as part of his book tour on Friday.

Berkeley still loves Bernie. Some attendees said the event felt like a group therapy session for progressives shocked by the election of Donald Trump.

"I think I need some sort of therapy about this, to kind of decompress," said Nikki Pin Mazza of Berkeley. "I really needed to be here today."

In his speech, Sanders told his supporters to have hope and compassion, but hold fast to their ideals.

"Despair is not an option, not an option. Not just for you, but for young children, and the future of this planet," Sanders said. "No compromise with racism, with sexism, with homophobia, with xenophobia. On that issue we will not compromise."

Former "Berners" said they never imagined that the campaign that started with so much attention to a progressive candidate could end with an incoming administration that threatens their values and ideals.

Fay Guarienti of Dublin said she was looking for direction from the former presidential candidate. She already donates to causes she believes in, mostly environmental organizations, and talks about issues she cares about with her friends. But she feels stuck in a "bubble," and wonders what next steps she should take to reach out.

"With all his followers, young and old, he can give us a lesson in how to be proactive," and heal the wounds of a divided country, she said.

"I don't think bubbles are unique to big cities," said Soli Alpert, a Cal student from San Francisco who was handing out flyers for Kate Harrison, a Berkeley city council candidate running to replace Jesse Arreguin, who won the mayoral race with Sanders' endorsement. "People living in Oklahoma are also in a bubble. I like my bubble."

Many hoped that Sanders would lend his support to local issues and candidates.

Kabir Kapur of Richmond said he wants Sanders to get involved with "local politics, local elections, Democrats and progressive people running for school board and city council and state legislatures, not just national politics."
An RV used to deliver cold weather supplies to homeless people in the South Bay was ransacked on Thursday night.

The CHAM Deliverance Ministry's Mercy Mobile contained clothes, coats, blankets, food and medical supplies, which had been donated by St. Timothys Lutheran Church ahead of an upcoming cold front.

But Pastor Scott Wagers said thieves likely entered through a window and got away with the much-needed items.

"They do awesome work and it was pretty heartbreaking to hear that a lot of the things that people give  the donations, the time, the money  was just taken. It was very sad," said St. Timothys Pastor Joe Hill.

As word spread Friday, new donations began pouring in.

People are generous, Hill said. In difficult times like this, people rise to the challenge. That was something I felt like I could do as well."

The limited donations enabled the Mercy Mobile to provide some supplies at a homeless encampment on Friday. Hill believes the thieves couldn't take away whats important.

The valuable thing that's in here is the heart of the people that give the stuff and try to help the poor, so that's not something you can steal, Hill said.

St. Timothy's is hosting a clothing drive over the weekend. County supervisor Dave Cortese is also helping the group restore supplies  and faith.

"The irony if it is, it's [going to] go out on the streets anyway, so whoever got it, I hope they bless people with it and I hope they need it," Wagers said.
Loved ones of those unaccounted for in the massive Oakland warehouse fire that broke out Friday night took to Facebook Saturday morning to search for them.

Those who knew the nine killed in the fire, posted condolence messages, some from as far away as New Orleans and Montreal.

According to an event page created on Facebook, Los Angeles-based Golden Donna was scheduled to perform at a party at the warehouse on 1305 31st Ave. in Oakland, as part of the 100% Silk 2016 West Coast Tour from 9 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday.

Oakland Police Deaprtment spokesperson Johnna Watson said at a press conference the party was attended by young people, most of them in their twenties. Attendees included people from outside the United States, she said. Officials made a plea to the public to remember any distinguising features about those missing, such as a tattoo, that would help to identify them.

The fire broke out at 11:24 p.m., Alameda County fire officials said, adding that its estimated dozens were still inside the building when it was engulfed in flames.

On the event Facebook page, people were leaving messages asking about the safety of those missing, as well as notes for those who had lost their lives.

"I'm so sorry to those that lost their lives," Linda Parrett Ryan wrote. "Condolences to their family and friends. This is heart breaking."

San Francisco resident David Marks created a Google document list with names of people still missing, adding phone numbers, Facebook profile links and distinguishing characteristics such as tattoos and piercings to aid in the search.

PLEASE comment if you know 100% if any of these people are safe, he wrote. If you DONT see a name here you KNOW to be missing tell us please. And please only comment here if you know something for sure.

Families, friends take to Facebook to search for those missing in Oakland warehouse fire. https://t.co/x27q6y5XXN pic.twitter.com/sHJcQ4X52d  NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) December 3, 2016

A Fire in Oakland Safety Check Facebook page has also been created so those who were in the area could also mark themselves safe.

Facebook user Sam Machado wrote that her cousin Madison Machado had attended the party last night, but had yet to let them know she was safe.

We are the parents of Joey (Joseph) Matlock aka Joey Casio. We were just alerted to this tragedy and that Joey's name is on the missing person list. If anyone has any information about Joey, please contact us. Praying..., wrote Kathe and John Matloc.

Prayers for the lost prayers for the survivors, wrote Nathan Nelson

Hopes and prayers out for those missing... and also for all the families and friends worried about loved ones... This is awful news, I hope you all can find some solace in these dark times, wrote Lucas Seymour-Willey

Oakland police said anyone trying to get information about people missing in the fire should contact the Alameda County Sheriffs Coroners Bureau at (510)-382-3000.

On social media, people referred to the building as the Oakland Ghost Ship, an artist's conclave. According to the Oakland Ghost Ship Tumblr page, the building is home to Max Ohrs Deeper Magic Tattoo Studio.



The building's name has nothing to do with the San Francisco Halloween Ghost Ship party, organizers for that event said.

City of Oakland property records show multiple complaints have been filed against the property's owner, one most recently as Nov. 14 for "housing habitability," involving an illegal interior building structure. City officials were in the process of investigating the complaint when the fire broke out.

A complaint was filed on Nov. 13 for garbage piling up on the property, as well as trash left on the sidewalk, some of which was reportedly hazardous. Records show previous complaints for blight on property as well.

Property records indicated the building is owned by a trust managed by Chor N. Ng of Oakland.[[404490006, C]]
The mother of Mario Woods, who was fatally shot by San Francisco police, said she is haunted by memories a year after his death.

I am so mad, Gwendolyn Woods said on Friday. I am so mad [at] what they did to him.

Friday marks the one-year-anniversary of the 26-year-olds shooting death. It set off protests and calls for reform in the police department, and family members and supporters gathered in San Francisco to celebrate the life of Mario Woods.

Gwendolyn Woods said the past two weeks have been particularly difficult for her.

My dad used to say, You have to have hope, but mine is a little bit fleeting, said Woods, who admitted that she put off grieving to keep up the fight for justice.

Woods, 26, was fatally shot on Dec. 2, 2015 in the city's Bayview District by five police officers, after a man reported being stabbed earlier that afternoon in the 6600 block of Third Street.

When officers surrounded him, he refused to drop a knife he was holding and, after using multiple non-lethal weapons on Woods, officers fired at him when he appeared to walk toward the officers, police said.

The shooting generated public outrage after it was captured on video by several bystanders and was widely circulated on social media.

On Friday, more than a dozen protesters gathered inside the entrance to the office of San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon. They tried to press Gascon to file charges against the officers involved.

We want justice, said Cassandra Grant, with the Mario Woods Coalition. Weve been waiting a year. Its been far too long.

A group that calls itself Mothers on the March has followed through on a promise made more than a month ago to demonstrate at the office every Friday at noon until Gascon agrees to meet with them to discuss charging officers involved in fatal shootings with murder.

The group is named in honor of the mothers of those who have died during recent officer-involved shootings in San Francisco. The parents of Alex Nieto, who was fatally shot by police in 2014, Elvira and Refugio Nieto, have been actively participating in the demonstrations.

"We're here to support these mothers but this historic day on the anniversary of Mario could not go unaddressed. So were in solidarity with the mothers on the march to tell them that they're not alone," Minister Christopher Muhammad said during the demonstration.

Woods' fatal shooting is one of a handful of fatal shootings that have occurred in recent years. The fatal shootings have put pressure on the police department to make changes, including the resignation of former police Chief Greg Suhr and the appointment of interim police Chief Toney Chaplin.

"Chief Chaplin is not someone who we can look to to stand up to the police officers' association, who has their tentacles wrapped around this [police] department." Muhammad said. "How dare this department think that we can believe that they will transform themselves? There's no history or evidence.

"Whenever this department made reforms it was forced to do it by court order, so we're calling in on the justice department to step in."

Following Woods' shooting, his family filed a civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit against the city in federal court, accusing police of using extreme force.

In response, the San Francisco City Attorney's Office said the shooting was justified as he allegedly told officers they would have to shoot him before he would drop the knife.

An autopsy report later revealed that that Woods had suffered 20 penetrating gunshot wounds, many of them to the back of his body, and one apparent graze from a bullet. Woods also had several large bruises consistent with non-lethal projectiles, the autopsy found.

Additionally, the autopsy also found that Woods had drugs in his system including methamphetamine and amphetamines, marijuana, anti-depressants, cough syrup, nicotine and caffeine.

During Friday's demonstration, District Attorney spokesman Max Szabo said to the demonstrators that while there's no update in any of the officer-involved shooting cases, Gascon has agreed to meet with the Justice 4 Mario Woods Coalition sometime next week. Details about the meeting were not immediately available.

Also on Friday, in honor of Woods, dozens of people showed up to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in the city's Bayview neighborhood at around 3:30 p.m. From there, they marched down Third Street to Fitzgerald Avenue, to the site where Woods was fatally shot by police.
Lawmakers on Friday urged Californias incoming attorney general to revive an apparently stalled two-year-old corruption probe into possible backroom deals between utilities and state regulators.

The three officials who lobbied for the the corruption probe back in September 2014  State Senator Jerry Hill, Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin and San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane  wrote a letter Friday urging Governor Jerry Browns replacement for Kamala Harris, Xavier Becerra, to press the effort.

The probe began after emails disclosed following the 2010 San Bruno gas explosion showed cozy dealings between regulators  exposing apparent judge-shopping by PG&E in a key regulatory case arising out of the disaster that left eight dead.

Were told the investigation is alive and well and its continuing, but we havent seen any progress, said San Bruno City Manager Connie Jackson.

She continued: But we have a new attorney general coming in. Now is a good time to focus attention on this particular investigation and make sure it moves to the top of the pile.

In January 2015, state agents seized documents and computer records from the San Francisco headquarters of the Public Utilities Commission. The probe began after emails released PG&E raised

State agents also searched the Los Angeles county home of the PUC President Michael Peevey and uncovered evidence of an unrelated secret deal to shut down the San Onofre nuclear plant saddled closing costs on customers. Peevey was soon ousted.

Lawmakers who wrote to Becerra, a former congressman from Los Angeles county legislator and prosecutor, to express concern over the status of the probe.

Its essential that a thorough investigation move forward and that all possible criminal charges are vigorously prosecuted, Hill said in a statement. A misstep or a delay could impair  or eliminate  the chance to pursue a case.
President-elect Donald Trump is tweeting  and making waves.

On Friday, Trump broke with decades of foreign policy and spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and then talked about it on Twitter  angering Chinese leaders.

But political strategist Jim Ross believes this is Trumps latest attempt to use Twitter to drive the news cycle.

The president of Taiwan doesnt just call the President-elect of the United States, Ross said. Thats not how diplomacy works. Thats now how the world works.

News of the unprecedented call and subsequent tweet has reverberated around the world.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! Trump tweeted.

Ross says this was a very intentional move to ensure that the Sunday morning shows will all be about Trump and his diplomacy."

Taiwan and China have been at odds for decades. This, after the United States severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 after recognizing Beijing as Chinas sole government.

When trumps followers reacted to his initial tweet, he roared back on social media saying, Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

Political posturing is one thing, but Ross cautioned: The world is a dangerous place and I think you have to be very careful what you say to world leaders.
Richmond Mayor Tom Butt recently sent out a mass email celebrating the city's conspicuous absence on a list of Northern California's 12 most dangerous cities.

Friday, he sent out a retraction.

Turns out, Richmond was left off the list not because it has grown less dangerous, but because the city had not sent its most recent crime statistics to the FBI.

"No news is good news, they say," Butt said in Friday's email, which contained the city's crime stats for 2014 and 2015.

The city's overall crime rate, based on crimes per 100,000 residents, was down about 1 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to police data included in Butt's email.

The violent crime rate was up nearly 13 percent for the same period and the property crime rate was down by almost 4 percent.

Homicides were up almost 91 percent, with 11 killings in 2014 and 21 in 2015, according to the police data.

The dramatic spike in homicide numbers is attributable to gang violence, Richmond police spokesman Lt. Felix Tan said.

"It's gang on gang," Tan said. "There are a lot of old feuds that are happening."

As for the list of the region's 12 most dangerous cities, if Richmond was included, it would have ranked fifth, just ahead of Vallejo.

The list was compiled by the Santa Rosa law firm of Li and Lozada and features Oakland as the most dangerous city, followed by Stockton, Modesto and Merced.

The data wasn't initially sent to the FBI because the Police Department "suffered a significant data loss in November 2015 as a result of a combination of human neglect and software failure," according to Chief Allwyn Brown.
(Corrects to clarify that Shenmao Technology did not say it bought tin from the Wa mine)

By Yimou Lee and Joel Schectman

YANGON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies.

More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found.

The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters.

This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid "direct or indirect" dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving U.S. official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement.

Several sanctions experts said the U.S. government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Myanmar tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said.

A Treasury Department spokeswoman said U.S. sanctions "generally prohibit U.S. companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities" on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances.

The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex.

Following a 2012 U.S. regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa.

Story continues

But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones.

Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfil those regulations they looked to an audit programme designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI).

A CFSI programme director said the group was "aware of tin exports from Myanmar to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Myanmar". The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include "a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas".

Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa.

"Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible," she said.

CIVIL WAR

Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating.

The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal.

The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organisation to do so.

Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by U.S. and other international companies.

Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Myanmar's peace process.

"There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning," the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. "Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. It's the biggest source of income."

While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents.

Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the U.S. Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence.

"The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved," Kucik said.

The world's No. 1 tin producer, Yunnan Tin Co Ltd, told Reuters that some tin it bought was from the Wa mine, the source of almost all Myanmar's tin exports.

Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from China's leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine.

Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of U.S. sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A U.S. government official involved in Myanmar policy consulted on Reuters' findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA.

Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said.

SUPPLY CHAIN

The chain connecting some of the world's best known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. ((For a GRAPHIC, click on: http://tmsnrt.rs/2giJmcq))

One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys "a long-term, stable strategic partnership" with the UWSA statelet.

YCII declined several interview requests.

YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the world's top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan.

Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, whose clients include Pegatron Corp, another large contract manufacturer. Both Pegatron and Foxconn count Apple among their clients.

Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. While it was possible Yunnan Tin bought tin from Myanmar, sourcing from the country was not regarded as problematic by the audit programme Shenmao follows, he said.

"Myanmar is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSI...As long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, that's acceptable for us," said Lin.

In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from U.S.-based trade tracking company Panjiva.

More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Two members of Yunnan Tin's board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a "portion" of the company's tin came from the UWSA-operated mine.

"We certainly buy tin indirectly from Myanmar," Pan told Reuters. "We don't specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from."

Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste.

That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tin's purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons.

Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, "and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain".

"While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Myanmar in our products, we'll continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights," it said.

Foxconn said it "enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers".

It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a "single, non-U.S.-based customer".

Pegatron Corp said it carried out "annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains".

"Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly," the company added.

FROM JEWELLERY TO APPLIANCES

Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals.

Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a "very small amount of tin" from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewellery and hollowware.

The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, "use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy".

Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops.

The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Myanmar, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures.

A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had "noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners".

A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was "committed to responsible business conduct".

"We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this," the statement said.

(Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Yangon, JR Wu in Taipei, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Paul Carsten in Beijing and Sijia Jiang in Hong Kong; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Post-election fears keep growing in the Bay Area, especially when it comes to immigration.

On Friday, the San Jose Police Department did something almost unprecedented by holding a news conference to remind immigrants have nothing to fear in their city.

"Let me be clear, the San Jose Police Department does not and will not ask victims or witnesses about their immigration status," Police Chief Eddie Garcia said.

Garcia said he does not remember the last time his police force held a big news conference just to reiterate department policy. But the chief said since the presidential election, he has received an earful from community leaders.

"The Mexican community is really scared about what's going to happen with immigration measures," Mexican Consul General Mauricio Toussaint said.

Arturo Alfaro said his countrymen are very worried and Mexican immigrants are not the only ones concerned.

"Some people in the Muslim and Iranian community have come to meet with me, and asked if the city is creating a list for deportations," City Councilman Johnny Khamis said. "It does not exist. It will not exist."

City leaders hope immigrants get the message that San Jose is not in the business of enforcing immigration laws.

San Jose is not an official sanctuary city and there are no plans in the works to make it one.

Garcia said Friday's conference was not about politics, but about protecting some in the city who are living in fear.
China's foreign minister said Saturday he hopes Beijing's relations with the U.S. would not be "interfered with or damaged" after President-elect Donald Trump broke with decadeslong diplomatic tradition and spoke directly with Taiwan's leader.

It is highly unusual, probably unprecedented, for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the U.S. broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the call between Taiwan's president and Trump was "just a small trick by Taiwan" that he believed would not change U.S. policy toward China, according to Hong Kong's Phoenix TV.

"The one-China policy is the cornerstone of the healthy development of China-U.S. relations and we hope this political foundation will not be interfered with or damaged," Wang was quoted as saying.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland. Under that policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

A statement from Trump's transition team said he spoke with Ing-wen, who offered her congratulations.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties ... between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," the statement said.

Trump tweeted later: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

About an hour later, Trump groused about the reaction to the call. "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," he tweeted.

The Taiwanese presidential office issued a statement early Saturday saying Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of U.S. relations with Taiwan.

"The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer cooperative relations," the statement said.

"The president also told U.S. President-elect Trump that she hopes the U.S. will continue to support Taiwan's efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future," Tsai's office said.

It said the two also "shared ideas and concepts" on "promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defense" to improve the lives of ordinary people.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.

DNC spokesman Eric Walker called Trump's Taiwan call "foolish" and accused the president-elect of prioritizing his personal fortune over the U.S.'s security interests.

"Donald Trump is either too incompetent to understand that his foolish call threatens out national security, or he's doing it deliberately because he reportedly wants to build hotels in Taiwan to pad his own pockets," Walker wrote.

Friday's call is the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

Tsai was democratically elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The U.S. policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled.

Although the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has close unofficial ties. Taiwan's government has a representative office in Washington and other U.S. cities. The U.S. also has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Taiwan is separated from China by the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. The island counts the U.S. as its most important security partner and source of arms, but it is increasingly outgunned by China.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trump's conversation does not signal any change to long-standing U.S. policy on "cross-strait" issues.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," Price said. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."

The NSC stressed that every president has benefited from the "expertise and counsel" of the State Department on matters like this, which suggested that the White House was frustrated by Trump's conversation with the Taiwanese leader.

Still, the White House said Obama remains committed to a smooth transition to the new administration.

Diplomatic protocol dictates that Taiwanese presidents can transit through the U.S. but not visit Washington.

Douglas Paal, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan during the George W. Bush administration, said that to his knowledge the call was unprecedented. He said he expected Beijing to issue a verbal warning that there's no space to change the rules over Taiwan relations.
Jesse Jackson Jr. urged President Barack Obama Thursday to pardon millions of former prison inmates, a group that would include Jackson and his wife, former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson.

In his open letter to the president, which Jackson posted to his Facebook page early Thursday morning, the former congressman claimed that the great 2016 pardoning of the masses will create a resounding echo in history and will mark you as the greatest Christian president ever to serve.

Mr. President, for those Americans who have traipsed through the criminal justice system and transcended transgression by duly serving time, the outcome should be clear, Jackson wrote in the post. An official declaration of TIME SERVED, for each and every eligible member of the American family, from the highest office of the land is the only response congruent with the redemption story of Christ.

Truly, Mr. President, with a presidential pardon equally monumental to, and greater in scope than, the Emancipation Proclamation the legacy of Barack Hussein Obama II will be one of faith, hope and love, he added.

Jackson pled guilty in 2013 to charges he illegally spent campaign fund on a variety of expensive items, like a $4,600 fedora owned by Michael Jackson and a $1,200 reversible mink parka. Jackson ultimately served over a year in jail before being released into a halfway house in 2015.

His wife, Sandi Jackson, pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 2013, a charge that stemmed from the same case. She was released from prison earlier this year. Jackson Jr.s relationship status on Facebook is listed as separated.

In his post Thursday, Jackson doesnt lobby for his own pardon, although he and his wife would be included in a blanket reprieve of former inmates.

Pardon the many and uplift the masses, Jackson wrote to the president.

As a felon on the Southside of Chicago, I can attest that nothing has changed since you left, he added. That is, if we dont count the increased gun violence.

This isnt the first time Jackson has made an appeal for a pardon. In letters sent to NBC Chicago in 2014, Jackson said he believed Obama should issue pardons to inmates who have served their sentences. In November, Jackson made a similar appeal in a separate Facebook post, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Trooper Michael Cokins was told by doctors he would likely never walk again after being critically injured by a drunk driver, but more than two years after the crash, the determined officer is already back on the job -- but the road to recovery wasn't easy.

In an exclusive interview with NBC Chicago, Cokins reflects on the painful journey that followed one of the most shocking moments in his life.

"There were a lot of dark days and frustrating moments," he said.

A 61-year-old woman has been sentenced to prison in the drunk driving crash that critically injured Cokins.

Leslie Thurow, of Mount Prospect, was sentenced to 13 years at the Illinois Department of Corrections after she was charged with several counts of aggravated driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash and aggravated reckless driving, according to Illinois State Police.

**WARNING: Graphic footage** Video shows the moment an Illinois State Police trooper was hit by an alleged drunk driver in 2014. The trooper has since returned to work and the driver was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Thurow was accused of striking Cokins on Interstate 294 near North Avenue around 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2014. Cokins was conducting a traffic stop on the right shoulder of the roadway when he was hit by a vehicle.

The driver allegedly continued traveling northbound on I-294, where she hit an SUV carrying a family of four, police said. The SUV rolled over in the crash and the other vehicle crashed into the concrete median.

Cokins suffered 15 broken bones and underwent eight surgeries and 17 months of therapy before returning to work in May, nearly two years after the crash.

Dashcam video captured the accident, showing the horrifying moment Cokins was hurled over the hood of the car he had stopped. The graphic video was played in court during Thurow's sentencing.

"My little sister saw it for the first time [Thursday]," Cokins said. "I've been protecting her from seeing it, having that burned into her mind."

Police said Thurows blood alcohol content was over twice the legal limit at the time of the crash and her drivers license had been revoked for previous driving under the influence convictions. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney.

Drinking and driving is a dangerous choice that can lead to deadly consequences, ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz said in a statement. Driving under the influence is never a good option and can be very costly both financially and criminally. Always designate a driver before consuming alcohol.

Cokins thanked the many witnesses that stopped to help him after the crash.

"A dozen if not 20 people that jumped out their cars, ripping off their sweatshirts to tie around my limbs, making sure I stayed ocnscious," he said.

Cokins said he owes his recovery to those people.

"I owed it not only to myself, but also owed it to them to give it everything I got," Cokins said.
Jeff Jacoby and his four-legged friend have been a holiday bell ringing staple for the Salvation Army for five yearsa holiday fixture outside the Jewel Osco in Rolling Meadows.

Until this yearwhen the Salvation Army captain I Des Plaines decided to ban animals.

He said it isnt going to be a popular decision but its a decision I have to make, Jacoby said of the captain.

The captain in Des Plaines told NBC 5 the dog did nothing wrong and the decision was made to avoid any potential problems in the future.

Jacoby was devastated, but said he understood.

Hunter belongs to Jacobys good friend Chuck Swietlik.

I thought liability right away, Swietlik said. I was hurt, very hurt.

Customers noticed Hunters absence immediately, Swietlik and Jacoby say.

Wheres the dog? I get that 50-60 times a day, Jacoby said.

He also says he thinks his donations are down as a result.

He draws people here that wouldnt be coming up, and all the women and kidsthey give money, he said.

Jacoby says he thinks pups like Hunter help out the Salvation Armys efforts, and Swietlik agrees.

He didnt do anything wrong and wed like to see him back, he told NBC 5. I think it would be a very nice Christmas wish for him to come back.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford was all set to play for the team Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers, but when he'll take the ice again is now in question after he was diagnosed with appendicitis.

"Corey presented this morning with acute appendicitis," Blackhawks head team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement.

"He is undergoing an appendectomy today at a Philadelphia hospital. We are anticipating a full recovery and return to play," Terry added.

The diagnosis means that Crawford will be out for an undetermined period of time after the procedure, according to the Blackhawks, who will provide more details of the timeline for his return when they "have more information about the surgery."
Ports and railways. Those are the two key projects the City of New London wants to invest in to make the area competitive for trade and commerce.

New London Mayor Michael Passero teamed up with Senator Richard Blumenthal and the Connecticut Port Authority Friday to talk about plans to build up the port and freight rail service in New London. They didn't announce any specific projects, but say new jobs and new business is what they're after.

"(New London) was the richest city, the most prosperous city in the state because of this port. Because of this asset," Passero said, adding the state and federal governments have since failed to recognize the importance of the port in the city.

Applying for money for better lighting, fixing the rails and finding better ways to move cargo can go a long way, said Scott Bates, chairman of the Connecticut Port Authority.

It would also keep more trucks off the road, Blumenthal said, touting how using the ports or trains are less expensive and more environmentally friendly options. It also could New London very competitive on a global scale.

Currently the port only receives a shipment every three weeks, according to Joe Salvatore, program manager for the Connecticut Port Authority. He wants that number to ramp up to one shipment per week. But he understands it will take time.

All three leaders said the investment could create thousands of jobs, both permanent and temporary.

"You're talking about construction jobs, then we get more shipping in here, you have longshoreman, you have truckers, you have people who run the restaurants down the hill," Bates said.

The Connecticut Port Authority is still working on a proposal, but Bates says it will ask for millions of dollars.

"So we can get the port moving to its full capacity," he said.

One possible plan is creating a commercial fishing pier.

"We buy all whole fish and we struggle to get our hands on a lot of this stuff most of the time. Availability of the species that we buy is not always there," said Shawn Overend of The Mystic Fishery/The Fishery.

Overend said these fisherman are bound to a lot of restrictions. But he is cautiously optimistic about a potential new commercial fisherman pier opening up in New London to provide even more purchasing options.

A recent $8.2 million grant will also help increase the New England Central Railroad's freight-carrying capacity that starts in New London and services Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Canada.
Enfield police continue to search for the driver who hit and killed a skateboarder early Friday morning.

Jeremy Mercier, 20, was hit while trying to help a friend, according to police.

I didnt sleep last night at all, Brian Kozieracki said.

The incident happened around 1 a.m. right outside Kozieracki's Enfield home on Route 5.

It startled us, jumped out of bed, like what was that? And looked out the window and saw something or someone laying at the end of our driveway, Kozieracki, said.

Kozieracki rushed to call 911.

He said he and his wife never saw the car that hit Mercier and then sped away.

Now a memorial stands near Orbit Drive where police say Mercier died.

He had been skateboarding around 1:00am when he was hit by a car, creating a horrifying sound.

Its a terrible tragedy that occurred and were doing everything we can to locate the person who was involved, Enfield Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said.

Loved ones say Mercier had jumped on his skateboard to bring a can of a gas to a friend who had run out.

As he headed out on the several-mile trip, he was hit just around the corner from his home.

Those who considered Mercier family say the young man had tough past but a bright future.

They, police, and the community have a message to the driver to do the right thing now.

It only gets worse if you hide from it and you dont take responsibility, Kozieracki, said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Enfield police.
Principals, Human Resources directors and superintendents from the states major urban school districts gathered for two days in New Haven to meet with representatives from historically black colleges and universities about bringing their graduates to Connecticut for education jobs.

To discuss how we can create a pipeline of minority teachers from the south up to the north to get into our classrooms, said Scot X. Esdaile, president of the NAACP of Connecticut, which co-hosted the symposium with New Haven Public School.

Debbie Breland grew up in North Carolina and graduated from Fayetteville State University.

Being an HBCU graduate I was recruited to New Haven back in 1987 to come teach high school English, Breland said.

Almost thirty years later, Breland is now the New Haven School Districts minority teacher recruitment coordinator.

Only about a quarter of teachers in New Haven Public Schools are black and Latino, while minorities make up 80 percent of the student population, Breland said.

There arent a lot of minorities going into education as they used to be, she added.

Officials from the states Department of Education addressed the guests from the HBCUs.

So that they would understand the certification process in Connecticut and they can take that information back and try to make it even with their educational programs to ready their students to come to Connecticut to become teachers, Breland said.

Beyond recruiting education majors from the south, Breland said the district hopes to inspire its own students to consider careers in education.

I have a daughter who is a senior in high school and she aspires to be an elementary school teacher, Breland said, so Im adding to it by growing my own, so eventually shell be in a classroom teaching autistic children.

Retirements are partly to blame for the dwindling number of minority teachers in urban school districts, Esdaile told NBC Connecticut.

New Haven is hoping to recruit minorities to fill both teaching and administrative positions, Breland said.
Breaking once more from presidential custom, Donald Trump is turning to a military man to steer the U.S. military, choosing retired Gen. James Mattis, who will be the first career officer to lead the Pentagon since just after World War II.

Mattis, 66, is a Marine Corps general who retired in 2013 after serving as commander of the U.S. Central Command, responsible for directing America's wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The president-elect, who has referred to Mattis by his nickname "Mad Dog," made the announcement of his choice for defense secretary at a postelection victory rally Thursday night in Cincinnati.

The selection raises questions about increased military influence in a job designed to ensure civilian control of the armed forces. Those traditional concerns revolve around whether a recently retired service member would rely more on military solutions to international problems rather than take a broader, more diplomatic approach.

For Mattis to be confirmed, Congress would first have to approve legislation bypassing a law that bars retired military officers from becoming defense secretary within seven years of leaving active duty.

Mattis has a reputation as a battle-hardened, tough-talking Marine who was entrusted with some of the most challenging commands in the U.S. military. In a tweet last month, Trump described him as "A true General's General!"

Mattis also has talked tough on Middle East policy, and was blunt in his assessment in 2013 that the Obama administration's program of sanctions and diplomatic efforts to stop Iran from gaining nuclear weapons were not working. Tehran, he said, "has a history of denial and deceit."

He also warned of risks in setting up the no-fly zone over Libya in 2011. And he was vocal in his assessment that the U.S. needed to keep two Navy aircraft carriers in the Middle East to provide additional security and support for American military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan that dragged on in recent years.

Mattis would be only the second retired general to serve as defense secretary, the first being George C. Marshall in 1950-51 during the Korean War. Marshall was a much different figure, having previously served as U.S. secretary of state and playing a key role in creating closer ties with Western Europe after World War II.

The only previous exception to the law requiring a gap after military service was for Marshall.

Although his record in combat and his credentials as a senior commander are widely admired, Mattis has little experience in the diplomatic aspects of the job of secretary of defense.

Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security, described him as a defense intellectual and as a military leader who distinguished himself in combat.

"He knows the Middle East, South Asia, NATO and other areas and has evinced both a nuanced approach to the wars we're in and an appreciation for the importance of allies," Fontaine said in an email exchange. "If he were to get the nomination, I suspect that he could attract a number of very talented people to work with him."

But Mattis hasn't been free of controversy. He was criticized for remarking in 2005 that he enjoyed shooting people. He also drew more recent scrutiny for his involvement with the embattled biotech company Theranos, where he serves on the board.

Born in Pullman, Washington, Mattis enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969, later earning a history degree from Central Washington University. He was commissioned as an officer in 1972. As a lieutenant colonel, he led an assault battalion into Kuwait during the first U.S. war with Iraq in 1991.

As head of Central Command from 2010 until his retirement in 2013, he was in charge of both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Mattis commanded the Marines who launched an early amphibious assault into Afghanistan and established a U.S. foothold in the Taliban heartland.

As the first wave of Marines moved toward Kandahar, Mattis declared, "The Marines have landed, and now we own a piece of Afghanistan."

Two years later, he helped lead the invasion into Iraq in 2003 as the two-star commander of the 1st Marine Division.

In 2005, he raised eyebrows when he told a San Diego forum that it was "fun to shoot some people."

According to a recording of his remarks, Mattis said, "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. ... It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up front with you, I like brawling."

He added, "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis continued. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

Mattis was counseled to choose his words more carefully.

A year later, Mattis came under scrutiny during one of the more high-profile criminal investigations of the Iraq war, the shooting deaths of 24 Iraqis by Marines.

The Iraqis, who included unarmed women and children, were killed by Marines in the town of Haditha after one of their comrades was killed by a roadside bomb. Eight Marines were charged in connection with the killings  four enlisted men were charged with unpremeditated murder, and four officers who weren't there at the time were accused of failures in investigating and reporting the deaths.

As commander of the accused Marines' parent unit, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Mattis ultimately dismissed charges against most of the Marines.

Separately, as a top Marine general, Mattis pushed for the military to adopt blood-testing technology developed by Theranos.

As reported by The Washington Post , Mattis first met Theranos founder Elizabeth A. Holmes in 2011. A year later, according to emails obtained by the Post, Holmes used her connection to Mattis to pressure him to intervene after a Pentagon official raised concerns that the company was distributing its technology without approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

The emails show within hours after Holmes asked Mattis for help, he forwarded her email to other military officials asking them, "How do we overcome this new obstacle."

Mattis joined the Theranos board the same year he retired. The company, which raised hundreds of millions of dollars on the promise of breakthrough blood-testing technology, was forced to invalidate two years of patients' test results after the reliability of its proprietary blood-testing machinery was questioned by internal and government whistleblowers and investigative reporting by The Wall Street Journal.
On the 34th anniversary of they day he was killed in the line of duty, the headquarters of the Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Bureau was renamed for a special agent assigned to the New Haven field office.

Special Agent Ariel Rios was gunned down during an undercover drug deal.

Three and a half decades later, a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. was held to officially name ATF Headquarters in honor of Rios.

Sgt. First class Frank Rios was just a 1-year-old when his father was killed. He said the ceremony was emotional for his family.

American hero, and Hispanic hero, an ATF agent, Sgt. 1st Class Rios said.

Sgt. First Class Rios unveiled the official plaque naming ATF headquarters for his father on Friday.

Its an honor to have this kind of acknowledgment for my fathers career and life and everything hes done and accomplished, Sgt. 1st Class Rios said.

Its an honor for the family. I dont want to start crying again, so its beautiful, Esilda Morales-Rios, Agent Rios' widow said.

On Friday December 2, 1982, Agent Rios gave a wink to his partner and supervisor Agent Alex DAtri. The pair had just sealed the deal in a major undercover buy of 3 kilos of cocaine worth $150,000.

It was to be a big win against the Colombian cartels; the cocaine cowboys dominating the drug world and contributing to the rising death count in South Florida.

In seconds, tragedy erupted inside a rundown motel in Little Havana, Miami.

Rios was a shot in the face with a 357-Magnum.

My father was shot and killed. And then his partner was shot like 5-6 times and lived to tell the tale, Sgt. 1st Class Rios said.

Special Agent DAtri heard Special Agent Rios yell 'no' and then he heard a gunshot," Timothy J. Carroll, Resident Agent in charge of the Hartford field office said. "He turned to see Agent Rios and one of the men struggling over a firearm. Then he saw Special Agent Rios get shot. Special Agent DAtri returned fire, but while returning fire he was also shot.

The United States never forgotten agent Rios' sacrifice.

He stands out for his courage, selflessness and dedication to the mission of this agency, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at Friday's ceremony.

At the time, Rios had volunteered for the Vice Presidents Anti-Drug Task Force, wanting to take down the drug lords that had taken over Miami-Dade County.

His former supervisors and fellow co-workers said he was a natural undercover agent. Born to do it, and he could transform himself into anything," Carroll said. "Agent Rios was the first of the modern ATF to be killed in the line of duty.

He loved his job, he really did. He lived for his job and there is no way hed want to do anything different, Morales-Rios said.

Now her late husbands legacy will live on forever in Washington.

Its an ending and a reward for all agents who worked so hard to make it happen. It was them who made it happen, Sgt. 1st Class Rios said. He was very committed to his job, he did everything at 100-percent. I have a drive in me, I feel like i got from him.

In 1985 the Ariel Rios Federal Building was named in honor of Agent Rios. ATF shared the building was other agencies on Pennsylvania Avenue, but that building was renamed for President Bill Clinton in 2013.

ATF had never before had a standalone headquarters without sharing a building with another agency. ATF moved into its new headquarters in 2006.

The Ariel Rios building is the only federal building in Washington, D.C. named after a fallen agent.
A Texas judge Friday denied a request to stop members of the ailing Dallas Police and Fire Pension system from voting on benefit reductions.

State District Court Judge Ken Molberg issued his ruling denying a request from the plaintiffs-- five police officers and firefighters-- for a temporary injunction to stop the election, which had been scheduled for two weeks at the end of November.

The pension board's executive director, Kelly Gottschalk, testified that the ailing fund was losing a combined $3.3 million in savings and contributions from proposed plan amendments every month the vote was delayed. Members have pulled more than $500 million in deferred retirement account funds out of the plan since August, worsening the plan's financial standing and drawing national attention.

Molberg said the plaintiffs had not met the burden of proof for an injunction, which includes showing immediate, irreparable harm caused by the vote taking place. For the amendments to pass, 65 percent of the more than 5,000 beneficiaries must approve the changes.

The lawsuit, which is set for trial in March, alleges that the pension board illegally increased its members from seven to 12.

In September, the plan was projected to reach insolvency in less than 15 years and was less than 45 percent funded to make future payments. Those problems have contributed to Moody's Investors Service twice downgrading the city's credit rating in the last two years, and city and state officials have urged immediate changes.

State Comptroller Glenn Hegar told Dallas-area business leaders this week that the police and fire pension issues were a "black eye" to the state. He and other state officials have been adamant that a local solution will have to be found.

"We anticipate that the local community, city and pension board will solve their own challenges, without the need of intervention from the state, but (we) will act if required," said State Rep. Dan Flynn, who chairs the Texas House Committee on Pensions. Flynn noted that city leaders in Houston, which also faces worsening pension issues, have come to the table with a proposal-- something he hopes Dallas can do soon.

But infighting continues between city officials and pension leaders.

Mayor Mike Rawlings wrote a letter to the pension board this week asking it to stop deferred retirement account withdrawals.

"Already, as a result of your actions, the Pension System's ability to pay its members' future benefits has been irreparably reduced from a period of 15 years to 10 years," he wrote.

Pension board President Sam Friar responded in a letter to members, saying the mayor had not addressed the board members' belief that access to the deferred retirement funds is constitutionally protected.

Ailing pension systems around the country are watching to see how Dallas moves forward to stave off insolvency.

But Alicia Munnell, the director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College said the Dallas pension plan is an anomaly, not an example. She said the plan invested more than 68 percent of its assets in real estate and alternatives such as infrastructure and natural resources, compared with the average of less than 22 percent. She also noted that the generous deferred retirement program has exacerbated the situation.

"I don't think we're going to find the exact same things happening elsewhere," Munnell said.

Phone messages left for Gottschalk and the plaintiffs' attorney were not immediately returned Friday.
Nearly a decade later, Dallas police are still searching for answers in a road rage killing along a busy North Dallas road.

Ken Woolsey was shot and killed in March 2007 while a passenger in a vehicle driven by his wife on Abrams Road.

He and his family had just moved back to Texas three days prior to the shooting.

"He was a great tour guide because he was familiar with all that area," said his father, Byron Woolsey, as he spoke about a trip to visit Ken in England.

Byron Woolsey shared a picture he took of his three sons standing in the English countryside in 2005.

"This was one of the greatest times that we had as a family together," said Ken's brother, Mark Woolsey.

"I think about him and I miss him a lot," said another brother, Don Woolsey.

Police say Ken Woolsey's wife was cautiously driving through a construction zone on Abrams Road when the driver behind them became impatient. The tailgater pulled up alongside the Woolseys' vehicle and fired one shot, striking Ken in the head.

"I obviously didn't know the extent of what happened to him, and so I thought, 'Oh, boy, he'd been shot. How long is this going to take, and what it's going to require before he can get well," said father Byron Woolsey.

Ken Woolsey died hours after the shooting with his family at his bedside.

"I was able to pray over Ken and that  a measure of something you want to be able to do while he was still there," said Mark Woolsey.

The images, memories and what if's are still so raw, especially for their father.

"You always think about this, had they left the house two seconds later none of this would have happened," Byron Woolsey said.

Perhaps the hardest part for the Woolsey family is that in the middle of the busy intersection at Abrams Road and Walnut Street during rush hour, there was no credible witness to lead to an arrest. What's more, Ken Woolsey's own son, who was just 9 years old at the time, witnessed the horror from the backseat.

"I thought a lot about that as well, how traumatic it was for him to be sitting there and see his dad get shot in the head," said Byron Woolsey.

A gunman's split-second decision took a father, son and brother. One thing remains strong, though. The family believes the truth will eventually be told.

"I would hope that someone who was there at the time, that saw it happen, that remembers it would come forward, would identify the shooter, and that justice would be done. That's my hope," Mark Woolsey said.

Anyone with information on this cold case is asked to call Dallas Police.

Read more about the Ken Woolsey shooting from NBC 5's media partners at The Dallas Morning News.
Dunbar High School band director David Rhone has a dilemma -- one he admits he likes having and one he wishes he didn't have all at the same time.

In his first year at the helm of the school's band program, he's watched it grow. But now, he has more students than instruments.

"Instruments are not cheap," said Rhone. "Trying to ask for ten more drums is impossible because all the money in the budget has been allocated already."

So for now, many of his students have to share instruments -- cleaning them with sanitizer before passing them to another classmate.

"It's been challenging," said Rhone. "But they've met that challenge."

They've made their situation work and proven they have talent. And that's what impressed Fidelity Investments, which decided it was time to buy stock in the band.

On Friday, employees from several local offices came to Dunbar High School and surprised the students with more than $30,000 worth of brand new instruments.

"Words can't even express how much we appreciate Fidelity coming through for us and making this just a wonderful day for our kids," said Rhone. "For years to come, this is going to be a blessing to our band."

And he believes it will open opportunities for his students. Now that each of them will get their own instrument, they'll have more time to practice and improve their musicianship, which he hopes translates into music scholarships.
A recent Dallas Baptist University Graduate was recovering Friday from wounds suffered in a freeway attack.

Anthony Edwards, of Arlington, said he was driving westbound on Interstate 20 near Hampton Road in Dallas when nine shots struck his Dodge Durango around 3 p.m. Thursday.

Edwards said a Kia Soul, with a man at the wheel and a woman in the passenger seat, drove up beside him twice on the freeway. He said the shots were fired at him on the second pass.

I roll down the window. I say whats going on? Next thing I know I hear gun shots, and I drove off the freeway so I wouldnt get hit. And it was just random. Im just a student, he said.

To get away, Edwards said he drove into the center median and down an embankment to Hampton Road below the freeway.

Glass is flying. I didnt feel anything. It was like I went black. I feel like an angel was with me, Edwards said.

The victim said he suffered four graze wounds from the bullets that passed by him in the vehicle but he was not aware of all four until a manager at the repair shop where his car was towed pointed them out.

He didnt feel it, said Manager Seat Trites. He had me show it to him, take a picture of it actually and show it to him. It looks like it may have been a bullet wound lodged into his side. I told him he needed to go to the hospital.

Edwards said he has applied to law schools and also serves as a Christian minister. He said he cannot imagine why anyone would shoot at him.

Im not a guy whos involved in any gang activity. Im a guy whos trying to live for God. Im trying to better myself with education, he said.

Dallas Police confirmed Friday an investigation of aggravated assault is underway.

Edwards said he hopes media attention will help police arrest a suspect.

This could happen to me, you or your children, he said.
The scheduled execution of a man found guilty of murdering his two young daughters in 2001 has once again been halted over concerns of his mental competency.

Attorneys for John David Battaglia confirmed in a statement to NBC 5 that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay of execution Friday but had no further comment.

Battaglia's legal team asked that the execution be halted so that the state appeals court or a federal court can review a recent ruling which found Battaglia mentally sound enough to be put to death.

This is the second time this year a stay has been issued on Battaglia's behalf. On March 30 a federal appeals court stopped Battaglia's scheduled lethal injection so the mental competency questions could be reviewed.

Following a two-day hearing last month to determine his competency, Battaglia was found mentally competent to be executed.

In a court document obtained by NBC 5, Dallas County Judge Robert Burns said in November Battaglia failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he was incompetent to be executed.

Three forensic psychologists testified in the hearing that Battaglia suffered from a delusional disorder that makes him believe he did not kill his children. However, a fourth psychologist told the court Battaglia is competent for execution and that he believed Battaglia could be faking symptoms of a delusional disorder.

"He first insists he was not present at the time of his daughter's death and then he provides a possible excuse for why he might of been present, implying why he might of killed them," said Dr. James Womack. "He would have likely maintained his position that he was not there at the time of the murders and argue any evidence law enforcement had, would have been fabricated."

The court found that "if Battaglia does have a severe mental illness, it does not rise to the level that it interferes with his rational understanding of the reason for his execution."

Prior to the latest stay, Battaglia was to be executed Dec. 7.
The nation's largest mall is hosting its first-ever black Santa Claus this weekend.

The Star-Tribune reports The Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis hired Larry Jefferson to play Kris Kringle from Thursday to Sunday as part of its Santa Experience.

Santa Experience co-owner Landon Luther says they "want Santa to be for everyone, period."

With that in mind, he tells the newspaper he launched a nationwide search for a diverse Santa and found Jefferson at a Santa convention in Branson, Missouri, over the summer.

He was the only black Santa among the 1,000 impersonators in attendance.

Jefferson tells WCCO-TV that playing the jolly old elf is "no big deal" to him, saying "I'm still Santa, I just happen to be a Santa of color."

Jefferson will return home to play Santa in the Dallas-area after Sunday.

The nation's largest mall is hosting its first-ever black Santa Claus this weekend.

The Star-Tribune reports The Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis hired Larry Jefferson to play Kris Kringle from Thursday to Sunday as part of its Santa Experience.

Santa Experience co-owner Landon Luther says they "want Santa to be for everyone, period."

With that in mind, he tells the newspaper he launched a nationwide search for a diverse Santa and found Jefferson at a Santa convention in Branson, Missouri, over the summer.

He was the only black Santa among the 1,000 impersonators in attendance.

Jefferson tells WCCO-TV that playing the jolly old elf is "no big deal" to him, saying "I'm still Santa, I just happen to be a Santa of color."

Jefferson will return home to play Santa in the Dallas-area after Sunday.
A professor stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Friday was identified as psychology Professor Bosco Tjan, university officials said.

Tjan was killed Friday afternoon at the University Park Campus in the Seeley G. Mudd building, officials said. A student was arrested in connection with the death, officials said. He was identified Saturday morning as 28-year-old David Jonathan Brown of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Police said.

Tjan served as a co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center and was an expert in perception, vision, and vision cognition. He joined the USC faculty in 2001.

"We are extremely proud of our Department of Public Safety officers for their quick response, and our university counselors for immediately offering support at the scene," C. L. Max Nikias, USC's president, said in a statement. "As the Trojan Family mourns Professor Tjans untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts. We encourage anyone in need of support to reach out to Student Counseling Services or the Center for Work and Family Life. On Monday, our dean of religious life, Varun Soni, will bring the campus community together for reflection and prayer."

The university's Trojans Alert emergency texting service quickly put out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the Seeley G. Mudd building, which houses science and medical classrooms.

"Police-related incident in progress at Seely G. Mudd. No danger to USC or the community. Stay away from the area," the text read.



The 10-story building is in the heart of campus near the school's running track.



USC was rocked last year by the beating death of a graduate student who was attacked by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.



Xinran Ji, a 24-year old engineering student, managed to return to his apartment, where his roommate found him.



In 2012 Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot to death as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.



After Ji's murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.



USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students.



A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16 percent of the more than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.

NBC4 wire services contributed to this report.
The jury in the murder trial of a former South Carolina police officer charged with gunning down a black motorist will continue deliberating next week, despite at one point Friday appearing deadlocked by a juror who told the judge he could not "with good conscience approve a guilty verdict."

The panel of one black and 11 white jurors has now deliberated for more than 16 hours over three days on whether to convict former North Charleston police Officer Michael Slager in the death of 50-year-old Walter Scott. They will return to the jury room Monday.

Twice on Friday the jurors told Judge Clifton Newman they had reached a stalemate. One juror sent a letter directly to the judge saying he could not "with good conscience approve a guilty verdict." The juror added he was not about to change his mind.

But then in the courtroom, the jury foreman told the judge that he thought jurors could reach a unanimous verdict and deliberations continued. Newman did not say whether the jurors were leaning toward a conviction on murder or on voluntary manslaughter.

Slager pulled over Scott's 1990 Mercedes for a broken taillight on April 4, 2015. Scott was shot five times in the back as he fled the traffic stop. A passer-by captured the shooting on cellphone video that stunned the nation.

Slager was fired from the department and charged with murder after the video surfaced.

Jurors are considering a charge of murder, which in Slager's case could carry a sentence of from 30 years to life in prison, and a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, which carried a sentence of between two years and five years.

The city of North Charleston reached a $6.5 million civil settlement with Scott's family last year. In the wake of the shooting, the city also asked that the U.S. Justice Department conduct a review of its police department policies with an eye toward how the department can improve its relationship with residents.

Slager also faces trial next year in federal court on charges of depriving Scott of his civil rights.
Donald Trump returned to his campaign roots Thursday in his first major public appearance since Election Day, resembling the pugnacious, brawling campaigner more than the traditional president-to-be as he held court in front of thousands of adoring fans  and even announced a Cabinet pick from the stage.

Trump's first stop on this "Thank you" tour to salute his supporters was in Ohio and, ever the showman, he made the surprise announcement that he will be offering the post of Defense Secretary to retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis. Trump said he was supposed to unveil that Monday, so he jokingly warned the Cincinnati crowd to "not tell anyone."

The raucous rallies during the Trump campaign road show often had the feel of a rock concert, and Thursday night in Cincinnati had all the hallmarks of a reunion tour: Trump took a veiled swipe at fellow Republicans. He remembered his general election foe by joking, "We had fun fighting Hillary, didn't we?" He boasted about size of his victory and repeatedly bashed the media. Protesters briefly interrupted the proceedings. And the crowd chanted "Build the Wall" and "Lock Her Up."

The president-elect had eased up on those campaign promises recently, suggesting the U.S.-Mexico border wall could be part-fence and indicating no willingness to pursue criminal charges against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Perhaps befitting an encore presentation, the downtown arena that Trump packed in October  drawing a crowd that was one of the loudest of the campaign  was only about half-full Thursday night. But the thousands who were there cheered Trump as he declared to restore American to greatness, saying, "Now is not the time to downsize our dreams."

"Never again will anyone's interests come before the interests of the American people. It's not going to happen," Trump thundered. "The old rules no longer apply. Anything we want for our country is now possible."

Trump did nothing to downplay expectations before he takes office, declaring that "America will start winning again, big league." Much like he did during the stretch run of the campaign, he read from teleprompters, but he was bombastic as ever, spending more than a dozen minutes bragging about his victory before outlining his economic plan.

He boasted about his wins in Midwest states that normally vote Democratic, declaring he didn't just "break the blue wall, we shattered it." He veered off-script to make fun of a protester, saying she was being ejected from the arena so "she could go back to Mommy." He repeated his recent threat that, despite Constitutional protections, "if people burn the American flag, there should be consequences." And he repeated many of his signature campaign promises, including a pledge to "construct a great wall at the border."

And he stunned his own aides when he announced the Mattis pick from the stage. Hours earlier, Trump's transition team denied that he had settled on a defense secretary despite a report in The Washington Post that Mattis was the choice. "No decision has been made yet with regard to Secretary of Defense," spokesman Jason Miller tweeted at 4:40 p.m.

Mattis, nicknamed "Mad Dog," is considered one of the foremost strategic thinkers of his generation but to gain confirmation as Pentagon chief, he would need Congress to waive a requirement that a defense secretary be a civilian for at least seven years before taking up the post.

Mattis retired as chief of U.S. Central Command in 2013 after serving more than four decades in the Marine Corps. There is no sense of strong opposition to his nomination in Congress.

Trump, who has long spoken of feeding off the energy of his raucous crowds, first floated the idea of a victory tour just days after winning the election but has instead prioritized filling Cabinet positions. He is also expected to hold rallies in Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina and Michigan in the coming weeks, though details have yet to be announced. His supporters were thrilled that he had hit the road again.

"That he wants to do this, to take time out of his schedule to fly out here and personally thank the people ... shows what kind of man he is," said Josh Kanowitz, 43. "He's one of us."

But while Kanowitz largely praised Trump's initial moves as president-elect, he visibly recoiled at the suggestion that he might pick Mitt Romney as secretary of state, saying the 2012 Republican presidential nominee was "someone we should leave behind as we move forward."

Others at the rally also expressed some hesitancy at Trump's picks, with a few suggesting that choosing former Goldman Sachs partner Steven Mnuchin as Treasury Secretary was not exactly fulfilling Trump's campaign promise to "Drain the Swamp" and eliminate corruption and elitism from Washington.

But most were inclined to give the president-elect the benefit of the doubt.

"He's a businessman. He'll pick talented people to work for him and then keep them in line," said Jaime Bollmer, a 28-year-old teacher from Lockland, Ohio. "He's a leader. That's what leaders do."

The rally in Cincinnati was the second stop on a victory lap through the Midwest on Thursday, coming hours after Trump saluted workers, owners and himself at a Carrier plant in Indiana. There he declared that a deal to keep a local plant open instead of moving operations to Mexico was only the first of many business victories to come.

Some questions remain about the extent of the victory at Carrier, which announced this week that it will keep an Indianapolis plant open. In February, the heating and air conditioning company said it would shut the plant and send jobs to Mexico, and video of angry workers being informed about the decision soon went viral.

"Companies are not going to leave the United States anymore without consequences. It's not going to happen. It's simply not going to happen," Trump said to workers at the Indianapolis plant.

During the campaign, Trump had often pointed to the Indiana plant's moving plans as a result of poor Obama administration policies, and he pledged to revive U.S. manufacturing. Officials said this week that Carrier had agreed to keep some 800 union jobs at the plant.

Seth Martin, a spokesman for Carrier, said Indiana offered the air conditioning and furnace manufacturer $7 million in tax incentives after negotiations with Trump's team to keep some jobs in the state.
A man added this week to the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives for his suspected involvement in a shootout in Los Angeles that left four men dead has been taken into custody.

Marlon Jones was arrested. Los Angeles prosecutors have filed four counts of murder against Jones for a wild gun battle that erupted in a home Oct. 15 after he shot and killed a rival Jamaican gang member, the FBI said.

Three others were killed and 10 were wounded in the ensuing gun fight in the house that was being used as a restaurant.

Dozens of people were at the party and witnesses said they heard gunshot blasts and then saw several bloody victims sitting or lying on the ground outside the house.

Putting him on the most wanted list provides publicity that has led to the capture of more than 150 suspects with the help of the public, the FBI said.

Los Angeles police have obtained a warrant for Jones' arrest, but he is believed to have fled California and could leave the country, the FBI said. In addition to ties to California, he has connections to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Tennessee, Virgin Islands and Jamaica.

Jones, who uses several aliases and birth dates, is believed to be in the U.S. illegally.

He has a violent history and is a member of an East Coast Jamaican gang known for illegally selling marijuana.
A mother of three was found dead inside a Huntington Beach home Friday and police were looking for a 41-year-old man with whom the victim had a dating relationship.

The woman, whose name was not immediately released, was found dead about 1 p.m. after a friend of the suspect, identified as Jason Becher, asked police to conduct a welfare check at the woman's home in the 9000 block of Litchfield Drive based on comments that Becker had allegedly made, according to Huntington Beach Police Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Marlatt.

The woman's oldest son was at home at the time and assumed she just wasn't home, authorities said. He continued playing video games until police knocked on his door to conduct a welfare check at the house, where his mother was found dead.

Becher was last seen in white 2015 four-door Lexus ES350 with the California license plate of 7MZP290, according to Marlatt, who said the suspect is believed to be heading to either the Anaheim area or Las Vegas.

The woman had a restraining order against Becher, neighbors said.

It was unclear if she and Becher lived together. Becher was described as white, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 195 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts was urged to call 911.
Florida Highway Patrol officers shut down westbound and eastbound lanes of Interstate 595 in Davie after a gas tanker caught fire Saturday afternoon.

Authorities closed I-595 between University Drive and Pine Island Road around 4 p.m., when the rear tire of a gas tanker caught fire, according to FHP.

Traffic is being diverted State Road 84. Officials are advising drivers to seek alternative routes.
Miami-Dade Police are investigating a shooting involving a one-year-old boy Friday. The child was in his father's arm at the time of the gunfire.

A man opened fire while driving in an BMW along northwest 83rd Street and 15th Avenue, police said. The barrage of bullets hit two men, Tavares Pollydor and Altraun McDonald, one of them was carrying his baby son, Dorian. The men were shot in the back.

"I just head 5 or 6 shots and then I heard the helicopter a few minutes later," said a neighbor who would only giver her first name, Carolyn.

The men shot then ran toward a house and McDonald handed his baby over to another adult. The men were then rushed to the hospital. Moments later, family member noticed little Dorian had been shot also.

The toddler's condition is unknown.

Check back with NBC 6 for updates.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in the shooting deaths of a 1-year-old boy and his uncle in New Jersey last month.

Two other people were wounded in the shooting that claimed the lives of little Marcus Milien and his 21-year-old uncle, Morlens Milice, on Cleveland Avenue in Orange Nov. 3.

Prosecutors said Saturday that Stevenson Valentin, of Maplewood, was taken into custody after a traffic stop in Newark. The officers who stopped him determined he was wanted in the slayings and apprehended him.

Stevenson is charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon, aggravated assault and other crimes in connection with the shooting. The dead 1-year-old's father and a 15-year-old boy survived.

Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive.

Stevenson is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark in lieu of $1 million bail. Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available. His relationship to the victims wasn't immediately clear.
Newark police arrested a man in the murders of a 1-year-old boy and 21-year-old man in Orange last month, prosecutors said on Saturday.

Stevenson Valentin, 28, of Maplewood, faces charges in the Nov. 3 deaths of Marcus Millen, 1, and Morlens Milice, 21, on Cleveland Ave. in Orange. He was also charged with two counts of assault for allegedly shooting two other people.

Milice was Millen's uncle, and had been released from jail a week before the shooting. Millen's father was also among those injured.

A 16-year-old who survived the shooting told NBC 4 New York he and his family were outdoors when a masked gunman opened fire, and that he followed them upstairs as they ran inside the house.

Valentin was arrested during a traffic stop in Newark, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said. Bail was set at $1 million.
A Muslim woman wearing a religious headscarf was harassed on the subway by three men who allegedly called her a terrorist and chanted "Donald Trump" to her, police say.

Police are searching for those men, who allegedly targeted the Long Island woman on the 23rd Street subway station serving the 6 line at about 10 p.m. Thursday.

The suspect walked up to the woman, who was wearing a hijab, and began chanting, "Donald Trump! Donald Trump! F****** terrorist, get out of this country, you don't belong here," according to police.

The men got on the northbound 6 train with the woman when it pulled into the station, and the woman moved to the back of the train, police said. The men eventually moved toward her, again yelling "terrorist, get out of this country."

One of the men grabbed the woman's bag, breaking one of the straps, police said.

The woman told police she responded to the men, "What the f*** do you want?" and moved away again. When she got off the train at Grand Central, the men yelled after her, "Get the f****** hijab off your head!," according to police.

The woman reported the incident to police at Grand Central. She told them the men, who were white, appeared intoxicated. There was no other immediate description of the suspects, and police are canvassing for surveillance video.

In a Facebook post late Friday night, the victim spoke out about the attack.

"It breaks my heart that so many individuals chose to be bystanders while watching me get harassed (sic) verbally and physically by these disgusting pigs," she wrote.

The NYPD said last week that bias incidents in New York City have spiked 400 percent in the two weeks since Trump was elected president compared to the same period last year. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill, however, stopped short of saying that Trump's victory played a role in what he described as a troubling trend.

Demonstrators outraged over the recent attacks gathered in Jackson Heights Friday night, calling it a "hate-free zone."

"We're horrified by the incident in and of itself," Afaf Nasher of the Council on American Islamic Relations said of the subway harassment of the Muslim woman. "Anyone going through some kind of attack is absolutely unacceptable. But then you feel this overwhelming empathy because we know that this is not the only person who has been assaulted in mass transit, but also on streets."

There are "swastikas showing up, people who are dressed wearing religious garb being targeted," said Nasher. "We're seeing it on every level from young kids in school to adults in the streets."

Stefan Holt contributed to this report
Donald Trump phone

Despite widespread fallout from President-elect Donald Trump's phone call with Taiwan's president on Friday, some Republican leaders are applauding Trump.

"I commend [President-elect] Trump for reaching out to the democratically-elected President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, Arizona Rep. Matt Salmon said in a statement to The Hill on Friday.

North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows downplayed concerns about how Trump's move could affect US-China relations.

"President-elect Trump recognizes that reaching out to every world leader is a critical component of an effective foreign policy," Meadows said. "It's not policy, it's a phone call."

Meadows' sentiment runs counter to Trump's own "America first" rhetoric that he adopted as a presidential candidate.

House GOP Policy Committee Chairman Luke Messer seemed to imply that Trump was indeed taking steps toward formulating new policies, equating the president-elect's Taiwan phone call with President Barack Obama's efforts to rebuilt diplomatic relations with Cuba.

"To me, it's ironic that some who call Obama enlightened for his outreach to murderous communist thugs in Cuba would now criticize Trump for acknowledging Taiwan," Messer said.

New York Rep. Pete King appeared to echo that sentiment on Twitter: "Plaudits to President-elect Trump for his historic phone call to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Strong message to China. New day in Asia.

The phone call was widely expected to potentially complicate the US's already tense relationship with China.

In a couple of Friday night tweets, Trump defended the congratulatory conversation with Taiwan.

"Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," he wrote.

NOW WATCH: 'HOLD UP!': Watch Obama defend a Trump protester and scold the crowd at a Clinton rally





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The daredevil who pleaded guilty to scaling to the top of One World Trade Center as a teen in 2014 turned himself into police Friday after more video surfaced of him climbing New York City skyscrapers.

Justin Casquejo was initially arrested on felony reckless endangerment and criminal trespassing charges after dozens of photos and videos posted in recent weeks to what appears to be Justin Casquejo's Instagram account shows the man, now 18, hanging off of buildings, cranes and rooftops across New York City.

Prosecutors later charged the teen with misdemeanors, not felonies.

Prosecutors focused on one video showing Casquejo climbing and suspending himself from the outside of 70 Pine St. in the Financial District in February. A security contractor who works in the building told prosecutors that he routinely sees Casquejo going to the building, and that he recognized the building in the video, according to a court complaint.

The building was under heavy construction in February, with no operating businesses or occupied residences.

Casquejo was released on $15,000 bail. He said nothing to reporters as he left the courthouse Friday, but his attorney called him "a terrific young man with great potential."

"This is not a young man who's going out just for thrills as one might think," said Jeremy Saland.

Justin Casquejo admitting to climbing the tower without permission earlier this year. Brynn Gingras reports.

Saland said the video and images recently posted by the teen were "old footage."

"There's no allegation that this happened anytime in the recent past. These are old allegations, if true," he said. "This young man has followed the rule of the law, has not been involved in these buildings anytime recently."

"I'm confident that my client will be a law-abiding citizen," he added. "My client has the utmost respect for law enforcement, has utmost respect for the court."

Other recent images show Casquejo apparently hanging from scaffolding for a high-rise being constructed near Central Park, while others show him standing atop a roof on the West Side, or gripping the metal beams of Coney Island's iconic Parachute Jump ride.

"What do you mean when you say you can't do something?" reads one caption, which accompanies a photo of what appears to be Casquejo hanging off the side of the Time Warner Building in Columbus Circle.

Casquejo made headlines in 2014 when the Weehawken native sneaked by security at the World Trade Center site and made his way to the top of the building to post a similar death-defying image.

Shortly after being sentenced to community service in that incident, he was again arrested for trying to scale a building in New Jersey. His sentence for scaling the World Trade Center was subsequently increased to 3 years probation, but courts officials said the term was terminated early due to his compliance.

It's not clear if authorities will seek a stiffer penalty after Friday's arrest.

Justin Casquejo admitting to climbing the tower without permission earlier this year. Brynn Gingras reports.

[NATL] Weird News Photos
Four universities in the Philadelphia region were among more than 100 Catholic institutions of higher learning across the country to sign a letter this week in support of undocumented immigrant students.

The presidents of Villanova, La Salle, Saint Joseph's University and Holy Family signed the letter to "express hope that the students in our communities who have qualified for DACA are able to continue their studies without interruption and that many more students in their situation will be welcome to contribute their talents to our campuses."

DACA refers to a 2012 federal policy called Deferred Action for Children Arrivals.

Officials with the universities, when reached Friday, stopped short of saying their campuses could become sanctuaries from federal authorities if President-elect Donald Trump's administration cracks down on undocumented immigrants.

A spokesman for Saint Joe's, Joe Lunardi, did say the school would follow the lead of local authorities, which for most of the campus means the self-described Sanctuary City of Philadelphia.

About one or two dozen undocumented students attend Saint Joe's, Lunardi said.

"We're not an immigration service. That puts not just college and universities, but a lot of sectors, are in a gray area," he said. "Who knows what exemptions might be involved. International students have always been treated differently by the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)."

He said any changes in policy regarding DACA students would also likely play out over months and could be "evolving" well into the new administration.
As the millennial saying goes, picture or it didnt happen.

In a world where people obsess over their experiences on social media, USA Today gathered a list of the top 5 most-photographed places in each state.

The news outlet determined all 50 states most iconic locations by collecting the most geo-tagged places on Instagram. The photo-sharing app  which has about 100 million active users in the U.S.  lets people post the location where their photo was taken through its geo-tag feature.

Here are the most Instagram-popular spots in Pennsylvania and its neighboring states, according to the paper:

Pennsylvania -- Dominated by Philly

5. Temple University

4. Citizens Bank Park

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNfIQrmBy4h/

3. PNC Park

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNeWD4Jj1tf/

2. Lincoln Financial Field

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNcuCZXjkSy/

1. Philadelphia Art Museum

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNcol16BV

Delaware -- Beaches and campuses

5. Cape Henlopen State Park

4. Delaware State University

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMskIm5BFJr/

3. Bethany Beach

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNU1

2. Rehoboth Beach

1. University of Delaware

New Jersey -- Arenas, amusement park and airport

5. Prudential Center

4. BB&T Pavilion

3. Newark Liberty International Airport

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNjyIWDh

2. Six Flags Great Adventure

1.MetLife Stadium
Five restaurants in the region, including three in Philadelphia and two in South Jersey, made a prominent foodie website's list of best in the country.

The restaurants, Bibou, Zahav and Vetri in Philadelphia and Franklinville Inn in Gloucester County and Peter Shields Inn in Cape May, made OpenTables annual list of the 100 best restaurants, out of 24,000 rated restaurants.

The list was compiled from verified diner reviews, OpenTable says, and each restaurant was given a score calculated from each restaurants average rating in the overall category along with that restaurants rating relative to others in the same metropolitan area.

A fourth restaurant in Pennsylvania was voted in: Bolete in Bethlehem. Here's a quick look at each of the eateries named:

Vetri in Center City, which was rated 5 stars, specializes in authentic Northern Italian dining featuring homemade pasta, OpenTable says. The restaurant is located at 1312 Spruce Street.

In South Philly, Bibou, a cash-only restaurant, serves up French cuisine for $100 per person. But, the meal is a set 7-course menu.

Old Citys Zahav offers Middle Eastern food. This isnt the restaurants first nomination for a best restaurant title. According to OpenTable, Zahav was listed in Esquires Top 20 New Restaurants in America in 2008. They were also chosen as Philadelphia Magazines Best New Restaurant, OpenTable says.

An hour away in Bethlehem, diners at Bolete can enjoy contemporary American meals with a menu that changes daily.

Across the Delaware River in New Jersey, Cape Mays Peter Shields Inn offers American food alongside its ocean views. Peter Shields Inn is a BYOB restaurant with a four-course chefs tasting menu, according to OpenTable.

in Gloucester County, steak lovers can head to Franklinville Inn and enjoy an award-winning wine list, professional, gracious service and a premiere private dining room, the restaurants website says.

You can make a reservation for any of these restaurants and other award-winning spots on OpenTable.
The mother of a 14-year-old Philadelphia boy gunned down during an apparent robbery this week opened up for the first time about her son's death Friday night.

Kelly Wilsey spoke during a vigil in the city's Mayfair neighborhood remembering her late son, Ian.

"He was very tight with me, and somebody took him," she wailed.

The vigil was held at Frankford and Cottman avenues, a few blocks away from where Ian was shot along Brous Avenue.

It was along that street where two men tried to rob the teen as he walked with a friend.

Detectives continue to investigate, but so far no one has been arrested for the killing.

Ian's mother is urging the men to turn themselves in.

"They know who they are, and they sleep in their own beds at night. And they see their mother, and they see their father. I don't see mine...I don't see my baby," she said.

Ian was killed weeks before his 15th birthday.
It's described as one of the worst cases of animal hoarding in San Diego County.

Investigators say the floor of an El Cajon home was completely covered in urine and inches of dog waste, and that the 78 dogs living inside were rarely let out by their owner and had no contact with the outside world.

"You couldn't even come outside because you would start gagging or dry heaving. It was awful," says next door neighbor Ramon Ramirez.

Ramirez moved into the neighborhood two and a half years ago. He says a slight smell has always surrounded the home, but eventually the stench worsened and became unbearable.

"It just kept getting worse and worse and worse," says Ramirez. "I would have to run to my car every day, because I would start feeling sick."

With so many dogs in such a small space, many are wondering why it took so long for neighbors to contact police.

Chief Steve Mackinnon of San Diego's Humane Society says that even though there were nearly 80 dogs living in the house, barking wasn't really a problem.

"They were in an enclosed environment," says Mackinnon. "They didn't have any outside stimulus, so they really weren't making the noise that would alert the neighbors."

Ramirez agreed, saying the dogs would only bark when their owner would go to work and when he would get back home.

"It seemed like there were five or six dogs in there," says Ramirez. "I can't believe there were like 80 of them in there."

Another reason neighbors were hesitant to call police is because they felt sorry for the homeowner because he was a nice person who kept to himself.

"He's a nice guy. He's easy to live with," says Ramirez. I think that's why people put up with it for such a long time. If he would have had a different type of personality, people would have probably called sooner."

The dogs were rescued Thursday morning by the San Diego Humane Society. They are healthy aside from a few minor skin rashes from being surrounded by ammonia for an extended period of time. They will be put up for adoption in roughly two weeks.

Meanwhile, the home has been deemed a health hazard by the city of El Cajon and will be demolished. McKinnon says that the entire home has been permeated by the smell of dog feces and is unsalvageable.

The owner of the home, an employed man in his 60s, was going through a tough time dealing with a death in his family and, while he realized that things had gotten out of control, didnt know what to do, according to McKinnon.

Friends of the owner have offered him a place to stay in the meantime.
A Bay Ho carjacking and high speed chase Thursday night came to an unusual and surprise end Thursday.

Three robbers held a man at gunpoint just after 9 p.m. and stole his car with gifts in the back seat.

The gifts have now reached the Toys for Tots event at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, which was their original destination before the carjacking.

A surveillance video, obtained by NBC 7, showed the crime in progress.

Three teens, two of them armed, approached the victim as he was about to leave the parking lot of Sardina's Restaurant on Morena Boulevard.

The other gun was pointed through the passenger side. Another one was right at my head, the victim told NBC 7, adding that he did not wish to be identified.

He got out of the car without argument and the third suspect told him to empty his pockets.

I didn't panic or anything, I just followed instructions. Once I saw the two guns I made the real quick decision to follow the instructions, the man said.

But before he could complete the demands, all three suspects jumped into his car and drove off on the southbound Interstate 5.

San Diego Police (SDPD) picked up the trail through a tracking device in the victim's car.

The armed robbers crashed the stolen car into another car in National City. The car finally stalled in Paradise Hills where the three were caught.

I pretty much wrote everything off. I was able to, at the end of the night, see my car and get some of my belongings, he said.

It wasn't until just a couple hours before the toy drive event that he was able to get back his stolen donation.
The San Diego Zoo welcomed the first Mandrill baby born in more than 14 years at the zoo.

Kesi gave birth to a baby boy earlier this week, to the surprise of staff members who caught a glimpse of the baby when the female mandrill walked out of her bedroom.

Its like every day we would come in in the morning and think like there might be a baby  we dont know. To actually see it was pretty incredible. Especially since she came in so quietly, just like a typical morning, but just happen to have a baby with her," said Jenny Baublit, senior primate keeper at the San Diego Zoo.

[Gallery] Mandrill Born at San Diego Zoo First Birth in 14 Years

Mandrills are most recognized by their bright red nose and lips, and thick purple and blue ridges along the sides of their nose. They are the largest and most colorful from the Old World Monkeys and mostly found in the rain forests in Africa, according to the San Diego Zoo.

Kesi and father Jasper are part of the mandrill breeding program at the San Diego Zoo which was established in 1938. Since then, more than 34 mandrills have been born at the Zoo and the San Diego Safari Park.

Guests can visit the mandrills on Monkey Trail in Lost Forest.
A San Diego County doctor who pleaded guilty to illegally and fraudulently prescribing painkillers has given up his medical license and practice, his attorney told NBC 7 Friday.

Naga Raja Thota, M.D., 62, pleaded guilty Wednesday to seven counts three months after he was arrested at the Pain Management Center located at 2732 Navajo Rd. in El Cajon during a raid by federal authorities.

According to the criminal complaint filed after Thota's arrest in August, the doctor was accused of writing prescriptions for 1,460 Oxycodone pills and 660 tablets of Hydrocodone over a six-week period in 2013.

In a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Thota admitted to writing seven fraudulent prescriptions to three different people several years ago, according to his attorney Robert Schlein.

Dr. Thota has never denied any of the actions he did with regard to those seven prescriptions or that he had a personal relationship with one of the patients, Schlein said.

Thotas relationship with the patient lasted several months, Schlein said.

According to U.S. Attorney Laura Duffys office, Thota pleaded guilty to seven counts of, superseding information. He admitted to illegally prescribing patients with oxycodone and hydrocodone tablets, sometimes writing the prescription under the names of a brother and father of one patient.

Federal agents served search warrants on Thota's medical practice on Navajo Road on May 27, 2015. The doctor was interviewed by investigators at the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego on June 4, 2015, mainly about prescriptions he wrote for patients mentioned in the complaint. He met again with the feds on Dec. 15, 2015, while in the presence of his defense attorney, the complaint says.

Search warrants were then served on Thota's medical practice on Navajo Road on March 16, 2016.

After Thotas August 31 arrest, more than two dozen people accused him of prescribing painkillers to them in exchange for sex, according to Amy Roderick with the DEA, who spoke with NBC 7 in September.

Schlein said the charges have to be put into context. His client began practicing medicine in 1979 and moved his practice to California in 1995.

The government has decided to go after doctors who have had prescribing problems, the attorney said.

The result of Thotas arrest has been catastrophic according to Schlein.

He has paid a heavy price for it but hes accepted responsibility for it, he said.

Schlein said his client hopes for leniency when hes sentenced for the seven counts in February 2017.

Thota's maximum exposure for the seven counts is 20 years in prison, $1 million fine and life-term of supervised release.
su 33 kuznetsov russia navy

Russia's sole aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, began its first combat deployment to Syria with plenty of fanfare, but a recent report from IHS Jane's indicates Russia has given up entirely on launching strikes from the carrier.

Satellite imagery obtained by Jane's shows Su-33 jets and one MiG-29KR previously aboard the carrier now stationed at the Hmeymim air base in Syria alongside land-based planes from Russia's air force.

The Kuznetsov, never an entirely reliable system, had one of its MiG-29KRs crash in November, and another pilot had to eject after the Kuznetsov's landing gear failed and couldn't receive the aircraft, Jane's reports.

mig 29k

Military analysts speculated before the deployment that the Kuznetsov added "nothing" to the battle, as Moscow already has a wealth of strike aircraft in Syria, and cruise missiles fired from the Russian navy ships stationed in the Mediterranean don't offer any significant advantages over the cheap, unguided bombs Russian planes freely drop in the uncontested airspace above Syria.

The Russian Ministry of Defense did manage to crank out a few high-quality videos during the two or so weeks the Kuznetsov actually sustained operations, which fits the narrative put forth by the US Naval Institute's news service that the deployment was "propaganda, not practical."

kuznetsov su 33

NOW WATCH: This is why a US aircraft carrier is a force to be reckoned with





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A San Diego man is helping save the lives of hundreds of civilians at the front lines in Mosul. But his contribution isnt on the battlefield; its as one of the two volunteer medics.

Derek Coleman, 27, is a machinist from San Marcos. The San Marcos High School alum had wanted to join the military but couldnt because of medical reasons.

NBC 7 spoke with Coleman on the phone Friday morning. He told us he is not a doctor and most of his medical training came from learning on the job.

But since October, 2016 he has helped treat 500 patients, most of whom are children caught in the middle of the fight against ISIS.

Colemans sister, Taylor says last year her older brother sold his truck, packed up his belongings and headed to Iraq. She found out just three weeks before he left.

"When I tell people my brother is a volunteer medic, he's in Mosul, people say, thats the worst place he could possibly be, Taylor said.

The volunteer medic said he initially went to Iraq to fight against ISIS but realized he could be more effective treating those who were injured.

His sister also agrees.

Being a medic is more helpful than fighting along with the Peshmergasaving more lives than possibly taking them, she said.

Coleman told NBC 7 that even as a medic, he has had a lot of close calls in the last few months, along with his colleague Pete Reed. But they are the only people treating civilians in Mosul right now.

Taylor says although she worries about her brother, she is proud of him.

"For other people to finally meet him, or I guess to see him on TV and to realize what he's doing, I'm not surprised. He's a great person. I'm excited, very excited that a lot of people get to see what he's doing, she said.

Coleman says all their medical supplies are donated and they're running out of pediatric supplies. He is hoping to raise money for supplies through a GoFundMe page. If you would like to donate, click here.

He will be returning next week to San Diego for the holidays.
What to Know San Diego County currently has about 10,000 auto thefts reported each year, according to local law enforcement.

The best precautions to avoid a car theft are to keep your vehicle locked with a well maintained alarm system, and keep track of your keys.

Most common stolen vehicles are Honda Accord and Civic models from the 90s, according to ATF official.

Dozens of people appeared before a San Diego judge Friday to face charges related to a massive car theft ring.

A 10-month undercover operation resulted in the indictment of 42 individuals. Six of the defendants are women, 36 are men.

Prosecutors allege the defendants sold stolen vehicles to a place to be broken up into small pieces. The storefront was operated by undercover officers from various law enforcement agencies.

More than 100 stolen vehicles were seized in the operation. They were held by the detectives for a short period of time and then returned to the victims.

It involved victims from throughout the county many of whom came from very disadvantaged neighborhoods, said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Brower.

This is not just a property crime. This is a crime that affects peoples lives and can affect their employment status, Brower said.

Thirty-two people were on the court docket Friday. Of those, 29 were arraigned and pleaded not guilty to various charges.

Several are incarcerated and will need to be transferred in order to appear before a judge in this case. One defendant failed to appear.

Three defendants posted bail.

NBC 7

If anyone has information on 10 suspects still at large, they can contact RATT at (888) 835-5728.

SDPDs Regional Auto Theft Task Force set up a fake chop shop in Lemon Grove where alleged car thieves would sell their stolen cars. NBC 7s Artie Ojeda has more on the big sting.
Registered nurses and Sharp Healthcare reached a tentative agreement on Friday for a three-year contract, the union announced.

According to the United Nurses Association of California (UNAC) and its affiliate the Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN), more than 5,000 Sharp nurses are represented by them.

The nurses had been scheduled to go on strike on Nov. 28 but the union and hospital administrators returned to the bargaining table, canceling the strike.

The union claims its nurses are overworked and underpaid and that nurses are often sent home due to canceled shifts leading to high job turnover.

A settlement was reached just a few days after the scheduled strike.

The union stated that it will hold meetings to discuss the details of the agreement with Sharp Healthcare and give members a chance to vote between Dec. 5 through Dec. 8.

In a statement, Christina Magnusen, RN, President of SPNN said:

In recent years, we have watched more and more nurses leave Sharp for better-paying hospitals across the county. We have struggled to get management to understand that they need to pay competitive wages to keep our well-trained, experienced nurses at the bedside, and recruit nurses who will want to make a career here at Sharp. Some called us greedy, though were the ones whove stayed. We love our jobs, we love our patients, and thats why we stay and fight to make Sharp better.

Sharp HealthCare also released a statement, saying it's reached an agreement with the union but will not disclose the details.

The statement, in part, read:

"SPNN/UNAC will submit the tentative agreement to its membership for ratification. We expect that process to occur within the next week. As part of the negotiations, both Sharp and SPNN/UNAC agreed not to communicate the terms of the agreement until it has been ratified."
A woman arrested for allegedly embezzling $500,000 from her employer in Escondido, pleaded not guilty in court on Friday.

Prosecutors say Sheila Jo Jackson, 46, was stealing the money from Betz Concrete to fuel a gambling addiction.

She faces several felony charges including embezzlement by employee, forgery, grand theft and identity theft.

Prosecutors say Jackson's employer told her to close the company's Bank of America account back in 2012, but she secretively kept them open, using her position as office manager to have continued access to them.

Jackson would deposit money collected from customers into that account, later writing out checks to herself.

According to prosecutors, Jackson forged signatures on 279 checks under the owner's name, embezzling more than $572,000.

"Its just unfortunate when a small family owned business, the owner who was on site and trying to grow his business," said Deputy District Attorney Anna Winn.

In November, a bank employee noticed the suspicious signatures and contacted the owner.

Escondido police reached out to local casinos and found a player's card registered under Jackson's name. The car had been frequently used over the span of five years, indicated that she had been at slot machines where more than $1,000,000 was played.

Jackson is currently being held on a bail of $1.1 million, according to Escondido Police.
A man has been shot and killed with the gun police say he used to force his way into a house in Culpeper County, Virginia.

Culpeper County sheriff's investigators said 21-year-old Delonte Jones, of Prince George's County, and 18-year-old Amber Eley, of Orange, Virginia, knocked on the door of a home in the 1400 block of Woodland Church Road.

When the homeowner answered the door, Jones and Eley asked for help with their car. The resident refused and as he tried to shut the door, police said Jones forced himself into the house and struck the man with a gun.

After a struggle, the homeowner took control of the weapon and fired at Jones, hitting him in the stomach. Neighbors told News4 they heard multiple gunshots.

Jones was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police said Eley was arrested at the house.

No other suspects were found in the area, police said. It is not known at this time if the homeowner will face any charges.
A man brutally attacked and killed a clerk at a Virginia gas station early Saturday morning, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.

David Junior Washington, 50, of Spotsylvania, walked in to the Sunoco Station in the 5300 block of Jefferson Davis Highway about 1:35 a.m. carrying a 2-foot-by-2 foot piece of wood, the sheriff's office said.

After speaking to the clerk -- 54-year-old Saleh Yousef Abukhait -- Washington attacked him and killed him, according to the sheriff's office. Washington then took an undetermined amount of cash from the register and left the business, investigators said.

A customer entered the store and discovered Abukhait on the floor, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies and rescue personnel were summoned to the scene, where it was determined by medical personnel that Abukhait was dead.

Police took Washington into custody Saturday evening at the Dunning Mills apartments in Fredericksburg without incident, police said. He is charged with first-degree murder, robbery and grand larceny.

If anyone has any information regarding this attack, they are urged to contact the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office or Crime Solvers.
A woman sought in connection with the slaying of a man outside a Virginia shopping center was arrested in Prince George's County, Maryland, about 4 p.m. Friday.

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested 23-year-old Roberta Edlina Brandon without incident at a home in Capitol Heights, Prince William County police said. She is awaiting extradition to Virginia.

Cordrey Douglas Jackson, 24, of Dumfries, got involved in a physical altercation with Brandon and another man in the parking lot of the Food Lion in the 6300 block of Hoadley Road in Manassas Tuesday evening. Jackson was shot during the quarrel.

He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Jackson's death was the 22nd homicide in Prince William County in 2016.
A farm in northern Vermont got quite a surprise this past weekend when a moose snuck into a cow pasture and appeared to try to befriend the animals there.

Cattle ranchers Sharyn and Tim Abbott were returning to their Sheldon home from an outing when they noticed a creature had joined their herd.

"I thought it was pretty cool," said Sharyn Abbott, whose Belted Galloway cows, Precious and Primrose, got up close and personal with the moose.

The Abbotts said the moose looked really healthy, and didn't appear to be in search of food or water.

"I think she was looking for companionship," Tim Abbott speculated.

At one point, the moose flopped down to rest not far from one of the cows, a picture shows. In another photo, the moose and one of the cows appear to have locked eyes, making the Abbots wonder what the animals thought of each other.

"It was a treat just to see the pictures, and get pictures close, and see how big and massive and tall they are," Sharyn Abbott said of the experience.

They said while one of their Belted Galloways, Primrose, was really friendly with the moose, the other, Precious, was much more hesitant.

"The brown one was scared to death of her," Tim Abbott said of Precious' tendency to avoid the moose.

A young child of a neighbor dubbed the moose "Molly," believing the animal needed a name.

After a full day of visiting, the Abbotts decided it was time to shoo Molly away. They explained they didn't want her getting injured or stuck in the barn if she attempted to enter.

The Abbotts also wanted to avoid the moose damaging some of the fences on their property, they said.

The Abbotts are now curious if the moose will ever come back.

"We watch for her every day, thinking she might show up again," Tim Abbott said, smiling.

We're guessing Precious and Primrose are thinking the same.
One person died and another was injured Saturday morning, in a head-on collision crash on Interstate 495 in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

State police troopers responded to the crash at 6:40 a.m. on the northbound side of the highway, just south of exit 33.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of a Ford Focus was traveling southbound, when for unknown reasons, left the roadway, and crossed the median, striking a Toyota Camry traveling northbound.

Police said the driver of the Ford Focus was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota Camry that was struck, was transported to Lahey Clinic with serious injuries. The identities of the drivers have not been released.

During the investigation, the northbound lanes of traffic had to be rerouted, but have since reopened.

The exact cause and circumstances of the crash are under investigation by state police.
The 'shadow' has been lifted: Miami's Cubans look to a post-Castro future

The death of Fidel Castro unleashed an explosion of emotion in Miami's Little Havana, where thousands of Cuban-Americans poured out into the streets to celebrate the 90-year-old former dictator's passing.

But if many first-generation exiles once thought Castro's death would bring about the end of his regime, they're not so sure now.

Because Castro ceded the presidency to his younger brother Raul eight years ago,"Fidel's death is paradoxical, ... it means nothing," said Pedro Freyre, who heads the international law practice at the Akerman law firm in Miami.



"But it means everything, because Fidel Castro was the essence, the icon that held that revolution together," said the 67-year old Cuban-born lawyer, who advises companies on doing business on the island and was part of the delegation that accompanied President Barack Obama to Havana last March for the re-establishment of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations.





Freyre said for Cuba's next generation of leaders, Castro's death could be the turning point that frees them to accelerate the opening of Cuba's economy, much the way Mao Zedong's death allowed a new generation of China's leaders to transform that nation's economy.

"Sometimes ... they flash their frustration at the process that things aren't going quicker," Freyre added. "(Fidel) will no longer be the shadow looking over their shoulder."

But second-generation Cuban-Americans in Miami's Little Havana are more skeptical about the possibility of economic opportunity expanding in Cuba in the wake of Castro's death.

"Cubans need to get together to get a strategy to change the Cuban system. But now, I don't think it's going to change," said Elio Esteban Mena, the owner of Old's Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina, who came to the U.S. from Cuba 12 years ago.

He worries that President-elect Donald Trump will reverse the return of American flights and cruises to Cuba, ushered in this year by the Obama administration. Trump warned on Monday that he may take a harder line with Havana and may roll back some of President Barack Obama's initiatives unless the Cuban people can get "a better deal."

Story continues

"I think all the progress that we got from Obama, we're going to go back and it's going to be hard for the Cuban community," Mena said.

But at a table at his restaurant, Janelle Gueits, a Cuban-American millennial said the opening under Obama came with no real guarantees to advance the rights of the Cuban people.

She'd like to see the U.S. press Havana to enact social reforms as a condition of continued economic co-operation She sees an opportunity for Trump administration to press Havana for greater social reform as a condition of continued economic co-operation.

"We need our business leaders to realize that commerce is not the only one of our values" that's important, said Gueits, a filmmaker whose grandfather was jailed for religious activities in Cuba under Castro. "We need people to engage, but do it responsibly."

This is a generation that grew up in the U.S. hearing stories of how their families lost everything when the Castro regime nationalized private businesses and seized the property of their parents and grandparents back in Cuba.

"The second generation, the third generation (of Cuban Americans) we understand what the rule of law is, what institutions are all about," said Evelio Medina, CEO of the Miami Brickell Chamber of Commerce, who is cautiously optimistic the Trump administration will push Cuba's new guard to accelerate economic reform.

"It's important to have a rule of law and a level playing field ... that gives us the opportunity to really do business," Medina said.

Freyre, meanwhile, says Cuba post-Castro is poised for significant change, and the potential for U.S. businesses is good.

"If you drop a seed in Cuba, agriculture flourishes," Freyre said. "If you drop the seed of capitalism, it will grow."

But for many, just as important is whether greater business ties with Cuba will propagate the seeds of freedom and human rights in Cuba.

Correction: Janelle Gueits was not a supporter of Donald Trump in the general election.





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Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been charged with raping another child in Reading, Massachusetts.

Details are limited, but the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office confirms each boy was arraigned on one charge of aggravated forcible rape of a child at Lowell District Court.

The suspects are due back in court Dec. 12.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Perlman will be prosecuting the case. It was not immediately clear if the suspects had attorneys.

Due to the nature of the crime and the ages of all involved, authorities have not released any more information.
Authorities are suspending a search for a Coventry woman who never returned home from a walk in a wilderness area with her two dogs.

Patti Pendleton's prescription glasses were found on Thursday during a search of the 16,000-acre Arcadia Management Area in Exeter.

Police think the 59-year-old woman was hiking near state Route 165 on Monday. Her family reported her missing Tuesday when she didn't show up for work. Her car was found that day.

Rhode Island State Police Corporal Scott Carlsten called the probability of Pendleton's survival "quite dim."

The Providence Journal reported that Carlsten said members of Pendleton's family are planning to continue to search for her on their own.
A fiery crash early Saturday morning in Merrimack, New Hampshire, sent one person to the hospital.

State Police said first responders arrived to the scene at 4:25 a.m., just south of exit 10, on the southbound side of the Everett Turnpike. That's where a Toyota Camry was found fully engulfed in flames.

Police said the driver, Dakota Willette, 23, of Burlington, Massachusetts, had been removed from the car with the assistance of motorists who had stopped to help.

First responders then took over and administered first aid. Willette was taken by medical helicopter to a Boston area hospital to be treated for injuries. The extent of those injuries are unknown.

A preliminary investigation indicates that Willette lost control of the car and struck some trees off the right side of the turnpike.

The exact cause of the crash, however, remains under investigation.
Police say they had to struggle with a drunk man to take his gun from him when they were called to a bar Wednesday in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

David LeMee faces a list of charges including assault and battery on a police officer. Police were called to Barret's Ale House on Bedford Street around 6:45 p.m. when a man allegedly refused to leave after being denied drinks.

When officers arrived, police say they offered LeMee, who appeared to be drunk, a ride home. As they were putting him in the cruiser, though, police say they noticed a gun in his pocket, which they determined he was not licensed to carry.

According to police, LeMee grappled with officers for the gun and threatened them. Police managed to get the gun and later found another one sewn into the lining of his coat.

In addition to assault and battery on an officer, LeMee is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, threatening to commit a crime, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and multiple firearm charges.

LeMee was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Police on Cape Cod have arrested a homeless man on alleged drug distribution charges at the former cranberry bogs in Yarmouth.

Police said officers converged on the area off Bayview Street, adjacent to Cape Cod Hospital, on Friday afternoon, to issue trespass notices to the homeless people that have established camps on the property.

When officers discovered a remote camp site containing five tents, police announced their presence, but did not get a response from anyone inside the tents.

Authorities said an additional check of two of the tents were found to contain "the items generally associated with an improvised methamphetamine lab."

Among the items seized were 5 gallon propane tanks, several dozen batteries, a burner, and an array of household chemicals.

After the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration was contacted, the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad and the Massachusetts Hazardous Chemical response unit were called to the scene.

A short time later, police found Stewart Catchings, 31, on a bicycle, exiting the area. Police said he was detained and placed under arrest in connection with the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Catchings is currently being held at Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters on $10,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Barnstable District Court.
A man was robbed and stabbed in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the attack was caught in camera.

It happened Monday evening and started with the victim having a gun shoved in his face. It ended with that man on the ground, stabbed. His attackers ran off.

The surveillance cameras on a house on Acton Street captured it all. Just after 7 p.m., a man is seen lingering outside. A second camera caught his attackers, around the corner, moving in.

The assault took less than a minute.

One man walks by the victim then turns back, pulls a gun and shoves it the victim's face. The second attacker moves in. Police say he had a knife and the pair demanded money.

The victim is seen giving them what he has, then punches are thrown. The man with the knife lashes out, stabbing the victim in the back. He drops to the ground as the attackers run off, escaping toward a nearby school.

Several people called 911 and emergency responders arrive minutes later. The victim is expected to be OK.

The man who put up the surveillance cameras did not want to be identified. He said he put them up because street crimes like this one happen all too often in the neighborhood.

Police are looking for two men in their 20s. Anyone with information is asked to call Worcester Police.
Gambling regulators in Massachusetts are looking into the possible impact of legalized marijuana on the state's emerging casino industry.

The state Gaming Commission has announced its requesting comments from state-licensed casino operators and the public.

The panel says it's interested in the possible impact to employees in the workplace, the use of recreational marijuana in non-public areas and what happens when patrons or employees bring edible products containing marijuana into the hotel, retail shops and other non-gambling areas of the casino.

Massachusetts' casino law prohibits smoking in gambling facilities, and the referendum approved by voters in November bans use of recreational marijuana in public places.

The commission is accepting comments by email or mail until Jan. 2, 2017. Massachusetts has licensed casinos by Wynn, MGM and Penn National Gaming.
State Rep. Betty Boukus, who represented Plainville and New Britain, has died, the Connecticut House Democrats announced Friday. Gov. Dannel Malloy's office said she died this morning and he's issued a directive for state flags to fly at half-staff in her honor.

No cause of death was given. Sources close to Boukus told NBC Connecticut that she had been fighting illness for some time.

My heart and prayers go out to Bettys family, and they should know that Representative Boukus was one of the most beloved members of the General Assembly, Rep. Brendan Sharkey, the outgoing Speaker of the House, said.

Boukus had represented Plainville and New Britain in the 22nd House District for the past 22 years and she was a key member of the State Bond Commission, which approves school construction, capital investment, and transportation projects statewide.

Boukus lost her reelection bid to Dr. William Petit in the Nov. 8 election.

She brought an unrivalled level of passion to the issues that she and her constituents cared about and worked hard to fight for what her district needed, Speaker-Elect Joe Aresimowicz said. There will never be another Betty Boukus.

Boukus was known simply as Betty around the halls of the State Capitol and the Legislative Office Building and she was a beloved member of the Plainville community that she called home. She was known for being a regular at local charity events with churches, firefighters, police, and civic clubs.

Betty Boukus was one of the most passionate and most energetic legislators in the history of the Connecticut General Assembly," Malloy said in a statement. "She loved being an elected official, specifically the opportunity to serve the people of her towns Plainville and New Britain in order to advocate for their best interests  and she made sure everybody knew it."

The governor is asking that state flags be lowered immediately until sunset of the day of interment.

Its been said in Plainville, an event didnt happen unless Betty was there.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal issued a statement about her death.

Betty Boukus was a dedicated public servant and a dear friend whose passing deprives Connecticut of her incomparable common sense, good humor, and boundless caring. She eschewed the partisan conflict so endemic today, and espoused a bipartisan fight for public good, he said.
Students at a Massachusetts high school gathered together on Saturday to try to bring an end to violence in the city's Dorchester neighborhood.

The students at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School held a March Against Violence in honor of their classmate, 17-year-old Raekwon Brown, who was gunned down outside the school in June.

Senior Chloe Connolly was a close friend to Brown and says she has lost others to violence.

You can ask anybody in this room  he was a really good person. It impacts all of us in different ways, Connolly said. The young kids were impacted by it a lot more because were still growing up in this community so its our turn to speak up.

Build On is a community service organization which hopes to help the students at the high school continue to cope with Brown's death.

To provide that space for the community to come together to be able to celebrate his life and do something that was really special and meaningful for them, said program manager, Marina Misculin.

As part of that process, students not only walked through the streets of Dorchester, but they wrote letters and posted messages on signs to the Brown family in hopes of helping them heal. The family will be preparing to spend their first holidays without their child.

Ive been impacted by a lot like my family members have and we want it to stop  we grew up around violence  we dont want it no more, Connolly said.

Organizers said they hope their message will live on in peace stones they placed along the 3-mile route. Placed on the stones, are messages of hope to help the entire community heal.
The campaign managers for Republican President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton have given their behind-the-scenes perspectives at a forum at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Clinton aide Robby Mook zeroed in Thursday on letters sent in the waning days of the campaign by FBI director James Comey about his agency's examination of Clinton's email accounts as dealing a death blow to her campaign. He says without those Clinton would've won.

Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway says one tactic that helped Trump was a decision to stop looking at national polls and instead focus on state polls, particularly in swing states.

She also credits former Democratic challenger and Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders for helping "soften up" Clinton and paving the way for Trump's victory.

The forum was hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper.
He would have been better off hitting a wall," defence argues

A MAN was unable to contain his rage after a drunken row with his partner.

Damion Edward Hall lashed out with his fists, smashing the window of a strangers car, Reading magistrates were told on Thursday, November 24.

Anne Sawyer-Brandish, prosecuting, said the incident happened in the early hours after the 33-year-old, of Hutton Close, Newbury, walked home from the town centre.

She said the victim, Philip Arbcaster, of Hamilton Court, Newbury, had to spend 50 to replace the broken car window.

Mr Hall admitted causing criminal damage on August 27.

He also has a lengthy list of previous convictions and his admission placed him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed for the latest of them, magistrates were told.

Steve Molloy, defending, said his client had indulged in a random act of vandalism and added: He was effectively just taking out his anger following an argument with his partner.

He would have been better off hitting a wall.

He is deeply sorry for his actions.

Magistrates fined Mr Hall 50 and ordered him to pay 50 in compensation to Mr Arbcaster.

He was also ordered to pay 85 costs plus a statutory victim services surcharge of 30.
M Rajendran By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The government has announced a significant increase in the Market Stabilisation Scheme, from `30,000 crore to `6 lakh crore  a move that is set to not only help suck out the excess liquidity (currency in banks) due to demonetisation, but will also address the fundamental problem of balancing assets and liability.



But it may lead to a reversal of the recent CRR increase to 100%, may impact bank lending and hence dampen new investments, pointed out Jaijit Bhattacharya, Partner, KPMG. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is a specified minimum fraction of the total deposits of customers, which commercial banks have to hold as reserves either in cash or as deposits with the Reserve Bank of India.



However, the hike of the MSS is valid only for 28 days. Under the scheme, the RBI will issue cash management bills (CMB) and an auction of 28 days CMB will be done using the multiple price auction method.



The increase in MSS is aimed to ensure the banking system goes back to its pre-November 8 status, so that banking can be done normally, said Santosh Kumar Mehrotra Professor of Economics, at JNU.



The government also seems to be aware of the problems for RBI with higher liquidity. The CRR was increased in anticipation that in addition to the demonetised currency deposited in the banks, a lot of bonds that RBI had sold to the public sector banks were maturing in January. That money would have also gone back to the banks, increasing liquidity even further.



The MSS tool was introduced in 2004, primarily to manage government securities and is a kind of bond through which commercial banks can park their funds with the RBI.



When government securities are sold, the money goes back to the government. So there is always pressure on RBI due to the fiscal deficit issue to sell government securities and, sometimes, to suck out fiscal liquidity, pointed out Seema Sharma, Senior Economist with IIT Delhi.



However, the money is not going to the government, but will remain with RBI ruling out any fiscal issues. The move is only going to reduce the availability of money with commercial banks.

But soon, the banks will have to reduce rates to ensure that people take money from banks and invest in economic activity, which in turn will begin income generation in the economy, said Sharma.

NEW DELHI: The government has announced a significant increase in the Market Stabilisation Scheme, from `30,000 crore to `6 lakh crore  a move that is set to not only help suck out the excess liquidity (currency in banks) due to demonetisation, but will also address the fundamental problem of balancing assets and liability. But it may lead to a reversal of the recent CRR increase to 100%, may impact bank lending and hence dampen new investments, pointed out Jaijit Bhattacharya, Partner, KPMG. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is a specified minimum fraction of the total deposits of customers, which commercial banks have to hold as reserves either in cash or as deposits with the Reserve Bank of India. However, the hike of the MSS is valid only for 28 days. Under the scheme, the RBI will issue cash management bills (CMB) and an auction of 28 days CMB will be done using the multiple price auction method. The increase in MSS is aimed to ensure the banking system goes back to its pre-November 8 status, so that banking can be done normally, said Santosh Kumar Mehrotra Professor of Economics, at JNU. The government also seems to be aware of the problems for RBI with higher liquidity. The CRR was increased in anticipation that in addition to the demonetised currency deposited in the banks, a lot of bonds that RBI had sold to the public sector banks were maturing in January. That money would have also gone back to the banks, increasing liquidity even further. The MSS tool was introduced in 2004, primarily to manage government securities and is a kind of bond through which commercial banks can park their funds with the RBI. When government securities are sold, the money goes back to the government. So there is always pressure on RBI due to the fiscal deficit issue to sell government securities and, sometimes, to suck out fiscal liquidity, pointed out Seema Sharma, Senior Economist with IIT Delhi. However, the money is not going to the government, but will remain with RBI ruling out any fiscal issues. The move is only going to reduce the availability of money with commercial banks. But soon, the banks will have to reduce rates to ensure that people take money from banks and invest in economic activity, which in turn will begin income generation in the economy, said Sharma.
kellyanne conway anderson cooper CNN

Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser and former campaign manager to President-elect Donald Trump, appeared to brush off the hand-wringing over Trump's unprecedented phone call with Taiwan's president on Friday.

The phone call was seen as a troubling break from longstanding policy, since no US president or president-elect has engaged in such direct contact with Taiwan in nearly 40 years.

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Conway accused Democrats of blowing things out of proportion.

She specifically pointed to Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who tweeted Friday that Trump's fast and loose approach to foreign policy is "how wars start."

"It sounds like Sen. Murphy's tweet is pretty incendiary," Conway said, before implying that the senator's messages were an indication that the Democratic Party is refusing to accept Trump as president-elect.

"This is how wars start and it's a major policy shift because he had a phone call? That's pretty negative and pretty presumptuous," Conway said.

"This is the president elect, this will be his administration, he'll be commander-in-chief, and he'll president of the United States imminently ... he's well aware of what US policy has been."

Watch the interview below:

.@KellyannePolls on Trump's call with Taiwan president: "He's well aware of what U.S. policy has been" https://t.co/zCuUYehGhl  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) December 3, 2016

NOW WATCH: How to move to Canada and become a Canadian citizen





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Regina Gurung By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: On November 30 2012, right after the exodus of the North East people, NEP (North East People and Nepal) India association was formed with seven individuals. The two pronged definition of NEP which is an abbreviation for the country Nepal and also an acronym for North East People was established to cater to these communities in particular.

On November 30, 2016, the foundation celebrated their three years of establishment with around 500 members.

On occasion of their third anniversary, the community has decided to provide a filip to Prime Minister Modis Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in the city this month. Around 500 Nepalis will clean around 14 major localities in and around Bengaluru.

The drive will start on Sunday morning in Sanjeevani Nagar in Hebbal. Every Sunday starting from this week, the community people will gather and dispose the garbage, weed-out wild plants, ensure a clean locality and display placards on clean environment.

Initiating from the north of the city, they will gradually move towards the south aiming to cover all of Bangalore.

We have taken this initiative to clean the city to celebrate our third year anniversary. The city is home to around 8 lakh Nepalis and North East people, said Rahul Rai, founder of NEP India Foundation Karnataka.

It has been twenty years since Rahul has settled in the city. While on a vacation to Goa he had dropped by Bengaluru when he was 19 years old. Fascinated by the greens of the city, he decided to stay back. Taking social work as his stride, he joined many NGOs and associations but did not find it satisfactory. After which, he decided to open his own that catered to all communities without being indifferent to any particular community.

The association has conducted several blood camps, rescued three trafficked women, aided Nepal when earthquake struck the country and has been fighting for child rights.

The association branched out to two sections to address the commonly faced problem of the community.

First, is the medical problem since many from North East and Nepal come to the city to get treated annually, often clueless. Six of the association members have been assigned to help them.

Another, 20 young men and women are designated to help the students from the region who come here for education.

The community also addresses the identity problem they face when they venture to Indian cities. It is much lesser now but earlier we were constantly called Chinese and outsiders, said Rahul. For a lot of reasons the foundation was established. The goal is to unify and sustain harmony among our community and various other communities, Rahul added.

On December 6, the community is hosting a candle vigil in Townhall along with a dalit community of Bengaluru.

I recently went to the North East and met all the leaders of the eight state. We have a long term plan to establish our community Bhawan here in the city. By 2020, be it by renting a house or building it on land, we plan to establish the community Bhawan that will benefit a lot of people from the region who come to the city, said Ramesh Rai, member of the association.

BENGALURU: On November 30 2012, right after the exodus of the North East people, NEP (North East People and Nepal) India association was formed with seven individuals. The two pronged definition of NEP which is an abbreviation for the country Nepal and also an acronym for North East People was established to cater to these communities in particular. On November 30, 2016, the foundation celebrated their three years of establishment with around 500 members. On occasion of their third anniversary, the community has decided to provide a filip to Prime Minister Modis Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in the city this month. Around 500 Nepalis will clean around 14 major localities in and around Bengaluru. The drive will start on Sunday morning in Sanjeevani Nagar in Hebbal. Every Sunday starting from this week, the community people will gather and dispose the garbage, weed-out wild plants, ensure a clean locality and display placards on clean environment. Initiating from the north of the city, they will gradually move towards the south aiming to cover all of Bangalore. We have taken this initiative to clean the city to celebrate our third year anniversary. The city is home to around 8 lakh Nepalis and North East people, said Rahul Rai, founder of NEP India Foundation Karnataka. It has been twenty years since Rahul has settled in the city. While on a vacation to Goa he had dropped by Bengaluru when he was 19 years old. Fascinated by the greens of the city, he decided to stay back. Taking social work as his stride, he joined many NGOs and associations but did not find it satisfactory. After which, he decided to open his own that catered to all communities without being indifferent to any particular community. The association has conducted several blood camps, rescued three trafficked women, aided Nepal when earthquake struck the country and has been fighting for child rights. The association branched out to two sections to address the commonly faced problem of the community. First, is the medical problem since many from North East and Nepal come to the city to get treated annually, often clueless. Six of the association members have been assigned to help them. Another, 20 young men and women are designated to help the students from the region who come here for education. The community also addresses the identity problem they face when they venture to Indian cities. It is much lesser now but earlier we were constantly called Chinese and outsiders, said Rahul. For a lot of reasons the foundation was established. The goal is to unify and sustain harmony among our community and various other communities, Rahul added. On December 6, the community is hosting a candle vigil in Townhall along with a dalit community of Bengaluru. I recently went to the North East and met all the leaders of the eight state. We have a long term plan to establish our community Bhawan here in the city. By 2020, be it by renting a house or building it on land, we plan to establish the community Bhawan that will benefit a lot of people from the region who come to the city, said Ramesh Rai, member of the association.
By Express News Service

BELAGAVI: Buckling under pressure from the opposition members, Home Minister G Parameshwara announced the suspension of the two officials, whose assets were raided by Income-Tax (IT) department on Thursday. The announcement was made during the Legislative session in Belagavi on Friday. The officials were accused of stashing Rs 5.7 crore cash in new denominations of `2,000.

Parameshwara said that T N Chikkarayappa, Managing Director, Cauvery Neeravari Nigam and S C Jayachandra, Chief Project Officer, State Highway Development Project have been suspended in connection with the cash seizure.

A detailed inquiry is being conducted and legal action will be taken based on the probe report.

The I-T sleuths had raided the offices and residences of Chikkarayappa, Jayachandra, businessman Sibi Chakravarthy of Kannan Borewells and Ramlingam, a civil contractor, at Bengaluru on Thursday.

Citing media reports which stated that the accused were close to the chief minister, the opposition members earlier linked the huge cash seizure to increasing corruption in the state.

VS Ugarappa clarified that the accused were working with the government, but had no links to the CM. He termed all such allegations baseless.

Prior to suspension announcement,opposition members demanded immediate action against the officials. Parameshwara said that inquiry was being conducted and necessary action would be initiated by evening. Irked over the answer, the opposition members launched a protest in the Well. Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Shankar Murthy adjourned the house for 15 minutes. After it recommenced, Parameshwara announced the suspension.

Opposition leader K S Eshwarappa demanded a probe report in this case be made public.

It is shocking that when people are standing in long queues to withdraw `2,000 cash, these accused managed to possess so much illegal cash, he said. MLC Basangouda Patil Yatnal demanded a CBI inquiry into the case.

Souharda Sahakari Bill-2016, ban on harmful trees get nod

Belagavi: To train employees of cooperative sector and facilitate recruitment of employees in banking sector, Karnataka Legislative Council unanimously passed Karnataka Souharda Sahakari (Second Amendment) Bill-2016 in Belagavi on Friday. Few opposition members,including Basangouda Yatnal,however,initially opposed the bill,questioning the reason for establishing a cooperative training centre at Mysuru. He said a centre at Belagavi would have been better. The Council also unanimously passed the bill for banning the plantation of trees, which are harmful for the environment like Acacia and Nilgiri (Eucalyptus).

BELAGAVI: Buckling under pressure from the opposition members, Home Minister G Parameshwara announced the suspension of the two officials, whose assets were raided by Income-Tax (IT) department on Thursday. The announcement was made during the Legislative session in Belagavi on Friday. The officials were accused of stashing Rs 5.7 crore cash in new denominations of `2,000. Parameshwara said that T N Chikkarayappa, Managing Director, Cauvery Neeravari Nigam and S C Jayachandra, Chief Project Officer, State Highway Development Project have been suspended in connection with the cash seizure. A detailed inquiry is being conducted and legal action will be taken based on the probe report. The I-T sleuths had raided the offices and residences of Chikkarayappa, Jayachandra, businessman Sibi Chakravarthy of Kannan Borewells and Ramlingam, a civil contractor, at Bengaluru on Thursday. Citing media reports which stated that the accused were close to the chief minister, the opposition members earlier linked the huge cash seizure to increasing corruption in the state. VS Ugarappa clarified that the accused were working with the government, but had no links to the CM. He termed all such allegations baseless. Prior to suspension announcement,opposition members demanded immediate action against the officials. Parameshwara said that inquiry was being conducted and necessary action would be initiated by evening. Irked over the answer, the opposition members launched a protest in the Well. Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Shankar Murthy adjourned the house for 15 minutes. After it recommenced, Parameshwara announced the suspension. Opposition leader K S Eshwarappa demanded a probe report in this case be made public. It is shocking that when people are standing in long queues to withdraw `2,000 cash, these accused managed to possess so much illegal cash, he said. MLC Basangouda Patil Yatnal demanded a CBI inquiry into the case. Souharda Sahakari Bill-2016, ban on harmful trees get nod Belagavi: To train employees of cooperative sector and facilitate recruitment of employees in banking sector, Karnataka Legislative Council unanimously passed Karnataka Souharda Sahakari (Second Amendment) Bill-2016 in Belagavi on Friday. Few opposition members,including Basangouda Yatnal,however,initially opposed the bill,questioning the reason for establishing a cooperative training centre at Mysuru. He said a centre at Belagavi would have been better. The Council also unanimously passed the bill for banning the plantation of trees, which are harmful for the environment like Acacia and Nilgiri (Eucalyptus).
Gokul M Nair By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Kizomba is a pretty close and sensual dance  it has resemblances to tango, especially in the way we lead our partner, describes dancer Kristofer Mencak, one of the most famous Kizomba dancers in the world. On an India tour that will culminate in Chennai this Sunday, Kristofer chats with City Express about his grooves and moves.



A popular dance form from Angola in Africa, Kizomba is characterised by music that is more sensual and slower than usual, mixed with African rhythm and Haitian Kompa. For someone with a business degree and who was working as a digital marketing strategist, a chance encounter at a salsa festival led Kristofer to learn Kizomba professionally.



I liked the music and the moves. After that first time, I started going to a lot of Kizomba festivals abroad, since that dance form was not found in my city, says the Swede, who adds that he eventually visited close to 60 festivals and took five different courses in teachers training in the last five years. However, he admits that it was not easy taking to the stage!



For me, it was a struggle in the beginning, because I never enjoyed being on stage (still dont), and didnt like talking in front of people. Actually I am a pretty shy guy! he laughs. But now I am used to giving classes and dancing in front of people. When I travel, I experience strange things all the time  you are exposed to a lot of different cultures and customs and it opens your eyes a lot.



In 2013, Kristofer won the Scandinavian selection for the international competition Africadancar, and ended up in 7th place worldwide in the finals in Lisbon, Portugal. In the 2014 edition again, he repeated his performance, this time ending 6th in the world finals. Today, he teaches Kizomba at his own school in Stockholm called Kizomba Flow, while admitting to the growing popularity the earlier little-known dance form is garnering.



At first, Kizomba spread to Portugal and other PALOP countries (former Portuguese colonies in Africa), then around 2007, it started spreading to France, Spain and UK, explains Kristofer. And now, its very popular in Europe and has spread all over the world. I have been teaching in some 40 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa and I can say its really conquering the world.

I am very happy it has also come to India!

He has been surprised by the interest in unexpected places. I had 90 people in classes in Novosibirsk (Siberia) two years ago. In Caracas, 120 people participated. A few months back, in Venezuela  in a country with a terrible fin ancial situation! And especially in India, the response has been overwhelming in all three cities (Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai)!



Apart from Kizomba, Kristofer has trained in capoeira in Brazil, travelled to Cuba for salsa, and also visited the Dominican Republic for bachata. During my travels, I often get to try a few steps of local dances. Some of them are couple dances, while the others are solo. I havent had time to try any Indian dances yet, but I guess I will see some more while I am here!

Kristofer will be taking a five-hour intensive Kizomba workshop on Dec 4

in association with Salsa Madras at SADA Skill and Fitness Studio, Mylapore. For details, call 8122072572

CHENNAI: Kizomba is a pretty close and sensual dance  it has resemblances to tango, especially in the way we lead our partner, describes dancer Kristofer Mencak, one of the most famous Kizomba dancers in the world. On an India tour that will culminate in Chennai this Sunday, Kristofer chats with City Express about his grooves and moves. A popular dance form from Angola in Africa, Kizomba is characterised by music that is more sensual and slower than usual, mixed with African rhythm and Haitian Kompa. For someone with a business degree and who was working as a digital marketing strategist, a chance encounter at a salsa festival led Kristofer to learn Kizomba professionally. I liked the music and the moves. After that first time, I started going to a lot of Kizomba festivals abroad, since that dance form was not found in my city, says the Swede, who adds that he eventually visited close to 60 festivals and took five different courses in teachers training in the last five years. However, he admits that it was not easy taking to the stage! For me, it was a struggle in the beginning, because I never enjoyed being on stage (still dont), and didnt like talking in front of people. Actually I am a pretty shy guy! he laughs. But now I am used to giving classes and dancing in front of people. When I travel, I experience strange things all the time  you are exposed to a lot of different cultures and customs and it opens your eyes a lot. In 2013, Kristofer won the Scandinavian selection for the international competition Africadancar, and ended up in 7th place worldwide in the finals in Lisbon, Portugal. In the 2014 edition again, he repeated his performance, this time ending 6th in the world finals. Today, he teaches Kizomba at his own school in Stockholm called Kizomba Flow, while admitting to the growing popularity the earlier little-known dance form is garnering. At first, Kizomba spread to Portugal and other PALOP countries (former Portuguese colonies in Africa), then around 2007, it started spreading to France, Spain and UK, explains Kristofer. And now, its very popular in Europe and has spread all over the world. I have been teaching in some 40 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa and I can say its really conquering the world. I am very happy it has also come to India! He has been surprised by the interest in unexpected places. I had 90 people in classes in Novosibirsk (Siberia) two years ago. In Caracas, 120 people participated. A few months back, in Venezuela  in a country with a terrible fin ancial situation! And especially in India, the response has been overwhelming in all three cities (Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai)! Apart from Kizomba, Kristofer has trained in capoeira in Brazil, travelled to Cuba for salsa, and also visited the Dominican Republic for bachata. During my travels, I often get to try a few steps of local dances. Some of them are couple dances, while the others are solo. I havent had time to try any Indian dances yet, but I guess I will see some more while I am here! Kristofer will be taking a five-hour intensive Kizomba workshop on Dec 4 in association with Salsa Madras at SADA Skill and Fitness Studio, Mylapore. For details, call 8122072572
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Doctors at Global Health City (GHC) said they had successfully conducted three paediatric liver transplants within a span of 18 hours and two of the recipients shared a single donors liver through the split liver transplantation procedure.



While Rega was diagnosed with Non-Cirrhotic Portal Fibrosis (NCPF), a chronic liver disease that also

affects the lungs, Sanghvi was diagnosed with biliary atresia which is a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts and had already had a failed transplant. Both the children had been diagnosed with jaundice as well. Even though hope seemed to be fading, Rega and Sanghvis parents were rejoiced to find that there was a donor available finally.



The donor, a 12-year-old who was very healthy earlier, suddenly collapsed while on her way to school and investigations revealed that she had developed a massive bleed in the brain due to a burst blood vessel, leaving her brain dead. Doctors said that her parents did not hesitate to donate their childs organs when they were approached. Since the liver was healthy, the liver transplant team, headed by Prof Mohamed Rela, decided that the liver could be split into two parts and could be used for two separate patients.



It was a tough decision to make but we knew that it was possible to split a healthy liver and offer them to two individuals and since the children had been long waiting for a transplant and since they might not get a second chance, we decided to go in for the split liver graft surgeries, said Prof. Mohamed Rela, Director and Head, Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Global Hospitals.



The news of the donor arrived when six-month old Leiah, who had been diagnosed with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis was scheduled to go in for a living donor transplant (her father). So, the doctors conducted the complicated mono-segmental liver transplant, while proceeding with the harvest operation, splitting the donor liver and performing two split liver grafts all within 18 hours.



On October 21, four teams of surgeons and anesthetists were formed within specific responsibilities. While the first two teams performed the operation on the six-month baby and her donor father, the third teams retrieved the liver from the cadaveric donor and performed an in-situ liver split procedure, so as to minimise delays before the transplantation.

The fourth team began the surgery on one-and-half-year old Sanghvi simultaneously and once the living donor transplant was completed, the transplant for eigth-year-old Rega commenced. All the operations were successfully completed by 3 am the next day. All three patients are healthy and will be regularly supervised by the doctors. to ensure they live healthy lives.

CHENNAI: Doctors at Global Health City (GHC) said they had successfully conducted three paediatric liver transplants within a span of 18 hours and two of the recipients shared a single donors liver through the split liver transplantation procedure. While Rega was diagnosed with Non-Cirrhotic Portal Fibrosis (NCPF), a chronic liver disease that also affects the lungs, Sanghvi was diagnosed with biliary atresia which is a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts and had already had a failed transplant. Both the children had been diagnosed with jaundice as well. Even though hope seemed to be fading, Rega and Sanghvis parents were rejoiced to find that there was a donor available finally. The donor, a 12-year-old who was very healthy earlier, suddenly collapsed while on her way to school and investigations revealed that she had developed a massive bleed in the brain due to a burst blood vessel, leaving her brain dead. Doctors said that her parents did not hesitate to donate their childs organs when they were approached. Since the liver was healthy, the liver transplant team, headed by Prof Mohamed Rela, decided that the liver could be split into two parts and could be used for two separate patients. It was a tough decision to make but we knew that it was possible to split a healthy liver and offer them to two individuals and since the children had been long waiting for a transplant and since they might not get a second chance, we decided to go in for the split liver graft surgeries, said Prof. Mohamed Rela, Director and Head, Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Global Hospitals. The news of the donor arrived when six-month old Leiah, who had been diagnosed with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis was scheduled to go in for a living donor transplant (her father). So, the doctors conducted the complicated mono-segmental liver transplant, while proceeding with the harvest operation, splitting the donor liver and performing two split liver grafts all within 18 hours. On October 21, four teams of surgeons and anesthetists were formed within specific responsibilities. While the first two teams performed the operation on the six-month baby and her donor father, the third teams retrieved the liver from the cadaveric donor and performed an in-situ liver split procedure, so as to minimise delays before the transplantation. The fourth team began the surgery on one-and-half-year old Sanghvi simultaneously and once the living donor transplant was completed, the transplant for eigth-year-old Rega commenced. All the operations were successfully completed by 3 am the next day. All three patients are healthy and will be regularly supervised by the doctors. to ensure they live healthy lives.
Nirupama Viswanathan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Residents of Ramapuram, Porur, Nandambakkam and Manapakkam have taken it upon themselves to remain prepared for the north-east monsoon after last years floods played the great equalizer in Ramapuram, affecting residents, including those in the elite IPS officers colony at Manapakkam.



Despite desilting and widening of the Ramapuram lake, residents do not want to take chances. Anoop Jaiswal, a retired police officer and a resident of IPS officers colony, has erected two pulleys  one on the outer wall of his house that is accessible from his terrace and one inside his house to carry supplies from the ground floor in case last years situation gets repeated. We dont know how prepared the government is, but we are certainly prepared after being surrounded by almost 14 feet of water last year, he said.

C A pulley that was erected by a resident of

IPS officers colony to lift goods from the ground

floor in case of inundation



He added that the residents of the locality have also made it a habit to keep a tab on the water level in Chembarambakkam reservoir this season since they believe that they suffered last year because the colony was near the lake.



Latha B of IDPL colony at Nandambakkam keeps track of the level of water that stagnates. When water begins to reach the second step of the staircase leading to my house, we will start packing all our electrical appliances.

We cannot lose them twice, said the mother of two who had to go to her relatives house last year after her husband suffered seizure during the devastating floods.



Another resident in IPS officers colony said that some apartments in the area, one of the most coveted residential areas among IT professionals, remained vacant for months after the floods before they were occupied.



Though Ramapuram lake was desilted, drainage work was still underway on the Mount-Poonamallee High Road even as rain had commenced. The corporation had announced that as part of the measures to face the monsoon, there will be four common kitchens and 176 relief centres, But, the residents were already a step ahead, stocking up on essentials after the city shut down last year leaving many hungry or dependent on relief workers.

Works going on to fix drains, in the city on Friday

| martin louis

As soon as we got the rain alert, we bought candles, biscuits and noodles to last a week, said Prasanna Swaminathan of Lakshmi Nagar at Porur.



However, residents of Burma colony, although just a few kilometres away from the IPS officers colony, had no such agenda. M Manohar, an auto driver and a resident for over 40 years was confident that it wouldnt rain like last year.

If at all it does, we will go to the temple nearby. This is not new to us; almost every year when it rains, there would be floods, but it is the intensity that varies, he said.



With Adyar in their backyard, residents are hoping that the corporation will build a retaining wall on the banks of the river. The last two Mayors promised to build a wall here for protection. Their tenure is over, but the wall had not been constructed, he added.



The Burmese colony that mostly consists of refugees from Burma is to be shifted to TNSCB tenements at Perumbakkam since they were living in a flood-prone area, said residents. But, they are convinced that a wall will be sufficient to protect them when the river swells.

CHENNAI: Residents of Ramapuram, Porur, Nandambakkam and Manapakkam have taken it upon themselves to remain prepared for the north-east monsoon after last years floods played the great equalizer in Ramapuram, affecting residents, including those in the elite IPS officers colony at Manapakkam. Despite desilting and widening of the Ramapuram lake, residents do not want to take chances. Anoop Jaiswal, a retired police officer and a resident of IPS officers colony, has erected two pulleys  one on the outer wall of his house that is accessible from his terrace and one inside his house to carry supplies from the ground floor in case last years situation gets repeated. We dont know how prepared the government is, but we are certainly prepared after being surrounded by almost 14 feet of water last year, he said. C A pulley that was erected by a resident of IPS officers colony to lift goods from the ground floor in case of inundation He added that the residents of the locality have also made it a habit to keep a tab on the water level in Chembarambakkam reservoir this season since they believe that they suffered last year because the colony was near the lake. Latha B of IDPL colony at Nandambakkam keeps track of the level of water that stagnates. When water begins to reach the second step of the staircase leading to my house, we will start packing all our electrical appliances. We cannot lose them twice, said the mother of two who had to go to her relatives house last year after her husband suffered seizure during the devastating floods. Another resident in IPS officers colony said that some apartments in the area, one of the most coveted residential areas among IT professionals, remained vacant for months after the floods before they were occupied. Though Ramapuram lake was desilted, drainage work was still underway on the Mount-Poonamallee High Road even as rain had commenced. The corporation had announced that as part of the measures to face the monsoon, there will be four common kitchens and 176 relief centres, But, the residents were already a step ahead, stocking up on essentials after the city shut down last year leaving many hungry or dependent on relief workers. Works going on to fix drains, in the city on Friday | martin louis As soon as we got the rain alert, we bought candles, biscuits and noodles to last a week, said Prasanna Swaminathan of Lakshmi Nagar at Porur. However, residents of Burma colony, although just a few kilometres away from the IPS officers colony, had no such agenda. M Manohar, an auto driver and a resident for over 40 years was confident that it wouldnt rain like last year. If at all it does, we will go to the temple nearby. This is not new to us; almost every year when it rains, there would be floods, but it is the intensity that varies, he said. With Adyar in their backyard, residents are hoping that the corporation will build a retaining wall on the banks of the river. The last two Mayors promised to build a wall here for protection. Their tenure is over, but the wall had not been constructed, he added. The Burmese colony that mostly consists of refugees from Burma is to be shifted to TNSCB tenements at Perumbakkam since they were living in a flood-prone area, said residents. But, they are convinced that a wall will be sufficient to protect them when the river swells.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: A rape case was registered today on the complaint of a US woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a group of men at a five-star hotel in Connaught Place, police said.



They said the alleged gangrape took place in April and the "severely traumatised" victim returned to her home without lodging any complaint. Last month, she contacted Delhi Police through an NGO and inquiry was initiated in the matter.



"We have been able to contact the lady concerned and today we have received a complaint from her in first person. We have registered a FIR and investigation has begun," said Dependra Pathak, Delhi Police spokesperson and joint commissioner of police (Southwest).



Sources said the 30-year-old woman has been contacted over phone and she has shared the details.



Police also said they are in the process of approaching the US embassy here.



The woman told police she was "severely traumatised" and after returning to US, she had to undergo counselling to come out of depression. The accused had allegedly threatened her of dire consequences if she reported the matter to anyone.



Sources said investigation has begun and the police has identified the tour and travel company that had arranged for her stay here.



She had come as part of a group to explore India and the travel agency in the US had asked their local franchise here to make arrangements for her stay, they said, adding the police has contacted the company.



The rape accused have been identified and will be arrested soon, sources said.



The complaint from the NGO was received last month on the official email id of Delhi police commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, following which the matter was forwarded to the police station concerned and an inquiry was initiated on November 28, sources added.



The officer said according to the complaint received from the US-based NGO, "a lady during the first-second week of April, when she had come to India, had been violated by a group of people".



"Immediately Delhi Police started inquiring about it. The complaint was in second person through the NGO. After initial inquiry, we zeroed in on the place of the incident and also on the people involved in this.



"During the entire process of investigation, there is an established procedure pertaining to the victims from other countries and we are following that," said Pathak.



Sources said the probe has revealed one of the staff members of the hotel could be involved.



The investigators are working on retrieving the CCTV footage of the month of April to identify the accused.

NEW DELHI: A rape case was registered today on the complaint of a US woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a group of men at a five-star hotel in Connaught Place, police said. They said the alleged gangrape took place in April and the "severely traumatised" victim returned to her home without lodging any complaint. Last month, she contacted Delhi Police through an NGO and inquiry was initiated in the matter. "We have been able to contact the lady concerned and today we have received a complaint from her in first person. We have registered a FIR and investigation has begun," said Dependra Pathak, Delhi Police spokesperson and joint commissioner of police (Southwest). Sources said the 30-year-old woman has been contacted over phone and she has shared the details. Police also said they are in the process of approaching the US embassy here. The woman told police she was "severely traumatised" and after returning to US, she had to undergo counselling to come out of depression. The accused had allegedly threatened her of dire consequences if she reported the matter to anyone. Sources said investigation has begun and the police has identified the tour and travel company that had arranged for her stay here. She had come as part of a group to explore India and the travel agency in the US had asked their local franchise here to make arrangements for her stay, they said, adding the police has contacted the company. The rape accused have been identified and will be arrested soon, sources said. The complaint from the NGO was received last month on the official email id of Delhi police commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, following which the matter was forwarded to the police station concerned and an inquiry was initiated on November 28, sources added. The officer said according to the complaint received from the US-based NGO, "a lady during the first-second week of April, when she had come to India, had been violated by a group of people". "Immediately Delhi Police started inquiring about it. The complaint was in second person through the NGO. After initial inquiry, we zeroed in on the place of the incident and also on the people involved in this. "During the entire process of investigation, there is an established procedure pertaining to the victims from other countries and we are following that," said Pathak. Sources said the probe has revealed one of the staff members of the hotel could be involved. The investigators are working on retrieving the CCTV footage of the month of April to identify the accused.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Sillah Kwahu, a 46-year-old Tanzanian man who lost his nose in a grevious assault two years ago has finally found respite in the city after doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, performed a rare case of nose implantation on him. Dr Sudhakar Prasad, Sr. Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, who performed this surgery briefed the media on implanting a fabricated nose, repaired to function, by painstakingly constructing it using skin, cartilage & blood vessels, from different parts of the body.

Normally in such patients the obvious choice of treatment is the famous Indian rhinoplasty technique described by Sushruta in 600 BC, by which the nose is created by using the patients forehead skin and positioned on the location where nose originally existed. Unfortunately, due to multiple knife injuries on his face, this treatment option was found to be inappropriate and the other regular options were ruled out too, one by one.

Dr Sudhakar Prasad falling back on his experience of over three decades in plastic and micro surgery conceived a pioneering and complex procedure Pre-fabricated flap to provide lasting relief to the patient.

This method combines the techniques of plastic surgery and micro vascular surgery.

In the initial stage with a combination of patients forearm skin, cartilage grafts from ears and skin graft, a nose was moulded and cultured on the left forearm. After a suitable healing period, the newly created nose and blood vessels supplying it, were separated from the fore arm and transferred to the face. The blood supply was restored in the face by micro surgically joining the blood vessels of forearm to the blood vessels of the face, using sutures thinner than human hair. The new nose healed in a few weeks time.

As a final refinement, the nose was sculpted into a much thinner size and some more cartilage from the rib was added to create a good nasal bridge. Now he has a normal nose, in place of the one he lost two years ago.

Mr Sillah Kwahu said, I feel better, my relatives on seeing the new nose said its very good.

HYDERABAD: Sillah Kwahu, a 46-year-old Tanzanian man who lost his nose in a grevious assault two years ago has finally found respite in the city after doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, performed a rare case of nose implantation on him. Dr Sudhakar Prasad, Sr. Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon, who performed this surgery briefed the media on implanting a fabricated nose, repaired to function, by painstakingly constructing it using skin, cartilage & blood vessels, from different parts of the body. Normally in such patients the obvious choice of treatment is the famous Indian rhinoplasty technique described by Sushruta in 600 BC, by which the nose is created by using the patients forehead skin and positioned on the location where nose originally existed. Unfortunately, due to multiple knife injuries on his face, this treatment option was found to be inappropriate and the other regular options were ruled out too, one by one. Dr Sudhakar Prasad falling back on his experience of over three decades in plastic and micro surgery conceived a pioneering and complex procedure Pre-fabricated flap to provide lasting relief to the patient. This method combines the techniques of plastic surgery and micro vascular surgery. In the initial stage with a combination of patients forearm skin, cartilage grafts from ears and skin graft, a nose was moulded and cultured on the left forearm. After a suitable healing period, the newly created nose and blood vessels supplying it, were separated from the fore arm and transferred to the face. The blood supply was restored in the face by micro surgically joining the blood vessels of forearm to the blood vessels of the face, using sutures thinner than human hair. The new nose healed in a few weeks time. As a final refinement, the nose was sculpted into a much thinner size and some more cartilage from the rib was added to create a good nasal bridge. Now he has a normal nose, in place of the one he lost two years ago. Mr Sillah Kwahu said, I feel better, my relatives on seeing the new nose said its very good.
Vijaya Pratap By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Slovakia, a small land locked country in the Central Europe, has a rich castle history. Travellers to Europe often take castle tours to study and appreciate castles. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia boasts many beautiful tourist attractions, and castles seem to be foremost among them.

Just 35 km northeast from Bratislava, a majestic ancient fortress called Cerveny Kamen Castle exists with mighty bastions and vast interiors. Slovak National Museum at this castle showcases expositions of furniture of aristocratic residences and a collection of weapons. Last part of the exhibition is dedicated to the cellars and the fortification system of the castle.

History of the Red Stone Castle (Cerveny Kamen) dates back to the period of 13th century. Originally the medieval castle was part of a network of border fortifications: consisted of castles and western borders of Hungary. In the short period before 13th century until the beginning of the 16th century the castle had several owners of the Hungarian nobility.

The castle was designed by the Thurzo family primarily as a home with a large and defensible built-in storage area for valuable goods. However, due to a change in fortunes, it was soon sold to another aristocratic family. It became the family seat of this family, the powerful Palffys, and for this reason, was damaged in the uprising of 1705. The later owners, Fuggers had it rebuilt into a mighty fortress with a new bulwark system.

Later partial alterations had changed the castles design to a Renaissance-Baroque fortified residence. Rebuilding the medieval castle into the renaissance fortress required a lot of money and time. Since 1537 the castle was gradually demolished as to clear an area for construction of four protective bastions connected with walls and a single residential wing, turning it into a modern renaissance fortress. It was adapted for an effective protection of everything hidden in spacious storerooms (cells).When the last owner of the castle left in1945, the castle was proclaimed a national cultural property.

The Museum in the castle keeps rich collections of historical furniture and a gallery of paintings that were frequently restored over the centuries. The castle, in its many rooms displays some remarkable collections.

What you will see

Cannon bastions

Extensive cellar

Pharmacy

Well

Baroque fountain

Contemporary furniture and weapons

Pressroom

Saloons

Chapel

Red Stone Castle - Tours

I. Museum Circle

The basic route leads through twenty four richly furnished spaces. The visitors pass through the salons, bedrooms, dining room and knight hall where installation of contemporary interior equipment of nobility can be viewed dating from after the Renaissance period to Secede period. In the exposition rooms you can see an interesting collection of historical weapons, valuable porcelain and portraits. You can also see the original interior of the castle: pharmacy, Sala Terrena, library and chapel. Underground fortress which is one of the largest in Central Europe is also a part of the circle.

II. Renaissance Fortress Circle

The guided tour brings visitors to the period of the 16th century, i.e., period of Fugger Renaissance fortress and a unique defence system and construction of the Red Stone Castle. This circle passes through the bridge, castle trench, large cellar, pressroom, and all four bastions: the western, southern, eastern and northern. The route is difficult for some with physical conditions, as there are several dozen stairs to pass. The castle owns 1729 historical items (in museum terminology 

collection items). The historical library includes 14,312 books and would need 286 m long shelf to store all the books. The largest carpet from the museum collection covers an area of the average two-room apartment The museum is open throughout the year, except Mondays. The admission fee for an adult is 7, plus 2 if you want to click pictures.

Getting there

Bratislava is at the centre of Europe, with excellent transport connections. Can be reached from Vienna (60 km; Budapest (200 km) ; Prague (350km) By road or train.

Visa: Shengen

Stay: Budget to star hotels at reasonable prices.

Reaching Red Stone Castle

A day trip-only 20 minutes away from Bratislava (35 km) by car via the village of Casta, or a one-hour intercity bus to Casta from Bratislava or Trnava, and walk the last uphill stretch for about half an hour.

HYDERABAD: Slovakia, a small land locked country in the Central Europe, has a rich castle history. Travellers to Europe often take castle tours to study and appreciate castles. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia boasts many beautiful tourist attractions, and castles seem to be foremost among them. Just 35 km northeast from Bratislava, a majestic ancient fortress called Cerveny Kamen Castle exists with mighty bastions and vast interiors. Slovak National Museum at this castle showcases expositions of furniture of aristocratic residences and a collection of weapons. Last part of the exhibition is dedicated to the cellars and the fortification system of the castle. History of the Red Stone Castle (Cerveny Kamen) dates back to the period of 13th century. Originally the medieval castle was part of a network of border fortifications: consisted of castles and western borders of Hungary. In the short period before 13th century until the beginning of the 16th century the castle had several owners of the Hungarian nobility. The castle was designed by the Thurzo family primarily as a home with a large and defensible built-in storage area for valuable goods. However, due to a change in fortunes, it was soon sold to another aristocratic family. It became the family seat of this family, the powerful Palffys, and for this reason, was damaged in the uprising of 1705. The later owners, Fuggers had it rebuilt into a mighty fortress with a new bulwark system. Later partial alterations had changed the castles design to a Renaissance-Baroque fortified residence. Rebuilding the medieval castle into the renaissance fortress required a lot of money and time. Since 1537 the castle was gradually demolished as to clear an area for construction of four protective bastions connected with walls and a single residential wing, turning it into a modern renaissance fortress. It was adapted for an effective protection of everything hidden in spacious storerooms (cells).When the last owner of the castle left in1945, the castle was proclaimed a national cultural property. The Museum in the castle keeps rich collections of historical furniture and a gallery of paintings that were frequently restored over the centuries. The castle, in its many rooms displays some remarkable collections. What you will see Cannon bastions Extensive cellar Pharmacy Well Baroque fountain Contemporary furniture and weapons Pressroom Saloons Chapel Red Stone Castle - Tours I. Museum Circle The basic route leads through twenty four richly furnished spaces. The visitors pass through the salons, bedrooms, dining room and knight hall where installation of contemporary interior equipment of nobility can be viewed dating from after the Renaissance period to Secede period. In the exposition rooms you can see an interesting collection of historical weapons, valuable porcelain and portraits. You can also see the original interior of the castle: pharmacy, Sala Terrena, library and chapel. Underground fortress which is one of the largest in Central Europe is also a part of the circle. II. Renaissance Fortress Circle The guided tour brings visitors to the period of the 16th century, i.e., period of Fugger Renaissance fortress and a unique defence system and construction of the Red Stone Castle. This circle passes through the bridge, castle trench, large cellar, pressroom, and all four bastions: the western, southern, eastern and northern. The route is difficult for some with physical conditions, as there are several dozen stairs to pass. The castle owns 1729 historical items (in museum terminology  collection items). The historical library includes 14,312 books and would need 286 m long shelf to store all the books. The largest carpet from the museum collection covers an area of the average two-room apartment The museum is open throughout the year, except Mondays. The admission fee for an adult is 7, plus 2 if you want to click pictures. Getting there Bratislava is at the centre of Europe, with excellent transport connections. Can be reached from Vienna (60 km; Budapest (200 km) ; Prague (350km) By road or train. Visa: Shengen Stay: Budget to star hotels at reasonable prices. Reaching Red Stone Castle A day trip-only 20 minutes away from Bratislava (35 km) by car via the village of Casta, or a one-hour intercity bus to Casta from Bratislava or Trnava, and walk the last uphill stretch for about half an hour.
By Express News Service

Soon I will be 90 years old. Soon I will be like all the rest. Everybodys turn comes... The time will come for all of us. But the ideas of Cuban communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervour and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need and we need to fight without a truce to obtain them, proclaimed Fidel Castro, during his last address to the Cuban masses.

True! Fidels turn came and he left this world but he left behind him 90 years of his historic life as a living testament for the future generations to follow. Again the Sun would rise and time would come but Castro would be remembered and respected till the end of human race. In each and every breath, he stood for humanity and fought for the survival of Cuba. In all sense, he was an anti-imperialist. History reveals that innumerable time, America had made attempts to silence his words. Each failed attempt exemplified his glory. It is learnt that more than 10 US Presidents had lost their sleep due to the enduring impression of this icon on anti-imperialistic stance. This despair of the Americans seems evident in the response of Trump on the demise of the noble legend.

Today, the word Cuba signifies not just the name of a landscape and Fidel the name of a mortal... The small island and its tall leader have become symbols of survival and struggle against imperialist regimes. Fidel as a leader of Communist party made Cuba an unlimited inspiring source of energy for revolution which the rest of the world can ape and adapt against brutish imperialistic tendencies. Thus he changed this little landscape called Cuba into an ideological symbol which revitalises faith in fight against imperialism.

Fidel, an accomplished orator, never missed any opportunity to make speeches to the people. His four-hour-long self-defense in the court and his conclusive remark, History will absolve me continues to give relentless courage and inspiring energy to revolutionaries all around the world.

Personal experiences during visits to Cuba gave an impression of the charismatic stature of the personality of this great leader and his influence on the life of the ordinary Cuban masses. At the time of the world youth festival in 1995, which was a period when there was a temporary setback for socialism, Fidel gave enthusiasm to the youth who were coming from different parts of the world, of which I was a part. We experienced the advancement of Cuba in education, health care and sports.

And had an opportunity to visit a sanatorium where the victims of Chernobyl Nuclear disaster were treated. This visit made us aware of Cubas advancement in health care systems and testified how idealistic words and expressions can turn into concrete actions. Even his absence due to ill health at Havana in the NAM Summit in 2006 of which I was a member of the Prime Ministers delegation, we could feel the presence of Fidel Castro in the debates and deliberations on anti-imperialistic tendencies. Thus his words and deeds would continue to illuminate the whole world in all future struggles again and again.

Soon I will be 90 years old. Soon I will be like all the rest. Everybodys turn comes... The time will come for all of us. But the ideas of Cuban communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervour and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need and we need to fight without a truce to obtain them, proclaimed Fidel Castro, during his last address to the Cuban masses. True! Fidels turn came and he left this world but he left behind him 90 years of his historic life as a living testament for the future generations to follow. Again the Sun would rise and time would come but Castro would be remembered and respected till the end of human race. In each and every breath, he stood for humanity and fought for the survival of Cuba. In all sense, he was an anti-imperialist. History reveals that innumerable time, America had made attempts to silence his words. Each failed attempt exemplified his glory. It is learnt that more than 10 US Presidents had lost their sleep due to the enduring impression of this icon on anti-imperialistic stance. This despair of the Americans seems evident in the response of Trump on the demise of the noble legend. Today, the word Cuba signifies not just the name of a landscape and Fidel the name of a mortal... The small island and its tall leader have become symbols of survival and struggle against imperialist regimes. Fidel as a leader of Communist party made Cuba an unlimited inspiring source of energy for revolution which the rest of the world can ape and adapt against brutish imperialistic tendencies. Thus he changed this little landscape called Cuba into an ideological symbol which revitalises faith in fight against imperialism. Fidel, an accomplished orator, never missed any opportunity to make speeches to the people. His four-hour-long self-defense in the court and his conclusive remark, History will absolve me continues to give relentless courage and inspiring energy to revolutionaries all around the world. Personal experiences during visits to Cuba gave an impression of the charismatic stature of the personality of this great leader and his influence on the life of the ordinary Cuban masses. At the time of the world youth festival in 1995, which was a period when there was a temporary setback for socialism, Fidel gave enthusiasm to the youth who were coming from different parts of the world, of which I was a part. We experienced the advancement of Cuba in education, health care and sports. And had an opportunity to visit a sanatorium where the victims of Chernobyl Nuclear disaster were treated. This visit made us aware of Cubas advancement in health care systems and testified how idealistic words and expressions can turn into concrete actions. Even his absence due to ill health at Havana in the NAM Summit in 2006 of which I was a member of the Prime Ministers delegation, we could feel the presence of Fidel Castro in the debates and deliberations on anti-imperialistic tendencies. Thus his words and deeds would continue to illuminate the whole world in all future struggles again and again.
Malini Mannath By

Express News Service

Film - Saithan

Director - Pradeep Krishnamurthy

Cast - Vijay Antony, Arundhati Nair, YG Mahendra, Kittty, Charuhaasan, Murugadas.

Pushing the frontier each time, both by way of his performance and choice of scripts and roles, Vijay Antonys films have been refreshing and different from the routine formula-stuff. After the eminently watchable Pitchaikaaran, the music composer-turned actor now steps into the horror-suspense genre.



Adapted from Sujatha Rangarajans novel Aaah, the plot includes elements like hallucination, illusion, past-life and a dose of crime. Though towards the closing moments it does seem like the director had a trying time blending the various shades and tying the various knots into a coherent whole.



The film opens with Dinesh (Antony), an IT professional undergoing treatment from a psychiatrist (Kitty). As he narrates his past under hypnosis, we get to see his lifes journey in bits and pieces. Of his marriage to Aishwaria (Nair); of their harmonious life; and of the bizzare happenings that disrupt it. Dineshs strange behaviour, as he hears voices and wonders whether it was hallucination, illusion or symptoms of schizophrenia, generate interest and a curiosity as to the direction the narration would take.



Antony renders an inspired performance, tackling with finesse the various nuances of expressions as Dinesh goes through the turbulent journey of self-discovery. And when the film falters in the latter part, it is Antonys intensity and consistency that holds it together. Arundhati Nair has a performance oriented role and reveals her emotional prowess. Seasoned actors like YG Mahendra as Dineshs supportive boss and Kitty, lend conviction to their characters.



After interval, the plot shifts to Thanjavur where Dinesh travels to solve a puzzling mystery. The crisply narrated backstory here takes one to a different time period. The director doesnt let the suspense-quotient slacken as he changing track, generates different moods. Though, one does get a disjointed feel when the plot shifts from after-life to the pharmaceutical-scenario, the screenplay turning a tad messy here.



The technical crew has contributed in bringing the directors vision on to screen. The moody lighting, a suitable background score and the catchy well placed songs (Antony) help sustain the feel. Taking just about 124 minutes of viewing time, Saithan is a refreshing and a fairly watchable entertainer.

Film - Saithan Director - Pradeep Krishnamurthy Cast - Vijay Antony, Arundhati Nair, YG Mahendra, Kittty, Charuhaasan, Murugadas. Pushing the frontier each time, both by way of his performance and choice of scripts and roles, Vijay Antonys films have been refreshing and different from the routine formula-stuff. After the eminently watchable Pitchaikaaran, the music composer-turned actor now steps into the horror-suspense genre. Adapted from Sujatha Rangarajans novel Aaah, the plot includes elements like hallucination, illusion, past-life and a dose of crime. Though towards the closing moments it does seem like the director had a trying time blending the various shades and tying the various knots into a coherent whole. The film opens with Dinesh (Antony), an IT professional undergoing treatment from a psychiatrist (Kitty). As he narrates his past under hypnosis, we get to see his lifes journey in bits and pieces. Of his marriage to Aishwaria (Nair); of their harmonious life; and of the bizzare happenings that disrupt it. Dineshs strange behaviour, as he hears voices and wonders whether it was hallucination, illusion or symptoms of schizophrenia, generate interest and a curiosity as to the direction the narration would take. Antony renders an inspired performance, tackling with finesse the various nuances of expressions as Dinesh goes through the turbulent journey of self-discovery. And when the film falters in the latter part, it is Antonys intensity and consistency that holds it together. Arundhati Nair has a performance oriented role and reveals her emotional prowess. Seasoned actors like YG Mahendra as Dineshs supportive boss and Kitty, lend conviction to their characters. After interval, the plot shifts to Thanjavur where Dinesh travels to solve a puzzling mystery. The crisply narrated backstory here takes one to a different time period. The director doesnt let the suspense-quotient slacken as he changing track, generates different moods. Though, one does get a disjointed feel when the plot shifts from after-life to the pharmaceutical-scenario, the screenplay turning a tad messy here. The technical crew has contributed in bringing the directors vision on to screen. The moody lighting, a suitable background score and the catchy well placed songs (Antony) help sustain the feel. Taking just about 124 minutes of viewing time, Saithan is a refreshing and a fairly watchable entertainer.
FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Malini Mannath By

Express News Service

Set in the 80s in a rural milieu, its about an activist who tries to bring respectability to his people, tormented and exploited by the upper cast. A love story is weaved in, between an upper caste girl and a youngster from the lower caste, which further fuels the distrust between the two groups. Though neatly scripted and the narration has a smooth flow for the most part,the script offers nothing new or exciting. Its a scenario we are familiar with, the pace slow and leisurely.

In a village where caste and community clashes make headlines, Kittu a youngster who tops the state board exam gets his moment of fame. Mentored by activist Chinnarasu, Kittu as per the formers wish, aspires to be a collector and do good to his people. But with opposition from the upper caste, who put hurdles in their way,its an uphill task for the mentor and his protege.

The director anage to lends a realistic touch to the proceedings in the earlier part. There is the love angle where Gomathi an upper caste girl drawn by Kittus noble helpful nature professes her love to him. There is the bad cop too, who does whatever a bad cop in a village has been doing in all earlier films. With Chinnarasus growing clout in the village, his tormentors decide to clip his wings. Its about how the two sides on a confrontation course and laying traps for each other, fare in the end.

Express Views

Director: Suseenthiran

Film: Maaveeran Kittu

Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Sridivya,

Parthiban,Harish Uthaman.

The second half crawls with nothing much happening. And forcing a couple of dream songs here only slackens the tempo further. To make up for the lack of pace, the narration has a few action seqeunces, as Kittu chased by his tormentors in the woods, turns into a one-man fighting machine.

The realisitic feel takes a beating too here! Kittus final move to solve the problem of his people, seems a convoluted and an uninspiring one. The missing youngster presumed to be killed under police torture in the lock up by the sadistic cop, had been seen by many later on and had even beaten up a few of his tormentors. So the futitlity of his final act stares one in the face.



Vishnu is adequate as Kittu who though drawn towards Gomathi, is reluctant to reciprocate her unabashed expression of love for him. Sridivya lends a wholesome appeal to the character of the feisty Gomathi. Parthiban essays the messiah of his people with cool sobriety. But the characters and situations they go through could have had more depth. An average entertainer, Maaveeran Kittu misses out on being the inspiring experience it could have been!

Set in the 80s in a rural milieu, its about an activist who tries to bring respectability to his people, tormented and exploited by the upper cast. A love story is weaved in, between an upper caste girl and a youngster from the lower caste, which further fuels the distrust between the two groups. Though neatly scripted and the narration has a smooth flow for the most part,the script offers nothing new or exciting. Its a scenario we are familiar with, the pace slow and leisurely. In a village where caste and community clashes make headlines, Kittu a youngster who tops the state board exam gets his moment of fame. Mentored by activist Chinnarasu, Kittu as per the formers wish, aspires to be a collector and do good to his people. But with opposition from the upper caste, who put hurdles in their way,its an uphill task for the mentor and his protege. The director anage to lends a realistic touch to the proceedings in the earlier part. There is the love angle where Gomathi an upper caste girl drawn by Kittus noble helpful nature professes her love to him. There is the bad cop too, who does whatever a bad cop in a village has been doing in all earlier films. With Chinnarasus growing clout in the village, his tormentors decide to clip his wings. Its about how the two sides on a confrontation course and laying traps for each other, fare in the end. Express Views Director: Suseenthiran Film: Maaveeran Kittu Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Sridivya, Parthiban,Harish Uthaman.The second half crawls with nothing much happening. And forcing a couple of dream songs here only slackens the tempo further. To make up for the lack of pace, the narration has a few action seqeunces, as Kittu chased by his tormentors in the woods, turns into a one-man fighting machine. The realisitic feel takes a beating too here! Kittus final move to solve the problem of his people, seems a convoluted and an uninspiring one. The missing youngster presumed to be killed under police torture in the lock up by the sadistic cop, had been seen by many later on and had even beaten up a few of his tormentors. So the futitlity of his final act stares one in the face. Vishnu is adequate as Kittu who though drawn towards Gomathi, is reluctant to reciprocate her unabashed expression of love for him. Sridivya lends a wholesome appeal to the character of the feisty Gomathi. Parthiban essays the messiah of his people with cool sobriety. But the characters and situations they go through could have had more depth. An average entertainer, Maaveeran Kittu misses out on being the inspiring experience it could have been!
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Yesteryears Kollywood sensation Ramba, whose marriage hit rock bottom, has moved the Family Court again, this time to declare and appoint her as the natural guardian of her two minor children, Lavanya (5) and Sasha (18 months).

The matter was adjourned to January 21 for hearing.

Ramba had already filed a petition last month for restoration of conjugal rights before the Family Court.

Ramba Vijayalakshmi was married to civil engineer P Indrakumar, who was born in Sri Lanka and settled in Canada. The marriage took place at Saligramam in Chennai on October 27, 2010.

Ramba had alleged that Indrakumar was already married to one Dushyanthi Selvavinayakam and the same was dissolved by a decree of divorce on December 1, 2003. This fact was not disclosed by her husband before the marriage. It was during their honey-moon trip to Fiji, she realised the true colours of her husband.

He started enquiring about her properties, when they started their matrimonial life in Canada. Her husband first showed a spacious apartment in Canada to her brother but the actress was taken to a different small apartment.

Her ex-husband started consuming alcohol regularly and abused her and her family members. He also demanded the transfer her properties in his name. Finally, she was separated and came to Chennai, she has said in her petitions.

CHENNAI: Yesteryears Kollywood sensation Ramba, whose marriage hit rock bottom, has moved the Family Court again, this time to declare and appoint her as the natural guardian of her two minor children, Lavanya (5) and Sasha (18 months). The matter was adjourned to January 21 for hearing. Ramba had already filed a petition last month for restoration of conjugal rights before the Family Court. Ramba Vijayalakshmi was married to civil engineer P Indrakumar, who was born in Sri Lanka and settled in Canada. The marriage took place at Saligramam in Chennai on October 27, 2010. Ramba had alleged that Indrakumar was already married to one Dushyanthi Selvavinayakam and the same was dissolved by a decree of divorce on December 1, 2003. This fact was not disclosed by her husband before the marriage. It was during their honey-moon trip to Fiji, she realised the true colours of her husband. He started enquiring about her properties, when they started their matrimonial life in Canada. Her husband first showed a spacious apartment in Canada to her brother but the actress was taken to a different small apartment. Her ex-husband started consuming alcohol regularly and abused her and her family members. He also demanded the transfer her properties in his name. Finally, she was separated and came to Chennai, she has said in her petitions.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Actor Rajinikanth suffered a minor injury in leg Saturday while shooting a stunt sequence for his upcoming film 2.0.

"Nothing to worry. We were filming a few action sequences at Chettinad Health City (in the southern suburbs of Chennai along the Old Mahabalipuram Road). He suffered a small wound to his knee. So, the day's shooting got called off. He's back home and resting. But we really don't know why the media has been blowing the whole issue out of proportions as the 'breaking news'," said a source.

CHENNAI: Actor Rajinikanth suffered a minor injury in leg Saturday while shooting a stunt sequence for his upcoming film 2.0. "Nothing to worry. We were filming a few action sequences at Chettinad Health City (in the southern suburbs of Chennai along the Old Mahabalipuram Road). He suffered a small wound to his knee. So, the day's shooting got called off. He's back home and resting. But we really don't know why the media has been blowing the whole issue out of proportions as the 'breaking news'," said a source.
Brahmacharini Sharanya Chaitanya By

There was a game we played as children. See an apple and tellAPPLE, Apple. See an orange and tellORANGE, Orange. In the same way, life has its own game of See and Tell, and this is a yoga by itself. It helps to quieten the senses. It helps to calm the mind, and it gives our intellect the right direction to a purposeful living.

There is a book called Drig Drishya Viveka. Some attribute the authorship to Adi Sankaracharya while others say it was written by his disciple in the lineageSwami Vidyaranya. The book is a beautiful analysis of how thoughts are formed and who you and I are in reality and what we are not. There are three stages to this analysis, which begins from the outside world of forms. There are many objects in the world. They have form and light. They are seen by us. Our eyes are the seer of the forms.

The seer is just one, but the seen can be many. The seer is the experiencer of situations and the experienced object, or situation is different. The knower is different from the known. I know Japan. So, I the knower of Japan is different from Japan. I am the subject and the known is the object. I, the knower, am truefor real. The known object is subject to change and modifications, and hence not the whole truth. The knower is the self and the known is not-self.

There is a pot. I see the pot. The brown colour, roundness, shape and hollow of the pot are data. The eyes record that data and send it to the mind. The mind searches its memory bank, fixes the data to its memory image and immediately comes to the knowledge that it is a pot. All this miraculous transaction of information happens in a fraction of a second. Here the point to be noted is that the pot is outside, but registering of the data and understanding it and our relation with the pot happens only in our mind. The thought in me sees the pot and there is a knowledge transfer. This is what is meant when the Upanishads say that the self pervades everything and there is nothing other than the self.

Our Vedantic books keep harping on just one point in various waysthe oneness. In this verse too, the author points out that though there are numerous colours, forms, sizes, gross and subtle forms, it is perceived by just one pair of eyes. There are numerous sounds, heard by one pair of ears; numerous smells, understood by just one nose; numerous tastes, experienced by one tongue; and numerous textures and climatic conditions felt by one sense organ called the skin. In the same way, the multi-farious experiences of all the senses put together are perceived by just one mind. All the thoughts in the mind are known to just one consciousness which is the same in you and me. When this is known and experienced, the waves of thought will cease to have their effect on me and life is a peaceful sail from then on.



(www.sharanyachaitanya.blogspot.in)

There was a game we played as children. See an apple and tellAPPLE, Apple. See an orange and tellORANGE, Orange. In the same way, life has its own game of See and Tell, and this is a yoga by itself. It helps to quieten the senses. It helps to calm the mind, and it gives our intellect the right direction to a purposeful living. There is a book called Drig Drishya Viveka. Some attribute the authorship to Adi Sankaracharya while others say it was written by his disciple in the lineageSwami Vidyaranya. The book is a beautiful analysis of how thoughts are formed and who you and I are in reality and what we are not. There are three stages to this analysis, which begins from the outside world of forms. There are many objects in the world. They have form and light. They are seen by us. Our eyes are the seer of the forms. The seer is just one, but the seen can be many. The seer is the experiencer of situations and the experienced object, or situation is different. The knower is different from the known. I know Japan. So, I the knower of Japan is different from Japan. I am the subject and the known is the object. I, the knower, am truefor real. The known object is subject to change and modifications, and hence not the whole truth. The knower is the self and the known is not-self. There is a pot. I see the pot. The brown colour, roundness, shape and hollow of the pot are data. The eyes record that data and send it to the mind. The mind searches its memory bank, fixes the data to its memory image and immediately comes to the knowledge that it is a pot. All this miraculous transaction of information happens in a fraction of a second. Here the point to be noted is that the pot is outside, but registering of the data and understanding it and our relation with the pot happens only in our mind. The thought in me sees the pot and there is a knowledge transfer. This is what is meant when the Upanishads say that the self pervades everything and there is nothing other than the self. Our Vedantic books keep harping on just one point in various waysthe oneness. In this verse too, the author points out that though there are numerous colours, forms, sizes, gross and subtle forms, it is perceived by just one pair of eyes. There are numerous sounds, heard by one pair of ears; numerous smells, understood by just one nose; numerous tastes, experienced by one tongue; and numerous textures and climatic conditions felt by one sense organ called the skin. In the same way, the multi-farious experiences of all the senses put together are perceived by just one mind. All the thoughts in the mind are known to just one consciousness which is the same in you and me. When this is known and experienced, the waves of thought will cease to have their effect on me and life is a peaceful sail from then on. (www.sharanyachaitanya.blogspot.in)
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU : In a major crackdown on erring bank employees post demonetisation, as many as 27 senior officials of various public sector banks have been suspended and six others transferred. The move, according to authorities, was done to check corruption. The suspensions come amid reports of IT authorities conducting searches at various places.

Some cases have come to notice of officials involved in carrying out transactions which were irregular and in violation of RBIs instructions, the finance ministry said in a statement.



Action has been taken in such cases and 27 officials of various public sector banks have been placed under suspension and six officials have been transferred to non-sensitive posts, it said. It also cautioned that while all efforts are being made to facilitate genuine transactions, illegalities will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken against individuals involved in irregular and unauthorised activities.

Earlier, RBI had asked banks to take action against erring officials to ensure cash availability for customers thronging banks.



Meanwhile, banks in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are under scanner after IT unearthed over `152 worth illicit wealth owned by two senior Karnataka government officials and their associates. According to sources, notices have been issued to three banks in Erode and Bengaluru, two of which are reputed private banks with several branches.



IT officials suspect several others might have followed similar methods and converted large amounts of their black money by paying a commission. They suspect that most of these banks, which had facilitated such transactions to be either co-operative or private banks.

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU : In a major crackdown on erring bank employees post demonetisation, as many as 27 senior officials of various public sector banks have been suspended and six others transferred. The move, according to authorities, was done to check corruption. The suspensions come amid reports of IT authorities conducting searches at various places. Some cases have come to notice of officials involved in carrying out transactions which were irregular and in violation of RBIs instructions, the finance ministry said in a statement. Action has been taken in such cases and 27 officials of various public sector banks have been placed under suspension and six officials have been transferred to non-sensitive posts, it said. It also cautioned that while all efforts are being made to facilitate genuine transactions, illegalities will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken against individuals involved in irregular and unauthorised activities. Earlier, RBI had asked banks to take action against erring officials to ensure cash availability for customers thronging banks. Meanwhile, banks in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are under scanner after IT unearthed over `152 worth illicit wealth owned by two senior Karnataka government officials and their associates. According to sources, notices have been issued to three banks in Erode and Bengaluru, two of which are reputed private banks with several branches. IT officials suspect several others might have followed similar methods and converted large amounts of their black money by paying a commission. They suspect that most of these banks, which had facilitated such transactions to be either co-operative or private banks.
Sajjan Kumar By

Express News Service

Post the Anna Hazare movement of 2011, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) usurped the anti-corruption discourse and scored an unexpected electoral success in its debut 2013 Delhi Assembly elections. But in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it lost its deposit in 413 of 432 seats it contested.



The only exception to the trend, surprisingly, was Punjab, where it won four seats out of 13 parliamentary constituencies.



Political analysts ascribed AAPs victory to the phenomenon of double anti-incumbency which adversely affected the Congress at the national level and the Akali-BJP combine at the State level, apart from voter disenchantment with the current regime for its perceived complicity in drug running, agrarian distress, rampant corruption, de-industrialisation and rising unemployment.



Against this backdrop, there are three pertinent questions pertaining to AAP in Punjab.

One, would the party prove to be a dark horse in the 2017 Assembly elections even without the advantage of double anti-incumbency? Two, how would a victory in Punjab affect the internal dynamics of AAP? And three, how would a such a victory impact the national political scenario? The answers to these questions, despite multiple ifs and buts, are worth seeking given their potential to shape the unfolding dynamics of the anti-BJP political space.



A longitudinal field study in Punjab reveals that despite several setbacks due to the organisational split and expulsion of leaders, AAP continues to hold the momentum gained in the 2014 LS election, and has an off the block advantage over other parties. There are four main reasons for this. First, there appears to be a strong anti-Akali sentiment running across the three sub-regions of Punjab, Malwa, Majha and Doaba, though the sub-narrative differs across the three sub-regions and social constituencies. While in Malwa region, which accounts for almost 60 per cent of the total Assembly seats (69 of 117) the unambiguous preferred alternative to incumbent Akalis happens to be AAP, the Congress seems to have an edge over AAP in Majha and Doaba region, accounting for 25 and 23 (21% and 20%) Assembly seats respectively.



Most constituencies seem set to vote for a party that would ensure the defeat of Akalis. AAP seems to be the alternative preference in the Malwa region, where 34 of the 56 seats are held by the Akalis. This places the party way ahead of the Congress and neutralises the edge the Congress enjoys in the other two regions.

Second, analysed in terms of the shifting social base of respective parties, AAP again emerges as the default beneficiary. The youth, facing problems of unemployment and institutional corruption, seem enchanted by the theme of change and new party.

Then, the Jat-Sikhs, a dominant social constituency and traditional support base of Akalis in the Malwa and Majha regions, are angry with the incumbent Akalis and have reservations about Congress given their memory of the 1984 riots, making AAP their first preference. Moreover, the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and subsequent police firing upon the protesting Sikhs in 2015 have not only angered the Panthic (religious) minded Jat-Sikh voters, but also projected AAP as the New-Akali  a phenomenon strengthened by the posturing of leaders like H S Phoolka, whose credential as a crusader seeking justice for the 1984 riot victims remains undisputed. Theres also massive support for the party from NRI Jat-Sikhs.



Third, the drug menace affecting the Malwa and Majha region in general and the border districts in particular have further compounded the post-Green Revolution agrarian distress, leading to the loss of a generation in many villages. The popular perception of senior Akali leaders patronising  and downplaying  the illicit drug trade and the reluctance of Congress to take up the issue have further alienated the voters. AAP raised the issue aggressively by naming a senior minister as the patron of the drug trade, enhancing the partys image as a better alternative, even though the AAP-Congress dynamics varies from region to region.



Fourth, despite being a State with the highest percentage of Dalits (32%), there is no strong Dalit politics in Punjab due to sub-regional, caste and religious fault-lines. The prospect of Congress getting a lions share of Dalit votes would be partially affected by the incumbent governments massive welfare and religious programmes for the Dalits, and may ensure a further split among voters.



There is thus a plausible possibility that Punjab would have AAP in power  alone or in coalition  in 2017. This would impinge upon the personality-centric politics of AAP, as the leader of the party in a State like Punjab would wield more power than the leader in Delhi, who remains handicapped due to the asymmetric federal power structure. Given Arvind Kejriwal and his close associates known discomfort with leaders with a strong personality  a trait considered responsible for not promoting Navjot Singh Sidhu despite the electoral dividend the move would have reaped  it is likely that some loyalist like Bhagwant Mann may be given the mantle of the State to ensure Kejriwal remains unchallenged. The possibility of Kejriwal himself donning the mantle in case AAP forms the government in Punjab seems unlikely, given his clear intention to play a role in national politics.



In Punjab, the socio-political space earlier held by the Congress is being captured by various regional parties, a majority of whom are responding to the political preponderance of the BJP in two diametrically opposite ways. One, by forging an anti-BJP alliance keeping Congress at the centre and second, by replacing the Congress and presenting themselves as the most viable anti-BJP alternative. AAP represents the latter trend.



A victory in Punjab would add muscle to the AAPs armour and encourage Kejriwal to take a plunge in Gujarat to tap on the Patels anger and farmers distress and place itself as the credible alternative to the anti-BJP constituencies in the 2019 General Election. Whether AAP can consolidate the space deserted by Congress or further fragment anti-BJP space and end up helping BJP is an aspect only time would answer, but whose seed certainly lies in the electoral outcome of Punjab 2017.



(Sajjan Kumar has submitted PhD at CPS/JNU and is currently working as Research Associate at an ICSSR project. He is associated with Peoples Pulse, a Hyderabad-based research organisation that specialises in field work-based political and electoral study)

Post the Anna Hazare movement of 2011, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) usurped the anti-corruption discourse and scored an unexpected electoral success in its debut 2013 Delhi Assembly elections. But in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it lost its deposit in 413 of 432 seats it contested. The only exception to the trend, surprisingly, was Punjab, where it won four seats out of 13 parliamentary constituencies. Political analysts ascribed AAPs victory to the phenomenon of double anti-incumbency which adversely affected the Congress at the national level and the Akali-BJP combine at the State level, apart from voter disenchantment with the current regime for its perceived complicity in drug running, agrarian distress, rampant corruption, de-industrialisation and rising unemployment. Against this backdrop, there are three pertinent questions pertaining to AAP in Punjab. One, would the party prove to be a dark horse in the 2017 Assembly elections even without the advantage of double anti-incumbency? Two, how would a victory in Punjab affect the internal dynamics of AAP? And three, how would a such a victory impact the national political scenario? The answers to these questions, despite multiple ifs and buts, are worth seeking given their potential to shape the unfolding dynamics of the anti-BJP political space. A longitudinal field study in Punjab reveals that despite several setbacks due to the organisational split and expulsion of leaders, AAP continues to hold the momentum gained in the 2014 LS election, and has an off the block advantage over other parties. There are four main reasons for this. First, there appears to be a strong anti-Akali sentiment running across the three sub-regions of Punjab, Malwa, Majha and Doaba, though the sub-narrative differs across the three sub-regions and social constituencies. While in Malwa region, which accounts for almost 60 per cent of the total Assembly seats (69 of 117) the unambiguous preferred alternative to incumbent Akalis happens to be AAP, the Congress seems to have an edge over AAP in Majha and Doaba region, accounting for 25 and 23 (21% and 20%) Assembly seats respectively. Most constituencies seem set to vote for a party that would ensure the defeat of Akalis. AAP seems to be the alternative preference in the Malwa region, where 34 of the 56 seats are held by the Akalis. This places the party way ahead of the Congress and neutralises the edge the Congress enjoys in the other two regions. Second, analysed in terms of the shifting social base of respective parties, AAP again emerges as the default beneficiary. The youth, facing problems of unemployment and institutional corruption, seem enchanted by the theme of change and new party. Then, the Jat-Sikhs, a dominant social constituency and traditional support base of Akalis in the Malwa and Majha regions, are angry with the incumbent Akalis and have reservations about Congress given their memory of the 1984 riots, making AAP their first preference. Moreover, the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and subsequent police firing upon the protesting Sikhs in 2015 have not only angered the Panthic (religious) minded Jat-Sikh voters, but also projected AAP as the New-Akali  a phenomenon strengthened by the posturing of leaders like H S Phoolka, whose credential as a crusader seeking justice for the 1984 riot victims remains undisputed. Theres also massive support for the party from NRI Jat-Sikhs. Third, the drug menace affecting the Malwa and Majha region in general and the border districts in particular have further compounded the post-Green Revolution agrarian distress, leading to the loss of a generation in many villages. The popular perception of senior Akali leaders patronising  and downplaying  the illicit drug trade and the reluctance of Congress to take up the issue have further alienated the voters. AAP raised the issue aggressively by naming a senior minister as the patron of the drug trade, enhancing the partys image as a better alternative, even though the AAP-Congress dynamics varies from region to region. Fourth, despite being a State with the highest percentage of Dalits (32%), there is no strong Dalit politics in Punjab due to sub-regional, caste and religious fault-lines. The prospect of Congress getting a lions share of Dalit votes would be partially affected by the incumbent governments massive welfare and religious programmes for the Dalits, and may ensure a further split among voters. There is thus a plausible possibility that Punjab would have AAP in power  alone or in coalition  in 2017. This would impinge upon the personality-centric politics of AAP, as the leader of the party in a State like Punjab would wield more power than the leader in Delhi, who remains handicapped due to the asymmetric federal power structure. Given Arvind Kejriwal and his close associates known discomfort with leaders with a strong personality  a trait considered responsible for not promoting Navjot Singh Sidhu despite the electoral dividend the move would have reaped  it is likely that some loyalist like Bhagwant Mann may be given the mantle of the State to ensure Kejriwal remains unchallenged. The possibility of Kejriwal himself donning the mantle in case AAP forms the government in Punjab seems unlikely, given his clear intention to play a role in national politics. In Punjab, the socio-political space earlier held by the Congress is being captured by various regional parties, a majority of whom are responding to the political preponderance of the BJP in two diametrically opposite ways. One, by forging an anti-BJP alliance keeping Congress at the centre and second, by replacing the Congress and presenting themselves as the most viable anti-BJP alternative. AAP represents the latter trend. A victory in Punjab would add muscle to the AAPs armour and encourage Kejriwal to take a plunge in Gujarat to tap on the Patels anger and farmers distress and place itself as the credible alternative to the anti-BJP constituencies in the 2019 General Election. Whether AAP can consolidate the space deserted by Congress or further fragment anti-BJP space and end up helping BJP is an aspect only time would answer, but whose seed certainly lies in the electoral outcome of Punjab 2017. (Sajjan Kumar has submitted PhD at CPS/JNU and is currently working as Research Associate at an ICSSR project. He is associated with Peoples Pulse, a Hyderabad-based research organisation that specialises in field work-based political and electoral study)
By PTI

AMRITSAR: An elderly Mumbai-based couple, whose son is lodged in a Pakistani prison despite having completed his jail term, is seeking justice from visiting Pakistani Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for his release.

They are camping in this holy city, bordering Pakistan, where Aziz is visiting to participate in the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process tomorrow.

Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries are attending the summit that will also see the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.

"We are here just to get justice for our son who is imprisoned in a Peshawar jail," Fauzia Ansari, mother of 32-year-old Hamid Ansari, said.

The couple, who has two children, including Hamid, said he was sentenced to three years in prison and his term ended one year ago.

Fauzia, along with her husband Nehal, has been carrying placards to display outside the venue of two-day Heart of Asia conference.

She said she had earlier sent a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for Hamid's release but in the absence of any reply from his office, she had no option but to stand near the venue of the conference and display placards.

Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012, from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistani girl he had been in touch with through e-mails.

There was no whereabouts of him after November 10.

The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years' imprisonment.

Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court seeking the release of her son after the completion of his jail term. The petition was dismissed as the court had observed that the army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.

AMRITSAR: An elderly Mumbai-based couple, whose son is lodged in a Pakistani prison despite having completed his jail term, is seeking justice from visiting Pakistani Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for his release. They are camping in this holy city, bordering Pakistan, where Aziz is visiting to participate in the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process tomorrow. Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries are attending the summit that will also see the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. "We are here just to get justice for our son who is imprisoned in a Peshawar jail," Fauzia Ansari, mother of 32-year-old Hamid Ansari, said. The couple, who has two children, including Hamid, said he was sentenced to three years in prison and his term ended one year ago. Fauzia, along with her husband Nehal, has been carrying placards to display outside the venue of two-day Heart of Asia conference. She said she had earlier sent a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for Hamid's release but in the absence of any reply from his office, she had no option but to stand near the venue of the conference and display placards. Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012, from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistani girl he had been in touch with through e-mails. There was no whereabouts of him after November 10. The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years' imprisonment. Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court seeking the release of her son after the completion of his jail term. The petition was dismissed as the court had observed that the army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.
By PTI

AHMEDABAD: Income Tax searches were conducted on the office and residential premises of city-based property dealer Mahesh Shah, who disclosed a whopping Rs 13,860 crore of unaccounted income under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS).

The I-T sleuths also swooped down on premises of his Chartered Accountant firm Appaji Amin. Though, the I-T Department is tight-lipped about the searches, Shah's CA Tehmul Sethna, who is a partner in Apaji Amin & Co, informed the media about the searches carried out various places, including on the premises of those connected with his client (Mahesh Shah's friends).

I-T department officials could not be contacted even after several attempts. The search operations were conducted on November 29, 30 and December 1, Sethna told mediapersons here today. According to him, Shah is untraceable after these searches. In his statement to media, Sethna claimed Shah made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore of cash under the IDS scheme. The IDS scheme was closed on September 30. "Shah was in my touch since 2013 and took our advice on several occasions in the past. He was not my regular client. He was mainly into land dealings.

When IDS scheme was declared, I advised him to make the disclosure for peace of mind, as he is almost 67-year-old and is not keeping well due to some heart related ailments," said Sethna. "After taking guidance from senior I-T officials, he made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore cash under the IDS scheme. He was supposed to pay Rs 1560 crore, which is 25 per cent of 45 per cent tax on the disclosed amount, as the first instalment. Though November 30 was the last date, he failed to deposit the instalment with I-T department," said Sethna. According to Sethna, there is possibility that Shah never had such a huge amount with him when he made the declaration.

"When I-T department conducted an enquiry, they started doubting Shah's capacity to pay the instalment by the due date. Thus by November 28, I-T department cancelled his IDS Form-2 and initiated search operations the next day. I gave my full co-operation to them and showed all the papers related to Shah, who is untraceable after the searches," he said. "Though I knew that Shah's financial condition was not sound, I did not doubt anything because he himself claimed to have such huge money which he wanted to declare under IDS.

Ultimately, client has to show money, otherwise, I-T department will step in. I now believe that Shah's disclosure was suspicious," Sethna said.When asked if Shah "possessed black money of several politicians and bureaucrats", Sethna declined to comment on the authenticity of such reports. In his statement to media, Sethna stated the I-T sleuths found only Rs 29,000 and some papers from Shah's office during the search.

AHMEDABAD: Income Tax searches were conducted on the office and residential premises of city-based property dealer Mahesh Shah, who disclosed a whopping Rs 13,860 crore of unaccounted income under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS). The I-T sleuths also swooped down on premises of his Chartered Accountant firm Appaji Amin. Though, the I-T Department is tight-lipped about the searches, Shah's CA Tehmul Sethna, who is a partner in Apaji Amin & Co, informed the media about the searches carried out various places, including on the premises of those connected with his client (Mahesh Shah's friends). I-T department officials could not be contacted even after several attempts. The search operations were conducted on November 29, 30 and December 1, Sethna told mediapersons here today. According to him, Shah is untraceable after these searches. In his statement to media, Sethna claimed Shah made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore of cash under the IDS scheme. The IDS scheme was closed on September 30. "Shah was in my touch since 2013 and took our advice on several occasions in the past. He was not my regular client. He was mainly into land dealings. When IDS scheme was declared, I advised him to make the disclosure for peace of mind, as he is almost 67-year-old and is not keeping well due to some heart related ailments," said Sethna. "After taking guidance from senior I-T officials, he made a disclosure of Rs 13,860 crore cash under the IDS scheme. He was supposed to pay Rs 1560 crore, which is 25 per cent of 45 per cent tax on the disclosed amount, as the first instalment. Though November 30 was the last date, he failed to deposit the instalment with I-T department," said Sethna. According to Sethna, there is possibility that Shah never had such a huge amount with him when he made the declaration. "When I-T department conducted an enquiry, they started doubting Shah's capacity to pay the instalment by the due date. Thus by November 28, I-T department cancelled his IDS Form-2 and initiated search operations the next day. I gave my full co-operation to them and showed all the papers related to Shah, who is untraceable after the searches," he said. "Though I knew that Shah's financial condition was not sound, I did not doubt anything because he himself claimed to have such huge money which he wanted to declare under IDS. Ultimately, client has to show money, otherwise, I-T department will step in. I now believe that Shah's disclosure was suspicious," Sethna said.When asked if Shah "possessed black money of several politicians and bureaucrats", Sethna declined to comment on the authenticity of such reports. In his statement to media, Sethna stated the I-T sleuths found only Rs 29,000 and some papers from Shah's office during the search.
By Express News Service

AMRITSAR : The two-day Heart of Asia summit will begin here on Saturday with the focus on stabilising war-ravaged Afghanistan. With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the groups sixth ministerial conference.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations on December 4. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to attend the conference on the same day. However, no bilateral meeting is expected during the conference as New Delhi has already clarified that it has not officially received a request for any bilateral meeting from Islamabad.



Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries from China, Russia, Iran, UAE, USA, Canada and France besides the EU will participate in the conference. The last Heart of Asia ministerial conference which was held in Islamabad in December 2015. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended that conference.



The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was founded in Istanbul in Turkey in November 2011. Fourteen Asian countries attended it.

AMRITSAR : The two-day Heart of Asia summit will begin here on Saturday with the focus on stabilising war-ravaged Afghanistan. With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the groups sixth ministerial conference. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations on December 4. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to attend the conference on the same day. However, no bilateral meeting is expected during the conference as New Delhi has already clarified that it has not officially received a request for any bilateral meeting from Islamabad. Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries from China, Russia, Iran, UAE, USA, Canada and France besides the EU will participate in the conference. The last Heart of Asia ministerial conference which was held in Islamabad in December 2015. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended that conference. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was founded in Istanbul in Turkey in November 2011. Fourteen Asian countries attended it.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: After his Tawang sojourn riled Beijing, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma is touring the northeastern states, many of which share a border with China.



In what is being read as a message to Beijing, the top US diplomat has been forging business and civil society connections with the states in the Northeast in a familiarisation tour from November 29 to December 3. Since then, Vermas Twitter feed has been regularly updated with information about his meetings with State officials and civil society members in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura so far.



The envoy has met the chief ministers of all the states he has visited. Important meeting with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, to discuss US-India relations and Assams role as gateway to the North East, Verma tweeted.



Before Assam, he had travelled to Meghalaya where he met Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and senior customs officials, with whom he discussed ways to expand commerce and counter narcotics.



China has been trying to exploit the dissent and problems that India is facing in the Northeast, whose remoteness coupled with the lethargy of the Indian bureaucracy, has retarded development in the region. During the 2014 general elections, the Chinese official media referred to the region as the most neglected area in India. In 2015, Indian sleuths found evidence of Chinese forging connections with rebel groups operating in the Northeast.



New Delhi has woken up to the lack of development in the region. India is also taking advantage of its closeness to the US to counter China. It was evident during Vermas visit to Arunchal Pradeshs Tawang in October. The Indian sanction to the visit riled China up which asked the US to refrain from meddling in the disputed region. New Delhi, however, responded by saying that the visit was not unusual as Verma had visited a province of India.

NEW DELHI: After his Tawang sojourn riled Beijing, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma is touring the northeastern states, many of which share a border with China. In what is being read as a message to Beijing, the top US diplomat has been forging business and civil society connections with the states in the Northeast in a familiarisation tour from November 29 to December 3. Since then, Vermas Twitter feed has been regularly updated with information about his meetings with State officials and civil society members in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura so far. The envoy has met the chief ministers of all the states he has visited. Important meeting with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, to discuss US-India relations and Assams role as gateway to the North East, Verma tweeted. Before Assam, he had travelled to Meghalaya where he met Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and senior customs officials, with whom he discussed ways to expand commerce and counter narcotics. China has been trying to exploit the dissent and problems that India is facing in the Northeast, whose remoteness coupled with the lethargy of the Indian bureaucracy, has retarded development in the region. During the 2014 general elections, the Chinese official media referred to the region as the most neglected area in India. In 2015, Indian sleuths found evidence of Chinese forging connections with rebel groups operating in the Northeast. New Delhi has woken up to the lack of development in the region. India is also taking advantage of its closeness to the US to counter China. It was evident during Vermas visit to Arunchal Pradeshs Tawang in October. The Indian sanction to the visit riled China up which asked the US to refrain from meddling in the disputed region. New Delhi, however, responded by saying that the visit was not unusual as Verma had visited a province of India.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Two Assam Rifles personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed and eight others injured when their convoy was ambushed by suspected militants of the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.



According to defence sources, the militants carried out the attack around 2 pm near Nginu village in Tirap district. The site of the incident is not far from the India-Myanmar border.



A column of the 16 Assam Rifles had gone out on Friday on a routine patrol. On Saturday, while returning, they came under heavy fire from the militants who used automatic weapons, sources said. The condition of two of the injured personnel was critical, they added. All the injured were airlifted to a military hospital in Assam. The Assam Rifles suspects that NSCN-Ks self-styled brigadier Peyong masterminded the attack.



This is the third ambush by militants on security forces in the Northeast in the past fortnight. On November 19, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam had carried out an ambush on Army personnel in Assam, killing three and injuring four others. This was followed by another ambush on a group of 21 Para commandos in Manipur on November 26. Five Army personnel were injured in that attack.



Insurgent outfits of the Northeast have their bases in Myanmar. A number of them have come under one umbrella after the formation of United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia.

GUWAHATI: Two Assam Rifles personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed and eight others injured when their convoy was ambushed by suspected militants of the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday. According to defence sources, the militants carried out the attack around 2 pm near Nginu village in Tirap district. The site of the incident is not far from the India-Myanmar border. A column of the 16 Assam Rifles had gone out on Friday on a routine patrol. On Saturday, while returning, they came under heavy fire from the militants who used automatic weapons, sources said. The condition of two of the injured personnel was critical, they added. All the injured were airlifted to a military hospital in Assam. The Assam Rifles suspects that NSCN-Ks self-styled brigadier Peyong masterminded the attack. This is the third ambush by militants on security forces in the Northeast in the past fortnight. On November 19, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam had carried out an ambush on Army personnel in Assam, killing three and injuring four others. This was followed by another ambush on a group of 21 Para commandos in Manipur on November 26. Five Army personnel were injured in that attack. Insurgent outfits of the Northeast have their bases in Myanmar. A number of them have come under one umbrella after the formation of United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia.
By IANS

KOLKATA: Heaping praise on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her austere lifestyle and political credibility, yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday said the Trinamool Congress supremo could one day become Prime Minister.



"There should be no doubt regarding her credibility. Her image is clean. If Modi, a tea-seller's son could become Prime Minister, then Mamata Banerjee could also become Prime Minister," Ramdev told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after paying a courtesy call on Governor K.N. Tripathi.

KOLKATA: Heaping praise on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her austere lifestyle and political credibility, yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday said the Trinamool Congress supremo could one day become Prime Minister. "There should be no doubt regarding her credibility. Her image is clean. If Modi, a tea-seller's son could become Prime Minister, then Mamata Banerjee could also become Prime Minister," Ramdev told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after paying a courtesy call on Governor K.N. Tripathi.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Navy has dumped the indigenously developed naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and said it was not up to the mark yet.



The Navy has now initiated a hunt for another fighter aircraft to operate from its aircraft carrier. The countrys first indigenously built combat aircraft was recently inducted into the Indian Air Force to the fill gap left by the depleting fleet of MiG -21.



Unfortunately, the LCA is not being able to meet the carriers required capability. That is why we need an alternative aircraft to operate from these two aircraft carriers, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said while terming the indigenous aircraft overweight. The Ministry of Defence had allocated `3,650 crore for the naval programme and only in May last, the aircraft had made its successful flight test in Goa.



As far as carrier-based aircraft is concerned, we need it in a time line of the induction of the aircraft carrier. We have the MiG-29K, which operates from INS Vikramaditya and will operate from (indigenous aircraft carrier) INS Vikrant. We were also hoping to operate the LCA from these two aircraft carriers, the Chief said adding that the Navy was still encouraging the Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop the LCA for Navy but with upgrades.



At the moment, the Navy was in the process of identifying aircraft that would meet its requirements, he said and added, If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier capable aircraft sooner than later. So, I am looking at the next five-six years.

NEW DELHI: The Navy has dumped the indigenously developed naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and said it was not up to the mark yet. The Navy has now initiated a hunt for another fighter aircraft to operate from its aircraft carrier. The countrys first indigenously built combat aircraft was recently inducted into the Indian Air Force to the fill gap left by the depleting fleet of MiG -21. Unfortunately, the LCA is not being able to meet the carriers required capability. That is why we need an alternative aircraft to operate from these two aircraft carriers, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said while terming the indigenous aircraft overweight. The Ministry of Defence had allocated `3,650 crore for the naval programme and only in May last, the aircraft had made its successful flight test in Goa. As far as carrier-based aircraft is concerned, we need it in a time line of the induction of the aircraft carrier. We have the MiG-29K, which operates from INS Vikramaditya and will operate from (indigenous aircraft carrier) INS Vikrant. We were also hoping to operate the LCA from these two aircraft carriers, the Chief said adding that the Navy was still encouraging the Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop the LCA for Navy but with upgrades. At the moment, the Navy was in the process of identifying aircraft that would meet its requirements, he said and added, If you look around the world, there are not too many options available and we need this carrier capable aircraft sooner than later. So, I am looking at the next five-six years.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRI NAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said Pakistan alone cant be blamed for the unrest in the Valley, which he alleged was the result of our mistakes, even though the country might have taken advantage of the situation.



Omar said it would be a grave mistake to always blame Pakistan. Distorting the current unrest in the Valley as a simple manifestation of terrorism or external interference would be a grave mistake, he said at a National Conference conclave. We found that some people at the Centre willingly or unwillingly wanted to keep themselves ignorant about the situation in Kashmir. It was easy for them to blame Pakistan. But we kept trying to make them understand that the unrest in Kashmir has not been created by Pakistan. It is the result of our mistakes, he added.



Omar claimed the political issue was related to the historic blunders made and promises broken by successive dispensations in New Delhi. The situation today stands compounded because of the present governments refusal to even acknowledge that a problem exists in Kashmir, he said.



Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wanis killing  which triggered the unrest  at the UN in September and described him as a young leader who was murdered by Indian forces and who has emerged as a symbol of the freedom movement.



Omar said the people of the state had espoused political sentiments even when there was no external interference and this sentiment formed the basis of the states special status that has since been eroded by extraconstitutional machinations. Taking a dig at PDP-BJP government in the state, he said the alienation had been compounded by the opportunistic alliance, whose inherent contradictions had translated into never-ending U-turns on crucial issues.

SRI NAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said Pakistan alone cant be blamed for the unrest in the Valley, which he alleged was the result of our mistakes, even though the country might have taken advantage of the situation. Omar said it would be a grave mistake to always blame Pakistan. Distorting the current unrest in the Valley as a simple manifestation of terrorism or external interference would be a grave mistake, he said at a National Conference conclave. We found that some people at the Centre willingly or unwillingly wanted to keep themselves ignorant about the situation in Kashmir. It was easy for them to blame Pakistan. But we kept trying to make them understand that the unrest in Kashmir has not been created by Pakistan. It is the result of our mistakes, he added. Omar claimed the political issue was related to the historic blunders made and promises broken by successive dispensations in New Delhi. The situation today stands compounded because of the present governments refusal to even acknowledge that a problem exists in Kashmir, he said. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wanis killing  which triggered the unrest  at the UN in September and described him as a young leader who was murdered by Indian forces and who has emerged as a symbol of the freedom movement. Omar said the people of the state had espoused political sentiments even when there was no external interference and this sentiment formed the basis of the states special status that has since been eroded by extraconstitutional machinations. Taking a dig at PDP-BJP government in the state, he said the alienation had been compounded by the opportunistic alliance, whose inherent contradictions had translated into never-ending U-turns on crucial issues.
Ritu Sharma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Demonetisation has further strained the already fraught India-Pakistan ties. The Pakistan High Commission has given a note verbale, informal protest in diplomatic parlance, to India as its staffers were facing difficulties in withdrawing salaries in dollars from banks.



Sources in the Pakistan Embassy told Express that diplomats and staffers posted in the High Commission were asked to produce documents by banks to explain the need for withdrawing money.



We have not been asking for anything unusual. The bank not only asked us to produce documents, they also refused to give me more than $1000, sources said. The salary accounts of the Pakistan High Commission staff are in RBL Bank, a private Indian bank. As per norms, diplomats can withdraw up to $5000 without giving any reasons.



Pakistan has alleged the development has nothing to do with demonetisation as missions of other countries were not facing such problems. Their High Commission has called it a breach of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and considering the trajectory of ties between the nations, this could have repercussions for Indian Embassy staffers in Islamabad. Both the countries have already expelled several staffers after spying allegations and counter-allegations.



The Ministry of External Affairs has refused to comment on the issue.

NEW DELHI: Demonetisation has further strained the already fraught India-Pakistan ties. The Pakistan High Commission has given a note verbale, informal protest in diplomatic parlance, to India as its staffers were facing difficulties in withdrawing salaries in dollars from banks. Sources in the Pakistan Embassy told Express that diplomats and staffers posted in the High Commission were asked to produce documents by banks to explain the need for withdrawing money. We have not been asking for anything unusual. The bank not only asked us to produce documents, they also refused to give me more than $1000, sources said. The salary accounts of the Pakistan High Commission staff are in RBL Bank, a private Indian bank. As per norms, diplomats can withdraw up to $5000 without giving any reasons. Pakistan has alleged the development has nothing to do with demonetisation as missions of other countries were not facing such problems. Their High Commission has called it a breach of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and considering the trajectory of ties between the nations, this could have repercussions for Indian Embassy staffers in Islamabad. Both the countries have already expelled several staffers after spying allegations and counter-allegations. The Ministry of External Affairs has refused to comment on the issue.
Namita bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW : Claiming that the country was ready to go digital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted people to switch over to digital transactions as soon as possible to reduce the scope for corrupt practices. While addressing a Parivartan yatra in Moradabad on Saturday, he said: Your phone is your wallet. Your dont need to withdraw money from ATMs. Buy things from the money in your account through your phones.



People may ask how a big chunk of Indians, who are illiterate, can switch over to a cashless transaction. Indians have always been ready for a change. When the world uses ballot paper to vote, Indians vote through the button, he stated to emphasise his point over going for e-transactions.



Earlier, touching on the issue of development, Modi gave a call to rid the country of poverty by developing larger states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. The PM said that if poverty was reduced in larger states, the overall number of poverty-stricken people in the country would also come down.

Debit, credit cards and Paytm

are accepted by staff

at Pallikonda toll booth on

the Bengaluru-Chennai

highway | EXPRESS

Extending his gratitude to the people of UP, Modi said that he did not fight elections from Varanasi to win a Lok Sabha seat but to free the Hindi heartland from deprivation and poverty and usher in a new era of development. With development comes employment, electricity, education, lowcost treatment and better lifestyle, the PM said.

Sharing peoples concern over corruption in the society at every level, Modi said that he was fighting the war on corruption for his countrymen. Some people point an accusing finger at me. What can they (corrupt) do to me? We are fakirs, we will carry our bags and walk away, he said. Referring to the alleged misuse of Jan Dhan account of the poor by rich people to convert black money into white, the PM cautioned them against letting their accounts being misused. Dont ever return that money. Dont take out even a single penny. Promise me that you will not withdraw that money. If you do that, I promise you that I will find a way to send those corrupt people to jail and the money to your account for your use, said Modi.

LUCKNOW : Claiming that the country was ready to go digital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted people to switch over to digital transactions as soon as possible to reduce the scope for corrupt practices. While addressing a Parivartan yatra in Moradabad on Saturday, he said: Your phone is your wallet. Your dont need to withdraw money from ATMs. Buy things from the money in your account through your phones. People may ask how a big chunk of Indians, who are illiterate, can switch over to a cashless transaction. Indians have always been ready for a change. When the world uses ballot paper to vote, Indians vote through the button, he stated to emphasise his point over going for e-transactions. Earlier, touching on the issue of development, Modi gave a call to rid the country of poverty by developing larger states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. The PM said that if poverty was reduced in larger states, the overall number of poverty-stricken people in the country would also come down. Debit, credit cards and Paytm are accepted by staff at Pallikonda toll booth on the Bengaluru-Chennai highway | EXPRESSExtending his gratitude to the people of UP, Modi said that he did not fight elections from Varanasi to win a Lok Sabha seat but to free the Hindi heartland from deprivation and poverty and usher in a new era of development. With development comes employment, electricity, education, lowcost treatment and better lifestyle, the PM said. Sharing peoples concern over corruption in the society at every level, Modi said that he was fighting the war on corruption for his countrymen. Some people point an accusing finger at me. What can they (corrupt) do to me? We are fakirs, we will carry our bags and walk away, he said. Referring to the alleged misuse of Jan Dhan account of the poor by rich people to convert black money into white, the PM cautioned them against letting their accounts being misused. Dont ever return that money. Dont take out even a single penny. Promise me that you will not withdraw that money. If you do that, I promise you that I will find a way to send those corrupt people to jail and the money to your account for your use, said Modi.
By PTI

HYDERABAD: Congress today said there was "sudden economic activity" weeks before the announcement of demonetisation and a huge jump in bank deposits as it demanded a probe to find out who those accounts belonged to.

Citing some instances before the November 8 announcement, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi asked, "Why sudden economic activity in the weeks immediately prior to demonetisation? Was Mr.(Narendra) Modi selectively sharing this vital information to make money for some people?", and demanded "at least an enquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge or JPC".

He claimed that RBI published data shows that amounts deposited in banks shot up by Rs 5.88 lakh crore in the month of September this year compared to the previous month.

Compared to September last year, the increase was Rs 12 lakh crore, Singhvi alleged.

"Each account should be opened and enquired by sitting Supreme Court judge to find out who it belongs to," he told a press conference here.

"This deserves a JPC, this deserves a Supreme Court (sitting judge) enquiry. Property and bank deposits of each BJP state unit and each BJP unit must be examined across the country for accounts over the last six months," Singhvi demanded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 announced his government's decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.

HYDERABAD: Congress today said there was "sudden economic activity" weeks before the announcement of demonetisation and a huge jump in bank deposits as it demanded a probe to find out who those accounts belonged to. Citing some instances before the November 8 announcement, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi asked, "Why sudden economic activity in the weeks immediately prior to demonetisation? Was Mr.(Narendra) Modi selectively sharing this vital information to make money for some people?", and demanded "at least an enquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge or JPC". He claimed that RBI published data shows that amounts deposited in banks shot up by Rs 5.88 lakh crore in the month of September this year compared to the previous month. Compared to September last year, the increase was Rs 12 lakh crore, Singhvi alleged. "Each account should be opened and enquired by sitting Supreme Court judge to find out who it belongs to," he told a press conference here. "This deserves a JPC, this deserves a Supreme Court (sitting judge) enquiry. Property and bank deposits of each BJP state unit and each BJP unit must be examined across the country for accounts over the last six months," Singhvi demanded. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 announced his government's decision to demonetise Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency notes.
Santwana Bhattacharya By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: It was back to business as usual for Rahul Gandhi  heavy artillery directed against the Prime Minister  as if to shrug off the red faces that could be seen among partymen after the Twitter hacking fiasco mid-week. Demonetisation was on the menu, and some cutting words boomed from the mikes at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting on Friday.



Narendra Modi only practises TRP politics, said the Congress vice president. The country has suffered tremendous damage as a result of the vanity and incompetence of our PM. He was standing in for his mother, the indisposed Congress president, Sonia Gandhi.



In an unprecedented move, the media was later provided the footage of the speech.

That Rahul was chairing his first-ever meeting of the CPP, still peopled by quite a few stalwarts, Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, A K Antony included, probably made it worth the break from the longest tradition of closed door meetings. Not to mention, the surgical strike at the Prime Minister giving the additional peg.



The Congress vice president was of the view that had the PM bothered to listen to the suggestions of democratically elected members it could potentially prevent him from making the catastrophic policy mistakes he was currently making. He was targeting the rather painful handling of the demonetisation process.



The Congress, he noted, has never given India a Prime Minister who was a prisoner of his own image. We never gave India a PM who was ready to inflict such tremendous suffering on the people to protect his own persona. We never gave India a PM who based his entire policy making strategy on TRPs.

NEW DELHI: It was back to business as usual for Rahul Gandhi  heavy artillery directed against the Prime Minister  as if to shrug off the red faces that could be seen among partymen after the Twitter hacking fiasco mid-week. Demonetisation was on the menu, and some cutting words boomed from the mikes at the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting on Friday. Narendra Modi only practises TRP politics, said the Congress vice president. The country has suffered tremendous damage as a result of the vanity and incompetence of our PM. He was standing in for his mother, the indisposed Congress president, Sonia Gandhi. In an unprecedented move, the media was later provided the footage of the speech. That Rahul was chairing his first-ever meeting of the CPP, still peopled by quite a few stalwarts, Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, A K Antony included, probably made it worth the break from the longest tradition of closed door meetings. Not to mention, the surgical strike at the Prime Minister giving the additional peg. The Congress vice president was of the view that had the PM bothered to listen to the suggestions of democratically elected members it could potentially prevent him from making the catastrophic policy mistakes he was currently making. He was targeting the rather painful handling of the demonetisation process. The Congress, he noted, has never given India a Prime Minister who was a prisoner of his own image. We never gave India a PM who was ready to inflict such tremendous suffering on the people to protect his own persona. We never gave India a PM who based his entire policy making strategy on TRPs.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: CBI Director Anil Sinha retired on Friday handing over the baton to his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana, as the government did not name any full-time chief. Asthanas appointment as the interim director came as the government did not name a full-time chief.



The Competent Authority has approved assignment of additional charge for the post of Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to Shri Rakesh Asthana, IPS (GJ-84), Additional Director, CBI with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Shri Anil Kumar Sinha (BH-79) on completion of his tenure, with immediate effect and until further orders, said the order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.



Asthana, a Gujarat-cadre officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the second-in-command in CBI two days ago when Special Director R K Dutta was shifted to the Union Home Ministry as a Special Secretary (Internal Security). This is the first occasion in a decade that a full-time director has not been appointed.



The CBI chief is selected by a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or largest party in the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. The collegium has not been able to meet. Sinha took charge of the agency when his predecessor Ranjit Sinha was embroiled in a controversy relating to meeting two people accused in the coal allocation scam.



Before stepping down, Sinha said his team performed exceedingly well. He said, There could be shortcomings, there could be defects although it is difficult to match the expectations of the people but we tried our best. Anti-corruption endeavours have increased during last two years which should be a deterrent to corrupt people, Sinha said.



Asthana was appointed the Additional Director General of CBI in April.

A key investigator in the multi-crore-rupee fodder scam, Asthana, as Superintendent of Police, CBI in Dhanbad, had arrested then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in 1997.



Asthana, who had been the Commissioner of Police in Vadodara and Surat in Gujarat, also headed a Special Investigation Team that probed the burning of Sabarmati Express train in which 59 people were burnt to death near Godhra railway station in February 2002.



He also headed the special investigating team probing the `3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP scam and the loan fraud by liquor baron Vijay Mallya. (With inputs from agencies)

NEW DELHI: CBI Director Anil Sinha retired on Friday handing over the baton to his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana, as the government did not name any full-time chief. Asthanas appointment as the interim director came as the government did not name a full-time chief. The Competent Authority has approved assignment of additional charge for the post of Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to Shri Rakesh Asthana, IPS (GJ-84), Additional Director, CBI with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Shri Anil Kumar Sinha (BH-79) on completion of his tenure, with immediate effect and until further orders, said the order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Asthana, a Gujarat-cadre officer of 1984-batch, was elevated as the second-in-command in CBI two days ago when Special Director R K Dutta was shifted to the Union Home Ministry as a Special Secretary (Internal Security). This is the first occasion in a decade that a full-time director has not been appointed. The CBI chief is selected by a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or largest party in the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. The collegium has not been able to meet. Sinha took charge of the agency when his predecessor Ranjit Sinha was embroiled in a controversy relating to meeting two people accused in the coal allocation scam. Before stepping down, Sinha said his team performed exceedingly well. He said, There could be shortcomings, there could be defects although it is difficult to match the expectations of the people but we tried our best. Anti-corruption endeavours have increased during last two years which should be a deterrent to corrupt people, Sinha said. Asthana was appointed the Additional Director General of CBI in April. A key investigator in the multi-crore-rupee fodder scam, Asthana, as Superintendent of Police, CBI in Dhanbad, had arrested then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in 1997. Asthana, who had been the Commissioner of Police in Vadodara and Surat in Gujarat, also headed a Special Investigation Team that probed the burning of Sabarmati Express train in which 59 people were burnt to death near Godhra railway station in February 2002. He also headed the special investigating team probing the `3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP scam and the loan fraud by liquor baron Vijay Mallya. (With inputs from agencies)
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

AMRITSAR/NEW DELHI : Iran on Saturday said it feels the nuclear agreement with the US is not in jeopardy even as it hit out at the US Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 years, which it said lowers American credibility.

The nuclear agreement is not a bilateral agreement but a multilateral agreement that came after everything failed, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in New Delhi.

His comments came after the US Senate voted 99-0 this week to extend the ISA. Iran maintains that the measure will be a violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

Asked if the sanctions meant that the nuclear deal is in jeopardy, Zarif said, I dont think that the nuclear deal is in jeopardy, but noted that the resolution in the American Senate dents the credibility of the US.

Meanwhile, in a last-minute change of schedule, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz reached Amritsar on Saturday evening. Earlier, he was scheduled to reach on Sunday for the Heart of Asia conference and return the same day.

As he reached a day in advance, speculations were rife that he would have bilateral talks with India. However, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ruled out this possibility.

It was learnt that Aziz rescheduled his visit citing the forecast of uncertain weather on Sunday. Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the conference that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Hours after his arrival, Aziz attended a dinner where he exchanged pleasantries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at her residence in Delhi, extending his wishes for her speedy recovery. With Swaraj indisposed, as she is unwell, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India at the ministerial conference.

Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over eight foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries, on Sunday. Modi and Ghani paid obeisance at Golden Temple and were given a red carpet welcome.

AMRITSAR/NEW DELHI : Iran on Saturday said it feels the nuclear agreement with the US is not in jeopardy even as it hit out at the US Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 years, which it said lowers American credibility. The nuclear agreement is not a bilateral agreement but a multilateral agreement that came after everything failed, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in New Delhi. His comments came after the US Senate voted 99-0 this week to extend the ISA. Iran maintains that the measure will be a violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany). Asked if the sanctions meant that the nuclear deal is in jeopardy, Zarif said, I dont think that the nuclear deal is in jeopardy, but noted that the resolution in the American Senate dents the credibility of the US. Meanwhile, in a last-minute change of schedule, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz reached Amritsar on Saturday evening. Earlier, he was scheduled to reach on Sunday for the Heart of Asia conference and return the same day. As he reached a day in advance, speculations were rife that he would have bilateral talks with India. However, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ruled out this possibility. It was learnt that Aziz rescheduled his visit citing the forecast of uncertain weather on Sunday. Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the conference that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country. Hours after his arrival, Aziz attended a dinner where he exchanged pleasantries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at her residence in Delhi, extending his wishes for her speedy recovery. With Swaraj indisposed, as she is unwell, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India at the ministerial conference. Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over eight foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries, on Sunday. Modi and Ghani paid obeisance at Golden Temple and were given a red carpet welcome.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday described the introduction of a Constitution Amendment Bill earlier this week in Nepal's Parliament as an "important step".

"As part of the ongoing efforts, the registering of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Nepali Parliament on November 29 is an important step," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question.

"We hope that all sides will remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully," he said.

India's statement assumes significance as the Bill has been framed to address the grievances of the Madhesi Front.

The Bill has however been opposed by both the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Madhesi Front and and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has been at pains to convince different sides.

Swarup said that India's consistent position has been that peace, stability and progress of Nepal was in the interest of both India and Nepal.

"We have therefore been supportive of initiatives of the Government of Nepal to meet the aspirations of all sections of its society through dialogue and constitutional processes," he said.

"As a close and friendly neighbour of Nepal, India will continue to extend all support for Nepal's peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of Nepal."

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday described the introduction of a Constitution Amendment Bill earlier this week in Nepal's Parliament as an "important step". "As part of the ongoing efforts, the registering of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Nepali Parliament on November 29 is an important step," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question. "We hope that all sides will remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully," he said. India's statement assumes significance as the Bill has been framed to address the grievances of the Madhesi Front. The Bill has however been opposed by both the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Madhesi Front and and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has been at pains to convince different sides. Swarup said that India's consistent position has been that peace, stability and progress of Nepal was in the interest of both India and Nepal. "We have therefore been supportive of initiatives of the Government of Nepal to meet the aspirations of all sections of its society through dialogue and constitutional processes," he said. "As a close and friendly neighbour of Nepal, India will continue to extend all support for Nepal's peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of Nepal."
Shankkar Aiyar By

They say a week is a long time in politics. Events of this weekend promise validation of that and more. This weekend, Italy will vote si or no on a referendum to amend the constitution, and Austria votes to elect a new President. The verdicts have the potential of far-reaching consequences for Europe and lessons for the establishment across the world. The surge of populism and the rise of notionalism promise to upend many covenants and conventions.

In Italy, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is seen trailing in polls on his proposal to shrink the role of the Senatethat would be akin to withering the role of the Rajya Sabhato hasten legislation. Aggravating his challenge is a gloomy economy and $400 billion of bad loans that threaten to bust banks. The ferocity of frustration is glaring. Renzi came to power in 2014 as the anti-establishment demolition man. In 2016, he is seen as the establishment. A no verdict will open the up the field for populist and radical Five Star Movement led by the colourful Beppe Grillo and the right wing Northern League, led by Matteo Salvini. At stake is Italys continuance in the European Union.

Up north on Sunday, Austria goes to polls to elect its next President. Pollsters and bookies believe Austria will elect Europes first head of state from the far right. The contest is between Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party (sometimes referred to as the new fuhrer), and Alexander Van der Bellen, an Independent and a critic of Viennas immigration and asylum policy. Hofer, known to sport the pre-war nationalist symbol blue cornflower, has built his base around the polarising ideas of anti-immigration and anti-Islamism. Hofer has also threatened to exit the European Union (EU) if Turkey is allowed in.

From left: Beppe Grillo, Norbert Hofer, Geert Wilders and Marine Le Pen



The surge of anger is not restricted to Italy and Austria. In the Netherlands, which goes to polls in March, Geert Wildersa far-right politician and campaigner against multi-culturalismis seen as the probable winner. His victory could spell the end of the Netherlands membership of the EU.

France goes to polls in April/May of 2017. There is Francois Fillon as the presidential candidate of the centre-right who, a la Trump, has promised to put France First. Fillon is backed by the middle-class who see themselves as patriots and are uncomfortable with adoption rights for gay couples. Challenging the establishment is Marine Le Pen of the French National Front, who most famously asserted, We want to destroy the EU. And in Germany a three year old partythe right wing, Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD)trounced Angela Merkels Christian Democrats to third place in recent polls.

There is much that binds the challengers and potential winners. Barring Beppe Grillo, the ideological mooring is right to far right, and then there is the troubling question of identity. The potentates have constructed a powerful narrative of us and them where us is about colour and creed, and them is about race and class. The challengers have tapped into the vein of anger and created a capillary force against the elite, the establishment, and tailored their message to demonetise the mainstream media.

The theme song is populism, a response that stems from rage against the political correctness that insulated regimes. There is the economic aspectthe number of wage-earners is shrinking and disruptive technologies are rendering the able jobless. There is also culture, the indefinable our way of life, that is seen as being under attack. The acceptance of assimilation and heterogeneous societies is yielding way to the quest for the hegemony of homogeneity.

Populism is propelled by notionalismby notions of what constitutes nationalism, notions of liberalism as the root of all evil, notions of political identity, notions of preferential rights and entitlements, notions on global economics, notions of globalism as a win-win proposition, notions simonised to fit the promise of cultural suzerainty.

Seven decades after World War II, the construct of a contractconsensus on a liberal, rules-based international orderis seemingly coming apart. The co-option of policy, regulation and the cornering of wealth by the few at the cost of many, eroded the legitimacy of institutions. Just as prosperity bred complacency, anxiety has united those angry with the circumstance. It is not only Project Europe that is under threat, nor is it only about the downside of globalisation. In focus and on the radar are the very principles that fostered the rise of democracies in the world till 2000.

In their seminal study The Democratic Disconnect, Roberto Stefan Foa and Yascha Mounk argue that there is a rise in populist backlash suggesting a real danger to the very idea of democracy, which they define as the danger of deconsolidation. Their study looked at World Values Surveys across two decades from 1995 to 2014, and examined the responses of people across age groups on how essential it was for respondents to live in a democracy. Their findings are remarkable, if not startling.

Foa and Mounk point out that only around a third of the respondents from the younger age groupthose born in the 80sacross the US and Britain deem it essential to live in a democracy. A similar sentiment, rather lack of allegiance to democracy, is expressed by millennials in the democracies of New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands too.

Arguably the new generation, while benefitting from the dividends of stable democracies, takes the comfort of rights for granted. Indeed, just in the US in the past three decades, the share of citizens who think it would be a good or a very good thing for the army to rule has risen from one in 16 to one in six. The etymology of what is being described as the pathology of fascism is located in the failures of the recent past. It is arguable that the level of frustration and disorder in democracies make the idea of autocracy seductive.

Confronted by changing demography and advancing technology, nations and peoples are faced with an uncertainty that is stark. Institutions of democracy are persistently flailing in the face of challenges. Ergo governments are struggling to preserve their legitimacy. The very idea of representative democracy is at an intersection. Legitimacy requires solutions, not just notions.

Shankkar Aiyar is the Author of Accidental India: A History of the Nations Passage through Crisis and Change

They say a week is a long time in politics. Events of this weekend promise validation of that and more. This weekend, Italy will vote si or no on a referendum to amend the constitution, and Austria votes to elect a new President. The verdicts have the potential of far-reaching consequences for Europe and lessons for the establishment across the world. The surge of populism and the rise of notionalism promise to upend many covenants and conventions. In Italy, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is seen trailing in polls on his proposal to shrink the role of the Senatethat would be akin to withering the role of the Rajya Sabhato hasten legislation. Aggravating his challenge is a gloomy economy and $400 billion of bad loans that threaten to bust banks. The ferocity of frustration is glaring. Renzi came to power in 2014 as the anti-establishment demolition man. In 2016, he is seen as the establishment. A no verdict will open the up the field for populist and radical Five Star Movement led by the colourful Beppe Grillo and the right wing Northern League, led by Matteo Salvini. At stake is Italys continuance in the European Union. Up north on Sunday, Austria goes to polls to elect its next President. Pollsters and bookies believe Austria will elect Europes first head of state from the far right. The contest is between Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party (sometimes referred to as the new fuhrer), and Alexander Van der Bellen, an Independent and a critic of Viennas immigration and asylum policy. Hofer, known to sport the pre-war nationalist symbol blue cornflower, has built his base around the polarising ideas of anti-immigration and anti-Islamism. Hofer has also threatened to exit the European Union (EU) if Turkey is allowed in. From left: Beppe Grillo, Norbert Hofer, Geert Wilders and Marine Le Pen The surge of anger is not restricted to Italy and Austria. In the Netherlands, which goes to polls in March, Geert Wildersa far-right politician and campaigner against multi-culturalismis seen as the probable winner. His victory could spell the end of the Netherlands membership of the EU. France goes to polls in April/May of 2017. There is Francois Fillon as the presidential candidate of the centre-right who, a la Trump, has promised to put France First. Fillon is backed by the middle-class who see themselves as patriots and are uncomfortable with adoption rights for gay couples. Challenging the establishment is Marine Le Pen of the French National Front, who most famously asserted, We want to destroy the EU. And in Germany a three year old partythe right wing, Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD)trounced Angela Merkels Christian Democrats to third place in recent polls. There is much that binds the challengers and potential winners. Barring Beppe Grillo, the ideological mooring is right to far right, and then there is the troubling question of identity. The potentates have constructed a powerful narrative of us and them where us is about colour and creed, and them is about race and class. The challengers have tapped into the vein of anger and created a capillary force against the elite, the establishment, and tailored their message to demonetise the mainstream media. The theme song is populism, a response that stems from rage against the political correctness that insulated regimes. There is the economic aspectthe number of wage-earners is shrinking and disruptive technologies are rendering the able jobless. There is also culture, the indefinable our way of life, that is seen as being under attack. The acceptance of assimilation and heterogeneous societies is yielding way to the quest for the hegemony of homogeneity. Populism is propelled by notionalismby notions of what constitutes nationalism, notions of liberalism as the root of all evil, notions of political identity, notions of preferential rights and entitlements, notions on global economics, notions of globalism as a win-win proposition, notions simonised to fit the promise of cultural suzerainty. Seven decades after World War II, the construct of a contractconsensus on a liberal, rules-based international orderis seemingly coming apart. The co-option of policy, regulation and the cornering of wealth by the few at the cost of many, eroded the legitimacy of institutions. Just as prosperity bred complacency, anxiety has united those angry with the circumstance. It is not only Project Europe that is under threat, nor is it only about the downside of globalisation. In focus and on the radar are the very principles that fostered the rise of democracies in the world till 2000. In their seminal study The Democratic Disconnect, Roberto Stefan Foa and Yascha Mounk argue that there is a rise in populist backlash suggesting a real danger to the very idea of democracy, which they define as the danger of deconsolidation. Their study looked at World Values Surveys across two decades from 1995 to 2014, and examined the responses of people across age groups on how essential it was for respondents to live in a democracy. Their findings are remarkable, if not startling. Foa and Mounk point out that only around a third of the respondents from the younger age groupthose born in the 80sacross the US and Britain deem it essential to live in a democracy. A similar sentiment, rather lack of allegiance to democracy, is expressed by millennials in the democracies of New Zealand, Australia and the Netherlands too. Arguably the new generation, while benefitting from the dividends of stable democracies, takes the comfort of rights for granted. Indeed, just in the US in the past three decades, the share of citizens who think it would be a good or a very good thing for the army to rule has risen from one in 16 to one in six. The etymology of what is being described as the pathology of fascism is located in the failures of the recent past. It is arguable that the level of frustration and disorder in democracies make the idea of autocracy seductive. Confronted by changing demography and advancing technology, nations and peoples are faced with an uncertainty that is stark. Institutions of democracy are persistently flailing in the face of challenges. Ergo governments are struggling to preserve their legitimacy. The very idea of representative democracy is at an intersection. Legitimacy requires solutions, not just notions. Shankkar Aiyar is the Author of Accidental India: A History of the Nations Passage through Crisis and Change
Soli J Sorabjee By

Different Reactions to Trumps Presidential Victory: The reactions to Donald Trumps victory in the US Presidential race are diverse and amusing. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, assured the press that the US will not abandon the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration.

He told a packed conference room at the Bab Ighli venue of the 22nd Conference of Parties, I have spoken to President-elect Donald Trump last week and I remain optimistic about our efforts to control climate change. According to Shalabh Shalli Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition, Mr Trump will take India-US relations to a new height and both countries will fight radical Islamic terrorism together. Kumar said that this is the best thing that could have happened to the Hindus and that Trump is committed to fighting Islamic terrorism to its end. Time alone will tell.



Alleged Torture by US Troops: It is depressing that US troops and CIA agents could face investigation and possible charges by the International Criminal Court after its chief prosecutor said in a report that they may have committed war crimes by torturing detainees in Afghanistan. According to the report issued by Prosecutor Fatou Bensoudas office, members of US armed forces are said to have subjected at least 61 detained persons to torture between May 1, 2003, and December 31, 2014. There are Conventions against Torture, but regrettably this reprehensible practice persists.



Judicial Activism and National Anthem: The Supreme Courts judicial activism has generally been for the benefit of the marginalised and exploited segments of our society. The Supreme Court rightly commands the executive not to transgress the Lakshman rekha and to act strictly within statutory limits. The judiciary should also observe its Lakshman rekha, namely to refrain from dealing with matters which are inherently beyond the judicial sphere.

Unfortunately, the Lakshman rekha was not observed when it recently issued certain directions regarding the national anthem. According to the Supreme Courts directions, every person in the cinema hall has to stand up when the national anthem is played to prove his patriotism. This is a bizarre notion of patriotism. It presumes that the acid test of patriotism is standing up when the national anthem is played. In reality, many people who stand up may be devoid of any sentiment of patriotism. The assumption that making people stand when the national anthem is played will instill a sense of constitutional patriotism is far fetched.



There may be various reasons why a person may not or cannot stand up when the national anthem is played. Eg. (a) physical difficulty in standing up; (b) genuine religious or conscientious reasons. For instance, persons belonging to the sect of Jehovahs Witnesses do not sing any national anthem, whether, Jana Gana Mana in India, God save the Queen in Britain, the Star Spangled Banner in the United States, and so on. They desist from singing because of their genuine belief that their religion forbids them to do so.

In the words of the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment in Bijoe Emmanuel, pronounced in August 1986, they do not hold their beliefs idly and their conduct is not the outcome of any perversity. Their reasons may appear bizarre, but if the belief is genuine and conscientiously held, then it is protected under the fundamental right of freedom of conscience guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution. Judicially mandated duty of a citizen cannot override his or her fundamental rights.



Under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, any person who intentionally prevents the singing of the national anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing can be punished. No one can object to this statutory provision.



The worrying part is that these Supreme Court directions, though certainly well intended, could usher in judicial authoritarianism based on the belief that judges are infallible and are the most competent persons to run the country. It would also provide ammunition to those opposed to judicial activism, and worse, portray the judiciary in a ludicrous light. Hopefully, the Bench which passed these interim directions will reconsider them at the next hearing keeping all relevant constitutional, legal and practical aspects in mind.

solisorabjee@gmail.com

Different Reactions to Trumps Presidential Victory: The reactions to Donald Trumps victory in the US Presidential race are diverse and amusing. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, assured the press that the US will not abandon the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration. He told a packed conference room at the Bab Ighli venue of the 22nd Conference of Parties, I have spoken to President-elect Donald Trump last week and I remain optimistic about our efforts to control climate change. According to Shalabh Shalli Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition, Mr Trump will take India-US relations to a new height and both countries will fight radical Islamic terrorism together. Kumar said that this is the best thing that could have happened to the Hindus and that Trump is committed to fighting Islamic terrorism to its end. Time alone will tell. Alleged Torture by US Troops: It is depressing that US troops and CIA agents could face investigation and possible charges by the International Criminal Court after its chief prosecutor said in a report that they may have committed war crimes by torturing detainees in Afghanistan. According to the report issued by Prosecutor Fatou Bensoudas office, members of US armed forces are said to have subjected at least 61 detained persons to torture between May 1, 2003, and December 31, 2014. There are Conventions against Torture, but regrettably this reprehensible practice persists. Judicial Activism and National Anthem: The Supreme Courts judicial activism has generally been for the benefit of the marginalised and exploited segments of our society. The Supreme Court rightly commands the executive not to transgress the Lakshman rekha and to act strictly within statutory limits. The judiciary should also observe its Lakshman rekha, namely to refrain from dealing with matters which are inherently beyond the judicial sphere. Unfortunately, the Lakshman rekha was not observed when it recently issued certain directions regarding the national anthem. According to the Supreme Courts directions, every person in the cinema hall has to stand up when the national anthem is played to prove his patriotism. This is a bizarre notion of patriotism. It presumes that the acid test of patriotism is standing up when the national anthem is played. In reality, many people who stand up may be devoid of any sentiment of patriotism. The assumption that making people stand when the national anthem is played will instill a sense of constitutional patriotism is far fetched. There may be various reasons why a person may not or cannot stand up when the national anthem is played. Eg. (a) physical difficulty in standing up; (b) genuine religious or conscientious reasons. For instance, persons belonging to the sect of Jehovahs Witnesses do not sing any national anthem, whether, Jana Gana Mana in India, God save the Queen in Britain, the Star Spangled Banner in the United States, and so on. They desist from singing because of their genuine belief that their religion forbids them to do so. In the words of the Supreme Court in its landmark judgment in Bijoe Emmanuel, pronounced in August 1986, they do not hold their beliefs idly and their conduct is not the outcome of any perversity. Their reasons may appear bizarre, but if the belief is genuine and conscientiously held, then it is protected under the fundamental right of freedom of conscience guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution. Judicially mandated duty of a citizen cannot override his or her fundamental rights. Under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, any person who intentionally prevents the singing of the national anthem or causes disturbances to any assembly engaged in such singing can be punished. No one can object to this statutory provision. The worrying part is that these Supreme Court directions, though certainly well intended, could usher in judicial authoritarianism based on the belief that judges are infallible and are the most competent persons to run the country. It would also provide ammunition to those opposed to judicial activism, and worse, portray the judiciary in a ludicrous light. Hopefully, the Bench which passed these interim directions will reconsider them at the next hearing keeping all relevant constitutional, legal and practical aspects in mind. solisorabjee@gmail.com
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: In what could bring a respite to the public here from waiting for long hours in queues at banks and ATMs, a sum of Rs 2,420 crore arrived in two special aircraft chartered by the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday. The cash was brought to the state in two special aircraft to Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. From there, the cash was sent by road to all 13 districts of the state.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who convened a video conference with the chief ministers committee constituted to monitor the currency shortage problem in the country post-demonetisation on Thursday evening, also spoke to the RBI governor Urjit Patel and explained the situation in the state. He expressed serious displeasure over the persisting cash scarcity even after these many days and asked him to immediately send Rs 2,500 crore to the state.

Responding positively to the same, the RBI sent Rs 2,420 crore by Friday morning.

The currency was distributed to all the districts on priority basis. While, some of the districts got Rs 160 crore, some districts, where the demand for cash is high got Rs 240 crore.

The Chief Minister directed the bankers to display the cash availability boards in banks and also wanted them to work overtime to avoid inconvenience to public. Usually, the RBI takes the responsibility of transporting cash from its regional offices to the cash chests under its ambit. But, this time, due to the prevailing conditions, the state government itself took the initiative for bringing the cash to the state at the earliest and arranged two special flights for taking the money from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam and Tirupati and from there to the districts.

VIJAYAWADA: In what could bring a respite to the public here from waiting for long hours in queues at banks and ATMs, a sum of Rs 2,420 crore arrived in two special aircraft chartered by the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday. The cash was brought to the state in two special aircraft to Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. From there, the cash was sent by road to all 13 districts of the state. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who convened a video conference with the chief ministers committee constituted to monitor the currency shortage problem in the country post-demonetisation on Thursday evening, also spoke to the RBI governor Urjit Patel and explained the situation in the state. He expressed serious displeasure over the persisting cash scarcity even after these many days and asked him to immediately send Rs 2,500 crore to the state. Responding positively to the same, the RBI sent Rs 2,420 crore by Friday morning. The currency was distributed to all the districts on priority basis. While, some of the districts got Rs 160 crore, some districts, where the demand for cash is high got Rs 240 crore. The Chief Minister directed the bankers to display the cash availability boards in banks and also wanted them to work overtime to avoid inconvenience to public. Usually, the RBI takes the responsibility of transporting cash from its regional offices to the cash chests under its ambit. But, this time, due to the prevailing conditions, the state government itself took the initiative for bringing the cash to the state at the earliest and arranged two special flights for taking the money from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam and Tirupati and from there to the districts.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of Energy, Coal, Mines and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal on Friday said resistance from domestic market has prevented Nalco from making value addition to alumina which is why the Central PSU exports it to overseas market.

At the valedictory ceremony of Make In Odisha Conclave here in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Goyal said when he took over reins of the Mines Ministry, he was shocked to learn that Nalcos manufacturing capacity is less than 50 per cent of the peers in private sector.

I made a study to understand why and I was taken aback by the fact that we are producing alumina, the raw materials for aluminium, in large volumes but exporting it to other countries instead of adding value in India and selling finished products, he said.

The Union Minister said he found out that there is not only resistance from the domestic market to value addition by Nalco but the PSU has also been put under pressure not to do so and instead export alumina to other countries despite the matter being deliberated for the last 10 to 12 years.

Goyal said he was pleased to know that Odisha Government is keen to make value addition to mineral-based products which have the potential to generate huge employment opportunities.

He said the transparent coal block auction process adopted by the Narendra Modi Government has ensured that the State would receive at least `70,000 crore from just 12 coal blocks. The proceeds can be used by the State Government for development spending. The petrochemical complex at Paradip and Sagaramala Project would also bring in huge employment to Odisha, Goyal said.

The Union Minister said Odisha can make the distance from being a consuming to a producing State which would give it natural advantage in GST share instead of engaging in negotiations.

Announcing that all villages of the State would be electrified by May 2018, Goyal urged the State to invest in renewable energy. He also said LED bulbs would reach every household of the State in next year and a half. Of the 18 crore LED lights distributed in the country so far, 73 lakh has been distributed in Odisha.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Centre has extended full support to the investors meet. While the investment targets to bring in 30 lakh additional jobs, it would be a challenge for the Government as the youth population of Odisha is a daunting 1.25 crore.

He said his Ministrys gas pipeline project connecting 12 districts of Odisha and energy from agri-waste project would immensely benefit the State.

The valedictory ceremony of the business investors meet saw a spectacular presentation on Odisha 2036 by Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi.

BHUBANESWAR: Union Minister of Energy, Coal, Mines and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal on Friday said resistance from domestic market has prevented Nalco from making value addition to alumina which is why the Central PSU exports it to overseas market. At the valedictory ceremony of Make In Odisha Conclave here in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Goyal said when he took over reins of the Mines Ministry, he was shocked to learn that Nalcos manufacturing capacity is less than 50 per cent of the peers in private sector. I made a study to understand why and I was taken aback by the fact that we are producing alumina, the raw materials for aluminium, in large volumes but exporting it to other countries instead of adding value in India and selling finished products, he said. The Union Minister said he found out that there is not only resistance from the domestic market to value addition by Nalco but the PSU has also been put under pressure not to do so and instead export alumina to other countries despite the matter being deliberated for the last 10 to 12 years. Goyal said he was pleased to know that Odisha Government is keen to make value addition to mineral-based products which have the potential to generate huge employment opportunities. He said the transparent coal block auction process adopted by the Narendra Modi Government has ensured that the State would receive at least `70,000 crore from just 12 coal blocks. The proceeds can be used by the State Government for development spending. The petrochemical complex at Paradip and Sagaramala Project would also bring in huge employment to Odisha, Goyal said. The Union Minister said Odisha can make the distance from being a consuming to a producing State which would give it natural advantage in GST share instead of engaging in negotiations. Announcing that all villages of the State would be electrified by May 2018, Goyal urged the State to invest in renewable energy. He also said LED bulbs would reach every household of the State in next year and a half. Of the 18 crore LED lights distributed in the country so far, 73 lakh has been distributed in Odisha. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Centre has extended full support to the investors meet. While the investment targets to bring in 30 lakh additional jobs, it would be a challenge for the Government as the youth population of Odisha is a daunting 1.25 crore. He said his Ministrys gas pipeline project connecting 12 districts of Odisha and energy from agri-waste project would immensely benefit the State. The valedictory ceremony of the business investors meet saw a spectacular presentation on Odisha 2036 by Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The state government has filed an original suit in the Supreme Court under article 131 of the Constitution of India seeking an injuction against Chhattisgarh from continuing with the construction of ongoing projects and taking up future projects on the upstream of Mahanadi river.

Announcing this in the assembly today, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the state govbenment has claimed as a part of its equitable share of a minimum flow of 12.28 million acre feet of Mahanadi water at Hirakud Dam, as per the DPR of Hirakud project of 1947 and a further utilisation of 3.67 million acre feet in the surplus flows.

Stating that Mahanadi is the lifeline of Odisha and its people, the food bowl of the state as well as the ecological hotspots in the delta region, the chief minister said 'illegal actions' of Chhattishgarh government in unilaterally planning and constructing projects and barrages in the upper catchment of Mahanadi would spell socio-economic and ecological hazard to the state and its inhabitants.

The chief minister said the state government has filed a statutory complaint before the Centre on November 22 under provisions of the Inter State Water Disputes Act,1956 for constitution of an inter-state tribunal to adjudicate the disputes arising from uniletarally planned utilisation of 27.48 million acre feet of Mahanadi water by the Chhattisgarh government as against availability of minimum flow of 20.61 million acre feet only.

Stating that the government will leave no stones unturned to protect the rights of the people of the state in the Mahanadi issue, the chief minister thanked all organisations, political parties, farmers' organisations and individuals because of their valuable suggestion on the matter.

Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra, however, said the steps taken by the state government was intended to mislead the people ahead of the panchayat polls. "The Chief Minister himself in a reply in the Assembly way back in 2010 has said that projects on upstream of Mahanadi would not affect Odisha. Now, if the statement is placed before the court, will it give relief to the state?," Mishra asked.

BHUBANESWAR: The state government has filed an original suit in the Supreme Court under article 131 of the Constitution of India seeking an injuction against Chhattisgarh from continuing with the construction of ongoing projects and taking up future projects on the upstream of Mahanadi river. Announcing this in the assembly today, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the state govbenment has claimed as a part of its equitable share of a minimum flow of 12.28 million acre feet of Mahanadi water at Hirakud Dam, as per the DPR of Hirakud project of 1947 and a further utilisation of 3.67 million acre feet in the surplus flows. Stating that Mahanadi is the lifeline of Odisha and its people, the food bowl of the state as well as the ecological hotspots in the delta region, the chief minister said 'illegal actions' of Chhattishgarh government in unilaterally planning and constructing projects and barrages in the upper catchment of Mahanadi would spell socio-economic and ecological hazard to the state and its inhabitants. The chief minister said the state government has filed a statutory complaint before the Centre on November 22 under provisions of the Inter State Water Disputes Act,1956 for constitution of an inter-state tribunal to adjudicate the disputes arising from uniletarally planned utilisation of 27.48 million acre feet of Mahanadi water by the Chhattisgarh government as against availability of minimum flow of 20.61 million acre feet only. Stating that the government will leave no stones unturned to protect the rights of the people of the state in the Mahanadi issue, the chief minister thanked all organisations, political parties, farmers' organisations and individuals because of their valuable suggestion on the matter. Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra, however, said the steps taken by the state government was intended to mislead the people ahead of the panchayat polls. "The Chief Minister himself in a reply in the Assembly way back in 2010 has said that projects on upstream of Mahanadi would not affect Odisha. Now, if the statement is placed before the court, will it give relief to the state?," Mishra asked.
By Express News Service

THANJAVUR: A 70-year-old farm worker died while waiting in a queue to withdraw cash from a nationalised bank near Papanasam in Thanjavur district Saturday.

According to sources, M Subramanian(70), from Vaazhkai village near Papanasam, stood with his wife Thaiyyalnayagi in a queue outside a branch of the Indian Bank on East Street of Papanasam. Just as was about to withdraw cash from the bank, all of sudden he fell unconscious.

The others in the queue tried to revive him up and a doctor was rushed to the spot but the man had died by then.

Subramanian 's bank account had balance of Rs 17,000 of which he was going to withdraw Rs 4,000.

Sources said Subramanian had four daughters, all married. People who knew him said he had health complications.

The Papanasam police made arrangements to send the mans body to his home town Vaazhkai.

THANJAVUR: A 70-year-old farm worker died while waiting in a queue to withdraw cash from a nationalised bank near Papanasam in Thanjavur district Saturday. According to sources, M Subramanian(70), from Vaazhkai village near Papanasam, stood with his wife Thaiyyalnayagi in a queue outside a branch of the Indian Bank on East Street of Papanasam. Just as was about to withdraw cash from the bank, all of sudden he fell unconscious. The others in the queue tried to revive him up and a doctor was rushed to the spot but the man had died by then. Subramanian 's bank account had balance of Rs 17,000 of which he was going to withdraw Rs 4,000. Sources said Subramanian had four daughters, all married. People who knew him said he had health complications. The Papanasam police made arrangements to send the mans body to his home town Vaazhkai.
By Associated Press

MEXICO CITY: Mexico City has joined with Paris, Madrid and Athens in committing to eliminating diesel vehicles from their cities by 2025.

The agreement was announced at the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico's capital late Thursday. A statement said the commitment would reduce air pollution and related health issues in those cities, while also helping cities meet climate goals.

"It's a worldwide public health concern," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Friday.

Removing diesel from Paris streets was a goal she set when she took office in 2014. She cited Tokyo as an example already well on its way.

Commuters ride a "Metrobus" rapid transit bus as night falls in Mexico City. AP

It is a major reversal in France where more than 20 years ago the government had selected diesel as the future of urban mobility and supported it, Hidalgo said. Now, recognizing that the tiny particles emitted by diesel-burning vehicles cause severe health problems, Hidalgo said governments must once again steer manufacturers to meet their needs.

There are 2,500 deaths per year in Paris attributable to air pollution, she said.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said the city's diesel buses will be phased out and replaced with alternatives and the buses that make up the city's bus rapid transit system operating in dedicated lanes will be replaced with hybrids and eventually the city's first electric corridor.

He did not mention how the diesel-fueled cargo trucks that rumble through the city would be replaced. But he pointed to the city's successful bike-share program as one way to get people out of vehicles and mentioned that the first 30 charging stations had been installed for electric vehicles.

The mayors of dozens of the world's largest cities are meeting in Mexico City this week to exchange knowledge and discuss concrete steps to achieve carbon emission-reducing goals.

MEXICO CITY: Mexico City has joined with Paris, Madrid and Athens in committing to eliminating diesel vehicles from their cities by 2025. The agreement was announced at the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico's capital late Thursday. A statement said the commitment would reduce air pollution and related health issues in those cities, while also helping cities meet climate goals. "It's a worldwide public health concern," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Friday. Removing diesel from Paris streets was a goal she set when she took office in 2014. She cited Tokyo as an example already well on its way. Commuters ride a "Metrobus" rapid transit bus as night falls in Mexico City. APIt is a major reversal in France where more than 20 years ago the government had selected diesel as the future of urban mobility and supported it, Hidalgo said. Now, recognizing that the tiny particles emitted by diesel-burning vehicles cause severe health problems, Hidalgo said governments must once again steer manufacturers to meet their needs. There are 2,500 deaths per year in Paris attributable to air pollution, she said. Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said the city's diesel buses will be phased out and replaced with alternatives and the buses that make up the city's bus rapid transit system operating in dedicated lanes will be replaced with hybrids and eventually the city's first electric corridor. He did not mention how the diesel-fueled cargo trucks that rumble through the city would be replaced. But he pointed to the city's successful bike-share program as one way to get people out of vehicles and mentioned that the first 30 charging stations had been installed for electric vehicles. The mayors of dozens of the world's largest cities are meeting in Mexico City this week to exchange knowledge and discuss concrete steps to achieve carbon emission-reducing goals.
By AFP

BEIJING: A call between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen was a "ploy by the Taiwan side that simply cannot change... the One China framework", Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Hong Kong's Phoenix TV on Saturday.

"I do not think it will change the one-China policy that the US government has insisted on applying over the years," Wang was quoted as saying after Trump broke with decades of cautious US diplomacy to speak with the Taiwanese president.

"The One China principle is the cornerstone of the healthy development of Sino-US relations, and we do not want any interference or disappearance of this political foundation," he added.

BEIJING: A call between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen was a "ploy by the Taiwan side that simply cannot change... the One China framework", Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Hong Kong's Phoenix TV on Saturday. "I do not think it will change the one-China policy that the US government has insisted on applying over the years," Wang was quoted as saying after Trump broke with decades of cautious US diplomacy to speak with the Taiwanese president. "The One China principle is the cornerstone of the healthy development of Sino-US relations, and we do not want any interference or disappearance of this political foundation," he added.
By Associated Press

PARIS: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said Friday that the spring election will pit nationalists and patriots such as herself against supporters of globalization, the European Union and immigration.

Speaking at an annual horse fair outside Paris  where she donned a cowboy hat and mounted a horse  Le Pen said Socialist President Francois Hollande's decision not to seek a second term won't change her campaign strategy. Hollande made the announcement late Thursday.

Le Pen, who heads the National Front, told The Associated Press at a party event later Friday that Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election shows that "the system" she has long denounced for keeping power in the hands of political elites is vulnerable.

Whether Trump's win or the British vote to leave the EU will translate into votes for her, Le Pen said she did not know. But she allowed that "perhaps" there could be a Trump effect in the French election.

"What is sure is that people are now conscious that they can liberate themselves from the diktats of the system and vote as they like," she said.

Le Pen predicted that Prime Minister Manuel Valls will run as the Socialist presidential candidate, facing her and conservative former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who won the conservative's primary, among others.

"You know, I don't believe in this left-right fracture. On the one side are nationalists, patriots. On the other, globalizationists, Europeanists and so, by definition, immigrationists," she told reporters, making up her own descriptions.

Valls, meanwhile, praised Hollande's decision not to run and defended Hollande's economic record without saying if he plans to seek the presidency himself, as many assume he will.

"We must defend (Hollande's) actions, and I'll do it, as I'm doing it tirelessly in my duties since 2012," Valls said in a speech Friday in the eastern city of Nancy.

Valls was Hollande's interior minister from 2012 to 2014, when he became the French prime minister. He said Friday that Hollande has always put France's "general interest" and "unity" at the top of his priorities and praised "a choice that was not easy" and a man whose dignity "deserves respect."

Valls said last week he was "ready" to compete in next month's Socialist primary. Other presidential contenders have already announced their intentions to run in the primary, including former economy minister Arnaud Montebourg.

In his televised address on Thursday night, Hollande avoided saying if he would support Valls  or any other candidate.

PARIS: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said Friday that the spring election will pit nationalists and patriots such as herself against supporters of globalization, the European Union and immigration. Speaking at an annual horse fair outside Paris  where she donned a cowboy hat and mounted a horse  Le Pen said Socialist President Francois Hollande's decision not to seek a second term won't change her campaign strategy. Hollande made the announcement late Thursday. Le Pen, who heads the National Front, told The Associated Press at a party event later Friday that Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election shows that "the system" she has long denounced for keeping power in the hands of political elites is vulnerable. Whether Trump's win or the British vote to leave the EU will translate into votes for her, Le Pen said she did not know. But she allowed that "perhaps" there could be a Trump effect in the French election. "What is sure is that people are now conscious that they can liberate themselves from the diktats of the system and vote as they like," she said. Le Pen predicted that Prime Minister Manuel Valls will run as the Socialist presidential candidate, facing her and conservative former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who won the conservative's primary, among others. "You know, I don't believe in this left-right fracture. On the one side are nationalists, patriots. On the other, globalizationists, Europeanists and so, by definition, immigrationists," she told reporters, making up her own descriptions. Valls, meanwhile, praised Hollande's decision not to run and defended Hollande's economic record without saying if he plans to seek the presidency himself, as many assume he will. "We must defend (Hollande's) actions, and I'll do it, as I'm doing it tirelessly in my duties since 2012," Valls said in a speech Friday in the eastern city of Nancy. Valls was Hollande's interior minister from 2012 to 2014, when he became the French prime minister. He said Friday that Hollande has always put France's "general interest" and "unity" at the top of his priorities and praised "a choice that was not easy" and a man whose dignity "deserves respect." Valls said last week he was "ready" to compete in next month's Socialist primary. Other presidential contenders have already announced their intentions to run in the primary, including former economy minister Arnaud Montebourg. In his televised address on Thursday night, Hollande avoided saying if he would support Valls  or any other candidate.
By Associated Press

TEHRAN: Iran's foreign minister condemned the US Senate's extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation, state TV reported Saturday.

On Thursday the Senate voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act by 10 years. The measure will now be sent to outgoing President Barack Obama to sign. Iran's state television quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the extension "shows the lack of credibility of the U.S. government."

On Friday, Bahram Ghasemi, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, issued a statement condemning the extension of sanctions against Iran and said the act is a clear violation of the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world powers last year.

Ghasemi said, "The US president has agreed within the framework of the nuclear deal that he would use his authority to prevent the legislation and enforcement of any measures in violation of the deal, such as the recent act by the Congress."

The nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers lifted a variety of international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program. However the US still maintains its own separate set of sanctions, which are set to expire Dec. 31 if they are not extended.

Ali Akbar Salehi, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said on Friday that Iran will carefully consider how to respond. "We will definitely make no emotional decisions but will make a decision based on prudence, vigilance and wisdom," he said.

Earlier in November, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, warned that, "Definitely, the Islamic Republic of Iran will react" if the US sanctions were renewed.

TEHRAN: Iran's foreign minister condemned the US Senate's extension of a piece of anti-Iran legislation, state TV reported Saturday. On Thursday the Senate voted to extend the Iran Sanctions Act by 10 years. The measure will now be sent to outgoing President Barack Obama to sign. Iran's state television quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that the extension "shows the lack of credibility of the U.S. government." On Friday, Bahram Ghasemi, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, issued a statement condemning the extension of sanctions against Iran and said the act is a clear violation of the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world powers last year. Ghasemi said, "The US president has agreed within the framework of the nuclear deal that he would use his authority to prevent the legislation and enforcement of any measures in violation of the deal, such as the recent act by the Congress." The nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers lifted a variety of international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program. However the US still maintains its own separate set of sanctions, which are set to expire Dec. 31 if they are not extended. Ali Akbar Salehi, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said on Friday that Iran will carefully consider how to respond. "We will definitely make no emotional decisions but will make a decision based on prudence, vigilance and wisdom," he said. Earlier in November, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, warned that, "Definitely, the Islamic Republic of Iran will react" if the US sanctions were renewed.
By ANI

WASHINGTON: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs special assistant for foreign affairs, Tariq Fatemi, will meet with officials of the US President-elect Donald Trumps transition team in the United States this weekend.

Besides meeting members of the transition team, Mr Fatemi will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration, the Dawn quoted Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, as saying.

Trump, who is scheduled to take the oath on January 20, has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Fatemi, who will be on a two-week official visit to the United States, is also expected to meet some members of the team provisional team besides interacting with the new lawmakers elected last month.

This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections, said Jilani.

The visit follows a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Sharif and Trump on Wednesday during which the US leader expressed his desire to continue a productive relationship with Pakistan.

WASHINGTON: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs special assistant for foreign affairs, Tariq Fatemi, will meet with officials of the US President-elect Donald Trumps transition team in the United States this weekend. Besides meeting members of the transition team, Mr Fatemi will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration, the Dawn quoted Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, as saying. Trump, who is scheduled to take the oath on January 20, has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings. Fatemi, who will be on a two-week official visit to the United States, is also expected to meet some members of the team provisional team besides interacting with the new lawmakers elected last month. This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections, said Jilani. The visit follows a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Sharif and Trump on Wednesday during which the US leader expressed his desire to continue a productive relationship with Pakistan.
Express News Service

COLOMBO: Sanjeev Gardiner, who heads the Gardiner Foundation (GF) in Sri Lanka, has tied up with Brussels-based International Society Nephrology (ISN), to tackle the scourge of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), not just in Sri Lanka, but world-wide.

Sanjeev Gardiner, Chairman of

Galle Face hotel.

The 46 year old Gardiner, who owns the iconic Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, was motivated to take up the cause of CKD patients seeing the havoc CKD is causing in Sri Lankas rice bowl, the North Central Province (NCP).

Sri Lankan doctors estimate that as many as 400,000 people in NCP may be affected by CKD, with five or six out of 100 people affected.

According to some medical experts, 300 to 600 CKD-related deaths occur in Sri Lankan hospitals annually. Some put the number of deaths due to CKD at 5,000 per annum, as many deaths due to CKD are not recorded as such when they occur at home in remote rural areas.

Dr.Asoka Bandarage says that about 20,000 have died of CKD over the past two decades in the NCP alone, with 80 percent of the deaths occurring within two years of diagnosis because of late reporting and diagnosis, lack of dialysis machines, non-availability of pure drinking water, expensiveness of the drugs and poverty.

CKD is not commonly found in other rural areas of Sri Lanka though they have rice cultivation practices and lifestyles similar to the NCP. Some researchers consider the unique hydrochemistry of the drinking water in the NCP to be the reason for the prevalence of CKD there. Others consider the hardness of ground water and the heavy metal retention capacity of the soil in the region to be the causative factors.

Fertilizers and pesticides are also blamed. A study published in January 2010 by a team of Sri Lankan and Japanese scientists hypothesized that the unique hydro-geo-chemistry of the drinking water, especifically high levels of fluoride, is the decisive factor in the emergence of CKD in NCP. The rising temperature in NCP has also caused the problem with people having to drink large quantities of chemically polluted water.

Sri Lanka has a relatively comprehensive and free public state health care system. And yet it finds it difficult to keep pace with the alarming rate of growth of CKD. Only about 5 percent of the governments annual health budget is earmarked for the management of CKD.

Private treatment is extremely costly. According to Dr.Bandarage, in 2005, a kidney patient had to spend approximately LKR 10,000 (US$ 79) for dialysis and LKR 800,000 (approximately US$ 6,320) for a kidney transplant. Each tablet now costs about LKR 350 and that has to be taken without fail and on time.

Kidney donors are extremely difficult to find in Sri Lanka, as kidney sales are illegal here. Until September 2010, kidney donations were accepted only from relatives and members of the clergy. The desperate need for kidneys led to a change in government policy which now allows non-relatives to donate.

CKD in Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, and India have common features: The victims are farm workers; all suffer from a rare form of kidney damage known as tubule-interstitial disease, consistent with severe dehydration and toxic poisoning; and a few suffer from diabetes and hypertension.

In these countries CKD goes undiagnosed as it is insidious disease. It can manifest itself as just a swelling in the ankle or as gastritis. Therefore, it tends to be neglected or incorrectly treated.

Sensing the urgency of the matter, Sri Lankas leading hotelier, Sanjeev Gardiner, tied up his Gardiner Foundation (GF) with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) to start, not just a Sri Lankan, but a global mission, to initiate and ensure the sustainability of multi-faceted activity for the prevention and treatment of CKD.

The ISN-Gardiner Foundation (ISN-GF) is to be inaugurated in Colombo by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on December 19. Last year, the President had appointed Gardiner as the Ambassador for the Prevention of Kidney Diseases. Since CKD is a social and economic problem, and not just a medical one to be tackled only by doctors and the government, the President wanted a private sector person to be the Ambassador and Gardiner was the natural choice.

Gardiner has secured the help of the Indian nephrologist Prof. Georgi Abraham of the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, who is also Consultant and Director of Nephrology at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital in Chennai.

Dr. Georgi Abraham

Known among his patients as a saint for his missionary zeal, Prof.Abraham is involved in the prevention and treatment of CKD both in India and internationally. He was a member of the Governing Council of the ISN between 2005 and 2011.

Gardiner has already contributed LKR 30 million to the anti-CKD campaign. ISN will manage the fund of the ISN-GF and distribute the benefits among the needy countries. This has been done both for transparency and to reap the benefits of globalization of the anti-CKD campaign.

In Sri Lanka, the issues are lack of awareness of the nature of CKD, its symptoms, causes and treatment, besides the non-availability of drugs and equipment. Awareness and preventive measures have to propagated, and more dialysis equipment and Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants to supply purified water have to be set up.

Dialysis machines could be imported from India as these are cheaper. A 10,000 gallons a day RO plant, some of which have been set by GF, can serve 100,000 people.

COLOMBO: Sanjeev Gardiner, who heads the Gardiner Foundation (GF) in Sri Lanka, has tied up with Brussels-based International Society Nephrology (ISN), to tackle the scourge of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), not just in Sri Lanka, but world-wide. Sanjeev Gardiner, Chairman of Galle Face hotel. The 46 year old Gardiner, who owns the iconic Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, was motivated to take up the cause of CKD patients seeing the havoc CKD is causing in Sri Lankas rice bowl, the North Central Province (NCP). Sri Lankan doctors estimate that as many as 400,000 people in NCP may be affected by CKD, with five or six out of 100 people affected. According to some medical experts, 300 to 600 CKD-related deaths occur in Sri Lankan hospitals annually. Some put the number of deaths due to CKD at 5,000 per annum, as many deaths due to CKD are not recorded as such when they occur at home in remote rural areas. Dr.Asoka Bandarage says that about 20,000 have died of CKD over the past two decades in the NCP alone, with 80 percent of the deaths occurring within two years of diagnosis because of late reporting and diagnosis, lack of dialysis machines, non-availability of pure drinking water, expensiveness of the drugs and poverty. CKD is not commonly found in other rural areas of Sri Lanka though they have rice cultivation practices and lifestyles similar to the NCP. Some researchers consider the unique hydrochemistry of the drinking water in the NCP to be the reason for the prevalence of CKD there. Others consider the hardness of ground water and the heavy metal retention capacity of the soil in the region to be the causative factors. Fertilizers and pesticides are also blamed. A study published in January 2010 by a team of Sri Lankan and Japanese scientists hypothesized that the unique hydro-geo-chemistry of the drinking water, especifically high levels of fluoride, is the decisive factor in the emergence of CKD in NCP. The rising temperature in NCP has also caused the problem with people having to drink large quantities of chemically polluted water. Sri Lanka has a relatively comprehensive and free public state health care system. And yet it finds it difficult to keep pace with the alarming rate of growth of CKD. Only about 5 percent of the governments annual health budget is earmarked for the management of CKD. Private treatment is extremely costly. According to Dr.Bandarage, in 2005, a kidney patient had to spend approximately LKR 10,000 (US$ 79) for dialysis and LKR 800,000 (approximately US$ 6,320) for a kidney transplant. Each tablet now costs about LKR 350 and that has to be taken without fail and on time. Kidney donors are extremely difficult to find in Sri Lanka, as kidney sales are illegal here. Until September 2010, kidney donations were accepted only from relatives and members of the clergy. The desperate need for kidneys led to a change in government policy which now allows non-relatives to donate. CKD in Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, and India have common features: The victims are farm workers; all suffer from a rare form of kidney damage known as tubule-interstitial disease, consistent with severe dehydration and toxic poisoning; and a few suffer from diabetes and hypertension. In these countries CKD goes undiagnosed as it is insidious disease. It can manifest itself as just a swelling in the ankle or as gastritis. Therefore, it tends to be neglected or incorrectly treated. Sensing the urgency of the matter, Sri Lankas leading hotelier, Sanjeev Gardiner, tied up his Gardiner Foundation (GF) with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) to start, not just a Sri Lankan, but a global mission, to initiate and ensure the sustainability of multi-faceted activity for the prevention and treatment of CKD. The ISN-Gardiner Foundation (ISN-GF) is to be inaugurated in Colombo by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on December 19. Last year, the President had appointed Gardiner as the Ambassador for the Prevention of Kidney Diseases. Since CKD is a social and economic problem, and not just a medical one to be tackled only by doctors and the government, the President wanted a private sector person to be the Ambassador and Gardiner was the natural choice. Gardiner has secured the help of the Indian nephrologist Prof. Georgi Abraham of the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, who is also Consultant and Director of Nephrology at the Madras Medical Mission Hospital in Chennai. Dr. Georgi AbrahamKnown among his patients as a saint for his missionary zeal, Prof.Abraham is involved in the prevention and treatment of CKD both in India and internationally. He was a member of the Governing Council of the ISN between 2005 and 2011. Gardiner has already contributed LKR 30 million to the anti-CKD campaign. ISN will manage the fund of the ISN-GF and distribute the benefits among the needy countries. This has been done both for transparency and to reap the benefits of globalization of the anti-CKD campaign. In Sri Lanka, the issues are lack of awareness of the nature of CKD, its symptoms, causes and treatment, besides the non-availability of drugs and equipment. Awareness and preventive measures have to propagated, and more dialysis equipment and Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants to supply purified water have to be set up. Dialysis machines could be imported from India as these are cheaper. A 10,000 gallons a day RO plant, some of which have been set by GF, can serve 100,000 people.
By Express News Service

COLOMBO: The way Ceylonese politicians handled the Indian Tamil issue in the two decades prior to Ceylons independence, set the tone for the countrys post-independence political history marked by majoritarianism, says human rights activist, Dr.Rajan Hoole.

In a paper read out at a function to mark the 85th.anniversary of the Donoughmore constitution here late last month, Dr.Hoole said that Sinhalese members of the Legislative Council, Francis Molamure and D.S.Senanayake, defeated the principle of universal suffrage by introducing the criteria of domicile and literacy with a view to deny the vote to the Indian Tamil estate labor. This laid the foundation for ethnic and other forms of discrimination in post-independence Sri Lankan politics, he argues.

By the time of the Donoughmore proposals (1928-29), an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the Indian Tamil population were born in Ceylon, and would have, in time, qualified for domicile. And their right to be treated as equal British subjects in Ceylon was part of the 1923 treaty with India governing migration of labour.

In February 1940, Home Member SWRD Bandaranaike wanted the new Legal Secretary, Robert Drayton, to move legislation requiring inquisitorial conditions for registration, such as, the registrant should be owning a business here for ten or fifteen years and married and settled down here. But Drayton declined.

But Bandaranaikes truculence was rewarded when Governor Andrew Caldecott cited growing unrest to postpone the January 1941 election by two years, Dr.Hoole observes.

Bandaranaike had earlier told the House: Nothing will please me more than to see the last Indian leaving the shores of Ceylon...[in which event], I will die a happy man.

What Bandaranaike actually wanted was Indian labor without rights. I love the fruits of Indian labour without the Indians, he said.

Indian labour, as Bandaranaike stated again during the 1948 debate on the Citizenship Bill, was cheap, efficient and docile.

Here there was a consensus between British planter interests and Ceylonese legislators, several of whom were also planters using Indian labor. Indian labor was essential and therefore, the legislature routinely approved permits for their import. It was when Indian Tamils were set to vote under the Donoughmore reforms, that members of the Sinhalese Establishment got alarmed.

When Nehrus visit to Ceylon in 1939 resulted in India banning the export of labour, Sinhalese leaders were dismayed, Dr.Hoole points out.

After all they came cheap. The Public Works department hired them at 40 cents a day, when local labour was hard to obtain for a rupee a day. It was almost slave labour, and when the Citizenship Bill was before Parliament, Senanayake and Bandaranaike graciously pledged the continued employment of the Indian labour, but with no civic rights. .

It was when Sinhalese leaders proposed an Immigration Bill in March 1941 that the British Governor, Andrew Caldecott ,for the first time, advised the House comprehensively of Ceylons treaty obligation from before 1923. The Governor cited a leaflet of 1930 with translations in Telugu and Tamil issued by the Government of Ceylon with Indias approval, which stated: Indians in Ceylon have the same legal rights as the local population.

This had been the accepted basis on which the House had continually granted licences to import Indian labour.

Opposing this ,Bandaranaike said that several Kandyan electorates would elect low caste Sinhalese socialists on the Indian vote. Nationalist leaders feared the emerging social disposition of representation consequent to the enfranchisement of Indian labour, and the rise of an organised Left in the Lanka Sama Samaja Party from 1935.

By 1943, with the war on the way to being won, Britain was preparing to ditch the Indian immigrant population. Its Declaration of 1943 the British invited Ceylons ministers to prepare a draft constitution in anticipation of Dominion Status.

The Soulbury Commission, in its report of August 1945, largely rubber-stamped the Ceylonese Ministers draft; and crucially left the migrants citizenship and franchise matters for the Government of Ceylon, in the disingenuous hope that the Ceylon Government has the ability and desire to assimilate the Indian community and make it part of a single nation.

When the Soulbury constitution was adopted in November 1945 by the State Council, many councillors were uncomfortable. A superannuated Council, not empowered to pass even minor finance bills, was adopting a new constitution.

In 1948 the Government as a priority, moved a Citizenship Bill, not to affirm civic rights of the native born as in India and Britain, but to take away those of Indian labour. The Bill was passed 53 to 35.

Legal Secretary Drayton told the Council: May I suggestthat the disfranchisement of a category of persons in any country is a serious step for anybody to take? Once having given the vote or at least, or once having established the theoretical position of persons being able to prove their right to vote, it is taking a very serious step to withdraw that right under the law.

After the 1949 Franchise Act, our leaders simply deleted from the electoral register persons presumed to be of Indian descent and placed on them the burden of proof to get back on to the list.

To distinguish between the rights of two persons born in Lanka, the Act entailed going into ancestry, which is unpleasant and an uncertain business, and manifests, besides, a racial principle. Then the question, how many generations? A cut-off date of birth, necessary for exclusion to work, led to cases of the elder sibling becoming a citizen and the younger, stateless. So crass was the idea that the Federation of Malaya Agreement of January 1948 did not venture into denial of citizenship, Dr.Hoole points out.

COLOMBO: The way Ceylonese politicians handled the Indian Tamil issue in the two decades prior to Ceylons independence, set the tone for the countrys post-independence political history marked by majoritarianism, says human rights activist, Dr.Rajan Hoole. In a paper read out at a function to mark the 85th.anniversary of the Donoughmore constitution here late last month, Dr.Hoole said that Sinhalese members of the Legislative Council, Francis Molamure and D.S.Senanayake, defeated the principle of universal suffrage by introducing the criteria of domicile and literacy with a view to deny the vote to the Indian Tamil estate labor. This laid the foundation for ethnic and other forms of discrimination in post-independence Sri Lankan politics, he argues. By the time of the Donoughmore proposals (1928-29), an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the Indian Tamil population were born in Ceylon, and would have, in time, qualified for domicile. And their right to be treated as equal British subjects in Ceylon was part of the 1923 treaty with India governing migration of labour. In February 1940, Home Member SWRD Bandaranaike wanted the new Legal Secretary, Robert Drayton, to move legislation requiring inquisitorial conditions for registration, such as, the registrant should be owning a business here for ten or fifteen years and married and settled down here. But Drayton declined. But Bandaranaikes truculence was rewarded when Governor Andrew Caldecott cited growing unrest to postpone the January 1941 election by two years, Dr.Hoole observes. Bandaranaike had earlier told the House: Nothing will please me more than to see the last Indian leaving the shores of Ceylon...[in which event], I will die a happy man. What Bandaranaike actually wanted was Indian labor without rights. I love the fruits of Indian labour without the Indians, he said. Indian labour, as Bandaranaike stated again during the 1948 debate on the Citizenship Bill, was cheap, efficient and docile. Here there was a consensus between British planter interests and Ceylonese legislators, several of whom were also planters using Indian labor. Indian labor was essential and therefore, the legislature routinely approved permits for their import. It was when Indian Tamils were set to vote under the Donoughmore reforms, that members of the Sinhalese Establishment got alarmed. When Nehrus visit to Ceylon in 1939 resulted in India banning the export of labour, Sinhalese leaders were dismayed, Dr.Hoole points out. After all they came cheap. The Public Works department hired them at 40 cents a day, when local labour was hard to obtain for a rupee a day. It was almost slave labour, and when the Citizenship Bill was before Parliament, Senanayake and Bandaranaike graciously pledged the continued employment of the Indian labour, but with no civic rights. . It was when Sinhalese leaders proposed an Immigration Bill in March 1941 that the British Governor, Andrew Caldecott ,for the first time, advised the House comprehensively of Ceylons treaty obligation from before 1923. The Governor cited a leaflet of 1930 with translations in Telugu and Tamil issued by the Government of Ceylon with Indias approval, which stated: Indians in Ceylon have the same legal rights as the local population. This had been the accepted basis on which the House had continually granted licences to import Indian labour. Opposing this ,Bandaranaike said that several Kandyan electorates would elect low caste Sinhalese socialists on the Indian vote. Nationalist leaders feared the emerging social disposition of representation consequent to the enfranchisement of Indian labour, and the rise of an organised Left in the Lanka Sama Samaja Party from 1935. By 1943, with the war on the way to being won, Britain was preparing to ditch the Indian immigrant population. Its Declaration of 1943 the British invited Ceylons ministers to prepare a draft constitution in anticipation of Dominion Status. The Soulbury Commission, in its report of August 1945, largely rubber-stamped the Ceylonese Ministers draft; and crucially left the migrants citizenship and franchise matters for the Government of Ceylon, in the disingenuous hope that the Ceylon Government has the ability and desire to assimilate the Indian community and make it part of a single nation. When the Soulbury constitution was adopted in November 1945 by the State Council, many councillors were uncomfortable. A superannuated Council, not empowered to pass even minor finance bills, was adopting a new constitution. In 1948 the Government as a priority, moved a Citizenship Bill, not to affirm civic rights of the native born as in India and Britain, but to take away those of Indian labour. The Bill was passed 53 to 35. Legal Secretary Drayton told the Council: May I suggestthat the disfranchisement of a category of persons in any country is a serious step for anybody to take? Once having given the vote or at least, or once having established the theoretical position of persons being able to prove their right to vote, it is taking a very serious step to withdraw that right under the law. After the 1949 Franchise Act, our leaders simply deleted from the electoral register persons presumed to be of Indian descent and placed on them the burden of proof to get back on to the list. To distinguish between the rights of two persons born in Lanka, the Act entailed going into ancestry, which is unpleasant and an uncertain business, and manifests, besides, a racial principle. Then the question, how many generations? A cut-off date of birth, necessary for exclusion to work, led to cases of the elder sibling becoming a citizen and the younger, stateless. So crass was the idea that the Federation of Malaya Agreement of January 1948 did not venture into denial of citizenship, Dr.Hoole points out.
By AFP

SANTIAGO DE CUBA: The convoy carrying the ashes of Cuba's late communist leader Fidel Castro capped an island-wide journey on Saturday, reaching the cradle of his revolution for a big ceremony before his burial.

Massive crowds cheered as the olive-green jeep that has pulled the cedar urn with Castro's ashes across Cuba since Wednesday rolled into Santiago de Cuba.

The convoy's first stop was in Cespedes Park, in front of the same building where Castro, standing on the balcony, delivered a victory speech following his revolution's triumph in 1959.

The crowd, like others along the four-day, 900-kilometer (560-mile) trip from Havana, chanted "I am Fidel!" after a series of Castro speeches played on a giant screen.

President Raul Castro, who took over when his brother fell ill in 2006, will deliver a much-awaited speech during a massive tribute with foreign dignitaries in the eastern city on Saturday evening.

After a nine-day mourning period, the remains will be interred in a private ceremony on Sunday at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where 19th century independence hero Jose Marti is buried.

Fidel Castro's death on November 25 at age 90 has fueled discussions about his divisive legacy and the direction that the country may take without the omnipresent leader, who ruled for almost half a century.

Tearful supporters have cheered Fidel Castro for the free education and health care he spread in the island, while detractors call him a brutal dictator who imprisoned dissidents and ran the economy to the ground.

Children in school uniform, veterans in military fatigues and entire families waved Cuba's flags and chanted "Fidel!" as the ashes arrived in Santiago.

"He has been the father of all Cubans and all the people in need in the world," said Margarita Aguilera, the 54-year-old director of a state tobacco company who painted the words "farewell, comandante" on a white stone in front of a house.

The government had already led a huge rally with two dozen foreign presidents in Havana on Tuesday, but Santiago holds a special place in Castro's life.

"This is the cradle. Everything started here," said Victor Rivera Coca, 52, a cook who came from the town of Las Tunas with his wife and three-year-old son.

On July 26, 1953, the Castro brothers launched a failed attack on the Moncada military barracks in Santiago.

While the rebels were jailed, the attack put Castro on the map and he would eventually go into exile in Mexico.

"Condemn me, it does not matter," the trained lawyer had famously said at his trial. "History will absolve me."

Three years after the Moncada defeat, the Castro brothers and their band of bearded rebels returned to Cuba aboard a ship named Granma. On Friday, Cuba marked 60 years since the yacht landed in a southeastern beach.

The rebels fled into the Sierra Maestra mountains, launching a guerrilla war that would end in triumph against US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista on January 1, 1959.

Following their victory, Castro celebrated by touring the island from Santiago to Havana. This week, the "caravan of freedom" took his ashes on the reverse route.

While hundreds of thousands of people have gathered along the road to bid farewell, the government has also encouraged Cubans to sign a pledge to defend his revolution.

Dissidents, meanwhile, have kept a low profile during the commemorations, calling off regular protests, though they plan to resume their demonstrations after Fidel Castro is buried.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA: The convoy carrying the ashes of Cuba's late communist leader Fidel Castro capped an island-wide journey on Saturday, reaching the cradle of his revolution for a big ceremony before his burial. Massive crowds cheered as the olive-green jeep that has pulled the cedar urn with Castro's ashes across Cuba since Wednesday rolled into Santiago de Cuba. The convoy's first stop was in Cespedes Park, in front of the same building where Castro, standing on the balcony, delivered a victory speech following his revolution's triumph in 1959. The crowd, like others along the four-day, 900-kilometer (560-mile) trip from Havana, chanted "I am Fidel!" after a series of Castro speeches played on a giant screen. President Raul Castro, who took over when his brother fell ill in 2006, will deliver a much-awaited speech during a massive tribute with foreign dignitaries in the eastern city on Saturday evening. After a nine-day mourning period, the remains will be interred in a private ceremony on Sunday at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where 19th century independence hero Jose Marti is buried. Fidel Castro's death on November 25 at age 90 has fueled discussions about his divisive legacy and the direction that the country may take without the omnipresent leader, who ruled for almost half a century. Tearful supporters have cheered Fidel Castro for the free education and health care he spread in the island, while detractors call him a brutal dictator who imprisoned dissidents and ran the economy to the ground. Children in school uniform, veterans in military fatigues and entire families waved Cuba's flags and chanted "Fidel!" as the ashes arrived in Santiago. "He has been the father of all Cubans and all the people in need in the world," said Margarita Aguilera, the 54-year-old director of a state tobacco company who painted the words "farewell, comandante" on a white stone in front of a house. The government had already led a huge rally with two dozen foreign presidents in Havana on Tuesday, but Santiago holds a special place in Castro's life. "This is the cradle. Everything started here," said Victor Rivera Coca, 52, a cook who came from the town of Las Tunas with his wife and three-year-old son. On July 26, 1953, the Castro brothers launched a failed attack on the Moncada military barracks in Santiago. While the rebels were jailed, the attack put Castro on the map and he would eventually go into exile in Mexico. "Condemn me, it does not matter," the trained lawyer had famously said at his trial. "History will absolve me." Three years after the Moncada defeat, the Castro brothers and their band of bearded rebels returned to Cuba aboard a ship named Granma. On Friday, Cuba marked 60 years since the yacht landed in a southeastern beach. The rebels fled into the Sierra Maestra mountains, launching a guerrilla war that would end in triumph against US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista on January 1, 1959. Following their victory, Castro celebrated by touring the island from Santiago to Havana. This week, the "caravan of freedom" took his ashes on the reverse route. While hundreds of thousands of people have gathered along the road to bid farewell, the government has also encouraged Cubans to sign a pledge to defend his revolution. Dissidents, meanwhile, have kept a low profile during the commemorations, calling off regular protests, though they plan to resume their demonstrations after Fidel Castro is buried.
Food deals, seals and the 'Karate Kid': Can't-miss events this weekend

Get your fill at area restaurants, watch some seals, laugh at a comedy show, take in a concert and maybe even leave Newport County for some fun.
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The American Cancer Society (ACS), the largest non-government, not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States, has approved funding for three new research grants totaling over $1.7 million to investigators at Yale University. These grants are among 11 new projects in effect across New England as of January 1, 2017 totaling more than $4.4 million dollars.

Lucia Jilaveanu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) at Yale Cancer Center, is the recipient of one such research grant for her study entitled "Inherent Tropism and/or Immune Modulation in Melanoma Brain Metastasis." Her research will focus on two molecules, PLEKHA5 and CEACAM1, to identify a more targeted treatment option for melanoma that has spread to the brain. Patients with metastatic melanoma have exceedingly limited therapeutic options since historically they have been excluded from clinical trials. The goal is to show a clear role of PLEKHA5 and/or CEACAM1 in the development of melanoma brain metastasis and eventually develop a targeted treatment option for this patient population. Findings from this study may also have an impact on other cancers, including lung cancer.

Yale School of Medicine's Ayman El-Guindy, PhD and Joseph Liberman, PhD also received funding through this grant mechanism. They will be studying "Regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus Late Gene Expression" and "Determining the Structural Basis for RNA Splicing Fidelity," respectively.

The Society's Chief Executive Officer, Gary Reedy, recently announced that the organization intends to double its annual research funding by 2021, which will result in an annual increase of approximately $240 million by 2021. The organization currently spends about $100 million per year in new grants to academic research institutions and another $15 to $20 million annually in research by ACS investigators in cancer epidemiology, surveillance and health services, behavioral research, and economics and health policy.
The "reproducibility crisis" in biomedical research has led to questions about the scientific rigor in animal research, and thus the ethical justification of animal experiments. In research publishing in the Open Access journals PLOS Biology and PLOS ONE on December 2nd, 2016, researchers from the University of Bern have assessed scientific rigor in animal experimentation in Switzerland. The study, commissioned by the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), found widespread deficiencies in the reporting of experimental methodology.

In a first step, PhD student Lucile Vogt and postdoc Thomas Reichlin from the Division of Animal Welfare at the Vetsuisse Faculty in Bern screened all 1,277 approved applications for animal experiments in Switzerland in 2008, 2010 and 2012, as well as a random sample of 50 scientific publications resulting from studies described in the applications. The materials were assessed to determine whether seven basic methods that can help combat experimental bias were reported (including randomization, blinding, and sample size calculation). Appropriate use and understanding of these methods is a prerequisite for unbiased, scientifically valid results, says lead author Prof. Hanno Wurbel, director of the Division of Animal Welfare.

As published in their PLOS Biology study, explicit evidence that these methods were used either in the applications for animal experiments or in the subsequent publications was scarce. For example, fewer than 20% of applications and publications mentioned whether a sample size calculation had been performed (8% in applications, 0% in publications), whether the animals had been assigned randomly to treatment groups (13% in applications, 17% in publications), and whether outcome assessment had been conducted blind to treatment (3% in applications, 11% in publications).

Animal experiments are authorized based on the explicit understanding that they will provide significant new knowledge and that animals will suffer no unnecessary harm. Thus, scientific rigor is a fundamental prerequisite for the ethical justification of animal experiments. Based on this study, the current practice of authorizing animal experiments appears to rest on an assumption of scientific rigor, rather than on evidence that it is applied. The authors of this study recommend more education and training in good research practice and scientific integrity for all those involved in this process.

Although the initial results found that fewer than 20 percent of applications and publications used methods to control for bias, that didn't necessarily mean that more than 80 percent of animal studies failed to include methods to combat bias, and therefore use animals for potentially inconclusive research. "It is possible that the researchers did use these methods but did not mention them in their applications and publications," says study director Hanno Wurbel. "So we decided to ask the researchers."

The researchers used an online survey for all 1,891 animal researchers registered in the central online information system of the FSVO who were involved with ongoing experiments. Among other questions, researchers were asked what bias-reducing methods they normally use when conducting animal experiments and which of these they had explicitly reported in their latest scientific publication.

According to the researchers' responses, as published in their PLOS ONE study, the use of methods against bias is considerably higher than reported in the animal research applications and publications. 86% of the participants claimed to assign animals randomly to treatment groups, but only 44% answered that they had reported this in their latest publication. The same applies to the other measures, for example, for sample size calculation (69% claimed to be doing this, but only 18% say they reported it in their latest publication) and for blinded outcome assessment (47% vs. 27%).

Taken together, the researchers draw two conclusions from these results: on the one hand, reporting in animal research applications or publications may underestimate the use of bias-reducing methods. On the other hand, the researchers may overestimate their use of appropriate methods. "We found considerably fewer publications with explicit evidence of the use of measures against risks of bias than claimed by the researchers", says Wurbel. For example, 44% of the participants claimed to have reported randomization in their latest publication, but Wurbel's team found evidence of randomization in only 17% of publications.
National surveys in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia reveal exceptional progress against HIV, with decreasing rates of new infection, stable numbers of people living with HIV, and more than half of all those living with HIV showing viral suppression through use of antiretroviral medication. For those on antiretroviral medication, viral suppression is close to 90 percent. Thirty-five years into the global HIV epidemic, these findings are a clear sign of progress and source of hope for the rest of the world.

These data are the first to emerge from the Population HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) Project, a unique, multi-country initiative funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The Project deploys household surveys, which measure the reach and impact of HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in select countries. ICAP at Columbia University is implementing the PHIA Project in close collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with ministries of health.

Importantly, the data positively demonstrate that the 90-90-90 global targets set forth by UNAIDS in 2014 are attainable, even in some of the poorest countries in the world. According to these ambitious targets for 2020, the goal is for 90 percent of people with HIV to be diagnosed, 90 percent of those diagnosed to receive HIV treatment, and 90 percent of those on treatment to be effectively treated and achieve suppression of their infection. This would translate to 73 percent of all HIV-positive people being virally suppressed. The data show that once diagnosed, individuals are accessing treatment, staying on treatment, and their viral load levels are suppressed to levels that maintain their health and dramatically decrease transmission to others.

"The effects of HIV have been far-reaching. But these outcomes affirm that global, country, and U.S.-supported HIV efforts have been successful to date, and that strong progress is being made across the entire HIV continuum of care, including excellent durability of first line treatment regimens with high adherence to medications," said Ambassador Deborah Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

The PHIA Project surveys describe national HIV epidemics by looking at HIV incidence (the rate of new infections), HIV prevalence (the percent of the population living with HIV), and the prevalence of viral load suppression (a measure of a well-controlled HIV infection), all through a nationally-representative sample of the population. Additional measures in the surveys look at the proportion of those with HIV who have been tested and who are on treatment.

The household surveys of approximately 80,000 adults and children in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia were conducted in 2016. Results show that the rate of new infections is less than one percent per year. HIV prevalence, at 10 to 14 percent, is similar to 2010 estimates, and more than half of all adults living with HIV have viral load suppression. Compared to 2003 incidence estimates for the same three countries of between 1.3 and 1.5 percent per year, the current rate of new HIV infections has been cut in half during the past 13 years, when effective HIV treatment became available in sub-Saharan Africa largely through support from PEPFAR.

"The survey was designed to identify the rate of new infections at the national level, as well as to estimate the number of people living with HIV," said Dr. Jessica Justman, PHIA principal investigator and senior technical director at ICAP. "This information is critically important to determining future resource needs."

Preliminary data analyses show that, as of 2016:

In Zimbabwe, among adults ages 15 to 64, HIV incidence is 0.45 percent; HIV prevalence is 14.6 percent (16.7 percent among females and 12.4 percent among males); 60.4 percent of all HIV-positive people are virally suppressed, and 86 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.

In Malawi, among adults ages 15 to 64, HIV incidence is 0.37 percent; HIV prevalence is 10.6 percent (12.8 percent among females and 8.2 percent among males); 67.6 percent of all HIV-positive people are virally suppressed, and 91 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.

In Zambia, among adults ages 15 to 59 years, HIV incidence is 0.66 percent; HIV prevalence is 12.3 percent (14.9 percent among females and 9.5 percent among males); 59.8 percent of all HIV-positive people are virally suppressed, and 89 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed.

"The partnership with the ministries of health has been fundamental to the success of the surveys," said Dr. Shannon Hader, director of the Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis at CDC. "This kind of information has not been available before and the ministries are eager to use the survey results to inform their policies and programs."

With high HIV prevalence estimates of 10 to14 percent, these three countries continue to bear a substantial HIV burden. Nonetheless, with prevalence stabilizing and incidence falling, the PHIA survey results suggest that people living with HIV are living longer thanks to effective and accessible treatment.

"It is heartening to see the impressive viral suppression noted in the three countries among those on treatment," said Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, global director of ICAP. "Viral suppression is critical for the well-being of people living with HIV and for preventing HIV transmission to others."

The results from the first three PHIA surveys compel the global community to strengthen its efforts to reach those who have yet to receive an HIV test and to engage, support, and enable those who test HIV-positive to start and stay on effective treatment in order to achieve long-term viral suppression.

"Importantly, the PHIA surveys point to what still needs to be done, who we need to reach, and where we must focus our efforts, in order to build on these achievements," Ambassador Birx added. "The findings will guide an effective response to the epidemic."
David Morris of Alexandria, Virginia has a fascinating job that takes him all over the world. So when arthritis and unrelenting knee pain put a crimp in his active lifestyle, he thought it was time to consider knee replacement.

As a forensic psychologist with a PhD, he was accustomed to doing extensive research for his work. Putting his skills to use, he set out to find the best hospital and physician for the surgery. After consulting with a number of doctors, he decided to travel to New York City to see Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, a joint replacement specialist and research director of Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery.

"I saw several different doctors in several different states before I made a decision, as I am very wary of surgeries, especially when it can hinder my work," Dr. Morris explained. As a forensic psychologist, he designs personnel testing and other selection systems so private companies, public agencies, and even governments can find the best employees. His career has taken him to hotspots around the world, including Iraq, where he helped the country rebuild its police force and intelligence operations.

But in the past few years, his knee problems were slowing him down. He began walking with a limp and had trouble climbing stairs. Since he had no intention of giving up his work or his active lifestyle, he set out to find a hospital and an orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience in joint replacement.

"I know in my field it's all about experience, and I learned that's how it is in orthopedic surgery, too," Dr. Morris said. "The Hospital for Special Surgery and Dr. Westrich came out on top in terms of sheer numbers. Each knee reconstruction is probably unique in some way, and a surgeon who's performed many knee replacements will likely be able to deal with whatever challenge may come their way."

Dr. Westrich determined that Dr. Morris was a candidate for a partial knee replacement, which was just what he wanted to hear. He had learned from his research that the rehabilitation and recovery after this type of surgery is generally faster compared to a total knee replacement.

The damage was limited to one area of his knee and did not affect the entire joint. "Patients who qualify for a partial joint replacement generally experience less pain right after surgery and have a quicker recovery and rehabilitation," Dr. Westrich says. "Yet the procedure completely relieves arthritis pain and allows patients to return to activities they were forced to give up. Another advantage is that it preserves the normal bone and cartilage in the rest of the knee that would typically be replaced in a total joint procedure."

The right diagnosis is key. To qualify for a partial joint replacement, also called a "unicompartmental" knee replacement, the arthritis must be confined to a specific area. The knee has three compartments - medial, lateral, and patellofemoral (kneecap region) - and arthritis can involve one, two or all three areas. One would be a candidate for a partial joint replacement if only the inner (medial), outer (lateral), or patellofemoral part of the knee is damaged, independent of the other compartments. Patients whose arthritis is widespread (in more than one compartment) would need a total knee replacement.

Dr. Morris says his recovery was everything he had hoped for. He had the surgery on a Thursday, left the hospital the next day, and by Monday attended a business meeting in New York. "It was like a miracle. I thought the recovery was amazing, it was so fast," he recalls.

Six weeks later, he traveled to Moldova, an Eastern European country, where he was invited to speak on how to strengthen that nation's internal security. Now, less than six months after surgery, Dr. Morris, who is 71, says he has no intention of slowing down. "My travels are kicked back into high gear again."
Srinagar: Panic has gripped Chancer village of Kulgam district after a civilian was killed during a counter-insurgency operation on Friday evening.



Assadullah Kumar, a government official working in the fisheries department, was caught in the crossfire between terrorists and security forces.



Seeking explanation form the administration, thousands of people on Saturday came out on roads, protesting on the matter.



The public is questioning the authorities as to why the body of Kumar was sent to his home almost naked. Meanwhile, the locals have blocked the Jammu-Srinagar Highway at a place called Veso while protesting with Kumar's body which according to them bore torture marks.



Asadullah Kumar, who died on Friday, is survived by two sons and a wife.



Meanwhile, the administration has assured an investigation into the case.







Earlier, an injured Kumar was taken to the hospital in Kulgam where he was declared brought dead by the doctors.



Further, two terrorists are believed to be holed up in the area.







Meanwhile, the firing from both the ends has stopped in the region.



In another incident, the BSF jawans killed an intruder in Bamiyal area across the International Border on Dinda post in Pujab's Pathankot.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will on Sunday jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which will see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries, a Ministry of External Affairs official said.

Modi and Ghani will hold bilateral talks before the joint inauguration.

In a last minute change in schedule, Pakistans Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar on Saturday evening. An official in Islamabad earlier attributed the change in his travel schedule to uncertain weather forecast for Sunday.

The Pakistan top diplomat was originally scheduled to arrive in Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.

Stay tuned for more updates:

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Sartaj Aziz, strategist and advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will be attending the meet on December 4. However, no bilateral meet is expected between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations on December 4.

In the wake of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, India is likely to isolate Pakistan in the two-day Heart of Asia summit (December 3-4) in Amritsar on Saturday.This is for the first time, after Uri and Nagrota terror attacks, senior diplomats from Pakistan are attending a seminar in India. India will look to step up efforts to corner Pakistan diplomatically and mobilise support for concrete action against state-sponsored terrorism.Pakistan is on the back foot after the man (Kashmiri militant leader Burhan Wani) they hailed as the martyr of Kashmir was exposed on CNN-News18 as a terrorist in the Burhan tapes. Tapes revealed that a few days before his killing, Burhan had spoken to Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed seeking his "blessings" and offered to put up a united front of LeT and his own Hizbul Mujahideen in their jehad against Indian security forces.Since, Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is suffering from kidney ailments, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley represented India in the group's sixth ministerial conference.More than 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries from UAE, China, Iran, USA, Canada, Russia and France besides the EU participated in the conference.One of the main objectives of the summit is to focus on developmental issues in the war-ravaged Afghanistan besides containing terrorism."We are pleased that India is hosting this year's Heart of Asia Conference. The meeting is an opportunity for the United States and all countries in attendance to discuss our shared commitment to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan," statement issued by the Office of Special Representative reads.In 2015, the Heart of Asia ministerial conference was held in Islamabad and then Sushma Swaraj had attended the meet.
The Mehbooba Mufti government on Saturday has instituted a magisterial probe into the killing of an Fisheries Department employee in alleged security force firing in Kulgam. Police said the civilian was killed in a cross fire between militants and forces.The magisterial inquiry will be conducted by Assistant Commissioner Revenue Shahnawaz Ahmed. The government assured protesters that victims family will also get the ex-gratia and a job under SRO 43.The killing of Fisheries Department guard Asadullah Kumhar sparked a massive protest in his native Chancer village of South Kashmirs Kulgam district.Family members of Kumhar who was killed last night after government forces laid a siege in the village demanded an impartial probe to bring his killers to justice.Angry villagers who participated in the funeral procession staged massive anti-Army and anti-government protest.They alleged that Kumhar was killed by government forces.He was killed in cold blood by Army when they failed to neutralize the militants. It is a lie that he was killed in a cross fire," a protester said at Vessu where they had blocked the Jammu-Srinagar Highway.Police earlier said the civilian was killed in cross firing between fleeing militants and forces.Irate protesters placed the dead body on the highway and stopped traffic at for about two hours.Kulgam's Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ajaz with SP Sridhar Patil pacified the protesters by declaring magisterial inquiry into the incident.Following massive protests, the cordon around the village was lifted this morning but militants had managed to give the slip.
Afghan Ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali in an exclusive interview to CNN-News18's Parikshit Luthra said that Pakistan must make genuine efforts to fight terror. He said, there should be no good or bad terrorists and the fight against terror groups should continue.



Here's the full interview:



Do you get a sense that Heart of Asia declaration will have a strong wording on terror?



We had an excellent technical discussion today on the declaration we had drafted. We discussed all aspects including fighting terror in all its forms. There was exception cooperation among nations



Is terrorism the biggest threat to regional prosperity?



This is the question of survival of the entire region. There was consensus that we should fight terror with all we have for afghanistan and the entire region. That was manifested in our discussion. We all agree on a common fight, on threats to everyone, on various outfits and that they are all terrorist groups



But the counter terror framework we are talking about has to do with our security experts. We agreed that draft framework will be circulated among 12 counter terrorism CBM countries and they will work on implementation



Afghanistan and India have always said that there can be no good or bad terrorists. But Pakistan has been making a differentiation between Good and bad terrorists. How do you react to audio tapes of Burhan Wani speaking to Hafiz Saeed?



I fully agree that there should be no good or bad terrorists. That's why we have no definition in the joint declaration. We will never agree on a definition that says there are Good or bad terrorists. The joint declaration will say that fight against terrorism in all forms must intensify



Do you think Pakistan is sincere about fighting terror?



We have to make sure that unless we have genuine and sincere effort we will not succeed. If there is no sincerity it will mean one day terror will affect everyone in the region. If we distinguish between terror groups we will all suffer. We hope no one will think in that way



The fact that Pakistan based terror groups and the mastermind of 26/11 is speaking to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir what does that say about Pakistan?



We have made it clear that there can be no compromise. Whosever makes distinction between terrorists will fail and will themselves be damaged eventually



Indian and Pakistan are not talking. Do you agree with India's stand that talks and terror can't go together? Do you feel time for dialogue is over?



There is no doubt that finding solution cannot only be through military activities, but I also understand that talks and terror cannot go on forever. This phenomena has to end. That we have talks and then terror, this is increasing day by day.



Would you agree with PM Modi when he says that the epicenter of terror is in our region and that is Pakistan?



There is no doubt about terrorism in the region and about cross border terror affecting india and Afghanistan, the solution is in our region and we have to find the solution and bring peace to our country and that to the region.








Punjab: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani note in the visitors' book at the Golden Temple in Amritsar pic.twitter.com/IxRu6fwaVZ  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

Punjab: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab CM, Deputy CM & Union Min Harsimrat Kaur Badal also present pic.twitter.com/MDKN7qunSY  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

#WATCH : Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves 'langar' at the Golden temple in Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/gf9Dn1Meen  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

: On the sidelines of the ongoing Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference in Punjab's Amritsar town, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday served 'langar' at the Golden Temple.Both Prime Minister Modi and Afghanistan President Ghani walked through the renovated heritage corridor of the historic temple soon after arriving in Amritsar.Braving cold weather, Ghani and Modi offered prayers at the most holy place of the Sikh religion and wrote remarks in the visitor's book maintained by the Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee.The Golden Temple authorities honoured the two leaders by offering them 24 carat gold replica of the temple and a set of five books besides a 'siropa' (a piece of saffron cloth offered to dignitaries at a Sikh religious place or function) and shawl.Keeping in view the two leaders' visit, the temple premises was decorated with different types of lights and flowers. Large number of people, waiting for hours, welcomed Modi and Ghani as they reached the Golden temple.The prime minister arrived in Amritsar on Saturday evening and met the Afghanistan President for talks on bilateral issues.While Modi was received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State V.K. Singh, Ghani was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.
Amritsar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday evening for talks on bilateral issues on the sidelines of an international conference for peace and stability in the war-ravaged Afghanistan, an official said.



Modi will reach Amritsar in the evening and Ghani is also expected in the Punjab city around the same time. The two leaders and other world dignitaries attending the conference are likely to pay obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple.



"This evening I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said in a tweet.



Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which sees over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs told IANS.



Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.



Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to arrive on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference. Aziz would return on the same day.



Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.



India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time.



To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner to the visiting dignitaries at its ambitious project heritage village named "Sadda Pind", or our village, on the outskirts of this city, bordering Pakistan.



Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner, hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.



Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia Process, while the conference host country holds the "co-chair" position.


Visakhapatnam: Talks are underway with the Andhra Pradesh government to convert INS Viraat, the oldest aircraft carrier operated by the Indian Navy, into a luxury hotel-cum-museum after its decommissioning.



The carrier is expected to berth on the coast here by mid-2017.



Addressing mediapersons onboard INS Shakti here ahead of Navy Day celebrations tomorrow, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht said AP was the top contender for getting the majestic warship.



The AP government had shown keen interest on getting INS Viraat to berth in Vizag for promotion of tourism once it is decommissioned and turning it into a ship museum, he said.



"In a recent meeting with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada, I discussed the modalities and financial feasibility to convert INS-Viraat into a museum-cum-star hotel," Bisht said.



According to sources, the state government has drawn up plans to convert INS Viraat into a 500-room hotel.



INS Viraat is likely to be decommissioned by end of 2016 or some time next year after 55 years of service, including 27 years with the Royal Navy (British Navy).



It served as the flagship of Royal Navy's task force during the Falkland Islands campaign in 1982 and was decommissioned from active duty in 1985. It was Inducted into Indian Navy in 1987 after undergoing extensive refits.



Speaking about ongoing projects, the chief of ENC said that India's first indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant was still undergoing various sea trials and it would take more time for commissioning it into the Navy.



INS Arihant is capable of carrying nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, the class referred to as Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN). Arihant was launched on July 26, 2009 on the occasion of the anniversary of Vijay Diwas (Kargil War) by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.



Also, INS Arihant is to be the first of the expected five in the class of submarines designed and constructed as a part of the Indian Navy's secretive Advanced Technology Vessel project, he said.



Regarding Navy Alternative Operational Base (NAOB) at Rambilli here which would be made the submarine headquarters, Bisht said land acquisition and resettlement issues were being finalised by the state government.










Bengaluru: A routine income tax raid in the Karnataka capital is now beginning to pose an existential threat to the Congress government in the state with the chief minister Siddaramaiah having to answer some embarrassing questions.



IT sleuths had unearthed around Rs 150 crore in unaccounted property and cash  Rs 5.7 crore was in new notes of Rs 2,000  at the palatial residences of two state government engineers on Thursday. Within minutes, the tremors were felt in Belgaum in the Maharashtra border where the state Assembly was in session.



Local media has speculated that the two engineers  Chikkarayappa and SC Jayachandra  are close to CM Siddaramaiah. The Opposition BJP and JDS stalled both the houses of state legislature seeking an explanation from Siddaramaiah on the nature of his relationship with them.



Worse, a section of the state unit of Congress is up in arms against the CM.



It is a serious thing. Both the officials must be arrested immediately. Who is their big boss? It could even be the chief minister himself. The incident has ruined our image and the BJP has gained an upper hand. After this we cant oppose demonetization. People think that we are fighting to protect the corrupt who are close to us, veteran Congress leader and former Union minister B Janardhana Poojary told News18 from Mangalore.



The CM was quick to disassociate himself from these two engineers. No government official is close to me. All 6.5 crore people of Karnataka are close to me. If these two have made money and corrupt, let the concerned departments take action against them. I am not protecting anyone. Please spare me, he told News18.



However, it might not be that easy for the CM to extricate himself out of the mess.



The CM and his government  especially his close aide and PWD minister Dr HC Mahadevappa  would find it difficult to answer how these two bureaucrats landed plum posts in the government despite serious charges of corruption against them.



Siddaramaiah had appointed Chikkarayappa as PWD secretary over the heads of many seniors immediately after taking charge as chief minister in May 2013. After the posting became controversial, Siddaramaiah defended the decision. A year ago, the same officer was made the Managing Director of Cauvery Irrigation Corporation.



Another officer Jayachandra is also accused of massive corruption and had faced several inquiries in the past. Critics of the PWD minister allege the officer survived prosecution because of his proximity to the minister.



A top IT officer told News18 that both Chikkarayappa and Jayachandra have told them that the money found at their places were meant for some ministers.



Congress leadership is watching the developments nervously. If these officers spill the beans and name some ministers, we will be doomed. The Centre can order a CBI inquiry against bank officials. If that happens, bank officials will definitely name these two engineers. Then they might name some ministers. Do you think the BJP government at the Centre will keep quiet? a senior party leader told News18.



KPCC president and Home Minister G Parameshwara was quick to the seize the opportunity announcing the suspension of both engineers in the state legislature, thus forcing the CM to order a formal suspension of his alleged close confidantes.


Sujoy GhoshVidya Balan, Arjun RampalKahaani 2 opens on a chilling note when a woman, played by Vidya Balan, slips into a coma after being knocked down by a taxi while rushing to save her crippled daughter who has been kidnapped.Less than ten minutes in, the film has got you by the nuts.Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, who is making a habit of throwing Balan in front of speeding vehicles, Kahaani 2 is an entirely different film from 2012s Kahaani, although it shares with that film its leading lady, a West Bengal setting, and a strong sense of atmospherics.Balan plays Vidya Sinha, a middle-aged single mother living with her daughter Mini in Chandannagar, a small town on the outskirts of Kolkata. When sub inspector Inderjeet Singh (Arjun Rampal) begins investigating her accident, he chances upon her conveniently detailed diary, which provides a window into her life before arriving in Chandannagar. A time when she went by the name Durga Rani Singh.Ghosh and co-writer Suresh Nair raise the stakes by giving us a story at whose heart resides complete and abject darkness. This is cold, creepy, uncomfortable material, and the makers navigate it both skillfully and with sensitivity. They deserve credit also for casting against type, particularly in the case of Jugal Hansraj and Amba Sanyal who have key supporting roles. Arjun Rampal is in very good form as a world-weary, laconic cop, and he summons up a nicely internalized performance.The first hour of Kahaani 2 moves briskly to reveal a Pandoras box of secrets and lies. Cutting deftly between the past and the present, the breathless pace of the screenplay never lets up. Post-intermission, however, the warts begin to show. The writing becomes sloppy, and the contrivances pile up. Repeatedly you find yourself asking: Is that really what this character would do? The twists too can be spotted from a distance, and an attempt to deliver a Bob Biswas-type unlikely assassin fails completely.But even as the film hobbles, its leading lady continues to take giant strides. Balan is first rate in a fully fleshed out role, offering a performance completely free of vanity, and full of genuine feeling. She powers Kahaani 2, glossing over its rough edges.Despite its bumps, the film is seldom boring, but its hard not to mourn for what could have been. Kahaani 2 starts out with so much promise but peters out before the end. Im going with two-and-a-half out of five for the film and an additional half star for Vidya Balans knockout performance, which makes it three out of five for Kahaani 2. Theres a lot to like here, but consistency isnt one of its strengths.What's your reaction to Kahaani 2Write your review
: As part of intensifying its agitation against the demonetisation policy of the Centre, opposition Congress in Kerala will picket Central government offices in the state on December 5.Announcing the party's protest plan, KPCC president V M Sudheeran on Saturday said people from all walks of life including farmers, vendors, labourers, government employees and pensioners were suffering due to the withdrawing of high denomination currencies of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500."The Centre is doing nothing to resolve the present crisis. It has triggered wide protest among people across the country. There had been no instance in independent India that the government itself was pushing people into such a misery," Sudheeran said here in a statement."As part of our agitation against the Centre, which failed in addressing people's concerns, Congressworkers will picket select government offices in the state on December five," he said.He also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation policy was for "political gains and it had ruined the life of commoners."Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government for not taking "adequate precautionary measures" to avoid the cash crunch in treasuries, where people had to wait in queues for many hours in the last two days to get their pension and salaries."The states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have taken enough steps to avoid crisis during the distribution of salary. But, our state government failed in this," he told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the unrest in Kashmir cannot be blamed on Pakistan but was a result of "mistakes" made by the government of not engaging with the people of the state.



"Do not be under this false impression that the fire you see in Kashmir has been ignited by Pakistan.



"It is a result of our mistakes," Omar said addressing a function of his National Conference in Baramulla.



"To blame Pakistan alone for the political situation or the current unrest in the Valley is a distortion of the truth.



"The people of J&K have espoused a political sentiment even when there was no external interference and this political sentiment forms the basis of the State's special status that has since been eroded by extra-constitutional machinations," Omar said.



He said the political issue in Kashmir is a result of "historic blunders and broken promises by successive dispensations" in New Delhi.



"The situation today stands compounded because of the present Central Government's refusal to even acknowledge that a problem exists in Kashmir," Omar said.



The National Conference working president alleged the ruling PDP's charade of seeking confidence building measures and political initiatives could not conceal the party's brazen abandonment of its own ideology and vision document in a bargain to attain power.



There is a stark difference between the Mehbooba Mufti of the opposition and the Mehbooba Mufti of the ruling PDP-BJP Government.



It has now become evident that the Mehbooba of opposition was just an elaborate facade to pave way for Mehbooba Mufti's ascent to the Chief Minister's chair.



"Her theatrical performances as an opposition leader might have served her well but when people compare her present avatar to her previous posturing she stands exposed.



"Every single promise made by the PDP to seek votes in the previous elections has been broken with utter contempt shown towards the people of the State," he added.



Omar alleged that the PDP-BJP Alliance has "wreaked havoc" with the State.



"The Government has ceased to exist on the ground and its mere presence is exhibited solely through indiscriminate arrests and imposition of Public Safety Acts against the youth.



The loss of nearly a hundred innocent young lives in the current unrest and the unimaginable and indiscriminate repression of our youth has been the most noticeable hallmark of the PDP-BJP alliance and Mehbooba Mufti s refusal to acknowledge her failure has only compounded the misery of the people," he said
Kolkata: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, considered a close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday lauded West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying that she had enough credential to become Prime Minister.



"There should not be any question regarding her credibility in politics. If son of a chai-wala could become Prime Minister, Mamataji could also become Prime Minister," Ramdev told reporters.



"In politics, Mamataji is the symbol of honesty and simplicity. I love her simplicity. She wears chappals and ordinary saris. I believe she does not have black money," he said.



"Once during my visit to West Bengal, when Left Front was in power, I had said the Leftists should go and Mamataji should come to power. And exactly it happened thereafter," he said.



Despite Banerjee's staunch opposition to demonetisation, which he supports, Ramdev appeared soft on her when he said the TMC supremo was actually against the procedure by which the move was being implemented.



"I think she is not opposed to the demonetisation move per se. But I feel she is not happy the way it was implemented", Ramdev said at the Infocom seminar in Kolkata.



The yoga guru-cum-entrepreneur said, "I had planted the seeds of demonetisation. I continued the movement from 2009 to 2014 and asked the government to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes as it was root cause of corruption, black money generation and terror and militant funding".



Now with demonetisation, black money generation, corruption and terror funding had stopped totally, he said at the seminar.



"The common people is getting inconvenienced due to cash crisis. But none is complaining against this," he said. However, Ramdev said he believed that total cashless system could not be possible immediately and it would take time i.e. atleast six months.



Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the move, he sarcastically said that former PM Manmohan Singh, who had never spoken a word on any issue, had actually spoken now on the issue.



"This is the effect of demonetisation you see," he quipped.



Ramdev called on West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi at Raj Bhavan and termed it as 'a courtesy call'.
Moradabad: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the Parivartan Rally in Moradabad on Saturday took a dig at the black money hoarders and said that those misusing the Jan Dhan accounts will be punished.

Do not withdraw money deposited by blackmarketeers in Jan Dhan accounts. I will fix those who used to chant money, money earlier, PM Modi said.

This was the fourth rally in Uttar Pradesh addressed by PM Modi. Earlier, he had addressed Parivartan Rally in Ghazipur, Agra and Kushinagar fueling partys campaign ahead of upcoming Assembly elections.

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Moradabad: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address Parivartan Rally in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh district on Saturday around 2.30 pm as a part of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in 2017.



Moradabad rally will be PM Modi's fourth in the state since the BJP launched its campaign in the state. Earlier, the PM had addressed Parivartan Rally in Ghazipur, Agra and Kushinagar.



In the wake of the rally, the city has been declared as a no-flying zone. Along with this, heavy police force has been deployed in the city and at the venue.



If sources are to be believed, around 2 lakh people from Rampur, Amroha, Sambhal and Bijnor are expected to attend the rally. However, the BJP has estimated a footfall of 3 lakh people.



The rally will also see the participation of state BJP President Keshav Prasad Maurya.



The PM is also expected to speak on the issue of demonetisation.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes on November 8 in a bid to fight corruption and black money.
Kolkata: West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi on Saturday sternly cautioned against "defaming" and "letting down" the Indian Army in the wake of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that soldiers extorted money from truck drivers during their deployment at toll plazas.



"Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like the Indian Army. Don't let down the army. Don't defame the army," Tripathi said here when asked about Banerjee's accusation that the soldiers extorted money from truck drivers.



Responding to Tripathi's caution, Banerjee accused him of speaking in the "tone of central government" on the issue of army deployment at toll plazas in the state.



"The Governor is speaking in the voice of Central Government!! He was not in the city for about 8 days," she tweeted.



Terming the Governor's comments as "unfortunate", Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo said Tripathi should have checked the details of recent developments in the state before commenting.



"Before making statements, all details should have been checked. It is very unfortunate," said Banerjee, who spent Thursday night at the state secretariat and stayed put for 36 hours protesting deployment of the army at toll plazas in the state allegedly without informing her government -- an issue that snowballed into a major row causing disruptions in Parliament.



Chief Minister Banerjee had spent Thursday night at the state secretariat and stayed put there on Friday protesting deployment of the army at toll plazas in West Bengal allegedly without informing her government -- an issue that snowballed into a major row causing disruptions in Parliament.



The central government and the army rubbished the allegations, saying too much was being read into a routine exercise.



In the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the army was conducting a routine exercise in Kolkata. The Eastern Command showed papers detailing the correspondence between the army and the local police on the issue and said the state government and the police knew about it in advance.
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday announced that the upcoming India International Science Fest (IISF) will focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a "Cashless Society".



"All transactions at the fest will be cashless," the minister said.



The IISF will be held here December 7-11 December here. Israeli Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis will pay a special visit to the fest, which will be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on December 8.



Harsh Vardhan added that besides a cashless economy, the theme of this year's fest would be "science for masses".



"Emphasis would be to take science to the rural areas," he said.



The budget of the festival has been increased to Rs 12 crore this year compared to last year's Rs 4 crore.



The minister informed that over 3,000 students from the villages adopted by MPs will also participate in the fest.



The fest also sees to break its own world record of the maximum number of students performing a scientific experiment. Total 2,500 children will be performing a scientific experiment to break its previous record of 2,000 students.



The record was first held by Northern Ireland, with 1300 students performing a scientific experiment.



"We are a government that believes and supports scientific research, including an appropriate balance between fundamental research to support new discoveries and the commercialization of ideas, will lead to provide ample employment opportunities for India's sustainable economic growth," said Harsh Vardhan.
Soon after the OnePlus 3T was launched in India, smartphone enthusiasts in the country started to compare it with Google Pixel and iPhone 7 handsets. And the verdict was out- OnePlus 3T offers more for the price and definitely is a better value for money choice.So, why don't we compare any BMW car with the latest Hyundai model to say that the Hyundai's option is way better than what BMW has to offer. This is particularly because someone eyeing a Hyundai will not look at a BMW and vice-versa.The deal with smartphones is that a person looking for OnePlus 3T is also capable of buying the Google Pixel XL, if he wants to stretch a bit on EMIs . Let's attribute the rest of the story to clickbaits.Another aspect of this discussion can be the fact that premium Android smartphones are not able to differentiate much from mid-range handsets. This is something clearly defined in the auto industry. You can't expect a cheaper BMW replica from Hyundai, mastering all aspects.The improved OnePlus 3T might make prospective buyers of Google Pixel XL to think again. Given the high starting price of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, the only real competitor should ideally be the Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.But for someone wanting an Android smartphone and eyeing the high-end Pixel phones, the new OnePlus 3T is quite luring for half the price of Rs 29,999.While the comparison between OnePlus 3T and Google Pixel XL might sound unfair to many. Especially, when smartphone enthusiasts have come to terms with the fact that more hardware doesn't necessarily translate into a better experience.However, for most Indian consumers there is one precise psychological barrier which Google will have to battle out- Why should someone buy a pure Android smartphone for the price of the latest iPhone given the aspirational value attached to iPhones in the country?At the same time, this doesn't mean that all Android phones should be cheap and only iPhones have got the right to command prices above Rs 50,000.Competitive mid-range Android phones have made it difficult for brands to make premium Android handsets stand apart. Samsung in the past have cracked the code by offering innovations on design, hardware and software front in its flagship S and Note series.This comparison between OnePlus 3T and Google Pixel XL doesn't end at a mere spec sheet shootout. It tries to suggest who should buy what. Both are good smartphones for its respective price segment.Google's first smartphone focuses on providing a superior Android experience and is meant for someone active in Google's ecosystem of apps. If you use Google Photos to store pictures, an active user of Maps, Gmail, News and other Google apps and want a simple yet powerful 'Google experience' then the Pixel XL is definitely for you.This means that you should be connected to the Internet always to get the real Pixel fire power. Note that the Pixel phones do not support Reliance Jio connection by default.Of course, these services are available on the OnePlus 3T as well or in fact in every Android phone but the convenience is exclusive to the Pixel series only.The device offers a best-in-class camera. Timely software upgrades and an overall smooth software experience are some of the key mentions. Overall performance and battery life adds to the comfort.It is simply the older OnePlus 3 with bumped up hardware. Within Rs 30,000, the OnePlus 3T makes a great value for money option. The smartphone comes with a droolworthy spec sheet and a design that easily impresses.OnePlus had a reputation of providing unreliable software in previous instances which has been greatly improved in the OnePlus 3. However, the Oxygen OS delivers an almost stock Android experience. With the kind of the hardware the OnePlus 3T offers there should not be any issue with performance.The camera quality is good but the Google Pixel XL is better. While OnePlus boast of its Dash Charge, Google has its own version of Quick Charge.The OnePlus 3T runs older Android Marshmallow out-of-box and is expected to get the Android 7.0 Nougat update soon.Of course, it boils down to budget. For someone with a tight budget of up to Rs 30,000, the OnePlus 3T is a no brainer. However, for someone looking at buying the Google Pixel XL, should he consider buying the OnePlus 3T instead? It depends on the usage. For an experienced Android user relying heavily on the Google ecosystem, the OnePlus 3T will definitely be a compromise.
New York: US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.



"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.



In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.



On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".



"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.



On Trump s conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.



"By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trump s transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.



Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency".



In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.



NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country's "separation" from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.



"Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama's administration had been working to curb," NYT said.



Trump also praised Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for "fantastic success", in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev's strongman rule.



According to the Kazakh government's readout of the call, Trump "stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle".



The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.



"If you travel to the US you should let me know," he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party a "slap to May", NYT said.



Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added.



In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.



NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter.



"The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan.



It also blurred the line between Trump's businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the U.S. government, with which she has no role," it said.
Washington: Pakistan-based Haqqani network continues to pose "greatest" threat to US troops in Afghanistan, a top US commander based in the war-torn country said here, underlining the terror outfit remains America's principal concern.



"The Haqqanis still pose the greatest threat to Americans and to our coalition partners and to the Afghans," General John Nicholson, Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan told reporters during a news conference.



"The Haqqanis hold five American citizens hostage right now. I think this is worth remembering as we think about the Haqqani network. They remain a principal concern of ours. And they do enjoy sanctuary inside Pakistan," Nicholson said during a Pentagon news conference.



Nicholson said he is looking forward to meeting the new Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, General Bajwa.



"I'll meet him upon my return to the region here next week," he said.



"There are many areas of mutual cooperation with the Pakistanis with respect to the border, our joint efforts against terrorism and so forth. So, we're looking forward to working closely with them going forward," he said.



Nicholson said the Afghan security forces have a hold approximately 64 per cent of the population.



This is down slightly from his 68 per cent that he talked about in September.



"The decrease has not meant more control to the Taliban. We see them still holding less than 10 per cent of the population. More of the country -- slightly more is now contested. They still hold roughly two-thirds of the population. The enemy holds less than 10 percent and the balance is contested," he said.



Nicholson said since the start of the Taliban's campaign in April, the Afghan security forces have prevented them from accomplishing their strategic objectives.



"They've been unable to mass because of airpower, both Afghan and coalition airpower, and therefore they resorted to small- scale attacks on checkpoints around cities in attempts to isolate the cities and create panic," he said.



Expressing concern about the stability of the Afghan government going forward, he said his message to Afghan partners and members of the political opposition is that the US respects their political process.



"Second concern would be the malign influence of external actors and particularly Pakistan, Russia, and Iran. We are concerned about the external enablement of the insurgent or terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, in particular where they enjoy sanctuary or support from outside governments," Nicholson said.



"We are concerned about the convergence of these terrorist groups. I mentioned the 20 groups, 13 in Afghanistan, seven in Pakistan. The morphing of these groups into more virulent strains or the fact that sometimes they cooperate and then the hole becomes greater than the sum of the parts," he said.










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(Newser)  With the name "mama" on the rise in the US, the Daily Beast proposes anecdotal evidence that "papa" is now also in vogueat least among Brooklyn hipsters with offspring, that is. But will it make its way back across the rest of the country, where it reached its popularity apex as the go-to term of endearment in 1870, according to one book-based linguistic analysis? Common in other languages, such as Russian, French, and Swedish, "papa" officially dropped below "dad" and "daddy" in the US around 1970, but some are now arguing that it sounds "hip" and "cute" and more "open-minded," while "dad" is by comparison "bland" and "drab" and "very Saved by the Bell-ish."

The trend has spread at least a bit beyond Brooklyn's borders. Justin Underwood in Virginia calls himself a "feminist papa bear" and says we now "live in an age when fathers are more in touch with their feminine sides and are all right with playing dress-up and putting on makeup with their daughters." Others note that "papa" doesn't remind them of their own old-fashioned fathers, which is apparently a perk. Today's papas "think to themselves, 'My dad wasn't a co-parent like I am,'" one linguist says. "[It's] a kind of linguistic reclaiming." But before your family makes the switch, New York magazine recommends trying it out in a sentence first. It proposes: "Papa, this artisanal gelato is giving me a tummy-ache." (Speaking of words, this is the word of the year.)
(Newser)  The man police say is Arizona's "Canal Killer," who killed two womenbeheading one of themin the early 1990s, was caught in large part because some relative of his somewhere submitted their DNA to one of those public genealogy databases, the Arizona Republic reports. Suspect Bryan Miller was arrested in 2015 after police matched his DNA, collected surreptitiously, with DNA from the crime scenes. But it's only now being revealed how they knew to sneak some DNA off of Miller. It starts with genealogist Colleen Fitzpatrick, who met investigators at a human-identification conference in 2014. One of the topics of the conference: How to figure out an unknown person's last name by studying their Y chromosome.

While redacted police emails make it unclear exactly how Fitzpatrick narrowed the Canal Killer down to someone with the last name Miller, one expert says it's probable she compared the Y-STRa genetic "stutter" that passes unchanged from father to son through generationsfrom crime scene DNA with Y-STRs in public genealogy databases like Ancestry.com or Family Tree DNA, giving her the surname "Miller." Fortunately, police just happened to have a Miller on their "extensive list of candidates." These public genealogy databases are usually used by people trying to find their birth parents or see if they're related; there's "little precedent in the world of criminal justice." Read the full story to find out how forensic genealogy can be used by law enforcement in the future and the privacy concerns that brings up. (Read more genealogy stories.)
(Newser)  The small group of Electoral College members attempting an "unlikely, last-ditch effort" to stop a Trump presidency by convincing their peers to vote for a compromise Republican candidatecalled "Hamilton Electors"have now formed a nonprofit for that purpose, the Denver Post reports. So far all seven Hamilton Electorsthree from Washington state and four in Coloradoare Democrats in states won by Clinton and should therefore be casting their votes for her, according to the Guardian. But they're willing to vote for an as-yet-undecided Republican candidate to stop Trump. Im only 19 and this is my first time being involved in politics, but I hope that my willingness to put my country before my party will show that my generation cares about all Americans, Washington state Hamilton Elector Levi Guerra says.

The Hamilton Electors say they have one anonymous Republican elector on board so far and are talking to four others that are interested. They're willing to consider using their electoral votes on Mitt Romney, Colin Powell, Jon Huntsman, or John Kasich, the Seattle Times reports. The Hamilton Electors say they are attempting to use the Electoral College as Alexander Hamilton intended, by acting "as a Constitutional fail-safe against those lacking the qualifications from becoming president. They have to convince at least 37 electors in Trump-won states to not vote for the president-elect, which would put the choice for president in the hands of the House of Representatives. It's unlikely the House would chose someone other than Trump. (Read more electoral college stories.)
(Newser)  Wildlife officials in Florida have known for a while that Burmese pythons have been eating their way through the Everglades, but the study of one particular snake has surprised them with the extent of that appetite: The 15-foot female had eaten three white-tailed deer in the 90 days before her capture, reports Live Science. Researchers found the remains of an adult doe and two fawns in the snake's intestines, they report in Bioinvasions Record. (They titled the report "Supersize Me.") That's a relatively short time for a snake to put down three big meals, notes study co-author Scott Boback. "If a python is capable of eating three deer in three months," he marvels, then it clearly raises serious questions about the pythons' impact on the Everglades ecosystem. "We don't even know how many of them are out there."

What scientists do know is that ever since the Burmese python first surfaced in the area in the 1980sthe reason is unclear, but careless pet owners are generally blamedthe population numbers of raccoons, rabbits, foxes, and other mammals have plummeted. All these studies are putting together a story that we just cant ignore anymore, Boback tells Vox, which takes a more in-depth look at the implications of the python invasion. As to how a python can take down a deer, this video via Naples News of a Florida hunter rescuing a deer in mid-strangle might provide an idea. And Floridians outside the Everglades will likely be unhappy to hear that the snakes appear to be expanding their territory to the Florida Keys and western Palm Beach County, reports the Orlando Sentinel. (State wildlife officials are fighting back with the "Python Challenge.")
(Newser)  A former German soldier has left his life's savings to a small Scottish village where he was held as a prisoner of war during World War II, the AP reports. Heinrich Steinmeyer, a Waffen SS soldier, was 19 when he was brought to POW camp at Cultybraggan near the village of Comrie in Perthshire. After the war, he regularly visited. He died in 2014, leaving $485,000 to the village in his will. His wish was to help the elderly in the community. It was unclear why nearly two years elapsed between his death and the announcement of the legacy. (Read more prisoner of war stories.)
(Newser)  A student stabbed a psychology professor to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Friday in what authorities say was a personal dispute. An LAPD spokeswoman says the professor was killed inside the Seeley G. Mudd building in the heart of campus, the AP reports. She says a male student was arrested without incident immediately after police arrived at the scene of the attack. USC President CL Max Nikias identified the professor killed as Bosco Tjan. Tjan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center, Nikias said in a letter to the USC community.

"As the Trojan family mourns Professor Tjan's untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts," Nikias said. The USC Department of Public Safety said in a statement that investigators believe the attack was not random and "was the result of a personal dispute." Chris Purington, project manager at Tjan's lab, said he never heard of anyone having a problem with Tjana married father of one son listed in public records as 50 years oldand had no idea who would have wanted him dead. "He was somebody who really cared about people. I know he cared about me," Purington says. "He mentored people and he looked out for them. He spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a mentor and guide people." (In June, a UCLA engineering professor and a student died in a murder-suicide .)
(Newser)  Police investigating a notorious gang in a city on California's central coast issued a fake press release that the chief credited with saving two men by deceiving gang members who wanted to kill them, but the ruse was criticized by news organizations who reported it as fact, the AP reports. Santa Maria police chief Ralph Martin defended the rare tactic this week when it came to light, saying he had never done such a thing in his 43-year career, but he wouldn't rule out doing it again. "It was a moral and ethical decision, and I stand by it," Martin said Friday. "I am keenly aware and sensitive to the community and the media. I also had 21 bodies lying in the city in the last 15 months."

The phony announcement issued in February was discovered in court documents and only reported this week. A daily newspaper and local television stations were unaware the information in the release was false when they reported that Jose Marino Melendez and Jose Santos Melendez had been picked up for identity theft and handed over to immigration authorities. In fact, detectives eavesdropping on the deadly MS-13 gang had raced to the home of the two cousins and took them into protective custody after learning hit men were on their way there. Kendra Martinez, news director at KSBY, said she was "deeply troubled" that police misled the public and news organizations. The sting comes to light as news organizations try to set the record straight as truth and fiction blur amid a proliferation of "fake news" spread by social media. (Read more fake news stories.)
(Newser)  Think about the worst thing your worst landlord ever did to you. This might be worse. A Colorado Springs man tells KKTV he caught his landlord having sex on his bed then using his wife's wedding dress to clean up. The coupleLogan Pierce and Mikaela DiGiuliohave a four-camera security system set up in their apartment, the Smoking Gun reports. Late last month, Pierce got a notification on his phone that one of the cameras was picking up some activity. He opened the app and immediately restarted it "because I didn't really believe what I saw." What he saw was two men having sex on his and his wife's bed inside their $1,100-a-month apartment. Pierce says one of the men was his landlord, Carlos Quijada.

Then it got worse. Pierce says after Quijada and his partner finished, they grabbed two garments from a laundry pile to clean up, one of which was the dress DiGiulio wore at their wedding. "Complete and utter disbelief," Pierce says. Police tell KMGH the wedding dress is now being used as evidence. Quijada is facing felony trespassing charges. Police say that while leases can allow landlords to enter properties whenever, they can't just do whatever once they're in there. Pierce says it was "scary" and a "total violation of privacy." He and DiGiulio moved out of the apartment soon after the incident and are currently living in a Super 8 hotel where they both work. (Read more landlord stories.)
"Fidel Castro" is remembered by many on Tuesday at the Plaza de la Revolution in Havana. His ashes had a four -day journey the day after to be buried at the Santiago de Cuba.

The ceremony for "Fidel Castro" lasted for four hours and concluded with a speech from President Raul Castro. This is the final goodbye to "Fidel Castro" who died at 90 years old on Friday. He is remembered by many people in this time of mourning.

President Raul Castro included in his speech that "Fidel Castro" has been devoted in leading a socialist revolution of the humble. He has devoted his life entirely towards his dream and being a leader. In his speech, he included "Fidel Castro's" achievements during his time.

"Fidel Castro's" tribute ceremony is joined by the people who have looked up to him and his works. The day after the ceremony devoted to "Fidel Castro," on Wednesday his remains has been laid alongside Che Guevara in Santa Clara City.

The final destination of "Fidel Castro's" remains is in a place where he and his rebels launched their first attack to the U.S. Castro has had many achievements during his time. He started building healthcare system to help many poor people.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shares that "Fidel Castro" has done several achievements. He expressed that Castro has done great improvements in healthcare and education in his nation.

"Fidel Castro" died at 90 years old and his achievements for Cuba are going to be remembered forever. Everyone in the ceremony has remembered what he had done during his reign. He will then be sent out to Santiago de Cuba as his final resting place.

The life of "Fidel Castro" and the things that he did for his country is always and will be a part of history.
The mere fact that people continue to get infected HIV/AIDS pose a high concern in the country. It is no respecter of gender, age or even status in life.

One out of eight people living in the US are not aware that they are "HIV" positive. To date, an estimate of 1.2 million documented people in the US has the dreaded illness. The numbers went down to 19 % from 2005 to 2014, where mostly bisexual and African Americans are affected. The government's prevention efforts seem to be paving the way to the success in lowering the numbers.

To date, about 36.7 million people living around the world are suffering with "HIV/AIDS". Africa was the hardest hit where everyday 1,000 are infected. And what is more frustrating is the fact that 1.8 million in the statistics are children not over 15 years of age. The victims were children from HIV carrier mommies, transferred the illness via childbirth or breastfeeding. The increased population of ill people lives within the sub-Saharan Africa.

A breakthrough has been discovered giving a ray of hope among "HIV/AIDS" carriers, through a vial. The tube is under a clinical trial simultaneous with a movement to alleviate AIDS, and campaigns for the children to be free from the debilitating disease. Currently, a trial tagged as HVTN 702 was launched following the success in vial experiment done in Thailand in 2009. Study showed 31.2 percent effective prevention rate provided that the infected person must undergo a rigorous 3.5 years of follow-up. The primer enrolls 5,400 people within 18 to 35 age range within South Africa where the largest HIV clinical trial is bound to happen.

Vice President and Director of Research at the Foundation for AIDS, Dr. Rowena Johnston states that one of the major obstacles is to ensure high risk people be able to get an early detection and prevention opportunity. By 2020, the experts' target is to produce a cure that is grounded in technology and science.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low around 10F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low around 10F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Lucknow:

Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi biggest patron of black money, Congress on Friday said after his demonetisation decision went haywire, he was getting black money converted to white through the so-called welfare programmes for the poor.



He is the biggest patron of black money...he is flouting all Income Tax rules to get black money converted into white using welfare schemes for the poor, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters in Lucknow.



He said the country wanted to know as to how much money has been deposited in the banks from April 1 to November 30 this year by BJP, its leaders and RSS functionaries.



Figures given by RBI pertaining to sudden additional deposits in banks in September give rise to suspicion that they were in the know of an impending note ban order, he claimed.



Surjewala demanded an apology from Modi for the deaths of people who stood in serpentine queues outside ATMs for hours together to withdraw their own money.

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Pune:

Maharashtra Election Commission officials on Friday seized nearly Rs 7 crore in old denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 near Baramati in Pune district, police said.



The cash belonged to Baramati Sahakari Bank Ltd, which was being taken to its headquarters in Baramati.



State election commission officials intercepted a vehicle near Bhigwan toll plaza and found Rs 6.98 crore cash in scrapped denominations in it, Baramati police station inspector C G Kamble told PTI.



He said four persons who were sitting in the vehicle told officials that the cash belonged to Baramati Sahakari Bank Ltd (BSB) and was being taken to Baramati.



When contacted, BSB chairman Shrikant Sikchi confirmed that cash belonged to the bank and they have all the proofs.

Also read | Ahmedabad businessman Mahesh Shah declares 13,860 crore black money, I-T deparment conducts raids



Generally, we deposit our cash collected from all branches in tehsil into nationalised banks. However, no bank is currently accepting our deposits. After reaching out to Reserve Bank of India, they instructed us to deposit our cash, collected from all the branches, into Bank of Maharashtra branch in Bhigwan, Sikchi claimed.



He said when bank officials reached Bank of Maharashtra, the bank didnt allow them to deposit cash, citing space crunch and asked us to come later.While bringing the cash, which was in the form of old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, to our headquarter in Baramati, the election commission officials intercepted the vehicle, Sikchi added.



He said they have all the documents to prove that cash belongs to the bank and it is legal.

Also read | People involved in conversion of black money into white will not be spared, says Shaktikanta Das

We have handed over the documents and a letter from RBI to the police station and election commission officials, Sikchi added.



Police said they have now seized the cash and that the EC officials have notified about it to Income Tax department.



So far no case has been registered, Kamble said.



In total, including Friday's phase, elections are being held for 212 civic bodies, comprising municipal councils and nagar panchayats, in four phases.The EC has set up squads in view of the second phase of polls to local bodies, slated on December 14.

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Mumbai:

State Bank of India has estimated that money worth Rs 2.5 lakh crore may not come back into the banking system post demonetisation of high-value notes.On November 8, the government banned banknotes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 worth over Rs 14 lakh crore from the economy.



In a report, the Economic Research Department of State Bank of India (SBI) said around Rs 2.5 lakh crore on a conservative basis will not be coming back into the system.



As per the SBI analysis, the market estimate of Rs 14.18 lakh crore currencyexcluding cash with banksis based on March 2016 data while in reality it should be based on data available as on November 9, a day after demonetisation was announced.



SBI noted that going by data as on November 9, the amount of high currency denomination notes was Rs 15.44 lakh crore (excluding cash in the banks), an increase of Rs 1.26 lakh crore compared to the March figure.

Also read | Cash crunch caused by demonetisation will ease after December 30, says Arun Jaitley



It stated that RBI has published twice the deposited and exchanged notes data with banks in November with a gap of 9-days. SBI said: If we closely look at the data, the daily working day average deposited/exchanged at banks has declined significantly from Rs 605 billion (November 10-18) to Rs 501 billion (November 19-27) -- a decline of 17 per cent.



In total, between November 10-27, Rs 8.44 lakh crore were deposited and exchanged in banks, the report said.



All these estimates put together show that total money coming into the system in the form of high denomination will be around Rs 13 lakh crore (as against Rs 15.44 lakh crore high value notes as on November 9), it added.

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New Delhi:

Hitting back at BJP for its claim that army presence at toll plazas in West Bengal was routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of local authorities, TMC leader Derek OBrien on Friday asked the Centre to show the document which proves that the state had invited or given permission for it.



Kolkata Police had in fact written a letter stating that Army should not be sent to the state, OBrien said, adding that he would place that letter before Parliament on Monday.



The central government should show us a single letter which proves that the West Bengal government had invited army to the state. There is no such letter.There is only one letter written by Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner...I will table that letter on Monday morning (in Parliament)...it says that the army should not be sent there. Show us a letter or document which says the army was given permission, he said outside Parliament.

Also read | Soldiers at WB toll booths: Mamata leaves secretariat, vows to take up legal battle



OBrien claimed he had also spoken to some of the former chief ministers to know if state governments permission was required for army deployment in a state. They all said, yes.



Without the permission of the state, the army cannot go in. Where is the letter? I challenge...show us the letter, he said.



Earlier, the row over Army taking over road toll plazas in West Bengal echoed in Parliament with TMC seeing sinister designs behind the move and the government vehemently denying the charge, saying it was a routine exercise conducted in full knowledge of the local authorities.



BJP claimed that Armys presence at toll plazas was an annual exercise which was projected in a wrong way and charged Banerjee with stalling Parliament proceedings by such diversionary tactics.



Banerjee, on Thursday, decided to stay at the state secretariat Nabanna for the night, even after the force was removed from a toll plaza near it as per her demand.

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London:

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Friday supported Indias quest for permanent membership of the UN Security Council as he called for its expansion to include India for a more realistic re-alignment of the world order.

Delivering his first major foreign policy speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in London entitled Beyond Brexit: A Global Britain, the senior minister in Prime Minister Theresa Mays Cabinet also said as Britain leaves the European Union (EU), it would look to engage deeply with Asia.

We should be realistic enough to accept that the international order needs to change. That is why Britain supports enlarging the permanent membership of the (UN) Security Council to other global powers, including India, Johnson said.

It is right that we should make a distinctive approach to policy-making as regards China and East Asia. Our approach in that region must go beyond the quest for exports and commercial contracts, vital though they are.

The emerging balance of power system in Asia needs the influence of friendly countries, with our emphasis on the rules-based system, in order to reduce the risk of miscalculation and unwanted confrontation, he said.

India has long been seeking a permanent place in the UN Security Council to reflect its importance as a trillion dollar economy and a major South Asian power.

Johnson also used the speech to throw his weight behind US President-elect Donald Trumps campaign to get NATO countries to spend more on defence.

Trump has a point. It cannot be justified that one NATO ally, America, accounts for about 70 per cent of the alliances defence spending while the other 27 countries manage only 30 per cent between them.

I want every NATO member to meet the agreed target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence and 20 per cent of their defence budget on new equipment. Britain already abides by this target and I note that NATOs most exposed members including Estonia and Poland ? do so as well, he said.

The Foreign Minister also laid out a post-Brexit scenario where Britain would not oppose attempts by the EU to form a common defence policy.

You know, if they want to do that, fine. Obviously they should also spend two per cent of their GDP on defence, it might be the first thing to get right, but we are not there to block or to impede further steps towards EU integration if that is what they so desire, he said.

But he also stressed that strong defence did not preclude negotiations and that he believed pressure could be exerted on Russia amid tensions with Nato over Crimea and the bombing campaign in Syria.

We cannot normalise relations with Russia or go back to business as usual. But as I have said time and again, Russia could win the acclaim of the world by halting its bombing campaign of Syria, delivering Assad to peace talks, abiding by the letter of the Minsk agreements in Ukraine, Johnson added.

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New Delhi:

Thirty two-years ago, on this day in 1984, India witnessed one of the worlds worst chemical disasters, the Bhopal gas tragedy.



When the nation was asleep, a poisonous gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory which was built in 1969 to produce a pesticide called Sevin in Bhopal. This gas tragedy killed thousands of people due to accidental leakage of nearly 42 tonnes of toxic gas, Methyl Iso Cyanate (MIC), in the intervening night of 2-.



The Madhya Pradesh government confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths, 558,125 injuries, including 38,478 partial injuries and approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.



Organizations that have been fighting for justice for the Bhopal tragedy victims have repeatedly highlighted that the disaster is still ongoing and the generations born after the incident are also marked by the poisons that leaked from the pesticide factory.



For over three decades, life has been a series of court cases  to hold the company and its officials accountable for the disaster, to get them punished for negligence, and to get adequate compensation for all victims of the tragedy.



A long legal battle ensued but 32 years later, victims are yet to find justice.



There have been small victories. In 2010, the chief judicial magistrate of Bhopal prosecuted a few Union Carbide officials, but restricted punishment to two years imprisonment.



Here is the timeline of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy:



1984



Dec 2-3, 1984: The poisonous gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) factory.



: Thousands were killed and millions were affected.



: Warren Anderson, the chairman of Union Carbide, was arrested along with nine others and urged by the Indian government to leave the country within 24 hours.



Word of the disaster is received at Union Carbide headquarters in Connecticut. Chairman and CEO Warren Anderson, together with a technical team, depart to India to assist the government in dealing with the incident. Upon arrival, Anderson is placed under house arrest



Union Carbide organises a team of international medical experts, as well as supplies and equipment, to work with the local Bhopal medical community



: He was out on bail of $2,000, upon a promise to return. Union Carbide is named as the 10th accused in a criminal case charged with culpable homicide.



: The UCC technical team begins assessing the cause of the gas leak.



: The case was transferred to CBI



: Carbide Chairman Testifies Before U.S. Congress



1985:



1985: Union Carbide establishes a fund for victims of the tragedy -- the (UCC) Employees' Bhopal Relief Fund -- that collects more than $120,000.



1985: Government files claim for $3.3 billion from Union Carbide in an American court.



1987:



: The CBI filed the charge sheet after investigation and subsequently, the CJM framed charges against the accused under section 304 Part (II) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), section 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and other relevant sections of IPC.



1989:



1989: Indian government and Union Carbide strike out-of-court deal, Union Carbide gives $ 470 million.



: Non-bailable warrant of arrest against Warren Anderson for repeatedly ignoring summons. Government and union carbide fix an out-of-court deal and the company provided a compensation of $470 million.



February - : People start protesting the unjust settlement followed by filing of a number of review and writ petitions against.



1992:



1992: Part of $ 470 million disbursed among victims. Anderson declared fugitive from law for ignoring court summons.



: Anderson was declared fugitive by law for ignoring court summons



1994:



: Despite numerous petitions by survivors' groups, the Supreme Court allows Union Carbide to sell stake in UCIL to McLeod Russell (India) Ltd of Calcutta.



2001:



2001: Union Carbide refuses to take responsibility for former Indian arm's liabilities.



2004:



2004: Supreme Court orders government to pay out rest of $ 470 million paid by Union Carbide as compensation.



2010:



: Seven former employees of UCIL, (all Indians) were convicted of causing death by negligence. They were each sentenced to two years imprisonment and fined Rs one lakh each. However, all were released on bail shortly after the verdict.



2014:



: Anderson died at the age of 92 at a nursing home in the US.

















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New Delhi:

Mumbai crime branch unit on Saturday seized 9 kg gold worth Rs 2.25 crore and two cars. The crime branch has also detained 7 people from MIDC Andheri in the matter. More details are awaited in this case.

Earlier, there were many cases reported where old currency notes as well as new fake currency notes have been seized by different authorities. Such cases have been increased post demonetisation.

On Friday Maharashtra Election Commission officials seized nearly Rs 7 crore in old denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 near Baramati in Pune district, police said.

In another incident, the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) on Friday seized Rs 39.11 crore cash, jewellery worth Rs 40 lakhs, silver worth Rs 7.5 lakhs, 163.572 Kg gold from airports across the country. The Karnataka Police also seized Rs 71 lakh in new Rs 2,000 currency notes from a car in Bailoor area on Friday.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi:

Peoples favourite External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj has managed to win more hearts in last one week despite being hospitalised for kidney transplant.



The veteran BJP leader, who is being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) for kidney failure, has not let her absence affect the work flow of her ministry in her absence.



Swaraj is reportedly still clearing files and holding discussions, while her two junior ministers have been standing in for her during state visits by foreign leaders.



The External Affairs Minister has even managed to help an Indian in London, a Japanese woman in Kerala and an American tourist in Delhi.



Indian in London, Dec 2



Swaraj came to the rescue of a London-based NRI seeking help in renewing his passport. Kunwar Bisht wants to visit the country for a medical emergency in the family.



Bisht had sought help from the External Affairs Minister for a visa renewal so that he could attend his ailing father, who is on ventilator support. Swaraj was quick to act and tweeted: Indian High Commission in London will help you.



Japanese woman in Kerala, Dec 2



External Affairs Minister asked the Kerala government to expedite the trial in a case of alleged rape of a Japanese woman in the state's Kovalam district last month.



In a series of tweets, she said, "I asked for a report from Government of Kerala about the rape of a Japanese tourist on 25 Nov 2016. We have received the report."



"The statement of the victim has been recorded before a Magistrate and the accused has been apprehended."



"I have asked Government of Kerala to expedite the trial and keep us informed about the case."



American national in Delhi, Dec 2



Sushma Swaraj assured that the government would initiate action against the culprits, who allegedly gang-raped a US woman at a five-star hotel near Connaught Place earlier this year.



"I have seen the media reports about gang rape of an American tourist in Delhi in March this year. I have spoken to the Lt Governor Delhi and told him that Police should register a case and bring the guilty to book. I have also asked Indian Ambassador in US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty," Swaraj tweeted.



According to a news report, Swaraj is in regular touch with foreign secretary S Jaishankar, both over phone and in person, for deliberations on key policy issues. A key aide to Swaraj said the minister is also in regular touch with her office, clearing files and notes.

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New Delhi:

An Indonesian police plane with 13 people on board went missing on Saturday, reports said. The twin-engine plane was en route to the island of Batam, south of Singapore, police said.

A police report obtained by news agency Reuters said that the plane is thought to have crashed between the islands of Mensanak and Sebangka or Gentar.

Items have apparently been identified as belonging to the missing aircraft have been recovered by search teams, the report said.

The plane lost contact during a flight, authorities said.



The plane, with five crew members and eight passengers, dropped out of contact midmorning about 50 minutes after taking off from Bangka island off the southeast coast of Sumatra island, a police statement said.



National Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said rescuers were searching seas between Mensanak and Sebangka islands.



He said villagers had found a seat and a bag containing a cellphone and police documents.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Amritsar:

The parents of Indian citizen Hamid Ansari, who is lodged in a Pakistani jail, will seek to meet Nawaz Sharif's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz during the Heart of Asia conference in Amritsar.

Mumbai-based Fauzia Ansari and her husband Nihal arrived in the holy city carrying several placards with the hope of getting back their son, who has already completed his jail term, from the neighbouring country.

Fauzia said she had written a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for the release of her 32-year-old son.

She said as there was no reply from Aziz's office, she will now stand near the venue of the conference and display placards.

Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012 from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistani girl he had been in touch with through e-mails.

There was no whereabouts of him after November 10. The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years' imprisonment.

Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar high court seeking release of her son after the completion of his jail term.

The petition was dismissed as the court had observed that army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.

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New Delhi:

Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over its diplomats in the high commission in Delhi allegedly not being allowed to withdraw their salaries, which is paid in dollars, by the bank.

Asserting that not allowing its officials to withdraw their salaries was in breach of Vienna Protocol, Pakistan has also threatened that in case the matter is not resolved soon, it may consider retaliatory action against salary disbursal for Indian diplomats in Islamabad.

RBL Bank, an Indian private bank, holds the salary account of the Pakistan high commission staff.

"We are not allowed to withdraw our own salary. It is not a demonetisation issue. It appears that it is done more at the instructions of the Indian government," a senior Pakistani official said.

While there was no official reaction to Pakistan's protest from Indian side, officials here maintained that the matter is between the bank and the depositor and government has no role to play. Diplomats can draw their tax free salaries in dollars and only have to give reason for the withdrawal beyond 5,000 dollar.

According to the high commission officials, they are not being allowed to withdraw their salaries and have been asked for 'letters of purpose' for withdrawal of any dollar amount. Incidentally, demonetisation has led to a sharp spike in demand for dollars and other foreign currency, making it scarce.

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Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens.
New Delhi:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said that GST is not a done deal yet, however, he asserted that it is moving towards the final solution. He said this while briefing the media on GST council meet.

Here is what all the Finance Minister said:

#As if we set that precedent in the beginning then our whole effort to reach consensus through deliberated democracy will suffer

#States and Centre since we are not going on division should not be divided on party lines

#States also wanted a discussion on demonetisation which was held separately; states suggested to allow some flexibility



#Discussions were held on the CGST and IGST draft in the GST Council meet

#Agenda for the meeting on Dec 11-12 is completion of approval of CGST & IGST draft and discuss cross empowerment law; consensus possible

ALSO READ | GST roll-out by Sept 2017 is constitutional compulsion, says Arun Jaitley

#We have received a few suggestions on the critical issue of cross empowerment; hope for a positive result

#Are we close to resolve this issue? I will keep my fingers crossed. Once this issue is resolved, would consider it a done deal

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Beijing:

At least 38 workers have died in two separate coal mine explosions in China this week, said officials on Saturday.



In the latest incident, 17 people were confirmed dead andmany others remained trapped after a blast at a coal mine in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Saturday, officials said.

The explosion took place around midday at Baoma Mining Co Ltd in Yuanbaoshan district in the city of Chifeng, state-runXinhua news agency reported. The government has launched a search and rescue operation.

In another incident, 21 workers trapped in a coal mine in China after an explosion on Tuesday were on Saturday declared deadwhile search is on for one survivor still trapped underground.

They had been declared dead, Xinhua quoted local officialsas saying. The workers were trapped after an explosion on Tuesday atthe private coal mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province.

State-run CCTV reported the workers could not be reachedby rescuers due to presence of poisonous gases even asinsurance firms began contacting the families of the workersto settle claims.

Meanwhile, Chinese police on Saturday arrested four persons,including the owner of the private coal mine and threemanagers, the emergency rescue headquarters said. Initial enquiries showed that the blast was an accidentand the mine was unlicensed, police said.

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Itanagar:

Two soldiers were martyred while eight others sustained injuries when suspected militants ambushed an Assam Rifles convoy near Wakka in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday.

The attack took place 20km from Indo-Myanmar border. Defence PRO Lt Colonel Chiranjeet Konwar said the militants ambushed the convoy of 16 Assam Rifles stationed in the district near Wakka at around 1.45pm killing one jawan on the spot while injuring nine others.

He, however, could not divulge the name of the deceased nor the group involved in the ambush.

"Search operation is going on in the area and efforts were being made to evacuate the injured jawans," he added. Unconfirmed reports from Longding said the ambush was carried out jointly by NSCN (K) and ULFA (Independent) cadres.

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Amritsar:

India is likely to finalise an aircargo service pact with Afghanistan to boost bilateral trade and gain leverage in the war-ravaged country as Pakistan continues to deny transit link for Indo-Afghan trade through its territory.

The issue will be discussed during bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the two-day Heart of Asia conference which began on Saturday.

There is a possibility that the pact will be finalised by on Sunday itself. In the meeting, Afghanistan is likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India and more help forstrengthening its armed forces. Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military tofight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forcesbegan nearly two years back.

Sources said both India and Afghanistan were keen to finalise the air cargo agreement as soon as possible and thatthe broad contours of the pact are already worked out. India and Afghanistan have been exploring variousconnectivity projects for greater two-way trade.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed anagreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub. The sea-land route of Chabahar Port is designed to bypass Pakistan and the project is seen as India's effort to counter China's plan to develop Gwadar port in Pakistan.

Afghanistan is very keen on deeper defence and security cooperation with India and there were indications that Ghanimay press for ramping up supply of arms and military hardware from India though Pakistan would be unhappy if there wascloser Indo-Afghan military cooperation.

Last week India had given to Afghanistan the last of thefour military helicopters. India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnelbut has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons. Afghanistan has also been seeking India's assistance inmaking functional Soviet-era helicopters and transportaircraft which were not in flying condition.

India has a strategic partnership with Afghanistan and is implementing projects worth USD 2 billion to help rebuild the country's infrastructure. India has been supporting an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned,broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, and advocating the need for a sustained and long-termcommitment to Afghanistan by the international community.

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Amritsar:

Taking a heritage walk, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani visited the Golden Temple soon after arriving in this holy town of Amritsar to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

Modi and Ghani walked through the renovated heritage corridor before reaching Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, where large number of people, waiting for hours, welcomed them.

The temple premise was decorated with lights and flowers and the two leaders were taken to various parts of the temple complex.

Ghani and Modi also offered prayers at the temple. They spent over 30 minutes braving cold weather.

Modi also served Langar in the community kitchen of the shrine as Ghani stayed along with him.

The two leaders were given a 24 carat gold replica of Golden Temple and a set of five books besides a siropa (robe of honour) and shawl.

Modis visit to the Golden Temple is seen by some as an attempt to connect with the Sikh community ahead of elections in the state next year.

Earlier in the evening, Ghani was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

Ghani and Modi will jointly inaugurate the Heart of Asia Ministerial conference on Sunday. They will also have a bilateral meeting during which both sides are likely to finalise broad contours of a bilateral air cargo service pact to boost trade.

In the meeting, Afghanistan is also likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India in strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years back.

Last week India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel but has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons.

Afghanistan has also been seeking Indias assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition and the issue may figure in tomorrows talks.

India and Afghanistan have also been exploring various connectivity projects to for greater two-way trade and the issue may figure in tomorrows talks.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub with an aim to develop a transit corridor.

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New Delhi:

The much awaited aWeekend Ka Vaara episode on Day 48 was highly entertaining.A

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan gave Om Swami a funny situation to enact.

Further, he also asked Swami about the things found in his bag.

Let us have a look at some of the excerpts from the aWeekend Ka Vaara episode:

# Om Swami and Lopa Mudra danced to the song aTune Maari Entriyaana.

# Housemates were asked to rank the wild card entrants.A

# Manu Punjabi gave Sahil only 2 stars whereas Lopa Mudra handed out Elena only 1 star. Then came Gaurav and he gave 4 stars to Jason Shah.

# Manu Punjabi thought that VJ Bani and team were plotting against Manveer Gurjar.

# Bigg Boss announced that Manu Punjabi's mother had died and reports claim that he may leave the show soon.

# VJ Bani was mad at Manu Punjabi and asked him why he kept targeting her all the time. As a result, an argument followed amongst the two.

.@bani_j gets mad at #ManuPunjabi and asks him why he keeps targetting her all the time! Who is right here?#BB10WeekendKaVaar pic.twitter.com/fASWw7QvWV a Bigg Boss (@BiggBoss) December 3, 2016

A # Dibang asked several questions to the housemates. He asked Gaurav Chopra as to why did he pretend to be someone else on the show?

# Salman Khan spoke to Manveer Gurjar, Monalisa Antara & Manu Punjabi's beloved ones.

# Manu Punjabias fiance felt that Priyanka Jagga wass breaking Manu & Manveer Gurjar's friendship

# Salman Khan hailed Manu Punjabi, Manveer Gurjar & Monalisa Antara's family members for speaking their heart out!

# Om Swami exited from the Bigg Boss house

# Salman Khan announced that VJ Bani is safe from elimination
China trying to police the internet now worldwide

Communist China is often built up by the Regressive Left as being a prosperous country that America should look up to and aspire to be. They take what they perceive as being good and completely ignore the overwhelming negative aspects of the country in order to push the belief that communism is a reasonable system of government.

Anyone who values freedom and all of the things that come along with that  free speech, free thought and the like  should be completely opposed to becoming more like China. If more evidence was needed to prove this, consider the fact that the Chinese government is now trying to police the internet.

The Associated Press reports, The latest measure approved by the National Peoples Congress requires companies to enforce censorship and aid in investigations and imposes standards for security technology. It tightens controls on where Chinese citizens data can be stored. Human rights groups complain it will extend controls on a society in which media are controlled by the ruling party and the internet has provided a rare forum for individuals to express themselves to a large audience.

Now, theyve been controlling their countrys internet for quite some time now, but like all communist governments, controlling their people isnt good enough. They want to control everyone and thats what they are trying to do right now. There have been numerous reports that China is now trying to pressure tech companies into preventing certain content from being broadcast online.

This directly infringes on the freedoms of everyone who desires knowledge and truth and is a serious health concern. People, all people, have a right to know what is going on in the world and should be allowed to see whatever they choose through the use of the internet. Instead, governments like that of China are doing everything in their power to keep their people oppressed and ignorant to what is going on in the outside world.

We have seen this happen with countries like Cuba and weve come dangerous close to similar events taking place in America. As a result, we know how terrifying they can be and we should all be doing more to spread the truth about this kind of corruption. The best way to combat this behavior is by exposing it for what it is. The Chinese government needs to treat their own people better  and they desperately need to stop trying to tell American citizens what they can see on the internet.

Sources:

WSJ.com

CNBC.com

ABCNews.go.com

Submit a correction >>
Erdogan says Turkey invaded Syria to depose leader Al-Assad

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the first Inter-Parliamentary Jerusalem Platform Symposium in Istanbul that his military entered Syria to depose Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

We entered [Syria] to end the rule of the tyrant al-Assad who terrorizes with state terror. [We didnt enter] for any other reason, Erdogan said.

We do not have an eye on Syrian soil. The issue is to provide lands to their real owners. That is to say we are there for the establishment of justice, he added.

Erdogan also said that his military had to enter Syria together with the Free Syrian Army.

Turkish opposition parties say there is evidence that Erdogan collaborates with jihadi terror groups in Syria.

Political columnist Kadri Gursel of Turkeys Cumhuriyet newspaper said that the jihadis are equipped, armed and trained by Qatari and Saudi money organized by Turkey and also helped by the CIA.  They are jihadists, all of them are jihadists and jihadists do cannibalize each other.

In 2013, the defense consultancy, IHS Janes, reported that half the so-called rebels in Syria are radical jihadists. Since that time, the number has grown, and many Free Syrian Army fighters have defected and joined al-Nusra, the Islamic State and other Salafist groups.

The Islamist character of the opposition reflects the main constituency of the rebellion, The New York Times reported in April 2013.

The Free Syrian Army and the Syrian National Council, the vaunted bulwarks of the moderate opposition, only really exist in hotel lobbies and the minds of Western diplomats, writes Ben Reynolds of CounterPunch. On the ground, Jabhat al-Nusra, the Islamic Front, and other rebel groups have joined together in fighting against the regime, the Kurds, and ISIS.

Erdogan is working closely with jihadists to violate the national sovereignty of a neighboring nation and overthrow its elected government. His mention of the Free Syrian Army is intended for consumption by western audiences already steeped in propaganda demonizing al-Assad.

In the Middle East, it is widely known that Erdogan cooperated with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the CIA to attempt to overthrow al-Assad.

Sources:

RT.com

VOANews.com

NYTimes.com

CounterPunch.org

Telegraph.co.uk

Submit a correction >>
President Trumps Attorney General May Crackdown on Tech Companies and Encryption

Candidate Donald Trump came down hard on the tech industry during his campaign. He called for closing off the internet to Islamic radicals and said a boycott against tech giant Apple was in order for its refusal to cooperate with the FBI and unlock an iPhone associated with last years San Bernardino, California shootings. The candidate also railed against Amazon and other tech companies for manufacturing products outside the United States.

It is not known if Trump will follow through on his threat to crackdown on the tech industry. After the election, he softened on a number of issues, mostly notable Obamacare. Supporters of strong encryption are watching closely to see what the new president will do after he assumes office in January.

I think thats going to be a prominent topic for a lot of the individuals engaged with the new administration, to make sure theres a full understanding of the impact [of the encryption debate], said Ann Barron-DiCamillo, the former director of the Homeland Security Departments Computer Emergency Response Team, reports Defense One. Understanding that impact and not just talking about it during a campaign is a very different place.

Trumps attorney-general designate is Jeff Sessions. The Republican senator and former prosecutor from Alabama sided with the FBI during the San Bernardino case. He has strongly criticized tech companies for not cooperating with the government on encryption.

As head of the Justice Department Sessions could use the All Writs Act to prosecute companies that refuse to work with law enforcement.

Coming from a law enforcement background, I believe this is a more serious issue than [Apple CEO] Tim Cook understands, Sessions told a congressional committee in February, The Verge reported. In a criminal case, or could be a life and death terrorist case, accessing a phone means the case is over. Time and time again, that kind of information results in an immediate guilty plea, case over.

The senator has warned Congress against weakening NSA surveillance. He has advocated reauthorizing a controversial legal provision that allows the NSA to intercept digital communications. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expires next year.

Sessions opposes the USA Freedom Act passed last year by Congress. The law imposes a number of new limits on the bulk collection of telecommunication metadata on US citizens by intelligence agencies, including the NSA. Sessions wrote for the National Review the law would make it vastly more difficult for the NSA to stop a terrorist than it is to stop a tax cheat. Why make it much harder to investigate terrorists than common criminals?

Civil liberty advocates are concerned about Sen. Sessions record. When it comes to privacy and mass surveillance, Sessions has repeatedly been on the wrong side of the Constitution, public opinion and laws passed by a Republican-controlled Congress, Neema Singh Guliani, a legislative counsel at the ACLU, told Politico.

President Donald Trump may or may not act on encryption during his term. However, with Jeff Sessions as his Attorney General, it is likely the new administration will attempt to pass legislation further empowering the government to violate the Fourth Amendment right of Americans to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Sources:

DefenseOne.com



TheVerge.com



NationalReview.com



Politico.com

Submit a correction >>
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DANBURY - Whether assisting first responders when they need it most, or helping to build bridges with the community, the role of police chaplains has grown increasingly important.

Seeing the value that chaplains can provide, the Redding Police Department last week organized an introductory training session for chaplains at Danbury Hospital. Clergy and laymen from Waterbury to Greenwich participated in the event.

Chaplains have become an invaluable resource for us that comes at no cost to the community, said Redding Chief Doug Fuchs. A lot of what they do is support the first responders, but they are also there to support the people we serve. We are humans too, after all.

Police chaplains can go into situations where social workers and other support workers usually cant, experts say. They often assist police officers with making death notifications, at serious accidents and in domestic violence situations. Chaplains are nondenominational and can be members of the clergy or police officers or laymen with past clergy training.

When we help a police officer with a death notification, the officer may have to leave, but we can stay with the family if they chose to provide support, said Chaplain Gary Holden, founder and CEO of the Police Chaplain Program.

Holden, who led the training last week, has been called upon to help in a number of recent tragedies around the country, including spending more than eight months with first responders, rescue workers and victims families at Ground Zero. Hes also helped more recently after police shootings in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore, Md.

As we see more and more civil unrest in the country, the need for chaplains will only be greater, Holden said. Many times the community doesnt understand law enforcement, or law enforcement doesnt understand the community. We are already immersed in the community and can provide that bridge.

Holden said a team of chaplains was able to calm tensions after a recent police shooting in Atlantic City, N.J.,  a shooting that didnt make national headlines because of efforts to bridge the gap between the department and the community, he said.

And while helping to develop that bridge has become a crucial tool in community policing efforts, a chaplains first role is to assist first responders.

Emergency medical personnel and law enforcement are exposed to tragedy every day, from small-scale incidents to those that are truly horrific, said Matt Cassavechia, who oversees a number of paramedic and EMS programs in the region in his role as the director of emergency medical services for the Western Connecticut Health Network.

Anything that we can do to support the first responders is a good thing, said Casavecchia, who took part in the training. We are people with families of our own.

Fuchs said he hopes to provide additional and more in depth training to people interested in becoming police chaplains.

There really isnt any other training thats available in the area, he said. Chaplains are becoming an important piece of what we do.

dperrefort@newstimes.com
I wish I could say the three-hour plus briefing on the states fragile fiscality was a boring snoozefest in which the clock on the wall of the State Capitol complex seemed frozen.

But dire times call for increased attention. I was there because you, gently seething taxpayer, couldnt make it. The next thing I knew, 10 oclock had drifted well past 1, on a symbolically rainy day.

The news is grim. Fixed costs, including long-term debt, contractual obligations and entitlements in the $20-billion annual budget, leave the state with about $8.4 billion in so-called discretionary spending.

So, when the General Assembly meets in a month, the projected budget deficit of up to $1.3 billion for 2017-18 will have to be subtracted from that. It shouldnt be long before newcomers to the House and Senate wonder why they bothered to knock on doors for six months to win their $28,000 salaries, $4,500 in expenses, gas money and priceless headaches.

If they do their jobs right, lawmakers should be right down there with Gov. Dan Malloy, in the low-20s, by the time of the June opinion polls. Anyone who benefits from state programs had better plan on alternative paths to funding because this is necessarily going to be ugly. But if lawmakers avoid their usual can-kicking one-shot revenue infusions, for once, and get down into the budgets superstructure, projected deficits in the following years can be avoided.

The joint meeting of the General Assemblys two budget committees had all the hallmarks of another prolonged rehash of Connecticuts slow crawl away from the 2008 recession. The usual 170 witnesses filled the meeting room: staffers, lobbyists, agency liaisons, social-service providers, sitting primly at what was the public policy equivalent of a demolition derby.

When it came time for the Q and A, Republican lawmakers, feeling their oats after gains in the House and now an 18-all tie in the Senate, trotted out some Tea Party talking points: Why cant the state simply go back on its commitments to retirees and give them a proverbial haircut?

Ben Barnes, Malloys budget chief who had been calm and collected during a half-hour slide presentation, responded bluntly. I would say its immoral to renege on promises, Barnes said, noting that contract talks have begun with state unions. I suppose we could ask for pay cuts at the bargaining table, Barnes said, adding that arbitrators would be unlikely to support salary reductions.

Maybe the scariest information gleaned from the back-and-forth, is the chance that the states formula for municipal aid seems destined for a tweaking that may mean higher local taxes in places like Fairfield, which is losing its General Electric headquarters to tax-exempt Sacred Heart University. Thats also not good for Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford, where the state makes tens of millions of dollars in payments for the cities support of tax-free properties.

Malloy recently indicated to reporters that hes tired of getting blamed for tax increases, when he was saddled with decades of underpaid pension plans.

There are 47,270 retired state employees, plus 36,065 retired teachers and beneficiaries that cost taxpayers $3 billion a year.

But you know who should get blamed?, Malloy asked. My predecessors who didnt fund the obligation. When I became governor of the state of Connecticut, the pension system was 42 percent funded. The worst in the country. I wasnt governor before I became governor. Not for one year, not for six years, not for 20 years, not for 30 years. Administrations made a decision to defer those expenditures or those deposits into those accounts that should have been made and would have had a return on investment and in some years a very substantial return on investment, and ended up spending the money in other areas, enlarging government beyond what it should have been enlarged to. Thats the reality.

The next legislative session starts Jan. 4.

Ken Dixons column appears Sundays in the Hearst Connecticut Newspapers. You may reach him in the Capitol at 860-549-4670 or at kdixon@ctpost.com. Find him at twitter.com/KenDixonCT. His Facebook address is kendixonct.hearst. Dixons Connecticut Blog-o-rama can be seen at blog.ctnews.com/dixon/
Mall of America hires first black SantaTHE ASSOCIATED PRESSFirst posted: Friday, December 02, 2016 10:12 AM EST | Updated: Friday, December 02, 2016 01:23 PM ESTBLOOMINGTON, Minn.  The nations largest mall is hosting its first-ever black Santa Claus this this weekend.The Star-Tribune reports The Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis hired Larry Jefferson to play Kris Kringle from Thursday to Sunday as part of its Santa Experience.Santa Experience co-owner Landon Luther says they want Santa to be for everyone, period. With that in mind, he tells the newspaper he launched a nationwide search for a diverse Santa and found Jefferson at a Santa convention in Branson, Missouri, over the summer. He was the only black Santa among the 1,000 impersonators in attendance.Jefferson tells WCCO-TV that playing the jolly old elf is no big deal to him, saying Im still Santa, I just happen to be a Santa of colour.Jefferson will return home to play Santa in the Dallas-area after Sunday.Larry Jefferson will be playing Kris Kringle as part of the Santa Experience at the Mall of America. Jefferson will be the mall's first black Santa. (Screen Capture)
Biden hopes for strong US-Colombia ties under Trump

Colombia,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Bogota, Dec 3 (IANS) Wrapping up his two-day visit to Colombia, US Vice President Joe Biden expressed hope that the bilateral relationship will not be weakened after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.

"I view Colombia as the keystone, to hemispheric prosperity," Efe news agency quoted Biden as saying at the inaugural session of a US-Colombia Advisory Council meeting.

Delivering a speech just two days after Colombia's Congress approved a historic peace accord between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group, Biden said the most difficult part of the peace process -- the implementation phase -- was just beginning.

Biden said the council's members can influence the incoming president by defending the need to continue close diplomatic and trade ties.

On the campaign trail, Trump slammed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) linking the US, Canada and Mexico, as job-destroying and has pledged to put America first in the country's dealings with other nations.

The United States' free-trade agreement with Colombia was signed in 2006 under President George W. Bush's administration and took effect six years later.

This year, Obama also asked the US Congress to approve $450 million in economic assistance for Colombia under a new framework known as "Paz Colombia" (Peace Colombia).

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who also attended the gathering, said the private sector and the United States both had a critical role to play in forging a peaceful and prosperous future.--IANS

vgu/
Trump's holds telephone conversation with Taiwan president

United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Washington, Dec 3 (IANS) US President-elect Donald Trump had a telephone conversation with Taiwanese Head of State Tsai Ing-wen, media reports said.

This is the first bilateral contact at this level since Washington ended diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979.

During the conversation on Friday, Tsai congratulated the president-elect on his victory in the November 8 election, Efe news agency reported.

Trump and Tsai also referred to "close economic, political, and security ties" between Taiwan and the United States, according to a statement by Trump's team.

President Jimmy Carter's administration severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan after formally recognizing the People's Republic of China.

Trump's staff did not say who initiated the call with Tsai, elected president of Taiwan earlier this year.

--IANS

vgu/
Senate vote to extend sanctions shows US unreliability: Iran

India,Politics,Defence/Security,Business/Economy,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday slammed the US Senate's vote to extend anti-Tehran sanctions and said that "it is a sign of Washington's unreliability".

Zarif, who arrived in New Delhi to participate in the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar, said the US Senate's Thursday vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act has no executive value, Press TV reported.

The US Senate voted to extend the sanctions that date back to the 1990s and authorise the US President to potentially impose sanctions on US entities that do business with Iran. The US House of Representatives had also voted to extend the sanctions earlier in November.

"...Even if it is signed off on by America's President, has no executive effect and from the standpoint of the international community, it shows the lack of credibility of the US government, which acts against its commitments," Zarif was quoted as saying by the Islamic Students News Agency.

The law was originally introduced on the unfounded grounds that Iran was pursuing a non-civilian nuclear programme. The fresh sanctions became a source of renewed tension between Iran and the US.

The two countries, along with five other world powers -- Britain, France, China, Germany, Russia and the EU, ended a decades-long dispute over the Iranian nuclear programme, when they reached a nuclear deal in July 2015.

The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stipulates that all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran be lifted and no new sanctions be imposed as long as Iran fulfils a range of commitments, including certain limits to its nuclear programme and enhanced access to international monitors to Iranian nuclear facilities.

The White House's Principal deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said on Friday he "would expect" US President Barack Obama to sign the sanctions.

--IANS

soni/ahm/bg
Syrian crisis resolvable, people's participation key: Iranian Foreign Minister

Delhi,National,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Defence/Security,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) The participation of the Syrian people themselves is important to solve the Syrian problem, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday.

"I believe time is long gone for any power to resolve Syrian question. It requires everybody to chip in. It requires participation from all, and most importantly by the people of Syria," he said in a special address on 'Fighting against terrorism and extremism as a global menace' organised by Observer Research Foundation.

Suggesting a possible solution for Syria, Zarif said: "Can there be a power-sharing system in Syria through constitutional methodology, through other methods that will make everybody part of the future of Syria?"

"United States and Russia, without a feasible scenario out of this stalemate, will not be able to produce miracles."

"So, I believe Syria is resolvable," said Zarif is India to attend the Heart of Asia conference being held at Amritsar.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

Speaking on how to resolve the problems in Afghanistan and highlighting the constructive role played by Indian and Iran, Zarif said: "Iran and India are working together in order to address the fundamental challenge in Afghanistan and that is the fact that Afghanistan has failed to turn its economy from an informal economy based on drugs, corruption and trafficking and warlordism into a formal economy."

"Port of Chabahar provides an outlet to Afghanistan and other countries of the region to export their minerals to the international market. I think that is capable of changing the root cause of the terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking in Afghanistan."

Afghanistan is a landlocked country and it needs port in neighbourhood to export its good into the global market. India is developing the port and associated road infrastructure to connect Afghanistan to rest of the world via Iran.

On the the nuclear agreement signed between the US, other powers and Iran which ended the international sanctions against his country, Zarif said that the agreement came "because the sanctions didn't work". "Sanctions did a lot of harm to Iran," he said explaining why US decided to come to the talking table on nuclear issue.

Taking a shot on US policy of sanctions on Iran, he said: "They gained a net total of 19,800 centrifuges. Because when they imposed sanctions on Iran, we had only 200 hundred. They were hoping to bring that to zero. When we started the negotiation with Americans we had 20,000 centrifuges."

"The era of hegemony is over..I do not believe that the nuclear agreement is in jeopardy. Of course in Iran, we have options for every alternative," he added.

--IANS

rs/vd
BSF guns down intruder from Pakistan in Punjab

Punjab,National,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Defence/Security, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Chandigarh, Dec 3 (IANS) Border Security Force troopers have gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab, official sources said on Saturday.

The incident took place the Bamiyal sector near the Dinda border out post (BoP) in forward areas of Pathankot district.

The intruder was killed after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed to warnings.

The area is close to the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border.

The National Investigating Agency, which had investigated the terror attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 this year by Pakistani terrorists, had pointed out that the terrorists had entered India near the Dinda BoP.

BSF troopers in the border belt remain on high alert following the two terror attacks in Dinanagar (July 27, 2015) and Pathankot (Jan 2, 2016) in Punjab.

--IANS

js/ahm/
China angry over Trump's phone call to Taiwan

United States,Politics,Diplomacy, Sat, 03 Dec 2016 IANS

Washington, Dec 3 (IANS) A telephonic conversation between US President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, has angered China, reports said on Saturday.

This was the first bilateral contact between the US and Taiwan since Washington ended its diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979.

The conversation irked Beijing, where the officials said: "We firmly opposes any official interaction or military contact between the US and Taiwan."

Beijing also sought an explanation from the White House over the communication with Taiwan.

The White House also reaffirmed that it was committed to its "one China policy", a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, Ned Price, said in a statement.

Trump also in a tweet over the conversation said: "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

"Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," he added.

The remark was in reference to the $1.83 billion contract signed in 2015 by President Barack Obama's administration, which included military equipment for Taiwan, a sale that angered Beijing.

Former US President Jimmy Carter formally declared Beijing as the only government of China in 1979, thereby ending formal diplomatic relations between the US and Taiwan.

Washington closed its embassy in Taipei in 1980.

--IANS

in/ahm/
Orlando Collector Deviants writes: George Perez signing out copy of Teen Titans. https://t.co/pGeCwspMB6  George Perez (@perezartist) November 22, 2016

Just a few days after he said he didn't want to attend conventions in states that voted Republican, George Perez and/or his assistants posted:He does live in Florida, which went GOP this year. In any case, does this signal he's come to his senses? I sure hope so, because any artist/writer who lets politics get the better of them is not doing their reputation any good. If Perez has turned around and realized the mistake he was making before, I'm relieved. Any creators who really cherish the profession they're in would do well to refrain from getting involved in too many political issues, because ultimately, it doesn't benefit anybody for the better, not even folks of the same positions as they have. So, here's hoping Perez will take the time to visit conventions in other states voting GOP this coming year.

Labels: conventions, politics
The Federal Government is pushing ahead with plans to secure $29.9billion loans in spite of scathing criticisms from ex-President Olusegu...

The Federal Government is pushing ahead with plans to secure $29.9billion loans in spite of scathing criticisms from ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It was learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to engage the ex-President on the facts-behind-the-figures in respect of the loans.

The Finance Minister, who is said to be a goddaughter of the ex-President, may also get a feedback from Obasanjo to the government.

According to investigation conducted by our correspondent, the Buhari administration has discovered that Obasanjo does not have sufficient information on the loans.

Findings made by our correspondent indicated that the Federal Government has decided to ignore calls that it should shelve the loans and had resolved to engage Obasanjo and convince him on the need for the loans.

It was gathered that the government would also make all the details available to the ex-President to prove that the loans would not amount to fresh debt traps.

A top source said: We are going ahead with the loans, but we will allay the fears of ex-President Obasanjo with necessary documents on the sources and plans.

I think the ex-President needs some details. We are certainly going to engage Obasanjo. We will not take issues with him in the media.

It is to the credit of Obasanjo that he secured debt reliefs for the nation. We want him to realize that we are not out to pile up fresh debts for the nation.

These loans are coming from some liberal creditors including the World Bank, Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and China EximBank.

What Nigerians do not know is that we had many offers but were careful in selecting our loan facilitators.

For instance, the Buhari administration rejected loan offers from the International Monetary Funds (IMF) because of Nigerians attitude to the international agency for such a bail out in 1990.

Yet out of the $29.9 billion loans, the Federal Governments share is $25.8 billion while the states will enjoy $4.1 billion facility.

The source gave insights into the loans as follows:

The external borrowing plan is a three-year plan covering proposed projects for 2016  2018. As such, the borrowings will be phased over the three-year period.

The borrowings are highly concessional (non-commercial) with low interest rates and long tenors.

The funding is being sought from multilateral institutions including the World Bank, Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and China EximBank.

The planned Eurobond issuance in the international capital markets is the only commercial source of funding.

The source said: There is no way we can even implement 2017 budget without the loans. We are in dire straits. We need some breather to revive the economy.

It is not physical cash as being assumed. All the institutions will be involved in the management of the loans to ensure judicious use.

And for a prudent government like that of Buhari, there is 100 per cent assurance that the loans will not be mismanaged unlike the case in the past.

Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: The government has mandated the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to engage the ex-President on the indices behind obtaining the loans. Our hands are tied because of lack of funds to implement laudable projects.

The Minister will then return with a feedback from the ex-President on how we can manage the loans better. Fortunately for Buhari, the Minister is more or less a goddaughter of Obasanjo.

Whatever is the communication gap, we will use the engagement with Obasanjo to clear the air.

The ex-President had asked Buhari to stay off the loans, saying that it would mortgage the nations future.

He said: I believe that going for a huge loan under any guise is inadvisable and it will amount to going the line of soft option, which will come to haunt us in future.

We immediately need loans to stabilise our foreign reserve and embark on some infrastructure development, but surely not $30 billion over a period of less than three years.

That was about the magnitude of cumulative debt of Nigeria which we worked and wiped out 10 years ago. Before that debt relief, we were spending almost $3 billion to service our debt annually, and the quantum of the debt was not going down.

Rather, if we defaulted, we paid penalty, which was added on.

He said some of the projects to be financed by the $30 billion loans were not self-sustaining.

He added: The projects listed for borrowing are all necessary in the medium and long run for our economy, but we have to prioritise.

Railway is a necessary service, but it is not profit-making anywhere in the world today. We need steady and continuous but manageable funding on the railway project.

Mambilla hydro is the same; necessary but it cannot pay itself, especially with the global energy sector of shale revolution, hydrogen fuel and increasingly cheap renewable energy such as solar.

OPEC itself has projected that the price of oil will be hovering in the region of $50 per barrel for the next 15 years or so.

The argument of concessional mixed with commercial does not hold water. When the concessional and the non-concessional borrowings are put together, interests alone will be in the region of 3% to 4%.

The bunching of debt service will be a problem to confront other administrations in future. Soft option alone is not the answer; a mixture of soft and hard options is the way to go.

Telling us that those projects will pay themselves cannot be the whole truth. We were told there was rainy day when we lavished our reserve and excess crude on frivolities. When we now have the rains beating us, there is no umbrella over our heads.

Again, now we are being told the projects will pay themselves when we know damn well they will not.

If we borrow some thirty billion dollars in less than three years, we would have mortgaged the future of Nigeria for well over thirty years to come.
THE WALL OF SHAME

"The only thing [Trump's] mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin's c--k holster."

--STEPHEN COLBERT

"[Ivanka Trump] Your father is a racist birther. Steve Bannon an anti-Semitic opportunist. You and your husband are enabling hatred. F--- your shoes."

--BRADLEY WHITFORD

"Melania [Trump] is a hooker."

--JACOB BERNSTEIN

"And my job is to shut other white people down when they want to interrupt."

"We have to, at the DNC, provide training. We have to teach them how to communicate, how to be sensitive, and how to shut their mouths if they're white."

--SALLY BOYNTON BROWN

"And to our detractors that insist that this march will never add up to anything: F--- you! F---you!

"Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House."

--MADONNA

"Barron Trump looks like a very handsome date-rapist-to-be."

--STEPHEN SPINOLA

"Barron [Trump] will be this country's first homeschool shooter."

--KATIE RICH

"Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners, and if we kick 'em all out, you'll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts."

--MERYL STREEP

"There's a billion to one chance we're living in base reality."

[That means we're almost positively living in a simulation, like a video game.]

--ELON MUSK

"When I would deny that there was a significant racist component in some of the politics on our side, it was because the people I hung out with were certainly not. When suddenly, this rock is turned over, there is this'Oh shit, did I not see that?'"

----------------------------

"In any other scenario, Hillary Clinton's lying about her emails, and her pay-for-play relationship with the Clinton Foundation would be disqualifying issues. The only reason they're not disqualifying is because Donald Trump is a fundamentally more repellent, dishonest figure."

--CHARLIE SYKES

"I made a mistake in recalling the events of twelve years ago... I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG fire. I was instead in a following aircraft."

--BRIAN WILLIAMS

"I'm here to tell you if you elect me governor of this state, I will end the civil war."

--TOM BARRETT

"I would not look to the U.S. Constitution, if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012. I might look at the constitution of South Africa. That was a deliberate attempt to have a fundamental instrument of government that embraced basic human rights, had an independent judiciary. It really is, I think, a great piece of work that was done."

--RUTH BADER GINSBURG

"Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney. Now, do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?"

--ROBERT DE NIRO

"The death of Andrew Breitbart disproves the adage that only the good die young."

--JULIAN BOND

"The National Institute of Health has said that it is a danger to women's health and safety of their families that for 30 years to be exposed to the prospects of pregnancy."

--GWEN MOORE

"[Tea Party Republicans] have acted like terrorists."

--JOE BIDEN

"Why did- Couldn't the President have said at that moment, way back in December of last year, 'no game playing. No hostage-taking. No terrorizing this country with the debt ceiling. I'm not going to negotiate with you guys. You can't play it that way.' Could he have done that?"

--CHRIS MATTHEWS

"[T]he tea-party Hobbits could return to Middle Earth having defeated Mordor."

--WALL STREET JOURNAL EDITORIAL

"I remember distinctly an image of--we were sitting on his couches, and I was looking at [Obama's] pant leg and his perfectly creased pant, and I'm thinking, a) he's going to be president and b) he'll be a very good president."

--DAVID BROOKS

"I feel like calling her back and smackin' her around."

--FRED CLARK, DEMOCRAT

"The picture was of me, and I sent it."

--ANTHONY WEINER

"[I]f you go back to the year 2000, when we had an obvious disaster and - and saw that our voting process needed refinement, and we did that in the America Votes Act and made sure that we could iron out those kinks, now you have the Republicans, who want to literally drag us all the way back to Jim Crow laws and literally - and very transparently - block access to the polls to voters who are more likely to vote Democratic candidates than Republican candidates. And it's nothing short of that blatant."

--DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

"This is probably one of the worst times we've seen because the numbers of people elected to Congress. I went through this as co-chair of the arts caucus. In '94 people were elected simply to come here to kill the National Endowment for the Arts. Now theyre here to kill women."

--LOUISE SLAUGHTER

"The protesters have proven today that theyre not going away. It was a pretty rough night last night. You can imagine if people said, well, we just cant fight the power. Instead, this morning, they came by tens, by hundreds, by thousands. By midday today, it was easily more than 10,000, perhaps as many as 15,000 people on the square here in Madison. Not organized by anyone, just grassroots citizens who came out just like the Minutemen in 1776."

--JOHN NICHOLS

"They're sitting on the money, they're using it for their own -- they're putting it someplace else with no interest in helping you with your life, with that money. We've allowed them to take that. That's not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it. I think we need to go back to taxing these people at the proper rates."

--MICHAEL MOORE

"Why don't we just raise the taxes and let these folks have their collective bargaining, have their union representation and go back to their jobs? Raise the taxes on the wealthy."

--DAVID LETTERMAN

"In 1933, [Hitler] abolished unions and that's what our Governor [Scott Walker] is doing today."

--LENA TAYLOR, Democrat State Senator

"So I would urge my Republican colleagues, no matter how strongly they feel -- you know, we have three branches of government. We have a House. We have a Senate. We have a president. And all three of us are going to have to come together and give some, but it is playing with fire to risk the shutting down of the government."

--CHUCK SCHUMER

"Well, when you start off with the Preamble of the Constitution, you talk about the pursuit of happiness."

--JOHN LEWIS

"I'm Rebecca Kleefisch. I performed fellatio on all the talk show hosts in Milwaukee. And they endorsed me and that's how I became lieutenant governor."

--SLY SYLVESTER

"Do you think this Constitution-loving is getting out of hand? I mean, is it a nod to the Tea Party?"

--JOY BEHAR

"We cant just leave it up to the parents."

"[Military leaders] tell us that childhood obesity isnt just a public health issue; they tell us that it is not just an economic threat -- it is a national security threat as well."

--MICHELLE OBAMA

"Actually, I did not take part in [the assassination of Sarah Palin]. I led it."

--KATHLEEN PARKER

"[The repeal of ObamaCare is] a kind of creeping genocide."

--JESSE JACKSON

"[Obama] has to realize that Mitch McConnell has virtually said so that politically he wants to cut out his heart and throw his liver to the dogs."

--DAN RATHER

"And the instructions are not to improvise a comedy sketch, but to elect a group of unqualified, unstable individuals who will do what they are told, in exchange for money and power, and march this nation as far backward as they can get, backward to Jim Crow, or backward to the breadlines of the '30s, or backward to hanging union organizers, or backward to the trusts and the robber barons.

"Result: the Tea Party. Vote backward, vote Tea Party. And if you are somehow indifferent to what is planned for next Tuesday, it is nothing short of an attempted use of democracy to end this democracy."

--KEITH "Reagan's dead and he was a lousy President" OLBERMANN

"I gotta wonder when people are gonna start wearing uniforms. I mean they've got an army out there in Alaska of militia people. You've got these guys going around acting like street thugs. I mean it isn't far from what we saw in the thirties, where all of a sudden, political parties started showing up in uniform."

--CHRIS MATTHEWS

"[Sharron Angle] is a moron on top of being evil... I'd like to see her do this ad in the South Bronx. Come here, bitch. Come to New York and do it. I'm not praying for her. She's going to hell. She's going to hell, this bitch."

--JOY BEHAR

"So people have been hurting and I understand that. And it doesn't give them comfort or solace for me to tell them, you know, but for me, we'd be in a worldwide depression."

--HARRY REID

"And to play Dick Cheney, all I had to do was find my Dick Cheney. And you can find all the villainy in the world in your own heart, and that's what an actor's job is. I always say to kids, inside you is Hitler and Jesus. And you got to find the appropriate person and bring them out."

--RICHARD DREYFUSS

"Because I live in the District of Columbia which is so predominantly Democratic, I am a registered Democrat. But I am an avowed neutral. And to put that into practice, I take my young daughter into the voting booth and she votes for me. She's now 14. We've been doing this since she was about age 4. She's now quite informed."

--BOB WOODWARD

"Sarah Palin's an idiot. Come on. This is a remarkably, stunningly, jaw-droppingly incompetent and mean woman."

"The Democrats may have moved into the center, but the Republicans have moved into a mental institution."

--AARON SORKIN

"Perhaps the greatest threat of all is the undermining of our Constitution and the systematic attack against the inalienable rights of the citizens of this nation, rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution. At the vanguard of this insidious attack is the Tea Party. This band of misguided citizens is moving perilously close to achieving villainous ends."

--HARRY BELAFONTE

"[Christine O'Donnell is] a witch who doesn't masturbate."

--JOY BEHAR

"Ah, the Tea Party, the nativist bed-wetters who somehow control our national dialogue. Yes, I call them the Pee Party, Jay, because they're always peeing in their pants about something. They're just, they're afraid of a mosque being built in New York. They're afraid of guns. You know, they think Obama, who like every other pussy Democrat has never said a single word about gun control, but they are very sure that he and his Negro army are coming after their guns. You know what? If you think that he's coming after your guns, you need to get out of your chat room and have your house tested for lead. He's not coming after your guns or your Bible or your fishing pole or your chewing tobacco."

--BILL MAHER

"That's a trade-off society is making because of very, very high medical costs, and a lack of willingness to say, you know, is spending a million dollars on that last three months of life for that patient, would it be better not to lay off those ten teachers and to make that trade-off in medical costs. But that;s called the 'Death Panel' and you're not supposed to have that discussion."

--BILL GATES

"NOT the 'whiteman's bitch'"

--IESHUH GRIFFIN

"[If Rush Limbaugh suffered a heart attack in my presence, I would] laugh loudly like a maniac and watch his eyes bug out. I never knew I had this much hate in me. But he deserves it."

--SARAH SPITZ

"You want freedom, you going to have to kill some crackers. You going to have to kill some of their babies."

--KING SAMIR SHABAZZ

"If this was Texas, which is the state that, that is directly on the border with Mexico, and they were calling for a measure like this, saying that they had a major issue with, you know, with undocumented people flooding their borders, I would say I would have to look twice at this. "But this is a state that is a ways removed from the border. And, um, it just, it doesn't make sense to me that when you google this subject, if you put in 'Arizona S.B. 1070,' that you see a picture of the governor of Arizona meeting with President Obama in May of 2010. If you have direct linkage to the president, there are already National Guard troops on the border in Arizona."

--PEGGY WEST

"Tell [the Jews] to get the hell out of Palestine. Remember, these people are occupied and it's their land. It's not German. It's not Poland. [The Jews] can go home. Poland. Germany."

--HELEN THOMAS

"After the last eight years, it's good to have a president that knows what a library is."

--PAUL McCARTNEY

"By the way, I just want to point out I'm wearing my splash shield because I was told I was going to be in the splash zone (during Harry Smith's colonoscopy on live TV)."

--KATIE COURIC

"And that Word is, we have to give voice to what that means in terms of public policy that would be in keeping with the values of the Word."

----------------------------

"Think of an economy where people could be an artist or a photographer or a writer without worrying about keeping their day job in order to have health insurance or that people could start a business and be entrepreneurial and take risk, but not job loss because of a child with asthma or someone in the family is bipolaryou name it, any condition  is job-locking."

--NANCY PELOSI

"Back in World War II, we viewed the Japanese as 'yellow, slant-eyed dogs' that believed in different gods. They were out to kill us because our way of living was different. We, in turn, wanted to annihilate them because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what's going on today?"

--TOM HANKS

"The 'White Right' is trying to set Barack up to be assassinated.... Here are Christians praying for God to kill Barack Obama."

--LOUIS FARRAKHAN

"I refuse to accept the notion that the United States of America is not going to lead the world economically throughout the 20th Century."

--JOE BIDEN

"Obama's critics keep blasting him for Chicago-style politics. So, fine. Channel your inner Al Capone and go gangsta against your foes. Let 'em know that if they aren't with you, they are against you, and will pay the price."

--ROLAND MARTIN

"Martha Coakley is running to fill the rest of Ted Kennedy's term, and her opponent is a far-right tea-bagger Republican."

--CHUCK SCHUMER

"I tell you what, if I lived in Massachusetts, I'd try to vote ten times. I don't know if they'd let me or not, but I'd try to. Yeah, that's right, I'd cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. 'Cause that's exactly what they are."

--ED SCHULTZ

"We also see how revved up the tea baggers are at the thought of hijacking health care reform and every chance we have at making progress in Washington."

--JOHN KERRY

"A few years ago, this guy (Obama) would have been getting us coffee."

--BILL CLINTON

"I didn't realize I had written a column defending Roman Polanski and minimized his crime - are you sure it was me? I mean, I? There is, apparently, more to this crime than it would seem, and it may sound like a hollow defense, but in Hollywood I am not sure a 13-year-old is really a 13-year-old."

--TOM SHALES

"Joe Wilson yelled 'You lie!' at a president who didn't. But, fair or not, what I heard was an unspoken word in the air: You lie, boy!"

--MAUREEN DOWD

"One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game... During the 7th inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez."

--DAVID LETTERMAN

"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasnt lived that life."

--SONIA SOTOMAYOR

"We all considered sexual abuse of minors as a moral evil, but had no understanding of its criminal nature."

--REMBERT WEAKLAND, Archbishop of Milwaukee 1977- 2002

"You know, you might want to look into this, [President Obama], because I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker, but he was so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight."

"Rush Limbaugh -- 'I hope the country fails.' I hope his kidneys fail."

----------------------------

"[Obama] told me I did a great job. The first lady said the same thing. I got a 'well done' from the president, I'm on cloud nine."

--WANDA SYKES

"Americans are looking for more government in their life, not less."

--COLIN POWELL

"[Tea Party goers are] just a bunch of wimpy, whiny, weasels who don't love their country."

--PAUL BEGALA

"I wouldn't want [gay marriage] to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has too many votes on this current court."

--BARNEY FRANK

"Going forward, my mind will be open to every solution -- except one. We should not -- we must not -- and I will not -- raise taxes."

--JIM DOYLE, Liar

"He's a terrorist. Rush Limbaugh is a terrorist."

--JOY BEHAR

"You know, I just want to say to her (Sarah Palin), just very quickly...F--- you."

--JON STEWART

"Should I be worried about being a slave and being returned to slavery?"

--WHOOPI GOLDBERG

"I also believe that America is the greatest sin against God."

--FR. MICHAEL PFLEGER

"Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken. Today the reason for the Zionist regime's existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation."

--MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

"We'll be eight degrees hotter in ten, not ten but 30 or 40 years and basically none of the crops will grow. Most of the people will have died and the rest of us will be cannibals."

--TED TURNER

"Look, [Mitt] Romney comes from a religion founded by a criminal who was anti-American, pro-slavery, and a rapist. And he comes from that lineage and says, 'I respect this religion fully.'"

--LAWRENCE O'DONNELL

"Mexico does not end at its borders... Where there is a Mexican, there is Mexico."

--FELIPE CALDERON

"The planet has a fever. If your baby has a fever, you go to the doctor. If the doctor says you need to intervene here, you don't say, 'Well, I read a science fiction novel that told me it's not a problem.' If the crib's on fire, you don't speculate that the baby is flame retardant."

--AL GORE

"Don't fear the terrorists. They're mothers and fathers."

--ROSIE O'DONNELL

"Is America ready for a black president? Well, I say we just had a retarded one. When did being black become a bigger deterrent than being retarded?"

--CHRIS ROCK

"Shut the f--- up! Shut up if you can't take a joke [about President Bush]!"

--BARBRA STREISAND

"Right, oh, yeah, Happy 9/11! Celebrate the day, right?"

--JAMES BROLIN, Mr. Barbra Streisand

"I think President Bush very well may have signed an authorization for the 9/11 attacks."

--KEVIN BARRETT, UW-MADISON Lecturer

"I said what I said. I am not guilty."

--SADDAM HUSSEIN

"Terri will not be starved to death. Her nutrition and hydration will be taken away."

--MICHAEL SCHIAVO

"On the eve of the election last month my wife Judith and I were driving home late in the afternoon and turned on the radio for the traffic and weather. What we instantly got was a freak show of political pornography: lies, distortions, and half-truths -- half-truths being perhaps the blackest of all lies. "

--BILL MOYERS

"I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for."

--HOWARD DEAN

"The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win."

--MICHAEL MOORE

"And there is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children, you know, women, breaking sort of the customs of the--of--the historical customs, religious customs."

--JOHN KERRY

"F---ing retarded."

"[Republicans] can go f--- themselves!"

--RAHM EMANUEL

"I'm not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president."

--HILLARY CLINTON

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

--BILL CLINTON

"And let me tell you something -- for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment."

--MICHELLE OBAMA

"If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew, uh, as a janitor, makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor."

----------------------------

"If you love me, you got to help me pass this bill."

----------------------------

"[F]or most of my lifetime, the United States was such a dominant economic power, we were such a large market, our industry, our technology, our manufacturing was so significant that we always met the rest of the world economically on our terms. And now, because of the incredible rise of India and China and Brazil and other countries, the United States remains the largest economic and the largest market but theres real competition out there. And that's potentially healthy. It makes -- Michelle was saying earlier I like tough questions because it keeps me on my toes. Well, this will keep America on its toes."

----------------------------

"If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, 'We're gonna PUNISH OUR ENEMIES and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us,' if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it's gonna be harder and that's why I think it's so important that people focus on voting on November 2."

----------------------------

"We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for the ride, but THEY GOTTA SIT IN BACK."

----------------------------

"We can absorb a terrorist attack. We'll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever... we absorbed it and we are stronger."

----------------------------

"We're buying shrimp, guys."

----------------------------

"We are the ones we've been waiting for."

----------------------------

"We talk to these folks because they potentially have the best answers so I know whose ass to kick."

----------------------------

"We're not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money. But, you know, part of the American way is, you know, you can just keep on making it if youre providing a good product or you're providing good service. We don't want people to stop fulfilling the core responsibilities of the financial system to help grow the economy."

----------------------------

"If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

----------------------------

"It is a vital national security interest of the United States to reduce these conflicts because whether we like it or not, we remain a dominant military superpower, and when conflicts break out, one way or another we get pulled into them. And that ends up costing us significantly in terms of both blood and treasure."

----------------------------

"But I -- I think that the most important thing for the public to understand is, we're not handling any of these cases any different than the Bush administration handled them all through 9/11."

----------------------------

"One such translator was an American of Haitian descent, representative of the extraordinary work that our men and women in uniform do all around the world -- Navy CORPSE-MAN Christian [sic] Brossard. And lying on a gurney aboard the USNS Comfort, a woman asked Christopher: 'Where do you come from? What country? After my operation,' she said, 'I will pray for that country.' And in Creole, CORPSE-MAN Brossard responded, 'Etazini.' The United States of America."

----------------------------

"I hear that Dr. Joe Medicine Crow was around, and so I want to give a shout-out to that Congressional Medal of Honor winner. It's good to see you."

----------------------------

"We are God's partners in matters of life and death."

----------------------------

"[T]he Cambridge police acted stupidly."

----------------------------

"I am going to teach [my daughters] first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

----------------------------

"The reforms we seek would bring greater competition, choice, savings, and INEFFICIENCIES to our health care system."

----------------------------

"Over the last 15 months, weve traveled to every corner of the United States. Ive now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it."

--BARACK OBAMA
Unknown armed men at the earlier hours of Friday kidnapped the wife of the former State Correspondent of Daily Independent Newspapers and ...

Unknown armed men at the earlier hours of Friday kidnapped the wife of the former State Correspondent of Daily Independent Newspapers and now Benue Regional Manager of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mrs. Yuadoo, Tor-Agbidye.It was gathered that the victim, a staff of the state-owned Radio Benue was abducted from the familys private residence along the new Abu King Shuluwa road, new GRA Makurdi.According to a family source, the home of the Tor-Agbidyes was invaded at about 5am by a four-man well-armed gang who stormed the residence on motorbikes.They scaled the fence of the house after which they broke into the living home and ordered the woman to drive them in her own car to an unknown destination.At the time of the incident, the husband of the victim, Mr. Achia Tor-Agbidye was away in Abuja on an official assignment but he has been told of the unfortunate development and the matter has also been reported to the Police.It was further gathered that the abductors were yet to make any contact with the family of the victim. When contacted, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Makama said the command had received the report and was working hard to rescue the victim and arrest the masterminds.Makama said: from the preliminary investigation and my visit to the residence of the victim, it clearly shows that it was an insider arrangement, for the woman to haven been kidnapped.However, we have launched immediate investigations into the matter and I can assured the family of the victim that in no distance time, those behind her abduction will be apprehended.
Cross River State civil servants, on Friday, protested against the decision of the state governor, Ben Ayade, to pay their December salary...

Cross River State civil servants, on Friday, protested against the decision of the state governor, Ben Ayade, to pay their December salary on the first day of the month.The workers usually receive bank alert for the payment of their salaries on December 25, but got it December 1 this year.It would be the second time they are receiving salaries on the first day of the month, as it also happened in May this year, as Governor Ayade commemorated Workers Day celebration.The angry civil servants, complained that the decision to pay their salaries in advance, would later cause untold hardship as Christmas approaches.The state governments decision to pay December salaries of some civil servants within the first three days of the month will make us suffer in due course, a top civil servant in the Ministry of Environment, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the newsmen.The government should have employed caution by delaying December salary payments to a later date. Our governor may want to score a political point with this payment, but I think that those of us receiving this money stand to lose fiscally when January comes.But one of the governors aides, who pleaded anonymity, said: People are so impossible to please. There are states in this country where salaries are not paid as and when due, but in Cross River State, our governor pays salaries and even pays ahead to cater for special occasions like the Workers Day and this Yuletide.Instead of applauding him, some people say he shouldnt have paid. Nigerians are difficult to please.
Widow to the late Head of State of the defunct Biafra Republic, Bianca Ojukwu, said she has fulfilled two of the dying wishes of her husba...

Widow to the late Head of State of the defunct Biafra Republic, Bianca Ojukwu, said she has fulfilled two of the dying wishes of her husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu who died on November 26, 2011.Bianca who spoke at an event marking Ojukwus fifth memorial in Owerri, disclosed that the Biafran warlord had before his death, urged her to fulfill three wishes for him which includes that his body must be taken to Aba, Abia state before burial.The ex beauty queen expressed gratitude to God that she was able to fulfill the wish to take Ojukwus body to Aba, while the second one which required erecting a monument in memory of a 19 year old American, Bruce Mayrock who died for Biafra, would soon be met. She, however, failed to disclose the third wish, promising to do so at the appropriate time.According to her, There are three things Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu asked me to do for him when he is dead. I have done one; the first is that he demanded that when he is dead, before he is buried, I should take his body to Aba. When I get to Aba, that I should place the coffin on the ground, touch the dust and sprinkle it on the coffin. After this, we should bury him whenever we wish to. By the grace of God, I was able to do that.The second one is that before Dim Ojukwu died, he narrated the story of a young American boy named Bruce Mayrock. He told me that this young boy was 19 years old, a white American and University student who came from a wealthy family. During the Biafra war, Mayrock was too disturbed about the pictures of starving Biafran children and the genocide. He wrote letters to American senators and President, individuals, Christian organizations and the United Nations calling on them to come to the aid of the Biafran people. Mayrock lamented that the Biafrans were facing extermination.All these people even the United Nations could not do anything. To bring attention to the plight of suffering Biafrans, this boy went to the front of the United Nations building doused himself with gasoline, struck a match and set himself on fire. When they were chasing him to put away the fire he was running with the inferno. He ran until he collapsed.He was taken to the hospital and by midnight on 30th May 1966, he died. Ojukwu was humbled that a 19 year old boy sacrificed his life for a people thousand miles away that he never knew or met. His parents were unhappy that he sacrificed himself but he had told his priest that it was the only way he could get attention from the United Nation to take notice and save dying Biafra people.Ojukwu demanded that when he is dead, the story be narrated to his children and when his son turns 19, that a little plot of land be gotten to erect a monument in honour of Bruce Mayrock who sacrificed his life for the people of Biafra. Today in America, many Igbo people regularly visit Mayrocks grave to lay flowers and pray for him.Amidst applause from the teeming crowd, Bianca disclosed that she has fulfilled Ojukwus second wish by erecting a monument in favour of Mayrock, stressing that her family has been in touch with Mayrocks family in America and expressed hope that they would be in Nigeria for the commissioning of the monument.Bianca urged Ndigbo to be united, adding that Ojukwu who she described as an extraordinary man,, sacrificed a lot for the welfare of his people and commended MASSOB founder, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike for always honouring Ojukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari received King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who is on a State Visit, at the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari received King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who is on a State Visit, at the State House in Abuja.Nigeria-Morocco sign seven (7) Bilateral Agreements during meetings between President Buhari and visiting King Mohammed VI.Agreements are as follows:1. Agreement between OCP Group and Dangote Group to develop the fertilizer business in Nigeria.2. Cooperation Agreement between Dangote Group and OCP Group in strengthening the local blending capabilities and Agricultural Ecosystem.3. Agreement on the Exemption of Visas for Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports.4. Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Morocco.5. Agreement on Marine Fisheries Cooperation.6. Agreement in the field of Agriculture.7. Agreement between Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy and its Nigerian Counterpart.
Former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu has continued to reveal why he joined the All Progressive congress APC.

Former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu has continued to reveal why he joined the All Progressive congress APC.

As an Igbo man who have seen it all, trained in business by the Hausa Fulani and started business in the South West. I sincerely believe it is better for the Igbos to sit where other Nigerians are sitting.

I recall that on complaining of how the bad roads in the South East has been a great source of worry to me and our people, President Muhammadu Buhari personally promised me that all the contractors in the South East will return to sites before the end of November. Today, contractors are fully back to the many abandoned Federal roads in Eastern Nigeria. These are part of the reasons for joining the party. I joined the APC because President Buhari has fulfilled the promise he made to me and we are hopeful he will do more.

Read what he shared on Facebook this morning below...
The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume has said people from Boko Haram affected areas have learned unforgettable lessons, realised the...

The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume has said people from Boko Haram affected areas have learned unforgettable lessons, realised their mistakes and would never allowed such to happen again.Ndume, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Yola on Saturday, said that affected communities who were forced to leave their villages and towns are now anxious to return home and were ready to fight back.NAN reports that the Senate Majority leader was in Yola , where he visited thousands of Internally Displaced Persons mostly from Gwoza and other local government areas from Borno in some IDPs camps at the outskirts of Yola.We have suffered a lot and our people have learned a lesson from this ungodly crisis. We will never allow such barbaric act to happen again, our eyes are open now.Our people are ready to fight back now to reclaim the remaining of their villages and towns as well as their freedom of living with one another in peace and dignity, Ndume said.He said the lasting solution for Boko Haram insurgency was to take the fight to their hide out and wipe them out completely.He explained that most of the IDPs camps he visited in Adamawa were willingly and anxious to return to their respective ancestral homes.He said relief materials worth million of Naira were distributed to the IDPs, adding that the visit was with a team of top officials of the National Emergency Management Agency.
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McBorroughs and Butler. (Provided photos)

JERSEY CITY -- Two seemingly unrelated murders in Newark and West Orange over the past two months do have a connection - both victims were young female students at New Jersey City University.

Sarah Butler, a 20-year-old from Montclair, went missing on Nov. 22, police said. Her body was found more than a week later in a section of Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange. Authorities have determined her death was a homicide.

Last month, Cedar Knolls resident Syasia McBurroughs, 23, was one of six people who were stabbed at a Newark residence during a brutal attack allegedly motivated by a Facebook post. She and two young children died as a result of the attack.

Though neither murder occurred on campus, officials say the women's deaths have left a big hole in the school community.

"The loss of Sarah and Syasia is devastating for their families, friends, and the NJCU community," said school spokeswoman Ellen Wayman-Gordon.

Calling their murders "tragic," she noted that the college is offering counseling to students affected by the homicides.

To bring campus awareness to the tragedies, students say they are planning a candlelight vigil and balloon release in the victims' memory Monday evening.

"I am a resident assistant at New Jersey City University, Sarah Butler was one of my students," said Jeniyah Wilkins, one of the students promoting the vigil.

"(These girls) attended NJCU and were murdered. ... The goal is to raise awareness."

Authorities have charged Jeremy Arrington, of Newark, in the stabbing deaths of McBurroughs and the young boy and girl, 11-year-old Al-Jahon Whitehurst and his 8-year-old sister Aerial Little Whitehurst, who were also killed in the stabbing spree.

Officials have not yet named a suspect in Butler's murder, but have called the investigation into the homicide "extremely active" and offered a reward for information leading to a conviction.

The two homicides come a little over a year after the campus was rocked by the brutal beating death of student Robert Hayes, who was killed in Newark in July of 2015.

Hayes was found naked and badly beaten on a Newark street, and died from the injuries he sustained in the beating. Three men who admitted to playing roles in the beating were earlier this year given prison sentences ranging from four to seven years, which were decried by his friends and family members as not enough.

NJCU officials say students are left recovering after losing their classmates and friends.

"At times of tragedy such as this, we must call upon our community to comfort one another (and) to grieve with one another," Wayman-Gordon said.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at

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WEEHAWKEN -- A local teen who gained public notoriety -- and the scorn of first-responders -- for scaling the then-unfinished World Trade Center two years ago surrendered to authorities after similar recent climbs at New York City buildings.

Justin Casquejo, 18, recorded his exploits and posted them on social media, video and pictures showing the youth dangling by one arm from a tower hundreds of feet above Central Park, atop a midtown skyscraper that appears to be under construction and scaling other tall buildings.

Another man also appears in some of the images.

WABC 7 reports that Casquejo turned himself in Friday and will face felony charges of reckless endangerment and trespassing.

"This is not an individual that I have seen in any capacity, that is a menace, is malicious, that is intentionally going out and perpetrating anything criminal," his attorney Jeremy Soland told Channel 7. "There is nothing that I have seen since I've gotten to know him that says that he's a cavalier, flippant person. He has nothing but the complete amount of respect anyone can have for first responders and law enforcement."

After he was arrested in March 2014 following his World Trade Center climb, Casquejo was ordered to write a 1,200 word essay. Two weeks after climbing the downtown Manhattan landmark, Casquejo was arrested again for climbing a Weehawken water tower.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY - Former state Senate and Assembly candidate Bruce Alston was sentenced to five years probation in drug court today after having been accepted into the court due to alcohol and codeine addictions, following his guilty plea in a mortgage scam.

"It's something I look to put behind me," said Alston, 45, who pleaded guilty to theft by deception on July 21, 2016. "If the court does grant me the opportunity to enter this program, I will complete it. It is something that has disgraced my family, my father's legacy... I will make full restitution and I will redeem myself in to my community."

As part of his probation, Alston must, in part, make restitution to a mortgage company in the amount of $133,000, compete an intensive outpatient drug treatment program, refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs, stay away from places that sell alcohol and he must not possess a firearm.

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Ed DeFazio said Alston had demonstrated to the court that he abused alcohol and codeine on a daily basis. He said he believes Alston will respond well to probation and that it will make it easier for him to pay restitution. He also noted Alston has no criminal record.

The judge said Alston's addictions may have played a role in the commission of his crime. He also noted that if Alston violates the terms of his probation, he is likely to be incarcerated.

Alston's lawyer, Arthur Abrams of Jersey City, told DeFazio that Alston had already paid $172,000 in restitution to a second victim. He also suggested that Alston's addition to codeine stemmed from its use for dental pain.

Alston faced a 3-year prison sentence on the theft charge had he not been accepted into drug court.

At the end of the hearing, DeFazio addressed Alston saying, "Mr. Alston, please make sure you do everything that is required on this probation."

The state was represented at the hearing by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Andrea Hellinghausen.
It is a picture of an earlier time  one before flashy, blinking lights or electronic music denoted the celebration of Christmas.

Yet even those who like the glitz of modern-day holiday decorations might enjoy some reflective respite amid the quietly festive decor at May Museum in Fremont.

On Tuesday, the public is invited to the annual public open house from 7-9 p.m. in the museum at 1643 N. Nye Ave. Admission to the event is free.

We consider this as a gift to the public for its support to us throughout the year, said Jeff Kappeler, director of the Dodge County Historical Society and May Museum.

Those who attend can hear piano music by Rich Rader of Fremont. Local author Joyce Winfield will sign copies of her book, Forever Heroes: A Collection of World War II Stories from Nebraska Veterans.

Guests may see a variety of trees decorated for Christmas. They include a woodland tree decked out in knitted garland with a hand-crafted tree topper. The tree is adorned with forest creature ornaments such as fawns, squirrels and owls. This tree can be found in the museums entry, which has a 1950s snow village on the windowsill and frosted pine cones on the fireplace mantle.

Other trees include a German feather tree. In the dining room is a tree decorated with 150 of the traditional German Springerle cookies, which feature designs stamped on the tops.

A tree with Swedish flags and straw ornaments can be found in the billiards room and a 1950s Christmas tree is in the sunroom, both upstairs.

Various other holiday decorations can be seen throughout the museum, which also has a gift shop.

Visitors can get a visual history lesson at the museum.

The current exhibit this year and next is The Ethnic Origins of Dodge County Settlers. This exhibit includes Swedish, German and Czech memorabilia including home- and work-related items.

There is a group of Czech costumes and everyday clothing. In addition, the display has handmade kitchen utensils and ethnic-oriented items such as a Norwegian rolling pin used to make a type flatbread called Lefse. Also featured is a Czech poppy seed grinder and 1860s German sauerkraut cutter.

The exhibit includes copies of Fremonts original German language newspaper and a variety of chests that immigrants brought their possessions in when they came from Europe.

There is a collection of musical instruments that belonged to the family of Professor Julius Mayers, which settled at Hooper. Mayers taught his children to play the instruments and the family gave musical programs in Dodge County in about 1900.

The descendants of the family very kindly donated those things to us and its quite a fascinating collection of stringed instruments such as zithers, mandolins, a violin and guitars, Kappeler said.

Decorations will be up until the remainder of December. Museum hours: are 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. The last tour is available at 3:30 p.m. The museum will close on Dec. 31 and reopen in late April. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for students.
The menus for the 23rd Street food-lover have diversified over the past six months.

Since July, Hardees has been providing choices made primarily from scratch. The franchise has been missing from Fremont for nearly 30 years. Now, as the oldest new food stop along the eastbound four lane, business has been consistent according to Manager Paula Galdeano. Our staff is starting to recognized return customers, she smiled as she greeted another guest who entered in the mid-afternoon. We have our regulars.

Next door, Taco Johns is also experiencing a welcome return to town. During its grand opening, the drive-thru lane was stacked for blocks.

We were surprised at the numbers, Mary Hanken, the chains District Manager said. We had so many people say Thank you for coming back to Fremont. Weve missed you. And the potato oles.

Back toward the north of Clarkson and 23rd, Ninja Steaks and Sushi are turning out a cuisine which appeals to both the normal Nebraska palate and the adventurous. Billed as Fremonts only sushi bar, Ninjas offers a wide range of food choices associated with the Pacific rim. Steaks are waiting for those who prefer meat and vegetables. A large seating area beckons patrons to sit and take it all in. The aroma. The decor. And the smiles.

We are open everyday, said Sumi Dangfoo, Ninjas manager. There are no holidays off for us. Our weekends have been especially busy.

A family-centered atmosphere forms the basis for Panda Express dining experience.

Pandas is in the people business, Team Support leader Eldina Kunic said. We just happen to sell food.

Creating a strong, cohesive team of workers is priority one according to Kunic, a veteran of several of Panda Express openings around the Midwest. Originally from Zvornik, Bosnia, Kunic found a connection with Pandas emphasis on building a family climate within the store.

I bought in to this concept when I graduated from Baker University. I believe connecting with our employees and bringing that relationship to our customers separates us from others in the food industry, he said.

Prior to the openings of these establishments, there was a genuine concern among Fremont residents as to the towns ability to provide a sufficient labor force to meet the needs of new employers. In response to this question, every supervisor said applicants were plentiful; the hired, responsible.

No problem, said Kunic. We found many people who want to prepare this type of food.

We found an already great employee pool supported by members from all the small towns around Fremont, said Galdeano.

Our staff includes workers from North Bend, Arlington and other towns around the area, Hanken noted. The high school crowd wants to work here too. We love Fremont.

Considering full and part time assignments, Taco Johns keeps around 65 employees. Hardees maintains close to 50. Kunic explained that Panda Express desires a smaller, more connected work environment so their hiring settles at around 25. Adding Ninjas near 20 staff, the four companies have, collectively, created over 160 full- or part-time positions.

With its comfortable seating accommodations, Ninjas entices its customers to sit and relax. The other eateries have drive-thru lanes welcoming those who eat on the run; or buy and head home. Whatever stirs Fremonts appetite, 23rd Street beckons.
As'ad's Bio

As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants.
Trego Dugan Aviation Inc., a Phillips 66 Aviation branded FBO, recently announced the promotion of two senior-level employees. Debra Mendonca will serve as vice president of human resources, and Lorie ODonnell will serve as vice president of finance.

Mendonca has been with Trego Dugan for nearly 20 years, serving in multiple roles of increasing responsibility including customer service manager, operations manager and most recently serving as director of human resources. Additionally she has led internal projects relating to quality, marketing and process improvement. In her current role, Mendonca will oversee all aspects of employee relations for approximately 550 Trego Dugan employees nationwide. She is a certified professional in human resources, a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Nebraska Human Resources Association.

North Platte native ODonnell has been with the company since 2008. During her tenure, she has restructured the accounting department to streamline receivables and payables for all of Trego Dugans locations. Additionally she has initiated continuous improvement to payroll processing, and manages all aspects of employment taxation in all of the locations nationwide. In her current role as vice president of finance, ODonnell oversees all aspects of financial reporting and regulatory filings for the company. She is a certified public accountant in Nebraska and is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Trego Dugan has been in the aviation service business for the past 50 years, employing 500-plus employees in numerous aviation disciplines nationwide. For more information, visit trego-dugan.com.
Nebraska voters have spoken definitively in favor of the death penalty. Now the state needs a way to carry it out.

The last Nebraska execution was in 1997, when Robert Williams was electrocuted. The state hasnt attempted an execution in the seven years since the method was switched to lethal injection.

Public opposition to capital punishment has been increasing, both nationwide and in Nebraska, and lawsuits filed against manufacturers of the drugs used to carry out the death penalty have made it harder for states to procure them.

Many American and European manufacturers no longer sell the drugs to states for use in carrying out the death penalty by lethal injection. Nebraska has spent thousands of dollars to buy the drugs internationally, yet failed to import them.

Some death penalty states have been able to obtain the needed drugs by passing laws or adopting procedures shielding the manufacturers names. The names are public under the 2009 Nebraska law that changed the states method of execution to lethal injection.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, saying he respects the will of the voters, backs an administrative change in the death-penalty protocol.

Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services propose adding a pharmacist or pharmaceutical chemist to the states execution team. Prison officials say doing so would help the state obtain the drugs to carry out a death sentence, since the identities of execution team members are kept confidential under the 2009 state law.

Prison officials say death-row inmates would be notified about the specific drugs to be used 60 days before a scheduled execution and say that should provide time for appeals.

Advocates for open government and critics of Nebraskas death penalty question the need to shield the manufacturers identity. Some state senators have discussed clarifying the intent of the 2009 law.

Its up to the Legislature to decide whether to accept the governors proposal through legislation that would codify it or reject it.

For now, the public is left to weigh the Corrections Department proposal. The administration has scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 30 on its policy change.

Nebraskans should take the opportunity to offer comments on the new protocol. State leaders should receive as much feedback as possible on the protocol for an issue as difficult and divisive as the death penalty.

Death penalty politics in Nebraska are complex. The Legislature repealed the death penalty. Then the governor led and helped finance a successful effort to restore it. He also campaigned against senators running for re-election who voted to repeal the death penalty or allowed the repeal to advance.

Given the states difficulties in procuring execution drugs, officials may need to pursue some sort of protection for the drug manufacturers, whether in policy or law.

This discussion pits two important principles against one another: complying with the publics expressed will versus government transparency. Let the debate begin.

 The Omaha World-Herald
Anco Steel has opened a 64,000-square-foot warehouse in the Hammond Enterprise Center and is looking to hire truck drivers.

The 20-year-old Naperville-based service center employs about 100 workers at five locations, and recently expanded by opening a distribution center at 4531 Columbia Avenue in Hammond. The Hammond warehouse will move carbon long products like tubing, solid bars and sheet plates for a number of customers, including in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and metal fabrication industries.

"Significant improvements were performed at the site which previously was unoccupied for several years," Sales-General Manager Jim Morton said. "Many construction-related jobs at the former Stanrail building were created during warehouse preparations."

Extensive work included a new overhead crane, lighting upgrades and a railroad siding to connect with the CSX tracks. The privately held company did not disclose the exact investment.

Anco Steel moved into Northwest Indiana without the help of any government incentives like tax breaks that companies commonly seek.

"We just don't feel that government should fund new businesses and put the burden on taxpayers," Morton said.

The company expanded into Lake County because it was close to its steel mill suppliers, had available labor and was near highways and railroads, Morton said.

"Indiana residents have already been hired to fill open positions in Hammond," he said. "We are also very proud to have hired military veterans for jobs with excellent pay and benefits.

Anco is currently looking to hire Class A CDL flat-bed truck drivers, and will continue to add staff as needed.

"We're looking for drug-free applicants, Morton said. "And we do love to hire veterans."

To apply, email or fax a resume to jim@ancoSteel.com or (630) 264-6743.
EAST CHICAGO  Six people are in custody, accused of dealing cocaine in the citys Calumet neighborhood, according to complaints unsealed this week in U.S. District Court.

The arrests follow a raid Thursday by federal agents in an area where the individuals allegedly were carrying out drug deals. Ryan Holmes, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Hammond, said he could not confirm or deny the arrests are connected, per Department of Justice policy.

The arrested suspects include: Jose Zay Santiago, 39, of Munster; Derrick Twin Everett, 38; Jerome Juju Anderson, age unknown; Jeffrey Sims, 57; Deandrea Shorty Black Davis, 35; and Dylan Glover, 46, all of East Chicago.

Davis and Santiago each have been charged with cocaine distribution and aiding and abetting each other in distributing cocaine. Glover and Sims each have been charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Anderson and Everett each were charged with cocaine distribution.

Court records show the DEA and police were conducting wiretap and street surveillance Nov. 7 of Davis and Glover during an alleged drug deal. Santiago allegedly called Davis to warn him that police were nearby at a gas station, prompting Davis to meet Glover elsewhere.

During a traffic stop minutes after the drug deal, police discovered a clear plastic bag containing a white rock-like substance and placed Glover under arrest.

Police began investigating Everett in January, court records show. Confidential sources cooperated with the DEA and the local police department by making controlled purchases with Everett for various amounts of crack cocaine, records show.

Police on Sept. 23 intercepted text messages between Sims and Davis purportedly showing Sims agreeing to buy $450 worth of drugs, court records show. Twice that day, police say they observed Sims at Davis residence in the 4900 block of Melville Avenue, and text messages and phone calls between the two suggest drug deals had occurred, court records show.

Police on Jan. 7 and 8 arrested three people who allegedly bought cocaine from Everett, and executed a search warrant of his home on Grand Boulevard on Jan. 15. Confidential sources cooperated with the DEA by making controlled purchases through Everett from February to April.

Jerome Anderson was allegedly caught on camera selling cocaine Oct. 25.
HAMMOND  A former Calumet Township deputy assessor will go to prison for extorting bribes and giving an illegal tax refund to a laundromat.

U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon imposed a 12-month sentence Friday on Pamela Griffin Frizzelle, 54, of Merrillville. She must report to prison no later than Feb. 3, according to court documents.

Frizzelle pleaded guilty July 15 to three counts of extortion under an agreement with the U.S. attorney's office. The government dropped four additional charges against her and agreed to a reduced sentence in return for her plea.

Frizzelle had faced a maximum prison term of 20 years in prison.

Defense lawyer R. Brian Woodward argued in a federal sentencing memorandum that Frizzelle shouldn't be given a lengthy prison term because she suffers from diabetes and other physical ailments that will make it difficult for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to manage her health care.

Frizzelle admitted in her plea agreement that she solicited cash from the owner of a self-service laundry in October 2014 in exchange for convincing her supervisors the business deserved a reduction of its tax assessment.

Frizzelle admitted she falsely backdated documents to give the impression the laundry business had filed a tax appeal early enough to win a $7,000 refund. She also admitted accepting money from the laundry owner.

She also accepted money from a gas station owner to whom she promised a similar property tax assessment reduction.

Frizzelle was terminated as a township assessor employee in the summer of 2015. Calumet Township Assessor Jacquelyn Collins said in 2015 her actions were an isolated incident.

Frizzelle has agreed to make $7,178.00 in restitution to Lake County assessor's office.
MICHIGAN CITY  There have been extra patrols and officers working undercover, but reports of a peeping Tom continue, with one Michigan City area neighborhood on edge for well more than a year.

LaPorte County Police Capt. Mike Kellems said the same boy, 17 when arrested in May and later convicted of voyeurism, could be responsible for all of the incidents, but he left open the possibility of a copycat.

The arrest was made when the boy was identified by the person who caught him looking into a window.

For a while, the complaints at Weatherstone Village along U.S 20 stopped. Then in July chairs and garbage cans to stand on started being found again outside windows.

The most recent complaint, on Nov. 27, was made by Joseph Taylor, who rushed back from a movie theater when his phone alerted him to movement detected by his home video surveillance system.

A family member was home when the security camera videotaped a male trying to look into one of the bedroom windows, he said.

That same day, a 58-year old woman reported finding two lawn chairs underneath her living room window.

Taylor said he installed the security system because of evidence of previous window peepings at his home.

Ever since, he said what appears to be the same individual has been captured three times on the black-and-white footage, pressing his face against the glass.

The video, though, has not yielded a clear image of the suspect's face. The last time, it was concealed by a hood worn over his head.

"It's the same kid every time," said Taylor, who estimated several dozen residents have been spied on since evidence of peeping started more than a year ago.

It's gotten to the point where residents have formed a watch group and created a Facebook page used to report anything suspicious.

Some residents also are patrolling the close to 400 modular home community just west of the city limits.

"I think that it's good the residents are communicating. We're doing the best we can to be responsive to their needs," Kellems said.

Kellems also said Michigan City police have helped in maintaining a stronger presence, but law enforcement can't be there at all times.

"Obviously, we'd like to catch the person in the act. That's the most difficult part," Kellems said.
LAPORTE  Prior to his sentencing Thursday, LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor Catherine Breitweiser-Hurst said David Flynn was a monster who sexually abused two underage girls, leaving them nowhere to turn.

Their mother was letting drug dealers have sex with them to feed her addiction, then Flynn, 46, gained legal custody before he began sexually abusing the girls, Breitweiser-Hurst said.

Flynn was given a 52-year prison sentence Thursday in LaPorte Circuit Court on seven counts, including Class A felony child molesting.

The sentence was half the amount Breitweiser-Hurst sought.

Afterward, she called the sentence fair given the love the girls claimed to still have for the defendant, but anyone committing such acts while in a position of authority, she said, "I don't think should see the light of day again."

The girls were of grade school age in South Carolina when their mother "pimped them out" to dealers in exchange for drugs, said Breitweiser-Hurst.

After gaining custody, Flynn moved the girls to LaCrosse, where the first of the sexual encounters occurred.

There were no more encounters until they moved to LaPorte a year later. The activity went on periodically until the girls moved out at 18, she said.

The allegations came to light in 2015 when one of the victims, now 20, opened up while talking to a police officer about another matter, according to court documents.

Flynn was so methodical in keeping the activity a secret, neither girl knew the other was being victimized, police said.

One of the victims testified she considered Flynn a hero not only for taking her and her siblings away from their mother, but for also being a source of love and happiness.

She also expressed confusion on why he changed.

She then asked Flynn to ask God for his forgiveness because "he's the only one who can help you now."

A jury in October took only a half-hour to convict Flynn, who just prior to sentencing seemed to almost admit guilt then stated he wasn't going to "say yes or no."

Judge Tom Alevizos pointed out his earliest release date would be in December 2054 because a new state law requires 85 percent of a sentence to be served for the worst sex crimes.
GARY  Samaria Rices message to those at Indiana University Northwest was simple: Make people uncomfortable, dont be silenced and demand change.

Samaria Rice is the mother of Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old who was shot and killed in 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a white police officer while the boy was playing at the park with an Airsoft replica gun.

Police shot Tamir soon after arriving on the scene, but prosecutors chose not to criminally charge the two officers involved.

Rice brought her message Thursday night to IUN to talk about her two-year journey since her sons death. Since his death, Rice has become a vocal advocate for community activism and police accountability  and settled a $6 million wrongful death lawsuit with the city of Cleveland this year.

My job is to make sure that I am creating change, I am creating laws for our people," she said. I dont have to be quiet  Im still raising three other children and a grand baby. How can I be quiet? I got to save their lives.

Get involved

Joining Rice on the Justice for Tamir tour in speaking events across the U.S., Rian Brown, a community activist from Cleveland, urged community members, college students, professors and others in the audience to get involved in the anti-racism movement.

Find your entry point into this work, Brown said.

When Tamir Rice was shot, Brown, originally from Cleveland, said she was involved with the Black Lives Matter local chapter in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she had attended college.

(Tamir) was the same age as my little sister. And I knew I had to go home, she said. And black folks started meeting in the basement. Thats what organizing looks like sometimes. Its not this glamorous moments on the (microphones.) Its our nights of political struggle. Its out planning of actions. Its us assessing our moment.

Samaria Rice founded the Tamir Rice Foundation in June.

The organizations mission is to build relationships between K-12 and higher education, victim service agencies, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. She said she wants to use the nonprofit to bring more after-school programs to underprivileged, high minority areas.

Rice said she is still angry about what happened, adding she wont rest until police are held accountable, including the two officers who killed her son.

Racism is a disease and until you find a cure, wont nothing happen in this country, Rice said. I dont see how anyone is comfortable in this country. No one should be comfortable in this country.

Emanuel Daggett, a 16-year-old Valparaiso University student, said he could feel Rices anger on stage and believes she is justified in her pain. Daggett said the recent wave of police violence against black men and women in headlines is nothing new.

The only thing different is we have clear-cut evidence and they are still getting away with it, Daggett said.
INDIANAPOLIS  This year's fiercely contested races for president, U.S. senator and Indiana governor made no difference in the proportion of Hoosiers participating in the Nov. 8 election.

Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced Friday that 58 percent of registered voters cast a ballot either on Election Day or through early and absentee voting.

That's equal to Indiana's turnout in the presidential election years of 2012 and 2004, but 4 percent lower than the 2008 election. Voter turnout was 56 percent in 2000.

Between 1964 and 1996, Indiana voter turnout averaged 73.5 percent in presidential election years.

However, due to population growth, more total ballots were cast this year  2,807,676  than in any other election during Indiana's two centuries as a state.

Turnout in Northwest Indiana counties roughly matched the state average with Lake at 57 percent, Porter at 62 percent, LaPorte at 55 percent, Newton at 52 percent and Jasper at 58 percent.

Slightly more than 1 in 4 voters in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties voted either early or absentee, a new record for each, but still lower than the 1 in 3 votes statewide cast on a day other than Election Day.

"Early voting reached a record high of 33 percent this year," Lawson said. "Hoosiers continue to take advantage of the options counties and the state have provided to make voting easier."

Decatur, LaGrange and Whitley counties tied for the highest voter turnout in Indiana at 71 percent, closely followed by Hendricks, Vermillion and Wells counties at 70 percent.

Scott County (47 percent), Switzerland County (48 percent) and Elkhart County (50 percent) recorded the lowest turnout.
HAMMOND  Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. wants to see the City Court slowly put out of business over the next few years, which he contends will save Hammond as much as $1.5 million a year.

McDermott's plan involves having city police begin to file cases with the county courts next month and by Jan. 1, 2018, have all new city cases handled by the county rather than the city. An ordinance putting that plan into effect is being sponsored by Councilman Dave Woerpel, D-5th, and will be discussed at the City Council meetings in December, with a final vote scheduled for January.

McDermott estimated that probably about 50 percent of the court's business comes from tickets written by Hammond police.

He said there is probably a 75 percent chance that some criminal defendants may have to go to Crown Point rather than to the Hammond branch of the Lake Superior Court on Russell Street to have their cases heard. He said he has spoken to the county court about trying to have the civil cases and infractions, such as jaywalking and speeding, heard at the Hammond courthouse.

By July 2017, he wants all city ordinance violations handled through some type of ordinance, or code, court headed up by an attorney, which he said may only require one additional staff member.

McDermott's proposal comes at a time when he has been highly critical of Gov. Mike Pence's appointment of Amy Jorgensen, who was formerly the chairwoman of the St. John Republican Party, as the new City Court judge. He has criticized her both for not living in Hammond, although she has indicated she is looking to lease a home in the city, and her lack of legal experience. Jorgensen was selected over two other candidates for the appointment  Hammond City Court civil referee Nathan Foster and Hammond attorney Diana Gonzalez.

Jorgensen provided the following statement in response to McDermott's proposal:

"We in the Court have only just heard the news. We have not received anything from the Mayor or Councilman Woerpel personally regarding their reasoning, timing or plans for the proposed closure. The administration, budget and personnel of the Court have been my first priority since taking Office, as that is essential to the Courts proper administration of justice.

"What I have seen so far certainly needs work, but my initial impression is closing the Court will work a hardship on the people of Hammond. Where will they go for local justice and how will they get there, as many do not have transportation? Which entities of the Lake County justice system are prepared to take on the case load and financial burdens of Hammond and its residents if they are simply passed-off? This says nothing of the hardship and inconvenience local Court closure works upon the Hammond police, victims, witnesses and the hundreds of attorneys who utilize our system every week because of its proximity and efficiency.

"As far as I can tell in the short time I have had to analyze Court business, which remains ongoing, the Court is a valuable asset to the City, as are its employees. That said, I will need to see the details of Mayor and Councilman Woerpels plan to comment more precisely, because as the Mayor noted, it will take several years to properly wind down the Courts activities and perhaps there are contingencies built-in to compensate for all of these issues."

Representatives for the Indiana Supreme Court and Gov. Mike Pence's office did not reply to requests for comments. Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter also could not be reached for comment.

McDermott, however, said he has spoken in the past about eliminating the City Court, but said he did not want to go "toe-to-toe" with popular Judge Jeffrey Harkin, who died in April. Harkin served as city judge since April 2001 and was re-elected to another four-year term in November 2015. Jorgensen will complete the remainder of his term.

McDermott emphasized his proposal is to eliminate the City Court permanently.

Woerpel has also been critical of the appointment of Jorgensen and was successful with a motion on Monday to remove a pay raise that had been budgeted for the city judge position before Jorgensen was appointed.

He said his sponsorship of the ordinance was not a reaction to her appointment, but rather to try to cut costs in advance of tax caps that are expected to further reduce the amount of property tax revenue the city receives in 2020.

"To me this is a separate issue," Woerpel said Friday.

McDermott said the elimination of the City Court is a "good government" move. He added that there are a lot of pending cases in the court and Jorgensen will continue to have cases to hear during her term in office. He said he had earlier discussed the idea with Gerald P. Kray, who has been serving as temporary judge since Harkin's death.

McDermott said he has spoken about the idea with Lake Superior Court Chief Judge John R. Pera and Superior Court Judge Jesse Villalpando, who is based at the court on Russell Street, as well as Carter, and Hammond City Clerk Robert Golec. He said Golec indicated he could reduce his staff by about two-thirds if Hammond no longer had a City Court. McDermott said he would try to find employment for staff with the clerk's office and the City Court as openings came up in the city.
In a swing through the Midwest, President-elect Donald Trump thanked supporters, made a personnel announcement and reflected with fiery pride at how he won an election many thought he would lose. Josh Robin filed the following report.

Donald Trump relished the fight that made him president-elect.

"Although we did have a lot of fun fighting Hillary, didn't we," he said.

The crowd shouted "Lock her up." Trump said last week he wanted to move forward and not hurt the Clintons.

He did make one big announcement. Retired Marine general James Mattis is his pick for defense secretary.

For the rest of his nearly hour-long speech, it was Trump basking in victory, particularly through a bloc of northern states long voting Democratic.

"We didn't break it. We shattered that sucker," he said.

He criticized doubters and repeated what he long said as a candidate.

"We will construct a great wall at the border," he said.

He nodded to national division.

"We denounce all of the hatred, and we forcefully reject the language of exclusion and separation," he said. "We're going to come together. We have no choice. We have to."

But above all, Trump seemed to revel, mocking people he proved wrong, like Ohio's Republican governor and the "extremely dishonest press."

"'Oh wow, there's no way for Hillary Clinton to become president. Donald Trump is president of the United States! Oh! Amazing! It's amazing,'" he said.

And when hecklers briefly interrupted, Trump had a comeback.

"They don't know that Hillary lost a couple of weeks ago," he said.

Bitterness lingers. At a post-election conference, a shouting match erupted between a top aide to Trump and a top aide to Clinton. The subject was how Trump handled support from white nationalists.

Earlier Thursday, Trump visited an air conditioning factory, where he helped preserve about 1,000 jobs. Some were headed to Mexico. $7 million in tax incentives keep them in Indiana. Still, the company reportedly will shift about 1,300 jobs south of the border.

The Trump post-election rallies aren't over. A spokeswoman tells us more are in the works. Details have yet to be announced.
Protesters took a stand against discrimination in Queens Friday.

Activists rallied in Jackson Heights in response to a spike in bias crimes around the city since the election.

The NYPD says hate crimes are up significantly for November compared to a year earlier.

Police say there were 28 hate crimes from November 8 through November 21. That's more than four times higher than the same period last year.

Year-to-date, as of November 27, there have been 350 hate crimes, compared to 261 in 2015.

Activists say they want to provide a safe space for everyone.

"Moving information and putting ourselves out there, and that signals to people like Donald Trump that we're here to stay, we're not going anywhere and we're not afraid.

"My partner is an immigrant. We've been married for three years in a week-and-a-half from now. And I want us to be able to be safe as we are, as an immigrant family, as gay people, as New Yorkers," said one person at the protest.

After the rally, the protesters marched to Corona Plaza.
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Donald Trump's lead over Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania is shrinking.

Election officials say Trump leads by 49,000 votes, down from 71,000.

The lead is now .8 percent, which is short of the .5 needed to trigger an automatic statewide recount.

The president-elect is asking a court to dismiss former Green Party candiate Jill Stein's recount request there.

Stein requested recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all traditionally Democratic states that voted for Trump on Election Night.

Meanwhile, Michigan's elections board has deadlocked on a request to prevent an election recount. A vote recount will begin next week unless the courts intervene. The original count showed Trump beating Clinton by fewer than 11,000 votes.

Trump supporters filed a lawsuit to halt Wisconsin's recount. A court there rejected the request but is allowing the lawsuit to go forward.
Airbnb agreed to drop a lawsuit against the city.

The legal battle focused on a state law that levies fines of $7,500 against people who rent out their living space for less than 30 days.

Airbnb has said that the law rewards the hotel industry at the expense of New Yorkers.

Supporters say it's a necessary step because too many homes are being taken out of circulation.

Governor Cuomo signed the legislation this fall. Airbnb sued the city short after.

Airbnb says it agreed to settle because the city was willing to cooperate with the company.

Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal who penned the law calls the settlement an "astounding about-face'' by Airbnb.
It's costing the city a lot of money to make sure Trump Tower is safe for the president-elect, but how much can the city expect to get from the federal government to do it? NY1's Courtney Gross filed the following report.

The heart of Manhattan has become a sea of blue.

The NYPD has taken over Midtown, on foot and in the air.

Semi-automatic weapons, an elevated surveillance station and officers, lots of them.

This is all to protect a president in waiting.

NY1 has learned the NYPD has a new estimate of what it will take to keep Donald Trump safe. The number is at least $500,000 a day. Officials emphasize it could go much higher. The number is only temporary for the transition.

"We're putting in the paperwork now for the first traunch of reimbursement," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday.

The number includes preparing for protests and traffic control.

It seems reasonable to some. It's just a question of who is paying for it.

"We do know in New York, the one motto we have when providing security is, cover it in blue. We put a lot of blue around the president. And the fact is that the federal government recognizes that the NYPD is the right agency to do this job," said Mitchell Moss of New York University.

The NYPD would not give us exact details about where all this money would be going, but they did say the vast majority of it is for manpower.

"We are going to work very very hard to get a very substantial number of reimbursement, and I feel good about our chances, based on the history of reimbursement," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Take the pope's visit last year. The total cost of security for his two-day stay was $11.3 million, and that's what the city received from the federal government.

Home to the United Nations, foreign dignitaries are often coming to the five boroughs, and the city gets cash for that, too.

The cost of providing security for foreign officials in fiscal year 2015 was $29.3 million. The city received $20.9 million in federal funding.

Officials are keeping their fingers crossed the feds come through this time.

"It's a federal responsibility, so I'm working on getting the federal government to pay for it," said Sen. Charles Schumer.
Still, simply rejecting deals is not so simple, Mr. Segal and others say. Wall Street sometimes pushes for such deals to go through, arguing that American companies can use Chinese money to invest or save jobs. Steven Mnuchin, a Wall Street veteran, is Mr. Trumps pick to be Treasury secretary, heading a department with considerable say over the advisory panel.

The panel is crucial to the outcome of future deals. Created in 1975 by President Gerald Ford, it includes representatives from 16 executive departments and intelligence agencies including Commerce, Defense, Justice and Homeland Security. It judges whether a foreign investment in companies with operations or business in the United States poses unacceptable security risks. Because its deliberations are confidential, little about it has been made public.

Just the prospect of such an investigation can be enough to kill a deal. Under Mr. Obama, its scrutiny scotched Chinese deals for a European lighting-panel maker and an American manufacturer of microchips.

But China has already been testing ways to get around the panel. Such methods do not necessarily give Chinese buyers access to crucial technology, but experts say they could open a route to access down the road.

In some cases, it has struck other types of deals with Western companies, like licensing agreements, outside of the panels jurisdiction. When the panel opposed a Chinese bid for the American semiconductor firm GCS Holdings this summer, the American company instead signed a joint venture to make chips with its would-be buyer. GCS makes an advanced chip with military uses.

A spokesman for GCS said the joint venture makes products like cellphone chips that have long been commercially available, and that it follows U.S. government guidelines for all technology exports, whether sensitive or not.

In another case, the Chinese buyer appeared to be testing how far it could push the panel.

In September 2015, Tsinghua Unigroup, the main corporate vehicle for Chinas microchip ambitions, offered $3.8 billion for a board seat and a 15 percent stake in Western Digital, a maker of hard-disk drives. Lawyers who specialize in Committee on Foreign Investment law say the deal structure was unusual: The size of the stake walked the line of where the panel has investigated in the past, and the agreement had a clause that allowed either side to call it off if the panel became involved.
A powerful federal consumer agency that could be muzzled under President-elect Donald J. Trump is showing no inclination of backing down yet.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in federal court in Michigan to require an investment firm that is a major player in the market for high-interest installment contracts for buying homes  called contracts for deed  to comply with an earlier demand for documents.

The agency, which some Republicans in Congress have talked about reining in since Mr. Trumps victory, filed the suit after the investment firm, Harbour Portfolio Advisors of Dallas, refused a request for documents as part of a civil investigation.

In early November, the bureau confirmed it was investigating Harbour Portfolio after it made a public an order in which it rejected the investment firms formal objection to the agencys document request, known as a civil investigative demand.
With a Republican Congress, Mr. Stringer said, if their rhetoric creates actionable items, we could potentially constrict or collapse the safety net in the city and that is a very real threat to the survival of a lot of vulnerable New Yorkers.

Eric F. Phillips, Mr. de Blasios press secretary, said city lawyers and budget officials were preparing what he called an exposure sheet, highlighting programs that may be most vulnerable.

Though city officials had promised to provide details of their work, they reversed course abruptly this week and refused to offer additional information.

The legal and financial analysis of our potential exposure is not yet complete, Mr. Phillips said in an email.

Estimates vary as to how much money the city receives from the federal government, but a study by the citys Independent Budget Office put the total last year at about $7 billion. A review by Mr. Stringers office estimated the amount for the current fiscal year, which began on July 1, at somewhat higher than that, though less than 9 percent of the citys overall budget, excluding recovery aid related to Hurricane Sandy.

Mr. Shorris said that concerns went beyond direct federal financing of city programs.

One threat is connected to Republican vows to repeal or weaken the Affordable Care Act. If that happened and large numbers of city residents lost their health insurance as a result, they would most likely seek care in city-run hospitals. That would greatly increase the burden on those hospitals, the largest provider of care to uninsured New Yorkers.

Legal precedent may require that any cuts to federal funding be related to an issue in dispute between the city and the federal government. If, for instance, the city refused to allow the Police Department to cooperate with deportation raids, it could put money tied to the criminal justice system at risk.
Earlier this year, as many Americans found the leading presidential contenders unpalatable, some conservatives enthusiastically urged retired Gen. James Mattis, who has a cult following in military circles, to jump in as a dark horse. He shot down that idea in April, seeming perplexed. Now it appears likely that hell have a second act, as President-elect Trumps secretary of defense.

If confirmed, General Mattis could bring a voice of reason to a White House that will be led by a dangerously ignorant president who has so far shown too little interest in opposing views. General Mattis would come into the job having staked out positions that are at odds with those Mr. Trump embraced in his campaign  for instance, on the use of torture and on the Iran nuclear deal. (The general is opposed to the former and favors preserving the latter.)

General Mattis, who rose through the ranks of the Marines and retired in 2013 after running the United States Central Command, or Centcom, has seen the value of Americas alliances abroad and has a deep understanding of foreign policy and conflict zones around the world. During a hearing before Congress early last year about national security challenges, he outlined a vision of American leadership that is starkly at odds with Mr. Trumps argument that the United States must look inward and reconsider the merit of military and diplomatic alliances.

The international order, General Mattis told lawmakers, demands tending by an America that leads wisely, standing unapologetically for the freedoms each of us in this room have enjoyed.
Rochester  On April 1, 1960, the newly established National Aeronautics and Space Administration heaved a 270-pound box of electronics into Earth orbit. In those days, getting anything into space was a major achievement. But the real significance of that early satellite, Tiros-1, was not its survival, but its mission: Its sensors were not pointed outward toward deep space, but downward, at the Earth.

Tiros-1 was the first worlds first weather satellite. After its launch, Americans would never again be caught without warning as storms approached.

This small piece of history says a lot about the call by Bob Walker, an adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump who worked with his campaign on space policy, to defund NASAs earth science efforts, moving those functions to other agencies and letting it focus on deep-space research. Earth-centric science is better placed at other agencies where it is their prime mission, he told The Guardian.

NASA critics have long wanted to shut the agency out of research related to climate change. The problem is, not only is earth science a long-running part of NASAs prime mission, but it is uniquely positioned to do it. Without NASA, climate research worldwide would be hobbled.
Nominating a retired general to be secretary of defense is an unusual move in American politics. Since just after World War II, when the Department of Defense was created, only one general has held the post. That was George C. Marshall, who was more a supreme administrator in the Army than a combat leader. In World War I, Marshall was an excellent staff officer. In World War II he oversaw the American war effort.

The retired Marine general James N. Mattis, who is President-elect Donald J. Trumps choice to lead the Pentagon, is very different from Marshall. He is revered in the Marine Corps, where he served for over 40 years, for his aggressive and decisive approach to fighting. He led the Marines into southern Afghanistan in 2001, then commanded the Marine part of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and was involved in heavy fighting in Falluja a year later.

But General Mattis is not another George Patton, a comparison Mr. Trump is fond of making. General Mattis, who retired in 2013, after leading United States Central Command for three years, is far more disciplined than Patton was, and a far more strategic thinker.

Usually, Id oppose having a general as secretary of defense, because it could undermine our tradition of civilian control of the military.
SAN FRANCISCO  Zenefits, a once highflying human resources software start-up that defined Silicon Valleys recent technology boom, has been trying to recover its footing after being rocked by scandal over its business practices earlier this year.

Now David O. Sacks, the chief executive of Zenefits and the tech veteran who was charged with rejuvenating the embattled company, plans to leave his position. Mr. Sacks said that he would become Zenefitss chairman and that the company was starting a search for a new chief executive.

Its time to find the next leader, said Mr. Sacks in an interview. Were looking for an experienced operator to partner with me and take the company to the next level.

Mr. Sacks said little about why he was changing roles beyond saying that Zenefits was in a good position, but a person briefed on the situation, who asked for anonymity because the process is confidential, said the executive had had discussions about helping President-elect Donald J. Trumps transition team. Mr. Sacks previously worked with Peter Thiel, the billionaire technology investor who is a member of Mr. Trumps transition team.
WASHINGTON  President-elect Donald J. Trumps selection of Gen. James N. Mattis as defense secretary signals a more assertive American posture in the Middle East  one that people close to him say would most likely include more American troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, more Navy patrols in the Persian Gulf and more fighter jets in the Middle East.

The closest thing we have to Gen. George Patton, Mr. Trump said in announcing his selection on Thursday night. At first glance, the similarity is there: Like General Mattis, General Patton, who led American troops into Nazi Germany during World War II, was a colorful, hard-charging advocate of aggressive offensive action.

But officials who know General Mattis caution that he views a tough American posture overseas as something to deter war with potential foes like Iran, not to start one. And although he was so hawkish on Iran as head of United States Central Command from 2010 to 2013 that the Obama administration cut short his tour, General Mattis has since said that tearing up the Iran nuclear agreement, as Mr. Trump has vowed to do, would hurt the United States.

General Mattis now favors working closely with allies to strictly enforce the deal.

I dont think that we can take advantage of some new president, Republican or Democrat, and say were not going to live up to our word on this agreement, General Mattis, a retired Marine, said in April. I believe we would be alone if we did, and unilateral economic sanctions from us would not have anywhere near the impact of an allied approach to this.
WASHINGTON  President Obama on Friday lifted sanctions against Myanmar, declaring that the government there had made substantial progress in improving human rights, even though the countrys army is in the midst of a brutal campaign to drive out the Rohingya, a Muslim minority.

The announcement, which came on a Friday afternoon in a blandly titled email, was the final step in Mr. Obamas efforts to transform the relationship with a once reclusive government.

The sanctions that were lifted applied to United States government aid to the government of Myanmar. Restrictions imposed by Congress, including sanctions related to North Korea and those governing arms sales and military cooperation, will remain in place.

In September, Mr. Obama pledged to lift sanctions during a visit by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the countrys leader, whose victory last year was viewed by the Obama administration as a triumph of the presidents strategy of engaging with countries the United States had long shunned.
CHARLESTON, S.C.  A jury signaled here on Friday that it was within a single vote of convicting a white former police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man.

But confusion reigned in the courtroom as the jury wavered about whether it was hopelessly deadlocked about the killing, which was recorded on video and became a symbol of the nations heated debate about race and policing.

Over the misgivings of a defense lawyer, Judge Clifton B. Newman, who presided over a four-week trial, did not declare a mistrial in the case of the former officer, Michael T. Slager, who shot and killed Walter L. Scott in North Charleston, S.C., on April 4, 2015. Jurors had been deliberating for about 48 hours and, by days end, had decided to resume their discussions on Monday.

Yet Fridays proceedings, before a crowded courtroom that alternated between focused and flummoxed, were a remarkable display of the divisions in one of the countrys most closely watched cases. It has been seen as a bellwether for whether video evidence could lead to a rare conviction of a law enforcement officer in an on-duty killing.
DOROUGOK, Indonesia  The older man wore just a loincloth, revealing taut muscles and leathery skin from decades of living deep in the rain forest. Like other members of his tribe, he was covered head to toe in tattoos. Though he appeared strong, he had a pronounced hunch, and a cough from smoking too much tobacco.

The man, Teu Kapik Sibajak, grabbed his ax on a recent morning and went off through the forest to chop down a sago palm tree. Mr. Kapik delivered precise blows before he and a few friends stooped down and rolled pieces of the thick, heavy trunk toward his house. Hard work, this! he announced.

But the effort would be worth it: The trees leaves provide the roof for his wooden long house; its starchy insides can be cooked and eaten, or fed to the households pigs, ducks and chickens.

Mr. Kapik and his wife, Teu Kapik Sikalabai, are among the last of the Mentawai people living traditional lives deep in the forest on the remote island of Siberut.

They, and others like them, have for decades resisted Indonesian government policies that pressured the forest-bound indigenous groups to abandon their old customs, accept a government-approved religion and move to government villages. That shift, along with the inevitable lure the modern world has for their children, has led to major disjunction between generations of Mentawai.
ROME  Anxiety about bogus news reports is rising in Europe, as Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy and others express concern that fake news circulated over social media may influence elections on the Continent, including a critical referendum in Italy on Sunday.

The outcome of the Italian vote, which could determine the fate of Mr. Renzis government, may also affect the stability of European financial markets and further weaken the moorings of the European Union.

Leaders on both sides of the Atlantic are trying to determine whether political parties are using social media platforms to deliberately disseminate propaganda, and whether there are connections to the agendas of outside powers, including Russia.

Analysts in the United States have suggested that Moscow injected fake news into social media sites there as a powerful weapon to influence the November election, including bogus reports that may have helped hand Donald J. Trump the presidency.
In early 2015, scientists monitoring satellite images at Global Forest Watch raised the alarm about the destruction of rain forests in Indonesia.

Environmental groups raced to the scene in West Kalimantan province, on the island of Borneo, to find a charred wasteland: smoldering fires, orangutans driven from their nests, and signs of an extensive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

There was pretty much no forest left, said Karmele Llano Sanchez, director of the nonprofit International Animal Rescues orangutan rescue group, which set out to save the endangered primates. All the forest had burned.

Fingers pointed to the Rajawali Group, a sprawling local conglomerate known for its ties to powerful politicians like Malaysias scandal-plagued prime minister. But lesser known is how some of the worlds largest banks have helped Rajawali  and other global agricultural powerhouses  expand their plantation empires.
The United States absolutely must complete work on ending the too-big-to-fail bank problem that helped plunge the global economy into recession eight years ago, an influential Federal Reserve policy maker said on Saturday.

In remarks that appeared to respond to President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has promised to roll back Wall Street regulations, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, William C. Dudley, said there had been much progress in making the financial system less prone to panics.

Still, he said in prepared remarks, there is more to do before we can say that we have ended too big to fail. This is work that we absolutely must complete.

Mr. Dudleys comments, to a Group of 30 meeting of top world regulators, came a day after another powerful regulator at the United States central bank, Daniel K. Tarullo, issued a similar warning. Mr. Tarullo said that this was a good moment to remember just how bad things can be when financial stability is not effectively safeguarded and a financial crisis ensues. He added, It is, accordingly, also a good moment to caution against backsliding on the considerable progress that has been made toward a regulatory system that will provide just such a safeguard.
To the Editor:

Gretchen Morgensons column A Win for a Whistle-Blower (Fair Game, Nov. 27) captures the retaliation that employees who try to stop wrongdoing by their employers often face.

The federal government and many states have gradually added laws that encourage whistle-blowers to report fraud to the government by offering them job protection and rewards as well as confidentiality in some instances. As a lawyer for whistle-blowers, I have seen firsthand the powerful impact these laws have had.

But existing whistle-blower programs generally apply only if a company is defrauding the government or there are significant securities, commodity or tax violations. Whistle-blowers who expose consumer frauds often do not have the same options.

Legislators should create programs that encourage company insiders to provide enforcement agencies with information about consumer frauds. Whistle-blowers who fight for consumers should not have to battle on their own.
For good or bad, it seems Mr. Elkann has never been one for half-measures.

He is, on one hand, a guy who had an extremely privileged background, and privileged means a family that is not just rich; its a family that had a lot to do with Italian history and heritage, like the Kennedys here, said Francesco Carrozzini, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, photographer and friend of Mr. Elkanns who is the son of the longtime Italian Vogue editor Franca Sozzani.

But on the other hand, Lapo has an extreme sense of style and creativity, Mr. Carrozzini added. If you put a turquoise suit on someone else, they would look like a clown. But on him, its doesnt. Its his personality. Its also not caring about what other people say.

In terms of cutting a figure, Mr. Elkann always had a lot to live up to. His maternal grandfather, Mr. Agnelli, who died in 2003, was midcentury Europes quintessential jet-setter and playboy. A cross between Henry Ford and Marcello Mastroianni, he dated the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy and the film star Anita Ekberg, and at one point was said to control 4.4 percent of Italys gross domestic product. His mother, Margherita Agnelli, is a painter, his father, the American-born writer Alain Elkann.

Even so, Lapo Elkann was never content to disappear into a life of happy indolence in Capri or Gstaad.

People would laugh if I say I started from ground zero, but the reality is I started my companies from scratch, Mr. Elkann told the journalist Mark Seal in the Vanity Fair profile. My mind-set today and in those days was: Think like a self-made man. Even though you come from a family who has a humongous heritage, has everything, you need to think like someone who is poor.
Anna Lindbergh Conte, a daughter of Kristina R. Lindbergh and Robert H. Conte of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., was married Dec. 3 to Ryan Andrew Hodgdon, the son of Teresa L. Hodgdon and Matthew P. Hodgdon of St. Simons Island, Ga. The Rev. Robert Brearley, a Presbyterian minister, performed the ceremony at St. Luke's Chapel in Charleston, S.C.

The bride, 31, is taking her husbands name. She works in Atlanta as a vice president for retail services marketing with Citigroup. She graduated from Trinity College in Hartford. Her father is a senior vice president of HBO Films in New York. Her mother is a freelance writer and a ballet teacher at Logrea Dance Academy in Ossining, N.Y.

The bride is a maternal great-granddaughter of the aviators and writers Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Charles Lindbergh.

The groom, 33, is a director at Trimont Real Estate Advisors in Atlanta, where he specializes in commercial real estate consulting. He graduated from the University of Georgia and received a master's in real estate from N.Y.U. His mother is an interior designer on St. Simons Island. His father retired as the chief financial officer of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
Its the nature of the beast, said Martin Bachmann, a professor and immunologist at the Jenner Institute, which is affiliated with Oxford University. Im not sure you can get rid of the side effects  its really what you want.

Chemotherapy, too, has side effects, but Dr. Kluger prefers immunotherapys trade-offs because the drugs may offer enduring control of cancer without the need for continued treatment. So she is joining others looking to address largely unanswered questions: Who is likely to be at risk, can the side effects be recognized before turning dangerous, and how should they be treated?

In June, Dr. Kluger and Dr. Herold submitted a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health to study whether they could predict which patients would develop these symptoms. They based the proposal on a hypothesis that some patients have a biology or a genetic background that might make them more likely to have side effects. The proposal has not yet been funded.

Thus far, only a modicum of work has been done on these questions. Several studies found that older mice were more susceptible than younger mice to autoimmune reactions; another study, also in mice, found that obese subjects were more likely to have adverse effects.

Old or fat mice were literally dead within hours, said Dr. Murphy, the professor at Davis who believes too little is being done. He is well positioned to see the trends: In the past year, he sat on eight government grant review committees focused on immunotherapy, and he said only three out of 500 research proposals he reviewed focused on the toxicity side of immunotherapy.

Part of the problem, he said, is that the drug companies that are driving research prefer working with labs that support trials moving quickly. As a result, Dr. Murphy said, human trials are advancing faster than the background research can be done.

Hoping to push access to lifesaving drugs, the Food and Drug Administration has a breakthrough therapy designation that allows faster approval. Since 2012, the agency has granted breakthrough designation about 110 times, almost a quarter of them for immunotherapy.
1. Theres not much to say about Castro that hasnt been said.

He was a 20th century dictator wrapped in vanity, ego, and intolerance of dissent. He jailed thousands of political opponents and killed many others.

But for all of that brutality and intolerance, he brought development and equality to a nation previously ruled by extreme inequality and corruption. Sons and daughters of illiterate plantation workers became doctors and teachers and contributed to large gains in human development, while corrupt officials and robber barons who had drained the old Cuba were forced to leave.
So what can an individual investor do? You might follow the Rockefeller Family Fund and divest from the fossil fuel companies entirely. The research firm MSCI offers fossil-free stock indexes  like the S.&P. 500 but without fossil fuel companies  as does a newer organization called Fossil Free Indexes. Various climate-aware mutual funds exist.

But even if you divest, says Jean Rogers, chief executive of the nonprofit Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, theres no escaping the ripple effects of climate change. Because its so ubiquitous, its very hard to diversify away from climate risk, she told me.

Another approach is a kind of divestment lite. Asha Mehta, director of responsible investing at Acadian Asset Management, told me that her clients increasingly request a decarbonization of their portfolios. Worried that complete divestment might hobble a portfolios performance, however, Ms. Mehta might reduce a portfolios carbon footprint to, say, 80 percent of a benchmark like the S.&P. 500 by removing the biggest emitters.

A firm called Osmosis Investment Management takes a different tack. It researches the overall efficiency of companies  how many resources a firm uses to create how much product. And instead of excluding certain industries entirely, Osmosis chooses only the most efficient within a given sector. It caters to institutional investors, but plans to release a fund for individuals soon.

You can, of course, try to do what Osmosis does on your own; the Carbon Disclosure Project has a trove of information on how companies fare on the sustainability front. But heres the problem. More than 5,600 corporations disclose sustainability information, but no standards govern these disclosures. The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and others are working to devise such standards. Pressure is also mounting on the Securities and Exchange Commission to enforce the disclosure of sustainability information. The commission recently asked for feedback on reforming the disclosure process, and a good chunk of letters mentioned sustainability and climate change.

Under a Trump administration, it seems less likely that the S.E.C. will respond to these concerns. But that may have a paradoxical effect: If investors cant count on regulators to enforce transparency on sustainability, says Sonia Kowal, the president of Zevin Asset Management, they may take matters into their own hands.

So if youre concerned about how climate issues might damage your nest egg, you might begin by raising your voice. Ask your fund managers about their plans. And look at how the funds you own vote on sustainability-related issues, such as whether to calculate and disclose a companys greenhouse gas emissions, or whether to develop a risk-assessment plan for climate change.
Spencer had brief interactions with Doves program as a boy, and he told me ruefully that if he had had more, it would have made a great difference. I keep thinking this: Taxpayers spent more than $200,000 imprisoning Spencer, yet were unwilling to invest sufficiently in programs like Doves that help break the cycle of poverty and keep kids out of trouble.

Its in places like Pine Bluff that one sees how much federal, state and local policies matter in shaping ordinary lives, and the most heroic charitable efforts cant make up for failed policies. We wouldnt build an interstate highway system through charities, and we cant build a comprehensive program for at-risk kids that way, either. But in difficult times, people like Dove keep their fingers in the dike and avert catastrophe.

Dove is so driven to help these children because this is her world. After becoming pregnant at 16 and dropping out of school, she earned her G.E.D. and a college degree, became a star special education teacher, and, after her beloved husband died, she quit her job and started Topps, for Targeting Our Peoples Priorities with Service.

It evolved into an afterschool program that also feeds 600 children a day in the summer and offers mentoring, tutoring and help staying out of jail, off drugs and in school. The first children to go through Topps are now in college  33 of them.

We have a lot of drug-infested families, Dove said, and she and her mentors come across as surrogate parents, telling kids how to dress and use birth control, and steering them to college admission tests and applications for scholarships.

The boys learn skills that middle-class children absorb routinely, such as how to tie a necktie or look a job interviewer in the eye. This training doesnt erase the damage from troubled schools or dangerous neighborhoods, but it helps. In meetings, they discuss politics, sex, AIDS, budgeting and financial literacy, and how to treat girls with respect.
Our fragmented society has fallen away from the sense that we are all in this together. Isnt it time for all Americans to ensure, by means of public-private endeavors, that wealth, rather than merely further enriching the already extremely well-off, circulates throughout our entire economic system?

ANDREW G. BJELLAND

Salt Lake City

The writer is professor emeritus of philosophy at Seattle University.

Readers React

In the short term, Prof. Andrew G. Bjelland is right: Certainly it is imperative that the government  either with or without a partnership with private industry  create jobs by improving the nations infrastructure, Works Progress Administration-type projects, national service and all the rest. But that is just a temporary fix. We are only on the cusp of major developments in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence that within a generation or so will require us to completely rethink the structure of society. What will happen when there are no more low-paying jobs and when many higher-paying jobs also disappear? Right now, at the dawn of A.I. and smart robots, we are already seeing the disappearance of enormous numbers of manufacturing and even service jobs. When was the last time you reached a live telephone operator when you called a company? Today there are algorithms that can do a perfectly good job of investing, analyzing weather patterns and medical results, even writing news articles.

Our society must come to terms with the fact that people will have to be given the means to a happy, healthy and productive life without paid jobs. Are we close to that point? Its a major cultural upheaval that we need to prepare for, and its coming all too soon.

MICHAEL SPIELMAN

Bronx

Creating jobs for people with limited education and skill sets is incredibly challenging. Andrew G. Bjellands suggestion of a Works Progress Administration-like program is on the right track. But the question is how to get it through a Republican Congress. Since Republicans have said for years that the rich are the job creators, I suggest that we put this notion to the test. Congress could establish a program that provides tax credits to individuals and companies that sponsor training and a job for individuals. The jobs must be 1) in an area with the longest and highest rates of unemployment; 2) for a minimum of one year; and 3) given to individuals who have been unemployed for at least six months.
I would give the same succinct answer: This race isnt between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, its between Rob Portman and Ted Strickland, Portman said in an interview late last week. Sticking to that took extraordinary restraint.

Similarly, he didnt inject himself into divisive national debates or tend to a public profile outside Ohio. You seldom saw him on national shows, but he was on Ohio TV constantly, a contrast that assured Ohio voters that they were his concern. In fact he and his aides insisted that debates with Strickland be moderated by Ohio journalists. No flashy news personalities from elsewhere.

Countering voters cynicism that politicians are more interested in shouting at one another than in getting anything done, he presented Ohioans with a litany of bipartisan federal legislation that bore his name. He promoted a record of laws that made strides toward matters as concrete as repairing the damage of harmful algae blooms on Lake Erie or dealing in very specific ways with the heroin and drug epidemic in Ohio, he said.

For that reason, among others, most of Ohios major newspapers endorsed him over Strickland.

People want you to get stuff done, he told me. That gets lost in a red-and-blue world where people think you just rev up the base to win. We talked to everybody.

But in tailored, targeted ways. When I visited his campaign headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, a few days before the election, his campaign manager, Corry Bliss, took me through the data-driven crafting of some 20 different appeals to 20 kinds of voters, based on their locations and lifestyles. Maps covered the office walls, but there was no comfy furniture, no snazzy decor. The Portman campaign wasnt squandering any money on that.

Bliss, 35, is emerging as one of his partys most closely watched young strategists. In 2014, he managed the re-election campaign of Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, who seemed destined for defeat until Bliss and others swooped in around Labor Day to overhaul the effort.

One of Blisss first interventions was to take away the dense briefing book with which Roberts was preparing for a debate and replace it with a single sheet that instructed the senator to repeat, ad nauseam, that a vote for his opponent was a vote for Barack Obama. Kansans arent so keen on the president. On Democrats, period.
A woman stands inside a spaceship. Only a glass-like partition separates her from two enormous aliens. The woman removes her biohazard suit. She approaches the aliens. She presses her palm against the partition. This is what heroism looks like in Arrival.

The woman is Louise Banks, a linguist played by Amy Adams, and she has been recruited by the United States military to communicate with the aliens and find out what theyre doing on Earth. Arrival, released to theaters on Nov. 11, offers a science fiction hero who wields no weapon, pilots no spacecraft and conquers no planet. Instead, Dr. Banks manages to (spoiler) save the world using a low-tech yet highly complex technique: talking.

The aliens communicate using a language unlike anything spoken or written on Earth, one that depends on a nonlinear perception of time. Dr. Banks is able to decipher some of its written symbols fairly quickly, but to understand the aliens purpose on Earth  and to stop the nations of the world from going to war with the aliens  she needs to experience time the way the aliens do. This requires a superhuman level of empathy, as well as the emotional strength to see the future, with all its joys and tragedies, and do what is necessary to bring it about.

Empathy and emotional agility are traditionally seen as feminine virtues, which is probably why theyre not typically viewed as heroic, especially in the male-dominated field of science fiction. These qualities have largely been the province of female side players, like Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), the therapist on Star Trek: The Next Generation, who got a spot on the bridge of the Enterprise for a while but was given very little to do there.
Several progressive politicians relied on these arguments, from Barney Franks urging the city of San Francisco to use the rhetoric of local control to resist a federal gay marriage ban to Senator Richard B. Blumenthals invoking states rights when he was the attorney general of Connecticut on issues ranging from banking regulations to banning assault weapons. In fact, you can make a credible case that the most important progressive victories in the Obama era  including health care reform and marriage equality, both originally tested in Massachusetts  emerged from the states during the Bush administration, just as Brandeis anticipated.

As Professor Gerken explained in an article for the journal Democracy in 2012, progressive federalism is a way to create a decentralized system where national minorities constitute local majorities, thus allowing minorities to protect themselves rather than look to courts as their source of solace. Progressive federalists like Professor Gerken argued during Mr. Obamas second term that decentralization could help minorities in mostly African-American cities like Atlanta or in a state like California, where Hispanics are the largest group.

Having lost all three branches of the federal government again, progressives are now concluding that they have no alternative but to redouble their efforts at the local level. Some of these efforts will be defensive: If a Supreme Court with more than one Trump appointment overturns Roe v. Wade, the abortion issue, as Mr. Trump noted, will go back to the states. Progressives would then have to make the case against abortion restrictions state by state.

But some important progressive victories have already occurred in blue and red state referendums. On Nov. 8, voters in three states (California, Nevada and Washington) voted for stricter gun control. Four states (Arizona, Colorado, Maine and Washington) voted to increase the minimum wage. Four Trump states (Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota) passed ballot measures allowing or expanding the use of medical marijuana, while California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada voted to legalize the use of recreational marijuana.

These state marijuana legalization initiatives, however, may be challenged by the Trump Justice Department and the Supreme Court. And the tables may be turned as White House conservatives abandon their devotion to federalism to pursue a national war on drugs while progressives invoke states rights to defend local legalization efforts. In August 2013, the Obama Justice Department announced that while federal law continues to regulate marijuana as a controlled substance, it would conditionally waive its right to challenge Colorado and Washington State laws legalizing the drug. A Trump administration, however, might reverse this policy and enforce federal anti-marijuana laws. The battle could end up at the Supreme Court, much as it did in 2005, when the Bush administration challenged Californias medical marijuana law.

THE last time around, these challenges divided Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian conservatives on the Supreme Court, who reached opposite conclusions. In Gonzales v. Raich, the court held by a 6-3 vote that the Controlled Substances Act was a constitutional exercise of Congresss power to regulate interstate commerce and therefore pre-empted Californias law legalizing medical marijuana. The sometime Hamiltonian nationalist Justice Antonin Scalia joined Justice Anthony M. Kennedy and the four liberal justices in holding that local use of marijuana might affect supply and demand in the national marijuana market. The Jeffersonian Justice Clarence Thomas joined two other states rights conservatives  Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justice Sandra Day OConnor  in holding that Congress was threatening the ability of states to serve as laboratories of democracy.
The time when African-Americans were publicly hanged, burned and dismembered for insisting on their rights or for merely talking back to whites is nearer in history than many Americans understand. The horror of these crimes still weighs heavily on black communities in the South, where lynching memories are often vivid. The anguish is made worse by the realization that some of the killers are still alive and may never be prosecuted.

Consider Walton County, Ga., where the Justice Department is investigating the infamous Moores Ford Bridge lynching of 1946, in which a white mob tied up four black citizens  one of them pregnant  and shot them more than 60 times at close range. The killers were never brought to justice. The crime resurfaced three years ago when a white man in his 50s said in an interview with the N.A.A.C.P. that he had grown up hearing adults talking about the killings and that some of those responsible were still alive. He also said that the local police had ignored evidence that he had given them.

The Moores Ford Bridge case, often described as the last mass lynching in country, stands out for its wanton brutality and for the fact that one of its victims was George Dorsey, a World War II Army veteran who had recently returned to Georgia after serving five years in the Pacific. A study released last month by the Equal Justice Initiative, an organization that has been researching racial terror lynchings for several years, finds that black military veterans were disproportionately singled out for assault because Southerners viewed them as a particular threat to white supremacy.

This report adds to Lynching in America, a sweeping study of racial terror released by the organization last year. That study was based on a lengthy review of local newspapers, court records and historical archives as well as interviews with local historians, survivors and victims descendants. In the end, researchers counted 4,075 lynchings  about 800 more than have shown up in previous surveys. That so many killings were missing from the historical record illustrates the extent to which lynchings  sometimes carried out before hundreds of spectators  have been erased from public discourse.
White nationalists have been captured on video raising their hands in a Nazi salute while shouting Hail Trump. Hate crimes have surged across the country  the Southern Poverty Law Center gathered reports of 867 in just the 10 days after the election. Yet, unlike his predecessors, our president-elect has been mostly silent in condemning the hate talk and violence being done in his name.

In an interview with this paper, Donald J. Trump said that the alt-right is not a group I want to energize, and if they are energized I want to look into it and find out why, seemingly unable to fathom that the reason they are energized is because of him and the thing he needs to look into are his own words.

When asked by 60 Minutes whether he had anything to say about the reports of racial slurs and threats by his supporters against African-Americans, Latinos and gays, he replied, Stop it. He might as well have preceded that with, O.K., fine  if I have to.

Mr. Trumps supporters and staff say he has disavowed and condemned these acts and organizations and that should be the end of it. But to many of us, this isnt enough. It feels disingenuous and forced because we all know that when Mr. Trump has something he really wants to say, he does one thing and one thing only: He spews forth on Twitter.
When I began to travel abroad, I had to confront cash machines and the open microphones of uncensored journalists, and I understood then that I had spent my entire life in captivity. I did not know how to behave like someone from the Western world even though, geographically, thats where I was born.

What will become of us now that Fidel is gone? Cubans of my generation have been educated under a paternalistic system that is nothing like the jungle to which we have now escaped. We are totally unprepared. The Russian fantasy lasted too long. I am a person untrained for the speed of the real world.

Is that why I still live on this island when so many others have left?

When I learned of the comandantes death, I realized that from now on we would have to fend for ourselves. We would have to learn to move through life as citizens of the world, not as the sheltered apprentices of a delirious master.

What will become of us without the zoo where they feed you, cure you, train you, polish you and gag you  and then realize that they dont know what to do with you, with everything you know, are and want to be? What will become of the Cuban people without an obsessive, overprotective father who wont allow them to sneak out into savage capitalism? What will become of us without that person who thinks for us, who gives us permission to enter and exit an island surrounded by politics and water? Who will give me  or deny me  permission to be the person I am?

On Nov. 26, the morning after Fidel died, I felt this little cage open, just a crack. I looked at the empty, silent city. But I didnt go out to breathe in the cool air. Instead, I moved away from the door. I was afraid that someone might come in and hurt me. I was scared. And I understood that the cage was inside of me.

I thought about my parents, now dead. This came too late for them. And I thought about myself, a censored author in Cuba, a 21st-century woman whose voice has long been silenced. Despite the fact that this was the chronicle of a death foretold, I realized that Fidel was not as immortal as he thought he was. His long speech had ended.

But his ideas had long since contaminated my blood. Fidel left that mark on all of us. And so my last question now hangs in the air: How do we live without Fidel?
The situation here is very different from what Ive seen as Ive reported on refugees across Europe over the past four years. In Sweden, I know a chemical engineer from Eritrea who has been waiting a year for her refugee papers. While she can in theory work as her application is processed, no company wants to hire her until they know she will be staying. Hanan al-Hasan, a Syrian mother of four, spends two-and-a-half hours a day traveling to her German-language class in Vienna, Austria, leaving no time for a job with regular hours. In Malta, I saw refugees housed in shipping containers stacked behind barbed wire near the airport.

Its an out of sight, out of mind approach aimed at placating a skeptical local population, but it could backfire in the future, Mr. Somers warned. We live in a super-diverse reality, and we have to see our neighbors as citizens, regardless of their origin, and we have to treat each other the same way.

About 20 miles south of Mechelen is Brussels, which was the epicenter of one of Europes deadliest terror rings. The same distance to the north is the port city of Antwerp, and Mr. Somers says that the stretch between Brussels and Antwerp is responsible for 8 percent of all the Europeans who have left to fight in Syria and Iraq. In the nearby municipality of Vilvoorde, just nine minutes away from Mechelen by train, 28 young people have traveled to join Islamist extremist groups.

Mr. Somers says that not one Mechelen youth has traveled to Syria, despite 20 percent of his constituents coming from Muslim backgrounds. There are mayors who said that if people of their city go and fight in Syria, they hope they will die there, said Mr. Somers, who has been re-elected three times since 2001. I say the opposite. I have to do everything to prevent young people going and throwing away their lives there, because they are kids of my town, they are children of Mechelen.

The welcoming policies for refugees are an extension of that same outlook.

Of course, some of the policies that work with 400 refugees in a city the size of Mechelen may be difficult to replicate in a place like Vienna, a city of 1.7 million. But the fundamental principles  inclusion rather than exclusion  can apply anywhere.
When the modern Tea Party movement coalesced in the early days of the Obama presidency, its allusion to the political grievances of the protesters in Boston Harbor a couple of hundred years earlier seemed plausible enough: Its members felt that their taxes were too high and their interests not adequately represented by the remote authorities in Washington.

But the election of 2016 presents a challenge to that historical lineage. The home states to the Tea Party are actually doing great on the taxation and representation front. Its the progressive blue states that should be protesting.

Start with the Electoral College. It has always deviated from the one-person-one-vote system that most Americans imagine they live in, but demographic shifts in recent years have made its prejudices more conspicuous, culminating in the striking gap between Hillary Clintons decisive popular vote victory and her Electoral College loss. Thanks to the two extra votes delivered to each state for its two senators, the Electoral College gives less populated states a higher weight, per capita, than it gives more populated states in the decision of who should be the next president.

This was always a betrayal of one-person-one-vote equality, in that a voter in rural Wyoming has more than three times the power of a voter in New Jersey, the countrys most densely populated state. But those imbalances have become far more glaring, thanks to a filter bubble more pronounced than anything on Facebook: the big sort that has concentrated Democrats in cities and inner-ring suburbs, and Republicans in exurbs and rural counties.
That could change. A federal court panel ruled last month that Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin had intentionally redrawn state legislative district lines in such a blatantly partisan way that the maps violated the Constitution. There is no question, the court wrote, that the new maps, which were created in 2011, were designed to make it more difficult for Democrats, compared to Republicans, to translate their votes into seats.

In 2012, the year after the new lines were drawn, Republican candidates for the Wisconsin Assembly won less than half of the statewide vote  but 60 of the Assemblys 99 seats. That pattern persisted in 2014, as well as in federal and state races elsewhere around the country. In North Carolina, Democrats got 51 percent of the 2012 vote for the United States House of Representatives, which translated to only four of the states 13 congressional seats. The skew was roughly the same in Pennsylvania: Democrats won a little more than a quarter of the House seats, even though they got a majority of the votes cast in congressional races in the state that year.

Republicans achieved this effect in Wisconsin, according to the plaintiffs in that case, with two tactics: dividing Democratic neighborhoods among multiple districts so that Democratic voters fell short of a majority in each one and, in other places, cramming Democrats into a few districts to dilute their votes statewide.

Both Democrats and Republicans have tried to tilt the playing field when theyve had the chance. But Republicans, who swept into power in statehouses in recent years, have done much more of it lately, and they have had the benefit of increasingly powerful mapping software to make partisan line-drawing even more precise and effective at protecting their partys seats. The result is the most extreme gerrymanders in modern history, according to a paper published in The University of Chicago Law Review last year.

The paper, co-written by Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a law professor who represented the Wisconsin plaintiffs, argued that courts could address partisan gerrymandering with a measure called the efficiency gap  a relatively simple formula that compares each partys wasted votes. Using that measure, the court in the Wisconsin case found that the new maps resulted in so many more wasted votes for Democrats than for Republicans that they violated the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause. The court declined to rule on a remedy.
IF you have not yet heard the term alt-right, you most likely are living in another orbit. It is the chosen name of an extremist fringe with white supremacy at its roots. It is also a label many consider dangerous because it sanitizes the movements racist core. And if the media uses the word, they think, then theyre part of the problem.

As the fire rages, The New York Times has become ground zero. Every time it uses the term  which it does frequently, given the alt-rights ties to Donald Trump  letters pour in, social media ignites and the comments section overflows.

Reporters and editors have huddled in sometimes tense discussions about when the term should be applied  or even whether. But so far, there is no move among top editors to ban it. Instead, their thinking is: You can use the phrase in a story, but make sure you include a blunt explanation of its meaning.

To say this will be unsatisfying to many Times readers is probably a reckless understatement. Ive received reams of emails and tweets from people complaining that The Timess use of alt-right in its pages brings legitimacy to Trumps inner circle. It normalizes his incoming administration, they claim, by sugarcoating the racist views of certain advisers.
Remember, the co-op is entitled to enforce its rules, even if the governing documents do not allow it to fine you. It could put you in default, in theory terminating your lease and evicting you. However, that is unlikely to happen, said Dennis H. Greenstein, a Manhattan real estate lawyer. In most instances, this type of complaint is resolved without such extreme measures being taken.

You have a right to peace and quiet, too. Call management about the television noise and ask that it mediate a discussion between you and your neighbor. The co-op has a duty to be evenhanded, Mr. Greenstein said.

Perhaps you could limit the hours of the day that your children run around  or restrict their play to one area. In exchange, your neighbor could lower the volume. To reach an agreement, you need someone to talk to the two of you together, Ms. Napier-Fitzpatrick said. Otherwise, the situation can fester and get worse.
Airbnb has capitulated to the demands of lawmakers over its operations in New York City, the companys largest market in the United States, agreeing to drop a lawsuit in which it was pushing back against a newly passed state law that it said could have hurt its business.

The short-term home rental service on Friday settled the lawsuit that it filed against New York City two months ago. The suit challenged a New York law that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed in October. That law called for fines of as much as $7,500 for illegally listing a property on a rental platform such as Airbnb.

The company had said the large fines could have deterred hosts and impaired its revenue in New York City. Hosts in the city generated about $1 billion in revenue last year, and the company took a cut of that in fees.
Saying that surprise medical bills for emergency room visits are unfair to patients, Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida, is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the practice.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine last month found that many patients around the nation were being hit with big out-of-network bills even though they had taken care to go to hospitals that their insurers considered in-network. Such billing occurred in about 22 percent of visits covered by one large commercial insurance company alone, the study found.

Mr. Nelson, the ranking member of the Commerce Committee, became interested in the issue after reading about the research in The New York Times. The article included the case of a Florida man who received a $1,620 bill after seeking out a covered hospital when he became sick at a work conference.
WASHINGTON  Over the past two decades, Taiwan has slipped from its position atop the list of flash points in the complex relationship between the United States and China. In meetings between President Obama and President Xi Jinping of China, it has typically come up after half a dozen more pressing issues, like trade, cyberattacks and Beijings aggressive moves in the South China Sea.

Now, though, in a single protocol-shattering phone call with the president of Taiwan, President-elect Donald J. Trump has thrust it back on the table. Not since President Richard M. Nixon met with Mao Zedong in 1972  when the two issued the Shanghai Communique clarifying the status of Taiwan  has an American leader so shaken up the diplomatic status quo on the issue.

Taiwan is about to become a more prominent feature of the overall U.S.-China relationship, said Jon M. Huntsman, who served as ambassador to China during Mr. Obamas first term. As a businessman, Donald Trump is used to looking for leverage in any relationship. A President Trump is likely to see Taiwan as a useful leverage point.

In the short run, Mr. Trump has rattled the entire region. Representatives of several Asian countries contacted the White House on Saturday to express concern, according to a senior administration official.
MASON CITY  Mandy Martinson received a call shed almost given up on while standing in a prison administrative office in Waseca, Minnesota.

It was her attorney. President Barack Obama had granted her clemency.

Twelve and one-half years into her 15-year sentence, Martinson was getting out early.

She got home Friday.

I started bawling, yeah, Martinson said.

She now plans to advocate for reform to the mandatory federal sentencing guidelines that sent her, a first-time federal offender, to prison for 15 years.

Critics say the mandatory guidelines do not allow judges to use their discretion and can result in unnecessarily harsh punishments.

I believe that people should be accountable for their actions. I do believe that people should pay for their crime, Martinson said Friday afternoon, sitting in her dads living room. I dont believe in being soft on crime, at all, but I think that all things should be considered.

Some advocacy groups, including Washington, D.C.-based Families Against Mandatory Minimums, or FAMM, say Martinsons case is the poster child for everything thats wrong with the current federal guidelines.

Martinson went to prison in 2005, convicted of conspiracy to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute meth and possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

Police found $60,000 in meth and $12,000 in marijuana in Martinsons home on North Harrison Avenue. Her boyfriend, who her supporters say was a drug dealer who was calling the shots, had moved in after theyd met the month before.

Meth had been in the picture since June 2003, the result of fear and stress Martinson said came from leaving an abusive relationship.

She wanted to plead guilty to the conspiracy charge, but went to trial to fight the gun charge.

The jury found her guilty of both.

Martinson's boyfriend, who testified against her, was sentenced to less time, 12 years, for the same charges. He also testified the gun found in her purse was his gun, Martinson said.

I just felt the most hopeless feeling in the world, she said, of the verdict. And, then, I was taken into custody and I just felt so alone.

She drew strength from what U.S. District Court Judge James Gritzner told her at sentencing.

He didnt want to give her the full 15 years, as he didnt think it was appropriate. However, he had to because of the sentencing guidelines.

Gritzner still thinks it wasnt an appropriate sentence.

There was no concern at all that Mandy was a serious danger of any further criminal activity. She obviously had an addiction that she had addressed, he said Friday by phone. She obviously had been subject to some control of her boyfriend, for whom she obviously had more affection than he had for her, and so it was one of those situations when, I think, everyone in the courtroom  myself, the prosecutor, everyone  recognized that sometimes legislation that was designed to fit thousands of people sometimes doesnt fit the person that was in front of you.

That wasnt the last Martinson heard from Gritzner.

She contacted him with a question about legal procedure, and they began exchanging letters during her incarceration.

He contributed a letter to her clemency effort.

I did write a letter to the president indicating that he had the power to do justice that I did not have, said Gritzner, who is based in Des Moines. And, technically, it is not appropriate for a judge to recommend clemency. It is appropriate for a judge to say, If I hadnt been bound by the mandatory minimum, I would have sentenced her to significantly less.

It is the only such letter he has ever written.

Grateful for the judges assistance, Martinson is now trying to begin her new life.

Shes trying to get re-certified as a dental hygienist. She wants to help advocacy groups, including FAMM, change the federal sentencing guidelines to prevent cases like hers.

Looking back, she believes she could have avoided so much if she had just told the truth.

Back when her boss asked her if she was on drugs before he fired her, Martinson wishes she would have simply admitted it.

Rather than trying to hide her abusive relationship from her parents, Martinson says she should have come clean and told them the truth.

I was the girl that kids parents wanted their kids to hang out with, you know, she said. So, when I started using drugs it didnt fit into the picture.

The truth was she was in trouble and needed help.

I dont want anybody to walk by me and think, She doesnt think she even deserved to go to prison. I do believe that I needed to go to prison, because I broke the law, she said. But, what I was, was a broken girl with a drug addiction and what I needed was some drug-addiction counseling, drug treatment and self-worth counseling.
WASHINGTON  Senate Democrats concede they have little leverage to stop Donald J. Trumps cabinet nominees. But that will not discourage them from trying to make life as uncomfortable as possible for many of his choices, with the hope of forcing their Republican colleagues and Mr. Trump to squirm along the way.

With nominees like Representative Tom Price, a proponent of fundamental changes to Medicare, to be health secretary, and Steven Mnuchin, a Goldman Sachs trader turned hedge fund manager, as Treasury secretary, Democrats hope to use the confirmation hearings to highlight the wide river of incongruities between Mr. Trumps campaign promises and much of the team he is assembling. The goal: to fuel a narrative that the incoming president, and the Republicans who support him, cannot be trusted.

President-elect Trump promised that he was going to clean up the swamp, said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the incoming Democratic leader, and a whole lot of his nominees have had their career in the swamp.

One by one, Mr. Schumer said, Democrats will use the confirmation process to highlight positions held by nominees that are either inconsistent with Mr. Trumps campaign promises or raise the sorts of ethical questions that Democrats tried in vain to hang around Mr. Trumps neck during the campaign, like refusing to release his tax returns. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, who serves on committees that are likely to have contentious hearings, can be counted on to work over many nominees.
He has posted on Twitter that fear of Muslims is rational, written that Islamic law is spreading in the United States, and said that Islam itself is more like a political ideology than a religion. The United States, he wrote in Field of Fight, a book about radical Islam he co-wrote with Mr. Ledeen, is in a world war, but very few people recognize it.

Implicating Iran

Mr. Flynn saw the Benghazi attack in September 2012 as just one skirmish in this global war. But it was his initial reaction to the event, immediately seeking evidence of an Iranian role, that many saw as emblematic of a conspiratorial bent. Iran, a Shiite nation, has generally eschewed any alliance with Sunni militants like the ones who attacked the American diplomatic compound.

For weeks, he pushed analysts for evidence that the attack might have had a state sponsor  sometimes shouting at them when they didnt come to the conclusions he wanted. The attack, he told his analysts, was a black swan event that required more creative intelligence analysis to decipher.

To ask employees to look for the .0001 percent chance of something when you have an actual emergency and dead Americans is beyond the pale, said Joshua Manning, an agency analyst from 2009 to 2013.

Beyond Benghazi, American officials said that in time, the general grew angrier at what he saw as the Obama administrations passivity in dealing with worldwide threats  from Sunni extremist terrorism to Iran. He also saw the C.I.A., an organization he had long disdained, as overly political and too willing to advance the White Houses agenda.

In particular, he became convinced that the C.I.A. was refusing to declassify many of the documents found at Osama bin Ladens compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, because they seemed to undercut the administrations narrative about Qaeda strength at the time Bin Laden was killed.

If they put out what we knew, then the president couldve not said, in a national election, Al Qaedas on the run and weve killed Bin Laden, Mr. Flynn said before the latest election, referring to Mr. Obamas 2012 re-election bid. Even today, he talks about Bin Laden as though that was a stroke of genius. I mean, cmon!
DENVER  Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, whose pursuit of the chairmanship of the beleaguered Democratic National Committee has drawn growing skepticism over his views on Israel, faced questions of a less incendiary sort at a party forum on Friday: Could he do the job as a part-timer?

As the gathering began, Howard Dean, a former committee chairman who had been Mr. Ellisons most prominent rival, announced that he was withdrawing his bid. But before making that announcement via video recording, Mr. Dean argued that the committee must be rebuilt from the ground up and that only a full-time chairman could accomplish that task.

More than two hours later, as the forum came to a close, Mr. Ellison offered an unexpected response. He revealed that he was considering resigning his seat in Congress, in answer to those on the committee who want the next chairman to focus exclusively on remaking a party shut out of power in Washington and many state capitals.

Im in the process of deciding this issue of whether I can perform both roles, Mr. Ellison said at the gathering, a meeting of Democratic state chairmen that served as the first tryout session for the committee post.
CANNON BALL, N.D.  Lee Plenty Wolf knows the government wants him to clear out of the snowbound tepee where he stokes the fire, sings traditional Oglala songs and sleeps alongside a pair of women from France and California who came to protest an oil pipeline in the stinging cold. But he and thousands of other protesters are vowing to make what may be their last stand at Standing Rock.

The orders to evacuate the sprawling protest camp on this frozen prairie just north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation came down last week from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the North Dakota governors office. After four months of prayer marches and clashes with law enforcement officials who responded with tear gas and water cannons, the protesters now have until Monday to leave.

The government said it would not forcibly remove anyone, but could cite people for trespassing or other offenses.

At the camp, defiance is rising like smoke from the stovepipe of Mr. Plenty Wolfs tepee. People are here to stay. They are building yurts and hammering together plywood for bunkhouses and lodges. The communal kitchen stops serving dinner at 9:30 p.m.; it reopens a half-hour later as a sleeping space.
As returns coming in from major regions clearly indicated that he was going to lose, Mr. Jammeh asked his key advisers to annul the votes, the official said. He then gathered at the statehouse his top military security advisers, police officers and intelligence officials and asked for their support to discredit the vote.

The officers told him that chaos would break out if they did so. Tempers flared at the meeting, said the official, who declined to be named because of the top-secret nature of the gathering. But eventually, Mr. Jammeh agreed to concede.

Speculation had been rampant that Mr. Jammeh had fled the country in the wake of the election, but the official said Mr. Jammeh remained in Gambia.

On Saturday, the streets in the capital, Banjul, were largely calm. But Friday night, thousands celebrated across Gambia, the smallest nation on continental Africa. Young people burned posters with photographs of Mr. Jammeh and currency bills, which bear his image. Even the inspector general of the police was spotted among the crowd of celebrants.

This year in the period before the election, the security forces arrested more than 90 opposition activists for participating in peaceful protests. Thirty activists, including the leader of the largest opposition party, the United Democratic Party, were prosecuted and sentenced to three years in prison. Two other opposition protesters died in custody, including the opposition partys national organizing secretary, Solo Sandeng, who was beaten to death at the countrys National Intelligence Agency in April, according to an Amnesty International report.

Human rights groups tried to draw attention to Mr. Jammehs abuses with numerous reports outlining deaths and torture suffered by his opponents. Western nations criticized Mr. Jammeh and threatened sanctions. He began courting nations in the Middle East for aid.

On Saturday, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement hailing the first democratic transfer of power in the country.
President Varela is also closely tied to law firms that handle offshore accounts. One Aleman cousin is now his chief of staff, and both his vice minister of foreign affairs and the minister of economy and finance came from the Morgan & Morgan Group, which includes a law firm known for its offshore business. And one of the presidents closest advisers until early this year was Ramon Fonseca Mora, a partner in Mossack Fonseca, the law firm that generated the Panama Papers. The German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung obtained the data and later shared it with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a nonprofit group based in Washington.

Mr. Stiglitz initially wondered whether the government was serious about his appointment, but he said two things had convinced him that it was. Panamas vice president, Isabel de Saint Malo, flew to New York to personally ask Mr. Stiglitz to join, and Mr. Pieth was also asked to serve.

The group met officially for the first time in June in New York. The honeymoon did not last long.

Everyone was guilty of bad Googling, said one person who knew the commission members. Mr. Pieth added, We didnt spend an awful amount of time on due diligence on our colleagues.

Potential conflicts quickly became apparent, according to notes taken by an attendee. One member expressed concern about damage control, since the expanded canal was about to open  a moment of great national pride  and, the member said, we will use that moment to say this is who we are and where our future is headed. When the subject of a public registry of beneficial owners was raised, Mr. Stiglitz said, you could see them blanch. And, he added, there was no serious discussion about closer monitoring of tax-advantaged, free-trade zones, or the strong enforcement of the open-records law.

The group agreed that it should secure a promise from President Varela that its final report would be made public. They said they would go to the government and get it, and they never did, Mr. Stiglitz said.

Instead, on July 29, the group received a stern note from the government, saying that the presidential decree establishing the commission stipulated that the report will be the property of and used by the Republic of Panama and that it would decide what to share with the public. The government also said funds requested for operational expenses would not be coming.
The residents rose before dawn and retired after dark, forming surreal lines of order. Their faces were fixed in reverence.

In rural Cuba, there was no trace of the cynicism or state pressure that was on display in Havana.

The revolution delivered to the rural poor the benefits of cities, like doctors and teachers. Schoolgirls and weathered farmers shared an unscripted devotion born of admiration for Mr. Castros ideals and values, and for the self-respect he gave his people.

On Saturday, in Revolution Plaza in Santiago de Cuba, where his revolution began, the ambience was one of genuine warmth. People were enjoying one another, their friends and families, a human connection that predated the distraction of selfies and social media. A distinctly Cuban togetherness unbroken by technology.

Mr. Castro was buried in the city Sunday morning, the revolutionary interred in the heartland of his revolution. Compatriots from his earliest days hobbled to attend, as did students, soldiers and officials. As the procession finished the final mile from the plaza to the cemetery, a stillness presided over the crowd.

But the refrain of the journey was the same. What had been carried in the chants of Cubans and on their shirts and banners now emerged without a word: Yo Soy Fidel.
Ive always seen Russia as the guardian at the gate, as the easternmost outpost of our people, said Sam Dickson, a white supremacist and former Ku Klux Klan lawyer who frequently speaks at gatherings of the so-called alt-right, a far-right fringe movement that embraces white nationalism and a range of racist and anti-immigrant positions. They are our barrier to the Oriental invasion of our homeland and the great protector of Christendom. I admire the Russian people. They are the strongest white people on earth.

Fascination with and, in many cases, adoration of Mr. Putin  or at least a distorted image of him  first took hold among far-right politicians in Europe, many of whom have since developed close relations with their brethren in the United States. Such ties across the Atlantic have helped spread the view of Mr. Putins Russia as an ideal model.

We need a chancellor like Putin, someone who is working for Germany and Europe like Putin works for Russia, said Udo Voigt, leader of Germanys National Democratic Party. That far-right group views Chancellor Angela Merkel as a traitor because she opened the door to nearly a million migrants from Syria and elsewhere last year.

Putin is a symbol for us of what is possible, Mr. Voigt said.

The Obama administration has accused Russian interests of meddling in the presidential campaign by spreading fake news and hacking into the computers of the Democratic National Committee and the emails of John Podesta, a leading figure in Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. But efforts by Russia, which has jailed some of its own white supremacist agitators, to organize and inspire extreme right-wing groups in the United States and Europe may ultimately prove more influential.

His voice amplified by Russian-funded think tanks, the Orthodox Church and state-controlled news media, like RT and Sputnik, that are aimed at foreign audiences, Mr. Putin has in recent years reached out to conservative and nationalist groups abroad with the message that he stands with them against gay rights activists and other forces of moral decay.
NEW DELHI  The police in Indias capital are investigating an American womans accusation that a group of men raped her this year in a five-star hotel where she was staying in India, officials said Saturday.

Several widely reported sexual assaults in India in recent years have increased public concerns about the safety of women in the country.

The Delhi police on Tuesday opened a preliminary investigation into a complaint they received from a nongovernmental organization based in the United States on behalf of the woman, an American in her mid-30s, which described the circumstances of the assault, said Dependera Pathak, a spokesman for the Delhi Police, in a telephone interview.

We are seriously and legally investigating the case, said Mr. Pathak, adding that the woman said the gang rape had taken place in April. He said he was unable to offer many details about the complaint or to identify the nongovernmental organization because of the preliminary nature of the investigation and because the police had not yet been able to speak directly with the woman.
Since his election last month, Mr. Trump has held a series of unscripted calls with foreign leaders, several of which have broken radically from past American policies and diplomatic practice. A call on Friday with the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, appeared to be out of sync with four decades of United States policy toward China and prompted a Chinese call to the White House.

Mr. Duterte has led a campaign against drug abuse in which he has encouraged the police and others to kill people they suspect of using or selling drugs. Since he took office in June, more than 2,000 people have been killed by the police in what officers describe as drug raids, and the police say several hundred more have been killed by vigilantes.

The program has been condemned by the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and others for what rights organizations have characterized as extrajudicial killings. In rejecting such criticism from the United States this fall, Mr. Duterte called Mr. Obama a son of a whore.

In a summary of the phone call with Mr. Trump released by Mr. Dutertes office on Saturday morning, Mr. Duterte said the two had spoken for just a few minutes but covered many topics, including the antidrug campaign.
CLEAR LAKE  A Clear Lake police officer has been charged with serious misdemeanor domestic assault.

Ryan R. Eskildsen, 36, was arrested Thursday following an investigation, according to Cerro Gordo County Chief Deputy David Hepperly.

The alleged victim was injured but not taken to the hospital, Hepperly said.

The alleged assault took place Tuesday in Clear Lake, but the Sheriffs Office is not releasing further details on the location of the incident.

Eskildsen has been a Clear Lake police officer since 2002, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Eskildsen was in the Cerro Gordo County Jail pending an appearance before a magistrate.

The Sheriffs Office is the investigating agency in the case. Assisting agencies are the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Clear Lake Police Department, according to a press release from the Sheriffs Office.

Eskildsen will be on paid administrative leave until pending the outcome of further proceedings in the case, said Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth.

 Mary Pieper
BEIJING  Chinas leaders have been markedly reticent about what kind of leader they think Donald J. Trump will be. A pragmatic dealmaker, as his business background might indicate? Or a provocateur who tests the ways of statecraft?

By talking on Friday with Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen, Mr. Trump answered that question in stark terms, Chinese analysts said Saturday. Breaking decades of American diplomatic practice, he caught the Chinese government off guard by lunging into the most sensitive of its so-called core interests, the One China policy agreed to by President Richard M. Nixon more than four decades ago.

This is a wake-up call for Beijing  we should buckle up for a pretty rocky six months or year in the China-U.S. relationship, Wang Dong, an associate professor at the School of International Studies at Peking University, said Saturday. There was a sort of delusion based on overly optimistic ideas about Trump. That should stop.

Chinese leaders covet stability in their relationship with Washington, and perhaps for that reason, they have allowed fairly rosy assessments of Mr. Trump to appear in the state-run news media. Many of those accounts have depicted the president-elect as a practical operator devoid of ideology, the kind of person China might find common ground with despite his threats of a trade war.
BANGKOK  The police in Thailand on Saturday arrested a student pro-democracy activist accused of sharing an article about the countrys new king that was posted on Facebook by the Thai-language service of the BBC.

The arrest was apparently the first under the countrys tough lese-majeste law since King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun took the throne on Thursday, succeeding his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A conviction for lese-majeste, or insulting the monarchy, carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison.

The law student, Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, was arrested while attending a Buddhist ceremony in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum, said Duangthip Karith of the group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. Mr. Jatupat posted that he was being arrested and briefly broadcast the police reading the charge on a Facebook Live video stream.

Mr. Jatupat is a prominent member of Dao Din, a small student organization that has held public protests against Thailands military government.
When President-elect Donald J. Trump spoke on the phone with Taiwans president on Friday, he was wading into one of Asias longest-running and sensitive issues: the dispute between Taiwan and mainland China.

Though the call alarmed experts, who say it risks upending decades of American efforts to manage the dispute, nonexperts could be forgiven for scratching their heads about the uproar. What follows, then, is a guide to the China-Taiwan issue: why it is so delicate, what role the United States has in the matter and why the phone call is significant.

What is the China-Taiwan issue?

Both players claimed, at least formally, to represent all of China  which they considered to include each others territory. That created problems, including periodic risks of war, for decades.

The disagreement dates to 1927, when civil war broke out in the Republic of China. The war culminated in Communist revolutionaries, led by Mao Zedong, mostly defeating Chinas Nationalist government in 1949.
The Haggler has heard about vacations, but obviously he never takes one. There are too many consumers in need, too much justice to mete out. A day off every year or two? Maybe. But the Haggler doesnt have time to see the world. He is too busy saving it.

O.K., that sounded a touch self-aggrandizing. And ridiculous. Also, it isnt true. The Haggler never leaves the bunker that is Haggler Central because leisure travel doesnt sound very relaxing. That, at least, is the impression one gets from the Hagglers inbox, which is filled with tales of vacations gone wrong. Like this one:

Q. This summer, we rented a lakeside cottage through FlipKey, an online rental service, and when we arrived we discovered that the place was filthy. The television didnt work. The oven didnt work. The outdoor barbecue didnt work. There were no sheets, no towels.

We called FlipKey reps each of the three days we were there and were told, each time, that someone would contact the owner and call us back. But we heard nothing. A number of times we received emails telling us to contact the owner directly, which we did. But he was unresponsive. He later accused my family and me of trashing the place.

FlipKey eventually told us that we could not put in a claim under their payment protection plan because we had an issue with the cleanliness and the amenities of the cottage  areas not covered by the plan. Plus, to get a refund, we needed to have vacated the property on our first night there  something no one ever told us when we called during our trip.
Private prisons began a resurgence in the United States in the 1980s with the law-and-order, privatization and anti-union campaigns of the Reagan revolution. They helped ease overcrowding in state and then federal prisons as inmate populations swelled, while budgets were constrained.

But in 2013 the prison population began to decline, a trend that seemed likely to continue, with the help of changes in sentencing laws, the rise of alternatives to imprisonment and a softening in parole policies.

On Aug. 18, Sally Q. Yates, the deputy attorney general, said in that Justice Department memo that the Federal Bureau of Prisons was beginning the process of reducing  and ultimately ending  our use of privately operated prisons. The memo was a bombshell: In one day, shares of CoreCivic (then Corrections Corporation of America) fell 35.5 percent. GEO dropped 40 percent.

From a purely financial standpoint, that horrendous market decline may have been an overreaction.

The Yates memo referred only to phasing out or reducing contracts with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Those contracts amounted to less than 16 percent of the two companies revenue, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Far more money  44 percent of CoreCivics 2015 revenue, said Terry Dwyer, an analyst with KDP Investment Advisors  flowed from contracts for detention centers run on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Marshals Service. On Thursday, a Homeland Security panel recommended that those agencies keep using private prisons.

Even as the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced that it was ending a contract with CoreCivic to house inmates in Cibola County, N.M., CoreCivic promptly got a new contract to run the same center on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Obama administrations approach is an inconsistent revolving door policy, Carl Takei, staff attorney for the national prison project of the American Civil Liberties Union, said. The A.C.L.U. objects to private prisons as a matter of principle, he said, adding that they engage in profiteering.

These companies by their nature depend on and profit from mass incarceration, Mr. Takei said.

Pablo Paez, a spokesman for GEO, said in an email: We do not believe in cost-cutting for profit sake as critics like the A.C.L.U. contend, instead we believe in running an efficient operation that provides adequate staffing and relies on state of the art technology for monitoring, communication and health care.
Mr. Trump talks to the president of Taiwan, becoming the first U.S. president or president-elect to do so since 1979.

Why it matters

The call with President Tsai Ing-wen risks infuriating China, which wants to bring Taiwan back under mainland rule. By honoring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Mr. Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state. The U.S. has declined to recognize Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence. Mr. Trump tweeted, The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency.

Mr. Trump endorses the Philippines violent antidrug campaign, says President Rodrigo Duterte.

Why it matters

Mr. Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, referred to President Obama as a son of a bitch and declared his countrys separation from the U.S. during a recent trip to Beijing. Mr. Duterte said the president-elect was quite sensitive to our worry about drugs and that his countrys crackdown on drug users was being conducted the right way. There was no immediate response from Mr. Trump to Mr. Dutertes description of the phone call or to a Reuters report that Mr. Trump invited the Philippines president to Washington.

Mr. Trump praises Kazakhstans leader for fantastic success.

Why it matters

Mr. Trump praised Nursultan A. Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan since 1991, in tones that suggest approval for Mr. Nazarbayevs strongman rule. According to the Kazakh governments readout of the call, Mr. Trump stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle.

Mr. Trump accepts an invitation to visit Pakistan, a terrific country.

Why it matters

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif invited Mr. Trump to visit, according to a Pakistani government readout of their call. Should Mr. Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistans behavior; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the U.S. has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes.

Ivanka Trump joins a meeting with the Japanese prime minister.

Why it matters

Rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Shinzo Abe, Japans prime minister, Mr. Trump invited his daughter Ivanka. The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Mr. Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Mr. Trumps businesses, which Ms. Trump helps run, and the U.S. government, with which she has no role.

After brushing off the United Kingdom, Mr. Trump offers a casual invitation to the British prime minister.

Why it matters
Hard-core Ann Arborites know that the historic Kempf House on Division was owned and occupied by music teacher Reuben Kempf and his family, and that the Kempfs Steinway, manufactured in 1877, is reputed to have been the first grand piano in Ann Arbor. Like many a senior citizen, the piano is still functional but frail due to a chronic condition, in this case, a cracked soundboard. As you might expect, this condition has a serious effect on the pianos sound.

In its heyday, the piano was a workhorse. When the University of Michigan needed a grand piano for a recital, it borrowed the Kempfs piano. The massive instrument was turned on its side, divested of its legs, and trundled out the door, typically to University Hall, the forerunner of Hill Auditorium. Reuben Kempf was not even the pianos first owner. He purchased it from a U-M student.

The pianos antiquity is reflected in its design. The keyboard has eighty-five ivory-covered keys, rather than the modern eighty-eight. Those keys activate a hammer, which strikes the strings using a much simpler system than the complex modern grand action. In addition to being cracked, the Kempf House piano soundboard has lost its crown, and the belly is a hodgepodge of repaired hammers, worn, loose pulleys, shims, and corroded plating.

Qualified technicians and experts in piano history and repair have offered disparate and contradictory opinions about the sound of the Kempf House pianowhether it still singsand about what should be done with it. As with many antiques, there are different approaches that could be taken with the piano: rebuild and restore, or preserve and conserve.



In the 1990s the Kempf House Museum board subscribed to the philosophy of retaining the pianos original mechanism and preserving it as a museum piece, maintaining and repairing it when needed to keep it functional. The soundboard was restrung and shimmed, standard procedures for preserving an aging piano rather than restoring it. In its current condition, the piano supports the gentle and reverent playing of musicians at Christmas caroling parties and Valentines Day teas as well as impromptu performances from random visitors. Minimal though they may be, repairs to the piano to keep it functional are necessary and ongoing.

Since the 1990s, assorted piano specialists have weighed in on the desirability of restoration. Though they are not in complete agreement, their consensus is that the piano has to be rebuilt if it is going to be used for concerts. In the 2000s, the late Ellie Moore, a retired Ann Arbor music teacher, joined the board and began an initiative to replace the pianos interior with a modern grand piano mechanism in the original rosewood cabinet.

When I first attended the delightful annual Valentines Day Victorian tea in 2010, Kjirsten Blander, the board president at that time, told me that the piano needed to be shipped back to the Steinway factory in New York for rebuilding, at a price tag of $70,000. That decision was the result of Ellie Moores efforts. Moore died in March 2016 and the initiative was tabled, but she remembered the piano in her will, and donations toward its restoration have been made in her memory, as she requested. The sum received so far is insufficient. The board applied for an Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation grant but did not receive it.



And the philosophical question remains unsettled: should the piano be left as a museum piece, like the other original objects in Kempf House, or should it be restored for use in serious performances? Kempf House board member Ann Dilcher tells me the piano committee that Moore created plans to reconvene. Dilcher suggests that fresh blood on the board might help resolve the piano question. With a bare-bones board of volunteers, its difficult for the dedicated caretakers of the house to also make the piano a priority.

Nevertheless, piano experts from the university have recommended rebuilding, and the influence of Moores initiative is strong. There is a link on the Kempf House website requesting donations to the Piano Fund, as well as to the Garden Fund, for the other great pride of Kempf House. The Kempf piano might be an ideal project for the university to underwrite for students of piano technology.

For local music lovers looking for a cause, the Kempf House piano awaits. Meanwhile, Kempf House is open for free tours on Sunday afternoons in spring and fall. And the piano features prominently in the houses annual Family Christmas Carol Singsee Events, December 4.
FOREST CITY  More than five years after a fire that damaged the Forest City police station, arson and burglary charges against a former officer with the department have been dismissed.

Court rulings keeping Thaddeus Ellenbeckers confession to law enforcement and the firearm he allegedly stole from another officer out of evidence means the state cant prove the charges against him beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the motion to dismiss filed by Winnebago County Attorney Adam Sauer and Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown.

District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder granted the motion on Nov. 15.

Ellenbecker, 39, was convicted of felony second-degree robbery and second-degree in November 2012 following separate bench trials by Schroeder.

A month later he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and began serving that term at the Newton Correctional Center.

In May 2014 the convictions were overturned and Ellenbecker was granted a new trial after the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled his confession was invalid.

Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation failed to read Ellenbecker his Miranda rights before questioning him about the fire at the police station on Oct. 1, 2011, and the theft of an AR-15 assault rifle from the locked trunk of the squad care of another police officer in 2010, according to the appeals court ruling.

Ellenbecker was released from prison pending his new trial and moved to Rochester, Minnesota.

Before the new trial could take place Schroeder ruled the allegedly stolen rifle and gun store records related to it should not be allowed as evidence because that evidence was obtained as a result of Ellenbeckers invalid confession.

The state filed an application for review of Schroeders decision, claiming Ellenbeckers statements to the DCI agents were voluntary.

Ellenbeckers statements to law enforcement were made while he was in the hospital under the influence of opiod-based painkillers due to having been shot in the thigh during a struggle with a DCI agent on Oct. 20.

DCI special agent Chris Callaway testified in court that he followed Ellenbecker home after questioning him at the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office that day because he was concerned about his fatalistic demeanor.

Ellenbecker, who had left his police weapon behind in a lock box at the sheriffs office, allegedly said he wanted to go into the apartment complex where he lived so he could talk to his wife before coming back out to talk to Callaway some more.

Ellenbecker went inside the complex. Callaway testified when Ellenbecker came out he pulled his coat back, revealing a handgun.

Callaway testified he pinned Ellenbecker up against the door of the apartment complex to keep him from pulling out his gun. Seeing the struggle, another DCI special agent, Steve Peterson, who had come to the complex at Callaways request, shot Ellenbecker in the leg.

An investigation cleared the agents of any wrongdoing in the incident.

Ellenbecker claimed after he was taken to the hospital, he was interviewed by several other DCI agents multiple times during the night with little sleep, did not understand the agents questions and was depressed and suicidal.

During the interviews in the hospital, Ellenbecker made incriminating statements. At that point he was told he was under arrest.

In June of this year the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled any statements Ellenbecker made under the influence of the painkillers would be from an altered mental state.

The ruling also cited coercive treatment of Ellenbecker by DCI agents both before and after he was shot.

Both Sauer and Ellenbeckers attorney, Steven Kloberdanz, declined comment on the dismissal of the case.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Afghanistans security crisis is fueling new opportunities for al-Qaida, Islamic State and other extremist groups, Afghan and U.S. officials say, voicing concerns that the original U.S. mission in the country  removing its use as a terrorist haven  is at risk.

As intense Taliban offensives have taken large portions of territory out of the Afghan governments hands, those spaces have become the stage for a resurgence of regional and international militant groups. That is despite the extended presence of nearly 10,000 U.S. troops in the country, tasked with performing counterterrorism operations and supporting the Afghan forces that are bearing the brunt of the fighting.

Gen. Joseph L. Votel, chief of the U.S. Central Command, said the Afghan government now controls only about 60 percent of the country, the Taliban hold sway over about 10 percent, and the remainder is contested. Which group or groups fill those voids of increasingly ungoverned territory in Afghanistan is something well have to contend with, he said.

We have to be concerned about this  about the Taliban pulling together and cooperating and collaborating with other terrorist organizations, Votel said at a security forum in Washington this week.

Overall, Western and Afghan officials estimate that about 40,000 to 45,000 militants are active across Afghanistan. The Taliban are estimated at about 30,000 fighters, some of them seasonal. But the rest are foreign militants of different  and often fluid  allegiances, at times competing but mostly on the same side against the Afghan government and its U.S. allies.

Of the 98 U.S.- or U.N.-designated terrorist organizations around the globe, 20 of them are in the Af-Pak region, Gen. John W. Nicholson, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said recently. This is the highest concentration of the numbers of different groups in any area in the world.

It is that situation that President-elect Donald Trump and his new security team will inherit.

On the rare occasions that Trump has spoken of Afghanistan, it has usually been to state his desire to withdraw from what he has termed a total and complete disaster. But the most prominent member of the national security team he is assembling, Michael T. Flynn, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency who spent years focusing on the Afghan conflict, has been outspoken about his concerns that the chaos in Afghanistan may again directly threaten the United States.

What we have to continue to do for that entire region is to reinstill confidence that we actually can help them, Flynn said this year. We cannot leave this region to the likes of these multiple terrorist organizations. There is too much at stake.

How that debate will play out in the new administration has become a central question among Afghan officials in Kabul.

The immediate existential threat to the Afghan government has been a resurgent Taliban, which officials say have been killing 30 to 50 members of the security forces each day in recent months. The insurgents are directly threatening important provincial capitals and have again made important roadways hazardous or impassable to government forces.

The Taliban, whose leadership is mostly taking shelter in Pakistan, insist that they are focused only on regaining power within Afghanistan. And some Russian officials, including the special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, have openly acknowledged maintaining some contact with the Taliban as a possible hedge against other militant groups if the government fails, though the officials insist that has not extended to aiding the insurgency.

Still, the insurgencys recent success is directly threatening the Afghan governments stability, and it is creating a territorial vacuum that other groups are trying to exploit.

An increasing focus of the U.S. counterterrorism operation has been the local affiliate of the Islamic State, which calls itself the Islamic State in the Khorasan, an ancient name for this region.

After heavy losses over the past year to U.S. airstrikes and Afghan ground operations, the Islamic State cell is estimated at no more than 1,000 fighters, most of them former members of the Pakistani Taliban from the tribal areas, according to a senior U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence.

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Nevertheless, they have proved to be a resilient force that has maintained a hold on several districts in eastern Nangarhar province, and they continue to have contacts, for guidance and funding, with the Islamic States central command in Syria and Iraq, officials say.

The Islamic State militants have also taken a more active role in staging terrorist attacks. U.S. intelligence agencies say that the group has carried out as many as seven mass-casualty attacks in Afghanistan since midsummer, including suicide bombings.

The Islamic State affiliate in Kabul has largely been seen as a competitor with the Taliban, who have publicly criticized the group and battled it around its main stronghold in the east.

But two senior Afghan officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss new intelligence, said the idea that the Taliban have been fighting the Islamic State was not an absolute fact, but rather varied across the country. While the Taliban have been waging a bloody turf war with Islamic State in the east, they have been cooperating with elements associated with the Islamic State in the north and northeast of the country, the officials said.

The senior U.S. official also said the Haqqani militant network, whose top leader became deputy commander of the Taliban insurgency in 2015, has actually been more open to discussions with the Islamic State.

(END OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Mohammed Haneef Atmar, Afghanistans national security adviser, warned that although the Islamic State affiliates remain a top priority in the countrys joint counterterrorism efforts with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, most of the terrorist groups in Afghanistan share similar ideologies.

We cannot isolate Daesh from other terrorist groups, Atmar said, referring to the Islamic State by an Arabic acronym. The groups all have symbiotic relationships. One group cannot stay in isolation; others provide the enabling environment.

Second to the Islamic State is al-Qaida, which has seen its capability largely decreased as its leaders have been targeted by U.S. Special Operations and drone strikes. In addition to the core of the original group, which has remained focused on terrorist attacks abroad and has a presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, al-Qaida has created a new branch based in those countries, al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, or AQIS, that is more regionally focused, counterterrorism officials say.

U.S. officials estimate that both the core al-Qaida group and the new branch number fewer than 200 total operatives in Afghanistan; Afghan officials put the number at 300 to 500.

There is no change in the goals that al-Qaida is pursuing, which is the destruction of the West and Muslim democracies, Atmar said. The difference is that they are employing other networks, such as Haqqani and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They are outsourcing some of their work, and that makes them more dangerous.

(STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.)

The core of al-Qaida in this region has lost members to defections to the Islamic State, and it has sent some fighters to Syria to compete with the Islamic State there, intelligence officials say. Several other groups affiliated with al-Qaida in the past, particularly groups of Central Asian fighters, have shown leanings toward the Islamic State.

One fear among Afghan and Western officials is that as the Islamic State is pressured by military operations in Iraq and Syria, some of its leaders may make their way to Afghanistan, where the ungoverned space has increased and their local affiliate has established ground.

The U.S. came to Afghanistan on the principal of not letting the country again slip into a safe haven for extremists, said Muhammad Umer Daudzai, a former Afghan interior minister. Nothing has changed in that threat. Al-Qaida was just a badge, just like Islamic State is. The real threat is extremism, and that has actually increased.

Franz-Michael Mellbin, the European Unions ambassador and special representative to Afghanistan, said that if the terrorist groups are not tackled as a whole, it will always be possible for factions of one group to switch sides or morph into others.

Obviously, there is a threat to international security still emanating from Afghanistan, Mellbin said. We have seen several international groups congregating in Afghanistan. Some of them have ambitions inside Afghanistan, for example the Taliban, but majority of the groups have ambitions that go beyond Afghanistans borders.

He said the new U.S. administration has an opportunity to assess the situation and bring changes to the mission. We dont want to have this conversation again 15 years from now.
Irvine-based startup Blossom has been acquired by Ohio-based Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. Terms were not disclosed.

Blossom, a smart sprinkler system, allows irrigation systems to be controlled through a phone or computer.

Blossom and Scotts have been working together on a Connected Yard initiative. Scotts already uses Blossoms product in an app called Gro, which is under development, according to several news outlets.

Blossom employees now work for Scotts out of their current building, according to the Orange County Business Journal.

The startup, founded in 2012, raised roughly $4 million before the acquisition.

Manrique Brenes, Blossom chief executive and co-founder, previously told the Register the idea came to him when he moved from a small Corona del Mar house to a bigger home in Laguna Beach.

When he moved, his water bill went to $160 a month from $60. He saw sprinklers go off when it was drizzling and came up with the Blossom concept.

Blossom uses cloud-based weather data to determine necessary watering time. The company estimates its controllers, which connect to existing wiring, valves and sprinklers, can save homeowners as much as 30 percent on their water bill.

 Hannah Madans

Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans
Saturday mornings celebration of life for longtime Stater Bros. leader Jack H. Brown, will include a flyover by vintage aircraft, according to spokesmen for the San Bernardino-based supermarket chain.

Brown died Nov. 13. He was 78.

The ceremony will also include video tributes by community leaders and store employees as well as words from Stater Bros. executives.

It will take place at 9 a.m. at Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario.

The public is welcome, and there is an invitation on the home page of Stater Bros. website.

At the same time, all 169 of Stater Bros. stores will hold a minute of silence in Browns honor.

Stores will maintain usual operations Saturday morning, but provisions have been made so that employees who wish to attend the ceremony can do so, according to Marisa Kutansky of Stater Bros. public relations department.

We dont just do business in the community, were part of it, Brown, a San Bernardino native, said in an interview at Stater Bros. 80th anniversary in August.

He considered Stater Bros. staff to be family. It is a large one.

Stater Bros. has 18,000 employees for stores in seven counties and 2.3 million square foot headquarters in San Bernardino.

It takes dedicated people who are willing to put their shoulder to your wheel, Brown said.
EL GUAYABO, Cuba  The single dirt street in El Guayabo runs past a few dozen cinderblock homes, the medical clinic and the primary school to a grove of 76 trees planted to honor Fidel Castro on his 76th birthday.

On Friday, residents of El Guayabo walked a mile down that street to Cubas central highway to bid a final farewell to the man they credit for bringing medical care, education and basic comforts to this hamlet in the farming and ranching country of arid, sun-scorched eastern Cuba.

We owe him everything, said Rafael Toledo, a 71-year-old rancher. Therell never be another one like him.

Mourning for Castro has reached near-religious peaks of public adulation across Cuba since his death at age 90 on Nov. 25. Huge crowds have been shouting his name and lining the roads to salute the funeral procession carrying his ashes from Havana to the eastern city of Santiago.

By midday on Friday, the cortege had reached the city of Las Tunas, some 1,450 miles east of Havana.

Las Tunas residents shouted, I am Fidel! as the seven-vehicle caravan sped by, some waving little Cuban flags and others capturing the moment with cameras on their cellular phones.

In the cities some of the ceremony has been undercut by grumbling about Cubas autocratic government, inefficient bureaucracy and stagnant economy. The outpouring has seemed the most heartfelt in Cubas east, the region his ashes are crossing Friday.

Castro was born in eastern Cuba. His revolution started here, and its here and in other parts of rural Cuba where his campaigns for literacy, social welfare and land redistribution had their deepest impact.

Before the revolution, the countryside wasnt what you see now, Toledo said. My parents were sharecroppers, cane-cutters. They did what they could to support a family of 12, but they couldnt even sign their names. When they died they were literate and had a house with electricity, television and a refrigerator.

For many foreigners, landing in Havana feels like traveling back in time, to an era of 1950s cars and Art Deco homes unpainted for decades. Heading into the countryside is another step back  to a region where farmers plow with oxen and people travel by horse-cart. But, thanks to Castros programs, there are also neighborhood health clinics, small-town libraries and specialized high schools with dance and arts instructors.

Before the revolution, El Guayabo was a family estate with a cheese factory owned by a Cuban family who fled to the United States after Castro and his rebel army took power. The land was distributed to those working it under agricultural reforms that Castro began in 1959.

Still, while rural Cubans lives have improved with the arrival of doctors and teachers in once-ignored backwaters, it has been a struggle to earn a living under the islands one-party socialist government and its stifling economic rules.

More than five decades after the revolution, much of the countryside is deeply unproductive and Cuba imports a large percentage of its food. Weeds choke unproductive fields and ranches are without cattle. Many young people are moving to the cities, or leaving Cuba entirely.

Yudisleidy Borges and her husband, Julio Cesar Camejo, want to start a small dairy in Santa Elena in central Cubas Ciego de Avila province but are struggling with a centrally planned system that maintains a monopoly on all agricultural inputs.

The issue of getting the supplies that we need, the feed and the equipment, is serious, Camejo said.

Yet, Borges said, the problems of life in the countryside dont sour the appreciation she feels for Castros socialist system.

In central and eastern Cuba, people have always followed Fidel, she said.
MASON CITY  The City Council on Tuesday will consider giving final approval to Mayor Eric Bookmeyers proposal for term limits on appointed positions.

The community and council have had discussions for years about how to bring more qualified people, ideas and energy into the process, Bookmeyer said in a memo to the council.

I believe it is recognized that reasonable term limits are a healthy measure that government does not typically welcome. However, I would submit that government at all levels would be in a better position to serve its constituents by holding some standard on consecutive terms.

Bookmeyer is proposing no board or commission member serve more than five consecutive terms on the same board or commission.

The exception would be boards and commissions that have six-year terms in which case members could serve no more than three consecutive terms.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in the Mason City Room of the public library.

 John Skipper
Nearly a month after Donald Trumps presidential victory, Sandra Dimas is struggling with a heightened mix of anxiety and anger over how and when the president-elect will follow through on a central promise of his campaign: cracking down on illegal immigration.

A lot of people are scared, said the 42-year-old mother of three. Like the majority of undocumented immigrants in California, she has been in the United States for more than a decade.

I have kids  we live here, she said, her voice rising. Were not criminals.

Deportation hadnt been a major concern. But now Dimas finds herself surrounded by fear. Some of her neighbors are talking about returning to Mexico, she said. Others already have left. At the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center where she finds work, new fliers outline steps immigrants can take to avoid deportation and offer tips on how to explain the post-election era to young children.

The fear has always been there, said Benjamin Wood, an organizer at the day labor center. But now it feels more real.

The anxiety is compounded by confusion over what policies Trump plans to pursue once he takes office. Any policy changes are likely to have an outsized impact in California, which is home to about a quarter of the nations estimated 11.4 million undocumented residents. About half of those immigrants live in Southern California, including 815,000 in Los Angeles County, 250,000 in Orange County, 124,000 in Riverside County, and 118,000 in San Bernardino County, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

We dont know what to expect under a Trump presidency, so people are bracing for the worst, said Shiu-Ming Cheer, a senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center in Los Angeles. Even people who havent been targeted for immigration in the past are worried that now there might be a knock on the door.

Immigration experts say cultivating uncertainty among those living here illegally may be one of Trumps goals.

The idea is that people get scared, said Jessica Vaughan, policy studies director at the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which supports restrictions on immigration. Right now, people have the message that there are no consequences unless you are a serious felon.

Increasing the fear of deportation among unauthorized immigrants is a strategy embraced by key Trump immigration advisers, including U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), his expected nominee for attorney general. If confirmed, Sessions would oversee the federal governments interpretation of immigration laws.

And the strategy extends to Trumps promise to repeal President Barack Obamas executive orders on immigration, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has granted deportation relief to 728,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, about a third of whom live in California. Trump is also expected to remove Obamas policy of prosecutorial discretion, which discourages the deportation of certain groups of immigrants, particularly those who have lived in the country for several years or have children who are U.S. citizens.

I think its pretty clear hes going to repeal all of the priorities that were implemented under Obama, said Jennie Pasquarella, director of immigrants rights for the American Civil Liberties Union of California. That implies the Trump administration will impose a kind of dragnet policy where anyone they find, wherever they find them, is going to be put into deportation proceedings.

Trump has sent inconsistent signals about how many immigrants his administration would actually target for deportation. During the campaign, he called for the removal of all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Since winning the election, though, he seems to have softened that stance, telling 60 Minutes that he would prioritize deporting criminals.

We will get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, we have a lot of these people, probably 2 million, it could be even 3 million, Trump said. We are getting them out of the country or we are going to incarcerate. But were getting them out of the country. Theyre here illegally.

Who would fall in that category  and make up the kind of deportation numbers cited by Trump  isnt yet clear.

The Department of Homeland Security has said that there are 1.9 million removable criminal aliens living in the U.S. That figure includes immigrants who are in the country legally. A 2015 report from the Migration Policy Institute estimated that only about 820,000 of the criminal aliens in the DHS count are undocumented.

To get to Trumps 3 million estimate, immigration experts said his administration would have to widen its net to include migrants who have been charged, but not yet convicted, of crimes, as well as suspected gang members and people charged with lower-level misdemeanors. Trump has also said he will crack down on people charged with immigration violations, including illegal re-entry and overstaying visas.

People could be deported because they are living here unlawfully, not because they are arrested, said Stephen Legomsky, a former chief counsel for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and professor of immigration law at Washington University in St. Louis. That I think is whats creating such fear in the community.

Trumps strategy bears some similarities to the current administrations policy of prioritizing deportations of immigrants convicted of crimes. Obama set deportation records during his first term, removing roughly 400,000 people each year and 2.9 million people overall. Thats more than any other president, a distinction that has drawn the ire of immigration advocates and earned him the nickname deporter-in-chief.

Deportations have fallen off in Obamas second term, thanks to DHS policies that have limited deportations to those with serious criminal records. But immigration experts say it would be relatively easy for Trumps administration to ramp back up to 400,000 annually, and even exceed that number by reallocating federal resources toward immigration enforcement.

He can do a lot without getting any more funding from Congress, said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law at Cornell Law School.

Depending on how fast and far-reaching his moves are, Trump could run into obstacles quickly, including limited detention space and a backlogged immigration court system. Nationally, the average deportation case takes nearly a year and eight months to process, according to a Syracuse University database. In the Los Angeles immigration court, whose jurisdiction includes Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the wait is more than two years.

They are going to have to plan for where they are going to detain people that they take into custody, and figure out whether they have the infrastructure in place to do significantly more deportations, said John Torres, a former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security who served as director of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in 2008 and 2009.

Torres noted that Trump could get around the backlog by using legal processes such as judicial orders and expedited removals, which allow the government to deport aliens without having them go before an immigration judge. But civil liberties groups and immigrant advocates would likely challenge those tactics as a violation of due process rights.

In the end, Torres added, Trump will likely need additional funding and manpower for any substantial increase in removals.

Without the resources to actually deport millions of immigrants, the Trump administration may rely on small policy changes that create ripples of uncertainty among immigrant communities.

The idea is to make life as uncertain and fearful as possible that people decide to leave anyway, said David Bier, an immigration policy analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute. Theyre going to be chaotic policy changes intended to cause chaos and panic among immigrants.

But there are signs the strategy wont work, he added. Immigrants will figure out ways to work around it.

There was some evidence of that last week at the Pomona day labor center.

I dont have papers, but Im not scared, Rafael Pablo said as he waited to pick up a job. If I get deported, Ill leave. But Ill come back. This is the United States  this is the country I love.

Contact the writer: gwyler@scng.com
BANJUL, Gambia  Yahya Jammeh, the president of Gambia, has been defeated in his bid for re-election, according to election results made public Friday. It is a stunning turn for a nation that has lived for more than two decades under what human rights groups have described as a repressive regime.

Adama Barrow, a real estate company owner, was declared the winner a day after voters cast ballots, in an upset victory that astonished observers.

In a concession speech broadcast on state television on Friday night, Jammeh, one of Africas most eccentric leaders, calmly accepted his loss.

I told you, Gambians, that I will not question the outcome of the results and will accept it, he said. I did not wish to contest or find out why they did not vote for me. I leave that with God.

Jammehs whereabouts on Friday was unknown, and speculation was rampant that he had fled the country.

People celebrated in the streets, calling it a new era in the West African nation. We have our country back, shouted Modu Ceesay, a taxi driver who took his shirt off and waved it furiously over his head.

Jammehs defeat is a rare turn for the crop of longtime African leaders who have amassed so much power  and often, wealth  through decades of incumbency that they sometimes manage to stay in office until death. Jammeh had been accused of keeping power by rigging elections in the past.

And so it came as a surprise that in this tiny sliver of a country, the smallest on continental Africa, voters managed to oust a strongman who has reigned for 22 years in a government that prosecuted and jailed critics, some of whom wound up dead, and sent thousands of fearful citizens into exile.

Jammeh seized power in a coup in 1994, and he has been denounced by human rights groups for threatening to behead gay people and arresting journalists and supporters of the opposition.

Barrow managed to bring various groups together to support him. People gathered by the hundreds for peaceful protests, crying out for the end to what they said was an oppressive government.

In his concession call to Barrow, Jammeh admonished him to work towards peace and stability.

Because without peace and stability, let me make it clear, you cannot achieve anything in Africa, he said.
Homebuying in Santa Ana in the third quarter fell as 512 residences sold vs. 528 a year ago, according to CoreLogic. Thats a sales loss of 3 percent.

Here are 13 real estate trends in and around Santa Ana from the summertime report:

1. Santa Ana ZIP code 92701  54 homes sold in the period vs. 74 a year ago. Thats a sales loss of 27 percent. Median selling price of $347,500 vs. $355,000 a year ago, a loss of 2.1 percent.

2. Santa Ana ZIP 92703  72 homes sold vs. 69 a year ago. Thats a sales gain of 4.3 percent. Median of $430,000 vs. $407,000 a year ago, a gain of 5.7 percent.

3. Santa Ana ZIP 92704  101 homes sold vs. 119 a year ago. Thats a sales loss of 15.1 percent. Median of $470,000 vs. $400,000 a year ago, a gain of 17.5 percent.

4. Santa Ana ZIP 92705  127 homes sold vs. 120 a year ago. Thats a sales gain of 5.8 percent. Median of $853,000 vs. $775,000 a year ago, a gain of 10.1 percent.

5. Santa Ana ZIP 92706  61 homes sold vs. 66 a year ago. Thats a sales loss of 7.6 percent. Median of $585,000 vs. $527,500 a year ago, a gain of 10.9 percent.

6. Santa Ana ZIP 92707  97 homes sold vs. 80 a year ago. Thats a sales gain of 21.3 percent. Median of $405,000 vs. $370,000 a year ago, a gain of 9.5 percent.

And heres some countywide trends of note for the July-to-September period:

7. Orange County median price for the quarter was $643,000  up 4.9 percent or $30,000 in a year!

8. Countywide sales were 10,077  up 0.2 percent in a year!

9. Local single-family home sales totaled 6,111  down 3.9 percent from a year ago. Median selling price was $705,000  up 3.7 percent from a year ago.

10. Resales of O.C. condos were 2,920  down 0.7 percent from a year ago. Median selling price was $450,000  up 5.4 percent from a year ago.

11. Builder sales in the county were 1,046  up 38 percent from a year ago. Median selling price was $820,000  down 0.6 percent from a year ago.

12. In Orange Countys 27 least expensive ZIPs  median sales price at $568,750 and below  2,754 homes sold. Thats down 5.6 percent compared to a year ago.

13. In the 27 priciest ZIPs  median sales price beginning at $705,000  3,147 homes sold. Thats up 8.9 percent compared to a year ago.

DID YOU MISS?

Did one of these bring you here? 9 reasons folks move to California

Census: 1 in 5 of new arrivals to Southern California came from foreign lands

Want affordable housing? Move to Trumpland!
COSTA MESA  A man was found dead at Talbert Regional Park around 9 a.m. Friday, authorities said.

The cause of death is under investigation, said Costa Mesa police Lt. Joyce LaPointe.

The man is described as a transient. His name is being withheld until family can be located and notified.

No additional details were available Friday night.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or jsudock@scng.com
After his Nov. 27 tweet with allegations of serious voter fraud in California and two other states, President-elect Donald Trump has moved on to other matters, including filling out top administration jobs. He offered no evidence to support those allegations.

But the California Republican Party picked up the ball and is studying whether it should take legal action related to balloting concerns. Attracting particular attention is Orange County, where the GOP lost state Senate and Assembly seats  losses responsible for Democrats gaining a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers.

Harmeet Dhillon, a member of the Republican National Committee and former vice chair of the state party, offered no evidence of voter fraud but detailed procedures and irregularities that she said were contributing to concerns.

Elections officials and Democrats arent the only ones dismissing those concerns.

What (party leaders) are saying is, There isnt any evidence of fraud, but potentially because of how the system works there could be, said longtime Republican political consultant Jimmy Camp. There are plenty of systems in place to catch these things.

Camp is an independent who left the GOP this summer because of his disgust with the partys nomination of Trump, but continues to work on Republican efforts. He compared the futility of claiming voter fraud in Orange County and elsewhere in the state to the Green Partys presidential nominee pursuing recounts.

Its as ridiculous as the Jill Stein reasoning in Wisconsin, he said.

FOCUS ON ANAHEIM

Dhillon said attention is being drawn to Orange County because of high-turnout numbers in Anaheim, a large chunk of which is in Senate District 29  a longtime Republican seat that Democrat Josh Newman won by 1.4 percentage points (3,000 votes).

Dhillon acknowledged that county Registrar of Voters Neal Kelleys rigorous updating of voter rolls contributed to high-turnout statistics. Thats because the pool of potential voters excluded dead and relocated voters, more of whom are typically found on rolls in other counties.

But thats not enough to explain the turnout, she said.

We saw dramatic spikes in several precincts of 30 percent or more in voting, she said. This is unusual.

Thanks in part to a 2013 purging of dead and relocated voters, county turnout was up 12.1 percent this year from 2012 and turnout in Senate District 29 was up 13.6 percent, Kelley said. Some precincts showed particularly high turnout because of the purging or because they were small precincts.

Precinct 13091 saw an increase of 50 percent turnout, which is one of the highest she cites, Kelley said. In 2012, the precinct had six registered voters, and three votes. In 2016, there are three registered voters and three votes.

Camp, who was running independent expenditure campaigns in Anaheim, said the competitive intensity of the City Council and Senate races there spurred turnout. This was particularly true for Latino voters, who were also motivated to vote against Trump, he said.

Dhillon also complained that provisional ballots  those given to voters casting ballots outside of their precincts or who have received mail ballots or otherwise arent on the precinct voter rolls  are not adequately verified. Kelley flatly rebutted that claim.

Camp, who has worked throughout the state, offered high praise for Kelleys operations in Orange County.

Hes the most in-depth and competent registrar Ive seen, he said.

OTHER COMPLAINTS

Dhillons other concerns were not specific to Orange County. She noted that the Riverside County district attorney earlier this year found evidence that some voters party affiliations there had been changed online without their knowledge. The exact number was not clear, and the culprit or culprits could not be determined because the secretary of state doesnt track computer addresses where changes originated.

Dhillon says computer addresses need to be tracked, that giving drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants makes it easier for them to illegally register to vote, that ballots take too long to count, and that some counties have too many dead voters on their rolls.

Secretary of state spokesman Sam Mahood brushed aside implications that his office was at fault.

If Ms. Dhillon, or any Californian, has specific information about voter fraud, rather than speculation, they are welcome to provide it, he said. Unsubstantiated claims benefit no one and only undermine faith in our democracy. To the extent she disagrees with the state elections code, she is free take up those issues with the Legislature.

ROHRABACHERS GAMBIT

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was faintly rumored in mid-November to be under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump for secretary of state. Some speculated it was a ploy by Rohrabacher allies to raise his profile for a subsequent, lower-level appointment, as I reported in this space at the time.

At the time, Rohrabachers spokesman said his office had no comment, and the minor buzz had largely died out until Breitbart.com published an extensive interview with the congressman on Nov. 23. In it, Rohrabacher said he would take the job if offered, and that he and Trump agreed on the major foreign policy decisions that will have to be made.

Politico.com published a more critical piece that day beneath the headline, Putins favorite congressman.

By Thanksgiving weekend, Breitbart.com had posted a popularity poll with five choices for secretary of state, and Rohrabacher emailed supporters asking them to cast a vote. At the top of the list Friday was former CIA Director David Petraeus, with 19 percent. At the bottom was Rohrabacher, with 7 percent.

Contact the writer: mwisckol@scng.com
Nile Rodgers, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, the Grammys Recording Academy and others penned a letter to incoming President Donald Trump regarding musicians and their bottom line in an age of rapid technological expansion. The letter urges Trump to help pass copyright legislation that would benefit musicians. Rodney Jerkins, a super-producer who has made countless hits for artists such as Michael Jackson, Destinys Child, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige and others, is a known conservative. Jerkins daughter performed at this years the Republic National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. She sang Let There Be Peace on Earth and America the Beautiful. Read the full letter to Donald Trump below.

Dear President-elect Trump:

We, the undersigned members of The Recording Academys National Advocacy Committee, write to congratulate you and to reach out to you about the current state of the music economy for creators across America. The Recording Academy is the only organization that represents the interests of all music creators: the songwriters, performers, producers and engineers who create American recordings.

As your administration begins to chart its course, this is an important moment to ensure the continued viability of music as one of Americas greatest exports and as an integral part of the American innovation story, fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit of the men and women who make up the creative workforce. In 2015, the U.S. music industry contributed $15 billion dollars to the American economy, creating jobs in every state.

Today, music lovers have more ways to listen to music than ever before. But the laws governing the sale and distribution of music have failed to keep pace with technology, keeping music creators from receiving fair market value for their work. These outdated laws, stemming from the turn of the last century, have weakened the value of American intellectual property in foreign markets to the tune of tens of millions of dollars in unpaid royalties.

The Recording Academy and our members across the country are working with Congress to fix the broken copyright system. We hope that the 115th Congress, with support from your administration, will conclude its review of copyright and act to support creators. Copyright reform continues to enjoy bipartisan support on Capitol Hill and among a broad group of stakeholders.

We look forward to working with your administration to support the music economy. We urge you to support reform of outdated laws and oppose any regulation that would diminish the value of these creators hard work and property rights.

Thank you for your consideration, and we wish you great success.

Sincerely,

Nile Rodgers, GRAMMY Winning Musician/Songwriter/Producer

John Poppo, Producer/Engineer/Songwriter & Board Chair of The Recording Academy

Rodney Jerkins, GRAMMY Winning Musician/Songwriter/Producer

Ann Mincieli, GRAMMY Winning Engineer

Brandon Bush, Musician/Songwriter

Kim KEM Owens, Musician/Songwriter

Neil Portnow, President/CEO, The Recording Academy

Dan Warner, Grammy Winning Musician
MASON CITY | A Mason City woman has been given a 10-year suspended prison sentence after a large quantity of methamphetamine was found in her vehicle in September.

Brendy B. Retuer, 52, was put on probation for three to five years Wednesday in Cerro Gordo County District Court for a felony conviction of meth possession with intent to deliver.

She also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

Reuter pleaded guilty to the meth charge as well as a misdemeanor charge of operating while under the influence. The state has filed a motion to dismiss an additional felony charge of failure to affix a drug tax stamp.

She was sentenced to 365 days in jail with all but two days suspended on the OWI conviction. She was put on probation for one year and fined $1,250.

Reuter was arrested during a traffic stop around 11 p.m. Sept. 2 near the intersection of Highways 18 and 65.

A deputy found a large quantity of suspected meth in the vehicle, according to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office.

 Mary Pieper
Deuel County Deputy Mike Hutchinsons fight to regain his county-provided health insurance continues.

County commissioners took no action Tuesday at their meeting in Chappell, Nebraska, on a request from Hutchinson that the county pay for the insurance while he continues to recover from four gunshot wounds suffered while serving an arrest warrant in December. The county dropped Hutchinson from its group plan May 31.

The matter is now on the boards agenda for its June 21 meeting.

Im really disappointed in guys I believed in, Hutchinson said afterward. I made a commitment to them and to the people of Deuel County and they didnt stand by their commitment to me. They treated me like a hero, yet now Im being penalized because I did my job. I was injured in the line of duty.

Attorney Randy Fair of Ogallala represented Hutchinson at the meeting. Fair also is the Keith County attorney.

Fair encouraged the board to provide health insurance for Hutchinson and his wife, Karyl, until Hutchinson can return to work by paying for either temporary group coverage known as COBRA or coverage through the federal marketplace.

I know there can be concerns about legal obligations or contractual obligations to provide it, but sometimes you have to do whats right, Fair said afterward. Hes still an employee. Hed work if he could. When youve been shot four times, its a long road to recovery.

Hutchinson received letters in late May from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska in Omaha and the Nebraska Association of County Officials stating that his coverage would be terminated at the end of the month, at the request of his employer. Hutchinsons reduction in hours of employment triggered the termination, according to the Nebraska Association of County Officials, which provides the countys group health plan.

Deuel County Attorney Joel Jay said he didnt know whether the commissioners would be able to do anything about the situation, according to Hutchinson and Fair. Jay didnt respond to phone messages seeking comment.

Most of Hutchinsons medical bills and many other expenses related to the Dec. 3, 2015, shooting continue to be covered by workers compensation insurance. Hutchinsons wife has taken a leave from her job to care for her husband at home.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
Deuel County Deputy Mike Hutchinson, who continues to recover from four gunshot wounds suffered during a December ambush while serving an arrest warrant, has lost his family health insurance because hes not working at least 30 hours a week.

Hutchinson hopes that officials in the small western Nebraska county can find about $1,500 a month to temporarily continue his group health coverage  under a law known as COBRA  until he can return to work.

I didnt ask to be shot, Hutchinson said Wednesday. I was wounded on the job. ... Im not asking for anything special. Just dont cancel my insurance.

Hutchinsons medical bills and many other expenses related to the Dec. 3, 2015, incident in Big Springs continue to be covered by workers compensation insurance. However, for example, Hutchinson now has no insurance coverage for injuries if he or his wife were hurt in a car crash when driving to Ogallala for a doctors appointment.

Hutchinson said he received a letter last week from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska in Omaha stating that his coverage would be terminated May 31, as requested by Deuel County officials. The Nebraska Association of County Officials provides Deuel Countys group health plan.

Hutchinsons reduction in hours of employment triggered the termination, according to the Lincoln-based county officials association.

Deuel County Board Chairman Steven Fischer, a Farm Bureau Financial Services insurance agent in Chappell, declined to comment, other than to say, Its a sad situation, but it will get rectified.

Fischer said County Attorney Joel Jay is researching the issue.

Leslie Preston, finance manager for the Nebraska Association of County Officials, said many county employees across the state are injured on the job each year. Insurance policies generally dont differentiate between injuries suffered when a county employee falls down stairs or gets shot. If the employee isnt working at least 30 hours a week, he or she isnt eligible for county-provided group health insurance.

In Omaha, thats not the case, said Sgt. John Wells, the president of the Omaha police union.

If an Omaha police officer were in the same situation as Hutchinson, he or she would be able to maintain his or her health insurance, Wells said.

Omaha officers are allowed at least 12 months to recover from such an injury and can get more time, during which they get to keep their health insurance. If they have to be medically retired, they can still keep their health insurance.

The city is self-insured, Wells said, and Coventry administers its health care plan.

Here you have a hero who basically sacrificed his health ... and this is how they are going to treat him? Wells said.

Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning said his deputies can have up to a year to recover from on-the-job injuries, and they would keep their insurance. That time could be extended if he thinks the deputy is getting better.

If I knew from a doctor that that persons ability to come back to duty was sometime in the near future, we would probably extend that time, he said.

Larry Dix, executive director of the county officials association, was in meetings Wednesday and unavailable to comment, Preston said.

Marcia Cady, a Blue Cross Blue Shield spokeswoman, said Hutchinson initially received benefits through Blue Cross Blue Shield, workers compensation and Family Medical Leave Act coverage to pay for his care. The Deuel County Board plans a general discussion about employee insurance at its Tuesday meeting in the courthouse at Chappell. County Clerk Polly Olson said the issue is scheduled to come up at 10:30 a.m. during a routine office activities report by Sheriff Scott DeCoste.

Hutchinson said he knows of situations in neighboring Keith and Perkins Counties in which the county has covered COBRA costs for injured employees by tapping funds from other accounts.

Im not blaming the county commissioners, he said. Theyre good guys; they just dont know what needs to happen and what can happen. There are so many unknowns right now, but I do know that something needs to be changed at the state level for future law enforcement officers and their families. To be injured in the line of duty and then pull their insurance and expect them to pay COBRA prices, theres just no way.

Hutchinsons wife, Karyl, has taken a leave from her job to care for her husband at home.

Mike Hutchinson said an infection set back his recovery after he returned home to Chappell in late February after four surgeries and more than 11 weeks in Colorado hospital facilities. He returned to the hospital in May so doctors could close a surgically created opening in his body for the discharge of body wastes. He expected to be hospitalized three days, but an infection kept him there about 10 days.

The wound is healing, and Hutchinson plans to resume physical therapy treatments Monday in nearby Julesburg, Colorado.

Im off work for at least eight to 10 months yet, he said. I havent been cleared by the medical docs or the mental health therapists. I still have open wounds, and I have to start over with physical therapy. Im back to square one and caught between a rock and a hard place.

World-Herald staff writer Andrew J. Nelson contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
MASON CITY  Students at a school across the street from an early-morning shooting in Mason City went about their regular school day Friday while police worked behind crime scene tape a few hundred yards away.

A 19-year-old woman was shot in the head at 3:53 a.m. Friday in an apartment house at 116 17th St. S.E.

Larry Whaley, a 60-year-old resident of the home, was arrested Friday morning and charged with felony attempted murder.

The woman was taken to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, and later flown by helicopter to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Police said she had life-threatening injuries. Her name was not released and her condition wasnt available Friday night.

The incident happened in a three-story, light gray apartment house, which is on the corner of 17th Street Southeast and South Pennsylvania Avenue and across the street from Lincoln Intermediate School.

Lincolns campus also includes Mason City Community Schools administrative offices.

The sprawling property also includes Roosevelt Elementary School, which is on the on the other side of campus at 15th Street Southeast and South Massachusetts Avenue.

Interim Superintendent Mike Penca said district officials decided to operate as usual after speaking with police. District officials sent an email to parents and staff alerting them to the situation.

The police felt like there was no threat to the school, Penca said, that the situation had been resolved and that they would be continuing the investigation.

Crime scene tape was still around the home when students began arriving for the day. Several squad cars were parked near barricades on the 100 block of 17th Street Southeast.

Aivetta Haxton, of Mason City, spoke with her grandson about the incident before bringing the 11-year-old to school Friday morning.

I know the schools pretty safe here, and I think they keep the kids pretty well safe, she said, while waiting in her car to pick him up at the end of the day. And, I know, when I came this morning and dropped my little grandson off, the teachers were all out here walking them into the school and everything.

Lois Awe, of Mason City, said she felt that her grandson was safe at school. He attends fifth grade at Lincoln Intermediate.

I guess I pray for the kids every day when I drop them off for school, she said. And, I trust that Gods going to watch over them during the day and theyll be fine.

The district sent an email to staff and parents Friday apprising them of the situation.

It also posted a notice on its website informing the public that the bus pick-ups and drop-offs would not be affected.

Building administrators greeted students at the doors of Lincoln Intermediate as pupils began filtering in for the day. Counselors were also available to speak with students who needed extra support.

The administrators at the building let staff know as students arrived if any students were concerned or had any anxiety or needed other support, we had counselors available to do so, Penca said.

The suspect in the shooting, Larry Whaley, was among a number of people questioned immediately after the incident.

In custody throughout the morning, he was arrested around noon and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail.

His bond was set at $100,000 cash. He remained in jail Friday night.

The shooting was the fourth in Mason City in the past six weeks, though police say the incidents are not connected.

On Nov. 17, Melinda Kavars and Caleb Christensen were killed in Christensens home on North Hampshire Avenue. Peter Veal, 30, Lake Mills, faces first-degree murder charges in their deaths.

Revell Tony, 19, Mason City, was charged with attempted murder after a man was shot in the buttocks and arm on Oct. 23 in the plaza outside the north entrance of the Southbridge Mall.

Police continue to investigate the Oct. 18 shooting that wounded a woman near North Washington Avenue and Ninth Street Northwest. No arrests have been made.

Amanda Reinhart, who lives around the corner from Fridays shooting, said the number of shootings has rattled her nerves.

She and her mother sat up for hours early Friday and listened to police scanner traffic, anxious to know what was happening down the street.

Its not cool, Reinhart said. And, its even worse when its so close to home.
Eight-year-old Kazlynn Thompson is off life support and out of intensive care after she was critically injured in an Oct. 24 crash near 30th Street and Sorensen Parkway.

Kazlynns mother, Tiffany Sackett, said Saturday in an email that her daughter has been breathing on her own for about five days.

I am thankful because my daughter is still here shes fighting to stay with her family, my baby is so strong. Im thankful I didnt lose my daughter, Sackett said.

Even though Kazlynn no longer needed to be on life support, her mother said the girl has only about 1 percent of her brain function.

Kazlynn was one of three children injured in the crash, which police say occurred when her father, Benjamin Thompson, ran a red light at 30th Street while traveling east on Sorensen. His car crashed into a northbound car, police have said.

Thompson, 36, drove away after the crash and was found by an Omaha police officer a short time later near Miller Park. Police said he was trying to throw away cans of Busch Light beer in a park trash can.

Thompson has been charged with driving under the influence. If hes convicted, it will be his fifth DUI.

Kazlynn suffered severe closed head trauma, according to court documents.

Also injured in the crash was Aly Thompson, 6, who was treated for head injuries. Jade Hetrick, 1, who was in a child safety seat, was treated for minor injuries. All three were taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where Kazlynn remains. Aly and Jade were released.

More than three weeks ago Sackett announced on Facebook her decision to take Kazlynn off life support, writing that she felt it was the best choice because Kazlynn would have never walked, talked (or eaten) by herself again.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services also asked the court for permission to remove life support, offering a letter from three doctors in support of the request.

But after an objection from Thompson was sustained last month, Kazlynn was kept on life support. Another hearing is set for this Tuesday.

On her way out of the courtroom after the motion to remove life support was denied, Sackett commented to Kazlynns caseworker that she should have asked if charges would be filed on her if she were to trip over the cords and unplug them in Kazlynns room, according to a court filing. That prompted HHS to ask that Sacketts visits to Kazlynn be supervised  a request granted Nov. 13.

Sackett said Saturday that she had asked Thompson to take care of her girls until she got back on her feet. I thought they would be safe with him, she said.

Thompsons attorney said Saturday that he would have no comment on the matter.
A man who was walking in a northwest Omaha street outside a crosswalk was struck Friday night by a sedan, police said.

Dennis L. Ebel, 64, of Omaha, suffered broken ribs and a small brain bleed, injuries that the police said were not life-threatening.

Ebel was crossing 108th Street near Ogden Plaza about 8:15 p.m. when he was hit by a northbound 2004 Chevy Impala, police said.

Ebel, who was taken in an ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center, was ticketed on suspicion of being a pedestrian in the roadway.

Aaron J. Candelaria, 20, of Omaha, was driving the sedan, police said. He was not injured, they said.
An assailant on Friday walked up to the front of a northeast Omaha house and shot a 33-year-old man who stood outside, police said.

Daries Devers was shot about 4:45 p.m. near 35th and Fort Streets, police said.

Devers was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where a representative Friday night said he had been treated and released.

Devers was convicted in U.S. District Court of an August 2003 bank robbery in Nebraska.

The assailant, a man, ran south from the house after the shooting. Police had not announced an arrest late Friday.
RICEVILLE  A Riceville nursing home has been fined more than $11,500 after a resident who had been ordered to be on continuous oxygen died there on Aug. 18.

A state investigation determined the Riceville Family Care & Therapy Center failed to ensure staff were educated on and demonstrated proper use of portable oxygen tank administration, according to the citation from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA).

The death record indicated the residents principal cause of death was critical aortic stenosis, which means narrowing of the hearts aortic valve.

A physician confirmed during an interview in September that a lack of oxygen could have contributed to the residents death, according to the citation.

"The isolated incident that was investigated by the Department of Inspections and Appeals self-reported by Riceville, and when the Department completed their investigation, they deemed the incident to have been corrected by Riceville prior to their investigation and thus did not require that a plan of correction be submitted," said John Mulder, administrator of the nursing home, in a written statement.

The employee involved in the incident no longer works at the nursing home, and the administration cannot make any further comment due to resident and patient privacy laws, according to Mulder.

The Iowa DIA concluded its investigation on Sept. 13 and issued an $8,000 fine, which was suspended pending the outcome of the departments recommendation that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) impose a federal penalty.

David Werning, spokesman for the Iowa DIA, told the Globe Gazette a facility cant be fined by both the state and federal government.

The CMS imposed a one-time fine of $17,713, which replaced the state fine. However, the federal penalty was reduced to $11,513 because the nursing home did not contest the finding of non-compliance, according to Werning.

He said the nursing home was found to be in compliance during a follow-up visit on Oct. 5.

The Riceville Family Care & Therapy Center, founded in 1972, won the 2009 Governors Award for excellence in health care. It was only one of three facilities in Iowa to receive the award that year, according to the nursing homes website.

The website also states the Riceville Family Care & Therapy Center was recognized as one of the Best Nursing Homes in America by U.S. News and World Report in 2010.
After IT raids in Bengaluru, Rs 30 Lakh seized in Kodagu

Bengaluru

oi-Anusha

Continuing crackdown on illegally hoarded money, the Somwarpet police seized Rs 30 lakh in new Rs 2,000 currency notes from a resort in Kodagu. Two persons have been arrested for hoarding the cash illegally.

Two person, one of them identified as a Taluk Panchayat member checked into a resort in Somwarpet on Friday evening. After receiving a tip off about the duo carrying huge amounts of cash illegally, the police raided them. The raid unearthed Rs 30 lakh in new notes and some bundles in Rs 100 notes.

[Also Read: IT raids in Bengaluru- Officials had a Lamborghini, M V Augusta, Ducati 749 & Volvo]

The police have seized the money and are verifying the details of how the money was sourced and where it was being transported to.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 14:29 [IST]
Comedian Atul Khatri's joke on seatbelt becomes one on him as Mumbai Police responds

Activist Trupti Desai set to enter Haji Ali Dargah

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Mumbai, Dec 3: After a group of around 100 women and social activists entered the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali dargah, Mumbai, on November 29, activist Trupti Desai and others are set to visit the holy place on Saturday.

"We will be entering Haji Ali today. It was a historic victory for women and I am sure there will be no problem," Trupti Desai, activist, told ANI.

We will be entering Haji Ali today, it was a historic victory for women and I am sure there will be no problem: Trupti Desai,Activist pic.twitter.com/77O9X5lRCR  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

Pune: Trupti Desai along with other members of Bhumata Brigade leaves for Haji Ali dargah pic.twitter.com/jxs3ZCHxou  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

Desai has been in the forefront demanding the rights of women to enter various religious places, where their entry has been barred.

The entry of women into the shrine was made possible after five years and a series of legal battles and protests.

Till 2011, women worshippers were allowed access to the shrine's sanctum sanctorum, but their entry was suddenly banned by the Haji Ali Dargah management.

In 2014, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) petitioned the Bombay high court against the ban and, on August 26 this year, the high court lifted it.

The dargah trust challenged it in the Supreme Court. The SC upheld the order on October 26 this year.

OneIndia News
Take a look at EWS flats at Kalkaji to be inaugurated by PM Modi [Photos]

Cabinet approves MoU between India, Denmark in field of Water Resources Development and Management

For beneficiaries of EWS flat a gift from PM Modi like none other

PM Modi hands over keys of 3024 EWS flats to beneficiaries under slum rehab plan

'Anti-Modi' stand proves costly for man, wife wants divorce

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Dec 3: During the Lok Sabha polls of 2014, we witnessed how the entire country was divided into two camps--pro-Modi and anti-Modi.

A similar situation can be seen post-demonetisation.

While supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hailed the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, the abrupt decision was criticised vociferously by his oppoents.

In fact, "Modi Mania" has started creating "fissures" between husband and wife relationship.

In a video, which has gone viral, a Delhi-based woman is seen telling reporters that she wants to divorce her husband because he is "anti-Modi".

Watch the video here:

The video was released by the website The Lallantop.

The woman identified as Rashmi Jain from Delhi tells a group of people not to blame Modi for the difficulties they are facing on account of the scrapping 500 and 1,000 currency notes.

"It is the banks who are not doing their jobs. What is Modi-ji supposed to do? Hand over cash personally to all the banks? It is the banks' fault that they have not been able to execute their tasks properly," Jain said.

"Do you know anyone who has made such huge sacrifices for the country? I dare anyone to speak... I don't know anyone with such greatness. I'm a great follower. I'm even willing to leave my husband because he's 'anti-Modi'," she added.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 11:08 [IST]
Heart of Asia Summit- How India plans on cornering Pakistan

News

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

New Delhi, Dec 3 The Heart of Asia summit gets underway and all the focus would be on the visit by Sartaj Aziz, the strategist and advisor to Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. Aziz will be attending the summit on Sunday and India says that there is no bi-lateral that is on the anvil.

All eyes would be on the summit since it is the first high profile visit by a Pakistani senior diplomat post the Uri and Nagrota attacks. The two day summit starting today will see the participation of representatives from 14 countries.

Indian officials say that barring Pakistan all other countries are on the same page. Both Afghanistan which is the permanent chair and India the co-chair would corner Pakistan on the issue of terrorism.

An official in New Delhi informed that the draft declaration on counter-terrorism would be circulated and Pakistan would be called on to stop harbouring terrorists and sponsoring terrorism. Pakistan would however not be named in the draft declaration, the official also added.

Cornering Pakistan:

India would look to corner Pakistan at the summit. India has been raising the issue about state sponsored terrorism by Pakistan on several forums and this summit would be no different. The official says that terrorism would be the main focus and Pakistan without being named would be called upon to do more on this front.

Pakistan needs to play a more proactive role in curbing its proxies so that there is stability in the region. The same point would be raised by Afghanistan as well. A meeting between the Afghanistan President and the Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to be held today.

Pakistan on the other hand is likely to rake up issues against India as well. Aziz who will be part of a two member team from Pakistan will talk about stability in the region. In this context one must also recall the statements made by Aziz a few days back in which he had said that Pakistan is in touch with anti India elements to keep up the pressure on New Delhi on the Kashmir issue.

Afghanistan in particular would set the tone at the summit and emphasise on the need for stability in the region. Afghansitan has already said that terrorism is created in this region and it is only here that the solution lies.

OneIndia News
India keeping close eye on Chinese submarines in Indian Ocean Region- Navy chief

News

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Dec 3 The Indian Navy said that it is aware of the deployment and movement of Chinese naval ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean. Navy Chief Sunil Lanba said that India has a close eye on them.

At the annual Naval Day news conference, Lanba said that a Chinese nuclear submarine was deployed in the Indian Ocean and it did a port call at Karachi harbour.

The Indian Navy keeps a close eye on the movement of these submarines, he also said while also adding that the Navy has a maritime domain awareness of the deployment of PLA naval forces in the Indian Ocean region.

We launch surveillance missions in the form of aircraft and ships to keep a track of them. They had started deployment of their submarines from 2012," the naval chief also added.

Further he also rubbished claims made by Pakistan that an Indian submarine had entered into territorial waters. There was no Indian submarine deployed in the area where the Pakistani Navy is claiming it to be. As far as repelling a submarine of any nation goes, it is not an easy task and the claim made by Pakistani Navy is totally bogus, Lanba also said.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 11:04 [IST]
Is Akhilesh Yadav aiming for Delhi durbar?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Dec 3: It looks like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is aiming to make his presence felt in the national politics.

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's march to Delhi to protest over the demonetisation issue--which is seen by many as her attempt to be part of the national politics--the UP CM has "indirectly" expressed his desire to be part of Delhi politics soon.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Friday, Yadav said, "The journey of national politics starts in Uttar Pradesh."

He also warned the BJP in the same breath.

"If the Samajwadi Party comes to power in UP again, it will be a warning sign for the BJP," said Yadav.

The assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are due in few months from now.

According to reports the elections will be four cornered--where the BJP, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party--will fight a tough battle to win the trust of voters.

Yadav said Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has no chance of making a comeback in the state.

"People had to leave their shoes outside when they came to meet her. Memorials of her corruption are still standing all over in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 12:24 [IST]
40 down and counting: Forces on the verge of wiping out Pakistani terrorists in Valley

J&K: Kulgam encounter ends as 2 terrorists flee

News

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Kulgam, Dec 3 The encounter at Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam has ended with the terrorists fleeing from the spot. An encounter had broken out between the security forces and militants on Saturday morning.

The Border Security Force had launched an operation following an intelligence bureau alert suggesting the presence of militants. The security forces had cordoned off the area where two terrorists were beleived to have been hiding.

After a fierce gun battle, the two terrorists managed to flee from the spot. The security forces are now conducting search operations. Investigations are also on.

This incident takes place just a day before the Heart of the Asia Summit which will be attended by a two member Pakistan team led by Sartaj Aziz. India will look to corner Pakistan during the summit by stating that the country needs to do more in acting against terrorists.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 11:18 [IST]
As per constitutional norms: Goa Speaker on merger of Cong MLAs with BJP

Goa: Man arrested for recording video of girl in hostel bathroom in Panaji

BJP wins bypolls in all 3 Zilla Panchayat constituencies in Goa

Goa: Two held for stabbing cab driver, his father over parking row

Let's Go A- Why criminals &terrorists love this destination

India

oi-Vicky

Who does not love Goa?

It is undoubtedly one of the best holiday destinations in the world.

When this is the case, can criminals and terrorists too be far behind?

Recently, Harminder Singh Mintoo, the Khalistan Liberation Chief, who had escaped from jail, only to be re-arrested a day later told the police that he was headed to Goa.

Not just Mintoo there have been scores of other terrorists and criminals who have made their way into Goa as they consider it to be a safe hub.

It is a well-known fact that the drug mafia in Goa is exceptionally strong and this is an added advantage for those seeking shelter.

Over the past few years, there have been several incidents where criminals and terrorists have rushed to Goa.

While some have sought shelter others have landed there to carry out terror attacks since Goa has a large number of foreign tourists.

Let's Goa:

Mintoo has a strong connection to Goa.

He had lived there 18 years. He has some family members there as well.

However, his plan to visit to Goa after his escape was not to revive family ties.

He was attempting to contact a person with whose help he wanted a visa and passport done so that he could flee the country.

The sun and sand of Goa has not attracted just Mintoo.

There was David Headley, the 26/11 reconnaissance in charge who spent time in Goa.

Syed Ismail Afaque who was arrested by the Bengaluru police too had stayed in Goa.

The police said that he had taken paragliding lessons at the Keri-Pernem plateau. It was claimed that he had planned an air strike.

Yasin Bhatkal, the chief of the Indian Mujahideen too said during his interrogation that he had stayed in Goa for sometime.

Similar revelations were made by Tariq Ahmed Batlo who was arrested on terror charges.

A naxal leader Shambu Beck too said that he had visited Goa.

Gopal a former aide of Dawood Ibrahim too had visited Goa.

He however is the only one who was arrested while others managed to give the slip.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that many criminals come into Goa and stay undetected.

There are a variety of factors behind this. It is a major tourist destination and the inflow/outflow of the tourists is very high.

This acts as an advantage to these criminals/terrorists.

Further there is the drug mafia which adds to the problem and these elements tend to take their support to find a safe hiding spot, the officer also says.

OneIndia News
Robert was born Sept. 29, 1926, in Humboldt, Iowa, the son of Alfred M. and Anna (Pahus) Aastrup. His father, a Danish immigrant, was a brick layer and a farmer in the area. Robert and his two brothers, Alvin and Delmar, worked on the family farm. Upon his graduation from high school Robert was called upon to serve his country as it was embroiled in World War II. The Navy deferred his induction until the fall harvest was completed; after which he reported for duty. Upon completion of training in Texas and California he boarded a ship for Okinawa, Japan. According to Robert, their mission was to prepare for the possible invasion of Japan. Japan surrendered and Robert returned to the United States and was discharged July 12, 1946. He returned home where he met and married Verna LaVonne Claussen of Mason City. They celebrated their wedding and the beginning of a New Year on Jan. 1, 1949. Verna joined Robert in farming and together they built a life and a business in Burchinal, Iowa, where they lived until they retired to Clear Lake and later Mason City. Robert and Verna loved traveling around the western and southwestern states, particularly enjoying the Phoenix area during the winter months. As everyone who knew him will confirm, Robert also enjoyed his friends and family and visiting over a cup of coffee. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and a lifelong member of the American Legion Post 440 of Thornton, IA, along with his son, father, and brother.
Meghalaya BJP assures direct funding to tribal villages

India

oi-PTI

Shillong, Dec 2 The BJP in Meghalaya today assured direct funding to tribal villages in the state in the event of the party winning the by-elections in the two tribal autonomous district councils scheduled for December 13.

The BJP is contesting in all six council constituencies in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and one in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council. 

The party shall make serious efforts for the establishment of state finance commission which shall recommend measures about adequate funding to the villages with the participation of the 'dorbar shnongs' under the supervisions of the district councils, State party President Shibun Lyngdoh said while launching the manifesto of the party at its office here. We in Meghalaya have suffered a loss of hundreds of crores of rupees due to the lack of direct funding, he said.

The party chief also said that proper measures need to be established in the state so that this loss through negligence would not be perpetuated.

Slamming the ruling Congress, Lyngdoh said the party which had been in power at the Centre, the state and the district councils for so long have so far failed to provide constitutional recognition to the village councils and their heads resulting in these bodies becoming powerless.

The by-poll was necessitated following the state government passing an act last year prohibiting elected legislators from holding another elected post in the tribal council.

PTI
UK PM Liz Truss resigns after 45 days in office, successor to be elected next week

Iraq gets a new government after a year of deadlock

Modi, Ghani to meet in Amritsar

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Amritsar, Dec 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday evening for talks on bilateral issues on the sidelines of an international conference for peace and stability in the war-ravaged Afghanistan, an official said.

Modi will reach Amritsar in the evening and Ghani is also expected in the Punjab city around the same time. The two leaders and other world dignitaries attending the conference are likely to pay obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple.

"This evening I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said in a tweet.

Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which sees over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs told IANS.

Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

Read More: Heart of Asia Summit- How India plans on cornering Pakistan

Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to arrive on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference. Aziz would return on the same day.

Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.

India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time.

To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner to the visiting dignitaries at its ambitious project heritage village named "Sadda Pind", or our village, on the outskirts of this city, bordering Pakistan.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner, hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia Process, while the conference host country holds the "co-chair" position.

IANS
Modi killing institutions, alleges Kejriwal

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Dec 3: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was killing constitutional institutions one by one.

"This PM (Prime Minister) is killing institutions one by one - RBI (Reserve Bank of India), CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), universities and now judiciary. What India achieved in 65 years will be undone by him in five years," Kejriwal tweeted.

His comments came in response to an article published in a news portal which said that India had only 58 per cent of the High Court judges than it should.

This PM killing institutions one by one- RBI, CBI, universities n now judiciary. Wat India achieved in 65 yrs will be undone by him in 5 yrs https://t.co/L5Rso17VTK  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 3, 2016

IANS


BJP govt has freed investors from red tapism: PM Modi at Invest Karnataka 2022 Summit

Take a look at EWS flats at Kalkaji to be inaugurated by PM Modi [Photos]

Cabinet approves MoU between India, Denmark in field of Water Resources Development and Management

For beneficiaries of EWS flat a gift from PM Modi like none other

PM Modi hands over keys of 3024 EWS flats to beneficiaries under slum rehab plan

Narendra Modi welcomes Ashraf Ghani, serves langar at Golden Temple

India

oi-Sandra Marina Fernandes

Amritsar, Dec 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Amritsar on Saturday to attend the Heart of Asia Conference.

Modi welcomed Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at the Golden Temple here and the two leaders were seen greeting and embracing each other.

Punjab: PM Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at the Golden Temple in Amritsar pic.twitter.com/ozDczcqjWV  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

After taking a walk through the renovated heritage corridor in the Holy City, Modi was seen serving langar at the Golden Temple.

#WATCH : Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves 'langar' at the Golden temple in Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/gf9Dn1Meen  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

Modi alongwith Punjab CM, Deputy CM and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, then offered prayers at the Golden Temple.

A pilgrimage that honours a partnership. In a special event, PM @narendramodi and President @ashrafghani jointly visit the Golden Temple pic.twitter.com/XJnrkHaXaV  Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 3, 2016

Meanwhile, Pak PM's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar to attend the conference.

The Heart of Asia ministerial conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the event's sidelines.

OneIndia News
Govt cracks down on illegal loan apps, only whitelisted apps to be hosted on App Store

RBI to soon launch e-rupee on pilot basis for specific use cases

RBI to launch Digital Rupee today: What you should know

Post demonetisation 1,39,667 pieces of fake currency deposited in banks

News

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Mumbai, Dec 3 Banks have detected 1,39,667 pieces of fake currency between November 10 and 27. Two days after the decision to demonetise the Rs 500 and 1,000 notes were made, people made a beeline to the banks to exchange their old currency.

Several persons with fake currency too had landed in banks to get the notes exchanged. As per the data that has been provided by the Reserve Bank of India, there were in all 1,39,667 pieces of fake currency notes that had been detected.

As per the RBI, 86,621 pieces of the 500 denomination had been found. The banks had also detected 53,046 pieces of the Rs 1,000 notes as well.

The decision on demonetisation was aimed at targeting both black money hoarders and fake currency racketeers. When the decision on November 8 was made by the Prime Minister, the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were no longer legal tender.

The fake currency market was the worst hit. Fake currency racketeers from Pakistan had produced a huge number of notes in the Rs 500 and 1,000 denomination.

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 15:01 [IST]
Prayer meeting held for Bhopal gas tragedy victims in MP

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Bhopal, Dec 3: An all-religion prayer meeting was held here on Saturday to pay homage to the people who succumbed to the poisonous gas leak from the Union Carbide factory 32 years ago.

The prayer meeting was held at the Barkatullah Bhavan in the Madhya Pradesh capital.

The organisations working for the welfare of victims of the tragedy also held protest to highlight the alleged apathy of the successive governments to provide succour to the survivors.

Bhopal Gas Victim Women Industry Organisation will also hold a Take Pledge rally at the Yaadgar-e-Shahjahani Park here to administer oath to people to continue fighting for the rights of the gas leak victims.

Poisonous methyl isocynate gas leaked on December 2-3 night in 1984, killing several thousands and adversely affecting the health of lakhs of others who continue to suffer ill-health till date.

IANS


Sartaj Aziz exchanges pleasantries with Modi, talks uncertain

India

oi-PTI

Amritsar, Dec 3: In the midst of heightened Indo-Pak tensions, Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz arrived here this evening to attend the Heart of Asia conference amid speculation about whether the two sides will have bilateral talks on the sidelines of the conclave to break the ice in ties.

Hours after his arrival, Aziz attended a dinner where he exchanged pleasentaries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Aziz was earlier scheduled to arrive here tomorrow but came a day early due to prevailing weather condition.

Almost the entire northern India has been affected by thick fog for the last two days, delaying flights and train operations. Aziz advanced his visit after he was informed about the weather condition, sources said.

There was no clarity on whether there will be a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conference.

Interestingly, in a goodwill gesture, Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, extending his "sincere good wishes for her full and speedy recovery" from illness.

Swaraj, undergoing treatment for renal failure, is not attending the Heart of Asia conference and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will head the Indian delegation at the Ministerial deliberations.

Aziz, who arrived here on a special flight, was received at the airport by Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit.

Also read: Narendra Modi welcomes Ashraf Ghani, serves langar at Golden Temple

Pakistan and India had held a meeting during last year's Heart of Asia Summit in Islamabad during which both countries had agreed to start a 'Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue' which was to cover all outstanding issues.

The resumption of the dialogue could, however, not take place due to the Pathankot terror attack in January this year. Earlier this week, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had said Pakistan was ready for unconditional resumption of dialogue if India was ready.

India has made it clear it will never accept continued cross border terrorism as the 'new normal' in bilateral ties with Pakistan and that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".

Tension between the two countries escalated after the cross border terror attack on an army base in Nagrota.

During tomorrow's proceedings at the conference, India is likely to step up its efforts to corner Pakistan diplomatically by mobilising support for concrete action against state-sponsored terrorism.

Afghanistan, which has also been witnessing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistani soil, is set to push hard for a regional counter-terror framework with binding commitment at the annual HoA conference, a platform set up in 2011 to assist the war-ravaged country in its transition.

PTI
Special anti-corruption courts in every district: SC to take up plea next week

SC verdict on national anthem bad in law

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Dec 4: It may not be entirely coincidental that on the day Donald Trump decreed that those who burn the Star and Stripes in the US will face "consequences", the Indian Supreme Court laid down that the national anthem must be played at the beginning of every show in cinema halls.

Not only that, the doors must be shut during this display of loyalty to the nation.

The diktat is not without reason. If it is played at the end, then there is the possibility of people leaving their seats and crowding near the closed doors.

A similar order was passed at the time of the Chinese invasion in 1962 to instill love for the motherland. Since the anthem was played at the end of the show and the doors remained open, the government noted after a few weeks that the cinema-goers were walking out.

Read more: Jana Gana Mana compulsory: What the law on National Anthem states?

So the practice of playing the anthem was stopped to ensure that no overt, though inadvertent, disrespect could be shown.

It is not known whether there will be a similar realisation this time about the folly of inducing compulsive patriotism.

But the judicial initiative is not unusual at a time of uber-nationalism. Mercifully, India hasn't yet seen the kind of ugly racism which currently threatens perceived outsiders in Europe and the US even if they are citizens. The immigrants are, of course, in greater danger from the white bigots.

But there have also been signs of intolerance of dissent in India with the charge of sedition being readily levied against suspects which induced a number of writers, filmmakers, historians, scientists and others returning their Sahitya Akademi and other awards.

Not long ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwarts argued that those who did not chant, Bharat Mata ki Jai, had no right to live in the country. Now, unsurprisingly, the party has been first to get off the block to support the Supreme Court's verdict.

The idea of wearing patriotism on one's sleeves to avoid being labelled disloyal is unsuitable in a democracy.

It demeans the individual by designating the person as a suspect. It is also opens the gateway to vigilantism under which self-appointed xenophobes take it upon themselves to impose what they regard as the law on hapless targets.

Till now, there have been instances of parochial elements at the state-level attacking the people from other provinces. Now, the issue of the national anthem will be yet another grist to the mill of the chauvinists.

It is for this reason that an egregious display of nationalism is associated with fascism and is shunned by mature democracies.

Any upping of the ante in this respect with the promulgation of orders, whether by the government or by the judiciary, tends to divide the nation between nationalists and anti-nationalists, thereby creating bad blood between citizens.

Besides, it is obvious that the judicial directive will not be easy to implement. What if someone refuses to stand up although he or she is "duty-bound" to do so, as the order says?

Who will enforce this "duty"? And what will be the punishment for the offender?

In addition, what if, in their eagerness to leave as soon as possible, many of the viewers gather near the exit signs, creating the possibility of a melee when the doors are opened. Moreover, the very idea of shutting the doors is objectionable and unsafe.

There are clearly far too many flaws in the judgement, which is why it has been called bad in law.

As is already apparent, the issue has taken a political turn with the BJP, which has always been ready to flaunt its nationalist credentials, losing no time to jump into the fray. This is typical of politicians who are eager to exploit any divisive issue to advance their partisan agendas.

There is little doubt that those who oppose the judgement will be placed in the category of the so-called deracinated, English-speaking Left-Liberals who have been selected for vilification by the saffron camp ever since the BJP government assumed office at the Centre.

Unsurprisingly, it was the BJP's former Human Resource Development Minister, Smriti Irani, who conceived of the idea of flying an oversized national flag in university campuses to evoke devotion among the students and teachers towards the country.

To many, however, such endeavours have a touch of banality which is susceptible to mockery and defiance, especially by irreverent students who are generally reluctant to conform to any peremptory commands from the powers-that-be.

However, the difference between the world's oldest and the largest democracy can be seen in the US Supreme Court's approval of the act of burning the national flag in accordance with the First Amendment of the US constitution, which allows, inter alia, the people to "peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances". The judiciary has interpreted flag-burning as a means of expressing grievance.

In Britain, the use of the colours of the Union Jack on underpants and socks is not uncommon, showing that squeamishness is not necessarily an attribute of loyalty.

Just as an accused is deemed innocent till proven guilty, a citizen's devotion to the nation has to be taken for granted and not tested behind closed doors at every cinema show.

(Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com)

IANS
Take a look at EWS flats at Kalkaji to be inaugurated by PM Modi [Photos]

For beneficiaries of EWS flat a gift from PM Modi like none other

Those misusing Jan Dhan accounts will face the music: PM Modi

India

oi-Vicky

Lucknow, Dec 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stressed on the need to fight corruption. Addressing a rally at Moradabad, Modi advised the people not to withdraw the money deposited by black marketeers in Jan Dhan accounts. Those who chant money money will be fixed, the PM said.

Give me 50 days as India is ready for a change, Modi said while adding that India is always ready to accept change.

I am fighting a war against corruption and I am getting accused. What will those accusing me do. I am fakir, I will exit with my belongings, Modi also said.

I need help fighting the corrupt. I do not want to print notes and help then corrupt, Modi said while pointing that the country needs to move towards a Digital India.

My country is ready to turn digital. We are in the 21st century and we are ready to go digital Modi also added.

Why should I not fight corruption? Is fighting corruption a crime? Why are some people calling me a wrong doer for fighting corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked. The people are my high command and I am answerable only to you, the PM further went on to state.

5 hurdles that will stand in the way of Modi's cashless India

Modi went on to say that in order to eradicate poverty, it is necessary to develop big states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. I have not fought the election from UP only to become an MP. I want to initiate the fight against poverty he said.

When I came to power, I personally asked the officials why despite 70 years of independence, many villages are still deprived of electricity. That is when I made the announcement from the Red Fort that villages will be electrified in 1,000 days. We are fulfilling that promise, Modi also said.

Corruption needs to be fought:

Many governments have made many announcements. We have only dedicated our focus towards accountability. I do not have a high command. The people are my high command and no one else, the PM also said.

Corruption needs to be eradicated. It does not go on its own. I am surprised that in my own country a few people are accusing me. Is it my fault if I have ensured that those looting the country are now being made accountable, the PM asked.

Why am I being called a wrong doer for fighting corruption? Today those who have stashed black money are queueing outside the houses of the poor asking for their help, Modi said. Some rich people have gone and touched the feet of the poor. Have you ever seen this before?

I am finding ways to put behind bars those guilty of stashing their black money into Jan Dhan accounts of the poor. Today all day long people say Modi Modi. Before they would say Money Money.

This country is against corruption but there was a helpless situation. But today people feel that they have to fight this menace. I assure you people that I will not let your hard work and sacrifice go in vain, the Prime Minister said

Let the smart phone be your bank. Here there are some people standing in white T-shirts who will help you understand digital transactions. Now your bank is your mobile, the Prime Minister said.

OneIndia News
Why Baloch leader Bugti may not get asylum in India

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Dec 3: Whether or not Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti will get asylum in India or not is a decision that would be taken after the winter session of Parliament.

The decision would be taken by the Ministry for External Affairs after verifying the feedback given by both the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing.

It is a sensitive issue and hence needs to be carefully weighed before any decision is taken.

The Intelligence Bureau has however given the green signal and says that Bugti can be granted asylum.

While the Research and Analysis Wing has not objected, it would still give a detailed report to the government.

No asylum policy in India:

The problem however is that India does not have an asylum policy.

Bugti who lives in Geneva had in September applied for asylum in India.

The MEA which was in receipt of this application forwarded the same to the IB and R&AW seeking a detailed verification and report.

Asylum may not be possible in the absence of a policy says an Intelligence Bureau official.

We have found nothing averse against Bugti, but there are certain laws that need to be abided by the officer also notes.

After the winter session of Parliament a final call would be taken.

The likelihood is that Bugti may be offered a long term visa.

The other option is to give him a registration certificate which had been issued in the case of the Tibetan refugees in India.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 8:07 [IST]
A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Toms life and to learn about the use of his gifts to the University of Iowa Foundation is planned for a later date. Lectureships within the University of Iowa School of Music and College of Medicine will be established on behalf of Mr. Wagner. To give of oneself so that others may live in health and happiness is truly a noble gesture. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com .

Thomas Richard Wagner was born Oct. 10, 1934, in Mason City, the son of Walter and Verna (Hasse) Wagner. Tom was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. He graduated from Grafton High School. Upon earning his bachelors degree from the University of Iowa, he taught high school science. He joined the Peace Corps and served in Peru for a year before returning to the University of Iowa to obtain his masters degree. Tom was a professor of business and economics at Scotts Valley College in Bettendorf, IA, and Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. His sense of adventure and entrepreneurial skills led Tom to leave education and follow other business pursuits. Having always enjoyed architecture and being well versed in period design, Tom successfully renovated properties in the Washington, D.C., and San Francisco areas. A visit back to Grafton in 1976 enabled Tom to work on the restoration of the Grafton Depot. His expertise and attention to detail were integral in renovating the historic building. He also worked in hotel management and as a stock broker. Upon retirement, Tom returned to Grafton. He was able to care for his father, Walter, who died in 1998. Tom continued to be active in the community. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and was active with the church properties committee. He was a devoted patron of the Grafton Public Library. Tom enjoyed traveling and the planning of his travel itinerary. With his knowledge on a wide variety of topics, his true interest in people and his sense of humor, Tom was an excellent conversationalist.
With tackling terror on agenda, Heart of Asia Summit gets underway in Amritsar

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, Dec 3: The annual Heart of Asia Summit got underway in Amritsar Punjab today. Being attended by representatives from 40 countries the summit will explore ways to effectively deal with the threat of terrorism in the region.

The summit will deliberate ways to find solutions to the challenges in Afghanistan.

Today, senior officials of all 14 countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations were deliberating on a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and dealing with threat of terrorism, radicalization and extremism.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistan's connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were being discussed at the senior officials' meeting which was co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

Heart of Asia Summit- How India plans on cornering Pakistan

The meeting is finalising the text for tomorrow's Ministerial Conference and is also deliberating on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz is representing Islamabad at the Ministerial conference on Sunday which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

The annual conference is taking place amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the audacious terror attack on Nagrota army base and there was no clarity on an Indo-Pak bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conclave.

India had already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the "new normal" in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of "continued terror".

At the senior officials' meeting, Afghanistan, which has also been facing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistan, pushed for a regional counter-terror framework.

Ahead of the conference, both India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the "greatest threat" to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at tomorrow's deliberations.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, December 3, 2016, 14:47 [IST]
21 workers trapped in coal mine in China declared dead

International

oi-PTI

Beijing, Dec 3: As many as 21 workers trapped in a coal mine in China after an explosion four days ago were today confirmed dead while one was still trapped.

The explosion took place at a private coal mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province, at around 9 pm on Tuesday. They have been declared dead, state run Xinhua news agency quoted local officials as saying early today.

The owner and manager of the mine have been taken into custody. State television CCTV reported the workers could not be reached by rescuers due to presence of poisonous gases even as insurance firms began contacting the families of the trapped workers to settle claims.

Coal mine explosion in China claims four lives

Initial enquires showed that the blast was an accident and the mine unlicensed, police said. Hundreds of rescuers were rushed to the mine to save the trapped workers.

PTI
Fidel Castro towered on the global stage: India says in UN homage

End of era in Cuba as Castro hands torch to Diaz-Canel

Diaz-Canel unlikely to bring sweeping changes in Cuba, feel experts

Adulation of Fidel Castro runs deepest in rural eastern Cuba

International

oi-PTI

El Guayabo, Dec 3: The single dirt street in El Guayabo runs past a few dozen cinderblock homes, the medical clinic and the primary school to a grove of 76 trees planted to honor Fidel Castro on his 76th birthday.

Today, residents of El Guayabo walked a mile down that street to Cuba's central highway to bid a final farewell to the man they credit for bringing medical care, education and basic comforts to this hamlet in the farming and ranching country of arid, sun-scorched eastern Cuba.

"We owe him everything," said Rafael Toledo, a 71-year-old rancher.

"There'll never be another one like him."

Mourning for Castro has reached near-religious peaks of public adulation across Cuba since his death at age 90 on November 25.

Huge crowds have been shouting his name and lining the roads to salute the funeral procession carrying his ashes from Havana to the eastern city of Santiago.

By midday, the cortege had reached the city of Las Tunas, some 665 kilometers east of Havana.

Las Tunas residents shouted, "I am Fidel!" as the seven-vehicle caravan sped by, some waving little Cuban flags and others capturing the moment with cameras on their cellular phones.

In the cities some of the ceremony has been undercut by grumbling about Cuba's autocratic government, inefficient bureaucracy and stagnant economy.

The outpouring has seemed the most heartfelt in Cuba's east, the region his ashes are crossing today.

Castro was born in eastern Cuba.

His revolution started here, and it's here and in other parts of rural Cuba where his campaigns for literacy, social welfare and land redistribution had their deepest impact.

"Before the revolution, the countryside wasn't what you see now," Toledo said.

"My parents were sharecroppers, cane-cutters. They did what they could to support a family of 12, but they couldn't even sign their names. When they died they were literate and had a house with electricity, television and a refrigerator."

For many foreigners, landing in Havana feels like traveling back in time, to an era of 1950s cars and Art Deco homes unpainted for decades.

Heading into the countryside is another step back -- to a region where farmers plow with oxen and people travel by horse-cart. But, thanks to Castro's programs, there are also neighborhood health clinics, small-town libraries and specialized high schools with dance and arts instructors.

Before the revolution, El Guayabo was a family estate with a cheese factory owned by a Cuban family who fled to the United States after Castro and his rebel army took power.

The land was distributed to those working it under agricultural reforms that Castro began in 1959.

Still, while rural Cubans' lives have improved with the arrival of doctors and teachers in once-ignored backwaters, it has been a struggle to earn a living under the island's one-party socialist government and its stifling economic rules.

PTI
Trichy senior cop in trouble for sharing nude pics on official WhatsApp group

Check, you may miss whatsapp in 2017

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New York, Dec 3: Popular messaging app WhatsApp will stop working on millions of smartphones by the end of 2016 unless they are upgraded, media reports said.

According to a report in The Mirror, WhatsApp, with more than one billion monthly users, was phasing out compatibility with older phones in a technology upgrade.

"While these mobile devices have been an important part of our story, they do not offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future," said a spokesperson of WhatsApp in a blog post.

The company has said that several older services would be discontinued in 2017.

"As we look ahead to our next seven years, we want to focus our efforts on the mobile platforms the vast majority of people use," the spokesperson said.

Now do video calling on WhatsApp

The blog listed several mobile platforms that will not be able to support the messaging app, including Android 2.1 and Android 2.2, Windows Phone 7 and iPhone 3GS or iOS 6.

According to the report, any iPhone 4, 4S, or 5 that has not been updated to the newest version of the operating system -- iOS 10 -- would also not support WhatsApp.

However, WhatsApp is extending support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, Nokia S40 and Nokia Symbian S60 until June 30, 2017.

IANS
From Pak to Taiwan,Trump's phone calls upsetting diplomacy:NYT

International

oi-PTI

New York, Dec 3: US President-elect Donald Trump's call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that could irk China, Trump spoke with Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

On November 30, Trump spoke with Sharif, who according to a Pakistani government readout of their call, invited Trump to visit the south Asian country. The readout said Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president.

He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".

"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence.

Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.

On Trumps conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

"By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979, when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency". In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.

PTI
Fidel Castro with world leaders

Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro, right, shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, during a meeting in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Abe is on a two-day official visit to Cuba. AP/PTI

Fidel Castro with world leaders

Pope Francis and Cuba's Fidel Castro shakes hands, in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. The Vatican described the 40-minute meeting at Castro's residence as informal and familial, with an exchange of books. AP/PTI

Fidel Castro with world leaders

Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro, right, shakes hands with French President Francois Hollande in Havana, Cuba, Monday, May 11, 2015. The woman between the two men is a translator. Hollande is the first French leader to visit the island nation in more than a century and also the first Western leader to travel to Cuba since the surprise announcement in December of a rapprochement between Washington and Havana.

Fidel Castro with world leaders

Cuba's Fidel Castro, right, spoke with China's President Xi Jinping in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Xi Jinping had then said that his state visit to Cuba is aimed at carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two countries jointly built by Castro and the older generations of Chinese leaders, so as to inject new impetus into bilateral cooperation. He had also extended good wishes to Castro for his upcoming 88th birthday. AP/PTI

Fidel Castro with world leaders

Cuba's Fidel Castro, center, met with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, right, in Havana, Cuba, Friday, July 11, 2014. Putin had begun a Latin American tour aimed at boosting trade and ties in the region with a stop Friday in Cuba, a key Soviet ally during the Cold War that has backed Moscow in its dispute with the West over Ukraine. AP/PTI

Fidel Castro with world leaders

Vice President Hamid Ansari meeting with the Cuban Revolution hero Commandente Fidel Castro in Havana on Wednesday. PTI

Fidel Castro with world leaders

Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro, right, shakes hands with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, left, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. Quang was on a two-day official visit to Cuba. AP/PTI
In a case of bad karma Taliban outs Pakistan on what India had always said on Azhar

Taliban kills 23 civilians in Afghanistan: Police

International

oi-PTI

Kandahar, Dec 3: Taliban insurgents have killed 23 civilians after they lost 29 of their fighters in an abortive attack on police in southern Afghanistan, police sources said on Friday.

"The Taliban insurgents have launched coordinated attacks on police checkpoints in Nesh district of Kandahar on Thursday, and they faced resistance from Afghan forces," Kandahar police said in a press statement.

"Following the Taliban attack, 29 Taliban fighters were killed and a number of others sustained injuries, and large numbers of weapons and ammunition were confiscated from them," the statement added.

"The brutal enemy after suffering defeat against Afghan forces, took their revenge by killing 23 civilians including five children and two women," it said.

The police statement said the Taliban had sought refuge in the homes of civilians and killed them after they opposed the insurgents.

According to Nesh district police commander Niaz Mohammed the attacks occurred Wednesday and yesterday.

"After their defeat, the Taliban wanted to hide in the houses and when the civilians showed their opposition, the Taliban killed them," he told AFP.

"Six members of a policeman's family were among the victims. In total 23 people (civilians) were killed."

Contacted by AFP, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi rejected the claims as false.

While Nesh district borders Uruzgan province, which is a major opium producer and has a high Taliban presence, its population is considered pro-government and Islamists insurgents rarely intervene there.

During the last Taliban offensive in October on Kunduz, the economic capital of northeast Afghanistan, civilians who had fled the fighting accused the insurgents of hiding in their houses or seeking to establish their positions there.

As in Nesh, they told AFP that those who resisted were killed.

The security situation has eased on most fronts in recent weeks with the coming of winter after a particularly brutal fighting season in which nearly 2,600 civilians were killed and another 5,800 wounded in the first nine months of the year, according to the UN.

The Afghan military has also suffered at least 2,000 deaths since January, according to a security source, while a record half million people have been displaced by fighting.

PTI
What does the US actually want in Syria?

War has displaced 31,000 people in Aleppo: UN

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Geneva, Dec 3: At least 31,500 civilians have been displaced within Aleppo since fighting between warring factions escalated the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

Over half (18,000) of these, who have been forced to flee their homes have gone to Jibreen, a government-held district of western Aleppo, Xinhua news agency cited an OCHA statement on Friday.

A further 8,500 have fled to a Kurdish area while 5,000 have been displaced within east Aleppo which has been under siege for almost five months, the UN body added.

According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), around 60 per cent of those displaced are children.

Though unable to reach civilians who have not left eastern parts of the war-torn city, the UN said Thursday that it is able to provide much needed food and medical aid to the displaced.

OCHA also said that the UN had acknowledged a Russian proposal to open four humanitarian corridors servicing east Aleppo.

After discussions with Moscow, the UN hopes to use these corridors to carry out medical evacuations while bringing much needed relief items to east Aleppo if safety guarantees are provided by all parties to the conflict.

IANS


Objectionable content in Kochi Peace school syllabus- 3 from Mumbai arrested

Kochi

oi-Anusha

The Kochi police arrested three individuals from Navi Mumbai on Friday for their alleged role in incorporating objectionable content in the syllabus taught at Peace International School. All three were produced before a court in Ernakulam on Saturday.

Dawood Vaid, Sahil Saed and Sameed Ahmed, all residents of Navi Mumbai were reportedly in charge of the printing, publishing and distribution of the books which had created a furore over propagating objectionable content.

The books being taught at M M Akbar's Peace International School reportedly contained contents that could create communal disharmony. The school was also in the limelight after a Kerala woman who took classes there left to be part of the Islamic State. M M Akbar has time and again denied any knowledge about the contents in the books. The police is likely to question M M Akbar next in the case. It was earlier suspected that the syllabus was drafted by those close to controversial Islamic hardliner Zakir Naik.

The police had earlier registered a case under IPC Section 153 A-promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony and IPC section 34- acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention, against the school Principal, administrator, and three trustees.

The police had said Islamic curriculum was being followed in the school and students were being exhorted to lay down their lives for Islam.

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5 p.m. update.

MASON CITY  A Mason City man accused of shooting a 19-year-old woman Friday morning will be held on $100,000 bond.

Larry D. Whaley, 60, made his initial court appearance Friday afternoon on a charge of felony attempted murder.

Police say Whaley used a handgun to shoot a 19-year-old Mason City woman in the head at an apartment complex at 116 17th St. S.E.

The shooting was reported at 3:53 a.m. Whaley, who police say was found at the scene, was arrested late Friday morning.

The complex, where Whaley is a tenant, is across the street from Lincoln Intermediate School. The school was closed at the time of the incident.

Magistrate Judge Patrick Byrne conducted Whaley's initial court appearance at 3:30 p.m. Friday via video conference.

Byrne was at an office on the second floor of the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse in downtown Mason City. Whaley sat in front of a camera placed in a conference room in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on the outskirts of Mason City.

Handcuffed and wearing a faded black-and-white jail uniform, Whaley responded "Yes, sir" when Byrne asked him if he understood his rights and "No, sir" when the judge asked if he had any questions.

His bond was set at $100,000 cash. His preliminary hearing is Dec. 16.

Two jailers helped Whaley stand up. He walked away slowly under his own power.

The hearing took about two minutes.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.

Update: 60-year-old charged in Mason City apartment shooting

2 p.m. update:

MASON CITY  A 60-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with a shooting earlier that morning at a Mason City apartment building.

Larry Whaley, Mason City, was booked on a charge of attempted murder.

Police say a 19-year-old woman was shot once in the head with a handgun early Friday at 116 17th Street Southeast.

Officers were called at 3:53 a.m. to the three-story building across from Lincoln Intermediate School where the shooting allegedly took place.

Whaley was a tenant at the building, which is divided into five apartments.

Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said the woman is a Mason City resident.

She was taken to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa and later flown to Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester for additional treatment.

Family has been notified of her condition, Brinkley said.

Her name was not released.

Investigators are still determining if more than one shot was fired during the incident, Brinkley said.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.

Update: Shooting investigation across street, but normal class day at Mason City school

11 a.m. update:

MASON CITY  Students began classes as usual Friday morning at Lincoln Intermediate School in Mason City in spite of a police investigation into an early-morning shooting across the street.

The shooting was reported at 116 17th St. S.E. at 3:53 a.m., hours before students or teachers were at the campus.

Police say a woman found at the house was hospitalized for a gunshot wound. She was later transported Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Her condition has not been released.

Several people found at the scene were being interviewed by investigators, police say.

The house in question, a light-gray three-story home, is across the street from the entrance to Lincoln Intermediate at the corner of 17th Street Southeast and South Pennsylvania Avenue.

Crime scene tape was still around the home when students began arriving for the day. Police also had placed barricades up in the 100 block of 17th Street Southeast, blocking traffic.

Interim Superintendent Mike Penca said the district decided to continue classes as normal after speaking with police.

The school building was never on lockdown.

The police "felt like there was no threat to the school," Penca said, "that the situation had been resolved and that they would be continuing the investigation."

The district sent an email to staff and parents apprising them of the situation.

It also posted a notice on its website informing the public that the bus pick-ups and drop-offs would not be affected.

Building administrators greeted students at the doors of Lincoln Intermediate as pupils began filtering in for the day. Counselors also are available to speak with students who need extra support, but so far most seem to be doing OK, Penca said.

"The administrators at the building let staff know as students arrived if any students were concerned or had any anxiety or needed other support, we had counselors available to do so," he said.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.

Update: 1 in custody following shooting near Mason City school; 4th shooting in 6 weeks

7:30 a.m. update:

A shooting across the street from a Mason City school Friday morning is the fourth shooting in Mason City in six weeks.

Police were called at 3:53 a.m. to a report of a shooting at 116 17th St.

A woman who had been shot was taken to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. Her condition wasn't immediately released.

Police say they are speaking with persons of interest.

On Nov. 17, Melinda Kavars and Caleb Christensen were killed in Christensen's home North Hampshire Avenue. Peter Veal, 30, Lake Mills, faces first-degree murder charges in their deaths.

Revell Tony, 19, Mason City, was charged with attempted murder after a man was shot in the buttocks and arm on Oct. 23 in the plaza outside the north entrance of the Southbridge Mall.

Police continue to investigate the Oct. 18 shooting that wounded a woman near North Washington Avenue and Ninth Street Northwest. No arrests have been made.

Officials have said the three incidents incidents prior to Friday's shooting were not connected to one another.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.

Update: One in custody following shooting near Lincoln School in Mason City

7 a.m. update:

Mason City Police said Friday morning one person was in custody and was being interviewed about the shooting on 17th Street Southeast.

Officials said the area was "secure" and the incident was limited to the residence.

In a press release, they said one woman was transported by the Mason City Fire Department to a hospital with a gunshot wound.

Officials said several people were at the residence and were also being interviewed by police.

They also anticipated some impact for parents and children near Lincoln Elementary:

"This ... may affect school drop-offs and bus routes this morning. We would ask that parents plan to avoid 17th Street Southeast, if possible, on their way to drop off their children this morning."

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office also responded to the incident, which was reported at 3:53 a.m.

Check back at globegazette.com for updates on this developing story.

Shooting reported near Mason City school

4:30 a.m.

MASON CITY  Law enforcement and ambulance responded to the scene of an apparent shooting early Friday near Lincoln Intermediate School.

Mason City police officers were called to an incident on 17th Street Southeast near the school just before 4 a.m. Radio traffic indicated a woman had apparently been shot in the head, although when officers arrived on the scene they were apparently able to escort her out of a house into a waiting ambulance.

Ambulance crew members did not enter the home because the scene had not yet been declared safe and clear. The apparent victim was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

Officers on the scene said over the radio that a suspect may have been armed and barricaded, and requested aid from county deputies and the Iowa State Patrol, as well as activating the SOG team  the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force Special Operations Group.

A few minutes later, however, before other departments arrived, an officer radioed that the suspect was gonna come out  be prepared.

A minute later an officer reported, We got him, we got him, and said other departments could disregard the call for aid.

Mary Pieper, a reporter for the Globe Gazette who lives very near the scene, said she called 911 when she heard a disturbance, but it appeared others had also already notified police.

"I heard what sounded like someone screaming," Pieper said, but added she didn't hear anything that sounded like a gunshot.

"I heard a thumping noise," she said.

Pieper said that a few minutes after the incident ended an officer came by to tell her everything was "all clear," and that they wanted to interview her about what she had heard.

No official report on the incident was available, as officers continued to investigate at the scene.

Continue to check this website and Saturdays Globe Gazette for additional coverage of this developing news story.
SEG101 reduced annual rate of sickle cell-related pain crises (SCPC) by 45.3% compared to placebo in patients with or without hydroxyurea therapy



SEG101 is a potential new disease-modifying, preventive treatment option for patients with SCPC; first in nearly 20 years



Data being highlighted in ASH 2016 media briefing, presented at Plenary Scientific Session and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine

Basel, December 3, 2016 - Results from the Phase II SUSTAIN study show that SEG101 (crizanlizumab, formerly SelG1), an anti-P-selectin antibody, reduced the median annual rate of sickle cell-related pain crises (SCPC) by 45.3% compared to placebo (1.63 vs 2.98, p=0.010) in patients with or without hydroxyurea therapy[1]. Novartis today announced that the data are being featured in the official press briefing at the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and presented during the Plenary Scientific Session tomorrow (Abstract #1, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. PST). The results also are being published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine.

"Acute painful episodes, commonly referred to as vaso-occlusive crises, are a substantial cause of morbidity in sickle cell disease with limited treatment options," said Kenneth I. Ataga, M.D., Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "These findings show that crizanlizumab significantly reduces the frequency of painful crises and represents a potentially novel disease-modifying therapeutic option."

In the SUSTAIN study, patients were assigned to high-dose (5.0 mg/kg), low-dose (2.5 mg/kg) and placebo arms. The study met its primary endpoint, reduction of the annual rate of SCPC in the high-dose arm by 45.3% vs. placebo (medians of 1.63 vs. 2.98, p=0.010). In the low- dose arm, the annual rate of SCPC was reduced by 32.6% vs. placebo (medians of 2.01 vs. 3.0, p = 0.180). For patients in the high dose arm, time to first SCPC vs. placebo was 2.9 times longer (medians of 4.07 vs. 1.38 months, p = 0.001) and time to second SCPC was 2.0 times longer than placebo (medians of 10.32 vs. 5.09 months, p = 0.022)[1].

"Patients have long been in need of a new therapy for treatment of SCPC, the most common and debilitating complication of sickle cell disease," said Bruno Strigini, CEO of Novartis Oncology. "We are pleased that data from the SUSTAIN study show SEG101 may have the potential to become the first new option for patients dealing with SCPC since hydroxyurea was approved for use in sickle cell anemia about 20 years ago[2]."

Despite its availability, hydroxyurea often is not utilized primarily due to concerns about patient compliance and potential adverse events[3],[4].

About the SUSTAIN trial

The SUSTAIN trial was a multicenter, multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 12-month study to assess safety and efficacy of the anti-P-selectin antibody SEG101 with or without hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell disease patients with sickle cell-related pain crises. Patients included in the study had a history of 2 to 10 pain crises in the previous 12 months. Patients receiving hydroxyurea or erythropoietin were included if prescribed for the preceding 6 months and dose was stable for at least 3 months. The trial randomized 198 patients age 16 to 65 to receive high dose SEG101, low dose SEG101 or placebo[1].

Adverse events that occurred in 5% or more of patients in an active dose group and were elevated over placebo by at least 2-fold were arthralgia, pruritus, vomiting, chest pain, diarrhea, road traffic accident, fatigue, myalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, abdominal pain, influenza and oropharyngeal pain. There were no apparent increases in infections with SeG101 treatment. Five deaths occurred during the study, 2 at 5.0 mg/kg, 1 at 2.5 mg/kg and 2 in placebo; no deaths were deemed related to the study drug[1].

About SEG101 (crizanlizumab)

SEG101 (crizanlizumab, formerly SelG1) is a humanized anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody that binds a molecule called P-selectin on the surface of endothelial cells and platelets in the blood vessels, causing a blockade of P-selectin[1],[5]. P-selectin drives the vaso-occlusive process[1],[6]. Vaso-occlusive crises, also known as SCPC, occur episodically when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through blood vessels[7]. The therapeutic blockade of P-selectin can prevent painful vaso-occlusion in small blood vessels and maintain blood flow[1],[7].

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "potential," "potentially," "may," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for SEG101, or regarding potential future revenues from SEG101. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that SEG101 will be submitted or approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that SEG101 will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding SEG101 could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including unexpected clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; competition in general; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; unexpected manufacturing, safety or quality issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis and @NovartisCancer at http://twitter.com/novartiscancer

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

References

[1] Ataga KI, et al. SUSTAIN: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, 12-Month Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of SelG1 with or without Hydroxyurea Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Sickle Cell-Related Pain Crises. Abstract #1. 2016 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, San Diego, California.

[2] Segal JB, Strouse JJ, et al. Evidence Reports/Technology Assessments, No. 165. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Feb.

[3] Zumberg MS, Reddy S, et al. Hydroxyurea therapy for sickle cell disease in community-based practices: a survey of Florida and North Carolina hematologists/oncologists. Am J Hematol. 2005 Jun;79(2):107-113.

[4] Miller ST, Kim HY, et al. for Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Research Network (SCDCRN). Inpatient management of sickle cell pain: A 'snapshot' of current practice. Am J Hematol. 2012 Mar;87(3):333-336.

[5] Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Data on file. 2016.

[6] Manwani D. Frenette PS. Vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease: pathophysiology and novel targeted therapies. Blood. 2013; 122(24):3892-3898.

[7] Quinn CT. Anti-adhesive therapy for sickle cell disease. The Hematologist. 2014; 11(6):15.

# # #

Novartis Media Relations

Central media line: +41 61 324 2200

E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com

Eric Althoff

Novartis Global Media Relations

+41 61 324 7999 (direct)

+41 79 593 4202 (mobile)

eric.althoff@novartis.com Jeannie Neufeld

Novartis Oncology Communications

+1 862 778 2104 (direct)

+1 201 650 2728 (mobile)

jeannie.neufeld@novartis.com

Novartis Investor Relations

Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com
OK! Magazine 02 Nov 2022

Cardi B has yet to speak out on the recent death of Takeoff after her husband, Offset, had troubles with the rapper.
by  Graham Pierrepoint



Its been a difficult year for many British citizens  the referendum on whether or not the UK should remain in the European Union earlier this year saw the country divided almost 50/50 on the matter  and as a result, many media outlets are reporting that attitudes are changing within the country, and that many businesses are considering their options once the country resigns from the EU for good. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, however, has recommended that certain rhetoric being used by politicians in the post-referendum climate is impacting heavily upon certain peoples safety.

In a letter to various British political parties, the EHRC advises that all parties need to be aware of public concern surrounding the fallout over the decision made by the vote, and that there needs to be a concerted effort to tone down certain rhetoric employed in public communications by parties and politicians. The EHRC argues that British political parties are elected to represent people and should therefore be well aware of growing concern over the effects that the result of the referendum have brought to the UK and its citizens  as it has been widely reported in the mainstream media that there has been a recorded increase of violent crime against ethnic minorities.

There are also growing fears over a legitimization of hate  that a minority of ultra-right voters may now feel empowered in that certain views of theirs may have been heard by the government. The UK is certainly a changing place since the EU vote  note only have the economic markets and values been affected, but there are many attitudes and opinions that have been affected by what is still thought to be a rather shock result! The EHRC, therefore, feel that the public should be given more of a chance to discuss the wider repercussions of what may be at stake from such a polarizing and monumental decision.

This is a view thats likely to be welcomed by many who feel that there has been little in the way of support for the public in light of momentum towards ironing out a Brexit deal  but will this necessarily mean that the main UK parties shift to focus on altering their public rhetoric? It will remain to be seen  and with Prime Minister Theresa May currently embroiled in a battle with the High Court to ensure that Brexit can go ahead without MP approval, there are a few more hurdles to be jumped just yet!
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carando, the artisan brand of Classic Italian Meats, partnered with TOPS Friendly Markets to donate 500 spiral sliced hams to the Food Bank of Western New York during their 11th annual Food 2 Families event.



On Friday morning in Depew, N.Y., representatives from Carando and TOPS presented 125 cases of hams to the food bank at one of the six TOPS stores participating in the Food 2 Families event. During November, TOPS sold Brown Bags of Hope to benefit the food bank leading up to the outdoor food and fund drive. This donation from Carando will help complete 500 holiday meals for families in need, providing each with a ham to enjoy.

Carando stands for quality and heritage, so its important that the brand continues its tradition of giving back to the community, said Michael J. Sargent, senior brand manager for Smithfield Foods. We are extremely humbled to be able to help so many families in need by providing hams to an incredible organization like the Food Bank of Western New York.

Helping as many as 129,000 individuals each month, the Food Bank of Western New York distributes food to 329 member agencies in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties. The food is dispersed to local families in need through food pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs.

This donation was made as part of the Carando Cares program, an ongoing campaign established in 2013 to support organizations making a positive difference in local communities. Carando Cares has made monetary and in-kind donations of more than $250,000 since the programs inception.

For more information about Carando and Carando Cares, please visit www.carando.com or www.Facebook.com/CarandoMeats.

Carando is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Carando

All of our classic Italian meats stay true to the traditional recipes that our founder, Pietro Carando, brought to America from his boyhood home in Torino, Italy. One taste is all it takes to discover the authentic Italian difference of Carando. For more information, visit www.carando.com.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny, and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.
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Ernest Marvel of Delaware fought his way across France and Germany, and helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp.


fahmad33 wrote:

Undergrad: FAST NU (Pakistan) - Bachelors in Comp Sci Honours - GPA : 2.85 -> 74%



Work Experience : 3.5 years so far -> 2 years as a Software Engineer, 1 year as a Project Coordinator, 6 month internship as a Product Owner( assisting seniorproduct manager) in a smaller company. Currently working as a Technical Consultant in Toronto.



Masters Degree (University of Western Ontario, Canada) : Masters in Management of Applied Sciences - Specialization in Comp Sci - GPA : 87.5 % -> 4.0



Some of the graduate business courses I took are below:



Corporate Finance: 82%

Project Management: 99%

Marketing for Managers: 85%



I am looking to apply after working for one more year in the current role and I will have 4.5 years of total work experience by then. My concerns are the low UG GPA and a Masters in Management which I just finished. I am looking to apply to UofT, Ivey, Schulich and Queens. I will also try my luck in some U.S school as well. I know top 10 are almost impossible, but I want to know what type of schools shall I try in U.S, how to strengthen profile for canadian B schools and how much GMAT shall I aim for as I am currently preparing for the GMAT.



Thank You

Faisal



mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant

Chicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT Club

Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/

Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders



Kate RichardsonmbaMission Senior Admissions ConsultantChicago Booth Alum, over 70 5-star reviews on GMAT ClubSign up for a free 30-minute consultation at https://www.mbamission.com/consult/mba-admissions/Read our Insider's Guides to the top b-schools: http://www.mbamission.com/guides.php?category=insiders Signature Read More

Hi there!Your work experience sounds strong...I like the progression from an engineering role to product manager to consulting, that will be great to show increased responsibility and expanding your skills. I share your concern about your bachelor's GPA. Your master's GPA will help to address that, and so will GMAT, so it's important you get a strong score. So I would target a score above the schools' medians...which for the ones you mentioned, means you'll want to be in the high 600s (680-700). Given that you have a pretty technical background and have done well in quant courses, I'm guessing the quant section won't be too challenging for you, so make sure you have a strong showing on the verbal section too, around a 35 raw score or higher.As far as US schools, a lot will depend on where your GMAT turns out, but if you're in that range, then I'd focus on schools outside the top 15. Which ones depends on a lot of other factors too like your post-MBA goals, industry interests, location preferences, etc. You'll want to double check that your existing master's doesn't "disqualify" you from any MBA programs in the US, and even if not, then you'll definitely need very strong reasons in your essays about why you need an MBA now.Other ways to improve your profile -- visit / research / engage with your target schools to show interest. Do you have involvement / leadership in activities outside work? If not, you could improve that aspect of your profile.Good luck!Kate_________________
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Benedicte Gravrand, Opalesque Geneva:

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Friday fraud charges and an asset freeze against Miami Beach-based asset management company Onix Capital LLC and owner Alberto Chang-Rajii, a Chilean national who fled the US earlier this year.

Chang and Onix Capital have allegedly defrauded investors in promissory notes that "guaranteed" annual returns of 12% to 19% and bilked others who were told their funds would be invested in promising start-ups. They are also alleged to have falsely depicted Chang as an award-winning multi-millionaire "angel" investor with an MBA from Stanford University.

 Chang and Onix Capital sold more than $5.7m in Onix promissory notes that they falsely claimed were guaranteed by Chang, and raised more than $1.7m that Chang promised to invest in companies such as Uber, Snapchat, and Square. Instead, investor funds were diverted to Chang and used to pay other investors.

The scheme began to unravel in March when reports published in the US and Chile exposed the misrepresentations. Chang fled to Malta and transferred approximately $4m, including Onix Capital investor funds, to banks in Malta, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Australia.

When the alleged misrepresentations were exposed, they stopped paying investors and shifted millions of dollars of investor assets offshore.

Bg......................

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Syrian man carries the body of a victim out of the rubble of a destroyed building following alleged air raids by government forces on the rebel-controlled part of Aleppo's Maadi residential district on January 29, 2014. The Syrian army is edging its way t

(Image by FreedomHouse) Details DMCA



On December 2, the official representative of the UN Secretary General Stefan Dyuzharrik said that during the operation of government forces to liberate Aleppo districts of militants there were released more than 30,000 peoples, including 14,000 children among them. Thus, today the ability to begin providing large-scale humanitarian aid to the Syrian population in the liberated areas in the eastern part of Aleppo will be the moment of truth for the United Nations.

It should be mentioned that the question of the humanitarian disaster in militant-controlled eastern Aleppo has been repeatedly raised by the US State Department, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, the Foreign Ministry of Great Britain and France. There have been also sounded lots of loud statements about the need to help ordinary Syrians.

Recently, the representatives of these countries and organizations, in particular, UN Humanitarian Official Jan Egeland, insistently demanded to permit humanitarian convoys to get into the eastern districts of Aleppo.

In addition, on December 2, British Prime Minister Theresa May, in an interview to local media said that the Syrian government and Russia deliberately prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo. After such strange statements there is a feeling that the British government lost an objective view of what is really happening in Syria, in particular - in Aleppo. After all, the official Damascus has repeatedly stated its readiness to support the delivery of humanitarian supplies from the Western countries and the UN. However, in response to this, the West either remained silent or seeking new pretexts for exacerbating the conflict. It is worth noting that neither one thing, nor another benefits the hungry and exhausted people in Syria.

Nowadays, when many neighborhoods in the eastern part of Aleppo finally came under the control of government troops, the UN is simply obliged to provide humanitarian assistance to the local residents. Nobody will use multiple rocket launchers, mortars and small arms to shell the residential areas. Now the citizens are under the protection of government forces and can now breathe freely. On the other hand, in the liberated areas of Aleppo a difficult humanitarian situation is developing, as the militants leaving the city mined houses, knocked out all utility facilities, leaving residents without water and electricity.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the UN is faced with a complex task. The organization is to work for creation of a system for monitoring of hospitals, clinics and other medical institutions. Most of the work should be done by international humanitarian organizations. They have an opportunity not only in words but in deeds to help Syrians.
From Code Pink

The CODEPINK Tribunal taking place December 1 and 2, and live streamed by The Real News, is an historic collection of testimonies about the lies and costs of the Iraq war. It takes on new meaning with the incoming Trump administration, and the hawks who are flocking to join that administration with their sights set on starting yet another war in the Middle East, this time in Iran.

My testimony started with the first CODEPINK action against the war that took place in Congress. It was September 18, 2002, the day Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld testified before the House Armed Services Committee about why the US military should invade Iraq. He accused Saddam Hussein of having and hiding weapons of mass destruction, raised the specter of an Iraqi-initiated September 11-style attack and told the Committee that Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a global threat.

My colleague Diane Wilson and I were in the audience, just behind Rumsfeld and a row of generals. It was the first time we had ever attended a Congressional hearing. Shaking, I got up and belted out: "Mr. Rumsfeld, we need weapons inspections, not war. Why are you obstructing the inspections? Isn't this really about oil? How many civilians will be killed? How many Iraqis will be killed?" We unfurled banners that said: "UN Weapons Inspection, Not US War" and repeated that chant over and over until the police came to forcibly remove us.

Once we were out of the room, Rumsfeld joked about us and said: "Of course, the country that threw the inspectors out was not the United States. It was not the United Nations. It was Iraq that threw the inspectors out."

That was a lie. Iraq did not expel the inspectors. In December 1998, the weapons inspectors withdrew for their safety in anticipation of a US-British bombing campaign. But this was just one of so many lies about Saddam Hussein's supposed weapons of mass destruction and his unwillingness to yield to weapons inspections.

In February 2003, just weeks before the US invasion, CODEPINK led a delegation to Iraq. We wanted to see for ourselves what the Iraqis were thinking, particularly the women. We found them terrified at the prospect of a US invasion. Some said to us, in hushed voices, "Yes, Saddam is a dictator, but we don't want the U.S. military to liberate us. That is something we must do ourselves."

We also wanted to meet with the UN weapons inspectors, and we did. They told us there were no weapons of mass destruction and that even if there were, the very presence of so many inspectors in the country guaranteed that they would not be used.

Two weeks after we returned, on March 7, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported to the UN Security Council. Based on more than a hundred visits to suspect sites and private interviews with a number of individual scientists known to have been involved with WMD programs in the past, IAEA leader ElBaradei stated that the IAEA had "to date found no evidence or plausible indication of the revival of a nuclear weapons program in Iraq."

Hans Blix of the UN Special Commission on Iraq (UNMOVIC) said no stockpiles or active programs had been found, but it had not yet been possible to document destruction of all the weapons known to have been produced prior to the 1991 Gulf War. Blix predicted that months but not years, would be needed to complete the job.

The Bush administration dismissed the inspectors' findings because their conclusions contradicted the US government allegations. The next day, President George W. Bush delivered a radio address to the American people, arguing that the inspection teams did not need any more time, because Saddam was "still refusing to disarm." The rest is history.

Iraq posed absolutely no threat to the United States. But the US people, traumatized by the 9/11 attack, were easily duped by the Bush administration's propaganda that Iraq was a terrorist state linked to al-Qaeda, and that it was only minutes away from launching attacks on America with weapons of mass destruction.

Americans were the victims of an elaborate public relations campaign, barraged every day with distortions, deceptions and lies. By the start of the war in March 2003, 66% of Americans mistakenly thought Saddam Hussein was behind the 9/11 attacks and 79% thought he was close to having a nuclear weapon. Of course, Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, and had no nuclear weapons and no functional chemical or biological weapons. This massive deception was only achieved with the complicity of the US mainstream press, a press that refused to air the voices of dissenters like us and instead sought to commercialize the Iraq war, embed with the military and profit from the invasion.

At CODEPINK, we worked furiously to stop the invasion and continued to protest the war after it started. We held a daily vigil in front of the White House in the freezing cold for four months, we went on a month-long hunger strike, we organized massive demonstrations, we protested at the homes of VP Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, as well as the offices and homes of Democratic and Republican congresspeople. We interrupted dozens of Congressional hearings to speak out against the war. Over and over again, we were arrested for acts of nonviolent civil disobedience, spending much time in cold, bleak jail cells.

For our work speaking truth to power and confronting an illegal, immoral war, we were attacked viciously for being "unpatriotic" and treated like traitors. Conservative groups began coming out every Wednesday night in Washington DC to picket our CODEPINK DC house and launched a campaign to try to get us evicted. The hate mail, death threats and violent phone calls were a constant. The police on Capitol Hill cracked down on CODEPINK activists and judges issued us "stay-away orders" to keep us away from the Capitol. One of our cofounders, Diane Wilson, was even banned from all of Washington DC for a year. Some of us discovered that our names were put on an FBI criminal database, something that has caused us much hardship as we travel overseas for our peace work.

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From Media Matters

Fox News and much of the conservative media slipped into messiah mode coverage this week when news broke that Carrier, the air conditioner giant, has decided to not move approximately 1,000 manufacturing jobs from Indiana to Mexico as the company had previously planned. President-elect Donald Trump took credit for having negotiated the respite.

Cheering Trump's hands-on approach and his commitment to the working class, Fox talkers portrayed the Republican's maneuver in relentlessly glowing terms. "A Big Win For Donald Trump," announced Bill O'Reilly's show last night.

Fox's Stuart Varney claimed Trump had played hardball with Carrier and won: "He strong-armed them. What's wrong with that?" (According to reports, it was likely the lure of additional tax incentives that convinced Carrier to keep the jobs in Indiana, not being "strong-armed" by Trump.)

Trump's cheerleader-in-chief Sean Hannity was just gobsmacked by the whole thing, saying on his radio program that he "can't think of a time in my lifetime where a president-elect or a president ever" did this.

Hannity loved the fact that Trump reached out to corporate America, which is fascinating because you know what Hannity didn't love in 2009? He didn't love when newly elected President Obama reached out to Detroit's auto industry in the form of an $80 billion-dollar bailout. Back then, an unhinged Hannity called Obama every name in the book as conservative pundits accused the president of trying to destroy democracy and capitalism.

Fox News and the entire right-wing noise machine relentlessly denounced Obama as he tried to rescue American manufacturing jobs, which the federal bailout eventually did. One independent study estimated the aggressive government move saved 1.5 million jobs. "This peacetime intervention in the private sector by the U.S. government will be viewed as one of the most successful interventions in U.S. economic history," the study's author wrote.

Lots of people might forget, especially in light of the bailout's stunning success, but Obama's push to help the Detroit industry once served as a defining line of GOP attack. The bailout symbolized the dangers of Obama's alleged socialist/gangster leanings. This, despite the fact it was actually President George W. Bush who unveiled the first phase of the bailout plan during the final weeks of his presidency, in order to "avoid a collapse of the U.S. auto industry."

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From Common Dreams

It's quite possible that we've lost our best chance to combat climate change, but we must try to contain the damage.



'It's very likely that by the time Trump is done we'll have missed whatever opening still remains for slowing down the trajectory of global warming,' writes Bill McKibben. 'It's very likely that by the time Trump is done we'll have missed whatever opening

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We're going to be dealing with an onslaught of daily emergencies during the Trump years. Already it's begun -- if there's nothing going on (or in some cases when there is), our leader often begins the day with a tweet to stir the pot, and suddenly we're debating whether burning the flag should lose you your citizenship.

These crises will get worse once he has power -- from day to day we'll have to try and protect vulnerable immigrants, or deal with the latest outrage from the white supremacist "alt-reich," or confront the latest self-dealing scandal in the upper reaches of the Tower. It will be a game (though not a fun one), for 48 months, of trying to preserve as many people and as much of the Constitution as possible.

And if we're very lucky, at the end of those four years, we might be able to go back to something that resembles normal life. Much damage will have been done in the meantime, but perhaps not irreparable damage. Obamacare will be gone, but something like it -- maybe even something better -- will be resurrectable. The suffering in the meantime will be real, but it won't make the problem harder to solve, assuming reason someday returns. That's, I guess, the good news: that someday normal life may resume.

The first is the most obvious: The adversary here is ultimately physics, which plays by its own rules. As we continue to heat the planet, we see that planet changing in ways that turn into feedback loops. If you make it hot enough to melt Arctic ice (and so far we've lost about half of our supply) then one of the side effects is removing a nice white mirror from the top of the planet. Instead of that mirror reflecting 80 percent of the sun's rays out to space, you've now got blue water that absorbs most of the incoming rays of the sun, amping up the heat. Oh, and as that water warms, the methane frozen in its depths eventually begins to melt -- and methane is a potent greenhouse gas.

Even if, someday, we get a president back in power who's willing to try and turn down the coal, gas and oil burning, there will be nothing we can do about that melting methane. Some things are forever, or at least for geologic time. But even that slight good news doesn't apply to the question of climate change. It's very likely that by the time Trump is done we'll have missed whatever opening still remains for slowing down the trajectory of global warming -- we'll have crossed thresholds from which there's no return. In this case, the damage he's promising will be permanent, for two reasons.

There's another reason too, however, and that's that the international political mechanisms Trump wants to smash can't easily be assembled again, even with lots of future good will. It took immense diplomatic efforts to reach the Paris climate accords -- 25 years of negotiating with endless setbacks. The agreement itself is a jury-rigged kludge, but at least it provides a mechanism for action. It depends on each country voluntarily doing its part, though, and if the biggest historic source of the planet's carbon decides not to play, it's easy to guess that an awful lot of other leaders will decide that they'd just as soon give in to their fossil fuel interests too.

So Trump is preparing to make a massive bet: a bet that the scientific consensus about climate change is wrong, and that the other 191 nations of the world are wrong as well. It's a bet based on literally nothing -- when The New York Timesasked him about global warming, he started mumbling about a physicist uncle of his who died in 1985. The job -- and it may not be a possible job -- is for the rest of us to figure out how to make the inevitable loss of this bet as painless as possible.

It demands fierce resistance to his silliness -- clearly his people are going to kill Obama's Clean Power Plan, but perhaps they can be shamed into simply ignoring but not formally abrogating the Paris accords. This is work not just for activists, but for the elites that Trump actually listens to. Here's where we need what's left of the establishment to be weighing in: Fortune 500 executives, Wall Streeters -- anyone who knows how stupid a bet this is.

We also have to work at state and local levels to support what we want. The last election, terrible as it was, showed that renewable energy is popular even in red states -- Florida utilities lost their bid to sideline solar energy, for instance. The hope is that we can keep the build-out of sun and wind, which is beginning to acquire real momentum, on track; if so, costs will keep falling to the point where simple economics may overrule even Trumpish ideology. But we also need to be working hard on other levels. The fossil fuel industry is celebrating Trump's election, and rightly so -- but we can continue to make their lives at least a little difficult, through campaigns like fossil fuel divestment and through fighting every pipeline and every coal port. The federal battles will obviously be harder, and we may lose even victories like Keystone. But there are many levers of power, and the ones closer to home are often easier to pull.

None of these efforts will prevent massive, and perhaps fatal, damage to the effort to constrain climate change. It's quite possible, as many scientists said the day after the election, that we've lost our best chance. But we don't know precisely how the physics will play out, and every ton of carbon we keep out of the atmosphere will help. And of course we have to keep communicating, all the time, about the crisis -- using the constant stream of signals from the natural world to help people understand the folly of our stance. As I write this, the Smoky Mountain town of Gatlinburg is on fire, with big hotels turned to ash at the end of a devastating drought. Mother Nature will provide us an endless string of teachable moments, and some of them will break through -- it's worth remembering that the Bush administration fell from favor as much because of Katrina as Iraq.

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The western mainstream media continues to attack, demonize, and smear one of the most accomplished political and revolutionary leaders of the 20th Century. Fidel Castro Ruiz, the former President of Cuba, recently died at the ripe old age of 90 years much to the elation of crude peasant-minded Cuban e'migre's in Florida's "Little Havana," and other like-minded peons in Europe and elsewhere. In a rush to embellish history, mouthpieces for these most backward and subjective elements and sections of the "Cuban opposition" continued the unrelenting characterization of the Cuban revolutionary leader alternatively as "a tyrant and as dictator." The flimsy offered "proofs" points to a self-sustaining, self-reassuring, process that is more designed to convince themselves that they are right than the validity or credence of their spurious claims and assumptions

Permit me therefore to use only TWO things that happened under Fidel Castro's watch and juxtapose them with the so-called "free and enlightened" west, in the context of social progress. So let me first start with the ticklish and oftentimes rancid issue of gay rights. Here in America the struggle for gay rights was and still is an exceedingly contentious one. Only recently, under America's first Black president, that gay rights were recognized and embraced, much to the chagrin of the religious community. Indeed, there is some credence to the fact that Bible Belt, born-again Christians, in the Deep Red South bolted into the arms of Donald Trump because of Hillary Clinton's support for gay rights equating her stance with that of Barack Obamas.

Now let us look at Cuba where a so-called "tyrant" ruled and who was born into a staunch Roman Catholic Church family.

The United States and its western allies have long accused the Castro regime of persecuting gays after the triumph of Cuban Revolution at a time when Roman Catholicism was dominant at ALL levels of Caribbean and Latin American society, and when homosexuality was equated with ungodliness, "devilish" activities. So at that time gays were persecuted in Cuba. There is also no doubt that LGBT rights were non-existent in Cuba in the sixties and for most of the seventies, just as they were throughout much of the world, including the United States.

However, homosexuality was decriminalized in Cuba in 1979. In the United States, presumably more enlightened and not a dictatorship, same-sex sexual activity was only made legal in 2003 after a bitter and still protracted struggle. But let me take this further: It is also worth noting that today homosexuality is criminalized in Saudi Arabia - where it is punishable by death -- a close ally of both the United Kingdom and the United States. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is a society in which women are devalued, are treated as disposable chattel, and people are routinely beheaded for relatively simple infarctions.

The simple truth is that the existence of homophobia in Cuba, Latin America and the Caribbean, predated Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution by about five centuries. It was entrenched as part of the cultural values of Cuban society, indeed the cultural values throughout the region courtesy of the Catholic Church. Fidel Castro grew up with that as some of his cultural and religious values, but to his credit he later renounced them, awakening to the justice of gay and lesbian rights. Today, as Cubans still mourn his death, his own niece, Mariela Castro, plays an active role in the Cuban LGBT community, leading the country's annual gay pride parade in Havana last year.

Now let's talk torture. The Cuban government is always accused of torturing its people for one reason or the other. But such quixotic outbursts again are attempts to obfuscate where the real torture and violation of human rights takes place in Cuba -- Guantanamo Bay. It is here at a United States detention facility that Habeas Corpus does not exist, prisoners have been held without charge for over 15 years now, where torture has been used as a method of interrogation, something substantiated by statements from released prisoners, and where people are held in a facility without access to legal representation. The United States has therefore lost the moral right to accuse Cuba or ANY other nation of the very things of which it's guilty.

Indeed, the valid point to keep in mind when it comes to Cuba and its state of development is that countries and societies do not exist on blank pieces of paper. In so-called emerging nations (Third World) development cannot be separated from the real life struggles against huge obstacles placed in their way by long and sustained histories of rabid colonialism, neo-colonialism, and imperialism, responsible for retarding and deforming their growth and progress in service to the exploitation of their human and natural resources.

For me the legitimacy of the Cuban Revolution lies in its survival in the face of a most petty, punitive, brutal and unjust US blockade, designed solely to starve the country to its knees for daring to refuse to be slaves of global capital. The countries in Cuba's orbit that succumbed and bowed down to the American "Big Stick" model have little to show for it -- look at Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the indictment of social and economic failures wrought by United States intervention and control are evident and present in stark reality.

Fidel Castro was no dictator. Part of this legacy is that he dedicated his entire life to resisting Washington's dictatorship of the Third World. Moreover, as a result of the Cuban Revolution the "right" to be homeless, illiterate, and to go without healthcare no longer exists in Cuba as it does in America today. Fidel Castro was no angel or paradigm of correctness. He was fallible. But I will challenge anyone who can name me just one, only one, 20th century leader who instituted, defended and promoted the most fundamental human rights of all -- the right to be educated, to healthcare that is free at the point of need, and the right to live with dignity and pride in being the citizen of a small island that has stood over decades as a beacon of justice in an ocean of injustice.

This then, is the truth, it is the reason 'they' despise him. Fidel Castro was a towering historical figure that subscribed to the notion that "Cubans must go forward on their feet and not their knees." So to those attempting to rewrite history by creating a cavalier, nonchalant carnival atmosphere over the death of a hero -- with clowns and all -- I'll say this for Fidel: "History Will Absolve Him." The Cuban people have already exposed the lie of the "dictator" by coming out in the millions, not only to pay their last respects, but also to show the world that they will forever remember, love and respect 'El Comandante'.


Kyle Kirchmeier meme

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Dear Sheriff Kirchmeier:

We have been witness to your attacks on Water Protectors at Standing Rock. We have watched as your para-militarized police force, with the assistance of such mercenary outfits as TigerSwan, G4S, and others, have repeatedly assaulted peaceful Sioux Natives on their own lands.

In a major incident on Labor Day Weekend, your men along with uncertified security guards, used military-grade pepper spray and attack dogs to try to drive off peaceful Water Protectors defending tribal burial sites from pipeline bulldozers. At least six were injured when they were bitten by attack dogs. When journalist Amy Goodman aired coverage of this police brutality on Democracy Now, you and other Morton County officials instigated a frivolous lawsuit against her in an obvious ploy to censure the news (click here). Since then, the State Attorney for North Dakota has also engaged in the malicious prosecution of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein and Vice President Ajamu Baraka for joining Native activists at Standing Rock (click here).

In another incident on October 22, police attacked Native American youth during a mass arrest of Water Protectors. During the melee, a member of the Apache Jicarilla tribe, Lauren Howland, had her arm broken when police beat her. She was rescued by Red Fawn Fallis, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe. Soon afterward, Red Fawn became the target of Morton County police for trumped-up charges of alleged attempted murder while resisting arrest. When journalists asked for footage of her arrest, your officers refused to comply (click here). Thereafter, Morton police targeted Howland for re-injury of the same arm in a subsequent attack (click here).

On October 27th, Morton county police attacked Water Protectors with tear gas, tazers, mace, sound canons, rubber bullets and beanbag rounds. Many more people were injured, and over 140 were arrested. In this incident, your department beat and robbed elders engaged in peaceful prayers and had them thrown into dog kennels. Some reported that police wrote numbers on the inside of their arms. At about the same time, the Bureau of Indian Affairs arrested an armed DAPL security contractor, Kyle Thompson, who threatened Water Protectors with an assault rifle when he was discovered trying to infiltrate them (click here).

Morton County officials also engaged in the malicious destruction of protestors' property by pouring paint and mice feces over belongings stolen in the raid. You notified protestors that they could recover their possessions in a field where the debris from the raid was dumped out of garbage trucks. Some reported that sacred items had been urinated on.

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From Paul Craig Roberts Website



McCarthyism

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Seasoned journalist, White House official, and historian Pat Buchanan has responded to the Washington Post's fake news about the independent journalists on the 200 List being Russian agents by reminding us that the US government has always been a major disseminator of fake news.

No one knows who is behind the newly created PropOrNot website that came up with the list of 200 "Russian agents," but it is as likely as not the State Department funded National Endowment for Democracy, which has been peddling propaganda as fake news since its inception. Indeed, it was created for the purpose of destabilizing the Soviet Union. Of course the CIA could be involved, or Israel, or George Soros, or some neoconservative group, or some new government funded organization as a tool of the propaganda war that the Obama regime has vowed to fight.

By publicizing the fake list in the Washington Post, the presstitute newspaper has brought buckets of shame and condemnation upon its head, destroying in the process the thin shred of credibility that the Main Stream media still possessed.

As Pam Martens reports, another imbecile has now composed a list of 200 suspect professors who also dissent from the official bullshit fed to the American people.

The official government purveyors of fake news in the US and their presstitute agents are concerned that they are losing control over the explanations given to the American people.



In an effort to regain control over Americans' minds, they are attempting to define dissenters and truth-tellers as "Russian agents." Why "Russian agents"? Because they hope that their fake news portrait of Russia as America's deadly enemy has taken hold and will result in the public turning away from those of us labeled "Russian agents."

I don't think it is working.


Donald Trump in Reno, Nevada

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This article was first published in Counterpunch

It should be, for any literate person, essentially a truism that Barack Obama and even Hillary Clinton are preferable to Donald Trump, and are also probably preferable to any of the other Republicans who ran for office in 2016. But not by much. Under Obama, we did see some cosmetic reforms to a society in rapid tailspin: The Iran Nuclear Deal, the Paris climate agreements, the pardoning of some nonviolent prisoners from our repulsive penal colonies, are all better to have than not. But all of these concessions -- with the exception of the legalization of gay marriage -- are not only flawed, but they are just that: concessions. Here is the only substantial difference between Democrats and Republicans: Republicans speak for evil and commit evil, while Democrats speak for good but also commit evil.

There has, since Trump's victory, been a great deal of speculation in the mainstream networks about Obama's "legacy" in the hands of Trump. Though I understand that Obama's legacy will have a much different place in history than his record, it may be useful to spend some time analyzing six of the largest, most important tools -- the tools with the clearest implications for our future -- that the Obama administration is handing over to president-elect Donald Trump. These tools are not just inherited, but largely created, by the Obama administration. I'll simply list these tools off as food for thought. The list will, I believe, illustrate that the transition from what the Obama administration has achieved to what the Trump administration says it hopes to achieve will not be much of a transition at all. Indeed, in the most crucial instances, the Obama administration is handing the Trump administration all of the tools it will need to construct what is the most terrifying future we can possibly imagine. If we are willing to accept the realities of climate change and nuclear weapons, then that statement -- the possibility of the most terrifying future we can imagine -- is simply an irrefutable fact. If we are not willing to accept those realities, all the world is an illusion, and any lie can be the same as any truth.

1. The speculation about Trump's foolish unpredictability has been most repeated in something like the following phrase: "Imagine what it will mean if Trump has access to the nuclear codes." The Obama administration, after beginning its time in office promoting an eventual nuclear weapons-free world, is ending with a one trillion-dollar upgrade to America's nuclear arsenal, including a kind of nuclear weapon more tempting to use because it can be scaled to battlefield size, a result that could quickly result in escalation. The Obama administration has, according to the New York Times, "reduced the nuclear stockpile less than any other post-Cold War presidency."

2. Trump has, in his rhetoric, stood behind the mess of the global war of terror, which, largely through the work of investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill, has been exposed committing acts of war in approximately seventy-five countries under the Obama administration, after operating in approximately only twenty-five countries under Bush. This is done largely through the organization JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). No one killed in the targeted-assassination campaign, including American citizens-- one of whom was a sixteen-year-old boy in Yemen -- has the right to due process. If we think the targeted-assassination campaign was lawless and tyrannical under the racism of the Obama administration, we can only imagine how bad it will be under the racism of Trump.

3. In keeping with Trump's calls for increased law and order, militarization of the police has skyrocketed under Obama, after a brief reform for 2015 and then repeal of that reform in 2016. Obama has also long stood behind the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), which, buried within it, has the infamous "indefinite detention" clause, capable of stripping American citizens of due process and holding them indefinitely for "substantial support" for terrorist groups or "associated forces," both nebulous terms, and also asserts that Americans indefinitely detained will be held by the military. This bill could have serious implications in a Trump administration that is frightened by free speech and bound to confront cataclysm and unrest. We can only imagine how Obama's expansions of wholesale surveillance on most of the entire country, along with much of the world, will be used under Trump.

4. Trump has a great deal of rhetoric about unleashing the fossil-fuel industry like never before. But let us compare this to Obama's words on the fossil-fuel industry: "We're not going to transition out of oil anytime soon. And that's why under my administration, America is producing more oil today than at any time in the last eight years. That's why we have a record number of oil rigs operating right now -- more working oil and gas rigs than the rest of the world combined." Comments like this are quite typical of Obama. (Read the rest of the cited speech; it gets worse.) Obama has shown no solidarity with the Standing Rock water protectors as they are brutalized by militarized police forces. He, along with much of the Democratic party beyond its rhetoric, is one of their elite enemies. Hillary Clinton took $775,759 from the oil and gas companies in 2015-16, about $200,000 more than her opponent Donald Trump, and Clinton also, as Secretary of State under Obama, played as much of a role as any American politician of recent history in spreading fracking all over the world.

The Democrats and Republicans are both almost equally ecocidal -- on paper the Obama administration is no better than the Bush administration (it is worse) -- but the difference is that the Democrats talk as if they are not ecocidal. That is the only substantial difference between Democrats and Republicans generally: they do the same things and talk about them differently. Abortion, gay rights, and some other issues on the margins are, of course, exceptions to the rule, but none of those exceptions can be tied to corporate power. On corporate involvement there is complete continuity. The tyrannical free reign of the fossil-fuel industry illustrates this blatantly.

5. Finally, despite Trump's claim that Obama has been "horrible to Israel," and that his own administration would better "support" Israel than Obama's, one of the Obama administration's late, bold moves in office was to throw away $38 billion toward Israel's military arsenal, as professor Sandy Tolen writes: "With its latest promise of military aid [$38 billion] the United States has essentially sanctioned Israel's impunity, its endless colonization of Palestinian land, its military occupation of the West Bank, and its periodic attacks by F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters using Hellfire missiles on the civilians of Gaza."

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Readings for Second Sunday of Advent: IS 11: 1-10; PS 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13; ROM 15: 4-9; MT 3: 1-12

"The meaning of the Incarnation is this: In Jesus Christ, God hits the streets. And preparing for that is the meaning of Advent." (Jim Wallis. "Advent in 2016: Not Normal, Not Now, Not to Come.")

__________

A few days ago I published a review of James Patterson's novel, Woman of God. It's the story of Brigid Fitzgerald, a medical doctor who though female, becomes a priest and candidate for the papacy.

Brigid and her husband (also a dissident priest) decide to form their own Catholic parish. They do so because of the studied irrelevance of the Catholic Church to pressing problems of the real world. The two call their congregation the "Jesus, Mary and Joseph (JMJ) Church." They insist on remaining Catholics not allowing their opponents to drum them out of the church as just another break-away Protestant sect.

The JMJ Church spreads rapidly, largely because it connects Jesus' Gospel with issues of peace and social justice. And though vilified by her local bishop and physically threatened by right wing Catholics, Brigid eventually becomes widely celebrated and is summoned to Rome not for condemnation, but papal approval.

I couldn't help thinking of Woman of God as I read today's liturgy of the word this Second Sunday of Advent. Like the JMJ Church, the first two readings along with the responsorial psalm emphasize the connection between faith and social justice.

Then in today's Gospel, the prophet, John the Baptist, like Brigid Fitzgerald, initiates an alternative community of faith far from the temple in the desert wilderness. John's credibility leads "all Jerusalem and Judea" to see him as a prophet. In fact, (as John Dominic Crossan has pointed out) John becomes for the Jewish grassroots their de facto alternative "High Priest."

To see what I mean, consider that first selection from the prophet Isaiah. It directly links faith with justice for the poor, oppressed and marginalized. In Isaiah's day (like our own) they were typically ignored. By way of contrast, Isaiah's concept of justice consists precisely in judging the poor and oppressed fairly and not according to anti-poor prejudice -- in Isaiah's words, not by "appearance or hearsay." (A clearer statement against contemporary police and/or government profiling can hardly be imagined.)

Not only that, but according to the prophet, treating the poor justly is the key to peace between humans and with nature. Centralizing their needs rather than those of the rich produces a utopian wonderland where all of us live in complete harmony with nature and with other human beings. In Isaiah's poetic reality, lions, lambs, and calves play together. Leopards and goats, cows and bears, little babies and deadly snakes experience no threat from each other. (This is the prophetic vision of the relationship between humans and nature -- not exploitation and destruction, but harmony and mutual respect.)

Most surprising of all, even believers (Jews) and non-believers (gentiles) are at peace. Today's excerpt from Paul's Letter to the Romans seconds this point. He tells his correspondents to "welcome one another" -- including gentiles -- i.e. those the Jewish community normally considered enemies. (That would be like telling us today to welcome Muslims as brothers and sisters whom God loves as much as any of us.)

Today's responsorial psalm reinforces the idea of peace flowing from justice meted out to the "least." As Psalm 72 was sung, we all responded, "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever." And again, the justice in question has the poor as its object. The psalmist praises a God and a government (king) who "rescue the poor and afflicted when they cry out" -- who "save the lives of the poor."

In his own time, the lack of the justice celebrated in today's first three readings infuriates Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist. His disgust forces him out of the temple and into the desert. It has him excoriating the religious leaders of his day as a "brood of vipers."

Unmistakably clothed as a prophet -- in garments that absolutely repudiate the "sacred garb" of his effete opponents -- John lambasts the Scribal Establishment which had normalized relationships with the brutal occupation forces of Rome. As opposition high priest, John promises a religious renewal that will lead to a new Exodus -- this time from the power of Rome and its religious collaborators.

I hope you can see as I do the parallels between the context of John's preaching and our own. We live in a culture where those in charge contravene our faith by openly slandering the poor and marginalized celebrated in today's readings as especially dear to God. I mean since November 8th, all the levers of power (the presidency, the Supreme Court, the House and Senate) find themselves in the hands of billionaires and their friends -- the 1% that the Occupy Movement identified so accurately five years ago. Ironically that richest 1% has succeeded in scapegoating the country's poorest 1% (immigrants) as a major cause of our country's problems. Moreover, they equally vilify other poor and marginalized people: the impoverished in general, brown and black-skinned people, women, the LGBTQ community, environmentalists, protestors and anyone who exposes the crimes of the billionaire class.

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Bernie Sanders: Vermont Senator will support Standing Rock

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Each of these comments were from people who signed the petition I put up less than 24 hours ago on Moveon. At this writing, 1700 have signed it, and I have extracted some of the most articulate comments. This issue is going to become as important as Vietnam was 50 years ago. If you haven't signed the petition to various Democrat members of the US Senate, please do so here:

petitions.moveon.org/dashboard.html?petition_id=116409



The name of the petition is

and it was inspired by press releases, speeches, and letters to the President by Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Harry Reid of Nevada, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Al Franken of Minnesota. We have heard inklings of responses in letters from Michigan's Debbie Stabenow, and diplomatic "middle ground" from North Dakota's Senator Heidi Heitkamp, plus several Congressmen have issued statements, including above all Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, Tim Ryan of Ohio, and Mike Honda of California.

Talking and more words are of course appreciated, but not nearly enough, in this dire situations. These Senators could and should go up to North Dakota not enough, in this dire situation, let the Defenders know that some members of the Senate really care. Let the signers speak for themselves, directly to the United States Senate in toto. Send this to your Senators, please!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Ce'cile Stelzer-Johnson from Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Their brutality against the Standing Rock Sioux is INEXCUSABLE. I want those bastard fired for taking the side of a PRIVATE enterprise against people who are defending their water and their land from thieves. Democrats, here is your chance to help us believe you are for the little guy again! Don't mess it up!

Marilyn Blen from Yamhill, OR The brutality perpetrated by the militarized police, MT National Guard, and private security is a travesty and shame on Obama for ignoring it.

Cheryl Hecker from Fairfield, OH Leave these people's land. Stop this brutality! Go around and protect our watersheds! These brutal attacks on peaceful demonstrators should be met with severe opposition. Senators, call off your dogs, promote peace and well-being - give Mother Earth back to the land!!!

John Jorgensen from Tucson, AZ Senator Jeff Flake, please don't respond with one of your fake concern form letters on a completely different topic.

Karen Special from Annandale, VA. It is a travesty of justice that this has been going on for so long. You have the power of the Senate to change this.

Sandra Streifel from Vancouver, Canada Our First Nations of Canada, particularly, are in solidarity with the Native Americans and their supporters at Standing Rock, but no one deserves the brutality of the violent action those nonviolent activists have received at the hands of the heavily militarized police force on that site. It's reflecting badly on the USA around the globe

Ray Workman from Willard, MO Haven't our indigenous people been mistreated for far too much of American history? Isn't it time to reverse this sad legacy? If not now, When?

Robert and Marilyn Meyers from Windsor, MA These human rights violations must stop. America is becoming a "Banana Republic".

Ysabeault d'Valar -Alba from Gatineau, Canada To respect Native American rights under the Fort Laramie Treaty; to protect the drinking water of millions and the habitat of millions; to save the world from the perils of Global Warming. How many reasons do you need?

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From Reader Supported News



Senator Jeff Sessions with Donald Trump at a campaign rally.

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I've written in the past that the United States has five percent of the world's population and 25 percent of the world's prison population. Most of those prisoners are people of color, and most of them are serving time for drug crimes. Majorities of both parties in Congress support some form of sentencing reform, and they said so with their votes in favor of bills that would have shortened sentences and done away with many mandatory minimums. Until Donald Trump was elected president, that is.

Before the election, a myriad of law enforcement organizations called on both major presidential candidates to publicly support an overhaul of the criminal justice system -- including sentencing reform -- to reduce crime and to improve relations between police and citizens. The move came in the aftermath of repeated failed attempts in Congress to pass comprehensive sentencing reform legislation.

Civil liberties groups have demanded sentencing reform for years. They thought they had a real chance in 2014 when a bipartisan group of senators, led by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Recidivism Reduction and Public Safety Act of 2014 (S. 1675). The bill easily passed the Judiciary Committee.

A similar bill, the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2013 (S. 1410), also passed the committee. Both bills also passed through the House Judiciary Committee. They died on the Senate floor, though, when then-Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) refused to call them up for a vote. A year later, the new majority leader, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), also refused to allow a vote. This was despite President Obama's vocal support for reform.

Both bills, which would have eased sentencing guidelines, done away with mandatory minimum sentences for most drug crimes, and offered incentives for federal prisoners that would have allowed early release for good behavior and for taking GED or vocational classes, had the support of groups as diverse as the American Civil Liberties Union, the conservative Heritage Foundation, former prosecutors, police and prison guard organizations, victims' advocates, prominent conservatives, and faith groups.

The truth is that both bills were good ideas. We have too many "crimes" in the U.S. The only reason they didn't become law is that two stubborn congressional leaders wouldn't allow it. Now, with the appointment of Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as attorney general, sentencing reform is all but dead.

The non-profit Marshall Project wrote recently that things will likely change quickly under Sessions. The new attorney general "helped block broader drug sentencing reform in the Senate this year despite wide bipartisan support, saying it would release 'violent felons' into the street." He will also be tasked with carrying out the new president's policies on private prisons. The Marshall Project noted that candidate Trump told MSNBC's Chris Matthews in June that "I do think we can do a lot of privatizations and private prisons. It seems to work a lot better." Just weeks before the election, Geo Group, the second largest private prison corporation in America, hired two former Sessions aides to lobby in favor of outsourcing federal corrections to private contractors.

Sessions was known as a vigorous prosecutor of drug cases when he served as the U.S. attorney in Alabama in the 1980s. The Marshall Project notes that he believes that the Obama administration erred by prosecuting fewer, but more serious, drug cases. He said in a March Judiciary Committee hearing that "The prison population is declining at a rapid rate. And at the same time, drug use is surging and deaths are occurring. And in my opinion, it's going to get worse." Most Americans will likely read that to mean that there will certainly be more, not fewer, drug prosecutions and more, not fewer, people going to prison on Sessions' watch.

But that's not all the damage Sessions can do. He can advise Trump to issue executive orders that would countermand those executive orders related to reform that were issued by Obama. With the stroke of a pen, for example, Trump could overturn the federal ban on solitary confinement for juveniles. He can, and likely will, overturn the policy of transitioning away from private prisons. Expect the worst.

I wish there were some sign that something, somewhere, related to criminal justice, sentencing reform, and the so-called war on drugs will improve. There is none. Sessions and Trump are the enemies of civil liberties. They are the enemies of reform. Obama's criminal justice reform policy changes are over. Expect the prisons to fill up again.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
The Washington Post building in D.C.

With all the legitimate indignation over the Washington Post resorting to McCarthyesque Red scare tactics naming some 200 internet sites as presenting "fake news", disseminating propaganda or being "useful idiots" of the Russians. As with so much in America today, one may ask why did it have to be this way?

We have a Constitution granting freedom of the press. According to Wikipedia that existed only in Denmark/Sweden at the time and only unofficially in Britain. In most countries the standard practice was the press was an official organ of the state.

Here in the US after the Constitution was ratified in 1788 the press had free reign and the government was required to respect that freedom.

So what has since happened? Let's say periodically over time there were incremental infringements by the government particularly when there was war. In 1917 when Congress enacted the Espionage Act one could be prosecuted for being openly against the US involvement in WWI. Even four time socialist candidate for president Eugene Debs was convicted under the act. Many years later Daniel Ellsberg was tried under the Espionage Act in 1971 for releasing to the New York Times what became known as the Pentagon Papers revealing the truth about the US involvement in the Viet Nam war. Neither Ellsberg or the Times was convicted.

Then of course there was the Washington Post's investigative reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein exposing Watergate and the Nixon administration's attempts to cover up its involvement.

In this instance Woodward and Bernstein's revelations forced Nixon to resign in disgrace in 1974 probably the last time freedom of the press exposed and help hold accountable high level government officials for crimes they committed. But the government would learn never to allow itself be held accountable again.

In the 1980's Iran-Contra involving the Reagan administration-sales of weapons to Iran in exchange for cash to support the Contras in Nicaragua was a different matter. It was a shady deal that was exposed by the press but Congress acted to subvert its own investigation and Reagan and his immediate subordinates were never held accountable for the illegal scam it authorized. Marine Lt. Colonel Oliver North was later convicted on charges relating to the Iran-Contra affair yet he never served a day in jail and all charges were overturned in 1991. Times were changing.

Consider it took some 47 years when in 2000 James Risen of the New York Times exposed the CIA inspired coup in Iran in 1953. This writer didn't become aware of the coup until sometime in 2004 when reading a passage in the New York Review by some now forgotten author who mentioned it in passing. It was a shock to the system. 1953! What a revelation. It made understandable the 1979 Iranian revolution twenty five years later, the taking of US embassy personnel as hostage and why ridding the country of the hated Shah Pahlavi, a close ally of the US government, but a horror to the Iranian people became imperative for the country to throw off its servility to the US since the coup in 1953. The CIA finally admitted 60 years later in 2014 its role in fomenting the overthrow of the legitimately elected government in Iran in 1953, but by then it was old news and no one cared. And if the CIA's admission was reported by the MSM, it must have been buried on the back pages if it was mentioned at all.

In the 1990's Gary Webb an investigative reporter for the San Jose Mercury News exposed the CIA's involvement in the cocaine drug trade. But Webb's revelations and his sources were challenged by the major newspapers and this small paper succumbed to the pressure challenging Webb's investigative reporting of the story. He was fired from the paper, was never able to resume his journalistic career and later committed suicide.

But subsequent events after 9/11 has revealed the MSM "free press" has essentially discarded its skeptical, naturally adversarial role with the government now presenting only "official" Washington's version of events.

Starting with Afghanistan in October 2001 the "free press" has been embedded with the military, no longer able to investigate events independently, so whatever stories come out of Afghanistan or Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Ukraine is essentially whatever the military or US government authorities provided.

Even a casual look at America's so called "free press" reveals all newspapers are corporate owned. Six major corporations own the MSM cable TV "news" and programming.

We have a free press in name only. It's become an unofficial complicit enabler of the government, accepting the government's version of events so the people get from the MSM only what the government provides as its version of events.

Only the alternative press, mostly internet sites like this one-named as one of the 200 providing "fake news"-can people get a broader version of events, many times questioning the "official" government version.

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The Salvation Army Midland Corps has been raising money in its iconic red kettles since Nov. 11, and has raised just under $30,000. While The Salvation Army is excited for this good start, its leaders are worried that at this current rate of giving, it will fall short of its $108,000 kettle goal for the year.

We are at the half way point of our Red Kettle Campaign, and last year at this time, we were about $5,000 ahead of where we are at this point, and were nearly $10,000 behind where we were in 2014 by now, said Captain Brian Goodwill, corps officer of The Salvation Army Midland Corps.

Goodwill attributes part of this to the unseasonably warm weather weve had in recent days.

When the weather is this nice, we find it is both a blessing and a curse, he said. We have more volunteers willing to volunteer to ring the bells at our kettles, but at the same time most donors arent quite in the Christmas spirit yet.

Goodwill said that without the funds coming in at this time of year, The Salvation Army will struggle to help continue providing services to the needy of Midland County.

The money we raise during the six weeks before Christmas is used throughout the year to help provide rent for families facing evictions, or utility payments for families with a shut-off notice, and in many other ways, he said. If we dont reach our fund raising goals, then we have that much less to provide back to our Midland County neighbors coming to us for help throughout the year.

To help promote giving in this time when less and less people are carrying cash, The Salvation Army in Midland has also set up an easy way to give by using a smart phone.

By texting MIRACLES to 71777, people will be directed to a secure website that allows them to donate any amount they choose to The Salvation Army in Midland.

This also provides the opportunity for donors to set up their own virtual kettle and challenge friends and family to give as well.

In addition to giving through the kettles, The Salvation Army is also collecting toys for its annual Toys for Kids Toyshop.

This year, 715 children have registered to receive gifts, so donations of new and unwrapped toys are truly needed.

Collection boxes are located throughout town at nearly 60 different locations and businesses.

A complete listing of collection sites can be found by visiting The Salvation Army Midland Corps website at www.samidland.org

These collection boxes will be out until Dec. 18.

The Salvation Army can also receive donations through the mail at: P.O. Box 1447, Midland, Mich. 48641; or through its website: www.samidland.org

For more information about The Salvation Army of Midland, call (989) 496-2787.
A Saginaw Valley State University educator has earned accolades from colleagues nationally for his commitment to support and empower students with research opportunities.

Jeffrey Smith, SVSUs Malcolm & Lois Field Endowed Chair of Health Sciences, received the Faculty for Undergraduate Neurosciences (FUN) Service Award, given to individuals who contribute to the development of the national organization and its mission of advancing neuroscience studies.

Smith received the award Nov. 13, when he attended the Society for Neurosciences annual conference in San Diego.

He was nominated in part by students such as Zackary Bowers, an SVSU psychology major from Freeland. He said Smiths leadership encourages an academic curiosity that enables students to succeed in classrooms and research laboratories alike.

With Jeff, finding your passion in neuroscience is what matters, Bowers said. As long as you are willing to work hard, he will work twice as hard to provide you with opportunities.

Bowers has experienced Smiths empowering impact first-hand. This year, Bowers attended two national conferences to present research conducted with Smiths help in the SVSU Brain Research Lab. Bowers received an Undergraduate Student Outstanding Poster Award from among 180 poster presentations at the Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience conference in May.

He demonstrates, on a national scale, how our faculty are willing to go above and beyond for undergraduate education and the societies which support them, Bowers said.

One of the societies Smith supports includes FUN, which Smith first joined in 1999. From 2013-15, he served in various leadership roles for the group, including as its president.

Lisa Gabel, another former FUN president, was one of the individuals who presented the Service Award to Smith in San Diego.

For Jeff, it is all about the students, said Gabel, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.

He worked tirelessly to develop lasting relationships with our sponsors to increase the number of travel awards we are able to offer to exceptional students to attend the Society for Neuroscience meeting. Jeff is dedicated to the development of undergraduate research and has provided the opportunity for SVSU undergrads to participate and lead award-winning projects that are presented at national conferences and ultimately published in peer-reviewed journals.

Smith joined SVSU in 2010; he completed a Ph.D. at Emory University. He called receiving the award a tremendous honor.

FUN is a great organization, he said. Its not just an organization dedicated to research; members are very supportive of each other and are active in helping each other become better teacher and better practitioners of neuroscience.

In 2016, SVSU added a neuroscience major to the curriculum. It features teaching and research activities of faculty members from the departments of biology, chemistry, health sciences and psychology.
To the editor:

Where there is great love there are always miracles.  Willa Cather. The Foster Closet of Midland County is certainly proof of this statement!

The community of Midland has responded with great love to the needs of foster children and their foster families. In 2015, Midland County saw 95 children in the foster community. Since opening our doors in October 2016 we have already served 17 children ranging from infancy to 15 years old. With many children arriving with only the clothing on their backs, thanks to your generosity, we are now able to provide, at no cost, outerwear, bedding, clothing, shoes, socks, school supplies if needed, diapers, car seats and other infancy supplies, all under one roof.

Thank you Midland County! Thank you to our many generous private donors and businesses that have offered their great love to help support the foster community.

As the winter season is upon us, the Foster Closet of Midland County is in need of new mittens, warm hats, boots, snow pants, winter coats and new toys. Holy Family Episcopal Church of Midland, located at 4611 Swede Ave., has graciously offered to place a collection box in their church entryway specifically for The Foster Closet of Midland County. If you are able to make such a donation we humbly thank you on behalf of the many children we will serve.

We welcome your continued prayers and support as we look to caring for the foster children of our community with great love. Thank you for being a part of the many miracles already unfolding.

NANCY WOLANIN

Branch Manager

DEB BALLARD

Branch Manager

UMBAREEN JAMIL KHAN

Board member

ABBY STEIN

Board Member

JUDY STEIN

Board Member
Before the 114th Congress comes to an end in less than a month, we in Congress need to come together, Republicans and Democrats, to step up and help the people of Flint.

Families in Flint have not been able to trust the drinking water coming out of their tap in more than two years. A federal judge recently ruled that the state of Michigan must deliver bottled water to Flint residents who lack access to safe drinking water. Bottled water and filters, however, are only temporary solutions.

Simply put, Flint needs action now. It is time for Congress to make the necessary investment to repair the water infrastructure in Flint. The Flint water crisis represents a failure of government. Considering the federal governments failure to blow the whistle on what was happening in Flint, Congress needs to use its power to immediately deliver much needed relief that the families in Flint deserve.

This is why both of us will continue to fight to make sure our colleagues in Congress understand the importance of passing legislation that includes aid for Flint before the end of the year. This will be a continuation of more than a year of our work together to help Flint. These efforts serve as an example to our colleagues in Congress that helping Flint families and children is not a partisan issue.

Just this past August, we were in Flint together. No matter where we went, we both heard firsthand the same voices. Folks are tired of the partisan blame game. They want answers. And they want results.

Earlier this year, we jointly introduced the Safe Drinking Water Act Improved Compliance Awareness Act, a commonsense bill that would require state and federal government officials to notify citizens immediately when the government learns of lead contamination in drinking water. This bill passed in the House of Representatives overwhelmingly with a vote of 416 to 2.

In addition, we both requested that the federal government declare Flint a federal emergency, which allowed significant resources like millions of bottles of water, thousands of filters, hundreds of federal health and water experts and over $400 million in federal grants to reach the ground and people in need.

Moreover, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a forward-looking hearing on the Flint water crisis in April to hear from health experts like Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha about the medical needs of the community.

Finally, nearly the entire Michigan delegation in the House voted for an amendment to send $170 million in aid to Flint. This amendment passed the House by a vote of 284 to 141, with more than 100 Republicans in support. While each of these steps forward has been important for Flint, they are not enough.

Now that Congress is back, we will have one goal  ensuring our colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, join us in sending much needed aid to the people of Flint. We both plan on continuing to vigorously pursue these funding efforts  whether that is part of a bipartisan water infrastructure package or in any year-end legislation to keep the government funded.

Before we are Republican or Democrat, we are Americans. And part of being an American is helping those in need  be it the people impacted by the flooding in Louisiana and Texas or those harmed by the water crisis in Flint. When their fellow citizens are in need, Americans come together, and we are committed to making sure their Congress will do the same to help the people of Flint. We will not stop until the work is done.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee is a Democrat representing Michigans 5th congressional district. U.S. Rep. Fred Upton is a Republican representing Michigans 6th congressional district.
Chainsaw Man Season 1: The anime community is now buzzing about Chainsaw Man. Although the manga has been out for 

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Three B-52 Stratofortresses from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 2.

This short-term deployment will ensure bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency, and will provide opportunities to integrate capabilities with regional partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.



During the deployment, the B-52s will conduct local training sorties in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility, allowing the crews to hone skills in several key capabilities including command and control, air refueling and long-range navigation.

U.S. Strategic Command regularly tests and evaluates the readiness of strategic assets to ensure it is able to honor all security commitments.
Jasmine is a single mother of three living in Normal and studying at Heartland Community College to be a certified nurses assistant. To support her family, she works as an in-home caretaker through an area agency.

Shes the kind of person you root for, an underdog you want to see win. Articulate, motivated and optimistic, Jasmine has a dream of someday becoming a registered nurse.

But as sometimes happens, reality threw Jasmine a curve ball. After being off work due to the birth of her daughter, she ran low on money. Recently she was $500 short on the $720 rent.

I had already asked family members for help so that resource wasnt available, she said. I was back to work, but I couldnt get ahead of the bills. I had nowhere to turn and was feeling desperate.

Jasmine is not alone when it comes to this kind of crisis; hundreds of needy families in our community are experiencing the same worry and anxiety. The rent is due, the kids need clothes and the refrigerator is empty.

Then Jasmine heard about an organization in Bloomington-Normal, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides local families with one-time financial assistance for rent and utilities. The group collects about $10,000 to $12,000 monthly from generous donations. Because the society is all volunteers, nearly 100 percent of the donations goes toward helping local people.

As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to chat with Jasmine. Our brief conversation was a powerful reminder of the great need in our community. I was inspired by her determination, and by knowing we all have the chance to make a difference in others lives.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is associated with four Catholic parishes in the area, but religion does not factor into the assistance process. You dont have to go to church to receive help. Our group, however, tries to be the compassionate face of God for anyone who comes to us.

Requests for financial help come in every week via a phone line at St. Patricks Church of Merna. Volunteers meet face to face with the person to discuss the situation, such as Jasmines rent. Each case is individually reviewed and assistance is limited to once a year per household.

Volunteers work directly with local landlords and utilities companies to arrange payment; money is never given to an individual. Sometimes a plan is suggested to help families avoid repeated financial problems.

The need in our town continues to grow. In 2016, the society helped nearly 475 households, an increase from 324 in 2015 and 200 in 2014. Only about half the requests are filled because money runs out.

Not only did I receive help with the rent, they even brought some diapers for my daughter, said Jasmine. Every little bit helps.

She added, There are a lot of people who are trying to do everything they can to get back on track and get things in order. Im trying to make career for myself, but needed a hand.

Receiving a helping hand has had a profound impact on Jasmine.

I am so incredibly grateful. You just dont know how it is until youre on your last leg and have nowhere to turn. When Im able, I am going to volunteer so I can help someone else. I want to pay it forward.

Charity is a blessing not only to the receiver, but especially to the giver. Is the Christmas spirit moving you to act? During this season, there are countless ways to make a difference in the lives of others such as The Pantagraph's Goodfellow Fund or St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Patricks Church of Merna.

One act of kindness may be all thats needed to help someone like Jasmine get back on track. Your generosity could be the Christmas miracle they need.
Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.
CLINTON  Tim Followell's relief over an agreement by Illinois lawmakers that will keep the Clinton Power Station open was tempered with a dose of caution about the long-term future of the nuclear plant that provides vital tax revenue and jobs to the community.

"This is a 10-year plan. We can't get comfortable that this issue wouldn't rise up again," Followell, Clinton's city administrator, said on Friday.

City officials and residents breathed a sigh of huge relief Thursday night with news from Springfield that Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to sign the Future Energy Jobs Bill.

The legislation approved by the General Assembly will bring $235 million in annual ratepayer subsidies to Exelon Corp's Clinton and Quad Cities and boost investments in renewable power and energy efficiency.

For Clinton, the agreement that becomes effective June 1, means job security for about 700 workers and an uninterrupted flow of tax revenue to entities like the Clinton school district where $8 million  50 percent of its total property tax revenue  comes from the power plant.

Exelon will halt the process it started several months ago to close the single-unit Clinton plant in 2017. Its plant in the Quad Cities was scheduled to close a year later, but that won't happen either.

Exelon spokesman Brett Nauman said the bill preserves the jobs at the Clinton plant and a total of 4,200 jobs at the Quad Cities plant and across the state.

"Along with keeping open two of Illinois' reliable and efficient nuclear power plants, the bill will maintain the state's competitive electric rates while preserving and creating tens of thousands of jobs," said Nauman.

On Friday, Clinton schools Superintendent Curt Nettles said "it feels like a big weight has been lifted. I feel we can pick up and move forward without those Draconian cuts that would have come eventually."

He also agreed that the city and county should continue efforts to attract new business and expand the area's economy "so we're not so reliant on this one thing."

The school chief applauded state and local officials who participated in lengthy and intense negotiations that resulted in passage of the bill that Gov. Bruce Rauner says he will sign into law.

DeWitt County Board Chairman David Newberg said he considered the agreement to be a long shot as negotiations dragged on for more than a year.

"The good news is we got through it and people haven't lost their jobs," said Newberg.

The need to plan for a day when the nuclear plant stops generating power and tax revenue has been recognized by the county and others in the community, said Newberg.
NORMAL  In addition to Chicago-style hot dogs, Portillo's expects to bring 150 jobs to the Twin Cities.

The Oak Brook-based restaurant chain plans to level off at that many employees after initially hiring 200 for its restaurant opening next summer at 202 Landmark Drive in Normal, said Nick Scarpino, vice president of marketing and public relations.

Therell be room for approximately 200 people to eat inside and about 50 people to eat in an outside patio area, Scarpino told The Pantagraph on Friday. Were also looking to have a double drive-thru lane all around the building.

The business also plans to apply for a liquor license and sell beer on tap.

All Portillos have a theme. ... (Normal's) is a 1920s Chicago gangster theme, and what that means is well suspend a 1930s car or truck from the ceiling, Scarpino said of decor.

When asked why it was necessary for a developer to build the restaurant and get $1.8 million in future sales tax money, however, he declined comment.

Weve done both in our history. Weve bought land and developed it ourselves, and we've worked with developers, Scarpino said of how the chain approaches construction. It depends on each situation.

Developer Bloomington Landmark Development Inc., which includes Chicago developer and frequent Twin City investor Tartan Realty Group, will buy the site Portillo's wants, currently a Motel 6 on Veterans Parkway and knock down the motel. Portillo's will build the restaurant and lease the land.

The Normal City Council will consider an agreement Monday sending all local sales tax and food and beverage tax revenue produced by Portillo's to the developer temporarily.

That would stop when the developer receives $1,825,271 or "an 8 percent return on project expenses incurred by the developer," whichever is less, as well as "simple interest at the rate of 8 percent per year on any outstanding balance," according to the agreement.

That's necessary because the developer won't make enough from the site to achieve an acceptable rate of return, said City Manager Mark Peterson.

Scarpino estimated the restaurant will produce an average yearly sales volume between $7 million and $8 million. If revenue is $8 million, the town will start receiving sales tax just after the start of the restaurant's sixth year in business, according to town documents.

"Im hopeful people understand as a business, we generate a lot of jobs and tax dollars for the community, Scarpino said.

Peterson defended the deal, which he compared to one between the town and Swift Hospitality Group to turn the closed Holiday Inn off Interstate 55 on Main Street into a Radisson Hotel. That deal involved up to $4.85 million in future tax money, including in tax increment financing and hotel/motel tax money.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Interior designer Michelle Fries grew up in St. Paul, Minn., but has lived around the globe, from San Francisco to Shanghai -- her design sensibility influenced by each city she called home.

In 2006, she and her husband, David, settled in Minneapolis to raise their family, and built a sprawling three-level home. The tall-ceilinged spaces echoed. "We had to call each other on the phone to find each other," said Michelle.

By 2014, Michelle yearned for simpler, one-level living -- and a different look. "I've always been drawn to midcentury modern style," said Michelle, who attends "Modernism Week" events in Palm Springs, Calif. "It has clean lines and big windows that connect the inside with the outdoors."

Whenever the couple got a chance, they drove around Sunnyslope, a secluded Edina, Minn., neighborhood boasting spacious yards, hoping to find a big older rambler they could renovate to fit their family's lifestyle.

One day, they spied a real estate agent pounding in a "For Sale" sign in front of a one-story house surrounded by a large flat yard. The Frieses stepped inside to take a look. When Michelle saw the midcentury-style clerestory windows, sloped ceilings and the unobstructed view through the house to the backyard, she was hooked. "It was exactly what I was hoping for," she said.

Sure, the dwelling, built in 1949 and since remodeled several times, would require many cosmetic updates. But Michelle, owner of BeDe Design, was undaunted. "I knew I could take it to the next level of more grown-up midcentury style -- give it a more playful, edgy aesthetic," she said.

But before she could change the interiors, Michelle enlisted builder and designer Mark Peterson of MA Peterson for his input on an owners' suite addition, as well as changes to improve flow and functionality for their family.

"They wanted more space, but we didn't want to go up and lose the look of midcentury modern," said Peterson. "And the lot was big enough to bump out."

Peterson angled the 980-square-foot addition out the back of the home, creating a spot for a private U-shaped backyard patio outfitted with a bar and seating for outdoor entertaining. "We never sat outside at the old house," said David. "Here the inside and outside flow together."

Inside the addition, the new owners' bedroom has a vaulted ceiling punctuated with clerestory windows to match the home's original architecture. Michelle chose minimalist industrial elements, such as a heated concrete floor and a rebar railing around an intimate screen porch off the suite.

Another major enhancement was a basement-level sport court built beneath the owners' suite. "The kids are getting into their teenage years, and it's a place to play when friends come over," said David. "But we all use it."

However, the most dramatic transformation was the kitchen, which went from dark cherrywood to cool blue glazed tile spanning floor to ceiling. Michelle was tired of the horizontal subway tile look, so she went with a vertical pattern, which "makes the room feel taller -- and is more interesting," she said.

"Subtle design makes a huge impact," agreed Peterson. "Just by angling the peninsula, it creates better flow."

Fries completed her one-of-a-kind kitchen with laminate cabinets accented with a textural "driftwood" finish and floating open shelves wrapped in stainless-steel veneer. "No one has to ask where the wine glasses are," she said.

As part of the extreme makeover, Peterson also did "nips and tucks to connect the spaces visually," he said. The final floor plan of reconfigured spaces includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms. To let in more light, Peterson also added big picture windows to the front of the home. When visitors approach the front entry, they can admire an oil painting the couple bought in Shanghai through one of the new windows.

The rambler refresher course also extended to the home's facade. "The tired exterior needed new color and materials," said Peterson, who replaced the old asphalt roof with a shiny metal one. "Now it really has a midcentury modern feel."

After the seven-month project was completed, the Fries family moved in. Now it was time for Michelle to infuse her eclectic style, which she describes as "boho-modern," into each space. "I like to start with a calm neutral background and layer in wild colors and patterns and chunky fabrics," she said.

Michelle collects unique pieces at small local markets on her travels. She has an affinity for Asian antiques. She suspended a centuries-old Chinese wood door from the dining room wall, and displays a rice paddle from Thailand in the living room.

For striking contrasts, she intermingles "hippie" accessories, such as a woven blanket with long fringe, scored at estate or garage sales. She buys most of their modern clean-lined sofas and chairs from retailers including Room and Board and CB2.

Michelle found that midcentury modern architecture poses some design challenges. "The sloped pitched rooflines are very funky," she said. "It was hard to get my head around ceiling height and making sure light fixtures were scaled properly."
BLOOMINGTON  The Bloomington Police Department is looking for a man in connection with a gunfire incident that resulted in bullets hitting a Bloomington business and two vehicles on Thanksgiving night.

Police were called to Main Street Convenience at 1919 S. Main St. in Bloomington at 7:09 p.m. and found evidence of shots fired inside the business and in two vehicles in the parking lot. No one was hurt.

Several McLean County warrants have been issued for Bobby James, 35, who BPD thinks may still be in the Twin City area.

James is described by police as a black man, 6-feet tall, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

James is wanted on four counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm into an occupied building, one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and nine counts of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of James, is asked to contact detective Thomas Rena at 309-275-5345 or email thomas.rena@usdoj.gov

If you want to remain anonymous, call McLean County Crime Stoppers at (309) 828-1111. If your call leads to the arrest and indictment of suspect(s) you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Cocaine  A Peoria man who allegedly told police he was "on a drug run" after he was stopped for speeding faces felony drug charges.

Timothy Mays told an Illinois State trooper that the cocaine officers found under his seat was sold "to friends and strippers" to support his drug habit, according to a statement read in McLean County Circuit Court by Assistant State's Attorney Jeff Horve.

Mays refused to let officers look at his cell phone because it contained information on his drug business, said Horve.

Mays is being held in lieu of $100,000 on charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Armed violence  Weapons, armed violence and drug charges are pending against a Chicago man.

Dion Williams, 37, was arrested after he allegedly sold an illegal look-alike substance to a confidential Bloomington police source. After the drug transaction, police found a 9 mm hand gun in the suspect's waistband, according to a prosecutor's statement.

Williams claimed that he carried the weapon "because he had been robbed and shot before," said the prosecutor.

Williams is being held in lieu of $50,035.
This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool!
A verified prediction from social psychology experts is narrowed into a simple theory that as long as there are these terrorism threats, disunity in the world will even intensify and the people are more scared if not paranoid.

Deadly terrorist attacks worldwide are causing a mass psychological condition that brings out the nationalism self-defense in the world. United Kingdom's concluded Brexit and Donald Trump's victory in the United States are the results of TMT, first disclosed in the 1980s based on Ernest Becker's Pulitzer Prize-winning work of philosophy and psychology, as echoed by QZ.

The belief in the afterlife in many religions that gives birth to immortality is also echoed in the political and national arenas that aim to create a symbolic forever living. The cultural nature to battle the massive fear certainly leads to terrorism anxiety like a mass hysteria.

Based on the principles of hypothesis, if people resort to TMTor Terror Management Theory to be able to continue living, the more we should be reminded through our faith and communities that we are indeed mortals. An experiment among Iranian and US college groups of students shows very disturbing results.

Iranian students who are aware of the consequences of death were supportive of the so-called martyrdom on terrorism attacks against the US, while students in the controlled were against them. On the same way, US students who are reminded of death are supportive of extreme military attacks as counter-terrorism strategies that can also many innocent civilians.

The result of the study clearly shows how the world can be divided just by reminding people that they can die. Nations under terrorism threats can become very hostile towards those who have different cultures. Mortality indeed can amplify nationalism and intensify bias movements against groups with different opinions. It is evident that death reminders can be effectively used to lure voters during elections, according to Psychology Today.
Children with disabilities need special care, not just through the medical and emotional aspects,but also with their education. The free appropriate public education program in the U.S. for disabled children is still pending and special education advisors are not very hopeful about it in the coming years. However, if one is to consider any moral standards and conform them, it becomes quite clear that disabled children are equally part of the American constitution and must be catered to accordingly.

According to Forbes, Senator Jeff Sessions, who is likely to be appointed the US attorney general, has gathered quite a critical approach towards himself. Shannon Des Roches Rosa, the senior editor at Thinking Person's Guide to Autism, and herself is a mother to an autistic child, expressed that the senator has no understanding of inclusion.

Inclusion is making students thrive in the same place with different curriculums designed to meet the requirements of the children. This system is proven to help all students equally regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network also have reservations about Session's role as the head of the justice department. ASAN stated that Session is not capable of protecting the rights of the disabled and underdeveloped population. Session in his earlier statement called IDEA 97 an undermining process, and regard it the reason of disturbing problems for teachers.

Alabama Today also shares the concerns over new US Attorney General's impact on special education rights. Jeff sessions have a particularly strict point of view on laws regarding special children's education, he said that by selecting separate syllabus for special children in the same schools, gives a sense of substandard education for these children.

Although the law insists that whatever shortcomings special children have, are due to physical or mental problems and it should not keep them from entering the same educational system as other children.
Results of new research reveal that mothers who give birth prematurely and do not receive any psychological help are five times susceptible to depression, which could last up to eight years. Melbourne's Royal Women's Hospital conducted a study that compared data gathered from mothers and babies who received therapy versus those who received no care at all.

The first group had at least nine visits from psychologists and physiotherapist while the second group never saw a specialist after child birth. According to ABC, results reveal that almost 27 percent of mothers who delivered their babies prematurely and did not receive any intervention suffer from symptoms of depression. A whopping 42 percent display indications of anxiety.

According to lead researcher and associate professor Alicia Spittle from the Royal Women's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, the statistics are surprisingly high. The level of depression and anxiety is alarming and providing support and intervention is a must.

On the other hand, results reveal a significant drop in the anxiety and depression rates among women who received psychological help. Only 5 percent of the mothers who received intervention displayed signs of depression while 22 percent were associated with anxiety indicators.

According to JAMA Network, intervention programs should provide support to the relationship of the mother and her premature baby. It can be expected that a baby's bond with his mother can be affected by spending months in the hospital after being born ahead of schedule.

Dr. Spittle says mothers often miss opportunities to attend psychological support groups due to the critical situation of their premature babies. Of course, when a mother worries for her baby who might get an infection or catch a virus, she would rather stay at home and worry. This makes them vulnerable to depression and anxiety.

Mental health care professionals encourage mothers to seek intervention. The reason? No matter how trivial the matter may seem, it is proven to have long-term differences.
Inside the East African people group, individuals are not so much discussing this as Abdi Warsame said, Ward 6 Minneapolis City Council Member. A lack of data on autism range issue has likewise brought forth shame inside the Somali people group.

Minnesota Daily News reported, while many influenced families battle to discover appropriate care to their kids, University of Minnesota researchers are attempting to better comprehend the extension and social effect of the disorder on Minneapolis' East African population. In Somalia, confusion persuades that those influenced by autism are insane, Ahmed said. Ahmed also said that in their language, there is no such word as "autism." Those worries have reached out to Minnesota's Somali people group, where the disorder is exceptionally derided, said Asli Ashkir, senior RN expert with the Minnesota Department of Health.

A University of Minnesota study demonstrated that in 2010, 1 in 32 Somali children in Minneapolis had a mental imbalance, compared with the city's general rate of 1 in 48. At first, numerous in the group were wary about the discoveries of the University's study, Warsame said.

Since autism is infrequently analyzed in Somalia, he said guardians thought about whether something in the U.S. brought about the disorder, for example, sustenance, ecological elements or immunizations. Minnesota Department of Health reported that they found out that 45 percent of Somali kids in Minnesota got the measles, mumps, and rubella immunization in 2013, which was down from 92 percent in 2004. Minnesota Department of Health attempts to teach the group about a mental imbalance and scatter fears about how kids build up the disorder, said Ashkir. At the point when guardians get some information about the connection between the MMR immunization and autism, she demonstrates them different research considers that have disproved the affiliation.

Despite outreach, a few guardians keep their kids in the house and far from the judgment of others - planning to fight off names of emotional well-being issues forced on their children, Ashkir said.

"I remember I used to hide from my neighbors. My parents, my mom, my dad - I never told them anything," Ahmed said. "I went through a lot of depression."

Egal said that Minnesota DHS is leading similar effort in the Somali people group, which includes making care groups for guardians to share their encounters. The new research is a little stride toward deciding the reason for the high predominance of an autism range issue in the Somali people group, Hewitt said, adding that it's harder to get financing for a subsequent study given the little size of the populace."We have to incrementally build an argument to get to the kind of resource that's needed to do a big enough study that would look at potential causes," she added.

Community individuals and supporters don't observe encourage look into as an answer for the developing issue. Ahmed said she isn't occupied with a subsequent study since it won't help children as of now managing the common struggles of autism. "It's just wasting of money," she said. Rather, Ahmed told me she'd get a kick out of the chance to see financing go toward teaching more guardians who battle to nurture kids with autism range issue

Warsame said the city additionally launched a program a month ago with the Minneapolis Fire Department to find missing kids and defenseless grown-ups. The SafetyNet Tracking Systems program furnishes wristbands with novel computerized ID numbers and frequencies that fire trucks can recognize. Ahmed already ordered the bracelets for her children. At this moment, she said she has a caution framework and bolts on each way to ensure her sons can't get out.

The wristband program is one exertion that could help guardians of children with autism in the Somali people group, and Warsame said he supposes it will facilitate guardians' stresses over their kids straying.

According to BBC, it's also important to recall that autism isn't who a man is, despite everything they have their intrinsic nature and character.


Are pushy parents making their children cruel? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. A recent study claims that parents who put too much pressure on their children will likely make them cruel, anxious and socially awkward.

According to the study done by researchers at Arizona State University, parents who value more achievements over social skills like kindness and compassion are actually harming the social development of their children. Their children would grow up to be anxious and depressed.

Furthermore, the result of the study shows that pressured children are likely to have low grades, prone to acting out in school, having learning problems and generally having a disruptive personality. These children also show signs of having low self-esteem.

Professor Suniya Luthar says that it is beneficial for children to have strong social skills and networks. But putting more focus on physical validation like high grades and extra-curricular honors has a bigger negative effect on the child's self-worth, thus leading to a more insecure, anxious and distressed kid.

The study also claims that there is a consistent correlation between school grades and the mental well-being of the children. It did not matter which parent or both parents are doing the pushing, the end result will still lead to a negative impact on the child's mental and social development.

The researchers do warn that they do not condone altogether, scrapping the value of achievements in academics. It is more of achieving the right kind of pressure and the right way to press a child in doing something well or doing something right.

The study, published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, was conducted among 506 grade six pupils from high-income families. The students were asked to rank the top three things their parents think they should value more. Among the values to be ranked were about good grades, successful career, kindness, and decency. The ranked values were then compared to the student's academic performance and behavior in school.

Co-author of the study, Dr. Lucia Ciciolla says that putting pressure on children to do well is not bad in itself. It negatively affects the children when the emphasis of the parents overshadows values on personal growth, interpersonal connections and community well-being.

The key to make a child do well is about balance. "The more parents are able to balance their encouragement of personal success with the encouragement of maintaining kindness and personal decency, the more likely it is that children will do well," Dr. Luthar says.
In September Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple Refocuses Project Titan towards Advanced System Software and away from a Dreamy iCar." While the report provided a broad overview of Project Titan, the focus was on a report by the New York Times that claimed Apple was indeed rethinking Project Titan. "Apple has shuttered parts of its self-driving car project and laid off dozens of employees, according to three people briefed on the move who were not allowed to speak about it publicly." Then in October we posted a report titled "Apple's Canadian Office is Focused on Developing carOS." Apple was aggressively hiring key people from BlackBerry's QNX software division working on the driverless car market. Yesterday, a letter from Apple to U.S. transportation regulators dated November 22, 2016 was made public. The letter reveals Apple's position on a number of key issues surrounding the future of autonomous vehicles. The letter was in response to the Obama administration who sought feedback from Silicon Valley's leading technology companies regarding all facets of autonomous vehicles from safety through to ethics.

The letter from Steve Kenner, Apple's director of product integrity, to the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offered no details on Apple's specific autonomous vehicle project, but did state that Apple "is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation."

While the letter is far from being a smoking gun regarding Project Titan and their plans for an autonomous vehicle, the depth of Apple's feedback in this letter to the Obama administration does reveal the scope of Apple's understanding of the top issues facing those involved in the manufacture and designing of autonomous vehicles and their systems. Below is but one example of Apple's depth on this subject matter:

"Apple agrees that companies should share de-identified scenario and dynamics data from crashes and near-misses. Data should be sufficient to reconstruct the event, including timeseries of vehicle kinematics and characteristics of the roadway and objects. By sharing data, the industry will build a more comprehensive dataset than any one company could create alone. This will allow everyone in the industry to design systems to better detect and respond to the broadest set of nominal and edge-case scenarios. Apple looks forward to collaborating with other stakeholders to define the specific data that should be shared."

This particular paragraph suggests that Apple is deeply involved in this area of research and is willing to share with "other stakeholders" so that collectively they could can find better solutions. You could review the entire letter for yourself in part two of our report here.

As with this year's encryption issue, Apple stresses the need for consumer privacy while research on autonomous vehicles is being conducted:

"Data sharing should not come at the cost of privacy. Apple believes that companies should invest the resources necessary to protect individuals' fundamental right to privacy. Apple supports NHTSA's privacy principles, and believes the industry should refine the Consumer Privacy Protection Principles to be more aligned with the Policy. Apple urges NHTSA, industry partners, and relevant federal agencies to continue to address privacy challenges associated with the collection, use, and sharing of automated vehicle data. Apple encourages collaboration with privacy experts beyond the automotive industry."

Apple also endorses the position "That companies employ a range of hazard and threat analysis methods to identify and mitigate potential safety and cybersecurity issues early in development and as technologies evolve."

And lastly, Apple's Director of Product Integrity Steve Kenner noted in the letter that "Apple appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Policy. Apple commends the Department of Transportation and NHTSA for facilitating a national conversation about the safe and ethical development and deployment of automated vehicles. Apple looks forward to collaborating with NHTSA and other stakeholders so that the significant societal benefits of automated vehicles can be realized safely, responsibly, and expeditiously."

Apple's letter to Department of Transportation and NHTSA was first discovered by Venture Beats.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.
Pope Francis officially recognized today the martyrdom of Father Stanley Rother, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who was killed in Guatemala, making him the first martyr born in the United States. This recognition of his martyrdom clears the way for his beatification.

Already on June 25th, 2015, a theological commission at the Congregation of the Causes of Saints voted to formally recognize him as a martyr. At that critical moment, the Archbishop of Oklahoma City stated that Father Rother laid down his life for Christ and for the people of his parish in Guatemala, whom he dearly loved. It is very encouraging to move one step closer to a formal recognition by the Church of Father Rothers heroic life and death as a martyr for the Gospel. After many steps in this process, Pope Francis has now given final recognition of the martyrdom of Stanley Rother.

Father Stanley Rother died while serving the flock entrusted to him as a missionary to the indigenous people of Guatemala. He knew that remaining with his parishioners in Santiago Atitlan was his death sentence due to the tense political situation, yet he stayed. A few years ago I visited Santiago Atitlan and spent the night in the room adjacent to the room where he was shot. I met people who knew him and worked with him. I met one of his seminary classmates. I met the woman who cleaned the crime scene. I heard stories from priests who saw him pacing back and forth in a chapel in Guatemala City days before his martyrdom. A military death squad killed him in 1981. Father Rother had become a threat to the government because he was helping the indigenous and defending them against a government that had little use for them.

The following text is taken from a prayer card of Servant of God Father Stanley Rother, Oklahoma Martyr:

Father Stanley Rother, born March 27, 1935, grew up in Okarche, Oklahoma, and was ordained a priest in 1963. Five years later, he received the call to serve in the Oklahoma mission in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala.

Through the years, Father Rother learned the local Tzutuhil dialect, served the people with devotion, and was deeply loved by the parishioners. Political unrest swept the country in the 1970s and in 1980 four priests were killed in Guatemala.

In his Christmas letter of 1980, Father Rother wrote: The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger. Nevertheless, as conditions worsened, he came back to Oklahoma. After a short time, despite the danger, he returned to the mission because of his love for the people.

On the night of July 28, 1981, three men entered the rectory, tortured and shot Father Rother. Father Rothers heart is buried in the church in Guatemala and his body is buried at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Okarche. The official Cause for Beatification of Father Rother was begun in October 2007. We now pray that the Church will declare him a martyr and a saint.

The prayers have been answered and Father Rother will be beatified in the near future. He is an example of selfless love and service in imitation of Christ.

Pictures are mine, all rights reserved except featured image of Father Rother, which is a scan copy of his prayer card.
Before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube made their entry in the media market, the PatnaDaily had already registered its presence in...
Patna: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, while returning from Nepal where he was holding an yoga camp for the last few days, stopped by in Patna for a few hours during which he met with an ailing Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav to wish him speedy recovery from his illness.

Later talking to the media, Baba Ramdev, who was to meet with the dealers of his brand Patanjali products, said that he went to see Yadav after he heard that the RJD chief was a little under the weather.

"I gave him a few advices along with some yoga tips that would help him recover quickly," the Baba said adding the RJD chief was a 'national treasure' and his health was a matter of concern for everyone.

Yadav, on his official Twitter page, thanked Baba for stopping by and asking about his welfare.

The yoga guru later denied he was in Patna to negotiate a marriage relationship of his niece with Yadav's eldest son and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.

"This is pure rumor and there is no truth in it," he said adding his only concern was the health of the RJD chief.

About the demonetization of the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes by the Modi administration, the Baba said he favored the move as it would certainly help put a check on corruption in the country.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Iran Considers Renewal of US Sanctions a Violation of Nuclear Deal

12/02/16

By Michael Bowman, VOA

CAPITOL HILL - Iran is threatening to retaliate after the U.S. Senate gave Congress' final approval to an extension of the American sanctions against Iran that lawmakers of both parties said is crucial to enforcing the international nuclear accord with Tehran.







"Iran has proved that it sticks to its international agreements, but it also has appropriate responses for all situations," said Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi. "The extension of sanctions by the U.S. Congress is a violation of the deal."



Ghasemi was not specific about what action would be taken.



Last month, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he considered the sanctions bill a breach of the nuclear deal and threatened retaliation.



"They're bluffing," said Middle East expert Matthew McInnis at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute. "The Iranians are quite committed to the deal. They understood that these types of legislation such as the Iran Sanctions Act, which have been in effect for a long time, these types of things would likely be renewed."



"Preserving these sanctions is critical given Iran's disturbing pattern of aggression and its persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican.



"These authorities should remain in place as we address how best to deal with the Iranian missile tests, support to Hezbollah and support of the Syrian regime," McConnell added.

Partly Lifted

Enacted two decades ago, the sanctions were meant to address long-standing U.S. concerns such as Iran's support for international terrorism. Partially lifted under the nuclear accord implemented last year, lawmakers said sanctions should be kept at the ready.



"The JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] specifically provides for the snap-back of sanctions in the event Iran violates the provisions of the agreement," said Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin. "In order to have snap-backs, you have to have the sanctions regime in place."



Iranian officials blasted the bill, arguing it violates the nuclear pact and will have consequences.



"They're bluffing," said Middle East expert Matthew McInnis at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute. "The Iranians are quite committed to the deal. They understood that these types of legislation such as the Iran Sanctions Act, which have been in effect for a long time, these types of things would likely be renewed."

Trump ripped deal

President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly slammed the nuclear accord during the campaign.



"The stupidest deal of all time," Trump said in the final presidential debate in October. "A deal that's going to give Iran absolutely nuclear weapons. Iran should write us yet another letter saying thank you very much."



"I recommended against ripping up the deal [when Trump enters office]," McInnis said. "President Trump, if he really wants a deal that hits all the big points on [nuclear] inspections and perhaps a better sunset clause [endpoint], he's going to have to look at very severe pressure on Iran and, frankly, with our allies to make that happen."



For now, lawmakers are keeping existing sanctions in place while not ruling out further measures to boost pressure on Iran in the future.



"As flawed as the JCPOA was in my view, the Iranians will know the consequences of any breach," said Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey. "We will deal with missile proliferation, terrorism, regional destabilization that are just as dangerous and just as threatening to American security."



"President-elect Trump and his administration [will] have the tools necessary to push back against the regime's hostile actions," Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee said in a statement. "I am pleased by the overwhelming support this bill received in both the House and Senate and look forward to continuing our work to hold Tehran accountable."

No veto threat

The White House said President Barack Obama has ample authority to impose punitive measures against Iran, with or without specific legislation, but issued no veto threat of the Iran Sanctions Act.



"The administration retains and has used substantial authority to impose sanctions against Iran," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. "And we're not shy about using it."



"We'll take a look at the bill that's been passed," Earnest said.

VOA's Elizabeth Cherneff contributed to this report.
Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Center renews establishment in Iran

12/03/16

By Maryam Qarehgozlou, Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Center, an institution aiming at protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes, extended its establishment in Iran for five more years until 2020.





Over a ceremony held on Saturday in Tehran the Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Rolph Payet, and the Department of Environment deputy director Sa'eed Motesaddi inked an agreement on continuation of Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Center establishment in Iran.



Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Center was first opened in Iran some 15 years ago with the purpose of controlling trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal in Tehran, DOE director for international affairs and conventions Majid Shafipour said.



"There are only six regional centers worldwide one of which is in Iran and now by renewing the agreement we are trying to promote our activities by encouraging other countries of western Asia to join us," he added.



He further explained that countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Iraq and Bhutan are of the centers' members.



Payet, for his part, lauded Iran's active role in fulfilling its commitments to the conventions.



He further highlighted that as economic sector is growing in Western Asia integrated management of hazardous waste are becoming of overriding importance, adding "sharing what we have in terms of both sustainable development and economic growth and make sure the pollution does not get passed on the future generation and create a sustainable future is also crucial.



He finally encouraged the center to go beyond the Basel Convention as he believes there is great potential among academics and industries in Iran to go beyond what the convention simply dictates and try to engage all people in the context of sustainable development goals.



The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted on March 22, 1989 by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Basel, Switzerland, in response to a public outcry following the discovery, in the 1980s, in Africa and other parts of the developing world of deposits of toxic wastes imported from abroad.



The regional centers focus on training and technology transfer regarding the management of hazardous and other wastes and the minimization of their generation.
Power was out for thousands of Southern California Edison customers Friday night, Dec. 2, and the windy weather was to blame for at least part of it, according to Edisons website.

In Jurupa Valley the lights went out for about 5,000 customers between 8 and 10 p.m., mostly due to storm conditions, according to the site. Most were expected to have power restored over night.

RELATED Winds exceeding 50 mph reported in Home Gardens, Corona

In Corona the power went out for about 5,000 customers around 9:45 p.m., and most expected to have the electricity restored by 1:30 a.m. Saturday. No cause was available Friday night.

In Moreno Valley an outage for 1,870 customers was reported at 9:39 p.m., and power was estimated to be back on later in the evening. Edison was still analyzing the problem Friday night.

On Friday most Inland locations registered peak winds in the mid-30s to the lower 40s, which are within the range of gale-force, with top gusts at Ontario International Airport at 51 mph.

The wind is expected to start to weaken Saturday night.
Wildomar officials are challenging residents to get creative and participate in the citys Holiday Lights Home Decorating Contest.

Wildomar residents have until 5 p.m. Dec. 12 to enter their houses in the competition, city officials said in a news release.

Participants can enter online in either the traditional category or Clark Griswold category at cityofwildomar.org or email an entry form to jmorales@cityofwildomar.org.

Entries will be judged on first impression, design, originality, suitability to the site and environmentally friendly elements.

Winners will receive lawn signs declaring the accomplishment that they can post throughout the year.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com
Fresh off his victory to retain his District 3 seat, Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington appointed a new chief of staff and reinstated another staffer from unpaid leave.

Temecula City Councilman Jeff Comerchero has been appointed as Washingtons chief of staff. He replaces Verne Lauritzen, who recently retired from the post.

In addition, Brian Tisdale, a Lake Elsinore City Councilman and aide to Washington, was restored to the staff after five months of unpaid leave.

Tisdale was detained by Riverside County Sheriffs deputies on June 20 on suspicion of battery against his wife. No charges were filed. The two have filed for divorce and Tisdale said hes retained custody of his children.

Ive been married for 23 years and Ive never hit or harmed my wife, Tisdale said Thursday of the incident. It was a very unfortunate situation. This is damaging, of course, when you get allegations like this. As an elected official, your reputation is everything.

Tisdales duties for the county include collaborating with county fire officials, hospitals and law enforcement officers.

Washington was initially appointed to the post  which includes about 440,000 residents in the areas of Hemet, San Jacinto, Murrieta and Temecula  in March by Gov. Jerry Brown. He replaced Jeff Stone after Stones election to the state Senate. Lauritzen was also Stones chief of staff.

Comerchero commended his newly reinstated colleagues work as a Lake Elsinore councilman, and said hes confident Tisdales hard-working and intelligent approach to governance will continue at the county level.

I have no concerns about (recent accusations), from what I understand, hes not guilty of anything, Comerchero said. Im looking forward to working with him.

Washington was attending economic summit meetings and could not be reached for comment. Though election results are not official, Washington currently leads his opponent, former Hemet Councilwoman Shellie Milne, by more than 20,000 votes, according to an updated tally from the Riverside County registrar of voters.

Thursday was Comercheros first day at the county office in downtown Riverside. The longtime Temecula councilman will retain that post in addition to his county position. He said he spent most of his first day meeting with staff.

Im not coming into an area thats been under-supervised or mismanaged, Comerchero said of his new colleagues.

He wont be the first to play a dual role as a chief of staff and councilman. Lauritzen has been a member of the Jurupa Valley council since 2011, according to that citys website.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9644, poneill@scng.com, @PE_PatrickO
Police investigating a notorious gang in a city on Californias central coast issued a fake press release that the chief credited with saving two men by deceiving gang members who wanted to kill them, but the ruse was criticized by news organizations who reported it as fact.

Santa Maria Police Chief Ralph Martin defended the rare tactic this week when it came to light, saying he had never done such a thing in his 43-year career, but he wouldnt rule out doing it again.

It was a moral and ethical decision, and I stand by it, Martin said Friday. I am keenly aware and sensitive to the community and the media. I also had 21 bodies lying in the city in the last 15 months.

The phony announcement issued in February was discovered in court documents and only reported this week by the Santa Maria Sun, a weekly newspaper in the city 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The daily newspaper and local television stations were unaware the information in the release was false when they reported that two men, Jose Santos Melendez, 22, and Jose Marino Melendez, 23, had been picked up for identity theft and handed over to immigration authorities.

In fact, detectives eavesdropping on the deadly MS-13 gang had raced to the home of the two cousins in nearby Guadalupe and took them into protective custody after learning hit men were on their way there.

Kendra Martinez, news director at KSBY-TV, said she was deeply troubled that police misled the public and news organizations.

While we strongly support the police departments efforts to protect citizens in harms way, we are concerned this type of deception can erode the basic trust of our residents and viewers, Martinez said.

The sting comes to light as news organizations try to set the record straight as truth and fiction blur amid a proliferation of fake news spread by social media.

Jonathan Kotler, a professor at the USC Annenberg journalism school, said there was nothing illegal about what police did, but it could raise questions about the departments future credibility. However, he said the public is unlikely to appreciate the importance of that issue, particularly when the police said it was matter of life and death.

If the press cries foul here, saying they were led astray by a false release, then youve got the press being angry about being misled, Kotler said. But on the other hand, the cops would say, But look we saved lives. In that kind of PR battle, who do you think comes off looking better, the press or the police?

Sending bogus information to the media to advance law enforcement goals is rare but not unheard of. Police in Ottawa, Canada, were criticized for issuing a press release with false information about evidence connected to a 2014 murder case so they could see how the suspects reacted.

Sting operations routinely use ruses to lure deadbeat parents, traffic-fine scofflaws and people wanted for all kinds of outstanding warrants to collect prizes they think theyve won.

But those stings, while reported as news, dont make the press a player in the operation and dont dupe law-abiding citizens.

They used a public system paid for with public dollars to present false information to the public, said Marga Cooley, managing editor of the Santa Maria Times.

Louis Dekmar, vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, said hes only heard tactics like that used three times in his four decades on the force. He would only try such subterfuge in the rarest cases without other reasonable options and only after weighing the long-term consequences.

Any time you enter into a ruse that involves the media, it creates a real distrust between the police and the folks we rely on, said Dekmar, who is police chief in LaGrange, Georgia. Theres a symbiotic relationship between the media and police. You need facts in order to accurately report to the public. We need the media to report facts accurately to get assistance from the public.

Martin said he did not make the decision lightly as the murder rate soared in the city of about 110,000 that typically has three to four homicides a year.

Using wiretaps and surveillance, police learned the Melendez men, members of a rival gang who lost another cousin to violence seven months earlier, were about to be killed, he said.

Police concluded they would expose their long-running Operation Matador if they made arrests, so they took the cousins into protective custody before the MS-13 hit men arrived. Figuring the would-be killers might harm family members if they thought the men were in hiding, police fabricated the press release about their arrests.

After MS-13 gang members returned the next day looking for the two, police overheard a phone conversation with them discussing the news report that the men had been arrested for identity theft.

Martin said it bought investigators another three weeks to gather evidence that led to the arrest of 17 gang members on charges of 10 murders and plots to kill eight others, including the two cousins, who remain under protection.

Martin said hes taken some flak from news media, but he has also received about two dozen supportive calls. I think if they were in my shoes they would have done the same thing, he said.
Some time ago I wrote about the prominent rock castle on the north end of Perris.

Theres another prominent rock house, right along Box Springs grade just east of UC Riverside. Its best viewed heading west on the 60 and has piqued the curiosity of several people. Here is its story.

In the mid-1930s, a lieutenant named Guy Frost Hix was stationed at March Field. According to his memoirs, he was well-versed in what he called midnight requisitions, i.e. getting things and doing things by less-than-approved means.

Lt. Hix wanted a house and liked the rocky foothills of Box Springs Mountain, so he found a location and through a bit of research, found that the owner was a Peter Gernert of Los Angeles. Gernert had been part of a syndicate that owned quite a bit of land in whats now the Canyon Crest area of Riverside, including part of Box Springs. Some 30 years before, Gernert and his co-investors had tried to develop the area with water, small farm lots, and houses. That didnt work out, though, and Gernert had bought out most of the other investors and continued to hold the property.

Hix approached Gernert and the two came to a deal in which Hix purchased three acres of land.

On March 16, 1935, the Riverside Press reported that a large party was held to lay the cornerstone of Lt. Hixs house. The man who laid the cornerstone, and oversaw the party, was none other than Gen. H. H. Hap Arnold, commander of March Field.

Hixs labor and expertise for construction came from enlisted men at March. Hix hired four sergeants with building experience to begin laying out the house, then found other enlisted men to work during their off hours to do the actual construction of the building. The granite material for the building came from the Val Verde area north of Perris.

The granite was waste material stockpiled from the excavation of the Metropolitan Water Districts aqueduct in the area. To get the material from Val Verde to the Box Springs site, Hix borrowed a two-ton trailer truck from Riverside County and hauled the material himself. Thus, his building material and hauling were free!

The house was completed by the end of 1935. Two years later, Gary Cooper lived in the house for about a month during the filming of Test Pilot.

Hix kept in contact with Gernert, and one day while Gernert and his wife were visiting, his wife fell in love with the house. That resulted in the Gernerts buying the house and living there for many years. Peter Gernert died there in October 1961, and years later, Mrs. Gernert, a devout Catholic, deeded the property to the San Diego Archdiocese for use as a Catholic school and hospital.

In assessing the property for those uses, the Archdiocese decided that it was not feasible, so the property was later sold to veterinarian Dr. Robert Philbrick.

In the mid-1980s, Philbrick leased the property to a UCR fraternity, which is probably what most people remember. Today, the property, located along Gernert Road, is in private hands.

Thanks go to Martha Hix, Hixs daughter-in-law, for help getting his memoirs and with this article.

If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, place or event, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at backinthedaype@gmail.com.
A male professor was stabbed and killed on the USC campus Friday and a suspect, identified as a male student at the university, was taken into custody a short time later, police said.

The suspect was approximately 25 years old, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, she added. The suspect was not immediately identified. No other injuries were reported.

The victim was a professor at the university, said Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department, adding that the suspect was a USC student.

Los Angeles Police Officer Meghan Aguilar said the professor was killed inside the Seeley G. Mudd building in the heart of campus. She said a male student was arrested without incident immediately after police arrived at the scene of the attack but his name was not released. Aguilar could not say who called police but said it wasnt the professor or the student.

Aguilar said the student was set to be interviewed Friday night and that his name would be released after he was booked.

USC President C. L. Max Nikias identified the professor killed as Bosco Tjan in a letter addressed to the USC community.

Tjan joined USC in 2001, taught in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and served as co-director of the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center, Nikias said.

As the Trojan family mourns Professor Tjans untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts, Nikias said.

The USC Department of Public Safety said in a statement that investigators believe the attack was not random and was the result of a personal dispute.

Chris Purington, project manager at Tjans lab, said he never heard of anyone having a problem with Tjan  a married father of one son listed in public records as 50 years old  and had no idea who would have wanted him dead.

He was somebody who really cared about people. I know he cared about me, Purington said through tears. He mentored people and he looked out for them. He spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be a mentor and guide people.

He said the professor gave him a job both after he graduated from USC and after graduate school at the University of California-Berkeley.

Purington traveled with Tjan for various science conferences and said that everyone knew and loved the professor.

People talk about scientists as very cold or robotic. Bosco is a guy that he could talk to anybody about anything, he said. He couldnt move through a room without being sidetracked in all these conversations.

He just had this energy about him. Kinetic might be the word, Purington said. He had a huge impact on my life.

Just after 4:30 p.m. Friday, paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported stabbing in the 3600 block of McClintock Avenue, located on campus near the Seeley G. Mudd building.

The building is in the center of campus near the schools running track.

The universitys Trojans Alert emergency texting service sent out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the building, which houses science and medical classrooms.

Police-related incident in progress at Seeley G. Mudd. No danger to USC or the community. Stay away from the area, the message read.

In a separate incident Friday, a male suspect  who was reported to have been acting aggressively  sprayed a woman with a fire extinguisher inside the Doheny Library at USC. The library was evacuated, but the incident was unrelated to the fatal stabbing, according to the Daily Trojan.

In recent years, USC has continued to make headlines with a series of high-profile crimes.

Last year, a graduate student died after being attacked by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment after attending a late-night study session.

Xinran Ji, a 24-year old engineering student, managed to return to the apartment, where his roommate found him.

In 2012 Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot and killed as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

Shortly after the crime, then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa held a news conference with university officials, and members of the LAPD to try and reassure students, family members and the international community that the campus was safe.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students.
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Princess Love Bio  Ethnicity, Real Name & Parents For many people, Princess Love is simply Ray Js wife but there is so much more to this feisty lady than meets the eye. She is a star in her own right and has many feathers on her cap. Princess Love is a reality TV star, a model, video vixen, and fashion designer. She and her ...

Who is Papa Franku Also Known As Filthy Frank or Joji, Where is He Now? The social media as we all know today has given people the opportunity to be creative and innovative and at the same time, make something of themselves. YouTube is one of the known social platforms we have today that makes it possible for people to express their God-given talents and post videos they created to ...

Who Is Molly Qerim, How Did She Become a Famous Sports Anchor and Who Is Her Husband? Molly Qerim is an American sports anchor popularly known for moderating First Take, a highly rated sports talk show, on ESPN. Prior to joining ESPN, Qerim hosted Fantasy Live and NFL AM on NFL Network. It is quite obvious that the widely acclaimed television personality is in a class of her own when it comes ...

Safiya Nygaard  Height, Parents & Net Worth Safiya Nygaard is an American YouTuber, writer, content producer, and director who is popular for posting makeup, beauty and fashion videos on YouTube. Her videos regularly top at least one million views, thanks to her lively character as well as her willingness to experiment with outrageous outfits and different beauty products. Here are the things to ...

The Rigors of Sunlen Serfatys Career Journey Until CNN and Fun Facts About Her Personal Life CNN correspondent, Sunlen Serfaty is an Emmy Award-winning journalist known for covering a broad range of breaking news stories, national news, and Washington politics. She has been able to garner widespread recognition for herself which even goes beyond the sphere of her work. Her profile also increased with the extensive work she did in covering ...

Demystifying Jazz Jennings Real Name, Boyfriend & Family Of One The Youngest Transgenders Jazz Jennings is an unusual personality who became famous as a transgender activist and was recorded as the youngest documented public figure to be seen as transgender. She is also a YouTube personality and spokesmodel for brands, her fans, and other transgenders. She fought for acceptance in her high school with her super supportive family for over ...

Inside Fred Armisens Life  Ethnicity, Romantic Relationships and Gay Rumors Fred Armisen is an award-winning American comedian, he is also a writer, an actor as well as a musician. He was a cast member of the legendary comedy show, Saturday Night Live for 13 years and also one of the brains behind the successful satirical show Portlandia. Find out more about this incredibly talented guy ...

Ed and Lorraine Warren Biography: Cases, Kids, and Family Life Have you ever woken up with fear you could not explain, or felt a strange presence that made the hair at your nape rise or even experienced strange occurrences around you? Well, these were some of the promptings that made the well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren delve into trying to explain the ideas ...

Truth About Tony Romos Wife, Kids and Life Since His NFL Retirement Tony Romo grew from the field as a quarterback to the screens as an American Football Analyst. He was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the richest football league in the world (NFL) before retiring. As a junior, he was honored as an All-Ohio Conference Member, an Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year and ...

Who is Brittany Venti, The Controversial Game Streamer and YouTuber? In recent times, many people live stream themselves playing video games. This has become a popular pastime on the internet and many highly skilled gamers have become internet celebrities through this means. However, some of them rather than becoming renowned for their gaming skills and great commentary, have become controversial and infamous. A good example ...

Rob Dyrdeks Family: His Kids And Relationship With Wife Bryiana Noelle Flores A multi-talented star and an elite pro skateboarder, Rob Dyrdeks success story began at a remarkably young age. Yet another proof that schooling doesnt always correlate with success, Rob has established himself not just as a phenomenal sportsman but also as a successful entrepreneur. Besides perfecting his skill as a natural talent on the board, ...

xChocobars  Biography and Everything You Should Know About Her Having distinguished herself and recorded massive successes in an industry notably dominated by men, it is very safe to say that Xchocobars deserves all the attention and cash she makes from her career. A household name on Twitch (a smart live streaming video platform), the online-gamer is popularly known for streaming classic games such as Stardew ...

Everything To Know About Mary Padian, Her Boyfriend and Net Worth Mary Padian is a famous American television reality personality best known for her involvements on the Reality show Storage Wars. She also has her own shop called Mary finds where she displays her antique collections. Since her childhood, Padian has been a creative learner. At the time, she used to create new items out of reusable ones and ...

Betsy Woodruffs Family Life: Is She Married or Related To Bob Woodruff? An old name in the world of journalism, Betsy Woodruff has warmed her way into the hearts of many with her impressive talents. Through hard work, Woodruff has carved a niche for herself in a very competitive field. Betsy has strong family and work values and is also an advocate for equal opportunities for everyone ...

Matpat (Matthew Patrick)  Wife, Height & Net Worth As far as internet business is concerned, Matpat remains one of the most dynamic and seasoned figures. He boasts a wealth of experience that has helped him in growing his business from one level of greatness to another. Like most successful people, MatPat started out small but today, he makes millions of dollars from his ...

Facts About Ricegum  His Girlfriend, Real Name & Net Worth Ricegum is an online gamer and YouTube sensation who ditched college; took advantage of the digital era, and made a name for himself on the internet. Though he began as a gaming YouTuber, Ricegum soon gained recognition as a controversial internet star following his many diss tracks. Here is everything you need to know about the youngster ...

Joy Taylor Once Married MLBs Richard Giannotti  Inside Look At Her Love Life and Family The erosion of the sexist idea that women have no business in sports broadcasting created a host of women celebrities who attained fame outside of modeling and acting. One of them, Joy Taylor, a radio personality and TV host for Fox Sports 1, has been in the industry since 2009, becoming one of the most ...

What To Know About Conan OBriens Wife, Kids & Family Today The name Conan OBrien is one that jumps right at you almost immediately you start talking about the most popular television hosts in the USA and this is no surprise because the man behind that name has risen to become one of the most admired men in the business. Known for hosting the late-night talk ...

David Letterman  Net Worth, Wife & Son In all of American, one man whose face has been seen frequently by late night TV talk show lovers is none but David Letterman. The comedian and TV show veteran has been hosting late night talk shows for more than three decades. His Late Night with David Letterman show began on February 1st, 1982 aired ...

Demystifying Sssniperwolfs Family Background And The Boyfriends Shes Had Since she launched her eponymously named channel in 2013, Sssniperwolf has been on the rise when it comes to video game influencers. She is one of the biggest names in the online gaming subgenre of YouTube videos. Real name Lia Shelesh, she started with Call of Duty: Black Ops II but has diversified with other ...

Lester Holt  Wife, Family & Net Worth Lester Holt is a multiple award-winning journalist, newscaster, reporter, and actor who has worked for notable media houses like WCBS TV, CBS, MSNBC and among others. His remarkable feat in journalism has endeared him to the hearts of many and earned him some awards and recognitions. Read on to get acquainted with his biography, ethnicity, ...

What Is Louis C.K. Doing Now, Where Are His Family And How Much Is His Net Worth? It is not easy to make it in comedy. It takes more than a funny bone and the ability to elicit a few giggles from a listening audience. For all the complexities that go into making a successful career in comedy, Louis C.K, the Washington D.C-born comedian, did it. For years, he was at the ...

The Progression of Hoda Kotbs Career, Her Ancestry and Family Life Hoda Kotb gained fame as a television host and news anchor for NBC. She anchors the shows signature show Today, and it has been an excellent vehicle for her skills in front of a camera. Kotb has won several awards, including Daytime Emmys and Peabody Awards. Simply put, she is one of the most successful ...

Jerry Seinfelds Family: All About The Amazing Comedians Wife and Kids Apparently one of the highly important entertainers in America, Jerry Seinfeld is a man of many talents. A very funny man, he is considered to be one of the most successful comedians in the USA who has been in the business as a professional rib-cracker for more than 40 years. As an actor, he has ...

The Rigors Of Sarah Silvermans Rise To Prominence And Rundown Of The Men She Has Dated A comedian, writer, and actress, Sarah Silvermans art and craft is as unique as you would ever find. Her poignant use of comedy to discuss social issues such as race, sexism, politics, and religion has gained her an impressive following. As unorthodox as her style is, so is her life experiences. She previously suffered from epiglottitis ...

Who Is Hannibal Buress, Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend & Why Was He Arrested? Making people laugh when they are tense or not in the mood is a tough order and to ply the trade, it must indeed take some guts and expertise, this is what the humor maker, Hannibal Buress has been able to achieve and sustain after his inital teething process. The African-American is a screen writer, stand-up ...

The Success of John Mulaneys Career Efforts Since His Work On Saturday Night Live and Facts About His Wife John Mulaney had been working as a professional comedian for years before Saturday Night Live changed his status for life and like many who are now his fans, you probably did not know of him then. However, that changed when he joined the sketch comedy show in 2008. Since then, he has been one of ...

Jeff Dunham  Wife, Children and Net Worth Ventriloquism is a very subtle method of making an inanimate object (like a puppet, doll or dummy) appear to be saying words which are actually coming from the person (holding the inanimate object). In effect, the individual throws his/her voice to the puppet and can even appear to be having a conversation with it. Not ...

Ellen DeGeneres  Net Worth, Wife  Portia de Rossi & Parents Ellen DeGeneres is an American female standup comedian who has proven that whatever a man can do, a woman can also do. Since her journey as a standup comedian started in 1981, she has held swirl as one of the finest comedians America and the world at large has seen. She is often referred to ...

Revisiting Joan Rivers Death  The Daughter, Husband & Net Worth She Left Behind Joan Rivers was a renowned American comedian, TV host, writer, and actress. Her brand of comedy consisted of scathing one-liners and no individual or topic is spared. She hosted her own talk shows in the 80s and 90s and was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy. She was the first woman to host a late night ...

The Struggles of Margaret Chos Childhood, How It Influenced Her Career Growth and Love Life Margaret Cho is best described as a comic star who knows how to maneuver everything related to life into a rib-cracking joke. She is also known to criticize every social and political problem, especially those involving race and sexuality. Apart from her talents as a comic actress, she does amazingly well as a singer and ...

Where Is Eric Bolling Today? Who Is His Son & What Is His Net Worth? Eric Bolling who was once a notable figure on Fox News, is an American TV personality, an author, and versatile Journalist. As a political and financial analyst/commentator, he anchored discussions bothering on finance for Fox Business Channel. Here is everything there is to know about his career, family, and allegations that led to his exit ...

Who Is Chelsea Handler and Does She Have A Husband or Boyfriend? Chelsea Handler is one of Americas top female comedians. She is also an actress, writer, television host, producer, and activist. She is known to be very outspoken even with things that are very personal. In separate interviews with The New York Times, Handler revealed that she had an abortion twice when she was 16. She has authored five books ...

How Did Laura Lee Achieve Fame, How Much is She Worth and Who is Her Husband? Laura Lee is a popular American YouTuber, make-up artist and beauty blogger. From posting videos of her makeup routines on Instagram, Lee has transformed into a beauty influencer and a YouTube sensation. Today, her YouTube Channel has over 630 million views and 4.5 million subscribers. Asides having millions of followers across all social media platforms, ...

Madison Gesiotto Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Measurements Madison Gesiotto is no ordinary woman; although she excelled in quite a number of pageants and competitions while she was in school, it is her views on politics and issues in America that has made her name known to most people. She possesses beauty and intelligence in a seemingly equal measure and has been able ...

Who Is Lil Tay? Parents, Brother, Sister, Age, Net Worth, Ethnicity Child stardom is nothing new in the entertainment world. With the advent of social media, we have seen more stars made from the internet than ever before, and Lil Tay is one of them. Her uploaded rap videos trademark is cursing, swearing, cash-throwing, and use of obscene languages. Her fame went wild after she dropped ...

What To Know About Tig Notaros Wife, Kids and Family Today Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic star, writer, actress, and radio analyst. Since she started her career in 2001, she has become one of Americas best comedians, particularly when it comes to observational comedy. One prominent aspect of her routine involves her family, which includes a wife and two children. Interestingly, Tig Notaro is part ...

Who Is Chantel Jeffries? What To Know About Her Age, Ethnicity & Net Worth Chantel Jeffries is a lady of many talents. Beyond being celebrated as a DJ, she has fared well as a model, an actress, musician, and as an artist. She first rose to fame on Instagram where she has a large following. However, in recent times, she has hit the spotlight for her rumored relationships with some ...

Is Ellen DeGeneres Married, Who Is The Brother  Vance DeGeneres and Family Members? Ellen DeGeneres is one of a kind celebrity in todays world as she has used her wealth for the greater good for many people. She has served a host of famous awards shows like the Grammy, Primetime Emmy and Academy Awards. Moreso, she is probably one of the most decorated entertainment personalities around the world and ...

Carli Bybel Bio  Height, Boyfriend & Net Worth Video blogging is now on the rise and YouTube is the place where most of it happens. If you are a lady who cares about her looks or a guy who likes to help his woman out with her looks, then one person whose name rings a bell when it comes to giving beauty tips ...

Who Is Lexy Panterra? What To Know About Her Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth Lexy Panterra is one of the YouTube personalities whose breakout came through the Twerk dance videos she posted on her social media handles and YouTube which has so far generated over 13 million views for her. From there on, she created her LexTwerkOut workout program in 2014. She is sure very talented as she as moved ...

Who Is AnneMunition? What Is Her Ethnicity & Does She Have A Girlfriend or Boyfriend? AnneMunition is a professional gamer and content creator of American origin. She is one of the most sought-after streamers on Twitch  a popular online platform for watching and streaming videos, especially video games. AnneMunition has almost half a million followers on Twitch and her channel has accumulated at least 13 million views. Her favorite games ...

Norm MacDonald  Former Wife, Son & Net Worth Recently, 59-year-old former Saturday Night Live stand-up comic Norm MacDonald caused a not-so-funny stir when he expressed his personal opinion about the #MeToo movement speaking in defense of Louis CK and Roseanne Barr. Following the backlash of his actions, he is diligently doing damage control for his questionable opinion by posting a public apology on ...

Inside Iliza Shlesingers Life With Husband and How Much She is Worth Now Witty, spontaneous, and truly humorous, Iliza Shlesinger is an American comedian who is clearly proving that the stereotypical claim that women are not really funny is not only incredibly wrong but completely outrageous. Having been in the game for more than 10 years, Shlesinger has grown bigger with each step, stunning fans with her incredible ...

Who Is Nessa Diab? Details of her Parents, Ethnicity & Relationship With Colin Kaepernick Nessa Diab has gained more fame as the girlfriend of different footballers than in her career. She is currently with the popular National Football League (NFL) player, Colin Kaepernick, and has stood by his side during his most trying times. Also known for her mononym, Nessa, she recently engaged in a tweet battle with the ...

Samantha Bee  Inside the Life of Full Frontal Comedian and Presenter We have over the decades seen various brands of humor and personalities who have walked the ropes. One of the formidable forces in the world of comedy is no other than the iconic Samantha Bee of the Daily Show who now runs her own television show on TBS channel. She is a Canadian-American political commentator, ...

What Happened To Jessica Williamss Boyfriend And Which Are Her Best Works? Jessica Williams is a woman who has a lot of feathers in her cap  and keeps acquiring more. The former senior political correspondent of the comic Daily Show, who is also a comedian and actress whose recent movie appearance include starring as a playwright just recovering from a recent split with her boyfriend, Damon, and ...

Who is Nicole Byer? Here are 5 Facts You Need To Know About The Comedian Nicole Byer, an American comedian, actress, and writer, made a name for herself after she played supporting roles on MTVs prank show Ladylike and the reality show Girl Code. The latter was a series that featured comedians who analyzed in minute details, all the issues that young women deal with daily, from period to dating, to weird friendship dynamics and questions about sex. Currently, ...

A Closer Look At Bart Kwans Ethnicity, Height & Personal Life Bart Kwan is one of few Asians who is known for being successful in the comic industry at an international level. His fame broke out after the YouTube channel which he created with his close pal Joe Jo garnered up massive followings. The talented duo has been running the channel since 2007 and their success ...

Heres How VanossGaming Achieved Fame Online, His Worth and Other Facts About The Gamer For many years, the decision to drop out of college to pursue an online career was considered to be foolish and self-destructive by conventional wisdom. It was no different when Evan Fong, popularly known as VanossGaming, dropped out of college to pursue a YouTube career. However, that radical move paid off, and he stands shoulder to ...

Desi Perkins  Ethnicity, Net Worth & Husband YouTube is littered with videos of makeup tutorials by different people but if you are interested in learning how to do your makeup like a pro, there is just one person on that platform who you must follow. She is none other than Desi Perkins! She is a popular make-up artist, Instagram star, and vlogger. Desi, ...

The Phases of Casey Neistats Pursuits and His Love Story With Candice Pool YouTuber, vlogger, filmmaker, and creator extraordinaire; these are just a few hats that Casey Neistat wears and the story of how he got here is incredible. A native of Connecticut, Neistat started out by making refreshingly-authentic short films and videos that featured content that was based on everyday life and called attention to serious issues. He ...

Connor Franta  Inside The Life of American YouTuber YouTube has produced a lot of young celebrities in modern times and Connor Franta happens to be one of them. Apart from being a YouTuber, the young American is also an entrepreneur, entertainer, and writer. His journey to fame began almost a decade ago when he started a self-named YouTube channel where he uploads content ranging ...

Rhett and Link  Bio, Who are Their Wives, Net Worth and Family Facts Rhett and Link refer to an American comedy duo who are very popular on YouTube. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. Good Mythical Morning is the most watched daily show online, averaging 100 million views in a month. The show has featured guests such ...

A Walk Through The Maze of Ryan Higas Career Pursuits And Relationship With Arden Cho Ryan Higa is not only celebrated as a YouTube star, but he is also famed for appearing on television screens as an actor and comedian. Nigahiga, his Youtube channel, has gathered over 20 million subscribers and billions of views with his different comic acts, short films, and music videos uploads. With the rise in his career, ...

What to Know About The Shows That Made Craig Ferguson a Star and His Family Ties Rising to the top of your profession can sometimes be a hard and difficult process. It requires days and nights of working consistently hard to be better than what you were yesterday. It requires not giving up when all of your experiences seem to be pushing you to quit. It is because of these challenges ...

David Dobrik Married Liza Koshy for One Month  Inside His Family and Relationships David Dobrik is a YouTube sensation who has garnered fame not just for his vlogs but his love life too. Given his career as a YouTuber, his channel is one place where he shares his romantic escapades. With a cute boyish look like his, this Slovakian young man is definitely a good catch, and not ...

Merrell Twins Bio  Ethnicity, Parents & Boyfriend One of the beautiful things about modern life is social media. As rudimentary as it might seem, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that would be invented in the next 50 years because of its impact on human life. Very few tools have revolutionized human behavior and culture as much as social ...

Who Is Bunny Meyer, Is She Married & What Is Her Net Worth? Bunny Meyer is a YouTube celebrity who has amassed over 8.8 million subscribers with 1.5 million viewers on her channel. She is popularly known as Grav3yardgirl and is one of the highest-paid YouTubers in the world. She initially started out as a fashion designer and later chose the path of a YouTuber. Grav3yardgirl has used her knowledge on fashion, makeup, ...

Ninja  Inside The Life of The American YouTuber and Internet Personality Ninja is a talented video game player known for his mastery of Fortnite and other seemingly difficult games he plays with ease. The video gamer made a career out of what is ordinarily the hobby of many people and has since then amassed a huge online following. Find out about him here, including the controversies that ...

What Is Eva Gutowskis True Sexuality and How Did She Rise So Fast As an Influencer? Ever since Eva Gutowski joined YouTube in 2011, it has been an interesting journey for her, moving from one milestone to the other. Backed by an army of young women and teenage girl fans known as Evanators, she has risen to become one of the most-talked-about personalities in the digital stratosphere. She has also leveraged ...

Emma Chamberlain Biography  Age, Height & Net Worth Before now, people in the entertainment industry could only achieve popularity after many years of dedication and hard work but since social media came into the scene, massive success and overnight popularity became possible. That is the story of Emma Chamberlain who encountered fame as a fifteen-year-old. Emma is one of the many young people who became ...

Anna Akana  Ethnicity, Boyfriend & Net Worth There is a new crop of YouTubers known by their different contents with a very strong uniqueness that stands every one of them out, some upload video games, some fashion while some others have comedy video contents to showcase on their channels. Anna Akana has used her platform to showcase her comedy contents to the ...

Revealing Truths About Lilly Singhs Ethnic Background, Family and Her Relationship With Yousef Erakat Lilly Singh is an Indian-Canadian YouTube personality, actress, and comedian also known as Superwoman. She kicked off her YouTube career in 2010 with the launch of her channel IISuperwomanII and followed it up with a vlog channel in 2011. This paved the way for her fame and success which led to a world tour. The ...

Who Is Andrea Constand, Is She Married and What Is Her Connection With Bill Cosby? Many people got sexually molested but could not voice out due to the stigma victims suffer and what will become of them thereafter. Very few of the victims danm every consequence to seek justice and bring the perpetrator to the book, like Andrea Constand. She never got any media buzz, not until her friend cum molester; ...

Who Is Lazarbeam (Lannan Eacott)? Here Are Facts You Need To Know Lannan Eacott became a person of interest after his YouTube channel, LazarBeam pulled him to the limelight. Initially, he started with uploads of Madden Challenge videos before deciding to build his own channel in January 2015. Within the space of three years, his YouTube channel had gathered over 7 million loyal subscribers. Today, he has not ...

Puzzling Facts About Wengies YouTube Success and More About Her Fiance Among the many YouTubers who have succeeded in winning the hearts of millions of people is Wengie. She is a Chinese-Australian YouTube personality, vlogger, singer, and voice actress. Wengie is famous for a lot of things, from her simple life hacks, DIYs, craft ideas to fun experiments, tricks and pranks. Her content portfolio also includes hair tutorials, diet & fitness tips, lookbooks, ...

Is Jeffree Star A Billionaire and How Much Does He Make On YouTube? If looks can be deceptive then theres no other person who proves this maxim better than Jeffree Star. A quick look at Stars pictures would likely leave you wondering whether or not to tag him a male or female. But who says being controversial has to be a curse? For Star, his looks have caught ...

The Place of Rosanna Pansinos Career Hats In Her Rise To Fame and Facts About Her Personal Life There are a few phrases that could summarize Rosanna Pansinos rise to fame. None of them can do it better than the famous axiom, no knowledge is lost. Her popularity YouTube comes out of her foray into other professions, specifically acting. Although acting now occupies one of the major professional hats in Rosannas resume, it was ...

Muselk (Elliott Watkins) Biography  Age, Girlfriend and Net Worth The new and best in-thing in terms of career is video gaming and we have over time seen young men and women make massive income from an activity that was purportedly designed to serve as a hobby or a relaxation activity. One of such individuals is the Australian-born YouTube Celebrity and Twitch streamer, Muselk, whose ...

PopularMMOs Biography: 5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know We have over the years seen social media millionaires, especially on the YouTube social platform. These celebrities cum millionaires have made names for themselves after carving out niches on the internet, and a typical example of one of such exciting media personality on the YouTube is American Minecraft gamer and YouTube star, PopularMMOs whose channel ...

Jason Nash Once Married Marney Hochman  What To Know About His Ex-Wife and Kids The now-defunct video-sharing app Vine was the path that led Jason Nash to fame. With it, he built an audience of over two million followers, which he parlayed into a significant YouTube career. That move has seen him become one of the most popular personalities on the internet, with the cash income to go with ...

Where Does Dantdm Live? What Do We Know About His Net Worth, Wife and Brother? Most parents buy video games for their kids to occupy their time leisure, while other parents frown at their kids when they play video games. Despite the disparity, every parent would be proud of their child if he/she eventually turns a celebrity or millionaire through playing video games like Dantdm. Biography of Dantdm Dantdm was born Daniel ...

LaurDIY  Biography: 5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTuber LaurDIY is the YouTube channel of Lauren Riihimaki which she created on December 1, 2011, when she was still a college undergrad with the sole aim of giving Do It Yourself (DIY) as well as practical fashion and beauty tips to her followers. She has used the channel to establish herself as a YouTube personality ...

Lachlan Ross Power  Bio And Family Life Of Australian The YouTube Star It is amazing the varied sources of income that the internet has made possible in this day and age. Internet fame can get its holder a whole lot of monetary and social benefits, but it must be noted that it does not come easy or cheap. For those who desire fame, content is the sacrifice ...

Alfie Deyes  Bio and Net Worth: Everything You Need To Know Alfie Deyes is one internet personality you definitely would like to know about. He boasts of over 10 million subscribers on three of his YouTube channels and has three bestseller books to his name. He is probably the most renowned young personality on YouTube today and his vlogging empire continues to grow by the day. ...

Colleen Ballingers Love Story With Husband Erik Stocklin and How Much She Is Worth Now Colleen Ballinger is an American comedian and YouTuber who is a very funny, adventurous, and highly talented woman. She is also an actress, singer, and writer. Collen is widely known for her work on YouTube where she posts content on her channel, Miranda Sings. The comedian has gained many subscribers over the years and has ...

Who Are The Dude Perfect Members and How Much Are They Worth? Entertainment in the 21st century can be digested in many forms and with platforms like YouTube, the creators and purveyors of entertainment have been democratized. Today, one of the most popular platforms to exhibit ones creative talents is YouTube, even though there are other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, who suffer in comparison to YouTube because ...

Who Is Rudy Mancuso, What Is His Earning Power and What Do We Know About His Girlfriend? Rudy Mancuso started his internet journey on Vine. He would later transition to YouTube where he solidified his place among the internets most beloved comedic creators. He is now regarded as one of the renowned internet personalities in the world, with a presence in mainstream TV and film projects like Comedy Centrals Drunk History and ...

Vsauce (Michael Stevens) Biography and Net Worth: All You Need To Know The advent of YouTube and the internet as a whole revolutionized how human beings consume information. With each passing year, the percentage of learning that is done in a traditional classroom decrease as a seismic shift to internet-based learning happens in our education industry. From open courses online to YouTube classes and videos, there are ...

How did Jake Paul Make His YouTube Big Break and Who is His Wife? One of the most interesting Social Media personalities of the 21st century is the young and popular Jake Paul whose elder brother is the famed Vine star, Logan Paul. Jake has utilized the power of the internet to bring himself to the limelight with a channel named JakePaulProductions that has amassed up to six billion ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About Reaction Time (Tal Fishman)  The American YouTuber Before 2015, the leading meaning of reaction time was the amount of time it takes to respond to a stimulus, until Tal Fishman started his channel, Reaction Time on YouTube and the dominant meaning changed. Today, a google search of Reaction Time would deliver Tal Fishmans videos and YouTube channel link with a few physics ...

Grace Helbig  Net Worth, Boyfriend and Family Life of The YouTuber Grace Helbig is an American internet personality, comedian, actress, and writer. She became popular due to her daily vlog series, DailyGrace, which ran on My Damn Channel from 2008 to 2013. Helbig is also popular for her own indie series on YouTube, ItsGrace, which she launched in 2014. Her vlogs which feature random stuff such as ...

Mark Wiens Bio  Ethnicity, Wife and Parents Food is a great way to connect with people. We all love to eat, if not for the pleasure of food, the satisfaction of quenching hunger, and the very process of providing and sharing that food is part of the strongest bonds that bind humanity together. Maybe it is our historical connection to food, where ...

Is Filthy Frank Dead, What Happened To Him and How Much Is He Worth? As George Kusunoki Miller, he was a nobody. However, as Filthy Frank, George was one of the most famous internet personalities on the planet. The Filthy Frank Show, a sketch series on his YouTube channel, TVFilthyFrank, was one of the platforms most influential creations. He is the reason a crazy dance song, Harlem Shake, made it ...

CaptainSparklez Bio  Net Worth, House and Cars of The Famous YouTuber Sometimes, what society wants from its citizens is quite different from what the citizens want for themselves. This is evident in the life and career of video blogger and American YouTube personality, Jordan Maron famous for his YouTube channel CaptainSparklez. He dropped out of school after discovering his talent in playing an online game called Minecraft. ...

Who is Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg)? Here are Facts You Must Know Canadian Youtube personality, Simply Nailogical (Cristine Rotenberg) originally started out polishing and designing nails even before it became a trendy culture in the social media. Simply Nailogica started out her showbiz career in her early days as a child actress, acting in commercials for game and toy companies. Aside from acting, she is blogger, vlogger, specializing ...

5 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Huda Beauty In the world of entrepreneurship, it is interesting when an individual has a mentor who he/she looks up to, this yield more productivity on the part of the individual. The iconic and rich American beautician and makeup artist Huda Kattan nicknamed Heida is the founder of the Huda Beauty blog which is number one Instagram beauty blog ...

Is Dino MasterChef Gay? Details About His Ethnicity, Girlfriend, Where He Is Now Food, for the better part of the early years of human life, was nothing more than what we needed for survival. There was no artistry or curation to the method of cooking. The scarcity of food left no room for artistic expression until we figured out agriculture and we could make as much as we ...

Who Is Gabbie Hanna And How Did She Become Famous? As the world shifts to digital media and depends more and more on streaming services for its news and entertainment content, YouTubers have become one of the leading creators in the new media world. Their understanding of the online audience: how to create, maintain, and increase followers, are all handy skills that have primed them ...

Jacksepticeye  Height, Girlfriend & Net Worth Jacksepticeye is a YouTuber and actor who gained popularity with a series of gaming videos he uploads on his channel to the delight of millions of his subscribers. He is Known primarily for his comic video game series titled Lets Play and his vlogs. His channel was formerly ranked 46th in the list of most subscribed ...

Chris Heria Personal Details: About His Wife, Height & Ethnicity Background In this generation, keeping fit has become one of the major criteria for being hale and hearty. In fact, most occupations these days are majorly concerned with ones body mass, weight and looks. Unlike the past where most people have to register in a gym to keep fit, social media has made it quite easy ...

Everything You Need To Know About Game Grumps Gaming is becoming incredibly popular on YouTube these days with game vloggers make millions of dollars out of them yearly. One of the most popular up-coming gaming YouTube channels is Game Grumps. The Lets Play series was created in 2012 and celebrated its fifth anniversary on July 18th, 2017. In six years of its existence, the ...

Daithi De Nogla Biography, Girlfriend and Net Worth YouTube has created an avenue for many to make wealth and become famous from the comfort of their homes while having fun. Many have built a career out of the platform, uploading numerous videos that have earned them the admiration of viewers across the globe. For Daithi De Nogla, he is loved for his humorous commentary on ...

Does Phoebe Robinson Have A Boyfriend or Husband and What Do We Know About Her Family? Phoebe Robinson is a New York-based comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known as the co-creator and co-host of the WNYC Studios podcast 2 Dope Queens. Just like some other female comedians, she never had any original plans of becoming a stand-up comedian even though, according to her, she took a class on a whim at Carolines on Broadway. After ...

Who Are Lex and Alana from Listed Sisters? What Is Their Ethnicity & Is the Show Cancelled? America is a country built on diversity. Everywhere you look all over the country, a countless number of immigrants or children of immigrants have become an integral part of the fabric of the country. From entertainment to business, immigrants are creating a niche for themselves and climbing to the summit of their respective professions. One ...

Riveting Facts About Danielle Lombard And What She Is Best Known For The American entertainment industry is one that provides many avenues for aspiring hopefuls to express their talents and become famous. From films to television shows and game shows, there is no shortage of ways for men and women who desire fame to pursue and earn it in the United States of America. Another tested medium ...

Unearthing New Details About The YouTube Success And Personal Life of Alex Burriss of Wassabi Productions Wildly hilarious and truly audacious, Alex Wassabi is an American YouTuber who has become a very popular face on the video-sharing platform after having garnered millions of subscribers over the years by keeping people glued to his channel with his witty parody video releases. If you have always loved parody videos, there is every chance ...

Everything You Need To Know About H2O Delirious H2O Delirious whose full birth name is reported to be Jonathan Gormon Dennis has successfully kept himself mystified by hiding his face behind the masks leaving his loyal fans speculating who he really is for many years. The American YouTube star is easily identified by the Jason Mask Style with make-up which he wears on his ...

Who Is HolaSoyGerman and What Happened To Him? German Garmendia has certainly seen it all when it comes to internet success. His channels, HolaSoyGerman and JuegaGerman are in the top twenty most subscribed channel on YouTube. The Chilean YouTuber found a way to tap into one of the worlds greatest inventions and make a living from it. He has been able to build ...

Who Are Glenn Becks Family, What Is His Net Worth And What Happened To Him? The American political commentary space is filled with different personalities. A few of them, through their rhetoric, charisma, and resources have been able to build a large following of men and women who listen to them for insight and direction for various political and social issues in the United States. For Conservatives, the story is ...

Following Charissa Thompsons Rise Through The Ranks Of Sports Casting and All About Her Boyfriend Superstar TV host and sportscaster, Charissa Thompson, has been hailed as one of the highest-profile women journalists in America, and the reason is there for all to see. She has worked for popular establishments such as Versus, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, GSN, and Big Ten Network. She currently hosts the popular pre-game show, Fox NFL Kickoff, ...

Is Chris Kattan Gay or Does He Have A Wife? What Is His Net Worth? Chris Kattan is a popular American comedian and actor. He has appeared in several comic movies and TV series such as The Middle, A Night at the Roxbury and Bunnicula. Kattan is, however, most popular for his six-year stint as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. During his time on the legendary show, he ...

Everything You Should Know About the Rise of Insta Star Claire Abbott and Why She Gave It All Up A lot of young Americans have shot into the limelight for uploading different kinds of videos on YouTube. Some of these young stars include Connor Franta, Desi Perkins, Emma Chamberlain, the Dolan Twins (Ethan and Grayson), and Claire Abbott. The latter became a social media celebrity for uploading sexy bikini pictures of herself on social media. Apart from ...

5 Facts You Need To Know About The YouTube Channel  h3h3Productions H3h3Productions is a YouTube channel that specializes on Comic responses or reactions of other contents or trendy stories. The celebrity couple that created the channel has over time racked up sizable views for their commentaries and contents. Even though they had their own fair share of copyright cases, thankfully they scored an unprecedented victory in all ...

Lilypichu Bio  Height, Brother and Love Story With Albert SleightlyMusical Chang Like most popular internet celebrities, Lilypichu is one of those Twitch streamers who spend their lives on camera. From daydreaming about the possibility of becoming a full-time professional streamer, she grew to live out her dreams on the popular live streaming platform where people play games, make crafts, and showcase their day-to-day activities. Given the rise of ...

KSI  What To Know About His Girlfriend, Brother  Deji Olatunji & Net Worth Assuredly, when Internet inventors Vint Cerf and Bob Khan created the technological masterpiece, they probably did not know how massive the creation will be harnessed by many for different purposes including as a platform for earning money through content creation. One of such person who smiles to the bank regularly today for spending time creating ...

The Interesting Progression and Highlights of Carrie Keagans Career as a Host and Actress Carrie Keagan has garnered huge fame through her various stints on television. She is not just your regular TV host but one with a difference. Keagan has hosted several high profile events and TV shows, including VH1s Big Morning Buzz Live and Fox News Channels Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. However, not many know she ...

The Gist On Elise Jordans Marriages And Her Rise To Prominence Political commentaries tend to be boring when it is handled by someone who does not have a knack for it. However, when you see the likes of Elise Jordan run the same commentary, you will have a lot of reasons to look forward to watching her again as the journalist is well-versed in the field ...

What Is Timmy Thick Best Known For and How Successful Is The Star? Thanks to the internet, many people whose talents would have ordinarily gone unnoticed have become famous. A very good example of this modern-day internet celebrity is Timmy Thick, an American social media star. He became popular on Instagram due to his penchant for posting raunchy pictures of himself. He also often posted videos of himself ...

What Does Heather Storm Do For a Living and Who Is She Dating? Reality Television is a great way to make a name for oneself as well as amass a fortune. Heather Storm can attest to this as she is one of those who have made a name and earned a lot from reality TV. She made her name appearing on shows like Car Fanatics, Awesome Autos, and, ...

Matt Carriker Biography  Net Worth, Wife & Height Unlike your regular veterinary doctor next door, Matt Carriker chose to spice up his noble profession with the unusual. Though he is known to many as a medical practitioner, Carriker is better renowned as a YouTube star and an animal lover. Having recorded huge successes on his various YouTube channels, the vet doctors name and ...

Jillian Mele of Fox News Career Achievements, Husband & Measurements There are quite a good number of presenters on radio and television who listeners and viewers may never wish to miss any of their shows because of their sensational golden voice, beauty or the special way or artistry they anchor their shows. Jillian Mele is one of such. She has been at the top of ...

Who is Gillian Turner of Fox News? Her Fiance or Husband and Net Worth Gillian Turner is well-known as a news correspondent for Fox News Channel but before she became a TV personality, she built an intimidating resume working for different institutions, including the American government. She served in different capacities at the White House National Security Council during the administration of former US Presidents  George W. Bush and Barack Obama. ...

Gloria Govan Bio  Age, Ethnicity & Height Even as Gloria Govan is famous as an American actress, author, a TV host, and reality television star, shes more popular as the wife of the former NBA player, Matt Barnes. She became known after appearing on the Florida version of the reality television series, Basketball Wives and later, Basketball Wives: LA  after Matt was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sadly, ...

Michael Fishmans Interesting Start as an Actor and Why He Divorced His Wife of Many Years When one door closes, another one opens. As silly as that axiom may seem, it is the story of the resurgence of Michael Fishman, who plays D.J Conner on the popular show, Roseanne. Having played the character for several years as a child actor into his teenage years; when the show originally ended, Michael did ...

Who Is October Gonzalez  Tony Gonzalezs Wife? All You Need To Know October Gonzalez is a popular American TV host and media personality. Additionally, she is also a model. Gonzalez has hosted several TV shows such as Beat Shazam, Entertainment Tonight, and Rachel Ray. She has also featured in several reality TV shows. Gonzalezs fame is not just due to her profession but also because of her ...

Who Is Tony Berlin  Harris Faulkners Husband: His Children and Family Facts Tony Berlin is a popular American media guru. He has variously worked as a reporter, anchor, and producer for some of the biggest TV networks in America. They include CNN, CBS, NBC, and ABC (where he hosted the popular Good Morning America). Berlin has now diversified into public relations and owns his own PR firm. ...

The Progression of Gianna Tobonis Journalism Career and Details About Her Marriage to Kyle Buckley Gianna Toboni may not be your ideal newscaster but her unusual reporting is what made her a household name. The American journalist is renowned for her hard-hitting and authentic reportage. A motivator and activist for total press freedom, Gianna loves to explore pervasive cultural issues. Not only does this unique and ambitious journalist call for all ...

Dog The Bounty Hunters Family Including Details of His Late Wife and Kids Popularly known as Dog, a name which he got from the television series, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman, an American bounty hunter, and one-time bail bondsman, went from being convicted for a felony to being a reality TV star. He was brought to the limelight following the capture of the convicted criminal, Andrew Luster in 2003 and this eventually made ...

Vicky Karayiannis, Chris Cornells Wifes Bio, Children and Family The world of showbiz is made up of different people who serve different roles, and function in a variety of capacities, and one of the most important people are those in the background. Publicists are undoubtedly one of these background people yet they are vital to the life and fame of most of our favorite ...

Joe Rogan Has A Step-Daughter and 2 Other Kids With Wife Jessica Ditzel  Meet His Family Joe Rogan is a popular American stand-up comedian and TV host. His journey to stardom began in the late 80s and has seen him host several shows, the most popular is the game show titled Fear Factor. The exciting show dares contestants to face some of their greatest fears and embark on challenging stunts. The ...

Josh Gates and Wife Hallie Gnatovich Have 2 Kids But Who Has the Higher Net Worth? Best known for his explorations and adventures, Josh Gates, is a television presenter with a voracious appetite for seeing the world and the beauties in it. Some of that beauty, however, is in his home, in the form of two children he shares with his wife, Hallie Gnatovich. Not excluded is their marriage which has lasted ...

Holly Sonders Wiki, Plastic Surgery & Why She Divorced Her Husband  Erik Kuselias After trying everything within her capacity to have a low key wedding, Holly Sonders was drawn to the public because of her husbands controversy at his workplace. Well, the two are rumored to be divorced but the article below will give more light on how true these rumors are. Meanwhile, Holly Sonders is yet to ...

Nadeska Alexis Bio  Age, Boyfriend & Net Worth Journalism is one diverse profession that allows the practitioners to choose their area of specialty, build a career on it by reporting the truth and facts which in the long run will distinguish them as deserving commendation and recognition among their peers. Some choose to specialize in political journalism, while to others it is sports ...

Media Platforms Charlamagne Tha God Has Explored and All The Controversies He Has Courted Charlamagne Tha God is an American on-air personality, radio presenter, and more recently, author. He is popularly known as a co-host on New York radios nationally syndicated show, The Breakfast Club, a program he has been hosting alongside DJ Envy and Angela Yee since 2010. However, his early years had no connection to his current career ...

A Look At Jimmy Fallons Net Worth and Family Including His Wife & Kids Sometimes, a childs passion for something is a pointer to what he/she would become in the future. As a child, Jimmy Fallon was literally obsessed with watching the late-night comedy program, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Then, his parents would tape the clean parts for him to watch and later, he and his sister would re-enact sketches from the ...

Kay Adams Biography  Does The Sportscaster Have A Husband or Boyfriend? When you hear the phrase sports enthusiast, women are hardly the first group that comes to mind. Well, thats changing pretty fast. Especially with the rise of female sports analysts and broadcasters like Kay Adams who is famed for knowing more about sports than most men do. And why not, shes paid handsomely for it ...

Ben Shapiros Family  Meet His Wife, Kids and Sister Who is Popular for the Wrong Reasons A multi-talented man, Ben Shapiro is a man of controversial nature, an attribute that has made him an unusual public figure. An intellectual whose career path was clearly defined even before he became a man, the Jewish conservative commentator has always had his way with words. He became popular by sharing his critical and often ...

QVC Shawn Killinger Bio  Husband, Net Worth & Facts To Know Shawn Killinger is a prominent TV personality who has worked her way to the top. Though not initially a journalist by training, she defied the odds and today has established herself as a household name, as well as, worked alongside some industry legends. More than just being a reporter, newscaster, and anchor, heres all you ...

Liv Lo  Dissecting the Ethnicity, Parents and Personal Life of Henry Goldings Wife While many are aware that Liv Lo is the better half to Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, only a few understand why his beautiful wife appears increasingly endearing to fans. A former model turned TV personality, and fitness star, Liv has an impressive resume which when combined with that of her statuesque spouse is considered a perfect ...

Stpeach Age, Husband and Other Facts About The Twitch Streamer Lisa Vannatta, famously known by her online alias, STPeach is a Canadian video game streamer cum vlogger who has garnered fame through her appearances on different video-sharing/social networking platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Twitch, Reddit, and Twitter. The beautiful lady got her career to a start in August 2015 when she joined the live streaming video platform, Twitch. She rose to ...

Insights into Seth Meyers Wife, Family and What His Net Worth Is Celebrities are mostly remembered and known for the work they do. For Seth Meyers, his career as a comedian, writer, actor, TV host, and producer is his biggest identifier. He was on Saturday Night Live SNL show as a head writer and cast member for more than ten years during which he built a reputation ...

Who Is Jessica Gadsden  Age, Net Worth & All About Charlamagne tha Gods Wife Jessica Gadsden is an American fitness coach as well as a personal trainer. She is better known as the spouse of popular American media personality, Charlamagne Tha God. Charlamange Tha God is a well-known TV and radio personality in the U.S. He has featured in several shows (both on the radio and TV) and is ...

Who Is Collins Tuohy  Michael Ohers sister ? Her Wedding, Husband & Net Worth Collins Tuohy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, blogger, and social media personality. She is also better known as the adoptive sister of NFL player, Michael Oher, whose life story inspired the Hollywood blockbuster The Blind Side. The Blind Side tells the true life story of Oher who grew up in an impoverished background consisting of a ...

Eye-Popping Facts About The Personal Life And Career Success Of Sportscaster Heidi Watney Heidi Watney is a media personality who has created a niche for herself as a sportscaster. Starting out as a radio presenter, the brilliant young lady has gone on to work for several prominent sports networks, and currently, she is with the MLB. The sportscaster is also known to have been an avid sports lady right ...

Marty Lagina Bio  Siblings (Martina and Rick Lagina), Net Worth and Wife Marty Lagina is an American engineer and businessman who has risen to fame as a reality TV star. This is thanks to his involvement in the adventure TV series, The Curse of Oak Island. The Curse of Oak Island is a long-running TV series which airs on the history channel. The show aims to solve ...

Is Jordan Schlansky Just A Character or a Real Life Person and What Does He Do? The world of late-night television is an interesting one. Shows during that time are geared towards giving viewers comedic relief from a long day at work through interviews and comedy sketches. The often charismatic host of this show requires the balancing talent of a producer whose primary job is to deliver great episodes. It is ...

Heres How Wealthy Jimmy Kimmel Is From All The Phases of His Career, Marriages and Sons Health Jimmy Kimmel is a renowned late-night talk show host known for his charm, wit, and the A-list guests he features on his show. As the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! On ABC, Jimmy has been serving comedy to television viewers for years which played a pivotal role in launching him into mainstream fame and enabled ...

Natasha Bertrand Biography  Is She Married? Who Is the Husband & What Is Her Age? Natasha Bertrand is not just a young prominent journalist but a first-rate investigative reporter. With her natural beauty and smile, Natashas sharp, insightful political commentary also makes her a thorough reporter. Her sound political perspective and coverage in the country have made her a force to be reckoned with in the profession. Renowned for her ...

What Happened to Shane Kilcher? His Injury Update, Net Worth and More Shane Kilcher is well-known thanks to the Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. It is a show that documents the daily lives of the extended Kilcher family, people who live without plumbing or modern heating. The episodes follow their routines as they rely on hunting and farming for their nutritional needs as well as ...

Is Stephanie Gosk Gay or Lesbian, Who is the Wife or Partner  Jenna Wolfe? In August 2013, NBCs Today viewers were greeted with two shocking news. Today weekend anchor, Jenna Wolfe, announced that she was as a lesbian, introducing her partner as NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, and said the two are expecting their first child. A long time has passed since then and certainly, a lot of things ...

Nikki Mudarris  Bio and Net Worth: 5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know Nikki Mudarris, also known as Miss Nikki Baby, is a reality television star, model and fashionista. Shes best known for VH1s reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood. Her entrepreneurial skills enable her to create and run a successful lingerie line Nude by Nikki. Not only that, but Nikki has also successfully run the Las ...

5 Interesting Things You Need To Know About Kelly Nash Ever heard of the lady who gained national prominence for taking a selfie with a dangerous ball just a few inches away from hitting her? Its no other person than Kelly Nash, an American sports broadcaster currently working as host of The Rundown show which airs on MLB Network every weekday at 2 pm ET. ...

Understanding The Height of Fame John Oliver Achieved With The Daily Show and How He Met His Wife Without knowledge of who he is and his exemplary career, John Oliver cuts an unassuming figure of a regular man but he is one of the most influential personalities in America, especially on television. Since he began his career in 1998, he has been a loud and unapologetic agent of change, using his wit and ...

Why Did Big Chief Leave Street Outlaws, Where Is He Now And Why Did He Divorce His Wife? Justin Shearer, otherwise known by his professional name Big Chief is a famous street racer and television personality. He is famously known for being one of the main characters on the racing reality television series, Street Outlaws. Justin, who had been a significant part of the show since its premiere in 2013, appeared in a ...

Who is Josina Anderson of ESPN? Her Husband and Family Facts There has been a gradual paradigm shift in the world of sports which has today produced the likes of Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and other female athletes that are pulling great feats in different sporting fields. Their achievements have also been followed by the emergence of female sports journalists such as Jillian Mele, Eboni Williams, ...

Is Brittany Wagner Married, Who Is The Husband, How Old Is She? Brittany Wagner has been an inspiration to a lot of sports youngster. She has won the hearts of many athletic students with her role as a life coach and an academic counselor. She is well groomed in her career and has worked over a decade for The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and The National ...

Tati Westbrook Bio  Age, Husband & Net Worth With five videos dished out every week, alongside running her own brand, beauty guru, and YouTube superstar Tati Westbrook has proved to the world that theres utterly no impossibility or limit to whatever one is passionate about. Tati is best known for being the owner and manager of the worlds most-viewed beauty and lifestyle YouTube channel, ...

Cathy Areus Long Road to Becoming a Freelance Journalist and What to Know About Her Kids An American freelance journalist, news analyst, and author, Cathy Areu has built a lasting reputation for herself on cable television. Popular for her skillful and sassy presentation of professional views on varying topics including cultural and feminist issues, Cathy is an inspiration to many women across the globe. In addition to being a journalist, she ...

Tucker Carlsons Love Story With Wife Susan Andrews, their Children and Net Worth Today On the TV screens, Tucker Carlson is that fiery fellow who passionately dishes out his conservative and often controversial views on issues of national importance. Such brazenness has fetched him many enemies, especially on the left-wing, but it has also helped him cement a reputation as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in America. His ...

Paige Wyatts Net Worth, Boyfriend and Where She Is Now Paige Wyatt became popular after the Wyatt family began running the reality television show, American Guns. The Wyatt family comprises Rich Wyatt (father), Renee Wyatt (mother), Paige and Kurt Wyatt (children). Rich Wyatt originally ran a gun shop, the Gunsmoke Guns in Wheat Ridge, Colorado which is outside of Denver. The business which he ran together ...

The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

Lisa Joyners Biography  Ethnicity, Net Worth and Other Key Facts Lisa Joyner is an American Journalist, TV talk show host, and actress. Some of her well-known works are her correspondences for the Los Angeles based TV KCBS, inFANity show, Find My Family Show including her film and television appearances in Brimstone, American Sweetheart, The Bold and The Beautiful among others. Lisas passion for reconnecting people with their biological families ...

Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

Jessica Goch  Bio: 5 Things You Didnt Know About Ninjas Wife Jessica Goch is the Schofield-born American Social Media Influencer who has worked as a model but is now better known as a host and interviewer of prominent Electronic sports celebrities at popular gaming events/tournaments. The screen queen also serves as the manager of her famous husband Ninja aka Tyler Blevins whose exploits on Twitch and Fortnite has ...

CNNs Chris Cuomo Biography  Wife, Family & Net worth Chris Cuomo needs no elaborate introduction as he has starred graced many prominent Television cable networks and his voice has been heard through acknowledged radio shows. He is a television journalist and Lawyer who has previously worked for ABC News as Chief law and justice correspondent as well as a co-anchor on 20/20. If you still ...

Neil deGrasse Tyson  Family, Religion & Net Worth Neil deGrasse Tyson is a distinguished American astrophysicist and author who has been able to achieve so much after falling in love with astronomy at the age of 9. He has since attended and become an alumnus of prestigious universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, and also recorded numerous achievements in his field of ...

Is Simon Cowell Gay? Does He Have A Wife or Girlfriend and Why is He Famous? Simon Cowell is a well-known talent show judge, TV producer, entrepreneur and one of the most popular TV personalities that Britain has ever produced. In conjunction with his company, Syco, Cowell is the brain behind hugely successful talent hunt shows such as The X-Factor UK, The X-Factor US, Britains Got Talent, Americas Got Talent and ...

Everything To Know About Joanna Gaines Life With Chip Gaines, Their Business Pursuits and Kids Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip Gaines became celebrities after their television show Fixer Upper began airing back in 2013. The show which was about home renovation and decoration ran for about 6 seasons with a total of 79 episodes before the couple bade farewell to it in April 2018. Apart from their appearances on ...

Who Is Larry The Cable Guy? What To Know About His Wife And Net Worth Larry the Cable Guy is a self-professed country kid renowned for his trademark Southern accent and sensational catchphrase Git-R-Done! The famous comedian who talks about anything under the sun has gone on to become one of the most memorable characters in comedy history. Join us in unearthing lesser-known facts about the former on-air-personality, standup comedy superstar, movie ...

Who Is Patrick Starr, What Is His Net Worth and Gender? The make-up industry over the years has grown to become a billion dollar industry not just because there are probably more women wearing make-up but because a whole lot of men, especially the young ones, have become bold enough to wear it unlike before. A few of these men, like Patrick Starr, have even gone ...

How Did Chris Jansing Become a Senior Correspondent at MSNBC and Who Is Her Husband? An award-winning American television news reporter and journalist, Chris Jansing has succeeded in carving a spectacular niche for herself in the field of TV journalism. Outstanding for not just her excellence in journalism, Chris is also cherished for her incredibly gorgeous looks post 60! For close to four decades, Jansing has continued to soar in her ...

Jaclyn Glenn Biography  Age, Height & Ex-Boyfriend American Youtuber, Jaclyn Glenn, rose to prominence through her self-titled YouTube channel Jaclyn Glenn. She has remained an acclaimed atheist and continues to air her views on hot issues from politics, religion, animal rights, to atheism. During the heated 2016 US Presidential elections, Glenn featured in Hump Trump: Official Donald Trump Song. Her parallel acting career ...

Is Pat Sajak Married to a Wife or is He Gay With a Partner? Pat Sajak is one of the most popular TV game show hosts in America. He commenced his career as a radio disk jockey as well as a TV weatherman before being tapped to host Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show in the United States. Sajak has hosted the popular game show from 1983 ...

Nayyera Haqs Bio  What To Know About Her Husband, Parents And Family Nayyera Haq can take anyone on political debates as well as discussions on social issues affecting many. Her ability to masterfully deliver her stance on every issue or political debate has made her a regular face in morning and evening news media platforms. This is not a common feat especially for someone from her kind ...

Inside Guy Fieris Family With Wife, Kids and Sister Who Died of Cancer Over the years we have seen men dominate the kitchen and churn out amazing delicacies from it. Some do it way better than their female counterparts and one of such men is Guy Ramsay Fieri  an American TV host, celebrity chef, restaurant owner, bestselling author of four culinary books, and game show host. His ...

Meet Phil Mudd of CNN  The Former CIA and FBI Exec, Is He Married, Who Is The Wife? When it comes to discussing issues surrounding terrorism, American Counterterrorism and National Security Expert, Phil Mudd, occupies a globally significant position. He has voiced his interest in the fight against terrorism and insecurity on many popular media platforms, both print and broadcast, such as CNN, BBC, CBS, MSNBC, al-Jazeera, ABC, NBC, Fox, The New York Times, ...

Jim Hoffer: Biography, Wife  Mika Brzezinski, Children and Net Worth Jim Hoffer is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who works as an investigative reporter for Eyewitness News, New York City. In his over two decades of investigative journalism, Hoffer has been at the front lines of several crucial stories from the 9/11 attack to the crash of American Flight 587 to the 2003 Blackout. On top of ...

The Ups and Downs of Erin Mcpikes Journalism Career and Other Facts About Her Personal Life Erin McPike is a journalist working for the Independent Journal Review (IJR) as a White House Correspondent but she gained widespread recognition for her coverage of general news. Whether its breaking news or some mainstream story, McPike has a reputation of baring the facts. As a journalist, her work as a White House Correspondent for Independent ...

Bert Kreischer Is Married To LeeAnn Kreischer With 2 Kids  Meet His Family Those familiar with Bert Kreischer mainly have the image of a large-bellied party man whose college life inspired the National Lampoon film, Van Wilder. It is an image that one would not naturally associate with a wholesome family. The standup comedian still maintains his wild party animal image on stage. But, back at home, he is ...

How Brendan Greene Became a Game Designer to Look Out For and Facts About His Failed Marriage The name Brendan Greene may not easily ring a bell in the larger society but for gaming enthusiasts, he is considered a god and this is because of his invention of the video game, Player Unknowns Battlegrounds, also called PUBG. Based on the popular last-man-standing/battle royale concept, Greenes creation has taken the gaming world by ...

WFAAs Sonia Azad Bio  Does The Reporter Have A Husband Or Boyfriend? Emmy Award-winning journalist and Health & Wellness reporter Sonia Azad is on the news segment News 8 Daybreak for the television station WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, a channel which she joined in October of 2015. Besides her time on the news, Azad is also a marathon runner and a certified yoga instructor. She has covered major news ...

This Is Everything You Should Know About Caroline Heldman, Her Career Portfolio and Other Facts Love it or hate it, there is no escaping the fact that feminism has come to stay in our world. The movement has continued to garner momentum over the years and this is due to the sustained push by several women, and even men, including the likes of Caroline Heldman. A Professor of Politics at ...

Understanding The Enigma That Is Gavin McInnes, The Controversies He Has Stirred and All About His Wife Gavin McInnes is a polemical English-born writer and TV personality, who is best known for his racist and fascist ideologies, as well as his co-ownership of Vice Media and Vice Magazine. He is also an actor a
Holiday Markets are, in theory, magical places full of wonder and holiday warmth. But as anybody who has fought through the madness at Union Square during the holidays knows, they can sap your will to shop outside the Internet. So instead of throwing elbows at hastily constructed outdoor malls, check out some of the city's independent holiday markets, which harness the work of the city's creative community in places off the tourist trail.

Spiked Mug Fest and Holiday Bazaar

For those of us living in cold climates, the best part of the holidaysbesides the joys of family, friends, and divine birthdaysare hot boozy drinks. To partake in this hallowed holiday tradition while perusing the goods of more than 50 vendors, head to the Spiked Mug Fest and Holiday Bazaar in Long Island City. You'll be able to try out cocktails like the whiskey-based and cherry liqueur-infused "Kansas Christmas Cake," honey bourbon hot toddies, warm mulled cider, and winter beers like Coney Island Brewery's "The Plunge." There will also be live bands, a DJ, and food vendors from all over Queens, which means practically all of the planet's cuisines will be represented.

Saturday, December 17th, 11:30 and Sunday December 18th, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. // The Factory, 30-30 47th Avenue, Long Island City // Free (Holiday Bazaar only), $39 (three hours of unlimited drinking) // spikedmugfest.com

Renegade Craft Fair

Holiday shopping should be joyful, right? Buying gifts for loved ones (and those whom you don't particularly like but are married to loved ones) should be an act of joy. But instead, the crassness of corporate America has turned it into a tedious quest to accumulate and trade the fruits of assembly lines and child labor. But it doesn't have to be that way! Rebel against the Christmas-industrial-complex by shopping at Renegade Craft Fair in Industry City. Over three weekends in December, Renegade Craft Fair's holiday pop-ups will feature a rotating cast of 150 independent artisans and makers selling everything from decorative deer antlers to Taylor Swift-inspired pins. There will also be plenty of food, as well as DJ sets and DIY workshops.

Saturday to Sunday, December 3-4, 10-11, and 17-8, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. // Factory Floor, 233 37th Street, Brooklyn // Free // www.renegadecraft.com





Morbid Anatomy Holiday Flea Market

Do you ever feel the holidays can be a bit cloying? Are you one of those Tim Burton types who wishes that every holiday could be Halloween? Then you'll want to do your shopping at the Morbid Anatomy Holiday Flea Market at the Bell House in Gowanus. Participating vendors sell deconstructed and mounted skulls, mummy head snow globes, diaphonized animal specimens, and vintage books, art, sundries and ceramics that I'm assuming are weird and creepy.

Sunday, December 11th, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. // The Bell House,149 7th St, Brooklyn // $1 // morbidanatomymuseum.org

Awesometown Shopping Village

Get your full holiday fix at this East Williamsburg market: sip on some hot cocktails, get warm next to a fire pit, and buy your gifts from Brooklyn artists, designers and "eccentric entrepreneurs." Located at The Well, a 4,000-square-foot beer hall, Awesometown does sound pretty, well, awesome.

December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. // 272 Meserole Street, Brooklyn // Free // Awesometown Facebook Page

Bronx Museum Holiday Market

For the second year, the Bronx Museum of the Arts is hosting a holiday market showcasing the work of local artists, designers, bakers and brewers. The market will feature more than 50 vendors, musical and dance performances, photo opportunities with Ms. Santa, chances to make your own art, and hot cocoa and cider. Also, if you plan on being there Sunday, be sure to get in the holiday spirit by bringing some of your unused winter accessories for the Just a Little Warmer winter clothing drive to benefit Bowery Mission and SAMMON Build.

Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, 11:00am to 6:00pm // 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx // Free // bronxmuseum.org



(Julia Moak)

Greenpointers Tropical Holiday Market

Despite the fact that all the holiday origin stories come from the Middle East, the holiday aesthetic is mostly an ode to winter in the northern hemisphere: it's all snowflakes, open fireplaces, and Coke-drinking polar bears. It's nice and cozy, but let's be honest: winter mostly sucks. So check out the Greenpointers Tropical Holiday Market, where you can enjoy a mojito and pretend you reside in a place where the sun doesn't set at 4:30. The market, which takes place in an old rope factory, will feature more than 60 vendors and will have a tropical photo booth and offer massages, personalized stories by The Roving Typist, henna tattoos, face painting, and nail art.

Sunday, December 11th, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. // Greenpoint Loft, 67 West Street, 5th Floor, Brooklyn // Free // Tropical Holiday Market Facebook page

Stuyvesant Indi Bazaar

This Bed-Stuy market was started by a collective of local female entrepreneurs and features local and handmade clothes, jewelry, crafts, tonics, accessories, and specialty foods. But unlike some of the other markets on this list, the Stuyvesant Indi Bazaar emphasizes personal wellness. You can't forget to take care of yourself during the holidays, you know? Massage and reflexology therapists will be on hand, and December 11th will be "Self-Care Sunday," which will feature workshops like "Flower Essence," "Cannabis in the New Era of Medical and Recreational Acceptance," and "Tools for Business Building and Growth."

Sunday, December 4th, 11th and 18th, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00pm // 376 Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn // Free // stuyvesantindibazaar.com

F.A.D. Weekend Holiday Market

For the next three weekends, F.A.D., which stands for Fashion, Art and Design, is bringing 45 indie artisan vendors together in the basement of St. Paul's Church in Cobble Hill. So not only can you peruse the goods of some of the city's best artists, designers and makers, you can tell your mother you went to church over the holidays and it will be the truth, for once.

December 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18 11:00 a.m. to 6:00pm // St. Paul's Church, 190 Court Street, Brooklyn // Free // fadweekend.com

Other holiday markets to check out:

Brooklyn Flea Winter Market (Fort Greene), Midnight Market (Jersey City), Om Grown (Inwood), Astoria Market (Astoria), Native American Art Market (Bowling Green), Old American Can Factory Holiday Market (Gowanus), Phoenician Flea (Williamsburg), Shwick Holiday Market (Bushwick), Vegan Shop Up (Brooklyn), Artists and Fleas (Williamsburg and Chelsea), Bulletin Holiday Market (Williamsburg), Etsy Handmade Calvacade (Chelsea)
The White House issued a statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the Dec. 2 terror attack in San Bernardino.

It reads as follows:

One year ago today, the people of San Bernardino endured the horror of a terrorist attack whose reverberations touched all of America. The 14 innocent men and women who were taken from us that day had come together to celebrate the holidays and represented the best of our country. Their paths to the Inland Regional Centerwhose mission is to serve fellow members of the communityvaried. Some of the victims were just beginning careers of service, while others had devoted decades to those around them. The brutality of the attacks perpetrators could not have been in starker contrast to the selflessness and generosity that characterized those taken from us.

In the year since this tragedy, we have mourned those we lost, just as we have continued to confront the violent ideology behind this attack as well as the terrorist groups, including ISIL, that propagate it. As the President told the nation shortly after the attack, we will succeed in this mission because we are on the right side of history. Today, as we remember the horror of last December 2, we also recognize our progress in that campaign and the enduring truth of the Presidents words.
Boots muddy, sweat on their brows, a crew of 11 young people recently pulled up fencing from storm-saturated soil at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, a biological research field station managed by San Diego State University in southern Temecula.

The fencing had been sunk into the ground a decade ago by a graduate student who was trying to develop a humane way to prevent unwanted incursions by field mice.

The crew  who hail from all over the country  are members of the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps, a program founded in the early 1990s that was designed to give the nations youth a positive outlet for their collective energies.

They were dispatched to the Temecula region from their Sacramento campus to help both the reserve and the Meadowview Homeowners Association.

In addition to their work at the research site, members of the corps will help restore a private 300-acre open space at the heart of the associations community, which has been damaged by soil erosion.

You get to a point where if you dont have soil left you cant grow anything, said Teri Biancardi, a Meadowview resident who helped write up the application for the HOA.

To house the team  men and women between 18-24  Biancardi, fellow Meadowview resident Kurt Campbell and officials at the reserve put together a plan that involved the crew staying at housing on the reserve while they worked at the neighborhood. In exchange, the crew will also do projects for the reserve, such as the fence removal job.

Pablo Bryant, SDSU reserve manager, said the university jumped at the chance to participate because it meant land at Santa Margarita that had been impacted by research projects could be restored.

In a lot of cases, the students who conduct experiments on the reserve, a 4,300-acre swatch of largely unspoiled land that borders Camp Pendleton to the west and Fallbrook to the south, dont have time to return to the region to clean up after their projects are finished, he said.

That was the case with the fencing experiment, which ended up proving the resourcefulness of field mice.

Daniel Bracamontes of Santa Clara, the crews team leader, said the work in the Temecula region dovetails nicely with the goals of the NCCC, which has been deployed throughout the country on a wide variety of missions, from helping communities recover following natural disasters to work in the inner cities.

Were committed to doing service, he said.

Members of Bracamontes team hail from numerous states, including Wisconsin, North Carolina and Missouri.

This week we (worked) with the Meadowview Homeowners Association on land restoration and erosion mitigation measures, he said. We are also preparing for a volunteer day (Dec. 10) called Invasive Species Day.

During that event, the crew is planning to team with community residents and area students to identify and remove invasive plants from the large meadow at the heart of the community.

In coming weeks, the crew will head back to the reserve to tackle different projects. Bryant said theyll be working on north station facilities improvements and sensor network upgrades.

Biancardi said having the team in town has been a real treat for Meadowview residents  who have been taking turns hosting dinners and baking cookies  and its been great to see them in action.

Its science and young people and service and nature and idealism all rolled into one, she said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9698 or aclaverie@scng.com
Joseph Ortiz, partner at Best Best & Krieger, will discuss the passage of Proposition 64, legalized marijuana and its impact on the workplace on Dec. 12.

The event is part of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerces Business Seminar Series. It will take place 7:30 a.m. at 3985 University Ave., Riverside. Cost is $35 for members, $75 for nonmembers. Information: 951-683-7100 ext. 218, riverside-chamber.com

Pigeon breeders will take over Dec. 1-3 for the annual Pageant of Pigeons. The free show will feature thousands of birds, according to the clubs website. Information: losangelespigeonclub.com
Dr George Cleland, a US-trained Ghanaian medical practitioner, based in Athens, Georgia, has been presented with the Elbertonian Award by the National Association of Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), Elbert County branch, a national umbrella association for African Americans in the USA.



At a ceremony in Athens, Mr John Clark, the President of NAACP, congratulated Dr Cleland for his exemplary service in the medical profession and for providing exceptional medical care to patients in North East Georgia.



Dr Cleland was educated at the Ghanata College at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, where he obtained his OLevel and then proceeded to Sekondi College for his A levels. He left Ghana for the USA in 1979 to pursue further studies at the University of Georgia, Athens, leading to degrees in Human Nutrition and Metabolism.



He then gained admission to the Medical College of Georgia-Augusta where he successfully completed his medical course.



He has since practised General Internal Medicine in Elberton and Athens. Dr Clelands medical clinic is affiliated to the Athens Regional Medical Centre and the St Marys Healthcare System, both in Athens.

Source: Daily Graphic









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.

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Mrs Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the President of Liberia, has advised Ghanaians to guard the peace being enjoyed now because any violent incident could degenerate into a national catastrophe.



President Sirleaf, who is also the Chair of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said: If there is violence during the elections and it spills over into the communities, there is likely to be a lot of people that would get hurt, some people can die, properties could be destroyed and once that starts, people take advantage of that situation and it spreads beyond control.



She was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the sidelines of Cocktail Time with the Champion of Women Situation Room (WSR) and the Chair of ECOWAS, organised by the WSR in Accra, on Thursday, with the aim of providing an update documentary on the WSR-Ghana.



President Sirleaf, who is the Champion of WSR, said the situation in Liberia was not the best in memories, and that is why we want to make sure that Ghana maintains its good reputation of violence-free elections so that the country will continue to grow.



Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office of West Africa and the Sahel, said they were pleased that all the seven candidates had pledged to work to achieve peaceful elections in Ghana earlier in the day a programme put together by the National Peace Council.



Mr Zakiyu Iddris Tindannayil, a youth activist from the Zongo Community, assured the WSR-Ghana of the commitment of the Zongo Community to support in the efforts to maintain a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the December 7 Elections.



Christine Evans-Klock, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, expressed gratitude to all the partners of the WSR for the massive contributions towards the project.



Ms Theodosia Sowa, the Executive Director of African Womens Development Fund (AWDF) said the WSR was one of the many ways the strength of African women was displayed to the world.



The WSR was initiated by ABIC with the support of Liberian women and youth organisations.



The Goal of the WSR is to ensure that in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign of the African Union, women in collaboration with youth, play active and substantive roles in ensuring and sustaining peaceful elections.



The WSR is set to deploy an all women observers team to observe the general election in various polling stations across the country.

Source: GNA









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"...Even Trump with all his wild ideas had the boldness to attend the debate. This morning he (Nana Addo) rather went on Peace FM and spoke slangs there . So I said if you can speak slangs then you should come to the debate and speak there... said President John Dramani Mahama.



President Mahama who was speaking to party supporters in the Volta Region, Friday, made the above statement in reaction to various issues raised by the flagbearer of the opposition, New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo during an interview on Peace FM, Friday.



Nana Akufo Addo had a one-on-one interview with host of Peace FM flagship programme, Kokrokoo, Kwami Sefa Kayi, Friday (December 2, 2016) morning.



Among other issues discussed during the interview, the NPP flagbearer dismissed claims of being divisive and tribalistic.



"When youre about to deliver a speech or address a gathering, just say what you want to do for Ghanaians for Ghana to progress. Thats why I plead with you, If you assess what Im saying and it makes sense, if you look at what Im saying and theres wisdom in it; vote for me and I will also honour my promise when elected he added.



However, the President wonders why the NPP flagbearer is 'running' away from debates and rather granting interviews.



According to him, "he (Nana Addo) says so many things that are wrong. So I said come and sit down and lets have a debate so that Ghanaians will know the truth; he run away. So after running away from the one-on-one, the NCCE gave the opportunity to all of us who want to be president to come and tell Ghanaians why we want to be president, that one was not one-on-one; so at least show respect to the Ghanaian people and come; that one too he run away.



I am the President; I should be the one reluctant to come to the debate because all of them will be attacking you because they want your post. But I am the first sitting president to take part in a debate, in 2012 I did it, and this year too, I engaged in the debate. But the leader of the opposition is rather running away, which is very strange. Even Trump with all his wild ideas had the boldness to attend the debate. This morning (Friday) he rather went on Peace FM and spoke slangs there . So I said if you can speak slangs then you should come to the debate and speak there the President stated.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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.

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Ghanaians must vote for Nana Akufo-Addo in the 7 December polls so he together with his team of competent men and women, will rescue Ghana from its current confused state, former President John Agyekum Kufuor has said in an endorsement video.



Mr Kufuor said his former Attorney General has been a leader standing up to challenge wrongs, while Mr Akufo-Addos formidable running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia understands our economy thoroughly. He is the one person who reduces the complexities of finance and economy to levels where even our market women are becoming more adept at economic interpretation.



The team Nana Addo is leading, when given the chance, will be the team Ghana would want to lead it out of the confused state the nation is in now, Mr Kufuor who served two terms as president said

Source: classfmonline.com









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.

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Oi, pet owners of New South Wales: the government is suggesting a new set of by-laws to apartment owners, so sharing a place with your furry m8s may soon be a lil easier.

NSW has just re-jigged the strata laws that apartment owners need to follow. Theyve also changed up their suggested by-laws, aka the ones that directly impact you as a tenant.

Before November 30, the model by-laws that owners could choose to adopt featured a built-in clause that banned pets. If an owner wanted to allow pets in their property (the objectively correct choice, imo), they needed to alter the by-laws themselves.

In the new set, all that talk about banning pets has been eliminated. Of course, apartment owners can still choose to ban pets in their by-laws, but the go-to set of regulations now offered by the government essentially says animals are fab, bring em in.

As a result of that change, any apartment owner or owners corporation which adopts the new model by-laws cant knock back any sensible request to keep a pet in the property. Thats not all, either: NSW is proactively asking apartment owners whether theyd like to retract any current by-law ban on the precious creatures / family members.

This isnt a set-in-stone new law saying your right to have a pet is protected, but it is a beaut start.

The amended set of strata laws also considers some new challenges faced by high-density apartments. Cigarette (and BBQ) smoke, which wasnt previously considered a nuisance or danger to neighbours, is now something to look out for.

If the fam next door isnt keen on the scent of your dart or succulent balcony meal wafting into their living room, they can take it up with the owners corp. They can issue you with notices to cut it out, but if you dont, you could be up for a tribunal visit and a $1100 fine  double what it previously was.

So, the lesson to be learned here is that you should probably keep the smoke to a minimum, and ask your propertys owner if theyll consider changing their pet ban by-law. I, for one, just moved into a place with a corgi (can you tell?), and I am personally stoked the option may be open to more of yall soon.

Source: news.com.au / New South Wales Strata Management.

Photo: Carl Court / Getty.
Donald Trump isnt yet the president of the United States, but that fact hasnt stopped stacks of Republican voters from wishing they could retract their ballots.

The new Trumpgrets Tumblr page is here to catalogue those pained realisations, as many who clamoured to Make America Great Again clock Trumps stunning lack of qualifications and blatantly manipulative election tactics.

Serving as a simple gallery of Tweets (annotated with glib and schadenfreude-y remarks), the microblog has already uncovered a slew of regretful messages, along with the varied reasonings behind em.

Take this face-palmer from e-famous conservative commentator Joe Walsh, who is absolutely filthy that Trump has more-or-less broken his promise to drain the swamp of lobbyists and vested interests by adding a former Wall Street kingpin to his team:

https://trumpgrets.tumblr.com/post/153887368068/when-you-have-second-thoughts

Its not just eminent figures like Walsh whove expressed concern over their vote, though. Regular folks, who were perhaps most vulnerable to Trumps ra-ra rhetoric, are scared shitless now they know what hes about:

https://trumpgrets.tumblr.com/post/153903830563/beginning-to-think-cognitive-dissonance-is-a

https://trumpgrets.tumblr.com/post/153896708468/people-dying-from-their-own-stupidity-is-what

https://trumpgrets.tumblr.com/post/153888774973/actually-considering-how-publicized-his

https://trumpgrets.tumblr.com/post/153904557543/well-we-can-both-agree-on-that

While there are heaps more examples of Americans gettin riled up over Trumps softened stance on Crooked Hillary Clinton, his recent takes on burning the flag, and the infamous fucking wall, its those simple and frightened messages about jobs and security  cornerstones of his campaign  that are the most heartbreaking.

Were the warnings there beforehand? Yeah, and theres been a lot of discussion about why those messages didnt resonate with eventual Trump voters at all. No sympathy for Joe Walsh, though.

Clock the Tumblr right here, and expect it to expand in the months and years to come.

https://trumpgrets.tumblr.com/post/153904514038/sheer-number-of-tweets-trumpgretting-over-clinton

Source: trumpgrets.tumblr.com

Photo: Tasos Katopidis / Getty.
Joining Columbia University, and a series of schools nationwide, New York University announced in a letter this week that the college would be a sanctuary campus for undocumented students and would not share their immigration status with federal immigration officials.

University President Andrew Hamilton sent a letter to students and faculty this week laying out NYU's policies regarding undocumented students under a Trump administration, as first reported by Politico. While Hamilton's letter never used the phrase "sanctuary campus," it also promised the school would protect the immigration status of its current students in a number of ways. School security officers will continue to not ask a student's immigration status according to the letter, and Hamilton also wrote that the school doesn't give "permission" in the form of warrants or subpoenas to any federal agency "for targeting undocumented members of our community or for gathering information on them."

Hamilton wrote that he signed a letter with other college presidents asking the Trump administration to continue to support DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival), the Obama administration's executive order that allowed certain undocumented immigrants to remain in the country if they were brought here as children, and also wrote that:

University financial assistance to non-citizens (documented and undocumented) is independent of federal financial aid programs and will continue regardless of changes in national policy.

Tomas Cruz, the president of NYU's DREAM Team, an organization dedicated to supporting undocumented students, told Gothamist in an email that the letter was "a great starting point. But there is still more to be seen, especially when Trump is in office." He also shared thoughts from Pia Iribarren, a NYU grad student on DACA and former member of the DREAM Team, who said that while the letter was a good start, still too vague for her taste.

"What happens if NYC is pressured into no longer being a sanctuary city?" Iribarren asked. "Is NYU just going to give in too? Or will it still protect us since it's a private university and not tied to NYC financially the way CUNY is? Admins need to be clearer about this."

Cruz characterized the mood of undocumented students on campus as one of "frustration, fear, anger, and a heightened sense of vulnerability," with a number of students worried about their families getting broken apart or being sent back to live in a country they haven't lived in years.

Juan Calero, president of NYU's Latinos Unidos Con Honor y Amistad (LUCHA) told Gothamist that the campus's Black and Brown Coalition had met shortly before the letter was sent, and sent the administration a statement about the protections and support for the school's undocumented students they were hoping to see. "The general student sentiment is that we are content with what was sent," Calero wrote in an email, and that the coalition sees the letter as a reflection of what they sent the administration.

In addition to NYU and Columbia, schools across the country are making statements about their status as sanctuary schools. Donald Trump's alma matter, the University of Pennsylvania, announced that they wouldn't allow federal immigration officers on campus without a warrant, after students and faculty petitioned the administration to become a sanctuary campus. The president of Iowa's Drake University also announced the school would be a sanctuary campus. Movimiento Cosecha, an organization devoted to winning "permanent protection, dignity and respect" for the country's undocumented immigrant population, has called for national campus walkouts in support of campuses declaring themselves sanctuaries.

Two campuses in Texas staged walkouts in support of their schools becoming sanctuary campuses, as Governor Greg Abbot has said he'll cut off funding for any state universities which do so (it's unclear if Abbot would be able to follow through on his threat). State lawmakers in Georgia are also looking into how they can punish any schools who declare themselves sanctuaries. The president of nearby Princeton University wrote that while the school would work to protect its undocumented students and that he signed the letter to Trump supporting DACA, his opinion is that there's no legal basis for a sanctuary campus.

Since Donald Trump's election, there's also been talk of New York City's status as a sanctuary city. Despite President-elect Trump's threat to cut off federal funding to cities that continue to act as sanctuaries, Mayor de Blasio has said the city will continue to protect its population of undocumented immigrants from federal immigration officials.
Kanye West has finally been released from hospital, having spent more than a week there following an episode of what has been described as temporary psychosis.

He is currently receiving outpatient treatment, however, according to a report in Us Weekly, he is living in a rented house in Los Angeles, at the behest of wife Kim Kardashian.

A source told the publication that, Kanyes behaviour in recent months, especially in the wake of her robbery in Paris, has made family life difficult, saying of the situation:

Kim is being very protective and doesnt want Kanye around the kids right now  Its just been hell for them. Kanyes behaviour took a huge toll on their marriage. But Kim feels relieved he is getting the help he needs. She thinks this is what it will take to save him  and help their marriage.

Per another report in Rolling Stone, Kanye hadnt slept for up to a week in the lead-up to his hospitalisation, and was having difficulty identifying what was real. Their sources went on to say:

Hed be up drawing, writing and sketching, or pacing and doing pushups [at night]  He just could not calm down and go to bed.

Another added:

He would be up all night ranting about things. [Kim and Kanye] were fighting because he was impossible to live with.

So far, the only family member to make an official statement is Kanyes sister-in-law Kendall Jenner, who said: Everyone is doing okay. Just praying. We wish Kanye all the best in his ongoing recovery.

Source: Us Weekly.

Photo: Marc Piasecki / Getty.
Following Kim Kardashians traumatic robbery in Paris in October, sister Kendall Jenner wasnt taking any chances, and brought a beefed-up security detail to the recent Victorias Secret show in the city.

Security at the event was already sky high, with streets around the Grand Palais venue barricaded off, police and sniffer dogs on hand, and cars forbidden from stopping.

Even VIPs had to circle the block while they waited their turn to stop, a source told the New York Post, meaning that quite a few drivers were probably screamed at in the lead-up to the show.

Amidst all this, Jenner had the tightest security of all  she arrived at the Grand Palais her own extra team of handlers, above an beyond existing security, and wanted nothing to do with anybody, save good friend Gigi Hadid.

Speaking about Jenners (fairly understandable) paranoia, a source told the publication:

She had a special handler the whole time when other girls didnt. She arrived at the after party with private security, even though the police were there  [she] wanted nothing to do with anyone except the people doing her hair and makeup, her handler and Gigi.

Another added that she:

 wouldnt do press interviews and was actually hiding at one point  One reporter asked her a question and she literally ignored her. She just kept looking at pictures of herself on her phone.

She looked pretty damn good on the runway, though.

In early November, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West fired their long-time bodyguard Pascal Duvier, with a source saying they love Pascal, but they couldnt take any more chances.

On the day of the Paris robbery, Duvier had dropped Kim at her hotel room, and was escourting Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian to a club across town when he received word of the disturbance.

Source: Page Six.

Photo: Michael Stewart / Francois G Durand / Getty.
Frank Poccia and his wife, Paola Fusco are seen in there home Tuesday, November 29, 2016 in Montreal. When he was driven deep into the Libyan desert and told to kneel in the sand, Frank Poccia thought his seven weeks as a hostage were drawing to a tragic close.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl arrives for a pretrial hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C. Bergdahl, a former prisoner of war accused of endangering his U.S. comrades by walking off his post in Afghanistan is asking President Barack Obama to pardon him before leaving office. White House and Justice Department officials say Bergdahl submitted the clemency request. If granted, it would allow Bergdahl to avert a court-martial trial scheduled for April. He faces charges carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison. (AP Photo/Ted Richardson, File)
When the eviction notice came in it was just after nightfall, and our expressions of shock were lit by bonfires and phone screens. In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Army Corps of Engineers declared that the thousands of people gathered in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline were now trespassing, and would be forced to leave in ten days' time. The news traveled traveled quickly across Oceti Sakowin camp, where many had just finished their evening meals. As I walked along the dirt road that splits the community in two, I saw people of all races, ages, and backgrounds shaking their heads. The reaction was obvious"This is bullshit!" one man yelled. In the distance, prayers were being sung and drums pounded, low but strong.

To call the people gathered to fight against the construction of Energy Transfer Partners' DAPL project "protesters" is a mistake. During my all-too-brief visit to the camp last Friday, people from North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Washington all stopped to talk, or at least shake hands, in the middle of their work. They identify as Water Protectors, tasked with safeguarding their ancestral land and local water supply from destruction at the hands of the oil industry and the American government. Oceti Sakowin operates under a defensive mindseteverywhere protectors are digging in, sorting supplies, and readying for a long, cold fight.

My status as a media outsider who only made it to Standing Rock for a day during his Thanksgiving trip back home makes it impossible for me to make blanket statements about the camp. I can neither confirm nor deny if white people really are turning it into Burning Man, and I can't speak to the aggression of the Morton County Sheriff's Department. I can only tell you what I saw first-hand.

During my 24 hours at Standing Rock last week, the police seemed eager to keep their distance after their violent use of water cannons and concussion grenades against protectors only days earlier raised shock and outrage across the country. Inside the camp, which runs between a two-lane road and the icy Cannonball River, workers raised tipis, kids sorted through clothing donations, and strangers from across the country chatted while chopping wood for the camp's sacred fire. The air at Standing Rock is heavy with deep reverence for the past and hope for the future of the land.

It's been reported that if Energy Transfer Partners doesn't finish the DAPL by January 1st, companies committed to using their pipeline can back out of contracts, costing them millions. Time is running out. Police have begun stopping cars and trucks headed to Standing Rock with fresh supplies and handing out fines. Some say they've stopped plowing nearby roads. This weekend, thousands of armed services veterans will self-deploy to the camp in the name of protecting the protectors from militarized police. Next week, the evictions are slated to begin.

The imbalance of power surrounding the NoDAPL movement is obvious. America's legacy of destroying Native life is undeniable. And still, the emotion I encountered most at Standing Rock was one of hope, built on human trust, holy traditions, and the vigor that comes from battling injustice. If the water protectors are beaten down, uprooted, and cast aside it will be remembered as a deep national disgrace suffered for the sake of corporate profits. But if they succeedif President Obama comes throughit could give oppressed peoples everywhere a renewed source of inspiration.
Amoxicillin shortage in Michigan: What parents should know

Many Michigan pharmacy shelves are bare of amoxicillin oral powder for suspension, dispensed in liquid form most often to children, amid an RSV surge.
It's a New York City right of passage to bear the Eau du Street Meat scent after walking through a plume of scorched chicken grease on a Midtown sidewalk. The charcoal-cooked meats might be a city staple, but pollution caused by the grills has alarming effects on the environment and on humans.

"One street cart grilling meat over charcoal for a day sends as much particulate matter into the air as a diesel truck driving 3,500 miles, the distance from New York to Denver and back," the Health Department explained to Crains. The problem isn't limited to street meat vendors, either. Restaurants also share the burden of contributing to "PM2.5" particulate matter into the atmosphere, a volume that could be as high as 20% of total polluters in New York.

With the city poised to (rightly) increase the number of street vendor permits, there's concern from the DOH that pollution could increase as more charcoal vendors take to the streets. We've reached out to see how many current license holders employ charcoal and we'll update when we hear back.

Matthew Shapiro, senior attorney at the Street Vendor Project, says the organization would be eager to work with the DOH on finding clean solutions, especially since the lung health of the people working the grills month after month is severely impacted by the particulate matter. Many vendors already employ propane or alternative heat methods, but "some vendors will switch to gas grilling if need be, even though many barbecue purists prefer charcoal," Shapiro says.
Black students at New York City's public schools are arrested at a rate 10 times higher than their white peers, according to a new report on school discipline from the New York Civil Liberties Union.

The report, which was released Friday, found that more than 60 percent of in-school arrests made in the first half of 2016 were of black students, even though less than 30 percent of students in NYC schools are black. The arrest rate for black students was more than 2.5 times the rate for Latinos.

White students make up 15 percent of the public school population but accounted for only 3 percent of arrests in the period examined. Latinos, who make up 40 percent of the population, accounted for 30 percent of arrests.

According to the NYPD, the total index crime in schools has decreased 35 percent over the last five years. That has corresponded with a decrease in enforcement actions. Arrest and summons rates, the NYCLU report found, dropped 37 percent and 10 percent, respectively, since 2015.

But critics say the rates of major disciplinary action are still far too high.

"As summonses and arrests of students go down and school safety goes up, it is clear that frequent reliance on aggressive discipline is unnecessary and especially harmful to black and Latino students," NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in a statement. "We expect our schools to be safe and supportive for all our children."

The NYCLU found that although suspension rates have decreased, schools continue to lean heavily on suspensions instead of less aggressive disciplinary actions like parent conferences or detentions. Only 15 percent of suspensions issued during the 2015-2016 school year were for "serious infractions"which under DOE rules require automatic suspension. The remaining 85 percent of suspensions were made at the schools' discretion.

Black students were issued suspensions at far higher rates than other students. Of the 37,647 suspensions issued in the 2015-16 school year, half were issued to black students. White students accounted for just 8 percent of suspensions during this period.

According to the DOE, suspensions of black students students decreased by 19 percent between the 2014-15 academic year and 2015-16 academic year. (Suspensions dropped 9 percent for white students.)

The NYCLU report also shows that virtually every instance of a mental health emergency in which police were called involved a black or Latino student. "It would appear that any time a black or Latino student is having a mental health crisis, schools' first response is to call the cops," NYCLU advocacy director Johanna Miller said in a statement.

"We're encouraged by the steady decrease in suspensions along with crime, summonses and arrests, and are dedicated to continuing this essential work to ensure all students feel safe and are ready to learn," said DOE spokesperson Toya Holness. Holness did not comment on the high suspension rate among students with individualized education plans18.7 percent of students in NYC public schools have IEPs, but students with IEPs accounted for 38.6 percent of all suspensions in the 2015-16 school year.

A NYCLU report from 2013 argued that schools' reliance on law enforcement to enforce discipline criminalizes students and undermines schools' educational mission.
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A former police officer who sold an analogue of GHB, otherwise known as "the date rape drug," out of his home was sentenced to eight years in prison yesterday, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Robert Smutek, a former police officer and drug task force member in Dutchess County, sold the chemical under the name Potion 9 through a website he operated out of his home in Sleepy Hollow. The website, Online Coral Calcium, sold patent medicines.

Potion 9 was marketed as "mood enhancer" that contained natural ingredients. But evidence at Smutek's trial revealed that Potion 9 actually contained 1,4 butanediol, which turns into GHB in the body when ingested. Smutek sold 200,000 of the bottles between 2009 and 2014, netting him 1.2 million dollars.

Smutek was found guilty by a jury in April. In addition to his jail time, Smutek was sentenced to three years of supervised release, and had to relinquish the money he made selling Potion 9.

Smutek, a former police officer, was peddling a date rape drug over the Internet from his suburban home. The sentence imposed on him by the Court properly reflects the callous nature of his years-long drug dealing, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement following the sentencing.
U Beer The Latest Beer in Thailand

When we visit Thailand, we always drink Thai brand beers. Our favourite is always Singha and Leo Beer and of course there is Chang Beer too. Now, there is a new beer brand set to launch in Thailand very soon and it is called U Beer.

U Beer is a new lager beer inspired by the German beer and it is the latest creation by Singha Corporation.

U Beer Specifications:

Style: Lager

Alcohol by Volume [ABV]: 5.0%.

Brewed by: Singha [Boonrawd Brewery].

Size: 640 Ml / 320 Ml.

Price: ???

Launch Date: Mid December 2016

It is set to cater to the young generation who are more designed conscious, hipster, fun and lifestyle savvy. If you look at the design of U Beer, it is fun and modern. For the taste, it is better for you to find out.

If you are planning to visit Thailand, we recommend you to taste this new U Beer. It is something for you to discover and to brag. Hey, you have drink U Beer, the latest beer from Thailand?

Watch our review on U Beer.

Wilson Ng A Father and traveler who enjoys to eat, shop, travel and taking pictures with Samsung S22 Ultra and Sony ZV-1. Im a full time blogger, youtuber and father for two. I used to travel around 17 International trips per year but now staying at home. Remember to follow us at www.instagram.com/placesandfoods and www.youtube.com/placesandfoods. For advertisements or features, contact me at [email protected] See author's posts
Robert's recent work has seen him touring with Jonny Greenwood (the guitarist from Radiohead whose work also includes a residency with the BBC Concert Orchestra ), working with Frank Ocean, performing Steve Reich and Terry Riley , recording film scores and taking part in the South Bank Centre 's Deep Minimalism festival. And for Robert all this is part of a single continuum of work. Robert is both a conductor and a viola player, and I recently met up with him to find out more about his work with the London Contemporary Orchestra, but we also talked about his musical contacts with India and Kazakhstan, were he explores another repertoire entirely.

In 2015 the London Contemporary Orchestra won the Ensemble category of the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards and the judges' citation aptly convey's the orchestra's distinctive ethic,. The orchestra deliberately has no specific residency, instead it tailors concerts to the audience but they have developed strong relationships with the South Bank Centre, the Barbican and the Round House. And their work this year will take them from collaborations with pop groups to big film scores.Rather than thinking in terms of labels, Robert and the orchestra put on music they believe in, which the audience can enjoy in its own way. And it is quite an audience, with annual on-line figures of 2.5 million and having recently toured with Jonny Greenwood the orchestra's live audience was 20,000 this last year.
A 7-year-old Kansas boy has raised enough money to buy a ballistic vest that could save a police K-9's life. Grant Schroeder used his grandmother's cookies at a recent bake sale to raise $1,200 for the vest, reports KMBC.

Grant, who lives in Shawnee and says he wants to be a police officer when he grows up, admires those in law enforcement. "For five years now, he's wanted to be a policeman," says Grant's grandmother, Connie Pettigrew.

"They're like real-life super heroes," he says.

Olathe, KS, Officer Ian Mills will be given the new stab-proof and bullet-resistant vest for his K-9 partner, Axel.

Mills said he was shocked to learn that a boy as young as Grant helped provide protection for Axel. "I couldn't believe it," he says.

Grant raised the money for the nonprofit Going To The Dogs, which helps protect other police K-9 officers.
Attorneys for the city of Los Angeles have agreed to pay $4 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of an unarmed homeless man fatally shot by an LAPD officer in Venice Beach, CA, court records show.

Attorneys representing Brendon Glenns family and the city agreed to the settlement this fall and notified the court about their agreement two weeks ago, according to documents filed in federal court. U.S. District Judge Manuel L. Real dismissed the case a day later, citing the proposed settlement, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The tentative deal, which still requires approval by the City Council, comes as prosecutors weigh whether to charge the officer, Clifford Proctor, in connection with the May 5, 2015, shooting. Earlier this year, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck recommended that prosecutors file criminal charges in the case.

Proctor told investigators that he opened fire during a struggle with Glenn because he saw the 29-year-olds hand on his partners holster and thought Glenn was trying to grab the officers gun, according to an LAPD report made public earlier this year.

In dismissing the case two weeks ago, the federal judge said the case could be reopened within 60 days if the settlement is not finalized.
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Hillary Clintons former campaign manager, Robbie Mook, is calling for a Congressional investigation into Russias interference in the US presidential election.

Video:

I think (fake news) was a huge problem, Mook said. I think theres a lot of things that we need to examine coming out of this. You just named one of them. Congress has got to investigate what happened with Russia here. We cannot have foreign, and foreign aggressors I would argue, intervening in our elections.

Most outside of members of the Republican Party believe that Russias meddling in the election needs to be investigated by Congress. The problem is that no one knows how deeply Russia interfered with the election. It is certain that they did interfere, but the degree is unknown.

The American people deserve to know what happened during the election. Never has a foreign actor so blatantly interfered in the US electoral process. When even Hillary Clintons former campaign manager is calling for an investigation, it is an omen that they have their own suspicions that something was wrong with the 2016 election.

Democrats will be conducting their own investigations, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has also expressed an interest in investigating Russias involvement. The Republican majority in Congress is likely to try to sweep this under the rug because they if they investigate, they may not like what they find.

Mook was correct. There needs to be an investigation. If Russia meddled with our election, the American people must have the truth as a first step in restoring the integrity of our electoral process.
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As this weeks Friday Fox Follies is being compiled, collated, and reported, Fox News is gushing over Donald Trumps Victory Tour, which everyone is pretending is really a Thank You Tour because thats what Trump prefers. Conversely  in an unfair and imbalanced way, of course  Fox has insisted President Obama was on an Apology Tour since Day One.

Yesterday, as Trump was touring the Carrier A/C plant, Fox covered it like the Liberation of Paris. What the Fox Meat Puppets wont report is how Trump promised hed never use taxpayer dollars to keep jobs in the country. Nor will you hear the following:

Economists Take Shots At Trump After He

Bribed Carrier Into Keeping Jobs In The U.S.

While Fox Gushes Over Trump And The 1,000

Carrier Jobs Saved, Dont Forget How Much They

Hated President Obama Saving 1.5 Million Auto Jobs

Fox is also on a Victory Tour of sorts. The network has long wanted to be a King Maker and help elect a president. With Trumps win they may have elected an entire administration and cabinet. Rachel Maddow makes the undeniable point:

One Foxite worries that Trump could clean out the entire network, as troubling questions arise about Trumps other potential picks.

With Trumps election Fox may not have to endure any more sniping from the Oval Office (unless he goes on an anti-Megyn Kelly tirade again). This week President Obama rightly told Rolling Stone that one factor that may have helped Trump is Fox is on in every bar and restaurant in the heartland. Not surprisingly, Fox took exception, and the presidents quote out of context, by pretending he blamed Fox alone, as opposed to the other factors Obama has also mentioned.

THE WHITE WING NEWS NETWORK: Now that White Supremacists appear to have taken over the White House, will Fox follow suit? Just asking. Fox already has a track record of attacking minorities, and that was before the New Normal in which Racists Rule.

Fox Pundits Try To Mainstream Alt Right

Racists By Pretending Theres An Alt Left

Let Me Finish! This Is Ridiculous!: Fox Panel

Gets Heated Over Black Lives Matter Protest

How many black kids need to be murdered?:

Fox panel explodes over Black Lives Matter protests

On Fox & Friends: Homophobic Black

Bishop Trashes Black Community

Watch This Fox Guest Confront Hosts Bias

Over Black Lives Matter Black Friday Protests

WATTERS WHIRLED: As the issue of flag burning is being waved like a bloody shirt by Fox, Trump quickly jumped on the bandwagon. When Hampshire College found itself in its own flag flap, Bill OReilly sent out ambush pit bull Jesse Watters. Hilarity ensued:

Fox News Ambush Guy Jesse Watters Tries to

Ambush College President, Gets Cops Called on Him

Watch that segment and read what Loofah Lad thinks of his disciple:

I thought you handled that well, with the guy. Its the same old stuff. Yannow, these guys are cowards. Hes a coward. Uh, if had the courage of his convictions, hed stand there with you and say this is why he did it and allow you to ask questions as a journalist would in a polite way. You were polite to him. So, umm, hes a villain and a coward.

Lets unpack that, shall we?

The coward is the man who jumps out of the shadows with a camera crew in a dark garage on private property; Jesse Watters is no journalist; Neither is Bill OReilly, for that matter; There is nothing polite about ambushing someone and refusing to take your foot out of their door.

Watters needs to be more careful. In some jurisdictions, thats enough to get you shot to death.

BONUS FOX POINTS: That Really Pisses Me Off!: Fox Reporter Chases Down Union Rep For Blocking Interview

THE KELLY GUILE: Tonsospeculation this week as Megyn Kelly Back In Spotlight With Drudge Report She May Move To CNN. But, Don Kaplan says Megyn Kelly has no future at CNN, as he takes a well-earned shot at Fox:

But staying at Fox is a win-win situation for Kelly: she gets $20 million a year and they get to keep the fair-haired and balanced cred theyve always claimed. Even though its fake.

THE AILES FALLOUT CONTINUES:

Former Fox Host: Andrea Tantaros Is Telling

The Truth About Sexual Harassment At Fox

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: Some Foxites hide below the radar until their big mouth exposes them. Case in point:

Fox Host Dagen McDowell Says Obama Issued

Over 600 Executive Orders  He Didnt (VIDEO)

Then during an interview in which Former Mexican President Vicente Fox [says he] Thinks Donald Trump Resembles Fidel Castro, McDowell embarrassed herself further:

By the way, that kind of dictatorship, that kind of authoritarian leader, is very similar to Trump, Fox said. They lie, they cheat, they are false prophets, they promise many things but they are not going to be able to comply. McDowell interrupted Fox to say that comparing Trump to Castro is unacceptable because, she said, the Cuban leader was a murdering thug who tortured people and imprisoned people. She asked Fox to take back his statement, but he flatly refused and repeated his charge that both men impose their wills upon their nations people. As the segment ended, McDowell again condemned Foxs comparison, saying it was repugnant.

Watch:

THE TRUMPET SECTION: Fox News loves them some Trump:

CREDIT WHERE CREDITS DUE: Or, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Foxs Gutfeld: If Obama Took Victory Lap

Like Trump, This Network Would Explode

Fox Host Calls Out Colleagues Praise For Carrier

Deal: Theyre Losing More Jobs Than Theyre Saving

Fox host sounds off on Trump cabinet picks: You

want to drain the swamp, start with Rudy Giuliani

FOX BYTES: Architect Of CIAs Waterboarding Program And Fox & Friends Host Mislead About Torture  Trump DHS Transition Hires Islamophobic Wife Of Fox Regular  Foxs Varney Laments Public Officials Cant Describe Violent Crimes As Terrorism Until Theres Proof Its Terrorism  Fox Host Says U.S. Colleges Are Literally Corrupting Peoples Minds  And Turning Them Into Jihadists  Fox Attacks Fight For $15 Movement With Bogus Claim That Minimum Wage Increase Hurt Seattle  Fox legal analyst: Trump should push for prosecution of Clinton now that she joined the recount  Fox News just aired maybe the dumbest segment ever  Fox Pre-Attacks Obama Just In Case He Sends Anyone To Castros Funeral  Im Not a Pedophile: Fox News Sued for $10 Million After Publishing Article Under Sex Crimes  Fox Still Presenting Trumpkin Harlan Hill As A Democratic Strategist

Headly Westerfield is host of Facebooks Fox Follies & Fallacies and Head Writer of the Not Now Silly Newsroom.
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Along with the rest of the Religious Right, Jim Bakker has never been very good at prophecy. You might remember his prediction from this spring that Christians were going to be machine-gunned for public prayer. That was a good one.

Hasnt happened.

Since the election results came in, he is predicting that his god is going to kill a whole bunch of people because they didnt vote for Donald Trump. Of course, innocent and guilty alike will be punished, because they happen to live in the counties that voted for Hillary Clinton.

Also hasnt happened.

And fresh on the heels of that prophecy, he now says Trump supporters should by his food buckets now before anti-Trump riots sweep the nation, because,

If you want to be safe and theres rioting in your street, what are you going to do? Is your mom going to walk down through where theyre burning and killing and all?

First Gods punishing strike at Hillary supporters: Pointing at an election map Bakker said,

[I]f you live in the blueany spot thats blueI would say, Oh God, help me. Oh God forgive me. Because those are the ones who came against the will of God in this election.

Watch courtesy of Right Wing Watch:

I just want to tell you, God has spoken to me, Ive seen under the ground in California, in LA, and God spoke to me that in Los Angeles alone there is going to be such an earthquake come that literally the big buildings will be laying on their sides, all of LA is going to collapse.

Bakkers cohost Zach Drew also saw California as the site of divinely ordained earthquakes:

If you look at California, the east side of California is red by county and the west side is blue. And where do all of the fault lines, where do all the prophetic words happen to plant themselves? Its on the far-west of the West Coast. Its the blue. Now you got to understand, judgment is not coming for them because they voted for Hillary Clinton, its because they voted for a platform. They voted for a platform that is so incredibly pro-abortion, anti-Bible.

O sweet baby Jesusearthquakes in California? Really? Thats what prophecy comes down to these days? Earthquakes in California?

This just in: it will rain in Seattle. Meanwhile, those of you who voted for Trump, buy Bakkers food buckets before these riots come to a neighborhood near you.

Its amazing with God talking to him he cant see the sea levels rising, or the planet heating. But hey, at least life will be like a Hollywood epic as those fleeing earthquakes run into those racing home with their food buckets.

You hate to think what will happen to all those folks who thought they were safe until the recount proved they were doomed. If they move quickly, can they escape Gods wrathiness, or will doom follow their footsteps to the nearest red county?

Worse yet, can they cound on the post office forwarding their food buckets?
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Donald Trump tried to get the recounts stopped in Wisconsin and Michigan, and he has failed in both states.

In Wisconsin, U.S. District Judge James Peterson on Friday rejected their request for a temporary restraining order to immediately halt the recount, saying there was no harm in allowing it to continue while the court considers their lawsuit. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for Dec. 9.

Earlier in Michigan, the Secretary of State announced that the State Board of Canvassers rejected Trumps objection to the recount:

These are the first two rounds in what is certain to be an intense legal battle over the recounts. However getting the recounts halted looks like it will be much more difficult that Trump allies hoped.

In a statement, Jill Stein asked what Trump is so afraid of, In an election already tainted by suspicion, previously expressed by Donald Trump himself, verifying the vote is a common-sense procedure that would address concerns around voter disenfranchisement. Trumps desperate attempts to silence voter demands raise a simple question: why is Donald Trump afraid of these recounts?

Trumps lead in Pennsylvania has been cut nearly in half, and his margin is close to triggering an automatic recount. The odds are still long that recounts will flip the election to Hillary Clinton, but it looks like the Republicans are in for a fight that they never expected on the recounts.

Rounds one and two went to the American people, but more battles will need to be won if the American people are to get the recount that they deserve.
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By Ben Blanchard

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters)  China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the petty move.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwans leadership was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of one China.

Chinas Foreign Ministry said it had lodged stern representations with what it called the relevant U.S. side, urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.

The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship, it said.

The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation.

Speaking earlier, hours after Fridays telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience.

This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the one China structure already formed by the international community, Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, Chinas Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

I believe that it wont change the longstanding one China policy of the United States government.

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trumps victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said that exchange had sent a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations, according to the ministrys website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a petty move by Taiwan that does not change the islands status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you! he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.

WAYWARD PROVINCE

Trump and Tsai noted that close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States, the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwans presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

Chinese state media downplayed the possibility of a major blow-up in Beijings relations with Washington as Trump prepares to assume office.

Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the one China principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China hed have little time to do anything else.

We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do.

Chinas official Xinhua news agency said Trump needed to know Beijing can be a cooperative partner as long as Washington respects Chinas core interests, including the issue of Taiwan.

China and the United States are not destined rivals, it said in an English-language commentary.

Washington remains Taiwans most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call, Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the U.S. election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was well aware of what U.S. policy has been on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trumps team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. The White House also said after Trumps call that longstanding policy on China and Taiwan had not changed.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy toward China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the U.S. military in part in response to Chinas increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leaders office, as a terrific guy.

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a very engaging, animated phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who canceled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trumps transition team made no mention of the invitation.

(Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici, David Alexander, Yara Bayoumy, John Walcott, Arshad Mohammed, Eric Beech, Jeff Mason and JR Wu; Writing by Jeff Mason and Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Nick Macfie)
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Rick Joyner needs to pick up and crack open that Bible of his more often. Weve heard a lot of crazy things said by the Religious Right in defense of their support for Donald Trump, but Joyners latest escapade is jaw-dropping.

He is an honest man. He is one of the most honest people Ive met because he tells you what he really thinks. There [are] no facades there. He is not hiding anything.

Watch courtesy of Right Wing Watch:

Joyner also claimed Trump has a remarkable fear of the Lord, but if so, it is apparently in complete ignorance of Gods prohibition on lying.

Just to clarify, this is Donald Trump we are talking about, who, during the campaign, easily told anywhere from 20 to 37 lies a day, and later even reached 40 likes in a single day.

Toronto Star fact-checker Daniel Dale counted, from mid-September till the campaigns close, a total of 560 false claims, or a neat 20 per day.

Trump is the man who lies 9 out of every 10 times he opens his mouth. At one point, the Clinton campaign released 19  thats NINETEEN  pages of Trump lies. Nineteen pages.

PolitiFact gave Donald Trump the 2015 Lie of the Year Award with the proviso that he lied so often they couldnt settle on just one lie: To the candidate who says hes all about winning, PolitiFact designates the many campaign misstatements of Donald Trump as our 2015 Lie of the Year.

The Religious Right is in even more trouble than we thought if Donald Trump is the most honest man Joyner has met because he also gave us this whopper:

Having previously claimed billionaire Donald Trump was like impoverished and illiterate Galilean fisherman St. Peter, Joyner has now upped the ante by comparing him all all Jesus disciples:

If you look at the disciples that Jesus chose, they were all Donald Trump. Every one of them were Donald Trumps.

The problem, of course, is that Jesus disciples were all poor Galileans, the type of people Jesus said would inherit the kingdom of God, whereas rich people like Trump could not more get into the kingdom of God than a camel could through the eye of a needle.

This is the guy fellow billionaire Mark Cuban called a Master of headline porn. And Rick Joyner is saying is the most honest man he has met, and who is comparing him to Jesus disciples.

Joyner once said that our republic cant last much longer and that only a military takeover can save us as if a military coup can do anything other than destroy a republic.

Given those very low criteria, however, he has since decided Donald Trump can do the trick. Except for one little problem, and that is that Trump is going to have the same effect on the republic as a military coup.
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Hillary Clinton warned America that Trump would cause global crisis and conflicts, and the president-elects bungled call to Taiwan proves that she was right.

Former Clinton press secretary Brian Fallon tweeted out Clintons warning about Trump not being up to the job:

If only someone had warned us Trump was not up to the task of international diplomacy. pic.twitter.com/jRsKT7VKq0  Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) December 3, 2016

In the video, Clinton warned, Rather than solving global crises, he would create new ones. He has no sense of what it takes to deal with multiple countries with competing interests and reaching a solution that everyone can get behind. In fact, he is downright contemptuous of that work and that means hes much more likely to end up leading us into conflict.

Trump did lead the country into a new global crisis and conflict with his call to Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen. It is being reported that the Trump team set up the call in with the Taiwan government. This isnt some brilliant strategy. The call was another sign that the there is going to be a man in the White House who doesnt have a clue.

The Chinese are expressing their outrage, and have claimed that Trump is someone who was easily tricked because he knows nothing about foreign policy.

Hillary Clinton was correct. Donald Trump is a thin-skinned easily flattered know nothing who is dangerous to Americas national security and foreign policy. It is a national embarrassment to see Republicans line up behind Trump and treat his mistakes like steps on a strategic path to greatness.

The American people are going to regret that they did not listen to Former Sec. of State Clintons warnings because Trump hasnt even been sworn into office yet and he is already causing diplomatic chaos.
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*The following is an opinion column by R Muse*

There are good reasons why it is important for a public servant to be well-versed in the law of the land, the U.S. Constitution. First and foremost is because every public servant takes a swear to god oath to support and uphold the document and that importance is amplified a thousand-fold when the public servant holds a political office; especially when that office is the head of the executive branch of government. It has become increasingly apparent, and frankly damned worrisome, that the corrupt big-time wrestling celebrity heading for the White House has no knowledge of, or use for, the United States Constitution that despicable Don will swear to uphold, support and defend. It is a frightening prospect to be sure and now for the second time in a week, a Trump insider revealed their abject ignorance of the Constitution by expressing their belief that a journalist should be imprisoned for daring to cross Donald Trump.

There has been no small amount of anxiety among the media over threats against journalists from Trump and his campaign, and the reason for that anxiety came to the fore on Thursday. Trumps former campaign manager and in-house propagandist for CNN, Corey Lewandowski, expressed his bosss belief that the First Amendments freedom of the press, and speech, does not apply to journalists and called for the imprisonment of the New York Times executive editor, Dean Bacquet.

Lewandowski was making an appearance at Harvards Institute of Politics for a post-election confab when he repeated that the NYTs executive editor Dean Bacquet should be is a prison for publishing deceitful Dons 1995 tax returns in October. Politico reported that Lewandowski said:

We had one of the top people at The New York Times come to Harvard University and say, Im willing to go to jail to get a copy of Donald Trumps taxes so I can publish them. Dean Bacquet came here and offered to go to jail  youre telling me, hes willing to commit a felony on a private citizen to post his taxes, and there isnt enough scrutiny on the Trump campaign and his business dealings and his taxes? Its egregious. He should be in jail.

First, this column will answer part of Lewandowskis question whether it was rhetorical or not. No, there was not near enough scrutiny on corrupt Trump, his connection to Russia, his dirty dealing, and lies, his opposition to transparency, his business operations or his taxes; taxes that every other presidential candidate releases for inspection as a matter of course and transparency.

Second, it doesnt matter one iota what Mr. Bacquet said about a willingness to go to jail if it meant doing his job as a member of the Fourth Estate; many journalists are taking that stand every day now that a tyrannical fascist worked with Vladimir Putin and FBI Director James Comey to lie his way to the White House.

Where Lewandowski is dead wrong is libeling Mr. Bacquet by claiming he committed a felony simply by being a journalist. According to 10 esteemed experts in First Amendment law, neither Mr. Bacquet nor the newspaper he runs, the New York Times, violated any laws. In fact, the legal blog Concurring Opinions collected the concurring legal experts opinions and said that the NYTs is on firm legal ground because it did not participate in illegally accessing Trumps tax documents; unlike Trumps Russian cohort that illegally accessed (stole) DNC documents and passed them to a Russian surrogate, Wikileaks, to use on the Trump campaigns behalf.

Since the Times was unaware of exactly who the anonymous person was that mailed the tax document to the paper, there is no criminal liability. And lets face it, like Trumps threats against other journalists for allegedly committing libel against him, the lack of a lawsuit or criminal complaint clearly demonstrates even Trump knows the Times did nothing illegal. It may be true that Trump doesnt know any more about libel laws than he does the Constitution or the First Amendment, but his substantial legal team certainly does. If there was a hope in proverbial Hell of holding either the Times, Mr. Bacquet or any other journalists feet to the fire over libel violations, the jails and courts would be swamped with Trump lawsuits against journalists and all manner of media types.

These comments from a Trump surrogate and liar Lewandowski are not only troubling, they have inspired many journalism experts to condemn Trumps attacks on the press and instilled unwarranted wariness on the part of some journalists. The chairwoman of the Committee to Protect Journalists board, Sandra Mims Rowe issued a statement in October critical of Trumps incessant attacks on the press for doing its job and expecting First Amendment protections. Ms. Rowes statement read, in part:

Throughout his campaign, Trump has routinely made vague proposals to limit basic elements of press and internet freedom. At a rally in February, Trump declared that if elected president he would open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. In September, Trump tweeted, My lawyers want to sue the failing @nytimes so badly for irresponsible intent. I said no (for now), but they are watching. Really disgusting. While some have suggested that these statements are rhetorical, we take Trump at his word. His intent and his disregard for the constitutional free press principle are clear.

Heres the thing; what Trump described as opening up libel laws to suit his bloated ego is the definition of libel. What Trump complains about are purposely true articles about him, and if he could have sued the Times he certainly would have; he is, besides being a pathological liar, as vindictive and malicious a piece of work as any human will ever meet. As an aside, dirty Dons choice to run the National Security Agency, retired Lt. General Michael Flynn, committed libel against Hillary Clinton when he deliberately shared a purposely negative and horrible and false article for the sole purpose of defaming Hillary Clintons character; the legal definition of libel. Trump wants that person running the nations top intelligence-gathering spy agency instead of being in prison where Trump Brown Shirts want journalists sent for publishing the truth.

Many journalists and media outlets are not about to be intimidated by the likes of Trump or his rabid Nazi acolytes. The biggest threat to the First Amendment is Trump colluding with his suspected choice to run the Department of Homeland Security. He is the malcontent cop who twice called for armed rebellion against the United States of America, and proposed ending habeas corpus to round up a million people to be imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay Cuba; no warrant, no trial and absolutely no Constitutional rights. It is no stretch to imagine Trump heeding that kind of advice and rounding up non-complimentary journalists. However, until that time, journalists not in thrall to Trump should not give any quarter and hammer Trump and his surrogate alt-right Nazis, billionaires, racists, bigots and warmongers mercilessly; at least until Trump unilaterally abolishes the United States Constitution. It is a prospect once thought unimaginable, but so was the idea of a fascist big-time wrestling celebrity inhabiting the White House.
Kelvin Cole, 56, died Oct. 28 after being struck by multiple cars on Interstate 26. Investigators later determined he had active arrest warrants from Charleston County's Family Court and the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. Read moreJohns Island man provided fake name before jumping from I-26 overpass, report says
... Since 1950 ...



1951 - July 13 -

FLOOD

In the early morning darkness, the

Kansas River over-tops the flood-walls in both Kansas Citys

May 20

TORNADO

Ruskin Heights is dissected by an F-5 tornado

.

The tornado formed southwest of Ottawa- near Williamsburg, Kansas around 6 pm and by 7:30 pm- the killer vortex had crossed the state line into Missouri.



Most of the unincorporated town of Martin City and nearly half of the homes in the fairly-new Ruskin Heights subdivision were either heavily damaged or destroyed.





Forty-four deaths are officially attributed to the entire tornado's 71-mile path- 39 of those dying in Missouri.





This is the deadliest tornado in Metro KC weather history.









September

FLOOD - FLASH FLOOD

April 12

TORNADO

July

FLASH FLOOD

April 19

TORNADO

May 15

TORNADO

1966

June 8

TORNADO

January 24

TORNADO

June 29

TORNADO

1973

January 3 & 4

ICE STORM

September

FLASH FLOOD













1977 - May 4 - TORNADO - A mini- tornado outbreak affected every part of Metro Kansas City except the northwestern areas.



There were at least 4 separate tornadoes - 3 of them F-3 or stronger.



There are 3 deaths - 2 in Pleasant Hill where an in-session high and elementary school were hit - and one near Odessa, MO..



More than 2 dozen injuries were reported.



It was







1977 - September 12 & 13 - FLASH FLOOD - Kansas City's worst flash flooding in terms of lives lost and damage.



Twenty-five people died.



Up to 16-inches of rain over a 2-day period on the heavily-urbanized Brush Creek watershed culminated on the night of the 13th.



Devastating flooding occurred along Brush Creek from the Kansas suburbs just west of the state line eastward to the Big Blue river.



Several of the Blue's smaller tributaries like Independence's Rock Creek suffered major flooding as well.



Four people in their cars were washed away into Round Grove creek, which was more than 10-feet out of it's banks along Raytown Road as they exited the Truman Sports Complex after the Royals baseball game was cancelled.



Most of the other victims drowned along Brush Creek between State Line and The Paseo.



The scenes I witnessed that night haunt me to this day as much as the Jan. 28, 1978 Coates House fire where 20 died.







1980 - July-August - HEAT WAVE - Kansas City's deadliest weather disaster by far: A prolonged heat wave . Floodwater inundates a mobile home park in Northmoor mobile home park where emergency rescue of residents had to be conducted.- A mini- tornado outbreak affected every part of Metro Kansas City except the northwestern areas.There were at least 4 separate tornadoes - 3 of them F-3 or stronger.There are 3 deaths - 2 in Pleasant Hill where an in-session high and elementary school were hit - and one near Odessa, MO..More than 2 dozen injuries were reported.It was the first time I got on the tail of a twister - following it into Pleasant Hill - Kansas City's worst flash flooding in terms of lives lost and damage.Up to 16-inches of rain over a 2-day period on the heavily-urbanized Brush Creek watershed culminated on the night of the 13th.Devastating flooding occurred along Brush Creek from the Kansas suburbs just west of the state line eastward to the Big Blue river.Several of the Blue's smaller tributaries like Independence's Rock Creek suffered major flooding as well.Four people in their cars were washed away into Round Grove creek, which was more than 10-feet out of it's banks along Raytown Road as they exited the Truman Sports Complex after the Royals baseball game was cancelled.Most of the other victims drowned along Brush Creek between State Line and The Paseo.The scenes I witnessed that night haunt me to this day as much as the Jan. 28, 1978 Coates House fire where 20 died.- Kansas City's deadliest weather disaster by far:



More than 200 people are reported to have died from various heat-related causes from late June through August.



One July day was tinder-dry with Santa-Ana-like conditions.



Grass, brush and other fires citywide had the Fire Department down to a handful of companies in service when a grass fire spread to an apartment complex near 76th St. & Blue Ridge.



Four other fire departments - including Johnson County KS. - had to help what few KC-MO companies that made it there.



No one was injured - but several buildings were damaged.







1982 - August - FLASH FLOOD - Flash flooding strikes southern & southeastern KC-MO..



One fatality was reported.



The not-yet completed Longview Lake saved the Little Blue Valley from major flooding.







1984 - March - ICE STORM - A damaging ice storm affects a wide area of eastern Kansas and western Missouri - including the Kansas City Metro.







1984 - June 8 & 9 - FLASH FLOOD - Severe flash flooding affects Indian Creek from Olathe and Overland Park to it's mouth with the Blue River in KC-MO..



Hundreds of residents along Indian Creek from Olathe, Overland Park into KC, MO.. flee the record flood crests.



No one was reported hurt - but 2 young women were stranded on a traffic island by floodwaters at 103rd St. & Conser in OP-KS for more than 2 hours.



The author's 6-inch rain gauge in Olathe overflowed before it could be emptied and yet another 2.5 inches fell into it by 2 am on the 9th.



Based on this information plus flooding I was both witnessing and listening to in the Indian Creek headwaters and downstream, KCTV-CBS-5's meteorologist Mike Thompson was able to warn those downstream along Indian Creek of the danger via bulletins.







1986 - September - FLASH FLOOD - Flash flooding along Rock Creek in Mission, KS. & Brush Creek sends water again lapping at the curbs in the Plaza.



The Brush Creek flood control project - undertaken in the 1990's - has greatly reduced the flood threat for the Plaza.



However middle portions of the project not yet completed would have fatal effects on Brush Creek 12 years later.







1990 - May 15 - FLOOD - More than 8-inches of rain in 4 hours sends the Big Blue river into a massive flood and- at many points - flood crests exceeded records set during the 1961 flood.



By evening drive - there were only 2 routes open east or west across the Blue unless you lived south of Bannister Road: Independence Avenue ("Armco") viaduct and Interstate-70.



The Blue was channelized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the 1990's and greatly reduced flooding as would be illustrated 8 years later during the 1998 flash floods.







1993 - July 9 - FLASH FLOOD - After a slow-moving thunderstorm complex threatens Lawrence, KS with tornadoes then floods it - the complex moves into northern Johnson County KS..



Flash flooding is by far the worst on Turkey Creek - it's entire floodplain is inundated from Overland Park & Merriam into KC-KS then into Southwest Boulevard and the West Bottoms in KC-MO..



Dozens of residents have to be swiftly evacuated by police & fire departments on both sides of the state line. Several people have to be rescued from rooftops of flooded buildings along Southwest Blvd..



One man is later found dead.



Kemper Arena and the American Royal complex is also flooded and damage figures reach the tens of millions of dollars.



WDAF-NBC4's Mike Thompson stays on the air all night- relaying high water reports I was receiving by radio.



Later that day - the now-swollen Kansas River caused two boats to be torn from their moorings.



One - the sand dredge The General Mitchell - struck 4 bridges and was severely damaged before 2 tugboats could push the Mitchell onto the Missouri River levee east of the Paseo bridge.



Along with post-8 am flooding and the General Mitchell- the author also videotaped the Missouri rising in Parkville, a make-shift levee and a "conga-line" of people heaving sandbags onto an overtopping Line Creek levee in Riverside, MO..







1993 - July 26-27 - FLOOD - Record Missouri River flood crest at Kansas City.



Squeezed into a narrow channel by levees- the Missouri River reaches an all-time highest flood crest of 48.87-feet near Downtown (old Municipal) Airport.





That surpassed the previous record 48-foot crest estimated during the legendary 1844 flood.





Downtown Parkville and most of Riverside are under water.









The water supplier for more than a million residents - the Kansas City Water Works - becomes severely threatened by the flood-swollen Missouri river.

Sandbagging and the additional pumping power of nearly a half-dozen Fire department pumper companies save the city's water supply from contamination.



In KC-KS -residents of the Argentine, Armourdale and the Rosedale neighborhoods - nearly destroyed in the 1951 flood - are evacuated.

The higher levees built after the '51 flood hold.

The flood crest in that flood is now No. 3 at 46.20-feet.



Parts of the Turner area of KC-KS are not so lucky and are flooded.

A mobile home park for about 100 people off K-32 is inundated and eventually abandoned.



At least no one dies in this flood.



1996 - May 26 - TORNADO - Southern Lee's Summit-MO. - what the NWS ultimately determined to be a "micro-burst" struck the Raintree Lake subdivision just after sunset.



There was tornadic circulation in that "micro-burst" - with winds "officially estimated at around 125 m.p.h.."



I saw 2 x 6 lumber driven into the ground at the correct angle & position on the northern edge of the damage path 20 minutes after the strike.



Several people suffered minor injuries and nearly 4-dozen homes received damage varying from slight to major.



Damage was in the $10-million range.







1998 - October 4 & 5 - FLASH FLOOD - It's the deadliest flash-flooding event in the KC Metro since "The Plaza Flood" of 1977.



September 1998 had already been a wet month and the ground across the entire K.C. Metro was saturated.



On Sunday, October 4 - a morning of off and on heavy showers and thunderstorms produced up to 5-inches of rain and flash- flooding in southeastern & eastern parts of the Metro.

Damaging flooding occurred in parts of Lee's Summit and a youth was swept away and drowned in a rain-swollen creek by early afternoon.



By mid-afternoon- the area was under not only under a NWS-issued flash flood watch but also a tornado watch.



Just before sunset- a huge thunderstorm complex formed west of Lawrence, KS. and- after deluging them- the complex moves eastward across northern Johnson County KS. into western and central Jackson County MO..



Over mid-town KC-MO - the storm dropped rain rates of 5-inches per hour during the 7-o'clock hour.

A huge- sudden flood-wave on Brush Creek swept over the top of the old Prospect bridge - sweeping seven people in and on top of their cars downstream.



Despite rescue attempts by by-standers and- eventually- firefighters- all 7 people drown.



(Minutes before this happened- an audio tape has this author pleading with a local TV weatherman over the phone to emphasize the flash flooding- rather than the tornado threat that we also were under.)



There were two other fatalities during the evening deluge - one each in Overland Park at a storm-water culvert that flowed toward I-435 east of Quivira and in Lenexa, KS on Little Mill Creek.



For the first time since the highway was opened around 1970 - both eastbound AND westbound lanes of I-435 just east of Quivira in OP-KS are flooded.



One man is barely saved from his pickup truck when it was washed off the eastbound lanes into the creek the gorged underground culvert was feeding.



Severe flooding again occurs on Turkey Creek - especially in Merriam- a portion of I-35 is closed by flooding for a couple of hours.



Southwest Boulevard is again flooded but water levels are not as high as in 1993.



Millions across America had tuned into the Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL football game on TV and watched as Arrowhead Stadium's walkways turn into waterfalls.

The game was halted and nearly 75000 people were advised to seek cover for nearly an hour during the deluge.





2000 - May 11 - TORNADO - Surprise tornado north of The River.



"The threat of tornadoes in K.C. appears to be over."



That's what at least 2 TV "chief" weatherpersons say over the airwaves 15 to 30 minutes prior to a tornado touching down about 11:25 pm at 40th St. & North Oak in KC-MO..



The tornado destroys a car dealership- then rises to tree-top level for another several miles across heavily-populated KC-MO North towards the Worlds of Fun area.



Fortunately, there were no injuries.







2002 - January 27-30 - ICE STORM - MetroRegion-wide ice storm that persists over 3 days.



Damage to trees and the utility grids was tremendous - at one point more than a million people in the KC MetroRegion lost power.



There were at least 4 fatalities attributed to some aspect of this storm.







2003 - May 4 - TORNADO - First fatality tornado in Metro Kansas City since 1977 - and on the 26th anniversary of the '77 storm .



A tornado touches down in S.E. Leavenworth County about 4 pm in the afternoon and intensifies to F-4 as it moves across I-435 into western & northwestern KC-KS..



Both fatalities occurred in a heavily-devastated area around 91st St. & Leavenworth Road.



The tornado moved across the Missouri river into Riverside & Northmoor, MO.- producing varying degrees of damage.



The now-weakened circulation reorganized about a mile north - then moves from southwestern into eastern Gladstone- causing most of the heavy damage there.



The again F-4 tornado now roars into adjacent KC North subdivisions and on northeastward into Liberty- weakened- yet causing heavy damage on the town square and the nearby William Jewell College campus.



Two die with around a dozen people injured along the total path of the tornado. Damage was in the several tens of millions of dollars.



This outbreak began an almost week stretch of severe weather- culminating with a May 8th tornado in southwestern Lawrence-KS that damaged an apartment complex and nearby homes and caused several injuries..







2008 - May 1 - 2 - TORNADO - Another surprise tornado north of The River.



An intense- but compact storm system produces severe weather around Metro Kansas City starting the evening of May 1 (SEE CaptGSpaulding's video on YouTube).



Just after sunset on May 1- a tornado warning is issued by the NWS when a small tornado touches down in an open field southwest of Belton-MO.. A van-load of us were there to video that which we never actually saw.



Yet no tornado warning is in effect in the early-morning hours of May 2 when an F-4 tornado strikes Gladstone- then an F-3 twister strikes a subdivision in far northeast Kansas City-MO North.



Hurricane force winds also struck other areas- especially portions of Independence- Raytown and eastern KC-MO..



Less than a dozen people suffered minor injuries Metro-wide but daylight on the morning of May 2 reveal a man dead of what were reported as storm-related injuries near M-291 and Gudgell in Independence.



Damages Metro-wide were later estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.





Passage across the Missouri is not possible between Kansas City and St. Joseph.The water supplier for more than a million residents - the Kansas City Water Works - becomes severely threatened by the flood-swollen Missouri river.

-Flash flooding caused by a dying Gulf hurricane caused record floods on the Big and Little Blue rivers and their tributaries.The heavy damage done to one of General Motors' first Chevrolet assembly plant in the Leeds district of KC-MO. helps lead to the plant's closing by the mid 1970's.The flood brings about planning and in the 1980's construction of 2 new flood-control reservoirs - Lake Longview and Lake Blue Springs.This greatly reduces flooding on the Little Blue River - opening up the floodplain to development in southeastern Independence and northern Lee's Summit, MO..Yet land in neighboring Johnson County KS. is too expensive for flood-control projects for the Big Blue River - and continued flooding of the Blue Valley over then next 30 years would help lead to it's industrial-base demise.-It's the first tornado outbreak in the Kansas City MetroRegion for many years.Tornadoes cause damage southwest and west of Lawrence and in Leavenworth County and the city itself.Other supercells produced tornadoes in Cass County MO. and around Pleasant Hill where one fatality occurred.There were dozens of injuries all told in the affected areas with damage in the millions of dollars.- Smithville, MO. is ravaged by a flash flood on the Little Platte River.Tracy - on the Platte River a few miles downstream from the confluence of the Little Platte - also suffers major flooding as the Platte River reaches a record crest that stands early into the 21st Century.- A tornado forms over what was then farmland east of I-35 & 119th Street in Johnson County KS. and moves northeastward.Within 10 minutes - the F-3-rated tornado strikes a new housing subdivision and barely misses an elementary school at West 96th St. & Knox in Overland Park There are several minor injuries and the tornado-bearing storm moves over highly-populated areas of southern K.C. & Independence, MO..The official tornado warning wasn't issued by the National Weather Service or the local broadcast media until after the tornado had touched down - traveled it's roughly 4 to 5-mile-long path and lifted.- A weak "white" tornado touches down near 15th St. & Minnesota in KC-KS.It's only on the ground a few minutes but wreaks F-1 destruction to buildings & car dealerships along Minnesota.A few people suffered minor injuries.- A day of tornado-producing thunderstorm supercells across eastern and northeastern Kansas.One produced an F-3 tornado that struck Manhattan, KS. around 6 pm.Another cell spawns the first U.S. tornado to produce 100-million-dollars worth or more of damage - the devastating F-5 tornado that struck Topeka, KS ..The wedge-shaped, multi-vortex tornado roared over legendary Burnett's Mound just after 7 pm and diagonally sliced through the entire city.Sixteen people were killed and hundreds were injured that Wednesday evening.Around 8:30 pm- a tornado then moved across Leavenworth County and kills one in the tiny town of Jarbalo.- The Orrick, MO. tornado.A rare mid-winter thunderstorm formed on the Kansas side just after noon and became severe over southern KC-MO..Just after 1 pm- a tornado forms southwest of Buckner. MO. - gains F-3 strength after it crosses the Missouri River - and heads for the southwestern Ray County community of Orrick. It strikes the in-session high school on the western side of Orrick - where 2 are killed and more than a dozen are injured inside the shattered school building.- A tornado - rated as strong as F-3 - hits parts of southern Platte County and western Clay county MO..Damage is reported in Riverside and northwestern Gladstone with at least 6 persons injured along the tornado's path.- A massive ice & snowstorm -beginning around noon on the 3rd - hits Metro K.C..Nearly a foot of snow falls on the several inches of freezing rain and sleet.Tens of thousands of residents who lose power suffer sub-zero temperatures following the storm.The tree & power line damage I see far and away exceeds that witnessed in the 1984 and 2002 storms.- Failure of a private lake dam in the upper watershed of Line Creek in KC-MO leads to flash flooding downstream.
If youve been unfortunate enough to endure a flood caused by nature or human error, but fortunate enough that your home survived, its at the top of your list of worries: mold. Its why you have to act immediately to haul out all the contents, rip out carpets and even walls: to prevent the  Read moreEditorial: The simple first step to solving the insidious problem of mold in SC colleges
Minneapolis attorney, legal activist and author Erick Kaardal last month launched the latest salvo in a long-running battle involving the Mdewakanton Dakota Indians, including the Prairie Island Indian Community in Red Wing.

Here's some background on how it rolled out over the past few weeks.

First, we received this email on Nov. 22:

From: Mary Gynild [mailto:Gynild@mklaw.com]

Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2016 1:53 PM

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To: Erick Kaardal <kaardal@mklaw.com>

Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY - Press Conference 11/23/2016

MEDIA ADVISORY

November 22, 2016

For Immediate Release

PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW: MINNESOTA MDEWAKANTON SIOUX INDIANS TO ANNOUNCE LAWSUIT AGAINST DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Plaintiffs Margo Bellanger, Tina Jefferson and Michael J. Childs, Jr., tribal members of the Prairie Island Indian Community, individually and behalf of the Minnesota Mdewakanton Sioux Indians, will hold a press conference to discuss a new Administrative Procedures Act lawsuit against the Department of the Interior to be filed immediately prior to the press conference in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Erick Kaardal of Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson, P.A. is the attorney representing the Plaintiffs.

PRESS CONFERENCE:

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November 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.

State Office Building, Room 181

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN 55155

Contact:

Erick G. Kaardal

Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson, P.A.

150 South Fifth Street, Suite 3100

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Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Telephone: 612-341-1074

Email: kaardal@mklaw.com

++++++

The next day, Kaardal issued this news release.

From: Mary Gynild [mailto:Gynild@mklaw.com]

Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 10:57 AM

To: Erick Kaardal <kaardal@mklaw.com>

Subject: PRESS RELEASE 11-23-2016

PRESS RELEASE

November 23, 2016

For Immediate Release

THREE PRAIRIE ISLAND INDIAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS FILE LAWSUIT AGAINST DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Plaintiffs Margo Bellanger, Tina Jefferson and Michael J. Childs, Jr., tribal members of the Prairie Island Indian Community, individually and on behalf of the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota (MSIM), filed today the attached Administrative Procedures Act lawsuit against the Department of the Interior in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The lawsuit seeks three remedies: (1) federal acknowledgement of the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota as a tribe separate and apart from the three communities (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Prairie Island Indian Community in the State of Minnesota and Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota); (2) restoration of possession of the 12 square miles of public lands in Minnesota set apart by the Secretary of the Interior in 1865 for the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota; and (3) beginning again the federal land assignment system for the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota at Prairie Island and elsewhere which the Department suspended in 1980.

The Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota includes over 7,000 genealogically-identified lineal descendants. Most are not members of the three communities. The Department of the Interior expressly acknowledged the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota as a tribe under federal jurisdiction on June 18, 1934, the date of the enactment of the Indian Reorganization Act. The three communities, organized in 1936 and 1969, are not legal successors to the MSIM, but organized based on Indians residing on a reservation.

Erick Kaardal of Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson, P.A. is the attorney representing the Plaintiffs. Erick Kaardal comments, "The Department of the Interior has, under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, continuously acknowledged that the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota are a tribe. In 1865, the Secretary of the Interior set apart "forever" 12 square miles of public lands for MSIM. It is time that the Department of the Interior implements Section 9 of the February 1863 Act and delivers possession of the 12 square miles or its legal equivalent."

Contact: Erick G. Kaardal, Mohrman, Kaardal & Erickson, P.A., 150 South Fifth Street, Suite 3100, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, Telephone: 612-341-1074, Email: kaardal@mklaw.com

+++++++

We published a story on Nov. 29 that represents Kaardal's clients' point of view but didn't get reaction from Prairie Island or the other Mdewakanton communities, which would be profoundly affected by the claims being made.

I contacted the Prairie Island community that day and received this statement from Eric Pehle, of the Twin Cities PR firm Weber Shandwick, on behalf of the community, with a note saying, "It's important to note that the individuals involved in the suit do not speak for the Tribe nor do their personal views reflect the Community's position."

The press release was issued Nov. 23, but we apparently didn't get a copy.

Prairie Island Indian Community Responds to Lawsuit

Welch, Minn., Nov. 23, 2016  The Prairie Island Indian Community responded today to a lawsuit filed on behalf of a group that refers to itself as the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians of Minnesota. Below is a statement from Community Council President Shelley Buck on behalf of the Community Council.

"The Prairie Island Indian Community was disappointed to learn of the lawsuit filed today by attorney Kaardal and his clients, continuing a nearly decade and a half-long attack on the federally recognized Dakota Communities of Minnesota. While the lawsuits over this time have been ever-changing and, at times, directly contradictory, what has been consistent is the pursuit of legally unfounded claims regarding long-settled law and, unfortunately, the enormous consumption of time and resources for those who are targets. Like the claims asserted against the United States for a decade and our sister Dakota Community for another three years, the current lawsuit is intended to divide Dakota people; it has no merit and we hope that it will be quickly resolved by the Court.

"Some members of this Community are named Plaintiffs, but they and their claims do not represent the views of the Community. In fact, although the Complaint is against the Secretary of the Interior, it contains claims that are directly adverse to the interests of the Prairie Island Indian Community, including the demonstrably false allegation that the Community "and the other [Minnesota Dakota] communities are not 'separate sovereigns[.]'" Complaint at Paragraph 147.

"The Community will vigorously protect and defend the Community's interests, its sovereignty, its members and its lands from the claims of this attorney and his clients. The Community will also provide whatever assistance may be necessary to bring this action to a swift end."

About the Prairie Island Indian Community

The Prairie Island Indian Community, a federally recognized Indian Nation, is located in southeastern Minnesota along the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 30 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Twin nuclear reactors and 39 large steel nuclear waste storage casks sit just 600 yards from Prairie Island tribal homes. A total of 98 casks could be stranded on Prairie Island indefinitely unless the federal government fulfills its commitment to create a permanent storage solution. The only evacuation route off the Prairie Island is frequently blocked by passing trains. The Tribe has been pushing for the removal of the nuclear waste since 1994 when Xcel Energy was first

+++++

We then published this story Friday to catch up with the Prairie Island community's reaction.

There's plenty more to read about this confusing legal saga and about Kaardal's track record on this and other matters. One of his more prominent causes has been the driver's license records case that involved Wabasha County officials and area residents. (The lawsuit was largely dismissed by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in September.)

We need to do more to explain what this new lawsuit against the Department of the Interior is really about and how it involves (or doesn't involve) Prairie Island.

FYI, h ere's a story from the Star Tribune from 2015 about how a federal judge dismissed a related Kaardal attempt at this Mdewakanton issue and imposed $281,000 in sanctions for filing what he called a frivolous lawsuit. Note the interesting editor's note link atop the story, referring to a later reversal of the sanctions. That's rarely done with archived news stories -- why was it done here?

H ere's a Star Tribune story from June 2 about how the 8th Circuit appeals court upheld the federal court's dismissal of the case but reversed the sanctions. And here's an item on that action in the ABA Journal that describes Kaardal's firm as a "small civil rights law firm."

FYI, Kaardal also has been involved in issues involving Chippewa fishing rights in the Mille Lacs area. Here's a YouTube video of him talking about a 2014 lawsuit filed against the DNR. According to a story in the Pioneer Press , the lawsuit claimed that "the DNR has ruined the renowned walleye fishery on Mille Lacs and that the agency needs to start weighing the interests of nontribal anglers as much as it does American Indian tribes."

Kaardal is quoted as saying, ""It's a legal violation not to treat their heritage and our heritage equally ... (the DNR) shouldn't be pushed to violate our fishing heritage by the tribe. There has to be a balance."
News, analysis, and archives on the grassroots in Haiti. Nouvel, analiz, ak achiv sou baz yo an AYITI. Noticias, analisis y archivos sobre el pueblo de Haiti.
WINONA  A suspect in a nearly 2-year-old crime will take his case to trial, court documents show.

Patrick O'Brian Reese Jr., 21, was charged more than a year after the Feb. 13, 2015, incident with two counts of first-degree burglary and one count each of first-degree aggravated robbery and second-degree assault. All are felonies.

He pleaded not guilty to all counts in July; a jury trial is set to begin Dec. 12. Reese remains free in lieu of $5,000 conditional bond.

The investigation began when a man called Winona police to report he'd been assaulted and robbed. In turn, he'd stabbed his attacker.

The victim told officers he was a "middle man" in marijuana sales; he'd arranged a drug deal through text messages.

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He answered a knock at his apartment door, and a man  later identified as Reese  pushed his way inside, saying he wanted everything the dealer had.

The victim said he was calling the police; Reese allegedly knocked the phone out of the man's hand and pulled a handgun.

When the man asked if Reese was "really going to kill me over two ounces of pot." Reese said he would if he had to, court documents say.

The dealer lunged at Reese, pinned his gun hand to the wall and knocked the magazine out of the weapon. When the man tried to grab the magazine, Reese reportedly hit him in the head several times with the butt of the gun.

Reese racked the slide and tried to chamber a round anyway, the complaint says, as the victim said, "Go ahead and shoot me ... you ain't got no bullets." The man ran to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and stabbed Reese  who then ran out.

Officers found a .40 caliber pistol and loaded magazine in the apartment, as well as more than a half-pound of marijuana.

Two months later, the alleged victim contacted law enforcement to say he'd spotted his attacker in a Facebook photo; he then identified Reese in a photo lineup, the reports say.

Traces of DNA were found on the grip of the gun and submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis. According to a report from the state, that DNA matched "with a high degree of probability" a known sample from Reese.

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He was charged Feb. 24, 2016.
Do you browse online for stuff to buy during coffee breaks? Or grab an energy drink or latte on your way to pick up groceries? In this episode of "Health Fusion," Viv Williams explores a study about how caffeine may influence spending.
MAZEPPA  Flash back one year ago and the financial future for Mazeppa's municipal liquor store appeared grim.

The city-run business had lost nearly $8,000. Other small towns with struggling municipal liquor stores had opted to shut down their operations, including Kellogg and Rushford. But one year later, it's a very different story in the town of 800.

The on-and-off sale liquor business had a profit of nearly $18,000 in 2015, according to a new report from the Minnesota State Auditor's Office. The liquor store's manager Heather Groby said the business is on track to do even better in 2016. So why the big turnaround?

Groby, who became manager one year ago, said there has been a big push to change the way business is done to help the small town "muni" better compete in today's crowded liquor marketplace.

"I'm kind of a determined individual, and I love a challenge," she said. "I grew up on a dairy farm so I'm a rural, country, small-town girl. I don't want to see these towns going to ghost towns. We need revenue in these communities."

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In 2015, Minnesota's municipal liquor stores had their 20th consecutive year of record sales. But while business is up, that hasn't necessarily translated to more profit. The Minnesota State Auditor's report found net profits for municipal liquor stores dropped nearly 9 percent in 2015 compared to the year before. Some of these businesses also continue to end up in the red.

A total of 34 municipal liquor stores lost money in 2015. All of them were located in greater Minnesota.

West Concord store loses $26,000

While Mazeppa's liquor store has seen its financial fortunes change, it's a very different story in West Concord. That city's municipal liquor store lost more than $25,000 in 2015  the third-highest loss amount in the state. It also marked the third straight year of losses for the businesses.

A public hearing on the liquor store is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 15. City officials have taken steps to try to help the municipal liquor store. That has included eliminating the liquor store manager position and putting the city administrator in charge of the operation.

West Concord Mayor Jeff McCool declined to comment for this story.

West Concord City Council member Ryan Fay said the continued losses mean city officials seriously should consider selling the business.

"I've got to imagine there's somebody out there that would be interested in buying it and could probably make a go of it and it would keep it on the tax rolls for the city," Fay said. "It would keep a bar in town for people because they like having it. People don't want it to be gone, but people don't want to spend a ton of their tax dollars to keep it open."

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A willingness to make changes

Paul Kaspszak, executive director of the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association, said municipal liquor stores are grappling with increased competition. For instance, many grocery stores are beginning to open their own liquor operations.

Kaspszak said the biggest reason municipal liquor stores end up closing comes down to an unwillingness to change how business is done.

"The business basics are the same, and it boils down to whether or not you have a manager who is really willing to go and make those changes and whether you have got a city that is willing to work with that manager to make those changes," he said.

Kaspszak credits Groby for being willing to make key changes to help the Mazeppa liquor store compete.

"She's working really hard and bringing in new ideas and adapting, and that's what it takes in any business," he said.

Those changes include reducing prices to make the Mazeppa liquor store more competitive. Groby said efforts also are underway to spruce up the bar, including adding a patio with heaters. She is adding more food options at the bar, such as chicken strips and potato poppers, and encouraging bartenders to introduce patrons to new cocktails  such as caramel apple sangrias.

But changes cannot always solve the problem. Sometimes, Kaspszak said municipal liquor stores close because the towns themselves are evaporating, losing residents to nearly regional centers. In that environment, "it would be difficult for any business to survive."
When Japanese planes swooped out of the sky to attack the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, they caught the U.S. military and most of the American population completely by surprise.

They also initiated a war that even some in the Japanese high command thought they could not win.

The surprise attack, though, achieved its objective of catching the U.S. flat-footed and unprepared. It would take some time for the U.S. to regain its balance and begin to turn the tide against Japan in the Pacific. The war between Japan and the U.S., which essentially began with the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, did not end until Japan surrendered in August 1945.

 In the attack, 353 Japanese planes, launched from aircraft carriers, struck the Navy base at Pearl Harbor, as well as the Army's Hickam Field air base and other installations.

 The attack began at 7:48 a.m., Hawaii time, and lasted about 90 minutes. The sinking of American battleships and other naval vessels in the harbor is well known, but the Japanese planes also destroyed 170 U.S. planes and damaged another 160.

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 Eight U.S. battleships were hit, six of which eventually returned to service. The three U.S. aircraft carriers in the Pacific were not in port at the time, and as a result, these most valuable ships escaped damage.

 U.S. casualties at Pearl Harbor amounted to 2,403 dead, half of them on the USS Arizona, and 1,178 wounded, according to the National World War II Museum.
Olmsted Medical Center will be honored Monday after being recognized with a Gold Hospital Award by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for promoting organ, tissue and eye donor registries. c

It's the third straight year OMC has been recognized as a Gold Hospital. Nearly 1,000 hospitals across the country received that designation, including 20 in Minnesota . No other health care facility in Southeast Minnesota made the list.

OMC's Donate Life team is being presented an award 12:15 p.m. Monday by LifeSource's Rich Villella in the Founders Room at OMC Hospital. A reception has been planned afterward for donation education and awareness activities to further enhance performance in 2017, according to an OMC press release.

Research has shown that a single donor can help up to 60 people, with awareness often being the most significant barrier to increasing donor enrollment. Whole some recipient needs are very specific, organ, tissue and eye donations are often possible regardless of age, health conditions, religious orientations and other personal attributes.

"The OMC Donate Life team's ultimate goal is to reverse the trend that more people likely will require a transplant than will donate to someone in need, and this award is a strong affirmation of the team's dedication to that goal," OMC said via release.

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Those interested enrolling as an organ, tissue or eye donor is encouraged to contact OMC's social services department at 507-529-6744 or visit www.organdonor.gov.
BLOOMINGTON  The nation's largest mall is hosting its first-ever black Santa Claus this this weekend.

The Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis hired Larry Jefferson to play Kris Kringle from Thursday to Sunday as part of its Santa Experience.

Santa Experience co-owner Landon Luther says they "want Santa to be for everyone, period." With that in mind, he said that he launched a nationwide search for a diverse Santa and found Jefferson at a Santa convention in Branson, Mo., over the summer. He was the only black Santa among the 1,000 impersonators in attendance.

Jefferson said that playing the jolly old elf is "no big deal" to him, saying "I'm still Santa, I just happen to be a Santa of color."

Jefferson will return home to play Santa in the Dallas-area after Sunday.
MINNEAPOLIS  Last year, state lawmakers began requiring all colleges and universities in the state to begin collecting and disclosing reports of rape or other sexual attacks.

There were nearly 300 incidents of sexual assault reported to Minnesota college campuses last year, and just about one-sixth were reported to law enforcement.

That's according to the state's first data report on campus sexual assault released Thursday, which aims to track the incidents in a more detailed fashion than required by federal policy.

Of the 294 incidents reported in 2015, 64 were investigated, 108 were referred for discipline and 55 were reported to law enforcement.

That only a little more than half of the incidents reported are investigated could be for a variety of reasons. For example, students often don't want to pursue an investigation, but rather just get help in terms of their classes and recovering from the trauma of the incident.

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There are also reports made by friends of the victim and the victim might not want to go forward.

But state officials warn this is just a start.

"This being a first year data collection, I didn't have a lot of expectations about what we would see in the data," said Nichole Sorenson a research analyst with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, which collected the data.

"I'd caution you to draw too many conclusions. I feel like in the coming years this data will become more reliable," she said.

One of the reasons for caution is that lawmakers approved the law halfway through 2015, so some schools might not have all the data from the first part of the year.

Still, the findings aren't surprising to Tina Marisam, assistant director with the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus's Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Her office takes reports of sexual assaults.

"We know that there's a big problem of under reporting of sexual assault on college campuses so that the numbers of actual sexual assaults that are occurring are likely much higher," Marisam said.

The University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus had 47 reported assaults, the highest of any college in the state.

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Private schools had the next three highest numbers of sexual assault incidents reports. The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University reported 21, and Carleton College and the University of St. Thomas each reported 20.

Amy McDonough, director of government relations for the Minnesota Private College Council, says the higher numbers at small private colleges might be because of greater awareness.

"Colleges are putting more emphasis on more training and more conversation on sexual assault on campus," she said.

McDonough says private colleges are spending a lot more time giving students in-person education on what sexual assault is and how to report it.

"That's going to lead to more reporting," McDonough said. "So I think it's really important that consumers know and parents know and families know that that can be a good thing to see numbers increase, because we know it's happening everywhere and we need to make sure that students are on a campus where the culture is really open to reporting or getting help when something happens."

The report found about 19 percent of the incidents reported to campus officials were also reported to police. But experts say students don't often seek police investigations in these cases.

Given that this is the first year the state is requiring campuses to log sexual assault reports, there could be some issues of how institutions interpret what needs to be reported and what doesn't.

Marisam said the data provides a good start, with much more depth than the current federal reporting requirements.

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"I think that the reporting is a positive step. I think it is a move toward more transparency around college sexual assault reporting," she said. "And hopefully it will generate attention about the problem of sexual assault on college campuses and help us create a conversation about possible solutions."

The new state laws also make schools require students attend informational sessions on sexual assault as part of student orientation. Officials hope that education might help to bring down these numbers in coming years  even if greater awareness causes them to grow in the short term.
ST. PAUL  Minnesota veterans and other residents suffering post-traumatic stress disorder will be allowed to use medical marijuana starting in August, the state's Department of Health announced Thursday as it expanded the slim list of conditions that qualify for the program.

The expansion could have been larger because the state reviewed eight other potential additions submitted through public petitions, including autism spectrum disorders, arthritis and depression. But Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger said there wasn't enough evidence surrounding marijuana's effectiveness in treating those other conditions, and a lack of effective medication for post-traumatic stress disorder made it an alluring addition to the state's year-old program.

"PTSD was the only one that really came close to meeting my threshold," he said. "There's widespread agreement among medical experts on the need for improving existing PTSD treatments."

The state will also loosen its restriction on how medical marijuana can be taken, allowing manufacturers to sell topical patches, creams and lotions come August, in addition to the oils, capsules and vapors that are currently sold. The law passed in 2014 explicitly bans smoking or using the full plant.

Ehlinger stressed that the expansion would not only help veterans cope with the horrors of combat, but sexual assault survivors and victims or witnesses of violence.

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But many military veterans could run into trouble signing up. Patients registering for the program need a doctors' approval, and state officials conceded that could be a problem for any veterans receiving care or benefits from Veterans Affairs. Though Minnesota and 28 other states have legalized medical marijuana, the federal government still bans it.

Even if those patients seek out a third-party doctor  as many original program participants did when medical marijuana first went on sale in 2015  they could run in to trouble with their military benefits or Veterans Affairs' care.

"That's where the conflict may come in," said Assistant Health Commissioner Gilbert Acevedo, who previously worked in the state's Department of Veterans Affair. "If you work for the VA, you have to follow federal guidelines."

The expansion follows the decision last year to allow patients suffering intractable pain to qualify, a major expansion that brought thousands of new patients into the struggling program. More than 3,500 patients were registered as of Sunday.

Ehlinger said he's not expecting a huge spike in patient count from the addition of PTSD.

Still, Mankato-based psychologist and trauma specialist Dr. George Komaridis said medical marijuana could be a useful tool in treating veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. His own experience with patients who illegally used marijuana to treat their symptoms helped change his views of it as a "street drug."

"This is a drug that has high potential as a medicine," Komaridis said.

Both companies in Minnesota that manufacture and sell medical marijuana welcomed Thursday's expansion. Andrew Bachmann, chief executive of LeafLine Labs, said lotions or patches could be particularly effective in treating patients with severe and chronic pain.

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"This gives us another avenue," he said. "It's a route of delivery that was missed with the original statute."
Dr. B Speaks!

It always seems impossible until it's done. That is the way Nelson Mandela put it. His quote motivates mission-driven people to accomplish d Read moreTeacher assistants help support teachers and students to learn
As he undertook his project of fundamental transformation, President Obama took office in 2009 with the side project of beating down FOX News. FOX News disrupted the coordination that the Obama administration otherwise had going with the mainstream media.

As White House communications director, Comrade Anita Dunn took charge of the project. FOX News CEO Roger Ailes stood in there, however, and by November 2009, Dunn was gone. Andrea Tantaros looked back in the column Outfoxed.

Comrade Anita herself explained in 2013 that undertaking the project made for a simple decision, given the fact that Fox News had really been the not-so-loyal opposition since the President had taken office. That was the spirit.

President Obama must be the smallest man ever to occupy the Oval Office. FOX News remains embedded under his very thin skin. The cable outlet has not fallen into line. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Obama attributed the disappointing (to him) 2016 election results to the supposed presence of Fox News in every bar and restaurant in big chunks of the country.

What bars and restaurants? What big chunks of the country? Send me in the right direction.

In the New York Post Joe Simonson doubts it: Sure, Mr. President, millions of Americans across the country leave their jobs and homes at the end of the day, go to their neighborhood eatery or watering hole, watch The OReilly Factor and have their brains washed. Please.

Speaking of fake newswhere are the fact-checkers when you need them? They have been part of Obamas Gleichschaltung from day one.

In the clip below FNCs Neal Cavuto responds to Obamas complaint.

Via Josh Feldman/Mediaite.

UPDATE by JOHN: Michael Ramirez ridicules Obamas pathetic effort to blame Fox News for his troubles. Click to enlarge:
Leo Igwe, from Mbaise in Imo State, south eastern Nigeria, started the humanist movement in Nigeria in 1994, and since then he has been in the forefront of the campaign against witch hunting in Nigeria and Africa.

He is currently doing a doctoral program in religious studies at the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies, University of Bayreuth in Germany. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES Cletus Ukpong, Mr. Igwe argues on why the belief in the existence of witchcraft is destroying Nigeria.

PT: You have been a strong campaigner against torturing and killing of people accused of being witches. When and how did you get involved in the campaign?

Leo Igwe: For me there is no evidence that witches exist as claimed by witch hunters, and that they take human forms particularly female or child human forms.

I grew up in a community where people believed in witchcraft and occasionally I witnessed elderly women tortured or abused for allegedly perpetrating witchcraft. In 1994, I started the Nigerian Humanist Movement and made the campaign against witchcraft accusation and witch hunting one of my main priorities. With both local and international support, the campaign gathered momentum and today we have activists and affiliate groups that are working and campaigning to stop these horrific abuses in different parts of the country and continent.

PT: How did you get involved in the humanist movement? Were you influenced by your parents, peers, or books?

Leo Igwe: I discovered the humanist movement when I was in the seminary. That was in the course of reading any book I could lay my hands on. In the course of my studies, there was growing dissatisfaction with the dogmatic approach to life and knowledge. The answers I was getting in response to my questions were not adding up. I realized in the course of my reading that both questions and answers, flimsy or factual, reasonable or unreasonable, sacred or profane have one reference point  that is the human being. Hence, I found it outrageous that human beings are tortured and killed by fellow human beings in the name of imaginary beings and imaginary crimes. That is the worst form of human debasement.

PT: Some years back, there was this British documentary, Dispatches: Saving Africas Witch Children, which prompted global outrage against the ill-treatments and killing of children in Nigeria. And that put a lot of pressure on the Nigerian government. Do you consider the documentary a milestone in the campaign against child witch killing in Africa? Again, does it mean the authorities in Nigeria were not aware that this problem had existed in that magnitude?

Leo Igwe: First, on the documentary, it is a shame that it took a documentary by friends from the UK for us in Nigeria to apparently wake up to the heinous crimes of witch hunting and child witch killing.

Well, has the documentary made much difference? In some respect, it was a milestone in the history of the campaign, but I am afraid it might not have given the mileage and push Nigerians need to stop witch persecution and killing because witch killing has been going on since the documentary was released.

Of course, Nigerians and their authorities were aware of the magnitude of the problem even before the documentary was released but the real challenge is that those who make up these authorities are witchcraft believers or even if they are not, are not willing to go against the magical grain. That is why witch killing is still going on. Witch finders are still going about their business even when there are laws at the state and federal levels that can be used to penalize and deter them! So unfortunate!

PT: Talking about laws, why is the Child Rights Law in Nigeria not effective in protecting vulnerable children from being labelled witches?

Leo Igwe: For laws to be effective in addressing problems such as child witch killing and stigmatization, we need the police to enforce the law and court magistrates and judges to interpret them. But we have a sorry situation in Nigeria because on this issue there is a failure of the justice system. Nigeria lacks a critical mass of police and court officials to make the law effective.

The police cannot enforce the law because police officers are afraid of the alleged child witches and of witchcraft. So they operate as if that law was not in the statute book, the same with our judges and magistrates. In fact, some of the police and court officials are pastors, imams or spiritualists who identify and exorcise witchcraft.

So, how do you expect them to firmly and effectively enforce the child rights law which punishes their fellow accusers, labellers and identifiers of witches, and protects these innocent children? That is the dilemma that does not give hope to the cause and campaign. But we shall not give up. The fight goes on.

PT: Is child witch killing in Nigeria common only among the predominantly Christian south or do we also have this problem exist among the countrys Muslims in the north?

Leo Igwe: That is what the evidence and statistics show in particular if we consider what has been going on in the predominantly Christian southern Nigeria. However, the practice of killing, of abusing children in the name of magical or occult beliefs predates Christianity and Islam in Nigeria and again the victims are those who are unable to resist such abuses.

So, the practice of torturing and killing children who are accused of witchcraft or evil magic may still be going on within the Muslim population but surely not in the scale or magnitude we have seen in some part of Christian southern Nigeria.

PT: If the law has failed to protect vulnerable children, how then can these children be protected within the same society that has failed them? More so, how can prophets who prophesy that these kids are witches be held accountable for the destruction they have caused?

Leo Igwe: Laws do not enforce themselves, people enforce them. For now, the laws are paper tigers but we need to turn them into real tigers so that with their teeth they can bark and bite. Nobody will do that for us. Another documentary on saving Africas witch children will not do that. Our police and court officials need reorientation so that they become more proactive and responsible, and not allow their superstitious beliefs to come between them and the performance of their duties.

There were similar practices in Europe some centuries ago and at a stage some Europeans rose up and ended the scourge. This is what Nigeria should do and must do. Nigerians must expose the so called prophets and their dim witted prophecies; Nigerians must rise up and bring these charlatans to justice and ensure that the justice system begins to work for them and these vulnerable children. The test of any justice system is its ability to protect the weak and the vulnerable. Europe stopped this atrocity three hundred years ago But we can stop it today .We can start now.

PT: You posted on Facebook in July, a graphic photo of someone being burnt to death in Akpabuyo, Cross River State. You said in that post that two men accused of being witches were gruesomely murdered by their accusers. You were frantically mobilizing people to put pressure on the police, the state and the federal government to investigate the incident. What has become of the case?

Leo Igwe: Police arrested some of the suspects and asked to be allowed to carry out investigation. My suspicion is that the matter would die that way because nothing has been heard regarding the case since. In fact, I was informed that when the police went to make arrests, some people suspected to have been involved in the incident shot and wounded one of the officers. I think the police must have abandoned the case as they often do.

PT: We are aware that the most vulnerable children are those from the poor and uneducated family background. Are the children of the rich, educated and powerful immune to this problem? Have you ever come across rich kids who were also affected?

Leo Igwe: I have not encountered children of the rich who were accused and abused. Children from poor homes are those who are prone to being abandoned by their parents or relative; they are the ones who are given out to relations to serve as house helps. Children from poor homes are those who are often abused with impunity or be scapegoated because there is nobody to defend or protect them. They are the one on whom the label can easily be applied.

This is not to say that children of the rich are not accused or abused. Since both the rich and the poor in Nigeria believe in witchcraft, it is likely that children of both the rich and the poor are victimized in the name of this vicious belief but children of the poor are the ones whose abuses are more visible. So, we should not think that children of the rich are not accused and maltreated as witches. They are!

PT: We do also have situations where children also torture or even kill their parents whom they accuse of being witches?

Leo Igwe: Yes, we have such cases of parricide but in actual fact the perpetrators are usually not children in the sense of being minors. They are usually youths and adults. Again, no one knows the scale of the problem in this case. It may be worse than one could imagine. Witchcraft is a killer belief. It turns children against their parents and parents against the children.

PT: Do you think Nigerians really understand the severity and magnitude of this social problem?

Leo Igwe: I think Nigerians do. But the strong belief that witchcraft is real drains their sense of compassion and fellow feeling. Nigerians are petrified by occult anxieties, and the pervasive poverty, misery and insecurities in the country have worsened the situations. The fear of witches deadens their conscience and makes them unable to care or appreciate the scale and severity of the problem.

Actually, Nigerians are more worried about the imagined scale of witchcraft assaults, not witch persecution or the killing and abuse of alleged witches in the country. Nigerians spend much time worrying about the next witchcraft attack, not the maltreatment of alleged witches. And the witch imaginaires are recharged everyday at prayer meetings, house fellowships, at churches and mosques by pastors, and ministers, mallams and imam. In fact, Nigerians are in a vicious circle when it comes to witchcraft related abuse. A critical force of enlightenment is needed to break this vicious circle and consigned it to the dustbin of history.

PT: What ways could the Church be better engaged, if we are looking at how to solve the problem?

Leo Igwe: The churches in Nigeria should emulate their counterparts in other parts of the world where witch persecution is now a thing of the past; it is for them to stop using the idiom of witchcraft to make sense of peoples problems and misfortune. They should stop attributing sickness, disease and death, infertility, marital or child birth difficulties, business failures to witchcraft.

If religious clerics stop blaming peoples problems on witchcraft, there will be no need for witch hunting or witch finding. Those who make people believe that witchcraft is real indirectly validate witch persecution and witch killing. Church ministers should leave health issues to health workers and refer church members who have health issues to health experts for advice and treatment. Church ministers should stop claiming that they can identify and exorcise witchcraft. To smell out something, the thing has to be, it has to exist.

PT: Do you also find the Nigerian media guilty in any way?

Leo Igwe: Yes, I do. Because media reports of witchcraft stories are often not balanced. There is seldom a critical perspective in most of these reports. In fact, the reports are highly unprofessional. They largely lack fairness, disinterestedness, factuality, and nonpartisanship. The media, just like our Nollywood films end up reinforcing the witchcraft beliefs. So, there is an urgent need of rational media reporting in Nigeria.

In fact, many times when I read some of the reports in the newspapers such as the ones I read some time ago that a witch crashed landed in a church compound or that a woman turned into a bird in Lagos, I ask: Is there nothing like critical journalism in the Nigerian media industry. Again I say, journalists are after all not too different from the police or court officials, they allow their beliefs to come between them and their profession. So, yes the Nigerian media are part of the problem, but they can become part of the solution. It is not too late.

PT: With the gloomy picture you have painted of the situation, one is tempted to ask about what significant achievements your organisation and others have made in the campaign again stigmatisation, torturing and killing of people accused of being witches.

Leo Igwe: There have been achievements, but we have not reached a critical mass. Accusations are still pervasive. Torture and killing of alleged witches continue to take place. Gains have been made in beating back the tide of witch persecution but those gains are under serious threat. Nigeria has not gotten the stage where I could confidently say yes at last we have achieved victory at last. Nonetheless, there is hope.

First of all we organised a public enlightenment campaign in all the local governments in Akaw Ibom. We used the program to sensitize and educate the people. There are child rights groups and activists in many part of the country. There was nothing like that a few years ago. One of them is the Basic Rights Counsel in Calabar (Cross River State). In fact, it was the director, James Ibor who drew my attention to the case which I publicized some months ago. We did not have any such mechanism in Calabar a few years ago. To make witch hunting history we need many more of such groups and activists in states across Nigeria. In particular we need activists and whistle blowers to monitor what goes on in churches and prayers centers.

PT: If poverty is believed to have contributed to the problem, can we then conclude that with this economic recession, the situation may likely degenerate?

Leo Igwe: It has been acknowledged by scholars that there is an increase in witchcraft accusation in times of stress. So, one should expect cases of accusation as people try to scapegoat others to make sense of the economic recession. So it is important to inform Nigerians that economic hardship in the country has nothing to do with witchcraft.

PT: Now, lets go back to your seminary experience. Isnt it ironic that it was at the seminary  a place where men are trained to become priest  that you learned about and embraced atheism?

Leo Igwe: Well, it may seem so to those who do not know what goes on in seminaries. To become a priest one is required to study philosophy which exposes one to logical and critical thinking. In the seminary, people are trained to be priests, not necessarily to be believers. Just like people can be a teacher without believing in education, a police officer without believing in the rule of law, one can be trained as a priest. In fact one can become a priest, without believing in God.

PT: You are an atheist. An average Nigerian, being deeply religious, may naturally see you from a negative perspective. How do you deal with this?

Leo Igwe: I deal with it by living my life and doing what I think is good, right and helpful. I deal with it by finding ways to add value and improve the lives of Nigerians in any way I can. I deal with it by putting my knowledge, energy and money in service of the good of Nigeria and Nigerians, despite the religious or ethnic affiliation. Yes I deal with it by trying to be an effective witches advocate in Nigeria, and in Africa. I deal with it by campaigning for the abolition of blasphemy laws. I deal with the negative perception by campaigning to ensure that victims of blasphemy killings get justice. I deal with the negative perspective by campaigning for the rights of Muslim and other religious minorities in Northern Nigeria, by asking the Buhari government to stop killing Shiites and stop sanctioning the use of state money to fund religious pilgrimages. I deal with it by asking the Jigawa state government to stop using state funds to build mosques when those who would be praying inside these mosques are dying of hunger and the country is in recession. I deal with it by ensuring that Nigerians and Nigeria benefit from my atheism whether they believe in God or not, whether they perceive my atheism positively or negatively.
China on Saturday lodged a diplomatic protest after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the petty move.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwans leadership was the first by a U.S .president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of one China.

Chinas Foreign Ministry said it had lodged stern representations with what it called the relevant U.S. side, urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.

The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship, it said.

The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation.

Speaking earlier, hours after Fridays telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Mr. Trump.

This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the one China structure already formed by the international community.

I believe that it will not change the longstanding one China policy of the United States government, Mr. Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing.

In comments at the same forum, Mr. Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Mr. Trump had spoken by telephone after Mr. Trumps victory, and that Mr. Trump had praised China as a great country.

Mr. Wang said that exchange had sent a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations.

According to an official Chinese transcript, Taiwan was not mentioned in that call.

Mr. Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president.

The President of Taiwan called me today to wish my congratulations on winning the Presidency, thank you! he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.

Trump and Tsai noted that close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the U.S., the Trump transition team said in a statement.

Taiwans presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Report says China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

However, relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January. (Reuters/NAN)
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday warned Nigerias government against demonising Shiites and their Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN.

Delivering judgement in a bail application sought by the IMN leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the trial judge, Gabriel Kolawole, said Nigerias government must allow its citizens enjoy the fundamental right to freedom.

I am of the view that the applicant need not be demonised, but that they should be allowed to practice the faith they choose, said Mr. Kolawole.

The judge said Nigerias law allows a person or group to practice whatever religion they choose and in whatever manner that they deem fit.

He said although it is a known fact that most Nigerian Muslims are Sunnis, the constitution allows freedom of thought and worship.

Mr. Kolawole described the Shiites relationship with the Nigerian government as delicate and slippery.

He said his court was set to give its judgement since October 5 but decided to allow parties settle out of court, considering the sensitive nature of religious issues.

They are much more delicate and judicially speaking, slippery in nature, Mr. Kolawole said.

JUDGE BLASTS SSS

The judge added that despite repeated claims by the respondents lawyer, Tijjani Gazali, that the arrest was a constitutional step aimed at safeguarding the life of the applicant, he (Mr. Gazali) has not been able to back his claims with constitutional provisions.

Mr. Kolawole said not even a microscopic view of the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria revealed any provision where an adult is allowed to be held in detention for his safety.

He added that the documents before the court have not shown that the applicant gave his approval for the said protective detention.

It is my conclusion that the applicant deserves to have judgement given in his favour, said the judge while granting the application for bail.

I have not been shown any incident report or any complaint lodged by residents around the neighbourhood that the applicant has become a nuisance to his neighbourhood, said the judge.

He said the decision of the government to hold the applicant for so long amounted to great danger.

Citing the death of former leader of the Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, in detention, the judge said; If the applicant dies in custody which I do not pray for, it could result in many needless deaths.

Mr. Kolawole said the government should within 45 days release the applicant and his family to the police, who shall within 24 hours take them, guarded by escort, to a safe place. Failure to comply with the action, Mr. Kolawole said, will attract a fresh course of action by his court against the respondents.

He added that the respondents namely; the SSS, Inspector General of police and the Attorney General of the Federation, will pay a fine of N25 million each to Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife, making N50 million.

Mr. El-Zakzaky was arrested by the military on December 14, 2015, after a clash between the movement and officers of the Nigerian army.

The army killed at least 347 members of the group.

Mr. El-Zakzaky approached the court to demand his release, months after he was arrested without being charged to court.

He asked the court to declare that his arrest and continued detention violated his fundamental rights.

His lawyer, Femi Falana, said the court should declare that the continued detention of his client without charging him, was unlawful.
The campaign office of the senator representing Kaduna Central District, Shehu Sani, has been attacked by unknown gunmen, the police said.

Suleiman Sule, the senators aide, said some supporters of the lawmaker were meeting at the campaign office on Saturday when armed men invaded the property.

No casualties were immediately reported.

Police officers have already cordoned the office area, Mr. Sule told PREMIUM TIMES.

Residents of the area said the attackers came in large numbers.

They were all with dangerous weapons and all headed across the road where Shehu Sanis office was. They dispersed some people who were holding meeting in the office, one resident said. Thank God it is a busy area and there is always the presence of police officers. Before it could get out of hand they thugs ran away.

A police spokesperson who identified himself as Abba Danjuma, an Inspector, confirmed the incident, but called for clam.

The Kaduna police are on top of the situation as our officers have arrived the scene and investigation has begun. There was also no report of casualty at the moment, the police said.

Mr. Sani has been enmeshed in a running political battle with Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

Last week, a faction of the party loyal to the governor announced the indefinite suspension of the Senator.

Mr. Sani fought back calling the governor a dubious progressive.

Editors Note: This post has been updated to correct an earlier detail regarding reports of casualties.
The American University of Nigeria (AUN) on Tuesday took a major step to reconcile residents of Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Mubi is one of the local government areas in Nigerias North-east zone that Boko Haram insurgents overran and occupied for months in 2014.

During the crisis, the relationship between Christians and Muslims in the town said to be one of the largest in the state, was seriously strained.

But through its Peer-to-Peer Challenging Extremism campaign tagged, #IAmABeliever, the AUN brought members of Christian and Muslim self-protection groups together for training and sharing of stories on how they survived the Boko Haram carnage.

The programme titled, Stories-for-Peace Workshop, was organized by AUN students in collaboration with Illusions of Reflection  a Mubi-based youth group.

The workshop was attended by over 500 members of the Boys Brigade, a non-denominational Christian security group and the Nigerian Aid Group of the Jamaatu Nasril Islam, a Muslim protection group.

Two highly revered religious leaders, Hamid Hammad and Ezekiel Williams, also attended the event.

Addressing the participants, Sheik Hammad lauded the AUN initiative and emphasised the importance of true and uniting stories in peace-building.

Its a welcome idea. Peace is very important in the world and in our society. When telling stories, please make sure what you are going to tell is genuine and is not going to cause any conflict in society, he said.

Rev. Williams, who is also a leader of the Boys Brigade, shared stories of how he escaped with 50 other Christians after being trapped in Mubi under Boko Haram for five days.

He attributed their survival and escape to divine intervention.

Other Christians and Muslims faithful also shared stories of close shaves with death, personal losses and trauma when Boko Haram attacked the area.

The AUNs Dean of Arts and Science, Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob, who moderated the story-telling session, said throughout human history, shared stories have played a crucial role in bringing peoples and communities together.

Stories provide a shared space for everyone to experience the tribulations and triumphs of the other, this can help bind a people together, said Mr. Jacob.

The programme also featured a joint protection operation training for the Christian and Muslim groups.

AUNs Assistant Vice President, Safety and Security, Lionel Rawlins, led the training on methods of protecting religious places from terrorist attacks.

Mr. Rawlins advised both groups to work together to protect each others places of worship.

The event ended with a 500-meter walk for peace, where Muslims and Christians marched holding hands to the gate of Adamawa State University in Mubi.

The university was among the educational institutions sacked by Boko Haram during the 2014 invasion.

More than a year after the Nigerian security forces liberated Mubi, tensions and mutual suspicion have continued to dog relationship between Christians and Muslims in the area.

The #IAmABeliever campaign is organized by students of Public Diplomacy & Strategic Media Intervention.

The course is part of a global university initiative to challenge extremism, with funding support from the Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau of the US State Department and Facebook.
The Jigawa state Farmers and Herdsmen Board says it has paid N860,000 as compensation to 28 farmers whose crops were destroyed by encroaching cattle in Kirikasamma Local Government Area of the state.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Rabiu Miko, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday

in Dutse.

Mr. Miko said 19 farmers received N360,000 as compensation in Marma village while nine farmers in Iwo and Madaci villages received N500,000.

NAN recalled that the board had in November impounded 18 cattle for encroaching and destroying several farmlands in Iwo, Marma and Madaci villages in Kirikasamma.

According to him, the animals were sold at the cost of N1.16 million at Gumel Livestock and Breeding Centre, in Gumel Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the money used to compensate the affected farmers based on an order given by the mobile court set up by the state government to handle such cases.

He added that the action was one of the new measures taken by the board to discourage farm encroachment by herdsmen.

Henceforth, any animal found encroaching farmland and destroying farm produce in the state will be impounded and be kept under our custody.

If the owner comes then we have our mobile court; but if nobody claims ownership of the impounded cattle, then we sell them and compensate the affected farmers, he said.

According to him, the board has dispatched a team to the scene to assess the extent of damage done by the animals to farm land in the local government.

He added that the animals were sold in the presence of the local governments farmers/herdsmen committee and village heads of the affected community among others. (NAN)
Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to promote a regional gas pipeline project that would connect Nigerias gas resources, those of several West African countries and Morocco.

This is to foster regional economic integration.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, said this in a communique presented before the visiting Moroccan King President Mohammed VI and President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

According to him, the gas pipeline project would also accelerate energy and electrification projects across the affected member countries.

He said the pipeline project would be designed with the participation of all parties involved to create a competitive regional electricity market with the potential to be connected to the European energy markets.

He said Nigeria and Morocco also agreed to develop integrated industrial clusters in the sub-region in sectors such as manufacturing, Agro-business and fertilizers to attract foreign capital and improve export competitiveness.

The minister said the two countries also agreed on stimulating the local transformation of widely available natural resources for both domestic and international.

It is expected that multiple project opportunities will arise for industrial operators and financial capital by fostering deeper economic integration grounded on positive externalities, sustainable synergies and inclusive approaches

This South-South open platform will accelerate the structural transformation of the national economies of the region, thereby putting the entire region on a higher growth path.

The two heads of State agreed to set up a Bilateral Coordination Body to monitor this important project and commended such a strategic Cooperation in Africa, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the end of the 3-day official visit of King Mohammed VI to Nigeria, 21 Bilateral Agreements were signed between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco.

NAN reports that seven of the agreements were signed on Friday, while the remaining 14 agreements were signed on Saturday.

The agreements signed on Friday were Agreement between OCP and Dangote to develop fertilizer business in Nigeria; and Cooperation Agreement in Strengthening the local blending capabilities and Agriculture Eco-System.

The last one was Agreement on the Exemption of Visas for Diplomatic and Official Service Passport.

The rest include the Bilateral Air Service Agreement Between Morocco and Nigeria; Agreement on Marine Fisheries Cooperation; Agreement in the field of Agriculture, and Agreement Between Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy and its Nigerian counterpart.

President Muhammadu Buhari and the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI witnessed all the signing of the 21 Bilateral Agreements, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the President-elect of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, on his victory in the countrys presidential election.

The president also saluted the spirit of statesmanship displayed by the out-going president of the country, Yahya Jammeh, by conceding defeat.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Saturday in Abuja, Mr. Buhari noted that such uncommon gesture was crucial in calming fears of unrest in the West African nation.

While expressing delight at the gallantry shown by Mr. Jammeh, President Buhari enjoined President-elect Barrow to be magnanimous in victory.

He also commended Gambians for peacefully exercising their democratic right to freely choose their leader and called on all stakeholders to maintain the peace.

According to him, he looks forward to a smooth transition of power and working with the incoming president of The Gambia to deepen existing cordial relations between both countries.

The opposition candidate, Adama Barrow, won the presidential polls with 263,515 votes, the electoral commission said on Friday.

The commissions chair, Alieu Njie, said he was followed by out-going President Yahya Jammeh with 212,009 votes while Mama Kandeh, the third candidate in the running, came third with 102,969 votes.

Mr. Jammeh, who had ruled the country for 22 years, had since accepted defeat. (NAN)
The Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, has said people from Boko Haram affected areas have learnt unforgettable lesson, realised their mistakes and would never allow such to happen again.

Mr. Ndume, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Yola on Saturday, said that affected communities who were forced to leave their villages and towns are now anxious to return home and were ready to fight back.

NAN reports that Mr. Ndume was in Yola , where he visited thousands of Internally Displaced Persons mostly from Gwoza and other local government areas from Borno in some IDPs camps at the outskirts of Yola.

We have suffered a lot and our people have learned a lesson from this ungodly crisis. We will never allow such barbaric act to happen again, our eyes are open now.

Our people are ready to fight back now to reclaim the remaining of their villages and towns as well as their freedom of living with one another in peace and dignity, Mr. Ndume said.

He said the lasting solution for Boko Haram insurgency was to take the fight to their hide out and wipe them out completely.

He explained that most of the IDPs camps he visited in Adamawa were willing and anxious to return to their respective ancestral homes.

He said that relief materials worth million of Naira were distributed to the IDPs, adding that the visit was with a team of top officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

On the rejection of about $30 billion presidential loan, he said the Senate did not reject the loan, but want the executive arm to attach all necessary documents to enable the Red Chamber go through and approve.

On the ongoing fight against corruption by President Buhari, he said the development was a winnable war.

I am confident, at the end, President Muhammadu Buhari and the country are going to win the war against corruption, Mr. Ndume said. (NAN)
Kaduna State senator, Shehu Sani, on Saturday said the attack on his campaign office in Kaduna was carried out by men working for Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

The office was invaded by armed men on Saturday morning.

Witnesses said police arrived quickly and stopped the attackers from torching the building.

The senator said the attack took place as his social media aides held a meeting.

No casualties were immediately reported.

Mr. Sani blamed the attack on Mr. el-Rufai in a statement on Saturday afternoon.

Some few minutes ago I received a report that some heavily armed thugs raided and attacked my constituency office located at Stadium Roundabout by Constitution Road, Kaduna.

They unleashed terror on my social media team whom where meeting in the office. They vandalized the office in their violent act.

We have the lead and the information that Thugs were fully recruited and paid by political appointees of Governor Nasiru el-Rufai, Mr. Sani said in a post on his Facebook page.

The two leaders have had a prolonged political battle. A faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress loyal to the governor announced Mr. Sanis indefinite suspension last week.

The governors spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, could not be reached for comments Saturday afternoon. Calls to his phone did not go through.

Mr. Sani, a former civil society leader, said he had forwarded the names of those he believed were responsible for the attack to the State Security Service and the police.

We have the names of the political appointees and we have the names of those they are funding. Right now their details are given to the SSS and the police for investigation.

Mr. Sani said a similar attack was attempted on his family home in downtown Kaduna only a few days ago.

Two days ago attempt to burn down my family house in Alkalawa Road, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, by sponsored thugs was thwarted by vigilant residents and neighbors, which led to the brief deployment of policemen in the area, the senator said.

Mr. Sani said the governor sponsored the attack against him to silence him.

I wish to state it categorically clear that I hold Governor Nasiru Elrufai personally responsible for whatever happens to me or any of my family members or supporters.

After the use of financial inducement on APC executive committee in the state to silence Shehu Sani in the name of suspension, which never worked,they have now taken the road of violence.

We are men of ideas, of ideals and of peace. Those who take to the road of violence have no place in a democratic society.
United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has tapped a Nigerian investment banker, Bayo Ogunlesi, to serve as a strategist on his economic policy team.

The 16-member group will be led by Stephen Schwarzman of the American equity firm, Blackstone, CNN reported on Friday.

Mr. Ogunlesi, a private equity tycoon, will serve as a member of the board, which also includes CEOs of General Motors and IBM.

The group will have a direct line to Mr. Trump and be tasked with giving the president-elect nonpartisan views on how government policy impacts the economy and jobs, the cable television said, quoting documents sourced from Blackstone.

The forum is expected to hold its first meeting during the first week of February at the White House.

Mr. Ogunlesi, 63, is the co-founder and chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners, an investment firm with a primary interest in infrastructure and real estate development.

He is perhaps best known for his 2010 acquisition of Gatwick International Airport in London, a deal that was said to be north of $2 billion at the time.

Mr. Ogunlesi is the first Nigerian to be appointed by Mr. Trump as he continues to shop for top advisers following his victory last month.

His appointment came a year after President Barack Obama named Adewale Adeyemo as his Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics.
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said on Friday that Nigerians need to cooperate with their lawmakers if they desire effective representation in the parliament.

The Speaker said the perennial discord between constituents and their representatives is not sustainable, especially as it is rooted in misconception and misinformation.

There can be no effective representation if an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion exists as to the intentions and rationale for the actions of elected persons, Mr. Dogara said.

Mr. Dogara spoke at a forum themed: Bridging the Gap between the Elected Representatives and Their Constituents organised by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and the United Kingdom Department for International Development in Abuja Friday afternoon.

The Speaker said the citizens should bear in mind that every lawmaker is working towards advancing the situation of their constituencies.

The desire of elected representatives to make an impact in their constituencies is borne out of the need for service.

No elected person worth his salt would be satisfied if he is unable to point out at the end of the day, what he has been able to accomplish within the period of his mandate, Mr. Dogara said.

The speakers comments appeared aimed at reassuring a Nigerian public that is often critical of the scandal-plagued National Assembly.

Mr. Dogara was recently accused of introducing fake projects into the 2016 budget in a multibillion naira scam, an allegation he denied.

Speaking Friday, he acknowledged the disdain Nigerians have for him and his colleagues, and promised to make amends by breaking away from the past arrogance that characterised the conduct of the lawmakers.

It seems to us that over the years the legislature has adopted the policy of non-response when its activities are called to question, Mr. Dogara said. Most often a simple explanation is what is required.

Still, the Speaker blamed most of the backlash against the parliament on the ignorant and mischief makers, challenging the media to intervene by protecting the National Assemblys image from being defaced further.

The legislature is the most maligned arm of government even though it works very hard to fulfil its constitutional mandate, Mr. Dogara said. It, therefore, behooves the media and civil society organisations to step up their work of information dissemination and informed appraisal of activities of elected representatives.
( Read 6210 Times)

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Centre for Advancing & Launching Enterprises (CrAdLE) - the Technology Business Incubator, supported & catalysed by NSTEDB, DST, Govt. of India and hosted by Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), was inaugurated at EDII campus today by Shri Kishor Kharat, President of EDII and MD & CEO, IDBI Bank Ltd.Speaking during the inauguration, Shri Kishor Kharat, President of EDII and MD & CEO, IDBI Bank Ltd. said, CrAdLE will focus on four niche segments of manufacturing, food processing, renewable energy and healthcare. EDII is offering milestone-based learning for future entrepreneurs and most of the verticals focused upon are in line with Government of Indias Make in India, Digital India and Stand-up India schemes. We are confident that with the support from DST, EDII would be able to create new enterprises that would be job creators in next few years.CrAdLE is aimed at fostering technology & knowledge based entrepreneurial start-ups by nurturing them at an early stage and helping them overcome teething troubles by providing legal, financial, and technical services. Emphasising on the sustainability of start-ups, Shri Kharat spoke about the need to adapt ethical financial discipline early on to avoid scalability failures. As a gesture of support, Shri Kharat pledged financial aid to all EDII trained and incubated pass-outs. He also urged the budding entrepreneurs to set-up businesses away from urban and semi-urban areas and focus on Rural India.Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director of EDII said, CrAdLE will have a mix of investment from DST, EDII and angel investors with whom we have touch-based. Apart from providing physical infrastructure, EDII will also play pivotal role in mentoring, guiding and even funding, if required to incubatees. CrAdLE has been registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, which would enable it to invest in start-up ideas and share profits that would again be re-invested in the development of the incubation centre.CrAdLE will incubate 10 business ideas in its first year of operation and proceed with rest of the ideas in a phased manner. Some of the business ideas shortlisted so far are:Micro-smart irrigation technology where a sensor will be embedded in soil which will give signals to farmers about moisture level in the field.Affordable and efficient solar panels that will generate maximum electricity per square feet. These panels will effectively reduce cost of electricity will be low maintenance.Easy networking platform for patients that will connect patients suffering from similar ailments. It will also act as digital record for all patients files and diagnosis so that they dont have to carry heavy files while visiting to Doctors for consultations. Doctors can access their files from this platform. Also, there is a facility to provide online counselling to patients from doctors via this platform.Manufacturing and distributing juices in the most natural way that will increase the shelf-life of the product. The juices will be available on a subscription basis and will be delivered at the door-step of the consumers.Housed in EDIIs Gandhinagar-based campus, the incubator will work towards strengthening business skills & knowledge of incubatees and providing them with a platform for speedy commercialization of technologies developed in academic and R&D institutions of the country. Most importantly, it will also facilitate business networking for better and faster enterprise growth.
Say goodbye to the dad chair. Todays recliners are slimmer, smarter and more stylish than ever.

Even La-Z-Boy, the 90-year-old brand whose name is as synonymous with classic recliners as Kleenex is with tissues, has updated its product line over the years.

In 2010, the company hired actress Brooke Shields as its celebrity spokeswoman to target women ages 35 to 54 and to distance itself from a decades-long association with grandpas, couch potatoes and frat boys who love the lever-lifting footrests and roly-poly cushions.

I call it Bubba, Faith Phillips, the companys vice president of retail store experience, said of the iconic chair. We love Bubba, and we wont stop making Bubba, but we wanted to offer more.

The commercials have been successful: A La-Z-Boy spokeswoman said the company saw three years of double-digit same-store sales growth coinciding with its launch. So last year, the company developed a new retail strategy that puts boutique-style showrooms in cities.

About one-third the size of the companys standard stores, the boutiques feature La-Z-Boys Urban Attitudes collection, which offers contemporary pieces in small footprints, and design consultations. The first showroom opened about a year ago in Washingtons Logan Circle neighborhood.

The idea is to make these stores reflect their communities, Phillips said. Were considering adding more in other parts of the country, but it has to be the right fit.

Kelly Taylor, an interior designer in Providence, Rhode Island, said the generational divide about recliners is as much about size as it is about style.

Clients who ask for recliners are usually older folks who want a place to kick back and have the space to accommodate a big chair and a big ottoman, she said. Younger people in their 30s and 40s are all about small spaces, less stuff, cleaner decor. Theyre cool with the single center ottoman.

They also may not have the sentimental attachment to recliners their parents do, she said, which means brands cant count on that as a draw.

But thats perhaps where the strategy behind La-Z-Boys new showrooms comes into play. By opening up shop in trendy neighborhoods, the company lets customers see firsthand how much recliners have evolved in the past 40 years. The Midtown low-profile recliner (from $1,199, la-z-boy.com) is 33 inches wide and bears little resemblance to earlier counterparts.

Other companies have followed suit, of course, and are selling recliners in sleeker silhouettes and modern fabrics. Ikeas Muren recliner ($299, ikea.com) is understated with a strip of piping on the trim and could easily be spiced up with a bright throw pillow or fur throw. Room & Boards Wynton recliner ($1,799-$2,699, roomandboard.com) is impressively narrow at 30 inches wide; splurge for the leather if you want a classic feel without the clunk.

For a more on-trend look, consider the companys Dalton recliner ($1,699-$2,999), which sits on wooden legs (or aluminum, if you prefer) and has a mid-century modern look, or Crate & Barrels Torino velvet recliner ($1,499, crateandbarrel.com).

Most recliners need at least a foot between the chair and the wall to allow adequate space to recline, but thats changing, too. In September, West Elm debuted its first power recliner, the Henry ($999, westelm.com), which glides the seat forward into a horizontal position and lowers the back without significantly changing the chair backs original position.

To keep up with such technical advances, companies are developing battery packs to allow you to float a power recliner in the middle of a room without the hassle of cords, and outfitting chairs with USB ports so you can charge your devices.

Needless to say, most modern recliners ditched the lever a long time ago.

So long as it doesnt scream recliner, I like them, Taylor said. Its hard to argue with wanting to put your feet up.
ATLANTIC CITY  A 19-year-old Pleasantville man set off a lockdown of the New York Avenue School in Atlantic City when he fled officers, police said.

Just before 11:15 a.m. Friday, officers Ermindo Marsini and Nicholas Berardis saw Lamir King, who had a warrant for his arrest, leave a convenience store on the 400 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard with a mask on his face, police said in a news release.

Officers tried to stop King, who fled into Stanley Homes Village, police said. Officers established a perimeter around the area and as a precaution, the New York Avenue School was locked down.

Students and staff were not in danger and the lockdown was lifted around noon, after King was arrested, police said.

Officers found King hiding in a closet in a home in the 1500 block of Wabash Place, police said. He had cocaine, police said. Officers checked with the convenience store clerk and there was no robbery, police said.

King was charged with obstruction of justice, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and resisting arrest. He was issued a summons with a court date for his charges and turned over to the Juvenile Justice Commission for the outstanding warrant, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766. Information can be texted to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD. All texts are anonymous.

 Lauren Carroll and Steve Hughes
VINELAND  The YMCA has added two members to its board of directors.

One is Joel Cruz, senior resident director and wealth management adviser for Merrill Lynch.

The other is Yves Salomon-Fernandez, president of Cumberland County College and the former interim president of Massachusetts Bay Community College.

Both have links to the YMCA organization.

Three generations of Cruzs family have belonged to the local YMCA.

The Y serves very important functions, Cruz said. It is a melting pot in the community. It brings people together in a variety of ways. It also introduces people to fitness, healthy living and positive lifestyles.

Cruz, his wife, Sandy, and their two children live in Vineland.

Salomon-Fernandez, her husband, Steve, and their two children were YMCA members in Massachusetts.

The YMCA enriches and enhances the lives of people from various walks of life, Salomon-Fernandez said. Our Y has great potential for collaborations that will make our community stronger.

She also lauded the impact a YMCA has on children.

The YMCA provides children with enrichment, activities, academic support, friendships and leadership development, she said. The Y gives people fond, lasting memories from their youth.

Salomon-Fernandez and her family live in Vineland. Her two children attend local schools.
Investigators are looking into a connection between two recent fatal shootings in Hamilton Township and a fatal shootout on the Atlantic City Expressway in late August, according to law-enforcement sources.

Marcus Campbell, a 21-year-old Egg Harbor City resident, was shot and killed Wednesday on Ivy Bush Court at the Woodlands Condominium Complex in Hamilton Township.

An obituary in Sundays edition of The Press says Campbell was engaged to Unique Jones and had a daughter, Malia Campbell. Funeral services will be private, the obituary states.

Five days earlier, Demond Cottman, 21, of Atlantic City, was killed and his brother, Shadi Cottman, 26, of Clayton, Gloucester County, was shot in the leg outside the Hamilton Mall.

No arrests have been made in either case, authorities said.

These crimes are active investigations of the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office and participating law-enforcement agencies, and are being aggressively pursued for solution and justice for the victims, acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton wrote in a statement. We cannot comment further on open, active investigations.

But two law-enforcement sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said they are pursuing connections that all the violence  including the expressway shootout  is related to the same groups within Atlantic County.

On Aug. 29, a rolling shootout on the expressway killed Rosemond Octavius, 22, of Egg Harbor Township, and injured five others.

Six people have been arrested in the shootout: Anthony Hicks, 24, of Mays Landing; Leonard Caro, 24, of Little Egg Harbor Township; Yahshaun Stukes-Williams, 19, of Mays Landing; Shaun Stukes, 38, of Atlantic City; Wilbert Demosthenes, 25, of Pleasantville; and a 16-year-old boy.

Robert Greaney, president of the Woodlands condo associations board, told The Press on Wednesday he suspected Campbells shooting was a turf war moving into Atlantic County, from what I understand from authorities.
ATLANTIC CITY  The badlands. Baghdad by the Boardwalk. Zombie land.

The 10-block stretch of beachfront land in the citys South Inlet  where a handful of homes and high-rises punctuate otherwise empty gravel lots  has gone by many names.

The most widely known nickname, Paulines Prairie, refers to efforts in the 1960s by the city Housing Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency, headed by Pauline Hill, to redevelop the area by razing whole blocks of buildings. The lots were cleared, but the redevelopment never arrived.

Now, change is coming. A $29.4 million construction project will extend the citys famous Boardwalk around the South Inlet toward historic Gardners Basin. The former Revel casino, now known as TEN, is supposed to open in the spring.

Of course, other plans have come and gone, and the barren lots remain.

But residents tell a different story of the South Inlet. To them, it is a racially diverse neighborhood and a beach oasis few people know about. Theyre not discouraged by the empty lots. They know theres more to come in their part of the city. And until that happens, theyve got some of the best views on the East Coast to themselves.

***

On cold days when the sea breeze is whipping, Bill Terrigino takes in the beach from the upper floor of his three-story Metropolitan Avenue home, watching waves that are often peppered with surfers. A model ship, a centerpiece of shells and nautical artwork continue the seaside theme.

On a recent fall day, Terriginos sunny living room turned dark at noon. But it wasnt clouds casting a shadow across the neighborhood. The giant TEN casino hotel complex, the second tallest building in the state, dominates the neighborhood and city skyline, its glass facade reflecting the sky and ocean.

TEN is owned by Glenn Straub, who is trying to obtain the final permits to reopen early next year. In November, he hired several executives to run the casino and sued the Casino Control Commission, claiming the state regulator is moving too slowly on approvals.

Terrigino, 72, had a front-row seat as homes around him were bulldozed and the casino tower rose into the sky. Still, he said he wouldnt change a thing about where he lives.

The South Inlet basically was my parents honeymoon spot, Terrigino said.

His South Philadelphia family spent two weeks every summer in the city. As he raised his three sons, Dante, Rocco and Raphael, he made sure to provide them a home filled with the same kind of fun.

It was a magical time for them, Terrigino said. They had the Atlantic City Boardwalk and beach day and night. The South Inlet was the best-kept secret in Atlantic City. This has become the peoples beach, he said.

And Terrigino thinks visitors should see a well-maintained city. He maintains an area he calls Limbo Park, a patch of nearby land he says neither the city, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority nor TEN has taken care of.

I get my weed eater and go pick up the trash. Come spring Ill probably throw some flowers in, he said. Its all for the guests.

When TEN does open, Terrigino has just one request. Remembering that the music of Revels nightclub HQ shook his house into the morning, hes hoping Straub switches up the beat.

Ive been rooting for him since day one, he said of Straub. Every bridge he crossed, the trolls of New Jersey were under. Hes up to his neck in trolls. But hes determined.

That word, determined, could describe the rest of the residents of the South Inlet.

***

Wilma Sutphin has glaucoma and foot trouble as a result of diabetes and cant enjoy her surroundings quite as much as she used to. But her younger years of watching casino jobs come and go, including hers, have prepared her for waves of changes.

Sutphin came to Atlantic City from Virginia in the early 1980s for her sisters wedding and never left. She has spent more than 18 years in the South Inlet high-rise now called The Ocean at 101 Boardwalk.

I love the building, and the people are nice. You have a little family here, she said. Im content.

The high-rise has undergone a massive transformation in the past two years. More than 1,000 apartments boast ocean or city views, and about two-thirds of the building have been renovated since 2014 under new owners The Esquire Group.

Sutphins love of Atlantic City grew as she worked at Ballys, James Saltwater Taffy, Resorts and as a nurse at Shore Medical Center.

She lit up when she talked about Revel.

It appeared to do more for the city than anybody, she said. They kept up the activities and had fireworks. At the holidays, it was Revel.

Sutphin said shes as excited as anyone at the prospect of the casino reopening.

I never got a chance to go over and see it, she said. If it reopens, Im going.

***

Frances Gunn thought shed work at Trump Plaza until she retired. But after 25 years, she could see the writing on the wall. She left the year before the casino closed. Now Gunn, 57, is employed by AtlantiCare.

Like Sutphin, the Florida native first came to Atlantic City to visit her sister and never left. That was in 1982.

The South Inlet earned a reputation for turmoil through a wave of crime in the 1970s. But Gunn said that since the 80s, that reputation is a myth.

For her, one big draw of the Inlet is neighboring Gardners Basin in the summer, with its pop-up shops, food trucks and bay views.

Most people that live down in the Inlet love the Inlet. I go down there and sit and watch the boats. Weve got a lot of stuff going on down here, she said. I walk out the door onto the beach. You cant beat that.

Gunn and other South Inlet residents are resilient. Through the citys fluctuating economy and the bulldozing of homes around them, theyve learned to adapt.

Theres always a job. Its just that you might have to start from the bottom again. Thats OK, Gunn said. Youll get there.

Gunn said she hasnt minded the clanking and pounding as work continues to repair the Boardwalk, because the newly poured concrete ramp brings the promise of easier travel.

***

City Planning and Development Director Elizabeth Terenik said infrastructure improvements are the first step for the South Inlet. Then the citys focus can turn to investors and development plans.

It really adds to the value of properties. Theres so much that we need to do. That includes attracting investors, Terenik said.

But right now there are things beyond the citys control. Its been difficult for people to get loans to do projects, she said. Were attacking the blight in any way we can. We think if we do that all right, the investment will come.

In January, the CRDA approved a $15 million loan to help finance The Beach at South Inlet, a planned 250-unit apartment complex to be built by Boraie Development.

Terrance Cook, 23, moved into The Ocean about a year ago with his mother, Belinda, 45, and they have more reason than most to hope for more development in the South Inlet: Its also where they work.

The Cooks are part of the security team at The Ocean.

Between jokes with residents and Michael Jackson impressions, the always-smiling attendant surveys security cameras and monitors the halls of the building.

Theres peace down here, he said, sliding back in a desk chair behind the security desk, Theres not a lot of crime, and mostly everyone here is having a good time. You dont have a lot of nonsense in here. Its just plain quiet, and I like it that way.

Cook visited Revel after its opening and was thrilled with its offerings, but before he could fully explore the resort, the casino closed.

Still, he urges young people to consider living in the South Inlet.

Ive made a lot of friends. Jitneys are just up the street. The Boardwalk is right there, he said. Theres a lot to do, there really is. I say its heaven.
The man shot and killed at the Woodlands Condominium Complex in Hamilton Township was identified Thursday as 21-year-old former Cedar Creek High School student Marcus Campbell.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office confirmed Campbell's identity Friday in a news release. According to an autopsy performed Thursday, the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

Family members at the Campbell home at the Philadelphia Village Apartment Complex on Cincinnati Avenue in Egg Harbor City declined to comment on the Wednesday night shooting, but several of Campbell's friends changed their Facebook profile pictures to one of Campbell with a pair of cropped angel wings on his back.

Neighbors Thursday described Campbell as a good person who did not stir up trouble around the apartment complex in Egg Harbor City.

The man was pronounced dead at the shooting scene on Ivy Bush Court in the Mays Landing complex, according to a statement by Jay McKeen, a spokesman for acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton. No arrests have been made as of Friday.

In Hamilton Township, fear gripped residents at the apartment complex, located across from the Hamilton Mall, the morning after the fatal shooting at the Woodlands.

It occurred five days after a 21-year-old Atlantic City man was killed and his brother was injured in a shooting in the parking lot of the Hamilton Mall. Demond Cottman died, and Shadi Cottman, 26, was shot in the leg. No arrests have been made in the homicide, and police have declined comment on it.

Mall management said it is a safe place to shop.

"A top priority of Hamilton Mall management is maintaining a safe environment for its shoppers," Hamilton Mall management wrote in a statement. "Mall management has always worked closely with local law enforcement to ensure we are working in harmony with them to provide a safe shopping environment."

Police responded to gunshots at 6:33 p.m. Wednesday on Ivy Bush Court in Mays Landing, according to the Prosecutor's Office statement.

"My knees are still shaking," said a woman who said she lives next to the area where the man was found dead at the Woodlands.

She didn't want to give her name but said she heard about six shots and called the police.

"It gives me chills," another woman nearby added, saying she was sleeping at the time of the incident.

Woodlands Condominium Association's president Wednesday night said that authorities told him the killing was part of a "turf war" moving into Atlantic County.

McKeen declined to comment on the "turf war" statement.

Campbell was arrested in July on charges of possession of heroin and marijuana with intent to distribute after detectives stopped a vehicle on Buffalo Avenue in Egg Harbor City in which he was a passenger. Two others in the vehicle were also charged. The county Prosecutor's Office said at the time they seized 225 wax-paper folds of heroin, more than 1 ounce of marijuana and more than $2,500 in cash.

The disposition of the case was not immediately available.

There was no blood on the ground Thursday morning at the Woodlands, and the only sign of the violence the night before was crumpled crime-scene tape in a trashcan nearby.

On Thursday, there were no police officers or parked police vehicles in the Woodlands neighborhood, as there had been Wednesday night. Few neighbors walked the streets near where the man was shot and killed near building 49.

Sarah Webster, 23, lives across the street from where the shooting happened on Ivy Bush Court. She said she wasn't home at the time and heard about it later from her boyfriend.

"It's a nice neighborhood. It's not like that," she said. "It's a really nice place. I haven't had any bad experiences here."

Webster said she has never seen an incident like this one close to home. The incident surprises her. She has lived at the Woodlands since September.

"I don't really feel unsafe here. I feel really sad," she said.
The beards and mustaches came off for a good cause.

Police departments across South Jersey participated in No-Shave November, an effort to raise money and awareness about cancer by not shaving for a month.

Atlantic City police officers Friday showed up at the Smithville Barber Shop in Galloway Township for a shave.

Police officers raised $10,000 and donated nearly $5,000 to Gildas Club of South Jersey.

In Cape May County, police departments raised $18,400 for a 7-year-old Dennis Township boy battling eye cancer, Wildwood police said.

Joey Povio in July received a diagnosis of a rare form of cancer called retinoblastoma, said his father, Vincent, 45. He said Joey has been undergoing chemotherapy at Wills Eye Hospital and the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Officers from the Wildwoods, Middle Township, Cape May, Ocean City and other departments grew their beards and mustaches for Joey, whose grandfather, William McCormick, is Avalons police chief.

We wanted to band together and collectively get our officers together to raise as much money as we can, Ocean City Police Chief Chad Callahan said.

On Tuesday, between 50 and 100 officers gathered at the Wildwoods Convention Center to present the Povio family with a check, Vince Povio said.

He said Joey enjoyed the event.

It was great, Vince Povio said. Its a good distraction from the negative stuff thats been going on  trips to Philly, chemo and stuff.
A Bridgeton man and a Brigantine woman were arrested Friday and charged with promoting child prostitution.

Marcus E. Tukes, 47, and Courtney H. Glose, 31, were arrested after an investigation by the FBIs Child Exploitation Task Force, acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton said in a news release.

The focus of the investigation was the exploitation of a girl under 18 for the purpose of promoting prostitution, according to the release.

Two weeks ago, the task force, including investigators from the FBI, the state Department of Human Services Police, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office and the Atlantic County Sheriffs Office found and secured the girl. The task force arrested Glose and Tukes at the Knights Inn in Absecon on Friday.

The two were charged with promoting the prostitution of a child under the age of 18, endangering the welfare of a child and conspiracy.

They both were sent to the Atlantic County jail on $250,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the exploitation of children for prostitution in Atlantic County is asked to call the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force at the 24/7 number 800-CALL FBI (800-225-5324), the local FBI office at 609-677-6400, or the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7800.
Lots of strange bedfellows

I grew up listening to my adult family members talk politics at the table. They were very opinionated and active voters. One of the phrases my mother used to repeat was politics makes strange bedfellows.

Well, watching all the backpedaling and change of thought concerning the president-elect after such a divisive and volatile campaign is incredible. Momma aint raised no fool. Is anyone honest in politics?

Marta Stott

Atlantic City

Trump must address fears of minorities

Some think that those upset with Donald Trump being elected president should just get over it, and move on. Some think those protesting all across the country are poor losers who should have been as enthusiastic at the polls as they are in the streets. Easy to say, if youre a heterosexual white person.

Trump built his campaign on insults and instilling fear into certain groups of Americans. He attacked Mexicans and Latinos, Muslims and women. KKK and other white supremacy groups, and anti-LGTBQ groups, became more vocal. Real fear has permeated those groups.

Mexican parents with children who are U.S. citizens might think that they could be rounded up, separated from the children and sent away. Someone of the Muslim faith might be afraid to wear a garment indicating their religion. Minorities of all kinds might fear the future wont be as good or that rights fought for over the past years will be lost. These fears are real and valid.

President-elect Trump needs to take responsibility for these fears. He needs to address the concerns of these people in a meaningful way. Unless these fears are addressed, the people of the U.S. will not rest.

Karl M. Frank III

Mays Landing

Some legal immigrants stay longer than allowed

Donald Trump promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants for breaking the law. What about the thousands of documented people with greencards, students, businessmen and visitors who overstay their documents? They are breaking the law also.

Many of these people have been in the country long enough to establish families. Is he going to deport them too? Trump has a real problem on his hands that I think only the Supreme Court will decide.

Alvin Washington

Atlantic City
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.

Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.

Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III.





to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever.





Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation.





View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union.

Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history.

Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words.




The state Board of Canvassers has signed off on the passage of a ballot initiative that will add a new "victims' rights" section to Montana's 
Unveiling One-Card-Multiple-Number Service

LONDON, Dec. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On 2 December 2016, China Unicom Global Limited ("CUG") launched the "CUniq" overseas mobile virtual network operator ("MVNO") service in London, the UK and unveiled the first one-card-multiple-number service. Customers can buy a SIM abroad and stay connected with the UK, Hong Kong and Mainland China numbers. This marks an important milestone in CUG's global operations strategy as it successfully expanded MVNO operation from Asia-Pacific region to Europe.

Minister Zhu Qin of the Chinese Embassy in the UK; Mr. Michael Charlton, director general of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI); Mr. James Weifeng Ji, Asia Chief Regional Officer of Telefonica; Mr. Jiang Zhengxin, deputy general manager of China Unicom; and Ms Zhou Lisong, executive vice president of CUG, jointly officiated the service launch ceremony. They were joined by more than 200 guests from Europe to witness this historic moment.

Mr. Jiang Zhengxin, deputy general manager of China Unicom, said, China Unicom has made vigorous efforts to drive reforms and innovations over the years. Innovation becomes the engine to propel its development. As to its mobile communication operation, China Unicom is committed to providing leading mobile applications and innovative services to customers in Asia-Pacific region. The launch of "CUniq" enables CUG to offer more convenient services to customers in Europe. Its launch symbolizes accelerating expansion of its international business and marks a milestone for CUG's development of MVNO services in overseas market.

Ms. Zhou Lisong, executive vice president of CUG, said that the company had a proven track record in MVNO business in Hong Kong for more than 15 years. The "CUniq" service is jointly launched by CUG and Manx Telecom. It integrates extensive network coverage provided by O2, the British mobile network operator under Telefonica, S.A., and the high quality global services offered by China Unicom, which allows customers to enjoy exclusive, excellent and unique experience in mobile communication. While interpreting the meaning of "CUniq", Ms. Zhou said that "CU" stands for China Unicom and "Uniq" is the abbreviation of unique (implying exclusive, excellent and unique). She added that the company will further enhance its "CUniq" MVNO service in the future and launch it in other countries and regions, such as America, Australia and Japan, in phase.

The "CUniq" one-card-multiple-number service provides customers the convenience of keeping just one SIM card with Mainland China, Hong Kong and the UK numbers embedded. Customers can enjoy multi-user voice call service in these three areas and share data with others in 45 countries and regions. In addition, it offers 24/7 bilingual customer service (English and Chinese) and overseas online enquiry service from CUG Store. It provides more convenient and superior communication services to businesspersons, overseas students and tourists in travelling between Mainland China, Hong Kong and the UK.

About China Unicom Global Limited:

China Unicom Global Limited (CUG) is a wholly owned subsidiary of China United Network Communication Group Company Limited. It is headquartered in Hong Kong and has established 28 branches around the world. The company endeavors to provide services to mobile operators and business enterprises in China, Asia-Pacific region and other areas. Its main businesses include leased line, Internet, system integration, Cloud computing, data center, video conference and MVNO/MVNE. Leveraging China Unicom's extensive global network in Mainland China and overseas, CUG is dedicated to offering one-stop end-to-end communication services to customers everywhere in the world, thereby achieving the goal of building global customer base, global network and global operations.





SOURCE China Unicom Global Limited
A brief yet grand welcoming ceremony for the maiden voyage was held by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at the arrivals hall in McCarran International Airport, after the plane landed at the airport. Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Luo Linquan, Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president Rossi Ralenkotter; Clark County director of aviation Rosemary Vassiliadis, McCarran International Airport port director Warren Eales, Hainan Airlines vice president of marketing Hou Wei and brand director Xu Fei, government officials of the City of Las Vegas, representatives from local companies and chambers of commerce, Hainan Airlines VIP customers and established media organizations took part in the welcoming ceremony. Mr. Hou and Ms Vassiliadis exchanged gifts having characteristics that represented the essence of their native nation or region, in celebration of the exciting moment when the maiden voyage of the Beijing-Las Vegas non-stop service touched down.

Data from the US government shows that close to 7.3 million Chinese tourists are projected to travel to the US between now and 2021. Since the launch of the Beijing-Seattle service in 2008, Hainan Airlines has continued to expand its flight services to the US. Hainan Airlines' non-stop flight to Las Vegas adds an additional transportation choice for business travelers, international students and tourists traveling between China and the US.

Hainan Airlines now operates ten China- North American routes, connecting Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angles, Calgary, San Jose and Boston to destinations in China. All of its airplanes serving North American routes are Boeing 787s equipped with in-flight WiFi. The airline provides its Business Class passengers with high-quality BOSE noise-cancelling headphones, BVLGARI-branded toiletry bags, Sola-branded stainless steel dinnerware and an airborne cuisine menu designed by Michelin-starred chefs, providing passengers with a comfortable, safe and hospitality-focused flight experience. The Kung Fu Panda design painted on the side of the plane and themed characters adorning the insides of cabins, combined with the fusion of the Oriental style of hospitability with modern creativity, serves as a dynamic approach that gives passengers an opportunity to get acquainted with Chinese culture during the flight.

Hainan Airlines has been committed to globalization for years based on an open and win-win principle. Since the airline's first voyage, Hainan Airlines has safely operated its fleet for 23 years and its flights have logged over 5 million hours. It was named as a SKYTRAX five-star airline for six consecutive years and ranked fifth in Airline Safety Ranking 2016 by JACDEC, a German airline safety data evaluation firm, winning high praise from both its domestic and international passengers. HNA Group ranked 353rd on the Fortune Global 500 list issued in July 2016.



SOURCE Hainan Airlines Co., LTD
NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pond5  the world's largest provider of royalty-free video  announced the launch of its new Extended Licenses, offering some of the highest levels of coverage, protection, and flexibility in the industry.

Designed to provide enterprise-level businesses, creative agencies, and major media companies the protection and flexibility they require during their content creation process. The new licenses offer up to a million dollars of indemnification for each commercial video clip, unlimited seats for more collaboration, and significantly more flexible merchandising rights.

In conjunction with this launch, Pond5's Standard License now includes $15,000 in indemnification per item for no additional cost, one of the highest standard levels of coverage in the stock-media business.

With additional and unlimited-seat license upgrades  also available for other media types, including music and editorial footage  customers will have more ways to collaborate with multiple people and teams. All Pond5 licenses allow use of the content for unlimited projects worldwide in all media, in perpetuity, as well as various levels of digital or physical merchandising.

"This program is exactly what our biggest customers need, and many production houses have been clamoring for," explains Pond5 CEO Jason Teichman. "It's a major leap forward. Buyers can shop with the protection and flexibility they demand, and purchase media with the added confidence and legal assurances their businesses require."

For more info on Extended Licenses, visit pond5.com/extended-licenses.

About Pond5

Pond5 is transforming the role of video in the creative process by connecting producers, creative directors, and editors to more than 60,000 filmmakers and creators in over 150 countries. The company strives to improve creative production through its innovative artist technology, easy-to-use platform, and ever-growing library of more than 6 million royalty-free video clips, plus millions of, music tracks, sound effects, photos and other leading-edge media Pond5 is a venture-backed company funded by Accel Partners and Stripes Group with offices located in New York, Dublin, and Prague.

Related Links:

Contact Information:

Tina Witoshkin

Director, Social Media and Communications

Pond5

tina@pond5.com

This release was issued through WebWire(R). For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.



Related Links

https://www.pond5.com



SOURCE Pond5
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of CLARCOR Inc. ("CLARCOR" or the "Company") (NYSE: CLC) to Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of CLARCOR will receive only $83.00 in cash for each share of CLARCOR that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company.

If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn ([email protected]) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857.

To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

206 Covington St.

Madisonville, LA 70447

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399590LOGO

SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Related Links

http://www.ksfcounsel.com


A brief yet grand welcoming ceremony for the maiden voyage was held by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at the arrivals hall in McCarran International Airport, after the plane landed at the airport. Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Luo Linquan, Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president Rossi Ralenkotter; Clark County director of aviation Rosemary Vassiliadis, McCarran International Airport port director Warren Eales, Hainan Airlines vice president of marketing Hou Wei and brand director Xu Fei, government officials of the City of Las Vegas, representatives from local companies and chambers of commerce, Hainan Airlines VIP customers and established media organizations took part in the welcoming ceremony. Mr. Hou and Ms Vassiliadis exchanged gifts having characteristics that represented the essence of their native nation or region, in celebration of the exciting moment when the maiden voyage of the Beijing-Las Vegas non-stop service touched down.

Data from the US government shows that close to 7.3 million Chinese tourists are projected to travel to the US between now and 2021. Since the launch of the Beijing-Seattle service in 2008, Hainan Airlines has continued to expand its flight services to the US. Hainan Airlines' non-stop flight to Las Vegas adds an additional transportation choice for business travelers, international students and tourists traveling between China and the US.

Hainan Airlines now operates ten China- North American routes, connecting Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angles, Calgary, San Jose and Boston to destinations in China. All of its airplanes serving North American routes are Boeing 787s equipped with in-flight WiFi. The airline provides its Business Class passengers with high-quality BOSE noise-cancelling headphones, BVLGARI-branded toiletry bags, Sola-branded stainless steel dinnerware and an airborne cuisine menu designed by Michelin-starred chefs, providing passengers with a comfortable, safe and hospitality-focused flight experience. The Kung Fu Panda design painted on the side of the plane and themed characters adorning the insides of cabins, combined with the fusion of the Oriental style of hospitability with modern creativity, serves as a dynamic approach that gives passengers an opportunity to get acquainted with Chinese culture during the flight.

Hainan Airlines has been committed to globalization for years based on an open and win-win principle. Since the airline's first voyage, Hainan Airlines has safely operated its fleet for 23 years and its flights have logged over 5 million hours. It was named as a SKYTRAX five-star airline for six consecutive years and ranked fifth in Airline Safety Ranking 2016 by JACDEC, a German airline safety data evaluation firm, winning high praise from both its domestic and international passengers. HNA Group ranked 353rd on the Fortune Global 500 list issued in July 2016.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161203/445295

SOURCE Hainan Airlines Co., LTD
A move by the state Supreme Court late Friday afternoon has left the Secretary of State's office unsure about certifying the passage of a voter-approved amendment to Montana's Constitution.

The court ordered Secretary of State Linda McCulloch to not declare an effective date for Constitutional Initiative 116, also known as Marsy's Law. Election results must be certified by Monday. The Board of Canvassers, which certifies election results, is set to meet at 10 a.m. that day, but it's unclear now what action they can take.

The confusing situation came about after the the ACLU of Montana filed a lawsuit earlier in the day asking for Marsy's Law, a so-called "victims bill of rights" that voters passed in November, to take effect in July instead of the immediate start date printed on ballots statewide.

Twice this week the Board of Canvassers did not sign off on a certificate validating the passage of the law. Two of the board's three members said they did not think the ballot language calling for an immediate start date, which also appears on the certificate, was correct. The language of the law itself does not call for an immediate implementation, but uses the phrase "self-executing."

Marsy's Law will create a new section of the state Constitution and includes 18 rights for crime victims, including the right to refuse interviews and to be notified of all steps of the legal process.

Emily Dean, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's, said Friday around 5 p.m. that it's not clear what the court's decision means. The office's legal counsel is looking at the court's order, Dean said. The court's order says it needs a response from the state, McCullock and Attorney General Tim Fox, who is named in the suit, within 14 days.

On ballots statewide, voters saw the sentence: CI-116, if passed by the electorate, will become effective immediately.

The Department of Justice, which drafts the language that appears on the ballot, interpreted "self-executing" to mean immediately effective, but state Auditor Monica Lindeen and Superintendent of Public Institution Denise Juneau, two of the three Board and Canvassers members, disagree with that decision. The board's third member is Attorney General Tim Fox, who is in charge of the Department of Justice. Fox supports certifying the results as-is.

The ACLU is arguing that the state Constitution reads, in part, that amendments "shall become a part of the constitution effective the first day of July following its approval, unless the amendment provides otherwise."

The Board of Canvassers already approved election results for local and statewide candidates and Initiative 182, which repealed a three-patient limit for medical marijuana patients. That initiative has its own struggles with an effective date: Due to a drafting error it will not take effect for eight months.

The suit is brought by the ACLU, the Montana County Attorneys Association, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, the Montana Association of Counties, Lewis and Clark County Attorney Leo Gallagher and Helena City Attorney Thomas Jodoin.

Chuck Denowh, state director of Marsys Law for Montana, called the lawsuit disappointing.

"We think it's clear that the effective date should be immediate upon the certification of the election. That's what was on the ballots for the 325,000 Montanans who voted for Marsy's Law." The law passed with 66 percent of the vote.

He said it's unclear if Marsy's Law for Montana would take any action and the group needs to wait and see what the Supreme Court decides.

Cities and counties worry that they will have to cut services or raise taxes to pay for additional staff to work with victims and comply with the new law and need as much time as possible to get ready. The ACLU, in a release, said it creates significant administrative, financial and compliance burdens.

"A July 1, 2017, effective date is not only legally required, but makes practical sense as it allows for organizations time to comply with the procedures mandated by CI 116," the release said.

Denowh said he thinks cities and counties can comply with Marsy's Law now.

"Most of what's in Marsy's Law they were already doing," he said. "The law expands on those pre-existing requirements a little bit but not in a huge way."
EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Results from the Phase II SUSTAIN study show that SEG101 (crizanlizumab, formerly SelG1), an anti-P-selectin antibody, reduced the median annual rate of sickle cell-related pain crises (SCPC) by 45.3% compared to placebo (1.63 vs 2.98, p=0.010) in patients with or without hydroxyurea therapy1. Novartis today announced that the data are being featured in the official press briefing at the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and presented during the Plenary Scientific Session tomorrow (Abstract #1, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. PST). The results also are being published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine.

"Acute painful episodes, commonly referred to as vaso-occlusive crises, are a substantial cause of morbidity in sickle cell disease with limited treatment options," said Kenneth I. Ataga, M.D., Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "These findings show that crizanlizumab significantly reduces the frequency of painful crises and represents a potentially novel disease-modifying therapeutic option."

In the SUSTAIN study, patients were assigned to high-dose (5.0 mg/kg), low-dose (2.5 mg/kg) and placebo arms. The study met its primary endpoint, reduction of the annual rate of SCPC in the high-dose arm by 45.3% vs. placebo (medians of 1.63 vs. 2.98, p=0.010). In the low- dose arm, the annual rate of SCPC was reduced by 32.6% vs. placebo (medians of 2.01 vs. 3.0, p = 0.180). For patients in the high-dose arm, time to first SCPC vs. placebo was 2.9 times longer (medians of 4.07 vs. 1.38 months, p = 0.001) and time to second SCPC was 2.0 times longer than placebo (medians of 10.32 vs. 5.09 months, p = 0.022)1.

"Patients have long been in need of a new therapy for treatment of SCPC, the most common and debilitating complication of sickle cell disease," said Bruno Strigini, CEO of Novartis Oncology. "We are pleased that data from the SUSTAIN study show SEG101 may have the potential to become the first new option for patients dealing with SCPC since hydroxyurea was approved for use in sickle cell anemia about 20 years ago2."

Despite its availability, hydroxyurea often is not utilized primarily due to concerns about patient compliance and potential adverse events3,4.

About the SUSTAIN trial

The SUSTAIN trial was a multicenter, multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 12-month study to assess safety and efficacy of the anti-P-selectin antibody SEG101 with or without hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell disease patients with sickle cell-related pain crises. Patients included in the study had a history of 2 to 10 pain crises in the previous 12 months. Patients receiving hydroxyurea or erythropoietin were included if prescribed for the preceding 6 months and dose was stable for at least 3 months. The trial randomized 198 patients age 16 to 65 to receive high-dose SEG101, low-dose SEG101 or placebo1.

Adverse events that occurred in 5% or more of patients in an active dose group and were elevated over placebo by at least 2-fold were arthralgia, pruritus, vomiting, chest pain, diarrhea, road traffic accident, fatigue, myalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, abdominal pain, influenza and oropharyngeal pain. There were no apparent increases in infections with SEG101 treatment. Five deaths occurred during the study, 2 at 5.0 mg/kg, 1 at 2.5 mg/kg and 2 in placebo; no deaths were deemed related to the study drug1.

About SEG101 (crizanlizumab)

SEG101 (crizanlizumab, formerly SelG1) is a humanized anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody that binds a molecule called P-selectin on the surface of endothelial cells and platelets in the blood vessels, causing a blockade of P-selectin1,5. P-selectin drives the vaso-occlusive process1,6. Vaso-occlusive crises, also known as SCPC, occur episodically when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through blood vessels7. The therapeutic blockade of P-selectin can prevent painful vaso-occlusion in small blood vessels and maintain blood flow1,7.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "potential," "potentially," "may," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for SEG101, or regarding potential future revenues from SEG101. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that SEG101 will be submitted or approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that SEG101 will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding SEG101 could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including unexpected clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; competition in general; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; unexpected manufacturing, safety or quality issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation offers a broad range of medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, neurological disease, organ transplantation, psychiatric disease, respiratory disease and skin conditions.

Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis and @NovartisCancer at http://twitter.com/novartiscancer

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact [email protected]

References

1. Ataga KI, et al. SUSTAIN: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, 12-Month Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of SelG1 with or without Hydroxyurea Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Sickle Cell-Related Pain Crises. Abstract #1. 2016 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, San Diego, California.

2. Segal JB, Strouse JJ, et al. Evidence Reports/Technology Assessments, No. 165. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Feb.

3. Zumberg MS, Reddy S, et al. Hydroxyurea therapy for sickle cell disease in community-based practices: a survey of Florida and North Carolina hematologists/oncologists. Am J Hematol. 2005 Jun;79(2):107113.

4. Miller ST, Kim HY, et al. for Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Research Network (SCDCRN). Inpatient management of sickle cell pain: A 'snapshot' of current practice. Am J Hematol. 2012 Mar;87(3):333336.

5. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Data on file. 2016.

6. Manwani D. Frenette PS. Vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease: pathophysiology and novel targeted therapies. Blood. 2013; 122(24):3892-3898.

7. Quinn CT. Anti-adhesive therapy for sickle cell disease. The Hematologist. 2014;11(6):15.

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HOUSTON, Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After months of planning and anticipation, the first flight from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Havana is scheduled to depart today, connecting Cuba to Texas' largest city and United's premier Latin American gateway.

United will operate Saturday nonstop flights from Houston in addition to its daily nonstop service from Newark/New York via Newark International Airport (EWR).

"United has officially launched our first flights from the U.S. into Havana," said Steve Morrissey, United's vice president of regulatory and policy. "Houston has long been our Latin American and Caribbean gateway, so the importance of this route, for both our airline, employees and our customers, can't be understated. It has the power to open the door to Cuba for travelers in a large portion of the U.S., and that's something that we're very excited about."

Since the DOT announced its preliminary Havana route awards in July, United has been working closely with the Cuban government and local airport service providers to prepare for the start of its operation into Jose Marti International Airport, the airline's 14th new international route launched this year.

Saturday nonstop service from Houston (IAH)

Recognized by "Trusted Traveler Network" as one of the most international-friendly points of entry for foreign travelers, Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is United's gateway to Latin America. United offers 91 daily nonstop flights to 52 destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean from its Houston hub. Bush Intercontinental will be an important gateway for service to Havana and will directly connect 20 markets across the central and western United States to Cuba with just one stop. The Cuban-American population in the Houston metropolitan area ranks among the top ten cities in the country.

Daily nonstop service from New York/Newark (EWR)

United's daily nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport will provide an important gateway to Cuba from the Newark/New York City region, the largest metropolitan area in the country and home to the second-largest population of Cuban Americans. For more than 20 years, United has offered the Newark/New York City region the most flights to the most destinations around the world.

United will operate both services with Boeing 737 aircraft.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737NGs, 787s and 777s, as well as six used Airbus A319 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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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
Washington, Dec 1 : The director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has warned President-elect Donald Trump against dismantling the Iran nuclear deal.

In his bluntest public warning to Trump, who during the presidential campaign signaled willingness to undo the Iran nuclear deal, John Brennan told BBC that sabotaging the deal would be "disastrous", reports Xinhua news agency.

"It could lead to a weapons programme inside Iran that could lead other states in the region to embark on their own programmes," said Brennan, adding it would be "height of folly" to tear up that agreement.

The rare public warning from a CIA director to an incoming US administration came after Trump chose to nominate Lt. General Michael Flynn as National Security Advisor and Congressman Mike Pompeo as the CIA chief -- two hard-liners on the Iran nuclear deal.

During his campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "the worst deal ever negotiated".

He also suggested that he would force Iran to return to the negotiation table or risk the accord being dismantled.

Iran and six world major countries -- the US, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany -- reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July, 2015 that puts Iran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear programme.

The deal sets limits on Iran's nuclear activities as it will take Tehran at least one year to produce enough fissile materials for producing a nuclear weapon, and allows regular inspections of the facilities inside Iran.

In return, the US and the European Union will suspend nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran, with the lifting of all past UN Security Council sanction resolutions.
New Delhi, Dec 1 : A court here on Thursday issued fresh open-ended non-bailable warrant (NBW) against British national Christian Michel James and issued summons against a company and two other accused in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar issued the fresh arrest warrant against James after Public Prosecutor Navin Kumar Matta urged for the open-ended non-bailable warrant against James since he is staying abroad.

After considering a supplementary charge sheet in the case, the court issued summonses against Delhi-based Media Exim Pvt. Ltd. and its Directors R.K. Nanda and former Director J.B. Subramaniyam under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and fixed January 7 for next hearing.

The court said there is prima facie sufficient evidence on the involvement of accused in the case.

The company will be represented by authorised representative.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June filed a fresh charge sheet against James and three others, including the company, in its ongoing money laundering probe in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

The ED counsel told the court there is enough evidence against the accused to initiate proceedings.

According to the ED, Media Exim is a shell company of James and incorporated for facilitating transactions of kickbacks.

The agency is said to have found that of the alleged kickbacks received by James, Rs 6.33 crore was routed to India through his shell company Media Exim from his Dubai-based Global Services FZE.

James allegedly received around Rs 225 crore as kickbacks from AgustaWestland for the deal inked for the purchase of 12 helicopters in the guise of transactions for performing multiple work contracts in the country.

"Nanda and Subramaniyam were appointed Directors of Media Exim Pvt. Ltd., who willingly and knowingly connived with James and helped him in acquiring various immovable and movable properties or assets in Delhi, which have already been attached," the ED said.

James was accused of playing the middleman in this deal and paid kickbacks by Finmeccanica, a group firm of AgustaWestland.

James and two other alleged middlemen Guido Ralph Haschke and Carlo Gerosa have been named as accused in separate investigations conducted by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Both the agencies have also notified an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) against James after a city court issued non-bailable warrant against him.

An Italian court revealed that James, a resident of London, was working as consultant in India for AugustaWestland's AWA101 helicopter deal. Investigators said James is currently staying in Dubai where he has been running his companies.

The first charge sheet was filed in the case in November 2014 against businessman Gautam Khaitan, his wife Ritu, Chandigarh-based firm Aeromatrix and two alleged Italian middlemen Gerosa and Haschke.

The charge sheet disclosed that the three alleged middlemen managed to make inroads into the Indian Air Force to influence and subvert the stand of the air force regarding reducing the service ceiling of helicopters from 6,000-metres to 4,500 metres in 2005 after which AgustaWestland became eligible to supply a dozen helicopters for VVIP flying duties.
Washington, Dec 2 : US Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's popular lead over President-elect Donald Trump surpassed 2.5 million votes as ballots are still being tallied after more than three weeks since the November 8 election.

According to local media reports, Clinton's lead in total votes over Trump now is larger than the lead with which as many as ten US presidents have won the general election.

Converted into percentages, Clinton has won 48.1 per cent of the vote so far, while Trump's share of the vote so far is 46.4 per cent, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, it was Trump who prevailed on Election Day by clinching crucial 270 Electoral College votes. He has 306 Electoral College votes to Clinton's 232.

Trump tweeted on Sunday that he would have won the popular vote if millions of people didn't vote "illegally", but failing to offer any evidence to support his claim.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein has filed for vote recounts in three swing states -- Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, an effort supported by Clinton's campaign but called a "scam" by Trump.

Only in the highly unlikely event of overturning all three states can Clinton beat Trump to the White House.

Trump won all three states by a narrow margin in the presidential election, leading his major rival Democrat Hillary Clinton with just over 100,000 votes in all three states.

US electors will meet on December 19 to certify the results of the Electoral College.
Dehradun, Dec 2 : Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishna on Friday appeared in a court here in a case of acquiring a passport on allegedly forged documents.

The Uttarakhand High Court had earlier directed him to present himself in court by November 30 but allowed him extension in deadline after he requested for more time in view of his plan to travel to Nepal.

The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (II) has now fixed December 21 for next hearing.

Acharya Balkrishna is a close associate of yoga guru Ramdev.

The court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him in July 2012, following which he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation from Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

The principal of a Khurja college in Uttar Pradesh, from where the alleged doctored documents were procured, surrendered later on.

Balkrishna was released on bail by the Uttarakhand High Court on August 17, 2012. He has since alleged that the Congress government in Uttarakhand was targeting him due to vendetta.
Kathmandu, Dec 2 : The opposition parties in the Nepali parliament have been disrupting proceedings in protest against the proposed amendments in the Constitution tabled earlier this week.

The protests by the opposition Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxists-Leninists), Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist), Rashtriya Janamorcha Party Nepal and Nepal Workers Peasants' Party follow the tabling by the government of the constitution amendment proposal on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The tabling of the constitution amendment proposal seeks to meet the demands of agitating Madhesis and other ethnic groups whose protests last year left more than 50 people dead.

CPN (UML) Vice Chairman Bamdev Gautam on Thursday described the amendment as anti-national and said his party will not allow the House business to proceed.

"The government has brought in the constitution amendment proposal to split the hill region from the Terai which is not acceptable to us," Gautam said.

Anti-government protests have spread in various parts of the Himalayan nation against the proposal.

Meanwhile, Madhes-based parties, agitating under the banner of the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF), have refused to back the proposal saying it was not acceptable in its current form, in a blow to the ongoing efforts of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" to achieve reconciliation with groups agitating over the national charter.

The government's amendment proposal seeks to carve out a new state in the western region of Nepal to meet the demands of the ethnic Madhesi community. The government requires a two-thirds majority in parliament to secure passage of the proposal.

Nepal introduced the new constitution on September 20 last year after it became secular republic in 2008 with the overthrow of the 240-year-old Shah monarchy.
Washington, Dec 3 : The iconic Washington Monument will remain closed for at least the next two and a half years, the US National Park Service has said.

The 170-meter tower on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. was shut down on August 17 following repeated problems with the structure's elevator, Efe news reported on Saturday.

Financier and philanthropist David Rubinstein has agreed to provide up to $3 million for a major upgrade to the elevator.

Although funding for the elevator overhaul is secured, there was no date set for the start of the work, according to The Washington Post.

The Park Service is awaiting congressional approval of funding for a new security screening facility at the site.

Work on the monument to honour first American President George Washington, got under way in 1848 and the obelisk was dedicated in 1885.

The Washington Monument receives more than 500,000 visitors a year.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to former President Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary.

"I bow to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary. Our nation owes a lot to him for his inspiring leadership at a crucial time," Modi tweeted.

Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884 in Siwan, Bihar and was the first president of the country.

He held the highest office in the country from January 26, 1950 to May 13, 1962.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : A new book born out of three years of intensive research across northeastern India and parts of Myanmar and Bangladesh focuses on the role of women in political decision making positions, especially in conflict-hit areas.

The book, "Where are our Women in Decision Making?", is a compilation of essays, papers, testimonies and stories with the UN Security Council's landmark Resolution 1325 on women and peace and security that was adopted in October 2000 as the guiding document.

Edited by Binalakshmi Nepram, Secretary General of Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI), and released by Friederike Tschampa, Head of the Political Section of the European Union Delegation in India, earlier this week, the volume also contains recommendations in the form of a National Action Plan on peace and security of women and role of women in political decision making.

Starting in 2014, the research work was conducted by CAFI in association with Anando Foundation of Bangladesh and Welthungerhilfe of Germany with support from the European Union.

Researches visited all eight northeastern states - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura - as well as Shan state in Myanmar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh to identify women leaders and make them understand UNSC Resolution 1325.

"In doing our work, we came across very unexpected findings," Nepram told IANS.

"Women in Sikkim, for example, said that this was the first time that they saw a meeting on a gender issue being held in their state," she said.

"Same was the case in Tripura with people there saying that it was the first they have seen a women-led organisation like CAFI holding such a meeting."

(This seemed rather strange to this correspondent so a senior journalist who is an expert on Sikkim was approached to understand this. His explanation was simple: The women do most of the work anyway and so don't feel discriminated against. Thus, the need for a discussion on gender issues does not arise.)

Nepram said that the research work revealed that though the women of the northeastern states were divided by religion, language and ethnicity, the problems they faced in society were similar.

"It is a strain on the society till women are raped, murdered, kidnapped, face domestic violence, marital rape, sexual violence, molestation and are trafficked," an annexure in the book highlighted.

In the course of their work, the researches also organised two editions of Northeast India Women Peace Congregation - the first in Imphal in March 2015 and the second in Guwahati in August this year.

It was in the second edition in Guwahati, held after the Assam assembly elections, that the idea of an all India women political party was broached in detail.

Nepram said that women political activists cutting across party lines attended the congregation and said that they were "tired of being used just as decorative pieces".

"We have evolved a blueprint for India's first all-women political party in this book," she said.

Based on all the civil society consultations held across these three years, the book also includes a "National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security for India".

Nepram said that copies of the NAP have been handed over to Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and National Commission for Women Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam.

In this connection, a parliamentary consultative meeting will be held in the national capital on December 12.

Nepram is of the view that though the NAP has been drawn up from work focused on northeastern India, the recommendations in it can be implemented all over India.

"Two-thirds of all illiterate people in India are women and girls," she said. "Every 22 minutes, a woman or a girl is raped. Around a million girl children are killed in the mother's womb every year."

(Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in)
Chandigarh, Dec 3 : Foiling an infiltration bid, Border Security Force troopers gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab early on Saturday, BSF sources said.

The incident took place near the Dinda border out post (BoP) in Bamiyal sector of forward areas of Pathankot district.

The incident took place on a day when the two-day "Heart of Asia" conference got underway in Amritsar city in Punjab, about 100 km from the infiltration incident spot.

Amritsar is under a tight security umbrella with a number of international leaders converging here for the conference.

The intruder was killed after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed to warnings.

The National Investigating Agency, which had investigated the terror attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 this year by Pakistani terrorists, had pointed out that the terrorists had entered India near the Dinda BoP.

The BSF troopers in the border belt remain on high alert following the two terror attacks in Dinanagar (July 27, 2015) and Pathankot (January 2, 2016) in Punjab.

The "Heart of Asia" international conference is for peace and stability in the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Modi and Ghani are expected to reach Amritsar in the evening.

Both leaders will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which sees over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs told IANS.

Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to arrive on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference. Aziz would return on the same day.
Jakarta, Dec 3 : A plane with 16 people on board lost contact while flying over the waters off Batam island in Western Indonesia on Saturday, an official said.

The plane carried 16 people, Xinhua news agency quoted Marsudi, spokesman of Indonesia's national search and rescue office, as saying.
Mumbai, Dec 3 : On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday, megastar Amitabh Bachchan honoured the differently abled people and said that 'Divyang Divas is the most respectable and deserving name for them.

"Today a day to honour those differently abled. Divyang DivasA a most respectable deserving nameA dedicated to the deserving," Amitabh posted on Twitter.

Since 1992, the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated annually on December 3 across the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the determination of the disabled people on the micro-blogging site.

"On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I salute determination of our Divyang sisters and brothers and convey my best wishes to them," Modi tweeted.

"Let us continue our ongoing efforts with renewed vigour and create a nation where both accessibility and equality prevail," he said.
Amritsar, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday evening and will later meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on bilateral issues, an official said.

The talks will be held on the sidelines of 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' conference, an international endeavour for peace and stability in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Ghani is also expected to arrive in the Punjab city later in the evening.

The Prime Minister was received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State V.K. Singh.

Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs told IANS.

Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference will pay obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple.

"This evening, I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said in a tweet.

In a last-minute change in schedule, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz will reach Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, an official said in Islamabad, citing "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday" as the reason.

"He (Aziz) is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS in Islamabad.

Zakaria said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.

The Heart of Asia ministerial conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the event's sidelines.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time.

To showcase the rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at its ambitious heritage village project 'Sadda Pind', or our village, on the outskirts of the holy city.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner, hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, while the host country is the co-chair.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
MISSOULA -- Outgoing Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said Friday she may apply to be the next president of the University of Montana.

"I think I have the qualifications and the vision, and I think it's an exciting opportunity," Juneau said.

Juneau is completing her second term as state superintendent. In November, the Democrat lost the race for U.S. House of Representatives against Congressman Ryan Zinke, the incumbent Republican.

Thursday, the Montana Commissioner of Higher Education asked UM President Royce Engstrom to depart on Dec. 31 and said a national search will take place spring semester for a permanent president. Former Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns will serve as interim president starting January 1.

The same day the Commissioner's Office announced Engstrom's departure, Juneau's supporters started signing an online petition calling for the outgoing superintendent to be named the next University of Montana president.

"With the news that Royce Engstrom is stepping down, Montana has the opportunity to catch a rising star in Denise Juneau," reads the petition at change.org.

Juneau has a law degree from the University of Montana. She received her English degree from Montana State University and a master's degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Tyler Gernant of Missoula said he launched the petition calling for a "dynamic leader" at UM. Gernant is elected clerk and recorder/treasurer for Missoula County, but he took action as a private citizen.

"My wife and I had long thought that Denise would make a great university president, but obviously Royce was there," said Gernant, a Democrat.

Engstrom's departure opens the door for Juneau to fill the job, he said, and she is "uniquely qualified for that position." Gernant said Juneau has been pushing up graduation rates as superintendent while UM's enrollment has been falling.

Montana Board of Regents Chairman Paul Tuss said he would welcome Juneau's application  along with those of other interested candidates. As superintendent, Juneau has served as an ex officio Board of Regents member representing kindergarten through 12th grade, and Tuss said she served admirably for eight years.

"Certainly, we would welcome her and other people that are interested to serve in this capacity, but most assuredly, we will indeed be conducting an exhaustive national search for this very important position," Tuss said.

Gernant, who lost a bid for the U.S. House in 2010, agreed a national search should take place. He said he did not believe instating Juneau would be a consolation prize after losing a statewide election as much as an opportunity to put a qualified person at the helm.

As an elected officer, Gernant also said UM has a vital economic role in the community. The petition estimates that the increased graduation rates pushed by Juneau's Graduation Matters initiative translate into an estimated $6 million boost to the Montana economy.

"As declining enrollment has hit the university, it's also hit Missoula," Gernant said. "So having a very dynamic leader in that position I think would help boost our economy as well."
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday slammed the US Senate's vote to extend anti-Tehran sanctions and said that "it is a sign of Washington's unreliability".

Zarif, who arrived in New Delhi to participate in the Heart of Asia Conference in Amritsar, said the US Senate's Thursday vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act has no executive value, Press TV reported.

The US Senate voted to extend the sanctions that date back to the 1990s and authorise the US President to potentially impose sanctions on US entities that do business with Iran. The US House of Representatives had also voted to extend the sanctions earlier in November.

"...Even if it is signed off on by America's President, has no executive effect and from the standpoint of the international community, it shows the lack of credibility of the US government, which acts against its commitments," Zarif was quoted as saying by the Islamic Students News Agency.

The law was originally introduced on the unfounded grounds that Iran was pursuing a non-civilian nuclear programme. The fresh sanctions became a source of renewed tension between Iran and the US.

The two countries, along with five other world powers -- Britain, France, China, Germany, Russia and the EU, ended a decades-long dispute over the Iranian nuclear programme, when they reached a nuclear deal in July 2015.

The deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stipulates that all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran be lifted and no new sanctions be imposed as long as Iran fulfils a range of commitments, including certain limits to its nuclear programme and enhanced access to international monitors to Iranian nuclear facilities.

The White House's Principal deputy press secretary Eric Schultz said on Friday he "would expect" US President Barack Obama to sign the sanctions.
Indore, Dec 3 : A raid by Lokayukta Police at an engineer's residence here on Saturday led to the seizure of documents related to four houses, two plots and one kg gold jewellery, an official said.

Anand Prakash Rane, an executive engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD), was found in possession of four houses, two plots of land along with gold jewellery. The Lokayukta has initiated an investigation.

Dinesh Chand Patel, Lokayukta Police DSP, told IANS that during the raid at Rane's place, he was found in possession of two houses in Gwalior, one in Bhopal, a flat in Indore, land documents and gold jewellery.

According to Patel, the engineer also has a bank locker and holds seven bank accounts.
Rome, Dec 3 : US Secretary of State John Kerry made suggestions on Aleppo in line with those of Russian experts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday.

This came as Kerry on Friday met Lavrov here to ease the fighting in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.

"Moscow is ready to send military experts and diplomats to Geneva to work out joint actions with US in line with the new American proposals," RT News quoted Lavrov as saying.

"The proposal ensures the withdrawal of all militants without exception from eastern Aleppo, and provide unimpeded humanitarian supplies to the city's residents and ensure the establishment of normal life," Lavrov said.

Until Friday, the US had been doing its best to try to "push provisions that would take the heat off Al-Nusra, which directs the militants in the unliberated parts of eastern Aleppo", he said.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday paid floral tributes to former President Rajendra Prasad on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

"The President, officers and staff paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan," a statement said.

Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884 in Siwan, Bihar and was the first President of the country.

He held the highest office in the country from January 26, 1950 to May 13, 1962.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : With the fifth meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council remaining inconclusive as the impasse over the issue of assessee jurisdiction continued, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said he was keeping his fingers crossed.

"The critical issue is of cross empowerment or dual control. Are we close to a resolution? I will still keep my fingers crossed," he told media persons after the two-day GST Council meeting came to an end here.

"Logjams are created only to be broken. We will discuss it further on December 11 and 12," he added.

With five meetings of the GST Council being held, the issue of dual control or who will exercise control over GST assessees -- the Centre or the states - remains critical.

"The discussions were held. Two-three suggestions have come of horizontal division of assessees, vertical division and even a suggestion of hybrid of the two," Jaitley said.

The Council also could not complete the approval process on the four drafts - Central GST (cGST), State GST (sGST), Integrated GST and State Compensation Law in the meeting. After the approval from the Council, the cGST needs to be approved by the Parliament while sGST will have to be approved by state legislatures.

"There were discussions on cGST and sGST. Both the drafts were discussed simultaneously. We have started clause by clause approval of the two. Nine clauses of each have been discussed and the Council is moving towards consensus on these," Jaitley said.

"It will take a lot of time for the approval (on the drafts), it seems," he added.

The approval on the four draft laws will also be on the agenda in the Council's next meeting, he said.

"We can't have an implementation of GST without resolution of all the issues in the Council. The approach is to reach an agreement with a consensus of all," Jaitley said.

He said that the government is still targeting April 1 as the implementation date for the new indirect tax regime.

"There are not much options. The time option is only between April 1 and September 15," he added.
Amritsar, Dec 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday evening and is scheduled to meet Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on bilateral issues before the Sunday inauguration of ministerial deliberations of a peace meet on Afghanistan, an official said.

Ghani also arrived in the holy city in Punjab later in the evening for participation in the international endeavour for peace and stability in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz also reached Amritsar on Saturday evening.

Modi and Ghani will on Sunday jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which will see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries, a Ministry of External Affairs official told IANS.

Modi and Ghani will hold bilateral talks before the joint inauguration.

The Prime Minister was received on his arrival in the holy city by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State V.K. Singh.

Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference later paid obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple.

"This evening, I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said earlier in a tweet.

In a last minute change in schedule, Pakistan's Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar on Saturday evening. An official in Islamabad earlier attributed the change in his travel schedule to "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday".

The Pakistan top diplomat was originally scheduled to arrive here on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.

The Heart of Asia conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the event's sidelines.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time.

Modi and Ghani also attended the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Badal for visiting dignitaries at the state government's ambitious heritage village project 'Sadda Pind', or our village, on the outskirts of the holy city.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, while the host country is the co-chair.

India says a basket of six confidence-building measures would be discussed during the conference.

With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India at the ministerial conference.

(Vishal Gulati is covering Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Guwahati, Dec 3 : Two soldiers were killed and eight others injured as militants, believed to be from the banned Naga outfit NSCN-K, ambushed a convoy of the Assam Rifles along the India-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, a defence spokesman said.

An Assam Rifle spokesman said the attack took place at Nginu village in Tirap district, in the radius of 20 kms from the border.

"Soldiers belonging to the 16 Assam Rifles were returning from a patrol when the heavily armed militants fired at them. While two of them including a JCO (junior commissioner officer) died, eight others were injured. The condition of two of them are stated to be serious," the spokesman said adding more forces have been sent to launch counter-insurgency operations in and around the area.

"We believe it to be handiwork of anti-talk faction, Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang militants who have some presence in Tirap district.

On November 19, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) had carried out an ambush on Army personnel in Assam's Tinsukia district, killing three soldiers and injuring four others.

After this attack, the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), which is a joint platform of all the northeastern militant outfits ambushed a group of commandos of 21 Para in Chandel district of Manipur on November 26, injuring five soldiers.
Kolkata, Dec 3 : Yoga guru Baba Ramdev believes that in her heart West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supports demonetisation, although she opposes its implementation.

"I think she is against the procedure (of implementation), but in her heart, I believe she probably agrees that it is a good (move)," Ramdev said here on Saturday.

"I praise her because she lives a life of austerity. She wears hawai chappals and leads a simple life in a cottage," Ramdev said at the INFOCOM seminar here.

He said demonetisation has made honest people happy.

"I agree this is creating inconvenience for people, but the country's economy has come back on track. Honest people are happy because the corrupt are being punished.

Claiming demonetisation has terminated terror funding, Ramdev said he had "sowed the seeds" of demonetisation in 2009.

"From 2009 to 2014, I had taken it forward and asked the government to withdraw the high-value notes because they are media for black money and corruption. Now with demonetisation, funding for terror outfits and Naxalites has also stopped," he said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be felicitated for the "historic" move.

Taking a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said Singh, who had remained silent on issues, has actually been vocal on demonetisation.

"This is the effect of demonetisation," he quipped.
Kolkata, Dec 3 : Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday suggested to the AYUSH Ministry to bring forward people doing a commendable job in the disciplines of Indian traditional medicine, asserting that institutions can only succeed if they have capable people working in them.

"I have a suggestion for AYUSH... they should bring forward the people who are doing a good job, then only Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream for the AYUSH ministry will be fulfilled else only meeting and eating will happen and later cheating," he said at the INFOCOM 2016 here to a query from an audience member on the absence of hos Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. company from the ongoing Seventh World Ayurveda Congress here.

Parrying questions, Ramdev seemed unaware about the event. "Which programme is going on," he asked.

"Who are the organisers," he posed, only to be told that Vigyan Bharati (part of RSS) and AYUSH were the primary organisers.

In response, Ramdev said: "Maybe the thought (of including Patanjali) didn't cross their mind."

Elaborating further, he said: "Modi created the AYUSH ministry so that the disciplines of traditional medicinal can progress. I agree institutions are very important but we should never forget that institutions can only move forward when those working in them are capable."
New Delhi, Dec 3 : Former British Prime Minister David Cameron on Saturday defended his decision to hold a referendum which led to his country's exit from the European Union but said Britain need to find the advantages and deliver them in the path the people have chosen.

"I still believe that Britain should have stayed in the European Union and that Brexit is not a dead-end for Britain," Cameron said during an interactive session at the HT Leadership summit.

"We need to find the advantages and deliver them in the path, the British have chosen."

Cameron said that his country's relation with the multi-nation grouping was "utilitarian" and it was part of it for economic reasons.

"Britain's commitment to EU was a very utilitarian one. We never liked the political project of Europe. We tried to stay out of it," he said at a discussion on 'The Western world in crisis' at the event.

Standing with his decision of calling the referendum, he said: "I think referendum was right thing to do. EU in last 40 years has fundamentally changed.

The British people have never been asked about the various treaties (within EU). That is why I held a referendum. My argument was were we better off staying in the EU?"

Britain withdrew from the EU after a referendum held in June this year where 52 per cent voters voted in favour of the exit. Cameron subsequently resigned from his post in October.

Cameron said that Britain is the 5th largest economy and the European Union is the largest trading market in the world.

"There is a clear mutual interest in building a partnership which works for both, Britain and the European Union. Britain was inside the European Union and still out of several parts like a single currency, border controls and participation in the European army. However, after Brexit, Britain is outside the European Union but can work together towards common goals like strengthening the economy and common security," he said.

About his ties with India, Cameron said: "India is a country that is making bold decisions. I am genuinely passionate about this relationship the two countries share."

He said that India and Britain share a modern partnership based on jobs and investments.

He said, "Looking at a country like India, many people say you need to get a grip on corruption."

On terrorism, Cameron said he agreed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's view that there are no good or bad terrorists.

"There are just terrorists who need to be brought under the law," he said.

On emerging opposition to globalisation across the world, he said: "While globalisation has been a success for many in our country and our world, there is no doubt some people have left behind and have seen stagnation in wages.... for some in our country."

"But there is another phenomenon happening to which is more of a cultural phenomenon... which is there are those in our country which feel left behind by the pace of change in their communities by the mass movement of the people, by the high level of migration," Cameron said on the opposition to migrants in many parts of Europe and Britain.
New Delhi, Dec 3 : India on Saturday described the introduction of a Constitution Amendment Bill earlier this week in Nepal's Parliament as an "important step".

"As part of the ongoing efforts, the registering of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Nepali Parliament on November 29 is an important step," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in response to a question.

"We hope that all sides will remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully," he said.

India's statement assumes significance as the Bill has been framed to address the grievances of the Madhesi Front.

The Bill has however been opposed by both the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Madhesi Front and and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has been at pains to convince different sides.

Swarup said that India's consistent position has been that peace, stability and progress of Nepal was in the interest of both India and Nepal.

"We have therefore been supportive of initiatives of the Government of Nepal to meet the aspirations of all sections of its society through dialogue and constitutional processes," he said.

"As a close and friendly neighbour of Nepal, India will continue to extend all support for Nepal's peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of Nepal."
WCTractor has been family owned and operated since 1939

WCTractor headquartered in Brenham, Texas, has been honored as a Blue Ribbon Excellence dealer by New Holland. This designation is earned by New Holland Agriculture and

New Holland Construction dealers who demonstrate excellence in business practices and meet stringent standards for customer satisfaction.

To receive this recognition, New Holland Blue Ribbon Excellence dealers have met the companys high onPoint! Dealer Standard levels in six categories: Service, Business Management, Sales, Marketing and Customer Focus, Parts and Facilities.

Our Blue Ribbon Excellence dealers provide their customers with the outstanding sales and service support they need to efficiently do their jobs, says Bret Lieberman, New Holland Vice President, North America. Were very proud to acknowledge WCTractors hard work and accomplishments and to present them with this honor.

About New Holland

New Holland Agriculture and New Holland Construction sell and service an innovative line of agricultural and construction equipment, including a full line of tractors, hay and forage equipment, harvesting, crop production, skid steer and compact track loaders, compact wheel loaders, tractor loader backhoes and mini excavators. Sales, parts and service are provided by more than 1,000 New Holland dealers throughout North America. More information on New Holland can be found at http://www.newholland.com/na.

New Holland is a brand of CNH Industrial N.V., a World leader in Capital Goods listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of the Borsa Italiana (MI: CNHI). More information about CNH Industrial can be found online at http://www.cnhindustrial.com

For more information, contact:

Chris Ballentine, PR Specialist

chris.ballentine(at)newholland(dot)com 717-355-4507
December 1, 2016, Voorhees, NJ: Animal Welfare Association (AWA) will join the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Subaru of America, Inc. for the annual year-end Subaru Share the Love event and celebration, which kicks off November 17, 2016 and runs through January 3, 2017. As part of this national effort, AWA and Miller Subaru have teamed up to create an adoption event on-site at AWA as well as donation programs at both AWA and Miller Subaru.

For every new Subaru purchased or leased during the Share the Love event, Subaru donates $250 to the purchaser/lessees choice of participating charities, one of which is the ASPCA. The ASPCA will be distributing its donation to support animal welfare organizations and life-saving programs across the country and AWA is pleased to be a recipient of one of these grants.

We are happy to participate in Share the Love, says Maya Richmond, Executive Director of AWA. Our friends at Miller Subaru have long been supporters of AWA and were looking forward to teaming up with them again. And of course were grateful to receive support from the ASPCA that will help the homeless pets we care for.

Stuff the Subaru, a pet food drive, will run from December 1-12 on AWAs property. The Millers have provided a Subaru into which donations will be added. Donations are also being accepted at Miller Subaru, 1592 Route 38, Lumberton, NJ. These donations of pet food, treats and toys will help pets in need during the holiday season. On Saturday December 10 and Sunday December 11, from 11am to 5pm, AWA will hold a Share the Love Miller Moments Adoption Event, with discounted adoption fees, games, giveaways and refreshments. There will also be an opportunity to take Pet Photos with Santa!

For more information about the events, please visit http://www.awanj.org. To learn more about the Subaru Share the Love campaign, please visit http://www.aspca.org/subaru

####

About AWA

Animal Welfare Association, a private, non-profit, 501(c) 3 animal welfare organization, serves the people and animals of southern New Jersey. AWA is dedicated to eliminating animal suffering, promoting the importance of the human-animal bond, and improving the role of animals in the well-being of people.
Wes McClelland, Vice President for Federal Affairs for the American Insurance Association (AIA), issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passage of H.R. 6392, the Systemic Risk Designation Act of 2016. Sponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), the bill removes an arbitrary size threshold and, instead, bases a final determination of an institution's risk on the criteria set out in Section 113 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

H.R. 6392 passed the House of Representatives last night by a vote of 254 to 161. Mr. McClellands statement follows:

Given the strengths of the insurance business model, it is clear that the property-casualty industry was not and is not a source of systemic risk to the financial system. Therefore, in testing for enhanced supervision of financial institutions, the bill appropriately recognizes that risk assessment should be based on a range of factors wider than just size. We are pleased to see the passage of H.R. 6392 and applaud Mr. Luetkemeyers leadership on this issue.
This week, Compassion International launched a nationwide web campaign to protect its holistic child development work in India, where the organization has operated since 1968. Due to recent changes to the Indian governments interpretation and application of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), Compassion has not been allowed to send funds to its more than 500 local child development projects throughout India. This change has directly impacted nearly 145,000 children registered in Compassions program within the country.

The FCRA controls the way charitable organizations inside India can receive funds from foreign sources. The new rules required each of Compassions 580 child development centers to submit an application (Form FC-3) to the Indian government by October 31, 2016. Sixty-three of Compassions partners were denied FCRA approval. Despite repeated requests, the Indian government has not provided an explanation for these denials. Compassion made the difficult decision to end its partnership with the 63 centers, impacting more than 14,500 Compassion children in India.

Compassion is also unable to fund any of the remaining partners that received FCRA approval. Nor has the organization been able to provide funds to its two branch offices in Indiaagain, with no government explanation. These decisions by the Indian government put Compassion in jeopardy of having to shut down all of its operations in India.

In the last several months, Compassion has made repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the Indian government, but those attempts have been unsuccessful. Now, the organization is asking its U.S.-based staff and over 500,000 of its supporters to write their congressperson, requesting their intervention in the matter. A pre-written letter is available on Compassions web site.

Since the start of its humanitarian work in India in 1968, more than a quarter-million Indian children and their families have benefited from Compassions programs, said Compassion president and CEO, Santiago Jimmy Mellado, Our desire to continue serving these children has led us to encourage our supporters to request the help of their congressional representatives. We want nothing more than to comply with Indian law and find favor in the eyes of those with the power to authorize our ongoing care to these children who are suffering in extreme poverty.

On December 6, 2016, Compassions Senior Vice President of General Counsel will testify on this situation before the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with key officials in India on behalf of Compassion. Still, Compassion has been unable to provide funds to continue its child development programs in India.

About Compassion International

Founded in 1952, Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus name. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by working exclusively with the Church to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty. Compassion partners with more than 7,000 churches in 26 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 1.9 million babies, children and young adults. It is the only child sponsorship program to be validated through independent, empirical research. For more about the ministry, visit compassion.com or Follow them on Twitter @compassion.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tim Glenn, Compassion International

tglenn(at)compassion(dot)com

719-272-5377

Becca Bishop, Compassion International

bbishop(at)compassion(dot)com

719-272-5109
Penrose Senior Care Auditors is actively seeking capital to fund its rapid growth nationwide.

Penrose Senior Care Auditors was announced as one of the Fastest growing Entrepreneurial Company in the Dallas area Tuesday evening at the 26th Annual SMU Cox Dallas 100 Awards Ceremony and Banquet held at the Omni Dallas Hotel, presented by SMU's Cox Schools Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship. Dallas 100, co-founded by the Caruth Institute, honors the ingenuity, commitment and perseverance of the fastest-growing privately held entrepreneurial businesses in the Dallas area.

Founded in 2014 and now nationwide, Penrose created a new and needed senior care category: Senior Check-Ins. Penrose provides in-person monitoring and assessing of seniors, their quality of life, and their caregivers, and reporting back to families.

I founded Penrose because I learned that if I didnt frequently check-in on my aging father in assisted living, many of his services werent provided and his needs werent met. It resulted in a lowered quality of life for him, states Rhonda Harper, Founder, Owner, and CEO. On behalf of the entire Penrose team, we are proud to be recognized for our services and growth.

Penrose has been recognized by several organizations in 2016:



Winner - prestigious 2016 AARP Innovation@50+ nationwide competition

Top 15 nationwide new companies for seniors by the American Geriatrics Association

Semi-finalist in the global Aging2.0 competition

Honorable mention in the nationwide Boomer Silicon Valley Summit

To scale our services to meet nationwide demands, the entire process from client and auditor onboarding to the check-in services and backend financial accounting and reporting is completed using our proprietary software application, says Ryan Felton, Penrose Chief Technology Officer. Now we are able to operate the business efficiently and scale rapidly.

Penrose Senior Care Auditors is actively seeking capital to fund its rapid growth nationwide.

ABOUT PENROSE SENIOR CARE AUDITORS

On a Business-to-Consumer level, Penrose Check-In Services are offered nationwide to seniors who live in private residences as well as senior living communities. It is a monthly subscription service that can be canceled at any time.

The Penrose Care-Check assesses 150 items across 7 Factors: Senior, Safety, Comfort, Cleanliness, Maintenance, Supplies, and Caregivers. The Penrose Pre-Check provides families with an audit of 50 items in senior living communities prior to their senior moving in. Penrose has several additional Check-In Services scheduled to launch soon: Penrose Safety-Check and Penrose Inventory-Check.

Penroses families generally want 2-4 Check-Ins per month. Starting at $75 per check-in, it is an affordable way for families to be assured their loved-one is okay and receiving the care and services they need and deserve. It also provides relief to those family members who check-in for themselves.

On a Business-to-Business level, Penrose licenses its technologies to companies who complete their own audits under their brand or co-branded with Penrose.

ABOUT DALLAS 100 ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Dallas 100, co-founded by the Caruth Institute, honors the ingenuity, commitment and perseverance of the fastest-growing privately held entrepreneurial businesses in the Dallas area. The Dallas 100, presented by the Caruth Institute at SMU Cox, was sponsored this year by Avison Young; BKD LLP; CARR Intellectual Property Law; The CFO Suite; The Dallas Business Journal; Evos Financial; Executive Press; KRLD 1080 News Radio; and Texas Capital Bank.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  The capital of Muslim-majority Indonesia is on edge ahead of what is expected to be a second massive protest by conservative Muslims against its Christian governor and no group more so than its Chinese minority.

They have reason to be concerned. The movement against the governor, who is being prosecuted for allegedly insulting the Quran, has overflowed with racial slurs against his Chinese ancestry, an unnerving sign in a country with a history of lashing out violently against the ethnic minority that makes up 1 percent of its 250 million people.

The first major protest against Gov. Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Nov. 4 drew more than 100,000 people to Jakarta's streets. Some held up banners calling for Ahok to be killed or decrying Chinese influence. It ended in violence, with one death and dozens injured after hard-liners attacked police. A separate mob tried to invade the apartment complex where Ahok lives in the north of the city and vandalized property in the area, which is home to many Chinese.

Hard-line organizers of the protest, who were unsatisfied by a police decision earlier this month to formally name Ahok as a suspect in the blasphemy case instead of arresting him, are promising another giant rally today. After police pressure, they have agreed to concentrate the rally around a national monument in central Jakarta and insist it will be peaceful.

The furor over Ahok, sparked by his criticism of detractors who argued the Quran prohibits Muslims from having a non-Muslim leader, has highlighted religious and racial fault lines in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, and the growing challenge from proponents of Shariah law to its secular system of government.

For Chinese Indonesians, the controversy has awakened painful memories of the mass protests that ousted late dictator Suharto during the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Boiling resentment against immigrant Chinese tycoons who profited from ties to Suharto and his famously corrupt family spilled over into mob attacks on Chinese property and people, killing many. Nearly two decades later, Jakarta's Chinatown is still scarred by the burned out shells of buildings torched in the chaos.

"Certainly as Chinese descendants, we are still traumatized by the riots in 1998," said Clement Alexander, a grocery store owner in a narrow lane of the bustling Petak Sembilan market in Chinatown. "We heard that horrible event may happen again if the government fails to control the protests. It's scared us, but we cannot do anything except pray," he said.

"For rich ethnic Chinese, they could flee to Singapore or to other countries, but for lower-class people like me it is rather difficult, we just survive and depend on the government for protection."

When Ahok in 2012 became the first Chinese to be elected deputy governor of Jakarta, and the first Christian in half a century, it was seen as a sign of the pluralistic tolerance fostered by the moderate form of Islam practiced in Indonesia.

But his rise to governor in 2014 to replace political ally Joko "Jokowi" Widodo after his election as president was unpalatable to hard-liners. With the support of moderates that hope to gain from Ahok's fall, they have elevated their agenda to the national stage, and revealed that intolerant interpretations of Islam adapted from the Middle East have made greater inroads than believed.

Ahok is running for a second term as governor in elections due in February but since the blasphemy accusations erupted in September, his sky-high popularity in opinion polls has melted away. A pro-tolerance rally in Jakarta on Nov. 19 attracted less than 10,000 people. A military-organized event in the city on Wednesday meant to showcase respect for all of Indonesia's six officially recognized religions was mainly populated by soldiers, schoolchildren and police, who had no choice about attending.

For the Nov. 4 protest, the normally clogged streets of Jakarta were nearly emptied of cars, embassies closed, countries such as Australia issued advisories against travel to the city and many businesses shuttered for the day.

"We are afraid the riots in 1998 would be repeated. But I don't want to talk about that horrible event," said Jhony Tan, owner of a store selling Buddhist worship paraphernalia.

"I hope the government can handle this issue, so there's no negative impact to any other community, especially to ethnic Chinese here. If they fail, Indonesia will be ruined," he said. "I'm sure the majority of Indonesian people are willing to see that this problem has nothing to do with us."

Christianto Wibisono, an ethnic Chinese businessman and former government adviser whose home was burned in the 1998 riots, said that despite communal tensions, he is hopeful the government will maintain calm during today's protest and beyond.

The government's approach needs to sap the momentum of a vocal and highly motivated minority but faces challenges: the moderate, silent majority is intimidated by the hard-liners' tactics and months of campaigning for the Jakarta gubernatorial election as well as Ahok's blasphemy trial will keep divisive issues in the spotlight.

"Now is really the crucial test for Indonesia to maintain the country's secular philosophy rather than be run over by Shariah groups. That would affect the whole world, if Indonesia became like the Middle East," he said.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. A regular Cabinet meeting was held on December 1, chaired by Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia, before proceeding to the agenda, the Prime Minister gave a number of instructions. "First of all, I would like to announce that we will set up a center for strategic initiatives as envisaged in the government program. The center will operate under the Government based on the public-private partnership format. The centers main function will be to develop a long-term strategy, as well as short-term and long-term concepts and reform packages in the priority areas specified by the Government of Armenia in close cooperation with the private sector.

Also, I wish to inform you that we have used this platform several times, there have been numerous discussions, and the center will be established and begin its activities by this yearend. At the same time, it should be noted that various government agencies either with the technical assistance of international organizations or on their own have over years developed and submitted to the Government for approved reform policies and strategies relating to their management sectors. These documents have different names, strategy, program development, concept reform package and so on. Among the standing concepts there are ones on which no work is being carried out at this point of time, whether because they are deemed to be somewhat obsolete today or not complying with our resources or maybe for other considerations, the Prime Minister said.

Accordingly, all ministries and government agencies were given a weeks time to submit all such strategies and concepts to the Government Staff so that the Center could summarize them in a three-week period: the documents so submitted shall first of all contain a reference note on the resources needed to implement them and, secondly, a notice substantiating the expediency of keeping in reserve such reform strategies and concepts.



The Prime Ministers next instruction concerned the dissolution of project implementation offices. Under the ongoing optimization effort, 5 project implementation offices have been dissolved in accordance with the governments relevant decisions. Now, 17 such facilities are implementing foreign and international organizations-supported programs. As far as I can remember, there are 11 project implementation offices, several groups and units, closed joint-stock companies in charge of such activities. I hereby suggest launching the next stage of PIU optimization.

I instruct Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for International Economic Integration and Reform Vache Gabrielyan to negotiate with foreign creditors and international organizations over the possibility of reducing the number and maintenance costs of project implementation offices involving the government officials responsible for per-sector activities.

I do believe that the number of project implementation offices should be halved at least, while their maintenance costs should be reduced by one third. We have estimated that 5 PIU should be left out of a total of 11. All the affiliated structures, departments, divisions shall be removed from the ministries, while the relevant CJSC units will have to be optimized,the Premier said. Given that the negotiation process is time consuming, the Prime Minister suggested submitting a timetable within two weeks.

Whereas the circulation of counterfeit or imitated drugs may have a negative impact on the development of the pharmaceutical industry and market relations in Armenia, Karen Karapetyan gave the Minister of Healthcare two weeks to carry a drugs market research, legal regulations analysis and report back the findings, attaching a timetable for implementation of the recommended steps.

To build up confidence in doctor-patient relationship, create an atmosphere of respect and care, as well as raise awareness, the Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Healthcare: Firstly, you should develop and submit within twenty days a package of legislative amendments, which would streamline the relations associated with the establishment of medical ethics, and accountability for the application of these norms. Secondly, you should submit a proposal to the government within three months concerning the introduction of a system of individual assessment of staff qualifications in medical institutions, considering the possibility of providing incentives based on the results of the evaluation.

The Prime Minister also gave instructions regarding the qualification test. The relevant public authorities are checking the qualifications of professionals in businesses to provide certain types of licenses. Some non-governmental organizations engaged in anticorruption activities are warning of the need to revise the regulations governing the process. The qualification test should be carried out under transparent and clear procedures. Based on this, I am hereby giving the licensing authorities two weeks to submit to the Government Staff proposals on simplification of qualification assessment procedures, the Head of Government said.



The Prime Minister also suggested that inspections should be carried out only through the use of technical means in order to enhance the objectivity and submit a recommendation within a months time. With a view to achieving increased transparency and accountability in the management and use of extra-budgetary funds in public institutions, Karen Karapetyan instructed the Minister of Justice to submit to the Government by December 9, 2016 a draft government resolution on materials incentives and system development regarding the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister made the following statement: I call the Prosecutor Generals attention to the question raised by the parents of those soldiers who died in peace conditions. The best way of complying with the parents request would be to arrange a reception by the Prosecutor General. The above approach is justified by the fact that the issues raised by the parents relate to specific criminal cases for which control is exercised by the Prosecutors Office. We will forward to you the lists of the parents concerned.

The meeting approved a proposal to sign a protocol on amendments to the December 2, 2013 agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the order of formation of prices for natural gas delivered to the Republic of Armenia. Accordingly, in the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 the natural gas price for Armenia is set at 150 US dollars for 1 thousand cubic meters. The signing of the Protocol will contribute to mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, creating favorable conditions for economic development and ensuring increased business activity.

The Government adopted a decision on granting permissions to sign a purchase contract, which was developed based on proposals made during the November 2, 2016 consultation held presidential office. The decision authorizes the Mayor of Yerevan, based on a mutual agreement, to completely dissolve the April 4, 2013 contract signed between the Town Hall, on the one hand, and Parking City Service and Locator CJSC Consortium, on the other hand. The decision allows the Town Hall to sign negotiated contracts for a 10-year period without prior publication of the procurement arrangements. As a result of the aforementioned transactions, the assets involved in paid parking facilities will become community property.

The Executive approved a set of amendment to the 2017 budget bill indicators and the final document with conclusions and proposals submitted to the Government by the RA NA Standing Committees, factions and individual deputies of the review of the draft budget in the plenary of the National Assembly of Armenia. The amended draft budget will be submitted to the Government Staff, then, in the prescribed manner, to the National Assembly for approval.

Minister of Finance Vardan Aramyan advised that the Government of Armenia had received 339 proposals and recommendations from the National Assembly standing committees and MPs following the 2017 State budget bill deliberations held at the National Assembly.

As he said, taking into account the proposals containing specific amounts, it had been decided to increase the amounts of additional budget revenue and expenditure by 97 and 84.3 billion drams respectively.

As a result of the above changes, the summary indicators of budget receipts, expenditures and deficit will be as follows respectively: revenue - AMD1.210 billion (revenue / GDP - 22.4%), of which tax revenue and fees  AMD 1.135 billion drams or taxes / GDP - 21%; expenditure  AMD 1.360 billion or spending / GDP - 25.2%, deficit - AMD150.1 billion or deficit / GDP - 2.8%.
DECATUR  Employees of the Macon County States Attorneys Office cannot violate the countys ethics ordinance because the employees are not legally employed by the county.

That was the ruling made Friday morning by the three-member county Ethics Commission, ruling against two women who have alleged misconduct occurring in the office under States Attorney Jay Scott.

The commission agreed with the Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois statute that the officeholder and employees of the states attorney and circuit clerk are state officers who serve the state, which helps fund salaries.

Therefore, the countys ethics ordinance does not apply to these two officeholders or their employees.

Its a peculiarity, commission member Ted Paine said. You would think that the person who gives you your paycheck is your employer, but that is not the case with this case or class of employees.

The formal complaint was filed by Robyn Lewis and Amanda Maxwell-Burger, two former employees who have also filed affidavits in the ongoing petition to request a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of misconduct by Scott.

While the affidavits mention a variety of questionable activities, the complaint in front of the commission was in regard to another employee circulating nominating petitions for Scotts re-election efforts in the courthouse during work hours. Lewis said in the affidavit that she told Scott of the incident and that he said he would later talk with the employee and no known reprimand was made.

Scott, who won re-election on Nov. 8, has repeatedly denied the allegations.

But the commission never had the chance to weigh in on the merits of the complaint, agreeing with Michael Baggett, an assistant states attorney representing the office, that the commission had no legal authority to make any ruling or enforce any punishment.

The county ordinance, which was implemented more than a decade ago, only covers Macon County Board employees. Those in violation can face hefty fines or jail time.

Commission members took turns before their final ruling expressing concerns about the ambiguity of the ordinances language and whether employees had other viable outlets to go through in case of misconduct by their superiors.

Baggett said he has spoken with county board members and there is interest in revising and updating the language of the ordinance and letting employees know about the ramifications if violated.

In the matter of the request for a special prosecutor, a judge denied a request to remove Scott 's attorney for a conflict of interest.
We asked the authors of our top books of 2016 to share their favorite titles published this year.

Matthew Desmond

In Evicted (Crown), Desmond explores the impact of eviction on eight poor families in Milwaukee, Wis. His pick is another deep study of how poverty reverberates throughout the country.

Desmonds Pick: From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America by Elizabeth Hinton (Harvard Univ.)

From 1970 to 2003, the number of prisons in America did not just double or triple, it grew sevenfold. Today, roughly seven million peoplewhat amounts to the entire population of Switzerlandare under the supervision of the criminal justice system. The United States now locks up more of its citizens than any other nation on earth, and racial and economic disparities within the prison population are deeply troubling. The incarceration rate of young black men who do not finish high school is nearly 50 times the national average. How did we get here?

Hintons From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime brilliantly addresses the question of mass incarceration in vivid detail and with moral conviction. A young historian, Hinton combines a scholars rigor with a seriousness of purposeId call it heartmotivated by her loved ones having done hard time. The result is a critical look into the political machinations that gave rise to Americas prison boom. Hinton locates its source in an unlikely place: the Johnson administration, which declared war on both poverty and crime by pushing legislation that promoted economic mobility and simultaneously militarized police forces. The effects of these transformations reverberate throughout America today, particularly in the lives of poor African-American and Latino families. Hintons book is the definitive history of Americas tragic and ultimately failed experiment with mass incarceration.

Garth Greenwell

Greenwells debut novel, What Belongs to You (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), traces the intense and complex relationship between an American teacher in Sofia, Bulgaria, and a young male prostitute. Greenwells selection is a genre-bending essay collection.

Greenwells Pick: Proxies: Essays Near Knowing by Brian Blanchfield (Nightboat)

Blanchfield is a poet, and the essays in Proxies move the way poems do, through association, juxtaposition, wild leaping. Theyre exhilarating, the most exciting prose Ive read in a year filled with excellent books. The books subtitleEssays Near Knowingspecifies its genre, and each essay follows a particular process. The title declares a starting point or occasion (On Owls, On House Sitting, On Man Roulette), and from there the text ranges as wide as a mind can go, drawing on a lifetime of reading and thinking and experiencing the world. But Blanchfield restricts himself to his own resources, drawing from his knowledge, or what he takes for knowledge, without recourse to reference books or Google. Each essay is prefaced by a line that becomes something like a chant or a charm: Permitting Shame, Error and Guilt, Myself the Single Source. (A fascinating final section, Correction, sets straight the essays many errors.) This is thinking without fact checking, thinking that burrows inward without grasping for the usual exterior supports, which means that the essays become a complex and deeply moving inventory of the self, unlike anything else Ive read.

I read this book with amazement, with writerly envy, with real and deepening wonder. And also with gratitude, especially in an election year in which a very loud and nearly inescapable public discourse has seemed determined to make genuine thinkingthinking that entertains ambiguity, ambivalence, doubt, those human virtuesimpossible. Like his great models, Montaigne and Barthes, Blanchfield tries to clear a space for thinking thats free of the destructive aggression of intellectual or pseudo-intellectual or entirely unintellectual sparring that has made such a despairful mockery of democratic process this year. And so this is a book we very urgently need. Avoiding the usual measures of mastery, disavowing the need to be right, these essays model a better way of thinkingwhich is to say, of being human.

Joshua Partlow

A Kingdom of Their Own (Knopf) is Partlows investigation of the U.S.s involvement with Afghanistan, specifically with President Hamid Karzai and his family. For his pick, Partlow chooses a debut story collection about soldiers and veterans.

Partlows Pick: These Heroic, Happy Dead by Luke Mogelson (Crown/Duggan)

Mogelsons story collection, These Heroic, Happy Dead, is the best and most haunting book about the Afghan war that Ive read. A former Army medic who later worked as a magazine writer in Afghanistan (we met as journalists there), Mogelson leaves the violence mostly offstage. Instead his characterssoldiers and veterans and their familiesare in orbit around it, enthralled and depleted. This book makes you feel the great isolating power of the war, how its charms and horrors dont prepare you for anything that comes next. The stories overlap, with background characters in one moving to the forefront in another, their civilian lives illuminated by moments from their deployments abroad.

Back home, the characters tend to find themselves in some way immobilizedin jail, adrift at sea; their wives and children have long since moved on. In one story, a war zone contractor sees the conflict as a soulless racket but has stopped going home between jobs. In another, an Afghan-American translator is caught in the no-mans land between his two countries. And yet, this book hums with momentum and tension, as we watch lives bending toward their breaking points. In one story, Kids, about a platoon and their confused, booby-trapped surroundings, the narrator describes Afghanistan as a lackluster war, a place with no hills to charge, peninsulas to hold, bridges to seize. The narrator says, Ours was a war that offered few opportunities, aside from getting killed or wounded, to distinguish yourself.

Heather Ann Thompson

Thompsons Blood in the Water (Pantheon) is the definitive account of Attica and its aftermath, published 45 years after the prison uprising. Thompsons pick is also about incarceration, with a focus on the effects of solitary confinement.

Thompsons Pick: Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement, edited by Jean Casella, James Ridgeway, and Sarah Shourd (New Press)

There are so many books published in 2016 that take readers away to magical places or let them experience love or joy in ways they had not before. Those are the books we want to read, because they are a treat, a pleasure. Then there are the books that we really dont want to read but somehow know that we must. Hell Is a Very Small Place is one of those books.

Hell Is a Very Small Place takes readers into the world of solitary confinement in Americas prisons, and thus it is a harrowing chronicle of pain and torture. In these pages, readers hear firsthand of the soul-crushing loneliness that comes when one is kept away from all other human beings for months and years on end. Readers also witness the terrifying hallucinations that such isolation generates, and they are asked to really consider the panic that sets in when men and women can see that their sense of time and space and reality are eroding and, therefore, that their very sanity is ebbing away.

Hell Is a Very Small Place is not a book anyone will want to read. It is a book that people of conscience must read and share. The stories in it will not simply haunt us. They will inspire us to act.

Colson Whitehead

In The Underground Railroad (Doubleday), Whitehead follows a young slaves flight north on a reimagined, literal Underground Railroad. Whitehead picks Kevin Youngs selected poems.

Whiteheads Pick: Blue Laws: Selected and Uncollected Poems 19952015 by Kevin Young (Knopf)

If youve never been introduced to Youngs spectacular imagination, this handy volume will get you up to speedand send you on the hunt for more. Spanning Youngs career from his masterful debut, Most Way Home (1995), through 2014s Book of Hours, with some scattered uncollected brilliance in between, Blue Laws provides abundant proof of his playful intellect and relentless humanism. Whether taking us inside Basquiats loft, to the deck of the Amistad, or into the half-lit rooms of mourning, Young is an uncanny scientist of the human animal in all its striving and yearning. A retrospective that points to all the great work yet to come.

Frances Wilson

The 19th-century English writer Thomas De Quincey gets a brilliant biography in Wilsons Guilty Thing (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Wilsons pick highlights a group of De Quinceys kindred spirits.

Wilsons Pick: The Glamour of Strangeness by Jamie James (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

The Glamour of Strangeness, the most provocative title of any book this year, is, appropriately, wonderfully glamorous and alluringly strange. The phrase comes from T.E. Lawrences warning to readers of Seven Pillars of Wisdom: Pray God that men reading the story will not, for love of the glamour of strangeness, go out to prostitute themselves and their talents in serving another race. All the men, and women, described by James fell for the glamour of strangeness, and, having read the stories collected here, Im now entirely under Jamess spell.

His subject is artistic extremophiles, which he calls exotes, a race of voluntary exiles sired by Gauguin and Rimbaud who go to distant lands in search of a new home with no intent to repatriate. Gauguin famously found paradise in Tahiti, but I knew nothing of Walter Spies, the insanely gorgeous German artist, former lover of F.W. Murnau, who exchanged his arid and bourgeois country for Bali. Spiess hunger for otherness is vividly caught by James, who also introduced me to Raden Saleh, an Indonesian artist who sailed the other way, from Java to Europe; Isabelle Eberhardt, a Russian-Swiss writer who wandered the desert dressed as a man; Victor Segalen, a French naval doctor and poet who found himself in Peking; and Maya Deren, the avant-garde filmmaker who exchanged the magic of Hollywood for the voodoo of Haiti. This group form what James describes as their own school of art: the school of no nations, or all nations.

The Glamour of Strangeness makes particularly pertinent reading at a time when the freedom of people and cultures to flow across national boundaries is under threat and countries are walling themselves in.

Julie Buntin is the director of writing programs at Catapult.
CLINTON  Tim Followell's relief over passage of an agreement by Illinois lawmakers that will keep the Clinton Power Station open was tempered with a dose of caution.

The long-term future of the nuclear plant that provides vital tax revenue and jobs to the community remains a concern.

"This is a 10-year plan. We can't get comfortable that this issue wouldn't rise up again," said Followell, Clinton's city administrator.

City officials and residents breathed a sigh of relief Thursday night with news from Springfield that Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to sign the Future Energy Jobs Bill.

The legislation approved by the General Assembly will bring $235 million in annual ratepayer subsidies to Exelon Corp's nuclear plants in Clinton and the Quad-Cities and boost investments in renewable power and energy efficiency.

For Clinton, the agreement that becomes effective June 1, means job security for about 700 workers and an uninterrupted flow of tax revenue to entities such as the Clinton School District, where $8 million --50 percent of its total property tax revenue--comes from the operating power plant.

Exelon will halt the process it started several months ago to close the single-unit Clinton plant in 2017. Quad-Cities was scheduled to close a year later.

Exelon spokesman Brett Nauman said the bill preserves the jobs at the Clinton plant and a total of 4,200 jobs at the Quad-Cities plant and across the state.

"Along with keeping open two of Illinois' reliable and efficient nuclear power plants, the bill will maintain the state's competitive electric rates while preserving and creating tens of thousands of jobs," said Nauman.

Clinton schools Superintendent Curt Nettles said Friday that "it feels like a big weight has been lifted. I feel we can pick up and move forward without those draconian cuts that would have come eventually."

The city and county should continue efforts to attract new business and expand the area's economy "so we're not so reliant on this one thing," Nettles said.

The school chief applauded the state and local officials who participated in lengthy and intense negotiations that resulted in passage of the bill.

DeWitt County Board Chairman David Newberg said he considered the agreement to be a long shot as negotiations dragged on for more than a year.

"The good news is we got through it and people haven't lost their jobs," said Newberg.

The need to plan for a day when the nuclear plant stops generating power and tax revenue has been recognized by the county and others in the community, Newberg said.

"I think we all got a wake up call here. We don't want to get caught up in the idea that everything is good forever. We're going to plan for the future and try very hard not to do that," he said.
It wasnt a single title so much as the end of the contentious presidential election that contributed to higher sales for many neighborhood bookstores at the start of the holiday selling season on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and Small Business Saturday and Indies First day (both on the following Saturday). Participants in PWs survey of independent booksellers from around the country said that readers still trying to absorb the election results visited their local bookstores to look for answers about what had happened or to get away from the never-ending news cycle.

After the election, a lot of customers expressed their commitment to shopping their values, said Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of Women & Children First in Chicago. Sales for November were up 50% over last year, with Black Friday sales up 52% and Small Business Saturday sales up 42%. Were very optimistic, she noted. So far we are standing in a very good position to have an amazing holiday season.

The election seemed to bring people out, some for retail therapy and some seeking political books to explain what is going on, said Claire Benedict, owner of Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, Vt. Based on a very strong [November], we are anticipating a great holiday season.

Not everyone saw an immediate increase. At Bookshop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, Calif., sales dropped off for a couple of weeks following the election, after what owner Casey Coonerty Protti called a blockbuster year thanks to the stores months-long 50th anniversary celebration. The fact that people came back out and shopped [Thanksgiving weekend] and really paid attention to the local businesses was a nice surprise, she said. Protti was pleased to have a 4% increase for the weekend over 2015.

At Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Va., the election had a negative impact in late October and early November. Both sales and event attendance were decimated, said owner Kelly Justice. The day after the election, we had a lot of traffic. We had a number of people come in and discuss their feelings on both sides. Sales at her store were up 20% on Small Business Saturday over the same day a year ago.

A Likely Story Bookstore in Sykesville, Md., which is a nationally designated Main Street community, benefitted from the local merchants joint holiday promotions, which began on Small Business Saturday. Owner Debbie Scheller said that Thanksgiving weekend was the best in the stores 10-year history and that the year overall has also been the stores best ever. She is looking forward to continued sales increases, particularly on Friday, December 9, when the town celebrates Cookies on Main Street, with each store giving away a different cookie baked using a recipe from a cookbook recommended by Scheller: Rosie Daykins Butter Celebrates! Boswells Books in Shelburne Falls, Mass., in the foothills of the Berkshires, also got a big bump from a town-wide celebration, in its case a Moonlight Magic parade on Black Friday. Sales for that one day equaled four typical Saturdays worth of sales, bookstore owner Nancy Eisenstein said.

Some bookstores used giveaways to kick off the holidays. Minneapoliss four-year-old Moon Palace Books, which has already seen sales go up since it doubled its size to 1,700 sq. ft. this summer, gave away copies of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies We Should All Be Feminists, which was based on her TED talk. We got a great response. People were very emotional and grateful, said Moon Palace co-owner Angela Schwesnedl. It was expensive, but so worth it. Sales for the weekend were up 30%50% on Saturday over the previous year. People are a little more committed to shopping local and to shopping that matters, Schwesnedl added.

Hello Hello Books in Rockland, Maine, also tried to give customers something to shop about, donating part of its profits to the ACLU on Small Business Saturday. As a result, sales jumped 63% on Saturday over the previous year. Some customers even stopped by on Friday and asked the store to hold their books so that they could make their purchases on the following day to benefit the ACLU. Although 2015, which saw a 20% increase over 2014, was an especially strong year for the store, owner Lacy Simon said that she expects Hello Hellos sales to grow 10% in 2016. Also on track for a banner year is 13-year-old Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, Ga. We are having the best year we ever had, said owner Doug Robinson, who anticipates being up 25% for all of 2016. He attributed much of the growth to childrens books, especially business-to-business sales to schools, as well as sales of textbooks online.

Right after the election, people bought tons of fiction, said John Evans, co-owner of Diesel, a Bookstore, which has locations in Oakland, Larkspur, and Brentwood, Calif. Everyone just wanted to escape. After a couple of days nonfiction started to pick up again. Hillbilly Elegy came out of nowhere this summer and is going really strong. It speaks to the lack of understanding historically of huge chunks of Americans experience in a very intelligent way.

Evans was also one of several booksellers to single out Rebecca Solnits Hope in the Dark as a strong seller that is becoming hard to get. The book ran out briefly around Thanksgiving and is due back from publisher Haymarket Books this week.

There was no single book that booksellers cited as a must-have so far this year. Titles that drew the most mentions were Joshua Foer and Dylan Thurass Atlas Obscura (based on the eponymous website), Colson Whiteheads Underground Railroad, Jeff Kinneys Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, various Rick Riordan series, and J.K. Rowlings screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

There doesnt seem to be one driven title, said Todd Dickinson, owner of Aarons Books in Lititz, Pa. He was one of many booksellers to note that last seasons top seller, adult coloring books, has fallen off, with the exception at his store of novelty coloring titles such as Hannah Caners Mommy Drinks Because You Cry. Harper Perennials $10 Olive Editions, which Dickinson describes as halfway between a mass market and a trade paperback, are also doing well at his store. The series includes books such as Eleanor Roosevelts You Learn by Living and Caitlin Morans How to Be a Woman.

We really depend on our local titles to generate sales, said Mary Emrich, owner of 15-year-old Turning Pages Books and More in Natchez, Miss. Among the stores most popular titles are Sharon Nelsons Devils Walking: Klan Murders Along the Mississippi in the 1960s, Michael Llewellyns The Goat Castle Murder about a murder in Natchez in the 1920s, and anything by Greg Iles.

At Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo, Wash., its local first when it comes to bestsellers. Two of Novembers big books were Craig Romans Urban Trails: Kitsap and his Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula, both published locally by Mountaineers Books.

On the kids side at Taylor Books in Charleston, W.Va., a locally published title from Quarrier Books, Marc Harshman and Cecy Roses Mountain Christmas, is the stores leading holiday title. And in New England its Bernie Sanderss Our Revolution, particularly at stores that held events, such as Gibsons Bookstore in Concord, N.H., which hosted 1,300 people to see the former presidential contender.

Jan Weissmiller, co-owner of Prairie Lights in Iowa City, was surprised by how well the store has done with poetry this season. Mary Olivers Upstream is selling super well, she said, as are James Galvins Everything We Always Knew Was True and store co-owner Jane Meads World of Made and Unmade, which was longlisted for a National Book Award. Weissmiller said that people in her community are regrouping and dont want to read any more books about the election. Instead, Prairie Lights is selling novels such as Zadie Smiths Swing Time and Viet Thanh Nguyens The Sympathizer and nonfiction such as Thomas Friedmans Thank You for Being Late.

Fountain Bookstores Justice said that she has had a lot of requests from customers looking for comic relief. Since October shes been selling the daylights out of Forrest Leos The Gentleman, which Justice said is a rollicking, silly adventure story about a man who accidentally sells his wife to the devil. For those seeking a different type of humor, Boswells has sold a lot of copies of Gary Trudeaus Yuge! 30 Years of Doonesbury on Trump. It sold out so often that owner Eisenstein had to take it out of the window.

Still, as Gibsons owner Michael Herrmann pointed out, its the days leading up to Christmasand this year Hanukkah, toothat will determine how well stores do. We had a great start, he said. But its always been true that the last 10 days make [or break] the holiday season.
When husband-and-wife duo Adam and Ashley Nelson Levy left New York in 2015 for the Bay Area, where the latter is from, they spent most of the more-than-3,000-mile drive plotting a new project: Transit Books, a nonprofit indie press dedicated to the publication of international literature and works in translation.

The Levys graduated from Columbias writing program, a program they found heavily steeped in domestic literature in which translators and readers of translated literature exist in their own sealed-off space, Adam saida trend that reflects, in many ways, the U.S. book market.

We really wanted to build a list that bridged the gap between the readerships of domestic and translated literature, Ashley said. Adam, a former agent at the Wylie Agency, translates Hungarian literature; Ashley, who worked at a boutique agency before transitioning to the marketing department at the New York Review of Books, writes fiction herself.

When the Levys arrived in Oakland, Calif., where Transit Books is based, they found almost immediate support from the areas booksellers and literary community. Theres a kind of energy and curiosity about making a more vibrant and sustaining literary culture, Adam said.

Transit will launch its initial list of four books in 2017, with plans to grow to six books in 2018; an ideal list, Adam said, would include eight to 10 books per year. The intention, Ashley added, was to start with a small list specifically so that Transit could have enough time to really work to promote each book individually after publication.

The books on the list for next year include Such Small Hands, by Spanish author Andres Barba, translated by Lisa Dillman; Kintu, by Ugandan writer Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi; and Lessons for a Child Who Arrived Late, by the Peruvian writer Carlos Yushimito, translated by Valerie Miles. The Levys have not announced the fourth book.

Transit intends to remain loyal to its authors; among books secured for future lists are collections of Barbas novellas and of Makumbis short stories. The press also places great value on its relationships with translators. Its translator contracts are modeled on PEN Americas Model Contract for Literary Translations, and the Levys rely on their translators to serve as de facto scouts for books in their respective languages and literary scenes.

Were a pretty old-school publisher at heartwe really value our relationships with translators and agents and foreign houses, Adam said. Our first book, Such Small Hands, came to us directly from Lisa, the translator.

Transit, which is distributed by Consortium, relies primarily on fund-raising and funding from cultural institutions for its operations, although Adam added that the press is hoping to secure more funding opportunities within the NEA or other governmental or institutional funding sources as it grows.

As for operating a press as a married couple, Ashley sees it as a very natural thing filled with funny moments, she said. We were in Nashville the other week for a sales conference, and we were in our hotel room preparing a sales pitch, and I thought, our marriage has become very strange.

Adam added, It gives us an excuse to keep talking about books from morning until night.
East Moline Police are seeking information about a recent string of business burglaries in its industrial park area.

The department says several buildings have been broken into over the past week.

Three John Deere Zero Turn riding lawn mowers have been stolen, along with shop tools and other items.

East Moline police ask that anyone with information is asked to contact them at 309-797-0401 or Crime Stoppers at 762-9500.
The Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1970 was the sixth in the states history, and it produced the first changes to the states governing document in a century. One writer aptly described the process as an example of splendid bipartisan cooperation.

Support for a new constitution had existed for decades, particularly from governors of the 1940s and 1950s, but the legislature chose not to call for a convention. Female activists, particularly the League of Women Voters, were among the most vocal of proponents, and in 1967, the General Assembly sent the question of a new convention for a referendum.

In popular voting in 1968, the measure easily passed, with 2.98 million votes in favor and 1.14 million against. The 116 convention delegates, two from each senate district, were elected the following year.

They were a diverse lot. Democrats and Republicans were almost evenly divided, while there were 13 blacks and 15 women among the group. Fifty-six were Protestant and thirty-five were Catholic, while professions such as teachers, farmers and business people were fairly represented, unlike earlier state conventions.

Some key statewide issues, such as judicial reform and reapportionment, had been settled before the convention, which opened in the House chamber on Dec. 8, 1969. One of the earliest decisions was the intent to focus only on basic state laws, a departure from previous conventions that dealt with some of the smallest issues, a detriment to effective state government.

Samuel Witwer, a Republican attorney from Kenilworth, was chosen as convention president, and has been lauded for his efficiency and foresight. Standing committees were designated to create specific portions of the document, and public hearings were periodically held across Springfield to welcome questions and concerns from citizens.

Unlike previous conventions, the 1970 gathering produced a new document in only eight months. The new constitution was adopted in the convention on Sept. 3, 1970, and was endorsed by Gov. Richard Ogilvie, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, multiple major newspapers, and several leading organizations. Voters ratified the constitution on Dec. 15 on a vote of 1,122,425 to 838,168, and the document went into effect on July 1, 1971.

Among the key provisions was home rule, which increased taxing authority to cities of more than 25,000 in population and counties of more than 200,000. The home rule article sought to reduce confusion between public agencies, since many residents were under the jurisdiction of multiple taxing bodies and sometimes required the General Assembly to rule on questions. Home rule was a prime example of the new constitutions goal of simplifying state government.

The constitution also included a provision banning discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national ancestry, and sex in the hiring and promotion practice of any employer or in the sale or rental of property. Protective measures for women and the disabled were also included.

Ogilvie had pushed the General Assembly for a state income tax, which was included in the new constitution. In contrast, personal property taxes were to be abolished by 1979. The governor was also required to annually submit a balanced budget for approval in the legislature.

It was only one of several gubernatorial changes in the document. The governor received authority for line-item vetoes, though the percentage of vote in the legislature to override a veto was dropped from 66 percent to 60 percent. In addition, governors and lieutenant governors were required to be from the same party, while a new official, the comptroller, replaced the state auditor.

Daley was considered one of the biggest winners of the process, as he fervently supported home rule and successfully lobbied to continue the system of nominating judges to their first terms in office. Similarly, Republicans and advocates of better government were satisfied with the streamlining of state politics. Thirteen amendments have since been added to the document.

The cooperative nature of the 1970 Constitutional Convention was not a sign of things to come. The ensuing decade brought some of the most damaging political scandals in state history and rattled the confidence of the citizenry in their elected leaders. But the new constitution was hailed for its vision and its sweeping improvements in the government of Illinois.
SPRINGFIELD  The communities that are home to Exelon Corp.s Clinton and Quad-Cities nuclear power plants finally have certainty about the future after the Illinois General Assembly approved an energy policy overhaul that will keep the plants open for another decade.

But there are critics of the deal, which lawmakers approved in a bipartisan fashion Thursday on the final day of their fall veto session. They contend that it means greater uncertainty for electricity customers across the state, from large manufacturers to individual families, who will pay for $235 million in annual subsidies for unprofitable assets of an otherwise profitable company.

Exelon said the subsidies are warranted because, like subsidized wind and solar power, nuclear generation doesnt emit climate-damaging carbon pollution.

After late involvement from Gov. Bruce Rauners office, the final version of the bill included caps on rate increases for electricity customers of all sizes and other provisions meant to shield the states largest energy consumers from price increases.

For the 13-year life of the bill, rate increases resulting from its provisions are capped at an average of 1.3 percent for industrial and commercial customers. For residential customers in Exelon subsidiary Commonwealth Edisons northern Illinois territory, the cap is 25 cents. For downstate customers of Ameren Illinois, the cap is 35 cents.

But for consumers large and small, the bills frequent changes and quick passage have left many scrambling to figure out exactly how the caps will work, among other questions.

Chris Olsen is vice president of community and government affairs at Tate & Lyle, a multinational agribusiness giant that employs about 1,000 people in Illinois, primarily in Decatur. Tate & Lyle, like other large industrial companies, had many concerns about the proposal and its potential impact on the cost of energy, which is among the companys biggest expenses.

It is important for the state to make reasonable efforts to retain and attract jobs, Olsen said. And we appreciate the efforts of the governor and the General Assembly to try and reduce the rate hike impact. But our concern with the bill is that it is over 500 pages and so complex (that) its still hard to determine our actual increases.

The companys experts are still analyzing the bill to determine what its short- and long-term implications will be for energy prices, Olsen said.

Energy cost is one of our major factors in determining where to invest our capital to grow and expand our business, he said.

Decaturs Archer Daniels Midland shares Tate & Lyles apprehension.

We have concerns about the long-term energy costs this bill will create for businesses throughout the state, ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said. We will be working to reduce the onerous costs the bill creates while focusing on continuing the benefits the deregulated energy policies of the past two decades have provided to Illinois ratepayers.

Big energy users arent the only ones worried about what the package will mean for energy prices and whether customers should bear the cost of keeping open Exelons nuclear plants.

The Illinois Public Interest Research Group, a consumer organization that had supported past proposals to increase in-state investment in renewable energy, broke with other members of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition in opposing the bill.

When market conditions favor Exelon, shareholders make windfall profits, Abraham Scarr, the groups director, said. When market conditions are less favorable, ratepayers, not shareholders, pay the price.

It's disappointing to see powerful special interests distort our democracy. Due to their outsized influence, ComEd and Exelon were able to make it so that good policies, like fixing the state's renewable energy standard, could only pass as part of a package that is harmful to Illinois ratepayers and to Illinois' energy future.

In voting on the bill, lawmakers had to grapple with dueling projections about the impact closing the nuclear plants would have on energy prices and reliability of the electric grid.

One study, done on behalf of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and other business groups, projected that consumers would pay $3.1 billion more for energy over the next decade if the plants were to close. Others argued that there would be little, if any, price impact because Illinois already generates a surplus of electricity.

Groups that opposed the bill, including the Illinois Manufacturers Association, argued the electric rate increases would jeopardize what they see as one of Illinois few competitive advantages.

Theres no doubt that this is a guaranteed rate hike built into state law, said Mark Denzler, the associations vice president.

Rauner, who has vowed to sign the bill when it reaches his desk, spoke Friday at the associations annual conference in Chicago.

The governor said he, like lawmakers, received conflicting information from a range of experts and isnt certain what would happen to energy prices if the plants closed.

What Im not going to do is gamble on the communities of Central Illinois and Northwest Illinois, gamble with thousands of good-paying jobs, and gamble on the loss of energy diversity and energy options in Illinois, Rauner said.

The Clinton and Quad-Cities plants together employ about 1,500 full-time workers and generate millions in local property tax revenue for schools and local governments.
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL -- A National American Indian Heritage Month observance was held Nov. 21 in Heritage Hall with two special guests.

Retired Army Maj. Jo Ann Schedler shared the history of the Mohican Nation, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Indians from Wisconsin, and Ronnie Preston performed two dances. Mr. Preston, of Milwaukee, is a member of the San Carlos Apache Nation, Arizona.

Native American artifacts were displayed and samples of native food were available for attendees.

National Native American Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of this country's original inhabitants. Throughout the Army's history, Native Americans have served valiantly and with distinction in times of peace and war, while also fighting for the right to be an equal part of the nation.

This year's theme is "Serving Our Nations."
Indicating how seriously the North takes the U.N. move, its vice foreign minister called a gathering of foreign diplomats in the capital early Friday to lay out his country's opposition to the sanctions, which are the harshest to date and have the support of China, North Korea's primary trading partner.

North Korea's Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued soon after the sanctions were announced, "categorically" rejected the sanctions, prompted by its nuclear test on Sept. 9.

It warned of tough countermeasures, but didn't say what they might be.
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New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 67F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
On Nov. 25, when I heard the news of Cuban leader Fidel Castros death, I did not feel any sense of sadness, relief or joy. Instead, as a daughter of Cuban exiles, I experienced a mix of all those emotions.

Children of Cuban exiles  the diaspora community of Cubans that left the island after Castros 1959 revolution  have lived in a constant state of alienation, loss, anger, pity and love for those Cubans that remained on the island.

Today, I am a scholar of religion. I study how the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the formation of the Cuban Republic and the 1959 Cuban Revolution have shaped the history of the island. In all of these moments, religion has played a key role in the construction of Cuban identity. I also see how Castros beliefs shaped the identities of those who left the island, but also of those Cubans who were left behind.

So, how can we look at Castros legacy today, particularly from the way he shaped the religious identity of Cuba?

History of religion in Cuba

To tell the story of Cubas transformation, let us first look at the arrival of Catholicism and African religions as result of the Spanish colonization in the 15th century and trans-Atlantic slave trade, which began in the 16th century.

Over a period of time these religions were transformed: For the majority of Cubas history, the Catholic Church remained closely tied to Spanish colonialism. After Cuban independence in 1898, this allegiance is what made the Church suspect in the eyes of many Cubans, as it was seen to be a relic of the Spanish colonial past.

Afro-Cuban religions also suffered during colonization and in the early years of the republic. African diaspora religions were often caricatured as demonic.

Under Castros rule, Cuba was for decades a self-declared atheist state where Christians were persecuted and marginalized. Nonetheless, the Church played a significant political role: Until its dismantling, it exercised considerable influence through the educational system.

Castro himself was educated by Jesuits, citing their teachings as a source for his sense of discipline and justice.

But in 1961 he dismantled the Catholic school system, arguably where Catholicism held its greatest influence on Cubans since many nonpracticing Catholics send their children to Catholic schools. Castro seized Church properties and exiled priests and nuns.

Castro, atheism, religion

Castros relationship with religion, however, was far more complex than the rejection of his Jesuit past and the alienation of religion throughout his rule.

AP Photos/Jose Goitia

The 1985 book Fidel and Religion, a collection of interviews by activist and theologian Frei Betto, reveals that Castro had a much more positive relationship with the Catholicism of his youth.

He visited Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in 1996 and went on to receive three pontiffs on the islands. In fact, Cuba has the honor of being the only nation in Latin America to be visited by the last three pontiffs.

In a 1998 speech Castro aligned the teachings of Jesus with those of his own, when he claimed,

If instead of being born and elaborating his ideas when he did, Christ had been born in these times, you can be sure  or at least I am  that his preaching would not have differed much from the ideas or the preaching that we revolutionaries of today try to bring the world.

Religion thrives in Cuba today

In 1992 the Cuban Constitution was amended to declare it a secular state. It was no longer an atheist Republic.

Today, religion on the island, like Cuba itself, is much more intricate than the Catholic Church. Afro-Cuban religions such as Santeria, spiritual practices such as Espiritismo (Spiritism) and other practices that came as a result of the fusion of different faith traditions overwhelmingly mark the religious landscape in Cuba.

Our Lady of Charity, the patron saint of Cuba, remains one of the most prominent and visible symbols of Cuban identity of the island and in the diaspora. Evoked in independence struggles against Spain in the late 19th century, Our Lady of Charity retains a prominent place in Cuban Catholicism, Santeria and other popular religions. She reveals the complexity and cultural coming together of the Cuban people.

AP Photos/ Javier Galeano

In spite of its history of marginalization under the Castro regime, today the number of practicing Christians on the island is growing. Practitioners now attend church without fear of retribution, and there is a growing presence of Protestant Christianity on the island.

In more recent history, Afro-Cuban religions have come to be practiced in a more public manner and have been embraced by the government as a form of popular folklore.

Castro and religion

Castro will be buried on Dec. 4, the feast day of St. Barbara  blended in the Afro-Cuban faith with Chango, the lord of lightning and thunder and the symbol of male power and sexuality.

The feast day of St. Barbara is one of the most significant Cuban religious feast days. In the Afro-Cuban faith, Chango is one of the most popular orishas (supernatural beings) on the island. St. Barbara is his Catholic mask, one of the most popular saints. In colonial days, slaves would mask their beliefs in orishas by marking them with Catholic imagery and rituals.

In my view, the choice of this date for Castros burial is not an accident.

Castros ashes will be interned in Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba  a place of religious and national significance. This is the place where Cuban liberator Jose Marti rests, which is also home of the Shrine to Our Lady of Charity. Marti is a Cuban national hero, beloved by Cubans both on and off the island. He is considered the apostle of Cuban independence.

Castro will be a permanent part of the landscape of the island, regardless of Cubas future.

A closure in death

So, what does this all mean to Cuban exiles?

Many have asked me why the response of the Cuban-American and Cuban exile community has been so joyous and so public. My short answer is that through his death, Fidel Castro has given millions of Cuban exiles and Cuban-Americans the one thing we have not had: closure.

I do mourn that my mother did not live to witness his death, and that my father, suffering from a stroke in a nursing home, does not realize this moment is happening.

For me, his years are a painful reminder of the 10 years my mother spent without seeing her parents and of the agony of my paternal grandfathers death on the island when his wife and children were here in the United States. That raw pain, anger, grief and frustration simultaneously unites and divides Cuban across the globe.

I believe we can now begin to heal, and more importantly we can reconcile as a people who transcend the shores of an island and the politics of one man.
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The Red Zone, a time between the start of fall semester until Thanksgiving break, is traditionally when more sexual assaults are reported on college campuses than any other point in the school year. However, the numbers in Athens-Clarke County could be dropping compared to previous years, as education of rape culture rises.
County clerk rejects false claims from far-right activist, candidate

Richard Gallardo said the county registrar of voters should not infringe upon residents' rights to observe elections.
In the fifth of a six-part series, Business Standard visits Coimbatore, often referred to as the Manchester of South India for its promising textile industry, to assess the impact of the note ban.

The narrow lanes of Coimbatores Edayarpalayam, Luna Nagar and Ganapathy are not as lively as they once were.

Up until the beginning of November, these lanes were busy with small units producing nuts and bolts, and other engineering products. But ever since the government's ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, these lanes now wear a deserted look and these small units face the threat of cessation of operations, as they are unable to pay their workers.

Coimbatore, a textile and engineering hub, is now facing a cash crunch. Most industries here need between Rs 1,500 and Rs 15,000 in cash to run their day-to-day operations but are now struggling to withdraw money from banks.

J James, president of Tamil Nadu Association of Cottage and Micro Enterprises based in Coimbatore, calls the current situation as a state of emergency. He says, despite the units having cash credit accounts that enable them to withdraw up to Rs 50,000 a week, banks are turning them away as they don't have enough cash.

James and others had raised the issue at a meeting on November 23, chaired by a joint secretary for urban development at Coimbatore collectorate. Similar views were expressed by farmers too.

A banker present at the meeting responded saying banks don't have enough cash to disburse. He said most bank branches might have anywhere between Rs 5-10 lakh of cash and if small industries were to withdraw Rs 50,000 each, the former won't be left with much cash to satisfy common people's requirements.

There are about 25,000-30,000 small units in Coimbatore itself and the number is almost four times in the neighbouring areas. On an average, these units employ 4-10 people and nearly 40 per cent are migrant workers. These workers get paid on a daily or weekly basis. Since these units are not able to pay wages, the workers are not turning up for work. James claims that currently, at least 25-30 per cent of the units are not operational.

The Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association says small industries deal in cash transactions for their day to day business and pay wages to the workers between the 7th and 10th of every month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from November 9 and this development came at a time when these units had just started coming out of a power crisis and the impact of the economy in the past three-four years.

M Leelakrishnan, who runs a small fabric unit at Somayampalayam, says after nearly four years of struggle, in the the past four months he had started seeing some money, but now demonetisation has hit him hard and he wasn't able to convert orders into jobs. Most of his business was carried out on cash-and-carry basis.

V Sundaram, president of CODISSIA agrees. He says small units, that are dependent on job orders from medium units, spend about Rs 8,000 on an average a day, of which Rs 5,000-6,000 are cash transactions. Most of these units make their purchases in the morning for the day's operations. For example, foundries have to buy scrap, which works on cash-and-carry transactions. Demonetisation has made it tough to carry out such transactions.

S Sadhanupillai from Ganapathy said the issue might also affect servicing of loans. The lack of business could turn their loans into bad loans, triggering another episode of trouble for these small firms.

During the meeting, these units had asked for a waiver of sales tax and duty for six months and also the interest for the loans they had taken. They had complained that even the government, including the Railways, were delaying the payments for the job orders.

Coimbatore-based Southern India Mills Association said demonetisation has led to severe shortage of funds for regular operations, purchase of raw material (cotton), sale of finished goods (yarn, fabric, etc) and also for purchasing regular requirements of stores, spares and accessories in the textile industry.

M Senthil Kumar, SIMA chairman, said a representation was sent to the Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani appealing to the government to announce a slew of remedial measures for mitigating the financial impact of demonetisation on the textile industry.

He said that stocks have started piling up across the value chain of the textile industry and the units are not in a position to collect any receivables, thereby, seriously affecting the cash flow of the industry.

Cotton price, too, had increased by about Rs 2,000 per candy, as cotton arriving in the market had come to a grinding halt in the first 10 days after demonetisation, he said. However, it has currently improved to the level of 50-60 per cent. It might take at least six months for the textile industry to reach normalcy in its performance, Kumar said.

Image: A textile mill in Coimbatore. Photograph: Babu/Reuters.

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This was among the few times that TCS had to deploy rapid application development mode, which means changes in the application happen on-the-go.

Shivani Shinde Nadhe/Business Standard reports from Pune.

Tata Consultancy Services, India's largest IT services provider which works with nearly 100 banks including the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of India, has spent the past 20 days working round-the-clock to make the tech process smooth to manage the impact of demonetisation.

Several brainstorming sessions with banks were held to forge innovative solutions, which would make the life of a banking consumer slightly easier.

One of them is the 'queue-buster.'

Although it's in the pilot stage, this will bring much relief to the people standing for hours in queues to withdraw cash.

"The idea is to have pre-configured teller booths. So, instead of one or two long queues, there will be five-to-six counters that will be disbursing the set limit of cash. This could be Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 20,000 and so on. It is easy to manage the cash outflow. We have piloted it in some branches of a bank," said Ravi Vishwanathan, president (growth market business) at TCS.

Another idea which came out during one of the brainstorming sessions was having handheld devices and the experience is similar to check-ins done via such devices at airports.

"All the documentation needs are done at the entry itself and you just have to go and get your cash. This should get rolled out soon," said Vishwanathan without divulging the name of the bank.

Having TCS CEO and Managing Director N Chandrasekaran on the RBI board hasn't helped the company in terms of preparedness.

Vishwanathan, like millions of Indians, came to know of demonetisation only when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on November 8.

Vishwanathan, who had been fielding calls from customers on a daily basis, was ready with a crack team of 10 to 15 people on the morning of November 9 looking into how the company could help client banks.

This was also among the few times that the company had to deploy rapid application development mode (RADM) -- which means changes in the application happen on-the-go and there is no time to send the changes for approval to the client.

"This will happen across the table. We had to deploy RADM for both changes at the back end which will be the core banking system as well as the front end that would be ATMs and micro-ATMs," he added.

The immediate concern, according to Vishwanathan, was to have systems in place that would handle currency exchange.

This included enabling bank ATMs and preparing the back end to manage the cash deposits as well as withdrawals so that the systems are not modified frequently, and working with business correspondents on how their machines manage the load.

One important change the teams had to make was on cash withdrawals.

With the RBI changing withdrawal limits a few times, banks did not have time for a code change to take place at the back end.

'We made sure the limit change could be done with the click of a button or minimal configuration. We only had to redo it when the limit was changed for marriage withdrawals as the system needed other documents to be attached," said Vishwanathan.

TCSers also made available a reporting system for banks that allowed the details of currency transaction and cash outflows on mobile handsets.

Management reports were made available on a daily and hourly basis on cash-transaction analysis, high currency note exchanges, and total deposits, among others.

In the case of the RBI, for which TCS manages the integrated currency exchange, the team had to monitor the currency position and provide a daily report to the governor that is also shared with the Prime Minister's Office.

Along with managing the software needs and application updates on a real-time basis, TCS also managed to help Bank of India roll out 80 additional ATMs, while handhelds were rolled out at Indian Overseas Bank.

"We were able to roll out the software changes required for the system pretty fast. Even for ATMs, the software change was very smooth but the hardware recalibration took time," Vishwanathan added.

Demonetisation, Vishwanathan believes, will throw up many more opportunities for the IT players in India.

"Almost every bank has a mobile wallet option. Plus, there is the unified payment interface (UPI). What will be important to see is how the merchant ecosystem adapts to this," he said.

"Their adaptability will be key as cash transactions are the highest at the retail level," he added. "As a company, we have always been looking at how we can increase our exposure to the retail side of the banking business. This will be an opportunity for us."

IMAGE: A Mobile ATM at Marine Drive in Mumbai, November 12, 2016. Photograph: Sahil Salvi.
'It is not that the H1B visa employees are coming in to displace jobs.'

Ayan Pramanik/Business Standard reports from Bengaluru.

IMAGE: Google CEO Sunder Pichai seen here with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Indian leader's visit to the Google headquarters in September 2015.

Steve Bannon, US President-elect Donald Trump's controversial White House chief strategist, says too many Asian immigrants head companies in Silicon Valley.

Infosys and Cognizant, two of India's largest software exporters, have warned that there is a shortage of talent in the United States, a concern that has to be looked at by President-elect Donald Trump when he assumes office.

Trump, who won the election on his anti-immigrant and anti-outsourcing campaign, had warned of policy changes that would retain jobs for locals, while throwing illegal immigrants out of the United States.

He targeted IBM, the US technology player which has a sizeable presence in India, and other outsourcers such as HCL Technologies and TCS during his campaign.

"There is a talent shortage; that is something that has to be balanced," Vishal Sikka, chief executive officer, Infosys, told the Credit Suisse 20th Annual Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on Thursday, December 1.

"It is not that the H1B visa employees are coming in to displace jobs. If you look at many other high-tech companies, they all hire H1B visa workers because there is an inherent shortage."

Cognizant, which is headquartered in the US but follows the offshore model with a majority of its workers in countries such as India, said the US does not have enough graduates passing out who can handle the disruptions in technology.

"We have worked with the Obama administration, we are going to work with the Trump administration (and) really looking at the education system," Cognizant President Rajeev Mehta said at the conference.

"The reality is that there is not enough graduates coming out of the universities. We are working with many universities all over the US, both graduates and undergraduates. We struggle," Mehta added.

"There is just not enough talent and given the disruption (in technology) that is going on, it will become a greater problem. The issue is around education and we hope that we can get them to understand that this is a big problem," Mehta said.

The focus, Mehta said, should be to value existing work that has been done to get highly talented technology workers, who also pay taxes in the country.

Sikka, a US citizen, said Infosys was hiring more locals and expects the Trump presidency to be more business-friendly.

"Under the Trump presidency," Sikka said, "our expectation is that it is going to be a more business-friendly atmosphere, more innovation-oriented innovation-friendly atmosphere. So there will be plenty of opportunities to bring innovation into industries like banking and health care and pharmaceuticals and so forth."
An Assam Rifles jawan was killed while nine others were injured when armed militants ambushed a convoy near Wakka in Longding district of Arunachal

Pradesh on Saturday.

The attack took place 20 km from Indo-Myanmar border.

Defence Public Relations Officer Lt Colonel Chiranjeet Konwar said the militants ambushed the convoy of 16 Assam Rifles stationed in the district near Wakka at around 1.45 pm, killing one jawan on the spot while injuring nine others.

He, however, could not divulge the name of the deceased nor the group involved in the ambush.

Search operation is going on in the area and efforts were being made to evacuate the injured jawans, he added.

Unconfirmed reports from Longding said the ambush was carried out jointly by National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang and ULFA (Independent) cadres.
Unmindful of murmurs in the opposition over his stand on demonetisation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday maintained his support to the exercise, asserting that he will back any attack on corruption irrespective of party affiliations.

Often seen as a possible opposition candidate for prime ministership in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said no serious attempt is currently being made to bring together non-Bharatiya Janata Party parties.

A grand alliance of the opposition parties at the national level is certain to win the elections but no such scene was in sight, he said.

He asserted there is no problem in the ruling grand alliance in Bihar and mocked speculation about his growing proximity with BJP, saying he would not offer denial on all kinds of reports as denial is 50 per cent confirmation.

Kumars strong support to notebandi, which has riled leaders like Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, came at a meeting organised by his party Janata Dal-United and later at HT Leadership Summit even as another top leader of his party Sharad Yadav targeted the Modi government over demonetisation in his presence.

This notebandi is a positive step which will lead to benefits. It will happen, the JD-U president said, terming corruption and black money as a big sin and festering wound which must be eradicated.

Severe steps will have to be taken. That is why we offered our support to this (demonetisation). It is a positive beginning... Whenever there is an attack on corruption, I will support it, he said.

The JD-U president also refrained from any criticism on the manner of its implementation causing inconvenience to people, an issue vociferously raised by the opposition and his party colleague Yadav.

Asked about Yadav and other opposition parties raising the issue of peoples difficulties, he said, I dont speak about it because those facing difficulties should be speaking. No such voice is being heard. People are in difficulty but the poor thinks he is facing problem today but a lot of money of the rich is sinking.

Yadav is highlighting these difficulties, Kumar said, adding that there is no problem in that. We have no difference of opinion.

Kumar, however, added that demonetisation alone will not end black money and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to also launch a crackdown on benami properties immediately and target tainted money hoarded in assets like gold and diamonds. Now is the right time to do so, he said.

Currency forms a significant part of black money but total black money is much more than that. The countrys money has been laundered to overseas as well and that too should be brought back, he said.

Kumars remarks in support of demonetisation, which has united most of the opposition parties against it, came after Yadav hit out at Modi dispensation over the issue.

Yadav alleged the decision is aimed at recapitalising banks that were sinking due to Rs 8.5 lakh crore of Non-Performing Assets and its goal is not to target black money.

Kumar, however, did not touch upon the implementation part of demonetisation, merely saying that his government does everything with due preparation and so should the Centre.

We support demonetisation. It should be implemented with preparation. We do our work with full preparation. They (Centre) should also have done that.

We said there can be nothing better if it helps curb corruption, bring out some amount of black money and illegal work is stopped to some extent, he said.

Taking a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, one of the most vocal critics of demonetisation who had attacked him at a public meeting in Patna, Nitish Kumar said too much aggression affects perception which is important in democracy. People will ask why somebody is so aggressive.

I support something which I agree with and oppose which I do not... Media does not look at things in a simple and normal way and does things for publicity, he said, referring to political speculation over his support to demonetisation.

Playing down reports that he could be prime ministerial candidate, he said nobody attains the highest office just by declaring oneself a candidate, and if somebody has to become prime minister, it does not matter whether he is a candidate or not.

Just by having ambition one does not become prime minister... My national ambition is to make JD-U a national party like the original Janata Dal which my party represents now.

He also batted for nation-wide prohibition, which he has enforced in Bihar, saying a lot of black money is generated by the liquor trade and now is the right time to go after it.

At the party meeting organised by its Delhi unit, he asked workers to establish the outfit across the city which has a substantial population of migrants from Bihar.

Condition in many parts of Delhi is worse than villages in Bihar, he said.

His party had supported the Aam Aadmi Party in the last assembly polls.

Kumar asked party leaders to raise the issues of prohibition in Delhi and granting the city full statehood.
As Afghanistan faces the resurgence of Taliban, a conference of major regional and global powers began on Saturday in Amritsar to explore ways to effectively deal with threat of terrorism in the region, its complex security matrix and help the war-ravaged nation in its transition.

Being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia -- Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.

On Saturday, senior officials of all 14 countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations were deliberating on a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and dealing with threat of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistans connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were being discussed at the senior officials meeting which was co-chaired by Indias Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

The meeting is finalising the text for Sundays Ministerial Conference and is also deliberating on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

Pakistani Prime Ministers Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz is representing Islamabad at the ministerial conference on Sunday which will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

The annual conference is taking place amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the audacious terror attack on Nagrota army base and there was no clarity on an Indo-Pak bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conclave.

India had already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the new normal in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks cannot take place in an atmosphere of continued terror.

At the senior officials meeting, Afghanistan, which has also been facing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistan, pushed for a regional counter-terror framework.

Ahead of the conference, both India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the greatest threat to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at Sundays deliberations.

The conference, whose theme is security and prosperity, will also deliberate on major connectivity initiatives including the Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project.

There may be deliberations on the TAPI (TurkmenistanAfghanistan-PakistanIndia) gas pipeline project.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The platform was floated to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US.

Amritsar, which is not very far from the Indo-Pak border, has been brought under a heavy security cover in view of the conference, a major international event being hosted by the city for the first time in many years.

Image: BSF personnel stand guard outside the Golden Temple as part of security arrangements for the Sixth Heart of Asia conference, in Amritsar. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/PTI Photo
Former Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the recent Nagrota attack is as shameful as the 2008 Mumbai carnage and has disproved the belief that surgical strikes can end cross-border terrorism.

Speaking at the launch of former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menons book, titled Choices:Inside the making of Indias foreign policy, Chidambaram said there was no unified command at the level of the ministry of home affairs.

What happened at Nagrota is just as shameful as what happened in Mumbai. The cross-border, cross-Line of Control action will not prevent Pakistan-based terrorist groups from attacking Indian installations and camps, he said last night.

The strikes restore balance at the border. It sends a signal to Pakistan that if you can do it we can do it. But to imagine that surgical strike will put an end to cross-border action, that has been disproved by what has happened in Nagrota, he said.

He claimed that there was no coherence at the level of MHA and attributed it to discontinuation of a good practice.

I think the practice of having a home minister, home secretary, the special secretary, the DIB, the director of Research and Analysis Wing and NSA meet every day was a good practice. The practice has stopped. That is why there is no coherence, no coordination, no unified command at the level of home affairs, he said.

Noting that engaging Pakistan is the only answer that India has, Chidambaram said the present government started at one extreme and has now swung to another extreme.

The first extreme was over-enthusiasm and the second is their own making. Eventually you have to live with your neighbours. The only answer is to engage Pakistan through trade, cultural exchanges or people to people exchanges, he said.

About surgical strikes, Chidambaram said the ownership should have been left to the army.

First, the ownership should have been left to the army like we have in the past. Second, we should not make statements like Pakistan called us yesterday and begged us to stop or make statements like I will gouge their eyes. These statements make us a laughing stock.

Our cross-border strikes do not deter Pakistan sufficiently. There are other options that can be explored. Going public about surgical strikes limits your options, he said at the launch which was also attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He said though Indias response to 26/11 attacks was extremely poor, it gained enormously by choosing not to retaliate militarily.

Our capacity to respond was extremely poor. It took us three to four days to clear three to four terrorists holed up in a hotel. Retaliation was not an option. Neither desirable nor feasible at that point of time.

India gained enormously by not retaliating. By the time the United Progressive Alliance stepped down, Pakistan had been virtually isolated... What we now witness are daring attacks on Army camps... One must measure the efficacy of a policy by its outcomes. The ceasefire along the LoC did produce an outcome, Chidambaram said.

About the deteriorating security situation in Kashmir, he said his governments policies brought several years of relative peace and tranquillity in the Valley, but all that lie shattered today.

Origin of this decline is the completely unethical, unacceptable coalition between two parties that were bitterly opposed to each other. That is the greatest provocation in the Valley. As long as that unethical combination remains, I cant see any way forward in Kashmir, he said.

Image: Army personnel take position during an encounter after militants attacked an army camp in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu. Photograph: PTI Photo
'But he doesn't want to shut the door completely on the Yadav family as that could create problems for him in 2019,' says Satyavrat Mishra.

It was late in the evening on November 3. The phone at the chief minister's residence in Patna rang twice before an assistant answered.

On the other side, a husky voice told the assistant, 'Mananiye Mulayam Singh Yadavji, Nitishji se baat karna chahte hain (Mulayam Singh Yadav wants to speak to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar).'

The call was transferred to the Bihar CM's home office, where he was buried in work. The two leaders spoke for 15 to 20 minutes.

The Samajwadi Party chief invited Kumar to the party's silver jubilee function, scheduled the next day in Lucknow.

Kumar, also the Janata Dal-United president, turned down the invitation politely. The Bihar CM said he would be busy with Chhath Puja, but assured that his predecessor Sharad Yadav would be there.

Mulayam, although a bit unhappy, hung up. It was as if Kumar was giving him a taste of his own medicine.

Last year, after taking back the reins of the state, Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad undertook hectic parleys for the merger of the Janata Parivar to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party rise.

In May 2015, six parties of the Janata Parivar met at Mulayam Singh's home in Delhi and decided to go ahead with the merger. They chose Mulayam as their leader and the decision was announced publicly amid much pomp and show.

However, things soon went south and, within a couple of months, it became clear that there would be no merger.

In the heat of assembly elections in Bihar last year, Mulayam even accused Kumar of cheating by holding talks with the Congress.

Kumar, it seems, has not forgotten that.

Therefore, for the past six months, he has been openly slamming the SP supremo.

Last month, when the Yadav family feud in Lucknow was at a peak, he dared Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Mulayam's son Akhilesh Yadav to come out of his father's shadow.

He also came down heavily on Yadav senior. 'We even offered him the post of president in the reconstituted Janata Dal and the head of the group in Parliament. But he walked away. The role he played in the Bihar elections brought him a curse, which has manifested as the feud in party and family,' Kumar told the JD-U national convention in Rajgir in October.

Given the importance of Kurmi votes in the crucial UP assembly polls, Mulayam wants to join hands with him. However, Kumar isn't interested now. And this isn't the only reason.

Despite repeated invitations from the Yadavs in Uttar Pradesh, he chose to skip the ceremonial bash. The party leaders put the blame on SP infighting. Senior JD-U leaders say they didn't want to be seen as siding with a group in the family feud.

Nitish Kumar endorsed the sentiment, although in hints. 'We don't want to get involved in the SP's internal dispute,' he said.

Further, he has been refusing to even acknowledge the coalition the SP is trying put together in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh as a 'Grand Alliance.'

'In Bihar, the Maha Gathbandhan was formed after the two main parties -- the RJD and JD-U -- buried the hatchet and joined hands. Therefore, a grand alliance in UP is only possible if the Bahujan Samaj Party and SP join hands. Otherwise, it's only an alliance,' Nitish said a few days ago.

Party insiders say the Bihar chief minister likes to play safe.

According to them, he doesn't want to shut the door completely on the Yadav family as that could create problems for him in 2019. Therefore, some leaders point towards back channel discussions between his advisor Prashant Kishor and Shivpal Yadav.

"Kumar understands the importance of Mulayam Singh. His support will be crucial in 2019, hence, he is also playing safe," says an insider.

"Attacks on the SP chief have been toned down since last month, but this doesn't mean the JD-U is ready to join hands yet. As of now, the party plans to contest 15 or 20 seats in UP, just enough to show its acceptance at the national level," the insider adds.

By opposing the Yadav patriarch, the JD-U finds itself at odds with its biggest ally, the RJD, which has already distanced itself from the JD-U on this issue.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav categorically said his party and family will campaign for the SP in the coming UP polls, irrespective of the JD-U's intentions.

His father Lalu Prasad not only participated in the SP's silver jubilee bash on November 5, but also portrayed himself as a referee in the Yadav family feud.

However, this doesn't seem to a problem with the JD-U. Kumar's lieutenants say it is a family matter for the RJD chief as Lalu's daughter is married to Mulayam's grand nephew.

Lalu has also dismissed any suggestions of differences between the two parties over this matter. However, the corridors of power in Patna are abuzz with speculation.

Some say the UP elections results will have an impact on the alliance in Bihar as Lalu and Kumar will be pitted against each other.

However, insiders from both the parties deny such speculation. "It is highly unlikely that it would have any immediate impact on the Grand Alliance in Bihar. Both Lalu and Kumar understand the importance of being in power."

"Kumar needs to portray himself as an able administrator to compete against Narendra Modi in 2019 and Lalu's sons need experience to portray themselves as a better substitute for Kumar in Bihar in 2020," says a senior politician.

But all options, as they say, are open.

IMAGE: Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav at the announcement of the merger of the Janata Parivar last year, which fell through. Photograph: PTI
An elderly Mumbai-based couple, whose son is lodged in a Pakistani prison despite having completed his jail term, is seeking justice from visiting Pakistani Prime Ministers Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz for his release.

They are camping in Amritsar, bordering Pakistan, where Aziz is visiting to participate in the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process on Sunday.

Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries are attending the summit that will also see the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.

We are here just to get justice for our son who is imprisoned in a Peshawar jail, Fauzia Ansari, mother of 32-year-old Hamid Ansari, said.

The couple, who has two children, including Hamid, said he was sentenced to three years in prison and his term ended one year ago.

Fauzia, along with her husband Nehal, has been carrying placards to display outside the venue of two-day Heart of Asia conference.

She said she had earlier sent a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for Hamids release but in the absence of any reply from his office, she had no option but to stand near the venue of the conference and display placards.

Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012 from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistani girl he had been in touch with through e-mails.

There was no whereabouts of him after November 10.

The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years imprisonment.

Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar high court seeking release of her son after the completion of his jail term. The petition was dismissed as the court had

observed that the army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday took a heritage walk and visited the Golden Temple soon after arriving in this holy town to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

Modi and Ghani walked through the renovated heritage corridor before reaching Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, where large number of people, waiting for hours, welcomed them.

The temple premise was decorated with lights and flowers and the two leaders were taken to various parts of the temple complex.

Ghani and Modi also offered prayers at the temple. They spent over 30 minutes braving cold weather.

Modi also served langar in the community kitchen of the shrine as Ghani stayed along with him.

The two leaders were given a 24 carat gold replica of Golden Temple and a set of five books besides a siropa (robe of honour) and shawl.

Modis visit to the Golden Temple is seen by some as an attempt to connect with the Sikh community ahead of elections in the state next year.

Earlier in the evening, Ghani was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

Ghani and Modi will jointly inaugurate the Heart of Asia Ministerial conference on Sunday. They will also have a bilateral meeting during which both sides are likely to finalise broad contours of a bilateral air cargo service pact to boost trade.

In the meeting, Afghanistan is also likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India in strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years back.

Last week, India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel but has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons.

Afghanistan has also been seeking Indias assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition and the issue may

figure in Sundays talks.

India and Afghanistan has also been exploring various connectivity projects to for greater two-way trade and the issue may figure in Sundays talks.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub with an aim to develop a transit

corridor.
Survivors of 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy on Saturday staged a protest in front of the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal on the 32nd anniversary of the worlds worst industrial disaster, with activists alleging that toxic waste lying there was still to be cleaned up.

IMAGE: People take out a rally to protest against Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals on the 32nd anniversary of Bhopal gas disaster in Bhopal. Photograph: PTI Photo

They burnt the US flags and effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, claiming that the Union Government was not forcing the Dow Chemical, which acquired Union Carbide, to own up its responsibility towards the victims and clean-up of the factory.

Gas leakage from Union Carbide, which made pesticides, on the night of December 2-3, 1984, left more than 3,000 people dead and many more injured.

Abdul Jabbar and other leaders of NGOs working for gas leak victims demanded that governments of USA and India stop sheltering the MNCs and ensure justice and life of dignity for the half million survivors.

We burnt the US flag and effigies of Uncle Sam and logos of two US companies -- Union Carbide and Dow Chemicals  as they have done nothing to end the sufferings of the victims for the last 32 years, said Satinath Sarangi and Rachna Dhingra of 'Bhopal Group for Information and Action.

The abandoned factorys toxic waste is still killing and maiming people living around its premises, Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogee Sangharsh Morcha president, Balkrishna Namdeo said.

Rashida Bi, president of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh, said those living in the radius of five kilometre of the factory were forced to drink the contaminated underground water and are contracting deadly diseases due to the seepage of toxic waste dumped in the factory premises.

Union Carbide dumped 11 lakh tonnes of toxic waste on the premises during its 14 years of operations, she claimed.

IMAGE:People burn the effigies of Union Carbide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during a demonstration in front of the Union Carbide Factory. Photograph: PTI Photo

Right now, 340 tonnes of toxic waste is lying on the ground. The Dow Chemical Company which took over Carbide in 2001 is responsible for cleaning up the contamination of soil and groundwater in more than 50 sq km area around the factory, she said.

The MP government is aware of the contamination of groundwater here since 1991. Yet, till today it has taken no legal steps to make Dow Chemical pay for the clean-up, or for the adverse health effects on residents living next to the abandoned factory, Sarangi said.

In the last two years, Dow Chemical has ignored four judicial notices asking its representative to appear before the Bhopal district court. And now it is merging with another American multinational, DuPont, to further evade the civil, criminal and environmental liabilities of Bhopal, said Rashida Bi.

According to Namdeo, the killer factory was set up and run in Bhopal with help from the US government, which is now sheltering both Dow Chemical and (defunct) Union Carbide by refusing to serve the Bhopal courts notices to Dow.

This year, within one month, 1,27,000 people wrote to the US Presidents office asking that the Department of Justice serve the notice on Dow Chemical, and all we got in response was an apology for deliberate inaction, he claimed.

Our prime minister paid special attention to the menu for the dinner to which he invited Andrew Liveris, Dow Chemicals CEO, in September 2015, during his visit to the US, said Nawab Khan of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha.

But he remains oblivious to the need of revision of figures of injury and death in the curative petition for additional compensation to the survivors pending before the Supreme Court for six years, Khan alleged.

Children Against Dow-Carbide leader Safreen Khan also echoed similar concerns.
On World Disability Day, in the presence of 150 differently abled soldiers, Lieutenant General P M Hariz, the Southern Army Commander, honoured the late Rediff.com columnist M P Anil Kumar.

Devidas Deshpande reports from Pune.

IMAGE: Lieutenant General P M Hariz releases Air Commodore Nitin Sathe's book Born to Fly chronicling the life of the late Flying Officer and Rediff.com columnist M P Anil Kumar at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Khadki, Pune.

Photographs: Devidas Deshpande

"You have shown the world that one can live life even in the face of severe adversities," Lieutenant General P M Hariz, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, told residents at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Khadki, Pune.

General Hariz was addressing differently abled veterans on the occasion of World Disability Day.

Around 150 differently abled serving and retired soldiers of all the three services attended the programme, which also saw the participation of other institutes like the Queen Mary's Technical Institute Artificial Limb Centre, Pune, and the Asha School.

The event also saw the release of Born To Fly, Air Commodore Nitin Sathe's biography of his National Defence Academy course mate, the late Rediff.com columnist Flying Officer M P Anil Kumar, who lived at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre for over 25 years before his death in May 2014.

'M P' was a dashing MiG-21 pilot in the Indian Air Force before a tragic accident cut short his flying career and rendered him a paraplegic at the age of 24.

IMAGE: General Hariz meets with differently abled soldiers at the event.

These soldiers, the general said, continue to inspire others to live a full and wholesome life.

"You have served your unit and the country well," General Hariz told the differently abled soldiers.

"You have held the flag of the unit and the establishment high. You have shown the world that one can live life in the face of severe adversities. You have become a source of inspiration to the family and society," the general said.

"Every person hopes to live a life free of any accidents. You faced difficulties with a brave face and must show others that this is possible. Your contribution is beyond measure," the general added.

Visibly overcome by emotion after hearing about M P Anil Kumar's life, the general -- who like 'M P' is an alumnus of the Sainik School system -- said, "Anil Kumar serves as an inspiration to all. Through this book, his story will go out of the confines of the four walls of this institute. It will inspire those who do not want to live."

IMAGE: Air Commodore Nitin Sathe describes M P Anil Kumar as India's 'Stephen Hawking.'

Interestingly, Air Commodore Sathe first wrote about his NDA course mate in a feature for Rediff.com: The Pilot Who is A Fighter.

"We first met in 1981 when both of us joined the NDA," Air Commodore Sathe recalled. "He went on to become a fighter pilot while I went to the helicopter wing. After he passed away in 2014 I thought that his story should be told to the world."

Explaining why he felt drawn towards telling 'M P's story, the air commodore added, "He won himself a second life. As he was unable to work with any body part except the head, he learned to operate the computer by holding a pencil in his mouth."

"My book narrates Anil Kumar's journey from a village boy in Kerala to being an inspiration and an example to many," Air Commodore Sathe -- whose first book For A Few Good Men and the Angry Sea chronicled how the IAF rebuilt its air base on the Car Nicobar island after it was devastated in the December 26, 2014 tsunami -- said.

You can read some of M P Anil Kumar's contributions to Rediff.com in the related links below.

You can buy a copy of Born to Fly here.
Hindu Forum of Britain, an umbrella group of Hindu organisations and temples in the United Kingdom, has called on the Bank of England to withdraw the new 5-pound note from circulation because it uses animal fat.

HFB said it was convinced the move was not malicious but a result of ignorance and called for the notes to be made Karma-free at the earliest.

Saving and sharing wealth (the Goddess of fortune) in currency tainted by unnecessary harm to animals is somewhat of an oxymoron, said Shree Gauridas, spiritual commissioner of HFB and a director of the UKs ISKCON temple.

The group has been encouraging people to sign a petition calling for the withdrawal of the notes as vegans and vegetarians continued to express outrage at the use of tallow, a substance derived from animal fat, which emerged in a Twitter response earlier this week.

A petition titled Remove tallow from bank notes has gathered nearly 126,000 signatures. It will be delivered to the Bank of England when it hits 150,000.

It reads, The new 5 pound notes contain animal fat in the form of tallow. This is unacceptable to millions of vegans and vegetarians in the UK. We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use.

The new notes with an image of Britains war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill became legal tender in September this year.

A vegetarian cafe in the university town of Cambridge is refusing to accept the new notes and Sharon Meijland, owner of Rainbow Cafe, has put up signs warning customers about the policy.

Tallows an animal product isnt it? Our whole business is based around not having anything like that on the premises. Although the same person doesnt handle the money that handles the food, thats not really the point, she said.

The Bank of England says it is now looking into ways of removing the substance from the supply chain.

We are aware of some peoples concerns about traces of tallow in our new five pound note. We respect those concerns and are treating them with the utmost seriousness, a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the Australian pioneer of the polymer bank note says its stupid that vegetarian and vegans are protesting in the UK about the five pound polymer note containing animal fat.

Professor David Solomon says the polymer notes contain trivial amounts of tallow, which is also used in candles and soap.

Its stupid. Its absolutely stupid. Theres trivial amounts of it in there. It picks up less drugs than paper notes and you dont chop down trees. Its more hygienic than a

paper note by a long way, he said.

Image: Bank of England governor Mark Carney poses with a new polymer five pound note. The new note is designed to be more durable and features a portrait of former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Getty Images
Breaking decades of US diplomatic policy, President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and discussed various issues, a move which could infuriate China.

"President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations," the presidential transition team said on Friday in a readout of the phone call.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties existing between Taiwan and the United States," it said.

Trump's conversation with Taiwanese President on Friday was among a series of talks he had with the leaders of Asian countries on phone before taking office.

"President-elect Trump congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," the readout said.

Trump also spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who congratulated him on his historic victory.

"The two men discussed the grave terrorism threats faced by both the countries and pledged to work more closely together in order to meet these growing threats," the transition team said.

In another phone call, President of Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte offered congratulatory wishes to Trump. In their conversation, they noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed they would continue to work closely on matters of shared interest and concerns.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also congratulated Trump on his remarkable election victory.

"The two men discussed the long history of good economic, political, and security relations between the United States and Singapore," the readout said.

The New York Times said the move by Trump is "a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China" even before Trump takes office.

He is believed to be the first President-elect or President to have spoken with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 when the US served its diplomatic ties with Taiwan after its recognition of China.

The Washington Post described this as a "breach of diplomatic protocol" with ramifications for Trump administration's relationship with China.

"The telephone call is certain to incense China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. It is the first major sign of the unpredictability that Trump has vowed to bring to long-held US relations with the rest of the world," CNN said.
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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani forces made over 90 ceasefire violations overnight in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, the defense ministry of NKR told ARMENPRESS.

The ministry issued a statement, saying :

Overnight December 2-3 Azerbaijani forces violated the ceasefire regime in the Nagorno Karabakh  Azerbaijan line of contact around 90 times, firing more than 1000 shots at NKR posts from various caliber firearms. Especially intense violations occurred from sniper rifles (around 80 shots). The Azerbaijani forces also used 60mm mortar in the eastern direction (1 shell).

The Defense Army forces took necessary means to suppress the Azerbaijani actions and confidently continued the military service.

Currently the situation along the line of contact is calm.
Syrian government forces and their allies have captured the Tariq al-Bab district of eastern Aleppo, the government and the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

The advance on December 3 means that the government has retaken about 60 percent of eastern Aleppo from antigovernment rebels and has reestablished control of a key road between the government-held western part of the city and Aleppos airport, which the government also holds.

Meanwhile, in Moscow on December 3, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov sharply criticized the United Kingdom for not providing aid to civilians in the beleaguered city.

Over the years of the war in Syria, the United Kingdom has not provided a gram of flour, a tablet of medicine, or a single blanket to help civilians, he said.

Konashenkovs comments come one day after a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May was quoted as saying Russia was hampering the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Aleppo.

According to the British governments website, the United Kingdom has provided almost $3 billion worth of crisis aid to Syria since 2012, primarily through allocations to UN agencies and other implementing partners. The program has included more than 16 million monthly rations of food and nearly 4 million medical consultations for civilians in Syria.

With reporting by AFP and TASS
Taliban militants have reportedly hanged an Afghan student they accused of involvement in the killing of a Taliban leader.

Afghan official Abdul Rahman Mangal said on December 3 that Kabul Polytechnic University student Faizul Rahman Wardak was killed in the village of Sewaka, about 60 kilometers outside the capital.

Photographs purporting to show the execution were posted on social media.

Based on reporting by Reuters
Azerbaijan's security forces have shot dead a man who reportedly tried to detonate a suicide belt near a shopping mall in the capital, Baku, the state security service said.

"Azerbaijani citizen Azizagaoglu Emin Jami...was killed during a special operation carried out by the state security service," the service said in a December 3 statement.

It said Jami, 38, had been convicted and jailed in 2007 for joining a terrorist organization.

"Since his release earlier this year he has been planning terrorist acts in Azerbaijan," the security service said.

The statement did not provide further details.

Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS
Russian forces have launched suicide drones on targets in eastern and central Ukraine, the Ukrainian air defense reported, as heavy fighting continues in the east.

"Twelve out of 13 [loitering] munitions were destroyed by [the Ukrainian] anti-aircraft defense in the eastern and central regions of the country," the military said in a message on Telegram.

The air defense said six drones were shot down in eastern Ukraine and another six were destroyed in the central part of the country.

Russia has been targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian objectives with missile, drone, and artillery attacks for weeks amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has driven Russian troops out of the northeast and pushed them back in the east and southeast.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on November 2 that authorities in the capital were preparing more than 1,000 heating points throughout the city in case its district heating system is disabled by continued Russian attacks.

Russia launched missiles into several Ukrainian cities on October 31, including Kyiv, as the Kremlin continues its relentless assault on Ukrainian critical infrastructure in the hopes of wearing down its population's will to resist.

Water and electricity supplies were all but cut off for hours in Kyiv before being restored on November 1, but officials warned that power rationing would continue to be necessary in the capital.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Klitschko wrote on Telegram on November 2 that city authorities were considering different scenarios due to missile attacks.

"The worst one is where there will be no electric power, water, or district heating at all," he said. "For that case, we are preparing over 1,000 heating points in our city."

Missile and drone attacks have damaged at least 40 percent of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and have already briefly left large parts of Kyiv without power and water.

Nine regions were experiencing power cuts, authorities said.

"We will do everything we can to provide power and heat for the coming winter," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his regular address late on November 1. "But we must understand that Russia will do everything it can to destroy normal life."

In the central Cherkasy region, a drone hit an infrastructure objective on November 2, said regional Governor Ihor Taburets in a message on Telegram.

Taburets said that two other drones that targeted Cherkasy were shot down. He said no injuries were reported.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat on November 1 warned that Kyiv does not have an effective means of defense against Iranian-made ballistic missiles, which Russia is likely planning to deploy north of the Ukrainian border.

Ihnat told a news briefing that it would be theoretically possible to shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles, but it would be very difficult to do it "with the means that we have in our arsenal today."

The Washington Post reported last month that Iran had agreed to supply Russia with surface-to-surface missiles, citing sources in U.S. security agencies

The Ukrainian military said Russian troops continued shelling the eastern city of Bakhmut, a target of Russia's armed forces in their slow advance through the Donetsk region.

There was fierce fighting near Bakhmut, as Ukrainian forces held back Russian assaults on two other areas in Donetsk, around Avdiyivka and Uhledar.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what Ive been following during the past week and what Im watching for in the days ahead.

The Big Issue

Iran has accused two female journalists who covered the hospitalization and funeral of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini -- whose death in the custody of Tehran's morality police triggered protests across the country -- of being U.S. spies and the "primary sources of news for foreign media."

The accusations came in a joint statement by the feared intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Intelligence Ministry, which identified the two journalists, Nilufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who are being held in Tehran's Evin prison, by their initials. The statement claims the journalists were trained abroad. It also says the protests that have shaken Iran were planned by the CIA along with other foreign intelligence services, including the British and Saudi spy agencies as well as Israel's Mossad.

The statement was met with fear and anger by Iranian journalists and their colleagues, who pushed back against the accusations. Senior editors of Hamedi's Sharq daily and Mohammadi's Hammihan dismissed the charges and said the journalists were only doing their jobs. "Our journalist and our newspaper.....acted within the framework of the journalistic mission," said Mehdi Rahmanian, editor of the reformist Sharq, while Gholamhossein Karbaschi, the editor of Hammihan, said the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency and other news agencies had similar reports that included more details. More than 500 journalists, photographers, and other media workers demanded the release of their colleagues while calling on officials to allow the free flow of information.

Separately, Tehran's Journalist Association said that based on the statement by the Iranian intelligence agencies, journalism should be banned because "the normal activity of journalists has been cited as evidence of a crime." For its part, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists dismissed the charges against the two journalists as "conspiracy theories," adding that it will hold Iranian leaders accountable for any harm done to the journalists.

Why It Matters: The spying accusations against Hamedi and Mohammadi are a major escalation of state pressure on the media, which is already facing a severe crackdown and tough censorship. The spying charges leveled against the two carries the death penalty. According to the CPJ, more than 45 journalists and columnists have been arrested in the current crackdown. The French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders said Iran has become the world's biggest jailer of female journalists in the course of the current crackdown.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that France-based Iranian journalist Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad, who had traveled to Saghez to cover the aftermath of Amini's death for the European TV channel Arte, has been in jail since September 28.

What's Next: The judiciary has not officially charged the two journalists with spying. The pushback from the Iranian press and journalists and international pressure could be instrumental in clearing the two journalists of the accusations.

Stories You Might Have Missed

Iranian authorities secretly buried the body of RFE/RL's Radio Farda broadcaster Reza Haghighatnejad at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran for burial. Haghighatnejad, 45, died of cancer in Berlin on October 17. His body was flown to Iran on October 25. His family was not allowed to see the body or participate in his burial. Radio Farda obtained a video of Haghighatnejad's gravesite , where the anthem of the current mass protests in Iran, Shervin Hajipur's Baraye, was heard in the background. The U.S. State Department has called on Iran to release Haghighatnejad's body and said the episode showed the extent the Iranian government will go to intimidate the press.

at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran for burial. Haghighatnejad, 45, died of cancer in Berlin on October 17. His body was flown to Iran on October 25. His family was not allowed to see the body or participate in his burial. Radio Farda obtained , where the anthem of the current mass protests in Iran, Shervin Hajipur's Baraye, was heard in the background. The U.S. State Department has called on Iran to release Haghighatnejad's body and said the episode showed the extent the Iranian government will go to intimidate the press. Iran has arrested rapper Toomaj Salehi, who had expressed support for the anti-govenment protests in Iran. Security authorities announced that the rapper was arrested on October 30 while attempting to flee the country. Salehi's uncle denied the claim, saying his nephew was arrested in the southwestern province of Chaharmahal Bakhtiari. Salehi was also detained last year over lyrics he wrote that condemn state repression, the killings of protesters, poverty, and injustice.

What We're Watching

Iran saw a surge in protests last week when thousands of people marked 40 days since the death of Mahsa Amini in state custody. In Amini's hometown of Saghez, a massive crowd gathered at the cemetery where the young woman is buried. Many walked to the cemetery amid reports that authorities had blocked the roads leading to Amini's resting place. Mourners also gathered last week at the grave of 16-year-old Nika Shahkarami near the western city of Khorramabad, 40 days after she was killed in the brutal state crackdown amid reports that security forces had opened fire to disperse mourners while also making arrests.

Why It Matters: The memorial ceremonies for those killed by security forces have energized the protest movement by fueling more anger with state repression. The establishment has responded with force. More protests could erupt as Iranians mourn those killed by security forces.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have.



Until next time,



Golnaz Esfandiari



If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
Italians voted in a referendum on December 4 that could gauge anti-EU sentiment in the country. The vote, which follows Britains Brexit referendum in June and Donald Trumps election in the United States, again sees rising populist forces challenging an established order in a contest too close to call in advance.



In the referendum, Italians will decide whether to approve a proposal by pro-EU Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to increase his powers so that he can push through economic reforms. Anti-EU parties are urging Italians to vote No in hopes of driving Renzi from office and clearing the way for a harder push to get Italy out of the eurozone or remove it from the European Union altogether.

Italian officials say turnout was heavy. The Interior Ministry said on December 4 that more than 57 percent of Italian voters had gone to their polling stations by 7 p.m. local time.

How likely is a Brexit Italian-style and what would be its consequences? Here are three things to consider.



Whats at stake in the December 4 referendum?



The December 4 referendum is not directly about the EU. It is about increasing the prime ministers executive powers by limiting the size and strength of the Italian Senate -- where Renzi has faced resistance along regional lines to reforms he hopes will help strengthen Italys sluggish economy.

But because Renzi has very publicly vowed to step down if voters do not approve his proposal, anti-EU forces have seized upon the referendum as a chance to unseat him. A Renzi resignation would require a new government to be formed, something that could offer anti-EU parties the chance to enter a caretaker government or compete with renewed strength in early elections.



We should take what Renzi said seriously; if he loses the referendum he will certainly at this point have to resign, said Giovanni Orsina, a professor of political history at Luiss University in Rome. If the No camp prevails, the greatest victory will belong to the anti-EU populist camp.





But even if Italys two populist anti-EU parties -- the Five Star Movement and Lega Nord (Northern League) -- stand to gain strength from a possible No vote, just how much so is hard to know.



All the anti-EU forces are in the No camp but in the No camp there are also pro-EU forces that are against Renzi, said Orsina. So, the picture is more complicated than an outright confrontation between pro-European and anti-European forces.



The last opinion polls conducted ahead of a mandatory moratorium three weeks before the referendum date showed the No camp leading by an average of 4 to 5 percentage points  too close to predict the outcome of the referendum with certainty.

How strong is anti-EU and anti-euro sentiment in Italy?



Observers say the populist parties are tapping into genuine unhappiness among Italians.



The chances of Italy deliberately choosing to leave the EU are quite low, but the chances that Italy will leave the eurozone and bring about the collapse of the single currency are moderate to good and probably getting stronger at the moment, said Steve Davies, an economist at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free-market think tank in London.



He said that since Italy joined the eurozone, the Italian economy has not grown by more than 1 percent in any one year, creating huge public frustration both with Brussels and perceived inefficiencies in the Italian economy.



Much of the anger has focused on the euro because belonging to the single currency prevents Italy from stimulating its export economy by devaluing its money, something it frequently did when it had its own lira.

Still, many Italians are leery of quitting the EU, even as Britain has now set the precedent of a member state deciding to do just that.





In the case of Italy, getting out of the European Union does not just mean getting out of the European Union, it means getting out of the eurozone, said Orsina. Changing the currency, getting back to the lira and facing all the consequences of that kind of action is a gigantic leap in the dark.



Italys anti-EU movement itself is divided over what it wants. The Five Star Movement, with around 30 percent of popular support, courts both right- and left-leaning Italians as it calls for holding a referendum on the euro but not on leaving the EU. The far-right Lega Nord, with around 12 percent support, is fiercely nationalist, anti-immigrant, and pledges to take Italy out of the EU. The two parties have shown no indication so far of working together.

What would be the impact of Italy leaving the EU?



Italy is the EUs third-largest economy after Germany and France, so many economists say that an Italian exit from either the euro or the EU would be a deathblow to the union.



If it becomes likely that Italy may leave the euro, then what will happen immediately is that investors will become spooked and there will be a sharp rise in the yield on Italian debt of all kinds and most notably on government debt, which is a large amount, but also private debt, says economist Davies.



He says that, in turn, would cause not only a crisis in Italys already fragile banking system, which holds much of the countrys debt, but also have a knock-on effect on partner banks across Europe. The resulting weakening of investor interest in the euro would likely lead to an unravelling of the EU in its current form.
A Russian State Duma deputy has asked prosecutors to investigate the respected human rights organization Memorial because it published an online database containing information about agents of dictator Josef Stalins secret police.

Russian media reported on December 3 that Deputy Ivan Sukharev, the deputy chairman of the Dumas Committee on Public Organizations and a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, asked prosecutors to determine if the publication violated any number of statutes of the Criminal Code, in particular the law against inciting social enmity.

Last month, Memorial published the database containing the names and other information about more than 40,000 agents of Stalins secret police, many of whom personally carried out executions and other crimes during the period of the Soviet Great Terror. The database was some 15 years in the making, the activists said.

On November 27, some descendants of the people named in the database appealed to President Vladimir Putin, asking him to shut it down.

In October, Russias Justice Ministry included Memorial on its list of organizations acting as foreign agents.

Based on reporting by RT, newsru.com, and Artcle20.org
A Spotsylvania man has been taken into custody and labeled a person of interest in the brutal slaying of a 54-year-old county store clerk early Saturday, police said.

David Junior Washington was apprehended without incident at Dunning Mills in Fredericksburg, said Spotsylvania Sheriffs Capt. Jeff Pearce. Washington was being questioned by detectives but had not been charged as of Saturday evening.

Police still have not released the name of the victim, whose grisly death was discovered by a customer inside the Sunoco station in the 5300 block of Jefferson Davis Highway in the Massaponax area of Spotsylvania. Pearce said police believe the clerk was killed about 1:35 a.m., and the customer showed up a short time later.

The investigation showed that prior to the attack, a man entered the store, milled about for a few minutes and then viciously attacked the clerk for no apparent reason. Police have refused to say what, if any, weapon was used in the attack but have confirmed that it was not a gun.

It was a brutal, vicious attack, Pearce said. Whoever did this is obviously a very dangerous person.

The Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office obtained an image of a man captured on store surveillance cameras and put it out in the public Saturday in hopes of getting an identification. Pearce would not say what led detectives to Washington, a man with no fixed address and a criminal record in the area dating at least to the early 1990s. His convictions include unlawful wounding, possession of cocaine and grand larceny.
Have you ever walked into a house and felt it was strikingly familiar? It happened to Stephanie Lynch this summer, when she visited the first house on her house-shopping list.

The first thing I noticed was that it looked like my grandmothers house, Lynch said. And I fell in love with it.

The house at 700 West 27th Street  a 2,900-square-foot Colonial Revival-style foursquare in Richmonds Woodland Heights neighborhood  had been built in 1901, just a year after her grandmothers house. And it had two sets of stairs  a main staircase and servants stairs  like her grandmothers. It even had a collection of mirrors lining the main staircase.

My grandmother collected mirrors, and I took that as a sign, Lynch said. We put a bid on it that day without my husband even seeing it. Everybody says, He must trust you.

Buying the house wasnt an impulsive act. Lynch and her husband, Dustin Dunbar, grew up in military families, and they were used to moving frequently. (In fact, Dunbar himself serves in the U.S. Army and did three combat tours in Afghanistan. When Lynch toured the Woodland Heights house, he was stationed at Fort Campbell in Tennessee.) This year, though, they decided they were ready to put down roots in their adopted city, Lynch said. And they both love old houses.

The house at 700 West 27th Street, popularly known as Belle Terre, has features guaranteed to catch an old-house enthusiasts attention. The fireplace mantels, tile surrounds and firebacks are original, as are the ceiling fixtures, plaster medallions and stained-mahogany pocket doors. And a window on the second floor is an intriguing variant of the three-sash window design associated with Thomas Jefferson. (In Belle Terre, a small pair of doors replaces the bottom sash.)

But the houses most striking feature might be the columned archway that separates the entrance hall from the formal parlor.

The Ionic capitals on the columns are based on those on the Erechtheion, a temple to Athena and Poseidon, on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, said Chris Novelli, an architectural historian with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The capitals from that particular building were popular during the Edwardian period and were widely copied in building supply catalogues.

Belle Terres columns are slightly different, though.

Instead of having two scrolls, or volutes, on each column, which is what the Erechtheion has, these have four, so you can view them from different angles, Novelli said. Their detailing is refined and remarkably well-preserved.

Lynch and Dunbar had practical reasons for buying Belle Terre, too. Its near the James River Park Systems Buttermilk Trail, Lynchs favorite place to walk her Labrador retriever, and the houses backyard is large enough to accommodate entertaining.

I do a lot of entertaining and look forward to hosting frequently, Lynch said. The backyard is a great space for that.

Plus, shes an artist, and she loves the artistic culture of Woodland Heights.

I paint mostly, but Im also involved in other media, Lynch said.

Lynch and Dunbar closed on the sale in August, and they moved in last month.

So far, theyve painted the interior, and theyve furnished it with furniture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, along with rugs that Dunbar bought while stationed in Afghanistan. Future projects include moving the laundry room upstairs and installing a small pond in the backyard.

But Lynch and Dunbar arent facing any major renovations, thanks to previous owners who maintained the house well.

Were not going to have to rescue this house  its rescuing us, Lynch said, with a laugh.

About Woodland Heights

The suburbs. Its hard to imagine that their promise of leafy, quiet seclusion was once a radical concept. But go back 120 years and youll find that Richmonds emerging suburban developments, fueled by newly established streetcar lines, offered something revolutionary. City dwellers could move to expansive, relatively inexpensive houses set on large, shady lots outside the city, and work was just a short commute away.

Over the years, several streetcar suburbs  including Barton Heights, Highland Springs and the Museum District  emerged from the woods and farmland surrounding Richmond.

Woodland Heights was one of the earliest.

Development in the South Richmond neighborhood, which today runs south from the James River to Bainbridge Street and Forest Hill Avenue and east from West 24th Street to Forest Hill Park, began in the late 1880s.

The neighborhoods sylvan setting on bluffs above the James River was a key attraction for many of the areas first homebuyers, and the development grew quickly.

In 1914, the City of Richmond annexed the neighborhood from Chesterfield County, and it continued to grow. Today, it covers 80 blocks and contains about 800 houses. The majority of them were built from 1895 to 1935. By the late 1950s (during the post-World War II housing boom), the neighborhood was mostly built out.

Because construction spanned several decades, the neighborhoods architectural styles are wide ranging, and an impressive collection of well-preserved, historic homes has survived.

Among the earliest styles represented in the neighborhood is Queen Anne, built mostly between 1890 and 1915. Other styles on display in Woodland Heights include Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Spanish Revival and Moderne.

Defining the style

Colonial Revival

This was the most popular style for residential building in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. Sparked by the Philadelphia 1876 Centennial Exposition, the style was part of an awakening of interest in Americas colonial past, which gained further momentum in Virginia with the Jamestown Tercentennial Exhibition in 1907 and the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg in the 1930s. White-columned porches and symmetrical red-brick facades are among the styles hallmarks, along with dormers, Palladian windows and classical detailing around front entrances.

_______________
A armed man robbed a hotel in the town of Blooming Grove Friday night, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

The man entered the Magnusson Grand Hotel at 3510 Millpond Road around 11:30 p.m., Lt. Chris Nygaard said.

The man went behind the counter and emptied the cash drawer, Nygaard said. When the man was confronted by employees, Nygaard said the man displayed a handgun and struck an employee in the face with it.

The man then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, Nygaard said.

The robber is described as a black man wearing dark clothing with his face covered.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's tip line at (608)284-6900.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
An unknown person or persons broke into a gas station in Lomira early Saturday morning and stole cigarettes, beef jerky and Green Bay Packers clothing, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office said.

An employee of the Shell gas station at 400 East Ave. told police around 1 a.m. the alarm was sounding and found the front glass doors shattered, the Sheriff's Office said.

No suspects were found when the deputies arrived at the gas station, the Sheriff's Office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia, a leading teaching and research hospital for native wildlife, released a golden eagle on Nov. 28 at Big Walker Lookout in Wythe County.

The release of a golden eagle by the center is a rare event  the center has only admitted three golden eagles in the past five years, and has released only a handful in the past decade. This contrasts with the 34 bald eagles admitted to the center thus far in 2016 alone.

The eagle released on Monday was a juvenile, hatched earlier this year. It was rescued by the side of a road in Saltville in August and admitted to the Wildlife Center in Waynesboro.

The eagle was in poor condition and had a mild eye inflammation. It received a complete physical examination, including radiographs, and was treated with fluids, anti-inflammatories and pain medications.

The eagle spent the past three months regaining strength and stamina, until center vets determined that he was ready to be returned to the wild. He has been outfitted with a transmitter, which will allow his post-release travels to be tracked.

At an elevation of 3,405 feet, Big Walker Lookout provided a site perfectly suited for the birds release. (Learn more about this family-owned and operated business at www.scenicbeauty-va.com/.)

Every year, about 2,500 animals  ranging from bald and golden eagles to black bear cubs to hummingbirds and chipmunks  are brought to the Wildlife Center for care.

The goal of the center is to treat to release  to restore patients to health and return as many as possible to the wild.

In 2011, the center launched Critter Cam, which allows wildlife enthusiasts around the world to watch a variety of former center patients, including the eagle released on Monday.

A link can be found at www.wildlifecenter.org.

 Submitted by The Wildlife Center of Virginia
The break taken since August is long enough. It's time to come out of the block and start churning for the General Election. It is not for lack of mater...

5 days ago
After a standoff lasting more than seven hours, a man who barricaded himself and three others in a North Side apartment Friday afternoon was arrested without incident.

The man, who was wanted on an arrest warrant, held a woman and two children under age 5 in an apartment at 3605 Kipling Ave. beginning around 2:30 p.m., Sgt. Jennifer Kane said.

Kane said the man was taken into custody after he left the residence shortly before 10 p.m.

The woman and two children were checked by medical teams and have no injuries as a result of the incident, Kane said.

The man was believed to have access to weapons, Police Chief Mike Koval said.

Kane said the woman and children had been prevented from leaving the apartment.

SWAT team negotiators were in communication with the man to bring the standoff to a peaceful conclusion.

Several blocks around Kipling Drive and Scott Lane were closed off amid a heavy police presence.

Residents were asked to stay in their homes, and motorists were asked to avoid the area during the standoff.
Rihanna and Great Britain's Prince Harry took part in HIV testing to help promote World AIDS Day on December 1. A video of their testing was posted on social media to show how easy the process is. The testing took place in RiRi's native country, Barbados.

Prince Harry met Rihanna for the first time on November 30 at the 50th Anniversary celebration of Barbados' independence from Great Britain.

"I am honored to be here representing my grandmother, [Queen Elizabeth II], as we celebrate the historic milestone of 50 years of independence of this beautiful nation," said Prince Harry. "Her Majesty visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966. The people of Barbados have held a special place in her heart ever since."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Entertainment News
WAUNAKEE  Decades of Washington-first politics have put hard-working Wisconsinites and everyone else on unsteady footing.

Though legislators in our Wisconsin statehouse have made significant progress over the past few years, theres still more to do. We must ensure that federal policies complement our work and dont set us back.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, ran against the special-interest machine that dominates Washington politics. He now has an opportunity to confront it.

In his second term, Johnson should fight against the policies that skew the economy against working Americans, including the unending stream of regulations that tends to intensify at the end of the year. Crucially, he should get rid of special tax breaks for the well-connected.

Its a pivotal time to fight against the special interests because the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress will be their last chance this year to secure corporate welfare.

With Congress now in its final weeks before the new session starts in January, outbound lawmakers have only a short time left to hand out special favors to their allies. President Barack Obama, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, and other lawmakers will seek to check off a final wishlist for select industries.

Theyll seek to preserve billions of dollars in special tax breaks for rum makers, racetrack owners, wind energy producers and the owners of thoroughbred horses. Also on their wishlist will be enacting more costly, disruptive federal regulations  the kind that have characterized the Obama administration. And one last bout of old-fashioned government spending is surely on the docket, too.

For special interests and lobbyists, end-of-the-year favors have become a holiday tradition. Some lawmakers attach corporate welfare to crucial legislation required to fund government. Some may try again this year, threatening a government shutdown in the process.

Yet these special-interest giveaways are exactly the kinds of deals that rig the economy against millions of taxpayers. Preferential tax breaks for industries are one of the more egregious examples. Nearly $19 billion worth of these breaks have already expired or are slated to expire this year, but lobbyists are working hard to extend them. A few politically connected energy corporations alone are seeking $7 billion in favorable tax treatment this year.

Tens of thousands of federal regulations also make it increasingly difficult to thrive in todays economy. The Obama administration recently added a record 527 pages of regulations to the Federal Register in just one day. Now standing at well over 81,000 pages, federal regulations govern virtually every aspect of economic activity, making it less intuitive and far costlier to work or to run a business.

And not all regulations are created equal some are especially disruptive. In recent years, the federal government has created new restrictions for workers and their employers. The federal overtime rule enacted this year requires businesses to expand costly overtime pay to a larger group of employees. For Wisconsin manufacturers struggling to keep their doors open and shops running, regulations such as this hit home.

And we can rest assured that many in Congress will want to raise federal spending. Whether its to secure their legacy back home or to make good on promises to lobbyists, lame-duck politicians have pet projects they would like our tax dollars to fund. In the three previous lame-duck sessions since 2010, Congress allowed spending to grow by a combined $8 trillion  a massive increase. With President Obama retiring, this latest lame-duck session could be the most costly yet.

These politicians are playing with money earned by hardworking Wisconsinites. We work and toil, only for it to be taken from us to fulfill someone elses agenda.

This is exactly why we need Sen. Johnson  and the entire Wisconsin congressional delegation  on our side. We wont ever have an economy that treats everyone fairly unless we have principled lawmakers in the halls of Congress working to undo the damage of decades of special-interest deals and overflowing pages of regulation.

Sen. Johnson has his work cut out for him, and it starts now.
CHICAGO  Ronald Reagan was president when Michael Madigan, a Democrat, became speaker of the Illinois House in 1983. Reagan served two terms and died in 2004, and his name adorns schools, roads, parks and an airport. A generation has passed since he left the White House.

And Madigan? He is still speaker, and has been for all but two years since he started. He appears to be as permanent a feature of the Illinois landscape as the Mississippi River.

Illinois is a blue state, voting Democratic in the past seven presidential elections. But the Democratic Partys control of the state House is not the simple result of its ability to satisfy the citizenry. Democrats have also had the help of district lines drawn to help them at the expense of Republicans.

In 2012, Democratic House candidates got 52 percent of the votes statewide but captured 60 percent of the seats, report political scientist Kent Redfield of the University of Illinois Springfield and policy consultant Cynthia Canary. In 2014, Democrats got 50.5 percent of the vote and 60 percent of the seats. This year, Madigans party again won 60 percent of the races.

Thats why Illinois Republicans may side with Wisconsin Democrats on one issue: partisan gerrymandering. In November, a federal district court struck down Wisconsins legislative map on the ground that it unfairly favors Republicans, who dominate the Legislature. It had been more than three decades since a federal court invalidated a reapportionment plan for partisan bias.

In that case, the justices upheld an Indiana redistricting plan but affirmed that a gerrymander could be so biased toward one party as to violate the Constitution. The district court said the Wisconsin plan fits the bill.

Republicans captured the Wisconsin Legislature in 2010, just in time for the decennial reapportionment. They made the most of the opportunity. In 2012, GOP candidates got 48.6 percent of the statewide vote  but 60 of the 99 seats in the lower house, the Assembly. In 2014, they got 52 percent of the vote and 63 seats.

A scholar they had asked to analyze the plan before its adoption said Democrats would need at least 54 percent of the statewide ballots to regain control of the Assembly. It was a recipe for Republican control in good times and bad.

In 1986, the Supreme Court noted that when legislators are entrusted with redistricting, the results are bound to have a partisan tilt. But it concluded there is a limit to what is permissible. Unconstitutional discrimination occurs, it said, when the electoral system is arranged in a manner that will consistently degrade a voters or a group of voters influence on the political process as a whole.

Wisconsin Republicans insist they have a natural advantage: Democrats are concentrated in cities, limiting the number of districts in which they enjoy majority strength, while Republicans are more scattered.

But the federal court said these facts dont explain the GOPs formidable edge. It is instead the product of efforts to dilute the votes of Democrats by packing large numbers into a few districts, where they cant lose, and cracking the rest into many more districts, where they cant win.

The Supreme Court (which will get this case on direct appeal) has hesitated to intervene in such matters because of a knotty question: how to separate the acceptable and unacceptable types of partisan gerrymandering. The Democrats in Wisconsin offered a formula, devised by Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a University of Chicago law professor, and Eric McGhee, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, that permits simple assessments.

What they refer to as the efficiency gap is enough to lock in GOP control in Madison for a full decade under almost any realistic conditions. The court found that the reapportionment violates the First and 14th amendments by intentionally hobbling Democratic voters. Every affected citizen, it said, is an unequal participant in the decisions of the body politic.

Illinois Republicans know how that works. For the moment, partisan gerrymandering favors the GOP because it holds power in more states. But Republicans have been its victims just as often as Democrats  and, if the Supreme Court doesnt curb the practice, will be again.

In the end, partisan gerrymandering is not really aimed at frustrating the party that is out of power. Its aimed at foiling voters who might want to remove politicians from office. As Michael Madigan can attest, it really works.
By SA Commercial Prop News

Izak Petersen, CEO of Dipula Income Fund



Dipula Income Fund today announced it intends to invest nearly R330 million to purchase three shopping centres.

Izak Petersen, CEO of Dipula Income Fund, says: The acquisitions will further our objective to increase Dipulas retail portfolio exposure to low-income households. These strategic acquisitions improve the quality and average size of properties in the portfolio. It will also improve the geographic spread of our portfolio.

The investment comprises R179,5 million for the 25,700sqm The Plaza Shopping Centre in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State; R46,2 million for the 6,000sqm Randfontein Station Shopping Centre, in Gauteng; and R104,2 million for the 14,700sqm Bushbuckridge Shopping Centre in Mpumalanga.

The acquisitions continue Dipulas focus on portfolio growth. This is its second major transaction since listing in August 2011. Dipula also recently bought Bochum, Blouberg Plaza and Nquthu Plaza for R250 million.

The new assets will grow Dipulas portfolio to 181 sectoraly and geographically diverse properties, valued at approximately R2.7 billion. The funds total size will now comprise of approximately 512 000m2 of GLA, following the two acquisitions with retail property being approximately 57%of that.

The three shopping centres will be acquired using a minimum of 30% debt funding, with the balance being equity funded. The transaction is still subject to various conditions, including Competition Commission approval.

Dipula is finalising the acquisitions financial effects and, until this is announced, it has advised Dipula linked unitholders to exercise caution when dealing in its linked units.

Dipula Income Fund is a listed property loan stock company formed through the merger of Mergence Africa Property Fund and Dipula Property Fund, two majority black-owned property funds. Dipula is externally managed by Dipula Asset Management Trust, a company with exceptional BEE credentials.
A first-of-its-kind journey along India and Pakistan border

What binds the two most talked about nations - India and Pakistan together? What makes the
Dylann Roof shouldnt be allowed to act as his own lawyer: Chandra Bozelko has this essay online at Reuters.

Harvard Pledges To Support Students Here Illegally, But They Worry: Tonya Mosley of WBUR Radio in Boston has this report .

For Judge knees together Camp: Education is power. Law professor Brenda Cossman has this essay online at The Toronto Globe and Mail.

And The Associated Press reports that  Georgia-Florida water fight now in hands of special master .

Georgia, Florida await decision as water war trial concludes: Dan Chapman of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has this report from Portland, Maine.

State Supreme Court To Hear Sandy Hook Parents Appeal In Gun Lawsuit: Dave Altimari of The Hartford Courant has an article that begins, The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from the families of nine victims and one survivor of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting against the maker and sellers of the gun used in the slaying that killed 20 children and six adults.

And Randy Ludlow of The Columbus Dispatch has a blog post titled  Its finally official: Fischer wins Supreme Court seat .

Ohio Supreme Court race decided by few thousand votes; Cincinnati appellate Judge Pat Fischer, a Republican, wins: The Toledo Blade has this report .

UCLA law clinic takes two cases to U.S. Supreme Court; Law students, faculty prepare briefs on the merits: Joshua Rich of the UCLA Newsroom has this report .

Ubers arbitration appeal at the 2nd Circuit is big test for Internet businesses: Alison Frankels On the Case from Thomson Reuters News & Insight has this post .

A Day in Court With Judge Margaret Ryan, Possible Scotus Nominee: Tony Mauro of The National Law Journal has this report .

SCOTUSDaily interviews Robert Barnes of The Washington Post: You can read the interview at this link .

Supreme Court Weighs Jailed Immigrants Right to Periodic Hearings: Adam Liptak has this article in todays edition of The New York Times.

In todays edition of The Washington Post, Robert Barnes has an article headlined Supreme Court considers whether those facing deportation can be held indefinitely.

David G. Savage of The Los Angeles Times reports that Supreme Court weighs rules for jailing immigrants who are fighting deportation.

Richard Wolf of USA Today reports that Supreme Court divided on rights of immigrants facing deportation.

Jess Bravin of The Wall Street Journal reports that Obama Administration Defends Immigrant Detention Practices Before Supreme Court; Lower court found detention practices were too harsh, saying government must provide bail after six months.

Greg Stohr of Bloomberg News reports that Deportation Clash Divides U.S. Supreme Court Justices.

On yesterday evenings broadcast of NPRs All Things Considered, Nina Totenberg had an audio segment titled Supreme Court Tests Whether Detained Immigrants Have Right To Hearing.

And at the Constitution Daily blog of the National Constitution Center, Lyle Denniston has a post titled When can a constitutional issue be avoided?
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Dec-02-2016 15:20 TweetFollow @OregonNews Oregon Switches Gears to Revive Cannabis Industry The OHA says the temporary rules provide relief for the industry while maintaining "public health protection".

Oregon Cannabis testing rules have changed again, this time for the better (we hope).

Image: Salem-News.com Photo: Kevin Saunders

(SALEM, Ore.) - The outcry has apparently been heard. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced today it is modifying testing standards for medical and recreational marijuana products with new, temporary rules that balance testing costs for the marijuana industry with public health protection for consumers. According to those most affected, testing costs have driven up consumer prices, created product shortages, and caused some processors to actually cease operations (temporarily) and furlough employees just as the holidays are upon us. Oregon Governor Kate Brown requested that the temporary rules be developed so producers and processors are able to test fewer samples, which should lower costs and create a more efficient process. The temporary rules take effect TODAY, Friday, Dec. 2. OHA is responsible for adopting testing standards for marijuana products that are necessary to protect public health and safety. These standards must take into account how the costs of testing will affect the cost to marijuana consumers. Highlights of the temporary rules: Replaces process validation with control study Cuts three process validation tests to one control study.

A processor with a process lot that passes one control study can combine samples into one composite sample, plus a field duplicate for testing, for one year, unless the manufacturing of the product changes. Removes alcohol-based solvents from testing requirement Butanol, propanol and ethanol are removed from solvent analyte list. Combines some batches for testing Samples from multiple batches may be combined for the purposes of testing for THC and CBD if the batches are the same strain.

Samples from multiple batches, even if different strains, may be combined for the purposes of testing for pesticides if the total weight of the batches does not exceed 10 pounds. Changes variance for potency testing of edibles Increases the amount of homogeneity variance in edible products to plus five percent (+ 5%). Changes labeling for potency The THC and CDB amount required to be on a label must be within plus or minus five percent of the value calculated by the laboratory. Since OHA permanent testing rules became enforceable on Oct. 1, 2016, the marijuana industry has reported to regulating authorities that testing costs are driving up consumer prices, creating product shortages, and causing some processors to temporarily cease operations and furlough employees. "The Governor has been clear about the importance of the marijuana industry to Oregon's economy," said Jeff Rhoades, marijuana policy adviser, Office of Governor Kate Brown. "This approach keeps Oregonians employed, prevents marijuana product from slipping back into the illegal market, and continues to protect public health and safety." Oregon labs have notified OHA of a total of 307 samples taken from marijuana products--from dried flower to extracts--that failed for either pesticides, solvents or both since Oct. 1, 2016. Andre Ourso, manager of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program at OHA, says he's confident the temporary emergency rules will immediately alleviate some of the regulatory burden on the industry while still ensuring that cannabis is reasonably safe for consumers and patients. "OHA understood the difficult situation that cannabis producers and growers were in with regard to the authority's Oct 1. testing regulations," Ourso said. "OHA looks forward to working with the Governor's Office and its sister agencies in developing permanent testing rules in the near future that protect the public from harmful substances, such as illegal pesticides, yet allow for the cannabis industry to succeed in a robust regulatory environment." For more information, visit the OHA website at: healthoregon.org/ommp. Source: Oregon Health Authority _________________________________________

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Prosecutor General of Armenia Arthur Davtyan addressed the Constitutional Court to review the compliance of two provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code to the Constitution of Armenia.

According to a statement issued by the Prosecutor Generals Office, the Prosecutor General requested the Constitutional Court to decide the compliance of the provisions of paragraph 2, part 2.2 of Article 407 and paragraph 2, part 2 of Article 414.2 with the Constitution of Armenia, to the extent that when stating the presence of grounds for launching proceedings of appeal they dont allow to cite and in this regard substantiate the stance not only by the final part of the Constitutional Courts decision, but also by legal positions in the descriptive-argumentation part, as well as the compliance of paragraph 1, part 1 of article 426.4.

The request states that the legal-regulation of the abovementioned provisions are not derived from the constitutional-legal status of the Constitutional Court, disproportionately limits the rights of judicial defense of freedoms and rights guaranteed by the Constitution, access to Courts, revision of a judicial act, forms unjustified obstructions for the realization of authority by prosecution in appeal of illegal and ungrounded judicial acts.
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I am Kerry Burgess. This is what I think.
And so once again we are back where we started.

Manu Samoa Sevens ended up in the bowl where no one cares, Miss Fiji cleaned out the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant on our home soil and after the grand opening of the magnificent facility airport facility last week, the excitement is quickly doused.

You see, when you have to move to the next building to stand in the boiling sun to wait for your relatives who have just hopped off the air conditioned plane, there is no doubt everyone is praying the Chinese workers can work faster so we dont have to endure this big inconvenience any longer.

The point is that after the euphoria of all that excitement to find we havent really moved anywhere. The issues that were there at the beginning continue to stare us in the face demanding answers.

Weve still got too many young children hawking goods on the streets at night. The abuse of women and children  despite all the awareness programmes  continues unabated.

Innocent members of the public have their homes robbed day and night  and even on a Sunday. And we find that life in paradise is not that pretty. It looks good from afar when in reality, the picture is a lot grimmer.

Which is funny in a not so funny kind of way. The distractions can only last for so long until reality bites and we wake up to realise there are those nagging issues screaming at us for solutions.

None more so annoying than cases of prisoners continuing to run away from where they are supposed to be locked up at Tafaigata.

The latest one featured a 22-year-old prisoner Ulumoto Ulumoto of Laulii. Ulumoto had apparently escaped from Olomanu Juvenile Center at the beginning of November but he was not recaptured and thrown back into the cells at Tafaigata Prison until last week.

In confirming this, Assistant Commissioner of Samoa Prisons and Correctional Services, Ulugia Niuia Aumua, told the Samoa Observer that they are doing their best to keep Samoa safe from these holidaying prisoners.

Come to think of it, dont you think the poor state of Tafaigata Prison is a reflection of Samoa in a way? That as long as criminals and dodgy individuals who are supposed to be in jail are living among us, we can never feel totally safe.

Weve said this before but we want to remind you again today. The government have up until this point failed to deal with instances of corrupt practises, collusion and mismanagement highlighted by the Chief Auditor and the Officers of Parliament Committee within certain public bodies. These instances have been publicised in detail on the pages of your newspaper time and time again. And yet nothing has been done about them. Ironically, when we look at some of these instances, they are the stuff people would go to jail for. And yet they have been ignored completely.

Why does it surprise us then that criminals are doing whatever they feel like on these shores? Quite often when these things happen, we tend to view them as isolated incidents. But when we step back a bit to take a look at the bigger picture, the idea that prisoners wander in and out of Tafaigata Prison at will is a picture of Samoa.

In our opinion, as a country, we have adopted such a relaxed attitude towards criminals and wrongdoing. It has become acceptable. Its almost like weve accepted injustice as the norm.

At the churches throughout the country today, they are talking about love, forgiveness, unity and all those wonderful principles. Fantastic. Nothing wrong with that. But what about justice? What about fairness? And does anyone not care about the truth anymore?

How many times have we heard things like its just another case of corruption? Another theft? Another robbery? Another rape? Another domestic violence incident? Another prison escapee? Another extra marital affair and the list goes on.

When are we going to wake up and realise that this is not normal? When will the leaders of this nation wake up and say that all this adds up so that it is reflected in many different forms.

Now lets begin with the idea that prisoners belong to jail and that a prison is supposed to house them for their entire sentence. Thats right; people become prisoners when they break the law. There is a price to pay. A big part of that is being deprived of the privileges law-abiding citizens are entitled to  including freedom of movement.

And yet judging from some recent developments at our prisons, its probably safe to say that prisoners in Samoa enjoy far more freedom than anywhere else. They are free to do whatever they want  including running away.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are talking about some of the most dangerous criminal minds in this country. They obviously feel that they are above the law and they can do whatever they want.

Doesnt that sound awfully familiar though, when we think about some of the more recent cases of abuse of public properties and corrupt practises that have been highlighted? Some of these people are still driving around in flash pimped out taxpayer-funded vehicles and living a life of luxury. And yet so many poor people continue to get poorer. There are people who dont have access to clean drinking water in Samoa.

In this country, who is prosecuted and who is not? Who is carried and who is made to walk? Are there different laws for different people? Does it surprise anyone then that criminals at Tafaigata are acting the way they do?

Weve asked these questions before but we thought now that we are over the excitement of some of the distractions, its time to really focus on the issues that matter because at the end of the day, as long as we continue to turn a blind eye and ignore them, they will always be there every time we come down from a high of some sort. And you wonder why hardly anything is working in our favour at the moment?

Have a restful Sunday Samoa, God bless!
Its burning hot but Tanielu Tauai, from the village of Leusoalii, is armed with all that he needs to feed his family.

With a kili (net to catch fish), he heads out to the sea as part of his normal routine to fetch fish for his family.

Some people might say this is a tough life.

But for the 37-year-old Tanielu, he says this is what life is all about.

I love the life out here in the village; its very free and peaceful, he told the Village Voice.

I reckon the only problem would be the many family gatherings (faalavelave) but generally speaking about life, everything is great.

You can just do your own thing and live a peaceful life in villages like this.

Returning not long ago from his wifes village, Tanielu says he just cant get used to living in any other village than Leusoalii.

I was at my wifes family house at Faleula and I realized how different life is for villages closer to town and villagers way out here, he said.

I feel that its better to remain in the villages you have grown to know rather than try and get used to living in another persons village.

Thats why I hate leaving this village, theres no place like home.

Asked about the differences between life in the rural and urban villages, Tanielu says the main difference is the respect people show one another.

In my personal opinion, there are quite a few differences between urban and rural villages, he said.

One of the main differences is, we have a lot more respect for one another in the rural villages. There is an unexplainable bond between people out here and its very nice.

The morals we hold close to us and the way we treat one another is very important. In Apia, life is very different; its very mixed.

Yes people will know one another but its hard to get a bond like what we share with one another out here.

Tanielu says that the more you know about those around you, then the fewer conflicts will arise. He explains that mutual respect is key to a lot of issues.

A lot of conflicts start from the lack of that bond, he said.

In the urban villages, when you go off and talk to the wrong person or if you say the wrong thing then a fight could break out because they dont have that bond.

For us out here, I understand who I can talk to and how I should treat that specific person.

But all in all, Tanielu says he is happy with his life in the village and he will have it no other way.

Another great thing about living out here is the freedom to do my chores in peace, he said.

Its up to me what chore I would like to do; I can go inland to my plantation or I can come out to the ocean to get some food and fish to sell.

And the one thing I keep in mind is to always do my chores with a joyful heart. My family relies a lot on both the ocean and the land for food and money.
Oka is a traditional Samoan dish consisting of three simple ingredients: fish, coconut cream and lemon.

Yet the chefs who took part in the second annual Oka Festival at the Home Cafe at Malifa yesterday hoisted the traditional Samoa delicacy to an entirely different level with their creative demonstrations.

They were not just beautiful to look at; they tasted divine.

The Home Cafe was packed with food coinsures and curious visitors who attended the Samoa Culinary Associations annual Oka Fest.

The competitors were: Taumeasina Island Resort, Rokos, Scalinis Restaurant, Sheraton Samoa Aggie Greys Resorts and Hotel, Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa, Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, Siva Afi and Apia Bottling Company.

But it was Rokos Restaurant that stole the show.

Head Chef Tino of Rokos was absolutely elated.

Its pretty awesome, he said. Today there was a bit of pressure but I thought we did pretty well.

I would like to say thanks to all the competitors and the Association for putting together this competition. Its one of the rare traditional foods. It makes us proud to be doing Samoan food.

Also present was Celebrity Chef, Peter Kuruvita. He was ecstatic to witness the hard work that all the culinary artists portrayed.

It was a pleasure to be working with the chefs in Samoa and it was an amazing honor, he said. What I saw today, skill and dedication and all of you helping each other and supporting each other was amazing.

Mr. Kuruvita stressed the importance of keeping a sanitary workplace.

Where I think we need to improve is: food safety, he said.

I think soon, well start to grow, as Samoa becomes busier, which youre going to, because this is the most beautiful place in the Pacific.

And as you do get busier and more and more people come, theres going to be demands on the supplies and on the restaurants and hotels and business to ensure that nobody gets sick.

And that, we need to start by having the right cutting boards, looking at hygiene and I mark hardest on hygiene, I think once we begin the whole route of hygiene, we can only get better and Samoa will be better to come to.

Although oka was the highlight of the event, there were plenty of food stalls that were also present at Home Cafe. Of course the kids werent forgotten, as there was a bouncy castle while the adults enjoyed an icy cold beverage, jamming to great music.
After dating for eight years, Melvin and Carla finally said their I dos on the stunning beach of Coconuts Beach Resort last Saturday in front of close family and friends.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Apulu, both 28, travelled from New Zealand to get married in paradise.

It was particularly important for Melvin to bring his bride and her family to witness the beauty of Samoa, and to show them his heritage.

According to the couple, they wouldnt have it any other way.

Melvins parents are Apulu Melvin Taupulega and Hinemoa Flora Mualia Apulu.

Carlas parents are Glen and Sue Horobin.

Melvin works in the tertiary sector as a Manager for education delivery, and Carla as a nurse at the Auckland City Hospital.

They have two children together, two-year-old Lalelei and eight month old Taupulega.
Growing up in a family of accountants, Makerita Krause, is looking to carve a new path in life.

She wants to become a lawyer.

For now it seems, the 18-year-old is on the right path.

On Friday, she was declared the Dux of Leifiifi College, setting her up nicely with the opportunity to achieve her goal.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Makerita said she is grateful to God, her parents and everyone who supported her throughout her studies.

As for the dream to become a lawyer, she said its something she has always wanted to do.

She is motivated by the many Samoan women who graduate from law schools and have gone on to hold senior legal positions in government, private sector as well as Judges in the Courts.

Its a career that I know will help and support my family in the future, she said.

Makerita is the daughter of proud parents Uini and Edel Krause.

Makeritas the eldest daughter of four siblings with roots in Saleapaga, Sinamoga and Vaimoso. She topped in Art, History, Geography and Samoan.
The government is set to receive a A$3million (T$5.7m) windfall from Virgin Samoa, the Sunday Samoan can reveal.

The amount is the dividend to be paid by the Airline to the government and the people of Samoa, a document obtained by the Sunday Samoan says.

When and where the payment will be made and presented could not be ascertained.

But the dividend payment comes as a government led task force continues to review the future of the joint venture partnership between Virgin Australia and the government in the running of Virgin Samoa.

According to a letter from Chief Financial Officer of Virgin Australia, Geoff Smith, dated 30th November 2016, the decision was made in October.

The Board resolved on 27 October 2016 to pay AUD3,000,000 dividend on 30 November 2016, a copy of the letter reads.

In accordance with Section 64 of the Samoan Companies Act, after consideration of the financial position of the Company, it can be concluded that at the date of payment;

 the Companys assets exceeds its liabilities and the excess is sufficient for the payment of the dividend

 the payment of the dividend is fair and reasonable to the Companys Shareholders as a whole, and

 the payment of the dividend does not materially prejudice the Companys ability to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of business

The letter was addressed to the Chairman and Board members of Virgin Samoa Limited. Among them are Jane Mckeon, Phil Squires of Virgin Australia, Tupaimatuna Iulai Lavea, C.E.O Ministry of Finance, former Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai and Lupesina Frederick Grey of the Grey Investment Group (G.I.G).

Virgin Samoa, formerly Polynesian Blue, flies between Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.

It is owned by Virgin Australia Holdings (49%) and the Government of Samoa (49%) with the remaining percentage owned by G.I.G.

In 2005 Virgin Blue Holdings signed an agreement with the government of Samoa to operate the joint venture airline. Its first flight was on 31 October 2005, between Apia, Auckland and Sydney.

Polynesian Blue was rebranded Virgin Samoa in 2011 and a new livery was unveiled for one of the Boeing 737-800s operated by Virgin Australia.

At the beginning of the year, a Cabinet press statement said Samoas deliberations and preparations for a new agreement is on-going and is also eyeing new agreements with other airlines.

The Samoan government has been openly unhappy with the joint venture after Virgin Airlines went into partnership with Air New Zealand.

When the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I) was asked for a comment recently, Papaliitele was coy about the state of the review.

There are some problems with the joint venture that we have now with Virgin Australia, he said. Weve noticed that a lot of benefits are not coming straight to us.

So thats why our government is now looking at finding our own airline.

We now have a committee working on finding us a new airline to carry our flag.

There is a great need to have our own airline. The main problem we now have with our joint venture is the money coming in. Thats why we are now looking at getting our own airline.

Polynesian Airlines has recently announced plans to revive its international flights operations.
Every good thing comes to an end.

And so it was for the contestants of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant who had been reveling in a very memorable week in Samoa.

Yesterday at Taumeasina Island Resort, newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands, Anne Dunn, bid farewell to the contestants and the host nation, taking the crown with her to Fiji until next year.

She was a grateful woman, thanking God, her supporters, Samoa and of course her new found friends in the contestant.

When I was crowned last night, I realised that I now represent the whole region, so I will be taking each part of you with me during this reign, she said.

This pageant provides a platform for beautiful and amazing young women coming together to uphold such values of the entire Pacific Region."

I hope that I will do you all proud, and I look forward to all the challenges that will come along the way.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Samoa Tourism Authority, Papalii Sonja Hunter, spoke on behalf of the organizing committee to congratulate all contestants.

You know in any competition there can only be one winner to be a representative of the Pacific Islands, she said.

But the pageant last night was truly amazing. And for that, we believe that you are all winners, and we thank Lord for that."

You all presented yourselves and represented your countries very well. So congratulations once again to you all.

She encouraged the contestants to be strong.

As we said before, this is but a stepping stone to who you will become for our nations and for our regions. We encourage as we have always been told when we were young that we will go through different phases of life, but whatever we go through is supposed to strengthen us, nurture us, to who we will be in Gods calling.

She also thanked the former Miss Pacific Islands, Abigail Havora, for being a great help.

All the eight contestants, including the newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands, received prizes from the different sponsors. There was also a gift exchange among the contestants themselves.

The next Miss Pacific Islands will be hosted by Fiji.
An unexpected change to the age whereby vehicles can be brought to Samoa is causing problems for car dealers.

Up until now, imported vehicles up to 12 years old were allowed.

But the change to limit vehicles eight years old or less by next year, is already affecting car dealers.

Since the road switch, any car from the year 2004 onwards, was allowed into the country.

However, the sudden change from Cabinet means only cars from 2009 can be imported - effective on January 2017.

The change is to address the increasing number of vehicles being imported especially cars that do not last for long.

This has created a lot of problems for car importers.

The Manager of Alnima Motors, Shahjahan Fazor, told the Sunday Samoan they were only made aware about the change recently.

He said the short notice means their bulk order scheduled to arrive early next year, might have to be returned.

This is the busiest time of the year and we have already processed our orders to arrive next year, said Fazor.

The short notice really does affect our business because we made our orders three months prior because of the long process. We have already processed about 40 cars from year 2004  2005 that will get in next year.

The Manager said that while an early shipment from Japan arrives next week with 16 cars, the biggest lot comes after the cut off date of the permitted imported year of 2009 by January next year.

He added that he has already gone to see the Prime Minister about the issue and hopes there will be some help.

If we dont get anywhere, then we will have to return the whole order from Japan which will cost us quite a lot of money.

Fazor estimated the cost of the 40 vehicles processed to arrive next year to be half a million. The change, he said, will not only affect his business but it will also affect customers in general.

He explained that the cost of vehicles from year 2004 is affordable with a selling price ranging from $12,000 to $15,000.

However, the prices of vehicles from years 2009 onwards, are a lot more expensive.

A lot of people come with a budget of $12,000, said Fazor.

The value of vehicles from 2009 onwards is around thirty grand upwards which is a lot of money. I think that even the people will be struggling to pay for their own vehicles.

It was not possible to get a comment from the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.). All queries about the change are referred to the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.

The M.W.T.I. Minister, Papalii Niko Lee Hang was contacted for comment. He is outside of the country for a meeting in Mexico and will not be back until two weeks time.

According to notices at the L.T.A. compound, the public is hereby advised on the change of the year of any vehicle imported to Samoa to become effective as of 1st January 2017.

This new change is now eight years from the 12 years as it was before, says the notice.
The long serving Director of Catholic Schools in Samoa, Aeau Chris Hazelman, is moving on.

Aeau, who is also the Pro Chancellor of the National University of Samoa, announced during the St Josephs College prize giving that his work with the Catholic education system has come to an end.

The decision was made by the Catholic Church, he said.

Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Aeau said he has accepted the decision and that it is time for him to move on.

This is the decision from the church and plus I have been here long enough, he said. Thirteen years is long enough."

For me personally, its time for me to move on. Thirteen years is a long time and in this current position, I feel that it is time for a change.

Over the years, Aeau said he has experienced some extreme highs and many lows, but all were part of the challenge to improve the educational experience not just for the Catholic Church system but for Samoa as a whole.

He has learnt a lot and among the first lessons was to deal with the media.

I have learnt a lot especially dealing with parents who are not all the same, he said.

Ive also learnt how to deal with the people of the church, the different religious orders and also how to deal with the teachers because as you know, the larger number of teachers in the churches are neither brothers nor nuns.

Being at the forefront of a religious-driven education system is much more than looking out for the interest of Catholic educated students.

I have also learnt a lot in working with the Ministry of Education and all of the other mission schools, the private sector and of course through the church."

It offered me the opportunity to show my gifts and talents as a teacher and an educator especially working together with N.U.S., S.Q.A. and many other organisations"

I have always been a firm believer that it doesnt matter which school it is, these kids are the children of Samoa and that has always been my motto to work hard for these students who are our children. So those are some of the things that I have learned in the thirteen years I have been here.

Aeau has grown with the jobs. And part of that is due to the many challenges.

Well you can see my grey hairs, he said with a smile."

In education one of the biggest challenges is, I mean the work is very important because its the children of Samoa, however we need teachers."

We need committed and dedicated teachers but we also need teachers with the academic backgrounds who can do the job out of the love for the job".

I am not ashamed to say that we dont have enough teachers because as much as we love the job, the key element of this is the salaries.

Aeau went on to say as much as there are teachers needed, the teachers also need to find workplaces that will benefit their families economically.

They need to look after their families as well so this is where the problem lies and we see the importance of the work but we see that people will go to where there is enough (money) to help with their families as well, he said.

Another issue is the family home environment where these kids are growing up. As I have said before, the first classroom for the children is home."

[And] as you can see there are a lot of problems arising in our country nowadays because there is something wrong with the home environment."

Its not just economics, there are also problems arising from families who are very rich, Christian families and ministers kids as well."

There are issues with people who you thought came from good backgrounds but yet their environment is not good. So these are some of the issues and challenges that I have seen during my time and they need a lot of work.

As for the immediate future, Aeau said he needs rest.

Right now I will still be attached to education in some way, but at the moment to be very honest, Im going to rest, he said.

Im tired and if there is one thing that pushes this job, it is stress."

You know with this job you get so committed to it that you dont look after yourself so to answer your question Im going to take a break to recharge the batteries and then Im sure there will be something there."

But as I said before, Im still a teacher and Ill always be a teacher and if there should be a call for me to help out in one way or another, I will do it."

But for now - first things first I want to finish off my school year and then take a rest.

So did you love what you were doing? Aeau was asked.

I would not have stayed for 13 years if I didnt, he said frankly.

I have been in Catholic Education for over 20 years I mean I graduated in 1993 and I went straight into Catholic Education so thats a long time.

The reason why I love the job is that first of all, I truly believe that there is no greater feeling than engaging with a student who finds it very difficult to learn, but is interested, and not only are they interested but they actually want to do the work."

The key element is that the teacher will have so much pride when they see their students are doing well in life."

Even today when I was sitting on that stage I saw so many parents who were my students back then and who are now parents."

And thats when it hit me, Man Im old!

I wouldnt go through this stress if I didnt love it, and the reason why is that not only the kids are learning from us but we are also learning from them.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Indian police are investigating hackers who infiltrated Twitter accounts belonging to the opposition Congress party and sent out a barrage of abusive posts.

The hackers targeted the party's main Twitter account and that of party vice president Rahul Gandhi, posting racist and homophobic slurs in expletive-laden messages, party spokesman Randeep Surjewala said Thursday.

They also attacked the party's website and servers, and threatened to publish private emails of Congress members, Surjewala said. The posts were quickly deleted.

The Indian government minister in charge of information technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said he asked Twitter to remove the offensive tweets. Congress party leader Kapil Sibal urged the government to ensure better online security.

New Delhi police said they were investigating and had asked Twitter to provide details of the hackers, including their IP address.
Record Labels Shift From Promoters To Storytellers As Power Fades

In this piece, David Emery remarks on record labels' directional shift towards promoting and selling artists "stories" as their power and influence in the music industry begins to fade.

____________________________

Guest post by David Emery, VP Global Marketing Strategy for Kobalt Label Services

I was talking recently with someone I know who works at a music media company. I say media company both to be purposefully vague but also because I struggle to think of a better term that encompasses the merging worlds of distribution, retail and promotion.

Day in, day out, they get pitched music.

They told me that the latest thing that record labels are talking about is storytelling.

This makes a lot of sense, because labels have always been natural storytellers. The original story was that if you wanted to get your music into shops, into the hands of the public, you had to sign a record deal. It was a good story, a true story, and I think we can all agree that the labels did pretty well out of telling that tale.

Fast forward several decades, and the story started to change a little. The details adapted  like a shocking, unbelievable-because-its-made-up story you see flash past on Facebook every 3 years  but the underlying message is the same. Rather than were the only ones that can get you in to stores, as distribution got easier the story became were the only way you can have a hit.

When you get wined and dined, paraded through fancy offices and artist lounges with platinum discs sagging off the walls and have A&Rs flying in to see your show deep in some middle America Trumpland backwater, this story, it turns out, is still pretty convincing.

But its power is fading, and the labels know it.

Thats why they have a new narrative, which is that they, with their years of experience making and breaking artists, are the best storytellers. If you want to make it  and you want to make it, right?  youve got to have a good story. And theyre the ones to tell it.

Its an interesting, necessary, and above all smart pivot. The industry, as I may have mentioned once or twice previously, is going through a radical change with the transition to streaming. This is no mere format shift, but a complete change in the way fans engage with music, and a complete change with how artists release it. The days of focusing on a week 1 sales spike, throwing half your budget into outdoor and TV advertising in the hope that you chart well, are not gone, but are getting less and less important.

Whats becoming important is time. Your campaign now lasts for as long as people might want to listen to the music, which is a damn sight longer then how long they might keep considering to buy it. Not only that, but directly advertising to push people towards a stream doesnt make any economic sense in the way that pushing a CD or download did.

To keep people interested over time, then, you need to tell a story. A story with multiple beats, multiple moments that get peoples attention, over and over again. You need to elevate above the noise. Often the story once was heres an album, its good but now it needs to be a bit more creative then that, and much, much longer.

Your story needs to be a novel, not a press release.

So the labels have it figured out then? Theyve smartly reconfigured themselves to be best placed to navigate the modern music landscape?

Well, yes and no. On the one hand they are doing the right thing, and in no way do I want to come across as label-bashing because that would, quite frankly, be a very short sighted way at looking at the landscape. Theyre talking the talk in terms of how you need to reapproach artist development, and it would be a fool that didnt take them seriously. While they may be bastions of the old guard, that doesnt mean theyre not smart.

The bit that causes the problem is the inherent presumption  and the story that goes with it  that they are the only ones that can do this.

Let me tell you a story of an artist that shows you the other way that it can work now, and why the labels are having to attempt to repitch themselves as indispensable all over again. This is a true story, but Im going to keep it anonymous because this is representative of a whole wave of artists building careers right now.

So, this artist records a few tracks themselves in  literally  their bedroom. This, of course, wouldnt be possible to a high standard even 15 years ago, so this is a new start to the story even though it seems commonplace.

They get the tracks out, but rather then a few years back when they would have put it on SoundCloud, maybe get attention but certainly no cash, they get it out on all digital services. The main one that matters here is, of course, Spotify, but thats only right now  I think as we see diversification in the streaming space, this story only gets amplified.

The tracks are good. People like them. The tracks find themselves on a few tastemaker playlists, which end up spreading the music to other playlists  including Discover Weekly and Fresh Finds (again, Spotify specific right now, but they work, so will be copied). The tracks build up significant numbers.

Lets stop here and do some maths.

If you have 4 tracks, to make $10,000 each one only needs to be streamed a bit over 500,000 times. If you get traction with your music on Spotify, or another service, this isnt a huge number.

So, now you have $10k.

You use that to hire a small team around you, mostly consisting of publicity in your home market. Maybe some radio too if youre not in the US where its crazy expensive. You also have a bit more cash to work with to put into the recording of your next EP.

That EP does even better. Youre building a fanbase. You start playing shows, which you can make work based off the earnings youre getting from the two EPs youve got out  dont forget, the first one is still growing, as your fanbase grows. The shows start selling out, as soon as you put them on sale.

You put out a mixtape of a bunch of stuff youve been working on, but isnt your main album  youre not quite ready for that yet. This all does well too. Your catalogue now covers over 25 tracks, all constantly earning you money. You put out another EP. You get a playlist on Radio 1. You sell out 1000 cap rooms in London, and similar sized venues in the US. You build up your team.

And you can keep this trajectory going  building out your team, working with people that fill in all of the functions of a label, without signing away your business. Theyre saying that they are storytellers, that they can build your career, build your brand, and theres no doubt theyre very good at that. But when you can afford to pay for that expertise yourself, that narrative just doesnt seem to ring so true.

And anyway, this new story makes things much, much more interesting.

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Think a minuteEdwin Thomas was one of the greatest actors in the 1800s.

He became world-famous for his acting performances in Shakespeares plays.

Edwins two brothers, John and Junius, were also actors, but they were not as talented as Edwin.

Then one night, almost like a Shakespearean play, tragedy hit their whole family.

The brother, John Wilkes Booth, shot and killed the American President, Abraham Lincoln, while Lincoln was in a theatre watching a play.

After that night Edwin Thomas Booths reputation was greatly hurt.

In fact, shortly after his brother killed President Lincoln, Edwin actually quit acting and ended his very successful career.

Many years later Edwin tried to return to acting for a time, but he was never the same because he was filled with terrible shame and guilt from his brother murdering the President.

One night, Edwin was getting on a train when it suddenly moved and jolted forward.

A young man next to him slipped and fell down onto the track by the moving train. Very quickly, Edwin risked his own life to reach down and pull the man back up to safety.

A few days later Edwin received a letter of thanks from the man whose life he had saved.

The man had recognized Edwin as the famous actor and wanted to thank him again in a letter.

Amazingly, that young man whose life Edwin had saved was Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of the man Edwins brother had killed.

So while one brother had killed the President, the other brother had saved the Presidents son.

Think a Minute...
In what appears to be a medical first, a stem cell-based treatment for the root cause of Parkinsons disease has been accepted for human testing.

The Australian governments approval for Carlsbad-based International Stem Cell Corp., or ISCO, also represents a milestone in the companys quest to develop its own kind of stem cells for therapy.

If all goes according to plan, doctors will implant replacement brain cells into 12 Parkinsons patients, probably in the first quarter of 2016, said Russell Kern, the companys chief scientific officer. These are called neural precursor cells, a slightly immature kind of neuron. The cells will finish maturing in the brain into the kind of neurons destroyed by the movement disorder.

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The neural precursor cells are derived from the companys parthenogenetic stem cells, which are produced from unfertilized human egg cells.

The Australian government gave its clearance last week. One more approval is required by a review board at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, where the clinical trial will take place. Kern said the company chose to test in Australia because that nations clinical trial system is more interactive, which allows for better collaboration with Australias Therapeutic Goods Administration on trial design.

This will be the first Parkinsons trial using replacement brain cells grown from stem cells, according to the clinical trial tracking site clinicaltrials.gov. The test will be conducted by ISCOs Australian subsidiary, Cyto Therapeutics.

The treatment aims to directly fix the root cause of the disease  a loss of neurons that make dopamine. This loss causes Parkinsons patients to experience tremors, stiffness and slowing of movement. Speech may also become slurred and swallowing difficult, possibly causing the person to choke. If this therapy is proven safe and effective in restoring normal movement, it would be the first of its kind.

The approach raises the possibility of a cure for Parkinsons, or at least an extended time of relief from its symptoms. Success would also be good news for attempts to use stem cells to treat other diseases that cause degeneration of the brain, including Lou Gehrigs disease, or ALS.

Publicly traded ISCO has been developing its parthenogenetic technology for many years on shoestring financing, with a market valuation to match. As of the close of trading Friday, the companys total market value amounted to just $11.1 million.

The companys scientists have published well-regarded research. But even if the technology works well, theres still plenty of competition from other types of stem cells.

Parthenogenetic cells act much like embryonic stem cells. Theyre valued for their quality of pluripotency  the ability to turn into nearly any kind of cell in the body.

But many people who oppose abortion find the use of embryonic stem cells to be ethically objectionable, because getting the cells requires killing embryos. ISCO said its cells remove that objection, since no embryos are killed in its process.

Parthenogenetic stem cells arent used as widely as embryonic stem cells or another type called induced pluripotent stem cells, which also mimic embryonic stem cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells can be grown from skin cells, which also avoids the abortion issue.

In addition, adult stem cells are being tested for a variety of diseases, including Parkinsons. This category of cells includes mesenchymal stem cells, which appear to have regenerative properties throughout the body. One proposed clinical trial in Indonesia planned to use these cells to grow replacement brain cells, but it couldnt recruit enough patients.

And La Jollas StemGenex is recruiting Parkinsons patients for a clinical trial of stem cells isolated from the patients own fat tissue, called stromal vascular fraction stem cells.

Many other attempts at stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases are offered at stem cell clinics that dont go through a countrys government-approved clinical trial process.

Another strategy

The ISCO approach to Parkinsons is much the same as that of a San Diego group called Summit for Stem Cell, which uses induced pluripotent stem cells. That nonprofit is raising money for a clinical trial.

While ISCO is deriving its replacement neurons from unfertilized egg cells, Summit for Stem Cell is producing them from the patients themselves.

Both groups intend to transplant the cells while they are still slightly immature, so they can finish their development in the brain. Animal studies suggest this method is best for producing cells with the desired functions. Some of these neural stem cells turn into the dopamine-making neurons while others remain as neural stem cells, sustaining those making dopamine, Kern said.

Its a dual action, Kern said. Also, neural stem cells reduce inflammation, and inflammation is huge in Parkinsons.

Thats also the approach Summit for Stem Cell will take, said stem cell scientist Jeanne Loring, a leader of the Summit 4 Stem Cell project. The cells make proper connections with the brain better when they are still maturing, said Loring, whos also head of the regenerative medicine program at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla.

Thats assuming the project can secure the millions of dollars needed and get the required approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Loring said she views ISCO as a partner in fighting Parkinsons. One of her former students is working for the company, she said.

The whole idea is to treat patients by whatever means possible, Loring said.

Precedent

ISCOs choice of Australia for its streamlined regulatory process makes sense, Loring said. Her team, with U.S.-based academics and medical professionals, doesnt have the same flexibility as ISCO in looking for clinical trial locations, she said.

There is a limited precedent for these treatments.

Transplants of fetal brain cells into a small number of Parkinsons patients were performed a few decades ago. Some of those patients experienced relief, while others didnt benefit or developed uncontrollable movements.

These problems may have arisen from the variable quality of the fetal cells, Loring said. In some cases, cells from multiple fetuses were used to get enough material for a transplant.

Loring said its hoped that transplants of cells from a single source, carefully controlled for quality, will yield a better result.
Beyond the Cubicle

Surfs up at Roambi, the Solana Beach software app development company.

Just before 9 a.m. or at lunch time, youll find some of the 100 employees, wetsuits on, surfboards under the arms, heading back to their laptops.

This is not your Mad Men world of stiffs in suits and women in skirts.

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Its the 20-somethings idea of an ideal work space.

They write on walls, slouch in bean bags, don earbuds connected to iPods and work till midnight. Their job is banging out the computer code and programming for an iPad app called, Roambi -- short for roaming business intelligence. Companies around the world use Roambi to display sales data and inventories in interactive charts and graphs.

We told this to our architects (Shubin+Donaldson) when we were working on it: We want the work space to feel a little like home, said Quinton Alsbury, 35, president of product innovation of the five-year-old company. " I think because of connectivity and the ability to work anywhere, the idea of a work station or a cubicle station isnt really necessarily that relevant anymore.

The corporate culture sounds more like an undergraduates paradise: happy hours, chili cookoffs, games, toys, free snacks, flexible hours, bike racks and showers.

The homier it feels to them, the more places theyll sit outside their offices, the more relaxed it feels -- the more likely they are to spend the time, Alsbury said.

The building has its own history. Until 1981 it was the Solana Beach Theater, frequented by Hollywood stars vacationing in Del Mar. Bob and Nancy Gottfredson, active in the local historical society, remember seeing Bert Bacharach and Desi Arnaz there.

Chart House restaurants bought the two-story building for $1.1 million and, under a design by local architect Ken Kellogg, converted it to corporate headquarters, adorned on the outside by copper-capped redwood tiers.Then came Bridge Medical software company and ServiceNow, an information technology company.

Roambi (originally called MeLLmo, the name supplied by Alsburys then-3-year-old son, Kieran, who did not yet know about Elmo the Muppet) moved in 2010 when the old cubicle work stations still filled up the skylit space.

The state of the building was horrible, Alsbury said.
Thella Bowens, who has overseen the San Diego International Airport for more than two decades, announced Friday that she will be retiring, effective the end of next March.

Her plan is to return to Texas, where she once worked and where many family members currently live.

CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority for the last 15 years, Bowens, 68, formerly served as senior director of aviation at the San Diego Unified Port District when it was in charge of operating Lindbergh Field.

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Im at the stage of my life when retirement has been on my radar for a while, and the board, although it did not know exactly when, knew it was on my mind, said Bowens. I have a great relationship with the board and my staff, and its just time to retire.

The Airport Authority Board will meet Monday when it will decide a process and timeline for choosing Bowens replacement, spokesman Jonathan Heller said.

Bowens salary and benefits total nearly $380,000, according to information provided by the state controllers office for 2015.

Although there has been much debate in decades past about a possible airport expansion or relocation, Bowens said the authoritys mission has been to honor the wishes of the community to keep the single-runway airport where it is.

Thats why youve seen so much change at the airport because the community made a decision that they didnt want to move the airport as a previous study recommended, Bowens said. So were trying to make the current airport the greatest airport it could be.

Over the last several years, Lindbergh has undergone significant change, beginning with a complete overhaul of all the dining and shopping concessions, followed by a nearly $1 billion expansion of Terminal 2, which included 10 new gates.

Completed earlier this year was a $316 million rental car center that replaced the rental-car agencies lot on Harbor Drive. And the airport is in the midst of building a 2,901-space, three-story parking plaza that costs $127.8 million and will open sometime in the summer of 2018.

The airport, despite having just one runway, has also expanded its international nonstop service to include flights to London and Tokyo and next year will add flights to Germany and Switzerland.

The Green Build was outstanding, the rental car facility is one of the best in the nation, Bowens said, but the long-term legacy I leave here is really the strength of the culture we built as a business.

lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
A San Diego real estate firm that aims to own buildings used to grow medical marijuana became a publicly traded company on Thursday, opening at $20 a share but seeing its stock price fall by the end of the week.

Shares of Innovative Industrial Properties, lead by former BioMed Realty Chief Executive Alan Gold, ended trading on Friday at $18.45 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Real Estate Investment Trust raised about $62 million to buy industrial buildings for marijuana cultivation. While it eventually expects to own 10 to 20 buildings, it has two earmarked for purchase now  one in New York and one in Illinois.

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The new company didnt have any operating history in the marijuana field, and it appeared to struggle to lure institutional investors during its pre-IPO road show.

It originally hoped to raise $175 million by selling 8.75 million shares. But when it went public, it cut the number of shares offered to 3.35 million and the amount raised to $62.3 million, after underwriting discounts.

The company believes state-licensed medical cannabis growers sometimes struggle to get bank loans or other traditional financing for their businesses. One way they can free up capital is by selling indoor grow facilities to Innovative Industrial and then leasing the buildings back.

The legal cannabis industry grew 17 percent last year to $5.6 billion, according to industry research firm The ArcView Group. More than two dozen states currently allow medical marijuana, including California.

In November, California voters approved a measure to legalize recreational marijuana use, joining six other states and the District of Columbia. Innovative Industrial Properties didnt mention recreational marijuana in its IPO prospectus, focusing instead on licensed medical growers. The companys ticker symbol is IIRC.

Before Innovative Industrial, Gold co-founded San Diegos BioMed Realty, a publicly traded REIT that owned dozens of biotechnology buildings across the country. Before that, Gold was a top executive at publicly traded Alexandria Real Estate Equities, which specialized in office properties. BioMed was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone Group early this year for $4.9 billion.

mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973
A lawsuit filed last year by the American Civil Liberties Union against the city of Escondido over the citys refusal to approve a shelter for unauthorized immigrant children could hinge on whether the facility is viewed more like a group home or a detention center, officials for both sides said this week.

The federal lawsuit  which the ACLU pursued on behalf of government contractor Southwest Key Programs Inc.  claims that the Escondido City Council illegally rejected a permit for the center, which the nonprofit hoped to open in a former nursing home in the southwest part of the city.

The ACLU alleges the citys actions werent based on solid land-use criteria, as the law requires, but were motivated by hate and anti-immigrant sentiment in violation of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, gender or other protected classes.

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The city  which has filed a motion to dismiss the case  is arguing that, because the center would serve children involuntarily detained after entering the United States illegally without their parents, housing discrimination laws dont apply. Jails and prisons arent covered by the 1969 housing act.

Both the law and common sense dictate that people who are involuntarily placed in detention facilities are not protected by the Fair Housing Act, said Escondido City Attorney Jeff Epp. Southwest Key proposed to operate what is essentially a detention facility for kids. However, the very nature of a facility like this is to prevent freedom of choice in housing. We argue that all of the ACLU Fair Housing claims should be dismissed for this reason.

David Loy, the legal director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, strongly disagrees.

I think the city is wrong as a matter of fact and law, he said. Housing for unaccompanied children is not detention  its a group home. And its a group home under federal law. Thats what Congress has said.

The citys argument, taken to its logical conclusion, would say that group homes, foster homes, and any form of housing in which children are cared for by the government would be exempt from the Fair Housing Act, he added. It would be like a city saying I dont want that foster home here because your kids are black. Or, I dont want that group home here because your kids are Latino. And thats an appalling argument. The city is dead wrong on the facts and the law.

The Untied States Department of Justice in November filed a brief in the case in support of the ACLUs position, a move that Epp said proves the government is worried that Escondido will prevail.

We think the involvement by the Department of Justice, still governed by the current administration, signals a concern that a decision consistent with the citys legal claim may have negative consequences for siting future immigrant detention facilities, Epp said.

Both sides are awaiting a court date on the citys motion.

Southwest Key, which operates dozens of similar facilities in several southwestern states under contract with the federal government, announced in early 2014 that it hoped to covert the Escondido nursing home into a 96-bed facility where youths between the ages of 6 and 17 would be housed until they could be returned to their home countries or placed with family members while immigration proceedings were pending. Southwest Key said the average stay for a child in the shelter would be about three to four weeks.

During a series of public hearings on the agencys permit application, Escondido residents who lived near the proposed site vehemently argued against the plan. Some suggested that crime and disease would come with the unauthorized immigrant children who might be placed there. Others, including some City Council members, said the federal government had no right to force its immigration problems on local jurisdictions.

The council eventually voted 4-1 to reject the permit, with Olga Diaz dissenting. The council majority said the shelter was incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood for reasons including traffic, safety, parking and community character.

You cannot compare a skilled nursing facility and a detention facility and say they are the same thing, Mayor Sam Abed said. Big difference.

Diaz, who at the time was engaged in a heated campaign against Abed to become the citys next mayor, said her analysis of the land-use criteria found the shelter was appropriate for the location. She also said she supported the shelter because it would help children in need.

I may lose an election, but I will not lose my humanity, she said. Weeks later, she lost the mayoral election in a landslide.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction against the city that would allow Southwest Keys to operate a center in Escondido, even though the original site has since been converted back into a nursing home. Its unclear whether the nonprofit would pursue another site or whether a shelter is still needed there. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said 58,000 unaccompanied minors had been detained nationwide crossing into the U.S. In 2015, that number dropped by nearly half, though it appears to be slightly increasing again this year, officials said.

City officials believe at this point all the ACLU wants is money. The suit seeks damages for Southwest Keys to compensate for the loss of the contract to operate the site, as well as attorneys fees, which are likely to far exceed any damages.

In court filings, the ACLU said traffic and parking data supported the permit application. The group also called out Escondido for a history of what it said were anti-immigration policies, including the passage of a 2006 ordinance that would have punished landlords who rented to unauthorized immigrants. A federal lawsuit settled by the city in 2007 invalidated the ordinance.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Carlsbad residents have until Dec. 15 to weigh in on a new plan for how the city will meet its low-income housing needs through 2021.

The state-mandated document, known as a Housing Element, helps ensure that cities will be able to shelter their growing populations  especially those who have low incomes or special needs, such as the elderly and the handicapped.

Carlsbads population is expected to grow by 12 percent in the decade ending in 2020, according to a recent draft of the housing document.

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We need  to make sure that we still have adequate space to accommodate housing for all income levels, Carlsbad Principal Planner Dave de Cordova said last week.

Two large Carlsbad residential developments now being built  Quarry Creek and Robertson Ranch  will include dozens of homes designated for low and moderate income residents, and more low-income housing is planned.

Housing is one of seven elements required in the every California citys General Plan, which also has guidelines for public safety, recreation, transportation, the maintenance of open space and more.

While the General Plan and most of its elements need to be updated every 20 years, the state requires cities to update their housing elements more frequently.

Carlsbad updated its General Plan just last year, but the Housing Element is due for an update. While the new document will only go to 2021, future updates will be good for eight years.

Housing elements are updated more frequently because they are so important to residents who need affordable shelter, de Cordova said.

The planning document can affect rental assistance or mortgage down payments, also enforcement of fair housing laws, he said.

It also lists all the citys existing affordable housing, and helps the city decide where developers will be encouraged to build new low-income housing, such as near transit centers and other accommodations.

Carlsbads expected 12 percent growth is considered moderate for the region, less than whats expected in nearby cities like San Marcos and Escondido, and similar to the region as a whole, according to the draft Housing Element.

Other housing-related details included in the element include information about where people live, how much money they make, any disabilities they may have, and more.

Housing plans can be controversial because they help cities decide where to build low-income housing.

Encinitas, which hasnt updated its housing element since the 1990s, tried to break the logjam by putting a measure on the Nov. 8 ballot. Encinitas voters rejected that proposal, which would have changed zoning to allow taller, more densely populated buildings for low-income residents in specific areas across the city. Many of the objections to the Encinitas plan were based on the traffic the housing would bring.

Carlsbad needs no zoning changes in its Housing Element and anticipates no problems getting the state to certify the update, de Cordova said.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
For a teacher who loves traveling, winning a globetrotting fellowship is about as good as it can get.

Doug Banwart, who teaches modern world history to sophomores and United States history to juniors at Ramona High School, recently won a 2016-17 fellowship with the Teachers for Global Classrooms Program. Its a year-long professional development program for U.S. teachers at all levels that enhances their skills to become leaders in global education.

I love to experience new cultures, travel, said Banwart in an interview. Ive done a lot of mission trips with my family to Mexico. Ive also gone to France and England, and spent a summer in Sierra Leone, where I had the time of my life. Its the third-poorest nation in the world, but it was an awesome experience, and opened my eyes to travel.

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So he looked online for free teacher study tours, found several, and applied.

I applied in March (to TGC), and found out I won in June, said Banwart, a 10-year teaching veteran. So I was doing the happy dance. To be accepted  one of 75 accepted out of 500 applicants  its a great honor. Im thrilled to be a part of it.

Seven California teachers, including Richard Froehbrodt, who teaches at Franklin Elementary in San Diego, were awarded fellowships this cycle.

TGC is run by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), an independent nonprofit whose website says it is dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. The 20142015 group of 77 fellows reached more than 10,000 students in their home communities, according to TGC.

In September, Banwart and his co-winners took part in an online webinar and introduction to a 10-week course on global education. It exposed us to different viewpoints and strategies for implementing a global focus into our lessons, he said.

That included discussions on what people in the U.S. can do to help solve world problems, such as poverty and climate change.

A lot of global issues were discussed, and what would be the best way to tackle them  as a global nation, if you will, Banwart said.

In February, hell attend a Global Education Symposium in Washington, D.C. There hell learn where hell be posted for several weeks this summer. His preliminary regional choices were East Asia and North Africa/Mediterranean. Chances are good that Ill get the Philippines, China, Vietnam or Japan, Banwart said.

He does know that hell be touring schools, interacting with students and teachers on how they do education there  things that the U.S. and that country could tackle together.

Technology will be a big component for the teachers, he said, because well need to communicate with people around the world. Hes already using programs and apps such as Padlet and Thinglink to share and connect with other teachers.

Its been great, Banwart said of the fellowship so far. It makes you feel energized as a teacher. That definitely extends down to the kids. Its like a shot in the arm.

Global connectivity may sound like a trendy buzzword to some, but Banwart sees a positive aspect for educators and their students. Ive been trying to globalize my curriculum so students realize its a big world out there, he said. We have common problems, and we need to be able to tackle them together. Especially in the global marketplace  were competing with people from all around the world.

Teachers for Global Classrooms can help, he said, by just bridging the gap so theres less misunderstanding. We can focus on what brings us together, instead of what divides us.

Visit https://www.irex.org/project/teachers-global-classrooms-program-tgc.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com
Former Sen. Scott Brown won a surprising ally this week in his quest to become President-elect Donald Trumps Veterans Affairs secretary: Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Warren, a leader of the Democratic left and one of Trumps sharpest-tongued critics, has been a longtime nemesis of Brown. She defeated him in 2012 in one of the most bitter and costly Senate elections in recent years, then campaigned against him two years later when he tried in vain to win a Senate seat in neighboring New Hampshire, and has mocked him ever since as the biggest loser.

Brown, a Republican, has been one of Warrens harshest critics too, making her undocumented claims of Native American heritage a central campaign issue in their 2012 race. Trump latched on to it when he referred to Warren repeatedly as Pocahontas throughout his own public feud with her. As recently as June, Brown challenged Warren to take a DNA test to prove her ancestry and attacked her for character flaws while speaking on Trumps behalf.

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Such bitter animosity has faded, Brown said.

Relations between the two have been thawing for a while, he said, at mutual appearances including a recent celebration in Boston for an employee who worked in both of their Senate offices handling constituent problems. Brown said that Warren, her husband and her staff made him and his family feel especially welcome as they celebrated the employee, who had been a holdover from the time when their Senate seat was occupied by Edward M. Kennedy.

Thursday night, Warren phoned Brown and they spoke for 15 minutes about their families, veterans and Senate dysfunction, Brown said. Warrens office confirmed the call.

The friendly conversation occurred on the same night that top aides to Hillary Clintons and Trumps campaigns argued heatedly over their election battle at a Harvard forum, a reminder that the countrys ugly divide over politics has not ended for many. Brown said he remembers all the barbs between him and Warren, and he did not quite apologize for his end. But he spoke humbly about the need to move on.

Weve been trying to tone things down for quite a while, Brown said in a phone interview. She won. I lost. She was jabbing at me and I was jabbing at her. 

It wasnt who I am. I [am] a better person. I dont mind disagreeing on politics and policy. The personal stuff, as I get older, Im trying to be better.

Warren made her support for Brown public earlier Thursday on WGBH radio in Boston while criticizing Trumps pick for Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, whom she derided as a man who was responsible for turning the lives of millions of people upside down financially.

Warren had much kinder words for Brown.

If Scott Brown is the nominee for Veterans Affairs, I have no doubt that he would put his heart and soul into trying to help veterans, and I would put my heart and soul into trying to help him do that, she said. You bet Id support him for that.

Warren also gave support, albeit more qualified, for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as a potential secretary of State.

Id like to hear more, but I think Mitt Romney is a smart man and and I think hes got a pretty level-headed view of the world, she said.

Brown thanked Warren on Twitter, and added in his phone interview that he was gratified that some of Warrens liberal supporters sent him social media messages pointing to Warrens validation as the basis for their newfound trust. Brown said he did not know of Warrens support in advance, adding that Warren was probably merely responding to a question, rather than making a planned pitch.

Brown, who retired from the National Guard in 2014 after 35 years, has been a longtime veterans advocate dating to his days as a state senator. He has no significant administrative experience, which could hinder his bid in running a sprawling bureaucracy that will be central to fulfilling Trumps campaign promise to repair the agency and improve veteran care.

But he was an early and enthusiastic Trump endorser in New Hampshire, where he now lives, and seems to have a strong relationship with Trump. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has also been reported as a potential candidate for the job, which may help Brown in winning support from senators who find her too polarizing.

Warrens three brothers served in the military, and Brown said the commitment to veterans that he and Warren share is sincere. Trumps spokesman did not respond to questions about Brown.

The detente came as a surprise, and drew some skepticism.

Maybe shes damning him with excessive praise, said Rob Gray, a veteran GOP political operative in Massachusetts. Its hard to say what her motivations are. It may be just whats she says it is. You have to wonder if Trump may think  if my enemy is your friend, maybe I should have second thoughts about you.

Brown dismissed that theory. We are people first, he said. This isnt about me or her or Trump or anybody making criticisms. Its about our veterans.

Peter Ubertaccio, director of the Martin Institute at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., said it would smack of knee-jerk partisanship for Warren to oppose Brown, who has a record of helping veterans. But he does not expect the two to form a deeper alliance.

I doubt that the relationship becomes warm and chummy in the way weve seen other partisans like Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter bury the hatchet or President Clinton and the first George Bush, he said. What this demonstrates is that people like Warren and Brown and plenty of others in Washington are able to compartmentalize.

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

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Judith Shaplin previously worked as a medical assistant and had an X-ray technicians license when she began working for Mountain Health as a receptionist in 1985. The non-profit community health organization started as a part-time clinic staffed by volunteers and serving the residents of San Diego Countys rural Mountain Empire region. Growing up in Boulevard, Shaplin was familiar with the lack of health care resources available in a rural area.

I love the field of medicine, but I never thought of being in the administration part of it, she says. I was always passionately concerned about how the people in our rural communities did not have a doctor close by. Our closest one was in Alpine, which was over 45 miles away from Boulevard.

In the more than 30 years Shaplin has been with Mountain Health, shes worked her up from receptionist to president and CEO of the organization, overseeing its expansion and growth while continuing to advocate for access to health care for underserved and underinsured people.

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Shaplin, 64, lives in El Cajon with her husband and took some time to talk about the organization, her work there and how access to care benefits rural communities.

Q: Did you always have aspirations of becoming CEO?

A: I had only worked in private practice before I worked at Mountain Health. It was a steep learning curve for me since it was a rural health clinic, at the time. I had to learn all the regulations and programs that went with being a licensed community clinic in California.

Q: What changed?

A: I saw how the elderly people struggled to stay in their homes as they aged. And as a young mom, it was difficult taking my children to their pediatrician in El Cajon when they were ill or for a check-up. It was a one-hour drive each way.

Q: What are your responsibilities at Mountain Health?

A: Since 2013, one of my main priority responsibilities has been fundraising for our capital campaign for our new Comprehensive Medical Center that is currently being built in Campo.  Additionally, my primary responsibility is to advocate for underserved and underinsured residents in the communities that we serve so that all residents have access to quality and cost effective health care. I still passionately advocate for local access to care for all rural residents in San Diego County.

What I love about El Cajon ...

Its quiet and close to the freeway.

Q: Before becoming CEO, you worked as office manager, operations manager, executive director and other positions. Do you think working in these other capacities has helped you in your role as CEO?

A: Yes. It helped me gain experience in managing staff and learning how to manage and implement programs effectively and efficiently. I learned how to write and manage and implement grants. When the organization was smaller, I wore many hats and learned all the management positions, including CFO and human resources. It helped me understand how to run, manage and grow the organization. And, more importantly, grow the organization to meet the health care needs of first, the rural communities and then, the urban communities that we serve.

Q: Were there specific health issues that needed addressing during the time you were growing up in Boulevard in the 1960s?

A: All health-care issues needed to be addressed: asthma, diabetes, pregnancy, appendicitis, broken bones.

Q: What kinds of health resources were available to address those issues?

A: We either went to Alpine to the private practice, or to the Navy/Air Force Base in El Centro since my father was in the Navy and was stationed at Naval Base San Diego on 32nd Street.

Q: How does having access to health care nearby affect a persons quality of life?

A: Accessing services is more challenging in a rural community since the residents can live 25 to 30 miles from the health center and transportation is always a problem. There is little to no public transportation services (no buses, no taxis).

Regularly scheduled check-ups are the key to good health. Finding a problem early can mean the difference between a good outcome versus a poor outcome. Living in a rural area, most people tend to only seek care when they are sick and put off any wellness visits due to the challenge of accessing care. Having the new health center, which will open in the spring of 2017 (in Campo), will provide services that have not been available in 950 square miles, and which will transform the lives of the rural residents of East County. Dental, optometry, pharmacy and X-rays will be more readily accessible and will greatly improve their overall health by their ability to access health care in a timely manner.

Q: What is your response to concerns regarding changes to the Affordable Care Act and how that will affect the ability of people to access health-care services, particularly since the recent presidential election?

A: I am confident that even with the presidential election, that any potential changes in the Affordable Care Act will be done thoughtfully and with consideration for the people who now have access to care who have not had the resources to obtain it before it was enacted.

Q: How has Mountain Health evolved over the years?

A: There have been several evolutions through the 31 years that I have been with the organization. We have evolved from an organization that only served rural residents to serving both rural and urban communities. We also evolved from being a rural health to a federally qualified health center and we have evolved to include community services in our mission.

Q: Whats your goal for the organization?

A: To provide quality health care to the patients that we serve and that we are accessible to their needs.

Q: Whats been challenging about your work?

A: Trying to advocate for rural health needs in an urban county that doesnt understand that they have rural areas.

Q: Whats been rewarding about your work?

A: Mentoring executive and management staff. Learning how to advocate at a county, state and federal level on both rural and underserved health care needs.

Q: What have you learned about yourself as a result of your work?

A: That I could overcome shyness and be able to speak publicly. I didnt think I could ever do that, so its been a big accomplishment for me.

Q: What is the best advice youve ever received?

A: Be myself and have fun. And to keep my sense of humor.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: I love rock concerts.

Q: Describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: Spending time with family and dinner with my husband.

Email: lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @lisadeaderick
The House of Representatives on Friday overwhelmingly approved a compromise spending package designed to expand the size of the military, increase pay for troops and aid California National Guardsmen who have been battling government efforts to recoup signing bonuses awarded during the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

The 375-34 vote in favor of the $619 billion National Defense Authorization Act followed intense, bipartisan talks between House and Senate leaders to overcome a threatened veto by President Barack Obama, who has expressed concern about signing a bill that would bust the federal budget and squish civilian entitlement spending.

Lawmakers also stripped out some controversial measures in the defense bill, including a push to force women to register for a potential draft and legislative language that some critics believed would be used to let military contractors discriminate against homosexual workers.

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The battles we were going to have between the Republican Congress and President Obama went away when the majority realized that there was no point in fighting him when they could wait a few months for a President (Donald) Trump to jointly pursue certain goals with them, said Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, a member of the select bipartisan committee that brokered the compromise deal.

Obama hasnt indicated whether he will sign this latest version of the measure.

To Peters, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, one of the best provisions in the bill is a potential solution to an ongoing scandal involving the California National Guard.

During the past two years, Guard leaders in Sacramento have clawed back $22 million in re-enlistment incentives illegally paid to soldiers in the mid-2000s.

Although investigators found several cases of Guard wrongdoing  a paperwork clerk pleaded guilty to her role in a $15.2 million bonus-bilking scheme and three commissioned officers drew probation after fraud convictions  lawmakers said the vast majority of soldiers never intended to hoodwink the military.

Veterans advocates and many legislators have said these former soldiers are facing enormous pressure to repay the government up to tens of thousands of dollars, plus interest, when they likely lack the means.

The defense bill directs the military to waive the recouping of bonuses from soldiers who unwittingly accepted them. It also reimburses Guard members who were wrongly billed.

The burden of this fraud and mismanagement never should have fallen on our service members who bravely signed up to serve our country more than a decade ago. This will fix that mistake and begin to make our veterans and their families whole again, Peters said.

Chris Schnaubelt, a retired Army colonel who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, said the legislation is about as good as we can get for now.

Schnaubelt, a Washington, D.C.- based political scientist at the RAND think tank and the 1st vice president of the National Guard Association of California, a nonprofit advocacy group, said one of the best parts of the bill is a requirement to inform credit agencies when a soldiers bonus repayment has been forgiven.

News of the reforms thrilled Bajan Manalwalla, a retired intelligence officer who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. But when Congress returns from recess in 2017, he wants lawmakers to probe deeper into what he calls the Guards Watergate.

Theyre accusing us of fraud. Me, an officer with 26 years of honorable service, was accused of fraud with no evidence. They accused thousands of my fellow soldiers of the same thing, said Manalwalla, who received a $6,000 bonus in 2005 and has been battling the Guard for the past two years over repaying it.

Congress needs to hold hearings to investigate this scam to recover the bonuses. Do your jobs, Congress, and punish those who went after us, Manalwalla said.

Peters said theres bipartisan support in Congress for ensuring that the California bonus scandal never happens again.

Peters blocked an amendment that would have prevented the Pentagon from planning for global climate change and negotiated a land swap between the Port of San Diego and the Pentagon to help the seaside Navy Broadway Complex project move forward.

The bill sluices nearly $374 million to three Navy projects in Coronado, plus $154 million for Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.

Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, wanted to fold into the spending bill measures that would exempt the militarys Basic Allowance for Housing  a central component of most troops compensation  when determining eligibility for food stamps and 17 other federal food programs. But her measure couldnt get past a legislative roadblock.

Davis, also a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is known for advocating for military families. She vowed to bring the legislation back in January, but remained pleased that other causes she championed will become law, including $25 million to recruit, train and retain female volunteers to the Afghan Security Forces.

Davis also made sure that the Pentagon will expand maternity leave for military members  12 weeks after the birth of a child, six weeks after an adoption.

For a lot of families, especially dual military families, we have wonderful people who sometimes feel like they have to leave because they believe that having a family isnt what the military wants, she said. This is our way to say that we acknowledge the role of families by providing support to those in the military.

To Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, a key House victory in the budget battle was the 2.1 percent pay hike for the troops. The highest raise in six years keeps pace with wage growth in the civilian sector but it had been opposed by both the White House and Senate.

The legislation also adds 1,000 soldiers, 3,000 Marines and 4,000 airmen after years of declining numbers.

Both projects will combine to cost $8.2 billion, which forced lawmakers to scrap plans to buy more strike fighters needed by the Navy, Marines and Air Force.

In my opinion, its easier to build a plane than it is to make a warfighter, said Hunter, a Marine combat veteran and an ardent Trump supporter who had been on the list for the Secretary of Defense slot before the president elect chose retired Marine Gen. James Mattis.

***

The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017 includes:

-- an extra $5.8 billion to fund operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe

-- full funding for Israels missile defense system

-- a cap on the size of the National Security Council at 200 staffers

-- a ban on both the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay and transfers of terrorism suspects to the United States

-- a reauthorization of efforts to provide immigration help for Afghan translators who aided American troops and now want to come to the United States.

cprine@sduniontribune.com
For the first time since 1998, Tijuana is in mourning over the loss of a firefighter killed in the line of duty.

Joel Felix Ubach died under a crush of rubble on Monday, as he fought flames that consumed a residence in the community of Punta Bandera.

Two days later, his funeral procession brought hundreds of firefighters to the streets of downtown Tijuana on Wednesday morning, including members of the San Diego and National City Fire Departments, and representatives of Cal Fire. They walked in silence as fire engines carried Felixs casket and colorful wreaths for the funeral Mass at San Francisco Catholic Church.

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The tragedy struck Monday night when the 36-year-old sergeant and a fellow firefighter were preparing to enter a burning house off the coastal toll road to Rosarito Beach in the community of Punta Bandera.

Felix was standing by the side of the building when it collapsed, said Michael Kieley, binational liaison for the department. It took firefighters three hours to recover his body.

The companion had briefly stepped back to check on a line that had become stuck, Kieley said. He was injured, but survived.

Carlos Gopar Uribe, Tijuanas fire chief, called Felix a firefighter from the bottom of his heart, one of those who enjoyed and loved the job.

One of 430 firefighters in the department, he worked out of Station 10 in Playas de Tijuana. His death came just hours after the department celebrated the opening of the citys 17th fire station, which has now been named in his honor.

Felix followed protocol as he prepared to enter the building, Gopar said during a news conference. He blamed Felixs death on a poorly designed, poorly built structure that was carrying too much weight for its frame. I can tell you that the system didnt fail, there was no lack of machinery or equipment, Gopar said

A native of Mexicali, Felix was married and the father of two. He joined the fire department in 2002, and received numerous certifications that qualified him to work as a medic, a rescue diver, to handle hazardous materials and work in a helicopter, said Michael Kieley, the departments bi-national liaison and a longtime friend.

He was one of those guys that was always trying to teach himself more and more and more, Kieley said.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibble
At Heavenly Ski Resort, thousands of feet up in the northern Sierra Nevada, the heavy snowfall around Lake Tahoe forced the lodge to close its small roller coaster due to poor visibility this week.

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, concerns over dry conditions were quickly dispatched when more than two feet of snow dropped around the lake in just two days.

Now, if past weather patterns are fulfilled this year, experts say, Northern Californias winter  and long-term relief from years of drought  could be just around the corner for the states most important watershed.

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The Northern Sierra Nevada area has received more than 17 inches of precipitation through October and November, nearly 200% above average for the first two months of the water year, the state Department of Water Resources said. The southern portions of the Sierra Nevada, however, remain mired in drought and are only at 81% of average.

The Northern Sierra is the source for a lot of the states water supplies and the states water projectsIf we had to only get precipitation in one half of the state, having it fall up north at least puts it in the big water projects and puts it to use more broadly, said Michael Anderson, a state climatologist. Its a good start we just have to see what happens from here.

Vehicles drive through fog and light snow on westbound Interstate 80 on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, near Soda Springs, Calif. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP )

According to the National Weather Service, Octobers snow and rain was four times the average in the northern Sierra Nevada. Though Novembers totals were slightly below average compared to past years, the two months of precipitation added up to levels not seen since 1984-85, when there was 21.8 inches of precipitation, officials said.

These rains have been enough to improve long-term rainfall deficits, streamflow, and soil moisture, The U.S. Drought Report said in early November.

The region has received more than 17 inches of precipitation in that span only 11 times since record keeping began, the National Weather Service said. In 10 of those years, the region ended the water year with above average precipitation.

We are off to a busy start for winter, and last year was a record year for us across all amenities since opening in January 1972, said Brinn Talbot, spokeswoman for winter resort Tahoe Donner. We are confident it is the start of another record-breaking season here.

But the larger impact from the wet fall may not be seen for weeks or months.

Last years El Nino, though considered a bust in Southern California because most of the rain was steered north, has set up this years winter to be a potential drought-buster for some parts of the state.

Certainly, up north, weve satisfied the drought debt, so to speak.  Michael Anderson, a state climatologist

On Nov. 3, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that about a quarter of California was out of drought conditions, the best outlook the state has had since spring 2013, when 64% of the state was considered in moderate drought or worse.

The U.S. Drought Monitor relies heavily on precipitation levels and soil moisture to assess conditions, state water officials said. Because Northern Californias soil was essentially a dried sponge last year, much of the El Nino rains were soaked up instead of trickling into rivers, streams and reservoirs.

But this year the soil is in better condition, so a larger portion of the fall and winter snowpack that melts next spring could end up in reservoirs.

Certainly, up north, weve satisfied the drought debt, so to speak, Anderson said. You do start getting back to where the watershed is behaving under normal conditions.

The picture in Southern California, however, remains bleak. A bark beetle infestation that took hold in the southern and central Sierra Nevada during the drought has killed more than 100 million trees and is moving north, increasing the danger of wildfire.

When the Southland does get rain, it can be a mixed blessing, Anderson said.

Its a really fine line trying to get moisture into the region in a way that tips the scales on the beneficial side and treads lightly in terms of hazard like a mudslide, he said. Its one of those fantastic challenges of California, where the view of the state as a whole and the view of the state on a locale can sometimes be quite different.

The Nov. 29 Drought Report highlighted Andersons point. Several inches of rain were forecast for Northern California while none was expected in the south, where the National Weather Service tweeted on Friday that high winds had kicked up so much dust from a previous wildfire that it was visible from space.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.

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Anne Otterson was many things to many people.

She tenaciously fought by her husbands side when Bill Otterson, founding director of technology networking group CONNECT, battled brain cancer.

In 2014, she became the third person ever to receive a Founders Award from Project Concern International in its 53-year history.

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A talented cook, Anne combined her culinary and organizational skills to create an annual Celebrities Cook for the UCSD Cancer Center event to raise funds for what is now UC San Diegos Moores Cancer Center. Plus, she had a supporting role in creation of UCSDs Rady School of Management.

But what I will remember most about Anne, who died on Nov. 23 at age 83, is that one Christmas she asked her husband to build her a one-room school house in a Tijuana dump.

Anne had read in a newspaper about a young American teacher, David Lynch, who had spent time in Mexico and started a makeshift school for the kids of poor families living in and around the garbage dump, where they scavenged daily for reusable items.

His classroom was a blue tarp, spread amid the mounds of trash, that offered no protection from the summer heat, rain and stench of rotting food.

Annes 1985 Christmas wish was granted when Bill donated building materials and the dump families worked with Lynch to construct their own simple wooden school house. Nearly every year since, Anne has held private fundraisers to pay teachers in Lynchs ongoing education efforts.

On Thursday, a diverse cross-section of people whose lives she had touched gathered at the USD Immaculata to celebrate her life. As UCSDs Mary Walshok said, Anne could easily and gracefully walk through multiple worlds.

She died on the same day as her husband did 17 years earlier.

Pricey pads: The former Rancho Santa Fe estate of the late Roland and Ramona Sahm was identified by Business Insider in November as one of the 19 most expensive U.S. homes on the market.

At $85 million, the wood and glass structure on 210 acres, tied for 14th place with a 10,000-square-foot penthouse in a midtown Manhattan condo complex, also listed for $85 million.

The Del Dios ranch originally was offered at $92 million in February, but the price was reduced by $7 million in July.

The most expensive U.S. residence? A 56,500-square-foot estate in Los Angeles owned by model Petra Stunt, daughter of Formula One racing billionaire Bernie Ecclestone.

A file photo of San Diego Judge Gordon Thompson Jr. (Courtesy of Judge John Thompson; Earnie Grafton/U-T )

Legal circles: Jean Thompson, widow of U.S. District Judge Gordon Thompson Jr., San Diegos longest serving judge, who died last year, notes that the Thompson family legal tradition continues.

Gordons brother and father, Gordon Sr., both became judges, and his grandfather, Adam Thompson, was a trial lawyer and president of the San Diego bar. Gordons son, John, is a Superior Court judge.

On Nov. 18, grandson Andrew Gordon Thompson learned he had passed his bar exam and is now a fifth generation Thompson attorney.

Up until about the eighth grade, Andrews father once said, I thought everyones dad was either a judge, a defense attorney or a bad guy. Thats all we talked about.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news
Pacific Beach is the wrong place not to use a crosswalk.

The neighborhood accounted for nearly one in five jaywalking tickets written by San Diego police since January 2011, according to data obtained by Data Watch under the California Public Records Act.

A single street, Garnet Avenue, made up the bulk of citations issued in the area. A police department spokesman did not respond to requests for comment on the citys approach to jaywalking enforcement, or the preponderance of tickets written along the popular bar-hopping drag.

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 Interactive map: Where tickets were written

A host of boozy intersections in North Park and the Gaslamp Quarter  particularly along 30th Street and 5th Avenue  accounted for a similarly high share of the more than 4,200 tickets handed to pedestrians over the past five years.

Records show the average ticket recipient in those areas was a little younger than those found in the rest of the city, where the typical accused jaywalker was a white male, just north of 35 years old.

Tickets written in Pacific Beach and North Park also tended to be issued later in the day, and later in the week, than those written downtown. Citywide, the most common time to receive a ticket was 11 p.m. on a Thursday. Fifth Avenue, Kettner Boulevard, West Broadway and C and B streets were the most ticketed roadways downtown.

Black pedestrians made up a disproportionately high share of citywide citation recipients, picking up 16 percent of tickets despite representing 7 percent of the citys population.

Whites accounted for slightly more than their fair share of tickets, while Asians and Hispanics received fewer tickets than their share of the population would suggest.

Most of those ticketed were dinged for failing to use a crosswalk or jumping into a crosswalk too late. Pedestrians are not allowed to start crossing a roadway if a traffic signal instructs them to wait, even if theres plenty of time remaining on the countdown.

More than 100 of the pedestrians ticketed for jaywalking also received citations for a range of alleged offenses, including obstructing traffic, resisting arrest, possessing marijuana and violating open container laws.

Nearly three dozen individuals were cited more than once since 2011. Two received separate citations in a 15-minute period, each within two blocks of where they were first ticketed.

Its not clear how much courts collected in fines associated with such offenses. A spokeswoman said the San Diego County Superior Court does not keep data on cash collected from jaywalking defendants, who face a maximum fine of around $200.

Attorney Elizabeth Aronson said the base fine for jaywalking actually starts at $20, but rises rapidly as state and local authorities tack on penalty assessments meant to fund municipal programs.

Aronson, a longtime traffic court lawyer, is often able to get those fines suspended, though she said some courts arent as lenient as they used to be.

The DMV is not supposed to find out about non-traffic infractions like jaywalking, but Aronson said that hasnt stopped court debt collectors from contacting motor vehicle officials. That means accused jaywalkers who cant afford to pay their fine could eventually see their drivers license suspended, an outcome she said can prove especially devastating to the citys working poor.

Besides, Aronson said, its not at all clear that ticketing jaywalkers does much to encourage pedestrian safety.

Frankly, Ive never seen it change the behavior of a mass of people, she added.

City auditors in September offered similarly mixed reviews of police jaywalking enforcement efforts, which they said werent always targeted in the places where they were most needed.

SDPD does not generally use data to determine where to conduct targeted pedestrian safety enforcement operations and what traffic violations to focus on during those enforcements, the audit said. As a result, SDPDs targeted pedestrian safety enforcement operations may not be directed towards the locations at which additional enforcement is most needed and for the violations that have caused pedestrian collisions in those locations.

Auditors counted 270 people who had died on San Diego streets over the past 15 years. They said 66 pedestrians lost their lives over a three-year period between 2013 and 2015  the deadliest stretch since 2001, according to the auditors report.

City Council members last year adopted a plan to eliminate all pedestrian-related traffic deaths in the city by 2025. That same year, police conducted two dozen targeted enforcement efforts for bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Jaywalking tickets are actually down from their peak in 2012. That year, there were 1,065 tickets citywide. Last year, there were 515.

Jaywalking rules

Under California law, pedestrians can generally cross anywhere along a street without being guilty of jaywalking, with a few notable exceptions:
Opposition to abortion and the death penalty have long been cardinal beliefs for the Roman Catholic church, whose faithful make up about a quarter of all Americans.

What if fighting climate change becomes an equally passionate issue in parishes nationwide?

The foremost group of Catholic leaders in the U.S. is ramping up a campaign to do just that, urging priests and congregations from San Diego to Atlanta to think about global warming as a sanctity-of-life issue.

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Some Catholic experts have even likened the growing campaign to deal with human-caused climate change to the revered pro-life movement  calling on the laity to do everything from cutting back on consumerism to installing energy-efficient light bulbs to personally asking lawmakers to take action.

Parishes nationwide, notably the Archdiocese of Chicago, are pursuing energy- and water-efficiency overhauls of their churches, schools and other buildings. Their moves are inspired by Pope Francis landmark encyclical last year  titled Laudato Si  that implored governments to protect the planet, and especially the disadvantaged, against current and projected effects of climate change.

In San Diego County, for example, two dozen churches and schools have or are in the process of installing solar panels. The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego expects all 99 parishes in its territory to do the same within a few years.

The nationally coordinated effort to curb greenhouse-gas emissions is the biggest official campaign by any organized religion. It comes as the Catholic leadership mounts what appears to be an escalated and high-profile agenda to oppose policies ostensibly supported by President-elect Donald Trump, including issues of immigration and social justice for the poor.

Many faith groups are taking action on climate change, but the Catholic church is the largest faith group in America and the only one with a singular leader who has global leadership status, said Edward Maibach, director of George Mason Universitys center for climate change communication, which has studied the papal encyclicals impact on public opinion. The pope has nearly unrivaled potential to convince humanity to lean in on climate change.

While the climate-change push takes the Catholic church deeper into the roiling debate about tax-exempt faith groups engaging in politics, those leading the movement are voicing a sense of urgency that they said eclipses such concerns.

Its clear that climate change is a pro-life issue, said Sarah Spengeman with Catholic Climate Covenant, a nonprofit formed in 2006 by leading U.S. bishops to work on ecological issues. People are being killed by climate change already, so its very core to our beliefs.

She added: If we want to leave our children an inhabitable earth, if we have a responsibility to the unborn, we have a responsibly to act on climate.

Such reasoning has been met with vocal pushback from conservative Catholic circles.

Some activist groups who would like Catholics to agree with their preferred climate policies claim that climate change is equivalent to abortion, but that makes no sense, said Jay Richards, an economics professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington and a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Procured abortion, according to settled Catholic teaching, involves an intrinsic moral evil. Whats the equivalent intrinsic moral evil with respect to climate change? There isnt one.

Its unclear how the overall laity will respond, given that a spread of non-religious factors  from pocketbook priorities to politics to education levels  also can influence a persons views on global warming.

Even though some polling shows that many Catholics appear sympathetic to Pope Francis message on climate change, it could be a challenge to actively scale back on carbon-intensive consumption habits. Some Catholic leaders have evangelized about the need to shrink each persons so-called carbon footprint through steps such as driving less, minimizing material purchases, embracing renewable energy and eating less meat or none of it.

If we want to leave our children an inhabitable earth, if we have a responsibility to the unborn, we have a responsibly to act on climate,  Sarah Spengeman, director of programs for the Catholic Climate Convenant

This fall, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Climate Covenant rolled out a program aimed at mobilizing action around Pope Francis encyclical, which outlined a moral obligation for combating climate change.

On Tuesday, the San Diego diocese  which covers this region and Imperial County  is set to become the latest location to host the program, dubbed Laudato Si in the Parish. Others that have done so include dioceses in Atlanta; Des Moines, Iowa; and Las Cruces, New Mexico. The program is scheduled to be implemented in at least 10 more regions next year.

The programs foundations emerged from an ethical notion championed by Pope Francis that climate change through increased storms, flooding and drought will have an outsized impact on the worlds poorest and most vulnerable populations, people who often are the least responsible for emitting greenhouse gases.

In San Diego, Bishop Robert McElroy said he ranks abortion and global warming as his two most pressing issues.

Climate change and the environment in general really have to do with the continuation of life on our planet, and thus we really have to come to grips with the fact that we are depleting the resources of the created order at such a rate that humanity wont be able to survive unless we change the patterns that weve been engaged in, he said.

As for his flock of lay Catholics, McElroy said theyre still very mixed when it comes to understanding climate change, being concerned about it and making life changes in response.

Theres a certain uphill struggle to it, but thats true of any of these meaningful issues, he said. We just keep doing it.

Credited by the Vatican with helping Pope Francis better comprehend the impact of climate change on the worlds most vulnerable people, scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan is scheduled to speak to Catholic leaders at Tuesdays program launch event in San Diego. Partnering with the scientific community has been a staple of the popes climate-change agenda.

Electrician Matt Fausher of Sullivan Solar Power installs solar panels on the roof of a classroom building at Saint John the Evangelist School in Encinitas on Dec. 1, 2016. (Charlie Neuman / San Diego Union-Tribune File Photo )

Right now the need for reaching the public through religious institutions has become more rather than less given the current situation, said Ramanathan, a professor at UC San Diegos Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla. If I find by next year that this takes more of my time, I may step down (from teaching) and do this full time. Were talking about hundreds of millions going to be impacted, particularly the innocent. Thats where it becomes a religious issue.

Practical advice being shared with the United States 195 Catholic bishops, who oversee more than 19,000 priests and their parishes, has largely focused on conducting professional energy audits, but has also included strategies ranging from limiting use of foam food containers to lobbying Congress to support the United Nations green climate fund, which helps developing countries pay for their transition to renewable energy.

Catholic Climate Covenant said it plans to regularly survey priests who participate in its program to measure whats succeeding and what needs changing.

One parish that has joined the climate-change movement is Our Mother of Confidence in San Diego. The leadership there has installed solar panels on the parishs buildings, put in LED bulbs and added tinting on windows to reduce the need for air conditioning. So far, the parish has saved more than $30,000 a year in electricity costs and estimates it will pay off its financial investment in the next five years.

It isnt going to come overnight because you have to change a culture and create a deeper awareness in peoples lives, said the Rev. Mark Campbell at the parish. That takes time because were very much a comfort-centered people in this great country.

With Trump threatening to pull out of the international climate accord that was forged last year during a summit in Paris, Francis last week repeated his plea for the worlds policymakers to continue pursuing coordinated efforts to curb greenhouse-gas emissions.

[W]e are seeing a renewed partnership between the scientific and Christian communities, who are witnessing the convergence of their distinct approaches to reality in the shared goal of protecting our common home, threatened as it is by ecological collapse , the pontiff said during a meeting with scientists at the Vatican last week.

To build on the popes messaging efforts, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is turning to church bulletins, homilies given during Mass, Bible study groups, essays in prominent Catholic publications, interviews with mainstream media organizations and other communications channels to highlight recommended actions.

A polling report from Yale and George Mason universities found that in the six month after Pope Francis encyclical was released, the American public  and Catholics in particular  became notably more concerned about climate change, especially as an ethical issue and specifically about its possible effects on the disenfranchised.

However, there was little to no change in whether people saw global warming as human-caused. Among those polled, roughly 52 percent of Americans in general, 57 percent of Catholics and 40 percent of evangelical Christians said they believed humanity was driving climate change.

Belief in human-caused climate change seems to be driven significantly by political party affiliation, according to polling data from the Pew Research Center. While 79 percent of Catholics who identify as liberal Democrats believe Earth is warming because of human activity, only 15 percent of Catholic conservative Republicans do so.

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Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has given preliminary support to a plan to protect more than 16,000 square miles of deep ocean habitat off of Southern California, while reopening nearly 3,000 square miles of rockfish conservation area to fishing.

The plan, proposed by the marine nonprofit Oceana, was one of the alternatives that the Pacific Fishery Management Council considered as it reviewed West Coast groundfish management plans in late November.

With the inclusion of the proposed modifications, CDFW tentatively supports Oceanas proposal south of Point Conception, the fish and wildlife department wrote in its comment letter to the council.

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It noted, however, that the plan requires more review and input from fishermen, scientists and other interested people, and suggested minor revisions to the closure map.

We were pretty thrilled to hear that the state of California identified that proposal that we submitted as their preferred option, said Geoff Shester, California campaign director for Oceana. The idea is that were trying to freeze the footprint, and protect areas that are not yet developed.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council, which manages U.S. fisheries from the edge of state waters to 200 nautical miles offshore, is updating its essential fish habitat for West Coast groundfish, including rockfish and other species.

Oceana is asking the council to place a stretch of ocean from Northern California to the Mexican border off limits to bottom trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging a large net along the sea floor to catch target fish. In the process, however, it can also pull up corals and other species.

The organization recently conducted an expedition to explore the uncharted depths, and found myriad corals, delicate sponges, rockfish and eels.

Most of the area that Oceana proposes to shut isnt trawled, but the organization is calling for precautionary closures while researchers investigate it. Once they explore it, they say, scientists can identify the most sensitive habitat.

In the meantime, some closed areas that have been shown to be less sensitive could be reopened to fishing.

All of the areas were trying to protect would get more overall protection, and there would be a 10 percent increase in bottom trawling opportunities, Shester said.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
About two hours east of San Diego city, the desert sky sparkles at night. And this month is prime time for visitors to gaze at that celestial beauty.

People coming to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the adjacent town of Borrego Springs can witness two star shows this month, as well as participate in several educational programs.

First, the Geminids Meteor Shower is expected to rain across the sky from Sunday to Dec. 16. The activity will likely peak on the nights of the 13th and 14th, with more than 120 multicolored meteors to be seen every hour.

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Then stargazers in the area  which is prized by astronomy buffs because of its pristine skies that are left largely untouched by urbanization  can experience the Ursid Meteor Shower on Dec. 21 and the early morning hours of the 22nd.

You can watch the night sky and wake up at three in the morning and see the meteor shower peak. Its a really cool experience, especially for kids, said Paige Rogowski, executive director of the Anza-Borrego Foundation, which has helped add 54,000 acres of land to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park during the past 50 years.

Most people dont realize what theyre missing, she added. When you live in an urban area, you think you see stars, but youve never experienced them like this.

The town of Borrego Springs is one of only 13 dark sky communities in the world, a designation bestowed by the International Dark-Sky Association. To obtain that designation, the town has taken steps to significantly limit light pollution, including the adoption of an ordinance to control outdoor lighting.

Anza-Borrego Desert Start Park occupies about 600,000 acres, with free and paid spots for visitors to camp and view the night stars.

In addition, park officials plan to offer a moon-watching program starting at 4:30 p.m. in the visitors center on Dec. 14 and 16.

On New Years Eve, the parks visitors can meet at the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. for a stargazing program that includes a telescope viewing.

For more information, visit the foundations website at theabf.org.

Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event: I Am My Brothers/Sisters Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS When: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday Where: Tubman-Chavez Multicultural Center, 415 Euclid Ave., San Diego Details: Panel discussion on HIV/AIDS in San Diegos African-American community; free, confidential HIV/AIDS saliva test; refreshments; entertainment Information: Call Kim Moore at (619) 729-2066

Acintia Wright will have a story to tell as a panelist during a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day community event in San Diego on Tuesday, if anyone wants to hear it.

And they will.

Its not just her story, but Wrights message thats memorable.

She may recount the night in 1995 when she was out celebrating her birthday with friends and how three men put rohypnol in her drink, then raped her while she was unconscious. Three months later she was diagnosed with HIV at a clinic in the Bay Area, where she lived at the time.

My whole life changed, she said.

People avoided her and Wright quit her job at a preschool, not knowing in those days that HIV cant be passed through casual contact. The drug regimen available at the time gave her hope shed live about seven years.

Sixteen years later, Wright lives in San Diego and works as an HIV/AIDS counselor and outreach coordinator at the San Ysidro Health Center. Thanks to newer drug treatments, she feels fabulous.

And Ive had the blessing of seeing three of my children graduate from college. The fourth is in college now, Wright said.

A rapid HIV test kit, which tests a saliva sample and gets results within 20 minutes. A standard HIV test, this kit is shown by an employee at the Family Health Center HIV Prevention Center in North Park.  Nelvin C. Cepeda (Nelvin C. Cepeda)

Her first message? Everyone should get tested.

Second: I talk about the high rate of HIV in the African-American community.

Lowering a disproportionately high rate of HIV/AIDS is the goal of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Tuesday.

Nationwide, blacks represent 14 percent of the population but 44 percent of all new cases of HIV infection.

That pattern holds true in San Diego County, where blacks represent 5 percent of the population but 13 percent of people living with AIDS.

And blacks have the highest rate of AIDS cases in the county, at 26 cases per 100,000 people. Thats nearly twice the rate for Hispanics and three times the rate for whites, according to county officials.

Still, theres positive news in the numbers.

Although blacks in San Diego have had the highest infection rate since the 1980s, it has dropped dramatically since 2002, when the rate was 47 cases per 100,000. Infection rates have dropped only slightly for whites and Hispanics during that time.

So, what accounts for the huge change?

Terry Cunningham, chief of the countys HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch of Public Health Services, said he doesnt know for sure. Part of it may be that changes among the countys small black population can make a big difference statistically.

But weve worked very diligently in the community to raise awareness, he said. Weve gone a long way from people not wanting to talk about AIDS to having very frank discussions. Im hoping thats made a difference. These statistics are very heartening.

Health clinics and church-based groups in San Diego have long-standing and aggressive outreach programs. One organization is the nonprofit Faith-Based Working Group of San Diego, which holds events year-round to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on the black community.

The working group is organizing Tuesdays event, which will be held at 6 p.m. in the Tubman-Chavez Multicultural Center in Lincoln Park.

Organizer Kimberly Moore said she believes such grass-roots efforts have helped lower the infection rate. Moore also is outreach coordinator at Christies Place, a nonprofit agency that provides support for women and families impacted by HIV/AIDS.

A lot of us have taken to social media and marketing that targets the African-American community, she said. Its really a collective effort. Moore said panelists on Tuesday represent an intergenerational cross-section of the black community, from students to professionals.

We wanted individuals who can give us insights into what we need to do or whats working in getting the word out, she said.

County officials also will be on hand to give a free, confidential rapid HIV test that uses a saliva sample and gets results within 20 minutes.

Wright also works with the Faith-Based Working Group and believes a combination of efforts has been helping.

A lot has taken place among African-Americans, Wright said. Here in San Diego, weve got 30 churches on board to talk about it from the pulpit. Thats a positive.

And while national organizations ran media campaigns for World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, San Diego activists took a personal approach. In Lincoln Park, they took to the streets with banners and megaphones to get the word out.
The American Civil Liberties Union called on Friday for an end to contracts with four private detention facilities used for immigration enforcement, including the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

The ACLU said the facility in Otay Mesa, along with the South Texas Detention Complex, Eloy Detention Facility in Arizona and Cibola County Correctional Center in New Mexico, have the most notorious records of sexual abuse, detainee deaths and denial of medical care.

The Otay Mesa contract expires next year at the end of June, according to the ACLU.

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The recommendation came after a report released on Thursday that recommended the department continue using detention facilities run by private contractors, despite a move elsewhere in the federal government away to bring operations in house.

The report by a subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council was requested by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, after the Department of Justice announced in August that its prisons would move way from private operators.

The subcommittee suggested sticking with private operators.

Much could be said for a fully government-owned and government-operated detention model, if one were starting a new detention system from scratch, the report says. But of course we are not starting anew.

The report gave higher costs-per-detainee at government-owned facilities and sudden spikes in detention needs as reasons to continue relying on the private detention system.

The full advisory council on Thursday focused on the reports findings that conditions for detainees were better in government owned and directed facilities.

Seventeen of 23 members present at the meeting voted to endorse parts of the report and reject the main recommendation. They favored a dissenting footnote written by Marshall Fritz, a subcommittee member who was a fellow at the left-leaning Center for American Progress.

A measured but deliberate shift away from the private prison model is warranted, Fritz wrote.

One member voted against the entire report, and the other five voted in favor of it.

According to Joanne Lin, who works out of the ACLUs Washington, D.C., office and was present for the debate, council members favored parts of the report that recommended increased inspections and limiting the use of county jails for immigration detention.

In a letter to the subcommittee, Lin said that in 2014 a community group visiting detainees in Otay Mesa heard about alleged sexual assault, neglect and harassment happening in the facility, run by Tennessee-based CoreCivic, formerly known as Corrections Corporation of America or CCA.

After being informed of the potential abuse, ICE tried to end the visitation program completely unless the group was willing to sign a confidentially agreement that would require them to defend and indemnify ICE and CCA from any liability arising out of their volunteer work, Lin wrote.

Lin said Johnson was present for the meeting. The ACLU wants him to take action on the four facilities before President Barack Obama leaves office in January.

I think the message delivered to him was loud and clear  a strong majority of HSAC doesnt think it is acceptable for DHSs use of private prisons to continue as is, and DHS should shift away from the private prison model, Lin said.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement representative said in response to the report and vote, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement appreciates the Homeland Security Advisory Councils recent review of the agencys use of private contract detention facilities. The councils report recognizes ICEs ongoing commitment to providing a secure and humane environment for those in our custody while making the best use of agency resources. ICEs civil detention system aims to reduce transfers, maximize access to counsel and visitation, promote recreation, improve conditions of confinement and ensure quality medical, mental health and dental care.

ICE leadership will review and consider the councils recommendations and will implement any changes, as appropriate, the ICE official said.

Imperial Countys immigration detention facility is also a private facility run by Utah-based Management and Training Corporation. The ACLU did not recommend any immediate changes to that contract.

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate
The phone rang in the empty restaurant on a cool November evening, and Todd Gibson just wished he didnt have to say the words upon answering. Still, he knew he must.

We need to let you know were not selling alcohol, Gibson said. Is that OK?

There was a pause. Each call since October had become another moment of truth for Lambs Grill in downtown Salt Lake City. Would the diners make a reservation at one of Utahs oldest, iconic restaurants? Or would they hang up and go to a restaurant offering a full assortment of alcoholic drinks?

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He sighed in relief when the reservation held.

It didnt used to be this way. Lambs Grill, with dark wood and red leather chairs, evokes an era of fedoras and flared dresses  faces lit by the soft glow of small lamps.

Liquor? The word cocktails is stenciled on the plate glass window facing Main Street. Since 1919, it had been anything but dry. Until this year.

A paperwork goof by Lambs owners left the restaurant without a liquor license, and the desperate owners applied for a new one in October. No way, said the state liquor board, unless they paid fines and built a wall to hide where cocktails were made.

The wall. For seven years, its been debated, praised and mocked. Business advocates have tried to knock it down while the Mormon Church has proudly propped up what many call the Zion Curtain.

But Lambs high-profile controversy  coupled with a near-disaster in September when the newly built $119-million Eccles Theater faced being a dry zone because it didnt have a Zion Curtain  has put the states liquor law in a position to be repealed or altered.

State Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson, a Republican who generally handles most alcohol legislation, said he expects that legislation to revisit the law will be introduced in January.

Ive looked at this doggone thing forward and upside down to make sense of it, Stevenson said. Its a very complicated issue, and I think were trying to solve it with a simple answer. But its not a simple answer.

When it comes to alcohol in Utah, its never simple.

The state is dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are forbidden from drinking liquor. The House and Senate are led by Mormons. Gov. Gary Herbert is Mormon.

In a recent statement the church said, Any discussion of change in Utahs alcohol policy should require clear evidence that the proposed changes will not increase ... negative societal costs.

The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control  which oversees all licensing and runs the states liquor stores  is not allowed to advertise or promote liquor even though its a cash cow.

Total annual liquor sales have been increasing, up from $367.2 million in 2014 to $396.4 million in fiscal year 2015. A state audit found the number of liquor stores in Utah is so woefully inadequate, another 19 could be added just to keep up with demand.

State Sen. Jim Dabakis, a Democrat who tried to abolish the Zion Curtain in the last legislative session, said the law creates a weirdness level we dont deserve. It ought to be torn down and torn down immediately. The weirdness factor costs Utah jobs. It costs us tourism.

The law was passed in 2009 under a compromise when the state got rid of its private club requirements, where members had to sponsor people to drink alcohol at establishments serving drinks. New restaurants were required to erect a wall at least 7 feet, 2 inches high  taller than Utah Jazz icon Karl Malone  to shield patrons from seeing alcohol being mixed, poured or prepared.

Dustin Humes fixes a drink in a small room thats out of view of patrons at Vivace Restaurant in Salt Lake City. (Rick Bowmer / AP)

But Lambs and a handful of other restaurants had their liquor licenses grandfathered in so they didnt have to build walls.

Lambs lost its license because key paperwork wasnt submitted to the state when the restaurant was sold. Lambs recently agreed to build a wall, and state regulators this week reinstated the license after levying a $9,000 fine for selling alcohol without a valid license.

Lambs general manager Ashley Francis said, however, the wall addition was not only costly amid revenue losses that exceeded $1,000 a week, but it aesthetically would detract from the historic vibe inside the restaurant. She said the wall is expected be up Monday and will cost $2,000.

Were trying to adhere to the old traditions of Lambs, Francis said.

The Zion Curtain isnt roundly popular in the state. A February poll by Dan Jones & Associates showed 70 percent of those surveyed opposed the law.

The Salt Lake Area Restaurant Association also announced in November it would be lobbying the Utah Legislature to remove the Zion Curtain, arguing the current inconsistencies in the law make it difficult for smaller establishments to comply and compete.

Lambs felt the sting of trying to compete without a liquor license for those months while it waited to get a new license.

Maria Ivanova and Atakan Ekiz came to Lambs on a Friday night while it was still dry and after getting an explanation of the restaurants plight, decided to dine there anyway.

I had a glass of wine before we came, Ivanova said with a laugh. But it would be nice to have one with dinner. Still, Id like to support them and help them out.

Francis said despite getting the license back, the state Legislature needs to address the law. She said shed love to see the law go away even if it meant tearing down the Zion Curtain they were just erecting.

I dont know how this will end, she said. I just keep hoping it will get resolved soon.

david.montero@latimes.com

Twitter: @davemontero
The city of El Cajon, thrust into the national spotlight in September when police shot and killed Alfred Olango, an unarmed black man, has had a spotless record the past five years defending its police over claims of excessive force or civil-rights violations.

A review of the legal claims filed against the Police Department during that time shows the city has not paid out any money to claimants or plaintiffs.

The largest expense has come in legal costs to the city for handling the claims. That totals $438,836.

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The only significant police-related payout in recent years was made to one of the departments own employees. Officer Christine Greer settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Sgt. Richard Gonsalves for $90,000 last year.

She said Gonsalves had sent her lewd photos and texts and made unwanted advances toward her. Gonsalves is also the officer who fatally shot Olango in the parking lot of a taco shop the afternoon of Sept. 27.

Greer has since filed a second lawsuit alleging the department retaliated against her for her previous suit.

The lack of payments in excessive force and civil-rights claims echoes other data the city reported earlier this year when it rejected a call by the San Diego County civil grand jury to set up a citizens review board for police conduct.

At the time, the city said it had received just one formal complaint in 2015 out of 93,000 contacts with citizens, two the year before and eight in 2013. It said the low numbers of complaints showed there were good relations between the police and community.

Mayor Bill Wells said the claims payout data correlates to the complaints data.

To keep the number of complaints at that level and the lawsuits at this level is indicative of the fact our police officers are trying and succeeding in staying in bounds and treating people with respect, Wells said.

The city provided a list of all claims filed against the Police Department since 2011 in response to a Public Records Act request filed by The San Diego Union-Tribune. The list included claims for excessive force as well as more routine matters, such as traffic collisions.

The newspaper then asked for copies of 23 of those claims that alleged some kind of police misconduct involving excessive force, assault and brutality, and the amount of money paid out, as well as information on the Greer claims.

Formal legal claims are the first step that must be taken before filing a lawsuit against a government agency. Governments have 45 days to accept and pay a claim or reject it.

After that, the person making the claim has the option to file a civil lawsuit in court. Only seven of the claims the Union-Tribune reviewed ended up in state or federal courts.

The city prevailed in four of them, either winning dismissals or in one case a jury verdict, while three remain active.

That verdict came in a lawsuit filed by Raymond Goodlow. Officer Robert Bonilla shot Goodlow on the morning of Jan.18, 2013, in a used car lot on East Main Street. The officer had seen him riding a bike on the sidewalk, which is against the law in El Cajon, and when he tried to stop him Goodlow rode his bike into the lot.

There, stories diverge: Goodlow said after hearing a single command to get on the ground he was shot. Bonilla said Goodlow did not comply with commands to show his hands, cursed at the officer and seemed to be pulling something from his waistband.

After a four-day trial in federal court in 2015, the jury cleared Bonilla of using excessive force.

Other claims were less dramatic. One woman said she was roughed up by police when she was arrested Christmas Day in 2013, but after the city denied her claim she did not follow up. Another man said he was injured when he was being taken in a city police car to the Sheriffs Department in 2012.

Among the active cases, Muayed Salih sued after he said police fired on him during an arrest on Sept. 1, 2012. When police encountered him, he was holding a tire iron, according to the lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court.

Lawyer Elliott Kanter said it can be difficult to win excessive force suits against police, because often the case comes down to one persons word against the officers. Kanter represents a man in a current lawsuit who contends he was wrongly arrested and assaulted by police during an incident at an Applebees on Fletcher Parkway on Nov. 22, 2105.

Youve got to have independent witnesses, because the police officer is going to say certain things and you want your own independent witnesses, Kanter said about the challenges for these cases.

Larger departments than El Cajons, which has 120 sworn officers, will pay settlements in excessive force cases more frequently. For example, San Diego in June paid $75,000 to a couple who said they were roughed up during an arrest in November 2012.

In July 2015, the Sheriffs Department paid $1 million to the family of a Vista man with Down syndrome who was hit with a baton and pepper sprayed by a deputy who thought he was resisting arrest. In reality, the man was frightened and confused because he could not understand the deputys commands to him.

For El Cajon civil-rights advocate Estel De Los Rios, the citys successful track record in excessive force claims should not be seen as a reason to reject citizen oversight of the department.

She has been an advocate for forming a review board, both before and after the Olango shooting.

It shows to me we still need a civilian review board, De Los Rios said. I would say to Mayor Wells, if this shows there is a good relationship with the community, then lets put it into practice with the board.

On Tuesday, Olangos father called for a federal investigation into his sons death. Olangos family have filed two claims against the city over his death, and the District Attorneys Office has not yet finished its review of whether the shooting was justified.

Olango was killed when police responded to reports and a 911 call from his sister that he was acting erratically. As Gonsalves approached, Olango took what police described as a shooting stance and clasped a silver object with both of his hands. Gonsalves opened fire.

Olango, 38, had been holding a vaping device with a silver cylinder, police later said.

It was the 12th shooting by El Cajon police in the past 10 years, which is the highest per capita rate of shootings by any local police agency in the county, according to an analysis of shooting data by the Union-Tribune.

RELATED:

 El Cajon police log 12 shootings in 10 years, one complaint last year

 Fatal officer-involved shootings in San Diego County, 1980-2016

El Cajon Shooting On Now Dumanis rules El Cajon police shooting of Alfred Olango justified 2:09 On Now Justice for Alfred Olango 1:33 On Now Video: Protests in the weeks following Olango shooting 1:43 On Now El Cajon City Council Meeting 10.11.2016 1:49 On Now Protest still present after El Cajon Shooting 2:49 On Now Video: Faith leaders, demonstrators rally in El Cajon 3:32 On Now Video: Rally after El Cajon shooting 1:45 On Now Video: Prayer vigil draws crowd in El Cajon 1:12 On Now RAW: Full video of Alfred Olango officer involved shooting 1:46 On Now Angry crowd grows after man is shot by police in El Cajon 1:15

Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com
Two top lawmakers joined the mayor of San Bruno on Friday in urging the states next attorney general to press forcefully ahead with an ongoing corruption probe of the California Public Utilities Commission.

In a letter to Rep. Xavier Becerra, Sen. Jerry Hill, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Kevin Mullin and Mayor Jim Ruane pleaded with the incoming prosecutor to finish a criminal case launched more than two years ago by the departing Kamala Harris.

We urge you to bring charges as soon as possible in Attorney General Harriss criminal investigation into corruption at one of our states most powerful agencies, the two-page letter states.

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The letter cites emails between commission and utility executives that appeared to expose overly friendly relationships between regulators and the companies they oversee.

It specifically referred to two bottles of good Pinot a utility official shared with former commission President Michael Peevey and a secret agreement Peevey reached in Poland to charge ratepayers billions of dollars for the premature closure of the San Onofre nuclear plant.

While California taxpayers are spending millions of dollars for the PUCs criminal defense fees, we expect that the Office of the Attorney General is putting sufficient resources into pursuing justice, the letter said.

Harris, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last month, launched the criminal probe in 2014, after emails showed utility regulators appearing to favor Pacific Gas & Electric in a proceeding examining the 2010 pipeline explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people.

The case expanded to include the San Onofre closure last year, after agents found notes from the Hotel Bristol Warsaw meeting regarding costs to be billed to ratepayers.

Consumer groups and others have complained that the investigation has dragged on too long. Harris during her Senate campaign said the case remains active, although no charges have been filed.

A spokeswoman for Becerra, who earlier this week was named by Gov. Jerry Brown to succeed Harris as attorney general, did not immediately respond to questions about the letter. CPUC officials say they are cooperating with the probe.

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
Your recent articles critical of police practices involving vehicle stops and searches of motorists in specific areas of San Diego (Study: Black and Hispanic drivers more likely to be searched when stopped by San Diego police, Nov. 24) comes at a time when those same areas are being equipped with early detection gunshot warning systems. Coincidence, I think not.

Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.

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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The fact is police departments operate in a proactive manner, seeking to prevent crimes from occurring rather than simply responding to citizens calls for service after the fact. Areas with higher crime rates will see a more proactive police presence and response.

Proactive tactics require officers to stop vehicles and contact persons who are in violation of local ordinances and state laws. These contacts, many for minor violations, regularly develop into something more significant, such as warrant arrests, the recovery of stolen property and drug and weapon seizures. Its called good police work.

Robert V. Irwin

San Diego

Jesus would support secularizing the parade

Christine Spaldings thoughtful letter on the question of sectarian parades on public streets (Readers debate the use of word Christmas, Dec. 2) is helpful in its inclusive tone. Although we Christians are still the majority religious community in the U.S., our founding ancestors made it clear that there would be no established religion in this republic.

We have a constitutional right to freedom of worship. But do we have a right to ask the entire community to foot the bill for a public event like the La Jolla Christmas Parade? The time has come to have a Winter Holiday Parade that lets Santa Claus, Rudolf and the Grinch reign. I am sure that Jesus would understand. We who worship him as the Christ need not feel cheated in the meantime. We will have our Christmas pageants, music and worship in our faith communities.

Merry Christmas to all who are not offended by this ancient greeting in Christian countries.

Ronn Garton

San Diego

Kudos for commentary on Fidel Castros death

Regarding Fidel Castros legacy was heartache, exile for many (Dec. 1): Great article. One of my parents also came to the U.S. and did very well with his hard-work ethic. I guess there are more of us than I thought.

Also, great job of the U-T to call in an outside source for added insight to the highly emotional death of Castro

Ruben Jaramillo

Rancho San Diego

Horse racing industry has to address abuse

Regarding Dashing Del Mar tackles critics, excites and excels in troubled industry (Nov. 25): Sixteen horses were put down during the recent summer session at the Del Mar Race Track. One has been put down this fall racing season.

How many horses must die before this is considered animal abuse?

Chuck Eckels

Fallbrook

The numbers just dont add up for renewables

In regards to the article titled Court OKs natural gas power plant in Carlsbad (Dec. 2): According to the latest data in 2015, 33 percent of U.S. electric power came from natural gas, 33 percent came from coal, 20 percent came from nuclear, 6 percent from hydroelectric, 4.7 percent from wind, 2 percent from geothermal and biomass, 1 percent from oil and only 0.6 percent from solar.

Yet the Protect Our Communities Foundation objects to adding another gas-fired plant because of the growing amount of renewable energy. Right now 86 percent of our countrys electricity comes from coal, natural gas and nuclear. If it were even possible (but its not), it would takes many decades for renewables to get even close to supplying 86 percent.

What about the carbon emissions from automobiles, which are more than from electric utilities? If the whole U.S. converted to electric cars, where would the electricity come from to charge the batteries?

David Johnson

Encinitas

Glad to see the landfill project put to rest

Regarding Gregory Canyon Landfill project dead as Pala tribe buys part of land (Nov. 18): Bravo to all those people who came together to rescue the San Luis Rey River and sacred Gregory Canyon from being poisoned to death and the canyon, indeed, from being desecrated.

To be considered, make sure the proposed commercial and residential developments do not drain pollutants anywhere close to the river. Much obliged and thank you.

Rodney A. Horse Miller

San Marcos

Focus on the homeless, not a football stadium

It is sickening, outrageous and unconscionable that San Diegos elected officials would consider giving billionaire Chargers owner Dean Spanos hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to subsidize his new stadium but cannot come up with the funds to solve our wealthy citys chronic homeless problem.

For a fraction of the cost of an unnecessary and unwanted new stadium, San Diegos officials could permanently solve our homeless problem by funding the cost of housing and mental health care that chronically homeless people desperately need.

They wont do so because homeless people dont vote or donate to their re-election campaigns like Spanos and developers do. All they care about is being re-elected. Money talks. To hell with conscience or priorities. Shame on them.

David Miller

Carlsbad

Nothing to celebrate in election of Trump

Russell Buckleys Trump victory brought relief (Nov. 18) opinion piece troubled me.

Buckley, an educator, rambled on about his reasons for supporting Donald Trump but failed to mention any of the prominent characteristics that continue to define Trump and his inner circle: white supremacy, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia.

Perhaps he views them merely as insignificant personality shortcomings that he says his mother would politely describe as a little rough around the edges. Im not as polite as his mother, nor quite so deft in denial as he. I do agree with him on one point, however. There is cause for optimism  that is, as long as your vision of a great America is a nation dominated by power-drunk, sputtering, white, male, Christian bullies.

Pamela Williams

San Diego

Truth is beginning to be a rare commodity

In regard to the commentary The truth is losing (Dec. 1): The veracity of almost any information is becoming shadowy and diluted.

It is sophism, a minefield of intentional fallacy, that moves our world now more than ever because of the advances in social media. Truth is a new currency, sort of like bitcoins, but worth a whole lot more.

Jeffrey Meyer

Poway

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
A 70-year-old Ramona man who was a fixture in the skateboarding world was killed Friday when his motorcycle collided with a car near the Santa Ysabel Indian Reservation.

Victor Earharts death was announced by Sector 9, a San Diego-based skateboarding company, in a blog post titled Legends Never Die. Earhart worked at Sector 9 for 15 years and was a great ambassador for skateboarding, states the post.

Earhart was traveling at about 55 mph on southbound state Route 79 shortly after 9 a.m., when his motorcycle struck a Toyota Prius being driven eastbound on state Route 76 by Rie Tobari-Zhou, 42, of Escondido.

The motorcyclist hit the side of the Prius as Tobari-Zhou was pulling in front of him, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Mary Bailey.

An off-duty San Diego police officer happened upon the scene shortly after the collision and performed CPR on the motorcyclist until paramedics arrived, Bailey said.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene from blunt force trauma.

Tobari-Zhou suffered minor abrasions to her left hand, and a 13-year-old Escondido boy, who was a passenger in her car, received minor abrasions to his left arm, but they were not hospitalized.

Another passenger, a 46-year-old Escondido man,was not injured, Bailey said.
I have read the thoughtful letter by Janine Moniot a number of times and it is filled with a sincere sentiment to offer an olive branch. I also found it naive to believe that Trump voters voted on economic issues, or that Trump was simply using campaign rhetoric.

It is simply illogical to believe that any conscious person would vote economic issues when the person in question has filed multiple bankruptcies and is charged with fraud and racketeering  has 4,000 lawsuits against him, 75 of which involve serious breaches of the law. No, to suggest this logic and then simultaneously pass off his behavior as campaign rhetoric is dangerous and puerile. Study history; demagogues do not use rhetoric casually.

In the past three weeks, violence has erupted all over the United States. Hate crimes are on the rise. Since Trumps rise to power, hate groups have risen 14% in the U.S. with a 42% rise in anti-Muslim hate groups. Right here in Ramona, students raced up and down the hallways of Ramona High School with American flags screaming Trump Train and yelling at Latino kids that they were Going back to Mexico. Other students at RHS have been called niggers. Lets be honest; this behavior is taught in the home. Kids dont wake up one day and suddenly become bigots and racists. They dont learn this from the Internet.

Economic issues? These are the same people who railed against the Federal Reserve and a policy of Quantitative Easing but suddenly get a bad case of fiscal amnesia over a 2,000-mile border wall and promises of bridges.

Do you honestly believe a group of people that, for the past eight years, have questioned whether the sitting president was born in America and have called him and his family monkeys, gorillas, apes and chimpanzees voted based on economic issues? These are people who revel in being called deplorables, and screamed lock her up like banshees at the Republican National Convention this summer. No, these people did not vote based on economic issues.

Lets call this what it is: hate. I have not spoken to a single Trump supporter who, at the mere mention of Hillary Clinton, did not go into a mouth-foaming tirade about I hate her so much. This behavior is unpatriotic. To vote against someone by voting in someone just as bad or worse is acting on the drug of partisanship and not rational thinking. And this goes for both sides, left or right. This is the reason 42 percent of us sat this one out  we deserve better.

There has been a lot of criticism of the protests going on throughout the country these past three weeks. These have been, for the most part, extremely peaceful demonstrations. There is a hypocritical amnesia about how in 2008 there were protests where people carried signs depicting the president-elect as an African medicine man and a monkey. Has anyone complained about the fact that the Ku Klux Klan is holding parades in honor of the new president-elect? The KKK? And this is 2016!

Trump received two newspapers endorsements in the country and one of them was from the Crusader, the official newspaper of Ku Klux Klan. Sixty-eight major newspapers across the country did not endorse ANY candidate. Not one single conservative publication in the United States endorsed him  not one.

He has already brought in White Nationalists and anti-Semitics to his team. He has brought in a man who claims that grabbing a womans genitals does not constitute sexual assault. Lets not play games about what is going on here. We need to be vigilant and deeply honest about exactly what is occurring.

Honestly, forget the fact that this person gloated about having sex with married women, gloated about his celebrity status giving him the right to grab a womans body, gloated about being a sexual predator, is charged with raping a 13-year-old, who called women fat pigs, dogs, slobs, disgusting animals and suggested that one of the debate moderators was menstruating. Forget that the person represents the despicable, name-calling school-yard bully that, just a few years ago, the entire country was collectively denouncing. Or that he called Mexicans rapists, or said a military veteran was not a hero because he was captured, or that he mocked a disabled reporter, or called for a ban on an entire religion, or that he talked about the size of his penis on national TV, or that he incited violence at his rallies, or that he offered to pay peoples legal fees if they inflicted harm on protestors, or that he praised dictators like Saddam Hussein, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, or that he Tweets disgusting, vile and childish comments like a 12-ear-old Twitter troll, or that he retweets White Nationalists and anti-Semitics, or threatens to prosecute journalists, or threatens to jail his political opponents, or threatens to jail women who have filed lawsuits against him for (allegedly) sexually abusing them, or repeats tabloid conspiracy theories, or called for an adversarial foreign government to commit espionage against the United States. Yeah, just forget all of that. It was just campaign rhetoric.

The 2016 election was a referendum on simple human decency, and America failed the test. The fact that 88% of so-called Christians and Evangelicals voted for a man who has, repeatedly, acted like the most un-Christian man on the planet exposes their shameless hypocrisy. They seriously need go back and read Two Corinthians. These people need to do some soul-searching. The mental gymnastics and, more critically, the moral gymnastics these people have to do to justify their behavior is something I just cannot fathom.

For the first time in her 86 years on this planet, my mother did not cast a vote for president this cycle. Sadly, she lived long enough to see a man run for POTUS who screamed an obscenity at the top of his lungs in front of children. She, along with 42 percent of the country, found neither candidate suitable for the office. If you take that 42 percent, and add the 27 percent that went to the winner of the popular vote, a full 69 percent of the country did not vote for Trump. He received less than 26 percent of the vote. That means three out of four of us were seriously disgusted with him. There is no plurality here, no referendum, no mandate.

It is comforting to know that three quarters of the U.S. population rejected this man. The mantle goes to the 74% of us to hold these people accountable, not the other way around. History has not been kind to countries that democratically elected demagogues. Be vigilant.

Doug Sooley is a Ramona resident and a registered Independent.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is trying to rein in the pastor of an Old Town parish that published pre-election bulletins that said the Devil was working through Hillary Clinton and included other polemical messages.

Bishop Robert McElroy now requires Immaculate Conceptions pastor, Rev. Richard Perozich, to submit his churchs bulletins to the diocese for approval before they are distributed to parishioners.

Its not a normal practice, diocese spokesman Kevin Eckery said.

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The bishop also asked the parish to take down controversial bulletins from its website, but all content, including the bulletins, recordings of homilies, Mass schedules, and other details were all taken offline. All that remains is a placeholder for GoDaddy, a domain registration service.

Bottom line, the bishop read through more of the materials that are on there, and was concerned that they were as much about political issues more than they were about faith issues, Eckery said.

Bishop cautions parishes against backing, opposing candidates 

Perozich has since launched his own website that looks nearly identical to the now-defunct one from Immaculate Conception. At www.RichardPerozich.com the pastor re-posted the controversial bulletins and recordings of his homilies, and he plans to include other content that does not get past the bishop into the newsletter. The website was registered on Nov. 10, the same day it appears Immaculate Conceptions website was taken down.

By proceeding to read what is posted here, please know that you are accessing the personal website of Richard Perozich, a priest serving in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego at Immaculate Conception Church in Old Town, his website says.

Perozich declined to comment.

When the bishop communicated with the pastor, the one thing he absolutely wanted him to do was take the offensive materials off the parish website, Eckery said. Admittedly he moved it onto a personal website.

Perozich has created a section on his personal website that lets him post content that McElroy keeps out of the bulletin.

According to Perozichs website: The bishop disagreed with the content of other materials... which were perspectives by Fr. Perozich and other educated people regarding matters of faith and morals and Catholic participation in society.

Bishop Robert McElroy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Out of respect for the office as bishop, the bulletin is generic and coordinating.

The website went on to say the it will include views that might have gone into bulletins and are meant for those who wish to hear others ideas.

Eckery said the bishop is not going to police personal websites of the priests under him or other diocese employees.

Catholic parishs bulletin says Democratic voters are doomed to hell, Clinton is satanic 

The dispute between the bishop and pastor emerged after the Union-Tribune reported that the parishs Oct. 30 bulletin contained an article by Perozich that said, in part, that Clinton, with Satanic intervention, was trying to get people to abandon the church. The newsletter criticized the importation of immigrants whose religious values are to eradicate every belief except those of their own prophet and god, and to impose this on America and regulating the right to bear arms for free citizens in a nation where criminals and terrorists will always have weapons, and where government is now in opposition to the citizenry.

Two weeks earlier a flyer was inserted into the parish bulletin that said its a mortal sin to vote Democrat and the souls of voters who support Democratic candidates will be doomed to hell unless they go to confession before they die.

Eckery said Perozich did not authorize the flyer, and that the message about Democrats on the flyer and statements from the later bulletin were out of line with Catholic teachings.

McElroy would later email priests and pastors about the messages, and in one instance he said that a parish had violated its duty, but he did not specifically identify Immaculate Conception.

Bishop says parish with partisan statements violated duty 

The messages in the October bulletins and from the pulpit are not the first time Perozich has stood at the intersection of politics and religion. In homilies and bulletins at both Immaculate Conception and his prior parish, St. Mary Catholic Church in Escondido, Perozich has criticized politicians by name and government policies.

Think about how much money you make a year, and how much money does my president, my vice president and my congress and my senator make, with all of their perks and benefits, Perozich said in his September 25 homily.

And you and I have to have the new Obamacare insurance, the Affordable Care Act. But they dont, they have special insurance for them, they make rules for themselves. This is endemic in every society, its the same in communist Russia.

In December 2013 he also criticized now-former San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer for not reprimanding Rep. Nancy Pelosi when the two met, and that the House Democratic leader should not be given communion.

The pastor also made stereotypical descriptions of Jewish people.

Years ago when I was working in physical therapy, I had a patient who was Jewish. And I asked her, Why is it that so many Jewish people are doctors, lawyers and Ph.d.s? Perozich said. She said Because throughout history the various people of the earth have taken away everything we have. But once I have something in my mind and in my soul you can never take it from me.

And Perozich said that people arent really gay or transgender.

People lie to themselves by trying to redefine their creation by what they wish or by what they feel. No one is gay or lesbian as many claim to be. He or she is man or woman, made for the other despite feelings of same sex attraction. No one is transgendered such as Bruce Jenner claims to be. He or she is male or female as created by God. Caucasian race people are not black Americans like the woman in Spokane, Washington claims to be, he wrote in the June 21, 2015, bulletin.

Days before the controversy over the October bulletins, McElroy, in a speech at the University of San Diego, said its important for bishops to explain Catholic teachings on matters of public policy, particularly ones that are germane to the elections earlier this month, but they have a duty to not take sides.

Tax experts warned that some of the political statements that appeared in the October bulletins could run afoul of IRS regulations that prohibit non-profit organizations like churches from making political statements in support or against politicians. While they might violate government rules, the regulations are rarely enforced.

RELATED

For the first time in 40 years, the Catholic diocese of San Diego is holding a synod, conversations with lay people, clerics and theologians on topic.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
Supervisor-elect Kristin Gaspar has selected a well-known face in county government as her new chief of staff. Dustin Steiner, the current chief of staff for Supervisor Bill Horn, will move offices and lead Gaspars new team.

I wanted (a) Chief of Staff who could help me hit the ground running, Gaspar said in a statement.

Steiner has worked for the county since April, 2007. Its unclear who will take his place running Horns office.

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Gaspar, Horn and Steiner did not respond to request for comment about the changes in leadership. Gaspar, in an interview on Tuesday, she said her first task as she transitions into her new position was hiring a chief of staff and then, with his or her help, filling-out other positions to her team.

If she is re-elected in 2020 Gaspar, the second new supervisor in 24 years, will be the longest-serving member on the board due to term limits that will force the other four supervisors out of office. Facing this widespread turnover, Gaspar said she was looking for a person intimately familiar with the countys affairs in order to keep a well of expertise on the board. She also said she wanted a chief of staff who worked well with her and would have a strong relationship with her district.

Steiner was made Horns chief of staff in 2012 after serving as the supervisors deputy chief of staff and land use expert. He ran for the 77th Assembly District that same year and finished third in the June primary election.

A graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara, Steiner also has a masters degree in Public Policy from American University in Washington, D.C.

Steiners salary in his new position was not immediately available, but supervisors chiefs of staff earn around $160,000.

Gaspar, who is currently mayor of Encinitas, beat incumbent Dave Roberts in the Nov. 8 general election in one of the closest races in the county. While results have not been finalized and 12,000 ballots are left to count across the county as of Friday, she led with 50.27 percent and a 1,246-vote margin.

With Roberts, the Board of Supervisors sole Democrat, leaving office, the governing body will consist entirely of Republicans.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/02/2016 -- GBI Research, a leading business intelligence provider, has released its latest research, "Drug Discovery and Development Market in Asia Partnerships Between MNCs and Asian Academic Institutions and Healthcare Research Organizations are Driving R&D Innovation". The report provides key data, information and analysis of the major trends and issues affecting the drug discovery and development market in seven major countries in Asia, namely China, India, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea. The report provides a comprehensive insight into market segmentation, covering drug discovery and development market sizes, the strategic context for deciding a location in Asia to conduct clinical research, strategies adopted by global pharmaceutical companies in outsourcing R&D processes to Asian countries, and the regulatory landscapes there. The report provides a detailed analysis of the regulatory authorities, clinical trial approval processes and recent regulatory changes in the clinical trial environment. The report analyzes the competitive landscape of the market, profiling key Contract Research Organizations (CRO) market players, along with a brief description of the business, major services and major M&A and partnership deals. The report also provides detailed analysis of major partnership and M&A deals that have taken place in the Asian drug discovery and development market along with segmentation by year, deal type, geography and phase of development.



The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by GBI Research's team of industry experts.



View Report At :http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/149607



GBI Research finds that the total drug discovery and development market size in the top seven Asian countries was estimated at $5.3 billion in 2011 and is forecast to reach $17.3 billion by the end of 2018. Revenue growth has been surpassed by investments in pharmaceutical R&D that have not increased the output of new medicines. Research-based pharmaceutical companies outsource R&D processes to CROs which offer integrated services across the life-sciences R&D value chain. Globalization in the clinical trial industry has led to an increased number of trials being conducted in emerging markets.



The CRO industry has been witnessing strategic deals between large global CROs with broad therapeutic and functional expertise, and subcontracting local CROs. This will enable global CROs to increase their market access capabilities, thereby further increasing the extent of their outsourcing activities. The entry of new participants into the biopharmaceutical sector will augment the drug discovery and development market in Asian countries. For example, Samsung Electronics entered into the biopharmaceutical market in April 2011 through the formation of Samsung Biologics, a joint venture company between Samsung Electronics and Quintiles. In December, 2011 Samsung entered into another agreement with Biogen Idec to set up a joint venture for the development, manufacture and marketing of biosimilars.



Download Sample copy of this Report at : http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/149607



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Detailed overview of global trends in pharmaceutical R&D, followed by market segmentation of the Asian drug discovery and development market in seven major countries, which are China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Russia and Singapore.

Annualized market data from 2007 and forecasts to 2018.

Strategies adopted by global pharmaceutical companies in outsourcing R&D processes to Asian countries, along with the strategic context for deciding locations in Asia for conducting clinical research.

Competitive landscape analysis, with profiles of the leading companies such as Quintiles Transnational Corp, Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc., Covance Inc., Parexel International Corporation and Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

Analysis of partnership and M&A deals from 2004 to June 2012 along with segmentation by year and geography, deal type, and phases of development.



Reasons to buy



Align your product portfolio to markets with high growth potential.

Develop market-entry and market expansion strategies by identifying the key areas for high growth and opportunities.

Understand the factors shaping the Asian drug discovery and development market.

Identify the key players best positioned to take the advantage of the opportunities in the Asian drug discovery and development market.

Accelerate and strengthen your market position by identifying key companies for mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships.



Table of Contents



1 Table of Contents 5

1.1 List of Tables 7

1.2 List of Figures 9



2 Drug Discovery and Development Market in Asia - Introduction 11



3 Drug Discovery and Development Market in Asia - Overview 12

3.1 Introduction 12

3.1.1 New Molecule Entity Applications Filed and Approved 12

3.1.2 Total Industry Spend on R&D and Cost to Develop New Drug 14

3.2 Industry Trends 15

3.2.1 Spending on R&D 15

3.2.2 R&D Expenditure, Percent Invested on the Development of Biologics 16



4 Drug Discovery and Development Market in Asia - Market Segmentation 17

4.1 Industry-Sponsored Phase II/III Trials 19

4.2 Clinical Trials by Therapy Area 22

4.3 Drug Discovery and Development Market Size 24

4.3.1 China 26

4.3.2 India 28

4.3.3 Russia 30

4.3.4 Japan 32

4.3.5 South Korea 34

4.3.6 Singapore 36

4.3.7 Taiwan 37



5 Drug Discovery and Development Market in Asia - Strategic Locations 38

5.1 Population 38

5.2 Patients Recruited 40

5.3 Contract Research Organizations (CRO) 41

5.4 Total Number of Sites for Clinical Trials 43

5.5 Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing Power Parity) 46

5.6 Total Healthcare Expenditure as a Percentage of GDP 47

5.7 Cost Comparison 48

5.7.1 Tax Credits 48

5.8 Comparison between Countries 50



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An unmanned Russian cargo spaceship that was on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) broke up in the atmosphere on Thursday. The craft got destroyed due to an unspecified malfunction somewhere over Siberia, the Russian space agency said.

The Progress MS-04 cargo ship, which was en route to the ISS, broke up at an altitude of 190 kilometers over the remote Siberian region of Tuva, located close to the Mongolian border. The Telegraph reported that some of the remnants of the spaceship burnt up as it entered the atmosphere, while part of the debris fell over an uninhabited area of the planet. A loud thud accompanied with a flash of light was seen by the local people.

The cargo ship was headed to the ISS to deliver 2.5 metric tons of food, water, fuel and other supplies. Launched at 8:51 p.m. local time from Kazakhstan's Baikonur space launch complex, the craft was scheduled to dock with the space laboratory on Saturday.

Incidentally, this is the third incident of a botched launch for a Russian spacecraft in two years. In May 2015, a Progress cargo ship had fallen into the Pacific Ocean. May 2014 saw a Proton-M rocket transporting an advanced satellite breakup in the atmosphere.

But will the failed delivery of essential supplies mean that astronauts will be left high and dry without the essential supplies? Both NASA and Roscosmos have said that the crash of the cargo ship will have no adverse effect on the operation of the ISS or on those living aboard it.

Currently, there are six crew members who call the space station their home, including two NASA astronauts, three Russian cosmonauts and one member from the European Union. The Orbital ATK had successfully delivered supplies to the flying lab in October, and a Japanese cargo craft is soon scheduled to transport a full load of supplies in mid December.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of a number of debilitating conditions that affects more than 2 million people worldwide. Researchers have been analyzing different factors that may potentially prevent and treat the disorder. Now, a new study claims that intake of vitamin D during pregnancy may lower the risk of the offspring from developing multiple sclerosis.

Vitamin D deficiency is common among the general population, including pregnant women. However, the researchers said it is too soon to routinely recommend "sunshine vitamin" supplements for mothers-to-be, Health Day reported.

Dr. Nete Munk Nielsen, from the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, and his team conducted a large population-based, case-control study to examine the connection between the neonatal status of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), a known marker of vitamin D levels, and MS risk.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the nationwide Danish MS registry and the Danish Newborn Screening Biobank (DNSB). The DNSB stores dried blood spots samples from newborn screening tests.

The researchers determined and selected everyone born after April 30, 1981 and who had developed MS by 2012. This resulted in a total of 521 people participating in the study. They then compared the blood from these people with those of 972 other people of the same sex, born on the same date, but did not develop MS.

According to Medical News Today, the study, published in the journal Neurology, considered 25OHD levels between 30 nanomoles per liter and lower than 50 nanomoles per liter as insufficient, and levels higher than or equal to 50 nanomoles per liter as sufficient

Those who participated in the study were divided into five groups, based on their vitamin D level. The bottom group had levels lower than 21 nanomoles per liter, while the top group had levels equal to or above 49 nanomoles per liter.

Overall, participants with the highest levels of vitamin D were 47 percent less likely to develop MS later in life than those with the lowest levels. MS risk was also low with the increase of 25OHD levels. In fact, for every 25 nanomoles per liter increase in neonatal 25OHD, the risk of MS dropped by 30 percent.

According to the authors, their study was conducted to further confirm the protective role of vitamin D in the development of MS, as well as determining that having low levels of vitamin D in utero may influence the risk of developing the disorder.

However, Dr. Nielsen emphasizes the fact that the study does not demonstrate that increased vitamin D directly reduces the risk of MS, but rather only presents an association.

"More research is needed to confirm these results, but considering that a high percentage of pregnant women worldwide have low levels of vitamin D our results may provide important information to the ongoing debate about vitamin D supplements for pregnant women," he said.
Huawei has rolled out its latest Huawei Mate 9 smartphone early this November 2016. Although the handset will only be available for purchase in China and several European countries before Christmas, the smartphone will come to the US early next year.

The Huawei Mate 8 successor has a couple of features, which are way ahead than any other Smartphone in its 699 Euros ($784 USD) range. The smartphone specs a 20 MP camera, Android 7.0 Nougat, an octa-core processor and more jaw dropping features. Here's what we know about the upcoming model so far:

Huawei Mate 9 Smartphone: Specs & Features

The phone features a 5.90" touch screen display, which offers a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. The screen is PS LCD capacitive, supporting more than16M colors. The smartphone is powered by an octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 960 processor combined with a RAM of 4GB. The phone features an internal storage of 64GB, which can be expanded up to 256GB.

Huawei Mate 9 Smartphone features an amazing 20-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The cameras come with additional features including Geo-tagging, face/smile detection, touch focus, panorama, and HDR.

The smartphone measures 156.90 x 78.90 x 7.90 and weighs just 190 grams. The Huawei Mate 9 is a dual SIM smartphone and also runs Android 7.0 Nougat. Other features include Wi-Fi, NFC, 3G, 4G, GPS, and Bluetooth. The device also has a smart collection of sensors including a Compass Magnetometer, Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, and a Gyroscope.

Huawei Mate 9 Smartphone: Troubles In The US?

Huawei Mate 9 review: A big phone with enough battery https://t.co/Aly9SoxWLz  Digital World 2025 (@netana_80) December 1, 2016

If the recent rumors are to be believed then the congressional report of 2012 recommends U.S. carriers not to support Huawei devices. This is probably to prevent any chance of China spying on American customers. Although Huawei has earlier rejected any such claims, all major carriers so far are not willing to sell Huawei Smartphones in the US.

International Data Corporation reports, based on shipments in Q3 2016, state that Huawei was the third largest smartphone vendor in the world after Samsung and Apple. While most of its business is limited to China, Huawei has tried to maintain a presence in the European market and is now approaching U.S. market as well.

Huawei Mate 9 Smartphone: Release Date & Price

#HuaweiMate9 coupled with ultra battery and fast charging is a force to be reckoned with. Pre-book today! https://t.co/zIhTSfJyTO pic.twitter.com/VHU36eIVVU  Huawei Mobile PK (@HuaweiMobilePK) December 2, 2016

The upcoming smartphone was announced earlier in November 2016. While the smartphone will hit China as well as European Market well before Christmas, the phone will arrive in the US early in 2017 as early as January. It remains to be seen whether any carrier is ready to support Huawei approach the US market.

The smartphone will be available for purchase for a price tag of 699 Euros ($784 USD). Stay tuned to SWR for more news and updates on the Huawei Mate 9 smartphone release date, specs and price details.
LAKE CITY, S.C.  The American Heritage Festival started Friday and will end Sunday on Graham Farm in Lake City.

This is the second year the living history event is being held to highlight colonial South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.

Graham Farm was used by Gen. Francis Marion as a place of refuge from the incessant search for him and his men by Banastre Tareton, according to a media advisory. The historic area provided Marion with supplies, militia, horses and refuge during the war. The farm also was used as a staging area for attacks on Georgetown.

Paul Graham, the director of the American Heritage Festival, said he inherited the farm approximately seven years ago. It has always been in his family.

The Revolutionary War is an important part of history to the Graham family, the community and the nation, Graham said.

Its very important history, and I wanted to do something to keep that memory alive and not lose that information, he said.

The three-day festival features cannon demonstrations, Revolutionary battle re-enactments, a colonial Christmas show, historical presentations and live music. The festival began Friday evening with live music, food and drinks and will run until Sunday afternoon.

We have a display of lights Saturday night, Graham said. The regiments are going to march through colonial village with torches at night, and then they are going to bring out their cannon and muskets.

The display of lights is a new component of the festival, and it will begin at 7 p.m. today. Another new feature is a two-man colonial circus that will be featured throughout the festival.

Francis Marion University professor V. Scott Kaufman, historian J.D. Lewis and award-winning author Jim Piecuch are scheduled to give presentations on Saturday.

Nearly 650 people attended the festival last year, Graham said. He would like to see between 2,000 and 2,500 people this year.
CMV's first programme from Wales for 2017 sailings went on sale two months ago and is already 60% sold, commercial director Chris Coates told Seatrade Cruise News.

CMV fleet favourite Marco Polo will sail from the Welsh capital Cardiff to the Norwegian Fjords (May 14), Spain, Portugal and France (May 24) and the Scilly Isles, France and Belgium, including the River Seine (June 3).Sister ship Magellan is offering departures from Newport on May 28 (Belgium and France including River Seine), and June 4 (Norway and Ireland) with an option for a two night taster cruise to Dublin and Liverpool.

The programme was confirmed at a media and trade briefing held at the Celtic Manor Hotel Resort on the outskirts of the two ports.

Coates said: 'We are committed to developing our business out of south Wales. It is a minimum three year plan and we aim to be here in 2018 and 2019.'

The addition of the Welsh points brings the total number of UK departure points available to CMV guests to 11 and Coates acknowledged the support of Cruise Wales, the country's representative body and Cardiff and Newport port operators ABP in assisting its expansion.

Head of Cruise Wales Suzanne Thomas said: 'It's a great pleasure to work with CMV. The appeal of their programmes from Cardiff and Newport is huge to a very significant catchment area within easy reach of these ports.'

ABP' South Wales commercial manager Elizabeth Nash confirmed the start of a feasibility study to develop new cruise facilities at a third south Wales port, Swansea. 'We hope to have good news about this potential development next year, ' she told the briefing.
On Thursday, the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology raised eyebrows with a retweet of an article from Breitbart News, which among other assertions, claimed - incorrectly - that global temperatures had plummeted in a record drop since the middle of the year.

In reality, as NASA scientist Roy W. Spenser's blog documents, temperatures actually rose between October and November. (The New York Times and the Washington Post both published articles debunking the Breitbart article's assertions.)

On Wednesday, 2,300 scientists - including 22 Nobel Laureates - sent an open letter imploring President-elect Donald Trump and the incoming 115th Congress not to hinder scientific research and enforcement of environmental laws for political reasons, the manifesto continues to create a stir in the research community.

"We're continuing to see people sign on," said Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, the activist group which organized the letter. Already, hundreds of additional scientists have contacted UCS to add their names as well, though not all of their names are listed on the organization's website because it takes time to verify that would-be signatories have legitimate credentials as researchers.

Trump has yet to respond to the scientists' letter on Twitter, his favored medium. But Democrats - still smarting from a loss in the presidential election and failure to regain control of the Senate - were quick to pick up on it.
A Viking toolbox found in Denmark has been opened for the first time in 1,000 years, revealing an extraordinary set of iron hand tools that may have been used to make Viking ships and houses, according to archaeologists.

The tools were found this summer at a mysterious, ring-shaped fortress at Borgring, on the island of Zealand. The famed 10th-century Danish king Harald Bluetooth is thought to have ordered the construction of the fortress.

So far, archaeologists have found at least 14 iron tools inside a single deposit of earth excavated from a gatehouse building of the fortress. The researchers said only traces remain of the wooden chest that once held the tools. [See Photos of the Viking Tools Found at the Danish Fortress]

Iron was valuable in Viking-age Denmark, and the researchers think the tools once belonged to a craftsman who occupied a workroom in the gatehouse until it collapsed in the late 10th century.

RELATED: Viking Jewelry Unearthed in Denmark

The archaeologists are still studying the heavily rusted objects, but they've already identified several sophisticated hand tools and other metal items, including a set of "spoon drills" that were used to make holes in timber; what looks like a pair of tweezers or small pliers; a "clink nail" used to fasten wooden planks together; four carefully crafted chain links attached to an iron ring; and a drawplate to make metal wires that may have been used in jewelry.

Archaeologist Nanna Holm, a curator at the Danish Castle Center in Vordingborg who is leading the excavations of the ringed-shaped fort at Borgring, said this is the first time an entire set of tools has been discovered in a Viking workplace.

"This is not an ordinary find," Holm told Live Science. "Not many tools are found in Scandinavia, but the others found before this have all been left for the gods, by being put down in a swamp."

The newfound tools are special because they were found where the craftsman would have been working, she said. "That's why it's so exciting for us to see what's inside, because we can see what one man has used at this specific site," Holm added.

Viking iron

The cache of iron tools was first located by amateur archaeologists using a metal detector near the eastern gate of the buried fortress at Borgring.

That discovery inspired Holm's archaeological team in August to excavate the eastern gatehouse, where they removed the deposit of earth containing all the tools in one piece - a delicate process that took two days.

The next step was to transport the lump of earth, rust and iron to a local hospital, where it was scanned with computed tomography (CT) equipment usually used by doctors to examine the internal organs of their patients. [Photos: 10th-Century Viking Tomb Unearthed in Denmark]

The CT scans revealed the precise arrangement of at least 14 iron tools, which have since been excavated from the toolbox deposit for individual X-ray studies and preservation before they are put on display in an exhibition next year, Holm said.

RELATED: Mystery Settlers Reached 'Step to Americas' Before Vikings

All of the tools are heavily corroded, but much of the original iron remains, and even more tools may be hidden in the rust, according to the researchers. "There are a minimum of 14 tools, but I think there are 16 now, from the new X-rays that we've already done," Holm said.

The contents of the toolbox provide a rare glimpse of working life in the late Viking age, she said.

"They can be used for different crafts," Holm said. "We have some spoon drills for making holes in wood, which could be used for building ships or for building houses."

The iron drawplate has a series of small holes of different sizes that were used to make wires from softer metals, the researchers said. "You pulled the metal through each of the holes to make it smaller and smaller, and thinner and thinner," she explained.

The toolbox is an important early find for the archaeologists, who will conduct further excavations at Borgring each summer for the next three years, Holm said. [Fierce Fighters: 7 Secrets of Viking Culture]

The remains of houses and human graves have been found at other Viking ring forts, but the toolbox is the first direct evidence of human habitation at Borgring itself, she added.

"So far, we haven't found any houses, but we now have proof that there were people here - so hopefully, next year, we will find their houses," Holm said.

Archaeologists think the ringed-shaped fort at Borgring and four others like it were built by the Danish king Harald Bluetooth around A.D. 980, as military outposts to enforce his rule as he introduced Christianity into Denmark and parts of Sweden and Norway.

The origin of the king's curious surname is uncertain, but his success in uniting the unruly Viking clans into a single kingdom inspired the name of today's Bluetooth wireless technology, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), which oversees development of the technology.

Borgring has appeared on maps since the 1600s, but Holm said the site was only recently recognized as one of Bluetooth's network of Viking ring forts.

"This is the first ring fort in 60 years that we'll be studying with all the new archeological methods, and today we can do so much more with science," she said. "It's pretty different work compared to what else we've done in Denmark, so this is something special. Hopefully, we will get a little bit closer to finding out what actually happened here and what the forts have been used for."

Original article on Live Science.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan departed to Gegharkunik Province on a working visit. The PMs first stop was at the Armenian-Italian AMA compressor enterprise of Gagarin community, which is engaged in production of oil-gas compressor stations. The PM toured the enterprise and reviewed the production process and future projects. The enterprises production is exported to Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Moldova and Kazakhstan.

The PM recommended minister of energy infrastructures and natural resourced Ashot Manukyan to consider development projects of the enterprise representatives, mentioning a quite reasonable proposal has been made regarding Iran. The second proposal was in regard the Russian market, we will discuss this issue too, in order to open doors for increasing the volumes of exports, and the proposal regarding Iran was very promising, the PM said.

The Prime Minister later held a meeting in the Governorate of Gegharkunik with community heads, farmers and businessmen. We have arrived here to discuss the development of Gegharkunik Province. What should we do, how should we do it, in order for life to improve in the province, in order for the people to be satisfied and understand that we are headed in the right direction, he said.

Governor of Gegharkunik Rafik Grigoryan briefed the PM on the social-economic situation of the province, directions of development and scheduled projects.

A wide range of issues were discussed during the meeting, and the PM summarized it by underscoring : The number one problem : we need to create jobs, we have to create favorable conditions for people working with you, in order to create additional value. If we create additional value, additional jobs, we will move forward step by step. This doesnt mean we wont focus on healthcare, education and social issues, all of it is necessary.
Bam to DepEd: Ensure payment of teachers before Christmas

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that it will be a merry Christmas for thousands of public school teachers by expediting the release of their unpaid salaries and other benefits.

"Nais ko pong ipakiusap na madaliin sana ang paglabas ng suweldo, bonus at iba pang benepisyo na nakalaan para sa ating mga guro upang maging maligaya ang pagdiriwang nila ng Pasko, kasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay," said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education, in his letter to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones dated December 2, 2016.

The senator made the move after receiving information that some teachers have yet to receive their salaries and bonuses.

"Batid ko na ang iba ay kulang pa ng requirements ngunit marami sa kanila ay kumpleto na ang mga dokumento at naghihintay na lang sa paglabas ng suweldo," said Sen. Bam, whose office has already helped some teachers obtain their salaries and bonuses.

"Lahat tayo ay naghahangad ng magandang Pasko para sa ating pamilya at mahal sa buhay. Wala nang gaganda pa kung maipagdiriwang natin ito nang walang anumang alalahanin sa ating isipan," he added.

As chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam is pushing for the enactment of laws that will provide teachers with additional support and incentives.

According to Sen. Bam, these support and incentives will make teaching in public schools attractive for teachers.

The senator is currently working on a bill that will provide teachers relocation allowance, hazard pay and health care insurance.

Sen. Bam also filed Senate Bill No. 173 or the Free Education for Children of Public School Teachers Act.

If passed into law, free education in state universities nationwide will be given to children of public school teachers in all levels, whether they want to pursue baccalaureate degrees or short-term training course.

The measure will provide full subsidy program that covers 100 percent of the tuition fee and other miscellaneous expenses necessary upon the enrollment of the student in a state college or university.

Aside from additional benefits for teachers, Sen. Bam also wants to improve the working environment of public school teachers by addressing backlogs in classrooms, improving facilities, and giving all public schools access to the internet and online educational materials.
Press Release

December 2, 2016 De Lima seeks to inhibit Aguirre and his team from cases vs her Sen. Leila M. de Lima today asked Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to inhibit himself and his team of prosecutors from hearing the four cases brought up against her to allow an objective and independent investigation on said cases. In filing her Omnibus Motion, De Lima asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to refer these four cases to the Office of the Ombudsman which she maintained not only has the exclusive authority and sole jurisdiction but also the impartiality to investigate the charges against her. "Considering the partiality, bias and lack of objectivity of the Secretary of Justice and the panel of investigating prosecutors in these cases, these officials should inhibit themselves and instead refer the cases to the Office of the Ombudsman," she said. De Lima is the subject of complaints filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, former National Bureau of Investigation Directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, and convicted kidnapper Jaybee Sebastian. Citing the 1989 Ombudsman Act, the former justice secretary pointed out that the charges leveled against her as a public official clearly fall within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Ombudsman. "This duty to forward the case to the Office of the Ombudsman even acquires pragmatic value, considering that the DOJ Secretary himself committed to still submit to the Office of the Ombudsman the result of the investigation in these cases," she said. "All these cases, including the one lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman, anchor their charges on a common allegation that respondent Senator de Lima is involved in the illegal drug trade in the country," she added in her petition. The Senator from Bicol also sought to suspend the preliminary investigation and asked for the inhibition not only of Secretary Aguirre, an appointee of President Duterte, her known nemesis, but also his team of prosecutors from hearing these four cases. "The integrity of the investigation in these cases appears to be seriously tainted and deeply compromised as no less than the President and the DOJ Secretary had prejudged the guilt of respondent Senator de Lima," her petition said. "In this environment, where the President and the DOJ Secretary have complete control and supervision over the work of their subordinates at the DOJ, it is a foregone conclusion that the conduct and the results of the investigation will not be impartial and objective," it added. De Lima explained that the various public pronouncements of the President and Secretary Aguirre prejudging her guilt are "indubitably implicit instructions to the investigating prosecutors to file cases in court regardless of actual evidence." "The importance of an independent and impartial investigation, forming part as it is of the fundamental right to due process, cannot be overemphasized," she said. De Lima argued that Aguirre who has spent so much time gathering trumped-up evidence against her and pronouncing her alleged guilt in several media interviews has basically acted as her "special prosecutor and personal persecutor" and has ultimately prejudged her.
Press Release

December 2, 2016 Problem hiring? Tap millennials to fill 6,000 COA vacancies--Recto The Commission on Audit (COA), the taxpayer's whistleblower, should be promoted as a "premier destination" for "talented and idealistic millennials" who would like "to do good by going into government service. " Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto suggested this "recruitment tack" to fill thousands of job vacancies in the independent agency which "performs the important task of being a tripwire against graft." Likening it to a car running on half-empty, Recto said of COA's 14,102 authorized personnel positions, 6,070 are not filled, or a low appointment rate of 57 percent. This, he said, leaves COA with only 8,032 "overworked and thinly-stretched" personnel to thoroughly audit the trillions of pesos spent by 19,081 agencies, who submit about "39 million spending vouchers annually." Recto has been calling for a "pay more, hire more" policy to beef up the ranks of government auditors, and to properly compensate those who are already in service. "They are not mere accountants who look into ledgers. Many are courageous servants, assigned to dangerous places, who put their lives on the line," he said. COA has 6,733 auditors or audit examiners in its ranks, augmented by 295 engineers and architects, and 230 lawyers and special investigators, "a workforce not enough to cover all the bases," Recto said. He said a mere 874 auditors and 14 lawyers and special investigators keep watch on spending done by agencies under the "national government sector." "Isang halimbawa, ang DSWD, more than P100 billion ang budget, sa 4Ps pa lang ay four million plus ang beneficiaries, dagdag pa ang thousands of community projects, pero wala pa yatang 50 ang auditors," he said. "Sa corporate government sector, 667 lang ang auditors and examiners, at 11 na abogado, walang engineers," he said. Bulk of the COA workforce are deployed to local governments, with 4,979 auditors, 189 engineers and architects, and 67 lawyers and special investigators tasked to inspect books of cities, provinces, towns, and barangays. The overconcentration of auditors in LGUs has prompted Recto to observe the skewed distribution, "with more assigned to local government with less money to spend than national government agencies who have so much money but fewer auditors." The shortage of manpower has led to a situation where auditors of national government agencies are unable to follow funds which have been downloaded to regions to eventual end-users, Recto said. "Kung kulang ang tao, gamit, at resources, hindi talaga kayang i-audit ang P3.917 trillion Total Expenses, Subsidies and Losses or TSL ng national government at P387.58 billion na TSL ng LGUs," Recto lamented. During deliberations on the 2017 national budget, Recto had repeatedly batted for the hiring of more government auditors "so that watchdogs embedded in public offices won't have a hard time doing their job." "If the Ombudsman's staff is being strengthened, if 'integrity bodies' in revenue agencies are being given additional funds, if internal affairs units in the police and the military are being beefed up, then all the more that COA, the public's whistleblower, must have more personnel," he stressed. To attract talent, he urged COA to bring its recruitment drive to colleges and universities, and join job fairs. If there are casual auditors, the agency should institute a fast-track way for them to be "regularized," Recto said. He said COA's "technical deficit" shows in the small number of engineers and architects whose number must be increased if we are building more roads, bridges under the promised "infrastructure boom" of the government.
Press Release

December 2, 2016 Villanueva to call for Senate probe on arrested illegal Chinese workers in Clark The Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development chaired by Senator Joel Villanueva is set to lead an inquiry on December 7, Wednesday, on the reported presence of alleged illegal Chinese workers in Clark, Pampanga who were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration last November 25. The incident which is said to be the "biggest single arrest of illegal aliens" done by the BI has apprehended a total of 1,316 alleged illegal Chinese workers in a resort and casino complex at Clark Freeport Zone. Officials coming from the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Labor and Employment, and Philippine National Police will be invited to attend the said hearing. In Senate Resolution No. 242 filed by Villanueva, the senator expressed alarm over the rising number of illegal foreign workers in the Philippines in manufacturing, construction, power grids, and in the mines of CARAGA region. "These illegal foreign workers are displacing our Filipino workers. DOLE should implement strong monitoring policies for migrant workers to control this influx," Villanueva said. As of 2015, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has estimated that there are over 3,500 illegal foreign workers in the country. The number has been projected to increase over the years if their entry won't be controlled and addressed. The labor group said undocumented foreign workers in the country are employed commonly in construction, manufacturing, electronics, and services industries located in Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bataan and Batangas. "The huge number of illegal Chinese workers arrested in Clark signifies the growing bulk of undocumented workers across the country. This already calls for an immediate action by our government authorities as this might bring serious implications in our labor situation," Villanueva further stressed. The Department of Labor and Employment enforces the rules on the issuance of alien employment permit while the BI is responsible for regulating the entry, stay, sojourn and exit of foreign nationals in the country. The Philippine Labor Code provides that "any alien seeking admission to the Philippines for employment purposes and any domestic or foreign employer who desires to engage an alien for employment in the Philippines shall obtain an employment permit from the Department of Labor". It further stipulates that "the employment permit may be issued to a non-resident alien or to the applicant employer after a determination of the non-availability of a person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to perform the services for which the alien is desired". The senator hopes that through the said probe, possible amendments to the Labor Code, immigration laws, and other pertinent statutes will be crafted. Villanueva further specified he wants to address the loopholes in the law, including the understudy training program required to be conducted by the foreign national working in the Philippines to transfer knowledge and/or skills to Filipino workers. "The number of illegal alien workers in the country are growing very fast and crucial steps must be taken to address this. Abuses and exploitations certainly have no place in our labor sector," Villanueva said.
Press Release

December 2, 2016 Villar thanks MIAA for reversing GM Honrado's policy on terminal fee payments by OFWs Senator Cynthia Villar thanked the Manila International Airport Authority for reversing the policy of the previous administration to collect airport terminal fees from overseas Filipino workers despite a unanimous resolution approved by the Senate describing such collections as unlawful. Villar, a staunch OFW advocate, noted that former MIAA General Manager Angel Honrado backed up by then Transportation and Communications Secretary Emilio Abaya Jr., proceeded to collect the PHP550 terminal fee from OFWs in February 1, 2015 despite the overwhelming objections of OFWs and civil society groups such as the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Migrante International, and the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch. "I am happy that the new MIAA general manager, Ed Monreal is attuned to President Duterte's policy of treating our modern-day heroes with respect and compassion. We in the Senate have always believed that the integration of terminal fees in airport tickets can be accomplished without having to tread on the toes of millions of our OFWs. In fact, I had made repeated appeals to the MIAA, DOTC and the DOST to look at IT solutions to spare our OFWs from paying a fee that the law exempts them from," Villar said. The senator presided over a series of Senate hearings held last year on the issue of terminal fees for OFWs where she took then General Manager Honrado to task for implementing Memorandum Circular No. 8 without any public hearings or direct consultations with the OFW sector. According to GM Monreal of MIAA, efforts are now underway to modify the collection system so that OFW exemptions as mandated under the Migrant Workers Act of 1995 and its amendatory law, Republic Act No. 10022, will not be affected. MIAA sources said more than a billion pesos has been collected since the inclusion of terminal fees in air tickets with half of this amount still unclaimed by some OFWs making it part of MIAA's general fund. Villar said that she will recommend to MIAA that it puts up an online verification system in coordination with the POEA and the Bureau of Immigration to make it easier for OFWs who have left the Philippines to request for a terminal fee refund. "We need an online platform that would make it easier for our OFWs to claim their refunds which may soon reach a billion pesos," the lady senator pointed out.
Press Release

December 3, 2016 Sentro Rizal's Expansion Will Boost Cultural Exchange, Cooperation with Other Countries - Legarda Senator Loren Legarda commended the continued expansion of Sentro Rizal, saying that it is a great opportunity to promote cultural exchange among different countries, allowing the rest of the world to further understand and appreciate Filipino culture, arts and language. Sentro Rizal (SR) is the international cultural arm of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). It was recognized by virtue of Section 42 of Republic Act 10066 known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which specifies a center "whose main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language throughout the world." The Senator explained that Sentro Rizal is a repository of all kinds of material relating to the promotion of Philippine history, arts, culture, language and tourism. One of its main goals is to provide a place where children of overseas Filipino workers can learn about their heritage through cultural programs and activities. From September this year, the Sentro Rizal has expanded with the inauguration of several new centers. SR Doha, in Qatar, was opened last September 20. SR in Cairo, the first ever SR to be established in the African region, was inaugurated last September 25. SR Agana, the latest addition to the centers, was inaugurated in Guam last October 11. To date, there are 21 Sentro Rizals established across the globe. The NCCA continues to reach out to the international community and the Filipino community abroad, with the support of the Office of Senator Legarda, for the remaining days of 2016 as it simultaneously inaugurated SR in Brunei and Milan on November 28, as well as SR in Rome on November 29. "Sentro Rizal will take root where there are Filipinos who wish to keep the connection with their motherland alive. It aims to foster international exchange, understanding and friendship between Filipinos and foreign nationals with whom we share deep historic and cultural bonds," Legarda stressed. Envisioned as the Philippine counterpart of France's Alliance Francaise, Spain's Instituto Cervantes, and Germany's Goethe-Institut, Sentro Rizal is expected to offer Filipino language courses for children and adults, as well as exhibits, small concerts, poetry reading, Philippine cuisine lessons, and other cultural activities.
California homeowners should find it easier and cheaper to build a second unit on their property, or turn an illegal unit into a legal one, thanks to two laws that take effect Jan. 1.

The laws, along with a third that took effect in September, will ease or eliminate the off-street parking requirements and often-enormous utility-hookup fees that homeowners face when they create a second dwelling, often called an in-law or granny unit.

One set of rules will apply if the second unit is created within an existing space  such as a bedroom, basement, attic or garage. Another set will apply if the new unit, whether attached or detached, adds square footage outside or on top of existing structures.

Homeowners will still have to comply with local building codes, find a contractor and arrange financing. Sylvia Krug, who is looking to convert bedrooms in her Novato home into a rental unit, said she interviewed three contractors and they all have yearlong waiting lists.

The new laws wont come close to filling the Bay Areas housing needs. But they could create options for middle-income renters who dont qualify for below-market-rate housing and cant afford a market-rate apartment. They also could help homeowners meet their mortgage payments, seniors stay in their homes with an on-site caregiver, and multigenerational families live together, but not too together.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Toni Gardner just moved into a granny cottage she had built in the backyard of her home just outside Santa Cruz. Gardner built the cottage so her son and his family could move into the main house from a mobile home in Prunedale (Monterey County). She watches her grandkids in the afternoon while her son and daughter-in-law are at work.

It was a long, hard road with lots and lots of obstacles, Gardner said. Some of those roadblocks, such as converting most of her backyard into three parking places and paying more than $20,000 in water hookup fees, would have been reduced under the new laws.

The laws that take effect Jan. 1  AB2299 and SB1069  amend the state law governing second units and rename them accessory dwelling units.

About two-thirds of Californias cities and counties have their own second-unit ordinances, but the state law is more permissive than most of them. Jurisdictions that have not adopted or amended a local ordinance that complies with the new state law by Jan. 1 will have to follow the state law until they approve a compliant one.

Under the new law, second units are allowed on any lot with a single-family home, but local ordinances can say where they will or wont be permitted based on factors such as water and sewer services, traffic flow and public safety.

The amended law will allow accessory units up to 1,200 square feet, but allows jurisdictions to impose lower limits and establish standards governing height, setback, lot coverage, landscaping and architectural review.

The state law does not prevent homeowners from renting out the second unit to short-term guests or require them to live in one of the units. But local jurisdictions can require one of the structures to be owner-occupied and regulate rentals of less than 30 days, as San Francisco does.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

When a homeowner submits a second-unit application that meets state and local requirements, the local jurisdiction must approve it within 120 days, without the need to notify neighbors.

Some cities are rushing to conform their ordinances by Jan. 1 or soon thereafter. But there are a lot of unanswered questions. Its a confusing set of regulations, that, in the opinion of this planner, has a lot of gray zones, said Neal Toft, Larkspurs planning and building director.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development plans to issue guidance on the law in a week or two. We are in a housing crisis, said Paul McDougall, the departments housing policy manager. Local governments should embrace this as a way to create accessory dwelling units.

For most homeowners, the bill will remove a big impediment to second-unit creation: the need to create off-street parking.

For units created within an existing space, cities and counties cannot require any additional parking.

For units outside that space, cities can require one additional parking space per bedroom created. However, this requirement is waived if the home is within one-half mile of public transit, within a block of a car-share vehicle, in an architecturally and historically significant district, or if on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the second-unit occupant.

If new parking is required, it generally can be provided as tandem parking on an existing driveway or in setback areas (the space between your home and property line that is supposed to be empty), unless this would not be feasible based on topography or safety considerations.

The law also will let homeowners create a second unit within existing space, such as a garage, that sits within a setback area.

The other big bonus is the reduction or elimination of certain fees. Today, some water and sewer districts levy the same hookup fees on tiny second units that they charge on a full-fledged home. These fees can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.

In the future, on second units built within existing space, utilities cannot require the homeowner to install a new or separate utility connection, nor can they impose a connection fee or capacity charge.

For units outside existing space, they can require a new or separate connection, and can charge a connection fee or capacity charge, but it must be proportionate to the burden of the second unit based on its size or number of plumbing fixtures.

San Jose has updated its zoning code to adopt the mandatory provisions of the new state law. We had already started in the direction of making it easier to build secondary dwellings, said Jenny Nusbaum, San Joses supervising planner. We wanted to update our code before the the state law kicked in so we could, as much as possible, maintain local control.

Among other things, San Jose reduced the minimum lot size needed to build a second unit from 6,000 square feet for attached and 8,000 square feet for detached to 5,445 feet for either type.

Russell Feirstein is in the design phase for a second unit on a quarter-acre lot he owns in San Jose. When his architect sent him San Joses revised code, all the barriers that I had seemed to be lower, which had me dancing for joy.

Feirstein and his late wife bought the home about 10 years ago, when it was a piece of junk. We slowly fixed it up and rented it out. Their long-term plan was to build a granny unit on the property to increase their retirement income. Alternatively, they thought their children might use it one day or live in it themselves, God forbid, if something happens, he said.

A third law, AB2406, which took effect when Gov. Jerry Brown signed it in September, gives cities the option of allowing homeowners to create a junior accessory dwelling unit. This is a unit created within an existing bedroom that has an efficiency kitchen (no gas or appliances requiring 220 volts) and an interior connection to the main house. This can be two doors with separate locks, like adjoining hotel rooms.

This is probably the cheapest way to create a second unit because there is no need for a separate address, heating unit or fire separation, said Rachel Ginis, founder of Lilypad Homes in Corte Madera.

San Jose has not adopted this option because it requires one of the units to be owner-occupied. We would rather have the flexibility of having someone rent out both units, Nusbaum said.

Larkspur has adopted it. We are excited about the junior (accessory dwelling units) for people to age in place or have a tenant in a smaller unit, to reuse the single-family home without demanding additional parking, and to do it in an affordable manner, Toft said.

Kathleen Pender is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: kpender@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kathpender
City College of San Francisco cut more than 100 classes this semester and expects to cut hundreds more over the next few years  a plan school officials call responsible, while students and faculty call it madness.

With the loss of nearly 22,000 students in four years  26 percent of enrollment  and the end of millions of dollars in state stabilization funding next year that helped the college through its crisis, City College says it must reduce the number of classes it offers by about 5 percent a year.

The plan, said college spokesman Jeff Hamilton, is not only to reduce poorly attended classes but also to add other classes that students want or need. City College cut 113 classes this fall with an average enrollment of 4.3 students each. Records show 404 students were affected. The classes ranged from intro to flower arranging, with two students, to elementary French, with seven. Inexplicably, however, an introductory engineering class with 34 students was also sliced.

The college also added 47 classes, such as programming fundamentals, with 34 students, and IT customer support, with 31. But some of the classes added had very few students: Furniture making, for example, had two people enrolled.

ALSO California college leaders urge Trump to keep DACA

How do you support students and attract enrollment by cutting classes? asked Tim Killikelly, president of the faculty union and a political science professor who led a protest rally on campus Friday against the cuts. Instituting a policy of cuts makes no economic sense.

College officials say they used to agree. Within the past decade, for example, as state funding for public higher education plunged during the recession, the college kept classes on the schedule and instructors on the payroll. As state education officials took steps to force colleges to prioritize classes for students with a firm academic plan, City College students and faculty spoke out in Sacramento against the practice.

It caught the notice of accreditation officials, who cracked down hard on City College. Since 2012, the Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges has threatened to revoke the schools accreditation. The group will announce its final decision in February. A key complaint is that the college didnt align its course offerings with enrollment and funding.

Its absolutely essential, Hamilton said. One of the chief concerns of the accreditor has been managing our finances. And if were not effectively managing our (course) schedule, we cannot effectively manage our budget.

Sadly, we have vast numbers of empty seats in our classes, he said.

Many students say that while they disagree with the austerity measures, the college is also bungling its effort to align classes with what students need and with the funding.

Jon Gausman, a civil engineering student, said he wanted to take a class in environmental monitoring last year that was funded by a federal grant  but he couldnt.

They were cutting those classes, too, Gausman said. So even when classes are funded by another means, theyre still using the same blanket policy for cutting them.

Gausman said the class was later added back to the schedule and he was able to take it. But in another case, he said, a surveying class that had been removed from the schedule was resurrected by the engineering department, which found an instructor and posted signs in the hall advertising the class.

If I didnt walk down the hall that day, I wouldnt know about it, he said.

Bouchra Simmons, the non-voting student representative on the colleges Board of Trustees, said she understands the schools need to make ends meet.

But we need balance, she said. If we cut too many classes or programs, we might even lose more students.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
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The old civics lesson that says every vote counts is not likely to be lost on retired schoolteacher Clementina Duron anytime soon.

It may be the stuff that keeps her up at night, counting votes the way others count fluffy lambs leaping over the fence.

Thats because one single vote was the difference between Durons winning and losing a seat on the Albany school board in the Nov. 8 election.

Candidate Kim Trutane got 3,681 votes. Candidate Duron got 3,680 votes. As a result, Trutane won a seat on the board for four years and Duron won the right to put her head in a bucket of ice water and ponder the ways of fate.

Duron, the woman who came up one vote short in a race officially certified last week, said gamely that the voters have spoken and shes perfectly OK with it. Being a former teacher, she is not allowed to speak anything but the truth, as unlikely as that truth might sound.

Im pleased that I got as many votes as I did, Duron said, and that people were just willing to look at my literature and say, Hey, she might not do such a bad job.

And had she, perhaps, placed that literature in just one more voters hand, might that have made a difference? Duron has listened to such questions for nearly a month, patiently, the way a teacher listens. When reflecting about the results, she, at times, giggled. But she says shes never been angry, not once.

Actually, reflecting about it, I felt pretty good because Im sort of an unknown, Duron said.

Duron, 68, worked for 30 years as a teacher and principal in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco. Since retiring in 2006, she has been volunteering in a first-grade classroom in Albany, which means she makes even less money than a teacher does.

Trutane, the woman who beat her for the second of two open spots on the Albany Unified School District Board of Education, said she was just clearing her Thanksgiving dinner table when she received a text saying the registrar of voters had certified the results.

I was just amazed, said Trutane, whose two sons attend middle and high school in Albany. Its remarkable that it would be so close.

Trutane became involved in Albany schools when her oldest son entered preschool 12 years ago. She has served as a PTA president and decided to try for school board after running a campaign to pass two school construction bond measures in June. As a board member, she said she intends to keep an eye on school construction spending and help bring technology into the classroom.

Even though I dont have a teaching credential, I have always been interested in education, Trutane said. When I got involved in the preschool, that really sparked.

As a member of the school board, Trutane said she wants to make sure that we get the most out of every dollar that we are spending on any school construction.

Alameda County registrar of voters Tim Dupuis issued perhaps the most indisputable official decree in the history of the vote-counting profession.

This is pretty close, he said.

He also said he was very confident that the vote is correct.

Having close races, having them decided by just a few votes, that can happen and its part of the business, he said.

People who study elections say that one-vote election results are rare but not unheard of. In a 2001 study, economists Casey B. Mulligan and Charles G. Hunter found that, out of 47,000 national and state elections since 1898, a total of eight were decided by a single vote.

Other statisticians studying presidential elections have estimated the chances of one vote deciding the U.S. presidency to be about 1 in 50 million.

Since the Albany results came in, Trutane said that plenty of people have told her it was their vote that won her the election.

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Everyone wants to have the one vote that put me over, said Trutane. Every single one of those votes was necessary, and Im so grateful to all of my supporters.

Duron, who would like to have had one or two of those single votes her opponent was talking about, is the kind of educator who said she didnt have to look far to find what her profession calls a teachable moment.

I hope teachers talk about this in civics classes, she said. This is a good lesson for kids and for everybody else  that every vote counts.

And she is still kicking herself, good-naturedly, about one of her neighborhood campaign walks. She said she stopped at the home of a 90-year-old woman near her house and left some literature, but never tried to knock on the door a second time, even though she knows the woman on sight.

After the election, she bumped into the woman, who said she didnt know Durons name, despite their acquaintance. Duron is convinced that her elderly friend voted for her opponent. If that vote were taken from Trutanes column and given to Duron, shed be on the board instead.

My son did say to me, Mom, you should have knocked on one more door, Duron said. Hey, if I had taken just one more extra step. Thatll teach me.

Trutane and first-place finisher Jacob Clark, who got 3,929 votes, will be sworn in on Dec. 13. Duron said she might try again in the next election.

Never say never, she said.

Chronicle staff writer Steve Rubenstein contributed to this report.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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He may have recently been appointed to the Senate Democratic leadership team, but Bernie Sanders isnt exactly playing the part.

Speaking Friday afternoon at UC Berkeleys Zellerbach Hall, he continued to try to push the party left while rallying supporters who feel adrift after the election of Donald Trump. The senator from Vermont and former presidential candidate offered his view on what went wrong in the Democratic Party and how liberals ought to counter the president-elect.

Gone were the conciliatory remarks offered by Sanders and other prominent Democrats, President Obama included, on giving Trump and his policies a chance.

While promoting his latest book, Our Revolution, Sanders referenced our delusional president-elect and called one of Trumps tweets an insane statement. That was the one that claimed  with no evidence  that the Republican would have won the popular vote if millions of undocumented immigrants had not voted.

In language reminiscent of his campaign stump speeches railing against the millionaires and billionaires, Sanders said he would not compromise on key policy goals, including increasing voter access, fighting climate change and repealing the Supreme Courts decision in the Citizens United case that allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns.

Well, Mr. Trump, youve got to start listening to scientists and not just the fossil fuel industry, Sanders said as Trump neared his selection for energy secretary. Climate change is not a hoax.

Trumps early days as president-elect  in particular his building of a Cabinet that includes Steven Mnuchin, a former Golden Sachs executive, as Treasury secretary  have eroded Sanders hope that the two might find some common ground.

I have very little hope that Trump will keep the promises he made to those people, Sanders said of members of the disenfranchised working class that both men sought to champion as candidates.

Still, Sanders  who ran as a Democrat but remains an independent in the Senate  didnt rule out working with Republicans across the board, including if lawmakers were to pursue comprehensive global trade reform.

There are areas where I think there can be a compromise, Sanders said. There are areas where there can be no compromise.

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Doubling down on his call in recent weeks for the Democratic Party to retreat from identity politics, a message that has drawn the scorn of some Hillary Clinton supporters, Sanders urged the party to focus more on broadening its base and less on propping up its politicians.

The partys reluctance to embrace several progressive policy prescriptions  including single-payer health care, a $15 minimum wage, gender pay equity and immigration reform  underlined sweeping election losses across all levels of government, Sanders said.

I dont see this as much as a victory for Trump as I see it as a defeat for the present Democratic Party, Sanders said.

Sanders voiced his support for Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., to become the new chair of the Democratic National Committee, while noting with dismay that the progressive candidate is already getting beat up by the establishment.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley
The NIMBYs, the YIMBYs and everybody in between descended Thursday on City Hall to rhapsodize about something that usually leaves Mission District residents bitter and divided: a tall building full of housing.

In this case, however, the proposed nine-story, 94-unit mid-rise at 1296 Shotwell St. will house not well-paid engineers but low-income seniors, some of whom will be formerly homeless.

It was, as one would expect, a project city planning commissioners could not get enough of. I could not go to sleep tonight voting no on this project, said Planning Commission Vice President Dennis Richards.

Dozens of elderly Mission Latino residents testified in favor of the project, detailing how scarce and unaffordable housing in the neighborhood has become. Some were homeless. Some were fighting eviction. Some were squeezed into units with others. They were mobilized by the project developer, Mission Economic Development Agency  known as MEDA, which is building the project with the Chinatown Community Development Center.

The project, which will be three stories taller than zoning allows, had some early opposition from Bernal Heights residents, who said it would create a wall on Shotwell. But by the time of the vote, much of that opposition had dissipated.

The lovefest represented a contrast to a recent vote on 1515 South Van Ness, a 157-unit project on the same block as the Shotwell property. Last month, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously not to endorse that project, saying city planners failed to take into account the impact the complex would have on displacement and gentrification in the Latino Cultural District.

Supervisor David Campos, who represents the Mission, said his goal was not to kill the 1515 project  or to make it go through a new environmental review process  but to give it a few weeks of additional scrutiny. He expects it will be back before the supervisors early next year, when his successor, Hillary Ronen, will be in office. The development was the first that agreed to make 25 percent of the units affordable without getting any density or height bonus from the city.

 J.K. Dineen

Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

Memorial or not: A proposal to have the city install and maintain a memorial in honor of Alejandro Alex Nieto, the 28-year-old community organizer shot and killed by police in 2014, is once again causing tension between the police union and the Board of Supervisors.

The legislation by Supervisors John Avalos, David Campos, Malia Cohen and Eric Mar would direct the Recreation and Park Department to install and maintain a memorial in honor of Nieto in Bernal Heights Park.

Officers fired at least 59 shots after they said Nieto pointed what they believed was a handgun at them  it turned out to be a stun gun he carried for his job as a private security officer. In March, a federal jury found the four officers did not use excessive force in ruling against his family in a federal civil lawsuit.

The purpose of the memorial is to mark this tragic event and acknowledge the life and contributions of Alex Nieto and to acknowledge the suffering of Nietos family, said Avalos, the bills primary sponsor, at a hearing on Thursday of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee.

Avalos also criticized the Police Department, which he said has decades of history with overextended, heavy-handed use of force that results in many people losing their lives in ways that are completely unjustifiable.

San Francisco Police Officers Association President Martin Halloran criticized the proposed memorial.

We believe that we as a city should instead be honoring real heroes, the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our community from harm, Halloran said in a statement, citing public safety officers who died on duty.

This is not the first flareup between the supervisors and the police union. In January, the board unanimously approved a day of remembrance for Mario Woods, the stabbing suspect shot to death last December by several police officers. The police union called the resolution completely inappropriate.

 Emily Green

Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, jdineen@sfchronicle.com, egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider, @SFjkdineen, @emilytgreen
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President-elect Donald Trump never backed down from his baseless claim that he would have won the popular vote if not for the millions of people who voted illegally. He never retreated from his absolutely preposterous suggestion  at least for anyone who has studied constitutional law  that protesters who burn the American flag should be stripped of their citizenship.

Trumps continuing disassociation with the truth is generating introspection in newsrooms across the nation. How do we deal with a president whose early-morning tweets are so rife with ignorance and falsehoods? Do we simply ignore them and focus on the more substantive concerns about his appointments and policies? Do we call them out at every turn? Do we assume Americans are smart enough to see through his demagoguery, or operate on the premise that his denunciations of journalists as disgusting, scum and the lowest form of life need to be countered with facts?

This is, without a doubt, a new era in American politics.

In four decades of covering politics and policy at every level, Ive seen more than my share of spin, obfuscation, deflection and exaggeration. Ive seen politicians who distrust the media, avoid the media and posture against the media. All are great defense mechanisms for people whose careers are contingent on the ballot and, by nature, dont like critical scrutiny.

But none have taken misinformation and disinformation to this extreme.

Trump seems unimpressed with the principles of free press and free speech that have defined and ruled our democracy for more than two centuries. He has threatened to open up libel laws to make it easier for public figures to sue journalists who dare to criticize them, and to use the powers of government to harass the business interests of the owners of watchdogs such as the Washington Post.

His Twitter rants play to his supporters emotions and absence of knowledge.

Trumps offered no evidence for his contention that millions of noncitizens voted against him illegally, especially in population-rich California, Virginia and New Hampshire. If anything, the data suggest otherwise. Hillary Clinton ran up her largest margins not in areas with new immigrants, but in the more affluent coastal areas. Perhaps most tellingly, Trump lost in Orange County, a onetime Republican bastion, but all four GOP members of Congress were re-elected. That would seem to defy any notion of a Democratic plot involving noncitizens.

Trumps claim is clearly baseless. But are journalists overreaching to call it a lie?

His call to deprive citizenship of Americans who burn the flag was no less outrageous. His tweet on Nov. 29: Nobody should be allowed the burn the flag  if they do, there must be consequences  perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail! His post came shortly after a Fox News account of a flag being removed from a flagpole at Hampshire College in Massachusetts, and then torched during a demonstration.

Do your homework, Mr. President-elect.

In a 1967 case, Afroyim vs. Rusk, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Americans can lose their citizenship only by voluntary renunciation. The government does not have the ability to deprive an American of citizenship.

As for flag burning, even a conservative hero, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, defended the right to free speech by desecration of the American flag.

If I were king, I would not allow people to go around burning the American flag, Scalia said. However, we have a First Amendment, which says that the right of free speech shall not be abridged  and it is addressed in particular to speech critical of the government. ... That was the main kind of speech that tyrants would seek to suppress.

The Supreme Court has twice overturned flag-burning bans as unconstitutional.

Trumps tweets on voter fraud and flag burning make it clear that his election is not about to temper his penchant for early morning outbursts, or his willingness to make declarations with no grounding in fact. Weve seen this movie before: This is the billionaire whose ascension to the presidency has been built on a succession of outrageous and provably false declarations: that Muslims in New Jersey were celebrating the 9/11 terrorist attacks, that he never said climate change was a hoax perpetuated by China and of course his years-long contention (only withdrawn last fall) that Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

Yes, the critics of the obsession with Trumps reckless tweets have a point: They distract from the more ominous elements of his presidency. Example one: His appointment of a health and human services director who opposes not only the Affordable Care Act, but also the half-century commitment to provide Medicare as an entitlement. Example two: His appointments of a chief strategist and attorney general with backgrounds that could best be described as racially insensitive.

A tweet is not just an offhand comment or a slip of the tongue. It is a public statement. In some professions, including mine, Twitter users are held accountable for posts that bring disgrace to the organizations they represent. Some people have even lost their jobs over an intemperate tweet.

It would be a sad day in America when a presidential purveyor of propaganda could be excused as The Donald being The Donald.

The president-elect should be held accountable for what he tweets. It is news.

John Diaz is The San Francisco Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazChron

Voices of concern: Journalists ponder the Trump era

Christiane Amanpour

CNN

Postcard from the world. This is how it goes with authoritarians, like Sisi, Erdogan, Putin, the Ayatollahs, Duterte, et al ... first the media is accused of inciting, then sympathizing, then associating  until they suddenly find themselves accused of being full-fledged terrorists and subversives. Then they end up in handcuffs, in cages, in kangaroo courts, in prison  and then who knows?

Jay Rosen

Media critic, New York University

If you are evidence-based you lead with the lack of evidence for explosive or insidious charges. That becomes the news. If you are accusation-driven, the news is that certain people are making charges. With the details we may learn that theres no evidence, but the frame in which that discovery is made remains, he said, she said.

Marty Baron

Executive editor, Washington Post

The answer, I believe, is pretty simple. Just do our job. Do it as its supposed to be done. Every day I walk into our newsroom, I confront a wall that articulates a set of principles that were established in 1933 by a new owner for The Post, Eugene Meyer, whose family went on to publish The Post for 80 years. The principles begin like this: The first mission of a newspaper is to tell the truth as nearly as the truth may be ascertained.
Donald Trumps deal with air conditioner manufacturer Carrier to retain 1,000 jobs in exchange for $7 million in state subsidies does not seem like a very good deal for Indiana. Carrier is still moving 700 jobs to Mexico. Wouldnt that $7 million be better spent doing job training, extending unemployment benefits and creating new job opportunities? How many companies will be threatening to move jobs out of the U.S. in return for millions in incentives to stay?

During the campaign, Trump said he was going to penalize companies that moved jobs out of the country by charging them a 35 percent tax on any goods brought back into the U.S. for sale that were manufactured abroad. What happened to that plan? Giving Carrier $7 million does not seem like much of a penalty. This is the art of the deal?

Susan Wilder, Oakland

Slim chances

In view of Donald Trumps appointments so far, the upcoming administration appears to be far from a populists dream team. My thought is that many people in middle America voted for Trump with the same false hope that leads people to buy lottery tickets. The chances that Trump will be able to keep his promises to the beleaguered middle class are akin to those of winning the lottery. Good luck. Frankly, I think that Trump is the one holding the winning ticket.

Helen Ogden, Pacific Grove, Monterey County

Fake news issues

Regarding All the news that fits human biases: how instincts drive fake online stories (Dec. 2): The Chronicle article about fake news is a good beginning to an important conversation, for our democracy and for the very legitimacy of a free press. But the article falls short of the most important story, and that is the undeniable contribution fake news had to the election of Donald Trump.

While The Chronicle clearly wants to avoid an appearance of partisanship, fake news is not a symmetrical left-right, red-blue issue, and to suggest as much only contributes to the distortion of facts the article wants to correct. Yes, of course we all have confirmation biases. But fake news has to start somewhere, and the vast majority of the fake news stories in this recent election came from the right, from conservative media and right-wing websites, much of it freely perpetuated by the Trump campaign.

Trumps high level of support among the poorly educated suggests more than just random confirmation bias, and Trumps unabashed eagerness to perpetuate obvious untruths points to a very cynical ongoing strategy by conservatives to see how far they can go in duping the public. They must be called out, and the role of the free press has become more important than ever.

James Heron, San Francisco

Wrong emphasis

Yes, we have a problem with gun violence. But why is the emphasis always on the gun part and never on the violence? Why are people shooting at others? Surely, a little study would find the cause or causes. Then efforts could be more focused on getting rid of them. Hard drugs sales are very likely to be No. 1. Another way to reduce gun violence would be to enforce our current laws. If local and state laws arent enough, the federal statutes are pretty complete.

Peter Reque, San Francisco

Haitis election

Regarding Presumed leader says he is ready to face challenges (Dec. 1): I write on behalf of Haiti Action Committee regarding the fraudulent presidential elections of Nov. 27. A delegation including our Creole-speaking co-founder observed the elections, visiting more than 10 polling places on election day.

They reported massive coordinated voter suppression, including the government not sending required voter ID cards to voters, assigning polling places across the city (and even in different cities) from where the prospective voters lived, names on lists outside of polling stations that did not match voting lists inside the stations and a very suspicious blackout of electricity and phone lines throughout the country an hour after the polls closed.

Sacks (even a truckload) of uncounted votes, some partially burned, have been discovered since the election. The announced winner, Jovenel Moise, is the designated candidate of the hated former president Michel Martelly, elected in another fraudulent process in 2011, when Haitis largest party, Fanmi Lavalas, was denied participation in the election. Fanmi Lavalas was allowed to run candidates this election, and it appears the goal of the voter suppression was to make sure they would not win. We support ongoing demonstrations throughout Haiti denouncing these announced election results.

Charlie Hinton, San Francisco

New school plan

Oakland isnt the only city plagued with the revolving door of school superintendents. With salary possibilities into the hefty six figures, these mercenaries are going to put their self-interests above whatever community they sucker into hiring them. Holding the right credentials doesnt guarantee commitment to community, and its about time school boards woke up to that fact.

Heres a suggestion: How about hiring two hardworking, successful teachers from your school system, teachers who actually own homes or are longtime citizens of Oakland, pay them each half of the hefty superintendent salary, send them to some good training conferences and allow them to take on the job with the same commitment, experience and ingenuity they have shown in their communities and classrooms? You have better candidates in your own schools than you will ever find by paying some headhunter big bucks for a shiny suit from another city. How can some guy even begin to understand your community better than the people who show up for their students every single day? School boards need to be held accountable for their expensive support of these mercenary superintendents.

Madeleine DeAndreis-Ayres,

Fort Jones, Siskiyou County

Disaster causes

The Southeastern U.S. has recently been hit by more than its share of apparently natural disasters: severe droughts, fire storms driven by 90 mph winds, floods, late fall tornadoes, hurricanes and coastal flooding.

The events are reported on the evening news in what has become a sad formula: A reporter narrates shots of the destruction, then interviews a weeping survivor, cuts to an evacuation center and closes with words of praise for the heroic rescue workers and emergency crews.

The disasters are always reported as if they were independent and unrelated events, with never a mention of the process that ties them together, that is, climate change driven by global greenhouse gas emissions.

Robert Coats, Berkeley

Alligator swamp

Regarding Trumps turbulent transition (Editorial, Dec. 2): Donald Trump is not just filling his Cabinet with swamp denizens, hes stocking it with alligators.

By choosing billionaires and mostly older white men to fill these positions, Trump is creating an oligarchy that will largely ignore the interests of women and minorities across the country. While The Chronicle has characterized this transition process as the beginning of a wild ride, it seems more like a steamroller determined to obliterate economic and social justice.
In San Francisco, where architecture is a spectator sport, you might think there would be a clearly defined set of guidelines spelling out how new buildings can best fit our distinctive surroundings.

Youd be wrong. But next year, that could change.

The City Planning Department has embarked on its first set of urban design guidelines, a two-year effort that has produced a 70-page draft. In many ways it is long overdue, making smart points that should be common sense. Yet the inherent subjectivity of such standards could muddy the waters rather than lead to better buildings, which is what we really need.

At the most basic level, the aim is to promote the quality of individual buildings, and to enhance the experience of the city as a whole according to the current draft, which is being presented to community and design advocacy groups.

We see them as both practical and aspirational, Jeff Joslin, the Planning Departments director of current planning, said of the guidelines. Right now, we have a vast amalgam of documents that speak to design, but none that approach it in a methodical manner.

The new guidelines, if approved next year by the Planning Commission, would amplify rather than supplant such keystones of city policy as the Urban Design Plan that for the most part dates from 1971. It wouldnt affect the low-slung residential districts of the city, which have their own guidelines, and it wouldnt alter the height or bulk of whats allowed in the neighborhoods and commercial districts covered by the new guidelines.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Nor is the focus simply on buildings.

Theres a section on site design, the way individual structures should fit into the citys rugged topography and its cloak of large streets and tight alleys. Public Realm also gets its own section, including a call to locate and design open spaces to maximize physical comfort and visual access.

Inevitably, though, the flash points involve architecture.

Part of the problem is that no document can defuse the perennial tension between San Franciscans who want new buildings to look as if theyve been here all along, and those who want the city to be a contemporary showcase on par with Barcelona or Rotterdam.

Take a statement as innocuous as new buildings have the responsibility to sensitively respond to their context ... while being of their moment. Some neighborhood watchdogs already have complained that the department wants to push modernism above all else.

Another red flag: a provision in the current draft for waiver of design guidelines. The idea is to make sure that spelled-out standards dont stifle innovation and/or exceptional design. But the most conspiracy-fearing critics see the threat of an anything-goes loophole.

Dont expect waiver to appear in the next version of the draft. Maybe we should talk about an exception for exceptionalism, Joslin said. Ill see how that flies.

The notion of exceptionalism gets to a deeper issue.

Though guidelines are important, in an environment like San Francisco they can backfire. Standards that upgrade the sorriest proposed buildings also can be applied so joylessly and dutifully that imaginative architecture gets pressed into a predictable mold.

Thats not the intent here, but the current drafts efforts to cover all the bases could lead to that result.

Remember the guideline that new buildings should sensitively respond to their context? Flip to the glossary, and we learn the design context of a building may emulate, reinterpret, or contrast with its surroundings.

Theres also a mixed message in the introduction to the architecture section. It informs us that new projects should reinforce or enhance the physical patterns of neighborhoods ... with their own voice. But the next paragraph stresses that contemporary additions should come with appropriate massing, siting, scale, proportions, facade design, material choice and roof form.

Uh-oh. Anyone who wants to second-guess a proposed project, or fiddle with the details, can find justification. The list of virtues becomes a checklist so vague as to be confounding.

To their credit, this isnt the intent of Joslin and other top planners. They understand there needs to be room for innovation, the unexpected buildings or serendipitous spaces that soon feel right at home  the surprises that make you smile.

Joslin also emphasized that the idea isnt to add yet another hurdle to a review process that routinely can stretch for years.

Theres a lot of high expectation here (in San Francisco) in terms of design, but not a lot of clarity and certainty about how we review larger projects, Joslin said. We want principles that are more consistent and predictable while still allowing flexibility.

The value of guidelines is that they can educate  even inspire.

With clear words and well-chosen images, lay people can get a sense of how specific aspects of a building or space can add up to something greater. Architects and designers can benefit from a cleanly focused primer on the values of a particular neighborhood or city.

Thats what is important, rather than fussing over style details or trying to be all things to all people. We need templates that all sides understand, not loopholes to be exploited.

If guidelines spell out a code of behavior that new buildings must meet, thats a start. If they clear the way for architects to do their best possible work in our city, thats even better.

John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron

Information and workshop

For more information on San Francisco's proposed Urban Design Guidelines, go to http://sf-planning.org/urban-design-guidelines
Watch any Hollywood awards show, and the cameras are sure to zoom in on actresses wearing glittering borrowed diamonds, sapphires and rubies from luxury purveyors like Tiffany, Bulgari and Harry Winston.

One name missing from those promotional parades is Codognato, an Italian jewelry house known for a grittier but still extravagant style of adornment  precious stones set in skull motifs  that date to the companys founding by Simeone Codognato in Venice in 1866.

A selection of macabre necklaces, rings, earrings and brooches by Codognato will shine in a local spotlight in an exhibition, Coveted: Jewels by Codognato, that debuts this week at the Serge Sorokko Gallery in San Francisco. The show, with pieces of jewelry up for sale, opens with a private party on Thursday, Dec. 8, and is open to the public from Dec. 9 through Jan. 7, 2017.

The exhibition is billed as the first show of Codognato (pronounced coe-don-YAH-toe) to be held outside of a museum and marks the 150th anniversary of the jewelry house. Sorokko and his wife, former runway model Tatiana Sorokko, are collectors of the jewelry and count Attilio Codognato, the founders grandson and a jewelry designer since 1958, as a friend.

This exhibition is both culturally relevant and deeply personal, Serge Sorokko said in a statement. Attilio is an influential contemporary artist who, for over half a century, has been creating unique objets dart of astounding beauty.

The skulls, or memento mori, are reminders of the cycle of life and death. In recent decades, skulls have found their way into high fashion in the work of clothing designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. Codognato in recent years has been collected by pop star Elton John, model Kate Moss, actress Nicole Kidman and Princess Firyal of Jordan, according to an exhibition spokesman. Past clients have included opera star Maria Callas, Coco Chanel, author Ernest Hemingway and actor Richard Burton, according to Tatiana Sorokko in an article on Codognato for Harpers Bazaar in 2014.

Clothing and jewelry exhibitions have become an increasingly popular draw for museums, as evidenced by blockbuster fashion shows like Savage Beauty, the Alexander McQueen retrospective that drew more than 600,000 visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011. Locally, the new de Young Museums top 10 shows in the first 10 years of its existence included the retrospectives of Jean Paul Gaultier (279,114 visitors in 2012) and Yves Saint Laurent (261,214 in 2009). Also popular: its Cartier and America show in 2009 and The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Beyond in 2014.

It may not suit everyones taste, but Codognato has dedicated fans of the fantastic. At auction, Codognato snake bracelets and necklaces with jeweled skulls have fetched $10,000 to $35,000, according to sales information on Sothebys.com and other websites.

Codognato is one of the few jewelers who have forged their own identity without pandering to commercial interests, said Simon Teakle by email, a longtime Christies gemologist who now runs his own jewelry business in Connecticut. Their jewelry is created with individuality, humour and style.

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.

Carolyne Zinko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: czinko@sfchronicle.com

Coveted: Jewels by Codognato 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday Dec. 9-Jan. 7. Serge Sorokko Gallery, 55 Geary St., S.F. (415) 421-7770.
SACRAMENTO  Bay Area elected officials are calling on Rep. Xavier Becerra, named by Gov. Jerry Brown to be the states attorney general, to prioritize a criminal investigation into the California Public Utilities Commission.

Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, D-San Mateo, and San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane urged Becerra in a letter Friday to bring charges as soon as possible in the states corruption investigation into the panel that began in 2014, four years after a natural gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno killed eight people and devastated a neighborhood.

Becerra is expected to replace outgoing Attorney General Kamala Harris, who will be sworn in as a U.S. senator next month. Becerras appointment for the final two years of Harris post needs approval by both houses of the California Legislature.

We are deeply concerned that, if the office skips a beat during the transition period, the people of California may lose not just the money from their pockets, but the chance to prevent these abuses from occurring again, the three wrote in the letter to Becerra on Friday.

Becerras office declined to comment.

Last year, state investigators seized computers, smartphones and other potential evidence from the home of the California Public Utilities Commissions former president, Michael Peevey, as well as items at the Orinda home of an ousted Pacific Gas and Electric Co. executive, Brian Cherry. Both men were at the center of a judge-shopping controversy that embroiled the San Francisco-based regulatory agency.

Emails released by PG&E as part of a court case showed that Cherry negotiated with utilities commission officials, including Peeveys chief of staff, to name a preferred judge in a $1.3 billion rate-setting case.

Investigators are also looking into emails in which Cherry said Peevey had solicited contributions from PG&E for a political cause in 2010 and insinuated that, in return, the utilities commission would rule in the utilitys favor in a separate rate case.

Its essential that a thorough investigation move forward and that all possible criminal charges are vigorously prosecuted, Hill said in a statement. A misstep or a delay could impair  or eliminate  the chance to pursue a case.

Lawmakers have taken aim at reforming the utilities commission under its new leadership. In September, Brown signed a package of bills designed to curb backroom deals at the commission, which regulates electrical utilities, telecommunications companies and some transportation services.

But Mullin said its important that the investigation also move forward to properly expose past indiscretions.

As the Attorney Generals Office begins transitioning to new leadership, I urge incoming Attorney General Becerra and his staff to make sure the investigation into the still outstanding issues of collusion and dereliction of duty continues and that any and all violations of criminal and consumer laws are prosecuted fully, Mullin said in a statement.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
A federal magistrate in San Francisco says the American Civil Liberties Union can proceed with a nationwide suit challenging government contracts to religious organizations that provide care for minors who enter the United States on their own but deny them access to abortion or contraception.

The ACLU says it has received reports that between 60 and 80 percent of unaccompanied young women crossing the border have been raped or sexually assaulted.

The Border Patrol catches tens of thousands of minors each year as they enter the country, mostly fleeing violence from their homelands in Central America. More than 33,000 were apprehended last year, according to government data.

Unlike adults who are held in detention centers, minors are sent to group homes and other facilities run by federal contractors while awaiting immigration proceedings. Most are eventually reunited with family members in the U.S., and the rest are deported unless they can obtain political asylum, said Brigitte Amiri, the ACLUs lead attorney in the case.

The lawsuit cited the case of 17-year-old Rosa, who fled her Central American country in 2014 and was raped by one of the guides bringing her to the United States. She learned she was pregnant while being held in a Catholic Charities facility in Miami and was hospitalized after becoming suicidal when she was denied an abortion, the ACLU said.

After her release, the ACLU said, Catholic Charities and another faith-based group turned her away because she still wanted an abortion, and the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, which oversees the programs, eventually found an organization where she could undergo the procedure.

In a number of cases, Amiri said, contractors objections to reproductive care have forced young women to be relocated far away from their families.

The ACLU first sued in Massachusetts in 2009, and won a federal judges ruling in 2012 barring government contractors from denying access to reproductive services. That case ended when the governments contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops expired, but the contract was renewed in September 2015, and the ACLU filed its latest suit in San Francisco this June.

The civil liberties group contends it is unconstitutional to allow a religiously affiliated entity that gets missions in federal money to impose its religious beliefs on a vulnerable population by dictating what kind of health care services they receive, Amiri said Friday.

The Obama administration sought to dismiss the case, arguing that the ACLU had not suffered any direct harm and had no right to sue over alleged misuse of federal funds. But U.S. Magistrate Laurel Beeler said Tuesday that the suit was authorized by a 1968 Supreme Court ruling allowing taxpayers to challenge federal subsidies for religious schools.

As in that case, Beeler said, the ACLU is challenging federal spending authorized by Congress for a specific purpose  to provide for the care and custody of all unaccompanied minor children  and distributed by the refugee office to religious organizations, allegedly in violation of the constitutional ban on a government-recognized establishment of religion.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
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After 10 years of work, California appears poised to meet its first set of global warming goals, cutting greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020.

Now comes the hard part.

California air pollution regulators on Friday released their initial plan for slashing emissions another 40 percent by 2030, a target Gov. Jerry Brown enshrined in law this year.

The plan, drafted by the California Air Resources Board, calls for keeping the states troubled cap-and-trade program, a market for pollution permits that is under attack in court and faces uncertain legislative support. But the plan also would slap new regulations on oil refineries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent, either by installing more efficient equipment or changing the grades of crude they process.

The board also examined ways to meet Californias 2030 emissions goal without cap and trade, with one alternative including a carbon tax. But the alternatives, according to the boards analysis, appear less likely to hit the emissions target.

The plans release comes as California officials gird for conflict with the incoming Trump administration over climate change.

Although he has softened his tone since winning the election, President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly called global warming a hoax, and he has stocked his transition team and Cabinet candidates with people who question climate science.

Officials in deep-blue California, in contrast, are trying to ramp up their efforts to rein in emissions.

I dont think theres any plausible way the incoming administration could overturn Californias climate law and the programs weve built up, said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the Air Resources board, in an interview. We have shown over the past decade that (while) investing in clean energy and carrying out a strong, ambitious program on emissions, we can still grow the economy.

The plan released Friday is just a draft, the first of several. After a workshop this month, the board will release a more detailed version in January, along with an economic analysis. A final draft should be ready for formal adoption by the board in the spring.

For now at least, the plan relies heavily on Californias cap-and-trade system. Cap and trade places a steadily shrinking cap on emissions and forces companies to buy permits called allowances for every ton of greenhouse gases they pump into the sky. Companies that cant easily cut their emissions can buy allowances from businesses that have already trimmed theirs.

But that systems future remains uncertain. A long-running lawsuit challenging cap and trade as an illegal tax is scheduled for court hearings in January. The states legislative analyst, meanwhile, questions whether the system has legal authority to operate past the year 2020  even though the air board insists that it does. Efforts by Gov. Brown this year to pass legislation reauthorizing cap and trade after 2020 failed.

But Brown remains committed to the system, saying he will ask voters to reauthorize it through a ballot measure if necessary.

There are steep hills ahead, but we'll scale them by continuing to take a series of bold actions, including extending Californias Cap-and-Trade Program, Brown said Friday in a press release.

And yet, even if cap and trade survives, California will need new emission-cutting programs in order to hit the 2030 target, according to the board.

To that end, the plan calls for regulations to curb emissions from Californias oil refineries. The refineries are already covered by the cap-and-trade system, and a separate state program forces oil companies to reduce the carbon intensity of the fuels they sell in California.

But the boards new draft plan would mandate a 20 percent emissions cut from the refineries themselves. They could comply by swapping out some of their older equipment, switching boilers to run on electricity instead of natural gas or using lighter grades of crude oil, according to the board. That last step could be difficult, since refineries are typically built to process specific grade ranges of oil.

Its about better use of technology and tighter operations, Nichols said. Theres no new technology that needs to be invented to make these facilities operate in a more efficient way. It does require investment.

The Western States Petroleum Association, which represents oil companies in Sacramento, was still studying the proposal, a spokesman said.

Given the uncertainty surrounding cap and trade, in the summer the Legislature directed the board to study how to reach Californias emission goals without the program.

The initial plan released Friday does sketch out alternatives, including a tax on emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Many economists have argued that a carbon tax would be far simpler than the complex cap-and-trade system.

But a tax does not place a limit on emissions, only a price. As a result, California would be less certain of meeting its 2030 goal, according to the draft plan.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF

Laying off

the gas

To cut Californias greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, the California Air Resources Board has proposed key steps:

Keep the cap-and-trade system

Force Californias oil refineries to cut emissions 20 percent

50 percent renewable power by 2030

It also lays out a few alternatives:

Place a tax on carbon emissions, instead of cap and trade

Mandate 60 percent renewable power by 2030
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In the two hours that President-elect Donald Trump spent flying to Indiana on Thursday to boast that he saved 1,000 jobs, about 6,000 private-sector jobs in the United States were probably destroyed.

Its a surprising statistic  one that speaks to the constant state of change in the labor market. My calculation is based on government data that shows that every three months roughly 6.7 million private-sector jobs are destroyed, which in an expanding labor market is offset by the creation of nearly 7.2 million jobs.

Over a full presidential term, more than 100 million jobs will be destroyed. Trump cant expect to stanch much of that flow.

Of course, not all jobs that go away are gone forever: Public beaches need lifeguards every summer, and Macys hires elves around Christmastime. Not that this is necessarily much comfort to a jobless elf in January.

One lesson here is that Trumps deal-cutting approach is wholly inadequate  and impractical  in view of the size of the labor market. While the workers at Carrier benefited from Trumps attention, the problem is that this approach doesnt scale.

The number of companies that are in a situation like Carriers is so large that no president could hope to sift through and save any reasonable percentage of them. The number of companies that might pretend to be in distress in the hopes of getting a handout to remain is even larger.

And distinguishing between the two groups is nearly impossible.

But the Carrier case also illustrates a larger point about how the economy works. In Trumps telling, the economy is a fixed set of jobs getting shifted around a global chess board. Mexicos loss is our gain and vice versa.

But you should think of the economy as being in a state of constant churn. Economist Joseph Schumpeter used the now-famous phrase creative destruction to describe this process by which new firms push out the old. The result can be cruel, but an extraordinarily fluid labor market, many economists argue, is the secret of American dynamism.

Think of the economy as a 10-level parking structure or garage, where each car represents an active firm, and the seats in the car are the jobs available. A well-managed business like this is usually pretty full. But its also in a state of constant flux, with new cars entering as some people arrive, and previously parked cars leaving as others head home. Every hour, around a tenth of the cars leave the lot, just as a tenth of existing business establishments close each year and leave the labor market.

The deal at Carrier is akin to Trumps intercepting a driver on his way to his car, and trying to persuade him to stay parked a little longer  perhaps by pointing to the enticing Christmas specials at the nearby stores.

Its an approach that no parking business bothers trying.

Rather, the long-term strategy of such businesses is to try to attract a larger clientele by offering a more convenient experience. They understand that there are many more potential customers outside than inside the garage. In this analogy, the governments best hope for creating jobs is to create a positive business climate.

Trump is focusing his resources on existing firms  the cars already parked there  rather than on the millions of potential entrepreneurs who might open the next generation of businesses.

Trump has also suggested that in the future he might use an alternative strategy  using sticks rather than carrots to keep jobs parked within the United States. But this also seems problematic  after all, would you choose to park in a location where parking attendants harass you when its time to leave?

The economics of parking contain a big lesson for the Trump administration: A parking garage stays full, and an economy stays healthy, only if its constantly refreshed.

Justin Wolfers is a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan who wrote this piece for the New York Times.
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Arab-American comedian Mohammed "Mo" Amer might have a new set to write.

Amer happened to be sitting next to President-elect Donald Trump's son, Eric Trump, on a trans-Atlantic flight to Scotland.

On Wednesday, Amer shared a selfie with Trump on Instagram and Facebook, and wrote about some of what they discussed on the plane.

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"Hey guys heading to Scotland to start the U.K. Tour and I am 'randomly' chosen to sit next to none other than Eric Trump," he wrote. "Good news guys Muslims will not have to check in and get IDs. That's what I was told. I will be asking him a lot of questions on this trip to Glasgow, Scotland. Sometimes God just sends you the material. #Merica #UKTour #HumanAppeal #ThisisNotAnEndorsement #Trump2016ComedyTour"

"Just FYI I'm not getting that ID shit done. You gonna really make my people get ID cards and all this? You know we're not doing this s***," Amer told Buzzfeed.

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To which Trump reportedly responded: "Come on man. You can't believe everything you read. Do you really think we're gonna do that?"

Amer said they spoke for roughly half an hour before Trump fell asleep and fellow passengers began taking selfies with him.

He jokes that he "was making dua [prayers] for him, like, to make him convert to Islam."

One of Amer's Facebook friends has suggested at least one possible outcome from the experience: "Are you being vetted for a cabinet position?" Amer's response? "I think so."

Before the plane took off he posted on Facebook: "Hey guys planes taking off...if I disappear and don't make it on tour YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!! #Trump"
A worker at Western State Hospital has been has been charged with indecent liberties and stands accused of molesting four female patients at the mental hospital last spring.

Court documents say Christopher Conley, who was a psychiatric security assistant the hospital, threatened the women that he would extend their stays at Western State if they reported his behavior.

He also offered the women candy in exchange for touching them, a prosecutor writes in a court affidavit.

Conley is accused of molesting women in a television room, a patio and linen closet. In one case, court documents say, Conley grabbed a woman's genitalia under a table while they worked on a puzzle.

He bragged to the women that he knew the "blind spots" of the security cameras at the hospital. And an investigation showed he was right about the blind spots, court documents say.

But the cameras did record Conley with the women at or near where they said he is accused of molesting them, court documents say.

Western State security began investigating reported incidents involving two female patients on May 8, then discovered two other women who say they were molested, court documents say. The Lakewood Police Department later joined the investigation.

The women said they did not report the incidents because Conley said he could make their stays longer on the hospital.

Conley is not in custody and has a court appearance scheduled for later this month.
WASHINGTON  U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the former prisoner of war whos accused of endangering comrades by walking off his post in Afghanistan, is asking President Obama to pardon him before leaving office.

White House and Justice Department officials on Saturday said Bergdahl had submitted copies of the clemency request seeking leniency. If granted by Obama, it would allow Bergdahl to avert a court-martial trial scheduled for April where he faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy, the latter of which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
1 Church killings: Defense attorneys dismissed by Charleston, S.C., church shooting defendant Dylann Roof strongly condemned his decision to represent himself and filed a motion Friday to get back on the case. The lawyers are worried Roof may not present evidence that could sway a jury to spare his life while acting as his own attorney during his federal death penalty trial. The lawyers said other defendants in capital cases have fired their lawyers to avoid having embarrassing evidence revealed. Roof, who is white, is charged with federal hate crimes in the killing of nine African Americans in June 2015.

2 Bridge scandal: A judge in Hackensack, N.J., denied a request Friday for a special prosecutor to be appointed in a criminal misconduct complaint against Gov. Chris Christie in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal. The judge dismissed the motion by a former firefighter who brought the complaint in October, ruling that he lacked standing. Three of Christies former allies were convicted or pleaded guilty in what prosecutors say was a scheme to punish a Democratic mayor who didnt endorse Christie. The Republican governor wasnt charged in the case and denied wrongdoing.
BEIJING  Chinas foreign minister said Saturday he hopes Beijings relations with the U.S. will not be interfered with or damaged after President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades-long tradition and spoke directly with Taiwans leader.

It is highly unusual, probably unprecedented, for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the U.S. broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.
PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Los Angeles County  At least some spectators gazing from the bluffs of Palos Verdes Estates hoped the metallic rap of jackhammers rising from Lunada Bay last week sounded the end of an era.

For decades, outsiders have complained that they were harassed and their vehicles vandalized by a crew of surfers determined to keep the bays well-shaped waves to themselves.

On Thursday, after months of pressure on the city by the California Coastal Commission, a wrecking crew finished dismantling the stone fort the surfers, dubbed by some as the Bay Boys, had built without permits on the rocky shore.

This is great, said a veteran surfer from nearby Redondo Beach, who did not want to be identified out of fear of reprisal. Ive had rocks thrown at me and been intimidated twice  I never surfed the bay because of it.

But if tearing down the fort was meant as a sign that authorities have finally lost patience with the bullying known as localism, that was diminished by the fact that someone sneaked in one night and damaged workers trucks and set fire to their air compressor.

Palos Verdes Estates officials, whom many have criticized for failing to take effective action against the territorial surfers, said they are investigating the vandalism. They said that tearing down the structure that served as a sort of clubhouse for the surfers is just one step in addressing the hostility toward outsiders.

Critics say the action comes only after the Coastal Commission intervened and told the city to increase public access to the beach.

It also coincides with two lawsuits accusing the surfers of bombarding outsiders with rocks, slashing their tires and assaulting them in the water or along the treacherous paths that lead down to the beach. The cases also accuse the city of failing to do whats necessary to stop the intimidation.

We are making progress toward resolving a problem, City Manager Anton Dahlerbruch said. We are confident that the measures we are taking will positively improve the publics enjoyment of the bay.

He said the city has increased police patrols and plans to monitor surf reports during the winter wave season and assign more officers as needed. If a proposed contract is approved with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, deputies will monitor the bay when local authorities are unavailable, Dahlerbruch said.

Localism, a territorial practice to exclude outsiders, has probably been a part of surfing since the first time two people tried to catch the same wave. As Southern Californias population grew, so did the aggression of surfers at some notorious breaks, such as Windansea in San Diego and Hollywood by the Sea in Oxnard.

Paradoxically, though, crowding on waves eventually made localism moot, said Scott Hulet, the editor of Surfers Journal.

This sort of thing has been absorbed by extreme numbers in the water, he said. Its a real anachronism to be in the heart of Los Angeles and have a group assume any sort of ownership over a surf spot.

But Lunada Bay, which has long had a reputation for the worst localism on the coast, is still seen by many as a dangerous place where well-to-do bullies with a sense of entitlement use threats and violence to lord over a slice of coast as if it were theirs alone.

There is no place like Lunada Bay, said Steve Hawk, a former editor of Surfer magazine who was confronted himself by a group of locals at the top of the bluff after surfing the break.

This is not private land or a private beach, he said. The public has a right to be there. Imagine if a bunch of African Americans from South Central Los Angeles did something like this at Lunada Bay. How would the city of Palos Verdes Estates react? The city has given (the Bay Boys) a pass for decades.

The Coastal Commission, which eventually stepped in to make sure the public can get to the public beach, has been in discussions with city officials off and on since January.

Though the powerful land use agency supports the increased police patrols, its correspondence with the city shows continuing concern that Palos Verdes Estates has not implemented the commissions recommendations to enhance access by improving trails to the beach and adding benches, signs and viewing areas on the bluffs.

In a letter sent to the commission in October, Dahlerbruch, the city manager, said the city opposes the recommendations because it wants to maintain its coastal bluffs and beaches in a pristine natural state. He added that the stepped-up police presence has been effective  as demonstrated by a lack of significant incidents.

But two pending lawsuits in federal and state courts challenge the citys commitment to solving the problem. The suits, which name Palos Verdes Estates, Police Chief Jeff Kepley and 10 individuals as defendants, allege that the intimidation of outsiders has persisted for years despite city efforts.

El Segundo Police Officer Cory Spencer, Diana Milena Reed and the Coastal Protection Rangers Inc., a small nonprofit organization, brought the cases earlier this year.

Spencer said he was harassed repeatedly and run over in the water by a surfer in late January during his first visit to the bay.

This is not about money, he said. Its about changing the behavior out there and giving part of the coast back to the public.

Named as defendants are David Melo, Mark Griep, Sang Lee, Brant Blakeman, Michael Rae Papayans, Angelo Ferrara, Frank Ferrara and Charlie Ferrara and one minor. At this time, Alan Johnston is a defendant only in the federal case.

The lawsuits, which say the Bay Boys amount to a street gang, specifically mention 12 alleged incidents in which beachgoers, including the organizer of a surfing event to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., were harassed, assaulted, threatened and intimidated.

Victor Otten, one of the attorneys representing Spencer and Reed, has a profanity-laced video of Bay Boys intimidating beachgoers, more than 100 statements from witnesses and 57 police reports filed over the last 20 years related to harassment, assaults and vandalism involving Lunada Bay surfers.

Attorneys for the city and Chief Kepley deny the allegations, but they said it is too early in the litigation to provide any specifics of their defense. Two other lawyers representing Johnston and Blakeman questioned whether the Bay Boys amounted to a criminal street gang and contended that the situation at Lunada Bay has been greatly exaggerated.

There is the allegation of a criminal street gang. This is legally incorrect and truly disrespectful of the victims of actual street gangs, said J. Patrick Carey, Johnstons attorney, who described the defendants as friends and members of a surfing club.

Carey contended that the one allegation against his client, for battery, is groundless.

The concept of the Bay Boys is a false one, said Robert S. Cooper, Blakemans attorney. As to Mr. Blakeman, he has lived here (in Palos Verdes Estates) almost his entire life. He is loved and respected. He has very strong support in the community.  He has never done  anything that is alleged in the lawsuit.

Those who say they are out to end localism at Lunada Bay contend that the destroying the fort was an important step.

Police reports over the years show that the shelter, with its stone patio, fire pit, table, wooden benches and palm thatch roofing, was constructed without permits near the waters edge, and was the site of parties as well as frequent drug and alcohol use.

Otten, one of the attorneys behind the lawsuit, has emails from a witness to Palos Verdes Estates police indicating that officers have been present at the shelter while people were drinking alcohol but did nothing about the municipal code violation.

Some who watched the shelters demolition last week doubted that the action will have the desired effect and questioned whether the news media and others have exaggerated the situation.

I dont understand what razing that patio is going to do to stop territoriality, said Earl Isaacson, 68, who lives in the Lunada Bay area and has attended barbecues at the shelter. I have been here 35 years, and I have never witnessed anyone getting hassled. They are tying to make it look like these guys are a gang. Its not a gang. There are lots of people here with good jobs. Its all been blown out of proportion. No one up here wanted that patio torn down. Its like a landmark.
Authorities set up a phone number Saturday for those trying to find information about people missing in the fire at an artists enclave in Oakland that killed at least nine concertgoers.

The phone number at the Alameda County coroners office is (510) 382-3000.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. Artsrun Hovhannisyan, spokesman of Armenias defense minister, presented the initial assessment of the defense ministry regarding the latest report of the Helsinki Association Vanadzor office, which refers to the April war.

During a briefing Hovhannisyan underscored the ministry will issue a final response after detailed study of the report, however he mentioned the initial assessment is that the April war report is unprofessional, which played on peoples feelings.

Speaking about concerns stated in the report, as to a tank lacked fuel and was unable to reach combat positions, Hovhannisyan mentioned its impossible. The tank had 40-60 liters of fuel, which is enough to reach combat positions, Hovhannisyan said.

Hovhannisyan said the report includes an interview with parents of one of the killed tank crew members, in which they had expressed suspicions that instead of their sons corpse they were given a handful of earth, because police were guarding the coffin and didnt allow opening it.

Hovhannisyan assured that they definitely were not given a handful of earth, but added that in case of the tank getting hit, the bodies of the crew members, naturally, cannot be completely preserved. From the beginning they had a bad attitude toward the defense ministry, and with this attitude they went to the grieving parents and attempted to extort some kind of things desirable for them, Hovhannisyan said.

He also mentioned the Helsinki Association Vanadzor office has also issued another report, which included documented violations of the latest drafting. Hovhannisyan said the ministry will issue a clarification on that also.
KABUL  Afghanistans security crisis is fueling new opportunities for al Qaeda, the Islamic State and other extremist groups, Afghan and U.S. officials say, voicing concerns that the original U.S. mission in the country  removing its use as a terrorist haven  is at risk.

As intense Taliban offensives have taken large portions of territory out of the Afghan governments hands, those spaces have become the stage for a resurgence of regional and international militant groups. That is despite the extended presence of nearly 10,000 U.S. troops in the country, tasked with performing counterterrorism operations and supporting the Afghan forces that are bearing the brunt of the fighting.

Gen. Joseph Votel, chief of the U.S. Central Command, said the Afghan government now controls only about 60 percent of the country, the Taliban hold sway over about 10 percent, and the remainder is contested. Which group or groups fill those voids of increasingly ungoverned territory in Afghanistan is something well have to contend with, he said.

We have to be concerned about this  about the Taliban pulling together and cooperating and collaborating with other terrorist organizations, Votel said at a security forum in Washington this week.

Overall, Western and Afghan officials estimate that about 40,000 to 45,000 militants are active across Afghanistan. The Taliban are estimated at about 30,000 fighters, some of them seasonal. But the rest are foreign militants of different  and often fluid  allegiances, at times competing but mostly on the same side against the Afghan government and its U.S. allies.

Of the 98 U.S.-or U.N.-designated terrorist organizations around the globe, 20 of them are in the Af-Pak region, Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said recently. This is the highest concentration of the numbers of different groups in any area in the world.

It is that situation that President-elect Donald Trump and his new security team will inherit.

On the rare occasions that Trump has spoken of Afghanistan, it has usually been to state his desire to withdraw from what he has termed a total and complete disaster. But the most prominent member of the national security team he is assembling, Michael Flynn, a retired lieutenant general and former chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency who spent years focusing on the Afghan conflict, has been outspoken about his concerns that the chaos in Afghanistan may again directly threaten the United States.

What we have to continue to do for that entire region is to re-instill confidence that we actually can help them, Flynn said this year. We cannot leave this region to the likes of these multiple terrorist organizations. There is too much at stake.

How that debate will play out in the new administration has become a central question among Afghan officials in Kabul.

The immediate existential threat to the Afghan government has been a resurgent Taliban, which officials say have been killing 30 to 50 members of the security forces each day in recent months.
QABR AL-ABD, Iraq  Under the cover of dust and fog, Islamic State group fighters began a series of counterattacks on Iraqi positions to the south and west of the militant-held city of Mosul late Friday and into Saturday, according to Iraqi military commanders and officials.

The huge operation to retake Mosul began Oct. 17, but after initially swift battlefield successes, the progress of Iraqi forces later slowed in the face of fierce counterattacks and concerns over the safety of civilians still inside the city.
1 Mine explosion: Thirty-two miners were confirmed dead Sunday in the second coal mine explosion in a week in China, state-run media reported. The gas explosion hit the mine in Chifeng city in the Inner Mongolia region Saturday. Out of 181 miners working underground, 149 managed to get out. News of the blast came just hours after 21 miners who were trapped for four days after an explosion hit their unlicensed coal mine were confirmed dead in northeast Chinas Heilongjiang province. Four people were arrested in connection with that disaster.

2 Missing plane: Thirteen people are feared dead after an Indonesian police plane lost contact during a flight Saturday to the island of Batam near Singapore. The plane, carrying five crew members and eight passengers, dropped out of contact about 50 minutes after taking off from Pangkal Pinang in Bangka Belitung province off the southeast coast of Sumatra island, police said. National Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said rescuers were searching waters between Mensanak and Sebangka islands for the plane.
ALEPPO, Syria  Syrian warplanes, artillery and mortar rounds pounded areas in eastern Aleppo on Saturday as government troops gained new ground in the shrinking opposition-held enclave.

After four years of holding nearly half of the divided city, rebel fighters have been increasingly squeezed into the center of the eastern enclave. Government and allied troops, including Lebanese, Iraqi and Iranian fighters, have concentrated their recent fight on the northeastern part of the enclave, swiftly taking new districts. Another front on the southern outskirts of the city has been slower, as rebel fighters push back government advances there.

The advances have caused massive displacement. The U.N. estimated that more than 31,000 already have fled their homes, either to government or Kurdish areas, or deeper into the besieged enclave. The fighting has also intensified the rebel shelling of government-held areas in Aleppo.

The Russian Interfax news agency report quoted an unnamed Syrian military official as saying that a light ground attack aircraft, L-39 jet, was shot down near Aleppo, and its crew was killed. The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, said two pilots were killed when rebel fighters targeted the aircraft as it approached Aleppo airport to the east of the city.

Syrian army spokesman Brig. Gen. Samir Suleiman said state forces have regained control of 45-to-50 percent of east Aleppo, and accused insurgents of hiding among civilians.

Syrias Defense Minister and other senior officers visited newly captured areas in Aleppo on Saturday, according to state-run media.

The Syrian Civil Defense in eastern Aleppo said six people were killed in bombings of the central al-Shaar neighborhood. Opposition news agency Thiqa also put the death toll at six. The Observatory put the death toll at three, adding it was likely to rise. In government-held Aleppo, rebel shelling killed five people, according to the state news agency SANA.

To the south of the city, government cannons could be heard firing toward rebel-held areas.

Residents in eastern Aleppo also reported intense shelling in al-Sukkari neighborhood on the southern edge of the enclave, where many of the newly displaced have sought refuge.

The noose is tightening quickly, said Mohammed Abu Jaafar, a medical official in besieged eastern Aleppo. Our resources are also running low and beginning to disappear.

The bombings Saturday came hours after government troops made new advances on eastern parts of the enclave, including in Tariq al-Bab and al-Khaterji districts. State media reported that government and allied troops have moved in on new neighborhoods, pushing a half mile deeper into the enclave from the far east.

The new advances tighten the governments grip on the enclave and reduce the territory the rebels hold by more than half, according to the Observatory.

The new advances also secure the airport road east of Aleppo, leading to the citys international airport and a military airbase. The pan-Arab Mayadeen TV station said intense bombing in eastern Aleppo was designed to ensure rebels have been cleared from the airport road.
BENGALURU: 2016 apparently seems to be a year of abandonments for the tech giant Google. Even though the company shelved a number of projects this year, Google has rolled out plenty of new things including its all-new Pixel smartphone range, virtual reality platform and the Duo face-to-face communication app.

The company's lead generation product Google Compare- a site started in 2015 was shut down this March. The website allowed shoppers to view multiple offers from auto insurers, mortgage lenders, and credit card providers.

Later, Google announced that its live-streaming service Hangouts on Air will be discontinued by the month of September. Hangouts on Air was launched in 2012 when Google added live-streaming features to its existing Hangouts product. Soon after this, the company also confirmed that they are planning to pull the plug of its most innovative and ambitious product- Google Aara- modular smartphones with interchangeable components.

Another interesting product that Google abandoned this year was the Picasa-bought in 2004, when it was one of the worlds most popular online photo-sharing platforms. In 2015 Google launched its cloud-based Google Photos service, and in 2016, the company officially killed off Picasa.

After Google launched its health platform Google Fit in 2014, the company decided to completely shut down My Tracks- its GPS-based fitness tracker. Google recently released its flagship smartphone Pixel replacing its Nexus branded series. Even though the company said it isnt completely shutting the door on Nexus, the introduction of other Android-powered devices is signaling the end of the Nexus line.

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BENGALURU: Taking a break from the busy urban life and travelling to a crowded tourist destination is indeed a common scenario for most people across the globe. But, for some adventure enthusiasts, planning a vacation to unexplored destinations has become a hobby; enjoying the unique landscapes endowed with magnificent beauty. Islands are one such part of the world that are stand apart from the usual tourist destinations.

If you are one such tourist ready to walk through the unexplored path, considering the below mentioned islands will help you plan a memorable journey to serenity.

The Traena Island

Located off the coast of Norway, the Traena Island lies far away from the mainland; maintaining the level of uniqueness in every aspect. If you plan to visit this island, you will have to take a boat ride of about 4-6 hours from Bodo. When you reach the island, you will be mesmerized by the heavenly peaks and awe-inspiring scenery. It is recommended to spend some valuable time in this island and enrich your soul with peace.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The repeat felon from Clifton convicted of murder for a second time will be spending at least 40 years behind bars.

On Friday, Asim Martinez, 37, was given 25 years to life for the slaying of Tracy Francis five years ago. The sentence will run consecutively with the 16 years to life he's already serving for weapon possession for a total of 41 years, said a spokesman for the district attorney's office.

In a retrial, a jury found Martinez was guilty of slaying Francis, 40, on Sept. 3, 2011, inside an apartment building at 141 Park Hill Ave. after Francis allegedly spat at the defendant's wife.

In doing so, jurors again rejected Martinez's defense that he acted while under extreme emotional disturbance.

Prosecutors said Martinez pumped a dozen bullets into the victim, including while he was lying helpless on the floor.

Martinez, who was garbed in a white dress shirt, tan pants and a checkered tie, stared at jurors, but showed no emotion, as the verdict was announced in state Supreme Court, St. George.

Later, after jurors left the courtroom, Francis' joyful relatives hugged Assistant District Attorneys Jane Grinberg and Michele Molfetta, who prosecuted the new trial.

"Thank you, ladies. God bless you," one man said.

Martinez's lawyer, Matthew Zuntag, said his client would appeal. He declined further comment.

In a statement, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon called the verdict "just" and commended Grinberg and Molfetta for their work.

"Asim Martinez brutally shot a man to death," said McMahon. "This defendant will now be made to answer for committing such a heinous crime. I commend the jury's decision and hope this successful prosecution brings some closure to the victim's family."

Martinez was previously convicted in December 2012 of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal weapon possession. He was sentenced as a persistent felon to consecutive prison terms of 25 years to life for murder and 16 years to life for weapon possession, for a total of 41 years to life.

However, in April of last year, a state appellate court overturned the murder conviction and granted Martinez a new trial on that charge only after finding that the prosecutor had improperly questioned a defense expert and another witness during the original trial.

The weapon possession conviction stood, along with the sentence of 16 years to life.

The Appellate Division, Second Department, ruled there was "overwhelming evidence" of Martinez's guilt of gun possession, and the jury, in all probability, would have convicted him of that charge regardless of the prosecutors' "misconduct."

Martinez had admitted to possessing a gun during the incident.

Afterward, prosecutors offered Martinez a concurrent sentence of 20 years to life if he pleaded guilty to the murder charge.

Martinez rejected the offer and chose to roll the dice at a second trial.

He again presented a defense of extreme emotional disturbance to the second-degree murder charge. Martinez did not offer that defense on the weapon charge at the original trial.

In such a defense, a defendant contends he was so emotionally disturbed that he lost control of himself and killed another person. He must prove there was a reasonable explanation or excuse for his emotional disturbance.

Had the jury found that Martinez killed Francis while under extreme emotional disturbance, they would have been required to convict him of first-degree manslaughter.

A law enforcement source previously told the Advance the slaying followed a dispute between Francis and Martinez's wife.

Francis allegedly spat at the gunman's spouse as they argued on an upper floor of the apartment building, said the source. Afterward, Francis went down to the third floor, apparently to help a friend with something.

Martinez came down and hit Francis, the father of several children, with a blaze of gunfire, the source said.

However, the victim's family had told the Advance that Martinez, not Francis, instigated the confrontation.

During an argument in which Francis was not present, Martinez allegedly spat on Francis' girlfriend three times and told her to "go get her man," family members maintain.

That's when Francis went to Martinez's apartment to confront him, said one family source. When Martinez refused to come to the door, Francis spat on his wife, that source said.
NWS Missing

The NYPD is asking for the public's help locating missing 38-year-old Port Richmond man, Daniel Battle. (Courtesy/DCPI)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is asking for the public's help locating a missing 38-year-old Port Richmond man.

Daniel Battle, 38, was last seen on Monday, Nov. 28, at approximately 11:30 a.m. leaving his residence at 221 Nicholas Avenue, according to the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Battle is described as a light-complexioned male, 5'11, 200 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes, according to the statement.

Anyone with information in regards to this missing person is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then entering TIP577.
roads.jpg

Imagine...

((Parks Department/Department of City Planning illustration))

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Parks Department wants our input on designs for Freshkills Park.

Here's our two cents: Make sure that opening the road network inside the former landfill is part of the story.

Freshills is one of five city parks that will receive $30 million for improvements through the Anchor Parks initiative. That's a new city program that gives funding for parks that serve as a center of activity for the surrounding community.

There's already been plenty of progress at Freshkills, even if the park won't be fully open until 2036. Schmul Park has seen improvements. The Owl Hollow Fields area is open. So is the New Springville Greenway bikepath.

The park will be a place for horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking and public art installations. According to the Parks Department, 200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians have been spotted in the park since the landfill closed in 2001.

Truth be told, there was nowhere to go but up for the formal environmental nightmare that Staten Islanders lived with without recourse for half a century.

It will be amazing for those of us who remember the old landfill - the unavoidable smell, the flying debris, the mounds of trash you could see from outer space, the predatory seagulls - to walk those fields, to kayak in those formerly polluted waters.

But about those roads.

There's an existing road system already in place inside the park, a remnant of the old landfill. Sanitation Department vehicles used to use them.

Freshkills gives us a rare opportunity to attack the Island's chronic traffic problems. After all, we're not building any more roads around here. And we're not going to have fewer vehicles on the Island any time soon.

It's not like we're looking to take swaths and swaths of parkland for roads in Freshkills. The roads already exist. At 2,200 acres, three times larger than Central Park, there's plenty of room for both roads and recreation in Freshkills.

A plan from the city Department of Design and Construction calls for a four-lane road that would stem from the Yukon Avenue intersection at Richmond Avenue and traverse the former landfill site's East Park.

At the heart of the park, northbound and southbound traffic would spit onto two bridges over the site's main creeks that would connect to each direction of traffic on the West Shore Expressway.

It's estimated that the project will cost around $120 million. In other words, money well spent. In addition to easing traffic in the surrounding community, it would also help those who actually want to use the park.

The DDC also plan includes roadside greenery flanked by a bike path on one side and a pedestrian pathway on the other. That should make the Vision Zero people happy. We can all co-exist.

It's not exactly a new idea. In 2009, the city applied for $50 million in federal grant money aimed at opening the roads.

As then-Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said, "We are committed to building these roads through and getting these communities connected."

The sooner the better.

Those who didn't live through those landfill days will have a hard time understanding the true blot that the dump was on us for half a century. There were two things that everybody knew about Staten Island: The ferry and the dump. That smell as you drove by the landfill on the West Shore Expressway was one of the things that people mentioned most about their visit to the borough.

It's no wonder that we had an inferiority complex all these years. No wonder we felt dumped on. We were dumped on, to the tune of 15,000 tons of trash from the other boroughs every day.

Having the landfill roads help mitigate one of our most chronic problems, traffic, would be an amazing legacy for the former dump. It's the least the city can do for Staten Island.
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A Canberra man accused of holding some 4500 child pornography files on his computer initially told police hackers could have targeted him because he was a Donald Trump supporter, according to court documents.

Mackenzie William Sutton, 36, was arrested at his home on Friday after police raided the property and seized several electronic devices.

Police said they found 4500 child pornography files on the defendant's computer.

He was charged with using a carriage service for child pornography material and possessing child pornography.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Mike Harris told the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday morning that the approximately 4500 files suspected to be child pornography had been downloaded in their entirety in November.
The number of houses in Canberra that have to be decontaminated following the discovery of meth labs inside is on the increase.

Companies that specialise in cleaning former meth lab homes have said the issue is getting worse, with cleaners often unable to keep up with demand.

A cleaner decontaminating a garage with chemical foam. Credit:Meth Lab Cleaners Australia.

Managing director of Meth Lab Cleaners Australia Josh Marsden said the number of cases in Canberra is increasing, but still behind the number of cases in other capital cities.

However, he said as many as 300 homes in Canberra have tested positive for large traces of methamphetamine but have not been fully decontaminated due to the clean-up cost involved.
The privately held Alfasi steel construction and equipment hire group will reboot its property development arm using a site it bought in one of Melbourne's hottest property sectors for more than $24 million.

The family-run business, based in Dandenong and headed up by Avri Alfasi, son Saar and son-in-law Gill Dvir, has a global workbook of steel design and construction projects that include the new West Kowloon terminus in Hong Kong and Bangkok's second international airport.

Preliminary drawings from Alfasi Property show a large-scale office in Church Street. Richmond.

The group recently appointed Laurence Peck to run Alfasi Property with a mandate to buy and develop up to five office and hotel assets within the next three years.

The group decided to relaunch the development arm by buying a large site in Richmond's Church Street, the city's most sought-after office sector outside the CBD.
US president-elect Donald Trump announced the formation of a council to advise him on job creation, a group comprised of the leaders of major US corporations including GE, GM, Boeing, Disney and IBM.

Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone Group, the world's largest alternative asset manager, will chair the council.

Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone Group, the world's largest alternative asset manager, will chair Donald Trump's business council. Credit:Bloomberg

"My administration is committed to drawing on private sector expertise and cutting the government red tape that is holding back our businesses from hiring, innovating, and expanding right here in America," Mr Trump said in a statement announcing the formation of the council.

Mr Trump has said that among his top priorities will be cutting regulations that affect business and lowering the corporate tax rate, positions business leaders have cheered.
Hackers broke into accounts at the Russian central bank earlier this year by faking a client's credentials and attempted to steal $US45 million ($60 million), the bank said in a report released on Friday.

The bank said it managed to recover some of that amount - $US26 million - but it did not say if that meant the rest had been stolen.

Russia's central bank said hackers broke into a system it operates that gives its clients access to correspondent accounts opened within the bank. Credit:Bloomberg

It did not identify the hackers. It said they broke into a system the central bank operates and that gives its clients access to correspondent accounts opened within the bank.

Out of the $US26 million the bank said it was able to retrieve, it said some was frozen in bank accounts elsewhere that the hackers had opened in order to siphon off the money, while in other cases the central bank had been able to freeze transfers from correspondent accounts.
I get anxious going into bottle shops. That's partly because I was brought up Methodist, and partly because I never pick the right thing. If I spend too much, I'll be wasting my money; if I spend too little, my guests will think I'm serving rubbish. And to me, it's all the same.

The reassuring if depressing news from the American Association of Wine Economists is that I'm not alone. (Yes, there is such a group.) One of the most widely cited papers in its Journal of Wine Economics is "Nothing Good Ever Came from New Jersey: Expectations and the Sensory Perception of Wines".

In the first test they gave "experienced wine professionals" reds from New Jersey and California and asked them to tell the difference. They had been told nothing about where the reds came from and couldn't. But in the second they told the tasters that some (but not which) of the wines came from New Jersey. The professionals became dogmatic, saying that the wine they thought was from New Jersey was plainly inferior, even if it was really from California. They still couldn't pick which was which.

In Predictably Irrational, economist Dan Ariely describes how he gave students two small samples of beer and asked which they would like in a larger glass. One of the samples had vinegar added. The students rated each pretty well. Then he ran the experiment again, this time telling the students one of the samples contained vinegar. They picked the one they thought it was, and hated it.
Such titillation journalism is lazy and damaging. A truly journalistic investigation of this research would examine how the Lend Lease research project that targeted the physical activity of individuals, and teams of individuals, failed to extend out to examine how the workplace environment and employer work requirements may promote and even enforce the sedentary behaviour/low activity of workers across the working day. More reality, less moralising nonsense in health reports please. Helen Kinmonth, Cook Looking out for names I am not sure where Yvette Berry's favourite place, Sheppard's Lookout, is (Relax, November 27) but there is a much-loved Shepherd's Lookout in Stockdill Drive, Holt, with a stunning view over the Molonglo River Corridor.

I noticed a few years ago ACT Place Names had not identified the origin of the name until I point[ed] out the historic origins. An urban myth had been it was where local shepherds watched out for their flocks. The reality is it was named after Austen Shepherd of nearby Belconnen Farm. The returned soldiers who took up soldier settlement blocks in the surrounding district after WWI found Austen quite formidable. However, as the only farmer in the district who had received formal horticulture training , he did generously share his knowledge with his less better-off neighbours. His son Bob took over management of the Belconnen holding and was well known through his car dealership, Shepherd Ford, in Belconnen for many years.

Maryann Mussared, Yarralumla Rudd's night out Your political correspondent Mark Kenny ("Reaping the harvest of grope", Sunday Focus, November 27, p21) is wrong in asserting that Kevin Rudd "could not remember" his drunken visit to a Manhattan strip club in 2003. He remembered all right, though it was not so much his puny "transgression" as his abject crawling and apologising for it that would have cost him votes (if any) in the election of 2007. For many it was an eye-opener, their first inkling that Rudd was the sanctimonious, hypocritical little twerp that they came to know and love in following years.

Bernard Davis, O'Connor Drugs a medical problem Drug testing at music festivals should be introduced as a matter of urgency. One life saved is a sufficient justification. Many lives may be protected from lifetime impacts of drugs carelessly manufactured. It is no answer to say we should not use illegal substances. It is illegal to speed but we spend millions trying to persuade drivers to observe speed limits and many billions treating accident victims.

Society takes many steps and spends billions to protect its members from various outcomes, in many cases the consequence of illegal or negligent activity, including manufacture. Society seeks to prevent damage to persons. Society also assists to remedy damage suffered by persons. Drug testing has been proven overseas and is supported in Australia by various experts: medical, legal and policing. It is time to stop exploiting illicit drug use as an electioneering tool and apply medical expertise to an essentially medical problem. This does not stop police seeking to detect drug supply and distribution. However, interdiction does not protect the unfortunate addicts and experimenters. Drug use is often a medical issue and poorly made and falsely labelled drugs are definitely a medical problem. Testing will prevent the death of a loved person: a son, daughter, boyfriend, girlfriend, brother, sister.

This anonymous person might be your son or daughter. Parliaments and assemblies please allow this lifesaving activity. Warwick Davis, Isaacs Myna matter dealt with A week after Peter Dutton was criticised for questioning the 1970s immigration of Lebanese, the Sunday Canberra Times (November 27, p5) printed an article bemoaning the flocks of Indians (mynas) invited here in the mid-1800s to assist our farmers.

Typical of such immigrants, these foreigners bred like billy-oh, have "plagued the city since the late 1960s", "threatening natives" and "causing a nuisance in shopping centres". Thankfully vigilantes are taking action against the foreigners and have gassed 58,000 in the last decade, with the cheerful assistance of territory agencies. Both wings of politics egg on these groups to claw back this country for its rightful denizens, and all without ruffling feathers here or abroad. In an age of political correctness, thank goodness we still encourage certain offences against mynas. Brendan Whyte, Phillip Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.
So now it is just being baldly stated: facts are dead. This week Trump henchman Scottie Nell Hughes said on NPR that "there are no such thing as facts". Just like that. On air. When people were listening.

I think we can all agree that is as daft as it is dangerous.

So how did we get here? The more time I spend in America, the more worried I become not just about the abandonment of fact, but how we came to a point where trust in the media is the lowest it has been since 1972. A recent Gallup poll concluded: "Before 2004, it was common for a majority of Americans to profess at least some trust in the mass media, but  now, only about a third of the US has any trust in the Fourth Estate, a stunning development for an institution designed to inform the public."

It is frequently claimed that we are living in a world where correct information is no longer considered important. The Oxford Dictionary called "post-truth" the word of the year, defining it as "relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief".
If Peter Dutton really wanted to deal with the difficult issues in his portfolio rather than scoring cheap political points against protesters who engage in civil disobedience, he might have come to see Chasing Asylum, a feature documentary that screened in Parliament House on Tuesday night, just a few metres from his office. But he didn't. Neither did the Prime Minister, who recently claimed, falsely, that our refugee policy is "generous". Neither did anybody from the government. Sarah Hanson-Young, who hosted the screening, sent out 4000 invitations, including to all MPs and their staff, but the only politicians who attended were Senator Hanson-Young herself and one member of the ALP. The other attendees were ambassadors from a range of European countries, an embassy official from the United States, and a handful of journalists. Eva Orner introduces the film Chasing Asylum to a near-empty theatre. Credit:Sean Davey Chasing Asylum shows us the real impact of Australia's offshore detention policies. It features footage secretly obtained from inside the offshore detention camps, revealing the personal impact of sending those in search of a safe home to languish in limbo. It makes us witness to the mental, physical and fiscal consequences of Australia's decision to lock away refugees and asylum seekers in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, hidden from media scrutiny, destroying their lives under the pretext of saving them. The film was released theatrically in May. It is the highest grossing Australian documentary of the year. In the past few weeks it has been broadcast by the BBC in Britain and NHK in Japan. By the middle of next year it will have screened throughout Europe and in the United States.

Since the premiere in Toronto in April we have participated in more than 80 question-and-answer sessions at screenings in Australia and around the world. This week's Parliament House screening was the first occasion that one of these sessions was not packed. In fact, it was barely attended at all. It's a shocking indictment of our lawmakers, virtually none of whom have ever visited our offshore detention centres, that they appear to have such disinterest in seeing for themselves the impact that the laws they have enacted are having on the people affected by them. Politicians pursuing good, principled policy development in Australia's national interest would, we'd have thought, prefer to act on evidence rather than on the political expediency of "stop the boats" sloganeering. By showing the film in their own workplace, we could hardly have made it easier for them to do so. In other policy areas it has been a productive period in Parliament. Last week a new industrial relations law was passed that included the strongest protection for whistle blowers ever legislated in this country. Individuals who dob in union officials  even for minor infractions, even if they do it anonymously, and even if it is done in bad faith  are protected from having their identity disclosed, and reprisals against them including inadvertent ones are illegal. But under our border protection laws, if you are a school teacher or a welfare worker in Manus or Nauru, acting in the utmost good faith, you face imprisonment for two years for blowing the whistle on a security guard who has raped a young child. All of this suggests that our politicians have an inexplicable but very serious blind spot when it comes to people seeking asylum. And they want to blind us, too. The film includes gut-wrenching testimony from social workers, health workers, a security official and department of immigration official, all of whom worked on Manus and Nauru. Yet people like this now operate under the cloud of legislation that can impose jail time for telling the truth. As citizens whose tax dollars are spent in vast sums to enforce this policy, and who have a right to make an informed choice in the ballot box, we are entitled to hear what they have to say.
Senator Brian Burston speaks in the Senate. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Senator Culleton has continued to speak with Senator Burston, even as his relationship with their party leader fractures publicly. The High Court challenge to the West Australian's eligibility to sit in the Senate, a referral which was supported by his colleagues, cracked the party's united front, a rift which has only grown wider  and played out in front of the media  in the ensuing weeks. Senator Burston said One Nation's critics had been waiting for signs of weakness, but would be proved wrong. One Nation headlines not taken up by Senators Culleton and Hanson are usually directed to Malcolm Roberts' anti-climate-change beliefs, while outside of his maiden speech and his suggestion to establish a "Patriotic Broadcasting Corporation" in place of the ABC, the former Cessnock deputy mayor's agenda has stayed in the background.

But that's not to say it's not bubbling. "I am a little bit of a quiet achiever, perhaps under the radar, but I will come out of that, as I find my feet," he said. "That is what I am doing  I am not one to go into the public and say here I am, beat my chest. When he speaks of Luke, his 35-year-old intellectually disabled son who lives in 24-hour care and six-year-old Clare who is yet to speak and also needs additional care, his voice remains steady and measured, but the emotion is clear. Disability support and his reasons for wanting the NDIS adequately funded are deeply personal, drawn from a lifetime of experience. It's the same with his fight to have communities affected by fire-fighting foam chemicals used on defence sites treated fairly, and his push to examine the fishing industry in Lake Macquarie.

Those beliefs share space on a platform crowded by One Nation's deeply polarising policies on immigration, religion and traditionalism, which continue to evoke strong reactions from all sides of the political spectrum. It's those policies  the ones that saw the Greens walk out on Senator Hanson's first speech  and interjections in his own  which continue to receive the most attention. Senator Burston believes it's just another piece of the pie, but these words come a little easier. "I think we should have a moratorium on Islamic immigration in the short term," he said. "I have no problem with Muslims who are here at the moment, none whatsoever, I think it is just a security issue that has come to the forefront in the last three or four years and I would like for our grandchildren and their children to be a safe. "I don't think it will be a long-term thing. I think we are getting on top of the ISIS situation  and the sooner the better  but I think after that, things will be fine."

He vehemently rejects he holds racist views, citing his Sri Lankan son-in-law ("a lovely bloke") asserting: "Let's face it, we have all come from somewhere else, other than the first people," but believes that while not all Muslims are terrorists, "nearly all terrorists are Muslim". "My view is someone tags you as racist, I think they have lost the argument," he said. "I think it is a term they throw at you to put the person receiving the insult on the defensive. That is my view. I am not racist, I am pro-Australian. "That's what I always say, I am pro-Australian and I will do everything in my power from this position to ensure that Australia is protected in any way we can  whether it be monetarily, militarily, ethically, whatever, it doesn't matter what it is. "I think if we discriminate on who we bring in at the borders, then we don't have to discriminate internally.

"We are a multicultural society and I accept that." Fellow crossbench senators Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm and Nick Xenophon all cite policy differences with Senator Burston and One Nation, but have developed a strong working relationship with him, which for Senator Leyonhjelm, crosses into friendship. "He's probably the quietest of all the One Nation senators  but who knows, he may end up being their quiet achiever," Senator Xenophon said. Senator Burston said he believes the "respect is there" for a working relationship, and that "we all have a common purpose, we all want to come into this place and make a difference". So he'll keep quietly plugging away, never far from the centre of the action, but avoiding the spotlight.
Strictly speaking, I suppose we are all born pagans, but growing up in England, as I did, I was sent to Sunday school, which I disliked, and at my state primary school sang hymns and Christmas carols, which I liked very much. At my Church of England grammar school, there was more hymn-singing at twice-daily assemblies, along with Bible readings and prayers, and sometimes anthems, in which I sang, because I was in the choir. Most of the concerts we gave also contained religious music: oratorios by Bach and Handel, Vivaldi's Gloria  if a choir sings classical music, it will tend to be religious. But none of this accounted for that badge. My moment of teenage fervour can only be explained by two things, music and sex. As a teenager, I listened to everything I could lay my ears on. Rock music, particularly the more progressive sort for which I now have little patience, folk music, jazz and classical music. I was an avid listener to the radio and each fortnight brought home an armful of classical LPs from the local public library. This music became so important to me that I began to explore the repertory. If, for example, I heard a Schumann symphony on the radio, I would make it my business to hear his other symphonies. It seemed important to be familiar with the literature. And some of it moved me to tears. But there was one particular moment  an epiphany, I suppose you'd call it. Nothing like this had happened to me before, and as epiphanies go I've had very little since that has matched it. I wish I could claim that it was something more recherche, but the music that floored me so unexpectedly was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and the choral finale at that. It wasn't the first time I'd heard it. On the contrary, the recording was one I owned and had played numerous times (Franz Konwitschny conducting the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, since you ask). I do think that perhaps what I and others get from music is what a lot of people get from their faith.

The moment that got me comes midway through the finale, following the variation on the famous Ode to Joy theme that Beethoven turns into a Turkish march, the tenor soloist joining in with a tune that always seems to have escaped from a bierkeller. This is followed by a serious fugal workout for orchestra alone. But then comes a mysterious, ruminative passage in which the French horns have repeating F sharps in a rhythm reminiscent of a heartbeat. Over this, oboes and bassoons play a tentative ascending figure in D major, which leads nowhere; they try it in D minor (still nowhere); finally they settle for the dominant key of A and, without warning, we are whisked abruptly back to the chorus, loudly and triumphantly punching out Schiller's ode in D. That was the moment  and it shook me, literally. I was physically affected. There were tears, but there was also something harder to explain, something like possession. I felt the music had taken me over, taken me in. The music was inside me  in my head  but I was also in the music. This must be God, I thought. I wanted it to be God, because I secretly hoped He might help me locate a girlfriend. At a school for boys, it wasn't immediately obvious how I might meet members of the opposite sex, but a couple of my friends attended the local Methodist youth club, and I knew there were girls there. Now that I had God, I could go, too. Maybe there would be sex. It is easy enough, 40-something years on, to smile at my teenage self. But something significant had occurred. For a short time, I was serious enough about religion to attend church and get confirmed. If my father had a problem with that, he never mentioned it; it was only when I took to badge-wearing that he finally raised the matter. And hand in glove with this brief commitment to religion  it can't have lasted much more than a year  went an ever-deepening engagement with music and art in a broader sense, a curiosity that eventually took over from religion. For when I stopped going to church I began attending concerts  new music and early music, symphony concerts, chamber concerts and operas  and music became something to proselytise about. I might have been half-hearted when it came to religious evangelism, removing my Jesus badge the first time I was called upon to justify it, but my advocacy for music was tireless. I seldom attended concerts alone, and often dragged along half a dozen friends.

I find it interesting that Richard Dawkins has almost as little time for art as he does for God. I think he detects a similar irrationality of response by adherents of both, and it bothers him. It doesn't bother me  quite the contrary  and it didn't bother the musicologist Wilfrid Mellers. The last time I spoke to him, he was in his late 80s and had just written a book about religious music in the European classical tradition. It was called Celestial Music? (note the question mark).I asked him what he thought about religion, to which he replied that he thought it was "nonsense, really". Then he added: "But perhaps we need more non-sense in our lives." I suppose my response to Beethoven's Ninth was irrational. I still find that moment exhilarating, but it has never again bowled me over the way it did that particular day. At the time I thought it was something to do with God, now I just think it was Beethoven. Either would condemn me in Dawkins' eyes. My feelings at that sudden choral entry, blazing away in D major, were, it occurs to me, something like Stendhal syndrome. The Frenchman had his dizzy spell while viewing Giotto's frescoes in Santa Croce, but if a painting can provoke such a reaction, how much more likely is music to do it, an art form that takes over the body? And isn't this all fairly close to the way that some Pentecostals respond to the divine presence? Isn't this what they call being "slain in the spirit"? I can't recall a single religious inclination in the past four decades, but I do think that perhaps what I and others get from music is what a lot of people get from their faith. And of course it's not all bursting into tears or feeling faint  in fact, hardly ever. Proper listening involves engagement with a musical work. We have to concentrate, to contemplate,but mostly we must listen. I often think that an important aspect of music is that it forces us to stop talking, an attitude similar to prayer. If listening takes place in the concert hall, then sometimes the experience will be amplified by the presence of others. By sharing the experience, even wordlessly, we seem to make it more intense: the audience as congregation, music as communion. This is not, however, to suggest that everyone in the concert hall is having the same experience. If there are 100 listeners, there are arguably 100 slightly different pieces of music, because we hear and process music, and certainly understand it, in our own unique ways. We make it  or at least remake it  in our heads. Perhaps it's the same with God. As a composer, I want people to pay attention to my music. I want their ears, their concentration, their critical faculties. And I have to confess, I'm delighted when told by an audience member that my music has moved them. It means that something inexplicable has occurred, some wordless exchange between me and the listener, some non-sense.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan attended the re-opening of Yerevans Karlen Yesayan Polyclinic on December 3, the Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS.

The renovation of the polyclinic, which is located in Yerevans Kanaker-Zeytun district, was fully financed (500 million AMD) by the Yesayan family.

The President toured the medical facility accompanied by the Mayor of Yerevan, healthcare officials and family members of the late Karlen Yesayan, Honored Doctor of Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan was briefed that necessary conditions are provided in the facility for the 170 staff and quality treatment of 45000 registered citizens.

During the tour, healthcare officials briefed the President on the process of mass screening programs.

The President was also present at the unveiling of Karlen Yesayans bronze statue.

President Sargsyan later departed to Kotayk province on a working visit. The President attended the official opening ceremony of the Ararat Resort hotel complex in Tsakhkadzor. President Sargsyan toured the 5 star facility, was briefed on the activities, the 7 billion 500 million investments, 120 created jobs and the quality of offered services.

The Mayor of Tsakhkadzor briefed the President on upcoming directions of infrastructure investments in Tsakhkadzor and priorities of community development.
Fragrant Finds All I want for Christmas is a new signature scent  and one for the men in my life. Do I opt for the delicate woody frolic from Mr Jacobs or the bespoke breezy scent from the loved-up couple at Altaia? And for the boys, I simply can't go past Gucci's supremely collectable lavender, lemon and cedar mix.

Guerlain has released a holiday version of its beloved Meteorites  fragrant little pearl baubles that create a delicate all-over glow when dusted over your favourite foundation. Th e gold illuminates, the blue disguises pigment and the pink adds definition. Guerlain Holiday Collection Meteorites Pearls, $84, davidjones.com.au. Lush.

Road test

This week we try ... Vichy Shower Treatment

Altaia Yu Son (EDP, 100ml), $277. Marc Jacobs Decadence One Eight K Edition (EDP, 100ml), $195. Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Platinum Edition (EDT 90ml), $125, 1800 651 146. Credit:Jennifer Soo

The lowdown I am making the pilgrimage to the Gillian Adams Salon & Spa in Turramurra, Sydney, and really looking forward to shutting out the world for a while in a watery bubble. Its signature Vichy Shower treatment combines water therapy with a supremely relaxing massage performed by my therapist, Ashleigh. First up, she exfoliates my body while the wonderfully relaxing roaming aqua jets drench me at different pressure points  the sensation of the perfectly regulated jets tracking over my body is out of this world. Once the water therapy finishes I am dried off , then Babor's hydrating Lifting Body Cream is massaged into my pliant skin.
"When you find the person who suits you and complements you and is your partner in the adventure of life, it's often never who you'd expect, but it's the combination that works." For Pike, Uniacke's wit, intelligence and irreverence  not to mention their great chemistry ("That's always been the case and that continues")  makes him the one for her. "I want someone who pushes me to explore and try new things, and I think we do that for each other." All tousled blonde hair, wide blue eyes and peaches-and-cream complexion, Pike seems to personify the posh, remote English girl with her poise, clipped British tones and Oxford education. Yet it's clear she's a lot more fun  and far more human  than that stereotype. For Halloween, for instance, she wrapped older son Solo in toilet paper to be a mummy and took him trick-or-treating, while two-year-old Atom stayed at home with his dad. "We let the baby open the door [to the trick-or-treaters] and everyone was like, 'Sweet, it's just a little tiny boy" and then my husband would jump out dressed like a gorilla," she recalls with a peal of laughter. "We have a great time with our boys, we have real adventures, we have fun together as a family." An annual trip to China is their newest source of adventure, and they spent last Christmas in a camper-van out in the desert at Joshua Tree in southern California. This Christmas, Pike is filming Entebbe, about the 1976 hijacking of an Air France jet. (Preparing to play one of the German hijackers, Pike says she's so into the movie already that she's wearing flares and a Lurex top as we speak: "I've become a '70s stereotype!")

A family ski trip is also planned. Pike is disarmingly daunted by the prospect of kitting up for her alpine debut. "If I buy something nice, I'm going to look like a beginner wearing something fancy," she confesses. "I'm going to look like an idiot, and I just don't know how to do it, so it's always put me off." An only child, Pike spent the first seven years of her life moving around Europe as her parents' musical careers dictated before being sent to boarding school in Bristol at the age of 11. She enjoyed a lot of one-on-one creative time with her parents, which is why she thinks she'll stop at two children of her own. "I want to give that to my kids and I feel that with two, I can give them both that. With more, I maybe couldn't." Having children has taken her career to a new level, she says: being a mother has given her greater physical courage and made her acting more spontaneous. "Your emotions just sit closer to the surface  maybe because you're more tired, I don't know," she laughs. "I feel I can access my rawest self much more easily because there's no time to put up a mask any more, there's no time to think if you're a working mother. "The other thing I can't do: I can't ever over-analyse things at the end of a day's shooting. I walk into the house and I let it all go, because I have to get stuck back into whatever's going on."

However, she admits she struggles sometimes to transition out of roles in which she's been immersed for months. "I came back from doing this film in America [the western Hostiles, with Christian Bale] and I had to go straight into doing press [for A United Kingdom] and I was a mess because I thought, 'I don't know how to be myself any more'. I think acting is quite a dysfunctional thing  you're sorter happier being someone else." It was following the birth of Solo in 2012 that Pike's acting career soared. Although she'd been working solidly since university, making her film debut at 21 as a Bond girl in Die Another Day, and going on to play Jane Bennett in the 2005 movie version of Pride & Prejudice and opposite Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher, she was still relatively unknown before starring in Gone Girl. This was precisely the reason director David Fincher cast her as Gone Girl's woman in question, Amy Dunne, whose husband becomes the prime suspect when she disappears. The movie delivered Pike film-star fame she never envisaged when she was at university in Oxford. Rejected by every drama school she applied to, she ended up graduating with a degree in English literature but was still doggedly determined to be an actor. "I never thought I'd have a career in film  I knew nothing about film," says Pike, who grew up without a TV at home. "I knew theatre, and I'd thought that's where my life would be." She also never thought she'd be Hollywood-famous. "I think I can say I'm quite famous now," she says matterof-factly. "It sounds an odd thing to say, but I am. I realised I was when I was in the grocery store with my children in America and this woman came up to me and said, 'I just had to say you're one of my favourite actresses.'
Sitting in a booth of a Bondi beachfront haunt, sipping on a coconut while wearing a white Seafolly bikini following a morning of yoga on the sand, Natasha Oakley addressed reports that have accused the A Bikini a Day star of "photoshopping" her images.

The Sydney-born entrepreneur, 25, who co-owns one of the world's largest swimwear marketing platforms, with over 1.8 million followers on her personal Instagram account, was quoted in an Australian tabloid on Friday as saying "everybody is doing it [retouching]". However, Oakley says she was "misquoted".

A Bikini a Day's Tash Oakley on Bondi Beach on Saturday morning wearing Seafolly. Credit:Seafolly

"I did not mention me photoshopping any images," she told Fairfax Media on Saturday. "We have had A Bikini a Day for five years and I am in a bikini doing this interview with you right now. I think that I expose myself more than any celebrity or role model in the world.

"I am on a beach in a bikini all around the world, so obviously there is going to be some drama that comes with that and people who are going to try and criticise that. I know my content.
On Friday, designer Tom Ford said in a television interview that Melania Trump would never wear his clothes. Ford, who was responsible for making Gucci great again last decade, and heading up YSL, said he was asked to dress her quite a few years ago but declined: "She's not necessarily my image."

It's a dignified way of saying that Ford, who frequently dresses A-list actresses and actors for the Oscars and the Met Gala, doesn't think Mrs Trump has the class to pull off his glamorous outfits. Ford joins other designers, including Marc Jacobs and Sophie Theallet who have publicly refused to dress the First Lady-elect. Designers aren't the only ones to register their dissent.

Last week, fashion news website Fashionista announced that they would be scaling back reportage of Melania Trump. This stance is similar to the one US InStyle's editor Laura Brown has taken, stating that she has no plans to cover Mrs Trump at all.

Fashionista admits it is a "thorny issue" and they make their point wonderfully well. A racist xenophobe who has openly admitted to sexually assaulting women has just been elected to the highest office in the land. His cabinet consists of white supremacists and his official position on climate change  the single biggest threat facing the globe  is that it doesn't exist.
"A lot of people noticed [worker exploitation] who hadn't been paying attention before. The campaigns have continued ... [there is] pressure on mainstream brands to act which helps the customer even more." Ethical shopping got your goat? Here's one from Oxfam. So if you want to be more nice than naughty when it comes to gifting, here's some handy advice. Shop early (but not necessarily often) People are more likely to make poor shopping decisions when they are in a hurry.

Paper artist Benja Harney will be at The Big Design market this weekend. Nick Ray, co-founder of the Ethical Consumer Group, suggests really understanding the person you are buying for, something that takes a small investment up front but can result in a much better present outcome. "The trick for people at Christmas time is to fall into old habits because there's a 'franticness' ... our intention [to shop responsibly] can get lost along the way," he said. About 21 million unwanted gifts were purchased in Australia last year, so it pays to put more thought into each decision. Etsy's Australian spokeswoman, Esther Kelleher, has these tips for online shoppers: "If you're in a rush, look for items that are ready to ship and items from local sellers so they'll get to you faster."

Don't try to save the world But do pick one issue or focus and make it your own, whether it's serving free-range ham at dinner or only wrapping your gifts in cloth, suggests Mr Ray. "You can lose the spirit of Christmas if you are too legalistic about it. You don't want to shop the fun out of it," he said. Likewise, Ms Heinze said you can make ethical choices without ramming them down your family and friends' throats.

She said there can still be a stigma around the terms ethical, sustainable and eco-friendly. "It comes back to being able to choose something that is beautiful and functional first," she said. "The products are selling the story  you don't have to come out and say it's ethical fashion. It's just something beautiful ... it's a fine balance between making those choices and turning people off." You don't have to buy a goat While the anti-poverty charity Oxfam's Christmas goat has helped thousands of families in the third world, it's not for everyone.

Giving gifts that are more mindful can include things purchased at a market, where you can meet the maker and share their story with the intended recipient, to only buying clothing from stores known to have sustainable and ethical practices. Ceramicist Chela Edmunds of Takeawei, who is one of 230 designers and makers taking part in The Big Design Market in Melbourne this weekend, says there's a far greater acceptance and enthusiasm now for handmade gifts. "Everybody wants to make a difference and they're waiting for the opportunity ... a small choice can filter up and make things better," she said. Use technology where it's available If shopping for sustainable fashion is your goal, Ms Heinze suggests downloading the free Good On You app, which rates more than 1000 clothing labels at the press of a button.

She said there's become a growing understanding that ethical and sustainable fashion doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive, although she accepts there is often a premium of 10 to 20 per cent. "There's a stereotype of [ethical] things being ugly and expensive ... these pieces are quality made, produced slowly, they are meant to be enjoyed and loved, not consumed and thrown away," she said. Ms Heinze said there are also many social entrepreneurial companies engaging in "radical transparency", by showing supply chains in cool ways to spread a positive message. Looking for a guilt-free gift? Try some of these ....

Give away your lunch money: Give a Fork has partnered with General Pants to help feed the homeless by encouraging people to donate their lunch money. Help rebuild a rainforest: The Body Shop has a range of gifts that contribute funds towards its re-forestation programs in a range of countries. Help stamp out human trafficking and sex slavery: For every pair of Outland Denim jeans sold, $50 goes to helping fight human trafficking and sex slavery. Loading Make a sick child's dream come true: Sass and Bide and Make-a-Wish Australia have teamed up to sell a special Christmas necklace.
I'm keen to try out the Acorns app but have heard that it breaches the terms and conditions of your internet banking, as you have to hand over passwords. If banks are going to stop people accessing these types of innovations, shouldn't they be offering a similar alternative? If I sign up, does that mean I wouldn't be covered for fraud?

Bernie, Moonee Ponds

You have to hand over your banking login to see the round-up transactions in the Acorns app, but the money is transferred by direct debit.

Yes, technically. However, it would be a bold bank that would hang you out to dry if there was unauthorised access to your accounts, merely on the basis of using one so-called fintech app.

Such apps that tap directly into your net banking are the way of the future and bank bleating about broken T&Cs is just a stalling tactic.
It's been called a "miracle" university, founded just 25 years ago and now ranked in the world's Top 50. How did the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology do it?

"We credit feng shui," jokes the university's president, Professor Tony Chan.

He's talking about the favourable energy flows the ancient Chinese art of feng shui would attribute to HKUST's spectacular location, on a mountainside overlooking the bay half an hour out of Hong Kong's CBD.

As global competition for the best STEM students and the new generation of tech entrepreneurs heats up, HKUST has Australian talent firmly in its sights.
Jennifer Herrick (pictured on right) who was 22 years old when she was a victim of abuse by priest Tom Knowles (pictured at front). This photo was taken at a housewarming with relatives around 1981 when Jennifer was 27 or 28. Credit:Tamara Dean Ms Herrick was a shy 19-year-old with bilateral congenital hip dysplasia  a condition causing her to walk with a highly abnormal gait  when Knowles, who was her family's priest, cultivated a relationship with her at his church, Our Lady of Dolours, in Chatswood, Sydney. Subsequent psychological reports assert she was being groomed. When she turned 22, Ms Herrick allowed Father Knowles, who as a Catholic priest had taken a vow of celibacy, to have sex with her during a 14-year period. The sex was often hurried, aggressive and sometimes painful. And she told no one about it. Jennifer in 1973 at age 20, during the 'grooming period'. Credit:Tamara Dean In a report, Ms Herrick's psychologist, Ana Grant, said the priest's conduct had caused her patient serious post-traumatic stress disorder and fell "within the criteria for clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse".

The apology in St Francis in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday, along with a confidential payout, was offered recently to Herrick to settle court action she launched against Knowles and three senior members of his Catholic order in mid-2013. The church initially sought to block her case by using the controversial "Ellis defence"  a legal precedent that means the church is not liable for the conduct of a priest. The church also argued that Ms Herrick's case lacked merit, as she had previously accepted a confidential settlement as part of the Towards Healing process, an internal complaint handling system run by the Catholic Church. But Ms Herrick insists she was under "extreme duress" when she initially signed a settlement with the church in late 2011. As with many of the cases reviewed by the Royal Commission, Ms Herrick says that the settlement was on terms dictated by the church, rather than those of the victim. She says it did not acknowledge the tremendous impact of Knowles' conduct on her life, a claim reinforced by the decision of the church to allow Knowles to return to work as a priest in 2013. That decision was over-ruled by Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart when the Sunday Age ran a front page photo of Knowles delivering mass. Ms Herrick's story ran alongside that picture.

Last year, as Herrick battled on in the NSW Supreme Court, Knowles was quietly "laicised"  defrocked  though Ms Herrick only discovered this by accident. That decision has not been made public until today. Ms Herrick says she agreed to settle her court action in return for a public apology in church and further compensation. "It was the church's attitude - and their refusal to accept that I was abused - that prompted me to fight. I decided they needed to be accountable. They just wanted to give me some money and for me to go away," she says now. Ms Herrick believes there may be many vulnerable women who have been abused by priests but who have never come forward. "I also took the case forward on behalf of those women," she says. MARCUS LINDSAY has his own story of fighting for justice.

Over 15 years, he tracked down a paedophile Anglican priest who in 2001 police insisted was dead. He has identified fellow victims to help bring a successful prosecution against the man, former father William Richard Dowel. This year, Lindsay testified before the Royal Commission into Institutional Sex Abuse. And yet he fights on. Mr Lindsay, who was one of at least three boys repeatedly abused by Dowel while he was reverend at St Philip's Heidelberg West in the 1970s, wants an apology from the Anglican Church's Melbourne Archdiocese and compensation. But he has been frustrated by the church's internal complaint process. Having found it bewildering and bureaucratic, he feels further traumatised by having to deal with an institution he believes is responsible for failing to protect him. "They design their words and methods to defeat people like me," says the 52 year old.



Mr Lindsay says he first approached the church for an apology in 2009. His lawyer, Viv Waller, says his experience is typical and shows why the system of redress needs an overhaul.

"He has had a poor experience in dealing with the Anglicans on his own, including lengthy delay. It's important to level up the playing field with legal representation," Dr Waller said. The Royal Commission into child abuse has exposed numerous religious organisations seeking to shirk responsibility and liability, as well as cover-ups to protect clergy. In response, the federal government recently proposed a national redress scheme for child victims of sexual abuse, with compensation capped at $150,000. Details of how the scheme will operate remain sketchy, and some lawyers say the cap will be far too low in some cases. Some states, including Victoria, are wary about committing without further detail. Ms Herrick would not benefit from a redress scheme for child abuse, because she was over 18 when Knowles began a sexual relationship with her. Nevertheless, her story powerfully underlines the merit of a truly independent scheme that provides a clearly defined path for victims to seek compensation and genuine acknowledgement of their suffering.

Mr Lindsay, however, could claim compensation and seek an apology via the scheme in a process that is not controlled by the church. However, he would forgo his chance of receiving higher compensation through the courts, itself an uncertain and lengthy process. Lawyers such as Dr Waller are pushing for reforms to make it easier for victims to sue if they can prove negligence. "The proposed national redress scheme may be of assistance to Mr Linsday and others in his situation. It will still be critically important for survivors to receive independent legal advice. There may be a viable claim for compensation that might exceed the cap of $150,000," said Dr Waller, pointing to a recent Victorian court decision ordering more than $1 million in compensation to a woman abused by her principal in a religious school.



Churches seem, at long last, to be heeding the need for change.



Both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church's Melbourne Archdiocese have released public statements this month detailing their efforts to inject more independence into the way they handle victims' cases. Both are creating "independent" companies, directed by senior legal figures to play a greater role in how they respond to abuse cases. Anglican Church chancellor Michael Shand, QC, noted the reforms were about recognising that "survivors may wish to have nothing to do with the particular church" which hosted their abuser. "This proposed company will stand apart and will seek to provide a redress in a holistic way, one that will seek to look after the well-being of a survivor and not simply write out a cheque".
An Italian backpacker has described how she nearly hitched a ride with alleged killer Pande Veleski just hours before he allegedly stabbed a tourist to death at an isolated road stop in the Northern Territory.

Mr Veleski was charged with murder on Saturday night over the fatal stabbing of a French tourist in the neck, in an attack described by police as "bizarre, obscure and could not have been predicted on any scale".

Marilina Greco told Sky News that she and a friend were hitch-hiking from the Erldunda Roadhouse on the Stuart Highway south of Alice Springs when an agitated Mr Veleski offered them a lift.
A man has been charged with murder after a French tourist was stabbed to death at a remote Northern Territory rest stop in front of his terrified wife.

Philippe Jegouzo, 33, was killed on Wednesday at the isolated Connors Well rest stop, about 100 kilometres north of Alice Springs, in an attack police have called "random" and "unprovoked".

Mr Jegouzo and his wife Aurelie Chorier, 30, are believed to have been in Australia for only a week when they were approached by an unknown man at the Stuart Highway rest stop. The man stabbed Mr Jegouzo in the neck before fleeing in a grey Hyundai i20 hatchback.

On Thursday morning, police arrested Melbourne man Pande Veleski, 35, over the stabbing after a night spent hiding from police in the bush.
Lila Dillenbeck is no stranger to hospitals. In just three short years of life she has already been to 186 medical appointments and undergone open heart surgery.

Lila, who was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome a rare genetic condition that often leaves children with life-threatening health defects, suffers from partial blindness, deafness in both ears and low muscle tone.

Lila Dillenbeck suffers from CHARGE syndrome, a rare disease that has left her deaf in both ears, visually impaired and with low muscle tone

As part of the Government's Better Start program for disabled children, Lila's family was given $12,000 to cover her medical expenses, $9000 of which they used in just the first year.

"We haven't had anything left from the government grant for a while, and we couldn't afford to fork out for the five different private therapies Lila requires each week so we had to approach Variety," says Lila's mother, Natalie Dillenbeck.
Three times a week at 6am, close to 100 people attend the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence to box.

Most of them are young, vulnerable Redfern youth who are part of two initiatives aimed at reducing crime rates in Indigenous juveniles.

Mentor Jesse Riley-Toomy puts kids through their paces at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern on 25th November, 2016. Credit:Brook Mitchell

The Clean Slate Without Prejudice and Never Going Back initiatives, that won gold at the national Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (ACVPA) last Wednesday, use a mentoring program to support the local young people.

Jesse Riley-Toomy, 18, first joined the program three years ago after he was referred by a judge, and is now a mentor for the younger kids.
When Jean-Claude Van Damme kickboxed his way down the main street of Broken Hill, he was potentially leading the way for rhinoceroses, cheetahs and lions to follow him to the NSW outback.

The "Muscles from Brussels" was on Friday in the remote town, scouting a potential site for a new international wildlife conservation project.

The Hollywood veteran and wildlife activist is spearheading an as-yet unnamed foundation of wealthy benefactors who will fund endangered species to be brought to Australia, where, with close scientific monitoring, it is hoped they will successfully breed in protection.

"We are trying to give lots of freedom to those big animals by having some sort of land where it should not be exploited by the tourism. They have a chance to breed, to be free," he exclusively told Fairfax Media.
The state's pollution watchdog has issued a warning to cruise ship operators after one of the world's biggest cruise lines was caught contaminating international waters with waste.

California based Princess Cruise Lines will pay a record $US40 million ($53 million) fine after pleading guilty to seven federal charges in an illegal pollution case that involved one ship's use of a "magic pipe" to shift thousands of gallons of oily bilge into the sea.

On Saturday, the Environment Protection Authority spokeswoman reminded cruise ship operators that they face fines of up to $10 million under the NSW Marine Pollution Act for "conduct such as that which has occurred in the US."

The Princess Cruises scandal came to the attention of authorities in 2013 after a whistleblower engineer on board the 3192-passenger Caribbean Princess alerted British authorities.
Questions have been raised over Macquarie Bank's unsolicited bid to develop prime city airspace above a Martin Place metro station, with the independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, writing to Premier Mike Baird calling for an investigation.

Macquarie has revealed to Fairfax Media it lodged the unsolicited proposal with the Baird government in February of this year.

Independent MP for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, has written to Premier Mike Baird requesting an investigation into the controversial proposal. Credit:Daniel Munoz

Former residents of a building slated to be demolished on Elizabeth Street, next door to a Macquarie property, are angry that Macquarie's plan was not disclosed to them as they negotiated prices for the forced sale of their heritage-listed apartments with Transport for NSW many months later.

Macquarie wants to build a high rise on the site of their demolished homes. The existence of a bid was only revealed publicly in October by the Baird government.
When a man was bashed and died in his Maryborough church grounds in 2008, Catholic priest Father Paul Kelly could not simply stand by.

The men who killed Wayne Ruks were convicted of manslaughter rather than murder when the "gay panic" defence was invoked.

Father Paul Kelly started a petition to get rid of the "gay panic" defence.

The partial defence has been used by people accused of murder to claim they were provoked due to an unwanted sexual advance.

As a Catholic priest, Father Kelly may seem an unlikely ally in the gay rights movement.
A few people walk along the sand taking selfies, others doze on huge towels, while just a handful of enthusiasts are out in the water.

Welcome to the Dendy Street Beach in Brighton, where a cool breeze is keeping the dozens of beachgoers greeting the first day of summer on the sand.

The rules covering paddle craft in Port Phillip Bay are under review. Credit:Leigh Hennigham

But way out from shore a lone shape moves steadily towards the south. Wearing a wetsuit for warmth they are propelling a stand-up paddle board into a stiff breeze with powerful strokes.

The board user is well beyond the "no boating" zone or swimming-only zone, where they're not allowed to be, and about 250 metres or more off shore. As they paddle past the swimming only zone is virtually deserted, with just seven people wading near the shore.
As a small business owner, Chantelle Baxter is used to dealing with Australia Post on a regular basis.

Minor delays, envelopes bouncing back and the occasional parcel going missing in the mail - it's bound to happen every now and then, given the sheer volume of packages that whiz across the country each and every day.

Australia Roast? Some of the damaged goods Be. Bangles claims were sent to customers.

But a stuff-up that led to about 50 customers receiving burnt and mouldy packages in the mail was beyond anything the budding entrepreneur ever expected.

Ms Baxter runs Be. Bangles, a social enterprise that sells jewellery inscribed with inspirational messages. The company gives about $1.50 from every bangle sold to an organisation that helps educate girls across Africa.
Beijing: China has lodged a diplomatic protest after US President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades of diplomatic protocol by holding direct talks with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

But Beijing also sought to play down the significance of the 10-minute telephone call held between Mr Trump and Ms Tsai on Friday, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi blaming the exchange on Taiwan's "petty action" while noting the White House's immediate affirmation of the so-called one-China policy.

"The one-China policy is the bedrock of the healthy development of Sino-American relations," Mr Wang told reporters at an academic forum in Beijing on Saturday. "We do not wish to see this political foundation meet with any disruption or damage."

China's foreign ministry said Saturday it had lodged "stern representations" with what it described as the "relevant US side", without elaborating specifically whether this included the Trump transition team directly. It urged the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.
Athens: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Francois Hollande agreed that a deal on Greece's bailout review must be reached by Monday, when euro zone finance ministers are meeting in Brussels, Tsipras' office said on Saturday.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of a summit in Abu Dhabi, also agreed that debt relief measures for the crisis-hit country must be defined by the end of the year, Tsipras office said in a statement.

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Francois Hollande agreed that a deal on Greece's bailout review must be reached by Monday. Credit:Getty Images

"They both underlined that a deal on a technical level is demanded by Dec 5," it said.

The two leaders also welcomed a decision to resume talks on reuniting the divided island of Cyprus next month, the statement said, adding that Hollande was expected to visit the island.
Jakarta: Police have revealed multiple Indonesians were arrested in predawn raids on Friday to prevent opponents of Indonesian President Joko Widodo trying to manipulate a giant protest rally into toppling the government.

Eight people have been named suspects over alleged treason and two for alleged hate speech.

A protester holds a poster during a rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, over his alleged insult to the Koran. Credit:AP

Another man, Indonesian rock musician Ahmad Dhani, was arrested for allegedly insulting the president during a protest rally last month.

Eight suspects, including Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the wheelchair-bound sister of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, were released from detention on Friday night ahead of their trial for "humanitarian reasons".
Washington: State-sponsored hackers who unleashed a digital bomb in key parts of Saudi Arabia's computer networks over the last two weeks damaged systems at the country's central bank, according to two people briefed on an ongoing investigation of the breach.

The attacks, which afflicted at least eight government entities, used a computer-killing malware known as Shamoon that is linked to Iran, the two people said. They had the potential to inflict damage on targets across several critical sectors, including finance and transportation.

An employee speaks on the phone at the Alawwal Bank as financial data is displayed on computer screens on the bank's trading floor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where the central bank is said to have been crippled by malware. Credit:Bloomberg

The investigation is still in its early stages and the determination of responsibility could change, the two people said. The number of entities where damage occurred is likely to grow as the probe continues, a third said.

Iranian officials didn't respond to repeated requests for comment on the attack. Calls placed to the Saudi Interior Ministry weren't returned.
Samambaia High School, in Brazil's capital Brasilia, was occupied by some of its 1700 students. Credit:Agencia Brasil "At 7pm there were only 20 students. At 7.30pm there were 35. We looked at each other and asked: 'Is it time?'. As we marched down the street, someone posted on Facebook that we were about to take over the school. Suddenly, other students arrived to support us." The next day, two other schools were occupied and, in eight days, 27 of the 30 schools in Sao Jose dos Pinhais were "under new administration". Heloisa Assuncao school, one of the many occupied in the first wave of the movement in Sao Paulo in late 2015. Credit:Agencia Brasil Using social media as a tool for organisation, the occupation movement spread across Brazil, reaching more than 1000 high schools and about 100 universities in 19 Brazilian states within a month.

Dr Marcio Ribeiro, a scholar at Sao Paulo University and author of a book that examines the unprecedented tactics of school occupation in Sao Paulo in 2015, says the movement has a "viral character". That year, students locked down 200 schools and forced the state government to reverse a cost-cutting plan to close schools and relocate students. Mariana with her mother, Valquiria Silva, a public school teacher who slept in the occupied school to support students. Credit:Facebook/Mari "Parana students, after observing what happened in Sao Paulo, thought they could do the same. [And] what led to the movement's expansion firstly in Parana, where it rapidly peaked with 850 occupied schools, was [a separate] state-wide teacher strike last year that culminated in a tragic confrontation with the police in Curitiba." Sandro, who asked for his real name not to be used, believes there are two major issues with the government reforms. Students hold a class at the occupied state high school Lyceu de Goiania in Goiana, Brasil. Credit:Agencia Brasil

Firstly, it attempts to make school full-time, which will leave the poor unable to work and attend school at the same time (schools in Brazil are traditionally run in two or three shifts: morning, afternoon and evening to accommodate the population). The other is the proposal to make subjects such sociology, philosophy and arts elective. Mariana da Silva Gomiela, 16, a co-leader in the occupy schools movement in Brazil. Students are careful to run the movement as a collective. Credit:Facebook/Mari "They want to leave out the subjects that give us the capacity to think for ourselves," Sandro says. But the occupations aren't only about that. Students' motivation to occupy schools has morphed along the year.

"It's about the new government reforms, yes, but more than that. We are tired of the corruption, privileged jurisdiction, tax evasion, tax cuts for the rich and lifetime wages for politicians. The government wants to cut spending, while maintaining privileges for the wealthy." Sandro, at 31, is far from a teenager but is enrolled in adult high school, and during the occupations was one of many professionals who helped teach classes and workshops to keep students busy. Alongside Sandro's dance workshops, adult community members helped with donations of food, classes, lectures, movie sessions, kitchen and cleaning rosters. Silva observed activities inside the school closely. "I'd leave for work during the day and I would come back later at night to sleep. I spent all 30 days of the occupation with them. I praise the students for taking action, so that when they get to my age, they don't have to face the situation we teachers find ourselves in: overworked, lacking infrastructure and stripped of our worker's rights." According to participants, the student occupiers had rigid schedules for waking up, lunch, dinner, cleaning, assemblies and night security. Some schools hired private security guards. Elementary schools students had to attend class normally and but older students came and went as they pleased. Dormitories were improvised with mats on the floor, separating boys and girls in different classrooms.

"It was an intense month and it all went so fast," says Mariana. "Essentially, we created a system closer to what we believe school should be, including simple things like arranging the chairs in circles instead of rows. "Every time someone made a racist or sexist comment, they would be immediately sent to the dishes roster. There was this boy who spent a whole week there, until his behaviour improved." Dr Ribeiro sees this style of direct action as a new way of doing politics, especially significant when compared to the high rates of null, blank and absentee votes during Brazil's most recent elections. The students work collaboratively and cut out politicians from the process. The actions have been gaining traction with Brazilian youth since the 2013 popular protests when millions took the streets after an increase to public transport fares. They rely heavily on social media and the primary goal is to reject disagreeable government measures. Despite the size of October's occupation movement, Brazilian media and mainstream society only started to pay real attention after a tragic incident at the Safel School in Curitiba. On October 24, student Luca Lopes, 16, was stabbed to death by a fellow student at the occupied school during a student assembly to discuss ending the occupation. According to local media, Luca and his attacker had an argument over drugs and took refuge in the school after a fight.
A diplomatically explosive phone call between president-elect Donald Trump and the president of Taiwan risks provoking a cold war between the United States and China with potentially catastrophic economic and security implications for the region and the world, according to former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr.

The phone call is thought to be the first official direct communication between an American president or president-elect and a Taiwanese leader since the US and China opened diplomatic relations in 1979.

According to a Taiwanese statement, Mr Trump and President Tsai Ing-wen discussed ways to "strengthen [Taiwanese] national defense, allowing the people better lives and a guarantee of security. The two briefly exchanged opinions on the situation in the Asia region".

Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province which it will eventually absorb. This stance has formed the basis for modern western diplomatic relations with China.
GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) to be observed internationally on Saturday, 3 December is: Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want.

This theme notes the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.

This years objectives include assessing the current status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and SDGs and laying the foundation for a future of greater inclusion for persons with disabilities.

The observance of the 2016 IDPD coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD  one of the most quickly and widely ratified international treaties put forth by the United Nations to date.

Today, the world population is over seven billion people. More than one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world's population, live with some form of disability. 80 per cent live in developing countries.

A disability is a condition or function judged to be significantly impaired relative to the usual standard of an individual of their group.

The term is often used to refer to individual functioning, including physical impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, intellectual impairment, mental illness, and various types of chronic disease. This usage has been described by some disabled people as being associated with a medical model of disability.

The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government department under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, calls on the Sint Maarten community to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to all aspects of society, on an equal basis with others, as well as to identify and eliminate obstacles and barriers to accessibility.

People with disabilities are at much higher risk of violence: Children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children; Adults with some form or disability are 1.5 times more likely to be a victim of violence than those without a disability; and adults with mental health conditions are at nearly four times the risk of experiencing violence.

Factors which place people with disabilities at higher risk of violence include stigma, discrimination, and ignorance about disability, as well as a lack of social support for those who care for them.

The aforementioned information is being shared as part of CPSs annual calendar of public health observances with the objective of increasing awareness, education in order for the community to have a greater understanding of persons living with a disability.

CPS joins public health agencies and private sector organizations around the globe in working together to remove barriers of inclusion for persons with disabilities in order for them to be empowered to participate fully in societal life, and being able to make contributions to their entire community.

Accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities are fundamental rights recognized by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and are not only objectives, but also pre-requisites for the enjoyment of other rights.

The Convention (Article 9, accessibility) seeks to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life and development.

Since 1992, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been celebrated annually on 3 December around the world.

For information you can call CPS 542-2078 or 542-3003.
A guide to voter rights in Indiana. What you need to know before you cast a ballot
Georgetown Fire/EMS responded to a call at the ArceelorMittal steel mill in Georgetown Dec. 2, when a man was injured while he was working inside the mill.
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An Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) lifts off in June. TeamIndus has purchased a PSLV launch in late 2017 for its Google Lunar X Prize Lander.

WASHINGTON  TeamIndus, an Indian team competing in the Google Lunar X Prize, announced Dec. 1 it has a launch contract for its lunar lander mission with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The contract, which has been verified by the X Prize Foundation, is for the dedicated launch of TeamIndus' lander and rover on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) planned for December 2017.

As currently planned, the PSLV will place the TeamIndus spacecraft into an elliptical transfer orbit around the Earth of 880 by 70,000 kilometers. The spacecraft will then slowly spiral out to the moon on a 21-day transit before landing in the Mare Imbrium region of the moon, the same general region where China's first lunar lander, Chang'e-3, landed in 2013. [The Google Lunar X Prize: The Teams in Pictures]

TeamIndus is the fourth team to have its launch contract verified by the X Prize Foundation, a requirement for teams that wish to continue in the competition after this year. SpaceIL and Moon Express announced verified launch contracts in 2015, and Synergy Moon has its contract verified in August. A fifth team, Berlin-based PT Scientists, announced a launch contract Nov. 29, but said at the time they were still working with the X Prize Foundation to have it verified.

An artist's illustration of the Team Indus moon rover and lander on the lunar surface. Team Indus is one of five teams still competing in the $30 million Google Lunar X Prize to be the first private team to land a mobile robot on the moon. (Image credit: Team Indus)

The Google Lunar X Prize offers a $20 million grand prize to the first private team to land a spacecraft on the moon, travel at least 500 meters, and return high definition video and other data. The prize's deadline has been delayed several times since its introduction in 2007, with the latest deadline being the end of 2017.

TeamIndus will be cutting it very close, with a launch scheduled for late December of 2017. In a Dec. 1 interview, Sheelika Ravishankar, an executive with TeamIndus, said she expected that the X Prize Foundation might extend the prize deadline by a few weeks if there was a team that launched by the end of 2017 but had not yet landed, but did not expect a longer and more general extension. "There is no reason to extend the contest any more," she said, citing the contracts several other teams have announced for 2017 launches.

TeamIndus also has an accelerated schedule for assembly of its lander and rover. The company expects to complete work on a qualification model of the spacecraft in a couple months, with work on flight hardware to start shortly thereafter. The spacecraft is scheduled to be completed in September for final testing and integration with its launch vehicle.

The use of a dedicated launch vehicle, rather than flying as a secondary payload on another customer's launch, gives TeamIndus the capability to accommodate other team's rovers, Ravishankar said. "We're in the final stages of inking a deal with one of the teams," she said.

Such a partnership among competing teams is not unprecedented: another team, Astrobotic, plans to carry rovers for at least two other teams, although Astrobotic has not yet announced a launch contract for its mission.

Ravishankar said the total cost of the mission, including launch, is about $65 million, which TeamIndus is raising through the sale of company equity, sponsorships, and a planned crowdfunding campaign set to begin in January.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
Boujdour (Refugee Camps), Dec. 3, 2016 (SPS) - Saharawi Prime Minister Abdelkader Taleb Omar said Saturday in the refugee camp of Boujdour that "the Kingdom of Morocco must understand that the African people are not subjects of the king and that the African Union is not an organization under the makhzen."

The African Union "is a continental organization that deserves respect, and Morocco, like the other African countries, must abide by its rules and not seeking to submit it to its control," Taleb Omar said in an opening address at the eighth congress of the Saharawi Workers Union, he read on behalf of the president of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the secretary general of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali.

In the address, at the event attended by 600 delegates, the Saharawi official said "the only solution is Morocco's respect of African Union's principles, laws and decisions and giving up hostile expansionist methods, otherwise it will become a heretic state that violates the Union's Charter."

"Morocco carries on occupation and its criminal practices through squandering of Western Sahara's natural resources and increasing moves to involve other partners in this illegal operation and Saharawi people's deprivation of their right to their land and resources."

Concerning Morocco's withdrawal from Malabo Summit, in November, the Saharawi Prime Minister said Africa "has adopted Western Sahara issue as a scared African cause and has given a historic lesson (to Morocco) in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea."

"African countries, gathered together at the summit, showed an honourable position against Morocco's constipations, manoeuvring and devious methods and sided with the rights, justice and law." (SPS)

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President-elect Donald Trump selected Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos as his candidate for Secretary of Education. The DeVos nomination should alarm anyone who values public education. First, she is wholly unqualified to be Secretary of Education. She has no education degree or background, and has never worked in, attended or sent her children to public school. More worrisome, she and her husband have been on a 20-plus year crusade to eliminate public education.

Betsy DeVos freely admits that she buys political influence. As The New Yorkers Jane Mayer wrote, DeVos declared that she expects a return on our investment in donating to politicians. The return she seeks is the creation a conservative Christian government. For example, DeVos and her husband bankrolled the successful 2004 ballot referendum in Michigan banning gay marriage.

Among the DeVos long-running crusades in their quest to christianize America is their campaign to destroy public education. DeVos pushed Michigans first charter school law in 1993. As noted in a 1996 Detroit Metro Times article, while the DeVos ultimate aim was to abolish public education and steer public funds to parochial schools, they knew not to be blatant about that goal. Thus, they chose a vehicle that blurred the lines between public and private schools- a gateway drug to privatizing public education: charter schools.

As videos and documents discovered by journalists reveal, the DeVos and their allies crafted a covert strategy to privatize education. They advised focusing on school choice rather than mentioning parochial schools. They warned against having this campaign seen as a conservative idea, thus they sought to enlist those not on their political spectrum, especially people of color. Therefore, they suggested speaking of choice as the civil rights issue of our time. A central strategy was to relentlessly discredit public schools, linking the smear of public schools with efforts to defund them.

While the DeVos were unsuccessful in pushing school vouchers in Michigan, they were successful in creating an unregulated, wild-west charter sector in Michigan that has destabilized predominately minority school districts in the state. The DeVos influence in expanding charter schools, together with an inadequately-funded state school finance system in which money follows the child to whichever school she attends, has wreaked havoc on Michigans poorest cities.

Detroit is the poster child for the damage the DeVos have done to Michigans public schools. As Stephen Henderson of the Detroit Free Press observed, thanks to the DeVos efforts to block any regulation, anyone can open a charter school there without regard to quality or qualifications.

It is universally acknowledged that the explosion of charters in Detroit is a major factor in the decline of the citys public schools. Since schools have many fixed costs, the loss of students does not automatically translate into savings commensurate with the funding schools lose. So, Detroit schools have had to respond to the hemorrhaging of funds by drastically cutting services and staff, and closing schools. And because the charters that replaced public schools are among the lowest performing in the state, children in Detroit have no good choices.

This past legislative session, the Devos poured $1.45 million into successfully defeating a bill that would have brought some oversight to Detroit charters.

Betsy DeVos nomination brings to the fore some important truths about charter schools. Charter schools are part of a larger strategy to privatize and eliminate public schools. The slogan that charters and choice are part of a civil rights agenda is propaganda originating from ultra-conservative white Christian activists disguising their true aims.

In reality, choice in the form of charters increases segregation and devastates community public schools in our most distressed cities. As charters have proliferated in predominately minority cities, children and parents of color bear the brunt of this destruction.

So it is mind-boggling that, in reacting to the DeVos nomination, Jennifer Alexander, head of the charter lobby ConnCAN, described DeVos as a strong advocate for choice, particularly for our most vulnerable students ... And she does seem to be a strong advocate for high standards and accountability for results.

Seriously? DeVos intentionally decimated education for Michigans most vulnerable students and spent millions to block any accountability for charter schools that were abysmal failures by any standard.

Like DeVos, ConnCAN and other charter advocates have spent millions to buy political influence in Connecticut, weakening accountability for and ensuring the expansion of charters, all the while claiming they were advancing civil rights. So perhaps Alexanders doublespeak praise for DeVos is fitting. They seem to be on the same team.

Wendy Lecker is a columnist for the Hearst Connecticut Media Group and is senior attorney at the Education Law Center.
A callous south Londoner who threw acid in a gang rivals face leaving him with devastating burns has been locked up for 12 years.

Leban Elmi, 22, from Peckham, and teenager Archie Harding, from Essex, hunted out their victim while armed with a bottle of acid in the pre-planned attack.

They followed the terrified 19-year-old victim to a convenience store in a white Mercedes hire car, before chasing him into the back of the shop.

They threw the corrosive sulphuric acid into his face and arms before fleeing the scene.

Jailed: Leban Elmi, of Kirkwood Road in south London was locked up for 12 and a half years. / Essex Police

The victim suffered chemical burns to his left arm, ear and hand following the horrifying attack, which happened in commuter town Westcliff, in Essex on June 30.

DS Steve Robson of the Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate said: "We believe this incident was gang related. The victim in this case was known to Elmi and Harding and they planned their attack on him, targeting him in a local convenience store when he was least expecting it.

"They threw acid at their victim with absolutely no regard for the fact that he would be left with devastating and lifelong injuries but also no regard for the innocent members of the public who were also present in the shop at the time and could have been injured.

Co-criminal: Archie Harding, 19, of Kursaal Way, Southend, was jailed for five years / Essex Police

"The severity of todays sentence reflects the serious and callous nature of their crime and I hope it serves as a robust warning to others that Essex Police will not tolerate gang-related crime or any sort of violent behaviour in our county."

Elmi, of Kirkwood Road in south London, had denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm but was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to nine years at Southend Crown Court on Friday.

He was jailed for three-and-a-half years, to run consecutively, after admitting a charge of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine after police found crack cocaine in his bottom.

The drug dealer was also sentenced to 18 months for affray and 12 months for possession of an offensive weapon, to run concurrently, after pleading guilty to the charges.

His total jail term is 12 and a half years.

Elmis partner in crime in the acid attack, Archie Harding, 19, of Kursaal Way, Southend, was jailed for five years for throwing a corrosive fluid with intent, ten months for affray and three months for criminal damage, all to run concurrently. He had admitted all three charges at a previous hearing.


A 28-year-old woman has been rushed to hospital with severe head injuries after she was hit by a bus on a busy street near the British Museum.

Emergency services including police, ambulances and a London Air Ambulance raced to Bury Place, just off Bloomsbury Way, at 10.30am on Saturday following a crash.

The woman was taken to a central London hospital with "potentially life changing" injuries.

No arrests have been made and the Met Police are appeling for any witnesses who saw what happened.

Serious collision: The crash took place near the British Museum / Joe Sturdy

Pictures taken by witnesses show a route 55 bus inside a police cordon after the road was taped off by officers.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the woman was rushed to hospital by road as a priority.

Transport for London (TfL) said Bloomsbury Way had been shut at New Oxford Street because of a serious collision.

Gareth Powell, TfL's Director of Strategy and Contracted Services said: "Our thoughts are with the woman injured in the collision on Bloomsbury Way this morning. Emergency services attended the scene and there will be a full investigation into what happened."

A Met Police spokesperson said the driver of the bus stopped at the scene and has been helping officers with their investigation.
A BMW driver miraculously escaped unharmed after a car they were driving flipped on its roof in Regents Park.

Paramedics were called to Inner Circle, near the entrance to Regents University, in the royal park at 8.21am on Saturday after the blue hatchback crashed and overturned in the road.

Shocked witnesses told how a female driver managed to escape the BMW 118i unharmed after it apparently mounted a pavement and crashed into a parking meter.

Justin McKie, chairman of Regents Park cyclists, said he came across the car at around 9am.

He said: It was quite amazing she was not seriously injured. I spoke to police at the scene and they confirmed it was miraculous.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: We were called at 8.21am to Inner Circle to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car.

We sent an ambulance crew and single responder in a car to the scene, however, nobody needed hospital treatment.
A n airline pilot suffered a heart attack as he taxied a plane carrying 128 people to the runway at Glasgow Airport.

The captain of the KLM aircraft became unwell as he was about to depart for Amsterdam on Friday and had to be resuscitated by the crew with the help of a passenger.

Firefighters from Glasgow Airport helped take the Dutch pilot off the plane where he was met by paramedics and rushed to Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank.

The man is now said to be in a stable condition.

The planes co-pilot took the aircraft back to the gate.

The flight was due to leave at around 5pm but was cancelled because of the emergency.

Passengers on board had their tickets re-booked.

A spokeswoman for KLM said: "During taxiing to the runway on this KLM flight to Amsterdam the captain became unwell and the staff treated him with the help of a passenger.

"He was taken to hospital where his condition is stable."

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "We took a call that a man was having a heart attack at Glasgow Airport. We attended the scene and arrived at 5.25pm."
A vegetarian cafe has revealed it will boycott the new "repulsive" 5 note in protest over it containing animal fat.

Bosses at the Rainbow Cafe in Cambridge, opposite the prestigious Kings College, said they will not accept the currency until tallow, a substance made from animal fat, had been removed.

The move comes amid outrage from vegans, vegetarians and religious groups following confirmation from the Bank of England the new plastic note contains traces of the product.

Cafe owner Sharon Meijland placed posters on Wednesdays to warn her customers about the policy and said, so far, she had received no complaints.

She told the BBC: This is so repulsive we are actually going to have to say that we can't take the notes in our restaurant.

Tallow's an animal product isn't it? Our whole business is based around not having anything like that on the premises.

Although the same person doesn't handle the money that handles the food, that's not really the point.

Since the notes were introduced by the Bank of England in September, a petition calling for tallow to be removed has passed 120,000 signatures within days of being posted.

The bank said its supplier was working on "potential solutions" over the issue.
D ozens of clubbers are feared dead after an enormous blaze tore through a night club in California.

The fire broke out at the Ghost Ship club, a warehouse in Oakland, northern California, at around 11.30pm on Friday, US authorities said.

Local newspaper East Bay Times reported that at least nine people were dead and over a dozen were still unaccounted for on Saturday morning. Authorities are prepared for the death toll to rise up to 40.

Up to 70 people were thought to have been in the warehouse club at the time the blaze broke out.

Fire fighters battled the blaze on three sides of the building / Oakland Fire Live

Fifty five firefighters raced to the scene to find flames on three sides of the building, battalion chief Lisa Baker told the paper.

They initially tried to tackle the blaze from inside the building but were forced to evacuate when conditions changed.

Fire fighters managed to contain the fire at around 4.20am but local media said there was still smoke billowing from an upper floor.

The building is not thought to have been equipped with sprinklers and there was no evidence smoke detectors had been activated, fire chief Teresa Deloch-Reed said.

Frantic friends and family members posted on the event's Facebook page in an effort to track down their loved ones.

One user, Eveline Darroch, asked members only to post in the thread with names of people who attended and whether they were missing or safe.

Witness Christoper M Sturm wrote on Facebook: Just left the scene, fire chaplain told me they are waiting to verify the building is safe to enter before they search. Said it will be a while

Another user Margot Rhodes wrote: I am safe  thank you for doing this. Hoping friends/people are located and ok. This is so scary.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. The overall annual investment volumes reach approximately 10 million USD in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia, Mayor Arthur Harutyunyan told reporters, adding that investments are mainly directed at the tourism and hotel sectors. These sectors provide jobs for 35-40% local population.

Tsakhkadzor is a small community, therefore we are able to provide jobs for the population of nearby communities as well, namely Hrazdan, Harutyunyan said.

According to the Mayor, 43 hotels and 10 guest houses operate in the city.

This means leisure in Tsakhkadzor isnt only for the wealthy. Prices in guest houses range from 5 to 80 thousand drams, he said.

The Mayor said foreign tourists are mainly arriving from post-USSR countries, namely from Russia, Kazakhstan etc. This is associated with the fact that back in 1967, one of the main sport complexes of the USSR for winter sport was established here. However recently we see inflow of tourists from European countries  France, Germany, he said.

Speaking on statistics, the Mayor mentioned it is difficult to present clear numbers, however according to estimates, the number of tourists during 2007-2016 increased from 60-70 thousand to 350 thousand.

The Mayor said a park is planned to be built near the main Church of the city. In addition, a restaurant, a wine house and a hotel will be opened in 2017.
Republican Donald Trump will soon take office as our next president, and theres a call by some folks in California for their state to secede. This is similar to the secession talk in Texas a few years back by some people unhappy with President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

Strong political disagreement is to be expected in our society. But the fact remains that as Americans, were all in this together.

Casually demanding the breakup of our country, regardless of how improbable such a split might be, is irresponsible. Such rhetoric only worsens the political divisions.

National unity was a theme for George Washington during his presidency. His Farewell Address in 1796 called for fellowship among the young countrys regions. His message is as relevant in the 21st century as it was in the 18th.

In that address marking the end of his two terms as president, Washington urged Americans not to allow sectional differences between Northern and Southern; Atlantic and Western to undermine the community of Interest as one Nation.

James Madison served in the 1790s as a Virginia congressman and often challenged the Washington administrations policies, but Madison, too, emphasized the need for national solidarity.

Late in life, Madison, the central figure in crafting the U.S. Constitution, penned a manuscript he titled Advice to My Country. He wrote: The advice nearest my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the states be cherished and perpetuated.

Nebraskas capital is named for Abraham Lincoln, who dedicated his presidency to keeping the nation whole. He stated in his inaugural address in 1861: I hold that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, the Union of these States is perpetual.

These American leaders understood the abiding need to hold our country together amid its inevitable disagreements and tensions. In our time, its our duty as Americans to strive to uphold that vital principle.

Omaha World-Herald
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MOSCOW  Hackers stole more than 2 billion rubles ($31 million) from correspondent accounts at the Russian central bank, the bank said on Friday, the latest example of an escalation of cyber attacks on financial institutions around the globe.

Central bank official Artyom Sychyov discussed the losses at a briefing, saying that the hackers had attempted to steal about 5 billion rubles.

Sychyov was commenting on a central bank report released earlier in the day, that told about hackers breaking into accounts there by faking a client's credentials. The bank provided few other details in its lengthy report.

Financial regulators around the world have recently urged banks to beef up cyber security in the wake of a string of high-profile heists on banks around the world.

Fears about attacks on banks have mounted since February when unknown cyber criminals stole $81 million in funds that Bangladesh's central bank had on deposit at the New York Fed. Law enforcement agencies around the globe are hunting for the criminals who stole the money using fraudulent wire-transfer requests sent over the SWIFT bank messaging network.

Separately, Russia said on Friday that it had uncovered a plot by foreign spy agencies to sow chaos in the country's banking system via a coordinated wave of cyber attacks and fake social media reports about banks going bust.

($1 = 63.8300 rubles)
ST. CHARLES  A man from north St. Louis County is accused of robbing a motorist Monday in St. Charles and taking him to North County, where he escaped.

Demarcos Bolden, 29, of the 200 block of Midlothian Road, was charged Friday with robbery, armed criminal action and kidnapping.

St. Charles police did not comment Friday on a second male suspect cited in a court document as also being involved.

According to the court document, the incident began when two men approached the victim, who was in a vehicle in the 3200 block of Rue Royale.

One suspect with a pistol began punching the victim while the other entered the vehicle and took $500 from the victim's backpack. The victim then was told to leave his vehicle and get in the suspects' vehicle, the court document said.

A short time after they drove away, the victim told police, he tried to wrestle the gun from the driver. The weapon fired and the magazine came out of the gun, which the victim took possession of.

According to the document, the victim said the suspects offered to let him go if he surrendered the magazine but he refused.

When they reached an apartment complex near Dunn and New Halls Ferry roads in North County, the court document said, the driver got out and the victim escaped. He said he ran to a nearby gas station and called 911.

Bolden was arrested later in the week. Cash bail was set at $200,000.
ST. LOUIS  An in-home caregiver for seniors has been indicted in federal court here for allegedly scheming to defraud three elderly people of more than $30,000.

De'Janay Noldon, 27, of St. Louis County, was indicted Thursday on multiple charges including mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft and Social Security fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Prosecutors say Noldon assumed the identity of one of her victims to obtain three credit cards she used to make several personal purchases, get cash advances and pay bills. She also accessed the bank accounts of all three victims.

Noldon was a certified nurse's assistant caregiver with Seniors Home Care, a home health care company based in Webster Groves. Prosecutors say she was assigned to provide in-home care to one of the victims.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Shrewsbury Police Department.

Officials ask anyone who has any information or believes they are a victim of similar crimes to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 314-539-9360.
Snap, crackle, flop

The breakfast cereal industry is in something of a funk, but not so deep a funk that Tony the Tigers parent company is willing to continue advertising on the Breitbart News Network.

The Kellogg Co. announced last week that its withdrawing its advertising from the right-wing news site because it violates company guidelines by encouraging offensive behavior and is not consistent with its corporate image.

Breitbart, whose former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is now President-elect Donald Trumps chief strategist, has embraced the alt-right white supremacist movement. It is known for anti-feminist, anti-immigrant and anti-gay editorial stances.

Its also known for fighting back. The lead story on Breitbarts website Wednesday said, Kelloggs decision to blacklist one of the largest conservative media outlets in America is economic censorship of mainstream conservative political discourse. That is as un-American as it gets.

Breitbart said Kellogg was serving bigotry for breakfast and called for a boycott. That Breitbart is accusing someone else of bigotry must set some sort of record in the pot-calling-kettle-black sweepstakes.

Secretary of Zealotry

Speaking of right-wing zealots, President-elect Trump met Monday with David Clarke, the Milwaukee County sheriff, who is under consideration as Homeland Security secretary. This is a man who has called for rounding up as many as a million American citizens who use jihadi rhetoric, suspending not just their First Amendment rights but their constitutional rights of habeas corpus and shipping them to the military detention site at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Clarke, who is African-American, habitually rips what he calls the Black Lies Matter movement. He called for torches and pitchforks to protest President Barack Obamas administration, and supported summoning the National Guard to put down anti-Trump protests. He has said there is no police brutality in America, but there is a war on police.

Nuff said.

Washingtons new model for ethics

Washington is a town that, until now, has treated ethical breaches as career-destroying pet beasts to be kept caged and hidden in the basement. In this new, post-election era, this pet not only gets to run free in the backyard, heck, it even gets to parade around on the Senate floor. Were talking about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who announced this week that he would not recuse himself from confirmation proceedings involving Trumps nominee for secretary of transportation, Elaine Chao. She is McConnells wife.

McConnell laughed off the notion of recusal, but this is no laughing matter. In order for Congress to perform its constitutional duty as a check and balance on the executive branchs authority, there must, in fact, be a separation of powers. Republicans who actually care about preserving one of our democracys strongest pillars should demand that McConnell not only recuse himself from the confirmation process but on all future matters in which his wifes official duties come into play on Capitol Hill. Would their expectation have been any less if a Democratic administration were in charge?

Right protest, wrong place

St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson apparently shares our confusion about the protests that erupted downtown and along Hampton Avenue near Interstate 44 on Monday. Protesters blocked traffic and forced the shutdown of a McDonalds restaurant dining room on North Tucker Boulevard as part of a nationwide Fight for $15 demand for a minimum-wage increase.

Why protest here? Locally, theyve already won, as Dotson pointed out. In August 2015, Mayor Francis Slay signed legislation to increase the minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2018. The measure is bottled up in court.

Our city is one of the most progressive cities in the state, Dotson told the protesters. We already passed laws to increase the minimum wage, so why are you impacting families trying to get home to get their kids to sporting events in a community thats already heard and agrees with your message?

The need to divert police resources to the protest sites meant that other neighborhoods were left neglected, all for a demand that, as Dotson pointed out, our community has already said Yes to.

Aint life grand

Ken and Nancy Kranzberg upped the ante on their commitment to Grand Center this week with their decision to take over and renovate the Grandel Theatre for use by organizations such as Dance St. Louis and the Metro Theater Company.

The couple, through their Kranzberg Arts Foundation, bought the historic Cadillac Building at 3224 Locust Street in April, renamed it .Zack, after their grandson, and turned it into a performing-arts incubator. They also operate the Kranzberg Arts Center at the corner of North Grand Boulevard and Olive Street and the Marcelle Theater at 3310 Samuel Shepherd Drive.

The Kranzbergs, lifelong St. Louisans who have been married for more than 45 years, have said repeatedly that they love philanthropy and giving arts organizations the opportunity to be more daring. Grand Center, the culture scene and audiences around town benefit from their generosity.

Voting for veterans

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, is helping cut through the red tape for patients at the Veterans Administration who need help from congressional offices.

Davis co-sponsored a bill to improve the VA claims process, which was passed by the House and now moves to the Senate. The bill would cut the VA out as a middleman when veterans seek files that members of Congress already have permission to access and release.

Davis says he has helped clear almost 1,000 veterans claims over the four years he has been in office, and is working on 96 open cases. Anything that reduces unnecessary federal bureaucracy and improves service to our nations veterans is worthy of support.
So my question is, if the department is defunded, and low pay continues, what will happen the next time the police are desperately needed and only a handful of them are available?
On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese raid raid on Pearl Harbor shocked the entire country. Historically protected by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, America now found itself in a war that spanned both of them. Were would the next bombing raids hit? After the attack, no one in America must have felt safe, not even in St. Louis, which landlocked more than 4,000 miles from Hawaii.

The day after the attack, crowds gathered on the streets to listen to President Roosevelt from loudspeakers, more then 400 men signed up for service at the Navy recruitment office.

Soon soldiers from Jefferson Barracks started patrols to protect the railways, bridges and road. Check points were set up for the employees driving to the ammunitions plant in Weldon Spring.

The gears of war were turning. Even amidst the blur of action that followed, St. Louis kept in a few moment for themselves, like when the first practice blackout caught Eugene Kleeschulte and Vivian Henry at Lees Cafe in OFallon, Mo. A photo captures the small, fleeting moment of two people comforting each other as war came to St. Louis.
A CONTROVERSIAL decision to transfer ownership of Alcester Nature Reserve to the local town council on a 99-year lease rather than a freehold basis has been referred back to Stratford District Councils ruling cabinet for reconsideration.

The decision was called in by Cllr Susan Adams (Cons, Alcester and Rural), the current council chairman, and two former chairman  Cllr Mike Gittus (Cons, Kinwarton) and Cllr Eric Payne (Cons, Alcester Town).

On Wednesday the district councils overview and scrutiny committee agreed with them that the decision should go back to the cabinet so that it could be looked at again.

The three councillors argued that the previous decision by the cabinet had been taken without due consultation and professional advice.

Cllr Gittus told the committee: We have worked very closely with the council and various agencies to bring about an opportunity for Alcester Town Council to preserve a very large green open space in the town.

Myself and others were dismayed by the change of direction we had not been party to and this was not acceptable to the parties involved.

Four members of the committee supported the request to refer the decision back to the cabinet and one abstained.
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In five studies being presented today during the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, researchers are applying advanced biomedical engineering methods to improve the delivery of life-saving treatments to patients with a variety of medical conditions. These new methods are designed to carry therapies directly to the sites in the body where they are needed most, which could provide a substantial advantage over traditional, systemic methods. The studies highlight the benefits of emerging technological tools such as nanotechnology and engineered drug delivery vehicles.

"All of these studies represent substantial advances resulting from biomedical engineering. They build upon established science with bioengineering strategies that could make therapies significantly more effective if they are pursued and refined," said Armand Keating, MD, press briefing moderator, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering, and director of the Cell Therapy Program, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. "I believe each of these has the potential to change practice."

This press conference will take place on Saturday, December 3 at 8:00 a.m. PST in Room 22 of the San Diego Convention Center.

Just-Add-Water: Artificial Blood Cells Could Offer Convenient, Portable Alternative to Blood Transfusion ErythroMer (EM), a Nanoscale Bio-Synthetic Artificial Red Cell: Proof of Concept and In Vivo Efficacy Results [1027]

Researchers have developed the first artificial red blood cells designed to emulate vital functions of natural red blood cells. If confirmed safe for use in humans, the nanotechnology-based product could represent an innovative alternative to blood transfusions that would be especially valuable on the battlefield and in other situations where donated blood is difficult to obtain or store. The artificial cells, called ErythroMer, are designed to be freeze-dried, stored at ambient temperatures, and simply reconstituted with water when needed.

"One key goal is to advance field resuscitation of civilian trauma victims in remote settings and soldiers who are wounded in austere environments without access to timely evacuation," said lead study author Allan Doctor, MD, of Washington University in Saint Louis. "ErythroMer would be a blood substitute that a medic can carry in his or her pack and literally take it out, add water, and inject it. There are currently no simple, practical means to bring transfusion to most trauma victims outside of hospitals. Delays in resuscitation significantly impact outcomes; it is our goal to push timely, effective care to field settings."

Proof-of-concept studies in mice, conducted in partnership with Greg Hare MD, PhD, at the University of Toronto, demonstrate that the artificial cells capture oxygen in the lungs and release it to tissues  the main functions of red blood cells  in a pattern that is indistinguishable from that seen in a control group of mice injected with their own blood. In rats, ErythroMer effectively resuscitated animals in shock following acute loss of 40 percent of their blood volume.

The donut-shaped artificial cells are formulated with nanotechnology, in partnership with Dipanjan Pan, PhD, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and are about one-fiftieth the size of human red blood cells. A special lining encodes a control system that links ErythroMer oxygen binding to changes in blood pH, thus enhancing oxygen acquisition in the lungs and then dispensing oxygen in tissues with the greatest need. Tests show ErythroMer matches this vital oxygen binding feature of human red blood cells within 10 percent, a level the researchers say should be sufficient to stabilize a bleeding patient until a blood transfusion can be obtained.

So far, tests suggest ErythroMer has overcome key barriers that halted development of previous blood substitutes, including efficacy and blood vessel narrowing. The team's next steps are testing in larger animals, ongoing safety assessment, optimizing pharmacokinetics, and ultimately conducting in-human clinical trials. The researchers are also pursuing methods for scaling up production. If further testing goes well, they estimate ErythroMer could be ready for use by field medics and emergency responders within 10-12 years.

ErythroMer development has been supported by the Children's Discovery Institute at Washington University and St. Louis Children's Hospital, the Skandalaris Center at Washington University and the BioSTL Fundamentals Program.

Allan Doctor, MD, Washington University in St. Louis, will present this study during an oral presentation on Monday, December 5 at 4:30 p.m. in Ballroom 20D of the San Diego Convention Center.

Gene Therapy Could Potentially Improve Quality of Life for Hemophilia Patients SPK-9001: Adeno-Associated Virus Mediated Gene Transfer for Hemophilia B Achieves Sustained Mean Factor IX Activity Levels of >30% without Immunosuppression [3]

Preliminary data from an ongoing Phase I/II trial suggest that patients with hemophilia B, who are born unable to produce the blood-clotting protein factor IX (FIX), began producing FIX at sufficient levels after receiving a single infusion of an investigational gene therapy product called SPK-9001. The results show the highest and most consistent levels of FIX production of any gene therapy tested to date, according to the researchers.

FIX is crucial to the formation of blood clots and prevention of life-threatening uncontrolled bleeding. This ongoing trial involves nine previously treated adult patients with a baseline FIX of less than 2 percent, which is considered extremely deficient. As of the November 30, 2016, data cut off, seven of the nine patients who have progressed to at least 12 weeks post-vector administration showed FIX levels in the range of 12-46 percent with a mean steady-state level greater than 28 percent, a range the researchers say is close enough to normal (at least 50% in healthy adults). Maintaining a minimum level of 12 percent is considered necessary to prevent minor, chronic bleeding in the joints, a common cause of disability in patients with hemophilia.

SPK-9001 uses an inactive virus to deliver into a patient's cells a small section of DNA that, when stabilized in the patient's own liver cells, allows the body to produce FIX. Current standard of care for hemophilia B requires patients to self-administer intravenous infusions of laboratory-produced FIX at regular intervals, typically one to two times a week. A key downside of this standard regimen is that it causes FIX levels to fluctuate widely, and patients may need to limit their activities to avoid breakthrough bleeding when their FIX levels are low.

The FIX levels achieved with SPK-9001 to date in this study have been sufficient to allow patients to engage in normal daily activities without the need for FIX infusions. Eight of the infused patients have required no factor IX concentrates to prevent or control bleeding events since the day after vector administration. One participant with severe joint disease self-administrated a precautionary infusion two days after administration of SPK-9001 for a suspected ankle bleed and again at week 35 post the data cut-off date and despite a factor IX activity level of 36, for a suspected knee bleed. In addition, six patients reported increased physical activity and improved quality of life.

"One of the potential innovations with a gene therapy for hemophilia B, compared to factor IX infusions, is that once an individual establishes a stable factor activity level, then they may remain at that level for an extended time," said Katherine A. High, MD, of Spark Therapeutics, Inc. in Philadelphia. "At the factor IX levels seen in this study, most normal activities of daily living should be open to people with hemophilia. It could be a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of hemophilia."

Two participants recently suffered an autoimmune response and were put on corticosteroids. Despite the immune response and decline in FIX activity level, these two participants have not had any bleeds or required replacement FIX. The researchers will continue to track patient outcomes for at least five years.

Funding for the study was provided by Spark Therapeutics and Pfizer, Inc.

Katherine A. High, MD, Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, will present this study during the ASH press conference. Lindsey A. George, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, will present this study during the Plenary Scientific Session on Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 p.m. in Hall AB of the San Diego Convention Center.

Microcapsules Could Be Game-Changer for Hemophilia Patients Prone to Immune ResponseLeveraging the Contractile Force of Platelets for Targeted Factor VIII Delivery in Hemophilia with Inhibitors [81]

A new drug delivery technology uses the body's natural processes to supply the blood-clotting protein factor VIII (FVIII) directly to the site of a developing clot to stop bleeding in patients with hemophilia A. The approach, in which small amounts of FVIII are encased within microscopic capsules that are injected into the bloodstream, could significantly improve outcomes for the approximately 30 percent of patients with severe hemophilia A in which direct infusion of FVIII triggers an immune response.

People with hemophilia A do not produce FVIII, a protein necessary for forming blood clots, putting them at risk of dangerous uncontrolled bleeding. The standard treatment for these patients is intravenous infusion of FVIII; however, if the patient's immune system attacks the infused FVIII, the drug's effectiveness is greatly reduced. These patients often require several infusions a day to control a single bleeding event.

In vitro experiments show the new microcapsules act as a shield that allows the FVIII payload to fly under the immune system's radar and potentially stem bleeding with only one or two injections. In addition, the microcapsules are designed to go directly to the site where FVIII is needed by hitchhiking on platelets, cell fragments present in blood that play a key role in clot formation.

"This is a completely new way to target delivery of a biologic drug, capitalizing on the natural functions of cells that are already in your body," said Caroline E. Hansen, a graduate student in the laboratory of bioengineer and pediatric hematologist Wilbur A. Lam, MD, PhD, of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University in Atlanta. "We're utilizing platelets' natural behavior to accomplish targeting and delivery. Because platelets are so heavily relied upon in the clot formation process, they could actually carry these microcapsules to the forming clot or the site of injury."

After binding to platelets and traveling to a forming clot, the microcapsules are designed to burst open, releasing FVIII. This bursting occurs when platelets join a clot and contract. The FVIII then stimulates the formation of fibrin at the site, creating a mesh network that holds the blood clot together.

The researchers recently tested their microcapsules in laboratory experiments that model sites of blood vessel injuries, comparing the amount of fibrin formed when FVIII was delivered via microcapsules versus traditional systemic infusions. They found that the microcapsules resulted in 2.7 times as much fibrin formation compared to a systemic FVIII infusion when immune antibodies were present, a test that mimicked what happens when FVIII infusions trigger an immune response in a person with hemophilia A.

After further examination of how the microcapsules influence the formation of fibrin, the team plans to test the microcapsules in mouse models.

Funding for the study was provided by the NIH (U54HL112309) and the NSF (1150235).

Caroline E. Hansen, BS, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta will present this study during an oral presentation on Saturday, December 3 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 28ABCD of the San Diego Convention Center.

New Chemotherapy Delivery Method Improves Survival After Bone Marrow Transplant in Older Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Survival Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Older High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Initially Treated with CPX-351 Liposome Injection Versus Standard Cytarabine and Daunorubicin: Subgroup Analysis of a Large Phase III Trial [906]

A new analysis shows older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survived longer after receiving an allogeneic stem cell transplant if they were first treated with the experimental chemotherapy delivery method known as CPX-351 instead of the standard "7+3" administration of chemotherapy drugs cytarabine and daunorubicin. Researchers say the findings are encouraging for improving survival among high-risk AML patients who currently have limited treatment options and poor survival rates.

The new study is a subgroup analysis of a large Phase III randomized controlled trial completed earlier this year that found CPX-351 nearly doubled overall survival compared to the 7+3 regimen. The researchers examined survival and other health outcomes among trial participants who received chemotherapy and then hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a treatment that provides healthy replacement stem cells to the bone marrow to better equip patients to fight the disease on their own.

Of 309 total trial participants, 91 received an allogeneic stem cell transplant, including 52 in patients who received CPX-351 compared with 39 in patients receiving 7+3. CPX-351-treated patients were also more likely to undergo transplantation while in a remission state (75% of CPX-351 vs. 62% of 7+3). In the first 100 days after transplantation there were 53 percent fewer deaths among patients receiving CPX-351 compared with those receiving 7+3 therapy.

The active ingredients of CPX-351 are the same as those in the 7+3 regimen, but in contrast to 7+3 in which cytarabine and daunorubicin are delivered separately, CPX-351 encapsulates the drugs into a single delivery vehicle in a fixed synergistic molar ratio.

"The two drugs together are delivered to the cell in the proper synergistic ratio that optimizes the cell-killing ability of these two drugs," said lead study author Jeffrey E. Lancet, MD, of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. "We think that by doing this, we can improve delivery to the cancer cells at the proper ratio."

The trial focused on the group of AML patients considered at high risk; all participants were older than 60 and had AML related to prior chemotherapy, AML arising from MDS, or AML MDS-related cytogenetic abnormalities.

The study was funded by Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc.

Jeffrey E. Lancet, MD, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Fla., will present this study during an oral presentation on Monday, December 5 at 4:00 p.m. in San Diego Ballroom AB of the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

New CAR-T Treatment Holds Promise for Children and Young Adults with Hard-to-Treat LeukemiaMinimal Residual Disease Negative Complete Remissions Following Anti-CD22 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) in Children and Young Adults with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) [650]

Children and young adults with relapsed or refractory ALL who receive chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting CD22, a protein found on the surface of leukemic cells, appear to mount a clinical response and, in some cases, achieve remission. Researchers from the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health genetically altered patients' own T cells to track down and kill cancer cells expressing CD22. The study  the first to evaluate CAR targeting CD22 in humans  also gives a first glimpse into how patients who already received CAR-T therapy directed at a different antigen, CD19, might fare when given a second immunotherapy.

Data are presented for 16 patients who received the new anti-CD22 therapy. One of the six patients treated at a lower dose initially set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies attained remission. The majority  eight of 10  participants treated at a higher dose level (a dose comparable to that used by current CD19 CAR programs) attained a complete remission without evidence of residual disease after one month of their infusion. There have since been relapses among six out of nine patients who achieved remission, the majority of which are due to drops in CD22 expression on the cells, which has similarly been observed with CD19 CAR therapy. So far, one patient remains in remission beyond one year.

"We've been able to show that you can give a second CAR therapy that is directed against a different antigen and have it be safe and effective," said study author Terry J. Fry, MD, of the Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md.

Dr. Fry said this adds to the notion that a single antigen-directed CAR immunotherapy probably won't be sufficient for long-term durable remissions in many patients and points to the potential for targeting multiple cancer-related proteins (also called bispecific targeting).

Participants in this Phase 1 trial had relapsed or treatment-resistant ALL and were either CAR naive or previously treated with anti-CD19 CAR T cells and/or blinatumomab therapy and some who became resistant to CD19 CAR due to loss of CD19. The patients, ranging in age from 7 22 years old, all had CD22+ ALL and had previously undergone at least one allogeneic stem cell transplant. A majority of participants (11 out of 16) had relapsed after receiving anti-CD19 CAR T cell before entering the trial. Researchers collected T cells from eligible patients and modified them to recognize and bind to CD22. Patients then received an infusion of their own modified cells and were evaluated for response and adverse effects after an average of 28 days.

The primary adverse event was cytokine release syndrome, a common, potentially dangerous reaction to this type of infusion, which Dr. Fry reports was mild in all cases; fever and low blood pressure were the main symptoms. There was one death due to sepsis that occurred after resolution of cytokine release syndrome.

While the trial is continuing to accrue patients, these early results raise new questions about how anti-CD22 CAR therapy might best be used; for example, if it is better to wait for relapse after initial CAR therapy or preempt it by co-treating it. Dr. Fry and his team plan to investigate the combined use of anti-CD19 and CD22 CAR targeting approaches with the hypothesis that this will increase the likelihood of sustained remission.

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Terry J. Fry, MD, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., will present this study during the ASH press conference. Nirali N. Shah, MD, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., will present this study during an oral presentation on Monday, December 5 at 7:15 a.m. in Room 6CF of the San Diego Convention Center.

The study authors and press program moderator will be available for interviews after the press conference or by telephone. Additional press briefings will take place throughout the meeting on personalized medicine and sickle cell disease. For the complete annual meeting program and abstracts, visit www.hematology.org/annual-meeting. Follow @ASH_hematology and #ASH16 on Twitter and like ASH on Facebook for the most up-to-date information about the 2016 ASH Annual Meeting.

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (www.hematology.org) is the world's largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 50 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. The Society publishes Blood (www.bloodjournal.org), the most cited peer-reviewed publication in the field, as well as the newly launched, online, open-access journal, Blood Advances.

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego (Dec. 3-6): 619-525-6294

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SOURCE American Society of Hematology
CANCUN, MEXICO -- (Marketwired) -- 12/03/16 -- Canada is taking action in the conservation and long-term protection of marine biodiversity. At the recent Convention on Biological Diversity at the Conference of the Parties (COP13), the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced a new initiative that will facilitate meeting Canada's marine conservation targets, and another that demonstrates Canada's commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of the Sargasso Sea, a globally significant marine ecosystem.

The Minister announced, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the proposed establishment of Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area (NWA), the first under the Canada Wildlife Act. This area is home to over two million seabirds, making it the highest concentration of seabirds as well as the most important nesting and breeding ground for seabirds in British Columbia.

Minister LeBlanc discussed additional ways Canada will achieve meeting its international targets to increase the amount of marine and coastal areas that are protected to 5% by 2017 and 10% by 2020. Canada's plan consists of advancing work in areas progressing towards establishment, such as the proposed Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area, and several proposed Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas, including Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs, Laurentian Channel and Banc des Americains. The Minister also highlighted progress achieved for the designation of St. Anns Bank for which stakeholder input will be sought in the near future.

Finally, Minister LeBlanc signed the 'Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea'. The Sargasso Sea, located near Bermuda, provides habitat, spawning areas, migration pathways and feeding ground to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including some endangered and commercially important species.

The Convention focused on actions to ensure the conservation, sustainable use, management, and restoration of biological diversity and ecosystems. While at the Convention, the Minister also continued discussions with his international counterparts on other effective area-based conservation measures and the need for science-based decision making.

Quick Facts

-- Scott Islands contributes to Canada's plans to protect marine and coastal areas. The nationally and internationally recognized area hosts over 90% of the tufted puffin population in Canada, 50% of the world's population of Cassin's auklets and the second largest population of Steller Sea Lions in the world. -- The Regulations for the proposed Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area will be pre-published in Canada Gazette Part I later in December, beginning a 30-day public consultation period. -- Budget 2016 included $123.7 million over five years to support marine conservation activities. This includes the designation of new Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act and developing new national parks and National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs).

Quotes

"Conservation and protection of marine environments is important for aquatic biodiversity and the fisheries sector. Our Government is taking concrete steps to reaching our international targets for protecting our marine and coastal areas. The proposed designation of Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area is a great example of effective ocean management and marine conservation. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed science-based guidance to help us determine other effective area-based conservation measures. I look forward to working with my provincial counterparts on these important initiatives, and to hearing the views of Canadians on how the proposed regulations assure the protection of identified key species and habitats."

- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"I am delighted that Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area will be the first marine National Wildlife Area in Canada. The area is home to 40% of all breeding seabirds in the Canadian Pacific. I look forward to working with my colleague the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and stakeholders to hear their views on the proposed protections and how they can be improved, not only for sea birds but for other key species and habitats there and elsewhere in the ecosystem."

- The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada

"The Sargasso Sea is the birthplace of all American and European eels. We have a regulated eel fishery in the Maritime Provinces, and it's therefore important that Canada works with other nations in the protection of this unique habitat. I heartily applaud the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, for leading Canada in becoming a signatory to the Hamilton Declaration in order to collaborate with other nations to preserve this important ecosystem."

- Senator Wilfred Moore

"I am delighted that Canada will participate in the stewardship of this unique and vitally important marine environment. As a tri-coastal country, Canada has extremely valuable experience that will be a great asset to the Sargasso Sea conservancy effort."

- Government of Bermuda Minister of the Environment, The Hon. N. Cole Simons, JP, MP.

Related Products

-- Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area -- Canada Signs the Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea

Associated Links

UN Convention on Biodiversity

The Sargasso Sea Commission: Hamilton Declaration

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Backgrounder

Canada Signs the 'Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea'

The Sargasso Sea, located near Bermuda, is a unique, high-seas marine ecosystem. The ecologically and biologically significant area is unique because it is an area of open ocean bounded on all sides by the clockwise flow of major ocean currents.

The area is named for the Sargassum seaweed - a holopelagic, golden drift algae that forms extensive floating mats on the surface of the ocean. This unique ecosystem is home to a wide range of species, including several identified for protection. It provides habitat, spawning areas, migration pathways, and feeding groups to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including some endangered and commercially important species.

The majority of the ecosystem lies beyond national jurisdictions. The 'Hamilton Declaration on Collaboration for the Conservation of the Sargasso Sea' was first signed in Hamilton, Bermuda on March 11, 2014. The Declaration resulted in the creation of the Sargasso Sea Commission, which includes a number of international signatories, including Bermuda, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Monaco, as well as collaborating partners, such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and Dalhousie University Marine and Environmental Law Institute, working together to protect the area.

The Commission uses the best available scientific research to better understand the unique ecosystem and support efforts to conserve and protect the Sargasso Sea.

Canada's Commitment to Ocean Conservation and Protection

The Government of Canada remains committed, both domestically and internationally, to conserving and protecting precious marine environments. Signing the Declaration ensures the long-term viability of the globally significant Sargasso Sea ecosystem.

The area plays an important role in the wider North Atlantic ecosystem, serving as habitat, foraging and spawning grounds and as a migratory corridor for many species important to Atlantic Canada. The mats formed by the Sargassum algae are home to many species and provide a protective 'nursery' for juvenile fish and turtles. The area is considered the primary spawning ground for American eel, which then migrates to freshwater and is harvested commercially in shore-based fisheries on Canada's Atlantic coast.

Most recently, in the summer of 2016, Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted oceanographic and seabed research in the area as part of a scientific expedition from Nova Scotia to Bermuda.

DECEMBER 2016

Backgrounder

Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area

The proposed Scott Islands Protected Marine Area, also known as the Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area (NWA), located off the northern tip of Vancouver Island, will be the first protected marine area established under the Canada Wildlife Act.

The establishment of the NWA will increase marine protection in Canada by 11,546 km2, and would enable effective long-term conservation of the highest concentration of breeding seabirds in the Canadian Pacific, as well as many other marine species, including species listed under the Species at Risk Act. The area sustains 90 percent of Canada's Tufted Puffins, 95 percent of Pacific Canada's Common Murre, 50 percent of the world's Cassin's Auklets and 7 percent of the global population of Rhinoceros Auklet.

The surrounding waters provide key feeding habitat for the birds that nest on the islands, and also attract an additional 5-10 million migratory birds annually that may travel vast distances across the Pacific to feed on the abundance of small fish and zooplankton in the area.

The Government of Canada committed to establishing the proposed Scott Islands marine NWA in Budgets 2007 and 2013. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is leading the establishment process, and target date for publication in Canada Gazette, Part I of the proposed Scott Islands Protected Marine Area Regulations is December 2016.

Establishment of the Scott Islands NWA, along with the implementation of conservation measures via the Regulations, would prevent activities from occurring in the marine National Wildlife Area that would threaten the vitality of the Scott Islands as important habitat for seabirds.

The prohibition against fishing for Pacific sand lance, Pacific saury and North Pacific krill will be of benefit to the many marine species that feed on these fish, not just the seabirds. Establishment of the marine NWA will allow for an enhanced focus on monitoring and research in order to meet the conservation objectives for the area, the main one being to conserve migratory seabirds.

The establishment of the Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area will complement existing provincial protected area designations for the five islands that make up the Scott Islands archipelago.

Contacts: Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-990-7537 [email protected] Laura Gareau Press Secretary Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-992-3474 [email protected]

Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
EAST HANOVER, N.J., Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Results from the Phase II SUSTAIN study show that SEG101 (crizanlizumab, formerly SelG1), an anti-P-selectin antibody, reduced the median annual rate of sickle cell-related pain crises (SCPC) by 45.3% compared to placebo (1.63 vs 2.98, p=0.010) in patients with or without hydroxyurea therapy1. Novartis today announced that the data are being featured in the official press briefing at the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and presented during the Plenary Scientific Session tomorrow (Abstract #1, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. PST). The results also are being published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine.

"Acute painful episodes, commonly referred to as vaso-occlusive crises, are a substantial cause of morbidity in sickle cell disease with limited treatment options," said Kenneth I. Ataga, M.D., Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "These findings show that crizanlizumab significantly reduces the frequency of painful crises and represents a potentially novel disease-modifying therapeutic option."

In the SUSTAIN study, patients were assigned to high-dose (5.0 mg/kg), low-dose (2.5 mg/kg) and placebo arms. The study met its primary endpoint, reduction of the annual rate of SCPC in the high-dose arm by 45.3% vs. placebo (medians of 1.63 vs. 2.98, p=0.010). In the low- dose arm, the annual rate of SCPC was reduced by 32.6% vs. placebo (medians of 2.01 vs. 3.0, p = 0.180). For patients in the high-dose arm, time to first SCPC vs. placebo was 2.9 times longer (medians of 4.07 vs. 1.38 months, p = 0.001) and time to second SCPC was 2.0 times longer than placebo (medians of 10.32 vs. 5.09 months, p = 0.022)1.

"Patients have long been in need of a new therapy for treatment of SCPC, the most common and debilitating complication of sickle cell disease," said Bruno Strigini, CEO of Novartis Oncology. "We are pleased that data from the SUSTAIN study show SEG101 may have the potential to become the first new option for patients dealing with SCPC since hydroxyurea was approved for use in sickle cell anemia about 20 years ago2."

Despite its availability, hydroxyurea often is not utilized primarily due to concerns about patient compliance and potential adverse events3,4.

About the SUSTAIN trial

The SUSTAIN trial was a multicenter, multinational, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 12-month study to assess safety and efficacy of the anti-P-selectin antibody SEG101 with or without hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell disease patients with sickle cell-related pain crises. Patients included in the study had a history of 2 to 10 pain crises in the previous 12 months. Patients receiving hydroxyurea or erythropoietin were included if prescribed for the preceding 6 months and dose was stable for at least 3 months. The trial randomized 198 patients age 16 to 65 to receive high-dose SEG101, low-dose SEG101 or placebo1.

Adverse events that occurred in 5% or more of patients in an active dose group and were elevated over placebo by at least 2-fold were arthralgia, pruritus, vomiting, chest pain, diarrhea, road traffic accident, fatigue, myalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, abdominal pain, influenza and oropharyngeal pain. There were no apparent increases in infections with SEG101 treatment. Five deaths occurred during the study, 2 at 5.0 mg/kg, 1 at 2.5 mg/kg and 2 in placebo; no deaths were deemed related to the study drug1.

About SEG101 (crizanlizumab)

SEG101 (crizanlizumab, formerly SelG1) is a humanized anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody that binds a molecule called P-selectin on the surface of endothelial cells and platelets in the blood vessels, causing a blockade of P-selectin1,5. P-selectin drives the vaso-occlusive process1,6. Vaso-occlusive crises, also known as SCPC, occur episodically when sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow through blood vessels7. The therapeutic blockade of P-selectin can prevent painful vaso-occlusion in small blood vessels and maintain blood flow1,7.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "potential," "potentially," "may," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for SEG101, or regarding potential future revenues from SEG101. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that SEG101 will be submitted or approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that SEG101 will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding SEG101 could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including unexpected clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; competition in general; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; unexpected manufacturing, safety or quality issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation offers a broad range of medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, neurological disease, organ transplantation, psychiatric disease, respiratory disease and skin conditions.

Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References

1. Ataga KI, et al. SUSTAIN: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, 12-Month Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of SelG1 with or without Hydroxyurea Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Sickle Cell-Related Pain Crises. Abstract #1. 2016 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, San Diego, California.

2. Segal JB, Strouse JJ, et al. Evidence Reports/Technology Assessments, No. 165. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Feb.

3. Zumberg MS, Reddy S, et al. Hydroxyurea therapy for sickle cell disease in community-based practices: a survey of Florida and North Carolina hematologists/oncologists. Am J Hematol. 2005 Jun;79(2):107113.

4. Miller ST, Kim HY, et al. for Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Research Network (SCDCRN). Inpatient management of sickle cell pain: A 'snapshot' of current practice. Am J Hematol. 2012 Mar;87(3):333336.

5. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Data on file. 2016.

6. Manwani D. Frenette PS. Vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease: pathophysiology and novel targeted therapies. Blood. 2013; 122(24):3892-3898.

7. Quinn CT. Anti-adhesive therapy for sickle cell disease. The Hematologist. 2014;11(6):15.

Novartis Media RelationsCentral media line: +41 61 324 2200E-mail: [email protected]

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SOURCE Novartis
DALLAS, Dec. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) strongly condemn the short-sighted, under-cover-of-darkness decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve a foreign air carrier permit to Norwegian Air International (NAI). This anti-worker decision runs afoul of the very rules that the Obama Administration itself negotiated and championed only six years ago.

"By approving NAI's application despite it being in direct violation of Article 17 bis of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement, the Obama Administration has unilaterally undermined every trade agreement the U.S. has ever signed  including the Open Skies agreements we have with more than 100 countries across the globe," said SWAPA President, Captain Jon Weaks. "In the process, President Obama and Secretary Foxx have turned their backs on the tens of thousands of American workers employed in the aviation industry."

"To be clear, this decision gives a single foreign carrier an advantage unavailable to a single one of its competitors  including those in the U.S.," explained Captain Weaks. "Norwegian Air International will possess an unparalleled advantage over U.S. carriers if allowed to proceed with its Flag of Convenience scheme. This reckless decision sets a dangerous precedent in aviation and further underscores the unwillingness to ensure a level playing field for American workers when executing trade agreements that have been a hallmark of the Obama Administration."

The decision comes on the heels of the American people electing a new president who has vowed to stand up for American workers and negotiate from a position of strength. Just as he did with the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Indiana Carrier plant, the men and women of SWAPA call upon President-elect Trump to intervene in the NAI decision and undo yet another trade blunder by President Obama.

Weaks continued, "SWAPA is committed to protecting the careers of SWAPA pilots and will oppose any trade agreement that places U.S. workers at a disadvantage to foreign competitors. I urge the President-elect to weigh-in on this evening's ill-advised decision and reverse the approval of NAI's application. President Obama has yet again proven that he is unwilling to enforce trade agreements and protect U.S. workers, and SWAPA hopes that President-elect Trump will seize the opportunity to undo another Obama mistake."

Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS), NAI's parent company, currently flies to the U.S. using Norwegian crews, operating under Norway's labor and social laws. NAS could expand its current operation to meet its growth plans but instead chooses to evade Norwegian labor and social laws and establish an Irish-based subsidiary. This scheme is in direct violation of Article 17 bis of the U.S.-EU Open Skies agreement.

Finally, Captain Weaks noted that "the NAI subsidiary and its use of contract workers hired by a foreign staffing agency also poses potential serious safety risks. Crewmembers working under employment contracts with no direct line of communication to airline management often lack the ability to highlight potential safety or operational issues. Clear and open communication between frontline operators and airline management is critical to running a safe and efficient airline."

SWAPA condemns the DOT decision and calls upon President-elect Trump to preserve a fair and level playing field for U.S. workers by denying NAI the Foreign Carrier Permit unjustly awarded by President Obama.

Located in Dallas, Texas, the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) is a non-profit employee organization representing the more than 8,400 pilots of Southwest Airlines. SWAPA works to provide a secure and rewarding career for Southwest pilots and their families through negotiating contracts, defending contractual rights and actively promoting professionalism and safety. For more information on the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, visit www.swapa.org.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/swapa-condemns-dot-approval-of-norwegian-foreign-air-carrier-permit-300372453.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - The Inter-American Commision on Human Rights on Friday called on Argentina to release social activist Milagro Sala, who has been jailed since the beginning of the year in the northwestern province of Jujuy.

The commission, part of the Organization of American States (OAS), said Argentina should "give prompt attention" to recommendations from a U.N. body in October that called Sala's pre-trial detention "unwarranted and arbitrary."

Sala, the leader of the Tupac Amaru social movement, was detained in January and accused of instigating criminal acts after leading a protest in front of provincial government buildings. She is also being investigated for alleged fraud related to a low-income housing program led by Tupac Amaru.

OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro said on Tuesday that Sala's detention was not justified because there was no risk of flight or interfere with investigative processes.

Argentina's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the federal government had taken note of the position and invited members of the commission to visit Jujuy to meet the various actors in the Sala case.

Argentina is a member of the Washington-based OAS, the Western Hemisphere's main multilateral organization.

Joaquin Millon Quintana, the prosecutor in charge of Jujuy's anti-corruption office, defended Sala's jailing and said the U.N.'s recommendation was ill-informed.

"It was a complete ignorance of the case," he told Reuters.

Sala's husband, Tupac Amaru member Raul Noro, has called the accusations against her "political persecution." Noro and Sala are vocal supporters of former leftist President Cristina Fernandez.

Noro was arrested in July and has since been released along with three other group members.

(Reporting by Juliana Castilla and Nicolas Misculin; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Leslie Adler)
A company list showing the Mossack Fonseca law firm is pictured outside the Arango Orillac Building in Panama City May 9, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/File Photo

By Saeed Azhar, Michelle Price and Anshuman Daga

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Thousands of clients are being booted out of bank accounts in Asia's wealth management industry, which is cleaning up after a money laundering scandal in Malaysia, the 'Panama Papers' expose, and a global push for tax transparency, bankers say.

"For some global wealth managers, up to 30 percent of private wealth clients in Asia are in the firing line," said Benjamin Quinlan, CEO of Hong Kong consultancy Quinlan & Associates.

The clean-up is mainly focused on problematic clients in the Asian financial hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong, which manage more than $1 trillion of managed assets combined.

Bankers expect a new round of consolidation among small wealth managers, as the costs of client due diligence and surveillance become unsustainable.

The scrutiny in Asia began in 2014 as banks moved to comply with tougher anti-money laundering rules, top bankers and compliance officers at nearly a dozen banks in Asia told Reuters.

But it has really gathered pace this year, they said.

TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE

The urgency increased with announcements that Switzerland and Singapore were conducting criminal investigations into billions of dollars allegedly misappropriated by Malaysian state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Then came the leaked documents in April from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca on 214,000 offshore companies. They showed Hong Kong was the world's most active center for the creation of shell firms, which can be used to avoid taxes.

Private banks in Asia have also felt the pressure of aggressive tax amnesty programs in Indonesia and India aimed at bringing offshore wealth back home and fear regulators may impose big fines on banks who breach the rules.

Next year a global tax transparency campaign starts to bite: Singapore, Switzerland and Hong Kong will be among 101 jurisdictions to begin collecting tax information that they will share to combat tax evasion.

All of this has "sparked a major review and filtering process," Quinlan said, "with one global private bank we spoke to looking to offboard roughly 3,000 wealth management clients in Asia in 2017".

Compliance and regulatory costs affecting the banking industry have soared since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Consultants LexisNexis Risk Solutions said anti-money laundering efforts are costing banks $1.5 billion annually in Asia Pacific and rising. Banks globally are expected to spend $12 billion on anti-money laundering compliance in 2016, says Quinlan & Associates.

NO WARNING

Account and transaction surveillance is expensive, so it is often cheaper for banks to kick out tricky clients, bankers say.

For some, there is no warning: they know their accounts have been closed when they suddenly are unable to access them online or get an unexpected check in the post, six people working at law firms, funds and service providers said.

They said several funds incorporated in the Cayman and British Virgin Islands but operating in Hong Kong, were among those who found their bank accounts abruptly closed.

"We had one client whose account was just frozen, and they couldnt get the money out," said one Hong Kong fund administrator.

One corporate account at a global bank in Hong Kong was shut due to the client's inability to provide detailed identities of investors in his company, a direct source told Reuters.

DECADES OF TRANSACTIONS

New standards adopted two years ago in Asia require banks to clearly identify a client, the client's business and - crucially - the origin of the money deposited. The banks also need to check the clients have paid all due taxes back home.

In some cases, compliance staff at large older banks sit glued to old mainframe style computers tucked away in remote parts of the bank. For hours on end, they click through and manually scan decades of transactions, people who conduct these searches told Reuters.

According to the head of a major corporate investigation firm, some banks in Hong Kong and Singapore have even used private eyes to perform due diligence on certain customers.

Nearly 40 percent of wealth firms in the Asia-Pacific region have cited compliance as their main strategic budget focus next year, EY said in its Global Wealth Report. That compares with 11 percent and 9 percent for European and North American firms respectively.

"You need to make sure you've got the right controls in place  people, compliance, technology," said Rahul Malhotra, who heads JPMorgan's private banking business in Southeast Asia. "Cost-to-income ratios are definitely going to be impacted in this business, which will result in further consolidation."

Compliance staff also are gearing up for tax investigations.

Western governments led by the United States have already aggressively targeted European wealth management centers such as Switzerland to recoup undeclared tax money. This led to whopping U.S. fines against top wealth managers including UBS, Credit Suisse, HSBC and a host of Swiss banks.

Asia could be next in the line of fire, with Singapore and Hong Kong as key targets, lawyers and banking sources say.

(Additional reporting by Anshuman Daga in Singapore, Lisa Jucca in Hong Kong and JR Wu in Taipei. Editing by Bill Tarrant)
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Francois Hollande agreed that a deal on Greece's bailout review must be reached by Monday, when euro zone finance ministers are meeting in Brussels, Tsipras' office said on Saturday.

The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of a summit in Abu Dhabi, also agreed that debt relief measures for the crisis-hit country must be defined by the end of the year, Tsipras office said in a statement.

"They both underlined that a deal on a technical level is demanded by Dec. 5," it said.

The two leaders also welcomed a decision to resume talks on reuniting the divided island of Cyprus next month, the statement said, adding that Hollande was expected to visit the island.

The island was split in a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

In the latest round of U.N.-brokered talks in Switzerland, Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci failed to strike a deal. They will meet again in Geneva on Jan 9.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
By John Miller and Anjuli Davies

ZURICH/LONDON (Reuters) - Some Actelion shareholders would be attracted by a $27 billion bid for the Swiss biotech company from Johnson & Johnson, leaving Chief Executive Jean-Paul Clozel with some explaining to do if he turned down an offer around that level.

One source familiar with the matter has told Reuters the two companies are discussing a bid close to that price, or 250 Swiss francs per share.

That would be a 60 percent premium to Actelion's market value before the companies confirmed last week they were in talks, and tempting for shareholders who would prefer to cash in now rather than bet on an uncertain future.

"If I look at the (drugs) pipeline that Mr. Clozel is excited about, I am perhaps less excited about it and see perhaps a greater risk than reward," said Eleanor Taylor Jolidon, a fund manager at Union Bancaire Privee in Geneva, which is among the top 40 investors in Actelion and holds 0.23 percent of outstanding shares, according to Reuters data.

An offer around 250 francs per share would be "something we could start looking at", Taylor Jolidon said. Should Clozel reject such a price, she added, "he would have a lot of explaining to do."

Clozel has, in the past, guarded Actelion's independence, helped by fellow shareholder Swiss billionaire Rudolf Maag and a supportive Swiss investor base.

In 2011, for example, he fended off a campaign by U.S. hedge fund Elliott Advisors to put the company up for sale. At the time, Elliott suggested Actelion was worth 70 francs per share, about a third of its current price.

And in 2015, Clozel reportedly saw off bid interest from British drugmaker Shire.

The source familiar with the matter said Johnson & Johnson (J&J) had increased its offer - which has not yet been made public - after nearly two months of informal talks.

The main stumbling block is Actelion wants J&J to become a major shareholder in a new entity, while the U.S. firm favors a straightforward takeover, the source added.

Citigroup is advising J&J, while Bank of America is working with Actelion, two sources said.

Both banks and firms have declined to comment on the talks.

GOOD TIMING

Since Actelion's founding in 1997, Clozel and his wife, Chief Scientific Officer Martine Clozel, have built up a world-leading drug portfolio to treat deadly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and have been lauded for building Europe's biggest biotech from scratch.

They aim to expand in drugs for multiple sclerosis and diarrhea-causing clostridium difficile, but regulatory approvals for those are years away.

The company is also counting on its new PAH treatments Opsumit and Uptravi, which combined are forecast to bring in nearly 4.5 billion francs ($4.4 billion) in annual sales by 2020, according to Reuters data.

The 61-year-old CEO and Maag together own just over 8.5 percent of Actelion stock.

Some investors think J&J has timed its approach well.

"At this juncture and at his age, Mr. Clozel might be willing to consider new opportunities for Actelion," said Alexandre Stucki of AS Investment Management in Geneva, who owns Actelion stock in a portfolio worth "several hundred million Swiss francs".

"If J&J is willing to offer 200 francs or more per share, they probably see good value in the pipeline as well."

Another investor, who declined to be named, said that if J&J offered 250-270 francs per share, Actelion would "have to sell."

At 1405 GMT (09:05 a.m. EDT), the stock was down 2.3 percent at 204.3 francs.

An offer that values the company at nearly $10 billion more than it was worth just last week could cause even Clozel loyalists to jump ship, given questions about its pipeline.

"At the right price, Actelion management might have to engage with a deal  or will face having to justify to shareholders why the long-term direction is more valuable in their hands," Barclays analyst Olivia Capra wrote.

($1 = 1.0151 Swiss francs)

(Additional reporting by Ben Hirschler, Pamela Barbaglia and Ransdell Pierson; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Ben Blanchard

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the "petty" move.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".

China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant U.S. side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.

"The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship," it said.

The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation.

Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience.

"This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

"I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government."

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said that exchange had sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations", according to the ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a "petty" move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."

WAYWARD PROVINCE

Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

Chinese state media downplayed the possibility of a major blow-up in Beijing's relations with Washington as Trump prepares to assume office.

Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else.

"We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do."

China's official Xinhua news agency said Trump needed to know Beijing can be a "cooperative partner" as long as Washington respects China's core interests, including the issue of Taiwan.

"China and the United States are not destined rivals," it said in an English-language commentary.

Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

"Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the U.S. election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what U.S. policy has been" on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. The White House also said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy toward China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the U.S. military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy".

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who canceled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation.

(Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici, David Alexander, Yara Bayoumy, John Walcott, Arshad Mohammed, Eric Beech, Jeff Mason and JR Wu; Writing by Jeff Mason and Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Nick Macfie)
(Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone on Friday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the Trump transition team said in a statement.

"The two men discussed the grave terrorism threats facing both countries and pledged to work more closely together in order to meet these growing threats," the statement said.

Trump also spoke on Friday with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. "The two men discussed the long history of good economic, political, and security relations between the United States and Singapore," according to the statement.

(Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump appears at a USA Thank You Tour event at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., December 1, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Doina Chiacu

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump drew a rebuke from former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Saturday, after turning his attention to another Indiana company planning a move to Mexico.

"Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more!" Trump said in a Friday night Twitter post.

Rexnord Corp (NYSE: RXN), an industrial supplier based in Milwaukee, announced plans in October to move a bearing plant, and its 300 jobs, from Indianapolis to Mexico, employees told the Indianapolis Star at the time.

Company representatives on Saturday did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's tweet.

The Republican, who takes office on Jan. 20, warned on Thursday of consequences for companies that move jobs out of the United States but did not specify what they would be.

Trump, who campaigned on promises to keep manufacturing jobs from fleeing the country, claimed credit for a deal in which Indiana state officials agreed to give United Technologies Corp (NYSE: UTX) $7 million worth of tax breaks to encourage the company to keep around 1,000 jobs at its Carrier unit in Indianapolis instead of hiring in Mexico.

The agreement was less than a complete victory for Trump, as the air conditioner maker will still send an estimated 1,300 jobs there.

The deal does nothing to prevent other employers from shipping work out of state and has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike who call it corporate welfare.

Sanders, who attacked U.S. trade policy in his race against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, said Trump's deal with Carrier set a "very dangerous precedent" of having taxpayers subsidize multi-billion dollar corporations to "beg them" to keep jobs in the country.

On Saturday, he challenged Trump over his Rexnord tweet.

"What are you going to do, @realDonaldTrump? Stand up for working people or give the company a massive tax break?" Sanders tweeted in response to Trump's post.

Sanders supports tougher policies on corporations for outsourcing.

During the presidential campaign, Trump said his administration would put a 35 percent import tariff on goods made by American manufacturers that moved jobs offshore. He frequently pilloried Carrier for planning to move production to Mexico as he appealed to blue-collar voters in the Midwest, including in Indiana, whose governor, Mike Pence, is the vice president-elect.

It is unclear what steps would have to be taken by federalauthorities before Trump could retaliate against individualcompanies shifting jobs abroad.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Alistair Bell, Richard Chang and Bill Rigby)
Continuing his diatribe against the government, Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari alleged on Friday that it had turned the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism into a Noon League (PML-N) plan, while Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah insinuated that the rulers had links with terrorists.

Chiding the government for not fully implementing the NAP approved in an all parties conference (APC), Mr Bhutto-Zardari said at a party workers convention that its partial execution had converted it into a Noon League action plan. You will have to admit that youve failed, he said.

He said on one hand children of the Army Public School in Peshawar had sacrificed their lives, on the other these so-called self-esteemed and brave people of Raiwind and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar are not ready to fight or even talk against these terrorists. He said the rulers would get terrified even when we fight against the terrorists.

The PPP leader said as he had got fed up with this attitude he was raising the slogan of go Nisar, go.

The PPP chief said not only the people of areas continuously bearing the cost of terrorism but those of Punjab also shared his feelings on the issue.

The slogan is not being raised in Balochistan or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Waziristan but in Lahore, he said, while leading the participants in shouting slogans calling for the removal of Chaudhry Nisar.

He recalled that the APC had also unanimously demanded forming of a parliamentary national security committee for accountability of the interior ministry but the demand had not been accepted.

He warned that the slogan would be converted into go Nawaz, go if the demand was not accepted by Dec 27.

Talking to reporters at a breakfast meeting hosted by local PPP leader Azizur Rehman Chan, Syed Khurshid Shah said that for the rulers there was no banned organisation.

He alleged that the rulers were with the banned groups from day one as they had reached the corridors of power with the vote bank of these organisations.

He claimed that local people had told him during his recent visit to Jhang that a known leader of a banned group had relations with the PML-N and also used to fund the party.
Some 200,000 Indonesians have taken to the streets in Jakarta in a second, major protest rally against the governor of the capital.

They gathered in Jakartas National Monument park on Friday, calling for the arrest of Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a who is being prosecuted as a suspect in a blasphemy case.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who is a political ally of the embattled Jakarta governor, unexpectedly arrived at the site and called for protesters to disperse peacefully.

Over 20,000 security forces had been deployed to the city to ensure the demonstration stayed orderly. Police said they had arrested eight people suspected of treason.

Two other people were arrested for alleged crimes under Indonesias law on electronic information and transactions.

A previous protest in Jakarta had attracted about 100,000 people, who marched on the presidential palace and called for Purnamas dismissal, on November 4.

Clashes during that protest left one person dead and dozens of others injured. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the demonstrators.

Purnama stirred controversy after he dismissed a political attack by his opponents by invoking a verse from the holy Qur'an. His move was perceived as an insult to Islam by his opponents.

The governor is being investigated for blasphemy, which is considered a criminal offense in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

On Wednesday, the Office of the State Prosecutor announced that the police record on the case had met the requirements for Purnamas blasphemy case to proceed to a trial.

The ethnic Chinese governor could be imprisoned for five years if found guilty.
According to the latest report, Central Bank Of Russia (Russian Central Bank) saw a bank heist broadly terming as a cyber attack on Friday that cost them around 31 Million US Dollars. The sum amount was stolen from correspondent accounts at the Russian Central Bank.

The way cyber crimes are escalating, I doubt the safety of common men as this is the second biggest Bank Robbery of 2016 after Bank Of Bangladesh lost a big sum of money from hackers that was around 81 Million US Dollars submitted in a New York Fed which was after that retrieved to an extent, the authorities are still searching for those who were involved in transferring those funds by using the SWIFT bank messaging network. According to the latest report by Reuters, The Central Bank Of Russia was hit by cyber robbery on Friday this week costing them a loss of around 31 Million US Dollars. The money was laundered or stolen from correspondent accounts at the Central Bank Of Russia.

Central Bank Official Artyom Sychyov stated further about the cyber attack stating that the hackers tried to steal around 5 billion rubles. The bank also released an official statement on the same in which they stated how the hackers managed to break in their system by using fake login credentials and then managed to leak the money out. Everything has been explained in great length in the report.

Its pretty obvious that by now all the bank representatives around the world have been asked to fill up their resources against cyber crimes as the rate of these is increasing causing great monetary as well as a great loss to goodwill of the nation.

Russia has also stated on Friday that it had uncovered a plot by foreign spy agencies to create a situation of havoc in the nation by faking bank robberies and releasing the same fake news about banks going bust out.
Another blow for senior citizens dependent on interest income View(s):

Sri Lankas senior citizens having a tough time with escalating cost of living received another blow with a governments decision to increase the withholding tax (WHT) and remove the exemption given to them on interest payable for their deposits in commercial banks.

The 2017 budget proposal of WHT increase from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent and removing the tax exemption given to senior citizens will hit savers, particularly older savers trying to live on savings income.

The WHT increase from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent is expected to raise an additional Rs. 26 billion, budget documents showed.

But the governments proposal to raise this money from all savers including some 750,000 senior citizens with savings and fixed deposit accounts in commercial banks to the total value of Rs. 750 billion is highly unreasonable, a group of older savers, told the Business Times.

This group comprising retired senior public and private sector officials and professionals including senior journalists has sent a letter to the President urging him to exempt senior citizens from WHT.

They noted that the good governance government which came to power giving promises to provide relief for senior citizens has removed the concession given to senior citizens in the 2015 budget of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime.

In the 2015 budget presented by Rajapaksa on October 24, this is what the former president said on this proposal:

I propose to exempt interest income of deposits held by elders and reduce the withholding tax on interest to 2.5 per cent from next year.

According to the 2015 budget proposal, a single withholding tax rate of 2.5 per cent had been implemented irrespective of the amount of interest and a tax exemption was given to senior citizens.

The action to catch senior citizens in the withholding tax net shows the governments inhuman and stubborn attitude of trying to earn money killing even the dogs, they said.

The Business Times also received dozens of calls from elderly citizens pleading for justice and fairplay in the enforcement of this WHT hike.

In their letter to the president, the elder savers group has urged the President to re-introduce the WHT exemption given to them from 2015 budget.

However a senior Finance Ministry official told the Business Times there is room to make any adjustments to the budget proposal as the necessary circular and guidelines will be issued by the Treasury only after the passing of the 2017 budget in Parliament. The government has to allocate more funds to fulfill health care and welfare needs of elderly citizens, whilst the national expenditure priorities would be negatively impacted with the availability of the limited fund for the public investment activities and for economic prosperity,

he added.
Cigarette sales drop cuts tobacco tax revenue by half By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

The tobacco tax revenue for government coffers has declined significantly due to a drop in sales of cigarettes manufactured in Sri Lanka by Ceylon Tobacco Company(CTC) during the months of October and November this year due to consecutive tax hikes that led to price increases twice, official data showed.

The Ceylon Tobacco Companys contribution to the Government through its value chain during the nine months ended 30th September 2016, in the form of Excise Tax, Corporate Tax and other levies, increased by 20 per cent over the same period last year to Rs.75 billion, driven primarily by relatively stable volumes during the first nine months of 2016, according to the published results of the company available on the Colombo Stock Exchange website.

Top line growth for the nine months ended 30th September 2016 was spearheaded by mainstream and premium segments in the companys brand portfolio, CTC performance report revealed.

Accordingly the CTC has made a contribution of Rs.75 billion during the first nine months at an average of Rs. 8.3 billion per month, CTC summery of performance revealed.

However its contribution to the Treasury coffers has come down drastically to Rs.4.2 billion during the period of October 1st to November 1st, Finance Ministry data revealed.

Tobacco tax revenue for this month has dropped to 51 per cent when compared to the CTCs first nine months contribution at an average of Rs.8.3 billion per month.

The CTC has increased the price of cigarette by Rs.7 on October 4 and it then went up further as of November 1, with the enforcement of 15 per cent VAT, to Rs. 50 per cigarette.

The company expects a further drop in sales affecting sustainability of its business, a CTC official who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The targeted revenue from cigarette taxes this year has now been revised to approximately Rs. 88 billion from the previous target of Rs. 99.6 billion under these changes, Treasury sources said.

Almost 4 billion cigarettes are sold in the country per annum and consumers pay over Rs. 100 billion for purchasing cigarettes, official data showed.

The latest report, issued by the World Health Organisation states that Sri Lanka has the distinction of selling the highest priced packet of 20 cigarettes in South Asia. Based on market prices for 2016, the price of a packet of cigarettes sold in Sri Lanka is Rs. 700.

Meanwhile a controversial budget proposal requesting the tobacco company to donate Rs. 500 million to the Presidential Fund to be utilised by the Presidential Task Force for the antismoking campaign, is unlikely to be approved.

The issue was first raised in a Sunday Times story on November 13 saying the proposal was a direct violation of Article 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Sri Lanka is one of the key signatories to this convention. Later Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne also said it cannot be accepted as it contravened the WHO pact on tobacco control.
Clean Coal  There is no such thing! By Eng. Parakrama Jayasinghe View(s): View(s):

The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court recently that the proposed coal power plant at Sampur will not be built, a decision prompted by the concerted efforts by several concerned organisations and individuals to create general awareness of the immense environmental, and health damage that would have resulted, if the project was implemented.

The many issues that came to light in a closer examination of the project details including the totally flawed efforts to whitewash the project, requires continuous vigilance of the civil society in respect of any similar future projects as well. The responsibility of the various state institutions and officials acting wisely with the wellbeing of the people and the country as the prime objective, in formulating and evaluating any proposed project were found wanting in the case of the Sampur Coal power project, which resulted in the matter being brought to the Supreme Court for a fair dispensation of justice. The country should be grateful for both the opportunity to do so and the outcome.

However, judging from the recent articles and news items appearing in the public media, the problem is far from over. There are attempts to pretend that the court decision is only pertaining to Sampur as a site for implementation of coal power in Sri Lanka. This is a deception aimed at continued efforts for new coal plants, completely ignoring the reality of the disastrous consequences. This is clearly seen in the recent criticism of the Ministry decision and a continued effort to retain coal as a major component of the energy mix in the future.

While comments and opinions expressed by individuals are their right, the relevance of such proposals to the national policy, needs careful consideration by the officials in authority not to be misled and swayed by these opinions. With scant regard to the reality of time scales involved pronouncements of impending power shortages and accusations are made, that the cancellation of the Sampur Power plant as the cause.

The Sampur Plant would have come on line only in about five years, long after the predicted power shortages in 2018/19.

Paris Accord on Climate Change

After years of fruitless deliberations the world came together in December 2015 at the COP 21 of the UNFCCC in Paris and succeeded in agreeing on a common programme to try and limit the global warming, causing the now globally accepted Climate Change events, to a maximum of 20C by year 2050.

Sri Lanka can be proud of being an active participant in this accord.

The realisation of the gravity of the consequences of untrammeled emission of carbon has prompted the majority of the 196 signatories, to ratify the Accord in record time. Accordingly the Paris Accord became law on November 4, 2016.

However, the agreement does not impose specific quantity or time targets country by country for the reduction of emissions or legal binding. This means that the signatory countries can renege upon them. However the ultimate global target of 20C by year 2050 is considered the collective responsibility of all.

Sri Lanka, early signatory of

Paris Accord

The Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was one of the first heads of state to sign the accord in April 2016 signifying Sri Lankas commitment to achieve the much desired limit of 20C in global warming. The Common but Deferentiated Responsibility requires each signatory to contribute to the reduction of the carbon emissions from the current levels. However the operative words are Reflecting their highest possible ambition in reduction of emissions in respect of capabilities in the light of national circumstances.

The President may not be aware that Sri Lanka has submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution ( INDC)  to the UNFCCC (http://www.unfccc.int/paris_agreement/items/9485.php) proposing to not reduce but increase the emissions 3.5 times from current levels up to 2030, and proposing to reduce by 4 per cent from that ridiculously enhanced level after 2030. This INDC was issued by the Ministry of Environment under the purview of the President as the Minister in charge. (http://www4.unfccc.int/ndcregistry/PublishedDocuments/Sri%20Lanka%20First/S ri%20Lanka.pdf)

It is our understanding that the energy officials were instrumental in misleading the Ministry officials to cause this national disgrace. It appears that Sri Lanka is already getting ready to renege on the Paris Agreement goals.

It is the very same officials and their supporters in Sri Lanka and outside who are now spreading the myth of Clean Coal to keep Sri Lanka forever dependent on imported dirty coal in gross violation of the spirit of the Paris Accord, The claims are made to hoodwink the public and win their support by creating fears of dire consequences by offering what is euphemistically termed Clean Coal Power. The promise of cheap power from coal appears to have been ignored with these proposals.

What is claimed as Clean Coal?

Since there are no sources of coal without the attendant pollutants, the only possibility of cleaning the operation is by

Reducing the coal consumption using higher efficiency generation

Equipment to reduce the quantum of pollutants which is costlier

Installing additional emission

cleaning systems to trap all pollutants

The attention seems to focus on the first option, by the use of supercritical boilers operating at very high pressures and temperatures, which lead to higher overall efficiencies in the power generation. Thereby lower specific coal consumption by way of amount of coal consumed to generate each unit of electricity is expected.

A comparison of the impact of this against the known data from the Norochcholai power plant is shown in the table below.

Thus by the use of higher pressures and temperatures in a super critical coal power plant of capacity of 500 MW , the coal consumption will reduce only by about 17 per cent or about 250,000 tons annually.

What does this mean in way

of pollution?

The estimated amounts of different pollutants in coal are given in the table below assuming the coal consumption ues for a super critical plant.

But what is of relevance to us in Sri Lanka is that even if 100 per cent capture is possible, all what we can do is to transfer the pollutants from the chimney down to the ground and perhaps to the ground water table.

Therefore all that would be achieved by the installation of super critical boilers is to reduce the annual coal consumption and thereby the import and distribution of a variety of highly toxic pollutants to the Sri Lankan environment by a mere 17 per cent from a conventional coal power plant.

In addition, the capital cost of achieving this insignificant reduction would be substantial, and the operation and maintenance costs at supercritical range as well as the additional cost of the more sophisticated emission control devices and their operation cost.

The Norochcholai coal power plant is reported to have cost US$1350 million or $1500 per kW, without any provisions for the equipment and processes required to control the hitherto ignored but most dangerous pollutants like Mercury and other heavy metals, or even the simplest facilities for proper management of the Fly Ash and Bottom Ash. The cost of a Super Critical coal power plant is likely to cost very much more perhaps as high as $3000 per kW, and there is no way that coal can be claimed as the lowest cost option for electricity, even if the most significant environmental cost is ignored.

Therefore our request to the proponents of Clean Coal is to do their sums again as the myth of cheap power from coal cannot be sustained even by the skewed calculations used so far.

The general public is well advised not to be taken in by these offers of clean coal without consideration of the above realities. It is indeed unfortunate that Japan to whom the world looked up to, as champions of the fight against climate change, has contributed to this sad situation by offering to install a super critical power coal power plant in Sri Lanka. This would be in total violation of their message to the world of a low carbon future.

(The writer could be reached at parajaysinghe@gmail.com)
By PTI: Jakarta, Dec 3 (PTI) Twelve people were feared killed when an Indonesian police plane crashed in the countrys Riau Islands province today, a media report said.

The plane, belonging to the police department, had left Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island, for Batam, Riau Islands, before it crashed into the waters this morning, the Jakarta Post reported.

"An explosion was heard before the plane crash. Pieces of chairs and bodies were found by residents," Tanjung Pinang naval base commander First Adm S Irawan said.

advertisement

Irawan said the Navy had deployed three warships and three patrol boats for rescue efforts.

"We are deploying a ship for an evacuation," National Search and Rescue Agencys Riau Islands head Abdul Hamid said.

No further details were available. PTI JB KUN

--- ENDS ---
Commercial Bank honoured with Gold award by ETF View(s):

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon was recently honoured for its exemplary compliance with the requirements of the Employees Trust Fund (ETF).

President Maithripala Sirisena presented the bank with the Gold award in the Large category at the 35th anniversary celebrations of the ETF, in recognition of its unblemished record of continuous payments to the fund on the due dates between 2001 and 2015. The selection criteria for the award also considered factors such as submission of required documentation such as half year returns to ETF on time and overall commitment to compliance with the regulations.
Online freelancing provides more jobs, income for SL youth View(s):

Online freelancing is growing rapidly and gaining popularity within the younger generation in Sri Lanka as it provides avenues to make extra income with ones skills and knowledge while being at home, according to a research study conducted by LIRNEasia released to the media.

Based on a nationally representative survey, LIRNEasia estimates, there could be 17,000 to 22,000 freelancers in Sri Lanka registered with multiple platforms and selling their skills all around the world. Fiverr, Freelancer and Upwork are the popular platforms used by Sri Lankan youth with Fiverr having the most number of registered workers, LIRNEasia said adding that the research was undertaken to understand the enabling factors and challenges in adopting to work on online freelancing platforms.

Typical freelance jobs that are outsourced through platforms include graphic design, data entry, proofreading, translation, copyediting, market research, programming, data verification, etc.

According to the survey, 26 per cent of the Sri Lankans between the age group 16 to 40 are aware of online freelancing and among those who aware 9 per cent expressed interest in working on online freelancing jobs.

About 26 per cent of Sri Lankas population aged 16  40 olds are aware of online freelancing and males are significantly more aware of such opportunities compared to females. Kurunagala, Anuradhapura, Puttalam are districts with higher awareness about online freelancing while in Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu awareness on online freelancing is very poor, the study showed.

It said those engaging in part-time freelancing work, earn a monthly income of approximately Rs.20,000  30,000. This amount is in addition to a salary, since majority of them earn this amount while engaging in some full-time job. This additional earning has helped many freelancers to improve their living standards.

Online freelancing among youth is preferred due to flexibility working where one chooses, being your own boss and being able to maximize their skills in an income producing activity. Sri Lankan freelancers say, English skills in not a pre requisite to become successful in this field, just the basic would be adequate to communicate the message to the client, the research revealed.

Due to lack of awareness about how the freelance payment system works, few workers interviewed in the LIRNEasia study who had done some work were unable to receive payment because PayPal inward remittances were not allowed in

Sri Lanka.

According to successful freelancers, building a freelance career is easy with the right mix of skills and determination. Anyone can register with an online platform such as fiverr.com, freelancer.com or upwork.com to offer smaller tasks (logo designing, web development, translation), which they are capable of. They have to bid per project highlighting and promoting their capacity to undertake particular task. Getting the first job could be tough and time consuming, but they are determined it wont be impossible. Once they get a few jobs and build their profile, the earnings will start (to) flow easily, it said.
Selyn marks 25 years of empowering handloom artisans View(s):

Selyn, Sri Lankas only Fair Trade guaranteed handloom company, began its colourful journey with 15 artisans in a small village workshop in November 1991.

Twenty-five years later, this social business has empowered over 1,000 rural women, weaving prosperity and security into their lives. This important milestone was recently celebrated at the companys hometown Wanduragala in Kurunegala with the founder Chairperson, Sandra Wanduragala addressing the audience after a fun-filled day for the weavers, craft workers and their families to mark the event.

We are dedicated to providing our customers with high quality, well-designed, innovative products at fair prices she told the audience.

Customers who patronize our retail stores in Colombo, Kandy, Negombo and Kurunegala have helped Selyn become a household Sri Lankan brand. Selyn products can be seen in many leading stores including hotels and resorts, locally and internationally. We treasure every partnership as it provides us with the opportunity to showcase your skills, she added in comments released to the media in statement.

Selyn produces a fine range of handloom fabrics, homeware, fashionwear and soft toys. The endearing soft toys have a ready market overseas and are exported to over 40 countries. The skilled artisans whose nimble fingers create the 100 per cent cotton handmade products hail from 16 villages in and around Kurunegala as well as Batticaloa and Trincomalee in the east coast. The company also provides a lucrative livelihood for 541 direct employees including 180 women who work from home on orders assigned to them.

Altogether a network of 1,000 women benefit from Selyns unique business model that enables these artisans to become self-employed entrepreneurs, the release said. It is a win-win situation for both Selyn and the artisans. Selyn is assured of a steady flow of quality handloom and handmade products while the weavers and artisans are assured of guaranteed work. In addition, Selyn is committed to providing its network with the skills and facilities to overcome the challenges faced by rural women, via trainings on financial management and awareness on facing gender-based violence. More importantly, they learn the value of empowerment as independent suppliers and become self-sufficient entrepreneurs when the only option they had before was to leave their young families and go abroad to work as housemaids.

Selyn fabrics are eco-friendly. The yarns are dyed with safe non-toxic dyes and wastewater plant treatment ensures the environment is further protected.

Certification from the World Fair Trade Organization means adhering to a stringent audit process that safeguards the planet and of course the people.

A fair remuneration to the weavers is an important prerequisite.

The 25th year will be a momentous occasion for Selyn because the companys namesake and founder (Sandras daughter), Selyna Peiris, an Attorney-at-Law by profession like her mother, will become the companys hands-on Director of Business Development to assist Managing Director Hilary Wanduragala, Sandras brother.

I look forward to enhancing the lives of the Selyn community and making our social business model a platform for addressing the issues faced by women in

Sri Lanka said Selyna.
Sri Lanka should improve manufacturing sector rather than rely on services By Quintus Perera View(s): View(s):

When Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, High Commissioner of Malaysia in Sri Lanka met entrepreneurs at the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka last week, some of them pointed out the difficulties in penetrating the Malaysian market.

The exchange occurred after Mr. Abdullah spoke on bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Dilantha De Silva, COO, Bio Extracts (Pvt) Ltd which deals with herbal products, told Mr Abdullah that they were trying to export some herbal products to Malaysia but the authorities in that country were asking the same question over and over again without giving any reasons. Mr. Abdullah then asked him to supply the details about the matter so that he could find out the exact matter and find a solution.

Amil Sammoon, Managing Director, Precious Ceylon Sapphire Cutters Ltd, said they were interested in exporting more Sri Lankan gems to Malaysia to which the High Commissioner said that a market for gems needs to be created as there was a preference for more gold and jewellery.

While explaining about the bilateral trade between the two countries, Mr. Abdullah said that exports from Malaysia to Sri Lanka were more than what is exported to that country from Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan exports to Malaysia stood at US$89.5 million whereas exports from Malaysia to Sri Lanka stood at $481 million in 2015.

Discussions were pursued as to how Sri Lanka could attract investment and how to increase exports from Sri Lanka. Mr. Abdullah said that with the success Malaysia achieved in transforming its economy largely towards manufacturing, Sri Lanka too should improve its manufacturing rather than be mostly a service-oriented economy. He even said that if there is a surplus of rice, Sri Lanka should strive to export the surplus.

He said Sri Lanka should have more investment in the manufacturing sector than the services sector.

Both countries have an abundance of resources, he said and they should explore the possibility of opening up new opportunities for trade and investment.

The main exports from Sri Lanka to Malaysia have been natural rubber and rubber-based products, precious stones, semi-precious stones, tea, apparel and coconut.

Both countries have potential for investment in information technology services, textiles, electronics and electronic items, automobile components, garments, rubber and rubber based products, agriculture, agro processing projects and manufacture of traditional goods for exports, he pointed out.

He remarked that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Malaysia will become a reality soon with negotiations expected to commence shortly.

The FTA will take trade to a higher level between the two countries; the high commissioner noted, saying that they are encouraging more FTAs with Asian countries.

He said that his country has become an ideal place for trade and investment with political and economic stability, special development area promoted by the government, with liberal investment policies and good infrastructure.
Sri Lanka to spin around in 5 years By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):

A sleeping beauty and the Dubai of Asia  thats what they call Sri Lanka today citing the numerous sights and sounds it has to offer the discerning traveller but potential for growth has been envisaged as above what the country achieves today.

The Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC) that kicked off in Colombo on Monday opened with the Tourism Minister John Amaratunga projecting the countrys target of being Years of Investment and Years of Prosperity for tourism from 2017-19.

The government has plans to identify these years as those for tourism investment, he said addressing the morning

sessions.

Asia has today become the largest tourist paradise and Sri Lanka is aiming at attracting 5 million tourists by 2020 with 300,000 additional rooms and investment worth over US$10 million.

World Travel and Tourism Council Chairman Gerald Lawless noted that globally tourism was 9.8 per cent of GDP and comprised 6 per cent of global exports and that its investment base was around $800 billion.

The industry has been able to attract over 280 million jobs worldwide and the industry was growing at a rate of 3.5 per cent in 2016 according to forecasts.

Tourism has contributed to 11 per cent of the growth of the Sri Lankan economy, he explained adding that this sector has generated about 800,000 jobs and was attracting 2 million visitors to the island nation.

China today has become the largest source markets for tourist travel with over 100 million outbound travelers touring the globe annually, Mr. Lawless said.

He highlighted the importance of spending on training local talent required to man the new hotels opening in the country including the development focus on infrastructure.

Mr. Lawless noted that Sri Lanka is being marketed as a high value destination but he pointed out that in the use of modern electronic travel under the electronic visa system he queried whether the charge of $35 per person was not too high compared to other destinations in the region.

Commenting on the global threat to security of travelers in the wake of the recent terror attacks, he pointed out that governments, security and the tourism industry need to work together to ensure that they would be able to ensure safe travel to visitors.

As Head of Dubai Holding, Mr. Lawless believes Sri Lanka could turnaround within five years which is sufficient time to see things come in.

Being seen at all the conferences and travel fairs is considered important to branding Sri Lanka and get people talking about the country, he said.

He noted that Sri Lanka could become the Dubai of Asia with good policymakers in place and a President that understands the industry.

And with an educated workforce, it is believed that Sri Lanka could use its potential as a unique selling point, he explained.

Sri Lanka was a sleeping beauty, the Movenpick Hotels and Resorts Middle East and South Asia Chief Operating Officer Andreas Mattmuller said adding that they spotted the opportunity on the island once the conflict stopped and believed they have a market here.

Movenpick will be opening its first hotel in Sri Lanka next January and would be among 73 of its global network and is engaged in working in an eco friendly environment and enabling differently abled persons gain employment within their hotels.
CEO Sri Lanka View(s):

My dear Maithri,

I thought I must write to you, not because I have taken you off my Christmas card list but because most of us are quite confused about what has been going on in this Paradise in recent times and we thought we should ask you why, especially since you have now been the boss for nearly two years.

These days, Maithri, it seems as if everyone wants to go on strike. First there was a train strike, then there was a doctors strike and now we have strike by private bus operators. When Mahinda maama was in office very few people dared to strike, but now all of them want to. That is not fair, is it?

I heard that doctors were on strike demanding duty free vehicles. That maybe morally wrong but who can blame them, when all politicians get duty free permits which they then sell? And remember, Rajitha and Sarath said they cant serve the people without luxury vehicles, so how can doctors do so?

You need to be careful, Maithri, because the Green Man wants to give a hundred thousand rupees to every MP, saying that his salary is less than Maithrees and also because MPs need more money for their day to day expenses. Just imagine what the doctors will demand next, when they hear that?

Then we have private bus operators going on strike, demanding that the 25,000 rupee fine for reckless driving be scrapped. I do think private buses need some kind of deterrent to deal with the way they are driven but I hope you have the courage to implement this proposal, now that you have announced it.

We saw so many measures being proposed at the last Budget, only to be scrapped later after someone protested. Even now, what was first proposed was a minimum fine of 2,500 rupees for all offences but that has then been changed to 25,000 rupees for seven offences. We hope it doesnt change yet again.

Maithri, since you came in to office promising yahapaalanaya and a clean government, you should extend the same principle to deter politicians from bribery, corruption and abuse of power. You can do so easily by announcing a minimum penalty of 25 million rupees for politicians for those offences.

Whats more, this should be implemented just like a fine for traffic offences: once someone is charged, they have the option of paying the fine and settling the matter or challenging it in court. Then there is no need to drag politicians to the FCID and then release them on bail until the case is heard.

Maithri, considering that no one has been convicted yet by your government for corruption, I think this would be an excellent way to deal with corruption because, I believe most would prefer to pay up and settle the issue, like they do for traffic offences. And, just imagine the revenue this will generate!

Of course, if you try to do this, we might see a situation where politicians, like private bus operators, will also go on strike. That is not necessarily bad for the country, is it, if we can have a few days of peace and quiet without politicians giving us their opinions and telling us how to conduct our lives?

On the subject of politicians telling us what to do, Maithri, please pardon me, but I am a bit confused as to how this works. Let me tell you why. A few weeks ago, you lamented that you were not told of some people being questioned and that ultimately led to the resignation of the Bribery Commissioner.

This week, we heard the Police Chief assuring someone over the telephone that a certain person wont be arrested unless the Police Chief is informed about it. When this was raised in Parliament, you said that what the Police Chief said was wrong and that you would seek an explanation from him.

Now, correct me if I am wrong. Maithri, but if I am to put two and two together, you say that when certain persons are being detained, you should be informed, but it is wrong for the Police Chief to be informed. So, am I right in assuming that only you should be informed and not the Police Chief?

If you want to know what I really believe, I think the Police should be allowed to do their job without informing anybody, but that is just my simple way of thinking. And, the Police Chief should be dealt with not for saying what he said, but for answering that telephone call in front of television cameras!

Maithri, I hope you realise now why we are confused about the goings on in our land. If people knew that this is the yahapaalanaya that they were getting, I am not sure whether all 6.2 million voters would have voted for you. As you near two years in the presidential chair, think about that, will you?

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: I heard that Donald is likely to invite you to pay him a visit. Well, you could take young Daham with you for that trip and no one should be complaining about that because Im sure Donald wouldnt mind  he takes his entire family with him wherever he goes!
Controversy over move to arrest website editor View(s):

An order by a local Magistrate asking Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant on the Editor of a London-based website reporting on Sri Lanka figured for a second week in succession at Tuesdays weekly ministerial meeting.

Raising issue was Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando. He said it took the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) almost one and a half years to obtain a warrant on Udayanga Weeratunga, former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Russia. Detectives want to question him on the MiG-27 procurement deal.

In the case of the warrant on the editor of the website, Mr. Fernando said, it had taken only three days. The Minister called it a shameful exercise and should be condemned. He noted that the website in question had backed President Sirisena at the Presidential elections.

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, however, said that he did not agree with the views expressed by his colleague. On one occasion, he recalled, the website in question had posted an article praising his role as the Minister. Thereafter, he charged, that the editor in question had telephoned him and sought money. He did not pay and had been criticised thereafter. Endorsing his views were Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Wijith Wijayamuni de Zoysa.

A lawyer for the website has written to the Judicial Services Commission alleging that the warrant was issued because his client had reported on criticism levelled at the Attorney Generals Department by a Magistrate.

The international warrant seeks to arrest the editor in question. A Red Notice is a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. It is issued by the General Secretariat of Interpol headquartered in Lyons, France, at the request of a member country or an international tribunal based on a valid national arrest warrant. It is not an international arrest warrant. However, Interpol cannot compel any member country to arrest an individual who is the subject of a notice.

CBK late for Castro tribute

The final rites of Cubas late leader Fidel Castro take place today (December 4) at Santiago de Cuba where he began his revolution together with Che Guevara and other revolutionaries.

In Colombo, on Friday morning, President Maithripala Sirisena, a one-time Communist sympathizer held a meeting at Presidents House to mark the death of the 90-year-old Cuban leader. This was the day after Sri Lankas Parliament moved a vote of condolence on the iconic Cuban leader.

Invited to address the event, which was followed by lunch, were Sri Lankas Communist Party leader D.E.W. Gunasekera and Cubas new Ambassador Juana Elena Ramos Rodriguez. President Sirisena also spoke on the impact the late Castro had left in the minds of many people around the world.

The late Mr. Castro earned a lot of plaudits at the event. Raising eyebrows, however, was the arrival of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. When she walked in, alas, the meeting was over and with the time being 12.30 pm, the guests were sitting for lunch to be served.

As someone who frequented the Latin quarter of Paris where left-wing students known as pink-socialists from Sorbonne and the Paris Uni used to hang-out, Ms. Kumaratunga must have heard of Fidel Castro and his exploits even then. A wag who saw her coming in when the meeting was over at Presidents House cracked; the late Sri Lankan President has come to commemorate the late Cuban President.

IGP hits the wrong note

A video clip of Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera singing away on stage at a function in Ratnapura has gone viral on the internet. So much so, a senior minister was enraged. He telephoned Mr Jayasundera and told him not to resort to such ludicrous acts. Sri Lankas top most Police officer was in full uniform and the audience were officers of different ranks. Mr. Jayasundera stood on the podium in front of the Police band and even gyrated when the melodious notes hit a high pitch.

Basils quip on new party

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, convenor of the Sri Lanka Peoples Party (SLPP) and its de-facto leader, was asked by a supporter who turned up at their office in Battaramulla why he had still not obtained Court permission to visit his family in the United States. The (the Government) wants me to complete organising the new party, he quipped, and added that we are now registering trade unions.

Mobile phone puts Police Chief in trouble

Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera is becoming no stranger to controversy. And it is his darn mobile phone that is giving him the trouble. This week he told a caller on his mobile phone that he had asked the Director of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) not to arrest a Nilame, a lay custodian of a temple in the South, for an alleged fraud.

A private tv channel recorded his conversation with the caller and now the President has called for an inquiry. Wonder if the Police has been called to investigate, which reminds one of a pithy local saying; hora-ge ammagen pena ahanawa (asking the thiefs mother to show the way to him).Then, on Friday afternoon, IGP Jayasundera had turned up at the Mahaweli Centre in Colombo for a book launch by writer Edwin Ariyadasa. There, once again his mobile phone rang. He switched it on and began talking. Those present could hear his conversation because he was speaking so loud.

Suddenly a lady who was among the guests turned to him and said please go out and speak. The Police Chief obeyed the marching order and left the room to continue with his chatter.

Muzammil gets green light to Malaysia

Malaysias Foreign Ministry has accepted the agremont of, former Colombo Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil, as Sri Lankas next High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur. He will assume duties on January 1 next year.

He will serve as a member of President Maithripala Sirisenas entourage when the President pays a two-day official visit to Malaysia beginning December 14.

High Commissioner I. Ansar who is now serving in Kuala Lumpur will end his term on December 31.

Huge penalties on flying machines: Silence on local agents

The board meeting of a controversial state enterprise whose losses are soaring to the skies was under way.

One of the participants made a plea that the organisation should write to the principals and the intermediary who supplied the flying machines to them. The reason  the present disposition is paying a huge sum as penalties in lieu of taking delivery of the machines. Hence, he wanted the loss-making organisation to determine how much has been skimmed off as commissions.

For that, they needed to know who the local agents who closed the deal were.

However, the one who chaired the meeting was not in favour. He said that those two parties maintained good relations and such queries would only hurt them.

Though the one who raised issue did not say it at the meeting, he told a colleague later the reason given was not about good relations. It was the chair that has maintained good relations with the parties who are said to be local agents.

VVIP politico hits out at new Bank Chief

The occasion was a review of the economy, a regular weekly event attended by those who are at the helm of the countrys economic affairs.

The new chief of The Bank came in for some criticism over a central issue  funds not being channelled to the State exchequer on time. He defended the delay saying laid down procedures had to be followed and that would naturally take time.

The move was to anger the VVIP politico presiding at the meeting. He charged that the well respected and highly acclaimed head of The Bank was talking nonsense. It did not end there. The politico said the bank boss was only good at making statements to the media on matters related to bond issues and primary dealers. There lies the tale for the stinging remarks.
Delays in high-profile probes: Questions about nexus between VIPs of rival parties View(s):

Detectives complain that interim reports sought by ruling politicos have ended up in the hands of the suspects and their lawyers

IGP in deep trouble, reprimanded by President and possible probe by Constitutional Council, but PM defends police chief

Sticky issues remain over China-backed Hambantota Port project; new controversy over China-backed irrigation projects also; how will Beijing respond?

By Our Political Editor

In October, President Maithripala Sirisena warned he would take strong action if the state investigative arms were found to be working to a political agenda.

He was referring to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), both coming under the Inspector General of Police. In addition, he also made reference to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), an autonomous body.

His words echoed in the hall of the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) where he addressed war heroes. His fears appear to have come true. On Friday (December 2), Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera was on the stage at a police commemoration ceremony at Ratnapura when his mobile phone rang. He rose from his seat, moved away a few feet and began to speak. Here is the text of an audio recording of what he said both in English and Sinhala though the callers voice is not on tape.

Jayasundera: Good morning Sir. Is that an urgent matter, Sir?

Yes, Yes, I wanted the Director, FCID to check and come back to me. But yesterday I was late after finishing that commitment. Mata eka hambuwuney nehe (I did not receive it). I will get the details and come back to you. Yes, Nilames matter. Nilames.

Enna kiyala thiyanawa. Aniwaren Sir, arrest karanney nehe (Has been told to come. Definitely, there will be no arrest. Magen ahala avasara nethuwa arrest karanna epa Kiyuwa. (Without asking me and seeking my permission, do not arrest. It is definite Sir. Aniwaren Sir, arrest venney nehe (There will definitely be no arrest).

Ehema nehe Sir. (It is not like that Sir). Mang ahala beluwa (I inquired and found out). It is definite he wont be arrested.

Right Sir.

It was an enterprising television reporter who recorded on video Police Chief Jayasundera speaking. Even without the voice of the other person who was calling recorded on tape, it became clear that this unidentified Sir was in fact seeking to stall the FCID from the arrest of someone identified as only Nilame. The television channel in question aired the tape on Wednesday. Many eyebrows were raised.

As the guessing game went on about the identity of this Sir, President Sirisena turned up in Parliament on Thursday. The votes under the financial head of National Dialogue, National Integration and Reconciliation, all coming under Sirisena were discussed at Committee stage. Sirisena had finished making a statement when a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP raised issue. He charged that the Police Chief was bending the law when he told a minister over the phone that the FCID would not arrest a particular Nilame. Sirisena was to say that he too had seen the television coverage of the matter. He said that the Police Chiefs conduct was completely wrong and added that he would summon him to seek an explanation. Later, Sirisena summoned him and delivered a strong warning. He said he was also ordering an inquiry into the matter. Clearly, Sirisena would have been told by the IGP as to who had called him.

Following up on Sirisenas response on the same day in Parliament, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake wanted to know whether the Sir in question was Public Safety, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake. However, he could not be contacted for a response. If the reference was not to Ratnayake, Dissanayake said, he should disown it on the floor of the House. There was no response from the Government benches. The same question was repeated on Friday and a proper response was not forthcoming. Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella casually dismissed the issue by saying that Dissanayakes observations were his private view, and that the Sir reference could be to anyone.

The Sunday Times learnt that the reference to Nilame was to Dishan Wickremeratne Gunasekera, Basnayake Nilame of the Devinuwara Devalaya, Matara. He was a Director cum CEO of the Mineral Sands Corporation under the previous regime. He is known to be a close relative of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. FCID detectives said they were now investigating allegations of corruption against Gunasekera. They had asked him to furnish a series of financial statements and the move had sparked rumours that he was to be arrested, these detectives said.

The saga of Sir and the Nilame came after the ministers had, at their weekly meeting last Tuesday, discussed the issue of arresting state service officers over cases connected with bribery and corruption. This follows the recent questioning of senior Treasury officials serving in different statutory boards and corporations to fulfil a requirement of the law. President Sirisena noted that public officials should not be held responsible just because they were on the directorates of such institutions. He turned to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and declared; You will have difficulty in getting their co-operation if this kind of thing goes on. Such situations have made officials turn against the Government. They would also be reluctant to carry out directives for fear of facing questions from the FCID.

The IGPs phone call episode has laid bare some very unsavoury realities. It makes clear that contrary to the fundamental precept that all are equal before the law, some are more equal. They seem to include alleged wrongdoers who had served the previous regime. The current leadership vowed during the presidential and parliamentary elections to bring them to book. It is now clear that there are strong exceptions too and that raises the all-important question of the much-talked of nexus between ruling political elements and those in the Opposition. Little wonder, some top investigators complain that contents of interim reports sought by some ruling politicos ended up in the hands of those under investigation and those looking after their interests. Such documents have even been produced at legal consultations.

This, no doubt, raises issues about the Police Chief himself. Action in respect of some of the important incidents has either been delayed or stalled altogether. One such instance is how the Police tear-gassed wounded war heroes who assembled outside the Presidential Secretariat on November 7. An official Committee was appointed to probe the incident and it made its recommendations known. The Sunday Times learnt that the Constitutional Council will summon Police Chief Jayasundera and an investigation is also to be launched by the Police Commission. Not so long ago, the Constitutional Council Chairman, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, summoned Jayasundera to warn him about his conduct after complaints were made to the former by those at the highest levels.

In Parliament yesterday Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said: The President spoke about this matter yesterday. The Prime Minister has also spoken. We even met the Chairman of the National Police Commission and discussed it. We will also be meeting the Minister. The Constitutional Council is due to meet next week and we will take a decision on it. There are various allegations. The Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and even an MP from your party and members of the civil society are on the Constitutional Council. We will take a decision regarding the appointment.

Responding to the Speakers remarks, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared: I would like to clearly state that if there is any allegation against the IGP then let us know. There is no allegation at the moment. He was simply answering a question he was asked. At the moment, we are having several big strikes. In such a situation, we cant reduce the powers of the IGP. We need to ensure that the law and order situation does not collapse.

As such, I will only discuss this matter at the Constitutional Council (CC) if there is a credible allegation against him. Otherwise, I will clearly state that there is no need to take up this matter at the CC. We can resolve it elsewhere. He (IGP) has not stopped investigations into anything. Just because it has been carried in the media does not mean there is a problem with this case. He had stated that the individual would not be arrested on the day that the court case is filed because there are certain documents that are required from this individual. The IGP told me that the next step in the case can only be determined once they scrutinise those documents.

Premier Wickremesinghes position contradicted President Sirisenas remarks that it was wrong for the IGP to have acted that way. He expressed his regrets in Parliament.

There is no gainsaying that such developments adversely affect the Government. With crime on the rise, the law and order situation less than desirable and more policing required, the hierarchy is embroiled in other issues. More so at a time when there are periodic strikes and protests which have a debilitating effect on the countrys economy  a high priority area. Day-to-day policing to ensure there is law and order on such situations, a Police source said, was being carried out by peripheral heads.

One such high priority area for the Sri Lankan economy is the development of the Hambantota Port. A Concession Agreement between Sri Lanka and China for this purpose is now on its final stages. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed that the agreement should be executed on or before January 7. The idea was to present it for approval by the Cabinet of Ministers. The status on November 27, according to a position paper from the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, lists six different areas as critical. The paper describes them as sticky issues. The emergence of a final draft (in addition to other related documents) will hinge on resolving the issues.

Here are those issues:

 China is insisting that there should be a restriction on development of any other facility within 200 kilometres from the perimeter of the Hambantota Port. This new condition, which was not part of their original Project proposal for the first draft of the Framework Agreement pushing them to agree to exclude Colombo, Galle and Oluvil Port development. It says that Chinas main concern is possible development in Galle, which may impact Hambantota.

 The Minister of Ports and Shipping (Arjuna Ranatunga)/Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) insists upon port security, quoting the SLPA Act and concerns over National Security. The note points out that the real reason may be jobs and trade union issues. There is no rationality in the arguments presented by SLPA and hence needs to get them to agree for the Security to be provided by the JV (Joint Venture).

 The SLPA/Minister of Ports and Shipping speak of a Concession period of around 45-50 years, while Chairman, SLPA (the Ministers brother) insists on 99 years, with provision for further extension of 99 years. The latest draft of the Framework Agreement only states 99 years, with provision for extension, on mutually agreed terms, without a specific period. If this is accepted by the Chairman, Port, the only remaining issue would be getting the Minister of Ports and Shipping (Arjuna Ranatunga) and the SLPA (Dhammika Ranatunga) to agree to the same term.

 Harbour Tonnage  SLPA and the Minister of Ports and Shipping insist that the Harbour Tonnage (a fee levied by a Port based on the size/capacity of the vessel, when she enters a Port) should be collected by the SLPA, being the Owners of the Port (believe that Hambantota is a national Port declared under the SLPA and only the assets, except the land, which is leased, would be vested on the Joint Venture) and agree to be responsible for maintenance of the breakwater, turning bay, entrance channel and associated facilities.

 However, this is a critical aspect for operational efficiency of the Port, wherein the operation of the Port will be severely impacted, in the event the facilities are not up-kept and brought in line with the types of operation the Port is to perform. Further, the investment that were spent on creating all such facilities are to be vested on the Joint Venture, pursuant of the Debt-to-Equity swap. Hence, the argument from Chairman, Port is that such revenue and associated up-keeping should be the responsibility of the Joint Venture, which is fair and rational. Requires, obtaining the consent from the Minister of Ports and Shipping and the SLPA.

 Pilotage  As per the Pilots Ordinance and the Master Attendants (Harbour Masters) Ordinance, the Harbour Master and the Pilot, play a dual role of regulator and the service provider (piloting) for a vessel. Minister of Ports and Shipping/SLPA is of the view that this role/function should be with the SLPA. Again, this is a matter extremely critical for operational efficiency of the Port. Hence, the Chairman Port is of the view that the Pilot should be under the operational control of the Joint Venture, while having independent and direct reporting system with regard to regulatory function.

 Chairman Port is agreeable, for the time being, to do things as currently done by Magampura Port Management. Consultancy (MPMC), where the Pilots assigned from SLPA function under the direction of the MPMC. Chairman Port is ready to re-imburse the actual cost for providing Pilots by SLPA. Short-term, this arrangement may be acceptable, but going forward the relevant Ordinances may have to be amended. Requires, obtaining the consent of the Minister of Ports and Shipping/ SLPA.

 Royalty  The Minister of Ports and Shipping/SLPA insists on a royalty payment (quoting China Harbour proposal which contained such royalty payments). Chairman Port is ready to discuss this on a revenue sharing basis, once the Port utilisation reaches a mutually agreed level. This may have to be agreed during the negotiation of the Concession Agreement.

The note says that the provision of a condition to conclude all Transaction Documents (not contained in the Project Proposal), seem to be a modus operandi to bring pressure on us to complete all documents, expeditiously.

They include the Non-Disclosure Agreement, Shareholder Agreement, Joint Venture formation, Concession Agreement, Lease Agreement and Asset/Liability Transfer, it adds.

It is not immediately clear whether the negotiations could be finalised for the agreement to be signed before January 7 next year. This is particularly in the light of the need to resolve the sticky issues. The development came as the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) began investigations into an alleged scam involving more than four billion rupees. President Sirisena told a meeting connected with a membership drive for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that one billion rupees has been issued in 2012 by the Finance Ministry for the project. Thereafter, the Treasury had also issued more than three billion rupees in 2015. Sirisena said that not even a sod of soil had been dug for this Nilwala project. A Chinese company was involved in this project.

FCID detectives questioned two officials, one in the Department of Irrigation and another in the Ministry. Detectives say that China CAMCE Engineering Company Limited had been paid an advance of Rs. 40 million but the project had not got off the ground even after six months. Later, they say, a sum of Rs 2,972 million has been paid to the same company. There had been no agreement signed nor steps taken to forfeit the surety.

However, a Cabinet Memorandum submitted by Gamini Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Management, dated July 7 provides a different version. It casts serious doubts on some of the claims. Here are highlights that underscore the contradictions:

Although it has been proposed for a long time to provide water to Hambantota area by constructing large and medium scale reservoirs in upper reaches of Nilwala and Gin river basins, but such proposals could not be implemented during that era, by now, it has been unpractical to divert Gin-Nilwala water to Hambantota area through such reservoirs as the relevant river basin areas have undergone a huge development at present..

Since a large development has taken place in Gin-Nilwala river basins at present, it was proposed to use tunnels as much as possible to minimise the damages to the environment and affecting the people, and this has resulted to make this Gin-Nilawala diversion project a complex as well as an expensive project. Thus, the Cabinet of Ministers approval has been granted in 2009 vide cabinet decision dated 26th November 2009 to sign an MoU with China CAMCE Engineering Company Ltd. to enter into an EPC contract to obtain monetary provisions required to launch this project.

As per the MoU signed in 2009, the said company after having studied deeply on various water diversion methodologies for three years and paying much attention towards water diversion locations and transfer routes, prepared a feasibility report in 2012 to fulfil water requirements of Greater Hambantota development area by diverting water in Nilwala and Gin river basins..

The updated feasibility for Gin-Nilwala diversion was prepared in April 2014 including recommendations made by the line agencies of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) study as Environmental Authority, the Forest Conservation Department, the Wildlife Department after conducting field inspections. Also, the TOR (terms of reference) for the EIA study for implementation of this project was issued in 2014 by the Environmental Authority, after conducting several discussions on the feasibility of these proposals with the line agencies and conducting field inspections.

In parallel, an updated feasibility report was submitted to China CAMCE Engineering Co. Ltd. for further studies and to provide technical and financial proposals separately for an Engineering Procurement Committee and the Cabinet has approved to enter into a contract agreement worth US$ 690 million with China CAMCE Engineering Co. Ltd., vide the Cabinet decision dated October 10, 2014. Moreover, the relevant agreement had been forwarded to the Attorney Generals Department and their observations and consent were sent to the Ministry on April 4, 2014.

Accordingly, the agreement was signed between the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and China CAMCE Engineering Company for US$ 690 million on November 5. 2014.. With the understanding of providing these services from the contractor by paying five per cent of the contract amount as agreed upon of the EPC contract to the China CAMCE Engineering Co. Ltd., the amount of US$ 29,989,000 (approximately 4.35 per cent) has been paid, as part of the Advance Payment in three instalments on the days of December 31, 2014, January 6, 2015 and January 7, 2015 with the available imprest at the time.

After the new Government took over in 2015, this project was reviewed by the Cabinet Sub Committee on Economic Affairs and several discussions were held to make clarifications in this regard between the subcommittee and the official committee on Economic Management

Minister Zoysas cabinet memorandum raises some pertinent questions. He sought approval to go ahead with the project with the same Chinese company. He sought the appointment of a committee of officials to negotiate with the company to split the contract in two stages. More importantly, he sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to pay a balance of US$ 4,511 million to China CAMCE Co. Ltd. and sign an addendum to the contract agreement.

Sections of the Government believe funds for this project, said to have been issued in the form of a cheque from the Treasury, were allegedly utilised for the last election campaign. Investigators have so far found no evidence to confirm this. If indeed there were discrepancies, it is not clear why the issue was not raised in the Cabinet Memorandum and Ministers kept infomed. There is little doubt that some of the positions taken up by the Government are contradictory and some questions do remain. Main among them is whether money did change hands. If so, who received such funds?

It is at a time when a Chinese enterprise is to be awarded the contract for the Hambantota Port that another of Beijings companies has come under probe. That such a move will draw some response from the Chinese authorities is not in doubt.

This is whilst the Police Chiefs telephone saga has raised serious doubts on whether the Government is serious about pursuing high profile cases related to bribery and corruption to its end. It is no exaggeration to say that eroding public confidence, in the wake of rumours of a nexus between those high and mighty in the political divide, have now become a fact.
JRs trenchant remark on the non-aligned movement View(s):

The death of Fidel Castro marked the last of the Mohicans, the last towering figure of 20th century revolutionaries. The sad but not unexpected news of the death late last month of the ailing Castro brought to mind a little known anecdote, little known because only three persons were privy to it. The other two have passed on to the great beyond.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his tribute to Fidel Castro makes reference to the friendship that developed between JR as he was popularly called (not to his face except by close friends) and the Cuban leader. It seems a strange coincidence that both leaders passed away at the age of 90.

The relationship Wickremesinghe refers to developed during and after the 6th Non-Aligned Nations Summit in Havana at which Sri Lanka passed on the baton of chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to Cuba.

Wickremesinghe says that JR would regularly send packages of the best Ceylon tea to El Commandante who would reciprocate by sending the Sri Lanka President the finest Cuban cigars. Since JR did not smoke cigars the beneficiaries of Castros gift were two aficionados of cigars- the then Foreign Minister Shahul Hameed and my brother Mervyn to whom JR would pass on cigars now and then.

That, of course, is by the way. The real story goes back several months before the Havana summit, which if I remember correctly was in September 1979. I was at the time the Colombo Correspondent of the New York Times. My boss was the NY Times bureau chief based in New Delhi. I think it was William Borders at the time and some time before Barbara Crossette took over the position.

Anyway he had gone on leave or something and a replacement had been sent to hold the fort  the Red Fort as it were  in New Delhi and oversee some neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka which was his parish. Somewhere in early March 1979 I received a message from the acting bureau chief saying he would be coming to Colombo and to request an interview with our El Presidente. I was asked to mention that he had met JR at the inaugural meeting of the Colombo Plan which I believe was at the beginning of January 1951.

I quite forget his name now but I got back to him saying that I had contacted JRs private secretary Nihal Weeratunga and requested an interview. The NYT man had himself contacted JRs office and made the request. The chap arrived in Colombo and gave me a call asking me to join him for lunch at Galle Face Hotel. We met and over lunch discussed Sri Lankan politics and other developments. I said I would get back to him as soon as I heard from Nihal Weeratunga.

Weeratunga called and confirmed the time and place for the interview. It was to be at JRs Ward Place residence. We arrived there as scheduled and was ushered into the Presidents study where he greeted us.The NYT chap told JR when and how he had met JR who was then Finance Minister and part of the Ceylon delegation headed by Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake.

JR said he remembered the meeting. Whether he was just being polite or actually remembered having met the journalist I dont know. But there it was and after a few minutes of small talk the serious business began. As is customary the visiting journalist asked the questions. After some time he seemed to have exhausted his questions.

I was then on the Daily News and I wanted a story for myself. So I began talking of the upcoming NAM summit as by now JR had inherited the chairmanship of NAM from Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike who had assumed the leadership following the 1976 summit in Colombo. The next year she lost the general election and JR who became Prime Minister in 1977 automatically took over as chairman.

The NYT man was not particularly interested in NAM and he closed his eyes and took a back seat as it were while I continued the interview. Both of us had our tape recorders switched on. Mine was a mini-recorder and quite unobstrusive. I am not quite sure whether he did not notice it or he just could not care because before the interview started I had taken the recorder out and switched it on leaving it on his desk.

I asked President Jayewardene whether he would attend the Havana meeting knowing his pro-western, especially pro American, views and his antipathy for communism (though Sir John had a different explanation which must await another occasion to relate).

He was quite clear about it. He said he must hand over the chairmanship to Prime Minister Castro. But he seemed rather skeptical of NAM. Quite unexpectedly he made a comment that was the piece-de-resistance of the entire interview.

There are only two non-aligned countries in the world  the USA and the USSR, said JR. I almost fell off the chair, metaphorically speaking. The NYT chap who I thought had lost interest after the interview turned to the subject of non-alignment promptly showed signs of life.

A few seconds later JR looked me straight in the eye and said Now dont write that.With the interview over JR led us out of the study, down the corridor to the entrance. We had just left the study when JR who was much taller than I was put his right hand on my right shoulder and said once more Now dont write that and added Ill lose my job.

I almost burst out laughing but controlled myself. What job could he lose? Who would dare try to remove him from the presidency, even if they had the means to do so? And how could he be removed as chairman of NAM, there being no provision to do so. It was all bluff, the kind of game that JR loves to play on occasion. This time it was to show the NYT man how humble he was and how he appealed to the press to save him  from what I still wonder.

Returning to Lake House I wrote the story for the Daily News (23rd March 1979) which splashed it on the front page under the headline President to attend Non-Aligned Summit.

Naturally there was not even a tangential reference to his memorable comment. Memorable, coming as it did from the head of NAM! Had I written it President Jayewardene who would not have lost his job, I would have. The NYT chap made no mention of it either. Few would have believed that JR could make such a remark. Fortunately I had it on tape and to make sure that it would not be erased accidently I wrapped the cassette in a piece of polythene and kept it in the refrigerator.

Next evening my brother came home for a drink before going out for dinner. When I told him what JR had said, he just did not believe me. Who would have, really? So I carefully removed the cassette and played it to him. I saw the surprise on my brothers face. Then he burst out laughing.

That however was not the end of the story. The NYT chap contacted me again a couple of months later and said he would be coming to Colombo for the meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau which consisted of 25 foreign ministers of member states.

There were a number of contentious issues facing NAM. One was the ongoing tussle between the ousted Pol Pot regime and its Vietnam-backed successor on who was the legitimate representative of Cambodia. To complicate the issue two delegations turned up in Colombo  the Pol Pot delegation led by Ieng Sary and the Hanoi-backed regime led by Heng Samrin.

Even more troubling was the strong move by Arab radicals such as Iraq, Syria, Algeria and the PLO to suspend, if not expel, a founder-member Egypt for its peace deal with Israel brokered by the US.Naturally these were stories of international interest and certainly so to the New York Times. Some time before the NYT chap left New Delhi for Colombo he had written a piece for his paper quoting what JR said four months earlier, perhaps to denigrate NAM which the US loathed for its anti-western positions on several international issues.

Somehow the story quoting JR reached the President. Either it was immediately transmitted by our High Commission in New Delhi or our mission in New York or had been made available to him by somebody in Colombo.

The NYT correspondent arrived in Colombo and wanted a briefing on the issues before the Coordinating Bureau. When we met he asked whether an interview with JR would be possible.

I told him quite candidly not to go within a mile of JR as he was livid about being quoted and JR would have him for breakfast if he got close enough. The chap came up with an excuse that was unbelievably lame and immature for a senior correspondent. He said that quotation was news.

I asked him why he waited four months to write it if it was news. I reminded him that JR himself requested that he not be quoted. He had no legitimate answer. That was the last time I met him and a short while later he left New Delhi.

Now that Ranil Wickremesinghe has mentioned the JR-Fidel relationship and NAM, I might add an epilogue to this story that concerns Ranil himself.

When JR took over the chairmanship of NAM Ranil Wickremesinghe was also deputy minister of foreign affairs besides his being minister of youth affairs. The Coordinating Bureau meeting was dragging on because the contentious issues were still not resolved despite Foreign Minister Shahul Hameeds deft handling of the proceedings.

The wrangling continued late into Saturday night and tempers were beginning to flare. The following is a side bar I wrote in the Daily News after the meeting had ended under the headline Bluff and Bluster. Ranil Wickremesinghe would probably not even remember it.A Colombo-based ambassador of a non-aligned country was given a hard knock by the Sri Lanka Minister of Youth Affairs and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Delegates Lounge on Saturday night.

The ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau had reached a crucial stage with the Arab hardliners pressing on all fronts on the Egypt issue when the Arab ambassador lost his Sphinx-like look and began making untenable demands from a Sri Lankan VIP. Even the threat of breaking off relations with Sri Lanka was thrown into the monologue.

The deputy minister who was taking a short break from the arduous sessions was passing by when he heard all this. Visibly annoyed he turned on the Ambassador and bludgeoned him with the remark The USA and the USSR cannot pressure us. Dont think that your country can.

The flustered ambassador was seen retreating with undue haste.

It is perhaps not strange that uncle and nephew both refer to the Soviet Union as the USSR  the correct abbreviation  and both talk of the USA and USSR. JR would always refer to the UN as UNO. I wonder whether his nephew does the same.
Show your gratitude to the consumer View(s):

It is with kindness and compassion that I wish to tell the people that without gratitude there will be no progress. We need to learn that and practise it. Those who have heartfelt concern for our country need to cultivate this virtue. Today due to the lack of the spirit of gratitude, parents have lost their children and children their parents. To stress the virtue of gratitude and the commitment to duty, the Lord Buddha preached the Sigalowada sutra. As this is not often followed, there is sorrow and suffering. For instance, there are many who are involved in supplying a packet of lunch or dinner to the poor. But how many of them have real compassion for the poor? Many sellers have little or no concern for producers or consumers. I saw this through the example of a packet of rice. If this is so, what can we say about other things?

No one can clap with one hand. But I would like to give some advice to those who are trying to do so. Ranil Wickremesinghe formed a UNP government when Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was the President. At the time, the prices had risen sky high. On a Poson Poya day along with more than hundred Buddhist monks, we met Pettah traders and made a plea on behalf of the poor. We succeeded in getting prices reduced by upto Rs. 25.

The price reductions were given by not so much Sinhala Buddhist traders but by Tamil traders. There is a great secret about this. During the J.R. Jayewardene government there was an ethnic conflict. Many Tamil traders suffered and were given shelter at Mahanama College. Charitha Ratwatte gave me details of how much these people were suffering and asked for some help. The Army prevented me from entering the Mahanama camp. But we broke the barrier, entered the camp and did our duty by these suffering people. At the request of a Tamil gentleman, I went to Pettah and brought dry rations from his boutique. For this I had to give a statement to the Police. These displaced Tamil people remembered me and in gratitude helped me on that Poson Poya. In a crisis we cannot think of racial differences but go beyond it and help each other.

During the Dudley Senanayake Government, Trade Minister M.V.P. Peiris resigned because since he could not maintain affordable prices. Later the then Finance Minister M.D.H. Jayawardane resigned because he did not want to burden the people. That was the spirit of UNP ministers then. They had principles and were respected. Then and now, the producer and the trader gave solid support to the UNP. But in those days, the trader had concern for the consumers, but we seldom see it now.

If this continues, the consumers might rise against the traders.

Today, most producers have gone away from the UNP. Many traders are known to be opportunists and we do not know on whose side they are. Consumers by their nature have been against the party in power. The government needs to take measures to change that attitude. The present government instead of finding a solution for this seems to be going on a different route. It should talk about the past. More than talk, it needs to take lessons from the past and understand the present situation clearly. Government leaders need to go to rural areas, unannounced and unobserved if possible, and see what is happening.

How can those who govern talk about development when good habits are not cultivated? If we do not act in unity and work with dedication, there will be more sorrow than happiness and contentment.

Recently we got a donation of an old vehicle for our Katharagama Rest. Though it was not used for long, since the tyres were not suitable for long trips we decided to replace the four tyres and called for quotation from a company known to us. This was on November 23. We got a quotation for Rs. 41,818 with VAT for one tyre. The following day, we got another quotation from another supplier. It was Rs. 37,495. This way, one trader was trying to make a profit of more than 37,292 for four tyres. This is just one instance where huge profits are made by traders. If such is the case, then who is looking after the consumer? Are the traders not aware that they make a living because of the consumer?

We also have a problem relating to dated cheques. This is like the problem over illicit drugs. There is no punishment for giving bouncing cheques.

Some time ago, we heard that fuel dealers were defrauding motorists and we suggested that fuel and kerosene be measured with a litre bottle. When this news appeared many outlets changed their electronic meters! Many have forgotten this incident now. Again the meters have been changed and the shed owners are paying more than Rs. 50,000 to people to do this.

These days weddings and the funeral have become expensive events. Sometimes the costs runs into several lakhs and sometime millions are spent for weddings. How can we talk of simple living as proclaimed in the Dhamma.

A days wage of a farm labourer is Rs. 2,000. There is hardly any work done by him. In the earlier days, the farmer got help from neighbours. He paid them by way of food. Today the helper in the field gets Rs. 2,000. Work starts at 8 am. Meals in the morning and lunch with tea in between. He is out of the field by 3 pm. Production expenditure is going up because of this. The consequences affect all of us. If this is the plight of the consumer, even the deity Sakra may not be able to correct the situation.

Some ways the Central Bank could earn money

If the country is to be developed and the economy improved the government must take people into its confidence. These days, private banks and state banks collect deposits from the public by offering gifts and other benefits. The Central Bank had a big problem by going into some bond issues. I would like to suggest some steps to rectify this. Recently India demonetized the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes. During the time of Finance Dr. N M Perera, a similar demonetization took place in Sri Lanka. Even in our country when extra money is required the Central Bank could obtain it from people or from outside, and help the country to develop.

Rs. 2000 or Rs. 5000 notes or any other denomination could be used to obtain Drafts from the Bank. That way they can get the unused currency to the Bank. The Bank could give a suitable interest for such deposits and may be the certificate issued could be numbered and suitable prizes be distributed like in a lottery. Income Tax should not be levied from such deposits and provision should be made to allow such people to import vehicles or any other items required. Bond issues such as this could be issued for Foreign Exchange and the rate of interest should be more attractive than what is given by foreign banks. Foreigners should be encouraged to bring in money and a suitable interest paid. If this is done we can attract foreign exchange that is not declared up to now. Sri Lanka was once famous for the trade in silver and gold. We have lost the income as well as our reputation in this field. If the tax could be withdrawn from this trade we could develop the economy and get the hidden silver and gold into the open.

Such steps should be carefully studied by the Central Bank. The valuables and cash that belong to the people should be protected from being robbed, and everyone should be able to invest without unwanted problems. The Central Bank should be able to help people and develop the country without merely being a collector.
By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 3 (PTI) At least 38 workers have died in two separate coal mine explosions in China this week, officials said today.

In the latest incident, 17 people were confirmed dead and many others remained trapped after a blast at a coal mine in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region today, officials said.

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The explosion took place around midday at Baoma Mining Co Ltd in Yuanbaoshan district in the city of Chifeng, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The government has launched a search and rescue operation.

In another incident, 21 workers trapped in a coal mine in China after an explosion on Tuesday were today declared dead while search is on for one survivor still trapped underground.

They had been declared dead, Xinhua quoted local officials as saying.

The workers were trapped after an explosion on Tuesday at the private coal mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province.

State-run CCTV reported the workers could not be reached by rescuers due to presence of poisonous gases even as insurance firms began contacting the families of the workers to settle claims.

Meanwhile, Chinese police today arrested four persons, including the owner of the private coal mine and three managers, the emergency rescue headquarters said.

Initial enquiries showed that the blast was an accident and the mine was unlicensed, police said. PTI KJV KJ MRJ ZH MRJ

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That call to the IGP and the undermining of law View(s):

For close to ten years, Sri Lanka was ruled by a Presidency under which calls were openly given by politicians to heads of the judiciary, the police and hapless public servants ordering them to act or not to act as the case may be. This is not to say that such gross misrule started with the Rajapaksas. Before that, we had our peccadilloes, when political pressure was exerted by Heads of State on judicial and public officials in particular circumstances.

Reducing public officers to playthings

At times, the converse was true when the countrys historic judicial institution was reduced to a profound absurdity as a Chief Justice rashly appointed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga in circumstances that can only be described as mala fide, plunged that Office into unprecedented political controversy (the Sarath Silva Court, circa, 1999-2009).

Regardless, it may generally be agreed that never was there such general despair as during the Mahinda Rajapaksa Presidency. As at the time of his electoral defeat in 2015, the sitting Chief Justice at the time was more in the abode of the President than in the halls of justice.

A single call from not only a scion of the Rajapaksa clan but also the local village thug professing to act on the orders of a Rajapaksa could reduce the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and a lowly Officer-in-Charge of a police station alike to a shivering nervous wreck. So let us forcibly remind ourselves of that none too recent history, even as memories fade in the face of exceedingly great frustrations with the spluttering yahapalanaya successor to Rajapaksa rule.

No tolerating figleaf excuses

Assuredly however, that history does not mean that the Unity Government is allowed to cling onto proverbial figleaf excuses when its electoral promises are betrayed time and time again. Come to think of it, the Rajapaksa discarding of all minimum standards relating to governance was a blessing in disguise for current politicians who keep repeating as a mantra that the Sri Lankan people should be happy when crumbs are thrown from the yahaplanaya table for, at least things are not so bad as they were during the Rajapaksa era.

Quite apart from this being an utterly unacceptable justification, this is also a dangerous one. It allows both the political regime and its blind supporters to live in a state of complacency which is fast belied by the rising public temper outside Colombo.

Not only are many ordinary people refusing to believe that mantra but also, this refusal is accompanied by the sneer that well at least the previous characters robbed but got things donenow there is only robbing. In short, that thin majority which was snatched from the Rajapaksa jaws in the electoral victories last year is being whittled down to a point of virtual non-existence.

Shameful kowtowing to politicians

Let us be clear about one fact. At the core of the change in the public mood is the Governments complete cynicism in regard to its good governance mandate. Nothing encapsulates this better than the recent charade captured on camera to boot, where the IGP is seen obsequiously speaking on the phone to, as now revealed, the Minister of Law and Order. Liberally peppering his conversation with servile salutes, the IGP promised to ensure that a particular high official (nilame) will not be arrested. As it so transpired, that worthy gentleman to whom such protection is given is apparently a close associate of the former regime against whom serious allegations of fraud have been leveled.

As in the case of the Central Bank bond fiasco, the incident itself was shameful enough but what follows is equally extraordinary. With mounting public outrage over this incident, the Speaker who is the Head of the Constitutional Council (CC) which made the recommendation to President Maithripala Sirisena to appoint the current IGP announced the intention to inquire into the matter, only to be reportedly brought up short by the Government itself.

If these reports are true, what right does the Government have to bring its weight to bear on the CC which has been loudly touted to be an independent institution as the architects of the 19th Amendment proudly claim?

Abstaining from shortsighted reactions

In Parliament meanwhile, an illustration of yawning gaps emerging in the Unity Government became clear during the votes on the budget when the President who was in the House at the time, unusually responded to a Rajapaksa-led Joint Opposition query by condemning the behaviour of the IGP and stating that he would call for an explanation.

Activists have called for the resignation of the IGP. But this is a shortsighted reaction which ignores larger issues at play. In other words, the problem is not so much the persona of the current IGP but the political culture. Absent change, a new IGP would face much the same dilemma as the unfortunate incumbent. This may be an issue which some may like to ignore for their personal conveniences but it remains true nonetheless.

For this was the precise issue in the Central Bank bond scam. It remains the issue in regard to the ongoing IGP controversy. When Constitutions are being drafted and ambitious transformations are promised of systems of governance, such incidents and the subsequent cover-ups indicate that this process is just an extravagant mockery. It is no comfort to maintain that the chain of political subversion is not as implacable as during the Rajapaksa period. This is a distinction palpably without a difference where the Rule of Law is concerned.

The dexterous undermining of governance

Most unfortunately, Sri Lanka has been unable to recapture the shining optimism which informed the 17th Amendments protection of public officers and judicial officers. In fact, the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No 5 of 2002 at the time, enacted as a supplementary law to the 17th Amendment, prescribed a separate safeguard for the removal of the IGP, placing it on par with appellate court judges. But what worth are such protections when the practical reality so evidently refutes the law?

And unlike the savage barbarity of the Rajapaksa misrule, here the undermining is done dexterously. This is the ultimate cynicism, practised through the shrill refrain that the 19th Amendment was manna from heaven to the teeming multitudes.

As we see now to our manifold dismay, this is far from the case.
MPs must lead by example View(s):

Come hell or high water, Parliamentarians have served themselves yet another allowance and the Government has found the money for it by raising the price of diesel sending food prices of common folk still higher.

It is a widespread belief that MPs no longer live in a pecuniary state and that they dont live by their salaries and allowances alone; not surprising when one sees their lifestyle  and those of their brood. To say that MPs need more cash in hand to pay for wedding gifts and funerals of their constituents is a pathetic justification for an increased allowance. A better move might have been to give MPs some Research Assistants who can prepare them to make more substantial contributions to Parliamentary debates.

Ask any old-timer interested in Parliamentary affairs and they would tell you how Advanced Level students and undergraduates were often encouraged by their teachers and professors to read Hansard, the official record of Parliamentary proceedings, to widen their horizons in the field of economics, agriculture, world affairs etc., Today, in Parliament, most contributions are a mere cacophony of voices and carbon dioxide, often bordering on the unprintable.

If Parliamentarians wish to give to themselves a living wage which takes into account their spending obligations vis-a-vis their constituents, there has to be a quid-pro-quo; a corresponding cap on allowing them to accept so-called party funds and campaign contributions (which are IOUs), and kickbacks for liquor licences and stop them making a quick buck by selling their duty free car permits. This weeks additional allowance is on top of all of this. MPs are now given all the allowances under the sun, and permitted to make hay while the sun shines as well.

While it is true that low pay packages for MPs leave them vulnerable and in situations where they can be easily influenced, if MPs are to be considered leaders of the people, they must surely set the example in frugality. Jumping the queue and serving more and more onto their plates first when senior-most judges, public servants and the ordinary public sector workers have to wait their turn to fill their empty plates, is not leadership by example.

Human rights chief versus Trump

World Human Rights Day falls on December 10 with a pall of gloom descending over several United Nations agencies in New York and Geneva with the widespread belief that US President-elect Donald Trump is going to give Human Rights a kick up the bottom and just do what is best for the American people.

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) chief, a Jordanian Muslim prince who has been the bugbear of Sri Lanka as well, shot himself in the foot by publicly demonising Mr. Trump as a populist, demagogue and political fantasist before the billionaire businessman was surprisingly elected. Now, the UNHRC is bracing itself that if it does not call out its most powerful member-state for straying from universally accepted Human Rights principles, the rest of the world will be emboldened to ditch them. (See ST2 Page 8).

Not that US double-standards are prevalent even today and now Sri Lanka is seeking to get Mr. Trump to drop the UNHRC jointly sponsored resolution against the country. Given that it might be Mitt Romney who famously called Mr. Trump a fraud who may be his Foreign Minister, the UNHRC chiefs words too may be just water off his back.

ADIOS AMIGO

The passing away of Fidel Castro, the charismatic Cuban leader signals the end of an era. As a young revolutionary, he and his idealistic band of guerrilla fighters overthrew the US-backed dictator, General Fulgencio Batista who had turned the Caribbean island-nation of Cuba into one big corrupt, decadent state. The revolutionaries then established a Marxist state in 1959. Backed by the former Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, Cuba confronted the mighty United States next door eyeball-to-eyeball to see who would blink first. Too close to the end of World War II, neither of the Super Powers wanted by then, a possible nuclear fallout.

That moment in history; that stand-off by the young Cuban leader and his later crusades together with his even more charismatic comrade-in-arms, Ernesto Che Guevara to spread their brand of revolution is modern history. In Latin America their moral power continues to live. In Africa they backed Nelson Mandelas anti-apartheid African National Congress (ANC) to the hilt; he sent his troops to defend Angola and also embraced Yasser Arafat and his anti-Zionist PLO. Asia was not immune to this mesmerising influence and left-wing, mostly bearded young University students and workers, cynically called cardboard Castros paraded the streets shouting the slogan; Cuba-wata atha thibboth gori godai ( Hands off Cuba or face the consequences).

The so-called Imperialist pigs as the socialist camp called the West at the time got Che killed in Bolivia, but several attempts to have Fidel assassinated came to naught. No different to his predecessor though in persecuting opponents, Castro went on to rule with an iron fist purging counter revolutionaries by the hordes, eliminating some, throwing others in jail while thousands fled as refugees to nearby Miami, USA in ramshackle wooden boats. Those who survived, and their families hated Castros guts, cursed him each day, and finally, celebrated his death last week at street parties in Miamis district known as Little Havana. They even oppose efforts at rapprochement between the US and Cuba, a process initiated by the Obama Administration.

Castro turned Cuba into a model Marxist state, but it was a model of failure no different to its mentor, the former Soviet Union which collapsed in 1991. A ruthless decades-long economic embargo imposed by the Unite States as retribution, slowly but surely took its toll on Cuba. With sole mentor and provider, the Soviet Union in ruins and then no more, Cuba too fell on hard times.

The countrys education programme and even more so, its health system were the only example of a successful socialist welfare state in a nation that was otherwise gasping for economic survival. Castros successor, Raul his brother, saw the writing on the wall. He was forced to be more pragmatic and opened a window to better relations with their bete noir, the US.

With the passing away of the legendary Castro, doors not windows will open but only if the President-elect of the US agrees to bury the hatchet. This will then be the last chapter of yesteryears Cold War.

Reviled by the West, and revered by those in the so-called Third World, Castro headed the Non Aligned Movement taking over from Sri Lanka in 1979. The late President J.R. Jayewardene while handing over the mantle in Havana told Castro that Sri Lankas tea mixed well with Cubas sugar. At each turn when Sri Lanka was in need of help, were it to fight malaria and dengue, doctors during the tsunami of 2004 or more recently at the UNHRC, Cuba under Fidel Castro always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Sri Lanka and her people.

Many Sri Lankans who paraded those streets in support of Castro have long abandoned the Revolution themselves, and wisely so. What remains is a romanticised memory of a proud revolutionary David who stood up to Goliath, who spread the revolutionary zeal around the world, but eventually was not able to deliver all the goods to his own people.
Connect 2016  Sri Lanka Girl Guides Centenary Tour of Malaysia On September 13, 2016, View(s):

Girl Guides and Guide Captains from the Sri Jayewardenepura zone took part in a Centenary Girl Guides celebration hosted by the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (GGAM).

There were about

114 participants from Sri Lanka and it was not just on a domestic level but also on an international level; forging new bonds and consolidating existing ones  to connect, one sister Guide to another, one nation to another.

On the day of our visit to GGAM headquarters, another 100 uniformed Guides (Pandu Puteri) awaited our arrival and welcomed us with open arms and warm smiles. The day commenced with the exchanging of souvenirs, symbolic of the strengthening of ties between SLGGA and GGAM. Afterwards groups comprising of a mixture of Girl Guides from both Sri Lanka and Malaysia joined together and participated in a number of traditional Malaysian games like Batu Seramban and Ketinling.

Following lunch, our Lankan Guides performed a variety of traditional cultural items that brought flair and glamour to the closing ceremony. Once again the exchanging of gifts and mementos along with contact information and an embrace and the recurring selfie finally brought the day to an end.

Our trip also consisted of sightseeing  the Petronas Twin Towers, Istana Negara (the Sultans Palace), The Cocoa Boutique; Malaysias. largest most renown Chocolatier and the Malaysian Independence Square where amidst a multitude of skyscrapers and offices and colonial buildings, stands the worlds tallest flagpole proudly wielding the national flag of Malaysia.

Putrajaya, the countrys political capital, Cyberjaya; the home of technology and also the location of the prestigious Multimedia University (MMU) where we were given an exposition and allowed a glimpse of their amazing facilities including a well equipped e-library and laboratory and also their unique teaching methods and variety of subject fields.

Not to forget our memorable trip to the famed adventure park Sunway Lagoon where apart from the thrilling and chilling rides in both the dry and water parks, we were lucky enough to witness the celebrations for Malaysia Day which included a parade showcasing spellbinding fan dancers and an enthusiastic band.

The area near and around our hotel, Hotel Soleil in Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur is home to a multitude of shops and street food outlets which saw us exercise our bargaining skills to the maximum and were the constant objects of our interest.

All in all, the tour was indeed unforgettable, rewarding, educational and memorable in so many ways and we are grateful for this opportunity and also to those who made this dream a reality from both the SLGGA and GGAM. The bonds we share, the memories and the experience are here to stay.

As Girl Guides As one

More than friends  We are sisters
Giving pulse to female drummers By Minushi Perera View(s): View(s):

Traditionally, drumming is an art that has been mainly confined to men. Breaking barriers and setting new boundaries to this old art form, Thuuryaa is the first ever womens drums ensemble in Sri Lanka.

Starting their journey by performing for a Leo district conference in 2014, it was Thilak Weerasinghe, the head of the Percussion Music Department of the University of Visual and Performing Arts who suggested that the group comprising past and present university students, should not stop with that performance but continue. To support themselves and sustain their efforts, the original nine members of Thuuryaa all in their 20s even performed on trains in those early days.

Marking their first milestone in Sri Lankan traditional drumming, they held Thuuryaa 2015 on February 10 at the Pani Bharatha Auditorium of the University of Visual & Performing Arts. Participating in the 18th Global Female Folk and Dance competition and carnival held in Punjab, India in 2015, the group was placed first in the best music category and also won the first place in the competition.

Thuuryaa is now getting ready to have their second show mainly with the support of their parents and the University, music director Sriyan Chandrasekara. In spite of financial and other constraints, team leader Sithara Maduwanthi proudly says that her team is supportive of each other and are confident of their upcoming show although the training is quite rigorous.

The ten-member group includes D.D. Sithara Maduwanthi (Band Leader), Tharuka Sewwandhi, Nadheeka Asuranadha, Chamini Anurudika, Sandhuni Chathurangi, Shalini Yashodha, Hashani Siriwardhana, Chathurika Sandaruwani, Chethani Rathnayaka and Osheen Shachini. Though some of their members have graduated they use the University as their base. Their music director is C.M.B Sriyan Chandrasekara and their music crew comprises Chamila Sangeeth (Keyboard), Supun C. Jayalath (Saxophone) while their traditional drumming instructors are Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Ruwan Jayashantha.

The show, Thuuuryaa Live in Colombo 2016 will include eight items. These are tribal- rhythm of the human body, gandabbi  a mix of traditional drums and dance, athyaa- a special performance by Thuryaa featuring a guest spot by senior lecturer Waidayawathi Rajapaksha and composed by Ravibandu Vidyapathi, frame  composed with a special instrument called Framed Drum which depicts the plight of women in the world, trio  a combination of western drums and congas, flamenco- a mix of flamenco music and rhythm with cajun, rhythm of Lanka  an item comprising the different local drums and finally, fusion  a mix of Sri Lankan, Indian, African and western instruments.

Thuuryaa Live in Colombo 2016, will be held on December 6, at 7 p.m. at Nelum Pokuna. Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000 are available on tickets.lk
Japanese cinema with love By Susitha R. Fernando View(s): View(s):

Sharing the cinematic tales, Japan one of Asias leading filmmaking countries, will showcase its recently made films, at the ongoing Japanese Film Festival in Colombo.

Presented by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation in collaboration with the National Youth Services Council National Film Corporation Ship for World Youth Alumni Association, the festival will screen three films today, Sunday December 4The Floating Castle at 10.00 a.m., Time Scoop Hunter at 3.00 p.m. and Samurai Cat at 5.30 p.m. at the National Film Corporation theatre, Colombo.

All these films representing a mixture of different genres are stories surrounding the lives of Japanese people which showcase unique aspects of the Japanese culture and society, said the Japanese Ambassador in Colombo, Kenichi Suganuma speaking about the festival.

Based on an actual historical event in Japan The Floating Castle (Nobou no shiro) tells 1589 story of the castle that Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his greatest general, Ishida Mitsunari, failed to conquer.

Nearing the end of Japans long years of civil war, with Toyotomi Hideyoshi one short step away from finally uniting the land under his rule, he sends a massive army north against the Hojo clan, his last enemy. The one stronghold he cannot take is Oshi Castle, a Hojo outpost in the land of Bushu. Called the floating castle because of the lake that surrounded it, it is under the command of one Narita Nagachika, an extremely popular ruler known to the people of his domain as Nobou-sama, from deku no bou, or blockhead. Under Hideyoshis orders, General Ishida surrounds the castle with a force of 20,000. Nagachika is, as his nickname suggests, not a gifted man at all, but against the overwhelming resources of the Ishida army, the forces of this valiant little castlea force of only 500 cavalryunite with the common folk in stubborn resistance, retreating not one step even when Ishida resorts to the extraordinary measure of damming a river to flood them out.

But, with victory in their grasp, outside events give the story a twist no one would have ever expected.

Time Scoop Hunter is the cinematic version of the popular documentary-style drama series on renowned NHK TV channel.

A time space journalist travels to various eras to document the hidden stories in the history.

Directed by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi, Samurai Cat is around Kyutaro (Kazuki Kitamura) who is a Samurai who was once feared. However, after losing his position, he runs out of money and living alone away from his family. Kyutaro doesnt know how to earn money without using his sword.

One day Kyutaro gets a job offer, which is to kill a cat.

Though Kyutaro finds it quite silly, he decides to do it for money. When Kyutaro opens the door to where the target of his assassin is, he sees the lovely white cat.
Central Expressway: Chinese firm likely to get Stage four View(s):

The Highways Ministry is seeking approval to hand over the construction of stage four of the Central Expressway between Kurunegala and Dambulla to a Chinese firm.

The funding for the project will come as a loan from the China Exim Bank and the project is due to be completed within three and a half years.

The expressway spanning 68.7 kilometres is to cost Rs. 2.5 billion per kilometre. Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said the project would begin next year and once completed along with the rest of the Central Expressway project the travel time between Colombo and Dambulla would be only around 90 minutes.

The project will be useful for the tourism industry and the transport of vegetables to Colombo, he said. The rest of the expressway project is being carried out in three stages: Stage one  from Kadawatha to Mirigama

(37.1 km), Stage two  from Mirigama to Kurunegala (76.8 km) and Stage three  from Pothuhera to Galagedara (32.5 km).
Indian academics proposal for joint fishing rejected by Mannar fishers View(s):

A proposal by an Indian academic for joint fishing by Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait, without engaging in bottom trawling, was rejected on Friday by Mannar fishermen.

At least 37 fishermen from Mannar representing Pallimunai, Pesalai, and Talaimannar fishing villages were invited for a discussion with Prof. V. Suryanarayan, a leading specialist in South and Southeast Asian studies at the Navy Naval Command in Talaimannar. He was in town this week for the annual International Maritime Conference Galle Dialogue.

In the first place we dont know why the Navy had to arrange this meeting at a naval base. Also we have made it clear that we wont allow Indian fishermen to engage in fishing in Lankan waters at any cost,Mannar Fisheries Cooperative Union leader N.M. Aalam told the Sunday Times.

The discussion was solely focused on the possibilities of joint fishing by fishermen from both countries while Tamil Nadu fishermen were urged to switch to marine environment friendly fishing methods giving up their practice of bottom trawling.

In addition to upholding the sovereignty of the country, as northern fishermen still struggling to come out from the economic impact of three decades of war, we cant allow this to continue, he said.

At the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group of Fisheries meeting held in New Delhi on November 5, India had agreed at policy level that bottom trawling had caused significant damage to marine resources in the Palk Strit and assured remedial steps will be taken to urge Tamil Nadu fishermen to go for deep sea fishing.

According to the joint communique, the working group consisting of ministers will meet in January next year in Colombo to continue their talks on finding a lasting solution to the poaching crisis.
Mobs attack 128 buses, 30 injured, soldier critical: Govt. backtracks in face of strike threat View(s):

By Kasun Warakapitiya

A day-long strike on Friday by private bus operators crippled services and forced the Government to re-think imposition of enhanced traffic fines.

The state owned Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), which had increased its operational fleet, was unable to cope with the passenger demand. Protestors badly damaged 128 of its buses. Stone throwing incidents left more than 30 people injured, one of them a soldier returning home from an Army base in the north.

The strike was called off only after President Maithripala Sirisena invited union representatives for talks. The unions demanded that fines should not be increased for overtaking from the left and speeding.

President Sirisena, who assured union representatives that the increases would not be hastily implemented, set up an official committee. It will not only examine representations over increased fines but also other grievances of the private bus operators.

The Committee comprises Transport Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera, Finance Ministry Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga, Senior Deputy Inspector General Nandana Munasinghe, representatives of the Attorney Generals Department, the Department of Motor Traffic and a representative of the Presidential Secretariat. Police said organised gangs attacked state-owned buses that were running loaded to capacity.

The most serious of the injured was a soldier returning home on leave when his bus came under a stone attack in Ikirigollewa, between Medawachchiya and Rambewa The soldier, Shantha Sumanaratna from Nawalapitiya, underwent urgent surgery at the Anuradhapura hospital. He is being treated at the Neurological Incentive Care Unit.

The hospitals Deupty Director Ayanthi Karunaratna said the soldiers condition was serious. As many as 23 SLTB employees, most of them drivers, and seven passengers were hospitalised in various parts of the country.

SLTB Chairman Ramal Siriwardena said most of the buses came under attack on Friday night with 128 being damaged. Windscreens and lights were broken.

Mr. Siriwardena said Transport Minister Nimal Siripala had asked for the report on the estimated cost of the damage caused to the buses so that funds could be obtained for repairs.

He said injured drivers and conductors would be given paid leave and risk allowance. On a positive note, the chairman pointed out the SLTBs revenue on Friday had increased from Rs. 70 million to Rs. 120 million.

Meanwhile, police said they were trying to identify the mobs which attacked the public buses and already received information about some suspects.
Navy, Coast Guard to check dumping of plastic waste in Lankan seas View(s):

The Fisheries Ministry has requested the Navy and the Coast Guard to inspect all fishing vessels that are leaving or returning to port to check for plastic objects after a internal study found that nearly five tons of plastic waste are dumped in Lankan seas, a senior official from the ministry said.

The study which was carried out by the Fisheries Department found that some 50,000 fishing vessels that engage in fishing activities in Lankan seas disposed of plastic objects weighing almost five tons  mainly water bottles.

Fisheries Ministry Director General M.C.L.Fernando told the Sunday Times that carrying plastic water bottles on board is banned and the Navy and Coast Guard are authorised to carry out inspections of vessels. We have recommended fishermen to use permanent water containers on board, hesaid.

Mr. Fernando said the move was in keeping with the Presidents policy of protecting the environment as significant amounts of plastic waste dumped in the sea could threaten the existence of fish families, coral-reefs, aquatic plants and other aquatic species.

Currently the ports in Trincomalee and Galle are under watch for plastic objects and circulars will be issued shortly to ban plastic at all ports, he said.
Patients become pawns in GMOAs fight against Govt. By Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s):

Patients islandwide faced immense difficulties due to the token strike launched by members of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) this week. The GMOA said they were striking for an increase in their allowance and for the Government to drop the proposed new taxes they claimed would hurt Medical Officers.

Many patients reacted angrily to the strike, accusing doctors of using them as human shields to win over their demands.

K.V. Joseph, a patient who was transferred to the National Hospital for surgery on his left leg, was waiting in a wheelchair at the gate of the Out Patients Department (OPD) building, till an ambulance picked him up.

He said he was transferred from Ragama Hospital to Colombo, as one of his toes needed to be amputated due to complications arising from diabetes. However, he could not be admitted because of the strike.

Mr Joseph said that he had been told to have his surgery by Thursday, yet he was neglected at the hospital and ultimately asked to leave.

Two cancer patients were brought to the National Hospital along with me. They needed more attention, but due to the lack of doctors, they were sent to Maharagama, he said.

E.W.A Vijithanada Amarasada is blind. He had come to the hospital to purchase a medicinal drug needed for his daughter who suffers from a psychological illness. But Mr Amaradasa claimed he was ridiculed by a group of attendants who refused to help him, stating the doctors were on strike.

He pointed out that, he had a right to be treated equally, just like any other person. Mr Amaradasa though, said such incidents rarely occur when doctors are at the hospital.

G.R Adhikaram who was waiting to get admitted for his stent surgery, said he had to wait for over an hour for medical checks, before being admitted.

He said most of the patients come to Government hospitals due to economic difficulties, but the doctors dont feel sorry for the suffering people.

They are punishing us when they want to oppose the Government. They are using us as a means to win their demands. They are educated, but lack humanity, he insisted.

Inoshika Dhilrukshi, a young mother, had been waiting with her one-year-old daughter and son for over five hours, from six in the morning. She was waiting for her mother who had gone in to show her blood report to a doctor.

She said that, they are resident in Polonnaruwa and hence, travel long distances to get to Colombo.

Meanwhile, the GMOA left open the possibility of there being further trade union action in the coming weeks. GMOA Secretary Dr Nalinda Herath said the Government stated to them that the proposed taxes wont be removed. Allowances for Medical Officers, however, will be increased.

He stressed the GMOA had not made a final decision on the matter. It will hold an Executive Committee meeting next week to decide whether the Governments solutions were acceptable to its members, or else launch fresh trade union action.
The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces about 90 times, from late Friday night to early Saturday morning.

December 3, 2016, 09:44 Karabakh army: Azerbaijan activeness was quelled at night

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 3, ARTSAKHPRESS: During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired more than 1,000 shots toward the Armenian position-holders, and by way of various caliber weapons, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army informed.

More intense violations were recorded by sniper weapons (about 80 shots). In addition, the adversary fired one shell from a mortar, in an easterly direction of the line of contact.

But the NKR Defense Army vanguard units took necessary measures to quell the activeness by the Azerbaijan armed forces, and confidently defended their frontline.

Situation at the line of contact is calm, at this time.
By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Dec 3 (PTI) Chinese police today arrested four persons, including the owner of a coal mine, after 21 workers trapped in the mine four days ago were confirmed dead.

Among the four suspects are three managers, the emergency rescue headquarters said in a statement.

The workers were trapped after an explosion on Tuesday at the private coal mine in Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang province.

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Of the 22 miners trapped, 21 were confirmed dead and one remained missing. Rescuers retrieved the 21 bodies last night and search operation for the missing miner is on.

State-run CCTV reported the workers could not be reached by rescuers due to presence of poisonous gases even as insurance firms began contacting the families of the workers to settle claims.

Initial enquiries showed that the blast was an accident and the mine was unlicensed, police said. PTI KJVKJ ZH KJ

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Photo focus: Stop this menace clear the roads View(s):

The recent spate of street protests which occurs almost on a daily basis is causing grave inconvenience to the public.

These protests in the citys capital bring daily life to a complete standstill. Traffic is brought to a complete standstill and protesters seem increasingly intent to conduct their protests with the sole intention of causing maximum public inconvenience.

Last week Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was unable to make his way to Parliament as a protest demonstration had blocked parliament road and the premier had to be airlifted to parliament.

Ordinary folk are not so lucky.

Even those in urgent medical attention have to face this situation, sometimes with tragic results. Last week the Sunday Times was witness to a situation where a 72-year-old heart patient in need of urgent medical attention was caught up in traffic caused by one such demonstration.

Despite valiant efforts of police officers who removed barricades to help the vehicle proceed, it got held up almost immediately due to traffic snarled up further down the road.

Workers returning home too are greatly inconvenienced, having to make their way around barricades etc.

To make matters worse, protesters have begun intimidating motorists, forcing them to park their vehicles alongside roads to make way for the demonstrators.

The inconvenience caused by these unauthorised demonstrations have now become part of our daily lives.
Security tightened in Batticaloa to prevent communal clashes View(s):

Security in and around Batticaloa town was tightened last night with the deployment of additional police and Special Task forces personnel to prevent a possible clash between two communities.

Earlier in the day, a tense situation arose when police stopped a group led Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagoda-atte Gnanasara Thera from proceeding to Batticaloa town.

The group from Colombo was stopped at Riditenna in Welikanda but later allowed to proceed to Punani, 60 kms from Batticaloa town. The group decided to spend the night there.

A BBS spokesman said they were going to Batticaloa to take part in religious activities and look into the welfare of Buddhists in the area.

But others said the BBS group was to join a march organised by the controversial monk, the Ven Ampitiye Sumanaratna Thera of Mangalaramaya, Batticaloa, to place a Buddha statue in a private land.

Last evening, several people, including two Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarians, gathered near Batticaloa town to demand that the police take action to disperse a crowd led by Ven Sumanaratna Thera. They said if this was not done, it could lead to a clash between the two groups.

Senior Deputy Inspector General Sumith Edirisinghe, who is in charge of the Batticaloa division, said the Police had taken necessary measures to prevent any violence.

The situation is under control, but we are on alert, he said.
SriLankan Airlines: Three bidders to meet Cabinet committee View(s):

Three bidders shortlisted for a management stake in cash-strapped SriLankan Airlines will hold discussions with a Cabinet committee this month to clarify, among other things, their strategy for the national carrier.

The shortlisted parties will be spoken to by a committee appointed by the Cabinet, an authoritative source said. Depending on the outcome of the meetings, a recommendation will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM).

The parties are Super Group Partners, Peace Air and Texas Pacific Group or TPG. Super Group is a consortium comprising predominantly Asian investors. It includes Maldivian involvement but is not, contrary to earlier reports, connected with Trans Maldivian Airways or the Singaporean ground-handling firm SATS. The Groups lawyer said it was a private company registered in Sri Lanka.

Peace Air is owned by businessman Gamini Wethasinghe but there are no details about its source of funding. The third, TPG, is an American company and one of the largest private equity investment firms in the world.

The process will be completely transparent, authentic and carried out to secure the best possible deal for the Government and for the airline in terms of protection of brand value and national carrier status, the source said. There will be no compromise on those parameters.

An initial valuation had allocated scores to the bidders based on various criteria but it is learnt that these will have no real bearing on who secures the contract. We have not come to a stage where it can be determined that one is ahead of another, the source said. There is a long and extensive process to be carried out, including verification of documents.

A host of other factors, including origin of funds and identity of respective consortium partners, are yet to be studied. The lead manager for the project is National Savings Bank, assisted by audit firm KPMG.
Tormented commuters tell Govt. to stand firm against strikers By Kasun Warakapitiya Chaos as 19,000 private buses stay off roads View(s): View(s):

Ruchira Rumesh Hemamal, 24, from Kiribathgoda was on his way for his first job interview in Borella on Friday. He had spent nearly four hours waiting for a bus.

I left at 7.30 in the morning to go for the interview but when I reached Kiribathgoda to take a bus I was told that only state-run buses were operating, he said.

I waited more than four hours to get a bus to Borella, Now I am not sure about the interview and will probably get rejected as I am late, he said sadly.

Ruchira was one among tens of thousands who were late for work, missed their appointments, forced to cancel their schedule work or just stay back at home because of the strike of private bus drivers backed by a section of three-wheeler drivers and heavy vehicle drivers over the Governments action to sharply increase traffic fines to stem the rising toll of road accidents.

Normalcy in the public and private sector was crippled on Friday and tens of thousands spent hours to find transport as some 19,000 private buses stayed off the roads. Despite this, there was support from the public for the increased fines as many said they would bring about safer roads.

There were acts of intimidation by some three-wheeler drivers against bus drivers who were operating services. As many as 28 attacks on state-run buses were reported on Friday (see box story).

Public service administrative officials said that they put contingency plans into operation and gave concessions to employees to minimise inconvenience and provide services. The private sector too offered transport and food for employees in order to maintain their regular services.

The strike was called for by private bus associations, some three-wheeler associations and heavy vehicle driver associations over a government decision to impose a minimum traffic fine of Rs 25,000.

Despite the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) operating at full strength commuters found it difficult to find transport and were delayed for hours.

The Department of Registration of Persons, where hundreds gather daily for services, found it difficult to process its work but completed its workload, the Commissioner-General of the Department, Sarath Kumara said.

All officials had been instructed to report for work even if delayed and to complete a targeted amount of work, while same-day service officials were asked to work late into the evening.

We completed creating the GCE Ordinary Level students identity cards, which are awaiting distribution in schools, Mr. Kumara said. Parents and children came to us even on Friday so we carried out special same-day services that day as well, he said yesterday.

The department provided transport for all same-day services officials.

The acting Government Printer, Ms Gangani Liyange, said almost all the necessary employees came to work and jobs were completed without delay. Some workers were allowed to take short leave while others agreed to work the regular schedule.

If government officials have good managing skills, state services would not fail during a strike. The Government Press would only stop if our workers strike  otherwise we will proceed, she said.

An official at the Water Board said the strike did not affect operations. We did not take action against the staff members who got late and gave them an opportunity have early leave to get to their homes, he said. Officials needed for key functions are given quarters nearby so they could be called in case of need, he said.

Most commuters were seen spending hours at roads trying to find space in packed state-run buses.

Eric Fonseka, a navy officer, who was on his way to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital to pay a visit on his mother, said he had stood at the roadside for an hour until an SLTB bus turned up.

G.D.W. Weerakoon, a state sector employee, said the bus strike was harsh on the public but the government should stay firm on its decision to sharply increase traffic fines.

The striking bus operators are threatening the government by using the commuters as a shield. They are tormenting us, he said, saying the government should defeat the private bus owners by putting on more state buses.

Mr Weerakoon said the new fines system was needed to regulate vehicles and minimise traffic accidents.

Mr Namal Aravinda, a 73-year-old resident of Trincomalee who came to Colombo to get housing documentation completed, said had been waiting at the bus stop near Fort Railway Station from 6am. SLTB buses had stopped but conductirs did not allow him and others there to board saying their bags were too large and would prevent other commuters from getting into the bus.

Amila Jayamal a fruit seller at the Fort private bus stand, who did not have any customers on Fridaybecause of the strike, nevertheless said he agreed with the imposition of almost all the increased traffic fines.

He said the countrys leaders should be strong and proceed with their decision.

The President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Associations Trade Union Alliance, Stanley Fernando said that the strike would continue islandwide with all private bus, school van, container and lorry associations participating until the government called for negotiations.

National Joint Trishaw Drivers and Workers Association leader K.D. Alwis said his members had held a token strike against the new fines and had been assured, after presenting a petition to the Presidential Secretariat, that President Maithripala Sirisena would look into their matter within a week.We demand that the President postpone the new fines system until next year and fix a reasonable fine that everyone can pay. We dont want fines of Rs. 2,500 or 25,000, he said.
Netting the lost Catalina By Randima Attygalle View(s): View(s):

When Wasantha Kumaras fishing net got entangled in a strange piece of metal in the waters of Kalkudah, just south of Passikudah, little did the fisherman know that this was going to be the beginning of unravelling a mystery lying nearly 42 metres deep in the seabed. On a tip-off by Wasanthas friend Colombage Jagath Lal, a fellow fisherman and a diver from Kayankerni, north of Passikudah, who suspected the piece of metal to be part of an airplane, underwater photographer, researcher and diver Dharshana Jayawardena was alerted. Dharshana wasted no time in contacting Wasantha to arrange for a boat so he could plunge into the deep waters.

It was June 19, 2014 when Dharshana set off for Kalkudah. But alas, there was no boat to be found for him to dive as fishermen in the area were on strike. My heart sank, recalls the technically precise diver who made a trip back to the east coast on September 5. This time Wasantha was all geared up not only with a boat and a boatman, but also two scuba tanks for me, recalls a smiling Dharshana who got down to business with his boatman Siva.

Scanning the area of the seabed with an echo-sounder, Dharshana trawled the ocean for about half an hour with absolutely no luck. Having drifted 150 metres beyond the original location Wasantha had indicated, Suddenly the display indicated that it had detected an object but I presumed it to be just a reef. Nevertheless I threw anchor and geared up for a dive to make sure that I missed nothing. Amidst breathtakingly beautiful corals, a school of blue-striped snappers and several large groupers, Dharshana could make out a rectangular shape. I moved towards it to take a closer look and to my sheer amazement, it was a wing of an aircraft!

If the mission of destroying the Japanese submarine prowling near the Andaman-Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal was a hard-hitting job assigned to the Y-78 of Squadron 321 or the Dutch Squadron based in the China Bay, Trincomalee on December 8, 1943, tracing its wreckage 70 years later was an equally uphill task for Dharshana! He documents this experience in his work Ghosts of the Deep- Diving the shipwrecks of Sri Lanka: like the phoenix rising from the ashes, the Y-78 was about to be resurrected in the annals of history.

Having explored the site of the wreckage, Dharshana documented and photographed the debris which included a propeller, parts of an engine and two under carriages with wheels. Assuming the aircraft to be one of the Japanese VAL bombers which had been shot down, Dharshana contacted George Eleftheriou, an authority on World War II Japanese aircraft who determined it otherwise. My second dive two weeks later confirmed Eleftherious verdict because I found another propeller and an engine. It was quite certain that the wreck was of a twin engine aircraft. As the researcher explains, almost all aircraft used by the Japanese during WW II to attack then Ceylon, were single engine ones.

Dharshanas tireless research into tracing the origins of the aircraft led to another fascinating piece of history being unearthed. It revealed that there was a secret RAF (Royal Air Force) operation under the banner of Quantas which operated Catalinas from Koggala to Nedlands in Perth, Australia. Dharshanas book provides an account of these Catalinas: These specially modified long range of Catalinas travelled almost 7000 kilometres without needing to refuel and were in the air for over 28 hours delivering personnel and vital military information back and forth. They took oft times to fly in darkness over Japanese territory in Southeast Asia. Thus, in their long journey, the crew and passengers witnessed the sunrise twice! Hence, these flights were dubbed the Double Sunrise flights. Upon completion of the flight, any civilian passengers were awarded with a special certificate called the Secret Order of the Double Sunrise for being airborne for more than 24 hours.

The breakthrough finally came when Rob Stuart, a member of the RAF Commands Forum wrote to Dharshana that a RAF Dutch Squadron of Catalinas was based in China Bay, Trincomalee during the Second World War. Although they operated as Squadron 321, they were piloted by the Royal Netherlands Air Service and I gathered that the squadron had lost one Catalina on December 9th, 1943 while hunting for a Japanese submarine near the Andaman-Nicobar Islands. Fascinatingly enough, it was also revealed that the plane had crashed off the coast of Passikudah but the entire crew of 11 members had survived the crash and reached the shore 16 hours later!

Promptly reacting to Dharshanas request for official confirmation, Ambassador to Netherlands, Louis W.M. Piet convened a panel of experts comprising the former commander Anne van Dijk, chairman of the Foundation Friends of the Historic Chamber of the Netherlands Naval Air Service and Catalina aircraft expert Prudent Staal at the Lelystad Airport in Netherlands to investigate into the photographic evidence of the crash site collected by Dharshana.

Two months later, the confirmation report by the Dutch experts that the crash site was none other than the wreckage of the Dutch Squadron 321 Y-78 Catalina PBY-5A lost on December 9, 1943 left Dharshana jubilant. As he recalls, the photographic evidence of the two propellers  one in normal position and the other in feathered position perfectly matched with the flight engineers report that when the engine lost its function (having lost the oil pressure), he changed the port side propeller position to feathered position.

Interestingly, records reveal that all crew members had survived the ordeal by huddling into the only remaining life boat as one was lost during the crash. As Dharshana explains, a sudden drop in oil pressure made everything go wrong for the Catalina, forcing an emergency landing. His book provides a dramatic account of it  For the next four hours, the crew struggled to keep the Catalina afloat, bailing out water with any container large enough for the job. They even attempted to manually start the starboard engine in the hope of taxiing the aircraft towards shore. Both endeavours proved to be futile, and their plane slowly started to sink. By 7:30 am they were forced to abandon the Catalina. Despite the tight fit, the entire crew huddled into the remaining lifeboat. They also salvaged a sextant, navigation tables and an observers compass, all which subsequently proved to be very useful in their efforts to survive. Then, as the crew watched sadly, their beloved plane sank beneath the waves.

Alone in a rough ocean, the 11 crew members were in a critical life and death situation, yet these highly trained and brave men did not give up. With stoic determination they started rowing towards shore. Taking turns, they kept at it for hours, constantly fighting strong winds and waves. Remarkably, after a gruelling 16 hours later, they managed to reach shore 16 kilometres north of Batticaloa. It further documents that the crew of the doomed Y-78 finally returned to their home base in China Bay.

What about tracking down any descendants of the surviving crew? Dharshana replies with a smile that so far he has had no luck with any facebook postings calling for a clue. But who knows, someone might turn up! he chuckles.
Police are appealing to the public for any information that will help locate an Auckland man who is considered to be dangerous and on the run.

Six warrants have been issued for Ashwani Aggarwal, 23, after he failed to appear in court on multiple charges relating to thefts alleged to have occurred at the Auckland Library where victims had their bags, phones or computers stolen.

Police would also like to speak to him in relation to several other matters, including threats that he has made against several people known to him.

Due to the threats he has made, Aggarwal is considered to be dangerous and should not be approached.

Aggarwal is believed to be actively evading police and anyone who sees him or knows where he is should call 111 immediately.

Non-urgent information can also be given to the Auckland CIB Crime Squad by calling 09 302 6557.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11
By PTI: Los Angeles, Dec 3 (PTI) Former "Breaking Bad" star Aaron Paul stunned his wife by inviting her best friends to join her for her birthday in Hong Kong.

The 37-year-old actor surprised Lauren Parsekian at the airport en route to a vacation in Thailand, reported People magazine.

Footage of the magic moment posted online shows philanthropist Parsekian lost for words as her friends, wearing party hats, sing Happy Birthday to her.

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"Nothing beats having the greatest friends on the planet surprising your wife on her birthday in Hong Kong to head off to Thailand together for her birthday," Aaron captioned the video on Instagram.

"I love you so much my pretty little bird. So happy you were born. Also, Thailand, I love you so much already." PTI JCH CK

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She endured the heartbreak of losing three babies before term. Nature had been cruel to Patsy Richardson-Flood, or Whaea Patsy as shes known.

I was destined never to be a mum. It was depressing.

Then her father, a considered man of faith, stepped up and told her God had greater things in store for her. Something is going to happen in your life that will make up for those losses, he told her.

That something was 15-year-old August Tiarah Kokiri.

Dont know about August, says the teenager, who was born in November. Possibly August, as in distinguished or eminent.

Regardless, just as her father had prophesied, August Tiarah was delivered through chance and need to Whaea Patsy. Whaea is a respectful term meaning aunty and applied to teachers.

I had to fight back the tears, says Whaea Patsy. It was a phenomenal, emotional moment for me. That from a feisty, no-nonsense Te Puke High schoolmarm. To know this young lady wanted to be with me is indescribable.

Yes, I love her. And that from a typically reserved teenager August Tiarah Kokiri, known as Tiarah. Because she is kind. But that depends on whether you piss her off.

And in a sense this teacher and pupil, this guardian and ward, have also become mother and daughter.

These stories seldom get told because the circumstances of young damaged lives are generally bound in privacy to protect them. But Whaea Patsy and Tiarah think their story should be shared and celebrated.

It has its origins in a class at Te Puke High three years ago. I overheard Tiarah telling someone she wouldnt be at school the next day because she was moving houseagain.

The teacher asked the pupil where she was moving to and Tiarah said she didnt know. Tiarah was in Child, youth and Family care and life was transient  from care to care, home to home.

I decided that wasnt going to happen, says Whaea Patsy. Tiarah needed some stability. So I told her she was coming home with me.

Really? asked Tiarah. Really! said the schoolteacher. There was a scramble. CYF arrived at school and the school counsellor was summoned along with Tiarah and Whaea Patsy. They asked short-term or long-term and I said: As long as it takes.

Tiarah admits to being both nervous and scared. I didnt even know her. But that afternoon after-school the teacher and the pupil drove home together.

That was the day our paths crossed, says Whaea Patsy. A maternal void had been filled, stability restored and the work began.

I had bad eczema, really bad and I had nits, head lice. I was bullied because of it, says Tiara. She can talk about it now probably because her complexion is near perfect again and she boasts an enviable mane of lustrous, black hair. Whaea helped me.

Its what I would do for my daughter. I would fight for her, says Whaea.

But there were difficulties because Tiarah was a young woman used to pleasing herself, coming and going as she wanted. Whaea was very strict. Whaea by name and Whaea by nature.

Tiarah ran away twice. That was the old Tiarah, naughty with a bad attitude. I didnt have my new self then.

Each time Whaea Patsy would track her down and CYFs would pick her up. Whaea invited me home but I got a good growling first. I deserved it.

I told Tiarah I would kick her butt. I also told her she could run away as often as she liked but she would be coming back because this is her home now.

You dont piss Whaea off, says Tiarah. You dont hop on her bad side. Then they would hug and move on to important things.

Whaea taught Tiarah old values of respect, caring, putting others before self, and responsibility. Then there was cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, her future, lots of little things. It was like having her own daughter.

We talk about everything  her issues, my issues, finances, how the house runs, what it might be like for her as a parent  also sex, alcohol and cigarettes. We didnt hide a thing.

It is well recognised that hearing is critical to speech. And Tiarahs speech betrays a listening difficulty. She should be wearing aids.

I threw them away. I didnt like them, didnt like the feeling in my ears. She was also a very normal image-conscious teenager and embarrassed by the very noticeable aids. Tiarah pulls back that mane of hair to reveal new aids. Shes back online, she is smiling; this is the new self.

August Tiarah Kokiris life story is full of twists. Some of them sensitive. Like when she met her biological father for the first time last year. It was a proud moment for Whaea Patsy.

Tiarah said Hi and walked straight past him. I said: This is your Dad, greet him properly. Next moment they were holding each other and they were crying. They didnt want to let each other go. I broke all the rules because I trusted and I believed, says Whaea Patsy.

But it was a newly-forged bond that would be tested because as quickly as he re-entered her life, he was removed from it. He is in prison. Its a very serious crime  murder, says Tiarah matter-of-factly.

It broke our hearts because we had just got so close, says Whaea Patsy. He absolutely loves his daughter. And like a parent that stands by an errant child, Tiarah will stand by her Dad. Yes, I will catch up with him one day. But quite possibly no time soon.

A couple of days after Whaea Patsy and Tiarah talked to The Weekend Sun, the teenager was sitting a math exam. She has a newfound love of school, is brighter and happier and needs that exam for the trades academy at Toi-Ohomai, the Institute of Technology Tauranga.

She loves sparks and masks and steel and working with her hands. Yes, engineering is a girl thing because I am going to do it. Shes already welded a gate for Whaea.

And Tuesday, August 23, was the watershed day in this relationship between teacher and pupil.

We were in court, says Whaea Patsy. And she was signed over into my guardianship. I am her legal guardian.

Tiaraha had independently gone to CYFs and told them she wanted to be in Whaea Patsys full-time care.

What a blessing, what a gift. And if thats what she wanted then so be it. Having Tiarah has given my life a whole new purpose.

Well, I certainly dont want to move anywhere else, says Tiarah. And I enjoy her even when she is angry.

Tiarah recently turned 16. That was the age Whaea Patsy promised they would share a glass of wine, just one mind you, on Friday wind down day. So while the story ends, the lessons dont. In this case a lesson in responsible drinking.
Morning Sunners, todays opening of the new Wairoa river season marks the only canoe slalom race on the river this summer, and the only local opportunity to see them splashing about.

The event is held at the slalom gorge, accessible a 200m up the hill from the SH29 Wairoa River bridge. Kayaking is from 11.30am to 3.30pm.

The passenger ships Dawn Princess and Maasdam are alongside at the Maunganui wharf today. Both are expected to sail this evening.

Sunday 4 December

Bay Bible Fellowship/Lords Day

Worship & communion service at Welcome Bay Primary School Hall, 309 Welcome Bay Rd 10am. The Messiah - Our only hope. Preacher: Bevin Hayward. www.bbf.net.nz

Bethlehem Lions Market

Held 1st & 3rd Sun of month at Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga 8am - 12pm. Stallholders - booking a carpark site is essential. Email Alf hvm@lionsclubs.org.nz

BOP Model Powerboat Club

Race day 10am - 4pm. Follow the signs on Taurikura Drive, The Lakes, Tauriko.

Carols on the Waterfront

Held Dec 11. Procession from No 1 The Strand 5.30pm with Mary & Joseph. Carols on the Waterfront at Edgewater Fan 6pm. Free family evening, carol sheets will be distributed to all attendees on the night.

Czech & Slovak Club Tauranga

Czech School & playgroup at Tauranga Boys College, Devonport Rd 10am - 12pm. Guests welcome.

Pepi Toot Beach Train

Salisbury Ave 10am - 2pm. $5 a ride.

Quakers in Tauranga

In hall behind Brain Watkins House, cnr Elizabeth St/Cameron Rd 10am for an hour of mainly silent worship followed by tea/coffee & talk. 544 0448 www.quaker.org.nz

Spiritual & Healing Meet

The psychic cafe at Greerton Community Hall 7pm. Large group of spiritual, psychic & healing practitioners to meet & greet, cafe style. Door fee $10, everything else free. 578 7205 www.psychiccafe.nz

St Nicholas - Mikulas

At Czech & Slovak School & Playgroup - everyone invited to attend at Tauranga Boys College 10am - 1pm. Bring a plate, coffee/tea/juice free of charge. klara.luxfordrulisek@csclubtauranga.nz

Tauranga Fuchsia Group

One day show at the Legion of Frontiersmens Hall, Elizabeth St West, Tauranga 8.30am - 3.30pm. Admission $5. Fuchsia sales table. Janette 544 5279

Tauranga Motorcycle Club

Christmas Moto Trial at Roberts Farm on the Kaimais 10am - 3pm. Spectators welcome - free entry. No dogs please.

Tauranga Organ & Keyboard Society

Meet at Carmel Country Estate Community Hall, 11 Hollister Lane, Ohauiti 1.30pm. Listen or play the EL900 organ, piano, Clavinova. Shirley 575 6344

Tauranga Spiritual Society Inc

End of year Healers & Readers night at Senior Citizens Hall, 14 Norris St 7pm. Members bring a pot luck meal. Non members $10. Raffles $2. 022 0670 467

Welcome Bay Family Fun Day

Tye Park, Forrester Drive, Welcome Bay 10am  2pm. A family focused day with music, dance, food, market stalls, water slide, kapahaka, pony rides & more. To book a market stall email: events@welcomebay.org.nz
Officials say the focus of the air cargo service is to improve landlocked Afghanistan's connectivity to key markets abroad and boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while it battles a deadly Taliban insurgency.

By Reuters: India and Afghanistan are likely to announce an air cargo service on Saturday to help increase trade that both say is stymied because of their tense political relations with Pakistan that lies between them.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were meeting in Amritsar, a short distance from the Pakistan border, for the Heart of Asia conference aimed at stabilising Afghanistan.

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Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have gone to war three times and remain bitter foes while ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become strained despite their shared religious and cultural identities.

Officials say the focus of the air cargo service is to improve landlocked Afghanistan's connectivity to key markets abroad and boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while it battles a deadly Taliban insurgency.

OVERLAND TRADE

Afghanistan depends on the Pakistani port of Karachi for its foreign trade. It is allowed to send a limited amount of goods overland through Pakistan into India, but imports from India are not allowed along this route.

Afghan director general for macro fiscal policies Khalid Payenda said the potential for trade with India, the largest market in the region, was far greater than allowed by land and so the two countries had decided to use the air route.

"That would be air cargo between Afghanistan and India. We have a lot of potential for trade on both sides. On our side, it's mostly fruit and dried fruit and potentially through India to other places for products like carpets and others."

He said that a joint venture involving an Afghan and an Indian cargo firm would be set up and that the two governments were working to set up infrastructure at Kabul and Delhi airports.

An Indian government source attending the meeting in Amritsar said air cargo route details were still being worked out and could include Kandahar as a point of origin for shipping fruit directly to India.

Indian foreign ministry official Gopal Baglay, who oversees Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, said several proposals were being discussed to improve Afghanistan's trade and transport links.

"There have been very many ideas on how to enhance connectivity, overcome current challenges and also expand the trade basket," he said.DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR STRAINING TIES

Pakistan's top foreign policy adviser, Sartaj Aziz, will be attending the conference on Sunday.

Ties with India have deteriorated further in recent months after a series of attacks on Indian military bases in the disputed region of Kashmir, which New Delhi says have either been carried out by militants sneaking in from Pakistan or orchestrated by groups based there.

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Pakistan denies stoking violence in Kashmir and says India must open talks on the future of the revolt-torn Muslim majority region.

Indian officials said no talks with Pakistan were scheduled on the sidelines of the Amritsar conference.

Afghanistan's ties with Pakistan have also become strained after a series of violent attacks, several of them in the capital Kabul, that it said showed Pakistan had failed to rein in the militant groups operating from its soil.

"Unless we take a collective measure to fight terrorism, to fight the breeding ground for terrorism, the safe sanctuary, we will not be able to bring peace and stability either to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the region, including India," said Afghan ambassador to India Shaida M Abdali.

Pakistan says it is itself a victim of terrorism and says India is using its close ties with Afghanistan to stir trouble in its restive Baluchistan province.

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Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who has been roped in to play the baddie in superstar Rajinikanth's much-anticipated 2.0, is indeed playing an avid bird lover in the sequel.

By India Today Web Desk: A superstar Rajinikanth's film needs no promotion. And that was evident when his gangster drama Kabali hit the screens on July 22.

While Rajinikanth is rigorously shooting for 2.0 in Chennai, a source from the unit has made an interesting revelation.

ALSO READ: Saithan Movie Review

ALSO READ: Kahaani 2 Movie Review

ALSO READ: Rajinikanth's 2.0 budget goes up to a whopping Rs 400 crore

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Recently, 2.0 had a grand first look launch in Mumbai and the posters have already piqued the curiosity quotient among fans. The poster also revealed Akshay Kumar in an eccentric 'crow' makeover. Now it has been confirmed that the Rustom star is indeed playing an avid bird lover in the film.

Speaking about Akshay Kumar's role, a source was quoted by The Times Of India as saying, "The central theme of 2.0 revolves around birds and their characteristics. Thousands of exotic birds like macaws, cockatoos and African grey parrots, were brought to the set, and Akshay shot a few scenes featuring these exotic birds. Interestingly, these birds play a pivotal role in taking the film forward. These scenes were shot at huge sets which were erected in Chengalpattu and Thirukalukundram."

Being made on a lavish budget of Rs 400 crore, 2.0 is touted to be Asia's costliest film so far.

Directed by Shankar, the film also stars Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey and Adil Hussain in pivotal roles. The film will release in 6 -Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English, Japanese and Chinese.

The film has music by Academy Award winner AR Rahman and will release on Diwali next year.

WATCH HERE: All about Rajinikanth's 2.0

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A soldier was killed and nine were injured in a militant attack in Arunachal Pradesh today.

By Manjeet Negi: A column of 16 Assam Rifles battalion from Wakka was Ambushed by suspected NSCN (K) cadres near Nginu vill, Tirap district, Arunachal Pradesh today at about 1.30 pm. Column was out since yesterday and while returning came under heavy fire of automatic weapons. The attack took place 20 km from Indo-Myanmar border.

One soldier killed in action and one officer and eight soldiers injured in fire fight out of which 4 soldiers are critical and being evacuated to Military hospital. Operation in progress.

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Defence PRO Lt Colonel Chiranjeet Konwar said the militants ambushed the convoy of 16 Assam Rifles stationed in the district near Wakka at around 1.45 PM killing one jawan on the spot while injuring nine others.

He, however, could not divulge the name of the deceased nor the group involved in the ambush. "Search operation is going on in the area and efforts were being made to evacuate the injured jawans," he added.

Two vehicles too were targeted in the attack suspected to be carried out by ULFA(I) and NSCN handiwork.

Recently on November 19 In one of the biggest attacks on security forces in Assam in two decades, three Army jawans were killed and four seriously injured when suspected Ulfa (Independent) and NSCN(K) militants ambushed their convoy after triggering an IED blast in Pengeri area in Tinsukia district.

Also read:

17 soldiers killed since Army's surgical strike. How should India respond?

Terror attack in Nagrota camp: 2 officers, 5 jawans martyred. All terrorists killed

--- ENDS ---
Downing Bar/The Butterfield

The Downing Bar feels like an exclusive clubhouse. Completely separate from the rest of the college buildings, furnished with chunky leather sofas, dart board and pool table, youd be forgiven for thinking you were in an Ivy League university in New England. It sells Costa coffee during the day and transforms into a bar at night; and whats more, performs exceedingly well at both. They make up for the lack of bops with themed nights throughout the term, and also run pub quizzes. When we visited, it was Tropical Takeover night and the bar was kitted out with inflatable parrots, a live band and coconutty cocktails at rock bottom prices. Keep an eye out for their promotions, such as Tequila Tuesdays (1 per shot) or Frothy Fridays (2 Budweisers). In fact, Downing is the perfect place for pre-drinks because you can buy queue jump tickets for the main clubs every night of the week. Dont forget to try the Downing Machete  a potent blend of cherry sours, whisky and port that tastes deceptively sweet and fruity but will have you on the floor after just one pint.

Atmosphere: 8/10 during the day, 8/10 in the evening

Value for money: 9/10

Overall: 8.5/10

St Catharines

The bar at St Catz is another cafe-bar hybrid, selling cooked breakfast and pastries in the morning, paninis at lunchtime and the usual array of drinks in the evening, including the occasional craft beer. One thing that makes it stand out from the rest, though, is the salad bar: a way to increase your vegetable intake without spending a fortune in Pret. It makes a good place to study during the daytime, with plug sockets for chargers, relatively comfy seats and of course, a wide range of refreshments. Plus, theyve even got their own eco-friendly Catz travel mug, so you can take your coffee on the go. Food and hot drinks are good value, and theyll occasionally offer meal deals such as Mexican night, where you can grab a portion of chilli with nachos and a drink for under a fiver. (Speaking of drinks, if youre looking for something different, try out the St Catz Fire Engine, mixed in great batches at bops: a combination of vodka, gin and Ribena.)

I imagine that the bar looks quite exciting in the evening; its underground, with shiny surfaces and bright white and blue lights, though this feels a bit artificial and cold during the day. They run quiz nights and comedy evenings, and theres a TV and pool table so youll always find something to do, whether youre attempting to study there or not.

Atmosphere: 7/10 during the day, 7/10 in the evening

Value for money: 8/10

Overall: 7/10
Apple has assembled a group of robotics and data-collection experts who will use unmanned aerial vehicles  that is, drones  to obtain data for updates to its Maps app, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

Apple, Google and others in the cartography space currently collect a lot of their data using motor vehicles equipped with high-tech gear.

Thats a very expensive and time-consuming process, said Sam Abuelsamid, a senior research analyst at Navigant Research.

Doing it with drones provides the potential to gather the same kind of data in a much more cost-effective manner and do it more rapidly, he told TechNewsWorld.

Drones allow them to cover more territory faster, observed Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies.

It is the most obvious way to help keep road data up to speed at all times, he told TechNewsWorld.

Drone Alone

However, drones are no substitute for a fleet of ground vehicles, maintained Tsou, a professor in the geography department at San Diego State University.

I dont think drones can replace the ground vehicles since there are many limitations of UAVs, he told TechNewsWorld. The viewpoint of drones is very different from a car. For car navigation purposes, the car view is more important than an airplane view.

There are other disadvantages to using drones for information collecion.

Most folks recognize a Google Street View car as it drives along the road, and even a Street View pedestrian with the huge camera and backpack is pretty recognizable, noted Ken Hyers, director of wireless device strategies for Strategy Analytics.

However, a small drone whizzing around may surprise or irritate folks, he told TechNewsWorld.

Privacy also will be an issue.

When a ground vehicle collects this information, it is driving along public roads and can only see whats visible from the road, Hyers explained, but a drone can peek over fences, look in backyards, and into rooms behind balconies.

Indoor Maps

The Federal Aviation Administration earlier this year approved Apples request to operate an unmanned aircraft system to conduct data collection, photography and videography.

The approval is subject to a number of conditions and limitations: a drones speed can not exceed 87 knots; its altitude is limited to 400 feet; and its flight operations must be kept at least 500 feet away from all persons, vessels, vehicles and structures, with certain exceptions.

In addition, drones must be flown during daylight hours and within eyesight of a pilot licensed to operate a UAV.

Apple also plans to add an indoor navigation features to Maps to help people find their away around high-traffic buildings, such as airport terminals and museums, according to the Bloomberg report. The company likely will use technology gained with two recent acquisitions  Indoor.io and WiFiSlam  for that purpose.

Apple wants to give iPhone users no reason to download Google Maps, explained Ross Rubin, principal analyst at Reticle Research.

With both of them heavily pushing payment technologies, you can see Apples interest in being able to direct customers to the exact location of a can of tomato soup in a supermarket if theres an opportunity to pay using their phones, he told TechNewsWorld.

Importance of Maps

Maps are a crucial component for any company that wants to profit in the mobile space, especially one that wants to build revenue from its service offerings, as Apple does.

The Maps app is associated with many location-based services, such as finding nearby restaurants, shopping [and] movies, SDSUs Tsou explained.

Mapping services, including navigation, are the most frequently used services in both iOS and Android phones  and one of the top data transaction categories in the mobile networks, he continued.

Good mapping services will help location-based services and their partners get more customers and get more money, Tsou added. It is one of the most important services on mobile phones linking to many key partners and developers.

Catching Google

When Apple introduced its Maps app in 2012, it marked one of biggest missteps in the companys history. Since that time, it has bumped up the accuracy of the app and added features like faster data updates, public transit navigation, better search results, and support for services such as Uber ride-hailing and OpenTable restaurant reservations.

As good as Maps has become, it still has a way to go before it can best chief rival Google.

I think Apple can approximate what Google does, but Google seems to have more resources dedicated to developing their maps, said Michael Blades, senior industry analyst for aerospace and defense at Frost & Sullivan.

While Apple seems to want to challenge with this drone idea, the overall information in Google Maps will likely still be better, with Apple perhaps having better information in the local areas where drone-gathered data is implemented, he pointed out. Bottom line: Apple has vastly improved its Maps app, but I think the Google infrastructure related to its Maps app will keep it ahead for the foreseeable future.
Conspiracy Theories in the Information Age, Part 1

In the past, heightened rhetoric and propaganda were the tools of choice for those looking to convince an electorate to vote them into office, and conspiracy theories were their bane. This election season has seen the rise of a new form of persuasion, one thats unique to the Information Age.

For months, WikiLeaks creator Julian Assange had promised to rain bombshells on the narrowing field of presidential candidates, and he indicated that Hillary Clinton would be the target of the release. Rumors had swirled around the secrets the former secretary of state might have wanted to protect when she deleted more than 30,000 emails from a private server.

As the U.S. celebrated Independence Day, WikiLeaks released the first batch of emails, and the fireworks began. Nothing in the emails proved particularly damaging for Clintons presidential aspirations, though.

WikiLeaks had released troves of sensitive information in the past, so at first glance its actions represented nothing new. However, that particular series of leaks was about to introduce much of the world to a new form of propaganda.

The Tainted Well

During the Cold War, authoritarian regimes had their own mouthpieces, along with enough control over the populace to stomp out dissenting voices, noted Mark Fenster, a professor at the University of Florida and author of Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture.

They were organs of the state, and they spoke about whatever it was the government wanted to speak about, he told TechNewsWorld. Those were obviously perfect means of distributing propaganda  particularly if the government was also able to suppress any other voices from making it to the public.

With the rise of the Internet, it became difficult to drown out competing voices. From the delivery of paquetes of digitized American culture in Cuba to hacktivism in China, the Internet has provided tools that make it next to impossible for any government to silence its critics completely, or to screen outside ideas from their view.

Weve got an interesting experiment going on right now, Fenster said in an interview conducted prior to last weeks election, if the allegations are true that Russian hackers, ordered by the Russian government, got hold of email documents from [Clinton campaign manager] John Podesta, the DNC and the Clinton campaign, and are releasing them collectively to in order to manipulate the election for their preferred candidate: Donald Trump.

The cache of Clinton campaign documents might not have been as devastating as Assange initially indicated, but it undoubtedly added a new dimension to this election season and introduced the public to what might be called the tainted well.

This isnt propaganda in the classic since, Fenster said, but it is a way of trying to shape government opinion.

Because of the positive adjectives Pressident-Elect Donald Trump used to describe Russian leader Vladimir Putin during the campaign, speculation grew that the leaked emails were intended specifically to damage Clintons chances.

However, it is still not clear that Russia  even if it did commission the hacks  aimed to sway the election toward Trump. Russia might have been trying to prevent either candidate from having a mandate upon taking office, suggested Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, in a conversation prior to the election.

I think Russia isnt trying to promote either candidate at the moment, it is operating to ensure that neither of them will be able to actually govern if elected, operating under a broad strategy of discrediting the government and effectively fermenting revolt, he told TechNewsWorld.

Please Sir, More Propaganda

Whatever the true motives of the leaks and their possible sponsors might have been, its indisputable that the Internet has created a world thats ripe for and receptive to propaganda in many forms  from ads many try to avoid, to stories that gain attention through votes cast by mouse clicks and screen taps.

Even if unintentional, online news services currently track interests and serve up news based on those interests, noted Enderle.

During the latest election cycle, for instance, liberal and conservative voters received very different news streams, he pointed out, so their perceptions of the world were very different. It helped to massively polarize the two views.

Just as social media metrics have advanced to help marketers serve up relevant ads at the moment consumers are primed to purchase goods or services, those same tools can be used to dish out fake or heavily biased news, according to Enderle.

Confirmation bias already teaches we are very vulnerable to this type of manipulation, and this same methodology is largely used for telephone and Internet scams, he observed.

While there are few governments that grip as tightly as North Korea does these days, states still use propaganda for good and bad, according to University of Floridas Fenster.

Governments use propaganda all of the time, he said.

They do so by publishing information on their websites or releasing information to the press and NGOs to report on, Fenster noted. Oftentimes, governments have their own public relations offices that might not be named as such but work the same.

There are times when governments turn to conspiracy theories as a form of propaganda, suggested Richard W. Lachmann, a professor of comparative/historical sociology and political sociology at the University of Albany.

Whenever a country is losing a war, there always are conspiracy theories to explain the loss, he told TechNewsWorld.

When it comes to propagating propaganda about war, its common for governments to spin webs about traitors, he added.

Most famously, there was the stab in the back conspiracy theory in Germany at the end of World War I, when many Germans came to believe that their defeat was due to Jewish traitors in Germany rather than to the manpower and weapons edge of the Allies, Lachmann said.

In the Information Age, theres a new way to tell war stories that favor one side over the other. Dip from a tainted well and offer a drink to a world thats thirsty for information.
The slow but sure death of Adobe Flash continues as Google has updated Chrome to make sure the popular web browser prioritizes HTML5 over Flash on most websites. The new update is available for Windows, Linux, and MacOS computers.

The new update, known only as Chrome 55, was in testing via the beta channel for quite some time. Google is feeling confident about the new feature, so it has been pushed out to the public and stable channel for all users. The idea to block Flash on most websites is a great one because the media software is known for causing system vulnerabilities on a regular basis.

"The Chrome team is delighted to announce the promotion of Chrome 55 to the stable channel for Windows, Mac and Linux. This will roll out over the coming days/weeks," according to Google.

"Chrome 55.0.2883.75 contains a number of fixes and improvements -- a list of changes is available in the log."

It should be noted that blocking Flash was always a possibility in Google Chrome for a number of years now. Users had the option to visit the settings area where they could decide whether or not they wanted to block the Flash plugin from automatically loading videos.

Should users wish to view a blocked video, they had to click on the video's placeholder to activate it. However, with this new update, there's no need to block Flash anymore. After taking the updated Google Chrome for a spin, it's clear that the browser will load Flash on websites that do not yet support HTML5.

This move could push webmasters to abandon Flash in favor of HTML5 faster. As time goes by, internet users should eventually be free from the Adobe software and be fully adopted to what's perceived as a much safer, and more power efficient, HTML5.

How To Upgrade To Chrome 55

It's quite easy to upgrade to the newest version of Chrome. Just click on the three vertical dots button, then click on About. You'll need to wait for the web browser to download the update if it hasn't already, then after that, click on Relaunch to restart Chrome.

Once the browser is up and running again, you can rest assured that Chrome 55 has been installed.

Google is not only working to make its Chrome web browser better for everyone. The company has not too long ago worked directly with Microsoft to bring Office 365 to Chromebooks. There's a catch, however, as the software won't be free on all Chromebook laptop computers.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lenovo plans to release more Moto Mods for the Motorola Moto Z in 2017 and one of them will apparently bring blazing-fast 5G connectivity.

Upon unveiling the new Incipio Car Dock and Mophie Juice Pack the other day, Lenovo promised to bring more Moto Mods to market next year and improve the Moto Z experience.

2017 Moto Mods

As it turns out, one particular Moto Mod holds great promise, as it would bring 5G to the Moto Z.

The Moto division of Lenovo hosted a small event at its Chicago headquarters to announce the new Mophie and Incipio Moto Mods and offered a small glimpse of what's to come, although it did not offer very specific details.

At the event in Chicago, PCMag talked to a few company executives and learned that several ideas are in tow for 2017 Moto Mods. John Touvannas, senior director of product management, told the publication that future Moto Mods ideas include e-inch displays, baby monitors and a 5G modem.

Needless to mention, the 5G prospect raised the most interest, as it would enable the smartphone to boast super-fast internet connectivity.

"Without having to wait for the next-gen phone that can bring the next technology or capability, we can get to that quicker through the mod," says Touvannas.

As a reminder, Moto Mods can tap direct display interfaces, communicate with the smartphone's camera and transmit data over USB 3.1, which is also sufficiently speedy to support 5G.

5G Support

While we still don't have full 4G coverage everywhere, 5G is the next step and the tech scene is gradually heading in this direction. Verizon has already started testing 5G and it announced a 5G pilot program early this year, aiming to deliver a reliable 5G network by 2020.

Considering that Verizon is Moto's main partner in the United States, exclusively offering the Moto Z Droid and Moto Z Droid Force, it would make sense to see Lenovo working with Big Red to bring the 5G Moto Mod to market as soon as possible.

AT&T started its own 5G testing as well, and the FCC also pledged to make 5G a reality.

Lenovo, for its part, pledged to increase Moto Mods production and unleash roughly four modular extensions each quarter starting in mid-2017.

Existing Moto Mods

The 5G module and other future Moto Mods will join the existing modular extensions available for the Moto Z, such as the Insta-Share Projector, the Hasselblad True Zoom, the JBL SoundBoost, the Incipio offGRID battery pack, and the latest Incipio Car Dock and Mophie Juice Pack.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Pixel owners have been reporting that some camera issues are marring the experience, but Google is reportedly working on a fix.

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL have stirred a great deal of interest since their debut and are considered among the hottest smartphones of 2016, rocking powerful specs and neat features all around.

As with most devices, however, the Google Pixels are not without flaw and some camera issues apparently keep causing headaches. Not too long after Google already fixed the lens flare and halo camera issues with a software update, a new issue has surfaced and it's more serious.

Google Pixel Camera Issues

The new Google Pixel camera issue is more problematic than the lens flare one, as this time it causes the smartphone's camera app to freeze altogether, leaving users with no option but to force close the app.

Frustrated Pixel owners took to Google's product forums to complain about the problem and the community tried to come up with solutions, but to no avail. Google stayed quiet so far and didn't interfere in the forum discussions, but a new report now reveals that the company has acknowledged the issue.

Pixel Camera Freezing: Fix En Route

"The Pixel team is aware of the reports and actively working on a solution to the issue. We'll update you as soon as we have more information," Google reportedly told MobileSyrup.

On the bright side, it seems that the camera issue is not hardware-related as it was speculated on the forum, which means that a quick software update should resolve the problem.

Until the update rolls out, users could avoid the freezing camera issues by using a different camera app.

Google Pixel Purple Lines

Aside from the freezing camera, Google Pixel owners have also complained about weird images with purple and pink lines on the screen. Google is reportedly aware of this problem as well and it's taking it into account for its next update.

Google has yet to provide an official statement on the matter or announce when it plans to release the update, so it remains to be seen whether it will take a few days or a few weeks. However, the company is usually quite prompt when it comes to resolving issues so a fix should become available sooner rather than later.

As always, we'll keep you up to date as soon as more details come to light. In the meantime, if you've faced such issues with the Google Pixel or Pixel XL camera, drop by our comment section below and tell us about your experience. Did you find any temporary solution until the official fix rolls out?

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By PTI: Washington, Dec 1 (PTI) Astronomers, led by an Indian-origin researcher, have observed the smallest asteroid ever characterised - a tiny space rock measuring two metres in diameter.

The asteroid, named 2015 TC25, is also one of the brightest near-Earth asteroids ever discovered.

Using data from four different telescopes, astronomers led by Vishnu Reddy, assistant professor at the University of Arizona in the US, found that 2015 TC25 reflects about 60 per cent of the sunlight that falls on it.

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Discovered last year, 2015 TC25 was studied extensively by Earth-based telescopes during a close flyby that saw the micro world sailing past Earth at 128,000 kilometres, a mere third of the distance to the moon.

Reddy argues that new observations from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and Arecibo Planetary Radar show that the surface of 2015 TC25 is similar to a rare type of highly reflective meteorite called an aubrite.

Aubrites consist of very bright minerals, mostly silicates, that formed in an oxygen-free, basaltic environment at very high temperatures. Only one out of every 1,000 meteorites that fall on Earth belong to this class.

"This is the first time we have optical, infrared and radar data on such a small asteroid, which is essentially a meteoroid," Reddy said.

"You can think of it as a meteorite floating in space that hasnt hit the atmosphere and made it to the ground - yet," he said.

Small near-Earth asteroids such as 2015 TC25 are in the same size range as meteorites that fall on Earth. Astronomers discover them frequently, but not very much is known about them as they are difficult to characterise.

By studying such objects in more detail, astronomers hope to better understand the parent bodies from which these meteorites originate.

Asteroids are remaining fragments from the formation of the solar system that mostly orbit the Sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter today.

Scientists are interested in meteoroids because they are the precursors to meteorites impacting Earth, Reddy said.

The discovery also is the first evidence for an asteroid lacking the typical dust blanket - called regolith - of most larger asteroids.

Instead, 2015 TC25 consists essentially of bare rock. The team also discovered that it is one of the fastest-spinning near-Earth asteroids ever observed, completing a rotation every two minutes.

Probably, 2015 TC25 is monolithic, meaning it is more similar to a "solid rock" type of object than a "rubble pile" type of object like many large asteroids, which often consist of many types of rocks held together by gravity and friction.

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Reddy believes it probably was chipped off by another impacting rock from its parent, 44 Nysa, a main-belt asteroid.

The study was published in The Astronomical Journal. PTI MHN SAR MHN

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Fund crunch will no longer hamper the European Space Agency's Mars program. The same holds true on the skepticism that had seeped in after the crash of the module Schiaparelli from the first phase and battered faith in the ESA project's future.

This follows the ministerial meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland on Dec. 1, where space ministers of 22 member countries along with Slovenia and Canada pledged to contribute the remaining 436 million ($465 million) to take the project forward.

"The Agency is encouraged to strive to reap the benefits expected from the significant investments made through the ExoMars program, including those earmarked for the successful completion of the second ExoMars mission," European officials said in a resolution.

Filling Up The Financial Shortfall

The ExoMars mission as a whole has been facing budget overruns. At the meeting, ministers reasserted their faith in the mission and agreed to fill up the financial shortfall. Among the top contributors are Italy and the UK with 171 million ($182 million) and 82 million ($87 million) respectively.

This will help ESA move ahead to put a UK-assembled robotic rover on the surface of Mars in 2021.

The first part of the program had placed a satellite for probing trace gases in the atmosphere, presumably from organisms somewhere on the planet. While ESA and Russian partner Roscosmos were able to complete the first phase of the mission to the Red Planet, the space agencies were unable to successfully land the Schiaparelli technology demonstration landing module.

Part two of the ExoMars mission will be a combo of rover and surface platform. Already the Trace Gas Orbiter from the first phase is locked in orbit and acting as a relay module for the 2020 mission.

The rover mission will be the soul of the second phase of ExoMars. It will make subsurface drilling explorations on Mars' dusty surface to detect traces of life.

ESA Demand

The ESA sought funding amounting to 11 billion ($12 billion) for meeting various activities, ranging from rocket development and Earth observation to satellite navigation.

Ministers from ESA's 22 member states plus Slovenia and Canada allocated 10.3 billion (US$10.9 billion) for space activities based on the "vision of a United Space in Europe in the era of Space 4.0."

"This is a big amount of money that really allows us to go forward," said Jan Woerner, the director general of ESA.

Support for ISS

At the summit, ministers in charge of space matters declared support for Woerner's vision for Europe in space and the development of ESA.

The meeting also decided to extend the European participation in the International Space Station until 2024, bringing ESA at par with the United States, Russia, Japan and Canada. This was welcomed by NASA.

"I'm excited all the International Space Station partners have now joined us in committing to the operation of this invaluable resource through at least 2024," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The quantity of carbon that our planet will release in the atmosphere from the soil by 2050, provided that climate change will not stop, is 55 billion tons. The greenhouse gases, such as methane and CO2 are some of the most dangerous signs of global warming and its effects.

A new study, published Dec. 1 in the journal Nature, was conducted on a global scale in order to better understand the complex effects of climate change on the soil.

Greenhouse Gases - A Worldwide Study

During the past decades, scientists have estimated the possible effects of climate change on the soil carbon, as this is where the largest blocks of carbon are stocked. Thousands of studies have been conducted in the attempt to understand the effects of global warming on the soil; some suggest that the planet's capacity to store carbon will decrease because of the climate change, others suggest the opposite.

The worldwide study conducted by Tom Crowther from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology NIIO-KNAW has brought an answer to the question of the effect of carbon release from the soil. According to the research, the effect of this will be similar to adding an industrial country to our planet, roughly the size of the United States.

Greenhouse Gases From The Soil - New Environmental Danger

The study advocates for climate change in order to avoid a dangerous path. The effects of greenhouse gases are no longer a supposition, as this study manages to measure the impact of its release from the soil. The researcher fears the potential domino effect that this trend could unleash in terms of environmental issues.

"It's about 17 percent more than the projected emissions due to human-related activities during that period," noted Crowther.

According to the research, climate change will cause a phenomenon similar to a feedback loop, as part of which the massive amount of carbon trapped underground will return into the atmosphere as emissions of greenhouse gas, in a much larger quantity than expected. These emissions could be one of the hardest obstacles that the fight against global warming will be forced to face.

"This is really critical, because if the additional release of carbon is not counterbalanced by new uptake of carbon by plants then it's going to exacerbate climate change and increases the urgency to immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions," explained Jonathan Sanderman, researcher in charge of studying soil changes under climate change.

While these soils are true reason for concern, they could be employed in the plans of diminishing the effects of climate change. Good management could make them part of a sustainable solution to this problem.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A former Foxconn employee landed himself in hot water after Taiwanese officials indicted him for stealing 5,700 iPhones. He allegedly sold the units in China and has enriched himself by at least $1.5 million thereafter.

How The iPhone Theft Took Place

The suspect known only as Tsai was senior manager at a Foxconn factory located in Shenzhen. He reportedly instructed eight other accomplices to smuggle iPhone 5 and 5s units and the operation began in 2013. His activities went on undetected for two years.

The modus was quite simple. Tsai was connected to the facility's testing department and the stolen goods were actually made for testing and not for sale. The products are supposed to be reported as scrapped once tested. It is not immediately clear whether testing was actually conducted on the devices or not at all.

Tsai's Indictment

The theft was only discovered during a recent internal audit and the perpetrator was arrested and questioned early this year, according to Agence France-Presse. Tsai has since been released after posting bail.

The indictment involves breach of trust and Tsai could face a maximum of 10-year jail term if proven guilty. There is no word whether his accomplices will suffer the same fate.

Foxconn, Apple And Trump

Foxconn remains as one of Apple's main suppliers. When Cupertino, for example, got 4 million advanced orders for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus immediately after their announcement, Foxconn had to ramp up production volume in order to meet the demand. By 2013, the company was already producing 500,000 iPhone handsets per day.

Tsai's indictment could possibly cast a cloud over Foxconn's relationship with Apple. While the incident has no direct bearing on the actual products delivered, it is a public relation problem. Foxconn has already sustained scandals regarding employee misconduct as well as labor disputes. The company has also been accused of overworking its workforce, which allegedly has led to several cases of suicides.

These developments will certainly not help the Taiwanese company amid mounting pressure on Apple to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers after Donald Trump got elected. Trump has reportedly offered the company a number of incentives in order to manufacture its products in the United States.

It is helpful to remember that Apple remains as one of Foxconn's largest customers. If the company decides pull out from China, Foxconn stands to lose a huge chunk of its revenue. At this point, it employs around 1.3 million employees.

Apple has not released any statement regarding the iPhone theft and Tsai's indictment.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The controversial spiritual guru has been ousted from the house because of the non-bailable warrant issued against him.

By India Today Web Desk: Swami Om, who has been grabbing the maximum headlines ever since he entered the Bigg Boss house, has finally been shown the door by Bigg Boss. Swami was asked to pack his bags as he had to appear before a court on Dec 3, after a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issue against him a couple of days back.

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Initially warrants were issued against Swami Om two days before his entry in the house, but he apparently did not pay any heed to them. Since nobody appeared from his side in the court, NBW was issued. Also read: Bigg Boss 10 Day 47: Manveer injures his head during captaincy task; Mona, Priyanka shed tears

In 2008, his brother Pramod Jha had filed a theft case against Swami for stealing 11 bicycles and other documents from his shop.

Swami Om's ouster will not affect the weekly elimination. One out of the four nominated contestants with least number of votes, will leave the house on Sunday. Who will get evicted this week--Bani Judge, Rahul Dev, Elena Kazan or Jason Shah?

Also read: Bigg Boss 10: Lopa attacks Om Swami with toilet paper roll; pushes Priyanka Jagga inside the pool

Stay glued to this space. Bigg Boss 10 airs Mon-Fri at 10:20pm and Sat-Sun at 9pm on Colors TV.

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The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, received with honors his peer from Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, on... | Read More
Bigg Boss 10 contestant Manu Punjabi has lost his mother; he rushed to his hometown last night.

By India Today Web Desk: Bigg Boss 10 fans, this news will break your heart. Aam aadmi contestant Manu Punjabi, who was playing extremely well, had to leave the house last night, following the news of his mother's demise. He immediately rushed to his hometown.

Apart from Manu, Om Swami was also asked to leave the house, since he had a non-bailable warrant issued against him, and he had to appear in court on Dec 3.

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Also read: BB 10 Breaking! Om Swami has been asked to LEAVE the Bigg Boss house

In the last season, Keith Sequeira had to leave the house following his brother's death; he was back in a couple of days.

Manu has already shot for Weekend Ka Vaar episodes, but we will really miss his presence in the house. Here's hoping he gets strength to deal with the loss.

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Bangkok is the most affordable destination for people living in Southeast Asia planning a week-long foreign holiday during the months of December to February, according to a survey by travel site TripAdvisor of 10 top destinations.

The company on Thursday revealed its top 10 most popular destinations for travellers within the region during the travel period of Dec 1 to Feb 28 2017, along with average one-week costs for hotels, airfare, meals and attractions.

It found that the average cost of a one-week trip to Bangkok from elsewhere in Southeast Asia was 43,451 baht, the lowest of the top 10 destinations.

The calculated cost covers a seven-night hotel stay, average round-trip airfare, two tours/activities and three restaurant meals per day.

Source: Bangkok cheapest holiday destination for SEA residents | Bangkok Post: news
VietNamNet Bridge  Vietnamese agencies have confirmed that rice export consignments rejected by the US are not toxic or unsafe.

Le Van Banh, head of the Department of Processing and Trading Agricultural, Forestry, Aquatic Products and Salt under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), said the exports were refused because they could not meet some criteria.

The exporters had not carefully studied the requirements set by the US market.

However, he said that the refusal does not mean Vietnams rice contains plant protection chemicals at high levels which can harm peoples health.

A rice expert said the majority of rice export consignments were rejected by the US earlier this year because the products could not meet the requirements on Isoprothiolane.

Isoprothiolane is an active element contained in 60 plant protection products allowed to be used in Vietnam to prevent disease on rice. Since the US has not set the MRL (maximum residue limits) for the element, export products must temporarily accept the 0 ppm level, i.e. no Isoprothiolane.

The senior executive of an enterprise in Mekong Delta said its exports were found having Isoprothiolane at 0.014 ppm. With the level, exports to other choosy markets will be accepted.

Japan, for example, sets the MRL for Isoprothiolane at 2 ppm, while the EU sets it at 0.5 ppm and Taiwan 0.2 ppm.

Vietnamese agencies have confirmed that rice export consignments rejected by the US are not toxic or unsafe.

According to Huynh The Nang, chair of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), of the substances the US has given warnings, there are four without MRLs, namely Isoprothiolane, Hexaconazole, Fenitrothion and Flusicolazole. Therefore, the US will refuse any products containing the substances.

In this case, export countries need to set MRLs and register with the US farm produce import management agencies. Since Vietnam still doesnt have MRLs for the substances, there is no basis for it to negotiate with the US.

However, experts think that it would be better for Vietnamese farmers and exporters to improve the quality of rice as import countries were increasing technical barriers to imports.

Nang from VFA said that the substances the US has warned about exist in about 3,000 pesticides and

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This Weekend Ka Vaar episode will be full of masala and fights. Miss it at your own risk.

By India Today Web Desk: This Weekend Ka Vaar episode will be full of masala and fights. Miss it at your own risk.

BB 10 wild card entries rated; Jason Shah gets maximum starsIn the Weekend Ka Vaar episode, host Salman Khan will ask the contestants to rate the new wild card entrants by putting stars across their photographs on a board--they can give up to 5 stars. Manu will give 2 stars to Sahil, saying that he seems to have a strategy in mind since he is not revealing his cards. Manu also added that he doesn't see Sahil in Top 5.

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Mona will be asked to rate Priyanka; and her rating did not surprise us. She will give two stars to Priyanka saying she didn't have a nice start with her and she feels Priyanka always has a strategy in her mind.

Lopa will give just 1 star to Elena. And she seems to be justified in giving the said rating. According to Lopa, Elena deserves only one star since she gave up too easily in the Dome task opposite Nitibha while she thought her to be a strong player. Jason will get the maximum stars--4 from Gaurav Chopra.

Also read: BB 10 contestant Manu Punjabi is OUT of the house, and the reason of his exit is really sad!

Bani lashes out at ManuGaurav Chopra will be chosen as Khalnayak of the week by housemates because of what happened in the captaincy task. Housemates will criticise him for not stopping the task immediately after Manveer got injured. Manu will say that Bani and Gaurav's other supporters had strategised ahead of the task. Bani will not only refute his charges but will also shout at Manu asking him if he has a problem with her since Day 1. Manu will counter saying Bani could either fight or plot.

Gaurav Chopra accused of being fake and image consciousSeniour journalist and Dibaang will quiz Gaurav Chopra over being image conscious. He will add that the actor is in the wrong show. He will further say that in Bigg Boss, viewers want to see the real Gaurav Chopra, while he is coming across as fake. Gaurav will say what he has always maintained. He will tell Dibaang that he is exactly like that in real life also and as an actor he has to keep a certain image.

Salman will ask Gaurav whether he shares a special equation with BaniWhen asked about his relationship with Bani, Gaurav will say: "I don't know why people are thinking it is a mysterious friendship." Salman will say that it looks like, the same vibe is not coming from Bani's side.

Also read: BB 10 Breaking! Om Swami has been asked to LEAVE the Bigg Boss house

Manu's fiancee and Mona's boyfriend will be the guests on Weekend Ka Vaar this time. Salman will ask them to open up about their feelings on Manu and Mona's relationship. Mona's beau feels that it is Mona who's more interested in Manu. "Mona aur Manu kuch zyaada hi cosy hai," he will be saying. "Ek ladki ki dosti ka daayra hota hai," Manu's fiancee will say.

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Mona's beau will add that he had a small altercation with Mona before she entered the Bigg Boss house and he had warned him against doing something like this. "Showbaazi ke chakkar mein kuch cheezen extra ho rahi hai," he will say.

Do you think Mona and Manu's friendship will get affected by this storm?

Keep watching Bigg Boss Sat-Sun at 9pm and Mon-Fri at 10:20pm .

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A 23-year-old Ascension Parish man was convicted Friday in the 2013 drug-related shooting death of a 22-year-old man in his Baton Rouge apartment.

Demarcus Daniel James, of Prairieville, was unanimously found guilty of second-degree murder by an East Baton Rouge Parish jury that deliberated for two hours.

James faces a mandatory term of life in prison for the Dec. 11, 2013, slaying of Jared Christopher Vincent inside his Ridge Pecan Drive home near Burbank Drive between Bluebonnet Boulevard and Gardere Lane.

State District Judge Mike Erwin will sentence James on Dec. 15.

Three other Ascension Parish men -- Avery Gene Honea, 19, of Prairieville, and Ivan Wess Graham and Bryton James Montelaro, both 21 and of Gonzales -- face second-degree murder charges in the case.

Graham, who testified against James, has agreed to plead guilty to an accessory charge in return for a five-year prison term.

Another Prairieville man, 21-year-old Aaron Hargrove, pleaded guilty last month to armed robbery and attempted second-degree murder in the case and was sentenced to 27 years in prison. He admitted shooting Vincent's roommate, who survived.

27 years in prison for Prairieville man in 2013 drug-related killing in BR One of six Ascension Parish men charged in the 2013 drug-related killing of a man in Baton R

A sixth man, Patrick Anderson, 23, also of Prairieville, is charged with obstruction of justice.

Prosecutor Dana Cummings told the jury that Vincent was a marijuana dealer but didn't deserve to die for that activity. James was one of his customers, she said.

'13 Baton Rouge slaying between Bluebonnet Blvd. and Gardere Lane: drug deal gone sour or self-defense? Jared Christopher Vincent was a marijuana dealer but he didn't deserve to be shot to death i

Cummings said Vincent was the victim of an armed robbery gone bad. James' attorney, Gail Ray, claimed her client shot Vincent in self-defense. James was wounded during the incident.
As they head into the final stretch of the U.S. Senate runoff, Democrat Foster Campbell and Republican John Kennedy are sitting comfortably on cash coffers that will likely mean a continued constant stream of television and radio ads right up to Dec. 10.

The latest round of campaign finance reports released this week showed that, as of Nov. 20, Campbell had just over $1.4 million in the bank and Kennedy had north of $1.3 million.

Kennedy, currently state treasurer, had consistently dominated Public Service Commission member Campbell in the run up to the Nov. 8 primary.

But after making appearances on network news programs and receiving supportive messages from a long roster of celebrities, Campbell reported collecting $2.5 million in campaign donations between Oct. 20 and Nov. 20  more than twice the amount he raised in the months that preceded the primary.

"This is a people powered campaign and we're spending every cent we get focused on issues important to Louisiana voters," Campbell said.

Campbell's 1,264-page finance report shows he took in more than 50,000 donations during the reporting period, many of them online through a third-party site that was shared by several celebrities, including actress Sally Field and comedian Patton Oswalt. Campbell's campaign has $361,500 in outstanding debt and $750,000 in outstanding loans.

Kennedy, meanwhile, raised nearly $1.6 million during the reporting period, himself bolstered by high-powered political figures including former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, shipbuilding magnate Boysie Bollinger and former Congressman and now D.C. lobbyist Bob Livingston. He has no outstanding debt or loans.

"Im incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support our campaign has received from across the state of Louisiana," said Kennedy. "Theres no question that the people of our state want to see a conservative as their voice in the U.S. Senate, and were looking forward to carrying this momentum to Election Day."

Kennedy's campaign also was quick to throw water in Campbell's fundraising haul, noting that many of the donations appear to come from other than Louisiana.

"West Coast liberals think they can buy this election for Foster Campbell. John Kennedy has received the support of donors from across Louisiana who understand he is the only conservative in this race who supports our values," Kennedy spokesman Lionel Rainey said. "Foster Campbell represents the views of Democrats from California, and this report proves exactly what we said two weeks ago: liberals support other liberals."

Kennedy held two fundraising events in Washington last week. A Nov. 15 luncheon was hosted by the Cornerstone Affairs Group lobbying firm. Three of Cornerstones lobbyists were listed as hosts of the event, along with Kirby Political Action Committee  Houston-based Kirby Corp. bills itself as the nations premier tank barge operator  and United Egg Producers, an Atlanta-based lobbying firm that represents chicken farmers.

The suggested contribution was $2,500 per political action committee and $1,000 per individual.

Cornerstone, like other lobbying firms, is known for hosting events that can give lobbyists and business interests an entree if a future issue arises.

Thats how Washington works, said Michael Henderson, an LSU professor of communication. People who want to see certain policies enacted will want access and be connected to people in power. Candidates need resources, and folks are willing to provide those resources. It doesnt necessarily mean they have John Kennedy in their pocket.

Kennedy attended a second fundraiser on Nov. 15 in Washington hosted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee. It included a whos who list of political insiders  20 Republican senators led by the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky. PACs were invited to give up to $5,000 apiece.

Organizing the event was Lisa Spies, a veteran Washington-based fundraiser who has worked for U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Her husband, Charlie, is a Washington lawyer who established the super PAC that backed Vitter in last years governors race, mostly by attacking his Republican opponents in the primary with what they said were misleading television ads.

Lisa Spies did not respond to an email request for an interview.

I support President-elect Trump's position that members of his administration cannot lobby for five years and can never lobby on behalf of foreign governments, Kennedy said in a statement. I have supported term limits and a balanced budget requirement in my campaign. I have said repeatedly that part of the reason our economy is not working is because we have too many undeserving people at the top getting special treatment and too many at the bottom getting handouts.

Meanwhile, Gov. John Bel Edwards and former Sen. Mary Landrieu attended a fundraiser organized by a pro-Campbell political action committee on Wednesday in New Orleans. About 50 people attended the event, which also included Campbell.
Canberra's renewable energy providers threw their doors open on Saturday to showcase the ways the ACT and southern NSW are helping to reduce carbon emissions.

The Renewable Energy Trail, celebrating 2016 Renewable Energy Day, took Canberrans and tourists to sites across the ACT and surrounding areas of NSW.

Tesla car owner, Slava Kozlovskii with members of the Canberra electric vehicle association, Peter Campbell and Mark Hemmingsen take part in the Renewable Energy Day in Tuggeranong. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

The day kicked off, under appropriately sunny skies, at the Mount Majura Solar Farm, which began operations this year.

A bus took visitors to Canberra Institute of Technology's Renewable Energy Skills Centre of Excellence and Renewables Battery Test Centre, before moving on to the "Big Dish" at the Australian National University, a display of electric vehicles in Tuggeranong, and Googong Dam's mini hydroelectric facility.
Foiling an infiltration bid, Border Security Force troopers gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab early on Saturday, BSF sources said.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Foiling an infiltration bid, Border Security Force troopers gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab early on Saturday, BSF sources said.

The incident took place near the Dinda border out post (BoP) in Bamiyal sector of forward areas of Pathankot district.

The incident took place on a day when the two-day "Heart of Asia" conference got underway in Amritsar city in Punjab, about 100 km from the infiltration incident spot.

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Amritsar is under a tight security umbrella with a number of international leaders converging here for the conference.

ALSO READ: Surgical strikes in PoK: How Indian para commandos killed 50 terrorists, hit 7 camps

The intruder was killed after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed to warnings.

The National Investigating Agency, which had investigated the terror attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 this year by Pakistani terrorists, had pointed out that the terrorists had entered India near the Dinda BoP.

The BSF troopers in the border belt remain on high alert following the two terror attacks in Dina nagar (July 27, 2015) and Pathankot (January 2, 2016) in Punjab.

ALSO READ: Sartaj Aziz to leave for India on Sunday, no India-Pakistan meeting in Amritsar

The "Heart of Asia" international conference is for peace and stability in the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Modi and Ghani are expected to reach Amritsar in the evening.

Both leaders will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which sees over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday, an official from the Ministry of External Affairs told IANS.

Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to arrive on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference. Aziz would return on the same day.

ALSO READ: Woman travels to Amritsar to plead Sartaj Aziz to help release her imprisoned son

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There was little doubt broadcaster Lisa Wilkinson thought she was doing the right thing by her Today Show colleague, friend and fellow journalist Karl Stefanovic when she leapt to his defence during an interview a few days ago.

Wilkinson pulled no punches while chastising sections of the media for their reporting on Stefanovic's highly-publicised shock marriage breakdown, parting ways from Cassandra Thorburn and moving out of the family home three months ago after what we, the public, had been lead to believe were 21 blissful years.

Naturally, the question everyone was asking was "why?", yet Wilkinson was "disgusted" by her peers in the media for having the temerity to ask it.

Indeed Wilkinson and Stefanovic are not above discussing the travails of other high-profile people's personal lives, a recent example being Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Such stories are the fodder which fuels breakfast television chit-chat, but when it comes to Stefanovic, Wilkinson told her old magazine pal Mia Freedman: "There's a lot of rubbish out there at the moment, a lot of lies."
Corporate records and court documents show that Savas Yucel is an alias of Savas Guven. He was born in Carlton, Victoria, in 1979, living until the age of eight in Turkey before returning to Australia. Nearly 20 trees, including mature gums, were cut down. In June 2000, Savas Yucel, sharing the same date of birth, was sentenced to four years' jail for a violent armed robbery in which he threatened to stab a store worker with a knife. (It was later revised to three years' periodic detention on appeal from the Crown after he was released on parole after just three months.) Saying he needed the cash, Yucel admitted to court he went to a friend's place to get a kitchen knife that "he intended to use to scare the staff of the store". Guven attempted to take the phone of one of the women who was attempting to call the police.

He walked behind the counter of a Tandy Electronics store, "holding a knife pointing outwards at waist level towards [a] victim. "The defendant [Yucel] said, "Come on, it's a holdup, come on, quick, go out the back room." Savas Guven on site at the Mars Road property in Lane Cove West. When a staff member walked to the cash register, Yucel said: "Don't try anything, I'll stab you". He and an accomplice took nearly $3000 in mobile phones and pre-paid mobile phone cards.

In court, he admitted a gambling problem and appeared with a broken nose and two missing teeth. He had several run-ins with the law as a child. Savas Guven from his LinkedIn profile. Guven appears to have set up AllRound Access in 2010, specialising in on-site engineering projects and scaffolding. In May, two days after Guven put one of the subsidiary companies in the AllRound Group into voluntary liquidation, owing more than $500,000 to creditors, including $77,000 to the Australian Tax Office, a company linked to Guven spent $2.8 million buying a large parcel of land in an industrial estate on Mars Road in Lane Cove West. Over consecutive weekends shortly after the purchase, local workers and residents witnessed men arriving at the site. On one occasion they were in trucks and wearing uniforms bearing AllRound company livery.

The workers revved up chainsaws and began cutting down nearly 20 trees, including mature gums, and when two female neighbours attempted to stop them, Guven intervened, and took the mobile phone of one woman who was attempting to call police. A passerby filmed dramatic footage of the incident from council land adjoining the property. Neighbours were alarmed as the land's previous owner had attempted to build a child care centre on the site but the application was thwarted by Lane Cove Council. An arborist's report submitted to council as part of the proposal identified significant trees that should be protected. Michael Mason, Lane Cove Council's executive manager of environmental services, confirmed council is considering legal action and penalties as no permission was given to fell the trees. Council is also investigating the use of the land, which is filled with large industrial storage containers and scaffolding. Council has formally interviewed Mr Guven. The tree felling, coming so soon after the property purchase is believed to have occurred before settlement, complicating the legal status of the property and potential legal action.

Asked if anything had come of the incident, NSW Police said it was "unable to obtain a statement from the victim, and as such, no further action can be taken". It did not identify who it considered the victim. Fairfax Media has spoken with numerous local residents as well as workers in businesses in the industrial park who all declined to be identified. Several expressed concern over their safety, citing behaviour seen at the property. It's not the first time Guven has come to the attention of a Sydney council for unauthorised work. In September, Fairfax Media reported that Guven upset neighbours in harbourside Mosman, alleging unauthorised works had been undertaken on a Hopetoun Avenue property, purchased in 2014 in the name of his wife, above Cobblers Bay beach. One neighbour, the controversial businessman Travers Duncan, alleged unauthorised works had been undertaken on the property such as partial demolition.

Others, financiers Peter and Anne Rozenauers, alleged Guvens began to demolish the property without permission shortly after taking control of the property. "Since January 2015 we have had to endure dust and debris being carried on to our property, with the remains of the building being a fire hazard and attractions for rodents and other animals," the Rozenauers told council. Guven told the Herald in September that the demolition was an attempt to root out termites from a door frame, windows and the roof. "A quarter of the house was gone by that time as I chased these termite nests," he said. The complaint details came to light in correspondence with Mosman Council as part of a development application from Guven's wife Jade to renovate the property.

The matter was in the Land & Environment Court last week for mediation talks with Mosman Council over the Guvens' application to build a new $2.5 million four-level, four-bedroom and four-bathroom home featuring a range of high-end mod-cons like a "vehicle stacker with a car workshop" and a "car turntable". Mosman Council had previously rejected the application. Mr Guven left a series of creditors high and dry when one of the subsidiaries of AllRound Access was put into voluntary liquidation earlier this year, including owing $77,000 to the tax man. Amongst them were MJC Enterprises, owed $37,000 for construction materials and Traffic Facilities Maintenance, owed $17,000 for managing traffic around an AllRound Access project. "It's frustrating and upsetting," a TFM staff member said. "An unpaid bill of that size makes a significant dent in our cash flow." AllRound Access boss Savas Guven on site at the property in Lane Cove West. Mr Guven is due to appear in Hornsby Local Court on Tuesday charged with common assault in Lane Cove West on 1 July. He has pleaded not guilty.
There have been a couple of issues in inner-city Brisbane as a result of the strong winds.

A crane was filmed spinning around wildly in Newstead, with witness Shaun Rigby saying it was throwing sparks at one point. Emergency services were in attendance.

Police were also called to the casino to deal with scaffolding flapping around. Two lanes of Elizabeth Street were still blocked about 7.45pm.

Police were expecting to have to close the street entirely between William and George streets for less than 30 minutes to allow firefighters to clear the debris.

That's really it from us this time folks. Have a great, storm-free night.
The father of the LNP and three-time leader of the party has announced he won't contest the next state election.

Lawrence Springborg, who played a leading role in creating the Liberal National Party merger, broke the news to members of his Southern Downs branch on Saturday.

Lawrence Springborg, who played a leading role in creating the Liberal National Party merger, has announced he will not contest the next state election. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The former leader lost out to Tim Nicholls in a leadership spill in May and was installed as chair of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee soon after.

Mr Springborg said he wanted to leave while he still had a sense of "political passion".
Getting time off to actually enjoy summer with your children is a drag for thousands of parents. Not Christy Hynd.

The Geelong-based graphic designer worked full time in a regular job until she had her little girl Maggie, nearly four years ago.

Christy Hind, co-owner of Maggie Moo.

Now her flourishing business gives Hynd the luxury of a proper summer holiday to enjoy with Maggie and it's something that she knows wouldn't have happened if she had stuck to her last job.

"My mum and I started Little Maggie Moo, which is an Etsy store for handmade bloomers and topknots as a creative outlet during maternity leave," she said.
The man allegedly behind the fireball attack on a Springvale bank remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition more than two weeks after the incident.

Nur Islam, the 21-year-old who allegedly doused his body and the floor of the Commonwealth Bank in Springvale Road with petrol before setting himself on fire, is recovering from severe burns in the intensive care unit at The Alfred hospital.

Emergency services outside the Springvale bank after the attack. Credit:Getty Images

Twenty-seven people were injured in the Springvale blaze on November 18, including six who were seriously burnt.

A spokeswoman from the hospital said his condition remains unchanged.
A woman who left her car running while she dashed into a shopping centre in Melbourne's north won't be making the same mistake again.

When the woman returned to her car in a laneway off Sydney Road, Brunswick she spotted a man get in and begin to drive off.

Still taken from CCTV showing the Toyota Camry being driven erratically down Sydney Road, Brunswick. Credit:Victoria Police

CCTV footage shows her white Toyota Camry being erratically reversed down a laneway near the shopping centre and driven away.

The woman attempted to stop the driver but he swerved around her and made off with the car.
He's the progressive Premier whose reforms include same-sex adoption, decriminalising medicinal cannabis and putting safe access zones around abortion clinics. But this week, Daniel Andrews and his government will address what could arguably be their toughest social policy challenge yet: dying with dignity.

What's happening? Put simply, the government has until Thursday to respond to a parliamentary report that recommends Victoria legalise assisted suicide for terminally-ill people. That report, by the bipartisan Legal and Social Issues Committee, was based on a 10-month inquiry, an overseas tour of other assisted dying regimes, and more than 1300 submissions  most of which favoured reform. The government now has a number of options: reject the committee's recommendation; accept it and introduce legislation (with or without an exposure draft first); accept it in principle but refer it to an agency (such as the Law Reform Commission) to work out the details; or deal with it through a private member's bill (the Greens are already preparing one in case the government doesn't act).

A parliamentary report recommends that Victoria legalise assisted suicide for the terminally ill. Credit:Jason South

So does this mean Victoria could become the first Australian state to legalise euthanasia? Not quite. It's important to note that the committee's recommendation doesn't actually call for voluntary euthanasia, which involves ending another person's life to relieve their suffering. Instead, it specifically suggests a new "assisted dying" framework  whereby a doctor could prescribe a lethal drug that would be taken by the patient. The key difference is self-administration. The only exception to the rule would be where people are physically unable to take a lethal drug  in which case, a doctor could assist.

But are there enough safeguards? The model proposed by the committee has many; whether it's enough is a matter of opinion. Firstly, a patient must be a permanent Victorian adult resident, have a "serious and incurable condition", and be in the final weeks or months of their life. They must also have decision-making capacity (which rules out people with dementia and Alzheimer's), and the request must be approved by a primary doctor and an independent secondary doctor. For further oversight, a new End Of Life Commission has also been proposed, along with an End of Life Review Board, which would review each case and ensure doctors have complied with their requirements.
Federal Labor MPs have come out in support of Victorian taxi drivers, in a defiant stand against the Andrews Government's "insulting" support package for taxi licence holders.



Hundreds of angry cab drivers and their families rallied outside Parliament on Saturday to protest the state government's taxi reforms, which include a controversial buyback scheme and plans to legalise ride-sharing service, Uber.



Traffic on Spring Street was diverted around the crowd for more than an hour as they chanted, "No deal!" and "Pay back, pay fair!"



Federal Labor MPs David Feeney and Peter Khalil both addressed protesters, pledging their support for taxi owners and promising to lobby their state colleagues for a better deal.



Mr Feeney said he was proud to fight alongside taxi drivers, who had been left "stranded" by the Andrews Government's plan to deregulate the industry.

"We know that we can have a constructive dialogue with this government but only united will they hear our voice," he told the crowd.

Peter Khalil speaks to members of the Taxi industry. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The member for Batman said the message to the state government was simple: "A fair go for working Australians who made an investment in this country in good faith. Anything else is unfair on you and it's unfair on the broader community."

Mr Khalil, the new federal member for Wills, said taxi drivers and their families had been coming to his office in tears, concerned about their future and asking for help.
Archbishop Vayalunkal solemnly blessed the diocese and its people and paid special tribute to past and present missionaries for the fruit of their labour which is visible in Morobe Province.

The Apostolic Nuncio of PNG and the Solomon Islands, Archbishop Kurian Matthew Vayalunkal, was the main celebrant and several bishops and priests concelebrated the Holy Eucharist.

The joyful milestone was punctuated by various cultural representations and witnessed by thousands of faithful from the diocese and well-wishers including visitors from outside Papua New Guinea.

THE Catholic Diocese of Lae celebrated its golden anniversary last month with a celebration at St Marys Primary School.

This is the right occasion to remember the history of the Church in our country, he said. We rejoice, we give praise, and we go forth.

Bishop Christian Blouin of the Lae Diocese also gave thanks to the early missionaries, acknowledging four pioneers including Fr Anthony Mulderink of Mariannhill, who was present to witness the occasion.

Bishop Blouin extended this gratitude to the people of PNG, overseas friends and all people who contributed to the Diocese of Lae.

The Vicar General of the Diocese, , observed that the main work of the early missionaries was education and the formation of Catholic Christian families and they had continued to do that.

Fr Schmitt said the growing number of street kids is worrying and that the Church is trying to find ways to addressing this as well as the many other new challenges.

The Catholic Church in Morobe Province goes back to the time of the gold rush in Wau and Bulolo in 1927.

In June 1959 the new Vicariate of Lae was entrusted to the congregation of the missionaries of Mariannhill to about 1,750 Catholics of the 187,000diocesan inhabitants.

Among the Vicariates first priorities was education. The first Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood arrived in June 1962 and later other international congregations arrived and served in the fields of pastoral care, social work and education.

The Diocese of Lae, proclaimed in November 1966, has grown from modest beginnings to now serve more than 30,000 Catholics.
A shocking audiotape of slain militant Burhan Wani and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed revels the Wani sought Saeed's blessings in destroying the 'common enemy'.

By Manjeet Negi: A conversation between LeT chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and slain Hizbul commnader Burhan Wani suggests that the two wanted to create a joint terror front in Kashmir.

The conversation intercepted by the spy agencies also proves Indian allegations that Saeed is fountainhead of Pakistan-backed terrorist operations in India.

HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE CONVERSATION:

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Burhan Wani: Greetings

Hafiz Saeed: Salaam Wallekum

Burhan Wani: Salaam Wallekum. How are you?

Hafiz Saeed: All fine. Burhan speaking?

Burhan Wani: Yes im Burhan. Hope you are fine?

Hafiz Saeed: Yes im fine. God is kind. Im thankful to him.

Burhan Wani: I was always keen to talk to you but with the grace of god im talking to you today. How is your health?

Hafiz Saeed: Yes. I am fine. By the grace of god everything is going fine. You people are living in very difficult conditions. Whatever you need just tell us we are ready for every help. You just tell us.

Burhan Wani: Inshallah, we will do everything. God has accepted my wish and with his blessings small people like me are also talking to you.

Hafiz Saeed: You are very dear to us and you are doing great work. We are very happy with you.

Burhan Wani: I just want to make small request. Here in Kashmir these Lashkar people don't get their stuff regularly, they are facing difficulties. If they have a weak network I can help.

Hafiz Saeed: I will definitely take note of this and will take all help from you.

Burhan Wani: I also want to say enemy is almost defeated and we have to maintain this. We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn't lose this opportunity. For this we need ammunition and support from the back. We should work together for this (Hizbul & Lashkar).

Hafiz Saeed: Inshallah! Give my greetings to all brothers and sisters there. We all are working for one purpose.

Burhan Wani: Grateful. I just want to say that Lashkar needs more back up from your side and for that if you need any support from me please let me know. I can do anything. They are our brothers and we have common purpose and enemy.

Hafiz Saeed: All right. Inshallah.. inshallah.

Burhan Wani: Also these Lashkar people are saying that they never get to talk to Hafiz Sahib.

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Hafiz Saeed: I only spoke to you. I got your message and called. You keep in touch with these people we also have all information about them.

Burhan Wani: Yes im in touch with them and will take care of them.

Hafiz Saeed: Ok bye

Burhan Wani: Bye

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

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Local traders say the residents vary from being nuisances to threats. Credit:Penny Stephens At a community safety meeting held a few weeks ago about half the 150 attendees said they had been assaulted in or near Fitzroy Street. This is not about bearded baristas invading an area and trying to reinvent it as trendy-town. It is about long-suffering locals who want a solution to a problem that is getting worse. It was a mild Friday when Naked City arrived for a snap visit. Across the road were some Gatwick residents spread out on bench seats outside the 7-Eleven store. Some were sharing a bottle of screw-top white wine while others preferred long neck, bottled beer. It was 10.45am. The owners report that none of the residents choose to cook. Credit:John Silvester Locals walk by with their seeing-without-looking faces on. No one wants to engage the Gatwick crew who at that hour are loud but non-threatening and good-humoured. The gathering place has become such a problem the council is seriously considering removing the seats.

Walk into the Gatwick and at first glance it could pass as a bottom-of-the-pile backpackers. There is a stale smelll, music blaring from a room and a newish bike parked outside a door. On the ledge are empty grog bottles but no more than you would see at a university college during orientation week. The hotel is overdue for a huge clean-up. Credit:John Silvester Police can solve a crime but they can't solve a social black hole. Down the stairs is the kitchen with benches, an electric stove and a fridge. An old-fashioned wood stove sits to the side, a sign of the age of the place. There is nothing in the fridge because, according to the day manager, few residents bother to cook. It is when you enter one of the communal bathrooms you see the sad truth.

Communal areas are in a shocking state. Credit:John Silvester Clothes and rubbish are abandoned in the corner, foul dark water has settled in the bottom of one bath, syringes are in two tubs, the sink and littered on the floor. In one sink is a mardi gras-style mask. Police say street prostitutes sneak in to service clients there. The hotel has 68 rooms and caters for around 100 "guests" but no one knows how many people may actually live there with one policeman suggesting there can be up to 300. Rubbish is strewn throughout the hotel. Credit:John Silvester In one chaotic room we find four people with clothes strewn everywhere, a giant empty champagne bottle on a shelf, a toilet brush on the floor and ageing girlie posters on the wall. The roof is sagging alarmingly in one corner.

One has been there for two years while another recently arrived from prison. "We are the freeloaders," one woman says cheerfully. Used syringes are a common sight. Credit:John Silvester We are with Inspector Jason Kelly, two divisional detectives and two uniformed police, capsicum foam canisters in hand if things turn nasty, as they often do at the Gatwick. On a recent visit a drug-affected, mentally ill women walked out of a room carrying a concealed knife but police were able to persuade her to surrender the weapon without a physical incident. One of the veteran detectives says the hotel is quiet at this hour, as most of the regulars have headed out to their local beats. At night, he says, it has a more dangerous edge. Every shift local police do a walk through and then they are called at least twice to deal with the latest crisis, which means police are there on average five times a day. Official figures show emergency ambulances attend every three days.

"When we need police we can't get them because they are always at the Gatwick," says a St Kilda resident of more than 30 years. "It is far worse than it has ever been. It is the ice that has changed things in the past few years." In one room we find a cheerful Indigenous woman just out of prison. She says the residents with mental health problems are easy marks and are regularly bashed. "I try to look after them. They are always been picked on and robbed," says 'Aunty Coco'. "There used to be [social] workers here all the time to help. Now they [the residents] are on their own. Where are these people going to go when they close it down?" Down the corridor the proof is a door that has been kicked through. Inside is a one-armed man lying in the foetal position on his bed, defeated and bewildered. The previous night he was beaten and robbed. When police ask after him he mumbles that he has seen better days. In a bathroom a woman, who earlier had been screaming and out of control, is quiet now. When police ask if she is OK she says she wants to be left alone to have a drink. When they gently insist they want to see her she becomes animated declaring she doesn't want to see the "big boss".

They push open the door just far enough to see she is not a risk to herself or anyone else, but she becomes more animated and they don't push the point. The two detectives walk the floors and open doors. They seem to know everyone's first names and talk more like social workers than cops, although their eyes dart about looking for weapons, drugs and stolen property. Death is never too far away at the Gatwick with a body found in a room every five or six months that includes murders, suicides and overdoses, so much so the Coroner's Office is taking an interest in the hotel's activities. The Gatwick has been on the market (sort of) for years at around $11 million with the local traders hoping it would eventually be bulldozed and redeveloped. But now it is not (officially) for sale unless the right offer is put on the table. Which means authorities have to deal with the here and now. Gatwick boarders need help but local businesses and residents should not be the ones forced to bear the burden. Close the hotel and hundreds more homeless will be living in local parks. Perhaps the government needs to move in to turn the facility into a halfway house and emergency accommodation rather than leave it as it is.

The police are doing their bit but it is time for all volunteer and relevant government agencies to develop a plan that cares for the vulnerable but protects the locals. Police can solve a crime but they can't solve a social black hole. The Sacred Heart Mission provides breakfast and lunch for the local homeless and volunteer food trucks pull up at night. It is a necessary service but it also acts as a drawcard, deterring those in the hotel from moving on. When we returned about 7pm residents were queuing quietly behind a food truck while the crew outside the 7-Eleven was turning ugly. In a positive move the City of Port Phillip will organise a live stream from closed-circuit security cameras in the street to the local police station so officers will be able to move quickly when it turns messy or they see a wanted person pop up. Inspector Kelly was at the recent community meeting and heard the locals' concerns. "We acknowledge there are issues surrounding the Gatwick and we are working with the City of Port Phillip to try and come up with some solutions," Kelly said.
Major online sales sites including eBay and Gumtree will meet with a Melbourne-based Jewish group that fights anti-Semitism to crack down on the sale of goods inciting hatred.

Next year's roundtable with the B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission will respond to the "virus of hate" that has infiltrated some of Australia's biggest retailers and online sales sites, according to the group's chairman, Dvir Abramovich.

Naza paraphernalia is for sale on eBay.

"Where anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial flourishes, so will you find hatred for Asians, gays, women, Muslims, and other ethnic minorities that often leads to violence," Dr Abramovich said.

Sites that have so far signed up to the cyber hate meeting include eBay, Gumtree, Booktopia, and Angus and Robertson.
Photographs purporting to be of Australia's most wanted terrorist, Neil Prakash, taken after his arrest in Turkey, have been released. The images, published by the Guardian, show the Melbourne-born ISIS recruiter wearing glasses, with cropped hair and a short beard. He appears slimmer than when he featured in the terrorist group's propaganda videos and is without his trademark robe. Prakash, 25, was recently arrested in Turkey, months after a drone strike in Mosul, Iraq, that was believed to have killed him and other Islamic State senior officials.

In May the federal government said the Australian jihadist died in the US-led airstrike, but it later emerged that while he was injured he did survive. Neil Prakash, who is also known as Abu Khaled al-Cambodi. He crossed the border from Syria into Turkey using false documentation and was detained by local officials working with Australian police. Earlier this week, Fairfax Media reported he might have been tracked to Turkey by his postings on social media. It is understood Australia is now trying to extradite Prakash. The Australian Federal Police issued an arrest warrant for him last year.
Tributes have been flowing for a driver who died after being thrown from his car as it flipped in a high speed crash west of Melbourne.

Dylan Mangion, 21, was driving a Ford sedan south on Coburns Road in Kurunjang, near Melton, at 11.15pm on Saturday when he lost control.

Dylan Mangion dies after being thrown a car as it flipped on Saturday night. Credit:Facebook

The car veered off the road, smashed through a fence into a paddock, and rolled several times.

The Brookfield man was thrown from the car.
Would you live next to a cable car?

Alan Hajek's house is halfway uphill, and within earshot of the gondolas floating past on the new $20 million Arthurs Seat Eagle ride at Dromana, which opened to the public on Saturday.

Professor Alan Hajek, son of Vladimir Hajek, the founder of the original Arthurs Seat chairlift in 1960. Alan stands in the backyard of the house he grew up in (as seen from a cable car). Credit:Daniel Pockett

The ride is so close to the house, you could hear passengers discussing their wife's infidelities or their uncle's jail time.

In fact, says Professor Hajek, who grew up here when the chairlift ran overhead in the 1960s and 1970s and still uses it as a holiday house, most overheard conversations were more banal.
Beijing: In the feverish run up to the US presidential election, China's state-controlled media spun Donald Trump's loose and unpredictable style as potential for Beijing's strategic gain - a businessman who could consider pragmatic trade-offs where an ideologically hawkish Hillary Clinton would not.

With one 10-minute phone call to Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen, Trump has broken with nearly four-decades of diplomatic convention, tread upon what has long been the most sensitive issue in the US-China relationship, and signalled that his administration's foreign policy calibration may be far less benign than Beijing had hoped.

As well as being the first president or president-elect to have spoken to a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when the US severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of the People's Republic of China, Trump is likely to have infuriated China by referring directly to Tsai as "President of Taiwan".

The telephone conversation, hailed by Taiwan's Central News Agency as "historic", will prove a test for the flexibility of Beijing's foreign policy calculations. It may deem it more prudent to privately remind Trump's transition team of the sensitivity of straying from the delicate diplomatic dance practised by previous US presidents.
Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken with Taiwan's president, a major departure from decades of US policy in Asia and a breach of diplomatic protocol with ramifications for the incoming president's relations with China.

Trump spoke by phone with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said. The conversation was first reported by the Financial Times and the Taipei Times.

The call is the first known contact between a US president or president-elect and a Taiwanese leader since the United States broke diplomatic relations with the island in 1979. China considers Taiwan a province, and news of the official outreach by Trump is likely to infuriate the regional military and economic power.

Trump repeatedly criticised China during his campaign, promising to brand the country a currency manipulator, which could also add tension to relations with the Pacific power. He blamed China for undermining US manufacturing jobs by selling artificially cheap exports.
Rome: With his career on the line, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi made a final appeal to Italians on Friday to support a crucial referendum to change the constitution, saying Italy could become Europe's strongest nation if it wins.

"[This Sunday] could change the lives of our children," he told a large rally in his home city of Florence.

"It is not for us, it is not for a political party, it is for them," he said at the end of a frenetic day of campaigning that included numerous media events and public rallies.

Financial markets and European political leaders fear victory for the opposition "No" camp in Sunday's vote could trigger political instability and renewed turmoil for Italy's battered banks, pushing the euro zone towards a fresh crisis.
By PTI: officials

Lucknow, Dec 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today asked officials of the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) to dedicate their services in the development of the state as they have an important responsibility in implementing government schemes.

"PCS officials have an important responsibility to implement the schemes of the government and they have fulfilled this responsibility very well," he said while addressing the inaugural two-day annual general meeting of the PCS Association here.

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"Officials have cooperated with the government and the development works seen today were result of their efforts," Akhilesh said, adding the government was thankful to the PCS cadre for their contribution in schemes such as distribution of foodgrains in the drought-hit Bundelkhand region early this year, construction of Lucknow-Agra Expressway in a record time among others.

The Chief Minister said his government has taken various steps to boost the morale of PCS officers by redressing their problems, including their promotions to IAS cadre among others.

In the past four years of the SP government, 240 PCS officers have been promoted to IAS cadre, Akhilesh said, adding he believes that government employees should get all their rights. PTI SAB AQS AQS

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It began with Cuba. After President Obama opened up relations with the country in 2015, Conan OBrien decided to take his TBS show there for a special episode, making him the first late-night host to film in Cuba since 1962. In the nearly two years since, he has filmed special episodes in Armenia, South Korea, Qatar, and now Berlin.

But in a conversation with journalists on Friday at Wirtshaus, a German beer hall in Los Angeles that OBrien jokingly renamed the worst house, the host said he is hoping to do the same type of trip in the coming months to an even more exotic location for a member of the west coast media elite: Donald Trumps America.

The day after Donald Trump surprised a majority of the country by getting himself elected president, OBrien opened his show with a message of optimism. The optimist in me today chooses to be happy that we have fair and free elections at all. I think its an amazing thing, I really do. I mean that with all of my heart, he said. In the last few years Ive traveled to a bunch of countries  Cuba, Armenia, the Middle East  where the people would give anything to have our system. In America, we get to pick whos going to ruin our country, and that is a privilege.

It was that heartfelt speech, OBrien said on Friday, that prompted his friend and fellow history buff, NPR contributor Sarah Vowell, to reach out to him with the idea about doing the same type of show in Middle America. She also suggested that he take as his companion the actor and comedian Nick Offerman, who OBrien described as someone who comes from that part of the country and is not condescending about it.

The trick of doing a special like this, OBrien said, is that he does not want to come off as the celebrity coming to check out these strange others in Trumpland, because that could be horrible. And the last thing he wants to do is preach to the choir.

OBrien said that when he drives home from work every night he flips his radio back and forth between Fox News and MSNBC and what he realizes is that no one on MSNBC is convincing anyone on Fox and no one on Fox is convincing anyone on MSNBC.

If you look at the celebrity culture, there were a lot of celebrities in this election that were just yelling at the other side and calling them stupid, he continued. And the other side didnt have a lot of celebrities, but there was a lot of yelling back and forth about, You celebrities are idiots. Its not getting us anywhere. Its very negative.

If he is going to do the travel show to somewhere in the Rust Belt, OBrien wants to make sure that it will have appeal both ways, meaning that regardless of how you voted, you could appreciate it because first and foremost it would be funny. We wouldnt be talking about, Who did you vote for? The idea would not be, Youre in a flyover state, haha. It would be a tricky balance to make sure that was the case.

This primary focus on being funny over making a political point is a theme that came up again and again for OBrien over the course of the lunch. In his words, hes not a satirist like his network-mate Samantha Bee or Stephen Colbert. Hes a clown and he has no intention of changing.

Of course, that tendency towards silliness can be seen as abdicating a responsibility that we now expect our late-night hosts to uphold. Thats a lesson Jimmy Fallon learned the hard way when he took it easy on Trump less than two months before Election Day.

But OBrien doesnt think the answer is to stop making jokes for fear of normalizing our next president. I dont think we can all just say, no jokes, because this is all too beyond the pale, he said. Or, until hes impeached, no jokes! That wouldnt work. He then added of Trump, Hed like it, Im sure.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the Conan Without Borders: Berlin special, including OBriens decision to highlight the humanity of refugees living in that city, ahead of its premiere next Wednesday, December 7 at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.
The diss track is having a renaissance. Earlier this week, reformed actor Shia LaBeouf debuted the ultimate lo-fi diss track: a modest recording emailed to radio presenter Charlemagne Tha God. Like so many unsolicited email attachments, LaBeoufs freestyle offerings went viral. As an up-and-coming rapper, Shia embraced the important rite of passage of attacking his more experienced peers, coming for Drake and Lil Yachty. But LaBeoufs DIY diss track was quickly dwarfed by J. Coles Thursday night drop. The North Carolina rapper kicked off his weekend with the release of a new documentary Eyez, marking the roll out of his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only. Calling out another artist on Twitter is so 2014these days, a surprise visual experience on Tidal is the only acceptable mode of throwing shade.

Directed by Scott Lazer and edited by Roberta Spitz, Eyez is a window into Coles recording process. Among its many revelations is the fact that, not content with merely rapping and producing, Cole has taken to extensively guiding the engineers and various musicians behind his upcoming album. Of course, viewers arent just tuning in for an intimate look at a dedicated auteur. Eyez is making waves for its numerous clips from the upcoming projectmany of which seem to be going in on Coles hip-hop competition. The most blatant example of this is False Prophets, a new track thats showcased in the doc.

From the very start, False Prophets is about as unsubtle as a diss track can be while still qualifying as shade. Cole raps, Ego in charge of every move, hes a star / And we cant look away due to the days that he caught our hearts / hes falling apart but we deny it / Justifying that half-ass shit he dropped, we always buy it / When he tell us he a genius but its clearer lately / its been hard for him to look into the mirror lately / There was a time when this nigga was my hero, maybe / Thats the reason why his fall from grace is hard to take.

Given the fact that Kanye West was recently hospitalized on the heels of a very public breakdown, its clear that False Prophets is aimed right at Yeezus. Whats slightly more mysterious is Coles decision to pen this toxic tribute like fan maila 2016 Stan. By voicing his criticism as a care-frontation, Cole seems to be coming from a place of admiration. Still, his very public disappointment in West feels cruelgood intentions aside, theres no denying that Cole is getting some free press out of kicking the volatile rapper when hes already down.

Because 2016 is ugly and dark, this isnt the first time weve debated the ethics of dissing another rappers mental health. In late October, Drake successfully showed that not all Canadians are nice when he attacked troubled rapper Kid Cudi. Cudi had recently announced that he was checking himself into rehab in order to deal with his anxiety and depression. While the majority of the hip-hop community applauded Kid Cudis openness and honesty, Drake responded with a lyrical gut punch entitled Two Birds One Stone. On the track, the Degrassi alum rapped, You were the man on the moon, now you go through your phases / Life of the angry and famous / Rap like I know Im the greatest and give you the tropical flavors / Still never been on hiatus / You stay xan and perked up so when reality set in you dont gotta face it.

The internets response was quick and uncharacteristically unanimous: while all may be fair in love and hip-hop, another rappers mental health issues should be off-limits. Strangely enough, J. Coles new track hasnt been met with that much ire. Either people really want an excuse to rag on Drake, or Kanye West is a much less sympathetic victim than Kid Cudi. While bravado is a hip-hop staple, Wests out-of-this-world confidence has routinely rubbed people the wrong way. Watching the self-declared second coming fall from grace is an understandable opportunity for schadenfreude. From his fashion line to his much-hyped opuses to his tabloid fodder marriage, West has dedicated his adult life to occupying the spotlight. The promise of a humbled, more sedate West signals a possible vacancy on the hip-hop throne. And for Wests haters, it may feel like karmic comeuppance for the man who claimed he was too big to fail.

Kanye West has always been bold and braggadocious. But in the weeks leading up to his hospitalization, he turned off and offended many of his remaining fans and allies. In a series of caustic, meandering pre-shows rants, the Life of Pablo rapper offered up some controversial opinions on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Jay Z, and Beyonce. For many, Wests insistence that he would have voted for Trump was a massive deal-breaker. Supporting a man accused of serial rape on Twitter was one thing, but supporting a groper-in-chief was apparently quite another. Kanye even got his own cancellation hashtag#KanyeWestIsOverPartyan honor formerly reserved for his nemesis, Taylor Swift.

Talib Kweli dedicated a series of tweets to holding West accountable for his reckless ranting, writing, @Kanyewest feelings dont matter fam. Facts matter. Real niggas still got love for you. But our ppl dying out here. Never Trump. the same way you want Jay to reach out to you, u should reach out to real niggas. Cuz someone aint keeping it real w u fam. the ppl gonna ride w you til the wheels fall off for what youve given us. But only if u ride w the ppl. Come back home. Love. we love u. u r everything u say u are. A genius, an icon. U added greatness to my life. But lifting Trump up kills us. Come home. Snoop Dogg weighed in with a succinct this nigga crazy.

Per Coles lyrics, its easy to see how Wests recent remarks could be read as a betrayal, even if they were the result of mental instability. After all, West has historically been praised for his politicshe fearlessly stood up for black Americans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and even took on the sensitive issue of homophobia in hip-hop way back in 2005. While West has always been erratic, his pro-Trump rhetoric marked a new nadir of trolling; for many fans, celebrating the election of a man whose proposed policies threaten black lives was simply inexcusable. It will doubtlessly take some hard work for West to regain the trust of his fans and peers. Suffice it to say, Jay Z and Beyonce may not be picking up his calls anytime soon.

But going after Wests uncharacteristic new political opinions isnt the same thing as mocking his mental health issues. Coles timing, right on the heels of Wests hospital release, is in poor taste. Still, its clear that Cole isnt exactly coming for Kanyewhile he disses his later albums, the brunt of the verse seems to stem from genuine concern. If anything, Cole is attacking Wests fans and sycophants for failing to see that their idol was in need. In fact, most of Coles disses are sort of sweet. In addition to rapping about worshipping Yeezus, he also fires some soft shots at a homie: He a rapper and he wanna win bad, Cole raps. He want the fame, the acclaim, the respect thats been had, by all the legends, so every time I see him, he stressing, talking bout, niggas dont fuck with him, the shit is depressing. He goes on to urge his frenemy to stop worrying about the critics and focus on his adoring fans. Its less of a diss and more of an unsolicited dose of tough love, most likely aimed at his good pal Wale. Cole wants his friend to stop whining about being a superstar and refocus on the music. Its good advice, but we cant help but wonder if Wale would have preferred a private phone call to being publicly put on blast.

That being said, Cole isnt above going for the cheap shotswhen it comes to rappers who he doesnt have love for, anything goes. He goes off on Drake for ghostwriting, saying, These niggas dont even write their shit / Hear some new style bubbling up, then they bite that shit. Then theres this up-for-grabs throwaway diss: Especially the amateur-eight-week rappers / Lil Whatever, just another short-bus rapper / Fake drug dealers turned tour-bus trappers. The most likely target is Lil Yachty, who had a bit of a beef with J. Cole way back in 2011.

All in all, Cole clearly delineates between the rappers hell make a punchline out of, and the ones he genuinely cares about. Whether that excuses his decision to come for Kanye West depends on your understanding of hip-hop decorum.
Source say the woman had given the card key of her room to main suspect, a tour guide. She further claimed that attendant had given a bottle of water. After drinking water, she felt drowsy.

By Tanseem Haider: A 30-year-old American woman was allegedly gang raped in a hotel of new Delhi area. Delhi Police got a complaint via NGO regarding this case.

The complaint alleged the woman with her at the hotel in Delhi's Connaught Place was gang-raped by five men, including the tourist guide. Police sources said in her complaint that she had come to visit India, she stayed at the hotel in Delhi's Connaught Place raped her in the hotel room.

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The woman registered her complaint through e-mail. The woman, as per the report, said that she would come to Delhi to record her statement once an FIR was registered. An NGO has alleged that an American tourist was allegedly gangraped by five men in March at a five-star hotel in Connaught Place. They were investigating a complaint from an NGO, through an email, stating that the US citizen was gangraped by five men who entered into her room on the pretext of some tour and travel related work.

The woman came to India as part of a group. The travel agent in US had contacted their Indian franchise to make arrangements for the stay. Source say the woman had given the card key of her room to main suspect, a tour guide. She further claimed that attendant had given a bottle of water. After drinking water, she felt drowsy. The tour guide, attendant, guide's cousin and two others sexually assaulted for two days.

The woman said she was threatened not to tell anyone. Three days, she wrote an email from Pennsylvania after she got in touch with an NGO. Police has identified the travel agency and tour guide. FIR of gangrape is to be filed. Cops have convinced the woman to record her statement and identified the suspects.

Sushma Swaraj also tweeted in support of the matter, saying that the government would initiate action against the culprits who allegedly gang-raped a US woman at a five-star hotel near Connaught Place earlier this year.

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Damien Chazelles La La Land, the old-fashioned musical charming its way to the Oscars, opens on the most Los Angeles of modern Los Angeles showstoppers imaginable: A traffic jam on the 110 freeway turns into a symphony of strangers dancing out of their cars in perfect syncopation, crooning about their lofty dreams with the same unadulterated optimism, flashing a whole lot of jazz hands. Later, its two lovers swoon cheek-to-cheek inside L.A.s Griffith Observatory, gliding into the starry night like Fred and Ginger.

La La Land is bright, its buoyant, and its big, like the grandest of the MGM musicals that dominated 1950s screens, shot on the soundstages that still stand like hallowed cathedrals to cinephiles across the city. With Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone paired up as two Hollywood dreamershe a jazz-loving piano man frustrated by his failures, she a struggling actress who wants to be a starLa La Land reaches across half a century of cinema to celebrate classics like Singin in the Rain, The Band Wagon, and A Star Is Born, some of our greatest film musicals about making it and falling in love in showbiz.

The Best Picture frontrunners biggest debt, however, and the bittersweetness that makes it linger, is owed to the jazzy 1964 French movie-musical that dared to undermine all those crowd-pleasing golden age Hollywood fantasies: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg). Jacques Demys French New Wave masterpiece earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Screenplay for Demy and three nods for composer Michel Legrand, whose unforgettable jazz-infused love theme soars and swells and haunts in its minor turns, a clear influence on La La Lands musical identity.

The best known of Demys lovelorn trilogy (preceded by Lola and followed by The Young Girls of Rochefort), Cherbourg is the ultimate un-romantic romancea mournful dirge for the slow, amnesiac undoing of love. But as it opens amid vivid splashes of bright hues and singsong jubilation, the passions of its young lovers, shop girl Genevieve (Catherine Deneuve) and a young mechanic named Guy (Nino Castelnuovo) are as dreamy as they get in Cherbourgs tiny seaside town in the south of France. (Its famous theme I Will Wait For You was covered dozens of times and became a pop hit in English, but was put to particularly good use in the Jurassic Bark episode of Futurama.)

Cherbourgs conceit is that its entirely sung through, Legrands soul-stirring score turning the most banal of dialogue between characters into one larger-than-life melody. Everything in Genevieve and Guys candy-colored world exists in a heightened emotional state in which love lasts forever, just like it promises to in Hollywood movies. Not even his conscription into the Algerian War can come between the pair and the plans theyve made for the future. But when Guy boards the train that will take him away for longer than either of them will realize, the camera goes with him. Demys iconic shot leaves its gaze on Genevieve, left behind at the station as the distance grows by the second, promising to wait for Guy if it takes forever.

Written before L.A. transplant Chazelle scored a hit with his Oscar pic Whiplash, La La Land stars Gosling as Sebastian, a cranky piano player obsessed with owning his own place where great jazz can be saved from obsolescence. Stones Mia is an actress who works as a barista on a studio lot, worshipping classic Hollywood icons while trudging through one depressing audition after another. Both have been defeated by the L.A. rat raceuntil they meet, banter, bicker, and fall. They save one another from cynicism. They energize one anothers dreams. Theirs is the kind of love between dreamers that musicals were made for.

With their refreshingly imperfect voices, Mia and Sebastian break into song to express their feelings as much apart as they do together, in memorable and melancholic ditties like Goslings City of Stars and Stones The Fools Who Dream. Chazelle shot on film in CinemaScope like the old timers did, filming his stars singing and dancing against a vivid Los Angeles cityscapea vast canvas filled with the ghosts of dreamers past, whenever their emotions get too big to contain.

When Gosling and Stone hoof it together, as they do in one stunning choreographed number in the dusky Hollywood Hills, they conjure memories of how Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers used to tap and twirl their way towards the happy ending, the consummation of a metaphorical musical union. Later, as they dance cheek to cheek into the stars inside Griffith Observatorys empty planetarium, Chazelle borrows a note from Gene Kelly and Leslie Carons intimate dreamlike ballet from An American in Paris.

Its a starry-eyed ode to dreamers and lovers filled with bright colors that magnify the aspirations and restless energies of its characters. But Chazelle, who has named Cherbourg among his favorite films, similarly keeps an ace up his sleeve right out of the Demy playbook. His La La Land might be read as much a response to Cherbourg as that film was a harsh rebuke to the Hollywood musicals that came before.

Even by the 1960s, when Demy put his own spin on the genre, the MGM fantasies of a decade prior had been turning on themselves. Singin in the Rain, cinemas best backstage musical about show business and the changing landscape of movies, was already meta in 1952. The brilliance of Cherbourg is in how it immerses its audience into the indulgence and artifice of the genre only to subvert it with the realest talk film musical audiences had seen.

Cherbourg flips from saccharine to subversive once time and doubt start chipping away at the impenetrable armor of love. Pregnant with Guys child, Genevieve is shocked to discover she can, in fact, survive without him. People only die of love in movies, her mother scolds. Distance makes the heart grow forgetful. She marries another man to secure her future, and when Guy finally returns home he too moves onward and upward. Life goes on, and love goes awayeven if a shadow of what once was and could have been remains in their shared memories.

So when Goslings Sebastian asks, Why do you say romantic like its a dirty word? its because Chazelle is well familiar with the gulf between the romantic optimism of the movies and the banalities of real life. Later, he amends La La Lands Cherbourg-esque pangs with a sequence borrowed from Gene Kellys phantasmagoric Broadway Melody dream montage in Singin in the Rain, one that applies a heart-stopping salve to the impulse toward cynicism.

Chazelles clear-eyed romantic streak surfaces every time La La Land breathes and flutters and swells with its wonderfully nostalgic hopefulness, particularly when Justin Hurwitzs exquisitely melancholy songs and score take center stage. Mia and Sebastians most memorable prelude-to-romance false start takes place in the restaurant where he grudgingly plays Christmas jingles for tips. Hes compelled to play something else as the lights dim for the films audience, and an exquisite, yearning, aching new song surges forth. It is his and Mias song. When Chazelle pays off the emotional impact he earns in that one moment, the result is real and powerful and overwhelmingand utterly, beautifully cinematic.

Like Cherbourg, La La Land celebrates the dreamers, the fools, the fantasies we spin for ourselves, and, sometimes, the ones we share with others. It also understands how life has a way of throwing us off course of the plans we make. In Cherbourg that lesson feels ordinarily tragic. La La Land makes it all seem extraordinarily okay.
Bresha Meadows knows what monsters look like.

She saw one daily, his presence unavoidable as he tormented her family through the shadows of the night and even in the broad daylight. She watched helplessly as he brutalized her mother, threatening and beating his children, hoping against hope that the looming horrors would end.

Jonathan Meadows, she says, repeatedly threatened to kill them all.

But when the then 14-year-old Ohio girl picked up a gun and shot her father in the head last July 28, ending a years-long campaign of terror, she woke to a new monsterone that was supposed to protect her: the criminal justice system.

Bresha was arrested and held in a Warren, Ohio juvenile detention center, charged with aggravated murder. Warren prosecutors fought to push to try her case into the adult system where she would face a possible life sentence. The district attorney reversed course Thursday, but the question remains: Should she face charges at all?

Like Bresha, Ive met my share of monsters. There was my father who pushed my mothers face through a plate glass window and, later, her live-in boyfriend forced me into a bathtub filled with scalding hot water. I was five years old at the time, but I can still see the redness and the yellow blisters that swelled on my pale bony legs. I can still hear my screams roaring in my ears. My then 14-year-old brother Donnie kicked down the bathroom door and pulled me from the tub. My sister Lori Ann, who was 12, called my mother at work.

Mama shot Tony in the leg that night, leaving him with a permanent limp. Years later, she brandished her pistol again after he threatened to kill her and dump her body in the Mississippi River.

She was arrested on a gun possession charge. Nearly four decades later, my mother thought the case was closed until it was discovered in a background check for a concealed carry license.

I will never forget the night that Tony beat her savagely, upending our living room furniture as she struggled to get away. My brother Christopher, best friend Debbie and I locked ourselves in a bedroom, stuffing metal and wooden toys into pillow cases and barricading the door. We were children-- eight and nine years old-- preparing to defend ourselves with anything we could get our hands on.

I ran away from home at least twice that year, trying to escape the madness. Debbie helped me pack an overnight bag with clothes, a few toiletries, my favorite dolls and a sandwich she took from her mothers kitchen. But, at eight years old, I had barely enough moneybetween my allowance and hers-- to catch a Bi-State bus down St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann, Missouri and cross into the city limits of St. Louis to get to my Aunt Doris Jeans house.

Tony circled the block, looking for me. I hid out in the county library, clutching the bus schedule, until the next one came by. I watched him turn the corner, then I hurried aboard, dropped two quarters into the slot and slunk down into the nearest seat. I didnt feel safe until the bus reached the stop near Martin Luther King Drive and Taylor Avenue. I walked the last block, lugging my suitcase down an unpaved alleyway.

Nobody was home when I got to my aunties run-down, walk-up apartment, except her feral old cat Samantha and a mutt named Lady. I waited on the porch with the dog until my Uncle Willie Byrd stumbled in drunk after nightfall.

That was 1976.

Our physical wounds have healed, but the emotional scars remain. I was told that Anthony Gino Delgado died in prison after he was convicted on capital murder charges. My brother Donnie said Tony was in jail because he decapitated a man with the sickle.

Like my mother, I would later face down my own abuser. I repeatedly tried to leave and was stabbed in the back the day I finally got out. We were lucky.

Approximately 75 percent of women who are killed by their batterers are murdered when they attempt to leave or after they have left an abusive relationship, researchers found, and women are 70 percent more likely to be killed in the two weeks after leaving than at any other time during the relationship, experts say.

One in three women are victims of domestic violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the presence of a gun in the household increases the likelihood by 500 percent. One in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90 percent of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.

Children are not only witnesses, but are often victimizedas both Bresha and I were-- by the same abuser. The impacts are life-long. We are six times more likely to commit suicide, according to Brian F. Martin, who founded the nonprofit advocacy group Children of Domestic Violence.

Despite the facts of the Meadows case and the body of research that clearly spells out the dangers of domestic violence, prosecutors chose to charge Bresha in her fathers death. The announcement that her case will be tried by a juvenile judge was welcome news. However, if convicted, Bresha, who is the niece of a Cleveland police officer, can still be incarcerated until her 21st birthday.

I am obviously thrilled with the decision by the prosecutor to keep Breshas case in the juvenile court, defense attorney Ian Friedman said. This doesnt change our position that this was a self-defense scenario and we will press on with our effort to get Bresha home with her family right away. Today is a great day.

There is a national movement to free Bresha. Over 100 domestic violence organizations have endorsed a call to drop the charges against her and grant her an immediate release, according to Huffington Post. A petition with the same request has over 24,000 signatures.

Before the shooting, Officer Martina Latessa said Bresha ran away from home and opened up about her fathers brutality. She reportedly told her aunt that her father had beaten her mother and threatened to kill the entire family. Bresha, she said, was suicidal.

We didnt know for months what was going to happen, she said. Now we know she will not spend the rest of her life in prison, no matter what.

That isnt enough. The charges should be dropped altogether and the family should be given the resources necessary to rebuild their lives. The profound and traumatic impacts to Bresha, whose mother called her a hero, will be long lasting. By the time Bresha makes the next court appearance on January 20, she will have spent nearly six months behind bars.

That will be six months too long.
People come and go. Bars, restaurants, bodegas and bagel shops close and change hands. Thats a part of living in New York. Maybe its the fertilizer that feeds new generations of immigrants. My friends skew more towards artists and musicians, and I can safely say that that demographic is leaving this city faster than I can remember. From the perspective of real estate owners and businesses that cater to the upwardly mobile, its a great thing. But what will a New York City without creative poor and working people look like?

This city changes at a glacial pace, the pendulum swinging through neighborhoods of prosperity and tearing them down into poverty, erasing their memory and building something new. A glacier moving through your bedroom might seem slow from 10,000 feet away but when its your home, your favorite restaurant or community center, your kids favorite park, the speed of development and destruction happens fast.

I lost a warehouse I called home just over two years ago. For years it served as a music venue called Death By Audio. We also had a recording studio, photo studio, workshops and bedrooms. Im not the first creative person to lose their home in this city, but the irony was visceral and frustrating: Vice Media, a company that built its brand selling advertisers access to underground culture, counter-normative ideas, sex, drugs, music, art, and youth took over our building and forced us out. It was painful and destructive on many levels but I was able to make a movie about the experience and the utopia we lived in called Goodnight BrooklynThe Story of Death By Audio. Ive spent much of the past two years making this film and its been both rewarding and cathartic to have the chance to make something positive out of a painful time.

Optimism is essential. I can walk through the changing parts of this city and laugh at its gaudy excess, smile at its nooks of wilderness and excitement. Its hard at times not to feel resentment or frustration at the people who have moved into developing neighborhoods without any sense of history or community, but I never forget that I was new here once, too. This city is too old for anybody to say they were here first. The pioneers are long dead. I still love this city; I love that its always changing. People crazier and younger than me show up and bring their will and passion with them.

I havent played in a band since my venue closed and thats OK. Friends of mine around the world are making great music; its their life passion. Maybe its getting older, but I feel like being in a band, opening a DIY venue or art gallery, these things should be done by the people who need to do them. I feel grateful that we had the chance to do as much as we did, but I would not want to stand in the way of the next person who needs to do it.

For every underground music venue or ad-hoc art gallery thats closed, I like to think another one has opened in a different part of town. Perhaps thats not the case, but so long as there is a space for creative people to live in this city, theyre going to do amazing things. Unfortunately, those spaces are becoming fewer and farther between, and its a terrible trend. These spaces are vital to our survivalculturally, artistically, and creatively.

Whatever small part, if any, Death By Audio played in the citys troubling transformation from abandoned warehouses to nightclubs, Apple Stores, condos, and offices is for historians to decide. But the friends that I lived with on S. 2nd street were searching for an environment of creative freedom. Any great city should value these sacred spaces, and its my hope that the spirit of Death by Audio will inspire them to keep fighting the good fight.
The most important thoughts from Stephen K. Bannon, the incoming chief strategist in the Donald Trump White House, that youll read this weekend arent his thoughts on the economy or foreign policy. Instead, we look back to the 90s, when the then-right-wing-filmmaker (who would eventually came to be adored by white supremacists as the head of the far-right website Breitbart, and then as Trumps campaign CEO) penned a cinematic Shakespearean sex scene set in a warring outer-space world.

As The Daily Beast reported in August, Bannon (who, long before becoming the head of Trumps presidential campaign, had a history as a conservative filmmaker openly and deeply influenced by Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl) used to have a taste for adapting works of William Shakespeare. He spent years writing scripts and pitches for film and TV with his longtime Hollywood writing partner, Julia Jones, a flaming liberal who has become disgusted with her former close friend and colleague.

For instance, Bannon and Jones once wrote a Shakespearean hip-hop musical about the 1992 Los Angeles riots. This unproduced script, a copy of which was first shared with The Daily Beast over the summer, adapted Shakespeares Coriolanus, based on the life of the Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Make a rap film out of it set in South Central during the L.A. riotsthat was Steves idea, Jones said.

In August, Jones also told The Daily Beast about another screenplay that the creative duo had penned together: a new, silver-screen vision of Shakespeares brutal and blood-drenched tragedy Titus Andronicus. Jones recalled that she pitched setting their adaptation on the moon with creatures from outer space. Bannon was apparently so thoroughly taken by the premise of intergalactic carnage that thats what sold him on her as his writing partner. (Bannon would later co-executive produce Titus, the 1999 thriller and Shakespeare adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins. This one had nothing to do with Jones, and was not set in outer space with scary moon-monsters.)

Earlier this week, The Paris Review reported on this scriptworking title: Andronicusand chatted with Jones about it, highlighted a few excerpts, and discussed Bannons obsession with Shakespeares goriest play. (Nothing much ever became of the script, except being added to the Bannon-Jones files.)

Both Bannon and his boss, soon-to-be leader of the free world Donald J. Trump, have colorful histories involving Hollywood and the film industry. Because of this, we know things about their respective creative processes that we might not know about your average politician or political operative. (Living exceptions to this rule include Democratic congressman Steve Israel, who has written about fleshy breasts, and Jim Webb who was accused of writing inappropriate, graphic sex scenes and misogynistic language into his works of fiction.)

For example, we know what kind of acting choices Trump would make if he starred in, say, a romantic comedy about a horny ghostbecause Trump has in fact acted in such a movie. He even won an award for Worst Supporting Actor for it!

And, thanks to Bannons years as a wannabe Hollywood writer/director, we know how the incoming White House chief strategist would craft a steamy, intergalactic sex scene with Shakespearean themes.

In a copy of Andronicus provided to The Daily Beast by Jones, theres a lot of politics, vengeance, warfare, and melodrama.

It also has its tender moments. Below is a sensual taste from page 51 and 52 of the script (its 102 in total). Its a scene that takes place shortly after the dramatic scene of Saturniuss guards, heavily armed, descend ominously, bearing torches, their heavy boots sounding on the stone floors.

In the following scene, readers will find Attava, a space queen, gaining carnal knowledge of Aaron, a Lower Human who is half-alien, half-human, according to the screenplay.

INT. ATTAVAS PALACE CHAMBERNIGHT

A roaring fire, wine, silver goblets, a deep canopy bed.

Attava has been well provided for.

OUTSIDE, IN A DRAUGHTY CORRIDOR

Aaron leans like a shadow into the doorway. He knocks.

BACK INSIDE

Attava approaches. Her dressing gown gapes open, revealing her breasts. She opens the door. Aaron enters, closing it behind him and leans against it, arms folded across his chest.

AARON Im glad you called.

He grabs her. She leads him to the bed and pulls him down; laughing softly, she unwraps her gown.

ATTAVA Everything is always so physical

with you.

AARON

Oh, yes

He climbs onto her and their forms dissolve, blend and blur in an erotic scene of ectoplasmic sex.

DISSOLVE TO:

A FEW DAYS LATER [at preparation for a kings wedding.]

I guess we were trying to do Star Wars, Jones told The Daily Beast, discussing how the two worked closely together on this project, and that Bannon was a fan of the script. A battle takes place on Mars, then Andronicus goes to Earth which is his undoing, she continued, recapping.

Jones characterizes the dialogue as cheesy, and the screenplay an embarrassing relic from her and Bannons earliest days collaborating in the movie business.

Nowadays, Jones, based in Massachusetts, is still working on her movie projects, and describes herself as a proud Bernie Sanders liberal. Her ex-partner, however, is about to become one of the most powerful people in the world, working in the Republican administration fueled by a radical fringe in American politics and pushing racist ideas, Jones says.

My fear of him being involved with Trump is knowing how effective he is, Jones told The Daily Beast in late August. If anyone can pull this off, its Steve Bannon.

And, much to her own dismay, she was right.
ROMEOn Sunday, Italians will be asked to vote on major legislative reforms in a referendum that, if it passes, would be the most progressive move Italy has ever made in streamlining its famously top-heavy government.

Or, in the far more likely scenario that it fails if the latest polls are any indication, a defeat will send the country into yet another spiral into chaos that could give power to former comedian Beppe Grillo, whose policies might make president elect Donald Trump look mild by comparison.

The referendum on reforms is the brainchild of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who leads Italys 63rd government in 68 years. Renzi, Italys youngest-ever leader at the age of 41, elbowed his way into office in a typically Italian maneuver that had nothing to do with a ballot back in 2014, when he ousted Enrico Letta, who had come to power after the replacing Mario Monti, who was the technocrat appointed to replace Silvio Berlusconi when he resigned in a humiliating scandal that involved sex, taxes and bunga-bunga in 2011.

The last time Italians elected a prime minister was in 2008, when they chose Berlusconi for the third time. An election in 2013 was inconclusive, which lead to the conundrum Italy now finds itself in.

Sundays reform referendum would have been a simple vote on Italys obvious need to update some of its archaic governmental practices if Renzi hadnt self-admittedly erred in making the referendum about his own untested popularity. Risking what is clearly everything, Renzi said he would resign if the referendum is defeated, even though a number of heavy hitters, including President Barack Obama, have urged him to stay on, no matter what happens Sunday. Its yes or never, is Renzis favorite campaign promise. You are playing with the next 20 years with this vote.

If the referendum fails and Renzi keeps his promise to bail, the clear winner would be Grillo, who wont hold office himself because of a 2003 conviction for vehicular manslaughter, which disqualifies him by his own political mantra that felons cant be in parliament. But he is the consummate sideline puppeteer, and his party, which is the second most popular after Renzi's, could fill the vacuum that a Renzi departure would create. If that happens, it is almost sure that Italy would eventually hold its own version of an Itexit vote to leave the European Union, which has long been Grillos anti-Europe battle cry. Hypothetical polls show that Italians learned a lot from Brexit and would likely vote to stay in the EU if the vote were held now, but whos to say what a year of Grillo propaganda could do to turn that tide. His favorite campaign cry is one that might sound familiar to Americans. Vote with your gut, he says. Not with your brain.

It must be noted that Grillos reach expands far beyond anti-Euro sentiment. According to a thoroughly researched Buzzfeed investigation, led by respected Italian journalist Alberto Nardelli, Grillo is apparently the godfather of a fake news and Russian meddling phenomenon in Europe, having built a sprawling network of websites and social media accounts that are spreading fake news, conspiracy theories, and pro-Kremlin stories to millions of people.

On his blog, Grillo denied the Buzzfeed charges as the ultimate fake news, but convincing evidence points to Grillos network of collection of profitable sites that describe themselves as independent news outlets but are actually controlled by the party leadership that makes Breitbart look relatively amateurish by comparison.

Grillo, it must be noted, applauded Trumps upset victory, calling it a massive fuck off to the global establishment, and vowing that he and his party can do the same in Italy. His drumbeat against the referendum has been steadfast, and Renzi and his referendums defeat would be Grillos clear victory, even though it might not be immediate.

If the referendum does fail, Italys president Sergio Mattarella could offer a short-term mandate to Renzi to form a technocratic government until official elections, which are currently slated for early 2018 are held, though Renzi has been clear that hes not interested in anything less than a full mandate. Mattarella might then appoint a senior minister from Renzis government, but whatever happens, it would be short-lived. He could also call snap elections, though no one from any party on any side is vying for that.

If the referendum passes, Italy must essentially reinvent itself to navigate what would be unchartered waters with an efficient, centralized and streamlined governmentsomething that has never existed in the country since the reign of Benito Mussolini, which is hardly a shining example and one that Renzi is quick to dispute. The popular joke in Rome is that if the referendum passes, the primary task will be nailing Renzi, known for his egomania, to the ground to get anything done.

Either way, the ripples will be felt across an already shell-shocked Europe that is wary after the Brexit vote and nervous about what the election of Trump really means. While Italys reform referendum carries neither the weight of Brexit nor the impact of an American presidential decision, it is still the next big litmus test on the global rise of populism and, according to many, the next domino to fall.
MEXICO CITY  Whether draining funds from public coffers, racketeering and laundering cash from drug cartels, ordering killings, allegedly having sex with children, or fleeing from international and national authorities, Mexicos renegade governors do manage to keep themselves busy.

They are often some of the countrys biggest embarrassments, a scourge on Mexican civil life, and one of the country largest barriers in its pursuit of progress.

Corrupt governors manage to keep journalists talking, and authorities fumbling for excuses: a half-dozen recent and standing governors are being investigated by Mexicos attorney general, the Procurador General de la Republica, or PGR right now. But official corruption at this level is nothing new.

They are the feudal overlords of a pillaged Mexico who have rarely, if ever, faced justice. Herewith, a rogues gallery:

Former governor of Sonora, Guillermo Padres Elias, voluntarily turned himself in to authorities in Mexico City in mid-November on charges of tax fraud, money laundering, and participation in organized crime, after about $8.8 million was discovered in foreign accounts attributed to him and family members. The money allegedly was pilfered from his states coffers or otherwise illicitly received. Interpol put out a red notice for him in early October, and after spending more than a month on the lam, Padres and his son were arrested.

Padres claimed he is the victim of political persecution. But authorities accuse him of granting a company to which he had links more than $12 million in contracts, ostensibly to supply school uniforms, but instead lining his pockets.

He is among the only governors in this long list who have been subject to actual jail time, as the rest have been allowed to escape into the abyss of a large and largely lawless country. Curiously, he may, in fact, be the most honest of the bunch. From here it just gets worse.

Tomas Yarrington, former governor of Tamaulipas, has been on the run since 2012, following his indictment in the U.S., primarily, for violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and participation in various extortion and bribery schemes.

Yarrington spent three years as mayor of Matamorosacross the border from Brownsville, Texasbefore serving as governor and eventually launching an unsuccessful 2005 presidential bid. But according to the FBI, Yarrington, during his term as governor between 1999 and 2004, profited off the Gulf Cartels cocaine trafficking network to the United States through the port of Veracruz.

The indictment details $7 million in money sent to front companies and individuals in the U.S., much of which came in deposits of less than $10,000 to avoid international scrutiny. He bought himself an airplane in 2005 with some of his dirty earnings. But some of this cash was also used for the acquisition of U.S. property, allegedly including a luxury condominium on South Padre Island off Corpus Christi that was seized in 2012.

The DEA alleges that the former governor spent years laundering money he received from drug trafficking organizations like the Gulf Cartel who financed his political campaign for the promise they would be allowed to continue with their drug trafficking routes through the state unimpeded.

The U.S. government, which would seek his extradition if the Mexican authorities manage to nab him, re-issued his pending arrest warrant on November 21 this year, and the following day the Mexican government set up a 15 million pesoabout three-quarters of a million dollarsreward for information on him.

Tamaulipas has been, to say the least, a trouble state. Yarringtons predecessor as governor, Eugenio Hernandez also was indicted in the United States. But the Mexican government has yet to announce a reward for Hernandez.

According to some of the testimony linking Yarrington to organized crime, former governor Hernandez also received on at least two separate occasions, $25 million dollars from Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano a founding member of the Zetas cartel.

Hernandezs sister, Susana Hernandez Flores, who is also a politician, says he is innocent despite the fact U.S. authorities still consider him a fugitive. Indeed, last week she said her brother was cleared of all charges by the PGR and given a letter in 2013, which guarantees that there will be no penal action taken against him  and which explains, she said, why no reward is being offered for his apprehension.

In Veracruz, the state through which much of the cartels cocaine was shipped under official protection, former Governor Javier Duarte is also on the lam, accused of operating a vast embezzlement scheme which allegedly resulted in as much as $1.7 billion in personal enrichment siphoned from public funds and stuffed into a vast network of shell companies that were later dissolved.

Duartes alleged money-laundering scheme was first revealed by the magazine Animal Politico in May, but at the time seemed to involve only slightly more than $31 million unaccounted for between 2012 and 2013. Of that, the government claims to have recuperated about $20 million that Duarte funneled into these companies. They made an initial deposit of $11 million made this week, and are supposed to return the remaining amount to the Veracruz treasury in monthly installments.

But that now appears to have just been scratching the surface, and federal auditors have filed about 60 complaints against Duarte and co-conspiring officials. Since Mexicos national auditing agency was created in 2000, the Duarte-Veracruz case has proven itself to be the most obscene graft case ever exposed in a federal audit in Mexicoever.

The still-evolving estimate of missing federally allocated funds has reached close to $3 billion dollars, according to Animal Politico, just in Veracruz alone, Mexicos third largest state.

In September, the PGR announced it would begin investigating Duarte for illicit enrichment.

Veracruz doesnt need a part-time governor, Duarte said in mid-October, announcing he would take a leave of absence to face the false accusations and to clean his name and that of his family. But then he made a run for it, and has since been fugitive.

The ruling PRI, or Institutional Revolutionary Party, expelled Duarte, calling the move an historic decision.

Then the interim governor who stepped in, Flavino Rios Alvarado, also of the PRI, did little to help his party wash its hands of the disgraced former governor. Rios Alvarado denies he helped Duarte flee the state, but admitted last month that he knew the fugitive governor asked for a helicopter in Coatzacoalcos, a city in southern Veracruz. As governor, I asked them [at the airport] to give him the same attention that they would give any governor, Flavino said in an interview with the popular reporter Adela Micha. But he still denied that he helped Duarte leave. I didnt know whether or not there was an arrest warrant out for him at the time, Flavino said.

It is, unbelievably, still unknown where the former governor went after leaving Coatzacoalcos. But a few weeks ago, the Mexican government began offering a reward of 15 million pesos for information leading to Duartes arrestabout three-quarters of a million dollars at the current exchange rate.

They have yet to address, however, one of the most devastating tallies, in addition to the missing billions, left as a hallmark of corruption in the wake of Duartes term. At least 15 journalists were murdered during his six-year reign, making Veracruz the most dangerous state for reporters in Mexicoitself the most dangerous country outside of a war zone for practicing journalism.

Of note is photojournalist Ruben Espinosa who was murdered last year along with four women, including human rights activist Nadia Vera, after fleeing the state while facing death threats. Espinosa infuriated then-Governor Duarte by taking an unflattering photograph of him, which made the cover of investigative magazine Proceso, along with the headline Veracruz: Lawless State.

Vera, for her part, said that if anything happens to her or her colleagues they would blame Governor Javier Duarte Ochoa and his cabinet.

They are the ones who are directly responsible for sending those who are repressing us, Nadia Vera said in the months before she and her colleagues were murdered in Mexico City. The Mexican government, but the Mexican government did not pursue that angle.

Those arrested in the case include a Mexico City police officer, and they are facing a combined 300 years in prison, but more questions than answers remain. The women were tortured and sexually mutilated, and two of the five had said openly they fled from the now-fugitive governor and his state, yet authorities allege that the motive for the gruesome multi-homicide was plain robberywith the victims being the only people targeted on the fourth floor of an unimpressive Mexico City apartment building.

The Veracruz governor who came before Duarte, Fidel Herrera Beltran, was hardly any better. An accountant for the Gulf Cartel testified in a U.S. court that $12 million was given to support the governors campaign in 2003. And Herrera, was named in Forbes Magazines 10 Most Corrupt Mexicans of 2013 list for his complicity with the Zetas cartel, the former armed wing of the Gulf Cartel.

The new governor of Veracruz, Miguel Angel Yunes, a member of the PAN party who lost to Duarte in 2010 but won the latest election earlier this year, took office this Thursday.

He called the power shift an historic day for Veracruz, a state which has been managed by the ruling PRI for the past 86 years, reminding the rest of the country of life during the more than seven decades of continual power PRI presidents celebrated in Mexico until the 2000 election of former President Vicente Fox, who ushered in the promise of a new era for a new millennium in Mexico.

Fox caused ripples then, but now provokes giggles, and is best known for his online feuding with President-elect Donald Trump, telling him Mexico is not going to pay for that fucking wall.

Though its true that the PAN provided a seemingly light-hearted shift from the PRI, best known for its Voldemortian imposition of power, the PAN has been a close runner-up and hardly fared better in recent years.

Yunes, while campaigning under the PAN umbrella, promised a radical change in Veracruz, and to reveal information [about Duarte] that would make the country shake.

Instead, as Yunes embarks on his first week as governor of Veracruz, long-standing allegations persist against him in connection with a ring that prostituted pre-pubescent girls and boys.

Yunes is a pedophile, one victim alleged. The man is untouchable and always has been, and its impossible to fight against him and demand justice from the authorities, when he is the one whos in charge of the same authorities.

Journalist Lydia Cacho, who penned the book The Demons of Eden, was arrested in 2005 in this case on charges of libel and slander for her role in exposing the allegedly vast network. She was legally abducted in Cancun by Puebla authorities, who subjected her to 20 hours of torture, she said. Only one of her kidnappers has since been arrested for his role, and only after the United Nations condemned the governments inaction in late 2014.

Naturally Yunes denies these allegations, but even so in Veracruz the man who has just replaced the man who is known as Mexicos most criminal governor, is accused of being no better, andalthough many had hoped it impossibleperhaps, even worse than fugitive former governor Javier Duarte.

Como se dice disappointed, but not surprised en espanol?

The corruption allegations go on and on against present and former governor after another, from Quintana Roos real estate scams and related money laundering in Yucatan . In Baja California the governor, whose official salary is about $63,000 a year, reportedly is building a home across the border in Tijuana valued at close to $4 million, while owning dozens of other valuable propoerties.

In Nuevo Leon, the popular independent cowboy-turned-governor Jaime Rodriguez, known as el Bronco, campaigned with the promise to lock up his predecessor Rodrigo Medina, and met with enthusiastic cheers from his numerous followers. But, since his election last year, the PGR has announced that it has not received complaints against the former governor. El Bronco and his administration have since said they will pursue local charges of abuse of power instead of subjecting him to a national process over illicit enrichment, due to lack of evidence.

Major corruption scandals have hit Durango, Chihuahua, and Coahuila, whose former Governor Humberto Moreira was arrested by Spanish authorities in January on allegations of money laundering for the sanguinary Zetas cartel.

The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the diplomatic machinery kicked quickly into action, explaining his release just a week after his arrest in Spain. The Mexican Secretary of Interior, and the Spanish government, denied there had been any special treatment.

U.S. authorities nevertheless seized a half-million-dollar property registered to Humberto Moreiras mother-in-law in Texas, last year, as part of an investigation into millions of dollars that were reportedly stolen from the coffers of the border state of Coahuila. Further details of the case were then officially sealed.

But the former governors crimes will likely remain uninvestigated, as his brother Ruben Moreira Valdez is now the governor of that state.

Are Mexicos governors more corrupt than ever? This is politics as usual in Mexico.

And as is customary in Mexico, power changes hands and parties every six years. What follows is a witch hunt as new warlocks come in to look at the past brews of public funds, sprinkled with cartel cash, have fermented in a warm cauldron of official protection for a half-decadedosed, not infrequently, with the blood of journalists who attempt to expose the rancid brew. But, then, another politician comes along as usual, with an even longer straw with which to siphon or a bigger spoon with which to stir things up.

According to impoverished Mexicans in an oil-rich country, suffering poverty and the ravages of a drug war with no end in sight, there is not much hope of change and fatalism runs deep.

They are all corrupt; every last one of them, as a young Mexican in Baja put it on Friday night.

If they werent corrupt, theyd be dead, his friend chimed in.
There is nothing weirder, wilder, or more magical than a babys movement in utero. For many mothers (it certainly was for me), the quickening, those first flutters, are the moment when a pregnancy starts to feel real, when a bump becomes a baby. And as the pregnancy progresses, with each kick and stretch and rollover, the physical and emotional connection between mother and baby grows.

Naturally, men want in.

Now in Sweden, the Scandinavian diaper brand Libero is providing a way for partners of pregnant women to share in the experience of babys movements. After two years of product design and development, Liberos BabyBuzzbilled as the worlds first pregnant braceletis ready and promises to help Swedish couples share every pregnancy more intensely, by alerting a womans partner of in-utero kicks with a buzz on the wrist.

It works like this: A pregnant woman and her partner both wear smart bracelets, hers enabled with a button, her partners with a buzzer. When the child kicks, or punches, or hiccups, the pregnant woman pushes her button, and her partners bracelet vibrates. The bracelets have to be connected to an a iPhone app via Bluetooth and are actually just SMS messagesso like texts, but without the ability to communicate anything other than BZZZZ, though users have the option of sending a short or longer vibration, to replicate the intensity of the movement.

As part of the rollout, Libero released a short documentary highlighting the experiences of three product testing couples. All first-time parents, the young adults explain, with unbridled sincerity, how the constant connection of BabyBuzz has engaged them in a way that an actual text or a conversation never could:

As a man, you feel helpless in the situation, because theres nothing you can do. Sure I can reassure her, talk to her, maybe bring her a warm blanket or something, one fellow says, describing, in fact, lovely ways to connect with ones pregnant partner. But theres something special about that vibration.

If I can feel my wristband vibratingIt feels like I own the situation, a track-suited, bearded, father-to-be says over tape of him running through a snow-covered landscape. You start imagining. You havent been kept out by her describing it. And thatthis is mine. My kick. Completely.

Not only does the buzzing inspire a sense of ownership of the physiological phenomenon once only enjoyed by pregnant women and those with hands to place upon her, the BabyBuzzan identifiable FitBit style bracelet, also works as signal to the world: a kind of Ask me about my pregnancy jewelry.

A lot of people have come over and asked what that thing is, one partner explains, bemoaning the fact that before his bracelet, he always had to bring up the fact that he was an expectant father first. I always had to make an active effort, he said.

According to Libero, the impetus for the BabyBuzz was expecting women who posted on its forums the desire for their partners to be more engaged. A follow-up survey of 4,000 Nordic parents conducted by the diaper company reported that a quarter of pregnant women felt alone during their pregnancies and six out of ten said they were more involved in the pregnancy than their partners.

This sounds nice enough, but the Swedish advertising agency who came up with the idea of BabyBuzz described the wearables actual purpose in less altruistic terms: Find a way for Swedish diaper brand Libero to establish a relationship with expecting couples who are not interested in diapers yet. In other words, create brand loyalty before theres even a product to buy.

Corporate motives aside, problems with the BabyBuzz abound. Most glaring is the technology itself which relies solely on pregnant women to report these movements. So along with growing a human, most likely holding down a full-time job, possibly caring for other children, going to doctors appointments, and dealing with a grab-bag of physical ailments including aches, insomnia, and incontinence (just to name a few), mom-to-be is now tasked with fetal check-ins to make sure her partner is connected with her experience. It may be only a button to push, but thats one more thing, one more person to constantly take care of. The documentary suggests a pregnant woman should document these kicks in real time. To put that kind of assignment in perspective, on average in the third trimester, that equates to an electronic communique every 12 minutes.

In 2013, American diaper brand Huggies commissioned the design of a smarter, yet more impractical product for use in a tear-jerking Fathers Day commercial. Instead of bracelets, expecting parents wore electronic belly bands. Sensors on the pregnant womans signaled kicks by setting off LED light bursts and vibrations on the the fathers band, corresponding to the placement and force of the movements.

But even if the responsibility for connectedness didnt fall on a pregnant womans aching shoulders, the notion that mothers and their partners must feel identical sensations in order to bond is not only unattainable, its misguided, and to be lumped with the terrible idea of shocking fathers with electricity so they sympathize with the pain of childbirth.

As one dad in the documentary put it, You want to do this together, you know? You dont want to be left out. But the truth is, you dont get to do everything. While fathers miss out on the truly extraordinary sensation of carrying a child, they also get to sit out on the disfigurement and the hemorrhoids. Dads may not get the belly conversation piece, but they also avoid having their tummy groped by strangers. Hefty vibrating bracelet or not, you too, are not pregnant.

Despite its limitations, BabyBuzz is here. Though it isnt for saleyet.

For now, Libero is loaning the bands out to expectant parents who sign up for their free program, and agree to return them after the birth of their baby. But Liberos parent company, SCA, announced last year that the goal of the BabyBuzz program was a commercial product for Nordic markets. To be sure, Sweden is an extremely daddy-friendly, egalitarian country where the concept of sharing in every moment of pregnancy may be more strongly desired. (Unlike the U.S. which has no paid leave policy, Swedish parents are entitled to a whopping 480 days of paid leave, three months of which are reserved just for dads.) Still, with the rise of wearable tech and the boom of pregnancy and baby gadgets that no parent or child actually needs, its only a matter of time before BabyBuzz is available stateside.

At this very moment, women and their partners can purchase products that effectively turn babies into Tamagotchis, allowing them to track their new babys oxygen level, heart beat, sleep rhythms and feeding schedules. There are smart onesies, smart bottles, smart diapers, smart formula dispensers, smart pacifiers, smart cribs, and smart thermometers. As such, the BabyBuzz or something like it will surely reach our shores and the The Internet Of Things will fulfill its Manifest Destiny by finally reaching into the uncharted territory of our uteri.

Of course not everyone is so cynical. My husband and a few dad friends I spoke to agreed there was something sweet, if gimmicky and unrealistic, about the idea. And one expert told me the only downside he could see was driving partners being distracted by the buzzing.

Fathers are more engaged and involved in their children and familys lives than ever before, said Dr. Craig Garfield, an Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Director of Research at Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago. Research shows that children with involved fathers have cognitive, psychological, and social benefits and fathers enjoy the involvement. It is a win-win. And fathers are often the number one source of support for mothers during the pregnancy and beyond.

Asked about the BabyBuzz, Dr. Garfield, a dad and expert in the benefit to families of involved fathers, told me, It is important to remember that from the moment a woman knows she is pregnant she and her partner are dreaming of that baby. They talk about it, they think about it, they try and anticipate that baby coming. So a device like this can help fathers get on board earlier. Woman have an obvious outward change in their bodies; men not so much. So a buzz like this can literally create buzz about their expected baby.

The more moms and dads can be on the same page, the better their adjustment to having the child will likely be, Garfield said.

Indeed, as one of the Swedish fathers in the documentary puts it, [BabyBuzz makes] you feel that youre more a part of it. When it vibrateslike it doesthen it makes you, like, think about the baby.

Americans might take more convincing.

Somehow running down a windswept Nordic streetscape and pausing mid-jog because my watch started buzzing isnt going to do that much to connect me to pregnancy, my friend David, a Queens, NY, father of two responded after I asked him to watch the BabyBuzz video.

Also, going out at 11:30 p.m. because my wife had a craving for crappy pizza made me feel like I was already pretty connected.
The so-called Islamic State is finding it harder to get to work on the battlefields around Mosul, thanks to a series of U.S. coalition strikes that have taken out all but one major bridge across the indigo-blue Tigris River that bisects Iraqs second largest city.

The Old Nineveh Bridge is the only one left for militants or locals to cross, after U.S. air strikes took out four of Mosuls main river crossings, damage clearly visible in satellite images (live 4 a.m. ET) made exclusively available to The Daily Beast by geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor.

The images provide a window into a battle for a city held by ISIS since 2014, and a glimpse into the lives of roughly a million people estimated to be trapped inside it. Almost 70,000 Iraqis have fled the city, and Iraqi forces have asked the remainder to stay in their homes to avoid getting caught in the cross fire.

The images show theres still bustling commerce in the center of town, and heavy traffic on the one remaining bridge that connects the two sides across the wide, swift Tigris.

The photos also show how the coalition is trying target ISIS while doing the minimum of damage to the citys infrastructure, looking ahead to rebuilding once ISIS is driven out.

The coalition has disabled four of the five bridges connecting east and west Mosul, and created roads through the desert to get around ISIS ambushes and roadblocks, the coalitions deputy commander Major General Rupert Jones told reporters Thursday. This combination of the two tactics seems to be reducing the number of VBIEDs [vehicle borne improvised explosive devices aka car bombs] the enemy has been able to use.

But the novel tactic here is hitting the bridges hard enough to disable them, without destroying them.

The Iraqi intent is to rebuild them or repair them, so we have struck them in a way that is repairable, coalition spokesman Col. John Dorrian said in an interview from Baghdad.

The images taken by commercial satellite track with the coalitions narrative, with the damage matching up to strikes listed in Central Commands daily rundown of strikes, on Oct. 16, Nov. 4, and Nov. 22.

The images also do show that bombs have surgically removed sections of the bridge mostly over land, likely to make them easier to repair, said Stratfor military analyst Sim Tack.

Thats something we can clearly tell in the satellite imagery. Theyve tried to make the damage accessible to repair crews, Tack said. For most, what happened is the U.S. Air Force specifically targeted a portion not located over the water. They took out one single section of the bridge where you can see that section destroyed or lying below.

Even the one over water, they kind of surgically removed a section of the bridge, rather than taking out the supporting pylons, which would be much harder to repair. Tack said that particular bridge had to be hit twicethe first strike months earlier this year didnt stop ISIS from using the bridge so U.S. jets did another run days after the first one.

ISIS is apparently trying to repair the damage of at least one of the bridges, moving piles of dirt and earthmoving equipment into position near one of the damaged bridges.

The one bridge left standing is jammed, with traffic so acute that some people in the images appear to be crossing one of the partially destroyed bridges on foot, clinging to the remains of the bridges superstructure to cross.

The old bridge is completely packed with cars and cars are lining up on both sides from streets away, waiting to cross, Tack said. The vehicles look like regular cars. Theyre arent tanks or armored vehiclesor technical (military-style pickup trucks) with weapons on the back.

He said the images do not look like a city under siege.

With all the reports of all the fighting going on, you expect to see a militarized ghost town, but from the imagery in the sky, it looks like the city is very much alive, he said.

Humanitarian groups have criticized the strikes as further limiting the movement of Iraqi civilians, trapped between the approaching Iraqi forces and ISIS.

Our concern is that safe passages or escape routes for civilians, as many as possible, need to be secured so that the people can leave for safer areas, if they need to or choose to, and are not trapped between front lines, said Katharina Ritz, the ICRCs Head of Delegation in Iraq, in an emailed statement to The Daily Beast. The bridges are the link between the Western and Eastern side of parts of Mosul and therefore constitute a potentially important escape route, depending on how front lines evolve.

She added that the bridges can also serve as important access routes for humanitarian workers and supplies.

We carefully consider the impact on civilians of strikes, but the biggest threats to civilians in Mosul is Daesh, countered spokesman Dorrian, using the Arabic term for ISIS. They are launching rockets and mortars and using human shields and executing people. So they needed to be disabled to protect the advancing force.
Its an election year, in a time of economic uncertainty. Running for president is a ranting populist type who has a bestselling book that is part biography, and part shameless boasting. He promises to make America a proud, rich land again, rails against blacks, Jews, and Mexicans, and makes it a point of criticizing the press, whose editors he accuses of plotting how they can put over their lies, and advance their own positions.

No, this is not a description of 2016, and the candidate is not Donald Trumpalthough you can be excused for thinking so. This is, instead, a character named Berzelius Windrip in Nobel Prize-winning author Sinclair Lewiss 1935 novel, It Cant Happen Here, a cautionary tale about how fascism comes to America. Although published over 80 years ago, Lewiss novel seems especially relevant in the age of Trump. So relevant, in fact, that it recently became Amazons number one bestseller in the Classic American Literature category.

The thing most resonant about the novel is it identified the conditions that were operative in 1935, and operative in the summer of 2016, says Susan Medak, managing director of the Berkeley Repertory Theater, which staged a theatrical version of Lewiss book in September. What we wanted to share with the audience was there were high stakes in the election, she adds. [Trumps] message of real hatred and bigotry spoke to this particular time again. The issue of gender is even in the original novel. The issues of freedom of the press were powerful. It took little effort to draw those parallels.

The current interest in the novel has to do with Buzz Windrip and the comparison to Trump, says Michael Meyer, an emeritus professor of English at the University of Connecticut, who wrote the forward to the paperback edition of Lewiss work. Windrip is the kind of chameleon that Trump is, he takes positions that are contradictory, says Meyer. You can put quotes from Windrips book Zero Hour next to The Art of the Deal, or to Trumps Twitter feed. He can be all things to all people, because he stands for nothing.

Lewis wrote It Cant Happen Here during a bleak period in American and world history. In Europe, the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party, with its overt anti-Semitism, hostility to a free press, and violent tendencies, was a major cause for alarm. In the U.S., populist demagogues from both the left and right, like Louisiana Senator Huey Long and radio priest Father Charles Coughlin, were stirring up a populace still in the throes of the Depression, while FDRs New Deal programs of economic recovery seemed bogged down and stalled. Organizations sympathetic to the Nazis began to pop up in cities like New York and Chicago. And a major figure like press lord William Randolph Hearst could declarein the same month Lewiss novel was releasedWhenever you hear a prominent American called a fascist, you can usually make up your mind that the man is simply a loyal citizen who stands for Americanism.

Inspired by all this, Lewis rushed his book into publication, where it became an instant bestseller. But its flaws are all too obvious. It Cant Happen Here is a slapdash novel, over-written and over-wrought, stuffed with too much plot. Almost all the reviewers complained about it, but regarded it as a must read, says Meyer. Or, as the review in The New York Times put it, the book is exciting reading, even if it does nothing to advance Mr. Lewiss art as a novelist.

And its not as if It Cant Happen Here was totally prescient about the future. Its extremely doubtful that Trump will invade Mexico, bar blacks from voting or holding public office, jail journalists who criticize him, shove his political opponents into concentration camps, and demand Jews support our ideals, all of which Windrip does (although if you substitute Muslims for Jews, this aspect of Trumpism is eerily similar to Windrips form of bigotry). In this sense, says Meyer, Lewis was right, not about America, but what was going on in Europe. He was wrong about the fragility of American democracy.

Yet there are still plenty of chilling comparisons. In the novel, there is a portion of the public feeling totally abandoned by the government, says Medak. When he references [an organization called] the League of Forgotten Men, how could anything speak better; he could have been speaking of 2016. Theres also a reference in the novel to 1 percent of the public controlling 47 percent of the wealth of the countryits worse now, but the parallels are clear.

And theres this: Trump is not Windrip, because Windrip is basically an ideologue, while the president-elect is more of a deal maker, and not a policy person. What Trump does have, says Meyer, is his finger on the pulse of American sensibilities formed by mass media, nationalism, ethnicity, xenophobia, unemployment, fears about immigration, a concern about welfare, the concern about crime, and his love of the poorly educated. All of this is echoed by Windrip in the novel.

Yet, adds Medak, The issue is not whether Trump is the guy in the book, but whether we the American people are the people Lewis is writing about. Are we the Americans he was warning us about? I do think we are. There is a fascination with demagoguery, someone who offers simple answers to complex problems. I think we are the people he was talking about 80 years ago.
Anti-Semitism was flourishing in Austria in 1924 when the filmmaker Hans Karl Breslauer first screened The City Without Jews, a prescient silent film about a legendary republic of Utopia that collapses when those in power blame economic woes and rampant disease on its Jewish population. Jews are attacked, their businesses taken over, and finally deported from Utopia, sent away on packed trains.

Based on a 1922 satirical novel of the same name, the films ending is less prescient: The leaders and citizens of the city (the novel is set in a version of contemporaneous Vienna) realize that they need the Jewish population to rescue Utopia from its economic and cultural collapse, and Mayor Karl Laberlan unsubtle reference to Viennas notoriously anti-Semitic Mayor Karl Luegerembraces the first Jews to return from exile.

That ending was long missing and the only available copy of the film was fragmentary. But last year, a previously undiscovered copy of the film was found at a flea market in Paris and the flammable and fragile nitrate negative was transferred to Film Archive Austria (FAA) which raised $79,500 through crowd-funding to restore the new footage, which contains the complete final sequence and scenes depicting more virulent anti-Semitism in Vienna than the existing version.

The film disappeared from circulation after the Nazis came to power in 1933 (they would occupy Austria in 1938) and wouldnt be seen publicly again until 1991, when Filmarchiv Austria (FAA) restored its only print of the film and screened it at the Vienna Film Festival that year. Without the films important final scene.

When the film was released, the Austrian-born Adolf Hitler was at the beginning of his political careerand serving time in prison after his Nazi Party failed to overthrow the German government during their ill-fated Beer Hall Putsch. Arrested for treason and sentenced to five years in Landsberg jail, he used the time to write Mein Kampf, his notorious political manifesto filled with paeans to Lueger and the anti-Semitic milieu of fin-de-siecle Vienna.

Indeed, Austria had seen a series of anti-Semitic political parties and movements by the time Bettauer wrote The City Without Jews in 1922. Bettauer, a Jew who converted to Christianity at age 18, was murdered by an anti-Semite in 1925, a year after the film adaptation of his novel first screened in Vienna. (The City Without Jews director Hans Karl Breslauer never made another filmand joined the Nazi Party in 1940). Bettauer reportedly disapproved of the films setting in an imaginary Utopia and of its ending, which was slightly rosier than the novels ending.

Now that the lost footage of Bettauers film has been recovered, FAA is scrambling to rescue the delicate, nearly century-old print from disintegration. The restoration process is costly but well worth the investment, FAAs Nicholas Wostry told the AFP, because it provides an insight into the Jewish community in Vienna during the 1920s.

But despite the murderous Austrian strain of anti-Semitism that would ultimately claim Bettauers life, few saw the film as prophetic. Randall Bytwerk, an historian and curator of the online German Propaganda Archive, said that despite the long tradition of anti-Semitism in the region, the idea of a wholesale genocide of Europes Jewish population existed mostly in the domain of fiction and in the feverdreams of fringe political parties. (In the early 1920s, Austria was home to more than 200,000 Jews; today, that number is down to 10,000).

Part of the appeal of a film like The City Without Jews is that at least someone was disgusted enough about anti-Semitism to make a film about it, Bytwerk told The Daily Beast.

On the one hand the premise of the film is not so surprising, but on the other hand its shocking that someone could imagine something like this happening, said Deborah Lipstadt, professor of Holocaust Studies at Emory University and author of Denying the Holocaust.

Jews had learned to live with anti-Semitism and many of them lived quite well, she added. But it was present to such a degree that someone like Bettauer wrote a novel about it. Still, he was looking at something from a very radical perspective. No one imagined [the Holocaust] was possible, and I think it would be regrettable if a film like this were used as validation that Jews should have foreseen a Holocaust.

Here in the U.S., the National Center for Jewish Filmthe largest archival collection outside of Israelis also currently working on four major film restoration projects, including another 1924 film that addresses anti-Semitism in Austria called Yizkor and East and West, a 1923 comedy shot in Vienna starring American actress Molly Picon.

The excitement of opening an unmarked can and discovering a long lost film is like discovering a bag of gold in ones backyard, the center wrote in a statement to The Daily Beast, noting that they, too, are racing against time to preserve and restore films like Yizkor and East and West. Not every one turns out to be a gem but every unique reel of film adds something of value to the historical record, they wrote.

With its chilling storyline about the mass deportation of Jews from Vienna, imagined fully 15 years before the Nazis embarked on the same project, The City Without Jews is indeed of significant value to the historical record.

But FAA managing director Nicholas Wostry sees a present-day resonance with the film, in a continent gripped by a migration crisis and in a country on the verge of electing its first far-right head-of-state since the World War II.

We have to save it and make it available to the public, he said, not just for its historic value but also for its current message against the walls we are building and the exclusion of people.
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation presented budget proposals for financial year 2017-18 whereby he proposed a steep hike of 30-60 per cent in property tax.

By Baishali Adak: Even as the babus in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) have proposed a steep hike of 30-60 per cent in property tax, the political wing is feeling the heat keeping in view the upcoming MCD election of early 2017.

Commissioner of SDMC, Puneet Kumar Goyal, presented budget proposals for financial year 2017-18 on Monday, whereby he suggested that the Basic Unit Area Value (BUAV) here be raised by 30 per cent.

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Moreover, the rate of property tax should also be upped by one per cent in residential properties falling under categories C, D and E, and by two per cent in those under categories A and B, he said.

ALSO READ | SDMC budget proposes only e-payment of tax from FY 2017-18

THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES

Under SDMC's classification, Category A includes the highest-value localities like New Friends Colony. These have a Basic Unit Area Value (BUAV) of Rs 630.

Category B also covers posh areas like Defence Colony with a BUAV of Rs 500. Category C has pockets like Kalkaji, BUAV of Rs 400. Category D encompasses Sant Nagar, Janakpuri, Vikaspuri, etc. (BUAV Rs 320). Category E includes areas like Tilak Nagar (BUAV Rs 270). Categories F and G cover areas like Uttam Nagar and Govindpuri (BUAV Rs 230 and Rs 200). Lastly, Category H includes villages and rural belts like Tughlakabad Ext. (BUAV Rs 100).

Correspondingly, Category A and B have a Rate of Property Tax at 12 per cent which is proposed to be raised to 14 per cent.

Categories C, D and E have a Rate of Property Tax of 11 per cent which is proposed to be raised to 12 per cent. For categories F, G and H-which house the lower middle class-the tax rate is proposed to be kept constant at 7 per cent.

As per financial officers' computation, this would come to a steep hike of 30 to 50 per cent in property taxes across south Delhi.

For commercial properties, the hike would go up to 60 per cent with SDMC proposing a different five per cent raise in property tax for them.

Also Read:

Relief for Delhi's property tax payers; MCD waives off penalty and interest

Son has no legal right in parents' house, can reside at their mercy: Delhi HC

--- ENDS ---
On a bright, sunny morning 75 years ago this Wednesday, 181 warplanes of the Imperial Japanese Navy swept down out of the sky from the north over the blue-green hills of Kahuku Point on the island of Oahu, and attacked the U.S. Navys Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, as well as a cluster of military air fields in the vicinity. Japanese pilots, trained to a razors edge of proficiency for this one operation over many months, sank or severely damaged eight battleships, three light cruisers, three destroyers, and a number of other support vessels.

At the airfields, where planes had been positioned wing tip to wing tip to minimize the chance of sabotage, defensive measures against aerial attack were every bit as lax as they were at the naval base. Bombers and strafing fighters destroyed 164 planes outright, and damaged another 127. In the most destructive surprise attack on U.S. forces in history, 2,403 Americans lost their lives, and another 1,178 were wounded.

It was all over in about an hour and a half.
Right-Wing Fumble Outside Bidens Democracy Speech

NOT SENDING THEIR BEST

A mere six activists showed up.
As many as 27 officials of various public banks were suspended and another six transferred to non-sensitive posts over corrupt practices and irregular transactions after the IT department seized Rs 5.7 crore in new currency in Bengaluru.

The new notes were found after Income Tax raids were conducted across Bengaluru.

By Mail Today: The government has suspended as many as 27 officials of various public sector banks and another six officers have been transferred to non-sensitive posts for irregular transactions that include helping black money hoarders to launder their cash.

"While all efforts are being made to facilitate genuine transactions, illegalities will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken against individuals involved in irregular and unauthorised activities," the finance ministry said in a statement.

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The Income Tax Department has seized a huge cache of Rs 5.7 crore in new currency notes as part of unaccounted income found in the raids for which the role of some bankers is also being investigated.

ALSO READ | The big I-T raid in Bengaluru: Inside story

CASH WORTH RS 5.7 CRORE FOUND IN BENGALURU- ALL IN NEW RS 2000 NOTES

I-T officials said the cash found, after searches were launched on Thursday in Bengaluru on the premises of two engineers, working with the state government, and two contractors has risen to Rs 5.7 crore and these notes are in the denomination of the newly introduced currency of Rs 2,000.

A senior I-T department official said at a time when there is a acute shortage of cash such a large volume of new currency notes cannot be obtained without the connivance of bank officials.

In fact the huge pile of new currency notes had come as surprise to the tax authorities at a time when new notes are not available to the public which is queueing up to withdraw even small amounts from their accounts, a senior official remarked.

Both the I-T department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), along with other enforcement agencies and police, are undertaking these operations after reports of instances of illegal exchange of old currency and stashing of new currency notes to perpetrate hawala and money laundering like activities.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru: In biggest cash seizure since Nov 8, Rs 5.7 crore found - all in new Rs 2000 notes

SIMILAR CASES

Two days ago, the ED had seized Rs 10 lakh cash in new notes of Rs 2,000 from the premises of a Kolkata-based doctor. ED had conducted nationwide search operations yesterday at 40 locations and seized about Rs 1 crore in new notes.

A manager and a cashier of a public sector bank were arrested at Bhatinda in Punjab on Friday for allegedly charging money for replacing demonetised currency notes which shows that some unscrupulous bank staff are exploiting the situation, a senior official said. The Income Tax Department said it detected unaccounted income worth Rs 152 crore after it conducted searches in a dozen premises in Bengaluru and other locations.

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The department also recovered 7 kg bullion and jewellery weighing 9 kg, worth Rs 5 crore, after these operations. About 90 lakh has been found in the old demonestised currency. In addition, several property documents were also found and seized.

ALSO READ | Demonetisation: China ready to work with India to curb 'corruption cancer'

A team of over 50 I-T sleuths and police personnel had launched operations yesterday and searched premises in Bengaluru, Chennai and Erode in Tamil Nadu.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the policymaking body of the tax department, had said in a statement here yesterday that: the new notes and bullion are learnt to have been obtained by exchange of demonetised notes by payment of commission of an engineer and a contractor.

The tax sleuths had also seized some notes of Rs 100, demonetised notes of Rs 500 and a few gold biscuits during the operation, they said, adding the department had to call in note counting machines and additional staff to ascertain the value of the cash.

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What had surprised the tax authorities is the sheer amount of new currency stashed by these individuals at a time when new notes are not available to the common public which is queueing up to withdraw even small amounts from their accounts.

Also Read:

Exposed: How spiritual leaders are laundering hawala, secretive money during demonetisation

Post-demonetisation: Hyderabad post offices become centres of corruption

--- ENDS ---
By Siraj Qureshi: Following demonetisation, even the temples in the Braj region have started promoting cashless payments. In Mathura and Vrindavan, temple managements are accepting payments through e-wallets. Although some temples are only accepting new currency at both Mathura and Vrindavan at present, they too are in the process of installing POS machines for donations.

A senior priest at the famous Dwarikadhish temple in Mathura told India Today that the temple used to receive donations in tune of Rs 4-5 lakh every month before demonetisation, but since November 8, the donations have dropped and till date, only about Rs 3 lakh has been received.

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The temple's media manager Rakesh Tiwari said that the temple has contacted its bankers UCO Bank for the installation of a POS machine at the temple to receive donations and soon the temple will be accepting payments through debit and credit cards.

Already, the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan has begun accepting donations through POS machines.ALSO READ: PM Modi at Moradabad: After demonetisation rich touching feet of poor for Jan Dhan accounts

Mathura MLA Pradeep Mathur said that PM Narendra Modi's decision to pull out such a huge amount of cash from the economy has affected the people badly. Weddings have been postponed, even the cash given at weddings as a gift was reduced from Rs 1000/500 to Rs 100 only. He said that his own son's engagement had to be postponed due to the cash crisis.

Similarly, Baldeo MLA Puran Prakash said that his son's wedding, which was to take place this month, had to be postponed to a later date due to the cash crunch. Goverdhan MLA Rajkumar Rawat had a similar story to tell. His sister and daughter's weddings were to take place this month but he couldn't withdraw the RBI mandated Rs 2.5 lakh from his bank and had to postpone the weddings. He said that he was waiting for the situation to become normal before he thinks about getting the two married.ALSO READ: Demonetisation's rude shock: There may not be any black money

Maant MLA and former minister Shyam Sunder Sharma said that earlier, his house used to be filled with locals bringing their problems to him for resolution, but now nobody comes to him as they have forgotten their problems and are only worried about withdrawing enough cash from the bank to feed their family. He said that he used to gift at least Rs 500 at weddings where he was invited, but now he had to gift just Rs 100 as he was against gifting in old currency.

Irshad Pehelwan of Mathura's Manoharpura area said that spending the entire day in a bank line had become his routine and yet he wasn't able to get cash. But he did not raise his voice against this when even MLAs and MPs were facing problems and were praising Modi's decision, he was just a commoner and in comparison to the voices of the public representatives, his voice was nothing. However, the public's voice gains prominence only once, that is during elections and he intends to make his point in the coming assembly elections.

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Also Read:Post-Demonetisation: 27 public sector bankers suspended, 6 others transferred after the big IT raid in Bengaluru

--- ENDS ---
Funeral directors in the state are joining the chorus of medical professionals and reproductive rights activists who have raised concerns about the rules. Though it hasn't taken a formal position on the requirements, the Texas Funeral Directors Association says its concerned about how theyll affect the families they serve and the costs associated with compliance.

Starting Dec. 19, Texas will require hospitals, abortion clinics and other health care facilities to ensure that fetal remains be cremated or buried  regardless of the period of gestation  and prohibit them from disposing of fetal remains in sanitary landfills, a common practice for medical waste.

State health officials have contended that the minimum costs in complying with the rules would total $450 a year per health care facility, arguing that those costs would be offset by the elimination of the cost of landfill disposition.

[More: Texas to implement rules requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains]

But Michael Land, a funeral home director and spokesman for the association, said thats unrealistic and that the costs associated with compliance are likely a higher dollar amount than what theyre projecting.

Cremations through a third-party crematorium range from $75 to $100 per specimen. If individuals choose burials, the minimum cost of a small space in a cemetery is $500 and caskets of the appropriate size would likely cost $100, Land said.

If you add labor on the part of the funeral home, the fees could go into the thousands of dollars, he added.

Responding to those concerns, a spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said the rules dont require that these processes go through funeral homes. Health care providers can work directly with crematoriums or medical waste companies to comply with the rules, said spokeswoman Carrie Williams.

[Funeral homes] don't have a mandatory role, and funerals are not required by these rules, Williams said. Incineration is still available as an option.

But the rules indicate that incineration of fetal remains must be followed by interment. State health officials define interment as the "disposition of pathological waste using the process of cremation, entombment, burial, or placement in a niche or by using the process of cremation followed by placement of the ashes in a niche, grave, or scattering of ashes as authorized by law."

Among the few exceptions to the rule are miscarriages or abortions that occur at home. But fetal remains from miscarriages that occur at health care facilities will still require interment  even if the patient does not desire it.

For those in the funeral business, the increased demand for cremations could mean ending their practice of charitably cremating the tissue from a miscarriage for parents who wished to have a funeral.

What had always been pretty much a charitable process is now going to become costing quite a bit of money, Land said. Its estimated that 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.

The funeral directors concerns underscore some of the uncertainty around the implementation of the new rules. Some providers indicated its still too soon to detail exactly how the new requirements will be implemented at individual health care facilities.

And theres still the likelihood that the new rules will be challenged in court. Though they did not take immediate legal action when the rules were finalized on Monday, the Center for Reproductive Rights has warned that the requirements will almost certainly trigger costly litigation."

Still, the Republican-controlled Legislature is moving forward with writing the rules into statute when it reconvenes in January.

Texas health officials adopted the new requirements with few changes despite months of public comment periods, two long hearings and more than 35,000 comments submitted to the states health commission. Those who voiced their opposition to the rules included doctors from across the state, reproductive rights activists who called the rules unnecessary and women who had experienced miscarriages or lost children in utero and questioned why the state would make their situation even more difficult.

Medical providers  including the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Hospital Association  also raised concerns about costs associated with the rules and the lack of exceptions in cases of miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies.

We dont think Gov. Abbott really thought things through, nor did he really take into account the 35,000 comments that he received in these two hearings, Land said.

Representatives for the states funeral directors association in August met with representatives for Gov. Greg Abbott  who directed state health officials to propose the new rules  and expressed their concerns, but Land said the governors staff was not receptive to their worries and indicated the rules would be pushed through either way.

Abbott, who began fundraising off the requirements weeks after they were proposed, has said it is imperative to establish higher standards that reflect our respect for the sanctity of life.

His office did not respond to a request for comment.

Read related Tribune coverage:

Texas will implement new rules prohibiting hospitals, abortion clinics and other health care facilities from disposing of fetal remains in sanitary landfills, allowing only cremation or burial.

In a new letter to the state, reproductive rights lawyers argue Texas' proposed rules requiring the cremation or burial of fetal remains "will almost certainly trigger costly litigation."

Disclosure: The Texas Medical Association and Texas Hospital Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.


While the people have accepted demonetisation since the scheme was announced on November 8, the politics over it still continues.

By Parbina Purkayastha: Demonetisation has seen different shades of traits, reactions and the ability to handle financial crisis of the people of India.

The announcement of the scrapping of old Rs 1000 and 500 notes made people clueless, helpless and restless but with time, one has seen how the people accept whatever is decided for them by their representatives.

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"I am angry and helpless. All I have is four Rs 500 notes which was paid to me yesterday as my weekly wage" said a labour from Chandi Chowk on November 10.

Exchanging and depositing notes was the only option for most of them.

Standing in queue became a common sight across the country. As many thought it was a good move, others questioned why the common man was made the scapegoat to fight black money.

There are people who had accepted the intent but questioned the implementation.

ALSO READ | Exposed: How spiritual leaders are laundering hawala, secretive money during demonetisation

Post-Demonetisation: 27 public sector bankers suspended, 6 others transferred after the big IT raid in Bengaluru

THE RESPONSES THEN

"I have no complaint on banning of the old notes but why didn't they prepare themselves to handle the crisis. It looks like a financial emergency, " said Harish Gupta, a businessman.

Opposition parties raised questions on the confidentiality of the decision alleging Modi's ministers knew about the move and managed to convert their black into white even before demonetisation was announced.

"Modi ji's ministers have bought lands in Bihar. There are lands bought in the name of BJP president Amit Shah till the November 7," alleged Raghav Chadha of AAP.

When India Today questioned the government on the planning, Union Minister Jitender Singh said, "We agree people are going through difficult time but one has to think it in terms of long-term benefits. The implementation was poor only to maintain the confidentiality of the step taken to fight black money."

With every new and modified guideline, citizens molded and did the best to their capacity. They were angry but stood in queues skipping their offices and important enngagements.

From changing deadlines, cash limits to standing for hours and then returning without cash- the people have bore it all.

"This is the fourth day that I stood in a line to exchange notes and withdraw some money but I have failed miserably" said Jiten of Chandi Chowk.

While one battle of demonetisation is seen outside banks and ATMs, the real battle is seen inside the Parliament where the winter session is stalled over the issue.

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ALSO READ | Demonetisation's rude shock: There may not be any black money

What happens after 500, 1000 rupee notes scrapped: 10 things you must know

THE RESPONSES NOW

Three weeks after the announcement of demonetisation, India Today once again visited almost all the banks and ATMs that it did on November 9. The change was evident.

Bank officials, citizens and police personnel are now experienced and people looked much prepared than before.

One of the oldest SBI banks in Delhi witnessed a huge crowd everyday, and the attitude of the people kept changing,

As we once again spoke with the account holders of the same bank, their tone and mood seems to have changed.

"I have no complain, it is so disciplined here in this bank. The bank officials are helpful. It is hardly taking an hour to reach the counter," said Naresh.

"The Delhi police, army personnel and bank officials are extremely helpful and cooperative. I am sure in another, I will walk with cash. There are 100 other banks in this locality which has no cash at all" said Sumit.

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"It is the first week of the month, and we need cash. My request is that the government should increase the ATM limit," said Sunita.

The anger seems to have died down, and calm has started prevailing.

Also Read:

Going to exchange your old notes? Keep these 10 points in mind

Post-demonetisation: Hyderabad post offices become centres of corruption

--- ENDS ---
Enjoy music, art and more this weekend in Southeast Iowa

Your guide to getting off the couch and out the door this weekend in Southeast Iowa.
Election funding has been described as the fountainhead of corruption in the country. Will PM Modi's demonetisation move root out this malaise? Or will it soon be business as usual?

When at 8 pm on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on national television that currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination would be invalid from midnight, in one fell swoop he dealt a crippling blow to what has been described as "the mother of all corruption in the country"-election funding. "Elections have become the fountainhead of corruption in the country. The voter does not realise that for everyRs 100 that comes, for example, from a candidate as a lure for votes, he or she is likely to end up paying 5-10 times more annually as bribes in availing basic public services that a citizen is entitled to from the government," says a report by the Delhi-based Centre for Media Studies (CMS).

By striking at the root of corruption, Modi hopes to kill two birds with one stone. In the short term, he aims to neutralise the play of black money in the five states-including the most politically significant, Uttar Pradesh - going to polls next year. But the long-term goal is to free Indian politics and governance itself from the vice-like grip of the politician-businessman nexus. "India's political finance reform has been stymied by two major factors: a lack of political will for reform, and an economy in which the state exerts a heavy hand, thus incentivising illicit funding," says E. Sridharan, academic director of the University of Pennsylvania Institute for the Advanced Study of India (UPIASI) in Delhi.

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According to CMS, Rs 35,000 crore was spent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, which is Rs 2,000 crore more than what the 2016 budget allocated for the health sector. This estimate doesn't include the money changing hands in getting a party nomination as a candidate, as several parties almost openly sell tickets. For instance, in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, candidates in Uttar Pradesh used nearly Rs 500 crore to get tickets from political parties, organise rallies and to woo voters, claims an officer of the state Election Commission's Financial Intelligence Unit.

However, the official estimate of the expenses for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls is just Rs 7,000-8,000 crore, which means the rest-Rs 27,000 crore-is unaccounted for. A hypothetical calculation explains that across all 4,120 assembly constituencies, candidates spent nearly Rs 12,000 crore of black money.

Though he later retracted his statement, the late BJP minister Gopinath Munde admitted he had spent Rs 8 crore in the 2009 Lok Sabha poll. According to a US diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, one sitting Lok Sabha member had casually said in 2009 that he would spend an amount equivalent to the legal limit on the day of the election only.

Modi's opponents have been quick to raise conspiracy theories, the nub of which is that he did this to take the wind out of the sails of the non-BJP parties in the fray in the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab assembly elections while tipping off his own party. They cite the fact that the BJP has deposited huge sums of money in Bengal and recent investments in land in Bihar and elsewhere as evidence. Even the attempt by the prime minister to put his own house in order by asking BJP MPs and MLAs to submit bank account statements of transactions between November 8 and December 31 this year to party chief Amit Shah on January 1, 2017, has been called out as a political gimmick. But it doesn't matter, Modi already seems to have made electoral capital out of it. The BJP has made big gains in the first phase of the Maharashtra municipal council polls, and almost swept the civic byelections in 16 districts of Gujarat, dealing a blow to the Opposition's anti-demonetisation campaign.

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It's not hard to understand the general euphoria among common citizens who see Modi's move as a direct attack on the venal politicians who have till now been beyond the clutches of the law. Corruption and politics have walked a parallel course in independent India, the only change being the incredible amounts involved in the scams of late. There have hardly been any convictions either. Of course, a few like the DMK's A. Raja and Kanimozhi, the RJD's Lalu Yadav and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa have done time in jail, but they were mostly temporary visitors. Many others like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati, who face disproportionate assets charges, have never been convicted. Modi's demonetisation move, for now, is seen by the public as a surgical strike against the ill-gotten wealth of the mighty politician. In 2014, 165 re-elected Lok Sabha MPs have shown an increase of 137 per cent in their assets.

In the context of the UP and Punjab polls, the timing of Modi's decision seems to be a most crucial factor. "This is the time when cash starts moving because politicians know it will be very difficult once the EC's code of conduct is in place. Now, because of demonetisation, the 'process' may get stuck," says former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi. According to a CMS report, in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, cash started flowing long before the code of conduct was announced on February 5. Wherever candidates were sure of getting party nominations, they went about disbursing big sums to local mid-level workers or outlets like provision stores, temples, chit fund offices and hawala dealers for distribution down the line.

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Even the prime minister's party has not escaped the effects of demonetisation. Insiders say some of the top leaders involved in the UP campaign either stopped or curtailed all movements in the three days after Modi's announcement. Jagdeep Chhokar, founder of the election watch group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), says, "If no political party was privy to the demonetisation move, the upcoming assembly elections might be cleaner with less money to lure voters and indulge in high-end campaigning." Indeed, if Modi's move eventually leads to the consequences he anticipates, it could also mean that the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will not see the scale of the mega campaign he had unleashed in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls-from touring the entire country in private choppers, the 3D speeches to the unprecedented digital campaign.

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OLD HABITS DIE HARD

Politicians and political parties, however, already seem to have devised ways to bypass the effects of demonetisation. Congress Lok Sabha MP Kamal Nath says, "No sane politician or political party hoards cash at home. And as we can see, black money hoarders have already found multiple ways to subvert the demonetisation process. If Modi is really serious about cleaning up elections, he must go in for electoral reforms and not harass common people."

In the Maharashtra municipal polls in November, most candidates bought gold, home appliances and utensils to be gifted to prospective voters. Others started paying the fuel and medicine bills of voters. Some have even paid off bills, like property tax, water tax and electricity. Some voters were even happy to get old currency notes. "I was offered Rs 2,500 per vote in my family of five," says a businessman from Dhule. "They offered old currency notes. We'll deposit them in our bank accounts."

In Assam, the local BJP unit suddenly paid Rs 65,000 in old currency to the landlord whose premises were being used as a party office in the run-up to the byelection for the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha seat on November 19. The houseowner had been pleading with the party for months to clear his dues.

In Bengal, where there are no immediate elections, political leaders are busy converting black by depositing it in Jan Dhan accounts or seeking the help of kabuliwalas and small businessmen, who are ready to exchange the notes for a 20-50 per cent commission. Enforcement Directorate officials believe some 100-odd chit fund companies are conduits, stashing black money in old notes.

In UP and Punjab, all parties, including Modi's own BJP, are depending mostly on credit. "There is a definite crunch when it comes to making payments for food bills, tents, local travels and accommodation. But since the party enjoys high credibility among businessmen, they have agreed to take payments later," says a BJP leader in UP.

Under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, political parties enjoy 100 per cent tax exemption on all sources of income. This, coupled with the legal provision which says that they don't need to declare source and donor names for cash donations under Rs 20,000, has helped parties withstand demonetisation.

"Demonetisation may hit cash flow in the short run, but parties don't stand to lose money. All we need to do is open a ledger and show backdated cash deposits from unidentified donors," says a senior political leader from Bihar. For instance, if some political party is left with Rs 19 crore of cash in old currency notes, it can convert it into white money by simply marking donations of Rs 19,000 from 10,000 unidentified donors. "The party will claim to have received these donations in the current fiscal and since each donation is under Rs 20,000, it will fly under the scanner," he adds. Once the formalities of making a ledger are completed, the political party will deposit the demonetised notes in the bank and receive legal tender against it.

"In the near term, demonetisation will have a ripple effect on campaign finance but not really on party finance. The five states going to polls, though, will face a serious funds crunch," says Niranjan Sahoo, senior fellow with the Observer Research Foundation who is currently coordinating studies on campaign finance reform. Indeed, Modi's move could have an unintended reverse effect too, helping political parties garner more funds from donors with stashes of demonetised notes to dispense. "Today, there seem to be a lot more willing donors. Contractors, bureaucrats, builders, they all want to put in money in political coffers," says a Delhi-based politician from Bihar.

THE SECRET DONORS

The root of the use of unaccounted money in elections can be traced to the legal structure of political funding which allows parties to rig their books any way they want. "Most business donors take advantage of the provision of not declaring donations under Rs 20,000. This protects them on two counts: their identity remains secret and the black money remains untraceable," says a party treasurer.

According to ADR, between 2005 and 2013, the six national political parties-Congress, BJP, BSP, NCP, CPI and CPI(M)-earned Rs 5,986.32 crore, with 73 per cent of it coming from unknown sources. In 2014-15, the unknown share of funds came down to 60 per cent. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party claims it did not receive any donation above Rs 20,000, so it did not any file details of donations. Interestingly, between 2013-2015, BSP's income increased by 67.31 per cent, the highest growth shown by any national party.

Even for donations above Rs 20,000, political parties rarely reveal the name of donors. For example, the Congress did not mention the cheque/DD numbers of 192 donations for Rs 138.98 crore in 2014-15. This was 98 per cent of the total donations above Rs 20,000 to the party.

The Election Commission also doesn't have the power to scrutinise the returns filed by parties. In fact, if they don't want a tax rebate parties are not even bound to file returns. So, the EC can take little action for discrepancies. "The commission still doesn't have power to deregister a party," says Quraishi.

Though there is no limit to spending by a political party during elections, the Election Commission has fixed a cap on expenditure by individual candidates. A candidate is allowed to spend Rs 70 lakh in 533 big constituencies and Rs 54 lakh in 10 small constituencies. According to a veteran Congressman who also works as an unofficial treasurer, a candidate requires at least Rs 10 crore to win in big urban constituencies and Rs 5 crore to win in rural constituencies. Quraishi estimated that in 2009, every candidate on an average spent between Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore.

Yet, an examination of the expenditure by candidates in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections shows that they spent only 58 per cent of the cap fixed by EC. In other words, on an average, a candidate spent only Rs 25 lakh. What's ironical is that most parties often claim the cap of Rs 70 lakh is too low. If a candidate's legal expenses exceed the prescribed ceiling, he or she can be unseated from his position and disqualified from contesting elections for a period of six years. "As courts normally take a long time to decide such cases, this remedy too is no curb to funding malpractices," adds the former CEC.

ADR even found mismatches in records of funds allocated by parties to their MPs, and funds received by them from the parties. For example, in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, out of 277 MPs from six national parties, only 75 MPs declared they had received a total of Rs 7.46 crore from their parties. But the parties in their declaration have said that they have given Rs 14.19 crore to 138 MPs.

Conversely, in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, out of 342 MPs from national parties, 263 MPs declared that they had received a total of Rs 75.59 crore from their parties. Again, the parties themselves said they had given Rs 55.23 crore only to 175 MPs.

"There are multiple ways to fudge. For instance, when we use helicopters, the charge is usually Rs 3 lakh per hour. But the bill by the company will be shown as Rs 1.25 lakh and it takes the rest in cash. Also if the flying hours were 100, it will be reduced to 50," says a national party leader. That's the reason Quraishi has long advocated a closer scrutiny of the accounts of political parties by independent auditors.

Beyond Lok Sabha and assembly elections-India has a three-tier decentralised political structure-huge amounts of money is getting pumped into panchayat elections which are held across the country for 3 million positions. Between March and May 2014, elections were held in 42 Lok Sabha constituencies, 287 assembly seats, 156 municipalities, 22 zila parishads, 1,096 mandal parishads and 16,589 mandal parishad territorial constituencies. According to CMS, total expenditure in those three months was between Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000 crore. In those local bodies' elections, candidates spent more than 10-20 times the stipulated limit of Rs 2 lakh. For instance, Rs 100 crore was spent in elections to the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (with 59 divisions). Within the first three weeks of the poll campaign, more than Rs 100 crore was seized.

LORDS OF LAND AND LIQUOR

The nexus between business and politics began evolving in the 1960s when campaign costs grew exponentially and it became difficult for parties to manage election expenses with just membership contributions and coupon sales. Politicians turned to big business houses, who were happy to pay for the political patronage that helped them manoeuvre through a regulated economy.

In 1969, irked by the swell of corporate support for right-wing opposition parties like the Swatantra and Jana Sangh, Indira Gandhi imposed a ban on corporate donations which was her son Rajiv Gandhi revoked in 1985 allowing companies to legally contribute up to 5 per cent (later raised to 7.5 per cent) of their average net profit of the previous three years.

Post-liberalisation, the two sectors which have remained the big pockets for political funding are real estate and manufacturing, both with land as a core element of business. "As a result of the regulatory restrictions on land, politicians wield an enormous amount of discretionary powers over business activity in sectors for which land is a primary input," says Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow in the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "They can intervene on behalf of favoured entities to expedite clearances and permits, grant waivers to existing regulations or even alter land use designations."

Photo: Reuters

This is the reason politicians are key players in the construction industry. It's common knowledge that friends and relatives of politicians often establish their own construction firms. They also use real estate firms to park their black money. A survey of firms conducted by consultancy KPMG in 2011 reports that businesses perceive construction/real estate to be the single-most corrupt industry in India. A close analysis of the liabilities declared by MPs elected in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections shows that several MPs raised big-ticket unsecured loans from many big and small real estate companies. In UP, a top builder who had no political experience became treasurer of a political party. It's no coincidence he got several of his big-ticket projects at prime locations in Lucknow and Noida cleared by the government in no time.

Apart from real estate and manufacturing, another sector which plays a big role in election funding is the liquor business. It's an interesting coincidence that the first political support outside the BJP to the demonetisation move came from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has imposed prohibition in his state. During the 2012 assembly elections, an EC raid on the office of a Noida-based liquor baron unearthed Rs 50 crore in cash. It was alleged that the businessman, known for his close links with the BSP, intended to use the cash during the campaign. By funding campaign expenses, liquor barons gets licences to open shops at prominent locations in the state. The competition is stiff for the 1,000-plus such locations for which government issues licences every two years. "The ruling party gets Rs 50 lakh-Rs 1 crore from the businessman in lieu of every licence," says an insider.

Profits from the liquor trade in Punjab, another state going to the polls next year, are currently pegged at around Rs 15,000 crore, which includes legal and unaccounted earnings from stock that is sold openly without payment of the mandatory excise duty. Officials estimate that Punjab's annual projected liquor revenue earnings are less than a third of the actual profits. A senior excise official who requested anonymity fearing reprisals from the powerful liquor mafia conceded that at least 50 per cent of these illicit profits are channelled back to political masters. A Mohali-based liquor contractor disclosed that the conduit for the black money so earned is usually a relative or someone close to the minister being made a partner in the contract.

CANDIDATE BIGGER THAN PARTY

Election results in India have increasingly become dependent on the money power wielded by individual candidates. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the proportion of expenditure by individual candidates went up significantly to around 40 per cent of the total election expenditure. According to research conducted by CMS, there is a perception in certain areas and among certain sections of voters that candidates known otherwise for corruption have better "winning chances". For example, 51 per cent of the voters in Jharkhand think a corrupt image is a plus in an election.

An examination by Carnegie's Vaishnav of the affidavits filed by candidates in the 2004, 2009, and 2014 Lok Sabha elections also explains the importance of money in electoral success. The poorest quintile of candidates, in terms of personal financial assets, had a 1 per cent chance of winning parliamentary elections while the richest quintile had a more than 23 per cent chance. There is also a correlation between criminality, wealth and victory. In the same bandwidth of parliamentary elections, roughly 4 per cent of candidates in the lowest quintile of wealth faced criminal cases compared to nearly 15 per cent of candidates in the top quintile. The average wealth of winning candidates was Rs 3 crore, whereas the average wealth of winners with a criminal record was Rs 4.2 crore. For those with serious criminal records, it went up to Rs 4.4 crore. In 2004, 24 per cent of sitting members of Parliament faced criminal cases (12 per cent faced serious charges); this share grew to 30 per cent in 2009 (15 per cent serious) and 34 per cent (21 per cent serious) in 2014.

FUTURE ROADMAP

Is demonetisation the ultimate weapon to kill black money in politics? The answer is a resounding 'no', and experts say electoral reforms are the only way forward. "Given the kind of discretionary powers that the government and elected officials enjoy over economic and business sectors, they would continue to collect unaccounted money the way they want it. In the absence of broader structural reforms of politics and the electoral system, it is going to be business as usual for political parties and candidates," says Sahoo.

There have been minor alterations to improve election funding-company donations were re-legalised, parties are required to submit tax returns, the campaign period has been shortened from 21 to 14 days, expenditure reporting requirements for candidates has been made mandatory. Yet the fundamentals have remained unchanged.

On August 29, 2014, the Election Commission issued a set of transparency guidelines to political parties by asking them to identify all donors and amounts, except for payments in cash raised at rallies, in a move to plug the loophole of donations under Rs 20,000. However, these guidelines do not have the backing of the full force of the law because other than de-recognition of the party's symbol, the EC has no power to deregister a party violating the new guidelines. "Parties must be heavily penalised in case of non-compliance of the transparency guidelines. They must also regularly submit expenditure statements with the Election Commission during the election process and not 75/90 days after the declaration of results," says ADR founder Chhokar.

This apparent disdain for transparency was evident when political parties rejected the Central Information Commission order of June 3, 2014, bringing them under the purview of the Right to Information Act. "Once they abide by this order, the much-needed transparency in their finances would be automatically accomplished," says Chhokar. The real challenge for Modi would be to convince all political parties, including his own, to implement internal democracy, clean their books and submit themselves to RTI.

The prime minister has been advocating state funding of elections to clean the electoral system. Direct funding of political parties is practised in 86 per cent of the countries in Europe, 71 per cent in Africa, 63 per cent in the Americas and 58 per cent in Asia. Various committees appointed by the government have recommended that state funding of elections should be considered only after some prerequisites are ensured such as internal democracy in political parties and complete transparency in their financial affairs.

According to Sridharan and academician-turned-Congress MP M.V. Rajeev Gowda, state funding based on a transparent formula might encourage a shift towards broad based, small-sum, grassroots financing of parties. Public funding should be introduced to parties in proportion to the amounts they raise openly from identified small-sum private donors. "Without adherence to internal democracy, transparency and accountability, existing party leadership can be expected to deploy public funds for their discretionary use," says Sridharan.

Quraishi bats for the state paying a fixed sum to a party for every vote secured. "If a political party gets, say, one crore votes, he is entitled to state funding of Rs 100 crore at Rs 100 per vote." A study of 'Political Finance Regulations Around the World' by the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance in 180 countries showed that 71 countries follow the practice of giving state funds based on votes obtained. In India, there is already a provision of partial state funding in the form of free airtime for all national and 34 state parties on Doordarshan and All India Radio.

With demonetisation, Modi may have taken the first step, but to reach a stage of full-fledged state funding and prevent future generation of black money, the prime minister will have to take several bolder decisions. Otherwise, this will go down in history as just another gimmick to earn a temporary political dividend.

with Uday Mahurkar, Ashish Misra,Amitabh Srivastava, Kiran Tare, Asit Jolly, Amarnath K Menon

--- ENDS ---
Keeping creatives -- designers, writers, art directors and other artsy types -- inspired and motivated within the confines of their cubicles should be one of your top priorities for 2017. This band of rebels is a breed unto themselves with a blend of desirable skills that ensure your brand not only stays intact, but one step ahead of the competition.

Its easy to see why marketing departments continue to experience a spike in the number of creatives joining their teams, and they are showing a heightened interest in keeping those growing teams content. Seventy percent of B2B marketers who responded to a study by the Content Marketing Institute said they are creating more content than they did one year ago, and 55 percent of them will increase their marketing spending in the coming year.

Mega corporations are on this trend as well.

Related: How to Inspire Innovation Within Your Business

Apple and Microsoft (and others) have retooled their machines (and packed them full of apps) designed specifically to court the creative market. With its October 2016 release of the new MacBook Pro, Apple continues to cater to creatives, with one tag line proclaiming, for creativity on an epic scale. Not to be outdone, Microsoft released Surface Studio, a new tool for the creative process.

But with talent, comes a set of unique needs.

Tapping into ones creativity within the confines of a corporate environment can have its challenges, notes Hillary Hope, founder and creative director at The Unlimited Hope. A brilliant idea can hit while on the treadmill at the gym, in line at the grocery store or in the middle of the night. Being flexible with ones creative team is one of the best ways to support and inspire them.

To ensure you can equip your team with smart apps for idea-making, brainstorming and productive daydreaming, Ive short-listed 10 top tools working creatives use to stay motivated, curious and responsive as well as organized and on task.

In order to ensure your team has the space to tap into their creative juices while tending to the left-brain, you must not only give them the tools they need but flexibility as well, Hope adds. This way, they are more apt to deliver new and interesting solutions for projects in a timely manner.

1. Designinspiration

Designinspiration is the hub for discovering great art, design, architecture, photography, typography and web creativity. Creatives can browse content submitted by its users as well as share their own great designs.

When Im stuck, or need a spark of inspiration, I browse the amazing work on Designinspiration, says Tamara Weaver, creative director at Patient Pop. The quality and diversity really opens your mind and erases borders -- its like brainstorming with an entire global team.

2. ONTRApages

ONTRApages fosters the entrepreneurial spirit among creatives by offering easy-to-build, attractive web pages (a plethora of template, fonts, and colors) that can boost conversions and help grow businesses. And its free for everyone.

3. Adobe Photoshop LightRoom

Adobe Photoshop LightRoom helps photographers and designers manage and edit their photographs -- from importing to sorting to sharing on the web.

Related: 5 Lessons for Success From YouTube Star Casey Neistat

4. Clique University

While Clique Studios is first and foremost a full-service agency, the company is also making a name for itself with its Clique University classes. On its website, let your creatives explore the history and necessities of typography or dive deep into Cliques insights.

If youre located in or will be in Chicago, invite Clique University to give personalized sessions to your creative team or attend one of Clique Us in-person training sessions.

5. The Noun Project

This global library of free, downloadable icons representing symbols and concepts lets designers create, share and celebrate the worlds visual language. Today, millions use The Noun Project to simplify communication around the world.

6. Sketch

With Sketch, designers and art directors can create stunning landing pages and working prototypes to help complete their own projects. Sketchs lightweight, flexible and fast interface makes sure the focus remains on what matters: the design.

Sketch is my go-to when I start a new web project, says Leslie Casanova, founder and creative director at Spell Work. It helps translate a complex design into a final product, which makes it easy to present to clients.

7. Hemingway Editor

Hemingway himself probably would have used this simple text editor. And why not? Its proofreading tools create bold and clear prose. The Hemingway Editor highlights common problems that can get in the way of clear writing, including complex words or phrases, extra long sentences, too many adverbs and too many instances of passive voice.

8. Lynda

This is a one-stop-shop for productively burning an hour at work while learning a new skill. Get your entire team a Lynda subscription to take full advantage of the unlimited courses in design software, web building, video and still photography, animation, illustration and writing. You name it, Lynda most likely has a course for it.

9. Grammarly

No matter your writing needs, Grammarly gives you the confidence of mistake-free writing every time you put pen to paper, so to speak. Grammarly's online proofreading tool checks text for grammar, punctuation and style and features a contextual spelling checker and plagiarism detector.

Related: 'Metal Gear Solid' Creator on How He Remains Creative Amid Hardships

10. Headspace

Getting your creatives in the right frame of mind is what Headspace does best. Research shows practicing meditation and mindfulness can have a positive impact on stress, anxiety, focus and creativity. Headspace bills itself as a gym membership for the mind, with a monthly subscription program that teaches meditation in short, office-friendly time slots.

I'm always looking for new creative tools. Tweet me your favorites that I didn't include on this list @andrewmedal.

Related:

10 Tools to Keep Creatives Happy and Productive

Decoding Design With Dilip Chhabria

How to Inspire Innovation Within Your Business



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resounding November 8 proclamation on the demonetisation of high-denomination currency notes had evoked a diverse response: while the fat cats scurried, looking for ways to launder black money stashes, there was a growing sense of euphoria among India's poor. Many of them saw Modi's gambit as a masterstroke that would bring unaccounted-for money tumbling out from the safes and strongrooms of the rich.

Mohan Kumar, a domestic help in Chandigarh who returned from leave from Sitamarhi, Bihar, was thrilled that the village moneylender was the hardest-hit. "Mushkil to sabhi ko hui, magar seth ko bada thappad pada (Everyone faced difficulties but the lender was slapped hard)," he said. But the satisfaction of witnessing panic on the lender's face was shortlived, and is fast giving way to distress. Tales of despair have become commonplace across rural India.

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Shahji Anandan, a 50-year-old rubber tapper on a small plantation in Kerala's Kottayam district, had smirked at others queuing outside the local bank to swap currency. "I've never had Rs 500 or 1,000 notes in my pocket," he says. But the crisis has now come his way too: there is nowhere he can tap rubber for a cash wage anymore. "The owner of the plantation where I worked doesn't have money," says Anandan.

Asokan Puthenpurabil - Toddy tapper. Photo: Ratheesh Sundaram

Although intended, as Modi insists, to target the wealthy tax evaders and strike a mortal blow to the massive shadow economy that's hampering India's growth, the currency purge is showing signs of crippling the country's rural economy. The fact that it was rolled out at the start of the rabi season has only made the pain more acute. In a country where 233 million do not have bank accounts, according to a 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers report, and depend on informal credit systems, the crisis emerging in the villages exposes the snail's pace at which rural banking has been extended. RBI figures show that from 5.3 bank branches for a population of one lakh in rural India in 2001, the number today has improved to just 7.8.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik red-flagged this in a communication to Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, pointing out that 4,400 out of 6,238 panchayats in his state have no bank branches at all. This means 16.5 million people-over a third of the state's population-have no access to banking, thus making any exchange of notes impossible for them. The sudden scarcity of cash, which is twice as acute in villages, has brought rural India's thriving informal credit system to a grinding halt. This has adversely affected every section-farmers struggling to find the means to buy seeds, fertiliser and pesticide for the rabi sowing; traders, shopkeepers and vendors on the verge of going under in the face of a contraction in consumption; and wage workers unable to find work.

Gurnam Singh - Farmer. Photo: Chandradeep Kumar Gurnam Singh - Farmer. Photo: Chandradeep Kumar

Experts warn that besides making for a gloomy sentiment, the paralysis in rural India, which accounts for 80 per cent of national employment and 20 per cent of GDP, could further push the predicted slide in the overall GDP growth. Even though figures till November 25 released by the Union agriculture ministry for five major crops, including wheat, show the total area sown (327.62 lakh hectares) as marginally higher than in the same period in 2015, problems are evident elsewhere. Tamil Nadu is witnessing the steepest fall, with rice acreage falling from 9.10 lakh hectares in 2015 to 6.82 lakh hectares. West Bengal has a similar crisis with much of the kharif paddy overdue for harvest and rabi sowing delayed. The acreage under coarse cereals in Maharashtra is down by nearly 8 percentage points.

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But the crisis engendered by demonetisation runs far deeper. india today's correspondents report from villages across the country.

TELANGANA

Poultry feels the pinch

It's peak season for Telangana'sRs 1 lakh crore poultry sector. Scores of poultries dotting the Telugu hinterland produce 260 million eggs and 10 million chicks a day to meet the demand. But with the farm gate price of an egg down to half of the Rs 4.42 it fetched only a few weeks ago, demonetisation has turned business upside down for G. Bhaktavatsalam, a poultry farm owner in Kavaguda, a village in the state's Rangareddy district.

Brigit Edwin - Fish vendor

The withdrawal of high-value notes and the consequent scarcity of smaller denomination currency has had a domino effect. Poultry owners are forced to make distress sales because, as Bhaktavatsalam says, "local farmers who sell us maize for use as chicken feed are refusing to supply unless paid in cash". This and the sharp decline in retail demand for poultry and eggs are forcing farmers to slash prices. A drop of over 30 per cent in sales is already impacting the inventories. The cash crunch is hitting all layers in the supply chain and poultry owners are apprehensive of the working capital drying up too.

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The National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) estimates the daily loss at over Rs 100 crore a day. "People have cut back on buying eggs and chicken in what are our most lucrative months of the year even though prices have dropped and restaurants, too, have cut down on their indent," says NECC office-bearer K.V.S. Subba Raju.

With cash grossly insufficient to pay for harvesting, fertilisers, pesticides and transportation, farmers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh say they are staring at major losses this rabi season. This after three successive droughts and just when they were hopeful of a good harvest in areas that saw copious rainfall. For bank staff completely occupied after the demonetisation move, lending to farmers is not a priority. Sarampally Reddy, national vice-president, All India Kisan Sabha, says the mammoth exercise of replacing 86 per cent of the nation's currency notes is preventing farmers from getting timely credit.

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P. Chengal Reddy, chief advisor, Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations, warns of a "chaos in the making in the countryside". Farming in India, he says, relies predominantly on traditional and informal credit systems. That a mere 35 of every Rs 100 is loaned to farmers as cash or inputs comes via banks seems to have been completely glossed over, says Reddy. That farming is region- and crop-specific, too, has been ignored, he adds.

MAHARASHTRA

Onions bring tears

A generous monsoon this year translated into a bumper onion harvest in Maharashtra, but demonetisation is spoiling the success.

Balwant Kore carted 20 quintals of onion all the way from Sakri village in Dhule district to Pimpalgaon Basmat, 70 km away, in the hope of getting a good price for his "top quality" produce. Disappointingly, the highest bid at the APMC (Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee) auction was Rs 1,000 lower than the Rs 1,800 per quintal he was hoping for. Having spent Rs 600 to grow each quintal and Rs 4,000 on transporting the onions, Kore must now make do with a paltry profit of Rs 150 a quintal.

The story echoes through the state's onion belt with many farmers also complaining that traders are paying only through cheque, and that too by postdating them by 15 days. With subsistence itself becoming a challenge, farmers are demanding they be paid a fourth of their dues in cash. "We need money for milk, fuel, medicines," says Kore.

K Krishna Reddy - Farmer. Photo: A Prabhakar Rao

The crisis isn't crop-specific. At Mhasawad in Nandurbar, the poorest district of Maharashtra, business at the maize and cotton market has shrunk to a tenth of the Rs 1 crore recorded daily until demonetisation struck. Traders are only purchasing cotton from poor tribal farmers for whom their meagre farms are the only source of livelihood.

Yogesh Koli, a top maize trader, reports a major slowdown in the absence of cash. "I haven't sent a single truck to Surat because I don't have money to pay for the fuel," he says, admitting that despite the scale of his operation, he is finding it difficult to pay his workers.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has suggested deploying all 8,000 of the state's citizen service centres to provide additional banking support in the rural areas. Also, all banks in the state have agreed to use a single form that will facilitate transfer of requisite funds from farmers to dealers for purchase of farm inputs. Yet to take off, the measures may be belated.

WEST BENGAL

Harvest of distress

When his bank ran out of cash for the sixth consecutive day, Subhankar Mondal decided to literally take matters into his own hands. Failing to arrange even Rs 350 to hire a pair of bullocks, the farmer set out to plough his tiny, half acre holding by himself. "If I don't sow the mustard and potato now, I will have no crop, and my family will starve," he says.

Bankim Gayen - Farmer. Photo: Subir Halder

Mondal hasn't harvested the ripe paddy on an adjoining half acre. Even though there's money in his account at the Bangiya Gramin Vikash Bank in Bhangar II, South 24 Parganas district, he can't access it. The bank is allowing withdrawals of only Rs 2,000 per person and it would take Mondal many visits to draw the money he needs. Mondal asks who's going to till the land if he wastes time at the bank.

In Bengal, some 7.2 million farming families-96 per cent of whom are marginal farmers-have been affected by demonetisation. State agriculture minister Purnendu Basu says he doesn't rule out the "possibility of a full-blown famine". Consider the numbers: half the paddy sown over 42 lakh hectares during the kharif season hasn't been harvested for want of cash to pay workers; rabi sowing has been completed on just 6.5 per cent of the targeted 22.8 lakh hectares; and according to Paritosh Bhattacharya, director of agriculture, this year's rabi season acreage is already 15 percentage points lower than in 2015.

KERALA

Downright disappointment

Anandan, the rubber tapper from Marangattupilly in Kottayam, suddenly finds himself out of work. P. Mohanan, a cab driver, hasn't earned in weeks and wants to know "why he (Modi) is punishing poor people like me". Manoharan Keshavan, a Dalit farmhand, doesn't have a backup plan to tide over the cash crunch. Vijayamma Rajaratinam, 59, swears she doesn't remember things being so bad. Perhaps, nowhere is the outrage as vocal as it is in Kerala.

Balwant Kore - Onion farmer. Photo: Milind Shelte

The exclusion of rural cooperative banks and traditional credit systems from the demonetisation process is causing the real pain. K. Unnikrishnan, a retired banker who grows paddy on his five-acre farm at Pallathuruthy in Alappuzha district, says farmers with accounts in cooperative banks are in big trouble. Yet, he is among the few to support demonetisation. "Sometimes you need a hard decision to tackle a severe problem," he says. Pottakulam-based plantation owner George J. Mathew, a former MP and Congress legislator, too, supports the move. Unlike other plantation owners in Kerala and Karnataka, who have expressed fear of labour unrest among other problems, Mathew sees the banking restrictions as a "temporary" phenomenon.

PUNJAB

Sufferings in sowing time

A drive through the Punjab hinterland confirms the agriculture ministry's impressive numbers on sowing for the rabi season. The freshly ploughed fields are covered with freshly germinated shoots of wheat. The 20 kilometre drive from Bhawanigarh to Lehra Gaga in Sangrur district is particularly captivating, with wheat standing a foot tall already. But the idyllic scenery cannot hide the problems on the ground.

Jaswant Rai - Agricultural merchant. Photo: Chandradeep Kumar

In Chhajli village, a farmer who introduces himself as "Bhola", explains that after the grave diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea shortages at the beginning of the last rabi season, most farmers had purchased this year's seeds and fertiliser well in advance. He says problems could arise when more fertiliser would be required for each periodic watering of the wheat. Kanwaljit Dhindsa, who runs a school on the edge of Lehra Gaga, says it is the network of rural cooperatives that has kept farm operations going, meeting 60-65 per cent of the fertiliser needs. Thankfully, much of this is available on credit. So it's only natural for farmers here to be livid at the Centre's decision to bar cooperative banks from accepting or exchanging demonetised currency.

G Bhaktavatsalam - Poultry farmer. Photo: A Prabhakar Rao

The Sangrur Central Cooperative Bank in Chhajli is deserted. The manager says that other than dispensing miniscule sums received from the head office in Chandigarh, everything else is at a standstill. Loan recoveries have been suspended. "Normally, in the sowing season, there is not even space to stand here," he says. Many elderly people, who have accounts only in cooperative banks, now have nowhere to deposit any old currency they might have. Old-age pensioners and widows, who opted for the neighbourhood cooperative bank for the sake of convenience, too, have nowhere to go.

In all of this, Punjabi writer and rural activist Jagdish Pabra sees a ploy to destroy the cooperative movement in Punjab. "Why else would the major chunk of the new currency notes flow to private banks," he asks.

with Amarnath K. Menon, Kiran D. Tare, Romita Datta, Jeemon Jacob and Ashish Misra

--- ENDS ---
Who knows, but theres at least a chance that President-elect Donald Trump could help save the world from global warming and, on top of that, from global warming alarmists with other means of doing harm.

Consider the following:

He is against President Barack Obamas Clean Power Plan, which has the following faults: 1) It would cost consumers a fortune and save relatively little. 2) It would reduce temperatures by an insignificant fraction by centurys end. 3) Its against the law.

In fact, the plan is in court now and the outlook is that it will be ruled unconstitutional. In producing the policy, the Environmental Protection Agency rather blatantly misinterpreted federal statutes to say it had the right to wipe out state laws all over the land, and it does not. Trump could get rid of it by executive order.

Without it, say those wanting to keep it in place, it would be hard for the United States to do its part in reducing carbon dioxide by amounts set forth in the Paris Agreement. There are, however, other answers, and the agreement signed by 193 nations includes multiple faults, not the least of them that it could thwart economic growth and thus kill people in developing countries.

The fact is, fossil fuels remain crucial to industrialization of the kind that can save hundreds of millions from destitution. Deny these fuels to the poor, and they stay poor. The richest countries say they will dish out billions of dollars to help, but much of that money would simply make corrupt, thieving leaders richer.

Trump wants to use dreaded coal. But he also wants to find ways to make the coal clean, and thats possible, though not inexpensive. It is outrageous that the Obama administration is tightening rules reducing the use of coal. Minus what Trump hopes for, the mineral is on its way out anyway, and speeding up the decline simply means livelihoods are lost earlier than necessary.

A foremost cause of coal decline has been fracking that produces cheaper natural gas, shoving coal aside as it sends far less CO2 into the atmosphere. Not infrequently, Obama brags about CO2 reductions under his watch, but its free-market fracking far more than governmental interventions thats the champ. Fracking could have achieved more if the administration had allowed more drilling on federal lands, something Trump pledges to do. That move would also increase oil production, making us increasingly less dependent on Middle East oil.

Trump plans to rely on all energy sources to pick up the economy, and that includes wind power and solar, although he considers solar panels a fraud. He does want to end subsidies to renewable fuels, and he is absolutely right. Let the free market have at it instead, saving public money and more likely leading to breakthroughs. Tip of the day: Crony capitalism does not work.

Where Trump especially shines is in his support for nuclear power. Waste is far less an issue than it used to be. Nuclear power is pricey but could be considerably less so through regulatory and other reforms. Though new plants would not pop up immediately, nuclear power would lessen greenhouse gases more extensively than any other approach and keep the economy thriving.

A holdup, of course, has been fear of some terrible accident, but understand that plants are manifestly safe these days, and, as one fact you may have missed, radiation killed no one in Japan after a tsunami hit nuclear plants in Fukushima.

Trump recently surprised some people when he said he thought human activities may contribute to warming, but he had said it before. And even scientific skeptics believe in warming and human causes as a factor. The dispute is about sure-enough catastrophe addressed through dubious though costly means. There is no scientific consensus on this alarmist vision, and Trumps ideas could be more effective than Obamas.
By PTI: New Delhi: Amidst din and without debate, Lok Sabha passed

New Delhi: Amidst din and without debate, Lok Sabha passed within minutes a major bill that provides a window to legalise black money post-demonetisation and a tax on that amount, triggering a controversy with the Opposition calling it a "black day" and accusing it of being "undemocratic and dictatorial".

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Wednesday

New Delhi: To promote the use of digital payment systems to encourage transparency, financial inclusion and prepare a roadmap in this regard, the Modi government has formed a committee headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhis official Twitter account was hacked and some expletives-laden tweets were posted.

New Delhi: Aiming to attract more tourists and boost trade, government approved a new liberalised visa policy that include long-term multiple-entry comprehensive visa by merging tourist, business, medical and conference visas into one.

Thursday

New Delhi: Rejecting Rahul Gandhis charge, BJP said the Lok Sabha Speaker observed all parliamentary norms when the bill to amend the IT Act was passed in the House and asserted that business transactions in Parliament cannot be held hostage to a minority.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of creating a situation "worse than Emergency" by deploying army personnel at two toll plazas on a national highway without informing her government.

New Delhi: India downplayed reports of US President-elect Donald Trump lavishing praise on Nawaz Sharif during a telephonic conversation but said it will welcome US-Pakistan talks to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Friday

New Delhi: Former Union minister P Chidambaram rued the absence of a "unified command" at the Home Ministry level under the BJP-led NDA government, which he said was present during the UPA years to take stock of security situation.

New Delhi: CBI Director Anil Sinha retired from the post handing over the baton to his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana, as the government did not name any full-time chief. Kolkata/New Delhi: Presence of army personnel at toll plazas in West Bengal triggered a row with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remaining at the state secretariat overnight in protest, asking was it an "army coup", drawing a a stinging condemnation from the Centre which said the remark showed her "political frustration". PTI TRS TRS

--- ENDS ---

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Plowsharing Crafts is back in Edwardsville with a pop-up shop for the holidays. The store, which was in downtown Edwardsville until it closed recently, will have the pop-up at Newsong Fellowship. The pop-up is in the Common Ground room at Newsong.

Hope Gunderson was the manager of the Edwardsville store and now works at Plowsharing Crafts Kirksville location. She was busy recently unpacking merchandise at Newsong.

Newsong Fellowship is how we started in Edwardsville, Gunderson said. They offered us the space where Restore Decor is. We owe a lot to Newsong in our relationship with Edwardsville.

When Plowshares closed, Lindsey Apple, the Childrens Minister at Newsong, suggested a pop-up shop for the holidays, Gunderson said. It gives some of our customers a chance to buy from us for Christmas presents.

Gunderson said she was excited to open the pop-up, and thought the location would be good. Theres so much going on at Newsong, she said. Theyre hosting the Goshen indoor markets.

The pop-up will sell a variety of merchandise, Gunderson said. Well have some Christmas products. We have our candy cane soap that we sell out of every year because it smells divine. There is also a variety of ornaments and nativity sets.

We have food products, a lot of chocolate, jewelry, home goods, and winter wear, Gunderson said. She also has toys and games.

We have some great gifts, Gunderson said. Socks for men are a new product this year. Customers can buy one pair or a set of three. Gunderson said she likes the brand because in addition to being fair-trade, they give a percentage of their profits to charities.

The store will be open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout December. They will also be open on Christmas Eve. Well be open in the evening while the service is going on, Gunderson said.

Every weekend, well bring in new inventory, Gunderson said. It will be a mix of new items and what has sold well here.
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Linkedin Good Indonesian Food (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

You wont come across a single coffee plant on Belitung, yet you can find more than one kedai kopi (coffee shop) in every corner of the island  a stark contrast that can only be explained by the locals love for coffee and their daily routine of congregating with friends or family at a coffee shop.

Unlike your middle-of-the-road international coffee shop chains, the coffee joints here do not serve different types of frappes or cappuccinos; what youll be getting is a modest warung with a choice of either black coffee or milk coffee.

According to Ismen Holidi, owner of Warung Kopi Kong Djie, one of the most celebrated coffee shops in Tanjung Pandan, the people of Belitung began to fall in love with coffee during the time of the Dutch occupation. The Dutch soldiers would bring various coffee beans from Sumatra and subsequently introduced coffee as a beverage to the natives. This inadvertently led to the locals adopting coffee drinking as a habit that has lasted to this day.

People of Belitung began to fall in love with coffee during the time of the Dutch occupation.(Good Indonesian Food/File)

Most of the coffee that is consumed on Belitung comes from Lampung, as explained by Ismen. The majority of the coffee shops on Belitung use Lampung robusta coffee beans. Although some may not recommend it for its high acidity levels, I believe that it could produce top-quality coffee at an affordable price when processed well, he said.

Over on the eastern side of Belitung in the city of Manggar is an area that is known as Kampung Kopi (coffee village). As a town that has been nicknamed the City of 1,001 Coffee Shops, its multitude of kedai kopi has become a worthy tourist attraction that has rivaled its picturesque beaches.

The story behind Kampung Kopi began in the early 1980s when a few coffee shops were founded in this neck of the woods. At the time, their customer base mainly comprised tin miners. As time went by, the escalating demand for coffee led to the opening of even more similar establishments, which culminated in Manggars city government developing Kampung Kopi as one of the citys tourist destinations after recognizing its potential. (kes)

Explore more about Indonesian cuisine here.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

The work of two Indonesian designers, Tex Saverio and Rinaldy A. Yunardi, was featured in the glamorous Victoria's Secret fashion show at the Grand Palais in Paris on Wednesday.

Their designs of wings and shoulder pieces were worn by the lingerie brand's models, better known as angels, on the catwalk.

During one of the show's segments, dubbed Dark Angel, Brazilian model Izabel Goulart was seen wearing wings designed by Tex. As she stepped onto the catwalk, the wings appeared elegant and suited her black lace lingerie.

In the same segment, American model Devon Windsor walked the runway wearing wings crafted by Rinaldy. Paired with leather boots and black lace lingerie, Windsor's wings looked fierce with their unique curve and black feathers.

(Read also: Victoria's Secret rocks Paris with $3M bra and Lady Gaga)

DARK ANGEL #IzaGoulart in #TexSaverio wings at Victoria's Secret 2016 Fashion Show at Grand Palais #VictoriasSecretAngel #VSFS #VSFashionShow #VSFSParis #VS2016 A photo posted by FAYE LIU  (@fayefliu) on Nov 30, 2016 at 6:04pm PST

Rinaldy told liputan6.com that it took him three months to create the wings. Im surely grateful, he said. I was taking care of this and that in Indonesia when I suddenly received information that this accessory was worn during the Victorias Secret [fashion show]. I am happy.

As always, this years Victorias Secret fashion show featured models and various celebrities, such as Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and Bruno Mars. One of the show's highlights was the showcase of the US$3 million Fantasy bra, worn by American model Jasmine Tookes. (kes)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, December 2 2016

Jakarta: Indonesia has been selected to host the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank on the resort island of Bali, during which central bankers and finance ministers from across the globe will meet to discuss worldwide financial issues.

More than 13,000 participants from 189 countries are expected to join the event, to be held in October 2018, including official country delegations, international observers, academics, journalists and NGO representatives.

You literally have all the senior people of the IMF there, and their officers are formally transferred from Washington to the site of this overseas meeting [in Bali]. The decision making will take place abroad, not in Washington, IMF spokesperson Jeremy Edward Mark said on Thursday.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, December 2 2016

House of Representatives deputy speaker Agus Hermanto has expressed confidence that the anticipated large-scale demonstration on Friday in Jakarta will not compromise the safety of the legislative institutions compound.

I am certain that tomorrows [Friday] rally will be much more peaceful than the previous one. I hope they [protesters] achieve their goal so that there will be no more rallies, the Democratic Party politician told reporters on Thursday.

Agus also played down concerns that Fridays rally, held to demand Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnamas arrest, would escalate into something bigger like an attempt to occupy the House, mirroring a failed attempt by participants of a previous anti-Ahok rally on Nov. 4.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, December 3 2016

212 is a popular number among Indonesians and is associated with the legendary fictional warrior Wiro Sableng, a character created by the late Bastian Tito in the 1970s.



Wiro Sableng was born Wira Saksana, before his parents were killed by a rival named Suranyali. As his house burned to the ground, the little Wira Saksana was saved by a woman named Sinto Gendeng who then became his teacher. When Wira Saksana grew up, he changed his name to Wiro Sableng to honor his teacher. Sableng is Javanese for the concept of being wildly crazy.



Maybe it was a coincidence or was just the right moment as we came to Dec. 2. When using the term 212 to refer to Fridays rally, most Indonesians remember Wiro Sableng.



For most participants, the rally was the realization of their anger about recent political waves that involved accusations of blasphemy against incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. And for the rest of the participants, it was an expression of their disappointment toward the administration.



Debate about the legitimacy of the recent rallies has been ongoing for over a month. The government, on one hand, has a duty outlined in the constitutional to protect peoples right to express their demands. On the other hand, the government must uphold the law and the sovereignty of the state from all threats, domestic or foreign.



As we look to the 212 warrior for inspiration, we are reminded of the fighting spirit he upheld, to defend the rights of the weak and the poor with his wildly crazy acts. This photographic series aims to tell a story about a dynamic movement in the long history of Indonesian people.



Hopefully, people will remember it as part of the struggle for freedom and national unity, and not end up in a rebellion against the democracy of Indonesia.

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Linkedin Corry Elyda (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3 2016

Embattled Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama spent a quiet day at home on Friday as thousands of Muslims rallied demanding his arrest at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta.

He canceled a plan to visit his supporters who had waited for him at his campaign headquarters, Rumah Lembang, in Menteng, also in Central Jakarta.

Rosdiana, a 63-year-old supporter who was already waiting at the headquarters, said she was disappointed when it was announced that the governor was unable to meet with his supporters who came to encourage him amid the political pressures against him.

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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan, Suherdjoko, Andi Hajramurni and Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Medan/Semarang/Makassar/Pekanbaru  Sat, December 3 2016

Anti-Ahok rallies reverberated across the regions on Friday, with groups of conservative Muslims pressing local administrations to support their cause.

Addressing a group of protesters in Medan, North Sumatra, acting governor T. Erry Nuradi was forced to say he would dismiss an official that had circulated a request to local Muslim clerics urging them to not participate

in the rally.

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Linkedin Moses Ompusunggu and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

Seven political figures known for their strong opposition to the administration of President Joko Jokowi Widodo were arrested on charges of treason on Friday, only a few hours before the large-scale rally by conservative Muslims in the capital against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

The National Police accused the seven people, including Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, the daughter of Indonesias first president, Sukarno, of trying to exploit the anti-Ahok rally to overthrow the government.

Rachmawati is the younger sister of Indonesian Democratic Party Of Struggle (PDI-P) chief patron Megawati Soekarnoputri, leader of a coalition of political parties that support Jokowis administration. Among the six others charged include retired two-star army general Kivlan Zen and political activist Sri Bintang Pamungkas, both of whom were charged under articles 107, 110 and 87 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on treason and conspiracy to commit treason.

According to Article 107 of the KUHP, if convicted of treason, the suspects could face 20 years imprisonment.

Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the police were in the midst of investigating whether there had been any communication between the suspects to commit the alleged treason. We will announce the questioning results tomorrow morning.

The police accused the suspects of being involved in treason-related activities in the past three weeks, without going into detail.

Questioning of the suspects was still ongoing at the Polices Mobile Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Depok, West Java, as of Friday evening. The police have only 24 hours to conclude the process, after which they must determine whether they will detain the suspects, as stipulated in the countrys Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP).

Megawati, who was attending a batik exhibition at the Smesco building in Pancoran, South Jakarta, refused to comment on the arrest of her sibling Rachmawati.

On Friday the police also arrested musician-turned-politician Ahmad Dhani for allegedly insulting President Jokowi while partaking in the anti-Ahok rally on Nov. 4, and two other men for allegedly promoting hate speech under Article 28, point 2 of the 2008 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law. All three men had also been named suspects by the police.

Rachmawati previously said she would not join the massive rally, but instead would visit the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) to demand that the legislative body immediately hold an extraordinary meeting to bring back the original version of the 1945 Constitution.

Under the old 1945 Constitution, the MPR had the power to appoint a president and vice president, and the president had to answer to the assembly.

Under the current presidential system, a move against the president in the form of an impeachment proceeding can only occur if the House launches an inquiry, requests a detailed examination of a policy, and only when the policy in question meets the criteria for violations that could be subject to an impeachment trial can the process start.

MPR Speaker Zulkifli Hasan said Rachmawati had several times come to him with the demand, but he always said no because the MPR had decided to only have a limited amendment of the reinstatement of the now-defunct state policy guideline (GBHN). All people can have their aspirations  we as speakers will accept them  but whether we agree or not is another question.
The state wants to deck over a nearly 13-acre rail yard in the South Bronx to make way for a massive waterfront development in the area, which is attracting more private investment as land costs rise elsewhere in the city.

Last month, Empire State Development released a request for expressions of interests [RFEIs] inviting developers to present offers for leasing or purchasing the land, decking over the yards, then building a sizable residential or mixed-use project on top.

The parcel sits along the Harlem River, just north of the Willis Avenue Bridge. It is currently used as a transfer station to move goods between cross-country trains and trucks that traverse the tristate areaa use the state plans to maintain going forward.

"It's exciting, and very rare to offer the opportunity to develop more than a dozen acres of prime waterfront land in New York City," ESD head Howard Zemsky said in a statement.

Preserve the designated intermodal rail facility footprint at Harlem River Yards...

Maximize economic benefit to the State while minimizing the States economic and

environmental risk

Enhance the Harlem River Yards as an economic engine for the South Bronx and New York;

Increase public access to the Harlem River waterfront;

Increase the availability of high-quality affordable housing in New York;

Maximize incorporation of green building and sustainable design practices; and

Feature meaningful participation of Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned-Business

From Crain's NY Business's Joe Anuta yesterday, State eyes massive development over South Bronx rail yard Oh.The parallel with Atlantic Yards isn't precise, but it's not absent, either. In this case, the state Department of Transportation owns a 96-acre area called the Harlem River Yards, which it leases, and now wants to develop 13 acres of it.By contrast, with Atlantic Yards, the state--the Metropolitan Transportation Authority--owned an 8.5-acre railyard, but a private developer, Forest City Ratner, already had conceived a plan to tether that to private property, city streets, and other public property to make a 22-acre site. Only after that came the request for proposals, or RFPs. There was no RFEI.In both cases, the state can override zoning.According to RFEI document, bottom, the development objectives include:But the true head-spinner for Atlantic Yards watchers regards the RFEIs (requests for expressions of interest), because the state official whose authority approved the project, Empire State Development Charles Gargano,As I reported , Gargano, on 11/15/05, appeared on the Brian Lehrer show on WNYC radio and was asked by the host, who'd just cited an essay by Hunter College planning professor Tom Angotti, "Is this a through-the-looking-glass version of how development should work?The exchange occurs near the beginning of the embedded audio below."If you understand development and how it does work," Gargano responded, "we have a process in government, state government and Im sure other government bodies have the same, whereby we put out, first of all, on any area were trying to develop, we put out what we call an RF--I, request for-- EI, expressions of interest. And the reason why we do that is we want to pick the brains of the private sector, and see what kind of ideas they have, and after all, theyre the ones with the resources who are going to build these projects, so we want their ideas. We put out this RFEI, thats the initialthats the first part of the process, and it has worked very well for many, many decades."Not this time.The MTA did not issue an RFP for the Vanderbilt Yard--the main public property contained in the proposed Atlantic Yards footprint--until 5/24/05, nearly 18 months after the Atlantic Yards plan was announced on 12/10/03.The ESDC never issued an RFEI. Forest City Ratner had been in discussions with city and state agencies for a long time. That's not the "process" Gargano described.
As the call between Trump and Taiwanese President was made public, there was a growing global debate over it as China is vehemently opposed to any move that challenges its territorial sovereignty and always registers strong protests.

By Santosh Chaubey: Yesterday, the US President-elect Donald Trump spoke to the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who is ideologically opposed to the Chinese Communist Party's 'One China' vision. It was a first for any US President or President-elect to speak to the Taiwanese President since 1979 when the US had closed its embassy in Taipei and severed its diplomatic ties recognising the Mainland China as the sole Chinese voice.

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Since the call was made public by the Taiwanese media and the Trump transition team, there was a growing global debate over it as China is vehemently opposed to any move that challenges its territorial sovereignty and always registers strong protests, be it the US arms sales to Taiwan or call for democratic voices in Hong Kong or the Dalai Lama's global outreach efforts for Tibet's sovereignty.

READ| Donald Trump upsets China: Breaks from tradition, speaks with Taiwanese President

Initial reports did not make it clear that who called whom - whether it was Donald Trump who has promised to fundamentally shake up the political administration of the US - or the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen - until Donald Trump made it clear in a tweet that says, "the President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

99882240">December 3, 2016 Trump further clarified his act by saying that he didn't see any wrong in accepting a congratulatory call from a country whom the US sells billions of dollars of military equipment.

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

It means Donald Trump may not have done it purposefully as was being widely speculated before his tweets and Trump speaking to the Taiwanese President may be a courtesy call only.

READ | Non-committal Trump may push China to work with India in fighting climate change

As expected, China's initial reaction was a firm opposition, because international relations between the world's biggest economic and military powers are always sensitive and here every act matters. People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, tweeted quoting Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that "China firmly opposes any official interaction or military contact between #US and #Taiwan."

China firmly opposes any official interaction or military contact between #US and #Taiwan: China MOFA, Fri pic.twitter.com/6BWgb9zQB2 People's Daily,China (@PDChina) December 3, 2016

But the latest reaction from Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, indicates that China would like to treat the waters cautiously and would like to see the phone call by the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who is ideologically opposed to the Chinese Communist Party's 'One China' vision, to Trump as a small trick giving Trump the benefit of doubt that he accepted the call out of courtesy.

Taiwan's small trick will not change one-China principle, the cornerstone of healthy #China-#US relations: Wang Yi responds to #Trump's call pic.twitter.com/njcyMAOdpP People's Daily,China (@PDChina) December 3, 2016

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On November 13, Chinese President Xi Jinping had called Donald Trump to congratulate on his victory pushing his point that "cooperation was the only correct" way ahead for the countries. Responding to the call, a statement from the Trump transition team said that the leaders developed a 'clear sense of mutual respect' during the telephone conversation, "During the call, the leaders established a clear sense of mutual respect for one another, and President-elect Trump stated that he believes the two leaders will have one of the strongest relationships for both countries moving forward".

Probably the muted Chinese response to an otherwise disturbing act from the Chinese point of view follows that "clear sense of mutual respect only".

Also Read:

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Donald Trump bonds with Nawaz Sharif bigly, it's bromantic, so fantastic

In phone call, China's Xi tells Trump cooperation is only choice

Modi congratulates Trump, here's what his win could mean for India

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

Police have released seven activists, including musician Ahmad Dhani and artist Ratna Sarumpaet, but are still detaining three others for alleged treason.

The three, identified [only] as J, R and SBP, have been detained since yesterday at 10 p.m., National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said on Saturday as reported by kompas.com.

Martinus said the three would be detained for the next 20 days for further investigation.

(Read also: Musician Ahmad Dhani released, remains suspect)

The 10 activists were arrested in separate places on Friday morning, a few hours before the mass rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

One of the activists was Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, a daughter of the countrys first president, Sukarno. Rachmawati has been known to often take different political stances from her sister, former president Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Ahmad Dhani, who was released on Saturday morning but remains a suspect in a case involving alleged defamation against President Joko Jokowi Widodo, said that he was questioned about a meeting that took place at Rachmawati's house on Dec.1.

The other activists who were arrested on Friday included politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas and retired Army officer Kivlan Zain. (jun)
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Linkedin Agus Maryono and Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Cilacap/Jambi  Sat, December 3 2016

Hundreds of people remained at shelters on Friday as villages in three districts in Cilacap, Central Java, were still submerged in floodwater.

Displaced people are staying at the Mulyasari village hall, which is serving as a shelter and is equipped with a kitchen and a health post.

Floodwater remains deep, almost 1 meter, so residents still cannot go home, said village official Taryono. He said 143 people were currently staying at the village hall.

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Linkedin Alfian Utama Sibarani (The Jakarta Post) Singapore  Sat, December 3 2016

Over the past two years Indonesia has been reviving its economy by advancing infrastructure projects and implementing bureaucracy reforms at different government levels. President Joko Jokowi Widodo is focusing on policies to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers in order to lure foreign companies to invest in Indonesia.

Investment is truly crucial for our economy but in order to really achieve long-term economic success, we first need to evaluate the outlook of current economic trends, especially our export of goods.

Statistically speaking, in the past four years ASEAN countries and other emerging markets have been struggling to sustain their exports. Malaysias exports reached US$199.87 billion in 2015, a decline from $228.09 billion in 2011.

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

Amid the increase of retail investors in Indonesia, securities firm Mandiri Sekuritas is seeing more value investors from regional areas such as Medan in North Sumatra, Surabaya in East Java and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan.

Mandiri Sekuritas managing director Lisana Irawati said she was happy that value investors existed although the numbers were not large, with only two to three value investors per city excluding Jakarta.

"It is not easy to become a value investor as it requires intensive personal research and a lot of money to buy 'quality stock'," she said at a Mandiri Sekuritas award event at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) building in Jakarta on Friday.

(Read also: Mandiri Sekuritas transforms into fintech company to attract more investors)

Unlike usual stock trading, which uses a daily stock price and trade volume as indicators for buying and selling stock, Lisana said value investors looked at a company's fundamental condition and held stock for a relatively long period.

She added that as regional traders gained more knowledge and experience, they started to do more intensive research about company fundamentals and applied the style of top US value investor Warren Buffett in investing.

"Currently they invest a lot in infrastructure shares such as state-owned construction companies," Lisana said.

She added that the investors also regularly attended public exposes in Jakarta to learn about companies more before making investment decisions. (jun)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and running mate Sylviana Murni have emphasized that their campaign promise to disburse Rp 1 billion (US$74,197) in each community unit (RW) in the capital per year is not "money politics" or vote buying, but only a community empowerment program.

(Read also: Agus more wealthy than SBY, declared assets suggest)

During the pairs campaign visit to Pantai Indah Kapuk in North Jakarta on Saturday morning, Agus said the money that will be given to each RW will come from the city budget, not from their own pockets.

If I and Sylvi disburse our own money and ask people to choose us, then it is 'money politics' [...] But this is different; this program is an elaboration of our vision and mission, Agus said.

He said the funds could be used by the community to repair waterways, for instance, and representatives from subdistricts could supervise the programs to ensure transparency and accountability.

We believe that Jakartas residents need to be involved in the development of the city. It should not only be a top-down process, but also a bottom-up process, Agus said.

On Thursday, the Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) reported Agus and Sylvi had possibly committed a violation of campaign rules, arguing that the promise of funding was not included in their policy platform.

The Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPU Jakarta) chairman Sumarno said that he had received the report from the agency. He said that Agus promise was not being considered as vote buying, but as an administrative violation. (win/jun)
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Linkedin Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

When protesters began to swarm Jakarta on Friday morning, President Joko Jokowi Widodo left the State Palace to inspect a construction project, raising suspicion that he would again evade the large-scale rally by conservative Muslim groups against Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama over blasphemy allegations.

But the suspicions proved to be wrong. The President immediately returned to the State Palace after wrapping up his visit to Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which is under renovation for the 2018 Asian Games.

In a bold move, with a blue umbrella in his hand, Jokowi, along with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, joined the mass prayers held by protesters at the National Monument (Monas), even though Friday saw bigger crowds than the Nov. 4 rally, when a riot erupted in front of the palace because of Jokowis refusal to meet with protesters.

At Monas, the pair sat inside a tent erected beside the stage to hear the Friday prayers sermon delivered by Islam Defenders Front (FPI) chairman Rizieq Shihab, before performing Friday prayers.

Jokowi concluded his attendance by taking to the podium and delivering a short speech expressing his appreciation for the peaceful protest, which had been called a joint prayer.

Thank you for your prayers for the safety of the nation, the President said in a firm tone.

I highly appreciate everyone who has come and maintained order, so that the event can run well.

Allahu akbar [God is great], Jokowi said several times between his sentences, to which the crowd immediately replied Allahu akbar.

Jokowi seemed confident in handling the Friday rally, following his numerous dialogues with various Muslim leaders and a political safari to visit different party leaders after the Nov. 4 rally, which turned violent later at night.

Some believed that Jokowis absence from the palace during the Nov. 4 rally may have escalated the situation, as protesters appeared to be dissatisfied when the President sent his ministers to meet them, while he left the palace to visit a construction project at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Prior to the Friday rally, concerns were raised that it could trigger more violence, as it was predicted that more people would take part than on Nov. 4.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police recently held diversity parades nationwide, in an apparent attempt to discourage people from taking part in the rally, which was filled with sectarian rhetoric after the mass prayers.

Jokowis move to join the mass prayers organized by protesters was unexpected.

The decision to take part came from the President himself and was made only minutes before prayer time, said Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin.

The main reason, Lukman added, was because the President believed his presence was needed to directly address appreciation to the congregation and the [rally] participants for their sincere prayers for a peaceful nation.

Lukman expressed optimism that there would be no more rallies in the near future, suggesting that people wait for the result of Ahoks ongoing legal case.

Regardless of Lukmans claim, the President was actually offered three options by his subordinates  to perform Friday prayers at a mosque inside the palace compound, to join the mass prayers at Monas or to pray at Istiqlal Mosque, which was also a meeting point for some protesters.

Unlike the Nov. 4 protest, which took center stage in front of the palace and nearby buildings, the Friday rally was concentrated in Monas square, which appeared to add leverage to security efforts.

Netizens on Twitter immediately commended the President for taking part in the mass prayers, with many saying they were proud of his bold move, resulting in the hashtag #Jokowi212 being among the top trending topics in the country as of Friday evening.

However, as the President wrapped up his short speech, the crowds started yelling: Arrest Ahok immediately!
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung  Sat, December 3 2016

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Cimahi Mayor Atty Suharti and her husband, former mayor Itoc Tochija, in connection with a graft case that could end the couples long reign in the West Java city.

Atty, who is seeking reelection in February, may be barred from running for a second term if she is convicted of the crime.

The antigraft body raided the couples house on Thursday night and conducted a search that lasted until Friday morning.

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Linkedin Peter van Tuijl (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3 2016

The risk of a conflict on the Korean Peninsula remains a crucial problem in Asia. More than 60 years after the end of the Korean War, there is still no peace agreement but an armistice only. The conflict is caught in a stalemate between superpowers.

Since the Six-Party Talks were suspended in 2009, there have been no serious diplomatic interactions to work on any solution. Relations between North and South Korea are deteriorating.

We see increased inflammatory rhetoric and an alarming nuclear proliferation. It leaves Asia exposed to a potential outbreak of nuclear, chemical and/or conventional warfare. There are five reasons why Indonesia should consider developing a new diplomatic initiative to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Sat, December 3, 2016

A police plane reportedly crashed in Senayang waters, Lingga regency, Riau Islands province, on Saturday, with 13 passengers feared dead.

The plane departed from Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Island, for Batam, Riau Islands, before it crashed into the water at about 10 a.m.

An explosion was heard before the plane crash. Pieces of chairs and bodies were found by residents, Tanjung Pinang naval base commander First Adm. S. Irawan told The Jakarta Post.

(Read also: Navy C-212 airplane crashes in Morotai)

Lingga regency is located in the north of Batam and can be reached in four hours by ferry.

Irawan said the Navy had deployed three warships and three patrol boats for rescue efforts.

The National Search and Rescue Agencys Riau Islands head Abdul Hamid said his agency had received information about the plane crash.

We are deploying a ship for an evacuation, Hamid said. (jun)
US President-elect Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President over the telephone on Friday- a move likely to cause rift with China.

By Santosh Chaubey: According to the news reports rapidly flooding the global media, the US President-elect Donald Trump has spoken with the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen over the telephone on Friday.

It is a departure of mammoth proportion from the established practice where it is believed that no US President or President-elect has ever spoken to a Taiwanese President ever since the US severed its diplomatic ties with the island nation in 1979.

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China is bound to be furious over it as it considers Taiwan a part of its 'One China' vision and doesn't take any move lightly that questions its right over the patches of territories it claims.

The world sees how China angrily reacts on Dalai Lama's global outreach efforts for Tibet or when it issues stapled visa to Arunachal Pradesh residents in India as it considers Arunachal its own territory.

ALSO READ | Non-committal Trump may push China to work with India in fighting climate change

HOW WILL CHINA REACT?

The Financial Times which first reported about the call wrote, "Although it is not clear if the Trump transition team intended the conversation to signal a broader change in US policy towards Taiwan, the call is likely to infuriate Beijing which regards the island as a renegade province."

But in geopolitics, nothing is seen as by chance, as the Financial Times report further says, quoting Evan Medeiros, former Asia Director, White House National Security Council that 'the Chinese leadership will see this as a highly provocative action, of historic proportions'.

According to a report in the New York Times, the White House was informed about the call only after it had happened. The report further says, quoting an Obama administration official that in past China had reacted bitterly on US arms sales to Taiwan.

Let us wait and see how China reacts this time.

Also Read:

Donald Trump bonds with Nawaz Sharif bigly, it's bromantic, so fantastic

In phone call, China's Xi tells Trump cooperation is only choice

Modi congratulates Trump, here's what his win could mean for India

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Linkedin Agnes Anya, Indra Budiari, Ina Parlina and Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3, 2016

Hatred against non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama was a sentiment evident during the peaceful rally at the National Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta on Friday.

Anti-Ahok slogans were continuously chanted by demonstrators and their leaders including when President Joko Jokowi Widodo was still on stage after addressing the more than 500,000 Muslims from various Islamic organizations.

The President would have clearly heard the crowd demanding the imprisonment of his former deputy when he served as Jakarta governor from 2012 to 2014, on his way back from the venue to the State Palace.

Immediately after the President finished his brief remarks, the rally leader, Habib Rizieq Shihab, shouted fiercely in front of Jokowi, arrest Ahok, arrest Ahok!

Arrest Ahok, arrest Ahok! Arrest Ahok right now! the protesters shouted back.

Rizieq has warned the government that Muslims will take to the streets again if they are dissatisfied with how the law deals with Ahok.

The Attorney Generals Office handed over Ahoks blasphemy case dossier to North Jakarta District Court shortly after receiving the documents from the National Police on Thursday.

Ahok has appealed for public support in getting a fair and transparent trial for his blasphemy case amid concerns about escalating pressures from Islamic organizations on judges presiding over his trial.

Like the previous Nov. 4 demonstration, Fridays rally was initiated by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) leader Rizieq. It was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. but participants started to arrive at the site as early as 5:30 a.m.

Mostly wearing white Islamic garb, they placed themselves in tidy rows as they chanted praises to God, as well as listened to sermons from several famous clerics, in the hope that their solidarity would be able to urge the government to put Ahok behind bars.

Ahok has been in the spotlight since he cited Al-Maidah 51, a verse in the Quran, in a speech to residents of Thousand Islands regency and Jakarta administration officials during a working visit on Sept. 27. Footage of the speech went viral on social media and set off a firestorm of criticism from several Muslim groups.

The governor has since apologized, saying he did not intend to insult the Quran, but it has failed to soothe the ire of many Muslim groups, who initiated a mass demonstration to demand his prosecution on Nov. 4.

The Nov. 4 demonstration started with mass Friday prayers along Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat  both in Central Jakarta  before later in the evening turning violent with three police personnel being injured.

Meanwhile, for the Dec. 2 rally, the protesters also held Friday prayers but this time at Monas square, where the huge crowd also witnessed a show of leadership confidence by Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Both of them left the State Palace to join the protesters in prayer amid pouring rain; a decision that came as a surprise to almost everyone as the President previously planned not to attend the rally.

Thank you for your prayers for the safety of the country, he said in a short speech he delivered on stage after the prayers.

However, the peaceful rally was marred by dozens of people in white attire bursting onto the stage just as thousands of participants started to disperse.

An unidentified cleric took the microphone and delivered a political speech to hundreds who were still watching nearby.

Thank you for your presence today, but I ask you when you get home to keep in mind that not a single non-Muslim can be a leader in this country, said one of the speakers.

Not a district leader, not a governor or even president should be [a non-Muslim]. Pick a Muslim if you have to vote, he said before leaving the stage with his entourage.

The rally has put added pressure on law enforcement institutions handling Ahok, who is seeking reelection in next years gubernatorial election, in the blasphemy case that could put him behind bars for up to five years.
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Linkedin PJ Leo (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra  Sat, December 3 2016

Its impossible to enjoy the entire Lake Toba in one day, but a short trip to the tourism jewel of North Sumatra is enough for one to fall in love with the local nature and culture.

Lake Toba is the worlds largest crater or volcanic lake. It has a maximum depth of 500 meters. Resembling a landlocked sea, it has an island in the middle, Samosir Island



It is a major tourist spot in North Sumatra with vast potential for further development into an international tourist destination.



To boost foreign tourist visits to Indonesia, especially from Europe, the Tourism Ministry recently held a Product Knowledge Familiarity Trip of Priority Indonesian Tourism Destinations from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, inviting European tour agency representatives to a number of western and eastern destinations in the archipelago, including Lake Toba.



The trip was aimed at giving the European tour agency representatives firsthand experience of Indonesias non-Bali tourist destinations.



Its a follow-up to President Jokowis target of 20 million foreign tourist arrivals by the end of 2019, said I Gde Pitana, who is in charge of foreign tourism marketing at the Tourism Ministry.



As one of the 10 national strategic tourism locations set by President Joko Jokowi Widodo, Lake Toba has been prioritized for infrastructure development.



The President opened the Lake Toba Independence Carnival in Balige, Toba Samosir, in August to show his seriousness in promoting Lake Toba as an emerging tourist destination.



Tour guide and tourism lecturer Joe Nasroen said Jokowis attendance was significant because he was the first president to join the cultural festival of the North Sumatra community.



Locals enthusiastically enlivened the carnival. Those in tourism businesses also felt optimistic about Lake Tobas tourism revival with the governments attention, he said.



As a local and foreign tourist destination, Lake Toba has lacked luster because of inadequate road access and infrastructure as well as neglect in cleanliness. The 176-kilometer trip from Kualanamu Airport to Parapat near the lake, for instance, takes five hours because of the narrow road and heavy traffic.



Accessibility has been a weakness of Lake Tobas tourism, so the government is improving flight access and building toll roads leading to the lake. The runways at Silangit Airport in North Tapanuli and Sibisa Airport in Toba Samosir will be extended to enable Boeing aircraft to land and take off.



Another step is the removal of water hyacinth from the lake and better arrangement of fish breeding baskets on the lake to create a clean and beautiful Lake Toba.

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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, December 3 2016

The future of the Cilacap refinery upgrade project remains uncertain as state-owned energy firm Pertamina and Saudi Aramco have yet to seal a joint venture agreement even after the heads of agreement (HoA) signing a year ago.

Pertamina refineries director Rachmad Hardadi said the two companies had decided to extend the deadline to seal a joint venture agreement to the end of the year, in a bid to iron out several negotiation kinks that the two companies were dealing with.

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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang  Sat, December 3, 2016

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti shed a tear as she received an honorary doctorate from state-run Diponegoro University (Undip) in Semarang on Saturday.

After this, I will say that the [Maritime Affairs and Fisheries] Ministry is now led by an honorary doctor, Susi, a senior high school dropout, said with a smile.

(Read also: Indonesia to sink 30 more boats caught fishing illegally)

Reading a speech on the eradication of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to uphold sovereignty and maintain sustainability for the nations prosperity, Susi said her policies were always based on science.

She added that the ministry had 11,000 employees, some of whom were professors and doctors who helped her to develop policies.

Susi cried again when a video profile about her was played during the ceremony.

The universitys School of Fisheries said it awarded Susi with the degree because she is considered a successful businesswoman in the fisheries industry.

Besides having several fisheries companies, Susi also owns airline firm PT Susi Air. (jun)
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Linkedin JONATHAN LEMIRE and MATTHEW PENNINGTON (Associated Press) New York  Sat, December 3, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump spoke Friday with the president of Taiwan, a move that will be sure to anger China.

It is highly unusual, probably unprecedented, for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the U.S. broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.

Washington has pursued a so-called "one China" policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland. Under that policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

A statement from Trump's transition team said he spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who offered her congratulations. It was not clear who initiated the call.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties ... between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," the statement said.

A Taiwanese source with direct knowledge of the call confirmed it had taken place. The source requested anonymity to speak about it before an official statement was issued on it from Taipei.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.

China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Friday's call is the most stark example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The U.S. policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwan's status as unsettled.

Although the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has close unofficial ties. Taiwan's government has a representative office in Washington and other U.S. cities. The U.S. also has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trump's conversation does not signal any change to long-standing U.S. policy on "cross-strait" issues.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," Price said. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations."

Tsai was democratically elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

Diplomatic protocol dictates that Taiwanese presidents can transit through the U.S. but not visit Washington.

Douglas Paal, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan during the George W. Bush administration, said that to his knowledge the call was unprecedented. He said he expected Beijing to issue a verbal warning that there's no space to change the rules over Taiwan relations.
Coming up on Monday evening, the Lowlines Community Advisory Board will be meeting in the Lowline Lab at 140 Essex St. The quarterly meetings are meant to help guide the overall vision for the proposed underground park. The Lowline team won conditional approval for the project from the city this past summer. See the flyer posted below for more details. All are welcome.
(front page)

Millions turn out in Cuba for Freedom Caravan

Millions of working people and youth across Cuba, organized by the leadership of their government and Communist Party, are mobilizing to support and defend the socialist revolution there. Massive outpourings are saluting the life and decisive political contributions of the Cuban revolutionary movements founding leader, Fidel Castro, who died Nov. 25.

Fidel dedicated his life to solidarity. He led a socialist revolution of the humble, by the humble, for the humble  a revolution that became a symbol of the anti-colonial, anti-apartheid and anti-imperialist struggle, for the emancipation and dignity of the people, said Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and president of Cuba, at a rally of hundreds of thousands at the Plaza of the Revolution in Havana Nov. 29. (Printed in full in this issue.)

Millions of Cubans  from all generations that have participated in the revolution for six decades  have turned out for rallies and lined roads in rural areas, towns and cities to cheer the contingent carrying Fidels ashes on a four-day journey to Santiago de Cuba at the eastern end of island. The itinerary follows in reverse the route taken by the Freedom Caravan of January 1959.

After a two-year revolutionary war culminating in the triumph of the Rebel Army and flight of U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista Jan. 1, 1959, Castro led the victorious forces in a weeklong caravan of jeeps, tanks, trucks and other vehicles to Havana, stopping in every town along the way to explain the goals of the revolution and mobilize broader participation by workers and farmers.

Among the millions whove come into the streets since Castros death are internationalist volunteers of all ages who have served as combatants, teachers, medical personnel, and in other ways at the request of leaders of national liberation struggles and governments in the Americas, Africa, Asia and beyond.

Cuban leaders are encouraging those who wish to, to sign a pledge to uphold Cubas revolutionary course as expressed by Fidel Castro in a well-known May Day speech in 2000. (See below.) Amid widespread discussions about the significance of the Cuban Revolution, its history and future, and the revolutionary guidance and leadership that Fidel Castro provided, the Cuban masses have come out to schools, hospitals and public buildings to make that affirmation.

In face of a relentless campaign to vilify Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution by the propertied rulers in Washington and their media, Socialist Workers Party members in the U.S. find interest in the revolution and the political actions of its leaders. To aid these political discussions while introducing the party to workers on their doorsteps, socialist workers make use of the Militant and dozens of books by leaders of the Cuban Revolution and of the SWP telling the truth about Cuba and the world.

Despite those who celebrated Castros death  which is disgusting  his legacy and achievements in Cuba and the world cant be erased, Jairo Rodriguez, a Cuban-born office worker in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, told SWP member Anthony Dutrow Nov. 29.

Another sign of the Cuban Revolutions intransigent working-class course was the refusal of Washington or its imperialist allies to send any high level representative to events in Cuba marking Castros death.

In December 2014 President Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced talks to restore diplomatic relations, which Washington had broken off in 1961. This move reflected that Obama and a substantial majority of the ruling class he represents had decided it was necessary to try different means to overthrow the Cuban Revolution.

Decades of attempts to assassinate Fidel, to back violent assaults on the island by paramilitary bands organized from inside the U.S., to punish the Cuban people through a brutal economic embargo had left Washington isolated in Latin America and the Caribbean with diminishing capacity to influence class relations in Cuba.
(front page)

Washingtons China pivot falters as Asia trade pact dies

President-elect Donald Trump announced Nov. 21 that on his first day in office he will issue notice of Washingtons withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The trade and regulatory agreement, negotiated with 11 other Pacific governments over the past decade, was touted by outgoing President Barack Obama as a signal achievement of his presidency and a core part of the pivot to Asia, which was a hallmark of Washingtons foreign policy for the past five years.

The pivot, later renamed a rebalance, was a political and military course intended to counter the ascending economic and military weight of China. But Beijing has continued to expand trade and political ties across Asia and the Pacific, further eroding the domination of the region that was one of U.S. imperialisms main prizes from the slaughter of World War II.

Trump made opposition to the TPP, accompanied by nationalist demagogy, a central plank in his campaign as the Republican presidential candidate. It was also the policy of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Ratification of the pact in Congress already faced opposition among both parties, and within days of the election the White House announced it would not proceed.

The TPP, which excluded China, was an attempt by Washington to assemble a political bloc as a counter to Beijing in the region. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter described it as being as important to me as another aircraft carrier. Its collapse is a blow to U.S. strength in the region.

The collapse has accelerated moves by many of Washingtons Pacific allies to finalize an alternative regional trade agreement with Beijing. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership includes the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations along with Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and China.

Beijing has also been pushing for adoption of a trade agreement among the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, an association of Pacific rim countries, which met in Peru Nov. 19-20. A number of APEC governments in Latin America are now looking to join the RCEP.

Last year, Beijing launched the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Against Washingtons opposition, 57 governments signed on, including most U.S. allies except Tokyo. Beijing is already expanding trade and investment with countries across Asia and the Pacific.

Conflicts over the composition of regional trade blocs are primarily about political and military alliances, not trade. There are already 147 free trade agreements among countries in Asia, with 68 more under negotiation. The TPP was intended to ensure that Washington called the shots in Asia, as Obama put it, and not Beijing.

As part of the pivot to counter China, the Obama administration had planned to shift the weight of the U.S. armed forces to the Pacific, opening new bases, increasing military exercises in the region and positioning 60 percent of its naval warships there by 2020.

But this was premised on the winding down of U.S. military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Instead, these conflicts have intensified, as has Washingtons military involvement there and in Syria, Somalia and elsewhere. Although maintaining the overwhelming supremacy it has held for decades, Washingtons military and naval power in the Pacific has continued to diminish, even as Beijing expands its military buildup in the South China Sea.

This shifting weight was reflected in the Philippines, a former colony and ally, following the election of President Rodrigo Duterte in May. He announced a scaling down of military ties to Washington and withdrew from U.S. naval patrols in the South China Sea.

During his campaign for president, Trump lambasted the TPP as a disaster that would mean job losses in the U.S. He attacked jobs theft by Asian countries and singled out China as the No. 1 abuser, saying, They suck the blood out of us and we owe them money. He urged the use of U.S. economic power and hefty import tariffs against competition by Chinese imports.

Trump called on the governments of Japan and South Korea to do more to beef up their armed forces and said they should pay up for U.S. military bases in those countries. He said he would increase the size of the U.S. military.

A strong military presence will be a clear signal to China and other nations in Asia, said Trumps campaign website. But a senior defense adviser to Trump, former CIA head James Woolsey, in a Nov. 10 opinion piece in Hong Kongs South China Morning Post, said he anticipated a much warmer response from the new administration to Chinas regional economic initiatives and said Obamas refusal to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank had been a strategic mistake.

We understand Chinas desire to reform global institutions to reflect its greater economic and military weight, Woolsey said.





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(front page)

SWP takes LA campaign for mayor to

workers doorsteps

Militant/Becca Williamson

LOS ANGELES  Cuban workers and farmers participate at all levels in making decisions  including in local, regional and national elections  and the Cuban government is their government. They defend their own interests, not those of a capitalist class, but you never hear about that. Why do you think the U.S. ruling class and the newspapers and TV stations they own denounce Fidel Castro? Dennis Richter, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, told Mary Jones on her doorstep Nov. 29.

Its his example and that of the Cuban Revolution that the U.S. is so afraid of, he said. They do not want working people to do the same here.

Richter and SWP supporters are campaigning door to door in working-class neighborhoods, introducing the party, discussing how workers can organize against the attacks of the bosses and their government in the midst of todays capitalist depression conditions, and signing people up to put Richter on the ballot.

In nine days of campaigning, 69 copies of The Clintons Anti-Working-Class Record: Why Washington Fears Working People by SWP National Secretary Jack Barnes and other books and 30 Militant subscriptions have been sold, and $126 donated toward the filing fee.

Over 475 signatures have been gathered toward the goal of 1,000  twice the requirement. The party plans to turn in the petitions and the $300 filing fee by the Dec. 7 deadline.

I think Fidel Castro was a dictator and the people of Cuba do not have the right to express themselves, Jones, a retired high school history teacher who is African-American, told Richter.

As the central leader of the revolutionary movement, Fidel fought alongside his troops, Richter said. Cuba sent 425,000 Cuban volunteers to Angola to defend that country against the South African army and they won, helping to lead to the overthrow of the hated apartheid regime.

They send doctors and other medical personnel to any country that asks for help, asking nothing in return, he said.

The Socialist Workers Party also starts with the world and how we can advance the fight of toilers worldwide, he said.

The Socialist Workers Party is part of the fight for a workers and farmers government here in the U.S. and to put an end to capitalism, Richter said. This would also be a tool in the hands of Black people opening the road to ending racism for good.

Jones signed the petition to get the SWP on the ballot. Im going to consider the things youve said, she said. I had never heard any of this about Castro and Cuba.

Richter met high school student Xavier Izquierdo when he campaigned in Wilmington two days earlier. They discussed the unending wars U.S. imperialism has begun, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Syria. Wars are nonsense and pointless, Izquierdo said.

Its young people from neighborhoods like this one who are called on to fight and die to defend a system that serves the ruling rich, Richter said.

The only way the working class will make decisions on how society is run is if we organize a movement of workers to take power away from the capitalist class, he said. Workers cant organize such a powerful movement without their own party. Thats where building the Socialist Workers Party comes in.

Richter is running for the seat currently held by liberal Democrat Eric Garcetti.

Richter and other SWP members joined a Nov. 22 protest at an El Super supermarket, where workers have been fighting for three years to get a contract in the face of intimidation and firings.

A number of demonstrators were discussing the presidential election, many repeating what they heard in the liberal big-business press  that Trump won because workers were becoming more right-wing and prejudiced.

I dont think its because most working people suddenly became more racist. The historic fight that overthrew Jim Crow segregation and protests against cop killings across the country have transformed the working class. Theres less racism in the working class than ever before, Richter told fellow marcher Fanny Ortiz. Trump won because many workers responded when he said he was an outsider, saw the economic crisis working people face today, and said he would do something different.

Workers contrasted this to Hillary Clinton, one of the most distrusted candidates in history, who said the economy was great and called workers deplorables and irredeemable, he said. Neither of them have any answers for us. Workers will have to fight for ourselves, to depend on our own mobilizations and build our own party to move forward.

Some workers have offered to join in the campaign. Kevin Smith, a worker at a pet food manufacturer, volunteered to circulate the SWP ballot petition on the job. A young worker who is a hotel valet gave his name and number to SWP campaigners, looking to set up a time to sit down for a longer discussion. He got a copy of The Clintons Anti-Working-Class Record.

Another supporter of the campaign set a date to introduce Richter to co-workers outside the meatpacking plant where he works. Two workers watching news coverage about Castros death invited SWP members who knocked on their door in for discussion and got a subscription to the Militant.

SWP members from the Bay Area, Chicago and elsewhere are joining the campaign effort. Anyone who wants to help can contact the Los Angeles SWP at (323) 643-4968 or swpla@att.net.





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Cuban leaders speak at Chicago Solidarity Evening

CHICAGO  Dec. 17, 2014, is proof that victory is possible, Miguel Fraga, first secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C., told some 150 people at a meeting here Nov. 19.

That was the day almost two years ago when Cuban President Raul Castro and President Barack Obama announced that diplomatic relations between the two countries, broken by Washington in 1961, would be re-established. It was also the day five Cuban revolutionaries long incarcerated in U.S. prisons were reunited on Cuban soil.

The Evening in Solidarity with Cuba: End Washingtons Continued Blockade, Return Guantanamo! was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the National Network on Cuba, a coalition of U.S. solidarity groups. For the first time in many years, the NNOC was able to meet outside Washington or New York due to the recent loosening of travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on Cuban diplomatic personnel. The event was sponsored by the NNOC, Chicago Cuba Coalition, International Committee for Peace, Justice and Dignity, and endorsed by other groups.

Resumption of diplomatic relations is a victory not only for the Cuban people but also for all your efforts, Fraga said. We want to express our thanks.

This doesnt mean that relations are normalized, he emphasized. The embargo is still there. The U.S. military base at Guantanamo is still there. Travel restrictions are still there. And efforts to undermine the revolution are still there. While some progress has been made, there is still a long way to go.

Cuba is not going to change our values, and we are not going to abandon our ideals, Fraga said. Those arent bargaining chips in talks with Washington.

We are going to continue to support Venezuela. We are going to continue to support Bolivia. We are going to continue to back the fight for independence for Puerto Rico, Fraga said. Like Jose Marti we will continue to subscribe to the idea that our homeland is all humanity. Thats why we send doctors around the world. Thats why we sent soldiers to Angola to help fight apartheid.

The release from U.S. prisons of the Cuban Five  Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez  grew out of a 16-year international campaign for their freedom. The Cuban revolutionaries had come to the U.S. in the 1990s to monitor plans by paramilitary forces here to carry out violent assaults against Cuba and supporters of the Cuban Revolution abroad.

Every day Cubans have to make a decision  to surrender or to continue fighting, Fraga said. And every day we decide in our great majority to keep fighting.

Behind the platform were two large banners: one calling for an end to the U.S. embargo, the other demanding freedom for Oscar Lopez Rivera, imprisoned for 35 years for fighting for independence of the U.S. colony of Puerto Rico. The jailed freedom fighters brother, Jose Lopez, spoke at the meeting.

The collaboration between revolutionaries from Puerto Rico and Cuba dates back to the 19th century, said Lopez, executive director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago.

I can remember meetings in my familys living room where supporters of the July 26 movement here in Chicago met to raise funds and organize support for the revolutionaries in the mountains in Cuba fighting to overthrow Fulgencio Batistas dictatorship, he said.

He asked participants to sign the online petition demanding Obama free Oscar Lopez now. The goal is to get 100,000 signatures by Dec. 11. (See box here.)

When Fernando Gonzalez, one of the Cuban Five and now vice president of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), heard we were going to be in Chicago, he said we had a special obligation to deepen our collaboration with those fighting to free Oscar Lopez, Sandra Ramirez told the crowd. She is ICAP North American director.

Fernando was Oscars cellmate while imprisoned in Terre Haute, Ramirez said. We support Puerto Rican independence. And as we thank those who fought to free the Five, we urge you to join the fight to free Oscar.

Fraga also spoke at four Chicago-area campus meetings Nov. 17-21. Arent you afraid of McDonalds overrunning Cuba with the end of the embargo? was asked at the University of Illinois here.

The end of the embargo will greatly strengthen the economy of Cuba, Fraga replied. Foreign companies invest in Cuba only under our rules.

Accompanying Fraga and Ramirez on the program was Leima Martinez from the North America division of ICAP. Over previous days the two ICAP leaders had spoken in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Minnesota.

In Minneapolis they held an hour-and-a-half exchange at the American Indian Student Cultural Center at the University of Minnesota. The two Cubans learned about the movement to support the Standing Rock Sioux in their fight to defend their treaty rights, sacred sites and water sources threatened by construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Its an awakening for all indigenous people, student Raven Ziegler explained. Over 500 tribes have extended solidarity.

In Cuba we have a long history of struggle too, Ramirez said. We defend our principles as part of our sovereignty.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today issued summons to controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshis wife to appear before it in connection with its money laundering probe against her husband and others.

Officials said Qureshis wife Nasreen was handed over the summons to present herself before the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case on December 5, soon after she landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here.

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They said the agency had got issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against her and hence she was intercepted as soon as she landed here, reportedly from London.

"The summons, issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, require her to appear before the IO on coming Monday," they said.

Qureshi, who had returned to India in a similar fashion late last month, has been questioned at length by the agency multiple times here, in the money laundering and alleged hawala dealings case.

The agency had asked him to join the probe citing a court-issued directive in this regard.

The Delhi High Court, while hearing a plea filed by Qureshi, had last month directed him to return to India by mid-November and appear before the agency for questioning in this case.

The meat exporter is facing probes by ED as well as the I-T department for alleged tax evasion, money laundering and hawala-like deals among others.

The Income Tax department had sometime back issued notices to Qureshi under the new Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 as probe led it to few foreign assets owned or held by the meat exporter and his family in an alleged illegal manner as they were not declared or reported to Indian tax authorities.

The case emerged after tax department first carried out searches against Qureshi and his firm AMQ Group on February 15, 2014.

The meat exporter had on October 15 left the country from the IGIA here despite a LOC issued by the ED against him.

The agency had also asked the CBI to probe Qureshi and the role of public servants in allegedly favouring Qureshi in his deals. PTI NES RG

--- ENDS ---
(Letter from Jack Barnes, Socialist Workers Party National Secretary)

Fidels life work: Cubas socialist revolution, its example & ongoing march

Dear Companero Raul,

There were two great socialist revolutions in the twentieth century, one in Russia, the other in Cuba. Neither was the product of a single individual. Both were the result of the operations of capitalism itself. But without the presence and political leadership of Vladimir Lenin and of Fidel Castro Ruz at decisive moments in those historic battles by working people, there is no reason to believe either revolution would have been victorious.

Apart from Lenin and Fidel, the history of the twentieth century  and the twenty-first  is unthinkable. Both of them, Marxist students of science and history, gave their lives to uprooting the dog-eat-dog exploitation, oppression, and compulsion on which the capitalist world order depends and replacing it with a workers state, with new social and economic relations based on the liberating capacities of working people and the youth they inspire.

Fidel belongs to Cuba first and foremost, to the men and women of Jose Marti and Antonio Maceo. His highest achievement was forging in struggle a revolutionary cadre, a communist cadre, capable of leading the workers and farmers of Cuba to establish the first free territory of the Americas and successfully defend it for more than five and a half decades against the determination to destroy it by the mightiest and most brutal empire the world has known.

But Fidel belongs to the working people of the world as well. From Latin America and the Caribbean, to Africa and Asia, to North America and Europe, he showed us in action what proletarian internationalism means. During Cubas historic sixteen-year mission aiding the people of Angola and Namibia against apartheid South Africa and its promoters in Washington, Fidel demonstrated his unmatched political leadership on a world scale. He also proved, as the Rebel Army combatants of the Sierra knew well, that he was one of the toilers greatest military commanders ever.

All this is why Fidel became the most loved as well as the most hated, the most slandered man of our lifetimes.

As Fidel said in his farewell words to the Seventh Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in April, We all reach our turn. He cannot be replaced, but his life work, Cubas socialist revolution  its example, and above all its ongoing march  stand as his monument. He needs no other.

For our part, members of the Socialist Workers Party and Young Socialists will continue to do everything in our power to publish and spread the truth about the Cuban Revolution and Fidels leadership, to make it known to working people in the United States and throughout the world. With unshakable confidence in the working class and its allies, we will continue to organize and act on the course Fidel uncompromisingly presented to the world in 1961, a month before the victorious battle of Playa Giron: There will be a victorious revolution in the United States before a victorious counterrevolution in Cuba.

Comradely,

Remarks by Raul Castro at massive tribute to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro

Jack BarnesNational SecretarySocialist Workers Party
Demonetised friendship

There was a time when Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee were close allies. The two even attended each other's swearing-in ceremonies. But the demonetisation move has driven a wedge between the two. The Bengal CM has already taken a dig at her Bihar counterpart, attributing Nitish's support to the PM's move as "political compulsion". The latter has trashed the suggestion, but has not hit back. Not yet anyway.

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No, Prime Minister

A slogan-shouting lady interrupted PM Narendra Modi's speech in Bathinda on November 26. She was whisked away by police but the incident left the PM visibly upset. He wrapped up his speech and left the stage, though not before saying something to Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and Union health minister J.P. Nadda. Whatever it was, it wasn't praise.

Salt of the earth

On November 25, CM Akhilesh Yadav launched the 'Samajwadi Namak' scheme in Lucknow. The pilot project, launched in collaboration with the Tata Trust, aims to reach out to 4.62 million ration card holders in 10 districts. They will get a kilo of fortified salt for Rs 3.

Operation hush-hush

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had a secret rendezvous with Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar on November 18. The venue was a BJP office in downmarket Wadala in Mumbai, far away from the media glare. The Goan leaders remained closeted behind locked doors for nearly four hours, apparently planning strategy for the upcoming state assembly polls. They also apparently discussed the 'decisions' to be announced before the code of conduct comes into force.

Left in the lurch

The MEA is wrestling with a potential diplomatic fiasco. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is to visit New Delhi on December 16 and honour Indian veer naris (war widows) from the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. The function is to be held at the army's Maneckshaw convention centre in Delhi. But the MEA has now questioned the invites given to heads of other foreign missions. Also, despite complaints by anxious Bangladesh high commission officials, the function is yet to be formalised and the widows yet to be invited.

Who's no. 2?

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is known for taking quick decisions, but when it comes to deciding the No. 2 in the cabinet, he's being a bit circumspect. Close confidant E.P. Jayarajan's inglorious exit in mid-October is probably still playing on his mind. He hasn't even responded to a note from the general administration department on the issue.

Stalin's choice

When the secretary of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly shunted out a personal assistant, his boss and Opposition leader M.K. Stalin petitioned the Madras HC. The court quashed the order, and M. Athiseshan is back with the DMK leader.

Friendly affair

Mauritius PM Anerood Jugnauth recently landed up informally at Maharashtra finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar's Mumbai home. Soon, a meeting with Bollywood biggies was on, and so too a sumptuous dinner. Jugnauth has waived tax for Bollywood shoots in Mauritius.

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Who'll get the baton?

The defence ministry has unusually delayed the announcement of a successor to army chief General Dalbir Singh and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (both retire on December 31). The government usually announces the name of the next chief at least 60 days in advance to give the new appointee time to settle in. Officials attribute the delay to the MoD's plan to appoint India's first Permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, a single-point advisor to the government. Which means one of the next chiefs becomes the permanent chairman COSC.

Gadkari's roadplan

When it comes to roads, Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari thinks on his feet. He recently intervened to save a 90-km road project sanctioned by the UPA in Manipur. The project, to link the remote Longdipabram village to the state, was moved in 2012, ironically by an army officer, Colonel D.P.K. Pillay, who was severely wounded by insurgents in 1994. When Gadkari heard that the project was still stuck in red tape, he converted the road into a national highway (his ministry can't make state roads) by adding 10 kilometres and linking it to Nagaland. Gadkari was killing two birds with one stone-the highway will also help the state overcome the frequent blockades imposed by the Nagas.

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Bifurcation blues

When TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu visited NTR Bhavan, the party HQ in Hyderabad, he was dismayed at how much ground the party has lost in Telangana, so much so it has been able to enlist only 1,76,000 members as against a target of 15,00,000. He's now promised to spend a day every month in revitalising the party in the new state.

with Anshuman Tiwari, Amitabh Srivastava, Kiran D Tare, Ashish Misra, Jeemon Jacob, Amarnath K Menon

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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government is attempting to bridge the gap between demand and supply of quality healthcare through PPPs keeping in mind the population pressure in the country.

Speaking at the 44th convocation of AIIMS here, he also stressed on the need to improve the quality of care through tertiary, primary and secondary healthcare systems.

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"In view of the population pressure, the government is trying to bridge the gap between demand and supply of quality healthcare through public private partnerships (PPPs)," Rajnath said.

The Home Minister said though the government has successfully overcome many health challenges, there are many that still need to be conquered like malaria.

Singh also drew attention towards hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness which play a crucial part in preventing diseases and urged citizens to contribute to the Prime Ministers cleanliness campaign.

He said AIIMS, which is a nursery of medical talent, needs to expand to meet the growing needs for medical human resource in the country and added that the expansion plans for the institution have been taken up and are underway.

Addressing the gathering, the President of the Institution and Health Minister J P Nadda said six AIIMS have already been made operational and 12 new AIIMS are being set up in different parts of the country to set standards of medical education and healthcare at par with the best institutions in the world.

Nadda stressed that "Health for all" is a national goal and a priority for the government and the ministry is committed to doubling the capacity of AIIMS, Delhi in next two years.

"Existing premier medical colleges are also being upgraded with top notch infrastructure and facilities. Medical teachers will also be closely involved in policy planning, regulation and enforcement of standards in medical education," Nadda added.

The Health Minister said the government is committed to ensure that the new AIIMS will meet the same standards of service as AIIMS, New Delhi.

"AIIMS, New Delhi has a great testimony and we must try to replicate it in the new AIIMS. The new institutes will be AIIMS and not AIIMS-like," said Nadda. (MORE) PTI PLB AAR

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A house of health and care for your loved ones

Located in peaceful Rawai, Carewells House of Help and Care or Baan Tscuhai Duu Laa provides personal 24/7 care by some of the best trained nurses in the industry.



By The Phuket News

Saturday 3 December 2016, 10:00AM

Carewells House of Help and Care or Baan Tscuhai Duu Laa provides a peaceful environment.

Your loved ones suffering from Alzheimers, dementia or stroke who require assisted living care can spend their retirement in a tropical, home-like environment that is quiet and relaxed.

Carewell provides small, clear and familiar structures, constant personal carers, and personal free space and privacy. The highly-trained nurses (three per guest, per day) treat each guest with the utmost respect and dignity and strive to help them function at the highest level possible.

Baan Tscuhai Duu Laa is currently home to 22 elderly guests, many of whom come from Switzerland where Founder and Director Anita Somaini trained and worked as a nurse and caregiver before moving to Thailand.

In Switzerland, I realised that the skills I had acquired during my training in Personal Care Services could not be employed in practice due to lack of time and resources at hospitals and care homes. Achieving the desired care standard was explicitly difficult to achieve, especially when caring for dementia patients, said Anita.

When we moved to Thailand, I realised that Thailands inherent culture and lower costs of living have given me the opportunity to bring my experience and knowledge together for the benefit of our guests, without sacrificing quality or quantity of care.

Carewell caters to all guests medical, dental, physical and social needs with a wide range of services and therapies. They also specialise in stroke rehabilitation and recovery in their Physiotherapy Centre, where three full-time therapists work closely with guests and tailor movement therapy treatments to individual needs.

Spouses, family and visitors are also well accommodated at Carewell with many options for continuing to live with your spouse or taking a well earned holiday while knowing you're loved one is under constant, close care.

Carewell takes full advantage of Phuket's tropical lifestyle with regular activities and excursions, including trips to local tourist sights and activities such as swimming, picnicking, massage and animal therapy sessions.

Also, guests are treated to the delicious meals with the on-site restaurant Cafe 9 serving traditional Swiss and Italian cuisine, Asian dishes with a specialisation in Thai food, and fresh seafood directly from the seafood market on the beach.

Residents, guests and their visiting family and friends can also enjoy a variety of coffees and delicious desserts such as cakes, fruit tarts and fresh fruits.

Baan Tschuai Duu Laa can provide care for elderly people at home in a wonderful setting and pleasant climate. Such a quality of care is either not available or only attainable at a premium cost, in Europe.

Thailand is developing as a medical hub for both elective and non-elective medical treatment and hospital clinics are up to a high standard in Phuket.





For more information about what Carewell can offer your family visit: www.carewell-service.com or visit their facebook page: www.facebook.com/carewellservice
Cyclists set off from Phuket to Bangkok to honour the late HM King Bhumibol

PHUKET: Severe weather failed to prevent 40 Phuketians from cycling to the capital to honour the late HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.



By The Phuket News

Saturday 3 December 2016, 04:23PM

A group of 40 local cyclists set off to Bangkok to honour HM. Credit: Phuket PR Office

A group of 40 cyclists set off from the island today (December 3) after having taken their oath to accomplish the task in front of vice-governor Thavorn Kongkeaw. Estimated date of arrival to Bangkok is Wednesday, December 7. We are representatives of Phuket. With our hearts fulfilled with bravery and confidence, we want to cycle from Phuket to Bangkok in five days. It may be raining on the way, but it does not matter, said Teerapong Metha, one of the 40 cyclists on the quest. Earlier today the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a severe weather alert for multiple provinces across Southern Thailand, including Phuket. People should beware of severe weather and possible flash floods. All the transport should proceed with caution, the warning said (read more here).


Forced into the depths

FISHING: Well shipmates, it seems to be unanimous, this has been the wettest low season anyone can remember and mid-month we had a Super Moon, the closest the moon has come to Earth in 70 years.

tourismmarine

By Jimmy Stewart

Saturday 3 December 2016, 10:00AM

Heres just one example of the type of fish that can be caught at the recently opened Chalong Fishing Park. Photo: Pearpaka Keawpratum/Facebook

While a full moon is often good for trolling, the early part of the month was very disappointing as regard to catches.

While divers reported lots of fish about, we fishermen, apart from a few nice Sailfish, found pelagic fish few and far between, and my personal theory was that the fresh water from all the rain we have been having was lying on the surface of the sea forcing the pelagic predators into the depths, as very few fish species can handle too much fresh water.

November also saw the grand opening of the Chalong Fishing Park, which, while not being as exotic as some of the parks on the mainland, does have the big advantages of convenience and much more realistic prices for those of us who like to have rod in hand on a regular basis.

The lake is surrounded by about a dozen salas and the infrastructure includes an office, bar and swimming pool which makes the place very child friendly, I especially liked the rope swing chairs and hammocks which added to the chill-out atmosphere of the place.

The groundwork, as regard plants, trees etc. will take some time to get established, but it should not be too long before the remainder of the construction work is grassed over, which would be my only criticism of what will obviously become a first-class venue worthy of recommendation.

While I was there, along with quite a few well-known local worm wigglers I was lucky enough to snap one of them landing a Mekong Cat which I estimated to be around 25 kilograms, a nice fish in anybodys language.

And finally, November was the time for the annual P.I.S.T. Competition (Phuket International Sports-fishing Tournament) and not surprisingly, after taking the wind out of the oppositions sails with a staggering nine Sailfish tally on the first day, Fish Eagle Capt Andrew  and the Fighting Irish team went on to dominate the proceedings.

From reports it looks like the fishing was extremely frustrating, with Sailfish jumping everywhere and not biting, while the Wahoo and/or King Macs were regularly accused of slicing through steel trace. So its well done the boys from Cork.

The Russian team Ardent Anglers came in with a good overall 2nd place score, and our pals on Thai 2 On get a day ticket, for the whole team, to fish the new Chalong Fishing Park as mentioned above for landing the largest Wahoo, having caught the only two of the competition, a nice sponsorship gesture from Jez Wilson the owner/manager of the park.

So me hearties, thats it for another month, tight lines to all.

Jimmy  fishinginphuket.com
Weather warning issued for Phuket

PHUKET: The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a severe weather alert from today through to Monday (December 5) for multiple provinces across Southern Thailand, including Phuket.

weather

By The Phuket News

Saturday 3 December 2016, 12:00PM

More heavy rains are expected due to the influence of a northeastern monsoon and a low pressure system in Malaysia. Source: TMD

According to the Thai Met, a low pressure system moving from Malaysia together with a strong northeastern monsoon will bring more heavy rains to the Gulf of Thaialnd and the Andaman region in the coming three days. Provinces to be affected include Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Suratthani (including Koh Samui), Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla. People should beware of severe weather and possible flash floods. All the transport should proceed with caution, the warning says. Wave heights are expected to be between two-to-three meters high and even four metres and higher within storm systems. All ship captains are advised to monitor the weather forecast closely and proceed with caution, while smaller vessels are advised to stay ashore.
World leaders congratulate HM

BANGKOK: International leaders and foreign ambassadors have extended their best wishes and congratulations to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on the occasion of his accession to the throne.



By Bangkok Post

Saturday 3 December 2016, 09:24AM

The royal motorcade of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun heads to the Grand Palace, where the King performed a royal merit-making ceremony marking the 50th day since the passing of His Majesty the late King yesterday. Photo: Thiti Wannamontha / Bangkok Post

Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday sent a message to congratulate the new King.

The message reads: "China and Thailand have been close neighbours and the Chinese and Thai people have considered themselves as relatives. Cooperation between the two countries has continued to strengthen as the Thai royal family has attached importance to boosting ties for a long time. This has created an irreplaceable and amicable bond.

"Members of the Thai royal family have been committed to constantly promoting the healthy ties. I would like to be part of these efforts to push the positive relations between the two countries to another level for the benefit of our respective peoples."

The German president and foreign minister both sent messages of congratulations to His Majesty King Rama X on his accession to the throne (read previous report here).

President Joachim Gauck said in a letter of congratulations to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn: "It is a great pleasure and honour for me to offer you, also on behalf of my fellow Germans, my most heartfelt congratulations on ascending the throne.

"Germany and Thailand have close and friendly relations based on trust. I am convinced that our two countries will continue to successfully develop their relations under your reign. I wish you much success and a sure hand as you promote the welfare of Thailand and its citizens."

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also extended his best wishes.

"Germany and Thailand have been connected by close and friendly relations for more than 150 years. I wish that under King Rama X the friendship between our countries will continue to deepen and that we will be able to further develop German-Thai cooperation.

"I wish the new King much strength and success working for the well-being of the Thai people," the statement said.

The US ambassador extended his warm congratulations to His Majesty and the people of Thailand.

In a statement issued yesterday morning, Ambassador Glyn T Davies said the US deeply values its longstanding alliance with Thailand. "We look forward to building on an enduring friendship that began in 1818 with the first contact between the court of King Rama II and President James Monroe. In the ten generations since, our friendship has developed into a partnership and alliance of great benefit to our two nations," he said.

"As with His Majesty's late father, the beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, under His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, we will continue to commit ourselves to deepen and strengthen the bonds between us, and foster ever-greater stability and prosperity for both our peoples.

"I extend my best wishes to His Majesty for an auspicious and prosperous reign."

The ambassador wished His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn continued good health and a long life.

Japanese ambassador Shiro Sadoshima yesterday sent a message of congratulations to the Thai royal family, the Thai government and the Thai people on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne.

"The coming year of 2017 will also mark the 130th anniversary of Japan-Thailand diplomatic relations, which has a long history of bilateral cooperation.

"The relations between the royal families of our two countries have also served as the foundation for this mutual friendship. Under the guidance of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, I hope that the relations between the two countries will strengthen and deepen further."

Jesus Miguel Sanz, the ambassador and head of the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, also sent a message of congratulations.

"On behalf of the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, it is my honour to congratulate His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on his accession to the throne.

"I wish His Majesty a long and prosperous reign for the good of Thailand and the people of Thailand," said the head of the EU delegation.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday performed a royal merit-making ceremony marking the 50th day since the passing of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace.

Read original story here
By PTI: Amritsar, Dec 3 (PTI) India is likely to finalise an air cargo service pact with Afghanistan to boost bilateral trade and gain leverage in the war-ravaged country as Pakistan continues to deny transit link for Indo-Afghan trade through its territory.

The issue will be discussed during bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the two-day Heart of Asia conference which began here today.

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There is a possibility that the pact will be finalised by tomorrow itself.

In the meeting, Afghanistan is likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India and more help for strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years back.

Sources said both India and Afghanistan were keen to finalise the air cargo agreement as soon as possible and that the broad contours of the pact are already worked out.

India and Afghanistan have been exploring various connectivity projects for greater two-way trade.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub.

The sea-land route of Chabahar Port is designed to bypass Pakistan and the project is seen as Indias effort to counter Chinas plan to develop Gwadar port in Pakistan.

Afghanistan is very keen on deeper defence and security cooperation with India and there were indications that Ghani may press for ramping up supply of arms and military hardware from India though Pakistan would be unhappy if there was closer Indo-Afghan military cooperation.

Last week India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel but has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons.

Afghanistan has also been seeking Indias assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition.

India has a strategic partnership with Afghanistan and is implementing projects worth USD 2 billion to help rebuild the countrys infrastructure.

India has been supporting an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, and advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community. PTI MPB RT

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How to watch, what to know about South Dakota State at Northern Iowa
Addressing a rally in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Modi said the decision had rattled those who hoarded large quantities of black money and the rich were now queuing up in front of the houses of the poor, pleading with them to get the wealth deposited in their Jan Dhan accounts.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he "will find a way" to jail the rich who had after demonetisation stashed their ill-gotten wealth in Jan Dhan bank accounts of the poor, and let the poor retain their money.

Defending his decision to demonetise old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes, Modi acknowledged the inconvenience caused to people by the November 8 move but said it would end all problems, including poverty, corruption and black money, in the country.

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Addressing a rally in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Modi said the decision had rattled those who hoarded large quantities of black money and the rich were now queuing up in front of the houses of the poor, pleading with them to get the wealth deposited in their Jan Dhan accounts.

"Whoever has deposited the money in your accounts, don't withdraw a rupee from it. See how they will plead and fall at your feet. If they threaten you tell them, 'I will write a letter to Modi'," he said.

"If you promise you won't withdraw the money or return it to them, I promise I will find a way to send these people to jail and you can retain the money."PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS MAKING INDIA STAND IN QUEUES

Modi took a dig at his political opponents who have denounced the surprise decision to recall nearly 86 per cent of currency in circulation that has caused an unprecedented cash crunch in India.

He said the hardship of standing in queues for cash after demonetisation was unavoidable.

Modi said the previous governments had made India stand in queues for everything.

"We had to stand in queue to buy sugar, to buy kerosene, to buy wheat. Thanks to those who ruled (earlier) this country was being wasted away in queues. What I have done is start a queue to end all other queues," the Prime Minister said.

"This will be the last queue for the people who have been standing in line for the last 70 years for their daily needs."

Modi emphasised that he won't let the hardships of the people go waste and urged them to start getting cashless and use their mobile phones as their wallets.

"You don't need to withdraw money from ATMs. You can buy whatever you want from the money in your account using your phones."

CRITICISED FOR FIGHTING CORRUPTION

He said that his main aim was to fight corruption and get back the black money people have hidden. Modi lamented that he was being criticised for doing this.

"Has this country not been held back by corruption? Don't we need to weed out this corruption? Will this corruption go away on its own?" he asked.

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"I am surprised that in my own country some people are accusing me. Is it a sin that those who were looting the country were now being made accountable?"

He said that he considered the public his leader and "I have no high command".

Modi also said that he had no vested interest. "What can they (opponents) do to me? I am a fakir (hermit). I will pack my bags and leave."

The Prime Minister said poverty needed to be eradicated from big states if India was to progress.

"To eradicate poverty from the country, we first need to eradicate poverty from the bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal," he said.

TRANSPARENT PUBLIC SPENDING

He also targeted the previous governments for the lack of electrification in Moradabad.

"More than 1,000 villages in Moradabad didn't even have access to electricity. They were forced to live in the 18th century," he said.

Modi, who was elected as an MP from Uttar Pradesh, said he has pledged to ensure the state becomes poverty free.

He said with development, employment would follow and people will get a better lifestyle.

"Many governments came to power and made announcements, but this government believes in transparent public spending," Modi said.

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Also Read:8 steps of PM Modi's surgical strike against black money

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I was going through my files from years ago and found the promise pledge I made as the newly appointed historian of Owasco in 1980. I had traveled by train and attended the historians' seminar near Albany.

On the last day of the conference, we each had to write what we each thought our goals as a new historian" should be  what we each had to do with the resources available, and those we had to dig and research out.

I had forgotten all about it, and as I recently read the words I wrote over 36 years ago, it made me realize I had unconsciously adhered to that promise. I hope those reading this will agree. This is what I wrote:

I see my role as a local historian, by through caring for our history past and present, and more importantly sharing it with the community, to help them become aware of the influence and importance of their town. Like many other small towns, the people of Owasco are involved in shaping and molding the American dream through their sacrifice, success, failures and struggles.

I see my role as a local historian through the use of my mind and energy to record the excitement, sentiment and genealogy for the joy of all.

I realized I had and will continue to fulfill that promise.

It all began  this passion I felt and drove my future role for the next 30 years was what I discovered in the church. It was on the Dutch Reformed Church old log meeting house baptismal fragment of 1799, and the very last four names on the back were my mothers family: Bodine and Van Tine. They came to Owasco in a wagon train and arrived on July 4, 1793. Hows that for patriotism?

I had found my family roots, and wanted to help others find theirs, too. That gave me the joy" and genealogy part of my promise. So many names and the record of the times they lived were saved in family files: Griggs, Wood, Pickard and Martin, to name a few. The list and files grew to over 450.

The digging I did traced back to Kittery Maine in 1623, and a gentlemens tailor of fine cloth by the name of Mattoon. This family and their descendants were part of Americas history. This is another part of the shaping and molding of the American dream of my promise. He signed the Massachusetts Bay colony charter; his son Philip and family were captured by Native Americans during the French and Indian Wars. One family was butchered at Deerfield in February of 1704. Later, another son marched to Lexington and Concord on April 23, 1774, as a Massachusetts minuteman.

This was a journey of discovery, and more research found four Revolutionary ancestors: Mattoon, Bodine, Van Tine and Perrigo. Their descendants lived in Auburn and Owasco. I joined the Owasco chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

All of these stories were sadly not known to my mother or grandfather or siblings. I am writing this because it would have made such a difference to me when I was in high school and researching American history.

We were there  all the way. We lived the sacrifice, success, failures and struggles part of the promise. What about you? Do you care? If you do, begin now to dig and research your American heritage.

In conclusion, the part of the promise that said to record the excitement and sentiment of our town of Owasco history has been done for 10 years. It is by the encouragement and support of The Citizen newspaper and its editors. In February of 2006, I wrote my first article, The year of no summer." Thank you, David Wilcox. Thank you all.
Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah believes that the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley was not instigated by Pakistan.

By India Today Web Desk: In a controversial statement, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdhullah has given a clean chit to Pakistan by absolving it of fomenting trouble in the Valley.

Omar Abdhullah said that the ongoing unrest in Kashmir was not instigated by Pakistan, which could not be blamed for the current state of affairs.

Abdullah said, "Don't be under the false impression that the unrest you are seeing in Kashmir has been ignited by Pakistan."

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"We cannot always blame Pakistan for Kashmir. There should be internal efforts (from the state government)," he said.

READ| Heart of Asia: Sartaj Aziz to arrive early; to meet PM Modi and Afghan president

'CENTRE IS IGNORANT'

Omar Abdullah blamed the Modi government for mishandling of situation in Kashmir by being 'ignorant'.

"We found that some people at the Centre willingly or unwillingly wanted to keep themselves ignorant about the situation in Kashmir. It was easy for them to blame Pakistan," Omar Abdullah said.

WATCH:

READ| PM Modi at Moradabad: After demonetisation rich touching feet of poor for Jan Dhan accounts

The former Jammu and Kashmir CM said that the Kashmir unrest was due to 'our mistakes' as the promises made to the people were not fulfilled.

Omar Abdullah said, "We told the Centre to act on the promises that it has made to Jammu and Kashmir. We kept trying to make them understand that the unrest in Kashmir has not been created by Pakistan. It is the result of our mistakes."

ABDULLAH VERSUS TEWARI

The remarks made by Abdullah led to a war of words between him and Congress leader Manish Tewari, who slammed the National Conference leader for giving a clean chit to Pakistan.

Reacting to Omar Abdullah, Tewari said, "He is partly right and partly wrong. There is a linkage between the separatists and Pakistan to that extent the statement is erroneous. But it is also true there has been mishandling of the situation in Kashmir by the Centre and the BJP-PDP government in the state."

READ| Heart of Asia: Will India, Pakistan talk as Sartaj Aziz comes to Amritsar

Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to respond to Tewari. "I'd have been offended if my certificate of incompetence had come from anyone else but from a UPA2 minister it's ironic to say the least," Abdullah said.

I'd have been offended if my certificate of incompetence had come from anyone else but from a UPA2 minister it's ironic to say the least. Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 3, 2016

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ALSO WATCH:

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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Realty firm Kolte Patil Developers Ltd today reported 54 per cent increase in consolidated net profit at Rs 19.32 crore for the quarter ended September 30.

Its net profit stood at Rs 12.53 crore in the year-ago period, Pune-based firm said in a regulatory filing.

The total income from operation rose to Rs 225.98 during the quarter under review from Rs 181.02 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. PTI MJH ABI

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By Jugal R Purohit: In his first remarks after Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Sunil Lanba yesterday rejected the under-developed naval version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for 'not meeting timelines' and being plagued by 'further delays', Programme Director CD Balaji, who heads the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), termed the remark 'hurtful', adding that 'it will only strengthen our resolve'.

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The ADA functions under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and consists of scientists who designed the LCA Tejas.

WHAT LCA PROGRAMME DIRECTOR SAID

Responding to Lanba's comments, he said, "We have two technology demonstrators for LCA Navy in place, which are Mk1. We were looking at Mk2 now which would be an optimised design and a necessary step in the path of design and development to any future configurations". As per those in the know, it was explained that to simply tick an aircraft off and expect to jump to the next level is impossible. "Even F35, with all the might of the multinational effort, is still evolving. There are no shortcuts. As such, developing the naval version is a much tougher ask with constraints in the runway, folding blades and operating in tougher environs as against operating from a land-based fixed runway," said a source.

Also read | Navy rules out deploying overweight Tejas on aircraft

Balaji also said, "We know the Raksha Mantri is with us and we are proceeding with the programme as per the government's directions. It will not affect us. I have spoken to my team and we believe that this will only strengthen our resolve".

"Once the naval version's Mk2 is ready, we will move to discussing matters on the next level and the progress of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is on ADA's drawing board. The navy chief's remarks are being read as a hint that the force is now only interested in the AMCA, and not Tejas anymore", he added.

The navy chief made it clear that while the force would support indigenous efforts to build a carrier-borne aircraft, the navy would for now, however, seek an aircraft 'elsewhere'. His statement is a clear indicator that the navy would go for a foreign fighter aircraft for the indigenous carrier, which is being built at Kochi presently. The INS Vikramaditya, navy's sole operational carrier, uses the Russian MiG29K aircraft.

Also read | Defence Ministry approves procurement of 83 LCA Tejas for Air Force

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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, a strong votary of indigenous technology, has not reacted as yet.

WHAT DID LANBA SAY?

While the navy's unhapiness with the LCA has been evident for some time now, the chief's emphatic comments perhaps took most people by surprise. He said, "We were the first service to support the aircraft and wanted a timeline for it. The programme has not met the timeline and there are further delays. LCA Navy does not meet the navy staff requirements and thus, we need to look at an alternative aircraft to have combat capability on our aircraft carrier. We will continue to support the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in developing an indigenous carrier-based fighter. But in the meantime, we need to have combat capability on Vikramaditya and Vikrant".

LCA - Road so far

The Indian Navy has spent over Rs 3,635 crore in the development of the naval version of LCA Tejas.

The Indian Air Force will be inducting a total of 120 LCA Tejas.

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A man who could not manage his leaves had to attend his wedding online where his sister tied the knot with his wife.

By India Today Web Desk: Kerala witnessed an unusual nuptial ceremony this week. Unable to obtain leaves for his wedding, Harris, a native of Veliyam of Kerala's Kollam district, exchanged the wedding vows online.

While Harris' sister tied the knot with the bride Shamla, he watched the ceremony live using a webcam. The unusual wedding took place at Thamarakulam city of Alappuzha district of Kerala.

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According to a Kairali News Online report, Harris, who planned his wedding much ahead of time, was unable to be present for his day due to work commitments. His absence has triggered several questions on the predicament of several Malayali's toiling away from home.

However, in his absence his relatives took the onus and hosted the ceremony with fanfare. Harris' sister Najitha tied the knot to the resplendent bride. This one-of-its-kind wedding saw the groom witness the ceremony live from Saudi Arabia.

Watch the video here:

Harris works as a marketing manager with a private firm in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, while the bride Shamla works as a nurse in a government health facility in Mecca. The wedding was witnessed by family and friends of the bride-groom.

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By India Today Web Desk: Amid political slugfest across the party lines and noisy scenes in both houses of Parliament over demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put up brave face at an election in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad on Saturday.

Seeking public support for demonetisation, PM Modi said, "Will corruption go on its own? Won't it take tough measures to eradicate corruption? Is it a crime to fight against corruption?"

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HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:

Don't withdraw money from your Jan Dhan account deposited by the rich. I am trying to find a way so that you can own it and the ones who have deposited go to the jail: PM Modi

"I don't have a Netaji, my high command is 1.25 crore people of this country," said PM Modi while taking a dig at Mulayam Singh.

I am surprised that many people in this country are calling me accused. My crime is to act tough against corruption: PM Modi

These people in white t-shirts are helping people understand digital transactions, now your bank is in your mobile: PM Modi in Moradabad

I assure you people that I won't let your hard work, your sacrifice, your struggle go in vein: PM Modi to common man

This country is against corruption but it had become helpless but today they feel that they have fight this menace: PM Modi

Today the people who have stashed black money are queuing outside the house of poor people, asking for their help: PM Modi

Shouldn't I fight corruption? Is fighting corruption a crime? Why are some people calling me a wrong doer for fighting corruption: PM Modi

Corruption should be eradicated and should not be allowed to prevail: PM Modi

I came to Moradabad late, but before coming I ensured that your years-long demand for electricity was met: PM Modi

You, the people are my high command and no one else: PM Narendra Modi in Moradabad

So many governments made so many announcements so many times, we have devoted our focus towards accountability: PM Modi in Moradabad

When came to power, I personally asked officials on why despite 70 years of independence, many villages are still deprived of electricity: PM Modi

That's when I made an announcement from the Red Fort that villages will be electrified in 1000 days, and we are fulfilling it: PM Modi

The brass industry from Moradabad is known all over the nation: PM Modi

I want to thank the people of Moradabad for extending their support to the BJP during the 2014 elections: PM Modi

I have not fought from Uttar Pradesh only to become the PM but wanted to initiate a fight against poverty from this huge state: PM Modi

If one has to eradicate poverty from the country, it is essential to develop big states like UP, Bihar, Maharashtra: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing Parivartan Rally in Moradabad.

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Border Security Force troopers gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab, official sources said on Saturday.



The incident took place at the Bamiyal sector near the Dinda border out post (BoP) in forward areas of Pathankot district.



The intruder was killed after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed to warnings.



The area is close to the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border.



The National Investigating Agency, which had investigated the terror attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 this year by Pakistani terrorists, had pointed out that the terrorists had entered India near the Dinda BoP.



BSF troopers in the border belt remain on high alert following the two terror attacks in Dinanagar and Pathankot in Punjab.
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Saturday said there was a need for a comprehensive review of the Representation of the People Act, the law governing elections in the country, in view of issues and challenges thrown up before the Election Commission.

"A comprehensive review of the RP Act is overdue for the past few decades," Zaidi said delivering his inaugural address at the National Interactive Conference on Electoral LawsStrategic Vision for Future. He said the commission's research wing was also undertaking a comparative study of electoral laws in other democracies.

On electoral reforms, the CEC said that was another important area which needed to be addressed in a very systematic manner. He informed that 47 proposals of electoral reforms sent by the ECI from time to time for law making had also been examined by the Law Commission and that many proposals had been endorsed for legislation.

Listing out some of the reforms, Zaidi said they pertained to decriminalisation of politics, prevention of abuse of money, transparency in funding of political parties, making bribery a cognisable offence, criminalising paid news, empowering the ECI to countermand election in cases of bribery and abuse on the lines of countermanding in the event of booth capturing. He also said those recommendations of the ECI and the Law Commission were being scrutinised by a task force in the Law Ministry and the outcome was eagerly awaited.

Zaidi proposed that in order to deal with new issues during conduct of elections in the absence of provision in relevant laws, the relevant laws should be considered for amendment by the Law Ministry. "We feel that there should be well defined electoral laws rather than using residuary powers under Article 324 frequently," he said and added that the ECI would not hesitate to invoke Article 324 in the interest of purity of election.

Citing as an example the cancellation of elections in two assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu in May 2016 on account of abuse of money, Zaidi said the ECI invoked Article 324 and cancelled the polls. "The EC soon thereafter proposed amendment in the RP Act to have a mirror provision in the law on parallel of countermanding of elections on account of booth capturing. We have requested the Law Ministry to revisit our proposal, he said.

Zaidi also said that if the law had been amended in time, enabling the EC to countermand elections on account of bribery, it would have served as deterrence in recently held elections.
The Golden City of Amritsar was transformed into an international hotspot on December 3 as delegations from several countries began trooping in for the Heart of Asia conference.

Prime minister Narendra Modi arrived in the evening, and received co-chair of the conference, Afghanisatan President Ashraf Ghani. Modi later visited the temple before hosting a dinner for delegates from the participating countries, supporting countries and supporting international organisations.

The surprise arrival, however, was that of Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaz Aziz, one day ahead of his scheduled arrival. The move caused much speculation, with many observers noting that Pakistan has been isolated and is feeling the pinch. Afghanisatan ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali had, without actually naming Pakistan, recently noted that terror couldn't be tackled without the participation of the country which was exporting terror.

The recent attack on the army base at Nagrota, which claimed seven lives, has put the spotlight on Pakistan at this international event, which 40 nations are participating in. Given that the Heart of Asia meet is all about helping reconstruct Afghanistan economically and security-wise, the shadow of continuous terror in the subcontinent, all pointing towards Pakistan, has become the heart of the conference.

Amritsaris, however, aren't quite bothered with the nuances of the agenda. For them, hosting a meet of this scale is more important. The bazaars are smiling as delegates drop in to pick up a piece of phulkari embroidery, jootis or sample the myriad flavours of this city.
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 3(PTI) Mumbai Congress today sought an inquiry into the allegations made by Shiv Sena that its ally BJP had won the first phase of municipal polls in Maharashtra using demonetised currency.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, who led a delegation to meet State Election Commissioner (SEC) J S Saharia here, told reporters that Senas allegations in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana were of serious nature since the party is a coalition partner in the state government.

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"Uddhav Thackeray is the editor of the newspaper which carried the editorial. We have demanded that notices be issued to Thackeray seeking information regarding the allegation and action be taken against the guilty," Nirupam said.

He alleged that the government was going slow on probe against Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh who is in the eye of storm after recovery of Rs 91 lakh from his Lok Mangal Multi-State Credit Society vehicle.

"Probe into the case has been handed over to a junior officer in the department held by the minister. The probe is a farce," Nirupam charged.

The Election Commission should have ordered a high-level probe to ascertain whether the money was to be used for election purpose, he said, adding, "We have expressed our disappointment with Saharia that cognizance was not taken in this case."

Nirupam also raised the issue of poll code violation by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during election campaign for first phase of municipal polls.

"The CM made two statements during the campaign that those who oppose demonetisation were against the country and also made an announcement that Cidco will purchase land belonging to defunct Pen Urban Cooperative Bank holders. Both these statements were in violation of the code of conduct," he claimed.

Asked about response of the SEC, Nirupam said, "Saharia has informed that the Commission would look into the matter and take action accordingly." PTI MR RMT KIS SRE

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Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted photos of his recovery in a New Zealand hospital after he was evacuated from the South Pole due to illness.

Aldrin, 86, who was visiting the pole as part of a tourist group, was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, early on Friday local time when his condition deteriorted.

He has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and is in a stable condition, according to his official website. Aldrin appeared in good spirits on Saturday after receiving a visit from NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman at Christchurch Hospital.

I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend @DavaExplorer @NASA Dep Administrator. She beat me to the South Pole by one day. pic.twitter.com/NMKEAcxs65  Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 2, 2016

"I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend," he wrote on Twitter. In the photos, Aldrin can be seen giving a thumbs-up sign and sitting in front of a tray of food and juice. His manager Christina Korp, who travelled with him to Antarctica, posted photos on Thursday of the former astronaut walking over snow at the South Pole.

Aldrin was a fighter pilot during the Korean War before joining the U.S. astronaut program. On July 20, 1969, he stepped on the moon about 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong had taken the historic first step.Their moonwalk was part of the Apollo 11 lunar landing was watched by a then-record television audience of 600 million people.
Breaking decades of US diplomatic policy, president-elect Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen -- a move which could infuriate China.

"President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations," the presidential transition team said on Friday.

"During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties that existed between Taiwan and the United States. He congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year.

The New York Times said the move by Trump was "a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China" even before Trump takes office.

He is believed to be the first president-elect or president to have spoken with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 when the US severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan in recognition of China.

The Washington Post described this as a "breach of diplomatic protocol" with ramifications for Trump administration's relationship with China.

"The telephone call is certain to incense China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. It is the first major sign of the unpredictability that Trump has vowed to bring to long-held US relations with the rest of the world."

However, Trump spokespersons said that Donald Trump was "well aware" of what U.S. policy has been on Taiwan."President-elect Trump is fully briefed and knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless of who is on the other end of the phone," Kellyanne Conway told CNN.

Donald Trump himself tweeted on the controversy, The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016 Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

Among others, Trump also spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani who congratulated him on his historic victory.

"The two men discussed the grave terrorism threats faced by both the countries and pledged to work more closely together in order to meet these growing threats," the transition team said.

In another phone call, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte offered congratulatory wishes to Trump. In their conversation, they noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed they would continue to work closely on matters of shared interest and concerns.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also congratulated Trump on his remarkable election victory.

"The two men discussed the long history of good economic, political, and security relations between the United States and Singapore."

(WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)
By PTI: Vijayawada, Dec 2 (PTI) The committee of Chief Ministers and experts constituted by the Centre to look into the post-demonetisation issues and suggest ways for a transformation into a digital economy, will formally meet in New Delhi on December 7 and 8. "We are making arrangements for a meeting on the 7th and 8th (December)," committee convenor and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here tonight.

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He told a meeting of bankers and state officials that the challenges in implementing a digital economy have to be identified ahead of the committee meeting.

"We will discuss these in the committee and try to work out solutions," Naidu said.

Last evening, he addressed some members of the committee through video-conference from here and discussed various options for a transition to a cashless economy in the wake of demonetisation.

Further deliberations on this will be held during the formal meeting on the 7th and 8th.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister asked banks to waive cash handling charges to promote digital transactions.

The bankers agreed to this, an official release said.

The panel headed by Naidu also has Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sikkim CM Pawan Kumar Chamling, Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya, and Amitabh Kant CEO, NITI Aayog, as its members. PTI DBV NP MR

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the opposition and detractors for spreading misinformation about demonetisation.

By India Today Web Desk: Amid political slugfest across the party lines and noisy scenes in both houses of Parliament over demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an emotional plea to people to adopt cashless modes of transactions as far as possible to root out corruption.

Speaking at an election in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad on Saturday, the Prime Minister said that those who stashed black money over past 70 years were most disturbed with demonetisation. He said that such people were trying to misuse Jan Dhan accounts of the poor.

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"Those who have stashed black money are queuing up outside the house of poor people, asking for their help. Have you ever seen rich people touching the feet of poor," Modi said.

READ| Will Narendra Modi be the Time's Person of the Year, 2016?

Seeking public support for demonetisation, PM Modi said, "Will corruption go on its own? Won't it take tough measures to eradicate corruption? Is it a crime to fight against corruption?"

PM Modi also said that there people who are opposing him and threatening him with consequences. "I am fighting this war for you, what will those accusing me do? I am a fakir. I will walk away with my little belongings."

Corruption should be eradicated or should be allowed to prevail, will it go on its own?: PM Modi asks the people of Moradabad (UP) pic.twitter.com/LYL1YdBS4P ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

The Prime Minister said that those who stashed black money over past 70 years were most disturbed with demonetisation. He said that such people were trying to misuse Jan Dhan accounts of the poor.

"Those who have stashed black money are queuing up outside the house of poor people, asking for their help. Have you ever seen rich people touching the feet of poor," Modi said.

It was the first time when PM Modi visited Moradabad after 2014-Lok Sabha polls. But, he had his explanation ready.

"I came to Moradabad late, but before coming I ensured that your years-long demand for electricity was met," PM Modi said.

I came to Moradabad late, but before coming I ensured that your years-long demand for electricity was met: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/liOmUVkUod ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

"When I made an announcement from the Red Fort that villages will be electrified in 1000 days, and we are fulfilling it," PM Modi said adding, "You, the people are my high command and no one else."

You, the people are my high command and no one else: PM Narendra Modi in Moradabad pic.twitter.com/wHAk73j7yi ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

Lashing out the Congress-led opposition parties for questioning the intent of the government over demonetisation move, Modi said, "So many governments made so many announcements so many times; We have devoted our focus towards accountability."

So many governments made so many announcements so many times; We have devoted our focus towards accountability: PM Modi in Moradabad pic.twitter.com/SY8kt5HAlq ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

I am fighting this war for you, what will those accusing me do? I am a fakir; will exit with my little belongings, says PM Modi in Moradabad pic.twitter.com/NRL1bz94hQ

ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

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PITCH FOR CASHLESS ECONOMY

Stating that there are 40 crore smartphones in the country, Modi said, "If those 40 crore people get rid of cash transactions, it will be big blow to corruption."

Is desh mei 40 crore smartphones hai, kum se kum 40 crore log toh notes ke chakkar se nikal jayein; corruption khatm ho jayegi: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/9YCkdqajvs ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

Seeking cooperation from the people, PM Modi said, "I need your support to close all the paths to dishonesty. I don't want to help dishonest people by printing currency notes."

Beimani ke saare raastey bandh karne ke liye madad chahiye; Notes chaapke hum beimaano ki madad nahi karna chahta hun: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/lS0niKgkGF ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

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He also slammed those saying that with huge rural population India is not fit for cashless economy. "My country is ready to become Digital India in the 21st century," he said.

He thanked people for supporting demonetisation by braving long hours in queues outside banks and ATMs.

"We stand in queue to buy sugar. We stand in queue to buy kerosene. We had to stand in queue to buy wheat thanks to those who ruled for 60 years. What I have done is to start a queue to end all queues," Modi said.

I assure you people that I won't let your hard work, your sacrifice, your struggle go in vein: PM Modi to common man #demonetisation pic.twitter.com/ftWLblSklZ ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

"I also salute the farmers, who braved all the troubles but did not let the volume of sowing decline. Sowing has registered an increase compared to last year," Modi said.

Mai kisaano ko salaam karta hun ki takleef ke baad bhi buvai (sowing) mei kami nahi aane di; Pichle saal se buvai badhi hai: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/fMtkp5hnJ5 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 3, 2016

--- ENDS ---

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Hold onto your hair! Trumponomics will be a rollercoaster ride if this week is any guide

Trumponomics will be a rollercoaster ride if this week is any guide. In a few short days we have seen the two faces of Trump's economic strategy.

Treasury secretary choice Steven Mnuchin, the Goldman Sachs banker turned film producer, pledged Reagan-style tax cuts.

He wants to bring the corporation tax rate down from 37 per cent to 15 per cent and lower taxes on the middle class but not upper income Americans.

The President-elect has also indulged in a bit of the trade politics which were such a hit on the campaign trail. He used a flying visit to the Carrier Air Conditioning factory in Indiana to keep 1,000 jobs at the United Technologies offshoot in the US.

With Trump's encouragement, just over 5million was provided by the state of Indiana, where Veep Mike Pence is still governor, as an incentive.

It was Trump's free-wheeling speech on the factory floor, totally different to the brilliant, formal oratory of President Obama, which caught the eye.

He vowed to impose stiff tariffs on imports from firms that move jobs overseas and ship products back to the US.

'This is the way it is going to be,' he thundered. The whole of the Commerce Department, under the leadership of legendary investor Wilbur Ross, could yet be devoted to this kind of intervention as the President-elect seeks to keep jobs in the US.

What is fascinating is the way that Trump goes about the business of government. He is the theatrical impresario against the cool deliberation of Harvard MBA George W. Bush and Obama.

At the White House there was scepticism about the Trump approach, with the press secretary saying it would require 804 such announcements to meet the manufacturing job creation that occurred on Obama's watch.

It has some reason for satisfaction in that the US jobless rate has tumbled to 4.6 per cent. The fact that the White House felt the need to respond suggests some concern that the President-elect had stolen a march.

Indeed, Obama has demonstrated that he is not above direct action when it is necessary.

The President recommended to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States that it block China's 571million acquisition of Aixtron, owner of a German-based semi-conductor maker, because of the risk of technology transfer to Beijing.

This was just a week after China's Ctrip was permitted to buy Scottish-based Skyscanner, a world leader in comparison-site software, with scarcely a peep from Whitehall.

The United States, home of red-in-tooth-and-claw capitalism, rightly fears the loss of the West's intellectual capital and its potential impact on future jobs.

To quote the President-elect, Britain needs to 'drain the swamp' of overseas takeovers before the alligators bite off our legs.

Grande Caffe Americano

Still in the US, the mogul many people think best qualified to be a Democrat candidate for president in 2020, Howard Schultz, is stepping down as chief executive of Starbucks.

The founder of the Seattle-based coffee chain sought freedom from everyday management after the financial crisis in 2008.

But when Starbucks shares fell to $10 amid concerns of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, he came roaring back.

Eight years on, Starbucks shares are 550 per cent higher, but as the details of his latest departure emerged some $3billion was knocked off the value of the company.

Starbucks may have a bad reputation in Britain because of its systematic tax avoidance, over-roasted coffee and polluting cups, but in the US Schultz is seen as a pioneer of caring-sharing capitalism, with employee-share ownership schemes, up-skilling  which sends staff off to the best universities  and a halo effect that has driven the minimum wage in the City of Seattle up to $15 (12) an hour.

That is not a level which would have Britain's hospitality bosses, such as Tim Martin of Wetherspoons, cheering from the rooftops.

Schultz is handing control over to chief operating officer Kevin Johnson and plans to focus on building a chain of ultra-premium Reserve stores and hosting Roaster and Coffee Tasting Rooms around the world.

He also plans to promote his social impact agenda, which includes support for same-sex marriage.

His influence on food and drink culture in the US is compared to that of Ray Kroc who turned a few burger stands into McDonald's.

Next stop for Schultz? Washington

Sands of time

More damage to the legacy of Peter Sands, former chief executive of Standard Chartered, after the bank was fined by Singapore for money laundering relating to Malaysia's scandal-ridden sovereign wealth fund 1MBD.

Singapore is also seeking a prohibition order against Tim Leissner of Goldman Sachs which organised the transaction and looks to be up to his neck in murk.

When the US went after Standard Chartered for Iran sanctions breaking it was quietly suggested that ugly American economic nationalism was rearing its head.

No such accusations by StanChart against Singapore. Instead, simply a promise to co-operate with the authorities and do things right in the future.
Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the Heart of Asia Ministerial conference on Sunday.

By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday took a heritage walk and visited the Golden Temple soon after arriving in this holy town to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

Modi and Ghani walked through the renovated heritage corridor before reaching Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, where a large number of people, waiting for hours, welcomed them.

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The temple premise was decorated with lights and flowers and the two leaders were taken to various parts of the temple complex.

Watch: PM Modi serves 'langar' at the Golden Temple in Amritsar

GHANI, MODI PRAY AT TEMPLE

Ghani and Modi also offered prayers at the temple. They spent over 30 minutes braving cold weather.

Also read | Woman travels to Amritsar to plead Sartaj Aziz to help release her imprisoned son

Modi also served langar in the community kitchen of the shrine as Ghani stayed along with him.

The two leaders were given a 24-carat gold replica of the Golden Temple and a set of five books besides a 'siropa' (robe of honour) and shawl.

Modi's visit to the Golden Temple is seen by some as an attempt to connect with the Sikh community ahead of elections in the state next year.

PM RECEIVED BY MJ AKBAR AT AIRPORT

Earlier in the evening, Ghani was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

Ghani and Modi will jointly inaugurate the Heart of Asia Ministerial conference on Sunday. They will also have a bilateral meeting during which both sides are likely to finalise broad contours of a bilateral air cargo service pact to boost trade.

Also read | Will find way to let poor retain Jan Dhan deposits: PM Narendra Modi In the meeting, Afghanistan is also likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India in strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years ago.

Last week, India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

INDIA TRAINS AFGHAN SECURITY PERSONNEL

India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel but has been adopting a cautious approach in providing weapons.

Afghanistan has also been seeking India's assistance in making functional Soviet-era helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in a flying condition and the issue may figure in Sunday's talks.

Also read | Heart of Asia: Sartaj Aziz arrives in Amritsar; to meet PM Modi, Afghan president

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India and Afghanistan have also been exploring various connectivity projects for greater two-way trade and the issue may figure in talks.

In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan had signed an agreement to set up a trade and transport corridor with Chabahar in Iran as the hub with an aim to develop a transit corridor.

--- ENDS ---
Electronics company Laird slumped as it revealed plans to raise 185million through an underwritten rights issue in the new year and scrap its 2016 dividend.

Laird said it recognised its high level of debt and that there was limited scope to borrow more.

The business said it is in the best interests of shareholders to 'proactively address' its financial position and so it will look to restructure some of its debt in the first quarter of 2017.

A rights issue is when existing investors are given the opportunity to purchase more shares at a discount.

Laird said the move would enable it to continue to invest in the business and deliver its cost-saving improvement programme.

Whip-round: Laird plans to raise 185m through an underwritten rights issue and scrap its 2016 dividend

Underlying pre-tax profit for the year is likely to be around 50million and it plans to start paying a dividend again next year.

The business also revealed that Carmen Chua would take up the role of president of the troubled performance-materials part of the business from February.

She joins after eight years at Avery Dennison. Shares plunged 8.9 per cent, or 13.4p, to 138.1p.

Flooring firm James Halstead slipped after its AGM statement.

Chairman Geoffrey Halstead, who holds a 4 per cent stake in the business, told shareholders of the commercial flooring company that the weaker pound had boosted its competitiveness and margins on its overseas sales. But he said it was early days yet.

At the firm's 101st annual meeting, Halstead warned that weaker sterling brought pricing pressures too, and that revenues in the UK were behind last year.

The company said trading so far this year had been challenging but that it was confident in it prospects. Shares tumbled 4.8 per cent, or 23p, to 460.25p.

STOCK WATCH - EASYJET A broker downgrade sent EasyJet shares lower yesterday. RBC said the airline's debt was outpacing its earnings prospects. It has been a difficult year for travel companies, with terrorism fears turning tourists away and rising fuel costs dragging down profits. RBC said EasyJet had not proved it could compete against the likes of BA and Ryanair. The broker, which has a target price of 900p on the stock, said there was work to do to turn its strategy around and generate a growing profit. Shares slipped 2.6 PER CENT, or 26p, to 970.5p.

Property developer Urban & Civic leapt as it revealed pre-tax profit was up almost fourfold. Urban said it reached 25.9million in the year to September 30, up from 7million a year before.

The company said sales had been unaffected by Brexit and the biggest challenges in the property market were currently in London where it has no investments.

Chief executive Nigel Hugill took the opportunity to top up his holding in the business with the purchase of 24,440 shares at 204p each, spending almost 49,860. Shares surged 5.4 per cent, or 10.5p, to 205.25p.

Security outfit G4S announced it is to offload its Israel business for 88million. The division, which generated pre-tax profit of 8million last year, will be bought by Israeli private equity group FIMI Opportunity Funds.

G4S said the move was part of its plan to improve its focus, although it will continue to have a presence in the region through its investment in national police training centre Policity.

Shares edged up 0.6 per cent, or 1.5p, to 243.1p.

It was a good day for property companies.

While the FTSE 100 fell 0.3 per cent, or 22.21 points, to 6730.72, many of the top risers were real estate firms after Berkeley (up 8.5 per cent, or 215p, to 2760p) reported a jump in profits.

Land Securities climbed 2.2 per cent, or 20.5p, to 959.5p while Barratt Developments gained 1.7 per cent, or 7.8p, to 475.3p.

IndigoVision shot up as it revealed it had turned around a loss-making first six months into a profitable second half of the year.

The video security systems firm said sales of cameras were up 20 per cent on last year, which had largely offset lower selling prices.

Indigo said overheads were lower than a year ago and it expects to report a profitable full year. Last year overall losses were around 552,600.

Shares yesterday advanced 2.6 per cent, or 4p, to 160p.

Amryt Pharma jumped as it became the first Irish pharmaceutical firm to secure funding from the European Investment Bank.

The rare-diseases-focused firm has secured 16.9million from the bank to fund its Episalvan treatment for epidermolysis bullosa, a group of inherited connective tissue diseases affecting around 500,000 worldwide which blisters the skin.

Amryt hopes Episalvan will be available in 2019.
Expansion plans: Sweaty Betty founder Tamara Hill-Norton

When Tamara Hill-Norton opened her first Sweaty Betty store in 1998 it was because she was tired of the bland sportswear on the market.

The mother of three set up shop in London's trendy Notting Hill and designed a line of bold printed leggings, yoga pants and tops, aimed at women who enjoy an active lifestyle.

Now, after becoming a favourite with stylish gym bunnies and reaching sales of 37m, Sweaty Betty has unveiled a major American expansion.

Hill-Norton, 46, recently opened the door on a third Los Angeles store, and now wants to open 50 across the US over the next five years.

Investment from US private equity fund L Catterton is financing the roll-out programme.

Hill-Norton's husband Simon, chief executive of Sweaty Betty, said: 'We have had a successful run in the UK.

'So instead of branching out into menswear or children's clothes, we decided to expand into the US.

'The first few stores performed really well so now we're gearing up for rapid growth.'

Erika Serow has been appointed as US chief executive to drive the expansion.

'Tamara and I started this business because we felt there was a healthy lifestyle coming that wasn't too preachy or serious, and just fun,' said Simon Hill-Norton, 49.
Staggered exit: Theresa May is under pressure to secure a 'transition' phase

BANKING BREXIT Britain must negotiate a staggered departure from the European Union over several years or risk banks leaving the country, the biggest banking lobby group will warn the Government in coming weeks, according to Reuters.

The British Bankers' Association will argue its case in a report to the Government, outlining the risks for the country if Prime Minister Theresa May fails to secure a 'transition' phase beyond the two-year withdrawal period that will begin when she invokes Article 50.

CHIEF QUITS The coffee boss credited with changing the fortunes of Starbucks is stepping down from the top post.

Chief executive Howard Schultz is being replaced by current number two Kevin Johnson, and will instead turn his focus to growing new Starbucks luxury brands as executive chairman.

Schultz, 63, joined in 1982, but stepped down as chief executive in 2000 before returning in 2008.

INVOICE RULES Large companies will have to publish details on how quickly they pay suppliers, according to Government measures that come into force in April next year.

The Duty To Report legislation aims to support smaller firms crippled by late payment.

Large firms will have to publish details twice a year on the average time taken to pay invoices so that small firms can make decisions about who they do business with.

In June 2015, the level of late payment owed to small and medium sized businesses was reported at 26.8billion.

NEWSPAPER BOSS The chairman of newspaper publisher Johnston Press is to step down due to an 'acute illness' in the family.

Ian Russell said he would leave the role by the end of December, with senior independent director Camilla Rhodes becoming interim chairman.

The owner of the i newspaper and The Scotsman said the hunt for a permanent successor had begun.

DRUG APPROVAL Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has received a boost after its treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was approved in Japan.
Ban: Tim Leissner with supermodel-turned-designer wife Kimora Lee Simmons

A former Goldman Sachs banker is set to be banned for ten years for his role in a 792million corruption case.

Tim Leissner, who was Goldman's Southeast Asia chairman, was embroiled in a money laundering scandal which saw officials in Malaysia tap in to a state investment fund known as 1MDB to pay for their lavish lifestyles.

Leissner  married to supermodel-turned-designer Kimora Lee Simmons  found himself at the centre of the scandal after sending a letter that vouched for a businessman linked to the Malaysian prime minister.

The businessman is alleged to have laundered funds from 1MDB. Leissner, who left Goldman Sachs in February, allegedly made false statements on behalf of the bank.

It is claimed he sent a letter to a financial institution in Luxembourg claiming the bank had conducted checks on the Malaysian businessman and his family.

Regulators the Monetary Authority of Singapore said it will issue a prohibition order against Leissner.

Also, the Singapore branch of Standard Chartered was fined 2.8million after 'significant lapses in the bank's customer due diligence measures' resulting in 28 violations of anti-money laundering rules between 2010-2013.

Local operations run by Coutts, RBS's private banking arm, were fined 1.3million for due diligence failings on accounts established between 2003 and 2009, leading to 24 breaches.

Standard Chartered said all profits from those transactions will be donated to charities in Singapore.

RBS said related profits from Coutts operations will be passed to an anti-money laundering programme in the country.
KAMKHWELI  Parents of KaMkhweli Primary School want the head teacher, Khetsiwe Dlamini and the school committee to kiss the school goodbye at the end of the year.



They promised to make sure that the school does not open when other schools do so next year as they would lock the gates if the head teacher and school committee returned.



The parents made this known during their meeting, which was held at the school hall yesterday.

The meeting was chaired by Lubombo Regional Inspector of Schools Robert Motsa.

One of the parents said all they wanted was the removal of both the head teacher and the school committee.



Eliminate



We do not want them here when the school opens for 2017, the parent said in front the head teacher and the school committee.

He said if the ministry fails to remove both the committee and head teacher, it should at least eliminate one of the two, preferably the school committee because they could elect another and monitor how the head teacher worked with it.



The unidentified parent said their main reason was that the head teacher and the school committee were making decisions on their behalf.

Another parent alleged that the head teacher usually met with the school committee and decided how much money they needed before calling a parents meeting where they imposed their decision.



We do not pay the money they demand because we want to but because we fear that our childrens end of year report will be withheld.

When they impose their decisions, we try to complain but in vain as they usually tell us that the money would not be enough for whatever project, the parent said.
MBABANE A visibly sick patient, admitted to the Mbabane Government Hospital, is said to have spent about three weeks being neglected after he refused being discharged.



His argument was that he was not going home as he was not feeling any better compared to when he first arrived at the hospital.

When this publication paid him a visit, he could hardly talk. All he could say was Ngiyagula, meaning I am sick as he rolled over in his bed.

Dlamini, as he could only be identified so, is said to have been brought to hospital in a critical condition by relatives.



Patients admitted to the same ward expressed concern that Dlamini was getting little or no attention from the hospital staff. They said what was painful was that each time the doctors made their rounds in the company of nurses, they would pass Dlamini and ask why he was still there.



ascertained



The nature of his illness could not be readily ascertained.

It is very painful to be told to go home yet you feel that you are still sick, said a woman at the ward who is taking care of her injured husband.

When I brought my injured husband here last week, Dlamini was already here. I later learnt that the doctor had recommended for his release but no one came for him.



Nurses are said to have tried contacting his family so they could take him but had a tough time as he was unable to talk properly and was hardly audible.



When the hospital staff was engaged on Dlaminis plight, all they could say was that discharge orders were issued by a doctor.

It could not be ascertained by the time of compiling this report if Dlaminis relatives did eventually come to fetch him from hospital.
By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Dec 3 (PTI) A group of Nepali student leaders from a sister organisation of the main opposition party CPN-UML today protested in front of the Indian embassy here, accusing the Prachanda government of making efforts to amend the Constitution under Indias influence.

The students belonging to All Nepal National Free Students Union gathered at the embassy gate at Lainchaur to oppose Indias alleged interference in Nepals political affairs.

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The protest comes after the coalition government led by Prachanda registered a motion last week to amend the Constitution to accommodate some of the key demands of the Madhesi parties, including citizenship issue and delineation of provincial boundary.

The students holding national flags raised slogans like "stop Indian conspiracy" and "expel Indian ambassador" during the protest, an eyewitness said.

Student leaders belonging to All Nepal National Free Students Union staged the protest and blamed India for "forcing" Nepal to amend the constitution, according to Mahesh Bartaula, Vice-president of the organisation.

The protest was held in the morning when some key Madhesi leaders of Nepal were invited at the embassy by Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae for a meeting to reportedly discuss the issue of Constitution amendment. PTI SBP MRJ ASK MRJ

--- ENDS ---
AUBURN  When Cayuga County Caseworker Wendy Armstrong arrived at her surprise party Friday, she had one thing on her mind:

"Did you find him a home?" she asked, eyes wide with hope.

That's why Jack Brennan, the executive director at Family Focus Adoption Services, said he drove from his home downstate to hand deliver an award recognizing Armstrong's hard work and selflessness.

"Wendy is committed, she's dedicated and you can trust her," Brennan said. "She's a real advocate for her kids ... and if I were a kid, I'd feel very safe knowing she was my caseworker."

Each year, Family Focus  an agency that helps find homes for hard-to-place children  looks at hundreds of caseworkers across New York State, choosing one who is "consistently fighting adversity in support of children and their needs" to receive the Child Advocate Champion Award.

This year, that caseworker was Armstrong.

"She is the one caseworker out of all the other counties that they work with in New York State who is a recipient, so it's a big deal," said Casey Meyer, the deputy director at the Department of Social Services in Cayuga County. "We're really excited for her."

A lifelong resident of Cayuga County, Armstrong has worked as a caseworker in Auburn for eight years, participating in over 50 agency adoptions in the last five years.

"Those of us who have the privilege to work with Wendy recognize her dedication to promoting permanency and Forever Families for the children of Cayuga County and throughout New York State," Armstrong's supervisor Diane Valentine wrote in a newsletter.

Armstrong was surrounded by roughly two dozen colleagues at the Cayuga County Office Building Friday, Dec. 2, as she received a certificate and a clock for her desk. In addition, Family Focus will fully fund a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, where Armstrong will attend the 43rd Annual National Adoption Conference in July.

"This is a big deal because it's very expensive and ... people come from all over the nation for this," Meyer said.

"I'm completely in shock," Armstrong said, laughing. "It's very humbling."

Still, as Armstrong prepares to finalize six more adoptions in Cayuga County by the end of 2016, she said there's one award that can't be beat.

"I really try to find the best forever family for children who can't be reunited with their biological families," she said. "So to be able to give that to a family  not only the children but the adoptive family and their extended family as well  is wonderful. That's the best award of all."
By PTI: Kathmandu, Dec 3 (PTI) A group of Nepali students from a sister organisation of the main opposition party CPN-UML today protested in front of the Indian embassy here, accusing the Prachanda government of making efforts to amend the Constitution under Indias influence.

The students belonging to All Nepal National Free Students Union gathered at the embassy gate at Lainchaur to oppose Indias alleged interference in Nepals political affairs.

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The protest comes after the coalition government led by Prachanda registered a motion last week to amend the Constitution to accommodate some of the key demands of the Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups, including citizenship issue and delineation of provincial boundary.

The students holding national flags raised slogans like "stop Indian conspiracy" and "expel Indian ambassador" during the protest, an eyewitness said.

Student leaders belonging to All Nepal National Free Students Union staged the protest and blamed India for "forcing" Nepal to amend the Constitution, according to Mahesh Bartaula, Vice-president of the organisation.

The protest was held in the morning when some key Madhesi leaders of Nepal were invited at the embassy by Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae for a meeting to reportedly discuss the issue of Constitution amendment. PTI SBP MRJ ASK MRJ CPS

--- ENDS ---
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By Patrick Donachie

QUEENS VILLAGE  Police were seeking information on a Queens Village woman who was reported missing on Tuesday, and were asking for the publics help to find her.

Yugenia Chertakovsky, 49, was last seen leaving Jamaica Hospital Medical center at 8900 Van Wyck Expressway at 11:15 a.m., according to police. Chertakovsky, who lives on 220th Street in Queens Village, was described by police as 4 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds, with a heavy build, a light complexion, brown eyes and black hair. Police said she was last seen wearing a white dress with blue flowers along with a red wool coat.
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By Bill Parry

JACKSON HEIGHTSPolice were searching for three individuals who stormed a Jackson Heights jewelry store and threatened employees at gunpoint Tuesday night, according to the NYPD. The three suspects, two men and one woman wearing dark clothing with hoods covering the tops of their faces, entered Kunal Jewelers, located at 37-08 74th St. just after 7 p.m., police said.

The woman and one of the men displayed silver handguns and ordered two employees not to move as all three ransacked the jewelry cases. The woman began to empty a safe and ordered one of the employees to open a second safe, but the suspects were frightened off when the employee tripped the alarm. The suspects fled and it was not known how much was taken, police said.

The NYPD initially believed the incident was a hostage situation, leading to a shutdown of 74th Street, but they later said it was a robbery.

All three suspects remained at large and the investigation continued.
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By Bill Parry

The NYPD has cracked a cold case file of a brutal murder in Corona nearly four years ago.

On Friday, Harry Pacheco, 40, who was serving time in federal custody upstate for bank robbery, was arrested and charged with the killing of 89-year-old Damaso Llano, according to the NYPD.

Pacheco had implicated himself during testimony in an unrelated trial, a police spokesman said. Pacheco took part in a home invasion at Llanos home at 95-19 43rd Ave. on March 26, 2012, police said.

Llano, a Cuban immigrant who co-owned El Mundo Supermarket at 42-16 Junction Blvd., was discovered with trauma to his face with his hands fastened behind him with zip ties. Pacheco, who lived 68th Drive in Flushing, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to the NYPD.

The NYPD also announced that two men were arrested for the fatal Thanksgiving Day stabbing of a 23-year-old man in Elmhurst, according to the NYPD. Police Thursday arrested Sunset Park, Brooklyn resident Fernando Balcarce in the stabbing death of Jan Carlos Salcedo in front of 43-28 Judge Street. Officers from the 110th Precinct discovered he had been stabbed in the torso and taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

On Friday morning, police said they arrested Jackson Heights resident Jesse Granados, 23, in connection with the same crime. Balcarce and Granados were both charged with murder, robbery, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the NYPD.
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Albany

Michael Rice says he left Europe for the United States on one of the last refugee boats in 1941. His aunt died in Auschwitz, and he still remembers his 13 Jewish classmates who would later be killed in the death camps.

Fatima Esat was born under apartheid in 1965 in Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe. In 2000, she became a U.S. citizen.

The two have at least one thing in common: They are extremely concerned for the future of the country they've adopted as home.

Rice and Esat joined more than 200 people who gathered in Townsend Park in Albany to oppose the Ku Klux Klan, which had its own gathering  reportedly a "victory rally" for President-elect Donald Trump  planned for later in the day in Caswell County, near the North Carolina-Virginia border.

"I think I'm still in denial," Esat said of Trump's proposed Muslim registry and the rise of Islamophobia in America. "I just cannot fathom how any person could think this way." Esat, a Muslim, said she wished more people could come to understand the social justice aspects of Islam. That, she said, is a central tenet of her belief and the overall religion.

The Albany rally, organized by the Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia, brought together a diverse chorus of voices. Rice's own story of escape from Nazism was followed by a fiery speech from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, who praised her city's tolerance of Muslims, the LGBT and other disenfranchised minority groups before turning her attention to Trump's now-infamous tape of him bragging about grabbing women by the genitals.

"I am not an object," said Sheehan, Albany's first woman mayor. "I am not someone you can just grope."

Rice, meanwhile, drew parallels between Adolf Hitler's use of militancy to drive economic populism and America's own military-industrial complex. He also said the election of Trump proved that "white America has failed to confront systemic racism" and disowned what he called modern-day slavery in the form of mass incarceration.

When Trump was a candidate for president, he was endorsed by white supremacist and former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke. Despite calls from the Anti-Defamation League, Trump was slow to distance himself from Duke's racism and initially claimed he knew nothing about Duke and his beliefs.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Terming the registering of the Constitution amendment bill in Nepals Parliament as an "important step", India today said it will continue to extend all support to the country for its peace and stability and hoped that ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully.

"Our consistent position has been that peace, stability and progress of Nepal is in the interest of both India and Nepal," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

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He said India has therefore been supportive of initiatives of the Nepalese government to meet the aspirations of all sections of its society through dialogue and constitutional processes.

"As part of the ongoing efforts, the registering of a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Nepali Parliament on 29 November 2016 is an important step," Swarup said.

"We hope that all sides will remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully," he said.

Swarup reiterated that as a "close and friendly" neighbour of Nepal, India will continue to extend all support for Nepals peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of that country.

Seeking to end the year-long political crisis over the new statute, Nepal government earlier this week registered the Constitution amendment bill in Parliament to address the grievances of the agitating Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups.

However, Nepals Madhesi Front, an alliance of parties representing Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, has refused to back the Constitution amendment bill, saying it was not acceptable in its current discriminatory form.

Nepal has also witnessed anti-government protests against the Constitution amendment bill. PTI ASK PYK ASK

--- ENDS ---
Guilderland

Plans to convert the Best Western Motel into a 200-bed assisted living facility were submitted to the town planning board. The property at 1228 Western Ave., across from University at Albany, was sold in October to Promenade Senior Living, LLC, a Tuxedo, N.Y.-based business. The application will be reviewed at a Dec. 14 meeting.
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Arab-American comedian Mohammed "Mo" Amer might have a new set to write.

Amer, who was raised in Houston and lives in New York, happened to be sitting next to President-elect Donald Trump's son, Eric Trump, on a trans-Atlantic flight to Scotland.

On Wednesday, Amer shared a selfie with Trump on Instagram and Facebook, and wrote about some of what they discussed on the plane.

ABOUT HIS SISTER, THE FAVORITE: 9 things to know about Ivanka Trump

"Hey guys heading to Scotland to start the U.K. Tour and I am 'randomly' chosen to sit next to none other than Eric Trump," he wrote. "Good news guys Muslims will not have to check in and get IDs. That's what I was told. I will be asking him a lot of questions on this trip to Glasgow, Scotland. Sometimes God just sends you the material. #Merica #UKTour #HumanAppeal #ThisisNotAnEndorsement #Trump2016ComedyTour"

"Just FYI I'm not getting that ID shit done. You gonna really make my people get ID cards and all this? You know we're not doing this s***," Amer told Buzzfeed.

ABOUT THE STEPMOM: 10 things to know about Melania Trump

To which Trump reportedly responded: "Come on man. You can't believe everything you read. Do you really think we're gonna do that?"

Amer said they spoke for roughly half an hour before Trump fell asleep and fellow passengers began taking selfies with him.

He jokes that he "was making dua [prayers] for him, like, to make him convert to Islam."

One of Amer's Facebook friends has suggested at least one possible outcome from the experience: "Are you being vetted for a cabinet position?" Amer's response? "I think so."

Before the plane took off he posted on Facebook: "Hey guys planes taking off...if I disappear and don't make it on tour YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!! #Trump"
Store-bought hummus is getting a bad rep lately, as a second hummus producer has recalled its dip from stores.

Trader Joe's announced the recall of two kinds of hummus spreads made by food brand Bakkavor Foods. Both the Mediterranean Hummus and the White Bean & Basil Hummus dips are being voluntarily recalled by the store over a potential Listeria contamination.
Editor's note: James Tripp is senior counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund, which filed in U.S. District Court in New York City to assist the PSC in defending a lawsuit against a nuclear subsidy filed in August by owners of several gas-fired power plants. An earlier version misstated the name of the organization.

Albany

Environmental groups are taking sides in a fight over a multibillion-dollar state subsidy to the nuclear power industry that is part of state goals to boost production of clean energy.

This week, the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater sued the state Public Service Commission (PSC) over its August decision to approve a 12-year nuclear subsidy  called a zero emission credit (ZEC)  as part of new state goals for renewable energy.

Another advocacy group, the Environmental Defense Fund, sought a judge's permission Friday to help defend the PSC against a lawsuit objecting to the ZEC that was filed this summer by a coalition of natural gas-fired electric power plants.

The nuclear subsidy is part of the state's new Clean Energy Standard, which sets of goal for the state to generate half its energy from renewable sources by 2030 to cut climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions. Starting in April, nuclear plants can add the ZEC charge to the price of their electical power.

Manna Jo Greene, environmental director at Clearwater, said the lawsuit filed in state Supreme Court against ZEC was "of historic significance ... Opposing this subsidy will demonstrate to the country that nuclear power is not where our dollars need to be spent. Many of these nuclear plants are aging, leaky and dangerous."

Totaling more than $7.6 billion over the next 12 years to Exelon  an energy company that owns three upstate power plants and expects to acquire a fourth  the subsidy will "prolong the lives of aging, unprofitable, increasingly dangerous nuclear plants at public expense," said Greene. "These are not credits to help fight climate change."

The lawsuit called the subsidy "one of the largest transfers of wealth from the ratepaying public to a single corporate entity in New York state history." Owners of Goshen Green Farms, an organic farm near Middletown in Orange County, also joined the Clearwater lawsuit.

PSC spokesman Jon Sorensen said the lawsuit is "based on ideology, not reality and ignores the many benefits these upstate nuclear plants provide. Our ZEC plan is a cheaper, sensible way to have the existing carbon-free nuke fleet serve as a bridge to renewables as opposed to importing fracked gas and using dirty oil."

On Friday, the EDF filed in U.S. District Court in New York City to assist the PSC in defending a lawsuit against the nuclear subsidy filed in August by owners of several gas-fired power plants. EDF Senior Counsel James Tripp sought more time to meet a deadline for filing legal papers siding with the PSC.

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No comment was immediately available from the EDF.

Natural gas has grown in recent years to become the state's single largest source of electricity at 37 percent of total generation, overtaking nuclear power, which now accounts for 35 percent.

Owners of nuclear plants have been under financial pressure as electricity prices have dropped in step with the price of natural gas, reflecting a supply glut from hydrofracking in Pennsylvania and other states. Average electric rates paid by New York homeowners are at their lowest in more than a decade.

The PSC crafted the nuclear subsidy to stave off potential nuclear plant closures, including the James A. FitzPatrick nuclear plant near Oswego and Robert E. Ginna plant near Rochester. FitzPatrick was to have closed late this year or early 2017 before it was sold to Exelon, with the sale coming only after the state subsidy was announced. Exelon plans to continue operations.

bnearing@timesunion.com  518-454-5094  @Bnearing10
THE ISSUE:

The governor urges lawmakers to take another shot at good government reforms.

THE STAKES:

How could they not even try after the spate of corruption charges in recent years?

More Information To comment: tuletters@timesunion.com or at http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion See More Collapse

Ambitious is probably an inadequate word for the list of reforms Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposes to have the Legislature agree to in exchange for a pay raise. It's more likely pie in the sky.

That doesn't mean it isn't worth a shot.

A lot does seem to be standing in the way of any significant reform in what remains of 2016. History suggests this Legislature is simply incapable of it. Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has voiced his objection to a quid pro quo, which is understandable: It may be how deals get done in reality but it looks particularly sleazy when lawmakers are horse trading good government for personal enrichment. Many lawmakers stated in their re-election campaigns that they oppose a raise. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and his Republican conference have blocked certain reforms that are absolutely essential.

Even if legislators surmounted all that, though, the time frame is tight. They'd need to work out the particulars of both a raise and the reforms, draft legislation, including possible constitutional changes, and pass it.

And did we mention time for public review? There had better be that, especially if some of this involves amending the state constitution. Two of the governor's ideas - term limits and increasing terms for Senate and Assembly from two to four years, with an eight-year cap - would require constitutional changes.

Longer terms are not a bad idea, particularly if they come with lower campaign contribution limits. It's a fair trade - if lawmakers run less often, they need less money. It would finally start getting at least some of the corrupting influence of big money out of New York politics.

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Lower limits will have little effect, however, without closing the loophole that allow rich donors to skirt campaign limits by funneling contributions through limited liability corporations, which New York treats as separate individuals. The Senate has opposed that change, and the governor didn't even include it in his list of possible reforms.

There's certainly more that could go into ethics and campaign finance reforms, but whatever the package, this can't be another rush job, pushed through in the dead of night with a message of necessity from the governor. It's essential there be at least the three days the law requires for public review of the bills, especially if there are constitutional changes on tap.

It's worth noting that it will be quite a while before any constitutional change can go into effect. Such changes must be approved by two successive legislatures before they go to a public referendum, but because of a quirk in the state constitution that states that the second vote must be held after the next general Assembly election, it would take at least until 2019 before that second legislative vote, and a public referendum, could be held. Lawmakers would get their raise; New Yorkers would get three more years of waiting for reform. And who knows if a future Legislature will keep this one's word.

But the Legislature could make some significant changes now, including lowering campaign spending limits and closing the LLC loophole. We urge lawmakers to seize this chance to clean up a legislature that lost both its last two top leaders to corruption charges. A chance, that is, to make some significant changes before they're "stuck" with their not-too-shabby part-time pay, and the undying disrespect of citizens, for years to come.

Note: An earlier version of this editorial incorrectly stated that the second vote on a constitutional amendment could take place next year.
By PTI: church function

Rameswaram (TN), Dec 2 (PTI) Sri Lanka has reportedly told fishermen of that country that no one, except the bishop of Jaffna, army and navy officials and the person who built the new St Antonys church at Katchatheevu islet would be allowed to attend the consecration ceremony on December 7.

Intelligence officials here, who did not wish to be named, said they had received a report to this effect.

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Meanwhile, fishermen from this coastal town, who have for long been pressing to attend the festival, blamed the Centre for not taking any steps to send them there and said about 150 of them were determined to proceed to the islet.

S Emiret, president of the Fishermens Association and P Sesuraja, mechanised boatmens association secretary told PTI St Anthony was their guardian angel and they had every right to attend the function, even as per the earlier agreement. The old church was built by their forefathers, they said. Katchateevu was ceded to the island nation by India by an agreement in 1974. PTI COR SSN APR SMJ

--- ENDS ---
DAVID DUPREY

For perspective on the gondola proposal, Capital Region residents need to remember Rochester and the "fast ferry" project.

That project was met with a mixture of public praise through promising tourism figures and addressing fabricated transportation issues between Rochester and Toronto that acted only as barriers to potential tourism dollars. Sound familiar? Mainly due to a flawed business plan and lack of private funding, millions in delinquent operations costs were absorbed by the city after the private operator, Canadian American Transportation Systems, went bankrupt.
The refrain of the Psalm, I rejoiced when I heard them say, let us go to the house of the Lord, captured perfectly the atmosphere of celebration as people, from all corners of the Archdiocese (mid & west Tipperary & east Limerick), gathered in the Cathedral of the Assumption, on Sunday 20th November for a special liturgy to mark the closing of the Door of Mercy.

Since last December each of the Deaneries has celebrated the Year of Mercy in their own unique way, but on Sunday week last people from all the parishes came on pilgrimage, to unite as a Diocese in a concelebrated liturgy, led by Archbishop Kieran O Reilly.

In his opening address, Archbishop Kieran welcomed everyone and congratulated the priests and their parishioners on the many meaningful celebrations held throughout the diocese, which captured the essence of this extraordinary Jubilee Year.

Each parish was invited to bring a lantern which was placed in the sanctuary area before the Mass began. The lighted lantern symbolised the faith of their community. Alongside each lantern was a potted acorn which each of the 46 parishes of the Archdiocese was invited to plant to symbolise how, from just one act of mercy, great and wonderful things can happen.

Central to liturgy was the involvement of people from parishes throughout the Archdiocese. We remembered all those who have died in our parishes during the past year. Their names were written in a special Book of Remembrance which was placed beside the cross in the sanctuary area. Prayers were also offered for all the newly baptised throughout the Archdiocese. Their names were also recorded in a special book which was placed by the baptismal font. Both books can be viewed in the Cathedral.

During the past year we have being invited as followers of Christ to become Missionaries of Mercy. This is what we celebrate as parish communities that make up the Church in Ireland today. Forty years ago, the Irish Church established Trocaire, which is the Irish word for mercy. Trocaire, works to put mercy into action in answering the call of the poorest and most marginalized. Therefore, it was appropriate that the Offertory Collection, which yielded 1,762.00, was taken up in aid of the work of Trocaire. We give thanks for all who contributed in such a generous way so that Trocaire can continue to put mercy and justice into action.

Archbishop Kieran began his homily with the opening line of the second reading from St. Pauls letter to the Colossians, we give thanks to the Father, who has enriched you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. This line reflected the theme of thanksgiving which echoed throughout the wonderful liturgical music which enhanced the liturgy. The music was provided by the Diocesan choir led by Marette Dunphy with accompanying musicians John Gorman & Ann Marie Dwan. Hymns such as Hail Redeemer and How Great Thou Art praised Christ the King whose solemnity was celebrated on Sunday. Archbishop Kieran spoke about the symbolic closing of the Door of Mercy. He reminded us that just as we move from one room into another the closing of this door of mercy invites us into a new place. Archbishop Kieran then introduced his first Pastoral Letter since his appointment over a year and a half ago as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. In his Pastoral Letter, Archbishop Kieran invited the people of the Archdiocese to join him on a journey of getting to know the Bible better. He told the large congregation that On this journey we will aim to place the Sacred Scriptures at the centre of our lives at home, in the parish, at school and in the wider world where we live and work. Archbishop Kierans invitation to Come to the Table is an invitation to all of us. Over the next three weeks of Advent there will be an opportunity in each Deanery to come to a meeting to share Gods Word (details on Diocesan website: www.cashel-emly.ie ).

Following a short slide show highlighting how the Year of Mercy was celebrated throughout the Archdiocese, Archbishop Kieran, having incensed the Door of Mercy officially closed it and prayed that God would continue to pour out his unending mercy upon the entire world.

In closing the liturgy Fr Martin Hayes extended his thanks to everyone who brought the Year of Mercy alive throughout the Archdiocese.

Teresa Regan on behalf of Diocesan Year of Mercy Committee
[December 02, 2016] NASA Sets Coverage for Briefings, Launch of Small Satellite Constellation

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The launch of NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) spacecraft is scheduled for 8:24 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 12. News briefings, live launch commentary, photo opportunities and other media events will be held at nearby NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and carried live on NASA Television and the agency's website. During the one-hour window, which opens at 8:19 a.m., CYGNSS will take off aboard an Orbital Sciences ATK air-launched Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The rocket is scheduled for deployment over the Atlantic Ocean from Orbital's L-1011 carrier aircraft. CYGNSS will make frequent and accurate measurements of ocean surface winds throughout the lifecycle of tropical storms and hurricanes. The CYGNSS constellation consists of eight microsatellite observatories that will measure surface winds in and near a hurricane's inner core, including regions beneath the eyewall and intense inner rainbands that previously could not be measured from space. Saturday, Dec. 10 Social Media Event:

Kennedy will be hosting a Facebook Live event at noon from the Skid Strip runway at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Briefers will highlight both the science involved in the CYGNSS mission, as well as the L-1011 aircraft and the Pegasus rocket, and participants will get a view inside the airplane. The event will stream live onKennedy's Facebook page at:



http://www.facebook.com/NASAKennedy NASA TV:

For all media briefings, reporters may ask questions by calling the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468 no later than 15 minutes before briefings begin. Media also can ask questions via Twitter by using the hashtag #askNASA.

1 p.m.  Prelaunch news conference at the Kennedy Press Site

Briefing participants are: Christine Bonniksen , CYGNSS program executive in the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate

, CYGNSS program executive in the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate Tim Dunn , launch director at Kennedy

, launch director at Kennedy Bryan Baldwin , Pegasus launch vehicle program manager with Orbital ATK

, Pegasus launch vehicle program manager with Orbital ATK John Scherrer , CYGNSS project manager at the Southwest Research Institute

, CYGNSS project manager at the Southwest Research Institute Mike Rehbein , launch weather officer with the 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral 1:45 p.m.  CYGNSS Mission Science Briefing

Briefing participants include: Chris Ruf , CYGNSS principal investigator with the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan

, CYGNSS principal investigator with the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the Aaron Ridley , CYGNSS constellation scientist with the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan

, CYGNSS constellation scientist with the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the Mary Morris , doctoral student with the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan Monday, Dec. 12 NASA TV:

5:45 a.m.  Prelaunch program by NASA EDGE

6:45 a.m.  Launch coverage and commentary begins Live coverage also will be available on social media at: http://www.twitter.com/NASAKennedy https://www.facebook.com/NASAKennedy Live countdown coverage on NASA's Launch Blog begins at 6:30 a.m. Dec. 12. Coverage features live updates as countdown milestones occur, as well as video clips highlighting launch preparations and the flight. For NASA's Launch Blog, visit: http://blogs.nasa.gov/cygnss



To learn more about the CYGNSS mission, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/cygnss Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-sets-coverage-for-briefings-launch-of-small-satellite-constellation-300372336.html SOURCE NASA

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[December 02, 2016] A.M. Best Removes Issue Credit Ratings of 321 Henderson Receivables V LLC from Under Review; Takes Various Rating Actions

A.M. Best has removed from under review with implications the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) on three tranches of securities issued by 321 Henderson Receivables V LLC (Series 2008-3) (the issuer), a special purpose Nevada limited liability company. Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed (removed negative implications) the Long-Term IRs of "aaa" on $74,646,000 Class A-1 8.00% Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, Series 2008-3 and the $9,389,000 Class A-2 8.00% Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, Series 2008-3. A.M. Best also has upgraded (removed developing implications) the Long-Term IR to "bbb-" from "bb+" on $4,695,000 Class B 10.00% Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, Series 2008-3. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Following the Aug. 16, 2016 release of its new methodology, "Best's Insurance-Linked Securities & Structures Methodology," which includes the updated "Best's Idealized Issuer Default Matrix" and "Best's Idealized Issue Default Matrix," A.M. Best has completed its assessment of the impact of the two matrices on the Long-Term IRs. The rating actions reflect qualitative and quantitative considerations, including default probabilities derived from stochastic modeling. This analysis incorporated the default probabilities of the insurance carriers providing the annuity payments and the assumed recovery rate on the cash flows in the event of an insurance carrier default. The remodelingof the transaction incorporated updates on: 1) the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of the insurance carriers; 2) financial data; and 3) remaining collateral information, including the reduced payment obligations of Guaranty Association Benefits Company, a not-for-profit captive insurance company formed for making payments to the payees and certificate holders of the liquidated Executive Life Insurance Company of New York.



The Long-Term IRs and outlook could be revised if any of the following occurs: material changes in the Long-Term ICRs (i.e., default risk) of the remaining insurance carriers; a deviation from the model assumed recovery rate; an increase in the level of write-off activity; or a breach in ongoing surveillance or compliance benchmarks. These are structured finance ratings.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best's Credit Ratings. A.M. Best is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2016 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161202005713/en/

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[December 02, 2016] Fitch Affirms Bon Secours Health System (MD) Revs at 'A'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A' rating on approximately $713 million of outstanding bonds issued on behalf of Bon Secours Health System, Inc. (BSHSI). The Rating Outlook is Stable. SECURITY The bonds are secured by a pledge of unrestricted receivables of the obligated group. KEY RATING DRIVERS STRATEGIC DIVESTITURES: BSHSI's 2015 divestiture of a majority interest in Charity Health System (Charity) in New York and the pending full asset sale of Bon Secours New York in 2017, signal the system's willingness to dispose of challenging operations that have historically generated operating losses. BSHSI still retains a 40% interest in Charity. The stronger financial profiles after these divestitures allow the system to focus on its ministry in other key markets. STRENGTHENED LIQUIDITY: Unrestricted cash and investments have increased significantly since the prior rating review primarily due to the proceeds from the Charity transaction in 2015, along with cash flow from operations. Days cash on hand (DCOH) of 168.7 and cushion ratio of 19x are now more in line with the 215.5 days and 19.4x medians, respectively, for the 'A' rating category. The pending full asset sale of Bon Secours New York is expected to further improve liquidity. STEADY OPERATING RESULTS: The system continues to generate a consistent operating level with adequate margins for the 'A' rating. Operating EBITDA margins have averaged 8.6% in the past four fiscal years. BSHSI's EBITDA margin (7.9% in fiscal 2016) has historically trailed the category 'A' median (12.6%) due to non-operating losses that include donations and support to community services among other items. COMPETITIVE MARKETS: Although BSHSI operates in different regions and generally good markets, its operations are heavily concentrated in Virginia. The two Virginia markets, Richmond and Hampton Roads account for approximately 65.1% of total system revenues and 88.8% of operating income. Additionally, the system faces significant competition from other providers in each of its markets. FOCUSED, WELL-ARTICULATED STRATEGY: BSHSI's strategy in these competitive markets is to redesign primary care access points, expand wellness programs, embrace the opportunity to optimize real-time information from its integrated information technology platform (in acute and post-acute settings), and form regional ACOs and clinically integrated networks (CINs) to partner with other providers in its markets. RATING SENSITIVITIES IMPROVING BALANCE SHEET: Fitch expects Bon Secours Health System, Inc. (BSHSI) to sustain a relatively stable level of operations, but an improved balance sheet with the continued disposition of financially challenged operations combined with a moderating debt profile. Improved balance sheet metrics combined with a material and sustained improvement in cash flow may provide upward rating momentum over the longer term. CREDIT PROFILE BSHSI, headquartered in Marriottsville, MD, is a Catholic health system with facilities is six eastern states: Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida and New York. It operates 19 hospitals (12 owned and seven joint-ventured) as well as other non-acute entities, including a number of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior housing and home care providers. Total revenues for the system in fiscal 2016 (ended August 31) were $3.2 billion. The obligated group accounted for approximately 93.9% and 96.2% of BSHSI's revenues and total assets, respectively, in fiscal 2016. The New York operations are not in the Obligated Group. Fitch reports on the performance of the consolidated BSHSI system. Improved Liquidity from Divestitures In May 2015, BSHSI disposed of a majority of its ownership of Charity, which had a long-trend of operating losses. A newly created affiliate of Westchester Medical Center now holds a 60% controlling interest in Charity, with BSHSI retaining a 40% minority interest. As part of this transaction, Charity closed on a new bond issuance and used most of the proceeds to repay BSHSI $120 million for a portion of outstanding intercompany loans made by BSHSI to Charity. The Charity transaction contributed to the system's enhanced liquidity position since 2014. Cash-to-debt increased to a strong 149.3% in fiscal 2016. BSHSI had $1.39 billion in unrestricted cash and investments at fiscal year-end 2016 (August 31), equating to 168.7 days DCOH from $1.14 billion in fiscal 2014 (129.8 DCOH). DCOH growth in fiscal 2016 is also partly attributed to a reduced expense base with the removal of Charity's operations from the consolidated audit. BSHSI's minority interest in Charity is now accounted for under the equity method. Consequently, non-operating losses were higher in 2016 as the system reported a $5.5 million loss related to its equity portion of its investment in Charity as compared to a $6.9 million business combination gain in 2015 related to the acquisition of Rappahannock General Hospital in that year. In March 2016, the system also announced a planned full asset sale of Bon Secours New York to a private company that holds over 100 skilled nursing facilities. Bon Secours New York accounts for a modest 1.5% of system revenues, but it has historically generated operating losses. BSHSI does not have a significant presence or network in New York to make these senior care operations viable, which led to the decision to sell to another skilled nursing provider. The pending sale requires state and church approvals and is projected to close within the next 12 months. The sale is expected to be accretive to the system's liquidity position after repayment of related debt. Competitive Markets BSHSI's operations in the Richmond market continue to be the primary driver of the system's profitability. The Hampton Roads market in Virginia (22.4% of system revenues; 1.7% of operating income) is a highly competitive market where competitors have engaged in recent renovations or construction. Bon Secours St. Francis (21.2% of system revenues; 12.7% of operating income) in South Carolina also operates under significant competitive pressure from its main competitor, Greenville Hospital System. The finncial results from this region were compressed in fiscal 2015 and 2016 from prior years' results and the system is focusing on certain strategies to enhance its relevance in this market. These include enhanced commercial payor relations, new market assessments, the purchase of Doctors Express urgent care centers, and launching a new regional CIN with Spartanburg Regional Health System and AnMed Health. The CIN has submitted an application to qualify as a Medicare Shared Savings Program effective January 2017.



Two of BSHSI's smaller regions, Kentucky (5.9% of system revenues) and Baltimore (3.6% of system revenues) continue to be challenging markets that generated losses in 2016. Although Kentucky has experienced market share and utilization growth, it is a competitive market with limited population growth and challenging Medicaid reimbursement. Baltimore continues to prove difficult as it is a stand-alone hospital with decreasing utilization in a greater market area that is served by several large systems. Debt Profile

BSHSI had $889 million of debt outstanding as of fiscal-end 2016. Approximately 63% of outstanding debt was issued as fixed debt, but almost all of the system's variable debt is synthetically fixed. Overall, the system has eleven swaps outstanding with six different counterparties. Maximum Annual Debt Service (MADS) of $73.1 million includes all long-term debt and capital leases. The MADS year is 2020, and MADS decreases to $31.4 million by 2032. BSHSI has adequate MADS coverage of 3.5x for fiscal 2016, slightly below the 4.5x median for the 'A' rating category. Fitch notes that the system has a growing pension liability, with a 59% funding status as of August 2016. The funding status dropped from 62% in 2015 despite an increase in pension contribution to $51 million due the reduction in discount rate from 4.55% to 3.55%. The system plans to contribute at about this annual level in each of the next five years. Disclosure BSHSI covenants to supply both audited annual and unaudited quarterly financial data. Financial disclosure to the market has been timely and includes detailed management discussion and analysis, utilization and operating statistics and consolidating statements. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. Applicable Criteria Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 16 Jun 2014) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/750012 U.S. Nonprofit Hospitals and Health Systems Rating Criteria (pub. 09 Jun 2015) https://www.fitchratings.com/site/re/866807 Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1015815 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1015815 Endorsement Policy https://www.fitchratings.com/regulatory ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTPS://WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEB SITE AT WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA, AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE, AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE CODE OF CONDUCT SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. Copyright  2016 by Fitch Ratings, Inc., Fitch Ratings Ltd. and its subsidiaries. 33 Whitehall Street, NY, NY 10004. Telephone: 1-800-753-4824, (212) 908-0500. Fax: (212) 480-4435. Reproduction or retransmission in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission. All rights reserved. In issuing and maintaining its ratings and in making other reports (including forecast information), Fitch relies on factual information it receives from issuers and underwriters and from other sources Fitch believes to be credible. Fitch conducts a reasonable investigation of the factual information relied upon by it in accordance with its ratings methodology, and obtains reasonable verification of that information from independent sources, to the extent such sources are available for a given security or in a given jurisdiction. 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Fitch receives fees from issuers, insurers, guarantors, other obligors, and underwriters for rating securities. Such fees generally vary from US$1,000 to US$750,000 (or the applicable currency equivalent) per issue. In certain cases, Fitch will rate all or a number of issues issued by a particular issuer, or insured or guaranteed by a particular insurer or guarantor, for a single annual fee. Such fees are expected to vary from US$10,000 to US$1,500,000 (or the applicable currency equivalent). The assignment, publication, or dissemination of a rating by Fitch shall not constitute a consent by Fitch to use its name as an expert in connection with any registration statement filed under the United States securities laws, the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 of the United Kingdom, or the securities laws of any particular jurisdiction. Due to the relative efficiency of electronic publishing and distribution, Fitch research may be available to electronic subscribers up to three days earlier than to print subscribers. For Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and South Korea only: Fitch Australia Pty Ltd holds an Australian financial services license (AFS license no. 337123) which authorizes it to provide credit ratings to wholesale clients only. Credit ratings information published by Fitch is not intended to be used by persons who are retail clients within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161202005722/en/

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[December 02, 2016] Worldwide Enterprise WLAN Market Sees Strong Growth Across Most Regions in the Third Quarter, According to IDC

The combined consumer and enterprise worldwide wireless local area network (WLAN) market segments increased 1.8% year over year in the third quarter of 2016 (3Q16), and increased 6.7% on a sequential basis to finish at $2.47 billion. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly WLAN Tracker, the enterprise segment grew 8.4% year over year in 3Q16 to finish at $1.45 billion, the second consecutive quarter of strong growth. The sustained growth observed so far in 2016 can be attributed to refresh cycles and the funding of digital transformation initiatives in many enterprises. The 802.11ac standard now accounts for 67.1% of dependent access point unit shipments and 80.9% of dependent access point revenues, setting the stage for near obsolescence of the 802.11n standard by 2018 in the mainstream enterprise segment. Meanwhile, consumer WLAN market revenue decreased 6.3% on a year-over-year basis in 3Q16, finishing at $1.02 billion. The adoption of the 802.11ac standard in the consumer market has been significantly slower than in the enterprise segment, coupled with rapid price erosion on consumer-grade devices. In 3Q16, the 802.11ac standard accounted for just 25.2% of shipments and 52.7% of revenue in the consumer category. "In customary fashion, the enterprise WLAN market performed robustly in the third quarter of the year," said Nolan Greene, senior research analyst, Network Infrastructure at IDC (News - Alert). "In every facet of business, and across different verticals from education to hospitality, mission-critical functions are continuing to migrate from the wired network to wireless. This positions the worldwide enterprise WLAN market to continue performing strongly, even as other markets experience softness." From a geographic perspective, the enterprise WLAN market saw its strongest 3Q16 growth coming from Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan)(APeJ), which increased 28.8% year over year largely on the heels of a 55.7% increase in China (PRC) over the same period. Japan returned to growth for the first time since 2014, increasing 7.4%. Western Europe grew 6.7% in 3Q16, with strong showings in Germany (up 26.7% year over year) and Spain (up 23.5%). Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) was up 6.3%. The Czech Republic was the standout performer in CEE, at 67.1% year-over-year growth. Middle East and Africa (MEA) increased 4.2% on an annualized basis in 3Q16, helped by Egypt's 84.4% increase over 3Q15. North America saw a more tepid 2.7% growth rate in the quarter, impacted by an 8.4% decline in Canada. Latin America was the sole region to record an overall decline, contracting 2.9% in 3Q16, although Chile (up 17.8% year over year) and Mexico (up 16.8% year over year) were bright spots. "With enterprises and service providers investing in digital transformation-related mobile infrastructure upgrades and ntwork refreshes, APeJ recorded very strong 3Q16 growth, with most of the other regions making similar investments albeit on a smaller scale," said Petr Jirovsky, research manager, Worldwide Networking Trackers. "This really speaks to the now near universally accepted use of WLAN and mobility for mission-critical enterprise applications."



Key Enterprise WLAN Vendor Updates: Cisco (News - Alert) 's 3Q16 worldwide enterprise WLAN revenue increased 0.4% year over year in 3Q16. Cisco's worldwide market share came in at 43.7% in 3Q16, virtually unchanged from 2Q16, and down from 47.1% in 3Q15. IDC believes that the Meraki cloud-managed WLAN portfolio remains one of the primary growth drivers for Cisco, offsetting declines in its traditional controller-based WLAN portfolio.

's 3Q16 worldwide enterprise WLAN revenue increased 0.4% year over year in 3Q16. Cisco's worldwide market share came in at 43.7% in 3Q16, virtually unchanged from 2Q16, and down from 47.1% in 3Q15. IDC believes that the Meraki cloud-managed WLAN portfolio remains one of the primary growth drivers for Cisco, offsetting declines in its traditional controller-based WLAN portfolio. Aruba-HPE (excluding its OEM business and excluding H3C as of 2Q16), increased 5.0% sequentially. Aruba-HPE's market share stands at 14.3% in 3Q16, down from 14.6% in 2Q16.

(excluding its OEM business and excluding H3C as of 2Q16), increased 5.0% sequentially. Aruba-HPE's market share stands at 14.3% in 3Q16, down from 14.6% in 2Q16. Brocade (News - Alert)-Ruckus grew 22.0% year over year in 3Q16. Brocade-Ruckus accounted for 6.7% of the overall market in 3Q16, down from 6.8% in 2Q16 and up from 6.3% in 3Q15.

grew 22.0% year over year in 3Q16. Brocade-Ruckus accounted for 6.7% of the overall market in 3Q16, down from 6.8% in 2Q16 and up from 6.3% in 3Q15. Huawei (News - Alert) experienced very strong growth in 3Q16, increasing 208.0% over 3Q15, while claiming 4.3% market share, up from 1.5% in 3Q15.

experienced very strong growth in 3Q16, increasing 208.0% over 3Q15, while claiming 4.3% market share, up from 1.5% in 3Q15. Ubiquiti also recorded noteworthy growth in 3Q16, increasing 87.0% year over year. Ubiquiti accounted for 4.3% of the overall market in 3Q16, up from 2.5% in 3Q15. An interactive graphic showing the relative market shares of the top 5 vendors in the worldwide enterprise WLAN market for 3Q16 is available at here. Instructions on how to embed this graphic into online news articles and social media can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

The IDC Worldwide Quarterly WLAN Tracker provides total market size and vendors share data in an easy-to-use Excel Pivot Table format. The geographic coverage includes 8 major regions (USA, Canada, Latin America, AP excluding Japan, Japan, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa) and 58 countries. The WLAN market is further segmented by product class, product type, product, standard, and location. Measurement for the WLAN market is provided in factory revenue, customer revenue, and unit shipments. For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly WLAN Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine ([email protected]). About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad. The IDC Tracker Chart app is also available for Android Phones and Android Tablets. About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading media, data and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161202005732/en/

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[December 03, 2016] EdTech Startup Notesgen Becomes the Top Rated Indian App on AppStore; Usage Climbs to 4000 Users a Day

DELHI, India, December 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Notesgen - Worlds fastest growing student-to-student notes eXchange platform has announced that it has reached #2 rank for Educational apps on the Apple AppStore, making it the Top ranked Indian app in the educational sector. This is higher than Byju's and other Indian apps. The app has also broken into the Top 100 apps on the Android store in the Education category. "We have seen a significant growth in adoption, traffic and usage of our platform. Within the last 3 weeks we have seen over 30,000 installs, 15,000 new users, 2500 new notes and a daily traffic of nearly 4000 users a day" said Manak Gulati, Founder & CEO. Notesgen offers personalized ready-made study notes across the entire spectrum of high school, college and competitive exam curriculum. Notes made by students are considered to be simpler and easier to understood when compared to educational content from professional trainers. Many students, who personally succeeded through their self-made notes, have found the satisfactionin helping students across the country while earning through the process.



Buoyed by the recent success, the company is planning a global marketplace model with geographic specific pricing and a student ambassador program that will motivate students to upload notes for on-going lectures. "We hope to have a presence in 100 college campuses by March 2017" said Naresh Gunda, VP Marketing. Speaking at the release, Manak, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University said "I am blown away by the success Notesgen is getting. I did not think that my idea will have such global appeal. It inspires me to go beyond my abilities and create a platform that can serve the most remote student with the best student notes from all round the globe".

Notesgen has been mentored by Mr. Arvind Jha, ex-head of engineering at Adobe India and a leading technologist and digital /social media strategist. Its early investors include Mr. Satya Narayan, founder/CEO of Career Launcher and Mr. Rajeev Saraf, CEO of Lepton Software, a leading GIS technology company. About Notesgen Notesgen is an EdTech startup offering a global peer-to-peer student notes Xchange platform where students can upload their study notes so that other students can benefit from the same. It offers both free and priced options for such notes. It also offers professional notes (unbundled material from professional training courses) on its platform. Since its inception in Nov 2014, it has grown virally to nearly 500k users from 125 countries demonstrating a demand for peer-2-peer notes sharing that is not being fulfilled by other platforms so far. Notesgen is based in Delhi, India.

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By India Today Web Desk: Preity Zinta's cousin Nitin Chauhan committed suicide by shooting himself on Friday morning, according to a report in Hindustan Times. Reportedly, he was going through marital trouble for quite some time.

ALSO READ: Preity Zinta lashes out at the paparazzi for lack of etiquette

The police found two suicide notes, one in Nitin's car, where he shot himself, and the other at his residence. He had reportedly blamed his wife and in-laws for driving him to take this extreme step, ahead of the court hearing of their legal separation on the same day.

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The report quotes a police officer as saying, "In both suicide notes, of four pages each, Chauhan blamed his wife and in-laws of harassing him," adding that he accused them of filing false cases and not allowing him to meet his son.

A case has been registered against Nitin's in-laws and the weapon has been sent for forensic examination.

ALSO WATCH:

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Why court docs for Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen are sealed

Court records in the case of a man charged in the killings of Abigail Williams and Liberty German have been sealed. Experts explain why.
The actor has been discharged from hospital and has reached home, say latest reports. Rajinikanth has been strenuously working to finish the shooting of Robo 2.0, co-starring Akshay Kumar.

By Pramod Madhav: Superstar Rajinikanth was injured on Saturday while shooting for his upcoming film Enthiran 2.0.

Rajinikanth has been strenuously working to finish the shooting of Robo 2.0, co-starring Akshay Kumar.

While shooting in a private college on the outskirts of Chennai, Thalaivar Rajinikanth tripped while climbing a fleet of stairs and hurt his leg.

NO FRACTURE

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. After tests, doctors said that the superstar luckily didn't suffer any fracture, but asked him to take adequate rest before continuing the shoot.

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The actor has been discharged from hospital and has reached home, say reports.

Also read | Kabali: When Rajinikanth got stuck at Chennai airport without his passport

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The popular AirDroid file-management app could open your Android device to attack, a security firm says. Until the flaw gets fixed  hopefully, within the next two weeks  you should stop using the app.

Researchers at San Francisco mobile-security company Zimperium have discovered a flaw in AirDroid that allows malicious hackers to overcome encryption and access potentially sensitive information. The flaw can also give hackers the ability to remotely execute code on the respective device.

According to Zimperium, which spoke to ArsTechnica about the flaw, AirDroid uses a static encryption key to safeguard some data transmitted by the app. What's worse, the researchers say, that encryption key can be easily found within the app's code by anyone with a even little know-how.

MORE: 25 Worst Gadget Flops of All Time

Armed with that knowledge, a hacker can launch a man-in-the-middle attack on devices using AirDroid. From there, the hackers can decrypt the mobile app's communications and even get full remote control over the smartphone through a malicious software update. The hack can only occur if both the attacker and the targets are on the same Wi-Fi network.

AirDroid, which was developed by Chinese company Sand Studio, is available in the Google Play marketplace for more than 30 countries. It lets users access and control their Android devices from the Web or on a PC or Mac. It also offers full backup and syncing of potentially private data such as photos and videos, and gives users access to SMS. The free-to-download app has been installed between 10 million and 50 million times, according to Google's own count on the Play marketplace.

According to Zimperium, it initially contacted Sand Studio about the flaw on May 24 and attempted to follow up with the company for a few months after the disclosure. The security firm said in its blog post that it received a response from Sand Studio about an upcoming update, but as of the Nov. 28 release of AirDroid 4.0, the flaw was still present. A second update to AirDroid on Nov. 21 also left the vulnerability in place.

After facing outcry from some of AirDroid's millions of users on Thursday, the company issued a blog post (opens in new tab) on Friday in hopes of quelling unrest and explaining next steps. Sand Studio says that the flaw cannot be exploited on a secure Wi-Fi network. (It's not clear if that's accurate.) The company then acknowledged that it hasn't yet updated the software, blaming the delay on coding complexities. The company added that it's been working "tirelessly" to fix the problem and says it hopes to have it fixed "within two weeks as planned."

Still, the damage is done and AirDroid users are now at risk for at least another couple of weeks. To address that, Zimperium had some solutions, including telling users only to use HTTPS and additional encryption. The company also recommended users consider uninstalling AirDroid until a fix is available.
A Gujarat-cadre officer of 1984-batch, Rakesh Asthana got elevated as number two in CBI three days ago when special director R K Dutta, who was among the front runners for the top post, was shifted to the Home Ministry as a special secretary.

By Alok Ranjan: On December 2, 2016 Rakesh Asthana was named as interim Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director by the government. On the same day CBI Director Anil Sinha retired from the post. He handed over his post to his immediate deputy, Gujarat-cadre IPS Officer Rakesh Asthana. This time the government did not name any full-time chief.

A Gujarat-cadre officer of 1984-batch, Asthana got elevated as number two in CBI three days ago when special director R K Dutta, who was among the front runners for the top post, was shifted to the Home Ministry as a special secretary. The post of second special secretary was formed for the first time in the ministry. Another IPS officer from the Gujarat, Arun Kumar Sharma was made joint director of CBI in 2015.

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Outgoing CBI Director Anil Sinha completed his two-year tenure on December 2. It is the first time in last 10 years that no new CBI chief has been named to succeed the current chief.

Read: Suspense mounts over appointment of CBI Chief

"The Competent Authority has approved assignment of additional charge of the post of Director, CBI, to Shri Rakesh Asthana, IPS(GJ:84), Additional Director, CBI with effect from the date of relinquishment of charge by Shri Anil Kumar Sinha, IPS(BH:79) on completion of his tenure, with immediate effect and until further orders," an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training said.

The head of the CBI is selected by a group comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition or largest party in opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The group has not been able to meet.

Read: Gujarat cadre IPS officer appointed Addl Director in CBI

In Gujarat, Asthana was believed close to the state government and held vital posts, including in the special Investigation team that investigate the Godhra train burning case of 2002. He also served as Commissioner of Police in Vadodara and Surat. In his earlier tenure in the CBI, Asthana had probed Bihar's fodder scam case. Asthana who took charge CBI add to the increasing influence of state officers who are in important places at the Centre.

Ever since the BJP-led NDA came to power in May 2014, there has been a steady flow of bureaucrats from PM Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat to the corridors of power in Delhi. More than 30 officers belonging to Gujarat cadre has been shifted to Delhi after Modi moved to the Prime Minister's Office in Delhi. These officers have been given important and responsible positions at the Centre.

Some of the important officers of Gujarat cadre posted at the Centre are -

Rajeev Topno (1996 batch IAS officer) - Private Secretary to PM

Arvind Kumar Sharma (1988 batch IAS officer) - Joint Secretary to PM

Hasmukh Adhia (1981 batch IAS officer) - Secretary, Department of Revenue

Tapan Ray (1982 batch IAS officer) - Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs

PK Mishra (1972 batch retired IAS officer) - Additional Principal Secretary to PM

Pradeep Kumar Pujari (1981 batch IAS officer) - Secretary, Ministry of Power

Ashim Khurana (1983 batch IAS officer) - Chairman, Staff Selection Commission

Amarjit Singh (1982 batch IAS officer) - Special Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

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Read: Noose seems to be tightening around former CBI directors in Moin Qureshi case

GUJARAT CADRE IPS OFFICERS PRESENTLY AT SENIOR POSITIONS IN CBI

Rakesh Asthaana (1984 Batch) - Interim CBI director

AK Sharma (1987 Batch) - Joint Director - BS and FC Zone

Also read: Hyderabad: CBI unearths illegal assets worth Rs 4 crore from IT officer

Also Read: West Bengal: CBI chargsheets 3 directors in chit fund case

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There's not much time left in the holiday shopping season, so now is an excellent time to snag great gifts on the cheap. So we've rounded up our list of the best cheap tech gifts under $20, with products that run the gamut from a wireless mouse to a Nintendo Switch controller.

Here are the best options you can get right now.

Panasonic ErgoFit Earbuds for $7 at Walmart (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Amazon)

As much as we love wireless earbuds , it's nice to have a pair of wired buds that we can count on for long trips or emergencies. Despite being supercheap (you can usually find them under $10), the Panasonic ErgoFit earbuds offer incredible audio quality that's both balanced and clear. They're available in multiple colors, and while they're not IPX-certified, we've used them countless times during our runs, and they even survived an accidental cycle in our laundry machine.

Tile Sport for $18 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Tile)

Tile has expanded its product line with multiple new Tile Mates. However, the Tile Sport remains one of our favorites. Just attach it to something you don't want to lose (i.e., house keys) and install the app on your phone, and the next time you misplace something, you'll be able to track your item down via the Tile app. This app will make the Tile Sport give off an audible alert when it's within a 200-foot range. The thumb-sized device is also 2x louder than its predecessor, and it helped one of our editors recover his stolen car .

(Image credit: Micro Arcade)

Relive the '80s with the Micro Arcade Pac-Man. The credit card-sized player sports a tiny color screen and a D-pad that you can use to navigate Pac-Man through countless mazes. Gobble up ghosts, feast on energy pellets, and enjoy hours of gameplay without the need for a Wi-Fi connection or data plan. Micro Arcade also offers a Tetris version (opens in new tab) of their tiny handheld.

Today's best Micro Arcade Pacman deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) $35.74 (opens in new tab) View (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: TP-Link)

Turn any device into a smart gadget with the TP-Link Mini Wi-Fi smart plug. After plugging into an electrical outlet, you connect the smart plug to your home Wi-Fi network. Any device you subsequently plug into the device can be controlled via the TP-Link app. Even better, the device is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant , so you can also use voice commands to control your smart home devices .

Jackery Portable Charger Bar for $19 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Jackery)

Jackery's candy-bar-shaped charger is a must for any gadget bag. It offers 6,000-mAh capacity, which means it can charge an iPhone 8 approximately 2.4 times, a Galaxy S8 1.6 times or an iPhone X 1.4 times. Its smooth, aluminum shell remains cool to the touch, and the battery features a built-in flashlight that can be used during emergencies.

Today's best Jackery Portable 6000mAh Charger deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) No price information (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab)

Roku Voice Remote for $19 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Roku)

The Roku voice remote breathes new life into your Roku device or Roku TV . Just sync this remote with your Roku player, and you can then use your voice to launch channels, search for programs, turn captions on/off, switch inputs and more. Even better, it has four programmable buttons that let you quickly launch your favorite channels. It's compatible with multiple models, from the Roku Express to the 2015 Roku 2.

HoriPad Nintendo Switch Controller for $16 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Hori)

Put an end to those Nintendo Switch Joy-Con drift issues with the HoriPad wired Nintendo Switch controller. The wired controller features a detachable D-pad adapter, analog sticks, shoulder buttons and just about all the controls you need for gaming on your Switch. There is no rumble function, but it otherwise looks and feels like the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, but at a fraction of the cost.

Spigen AirPods Strap for $10 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Amazon)

Losing an earbud is every AirPod owner's worst nightmare. Well, now you can keep your AirPods in check with the Spigen AirPods Strap. The cable clamps onto each AirPod stem and then rests on the back of your neck while you're working out, running or just listening to music. So if an earbud happens to fall off, it'll remain dangling from your shoulder instead of flying off onto the ground.

Anker PowerWave Wireless Qi Charger for $15 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Anker)

This Anker wireless charger offers all the conveniences of wireless charging sans the high price. It provides 10-W high-speed charging for Samsung Galaxy phones, whereas iPhones get a boosted 5-W charge and can be recharged up to 10% faster than on other wireless chargers. The Qi-certified PowerWave can also charge your phone while it's in a case, so there's no need to remove the device every time you need to power up.

Logitech M187 Mini Portable Mouse for $16 at Walmart (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Logitech)

There are hundreds of wireless mice to choose from these days, but if you're looking for a no-frills option that performs well and looks good, you'll want the Logitech M187 Mini portable mouse. This wireless mouse offers lag-free performance and features a scroll wheel and three buttons. It comes with Logitech's nano USB receiver and is small enough that it can be stored in any tiny pocket. It's the perfect mouse when space is limited, but you don't want to sacrifice performance.
Google Pixel 7 features coming to Pixel 6  heres what to expect

Google has announced that the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are getting some of the Pixel 7s new features, and older Pixel phones are even getting a few updates. Here's what we know so far.
Kansas City Fight For $15 Protesters Demonstrate Strength Of Civil Disobedience

Shawnee Mission Safety Pin Parents Snare School District Dress Code Demands

Kansas SecState Kris Kobach Rides The Prez-Elect Trump Tidal Wave

Kansas City Northland Demands Accountability For $800 Million Bond Issue

Kansas City Podcast Kings Create The Future For Alternative Media

The start of the holiday season hasn't slowed us down one bit and tonight we take a look at the TOPthis week.Take a look:Theshows us that Kansas City's progressive activists still have a lot of power and influence over local streets. While it's fair to disagree with their cause, there's no denying that they dominated the conversation this week.The Golden Ghetto middle-class care a great deal about fashion andshows that parents want the power of education officials limited in defense of freedom of expression.This week Kansas SecState Kobach wasand more than any other local politico . . . He stands to gain from the upcoming Administration and their hard-line stance on immigration.Behind the scenes,that's soon to be severed up to voters for approval.There are too many good podcasts in Kansas City to name and the number is growing as local talkers take to the Internets as an alternative to the downward spiral of traditional media.And so . . .We fire off this tribute to all of those Kansas City denizens working to make this town better rather than just complaining on the Internets.As always . . .As always, this list has been compiled according toand it's a weekly comprehensive guide to local powerful people.
The economic climate in Greece has deteriorated in November after 3 consecutive months of positive data, according to the Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) index. The economic climate index fell to 92.4 points in November, compared to 93.8 in October, with the downward trend attributed mainly to a drop in consumer confidence and secondarily to a negative outlook in the industrial sector. In contrast, there were positive signs in retail, services and construction, an expected correction, given the relative stabilisation in the Greek economy in the medium-term, leading consumers and businesses to a more positive outlook. However, Greek households are esepcially pessimistic about the next 12 months concerning the course of the Greek economy.

In more detail, the positive outlook for the industrial sector is expected to fade, while the estimates for reserves is mildly escalating. The negative outlook for orders and demand remain at the same level. Expectations in the business services sector remain unchanged, while demand is estimated to improve. In retail, the positive outlook on current sales is expected to rise, while the outlook for short-term growth remain unchanged, with the reserve index recording a negative turn. The negative outlook in employment in the construction industry is dampened. Finally, the consumer confidence index is showing signs of deterioration due to a drop in Greek household expectations on the course of the economy over the next year.

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
UN Secretary General Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide has said that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President will discuss the security and guarantees issue of the Cyprus problem

UN Secretary General Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide has said that Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President will discuss the security and guarantees issue of the Cyprus problem in the coming weeks.

During an interview with Greek state television ERT on Friday, Eide said that he discussed with Tsipras a way to find a compromise or a transitional arrangement the security issue.

He added that he hopes to discuss the same issue in Ankara, in order to move forward with a new system, which does not depend on the current setup.

TSIPRAS-ERDOGAN TO DISCUSS GUARANTEE ISSUE

On a meeting between Erdogan and Tsipras, Eide said that the Greek Prime Minister is committed to the meeting.

My understanding is that it is important for Greece to meet with Turkey at the highest level to start this discussion and to see how they can start building bridges, Eide said.

He added that Tsipras and Erdogan are not expected to conclude the discussion on the security issue, because the final conclusion to this discussion hast to happen at the international conference, because for Cyprus the security question is one of many questions.

PROPOSED MODELS

Eide has said that there have been constructive attempts made to find models for the guarantees issue.

Foreign Minister Kotzias has proposed a packet of friendship and cooperation between the future united Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey, with some kind of military dimensions to it, to substitute the current arrangement, he added.

Eide said that there are also some ideas of having a significant reduction of Turkish troops, which will continue for a while, until Ankaras military presence is phase out.

He added that the conditions and timeframe of a phasing out troops would need to be discussed.

Earlier, Eide met with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias to discuss the security and guarantees issue.

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
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Greece on Sunday and Monday for talks on current issues and the inauguration of an exhibition in Thessaloniki

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Greece on Sunday and Monday for talks on current issues and the inauguration of an exhibition in Thessaloniki.

In the first part of his visit, Steinmeier will inaugurate an exhibition at the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in the northern city of Thessaloniki. The exhibition titled Fragmented Memories is organized by the Goethe Institute in cooperation with the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki, and presents art and archival material relating to the 1930-1950 period of the citys history.

President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos will welcome the German minister in Athens at 5:30 pm on Sunday. Then Steinmeier will have an official meeting with Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias at 6:30 pm. The refugee crisis, the Cyprus issue and the Turkish provocations will be on the agenda.

At 10 pm on Monday, the German official is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

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
French President Francois Hollande is expected to visit Cyprus on December 9, to discuss the Cyprus problem, government spokesperson Nikos Christodoulides has said on Saturday

French President Francois Hollande is expected to visit Cyprus on December 9, to discuss the Cyprus problem, government spokesperson Nikos Christodoulides has said on Saturday.

Christodoulides confirmed the French Presidents visit in a tweet in Greek, after an announcement from the Greek Prime Ministers office said Hollande would be make a forthcoming visit to the island.

Tsipras and Hollande discussed the Cyprus issue on the side-lines of a meeting in Abu Dhabi for UNESCOs Safeguarding Cultural Heritage Conference.

The announcement said that In view of President Hollandes forthcoming visit to Cyprus, the two men [Tsipras and Hollande] welcomed the restart of peace talks and discussed development on the matter. In this framework, the two underlined the importance of the Cyprus problem for EU-turkey relations and the need for Ankaras aggressive rhetoric to stop.

GREEK ECONOMY

The announcement added that Hollande and Tsipras also discussed the conclusion of the second evaluation of the Greek financial reform program.

Both leaders have emphasised the importance of reaching an agreement on a technical level, before the Eurogroup meeting on December 5, and for measures of debt relief to be taken by the end of the year.

Tsipras and Hollande also discussed EU relations with Turkey and the need for the EU-Turkey agreement on the migration crisis to continue, along with NATO activity in the Aegean.

Source: CNA

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
It is imperative to have a technical-level agreement until the Eurogroup meeting on December 5 and discuss measures for debt relief by the end of the year, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Francois Hollande agreed

It is imperative to have a technical-level agreement until the Eurogroup meeting on December 5 and discuss measures for debt relief by the end of the year, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Francois Hollande agreed on Saturday, during a meeting on the sidelines of a cultural heritage conference in Abu Dhabi.

Accoring to the prime ministers office, the two leaders discussed Greeces ongoing second program review, the countrys relations with countries in the Persian Gulf, EUs relations with Turkey regarding migration, as well as the ongoing negotiations on Cyprus.

Concerning migration, Tsipras and Hollande agreed that NATOs activity in the Aegean must continue and the EU-Turkey deal must be implemented.

Ahead of Hollandes visit to Cyprus, the two sides welcomed the restart of talks, discussed developments on the issue and noted its importance in EUs relations with Turkey. They also stressed the need to end Turkeys aggressive rhetoric.

Tsipras is currently meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.

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
The 71-year-old former Greek King Constantine II of Greece was rushed to a private hospital in November with the symptoms of a stroke

According to a recently published report in BizNews, the 71-year-old former Greek King Constantine II of Greece was rushed to a private hospital in November with the symptoms of a stroke.

After diagnosing that the former monarch had suffered a stroke, doctors kept him in the hospital under close observation for an additional four days, discharging him on November 24.

In a recently televised interview on Skai TV, when asked whether he would be interested in returning the monarchy to Greece, the former king said that the decision was in the hands of the Greek people. He said that he would return to the throne if the Greek people asked him to.

Constantine II was the last King of Greece, reigning from March 1964, following the death of his father, King Paul, until 1973, when the Greek monarchy was abolished by referendum.

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
By India Today Web Desk: Doesn't matter how much jewellery you own, it's quite possible you don't own anything like this. These aren't your regular rings. What's special about them? They are your custom-made portals to a secret world!

Secret Wood is bespoke and produces handmade rings using fresh wood, jewellery resin, and beeswax. It guarantees that each ring is one of a kind and is impossible to replicate.

Picture courtesy: www.mysecretwood.com

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Founded in 2015, the company explains on their website how their "craftsmen create unique wearable experiences." With names like Enchanted Forest, Tiny Snow Forest, Ethereal Blossom and Ocean Oasis among others, each ring does justice to its name.

Picture courtesy: www.mysecretwood.com

Also read: Would you wear diamond jewellery designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee?

In these rings you can unravel the fragile beauty of the flowers whose brilliance is endless, miniature ocean frozen by the snowy winter, tiny secret forest treasures and bursting flowers that bloom even in the heart of darkness.

Picture courtesy: www.mysecretwood.com

So, if you like what you see, head on to Secret Wood's website and explore the many hidden worlds.

Picture courtesy: www.mysecretwood.com Picture courtesy: www.mysecretwood.com

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International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed Jihad Azour, former finance minister of Lebanon, as the new director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department. He will replace Masood Ahmed who left the Fund in October.

A dual national of France and Lebanon, Azour will assume his new position on March 1, said a statement from IMF.



During his tenure as Lebanese finance minister from 2005-2008, he co-ordinated the implementation of important reform initiatives at the national level and within the Finance Ministry. He also spearheaded the Paris III International Conference for Lebanon, which was instrumental in raising international financial support for Lebanese reconstruction.



Azour chaired the G8-MENA Ministerial Group from 20062008, bringing together finance ministers and central bank governors from the G8 and Middle East and North Africa region.



He had also been part of the Funds Advisory Group for the Middle East and the World Banks Independent Panel of Experts.



Announcing the appointment, Christine Lagarde, the managing director of IMF said: "Azour brings a very well-rounded perspective, having held senior leadership roles both in government, as Lebanons Minister of Finance, and in private sector firms."



"Combining analytical insight and a proven ability to bring people together collaboratively and constructively, he will help the Fund contribute effectively and pragmatically to the key issues facing the region today," noted Lagarde.



Before and since his time as finance minister, he has held a wide range of posts in the private sector, notably as vice president and senior executive advisor at Booz and Company from 2009-2013, and since then as managing partner at advisory and investment firm Inventis Partners.



Azour holds a PhD in International Finance and a post-graduate degree in International Economics and Finance, both from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris.



He also did research on emerging economies and their integration into the global economy as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard, and holds a Master's degree in Applied Economics and Finance from Dauphine University, Paris.-TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain's government is set to deliver 25,000 residential units by 2018 in line with His Majesty King Hamads directive to build 40,000 housing units across the kingdom over the coming years, said a report, citing the country's housing minister.



Reaffirming the ministrys commitment for the project, Housing Minister Basim bin Yacob Al Hamer said the delivery of a sustainable housing model is a key priority for the government, reported BNA.



He outlined that delivery targets are being met and praised His Royal Highness the Prime Minister for his commitment to ensuring efficient delivery of services to all communities.



The Housing Minister stressed that the Crown Princes directives to accelerate the delivery of 3,000 units over the summer, as well as an additional 3,200 units by the end of November, will play a pivotal role in allowing these aspirations to be met, the report stated.



Al Hamer pointed out that the efficiency demonstrated by entities involved in the housing construction process had set an example for cross-government collaboration that directly contributes to improving citizens living standards.



"Increasing the housing supply and improving housing services forms a key part of the Government Action Plan and the kingdom's broader infrastructure programme, which is supported by the deployment of the GCC development fund," he noted.



The Ministry of Housing was working on further expanding its public-private partnerships (PPP) programme and expects a substantial number of new and innovative programmes to come on stream, including the Ramli project, the East Sitra project, Danat Almadina and the apartment rehabilitation programme, said a report.



The ministry has also tied up with Eskan Bank on a number of projects, it added.
Al Ruwayeh & Partners (ASAR), a leading corporate law firm in Kuwait, said it discussed ways to boost public-private partnership (PPP) projects in Kuwait and attract key international funding for these projects amid the ongoing oil slump.



ASAR was one of the regions top-tier firms which participated in the recently concluded 12th edition of the Meed Kuwait Projects 2016 conference which was promoting international participation in Kuwaits $250-billion potential project market.



The conference provided an update on the status of the mega projects in the pipeline in Kuwait in the various sectors, including the country's oil, gas, electricity, water, transport, housing and infrastructure sectors, and focused on proposing solutions to challenges faced by said projects.



The event also addressed the increased confidence in Kuwaits PPP projects which is confirmed by the progress made in the projects already under way and the new projects under tender which have attracted numerous international and local participants.



ASARs involvement in the ground-breaking Az Zour North Phase One independent water and power producer project and its current involvement in numerous other PPP projects (including the Az Zour North Phase Two IWPP, the Al Khairan Phase One IWPP, the Al Abdaliya Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Independent power project, the Umm Al Hayman Wastewater Project, the Kabd Municipal Solid Waste Project, etc) provided the backdrop of the firms contribution to the conference with respect to the lessons that have been learnt from its participation with both the government and the private sector in these PPP projects.



Ibrahim Sattout, a partner at ASAR, was the moderator of the panel which discussed insights and approaches to attracting key international funding to the Kuwait projects sector despite low oil prices.



Sattout noted: We are proud to have participated in this conference for the fourth year in a row. Our panels included distinguished speakers representing the various players involved in PPP projects. This was a great opportunity for the audience to interact with the panelists who shared with the audience their own insights and experience in respect of the PPP projects in Kuwait.



During the discussion, Sattout and the panelists discussed, among other things, the key factors which lead to the success of PPP projects in general and in Az Zour North Phase One project in particular, whether the players should look for new models to implement these kinds of projects and emphasised on the measures and enhancement to be considered (taking into account the key learning points), in order to make the PPP projects market more attractive to investors and lenders (including the contemplated amendments to KAPP guidebook for PPP projects and the standardisation of certain documents and provisions in the project agreements).



Akusa Batwala, a senior associate at ASAR, participated on the panel which discussed the development of mega projects and encouragement of successful business techniques within Kuwait.



Kuwait, she stated, has been able to draw on the experience of its regional neighbours and on international best practice in order to adopt successful business techniques in the procurement and development of its projects.



"By drawing on this experience, Kuwait is able to pick and choose the best methods for Kuwait to procure and develop its projects based on its own particular characteristics and legal terrain," she added.



During the discussions, Akusa emphasised on the advantage Kuwait has had in being able to draw on the experiences of its regional neighbours to determine its own path in the development of its projects.



She also pointed out that the adoption of certain international best practices will give international participants the confidence and assurance in their participation in PPP projects in Kuwait.



With dedicated offices in Kuwait and Bahrain coupled with its associated offices and relationships, ASAR provides clients across an extensive range of industry sectors with comprehensive legal advice and support for their business activities in Kuwait, across the GCC and beyond.-TradeArabia News Service
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has inaugurated the Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara) and the Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co (Satorp).

The two projects are among the largest facilities in the refining and petrochemicals industries that support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Vision aims to create new industries that will help provide new job opportunities for Saudis, as well as attract foreign investment to the kingdom. Sadara and Satorp are aligned with these objectives and are the result of successful partnerships between Saudi Aramco and two global companiesThe Dow Chemical Company and Totalwhich are leaders in their respective areas of business.

Khalid Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources and chairman of Saudi Aramco said: Sadara and Satorp represents a bold undertaking for Saudi Aramco and its respective partners, Dow Chemical and Total. It is a major driver in achieving our goals of greater integration and value addition. Sadara and Satorp represents the concrete realization of our distinct yet complementary corporate visions - it is one way in which Saudi Aramco is helping to deliver on its abiding commitment to the kingdom.

SADARA PROJECT

The Sadara project is the largest integrated chemicals complex in the world to be built in one phase. It is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and The Dow Chemical Company in Jubail Industrial City in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The first phase commenced operations in 2015, and the remaining operating units are scheduled for completion by the end of 2016. The production capacity is more than three million tons of various plastics and chemicals product annually.

Amin Nasser, president & CEO of Saudi Aramco, said: Sadara is a huge testament to the power of partnership. We have faced many challenges over the years  complex technological challenges, economic uncertainty - but both parent companies stood firm to make Sadara a reality. The Sadara project contributes to the development of the manufacturing and the technology industries in the kingdom, and will have a great impact on the economy, directly and indirectly.

The foreign direct investment used to establish Sadara is the largest in the Saudi petrochemicals industry. The company is the cornerstone of Saudi Aramcos strategy to achieve integration in processing and refining to produce high value chemicals and benefit all stakeholders.

The partnership with Dow Chemical allows Saudi Aramco to unleash its full potential in chemicals and to benefit from innovative technologies in producing high value chemicals never before produced in the kingdom.

The refining, processing and marketing projects will help Saudi Aramco achieve the maximum value possible from hydrocarbons in the kingdom and establish new industries to create more jobs for Saudis. Through 14 newly introduced technologies, the project ushers the kingdom into a new age of economic diversification, new products and job opportunities.

Sadara is the first chemicals complex in the GCC region that uses naphtha as feedstock. The complex has a unit to crack naphtha that can process 85 million standard square feet of ethane and 53,000 barrels per day of naphtha as a feedstock to produce three million tons of high value and high performance plastics annually.

Once fully operational at maximum capacity, the project will employ more than 4,000 people. In addition, the PlasChem Park, a world-class industrial park for chemical and conversion industries created by a collaboration between Sadara and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, will create 15,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Saudis in Jubail alone.

SATORP PROJECT

The Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co (Satorp), a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Total in Jubail, will support Saudi Aramcos efforts to expand the value chain and achieve maximum value from the kingdoms resources.

It can process 400,000 barrels of heavy Arabian crude daily into low-sulfur gasoline, diesel and jets fuel that comply with the standards in the United States, Europe and Japan. It also produces more than one million tonnes of paraxylene, benzene, sulphur and pure petroleum coke that fuels cement plants and electric power stations.

Nasser, stressed the importance of projects such as Satorp to further stimulate the kingdoms economy. The kingdom will benefit from the commercial activities of Satorp. It will have a kingdom-wide effect, and Satorp will provide the additional boost for Saudi Aramco to become a fully integrated energy and chemicals leader which augurs well for its larger portfolio diversification agenda.

This joint venture will create approximately 5,700 new direct and indirect jobs and will serve Saudi Aramcos vision to become among the worlds top three refiners. The venture showcases the positive impact of foreign direct investments on the Saudi economy. The construction of the project involved 45,000 workers with 80 per cent of the work performed by local subcontractors with a Saudisation rate of 65 per cent. -- Tradearabia News service
Gulf Air, in partnership with the National Labour Union of Gulf Air (NLUGF) today celebrated Bahraini Womens Day with a special event at the airlines Muharraq headquarters.



The event occurred alongside a dedicated week-long tribute to key Bahraini female members of the airlines workforce across its official social media platforms and a special honour that was delivered to the airlines longest serving Bahraini female employee Badriya Abdulla Ali Janahi.



The Bahraini women that were recognized in the social media campaign represented a cross section of the airlines female workforce and included: Amal Saleh Jawad, Gulf Air clinic nurse; Nadia Saad AlAtteyah, Incentive & ORC administrator; Aysha Aldoseri, executive secretary; Mardheya AMajeed Mosawi, Repair specialist; Shaikha Mahamed, manager scheduling, and Yasmin Shanaa, IT Project manager.



Addressing the airlines female workforce, Gulf Air chief financial officer, Sahar Ataei said: There exist challenges unique to being a woman in the workplace and these are evident to varying degrees across the globe. Part of Gulf Airs mission to be a healthy organization includes empowering our female workforce, dedicating ourselves to their advancement and giving them the tools for success. I am honoured to work amongst female colleagues of the caliber we have at Gulf Air and take this opportunity to congratulate all Bahraini women for their significant achievements and contributions to the Kingdom as we celebrate Bahraini Womens Day today. The entire Gulf Air family unites today to celebrate our female workforce and thank them for their key role in our national carriers positive development.



Gulf Air has been a pioneer in encouraging and offering targeted training and career development opportunities to its workforce  thereby ensuring it facilitates and supports a range of career opportunities within the aviation industry. With 37 per cent female personnel, the airlines female workforce represent all Gulf Air divisions, ranks and levels of expertise. - TradeArabia News Service
Oman Air's flight WY263 bound to the north Indian city of Lucknow from its hub Muscat was diverted to Delhi due to turbulent weather, said a report.



The flight, heading to Lucknow, was diverted due to fog, reported Times of Oman, citing the sultanate's national carrier.



"WY263 MCT-LKO has diverted to Delhi due to bad weather. Consequently, the return sector will be affected by this delay," came the announcement from Oman Air on its twitter account.



Near zero visibility due to dense fog is likely in the northern, central and eastern parts of India on Saturday, the weather office has warned. However, some improvement could come with a change in wind direction, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Dense fog in the national capital on Friday led to the diversion of two flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport, it stated.



The weather office has forecast dense fog in some places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi over the next 24 hours, and in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh over the next 48 hours.
This humanoid robot will wipe your troubles at the banks, maybe even help you with demonetisation FAQs.

By India Today Web Desk: Demonetisation has had us dread the banks, or even the paths that lead to the ATMs. But it is not too late for good news about the banking system.

A Coimbatore-based software engineer and designer has come up with a unique creation that could help us deal with the crisis that is over-crowded banks, confusing directions and unhelpful bank employees.

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Designer Vijay has developed a humanoid robot which will help customers in banks with doubts, information and FAQs.

Source: ANI/ Twitter

"This robot helps bank customers by telling them how to open account and also gives info of existing accounts," Vijay told ANI. "It also understands 15 languages."

Fancy, eh?

Perhaps we could have this humanoid robot in banks for Christmas? (Too much to ask for?)

This robot helps bank customers by telling them how to open account and also gives info of existing accounts,understands 15 languages: Vijay pic.twitter.com/uEkZrlObtp ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

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By India Today Web Desk: Shahid Kapoor recently took to Instagram to share a selfie with wife Mira Rajput from the sets of Koffee With Karan. The couple, who have been giving us romance goals with their oh-so-cute selfies and public displays of affection, will appear on a television show together for the first time.

SEE PIC: Shahid Kapoor's hot shirtless selfie will make you drool

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PHOTOS: Shahid takes wife Mira out on a romantic lunch date

If a report in DNA is to be believed, Mira was at her candid best on the show. The report quotes a source as saying, "Mira spoke from the heart. She wasn't guarded or measured in her comments. She is young and bindaas, which reflected in her attitude and conversation. When Karan asked about her Delhi-based family and their reaction to her marrying a big actor, she underplayed it saying it's not a big deal for them."

Shahid and Mira created headlines last year when they got married. Their 13-year age gap was the talk of the town, and also came up on the show. The source added, "When asked about it, both Shahid and Mira reacted to it sportingly. The banter between the two was quite funny and at one point, Mira just turned around and called Shahid a cradle-snatcher!"ALSO WATCH:

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In the run-up to BMC polls, the BJP seems to be leaving no stone unturned in reaching out to the non-Marathi voters in Mumbai.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: A few weeks ago, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the Chhat Pooja at Juhu beach in Mumbai amid a huge gathering of Bihari population in the city. On Saturday, Fadnavis wooed the Tamil voters of Mumbai in a rally of Tamilians organised by the BJP. The rally was addressed by CM Fadnavis himself.

In the run-up to BMC polls, the BJP seems to be leaving no stone unturned in reaching out to the non-Marathi voters in Mumbai.

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Praising the Tamil culture, Fadnavis started his speech in Tamil. "I have studied in a Tamil School till the 10th standard. Tamil culture and literature is one of the greatest in the world. The community has immensely contributed to the growth of the city", he said.

SIZEABLE TAMIL POPULATION LIVES IN MUMBAI SLUMS

A huge chunk of Tamil-speaking population in Mumbai stays in slums, especially in Dharavi, and hence the CM went on to announce that the Slum Rehabilitation Schemes (SRA) would soon be streamlined. Fadnavis also appealed to the community to strongly support PM Modi's drive against black money and corruption.

Also read | Maharashtra civic elections: Will pay more attention to Marathwada, says Devendra Fadnavis

The Tamil-speaking population is largely spread across 6 corporation seats and is estimated to be around 4 per cent of the total voters. The BJP is the only party to have a Tamil MLA in Maharashtra Assembly in the form of Captain R Tamil Selvan from Mumbai's Sion-Koliwada constituency.

Addressing the rally, Selvan said, "The Tamil community is strongly in suppport of the BJP. BJP is the only party that can grant the long-pending demands of the community and that is why a large number of Tamilians are joining the party in Mumbai."

BJP, SENA ALLIANCE FOR BMC POLLS UNCERTAIN

The BJP and the Shiv Sena are yet undecided over forging an alliance for the BMC polls. In the absence of an alliance, the real fight will be between the two saffron allies. While the Shiv Sena is expected to largely bank on its core Marathi vote base, the BJP is trying to spread its reach among other communities. The chief minister has himself been taking the lead in wooing these communities. The BJP already enjoys a strong support base in the Gujarati community that has a sizeable population in Mumbai.

Also read | 26/11 anniversary: We are proud of the policemen who fought for Mumbai, says Fadnavis

After Uttar Bhartiya Sammelan and Chhat Pooja earlier this year, the Tamil Sammelan is seen as yet another attempt by the BJP to spread its wings in Mumbai ahead of the BMC polls.

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Amritsar, December 2

Even as security has been tightened inside various jails in the state following the sensational incident of escape of six terrorists and gangsters from the Nabha jail recently, the seizure of mobile phones points to a serious flaw in the security system. Moreover, the involvement of the staff could not be ruled out.

Yesterday, during checking, the jail authorities confiscated six unclaimed mobile phones from the jail premises. Earlier, too, the jail authorities had seized eight mobile phones from various parts of the complex on November 22.

According to information, following a tip-off, Deputy Superintendent of Jail and Additional Superintendent of Jail had conducted a search in Barrack number 7 where these mobile phones were hidden behind toilet water tanks in the bathrooms. The police have registered a case.

Newly appointed ADGP, Jail, Rohit Chaudhry on Friday held a meeting with superintendents of all jails in the state at Chandigarh. He reportedly asked them to take the help of new technologies, including CCTV cameras, to rein in anti-social elements, languishing in the jail complex. The jail officials on the other hand raised the issue of shortage of staff members in handling the huge rush of prisoners in the jails.  TNS
Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 2

SAARC nations are expecting to participate in the five-day 11th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX), starting from December 8.

PITEX is likely to witness a massive participation of SAARC nations, including Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, during the five-day PITEX 2016 being organised in association with the Punjab Government at Ranjit Avenue here.

The PHD Chamber would also host a round table conference of delegates from the SAARC nations. About 150 select buyers will be in Amritsar from SAARC nations and they would be engaged in one-to-one business meetings with Indian manufacturers and expected to sign many MoUs. Punjab-based companies will also showcase their products to foreign buyers.

Nearly 450 exhibitors are participating in the trade expo, who are categorised into 11 pavilions such as  agriculture, food and farm, travel, tour, auto and handicrafts.

The foreign buyers who have confirmed their participation are from important sectors such as textiles, fabrics and gems and jewellery.

In its last edition, PITEX generated business over Rs 400 crore with the participation from SAARC nations and domestic traders. The astonishing feature of the event will be Reserve Buyers Sellers Meet (RBSM) involving chambers representing SAARC nations which is being supported by the Ministry of Commerce.

This year, we have confirmed with over 450 exhibitors from the country and abroad who will showcase their products in the five-day long event. PITEX is one of the major trade event in North India. said Parveen Rathi, Regional Director, PHDCCI, Chandigarh.

It is an ideal platform for Indian manufacturers and traders to showcase goods at the international level. We have provided world-class infrastructure at the expo and like previous editions this time too we are expecting business enquiries would cross the previous benchmarks, RS Sachdeva, co-chairman, Punjab Committee, PHDCCI.

PITEX will be inaugurated by Minister for Industries and Commerce Madan Mohan Mittal on December 9 in the presence of top executives of the PHDCCI.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 2

The Chandigarh Police have arrested a 20-year-old BTech student with 40 gm of heroin. The accused was arrested from Ram Darbar. The police said he used to sell drugs to youths studying in colleges in the tricity.

The student, Gaurav Jaggi, a resident of Ropar, tried to run on seeing a police party near the mandi ground in Ram Darbar and threw a packet from his pocket. A team of the crime branch apprehended him. The packet contained heroin estimated to worth around Rs 2 lakh.

A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused at the Sector 31 police station.

Police officials said the accused was also a drug addict, who used to purchase drugs from Delhi and Punjab, and further sold these to youths in the tricity.

The youth was produced before a court, which remanded him in two-day police custody. Some drug peddlers were also in touch with the accused and used to buy drugs from him. We are trying to identify them, said a police official.
Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

The first annual lecture of The Tribune National Security Forum delivered at the Golden Jubilee Hall of Panjab University here today was indeed an evening to remember. With the whos who of the region in attendance, the 19th Chief of Army Staff General VP Malik (retd) delivered an enlightening lecture on Defence at 70  National Security, Yesterday and Tomorrow to a houseful of retired Army generals and brigadiers, educationists and eminent journalists.

Prof Sardara Singh Johl, internationally acclaimed agriculture economist, policy adviser, Padma Bhushan awardee, and first Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), presided over the lecture.

Also present on the occasion were Dr Harish Khare, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group of Newspapers and Gurbachan Jagat, former Governor of Manipur, former Director General of Police and trustee of The Tribune Trust.

Addressing the gathering, Gen Malik emphasised that everyone in the country must work together. In any conflict, it is essential to achieve synergy through integration and jointness, he opined.

Reminiscing about his days when at the helm of affairs during the Kargil war and the role of media, Gen Malik said, I was happy and satisfied during the Kargil war. I got immense support from the media. No matter what was written or said, I have no complaints to make whatsoever. There were mistakes made by the Army and media but I would not question that.

Gen Malik said, Despite being the most dependable brand in the country, the military is no longer the prime choice of youngsters today. The quality of soldiering, if we continue like this, is on its way out in India. It will affect the morale and fighting spirit of the forces. Our political leadership must introspect and correct this aspect sooner than later. He exhorted the media to play a responsible and greater role in promoting thinking leadership. Editors, please do not remain behind your desks. Open up. In our country, leaders are required at all levels. Only then we can progress. You can be the catalysts of that progress, he insisted.

Prof Johl, while addressing the gathering, recalled days from his early career. He spoke at length about his association with The Tribune since the early 1960s. He appreciated The Tribunes efforts towards leading initiatives such as the lecture today and hoped that more would come along the way.

Quoting the founder of The Tribune Group of Newspapers, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, Dr Harish Khare said, In matters of religion, we should maintain a strictly neutral position. On social topics, our sympathies will be with gentle and cautious course of reforms.

He added that 135 years after this was said, I dont think anybody has been able to improve upon it but it is in this spirit that we thought we should begin some kind of a public interaction.

Gurbachan Jagat walked down the memory lane, reminiscing about his days at J&K, where he met Gen Malik and got acquainted with the human and professional in him.

The speeches and lecture was followed by an equally stimulating question and answer round, wherein members of the audience raised a number of questions with the panelists.

EXPRESSIONS

The first annual lecture of The Tribune National Security Forum was delivered at the Golden Jubilee Hall of Panjab University in Chandigarh on Saturday with the whos who of the region in attendance. Tribune reporter Charu Chhibber spoke to a cross-section of the audience that comprised highly decorated retired Army generals and brigadiers, educationists and eminent journalists.

It is a great initiative by The Tribune through which we came to know about the weaknesses of the defence and administrative structure. I would love to be a part of more such lectures and interactions.Ishwar Singh Duhan, former dig, itbp

It was a good lecture. I need to thank Dr Harish Khare for taking the initiative of raising the security issue, which has always been a sore arm. A very good point was raised that farmers along the border areas, who always help the forces, if they are not satisfied, can greatly impact national security.Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (retd), signals officer-in-chief at army headquarters

It was a very lucid talk delivered by Gen Malik. He covered most issues faced by India on the security front. He raised a very important point that there is lack of interface between the armed forced and the political class. Dr Johl said there is a clash of interests between the armed forces and economy, and I totally agree with him. We need to balance that out. Lt Gen RS Sujlana (retd), former commandant, ima & chairman, punjab public service commission

It was an excellent interactive session today. It was a great pleasure listening to one of the most knowledgeable soldiers of the country, Gen Malik. I hope other media houses, especially newspapers, take up this sort of an initiative and create a dialogue between the forces and politicians. Mandeep Bajwa, columnist

The discussion at The Tribune National Security Forum was about sensitising the general public about national security. Rather than delegating the concern just to the Army, we were encouraged to talk about the situation and ask for long-term solutions. Also, making policies around a long-term vision rather than piecemeal solutions was highlighted as the need of the hour. General Malik held fort like a true soldier and tackled the topic well. A great initiative by The Tribune and looking forward to many more.Vandana Saxena, principal, tribune model school

It was fascinating to get an insight into the state of the countrys national security from one of the countrys most distinguished Army Chiefs who has successfully fought a war. It is a good initiative taken by The Tribune.Atul Khanna, director, strawberry fields high school
Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 2

Panchkula residents were in for a rude shock as the administration decided to go completely cashless today without prior intimation. While Chandigarh wanted to become the first city to go cashless, Panchkula has taken the lead by implementing the move all of a sudden.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday asked all districts to go cashless within a week and train all employees in three days. Panchkula resorted to cashless transactions at the administrative office in Sector 1 today. People were asked to pay all kind of fees via credit/debit cards or mobile banking.

All fee at e-Disha and other offices, including those dealing in driving licence, vehicle registration, land registry and tehsil work, was paid only through the online mode such as debit/credit cards and mobile banking. Five point of sale machines, purchased from HDFC Bank, have been set up for the purpose. People who did not have a card were asked to pay cash to someone else in the line who, in turn, could pay for them through his card or mobile wallet.

Deputy Commissioner Garima Mittal said, Though the goal is to go completely cashless, we cannot refuse to accept cash as of now.

However, employees sitting at fee collection counters confirmed that they did not accept cash at all today. An employee said, People who did not have a card were told to pay cash to someone else in the line who could make the payment through a card. I did not accept any cash today.

Residents said while they were preparing for the move, its implementation all of a sudden came as a shock for them. Deepak, a resident, said, For bigger payments such as in the case of registries, it is a safer option, but enforcing it all of a sudden has left people harassed.

The administration has engaged banks, including HDFC Bank and the State Bank of Patiala, to hold camps at various places for opening accounts of people who do not have one. Residents welfare associations have also been asked to cooperate and facilitate such camps in their areas.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 2

Two days after vehicles were vandalised outside houses in Sectors 15, 21 and 22, the Chandigarh Police arrested two students of the PEC University of Technology in this connection. The police claimed that the accused were in an inebriated condition when they decided to take a joyride and broke windowpanes of cars for fun. Investigation revealed that over 10 vehicles were vandalised by them.

The cars of city Congress chief Pardeep Chhabra and Congress candidate for the MC poll Deipa Asdhir Dubey were also vandalised.

Inspector Maninder Singh, SHO of the Sector 19 police station, said since one of the car owners in Sector 21 had reported that the incident took place around 4 am, the police scrutinised the CCTV footage of cameras and zeroed in on one car.

The police then investigated and found that the car was owned by a Pacnhkula resident. A raid was conducted and the accused, Akshit Jakhar, was arrested and the car used in the crime impounded.

On Jakhars disclosure, the second accused, Ekant Sahni, a native of Gurdaspur, was also nabbed.

The police said both accused were BTech students.

Accused were tipsy

The accused consumed liquor and went to McDonalds, Zirakpur, to have food. The accused then came back to Chandigarh and broke the windowpanes of the cars.
Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

The war on corruption is like the 1962 war against China. We were unprepared then, we are unprepared now.

This was stated by Prof Sardara Singh Johl, internationally acclaimed agriculture economist, policy adviser, Padma Bhushan awardee and first Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), during the first annual lecture of The Tribune National Security Forum at Panjab University here today. He was presiding over the lecture, Defence at 70, delivered by General VP Malik (retd), 19th Chief of Army Staff.

Also present on the occasion were Dr Harish Khare, editor-in-chief, The Tribune Group of Newspapers, and Gurbachan Jagat, former Governor of Manipur, former director-general of police and a trustee of The Tribune Trust.

Elaborating upon the point, Professor Johl, who also holds the distinction of being the first senior officer in the NCC, Punjab, said: In 1962, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had made a mistake of ordering the Indian Army to throw out the Chinese without preparation for the attack. There was no logistics, no equipment, soldiers did not know where they were and as a result, we lost.

He said the war on corruption is similar. Before waging the war, we did not have sufficient currency, we did not take time to develop the logistics to deliver the currency.

Without adequate preparation and equipment, it is always a danger to start a war whether it is a monetary war or a war on the field, he opined. Professor Johl termed any war as a failure of political diplomacy.

He quoted General Malik and emphasised that the importance of working together and keeping the morale of the forces high were of utmost importance.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had given a very good solution to resolve the Pakistan problem. He said let us make the animosity between the two neighbours irrelevant by opening up the routes of business. Let people come and go. But unfortunately, we did not pursue that, said Professor Johl.

He added as an economist, his approach was to give due importance to diplomatic strength and to avoid war as much as possible.

There has to be coordination in diplomacy, only then can we be ready for war, said the Padma Bhushan awardee. He added that internal governance and security must be made very efficient because a nation that is internally strong is strong externally as well.

I hope better sense will dawn on the rulers of our nation. And Im glad that The Tribune has initiated the series, which promises to impact us and make us better than we are today, Professor Johl remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khare pointed out: National security is no longer the subject to be discussed, calibrated and bifurcated on by distinguished generals and diplomats. It is extremely relevant to each of us. He welcomed General Malik, Professor Johl and the gathering. Earlier, addressing the august gathering, Gurbachan Jagat introduced the key speaker of the evening, General Malik and Professor Johl.

He elaborated upon one of the biggest problems being faced by the country at the moment. The problem in J&K is to get all forces to work towards achieving a common objective. All forces, including the Indian Army, CRPF, ITBP, Home Guards and Volunteer Forces are deployed there. There are egos functioning at all levels. To break this is our prime duty.

He laid stress on the significance of the state, which he said was of paramount importance. He added that todays security situation and security demands were not limited to territory or to the disputes of that nature. Wars of tomorrow could be over water sharing or anything else. The economy of the country, its self-sufficiency and ability to last longer in harder times which war brings along, all these and more, Professor Johl will highlight, Jagat said.
ELBRIDGE  The man pulled unconscious from a burning Elbridge home on Thursday has died, his wife said Friday night.

Scott Dombroski was found by firefighters in his home at 980 Schapp Road and taken to the hospital suffering from severe smoke inhalation and burns to 20 percent of his body.

His wife, Diana Sleiertin, posted on Facebook Friday night that he has passed away. Among the messages she posted was one saying that Dombroski donated his eyes and tissues.

"I loved my Scott with all my heart and soul," Sleiertin wrote. "He will live on in my heart, and now through his gift to others."

Fire rescue crews found Dombroski, 43, on the second floor of the house, and he was transported via ambulance to University Hospital in Syracuse in critical condition.

The property is the location of MaxMan Reptile Rescue, which cares for exotic animals such as snakes and lizards and does education presentations throughout the region. Sleiertin said her reptiles had been killed and also the couple's dog Diesel and cat Salem.

"My husband, my hero, tried to put out the fire and save our animals," Sleiertin wrote.

The home is owned by Robert Sleiertin of Rhode Island. Diana Sleiertin operates the reptile rescue.

She and Dombroski met in 2011 when Sleiertin visited a haunted house in Clay run by Dombroski and his family. They were married at a Fulton haunted house on Halloween in 2015.

New York State Police and Onondaga County Fire Investigator Ron Ryan are investigating the fire.
By Karishma Kuenzang: Combining their passion for theatre, actors Vidushi Mehra and Samar Sarila are bringing an adaptation of David Hares iconic 1995 play, Skylight for the Delhi audience. Directed by Deepa Dharmadhikari, the play starts off as a conversation between two former lovers schoolteacher Kyra Hollis and restaurateur Tom Sergeant during an unexpected reunion after a gap of three to four years. Mehra, who plays Kaira, says, Kairas relationship with Tom is akin to that of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman on some levels a young woman meets this charming, charismatic older man, and is attracted to all of it, including the power and money.??

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The play begins when Tom walks into Kairas house, when she has completely moved on in life. Their conversations, which leads them to talk about their opposing ideologies, gives the audience a peek into current societal norms and politics.

The play is relevant in the society we live today,?? says Mehra. It touches upon topics like politics, class, caste, the difference between men and women, who runs the society and who should run the society.

Kaira is self-righteous, independent and also a little stupid, as she takes her level of emancipation to another level. She wants to prove to Tom that she doesnt need him.??

The self-funded play saw Mehra and Sarila get the act together from scratch. After Sarila got the script, and they got the rights from London, the two decided on the director. I wanted to do the play three years ago,?? adds Mehra, but the production fell through. Recently, Samar got in touch and suggested we produce and act in a play together, and we decided upon Skylight.??

The play will be staged at Oddbird Theatre & Foundation, ChatActors Danish Sood, Vidushi Mehra and Samar Sarila tarpur on December 7-9; 8 pm

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, December 3

Ishwar Singh, member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSCs), said today that the authorities were being negligent in redressing the infrastructural development of Kurukshetra.

A city resident and former Rajya Sabha, Ishwar Singh said without air connectivity, Kurukshetra could not be developed as a destination for international tourism.

He said an airport would further fulfil requirements of the adjoining Karnal district, a hub of several national research institutes where foreign delegates visited frequently.

He said the Centre had earmarked a budget of Rs 97 crore to develop four ancient religious sites, but key infrastructure development issues in the city remained untouched in the plan.

Illegal encroachments and poor traffic management were among the major eyesore in the city.

Three railway crossings lead to traffic chaos and the city requires underpass or over bridges. Transport system with modern amenities is a must to attract visitors, said the member.

A former member of the stand committee of the Railways Ministry, he said the Centre in 2012 had announced to equip the local railway station with all modern amenities.

But there was no development on the proposal.

Similarly, a plan to construct a shopping mall near the railway station has been pending. It was proposed to sell products at highly competitive prices to the visitors on their arrival in the city, he added.

DG Health inspects Civil Hospital

Kurukshetra: Ahead of the Presidents visit, newly appointed Director General, Health Services, Dr Praveen Garg inspected Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Civil Hospital here on Saturday. He also took stock of medical care arrangements as hundreds of visitors are coming to the city to attend International Gita Mahotsav at Brahma Sarovar. Garg held a meeting with doctors and directed them to remain alert to handle any emergency situation. Later, the DG briefed mediapersons that the department would intensify its campaign against female foeticide. He lauded the role of the health authorities in various districts for acting effectively against any complaint of unscrupulous elements indulged in gender determination of foetus.
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

Details of another witness in the Murthal rape case and his statement today surfaced in the Punjab and Haryana High Court during the hearing of the case, prompting the amicus curiae or the friend of the court to say it was virtually impossible for the state to drop rape charges with such evidence coming out in the open.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, witness Raj Kumars statement came to the Judges notice after a damning report by an Additional Sessions Judge hearing the case in Sonepat was placed before the Division Bench of Justices SS Saron and Arun Palli.

The statement was recorded on April 15, but never given prominence in the High Court by the special investigating team constituted to probe the case. Reacting to the developments, amicus Anupam Gupta lashed out at the investigating agency, blaming it for keeping the court in the dark about his statement.

The witness, Raj Kumar, in his statement before the police under Section 161 of the CrPC, said he was travelling in his car on February 22 on the Delhi-Kurukshetra stretch. At about 2.30 am, he saw between 10 and 15 boys burning and damaging cars.

He also saw three or four boys dragging a girl from her hair and arm near a car ahead of his vehicle to bushes near Sukhdev dhaba. All the while she was screaming for help. Raj Kumar added that he would be in a position to show the cops the bushes in case he was taken to the spot.

Referring to his statement, Gupta said Raj Kumar had almost reiterated his earlier statement before the police. Gupta added that his claims were similar to the one made by another traveller-witness Bobby Joshi, yet his statement was not given due prominence in the High Court.

Joshi had alleged, on the basis of his conversation with two Ludhiana women, that girls were forcibly taken to the fields. An FIR in the matter was registered subsequently on March 30 after the Haryana Police was admonished by the High Court for its inaction. The offence under Section 376-D of the Indian Penal Code for gang rape was added later on.

A tale of lies

Haryanas claims that the web portal story on Murthal rape was a tale of lies has come under a cloud. An Additional Sessions Judge hearing the case has asserted that prosecution witness Tariq Anwars statement recorded under Section 161 of the CrPC revealed that he had been threatened by higher police officers.

The Judge had stated that it appeared that no scientific or professional investigation had been done to go deep into the matter.

The Judge had said vital clues to trace the prosecutrix were ignored and no sincere effort put to reach the prosecutrix or victim. It could safely be said the investigation had been done in a hush up manner and was just an eyewash.

About 10 months after journalist Anwar recorded conversation with an alleged victims mother before carrying the report, the High Court was told on Saturday that he had admitted fabricating evidence in his statement recorded before the magistrate.

The states claim had led to a demand by the amicus for prosecuting the journalist for creating evidence. Appearing for Haryana, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta claimed that the voice was of Anwars sister-in-law. Voice sampling had confirmed it.

Amicus Anupam Gupta said the journalist did not enjoy any special privilege or immunity and the state might consider his prosecution.

Mehta, on a previous date of hearing, had claimed that the former web portal journalist was not cooperating despite repeated requests by the SIT incharge.

Meanwhile, another story of an Australian woman being raped is turning out to be a product of imagination. Its authors statement, too, had been recorded before the magistrate.
Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rewari, December 3

Former minister and senior Congress leader Capt Ajay Yadav has suffered a major setback in the Youth Congress elections, as his supporters faced defeat on all top posts, including president of the district and Assembly units, in Rewari, his home district.

Supporters of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda have romped victories on the posts of the district president and chief of all three Assembly segments  Kosli, Rewari and Bawal  in the elections. The election results were declared yesterday, while the polling was conducted for three days from November 29 to December 1.

Vipin Panwar won the election to the Rewari district president, while Sanjay Bhala, Ajay Rao and Pawan Yadav have been elected for the post of president for the Kosli, Rewari and Bawal units, respectively. All three winning candidates are Hooda supporters.

Mukesh Rai, returning officer (RO), said Panwar defeated his nearest candidate Praveen Kumar by 33 votes in the election of the district president. Panwar polled 1,296 votes, while Praveen got 1,263 votes.

Pawan Yadav defeated his nearest candidate Pramila Devi by 118 votes from Bawal, Ajay Rao won the election by 261 votes from Rewari and Sanjay Bhala romped home with 336 votes from the Kosli Assembly segment, said Rai. Panwar said the winning candidates from Rewari would soon call on Hooda in Delhi to celebrate their victory.

Meanwhile, Capt Yadav blamed senior Congress leaders of the region and use of money for the defeat of his candidates in the elections. He said a former minister and CPS openly sought votes for Hoodas supporters during the elections while they were not allowed for the same as per the party constitution.

Chiranjeev Rao, candidate for the State Youth Congress president post and son of Capt Yadav, said they had filed a complaint against such senior Congress leaders with the party high command for participating in the elections and demanded appropriate action into the matter.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

With a view to providing water to the southern regions of the state, the Haryana Government has decided to remodel and increase the capacity of Bhalaut and Jhajjar sub-branches of the Western Yamuna Canal.

An official spokesman said the proposed project was a part of the vision of Chief Minister Manohar Lall Khattar for ensuring water security to the National Capital Region, and particularly to Delhi.

He said the project to increase the capacity of Bhalaut and Jhajjar sub branches would ensure utilisation of water of river Yamuna during monsoon by carrying it to southern Haryana for irrigation and recharging of ground water. For this purpose, it has been proposed to increase the capacity of Bhalaut sub-branch from 2,052 cusecs to 2,596 cusecs at head, which would be carried further through Jhajjar sub-branch, he added.
Kullu, December 3

Mandi MP Ram Swaroop Sharma said he had met the Finance Minister in Delhi yesterday seeking permission for cash withdrawal in case of natural calamities or emergencies. He, along with state BJP general secretary Ram Singh, took stock of the situation at fire-ravaged Gahar village in Naggar today. Eight houses were gutted and one partially burnt, rendering 22 families homeless.

The MP also met a bank manager to discuss ways for providing relief to victims. He accused the state government of not utilising the funds provided by the Central Government. The MP announced to provide Rs 5 lakh as relief to the victims. He assured the villagers that all possible help would be extended for their rehabilitation. The fire victims asked for relief to re-construct their houses. They said there was no water tank in the village.  OC
Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 3

The core group, comprising senior leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP, has asked BJP ministers in the coalition to improve their image among the masses and pursue nationalist agenda in the government to revive shattered confidence of the cadre. The core group, which was constituted a year back to review functioning of the PDP-BJP government, met today in New Delhi to discuss prevailing political situation in the state.

The core group comprised BJPs national general secretaries Ram Lal and Ram Madhav, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, state BJP president Sat Sharma, state general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul and RSS leaders Arun Kumar, Ramesh Pappa and Parshotam Dedechi.

Although BJP leaders claimed that the meeting was a routine interaction to discuss organisational matters, it was significant in the sense that party ministers in the coalition were facing allegations of mis-deeds and corruption. Furthermore, the Deputy Chief Minister is facing criticism from the Congress for giving an insensitive statement during the Nagrota terror attack.

Highly placed sources said the three-hour meeting reviewed performance of the state government. The Deputy Chief Minister briefed the core group about various steps taken by the party ministers, the sources said, adding that he informed the meeting about steps taken by the state government to deal with the situation which emerged after elimination of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani. He tried to convince the core group that state government had taken effective steps to deal anti-national forces in the state.

The sources said the core group appeared to be not satisfied with the performance of BJP ministers in the government. The group, the sources said, mentioned that some incidents had badly dented image of the party ministers in the coalition, who have failed to come up to the expectations of the people in general and party cadre in particular.

The sources said after todays meeting, Madhav was likely to postpone his visit to Jammu. After getting clarification from the top state leadership about recent incidents, Madhav may reschedule his visit, the sources said.
Kolkata, December 2

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee left the state Secretariat on Friday evening after staying put overnight to protest the alleged Army deployment in the state and threatened to explore legal options if the Army was not withdrawn.

Before leaving the seat of power Nabanna in neighbouring Howrah district, she said the Army was deployed at toll plazas while keeping her government in the dark.

Edit: Perils of overreaction

We have never seen such arrogance (by the Centre). If the Army is not withdrawn, we will explore legal options, she said, alleging the Army was being used for political vendetta. Denying the charges, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and the Armys Eastern Command claimed it was a routine annual exercise to assess the availability of load carriers at major entry points in states.

The TMC supremo claimed the Army had informed the police about the exercise only for one spot  the toll plaza of Vidyasagar Setu near Nabanna.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The police did not permit them to conduct such an exercise. They did not give any intimation for other places where they undertook the exercise, she said.

The Chief Minister said such exercises were not conducted in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. It was done in Bengal because we have been raising our voice for the people of India, she claimed.

Demanding to know whether a military coup had taken place, she said: The motive is political, vindictive, unconstitutional, unethical and undemocratic.

She spent the night at the Secretariat, demanding withdrawal of the Army from the second Hooghly Bridge toll plaza, about 500 m from Nabanna.

Shortly after midnight, the Eastern Command said the Army had been asked to withdraw from the toll plaza near Nabanna as it had already collected the required data.

Denying Mamata's charges, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar and the Eastern Command of the Army claimed it was a routine annual data collection exercise carried out to assess the availability of load carriers at all major entry points in various states.

General Officer Commanding Bengal area (officiating) Maj Gen. Sunil Yadav said the exercise was conducted with full knowledge and coordination with the local police.  TNS
Guwahati, December 3

An Assam Rifles jawan was killed while nine others were injured when armed militants ambushed a convoy at Wakka village in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh today. The attack, suspected to have been carried out by militants belonging to the banned Naga outfit NSCN-K, took place near the Indo-Myanmar border.

Sources said the injured personnel were airlifted to the Army base hospital in Dinjan in eastern Assam. Troops have launched a combing operation. We believe it to be handiwork of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang militants who have some presence in Tirap district, a defence spokesman said.

It was the third attack on security personnel in the area close to the border in the past 15 days. On November 19, a combined team of the NSCN-K and the United Liberation Front of Assam had carried out an ambush on Army personnel in Tinsukia district, killing three soldiers.

On November 26, the United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia ambushed a group of 21 Para commandos in Manipur, injuring five.  TNS/IANS
Islamabad, December 3

In a last-minute change in schedule, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz will leave for Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, an official said here, citing "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday" as the reason.

Aziz, Pakistani Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs, is visiting India for global "Heart of Asia" conference on Afghanistan.

"He (Aziz) is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS.

Zakaria also said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

The Heart of Asia ministerial conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the sidelines of the event.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

The Pakistani government decided to attend the conference this year despite a deep freeze in ties with India.

Pakistan's decision came even though New Delhi had scuttled the Saarc summit that Islamabad was to host in November 2016.

There is suspense if India and Pakistan will use the avenue to engage in bilateral talks. However, spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, has ruled it out.

"Talks cannot happen in a climate of continued terrorism. India will never accept continued terrorism as the new normal of the bilateral relationship," Swarup said on Friday.  IANS
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 3

Sartaj Aziz, Pakistans de facto foreign minister, landed in Amritsar a day ahead of schedule on Saturday to attend the global Heart of Asia (HOA) conference on Afghanistan, apparently because of uncertain weather forecast. On arrival, he sent a bouquet and get-well-soon wishes to the ailing External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Hours later, Aziz along with foreign ministers of four countries called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who told them that it was important to end terrorism and violence for fostering stability in Afghanistan and the region.

In the run-up to the conference, Pakistan had pushed for resumption of talks with statements by Aziz and Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit to that effect. India, on the other hand, has stuck to its stand of not engaging in a dialogue with Pakistan as long as cross-border terrorism persists.

Azizs visit here is the first high-level visit from Pakistan since December last year. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had then attended the HOA conference in Islamabad and both sides had announced resumption of a comprehensive bilateral dialogue which, of course, never took off.

Neeraj Bagga adds from Amritsar: Senior officials of several countries today prepared a draft Amritsar Declaration to be released during the HOA conference. Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani are to jointly inaugurate the conference tomorrow.

The six key areas on which the participating countries are focusing are disaster management, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, trade and investment, regional infrastructure and education.

With Afghanistan facing a resurgent Taliban, officials of major regional and global powers explored ways to effectively deal with terrorism and its complex security matrix. They also discussed enhancing Afghanistans connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade. The meeting was co-chaired by Indias Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

Both India and Afghanistan are likely to corner Pakistan on terror emanating from its soil and may press for a counter-terror framework. The conference is taking place amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan.
By PTI: Kolkata, Dec 3 (PTI) With West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi virtually snubbing Chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her statements on the deployment of Army at toll plazas, the ruling Trinamool Congress today expressed unhappiness over his remarks and said "perhaps he is representing a particular political party".

"No Governor should make such comment against any state government or Chief Minister. We never made any remarks on our Governor, but we are very sad to make this comment today," TMC secretary general and minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters here.

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Chatterjee, who led an eight-member party delegation to Raj Bhavan, told mediapersons after meeting the Governor, "We asked him on what basis he made this remark".

"I said this on the basis of what I have been informed by the Army," the TMC leader quoted the Governor as saying.

"Perhaps he is representing a particular political party. Both the Centre and Governor playing this dirty game making Army as their shield. This is most unfortunate," Chatterjee said.

He also said that they had submitted a memorandum protesting against the Centres role on this issue and the way the Army was being misused.

"We have highest regard for the Army. We give due respect to them. If they are used for political purpose, we must object. It is very sad the Army is being used by the Centre to counter us," Chatterjee regretted.

He said the Governor assured the delegation to send the memorandum to the Centre and let them know about their response.

Earlier in the day, the Governor said, "Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like Army. Dont let down the army. Dont defame the army".

Chatterjee said, "Whatever the Centre is doing with us is undemocratic and it is taking all of us towards destruction".

The presence of Army personnel at toll plazas had triggered a row with Banerjee questioning if it was an "Army coup", drawing a stinging condemnation from the Centre which said the remark showed her "political frustration".

Banerjee had claimed that the Army personnel were taking money from the vehicles which they are not supposed to do. PTI AKB SUN NN RG

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New Delhi, December 2

Central Bureau of Investigations Additional Director Rakesh Asthana was today named the agencys interim Director, replacing incumbent Anil Sinha, whose tenure ended on Friday.

Asthana, a 1984 Gujarat-cadre officer, was appointed as CBI Additional Director General in April.

A key investigator in the multi-crore fodder scam, Asthana, as Superintendent of Police (CBI), Dhanbad, had arrested then Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad in 1997.

Asthana, who has been Commissioner of Police in Vadodara and Surat, headed a special investigation team (SIT) that probed the burning of Sabarmati Express in which 59 persons were burnt to death near the Godhra railway station in February 2002.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He also headed a SIT probing the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal and the alleged loan fraud by former liquor baron Vijay Mallya.  TNS
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 3

Nearly a month since the governments demonetisation drive, the citys Industrial Estate, Industrial Focal Point and several other areas are witnessing signs of cash stress not seen by most industrialists before.

Industrial production in bicycle and bicycle parts, hosiery, hand tools and the auto component industry is down by 50-70 per cent. Consequently, labour is being laid off in large numbers.

Migrant labourers pack their bags, courtesy demonetisation

Amritsar:

Construction workers, painters out of job

Move on currency hits rural economy hard, labour denied payments

The workers are either thronging labour mandis in search of minor contractual jobs or returning home. The labour rush at the railway station and the bus halt near Sangeet Cinema in the Industrial Area is proof.

On Friday, leading bicycle manufacturer Seth Industrial Corporation laid off 700 daily-wagers. The situation is grim. I have cut down production by 70 per cent. There are no buyers and no backflow of money from retail sales. My monthly salary bill is Rs 1 crore. The government allows me to withdraw only Rs 50,000 a week, which translates into Rs 2 lakh a month. It is a hassle to even get this amount. The labourers wont accept old currency notes. So, we have no option but to relieve the labour employed on a temporary basis, says KK Seth, owner of the corporation and chairman, Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisations.

SC Ralhan, a prominent hand-tool manufacturer, says they cant force the labourers to open bank accounts. Sixty per cent of the workforce is illiterate and does not want to open accounts. Since no money is available and labour unrest is simmering, many units are relieving the daily-wagers. For those retained to keep the production going, we are making arrangements for ration on credit, he says. Estimates show that the bicycle industry and the steel industry have cut down production by 70%, the hosiery and textile by almost 60% and the hand tools and auto parts by 40%. With salaries to be paid on the seventh, the industry is quickly relieving temporary employees.

Known for its resilience  be it post the economic meltdown of 2008 or the flight of industry to tax-exempt hill states  the cash crunch may either see a new business model taking shape, with all transactions accounted for, or it may simply herald the demise of thousands of medium, small and mini enterprises (MSMEs).

Badish Jindal, president of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association, says small industries with a turnover of less than Rs 10 lakh were working through cash transactions and have now been forced to shut shop. Narinder Miglani, who is in hosiery business, says 70-80% of production has been cut in 13,000 hosiery units as there are no fresh orders.
Amritsar, December 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday evening and is scheduled to meet Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on bilateral issues before the Sunday inauguration of ministerial deliberations of a peace meet on Afghanistan, an official said.

Ghani also arrived in the holy city in Punjab later in the evening for participation in the international endeavour for peace and stability in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

#WATCH : PM Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. pic.twitter.com/UtWfhw96ly  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz also reached Amritsar on Saturday evening.

Modi and Ghani will on Sunday jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which will see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries, a Ministry of External Affairs official told IANS.

Modi and Ghani will hold bilateral talks before the joint inauguration.

The Prime Minister was received on his arrival in the holy city by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State V.K. Singh.

Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference later paid obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple.

"This evening, I will have the honour of praying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is always special to visit the Golden Temple," Modi said earlier in a tweet.

In a last minute change in schedule, Pakistan's Sartaj Aziz arrived in Amritsar on Saturday evening. An official in Islamabad earlier attributed the change in his travel schedule to "uncertain weather forecast for Sunday".

The Pakistan top diplomat was originally scheduled to arrive here on Sunday for the conference and was supposed to return home the same day.

Officials said any formal dialogue on the sidelines of the conference between India and Pakistan was unlikely.

The Heart of Asia conference began in Amritsar on Saturday amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, triggering speculation on whether the two countries will engage in bilateral talks on the event's sidelines.

Aziz is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.

Organisers of the summit, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

India is hosting the Heart of Asia conference, sixth in the series, for the first time.

Modi and Ghani also attended the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Badal for visiting dignitaries at the state government's ambitious heritage village project 'Sadda Pind', or our village, on the outskirts of the holy city.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, while the host country is the co-chair.

India says a basket of six confidence-building measures would be discussed during the conference.

With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India at the ministerial conference.  IANS
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2

Aimed at countering a growing Chinese submarine fleet, India is reviewing its submarine action plan with an immediate target of having 22 underwater vessels by 2021-22.

The Navy is also looking at a new fighter jet for its aircraft carriers. It has found the naval version of the light combat aircraft (LCA)  presently being inducted by the IAF  not powerful enough to takeoff from the short runaway of the aircraft carriers.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, said: We would sort out the void of submarines by 2021-22 when the fleet will have 22 vessels. We are studying the long-term maritime capability plan and this review shall include submarines, Admiral Lanba said.

The present plan to make 24 submarines by 2030 has not been enough as the first sub under the plan  the Kalvari  is slated to be commissioned early next year. India currently has 14 submarines: nine Kilo-class (EKMs), four German-designed HDWs (SSKs) and one Akula class nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) on a 10-year lease from Russia (since 2012).

In comparison, China is rapidly expanding its submarine fleet. The US Department of Defence, in its annual report to the US Congress, spells out the rise of Chinas submarine fleet. The report, Military and security developments involving the Peoples Republic of China 2016, says: The Peoples Liberation Army Navy places a high priority on the modernisation of its submarine force and presently possesses 61 vessels. By 2020, this force will likely grow to between 69 and 78 submarines.

On the LCA Tejas, the Admiral said: It is not yet up to the mark, and the Navy is looking for a temporary replacement jet to launch off the carriers. The Navy will continue to back the DRDO on Tejas development. The naval version of the LCA is heavier. When fully loaded, it does not have the required engine thrust, the Navy Chief said. The available runaway on aircraft carriers is 250-275 m. At the moment, MiG-29K would operate from INS Vikrant, but another fighter jet would be required within the next five years.
Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2

Standoff over demonetisation in Parliament continued today with the Opposition stalling proceedings in both Houses resulting in truncated business and their eventual adjournments for the day.

The Opposition parties decided to throw the gauntlet to the government for a debate on demonetisation in the Lok Sabha on Monday on the condition of voting under any Rule the Speaker thought fit. Earlier, it wanted debate under a certain Rule.

This is to shed the public perception that they were shying away from a debate with the government on the issue. The Lok Sabha witnessed a ruckus immediately after the proceedings commenced by way of Speaker making obituary reference to the victims of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. Congress Mallikarjun Kharge urged the Chair for an obituary reference also to those who have died in queues outside banks for currency notes.

The Opposition members, including the Congress, TMC, Left and the RJD, trooped into the well sloganeering during the question hour. With requests from the Chair against it going unheeded, the House was adjourned midway. They were demanding the presence of Prime Minister Modi in the House.

The Speaker finally adjourned the House for the second time during the day when the Opposition continued with the din when it reassembled during Zero Hour. A similar scene was witnessed in the Rajya Sabha which faced two adjournments, including for the day.
Lucknow, December 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged the poor, who have parked the black money of the rich in their Jan Dhan accounts, not to return the amount to the original owners.

Addressing the fourth Parivartan Rally at Moradabad, the PM said, I am applying my mind to work out a way in which such people will go to jail and the money can remain in your account... The rich will line up outside your house but do not give them back their black money.

If they persist, threaten them that you will write to Modi or ask them to furnish proof that the money in your account belongs to them.

Once again turning his focus on demonetisation, Modi said for the first time the rich and the resourceful had queued up outside the houses of the poor, appealing to them to deposit their ill-gotten wealth in their accounts.

Modi warned those hurt by the decision trying to provoke the poor against him, saying he was committed to eradicating corruption and poverty by using the recovered black money for the welfare of the poor.

He claimed to be heading the first government in independent India which was accountable to the people for every paisa spent. He said many a government had made proclamations from the Red Fort, but it was his government that had fulfilled these.

Referring to the hardship being faced by the people, he reminded them of the queues for kerosene, wheat, sugar and other essentials in which they had stood for years. The queues outside banks will be the last in India, he promised.

The PM said it was an irony that in Moradabad there were 1,000 villages without electricity here, of which 950 had now been electrified.  TNS
Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 3

Two days after they issued a 48-hour ultimatum to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to remove 59 of the 93 candidates announced so far, party volunteers from 59 constituencies today declared that they would constitute an alternative front of disillusioned volunteers to raise their voice against the partys policies.

While four committees were formed by the volunteers today  Grievances Committee, Political Affairs, Committee, Campaign Committee and Fundraising Committee  they also announced to hold Volunteer Milap March across four cities at Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, Anandpur Sahib and Patiala against AAP in the coming days.

While rebellion was witnessed in some constituencies ever since the recent ticket distribution began, volunteers led by Harinder Singh Zeera today alleged that volunteers and ticket hopefuls had been asked to pool in money for party activities, but were later sidelined.

Zeera said, The process to form the front has begun. We also have the support of suspended AAP MPs Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Khalsa and ousted leader Jassi Jasraj. Sucha Singh Chhotepurs APP is also welcome to join us or form an alliance. We may float our own candidates from the 59 contentious seats.

They also burnt an effigy of Kejriwal later in the day.

Amarjit Singh Khalsa, circle coordinator, Kartarpur, said, A day before Chandan Grewal was chosen as the candidate for Kartarpur, assurances of Vinod Modis candidature were given. We were also asked to put in our money. I have spent a substantial amount, and that was just for the party as I cant contest, being a general candidate. But finally a surprise candidate made it.
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2

India and Afghanistan are expected to come together and take a joint stand against terrorism, and further push for mechanisms that can deal with the menace in the region during the Heart of Asia (HOA) Conference beginning on Saturday in Amritsar.

Afghanistan will also push for the regional counter-terrorism framework that has been drafted by Kabul to be adopted at the conference.

The aim for both India and Afghanistan will be to try and convince other nations in isolating the one country in the neighbourhood that uses terror as an instrument of state policy.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The main conference on Sunday will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. However, the presence of Sartaj Aziz, Pakistans de facto foreign minister, at the conference will ensure the attention stays very much on the India-Pakistan tensions.

While there is no formal structured bilateral planned between India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the conference, an informal meeting remains a possibility. So while the primary aim of the conference is to discuss the security and economic aspects of cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours, the sidelines will be dominated by the usual India-Pakistan narrative.

Pakistan, over the course of the last week, has made a number of public statements expressing its willingness to resume a dialogue with India. There has been no formal request for a bilateral from either side. India, in the meantime, keeping in with the domestic sentiments has hardened its stand and reiterated over the last few days that terror and talks cannot go together.

At last years HOA conference in Islamabad, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with Aziz and the two announced resumption of a comprehensive dialogue between the two countries. Since then, relations have seen a continuous downward slide starting with the Pathankot attacks.

Some of the topics that will be deliberated at the conference include the Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project and TAPI (Turkmenistan Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project.

India is the co-chair and host this time and Afghanistan is the permanent chair of the conference. The Amritsar conference will see representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates in participation.
Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 2

The Air India has geared up for operating its maiden flight between Bathinda and Delhi for three days a week taking off from December 11.

Flights between Bathinda and Delhi have become a reality now with the Air India releasing its flight schedule. Deputy CM Sukbhir Badal had announced in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 25 that the Bathinda-Delhi flight would be operational on December 11. He had also exhorted Modi to inaugurate the flight.

The Bathinda airport has virtually remained a non-starter for four years as no airline showed interest in starting flights from a city which was not an industrial or business hub and where business potential for airlines was seemingly bleak.

The Air India will be operating three flights to Bathinda every week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

The 70-seater ATR-72 aircraft of the Air India will depart from New Delhi at 7.35 am and it will arrive in Bathinda at 9.5 am. The same flight will depart from Bathinda for New Delhi after half an hour at 9.35 am and will land at the New Delhi airport at 11.5 am, said RK Negi, Chandigarh Airport manager of Air India while talking to The Tribune.

Asked about the airfare for one way or the two-way trip between Bathinda and New Delhi, Negi said the airline management had not opened the bookings for the flight as yet. Bookings will be opening soon, he said.

He said staff has been rushed to Bathinda from Amritsar and other airports for ensuring smooth flight operations and to make arrangements for the December 11 maiden Bathinda-New Delhi flight of the Air India.
By Vidya : Despite of all the tall promises made by the Maharashtra government to encourage cashless travelling, not a single toll plaza around the country's financial capital Mumbai were ready to accept cards or indulged in mobile wallet payment options on the first day after toll collection resumed on since PM Modi's decisions relating to the ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.

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Toll fee collection on national highways had been suspended until midnight of December 2 due to the confusion and disruption resulting from the sudden scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. However, at the stroke of midnight on Saturday (December 3), the toll collection services on all the national highways resumed.

READ| You will have to pay toll on highways starting December 3

"Swipe card and other options are under process but it will take time. How much time that we can't say," said the supervisor at Mulund toll booth.

Sagar, a commuter who was travelling from Mumbai to Thane said, "I had my last Rs 100 note which I had to give away because these people are not ready with debit/ credit cards. I actually wanted to buy a monthly pass for seamless travel across Thane and Mumbai but since these people do not have swipe machines I will have to give all that amount in cash which I don't have."

Another commuter Ganesh Kadam said, "First you stand in long cues to withdraw cash from bank then you pay these people at toll".

READ| Post-demonetisation: Hyderabad post offices become centres of corruption

The worst hit in this cash crunch are the truckers. Durgesh who was travelling from Mumbai to Thane in his truck had one single Rs 2000 note which he offered at the Mulund toll booth. While the toll attendant cribbed about it he gave him the change which included an old Rs 500 note. After Durgesh protested the toll attendants threatened him for holding up the traffic and he had to move ahead.

Similar situations were seen at Mumbra and other toll booths from around Mumbai and Thane city were plastic money was not accepted and transaction happened only in hard cash. Some lucky ones who only had Rs 2000 notes were asked to go ahead without having to pay as well. Early in the morning, with not too many people travelling out, toll booths did not see long queues of vehicles either.

READ| Demonetisation: Petrol pumps to accept old Rs 500 notes till December 2

Two hoots to demonetisation: New notes worth Rs 4 crore seized in Bengaluru

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Demonetisation to help m-commerce in India: Report

--- ENDS ---
Chandigarh, December 3

The BSF has foiled a cross-border intrusion bid after its troopers shot down a suspect at Dhinda post in Pathankot district of Punjab.

BSF personnel shot the intruder dead on Friday night after he came close to the border fencing in Bamiyal area, a police official posted in Pathankot said on Saturday.

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Meanwhile, a massive search operation was launched yesterday by Punjab Police, Himachal Pradesh Police and Army in Pathankot after a local resident claimed to have spotted four to five armed men roaming around suspiciously.

As many as 250 security personnel, including SWAT commandos, were deployed in the search operation in the hilly areas located on the border of Punjab and HP.

Pathankot had seen a major terror attack in January this year when heavily-armed terrorists who had sneaked in from across the border attacked an air base.

On July 27 last year, Dinanagar in Punjabs Gurdaspur was also targeted by terrorists.  PTI
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 3

The Congress Election Committee, headed by party chief Sonia Gandhi, met for the first time today regarding the Punjab elections. The deliberations will continue on December 8.

Congress sources said the meeting was preliminary and no specifics on seat allocation or candidates were discussed. The talks focused on the political situation of Punjab, the state of preparedness of rival parties (AAP and SAD-BJP) and the assessment of the Congress vis-a-vis the adversaries, a leader privy to the developments said.

The panel comprising Sonia Gandhi, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior leaders also discussed the newcomers to the Congress and how their entry would play out within the party structure. Indications are that the Congress may eventually field Pargat Singh, Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Inderbir Bolaria from their current Assembly segments and adjust the party hopefuls in other places. The Tribune has learnt that Rahul Gandhi is not happy with the induction of former Akali minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur.

Senior leaders such as Manish Tewari and Manpreet Badal are likely to get the seats they are seeking  Ludhiana East and Bathinda Urban, respectively.

It is learnt that the Congress is not in a hurry to declare the candidates, considering that the Election Commission is yet to notify the poll. There is still time, a source said.

Sonias political adviser Ahmed Patel, estranged Congress leader ML Fotedar and senior leader Mohsina Kidwai did not attend the meeting of the 13-member panel.
Chandigarh, December 3

Nabha jailbreak case escapee Kulpreet Singh Deol alias Neeta Deol has not been arrested so far, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was told. Taking a note of the assertion, Justice MMS Bedi called for a fresh status report on December 19.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, an affidavit by Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh Chauhan was placed on record. It said he has neither been arrested nor detained by the police authorities. Rather, he was still absconding.

The information came after Deols father moved the High Court for protection.

In his petition argued by SPS Sidhu, Surjit Singh had sought issuance of direction to the State of Punjab and other respondents to provide protection to him and his son.

Directions were also sought for ordering a thorough probe into the case.

Surjit Singh also expressed apprehension that his son might be killed in a fake encounter.

Harminder Singh Mintoo, Kashmir Singh, Amandeep Dhothian, Vicky Gounder, Gurpreet Sekhon and Kulpreet were freed by a group of armed men. They had stormed the high security jail at Nabha in Patiala district on Sunday.  TNS
Amritsar, December 3

#WATCH : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Amritsar for sixth ministerial #HeartofAsia conference. pic.twitter.com/3dj3vPgUDy  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

As Afghanistan faces the resurgence of Taliban, a conference of major regional and global powers began on Saturday in this holy city to explore ways to effectively deal with threat of terrorism in the region, its complex security matrix and help the war-ravaged nation in its transition.

Being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived in the city later in the evening.

On Saturday, senior officials of all 14 countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations were deliberating on a vast range of issues facing the region, including its complex security scenario and dealing with threat of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistans connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were being discussed at the senior officials meeting which was co-chaired by Indias Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

The meeting is finalising the text for Sundays Ministerial Conference and is also deliberating on its Declaration which will have substantial portion on terrorism.

The ministerial conference will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

The annual conference is taking place amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the audacious terror attack on Nagrota army base and there was no clarity on an Indo-Pak bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conclave.

India had already made it clear that it would never accept continuing cross-border terrorism as the new normal in bilateral ties with Pakistan while making it clear that talks could not take place in an atmosphere of continued terror.

At the senior officials meeting, Afghanistan, which has also been facing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistan, pushed for a regional counter-terror framework.

Ahead of the conference, both India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the greatest threat to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at Sundays deliberations.

The conference, whose theme is security and prosperity, will also deliberate on major connectivity initiatives, including Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project.

There may be deliberations on TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The platform was floated to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US.

Amritsar, which is not very far from the Indo-Pak border, has been brought under a heavy security cover in view of the conference, a major international event being hosted by the city for the first time in many years. PTI
GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 3

At a time when Amritsar hosts the Heart of Asia conference, a mother appeals for early release of her son who is lodged in the Pakistan jail.

Mumbai-based Fauzia Ansari and her husband Nehal Ansari reached Amritsar with the intervention of Folklore Research Academys president Ramesh Yadav, seeking appointment with Pakistan PMs Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz, who reached here today to take part in the conference.

Fauzia, a lecturer in a junior college in Mumbai, carried a placard saying  Hon Aziz Saheb You are on a peace mission. Let mother meet her son.

Though there is no official confirmation of the meeting with Aziz so far, they stood outside the venue with these placards.

On November 4, 2012, IT engineer and MBA Hamid Nehal Ansari (32) had gone to Afghanistan on a tourist visa. Three days before his return, he managed to enter Peshawar illegally on November 12, 2012.

His intention was to meet a Pakistani girl he had reportedly befriended on Facebook. He was reportedly accommodated by an acquaintance in Pakistan, but was nabbed by the Pakistan police on November 14, 2012. He is missing since then.

Nehal, former manager of a public bank who sought voluntary retirement to search his son, said it was through his e-mail accounts that they came to know about the Pakistani girl.

Following the habeas corpus petition filed on January 13, 2016, the Peshawar High Court of Pakistan declared that Hamid was in the custody of the Pakistan army and was awarded three-year imprisonment. In August, he was attacked by inmates in Peshawar Central Prison.

Till date, Hamid was never been given consular access nor allowed to talk to his family in Mumbai nor the parents were given visa to go to Pakistan to see their son.

We have tried our level best to bring back our son. We requested the Pakistan High Commission officials to grant visa, wrote to Azizs office and even our External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj intervened, but we are still awaiting positive result, he said.

Admitting the mistake of her son, she said, Its been four years and he is still languishing in Peshawar jail. His Pakistani friends arranged his stay in a hotel from where he was arrested. Our immediate demand is that we should be facilitated a visa at least to meet him.
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 2

With security of Punjab prisons in focus following the Nabha jailbreak, the Jails Department has decided to set up its own intelligence units to get prior alerts about such plans.

Till now, the department is dependent on the police and other intelligence units on the possible conspiracies being hatched by prisoners. The process of forming the units has started, ADGP (Jails) Rohit Choudhry said today.

The ADGP, who took over the charge of the department after the jailbreak, held a session with about 50 top officers of the department here today on how to foil plans of jailbreak. As an immediate security measure, around 300 armed men of the Punjab Police have been deployed at all jails. The department will arm nearly 50 per cent of about 600 guards of the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO), which provides security to jails, Choudhry said.

The department suffered a loss of face, as a group of gangsters stormed the high-security Nabha jail and freed six prisoners, including two terrorists. So far, only one of them  Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harminder Singh Mintoo  has been arrested.

Choudhry said the department would have its human and technical intelligence units which would monitor phone calls, the social media, and gather intelligence through human sources. The units will work in tandem with the units of the police and other agencies. The aim of setting up units is that information reaches us directly and fast so that remedial measures can be taken immediately.

The department is mulling other measures as well. It will start weekly drills for the staff, and put in place a system of clarity of action on how to respond to a situation.

The state government is recruiting employees in the department. Against sanctioned posts of 3,500, there are 2,500 employees. The department has requested the government to upgrade the surveillance system, jammers, and CCTV cameras, and repair lights and buildings, the ADGP added.
Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

Former Army Chief General VP Malik today predicted limited border wars with China and Pakistan. The General also said the surgical strikes post the Uri terrorist attack should be classified as tactical in nature because we did not go deep.

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Par itni dholak bajai ki woh strategic operation lagta hai, he said, referring to the governments chest thumping.

The architect of the Kargil victory was delivering the First Annual Lecture on Defence at 70: Yesterday and Tomorrow organised by The Tribune National Security Forum here.

In the new age of Brexit, Trumpism, heightened nationalism and unpredictability, no one can give an assurance that nuclear and high-level convectional wars, despite very high costs, casualties and geopolitical pressures, cannot be ruled out. However, there are greater chances of asymmetric, hybrid and limited border wars with Pakistan and China due to unresolved boundaries, he felt.

A large number of eminent citizens, including senior armed forces officers, police officers and members of the academia, attended the event.

Photo Album: Defence at 70

Cautioning that new security-related problems can emanate unexpectedly from unexpected quarters and in unexpected forms, the former Chief of Army Staff stressed upon greater politico-military interface and multi-disciplinary vertical and lateral consultations for faster decision-making. He said that national security decision-making and higher direction of military conflicts in the current strategic environment cannot be dealt with using water-tight compartments. We need many changes in the national security structures, processes and procedures which can make it more efficient, resilient and speedily responsive, he said. Pointing out that in the past we had failed to convert hard-won operational achievements into long-term politico-strategic successes, which reflected poorly on Indias strategic vision guidance and lack of coordination among civilian and military leaders, he said that lack of political guidance on important security related issues, excessive dependence on bureaucracy and marginalisation of professional and critical stakeholders militray advice at the highest level of decision-making continues to be a major handicap even after 70 years. Stating that in recent years cyber and space domains have added another complexity as cyber attacks on critical civilian infrastructure would have got far more significance than damage to military targets, Gen Malik also pointed out that after 70 years we still import nearly 70 per cent of our defence equipment. With the latest increase in foreign direct investment and the make in India push, it will take 20-25 years to make up the deficiencies with a reasonable level of modernisation, he said. General Malik also pointed out that in order to attract talent to the armed forces and overcome the officer shortage, the government should review the terms and conditions of service so that they are more in line with the prevailing socio-economic trends and better attuned to meet the aspirations and requirements of the present generation.

Presiding over the function, Prof SS Johl, former VC of PAU, said while a countrys diplomatic strength was very important to avoid a war, the defence machinery was also very important so that one can negotiate from a position of strength. While observing that strong commercial relations between countries can lessen the chances of war, he added that strong internal security and good governance were also key factors in ensuring peace.

He said building up the defence machinery and fighting wars also creates economic difficulties and inflationary pressures as a large amount of money is spent, but no product enters the open market.

Referring to the 1962 debacle where the then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru forced an unprepared army into a conflict, he said that it was very dangerous to start any sort of war without adequate preparation. If we are strong internally, and economically, we automatically become strong externally. I hope better sense prevails on the political leadership and they ensure operational preparedness of the armed forces, he remarked.

Former police chief of J&K, Governor of Manipur and now a Trustee of The Tribune, Gurbachan Jagat opined that in future, nations could go to war over several issues including sharing of water resources. War, he said, encompasses many facets beyond military power that include economic strength and internal stability.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune, Dr Harish Khare, spoke about the ideals and principles set out by its founder, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, 135 years ago, which continue to remain the guiding force for the publication. He also read out the first editorial carried by The Tribune.

The Tribune has also brought out a Special Supplement to commemorate the lecture series. (Tribune Special: Looking Back 1971 War)
Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 2

The Union Governments demonetisation move has hit the Punjab governments social security pension disbursal.

The state government, despite its overstretched financial condition, managed to transfer around Rs92 crore as social security pensions for old-age persons, widows, destitute children and specially-abled to the bank accounts of sarpanches on Wednesday.

Since not enough cash is available with banks, sarpanches/zila parishad members could not withdraw the amount to distribute it to the 18 lakh pensioners.

The development has become a major source of concern for the Akali-BJP government, which is depending on these pensions to retain their vote base, especially in rural areas.

The situation is more worrisome in the rural areas as banks are facing a severe cash crunch, with many rural banks not getting cash supply for the past four to five days.

Some deputy commissioners, contacted by The Tribune, said they were in touch with lead banks in their districts to ensure that the social security pensions were disbursed quickly. They said though there was no cap on withdrawals by the government department, the cashless banks were posing a major problem.

The pension amount for all categories is Rs 500 per month. We have been holding meetings with bank officials for disbursal, but they say they are not getting cash in the branches, said a deputy commissioner posted in Malwa.

The issue has been discussed at the highest level in the state government. Interestingly, political compulsions had forced the government to back track from disbursing the pensions directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries earlier this year.

The government decided to let the political persons, sarpanches and zila parishad members, get pensions in their accounts for further disbursal with an aim to reaping political benefits ahead of the Assembly elections.

Senior officials in the Social Security Department told The Tribune that they had asked sarpanches to withdraw and distribute as many pensions as possible and make online transfer to the remaining pensioners. The disbursement has to be complete by the end of next week, said an official.
Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, December 2

The Army and the Himachal Pradesh and Punjab Police jointly launched a search operation, involving nearly 250 men, near the Chakki bridge area this afternoon after a dumb man informed the Pathankot police that he had spotted five men sporting Army uniform under suspicious circumstances.

The operation was still going on with Pathankot SSP Rakesh Kaushal, SP (D) Lakhbir Singh and SP (Operation) Hempushp Sharma leading three teams in different directions. The fact that the Armys firing range is located at close quarters added to the tension.

The state SWAT team too joined the operations towards the evening. The SSP said he had informed IG (Border) Naresh Arora and DIG Arun Kumar Mittal about the operation. He said a resident, who was well-versed with the sign language, rang up the control room and told the police that a dumb man from Dhangu Peer area had spotted five suspected Army men. The police called in yet another sign language expert who questioned the dumb man. Based on the inputs of the expert, the police decided to call the Army from Mamun cantonment.

Different teams were formed for the search operation. Later, I called in the SWAT team. We had to believe the dumb man as we are not in a position to take risks, said the SSP.
PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 2

A relative of Dera Radha Soami sect chief Gurinder Singh Dhillons was found murdered in a plush Maqbool road area here.

Shukla Seth (80) was found murdered last night along with her maid Manjit Kaur (60) at the formers house, the police said.

The police suspect it to be a case of robbery because the bedroom, where the bodies were found, was ransacked.

Seth is the mother-in-law of Dhillons elder son.

Dhillon, who has Z-plus security, arrived here in the morning and attended the cremation of Seth at Durgiana cremation ground. He spent nearly an hour in the cremation ground amid tight security.

Cabinet Minister Anil Joshi visited Seths house. His camp office is near her house.

Police Commissioner Lok Nath Angra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations) Gagan Ajit Singh and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bal Kishan Singla also reached the spot.

Gagan Ajit told the media, The unidentified suspects broke a windowpane to enter the sprawling house. They slit the throats of the two women.

The incident came to light when Nand Bahadur, a watchman, knocked at the gate today. When no one responded, he asked the police deployed on the Maqbool road for help.

Seth lived with her maid, who was a divorcee. She is survived by two daughters, married in Chandigarh and Delhi.

Her husband Janak Raj Seth had died several years ago. The family had owned a spinning mill that has turned into a godown; its on rent. The Seths had a business in chemicals.
The recounts were requested by the Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein. She has raised millions of dollars to pay for the recounts and denies that she is trying to overturn the election in favor of Clinton, though supporters of the former Secretary of State have joined the initiative.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Allies of US President elect Donald Trump are asking the courts to block election recounts in three key states where the Republican narrowly prevailed over Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

The recounts in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were requested by the Green Party Presidential candidate Jill Stein, who received little more than 1 per cent of the nationwide popular vote on November 8, Efe news agency reported. Stein has raised millions of dollars to pay for the recounts and denies that she is trying to overturn the election in favor of Clinton, though supporters of the former Secretary of State have joined the initiative.

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Michigan's Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, filed for a court injunction to stop the recount, arguing that it confronts the state's voters with the risk of "potentially losing their voice in the Electoral College". In Wisconsin, the Great America PAC and the Stop Hillary PAC asked a federal court to halt the recount, contending that the procedure could "unjustifiably cast doubt" on Trump's win in the state.

Read: Trump wins Michigans all 16 electoral votes

Pro-Trump lawyers in Pennsylvania argue that the recount in the Keystone State should be stopped because Stein has no evidence of fraud or illegality. Pointing to what she described as evidence of "anomalies" in the voting in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Stein says that the reliability of election results "need to be investigated before the 2016 presidential election is certified".

According to the latest figures, Clinton has won the national popular vote by a margin of more than 2.5 million.

Read: Donald Trump to nominate retired General Mattis for Pentagon

Read: President-elect Trump claims to have won popular vote, if 'illegal' votes for Clinton are deducted

--- ENDS ---
Pushpa Girimaji

My wife died from transfusion of mismatched blood following a surgery. Her blood group was B positive, but was given A positive, which eventually resulted in her death. When I complained, the hospital blamed the laboratory, which, they said, mixed up the reports and gave a wrong blood grouping. However, I had clearly told the doctors before surgery that she was B positive. I now want to file a complaint before the consumer court and would like to know whether I should file it against only the laboratory or the hospital or both? What kind of evidence do I need to file this complaint?

The laboratory was obviously negligent in the discharge of its work. However, I would hold the doctors treating her even more negligent. First and foremost, you had informed them that your wifes blood group was B positive. So, if the laboratory result was different from what you had told them, they should have got the blood grouping done once again. Besides, before transfusion they should have done cross-matching of a sample of the donors blood and your wifes to determine whether the two were compatible. The doctors did none of these. So hold the laboratory, the doctors and the hospital accountable and name all of them as opposite parties in your complaint before the consumer court.

As for evidence, you need to produce the laboratory results on the blood grouping; the hospital records pertaining to the transfusion of wrong blood and the adverse effects that it produced, resulting in the death of your wife. Remember, you have a right to all the medical records and the hospital has to give it to you.

Can you recall a case law to help me with my complaint?

I would like to quote here the judgement of the Supreme Court in the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Vs Jaspal Singh and another (Civil appeal no 7950 of 2002, date of order: May 29, 2009)

This case goes back to March 30, 1996 when Harjit Kaur received third degree burns following an accident while making tea. She was immediately rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, where she slowly started recovering. However, on the ground that the treatment was expensive there, her husband moved her to the Post Graduate Institute, Chandigarh, on April 19. She recovered quite substantially here till the transfusion of wrong blood.

On May 15, the hospital gave her the right blood group, A positive; however, on May 20 and 21, she was given B positive, resulting in a drastic setback to her health. There was a sharp fall in her haemoglobin level; her kidney and liver functioning were adversely affected. An enquiry following a complaint confirmed transfusion of wrong blood. However, the hospital argued that she did recover from that and the eventual cause of death was septicaemia and not wrong transfusion of blood.

In response to a complaint from Harjit Kaurs husband, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held the hospital and its staff guilty of negligence and awarded a compensation of Rs 2 lakh, besides costs of litigation. The Commission ordered that while 3/4th of the amount should be kept in a fixed deposit in the name of the minor son (second complainant), the rest should be paid to the husband (first complainant). When this was upheld by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, the hospital filed an appeal before the Supreme Court.

While dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court said: ... Although she survived for about 40 days after mismatched blood transfusion, but from that it cannot be said that there was no causal link between the mismatched transfusion of blood and her death. Wrong blood transfusion is an error which no hospital/doctor exercising ordinary care would have made. Such an error is not an error of professional judgment but in the very nature of things a sure instance of medical negligence. The hospitals breach of duty in mismatched blood transfusion contributed to her death, if not wholly, but surely materially. Mismatched blood transfusion to a patient having sustained 50 per cent burns by itself speaks of negligence. Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the case, it cannot be said that the death of Smt. Harjit Kaur was not caused by the breach of duty on the part of the hospital and its attending staff.

The full judgement of the Supreme Court can be obtained online. You can also get plenty of information on the adverse effects of wrong transfusion of blood on the world wide web.
I have known Uncle Balwant (my fathers elder brother) since my childhood days in Bathinda. His occasional visits and long letters from exotic-sounding places in foreign countries during the 1950s and 1960s were special events as he brought to the family a whole new world much larger and exciting  peopled by artistic and literary names, compared to what our small-town life of Bathinda offered.

Later, as a college student when I stayed with him in his cosy little Connaught Place house, he would take me for walk on Janpath where he subtly taught me to find beauty in common people. Like the Rajasthani and Gujarati women vendors who, squatted on the ground and using their seductive smiles, cheerfully bargained and sold embroidered bedcovers and colourfully printed tablecloths and scarves to fashionable customers.

Uncle Balwant was also, I truly feel, my first teacher in photography. During his short visits to Bathinda while I was growing up, he took family portraits with his double-lens Rolleiflex camera. These simple, straight-forward portraits were close-ups and intense with the presence of the person photographed. These made a lasting impression on me, and when I took up photography many years later, I found myself trying to emulate the way he had made those family portraits.

After I moved to New York in 1985, I was glad and to have my chance to host him as my guest. Although he had an emotional connection with the villages of Punjab, Uncle Balwant was essentially a city man. He loved New York and would come there every weekend during his teaching assignments as Visiting Professor of Indian Theatre in prestigious colleges like Vassar and Mount Holyoke, not far from the city. It was also during these visits that my relationship with him became more intimate as he shared with me his feelings and thoughts about life like a friend.

Among various forms of human relationship, friendship and romantic love in my view were the most important to him. But he sought human warmth in every encounter with people, even with a person he was meeting for the first time. Often he would hold your hand in intimacy, and you could not but feel the extraordinary warmth of his palms and be touched by his interest in you.

Uncle Balwant is known, some might say he is notorious, for his autobiographical novels and other writings on the theme of love and sex. Tales of passion, crime and revenge, whether in life or in literature, indeed interested him deeply.

In his conversation, he often quoted lines and whole paragraphs from his favourite authors such as Shakespeare, Eugene ONeill, Strindberg, Chekhov, Maupassant and not least Saadat Hassan Manto. These authors inspired him to look into the human heart, including his own, mercilessly and write about tragedy as the inevitable outcome of our uncontrollable passions and desires.

Personally, I remember him most for his humility, warmth and extraordinary acts of generosity. Once I visited India with a woman friend, and in Delhi uncle Balwant let us stay in his tiny one-bedroom house in complete privacy while he shifted for two or three days to the house of one of his friends.

I will close with what were essentially his last words to me on the subject of love. In 2002, I visited him in Mumbai where he, having suffered from Alzheimers, was being taken care of by his son and my cousin Manu. His mind and memory mostly gone at this point, he still had flashes of clarity during which he re-emerged for a little while with his characteristic wit and wisdom and was his old charming self. During this visit, I could not wait to share with him the news that for the first time after losing my dear wife Marina to cancer in 1998, I had met and fallen in love with a beautiful woman. His eyes lit up instantly on hearing the news. He was visibly moved as he embraced me and said, You are in love again, that is good, because without love, life is dry.
From Our Special Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Feb.11

Sant Fateh Singh, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, today ridiculed the Congress, the Gurnam Singh Akali Dal and the Communist Party for their unholy alliance.

Addressing a Press conference he said that the Congress had admitted its weakness in Punjab by taking shelter of other parties likewise, the Gurnam Singh Akali Dal, had become a mere stooge of the Congress he said.

He assailed the Congress Government for imposing fresh taxes and enhancing railway fares which would add to the countrys poverty.

Alluding to the judicial enquiry into the Ropar incident in which nine persons were shot dead by the police in a gurdwara, the Sant said he welcomed the probe but it would lose its significance if the police officers involved were not suspended.

He further disclosed that the Akali Dal had entered into an electoral alliance with the Socialist Party, the Marxists and the Republican Party.
Harish Khare

Yesterday, we at The Tribune made a kind of a new beginning. We had the first of the annual lecture series under the aegis of the Tribune National Security Forum.

The Tribune founder, the visionary Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, had tasked the future generation of The Tribune overseers to ensure dissemination of information, knowledge and learning. It was his belief that a society imbued with the outlets and platforms of information was an empowered society, capable of discussing reasonably and rationally great issues of the day and that such knowledge would help society sort out its collective dilemmas.

The Annual Lecture Series is a modest attempt to carry forward that mandate of the Founder. It is increasingly being recognised that national security is too serious a matter to be left to only the politicians and generals. And, national security is no longer just a matter of armies facing each other across dug-up trenches; today, national security and national defence are all-inclusive problems. The new tools of social media have empowered the common citizen. Hence, our effort to involve the citizens  and the readers  in understanding Indias defence.

And, to kickstart our historic initiative we could not have had a more qualified lead speaker than General Ved Malik, former Chief of the Indian Army. Admittedly, he did a superb job. His formidable intellectual sweep, his keen sense of appreciation of history and geography, and his experience of leadership  in times of war and peace  were very much on display and, in fact, completed the profile of a perfect speaker.

Then, we had Professor SS Johl lending his distinguished presence as the presiding officer. He added a non-fauji perspective to the evening. A satisfying evening. A sense of mission renewed and a service performed for society.

That brings me to talk about Shivshankar Menon. Shankar is a khandani diplomat. He belongs to a special breed within that special band of men and women  the Indian Foreign Service  and this breed has served India with distinction, panache, dedication, commitment and competence. His grand-father (the legendary KPS Menon, the senior) and his father PN Menon, both belonged to that category of public servants who steered the Indian foreign policy in the early years when a new, independent India searched for its space and place in an uncertain world. And, just to make it a close family affair, Shankar was astute enough to marry the daughter of a foreign secretary. Having served as Indias envoy in Israel, Sri Lanka, China, and Pakistan, he was destined, sooner or later, to become Foreign Secretary and was bound to end up as a National Security Adviser.

I was at a dinner when I was informed that Shivshankar Menon had been named as the next Foreign Secretary. I remember cynically commenting to a fellow guest at the dinner table  TK Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister  something about the Mallu mafia cornering one more plum job. I was later to learn that Shivshankar was more at home in Hindustani than Malayalam. As a colleague in the Prime Ministers Office, I found him remarkably cosmopolitan in taste and an extraordinarily well-read man, even for a foreign service officer.

So, when he produced a slim book on the Indian foreign policy, I eagerly looked forward to reading it. And, I confess

CHOICES  Inside the Making of Indias Foreign Policy does not disappoint. It bears the hallmark of a self-assured man offering sophisticated insights and interpretations on how New Delhi has to deal with the external world, a world that is demanding, exacting and not a whit impressed with our nightly self-flagellation.

Shankar has chosen a clever format. He has selected to meditate on five defining moments in our recent foreign policy; his excuse is that he has cherry-picked these because he was involved with these momentous moments and can, therefore, speak with a certain degree of personal knowledge and authority. Fair enough. We will grant him his choices.

But what I found exceptionally impressive was that each chapter is preceded by two or three epigrams  ranging from a ninth-century Baghdad wazir, to Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Gandhi and Buddha. These epigrams provide the cautionary preface to the crises discussed and how these were dealt with. A very pleasing exhibition of learning and erudition. Foreign policy has always been a matter of prime ministerial initiative and action. The prime ministers personality matters. Shankar writes:

Personalities matter. With a different mix of people at the helm, it is quite possible that India would have chosen differently. In fact, if India is forced to make a similar choice in the future, I am sure, it will respond differently.

With great subtlety and sophistication, Shankar debunks our current obsession with the idea of a strong prime minister as a panacea for all our problems at home and abroad. On the contrary, he argues that The corollary to the central role of the prime minister in decision-making is weak institutionalization of foreign policy implementation in India. Weak institutionalization is reflected in weak policy implementation. Simple. Deadly accurate. Not to be wished away, even if a million social media tweets get generated in praise of Modi.

His wisest of observations is reserved for the last few pages when he raises a simple question: Why should India want to be a great power? Yes, we need to be a great power because we simply cannot be a satellite to any other power. But this pursuit of great power status cannot be a foray into megalomania or xenophobia: Power is the ability to create and sustain outcomes. Weight we have, our influence is growing, but our power remains to grow and should first be used for our domestic transformation.

Touche`

Millions of words have already been written about Fidel Castro since he passed away on November 26. Some words were kind and indulgent, but most commentators chose to focus on his association with the failed model of communism. However, I think part of his charming appeal for generations all over the world is because he had dared to stand up to the US. In that defiance, he had for company only two leaders  Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran. They refused to give in to the United States post-war hegemony and the demands that hegemony made on friends and foes alike. Ho Chi Minh and Ayatollah Khomenini could defy and get the better of the US because they were revolutionary leaders of sizeable countries, but Castros Cuba is a tiny island, very vulnerable and always within Americas reach. That made Castros defiance dangerous  and alluring.

That Castro was handsome and young only added a touch of charisma to his defiance of the US and he became an embodiment of iconic opposition to Uncle Sam. He remained unbent and unbowed till his death. And that will remain the core of the Castro mystique.

We in this part of the world were fascinated by the Nabha jailbreak. It became a national headline because a known Khalistani activist was among those who broke out. The so-called KLF chief soon got caught and the national interest in the story ebbed away.

Though as a law-abiding citizens all of us must firmly disapprove of anyone escaping a prison, it needs to be recognised that a jailbreak takes considerable planning and application of mind. It requires daring, resources and an untamed mind.

A jail is, after all, a daily contest of wits and ingenuity, guile and cunning between the jailor and his staff and the prisoners, who resent their incarceration. The equations are sorted out with violence and bribery; and, the police force does not always come out as the winner.

In Punjab, it seems it is a thorough mismatch. Most of the high quality prisoners have patrons among politicians and are allowed to have a run of the place inside the jails. On the other hand, the police force is overloaded with incompetence, low morale, and lower morals.

The Nabha jailbreak has a wider dimension. It should be a matter of considerable alarm for any national security manager that convicted secessionists, criminals and gangsters are effortlessly able to remain in touch with friends and patrons outside, including those across the border.

Though these guys are able to lay their hands on almost everything in the jail, I am pretty sure they cannot get good coffee. Nor are they going to get an invitation to join me for a cup. Anyone else?

kaffeeklatsch@tribuneindia.com
Saba Naqvi

When not in a Q or in conversation with people in a Q, I am rereading George Orwell's 1984 and pinching myself that this is not an Orwellian nightmare but contemporary reality. For the uninitiated, 1984 is about a superstate that's in perpetual war, there's surveillance and public manipulation through a process called The Hate. There's The Party that persecutes independent thinking described as ThoughtCrime. The Party is represented by Big Brother who epitomizes the cult of personality but may not even exist. The novel begins in the Ministry of Truth where the slogan of The Party is written in bold letters.

War is peace

Freedom is slavery

Ignorance is strength

Currently that slogan appears to be eerily relevant to what is unfolding in India. To those who are certain things will get better soon, I would recommend reading French philosopher Voltaire, one of the great wits of his time. His Candide, published in 1759 and translated into English under various titles including Candide or The Optimist is one of the best satires of those times.

There's this dialogue when someone asks "Optimism, what is that?" "Alas!" replied Candide, "it is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is well when it is hell."

Frankly, many of us feel we are in hell in our country ever since we were all parted from our own money and those with little money from their wages and jobs. My mind, I admit, is in overdrive as I stay awake figuring out how to deal with what is being called "the new normal" (sounds like a cute little departure from our otherwise dull lives!).

Like other patriots I'm either plotting the time to strike at a bank or ATM (five have been cashless in the last 24 hours) as it now requires the precision of a heist. The money I'm trying to part from a bank or ATM is mine but is apparently needed for National Cleansing and Regeneration. This has been explained to us as a need to fix those damned terrorists and hoarders of illicit wealth (although the smart economists who know a thing or two about smart money say their cash is far away in foreign shores or in gold or real estate).

When the Lies, Damned Lies gets too much I resolve to live One Day At a Time and seek a Higher Purpose. This mostly consists of planning to help those who work for me operate a bank account. (Forgive my seditious nature but I start choking with laughter and tears when I hear people say the poor will soon use plastic)

Here's the story of the bank account of Bundi Munda who has lived with me since my daughter was born 18 years ago. Yes, she has a bank account but since she cannot read or write, others operate the account and put money into it. A few years ago when she returned to her village in Jharkhand, she panicked when the bank official told her there was no money when there should have been 50 thousand in her account. She made hysterical calls to Delhi and before I began calling up activists in Jharkhand, she gathered a some men from her village and landed up in the bank. The teller miraculously found the money that he had earlier not been able to locate.

So in this great land that is apparently poised to move from poverty to plastic poverty, the petty bureaucracy is often the worst oppressor.

Let's presume that under duress people do move to banks and then on to plastic. Less than 20 days before the great November 8 announcement, the financial papers announced that 3.2 million Indian users could have been victims of debit card fraud. Many of us got notices to change our pins and passwords. We could READ. Imagine those who cannot do so (most Indians).

Suppose they get scammed either during a bank transaction in a rural hamlet or through an electronic transaction? First, it would take a while to know that the money has gone. Second, imagine the plight of an illiterate man or woman running from pillar to post to recover the money. .

Yes. The banks will be flush with all our cash, and presumably they can again start giving loans to big infrastructure companies who have reneged on repayment (and being compassionate the regime excused 64 such companies last month from paying any interest on their loans). These chaps can then build the nation of Big Brother's dreams, fast lane highways, bullet trains, smart cities et all.

After all in another classic, Animal Farm, Orwell wrote: All animals are equal but some are more equal than others". He was commenting on the hypocrisy of declaring citizens equal but then enabling only a few. We've just disabled millions.
Jasmine Singh in Chandigarh

Harjot Bains, AAP candidate from Sahnewal (Ludhiana) pulls out a crisp white kurta-pyjama stacked under the layers of Armaani, Gucci, Arrow and Louis Vitton shirts. And, out come the mojris from the shoe rack. Linen and woollen waistcoats in three different colours are laid neatly on his bed. Voila, the politician is ready to face the voters.

Even though the ongoing poll potpourri in Punjab elections is all about numbers, politicians are creating a subtle yet noticeable fashion statement. The popular style is the crisp white kurta-pyjama along with a waistcoat and suitable colours for the turban. Ruling Akali Dal leaders are mostly seen in navy blue turbans, while the Sikh leaders from the Aam Admi Party have adopted yellow as their colour. And as far as the Congress is concerned, bright and all shades of dark are in.

The demand and need for the iconic political uniform is so popular with the fraternity that even the most stylish political leaders have traded their Gucci Armaani clothes for the aam admi dress! Whether this aam uniform will translate into any kind of khaas votes for these politicians, only time will tell, but for the moment it is the dress code which is working as leveller in the Punjab elections.

Harjot Bains, 25, dresses up like any other youngster of his age. This young candidate can be found in denims, tees and branded shirts on days when is not making rounds of his constituency. For all other political rallies and party meetings, he has adopted a fixed dress code: kurta pyjama, (preferably white) and a vasket to finish the look. I am an aam admis candidate, I wish to serve people, for this I have to look like them, Harjot doesnt see his vote bank swelling because of his aam dress code, at the same time though, he is happy that people are accepting him as one among them.

While politicians in Punjab are busy wooing voters with the promise to offer them a better Punjab, some quick hands ensure that neta ji looks his best while he is that one promise!

Dilshad Noor is a tailor, who owns a small shop in Moga city. In this business for 17 years now, Dilshaad specializes in mens kurta pyjamas with single and double pockets. He and his team of seven tailors are busy working overnight to finish the orders for kurta pyjamas that have come from some leading politicians of the state. With a few basic instructions of stitching the kurta pyjama on time, ensuring th4 length of the kurta, and the length of the pyjama is slightly above the ankles, Dilshaad stitches at least 30-80 sets in a day. He charges Rs 1,200 for stitching a simple kurta pyjama (including cloth), any fancy additions, and the prize goes ups. I have made kurta pyjamas for almost all top politicians of Punjab, he says with pride.

If on one hand, there are politicians whove adopted a simple fashion rigs, others see no harm in giving a designer twist. This has made designer kurta pyjamas available anywhere between Rs 5,000-8,000 rank second in their wardrobes must-have, these days.

Amritsar-based fashion designer Dilpreet Sekhon claims to have stitched more than 80 such sets for politicians and party supporters. Refusing to share her clientele, Sekhon shares that she stitches only two kinds of outfits, either the Modi style or the Giani Zail Singh style!

A vasket in bright colour lends that extra style, along with an expensive watch (this usually goes unnoticed) and branded sunglasses for the finishing look. Parambans Singh Romana, chairman Punjab State Youth Development Board YAD a dress like kurta pyjama evokes energy. Its comfortable too, he says.
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, December 3

More than 1,200 students from 26 schools of Haridwar, Rishikesh and Roorkee participated in the 24th Inter-School Drawing Competition held at Delhi Public School, Ranipur, here today.

The theme of the event this year was Namami Gange, with a view to generate awareness about the increasing pollution level in the Ganga, and sensitising the younger generation to ensure that the holy rivers sanctity is restored.

Noted artist Pramod Kulshrestha was the chief guest at the event. He urged students to highlight the plight of the river which we regarded as a deity but did not hesitate to pollute through known and unknown means.

Delhi Public School principal KC Pandey said art made a person softer and more pure as it was without any prejudice and was a gift of God.

He urged people to come forward and ensure that the purity of the Ganga was restored. Pandey said the youth had a pivotal role to play as they could change the mindset of the society and easily sensitise people on the issue.

We have kept Namami Gange theme keeping this in mind and the varied creations and thoughts we saw in todays contest have surprised us. Children from the age of 6 to 16 years all know about the rising pollution level in the Ganga and have also suggested measures to lessen it. They know the importance of mother Ganga in our religious-social-cultural aspects and also the harmful means that are polluting it, Pandey added.

Rina and Anusha, teachers of Sai Sanskar School, said the event was highly successful in attaining its objective as children were seen discussing the harmful ways that were polluting the Ganga. Namami Gange theme was a better way to generate awareness among the younger lots.

Ashok Gupta, Coordinator of the event and Head of Arts Department, DPS, said for the past 23 years the competition had been organised successfully. Every year, the theme was taken keeping in mind the current societal scenario and mindset of children.

The participating schools were host DPS, Ranipur; Kids Zee, Mount Litera, Uddeshwar Public School, Sai Sanskar School, Bal Bharati, Bal Mandir, BHEL, Vidya Mandir, Sector-1, Vidya Mandir, Sector-5, Gyan Deep, BHEL, Acharyakulam, Patanjali Yogpeeth, BML Munjal, Gayatri Vidyapeeth Shantikunj, Shivalik Heights, Shri Ram Vidya Mandir-Shyampur, Cascade International, Jawahar Navodaya, Roshanabad, St Marx, Roorkee; Achivers Public School, Kankhal, Euro Kids, DSB, Rishikesh, St Marys, Jwalapur, Royal Public School, Guru Nanak Academy, BHEL, Saraswati Vidya Mandir, BHEL, Sanskriti School and DPS, Daulatpur.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3

The Doon Medical College and Hospital is in an urgent need of casualty medical officers to run its emergency ward. However, the efforts of the authorities to appoint three new doctors have not yielded results yet.

Despite a good response to the initial advertisement and selection of three doctors, only one, Dr HS Bhatia, has joined so far.

As the emergency faces a heavy rush almost everyday, there was an urgent need of at least three doctors but the efforts to appoint them on contractual basis have not proved fruitful.

It is difficult to ascertain why the other two doctors have not joined, said Dr KK Tamta, CMS of the hospital.

The emergency ward of the hospital caters to more than 400 patients on a daily basis, round the clock. The services of the doctors on casualty duty too have to be round the clock for which at least six doctors are required in three shifts. But there are only four casualty medical officers.

To offset the shortage, senior doctors have been asked to give duties which, at times, is not possible due to their preoccupation in their own departments.
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 3

Governor KK Paul honoured five differently abled persons with the National institute of Visually handicapped (NIVH) Excellence Award 2016 on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities here today. These persons have given an inspirational message to society by attaining excellence in their work despite all odds.

Those who were conferred with awards were Ajay Arora, IAS trainee at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie), Aditi Sharma, executive trainee, ONGC, Dehradun, Deepak Sangla, district manager, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, Chandigarh, Srishti Dangwal, Probationery Officer, State Bank of India, Dehradun, and Sukhwinder Khera, instructor, Japanese Massage Manual Therapy, National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD).

Besides, five persons working at the institute were also given awards for their dedication towards duty. These persons are Shashi Oberoi, documentation assistant, Shailendra Tiwari, in charge, community radio, Rajkumar, senior music teacher, Adarsh Vidyalaya, Lakshmi Pokhriyal, Supervisor, adult training centre, and Rajendra Negi, computer instructor, adult training centre.

The Governor congratulated them and said their achievements had belied the misgiving and proved the fact that given an opportunity differently abled persons could prove their ability and capacity. There was no lack of talent, dedication and energy in visually challenged persons.

He said the significant role being played by the NIEPVD, Dehradun, was an inspiration for society. He congratulated the Director of the institute, Anuradha Dalmia, and the staff.

Special guest Swami Sarvangananda, former secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Kolkata, addressed the gathering.

The function began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a flute recital by Sapna, a student of Adarsh Vidyalaya of the institute. Anuradha Dalmia welcomed the guests and gave information about the activities and achievements of the institute.
BEIJING/WASHINGTON, December 3

China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the "petty" move.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".

China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant US side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties.

"The one China principle is the political basis of the China-US relationship," it said.

The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation.

Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience.

"This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

"I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government."

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said that exchange had sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US relations", according to the ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a "petty" move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency.

Thank you!" he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact".

Wayward province

Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

Chinese state media downplayed the possibility of a major blow-up in Beijing's relations with Washington as Trump prepares to assume office.

Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else.

"We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do."

China's official Xinhua news agency said Trump needed to know Beijing could be a "cooperative partner" as long as Washington respects China's core interests, including the issue of Taiwan.

"China and the United States are not destined rivals," it said in an English-language commentary.

Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

"Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what US policy has been" on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. The White House also said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 per cent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy".

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill US soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation.  Reuters
By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Dec 3 (PTI) In reference to Donald Trumps conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, an influential US Congressman has said that the President-elect is unlikely to push back against Pakistan after he takes office.

"I dont think anybody should have any doubt that Donald Trump will push back against Pakistan. Hes been very clear about that," Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told CNN in an interview.

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"In this case, you have a statement from a transcript that maybe was or wasnt said that I dont think necessarily shows how Donald Trump will be when he comes to being the President of the United States on these very important issues," he said when asked about his phone call with Sharif.

According to the Pakistan PMO, Trump called Sharif "a terrific guy" and said he is ready and "willing to play any role that you (Sharif) might want me to play".

"Trump has been criticised by many foreign policy analysts in the US. I think its a little over the line to tell somebody. I will play whatever role you want me to play.

"Obviously, as the United States, were proud of the fact that were the leader of the free world. Were proud of these alliances we have, but were also in the drivers seat in most of these alliances," Kinzinger said.

"We need to be because of our values and systems. So, I think if that actually was said, and again, I dont have anything besides what I have just seen reported. If that was actually said, it was probably a bridge too far," he said.

He also stressed that Donald Trump is really new at this.

"And I think as you kind of get your sea legs under you, as you learn about diplomacy and everything, maybe that changes. Maybe that tone changes," Kinzinger said in response to a question. PTI LKJ ASV

--- ENDS ---
Washington, December 3

Breaking decades of US diplomatic policy, President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and discussed various issues, a move which could infuriate China.

President-elect Trump spoke with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, who offered her congratulations, the presidential transition team said on Friday in a readout of the phone call.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political and security ties existing between Taiwan and the United States, it said.

Trumps conversation to Taiwanese President on Friday was among a series of talks he had with the leaders of Asian countries on phone before taking office.

President-elect Trump congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year, the readout said.

Trump also spoke with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who congratulated him on his historic victory.

The two men discussed the grave terrorism threats faced by both the countries and pledged to work more closely together in order to meet these growing threats, the transition team said.

In another phone call, President of Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte offered congratulatory wishes to Trump. In their conversation, they noted the long history of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, and agreed that they would continue to work closely on matters of shared interest and concerns.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also congratulated Trump on his remarkable election victory.

The two men discussed the long history of good economic, political and security relations between the United States and Singapore, the readout said.

The New York Times said the move by Trump is a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China even before Trump takes office.

He is believed to be the first President-elect or President to have spoken with a Taiwanese leader since 1979 when the US severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan after its recognition of China.

The Washington Post described this as a breach of diplomatic protocol with ramifications for Trump Administrations relationship with China.

The telephone call is certain to incense China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. It is the first major sign of the unpredictability that Trump has vowed to bring to long-held US relations with the rest of the world, CNN said. PTI
New York, December 3

US President-elect Donald Trumps call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, the New York Times said as it sounded a critical tone of him breaking decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders.

President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders, the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

In an unprecedented break from diplomatic practice and a move that irked China, Trump spoke with Taiwans president Tsai Ing-wen, becoming the first president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistans behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes, the New York Times said.

On Trumps conversation with Ing-wen, NYT said the call risks infuriating China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trumps transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state, it said.

In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington. NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his countrys separation from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.

Honouring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behaviour, which Obamas administration had been working to curb, NYT said.

Trump also praised Kazakhstans leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for fantastic success, in tones that suggest approval for Nazar-bayevs strongman rule.

The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May. If you travel to the US you should let me know, he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party  a slap to May, NYT said.  PTI
Washington, December 3

Pakistan-based Haqqani network continues to pose greatest threat to US troops in Afghanistan, a top US commander based in the war-torn country said here, underlining that the terror outfit remained Americas principal concern.

The Haqqanis still pose the greatest threat to Americans and to our coalition partners and to the Afghans, General John Nicholson, Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan told reporters during a news conference here.

The Haqqanis hold five American citizens hostage right now. I think this is worth remembering as we think about the Haqqani network. They remain a principal concern of ours. And they do enjoy sanctuary inside Pakistan, Nicholson said during a Pentagon news conference here.

Nicholson said he is looking forward to meeting the new Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, General Bajwa. Ill meet him upon my return to the region here next week, he said.

There are many areas of mutual cooperation with the Pakistanis with respect to the border, our joint efforts against terrorism and so forth. So, were looking forward to working closely with them going forward, he said.

Nicholson said the Afghan security forces hold over approximately 64 per cent of the population. This is down slightly from his 68 per cent that he talked about in September.

The decrease has not meant more control to the Taliban. We see them still holding less than 10 per cent of the population. More of the country--slightly more is now contested. They still hold roughly two-thirds of the population. The enemy holds less than 10 per cent and the balance is contested, he said.

Nicholson said since the start of the Talibans campaign in April, the Afghan security forces had prevented them from accomplishing their strategic objectives.

Theyve been unable to mass because of airpower, both Afghan and coalition airpower, and therefore they resorted to small-scale attacks on checkpoints around cities in attempts to isolate the cities and create panic, he said.

Expressing concern about the stability of the Afghan government going forward, he said his message to Afghan partners and members of the political opposition was that the US respected their political process.

Second concern would be the malign influence of external actors and particularly Pakistan, Russia, and Iran. We are concerned about the external enablement of the insurgent or terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, in particular where they enjoy sanctuary or support from outside governments, Nicholson said.

We are concerned about the convergence of these terrorist groups. I mentioned the 20 groups, 13 in Afghanistan, seven in Pakistan. The morphing of these groups into more virulent strains or the fact that sometimes they cooperate and then the hole becomes greater than the sum of the parts, he said. PTI
Los Angeles, December 3

A professor was stabbed to death on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles on Friday and a suspect arrested in his death is a male student, a police spokeswoman said.

Los Angeles Police Officer Meghan Aguilar did not immediately release the names of the professor or the student or the suspected motive in the Friday afternoon attack.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said the victim was around 25 years old and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The universitys Trojans Alert emergency texting service quickly put out a message urging students, faculty and employees to stay away from the Seeley G Mudd building, which houses science and medical classrooms.

Police-related incident in progress at Seely G Mudd. No danger to USC or the community. Stay away from the area, the text read.

The 10-storey building is in the heart of campus near the schools running track.

USC was rocked last year by the beating death of a graduate student who was attacked by several people as he walked back to his off-campus apartment late at night after attending a study session.

Xinran Ji, a 24-year old engineering student, managed to return to his apartment, where his roommate found him.

In 2012 Chinese graduate students Ming Qu and Ying Wu were shot to death as they sat in their BMW about a mile from campus.

After Jis murder USC officials sought to reassure parents of Chinese exchange students that the campus and its surrounding areas are safe.

USC has 44,000 students enrolled, including more than 10,000 international students.

A highly competitive school, it enrolled only about 16 percent of the more than 54,000 people who applied for its freshman class this year.  AFP
Washington, December 3

In reference to Donald Trumps conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, an influential US Congressman has said that the President-elect is unlikely to push back against Pakistan after he takes office.

I don't think anybody should have any doubt that Donald Trump will push back against Pakistan. Hes been very clear about that, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told CNN in an interview.

In this case, you have a statement from a transcript that maybe was or wasnt said that I dont think necessarily shows how Donald Trump will be when he comes to being the President of the United States on these very important issues, he said when asked about his phone call with Sharif.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

According to the Pakistan PMO, Trump called Sharif a terrific guy and said he is ready and willing to play any role that you (Sharif) might want me to play.

Trump has been criticised by many foreign policy analysts in the US. I think its a little over the line to tell somebody. I will play whatever role you want me to play.

Obviously, as the United States, were proud of the fact that were the leader of the free world. Were proud of these alliances we have, but were also in the drivers seat in most of these alliances, Kinzinger said.

We need to be because of our values and systems. So, I think if that actually was said, and again, I dont have anything besides what I have just seen reported. If that was actually said, it was probably a bridge too far, he said.

He also stressed that Donald Trump is really new at this.

And I think as you kind of get your sea legs under you, as you learn about diplomacy and everything, maybe that changes. Maybe that tone changes, Kinzinger said in response to a question. PTI
Photo: Nikola Motor

A daycab version of Nikola Motor Co.s hydrogen-electric heavy-duty tractor will probably be the first one to enter production, said the firms founder and CEO, Trevor Milton, at the conclusion of a series of technical briefings on the products on Friday morning. And vocational straight trucks might be close behind.

An unveiling of a Nikola One, a streamlined sleeper-cab tractor, the previous evening put nearly all emphasis on the long-haul model. But short and regional hauling is as important and the daycab Nikola Two is simpler, he told HDT at the events conclusion. Daycab tractor versions would share most operational benefits  low maintenance and operating costs along with zero emissions  with the over-the-road sleeper model.

Vocational markets will include refuse, and Milton said he and his engineers are already planning a chassis for trash collection. Dump and mixer trucks are likewise probable, and all-wheel drive would make them valuable in some on/off-road duties.

An earlier discussion of a Nikolas likely lifespan included observations that the electric motors and battery dont need air to operate, and the motors, anyway, could be driven into water and emerge undamaged.

Milton said hes planning 6x6 and 6x4 versions of the fuel cell electric drive chassis; without front-driving gear, steer-axle wheels could cut sharper, aiding maneuverability in a number of applications.

Engineers initially designed the Nikola with a gas-fueled turbine-electric powertrain, but decided to go to hydrogen fuel cells because theyre much quieter and cleaner, and require no emissions certification. A turbine version is still possible for sale into markets where we cant get hydrogen to, he said.

The companys plans to build hundreds of hydrogen fueling stations will include parking and shopping areas, and facilities will be awesome -- they will be destinations, Milton said. Existing truck stops were considered to be part of the network, but his team didnt think their facilities were of the quality that Nikola wants for its customers and their drivers.

Production is three years away because durability testing must go through three winter seasons, and safety-related testing of braking systems and other components will also take time. As announced the night before, Fitzgerald Gliders will build the first 5,000 units and Nikola Motor will erect a factory to assemble subsequent vehicles.

Ryder System will handle sales and service for most Nikolas at its 800-plus facilities in the United States and Canada. Thompson Machinery, a Caterpillar dealer in Kentucky and Tennessee and an early investor in Nikola Motor, will have rights to handle Nikolas in those states.
By PTI: Alirajpur (MP), Dec 3 (PTI) A mini-truck ferrying a consignment of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) of more than Rs 23 lakh to the neighbouring state of Gujarat was seized in Sondwa area here last night, police said.

"During patrolling, we tried to intercept a mini truck but its driver sped away and later left the vehicle containing IMFL and fled," Sondwa police station, inspector, R S Daver told PTI today.

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He said that upon carrying out search, 323 boxes of costly IMFL were found in the vehicle. It also came to the fore that these bottles were being transported to the dry state of Gujarat.

The consignment consisted of 2,848 litres of liquor worth Rs 23,89,200, said the official, adding, they have registered a case against unidentified persons and started investigations in the matter. PTI COR LAL MAS RMT IKA

--- ENDS ---
The owner of a defunct Owasso title company pleaded guilty Friday to fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a scheme that involved the theft of mortgage settlement funds and unauthorized use of a credit card.

Regina Fran Webb, owner of Owasso Title LLC and Owasso Real Estate Services, entered guilty pleas to the two counts before Chief U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell in Tulsa federal court.

Webb, 57, was indicted Feb. 3 by a grand jury on 23 counts that included charges of financial institution fraud, money laundering, unauthorized use of a credit card and aggravated identity theft with alleged losses totaling over $800,000.

The indictment was unsealed June 21, at which time a superseding indictment filed June 7, which added five counts of bankruptcy fraud, was also made public.

The bankruptcy fraud counts relate to Webbs alleged failure to disclose five creditors that were owed a total of $336,933 on her Chapter 13 voluntary petition.

The plea deal calls for prosecutors to dismiss the remaining 26 counts contained in the superseding indictment.

In one of the counts, Webb pleaded guilty to keeping $95,536 that was part of the proceeds intended to pay off the seller in a January 2011 property transaction that she oversaw.

The mortgage on the loan was never paid off once it was refinanced, Webb told Frizzell, when asked to explain what she did.

The other guilty plea relates to funds that were meant to pay off loans. Instead, the money was used by Webb to make a payment on an American Express credit card account that she opened in a former clients name.

Webb faces maximum prison terms of 30 years on the financial institution fraud count and 20 years on the money laundering count, although sentencing guidelines call for her to serve far less  51 months to 63 months.

In addition to the guilty plea, Webb agreed to make restitution totaling $808,781, which includes losses by nine other victims mentioned in the indictment.

Also, Webb agreed to the imposition of a criminal money judgment totaling $464,500.

The financial fraud and money laundering charges stem from transactions that occurred between 2009 and 2012.

Webb, who has been freed on an unsecured appearance bond, is scheduled to be sentenced March 6.

Twitter: @loucardfan61
The persons have been identified as G Vamsi Krishna, a private businessman and M Naga Venkata Samuel, a LIC agent.

By Ashish Pandey: In the past two days Andhra Pradesh Police has foiled 4 currency exchange attempts and have recovered Rs 2 crore in new and old currency from black money hoarders and agents in Guntur, Krishna and West Godavari districts.

Read: 21-year-old Make In India awardee arrested with fake Rs 2,000 notes worth Rs 42 lakh

On Friday, Vijayawada Police nabbed two persons and seized Rs 31 lakh in cash while they were trying to exchange new Rs 2,000 currency with demonetised currency. The persons have been identified as G Vamsi Krishna, a private businessman and M Naga Venkata Samuel, a LIC agent.

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Read: Hyderabad: 8 persons arrested with fake Rs 2,000 notes worth Rs 2.22 lakh

The accused

The police has detained all the accused and informed Income-Tax department for further investigation.

Read: Misuse of new Rs 2,000 note kicks up within two weeks of demonetisation

In another case, Hyderabad Police had recovered over Rs 95 lakh in cash in Rs 2,000 denomination from 5 persons on Thursday.

Also read: Hyderabad: Padma Bhushan awardee Michael Ferreira, 3 others arrested in Qnet scam

Also read: Telangana: 2 arrested for circulating photocopies of new Rs 2,000 note

--- ENDS ---
Sergio Ramos netted a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared in Saturday's Clasico meeting with Barcelona. A nervy first half ended goalless, however Luis Suarez's header looked to have been enough for the Blaugrana to take all three points. That was until the Madrid skipper's late intervention. UEFA.com's Joe Walker picks out the bones.

Which Clasico players make your Team of the Year?

Better result for Madrid

You could see in the way the Merengues celebrated what this point meant. Barcelona looked crestfallen and it ensures the side from the capital remain six clear of their great rivals in the Liga standings. It was a nervous, even game in which a draw was probably a fair result but there is no doubt it will feel sweeter for the visitors, especially given the circumstances of the goal.

Watch all the Champions League Clasico goals

Iniesta still the boss

Andres Iniesta might be 32, but he is as important as ever for Barcelona. In the first half, with the midfield maestro on the bench, Madrid dominated in the centre of the field. However, after Iniesta was introduced on the hour it was the Catalan giants who took control largely thanks to the class of their conductor.

Madrid's run towards history

It is often said the sign of champions is getting a result even when not at your best  that is exactly what Madrid are doing. They are now 33 games unbeaten in all competitions  just one behind the club record  despite not hitting the heights they have at times this season in recent weeks. It all bodes well.

Highlights: See how Real Madrid won La Decima

Ramos the man for the biggest stage

It had to be him. When Luka Modric swung in the ball from the left-hand side there was one man above all others who Madrid wanted on the end of the cross. Ramos was the hero with a late header when Madrid won the 2014 UEFA Champions League and 2016 UEFA Super Cup and he was at it again at the death to rescue his side here. Cristiano Ronaldo might get many of the plaudits, but Ramos's importance to the team, in front of goal as well as at the back, cannot be understated.

Zidane now has midfield dilemma

It is a selection headache, but a welcome one. Casemiro's late appearance from the bench marked a return from injury for the Brazilian, who has been a fixture throughout much of Zinedine Zidane's tenure. Mateo Kovacic has excelled in his absence, Isco is in fine form and Modric is imperative to the side's style of play. Zidane now has to decide whether or not Casemiro comes straight back in and, if so, who misses out.

Getty Images

AFP/Getty Images

Getty Images
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) The body of a woman, with its lower portion missing, was found stuffed in a travel bag inside a drain in Amar Colony area of southeast Delhi this morning.

With this, bodies of four unidentified persons have been found in south and southeast Delhi in the last 10 days.

The body was stuffed in a black travel bag which was dumped in the drain near a bus stand on Captain Gaur Marg. The woman was in her thirties, a police officer said.

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The womans the hands were tied and the lower part of the body was missing. It is suspected that stray animals had eaten portions of the remains, the officer said, adding a case of murder has been registered and investigation is on.

Yesterday, a mans body with its lower part missing, nose and ear sliced, and neck slit was found in Sangam Vihar area. In Munirka, the body of a woman with her head severed was found in a sewer. Body of a young woman with her throat slit was found in south Delhi

Locals are being questioned to know if they noticed any suspicious activity in the area. Efforts are also being made to identify the victims, police said. PTI VIT SLB NSD

--- ENDS ---
No Ukrainian soldiers were killed, but six were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine over the last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO issues Andriy Lysenko said at a press briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. As a result of military operations in the ATO zone over the last day, the Ukrainian army sustained no losses, but six Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, he said. ish
President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Marek Kuchcinski.

The parties noted mutual interest in continuation of the active dialogue at the level of the parliaments and between the parliamentary committees and groups of friendship, the press service of the Head of State reported.

The President supported the initiative of the Polish side to conduct the interparliamentary Forum of Central and Eastern Europe.

The parties discussed consolidation of the international community in support of Ukraine in conditions of Russian aggression.

ish
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman met with Advisor to the Emir of Qatar for Cultural Affairs Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari.

The sides discussed practical measures of deepening cooperation between Ukraine and Qatar in various fields, Governments portal reported.

In particular, the Head of Government stressed that the bilateral trade turnover between the states does not match the potential of the countries and has to enhance.

Ukraine in the near future is expecting a delegation of business representatives from Qatar and planning to discuss in particular the issues of expansion of investment opportunities.

The Prime Minister thanked Qatar for its support in the UN framework during consideration of the Ukrainian issue, in particular a resolution "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine" adopted by the UN General Assembly on 27 March 2014, as well as "The Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol" adopted on 15 November 2016.

ish
Too busy making a list and checking it twice to keep up with IPKat this week? No problem, here is the 124th edition of Never Too Early For Christmas References Never Too Late.





Festive Feline Level 100





The case of Napp Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited v (1) Dr Reddy's Laboratories (UK) Limited (2) Sandoz Limited [2016] EWCA Civ 1053 was previously reported on the IPKat here (first instance) and here (interim application). This case whizzed through to the Court of Appeal in under six months from the issue of proceedings and Eibhlin summarises the judgement.









Internkat Tian brings us all the details of the 2nd EU-China IP Forum which she attended in London on 8th November, organised by IP Key and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies ( CCLS ), Queen Mary University of London ( QMUL ), with support from Renmin University of China ( RUC ).





The Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice (JIPLP) conference will take place Monday, 16 January 2017 at the Simmons & Simmons offices in London. Register here.





The 11th edition of the Pan-European Intellectual Property Summit takes place on 1st and 2nd December at the World Customs Organization in Brussels. Register here.





Kat friend Jeremy Morton brings a summary of The ItechLaw Association held its European conference programme in Madrid on November 9-11.





David gives us an a roundup of whats been happening in relation to the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) for prospective patent attorneys.





Southampton law student Stephen Barratt provides a review of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision in Microsoft , a reference for a preliminary ruling from Latvia concerning the principle of digital exhaustion as applied to computer programmes.





A review of the happenings in the IP bloggersphere in Around the IP Blogs and a of Sunday Surprises including IPKat topping the list of the most popular copyright law blogs of all time!





*** PREVIOUSLY ON NEVER TOO LATE ***





Never Too Late 123 [ week ending on Sunday 20 November ] | Time for a Haar-cut - please do not relocate the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office | Remember the House Ban? How two years flies past | Gilead triumphant as Court of Appealupholds Arnold J in Idenix's Sovaldi appeal | ] | Time for a Haar-cut - please do not relocate the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office | Remember the House Ban? How two years flies past | Gilead triumphant as Court of Appealupholds Arnold J in Idenix's Sovaldi appeal |

BREAKING: CJEU follows AG and holds French law on out-of-print books contrary to EU law | Again on the first post-GS Media national decision | Top 5 things IP lawyers must remember about English contract law | Monday Miscellany | Around the IP Blogs |





Never Too Late 122 [ week ending on Sunday 13 November ] | Is depositing better than sequencing? | European Commission on Biotech Directive: tomatoes about to be squashed? | The U.S. presidential election of 1876: votes, cannabis and intellectual property| CJEU upholds duty to reverse-engineer trade marks in Rubik's cube decision, but what about the actual v abstract test? | BREAKING: CJEU says that EU law allows e-lending| Around the Web Blogs| IP Publishers and Editors' Lunch 2016!| Firings will continue until morale improves - Merpel revisits the EPO|





Never Too Late 121 [ week ending on Sunday 6 November ] | Sunday Surprises | Firings will continue until morale improves - Merpel revisits the EPO | Will too much of one and not enough of the other spell bad news for innovation? | BREAKING NEWS Brexit - High Court rules Government cannot Invoke Article 50 under Crown Prerogative | Canada's new approach to diagnostic practices prompts division at CIPO





Never Too Late 120 [ week ending on Sunday 30 October ] | Court of Appeal on Pregabalin - Pfizer still in pain, but Swiss claims re-interpreted again | Procedural fairness and the Penalties Regulation: R(Roche) v Secretary of State for Health | Meet the Trade Mark Judges (Part two) | AG Szpunar says that the notion of "places accessible to the public against payment of an entrance fee" does not apply to hotel rooms | Charlie Chaplin won't come back from the dead, neither will Montis' copyright in the Chaplin chair | Linking to unlicensed content: Swedish court applies GS Media | Urgent crowd sourcing request-- "ugly" clauses in IP agreements | How much attention should the IP community give to non-compete clauses? | Friday Fantasies | Around the IPKats Cousins Blogs




Ever wondered where rich people like Warren Buffett, Carlos Slim Helu and Jeff Bezos went to college? Read on below to see where billionaires studied for their higher education.

It was previously reported that Harvard University topped the list for the universities that produce the most billionaires. It is followed by Columbia University with 12 graduates who have a total wealth of $171 billion.

Stanford University comes in third place with 10 billionaire graduates. Their total wealth is $149.2 billion.

Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University all have nine billionaire graduates each. The schools' graduates have a total wealth of $38.9 billion, $82.6 billion and $45.4 billion, respectively.

Other schools on the list are New York University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan and University of Texas - Austin.

Meanwhile, Times Higher Education collated a list of where the top 10 richest people with a degree went to school. First up is legendary investor Warren Buffett with a net worth of $60.8 billion. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and had his master's degree at Columbia University.

Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim Helu went to the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He has a net worth of $50 billion.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, has a net worth of $45.2 billion and went to Princeton University. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, on the other hand, went to Johns Hopkins University for his undergraduate studies and earned his master's degree at Harvard. He has a net worth of $40 billion.

Charles Koch and David Koch of Koch Industries both went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for their undergraduate degrees and master's degrees. They both have a net worth of $39.6 billion each.

Google's Larry Page has an estimated net worth of $35.2 billion. He graduated from the University of Michigan and had his master's at Stanford University.

Page's co-founder with Google, Sergey Brin, went to Stanford for his undergraduate studies. He has a net worth of $34.4 billion.

Bernard Arnault went to Ecole Polytechnique and has a net worth of $34 billion. Jim Walton, who rounds up the top 10, has a net worth of $33.6 billion and went to the University of Arkansas.
The "Star Wars" Han Solo spin-off movie may also feature "Game of Thrones" Emilia Clarke, adding a stellar name into a cast of relatively newcomers. The story will focus more on the misadventures of Han Solo along with Chewbacca, whose friendship will be revealed as to how they got together and became inseparable.

The character of Han Solo in the "Star Wars" anthology is well-loved by many fans and moviegoers. Solo adds a lighter and comedic tone to an otherwise grittier and serious theme of a galactic David and Goliath.

Solo is Harrison Ford and it is an association that not only early and older "Star Wars" fans know, but also of younger ones who have watched the digitally enhanced earlier "Star Wars" movies. However, Ford is no longer young and the spin-off movie is about a younger solo, which requires another charismatic actor who can equal Ford's charm.

Alden Ehrenreich of "Hail, Caesar" was the top pick to play the young thief and smuggler in the "Star Wars" Han Solo movie, placing a huge pressure on his shoulders. However, Lucasfilm producer Kathleen Kennedy has always been insistent to bring new and diverse faces onscreen for every new "Star Wars" movie according to Variety.

In fact, Lucasfilm has received praises in casting newcomer Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, a female and black actor to play the lead roles in the blockbuster "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." This means that Ehrenreich is in good hands particularly in the directing hands of Christopher Miller and Phil Lord of "The Lego Movie."

It is also rumored that Enhrenreich will be joined by a stellar name, Emilia Clarke better known as Daenerys Targaryen of HBO's "Game of Thrones." Clarke also has successful movies in the big screen like the "Terminator Genisys" and "Me Before You."

Donald McKinley Glover has been confirmed to play Solo's best buddy, Lando Clarissian. Chewbacca will also be featured in the movie whose back story will also be revealed.Nothing much is known about Chewy's beginnings and the spin-off movie will be able to provide fans a backgrounder on Chewbacca's ancestry particularly on his special relationship with Solo.

Filming for the newest spin-off will begin January 2017 according to Digital Spy. "Star Wars" Han Solo movie is set to be released on May 25, 2018.
It was announced on Thursday that the Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz is stepping down next year, April 13 and is going to be replaced by the company's current president and COO, Kevin Johnson.

Schultz, who is 63 years old, started the coffee business 30 years ago with the goal of establishing and strengthening the relationship between people and their coffee. Needless to say, he made his visions a reality as Starbucks is now the largest coffee chain in the world.

But as to how Schultz became the man responsible for Starbucks' success is what is going to be revealed if you read through.

Schultz was born in July 19, 1953 in Brooklyn, New York. He experienced poverty at a very young age, especially when he was seven years old when his father lost his job for breaking his ankle while working as a truck driver.

When he was in college, he took advantage of student loans and took various jobs to be able to pay for the tuition charges. When he graduated, he landed a job at Xerox in a sales training program, but left three years later to take a job at Hammarplast, a Swedish housewares business. This is where he stepped up and became the vice president and general manager and got the chance to handle a team of sales people in their office in New York.

It was at Hammarplast that he was first introduced to Starbucks and because he was intrigued by the coffee shop, he traveled to Seattle to meet with the company's then owners who were Gerald Baldwin and Gordon Bowker. A year later, he was hired by Baldwin to be the director of retail operations and marketing. However, he left in 1985, when his idea of an Italian coffee experience was rejected by the founders and led him to start his own coffee company, Il Giornale which means "the daily" in Italian.

While he was away from Starbucks, he focused on the growth of Il Giornale until he was able to buy Starbucks for $3.8 million and that was when Schultz became the CEO of Starbucks Corporation which had 6 stores at the time.

There was definitely a lot of major setbacks when Schultz was running Starbucks but Schultz was hoping it could achieve its ultimate goal to better the world. In his letter in 2015 to shareholders, he wishes that Starbucks is "showing the world what's possible when for-profit public companies go beyond what is expected and also do what is right - and what is in their hearts."
Frederik Eklund arrived in the US from his native Stockholm with virtually nothing. He left business school behind and came to the Manhattan. He had a pretty rough start but things started to turn a round when a friend told him that his personality is perfect for real estate.

Eklund signed up for licensing classes at New York University and became a real estate broker. He did not expect to have so much fun doing real estate and actually thought it paid ridiculously high.

Fredrik had so much fun, he closed his first year with $50 million worth of property sold. He was the top producer at Douglas Elliman New York and the broker of choice of celebrities, closing deals for Alec Baldwin, Justin Timberlake, and Jennifer Lopez to name a few. He later on started his own firm in Sweden and has signed on over $3.5 billion worth of properties sold.

Fredrik shares his success secrets:

Be friendly, accessible and look sharp

More than the usual sales skills and techniques, Eklund suggests being open and engaging. Accommodate questions about the property but also exert an effort to have casual chat. Getting buyers to open up increases the chance of closing the deal.

In the whole process, from the property tour up to the signing, be physically present. Eklund believes that in person negotiations show genuine interest and interest in the buyers and their needs.

Invest on your wardrobe. They don't call it "dressed for success" for nothing. A strong first impression with clients will largely determine if they would choose to do business with you.

Respect the profession and learn the ropes. Fredrik spent countless hours learning and memorizing details of listings and neighborhoods in their company. One sure fire way to be more productive is to know the inventory and their locations.

"Just be yourself."

Fredrik Eklund recognizes the power of presenting yourself in an honest way. He attributes his success to being the authentically energetic and colorful person that he is. He says our unique personality is one powerful tool we can use.

When he was starting out, Eklund tried to be more controlled and restrained, attempting to copy others but the realized that the more he became true to he really was, it became easier to close deals and he became more successful.
A new study suggests that idle chit-chat is not as distracting compared to working in a busy office environment.

According to Japanese researchers, there is nothing more distracting than overhearing office conversations and meaningful noises. They claim that you are likely going to be more productive if you listen to idle chat or meaningless noises.

Dr. Takahiro Tamesue, of the Yamaguchi University in Japan, said: "Surrounding conversations often disturb the business operations conducted in such open offices. Because it is difficult to soundproof an open office, a way to mask meaningful speech with some other sound would be of great benefit for achieving a comfortable sound environment."

In an experiment they conducted, they discovered that certain noises including music and meaningful conversations increase a person's level of annoyance and decreases concentration and performance on the tasks at hand.

"The experiments suggest that when designing sound environments in spaces used for cognitive tasks -- such as the workplace or schools -- it is appropriate to consider not only the sound level, but also meaningfulness of the noise that is likely to be present," added Dr. Tamesue.

A study by the University of Sussex also had similar findings which revealed that talking on a hands-free phone is just as distracting as talking on a hand-held mobile because your attention from the road is being taken away by the conversation regardless if you are holding the phone or not.

Dr. Graham Hole, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sussex, said: "Our findings have implications for real-life mobile phone conversations."

"The person at the other end of the phone might ask "where did you leave the blue file?", causing the driver to mentally search a remembered room. The driver may also simply imagine the facial expression of the person they're talking to."

"Conversations are more visual than we might expect, leading drivers to ignore parts of the outside world in favour of their inner 'visual world.'"
University of Colorado recently decided to dismiss a doctor because of a racist remark against the First Lady of the United States.

A Dr. Michelle Herren, who also works at the Denver Health Medical Center, recently commented on the First Lady. It was on a post on Facebook that sparked the controversy.

Dr. Herren responded to a Facebook post that had nothing but praises for the wife of President Barack Obama, cites Belfast Telegraph. In her comment, Dr. Herren called the First Lady a "monkey face" with "poor ebonic English."

In addition to her racist remark, she added that her statement was not racist at all. She merely "called it like it is" and she feels better for it. Dr. Herren, who is a paediatric anaesthesiologist at the Medical Center and is connected with the University of Colorado sparked outrage in the social media sphere.

Seeing this, the University of Colorado decided to terminate its relationship with the doctor. According to the publication, the Denver Health Medical Center is bumping up against the right to free speech.

Local news, such as KMGH-TV, indicated that Dr. Herren is no longer seeing patients at the hospital after her controversial remarks against First Lady Michelle Obama. Herren aired her part of the story to KMGH-TV and explained that her comments were taken out of context.

In addition to her explanation, she claimed that she had no knowledge that the phrase "monkey face" was an offensive term.

Regardless, the University of Colorado cuts its ties with the doctor. It may take a while for the issue to die down but her comments have already sent a ripple across the social media platform and is affecting her professional career. There are no clear reports indicating what other forms of repercussions happened after she made those remarks. However, it is already creating an impact on her professional life.
Yale University wants to change a name of a building on campus.

Yale University President Peter Salovey created an advisory panel committee to change the name of its Calhoun residential college.

Calhoun is named after a former United States vice president who was a fervent supporter of slavery in the 1800's, cites ABC News. John C. Calhoun, who was a member of the 1804 Yale Class did not only become vice president but also was a senator from South Carolina. He was one of the men responsible in opposing to the termination of slavery in the country and several states.

Salovey wrote a letter to the university community to explain the process. He said that the panelists in the advisory committee will oversee the recommendations of a name change by using guidelines that follows the change of building names. This is Salovey's response to the community's need to change the name. Yale has been under pressure because of this.

But changing names is not an easy task. The university has to consider that by removing the name, it will not "erase history" and keeping it should not "distort history." Which means Yale must caution in making such changes. Yale is considering creating museum like exhibits that will put the name in a historical context.

The Committee to Establish Principles on Renaming says that changing names at any Ivy League School should be an exceptional event. And this usually happens when a person is honored for leaving a legacy that is connected with the university's mission.

The Calhoun College has created controversy in and outside Yale University for several decades. But recently, after protesters in schools around the United States pushing colleges to address these legacies have prompted Yale to act. Yale needed to address the issue quickly after one of their dining services workers, who is African American, smashed a window at the Calhoun College. The window featured slaves as its design.
Chris Pratt crops Jennifer Lawrence on his Instagram photos as his way of pranking the actress and her fans who have been asking the actor to take a selfie with the Oscar winning actress. The week-long prank is getting a lot of publicity as the duo promotes their newest film "Passengers," but fans are saying stop while others are finding it amusing and hilarious.

Pratt of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World" fame has been known to be a prankster, which he evidently reveals in a series of Instagram photos involving Lawrence. Pratt and Lawrence have been making various interviews and promotions of their latest film, "Passengers."

"Passengers" is a sci-fi romance where two passengers where woken up from cryo-sleep 90 years earlier. While their spacecraft is enroute to a distant colony planet, the two passengers fell in love with each other, but also face a series of mechanical troubles along the way.

"Passengers" will hit theaters on Dec. 21 and both Pratt and Lawrence are following a hectic schedule of promoting their new film. While on promotion, Pratt the prankster has been uploading photos and a video on his Instagram account where he intentionally crops Lawrence's face or block her entirely.

Pratt's pranks come after a series of requests by fans for him to upload a selfie photo with the actress. The 37-year-old actor began last Tuesday Nov. 29, where he uploads a photo cropping half of Lawrence's face and seemingly teasing fans with the caption "Finally got that selfie with Jen y'all wanted," Time reported.

Finally got that selfie with Jen y'all wanted. #passengersmovie A photo posted by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Nov 29, 2016 at 7:06am PST



Last Wednesday, Pratt took another photo of himself and Lawrence's back and then posted a group photo cropping half of Lawrence's body. On Thursday, he uploaded a slow-motion video of himself doing an experiment and then teased fans that Lawrence is heavily featured in it, when in fact the actress is seen running to the back and keeping a safe distance from him, US Weekly has learned.

Not yet content, Pratt also posted a photo blocking the actress entirely that only her hand on a glass can be seen. During a guesting in the "Graham Norton Show," Pratt again uploaded a group photo with the naked chef in clothes, but again cropping the actress' face.

Though some fans find it amusing and hilarious, others do not especially the fans of Lawrence. Pratt cropping Lawrence has to stop is an outcry shared by many of the fans, but only time will tell if the actor pays heed or may even resort to more pranking.
It remains to be seen how seriously Dastooris case will be treated by the Intelligence Ministry. But other recent summons and arrests, including that of Iranian-British charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, have resulted in multi-year sentences after vague charges that the defendants were involved in cultural infiltration of the Islamic Republic and attempts at the soft overthrow of the Iranian regime. Dastooris detention is evidently based on her relationship with the prestigious Western film festival, as she and her colleague Anke Leweke had been in Iran to select Iranian films for the coming years event.

In addition to barring Dastoori from leaving the country with her colleague, the Iranian intelligence agents also confiscated the selected films. Speaking to the International Campaign, a source close to the case described this as a strange move, considering that most of those films had already been screened at an international film festival inside Iran. However, it bears mentioning that various films have been screened at Western film festivals in the past after being barred from Iranian distribution by the regimes highly active censorship authorities.

In this way, the Dastoori case is indicative not only of the ongoing crackdown on dual nationals but also on the intensified restrictions on Iranian art, music, journalism, and other cultural or political expressions. The notably strict and often violent enforcement of these restrictions was the general topic of an Amnesty International urgent call to action, issued by the human rights organization on Thursday. The document calls for supporters to write to the Iranian judiciary and supreme leader regarding the punishment facing filmmaker Keyvan Karimi after he was taken to Evin Prison on November 23.

Karimi was sentenced in October 2015 to six years in prison and 223 lashes, following seven hearings that were spread over the course of several months but lasted only 15 to 20 minutes each. As well as giving his defense attorney inadequate time to present a defense, the Revolutionary Court arbitrarily changed the sentence against him from spreading propaganda against the system to insulting Islamic sanctities. The former charge had been related to a documentary he had made about Iranian graffiti artists, while the latter was based on a music video found on his hard drive, and was only brought to his attention during his final trial session.

The charge of insulting Islamic sanctities resulted in his sentence of six years in prison. The lashing punishment is related to his alleged violation of Iranian laws regarding gender segregation, as he was accused of shaking hands with a female poet and occupying the same room with her while she was not wearing her legally mandated head covering. Flogging sentences are frequently meted out for violations of Irans hardline Islamic moral code, and Iranian artists are often the target of such charges.

The Amnesty International document names a number of other artists who have similarly been convicted of crimes for their peaceful activities, following unfair trials. It urges a halt to this general crackdown, and also to the sort of brutal corporal punishment that Karimi is expected to be subjected to in the coming days. His recent summons to begin serving his sentence came after his conviction was upheld on appeal  a development that arguably reaffirms the regimes commitment to its ongoing crackdown, and its rejection of international human rights standards even in the face of close scrutiny by human rights activists and foreign governments.

Naturally, the attacks on dual nationals have only contributed to this scrutiny. And the Dastoori case is only one very recent example thereof. On Friday, the International Campaign also reported upon the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps detention of Iranian-American dual national Karan Vafadari and his wife Afarin Niasari. Their initial arrest took place approximately three months ago, but their case was only given public attention after Vafadaris sister went to the press following repeated broken promises that the case would be resolved.

This follows a frequent pattern in politically motivated arrests, wherein family members are warned that public comment will make the situation worse, while the arrestees are held in secret. No charges have been publicly announced for Vafadari or Niasari, although members of the Iranian parliament identified them by name and accused them of violating the countrys morality laws by hosting mixed gender parties and possessing alcohol. However, the International Campaign points out that, at least in theory, Vafadari is not subject to these religious restrictions because he is a member of the constitutionally recognized Zoroastrian minority community.

But in practice, the same religious standards are applied universally, and even constitutionally recognized religious groups are subject to persecution and institutionalized discrimination. In absence of a full account of the case against Vafadari, one may assume that he was targeted based on his religious identity, his dual national status, the couples patronage of the arts, or any combination of these three factors. The International Campaigns report indicates that Vafadari and his wife own an art gallery and that numerous pieces were either destroyed or confiscated, both in the gallery and in their home, at the time of their arrest.

But whichever form of crackdown the Vafadari case represents, there are sure to be reports in the near future to indicate that the regimes intimidation has been ineffective at silence the overall populations religious, cultural, or artistic expressions. In fact, some recent reports have insisted that the repression has only accelerated the growth of persecuted communities, as a form of rebellion. Iran News Update previously highlighted a report at Fox News which claimed that the rate of conversions to Christianity was increasing despite government crackdowns. On Friday, a similar report at Patheos said much the same thing, specifically estimated the current size of the Iranian Christian community at approximately three million, compared to 100,000 in 1994.

According to an op-ed on Tuesday in The Hill. the plight and perseverance of Iranian Christians, with the expatriate Iranian author pointing out that the situation had not improved in any measure since the 2013 election or President Hassan Rouhani. For PMOI activists, the lack of moderation under Rouhani is evidence that the international community should commit to exerting pressure on the Iranian regime over human rights, while also seeking partnerships outside of that regime.

Such partnerships exist both inside and outside of Iran, as was highlighted both by the editorial and by the Patheos article. Just as the PMOI maintains networks inside Iran and among worldwide Iranian expatriate communities, the persecution of Iranian Christians is apparently driving two parallel trends: the increasing organization of the convert community and the exodus of Christians who have experienced intolerable levels of persecution or intimidation.

Whats more, a two-part report at IranWire also points to the prevalence of this trend among Irans reformist and independent journalists. The report detailed the findings of a Royal Society of Medicine study into the mental health of Iranian journalists, and found high rates of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also noted that these trends persist even among expatriate journalists, who made up two-thirds of the participants in a survey of their experiences.

Among journalists working both inside and outside of their Persian homeland, some 20 percent reported having been tortured, while 61 percent experienced other forms of intimidation and 50 percent witnessed intimidation being directed against their families.

These trends have also seemingly accelerated in the midst of the current crackdown, as human rights organizations continue to accumulate reports of the political imprisonment of journalists. On Thursday, the International Campaign reported, for instance, that the photographer Alieh Matlabzadeh, who had previously worked for various reformist publications, had been apprehended by the Intelligence Ministry on November 26.

Matlabzadehs husband reported that authorities had said charges against her would become clear after 10 days, thus confirming that she had been arrested without charge and that the Intelligence Ministry was working to build a case against her through the process of interrogation.

While her work in reformist media was no doubt a contributing factor in her arrest, her case bears similarities to that of Vafadari and others in that it highlights multiple targets of the regimes persecutions. In this case, Matlabzadehs arrest came after she attended a workshop in Georgia on female empowerment. The International Campaign found that at least 20 other attendees had also been questioned by Iranian authorities, and that arrests are apparently ongoing.

Meanwhile, various reports point to other types of activists being either arrested without charge or being subjected to additional pressures while already serving prison sentences or languishing in pre-trial detention. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported on Thursday that two activists had been arrested in the city of Tabriz, one for undisclosed reasons and one apparently for taking pictures at a tourist destination in the city. At around the same time, two other activists in the same city were sentenced to four months for their peaceful activities.

And on Friday, the National Council of Resistance of Iran sought to call attention to the case of two female Kurdish political prisoners, Afsaneh Bayazid and Hajar Piri, alleging that prison authorities had placed them among the general prison population instead of in the ward designated for political prisoners, and had conducted unlawful raids of their cells and confiscated their belongings.
Hampshire College recently gained backlash after it banned the U.S. flag from flying in its campus. The announcement was made after the 2016 U.S. election.

It was reported that Hampshire College president Jonathan Lash has deemed the flag as a "disruptive symbol." The administration initially replaced the burned flag, taking to mind the "the strong feelings of those who see the flag as a statement of the best of the country."

However, last month, Lash sent an email to the campus community saying that the flagpole would remain bare until next semester. He also admitted that, with the removal of the flag, the school will instead focus on addressing "racist, misogynistic, Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and behaviors."

"Some months ago, the Hampshire College Board of Trustees adopted a policy of periodically flying the flag at half-staff to mourn deaths from violence around the world," Lash wrote in the email. "Earlier this week, in the current environment of escalating hate-based violence, we made the decision to fly Hampshire's U.S. flag at half-staff for a time while the community delved deeper into the meaning of the flag and its presence on our campus."

He did acknowledge that the action has been painful to faculty and students who are veterans or families of veterans. He urges the community to "insist on diversity, inclusion, and equity from our leaders and in our communities."

According to Reuters, Hampshire College has recently raised the flag again on Friday. President Lash made the announcement.

The decision to ban the American flag in campus came after president-elect Donald Trump won the election. Protesters burned a flag on campus and let another flag fly half-mast for several days, prompting the school to remove it entirely.

"We understand that many who hold the flag as a powerful symbol of national ideals and their highest aspirations for the country, including members of our own community, felt hurt by our decisions, and that we deeply regret," Lash recently said in a statement. "We acted solely to facilitate much-needed dialogue on our campus about how to dismantle the bigotry that is prevalent in our society."
The Moto Z' standout feature, the MotoMod, may get Tango AR functionality with new modules that can be snapped into the handset to use AR technology apps. In so doing, smartphone users need not carry all the advanced hardware and software required for the Tango platform on their handsets on a daily basis.

The Moto Z is Motorola's flagship device, which was launched just this summer. It is the first phone to do away with the headphone jack, overtaking industry leaders like the Apple.

Moreover, Moto Z featured an innovative app, known to be its standout feature, the MotoMod. The MotoMod enables users to magnetically snap a hardware device like the Hasselblad camera or the JBL Soundtrack Speaker according to Digital Trends.

The MotoMod allows users with different requirements to have access to a variety of modules that meet their needs from a smartphone. Instead of putting all the latest hardware and software in a phone, Moto Z also offers freedom and variety especially for users with very minimal requirements.

For instance, some smartphone users may want to share their videos to friends by viewing these simultaneously. MotoMod allows this through a separately sold short-throw video projector.

However, this particular breakthrough feature of the MotoMod has not gotten much interest, possibly because there are still fewer modules who support the feature. With the latest news that Moto Z may support Tango, Motorola hopes that MotoMod will get the attention it deserves.

Motorola CEO Aymar de Lancquesaing in a press event spoke of the possibility to incorporate Google's Tango project in the Moto z. The CEO believes that AR has huge potential as can be seen in the popular "Pokemon Go" game and the trend looks to be staying.

The Moto Z gets the distinction of being Tango-compatible even without the built-in specific-Tango hardware needed for the platform. Lenovo and Asus have embraced Project Tango, but will be developing smartphones specifically designed for the Tango platform, Tech Times has learned.

With the latest AR technology developed by Google, Moto Z can be used to navigate through indoor buildings with instructions overlaid on the surroundings as seen in the phone screen. Moto Z's MotoMod with Tango functionality may once again put the flagship device in the lead when it comes to the use of AR technology.
Speaking at a conference in Paris titled Call for Justice: Ending Impunity for Perpetrators of Crimes Against Humanity in Iran and Syria on Saturday, November 26, Mrs. Rajavi said: Any solution seeking to end Daesh is conditional on complete eviction of the Iranian regime from the region, particularly from Syria. The people of Iran loathe this filthy war and stand by the people of Syria.

Heshmat Alavi who has published articles on Iran for the American Thinker wrote that Iran and Syria are brothers, standing shoulder to shoulder, deploring the devastating war raging for nearly six years now in the Levant.

The conference was a success, hosting a range of internationally known political personalities from Europe, Middle East and Syria, as well as eyewitnesses who had personally experienced the devastating effects of the Iranian regime.

Mrs. Rajavi was very critical of the U.S. policy of appeasement in Iran. We have said this time and again since years ago, she spoke on behalf of the NCRI. I will repeat it again that the worst mistake of the United States in the region was its appeasement of the mullahs ruling Iran. She went on to say that the policy has also been detrimental to the Middle East as a region.

Countries like Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon have all suffered because of Irans involvement in the region. One of the most disastrous consequences of the appeasement policy has been the half a million of Syrian civilians who have been killed as a result of the war, and most of the country forced to flee their homes. The war is fuelled further by Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran who is sending more and more troops and supplies to Syria and Iraq. Disguising under the banner of fighting the Daesh, Iran has been targeting specific religious groups, such as the Sunnis, to execute them.

Mr. Alavi commented that the whole of Middle East are counting on the White House to revisit and make changes to its policy in Iran, as a way to stabilise the crisis in the region.

He went on to list the crimes that have been carried out, under the rule of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is often referred to as a moderate leader. Encouraged by the weak response from the West, Mr. Rouhani has executed nearly 3,000 innocent people since he came to power.

There is only one solution to end the crisis in the Middle East, and Syria in particular. The West, particularly the U.S. must change their take on Iran and take a firm stand against this oppressive regime.
Area banks are on high alert saying "operation homeless" is back. Operation homeless is where scammers will convince homeless people to cash stolen counterfeit checks for them, saying they will give them a cut.

Two men from Georgia are in the Clay County Jail, accused of running an operation homeless scam. 25-year-old Aundraicus Bolden and 24-year-old Sammy Justice are each facing two felonies relating to check forgery.

According to a search warrant police say they tried hitting Fargo, West Fargo, and Dilworth with the fake checks.

It started when two homeless men were walking together in Moorhead.

According to a police search warrant they were approached by two black men driving a Nissan Altima.

The people in the car offered the homeless men $250.00 if they cashed a check for them. Right away one of the homeless men realized it was a scam. The two homeless men started to play along with the fraudsters, according to police. They went to a bank in Dilworth, but instead of cashing the stolen check, one of them passed a note to the bank teller who called 9-1-1.

Thats when Bolden and Justice were arrested, being accused of approaching multiple homeless people in the area doing the same thing, and possibly getting thousands of dollars from local banks.

"The fraudsters as I will refer to them are going and stealing checks from businesses and they are wiping them down and cleaning them up. And finding homeless people, cleaning them up, and dressing them up, and saying hey if you go and cash this check we will give you some of it. But, can you go into these banks and try to cash these checks." Says Katy Beckman, with VisonBank in Fargo. "It breaks my heart that these people are out on the streets already and they are trying to make it work."

Beckman says they haven't been hit by the scam, but they are prepared for it. "I am part of the red river valley security group, so we meet quarterly and so that's something that is just really cool. We are meeting with local police, law enforcement, everything so we are getting to know what scams are coming."

She says Christmas time is the busiest time for fraud of all types. "If you do see something suspicious, call your bank right away. And the other thing for bankers, know your clients, know what's going on and have that relationship, because if you don't have that relationship that' when things are going to slip and happen, and that's when clients are going to get affected."

The two men accused of running the scam could each serve up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.
The company is in the process of selecting an adviser for the loan package.

General director Tran Ngoc Nguyen told Vnexpress that the expansion is expected to be completed in 2020 with a total investment capital of $1.82 billion, 30 per cent of which will be equity and the remaining 70 per cent would be covered from loans.

Upon completion, the expanded refinerys capacity will increase by two million tonnes a year, to 8.5 million tonnes. It will be able to meet half of Vietnam s fuel demand.

Earlier, in September, BSR released plans to launch its initial public offering (IPO) at the end of 2017, attracting interest from top global energy firms, especially Russian and Thai conglomerates.

The company is also hiring consultants to build its equitisation plan and calculate its corporate value, as well as the auctioned shares price. The Prime Ministers decision to allow BSR to calculate its own selling price will create a platform for attracting domestic and foreign investors to the companys IPO.

Since commercial operations began at the refinery in February 2009, BSR has imported 47 million tonnes of crude oil to produce 42 million tonnes of products, including propylene, polypropylene, liquefied petroleum gas, and gasoline, as well as kerosene, diesel, and jet fuel.

Nine months into the year, BSR earned VND51.89 trillion ($2.32 billion) in revenue, equalling 63 per cent of the annual target, however, it achieved a VND1.04 trillion ($46.5 million) profit, equalling 130 per cent of the target.
This is the third time that Doosan Vina receives the award. In 2011, the company received the CSR award from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and in 2014 was selected by South Koreas Ministry of Natural Resources and Industry.

Speaking at the awards ceremony organised on November 30, Yeon In Jung, senior vice president of Doosan Heavy Industries and CEO of Doosan Vina, said that the company was recognised for its extensive CSR efforts that focus on building healthy communities through charity programmes. Over the last eight years, Doosan Vina has invested $5.6 million to help its neighbours through various CSR initiatives.

Notably, in healthcare, Doosan Vina cooperated with Chung Ang University (CAU) Hospital to examine and provided medicine for over 16,000 patients in the central province of Quang Ngai. They performed 110 surgeries on children from needy families and the elderly, 22 difficult cases of which required emergency air-transport to Korea for specialised care. In addition, Doosan Vina handed out 2.6 million doses of multi-vitamin for children and presented 30 pieces of physiotherapy equipment worth more than $150,000 to hospitals in Quang Ngai.

Furthermore, the company coordinated with CAU to bring Korean doctors to Vietnam to share medical procedures with doctors at Quang Nam Central General Hospital and Quang Ngai General Hospital. Also in healthcare, they donated an approximately $1 million desalination plant to the province, so that residents of An Binh Island would have a reliable, safe and clean supply of drinking water.

Meanwhile, in education, Doosan Vina presented 1,078 scholarships worth $282,000 to Vietnamese university students. It also signed agreements to share expertise and work with Vietnamese companies to upgrade the domestic mechanical sector and will provide employment for number of graduates from 17 universities and colleges. Besides, the company repaired, upgraded, and donated school supplies to local elementary schools and conducted numerous training programmes for preschool and elementary children.

Regarding housing, 27 houses in neighbouring communities were built, upgraded, and renovated.

Doosan Vina is known as a high-tech industrial complex in Dung Quat Economic Zone. Products with the label Made in Vietnam manufactured by Doosan Vina now appear in 28 countries and territories around the world.

First held in 2011, the CSR Awards have become an annual highlight event honouring Korean enterprises which are highly efficient and make positive contributions to the Vietnamese society and labour force, thereby enhancing the development of bilateral relation between the two countries.
The Viet Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC)headquarters in Ha Noi - VNS Photo Doan Tung

He told a cabinet meeting that handling bad debts was an urgent task for ensuring macro-economic stability and boosting socio-economic development.

However, the work done by Viet Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC), set up to process the bad debts of commercial banks, had not been effective enough, he said.

Company Chairman Nguyen Quoc Hung reported late October that since its establishment in 2013, the firm had bought non-performing loans worth VND262 trillion (US$11.85 billion).

However, it has only been able to recover around VND38 trillion, about 15 per cent of the loans purchased.

State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) Deputy Governor Nguyen Kim Anh, said the lack of proper, consistent regulations for the companys operations has caused the low ratio of debt recovery.

For example, as the VAMC deals with bad debts, borrowers might want to supplement their collateral with land-use rights. Yet notary agencies would not agree to notarise such a mortgage contract because, although the VAMC owned the debts, it was neither a lender nor a party that can accept land use rights as collateral under the Land Law 2013.

The SBVs Circular No 19/2013/TT-NHNN enabled the VAMC to evaluate bad debts either by themselves or by hiring an independent institution, but the Finance Ministrys Circular No 126/2015/TT-BTC did not specify the criteria for valuating debts.

VAMC and credit institutions cannot seize mortgaged assets if their owners intentionally resisted such seizure, because the national Civil Code (2015) has not stipulated the right of mortgagees to seize the assets.

Hue said the Ministry of Justice should start co-ordinating with relevant ministries and sectors immediately to kick-start the process for issuing a law on bad debt settlement.

The authorities would revise the Civil Code and laws on credit institutions, deposit insurance, tax management, corportate income tax, individual income tax and asset bidding, as part of this project, he added.

Hue asked the Ministry of Justice to formulate a decree to guide implementation of the Asset Bidding Law, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to complete a similar legal document on the Land Law regarding mortgaged assets settlement.

He also asked the Ministry of Construction to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice and the SBV to revise Decree 163 on transferring incomplete property projects not meant for business transactions in a way that facilitates VAMC operations.

The Ministry of Finance should issue criteria for asset valuation in the near future, and the Ministry of Public Security should co-operate with credit institutions and the VAMC in seizing mortgaged assets.

Hue also urged the Peoples Supreme Court and the Peoples Supreme Procuracy to provide guidelines on the legal value of transactions with mortgaged assets.

For its part, the VAMC should come up with a plan to enhance its capacity.

All measures aim to help the company handle bad debts more efficiently, but they must guarantee legal rights and interests of the State, credit institutions and related organisations and individuals, he said.
At the recent meeting with Paul Greenwood, vice president for Americas, Africa and Asia Pacific Business Development at ExxonMobil Gas & amp, who is visiting Vietnam to study the feasibility of the Blue Whale gas field project, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung highlighted the importance of the project for meeting increasing gas demands in Vietnam.

Dung also urged ExxonMobil to work with Vietnamese state-run oil and gas group PetroVietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to finalise the project.

Greenwood said that ExxonMobil is accelerating negotiations with Vietnamese partners to reach a final agreement. At present, ExxonMobil completed a brief report on the construction progress as well as the investment assessment based on the price of gas exploited from the field.

Previously, the prime minister approved a plan to develop four gas-to-power plants with a total generation capacity of 3,000 megawatts, to be fuelled from Blue Whale gas field. In addition, the PM also approved to use a part of the gas exploited from this field to serve the petrochemical industry.

In 2013, ExxonMobil and PetroVietnam signed a memorandum of understanding over the project. The project is believed to have high feasibility thanks to the good reputation of the investor and the readiness of the local authorities.

The exact amount of investment capital has not been released, but initial information suggested that the gas-to-power complex could cost as much as $20 billion, while PetroVietnam referred to a figure closer to $10 billion. However, according to the latest news, the projects investment capital is $4.6 billion.

ExxonMobil expects to exploit 8-9 billion cubic metres of gas per year, 1-3 billion cubic metres of which will go to Dung Quat Refinery for processing.
NY: Paul Arteta on Why He Should Be Elected as Sheriff for Orange County

On November 8, voters of Orange County, New York will not only be asked to elect representatives for the New York State Assembly, and the future Governor and Lt. Governor, and other elected roles, but will also be asked to elect a new County Sheriff. Paul Arteta, currently the Deputy
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.
U.S. General John Nicholson, the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, said the biggest challenges facing Afghanistan next year are leadership and corruption in the Afghan military.

These do plague some portions of the Afghan security forces, and what it has led to is a poor sustainment of soldiers in the field," Nicholson said at the Pentagon Friday.

The general said ineffectiveness and corruption in the supply system have left some Afghan soldiers on outposts without water, food or the ammunition they need to fight.



Nicholson said he has spoken "very frankly" with Afghan military and government leaders about these problems and will focus on implementing solutions, including the replacement of corrupt leaders, during the winter campaign.

Assessing 2016

Afghan forces still have control over roughly two-thirds of the population, but the numbers have dropped slightly, from 68 percent to 64 percent, since September.

Nicholson said the decrease did not equate to more Taliban control, but more population in "contested" areas. He said the Taliban still controls less than 10 percent of the population.

He said Afghan forces have prevailed against attacks from the Taliban.

The Taliban has lost its ability to "mass" for attacks, and have carried out more small-scale attacks on checkpoints in attempt to isolate the cities and create panic, he added.

Nicholson said the militant group had made eight attempts since August to take provincial capitals inside Afghanistan.

Every one of these attempts failed, he said.

In comparison to 2015, the number of high-profile attacks was lower across the country. In Kabul, for example, the Afghan government reported 18 high-profile attacks last year and 12 high-profile attacks this year, a one-third reduction.
South Africa has just launched a multi-year trial of a vaccine that might save millions of lives and help put an end to AIDS. Its the first AIDS vaccine trial in seven years, and hopes are high, not just in South Africa, but around the world.

The search for an AIDS vaccine has been long and frustrating. Dr. Anthony Fauci at the National Institutes of Health has spent his career studying HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. His agency is co-funding the trial.

The challenge that we have with an HIV vaccine is much different than the challenges we have with any other vaccine, Fauci said, explaining that with other viruses, such as polio or measles, the body begins to fight the infection on its own.

To develop a vaccine, scientists find a way to mimic the virus so the body makes an immune response to protect itself, so its ready to recognize and resist a future infection.

With HIV, thats not the case for a number of reasons, some of which we dont understand. The body does not make naturally, an adequate, good immune response against HIV, Fauci said.

Thailand trial offered hope

A few years ago, an experimental HIV vaccine was tried in Thailand. It cut the risk of infection by 31 percent, not good enough to produce a vaccine, but good enough for scientists to think they were on to something. Fauci says it provided proof of concept.

What the investigators did following the Thailand trial, he said, is that they looked to see if there was any correlate [commonality] of any particular type of response that the vaccinees got with protection. They found that there are a couple of things that they identified that were called correlates of immunity. Those are signs that those who participated in the trial had developed some protection against HIV.

For many viruses, antibodies serve as a correlate of immunity. This is not so for HIV, because those infected with the virus develop antibodies without being protected from the disease.

For the trial in South Africa, scientists produced a strengthened version of the vaccine used in Thailand. It was modified because the strain of HIV in South Africa is not the same as the strain in Thailand.

Earlier this year, a small study showed that the vaccine candidate was safe and promising enough to use in a major study.

South Africa results to take years

This trial, called HVTN 702, aims to enroll 5,400 sexually active men and women, making it the largest and most advanced HIV vaccine clinical trial to take place in South Africa. Some participants will receive the investigational vaccine; others, a placebo. All will be counseled on how to avoid getting the HIV virus.

The results of the trial wont be known for at least three years, but in order for it to be successful, the vaccine has to protect at least half of those who get it.

Even a moderately effective vaccine would significantly decrease the burden of HIV disease over time in countries and populations with high rates of HIV infection, such as South Africa, Fauci said.

In South Africa, 19 percent of adults have HIV and more than 1,000 people become infected with the virus every day.

But Fauci is mindful that just because this vaccine candidate shows promise, that doesnt mean it will succeed.

We have no idea whether it will work or not, he said. Any time you do a vaccine trial, more vaccine trials fail than are successful.

But if it does work and if it offers 50 to 60 percent protection against HIV, Fauci says the vaccine, along with proven HIV prevention tools, could be the final nail in the coffin for HIV.
It was a passion for the Kurdish cause that drove Californian Michael Israel to fight on the front lines in northern Syria against the Islamic State group.

Israel, 26, died fighting for that mission.

Kurdish authorities late this week identified Israel and German national Anton Leschek as two foreign volunteer fighters killed last month while fighting with a Kurdish militia against IS.

Israel, who called himself by a Kurdish name, Robin Agiri, was traveling November 24 with a Kurdish unit of the People's Protection Units, or YPG, near Arima, a village 13 miles northeast of the IS-held city of al-Bab. The unit came under attack from a Turkish airstrike.

Turkey considers the YPG a terrorist organization and an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in Turkey. Ankara fears that a strong Kurdish entity in northern Syria will empower Kurdish rebels in Turkey who are engaged in a bloody conflict with Turkish forces.

Foreign fighters

Contacted by VOA, Turkish authorities would not confirm that attack. But a high-ranking Turkish military official in Ankara, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Turkey was aware of foreigners fighting within Kurdish units in Syria

"If he had a connection with terrorist organizations in Syria, it is possible that he may have been hit during an air attack," the official said, referring to the YPG.

Shervan Derwish, spokesman for the YPG-aligned Manbij Military Council, said the unit suffered at least 10 casualties.

"Michael and Anton died two days after the attack, suffering from severe wounds," Derwish told VOA.

Despite having no military training, Israel went to Syria in August 2015 to participate in a major battle against IS, according to a friend and Kurdish officials. He returned home to California, before going back to Syria for a second time in July, his friends and fellow fighters said.

In a video posted on YPG International Brigade's Facebook page, Israel said he went to Syria to help the Kurdish people.

"I'm here to defend the people's revolution of Rojava," Israel said, using the Kurdish name for YPG-controlled territories in Syria, "and fight against the enemies of the struggle here."

Hanna Bowman, a Canadian who also fought for Syrian Kurds, said she met Israel last year at a training academy for new international volunteers.

"He understood that it was more than a fight against IS," she told VOA. "He knew it was bigger than that. He knew the Kurds were also building a new society where people are equal and in control of their own futures instead of being dictated to by the government. ... I was impressed with his understanding of gender equality and the patriarchal system that the Kurds were trying to destroy."

Family contacted

Kurdish officials announced the death of an American volunteer on Monday but withheld Israel's name until relatives in the United States could be contacted.

When Israel's name became public Thursday, friends in California hailed him as a "hero" and recalled his sense of humor and dedication to the Kurds.

Israel grew up in a mostly rural part of northern California where he developed a passion for advocating for justice for oppressed and impoverished peoples of the world, said David Roddy, a Sacramento resident, who met him in middle school.

Roddy said that as he and Israel were growing up, they read many books together about many parts of the world, and "we didn't like many things that we saw."

Anne Colman, principal of Mountain Oaks Charter School, from which Israel graduated in 2007, said Israel had a unique international outreach.

"He was a global citizen who was morally upright," said Colman, who taught Israel from the eighth to 12th grades.

Israel missed his graduation ceremonies, she said, because "he walked all the way from California to the East Coast to promote peace."

Home for short break

Colman said that she ran into Israel in a coffee shop shortly after he returned from his first trip to Syria. In the brief meeting, Israel told Colman that he was in Syria to bake for the fighters.

"I believe he was telling the same thing to his family and friends so they won't be scared," she said. "But everybody knew he was there to fight.  What was happening in Syria was like it was happening in his backyard. Michael cared about the world."

Israel's family has so far declined to publicly comment.

Kurdish officials have said they are in contact with authorities at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq to arrange for the transfer of Israel's body to the United States.

Friends say Israel expressed no regret in fighting for the Kurds despite the dangers.

"He believed in Rojava and their righteous revolution," said childhood friend Roddy.

VOA's Kasim Cindemir contributed to this report.
A Romanian-born man has been sentenced in the United States to 10 years in prison for conspiring to sell military-grade weapons in Europe.

Virgil Georgescu, a U.S. citizen born in Romania, was sentenced Friday in Manhattan after being convicted by a jury earlier this year.

Georgescu was arrested in Montenegro in 2014 in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sting operation. Prosecutors accused him of collaborating with a former Romanian government official and a former Italian Parliament member to sell an arsenal of weapons.

Undercover DEA informants posed as associates of the Colombian rebel group FARC, saying they were seeking weapons to shoot down U.S. helicopters.

Co-conspirators face four years in prison

Defense lawyers said Georgescu called the Central Intelligence Agency in 2012 to inform it of the weapons plot. Prosecutors argued that Georgescu later had a change of heart.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Surratt told the judge that Georgescu's motive was to profit on the backs of dead Americans. He said Georgescu was motivated by greed.

Georgescu's co-conspirators pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges and agreed to testify against Georgescu. They each received four years in prison.
A U.S. Army sergeant and former prisoner of war accused of endangering fellow troops by abandoning his post in Afghanistan has asked President Barack Obama to pardon him before leaving office next month.

If granted, the clemency request by lawyers for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, first reported Friday by The New York Times, would avert a court-martial set for April in which military prosecutors are set to present evidence of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.

Bergdahl was stationed in the Afghan province of Paktia when he left his post without permission in 2009. He was subsequently captured by allies of the Taliban and held captive for five years.

The Obama administration secured his release in a prisoner swap that touched off a firestorm of criticism from Republicans in Congress. Some lawmakers accused the administration of aiding a deserter and complained that Congress did not receive a required 30-day warning about the transfer of foreign prisoners in U.S. custody who were freed in exchange for Bergdahl's release.

Bergdahl's lawyers said their client walked away from his post to warn officers at another base about problems in his unit.

The pardon request came seven weeks before President-elect Donald Trump  a vocal critic of the prisoner swap  takes office. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized the deal, at one point calling Bergdahl "a no-good traitor who should have been executed."

"Thirty years ago, he would have been shot," Trump told cheering supporters at an October campaign rally in Las Vegas.
Fidel Castro's death has highlighted a yawning generational gap between older Cubans who remember grim poverty before his 1959 revolution, and youngsters who appreciate free health care and education but fear the 21st century is leaving them behind.

Julio Lopez, 77, belongs firmly to the first group. He was a hungry, barefoot 14-year-old in 1956 when he first met Castro, who was just beginning his revolution in the Sierra Madre mountains.

For Lopez, who lives in the central city of Santa Clara and wears an old olive green uniform draped in medals, Castro was a Christ-like figure who brought meaning and dignity to a life marked by deprivations.

"We were 12 brothers, we slept on the dirt floor, heated by a fire. We had no medicine, it was extreme poverty," said Lopez, of his life before he joined Castro's band of fighters in a war against U.S.-backed strongman Fulgencio Batista.

Illiterate until Castro's friend Ernesto "Che" Guevara taught him to write his name, Lopez went on to train as a mechanic.

"After the war ended, there was not one child in Cuba who did not have a school to go to," said the veteran, who traveled the world, fighting with Cuba's left-wing allies in Angola and working in Iran, Libya and Vietnam.

Since Castro died last Friday, young and old alike have eulogized his successes in providing free health and education for all after the revolution.

But while for veterans like Lopez those gains make Castro's legacy unassailable, for Millennials like law graduate-turned roadside electronics repairman Ivan Garcia Milan, 30, it is time the island's Communist government embraced deeper economic changes.

Cuba churns out far more graduates than it can employ.

Economic reforms pushed through by President Raul Castro since he took over from his brother a decade ago have opened some opportunities in a fledgling private sector but the changes are slow-moving and younger Cubans are keenly aware of what they are missing.

Sitting at a small table in the doorway to his family's home in bustling central Havana, repairing a pair of headphones, Garcia said that as the world evolves, so should Cuba.

"Fidel was a respected figure, a political compass. But you can't change things if you put politics before the economy ... We don't want to end up like North Korea," he added, a large cut-glass stud earring in his left ear and a smart watch on his wrist. "They say one is only set free when your father has died. Well, the father has died."

Most Cubans have only known an economy addled by a mix of socialist policies at home and a decades-old U.S. economic embargo.

In contrast to earlier generations, younger Cubans have been tantalized in recent years with the possibility of change.

'Stirred Up'

Raul Castro's reforms have allowed people to set up small businesses and travel abroad, and in late 2014 he agreed with President Barack Obama to put an end to more than half a century of animosity with the United States.

For veterans like Lopez, the changes are good, and timely.

But modernization has not been deep enough for the young, who keep track of the fast-changing outside world through mobile phones, patchy Internet and foreign visitors.

Raul Castro vows to step down in early 2018. He will likely hand power to Miguel Diaz-Canel, at 56 a relative youngster inside the Communist Party leadership.

But despite making some comments about the need to liberalize Cuba's state-controlled media and improve Internet access, little is known about Diaz-Canel's views on the economy.

"As we say on the street, he still hasn't fired the first shot," said Abraham Jimenez, a 27-year-old who heads The Sneeze, one of Cuba's first independent, web-based media outlets. "We have to wait, I wouldn't like to guess what the scenario might be."

With reforms moving slowly and concerns U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might reverse Obama's policy of closer ties to Cuba, some here are looking to find opportunities abroad.

"The youth in Cuba is a little bit stirred up because there are a lot of people who don't have enough money to buy things.

There is work but the salaries are pathetic," said Luis Garcia, 23, a medical student who was planning to emigrate to Germany.

There, he said, he would earn more working in a clothes shop than as a doctor in Cuba.

"It's a shame to abandon medicine, but I have to do it to help my family," said Garcia, smartly dressed in a lilac shirt, dark pinstriped trousers and large sunglasses.

Driven partly by concerns the United States might soon end a special policy that allows Cubans who reach U.S. land to stay, there has been a new surge in migration.

In the first 10 months of the 2016 U.S. fiscal year, 46,635 Cubans reached the United States, according to official data crunched by the Pew Research Center, almost double the number who arrived in the whole of fiscal year 2014.

Making it all the more urgent to stem the flow of educated youths leaving the country, Cuba also has one of the region's oldest populations, a result of an impressive life expectancy of 78 years and a birth rate of just 1.45 children per woman.

For those who do stay, the trappings of modern life are infuriatingly hard to grasp.

A civil engineer working on bridge, road and building construction for around $25 a month, 29-year-old Roberto is frustrated he has to go to a local park to get a WiFi signal on his phone, and decide whether to buy clothes or extra food in a given month.

He only gets by supplementing his state wage with other odd jobs.

"We'd like to have more freedoms, to be able to surf the internet, to have better wages," he said, as dozens of fellow Cubans stood in the park seeking a signal in one of Havana's WiFi hot spots.

"Times are changing, and so is the way people think," he added. "But there are values stemming from the revolution that no-one wants to lose, like free health and education."
Fridays sermon at the largest Somali-run mosque in Columbus, Ohio, has focused on online extremism, radicalization and the relationship between Somali parents and their children in response to the recent Ohio State University attacks.

We chose our Friday sermon this week to address issues that concern our community, the challenges they are facing as a result of the recent tragedy, and the root cause of that tragedy. said Horsed Nooh, the executive director at the West Columbus Abubakar Assidiq Islamic Center.

In my humble opinion, I believe one of the major factors that make our children and youth susceptible to extremism and radicalization is lack of communication between them and their parents," said Nooh.

Nooh said it was a message to a community that remains fearful and cautious about a possible backlash after a car and knife attack on the campus of The Ohio State University carried out by an 18-year-old student, Abdul Razak Ali Artan, who was associated with the community. Artan was killed by a police officer after 11 people were injured.

Ninety percent of the youth are radicalized while on their beds, Nooh told his congregation - which totals more than 2,000 people. It's time for parents to stand up and have communication with their children."

He said the Mosque is spearheading efforts to eradicate the perception that Islam is a violent or extreme religion by offering question and answer inter-faith sessions.

The mosque has been focusing to develop youth counseling and volunteer programs and we have already started Q and A sessions offered to the people of other faiths to come and ask us directly questions on Islam, rather than relying on the media and the misinterpretations of the extremists, Nooh said.

Mohamed Omar Dini, who is the head of the board that runs the Mosque and the Islamic Center said the Ohio State attack left his community and the center shocked and cautious.

The first time we got the news we said, O Allah dont make the attacker Muslim and Somali. It was kind of shocking to us because this community has been living in the city for more than 25 years and there was no single attack associated with them before, Dini said. Our center has offered prayers to the victims in the attack and thanked the law enforcement agencies for their professional way of handling the case.

Fridays sermon was the first at the mosque since The Ohio State University attack last Monday. The mosque authoritys strong message to parents was to build a sort of positive communication, relationship, and trust with their kids so that they could predict the path their children are taking before they fall into the wrong hands.
Political talks mediated by the Catholic Church have suffered a major setback with the withdrawal of the presidents supporters in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For more than a month, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo, the influential body with represents the Catholic Church, has been working to avoid a crisis in the DRC. The institution, known as CENCO, has been mediating between the presidential majority, President Joseph Kabila's political alliance, and the Rassemblement, a large coalition of opposition groups.

CENCO is hoping to facilitate an agreement between the parties that will reduce the chances of unrest on December 19, the last day of Kabilas second term and the date on which the Rassemblement says the president should leave office. On December 2, however, the presidential majority announced that CENCOs efforts have been "a failure," blaming "flagrant contradictions within" the Rassemblement. The two parties had not met face to face during CENCOs weeks of mediating.



Several hours earlier, Abbe Donatien Nshole, CENCOs deputy secretary general, had conceded that all was not well.

Nshole told reporters that disagreements remained over important questions, including the interpretation of the Congolese constitution.

Elections had not been organized in 2016, as they were supposed to be, and the presidential majority argues that the constitution allows Kabila to stay in office beyond the end of his second term until polls are held. In a separate agreement with a smaller opposition coalition signed in October, the next election has been provisionally scheduled for April 2018.

The Rassemblement claims the constitution is clear. It wants Kabila to step down on December 19 and a transitional government to lead the country to elections, which it says should take place in 2017.

Despite the differences, Nshole said CENCO believes a compromise is still possible and reaffirmed the churchs willingness to help but warned that the DRC risks sinking into an uncontrollable situation without an agreement.

VOA spoke with Augustin Kabuya, a spokesman for the Rassemblement, which remains supportive of CENCO.

He accuses the presidential majority of acting in bad faith and of seeing violence as the way to solve their problem. For the Rassemblement, Kabuya said, we are still counting on the mediation of CENCO because it is the only way of finding a way out of this crisis for the country.

Hans Hoebeke, senior Congo analyst at the International Crisis Group, questions whether the presidential majority was ever interested in a compromise.

CENCO did call both parties to sit around a table so its clear the majority feels a little bit cornered. I dont think it was ever genuine in engaging in these talks," said Hoebeke. "They wanted to give the impression to the international community and to the region that they had exploited all avenues to enlarge the agreement they concluded in October. I dont think they were ever prepared to go to any concrete concessions.

If this marks the end of CENCOs intervention, which has the support of the international community, the risk of violence on December 19 will likely grow. A protest organized by the Rassemblement in Kinshasa on September 19 descended into violence and the United Nations says security forces killed more than 50 people.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says U.S. President-elect Donald Trump wished him success with his crackdown on drug dealers; a campaign that has left more than 4,000 dead since July.

Duterte said the future U.S. leader told him he was conducting his strike on drug dealers "as a sovereign nation, the right way."

Duterte won the presidential election earlier this year largely based on his promise to continue aggressively targeting drug dealers, users and criminals.

Duterte said in a statement that he called Trump late Friday to congratulate him on winning the U.S. presidential election. The Philippine leader said he sensed a "good rapport" with Trump.

Since taking office, Duterte has lashed out at Washington, throwing uncertainty into relations between the longtime allies. Diplomatic relations between Washington and Manila soured after Duterte lashed out at the U.S. for criticizing his bloody anti-narcotic crackdown.

In October, Duterte warned that the Philippines would not be treated "like a dog with a leash" by Washington. He said the U.S. could "forget" about the decades-old bilateral defense treaty if he stayed in power "long enough."

Duterte has saved the worst of his anger for U.S. President Barack Obama, whom he has called a "son of a whore."
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro is dead at the age of 90. His communist government survived a U.S.-backed invasion of Cuban exiles, a superpower missile crisis, assassination plots and decades of U.S. economic sanctions. But Castro lived long enough to see Washington announce the re-establishment of full diplomatic relations with Havana and the subsequent visit by a U.S. president to the island in March 2016. VOA's Bill Rodgers has this profile of the man.
The death toll from the blaze that gutted an Oakland, California warehouse reached 36 on Monday, and could climb further as investigators continue to search the building where an electronic dance party turned into an inferno.

Officials say that so far only about 20 percent of the building has been searched. One local fire official, Melinda Dayton, said, "This will be a long and arduous process, but we want to make sure we are respecting the victims and their families and firefighter safety."

WATCH: Drayton on fire investigation



Fire ripped through the cluttered warehouse late Friday that had been cobbled into artist studios. There was no permit for it to be used as a living space, nor for entertainment.



The structure was known as the "Ghost Ship." Officials said the only way down from the second story was a stairwell constructed entirely of wooden pallets. Victims range in age from teenagers to 30-plus year-olds.

Officials have yet to determine how the fire started in a building that was not equipped with sprinklers. Arson investigators are combing through the charred premises.

"It appears that either you got out or you got trapped inside," said Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sergeant Ray Kelly.





It took 55 firefighters about four hours to bring the fire under control, Battalion Chief Lisa Baker told the local newspaper, the East Bay Times.

Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloche-Reed said the roof of the building collapsed, further complicating the search effort.

"Right now, there's limited access to the structure, but it's too unsafe. And not only that, there's a lot of heavy wood from when the roof came in that's going to have to be removed, she told reporters. So it's going to take us a while to finish up the search.

Firefighters used chain saws and axes to cut through the debris.

According to officials, the building was home to about 50 people who lived in an artists collective, and a Facebook page for the event showed that 176 people planned to attend the party.

After repeated complaints from neighbors that people were illegally living in the building and trash was piling up, the city of Oakland opened an investigation on November 13. Officials went to inspect the property four days later but could not get inside.
Researchers say that lead levels in the drinking water supply of Flint, Michigan, continue to drop, but say residents should still filter their water.

The researchers from Virginia Tech said Friday that they found no detectable levels of lead in 57 percent of homes during the latest round of tests in the city.

Scientist Marc Edwards, who first revealed Flints high lead levels in 2015, said, Were now approaching the end of the public health crisis.

However, he said residents would likely need to use filters on kitchen faucets until the city is able to replace all the old lead pipes that bring water into homes.

Its very likely folks will never be told the water is safe as long as those lead pipes are there, Edwards said during a news conference at Virginia Tech.

Flint continues to distribute water filters and bottled water free to all its citizens.

Lead on par with other cities

Edwards said the current lead levels in Flint are not worse than many other older cities in the country.

But a high bar has been set in terms of a standard before people are told to drink the water without filters, he said.

Edwards said he hopes other cities will adopt recommendations that its residents not drink municipal water as long as there are lead water lines in the city.

U.S. federal health officials found that young children in Flint had significantly higher levels of dangerous lead in their blood after the city switched its water supply from the Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting measure.

How it happened

The city switched its water supply in 2014 without ensuring that water from the Flint River had been treated with anti-corrosive agents, as required by law. It corroded the citys old water mains, turning drinking water brown because of iron contamination, and also leached lead from smaller pipes that carried water into homes.

In all, nearly 100,000 people were affected by the contaminated water. Lead in water supplies can cause profound and permanent health problems, particularly in children whose brains and nervous systems are still developing.
Gambians across Africa and elsewhere rejoiced at the news Friday that longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh had conceded defeat in the country's presidential election.

Celebrations erupted in the streets of the Gambian capital, Banjul. Sulyman Sawaneh, 19 and unemployed, was ecstatic.

"Gambia, we are suffering for 22 years," he said. "This guy didn't do nothing for us."

Amie Touray, a 22-year-old student, said she finally felt some freedom.

"We are so happy today," she said. "Today's the day we stand on our feet and we give free speech. We can say anything we want to say without any soldier or any police harassing us or anything."

Cherished event

For Buba Fatty, a 32-year-old medical worker, the election result was a dream come true.

"I think I'm one of the happiest guys today throughout the whole world, because this is what I've been looking for for so many years," he said.

The Independent Electoral Commission announced Friday that winner Adama Barrow won 45 percent of the total votes, while Jammeh took about 36 percent. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 17 percent.

Christopher Fomunyoh of the National Democratic Institute spoke to VOA by phone from Accra, Ghana, where he was getting ready to observe presidential elections there in a few days.

"In the past two decades we've seen many violations of human rights, many lawyers, journalists and human rights activists imprisoned," he said. "So it comes as a relief that someone who said he would never relinquish power has accepted the verdict of the polls."

Jammeh, 51, has ruled the small West African nation since taking power from Dawda Kairaba Jawara in a military coup in 1994. Fomunyoh said this was very significant.

Coup was a 'shock'

"The early '90s, Gambia was one of only four African nations  the other three being Senegal, Botswana and Mauritius  these were the only four countries that even accepted political pluralism," he said. "It came as a shock when Yahya Jammeh staged a coup in 1994 and took the reins of government. Very quickly, he moved from being a benign soldier to a very autocratic leader."

Barrow was the candidate for a coalition of seven opposition parties. Ousainou Mbenga, chairman of the Democratic Union of Gambian Activists, based in the U.S., said he and his friends couldn't be happier that the Jammeh regime was over.

"A brutal regime, a tyrannical regime, very selfish. Jammeh has really pushed Gambian progress [back] another 50 years," he said.

Mbenga said the election began a new era in the history of the Gambia. He added that people should start working on building strong institutions to prevent someone like Jammeh from ever ruling the country again.
Ghana's electoral commission on Sunday will hold a second special early voting period for citizens who encountered trouble Thursday when they tried to cast ballots in the first one.

The early voting period was scheduled to allow those who work on Election Day, December 7  security forces, electoral officers and journalists  to cast ballots. But many people from these groups could not vote because they could not find their names in the voter registry.

In Accra, journalist Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie had checked to ensure his name was in the registry at the designated constituency the day before. But when he showed up at the polls, he was asked to travel to the western region where he first registered.

"My registration is far away in the western region," he said. "So clearly the time constraints couldn't allow me to even travel that far to go and vote as a special voter. I do not know what to do, but I am hoping that the EC [electoral commission] may rectify the problem."

First problems

Authorities said this was the first time the special-voter exercise had faced such problems. The EC said the omission of names arose because of problems in how some electorates applied for special voting. In other cases, the commission said people went to the wrong voting constituencies to cast their ballots.

In a statement, the commission announced those who could not vote the first time could try again Sunday.

Constitutional lawyer Nana Asante Bediatuo warned that this could lead to multiple ballots from individuals during the second round of special voting and even during the main elections if the electoral commission did not improve the transparency of its voter registration system.

"The biometric verification devices have counters. How are those counters going to be useful in determining how many people have already voted [and how many are left to vote]? ... There has to be a clear path to determining which list is going to be used so that there is no confusion. I think there is a danger. I'm never in favor of two-day voting."

The electoral commission said it was putting in place measures to keep people from voting multiple times. It said it would provide to all political parties of a list of those eligible early voters who had already cast ballots.
China might further relax, or even scrap, restrictions on childbirth to avoid a "low birthrate trap," an influential government think tank has said, as the country debates how to avert a demographic time bomb.

China's birth rate, one of the world's lowest, is fast becoming a worry for authorities, rather than the achievement it was considered at a time when the government feared over-population.

Beijing formally allowed all couples to have two children in October last year after decades of enforcing a strict one-child policy for the vast majority of the population.

But the two-child policy is not the "end point" for adjustments to regulations on childbirth, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) said in a report.

"As lifestyles change, people marry and give birth later, and the willingness to give birth increasingly drops," the top think-tank said in its yearly Green Book on population and labor released on Wednesday.

"In order to avoid falling into a 'low birth rate trap', our nation may in the future be required to further loosen its restrictions on giving birth, or even abolish them," it added.

The government's easing of family planning restrictions, which originally began in 2013, aims to alleviate demographic strains on the economy, such as a rapidly aging population and a shrinking workforce.

Despite allowing all couples to have two children, officials maintain curbs are necessary, because of the pressure China's large population exerts on resources and the environment.

In March, asked to predict when China might end restrictions on childbirth, Li Bin, head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, replied, "There is no timeline."

Adjusting the controversial policy, first introduced in the late 1970s to limit population growth, may help boost consumption and slow society's aging, but it has also brought new obstacles.

Many of the 90 million families eligible for a second child are lukewarm to the prospect, especially young couples living in big cities who face a heavy economic burden.

Following the changes, hundreds of parents who lost an only child, often seen as the primary means of support in old age, protested in Beijing in April to demand more compensation from the government.
Iran's top diplomat has strongly condemned a bill that passed the U.S. Congress earlier this week to extend sanctions against the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iranian state broadcaster IRIB the extension of the sanctions shows the unreliability of the American government to the rest of the world.

"America is acting against its commitment," he said.

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday to extend sanctions against Iran for another 10-year period, prompting several of Iran's top officials to accuse the U.S. of reneging on the nuclear agreement signed by both countries last year.

Iranian officials are upset because they believe the extension of the sanctions violates the agreement struck between Iran and six other world powers, including the U.S., that constrained Irans nuclear program.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also condemned the extension of the sanctions.

"The (nuclear accord) is the result of efforts by seven countries, and one country should not be allowed to weaken it," the president reportedly told state news agency IRNA.

Congressman have said the Iran Sanctions Act extension only continues sanctions already in place, so it isnt in violation of the nuclear deal, and they hadnt heard of any other key partners who opposed the extension.

"I have not heard strident objections from our key allies in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)," Delaware Senator Chris Coons said.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker said the extension of the sanctions would allow the new Trump administration greater leverage when dealing with Iran in the future.

"Extending the Iran Sanctions Act ... ensures President-elect (Donald) Trump and his administration have the tools necessary to push back against the regimes hostile actions," he said in a statement.
Italians are voting in a referendum on December 4 that could gauge anti-EU sentiment in the country.

The vote, which follows Britains Brexit referendum in June and Donald Trumps election in the United States, again sees rising populist forces challenging an established order in a contest too close to call in advance.

In the referendum, Italians will decide whether to approve a proposal by pro-EU Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to increase his powers so that he can push through economic reforms.

Anti-EU parties are urging Italians to vote "No" in hopes of driving Renzi from office and clearing the way for a harder push to get Italy out of the eurozone or remove it from the European Union altogether.

How likely is a Brexit Italian-style and what would be its consequences? Here are three things to consider.

Whats at stake?

The December 4 referendum is not directly about the EU. It is about increasing the prime ministers executive powers by limiting the size and strength of the Italian Senate -- where Renzi has faced resistance along regional lines to reforms he hopes will help strengthen Italys sluggish economy.

But because Renzi has very publicly vowed to step down if voters do not approve his proposal, anti-EU forces have seized upon the referendum as a chance to unseat him. A Renzi resignation would require a new government to be formed, something that could offer anti-EU parties the chance to enter a caretaker government or compete with renewed strength in early elections.

We should take what Renzi said seriously; if he loses the referendum he will certainly at this point have to resign, said Giovanni Orsina, a professor of political history at Luiss University in Rome. If the No camp prevails, the greatest victory will belong to the anti-EU populist camp.

But even if Italys two populist anti-EU parties -- the Five Star Movement and Lega Nord (Northern League) -- stand to gain strength from a possible No vote, just how much so is hard to know.

All the anti-EU forces are in the No camp but in the No camp there are also pro-EU forces that are against Renzi, said Orsina. So, the picture is more complicated than an outright confrontation between pro-European and anti-European forces.

The last opinion polls conducted ahead of a mandatory moratorium three weeks before the referendum date showed the No camp leading by an average of 4 to 5 percentage points  too close to predict the outcome of the referendum with certainty.

Anti-EU, anti-euro sentiment

Observers say the populist parties are tapping into genuine unhappiness among Italians.

The chances of Italy deliberately choosing to leave the EU are quite low, but the chances that Italy will leave the eurozone and bring about the collapse of the single currency are moderate to good and probably getting stronger at the moment, said Steve Davies, an economist at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a free-market think tank in London.

He said that since Italy joined the eurozone, the Italian economy has not grown by more than 1 percent in any one year, creating huge public frustration both with Brussels and perceived inefficiencies in the Italian economy.

Much of the anger has focused on the euro because belonging to the single currency prevents Italy from stimulating its export economy by devaluing its money, something it frequently did when it had its own lira.

Still, many Italians are leery of quitting the EU, even as Britain has now set the precedent of a member state deciding to do just that.

In the case of Italy, getting out of the European Union does not just mean getting out of the European Union, it means getting out of the eurozone, said Orsina. Changing the currency, getting back to the lira and facing all the consequences of that kind of action is a gigantic leap in the dark.

Italys anti-EU movement itself is divided over what it wants. The Five Star Movement, with around 30 percent of popular support, courts both right- and left-leaning Italians as it calls for holding a referendum on the euro but not on leaving the EU.

The far-right Lega Nord, with around 12 percent support, is fiercely nationalist, anti-immigrant, and pledges to take Italy out of the EU. The two parties have shown no indication so far of working together.

Impact of leaving EU

Italy is the EUs third-largest economy after Germany and France, so many economists say that an Italian exit from either the euro or the EU would be a deathblow to the union.

If it becomes likely that Italy may leave the euro, then what will happen immediately is that investors will become spooked and there will be a sharp rise in the yield on Italian debt of all kinds and most notably on government debt, which is a large amount, but also private debt, says economist Davies.

He says that, in turn, would cause not only a crisis in Italys already fragile banking system, which holds much of the countrys debt, but also have a knock-on effect on partner banks across Europe.

The resulting weakening of investor interest in the euro would likely lead to an unraveling of the EU in its current form.
Gambia's president of more than 22 years conceded defeat Friday in the country's presidential election, vowing to step down after results showed him with a surprising loss.

State media broadcast a phone call in which President Yahya Jammeh told opposition candidate Adama Barrow that he wanted to hand over power graciously and vowed not to contest the results.

Jammeh congratulated Barrow for his "clear victory" and praised the elections as "transparent" and "rig-proof." He also said, "Allah is telling me my time is up," and added he would move to his farm after leaving office in January.

Reporter Alpha Jallow told VOA that crowds of people gathered to dance in the streets of the Gambian capital, Banjul, Friday in celebration of Barrow's victory.

Gambia's Independent Electoral Commission announced earlier Friday that Barrow won 263,000 votes, or 45 percent of the total, while Jammeh took 212,000 votes, about 36 percent. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 17 percent.

Barrow, 51, represents a coalition of seven opposition parties that challenged Jammeh in Thursday's election.

Ruled since 1994

Jammeh, also 51, has ruled the tiny West African nation since taking power in a military coup in 1994. He won four subsequent elections that critics said were neither free nor fair and supported a 2002 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits. He once said he could rule Gambia for "a billion years."

Rights groups have often accused Jammeh of having political opponents and journalists either arrested or killed.

Amnesty International said in a statement Friday that the new administration would have an obligation to "transform the human rights situation in Gambia, freeing political prisoners, removing repressive laws and entrenching newly found freedoms."

Gambia is a former British colony that occupies a narrow sliver of land surrounded by French-speaking Senegal. About 880,000 Gambians were eligible to vote in Thursday's poll, which took place under a complete communications blackout, including social media platforms.

The president, who had predicted he would win the vote, had said that no protests would be allowed after the election.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday congratulated Gambia and its new president-elect, Adama Barrow, on the country's first democratic presidential election, calling it "a new era in The Gambia."

Barrow handily defeated Gambia's president of more than 22 years, Yahya Jammeh, in the election Thursday, and Jammeh vowed to relinquish his position peacefully, calling the election results "a clear victory" for Barrow.

Kerry commended Jammeh for his willingness to respect the results and said he was grateful to the electoral commission for its transparent handling of the election.

"We call for unity and calm during this transition period, and urge the Gambian government to respect the rights of citizens to freely assemble and express their views on the election results," Kerry said in a statement.

Kerry said he looked forward to working with the new president to "promote democracy and governance" in Gambia, which has had long-standing ties with the U.S.

Gambia's electoral commission announced Friday that Barrow had won 263,000 votes, or 45 percent of the total, while Jammeh took 212,000 votes, about 36 percent. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 17 percent.

Barrow, 51, represented a coalition of seven opposition parties that challenged Jammeh in Thursday's election.

Jammeh, also 51, has ruled the tiny West African nation since taking power in a military coup in 1994. He won four subsequent elections that critics said were neither free nor fair and supported a 2002 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits. He once said he could rule Gambia for "a billion years."

Rights groups have often accused Jammeh of having political opponents and journalists arrested or killed.

Amnesty International said in a statement Friday that the new administration would have an obligation to "transform the human rights situation in Gambia, freeing political prisoners, removing repressive laws and entrenching newly found freedoms."

Gambia is a former British colony that occupies a narrow sliver of land surrounded by French-speaking Senegal. About 880,000 Gambians were eligible to vote in Thursday's poll, which took place under a complete communications blackout, including social media platforms.

The president, who had predicted he would win, had said that no protests would be allowed after the election.
Engineering conglomerate Odebrecht took out full-page advertisements in Brazil's main newspapers on Friday to apologize to Brazilians for its involvement in the country's biggest-ever corruption scandal.

The apology by Latin America's largest engineering firm was received with skepticism in a country with a history of political corruption and crony capitalism, and many Brazilians expressed their anger at the company on social media.

In a long-awaited leniency deal, the family-owned firm signed a 6.7 billion real ($1.94 billion) agreement with prosecutors on Thursday admitting guilt and offering information on bribes paid. More than 70 of its executives, including family patriarch and Chairman Emilio Odebrecht and his jailed son and former CEO Marcelo Odebrecht, have agreed to make plea statements.

The bargain will allow Odebrecht SA to return to bidding for public works projects from which it was banned for its role, along with other engineering companies, in the massive bribe and kickbacks scheme centered on state-run oil company Petrobras.

The deal also has Brazil's political establishment on edge as plea statements are expected to name as many as 200 politicians who allegedly received graft money from the company.

Prosecutors said Odebrecht had an office dedicated to paying bribes.

"Odebrecht recognizes that it took part in improper practices ... we connived with such practices and did not fight them as we should have ... It was a big mistake," the company said in its ad, vowing to mend its ways and turn the page.

Odebrecht is working on revamping its compliance rules that could lead to the appointment of more independent board members and tougher oversight of the family that controls the conglomerate and its 15 subsidiaries, two sources briefed on the plan told Reuters.

The leniency deal, which spreads the fine payment over 20 years, will give Odebrecht a financial breather and help it restructure debt-burdened businesses and revive a shrinking pipeline of projects at its flagship engineering unit.

Some Brazilians were not so forgiving.

"No, you committed CRIMES! They were not mistakes! I won't forgive them! They helped dilapidate the country. They should pay," wrote Vicki Nox (@VickiNox)in a Twitter message.

"How many hospitals, homes, ambulances can be bought with 'Sorry, we made a mistake'?" tweeted Laiza Galvao(@LaizaGalvao).

The political fallout from the Odebrecht bargain for the scandal-plagued government of President Michel Temer has yet to be felt, but the deal is expected to provide evidence implicating numerous members of his ruling PMDB party and even Cabinet ministers who received campaign donations from the firm.

Brasilia is bracing for the publication of damaging details from Odebrecht's plea statements, which are expected to be leaked in dribs and drabs to the media.

In a first taste, the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper reported that Marcelo Odebrecht told prosecutors former leftist President Dilma Rousseff, who was ousted in May, knew all about the Petrobras graft scheme but never asked for a penny for herself.

Rousseff was impeached on charges unrelated to Petrobras, for illegally using money from state banks to bankroll public spending. She has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Turkish media is reporting that a Russian cargo ship has run aground off the coast of Istanbul and says rescuers are trying to evacuate the ship's crew members.

Turkey's Dogan news agency said heavy winds forced the Volgo Don 203 to run aground off Istanbul's Kartal district, in the Sea of Marmara.

It was not immediately known if anyone was injured. Turkey's coast guard, along with firefighters, are working to rescue the ship's 11 crew members.

Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait connects the waterways between Europe and Asia and is an important international shipping lane.
President-elect Donald Trumps deal with U.S. manufacturer Carrier to keep nearly 1,000 jobs in the U.S. is a loss for Lion Santa Catarina, Mexico, where Carrier had planned to move more of its operations. The mayor of Lion Santa Catarina, Hector Castillo, spoke with VOA about the decision and invited Trump to visit.
Somali regional forces in Puntland have clashed with pro-Islamic State militants in the country's northeast in the first-ever military confrontation between security forces and pro-Islamic State fighters.

Local sources told VOA that todays fighting occurred near Bashashin village, just 50km west of Qandala after the regional troops were halted by landmines.

Governor of Puntlands Bari region Yusuf Mohamed Dhedo who is leading the offensive against Qandala confirmed the fighting to VOA Somali in an exclusive interview via satellite phone.

Dhedo said that his forces were attacked by IS fighters while they were dismantling the landmines.

They planted a landmine in a narrow road where vehicles do not have a space to move off the road, he said.

We tried to remove the mines then we received gunfire, we responded killing seven militants, three of our soldiers were wounded in the firefight.

Dhedo said his troops have custody of militants bodies, saying, They are all Somalis. He said they have not seen any foreigners so far.

Villagers reported sporadic gunfire ongoing between the troops near Bashashin and Karin villages.

Dhedo said he is certain that the security forces offensive will succeed and he will be in Qandala within the next 24 hours.

Pro-IS militants captured Qandala, 80kms east of Bosaso port town, without a fight on October 26 and hoisted their flag atop the historic headquarters of the district commissioner built by Italian colonists. All residents of the town have fled according to officials.

Our plan is to liberate the town and to help the people of the town return to their homes, he said.

Asked about the size and strength of the pro-IS militants, Dhedo replied, We dont have numbers but they have heavy weapons including [Russian-made] PKM machine guns, bazookas and small arms such as AK-47.

He said his troops will pursue the militants to their training camps and hideouts in the mountains near Qandala.

He dismissed criticisms that his administration may have taken the threat from the group lightly as they recruited and trained in the mountainous area in Bari region without interference from the authorities.

That is not true, these are guerrilla men they live in the mountains, we wanted them to gather their force in one identifiable spot. We have that today, he said.

We want to weaken their power, it will be meaningless if we liberate Qandala and then leave, and we have strategic military objectives."

Pro-IS militants split from Al-Shabab in October last year. Al-Shabab eliminated IS sympathizers in the southern regions of the country but has so far failed to suppress the faction that is active in Puntland.
President-elect Donald Trump announced the formation of a council to advise him on job creation, a group composed of the leaders of a variety of major U.S. corporations including General Electric, General Motors, Boeing, Disney and IBM.

Stephen Schwarzman, chief executive officer of major investment firm Blackstone Group LP, will chair the council.

"My administration is committed to drawing on private sector expertise and cutting the government red tape that is holding back our businesses from hiring, innovating and expanding right here in America," Trump said in a statement announcing the formation of the council.

Trump called Schwarzman earlier this week to ask for his help in chairing the council, according to a source familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly on the arrangements. The two men, who are not friends and have not done business together before, drafted a list of CEOs to ask to participate in the forum, and then Schwarzman asked each individual to participate.

The forum could meet as frequently as monthly, the source said.

Trump has said that his top priorities will include cutting regulations that affect business and lowering the corporate tax rate, positions business leaders have cheered.

Presidents often convene councils of business leaders. President Barack Obama frequently met with the CEOs of large companies and often spoke before the Business Roundtable, composed of CEOs of big corporations.

In 2011, Obama convened a jobs council that was led by GE CEO Jeff Immelt and an export council headed by Xerox Corp. CEO Ursula Burns.

Obama and business leaders worked on trade, technology and immigration efforts.

Some members of Trump's council also served in advisory roles with Obama, including Bob Iger, the CEO of Walt Disney; Jim McNerney, former CEO of Boeing; and Ginni Rometty, CEO of International Business Machines. All three served on Obama's export council and will continuing advising the next administration.

Noticeably absent from the council are heads of leading U.S. technology companies such as Google's parent Alphabet, Apple and Facebook.

Trump's transition team has been slow to establish a group to address cybersecurity and other technology issues.

The council could still add leaders from technology companies, a source familiar with the formation of the group said.

Other members of Trump's council include:

 Paul Atkins, CEO, Patomak Global Partners, LLC, former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission

 Mary Barra, chairman and CEO, General Motors

 Toby Cosgrove, CEO, Cleveland Clinic

 Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase

 Larry Fink, chairman and CEO, BlackRock

 Rich Lesser, president and CEO, Boston Consulting Group

 Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores

 Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi, chairman and managing partner, Global Infrastructure Partners

 Kevin Warsh, Shepard Family distinguished visiting fellow in economics, Hoover Institute, former member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

 Mark Weinberger, global chairman and CEO, Ernst & Young

 Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO, General Electric

 Daniel Yergin, Pulitzer Prize winner, vice chairman of IHS Markit Ltd.
People across Africa reacted with mixed feelings last month to news of businessman Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential elections.

Fatima Sadiqi, a professor of linguistics and gender studies at the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Morocco, recalled that "populist parties didn't hide their joy and democratic parties didn't hide their shock;" but "beyond their immediate reactions, there is a general sense of two things: surprise and apprehension."

Analysts inside and outside Washington are weighing what U.S. relations with Africa will be like under the new leader, who has promised to shift U.S. foreign policy priorities and reshape America's alliances after he takes office in January.

"The gut instinct for most Africans  and I accept I am generalizing here  is that President-elect Trump is not only oblivious and ignorant about African issues, but by the virtual complete absence of any mention of Africa during the campaign, it is going to be very low on his list of presidential priorities," said Terence McNamee, Brenthurst Foundation deputy director in South Africa.

McNamee said there hadn't been a lot of debate about what a Trump presidency would mean for Africa. He noted that "until the new president's team is finalized  that is, who the secretary of state will be, who's the head of USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development], trade representative and so forth  basically, Africa doesn't have a lot to go on except the president-elect's campaign rhetoric."

Terrorist propaganda

Some of the rhetoric, such as "his attack on Muslims, was reacted to very negatively here," Sadiqi said, and "generally it's thought to play into the propaganda of the terrorist groups on the continent."

The growing trend of extremist groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria, al-Qaida's AQIM in Mali and al-Shabab in eastern Africa present all kinds of challenges to African governments.

Sadiqi said that for many, the future of the African economy, which she said was slowing down in some places, is also a big source of concern.

"If Trump's campaign ideas are put into practice, the situation will worsen. ... Especially, we hear a lot about the president-elect refraining from trade deals and foreign aid."

In general, McNamee characterized U.S.-Africa relations as only "OK," saying he thought they were superficial.

For example, "the initiatives of the Obama administration like Power Africa and YALI [Young African Leaders Initiative], while not unimportant, they are not hugely noteworthy in historical terms," he said.

He wondered whether "the U.S. business community has really caught on to the business opportunities on the continent or are they going to fall behind the Chinese, who overtook the U.S. in terms of volume of trade back in 2009 and never looked back."

Robin Renee Sanders, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria and a big supporter of President Barack Obama's Power Africa program, said she hoped such an initiative wouldn't be abandoned.

"There have been an additional 3,000 megawatts of power added to the grid as a result of Power Africa," she told VOA. "You have the 'Electrify Africa' legislation; you have a number of off-grid projects that are supported by USAID and the African Development Foundation."

YALI progress

Ngozi Bell, an advocate with the U.S. Small Business Administration, echoed those sentiments on the current administration's YALI program.

"In business, there are a few things you should care about," Bell said. "One is the ecosystem. Once you've built an ecosystem, you start an economic movement that takes on a life of its own." YALI has built that, she said, by pulling in investors, practitioners, business development and continuing education.

"The second thing is that you have brought in very hungry and excited young people. ... They formed relationships and networks, so they have the responsibility themselves to take it to the next level," Bell said.

While it's easy to think about doing away with some of Obama's signature policies, American University professor Kwaku Nuamah said it's easier said than done.

"Trump is going to have to keep a lot of these policies," he said. "It's hard to cut policies once they've already been funded and there's a constituency for it."

In addition, Nuamah and others said security, health and climate change should be part of the president-elect's African agenda.
China said Saturday it has lodged an objection to the telephone conversation U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had with Taiwan's first female president Tsai Ing-wen.

"We have already made solemn representations about it to the relevant U.S. side," China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."

China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has never renounced the use of military force to bring the island under Beijing's control. The U.S. broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979.

Trump brushed off criticism of breaking diplomatic protocol, responding in a message on his Twitter account, saying, "The president of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency."

Later, Trump said on Twitter "interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call."

Trump's phone conversation with the president of Taiwan was roundly seen as an unconventional move that could risk raising tensions with China.

The call is believed to be the first such contact between a U.S. president or president-elect and a Taiwanese leader since the United States broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

In the phone call, Tsai expressed her hope that the U.S. would continue to support Taiwans participation and contribution in international issues, according to a statement released late Friday by Taiwans Presidential Office.

They also exchanged views on the regional situation in Asia, as well as the future relationship between Taiwan and the United States. The president [Tsai] looks forward to strengthening bilateral contacts and to closer cooperation, said Taiwan's government.

Trumps spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway said the president-elect is well aware of what U.S. policy has been on Taiwan.

President-elect Trump is fully briefed and fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless of who is on the other end of the phone, Conway told CNN Friday.

Tsai speaks perfect English and no interpreter was needed in the call that lasted more than 10 minutes.



Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee and Tsais National Security Advisor, Joseph Wu, were present during the call as well.

White House, State Department

The White House was not told about the call until after it happened, a senior administration official told The New York Times.

It said, however, there was "no change" to the United States' longstanding "one China" policy after Trump's discussion with Tsai.

"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama, told Reuters. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."

The State Department declined to comment if it was notified or asked to brief the transition team on current U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan prior to the phone call.

Our job is to offer support whether thats in terms of facilitation, translation, or context, which we have done and will continue to do, said State Department spokesman John Kirby on Friday.

But the degree to which its utilized is really for the transition team to decide, and its really more appropriate for them to speak to," Kirby added.

Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee who was named by Trump as White House chief of staff, met with Tsai last October while leading a Republican delegation to Taiwan.

A game changer?

Experts said the conversation between Trump and Tsai shows a clear break with the so-called pivot to Asia and could be a game-changer.

While one phone call certainly cant replace a clear strategy for Asia or the rest of the world, President-elect Trump has shown guts in shaking up the status-quo on foreign policy issues that are of supreme importance, Harry Kazianis, director of the Center for the National Interest Defense Studies, said.

John Bolton, who was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during former president George H.W. Bushs administration, met with Trump Friday.

Bolton, who emerged as a contender for the next secretary of state, had advocated for an upgrade of Taiwans relations with the U.S.

The new U.S. administration could start with receiving Taiwanese diplomats officially at the State Department; upgrading the status of U.S. representation in Taipei from a private 'institute' to an official diplomatic mission; inviting Taiwans president to travel officially to America; allowing the most senior U.S. officials to visit Taiwan to transact government business; and ultimately restoring full diplomatic recognition, according to a commentary article Bolton wrote for the Wall Street Journal earlier this year.

Trump priorities

Trump also talked by phone Friday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

He also promised to have most of his Cabinet posts filled by the coming week, calling his nominees "tremendous people."

The president-elect made the statement in an interview aired on Fox News Friday, a day after naming Marine Corps General James Mattis as defense secretary, an appointment that will be made formal on Monday.

Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Mike Pence was quoted Friday in a Wall Street Journal article as saying the Trump administration will focus on illegal immigration, abolishing and replacing Obamacare (the Afordable Care Act - health care reform signed into law during the Obama administration), strengthening the military and filling the vacant post on the nation's Supreme Court.

"Washington, D.C., is going to get an awful lot done in a short period of time," Pence told the Journal.

New York security costs

Also Friday, two members of the New York City Council began an online petition, asking Trump to provide federal funds to reimburse the city for the increased security costs -- $1 million a day -- to protect his family.

Trump lives - and his transition team is working out of - Trump Towers in Manhattan.

"We ask you to commit the necessary federal funds to reimburse New York for all costs of protecting you and your family, both before and after your inauguration as president of the United States of America," the petition said.

Police have used barricades and dump trucks filled with sand to help fortify the area around Trump's building.

The city has estimated, according to the petition, that the cost of security at the New York residence could reach $4 billion by the end of a four-year term.

Bill Ide in Beijing contributed to this report.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and the leader of Taiwan put China on the defensive late Friday with a historic, upbeat phone call to discuss Washingtons role in possibly helping the diplomatically isolated island gain international status.



Chinas foreign minister dubbed the 12-minute phone call by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen a petty action that will lead to no changes in Sino-U.S. relations.

But the communist leadership will watch for fallout, such as whether Trump talks again with Taiwan after his Jan. 20 inauguration or gives Taiwan some of what its president suggested on the call, experts predict.



It serves notice to Beijing that Washington chooses to do whats beneficial to Washington, said Raymond Wu, managing director of Taipei-based political consultancy e-telligence. Itll do that whether its in terms of substantive issues or symbolic gestures.

Although Washington is a supporter of Taiwan, there has been no contact between leaders of the two countries since the U.S. formally broke off diplomatic relations in 1979 out of deference to China, which regards Taiwan as a breakaway province. Since Trump's phone call however, some Republican lawmakers have largely embraced his contact with Taiwan's leader.

"I commend President-elect Trump for his conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen, which reaffirms our commitment to the only democracy on Chinese soil," said a statement from Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from the midwestern state of Arkansas. "I have met with President Tsai twice and I'm confident she expressed to the president-elect the same desire for closer relations with the United States."

Several other Republican lawmakers backed up Trump's phone call, including Arizona Congressman Matt Salmon, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

"America has always been a champion of democratic values and individual freedoms, and I applaud the President-elect for making a strong statement in support of those values around the world, Salmon told The Hill.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton also praised the call, arguing that the U.S. should shake up its relationship with China, which he accused of making "aggressive ... beligerent claims in the South China Sea."

"Nobody in Beijing gets to dictate who we talk to. It's ridiculous to think that the phone call upsets decades of anything," Bolton said Saturday on Fox News' morning show Fox and Friends, noting that he believes a president should be able to speak with any foreign leader he wants if he thinks it is in the best interest of America.

Beijing, Taipei relations



China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s and forbids its more than 170 diplomatic allies, including the United States, from making official contact with the Taiwanese leadership. But Washington has remained a staunch informal supporter of the self-ruled, democratic island since it cut diplomatic ties in 1979 in favor of economically more powerful China.



On the call - a first between a Taiwan leader and a U.S. president-elect since the 1970s - Tsai said her government wanted stronger ties with the United States, according to a statement from her office Saturday. She particularly asked for U.S. help increasing Taiwans international exposure.







The presidenttold Trump that in the future she hopes that on the question of international relations, the U.S. side can continue to help Taiwan have more chances to participate and make contributions, the statement said.



China bars Taiwan from joining international organizations such as the United Nations if they require statehood as a prerequisite. Diplomatic isolation is a sore point for Taiwans public, which has leaned on the president to push for change. Lack of formal ties abroad has also made it hard to sign trade deals with other countries.



Tsai wants a strengthening of security in Taiwan to let people have a better life and guarantee of safety, she added on the call.

Washington and Taipei

The U.S. government has sold Taiwan advanced weapons in the past despite opposition from China, which is 160 km away and believed to have missiles aimed in its direction. China insists the two sides eventually reunify and does not rule out use of force if needed.



China and Taiwan have not agreed on how to talk with each other, keeping relations on hold since Tsai took office May 20.

Taiwanese people will cheer the contact with Trump because they normally lack high-level contact with the United States, said Alexander Chiang, associate professor of international politics with National Chengchi University in Taipei.



The call further shows that Trump may not care whether Beijing demands that the United States ignore Taiwan, said Sean King, senior vice president with the New York political consultancy Park Strategies. Trump, a New York real estate billionaire, lashed out at China during his campaign, though he tempered those comments after winning the election Nov. 8.



But if Trump contacts Tsai while in office, China is likely to grow angrier and say his government violated a deal that bars official U.S. relations with Taiwan. If anything, Beijing's predictable outrage will probably make (Trump) even happier he did it, King said.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said Friday that more than 40 million people need food assistance across southern Africa before the next harvest next March, with Zimbabwe and Madagascar being some of the worst hit.

Chimimba David Phiri, the head of FAO in southern Africa, told journalists in Harare that of the $35.8 million the U.N. agencies in the region need to fight the effects of El Nino, only $8 million has been secured. The region was hit by El Nino-induced drought  the area's worst in 35 years  but forecasts point to a better season ahead, with possibly better-than-average rainfalls.

In an interview with VOA, Phiri said all countries in southern Africa were affected by El Nino-related drought, but "some hot spots are worse than others. Southern Madagascar is in dire need of immediate support. There, if we do not provide support very quickly and urgently, a famine might develop."

Some assistance

Phiri said other southern African countries were feeling the effects of El Nino less because their governments and organizations like the U.S. Agency for International Development and the European Union had moved in to ease the situation.

El Nino-induced drought has not only left people in southern Africa without food but also has affected some parts of the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia, which earlier this year asked for international assistance to feed about 10 million of its citizens.

In southern Africa, the other most affected countries are Malawi and Zimbabwe. The latter, once the breadbasket of Africa, has about 5 million people in both urban and rural areas in need of assistance until the harvest that's expected next March.

Zimbabwe in 'crisis'

At one point, President Robert Mugabe's government asked for assistance for more than a quarter of the country's 13 million people. U.N. Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe Bishow Parajuli called the period between now and the next harvest a "critical" period.

"Therefore, we really need to work hard to meet the critical needs of people during that period," Parajuli said. "Zimbabwe is in the midst of economic crisis and it has a tough situation because of the drought. The people of Zimbabwe need help at this critical juncture."

The U.N. diplomat was referring to such factors as health, water and sanitation services. He said of the more than $350 million being sought for those services, about $200 million had been committed, and he called for more donors.
Hailed as "America's Subway" when it began operating 40 years ago, Washington's Metro transit system now could serve as Exhibit A for the U.S infrastructure woes President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to fix.

Crucial to helping the federal government run smoothly, the second-busiest U.S. subway is facing falling ridership, accidents, a $290 million budget gap, job cuts and soaring costs to fix its crumbling rail lines.

Its problems became clear in March when the system shut down for a day of safety inspections following a fire. That caused commuter chaos in the nation's capital, leaving workers scrambling to find transportation via buses, carpools and bikes.

Passenger traffic has fallen nearly 20 percent from a 2009 peak, with former riders finding other ways to get to work or telecommuting to avoid the trains. This has set off a vicious cycle of lower revenues leading to service cuts and higher fares that drive more riders away.

The head of the system's largest union says the Metro is in a "death spiral," and analysts suggest its only way out could be bankruptcy or a federal takeover.

'No excuse'

Trump's vow for $1 trillion in infrastructure spending across the country offered a rare glimmer of hope to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which oversees the subway.

"Since he is a Republican and we have a Republican Congress, there is now no excuse for not getting this done," said authority Chairman Jack Evans, who has backed a federal takeover of the 118-mile (190-kilometer) system.

The system is of particular concern to federal officials since many of the 700,000 people who ride it each day work for the U.S. government. When it struggles to stay open during snowstorms, it often snarls government operations.

Metro is far from alone in falling behind, with subways in nearby New York and Boston also facing billions of dollars in delayed maintenance. Nationwide, the U.S. public transit system faces an $86 billion repair backlog, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Washington's subway has long been plagued by safety systems that the National Transportation Safety Board this year called "fundamentally flawed."

Eighteen passengers and workers have died since 2005, according to the Federal Transit Administration. The agency took over safety supervision last year, the first time a subway system has come under U.S. government oversight for such lapses.

Metro General Manager General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said he would have moved a lot faster to fix some of the issues had he known the extent of the problems when he took the job a year ago.

"We are working very hard to do the best that we can for the agency and for this region," Wiedefeld said at a news conference this month. He has said the repair program will cost $60 million, but a federal report this month said the final price tag could be double that.

Design problem

Much of the trouble at Metro, which also carries many of the 21 million tourists who visit Washington each year, results from a two-track design that means trains cannot be diverted for repairs or traffic.

The system sprawls from Washington into neighboring Maryland and Virginia. It relies on those states, as well as federal and local governments, to cover close to half its costs.

Washington's Democratic mayor has proposed a 1-cent sales tax to fund the system, an idea the Virginia and Maryland governors rejected.

In a proposed $1.8 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning in July that Wiedefeld called "a reality check," Metro warned it would need to run trains less frequently and raise fares to offset declining revenue.

Metro workers flooded a board meeting this month to condemn the proposed cuts, which include hundreds of layoffs.

"Metro's budget should not be balanced on the backs of riders and workers," said Steve Williams, vice president of Teamsters Local 922.

But cost cuts are not keeping up with the decline in revenue, and Metro will have to ask for another $130 million from the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland to close a projected $290 million shortfall in its next budget.
[December 02, 2016] IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Ethernet Switch and Router Trackers Show Slow, Steady Growth in Core Network Infrastructure Segments

The worldwide Ethernet switch market (Layer 2/3) recorded $6.29 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2016 (3Q16), an increase of 2.0% year over year. Meanwhile, the worldwide total enterprise and service provider (SP) router market finished at $3.56 billion in revenue in 3Q16, increasing 2.6% on a year over year basis. These growth rates are according to results published in the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Ethernet Switch Tracker and Worldwide Quarterly Router Tracker. From a geographic perspective, the 3Q16 Ethernet switch market recorded its strongest growth in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, which increased a solid 11.2% year over year, rebounding from a 2Q16 that saw a moderate decline. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was a standout performer, growing 23.5% on an annualized basis in 3Q16. Similarly, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan)(APeJ) increased 9.8% year over year in 3Q16. Vietnam (up 57.3% year over year) was the growth pacesetter, while a strong performance in China (up 21.5% year over year) was largely responsible for the region's overall strong performance. Latin America also saw strong growth, increasing 9.2% year over year. Strong performers included Peru (up 21.1% year over year) and Argentina (up 17.0%). Japan experienced its strongest growth in some time, increasing 2.6% on an annualized basis in 3Q16. The remaining regions contracted in 3Q16. North America decreased 1.1% year over year in 3Q16, with Canada experiencing a notable 5.7% annualized decline. Western Europe declined by 1.9% on a year-over-year basis, despite standout quarters in Sweden (up 33.3% year over year) and Portugal (up 32.4% year over year). Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) saw the most significant decline, with revenues decreasing 5.8% on a year-over-year basis, heavily influenced by a 25.7% year-over-year decline in the Czech Republic. "Recent macroeconomic developments and maturing IT architectures have led to a spectrum of reactions by IT decision-makers across the regions with regard to Ethernet switching investments in 3Q16," said Rohit Mehra, vice president, Network Infrastructure, at IDC (News - Alert). "Strong growth in the 40GbE and 100GbE segments specific to datacenter deployments brought a degree of stabilization to a market in transition where the enterprise campus market for switching declined." 10Gb Ethernet switch (Layer 2/3) decreased 1.3% year over year in 3Q16, coming in at $2.22 billion, while 10Gb Ethernet switch port shipments grew 10.6% year over year with over 9.76 million ports shipped in 3Q16. 40Gb Ethernet revenue came in at $756.4 million in 3Q16, growing 20.5% year over year, while port shipments reached nearly 1.9 million ports, representing an increase of 68.5% year over year. 10Gb and 40Gb Ethernet are now joined by emerging 100Gb Ethernet (revenue up 330.1% and shipments up 447.5% on annualized basis in 3Q16) to be the primary drivers of the overall Ethernet switch market in 2016. 1Gb Ethernet switch revenue decreased 4.3% year over year, despite a 10.9% increase in port shipments in the same period, pointing to a maturing campus segment. The worldwide enterprise and service provider router market grew 2.6% on a year-over-year basis in 3Q16 based on a 0.8% increase in the larger service provider segment and a solid 8.2% increase in enterprise routing. This will be a market to watch closely over the coming quarters as softwar-defined architectures start to take hold across the WAN, with the potential for SD-WAN to disrupt traditional routing architectures and WAN transport markets.



The combined enterprise and service provider router market saw a varied regional performance in 3Q16, with Asia/Pacific once again carrying the market forward. APeJ was by far the best performing region on a year-over-year basis in 3Q16, increasing 23.9%. Japan followed with 15.3% year-over-year growth. No other region experienced year-over-year growth in 3Q16: Latin America declined 2.6%, North America contracted by 3.5%, Western Europe decreased 5.7%, MEA was down 6.3%, and CEE finished 9.6% below 3Q15. Vendor Highlights

Cisco (News - Alert) finished the quarter with a 5.4% year-over-year decline in the Ethernet switching market and market share of 57.0%, up from its 56.8% share in 2Q16 but down from 61.5% in 3Q15. In the hotly contested 10GbE segment, Cisco held 53.5% of the market in 3Q16, up from 53.0% in the previous quarter. Cisco saw its combined service provider and enterprise router revenue decrease 4.8% on an annualized basis, while its market share came in at 44.2% in 3Q16, down from 44.8% in 2Q16. Huawei (News - Alert) continued to perform well in both the Ethernet switch and the router markets. Huawei's Ethernet switch revenue grew 91.6% year over year in 3Q16, for a market share of 7.2%. Huawei's enterprise and service provider router revenue increased 23.8% over the same period, with 16.6% of the total router market in 3Q16. Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) Ethernet switch revenue fell 4.3% quarter over quarter in 3Q16. HPE's market share stands at 5.5% in 3Q16, down from its 6.0% share in 2Q16. (Note: HPE and H3C are tracked separately as of 2Q16). Juniper Ethernet switching increased 7.1% quarter over quarter in 3Q16. Juniper also saw a 5.9% increase year over year in combined service provider and enterprise router revenues, with market share of 17.4%. Arista Networks also performed well in 3Q16, with its Ethernet switching revenue rising 31.5% year over year. "Software-defined network architectures and network transformation for the digital economy are among the factors shaking up the core network infrastructure segments," said Petr Jirovsky, research manager, Worldwide Networking Trackers. "This, combined with the emergence of new Ethernet port speeds across the Datacenter and enterprise campus deployments, will likely lead to continued interest." An interactive graphic showing the relative market shares of the top 5 vendors in the Ethernet switch market over the previous five quarters is available here. The chart is intended for public use in online news articles and social media. Instructions on how to embed this graphic can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com. The Worldwide Quarterly Ethernet Switch Tracker and the Worldwide Quarterly Router Tracker provide total market size and vendor shares for the Ethernet switch and router technologies in an easy-to-use Excel pivot table format. The geographic coverage for both the Ethernet switch market and the router market includes eight major regions (USA, Canada, Latin America, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan), Japan, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, and Middle East and Africa) and 60 countries. The Ethernet switch market is further segmented by speed (100Mb, 1000Mb, 10Gb, 40Gb, 100Gb), product (fixed managed, fixed unmanaged, modular), and layer (L2, L3, ADC (News - Alert)). Measurement for the Ethernet switch market is provided in vendor revenue, value, and port shipments. The router market is further split by product (high-end, mid-range, low-end, SOHO), deployment (service provider, enterprise), connectivity (core, edge), and the measurements are in vendor revenue, value, and unit shipments. For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Ethernet Switch and Router Trackers, please contact Kathy Nagamine ([email protected]). About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and online query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad. The IDC Tracker Chart app is also available for Android Phones and Android Tablets. About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161202005694/en/

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The malign influence of Pakistan, Russia and Iran with the Taliban-led insurgency, and concerns about future political stability of the Afghan government threaten international efforts aimed at stabilizing the war-raved country, warns a top U.S. commander.

Were concerned about the external enablement of the insurgent or terrorist groups inside Afghanistan; in particular where they enjoy sanctuary or support from outside governments, said General John Nicholson, leader of NATOs Resolute Support Afghan mission.

He told reporters at the Pentagon Friday, the Haqqani Network of terrorists, which is fighting alongside the Taliban, still poses the greatest threat to Americans, coalition and Afghan partners from its sanctuary in neighboring Pakistan.

And the Haqqanis hold five American citizens hostage right now, Nicholson said. I think this is worth remembering as we think about the Haqqani Network. And they remain a principal concern of ours, and they do enjoy sanctuary inside Pakistan.

Pakistani officials, however, insist their security forces have uprooted any infrastructure Taliban insurgents and their allies were using for cross-border attacks, and extensive efforts are being undertaken to secure the porous Afghan border.

Russia, Iran

Nicholson raised concern about Taliban insurgents links to Russia and Iran, saying they are not advancing the cause of stability in the region.

Moscow is allegedly helping and arming the Taliban in a bid to contain the influence of Islamic State affiliates in Afghanistan and prevent it from threatening neighboring central Asian states.

Speaking at a U.N. General Assembly session late last month in New York, Russian envoy Vladimir Safronkov even called for easing U.N. sanctions on the Taliban for promoting peace talks between warring sides.

So, Russia has overtly lent legitimacy to the Taliban, Nicholson said.

But he dismissed assertions about the Talibans successes against rival IS fighters. Instead, he said, Afghan forces and the U.S. counterterrorism effort are the ones taking on and achieving the greatest effect against loyalists of the Middle Eastern terrorist group in Afghanistan.

So, this public legitimacy that Russia lends to the Taliban is not based on fact, but it is used as a way to essentially undermine the Afghan government and the NATO effort and bolster the belligerents, Nicholson added.

Iran and Taliban

The general suggested Shiite Iran maintains contacts and influence with the Taliban for similar reasons. He said Afghan officials have engaged both Iranian and Russian governments over the issue.

Were hopeful  speaking now as commander Resolute Support  that these outside actors will act in a positive way, so we can work together to help bolster the capability and legitimacy of the Afghan government, not the belligerents, Nicholson said.

He also called for Afghan leaders to make sure their internal political rivalries do not undermine security efforts in the country.

A lack of electoral reforms, internal rivalries plaguing President Ashraf Ghanis national unity government, growing political opposition and the recent unseating of several Afghan ministers by an increasingly assertive parliament all have fueled political uncertainty and confrontation.

And one possible risk of Afghan political instability is a fracture, but we have not seen this happen within the security forces, Nicholson said. He praised Afghan security forces for prevailing against the resurgent Taliban in the outgoing year and appeared upbeat about their future successes.

You know, my message to our Afghan partners and members of the political opposition is that we respect your political process, but please dont allow that process to undermine security gains, which have been made this year at such great cost.
Its a scene straight out of Myanmars dark past: a military offensive waged beyond world view that forces ethnic minority villagers from the smoldering ruins of their homes.

The U.S. government, a key sponsor of Myanmars democratic transition, says a security crackdown that has displaced tens of thousands Rohingya Muslims and left an unknown number dead risks radicalizing a downtrodden people and stoking religious tensions in Southeast Asia.

The military moved in after armed attacks by unknown assailants on police posts along the border with Bangladesh in October. The attacks in Rakhine State were a possible sign that a small number of Rohingya were starting to fight back against persecution by majority Buddhists who view them as illegal immigrants although many have lived in Myanmar for generations.

U.S. urges less violence

The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, is critical of the militarys heavy-handed approach and says the escalation of violence risks inciting jihadist extremism in the country also known as Burma. He is also calling on neighboring countries, such as Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, to resist the urge to stage protests that could further stir religious passions.



If mishandled, Rakhine State could be infected and infested by jihadism, which already plagues neighboring Bangladesh and other countries, Russel said.



The plight of the Rohingya, once characterized by the U.N. as the worlds most friendless people, has attracted the attention of Muslim extremists since a spike in intercommunal violence in Rakhine in 2012 that left hundreds dead and forced more than 100,000 into squalid camps.



The Somali-born student who launched a car-and-knife attack at Ohio State University this week reportedly protested on his Facebook page about the killing of minority Muslims in Myanmar. And last weekend, Indonesian authorities arrested two militants who were allegedly planning to attack the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta.

It has also raised hackles in the political mainstream. Malaysias Prime Minister Najib Razak, facing domestic pressure over an investment fund scandal, is reportedly planning to attend a protest in his religiously moderate country this weekend condemning the military operation in Myanmar.

Rohingya people fleeing

Daniel Sullivan at the advocacy group Refugees International said increasing numbers of Rohingya are fleeing across the land border to Bangladesh, and the spike in violence could set off another exodus by sea.



Tens of thousands of Rohingya have fled by rickety boats in recent years to countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, but those routes have been blocked since a crisis in 2015 when thousands were stranded at sea.



The U.S. and other nations have called for an independent investigation into the latest violence in Rakhine. Estimates of the death toll range between dozens and several hundred. Human Rights Watch said Nov. 21 that satellite imagery showed at least 1,250 buildings have been destroyed.



With journalists barred from the affected area, its been near-impossible to substantiate reports of rapes and killings by Myanmar soldiers  the kind of conduct that has long blighted the militarys reputation in ethnic conflicts.



Adama Dieng, U.N. special adviser on the prevention of genocide, said this week that if reports of excessive use of force in Rakhine were true, the lives of thousands of people are at risk.



Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was appointed by Myanmars civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in August to find ways to help resolve the communal tensions. On a fact-finding visit Friday, he said that security operations must not impede humanitarian access.



The U.N. World Food Program said Friday that since October 9 it has been able to deliver food or cash to only 20,000 of the 152,000 people who usually receive assistance, and to about 7,000 newly displaced people.



The Obama administration has diminished leverage. It was instrumental in ending the former pariah states diplomatic isolation as it shifted from five decades of military rule but the last U.S. sanctions were lifted in October.



The militarys crackdown in Rakhine has also exposed the limits of Suu Kyis power. The Nobel laureates party won elections a year ago, but the military still controls key levers of government power, including access to sensitive border regions.



Human rights activists who once lionized Suu Kyi now criticize her for failing to defend the stateless Rohingya, but Russel defended her.



We all should have confidence in her judgment and not fall prey to the idea that she does not get it and she does not care. She does get it, and she does care, he said.
The United States and Russia are exploring new ways to break a monthlong diplomatic deadlock over how to stop the fighting in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday.

He said the ideas will be tested in follow-up discussions between American and Russian diplomats next week in Geneva.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Italian counterpart in Rome, Kerry urged continued efforts in dealing with the humanitarian situation in Aleppo, saying it is important that all parties work on a framework to provide a passage for people to get out of the besieged city.

Hopefully, if [the] humanitarian situation could be dealt with in Aleppo more effectively, and if indeed we could create a framework for the passage of people out of Aleppo so that Aleppo itself might be able to be relieved from this agony, that could open up the space to perhaps to be able to start some kind of conversation in Geneva, Kerry said. That is (United Nations envoy for Syria) Staffan de Misturas goal, that is our goal, it is the apparent Russian goal, we dont know if its (Syrian President Bashar) Assads goal at all, but that is what has to be put to task over the course of the next few days.

Goal: Syria-rebel talks

After meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Rome, Kerry described the new approaches as designed to lead to talks between Syrias government and rebels  a goal that has remained elusive since early 2014  while stressing that the U.S. and Russia would not wait for President-elect Donald Trumps presidency to begin January 20.

Lavrov said a compromise on the Syrian civil war is long overdue, and the Syrian government is ready for negotiations.

And I just met briefly with Staffan de Mistura, Lavrov said, and once again encouraged him not to continue dragging on the negotiations and not to wait for those who dont want to implement the (UN) Security Council resolutions, the resolutions which say a Syrian-inclusive, non-sectarian governance to be created by mutual consent of the government and the opposition. ... The government is ready for this. The government has long been ready.

Fridays diplomatic discussions took place on the sidelines of an Italian-hosted conference on the Mediterranean region.

Next meeting in Germany

Kerry said he will discuss Syria again with Lavrov on Wednesday when they meet on the sidelines of a European security conference in Hamburg, Germany.

While Washington has accused Moscow of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, Lavrov blamed the U.S. and United Nations for the current situation.


Rodolfo Lledes departed Cuba and headed for Florida with 26 others on a motorized raft made of empty 55-gallon drums. Claudia Cruz Perez wound her way on buses, boats and planes through South America to the U.S.-Mexico border, eventually landing in Miami.

Many migrants like them make the journey because of what they call appalling conditions or political persecution, but also because of the U.S. "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy that shields Cubans from deportation if they make it to U.S. soil.

Now, the death of longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's hardline stance on curbing illegal immigration have cast new uncertainty over that decades-old policy.

Arrivals from the communist-ruled island already had surged in the past two years because of fears that the policy would be discontinued as President Barack Obama sought warmer relations, the U.S. Coast Guard has said, and now officials are on alert for another uptick in sea crossings.

While it's too soon to note a definitive trend, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted 38 Cubans in the South Florida Straits and brought them back to Cuba on Thursday. Under "wet-foot, dry-foot," migrants intercepted at sea are returned to Cuba.

"It's not right to recommend that anyone leave by raft, because it's a trip that can lead to death," said Lledes, a Castro opponent who fled Cuba after being sent to a work camp and being blacklisted from getting a job. "But the reality of living in Cuba can lead to that, and much more."

Lledes made his crossing in September 1994, during the so-called Cuban rafter crisis. The Coast Guard stopped the homemade vessel, and he was sent to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay. In all, about 30,000 rafters were held at Guantanamo during the crisis. Lledes was later flown to the U.S., where he worked as a truck driver in Miami. He became an American citizen, bought a house and is now retired at age 71.

Since Obama ordered restoration of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana in December 2014, the U.S. Coast Guard has noted a significant uptick each year in the number of Cuban migrants who brave the dangerous Straits of Florida and arrive on the coast of South Florida, the islands of the Florida Keys or elsewhere.

During the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, U.S. authorities captured, intercepted or chased away 7,411 Cuban migrants _ an increase over 3,737 in the 2014 fiscal year and 2,218 in 2013. An additional 827 tried to make the trip since October, the Coast Guard said. It's not clear how many others have died at sea.

Castro's death is unlikely to significantly change living conditions in Cuba, as Raul Castro continues the communist rule he took over from his ailing brother in 2008. That means migrants will likely continue to set sail, especially if there is even a perception that the ``wet-foot, dry-foot'' policy may be restricted.

"It's almost impossible to think that there's an improved future in Cuba under the current conditions," said Pedro Roig, senior research associate at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami. "It's very feasible that any Cuban, man or woman, would want to seek another horizon under these laws."

Cruz Perez made her circuitous journey in 2015, arriving in October of that year after what she said had been concern among those on the island about the future of U.S.-Cuba immigration policy.

But more important, she said, was daily survival in Cuba, where necessities like soap and toilet paper often are hard to obtain. She doesn't think Fidel Castro's death alone will have an immediate impact, given that Raul Castro has handled the nation's governing since 2008. People will still come to the U.S. to seek work and send money and goods to relatives left behind, or eventually bring loved ones to the U.S.

"If one has children, one almost has to leave the island to seek a better life and a better future for them," said Cruz, who works a night shift at a printing factory. "That is why people risk their lives to leave."
An increasingly isolated Venezuela accused the Mercosur trade bloc of staging a "coup" on Friday after member nations suspended the socialist nation for failing to fulfill membership requirements.

In an official letter addressed to Venezuela's Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez and seen by Reuters, Mercosur informed Venezuela of "the cessation of the exercise of the rights inhered to a member state as of this date."

Following a decade in which strong growth and leftist policies across South America led the bloc to embrace Venezuela, the suspension now underscores the ideological split in a region struggling with plummeting commodity prices and struggling economies.

More trouble for Venezuela

It further isolates the administration of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who is accused of exacerbating the political, economic and humanitarian crises battering the Andean country.

Rodriguez said she had not been notified in accordance with the rules of Mercosur and said Venezuela was the victim of "a coup at the heart of Mercosur."

"An illegal Mercosur is being born," she said at a press conference in Caracas.

Missed deadline

Leaders of Mercosur, which also includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, gave Venezuela a Dec. 1 ultimatum in September. They determined on Thursday that conditions had not been met for Venezuela to remain in the bloc, Argentina's foreign ministry said in a Friday statement.

To re-enter Mercosur, Caracas would need to renegotiate the terms of its membership in accordance with the bloc's economic, trade and immigration rules. Venezuela has told the bloc that some 130 norms, which include a human rights accord, are "inadmissible."

That signals any readmission talks could be tense and take years, said a Brazilian official involved in negotiations with Venezuela.

"They may not be able to reenter the bloc if there is something that goes fundamentally against Mercosur," said the official, who asked for anonymity to speak freely. Venezuela entered the bloc in 2012.

Hurt by lower oil prices

Venezuela, home to some of the world's largest oil reserves, was seen then as a key trade partner by regional heavyweights Brazil and Argentina, both of whom had leftist governments allied with former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Maduro's mentor and predecessor.

Although Venezuela is a big importer of Mercosur products, it has struggled to pay for them as its economy crumbled because of lower oil prices.
U.S. military veterans were building barracks Friday at a protest camp in North Dakota to support thousands of activists who have squared off against authorities in frigid conditions to oppose a multibillion-dollar pipeline project near a Native American reservation.

Veterans volunteering to be human shields have been arriving at the Oceti Sakowin camp near Cannon Ball, where they will work with protesters who have spent months demonstrating against plans to route the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, organizers said.

The Native Americans and protesters say the $3.8 billion pipeline threatens water resources and sacred sites.

Some of the more than 2,100 veterans who signed up on the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock group's Facebook page are at the camp, with hundreds more expected during the weekend. Tribal leaders asked the veterans, who aim to form a wall in front of police to protect the protesters, to avoid confrontation with authorities and not get arrested.

Wesley Clark Jr., a writer whose father is retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, met with law enforcement officials Friday to tell them that potentially 3,500 veterans would join the protest and the demonstrations would be carried out peacefully, protest leaders said.

The plan is for veterans to gather in Eagle Butte, a few hours away, and then travel by bus to the main protest camp, organizers said, adding that a big procession was planned for Monday.

Protesters began setting up tents, tepees and other structures in April, and the numbers swelled in August at the main camp.

Joshua Tree, 42, from Los Angeles, who has been visiting the camp for weeks at a time since September, said he felt pulled to the protest.

"Destiny called me here," he said at the main camp. "We're committed."

Voices heard

The protesters' voices have also been heard by companies linked to the pipeline, including banks that protesters have targeted for their financing of the project.

Wells Fargo & Co. said in a Thursday letter it would meet with Standing Rock elders before January 1 "to discuss their concerns related to Wells Fargo's investment" in the project.

There have been violent confrontations near the route of the pipeline with state and local law enforcement, who used tear gas, rubber bullets and water hoses on the protesters, even in freezing weather.

The number of protesters in recent weeks has topped 1,000. State officials on Monday ordered them to leave the snowy camp, which is on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, citing harsh weather, but on Wednesday they said they would not enforce the order.

"There is an element there of people protesting who are frightening," North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Thursday. "It's time for them to go home."

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier spoke by phone Friday with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, but assistance for law enforcement and a timeline for a resolution to the situation were not offered, the sheriff's office said.

Lynch said in a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice has been in communication with all sides in an effort to reduce tensions and foster dialogue. She said senior department officials would be deployed to the region as needed.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that he supported the completion of the pipeline, and his transition team said he supported peaceful protests.

North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple said Wednesday that it was "probably not feasible" to reroute the pipeline, but he would try to rebuild a relationship with Standing Rock Sioux leaders.

On Friday, Morton County Commission Chairman Cody Schulz said his office has been working in conjunction with the governor's office to meet with tribal leaders soon.

Concern about weather

Since the start of demonstrations, 564 people have been arrested, the Morton County Sheriff's Department said.

State officials never contemplated forcibly removing protesters, and Dalrymple said his evacuation order stemmed mainly from concerns about dangerously cold temperatures.

The temperature in Cannon Ball is expected to fall to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (-16 Celsius) by the middle of next week, according to Weather.com forecasts.

The 1,172-mile (1,885-kilometer) pipeline project, owned by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River.

Protesters, who refer to themselves as "water protectors," have been gearing up for the winter while they await the Army Corps' decision on whether to allow Energy Transfer to tunnel under the river. The Army Corps has twice delayed that decision.
Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein has pledged the funding needed to fix the elevator at the Washington Monument, which was forced to shut its doors several months ago due to the elevator's mechanical failures.

The National Parks Service shuttered the more than 550-foot-tall monument to George Washington on August 17 after numerous elevator failures left tourists stranded on its observation deck.

The $2 million to $3 million gift from Rubenstein will allow the NPS to modernize the elevator and its electronics system.

The monument has become a symbol of our country, and reminds every one of the towering strengths of our first president, Rubenstein said in a statement. I am honored to help make this symbol safely accessible again to all Americans as soon as practicable.

Rubenstein, who made most of his money with the Carlyle Group private equity firm, previously donated about $7.5 million to fix the Washington Monument after it was badly damaged in a 2011 earthquake. The Rubenstein donation made up about half of the $15 million it took to fully repair the monument.

In total, Rubenstein has donated about $50 million to the NPS over the past four years for various restoration projects at memorials and monuments around the Washington, D.C., area.

The Washington Monument is expected to re-open to visitors in 2019.
An intelligence-sharing deal between South Korea and Japan allows the two countries to bypass the United States as they work together to combat the growing threat of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

The deal was signed last week and went into effect immediately.

Rodger Baker, vice president of strategic analysis at Stratfor, a geopolitical intelligence provider in Austin, Texas, said the deal gave the two countries "a capability to share in real time information that normally would have had to pass through the United States and only been partially parsed off to each of them."

Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a Washington public policy think tank, went a step further, calling the pact a "game changer."

"Having the capability to share intelligence as quickly as possible, hopefully with the speed of an internet connection and a computer, would truly be a game changer in getting rid of Washington [to] not be the middleman anymore."

Different abilities

Baker said the two countries bring different abilities to the table: South Korea may be better at human intelligence collection, and Japan may be better at satellite imagery.

Kazianis also pointed to the timeliness of the agreement, reached in late November, as the U.N. Security Council passed additional sanctions against North Korea related to its trade practices.

"Look to see in the next, probably, few months," Kazianis said, "the North Koreans  pushing up tensions to try to get the sanctions lifted or eased or whatever they can do to get that minimized." In the next couple of months, he said, "tough times in the Korean Peninsula could become very dangerous."

In Seoul, Yonsei University's Choi Jong-kyun questioned the need for such an agreement, telling VOA, "Do we have not enough deterrence and information sharing with the U.S. vis-a-vis North Korea?  Are we in really grave danger?"

In 2012, South Korea and Japan were headed toward signing a similar intelligence-sharing pact, but relations soured and they scuttled the deal. Even today, Choi said, some may try to undo what South Korean President Park Geun-hye was able to achieve.

Why the objection?

But why is there so much resistance to directly sharing intelligence with Japan?

Stratfor's Baker identified three areas of resistance in South Korea.

"One, the South Korean government has done a very poor job of explaining strategic interest to their own population," he said. "They've done very little to really help people understand the physical security component ... particularly as the governments have tried to not look like they're connected to the old government, the old dictatorial or autocratic regimes in South Korea."

Baker identified the second area as being related to the 1910-45 period of control Japan exerted over the Korean Peninsula and the way the Japanese government tried to "erase Korean culture." That effort resulted in "a long history in South Korea of animosity toward Japan."

Finally, he said, a third aspect ties the past to the present with South Korea's Park. "Park's father, Park Chung-hee, was by many considered a collaborationist with the Japanese  and so they see what Park is doing with Japan as something that, in many ways, is against fundamental Korean interests and goes back a very long time in history."

Chinese opposition

Kazianis at the Center for the National Interest said the implications of the deal can already be felt, and not necessarily only on the Korean Peninsula.

"Chinese military officials came out and were strongly against the deal, and the reason being is quite simple: They see the deal is being created as a sort of new U.S.-Japan-Korea alliance that is really aimed towards Beijing and not aimed at towards North Korea  and I think that's a mistake on Beijing's part," he said.

Kazianis said that the United States, Japan and South Korea are worried about the strength and capabilities of North Korea's military, but that the Chinese perspective is different.

"They see THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] and much more advanced missile defense systems going into South Korea [and] Japan considering that system  and then plop this deal on top of it ... it really creates a lot of worries in Beijing," he said.

While Kazianis said he thought there might be a small negative impact of the South Korean-Japanese intelligence sharing deal, he said he also thought Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington "can work with Beijing and explain why they need this deal and why it makes common sense."
On the campaign trail this year, Donald Trump had harsh words for Pakistan.



These are not friends of ours, Trump the candidate said at one point, referring to Pakistan and China. And were going to probably have to deal with them a lot differently than we thought.



President-elect Trump expressed a much different view this week.



During a congratulatory phone conversation, Trump called Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a terrific guy with a very good reputation who is doing amazing work.



This is a nuclear-armed U.S. ally that has repeatedly thwarted U.S. aims in the region despite taking in billions of dollars in American aid over the past two decades. Though it has taken on militant groups on its soil, Pakistan has resisted calls to halt its support of insurgent groups fighting the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan. Relations have soured under President Obama as Washington has deepened its engagement with Pakistan's arch rival, India.



For Washington, there is a sense of frustration that after its provided so much aid and arms to the Pakistani military, the country continues to provide sanctuary to terrorists that target the United States, said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center in Washington.

Trump is known for not sticking to a script when he speaks. His impromptu remarks were a signature part of his successful presidential campaign and in line with his pledge to build new relationships with world leaders. But when it comes to foreign policy, analysts say consequences from a gaffe or misinterpretation  by allies and adversaries alike -- can be severe. In a region marked by age-old rivalries, a statement by the American president can be misconstrued as a shift in the country's strategic alignments.

It could lead them to draw conclusions which I think would be unwarranted And then follows the let down, said Marvin Weinbaum, a former State Department analyst for Afghanistan and Pakistan now with the Middle East Institute in Washington.



With Pakistan long wary of the increasingly warm U.S. relations with India, Trumps flattering remarks came as a surprise that Islamabad apparently couldn't resist publicly reporting.



So effusive was Trump in his praise of Sharif that understandably Pakistan recognized here that it had a gold piece handed to it from the president, Weinbaum said.

According to a 200-word summary of the Wednesday phone call between Trump and Sharif released by the Pakistani prime ministers office, the president-elect called Pakistan amazing with tremendous opportunities.



"Pakistanis are one of the most intelligent people," Trump reportedly told Sharif.



And when Sharif invited Trump to visit Pakistan, Trump reportedly responded that he would love to come to a fantastic country, fantastic place of fantastic people.



The release of a near-verbatim read-out of the call, which appeared to relay direct quotes from the conversation, drew sharp criticism for its apparent breach of a long-standing diplomatic practice to announce such calls in intentionally bland language.



The Pakistani prime ministers office hasnt responded to the criticism. Trumps transition team released a statement about the phone call but did not confirm or deny the Pakistani version.



Rethinking Leader Phone Calls?

Since the U.S. presidential election, Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, have received more than 50 congratulatory calls from world leaders, including Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Sharif was not the only foreign leader to report words of praise from the incoming American president. Trump reportedly told Kazakhstans authoritarian president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, that under his leadership Kazakhstan had achieved fantastic success that can be called a miracle and expressed a desire to visit the country, according to a statement on the Kazak leaders website.



The fallout from Trump's off the cuff remarks to world leaders may lead his advisors to bring a greater measure of discipline to his international contacts, Weinbaum said.



I think there will be immediately a rethinking of how hes handling these kinds of conversations, he said.



A Trump transition team spokesperson didnt respond to a request for comment



Reactions in Washington and in the region to Trumps unscripted conversation with the Pakistani prime minister ranged from bemusement to skepticism to incredulity.



James Cunningham, a retired American diplomat who served as Ambassador to Afghanistan and Israel, said he was surprised by the Pakistani decision to release details of the phone call.



Usually, its, if they say anything, a confirmation that they spoke, Cunningham said.

Others were left agape.



When I first heard about it, I thought it was a joke, said Kugelman, who writes regularly about Pakistan. I couldnt believe this conversation happened.



But on closer examination, he said he could not help but detect Trumps voice in the transcript and conclude that the statement was authentic.



Cleary, it happened, Kugelman said. The conversation was positive. Perhaps the Pakistani decided to go one extra step in this case and make things a little less typical by trying to be more detailed in capturing this idea of a deep camaraderie between Trump and Sharif.



Trumps business interests in India have played into Pakistani fears that Trump will carry on the Obama Administrations tilt towards India, experts said. Just days after the election, Trump met with three Indian business partners building a Trump Tower outside Mumbai, stoking criticism about the potential conflicts of interest arising from his global business operations.



Trump reported income of between $1 million and $5 million from each of his two Indian licensing deals, according to his latest financial disclosure form.



Others voiced skepticism about the statements veracity but many took the words at face value.



In both India and Afghanistan, for those that accepted it, there would be a lot of concern, Kugelman said.



Of particular concern to many in India was Trumps offer to Sharif to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems  which some read as an apparent allusion to the decades-old feud between Pakistan and India.



The two neighhors have gone to war three times over the past 70 years over the disputed Kashmir region. Pakistan has long called for international mediation but India sees the dispute as a closed case.



An open ended offer like that from the U.S. president to the prime minister of Pakistan would be seen as an alarm in India where there is all kinds of concern already that the U.S. relationship with Pakistan is too strong, Kugelman said.



In Afghanistan, too, anything that suggests that the U.S. sees things Pakistans way is viewed as a strong negative, Weinbaum said.



But Cunningham played down the phone calls policy implications.



These initial contacts are just that: initial contacts, Cunningham said. I dont think there is any particular shift or sign or indication in that first contact about what later discussions will be like.
The St. Clair City Council has directed city attorney Jim Downey to work out the details of a purchase agreement that could result in VKC Development Inc. purchasing the citys empty 105-acre industrial park that extends north of Yankee Road and east of Range Road.

The proposed price is $880,000. The city will offer VKC a 100 percent tax break for three years and 50 percent for seven years to complete the installation of the infrastructure at the park. The firm is owned by Vince Cataldo, an architect and developer who lives in St. Clair.

The council voted 6-0 at its regular meeting on Nov. 21 to have Downey put together the agreement. Council member Mitch Kuffa was absent.

In the special meeting that proceeded the regular meeting, the discussion about the terms of the agreement began a long way from where it ended up.

We should at least get out of it what we put in it, said council member Tom Foley.

The city has invested about $2.9 million in the property, including the stub of a road and water and sewer lines in the south half of the park.

Foley admitted that his position was aggressive.

Were all anxious to do something out there, said Foley. Id like to come out of here (headed in) a good direction. Hopefully we can both win.

Council member Tom McCartney asked if the purchase agreement was a necessary precursor for Cataldo to complete his due diligence on the property.

Right, said Cataldo.

I think we have to come up with a counter offer, said Mayor Bill Cedar, referring to Cataldos original offer of $880,000 for the whole park, plus a 100 percent tax abatement on the park from the city for five years, renewable for another five years, if necessary.

Cedar suggested a starting point of $1 million and tax abatement of 100 percent for three years and 50 percent for seven years.

County Commissioner Jeff Bohm, who attended the special meeting, reminded city officials that they had previously offered free land at the park.

As a city, youve been giving away property, Bohm said.

The city offered Ever Sharp Tool, a Chinese firm, a free five acre parcel in September as long as the firm installed a stormwater retention basin. In the end, the company declined the offer.

In exchange for the property, which the city acquired from St. Clair Township in a Public Act 425 land transfer at the turn of the century, the city pays the township two mills per year. The city has paid the township about $10,000 over 14 years, said City Superintendent Mike Booth. If the land was developed, those payments would increase. Council discussed the possibility that VKC could pick up a portion of that obligation.

McCartney asked if the city could legally transfer its tax obligation to the township to a third party under a 425 agreement.

You might be able to amend it, said Dan Casey, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, who attended the special meeting. Ask your attorney.

Foley asked Cataldo how he would feel about a seven-figure purchase agreement.

Im not good at seven figures, said Cataldo. I dont have enough information to feel comfortable to move too far off that number.

In other words, a $2.9 million counter offer would not work for Cataldo. Nor would a $1 million counter.

I put together an offer I thought was fair, said Cataldo.

Casey said that the EDA had a lot of information about the property, including a Phase I and Phase II environmental permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, a wetland delineation of three acres and a national flood plan map, which it would make available to Cataldo.

Im good with $880,000, said Councilmember Butch Kindsvater, also noting that weve been trying to give it away.

Kindsvater said he liked Mayor Cedars tiered tax abatement scheme.

Id like to see a million, said Councilmember Steve Ellery.

Weve got a pretty good partner thats come to the table, said McCartney.

Im for whatever it takes to get it done, said Foley.

The council landed on the $880,000 and the tiered abatement structure.

Does that sound like something you can work with? Cedar asked.

Yes, said Cataldo.

Jim Bloch is a freelance writer. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
The election is over, announced St. Clair City Clerk Annette Sturdy at the city councils Nov. 21 regular meeting.

With recounts in the offing in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Sturdy might not be technically correct, but she is likely to be substantively correct.

At the first council meeting after the general election, Sturdy updated residents about what happened locally.

Complete results from the Nov. 8 general election are available on the city website, www.cityofstclair.com, said Sturdy. Congratulations to Mayor Cedar on reelection, Ward One Council members Butch Kindsvater and Mitch Kuffa, Ward Two Council members Mike LaPorte and Tom McCartney, and Ward Three Council members Bill Klieman and Steve Ellery.

The newly elected council will be sworn in at the first regular city council meeting in 2017.

Each will serve a two-year term.

Election Day itself could not have gone any better, said Sturdy. It was very efficient. We had no issues in any of our three polling locations. Residents were respectful and patient. We had very minimal waiting times, maybe 10 minutes at the most. Our voter turnout was just over 3,000 voters, which put us at 70.6 percent and which was comparable to the 2012 election when the city of St. Clair had a 68 percent turnout. So we were a little bit higher. The state average, while its not official, stands at about 65.6 percent. So overall we did very well. It was just a great day.

Sturdy thanked all of the citys election inspectors.

We had about 27 people assist that day, between six and eight polling inspectors at each polling location, plus an absentee ballot counting board located at city hall, said Sturdy. Especially the election inspectors in Ward Two need to be thanked as they handled the whole day efficiently with only six crew members, as opposed to the eight we had originally planned on.

Sturdy thanked one inspector in particular.

A special recognition to Norma Harris, who was our chairman for Ward Two and who will be retiring from election work after 13 years of service, which included four presidential elections, said Sturdy. So thank you, Norma.

Sturdy noted that Article 6, Section 6.5.4 of the City Code of Ordinances mandates that political signs be removed for lawns within seven days of an election. She asked residents to comply.

Our next potential election date is May 2, 2017, said Sturdy.

You did a great job, Annette, said Mayor Bill Cedar. Thank you. Over 70 percent turnout  thats amazing.

The rest of the council thanked Sturdy as well.

It was a great day, she said.

Jim Bloch is a freelance writer. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
Heres a feel-good moment to float you into your weekend: Right now, you can stream a documentary on Netflix called Floyd Norman: An Animated Life. Its about the titular Norman, a talented animator, storyteller, and longtime Disney employee who just happened to break the studios animator color barrier. (As the modest Norman puts it, in his mind he was just another animator looking for a job.) The film is an intimate, warm look at the Jackie Robinson of animation, taking in his historic moment as well as the substantial life and work that followed, from The Jungle Book to Monsters, Inc. to his controversial forced retirement from the Mouse House at 65.

Along the way we meet friends and admirers (Whoopi Goldberg among them), including a crew of fellow African-American animators for whom employment at Disney was made permissible, if not possible, by their friend  and occasional frenemy  Floyd Norman. Now theres enough of us for us to be mad at each other, as a fellow black animator puts it. Watch the trailer for An Animated Life and get a first glimpse of Normans incredible career milestones, the Forrest Gump of animation that he is. Then head to Netflix and watch history being made, again.
Photo: 2016 Getty Images

This year has proved to be a defining one for both old and young people consistently falling for fake news  so much so that Mark Zuckerberg has faced major condemnation over Facebooks failure to prevent hoaxes, misinformation, and exaggerations from rapidly spreading during the lead-up to the presidential election. (For a nifty browser extension that prevents fake news from taking over your computer, explore an option here.) ExDaily Show host and all-around swell guy Jon Stewart is well aware of this current plight and offered a very reasonable, common-sense solution to news organizations free of charge. Simply put: Check your damn source before you report anything. If the news organizations really want to tackle fake news, they need to look at where they are aggregating their information, Stewart told the crowd at a New York Times talk earlier this week. Stories that were sent from a Macedonian teenager to grandmothers email accounts didnt sway this election. News organizations that lost their credibility and authority because they were not careful enough about introducing toxic and poisoned information and laundering it into a system devalued the authority of real supposed news sources, to the point where people are frustrated enough to elect a man who stands for what he stands for.

Later in the talk, Stewart laughed off the idea that Hillary Clinton wouldve defeated Donald Trump in the election if he was still hosting The Daily Show. We were the destroyers of men and creators of empires. I think that generally is satires role and has always been: the rise and fall of civilization at our whim, Stewart joked. I would have probably allowed Hillary to come a little closer in the Rust Belt, but I still think I would have given Michigan to Trump. In the end, though, just as he predicted, Clinton was cockblocked from the White House.
Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

According to Keeping Up With the Kardashians executive producer and E! czar Ryan Seacrest, Kanye West has been improving following his recent hospitalization at UCLAs Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for exhaustion. Ive spoken to Kim. Ive not spoken to Kanye, but I think that things are going better now, Seacrest told People last night in Los Angeles. While he was released from the facility on Wednesday, November 30, West is currently living apart from his wife Kim Kardashian and their children while receiving outpatient care. Seacrest also echoes E!s denial that filming of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians 13th season has been put on hold during the rappers treatment, as rumors had suggested. While the show did pause after Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in her Parisian hotel room back in October, shooting has continued throughout Kanyes entire ordeal. There have been some reports that we halted production. We did stop for a little bit, briefly, after the Paris incident, but since then weve been back in full production, Seacrest explained. Were shooting season 13.
French President Francois Hollande declared this month the Paris pact calling for drastic reductions in use of fossil fuels to battle climate change is "irreversible."

Because outgoing President Barack Obama agreed to the deal, Americans must comply with it, Hollande added.

Really, sir?

Congress has never approved the agreement. About 60 million Americans registered the disapproval of it and similar government overreach by electing Donald Trump as our next president.

Hollande may believe some people  his own, perhaps  still tolerate rule by monarchal decree. Or it may be that he feels we Americans should bow to the judgment of European leaders.

We stopped doing both on July 4, 1776, sir.

 The Evening Observer, Dunkirk

If you're a high school student deciding where to apply for college, or the parent of a student, you've probably done a fair amount of research. Even so, there are some schools that may have escaped your notice, such as MCPHS University, LIU Brooklyn, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Babson College.

You say you need Google to learn where some of those schools are located? That's the point: Excellence and prestige aren't synonyms. And what do these relatively obscure institutions (take no offense, proud alums) have in common? They got the highest score, 100, on a recent evaluation by the Brookings Institution. That puts them right up there with a school you may have heard of: Harvard. It's in Massachusetts.

Brookings tries to calculate the "value added" by each school, distinguishing the student characteristics that foster success from the benefit provided by the school itself. Bill Gates became the second-richest person in the world after studying at Harvard (though he didn't graduate), but he probably would have been very successful even if he had gone somewhere else. Brookings wants to identify the schools that give their grads the biggest boost.

Other rankings, however, yield different results. The Wall Street Journal's list puts Stanford at No. 1, followed by MIT and Columbia. U.S. News gives the top spot among "national universities" to Princeton, with Harvard and the University of Chicago just below.

The Economist magazine of Britain recently came out with its rankings  based, it says, "on a simple, if debatable, premise: The economic value of a university is equal to the gap between how much money students subsequently earn, and how much they might have made had they studied elsewhere."

In this it resembles the Brookings approach, but it has different results. The top three schools are Washington and Lee, Babson and Villanova. Among those in the top 10 are Bentley, Otis College of Art and Design, Lehigh, Alderson Broaddus and California State University at Bakersfield.

But career earnings are not necessarily the best way to assess a school. The Wall Street Journal says most of the elite institutions don't score particularly well on student engagement, which means their students "may not have the most enriching educational experiences." What's the best place for student engagement, according to the Journal? Dordt College.

Nor are past results any guarantee. Schools change over time. The ingredients that fueled the class of 1991 may have diminished or disappeared by the time the class of 2021 arrives. And The Economist notes, "It is also possible that the highly ranked colleges simply got lucky."

These different rankings should serve notice to kids and parents that many factors contribute to how much a student will learn, how much the student will enjoy college and how he or she will fare afterward. Many of those factors, however, are unpredictable but important, such as how much you'll like your professors or your roommates or your social life.

 The Daily Sentinel, Rome

Jill Stein's cynical push for recounts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan has two obvious goals: to raise more political cash, and to "troll" President-elect Donald Trump. She's succeeding on both fronts  the interests of the nation be damned.

It's a pander to liberal hysteria over Trump's win that will doubtless feed conspiracy theories for years to come. (At least she left Florida out of it this time.)

Yet no recount has any chance of even vaulting Stein past Gary Johnson into the third-place slot. The odds are huge that the effort won't flip a single state to Hillary Clinton, who needs all three to reverse the Electoral College result.

And if Stein really wanted Hillary to win, she shouldn't have run in the first place: Her vote in two of the states was more than Trump's margin over Clinton.

Yet the Green presidential candidate has raised north of $7 million thanks to the effort, far more than her campaign will have to spend on it. She's also building a fine database of suckers for future fund appeals.

Hillary Clinton's camp, meanwhile, will help monitor the recounts  purely, it claims, to make sure everything's clean. And never mind about her pre-election thunder on the need to "accept . the outcome."

Trump, stung by the push to delegitimize his victory, couldn't resist tweeting his outrage on Sunday  slamming Clinton for her about-face, then spouting fiction about "millions of people who voted illegally."

Naturally, the punditry then overreacted, with claims that Trump himself was delegitimizing the results. No: His claims undermine nothing (except his "presidential" image) unless you figure he swept the illegal-alien vote.

Still, Trump should recognize a sideshow when he sees it  and assign some very junior member of his communications team to mocking such idiocy. Unlike Stein and Clinton, the president-elect has real work to do.

 The New York Post
Molding metal into shapes against its nature continues to be a lifelong pursuit of art for a recent Californian-turned-Wacoan blacksmith.

Transforming a 2,000-square-foot space off South 32nd Street into a suitable studio, Skip Ralls says he plans to open Mindscape Metal Works after the first of the year.

Ralls envisions a night sculpture walk on the 1-plus-acre parcel of land beside his studio, featuring a manicured path and lights reflecting off 50- to-60-foot-tall original pieces.

But until the opening, Ralls said, hes burning the candle at both ends to get the work space put together.

I like making metal do what it doesnt want. Thats what fascinates me, he said.

Ralls, who spent the past decade working in California, will build a traditional old-school brick side draft forge inside the studio to do his craft. Layout and fabrication tables already in place, hes moving in a power hammer, which frees him from the need of assistants by using the strength of the machine to do the pounding.

This is like five guys hitting metal, and I control the blows of the metal, he said.

With several decades of experience under his belt, Ralls over the years has created hand-forged roses, concept pieces, sculptures, ornate estate doors and personally designed stairway railings, among other work.

Ralls plans for a Jan. 19 meet-and-greet at the shop with live music and food to introduce himself and his work to the community.

Making money is the negative part of the work, Ralls said, adding all he wants to do is build. Ralls says hes not a contractor or a chop shop, and the inspiration for his art is organic.

I love the female figure, the shapes, the hips, the softness, the contours; theres a lot of that in nature, said Ralls, who always keeps a sketchbook nearby to express ideas.

Library sculpture

Ralls said hes already working with local library officials on creating a sculpture for the new facility. Ralls is also dreaming up ideas involving butterflies and mirrors.

When writers block strikes, Ralls covers his works in a large tarp, walking away until his mind is ready to see the piece again. There have only been a few times, but they are the most spiritual, when he lifts the tarp and cant believe he created what stands before him.

His craft is a journey, and Ralls said that journey often includes the confluence of a bottle of wine and Gregorian chants echoing from the speakers, frequently at his witching hour of 10 p.m.

Thats the real drive for a true artisan studio, that feeling; thats what Im hoping to produce, he said.

Creating sculptures two or three stories tall would bring a new taste to the art life in Waco, said Jesus Rivera, director of Art Forum of Waco.

Rivera said hes eager to collaborate with Ralls and connect the blacksmith with his unique ideas to other area artists.

Im so excited about him, Rivera said. We dont have an artist like him in town.

Expansion of arts

Rivera said the continued expansion of the arts in the area only adds to Wacos growth and character.

Hes really unique, I think. He will make a lot of difference in Waco, he said.

Moving to Waco in August is like being home again for Ralls, 60, who grew up in a rural setting.

This is it. I smell a skunk. I grew up on the farm. Im a kid again, he said.

The move will also hopefully be his last, he said. Ralls said hes spent much of his life traveling for work, holding down two jobs to support himself, and immersing himself in the blacksmith culture in various countries around the world. Ralls said hes started over more times than he can count.

Maybe if Im called north, theyll call me out of line and one of the angels will say, The Lord wants you to rebuild the pearly gates, and Im OK with that, he said.

With an 11-year-old daughter and a 22-year-old son in art school, Ralls said hes ready to spend more time with his family.

Ralls said he thinks he inherited his drive from his father, after being introduced to blacksmithing in high school. California work was cutthroat; no one collaborated and most studios took 50 percent of commission.

All I want to do is art. I want to do big pieces, he said. Well, when youre engaged in a big piece  you know, 50-60 feet tall  youre immersed in that eight days a week, 15 to 16 hours a day, (for a) month, two months, three months. Theres no revenue coming in.

Pay the dragon

Ralls said hell begin to seek out clients in the Greater Waco area as he continues to stay in contact with artists across the state and nation.

We all have to do something to pay the dragon before it spits fire, he said about paying bills.

And life as an artist means stealing time when he can, he said.

When not working on pieces that help pay the bills, Ralls said, hes eager to start on large pieces. The acre of land beside the shop will allow him the space to slowly put together his larger works of art, reflecting on the pieces as they reflect the moons light.

I guarantee as sculpture culture, where it starts from fingernail sketches to where I need to be, it changes constantly, constantly, constantly, he said.
Those planning to shop at Wacos Richland Mall with to the arrival of the holidays may not realize it has added three new stores since December of last year, and the Shoe Department store has expanded and relocated to an area near the food court on the Sears-anchored end of the 708,000-square-foot retail center.

New arrivals include H&M, which bills itself as one of the worlds largest fashion retailers and took 21,000 square feet next to Forever 21; Francescas, which sells womens dresses, shoes and accessories and took space next to Victorias Secret; and Earthbound Trading Co., which sells clothing, home accessories, and gift and novelty items and which now occupies the former Vanity location inside the mall at Waco Drive and State Highway 6, marketing director Brad King said.

An eatery called Greek Grill is another relatively new tenant at Richland Mall, and the Chinese Relax Station that operates in the traffic area of the mall will move into a space of its own near Bealls, possibly as early as this week, said King, adding the mall is talking with at least two other prospects to lease space in the center.

King said the stores and Greek Grill have signed long-term leases and are not seasonal additions that routinely arrive this time of year.

The future of the Aeropostale store in the mall remains uncertain. It advertised a 70 percent discount on all merchandise during the Black Friday weekend as part of a store-closing sale in the wake of Aeropostales Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. But Fortune.com is reporting a consortium of buyers may rescue up to 230 of Aeropostales 800 locations.

Shoppers may have noticed that Forever 21 has opened a second location in the Waco market, the new one now operating at Central Texas Marketplace.

The marketplace version is one of the chains new F21 Red stores that offers deeper discounts than those of traditional Forever 21 sites.

Baylor entrepreneurs

Baylor Universitys entrepreneurship program in the Hankamer School of Business continues to make waves nationally.

In 2007, it was ranked 23rd in the nation by Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review. A year later, the program moved up to No. 12 nationally. And in 2009, it cracked the top five for the first time. And it has never left, according to a report released last week by the school.

For the eighth straight year, Baylor entrepreneurship is ranked among the top-five undergraduate entrepreneurship programs; this year, Baylor sits at No. 5.

During the past five years, Baylor entrepreneurship graduates have started almost 300 companies and collectively raised about $30 million in funding. Every undergraduate professor in the program has started, bought and/or run his or her own business, and more than 150 individuals work with students through a mentoring program.

Programs that the school says help it stand apart from other colleges and universities include Accelerated Ventures, a two-semester experience that enables students to create real companies with actual products and services, while also receiving revenue; the Institute for Family Business, which studies and promotes family-owned companies; and something called i5, an interdisciplinary program that introduces students to the growing market in China, according to information provided by Baylor.

Those wanting more information about entrepreneurship at Baylor may visit baylor.edu/business/entrepreneurship.

New Waco food truck

A new food truck called The Blasian Asian has opened at Franklin Avenue and University Parks Drive to serve authentic Cambodian food prepared by Chavrat Chevy Dubose, a native of Cambodia who moved to Waco from Seattle, Washington, with her husband, Michael Dubose.

Our first day of business was Tuesday, and it actually went very well. I think word had gotten around about our food trailer, which is pretty exotic. A lot of people were taking pictures of it, said Michael Dubose, who was transferred to Waco by his previous employer, Terex, which has announced it will close its Waco operations.

Dubose said he quit the company before the announcement, saying he wanted to support his wifes efforts to open a food trailer.

He said Chavrat craved authentic Cambodian food, could not find it in Waco but did locate the ingredients she needed to prepare entrees herself. Those who sampled her dishes encouraged her to open a place of her own, Dubose said, adding she took their words to heart and proceeded to open The Blasian Asian.

The biggest shock upon moving to Waco about 18 months ago was feeling the heat on a 103-degree day, something I had not experienced in 20 years, Michael Dubose said.

He said The Blasian Asian will operate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closing Sunday and Monday for cleaning and replenishing.

Legends Crossing

Traffic on State Highway 6 near Legends Crossing, the upscale development near Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center that serves as home to Saltgrass Steakhouse and Chuys, among other occupants, may have noticed the moving of earth adjacent to Douglass Nissan of Waco, formerly Waco Nissan.

Ryan Cash, a sales manager at the dealership, said the facilitys main entrance was at the rear when the Douglass family acquired the car store.

We have decided to create a new main entrance, and we also are developing 50 to 60 additional parking spots for our used-car inventory, Cash said in an interview Friday. We hope to have the job finished in about a month. The weather has been a little annoying, but we have a crew out there as we speak.

Chamber mixer

The public is invited to a mixer Tuesday at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce offices at South Third Street and Franklin Avenue downtown.

Aaron Cox, representing the Texas Association of Business, will provide a preview of the 85th Texas Legislative Session, which begins in January, and how it may impact business in Central Texas. Those attending also will learn about the chambers agenda for getting its priorities in front of lawmakers.

The program, called Pinot, Pizza & Policy, will last from 5 to 7 p.m. Those planning to attend the free event are asked to notify the chamber, but reservations are not required. For more information, call Jessica Attas, the chambers director of public policy at 757-5631, or email jattas@wacochamber.com.

Come early to mingle, with the presentation beginning at 5:15 p.m., Attas said in a prepared statement, adding, You will have time to educate yourself and engage in conversation and policy analysis as you continue to position your business for excellence.

Logans bankruptcy

Logans Roadhouse, a Tennessee-based chain that operates a location in Central Texas Marketplace, announced it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The reorganization plan allowed the company to reduce its debt from about $400 million to just over $100 million, according to a prepared statement.

The restaurateur closed 34 underperforming locations. Wacos will remain open, though Logans has adopted new policies that may impact it. The chain said it has adopted a revised menu with a return to the restaurants most popular items from years past.

It also said it would focus on streamlining operations and improving customer service. It has launched a major integrated marketing effort highlighting core favorites such as steaks, ribs and yeast rolls, according to the statement.

Logans also reportedly will invest more to attract and keep staffers through training, development and compensation packages.

Logans currently has 195 company-operated and 26 franchised restaurants in 20 states. It said it is saving $4 million annually through renegotiating leases and contracts.
Indonesian airline Batik Air looks set to bring even more competition to the Perth-Bali holiday market later this month or in the new year at the latest.

The airline announced it has been given an air operator's certificate by the Australian Civil Aviation Authority and hopes to sign off routes as soon as possible.

Batik Air is about to start flights between Perth and Bali. Credit:Batik Air

"Yes, the target is December 2016 or January 2017. We are just trying to manage the airline route's administration," said Lion Air Group President Edward Sirait.

The airline eventually plans to fly to destinations throughout Australia but will start with the Perth-Denpasar route.
The world faces the prospect of more tension with China over trade, security and human rights after Xi Jinping awarded himself another five-year term as leader of the ruling Communist Party and called for self-reliance in technology, a stronger military and protection of core interests abroad. At a party congress, Xi gave no sign of plans to change the "zero-COVID strategy that has frustrated Chinas public and disrupted business and trade. He called for faster military development and announced no change in policies that strain relations with Washington and Asian neighbors. Xi is tightening control at home and trying to use Chinas economic heft to increase its influence abroad.
Aetna Inc. operates as a health care benefits company in the United States. It operates through three segments: Health Care, Group Insurance, and Large Case Pensions. The Health Care segment offers medical, pharmacy benefit management service, dental, behavioral health, and vision plans on an insured and employer-funded basis. It also provides point-of-service, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, and indemnity benefit plans, as well as health savings accounts and consumer-directed health plans. In addition, this segment offers Medicare and Medicaid products and services, as well as other medical products, such as medical management and data analytics services, medical stop loss insurance, workers' compensation administrative services, and products that provide access to its provider networks in select geographies. The Group Insurance segment offers life insurance products, including group term life insurance, voluntary spouse and dependent term life insurance, group universal life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; disability insurance products; and long-term care insurance products, which provide the benefits to cover the cost of care in private home settings, adult day care, assisted living, or nursing facilities. The Large Case Pensions segment manages various retirement products comprising pension and annuity products primarily for tax-qualified pension plans. The company provides its products and services to employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates. Aetna Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut.
First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through three segments: Regional Banking, Specialty Banking, and Corporate. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. The company also underwrites bank-eligible securities and other fixed-income securities eligible for underwriting by financial subsidiaries; sells loans and derivatives; and offers advisory services. In addition, it offers various services, such as mortgage banking; title insurance and loan-closing; brokerage; correspondent banking; nationwide check clearing and remittance processing; trust, fiduciary, and agency; equipment finance; and investment and financial advisory services. Further, the company sells mutual fund and retail insurance products; and credit cards. It operates approximately 500 banking offices in 22 states under the First Horizon Bank brand; and 400 banking centers in 12 states under the FHN Financial brand in the United States. The company was formerly known as First Horizon National Corporation and changed its name to First Horizon Corporation in November 2020. First Horizon Corporation was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Bhd., Perkin Elmer Yuhan Hoesa, Perkin-Elmer Argentina S.R.L., Perkin-Elmer de Mexico S.A., PerkinElmer Argentina Holdings LLC, PerkinElmer Automotive Research Inc., PerkinElmer BV, PerkinElmer CV Holdings LLC, PerkinElmer Cellular Technologies Germany GmbH, PerkinElmer Danmark A/S, PerkinElmer Diagnostics Global Holdings S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Diagnostics Holdings Inc., PerkinElmer Espana S.L., PerkinElmer Finance Luxembourg S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Finland Oy, PerkinElmer Genetics Inc., PerkinElmer Genomics Sweden AB, PerkinElmer Germany Diagnostics GmbH, PerkinElmer Global Diagnostics S.C.A., PerkinElmer Global Financing S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Global Holdings S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Health Sciences B.V., PerkinElmer Health Sciences Canada Inc., PerkinElmer Health Sciences FZ-LLC, PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc., PerkinElmer Health Sciences Puerto Rico LLC, PerkinElmer Health Sciences Pvt Ltd., PerkinElmer Healthcare Diagnostics Shanghai Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Holding Luxembourg S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Holdings Inc., PerkinElmer Holdings Singapore Pte Ltd., PerkinElmer Hong Kong Ltd., PerkinElmer IVD Pte Ltd., PerkinElmer Inc., PerkinElmer India Pvt Ltd., PerkinElmer Informatics Inc., PerkinElmer Instruments Suzhou Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer International C.V., PerkinElmer Investments Ky, PerkinElmer Ireland Ltd., PerkinElmer Israel Ltd., PerkinElmer Japan Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer LAS Germany GmbH, PerkinElmer LAS UK Ltd., PerkinElmer Life Sciences International Holdings, PerkinElmer Life Sciences Singapore Pte. Ltd., PerkinElmer Limited, PerkinElmer Ltd., PerkinElmer Management Chengdu Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Management Shanghai Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Nederland B.V. , PerkinElmer Norge AS, PerkinElmer Oy, PerkinElmer Polska Sp. z o.o., PerkinElmer Pty. Ltd., PerkinElmer SAS, PerkinElmer Saglk ve Cevre Bilimleri Ltd., PerkinElmer Schweiz AG, PerkinElmer Shanghai Equity Investment Fund L.P., PerkinElmer Shanghai Equity Investment Fund Management Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Shared Services Sp. z o.o., PerkinElmer Singapore Pte Ltd., PerkinElmer South Africa Pty Ltd., PerkinElmer Sverige AB, PerkinElmer Taiwan Corporation, PerkinElmer UK Holdings Ltd., PerkinElmer VertriebsgmbH, PerkinElmer chemagen Technologie GmbH, PerkinElmer do Brasil Ltda., Perten Instruments, Perten Instruments AB, Perten Instruments GmbH, Perten Instruments of Australia Pty Ltd., Qognit Inc., RHS Ltd, RayAl Ltd., SIRION Biotech, SIRION Biotech GmbH, SIRION Biotech International Inc., Sage Labs LLC, Shandong Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Haoyuan Biotech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Co. Ltd., Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Co. Ltd., Signature Genomic Laboratories, Singapore Biosciences Pte Ltd., Solus Scientific Solutions Ltd., SonoVol Inc., Suomen Bioanalytiikka Oy, Surendra Genetic Labs, Suzhou PerkinElmer Medical Laboratory Co. Ltd., Suzhou Sym-Bio LifeScience, Suzhou Sym-Bio Lifescience Co. Ltd., Synthetx Limited, Tulip Diagnostics, Tulip Diagnostics Pvt Ltd., Vanadis Diagnostics, Vanadis Diagnostics AB, ViaCell, ViaCord LLC, VisEn Medical, VisEn Medical Inc., Wallac Oy, Wellesley B.V., Xenogen Corporation, ZeLab SAS, and chemagen Biopolymer-Technologie AG.

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Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farms in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and Other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, prime brokerage, and data analytics. This segment also provides trustee, paying agency, fiduciary, escrow and other financial, issuer, and support services for brokers and investors. The Market and Wealth Services segment offers clearing and custody, investment, wealth and retirement solutions, technology and enterprise data management, trading, and prime brokerage services; and clearance and collateral management services. This segment also provides integrated cash management solutions, including payments, foreign exchange, liquidity management, receivables processing and payables management, and trade finance and processing services. The Investment and Wealth Management segment offers investment management strategies and distribution of investment products, investment management, custody, wealth and estate planning, private banking, investment, and information management services. The Other segment engages in the provision of leasing, corporate treasury, derivative and other trading, corporate and bank-owned life insurance, renewable energy investment, and business exit services. It serves central banks and sovereigns, financial institutions, asset managers, insurance companies, corporations, local authorities and high net-worth individuals, and family offices. The company was founded in 1784 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. provides automotive replacement parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items for domestic and imported cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light and heavy duty trucks. The company offers battery accessories; belts and hoses; brakes and brake pads; chassis and climate control parts; clutches and drive shafts; engines and engine parts; exhaust systems and parts; hub assemblies; ignition components and wires; radiators and cooling parts; starters and alternators; and steering and alignment parts. It also offers air conditioning chemicals and accessories; air fresheners; antifreeze and washer fluids; electrical wires and fuses; electronics; floor mats, seat covers, and interior accessories; hand and specialty tools; lighting products; performance parts; sealants, adhesives and compounds; tire repair accessories; vent shades, mirrors and exterior accessories; washes, waxes and cleaning supplies; and wiper blades. In addition, the company offers air filters; fuel and oil additives; fuel filters; grease and lubricants; motor oils; oil filters, part cleaners and treatments; and transmission fluids for engine maintenance. Further, it offers battery and wiper installation; engine light scanning and checking; electrical system testing; video clinic; oil and battery recycling; and loaner tool program services. Additionally, the company sells its products through its website. It serves professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. The company operates stores under the Advance Auto Parts, Autopart International, and Carquest brands, as well as branches under the Worldpac name. As of April 23, 2022, it operated 4,687 stores and 311 branches in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada; and served 1,318 independently owned Carquest branded stores in Mexico, Grand Cayman, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the British Virgin Islands. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
VMware, Inc. provides software solutions in the areas of modern applications, cloud management and infrastructure, networking, security, and digital workspaces in the United States and internationally. It offers VMware multi-cloud solutions, including VMware vSphere, a data center infrastructure that provides the fundamental compute layer; vSAN and VxRail, which offers holistic data storage and protection options to applications running on vSphere; and vRealize Cloud Management solutions that manages hybrid and multi-cloud environments running in virtual machines and containers, as well as VMware Cloud Foundation, a cloud platform that combines its vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with vRealize Cloud Management into an integrated stack and delivers enterprise-ready cloud infrastructure for private and public clouds. The company also provides networking solutions, such as VMware NSX, NSX Distributed and Gateway Firewalls, NSX Network Detection and Response Engine, NSX Advanced Load Balancer, Tanzu Service Mesh, and VMware SASE; security solutions consisting of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint, Workload, and Container; and digital workspace solutions comprising Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management, Access, Intelligent Hub, and Horizon. In addition, it offers application modernization solutions, such as Tanzu Application and Operations Platform, Tanzu Application Service Platform, Tanzu Observability, Tanzu Community Edition, and Tanzu Labs; and cloud management solutions, including vRealize Cloud Management, vCloud Suite, and CloudHealth by VMware Suite. The company sells its products through distributors, resellers, system vendors, and systems integrators. VMware, Inc. has a strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services to build and deliver an integrated hybrid solution. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.
by Adrian Gibson

Black Friday was a wonderful day for democracy in the Bahamas.

The march was a gathering of Bahamians who - individually and collectively - found their voices and peacefully expressed themselves in a resounding crescendo of dissent.

I basked in the midst of the black shirts assembled in Rawson Square, donned in my all black suit and proud that Bahamians were finally returning to our ways of protesting political shortcomings and injustices and saying enough is enough.

Bahamians are tired of our governance being a revolving door between insincere Free National Movement (FNM) and Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) politicians. The most sincere among the marchers - and Im not talking about politicians - yearn to see an overturning of the political applecart, yearn to see a blowing up of the status quo. The march is the beginning of the Bahamian Arab Spring or, dare I say, the Bahamian Awakening.

During the Arab Spring, we saw the emergence of people that we had never heard of or seen before. These were people who, previously, had little or no influence but who impelled powerful movements that toppled governments, deposed dictators and radically - whether for good or bad - changed the course of these countries. Ranard Henfield, an attorney who led the organising committee for the march, is one such person. I have read Henfields letters to Prime Minister Perry Christie and I think that his demands are all reasonable and are issues of interest for all Bahamians desirous of good governance and real change.

Unfortunately, we might have to have more of these movements as no real political change is on the horizon.

When one compares the 2011 protest against the sale of BTC to the Black Friday March, the BTC protest can be considered the kindergarten version of public protest in terms of size and impact. The video of both protests is online and one can watch for themselves and make a determination. Everyday Bahamians were excited by and pleased with the march. Frankly, the march transcended class, race, ethnicity and traditional political ideology.

Bahamians are frustrated. The governing PLP has steered our country into treacherous seas, without a compass and seemingly without the political will to get our society and economy back on track. On the other hand, the FNM has proven to be the worst Opposition that we have had in an independent Bahamas. The current incarnation of the Opposition is - in large part - the reason why the PLP has been able to operate with impunity, answering to no one and unafraid of a passive, spayed, way-too-old FNM caucus.

In 1997, the PLP won six of 40 seats. The seats were held by Bradley Roberts (Grants Town), Sir Lynden Pindling (South Andros and Mangrove Cay), Perry Christie (Centreville), Bernard Nottage (Kennedy), Phillip Galanis (Englerston) and Cynthia Mother Pratt (St Cecilia). At that time, I was a junior/senior high school student in Long Island and I keenly listened to their debates. Though the FNM held 34 of the 40 seats, the six members of the PLPs caucus proved to be an impressive, formidable Opposition. Bradley Roberts made a name for himself - Big Bad Brad - and as a kid who loved politics and thrilling exchanges in the House of Assembly, I was glued to my radio. If the PLP six could hold the FNM accountable in 1997, then surely the FNM with 10 members ought to have been a more progressive, shuddersome opposition force.

As it stands, it is clear that Bahamians believe that both major political parties are out of touch.

Whilst it is hoped that the outcome of the march would mean that business as usual in the Bahamas is no more, I am not naive. We would have, as a people, to take a number of actions, whether by protests or litigation, to get the country that we deserve. Ive found that Bahamian politicians are generally insincere and only concerned with winning their seats, where they sit comfortably for four-and-a-half years, insulting our collective intelligence and pretending to be the kings and queens of our personal and national fortunes.

Interestingly, the Black Friday march attracted politicians from the FNM, PLP and Democratic National Alliance (DNA). The only political grouping that ought to have been at that march - without seeming hypocritical - was the DNA. The DNA does not have a voice in the House of Assembly. No member of the DNA sits around the Cabinet table. Unlike the FNM, the DNA does not head the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

It appears that the march was so good that government ministers got caught up in the moment and protested against themselves. I think they were also showing protesters that they did not fear any movement. They marched. Then criticised and dismissed the organisers. Imagine that!

Likewise, the FNM brought their entire slate, led by leader Dr Hubert Minnis. The Opposition shares some degree of complicity for the status quo. Whilst I am less concerned by the presence of Opposition politicians, I have a serious problem with the Opposition leaderships laying of claim and absurd attempts to take credit for the march.

The Black Friday march was neither conceived promoted, planned or executed by the Official Opposition. The march was truly a populist initiative. With an election on the horizon and a plethora of issues to address, perhaps the Opposition should organise its own march and we can all compare and assess the turn out.

The presence of the Opposition was diminished by the ill-considered decision to arrive and march as a distinctly FNM force. It cheapened the event and confirmed that, at least for some Opposition politicians, this was all about optics and political brownie points. This further demonstrates the belief of many Bahamians that politicians in both major parties are tone deaf.

Why has the PAC not properly accounted for their existence in the House of Assembly? Why march for accountability when one heads a body of the House that ought to investigate and report to the public about government expenditure?

Whilst the DNA will get a pass because of their current political station, the PLP and the FNM must account.

Bahamians are tired of the Oppositions leadership using the proverbial finger in the wind test, then sounding like Machiavellian opportunists who have salivated all over their index finger/s and, having raised it like a weather vane into the winter wind of the Bahamas to seek directions, going with whatever flow guarantees their erstwhile quest for national leadership. Sometimes, it is difficult to listen to and/or read some of the commentary without some degree of revulsion.

Unfortunately, the Official Opposition has been at the fore of pushing a self-interested agenda that seeks to use the march to trump the governing PLP.

On the other hand, PLP ministers Kenred Dorsett and Jerome Fitzgerald have projected themselves as petty, flip-flopping sectarians who cannot see the forest for the trees, who are unwilling to accept that Fridays march was a movement of the people and that they should listen to the issues advanced by the organisers. This is notwithstanding the fact that these ministers were march crashers who crusaded against themselves!

The inability of the governing PLP to understand that people see the Bahamas in colours other than red or yellow or green shows how disconnected they are.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchells intolerant voice note should send shivers down the spine of every Bahamian. Ever the hypocrite, it was Fred Mitchell who, along with Michael Sawyer Brown, Dennis Dames, Phillip Miller and Horace Pierre burnt the constitution in December, 1989. Mr Mitchell led and/or participated in many protests during his younger days. He was once held in high regard and understudied by young revolutionaries in the making. He has since been a disappointment, forgetting positions that he purportedly took on principle and emerging as an impervious old man who has clearly become hypnotised by the trappings of political power. Will the real Fred Mitchell please stand up?

Partisan ploys have been on full display in the wake of last Fridays march. How very sad!

We are sick and tired of self-aggrandising political crusaders.

_________________________________________________________

First published in the The Tribune under the byline, Young Man's View, here

View Adrian Gibson's archive here

____________________________________________________

The views expressed are those of the author, and not necessarily those of WeblogBahamas.com (which has no corporate view) or its Authors.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 03, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 03, 2016 | 01:57 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Two Paducah retirement centers have new carts to help residents carry items thanks to assistance from a local bank.



Community Financial Services Bank says the Jackson House and W. B. Sanders Retirement Center in Paducah was in search of carts that residents could use to carry their groceries into their apartments. CFSB's McCracken County Banking Center assisted in purchasing 40 carts, which also allow the tenants to use for personal tasks such as laundry.



"This donation greatly will help our residents do their main grocery shopping at the first of each month. This will make carrying their supplies so much easier." said Jackson House Activity Director Dava Dillon



McCracken County Market President Randell Blackburn said, "We are so proud to help the Jackson House and their residents. At CFSB, we recognize our role in the communities we serve. We believe in supporting and giving back."



The Jackson House is located at 301 South 9th Street in Paducah.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 03, 2016 | MAYFIELD, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 03, 2016 | 12:08 AM | MAYFIELD, KY

A Graves County teen faces a lengthy list of charges, after a Friday afternoon traffic stop turned into a chase through Mayfield.



According to Kentucky State Police, a trooper stopped a vehicle at around 3:30 pm on West Farthing Street near Cuba Road for a traffic violation. As the trooper approached the vehicle the driver fled and a pursuit began, eventually coming to an end when the vehicle struck a utility pole and fire hydrant. Troopers were then able to take the suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile, into custody without further incident.



Police said the investigation showed the juvenile was intoxicated. The vehicle the juvenile was driving had also been reported as stolen to Graves County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 26.



During a search of the vehicle, police reportedly found suspected synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia.



The juvenile was booked into the McCracken County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges:



Three counts of wanton endangerment 1st degree, fleeing or evading police  motor vehicle 1st degree, criminal mischief 1st degree, receiving stolen property, reckless driving, possession of synthetic drugs, no operators license, operating motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs  1st offense, and other traffic violations.
Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world
EAST FLAT ROCK PLAN READY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW

Committee Releases Draft East Flat Rock Community Plan for Public Review



The East Flat Rock Community Plan Advisory Committee and Henderson County Planning Department rermind the public that the Draft East Flat Rock Community Plan continues to be available for public inspection and comment,.. The plan addresses topics such as natural and cultural resources, agriculture, housing, community facilities and services, transportation, economic development, land use and development, and community character and design. The plan is designed to guide county policy for the East Flat Rock area over the next 15 years. The plan includes goals and objectives for a number of issues facing the planning area.

The committee drafted the plan at the direction of the Board of Commissioners with the assistance of an initial public input session held in November 2015. Community residents, business and property owners are encouraged to review the Draft Plan prior to the second public input session scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Henderson County Historic Courthouse-Community Room. This second public input session is informal and residents may drop-in anytime from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

An online survey is also available for residents, business and property owners that are unable to attend the public input meeting. Visit www.hcplanning.org to take the online survey and view the Draft Plan.

For more information about the Community Planning Process, please contact the Planning Department at 697-4819 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Comments via this email address or postal mail will also be accepted.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT GETS GRANT FOR CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

Health Department awarded grant for child passenger safety program



Hendersonville, NC (December 2, 2016)  The Department of Public Health has been awarded a

grant of $5,000.00 for the Child Passenger Safety Program by the Community Foundation of

Henderson County. Kaye Brownlee, health educator and certified child passenger safety

technician, who leads the program made the announcement.



According to Brownlee, the grant will be used to purchase car seats for those with financial

needs. From 2011  2015, 301 parents learned how to keep their children safe while traveling,

and 327 car seats/boosters were provided to participants who completed the instruction.

Evidence indicates that child restraint systems are the most effective way to protect young

children involved in motor vehicle crashes, Brownlee said. The grant from the Community

Foundation of Henderson County will give us additional resources for our program, and we are

grateful for their help.



The Child Passenger Safety Program covers North Carolina child restraint recommendations and

laws that apply to children ages newborn to eight years. After completing instruction on car

seat usage and proper installation, parents and caregivers of children who are facing financial

hardship receive a free car seat.



The Child Passenger Safety Program is one of many programs the Health Department offers as

part of its mission to promote, protect and advance the health and wellness of our community.

Visit hendersoncountync.org/health to learn more.

For more information or to register for a class, contact Brownlee at (828) 6946066
On 3-5 October 2017 Kyiv is going to host the Space and Future Forum to network international experts and youth, many of whom will also participate at the first CosmoHack in the world. Joinfo provides media coverage of the Forum, and some of its topics were already discussed ...
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The founder of a Dubai-based company linking farmers directly to processors credits her roots on a fifth-generation Ontario farm for how she does business today.

Nicole Rogers believes many farm operations, including her own familys, have fallen victim to the notion that marketing is about simply selling to the highest bidder.

For me, marketing is so active. Selling is not active. Selling is just passing some of the product into the market, she said in an interview following her presentation to a farm management conference in Calgary.

Rogers grew up in Ontario during the 1970s and 1980s on what was once the largest beef feedlot in Canada. The business no longer exists.

My grandfather just believed that if he waited another two years there would be a market correction, but market corrections dont always come.

The market doesnt always take care of farmers, Rogers told about 200 participants at the annual Agricultural Excellence conference offered by Farm Management Canada.

Rogers started Agriprocity in a bid to disrupt the way agricultural commodities are traded. Shes offering farmers an alternative to taking whatever price the market is offering and then trying to hedge their risk using futures.

Her concept may not pay the highest market price, but it offers farmers marketing stability at prices that respect their costs of production. It often also results in investments by the buyers in infrastructure that supports the supply chain.

It seems processors arent always happy with how the markets work. Just-in-time delivery systems are efficient for handlers and transporters because it reduces their need for investment.

But whenever a hiccup happens in the supply chain, processors are left with idle assets.

Agriprocity focuses on longer-term, transparent and direct relationships between the farm and food processor based on the farmers cost of production.

Rogers is working with farm suppliers and partners in Argentina, Russia, African countries, Australia and Canada.

Its not for everyone. She emphasizes farmers who get involved with this sort of supply chain see themselves as business owners first and farmers second.

Its a transition in thinking that many Canadian farmers find difficult  and its costing them valuable opportunities in the global marketplace.

Rogers said she was flabbergasted to be in Dubai and reading about the spat between Alberta beef farmers and Earls restaurants earlier this year. Ranchers were livid when the company decided to source beef in the U.S. because it couldnt find enough product in Canada that met its specifications.

Ranchers needed to be reaching out to that company to help it solve its supply problem because of the potential to build a long-term supply relationship, she said.

Whereas farmers in competing countries have demonstrated willingness to adapt to emerging markets such as organics, Canadian farmers are reluctant to change  even it it means making more money.

They say I am not an organic farmer, I am not a spelt farmer  thats like a hippie farm, she said. Or I dont believe in organics. But it shouldnt be personal.

I see organics as a business, she said. Im not altruistic. I dont see it as a feed the world thing. What I see is is an opportunity to fight the market consolidation in the organic story.

Farmers have to think of themselves as a brand and then look to the market and see a gap and use their brand to fill the gap, Rogers said.

She acknowledged the current configuration of Canadas grain handling and transportation system makes it harder for farmers to work directly with buyers. But she foresees more processors choosing to make strategic investments in production capacity and infrastructure that enables direct sourcing. Its already happening elsewhere.

Rogers said Canadian farmers cant outcompete their competitors in many parts of the world on production efficiency. But they do have one under-appreciated advantage: taxes and regulation. Those things make Canada a safe environment for investment.

If you are talking a five-year contract in Nigeria, I dont know whats happening next month, she said.

Laura Rance is editorial director for Farm Business Communications. She can be reached at laura@fbcpublishing.com or 204-792-4382
CHINA has announced plans to raise sales tax on big cars and cut rates on small vehicles from September, using a carrot-and-stick approach to help save energy and ease environment concerns.

However, the minor adjustment on the rate for small cars, along with an already weak market demand, left many analysts arguing it would have little impact to actually accelerate the development of small cars and change the overall auto consumption structure which the government is hoping for.

According to the new rate starting from September 1, the sales tax for passenger cars with engine capacity between 3 liters and 4 liters will rise to 25 percent from 15 percent and cars with 4-liter engines and above will attract a doubling in tax rate of 40 percent.

Meanwhile, the rate for cars with engines that are 1 liter or less will be cut from 3 percent to 1 percent.

After the Ministry of Finance released the tax adjustment last week, several car makers were quick to announce they would launch small-engine models while buyers rushed to buy powerful luxury models to beat the deadline to avoid paying the higher rates.

But a report from Guosen Securities pointed out that even if the rate on small cars is cut, it will have a limited impact on boosting sales, contrary to the government's purpose of spurring the sales of energy-efficient cars and restrain the purchases of gas-guzzling vehicles.

Most of the car makers will pass the price discount to consumers in an attempt to enhance price competitiveness to lure buyers. That means if the average price of small cars is between 30,000 yuan (US$4,364) and 50,000 yuan, the 2-percentage tax rate cut could lead to savings of several hundred yuan.

But Zhao Xuegui, an analyst at Guosen, believed that "lower prices seem to be a less propelling reason to boost the sales for small cars'' because of the weak demand in the industry. He added that the small car segment is becoming a niche market in China, which shrugged off the policy effectiveness.

This round of tax adjustment is the second of its kind in the auto tax scheme since 2006. It is aimed at the smallest and biggest cars, while the mainstream market segment of cars powered by 1.4-liter to 2.5-liter engines was unchanged.

The small car segment in China has been suffering weak demand compared with sizzling sales growth for big cars, usually favored by Chinese auto buyers as a way to flaunt their wealth.

Sales of cars with engines less than 1 liter tumbled 31 percent to 251,700 units last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Meanwhile, sales of sport utility vehicles surged 42 percent.

The market share of vehicles with engine capacity below 1.0 liter dropped from 6.5 percent to 3.1 percent last year compared with a 15-percentage-point jump for economy cars which are powered by engines ranging between 1.0 and 1.5 liters.

However, record high oil prices and rising operation costs paved the way for a heavy focus on fuel-efficient cars among consumers, who began to downsize.

China, the world's second largest auto market, is also encouraging the development and use of small vehicles when the industry became a major energy consumer and was one of the causes of air pollution.

"The change in sales tax could be regarded as a signal by the government, but it is far from enough," said Xiang Hansong, an auto marketing expert.

"A lot needs to be done to offer more favorable policies to prompt car makers to develop advanced technology and turn around the old perception regarding small cars," he added.

He is echoed by Wang Ziliang, vice president of Geely Automobile Holdings Group.

"The new tax definitely is encouraging for small cars but it will be hard to drive up sales. The market environment is creating high pressure on car makers and this somehow shrug off the benefits (of the tax)," Wang noted.

Shang Yugui, a spokesman for Great Wall Motor Corp, said the adjusted sales tax will help China's self-owned car makers become more competitive.

"Most of the big vehicles are made by joint ventures," he told Shanghai Daily, "With consumers becoming matured, small cars will receive more acceptance in the market."

Great Wall, based in Baoding, Hebei Province, which switched to making passenger cars from its core SUV business, is developing a 1.0-liter subcompact car to meet possible market demand.

BYD Automobile Co Ltd, a leading maker of electric cars, is also expected to launch a new model, F0, which is powered by a 1.0-liter engine.

"In order to encourage the use of small cars, China should also introduce the fuel tax as soon as possible and offer more supportive policies throughout such as in cheaper parking fees and toll fees," said Zhong Shi, an independent auto analyst.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  A deal to bring several hundred aircraft maintenance jobs to Winnipeg with Hamilton-based Cargojet is falling apart, the Free Press has learned.

The Cargojet deal is off the table, said a source aware of the negotiations.

The deal was part of an Air Canada pledge to set up a Western Canada Centre of Excellence for aircraft maintenance in exchange for the provincial government letting go of a legal challenge over how many of its own heavy maintenance workers it legally had to keep in the province.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Cargojet arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Air Canada promised to establish the centre of excellence with three of its suppliers. Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said Friday two of them, Hope Aero Propeller & Components Inc. and Airbase Services Inc. remain on track to open in 2017 and Air Canada is committed to providing them work as previously announced.

However Cargojet was the big prize of the three, with 150 jobs up front and up to 400 jobs eventually. As of Friday, those jobs are no longer coming.

All Fitzpatrick would say about Cargojet is that the agreement called for Air Canada to lease the company hangar space on commercially favourable terms so it could establish a maintenance facility and we have done so. With regard to Cargojets plans, it would be best if you contacted them.

Cargojet refused to comment, with senior vice president Pauline Dhillon citing ongoing consultations with stakeholders.

Loan offered to Cargojet

Sources confirmed to the Free Press Cargojet was looking for cash to help cover its costs to establish itself in Winnipeg. It asked the province for help with about $10 million in investment, the province offered a loan, and the company didnt want a loan, so Cargojet is now ready to walk.

Cliff Cullen, Manitoba minister of growth, enterprise and trade, issued a statement to the Free Press but didnt directly address the Cargojet situation.

Manitoba offers significant competitive advantages for firms looking to locate in a city that boasts a robust aerospace sector and highly skilled work force, he said. Our government is focused on making Manitoba even more attractive to businesses looking to make investments that are consistent with our governments commitment to long-term and sustained economic impacts and opportunities.

Several sources have told the Free Press previously none of the three companies were looking to relocate to Manitoba but had their arms twisted by Air Canada, which provides them with a decent amount of work. The airline was looking for a way to get out of its legal jam over the Air Canada Participation Act that erupted in 2012 when Aveos Fleet Performance went bankrupt. The subsidiary had been doing most of Air Canadas heavy maintenance work and its bankruptcy put more than 2,400 people out of work, 400 of them in Winnipeg.

Air Canada suddenly shifted most of the work to companies outside Canada, including the United States, Ireland and Israel, prompting Quebec to sue it for violating the act which required it to have maintenance jobs in Montreal, Mississauga, Ont., and Winnipeg. Manitoba supported the lawsuit. The airline and the federal government said Air Canada met the requirement by having daily maintenance workers, but a Quebec judge disagreed and said the act was clearly referring to the higher-paying long-term maintenance jobs that involve overhauling entire parts of the planes.

Air Canada was preparing to take the battle to the Supreme Court but also started negotiating with Quebec and Manitoba offering deals in exchange for dropping the lawsuit. At the same time it was negotiating with Transport Minister Marc Garneau in Ottawa about amending the act to clarify the airline was meeting its requirements with any kind of maintenance workers. In Winnipeg it has about 28 line maintenance workers, who do small jobs on the planes while they are at the gate.

Selling Manitobas aerospace industry out

Out of all of those talks came offers from Air Canada for centres of excellence in Winnipeg and Montreal, as well as a plan for Air Canada to buy new Bombardier jets, helping that company out of its own deep fiscal hole. This was all riding on the act being changed. Kevin Howlett, the senior vice-president for government affairs and regional markets for Air Canada, said at a Parliamentary committee last spring, if the changes werent made, the jet purchase and the centres of excellence would be off the table.

The bill making the changes passed in June. As of early July, the negotiations with Cargojet were in full swing. The airline even held a job fair seeking applicants for dozens of new positions, including in management.

Manitoba NDP MP Daniel Blaikie said Air Canada is playing games in refusing to do anything more to help get Cargojet to set up in Winnipeg. He also said the federal government cleared the path to gain the jet purchase for Montreals struggling Bombardier, and once again the Manitoba aerospace industry will take a hit because of it.

The changes to the Air Canada Public Participation Act made last spring mean Manitoba no longer has any legal recourse to fight Air Canada, and the airline has nothing compelling it to complete the deal beyond public opinion.

The problem from the start is the federal government was making a sweetheart deal for the Quebec aerospace industry and selling Manitobas aerospace industry out, said Blaikie.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Lucas Howard was a toddler, his mother tucked him in with the sound of strings. Some Beethoven for bedtime, a bit of Mozart to serenade his dreams. The music seemed to calm him, but his mother didnt imagine where else it could lead.

Lucas never forgot the swells of those early symphonies.

When Lucas was in Grade 3, he went home from King Edward School one day with a permission slip to participate in a special music program. He already knew he wanted to do it: he was bored at home, he said. He wanted to learn to play the violin.

I said, If youre going to start this, I want you to commit yourself to it, Melody Howard recalls, and her son did.

Now, 10, Lucas is one of the star pupils in Sistema, a program run with the combined efforts of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Winnipeg and Seven Oaks school divisions. Based at Elwick School in the Maples and King Edward in the North End, Sistema now reaches 150 kids.

The program, launched here in 2011 and based on a pioneering Venezuelan model, takes orchestra education to underserved areas of the city. There is no cost for instruments or instruction, some of which is given by WSO musicians.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Lucas Howard, 10, adjusts the chin rest on his violin before demonstrating the instrument Friday afternoon in the Sistema room at King Edward Community School.

What it does require is dedication. Starting as early as Grade 1, Sistema kids practise three hours after school each day.

That is why, on a damp November evening, King Edwards hallways are alive with the sound of strings. The young musicians are rehearsing for their winter concert Wednesday at Maples Collegiate, so the repertoire is festive.

Good King Wenceslas. Frosty The Snowman. The familiar soundtrack of the holiday season.

As Sistema manager Shannon Darby scurries about, shepherding kids clutching violins, she says the goal is to expand into more schools.

Theres a lot of demand for this program, she says. There are a lot of parents who are on wait lists to get in, and there are people elsewhere in the school divisions who are asking, How can my kid be a part of this program?

The participants attend the schools that offer the program; King Edwards group also includes a handful of St. Johns High School students who began Sistema in elementary grades and didnt want to stop after Grade 6.

There could be more following their musical footsteps before long. Of the 350 students at King Edward, about a fifth take part in Sistema. Since the program began there in 2012, principal Aaron Benarroch has seen its effects ripple through the entire school.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS John Sellick (WSO) Sistema Instructor works with Students from King Edward School.

When the WSO first approached Benarroch about bringing Sistema to King Edward, he was quick to sign on. He was already familiar with the concept: hed watched a TED Talk video about the original El Sistema, launched in Venezuela in 1975.

Benarroch was eager to see how that model might benefit his students. Now he has an answer, and it is dramatic.

Its a very significant part of our school, he says. The families see the benefits, and the family buy-in is incredible. I dont have many families that leave King Edward School, in part because they want their kids to stay in Sistema.

Benarroch says hes watched as kids developed close friendships through the program. He sees how the daily commitment builds a familiar routine. That, he believes, boosts their budding self-esteem.

Our Sistema kids, theyre very confident learners, he says. They volunteer for many leadership roles, whether its patrols, human rights club, the science fair. These kids are often at the forefront of many initiatives that are happening in the school.

Its because of what Sistema has done for them, he continues. Its really opened them up to be young, confident learners and members of our school community. You cant put a value on that, its so great.

There is data to back up Benarrochs observations. At the University of Manitoba, education professor Francine Morin has been monitoring the programs impact. What she has found supports the theory that Sistemas intensive approach pays off.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Peyton Thomas studies her score.

Participants musical development is surging past their grade level. They score high on tests of their own self-concept; they widely see themselves as musically competent and report strong feelings of belonging to their peer groups and their school.

And theyre sticking with it, too. In the first year that Morin tracked Sistemas impact, 48 per cent of the kids had chronic attendance problems, missing at least 10 per cent of school. In the second year, that figure dropped to 38 per cent.

Over that same period, the number of school suspensions among Sistema students dropped from 10 to just one, even as enrolment in the program grew. There are likely other factors in that improvement, but observers believe the program plays a role.

My gut-level feeling is that in the music program, the children are actually learning the habits of mind that are helping them in the rest of their lives, Morin says. Theyre learning how to concentrate, theyre learning how to interact well in a group.

Theyre learning how to manage their emotions, how to confront a challenge with a positive front. If you can learn how to focus, then that spills over into the classroom as well Theyre happier, so theyre emotionally healthier.

Lucas Howard may be testament to that. He was always an active kid, his mother Melody says, and he is excelling. His grades are soaring, and he plays sports, too. Now, he hopes one day to be a WSO musician.

Through the program, hes earned tickets to WSO concerts and performed several times with other members of the group. Participating in concerts at Maples Collegiate is his favourite part. I like playing in front of other people, he says. I dont get stage fright.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Cheyanne Sutherland, left, and Ehrica Demillo, right, head to rehearsal.

The buoyant confidence is truly valuable, particularly for kids learning to fit in. At King Edward, five program participants are recent Syrian refugees, and through the program they build new connections to their peers and home.

Last weekend, the Sistema kids performed a concert, and the Syrian families attended. They were so excited, Darby says.

The double bass section at the King Edward is a small example of the programs diversity. WSO bassist Travis Harrison offers specialized instruction to the three students learning to play the instrument: a girl from Syria, a boy from Uganda, and an Ojibwa girl who gleefully explains that she was born on a plane en route from France.

For 28-year-old Torontonian Harrison, who joined the WSO in 2013, working with the children has been eye-opening.

With these kids, its even more rewarding in a lot of ways, he says. A lot of them have lower self-confidence then what were used to seeing And theyre getting really, really good at doing what they do here.

When I can look at them in the eye and say, You guys are really good at that, I can see it makes them happy.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The number of school suspensions among Sistema students dropped from 10 to just one, even as enrolment in the program grew. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - Students from King Edward School are involved in the WSOs Sistema program, which aims to connect youth in under served areas with the pursuit of excellence in music education, spent the afternoon and evening practicing for an upcoming concert. See Melissa Martin's story. December 1, 2016 PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - Zen-Veda Prince-Kent young violinist peers up from her work Thursday afternoon. Students from King Edward School are involved in the WSOs Sistema program, which aims to connect youth in undeserved areas with the pursuit of excellence in music education, spent the afternoon and evening practicing for an upcoming concert. See Melissa Martin's story. December 1, 2016 PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - 10 yr old Lucas Howard poses with his violin before demonstrating the instrument Friday afternoon in the Sistema room at King Edward Community School.See Melissa Martin's story. December 1, 2016
Opinion

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This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There is more than one mystery connected to the disappearance of St. Boniface teacher Kevin Dilk late last month.

One is obvious.

Why is the respected and much liked 50-year-old gone?

And where did he go?

The other one that some people are asking  why havent his wife and two young adult children spoken out publicly or been seen to join the search for him?  really shouldnt be that much of a mystery.

SUPPLIED Missing teacher Kevin Dilk, left, his dad Lloyd centre, and his sister, Heather. Photo taken at a Manitoba Moose game last year.

Given what theyre going through.

In their public absence, the voice of the family, in a limited way, has been his niece, Ginger, the creator of an open Facebook page called Finding Kevin Dilk. But now Gingers mother, Heather  who was initially too distressed to speak with the media about her missing older brother  has joined her daughter.

Over the phone Friday, I began by asking Heather for an update.

Unfortunately we dont have a lot of information to share at the moment, she said.

But over the next nearly 40 minutes, Heather would have a lot to share, including the last family gathering less than a week before her brother left his home early on the morning of Nov. 23. And more to say, not about how the family is coping, but how her brothers disappearance made her reflect about how badly she felt for the still-missing Thelma Krulls family more than a year ago when the then 57-year-old went for a summer Saturday morning walk, and never returned.

But, again to begin with, I was asking her what she knew about her brothers case.

I know, Heather said, that the police are currently looking at any video footage that businesses have offered to have them viewed. I think there have been some businesses along Marion, and some other people who have offered up video in the surrounding area of his house. I think thats the priority right now with the police. To see if they could determine once he left his home what direction he headed. Because as far as we know, as a family, right now there are no leads.

At least none the police have shared with the family, so far.

I suggested there seems to be some confusion about how and when her brother left home that Wednesday work day.

I think were all just as confused, Heather said.

Since his disappearance Heather said she has only spoken to Kevins wife Sylvie on the phone. Apparently Sylvie left work as usual some time around 5 a.m.

And Kevin was still at home, in his office at home, in his pyjamas.

That was the last time Sylvie saw him.

She assumed he got up and left for work that day, as well.

But, at this point at least, all the family knows is he left sometime between the time his wife left and when his 20-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter got up around 8:30 a.m. and their dad wasnt there.

And, of course, they also know he didnt show up at work at College Beliveau.

Report cards and parent teacher meetings were scheduled for the next day, from what Heather learned, so it wouldnt have been unusual for Kevin to stay late at school the night before. She doesnt know exactly what happened at his home that evening when he didnt return, but suggested the family probably thought he was still at work. Heather said she didnt get into that kind of detail when she spoke with Sylvie.

I just know that on Thursday morning, when Sylvie realized that he hadnt been home, they realized they needed to contact the police.

Kevin Dilk is a teacher at College Beliveau.

Police issued a missing person new release the same Nov. 24 day.

Heather recalled the first time she learned her brother had disappeared.

I dropped to the floor. No, this cant be happening to us.

She recalled the last time she saw Kevin.

It was the Friday before he went missing, she said. We had a family get together at his house.

Actually, it was his son Charlies 20th birthday party. The whole family was there, 13 in all, including Kevins and Heathers younger sister, Michelle, their father Lloyd Dilk and their mother, Angela Wright, who are always there even though theyre divorced and remarried.

I gathered that the family is close.

Were incredibly close, Heather said.

I made another assumption about the family, but this one was wrong.

When I called Kevins home Friday in hopes of someone answering, the recorded greeting was a mans voice I took to be Kevins speaking French. And only French.

I asked Heather if the family has Franco Manitoban roots. No, she said. Its just that Kevin was a French teacher.

His life is the Franco Manitoban community . . . Thats his family.

That sounded like strange way to phrase it, especially given the circumstances., but I knew what she was trying to say.

But what of his actual family, specifically his wife and kids, how are they doing, which is what I wanted to ask them when I called.

Theyre struggling. I know there are a lot of raw emotions, you know, when we start talking about Kevin, that surface. And were all just there to support each other.

There have been many tears, Heather said, from everyone in Kevins family.

None of this makes sense, she said.

I wondered, if in retrospect, they noticed anything different about Kevin at that party just six days before he disappeared.

We didnt see any change in him at all Friday, Heather responded. Just his regular, you know, sociable brother, uncle, son, husband, father, that he always is. There was nothing different about him, she said. And trust me my family has talked about this a lot. Did anybody see or notice anything different. No.

So, they live, and weep, and hug and reach out to each other with all they still have left.

Hope.

And people theyre so grateful for helping with them with that. The Manitoba Teachers Society has extended an offer of help and Heather and her sister have been working on a poster blitz Sunday that would extend beyond St. Boniface and St. Vital to other parts of the city. You can look for more about that on the Finding Kevin Dilk facebook page.

Were all extremely hopeful, Heather said, that because we havent found a body anywhere that were still searching for a person.

Which brought me to the obvious missing question and this missing man.

What was he like?

He was a rock, Heather said. He was always there for everyone.

And now, ironically, the man who was always there, cant be found.

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It used to be that if Winnipeg police officers wanted to help exploited women get out of the sex trade or arrest johns, all they had to do was go for a drive to a few well-known streets. Now, they find most of them in cyberspace.

A report headed to Tuesdays Winnipeg Police Board meeting says while the Winnipeg Police Services counter-exploitation unit made 37 arrests in the third quarter of this year, officers have noted a significant decline in the numbers of sex workers on the street.

Insp. Kelly Dennison said Friday he has seen the sex trade change dramatically in his 27 years of police work.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Now, you dont see that many, but I dont want the public to think sexual exploitation is not that big of a problem in the city, he said. Its actually the opposite; theyre just out of sight now.

Dennison said computers and the Internet have allowed the problem to migrate inside, behind closed doors.

The Winnipeg Outreach Network, a community organization offering assistance to people trapped in the sex trade, is also reporting a massive reduction in the number of sex workers exploited at street level, he said, adding the trend has forced police online.

Signy Arnason, the Canadian Centre for Child Protections associate executive director and director of Cybertip.ca, has observed the same transition.

The crimes have evolved, but a lot of crime has moved online, Arnason said. People use the Internet for positive purposes, but they also use it for illegal acts.

Arnason said although the Internet has made exploitation less visible, it offers investigators new benefits.

We can now see the evidence of the crime, she said. We didnt have images of the proof of the abuse before, but now we have very serious evidence. Before youd be relying on the testimony of abused children.

There is now a record online.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The premier and one of his cabinet ministers launched a sustained attack Friday on rookie NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine, suggesting she spent four years on the provincial payroll but cant produce evidence she did any work.

Before winning the St. Johns riding in the April election, Fontaine was the special adviser on aboriginal womens issues for the indigenous issues committee of cabinet, focusing on missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Brian Pallister and Indigenous Minister Eileen Clarke tore into Fontaine during question period over her failure to produce a report to the government on the work she did in that role with the former NDP government.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Nahanni Fontaine,NDP MLA for St.Johns.

I have not seen a shred of evidence of that work, Pallister said.

He said hes been asking Fontaine for six months to share what she knows with his government.

Clarke said she meets regularly with victims families who were never included in Fontaines consultations.

Only a select group was invited, Clarke said. We find it offensive.

Fontaine called Clarkes charges the most ridiculous answer Ive ever heard.

The NDP accused the PCs of trying to distract attention from their own unwillingness to do anything for families.

Fontaine said the Tories didnt appoint their own adviser and have dissolved the cabinet committee on aboriginal matters. The PCs depicted the former committee as a bunch of NDPers sitting around gabbing, she said.

It is beyond comprehension that this premier doesnt think that missing and murdered indigenous women and girls families dont deserve a special adviser to work with them, she said.

Pallisters barrage continued during his session-ending news conference.

I am sincerely interested in this file, he told reporters, adding while he believes Fontaine performed work as special adviser, theres no record of it.

There needs to be evidence of work. Ive received no evidence of any work ever being done, he said. If you dont share it, who did you do the work for? Wheres the sharing of the information you were paid to report? It has to be more than an arm around the shoulder.

I cant find anything zero nada zilch.

The NDP did not make Fontaine available to reporters. The party distributed Hansard transcripts of a June 17 committee meeting in which Fontaine and Pallister discussed at length her work as special adviser. At that meeting, Fontaine told Pallister, My primary role that I worked almost 24/7 was establishing those relationships with families.

She organized annual summits and gatherings of families and stakeholders, as Manitoba became the first province to have a strategy, she told the committee.

Every phase that I had done with the provincial strategy was actually done in conjunction with Family and Social Services, she said at the time. We were the only one with a strategy.

The committee learned both Fontaine and Pallister had spent time taking part in searches for murdered and missing indigenous women and girls.

Pallister asked Fontaine whether a written report of her work was available and was told she had been developing one before the April election and had been waiting to see what actions the federal government would take. Ottawa has since established a national inquiry.

New Democrat Wab Kinew said Fontaine is a nationally recognized leader on the subject.

The priority should always return to the families, he said. The provincial bureaucracy is large, and it can be intimidating.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rasha Kossad arrived from Libya as a refugee fleeing war two years ago.

With help from the Immigrant Centre Manitoba Inc., she found herself on a fast track to success, learning English and training for jobs, all on the way to her goal to complete training she started in Libya as a medical technologist. Her true passion is to study genetics, a field not available to her back in the Middle East.

In the past two years, shes earned a food-handling certificate, worked at Tim Hortons, gone on to get a college certificate as a medical office assistant and landed a job in a sport-injury clinic.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Rasha Kossad poses at the Immigrant Centre. She arrived in Canada as a refugee with her family from Libya, two years ago.

Shes now looking at adding a part-time job at another clinic.

Kossad is 22, and the jobs shes had are stepping stones to a future shes mapped out.

I still have a weakness in my writing and reading (in English), a little bit. Thats why I took the medical assistant course at Robertson College, to learn, Kossad said in a phone interview. Im so, like, thinking of taking up studies as a medical technologist, but not right now. After a year or two or three years.

Without English, Kossad could not get a job when she arrived with her parents and older brother, Loay Kossad, a telecom engineer whos also studying English and planning a local cable TV business that offers Arabic-language channels.

Kossads story is a dream she shares with just about every immigrant to Canada.

What she doesnt volunteer, until asked, is the 12-hour days she put in to learn English, train for jobs and work shifts at Tims.

Amie Membreno at the Immigrant Centre on Adelaide Street said Kossads determination is reason for inspiration. The centre was Kossads first stop as a refugee applying for help, and she flew through the centres language and job-training courses at twice the average pace, marking milestones in just two years that normally take four or five.

Whenever youre working in a non-profit situation, you have to put in a lot of hours and put in a lot of hard work. Sometimes things turn out, and sometimes they dont, said Membreno, the manager of the centres employment services.

But we really try to make a personal connection with our clients, and when we hear a story like Rashas, it just makes it all worth it, all the hard work. It inspires us to work more and give it our all for each client we do have, Membreno said.

Hearing success stories is what keeps us going, she said.

The centre celebrated its 70th year of service to immigrants this year.

About 800 to 1,000 clients take English-language and job-training skills each year, and that includes help for permanent residents, immigrants with citizen status and refugees with work permits.

The centre is a non-profit organization with various funders including the federal and provincial governments and the United Way. It helped more than 15,000 clients last year, a one-stop-shop for settlement services. Reception fields a new call every four minutes.

This year, the centre is offering a service prospective immigrants can access prior to their arrival.

The pre-arrival program works with immigrants who have been approved as permanent residents while they are still in their home countries. Facilitators provide information to immigrants through Skype, phone, email and webinars about what they can expect when they arrive in Canada and how to best prepare for success.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 02/12/2016 (2161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

December 3rd marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an event that has been celebrated annually around the world since 1992. Importantly, this event calls attention to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an international treaty which Canada signed in 2010. The purpose of the convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

It could be said that throughout history, society has viewed persons with disabilities through a lens of sympathy rather than one of human rights. The convention addresses societal attitudes toward persons with disabilities by affirming the inherent right of all individuals to live life to their fullest potential, whatever that may be.

True, Canada has laws that protect the rights of persons with disabilities (e.g., the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms), however, the convention provides an important mechanism through which to monitor action taken to uphold these laws. The convention applies to all levels of government, so every province and territory in Canada, as well as the federal government, must develop and carry out policies, laws and measures to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities. Moreover, Canada must report to a United Nations monitoring committee on the progress that has been made on each of the Articles found within the convention. Holding our governments accountable to the convention is integral to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

JOE BRYKSA / FREE PRESS FILES The Selkirk Mental Heath Center in Selkirk, Manitoba. A key concern relates to accessible health services.

At the Canadian Mental Health Association for Manitoba, we believe the convention provides a strong and clear roadmap for moving Canada toward full accessibility and inclusion. Understanding the convention and the duty of our federal and provincial governments to implement the convention is key to protecting the rights of every Canadian.

Importantly, the convention recognizes that persons with disabilities includes individuals who live with mental illness and, who, because of that illness, face accessibility barriers that hinder their full participation in society. The convention defines accessibility to include full access to the physical, social, economic and cultural environment; to health and education services; and to information and communication. Under this definition, people living with mental illness have the right to full participation in all aspects of life within their communities.

Sadly, however, this is not the reality for many people who live with mental illness. All too often, they struggle with multiple barriers that impact many aspects of their life, including housing, employment, education, income security, relationships and social participation.

Of these barriers, a key concern relates to accessible health services. As outlined in Article 25, the convention calls for fair and timely access to health services and early interventions that minimize and prevent further disabilities. As such, this Article provides an important consideration for how we deliver mental healthcare in our province. Currently in Manitoba, there is a significant lack of mental healthcare services to meet the current need. Individuals, including children, who attempt to access mental healthcare services for an emerging mental health problem face enormous wait lists (e.g., six months and greater). And, while waiting for services, their mental health problem will often deteriorate into a state of crisis and chronic mental illness.

A mental healthcare system that fails to intervene early and prevent or minimize mental health problems does not uphold the convention and the rights of persons with disabilities. Such failure begs our attention. We must stand together to protect the full rights of every person, including people living with mental illness. Understanding the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and celebrating its significance on December 3rd is a good place to start.

Terra Johnston is the director of regional affairs, policy and research for the Canadian Mental Health Association  Manitoba and Winnipeg.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A throne speech is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. It arrives in a jumble and often takes a long time to assemble a concise picture.

Such is the case with the most recent throne speech from Premier Brian Pallisters government. Most of the initial attention was on the Tory governments pledges to curb spending and seek wage concessions from public-sector unions. However, there were other intriguing issues raised in the speech that are coming into focus, such as immigration.

Tucked into the speech was a reference to enhancements to and renewal of Manitobas successful provincial nominee program, the main avenue for attracting immigrants. The Tory government promised to develop closer partnerships with schools and employees to connect entrants with jobs, while also working to eliminate a backlog that keeps some applicants in the program pipeline for more than a year awaiting word on whether they will quality. Finally, the province said it would introduce a $500-per-applicant processing fee to help pay for language and settlement services.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESs fileS An immigrant job fair in August 2015 attracted about 1,000 immigrants and 29 employers.

The application fee  expected to generate about $3.5 million this year  did draw some fire from the opposition NDP. Any time a government charges a prospective immigrant for the privilege of applying to come to Canada, there are sure to be some fireworks. However, the fee is but one part of the changes the Tory government is planning for the program. For the most part, these could be changes for the better.

The Tories are putting a greater emphasis on attracting immigrants who can fill immediate job needs in Manitoba. Although that has always been a stated goal of the program, only one-third of total program entrants each year arrive with a job waiting for them. The other two-thirds begin the process of looking for a job once they arrive.

Anything that can better match immigrants with jobs is a net benefit to the province. Of course, there were some rough spots on the way to explaining what it is they want to do to the program. Pallister, in particular, did a clumsy job this past week attempting to defend the changes and the introduction of the application fee.

In question period, Pallister told NDP critic Nahanni Fontaine that the changes are necessary because the five-year average unemployment rate for newcomers under the program was higher than the average of the rest of the province. He went on to say this meant too many of the program entrants had to depend on social supports for far too long a time.

This was a surprising assertion, since 98 per cent of program entrants on average find employment within their first year. It was also dangerous language for the premier to use; anti-immigration sentiment is often rooted in the misplaced belief that immigrants are a burden on Canadas generous social safety net.

In fact, there is no data to back up Pallisters claim.

When asked for the numbers on which the premier based his assertions, department officials said there were no statistics indicating that unemployment among program immigrants was higher than the provincial unemployment rate.

If we were to be generous, we might deduce that Pallister was trying to say the program needs to do a better job of attracting immigrants who can fill specific jobs in the economy. That is something even people in the immigrant-settlement community would support.

Although program immigrants do a sterling job of finding work within their first year in Canada, there are few people in this province who think its a bad idea to do a better job of matching entrants with open jobs.

The Tory proposal would make the province much more proactive in reaching out to employers and post-secondary institutions to identify the industries with immediate need of workers. Then the province would redouble its effort to give priority to program applicants who have the best chance of filling available positions.

Education Minister Ian Wishart, who is also responsible for immigration, said his department will rely less on outdated labour market data and more on direct consultations with employers to get real-time information on job openings.

The province will also seek guidance from industry groups, chambers of commerce and the soon-to-be-unveiled Enterprise Council, which will advise the premier on economic issues, he added.

Well be asking these groups to look into their crystal ball and tell us what theyre going to need, he said.

This is not a fundamental change in the goals of the program, but it is an improvement. Sources in the immigration settlement community admit Manitoba needs to do a better job of attracting people with mid-level education and semi-skilled experience, because they are the ones with the best chances of filling open jobs.

We need a few less people with masters degrees, and a few more experienced truck drivers, said one settlement agency director.

The problem is that people with professional backgrounds and higher education far too often have more difficulty finding work in their chosen fields than less-educated or semi-skilled immigrants, because professional licensing bodies often refuse to recognize foreign credentials.

In the past, the solution has been for government to enter into protracted negotiations with the licensing bodies to develop programs to upgrade skills and education for foreign-trained professionals.

Although there have been some breakthroughs  an upgrade program for foreign-trained physicians continues to operate in Manitoba  the new Tory approach is to increase focus on finding immigrants who have fewer hurdles to employment.

Will the Tories succeed with the new-and-improved provincial nominee program?

Traditionally, there has been a profound disconnect between immigration programs and labour market demands. Employers with immediate job openings need bodies now, and it often takes months or years for immigrants to clear the administrative and security hurdles to qualify for admission to Canada.

True to that point, even after applicants to Manitobas program have been approved, they must still apply for admission to Canada through the federal immigration portal.

Still, the aim of the Tory enhancements could have great practical benefits to a provincial economy crying out for experienced workers.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @danlett
Some of the sources that inform todays parenting do not come immediately to mind when one thinks of raising children. Take Karl Marx (1818  1883), for example. Along with his buddy Friedrich Engels, Marx articulated the fundamental principles of communism. He proposed that capitalism was an economic and social system that exploited and oppressed labor and kept the masses in a perpetual state of subjugation and misery.

Marx was the unspoken godfather of the late-1960s/early-1970s psychological parenting revolution. The revolutionaries  mental health professionals, mostly  proposed that traditional parenting oppresses the natural (aka inner) child. This myth gave rise to a relationship-based, feeling-based, self-esteem-based parenting, and child-rearing in America has been on the skids ever since.

Today, the typical American parent practices  and, to be fair, unwittingly  what I call Egalitarian Parenting (aka Postmodern Psychological Parenting). The parents in question lack confidence in the legitimacy of their authority and behave, therefore, as if the parent-child relationship is constituted of equals. The general result is children who are flush with esteem for their bad selves but deficient in respect for their elders. Fifty years ago, such children were called, among other things, insufferable.

Because Egalitarian Parenting Syndrome is a form of co-dependency, its practitioners are usually clueless. Therefore, I have devised the following short questionnaire to help them self-identify (or not). The directions are simple: Answer each statement with either Mostly True, Somewhat True, or Not True. Then assign yourself ten points for every Mostly True and five points for every Somewhat True.

1. When I talk to my child, I try to get down to his/her level (or did when he/she was smaller).

2. I generally end instructions with Okay?

3. My child sleeps with me/us.

4. When my child throws a fit over a decision Ive made, I often feel that his/her reaction means that I may have made the wrong decision.

5. I always want to be pleasing to my child.

6. If my child agrees to do a household chore, I usually pay him/her for doing so (because adults get paid for doing work).

7. I give my child lots of choices, like where he wants to sit when our family goes to a restaurant, what he would like for supper, and where he wants the family to go on vacation.

8. I generally explain to my child the reasons behind my decisions and instructions.

9. I allow my child to call adults by their first names.

10. I often get into arguments with my child.

If you score 60 or above, you are suffering from Egalitarian Parenting Syndrome. The good news is, you can recover. Heres a great first step in that direction: The next time you need some parenting advice, ask your grandmother or some other person over age 65.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A recently released report awards Manitoba the dubious distinction of having Canadas highest child poverty rate for the second year in a row. In his research, the University of Manitobas Sid Frankel showed that one in 3.5 children in Manitoba is living in poverty. That translates to 85,110 children in this province who are living with the daily realities of being poor.

A Winnipeg Harvest symposium last week provided an opportunity for several parents to put a human face to these statistics. Parents spoke about the daily struggle to put food on the table for their kids, including by visiting stretched-to-capacity food banks. One single mother described extra-curricular activities for her kids as completely prohibitive unless she could obtain charitable assistance for these activities. These stories are heartbreaking for me to read, as Im sure they are for anyone with the slightest twinge of empathy.

The long-term consequences of child poverty are both numerous and well established, so much so that the American Psychological Association has compiled a veritable online library summarizing them. Two in particular are notable.

First, poverty robs kids of their homes and the security that often comes with them. While the prospect of kids living on the street or in homeless shelters is bad enough, homelessness has many long-term consequences for children. The instability of homelessness for kids means their schooling is often interrupted, and academic achievement suffers accordingly. Children who experience homelessness are, for example, twice as likely as other kids to have a learning disability and repeat a grade at school.

It gets worse. A quarter of homeless children have witnessed violence. And, as though homelessness would not be terrifying enough for kids, fully 22 per cent have been separated from their families for some period of time. Little wonder that half of all school-age children who have experienced homelessness suffer from depression or anxiety.

Second, poverty means kids often dont get enough to eat. Even kids from occasionally food-insecure homes suffer consequences as a result. Numerous studies have found that hungry kids are less likely to perform well in school, and are more likely to act out in inappropriate ways (such as fighting) and to be anxious or aggressive. Hunger also puts kids at risk for chronic health conditions.

One way to measure hunger is through food bank use. Food Banks Canada recently released a report showing that 61,914 Manitobans had used a food bank in March 2016. This was a slight decline from 2015, when food bank use hit a record high. Nevertheless, Manitoba continues to have the second-highest food bank use rate in the country. Of those 61,914 Manitobans who couldnt afford enough to eat in March, a stunning 42.9 per cent were children.

As Frankel noted in a recent interview, Poverty does yield real costs. Manitoba has a serious problem with child poverty; further, the consequences of this problem will be felt in this province for decades to come.

Child poverty is an example of what political scientists call a valence issue: there is consensus about it. In this case, no one is pleased that child poverty exists and everyone would like to see the problem addressed. Despite this, its not happening. In 1989, the House of Commons voted unanimously to bring an end to child poverty by the year 2000. Its now 16 years on, and child poverty has not been eradicated; to the contrary, its become even more widespread and entrenched.

What can possibly explain this failure to address child poverty despite the belief that it should be addressed?

Conservative Toronto Sun columnist Mark Bonokoski offers a cynical answer: kids living in poverty dont vote and their parents cannot make sizeable financial contributions to political parties. As a result, child poverty takes a back seat to the concerns of people with more influence, whether in the form of votes or money, to exert over politicians.

Ive spent time with many politicians, and I think the vast majority of them are good people. I have little doubt all of them are appalled by child poverty rates in Canada. I also know many are doing what they can to address the issue. But there is undoubtedly a kernel of truth in Bonokoskis argument. Politicians face a veritable cacophony of demands from constituents, well-organized interest groups and others. Its easy to understand how the quiet voices of deprived children cannot break through the noise.

Another reason why child poverty rates may not be falling despite public revulsion is because there is, at least in the political realm, disagreement on how best to tackle the problem. While advocates and politicians on the left are likely to support direct benefits to children and their families in order to address poverty, politicians on the right are more likely to emphasize the importance of increased employment for lifting families out of poverty.

The latter approach was given a limited voice by Premier Brian Pallister in the recent Manitoba election campaign. In response to questions about the number of children under the care of Child Family Services, Pallister trumpeted his partys promises to increase the number of jobs in the province. Poverty and the demand for CFS services are inseparably linked, said Pallister. The fewer job opportunities there are for working Manitobans and families, the more demand there will be for CFS services. In a statement that could well apply to child poverty in Manitoba, Pallister said, Were talking about job creation today, because its at the cornerstone of how we work out of the dilemma we face.

Pallisters statements call to mind the memorable line of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, that the best social program is a job. These arguments are often dismissed as simplistic; however, such work strategies are touted by both academics and advocates. The 2016 report issued by Campaign 2000 that addressed child and family poverty in Canada, for example, contains a range of recommendations to increase both employment and wages. These range from pre-apprenticeship training to a national jobs strategy. These measures are designed to indirectly assist children living in poverty by providing well-paying, stable jobs to their parents or guardians.

In the academic literature, such work strategies are often contrasted with benefit strategies, in which child poverty is addressed directly through benefits. In a 2007 study, scholars sought to determine whether government should pursue one strategy over the other in order to address the problem of child poverty. Among other results, the study found that both low unemployment levels for families and wide-ranging and generous benefit programs are found in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries with very low rates of child poverty for children and their families.

The implication is clear: if governments are serious about addressing child poverty, they must combine jobs policies with effective redistribution programs aimed directly at children.

Manitoba has a system of transfers directly to families, but in many cases these benefits are underfunded. Boosting funding to these pre-existing transfers would, together with the benefits of the new Canada child benefit, greatly assist the families of children living in poverty. By directly addressing child poverty, such increases would take pressure off other services, such as food banks and emergency shelters, and avoid many of the downstream costs of child poverty.

To Pallisters credit, his party campaigned on a number of themes that suggest he is both aware of and committed to addressing this problem.

Families Minister Scott Fielding refused to claw back funding to Employment and Income Assistance as well as other anti-poverty initiatives such as Rent Assist despite an influx of cash from the new Canada child benefit. This decision in particular earned the government praise from advocates for children living in poverty.

Nevertheless, the government has now delivered two throne speeches and a budget, without much in the way of a clear strategy for how to lift children out of poverty beyond plans to increase employment in Manitoba. A jobs strategy will help, but if the government is serious about addressing the problem, a more concrete strategy involving clear benefits to children living in poverty will be needed.

In its 2015 report on child poverty in Manitoba, Campaign 2000 asked a question: How can we justify allowing one in every 3.5 Manitoba children to grow up in poverty? I dont have an answer. Unless you do, its time to get on with the task of bringing child poverty to an end in Manitoba.

Royce Koop is an associate professor and head of the department of political studies at the University of Manitoba.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 03/12/2016 (2160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipegs first and only female mayor, Susan Thompson, often tells a story from after she was first elected, when she was warned that she was just one vote. Because city hall doesnt operate on a party system, she was reminded that as mayor, she had to constantly seek consensus.

However, being mayor is important particularly in terms of symbolism. One need only look east to Toronto when the late Rob Ford, as mayor of Canadas largest city, found himself embroiled in scandal, including crack cocaine use, among other things. It may not have hurt his popularity, but it hurt the citys reputation and became fodder for late-night standup for months.

Winnipegs Mayor Brian Bowman has had his ups and downs in terms of popularity, but he certainly seems to understand the symbolic importance of his job. Our enthusiastic mayor does an excellent job of representing the city.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Mayor Brian Bowman

Mr. Bowmans communications director, Jonathan Hildebrand, says that the mayors schedule is one of the most robust hes experienced in the 15 years hes been in the communications business. In November alone, Mr. Bowman spoke at more than 24 public events, many of which fell on weekends or evenings. That doesnt include the weekly Executive Policy Committee meetings, media scrums following every EPC meeting or the monthly council meetings. And the point is, he doesnt just go to an event and leave; he actually stays, talking to people and meeting with Winnipeggers.

Now, some may argue thats his job, but this is a sea change from former mayor Sam Katz. Mr. Katz was criticized heavily for his part-time status as mayor, frequently flying to Scottsdale, which, according to U.S. tax records, was considered his primary residence from 2013 until he stepped down as mayor in 2014. Many Winnipeggers thought it was unacceptable that the mayor of one of Canadas largest cities actually didnt live here.

For Mr. Bowman, the chance to get out of the city hall bubble to listen to Winnippeggers is important. However, he does need to be careful not to be swayed by either the tyranny of the majority or the nattering nabobs of negativity (to borrow a phrase from disgraced former U.S. vice-president Spiro Agnew). In particular, he needs to be wary of the NIMBY crowd, those who resist changes to their neighbourhoods, shouting, Not in my backyard.

Case in point  a Crescentwood condo proposed for the corner of Harrow and McMillan. The 12-unit, four-storey infill project met the city planners requirements, but was kiboshed by Couns. John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry), Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) and Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) at the city centre committee meeting because of opposition from some of the neighbours. But this project, frankly, is what infill is all about: creating new housing projects in established neighbourhoods in a bid to cut down on neighbourhood sprawl.

There is a tightrope anyone in political power has to walk: to listen to competing concerns and then develop consensus. By actively representing the city, Mr. Bowman has the listening part down pat. Its the consensus part that he struggles with. He needs to get his city councillors onside on the value of infill projects and he needs to show his support for the developers who are embracing these types of projects. Never mind those nattering nabobs. Theyll always be there.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.  Almost a year after her father was killed in the San Bernardino terror attack last December, Kate Bowman etched the word love in yellow chalk on the sidewalk outside a mosque.

It was one of many messages of peace the 15-year-old and her mother have left in an effort to unify Muslims and Christians in the hardscrabble city east of Los Angeles against the violence many community members feared might divide them but hasnt.

What angered me most after Dec. 2 was the amount of hate speech going on, Bowman said, recalling the day her father, Harry Bowman, and 13 others were killed by husband-and-wife assailants at a lunch meeting for county health inspectors in San Bernardino.

I just kind of didnt understand how people could be that ignorant about another religion and blame all those who follow it, said Bowman, a Lutheran.

Bowmans actions were among the efforts in the city of 216,000 to counter what some feared would be a prolonged, hate-filled backlash. Some victims families encouraged dialogue and tolerance. The Muslim community undertook its own campaign to educate neighbors about Islam. Clergy organized interfaith talks.

Nationwide, hate crimes against Muslims were up last year and President-elect Donald Trump frequently used heated rhetoric about Muslims on the campaign trail.

As San Bernardino prepared this week to mark Fridays anniversary of the attack, a Somali-born Muslim student carried out an attack at Ohio State University and police in Los Angeles met with Muslim leaders to condemn threatening, hateful letters sent to mosques in the city and elsewhere.

In San Bernardino, apart from some relatively minor incidents, residents say their worst fears about a backlash in their own community never materialized.

I think as a community it felt good not to be divided, said Brian Levin, a professor at California State University, San Bernardino who studies hate crimes. And I think in other parts of the country they had the luxury of hating when we didnt.

Last December, San Bernardino County health inspector Syed Farook and his Pakistan-born wife Tashfeen Malik opened fire on a meeting of Farooks colleagues, and were killed in a shootout with police. Investigators said the assailants were inspired by the Islamic State terror group.

Residents said they couldnt believe such an attack could happen in their city, an hours drive from tourist destinations like Disneyland and Hollywood but a place struggling economically.

In the days after the attack, area Muslim women wearing headscarves said they were stared at in public, and some changed their attire out of fear. A Muslim university professor told police he received threatening emails.

But there were no violent incidents as community members worked to calm fears and limit hate. Muslim residents held vigils for the victims and developed an 11-point campaign rejecting terrorism that members of diverse faiths could agree on.

Clergy formed an interfaith alliance. Christians invited Muslim community members to speak with them about their religion to promote greater understanding.

There was an obvious worry. These are people who looked like us here in America committing these violent acts, said Amjad Khan, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in nearby Chino. But it wasnt as pronounced as I thought it might be.

After the attack, a teacher in an adult education class at the First Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino asked Pastor Sandy Tice to do something to foster interfaith dialogue. Tice invited Khan to speak, and the crowd was standing-room only as congregants peppered him with questions.

I think there are people who are afraid, she said. But mostly I think there are people who have risked getting to know others that they didnt know before. There is a kind of urgency about getting to know one another, figuring out how to co-exist.

After a major event such as a terror attack, hate crimes tend to increase, Levin said. But while there were eight anti-Muslim crimes reported in the five days after the Dec. 2 shooting, none of them occurred in the city of San Bernardino, he said.

Last December, two mosques were sprayed with graffiti and one set on fire in other cities in Southern California.

Ojaala Ahmad, a spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in greater Los Angeles, said there was an initial spike in reports of hate incidents after the attack but it was short-lived. More recently, the election of Trump has sparked another increase, she said.

No specific incidents, however, were reported in San Bernardino, said the citys police chief, Jarrod Burguan.

Ayman Taleb, the director of a mosque in nearby Riverside, regularly holds open mosque nights and invites visitors to ask questions. He hopes to combat fear with knowledge, even though he hasnt heard of any uptick in hateful incidents since arriving in the community.

I thank God every day that nothing does happen, he said.

I think there are people who are afraid. But mostly I think there are people who have risked getting to know others that they didnt know before. There is a kind of urgency about getting to know one another, figuring out how to co-exist. Pastor Sandy Tice, First Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino
President-elect Donald Trumps selection of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn for national security adviser has added to a growing sense of fear that Trumps administration could implement a database to keep tabs on Muslims in America, a campaign promise made by Trump last fall.

In February, Flynn tweeted a link to a YouTube video with the message: Fear of Muslims is RATIONAL: Please forward a link to this video so that people may learn the BASICS of Islam. Coupled with Trumps campaign talk of a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States, the selection has many concerned that our nation will abandon some of its core values, including freedom of religion.

George Takei penned a powerful op-ed recently about his familys experience being forced into a Japanese internment camp when he was 5. National security must never again be permitted to justify wholesale denial of constitutional rights and protections, Takei writes. If it is freedom and our way of life that we fight for, our first obligation is to ensure that our own government adheres to those principles.

But how do we go about ensuring that?

On social media, I frequently see non-Muslims pledging to register themselves on a hypothetical Muslim database in a show of solidarity.

Is that feasible? Is that enough? I called a couple of experts to get their take.

While the sentiment behind the pledge (to register) is appreciated and welcomed, the unintended effect may be to legitimize the concept of registering Americans of a particular faith, Tabassum Haleem, executive director of the Council of Islamic Organization of Greater Chicago, told me. If the pushback against these types of nefarious initiatives is part of a larger, united campaign against the erosion of civil liberties of all Americans, it would send a loud and unequivocal message to President-elect Trump that he cannot divide and conquer the American people. That we are, indeed, stronger together.

Corey Saylor is director of the department to monitor and combat Islamophobia at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Saylor says a Muslim database would most likely mean a reinstatement of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System, a controversial program launched after the 9/11 terrorist attacks that collected information, fingerprints and photographs of noncitizens entering the United States from certain (mostly majority Muslim) countries and monitored their status and movement once they arrived. It was canceled in 2011.

If a broader Muslim database is implemented for U.S. citizens, however, Saylor said his group welcomes the idea of non-Muslims adding their names.

People being willing to register themselves if an all-inclusive Muslim registry comes up is greatly appreciated, Saylor said. When the constitution is being challenged, its important that everyone be willing to stand up and not just talk about it with their friends, but do something useful. Registering would be one way to do that.

We dont need to wait for a database to push back against anti-Muslim rhetoric, though.

Muslims make up less than 2 percent of the U.S. population, but Americans of all faiths are welcome to attend open mosque days and educate themselves about the faith and its practitioners.

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago organizes regional open-mosque days, Haleem said, and churches often hold interfaith events.

DuPage United, a community organizing group made of churches, mosques and synagogues, started a Solidarity With Muslims campaign earlier this year with standing-room-only events, Haleem said. The evening of Nov. 17th, nearly 650 people of all faiths gathered at the Islamic Center of Naperville. DuPage United leaders presented the work being done by their member institutions on establishing mental health crises centers, organizing resources for refugees and combating Islamophobia. Police chiefs pledged to continue to protect their citizens, regardless of their race or religion. School districts around the country are affirming policies to protect American Muslim students and other minorities against bullying.

Saylor recommends signing up to receive emails from groups that fight against religious persecution, particularly CAIR, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center and Amnesty International.

These groups will ask you do things that are usually pretty simple and straightforward, Saylor said. That takes individuals and merges them into a movement. You want to magnify your own impact by joining an organization.

Monthly donations to one or more of those organizations can help them staff lawyers for an organized pushback in the event that Americans constitutional rights are being threatened, he said.

We ask people to find a group that you feel is doing good work and make sure youre supporting them, Saylor said. Not just by reading the emails, but by contributing, by showing up at meetings, by taking action.

Heidi Stevens is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Contact her at hstevens@tribune.com, or on Twitter: @heidistevens13.
IcyEagle has been brought to earth.

Charged in June for peddling stolen bank account information on the dark recesses of the internet, Aaron James Glende, 35, of Winona  using the online handle IcyEagle  was sentenced Thursday to four years and two months in federal prison, followed by three years of federal probation.

Glende pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft on Sept. 21 in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.

This case generated numerous victims with varied degrees of financial losses but, with todays sentencing, the FBI hopes that these victims can have some solace that Glende, a.k.a. IcyEagle, is being held fully accountable for his criminal actions," said David J. LeValley, special agent in charge of the FBI Atlanta field office, in a statement.

In November 2015, Glende began advertising on AlphaBay, a dark-web market not accessible through regular web browsers and used to market drugs, weapons, stolen property, criminal services and other illegal items, according to information provided by the United States Attorneys Office and the FBI. The website is sophisticated, including search functions and the ability to rate and review sellers by name, similar to legitimate online retailers, officials said.

Beginning in March 2016, Glende posted ads for freshly hacked SunTrust Bank Account Logins, offering them at prices ranging from $9.99 to $69.99, depending on the available account balance. Undercover FBI agents found the offers too attractive to pass up and made several purchases from Glende, a.k.a. IcyEagle, using the online currency Bitcoin.

After affirming that the purchased account information was indeed linked to real accounts that Glende was not authorized to access, the information was brought before a federal grand jury, and an indictment was handed down June 28.

A search of Glende's computer following his arrest turned up "over 2,800 unauthorized access devices, including 944 usernames and passwords for bank accounts, 1,243 usernames and passwords for other electronic accounts, 123 Social Security numbers, 386 credit card numbers, and 123 bank account numbers," according to the U.S. attorney prosecuting the case.

Glende also has trouble waiting for him closer to home.

On March 11, Winona law enforcement officers, acting on information provided by the U.S. Postal Service, executed a search warrant at Glendes home and seized significant quantities of prescription drugs not prescribed for him, including nearly 600 Xanax capsules, several dozen other pills, $1,300 in cash, and two packages containing drugs that were addressed and ready to mail.

As a result, Glende was charged in Winona County District Court with second-degree sale of oxycodone in a park zone, third-degree possession of oxycodone, fourth-degree sale of amphetamine, fifth-degree sale of alprazolam, fifth-degree sale of diazepam and fifth-degree possession of marijuana resin.

Those charges have not been resolved.
The Mississippi River bank along Prairie Island has dropped over the years, leaving a drop-off from the steps along the bank leading to the docks and creating a safety hazard.

So Matthew Grover, a junior at Winona Senior High School and soon-to-be Eagle Scout, spent the summer repairing steps at three of the landings to fix the drop off and safety hazard.

As part of his final Eagle Scout project, and with some help, Grover spent four months writing the proposal, raising money, and seeking assistance from people in the community to help make his project successful and beneficial.

I heard the steps needed to be fixed and I wanted to make them safer for people to access, Grover said. Its the biggest project Ive ever done ... it was a challenge, but it feels good to have it done.

To raise money for the project, Grover helped organize a fundraiser lunch at his church, St. Pauls Catholic Parish in Minnesota City. Kendell Lumber gave Grover a generous discount on building supplies and material. Two friends and fellow Scouts, Hunter Kluver and Ian Swart, assisted in the construction of the steps. With guidance from Chad Haines, his project supervisor, Grover is one step closer to achieving the Eagle Scout honor.

It wasnt an easy process. In addition to seeking help and funds, Grover and his friends had to coordinate around separate work schedules and the weather. Sometimes they could spend several days in a row on the project, other times they would go days, even weeks, without working on the steps.

It was hard sometimes, but we made it work, Grover said. Im proud of the fact I accomplished it.

During the journey, he said, he learned about the importance of working together with others in the community and valuable leadership qualities he can use moving forward.

Grover hopes to finish his Eagle Scout checklist by the spring. He said hes interested doing more volunteer work and staying involved with Boy Scouts as a junior assistant scout master.
Sauk County Board Chair Marty Krueger said Friday morning that a separation agreement between the county and its highest ranking administrator has been finalized.

During a committee meeting, Krueger said the county had received word that Administrative Coordinator Renae Fry had accepted the agreement, and that her employment would end as of 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Frys attorney confirmed Kruegers account.

Thats my understanding is that weve reached an agreement with the county and its going to be executed very soon, said Baraboo attorney Nicole Marklein Bacher.

The board voted Nov. 21 to approve a separation agreement with Fry after a two-hour closed session discussion. The countys attorney, Corporation Counsel Todd Liebman, has declined to release documents involving the matter, including a list of complaints against Fry.

Krueger sent an email to his 31 fellow supervisors Friday to inform them that the deal had been approved, but did not supply them with a copy of the agreement.

A Baraboo supervisor said Friday he wants to make sure the final version of the deal has not deviated from what the board approved nearly two weeks ago.

In an email to Krueger and Sauk County Clerk Becky Evert, Supervisor Peter Vedro asked for details about the final version of the agreement.

If any modifications were made to that agreement which may cost the county more than what was approved in the original agreement, the whole board should have to approve those modifications, Vedro said in a phone interview Friday afternoon.

Fry would be the second county administrator to leave under a separation agreement since June. A document released by the county shows that her predecessor, former Interim Administrative Coordinator Brentt Michalek, signed a deal in which he was paid to resign.

Vedro also is asking for a neutral third party to review the countys hiring and firing of agency administrators.

In his email to Krueger, Vedro requested that the board consider at its next meeting whether to form a special committee. The committee would hire an outside agency to review the countys processes and practices in such matters.

Krueger had not responded to an inquiry about Vedros requests as of press time Friday.
As observers surrounded a table in a downtown Baraboo building Friday morning, Sauk County recount workers sifted through ballots.

Im an independent, one man shooting cell phone video said after someone asked him which party he was with.

The recount taking place in the Sauk County West Square Building began Thursday. Its part of a statewide effort ordered by the Wisconsin Elections Commission at the request of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

Sauk County gained notoriety when some online critics noticed that the unofficial results released by the Sauk County Clerks Office on election night showed more votes in the presidential race than the total number of ballots cast.

Officials say the error was the result of a data transition problem between the city of Baraboo and the County Clerks Office. It was noticed and corrected in the canvassed election results.

Sauk County Clerk Becky Evert said there were 31,838 ballots cast within the county, which included 31,318 in the presidential race.

The county purchased new voting machines in 2015, which were used for the first time during the primary election that took place in February. The $345,825 purchase from Election Systems & Software, a Nebraska firm, allowed outdated machines in 37 municipalities to be replaced.

Evert said the new equipment was not responsible for the error that occurred on Election Day. She said the problem  which involved data transmission from equipment used by the city of Baraboo  has been identified and should not be an issue in future elections.

Editor's note: This article has been changed from its original version to reflect that people involved in the recount work for Sauk County.
If nannies on the city council have their way, you can still own guns in Baltimore, just nothing that looks like them.

A council bill that passed its second round of voting Nov. 14 would ban the possession of toy or replica guns in Baltimore that could be reasonably perceived as a firearm.

This legislation is in response to police shootings of young boys carrying fake guns perceived as firearms, specifically the non-fatal shooting of 14-year old Dedric Colvin in East Baltimore in April. He was holding a BB gun.

If we had our way, we would ban all handguns in the city of Baltimore, said Baltimore City Councilman Jim Kraft. We just dont have the authority to do it.

Recently, anti-gun nannies in the Maryland Legislature tried to pass a similar bill to ban replica guns throughout that state. It failed in part because federal law prohibits states from banning the sale of some replica firearms.

Supporters argue Baltimores proposal is legal because it bans the possession of replica guns, not the sale.

Bill co-sponsor Councilman Nick Mosby told Watchdog the panel opted for a full ban on replica guns, rather than age restrictions, because whether youre a 13-year-old boy or a 30-year-old boy, a toy gun should look like a toy gun.

The National Rifle Association released a letter railing against the ban. There is no research or other information provided that links the new bans in this proposed Ordinance to increased public safety or more effective law enforcement, the NRA wrote.

Numerous businesses will be affected if the ban spreads throughout Maryland, as Kraft hopes it will.

Seuk Kim, part owner of Tactical Airsoft Arena in Rockville, told Watchdog that a ban throughout Maryland would be devastating to his business.

It would probably force us to close, said Kim.

Kim argues that gun owners have been painting (real guns) for years now, and can alter their firearms appearance however they please, so a ban like this wouldnt end all confusion. He instead sees increased customer education as the answer.

Nobody should be taking out any type of toy or real type of guns out in public, said Kim. We try our best to educate people: Never take it out in public, never take it out in view where people are going to be questioning whether its a real gun or a toy gun.

There will be a final vote for the bill Dec. 5. Mosby expects the bill to pass and be signed into law.
Truth, civility and honesty took a hard beating in the brutal 2016 election season, but global trade, the campaigns daily whipping boy, actually grew in the July-September quarter.

Moreover, reports the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, an international group that tracks trade, the late summer surge means global trade may rise over the year as a whole.

That rise, of course, could end during a Trump Administration if the president-elect honors any of the anti-China, anti-NAFTA, anti-TPP and anti-T-TIP promises that became the bedrock of his Make America Great Again stump speech. Since his win, Trumps anti-trade tone has moderated, but no one believes it has completely faded.

Farmers and ranchers, who pollsters say voted overwhelmingly for Trump, remain wary because 20 percent of all U.S. farm production is sold overseas. In 2015, U.S. agriculture exported $133 billion of bulk commodities and food to over 100 countries around the world. (American ag exports topped $150 billion in 2014, a record.)

Even more worrisome is that Trumps toughest trade talk is aimed at deals that involve our very best food buyers  Canada and Mexico (the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA), China (that the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, isolates), and the European Union, or EU, (through the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or T-TIP).

These four customers  Canada, China, Mexico and the EU  bought, respectively, $21 billion, $20 billion, $18 billion and $12 billion of U.S. ag exports in 2015. Thats a staggering 53 percent of all American farm and ranch goods sold abroad.

That fact bears repeating: 53 percent of all 2015 U.S. ag exports went to just four buyers now in the cross hairs of the incoming Trump White House because of what he calls the worst trade deal ever, NAFTA, and two other, all-but-dead regional deals, T-TIP and TPP, he says are terrible.

Trump isnt alone in condemning current or pending trade deals. Not long ago, one presidential candidate openly complained that NAFTAs shortcomings were evident when signed and we must now amend the agreement to fix them.

That candidate was Barack Obama in 2008, recalls Timothy Wise of the Small Planet Institute, in a Nov. 22 blog post on BillMoyers.com. Obamas failure to amend or fix NAFTA, Wise adds, helped Trumps anti-trade message gain traction on his opponent, Hillary Clinton, an Obama acolyte.

NAFTA does have shortcomings, says Wise: weak environmental and labor standards, outdated regulations for immigration, and rules that empower corporations to sue nations over actions that impede profits to name but a few. Will a President Trump fix those problems?

No, believes Wise, because Trumps trade view, as he often said throughout the campaign, is America first. In NAFTA that means a nationalist version of anti-worker, pro-corporation trade deal which will be a disaster for the working-class Americans who gave him their votes.

If that NAFTA stance becomes the Trumps template for other trade negotiations, disaster awaits American farmers and ranchers who export 75 percent of all the cotton they grow, 50 percent of all their rice and wheat, over 40 percent of all soybeans, and nearly 25 percent of all pork.

In short, we have an ag policy  for better or worse  built on trade. As such, trade isnt just a big deal to most farmers and ranchers; its the whole deal. Anti-trade rhetoric might be red meat to blue-collar voters but it wont go down well with cash-paying foreign food buyers that the U.S. ag sector has grown absolutely dependent on.

Still, it would be a serious mistake to sell this president-elect short. Sixteen Republican challengers and one cant-lose Democratic opponent made that mistake in just the last year. All were vanquished; most easily.

So, when Donald Trump says hes going to renegotiate Americas rotten trade deals, expect him to try. Then pray he quickly learns that American ag exports arent rotten and theyre not broken.

Not yet, anyway.
JUNEAU  A 24-year-old Juneau man will serve six months in jail after being found guilty of physically abusing a 17-month-old girl.

Jeremiah E. Hanke was found guilty of child abuse  recklessly causing great harm on Sept. 23.

Dodge County Circuit Judge Steven Bauer ordered his sentence to be withheld and placed Hanke on probation for three years. As a condition of his probation, Hanke is sentenced to six months in jail. He also must pay restitution and court costs.

According to the criminal complaint, Hanke lived with the girl, her mother and her 3-year-old sibling at the time of the incident on May 2, 2014, in Lomira. The girls mother was at work and Hanke was alone with the two toddlers.

The baby was taken to Waupun Memorial Hospital, and a nurse contacted police around 6:30 p.m. The nurse said the girl had second- and third-degree burns over her buttocks, vaginal area, legs and left foot. The nurse called the burns very extreme, and a doctor issued the orders to transport the girl to UW Hospital Burn Center.

According to the criminal complaint, Hanke said the girl had a bowel movement and he decided to give her a bath instead of putting another diaper on her. He admitted to leaving the girl in the bathtub while he went to the kitchen to check on a pizza.

The complaint states that Hanke told officers there were about 2 inches of water in the tub and he left the water running and the girl in the tub while the 3-year old played outside the tub. He said he left the door open so he could check on the children.

Hanke said while he was cutting the pizza he heard the girl scream and he noticed the water was a bit warmer than when he put her into it but not scalding. He said he picked her up and put petroleum jelly ointment on the burns, which were red at that point. He then called the girls mother at work to tell her and put the child to bed in a diaper. He said she soon fell asleep.

According to the criminal complaint, when the child woke up she was crying and the burned area started to blister.

Police contacted Dr. Barbara Knox, the medical director of the UW Child Protection Program at American Family Childrens Hospital, on May 9. She told police that in her professional opinion there was no possible way that the burn injuries the girl suffered were caused by an accident. Based on the girls burn pattern, Knox said the girl had been submerged in hot water, more specifically water with a temperature above that when human flesh would burn.

Knox said multiple things in Hankes statement were inconsistent. She said as the water temperature began to rise the girl would have started to cry or fuss well before she was actually burned. She also said that the burns would have been in a different pattern since she would have been sitting in the tub.
COLUMBUS  Columbus TIF District No. 4 on Highway 16 continues to grow.

Pet food manufacturer Fromm Family Foods plans to build a 90,000-square-foot facility on a 24-acre site in the TIF, located between the companys current factory in the town of Columbus and Highway 16.

It will allow us to increase our production in Columbus by another 50 percent, said chief operating officer Richard Best.

Approximately a third of the new facility will be dedicated to manufacturing. The rest of the space will be used for packaging and warehousing, Best said.

The Columbus City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Fromm Wednesday night, which promises that utility services will be extended to the property. Under the MOA Fromm has agreed to pay $300,000 to the city up front to help cover utility expansion costs and will eventually be eligible for up to $1.3 million in TIF reimbursements.

Obviously those utilities are not just going to benefit Fromm, theyre going to benefit other properties along Highway 16 in the TIF district, too, said Dave Carlson, the citys economic development director.

Best hopes to start moving dirt on the site right away and to get the grade established yet this fall, so workers can begin in earnest early next spring. He expects the new plant to be operational by the second quarter of 2018.

We need that additional capacity to keep up with the projected growth in the next two to three years, Best said.

Fromm makes artisanal pet food, meaning everything is made in small batches with tightly controlled recipes. It only sells to independently owned pet stores.

We are to pet food what craft beer is to Anheuser-Busch, Best said.

The family-owned company, based in Mequon, bought the old FS Feed Factory in the town of Columbus in 2009 and, after extensive renovations, started manufacturing there in 2011.

Best said Fromm has already doubled the capacity at the Columbus site, which now produces 75 percent of the companys product.

Fromm currently has 120 employees working in Columbus. Another 25 will be needed to staff the new facility, Best said.

Fromm is the fourth business to make plans to build in the new TIF this year. Ottery Brothers Truck Wash opened for business this summer, Duffy Bros. is currently building a facility for its fleet services division and Vita Plus recently purchased land adjacent to the TIF with the intention of building a new feed mill there and having the property annexed into the city and added to the TIF.

I think this TIF district has generated a lot more interest earlier on than we could have optimistically hoped for, Carlson said.

He sees the Fromm expansion as a boon to both the TIF district and the city.

Fromm is a first-class company, he said. Theyve got a very unique product in the market with a great reputation, and theyre a longtime Wisconsin-based business, so were really excited about the project moving forward.
ENDEAVOR  Protect Pensions members wont meet in Endeavor this month because theyre thinking bigger: they want to form a national committee.

Endeavor and other groups from across Wisconsin will instead attend meetings in Milwaukee and Green Bay this month in order to discuss better ways of working together, leader Bob Brockway said.

A lot of people dont know we have 63 committees, so were trying to make it so all congressmen and congresswomen know, and to get their people (to attend meetings).

December meetings will outline a still-forming organization dubbed the National United Committee to Protect Pensions, which will eventually use the website nucpp.org. The first meeting is at 11 a.m. Dec. 17 in a Teamster Hall at 6200 W. Bluemound Road in Milwaukee, and the second is 11 a.m. Dec. 18 at Stadium View Bar in Green Bay. Both meetings are led by Milwaukee chapter leaders Mike Walden and Sherman Liimatainen.

About 25,000 retirees in Wisconsin await word on potential investment and assessment plans they hope will save them from significant cuts to their pensions  cuts put on hold after the U.S. Treasury Department in May rejected a recovery plan for Central States Pension Fund. That plan would have cut pensions by to 70 percent for 400,000 participants in the U.S.

But the Multi-Employer Pension Reform Act (MPRA) of 2014 did away with pension guarantees for 10 million Americans, and a united effort is now more important than ever, Brockway said. Rep. John Kline, R-Minnesota, chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, is pushing for what some call MPRA 2, an expansion of MPRA that would essentially allow pension funds to make cuts if they can somehow prove theyll go insolvent within 50 years.

If MPRA 2 goes through, youll see an uprising, Brockway said. Nobody is going to put up with this.

Its nothing but a scam from John Kline.

PBGC going broke

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., which insures retirement incomes for 41 million Americans, announced in November that its running at a $58.8 billion deficit, up from its $52 billion deficit reported last year.

PBGC is on pace to go bankrupt by 2025 or sooner and is calling on Congress to find a solution.

With so many factors up in the air, Brockway said the time is now for Americans to start paying attention to the issue. I cant get it through my head why all these people out there with pensions havent even heard of this and who arent getting on the bandwagon even when they do.

This is a serious thing going on. People need to start listening.

It just isnt getting to the people yet, but itll get to them when they start losing their pensions, Brockway said.

Central States Pension Fund lost 42 percent of its worth at the end of 2008. Protect Pensions groups have said losses of that magnitude suggest high-risk investments were made illegally, sparking a Government Accountability Board investigation into the U.S. Department of Labors oversight of the fund. The status of that investigation is still unknown, Brockway said.

The next Protect Pensions meeting in Endeavor will be Jan. 14.
Here we are again. Wisconsin county clerks started another recount Thursday. Only this time, its a lot bigger than in the past and even more unnecessary.

The recount is occurring because Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has cited unspecified evidence of voting irregularities, and has requested a recount.

There are a lot of issues with this: the time clerks are going to have to put into it; the almost impossible chance that the results are going to change; and the fact that Stein is calling into question the integrity of the election system.

During the presidential campaign, President-Elect Donald Trump pledged to accept election results  if I win. His comments resulted in an uproar from citizens upset about his denouncing the nations election system.

Then, after his victory, he went on to contend on Twitter  after he won the Electoral College but not the popular vote  that he won the national popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.

State Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen rightfully called Trumps comments an insult to the people that run our elections.

Ive never seen this kind of attack on poll workers, and on how this system works, Thomsen said.

But you know what is even worse than tweeting about not trusting the electoral system? Ordering a recount as Stein is doing.

In her recount petition, Stein says both the touch-screen and optical-scan machines are susceptible to compromise.

However, the states elections supervisor, Ross Hein, said Monday that the machines are not connected to the internet, limiting opportunities to tamper with them.

In order to access the equipment, you would have to actually get your hands on it, Hein told the Wisconsin State Journal.

According to an affidavit included with Steins recount petition, J. Alex Halderman, director of the University of Michigan Center for Computer Security and Society, stated that tests have shown its possible to quickly install vote-stealing malware on voting machines that would surreptitiously alter election results.

Under a scenario described by Halderman, such malware could be loaded onto election officials desktop computers that are used to load the ballot design onto electronic voting machines. The malware then could be spread to the voting machines when the ballots are loaded onto them, Halderman wrote, according to the State Journal.

That sounds like quite the scheme  one that would be more likely to be found in an action novel than in real life.

The reality is that during recounts, officials usually do find a few votes that change, but not many.

For instance, take the 2011 state Supreme Court recount in the race between Justice David Prosser and Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg. Kloppenburg asked for the recount after losing by 7,316 votes. She only gained about 310 votes in the recount and Prosser ultimately was declared the winner.

That victory was by a much smaller margin than the presidential election, where Trump won Wisconsin by about 22,000 votes.

And in order for the nationwide election results to ultimately change in favor of Hillary Clinton, more than 100,000 votes across three states  Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania  would have to change.

Many people are upset about the election results and wish there had been a different result. But forcing recounts and calling into question the integrity of the nations voting is not the way to go.

In addition, if Stein is so concerned about the integrity of the election results, why is she only targeting states that Trump won?
With the 2016 crop in bins, silos and piles, USDA economists have pulled out their tape measures to size up how the agricultural sector is expected to fare this year.

For Steve Nelson, a farmer and president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2016 Farm Income Forecast released earlier this week held few surprises.

The numbers certainly are not unexpected knowing that the prices for almost everything we raise in Nebraska have remained at low levels, Nelson said in a recent interview. We all know agriculture is a cyclical business. We talked about that when prices were high but clearly were on the downside of the cycle now.

The report showed 2016 net farm income, a measure of agricultures profitability, is expected to be $66.9 billion, down 17.2 percent from last year. If the prediction holds true, it would be the third straight year of decline and the lowest net farm income since 2009 in both real and nominal terms.

John Hansen, head of the Nebraska Farmers Union, says prices are putting a strain on farmers and their lenders. Belts are being tightened and more red is showing up in ledger books.

(It) will be especially difficult for beginning farmers who do not have much equity to cushion the financial squeeze," he said. "I look for a long and difficult winter as ag producers and bankers sharpen their pencils and struggle to come up with positive cash flows for 2017.

One of the biggest drags on farm income was a drop in cash receipts for livestock and animal products, which are expected to decline by 12.3 percent, or $23.4 billion. Crop receipts, by contrast, are forecast to be essentially unchanged from 2015.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach is pessimistic about the report, noting that agriculture is Nebraska's top economic driver and low farmer income could affect both the state economy and government.

When the agricultural industry suffers, it also impacts Main Street Nebraska businesses, so the forecast for a third straight year of declining farm income will continue to impact our state, Ibach said. The downward trend in Nebraskas tax revenues is further proof that continued lower farm income is impacting the states economic condition.

But Eric Thompson, an economist and director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said the state has a diverse economy capable of weathering agricultures frigid financial situation.

There is a significant chunk of the Nebraska economy that is in the business of processing agricultural commodities, storing them, transporting them, utilizing them. Meat processing plants for example, he said. Even if prices and farm incomes are low, as long as the crop is large that industry can continue to thrive and in fact may benefit in some ways from lower prices.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sought to calm economic fears, saying the health of the overall farm economy is strong in the face of challenging markets. Two key indicators of the farm economys health -- debt-to-asset and debt-to-equity ratios -- remain near all-time lows and more than 90 percent of farm businesses are not considered highly leveraged.

The bigger picture shows that farm income over the last five-year period reflects the highest average five-year period on record, Vilsack said in a news release.

Federal safety net programs, which help shield farmers from price dips and crop losses due to weather, are forecast to pay out $12.9 billion in 2016, a 19 percent increase over the year prior.

The 2016 Farm Income Forecast includes these highlights.

* Farm production expenses were forecast lower, led by reduced costs for livestock, fertilizer and fuel. The expected $9.2 billion (2.6 percent) decline is the second largest year-over-year reduction in expenditures since 2009 and will ease, but not completely offset, pressure from lower cash receipts.

* Weak corn prices in 2016 more than offset production gains, which means cash receipts for the crop are expected to fall by almost 4 percent, or $2 billion, from 2015 levels.

* The value of livestock production is forecast to decline 13.3 percent to $168.6 billion in 2016.

* Soybean cash receipts are expected to increase 16 percent, more than $5 billion, thanks to both increased production and strong exports that led to a price rally.

* While prices for most major agricultural products are expected to fall, there are a few exceptions. Forecasts call for a 10 percent or more rise in cash receipts for turkeys, rye, cotton and tobacco.
Derwent London plc owns 83 buildings in a commercial real estate portfolio predominantly in central London valued at 5.4 billion (including joint ventures) as at 30 June 2020, making it the largest London-focused real estate investment trust (REIT). Our experienced team has a long track record of creating value throughout the property cycle by regenerating our buildings via development or refurbishment, effective asset management and capital recycling. We typically acquire central London properties off-market with low capital values and modest rents in improving locations, most of which are either in the West End or the Tech Belt. We capitalise on the unique qualities of each of our properties - taking a fresh approach to the regeneration of every building with a focus on anticipating tenant requirements and an emphasis on design. Reflecting and supporting our long-term success, the business has a strong balance sheet with modest leverage, a robust income stream and flexible financing. As part of our commitment to lead the industry in mitigating climate change, in October 2019, Derwent London became the first UK REIT to sign a Green Revolving Credit Facility. At the same time, we also launched our Green Finance Framework and signed the Better Buildings Partnership's climate change commitment. The Group is a member of the 'RE100' which recognises Derwent London as an influential company, committed to 100% renewable power by purchasing renewable energy, a key step in becoming a net zero carbon business. Derwent London is one of only a few property companies worldwide to have science-based carbon targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Landmark schemes in our 5.6 million sq ft portfolio include 80 Charlotte Street W1, Brunel Building W2, White Collar Factory EC1, Angel Building EC1, 1-2 Stephen Street W1, Horseferry House SW1 and Tea Building E1. In 2019, the Group won several awards including EG Offices Company of the Year, the CoStar West End Deal of the Year for Brunel Building, Westminster Business Council's Best Achievement in Sustainability award and topped the real estate sector and was placed ninth overall in the Management Today 2019 awards for 'Britain's Most Admired Companies'. In 2013 the Company launched a voluntary Community Fund and has to date supported over 100 community projects in the West End and the Tech Belt. The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of its registered office is 25 Savile Row, London,
SAP SE, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an enterprise application software company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Applications, Technology & Support; Qualtrics; and Services. It offers SAP S/4HANA, an ERP suite with intelligent technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics; SAP SuccessFactors Human Experience Management provides cloud-based solutions, such as a human resources management system for core HR and payroll, talent management, employee experience management, and people analytics; and intelligent spend management solutions, including products branded under the SAP Ariba, SAP Concur, and SAP Fieldglass names. The company also provides SAP customer experience solutions; SAP Business Technology platform that enables customers and partners to extend and customize SAP applications in a cloud-native way; and SAP Business Network that enable companies to extend their ecosystem, react to supply chain disruptions, discover new trading partners, and find new opportunities. In addition, it offers business process intelligence solutions aim to help customers analyze their operations, understand their process bottlenecks, and improve their business process landscape; Experience solutions; SAP's industry cloud provides modular solutions addressing industry-specific functions; and SAP's ecosystem build, sell, service, and run SAP solutions and technology, as well as sustainable business solutions, services, and partnerships solutions. SAP SE was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Walldorf, Germany.
National Grid plc transmits and distributes electricity and gas. The company operates through UK Electricity Transmission, UK Electricity Distribution, UK Electricity System Operator, New England, and New York segments. The UK Electricity Transmission segment provides electricity transmission and construction work services in England and Wales. The UK Electricity Distribution segment offers electricity distribution services in Midlands, and South West of England and South Wales. The UK Electricity System Operator segment provides balancing services for supply and demand of electricity on Great Britain's electricity transmission system; and acts as an agent on behalf of transmission operators. The New England segment offers electricity and gas distribution, and electricity transmission services in New England. The New York segment provides electricity and gas distribution, and electricity transmission services in New York. It also engages in the provision of transmission services through electricity interconnectors and LNG importation at the Isle of Grain; sale of renewables projects; and leasing and sale of commercial property, as well as insurance activities in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
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Bhd., Becton Dickinson Slovakia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Sweden AB, Becton Dickinson Sweden Holdings AB, Becton Dickinson Switzerland Global Holdings SarL, Becton Dickinson Technology Campus India, Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing I Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing II Limited, Becton Dickinson Venezuela C.A., Becton Dickinson Venture LLC, Becton Dickinson Verwaltungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Vostok LLC, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Investments Sa.r.L., Becton Dickinson Zambia Limited, Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd., Becton Dickinson de Colombia Ltda., Becton Dickinson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson del Uruguay S.A., Bee IT Solutions, Benex Ltd., Biometric Imaging, Bridger Biomed Inc., C. R. Bard (Portugal) - Produtos e Artigos Medicos e Farmaceuticos, C. R. Bard Do Brasil Productos Medicos Ltda., C. R. Bard GmbH, C. R. Bard Inc., C. R. Bard Netherlands Sales B.V., C.R. Bard Inc, CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion Corporation., CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Critical Device Corporation, Cubex, Cytognos, Cytopeia Inc, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences Canada ULC, GeneOhm Sciences Inc, Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, Glentech Inc, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Iontophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Luther Medical Products Inc, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc, Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C. (Isialys) Societe a responsabilitie limitee, PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PharMingen., Plasso Technology Ltd, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med Inc, Safety Syringes Inc., Scanwell Health Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen Group Limited, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical AG, Straub Medical AG, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical Inc, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha Inc, Tepha Inc., Tissuemed Ltd., Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging Inc., Tru-Fit Marketing Corporation, Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Velano Vascular Inc., Venclose Inc., Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Visitec, Y-Med Inc., Y-Med LLC, and ZebraSci Inc..

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The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,061 branches and 3,381 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Canada, and 1,148 stores and 2,701 ATMs in the United States, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
A jury in Richardson County District Court found a 32-year-old Falls City man guilty of first-degree murder Friday.

Desiderio Hernandez shot his cousin, Joseph Debella, 31, on Aug. 5, 2015.

Witnesses said they saw Hernandez leave the house soon after hearing a loud noise.

Falls City police officers found Debella in a basement after getting a call from Hernandez's sister and sister-in-law, and he was taken to a local hospital, then to Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, where he died on Aug. 13, 2015, according to the Nebraska attorney general's office.

Hernandez led the Nebraska State Patrol and local law enforcement on a regional manhunt and was arrested after a nearly seven-hour standoff in Horton, Kansas, the day after the shooting.

On Friday, he was also found guilty of using a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, according to the attorney general's office, which prosecuted and helped investigate the case.

Hernandez is set to be sentenced Jan. 31.
Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sports shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Alstyle, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer pantyhose, tights, and leggings under the Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel brands. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brands; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, and embellishers, as well as to retailers and lifestyle brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
The mother of a 19-year-old girl with special needs said her daughter was molested by another student when they were left unsupervised at a Lincoln Public Schools job training program work site this fall.

The mother said she doesn't understand why the student she believes assaulted her daughter wasn't arrested, and she's upset that it took about 45 minutes to find her after she and two other students were told to take an elevator to a different work area in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Abel Hall without a teacher or para-educator.

We thought we had all the safety nets in place, she said. That trust has been broken. You give up your child to people you have the utmost trust in because you cant be with them 24/7, and then they get injured. It just breaks your heart.

The Journal Star spoke with the mother but chose not to name her to protect the identity of the daughter.

Voice is a transitional program for special education students between 18 and 21 that offers job skills and training. About 120 students participate, working at 11 job sites at schools, community organizations and Lincoln businesses. Their participation is determined as part of their individual education plan, LPS officials said.

The 19-year-old student in her second year in the Voice program was among 10 students working in the UNL dorm.

University police investigated the incident but, Chief Owen Yardley said his department decided not to make an arrest after consulting with the Lancaster County attorney's office.

County Attorney Joe Kelly said a prosecutor in his office had one conversation with a UNL officer but police did not forward investigative reports to his office to review for possible prosecution.

LPS officials declined to talk about specifics of the incident but did say one of two para-educators assigned to work with students at Abel was gone that day, and said there was a period of time when staff didnt know the location of some of the students.

Staffing levels at each job site are determined by the students needs, said Special Education Director Jenny Fundus. At Abel, one teacher and two para-educators work with students.

Supervision needs of each student are determined by their education plans, Fundus said, and she couldnt comment on the requirements of students at Abel because of privacy considerations.

The girl's mother said her daughters plan called for her to be supervised at all times.

According to the mother -- whose account of what happened is based on what her daughter and UNL police told her -- her daughter was one of several Voice students in the first-floor laundry room on Oct. 10. The teacher took some students elsewhere and told the woman's daughter and three other students to stay put.

But then a UNL staff member told the students to take the elevator to another floor and start their work there. The mother said her daughter knew they werent supposed to go without a staff member, but she and two other students got on the elevator because the direction had come from an adult.

The student told her mother the male student pushed the button for the 13th floor and the three got out there, even though thats not where they were supposed to be. The other female student ran off, she told her mother, and the male student told her to sit down with him behind a couch. When she did, the daughter said, the student put his hands down both the back and front of her pants and touched her. She said she kept telling him to stop.

The two students then got back on the elevator, stopped at several other floors and got off on the eighth floor and started cleaning tables. That's where LPS staff found them.

In an email sent to the mother, the teacher who was at Abel Hall with the students said she contacted UNL custodial staff, the para-educator and a special education supervisor to help look for the students.

The mother said a UNL police officer told her the students were unsupervised for 45 minutes to an hour.

The girl told her mom she didnt tell her teacher what happened because theyd already gotten in trouble for leaving the laundry room. Although her verbal skills are delayed and she sometimes uses sign language to help her communicate, she was specific about what happened and her story hasnt changed, her mother said.

But Yardley said in the end police decided not to make an arrest.

"We fully investigated it, we got all the information we needed, but we couldn't go forward with it because of the circumstances," he said. "It didn't meet the criteria for making an arrest."

He declined to elaborate further.

The mother said she didn't necessarily want the male student arrested, but she wants him removed from the Voice program so he's not around other students and feels he should face some consequences, such as community service.

He and his family also need support and education, she said, so he understands what he did was wrong.

LPS officials told the mother the male student would be taken to a different site within the Voice program and would not be on the same bus with her daughter.

LPS officials declined to comment on the male student's situation, citing privacy concerns.

The mother said shes also upset that she wasnt notified immediately that her daughter was missing and that the building wasnt locked down. She said she doesnt think LPS followed up sufficiently after an initial offer to help her daughter get counseling. And, she said, the teachers there haven't been trained to help her daughter deal with the trauma she suffered.

Jane Stavem, LPS associate superintendent for instruction, said the district is reviewing policies and procedures to see if changes need to be made to make sure students have a safe and positive experience.

Meanwhile, the mother has removed her daughter from the Voice program until she can be placed at a new site because being at Abel is difficult for her and because she wants to make sure better safety protocols are in place.

The mother wrote a letter to school board members and media outlets and spoke to a special education parent advisory group earlier this week. She said she did so because she doesnt want something similar to happen to other students and thinks its important to talk about sexual assault, especially when it involves people with special needs.

"I just want the education out there that sexual assault is serious. It's life-changing for everyone and it doesnt get the attention ... it should," she said. Thats what we really want, for someone to pay attention and care about our kids."




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Brad Johnson, the interim director of the county jail in Lincoln, has been offered the job as head of Lancaster Countys Corrections Department.

County commissioners voted Friday afternoon to authorize City/County Human Resources Director Doug McDaniel to begin salary negotiations with Johnson.

While the vote was unanimous, County Commissioner Bill Avery began a discussion of the candidates with a warning that hiring from the inside could have drawbacks.

When you have a strong candidate that is internal, you know what youre getting. But sometimes dealing from inside the deck doesnt always produce the best outcome, Avery said.

Despite that initial warning, the dozen people who participated in the interview process overwhelmingly supported Johnson for the job, saying he has a proven track record and the ability to move corrections forward from Day One.

Commissioner Deb Schorr said she had hoped to hear new and innovative ideas from candidates but didnt hear that from the two other people interviewed for the position.

She praised Johnsons presentation of six specific steps he plans to take in the next six months that include working to reduce jail population, increasing use of technology and having an inclusive communications style.

Avery emphasized that Johnson wasnt a shoo-in for the job and had to work to prove he was the best candidate.

Commissioner Todd Wiltgen agreed.

Any facility would be lucky to have him (Johnson). Were just fortunate we have him here in Lincoln, Wiltgen said.

Johnson rose to the top from a heap of 32 applicants and was one of three finalists who interviewed for the position in person on Friday.

The others included Barry DeJong of Omaha, who is vice president of Heartland Family Service, and Mark Chamberlain, who heads the Garland County jail in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A third person dropped out of the running.

The interviews were done by three panels made up of a dozen people including current and former elected officials, community members and representatives of both the Lincoln Police Department and Lancaster County Sheriffs Office.

Johnson has worked for county corrections for 24 years, working his way from a correctional officer to both sergeant and lieutenant. He has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a masters degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

He headed up the move to the new jail at Southwest 40th and O streets from downtown in 2013.

The County Board named Johnson interim director of the jail earlier this year after the May 10 resignation of Mike Thurber, who was under investigation at the time. Officials have not said why Thurber was being investigated or why he quit.

The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office chose not to prosecute the case and handed it over to the state Accountability and Disclosure Commission, which has declined to comment.

Johnsons salary as interim director is $94,000 a year. Thurbers was $113,500.

Johnson could not be reached for comment Friday.
On Thursday, about 1,000 Carrier workers and their families should be rejoicing. But the rest of our nation's workers should be very nervous.

President-elect Donald Trump will reportedly announce a deal with United Technologies, the corporation that owns Carrier, that keeps less than 1,000 of the 2100 jobs in America that were previously scheduled to be transferred to Mexico. Let's be clear: It is not good enough to save some of these jobs. Trump made a promise that he would save all of these jobs, and we cannot rest until an ironclad contract is signed to ensure that all of these workers are able to continue working in Indiana without having their pay or benefits slashed.

In exchange for allowing United Technologies to continue to offshore more than 1,000 jobs, Trump will reportedly give the company tax and regulatory favors that the corporation has sought. Just a short few months ago, Trump was pledging to force United Technologies to "pay a damn tax." He was insisting on very steep tariffs for companies like Carrier that left the United States and wanted to sell their foreign-made products back in the United States.

Instead of a damn tax, the company will be rewarded with a damn tax cut. Wow! How's that for standing up to corporate greed? How's that for punishing corporations that shut down in the United States and move abroad?

In essence, United Technologies took Trump hostage and won. And that should send a shock wave of fear through all workers across the country.

Trump has endangered the jobs of workers who were previously safe in the United States. Why? Because he has signaled to every corporation in America that they can threaten to offshore jobs in exchange for business-friendly tax benefits and incentives. Even corporations that weren't thinking of offshoring jobs will most probably be re-evaluating their stance Thursday morning. And who would pay for the high cost for tax cuts that go to the richest businessmen in America? The working class of America.

Let's be clear. United Technologies is not going broke. Last year, it made a profit of $7.6 billion and received more than $6 billion in defense contracts. It has also received more than $50 million from the Export-Import Bank and very generous tax breaks. In 2014, United Technologies gave its former chief executive Louis Chenevert a golden parachute worth more than $172 million. Last year, the company's five highest-paid executives made more than $50 million. The firm also spent $12 billion to inflate its stock price instead of using that money to invest in new plants and workers.

Does that sound like a company that deserves more corporate welfare from our government? Trump's Band-Aid solution is only making the problem of wealth inequality in America even worse.

I said I would work with Trump if he was serious about the promises he made to members of the working class. But after running a campaign pledging to be tough on corporate America, Trump has hypocritically decided to do the exact opposite. He wants to treat corporate irresponsibility with kid gloves. The problem with our rigged economy is not that our policies have been too tough on corporations; it's that we haven't been tough enough.

We need to re-instill an ethic of corporate patriotism. We need to send a very loud and clear message to corporate America: The era of outsourcing is over. Instead of offshoring jobs, the time has come for you to start bringing good-paying jobs back to America.

If United Technologies or any other company wants to keep outsourcing decent-paying American jobs, those companies must pay an outsourcing tax equal to the amount of money it expects to save by moving factories to Mexico or other low-wage countries. They should not receive federal contracts or other forms of corporate welfare. They must pay back all of the tax breaks and other corporate welfare they have received from the federal government. And they must not be allowed to reward their executives with stock options, bonuses or golden parachutes for outsourcing jobs to low-wage countries. I will soon be introducing the Outsourcing Prevention Act, which will address exactly that.

If Donald Trump won't stand up for America's working class, we must.
Federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr told a business gathering in Edmonton, Alberta Thursday that the Liberal government is ready to use the military and police to suppress opposition to the expansion of Canadas pipeline network.

Asked about the protests at Standing Rock, North Dakota and the potential that anti-pipeline protests in Canada could disrupt pipeline expansion plans, Carr declared, If people choose for their own reasons not to be peaceful, then the government of Canada, through its defence forces, through its police forces, will ensure that people will be kept safe.

Carrs comments were greeted with enthusiastic applause by the business and political leaders in attendance at the Alberta Enterprise Group event. Ric McIver, the interim leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party, which ruled Alberta for 44 successive years ending in 2015, declared, We cant let the pipeline get held up by people that will never agree to any standard. The law of the jungle cannot prevail.

Canadas business elite and corporate media have hailed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for giving the official regulatory go-ahead Tuesday for the construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline, which will bring diluted Alberta tar-sand bitumen to Vancouver, from whence it will be shipped overseas.

However, they are also insisting the Liberal government must take quick action to curtail popular opposition to the project and arrest those who resort to civil disobedience in an attempt to stop it.

On Wednesday, National Post columnist Kevin Libin headlined his comment on the Liberals Trans Mountain decision, It doesnt count as a pipeline approval unless Trudeaus prepared to arrest (Elizabeth) May. The leader of the Green Party, May is among a number of political, environmentalist and indigenous leaders who have threatened to commit acts of civil disobedience to prevent the Trans Mountain project from proceeding.

Carrs comments are no idle threat. Canadas ruling elite has systematically moved to criminalize social opposition over the past two decades, including with a battery of strikebreaking laws. In 2012, striking Quebec students and their supporters were the target of massive police repression and an emergency law that not only effectively outlawed the strike but any demonstration across Quebec that was not expressly approved by the authorities.

Carrs reference in his remarks Thursday to peaceful protests being tolerated is particularly cynical. Governments routinely use court injunctions and emergency laws to criminalize protests, then set the police on the unlawful protesters.

Moreover, under Bill C-51, the draconian police-state law passed by the former Conservative government last year with Liberal support, the national-security apparatus have been given vast new powers to spy on and, under certain conditions, to disrupt, using illegal means, threats to Canadas public and economic security.

The Canadian government has long engaged in mass surveillance of indigenous and activist environmental groups, particularly those opposing pipelines and other energy projects. In 2014, the Government Operations Centre (GOC), a division of Public Safety Canada, released a document in response to a Freedom of Information request that detailed 600 protests and events it had spied on over the preceding eight years.

When the Idle No More aboriginal protests erupted in 2013, the Canadian military conducted close surveillance of their activities on the pretext that they might disrupt military shipments or personnel. According to a National Post report, the surveillance ran through virtually all of 2013.

Last year, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association brought a complaint against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) charging that it had illegally spied on peaceful opponents of pipeline projects and shared the information with other government agencies and even oil companies. But the Security Review Committee, the federal agency supposedly charged with ensuring CSIS doesnt violate Canadians rights, insisted that all discussion of the complaint be held in secret.

The RCMP has also systematically spied on pipeline opponents. In 2012, when a coalition of First Nations groups, organized in the Yinka Dene Alliance, was protesting Enbridges Northern Gateway pipeline project, an RCMP unit was tasked with monitoring their actions.

Carrs explicit threat to use the armed forces against political opposition must be taken as a serious warning by all workers and youth. While opponents of the Trans Mountain project may be the initial target of plans to deploy the military against those who get in the way of the plans of Canadas capitalist establishment, they are ultimately aimed at the entire working class, which the Trudeau government and its big business masters rightly fear will increasingly resist their policies of austerity and war.
Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday that his government has given the go-ahead for two major pipeline projects, including the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline to transport diluted bitumen (heavy oil) from Albertas tar sands to the British Columbia coast.

Trudeaus announcement has been universally hailed by big business, because it will decrease Canadian dependence on the US energy market and open up Asian markets for Canadas oil industry.

In a bid to placate some of the Liberals environmentalist supporters, Trudeau confirmed that an alternate, long-troubled project to transport bitumen to Kitimat on BCs north shore, the Northern Gateway pipeline, will not be allowed to proceed. This enabled Trudeau to announce his government will make a ban on oil tankers off the northern BC coast permanent.

The Liberals approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline has major economic and geopolitical implications for Canadian big business. The previous Stephen Harper-led Conservative government sought to establish Canada as an energy superpower. A key element in this strategy was securing access to tidewater for Alberta oil, rather than having it locked-into the Canada-US market. The Canadian ruling elite has been keen to take advantage of rapidly growing markets in Asia and the commodity price-boom of the first decade of this century. Harper even hoped that the growing conflict between the western powers and Russia, in which Canada has been playing a leading and provocative role, could open European markets to Canadian oil and liquid natural gas exports.

Harpers strategy suffered a major blow with the 2014 oil price collapse, which led to the cancelling or delay of oil-projects worth tens of billions of dollars, the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs in Alberta and the rapid spread of poverty and economic insecurity in what had been Canadas richest province. In addition, the vast growth of shale oil and natural gas production in the US in recent years undermined the market for Albertas high-cost tar sands oil south of the border.

But a significant impediment to building the pipelines needed to open up new markets for the rapidly expanding output of Alberta tar-sands oil was political: the Conservatives belligerent assertion of the interests of big business, packaged in aggressive Canadian nationalist and militarist terms, provoked widespread opposition among the population. As a result, despite the Conservatives repeated vows of support for the energy sector, not a single kilometer of new pipeline was built during Harpers ten years in office.

The Trudeau Liberals: a progressive mask for continued austerity and war

This was one of the chief reasons why decisive sections of big business rallied behind the Liberals in the 2015 election. The ruling class calculated that Trudeaus professed commitment to a clean energy strategy, environmental protection, and a nation to nation relationship with native peoplethat is his policy of integrating the aboriginal elite into big business and the statewould provide a Liberal government with the necessary political cover to oversee a crash program in pipeline building and expansion.

Aided and abetted by the trade unions and New Democratic Party (NDP), which leant their weight to an Anybody but Harper campaign in last years election that promoted the big business Liberals as a progressive alternative, Trudeau and his cabinet have now begun to deliver the goods. Speaking in the House of Commons Wednesday, Trudeau boasted, Yesterdays announcement demonstrated that in one year we were able to do what, in ten years, the previous government was unable to do.

The Liberal government and Big Oil hope to achieve a number of inter-related goals with the building of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Their first goal is to reduce the Canadian oil industrys dependence on the US market. Although the Canada-US partnership remains pivotal to Canadian imperialism, with Ottawa deeply implicated in Washingtons principal military-strategic offensives and reliant on the US market for three quarters of all its exports, much of Canadas energy sector views the US as a direct competitor and is determined to increase Canadas access to the world market. Fully 99 percent of Canadian oil exports currently go to the US, where Canadian producers are compelled to accept reduced prices, a problem only compounded by the present low price of oil.

Secondly, Canadas ruling elite is seeking to make the tar sands, reputedly the worlds third largest reserve of recoverable oil, an important source of oil for Asias rapidly growing economies, especially China. The Liberals have been conducting a behind-the-scenes review of their policy towards China over recent months and Canadas inability to get its oil to a Pacific port has been identified as a major obstacle to boosting Canadas economic relations with the worlds second largest economy.

While the Trans Mountain decision was long in the making, it is clear that the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency last month reinforced the argument for approving it. Although the billionaire demagogue has vowed to revive the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport bitumen from Alberta to US refineries on the Gulf of Mexico, he has threatened to impose additional charges that would make the project less attractive. More fundamentally, his America First economic nationalism and protectionism is forcing ruling elites around the world, from Canada to Europe and Asia, to more openly assert their own imperialist interests.

The revival of the Canadian bourgeoisies energy superpower ambitions with this weeks pipeline announcements has been brought about by an alliance of the Liberals with the social democratic NDP. The Alberta governmentcurrently the only provincial government led by the trade union-aligned NDPcollaborated closely with the Trudeau Liberals in laying the political groundwork for the greenlighting of the Trans Mountain project.

Fittingly, Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley met and engaged in mutual back-slapping immediately after his Tuesday announcement. Notley, whose NDP government has implemented austerity measures to offload the economic crisis onto working people while refusing to increase taxes on the oil corporations, has introduced a carbon tax and a 100 megaton annual cap on greenhouse gas emissions that will allow tar sands oil production to grow for years to come.

The Liberals have pressed ahead with their own federal clean energy initiative, which while providing the expansion of oil pipelines with political cover also seeks to create new opportunities for corporate profits in renewable and other energy sectors.

Notley hailed Trudeau for his extraordinary leadership, before going on to concisely sum up the hopes of big business, We are getting a chance to break our land-lock. Were getting a chance to sell to China and other new markets at better prices. Were getting a chance to reduce our dependence on one market, and therefore to be more economically independent.

Big business lauds Trudeau for defying public opinion

The corporate media has rushed to praise Trudeaus decision. Important as Trans Mountain is for the Canadian ruling elites economic and geopolitical ambitions, the media also views Trudeaus support for the project in the face of widespread public opposition as a test for other tough decisions it insists must be implemented. These include the soon to be announced deployment of hundreds of troops to wage war in Africa under the fraudulent banner of peacekeeping, the implementation of an already unveiled program of privatizing public infrastructure that will funnel billions into the pockets of the super-rich through the adoption of user fees and tolls on everything from water-supply to roads and bridges, and the enforcement of further attacks on the working class including pension reform and public spending cuts.

Campbell Clark, the Globe and Mails chief political writer, summed it up in a column Wednesday. Trudeaus Trans Mountain announcement, he asserted, marks a turning point in his prime ministership. Until now, it was easy to doubt whether Mr. Trudeau had the steel to make decisions that offend. But now, continued Clark, he has shown that he is ready to implement measures he knows will anger many who supported him.

Andrew Coyne in the right-wing National Post was even more explicit. Under conditions of ongoing economic crisis and signs of growing class struggle in Canada and internationally, Coyne declared, At stake in the coming battle over the Trans Mountain pipeline is not just the fate of the project or (Trudeaus) own political fortunes, but how Canada is to be governed. It is a conflict we have been avoiding until now  Are decisions on resource use development to be made by democratically elected governments  within a framework of law defined by independent courts, or are we to be ruled in effect from the streets?

The concern of Coyne and the many others who have written along similar lines is hardly with the likes of Green Party leader Elizabeth May, who has indicated she is prepared to go to jail for engaging in acts of civil disobedience to stop Trans Mountain. May is a representative of the political establishment who played a critical role in promoting the Liberals progressive bonafides during last years election, including by offering to help negotiate a Liberal-NDP coalition in the event of a hung or minority parliament.

What troubles big business and its media mouthpieces is the prospect of growing social unrest. Although the public protests against Trans Mountain have largely been confined to British Columbia and remain under the control of pro-capitalist environmentalist and First Nations groups, the ruling class fears that the attacks to be implemented by the Liberals in the period immediately ahead and the ongoing economic crisis will trigger a working class upsurge. This is why Coyne goes on to urge Trudeau to worry less about his abilities to listen, to conciliate, to empathize and to focus more in the coming period on displaying his fathers steel.

This is a reference to the right-wing, anti-working class record of Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who in the 1970s imposed the War Measures Act and sent troops onto the streets of Quebec, imposed a three-year wage-cutting wage-control program, and in 1978 threatened to fire postal worker en masse when they defied a strike-breaking law.

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Canada must be inside Trumps walls, declares voice of financial elite

[25 November 2016]

Keystone XL pipeline rejection exemplifies Canadian elites deepening crisis

[11 November 2015]
Supporters of Republican President-elect Donald Trump went to court in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, seeking to shut down the recounts of the presidential election in all three states.

The move came as election officials in Pennsylvania said that Trumps lead in that state has been slashed from 70,000 to less than 47,000 votes. The shift was not the result of any recount, but came from counties completing the tally of overseas ballots and provisional ballots.

Trumps margins in the three states all fall well below 1 percent: 10,704 votes in Michigan, 22,177 votes in Wisconsin, and 46,765 in Pennsylvania.

The lawsuit in Wisconsin was filed in Federal District Court by the Great America PAC, the Stop Hillary PAC and Republican Senator Ron Johnson, arguing that the recount could unjustifiably cast doubt upon the legitimacy of President-Elect Donald J. Trumps victory in the state. The suit also claimed that there was significant risk that the recount would not be completed by the deadline of December 12, endangering Wisconsins 10 electoral votes.

The legal argument is significant, because it dovetails almost word for word with those made by Republican Party lawyers in the litigation that produced the infamous Bush v. Gore decision by the US Supreme Court in 2000. Specifically, the damage cited by the Bush camp which in their view justified shutting down the Florida recount was that Bushs election victory might be compromised, and that Floridas electoral votes might not be awarded at all if the count dragged on too long.

The Wisconsin argument actually cites Bush v. Gore directly, claiming that since the recount process is being conducted differently in different counties, it is unconstitutional. In 48 of the 72 counties, the recount is by hand. Fourteen counties plan to run the ballots through optical scanners (as they were counted on election day) while 10 counties will use a combination of the two.

This represents something of a Catch-22 situation, since Stein sought a uniform hand recount process throughout the state, only to be rebuffed by the Republican-controlled state government and state courts, which insisted the decision was up to each county. Now that the counties have decided differently, this is presented by the Republicans as a reason to halt the count altogether.

In Michigan, the Board of State Canvassers, meeting Friday, blocked an objection to the recount filed by Trump supporters, when it split 22 along party lines, with the two Democrats backing the recount petition brought by Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, a Republican, filed a lawsuit the same day in the Michigan Court of Appeals to stop the recount, opening a second line of attack for the Trump supporters. Schuette made the same argument as the Wisconsin suit, adding the prospective cost of the recount, for which Stein has raised more than $1 million for Michigan alone. He claimed that it was inexcusable for Stein to put Michigan voters at risk of paying millions and potentially losing their voice in the Electoral College in the process.

The claim that the recount could delay certification of Michigans electors is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, since Schuettes lawsuit itself has the effect of delaying the start of the recount, and reducing the time available for completing it before the deadline. This is exactly the calculation of those who brought the suit.

In Pennsylvania, lawyers for Trump and the state Republican Party sought to quash legal proceedings brought by Stein to force a recount, going to court late Thursday. They accused Stein of bringing mayhem to the election process and presenting no evidence of hacking or other distortion of the vote countalthough a hand recount would be required to provide such evidence. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday.

One of the lawyers involved in the Pennsylvania suit is Trumps newly-named White House counsel, Donald McGahn. All three legal actions were filed within the same 24-hour period, suggesting a high degree of coordination between the Trump transition, the Republican National Committee, and the various state Republican parties and state governments involved.

All clearly see the recount as a significant threat to the legitimacy of Trumps presidency, particularly given that he has lost the popular vote by a margin of at least 2.5 million votes, a figure which is likely to grow larger as the last ballots are counted in California. Trumps margin in the three industrial states that gave him an Electoral College majority is 79,846 votes. Clintons overall lead in the popular vote stands at 2,544,817.
The Obama administration went before the US Supreme Court this week to defend its power to indefinitely detain immigrants facing deportation proceedingsmany of them legal US residents and asylum seekerswithout granting them the right afforded to virtually anyone facing criminal prosecution to appear before a judge for a bond hearing to determine whether or not their imprisonment is justified.

Barely seven weeks before Donald Trump takes office, having vowed to deport up to 3 million people and prosecute an even more draconian crackdown against immigrants, the Democratic administration is fighting intransigently to defend one of the more egregious features of the massive and brutally repressive immigration enforcement system that it will hand over to the Republican president-elect.

Obamas acting solicitor general, Ian Gershengorn, went before the high court in an attempt to overturn a ruling by the San Francisco-based US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, which upheld a district court injunction requiring that immigrants fighting deportation orders be granted bond hearings after being held for more than six months in detention and every six months thereafter.

The 9th Circuit ruling followed a similar decision by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City, which held that people detained for more than six months in its jurisdiction, which includes New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, must be granted a bond hearing.

The original case leading to the 2015 ruling by the 9th Circuit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Alejandro Rodriguez, who came to the US with his parents as a baby, grew up in Los Angeles and worked legally as a dental assistant to support his two children. He had two minor scrapes with the law, one for joyriding when he was 19 and a second when he was convicted on misdemeanor drug possession charges when he was 24 and sentenced to five years probation.

After the second conviction, for which he was not sentenced to a single day in jail, he was picked up by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents and locked up while facing deportation proceedings to send him back to Mexico, a country he had left as an infant. He remained incarcerated for three years before immigration authorities finally dropped removal proceedings against him.

The government released Rodriguez from custody only after the ACLU filed its lawsuit on behalf of Rodriguez and similarly incarcerated immigrants in the Los Angeles area, claiming that its ending of his incarceration rendered the case moot, a contention rejected by the district and appeals courts. Rodriquez finally won his case and retained his lawful permanent resident status in the US, but only after forfeiting three years of his life.

Rodriguezs lengthy incarceration was not an aberration. The ACLU cited numerous similar cases. Among them was that of Warren Joseph, a legal permanent resident from Trinidad, who joined the US Army at the age of 21 and saw combat in the first Persian Gulf War. Sentenced to six months for violating probation, he was picked up by ICE and spent three and a half years in a for-profit immigration jail in New Jersey, suffering aggravation of injuries he incurred in the military that ultimately required hospitalization and surgery that left him with difficulty walking. In the end, the government dropped its attempt to deport him, his legal permanent residence was restored and he subsequently became a US citizen.

According to the ACLU, since the 9th Circuit ruling, judges in the Los Angeles area found about 70 percent of immigrants eligible for release at their bond hearings, and about 70 percent of those found eligible were able to post bond and go home to their families. The Obama administrations intervention is aimed at calling a halt to these releases and restoring its unfettered indefinite detention of all those fighting deportation.

Asked in the November 30 Supreme Court hearing whether he believed the court could rule that three years is too long to detain someone without justifying their incarceration, Gershengorn responded, I mean, if it were 20 years, I mean, we could go on, then, of course, that might be a concern that, in fact, we were no longer trying to effectuate removal.

The government also argued that bond hearings are unnecessary because those detained pending deportation can file individual habeas corpus petitions in federal courts. This complicated remedy is effectively denied to the majority of those incarcerated, who have no legal counsel, and, according to the ACLU, such cases take on average of 19 months to wind their way through the courts.

The governments position is that it is required to detain all immigrants subject to deportation for past crimes including drug charges and other minor offenses under a draconian law signed by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1996.

Ahilan Arulanantham, the ACLU lawyer who argued against the government, pointed out that under the USA Patriot Act, non-citizens subject to long-term detention on terrorism charges are granted hearings every six months, while those picked up for deportation based on shoplifting or minor drug possession charges are denied them under the 1996 law.

The governments appeal to the Supreme Court is effectively the defense of what amounts to a police state system in its treatment of immigrants in which the constitution does not apply.

With a remaining vacancy leaving eight members on the Supreme Court, a split decision on the case would allow the bond hearings taking place in the 9th and 2nd Circuits to continue, but provide them nowhere else. If the court rules in favor of the government, the bond hearings would be ended and indefinite detention enforced nationwide.

Just a day after the high court hearing, a Department of Homeland Security review panel issued a report recommending that the government continue locking up immigrants in private, for-profit prisons, despite multiple investigations, including by the US Commission on Human Rights, demonstrating that these facilities fail to provide even the abysmal standards of treatment and medical care prevailing in government-run prisons. Sexual and physical abuse, including of immigrant children, have been reported in a number of facilities.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson ordered the review following a decision by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to stop using private prisons because of the widespread reports of abuse.

The thrust of the panels findings was that private facilities are cheaper than public, and the DHS must prepare for dramatic surges in detention. An estimated 73 percent of immigrants detained by the government are being held in the private prisons. In at least one case, a private facility that the Bureau of Prisons stopped using because of abuses and poor standards is now being converted into an immigrant detention facility.

The projected surges in detention have led to a surge in profits for the private jailers. The value of shares in CoreCivic, the new name chosen to perfume the abysmal record of Corrections Corp. of America, increased by 67 percent in the wake of Donald Trumps election victory. Stocks in the GEO Group, another private prison company, rose by 40 percent.

The total number of immigrants in detention has already risen from a normal level of 34,000 to over 41,000, and DHS is scrambling to acquire new detention facilities.

While Trump campaigned on the basis of fascistic anti-immigrant demagogy and has vowed to deport between 2 and 3 million immigrants, whatever attacks are carried out by the incoming administration have been prepared by the administration of Barack Obama, who has been dubbed the deporter in chief. His administration is on track to deport 3 million immigrants before it leaves office, more than all the presidents who preceded him.
Under pressure from Washington and its allies, the UN Security Council imposed a new round of punitive sanctions on North Korea on Wednesday over its fifth nuclear test in September and a series of missile launches. Yesterday, the US, Japan and South Korea announced a further tightening of their own unilateral penalties on Pyongyang.

The new round of sanctions will not only raise tensions with North Korea, but also with China, which is its strategic ally and largest trading partner. The US administration is already threatening to take action against Chinese companies that fail to fully implement the UN sanctions.

North Korea is already one of the most diplomatically and economically isolated countries in the world. No formal peace treaty was signed to end the Korean War more than 60 years ago, and so the US never established diplomatic relations with North Korea and has maintained an economic embargo.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Washingtons unstated aim has been to engineer the economic and political collapse of the Stalinist regime in Pyongyang. Incapable of making any appeal to the international working class, the North Korean regime has responded with bellicose threats and a nuclear program that have only heightened the danger of a new war.

The latest UN sanctions are aimed at further crippling the North Korean economy by cutting its exports of minerals. The most significant measure is to limit the countrys annual export of coalits largest export itemto 7.5 million tonnes or $400 million in sales. The resolution also blocks the export of North Korean zinc, nickel, silver and copper and places restrictions on the number of staff at North Korean foreign missions and their bank accounts.

Altogether, it is estimated that the new economic penalties will further reduce North Koreas foreign exchange earnings by $800 million. If fully implemented, that figure represents a large inroad into the countrys export income. In 2015, North Korean exports brought in about $3 billion in total.

Lacking any significant trade with North Korea, the additional sanctions imposed by the United States, Japan and South Korea are targeted at individuals and corporations.

Washington added seven people and 16 entities to its blacklist, including Air Koryo, North Koreas national airline. Tokyo banned Japanese ships that have stopped in North Korean ports from entering Japan and expanded its list to 58 of people who are blocked from reentering Japan after visiting North Korea. Seoul has expanded its blacklist by 36 individuals and 34 North Korean companies.

More significantly, the Obama administration is threatening to take action against China if it breaches the sanctions imposed on North Korea. In comments to Reuters, Danny Russel, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said that the US would inform Beijing of any Chinese companies violating the UN resolution and expect it to act.

If the Chinese decline or fail to act, then weve made absolutely clear, not only that we reserve the right to take action on a national basis under our authorities but that we will have no choice but to do so, Russel said. Reuters reported that measures under consideration including sanctions against Chinese steel companies allegedly using North Korean coal or penalties against Chinese banks being used by North Koreans.

Russels remarks follow a series of warnings to China by US officials to strictly implement sanctions. US National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Secretary of State John Kerry stressed the need to choke off financial flows to Pyongyang during a meeting with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi in New York on November 1.

An unnamed American official bluntly told Reuters: If we are serious about leaning on the North, we have to go after the economy generally. As it turns out, the Chinese tolerance for North Korea misbehavior is higher than ours and that gap is not sustainable.

The comment underscores that fact that Washington has exploited the North Korean threat to put Beijing under pressure and to justify its military build-up in North East Asia. As part of its pivot to Asia against Beijing over past five years, the Obama administration has greatly expanded its anti-ballistic missile systems that are primarily directed toward fighting a nuclear war with China.

The Chinese government has been engaged in a balancing actattempting to force North Korea to end its nuclear programs that threaten to trigger a nuclear arms race in East Asia, while trying to ensure the Pyongyang regime does not collapse. A political implosion could allow the US and South Korea to exploit the crisis to install a pro-US regime in North Korea, on Chinas northern border.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said this week China has always enforced UN resolutions and would do so with the new one on North Korea. He noted that the resolution referred to the need to avoid creating adverse consequences for North Korean civilian and humanitarian needs, adding that the new measures were not intended to create negative effects on normal trade.

Geng reiterated Chinas call for a return to talks on North Koreas nuclear and missile programs. He also repeated Beijings opposition to US plans to place a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) installation in South Koreaa sophisticated anti-ballistic missile system.

The Obama administration has reportedly advised President-elect Donald Trump to make dealing with North Korea the number one foreign policy for his administration. Trump has yet to elaborate a coherent stance towards Pyongyang, but his erratic comments, right-wing militarist orientation and threats of trade war measures against China will almost certainly further inflame a highly volatile situation.

Another indication of Trumps determination to take a belligerent attitude to China emerged yesterday when the Financial Times reported that the president-elect had spoken by phone with Taiwans president Tsai Ing-wen. The call was the first by an American president to his Taiwanese counterpart since formal diplomatic relations were severed in 1979.

The conversation calls into question Washingtons adherence to the One China policy adopted in 1972 which acknowledges the government in Beijing as the sole legitimate ruler of all China, including Taiwan. Trumps action will provoke an angry reaction and possibly retaliation by Beijing.
The International Committee of the Fourth International calls for a no vote in tomorrow's referendum in Italy on the constitutional amendments proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The referendum would give the prime minister virtually unchecked powers to impose his party's agenda on the legislature, in a step towards authoritarian rule.

The referendum is unequivocally reactionary. The Senate would be transformed into an unelected body selected by regional officials and deprived of its vote on many government affairsin particular, of its ability to bring down a prime minister with a no-confidence vote. The referendum's Italicum measure would give a bonus to whatever party wins the most seats in the Chamber of Deputies, automatically handing it a 54 percent majority. It could then name a prime minister who would rule without any effective opposition from the legislature.

The referendum is supported by the European Union (EU), the banks, and Renzi's Democratic Party (PD). Last week, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told La Stampa, I would like to see 'Yes' win, because Renzi was carrying out the right reforms.

Their calculations were laid out, three years before Renzi proposed the referendum, in a JPMorgan Chase briefing lamenting the deep-seated political problems of southern European regimes, like that set up in Italy after World War II and the fall of the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini.

It stated, The political systems in the periphery were established in the aftermath of dictatorship, and were defined by that experience... Political systems around the periphery typically display several of the following features: weak executives; weak central states relative to regions; constitutional protection of labour rights; consensus-building systems which foster political clientelism; and the right to protest if unwelcome changes are made to the political status quo. The shortcomings of this political legacy have been revealed by the crisis.

It is not difficult to see why Renzi has now proposed this referendum with the full support of Europe's ruling elite.

Europe is mired in economic slump, and Italian banks face hundreds of billions of bad debts, after nearly a decade of deep austerity measures have discredited its political system. A wave of corporate bankruptcies and social cuts is being prepared that will provoke explosive social anger among the workers. Renzi's referendum is intended to allow the PD to act ruthlessly against working class opposition to the demands of the banks and major corporations.

The ICFI's opposition to Renzi's referendum does not lessen our irreconcilable opposition to the groups across the political spectrum in Italy issuing nationalist calls for a no vote. These include the Italian right, such as the remnants of Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, the far-right Northern League, and the fascistic Fratelli d'Italia organization. They have long demanded authoritarian measures like Renzi's amendments, but see a PD defeat tomorrow as a chance to regain power.

The Five-Star Movement (M5S) of Beppe Grillo has issued increasingly xenophobic and populist attacks against the EU, denouncing Renzi as a wounded sow. However, the M5S itself proposes to negotiate a settlement with the EU, based on a renegotiation of EU treaties and a referendum on Italy's exit from the euro currency.

Much of the PD's periphery is calling for a no vote. This includes the CGIL (General Confederation of Italian Labor) and FIOM (Italian Metalworkers Union) unions, the Italian Left composed of PD breakaways, and groups like Rifondazione Comunistathe main other tendency that emerged, besides the PD, from the break-up of the Italian Communist Party (PCI) after the Soviet bureaucracy restored capitalism in the USSR in 1991.

These groups have worked closely with the PD for decades and in Rifondazione's case, entered into government with the PD in 2006-2007 to vote pension cuts and credits for the Afghan war. They support the EU and offer no way forward for workers and youth seeking to oppose the policies of Renzi and of international finance capital.

They accommodated themselves to the capitalist state system created after World War II, based on the PCI's support for the Italian bourgeoisie and the Allied imperialist powers after the fall of Mussolini. The Stalinist PCI blocked a social revolution after World War II, betraying struggles of the working class in the Resistance. Now, a party descended from the PCI, that supported capitalist restoration in the USSR and is staffed with right-wing functionaries like Renzi, a former Christian democrat, aims to tear up what remains of the concessions granted in that period.

The critical task is to define a politically independent perspective for the working class on the issues raised by Renzi's referendum.

Whatever the outcome of the vote, the referendum will intensify the convulsive crisis engulfing the ruling classes internationally, which has been accelerated by the election of Donald Trump as US president. A yes vote would pave the way for intensified attacks on the social rights of the working class. Renzi has indicated that he may resign if the no vote carries, possibly bringing to power an anti-EU government including Grillo's M5S.

What is emerging everywhere is the conflict between the nation-state system and world economy, amid the escalating break-down of the institutions of the post-World War II orderand in Europe, the EU. After Britain voted in June to leave the EU, there is a strong possibility that an anti-EU regime could emerge in Italy, directly threatening the break-up of the EU and the euro.

Tomorrow, Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) presidential candidate Norbert Hofer could also become Western Europe's first far-right head of state, laying the groundwork for a possible chancellorship of FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache.

The ICFI opposes the referendum from the standpoint of an independent political mobilization of the working class on a European and international scale. Workers and youth in Italy opposed to Renzi's referendum face a common enemy with workers in every country across Europe: a capitalist class whose agenda of deep austerity, militarism and war drives it ever more rapidly to dictatorship.

There is deep and explosive opposition among workers and youth in Italy and across Europe. This opposition, however, must be unified and mobilized in struggle based on a clear political and historical perspective. Rifondazione and its allies have proved to be bourgeois parties and a dead end for workers.

The ICFI advances itself as the new political leadership that must be built, fighting to win workers to the perspective that, as the ruling elites turn to dictatorial forms of rule, the only viable response for the working class is international revolutionary struggle. Faced with the discrediting of European capitalism and the breakdown of its political institutions, the ICFI advances the perspective of the overthrow of the EU and its replacement by the United Socialist States of Europe.
The British Liberal Democrats won Thursdays Richmond Park by-election, overcoming a 23,000 Conservative majority in one of their safest seats.

The election in the Greater London constituency was prompted by the resignation of Tory MP Zac Goldsmith over government plans to build a third runway at Heathrow. However, it was fought out, following Junes Brexit referendum vote, over whether the UK will, in fact, leave or remain in the European Union.

The Lib Dems, who now have nine MPs, won the seat by campaigning in opposition to Brexit. They have pledged to vote against any move by Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger Article 50, beginning the process of leaving the EU, if parliament is eventually able to vote on the issue.

Lib Dem candidate Sarah Olney won just under 50 percent of the total vote. Goldsmith finished in second place running for his seat as an independent. Labour Party candidate, Christian Wolmar, trailed in third place, winning just 1,515 (3.67 percent) and losing his deposit. Large numbers of both Tory and Labour voters decided to vote for Olney.

Goldsmith is an outspoken supporter of Britain leaving the EU. The Conservatives did not stand a candidate, instead calling for a vote for Goldsmith. The far-right UK Independence Party also backed Goldsmith.

The loss of the seat reduces the Tory governments parliamentary majority to just 13.

The vote was seized on by the Liberals and other pro-EU forces as proof of the necessity to build a progressive alliance in support of EU membership, or at least continued membership of the Single Market. In her acceptance speech, Olney stated, [O]ur message is clear: we do not want a hard Brexit. We do not want to pull out of the single market.

Party leader Tim Farrow declared, Nearly a third of Tory voters from the last election who voted to leave in June voted Liberal Democrat yesterday, adding that this was about people trying to say to Theresa May we do not like the extreme version of Brexitoutside the single marketthat youre taking us down.

The Green Party stood aside in the election in order to back Olney. Caroline Lucas, the Greens sole MP, stated Friday, The regressive alliance has been defeated and the government has suffered a hammer blow to its hard Brexit plans.

The vote has heightened significance given the four-day Supreme Court hearing starting next Monday, at which the government is challenging last months decision by the High Court that the prime minister cannot bypass parliament and use Royal Prerogative powers to trigger Article 50.

However, Richmond Park was hardly a bellwether constituency regarding the national mood over Brexit. The June referendum recorded a narrow Leave victory nationally, with 52 percent voting to leave and 48 percent to remain. But London boroughs voted 59 percent in favour of remain. Richmond Park, an affluent constituency with the second highest concentration of older, wealthy professionals in the UK, voted heavily in favour of remain by a majority of 72 percent.

Pro-Brexit forces responded to the pro-EU assertions of the Liberal Democrats that they had won the seat on a turnout of only 53 percent, a 23 percent drop on the general election in a constituency that would naturally favour their line. The next by-election-to be held on December 8 in the seat of Sleaford and North Hykeham in, Lincolnshire, northern England, would show a pro-Brexit result, they insisted.

The Sleaford and North Hykeham election was prompted by the resignation of Tory MP Stephen Phillips, with a majority of more than 24,000, who opposed Mays decision to bypass parliament in triggering Article 50.

How the numbers are crunched is less important politically than the fact that British politics is being recast on the basis of support for a pro- or anti-EU programme. The deepening economic crisis post-Brexit, fuelled by the heightened political uncertainty resulting from Donald Trumps disputed victory in the US presidential election, is reshaping political loyalties in ways that cross party lines. Every event is being seized on to justify the agendas of the two bitterly opposed camps within ruling circles.

A Tory spokesman responded with the aggressive assertion, This [Richmond Park] result doesnt change anything. The government remains committed to leaving the European Union and triggering article 50 by the end of March next year.

While this will endear May to the partys substantial pro-Brexit hard core block of 80 MPs and the wider party base, it will further alienate its pro-EU wing. Conservative MP Anna Soubry, a vocal remain supporter, tweeted that the Richmond result was sensational adding, [P]oliticians ignore Remainers at their peril & u [you] can forget hardbrexit.

The fissures over Europe tearing the Tories apart are also impacting on Labour, with the staunchly pro-EU Blairite wing stepping up their efforts to remove Jeremy Corbyn as leader and recast the party as the main political vehicle to prevent Brexit. Prior to the Richmond campaign, three senior Labour MPsLisa Nandy, Jonathan Reynolds and Clive Lewiswrote an article calling on Labour not to stand in order to put the national interest first. The article denounced Goldsmith as a hard Brexiteer, adding, the vote against him must not be split. With a nod to the formation of a cross party pro-EU movement, it added, In this coming Parliament progressives will need every vote they can get.

The Richmond result will be used to put additional pressure on Corbyn.

The immediate aftermath of Junes referendum was used by the Blairites to launch an attempted coup against Corbyn by forcing a leadership election on the basis that he was only lukewarm on the UKs EU membership.

Even after defeating these efforts, thanks to broad popular support, Corbyn has continued with his capitulations to the rightmost recently in his decision not to back a parliamentary motion calling for an investigation into former Prime Minister Tony Blairs lies justifying the illegal war against Iraq.

Within hours of the defeat of the Scottish National Party motion, thanks to Corbyns cowardice, Blair announced the formation of a new political lobby group on a platform designed to build a new policy agenda for the centre ground. He added that Part of its focus will plainly be around the European debate.

In calling for an active boycott, the Socialist Equality Party insisted during the referendum campaign that the pro and anti-EU factions of the ruling elite are both reactionary.

The advocates of Brexit base their strategy on calculations that the EU is in its death throes and that British imperialism must be freed from all constraints on its ability to exploit global markets. On this basis, the May government is cravenly seeking the endorsement of Trump, a Brexit supporter, while at the same time making concerted efforts to develop closer economic ties with China and India.

The Socialist Equality Party has insisted the Remain camp, representing the interests of the financial swindlers in the city of London, is solely concerned with access to the Single Market and is happily adopting wholesale the anti-immigration rhetoric of the Brexiteers, demanding restrictions on, or an end to, free movement of EU citizens to the UK. In their endorsement of the EU, they glorify the institution hated by millions of workers across the continent due to its continued imposition of austerity.
US Pacific Command (PACOM) chief Admiral Harry B. Harris visited Sri Lanka late last month to stress the islands importance for the US military buildup in the Indo-Pacific region against China.

Harris, the first four-star US officer to visit Sri Lanka in almost a decade, told the Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference that he was pleased to be deepening the military-to-military relationship between the two countries. He was the key speaker at the annual security meeting, which was attended by senior naval officials from 42 countries, including the US, India, Pakistan, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands. The official theme of this years event was, Fostering Strategic Maritime Partnerships.

Harriss visit was part of ongoing US efforts to boost military ties with Sri Lanka after the pro-US Maithripala Sirisena became president in the January 2015 election. Washington was instrumental in this regime-change operation which ousted former President Mahinda Rajapakse and elevated Sirisena into the Sri Lankan presidency.

While the US had backed Rajapakses anti-democratic methods and the brutal communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Washington was hostile to his close relations with Beijing.

Commenting on the new regime in Colombo, Harris praised Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, declaring that under their rule the people of Sri Lanka have witnessed the restorative effects of democracy in action. The PACOM chief said he admired the new Sri Lankan governments continued commitment to justice and the rule of law and expanded cooperation with the United States.

To claim that Sri Lankans were witnessing the effects of democracy is a patent lie. The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government is systematically suppressing the democratic rights and living conditions of ordinary Sri Lankans, deepening the methods employed by the Rajapakse administration. The only significant change is the abrupt shift of Sri Lankan foreign policy in favour of Washington and New Delhi and the closer integration of the island-nations armed forces with the US military.

Sri Lanka matters to United States, Harris told the conference, because of its strategic location near vital trade routes between the Indian and Pacific oceans. You cant get from Hormuz to Malaccaor from the Red Sea to the South China Seawithout going near Sri Lanka, he declared. The Strait of Malacca sees over 25 percent of global oil shipments each day, and the South China Sea sees $5.3 trillion in annual global trade. Modern life everywhere depends on this regions stability.

Harriss remarks about the South China Sea are significant. Washington is hostile to Beijings claims to the South China Sea. Over the past five years, the US has provocatively encouraged Vietnam and the Philippines to aggressively pursue their claims to parts of the South China Sea and has forged closer military ties with those countries against China.

The PACOM chief told the Colombo security conference that the US would continue to invoke its freedom of navigation operations against China. We must expand partnerships among like-minded nations to uphold the rules-based global operating system, he said, calling for a principled security network to ensure equal access for all nations.

The phrase freedom of navigation is a political smokescreen to justify US naval operations anywhere without challenge, in particular its military buildup against Beijing.

The US Pacific Command has sent several war ships into the South China Sea provocatively exercising its so-called freedom of navigation operations close to Chinese-claimed islets. The latest of these occurred in October when the USS Decatur, a guided missile destroyer, sailed near a 12-nautical-mile territorial limit claimed by China in the area. These reckless actions pose the danger of a military clash between the two nuclear-armed nations, which could rapidly escalate into a global conflict.

As part of this military buildup, Washington is also seeking to mobilise India as a frontline state against China. Addressing a security dialogue meeting in New Delhi in March, Harris asked India to participate in joint naval patrols in the Indian and the Pacific oceans. He also called on India to join the US and its two most important Asian-Pacific military allies, Japan and Australia, in a quadrilateral security dialogue.

The PACOM commander thanked Sri Lanka for its military involvement in UN operations in Lebanon, Mali, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan and noted the increased number of US navy visits to the island-nation over the past five years. Since March the USS Blue Ridge, USS New Orleans and USS Frank Cable have visited Colombo.

Late last month the USS Somerset spent three days in the deep-sea port of Trincomalee in the eastern province. The USS Somerset was to provide basic military and small-boat operational training for members of the Sri Lankan navy and marines. The exercises were for so-called humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Harris later visited Sri Lankas Trincomalee naval base and inspected the deep-water harbor, which is regarded as a vital strategic asset by the US and Indian militaries.

The integration of Sri Lankan and US military forces is being facilitated by the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government behind the backs of Sri Lankan working class and the poor. In line with Washingtons increasingly reckless geo-strategic manoeuvres, Colombo is actively preparing the country to be used as a launching pad for US military operations in the Indian Ocean.

The danger of a major military conflict with China will intensify under the incoming US President Donald Trump who has already indicated that his administration will take punitive trade measures against China.
The new report from the Legislative Audit Office ought to add to the momentum that already exists for revising Nebraskas main business incentive program.

The report showed that the cost of adding a job under the Nebraska Advantage Act ranged from $24,500 to a gargantuan $320,000, depending on the methodology used.

Given the increased public interest in the cost of tax incentives and the projected state budget shortfall in coming years, we need to talk about whether we can continue this program in its current form, Sen. Dan Watermeier, chair of the Performance Audit Committee, said in a statement released with the report.

The audit is the first done since a bill passed in 2015 required all economic developments to be reviewed at least every three years.

The results show that such reviews are overdue.

The Advantage Act has been under scrutiny for a variety of reasons. Anti-tax advocates have begun criticizing the tax breaks as corporate welfare. In a report earlier this year the Platte Institute for Economic Research suggested that reducing overall tax rates might do more to encourage growth.

In a report delivered at the Governors Summit on Economic Development, SRI International said the Advantage Act tax credits target almost any kind of job at present, reflecting Nebraskas needs in years gone by.

The program is best suited to the needs of established, larger firms on a steady path to expansion. There are plenty of firms in Nebraska like that who are glad for this support. However, this design tends not to help high-technology, high-skill, fast-growing firms with modest capital needs, SRI said.

The firm suggested that the incentives be revised so that they better serve the needs of those businesses Nebraska is targeting for the future.

The audit supported the characterization of the program as one that primarily benefited existing employers. Only nine of 78 companies with Advantage Act projects were new to Nebraska.

The program offers tax credits for investments and job creation. The audit seemed to show that the law has been more successful in encouraging investment than job creation. Two-thirds of the credits were due to investments. Local projects approved under the law included Sandhills Publishings new Cyber Center, Zoetis $60 million plant expansion and Monolith Materials plan to make Lincoln its manufacturing headquarters.

The report showed that costs of the program have exceeded expectations. In 2013, for example, the cost of the program ballooned to $108 million, almost double the predicted maximum of $60 million.

The first audit of a business incentive program was hampered by unavailability of some data, but it definitely proved that regular audits have merit. We look forward to proposed improvements in the next session of the Legislature.
As troubled Japanese auto supplier Takata Corp. prepares for a possible U.S. bankruptcy filing, potential bidders are poring over a recent U.S. court ruling that could expose a buyer to liability for the company's defective airbags, sources have told Reuters.

Takata faces potentially billions of dollars in costs from the world's largest automotive recall, stemming from millions of its airbags that were equipped with malfunctioning inflators.

The company has said it is seeking a financial backer. But interested bidders, if the parts maker goes up for sale, want Takata to put its U.S. business into bankruptcy first, the sources said.

Autoliv Inc., Key Safety Systems Inc., Flex-N-Gate Corp. and Daicel Corp. -- bidding together with Bain Capital LP -- proposed bankruptcy for Takatas U.S. unit at meetings with automakers last month in New York as a way to limit liabilities, people familiar with the process told Bloomberg.

Generally, U.S. bankruptcy law allows a bidder to buy assets free and clear of lawsuits and other liabilities, and the selling company uses the money to repay its creditors.

General Motors used the strategy when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. The automaker quickly sold its best assets to a so-called "new GM," scrubbed free of billions of dollars of debt, which enabled the company to withstand an economic crisis.

In July, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan held that General Motors Co., the "new GM," could be sued over faulty ignition switches made by "old GM."

The ruling set what some see as a troubling precedent.

"What that says to me: buyer beware," said Henry Jaffe, a bankruptcy lawyer with Pepper Hamilton in Wilmington, Del., who represents debtors and creditors. Jaffe said the ruling could undercut what bidders are willing to pay for Takata.

Takata's airbags use a chemical compound that can explode with excessive force after prolonged exposure to hot conditions and have been linked to at least 16 deaths globally, mainly in the United States. About 100 million Takata airbag inflators have been classified as defective, leading to continuing safety recalls.

Last month, the company received proposals from five bidders, all of whom have presented plans that require Takata to file for a GM-style bankruptcy protection.

Takata's creditors include automakers who want to be reimbursed for millions of dollars spent on recalls. They may also demand that any buyer of Takata's assets share in some of those costs.

The automakers could also try to use the tools of bankruptcy to protect themselves from lawsuits by car owners for the faulty airbags, according to bankruptcy attorneys.

The U.S. government is also likely to play a role. Takata is operating under a five-year, $200 million consent decree with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Given the uncertainties, bidders could propose using "holdback," bankruptcy lawyers said. Some sale money would remain in escrow and be used to settle any unanticipated legal claims against the buyer. Over time, unused money would be released to the Takata bankruptcy estate.

Takata and its creditors would likely resist a holdback, lawyers said.

In Japan, Takata CFO Yoichiro Nomura told reporters on Friday that the company hoped to reach an agreement with its automaker customers on a restructuring by year end. He said the company preferred to avoid bankruptcy.

Takata has posted a net loss in three of the past four financial years, but it remains one of the auto industry's biggest suppliers of airbag systems. The company is also one of the world's top seatbelt producers, and makes steering wheels, electronic control units and child safety seats.

'Give a buyer heartburn'

To get a sale approved quickly, a Takata buyer may have to assume some legal obligations, an approach used by "new GM" which took on 15 categories of liabilities.

"That will give a buyer heartburn," said Bill Weintraub at Goodwin Procter in New York, who worked with ignition switch plaintiffs on the GM appeals court case.

GM has said it plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the July ruling, which it said wrongly punishes it, the buyer, for mistakes made by "old GM," the seller. The company and business groups have argued that the ruling, if allowed to stand, will depress the value of assets that are sold in bankruptcy.

Those who are close to GM and Takata are quick to point out the situations of the two companies differ in key ways.

Takata's airbags have been subject to headline-grabbing recalls for years. By contrast, some GM engineers knew its ignition switches were faulty when it introduced them in 2002 but concealed the problem until 2014, five years after its bankruptcy sale.

Because of the concealment, the court of appeals reasoned that GM's customers had been denied the opportunity to object or file a claim over the ignition switch defects as part of GM's bankruptcy and sale. To remedy the lack of notice, the court said car owners could pursue a class action against the buyer of GM rather than the bankruptcy estate.

Takata's notoriety could work to the advantage of bidders, ensuring potential claims have been identified.

"You have a known problem," said bankruptcy lawyer Ed Weisfelner, who also represented some ignition switch plaintiffs in the GM appeal case.

The GM ruling only binds U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in one of 11 U.S. judicial circuits, and Takata may look to other courts.

In its appeals case, GM cited precedent in the 3rd U.S. Circuit, which it said is more protective of buyers in bankruptcy sales.

Takata's main U.S. subsidiary, Michigan-based TK Holdings Inc., is incorporated in Delaware, giving the company access to the state's prominent bankruptcy court and 3rd U.S. Circuit precedent.

"Any bankruptcy judge will be really nervous about this one," said John Pottow, a professor at University of Michigan Law School who specializes in bankruptcy.

Additional reporting by Kevin Krolicki and David Shepardson in Washington, Jessica DiNapoli in New York and Naomi Tajitsu in Tokyo.

Bloomberg contributed to this report.




Recently, a petition for reinstating the death penalty gained enough signatures to be voted on in the November election, where it won. The death penalty has returned to our state, a decision I see as a costly one. The death penalty is nothing short of a waste of government resources that is only in effect to prove a point ("Ricketts dismisses secrecy concerns," Nov. 30).

In a recent study by Creighton University economic professor Dr. Ernest Goss, Nebraska has been found to spend an estimated $14.6 million on the death penalty system annually. This comes down to about $1.5 million per death penalty case. With only three inmates being executed since its re-introduction in Nebraska back in 1973, the death penalty is nothing short of a waste of the taxpayer's money and a burden on our legal system.

The death penalty is far too costly to keep around, especially when you consider how rarely it is actually used. Though some may argue that the death penalty is worth keeping around because of its theoretical ability to steer criminals in the other direction, I dont believe this hypothetical positive to be worth close to $15 million annually.

Tyler Martin, Hickman
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) - A minister accused of embezzling more than $200,000 from a church where he served for 16 years has pleaded guilty to a single count of mail fraud.

The Savannah Morning News (http://bit.ly/2gRcPJU ) reports 47-year-old Rev. Corey MeGill Brown pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Brunswick.

Brown told U.S. District Court Chief Judge Lisa Godbey Wood he was pleading guilty because he was, in fact, guilty.

The plea involved a $540 check made payable to Second African Baptist Church from a member for her June tithe. As part of Brown's plea, Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlie Bourne said the government would dismiss the remaining charges in the 64-count indictment. Brown also would be held accountable for restitution to the victims.

Wood allowed Brown to remain free on $20,000 bond pending sentencing.

___

Information from: Savannah Morning News, http://www.savannahnow.com

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Students at Florida State University got the opportunity to find out their sexual health status on Friday.

The Neighborhood Medical Center provided free HIV and syphilis testing by Strozier Library on FSU's campus.

It was offered beginning at 10 a.m. and wrapped up at 5p.m.

More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, although 1 in 8 don't know they have the virus.

About 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States in 2015.

Organizers said that it's important for college-aged students to get tested.

"HIV/AIDS, it affects everyone. It doesn't have a particular color, creed, sexual orientation, race, or anything like that, that it's constricted to. So I think the population at large needs to be aware and informed about the disease and ways we can protect ourselves from contracting the disease," said Eric Walker.

FSU medical students are also hosting the 2nd Annual HIV and AIDS Awareness Candlelight Vigil Friday at 6 p.m. in the atrium of Florida States College of Medicine.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Police have revealed more about the details surrounding a woman's death after she was exposed to a cleaner's toxic fumes on Thursday.

The Tallahassee Police Department said that an initial investigation shows that 48-year-old Ada Skverckas was using industrial chemicals inside the business on Thursday, when she passed out from the fumes.

This comes after police found Skverckas in critical condition with four others who were exposed to the fumes at the Flying Unicorn Scrapbook business on Capital Circle SE.

Police said that the final cause of death will not be determined until the toxicology results are returned from the autopsy, which was performed earlier Friday.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call TPD at (850) 891-4200 or if they wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee man is behind bars after he admitted to police that he downloaded child pornography.

On Thursday, detectives with the Leon County Sheriff's Office as well as Special Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations searched a home on East Millers Bridge Road as part of an investigation that began in September.

Detectives had connected an IP address that was uploading and storing child pornography to the home owned by Matthew Conrad.

They said that they interviewed Conrad, who admitted to having and downloading child pornography files.

Conrad was arrested and charged with 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

Detectives said that the investigation is ongoing and that more charges are pending.
OMAHA -- It wasn't the sendoff Gov. Pete Ricketts usually receives at a town hall meeting.

About 70 people, most of them deaf or hard of hearing, fluttered hands above their shoulders in silent applause following an hourlong session Friday in a conference room at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Milo Bail Student Center.

The town hall was the first by a Nebraska governor to specifically serve the state's deaf and hard of hearing communities.

Pete Seiler, an advocate from Omaha who helped organize the meeting, called it a "footstep in the door."

"It's more than what we've ever had in the past," he said.

Aided by a sign-language interpreter and two projectors fed by a real-time stenographer, Ricketts spoke for about 20 minutes before taking half a dozen questions from the audience.

Most of them focused on the challenge many deaf and hard of hearing people face in getting hired or getting state services.

One woman spoke of the isolation and loneliness deaf people can experience in nursing homes full of hearing people.

Ricketts suggested social networking could be arranged through the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, an independent state agency not under the governor's control, or through the Department of Health and Human Services, which the governor oversees.

Steve Manning of Omaha, a member of the commission, said people who cannot hear often struggle to use state-run websites or to get interpreters to interact with government by phone for them.

"There's actually a list of agencies failing to provide equal access to services, and to provide effective communication," he said. "To be frank -- quite a long list."

Ricketts said the state can't hire interpreters who only work a fraction of the time, but help is available to those who seek it.

"It's really important to be proactive and let us know what resources you need ahead of time," the governor said.

Lindsay Darnall Jr., another advocate, said many deaf people have horror stories of discrimination from private businesses.

"As a fellow Republican, I truly believe that we need to encourage all people to become independent, to be able to be employed, pay taxes and so on, instead of being dependent on state welfare."

Yet people's attitudes toward those who are deaf or hard of hearing can get in the way, Darnall said.

The governor encouraged people to share specific stories of discrimination so they can be addressed case by case, and to help "catch people doing the right things" so good behavior can be promoted.

Ricketts' appearance Friday "just speaks volumes," said Amber McLaughlin, whose family moved to Omaha from Scottsbluff after learning her daughter Leah, now 7, was hard of hearing.

"We just appreciate that he's even bringing to light our community ... and the issues that we face."

Leah, who is deaf in one ear and uses a hearing aid in the other, greeted Ricketts after the meeting. The governor quizzed her about her missing baby teeth, then compared her Tooth Fairy winnings with the going rate when he was a boy.

Others in the audience included half a dozen UNO students studying to become sign-language interpreters, and a group from the Hearing Loss Association of America's Omaha chapter.

About 1 percent of Nebraska's population is deaf, said John Wyvill, executive director of the deaf commission. And 9 percent of the state's population is hard of hearing, with even more -- 20 percent-plus -- experiencing some form of hearing loss.

That's about 371,200 people.

"We're taxpayers," said Doug McElwain, president of the Omaha hearing loss chapter.

"We're not a huge amount of people. But we're still there, and we count, and we vote."
It seems difficult to connect Lincolns building of an air terminal with the first woman in the U.S. to be a delegate to the Electoral College and for the terminal itself to also twice be a U. S. military base yet the stories all unite in Nebraskas capital city.

With the presidential election of 1920, Nebraska chose Mrs. H.H. Wheeler of Lincoln to hand carry the state's eight Republican electoral votes for Warren Harding to Washington D.C. Not only was Mrs. Wheeler the first woman in the U.S. to deliver any states electoral votes, but she decided to make the trip by airplane rather than train.

On Jan. 20, 1921, there was a just-completed grass landing field which ran from about todays 19th and Van Dorn streets, where a small parking lot was created just west of Irving Middle School, south to Calvert Street. Inexplicably, however, this was not the field Mrs. Wheelers pilot chose. Instead, after being delayed several hours by bad weather, the two-seat, open-cockpit airplane finally arrived and landed on one of Lincoln Country Clubs fairways east of Goochs Mill around Sixth Street between Washington and South streets and flew Mrs. Wheeler first to Omaha, then on to Des Moines, Iowa.

Unfortunately, the planned, many-legged flight to Washington ultimately was completed by train after winter weather again intervened in the still unprecedented journey.

Experimental and demonstration flights had occurred in Lincoln at least as early as 1910 while the U.S. Post Office began investigating the possibility of instigating air mail deliveries in 1918. On April 1, 1922, Charles A. Lindbergh arrived in Lincoln to learn to fly using the 19th Street field and although Lindbergh was not involved, an airplane from that landing field crashed into the Everett house at 2433 Woodscrest which had to be reinforced with special roof supports to make the residence plane proof.

Some months later architect Ernst Herminghaus laid out Woodshire Residential Park west of the new Lincoln Country Club on 20th Street and by the mid-1920s the landing field was relocated north of todays Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on South 14th Street.

In 1927, United Airlines made its first landing in Lincoln and the following year the first air mail landing in the city occurred. Also in 1927 the American Legion, in cooperation with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, began a plan to establish a municipal airfield for Lincoln. Three tracts were optioned and in 1928 160 acres of farm land a half mile north of Capital Beach were purchased for $36,000. A bond issue to develop the landing field then passed 6,334 to 6,173 and the new field hosted another United Airlines flight in 1928 before the field was even completed.

In 1929 regular air mail service began, and in June 1930 the field was officially dedicated as Lindbergh Field.

In the 1930s a brick, one-story terminal with an attached two-story tower located on approximately West Adams Street was completed and shared the field with the Lincoln Airplane & Flying Schools hangar immediately adjacent to the west. In about 1940, the flying school relocated to Union Airport northwest of Havelock.

With World War II, Lindbergh Field, then renamed Lincoln Municipal Field to avoid confusion with a similarly named field in California, relocated non-military flights to Union Airport and the municipal landing field became Lincoln Army Airfield which was expanded to 3,000 acres.

In 1945 the military airfield was decommissioned and returned to the city of Lincoln with portions retained as the Naval Reserve Training Station and later the Nebraska Air National Guard. A short time later Lincoln instituted United Airlines non-stop flights to New York City and San Francisco.

Lincoln Airforce Base again was reactivated in 1952. Oak Creek was straightened through the area, and the city agreed to build a $200,000 terminal with funds accumulated from airport rentals. When small civilian aircraft could no longer be accommodated on the West Adams field, Union Airport was improved with funds partially generated by the Chamber of Commerce for use as a municipal airport.

A five-member Airport Authority Board was created by the city in 1959 and although a possible new terminal and field east of Lincoln was considered, it was decided instead to expand and build a new terminal adjacent to the airbase. An eight-gate addition was built to that terminal in 1962 and two years later, with the airbase again deactivated, the municipal Union Airport operation was moved back to West Adams.

In 1968, another new terminal, to be largely paid for by the airlines, was considered and a Chicago firm hired to study the concept. The Lincoln architecture firm, Davis, Fenton, Stange & Darling partnered with Enersen, Hamersky, Schlaebitz, Burroughs & Thomsen and the pair was hired to design a new terminal.

This building of brick, weather-tempered steel and glass with a 300-foot lobby was designed to accommodate two major airlines and several smaller feeder lines. The original design allowed possible expansion with two additional gates at each end of the building and ultimately a mirror-image terminal addition and parking garage across the street to the west southwest. This new terminal complex opened in 1974-75 at a cost of $3.8 million.

With an expansion in 1988, todays terminal complex covers 5,500 acres and serves the Nebraska Air National Guard and the Army National Guard. It has twice been a U.S. military base and its long runway is even considered a potential emergency landing facility for the U.S. space shuttle.

Although the Lincoln Municipal Airport is still a taxing authority, it has never levied taxes
The Iranian government has reportedly earned some 2 billion euros over the last decade from it shares in ThyssenKrupp, a German-based conglomerate contracted to build submarines for the Israeli Navy.

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The governmet-owned Iran Foreign Investment Company (IFIC) got an 18.5 percent dividend from ThyssenKrupp in 2006, according to a report from Haaretz published 10 years ago.

INS Rahav going from Germany to Israel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

In 2011, IFIC reported that it holds a 4.5 percent stake in ThyssenKrupp. Meanwhile, in an interview with The Business Year, the head of the Iranian investment firm Dr. Farhad Zargari, confirmed that the IFIC held ThyssenKrupp shares, but didnt reveal how many.

As the central body responsible for foreign investments for the government, the IFIC has a huge responsibility in strengthening Irans world economic relations, Dr. Zargari said.

The IFIC has investments in 22 countries on five continents. It has stakes in companies such as British Petroleum, ThyssenKrupp, Adidas, and other large multinational corporations, Zargari said in an interview released by the IFIC a few months ago.

The IFIC has reported that its has invested $1.5 billion in foreign companies, 57 percent of which are in Europe.
NEW YORK- A Romanian-born man was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison after he was convicted on U.S. charges that he conspired with two former European officials to sell $17 million worth of weapons to undercover informants posing as Colombian rebels.

Virgil Flaviu Georgescu, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams in Manhattan after a federal jury in May found him guilty on charges, including that he conspired to kill officers and employees of the United States.

At trial, Georgescu denied wrongdoing and claimed he engaged in the deal to help the Central Intelligence Agency, calling the agency in 2012 to inform it of what he understood was a plot by the Colombian rebel group FARC to procure weapons.

But Abrams said she did not accept that claim, saying Georgescu appeared to have at best had a "change of heart" after those calls and later "simply chose to lie and try to get others to lie to avoid the consequences of his conduct."

Georgescu, a U.S. citizen born in Romania, was arrested in Montenegro in 2014 following a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sting operation.
SYDNEY - Former U.S. astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted photos on Saturday of his recovery in a New Zealand hospital after he was evacuated from the South Pole due to illness.

Aldrin, 86, who was visiting the pole as part of a tourist group, was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, early on Friday local time when his condition deteriorted.

He has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and is in a stable condition, according to his official website.

Aldrin appeared in good spirits on Saturday after receiving a visit from NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman at Christchurch Hospital.
In Israel, they are viewed as brothers in every sense, but a new study has proven that the Druze are a lot closer to the Jews than most people think.

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Sociologists, linguists, ad historians have been fascinated by the origins of the Druze for over 1000 years. The Druze, who are concentrated in the mountainous regions of southern Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, is a sect of Islam with Hindu, Jewish, and Christian influences. The religion was actually started in Egypt during the reign of the sixth Fatimid Caliph named Al-Haki bi Amr Allah, who reigned from 996-1021.

After the Caliphs disappearance in the mountains around Cairo, the Druze moved north, where Jewish explorer Benjamin of Tudela found them during his travels in the 12th century.

Druze IDF officers and IDF trackers (Photo: Aviyahu Shapira)

Geneticists recently began to trace the genetic roots of the sect, and discovered in 2013 that the genes of many Druze show that they originate in Turkey.

However, in a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, Israeli researcher Dr. Eran Elhaik from the Department of Animal and Plant Life at the University of Sheffield in the UK discovered that the genetic roots of the community come from north eastern Turkey, Armenia, and Northern Iraq.

The research team took DNA samples from 400 Israeli-Druze and from over 1000 other Eurasians over the course of two years.

What they discovered was shocking; The Druze are genetically closer to people in the Caucuses, Turkey, and Ashkenazi Jews then they are to any other ethnic group in the Middle East.

Israeli Foreign Minister with members of the Druze community (Photo: Ariel Harmoni)

Dr. Elhaik says that the DNA origins of Ashkenazi Jews and Druze come from a mountainous area where several ancient villages whose names derive from the word Ashkenaz were found.

It is well known that Ashkenazi Jews lived in villages in what is now north eastern Turkey during the Middle Ages in an area called Ancient Ashkenaz. While the two communities would have coexisted during that time, it seems that at some point, the Jews moved north into the Khazar kingdom and onwards into Europe, while the Druze moved south into what is now Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.

The two peoples  the Jews and the Druze  share a common origin. Benjamin of Teluda even commented on the affection the two communities had for each other. Its logical to assume that there were conversions and intermarriage in both directions between the communities.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman spoke about the settlements legalization bill at the Saban Forum hosted at the Brookings Institute on Friday.

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He argued that voting on the bill should be postponed until after Donald Trump takes his oath of office in January.

My recommendation is to wait for the new (US) administration, and together create a new policy, the foreign minister said.

FM Avigdor Lieberman at the Saban Forum

X

I believe we should postpone making any decision until after January 22nd, Lieberman added. Ive made it clear that this is my position, both in the cabinet and in public.

When asked about the peace process with the Palestinians, Lieberman was quoted as saying there is no peace and there is no process, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Lieberman at the Saban Forum (Photo: Saban Forum)

We have proven that we want a logical solution to the problem, but for a solution, we need a strong, real partner  and I dont think that the Palestinian side has anyone (strong enough). Mahmoud Abbas doesnt have the ability to represent the Palestinian people; he has no legitimacy, he said.

There were supposed to be elections in 2010, the defense minister continued, and he doesnt control Gaza What we need now is an intermediary agreement which will last several years in order to build trust between the sides and to wait for a real opportunity.

Lieberman was asked if he had spoken to any members of the Saudi Royal Family on the issue with the Palestinians, and responded by saying I dont remember, but we have a lot of contacts with our neighbors in the region. His response again drew laughter from the crowd.

Regarding moving the US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Lieberman said we have seen candidates during every US election cycle say that they will move the embassy to Jerusalem. Well wait and see. We have enough challenges facing us, and I think that it is a mistake to turn the embassy issue into a central issue.
BEIJING - At least 38 people have died in two separate coal mine disasters in China in the last five days, state media said, the latest accidents in a country with a poor record of industrial safety.

In the first incident, authorities confirmed on Friday night that 21 people died after a coal mine blast in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, the official Xinhua news agency said.

It happened at a private coal mine in Qitaihe city late on Tuesday, trapping 22 workers underground, it said. Rescue work continues to reach the one person left trapped.

On Saturday, 17 people died in a coal mine explosion in northern China's Inner Mongolia region, Xinhua added.
Its hard to believe that nobody ever thought of this before  silky hummus topped by pulled barbeque beef that falls off the fork (or the pita, as the case may be.) The host is Marun Issa, a long-time Arab restaurateur, in his hole-in-the-wall hummus joint, a Haifa icon, called Abu Maruns.

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Its slow-cooked short ribs on top of Abu Maruns hummus, Israeli chef Mattan Abrahams told The Media Line. Its American Southern comfort food meets Arabic breakfast comfort food.

Its also Jewish chef meets Arab chef as part of the Al-Sham festival in downtown Haifa, an Arab food festival which pairs Jewish and Arab chefs together to offer modern takes on traditional Arab recipes. Last year, 40,000 Israelis attended the festival and this year organizers are hoping for even more.

Hummus with pulled barbeque beef (Photo: Linda Gradstein/ The Media Line)

The festival comes after a series of forest fires, some of them deliberately set by Palestinians, raged through parts of Haifa, completely destroying more than 500 homes and damaging 1300 others. The damage in Haifa is estimated at tens of millions of dollars, but Haifa mayor Yona Yahav said the Al-Sham festival will go ahead as planned.

I hope people from all over will come to support us by coming to the festival, Yahav told The Media Line. I want them to go around and see the scenery. This is the most beautiful city in Israel.

Al-Sham means the Levant, and refers to the area that is today Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. The area has a unique culinary tradition that uses grains, vegetables and herbs as its base.

The brainchild behind the festival is Nof Atamnah-Ismaeel, an Israeli-Arab winner of Israels Master Chef competition two years ago. She also happens to have a PhD in microbiology, and worked as a researcher.

We take dishes that are threatened with becoming extinct, and we modernize them, she told The Media Line. To preserve dishes you have to modernize them, or you will lose them. Our palate has changed and we dont like the same things we liked 100 or 200 years ago. If you take a dish and add modern touches, people will embrace it.

She decided to choose from her stable of 300 Arab recipes, and pair Arab and Jewish chefs to come up with a modern version of each dish. The collaboration is important for both chefs, she said. The dishes will be sold for up to $9 at the festival, giving patrons a chance to sample a wide range.

If you are an Arab chef and you remember how a dish tasted in your grandmothers house, your heart wont let you change it, she said. The Jewish chef does not have these memories, and comes to the dish with a pure clean mind. Together they balance each other and create the perfect dish with both tradition and modern touches.

The city of Haifa has long been a model of coexistence in Israel. While Jerusalem has a higher percentage of Arab residents (about one-third), most Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem live separately. In Haifa, the populations live together, and eat in each others restaurants.

Mayor Yahav said the citys coexistence traces back to the first mayor of Haifa, Hassan Bey Shukri. A Muslim, he was appointed by the Turks in 1914, and survived several assassination attempts after he announced his support for Zionist immigration to Palestine. He fled to Beirut in 1936, and when he died four years later, many of the Jewish notables in Haifa attended his funeral.

Rainbow over Haifa (Photo: Guy Avraham)

This is the only place on earth which has had full peace between Jews and Arabs for more than 100 years, mayor Yahav said. I dont have an intelligent answer for why coexistence works here and not in Akko or Tel Aviv, but it shows it is possible.

The idea of the festival is that attendees will get a map with the location of all of the participating restaurants. Each restaurant will have a signature dish, such as al-basha oaskru, which the map describes as a Syrian dish, meaning the pasha and his soldiers. Shishbarak dumplings (the soldiers) and a bulgur wheat kibbeh (the pasha) are cooked in yoghurt.

There is also the hummus around the world project. Seven Arab chefs will host Israeli chefs for an international take on hummus. Besides the pulled beef, there will be Thai hummus with kao phat, ground beef seasoned with Thai roots, basil and a fried egg. There will also be a Greek-inspired hummus with lima beans, lamb kebabs and eggplant. For those who prefer Mexican food, there will even be a hummus taco with avocado, tahini, veal and Habanero Chipotle mole sauce.

This year, the festival is taking place in the shadow of the fires. Last year, it was during a wave of Palestinian stabbing attacks against Israelis. Atamneh-Ismail said these events make the festival even more important.

If we dont go ahead with this festival, we let them win twice, she said. It means they killed someone, or destroyed forests or houses, and they also destroyed our future. They are not happy that people here are living together, and they are trying to crack the beautiful coexistence that we have here, but we wont let them.

The festival is to take place on the weekend of December 7-9.
AMRITSAR - India and Afghanistan are likely to announce an air cargo service on Saturday to help increase trade that both say is stymied because of their tense political relations with Pakistan that lies between them.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were meeting in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, a short distance from the Pakistan border, for the Heart of Asia conference aimed at stabilising Afghanistan.

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have gone to war three times and remain bitter foes while ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become strained despite their shared religious and cultural identities.

Officials say the focus of the air cargo service is to improve landlocked Afghanistan's connectivity to key markets abroad and boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while it battles a deadly Taliban insurgency.
BEIRUT - Syrian rebel commanders in Aleppo will not surrender eastern Aleppo to government forces, a rebel official said on Saturday, after Russia said it was ready for talks with the United States on the withdrawal of all rebels from the area.

"I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender'," said Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, speaking from Turkey.

"The military commanders in Aleppo said 'we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city'," he said.
BOSASSO- Soldiers allied to the Western-backed Somali government said they killed seven insurgents from a faction loyal to the Islamic State group in a clash in northern Somalia on Saturday.

The soldiers from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland are part of a force headed to the port town of Qandala, which has been under the control of the insurgents since November.

The Puntland forces were attacked in the village of Bashaashin, which is 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Qandala.

"We killed seven IS and took their guns - now we are in the village," Captain Mohamed Saiid, head of a Puntland military unit, told Reuters by satellite phone from the scene.
COPENHAGEN -- The investigation into how an iron gate stolen from the Nazis' Dachau concentration camp in southern Germany ended up in western Norway may be complicated because "no useable evidence" has been found, police said Saturday.

Police spokeswoman Kari Bjoerkhaug Trones says the gate with the cynical slogan "Arbeit macht frei" -- "Work sets you free" -- was found Nov. 28 under a tarpaulin at a parking lot in Ytre Arna, a settlement north of Bergen, Norway's second-largest city.

"It has been there for quite some time with some junk under a tarpaulin. Our forensic teams have found no useable evidence like DNA," Bjoerkhaug Trones told The Associated Press. The gate was now in police care, she said, adding they have no suspects.

Jean-Michel Thomas, president of the International Dachau Committee that represents former prisoners, survivors and victims from Dachau, was "very happy" with the recovery of the gate.
ALEPPO -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran and Moscow will continue to cooperate in the Syrian war "until the ultimate goal of eradicating terrorism and restoring peace and full security to the region is achieved."

The comment was delivered in a Saturday meeting in Tehran between Rouhani and Russia's special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.

In the meeting, Rouhani stressed that the Syrian situation can only be resolved through political dialogue and with full respect for the will of the Syrian people, who he said are the main and ultimate decision makers on the future of the country, according to IRNA.
The Ministry of Religious Services is mapping all the graves in the country to provide smartphone users with turn-by-turn GPS-based navigation to the burial plot that they're looking for, the director of the ministry's cyber-information systems department told Ynet on Wednesday.

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Lior Ashkenazi, the director, said that those without smartphones will be able to approach the guard booths to make use of stands that will be positioned there that can print out the directions for the visitors.

"Every headstone will be photographed," said Ashkenazi."We ran a pilot in the Tel Regev Cemetery in the North together with Yael Software and Systems. We ran a big pilot there, and we mapped all the areas in Tel Regev."

He expanded that the ministry identified that there was a demand for such a program in locating older graves: "We believe that the grandchildren, or the great-grandchildren for that matter, are less aware of how to reach the grave of the deceased."

The project is to cover about 50% of the cemeteries in Israel by the end of 2017. Ashkenazi explained that in addition to helping visitors to cemeteries, the project would serve as a kind of census of the total number of graves in the country.

The director explained, "We computerized 132 sites, we'll computerize 600 buried bodies, and in the end we'll map over a thousand cemeteries, which is a very big thing."

The next stage for the ministry is mapping the massive Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. "There are approximately 400,000 graves that we'll map, including graves from before the establishment of the state," said Ashkenazi.

The program was initially announced by the ministry's director general, Oded Plus, in a meeting with the Knesset's Economic Affairs Committee.
For the first time in Yad Vashem's 63-year history, live music echoed through the halls of Israel's national Holocaust memorial in a somber tribute to the works of musicians who created a vibrant cultural life in the Terezin concentration camp before they were sent to their deaths.

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Standing upon replicas of train tracks and against a backdrop of Nazi flags and images of emaciated prisoners, a trio of musicians performed Monday evening along the snaking corridors of the famed Jerusalem museum to mark 75 years since Terezin's founding.

The concert, showcasing pieces composed by camp prisoners during their time in Terezin, struck a different tone than typical Holocaust commemorations, reflecting the camp's unusual artistic legacy.

Israeli musicians perform at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem (Photo: AP)

While some camps served as factories of death or provided slave labor, Terezin was more of a ghetto that served as a propaganda tool for the Nazis, who cynically described it as a "spa town" where elderly German Jews could "retire" in safety. It was once even cleaned up and showcased to a visiting International Red Cross delegation to show how humanely the Jews were being treated.

In reality, Terezin, 60 kilometers northwest of Prague in what was then German-occupied Czechoslovakia, served largely as a collection camp for deportations to the killing centers of Eastern Europe. Rife with disease and starvation, some 35,000 prisoners perished there.

Still, its relatively privileged status allowed for a semblance of normalcy, and as the most western ghetto in the Nazi system of oppression, it drew much of the Jewish cultural elite of Germany and Austria, including many well-known artists, musicians and writers. Despite the harsh conditions and the constant threat of deportation, a lively musical scene emerged that was initially conducted in secret but later toleratedand sometimes even enjoyedby the Nazis.

Popular Czech songs were performed, then entire operas and finally Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem Mass. Artists drew paintings, actors put on performances, professors gave lectures and the ghetto maintained a lending library of 60,000 volumes.

Israeli musicians perform at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem (Photo: AP)

For the prisoners, music provided a refuge, a sense of meaning and even a form of resistance. Allowed to bring only a few of their personal possessions, many chose to keep their musical instruments. Some even managed to smuggle in a piano.

"Their desire for music, for art, was as equal as their desire to live. It's their way of expressing everything that is possible, with the short time that they knew that they had, and it's also one way to protest," said Dan Rapoport, the event's musical director.

For the past 20 years, Rapoport, an accomplished clarinetist and conductor, has been studying the unique ghetto-camp, also known by the German name Theresienstadt.

Accompanied by a violin and cello, and at times a soprano whose voice sent shivers through the museum, he performed the works of composers such as Viktor Ullmann, Gideon Klein and Zigmund Schulwhose creations survived even if they did not. The pieces were performed for a small group of visitors as they walked through the museum, and then before several hundred people in an auditorium.

Violinist Eyal Shiloach said the performance aimed "to bring their sound, their voices back to life."

Rapoport said he considered the museum halls to be literally a "dead space," where visitors had no dialogue with the faces on the wall. His inspiration for the event, he said, was to hear what the victims had to say through their music.

"Imagine that you are going to go to hell. You know that you are going to hell, you have a death certificate in your pocket, you just don't know the date," he said. "And they wrote this music that is looking for the most beautiful thing that exists in the world in the most horrible reality."
DUBAI -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman has arrived in the United Arab Emirates to begin a regional tour aimed at strengthening relations with four neighboring Gulf allies.

The visit Saturday will be followed by stops in Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait in the days ahead. It's his first Gulf tour since taking power in January 2015.

The seven-state Emirates federation includes the Mideast commercial hub of Dubai and the oil-rich capital, Abu Dhabi. It is the second-largest Arab economy after Saudi Arabia.

All of the countries Salman is visiting are part of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. The only member of the Saudi-dominated bloc not included in his tour is Oman, which opposes efforts to form a more formal union among the member states.
The first Coca-Cola factory in the Gaza Strip opened this past week near the Karni Crossing. The plant was built by the National Beverage Company, the Palestinian concessionaire of Coca-Cola in the West Bank. The plant was built with a $20 million investment and joins three other Coca-Cola plants under Palestinian jurisdiction in Ramallah, Jericho and Tulkarm.

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Expectations were high in the Gaza Strip in the months leading up to the opening of the plant not only because it meant an end to the import of coke products through border crossings, but also because of the 120 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs the plant brings to workers, suppliers and distributors.

The factory was built under the close supervision of Coca-Cola to make sure it met the company's standards. The factory covers 15,000 square meters and has one production line capable of producing 36,000 glass bottles an hour.

The opening of the factory is only in the preliminary stages and is expected to grow to employ at least 300 people.

Chairman of the Palestinian National Beverage Company, businessman Zahi Khouri, said, "The opening of the company's first plant in the Gaza Strip is an important milestone in the journey that proves the immense commercial opportunities that exist."
As the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip approaches two million people, the water crisis is growing more serious. A new report by the World Bank finds that if no measures are taken by 2020, Gaza will no longer have usable water.

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Currently, most of Gazas water comes from the underground aquifer that runs below Israel, Egypt, and Gaza. But over-pumping has led to high levels of salinity and nitrates in the water that make drinking it dangerous.

Photo: AFP

I would say that 96.5 percent of the water in Gaza is far from international standards, Rebhy al-Sheikh, Deputy Head of the Palestinian Water Authority in Gaza, told The Media Line. A safe yield from the aquifer is 55  60 million cubic meters per year, while the demand for both domestic and agricultural use is 200 million cubic meters per year. We over-extract the aquifer and that affects the water quality.

Most Palestinians in Gaza, he said, do not trust the water quality from their taps and so buy water from tankers, a solution that is expensive and has its own health risks.

There are some 150 operators who provide some kind of desalinated water that has been filtered to make it acceptable for drinking and for cooking, Adnan Ghosheh, a senior water and sanitation specialist with the World Bank told the Media Line. Its more expensive and not an improved source of water, according to our definitions of water clean enough to drink.

That water can have bacteria, Al-Sheikh says, and the bacteria can grow as the water sits in peoples homes.

It can affect their digestive systems, he said. Sometimes people go to the hospital and they dont even know what caused their illness.

Part of the problem is political. Under the 1993 Oslo accords, Israel agreed to supply a certain quantity of water to Gaza.

Photo: Reuters

But the population in Gaza has grown significantly, and the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Water Committee has not met in years. Israeli officials say the Palestinians are not interested in meeting, while Palestinian officials say they will not approve more water for Jewish communities inside the West Bank, which already receive large allocations.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Islamist Hamas movement, which both the US and Israel see as a terrorist organization.

Palestinians in Gaza say the solution must be both desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities. There are already three small desalination plants in Gaza under construction that will supply 13 million cubic meters of water per year, which will bridge the gap short-term.

The priority is to secure resources and supply, and of course improve wastewater management, Ghosheh of the World Bank said. We have a wastewater treatment project in North Gaza. It started as an emergency response project, but is currently working on a long term solution where the treated water will be used for irrigation, saving potable water for drinking and other uses.

Israel is one of the worlds leaders in using treated wastewater for agriculture and al-Sheikh says that Israel has provided technical support and advice.

Ghosheh says that a wastewater treatment plant will benefit Israel as well as the Palestinians.

Everyone agrees that environment does not have boundaries, he said. When a wastewater treatment plant is developed, this will serve the interests of all parties because otherwise the wastewater is going to flow to the other side.

The long-term solution, both agree, is for a large desalination plant to be built in Gaza, called the Central Gaza Desalination Plant. It will cost half a billion dollars, and Arab states have already given a commitment to cover half of the cost. Israel will also have to give its approval to allow the necessary construction materials into the Strip.

Article written by Linda Gradstein
The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: Ive heard there will be a calendar of the water towers contest  in which Yorks was in the top 12. Where can I get one of those calendars?

A: Yes, Yorks water tower was in the top 12 water towers to be shown in the 2017 Tnemac Tank of the Year calendar.

Each year, water towers of all varieties from across the United States and Canada are narrowed down to determine the most impressive coatings projects in the water tank industry.

If someone would like to request a copy of this calendar, go to www.tnemec.com/tankoftheyear. There will be a link there that will take you directly to the start of the ordering process.

Q: How many times (and which times) did a person become the president elect without winning the popular vote?

A: In 1825, John Quincy Adams was elected president. The election was decided by the House of Representatives under the provisions of the Twelfth Amendment after no candidate secured the required number of votes from the Electoral College. Andrew Jackson received the most votes, but not the majority of electoral votes  so Jackson did not become president.

In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes was elected president. Samuel J. Tilden of New York had the most popular votes. After a first count of votes, Tilden won 184 electoral votes to Hayes 165, with 20 votes unresolved. These 20 electoral votes were in dispute in four states: in the case of Florida, Louisiana and South Carolina, each party reported its candidate had won the state, while in Oregon one elector was declared illegal and replaced. The question of who should have been awarded those electoral votes was the source of longstanding controversy. An informal deal was struck to resolve the dispute: the Compromise of 1877, which awarded all 20 electoral votes to Hayes. In return, there was an agreement to withdraw federal troops from the South, ending Reconstruction.

In 1888, Benjamin Harrison was elected. Grover Cleveland of New York, the incumbent Democrat, tried to secure a second term against Harrison. Cleveland won plurality of the popular vote by a narrow margin but lost reelection in the Electoral College.

In 2000, George W. Bush was elected. Al Gore received more popular votes, but Bush won the electoral votes. The result of the election hinged in voting in Florida where there was a mandatory recount. The matter reached the United States Supreme Court and Floridas electoral votes were awarded to Bush.

There was also a situation in 1960. During that years election, Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy defeated Republican candidate Richard Nixon. Kennedy is generally considered to have won the popular vote as well, by a narrow margin, but based on the unusual nature of the election in Alabama, political journalists have argued that Nixon actually won the popular vote.

Q: What is the most popular soup in America?

A: In 2014, a nationwide survey was done and reported on by the Huffington Post.

The top four most popular soups were: Chicken noodle, tomato, clam chowder and potato.

They also included some interesting findings, such as:

 Americans eat more than 10 billion bowls of soup every year.

 Eighty-five percent of Americans prefer broth-based soups and stews over creamed-based soups like bisques and chowders.

 Women are twice as likely to order soup for lunch as men are.

 The biggest bowl of soup was prepared in Holland in May, 2009. It held 7,042 gallons.

 The most expensive bowl of soup commercially available costs $190, from Kai Mayfair restaurant in London. Whats in the soup? Sharks fin, abalone, Japanese flower mushroom, sea cucumber, dried scallops, chicken, huan ham, pork and ginseng.

Q: When did this whole Black Friday movement start? I was just curious if it started with the big box stores or what.

A: The term Black Friday was coined in the 1960s to mark the kick-off to the Christmas shopping season. Black refers to stores moving from the red to the black, back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a low and black a profit. Ever since, the start of the modern Macys Thanksgiving Day parade in 1024, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season.

As retailers began to realize they could draw big crowds by discounting prices, Black Friday became the day to shop, even better than those last minute Christmas sales.

The early morning sales really got started in the 1990s and picked up steam in the early 2000s.

Q: Why do we eat pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving?

A: Likely, this is because it is a fall produce item.

Also, it became a popular dish on 17th Century American tables and has been a tradition ever since.

Q: Why does the president pardon a turkey every Thanksgiving? When on earth did that start? And once they are pardoned, are they really not butchered? If they arent butchered, where are they taken and what happens to them?

A: According to CNN, rumors of turkey pardons go back as far as the Lincoln administration, when the presidents young son supposedly begged his father to spare a pet turkey that was destined for the dinner table.

But the turkey pardon as we know it today has its roots in the mid-20th century. The National Turkey Federation has been the official turkey supplier to the First Family since 1947, when President Harry Truman accepted the feathered sacrifice. He did not, however, show the bird mercy.

The first documented turkey pardon was given by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The pardoning didnt catch on, however. President Gerald Ford saw fit to pardon President Richard Nixon, but neither one of them saw fit to officially spare their turkeys.

According to the White House, it wasnt until 1989 that pardoning resurfaced as part of the turkey presentation. That year, President George H. W. Bush started what became a tradition upheld by every president since.

Where do the turkeys go once theyve been pardoned?

Pardoned birds have been sent to live out their lives at various locations, including petting zoos and Mount Vernon.
Dear Amy: My wife and I have been married for almost 10 years. We are in our mid-30s. We don't have children.

We have hit a brick wall. She says that she completely resents me for not going to family functions and doing couples activities. I will try harder to do more of these things.

She has said that she has changed, and that we've grown apart. She has taken up different activities outside the home. She is taking dancing lessons, and is working out at the local gym every day.

She is out every other night, sometimes until quite late.

We don't eat dinner together anymore, and I've had many sleepless nights worrying about our relationship.

I'm extremely concerned and worried about our marriage! When she is home, she is complacent and withdrawn, and constantly on her cellphone, receiving text messages from her "new friends."

This is slowly driving me insane. There is a terrible tension between us and she fails to see what this is doing to our relationship.

I miss my wife so much. I have told her this, and she says she is going to try and spend more time with me, but nothing changes.

I'm extremely confused and scared about our future. I've told her she is breaking my heart. We just seem to be going in circles. What do you suggest?

-- Heartbroken

Dear Heartbroken: Your marriage is at a breaking point, and it could be a point of no return, unless you and your wife decide to try to fix it together. All of her actions indicate that she is no longer invested in your relationship, and some of her actions -- the working out and constant texting -- point toward the possibility that she might be having an affair.

Your marriage didn't wither on its own -- your own behavior contributed to your problems. Unfortunately, you also cannot fix it on your own. You and your wife can repair your marriage together, through hard work and tender caretaking. A marriage counselor would help to clarify the next steps to take, and would also help you to weather a possible breakup.

Also read: "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert," by John Gottman and Nan Silver (Harmony, 2015). This groundbreaking relationship book studies successful couples, offering helpful tools to get -- and stay -- together.

Dear Amy: I'm in high school. A kid at my school got an award last year for perfect attendance. The local newspaper ran an article about it, mentioning that he was never even late for one class. The newspaper said that his mother got stopped by the police eight or nine times and still got him there on time.

What the paper didn't say is that his father is a police captain.

My parents only let me drive because I agreed that I would never speed. And I never have, even though I've been called a nerd.

I may not be an adult but I think there is more than one thing wrong with this perfect attendance situation and the newspaper article making that kid's mom look like a hero for speeding.

What do you think?

-- Student

Dear Student: I agree with you that nobody should celebrate speeding, especially in connection with high school students.

You have never been stopped by the police (good for you!), but one thing you should know is that a traffic stop is time consuming. If you are speeding to avoid being late, a visit by the highway patrol (even a quick one) will eat up precious time. If this mom got stopped and still got her child to school on time, then she probably left the house early enough to get Mr. Perfect Attendance there without speeding.

Dear Amy: "Scalped" described how her father gave her one ticket to a concert she wanted to attend as a birthday gift. She wanted to bring a friend and he expected her to pay for the second ticket. But who wants to go to a concert alone? And who would give someone just one ticket? I was disappointed in your response.

-- Disappointed

Dear Disappointed: If someone gives you a gift, you accept that gift, instead of asking for more. That was my perspective.

"Scalped" ended up going to the concert with a friend, and is no longer talking to her father. I think that's a real shame.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - On December 2nd, 2016 at approximately 7:25 a.m. a female Yuma High School student was stopped for traffic at 6th Avenue and 6th Street. While stopped, an unidentified male exposed himself to the student from a vehicle. The student immediately went to school and reported the incident.

The student described the unidentified subject as a white male between 60  70 years of age, balding, wearing prescription eye glasses with gold on the frame and a tan shirt. The vehicle in question is described as a newer brown or gold pick-up truck. There was a 4X4 logo on the rear passenger side of the truck.

The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous.
Hello dearies! This is the Mistress of Spize, cooking up a lot of salt n sour, sweet n saucy stories and observations for you. Sniff! Can you smell, my preparation? Aroma is in the air and smoke is already rising from my hot pot.<br/><br/>Lets talk about eye-candy! The latest would be Hrithiks sword brandishing scene from Jodhaa Akbar. Man! how his muscles flexed as he challenged Aishwaryas defiance. That perfectly carved body language said it all without a word. It drew sighs from women across all ages. It was so amusing to hear a huddled group of aunty jis chatting about that perfectly chiselled body. And I was shocked to see the teeny-weeny teenagers just ogling. The sword-brandishing scene kind of bonded all females. And, let me tell you, it is that scene which will be remembered when all would be forgotten about Jodhaa Akbar. <br/><br/>For the male species, well, the latest eye-candy is the catty eyed Katrina Kaif and her sizzling item-numbers.<br/><br/>Dearies, I am sure you would be bursting with excitement to relate such stories and add on to the story-churning pot. Do interact and relate your rare observations through comments. Mistress of Spize is all ears! <br/>Love ya!<br/>
It is a sight to behold, especially when set against the night sky.

The Canadian Pacific Railways Holiday Train is 14 rolling rail cars, brightly lit with hundreds of thousands of colorful, LED lights in seasonal shapes. And, when it pulls into Sturtevants Amtrak depot on Monday evening, Dec. 5, it will stop long enough for its specially equipped boxcar stage to be opened, where Canadian performers Kelly Prescott (www.kellyprescottmusic.com) and Colin James (www.colinjames.com) will entertain the crowd with a free concert of popular and holiday music.

While the Holiday Train is entertaining and fun for all ages, it also has a greater purpose: raising money, food and awareness for local food banks and pantries along its route. The train that is scheduled to arrive in Sturtevant at 5:25 p.m. Monday is one of two traveling coast-to-coast across Canada and the U.S. in November and December, making stops in about 150 different communities, where spectators are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items and money to the local food bank.

Racine County tradition

Since its launch in 1999, CPs Holiday Train program has raised more than $12 million and collected nearly 4 million pounds of food for communities along its tracks. And since the train began making stops in Sturtevant in 2003, it has raised more than $31,000 (including generous donations from CP Railway) and close to 29,000 pounds of food for the Racine County Food Bank, according to Dan Taivalkoski, the food banks executive director. The event has drawn thousands of spectators to the Sturtevant depot in recent years and, in its most successful year, 2014, brought in 6,805 pounds of food.

Each year, the Holiday Trains stops vary somewhat, with Canadian Pacific receiving dozens of requests from communities across its network and trying to accommodate as many locations and food banks as possible. Part of the railways decision about where to stop is based on the willingness of community members to come out and support the cause.

We are proud of the role the Holiday Train plays, but more importantly, were proud of the people and families that come out year after year to help their neighbors, CPs Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison says on the railways website. Theyre the reason we keep bringing the train back.

Taivalkoski said there has only been one year since 2003 when the train didnt stop in Racine County.

The train didnt come in 2011, he said. We were elated when it came back.

Community support

The Holiday Train is a really important event for the food bank and the people it serves  one that, with its musical component, also fits well with another of the food banks fundraisers, the annual Thoughts for Food benefit concert, Taivalkoski said. The trains stop here is also a community-wide event that wouldnt happen without the help of dedicated volunteers, including students from The Prairie School, who help serve cocoa to spectators, as well as members of the Sturtevant Police Department, who direct traffic and provide security services during the trains stop here.

An awful lot of village resources go toward making this a successful event, Taivalkoski said. We couldnt do this without their support.

Because of its popularity, Taivalkoski recommends that spectators get to the Amtrak depot at least 90 minutes prior to the trains scheduled arrival time. The depot is located at 9900 E. Exploration Court (off of Renaissance Boulevard, east of the Renaissance Cinema). Limited parking is available near the depot and some surrounding businesses allow spectators to park in their lots.

There is no admission fee, and spectators are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring nonperishable food items to donate to the food bank. This years focus for donations is on heart-healthy items, Taivalkoski said (see accompanying list for suggestions).

More information about the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, its performers and its mission is available at www.cpr.ca/en/community/holiday-train. For more about the Racine County Food Bank, go to www.racinecountyfoodbank.org.
State of New York: US President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades of foreign policy to speak with the president of Taiwan, prompting Beijing on Saturday to accuse Taipei of a ploy but saying the move would not affect US-China ties.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump`s telephone call with President Tsai Ing-wen marked a deliberate pivot away from Washington`s official "One China" stance but fuelled fears he is improvising on international affairs.

Notably, with his call, Trump became the first US president or president-elect to speak with a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when Washington had severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of China.

On November 30, Trump's call to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised eyebrows. As per the New York Times, the US-President elect's call could "upset the delicate balance" of India-Pakistan ties.

"President-elect Donald J Trump has broken with decades of diplomatic practice in freewheeling calls with foreign leaders," the New York Times said as the next leader of the US upset the status quo in his conversations with world leaders.

According to a Pakistani government readout of their call, Trump had called Pakistan a "fantastic" country full of "fantastic" people that he "would love" to visit as president. He had also called Sharif as "terrific" and Pakistanis "are one of the most intelligent people", according to the Pakistani readout which added that Trump said he is "ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems".

"Should Trump follow through, he risks alienating India, which sees Pakistan as a major antagonist, and appearing to reward Pakistan's behaviour; should he renege, he risks upsetting Pakistani leaders who are sensitive about perceived American intransigence. Either way, the call could upset the delicate balance of India-Pakistan ties, which the US has struggled to manage amid a history of wars and recent skirmishes," the New York Times said.

On Trump`s conversation with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, NYT said the call "risks infuriating China", which considers Taiwan a breakaway province governed by Chinese rebels.

"By honouring the Taiwanese president with a formal call, Trump`s transition team implicitly suggests that it considers Taiwan an independent state," it said, noting that the US has declined to recognise Taiwan since 1979 when it shifted recognition to the government in Beijing. Taiwan itself has yet to declare formal independence.

Trump had tweeted, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency".

In a December 2 conversation with Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Trump invited him to visit Washington.

NYT said Duterte has been accused of gross human rights abuses, had used abusive language against President Barack Obama and declared his country's "separation" from the US during a recent trip to Beijing.

"Honoring Duterte with a presidential invitation implies US approval of his behavior, which Obama's administration had been working to curb," NYT said.

Trump also praised Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev for "fantastic success", in tones that suggest approval for Nazarbayev's strongman rule.

According to the Kazakh government's readout of the call, Trump "stressed that under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, our country over the years of independence had achieved a fantastic success that can be called a miracle".

The NYT further said that after brushing off the United Kingdom, Trump offered a casual invitation to British Prime Minister Theresa May.

"If you travel to the US you should let me know," he told her, far short of a formal invitation. Trump also met with Nigel Farage, former leader of the fringe UK Independence Party - a "slap to May", NYT said.

Trump later said that Farage should become the British ambassador to the US, though presidents typically avoid telling foreign counterparts how to staff their governments, NYT added.

In another break from diplomatic protocol, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump had joined his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

NYT said why such a move matters is that rather than inviting State Department officials to staff his meeting with Abe, Trump invited his daughter.

"The meeting alarmed diplomats, who worried that Trump lacked preparation after a long record of criticizing Japan. It also blurred the line between Trump's businesses, which (his daughter) helps run, and the US Government, with which she has no role," it said.

(With Agency inputs)
Jakarta: An Indonesian police plane crashed off the coast of Riau Islands in Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 12 people onboard, a media report said.

The aircraft had left Pangkal Pinang in Bangka Island before it crashed into the waters on Saturday morning, the Jakarta Post reported.

The aircraft was on its way to Batam in Riau Islands.

Tanjung Pinang naval base commander First Adm S Irawan said, "An explosion was heard before the plane crash. Pieces of chairs and bodies were found by residents."

The Indonesian Navy has deployed three warships and three patrol boats for rescue efforts.

"We are deploying a ship for an evacuation," National Search and Rescue Agency's Riau Islands head Abdul Hamid said.

Further details were not immediately available.
Patna: Pinning hopes on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday termed it as a drastic step.

Kumar expressed confidence in Centre's decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes saying, Demonetisation is a positive step and will lead to benefits.

"Notes ban is a good step, now PM Modi should also hit at the benami transactions and bring back black money stashed in foreign countries," the Bihar CM said.

Often seen as a possible opposition candidate for prime ministership in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said no serious attempt is currently being made to bring together non-BJP parties.

A grand alliance of the opposition parties at the national level is certain to win the elections but no such scene was in sight, he said.

He asserted there is no problem in the ruling grand alliance in Bihar and mocked speculation about his growing proximity with BJP, saying he would not offer denial on all kinds of reports as denial is 50 percent confirmation.

Nitish Kumar and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik are the only two opposition leaders who have advocated for demonetisation. Otherwise, political parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party have viciously attacked the Centre over the move.

Earlier, the Janata Dal (United ) leader had called for action on the 'benami' properties and urge the Centre to crack the whip on the said menace.

Kumar had described the Centre's demonetisation decision as "sahsik" (courageous), which, he said, would help in the fight against black money.

The Bihar Chief Minister, had first favoured the Centre's demonetisation decision, while addressing a 'Chetna sabha' at the start of his second leg of 'Nishchay yatra' in Madhubani on November 16.

PM Modi on November 08, 2016 announced the demonetisation move saying, To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the five hundred rupee and thousand rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from 8th November 2016 midnight.
Patna: Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav on Saturday refuted reports which claimed that he is planning to get hitched with Yoga guru Ramdev`s niece.

He further made it clear that he would prefer an arranged marriage like his younger brother.

"I will marry as per my parents' wishes; it will be an arranged marriage in the age old tradition of our family," Tej Pratap Yadav told reporters.

Ramdev, who visited Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad last morning, had also rejected the reports.

"It is nothing but gossip spread by a section of the media," he said.

Lalu had tweeted his pictures with Ramdev yesterday.

Tej Pratap Yadav cleared that the decision of his marriage will be taken by his father Lalu and mother Rabri Devi.

"Our parents will fix our marriages," he said, adding media would be informed at the "right time".

The more articulate Tejaswi (26) -- who is Bihar`s Deputy Chief Minister -- and Tej Pratap Yadav (28) are the two most eligible bachelors in Bihar.

In October, Tejaswi had received 44,000 marriage proposals on a WhatsApp contact number which was provided for complaints about bad roads, officials had said.
New Delhi: A United State national has alleged gang-rape by a group of men at a five-star hotel in Delhi's Connaught Place.

Police said that they have received a complaint at Connaught Place police station and a preliminary inquiry has been started. In the complaint, the victim has alleged that she was gang-raped by five men including her tourist guide at her hotel room.

In her complaint, the woman said that she had arrived in Delhi early in March 2016 on a tourist visa and was staying at the five-star hotel near Connaught Place.

She had hired the tourist guide from an agency suggested by the hotel authorities.

In her complaint, she said that one day the tourist guide offered to discuss a route plan and arrived at the hotel along with four other friends at her room. They all had a few drinks together, following which the guide forced himself on her. Later, the friends then took turns to rape her as well.

Traumatised by the incident, the woman left India immediately and went back to the United States.

The woman further added said that she had not revealed the details of the incident to her family members and had gone into depression.

Later, members of an NGO advised her to register a complaint through an email to the police commissioner.

Police sources told TOI that an enquiry has been initiated to identify the guide from the hotel records. Delhi Police has contacted the US embassy, asking them to provide the details of the woman and the purpose of her visit.

The woman has also said that she will come to Delhi to record her statement once an FIR was registered.

Reacting to the report, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured that the government would initiate actions against all the culprits.

"I have seen media reports about gang-rape of an Americal tourist in Delhi in March this year. I have spoken to the Lt Governor Delhi and told him that Police should register a case and bring the guilty to book. I have also asked the Indian Ambassador in the US to contact the victim and assure her that we will not spare the guilty," Swaraj tweeted.
Amritsar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived here on Saturday evening to inaugurate the 'Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process' conference.

The Prime Minister was received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the Chief Minister's daughter-in-law and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur and Union Minister of State VK Singh.

After his arrival, the Prime Minister went to Golden Temple where he met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. The two leaders were seen hugging eachg other and exchanging pleasantries.

PM Modi and President Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of the conference, which will see over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday.

Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference paid obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple. PM Modi also served 'langar' at the Golden Temple.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz today reached Amritsar to attend the ministerial conference. On his arrival Aziz sent a bouquet to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS for kidney failure.

With External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj indisposed, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the ministerial conference. He is reaching here on Sunday.

To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government is hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at a heritage village, named 'Sadda Pind' or 'our village', located on the outskirts of this holy city.

Modi and Ghani will also attend the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
New Delhi: Two army soldiers were killed and nine other jawans injured when NSCN-K militants ambushed their convoy in defence spokesman said.

The militants opened fire at an Assam Rifles convoy at Nginu village in Tirap district near the India-Myanmar border.

The attack took place around 2 pm.

"Soldiers belonging to the 16 Assam Rifles were returning from a patrol when the heavily armed militants fired at them. While two of them including a JCO (junior commissioner officer) died, eight others were injured.

"The condition of two of them are stated to be serious," IANS quoted a defence spokesman as saying.

"We believe it to be the handiwork of anti-talk faction, Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang militants who have some presence in Tirap district.

According to ANI, a massive search operation was underway after the attack.

This is the second major attack on the security forces in less than a month in the northeast.

Last month, three soldiers were killed and four others were injured in Assam's Tinsukia district in a similar attack by the ultras.

An army convoy was ambushed by militants, suspected to be a breakaway faction of ULFA, when they were returning from an operation in the district.

The militants triggered an IED blast before raining bullets on the convoy.
Racine Public Library

RACINE  The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., is offering LEGO Club from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Children may build and create with LEGOs in the LEGO room. Children ages 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Sign-in will be required. For more information, call 262-636-9217 or go to www.racinelibrary.info.

Waterford Public Library

WATERFORD  The Waterford Public Library, 101 N. River St., is offering these free events:

Teen Advisory Board meeting, 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Open to students ages 12-18 willing to take on a leadership role at the library. Contact Jen Puccino, teen services librarian, for an application form. Call 262-534-3988, ext. 15, or email jpuccini@waterford.lib.wi.us.

Holiday parade activities, 6-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The community is invited to the library after the parade for Christmas carols, prize announcements and visits with Santa.

Retirement Income Primer seminar, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6. Ron Knaflic from Edwards Jones will present a program for those nearing or entering retirement who are interessted in a strategy designed to build an income stream and make income last.

Lapsit Storytimes, 9:30-10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec.7-8. For children ages 3 and younger with their caregiver, storytimes include sign language, stories, fingerplays and songs for toddlers.

To register or for more information, call 262-534-3988 or go to www.waterford.lib.wi.us.

Burlington Public Library

BURLINGTON  Burlington Public Library, 166 E. Jefferson St., is offering these free events:

Storytime, for ages 3-5, 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5. In this kindergarten readiness class for ages 3-5, children are encouraged to come into the storytelling room without parents.

Teen Advisory Board, 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Teens ages 12 and older are invited to help with library programs and projects around the library.

For more information, call 262-342-1130 or go to www.burlingtonlibrary.org.
New Delhi: An audio tape has revealed that days before he was killed, Kashmiri militant leader Burhan Wani had spoken to Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed.

The audiotape of the conversation between Saeed and Wani from the latter's Valley hideout has been accessed by CNN-News18. Notably, the channel has not verified the authenticity of the tape.

As per the channel, the audio tape revealed that Wani sought Saeed's 'blessings' and offered to put up a united front of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and his own Hizbul Mujahideen in their 'jehad' against India.

The conversation between the two was intercepted by Indian intelligence agencies, it said.

In the tape, Wani is heard requesting Saeed to extend more support to LeT militants in the Kashmir Valley in terms of arms, ammunition, and money.

"You people are living in very difficult conditions. But you don't have to worry. Whatever you need just tell us, we are ready for every help. Will be ready for anything. You just have to tell us," Saeed is heard telling Wani in the tape.

Saeed could also be heard heaping praise on Wani for his "great work and sacrifices" and offering help to Hizbul militants fighting for the 'Kashmir cause' and religion.

Wani tells Saeed that "the enemy is almost defeated and we have to maintain this".

"We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn't lose this opportunity. For this, we need ammunition and support from the back. We should work together (Hizbul and Lashkar) for this," Wani is heard as saying.

Wani, 22, was the poster boy of Kashmiri militancy and his death in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag in July this year had set off a storm of protests in the Valley.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday issued summons to controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi's wife Nasreen to appear before it in connection with its money laundering probe against her husband and others.

Officials said Qureshi's wife Nasreen was handed over the summons to present herself before the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case on December 5, soon after she landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here.

Last year, the ED had registered a case against Qureshi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for alleged illegal forex dealings and tax evasion.

Qureshi is being probed for allegedly remitting funds through hawala channels to Dubai, London and a few other destinations in Europe.

Income Tax Department had issued notices to Qureshi under the new Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 as probe led it to few foreign assets owned or held by the meat exporter and his family in an alleged illegal manner as they were not declared or reported to Indian tax authorities.

Qureshi is also facing charges of money laundering and hawala-like dealings and is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate.

The case emerged after Income Tax Department first carried out searches against Qureshi and his firm AMQ Group on February 15, 2014.

Recently, Qureshi managed to hoodwink the immigration authorities at the IGI airport to leave for Dubai by showing an unrelated court order in which he was granted bail, and not the case in which ED issued lookout notice against him.

He subsequently approached a local court here which had stayed till November 16 the Look Out Circular by ED to detain him at the entry-exit points in India and directed him to appear before the agency on November 22.

(With agencies inputs)
Amritsar: The two-day multilateral global summit `Heart of Asia` began in Amritsar on Saturday, with a focus on tackling the threat of terrorism in the region.

The annual conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process is also deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including the revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.

Today, senior officials of 14 Asian countries, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan, and representatives of 17 supporting nations were discussing a vast range of issues facing the region including its complex security scenario and dealing with the threat of terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism.

Issues like enhancing Afghanistan's connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade were being discussed at the senior officials' meeting which was co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hikmat Khaleel Karzai.

The meeting is finalising the text for tomorrow's Ministerial Conference and is also deliberating on its Declaration which will have a substantial portion on terrorism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations on Sunday, the sixth in series and held once a year.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the Indian delegation at the conference in the place of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is unwell.

The ministerial deliberations will be co-chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz is scheduled to visit Amritsar on Sunday to attend the ministerial conference of 14 Asian countries. Aziz will return on the same day.

The annual conference is taking place amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the audacious terror attack on Nagrota Army base.

Pakistan and India will not hold any bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference.

At the senior officials' meeting, Afghanistan, which has also been facing increased attacks from terror groups operating from Pakistan, pushed for a regional counter-terror framework.

Ahead of the conference, both India and Afghanistan had called terror emanating from Pakistan as the "greatest threat" to regional peace and stability, and both the countries are set to press hard for adopting the counter-terror framework at tomorrow's deliberations.

The conference, whose theme is security and prosperity, will also deliberate on major connectivity initiatives including Chabahar project, a five-nation railway project.

There may be deliberations on TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project.

Organisers of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

Also Read: All about Heart of Asia initiative

The last Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference was held in Islamabad in December 2015.

Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of the participating countries, including Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, supporting countries like the US, Canada and France and international organisations like the European Union, are participating in the conference.

Also Read: Heart of Asia conference - What is its agenda this year

India says during the conference a basket of six confidence-building measures would be discussed.

Afghanistan is the permanent chair for the Heart of Asia Process, while the conference host country holds the "co-chair" position.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The platform was floated to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours.

The countries which support the initiative are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Finland, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Britain and the US.

Amritsar, which is not very far from the Indo-Pak border, has been brought under a heavy security cover in view of the conference, a major international event being hosted by the city for the first time in many years.
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will leave for Amritsar on Saturday evening, instead of Sunday, to attend Heart of Asia conference on Afghanistan.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told IANS that Aziz is travelling by a special flight today evening (Saturday)."

Zakaria also said Aziz may attend the dinner hosted by the Punjab government in Amritsar, which is managing the global event. PM Narendra Modi is also likely to be present at the dinner.

Earlier, the Pakistan top diplomat was scheduled to reach Amritsar on Sunday.

The Afghanistan conference is likely to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Participants from over 40 countries are expected to attend the two-day event.

Amritsar -- famous for the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple, and the major city bordering Pakistan  is hosting the two-day multilateral global summit beginning today, with focus on stabilising the war-torn Afghanistan.

Organisers of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, founded in Istanbul in November 2011, said the aim was to strengthen confidence-building measures and initiate steps to counter narcotics and terrorism and to expand trade, commerce and investment opportunities in Afghanistan.

Over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of the participating countries, including Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, supporting countries like the US, Canada and France and international organisations like the European Union, will participate in the conference.

The last Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference was held in Islamabad in December 2015.
Amritsar: In the midst of heightened Indo-Pak tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz, on the sidelines of 'Heart of Asia' conference on Afghanistan.

Aziz, Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief, attended a dinner where he exchanged pleasentaries with PM Modi.

Aziz was earlier scheduled to arrive here on Sunday but came a day early due to prevailing weather condition. Almost the entire northern India has been affected by thick fog for the last two days.

There was no clarity on whether there will be a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the conference.

He is leading the Pakistani delegation to the meeting that focuses on regional cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours to improve connectivity and tackle security threats in the war-torn country.

PM Modi, Ashraf Ghani visit Golden Temple

PM Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on today took a heritage walk and visited the Golden Temple soon after arriving in this holy town to attend the Heart of Asia conference.

The PM Modi, Ghani and other world dignitaries attending the conference paid obeisance at the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Golden Temple. PM Modi also served 'langar' at the Golden Temple.

The two leaders were given a 24 carat gold replica of Golden Temple and a set of five books besides a 'siropa' (robe of honour) and shawl.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur also accompanied Modi and Ghani to the Golden Temple.

Served 'Langar' at the Golden Temple. pic.twitter.com/kCdomntSA4  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2016

Modi and Ghani will on Sunday jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which will see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries.

In the meeting, Afghanistan is also likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India in strengthening its armed forces.

Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the resurgent Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces began nearly two years back.

Last week India had given to Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates are part of the Heart of Asia initiative launched in 2011 for encouraging economic and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbours for dealing with the common problems of terrorism, extremism and poverty.
Jaipur: The Indian Army would follow a revised pattern for recruiting soldiers in different categories through Army recruitment rallies under which only those candidates who qualify a written exam would be called for further tests.

As per Major General JK Marwal, officiating DG (Recruitment) Army Headquarters, the written examination will be held first and qualified candidates would be called for further tests.

He added that the proposal was under consideration at the government-level.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an Army recruitment rally here, he said: "This will be a major change in the recruitment process which will reduce administrative arrangements and requirements. It will be more convenient.

He said that Jaipur, Ambala, and Chennai Zones have been selected for the pilot project under the proposed system.

Currently, the written test takes place after the candidate clears physical fitness test and medical tests.

Marwal said that the entire recruitment system is online which has no chances of any irregularities and candidates should also be aware of the fact that no one can help them in getting recruited in the Army except themselves.

He also interacted with the candidates who turned up in large number to participate in the recruitment rally at CISF ground in Amber area located on the outskirts of the city. (With PTI inputs)
Muzaffarnagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday acknowledged the inconvenience caused to people by demonetisation policy and warned those who were stashing their black money into the Jan Dhan accounts of poor.

"Demonetisation move would end all the problems, including poverty, corruption and black money in India," PM Modi said.

Modi was speaking at Bharatiya Janata Party's Parivartan Yatra rally in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad on Saturday, where he thanked the people of the region for extending support to the party during the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

"I have not fought from Uttar Pradesh only to become an MP but wanted to initiate the fight against poverty from this huge state," Modi said.

Once again, Modi in his today's speech maintained that inconveniences faced by the public today in the aftermath of demonetisation policy would ease in 50 days.

"There will be hardships for now, but things are already improving. I salute citizens of the country," he said, adding it was a queue that would put an end to all other queues in the country.

Issuing a warning to those who were stashing their black money into the bank accounts of poor people, Modi said, "Those who have stashed black money are queuing up outside the house of poor people, asking for their help. Have you ever seen rich people touching the feet of poor. I am finding ways to put behind bars those guilty of stashing their black money into the Jan Dhan accounts of the poor," PM Modi said.

"The November 8 decision to spike high-value currency notes had rattled those who hoarded large quantities of black money. The dishonest people can't go to the bank and therefore, they are now queuing up in front of the houses of the poor and trying to mislead them," he said.

Taking potshot at previous government which was embroiled in multiple scams, Modi said political parties in power in the past had worked only for themselves and for their near ones but not for the poor.

"Has this country not been held back by corruption? Don`t we need to weed out this corruption? Will this corruption go away on its own?" he asked.

Modi said corruption was at the root of all problems and that he was shocked that some people were criticising him for taking steps to fight it.

"I am surprised that in my own country some people are accusing me. Is it a sin that those who were the looting country were now being made accountable?"

He said he had no vested interest. "I am a fakir (hermit). I will pack my bags and leave".

The Prime Minister said poverty needed to be eradicated from big states if India was to progress.

"To eradicate poverty from the country, we first need to eradicate poverty from the bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal," he said.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to country's first Indian President Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary.

"I bow to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary. Our nation owes a lot to him for his inspiring leadership at a crucial time," Modi tweeted.

I bow to Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his birth anniversary. Our nation owes a lot to him for his inspiring leadership at a crucial time.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2016

Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884 in Siwan, Bihar and was the first president of the country.

He held the highest office in the country from January 26, 1950 to May 13, 1962.

Along with Dr Prasad's birth anniversary, the day also marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is commemorated to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

The prime minister also tweeted that he salutes the determination of disabled people of the country.

"On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I salute determination of our Divyang sisters and brothers and convey my best wishes to them," PM Modi said.

He added further, "Let us continue our ongoing efforts with renewed vigour & create a nation where both accessibility and equality prevail."

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I salute determination of our Divyang sisters & brothers & convey my best wishes to them.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2016

Let us continue our ongoing efforts with renewed vigour & create a nation where both accessibility and equality prevail.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2016

At a meeting in December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that he thought persons with disability should be renamed as people who are 'divyang', or those possessed with divinity.
Whats Going On includes upcoming one-time events in and around Racine County such as breakfasts, dinners, car washes, rummage sales, parties and dances intended to be money-raisers by or in behalf of nonprofit community organizations, either held or requiring reservations within the next two weeks. Events held on a regular basis are not used. Announcements must arrive at The Journal Times by noon Tuesday before the desired Saturday publication date. Announcements may only be used one time. Send information to the Online Calendar at www.journaltimes.com/calendar and select Benefit & Fundraiser under sections; mail information to Community, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403; fax to Loreen Mohr, 262-631-1780; or send email to lmohr@journaltimes.com.

Check the TODAY listing in the Local section for other events taking place today.

BOOK FAIRS

Barnes & Noble, 2710 S. Green Bay Road, Mount Pleasant. A portion of book sales will go to the following organizations when they are mentioned at checkout from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.:

Bull Fine Arts, today, Dec. 3.

Racine Literacy Council, Sunday, Dec. 4.

Choral Arts Society, Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization, Dec. 10.

Today

PICTURES WITH SANTA

Malickis Piggly Wiggly, 5201 Washington Ave., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Dec. 3. Relay for Life will offer pictures with Santa for $5 each. Donations will benefit the American Cancer Society.

BAKE SALE AND HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum, 880 Green Bay Road, Somers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Dec. 3. Homemade cookies, cakes and candies packaged for purchase will be sold, as well as handcrafted holiday gifts, wreaths and sprays made from natural materials gathered on the grounds. Fresh greens and pine cones for crafting will also be sold.

Sunday

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Racine Masonic Center, 1012 Main St., 8 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 4. Costs are $8 for ages 12 and older and $5 for ages 3-11. Children ages 2 and younger eat free. No reservations are required.

PASTY SALE

Hammes Tavern, 2005 Taylor Ave., noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Pasties cost $6. Yooper chef Steve Klinkhammer and his crew will prepare the pasties. The pasty was originally a Flemish dish brought over to northern Michigan by the early Welsh copper miners. A pasty consists of several root vegetables, onions, pork and beef in a pastry crust.

Pasties to go can be ordered by calling 262-955-2549. Leave name, phone number and the quantity of meat or veggie pasties desired on the voicemail. A sold out message will be left on the machine when pasties have sold out.

Monday

HOLIDAY TRAIN FOOD BANK FUNDRAISER

Depot Tavern and Parker Power Equipment, 11402 Highway G, Caledonia, 5:30-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in celebration of the passing of the 2016 Holiday Train. The event will include visits with Santa Claus, a performance by the Case High School Carolers at 5:30 p.m., and hot chocolate, food, Christmas cookies and holiday music. Nonperishable food items and monetary donations will be collected from the Racine County Food Bank.

Tuesday

BAKE & CRAFT SALE

Christ Church, 5109 Washington Ave., 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6. Sponsored by Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Proceeds will be used for scholarships for high school girls pursuing a degree in education. Amanda Billerbeck, winner of the Sigma state Mary Jo Nettesheim Memorial Literary Competition for her book The Tale of Bruce Wayne, will be in attendance selling her book.

Dec. 8-16

$6 JEWELRY SALE

Sponsored by Volunteers in Partnership with Ascension-All Saints, the sale features jewelry at 75-80 percent off retail and backed by a no questions asked return policy. Items for sale include rings and earrings, necklace sets, scarves, fashion watches, childrens trend gifts, leather goods, mens gifts, scarf sets, laser pens, reading and sun glasses, manicure sets and totes. All items are silver, sterling, gold or white gold (14K, 18K and 24K gold-plated over surgical steel) or brass. All jewelry is hypo-allergenic. Nickel-free pieces are available. Sale locations:

Memorial Dining Room, 1320 Wisconsin Ave.

Thursday, Dec. 8, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ascension All Saints hospital, Sturtevant Room (lower level), 3801 Spring St.

Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 12-14, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 16, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds benefit VIP which in turn supports the program and equipment needs of Ascension All Saints Hospital.

Dec. 10

HOLIDAY COOKIE WALK & BAKE SALE

St. Louis Catholic Church School building, 13207 Highway G, Caledonia, 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Attendees may purchase Christmas cookies, homemade pies, breads, turnovers, stollen (no citron or peel) and more. There will also be a craft table with homemade items and St. Louis cookbooks for sale.

COOKIE WALK

Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. A wide variety of homemade cookies, confections and holiday treats will be offered. Guests will hand-select their own cookie assortments and pay by the pound. Prepackaged cookie trays will also be available. Enter through the south (rear parking lot) entrance. The church is elevator accessible.

CHRISTMAS COFFEE HOUSE

Union Grove United Methodist Church, 906 12th Ave., Union Grove, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. The event will feature gingerbread house making; cookie decorating; Christmas music by the Hims of Harmony Quartet; bake sale; silent auction of gift baskets, a hog for the freezer and homemade quilts, and free coffee, beverages, popcorn and hot dogs.

Dec. 17

BEER AND WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER

Racine Masonic Center, 1012 Main St., 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. The fundraiser will include a selection of wines and beers for tasting, a brandy old-fashioned station, homemade pie auction, photo booth, raffle prizes, music and $5 guided tours of the mansion. The $50 ticket includes 14 wine/beer sampling tickets and appetizers. Proceeds will support 4th Fest of Greater Racine.
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the sixth annual Heart of Asia Conference  Istanbul Process on Sunday along with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday in Amritsar.

PM Modi and President Ghani visited the Golden Temple on Saturday evening to offer their prayers ahead of the inauguration of the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which is being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union.

The main focus of the conference will reportedly be on formulating an effective way to counter terrorism in the region.

India and Afghanistan are also expected to hold bilateral talks to strengthen their relationship.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will represent India in the ministerial conference in place of Sushma Swaraj who is unwell.

To showcase rich culture and heritage of Punjab, the state government will be hosting a dinner for the visiting dignitaries at a heritage village, named 'Sadda Pind' located on the outskirts of the holy city.

Modi and Ghani are also expected to attend the dinner hosted by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

(With PTI inputs)
Agartala: Ties between India and the United States have been excellent and they will grow stronger in future, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma said on Friday.

"Relation between India and USA is excellent now. Hope it would be stronger in future," PTI quoted Verma as saying in Agartala.

Verma is on a three-day visit to Agartala.

He met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

"During his meeting with the Chief Minister, the US Ambassador discussed about regional connectivity with Bangladesh," the report said quoting a statement from the state government.

"We want connectivity and business grow between the north eastern states and its neighbours like Bangladesh, Myanmar etc," he said after watching the beating retreat at the Agartala-Akhaura check post at the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Srinagar: A government employee was on Saturday killed during an overnight counter-insurgency operation in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. However, the militants managed to flee.

The security forces, including Army, launched a counter-insurgency operation in Chancer area of Kulgam district last night, following an information about the presence of ultras in the area, police officials said.

The officials said an employee of the Fisheries Department, Assadullah Kumar, was killed in the firing that broke out minutes after the security forces had cordoned off the area.

An Army official said the operation was called off this morning after the security forces did not find any militant.

The militants might have escaped taking advantage of darkness, the official said.

However, the official was tight-lipped about the death of the civilian.

Meanwhile, local residents staged a protest against the killing of Kumar and blocked Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Vessu.

Meanwhile, Border Security Force troopers have gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab.

The incident took place the Bamiyal sector near the Dinda border outpost (BoP) in forward areas of Pathankot district.

The intruder was killed after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed warnings.

The area is close to the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border.

Also Read: Attack on Army camps: Pakistan's new game plan in Kashmir

On Tuesday, heavily-armed suicide bombers stormed an Army camp in a town near Jammu, triggering a fierce gunfight that left two attackers dead and six soldiers injured, officials said. Two more militants died in another shootout near the International Border on the same day.
Bhopal: Additional District Magistrate Ratnakar Jha on Saturday stoked a controversy by making irresponsible comments while referring to the Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary.

Jha termed the Bhopal gas tragedy anniversary as "celebrations".

While talking to reporters over declaring a holiday on December 3, he said that it is just a normal day and the administration has already granted permission to whoever wants to celebrate the anniversary, including the affected people.

Congress was quick to condemn the Additional District Magistrate's statement, saying Jha insulted the victims of the tragedy.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Minister (Independent Charge) Vishwas Sarang said, "It is objectionable if any officer has made such a comment and the government will take cognisance of the issue."

On December 3, 1984, around 40 tons of methyl isocyanate gas accidentally leaked from a pesticide factory owned by US multinational Union Carbide Corporation, leading to the death of over 3,700 people, with thousands others injured. The tragedy is considered one of the world`s worst industrial disasters.

A prayer meeting was held at the Barkatullah Bhavan here today to pay respect to the people who had lost their lives due to poisonous gas leak in the Union Carbide factory 32 years ago.
Pune: Bhumata Brigade activist Trupti Desai along with several others are all set to enter the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali Dargah on Saturday, days after a group of around 100 women and social activists entered the holy place.

Confirming the report, Desai told ANI, "It's a historic victory for the movement. Our demand was not wrong. We were not against any religion. We will be entering Haji Ali today. It was a historic victory for women and I am sure there will be no problem."

Pune: Trupti Desai along with other members of Bhumata Brigade leaves for Haji Ali dargah pic.twitter.com/jxs3ZCHxou  ANI (@ANI_news) December 3, 2016

After a series of legal battles that lasted for five years, the women activists entered the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah on November 29.

On October 29, the Haji Ali Dargah told the Supreme Court that it was ready to implement the Bombay High Court's order to allow women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine located in South Mumbai and had sought four weeks for infrastructural changes to make arrangements for it.

Prior to 2011, the dargah did not discriminate against women and allowed free entry of people across religions. however, in March 2011, the dargah's board of trustees imposed a ban on women's entry calling it a 'grievous sin'.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur heard the Haji Ali dargah Trust's plea challenging the Bombay High Court's ruling to provide equal rights of entry to both women and men in the dargah's sanctum sanctorum.
Chandigarh: Border Security Force (BSF) personnel gunned down an intruder from Pakistan in north Punjab, official sources said on Saturday.

The incident took place the Bamiyal sector near the Dinda border out post (BoP) in forward areas of Pathankot district of Punjab.

The intruder was killed after he came close to the border fencing on the Indian side and did not heed to warnings.

The area is close to the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border.

The National Investigating Agency, which had investigated the terror attack on the Pathankot air base on January 2 this year by Pakistani terrorists, had pointed out that the terrorists had entered India near the Dinda BoP.

BSF troopers in the border belt are maintaining a high vigil along the Indo-Pak border following India's surgical strike against terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control.
Moradabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday address Bharatiya Janata Party's Parivartan Yatra rally in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad with BJP leaving no stone unturned to make the event a grand success.

This is his third rally in Moradabad after the massive victory of Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

To read the updated story, click here: PM Narendra Modi addresses rally in UP's Moradabad, says 'surprised that people in my own country are accusing me'

Parivartan rally is scheduled to take place on the Sector 2 grounds in Moradabad city. Apart from Modi, BJP state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, party state in-charge Om Mathur and union minister Sanjeev Balyan will take part in the rally.

Security has been beefed up in Moradabad and at least three lakh people are expected to take part in the rally.

"Police personnel, including 10 superintendents of police, 21 additional superintendents of police, 32 deputy superintendents of police, will be present at the rally ground. Besides, eight compartments of PAC and paramilitary forces each will be deployed here," senior superintendent of police (SSP), Moradabad, Dinesh Chandra Dubey was quoted as saying by TOI.

"At least 15 CCTV cameras have been installed while anti-bomb squad will remain there. We have made full-proved security arrangements, Dubey added.

The entire city is laid with posters and banners for the Parivartan Rally of PM Narendra Modi.
Kolkata: West Bengal Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi on Saturday said that one should be careful while making any allegation against the Indian Army.

Tripathi's statement comes in the wake of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that soldiers extorted money from truck drivers during their deployment at toll plazas.

When asked about Banerjee`s accusation that the soldiers extorted money from truck drivers, Tripathi said here: "Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like the Indian Army. Don`t let down the Army. Don`t defame the Army.Banerjee`s accusation that the soldiers extorted money from truck drivers, Tripathi said here: "Every person should take care in making allegation against a responsible organisation like the Indian Army. Don`t let down the Army. Don`t defame the Army.

Chief Minister Banerjee spent Thursday night at the state secretariat and stayed put there on Friday protesting deployment of the Army at toll plazas in West Bengal allegedly without informing her government -- an issue that snowballed into a major row causing disruptions in Parliament.

The central government and the Army rubbished the allegations, saying too much was being read into a routine exercise.

In the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Army was conducting a routine exercise in Kolkata. The Eastern Command showed papers detailing the correspondence between the Army and the local police on the issue and said the state government and the police knew about it in advance.
Dhaka: At least 20 houses of Hindus were set on fire in Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur in Bangladesh early Saturday.

A report published in The Daily Star said that houses of seven families of Hindus were set on fire in Railway Colony.

Fortunately, no one was injured as residents managed to escape on time.

A person named Jewel was held by the locals, who allegedly set the fire.

The residents claimed that Jewel had been threatening them ever since a scuffle broke out during Durga Puja celebrations earlier this year.

In October this year, at least 15 Hindu temples in Bangladesh were vandalised over allegations of disrespect shown to Islam on Facebook, triggering panic among the minority community in the Muslim-majority nation.

Temples in Brahmanbarhia district's Nasirnagar were vandalised on besides over 100 houses of Hindus in the area have also been looted.

Temples in adjacent Habiganj's Madhabpur also came under attack.
Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for further downsizing the country's huge military.

He hopes that it would boost combat capabilities of the world's largest military.

Currently, the troop size is 2.3 million soldiers.

The development comes after China moved to cut 300,000 troops last year.

Xi, who is also the chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks at a two-day conference on military reform.

China's military needs to focus more on technology rather than on troop strength, PTI quoted Xi as saying.

"This is a major, inevitable change. We must seize the opportunity and make breakthrough," he said.

The troop reduction, fourth since 1980s, is expected to take place next year.
RACINE COUNTY  Local police departments are on high alert, and want businesses to do the same, as counterfeit money has been seen coming through the county.

The funny money is typical counterfeit $100 bills. Cases have been reported in at least three municipalities recently.

Caledonia Police are investigating an incident that occurred Sunday at Papa Murphys, 5121 Douglas Ave.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male with a scraggly mustache and ponytail, according to Caledonia Police Lt. Gary Larsen.

For the incident, the cashier reportedly used a counterfeit bill marker and the bill checked out.

If you are using the pens to check, they still may show valid, Larsen said. Training employees to recognize counterfeits would be ideal.

One of the simple ways Larsen recommends for businesses to avoid being scammed is to tell cashiers to take their time with customers.

For people who are cashiers, dont let people rush you because that is a tactic sometimes used by criminals, Larsen said. A lot of the time, they try to be distracting and make you feel rushed.

Racine Police are looking for a suspect who has reportedly passed several counterfeit $100 bills in the city.

Racine Police Sgt. Adam Malacara said businesses should check large bills when they are presented, especially during the holiday season.

Be on the lookout for fake $100 bills, Malacara said. You should always be aware of counterfeit incidents happening, but especially now with so much shopping going on, so be on the lookout for counterfeit bills.

Larsen said Mount Pleasant Police are also investigating an incident regarding counterfeit money.
Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to send an envoy to the United States to hold a meeting with Donald Trump's transition team.

The development comes two days after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held 'productive' telephonic conversation with United States president-elect Donald Trump.

Pakistani Prime Minister's special assistant for foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi will visit the US this weekend to meet officials of the Trump transition team.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani confirmed the report of Fatemi's meeting with officials of Trump transition team. "Besides meeting members of the transition team, Fatemi will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration," said Jilani.

Fatemi, who is coming on a two-week official visit, is also expected to meet some members of this team and in Washington. "He will also meet new US lawmakers elected last month," Jilani told a news briefing at the embassy.

"This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections," Jilani said.

US President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take the oath on January 20 but he has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Last week, Sharif had called Trump to congratulate him as the two leaders discussed various issues.

"I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honour and I will personally do it.

Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January, that is before I assume my office," Trump told Sharif, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Prime

Minister's Office.
Washington: United States President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone on Friday with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan on Friday, a striking break with nearly four decades of diplomatic practice that could precipitate a major rift with China even before he takes office.

Trump's office said he had spoken with the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen who offered her congratulations on winning the Presidency.

He is believed to be the first president or president-elect who has spoken to a Taiwanese leader since at least 1979, when the United States severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan as part of its recognition of the Peoples Republic of China.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said, "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact."

The two noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States," the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan`s presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

The call comes at a time of worsened Taiwan-China relations since the election of Tsais pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) earlier this year.

The White House responded to the call by saying that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed.

Meawhile raising objection to the bilateral communication between the two leaders, China on Saturday sought an explanation from the White House over the move.

"We firmly opposes any official interaction or military contact between the US and Taiwan," a Chinese official said.

Trump also in a tweet over the conversation said, "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!"

"Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," he added.

The remark was in reference to the $1.83 billion contract signed in 2015 by President Barack Obama`s administration, which included military equipment for Taiwan, a sale that angered Beijing.

Former US President Jimmy Carter formally declared Beijing as the only government of China in 1979, thereby ending formal diplomatic relations between the US and Taiwan.

Washington closed its embassy in Taipei in 1980.
Doha: A $100 million fund launched by France and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday to protect heritage sites after the destruction of an ancient palace by Islamic state militants in Iraq.

President Francois Hollande and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan announced the fund at an Abu Dhabi conference which will be used to transport and restore monuments damaged by war, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

"Conflict causes irreparable damage to valuable heritage sites in Syria, Iraq, Mali and many others," WAM quoted Mohammed al-Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi`s tourism and culture authority, as saying.

"Today, we establish a $100 million fund to focus on protecting and rebuilding these sites."

Museums in Iraq, Roman-era temples in Syria and ancient stucco buildings in medieval Yemeni ports have been spoiled by wars that have swept the region since 2011.

The International military coalition, fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria say that they want to protect artefacts threatened by air strikes, smugglers and militant groups.

In 2015, several monuments including the Baal Shamin temple in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra were dynamited by Islamic State fighters.

Hollande told the UNESCO conference, referring to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, "This fanaticism is an attack on civilizations and thus on the unity of the human species."

He has also rebuked Syrian authorities for destroying Syria`s diverse cultural heritage.

"In Aleppo, those who have chosen to unleash violence kill the Syrian people twice over  in the flesh with the bombing raids and the massacres which are taking place and in memory by (destroying) the most prestigious objects of humanity," he said.
Baghdad: At least 24 people were killed in an attack by the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group in the Iraqi city of Mosul on Saturday.

Iraqi media reported today that fierce clashes were underway between Iraqi security forces and the ISIS near Mosul's airport.

The news comes a day after ISIS militants launched an attack using two car bombs on Kanaos village in the south of Qayyarah, in which two soldiers were killed while 29 others were injured.

Iraqi forces recaptured Qayyarah, which lies on the western bank of Tigris river, some 60 kilometres south of Mosul, from ISIS terrorists late in August.

Iraq's Almada Press website reported that Iraqi forces thwarted an ISIS assault on the Aden district, east of Mosul, killing 13 terrorists, including the senior commander, Talaat Ahmed Fathi aka Abu Mohammed al-Iraqi.
Kabul: The US would provide more assistance to Afghanistan if required, the Afghan government said in a statement.

"If Afghanistan needs more security assistance, his administration, after assessing the needs, will focus on providing more security support," AFP quoted the statement from President Ashraf Ghani's office as saying.

In a telephone conversation with Ghani, US president-elect Donald Trump promised more support to the country if necessary, the report said.

"President elect Trump praised the Afghan forces' defence of Afghanistan and its people and emphasised that the US will continue to remain with the government and people of Afghanistan during his term," the statement said.

Around 8,000 foreign troops, including US soldiers, are still in Afghanistan to help fight Taliban militancy, some 15 years after the invasion of the country.
Beirut: The Syrian army continued to advance seizing Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo from rebels as they press an offensive to recapture all of the city, a monitor said on Saturday.

The capture of the neighbourhood means the government has now retaken around 60 per cent of the east of the city, which the rebels overran in mid-2012, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The advance also restores control of a road leading from government-controlled western neighbourhoods of the city to Aleppo airport, which the regime also holds.

The government's capture of Tariq al-Bab came after ferocious clashes that sent civilians flooding out of the adjacent neighbourhood of Al-Shaar.

More than 300 civilians have been killed in east Aleppo since the government resumed its offensive to oust the rebels on November 15.
Ankara: At least 20 Kurdish rebel fighters were killed in fighting with Turkish military in the country's southeastern province of Hakkari, a media report said on Saturday.

The clashes broke out when the fighters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) tried attack army bases in the mountainous border province.

Citing the Turkish military, the Reuters reported that the PKK fighters had crossed into Turkey from northern Iraq and tried to attack the military bases.

Turkey's Kurdish-dominated southeast region has been rocked by violence after a ceasefire between the government and PKK broke down in July last year.

Turkey has designated the PKK as a terrorist organisation. The group had first started its armed rebellion in 1984.

According to the Reuters report, over 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, were killed in the decades-long fighting.
Islamabad: The US House of Representatives on Friday passed a defence bill that pledges USD 900 million in economic and other assistance to Pakistan.

However, a major portion of the aid requires Pentagon to certify that Pakistan is conducting military operations to disrupt Afghanistan's militant Haqqani network.

The US National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA, for the fiscal year 2017 was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday.

The bill limits the overall amount available for reimbursement to USD 1.1 billion, of which USD 900 million is available for reimbursement to Pakistan.

Also Read: Pakistan not putting enough pressure on Haqqani network: US General

It extends Congressional notification and certification requirements regarding reimbursements to Pakistan.

The bill specifies that certain reimbursements to Pakistan are ineligible for a national security waiver unless Department of Defense makes specified certifications regarding the activities of Pakistan with respect to the Haqqani network.

According to a report, the bill would block USD 450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight the Haqqani network, which lawmakers see as a major threat to US forces in Afghanistan.

This year, the amount was USD 300 million, which was not released after Defence Secretary Ashton Carter refused to certify in Pakistan's favour.

Also Read: US Senators 'frustrated' with 'duplicitous' Pakistan, say Islamabad knows where Haqqanis live

The bill is scheduled for a vote in the Senate next week. Since it is a consensus bill, it is unlikely to face any opposition.

The bill notes that the United States and Pakistan continue to have many critical shared interests, both economic- and security-related, which could be the foundation for a positive and mutually beneficial partnership."

In a conference report, which combines the House and Senate versions of a legislation, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee John McCain had underlined the importance of a continued relationship between the United States and Pakistan.

He noted that the bill "refocuses security assistance to Pakistan on activities that directly support US national security interests".

(With PTI inputs)
MOUNT PLEASANT  A Racine man faces multiple charges after an alleged hit-and-run and battery this week.

Anthony Adams, 30, of the 1200 block of South Memorial Drive, faces a total of 11 counts for both incidents, according to the criminal complaint.

The battery occurred at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, when Adams allegedly hit a woman numerous times causing two black eyes, a bruise on her cheek, a cut on her nose and a cut on her lip. The victim told police Adams had a no-contact order with the woman.

On Wednesday, Adams was found to be connected to a hit-and-run incident that occurred at the intersection of Frontage Road and Commerce Drive, the complaint said. Witnesses allegedly told police that Adams hit the vehicle, then parked in the Aurora Medical Center parking lot after the crash.

Adams appeared to have been transporting the woman from the battery incident to the hospital because she was having a seizure, according to the complaint.

The victim of the crash reportedly suffered neck and back pain after the car was hit on the passenger side.

Adams was located Thursday in a hospital waiting room bathroom. He pulled away as officers initially tried to detain him but was eventually taken into custody by Mount Pleasant Police.

Adams faces one felony charge for hit-and-run causing injury, one misdemeanor charge for battery, one misdemeanor charge for disorderly conduct, two misdemeanor charges for resisting an officer, and six felony charges for bail jumping.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. Adams remained in custody as of Friday at the Racine County Jail, online records showed.
PHOENIX -- A state utility regulator is rejecting an offer by Arizona Public Service for new financial disclosure rules as both too little and chock full of loopholes.

William Richards, attorney for Bob Burns, said the proposal by the state's largest electric company is too narrowly crafted to actually ensure the public knows when a utility or its affiliates is spending money to influence the outcome of races for the Arizona Corporation Commission. In a letter to APS attorney Thomas Loquvam, Richards detailed examples of how he believes what APS is proposing still would allow the company to curry favor with regulators indirectly.

"Regulated utilities like APS might buy undue influence with ACC candidates or commissioners by making substantial, disclosed contributions to charitable organizations with which a candidate or commissioner, or their close family, is involved,'' Richards wrote.

But the real flaw in what APS has offered, he said, is it is prospective only. And that means APS and its parent company, Pinnacle West Capital Corp., would never have to disclose how much they spent two years ago to elect Republicans Tom Forese and Doug Little -- the issue that started the whole debate.

"Commissioner Burns expects that APS and Pinnacle West leaders understand why any sort of hasty move to foreclose disclosure concerning 2014 events in return for illusory new rule proposals could only heighten public suspicions that APS and Pinnacle West have something material to hide or have succeeded in procuring unfair protection from the ACC,'' Richards wrote.

Loquvam, for his part, responded that the company is trying to resolve the spat.

"APS made a good faith offer to help create a rule mandating more disclosure than is required by any law, rule, regulator or court decision of which APS is aware,'' he responded to Richards.

It is that point, however, that is at the heart of the dispute which has pitted Burns against APS in Maricopa County Superior Court.

It is no secret that the Free Enterprise Club and Save Our State Now put $3.2 million into the successful 2014 bid to elect Forese and Burns. What is not known is the source of those funds as the two organizations claim they are exempt from Arizona law compelling them to disclose their donors.

Unable to go after those two entities, Burns instead subpoenaed the records of both APS and Pinnacle West demanding disclosure of their spending on campaigns, lobbyists and charitable donations.

APS provided some information that already is publicly available. But the companies are asking Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Gass to quash the subpoenas as illegal.

The commission, in turn, allowed Burns to hire Richards. And that resulted in some efforts to resolve the case.

APS offered a requirement that any organization seeking a rate hike or rule change to disclose the amount of the donation, which commissioner or commission candidate it is designed to benefit.

Loquavam said the rule is crafted in a way to "attract widespread support and withstand legal challenges.'' And he said if it is adopted APS will defend it against any legal challenges.

Richards, however, said there are a host of other ways utilities could wield influence, like donating to a nonprofit run by a commissioner's relatives.

What he said concerns Burns is that the only way to know how to plug loopholes is to know how utilities have maneuvered in the past. And that, Richards said, is why Burns is not giving up on his demand to see how APS or Pinnacle West funneled money into the 2014 race.

Utility officials have not denied they were the source of at least some of those funds, saying the company has a legal right to defend itself against charges leveled against it by other interests. Richards said it's impossible to craft a disclosure rule without seeing what's been done in the past.

"It may make little sense to try and prevent scenarios that will not realistically occur or to implement rules containing material loopholes or ambiguities that undermine their purpose,'' Richards wrote. "Knowing how real-world charitable and political contributions from regulated utilities or their affiliates work allows the commissioners to target realistically plausible programs with rules that are tight and effective.''

Richards also warned Loquvam that any attempt by his clients to push through something over Burns' objections -- and presumably with the help of Forese and Little -- would backfire.

"There will likely be no end to critics who might assert APS was enlisting commissioners it improperly captured to quash inquiry into APS' potential wrongdoing,'' he wrote.

Whether APS and Pinnacle West can convince a judge to block the subpoenas if negotiations fail remains an open question.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich, in a formal legal opinion, said any commissioner has the right to see the books of any regulated utility.

But Brnovich said it takes the votes of three of the five commissioners to pursue the records of affiliates and parent companies. And Burns has so far been unable to get the additional votes on the panel.
As the Racine Art Museum plans its 20th anniversary commemoration in 2023, officials are mourning the death of Brad Lynch, the Racine-born architect who designed the downtown museum.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand  While aboard the USS Sampson, Jacob Gustavson, a Racine native and 2016 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, assisted in earthquake recovery efforts in Kaikourais, a town on New Zealands South Island.

The crew had been scheduled to participate in New Zealands International Naval Review, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy, but ended up rendering assistance when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook the South Island on Nov. 14.

The sailors flew ashore in MH-60R helicopters to distribute water, aid in infrastructural repair, assess damage and pass out informational packets informing residents what services were available.

While viewing sobering images of widespread infrastructural damage in Kaikoura, I was also reminded and encouraged by the sight of my sailors going ashore with an unwavering can-do spirit that assures me we are doing our part in supporting the New Zealand forces, Tim LaBenz, commanding Officer of the Sampson, said in a news release.

Gustavson is a surface warfare officer serving aboard the Sampson, a guided-missile destroyer capable of helicopter operations and warfare areas such as anti-submarine, surface, air and strike in support of ensuring stability and prosperity throughout the Pacific.

As a surface warfare officer, Gustavson is responsible for maintaining and operating the ships combat systems and shipboard engineering systems, navigating the sea sad leading sailors.

The best part about my job is that it allows me to become proficient in all the facets of what makes a U.S. Navy warship able to complete its mission. This versatility allows myself, and all the other officers onboard, the ability to discern a combat situation and appropriately utilize our ships capabilities, said Gustavson.

As one of about 350 crewmembers, Gustavson explained that they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. As with the U.S. Navy, New Zealand is an important leader in the Pacific, a key contributor to global security and a valuable military partner on issues like humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and peacekeeping.

Sampson is a very unique ship. She has an amazing crew that is incredibly smart and prepared to do their job. Its the crew that makes a Navy Warship great and she is a direct reflection of their aptitude. Im glad to be a part of this winning team, said Gustavson.

Sampson is the fourth U.S. destroyer named after Rear Adm. William Thomas Sampson, who served from 1857 to 1902 and commanded the North Atlantic Station during the Spanish-American War in 1898. The second ship named USS Sampson (DD-364) supported combat operations while patrolling Pacific waters north of New Zealand during World War II.
KELOWNA a Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of a $40.65-million investment in the new Teaching and Learning Centre and a number of sustainability and infrastructure upgrades at the UBC Okanagan campus. This joint federal-provincial investment was announced today by Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture and MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, on behalf of Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Advanced Education for the Province of British Columbia. The Government of Canadas Innovation Agenda aims to make this country a global centre for innovationone that creates jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. This investment at UBC Okanagan is a prime example of that vision in action. This $40.65 million will support two separate projects. A product of the expansion and renewal of the campus library, the Teaching and Learning Centre will enhance the student learning and research experience as well as enable innovative research and partnerships with industry. The updated facility will include a digital technology centre and a visualization lab to facilitate high resolution data modelling in research fields such as advanced manufacturing, materials science and sustainability. The cost of the Teaching and Learning Centre expansion and renewal is $35 million with $14.56 million from the Government of Canada, $10.62 million from the Province of British Columbia and $9.82 million from the university, thanks to an investment by the UBC Okanagan student body. Funding will also support Environmental Sustainability Projects for Research Infrastructure, which will focus on sustainability upgrades to 11 Okanagan campus buildings. Included in this project is the provision of services and utilities at the UBC Innovation Precinct, which will facilitate university/industry co-location at the Okanagan campus and new economic activity in the region. The total cost of the upgrades is $5.65 million with $1.41 million from the Government of Canada, $719,000 from the Province of British Columbia and $3.52 million from the university. The funding from the Government of Canada is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. As a result of these investments, students, professors and researchers will work in state-of-the-art facilities that advance the countrys best research. They will collaborate in specially designed spaces that support lifelong learning and skills training. They will work in close proximity with partners to turn discoveries into products or services. In the process, they will train for - and invent - the high-value jobs of the future. Their discoveries will plant the seeds for the next generation of innovators. That is how the Strategic Investment Fund will jump-start a circle of innovation, creating the right conditions for long-term growth that will yield benefits for generations to come. Both projects are projected to be complete in April 2018 and will create an estimated 137 direct and 103 indirect jobs. UBC Okanagan opened in Kelowna in 2005 and currently enrols more than 8,600 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs in eight faculties and schools. Nearly one million job openings are expected in B.C. over the next decade, and eight out of 10 of these openings will require post-secondary education. In-demand occupations requiring post-secondary education or training range from professional to management to trades. Quotes: Stephen Fuhr, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development  These investments will create well-paying jobs that can help the middle class grow and prosper today, while also delivering sustained economic growth for years to come. By investing in a world-class institution like UBC Okanagan through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are strengthening the foundation for building Canada into a global centre for innovation. Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna  "With investments like the new Teaching and Learning Centre, and a number of upgrades at UBC Okanagan, were providing students with the best-possible start as they prepare for in-demand careers in Canadas leading economy. Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson  Ensuring that this project gets the funding it deserves has been a passion of mine. I would like to thank all funding partners who are making this needed building project a reality. Their contributions, alongside our governments $11.3-million investment, will enable UBCO to create modern facilities for students in the Okanagan; allowing them to learn and train in while also supporting the growing needs of the region. Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission  "Students in the Okanagan will benefit from the new Teaching and Learning Centre, a modern facility that will support their education and provide an enhanced learning experience. Our government is making investments that will help British Columbians as they prepare for a bright future in our strong, growing and diverse economy." Santa Ono, UBC president and vice-chancellor  This investment in the development of UBCs Okanagan campus is testament to the power of partnerships between governments, post-secondary and students. I look forward to seeing the many great things that will come from the work undertaken by UBC students and researchers in these new and enhanced facilities. Deborah Buszard, UBC deputy vice-chancellor and principal, Okanagan campus  Thank you to the federal and provincial governments for these important investments in the future of UBC in the Okanagan. Moreover, I want to express my gratitude to our students for their commitment of up to $10 million to establish the Teaching and Learning Centre. It is an extraordinary contribution to future generations. Blake Edwards, president, UBC Student Union Okanagan  This investment is a testament to student advocacy. In 2014, students voted yes to #morelibrary and agreed to contribute $10 million towards a larger, enhanced library. The student contribution reaffirms that this has been a necessity for our campus and we thank the government for joining our efforts in building a brighter UBCO for future students. In a mere 10 years, students have been active members in guiding and enhancing the master plan for this campus. Quick Facts: The Government of Canada is contributing $14.56 million and the Province of British Columbia is providing $10.62 million toward the $35 million cost of the Teaching and Learning Centre. The UBC Okanagan student body is contributing $9.82 million toward the project.

The Government of Canada is contributing $1.41 million and the Province of British Columbia is providing $719,000 toward the $5.65 million cost of the sustainability and infrastructure upgrades.

The university, in partnership with the Okanagan campus student body, will contribute a total of $13.34 million for both the Teaching and Learning Centre and the Environmental Sustainability Projects for Research Infrastructure.

The Government of Canadas Innovation Agenda is designed to ensure Canada is globally competitive in promoting research, translating ideas into new products and services, accelerating business growth and propelling entrepreneurs from the start-up phase to international success.

The targeted, short-term investments under the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will promote economic activity across Canada and help Canadas universities and colleges develop highly skilled workers, act as engines of discovery, and collaborate on innovations that help Canadian companies compete and grow internationally.

The Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund supports the Government of Canadas climate change objectives by encouraging sustainable and green infrastructure projects. Learn More: Canadas Innovation Agenda: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/062.nsf/eng/home Innovation Agenda backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1084739 Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/051.nsf/eng/home Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund backgrounder: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1105379 B.C.s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2025: https://www.workbc.ca/getmedia/00de3b15-0551-4f70-9e6b-23ffb6c9cb86/LabourMarketOutlook.pdf.aspx UBC Okanagan: http://ok.ubc.ca/welcome.html Follow Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development on Twitter: @MinisterISED Follow BC Jobs Plan on Twitter: @BCJobs Plan
The H5N8 variant of bird flu, which also hit duck farmers in the Netherlands last month, is highly infectious for poultry but poses little danger to humans

A new outbreak of bird flu hit France's foie gras producers just as a ban on exports outside Europe was about to be lifted in time for the crucial holiday period.

The agriculture ministry said the outbreak of the "highly pathogenic" H5N8 strain of the virus was detected Thursday on a duck farm in the southwestern Tarn region, the heart of the lucrative, though controversial, foie gras industry.

Exports outside the European Union had been suspended after an outbreak a year ago, and producers were waiting for the green light -- which had been set for Saturday -- to resume shipments just in time for the Christmas holidays, when the delicacy is especially popular.

Japan, a top export market for foie gras, banned imports from France last December after the H5N1 strain was detected on 69 farms in southwestern France.

As a result of the fresh outbreak, France will be unable to "recover, as anticipated, its status as (a country) free of bird flu" on Saturday, the ministry said in a statement.

Sales within the EU can continue, however, the ministry said.

It said migratory birds were the likely source of the outbreak.

Some 7,000 ducks were slaughtered while a further 4,500 had died from illness in the region, officials said.

Authorities later announced a number of confirmed or suspected cases of bird flu in the southwestern regions of Gers, Hautes-Pyrenees and Lot-et-Garonne -- where ducks from the supplier of the Tarn farm had been transported -- leading to around 7,000 further birds being culled.

Producers must now wait another three months for the export go-ahead, as long as no further cases are discovered.

A protection zone has been declared within a three-kilometre (two-mile) radius of the Tarn farm, as well as a 10-kilometre surveillance zone.

Foie gras has become a battleground between animals rights campaigners and defenders of France's gourmet traditions.

Force-feeding of geese and ducks to produce foie gras (fatty liver) has been banned in several countries but is legal in France.

Story continues

The process fattens the birds to around four times their natural body weight.

The H5N8 variant of bird flu, which also hit duck farmers in the Netherlands last month, is highly infectious for poultry but poses little danger to humans.

The H5N1 strain, however, has killed more than 420 people, mainly in southeast Asia, since first appearing in 2003.
Of the total recalled, 602,000 were sold in the United States, 35,600 in Canada and 8,600 in Mexico

Ford on Friday announced the recall of nearly 650,000 cars in North America over defective seat belts that can fail in a crash.

The automaker said two accidents and two injuries have been blamed on the defect, which involves overheating of the cables in the pre-tensioning system of the seat belts, which can prevent them from functioning correctly in an accident.

Of the total recalled, 602,000 were sold in the United States, 35,600 in Canada and 8,600 in Mexico.

The recall covers the 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and the 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ, produced at plants in Flat Rock, Michigan and Hermosillo, Mexico. Some Ford Mondeos also have been recalled but they are not in North America.

In the United States, vehicle manufacturers are legally obliged to publicly announce recall operations to correct defects found on their vehicles.
WATERFORD  Just in time for Christmas shopping season, some Waterford High School students are aiming to give parents a day to get away and they are doing it for a cause.

The Waterford High School National Honor Society will host a day of baby-sitting for parents of children ages 6 months through 12 years from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Waterford High School, 100 Field Drive. The service is free, but donations and proceeds go toward the purchase and installation of inclusive playground equipment that will provide interactive play opportunities for children of all abilities at Whitford Park.

Waterford senior Hannah Merlo, 17, spearheaded the playground project. The youngest child in her family, she found herself frequently at Whitford Park for her fathers and older siblings sporting events, playing at the playground.

I was constantly, as the youngest, being taken from game to game, so thats a place that has been important to my childhood as well as others in the community, she said.

Since its for children of all abilities, the new and improved playground will have ramp access, a seat swing and flooring that is wheelchair accessible. Merlo said she hopes to have the playground up and running by early summer 2017.

Waterford City Administrator Rebecca Ewald helped Merlo get the playground project approved by the Waterford Village Board this spring.

Hannah has grown up in the park, Ewald said. She has played on this antiquated playground her entire life. And shes come back as an adult, as a senior in high school, wanting to make it better.

Terry Raibe, an English teacher at the high school who co-advises the honor society, praised Merlos efforts, calling her the driving force behind the entire project. She also sympathized with Merlos mission to improve the Whitford Park playground.

Like Hannah, my daughter used to play softball at that park and the playground is deplorable, Raibe said. Id love to see us do something in that park.

As for the Dec. 17 fundraiser, parents can sign up to participate online in hour-long increments at http://bit.ly/2fTUPNX.

Shopping without your kids around Christmas is a hard thing to come by, Merlo said. We figured: Why not give them a day out and a fun opportunity for the kids?

Added Ewald: What a creative idea for fundraising, at a time of year where every parent could use some time.
The construction of west Africa's biggest gas pipeline, linking Nigeria's energy-rich south to consumer markets on the region's coast -- Benin, Togo and Ghana -- began in 2005, with deliveries starting five years later

Nigeria and Morocco are in talks over a huge project to extend a West African gas pipeline to stretch up towards Europe, officials say.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said in a government video posted on Twitter on Friday that the pipeline would "go along the coast from West Africa -- Nigeria -- all the way up to Morocco and into Europe eventually".

"That's a very big and important project for us," Onyeama added, without giving further details.

The construction of west Africa's biggest gas pipeline, linking Nigeria's energy-rich south to consumer markets on the region's coast -- Benin, Togo and Ghana -- began in 2005, with deliveries starting five years later.

Onyeama's comments came as Morocco's King Mohammed VI wrapped up a two-day visit to Abuja, where he met with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

Moroccan media reported that the pipeline extension topped the agenda in the talks, with the Economie-Enterprise website reporting that the two countries would sign a memorandum of understanding shortly for the "highly ambitious project estimated at several billion dollars".

The Telquel.ma website said the work would see the pipeline extended "towards Morocco, passing through Dakar".

Algeria held talks with Nigeria as far back as 2002 for a similar pipeline crossing the Sahel region, but ultimately the Algerian government was unable to finance the project.

Major oil exporter Nigeria also has huge untapped gas resources -- the largest proven reserves in Africa and the seventh largest globally.

But its energy-rich Niger Delta area is frequently hit by attacks by militants seeking a fairer distribution of the nation's resource wealth, including assaults on pipelines that seriously dented oil and gas production in 2016.
Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg's minority government had until Monday to secure majority support from its centrist allies in parliament, the Christian Democrats and Liberals, to pass its 2017 finance bill

Norway's right-wing government narrowly avoided collapse Saturday after a last-minute deal was agreed in negotiations for the 2017 budget, which had threatened to bring down the ruling coalition, media reports said.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg's minority government had until Monday to secure majority support from its centrist allies in parliament, the Christian Democrats and Liberals, to pass its 2017 finance bill.

But a solution was found after talks stretched into the weekend, according to leading daily Aftenposten public broadcaster NRK and the tabloid VG, citing sources close to the government.

Saturday's compromise included an extra 6 billion kroner (670 million euros) for climate and environmental measures, family policy, education and research and rail transport, according to Norwegian media.

Details of the measures were due to be confirmed at a press conference later in the day.

The talks had been thrown into crisis on Tuesday when the Liberal Party announced its withdrawal from the budget negotiations, unhappy with a lack of measures to combat climate change.

In its draft budget, the government had proposed to raise the price of diesel by 0.35 kroner (4 euro cents) per litre and that of petrol by 0.15 kroner per litre, while at the same time giving motorists other tax breaks. Presented as non-negotiable, the proposal had fuelled anger among the Liberals.

Without a last-minute compromise, the government would have been forced to call a vote of confidence in parliament. A defeat would have triggered negotiations to form a new government, potentially led by the opposition Labour party.

The Norwegian constitution does not allow for early elections, with the next legislative vote scheduled for September 11, 2017.
ODA 574 Karzai

Retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, is known for being an eminently quotable and beloved military commander. However, an incident in Afghanistan in 2001 is being touted as a potential smudge on Mattis' record.

At the start of the war in Afghanistan, US clandestine operatives had to operate in exceedingly complex and dangerous environments behind the scenes. Consisting of 11 members, Special Forces A-Team ODA 574 was one of these clandestine groups.

Having deployed with a mission to escort the future Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, this elite team, specializing in free-fall operations, neared Kandahar, the countrys second-largest city. Karzai, who was at the time an exile, had been raising a Pashtun militia to overtake the Taliban while ODA 574 provided protection by calling in precision airstrikes.

JDAM

One day, disaster struck when a 2,000 pound joint direct attack munition (JDAM) accidentally struck the team. Amidst the chaos, ODA 574 Captain Jason Amerine sent a mass casualty evacuation request which was acknowledged by the nearest base, Camp Rhino  a 45 minute flight by helicopter.

Besides the Marines located at Camp Rhino, the closest support that 574 had was in Uzbekistan and Pakistan, some three hours away. A Special Forces liaison informed General Mattis, commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, of the situation.

Author Eric Blehm describes the tense scene in his New York Times bestseller, The Only Thing Worth Dying For:

Mattis asked if they were still in contact and wanted more specifics, which Cairnes did not have. Well, if theyve taken fire, said the general, and you cant tell me definitively how they got all scuffed up, Im not going to send anything until you can assure me that the situation on the ground is secure. Mattis went on to explain that there were nearly a thousand Marines at Camp Rhino for him to worry about, and he was not willing to dilute base security and risk sending his air squadron on a dangerous daylight mission just to assist an unknown number of casualties.

Weiterlesen

Later, members of the Special Forces team discussed the situation amongst themselves:

They could understand why Mattis wouldnt send all of his helicopters, but no one in the tent could fathom why he wouldnt do something to help their guys. Wheres the love from the Marines? said another member of the team. Theyre supposed to be frothing at the mouth for this kind of s***. These helicopters outside would be airborne already if it were Marines that were bleeding, said the B-teams communications sergeant. You know what, said Lee, who had watched the Marines endure abysmal conditions at the base since theyd arrived. Its not the Marines. Its Mattis.

AP110201148779

Twenty minutes after being denied by Mattis and hearing that there was at least one confirmed American KIA, the soldiers decided that the situation was dire and the Marine general needed to be persuaded for the second time:

Inside, the expressions on the faces of Mattis staff showed their frustration and embarrassment. One Marine glanced away as they walked past, unable to meet their eyes. Mattis greeted the two Green Berets at the heavy wood door that led into his spartan concrete-floored office. He held a military-issue canteen cup filled with coffee in his left hand and gestured them inside with the other. After closing the door to a crack, he sat down at a small writing desk where a map was laid out. Lets hear it, said Mattis Sir, said Lee, weve got reports of mass casualties, and word is they expect the numbers to continue to rise. You are the closest American with the ability to respond. Do you have an update on how they got all scuffed up? Are they still in contact? With all due respect, said Leithead, we think thats irrelevant. I hear you, but no, Im not sending a rescue mission, Mattis said. We. Dont. Know. The situation. The situation, sir, said Lee, is that Americans are dying. And they need your help. Look, when I have fighters over the scene so that Ive got air superiority, then Ill send choppers. That, or we wait till nightfall. Exchanging a look with Leithead, Lee said, Thats not good enough, sir. Standing up, the general cleared his throat. Sergeant, Mattis called to his sergeant at arms, positioned outside the office. Were done. Escort these men out of here. Without another word, Lee and Leithead walked out of the office toward the door to the command post, again passing Marines who wouldnt make eye contact. Behind them, they heard Mattis say, Nobody gets into my office.

Eventually, US military teams in Uzbekistan and Pakistan launched rescue efforts in broad daylight. When the dust finally settled, three members of 574 were killed, along with several of Karzais forces.

Blehm explained to Business Insider that after several attempts, Mattis agreed to be interviewed about the incident, however, by the time he did, the book had already been published.

As far as ... those guys were concerned, it didn't matter. Americans were wounded, dead, or dying and Mattis was the closest with the ability to respond  and they refused, Blehm said.

Black Hawk Down Super 61

Just like the developing situation in Afghanistan, an answer of exactly who was at fault here would be, at best, complicated. As a career Marine educated in the art of war, Mattis would have undoubtedly recounted the harrowing events that unfolded during the Black Hawk Down Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, where several members of a rescue team were killed.

Conversely, leaving any servicemember unattended for would not only be against policy, but would tarnish the reputation of the US military. This is even confirmed by the resounding mottos of the military, such as the 9th Cavalry Regiments, We can, We will. Perhaps more importantly, however, is that a delay in rescue operations may lower the chance of survival for injured servicemembers.

As most veterans know, a general rule of thumb in the military is to expect the unexpected, and to develop a contingency plan for the worst. However, when time is of the essence and lives are on the line, there may be instances where years of military training cannot prepare oneself, or indoctrinated protocols may have to be compromised.

In any case, the only thing permanent is that that the fateful day will probably be analyzed by military tacticians for years to come, and that the lives of Master Sergeant Jefferson Davis, Sergeant First Class Daniel Petithory, and Staff Sergeant Brian Prosser were abruptly cut short.

An earlier version of this post was written by David Choi.

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By Emma Farge BANJUL (Reuters) - The winner of Gambia's presidential election told Reuters on Saturday he was keen to form a new cabinet to get cracking with reforms, a day after veteran leader Yahya Jammeh stunned the tiny west African nation by conceding defeat. Jammeh's statement on state radio sparked wild celebrations in a country he has ruled with an iron hand since taking power in a coup 22 years ago, but doubts persisted over how he would step aside and whether the army would switch its allegiance. Gambia lacks a formal timetable for the handover of power and Jammeh has not been seen publicly since the announcement of the election results, which showed his challenger Adama Barrow comfortably ahead. "We want to get a cabinet in place and it all starts from there. We want reforms," Barrow told Reuters at his home where hundreds of supporters had gathered to shake his hand. He said he had yet to meet army leaders but hoped to do so soon. Jammeh led a government accused of crushing dissent and torturing opponents. He had said he would rule for a "billion years" and few believed he would allow himself to lose Thursday's vote. But in an address on state-owned radio on Friday evening, he accepted the official results, stunning observers across Africa. The continent's entrenched rulers such as Jammeh rarely lose elections so the result came as a shock, particularly given that other African leaders have since last year changed their country's constitutions to prolong their rule. The official results in the West African country of 1.8 million gave Barrow, a real estate developer who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos in London, 45.5 percent of the vote against Jammeh's 36.7 percent. CELEBRATIONS, CAUTION On Saturday vans packed with opposition supporters banging drums and honking horns rolled through the streets. There was a heavy army presence but few signs of hostility. "I feel different and when we woke up people were happy. Now we are free to say everything we want," said Yacouba Cisse, 34, a fisherman who was still wearing a pink whistle from overnight celebrations. Others sounded a note of caution. "I will only believe it when I see him leaving state house. He still controls the army and his family are the top brass," said a businessman, who asked not to be named. In a separate interview with Jeune Afrique magazine Barrow said he would free political prisoners, whom he praised for having fought for the country. He did not know the whereabouts of Jammeh but said he was free to live in Gambia. "We don't have a grudge against anyone. If there are files to be judged we will do it. We respect the constitution and the rights of all but the law will be applied to everyone," he said when asked whether Jammeh might face justice. Jammeh's harshest critics say he should face prosecution at the International Criminal Court, although rights officials doubt there is enough evidence. U.N. Special Representative for West Africa Mohamed Ibn Chambas told journalists in Banjul that he hoped to help Gambia form a truth and reconciliation commission. Jammeh's supporters deny abuses and he has often criticised Western powers for meddling in African affairs. (Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Gareth Jones)
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., Dec. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zensar Technologies, a leading provider of digital solutions, software and infrastructure services, announced today they will be launching The Vinci, Intelligent Managed Service Platform at Gartners Data Center, Infrastructure & Operations Management Conference (December 4-8 at The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV.) The platform is powered by automation, autonomics and orchestration, utilizing machine learning. The Vinci brings together the management of operational and transformational activities to enable companies to significantly reduce OPEX cost as well as track their business and operational efficiencies in real time.



Sandeep Kishore, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Zensar Technologies commented, The Vinci was designed for companies that are ready to embark on their digital transformation journey. The Vinci uniquely allows organizations to accelerate and track measurable outcomes for their digital plans in real time, enabling them to realize the Return on Digital across their processes and operations. We are confident that our customers and event attendees will find this solution transformational.

Zensars President and Head of Infrastructure Management Services & Cloud Business, Pinaki Kar, will present theatre session Return on Digital through Autonomics & Orchestration  The Vinci Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 7:10PM - 7:30PM at Solution Showcase Theater in Hall C, Level 2.

Kar stated: We are excited to present The Vinci at the Gartner Data Center, Infrastructure & Operations Management Conference. Attendees of our theatre session will learn how The Vinci helps companies enhance their digital investments by incorporating infrastructure autonomics along with predictive analytics and machine learning methodologies across their service portfolios. We will discuss how leveraging a 3P approach (Proactive, Predictive and Preventive) enhances operational efficiencies and creates a lean, agile environment.

The Vinci Solution Overview:

Zensars Integrated Managed Services Platform, The Vinci, helps progressive organizations enhance their digital investments by incorporating infrastructure autonomics, coupled with unified IT, predictive analytics and machine learning methodologies, across the entire service portfolio and lifecycle. Zensars services, enabled by this platform, drive the 3 Ps (Proactive, Predictive and Preventive) across multiple environments, delivering enhanced operational services with optimal efficiencies through a lean and agile environment. It offers users real-time dashboards to track both key business metrics (i.e. savings, business productivity and GTM), as well as key IT operations metrics, such as automated problem resolution and improved SLA compliance.

By virtue of machine learning, it delivers better MTTR (mean time to repair) and faster time to market, and accommodates rapid changes in the infrastructure engineering and operations environment including private cloud, hybrid and in-premise.

The Vinci combines the power of machine learning and transformative methodologies into a unified platform to simplify IT operations. Powered by Zensars K.O.S.H. (Knowledge Orchestrated Systemic Healing repository), it transforms the company automation activity including CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment) for any platform with our OEM agnostic approach.

As a result, companies can achieve new levels of measurable returns on their digital investments:

Higher OPEX savings with visible cost reduction

Enhanced processes with visible productivity improvement

Increased efficiency resulting in SLA improvement and compliance through automated resolution and accurate escalation

Minimal downtime and rapid scaling with measurable improvements in mean time to repair (MTTR)

Improved response rate due to automated detection and creation of incidents

Greater business continuity with agility in business services and robust systems

About the Gartner Data Center, Infrastructure & Operations Management Conference

Gartners Data Center, Infrastructure & Operations Management Conference is the premier destination for infrastructure and operations (I&O) leaders around the world that focus on todays most important I&O topics, trends, and technologies. The conference provides in-depth coverage of mobile, cloud, storage, and other IT forces making new demands on the data center  as well as expert advice that will help position I&O as a key contributor to business strategy and competitive advantage. The Gartner Data Center, Infrastructure & Operations Management Conference will help data center professionals reliably deliver crucial IT services and drive improved levels of productivity and innovation at the same time.

About Zensar (www.zensar.com)

Zensar is a leading digital solutions and technology services company that specializes in partnering with global organizations across industries on their Digital Transformation journey. A technology partner of choice, backed by a strong track-record of innovation, credible investment in digital solutions, and an assertion of commitment to client success, Zensars comprehensive range of digital and technology services and solutions enable its customers to achieve new thresholds of business performance. Zensar, with its experience in delivering excellence and superior client satisfaction through myriad technology solutions, is uniquely positioned to help clients surpass challenges around running their existing businesses most efficiently, helping in their legacy transformation, and planning for business expansion and growth through innovative and digital ways.

About RPG Enterprises (www.rpggroup.com)

Mumbai headquartered RPG Enterprises is one of India's largest industrial conglomerates. With over 15 companies in its fold, the group has a strong presence across core business sectors such as Infrastructure, Tyre, IT and Specialty. Established in 1979, RPG is also one of Indias fastest growing business groups with a turnover in excess of USD 3.2 Billion, 20000+ people and a global presence in over 100 countries.

Follow Zensar via:

Zensar Blog: http://www.zensar.com/blogs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Zensar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zensar-technologies

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zensar

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.




Campus Carry Reform is Advancing. This is Why

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By Dean Weingarten. December 1st, 2016

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Campus carry reform is likely to advance in Arkansas in 2017. I expect it to continue to advance in the following years, across the nation. From kasu.org:

The ever-increasing Republican majority in Arkansas has a shot a passing some legislation that a toehold of Democrats managed to hold-off, or at least mitigate on occasion in the last session.

Member station KUAR reports, Arkansas State Representative Charlie Collins (R-Fayetteville) has plans to expand the scope of second amendment rights on college campuses. It comes amid renewed discussion because of an incident Monday at Ohio State University.

While the incident was initially reported as an active shooter, it turned out the man was armed with a knife, injuring eight people.

Campus carry is one of several fronts where Second Amendment supporters are advancing. As is common in the struggle to restore Second Amendment rights, the two sides have dramatically different assumptions about reality.

Second Amendment supporters use straightforward logic and premises.

Adults have the right to bear arms. The subset of adults who have gone though are the trouble and hoops of obtaining carry permits are extraordinarily responsible, as shown by the statistics of their actions. They are more responsible than police officers. Therefore, there is no reason to prevent them from exercising their right to bear arms on college campuses. They have shown how responsible they are in bearing arms. There is no practical difference between bearing arms a couple of feet across the invisible line that demarcates the campus, compared to bearing them in the rest of society. Guns in the hands of people who have demonstrated that they are more responsible than police enhance the security of people on campus.

The logic and premises of campus administrators is straightforward as well. They advance a completely different argument based on their assumptions about reality. It is:

Guns are bad and dangerous. The Second Amendment does not apply on Campus. People having guns on campus make life on campus more dangerous. They do not increase security or protection. Campus administrators have had the power to determine who should have guns on campus. They should continue to have that power, because they are wise. Wise administrators have decided that guns on campus, must be under the control of the administrators. (campus police) The above is correct, because campuses have lower crime rates than places outside of campus.

The assumptions are testable. There are current ongoing natural experiments that have been set up by state statutes and state supreme court decisions. Those statutes and decisions have removed the power of administrators to place legal restrictions on campus carry. There are dozens of institutes of higher learning across the nation where this change has been enacted.

Those promoting campus carry do not claim that crime rates on campus will decrease with campus carry. They claim there is no logical or legal reason to restrict their rights. If the permit carriers do not commit crimes on campus with their legal guns, their arguments are shown to be superior.

The administrators bear the burden of showing that concealed carry permit holders commit crimes with their legal guns on campus, once the administrators' power has been removed.

The administrator's argument is essentially an "appeal to authority". They are saying "We are wise. We should make the decision, not legislators."

If permit holders do not commit crimes with their legal guns, administrators' rational for preventing campus carry is shown to be false. It was based on the assumption of increased danger. The assumption of danger is based on the assumption of the administrators' superior wisdom.

The results of the natural experiments support the premises and logic of those promoting campus carry.

There have been no crimes committed by permit holders where administrators' power has been removed. An occasional crime would not prove the administrators logic. Police commit occasional crimes.

The argument has never been about safety or security. It has been about control. It is a basic argument about how society should be organized.

The campus administrator position is that society should be controlled by wise philosopher kings, which they conveniently, and not so modestly, proclaim and believe is their proper position, at least on campus.

Second Amendment supporters' position is that government should be limited so as to preserve the freedom of individuals against people who would control them by force. Individuals should control a limited government, subject to the rule of law.

Administrators gained their power over students on campus through two theories. In private institutions, there is contract theory. If a student is going to attend a private institution, the institution can place constraints on student behavior by means of restrictions agreed to in a contract.

In public institutions, contract theory does not apply, because public institutions are constrained by the rules of limited government, including the bill of rights.

In public institutions, the theory was based on students primarily being minors. Administrators of public institutions assumed the status of parent of the minors because they were the ones on the spot. The theory is called in loco parentis. In loco parentis fails when talking about adults.

In loco parentis has been discredited for institutes of higher education in the United States. Most students have become legal adults. The courts have held that students may not be disciplined for merely exercising their Constitutional rights.

The administrators of institutes of higher learning have had the theoretical base for their power removed by those two changes. Their attempt to use an appeal to authority is failing.

Republican legislators find the arguments of campus carry supporters persuasive. The theory of government that put them in power is supported. The "philosopher king" argument is debunked. It is not surprising that Democrat legislators support the "Wise Philosopher King" theory of power. It is the basis of the "progressive" or "statist" movement.

With Republicans in complete control of 25 state governments, Campus carry reforms will continue to expand. Democrats have complete control in only six states. Those states do not allow campus carry and are unlikely to pass reforms in the near future.

2016 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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Thurs. Feb. 27, 2020, 7 PM: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at Mt. St. Joseph University Theater, 5701 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233. Doors open 6:30 pm. For info call Colleen McSwiggin (513) 244-4864

Mar. 11-15, 2020: Bird Friendly Backyard workshop and Saving Jemima talk at Joint Conference, N. Am. Bluebird Society/Bluebirds Across Nebraska, Holiday Inn Convention Center, Kearney, NE. Right in the middle of sandhill crane migration! Call (308) 237-5971 for reservations.

Mon. Mar. 23, 2020, 6 PM: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at Morgan Co. Master Gardeners Event, Twin City Opera House, 15 W. Main St., McConnelsville, OH. Free and open to the public. Call (740) 962-4854 for information.

Sun. Mar. 29, 2020, 3 PM: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at Sunday With Friends,, Washington Co. Public Library, 205 Oak Hill St. NE, Abingdon, VA 24210. For more information, call (276) 676-6390

Apr. 30-May 2, 2020: Julie Zickefoose at New River Birding Festival, Opossum Creek Retreat, Fayetteville, WV. Friday night keynote: Saving Jemima. Curtis Loew, miracle curdoggie, presiding.

May 7, 2020, 7 pm: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at Campus Martius Museum, Washington and Third Streets, Marietta, OH. Booksigning after. If you missed the Esbenshade lecture/ People's Bank talk in November 2019, this is your event!

Weds. May 13 2020, 5:30 PM: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center's event at Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Rd., Essex, CT 06426 This event is open to the public.

Thurs. May 14 2020, 6 PM: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at New Haven Bird Club's Annual Banquet, Amarante's Restaurant, 62 Cove St., New Haven, CT 06512. This event is open to the public!

Sat. May 16, 2020: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" for Bergen Co. Audubon Society at Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plz, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 Time to be announced. Call (201) 460-1700 for more info.

Sun. May 17, 2020, 2 PM: "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759. Call (860) 567-0857 for information.

Tues. May 19, 2020, 7 PM: Good Reads on Earth Author Series, by PRI's Living On Earth with Julie Zickefoose and Saving Jemima at Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln MA 01773. Includes audience participation, and will be taped for airing on public radio! Get the book first, read up and call (781) 259-2200 for information.

Thurs. May 21, 2020 6 pm: Julie Zickefoose, "Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-luck Jay" at Bigelow Chapel, Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge MA 02138. Call (617) 547-7105 for more info.
Amendment bill should be revised, says Thakur

Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur has insisted on revising the constitution amendment bill in order to make it acceptable to the regional parties.
Brick-paved courtyard

Against the garbage, strewn all over the courtyard, Maan Kumaris combat strategy comprised of a broom and a pair of buffalo ribs.
Sanjeeb Phuyal is the online editor for The Kathmandu Post. He oversees breaking news reports on the web and produces content for The Post's digital platforms.
Dr Agrawal appointed IoM dean

Professor Dr Jagadish Prasad Agrawal has been appointed as the Dean of Institute of Medicine (IOM) on Saturday.
Dr KP Singh steps down as IoM dean

Dr KP Singh stepped down as the dean of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) on Friday after 20 days into office while Dr Govinda KCs hunger strikewith Dr Singhs resignation as one of his demandscontinued for as many days.
Not really. I mean, he won the electoral college and therefore won the White House. But he is on course to lose the popular vote by a damn near historic number for someone who is going to be president.

And, the country IS deeply divided. the same would be true, by the way, if Hillary Clinton had won.
WSJ: UAE tried to convince Saudi Arabia not to cut oil production

Cavusoglu: Greece must stop arming the demilitarized islands in the Aegean Sea

Moody's downgrades outlook for banks in Germany, Italy, and 4 other countries to negative

About 40 international companies to announce their relocation to UAE by end of year

Israeli Prime Minister cancels participation in climate summit in Egypt

Earthquake strikes in Antalya

Polish manufacturing output falls amid economic uncertainty

IEF: Oil price to exceed $100 due to EU sanctions against Russia

Iranian MFA denies information about country's planned attack on Saudi Arabia

Lebanon: U.S. guarantees will protect maritime border agreement with Israel if Netanyahu wins

Belarusian MFA responds to Armenia after reaction to statements of Alexander Lukashenko

Azerbaijani propaganda machine launches anti-Iranian rumors in social networks

Lavrov and Abdollahian discuss situation in Persian Gulf zone and South Caucasus

Erdogan and Aliyev discuss results of Sochi meeting of Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders

Goldman Sachs predicts that natural gas prices in Europe will fall by about 30%

White House alleges Iran's plans to supply Russia with surface-to-surface missiles

Iran to send delegation to Vienna to strengthen relations with IAEA

Iranian Foreign Minister to discuss state of nuclear deal negotiations with Borrell

Putin: Russia is ready to supply grain to the poorest countries even without participation in the deal

First list of Armenian servicemen killed as result of Azerbaijan's September aggression is published

Pentagon to supply Vampire anti-drone system to AFU

Xi Jinping confirms China's readiness to invest in Pakistan

Kuzmina: I don't agree that Armenia's economy will be swept away if the borders with Turkey are opened

Poland to build wall on border with Kaliningrad

Garo Paylan proposes opening Armenian-Turkish border

Eduard Solovyov: Russia stated extreme undesirability of close contacts between Baku and NATO countries

Zelenskyy: Threat of use of nuclear weapons by Russia exists and it is not related to non-compliance with ultimatums

IRNA: Azerbaijani State Security Service reacted nervously to Pashinyan's visit to Tehran

FLYONE ARMENIA to start operating flights on the route Yerevan - Beirut Yerevan

Moscow to host meeting of Secretaries of CIS Security Councils

Armenian MFA considers it inappropriate to comment on Lukashenko's rambling statements

Dollar rises, euro falls in Armenia

Makredonov: The Sochi summit showed that it is it's too early to write Russia off

Biden's threat to impose profit tax on oil companies is more of boast than threat

Vadim Mukhanov: Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh are one of main points of negotiations

Russia analyst describes Karabakh Armenians fate if Western version of peace treaty is signed

Armenia MFA: Lukashenko statement is disconnected from reality

Russia MFA spox comments on Zangezur corridor prospects

Voytolovsky: Both sides will have weighty reasons to extend Russia peacekeepers mission in Karabakh

Armenia finance minister: Expenditure for PM's office will be reduced next year

Finance minister: Expenses for needs of parliament staff, Armenia President will increase considerably in 2023

Zakharova on meeting of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs in Sochi

Armenian President congratulates Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Azerbaijani special forces conduct exercises on border with Iran

Armenia defense minister meets with head of EU monitoring mission

Nikol Pashinyan: It is necessary to continue the work to reduce cash turnover

Russia resumes its participation in grain deal

UK shortage of F-35 fighter pilots

Premier: Ministry of Internal Affairs, Foreign Intelligence Service will be established in Armenia in 2023

Shoigu: The NATO grouping near Russia's borders has grown 2.5 times since February

New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad hopes to continue talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran

Security Council chief receives head of EU monitoring capacity mission to Armenia

Pashinyan: Armenia-Azerbaijan borders existence was recorded both in Sochi and Prague

Second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan to take part in rally on November 5

Canada to welcome 500,000 immigrants a year by 2025

Armenia PM: Communication difficulties, challenges in relations with Turkey have been overcome

Pashinyan: Armenian side suggests extending mandate of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh

MFA: Armenia has no misunderstandings with Iran

Russia position on Karabakh status corresponds to Armenia government approach, PM says

Pashinyan: Armenia attaches great importance to further development, deepening of relations with Brazil

Premier: Armenia defense spending will increase by 113% in 2023 compared to 2018

Deputy PM Grigoryan to attend Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation, security commissions 3rd meeting

Pashinyan: Armenia has set new record for registered jobs

Israir Airlines launches flights between Tel Aviv, Yerevan

Armenia envoy briefs UK House of Commons defense committee chair on impact of recent Azerbaijan attack

PM: Armenia's economy is booming today

Seoul, Pyongyang launch missiles

Newspaper: Armenia ruling political team is in favor of western version of peace treaty with Azerbaijan

State Department: US will contribute to Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

Turkey parliament approves extending mandate of countrys military in occupied Aghdam of Karabakh

Sweden to reach NATO's defense spending goal of 2% of GDP by 2026

Lebanon raises electricity price for first time since 1990s

Lavrov and Cavusoglu discuss situation over 'grain deal'

Turkey not satisfied with Sweden's promises

Azerbaijan claims to have 'exposed' Azerbaijanis who acted 'under control of Iranian secret service'

Taliban sets up female Interior Ministry unit in Afghanistan to disperse protests

U.S. concerned about Iran's 'threats' against Saudi Arabia

Lebanon is facing a power vacuum, left without a president

Gas exports from Iran to Armenia to double

In first 9 months about $1.7 billion is transferred to Armenia

Baerbock and Scholz disagree on China

Delegations of Ukraine, Turkey and UN temporarily suspend movement of ships in framework of Black Sea grain deal

Qatar Energy Minister calls EU proposal to limit gas prices hypocritical

Jamshidi: Any capturing of further territories is occupation

Putin: Kiev must give real guarantees of strict compliance with the Istanbul agreements

Putin and Erdogan discuss results of meeting of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Sochi

Blinken goes to Germany to meet with G-7 colleagues

Iranist: Cooperation between Yerevan and Tehran will prevent further Turkish activism

U.S. military conducts field weapons inspections in Ukraine

Defense Ministers of Russia and Turkey once again discuss suspension of 'grain deal'

Armenian President and ICRC representatives discuss Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan

Aliyev's aide visits Nakhchivan

Berlin urges Serbia to choose between EU and Russia

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister and USAID representatives discuss bilateral cooperation

Erdogan: Turkey continues to make necessary initiatives on grain deal

Macron promises Ukraine to survive winter and strengthen air defense

The Collins British Dictionary chooses main word of 2022

Medvedev: Western countries are pushing the world into a global war

Deputy Minister: 50,5 bln AMD will be allocated to North-South transport corridor construction in 2023

Georgia begins preparations for multinational exercise Agile Spirit 2023
YEREVAN.  The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) on Saturday convened an enlarged session of its political board, in capital city Yerevan.

The discussants conferred on party organizational matters, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, informed PAP Press Secretary Vanik Elizbaryan.

According to the approved schedule, the party members will hold public meetings and discussions throughout Armenia, to listen to public opinion on the existing challenges, and complete the PAP election platform, as a result of discussions with people.

The participants in the PAP Political Board session also conferred on possible alliances, party nominations, and several other party and organizational matters, in the run-up to the forthcoming parliamentary election.

In addition, a number of PAP officials delivered reports on the work done, and offered recommendations.
Through the years Ive compiled a calendar of significant dates in astronomical history. While scanning it a few weeks ago I noticed that December 6 marks the anniversary of the founding of the United States Naval Observatory (USNO). This was on my mind during a visit to Rome last week, when my family and I enjoyed an all-too-brief tour through the Vatican Museums and, in particular, a room housing statues of Apollo and his nine muses.

In Greek mythology, the muses were goddesses of inspiration for the arts, literature, and science. Calliope, for instance, is linked with heroic poetry and Clio with history. Another, Urania (often spelled Ourania), was the daughter of Zeus. Like her great-grandfather Uranus (god of the sky), Urania was affiliated with the heavenly realm in her role as the muse of astronomy.

As with much of ancient mythology, the character of Urania infiltrated cultural and scientific endeavors over the centuries. For example, Urania is the namesake of several astronomical observatories, including Tycho Brahes fabled Uraniborg on the island of Hven. Tycho was a 15th/16th-century Danish astronomer remembered as much for the prosthetic nose he wore as a result of losing the real thing in a sword duel as for the precise astronomical observations he recorded in the pre-telescope era.

A more modern example brings us back to the USNO, one of the oldest agencies of scientific research in the United States. Like Lowell Observatory, the USNO sprouted from the mind of an amateur astronomer from Massachusetts. His name was John Quincy Adams, and toward the end of his tenure as sixth president of the U.S., he signed a bill calling for the creation of a national observatory. Five years later, on December 6, 1830, the U.S. Navy fulfilled Adams wish by establishing the Depot of Charts and Instruments to manage the nautical charts and instruments used by the Navy.

The mission of the Depot soon expanded, resulting in a name change to the United States Naval Observatory. Ultimately, the mission evolved into a four-part list of objectives: 1) determine the positions and motions of celestial bodies, motions of the Earth, and precise time; 2) provide astronomical and timing data required by the Navy and other components of the Department of Defense for navigation, precise positioning, and command, control, and communications; 3) make these data available to other government agencies and to the general public; 4) conduct relevant research, and perform such other functions as may be directed by higher authority.

The official seal of the USNO includes several elements, including a Latin phrase from a 2,000-year-old publication about celestial phenomena known as Astronomica that reads: Adde gvbernandi stvdivm: pervenit in Astra - Et Pontvm Caelo conivnxit. A loose translation is Increase the study of navigation: it arrives in the stars, and marries the sea with heaven. Above this quote and centered in the logo is a depiction of Urania, holding a celestial sphere as she ostensibly inspires astronomers in their work.
Draft bill has excludes the concerns of deaf and mute

Stakeholders have criticised the government for failing to incorporate the pressing problems of the persons with hearing and speech impairments in the Bill that has been drafted in view of protecting the rights of the disabled.
Prime Minister of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan, paid a working visit to Gegharkunik Province.

First, he toured an Armenian-Italian joint venture in Gagarin village, and which builds oil and natural gas compressor stations.

Next, the PM met with the community leaders, farmers, and businessmen of this province, at Gegharkunik Provincial Hall.

Karapetyan noted that the matter of the efficiency of increasing irrigated areas was discussed with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Premier also stressed that the agriculture strategy will be presented in the near future.

In addition, Karen Karapetyan underscored the need for productive activities by companies that provide transit services in the communities of Armenia.

Concluding the talk, the PM said, in particular: We shall create jobs with you; we shall create favorable conditions for people working with you, to create added value.
FNJ Saptari protests police mistreatment

The Saptari chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has started a protest against alleged manhandling and mistreatment of journalists by Superintendent of Police
Malaysia accused Myanmar of engaging in the "ethnic cleansing" of its Rohingya minority Saturday, as former UN chief Kofi Annan visited a burned out village in strife-torn Rakhine state. Tens of thousands of Muslim Rohingya have fled their homes since a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar army in the western state of Rakhine sparked by a string of deadly attacks on police border posts in early October. "The fact that only one particular ethnicity is being driven out is by definition ethnic cleansing," Malaysia's foreign ministry said in an unusually strongly-worded statement. Myanmar has balked at such criticism, saying the Rakhine crisis is an internal issue -- but international pressure on the country is mounting. Malaysia's statement noted that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring countries in recent years -- including some 56,000 to Muslim-majority Malaysia. That, the statement said, "makes this matter no longer an internal matter but an international matter". On Saturday morning, a convoy carrying the former UN chief arrived outside the Rohingya village of Wapeik, which has seen signficant damage from fire. Non state media journalists were stopped by police from coming close to the convoy or entering the village, an AFP photographer at the scene said. Annan is not expected to brief the media until Tuesday -- after his visit to Rakhine ends. Myanmar has restricted access to the northern part of the state and says its military is hunting down the militants behind the attacks. But rights groups and Rohingya refugees who have made it to Bangladesh have accused the military of killing civilians and razing entire villages as a form of collective punishment. The Rohingya have long faced persecution and government restrictions on movement that many have likened to apartheid. Much of Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many have lived there for generations. "The Bengali people who brand themselves Rohingya are not Myanmar citizens," Parmaukkha, a nationalist monk, told a small group of supporters protesting outside Malaysia's Yangon embassy on Saturday afternoon. "The one who is encouraging terrorism is the Malaysian Prime Minister (Najib Razak), he is also a terrorist," he added. - 'Fires of resentment' - Before the latest violence broke out, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi formed a commission tasked with trying to solve the Rakhine crisis, headed by Annan. That task has been made considerably harder since fighting broke out. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has also been criticised for not defending the Rohingya. Since winning an historic election last year, she has hardly spoken out on the issue. But during a trip to Singapore this week she gave a rare interview in which she hit out at international criticism. "I would appreciate it so much if the international community would help us to maintain peace and stability, and to make progress in building better relations between the two communities, instead of always drumming up cause for bigger fires of resentment," Suu Kyi told the state-owned Channel News Asia. Her hands are somewhat tied by Myanmar's notoriously abusive military. Under the country's junta-era constitution, the army still controls key ministries and has a parliamentary veto.
When it comes to marketing a small business, there are many different methods you can use. Theres SEO, content marketing, email lists and more. If you want to learn more about marketing your business using some of these methods in 2017, take a look at the tips from members of our small business community below.

Watch These Marketing Trends in 2017

If you want your marketing plan to work in 2017, you need to understand all the latest trends, tools and methods available. In this Midas Media post, Nat Rubyan-Ling shares some marketing trends you should know for 2017. And BizSugar members comment further on the post.

Get Better Insights About Your Audience

If you want to create content that resonates with your audience, then you first need to learn about them. There are some essential tools and methods you can use to get useful insights, as this post by Jenny Knizer on the Content Marketing Institute blog points out.

Find an Interesting and Profitable Niche for Your Online Venture

Whether youre creating a blog, an ecommerce store, or any other type of online business, you need a niche. Since there are already so many different types of businesses online, you may need to get creative in order to find a niche that is both interesting and profitable. This MyBlogU post by Ann Smarty includes some tips.

Use These Customer Retention Strategies That Work for Small Businesses

Once youve executed your marketing plan and gained new customers, you still need to work hard to keep those customers coming back. Luckily, there are some tried and true customer retention strategies that can work for small businesses. You can see some of them in this Plousio post by Evan Tarver.

Learn What to Do After Creating Your Buyer Persona

If you want to market to specific customers, you first need to create a buyer persona so you understant who youre marketing to. But even that isnt enough. For more on what to do after youve created your buyer persona, check out this Magnificent post by David Reimherr. And then see what BizSugar members are saying about the post here.

Rank for Your Competitors Keywords

There are many different schools of thought when it comes to using your competition to gain search traffic. In this post, Neil Patel examines some of the pros and cons of this concept for different types of businesses.

Build a Marketing Budget for 2017

Before you really get started on your marketing efforts for the new year, you need to set some kind of budget so you dont reach beyond your means. This Search Engine Journal post by Jacob Baadsgaard features some tips you can use to create a marketing budget for 2017.

Use Marketing Velocity to Increase Your Sales and Revenue

Marketing velocity is the speed at which your marketing efforts work to deliver results. So its an important concept for marketers to understand. In this crowdSPRING post, Ross Kimbarovsky details some ways you can use marketing velocity to increase sales and revenue. And the BizSugar community also shares thoughts on the post.

Help Your Ecommerce Store Recover From a Growth Setback

Running an ecommerce business isnt easy. Youre likely to face setbacks at some point or another. So understanding how to recover from those setbacks is paramount. Shayla Price shares some tips for doing just that in a post on the Kissmetrics blog.

Get the Most Out of Your Holiday Emails

Email marketing can be an especially effective tactic during the holiday season. But in order to get the most out of it, you need to really understand your subscribers and what theyre looking for this holiday season. To see more tips about getting the most out of your holiday emails, check this Marketing Land post by Scott Heimes.

If youd like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.
Love chocolate? Well, youre in luck. Nestle (VTX:NESN) has reportedly found a way to change the structure of chocolate to make it even sweeter. And as a result, the company should be able to make some of its most popular candy bars with less added sugar. That means Kit Kats, Butterfingers and other popular chocolate bars could soon get a bit healthier.

This innovation comes at a good time for the company. Some countries and cities around the world are implementing sugar taxes and even special labeling rules for sugary foods. So the new sweeter chocolate could allow Nestle to avoid some of those issues that impact food items with a lot of added sugar.

Its important for food companies to find ways to adapt to new rules and standards like this. But changing the actual structure of chocolate cant have been easy. The company now has to implement a whole new chocolate making process for all of its foods.

Trend Driven Innovation Pays Off

However, when you have some popular products that people dont want to see changed, you might have to get really creative when coming up with ways to adapt your products to new rules and trends. People probably wouldnt be happy if Kit Kats all of a sudden were just not as sweet. But if this new process keeps the product more or less the same, just with different processes and ingredients, it could be well worth it for the company.
A Lesson in Value Betting: Mats Karlsson Gets Paid on the River

December 03 2016 Martin Harris

Making a big hand in no-limit hold'em is always fun  particularly when you're on the turn or river, your hand is reasonably well disguised, and your opponents have already shown an inclination to call your bets, or even bet or raise themselves.

Mats Karlsson enjoyed just such a situation during the latter stage of the European Poker Tour Malta Main Event, and as a result was able to carry the chip lead to the final table. Karlsson spoke with our Sasha Salinger about it, and as it happened the hand provided an interesting bet sizing challenge for the Swedish player currently residing in Malta.

With just nine players left from a 468-entry field, the blinds were 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante when Elie Saad of Lebanon opened for 65,000 from middle position. It folded to Karlsson in the big blind who looked down at , and he defended with a call.

As Karlsson explains to Salinger below, the flop came , and even though he'd only made bottom pair he chose an aggressive line after checking and watching Saad continue for 85,000.

"I took a chance to check-raise him," says Karlsson, "because that's a flop that usually hits my hand better than his."

Elie Saad

Karlsson made a hefty check-raise to 275,000, and after thinking for a minute Saad called. The then happily fell on the turn to give Karlsson trips, and he took his time before betting 350,000. Saad called quickly, bringing the pot up to just over 1.4 million.

The then comes on the river, giving Karlsson a full house and for all intents and purposes the virtual nuts. Eyeing the 1.1 million or so Saad had behind, Karlsson faced an interesting decision.

It was very similar to the conundrum explored earlier this week by Robert Woolley in his article "'There is a Figure, an Exact Figure': The Problem of Value Bet Sizing."

"I could bet a normal [amount like] 550,000," says Karlsson, an amount representing about half of what Saad had behind. But he also knew that would show Saad that he himself was committing most of his stack, thus causing him to decide to bet less to make it more enticing for Saad to call.

Additionally  a smaller bet might also have produced an even better result.

"I thought 250 would look pretty weak, so he might do something stupid," says Karlsson with a grin, indicating his hope perhaps Saad might raise him.

Listen to Karlsson's street-by-street explanation and hear how the hand turned out:

Note also what Karlsson says near the end about the chance he took by check-raising on the flop.

"That goes to show, when you take a chance once in a while, the cards usually cooperate a bit more than if you play passively."

While Saad would recover to finish fourth and earn 141,780, Karlsson would get all of the way to runner-up to cash for 261,730, with Aliaksei Boika ultimately earning the title.

Sharelines Swedish player Mats Karlsson breaks down EPT Malta Main Event hand that gave him the chip lead late.

More on bet sizing and value betting with Mats Karlsson, EPT Malta Main Event runner-up.
Food for thought

For the children of the remote reaches of the Karnali region, quality education is seldom a viable option.
MALIBU, Calif.  A California mountain lion placed under a death sentence for killing nearly a dozen alpacas owned by a Malibu woman was granted a reprieve when the woman announced she wouldnt act on a state-issued permit giving her the right to kill the animal.

A neighbor had offered to shoot the big cat known as P-45 for Victoria Vaughn-Perling, but she told reporters it was never her intention to have the cougar killed. Instead, she said, she hoped game officials would capture it and get it away from her ranch.

She also indicated public outrage might have played a role in her decision, adding she was surprised by the vitriol.

Vaughn-Perling had planned to attend a community meeting Wednesday to discuss the lion problem until she feared she would begin to get death threats. Pro-lion people shouted over park rangers, booed speakers and challenged one rancher to a fight.

Remember those movies where they showed the mobs and its all the townspeople and theyre carrying torches and pitchforks and hoes and shovels and the person behind is bringing the rope with the hangmans noose? Thats what it was like, area resident Mary Dee Rickards said. She buckled under the pressure and frankly, I cant blame her.

Its not uncommon for ranchers to kill wild animals that threaten their livestock in rural areas, but the densely populated Los Angeles areas relationship with them is more complicated.

Much of the sprawling Santa Mountain range provides habitat and wild game for the free-ranging predators, but it also takes in such densely populated areas as Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and parts of the San Fernando Valley.

Another cougar known as P-22 became a celebrity of sorts after it was photographed standing by the Hollywood Sign in 2012 and more recently was coaxed safely out a homeowners basement in the Hollywood Hills, where it had briefly taken up residence. The cougar, which has its own Facebook page, saw its image tarnished somewhat earlier this year, however, when it was blamed for killing a koala at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Another cougar wandered onto a high school campus in the San Fernando Valley in April before it was tranquilized and returned to the wild.

Animal lovers flooded the Facebook page of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area after the kill permit for P-45 was issued.

Its sickening that this animal is going to be executed, one person wrote. Another wrote: So theyre going to kill a lion for being a lion. Ridiculous and shameful.

Malibu ranchers, including Rickards husband, Wendell Phillips, dont think P-45s reprieve is indefinite. Phillips said he grazed the 150-pound animal in the head with a bullet in March after it attacked some of his alpacas.

Any apex predator that comes on my property and attacks my animals or my family  I dont usually miss and Im not going to miss twice, he said Thursday. P-45 is going to kill and keep killing and were going to have about one more multiple fatality and I think the ranchers are going to switch to a shoot-on-site policy.

It was last weekend that Vaughn-Perling said she found the cougar had killed 10 of her alpacas and eaten only one.

It seems to enjoy the slaughter, she said. This animal will attack a child or a bicyclist or a hiker because its so comfortable with the slaughter.

Seth Riley, a wildlife ecologist for the National Park Service, said the alpaca slaughter isnt unusual behavior for a cougar.

An animal gets into an enclosed space with a bunch of vulnerable prey animals that arent that smart or good at escape and they keep going after them until they arent moving around anymore, he said.

He added that P-45, one of just three breeding males found during the 14 years the animals have been studied in the region, plays an important role in maintaining the species.

He said livestock can be kept safe if theyre in a roofed enclosure. Vaughn-Perling said she installed a roof on her alpaca enclosure after last weekends attack and is planning to sell all but five of the 15 remaining pets.

Her attorney, Reid Breitman, told Wednesdays community meeting that Vaughn-Perling wanted to modify her kill permit to allow the animal to be captured and removed, but Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Jordan Traverso said California law doesnt allow for the permit to be altered.

Neither capturing and incarcerating the animals or releasing them somewhere else is considered a solution, she said.

That being the case, Rickards said, P-45s days are likely numbered.

Ultimately, I think P-45 is going to get shot by somebody, she said.

___

Follow Amanda Lee Myers on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AmandaLeeAP. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/amanda-lee-myers.
Hillary Clintons campaign has lots of excuses for losing. Theres the electoral college, James Comey, the medias alleged over-exuberance in digging into Clintons email server, etc. But Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said Thursday that one particular group is especially to blame: millennials.

As Karen Tumulty and Philip Rucker reported from the big election postmortem at Harvard on Thursday night:



Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook also acknowledged that her operation had made a number of mistakes and miscalculations, while being buffeted by what he repeatedly described as a headwind of being an establishment candidate in a season where voters were anxious for change.

He noted, for example, that younger voters, perhaps assuming that Clinton was going to win, migrated to third-party candidates in the final days of the race.

Where the campaign needed to win upward of 60 percent of young voters, it was able to garner something in the high 50s at the end of the day, Mook said. Thats why we lost.



Ill admit I was skeptical. Young people often get blamed for not showing up to vote; theyre an easy target that way. Whats more, just before the election, polls indicated that young voters  who had previously shunned Clinton  were actually rallying to her in a big way.

Digging into the numbers, however, Mook has a point.

The national exit poll shows Clinton underperformed Barack Obamas 2012 share of the vote by one point with those between the ages of 30 and 44 and by three points with those ages 45 to 64. She actually overperformed him by one point with those over 65.

Among those between 18 and 29, though, she took five points less  55 percent versus Obamas 60 percent. Heres how those numbers compare to 2012:

Clintons 55-36 margin among those ages 18 to 29 is also significantly worse than late polls suggested it would be. A mid-October poll from the Harvard Institute of Politics showed her leading Trump 49 to 21 with third-party candidates included and 59 to 29 in a two-way matchup with Trump  either a 28- or 30-point margin. A GenForward survey conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, meanwhile, had her up 41 points, 60 to 19.

These were large, quality surveys testing only young people, but they differed hugely from the results. Clintons final margin was 19.

They, of course, are national polls, and the race was really decided in a handful of close states  Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in particular. And sure enough, Clinton did even worse among young people in those states, according to exit polls.

While Clintons national margin of victory among young people was only four points worse than Obamas 60-to-37 edge, Michigans exit poll shows her margin among young people there was five points worse (+28 for Obama vs. +23 for Clinton). In Florida, it was 16 points worse (+34 vs. +18). In Pennsylvania, it was 17 points worse (+28 vs. +9). And in Wisconsin, it was 20 points worse (+23 vs. +3).

Caveat: Exit polls, like any polls, are subject to error. Did Trump really only lose young people in Wisconsin by only three points? Im very skeptical.

But if that number is anywhere close to accurate, it accounts for Clintons narrow loss in the Badger State. The exit polls suggest Clinton netted about half a point overall from young people given she won them 47 to 44 and they comprised 17 percent of the electorate. Obama, by contrast, netted nearly five points when he won them 60 to 37 and they were 21 percent of Wisconsins electorate. Clinton lost the state by less than a point, so that difference more than accounts for it. Were extrapolating here, and its inexact, but the fact is that even if Clinton had come anywhere close to Obamas share of the youth vote, she would have held on to Wisconsin.

The story is similar in Pennsylvania. Clinton won those under 30 years old 52 to 43 after Obama won them 63 to 35, and in Florida, where Clinton won them 54 to 46 versus Obamas 66 to 32. It was closer in Michigan, where Clinton won the 57 to 34 versus Obamas 63 to 35. But, if you run the numbers in each state, had Clinton simply come closer to Obamas margin with young people, she would have won.

So if you accept the exit polls, its clear Clinton did significantly worse among young people, and it was more than enough to make the difference in the states that mattered. But what if she wasnt supposed to do as well among young people as Obama did? Obama certainly had a unique appeal to them that would seem hard for an older candidate with less of a demonstrated millennial appeal to replicate.

Thats fair, but its also worth noting here just how much young people hated Trump. Harvard showed just 22 percent of young likely voters had a favorable opinion of Trump, while 76 percent had an unfavorable one. Basically every poll showed something similar.

Its true that young people never seemed to love Clinton. Even Harvards poll showing her up big revealed that more young likely voters disliked her (51 percent) than liked her (48 percent). But it seemed their distaste for Trump was leading them to coalesce around the lesser of two evils.

In the end, it just doesnt appear to have happened as much as Clinton needed it to. In short: Robby Mook was right.

election-millenials
LAS CRUCES  New Mexico State University Chancellor Garrey Carruthers said Friday that he wont declare the university a sanctuary campus but that state law already offers numerous protections for undocumented students.

A petition circulating online and on social media is asking university administrators to make NMSU a sanctuary campus that will protect our community members from intimidation, unfair investigation and deportation.

Similar sanctuary campus initiatives have sprung up at colleges nationwide in response to the victory of President-elect Donald Trump, whose anti-immigrant rhetoric was prominent during the campaign.

Although Trump has since walked back some of his hardest-line proposals, its unclear how he will treat those young immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children and who are currently protected by an executive order known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

In an email to faculty, staff and students, Carruthers said, NMSU values and respects diversity, so I am pleased to reiterate our commitment to providing an environment that is supportive, welcoming and respectful for students of different religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identifications, nationalities and abilities. As a land-grant university and as a Hispanic-serving institution, NMSU holds strongly to the values of inclusion and access to all people.

He noted in the email that many of the actions called for in the petition are long-standing laws or policies that require no further action by NMSU.

For example, NMSU does not require proof of citizenship as a condition of admission and does not discriminate in admissions or other services on the basis of immigration status. In New Mexico, qualifying undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition and other state-funded financial aid.

The petition asks the administration to adopt a resolution that actively bans immigration authorities from campus. Carruthers said NMSU will not ban federal law enforcement from campus.

Doing so would jeopardize our federal funding, as well as our ability to issue student visas to our international students and visiting scholars, he said.

The petition organizers could not be reached via their website, StandingWithOurStudents.org.

An NMSU spokesman said the university does not track how many students are covered by DACA, but U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reports 10,531 New Mexicans are recipients of the program that allows them to study or work.
SAN DIEGO  A retired Department of Defense contracting supervisor was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for accepting bribes from a Malaysian businessman nicknamed Fat Leonard who is at the center of the Navys worst corruption case.

Paul Simpkins, who was sentenced in federal court in San Diego, pleaded guilty in June to steering multi-million dollar Navy contracts to Leonard Glenn Francis in exchange for more than $300,000 in payments, the services of prostitutes and other bribes.

Francis, whose nickname comes from his large girth, has pleaded guilty to fraud that helped his ship supply company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, bilk the Navy out of nearly $35 million by overcharging the maritime branch and trumping up fees for supplying its ships in the Pacific. He is awaiting sentencing in the case. A total of 16 people, including nearly a dozen current and former Navy officials, have been charged so far in the scandal.

Simpkins was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine, forfeit $450,000 in criminal proceeds and pay $450,000 in restitution to the Navy. Neither Simpkins nor his lawyer could be reached for comment.

Simpkins held a number of managerial-level contracting positions throughout the federal government, including as a supervisory contract specialist for the U.S. Navy in Singapore from April 2005 through June 2007, and as an assistant director in the Department of Defenses office of small business programs from December 2007 to August 2012.

Simpkins admitted in his plea agreement to accepting bribes from Francis from May 2006 to September 2012. In one email, Simpkins asked Francis to provide some clean, disease free women during an upcoming visit to Singapore.

Simpkins admitted to providing Francis with internal Navy information and intervened on Francis behalf in contract disputes.

Prosecutors say Simpkins worked to suspend at least one of Francis competitors, prevented staff from reviewing the companys invoices, and overruled a lieutenant who recommended against extending one of the companys contracts because of high prices.
DENVER  Howard Dean took himself out of the race to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee, warning that the race could become contentious but vowing to support whoever is elected.

Dean, who was previously elected DNC chair after his unsuccessful 2004 bid for the partys presidential nomination, announced hed run again for the position days after last months election, in which Democrat Hillary Clinton lost to Republican Donald Trump. He made his surprise announcement of withdrawal from the contest in a videotaped message on Friday to a Denver meeting of Democratic state party chairs.

I am not going to be a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship, Dean said near the conclusion of his five-minute video, after talking about how the position is a full-time job. I have other priorities; I have a grandchild now.

The former Vermont governor warned that the race shouldnt become a proxy fight between supporters of Clinton and those of her primary opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But he also acknowledged it could be divisive and pledged to support the winner.

Dean focused on the full-time nature of the job and the likely non-stop travel amid questions about whether the front-runner, Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, could be chairman and congressman. That was a criticism of the last DNC chair, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

The other announced candidates  Ellison, New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley and South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison  all emphasized the need for the party to focus on local grass-roots organizing after reaching a historic low in statehouses and governorships.

The Democrats met after their dispiriting showing on Election Day, when they lost the White House and only made small gains in the House and Senate. Next year, Republicans will have a monopoly in Washington, including majorities in Congress.
SANTA FE  Full-time faculty at Santa Fe Community College are looking to unionize.

The faculty filed a petition with the New Mexico Public Employees Labor Relations Board on Friday, according to a news release issued late Friday afternoon.

Signed authorization cards from faculty members supporting unionization have been collected by a local chapter of the American Association of University Professors, the release says. The proposed bargaining unit would consist of approximately 90 full-time faculty members at the college.

According to the release, the state labor board will now review the petition and schedule an election to certify the union the in the coming months.

We started this process by listening to our colleagues one-on-one about their work as faculty, said Marci Eannarino, lead faculty member for English, Reading and Speech department at the college and leader of the union effort.

Over the last few months, we have heard from 100 percent of our faculty and found that an overwhelming majority of our faculty support coming together in a union as a way to ensure a set of fair processes, and that honor the facultys perspective at our colleges decision-making table.

Eannarino did not immediately return a phone message from the Journal on Friday. SFCC officials also could not be reached after 5 p.m. Friday.

The news release says that key issues include workload, shared governance, a fair evaluations and grievance process, and establishing clear processes at the college.

The Journal reported in October that the colleges faculty senate representative told the SFCCs elected Governing Body that the campus was in a state of crisis, at least partly due to administrations handling of a situation involving members of the English, Reading and Speech faculty.

Nine faculty members had received letters of reprimand accusing them of blatant insubordination for boycotting a Liberal Arts strategic planning meeting in August. The faculty members cited an excessive workload as the reason for skipping the meeting.

The faculty senate representative said at that time that the college administrations actions raised concerns about what processes and protections exist for faculty members who have a complaint. SFCC President Randy Grissom responded that the administration was meeting with the teachers in an effort to resolve the issues.

As a college, were always sensitive to issues of concern that may be coming up, whether they are coming from faculty or staff, and we try to address those the best way we can through our shared governance process and other processes we try to get input and feedback, he said.
A historic Albuquerque record store has found new life in the City of Vision, as Cristy Records celebrated its new home in Rio Rancho recently.

Cristy Records, at 1670-A N.M. 528, celebrated its reopening Nov. 17 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The record store, owned and operated by lawyer and musician Michael Sanchez, features CDs, vinyl records and cassette tapes from local and international musicians.

What were doing here is trying to promote New Mexico musicians, Sanchez said. We encourage people to come in and look around, have themselves a Coca-Cola and just look at all the bands.

Sanchezs interest in music and Cristy Records dates back to the early years of the record shop, when it was first owned by musician Eric Perez in the late 1950s. Sanchez, a touring musician who began playing with Rudy and the Soulsetters at the age of 15, was one of a number of New Mexico artists Cristy Records would try to showcase.

Continues tradition

Sanchez said he was happy to continue the stores tradition, opening its doors to albums from contemporary and older local acts.

As well as selling records, Cristy Records features museum-like exhibits of rock and roll history.

A framed, signed Ritchie Valens lyric sheet and signed Buddy Holly record greet customers at the front of the store.

Signed photos of local musicians, artists who received either local or national attention, line the stores walls; a photo of Randy Castillo, the late Albuquerque drummer who performed for Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crue in the 80s and 90s, hangs across from a photo of Billboard-charting Raton-based group Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs.

The record store also features signed photos and memorabilia from the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame  an organization Sanchez has been the head of since 2003.

This years inductees include Sunny West, who wrote Oh, Boy! and Rave On for Buddy Holly, and music producer Dick Stewart.

Need cultural events

We wanted to (open) here in Rio Rancho because we need some cultural events here in Rio Rancho, we need a museum, we need people to come here and say Rio Rancho isnt just a bunch of stores and a way to pass through on their way from Albuquerque to Bernalillo or Santa Fe,' Sanchez said.

Sanchezs music career has often mirrored those musicians Cristy Records has displayed.

In 1969, Sanchez sat beside Al Hurricane as the two traveled to play a show in Denver when their car hit a patch of black ice  their car rolled over and the two flew outside the vehicle. Although Sanchez walked away with a few minor injuries, the accident left Hurricane without his right eye.

In the years following, Sanchez hopped across bands before leading Mike Sanchez and the Wild Bunch. Sanchezs work playing Spanish music later got the attention of Hollywood  he eventually wrote songs for 2006s Bordertown and 2007s No Country for Old Men.

Angela Apodaca, an assistant at the store, said she was happy to see Cristy Records reopen.

A lot of New Mexicans know of Cristy Records from way back when, so its sort of a legacy, a tradition, she said. Theyll see us and say, Oh, Cristy Records is back, and they know exactly what theyll come in and find.
Regarding Sen. Martin Heinrichs letter to President Obama requesting that he rescind Mondays eviction at Standing Rock: This is a very welcome breakthrough.

With Heinrichs leadership, other senators and Congress members will step forward. I also predict that the arbitrary date of Dec. 5 will be overturned by the president. In due course, as Heinrich and Sen. Harry Reid have asked, the pipeline may be rerouted or scrubbed altogether.

To me, Dec. 5 was never anything but a contrived date conveniently determined after the announcement that 5,000 veterans and Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard would converge at Standing Rock on Dec. 4.

Perhaps the Army Corps of Engineers indulged in wishful thinking that they thus could get rid of everybody on Dec. 5?

True participatory democracy doesnt work that way.

Sen. Tom Udall, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham could send similar letters to the current president and the president-elect; thus, we could win this without resorting to fighting back at bestial weapons, rubber bullets, water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray, attack dogs and huge amounts of overtime subsidizing even more police brutality.

One 21-year-olds arm may still be amputated; her name is Sophia Wilansky.

The Dakota Access Pipeline was as ill-conceived as was the MX Missile Project in Utah, which was never commenced because of eventual strong opposition from the Mormons. I had a small hand in that through my correspondence with Spencer Kimball, president of Latter-day Saints in the late 70s. His intervention quietly, permanently squelched that deranged Rube Goldberg plan, with its 800 miles of underground railroads and missiles mounted on train cars, despite Sen. Orrin Hatchs and Sen. Jake Garns coddling.

This pipeline is, however, 80 percent complete and would carry North Dakota oil that is so inferior it can be sold only to China. How horrific is this Dallas billionaires clout to precipitate the inexcusable brutality, as Heinrich put it in his Facebook Thanksgiving post, of unarmed people!

Heinrich and Wisconsins Sen. Tammy Baldwin were the only senators to cosponsor Sen. Bernie Sanders Save Oak Flat Act to prevent the privatization of the Tonto National Forest and Oak Flat land sacred to the San Carlos Apaches. This is Sen. John McCains mega-plan to dig North Americas largest copper mine in a national forest with a corporation that has a shocking environmental degradation records, Rio Tinto Mining of Australia.

This wreckage of Oak Flat is becoming 20 times more likely with the incoming administration, despite the historic Republican support that created national forests led by presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower.

Will President Trump abandon Teddys and Ikes land stewardship principles? Stay tuned, there is really a lot at stake: our Western pristine environment, our Native Americans, and the sanctity of our public lands and national forests. I am not holding out for a miracle during the next four years.

This may become the next decades defining issue, like Vietnam shaped the consciousness 50 years ago. As a longtime supporter of Native American causes, Heinrich deserves our accolades for long overdue progress.

In a larger sense, Heinrich is showing us by example how to get through the next four years, through dialogue and undeniable reason, rather than weapons, bluster and confrontation  all of which is even more applicable in the international context.

Hopefully, others in the Senate will also see this and I thank him profoundly for his unparalleled leadership.
Susan McGrath loves the looks she gets when she rumbles into the gas station in her 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.

Its got a HEMI, she says, referring to the powerful engine configuration. I like the noise it makes.

This is a whole new life direction for the 74-year-old grandmother and retired Albuquerque Public Schools teacher.

I guess Im reliving my teenage years, she said.

It started when she made a trip to Iceland in April and her off-roading enthusiast son, Tim McGrath, urged her to try the experience while there.

Iceland is an island nation of about 325,000 people near the Arctic Circle between Greenland and Norway. The landscape is characterized by volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and lava fields.

I cant say no to my kids, she admitted.

So the younger McGrath made the arrangements with Arctic Truck Experience, a company that specializes in guided and self-driving off-road tours. Arctic Truck guide Freyr orsson, pronounced Thoursson, duly arrived at her Reykjavik hotel with a big red pickup truck ready to take her for a spin.

The truck, a Toyota Hilux AT38, has a reputation of being a seriously rugged four-w

heel drive vehicle. In 2007, a team from the British TV car testing show Top Gear drove three Hilux AT38s over 1,400 kilometers of sea ice and boulder fields to the Magnetic North Pole.

Once out in the countryside, orsson stopped and suggested Susan McGrath take the wheel. The truck was so high off the ground she struggled to clamber up into the drivers seat.

orsson let some air out of the tires for better traction and then they were off across a wintry landscape flanked by volcanic hills. She drove through two-foot-deep snow and down into a river. orsson kept urging her to go faster and faster until the spray flew over the windshield.

I was so nervous and my shoulders and neck were aching, she said, but Im so glad he insisted I do it. It was so much fun.

Back home in Albuquerque, Susan McGrath was eager for another adventure. She bought the Trailhawk from her daughter-in-law and is thinking about making a trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve area in southern Colorado.

Ive heard there are good trails, she said. Id like to take my Jeep there and do them just to say Ive done it.
University of New Mexico police are investigating a possible rape at a parking structure on campus after a woman reported she had been knocked unconscious and woke up in a compromising position last week, said Lt. Tim Stump, a spokesman for UNMPD.

There is no suspect information and officers believe the attack was random, he said.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, the 43-year-old woman told police she was attacked as she was getting out of her truck in the parking structure on Lomas across from the University of New Mexico Hospital, according to a police report.

UNMPD released a heavily redacted police report to the Journal. But due to a clerical error they already had released an un-redacted version to the Daily Lobo, Stump said.

The Lobo reported the woman told a security officer she had been knocked out after being struck on the back of the head and woke up on her stomach with her pants around her knees. She had injuries to her head, ribs and pelvis.

After the woman regained consciousness she drove herself to the hospital where her husband met her.

Stump said police redacted information because the attack is still under investigation and they dont want to compromise interviews with suspects in the future. He said the woman remembers very little about what happened, and police are waiting for the results of an exam to determine if she was raped.

Stump said police have met with the head of security for UNMH, and they are putting 30 more cameras in the parking structure.

A campus-wide alert was sent out a couple hours after the attack saying a female had been assaulted but it did not give any details about the crime.

In April 2016 the Department of Justice announced that a year and a half investigation into the way UNM handles reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment found the university did not comply with federal law. In order to comply with the law the DOJ said UNM must adequately investigate or respond to all allegations by students who have alleged sexual assault or sexual harassment   as well as several other requirements.

Earlier this year, UNM administrators shared the result of a 3,000-person survey that found nearly one in 10 students said they had been sexually assaulted while at UNM and that nearly one in four reported they had been sexually harassed within the past year.

Journal staff writer Chris Quintana contributed to this report
From the epicentre

At 2:28 pm, on May 12, 2008, an earthquake measuring eight on the Richter scale hit the western Chinese province of Sichuan.
Superintendent Raquel Reedy sent an email to all Albuquerque Public Schools employees Friday stressing that the district actually earned Cs in the last two years of district grading, but was dropped to Ds due to low participation on the PARCC exam.

Under state regulations, schools automatically lose a grade if fewer than 95 percent of students take the controversial Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test.

This year, 17 APS schools fell a grade because they did not meet the 95 percent requirement, which impacted the districts overall rating.

Its a bit of a dilemma for us, Reedy wrote in the email. While we respect the rights of families to make decisions they feel are in the best interest of their children, we also recognize that not taking the test has a direct impact on school  and district  grades.

She compared the participation penalty to earning a C on a paper, but getting a D because you wrote in pencil instead of pen as required by the teacher.

In an interview with the Journal, Reedy said she knows the New Mexico Public Education Department has to monitor PARCC participation, but it is unfortunate that test opt-outs can lead to a full grade drop.

The fact is, this is the way the state is assessing schools, and I just wanted to make sure that it was clear as far as where we stood academically, she said. That was the reason for this email, so everyone knows the full story.

Without the PARCC penalty, APS would have earned Cs for five straight years, placing it in the middle of the pack for New Mexicos large districts.

Neighboring Rio Rancho Public Schools received a B this year, as did Farmington Municipal Schools. Las Cruces Public Schools and Gallup McKinley County Schools both got Cs. Santa Fe Public Schools earned a D.

Three districts lost grades due to low test participation  APS, Logan Municipal Schools and West Las Vegas public schools.

Opt-out advocates have criticized the practice of dropping school and district grades, calling it is a scare tactic that interferes with parents ability to guide their childrens educations. PARCC, a math and English assessment administered in grades 3 to 11, has drawn particular ire, sparking protests and walkouts when it was introduced in 2015.

PED spokesman Robert McEntyre defended the 95 percent participation rule and the school grading system in an emailed statement.

Every parent and teacher deserves to know if their kids are on track in school, and its important that all of our students  regardless of their background or ZIP code  have the opportunity to show their progress, he said. Rather than opposing valuable tools for keeping parents informed, APS should focus more of their energy on helping students, teachers, and schools succeed.

Reedy told the Journal that she is taking the district grade seriously and considering new ways to improve, including principal mentorship, magnet schools and dual-language offerings.

This information that comes with the report is a snapshot in time, she said. It is good information and it gives us data that can help us.
Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Theres at least one roadblock that could bar high-profile bills backed by New Mexico Democratic lawmakers  including raising the minimum wage and legalizing recreational marijuana use  from hitting the states books next year.

Thats Gov. Susana Martinez, who still has two more years in office and could block some of the measures with her veto pen.

That Roundhouse dynamic  after Democrats reclaimed the state House in last months general election and expanded their majority in the Senate  could lead to efforts to push some of the initiatives through the Legislature via changes to the state Constitution. Thats because, unlike regular bills, the governor does not have to sign off on constitutional amendments for them to take effect.

They do have to be approved by New Mexico voters, however.

A Governors Office spokesman earlier this week urged majority Democrats not to pursue the amendment strategy for issues that could be addressed in state law.

(Gov. Martinez) trusts that the Legislature will continue to respect the legislative process and leave constitutional amendments for those issues that truly require a constitutional change, said her spokesman, Michael Lonergan. It is shortsighted and irresponsible to amend the Constitution simply as an end-around to the legislative process.

While legislators are free to propose any type of legislation as a constitutional amendment, several Democrats who will hold top-ranking positions when the Legislature convenes next year also say changing the constitution shouldnt be treated as simply an expedient alternative to changing state law.

I think we should be hesitant about legislating through constitutional amendment, said Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, who was recently elected floor leader by fellow Senate Democrats. Having said that, there are times they make sense.

Amendments

Several lawmakers have said they are considering the constitutional amendment route, and a top-ranking lawmaker says he expects to see proposed amendments on minimum wage and other hot-button issues.

For instance, Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, said he plans to once again introduce a constitutional amendment to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana use  as eight states have already done  during the coming session.

Although a similar proposal fell at least three votes short on the Senate floor during this years legislative session, Ortiz y Pino said he thinks the proposal has a better chance of passing in 2017 after Democrats picked up a net of two additional seats in the Nov. 8 election. They are now on track to enter the 60-day session with a 26-16 advantage over Republicans in the Senate.

Ortiz y Pino acknowledged some fellow senators expressed misgivings about the attempt to enshrine marijuana legalization in the Constitution, but he said going that route would show the federal government that New Mexico voters support the concept.

Also, he said, the governor would likely veto the bill if its drafted in bill form.

It it gets to her desk, shell probably veto it, Ortiz y Pino told the Journal .

Martinez, a former prosecutor, has steadfastly opposed marijuana legalization and decriminalization efforts, and has expressed concern about the impact of drug use on young people.

Statewide vote

Changing the state Constitution is a multistep process. It first requires a majority vote of elected members in both the House and Senate  at least 36 votes in the 70-member House and 22 in the 42-member Senate  and then must be approved by voters statewide to take effect.

Because New Mexico just held an election, its likely that any constitutional amendments approved by legislators in the coming session would not go before voters until the next scheduled general election in November 2018.

There was only one constitutional amendment on this years ballot, a proposal to revamp New Mexicos bail system for individuals charged with a crime. It passed by an overwhelming margin.

Meanwhile, some issues could be addressed only through constitutional amendment.

For instance, any change to distribution rates from the states Land Grant Permanent Fund for expanded early childhood programs or other initiatives would have to be done by constitutional amendment. Thats because those rates are already set in the Constitution.

While recent attempts to increase annual distributions from the permanent fund for early childhood education have stalled at the state Capitol, a new attempt is expected to be launched in the coming session.

Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-Albuquerque, who will be the next House majority leader after Democrats won back control of the chamber from Republicans, also expressed wariness of using constitutional amendments to address most policy fixes.

The major policy bills you cant put on constitutional amendments, and we all know that, Stapleton told the Journal .

The 60-day legislative session begins on Jan. 17 and lawmakers can begin filing legislation later this month.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Roy Martinez as Roy Montoya.

Copyright  2016 Albuquerque Journal

An Albuquerque courtroom turned into a mass of red and yellow this week  the colors of the prison jumpsuits of two dozen heavily guarded defendants charged in the federal governments case against a notoriously violent prison gang known for ordering hits on suspected law enforcement informants.

The dicey issue: should U.S. District Judge James Browning require the government to reveal the identities of certain confidential informants whose evidence helped an FBI-led task force build the massive racketeering case against members and associates of the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico gang?

Seven defendants, in preparing their defense, joined in a motion to try to obtain informant names, addresses and other information provided to law enforcement about the March 2014 stabbing death of SNM member Javier Molina. Molina allegedly was killed by SNM members for being an informant.

This week, the judge denied all but one of the defendants requests for such information. Browning is still deciding whether to release an informants identity to Anthony Ray Baca, an alleged SNM leader who is charged with ordering Molinas murder.

Under the law, prosecutors have the right to keep such identities of their confidential human sources secret, but not always. Depending on the circumstances and the role the informant played in the investigation, a judge can order the release to a defendant and his defense team. In this case, such information would be considered protected and not to be released to third parties.

The FBI in a search warrant affidavit filed in September cited at least nine FBI confidential sources. Seven of those are SNM gang members, according to a search warrant affidavit filed by the lead FBI case agent. I am certain that all nine informants, once their identifies are revealed, will be marked for death by the gang, he wrote.

At least one informant this year was shot twice and lived. Another was beaten and left for dead, the affidavit said.

But defense lawyers contended in a joint motion seeking certain informant disclosure that the government has relied heavily on insider informants, many looking to make a deal during its sprawling investigation.

Repeat offenders

Most, if not all, of the 30 defendants in the primary federal racketeering case are repeat violent offenders. Their indictments were the result of a complex multiagency investigation sparked in 2015 by a tip that SNM leaders had ordered a hit on then-New Mexico Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel and a corrections administrator.

The murder plot was foiled, but the law enforcement inquiry dubbed Operation Atonement unleashed a string of indictments that continue to this day against SNM members or associates who live in and out of prison. Altogether, the investigation has netted the arrests of more than 70 people, many on drug or weapons charges.

The indictment contends SNM is a racketeering organization because its members engage in violent acts to further the interests of the gang, which formed after the 1980 prison riots at the New Mexico State Penitentiary outside Santa Fe. Three defendants  Gerald Archuleta, Roy Martinez and Fred Munoz  have pleaded guilty over the past year but have not been sentenced. A trial for the others is set for next summer.

There was no denying the spectacle this week of two dozen SNM gang members seated in Brownings Downtown Albuquerque courtroom. To ensure their safety and that of the others in the public setting, each defendant was secured in a belly chain, leg irons, and handcuffs enclosed by a special U.S. Marshals Service black security box that Browning himself tried out.

I sat up here for 1 hours with one of those boxes on so I know what it feels like, the judge said in court during Tuesdays hearing. Its not very comfortable but they (the U.S. marshals) continue to think thats somethings thats necessary, Browning told one defense lawyer whose client asked to be excused from attending future hearings.

The client said it was too much of a physical hardship to be shackled with the box for the 12-hour round trip from the Otero County Prison south of Alamogordo where some defendants are being held. Browning denied the request, saying, Everybody needs to be here. Were really shifting into the facts now.

Afterward, one of the spectators in the courtroom scoffed.

I dont feel sorry for them at all. They killed my son, said one woman, whose son, Adrian Burns, was found dead in a burned-out car outside Socorro in 2012. Burns murder had been unsolved until the FBI-led investigation into SNM.

One defendant, Rudy Perez, 47, watched the proceedings from his wheelchair. He is alleged by one confidential informant to have made shanks out of his prison-issued walker to help SNM murder Molina at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility near Las Cruces. Perez, who is disabled, denies any involvement. Before the hearing, the U.S. Attorneys Office agreed to turn over the name of the informant in Perezs case under a protective order to keep the information from leaking out.

In questioning government attorneys about the murder, Browning inquired about whether defendant Jerry Montoya was alleged to have helped physically carry out the murder of Molina, who was stabbed about 40 times with three shanks.

Hes the shankster, is that the right word? Browning asked.

Montoya has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Before the hearing, Browning denied a U.S. Marshals Service request to erect a partition around alleged SNM leader Baca so he couldnt see or signal his SNM co-defendants in the courtroom. Bacas attorneys objected, saying the fears that he would send nefarious coded messages to the others were unsubstantiated and unfair.

Defense attorneys also disputed that Baca was the purported SNM leader, saying he has spent years in solitary confinement because of death threats made by the SNM.

Instead, Baca was seated separately from the other defendants in a corner at the front of the courtroom. He was flanked by his defense team and several security officers, not far from the judge.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.  The next Congress will begin work immediately next year toward repealing President Barack Obamas health care law but delay the changes as Republicans try to come up with an alternative, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday.

The Kentucky Republican insisted that some 20 million Americans who have health care through the six-year-old law will not lose coverage, though the likely upheaval in the insurance industry suggests many could.

Asked about the Senates timetable to scrap the law, McConnell said: Were going to move to it after we go back in the first week in January.

But during a speech in his hometown of Louisville, the senator cautioned patience from the laws critics as Republicans create an alternative.

You cant just snap your fingers and go from where we are today to where were headed, McConnell told a crowd at the Kentucky Farm Bureaus annual meeting. This has to be done carefully. It has to be done in a phased-in way over a period of time.

Republicans have been unable to agree on an alternative since the laws enactment in 2010, but now must produce a replacement if they scrap the law. President-elect Donald Trump says he would like to keep major elements of the law  allowing children to remain on their parents plans until age 26 and ensuring companies dont deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. But its unclear how a new version of the law could force insurance companies to provide the latter coverage.

With open enrollment underway, no changes are expected next year for the more than 10 million people currently covered through HealthCare.gov and state markets that offer subsidized private insurance. An additional estimated 9 million low-income people covered by Medicaid in states that expanded the program are also protected for now.

McConnell said Saturday that Republicans have an obligation to repeal and replace a law he called a monstrosity. He blamed the law for rising co-payments, deductibles and premiums and said it caused chaos in the private health insurance market.

We have an obligation to the American people to straighten this out, he said. But he said replacing the law will be challenging given the fact that its been kicking in for six years.

Meanwhile, McConnell played down prospects for any new trade deals. Specifically, he said the Trans-Pacific Partnership wont pass Congress because politically its unsustainable. Trumps tough talk on trade has included a threat to pull the United States out of the trade deal.

As a practical matter, we will not be doing any trade agreements anytime soon, said McConnell, a trade proponent.

On other subjects, McConnell:

Said he hopes Trump takes quick action once in office to roll back Obama administration regulations that he said slowed economic growth.

Weve been working with the transition team on all the things he can begin on his own to produce relief on, McConnell said. Some will take longer than others. But we intend to begin to dismantle this regulatory nightmare thats  kept us from reaching our potential.

Attributed increased Republican dominance in rural America to the unpopularity of Obama and his policies.

McConnell called last months election a comeback for rural areas as the GOP retained control of Congress and won back the White House.

All across rural America, theres a sea of red because our friends on the other side have become an urban-oriented party, he said.
Those using the General Mobile 4G are starting to receive the update to Android 7.1.1 which comes complete with the latest security patch, which is Decembers patch of fixes. Google typically begins rolling these monthly updates out in the first week of every month, and since it is December 2nd it likely isnt too shocking to see the update starting today. That said, there are so far no other reported devices which have received the software update, but it probably wont be too long before other phones like the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as Googles lineup of currently supported Nexus devices see the new software come though.

The good news is that Google is also likely to put up the factory images and OTA images for all of their supported devices in the near future as well, and potentially before the OTA actually get sent out, which means those who would rather not wait around will have the ability to flash the new software manually for their correct device. At the moment, though, Google has not published either set of images for download, so its still a bit of a waiting game.

The update is about 240.6MB in file size, so there may be a small tweak here and there and perhaps a few new changes to look out for, but according to the details that accompany the update the software contains the December security patch and some bug fixes and improvements. Its also very possible that those are the only changes included. The update is reportedly hitting General Mobile 4G users in Turkey, so Googles rollout process for this update could be starting in a smaller amount of regions and a smaller number of device types before getting this sent out to users globally. Alongside the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, users can expect this software to hit last years Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, the Nexus 6, Pixel C, Nexus 9, and the Nexus Player. Rumors have pegged the update as hitting most compatible devices by the middle of next week, more specifically on December 6th, so it shouldnt be too long before the update as well as the factory and OTA images for manual flashing.
Ministry axe set to fall on 3 NEA board members

The Energy Ministry has started the process of sacking three board members of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on charges of obstructing the reform process initiated by NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising, who is credited for getting rid of hours-long power cuts from the Kathmandu Valley.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State had its huge recruiting showcase last weekend for its dramatic 30-27 win over Michigan.

Now it's about sitting back and hoping that weekend left a good enough impression to turn into commitments down the road.

It already has with one prospect who visited in five-star linebacker Baron Browning of Kennedale, Texas, who pledged to the Buckeyes on Thursday evening.

But other prospects still have other visits to take and more thinking to do, and even though Ohio State doesn't have a big recruiting weekend, it's still important to track where Buckeye targets are going.

Let's take a look (upcoming visit in bold):

* Five-star OT Trey Smith of Jackson (Tenn.) University School: (Tennessee) Smith has been considered a Volunteers lean for months, but Urban Meyer and his staff made a splash with the 6-foot-6, 310-pound prospect who is rated the No. 5 offensive tackle in the country. Will that progress remain after this weekend, or will Smith go back to Tennessee and remember that home is where the heart is?

* Four-star S Xavier McKinney of Roswell, Ga.: (Georgia)Though it doesn't seem like McKinney will end up in Ohio State's class -- there may not be enough room for him -- he's still an interesting prospect to watch. Right now Clemson is reportedly the leader for the No. 8 safety in the country, so in-state Georgia is hoping to take a few steps forward this weekend. Ohio State could turn up the heat on McKinney if it finds a spot for him.

* Five-star WR Donovan Peoples-Jones of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech: (Florida State) Rated the No. 1 wide receiver in the country, Peoples-Jones is expected to end up at Michigan, but the Buckeyes would definitely make a spot available for him in their 2017 class. Peoples-Jones officially visited Ohio State earlier this year, but he's still considering the other four schools in his top five: Michigan, Michigan State, Florida and Florida State.

* Five-star CB Darnay Holmes of Calabasas, Calif.: (USC) Rated the No. 2 cornerback in the 2017 class, Holmes took an official visit to Ohio State last weekend. Now he's taking an official to the school on his list that's closest to him. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound prospect is also closely considering Nebraska, UCLA and Michigan, which he visits Dec. 9.
NOC urges consumers not to go after fuel shortage rumours

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has urged consumers not to believe rumours about shortage of petroleum products, stating there has been no obstruction in transportation of fuel from border points.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, and markets biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, neuroscience, and covid-19 diseases. The company's products include Revlimid, an oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma; Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; and Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia; Yervoy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Abraxane, a protein-bound chemotherapy product; Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia; and Empliciti for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, the company offers Zeposia to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; Breyanzi, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; Inrebic, an oral kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis; and Onureg for the treatment of adult patients with AML. It sells products to wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, retailers, hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as Bristol-Myers Company. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
12/02/2016

Photo via Facebook Car washes are frequently the scene of unintended acceleration cases, like one in Mansfield, Ohio, last week. Police said an employee of the Park Avenue Car Wash was behind the wheel when a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis crashed through the car wash door, careened across the street, and crashed into a church.

A similar incident at the car wash occurred in 2007, when a car smashed through the building and hit a house across the street. In both cases, car wash employees said the accelerator pedal stuck.

Car washes seem to attract unintended acceleration cases. Jeep Grand Cherokees, in particular, have been involved in several similar incidents at car washes and elsewhere. But while the problem is not unique to car washes, it does seem to occur more regularly in certain models, including the Mercury Grand Marquis.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database contains numerous incidents for Grand Marquis models from the 2006 through 2010 model years.

In August 2013, a consumer in Stow, Mass., filed a NHTSA complaint saying that while reversing out of the driveway, "car accelerated on its own, pressed brakes but car still moved backhards ... threw car into neutral and turned off engine."

"Took car to dealer .. and was told that it may have been that I pushed the brake and gas pedal at the same time. This, however, is I believe not the case," the consumer said.

Human error

Other reports tell of similar incidents and of assurances by the dealer that it was probably just human error.

A motorist in Hawaii reported wrecking a 2008 Grand Marquis during a test drive.

"I was preparing to test drive a 2008 Mercury Marquis at Honolulu Ford. I was stopped at the exit ... when the engine accelerated. I looked down and my foot was not on the gas, it was on the brake," the consumer said. "The car started to move out into the street, crossing the road, hitting another vehicle and a light pole."

Unintended acceleration cases have been around since the first time humans tried to ride horses but, at least in cases involving cars, answers have been hard to come by. Toyota famously recalled millions of cars to adjust floor mats that were blamed for sudden acceleration incidents, but there have been few other cases in which there was any agreement on the cause.

Federal safety officials have never identified a cause for the vast majority of the incidents and have therefore pinned the blame on drivers, although juries have often disagreed and sided with accident victims in cases like a 2012 accident involving a Ford Ranger pickup. Ford blamed the driver, saying he was old and confused but the jury concluded that the truck's accelerator assembly was faulty and awarded the plaintiff $3 million.

Some critics are convinced that most of the problems originate in the electronic control modules that are the brains of modern cars. Others blame driver education that teaches drivers to use the same foot to operate the accelerator and brake pedal.

Purists say we'd all be better off if everyone drove a stick shift. Besides eliminating unintended acceleration, it would make it nearly impossible to fiddle with handheld electronic devices while driving.




Haiti - Justice : The State and justice will never kneel dixit Camille Jr. Edouard





"Any citizen subject to threats against his person has the legitimacy to address to the judicial authorities. Under my authority, justice has always prioritized efficiency [...]



The State in its main mission must guarantee the innocent freedom, equality before the law and public duties with neutrality. The main task of the present Government was to carry out democratic elections in order to ensure the continuity of the State.



The State and justice will never kneel, it is their role to ensure with courage and firmness the nation's security. Enormous sacrifices were made by all the living forces of the nation for the effective execution of the vote of 20 November. The judicial authorities have received formal instructions to compel the exacerbation of general or characteristic violence. The PNH must maintain this attitude in the post-election situation to avoid any spontaneous manifestation without the approval of the authorities," indicated yesterday Thursday the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Camille Jr. Edouard.



S/ HaitiLibre


















Akbayan joins the rest of the country in denouncing the unilateral, treacherous burial of the dictator Marcos as a hero.

President Duterte needs to stop abetting the sanitation of the Marcos history by glorifying and honoring a murderous despot. Duterte can never simply reduce the Marcos burial to a question of legality  even as laws exist, such as the Marcos human rights victims compensation law recognizing that Marcos is anything but a hero.But this act of patronage for a family that contributed to the Presidents campaign kitty is only the latest in a growing list of actuations that point to a worrying and very costly tendency for an authoritarian bent.In condoning extra judicial killings, Duterte is normalizing death as the most effective methodology for addressing societal ills. With no perpetrators in jail, impunity has become the norm. And with thousands of dead, due process and the rule of law have taken huge hits. And government is yet to display any signs of seriously pursuing perpetrators. Instead the country was threatened with the proposal to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, which raises the spectre of warrantless arrests.Such recklessness is tantamount to an inception of the idea that the times call for an iron fist. The heros burial for Marcos does not only glorify and justify the reign of terror Marcos inflicted on us -- it reinforces an inauthentic demand for its repetition.Akbayan vows to intensify its efforts along with the broad ranks of freedom-loving Filipinos in revisiting and retelling the truths of Martial Law so that we may draw the right lessons, and vow to never let it happen again.Akbayan stands with the rest of the Filipinos in exacting the accountability that belongs to President Duterte, and him alone. His decision on this matter, when taken within the larger context of acts that disempower, demobilize, creates fear and paranoia, and strengthens societal cleavages, would allow for a dictator to flourish somewhere down the line.Akbayan demands that Duterte not only severe his loyalty to the Marcoses, but address the other tragedies that characterize both Martial Law and his administration: the thousands of extra judicial killings, crackdown on opponents, and rampant corruption that remains unchecked. Instead Duterte can not only disassociate from the Marcoses, he can pursue the numerous cases to return their ill-gotten wealth to the country.Akbayan with members in key cities such as Pampanga, Lucena, San Pablo, Naga, Legazpu, Cebu, and Zamboanga shall call in unison today for collective vigilance against injustice and impunity, and recognize that these calls must stop at Duterte's doorstop.It is for the freedoms we enjoy today  no matter how imperfect -- that we demand the President turn his back on his authoritarian pursuits, and focus on delivering justice, to the victims of Martial Law, and the country as a whole.Because by allowing the burial of Marcos as a hero, Duterte may be paying his political debts now. But in the long run, he is opening the door to another monster.
Irish companies will now be able to sell to a leading US health specialist after a deal was signed with Northwell Health, Elaine Loughlin, Irish Examiner.

The Enterprise Ireland deal opens up US healthcare market to Irish firms.
The figures also mean the Government remains on track to meet its budget deficit targets.

Total revenues are now 777m above expectations while spending discipline is also being maintained, at 784m below profile, said David McNamara of Davy Stockbrokers.

This leaves the exchequer deficit, related to the general Government balance, at 407m compared to 1.7bn in the same period in 2015, and the Government is well on track to hit its deficit forecast of 0.9% of GDP.

Latest Exchequer returns, published yesterday by the Department of Finance, showed total tax receipts for the first 11 months of the year amounted to just under 45bn, nearly 2% ahead of target and up 6.5% for the year.

Corporation tax was the star performer, as expected, with receipts totalling 170m for the month, 8.1% above target. For the year so far, corporate tax take is now over 7bn, which is 11% higher and nearly 1bn more than expected.

Vat receipts closed the month 6.6% behind expectations mainly due to larger-than-expected repayments and are now 3.2% below profile for the year.

However, income tax receipts of 252m were nearly 9% ahead of target for the month and are nearly 1% ahead of schedule for the year.

Boosted by a strong performance from the self- employed sector, income tax take is now nearly 6% higher.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Michael Noonan welcomed ratings agency S&Ps latest affirmation of its A+/A-1 scores on Irelands long and short-term sovereign rating and its statement that its outlook for Ireland remains stable.

I welcome the assessment by S&P Global Ratings that Irelands economy is in a positive position and their agreement that Irelands economy is forecast to grow further, Mr Noonan said.

This assessment is in line with the Governments own predictions. Indeed, the EU Commission and the ECB also affirmed that Irelands economic prospects remain bright.

As the Exchequer returns have shown, the public finances remain healthy, have improved on last year and are ahead of projections for this year.

It is, of course, true that each of these indicators published today note that we must remain vigilant and continue our prudent management of the economy.
NT revives stalled move to find strategic partner

Nepal Telecom (NT) has revived its stalled move to find a strategic partner and plans to sign an agreement with a consultant who will scout for potential candidates.
December 2, 2016 - Rubicon Minerals Corporation (TSX: RMX) ("Rubicon" or the "Company") announces that the resolution (the "Plan Resolution") approving the Company's plan of compromise and arrangement (the "Plan") pursuant to which the Company's previously announced refinancing and restructuring transaction (the "Restructuring Transaction") was approved by the requisite majorities of Affected Creditors that voted, in person or by proxy, on the Plan Resolution at the meetings held on December 2, 2016.

Rubicon intends to seek approval of the Plan ("Sanction Order") from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) on December 8, 2016 and will proceed to close the transaction shortly thereafter. Implementation of the plan is subject to receipt of the Sanction Order and to the satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions precedent set forth in the Plan.

A copy of the term sheet which outlines the terms of the Restructuring Transaction is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR and on the Company's website at www.rubiconminerals.com.

Share Sale Agreement

Pursuant to and upon completion of the Restructuring Transaction, the principal amount outstanding under the loan agreement between the Company and CPPIB Credit Investments Inc. ("CPPIB Credit") dated May 12, 2015 will be reduced to C$12 million and in exchange CPPIB Credit will receive consideration including a payment of C$20 million and 14,536,341 newly issued common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") representing 26.97% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. CPPIB Credit has agreed to sell 4,536,341 common shares in a private transaction to BMO Capital Markets ("BMO") at a price of C$1.33 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of C$6,033,333.53. The sale to BMO is conditional upon, among other things, the completion of the Restructuring Transaction. Rubicon understands that BMO intends to sell those shares, as principal, to investors. Following the sale to BMO, CPPIB Credit will hold 10,000,000 Common Shares representing approximately 18.56% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares.

TSX Expedited Listing Review Update

The Company has been notified that the TSX has deferred its decision regarding delisting the common shares of the Company with respect to meeting the requirements of continued listing until December 29, 2016. Although the Company believes that it will be in compliance with all TSX continued listing requirements upon conclusion of the delisting review, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of such review and therefore, continued qualification for listing on TSX. The common shares will remain suspended from trading until further notice.

Source: Rubicon Minerals
Pop star Lady Gaga has called for an harmonious and intelligent response to Donald Trumps presidency.

Mr Trumps cabinet includes conservatives who oppose gay rights, and Gaga said she would work to protect advances made by the LGBTQ community.

[We] are going to do everything that we can to protect the social progress we have made over the last eight years, she told BBC News.

Political progress cannot happen unless there is social progress.

You can create lots of jobs, you can create new policy  but those things cannot work unless people like each other, unless people are kind to one another.

We need to stay in a kind place and we need to bond during this time, and be as harmonious as possible, and intelligent in the way we approach this.

Lady Gaga (sitting next to her mother Cynthia) spent the Thanksgiving holiday at a shelter for LGBTQ youth in New York

Although Mr Trump has called himself a real friend of the LGBTQ community, several of his appointments have caused alarm within it.

Early in his career, vice President-elect Mike Pence opposed same-sex marriage and appeared to advocate diverting government funds away from HIV treatment in favour of gay conversion therapy. His spokesman recently denied this, telling the New York Times that Pence neither supported or advocated the practice.

More recently, he signed into law a controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Critics argue the law discriminates against the LGBT community by allowing businesses to refuse service over religious beliefs.

Under national pressure, he later signed an amendment stating businesses could not discriminate against gay people, drawing criticism from conservatives who said they felt betrayed by the revision.

There have also been concerns over the appointment of Jeff Sessions as attorney general. The Alabama senator opposed lifting a ban on openly gay people serving in the military and voted in support of banning same-sex marriage.

Role model?

Lady Gaga has long been an advocate for the LGBTQ community, and spent part of last weeks Thanksgiving holiday visiting a shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth in New York.

The star, who campaigned stridently for Hillary Clinton during the election, also protested outside Trump Tower when the results were announced last month.

But she accepted that not everyone would see her as a suitable spokesperson on US politics.

Ive done a lot in my career, she said. Im sure theres many people who would say Lady Gagas not role model. Did you see this performance? Did you see that performance?

But the truth is that when I was younger I didnt quite understand the amount of attention that I had [or] the amount of people that would listen to me.

I am older now and I am aware of my voice in the world and I want to be as much of a role model as I can be through my music as well as my performance.

Gaga performed an acoustic concert in London on Thursday night

With my album, Joanne, the intention was to focus on family and focus on friendship and focus on kindness and vulnerability and the release of pain, the revealing of pain.

This album, for me, is a reminder to care about one another, care about your family and heal the wounds of intergenerational tragedy.

Gaga was speaking to the BBC ahead of a secret gig for 65 fans in London.

She performed from inside a giant snow globe on the roof of the Westfield Shopping Centre, playing acoustic versions of her songs Bad Romance, Joanne and Million Reasons.

Its a very holiday-like, warm experience, she told the BBC.

I love my London and UK fans so much, and performing my new music for them in such an intimate and spectacular location was the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.


Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's top court has struck down part of a law that allowed the interior ministry to ban all but officially sanctioned protests, a court official said Saturday.

The 2013 law, which has been used to jail activists for up to two years, required demonstrators to inform the interior ministry that they were planning a protest.

The ministry could then refuse permission.

The Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that the article was unconstitutional, barrister Tareq Shibel said.

The court said in a statement that the constitution guaranteed freedom of association and the right to peaceful protest.

The authorities have deployed this law to prevent anti-government protests, but groups of people would be able to attend pro-authorities rallies during the same period.

The constitutional court's verdict is final and cannot be appealed.

However, Saturday's ruling does not mean the law will be scrapped in its entirety, said two court officials who did not be wish to be identified.

The verdict is "a partial victory that has granted us a political victory" against the government, Tareq al-Awady, one of the lawyers who challenged the law's constitutionality, told AFP.

"We were hoping the court would accept our appeal against the two articles that criminalise and set the punishment, so imprisoned young people could be freed," he said.

Following the verdict, "as long as the interior ministry is notified" about a protest it cannot ban it, Awady said.

The law was passed months after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who was army chief at the time, overthrew his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi.

A crackdown on Islamist supporters of Morsi after his ouster saw hundreds of demonstrators killed and thousands jailed, including secular dissidents.

Jihadist attacks have since killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen.

The United Nations and rights groups had asked the government to reconsider the protest law.

In October, Sisi said his government would look into revising the law, shortly after pardoning 82 detainees imprisoned on political grounds or over freedom of expression.
Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, has become the countrys new king, succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

He accepted the throne in a televised broadcast following an invitation from parliament, formalising his accession.

King Bhumibol, the worlds longest-reigning monarch, died on 13 October.

The late king was widely seen as a pillar of stability during seven decades of political turmoil in Thailand.

The crown prince had been expected to become the next king the day after his fathers death, but Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the time said that he had asked to delay the official proclamation so he could mourn.

Instead, the crown prince was anointed in a special ceremony 50 days after the death of the late Thai king.

He becomes King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, the 10th monarch of the Chakri dynasty, but will also be known as Rama X.

I would like to accept in order to fulfil his majestys wishes and for the benefit of all Thais, he said in a televised statement.

The broadcast showed one official shuffling on his knees to hand a microphone to the new king in the ceremony at the palace in Bangkok.

Mr Prayuth, who was among top government figures attending, said the new king would become the heart and soul of the nation.

Maha Vajiralongkorn was given the title of crown prince, making him the official heir, in 1972.

He is yet to enjoy the same level of popularity as his father, and spends much of his time abroad.

His accession to the throne ends a period of uncertainty during which Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, a 96-year-old former prime minister, has been serving as regent.

Unknown to many Thais

Thailands monarchy is protected from criticism by tough lese-majeste laws, which restrict media discussion about the royal familys role, including in the international press.

Most ordinary Thais know only a few details about who the crown prince is and how he lives his life.

In recent years he has tried to improve his profile  important because the king is traditionally seen as a guiding force in Thai politics, which is highly polarised.

His coronation will not happen until after King Bhumibols cremation, expected next year.

Bhumibols own coronation took place four years after his brother King Ananda Mahidol died of gunshot wounds in mysterious circumstances.

-BBC World News
GNA Reporter

Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - The Mahama Fun Club (MFC) has launched a house to house campaign to ensure that President John Dramani Mahama secures an overwhelming mandate from the people.

A statement in Accra signed by Mr D.S. Mahama, the National Coordinator, MFC said the members of the club were able to mobilise its members, youth groups and members of the Tertiary education Institution Network of the National Democratic Congress from various tertiary institution to join the campaign to meet the target.

It said the mobilisation was to embark on its mission of campaign from house to house to propagate the good works of the President to the floating voters in this year's election.

The statement urged their members and floating voters to consider among others, the huge infrastructural development and economic growth the country has witnessed under the President.

It said despite the energy crisis the government had gone through, it was able to manage the challenges with extreme dynamism, competence, integrity, ingenuity and innovation.

'We will like to state that we are committed to peace and will, therefore, ensure that the Club will not be cowed into any diabolic agenda,' it added.

The statement said, the Club's determination to helping the President to win the December 7 elections 'one touch' was unshakable and asked other Ghanaians to join the winning team.

GNA
By Dennis Peprah, GNA

Atronie, (B/A), Dec. 02, GNA - Mr. George Kumi, an independent parliamentary candidate for the Sunyani East Constituency in the Election 2016 has affirmed his conviction to unseat the incumbent New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Kwasi Asomah-Cheremeh.

He emphasised that his two rival contestants Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh and Mr. Kwasi Oppong-Ababio, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive and the National Democratic Congress candidate, had failed the constituents, as the Municipality remained under-developed and deprived of social infrastructure development.

Mr. Kumi who is a former Ambassador to Libya and High Commissioner to Nigeria said this when he addressed separate rallies at Atronie, Yawhima, Penkwasi, Wawasua and Atuahenekrom to outdoor his plans for the constituency said he was more proactive and had better plans than his contestants to aid the development of the area when given the nod.

He reassured the people that the 'one house one toilet project' aimed at ensuring that especially old settlements in the Sunyani Municipality deprived of easy access to toilet remained his priority.

Mr. Kumi said without job creation it would be difficult to alleviate poverty, hence he had supported more than 1,500 young men and women in the Municipality to acquire employable skills in various artisanal and trade set-ups in the Municipality.

He said without the support of the people his quest to represent them in Parliament would be fruitless and therefore appealed to them to give vote for him in the December 07 polls.

The former envoy told the people that he would operate an open-door policy that would make them feel comfortable to approach him at any time.

'I am pregnant with ideas, policies and programmes that would be implemented and bring rapid socio-economic improvement for the socio-economic well-being of my constituents', he said.

Mr. Kumi advised his supporters to avoid insults and statements that could trigger political violence, saying without peace nothing meaningful could be achieved. GNA
Oppn obstructs House for 2nd straight day

Four opposition parties obstructed the proceedings of the Legislature-Parliament for the second consecutive day on Friday protesting against the registration of the constitution amendment bill.
03.12.2016 LISTEN

Paramount Chief of Denkyira Traditional Area in the Central Region, Odeefuo Boa-Amponsem III has died.

The news of the death of the worlds second longest serving monarch was announced by the Denkyira Traditional Council, Friday.

Acting President of the Denkyira Traditional Council, Nana Agyei Bluer at a news conference confirmed the demise of the chief.

Per arrangements, the Traditional Council has placed a three-day ban on noise making at social gatherings and political activities as the late monarch is mourned.

"The three days will cover today, Friday 2nd December and ends on Monday 4th December 2016," the Traditional Council has said.

Odeefuo Boa-Amponsem III, 94, was the 25th King of the Great State of Denkyira. He was enstooled in 1955 as the Paramount Chief of Denkyira and has ruled for 60 years.

He was once the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs as well as the National House of Chiefs.

The former King was also a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
West Blue Consulting, a pace-setting, innovating and world class sought after ICT organization has been recognized as the Software Development Company of the year and the CEO; Md. Valentina Mintah awarded the Special Recognition Awards for her excellent contribution to the growth of the Technology Industry in Africa. This was at the recent Nigeria Technology Awards Night held on 26th November 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria.

NIGERIA Technology Awards (NiTA) is an award organized to Celebrate and reward Technology Entrepreneurs, Innovators, Inventors, Academicians and policy makers (Government) in Nigeria. The objective is to promote and commend the excellent achievements to which Nigeria Technology professionals and organizations contribute towards building a sustainable economy using technology, the Awards also aimed to encourage local practitioners to develop innovative and creative Technology solutions, which will uplift the image of Nigeria both locally and internationally.

This year, the entries and nomination received by the Nigeria Technology Awards achieved a record 3,556 submissions in over 92 categories. 102,000 votes were cast, resulting in 300 shortlisted entries, with a final 54 awarded in different categories.

Present at the ceremony which was held in Lagos, Nigeria were representatives of the Minister of Communication and Technology alongside the Lagos State Governor who all emphasized on the transparency and credibility of the Technology Awards; they also advised organizations who have been recognized should continue to ensure delivery of great innovations that would make Africa well projected as a developed continent.

The event recorded an unprecedented turnout of both the Private and Public Sector Operators in the Technology Business & Services, Telecoms, Banking, Education (Universities) and the Government.

Presentation of the 2016 best Software Development Company award was handed over by Mrs. Edith Udeagu; Chief Operating officer, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and the special recognition was presented by Mr. Victor Olukayode Onanubi; MD/CEO Maxtech Solutions Concept.

Present to receive the awards on behalf of the CEO was the General Manager, West Blue Consulting, Mr. Kabir Bashir. He assured the organizers and everyone present that West Blues commitment to being a pace setting, innovating and world class sought after ICT organization is sacrosanct and would continue to ensure the nations building process is met.

West Blue Consulting is a world class business and IT-consulting and technology firm. They transform the performance of leading organizations in both the private and public sectors. From concept to strategy development and detailed implementation, West Blue is known to consistently deliver cutting edge IT solutions to clients with rapid, high-impact results.
Odeneho Kwaku Appiah

03.12.2016 LISTEN

The Afigya Kwabre South Constituency Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, anyone who develops apathetic attitude towards politics is doing a great disservice to God and his country.

The NPP Chairman is therefore calling on religious leaders to show interest by involving themselves in partisan but decent politics.

According to him, religion, especially, Christianity, had always supported politics and without the involvement of religious leaders they would sin against God.

The NPP constituency chairman made the call when he launched the "ADOPT A POLLING STATION" during "a House of Prayer" session the NPP held at the Atimatim Methodist Church.

He said with a days to the December 7 general elections, Ghanaians had got to resort to their various faiths and prayers ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

He said it was time, Christians in particular, exhibited a great deal of commitment in politics, arguing that when a bad leader ruled the nation the Christian community suffered the bad policies of that government.

For example, he said if Christians did not show interest in politics to elect the right leader and there was war, these same Christians could neither peacefully worship at their various churches nor earn the living.

He also cited the Ivorian war to buttress his point saying that had Christians showed interest in politics in Cote d'Ivoire the Gbagbo-Ouattara genocide would not have existed.

Economic hardship

He said he had observed that due to economic hardship, most Christians were unable to return their Tithe and Offering at churches.

For that reason, he said it was necessary for every Christian to show interest in politics as Ghana prepares for imminent December 7 elections.
The prosecution of the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Tsatsu Tsikata, was not for the purposes of political witch-hunting, Nana Akufo-Addo has said.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer said such perceptions about the prosecution of some individuals in the country, are deliberate attempts by people to politicize the justice system in order to escape punishment for wrongdoing.

Speaking to Citi News Umaru Sanda, Nana Akufo-Addo said the idea that there is witch-hunting because people are tried is unfortunate. It is yet another attempt to try and politicize situations that ought not to be. I think we all have to accept that the mere fact that someone is a minister or politician doesn't put them above the law. Even the president is not above the law and we have seen this all over the world.

An Accra Fast Track High Court in 2008 sentenced Tsatsu Tsikata, a former CEO of the GNPC, to five years imprisonment for willfully causing financial loss to the State and misapplying public property, while Akufo-Addo was Attorney General under the erstwhile John Kufour administration.

Mr. Tsikata rejected an unconditional pardon by former President Kufuor, but got out of prison before the end of the 5-year term due to ill-health.

Earlier this week, the Court of Appeal, overturned that High Court judgment which sentenced the former GNPC boss to five years imprisonment. The judge said, the judgment of the High Court was a miscarriage of justice, because it did not give Mr. Tsikata a fair opportunity to defend himself.

Nana Akufo-Addo in the interview on Politicos said he was not embarrassed by the court's decision.

How can I be embarrassed? That is what courts do. They may give a determination of who is innocent and who is guilty. Those in the judiciary cannot make that determination. All that one can do is to bring facts before the court to look at, and the court will look at whether the facts brought before them constitute an offence or not, he said.

'NPP government for unity'

Meanwhile, the NPP presidential candidate has said that an NPP government, if voted into office, will ensure unity and stability in the country.

He also emphasized that an NPP-led government will steer the country to economic prosperity.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @jnyabor
03.12.2016 LISTEN

Imagine that you woke this morning and you could not see, walk, talk or recall the events of the previous day. You are rushed to the hospital or clinic for many and you are told that your new condition is permanent or irreversible. You are now a person with disability.

Disability may be defined as a permanent physical or health condition which prevents an individual from using either any of his/her senses or a part of the body, from participating in social and cultural events, living an independent life and/or accessing goods and service that they may need and are entitled to due to barriers that exists within the environment they live and interact with. It is instructive to note that, disability can be easily managed when these physical, cultural and attitudinal barriers are removed.

Since the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disability (UNCRPD) in 2006, various efforts have been carried out by various stakeholder to empower Persons With Disability as well remove the various barriers they face so that they can effectively contribute to the development of their communities and break out of the cycle of poverty.

In September 2015, the UN General Assembly passed a set of 17 goals to serve as the global development agenda spanning from 2015-2030. The goals range from Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere to Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.

Rural Initiatives for Self Empowerment-Ghana (RISE-Ghana) wishes to use the occasion of Word Disability Day which falls on 3rd December each to salute and commend the efforts of all persons living with disability and all stakeholders engaged in efforts to promote the rights of Persons Living With Disability (PWDs) in Ghana and Globally. This years theme Achieving the 17 goals for the future we want, is not only relevant but very timely.

As governments across the globe implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with renewed zeal to address the issues of poverty, inequality and marginalization of PWDs across all facets of society from Adapting to Climate Change to Zoning of public places for accessibility for PWDs, the theme provides a perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on our legal and moral obligations as duty bearers.

RISE-Ghana believes that unless disabled people are brought into the development mainstream, it will be impossible to achieve the SGDs by 2030 since 80 per cent of the worlds PWDs live in low-income countries  the majority of whom are poor and cannot access basic services. Only 2% of children with disability in the developing world receive any education or rehabilitation.

While commending the Government of Ghana for the positive strides undertaken to secure the rights and dignity of PWDs through the passage of Ghanas Disability Law ( Act 715), an accessibility standards, introduction of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), wish to make the following observations.

95% of public buildings in Upper East Region are not accessible despite accessibility provision in the PWD Act. Fewer PWDs have access to the 2% District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) which is characterized by delays and often irregular. Civil Society Groups and the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) must engage actively in monitoring compliance with the act. The Ministry of Youth and Sports must endevour to prioritize disability sports and ensure sports facilities are accessible country-wide. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Parliament, District Assemblies must address the gross failure of public and private institutions to comply with provisions of the act- 10 years is too long to wait to harness the potential of PWDs! Private sector must be made to fully understand the tax and economic incentive to employ PWDs as well as pay them fair market wages for their goods and services.

PWDs are nor not DISABLED, it is the barriers that make them so, removing these starts with you. Remember DISABILITY is anybodys lot, anytime.

We salute our partners, UNICEF-Ghana, GIZ, CDD-Ghana, World Vision Talensi Cluster, the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the ASA Basis-Germany and the Technical University of Valencia-Spain for supporting our efforts in advancing disability rights.

Thank you.

AWAL Ahmed,

Executive Director

0266195156/0248498703
Defeated Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, has called the newly elected President of the small West African country, Adama Barrow, to concede defeat.

There had been reports before the declaration of results on Friday, that Mr. Jammeh had recorded a concession video.

The man, who had led Gambia with what many describe as iron fist, promised to offer his guidance to Mr. Barrow 51, through the transition process.

He said he respects the will of the Gambian people, and that he was grateful to them and to the Almighty Allah for the opportunity to lead his people.

I am calling you to wish you all the best. The Gambian people have spoken and I have no reason to contest the will of the Almighty Allah. I wish you all the best. The country will be in your hands in January and you are assured of my guidance on your transition. You are the elected President of The Gambia and I wish you all the best. I have no ill-will, and I wish you all the best. This is transparent, this is the will of Allah and as a Muslim I accept it in good faith; the Ugandan people have chosen you.

My time is up  Jammeh

Mr. Jammeh in a rather hearty conversation, shared some jokes with the new President, and said he believed that his time was up. He revealed that he was going into farming in his home village in The Gambia.

After 22 years, I am grateful to the Almighty Allah for that. I remember I came on Friday 22nd of July, and I lost on Friday the 2nd of December; Allah is telling me that my time is up and I hand over graciously with gratitude to The Gambian people and gratitude to the Almighty Allah to you.

Mr. Barrow in response also said he was also born on Friday, specifically 15th February, 1965, and he interestingly won the elections on a Friday. He thanked Mr. Jammeh for calling to concede defeat to him.

The Head of The Gambia's Electoral Commission declared Adama Barrow as the winner of the 2016 presidential election, with 263,515 votes to Yahya Jammeh's 212,099 votes.

Adama Barrow  The new Gambian President.

The third candidate, Mamma Kande, polled 102,969 votes.

The Electoral Commissioner of Gambia, Chief Alieu Momar Njie, said it was unprecedented for a Gambian head of state to accept defeat before the final results

Mr. Barrow led a coalition of seven opposition parties to end the tyrannical rule of Mr. Jammeh who has been accused of suppressing freedoms, jailing political opponents and critics of his government, and in some cases killing such persons.

On Election Day, he shut down the internet blocking social media, blocked international phone calls and stopped many observers from observing the process.

Mr Jammeh had been in power for 22 years, after taking power in in a coup in 1994. The West African country has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence in 1965.

He had been trailing Mr. Barrow in partial results and was defeated in the capital, Banjul, his stronghold.

Watch Yahya Jammehs concession video below:



The Gambia is bounded by Senegal, with a narrow Atlantic coastline.

It is known for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River.

Abundant wildlife in its Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve includes monkeys, leopards, hippos, hyenas and rare birds.

The capital, Banjul, and nearby Serrekunda offer access to beaches.

The countrys populatiion as at 2013 according to World Bank figures, was 1.8 million.



By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Writer

03.12.2016 LISTEN

"The treaty does not say that France must undertake to have children, but it is the first thing which ought to have been put in it. For if France turns her back on large families, one can put all the clauses one wants in a treaty, one can take all the guns of Germany, one can do whatever one likes, France will be lost because there will be no more Frenchmen."

George Clemenceau

A bit of history

France went through the second demographic transition in the middle of the eighteenth century and its population lagged behind those of Germany and Great Britain. While citizens of these last two countries immigrated, France imported migrants from other Catholic countries such as Belgium, Italy, Poland and Spain. The French government also took pro-natality measures such as such as family allowances.

While originally Europes most populated country, Frances slide into lower birth rates preceded the other countries of the continent by approximately 100 years. At the end of the 1930s, the country had the worlds oldest population.

The French population, which has doubled over a period of two hundred years, has alternated periods of strong growth (in the first half of the 19th century, early 1920s and from the end of the Second World War to the 1960s) and of decline.

One of the reasons for France being a demography laggard was most certainly the fact that French women had easier access to contraception than other European women, and in particular than German women. Further, the First World War killed or made prisoner 1.3 million men. One in eight Frenchmen aged between fifteen and forty-nine died.

Petains government during the German occupation attempted to increase birth rates through the distribution of medals, but registered a total failure.

Natality today

Today France is only one of two countries in Europe with a growing population and has the continents highest birth rate at 2.0 children per woman, representing three quarters of Europes positive demography, but it remains below the replacement rate of 2.07. No doubt this very honourable result is due to the fact that the country offers a large number of day care centers, generous parental leave, allowances and tax breaks. France spends annually nearly 70 billion Euros, or nearly 4% of GDP, in various payments to encourage birth and the upkeep of children. One percent of GDP, or nearly 12 billion Euros, is spent just on the upkeep of children younger than three years old.

Immigrant fertility is another important contributor. In Paris, for instance, one third of the mothers is foreign-born.

These results have been achieved in spite of a number of drawbacks.

Women have, in France like in other countries, entered massively in higher education, and therefore couple formation takes place increasingly later. Therefore highly educated women are time-restrained to have more than one or two children.

While marriages have reached a low point, civil unions (PACS or Pacte Civil de Solidarite) are catching up with marriages  half the cohabiting population is not married. Women in France have their first child at 28 years old, ten years after their first sexual relations, while it was 24 years old thirty years ago.

The number of childless women has remained stable at a low level and one woman in five has only one child and this has been a stable figure. 11% of women remain childless while the norm is of a two-child family.

Women who are practising Catholics have a higher birth rate than non-practising women. The decline in fertility parallels religious decline.

Men are increasingly childless. One of the reasons is that an increasing number of men live alone. However, this increased incidence of childlessness also affects men who have been married or lived with a heterosexual partner  12% have remained childless.

Aging

It is forecast that Frances population will be of 73.6 million on January 1, 2060, thus representing an increase of 11.8 million compared to 2007. The number of people aged 60 or over will have increased, during the same time period, by 10.4 million and will represent one third of the population or 23.6 million. The number of people aged 75 to 84 will be of 11.9 million and those over 85 would be 5.4 million. Only 22% of the population will be younger than 20. These figures are based on a scenario in which the average number of children per woman is of 1.95, there is a positive migratory flux of 100 000 per year and life expectancy continues to progress at the same rhythm as in the past.

While French women have a long life expectancy, among the longest in Europe, this is not the case for French men. For a male born in 2006, life expectancy was of 77.4 years, while it was 84.4 years for a male. By 2050, these figures are expected to be, respectively, of 82.7 and 89.1 and by 2100 to be, respectively, of 91 and 95.

By 2060 the country should have 200 000 persons over 100 year old. In fact, their number doubles every 10 years with the vast majority (6 out of 7) being women.

If Frances long term demographic growth is confirmed, with a population reaching 75 million by 2050, the equilibrium between European nations would be altered - Germany would have slightly under 71 million inhabitants, Great Britain just under 59 million and Italy 43 million, equal to the present Spanish population.

The percentage of the population over 65 compared to the rest of the population  is expected to increase from 28% in 2013 to 46% in 2050 at which time the average life expectancy will have grown from 81 to 86 years.

Health issues

Compounding the extension of life and the continued higher than European-average birth rates, there will be a lack of personnel to take care of both these extremes of the population curve. This phenomenon has been called the care deficit.

Economic impact

The economic dependency ratio  in other words the percentage of the population over 65 compared to the rest of the population  is expected to increase from 28% in 2013 to 46% in 2050 at which time the average life expectancy will have grown from 81 to 86 years. This is expected to increase savings rates as pensions may be unable to offer generous payments to retirees. France is, in fact, France is the country in the EU where people spend the longest time in retirement: 24.5 years against an average of 19.8.

A French specificity is the very small rate of employment of the population over 55 years old, particularly in comparison to other European countries. Thus, only 18% of the 60  64 years old are employed while the corresponding figure in Sweden is of 64%. Even worse, only 4% of the 65  69 age bracket are employed in France against 18% in Sweden. The situation in France is due not only to the fact that it is felt that younger persons are more productive, but also to the large salary differentials between employees due to their age and number of years in employment in the same company.

Another effect of ageing is the later transmission of the inheritance. This means that the inheritors will be older than previously and will therefore be less tempted to make riskier investments, such as in shares. Corporations may face difficulties in raising finance.

By 2060, the cost of aging will represent 3.7% of GDP. The majority of these costs will be represented by health costs as although the population is aging, the number of years during which the population is in good health is not changing.

Conclusion

Will France end up as a poor country of older people with those in the most advanced age groups left to care for themselves as the number of care givers shrinks?

Unless a reversal of the population decline takes place, this is what is most likely to occur.

Michael Akerib, professor of business and entrepreneurship, former University Vice-Rector

Owner, Rusconsult
Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo the wife of the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party has asked Ghanaians to vote for Nana Addo and the NPP, as she campaigned in Kantamanto, Makola, Agbogboloshie and Okaishie in the Central Business district of Accra.

Give Nana Addo a chance because he is a man who is not corrupt, a man of great vision and a leader who knows how to manage the resources of Ghana to benefit all of us and not just a select few. Mrs.Akufo-Addo declared.

Addressing teeming crowds of traders, she emphasized that the one district one factory, one village one dam, one district one million dollars, Free maternal healthcare and the Free SHS are all carefully thought out policies to accelerate economic growth, create jobs and provide a better quality of life for Ghanaians.

Mrs.Akufo-Addo therefore encouraged the traders to work hard to ensure victory for a competent Nana Addo, to implement strategies and policies that would provide a good future for them and future generations.

She was accompanied by the regional executives, the National Treasurer of the NPP Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, the parliamentary candidate Odododoidoi, NiI Lante Bannerman and his executives and other party members.
As the 2016 polls draws near political parties are drawing up strategies to police the ballot at the polling station level.

While the NPP has been asking its supporters to vote and stay to guard the ballot, the NDC has set up a team to go round on voting day to ensure the welfare of polling agents.

Regional Executives and other party agents have been tasked to go round and provide situational reports on happenings at the polling station level.

The Ashanti Region has become a battle ground for the two political parties.

Whilst the NPP is fighting to scale its reach to 90 percent and beyond, NDC on the other hand wants to beat its one million vote target in Ashanti Region to shore up its chances of winning the election.

Former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu has teamed up with ex- Chief Executive for Ejisu, Yamoah Ponkoh to boost the NDCS chances.

The Kojo Bonsu-team has procured 20 motorcycles to enable the mobile team distribute food and logistics to the partys agents who will be monitoring affairs at the polling station level.

Mr. Bonsu tells Luv News, Ashanti Region is crucial; we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure no single vote of the NDC is lost and the right things are done at the polling station level. With these motorbikes our executives will travel to every polling station and ensure our agents are fed and voting is done per our laws.

The former CEOs of KMA and Ejisu-Juaben Assembly have since their exit been campaigning for the National Democratic Congress in Ashanti Region.
Forum for Christians against Corruption, FoFCAC, says reluctance of successive governments to investigate their members for corruption allegations is responsible for the growing canker.

The group wants the next government to appoint an independent state prosecutor to investigate and prosecute alleged corruption offenders.

This is contained in a 12- item action plan the group proposes as part of a national crusade against high incidence of graft in Ghana.

Spokesperson, Rev. Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusuh, says FoFCAC expects whoever leads the country after next weeks election to adopt the proposal for implementation.

Hundred days is like a honey-moon for the government so we will monitor and start asking questions after that period.

Areas in the action plan includes vote-buying in elections, passing the right to information bill, review of basic education curricular and the Senior High School admission placement system.

On Right to Information Bill, FoFCAC is worried parliament has failed to pass it for almost a decade now despite the RTI being a critical tool on which civil society can demand accountability from public officials.

FoFCAC believes it would be one of the early tests of the next governments commitment to fighting corruption.

The group wants WAEC to be pressurized to adopt processes with better transparency and improved security than currently existing practice and also recommended the prosecution of officials cited for complicity in examination question leakages. It also called for review of basic school curricula.

It observes annual SHS placement system and its attendant corrupt protocol concept is compelling many ordinary Ghanaian parents to pay huge amount of bribes to secure wards admission.

Whatever needs to be done must be done to curtail the ordinary Ghanaian parent being compelled to pay huge amount of bribes to secure placement for their wards in schools, the group said.
Protest continues in western region against constitution amendment

Life in Arghakhanchi, Rupandehi and Palpa districts continued to remain crippled due to the shutdown called by the local people to protest the proposal to split hill districts including these three away from Province -5.
Yesterday, Africa was greeted with news about the electoral ouster of the Gambian strongman Yahya Jammeh. It was an unexpected piece of significant news which many did not want to believe because for a long time Yahya, former army officer, has managed to manipulate the electoral process and descended heavily on dissent.

That he could be beaten in an election without a fight and bloodshed was amazing.

Many have died while others have been jailed for daring to demand changes in the politics of the former British territory, with some resigning to their fate.

Important academicians from the country are currently in exile at a time when they could have been contributing immensely towards the enhancement of the lives of their compatriots.

The man who hounded them away is no more the man who called the shots, his tenure having been curtailed by pebbles that represent the wishes of the people.

Yahya Jammeh, a dictator, did not brook nonsense, as he killed his opponents or sent them to jail for long period of time.

For some time, many questioned his place in the comity of democratic nations.

His style of governance provided ingredients for such persons to pose integrity queries.

There are lessons to be learnt from the political earthquake that has taken place in the Gambia. These are as appropriate for Presidents as they are for opposition parties.

For Presidents, it is very important to leave the seat when the people so desire such a change.

To manipulate the electoral process through a connivance with the officials of the elections management bodies cannot continue indefinitely.

The shutting of social media and severing the country from the outside world, as Yahya did, can only be regarded as a crude tactics and uncivilized.

The power of the masses cannot be subdued by state forces indefinitely. Leaders who ignore this reality risk being removed ignobly at a time they least expected it.

Leaders must be wary about the quality of intelligence they receive from their top advisers, some of whom would continue to churn out false details to him in their obsession to maintain the trust of the president.

There would always be closure to dictatorships and tenures no matter how hard presidents try. Like death there is no antidote to this phenomenon.

Good leaders should know when to exit so they can maintain their dignity.

Yahya Jammeh, corrupted absolutely by power, least expected to lose an election but reality has caught up with him. Fortunately for him, he has conceded defeat which has saved him from the embarrassment which visits presidents who are impervious to realities.

Opposition parties should learn from the power which goes with unity.

The joining of forces by opposition parties in the Gambia has provided an important impetus for them to gently remove the dictator, something military action failed to do over the years when the people sought an appropriate means of regime change.

The national interest must surpass all others.

Selfish interest would not bring about the positive change which a country desires. When there is a compromise and opposition elements put their destiny in one person to fight the electoral duel, victory would always come, as in the Gambian experience.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the Northern Regional Chairman of the party, Daniel Bugri Naabu, will return the alleged car and money bribe given to him (Naabu) by President John Dramani Mahama and his brother, Ibrahim Mahama.

According to Nana Akufo-Addo, Bugri Naabu accepted the bribe from President Mahama as a proof of his (Naabu's) claim.

He himself has decided what he is going to do with itthat he will return the money, that is my understanding; that is what he has told me. That he is going to return the money. He kept the money for proof; but now that the matter has come out he intends to return the money. He told me the story about this matter before it became public, Nana Addo told a number of radio stations yesterday.

The NPP had dropped the bombshell at a press conference in Accra, alleging that the president and his brother (Ibrahim) tried to bribe Bugri Naabu with a brand new V6 Mitsubishi Pajero, GH500,000 with additional promise of a brand new V8 Toyota Land Cruiser and GH3.3 million for him to resign from the party and paint Nana Akufo-Addo as a dictator and an anti-Northerner.

Around the same time, Ibrahim Mahama had tried to convince Bugri with money to leave the NPP to become a chief after Daniel Bugri Naabu's uncle died, but Bugri refused, the NPP had said.

Confirmation

Mr Bugri Naabu subsequently confirmed the attempted bribe by President Mahama and his brother.

He stated that I don't need bribe. If I needed bribe I would have pocketed the money they gave me and the cars and the promise of other money which is supposed to come. I would have done it.

He claimed he was already wealthy when President Mahama was a student.

When I started buying cars Mahama was a student at Ghana College (Ghanasco). He himself told me that I was having some cars and other things, and today you are presenting GH500,000 to me and a car. As for me I don't need anybody to give me money.

If John Mahama wanted to give me money, he would have given me money when he became the vice president. Is today that he knows that I need money? Today that you are failing you are calling me to come. I won't come, Bugri Naabu told journalists in Tamale.

Kyebi As Capital

Nana Akufo-Addo also rubbished vile propaganda by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) elements that he intends to relocate Ghana's capital from Accra to his hometown, Kyebi in the Eastern Region, when he wins the December 7 election.

He described the allegation as 'malicious' and said all that the Mahama-led NDC government has been doing as the general election approaches is to divide Ghanaians along ethnic lines.

They say when I come to power I will relocate the capital of Ghana to my hometown. What is the capital going to do in Kyebi? I have no intention in doing that at all, Nana Akufo-Addo told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM in Accra yesterday, adding that it is a pity that this is the level of engagement they want to bring to Ghanaians. It's like they don't respect Ghanaians. What will make me, within a short period of presidency, move the capital from Accra to Kyebi because I am from there?

The NPP leader took time to explain many policies the party intends to implement under his leadership when it wins the crucial contest on Wednesday, saying that job creation is his priority.

Smear Campaign

The NDC has been floating emails they claim are coming from Nana Akufo-Addo in which there are plans to relocate the capital to Kyebi where he was once a Member of Parliament (MP), but the NPP standard bearer said the speculations were false. I don't even send emails.

The capital of Ghana was brought to Accra from Cape Coast over 100 years ago. I'm shocked that someone will say that I'll move the capital from Accra to Kyebi. This spurious claim is not different from what was leveled against President Kufuor by his detractors prior to the 2000 election, that he'll take the sea from Accra to Kumasi in his home region when he wins power. It is petty that those we are contesting in this election will descend to this level of engagement. It is as though we don't respect Ghanaians, Nana recounted.

He wondered, How on earth can someone say such a thing? How can it happen that in the short while that I become president, I'll ignore this huge development in Accra and move the capital to Kyebi, because I came from the town.

I think some people don't understand that you come onto the scene to work for the progress of the country. If you are from Bole, does that mean you must only care about people from Bole?

He also rubbished the claim that he was going to raise the status of the Okyenhene when he becomes president, saying, I don't understand why someone will come out with such malicious allegations; that I will elevate the position of Okyenhene just because of politics.

I'm not trying to come to power to develop only Kyebi and make Okyenhene more powerful like it's being alleged. My goal is to develop the entire country and introduce policies and programmes that will enhance the living conditions of Ghanaians.

He said that the smear campaign against him by President Mahama and his party would never make him lose focus on helping to secure a better future for the country.

Police Selectivity

Nana Akufo-Addo berated the selective law enforcement being exhibited by the security agencies, particularly the police administration, and said it does not aid the consolidation of democracy in Ghana.

He cited instances where a cabinet minister's brother openly declared that he has been killing people in Asunafo in the Brong-Ahafo Region but the police had not even invited him to establish the veracity of the claim.

He said the NPP is committed to ensuring a peaceful election but stressed that the party is going to be vigilant so that it is not shortchanged in the process.

Threat

He said that the president's lack of vision with its attendant incompetence had unleashed bad governance on Ghanaians and killing the dreams of many people, especially the youth.

Ghana is sitting on gold but because of bad governance by President Mahama, Ghanaians are suffering. His leadership style is a threat to the future of this country, Nana Addo observed.

Show Boy

He said when given the mandate to lead Ghana, he would like to be remembered as a president who worked hard to bring prosperity to the country because a future NPP government will commit itself to total economic development, shaped by better policies and programmes.

My aim is to create jobs in the city and across the country. People will laud me for that rather than changing the capital to my hometown. I will be nicknamed the 'Show boy' for that. That is what I want to do, he said.

By William Yaw Owusu
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced the extension of the Special Voting exercise reserved for security agents, EC staff and media practitioners who will be on duty on Election Day  December 7.

The extension is being done as a result of the widespread confusion that marred the exercise on Thursday, leaving many eligible voters disenfranchised.

It was a baptism of fire for the new EC boss, Charlotte Osei, as the process was a complete mess, leading to the holding of an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to find a way out of the huge number of voters whose names were missing from the electoral roll.

There were widespread reported cases of stranded voters at many polling stations nationwide because they could not locate their names in the specially prepared register and had to be turned away in disappointment.

The commission's Director of Communications, Eric Kofi Dzapkasu, issued a statement yesterday confirming that all the stakeholders in the election had agreed that a mop-up exercise should be done for the special voters tomorrow.

The Electoral Commission wishes to announce that following a meeting with the top hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service and an emergency meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Wednesday, December 1, 2016, it has been agreed that in view of the challenges encountered during the Special Voting on December 1, 2016, the Special Voting should be continued on Sunday, December 4, 2016, the statement said.

The commission said, It was established that in numerous cases, the persons affected were those who could not take advantage of the earlier transfer window to transfer their votes to the constituency where they wished to vote. This was the reason why such persons were assigned by the commission to constituencies where they registered to vote and not where they will be assigned to work on Election Day or where they are currently deployed.

According to Mr. Dzapkasu, Some security agencies did not submit any list of officers at all to take part in the Special Voting. Consequently, there was no way such officers could vote in the Special Voting, adding, Persons who transferred their votes and whose names appeared on the Special Voters' list but who could not vote on December 1, 2016 should be allowed to vote on Sunday, December 4, 2016.

Mr Dzakpasu also said, Persons who did not transfer their votes, but whose names appeared on the Special Voters' list, can only vote in the constituency where they are registered. It is important to note that the opportunity to participate in the Special Voting is not an opportunity to transfer ones vote.

Voters whose names are included in either the earlier list or the updated one provided to the political parties should be allowed to vote. It must be noted that the number of special voters on both lists are the same, except that the commission updated the earlier list by properly designating the constituencies to ensure that special voters vote only in constituencies where they are registered in line with the law.

The EC man explained, The EC would provide all political parties with a list of voters who voted on December 1, 2016. This is to enable them track those who are eligible to vote on December 4. Persons whose names are not on the Special Voters' list would not be allowed to take part in Special Voting. The commission, therefore, urges the hierarchy of the security agencies to deploy such affected persons to work on Election Day, in areas close to the polling stations where they are registered, to enable them to vote on December 7, 2016. Such persons would be given priority at the polls to vote early.

The EC also indicated, All voters whose names are included in the Special Voters' list are legally included on the Absent Voters' list at their original polling stations. Therefore, their barcodes would be deactivated and they would be unable to vote on December 7, 2016. In order to guarantee the integrity of the ballots already cast on December 1, 2016, the commission will grant the agents of the political parties and the respective Returning Officers, access to the Biometric Verification Devices in the Police Armory on Friday, December 2, 2016 to reconfirm the number of persons who actually voted on December 1, 2016 before the device counter automatically resets itself to zero on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

The commission would provide new ballot boxes for the Special Voting on Sunday, December 4, 2016 and political parties would provide their seals for the additional ballot boxes. Political party representatives would be allowed access to inspect the ballot boxes in the Police Armory during the period between December 2 and December 7, 2016 when the ballots of the Special Voting exercise are counted and declared.

By William Yaw Owusu


The desire of some personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in the Western Region to exercise their franchise in last Thursdays special voting, turned tragic when their vehicle got involved in an accident.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that the personnel, numbering about 18, were traveling from Elubo to Half-Assini in the Jomoro District of the region, when the accident occurred.

According to sources, the immigration officers traveled early in the morning from Half-Assini to Elubo with intent to cast their ballots.

Unfortunately, when they got to the polling centre, their names could not be found in the register and so they decided to travel back to Half-Assini.

On their way back, the Toyota mini bus on which they were traveling allegedly skidded off the road, somersaulted and landed on its side in a nearby ditch.

The 18 persons reportedly sustained various degrees of injury in the process and were initially rushed to the Eikwe Government Hospital in Ellembelle.

They were later transferred to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi for further treatment.

Meanwhile, voting ended successfully at Enchi in the Aowin Constituency. At the end of the poll, 138 people out of the expected 215 cast their votes.

At Amenfi East, all personnel of the Ghana Fire Service and two police officers could not find their names in the register to enable them to vote.

Out of 181persons expected to vote, 120 went through the exercise.

In the Suaman Constituency, 33 out of 77 voters who registered to take part in the exercise, voted while in the Evalue-Ajomoro-Gwira Constituency, 113 out of a total of 156 cast their votes.

In a related development, two persons lost their lives yesterday in a gory motor cycle accident at Prestea in the Western Region.

The deceased included one Daniel Cudjoe, 32, who was supposed to have wedded a lady today.

The other deceased person was Cudjoes younger brother, Edmund Mensah, 27.

The Prestea Hunni-Valley police Commander, Supt Timothy Dassah, indicated that the accident occurred near the GCB Bank at about 12:30 am yesterday.

He narrated that Edmond Mensah was riding a motorbike with his friend Agya Kwaw, 24, sitting at the rear.

According to him, upon reaching a spot near the bank, Edmond crashed into another motorbike which was being ridden by his elder brother, Cudjoe, resulting in their death.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Esiama


President John Dramani Mahama has urged Christians and Muslims as well as people of different faith to dedicate three days  starting yesterday (Friday), December 2 to Sunday, December, 4  to fasting and prayers for the nation ahead of the December 7 elections.

As we fast and pray for continuous peace and stability in Ghana before, during and after the elections, the president is further urging all to dedicate their specific days of worship  Friday, Saturday and Sunday  to pray to God to intercede for Ghana, a statement signed by Dr Edward K. Omane Boamah, Communications Minister, entreated.

According to the statement, through fasting and prayers, supported by appropriate measures and actions on the part of all stakeholders, Our dear nation will once again demonstrate to the world that Ghana is not only the beacon of hope for Africa's democracy, but also the nation ready and willing to continue on the path of progress and prosperity for all.
Accra, Dec 02, GNA - A march in memory of Fidel Castro, the former President of Cuba, would be held in Accra tomorrow Saturday, December 3, 2016.

Dubbed: 'Ghana Loves Cuba,' the march is being organised by the Association of Ghanaians Trained in Cuba (AGTC) in collaboration with many other sympathisers.

A statement issued by the AGTC, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the March would start from the forecourt of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and proceed to the Cuban Embassy.

The release described the late Cuban Leader as 'a colossal testament to social achievement, and the human endeavour to improve upon people's lives.'

The statement said: 'Under the Cuban Government led by Fidel Castro, a true representative democracy was created with social justice as its goal.'

It said millions of lives were transformed, especially in the fields of Education and Health care, with sustainable development in Cuba and Africa.

The statement said the Cuban Revolution fought for human lives in poor countries, and in areas of the world submerged by natural disasters.

'They fought with courage and dignity, and also with kindness and respect, learning to communicate in local languages and valuing local culture,' it said.

Touching on Ghana Cuban relations, it recalled, that the two countries began their friendship in 1959, when Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah became the first Head of State to recognise the Cuban Revolution.

'In 1983, for example, 700 Ghanaian students, accompanied by seven Ghanaian teachers, left Accra for Cuba to pursue their secondary education up to the University, and ended by specialising in various professions in Medicine, Agriculture and Engineering,' it said. 'This kind of assistance amongst many others, continued for several years.'

The statement touched on some key land-marks of Fidel Castro's relations with Africa and said the end of colonialism could not have been achieved in Africa, without the help of 'Commandante Fidel Castro who we mourn today'.

The former Cuban leader's love for humanity, it said, saw him send humanitarian assistance to Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea during the Ebola epidemic, and to many other countries such as Haiti, Bolivia, Nicaragua in their time of need.

'Nelson Mandela was right in saying that the Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of Africans,' said the statement.

'For this, the people of Ghana and Africa, join all Cubans in their moment of grief, as they mourn Commandante Fidel Castro, who dedicated his life in the pursuit of true independence for Africa, and for all suffering people.'.

The Former Cuban leader, passed away in Havana, on Friday, November 25, 2016 at 90.

A Cuban revolutionary and politician, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, governed the Republic of Cuba for 47 years, from 1959 to 1976.

GNA
By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA

Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Friday indicated that his second term of office would witness a massive growth in the production of non-traditional food and cash crops to supplement traditional exports.

He said although cocoa had over the years remained one of the backbones of the economy, government would step investments in palm oil, coffee, shea nuts, and rice production to support economic development and reduce importation.

President Mahama was speaking when the National Executive Members of the Ghana National Association of Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanuts farmers called on him at his cantonment residence, in Accra.

The farmers were at his residence to thank him for the various innovations government had carried out in the agricultural sector during his first tenure of office.

The visit was also to encourage the President to continue to support the sector to grow for the benefit of all Ghanaians.

President Mahama said Ghana had become self-sufficient in cassava, yam and plantain production and would scale up rice production as it had over the years become a major staple.

He promised to set up input centres at two cocoa districts on pilot basis where estimates concerning farmers' preparations would be made available for them to step up production.

This, he said would supplement the 50 farmers' service centres that government was establishing throughout the country and urged farmers to take advantage of the facilities.

"As a farmer myself who has harvested 800 bags of maize this year, I will continue to see the agricultural sector as a priority."

Nana Johnson Mensah, Western South chief cocoa farmer commended President Mahama for supplying free cocoa seedlings, fertilizer and mass spray exercises in the cocoa sector.

Payment of farmers' bonuses, he added had over the years spurred them on to scale up productions in their various fields.

"Farmers will continue to be grateful to your administration for all these wonderful things you have done for us", he added.

Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan, Northern Regional Chief Sheanuts farmer announced that the national steering committee President Mahama constituted to formulate a policy document had been completed and called on to fast track its implementation.

GNA
Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - Mr Tony Ayedey, Returning Officer for the Madina Constituency, says it is not the fault of the Electoral authorities that some security personnel who participated in the special voting exercise could not vote.

'The names we were given are the ones we are working with. If they are not finding their names, then it means the list of names provided from their quarters was not complete,' he said.

Mr Ayedey, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the Polling Station at the Madina Police Station, which served the Constituency, said those who could not find their names had been asked to return to vote on December 7.

'This is because although their names may have been excluded from the list provided from their respective organisations, these names could definitely be found on the national list.

Mr Ayedey said besides that, the polling station had encountered absolutely no set-backs.

'We registered a total of 1199 people for the early voting exercise and as at 11.00am, 400 people have already voted,' he said.

The returning officer also confirmed that voting begun at exactly 0700 hours, adding that all materials needed for voting had been made available on time.

A number of police men complained that they could not find their names and could therefore not participate in the early voting.

A police man who did not want to mention his name, said "although we are being asked to vote on December 7, we have been assigned to work on that day so that is not quite possible". GNA
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe in the Volta Region, Bernice Heloo was conspicuously missing during a debate held for parliamentary candidates in the constituency.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP has however failed to give any explanation.

The open debate was organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) for the four candidates vying for the parliamentary seat to outline their policies and programmes.

The Civil Society Organization (CSO) organized the debate to help all the parliamentary candidates nationwide to focus on pertinent issues affecting the lives of constituents across the country.

The debate was supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

Each of the candidates had three minutes to respond to questions from the electorate on health, education, women and children, employment, corruption, oil and gas, among others.

The parliamentary candidates- Marlon Anipah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ameckson Frank Selase of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) and Justine Kumordzi of the National Democratic Party (NDP) took part in the debate.

Persons with disability, traditional leaders and other groups attended the event.

Interestingly, all the three candidates called for a change in government to ensure effective management of the country's economy.

They also agreed that the allowances of teacher trainees must be restored to enhance the health sector.

Regina Manfo-Tetteh, Programmes Coordinator of CDD-Ghana, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, disclosed that the debate would focus on persons with disabilities because they are mostly neglected during elections.

She said the debate gave the electorate the opportunity to interact with the parliamentary candidates and express their grievances.

She expressed the hope that the submissions of the candidates would help the constituents to make informed decisions on election day.

Mrs. Manfo-Tetteh commended the candidates for participating in the debate and encouraged them to fulfill their promises if given the nod.

From Gibril Abdul Razak, Hohoe
The family of the late Press Aide to Dr Mahumudu Bawumia, Kwabena Boadu has set February 3, 2017 for his burial and final funeral rites.

The decision was announced at the observation of one-week of the passing of the young man on Thursday.

Boadu, 29, was found dead in a hotel room where he and other members of Dr Bawumia's campaign team were lodging in the early hours of Thursday, November 24, 2016 in Wa, the Upper West regional capital after allegedly suffering an electrocution.

News of his death had since thrown the party into a state of mourning.

But on the occasion of the one-week observation, men virtually became women while women turned into girls, as they wept uncontrollably.

It was a sorrowful sight to behold when Vice Presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia arrived at Taifa to mark the one-week celebration.

Long before Dr Bawumia's arrival at Taifa where several party faithful, especially members of the party's youth wing had gathered, friends of the young man, including family members were seen shedding tears.

But the mourning heightened when Dr Bawumia arrived at the place in the company of his wife and office staff who used to work with Boadu until his untimely death.

Upon seeing the NPP running mate, some of the bereaved family members became uncontrollable, with the NPP sympathizers around trying to calm them.

Not too long thereafter, the Presidential candidate arrived at the location, sending the crowd into wild jubilation.

Both Nana and Bawumia consoled the bereaved family, assuring them of their support and that of the party in these trying times.

The mortal remains of the late Kwabena Boadu is expected to be buried in his hometown, Akyem Jejeti in the Eastern Region.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Protests on in districts

Youths affiliated to the CPN-UML sister wings protested against the constitution amendment bill in Banke and Bardiya on Friday.
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The Presidential Candidate of the PPP Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom on Thursday expressed the party's great appreciation to its members and supporters in the Northern Region for their encouragement, enthusiasm and hard work.

Accompanied by the Northern Region executives and Richmond Keelson, Campaign Advisor, Dr. Nduom visited several communities to tell them how he felt. He praised PPP youth for their discipline and told them they have made him proud and confident about the future of the PPP.

According to the regional executives, the PPP is poised to win six parliamentary seats and 25% of presidential votes in the region. They believe the PPP will become the party of choice in subsequent elections.

Dr. Nduom on his part promised to forge a partnership with communities that show confidence in him on December 7th. These communities will see developments they can feel including water, health and education projects. He said in four years, agro-processing factories will guarantee a market for yam, millet, groundnuts and rice farmers in the region.

The PPP Presidential campaign is in the Eastern Region today and will move to the Central and Western regions for the remaining days of the campaign.
Accra, Ghana  The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is fielding an international election observation mission for Ghana's presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7.

The delegation includes 30 political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from 14 countries. Leadership of the delegation is comprised of Amb. Johnnie Carson, former assistant secretary for African Affairs, U.S. State Department; Hon. J. Yvonne Mokgoro, former justice, South African Constitutional Court; Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, senior associate and regional director for Africa, NDI; and Mr. Pat Merloe, senior associate and director of elections, NDI.

The recent peace accord signed by all seven presidential candidates and the countrys consistent record of credible elections demonstrate Ghanas reputation as one of the more established democracies in West Africa, said Ambassador Carson. We expect high interest at the polls on Wednesday and hope that Ghana will continue to lead by example.

The objectives of the NDI delegation are to provide an accurate and impartial assessment of the administration and character of the election process in Ghana, and to demonstrate the support of the international community to Ghanaian efforts to strengthen democratic processes in their country.

During their stay in Ghana, the observers will participate in briefings on Ghanaian political and electoral processes from Ghanaian experts, political leaders, election administrators, representatives of civil society, as well as NDI staff. Delegates will deploy in two-person teams to regional capitals across Ghana to meet with election administrators, parliamentary candidates, domestic observer groups, and political and civic activists in these localities. On election day, observers will visit polling sites in their area of deployment to watch the voting, tabulation of results, and other aspects of electoral proceedings.

As the last African country to hold national elections of 2016, all eyes are on Ghana, said Dr. Fomunyoh. We hope that the voices of citizens will be heard, as Ghanaians deserve nothing short of meaningful and peaceful polls.

The NDI delegation will hold a press conference on Friday, December 9 in Accra. At that time, NDI will issue a report with the delegations findings and recommendations on steps that could enhance confidence and participation in the election process.

The mission is supported by a grant from the United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
A Gambian journalist based in Senegal, Sana Camara, has described the defeat of the country's president of 22 years, Yahya Jammeh, as a sign of relief for all Gambians.

Camara is one of over hundred journalists and activists exiled abroad because of Jammeh's repressive rule and the lack of press freedom.

Opposition politicians, journalists and activists in the Gambia, have been randomly arrested and jailed, tortured or killed in the small West African country under Jammeh.

Camara was forced to flee two years ago after a series of arrests following several stories he published including one on human trafficking in that country.

In 2014 November, I went on a trip to Nigeria and we had a transit in Gambia and I had to step out and breathe the fresh air of Banjul. That was all I could do. I haven't been to Gambia since I left in August 2014. I have been staying here in Senegal and my family and my kids are all in Gambia he told Citi News.

With the ousting of the oppressor through the ballot, Camara is looking forward to reuniting with his family and practicing his profession in freedom.

People have fought very long and very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to make sure that a day like this is realized. Personally, I am very excited. In fact, it is mixed feelings. I can pursue a future in a very free Gambia. I can return to my family and be with them. I can choose to work in Gambia or Senegal, but either way, I know things will never be the same again an elated Camara said.

There have been fears the man who had ruled the Gambia with an iron fist for the past 22 years, will cling to power either through fraud or violence.

Instead, reports from the Gambia say he conceded defeat in a phone call he placed to the incoming president, Adama Barrow, with words like, congratulations, I am the outgoing president; you are the incoming president.

Despite the victory and the seeming air of freedom, Camara says a lot more work needs to be done in order for us to have a free and democratic Gambia, adding that defeating Jammeh is just the first step.

The sacrifices people made; being victimized for what they believed inwe will not allow that to happen in Gambia again. So the task is not finished, he added.

Adama Barrow, 51, will be the third Gambian president since the country attained independence in 1965.

By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @eugeniatenkoran
The first day of the special voting exercise recorded a turnout rate of 72.69 percent representing 92,231 of 126,875 registered persons, according to provisional figures from the Electoral Commission (EC).

This was achieved regardless of the challenges that plagued the exercise, compelling the Commission to set aside another day on Sunday, December 4, for persons who were nearly disenfranchised to cast their vote.

Although the Greater Accra Region had the highest number of people voting, but in terms of turnout by percentages, the Upper East Region recorded the highest turnout of 87.20 percent representing 6,327 of 7,254 voters.

The lowest turnout was recorded in the Upper West Region, with 62.30 percent representing 1,828 of 2,934 registered voters.

The Greater Accra Region had the highest number of registered special voters with 25,273, though it recorded the second lowest turnout rate with 16,474, representing 65.18 percent of the votes cast.

The Ashanti Region on the other hand, recorded the second highest turnout rate with 15,474 out of 19,474 representing 78.51 percent to match its number as the region with the second highest number of special voters.

It as yet unclear as to what extent the hitches during the special voting exercise on Sunday affected the turnout.

Hundreds of special voters, mostly security personnel, in the various regions, queued at polling stations across the country on Thursday, but could not cast their ballots during the exercise.

Some people who were also supposed to vote outside their original constituencies were turned away by Returning Officers.

Following this, the EC, at an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Thursday evening, decided to extend the special voting exercise to Sunday, December 4, to allow persons who couldn't vote to do so.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - The Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow was to hold talks with his coalition Saturday to plot his transition to power, following a shock election victory that ended the 22-year rule of Yahya Jammeh.

The scenes of jubilation on the streets after the results were released Friday gave way to a calm but buoyant mood in the capital Banjul as horsetrading got under way behind closed doors.

Barrow was to meet with the seven opposition party leaders and one independent who make up the coalition team that propelled him to power on Thursday.

He will then hold talks with Ibn Chambas, the UN's representative for west Africa, as expectation grows that he will put together for a reform-led administration which will reverse some the Jammeh regime's policies that have isolated The Gambia internationally.

Barrow has pledged to rejoin the International Criminal Court and the Commonwealth, both institutions which Jammeh railed against and withdrew the country from, to the dismay of many.

Jammeh has 60 days to leave office, according to the constitution, but has promised Barrow will take over in January.

The strongman's whereabouts are currently unknown after Gambian television broadcast an unexpected statement to the nation promising to step down in line with voters' wishes.

Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh (centre) leaves a polling booth in Banjul on December 1, 2016

Jammeh congratulated Barrow late Friday for his "clear victory" in a jovial conversation that saw him joking about becoming a farmer in his hometown, with the exchange caught on film and broadcast.

It was a shock for many to see the strongman, who had promised to bury critics "nine feet deep" and whose regime has prosecuted peaceful protesters, calmly accept defeat.

'22 years is enough'

After late-night victory parties held by many Gambians to celebrate Jammeh's departure after Barrow swept 45 percent of the vote in Thursday's election, life was returning to normal.

Sulayman Drammeh, a dock worker, summed up the mood: "We are very happy. Twenty-two years is enough," he told AFP at a Banjul market.

"That's why Africa has a problem -- if you come to power, you don't want to move. We are all Gambians, so let's come together to work," Drammeh added.

Gambian opposition leader Adama Barrow greets supporters on November 29, 2016

The coalition will govern for three years with Barrow as its figurehead, after which elections will be held and he will step down in line with a memorandum signed by all the parties involved.

Greeting UN officials and working with the European Union on development plans will be a completely new experience for Barrow, a political novice who until Friday had never held office or even held a senior role within a political party.

Businessman Barrow was chosen as the opposition flag bearer by a group of political parties who joined forces for the first time and won unprecedented popular support.

So far, the international community appears keen to work with the new administration after what diplomats have characterised as Jammeh's provocative statements, disregard for protocol and tendency to change his mind without warning.

The White House, UN, African Union and regional body ECOWAS have all hailed Jammeh's respectful acceptance of the result and pledge to leave office.
03.12.2016 LISTEN

Election is about choosing candidates we believe can lead us, election is not about war, its about expression of views. Dont accept bribe or fight among yourselves. Why fight or kill for somebody who wants to be in power. Allow others to also exercise their franchise. Only one candidate will be elected as president or Member of Parliament (MP). There is no point teasing losers, those who will lose should accept the results by supporting the winners to move Ghana forward. The one who will win the elections should be a president for all and not only his party (Archbishop Akwasi Sarpong).

The question is simply this:

Are Ghanaians that naive to fall so easily for politicians diabolical machinations and manufacturing consent at the expense of their physical lives, future, and development of their country?

The other question is:

Why do Ghanaians also fall so easily for the diabolical shenanigans and machinations of their religious leaders?

Preacherman, dont tell me: Heaven is under the earth

I know you dont know what life is really worth

Its not all that glitters is gold

Half the story has never been told

But if you know what life is worth

You will look for yours on earth

Get up, stand up!

You can fool some people sometime, but you cant fool all the people all the time

(Bob Marley, Get Up, Stand Up)

Interestingly, on Babylon System Bob Marley captures what our churches (religious leaders) and universities (public servants and politicians) are doing to the state. He sings:

Building church and universitydeceiving the people continuallyMe say them graduating thieves and murderersLook out now! They sucking the blood of the sufferers

On Talking Blues he says:

Cause I feel like bombing a church nowNow that you know that the preacher is lying

Thank God Bob Marley did not say the Flagstaff House or the Parliament. Anyway, where is that Rev. Owusu Bempahs church?

Watch out, Rev. Owusu Bempah! Bob Marley is coming!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The oppressive boot and the irrelevance of the colour of the foot that wears it (Wole Soyinka).

No individual politician or group of politicians owns the country and its vast wealth.

That ownership entitlement actually goes to the massesa shared entitlement, so to speak, as the kind of elitist schadenfreude duopoly we have had in place since the Fourth Republic has consistently failed to make remarkable improvements in the standard of living and quality of life of the masses.

All the unmusical talk about Ghana being a middle-income country is nothing more than an emotional investment in a diversionary rhetorical feint aimed at a convenient sense of national self-gratification, a feel-good sense of national self-worth, that is, although the label itself appropriately fits a select few the sources of whose wealth are sometimes questionable.

The middle-income status is therefore a convenient label for the wealthy elite, not a true scientific reflection of the living conditions of the masses.

On the basis of these facts therefore, Ghanaians should throw away their lackadaisical attitudes toward this elitist schadenfreude duopoly and their distanced rhetoric of elitist convenience and rather embrace a more venturous political outlook by categorically rejecting the two entrenched parties.

Ghanaians should have a soul-searching conversation amongst themselves, to chart a new way forward for the progressive governance of the country far beyond the foul stale planks represented by the duopolistic house-slave political parties.

This is why the upcoming general elections must be seen or set within the context of an important moral-political conversation, which should aim to carve a new progressive pathway for the countrys destiny, very much like redirecting a lost trajectory or compass back to its rightful, focused locus of relative originality and autochthnonicity.

The only downside to our proposition, perhaps, is the pronounced absence of a viable alternative to the two entrenched house-slave political parties.

Perhaps also the minority political parties could suspiciously be disguised clones of their mainstream counterparts.

If so, which we have no doubt of to be the actual case given the hard facts on the ground, then Ghanas future could have been hijacked forever.

In this context breaking the duopolistic monopoly will be an uphill battle.

Thus, it will require concerted efforts from these minority parties to exert that ideological mechanics of breaking forceto break the prehensile hold of the countrys imported duopoly on this beautiful and peaceful nation.

Why are the masses and the country in the state they are now?

What have partisan politics and political ethnocentrism done for Ghana apart from massive plundering and emptying of the national coffers, schadenfreude insults, open defecation, galamsey-related polluting of our lands and vegetation and waters, political lies, signing away our vast mineral and oil-gas wealth, bribery, and nativist xenophobia?

Just look at the recent confrontation between the followers of both major political parties at the funeral of the late Asantehema, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem (the Second)?

Why has this country become so politically and socially restless?

Even in the midst of widespread terrorism and other forms of subversive violence spearheaded by the opposition National Liberation Movement (NLM), Nkrumah and his progressive government managed to build a country in a way that has since not been rivaled by succeeding generations of political leaderships!

What has since gone wrong, if we may ask?

Have the Americans not weighed in on with intelligence on post-election conflicts or disturbances in certain designated hotspots in parts of the country?

Mo Ibrahim and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have also weighed in, imploring the leaderships of the two major political parties to work hard toward de-tensioning the country in the lead-up to the general elections.

This country deserves better than the kind of schadenfreude political criminals both leading political parties who are vying for political power from.

In the first place, the edacious house negroes who make up the leadership of these two major neo-colonial parties do not deserve to be in the seat of government.

The masses should therefore resurrect their sense of distributive justice and exercise it in order to reclaim what is rightfully theirsthe country, its humanity, and its resources.

The masses are to blame for their plight in part, which is that they must be put on a public trial for the many crimes they have committed against the state and their own collective interestsby proxy.

The undeniable fact is that the masses have continually been voting for the same corrupt political partiesthe NDC and the NPPcyclically into power, as to bring themselves to accept the charge of guilt by association.

Let us charge the masses with accomplice liability then!

When all is said and done, we need to be reminded of Kofi Annans profound advice to Ghanaian leaders and his prophetic vision for Ghanas development and continued stability:

As Ghanaians, we all know that our countrys much-vaunted democratic reputation has been at risk before, but we have always pulled back from the brink in time to preserve peace, stability and prosperity

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of this profound pre-election vision is when he alluded to the fact that Ghanaians would put the nation first, above personality, party and tribe That is the hallmark of a true democracy.

We should, however, have to point out that the first part of the afore-referenced quotation encapsulates the fundamental thrust of our series, titled Mahamas Northern Brothers, Akufo-Addos Yen Akanfuo.

Finally, Annans advice to the Electoral Commission (EC) is equally poignantly succinct and worth quoting:

The best way of ensuring this is to be transparent and to address all criticisms thoroughly and respectfully.

Need we say more?

We shall return with Part 3, the last in the three-part installment.

REFERENCES

Ghanaweb. Dont Tease, Intimidate When You Win ElectionsArchbishop To Politicians. November 27, 2016.

Ghanaweb. Uphold Ghanas Democracy On Dec. 7Kofi Annan, JJ Urge Voters. December 2, 2016.
Takoradi, Dec. 3, GNA - Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has cautioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters against getting complacent with pre-election polls that put President Mahama ahead.

He said rather than being content the supporters must to go out in their numbers and campaign in their communities to ensure total victory for the NDC.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur gave the caution when he addressed hundreds of NDC supporters at the Takoradi Market Circle in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur was at the rally to canvas for votes for President John Mahama as well as Mr Alfred Ekow Djan, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, who doubles as the NDC's parliamentary candidate for Takoradi.

The Takoradi parliamentary seat has been held by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since 1996 and the campaign there is to shore-up support for the NDC's candidate to win the seat this time round.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur urged Ghanaians to continue to maintain the peace that the country is enjoying.

He said the December 7elections was not about violence but an opportunity for people to make their choices as to who they wanted to govern the nation.

He urged the electorate in the area to renew the mandate of President John Mahama for another four years to enable him to continue with his transformation agenda.

Mrs Matilda Amissah-Arthur, wife of the Vice President, said since the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah the only government that had brought lots of development to the Western Region was the NDC.

She said though the people of Takoradi had been voting for the NPP over the years there had not been much development in their communities.

She, therefore, called on the electorate to vote for the NDC to ensure more development for the area.

Mr Sam Pee Yalley, Ghana's Ambassador to India, said President Mahama's government had started reviving some of the defunct state companies such as the Komenda Sugar Factory to provide jobs for the youth.

He said recently President Mahama inaugurated the first phase of the Western Railway Rehabilitation Project which, he said, was meant to activate the sector that used to provide lots of employment for the people of Takoradi.

He announced that the Government intended to revive the Ghana Black Star Line to provide jobs for the people of Takoradi and its environs especially those working in the maritime sector.

Mr Alfred Ekow Djan said the Government intended to rehabilitate the Takoradi Market Circle like it had done the Kotokuraba Market to befit its status as a major market for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

He said since he assumed office as Deputy Western Regional Minister he had initiated lots of developmental projects in the constituency including providing schools, health facilities and water.

He, therefore, urged the electorate to vote massively for the NDC to continue with their transformational programmes.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur paid courtesy calls on the Abirem and Komenda Traditional councils in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipality.

He also addressed NDC supporters at separate rallies in Abirem Berasi and Komenda.

He introduced Mr Samuel Atta-Mills as the NDC parliamentary candidate for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem.

GNA
By Prosper K. Kuorsoh, GNA

Wa, Dec. 3, GNA - Mr Charles Mawusi, a Communication Consultant, has advised journalists to shift from promotional-based stories and focus more on impact-based stories on development interventions.

He said most of the stories filed by many journalists sought to promote the organisations and institutions providing the intervention rather than communicating the impact of the intervention on the lives of beneficiaries and society.

Mr Mawusi gave the advice in Wa during the Voice for Change Partnership Programme (V4C) training workshop for journalists and media practitioners from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions.

The workshop is to expose the media to the activities of the CSOs and provide platforms for them to interact with each other.

Mr Mawusi said such impact-based stories did not only interest Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) but were also the kind of stories that won journalism awards.

The Communication Consultant hinted that CSOs were not very much enthused with most of the media in Ghana because they thought the media focused too much on political issues than developmental issues.

Mr Mawusi refuted the perception that development stories do not sell, saying development stories written from the angle of the impact on the lives of beneficiaries was as good as the political story in the market.

Mr Eric Banye, the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) Country Programme Co-ordinator, explained that the V4C Partnership Programme was an evidence based advocacy programme being implemented by SNV in partnership with the International Food and Policy Research Institute and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said the Ministry was funding the programme from 2016-2020 as part of its worldwide efforts to reinforce space for CSOs.

Mr Banye said the programme was focused on three main themes: Food and Nutrition Security, Renewable Energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

The V4C Partnership Programme is being implemented across six countries; Ghana, BurKina Faso, Kenya, Rwanda, Indonesia and Honduras.

It aims at strengthening CSOs as advocates for an enabling environment in which government and businesses provide ultimately good and affordable services for low income segments of society. GNA
03.12.2016 LISTEN

By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - Microsoft will continue to intensify its support for Ghana in combating cybercrime, Ms Angela Ng'ang'a, Microsoft's Corporate Affairs Lead for East and South Africa, has said.

She said the fight against cybercrime required the collective efforts of stakeholders through information sharing, awareness creation, capacity building and putting in place the right technical mechanism.

She lauded Ghana for the passage of the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) to safeguard personal information.

The law provides for the process by which one could obtain, hold, use or disclose personal data while the Data Protection Commission has been established as an independent body to regulate and implement its provisions.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on the sidelines of a Cybersecurity Conference, Ms Ng'ang'a said there was the need for governments and corporate leadership to greatly improve their cybersecurity programmes in order to enhance their preparedness to combat cybercrime.

The conference was organised by the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) in collaboration with Microsoft as part the 2016 National Cybersecurity Week Celebration.

The Security Week Celebration was to create awareness on computer security incident response teams and their role in ensuring cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programmes and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access.

Ms Ng'ang'a said the Digital Crime Unit of Microsoft had been working with governments in Africa to come out with modalities to combat cybercrime.

She said in February, this year, Bangladesh nearly lost $101 million through cybercrime.

Ms Ng'ang'a said there were about one billion Microsoft uses worldwide and that the Cyber Defence Operation Centre of Microsoft received over 300 million heists or signals intending to commit crime daily.

She, however, explained that some cyber threats recorded might be due to malfunctioning personal computers (PCs).

She cited October 31 to November 6 when Microsoft recorded over 8,434 heists from Ghana alone; adding that in the week before it recorded 8,300 cases.

Ms Ng'ang'a said on the average there were about one million heists sent from Ghana on weekly basis with the intention to commit cybercrime.

She said worldwide 63 per cent of organisations were not having the capacity to know that their system had been breached.

She said statistics showed that in 2015 it took 220 days for most organisations to know that their cybersecurity system had been breached.

Digital risk assessment and employing the right people were critical elements for organisations in the fight against cybercrime, she said.

GNA
Still.

Quiet is the Belgian night. There are no orchestral dogs here, no lone car horn echoing distant. No cry of laughter, anger or pleasure punctuates the night. Where I live, temporary and fleeting, the night is alien.
By Patience A. Gbeze, GNA

Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Communications, has called on Ghanaians to observe peace before, during and after the December elections.

Speaking at his turn of the meet-the-press series in Accra, he said Ghana should not grind to a halt because of elections.

He explained that; 'elections are not about cutting of heads but are about counting the heads,' and urged the citizens to go through the polls peacefully.

Dr Boamah assured the public that the government was committed to providing security and protection for the citizenry and urged all and sundry to go out on December 7 to vote for their choice of candidate, devoid of fear or stigmatisation.

The Minister said security agencies would take swift actions against any individual or group of people who would disturb the peace of the country on election day.

'You must take the guiding principles and rules of the elections and abide by them to ensure peace during the period,' he added.

He also used the platform to outline the numerous development projects that the government was undertaking which, he said, would bring more jobs to the people.

He, therefore, urged the public to go out to vote massively for President Mahama for another four-year mandate to enable him to complete projects he has started.

GNA
Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - A project aimed at improving governance, voice and access to justice in Ghana's informal settlements has been launched by the Land Resource Management Centre (LRMC) in Accra.

It is also expected to improve the total recognition of the fundamental human rights and responsibilities of informal settlers and ensure that they also enjoyed access to all basic amenities and utilities including water, electricity, toilets, roads, schools and health care.

Mr Sylvanus Adzornu, the Director of Urban Development at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, during a stakeholder dialogue in Accra, said government's acceptance of the informal sector as the engine of growth required that various programmes and projects such as the Ghana Urban Management Programme and development grants to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) be urgently pursued and expanded.

This, he said, would bring about the desired changes and that such projects needs to map out the environment for baseline studies for slum management in Ghana in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 11 among other global commitments.

Dr Eric Yeboah, the Primary Investigator of Research at the LRMC, said the three-year project was expected to diagnose the problem of informal settlements, formulate strategies and evidence-based results to influence policy changes to solve the problems.

He said they would also work hard on changing the perception of city authorities on applying force rather than dialogue to evict those settlers.

Dr Yeboah said informal settlers were often treated as outcasts and associated with all manner of urban criminal activities, and were denied the voice and justice to live decent lives and contribute to the national development discourse.

He said globally research had proven beyond doubt that access to decent housing was key for every individual yet governments had delayed in providing such facilities to correspond to the fast growth in urbanisation leading to the slum situations in various places.

Dr Yeboah said although a lot had been done over the years to improve infrastructure, the interventions must also be linked to governance and prioritising issues by ensuring a responsive policy framework that would empower those informal settlers to engage actively with policy makers.

He said: 'We cannot be doing old things and expect new results,' adding that although those dwellings may be illegal the settlers should not be entirely blamed.

This is because the lack of regulations creates policy challenges and biases that also results in unduly suffering by settlers who are made to pay for non-existent facilities.

Dr Yeboah said there must be strategies that were backed by scientific evidence to increase awareness on housing as a fundamental human rights issue in order to improve the deplorable conditions under which the settlers lived and ensure that their rights were respected as pertains to all other Ghanaians.

GNA
The Ministry of Power has presented fifteen thousand solar lamps and 275 generator sets to the Electoral Commission (EC), as back-up power source ahead of the December 7 general election.

Speaking at the presentation of the items to the Electoral Commission, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Power, Solomon Atiim Asoalla, said although the 275 constituencies will be provided with a generator, solar lamps on stand by has become necessary.

We have other places where the communities have not been hooked to the national grid and we have commissioned mini-grids, that is a combination of solar and wind power In these communities, to ensure that counting is done properly. But I want to assure everybody that, we are working 24 hours to ensure everything goes on well in the power sector on election day.

Accepting the items on behalf of the Ministry, the Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge Corporate Services, Georgina Opoku Amankwa, said they were grateful for the support and assurance from the Ministry.

The sector, together with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), had earlier assured members of the public and various stakeholders in the December 7 elections, that power supply will not be interrupted during the period of the election.

The Western Regional Public Relations Officer of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Philip Osei Bonsu, told citifmonline.com that, the Western Regional office of the ECG; has commenced the processes leading to the implementation of the nationwide contingency plan for Election Day; recently announced by the headquarters of the power distribution.



By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Bobigny (France) (AFP) - A French jury retired to consider its verdict Saturday over an appeal by a former Rwandan intelligence agent jailed for 25 years in France's first trial over Rwanda's 1994 genocide.

Pascal Simbikangwa was found guilty of genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity in a landmark 2014 trial that marked a turning point in France's approach to suspected genocide suspects living on its soil.

Simbikangwa, who insists he is innocent, launched an appeal in October, in a six-week trial to be decided by nine jurors and three magistrates.

Prosecutors argued that his conviction should be upheld, but Simbikangwa insisted he had been "demonised".

"This is my day: either it's freedom or (my) ordeal goes on," he told the court in Bobigny, outside Paris, before it retired.

Previously France, which was seen as supporting the Rwandan Hutu regime that carried out the bulk of the killings, had been accused of dragging its feet on prosecuting cases.

Simbikangwa, who has been confined to a wheelchair since a car crash in the 1980s, was accused of organising roadblocks where Hutu militia murdered many of their victims, mostly members of the Tutsi minority.

The 56-year-old was also accused of arming the militia.

"I was a soldier but after my accident I returned to civilian life," he told the court earlier this week.

Over 800,000 people were killed in the three-month orgy of killing which began when the plane of then president Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down in April 1994.

Simbikangwa caused a sensation at his trial by declaring he had never seen any victims' bodies during the slaughter.

His defence had insisted on the fact that the prosecution produced no direct witnesses to his alleged crimes.

The former presidential guard member was arrested in 2008 on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, where he had been living under a false identity.
Rabat (AFP) - A suspected Islamic State group jihadist who delivered instructions to a cell planning to carry out an attack in France has been arrested in Morocco, authorities said Saturday.

The suspect was linked with a French IS cell that had planned to attack Paris on Thursday but was broken up by French authorities in November, the Moroccan interior ministry said.

The suspect had met IS operatives on the Syrian-Turkish border and received instructions to be delivered to the cell in France, it charged.

The orders came from the jihadist group in territory it controls in Syria and Iraq.

French security services broke up the cell by arresting seven men in Strasbourg and Marseille on November 19 and 20, according to the French interior ministry.

The public prosecutor for Paris later said the men had been in contact with a commander in Iraq or Syria.

A year ago, Moroccan intelligence helped put French investigators on the trail of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a 28-year-old Belgian of Moroccan origin who had appeared in grisly IS videos and was linked to a series of plots in Europe.

A study by the US-based Soufan Group said last December that at least 1,200 Moroccans had travelled to fight alongside IS in Iraq and Syria in the previous 18 months.

Morocco has also arrested eight men with alleged ties to IS active in the cities of Fez and Tangiers, the interior ministry said on Friday.
Bobigny (France) (AFP) - A French court on Saturday upheld a 25 year prison sentence handed to a former Rwandan intelligence agent jailed in France's first trial over the African country's 1994 genocide.

Pascal Simbikangwa was found guilty of genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity in a landmark 2014 trial that marked a turning point in France's approach to genocide suspects living on its soil.

Simbikangwa, 56, who insists he is innocent, launched an appeal in October prompting a six-week trial that was decided by nine jurors and three magistrates.

Prosecutors argued that his conviction should be upheld, but Simbikangwa insisted he had been "demonised".

"This is my day: either it's freedom or (my) ordeal goes on," he told the court in Bobigny, outside Paris, before it retired to consider its verdict.

Previously, France, widely considered to have supported the Rwandan Hutu regime that carried out the bulk of the killings, had been accused of dragging its feet on prosecuting cases.

Simbikangwa, who has been confined to a wheelchair since a car crash in the 1980s, was accused of organising roadblocks where Hutu militia murdered many of their victims, mostly members of the Tutsi minority.

He was also accused of arming the militia.

"I was a soldier but after my accident I returned to civilian life," he told the court earlier this week.

Over 800,000 people were killed in the three-month orgy of slaughter which began when the plane of then president Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down in April 1994.

Simbikangwa caused a sensation at his trial by declaring he had never seen any victims' bodies during the massacres.

His defence relied on the fact that the prosecution produced no direct witnesses to his alleged crimes.

The former presidential guard member was arrested in 2008 on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, where he had been living under a false identity.
Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Gambia's President-elect Adama Barrow vowed Thursday to set up a South Africa-style truth commission as he claimed the army's support after his surprise election in the west African nation.

Barrow, whose shock victory this month ended the 22-year rule of Yahya Jammeh, said the country's chief of the defence staff had called to pledge the army's backing.

"He said the security of this nation is assured by the armed forces," said the 51-year-old estate agent. "He said he was loyal to President Yahya (Jammeh) because he was the elected president.

"He said now that I am elected in to office by the Gambian people, he will support me," he added.

Barrow was elected as president of the smallest country in West Africa after he beat incumbent President Yahya Jammeh in the December 1 polls.

Asked if he will prosecute those accused of human rights violations over the last 22 years, Barrow said: "We will look at what was happening in the past.

A "Truth and Reconciliation Commission is very important here and we have seen it happened in South Africa. We will establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to look at the past."

The UN envoy to West Africa Mohamed Ibn Chambers said last week that the United Nations will help the incoming government to establish such a commission.

Barrow said he had not yet met the outgoing president, but said his officials were working on the arrangements.

"This transition issue is a new thing in Gambia and both teams (the ruling party and opposition) are not experienced on it," he said, adding that he hoped to set a date for his inauguration "very soon."

Latest official figures gave Barrow 43.29 percent of the votes in the presidential election, while Jammeh took 39.64 percent. The turnout was at 59 percent.

Meanwhile Thursday a Gambian appeal court granted bail to 11 political activists detained since April for holding rare protests, a judicial source said.

Their lawyer Antouman Gaye noted that they were members of the United Democratic Party (UDP), of which Barrow was the presidential candidate.

UDP founder and leader Ousainou Darboe, who was jailed in July for taking part in a protest, was freed on bail with 18 others on Monday, as part of their ongoing appeal against three-year sentences.
03.12.2016 LISTEN

By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA

Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has said Zoomlion Company had distinguished itself both locally and internationally and, therefore, deserved commendation from both government and all Ghanaians.

"I want to commend the management of Zoomlion Ghana for its immense contribution to national growth through the deployment of innovative means in dealing with the country's development challenges," he said.

He said as an indigenous company, the nation was proud of Zoomlion's achievements and initiatives which had led to the creation of over 200,000 jobs for the youth throughout the country.

President Mahama commended the company when he joined its management and staff a thanksgiving service to climax the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Zoomlion Ghana on the theme: "Oh Lord, How Manifold are Your Works".

The vision and dedication of the company, the President said, was worth emulating by other local firms adding that Zoomlion Ghana had become a strong local firm Ghanaians could rely on.

He listed various key interventions undertaken by the company in support of the nation's development drive such as the recently inaugurated Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant as well as the solid waste compost plant at Adjen Kotoku, as monumental projects that had changed the face of waste management in the capital.

Apart from its operations in Ghana, Zoomlion was also operating in African countries such as Zambia, Togo, Liberia, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

President Mahama gave the assurance that government would continue to support them adding that the operations of the company was in line with government's policy of indigenisation, value addition and import substitution.

'As a government we believe in having strong indigenous companies that would promote local production and business to support economic growth,' he said.

President Mahama particularly cited the local construction industry which has over 95 per cent of government contracts adding that the engagement of local firms for the execution of projects was useful to build their capacity and avoid capital flight.

On political interference, President Mahama gave the assurance that the Government would continue to support indigenous businesses irrespective of the perceived political affiliation of their owners.

'I am politically blind when it comes to business and investment,' he said, adding that 'once the company is adding value to local production, providing employment for Ghanaians, paying taxes and supporting economic growth, we will support it,' he said.

President Mahama said the survival and progress of Zoomlion, which was established under the New Patriotic Party's administration, was ample testimony to his administration's commitment to fairness and support for all businesses.

He congratulated the Executive Chairman of Zoomlion Ghana and JOSPONG Group, Mr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and the workers of the company for their dedicated service to the nation while encouraging them to do more.

Mr Joseph Siaw Agyepong thanked God for the vision and His blessings that had supported the rapid progress of the company throughout the last 10 years, enabling it to expand throughout Ghana and other African countries.

He thanked former President Kufuor and the late President Atta Mills as well as President Mahama for their immense support and encouragement that had ensured the survival and realisation of their dreams

Explaining the foundation of the company, he said: 'I embarked on this entrepreneurial journey with the deep conviction that Ghanaians deserve better in the area of sanitation and good health.

'Filth must not engulf a nation is my philosophy."

He enumerated the initiative and achievements of the company over the period and paid glowing tribute to the thousands of sanitation and management workers who have worked to keep the company active.

The thanksgiving service also attracted development partners, workers and key government officials.

GNA
By A. Dawuni, GNA

Yendi (N/R), Dec. 3, GNA - The Christian and Muslim communities in Yendi have organized a joint two-hour peace walk through the principal streets of the town to sensitize the public on the need for peace before, during and after the December 7 elections.

The walk attracted pastors and Revered Fathers from various Churches in Yendi led by the Most Reverend Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai, Bishop of Yendi who is also a Member of the National Peace Council. Also present were Imams, Students of the Yendi Senior High School, Dagbon State Senior High Technical School, as well as students and pupils from the North Eastern Christian Academy.

They carried placards some of which read, 'Ghana needs peace', 'We need votes not bullets', 'Electoral Commission, we need peaceful election', and 'Yendi stands for peace'.

The Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai who addressed participants after the walk, advised residents to commit towards peace during the remaining few days to the elections.

'Few days are left for the presidential and parliamentary elections and political temperatures are very high, which the Electoral Commission, the security services, the media, and religious bodies are playing their part towards sustaining the current peace', he said.

He added that the Religious bodies were praying daily for peace to reign in the country, and advised all registered voters to patronize the voting process to choose a leader of their choice.

The Rev. Emmanuel Kwabena Mustapha, the Executive Director of Global Mission Resource Centre, called on Politicians and their supporters, the Electoral Commission, the security services and the media to discharge their duties professionally for peace to prevail.

GNA
Dzodze (V/R), Dec. 3, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has said Ghanaians are going to retain him in power in the December 7 polls based on his performance in the last four years.

"They know what I have done in the past four years and they know that giving me another four years will enable me to complete and initiate more development projects throughout the country," he said.

President Mahama, who was addressing separate rallies in selected districts of the Volta Region, said his performance in the areas of education, health, agriculture, roads and the provision of services were ample evidence for the electorate to endorse his 2016 candidature.

In his mop-up campaign exercise in the Volta Region, President Mahama broke grounds for the construction of the second phase of the Ho Airport and inaugurated the Volo Community Day Senior High School in the North Tongu District.

He addressed rallies in Dzodze in the Ketu South Constituency, Ave Dakpa in the Akatsi North Constituency, Sogakope in the South Tongu Constituency and inaugurated a completed water project at Adidome in the Central Tongu Constituency.

In all these constituencies party supporters in full party regalia amidst drumming and dancing lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of the President.

With cheers of Toaso, (to wit continue), the President acknowledged their cheers and support by waving at them with intermittent throwing of party paraphernalia to the supporters.

At Dzodze President Mahama said every district and constituency had witnessed some development projects in their communities, a situation, he added, would dissuade them from listening to opposition parties that were calling for a change.

"I have done a lot for the country, and as you all know we do not change a winning team when its initial performance is phenomenal," he said.

President Mahama said apart from providing adequate infrastructure his administration had also broken the vicious cycle of over-spending during election years through prudent economic measures.

He said over the years governments had over-spent during election years, sometimes by awarding so many contracts outside the national budget, a situation his administration had avoided to keep the economy on track.

At Sogakope, President Mahama said the people had been loyal to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and there were so many reasons for them to once again support the party on account of the numerous development projects they had received in his regime.

He said:"I know you have received your share of schools, roads, health facilities and other services and I'm very confident that you will give me 99.9 per cent on Wednesday to silence our opponents."

Inaugurating the Adidome Water Project, President Mahama said although every Ghanaian, whether in his favour or against him, deserved to have his or her share of the cake, retaining him in power was very essential to enable him to provide services and projects to other communities that did not receive theirs in his four-year term.

At Ave Dakpa, President Mahama urged them to be vigilant and avoid mistakes that would compel the Electoral Commission to reject their ballots.

He educated the supporters on voting procedures in all the programmes he attended in the region.

President Mahama was accompanied by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the NDC, Mrs Joyce Mogtari Bawa, the 2016 NDC Campaign Spokesperson, and Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso, the Volta Regional Minister.

GNA

By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA
The People vs the Parasites!

It seems that we the people have different priorities; like how to manage our household budget, how to find better and affordable schools for our kids without having to take a loan from the bank, or if you live in the Valley,
By M.K Quaye, GNA

Apam, Dec. 3, GNA - Hajia Samira Bawumia, the Wife of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate to Nana Addo-Dankwah Akufo Addo, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer has appealed to the people of Gomoa West to vote massively for the NPP to reverse the hardship that has been imposed on Ghanaians by the government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

She said Ghanaians were yearning for a change of government since the John Mahama led administration had failed the nation miserably, adding that it would be suicidal to retain the NDC in the December 7 elections.

Hajia Bawumia made the call when she addressed NPP supporters and constituency executives in the Gomoa West area at Apam.

She said the people of Apam and the entire Gomoa West should rally behind Nana Akufo Addo because he was capable of 'carrying them from the wilderness to the promised land'.

Hajia Bawumia assured the fishermen and fishmongers that a Nana Addo government would eliminate pair trawling and ensure the regular supply of premix fuel to enhance their operations.

The Chief of Apam, Nana Effrim the Tenth, urged the New Patriotic Party to establish a caustic soda factory at Apam should the party be voted to power in the December 7 elections.

Nana Effrim explained that the raw materials for the production of Soda is salt which is mined in large quantities at Apam.

He said the chiefs were ready to release land free of charge for the project so that the teeming youth in the Gomoa West District could get jobs.

The party's supporters who gave Hajia Bawumia a rousing welcome, danced to brass band music amidst the blaring of Vuvuzela trumpets.

Present at the function was the NPP Parliamentary candidate for Gomoa West, Mr Kojo Kom Abban, as well as other high ranking officials of the Party.

GNA
Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - Mr Prince William Ankrah, the General Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU), has called for a local content law specific to the mining sector in order to reverse the decreasing Ghanaian participation.

Speaking at the just ended National Executive Council Meeting of the Union in Accra, Mr Ankrah said over the last 100 years Ghanaian involvement in the mining economy had been abysmally low.

According to him, the proposed Local Content Law, akin to that currently operating in the oil and gas sector, would help to reverse the dwindling Ghanaian situation when introduced.

'Indeed, the only State pride left in the industry; Prestea Sankofa Gold, that we always cherish and support to see grow and flourish, is almost at the verge of collapse,' he said.

Mr Ankrah said although there were some emerging Ghanaian-owned mining businesses such as Rocksure International and Engineers and Planners, and also some small scale mining business, they needed to be motivated and supported to change the gloomy picture.

Unfortunately, Mr Ankrah said, those local businesses were not competitive with their foreign counterparts for several reasons, especially with respect to the high cost of borrowing.

'Apart from the challenges associated with access to capital, cost of borrowing is also extremely expensive. Indeed while their foreign counterparts are borrowing between 0% and 5% to do the same businesses, Ghanaian businesses are borrowing over 30% and that certainly is a very challenging pedestal to begin with, to say the least,' he said.

Government, Mr Ankrah said, must institute clear-cut growth pipelines for Ghanaian-owned mining businesses to enable them to perform and transition into large scale mining conglomerates in the long run.

On the Obuasi Mine, he expressed disappointment with government's slow response towards its revamping.

He said although the Union advised government to take keen interest in the company because of its resource potential, it (government) did not listen.

He said government's swift decision to prioritize the revamping of the Obuasi Mine would help 'save lives, save families and marriages, shore up the country's foreign exchange, grow the economy, and above all restore the glory of the Obuasi Mine back to its rightful and well-deserved place in the league of gold producing mines in Ghana.'

Mr Ankrah, however, commended the Government and the other stakeholders for the successful passage of the Mineral Development Fund Bill into law and called for concrete steps to be taken for its operationalisation.

Mr Kwarko Mensah Gyakari, the National Chairman of the Union, said another major concern confronting the mining sector was the uneven remuneration landscape to the detriment of Ghanaian employees.

He said the situation, if not addressed, could challenge the peace the industry had enjoyed for the past years.

'The way forward is to adopt global compensation which seeks to maximise welfare and minimise recurrent cost to the industry.'

'We cannot continue to depend on our traditional Collective Agreement for our survival. Instead we must align our thinking to Union's renewal strategies,' Mr Gyakari said.

On the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, the Union Executive Council members advised citizens to eschew any action or inaction that have the tendency of undermining the peace of the country.

GNA
03.12.2016 LISTEN

Dodowa (GAR), Dec. 3, GNA - Dr (Mrs) Jane Irina Adu, the President and Founder of Potters Village, an orphanage, has called on Ghanaians to support the under-privileged in society to grow into responsible children.

She said some children were endowed with talents but due to circumstances beyond their control they had been left without proper care and support.

Dr Adu made the call in an interview with Ghana News Agency at Dodowa in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region.

She said the intention to start the organisation was borne out of the realisation that many women and children were exposed to the devastating effects of domestic violence and abuse, an issue which had led to the collapse of many homes.

Dr Adu said women, compared to men, suffered emotionally, socially and economically when families disintegrate thus limiting their capability to cater for their children.

She said the Village, established 16 years ago, had trained about 1,000 women in dressmaking g, hairdressing and batik tie and dye.

Dr Adu said the Village had acquired a large tract of land at Aburi in the Eastern Region to open a senior high school to cater for its junior high school leavers and other needy students in the community.

She advised parents to take active interest in the education of their wards to enable them to grow to become useful citizens

She commended Smile for Mom, a non-governmental organisation and the International God's Way Church for their immense support to the organisation.

Commenting on the upcoming general election, Dr Adu called on politicians to demonstrate a high level of tolerance to ensure peace in the country.

She said the situation where some politicians were at each other's throat whenever they mounted platforms or spoke on the airwaves did not augur well for the country's democracy.

GNA
By Dennis Peprah, GNA

Sunyani, Dec 01, GNA - The Sunyani Municipal Health Insurance Scheme has achieved 58 per cent coverage, having registered a total of 85,225 people, Mr. Patrick Kuagbenu Koku, has announced.

He said 3,205 of the insurance card holders were pregnant women, while 6,420 were poor and vulnerable people, with the number of children below 18 years coming to 36,566.

He was speaking at a sensitization forum held to convince people who were yet to enroll to do so.

Mr. Koku said the target was to hit 73 per cent coverage - 106,355 people out of the area's population of 146,839, by the close of the year.

He underlined their determination to ensure transparency in the financial management of the scheme.

Mrs.Wilhemina Arthur Sibbetee, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Brong-Ahafo Regional office of the National Health Insurance Authority, said as a social intervention, the scheme was eager to register the poor for the insurance.

She called on religious leaders and organizations to help identify and register the poor for support to enable to have access to quality healthcare.

Mrs.Sibbettee said free registration of pregnant women, school children and other vulnerable in society was on-going and advised the people to take advantage of that.

GNA
Ashaiman, Dec. 3, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama said it would be difficult to reverse the development gear in view of the massive development infrastructure the country had witnessed in the last four years.

"Sometimes I wonder the kind of change some political parties are calling for. For us the change of lives of Ghanaians and total transformation has already come and there is no need to reverse that."

President Mahama, who was addressing a midnight rally at Ashaiman as part of his wrap-up campaign in the country, said: "This country is moving forward and will never retrogress."

The President had to address the rally midnight because he had addressed similar rallies and inaugurated development projects in the Volta Region to climax the 2016 campaign tour of the area.

He said he was confident of whatever he was doing as the President of the land and would not fear anything on his way to victory.

President Mahama said for the last four years he had accepted the development challenges of the country and sought solutions that were yielding significant dividends.

He particularly mentioned irregular power supply as one of the greatest challenges that bedevilled the country but through prudent measures his administration had been able to fix it.

"This is the kind of change we should be seeking and not those who call for empty change to replace a team that is already winning in every aspect of development," he added.

On the Presidential Debate organised by the National Commission on Civic Education, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and other collaborators, President Mahama said it was the best platform for candidates to showcase their political visions and challenged Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo to participate in subsequent ones.

He expressed surprise that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer failed to participate but rather chose to outline his vision on a private Accra-based radio station instead of a bigger platform.

President Mahama said the NPP Presidential Candidate's failure to participate in the debate was disrespect to Ghanaian voters and called on them to register their displeasure by voting massively for the National Democratic Congress.

"In other countries it is normally the opposition parties that call for debates, but I'm surprised that in Ghana, a major opposition leader is rather running away from this big platform."

He said plans were far afoot to construct an 84-kilometre Tema-Akosombo railway line to facilitate the haulage of goods from the Tema Port through Akosmbo to Buipe in the Northern Region.

The completion of the project, he added, would reduce the cost of doing business from the southern sector to the northern sector as businesses would pick up their goods at Buipe rather than travelling all the way to Tema to do business.

President Mahama said the situation would also attract businesses from neighbouring Togo, Burkina Faso and Mali.

On the economy, President Mahama gave the assurance that the elections would not generate any expenditure as government was cautious in spending on development projects.

GNA

By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA
As part of his plans to 'make America great again', newly-elected president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has constituted a Strategic and Policy Forum, with a Nigerian as a member of this group.

The man identified as Adebayo Ogunlesi, is among the group consisting of America's highly successful and revered business leaders, and will be meeting with Trump on a regular basis to share their knowledge and experience on how to move the country forward.

Stephen A. Schwarzman, the Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Blackstone is expected to chair the committee, while other members of the committee will be responsible for providing individual views on how the government policy impacts economic growth, job creation and productivity.

After constituting the forum, Trump said: "This forum brings together CEOs and business leaders who know what it takes to create jobs and drive economic growth.

"My administration is committed to drawing on private sector expertise and cutting the government red tape that is holding back our businesses from hiring, innovating, and expanding right here in America."

The musketeers are expected to meet with the president-elect in the first week of February.

Check out a full list of members that constitute the forum:

Stephen A. Schwarzman (Forum Chairman), Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Blackstone;

Paul Atkins, CEO, Patomak Global Partners, LLC, Former Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission;

Mary Barra, Chairman and CEO, General Motors;

Toby Cosgrove, CEO, Cleveland Clinic;

Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co;

Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO, BlackRock;

Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company;

Rich Lesser, President and CEO, Boston Consulting Group;

Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.;

Jim McNerney, Former Chairman, President, and CEO, Boeing;

Adebayo Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Managing Partner, Global Infrastructure Partners;

Ginni Rometty, Chairman, President, and CEO, IBM;

Kevin Warsh, Shepard Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Economics, Hoover Institute, Former Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

Mark Weinberger, Global Chairman and CEO, EY;

Jack Welch, Former Chairman and CEO, General Electric;

Daniel Yergin, Pulitzer Prize-winner, Vice Chairman of IHS Markit.

Source: Legit.ng
888s Sofia Lovgren Takes Over PokerNews' Instagram Dec. 5

December 03, 2016 Katie Callahan

Following up after a successful takeover from Chris Moorman is 888's Sofia Lovgren, who will come to us from Los Angeles on Monday.

Showing a day in the life of Lovgren, she will work out, show what's she's eating and play some cash games.

She most recently told PokerNews how players can work their way up from micro stakes. However, PokerNews also learned the story of how she got into poker, always using the mantra: Never give up.

Follow along as she documents her day straight from the PokerNews Instagram account!
Unibet Open Bucharest: Gabriel Gavrila leads Biggest Ever Unibet Open

December 02, 2016 Christian Zetzsche Contributor

It was indeed a record-breaking day at the Unibet Open Bucharest festival inside the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, as once again the Grand Ballroom was bursting with players.

All tables were used for Day 1b of the 1,100 Main Event and after registration had closed, a massive field of 367 entrants took part on Day 1b to boost the overall attendance to 603 participants, shattering the previous record of 460 entries. The 603 players created a prize pool of 584,910. The payouts will be announced when the action resumes as of 12 p.m. local time for Day 2 and 156 hopefuls are still in contention.

Position Player Country Chip Count 1 Gabriel Gavrila Romania 432,000 2 Alexandre de Zutter France 382,000 3 Dan Ionut Hila Romania 291,500 4 Henri Vaisanen Sweden 284,000 5 Dejan Govedi Sweden 269,000

After 63 players had bagged up on Day 1a, another 93 made it through today and local player Gabriel Gavrila (lead photo) amassed a monster stack of 432,000. He's followed by Alexandre de Zutter, who consistently built his stack over on table one and even cracked the aces of Mihai Manole with ace-king to bag up 382,000. Dan Ionut Hila follows in third place with 291,500 while other big stacks include Eugen Chiva (267,000), EPT12 Grand Final 25,750 High Roller champion Alexandru Papazian (232,500) and Jozsef Liszkovics (219,000).

Joni Liimatta also made it into the top 10 after the second starting day and the Finn is on track to possibly win back-to-back Unibet Open titles after already emerging victorious in Copenhagen just a few months ago. Liimatta was a big stack throughout the day and will return for Day 2 with very healthy 236,000. Other notables advancing from Day 1b were James Mitchell (174,000), Jeroen van Belzen (168,000), Martin Wendt (165,600), Jessy Marillaud (132,000), Nicolay Langfeldt (111,500), Dehlia de Jong (97,000) and Quentin Lecomte (69,500).

Plenty of other familiar faces from the international poker circuit took to the felt as well but failed to bag up chips. Ian Simpson joined the rail after the first two levels and two-time Unibet Open champion Mateusz Moolhuizen joined him not much later.

Gaelle Garcia Diaz had a kicker problem with ace-ten versus ace-king and former champion Peter Harkes shoved with pocket aces into a straight to join the rail as well. Florin Ionut Ilies had a huge double early on with quads sevens, but ran out of chips on the same table as de Zutter. Daiva Barauskaite's ace-jack faced the isolation of Apostolos Bechrakis with jack-eight suited and the Greek made a runner runner flush over on the feature table, while popular Irishmen Gary Clarke, David Lappin and Dara "Doke" O'Kearney were all eliminated as well.

In the last few hands of the night, former big stack Yossef Shmuel Shmerling got it in with ace-queen against ace-jack on a jack-high flop and failed to improve. Andrei One joined the rail in spectacular fashion after bluffing off his chips with queen-four suited and a busted gutshot; Erno Suominen looked him up with ace-deuce suited for aces and sixes.

When all was said and done for the night, 93 survivors bagged up chips. They will be back for level 12 and blinds of 1,500-3,000 with a running ante of 500. Another 11 levels of 60 minutes each are scheduled for Day 2 to cut down the hopefuls considerably; about half of the remaining players are expected to cash in the Main Event. Saturday will also feature Day 1 of the single re-entry 2,200 High Roller. The tournament kicks off at 4 p.m. local time.

Mateusz Moolhuizen did not make it through to Day 2

Make sure to follow the PokerNews live updates to find out who makes history at the record-breaking inaugural Unibet Open Bucharest this weekend!

Main Event Seat Draw Day 2

Table Seat Player Country Chip Count 1 1 Asbjorn Elvevold Norway 132,500 1 2 Stefan Razvan Magda Romania 35,000 1 3 Nuno Miguel Carvalho Portugal 135,000 1 4 Traian Bostan Romania 157,000 1 5 Bogdan Diaconu Romania 129,500 1 6 David Tobi Israel 152,500 1 7 Georgios Angelos Tavoularis Greece 215,000 1 8 Romain Grange France 59,000 1 9 Florin Pandilica Romania 40,000 2 1 Anthony Mitchell Duane USA 186,500 2 2 Farook Ghafoor Sweden 94,500 2 3 Sorin Irinel Lica Romania 167,500 2 4 Cezar Catalin Chivulescu Romania 71,500 2 5 Eszter Fabian Hungary 28,000 2 6 Alexandru Sautner Romania 186,500 2 7 Gabor Bank Hungary 75,000 2 8 Mark Rink Netherlands 65,000 2 9 Vasile Claudiu Sabou Romania 135,000 3 1 Moti Merdler Israel 38,000 3 2 Constantin Daniel Georgescu Romania 118,500 3 3 Roi Koko Israel 122,500 3 4 Tillmann Meier Germany 55,000 3 5 Avi Hamo Israel 119,500 3 6 Mihai Sebastian Parnica Romania 102,000 3 7 William Hens Netherlands 285,000 3 8 Nicolay Langfeldt Norway 111,500 3 9 Solomon Stan Romania 34,000 4 1 Viliyan Petleshkov Bulgaria 50,000 4 2 Martin Wendt Denmark 165,500 4 3 Gur Sabag Israel 44,500 4 4 Jonathan Spicer United Kingdom 115,000 4 5 Alexandru Papazian Romania 232,500 4 6 Virgil Grecu Romania 42,500 4 7 Florin Carmil Rusu Romania 213,000 4 8 Iustin Cojocaru Romania 113,000 4 9 Gabriel Gavrila Romania 432,000 5 1 Luciana Manolea Romania 100,000 5 2 Quentin Lecomte France 69,500 5 3 Constantin Cosmin Romania 180,500 5 4 Roei Motola Israel 186,500 5 5 Zoltan Boszormenyi Hungary 93,500 5 6 Razvan Florian Stircu Romania 58,000 5 7 Ozgur Arda Turkey 110,000 5 8 Ilan Buskila Israel 81,000 5 9 Aurellian Nicusor Chirieci Romania 78,500 6 1 Marius Asanache Romania 144,500 6 2 Ionut-Alin Tambura Romania 191,000 6 3 Bogdan Petrascu Romania 105,000 6 4 Alexandros Papadopolos Greece 115,000 6 5 Jakob Linden Sweden 287,000 6 6 Daniel Wittikko Sweden 67,500 6 7 Dan Glimne Sweden 59,000 6 8 Akseli Paalanen Finland 35,000 6 9 Cristian Dan Romania 77,500 7 1 George Damian Romania 70,000 7 2 Gert Bransteert Belgium 108,500 7 3 Jeroen van Belzen Netherlands 168,000 7 4 Cristian Cirtog Romania 134,000 7 5 Dan Murariu Romania 160,000 7 6 Lucian Tofan Romania 30,500 7 7 Radu Lungu Romania 38,500 7 8 Cristian Mihai Taran Romania 21,000 7 9 Mate Mecs Hungary 84,500 8 1 Jussi Perlinen Finland 136,500 8 2 Ronnie Espensen Denmark 38,500 8 3 Lachezar Petkov Bulgaria 33,000 8 4 Constantin Florin Bitan Romania 155,000 8 5 Yosef Boker Israel 79,500 8 6 Andrei Boghean Romania 135,000 8 7 Ovidiu Florian Ciuciuc Romania 119,000 8 8 Iulian Bogdan Nastase Romania 97,500 8 9 Avi Osezikli Israel 79,500 9 1 Ioana Silvana Apostol Romania 47,000 9 2 Nasser Khelifi France 64,000 9 3 Gusti Adrian Sas Romania 44,500 9 4 Viorel Chelariu Romania 65,500 9 5 Bart Francois Netherlands 121,000 9 6 Cristian Tardea Romania 56,000 9 7 Ovidiu Roman Romania 42,500 9 8 Kobi Maymon Israel 119,500 9 9 Eugen Chiva Romania 267,000 10 1 Dejan Govedi Slovenia 269,000 10 2 Vasile Paul Plastoi Romania 190,000 10 3 Henri Vaisanen Finland 284,000 10 4 Sebastiaan Uijtendaal Netherlands 73,500 10 5 Anton Haeggblom Finland 121,000 10 6 Jozsef Liszkovics Hungary 219,000 10 7 Razvan Lucian Cetanas Romania 69,500 10 8 Markus Heikkila Sweden 322,000 10 9 Kiarash Nabavieh Belgium 107,500 11 1 Joni Liimatta Finland 236,000 11 2 Aldo Monteleone Italy 232,500 11 3 Sidi-Mohamed Nouar France 227,000 11 4 Omer Azulay Israel 38,500 11 5 Gheorghe Caplescu Romania 202,000 11 6 Niculae Eremia Romania 138,000 11 7 Doron Shako USA 123,500 11 8 Erno Suominen Finland 212,500 11 9 Cosmin Ionut Petcu Romania 151,000 12 1 George Adrian Stanescu Romania 99,000 12 2 Daniel Sochanek Sweden 186,000 12 3 Laurentiu Florin Dumitru Romania 85,000 12 4 Catalin Morariu Romania 101,500 12 5 Martin Klejna Czech Republic 107,000 12 6 Jessy Marillaud France 132,000 12 7 Andreas Hagen Norway 42,500 12 8 Cosmin Cimpeanu Romania 102,000 12 9 Juho Launonen Finland 62,500 13 1 Elvis Petcu Romania 135,500 13 3 Leon Mihai Ani Romania 83,000 13 4 Barnabas Nagy Hungary 66,500 13 5 Denis Adamskii Russia 23,500 13 6 Jakub Groblewski Poland 43,000 13 7 Avi Zur Israel 44,000 13 8 Slaven Popov Bulgaria 75,500 13 9 Eero Lehtinen Finland 50,500 14 1 Shilo Jerusalem Israel 81,000 14 2 Adrian Stefan Calusaru Romania 62,500 14 3 Asaf Goldfeld Israel 48,000 14 4 Nikita Malinovski Russia 104,500 14 5 Quentin Laurentjoye France 150,500 14 7 Alexandre de Zutter France 382,000 14 8 Danut Marius Dinca Romania 143,000 14 9 Mariusz Niski Poland 106,000 15 1 Gordon Plomp Belgium 148,000 15 2 Dan Ionut Hila Romania 291,500 15 3 Tristan Guiodo France 178,500 15 5 Michal Sobanski Poland 40,500 15 6 James Mitchell United Kingdom 174,000 15 7 Denis Ioan Poteras Romania 95,000 15 8 Apostolos Bechrakis Greece 108,000 15 9 Krzysztof Idziak Poland 166,000 16 1 Bo Joakim Hedelin Sweden 42,000 16 2 Zhiping Zeng China 169,000 16 3 Elena Grigorescu Romania 54,000 16 4 Daniel Balaiasa Romania 110,500 16 5 Jorma Vuoksenmaa Finland 79,500 16 6 Martin Soukup Czech Republic 107,000 16 7 Lee Egan Ireland 125,000 16 9 Anti Reinthal Estonia 58,000 17 1 Daniel Juul Denmark 38,000 17 2 Plamen Todorov Bulgaria 116,000 17 3 Melech Prozan Israel 59,500 17 4 Eli Heath United Kingdom 250,000 17 5 Yonatan Koko Israel 85,000 17 6 Olof Haglund Sweden 63,500 17 7 Tomas Lindberg Sweden 171,000 17 9 Benny Kneepkens Netherlands 36,000 18 1 Adrian Bizineche Romania 158,000 18 2 Dan Alexandru Nistor Romania 55,000 18 3 Dan Serban Borlan Romania 21,500 18 5 Alexandru Neculae Romania 28,500 18 6 Ville Malinen Finland 105,000 18 7 Dehlia de Jong Netherlands 97,000 18 8 Martin Tsankov Bulgaria 103,500 18 9 Vinod Jadav United Kingdom 41,000

Sharelines Gabriel Gavrila leads after Day 1b at Unibet Open Bucharest.
Scientists & Researchers from UK, Russia, China, France, Hungary, India and more participated

By: LPU

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-- The School of Chemical Engineering & Physical Sciences of Lovely Professional University organized international conference on "Recent Advances in Fundamental and Applied Sciences (RAFAS) 2016". The objective was to explore cutting edge research and model changing discoveries in fundamental and applied sciences. His Excellency Ali Abd-Al Aziz-Al Isawi, Ambassador of the State of Libya to India, inaugurated the conference. Informing that he got a rare chance to serve India second time as an ambassador, H.E. Ali Abd-Al Aziz-Al Isawi expressed that this time he would like to work for youth, which is great asset of both the countries. Appreciating the initiative taken for global conference, he wished it to be a grand success for the sake of entire human race. Scientists & Researchers from UK, Russia, China, France, Hungary, India and more participated. During six sessions of the conference, the areas of science including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Bio Sciences and more were probed to churn out beneficial principles & solutions for the global society. On this occasion, an 'Abstract Book', containing 210 society needed research synopsis, was also released.Prior to this, greeting the Chief Guest and extending warm welcome to noted scholars and delegates from academia and industry, LPU Chancellor & Chief Patron of the conference, Mr Ashok Mittal implored all inventors & researchers engaged in diverse fields of science to keep on helping society through their versatile endeavours. Mr Mittal said: "This conference will help us create new knowledge and design innovative methods to address the challenges faced by society today and those that are to follow. I hope that all the participants will have an exciting and rewarding time at LPU and they will go back enriched with more new ideas to explore." He also informed that after following selection criteria for more than 600 research papers received from across the world, chosen 200 research papers will be published in the Scopus Index.Inaugural session of the conference was addressed by Prof Dr Yuanhua Lin from China and Prof Dr Margit Fabian from Hungary. Addressing Dr Fabian informed about understanding of the new medium used for nuclear waste storage for radioactive waste control. Prof Dr Dino Jaroszynski from Scotland (UK) talked about progress in next-generation plasma-based amplifiers, accelerators and radiation sources for their being of lower cost and compactness in comparison to conventional technology. Prof Dr Richard Emilion from University of Orleans (France) projected that "mixtures of densities arise naturally when a statistical population contains several subpopulations". He proposed some constructions of mixtures of dependent densities. Prof Dr Ambrish Singh from the Southwest Petroleum University (China) talked about rust inhibitor for mild steel. An abstract from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, described about 'Magnetism' in non-magnetic Nano-graphite.Illustrative, advances in science and technology have influenced every aspect of modern life  including comfort in the way people live, connect, communicate, and transact. From synthetic fibres, plastics, medicines, agro-products, paints, varnishes, to superconductors and transmitters have totally transformed the world displaying the power of science and technology. An in depth understanding of chemistry, physics and mathematics is essential to solve the emerging issues. At present, mutual coordination between academia and industry is extremely important for the growth of science. Keeping this in mind, this conference offered different platforms for sharing of unpublished results. The conference therefore aimed to explore common areas of interest for innovation and benefits.
By: USOH

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-- Claimed to be "the world's most exclusive yoga experience"a 75-minute yoga session on the top of red rocks in the Valley of Fire in Nevadacosts $3,499.It includes roundtrip flying of the yoga enthusiasts from Las Vegas Strip to Valley of Fire, about 55 miles away, in a helicopter; and is said to be adaptable for all skill levels.A joint venture of award-winning and Las Vegas headquartered Maverick Aviation Group and Silent Savassana, "HeliYoga: Limitless" yoga class is reportedly held on one of the highest peaks of Valley of Fire.Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, urged City of Las Vegas and Clark County to offer free yoga classes, like some cities were undertaking in the country. Providing an opportunity to avail the multiple benefits yoga offered, it would be a nice welcoming gesture for the tourists and a befitting expression of thanks towards the hard working locals.Yoga, referred as "a living fossil", was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out.Rajan Zed further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. According to a "2016 Yoga in America Study", about 37 million Americans (which included many celebrities)now practice yoga; and yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image. Yoga was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed added.Maverick claims to serve over 225,000 guests annually; while Silent Savasana states to offer "a distinctive, fun, and inspiring version of yoga" with a tagline "A Work In, Not a Work Out".The Valley of Fire is said to derive its name "from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago".
Biggest Assembly of the Top HVACR Professionals of the World

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-- It's the beginning of December, 2016. HVACR professionals are busy making plans and preparations for 2017 AHR event, which is set to rock at Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, Nevada (NV) 89109Monday / Jan 30 /10am  6pmTuesday / Jan 31 / 10am  6pmWednesday / Feb 1 / 10am  4pmPinnacle will be completing 6th year at this trade show and invites all the HVACR Professionals, Contractors, Engineers, Designers, HVACR Manufacturers and other construction industry professionals to visit -andwill assemble at this event to see the advanced HVAC&R products and technology exhibited by more than. Special Sections on the Show Floor including Building Automation and Control Showcase, Software Center and Indoor Air Quality Association Pavilion will allow attendees with specific product interests to focus on single area with wide array of similar products. The AHR Expo is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI and is held simultaneously with ASHRAE's Winter Conference.Exhibitors will presentat the, including: AC, Heating & Refrigeration Systems, Equipment Building Automation, Controls, Networking Products Energy & Facility Management Products Climate Control Systems Radiant Heating, Hydronic System, Plumbing Products Ventilation, Air Movement, Ducts, Filters, IAQ Products Technical Support & Services Labor-saving Tools, Software, Business ServicesPinnacle with 18+ years of experience in the American construction industry will discuss the latest trends and problems of HVAC sector., Pinnacle Infotech, USA with core construction background bringing technological rigor of enterprise level operations. Checking out the new products, technologies & ideas for HVACR communities Knowing about the working process, quality pricing and other things concerning HVACR Learning about the Future of HVACs Improving work process of HVACR Professionals & delivering the right HVACR solution Major manufacturers, Innovative new start-ups, Contracting Firms Facility Operators, Construction Professionals, Product Designers Engineers, Distributors, Public Utility Companies, Educators, PressFor more information, check out 2017 AHR Event ( http://www.pinnaclecad.com/ 2017-ahr-expo/ ).Come to this exhibition, dive into seminars, presentations & demonstrations and learn about the future of HVACR, by making use of the new technologies.
A distribution centre for Zing, the biggest Polish distributor of paper, has been launched next to the Konotopa junction at Jawczyce (municipality - Ozarow Mazowiecki). The company has signed a lease agreement for 14,000 sq m in Panattoni Park Warszawa  Konotopa. Experts from JLL advised ZING during the processes

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A video reveals how auto rickshaw drivers have vented their ire on Mohammed, an Uber taxi driver. They also rebuked and threatened Vidhya Gopalakrishnan who was in the Uber taxi at that time at Ernakulam South railway station in Kerala.

In the latest series of attacks by Uber taxi aggregator services, Mohammed, a native of Guruvayoor, was attacked at the entrance of the railway station when he picked up the passenger at 7.30 am. Gopalakrishnan, a Kochi-based fashion designer, who had arrived from Bengaluru and was on her way to Kakkanad, was also threatened following which she has lodged a complaint with the City Police Commissioner.

In the video, it can be seen that auto rickshaw drivers surrounded the Uber taxi shouting abuses that these online taxi services were not permitted to ply within the area. The auto rickshaw drivers were also seen shouting at the passenger, asking her to board a pre paid auto rickshaw to drive her to her destination.

Her pleas that she did not have ready cash fell on deaf ears with the rickshaw drivers stating that she could stop at the ATM while police present at the railway station were also of little assistance.

Gopalakrishnan was aware that the situation could get murky and hence dialed the Police Control Room and lodged her complaint. The arrival of the cops also failed to resolve the situation but it was only with the support of 1 officer and the lapse of over one and a half hours that Gopalakrishnan was allowed to resume her journey. Surprisingly, in the same Uber cab!
Spanish researchers have designed a method that uses a predatory bacterium to extract bioplastic materials from the inside of other bacteria, without degrading it. The system, already patented, will make it possible to obtain this type of products at low cost and at industrial scale in bacterial cell factories.

A team of scientists from the Centre for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC) in Madrid, have developed a system for producing PHA bioplastics, which are considered an alternative to plastics derived from petroleum. The system works by "using predatory bacteria to extract the bioproduct from inside other bacteria, which are killed in the predatory process," explains Virginia Martinez, lead author of the study. The findings of the study were published in Scientific Reports (Nature Group).

Martinez is currently a researcher at the biotech firm Evolva in Copenhagen, having previously worked at the CIB's Polymer Biotechnology Laboratory, and specialist in developing bacterial cell factories. "The aim is to sustainably obtain the products we're interested in, such as bioplastics, a very interesting alternative where very large amounts of money are at stake."

The issue, she adds, "is that bacteria can produce and accumulate up to 90% of their own weight as bioplastic. But the polymer is contained inside the cell and it is difficult to extract. Until now, different detergents and cell disruption systems have been developed and applied to lyse the producers and release the product. However, these processes are not environmentally friendly and also quite inefficient, which increases production costs."

Aiming to reduce costs and improve the downstream process, the team chose a bacterium which preys upon other bacteria, named Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. Moreover, the predator was genetically redesigned, transforming it into a biological tool that enables the disruption of bioplastic-producing bacteria, facilitating the extraction and further purification of the bioproduct.

A pioneering method

The innovative extraction method is unique and novel and has already been patented. "What we did was to use the predatory bacterium B. bacteriovorus as a lytic agent to kill other bacteria (in this particular case P. putida KT2440, a natural PHA producer) and recover the intracellular bioproduct. We also engineered the predator so that it doesn't degrade the bioplastic accumulated by the prey," the researcher explains.

This lytic system enables the bioplastic to be recovered in a single step "with no need for complex equipment or toxic compounds," Martinez stresses.

The method could also be used to obtain other added-value compounds, such as enzymes or proteins previously accumulated in other bacteria.

This is due to the ability of B. bacteriovorus to attack a wide variety of bacterial strains, including those most widely used in industry and also at high cell density. In addition, "it is safe for use by humans, as it does not attack mammalian cells," the researcher points out.

With the system now patented, some companies have already shown interest in it. "We hope it will be used commercially to produce bioplastics or any other intracellular compound. This is an innovative process because it is the first time a predatory bacterium strategy has been used as an alternative method for the recovery of intracellular products of industrial interest" Martinez concludes.
A method to control the spread of mountain pine beetles -- pheromone baiting -- may actually help the pest's population increase, UBC research shows.

A study by Rebecca Tyson, an associate professor of mathematics at UBC's Okanagan campus, used mathematical modelling to examine several mountain pine beetle management strategies used in Banff National Park. The two-year simulation, which included then PhD candidate Shaun Strohm and University of Calgary professor Mary Reid, compared four separate management strategies: no management (monitoring only), pheromone baiting, tree removal, and finally, pheromone baiting combined with tree removal.

Other management strategies are prescribed burning and clearcutting -- which Tyson says cause severe changes to the landscape and have not been proven to stop the spread of the beetle.

"What our study found is that where the beetle population is low, the pheromone is actually attracting more beetles and thus helping the beetle population increase," says Tyson.

Tyson explains that each summer, the adult beetle emerges from a tree and looks for a new one where it will nest. Once that tree is found, the beetle emits a pheromone to attract other beetles to the same tree. Other beetles arrive, release more pheromone and the tree is attacked as adult beetles drill into the bark and make tunnels where they lay eggs. By the following summer, the eggs have hatched and turned into adults, and that tree is dead, with the needles turning red. The cycle continues as the beetles move to a neighbouring tree.

Under normal population control circumstances, when a tree is baited with pheromone, it is cut down in winter when the larvae are trapped inside, explains Tyson. Crews also search for other trees near the baited one, and all trees identified to contain beetles are removed.

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"If all goes well," says Tyson "the beetle population is so severely reduced that it dies out."

However, her modelling indicates that pheromone baiting is not working precisely the way it was expected.

"From the field work done in Banff, we know that baiting didn't stop the beetle epidemic," says Tyson. "Baiting may have slowed it down, but it did not stop it."

Tyson explains that when the beetle population is low, the beetles actually have a hard time finding each other in the first place. Additional pheromone, placed by humans, help those beetles find each other and attack a tree -- the baited one.

"With pheromone baiting this means that humans have put strong signals in the forest that help the beetles find each other. They can then collect in sufficient numbers to attack a tree," she explains. "In these situations, baiting is making things worse for the trees."

Tyson describes the mountain pine beetle as an endemic pest capable of killing entire stands of mature pine. And while the beetle has a short lifespan, climate change and warmer winters have helped the population increase during an epidemic that began in the late 1990s.

Simulation modelling such as the method Tyson used with the mountain pine beetle can be used to help predict the influence of management strategies without creating harm to the landscape.

"This information could be very useful in determining appropriate management responses to future epidemics, and possibly also to the current epidemic as it spreads across the boreal forest," she says. "If more data is gathered on mountain pine beetle dispersal and response to forest edges, we can continue to refine our model and predictions to provide an informative approach for future management decisions."
Veterans with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in in Tai Chi not only would recommend it to a friend, but also found the ancient Chinese tradition helped with their symptoms including managing intrusive thoughts, difficulties with concentration and physiological arousal.

The findings, which appear in the journal BMJ Open, are the first to examine feasibility, qualitative feedback and satisfaction associated with Tai Chi for this population.

In the general population, the lifetime risk of developing PTSD is estimated to be 8.7 percent. Among Veterans seeking VA services the risk is higher, with an estimate of 23.1 percent. PTSD and its symptoms often become chronic and are associated with a loss of physical, financial and psychological well-being.

Tai Chi is practiced today as a graceful form of exercise that involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner accompanied by deep breathing and mindfulness. In addition to physical improvements in flexibility, strength and pain management, there is evidence that Tai Chi improves sleep and reduces depression and anger.

Seventeen Veterans with posttraumatic stress symptoms enrolled in a four-session introduction toTai Chi program. After the final session, participants reported favorable impressions of the program. Nearly 94 percent were very or mostly satisfied and all participants indicated that they would like to participate in future Tai Chi programs and would recommend it to a friend. In addition, they described feeling very engaged during the sessions and found Tai Chi to be helpful for managing distressing PTSD symptoms.

According to the researchers this study provides evidence for the feasibility of enrolling and engaging Veterans with symptoms of PTSD in a Tai Chi exercise program. "Our findings also indicate that Tai Chi is a safe physical activity and appropriate for individuals with varying physical capabilities. Given our positive findings, additional research is needed to empirically evaluate Tai Chi as a treatment for symptoms of PTSD," said Barbara Niles, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and staff research psychologist at the National Center for PTSD -- Behavioral Science Division, VA Boston Healthcare System.
Permafrost loss due to a rapidly warming Alaska is leading to significant changes in the freshwater chemistry and hydrology of Alaska's Yukon River Basin with potential global climate implications.

This is the first time a Yukon River study has been able to use long-term continuous water chemistry data to document hydrological changes over such an enormous geographic area and long time span.

The results of the study have global climate change implications because of the cascading effects of such dramatic chemical changes on freshwater, oceanic and high-latitude ecosystems, the carbon cycle and the rural communities that depend on fish and wildlife in Alaska's iconic Yukon River Basin. The study was led by researcher Ryan Toohey of the Department of the Interior's Alaska Climate Science Center and published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Permafrost rests below much of the surface of the Yukon River Basin, a silent store of thousands of years of frozen water, minerals, nutrients and contaminants. Above the permafrost is the 'active layer' of soil that freezes and thaws each year. Aquatic ecosystems -- and their plants and animals -- depend on the ebb and flow of water through this active layer and its specific chemical composition of minerals and nutrients.

When permafrost thaws, the soil's active layer expands and new pathways open for water to flow through different parts of the soil, bedrock and groundwater. These new pathways ultimately change the chemical composition of both surface water and groundwater.

"As the climate gets warmer," said Toohey, "the thawing permafrost not only enables the release of more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, but our study shows that it also allows much more mineral-laden and nutrient-rich water to be transported to rivers, groundwater and eventually the Arctic Ocean. Changes to the chemistry of the Arctic Ocean could lead to changes in currents and weather patterns worldwide."

Another recent study by University of Alberta scientist Suzanne Tank documented similar changes on another major Arctic river, the Mackenzie River in Canada. With two of these rivers showing striking, long-term changes in their water chemistry, Toohey noted that "these trends strongly suggest that permafrost loss is leading to massive changes in hydrology within the arctic and boreal forest that may have consequences for the carbon cycle, fish and wildlife habitat and other ecosystem services."

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The Domino Effect

The Yukon River Basin, which is the size of California, starts in northwestern British Columbia, then flows northwest through Yukon across the interior of Alaska to its delta, where it discharges into the Bering Sea. Eventually, its waters reach the Arctic Ocean; it is one of six major rivers that play an important role in the circulation and chemical makeup of the Arctic Ocean.

This study, which analyzed more than 30 years of data, sheds light on how the effects of climate change are already affecting this system. The study specifically found that the Yukon River and one of its major tributaries, the Tanana River, have experienced significant increases in calcium, magnesium and sulfate over the last three decades.

As permafrost loss allows for more water to access more soil and bedrock, increased weathering most likely explains these significant increases. In fact, the annual pulse of sulfate in the Yukon River jumped by 60 percent over the past thirty years. This research also suggests that groundwater, enriched with organic carbon and other minerals, is likely contributing to these changes.

How long the river stays frozen plays an important role in erosion. The Yukon River ice has been breaking up earlier and earlier, often accompanied by tremendous flooding events that devastate the communities on its banks. At the same time, the river has been freezing up later and later. When the river is unfrozen, its banks and soils are more susceptible to erosion. Phosphorus, often a product of this erosion, has increased by over 200 percent during December.

All of these increases impact the aquatic ecosystems of the Yukon River and may ultimately contribute to changes in the Arctic Ocean. Together, said the authors, the research shows that permafrost degradation is already fundamentally transforming the way that high-latitude, Northern Hemisphere ecosystems function.
The development of the embryo during pregnancy is one of the most complex processes in life. Genes are strongly activated, and developmental pathways must do their job in a highly accurate and precisely timed manner. So-called Hox-genes play an important regulatory role in this process. Although remaining detectable in stem cells of adult tissues throughout life, after birth they are only rarely active,. Now, however, researchers from the Leibniz Institute on Aging -- Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena, Germany have shown that, in old age, one of these Hox-genes (Hoxa9) is strongly re-activated in murine muscle stem cells after injury; leading to a decline in the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle. Interestingly, when this faulty gene re-activation was inhibited by chemical compounds, muscle regeneration was improved in aging mice, thus suggesting novel therapeutic approaches aimed at improving muscle regeneration in old age. The study is published in the scientific journal Nature on November 30, 2016.

Activation of embryonic genes in aging stem cells -- a new course of stem cell and tissue aging

The biggest surprise from the current study is that the re-activation of Hoxa9 after muscle injury in old age impairs the functionality of muscle stem cells -- instead of improving it. Dr. Stefan Tumpel, co-corresponding author and postdoc at the FLI, explains -- "Originally, Hoxa9-induced developmental pathways are responsible for the proper development of body axes -- for example, during development of the fingers of a hand." Dr. Julia von Maltzahn is leading the research group on muscle stem cells at the FLI. She adds that -- "A decline in stem cell functionality leads to an unavoidable decrease in the regenerative capacity of the whole skeletal muscle. With age, this may weaken the muscular strength after injury." The courses of stem cell and tissue aging are yet to be completely understood. It has already been recognized that signals which control the development of the embryo become activated in aging stem cells. However, the regulator-genes controlling these signals have not yet been analyzed in aging. "From an evolutionary perspective, Hox-genes are very old. They regulate organ development across almost the entire animal kingdom -- from flies up to humans. It is a huge surprise that the faulty re-activation of these genes leads to stem cell aging in muscle. This finding will fundamentally influence our understanding of the courses of aging," expects Prof. K. Lenhard Rudolph, Scientific Director at the FLI.

Altered epigenetic stress response

The activation of developmental genes in an embryo must be timed very precisely, in order to ensure faultless tissue formation and organ development. This fragile process is regulated by alterations of the epigenome -- i.e. chemical modifications of the DNA. In collaboration with Dr. Christian Feller and Prof. Dr. Ruedi Aebersold from ETH Zurich, a new methodological approach was applied to identify the epigenetic changes that occur in muscle stem cells after injury, as putative causes for the re-activation of Hox-genes in old age. Simon Schworer is a PhD Student at the FLI and first author of the paper. He describes how, "Surprisingly, old muscle stem cells did not show a faulty activation of the epigenome in quiescence -- the resting stage in non-injured muscle. Only in response to a muscle injury, do the stem cells display an abnormal epigenetic stress response, which leads to the opening of DNA and, thus, to the activation of developmental pathways." Working alongside scientists from Jena und Zurich were collaborators from Ulm, Heidelberg, Los Angeles and Rochester; all of whom contributed significantly to the astonishing results.

Future perspectives: Regenerative medicine

In collaboration with the University Hospital Jena (UKJ), Prof. K. Lenhard Rudolph plans to investigate, "whether a similar re-activation of embryonic genes is also causative for the loss of muscle maintenance in aging humans." The Nature study proves already that medical compounds that limit alterations in the epigenome, may improve the regenerative capacity of muscles in old mice. Thus far, this approach is too unspecific and affects the modification of genes in several cells and tissues. For this reason, a collaborative study with the "Jena Center for Soft Matters" (Dr. Anja Trager) is primed to investigate whether a nanoparticle-induced, target-specific inhibition of Hox-genes in muscle stem cells is feasible and, if so, would it be sufficient to improve muscle regeneration and maintenance.
A novel ubiquitination mechanism explains pathogenic effects of Legionella infection. First results hint towards a broader role in regulating many life processes.

The attachment of ubiquitin was long considered as giving the "kiss of death," labelling superfluous proteins for disposal within a cell. However, by now it has been well established that ubiquitin fulfils numerous additional duties in cellular signal transduction. A team of scientists under the lead of Ivan Dikic, Director of the Institute of Biochemistry II at Goethe University Frankfurt, has now discovered a novel mechanism of ubiquitination, by which Legionella bacteria can seize control over their host cells. Legionella causes deadly pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.

According to the current understanding, the coordinated action of three enzymes is needed for attaching ubiquitin to other proteins. In April this year, U.S. scientists described an ubiquitination reaction that depends only on a single enzyme from Legionella bacteria. The Dikic team together with the group of Ivan Matic (Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Cologne, Germany) now elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism of its action and revealed a hitherto unknown type of chemical linkage between ubiquitin and target proteins.

Their discovery breaks new ground in the field. Sagar Bhogaraju, researcher in the Dikic laboratory, comments: "Most exciting is of course the question if this unusual ubiquitination also occurs in human cells independently of bacterial infection and if there are similar, so far unknown enzymes in humans, which may have a profound influence on cellular processes."

When studying the new mechanism in more detail, the Frankfurt scientists were very surprised to find that the Legionella enzyme does not only transfer ubiquitin onto target proteins, but also chemically manipulates the remaining pool of ubiquitin molecules. Modified ubiquitin almost completely inhibits the conventional ubiquitination system, thereby revealing a new role for this enzyme during Legionella infections.

Several important cellular processes are affected by this shut-down of the ubiquitination system, which can also cause a rapid cell death. The Dikic team showed for example that modified ubiquitin prevents degradation of mitochondria (a process called mitophagy), affects transduction of inflammatory signals and constrains protein degradation.

"Most likely, Legionella is not the only bacterium using this mechanism. We hope that our results help to identify new strategies for the development of antibacterial agents, which could complement conventional antibiotics by limiting cellular damage induced by bacterial enzymes," explains Dikic the high medical relevance of their discovery.

The group of Ivan Dikic is located at both the Institute of Biochemistry II and the Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt and has previously contributed significantly to a paradigm change in the ubiquitin field. Ivan hypothesized early on that ubiquitin signals are recognized and translated by specialized domains in other proteins. He identified ubiquitin-binding domains in more than 200 ubiquitin receptors and was able to prove their role in diseases like cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's.
In a small double-blind study, Johns Hopkins researchers report that a substantial majority of people suffering cancer-related anxiety or depression found considerable relief for up to six months from a single large dose of psilocybin -- the active compound in hallucinogenic "magic mushrooms."

The researchers cautioned that the drug was given in tightly controlled conditions in the presence of two clinically trained monitors and said they do not recommend use of the compound outside of such a research or patient care setting.

The Johns Hopkins team released its study results, involving 51 adult patients, concurrently with researchers from New York University Langone Medical Center, who conducted a similarly designed study on 29 participants. Both studies are published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology on Dec. 1.

The Johns Hopkins group reported that psilocybin decreased clinician- and patient-rated depressed mood, anxiety and death anxiety, and increased quality of life, life meaning and optimism. Six months after the final session of treatment, about 80 percent of participants continued to show clinically significant decreases in depressed mood and anxiety, with about 60 percent showing symptom remission into the normal range. Eighty-three percent reported increases in well-being or life satisfaction. Some 67 percent of participants reported the experience as one of the top five meaningful experiences in their lives, and about 70 percent reported the experience as one of the top five spiritually significant lifetime events.

"The most interesting and remarkable finding is that a single dose of psilocybin, which lasts four to six hours, produced enduring decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms, and this may represent a fascinating new model for treating some psychiatric conditions," says Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., professor of behavioral biology in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He notes that traditional psychotherapy offered to people with cancer, including behavioral therapy and antidepressants, can take weeks or even months, isn't always effective, and in the case of some drugs, such as benzodiazepines, may have addictive and other troubling side effects.

Griffiths says his team's new study grew out of a decade of research at Johns Hopkins on the effects of psilocybin in healthy volunteers, which found that psilocybin can consistently produce positive changes in mood, behavior and spirituality when administered to carefully screened and prepared participants. The study was designed to see if psilocybin could produce similar results in psychologically distressed cancer patients.

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"A life-threatening cancer diagnosis can be psychologically challenging, with anxiety and depression as very common symptoms," says Griffiths. "People with this kind of existential anxiety often feel hopeless and are worried about the meaning of life and what happens upon death."

For the study, the investigators recruited 51 participants diagnosed with life-threatening cancers, most of which were recurrent or metastatic. They were chosen from a total of 566 individuals reached through flyers, web advertisements and physician referrals. Most participants had breast, upper digestive, GI, genitourinary or blood cancer, and each had been given a formal psychiatric diagnosis, including an anxiety or depressive disorder.

Half of the participants were female with an average age of 56. Ninety-two percent were white, 4 percent were African-American and 2 percent were Asian.

Each participant had two treatment sessions scheduled five weeks apart, one with a very low psilocybin dose (1 or3 milligrams per 70 kilograms) taken in a capsule and meant to act as a "control" placebo because the dose was too low to produce effects. In the other session, participants received a capsule with what is considered a moderate or high dose (22 or 30 milligrams per 70 kilograms).

To minimize expectancy effects, the participants and the staff members supervising the sessions were told that the participants would receive psilocybin on both sessions, but they did not know that all participants would receive one high and one low dose. Blood pressure and mood were monitored throughout the sessions. Two monitors aided participants during each session, encouraging them to lie down, wear an eye mask, listen to music through headphones and direct their attention on their inner experience. If anxiety or confusion arose, the monitors provided reassurance to the participants.

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In addition to experiencing changes in visual perception, emotions and thinking, most participants reported experiences of psychological insight and often profound, deeply meaningful experiences of the interconnectedness of all people.

The researchers assessed each participant's mood, attitude about life, behaviors and spirituality with questionnaires and structured interviews before the first session, seven hours after taking the psilocybin, five weeks after each session and six months after the second session. Immediately after the sessions, participants completed questionnaires assessing changes in visual, auditory and body perceptions; feelings of transcendence; changes in mood; and more.

Structured clinical interviews, such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and patient questionnaires, like the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, assessed depression and anxiety. Other questionnaires assessed quality of life, death acceptance, meaningful existence, optimism and spirituality -- generally defined as a search for the meaning of life and a connection to something bigger than one's self. To measure the changes in attitudes, moods and behavior over time, the researchers administered a questionnaire that assessed negative or positive changes in attitudes about life, mood and behavior.

With regard to adverse effects, Griffiths says 15 percent of participants were nauseated or vomited, and one-third of participants experienced some psychological discomfort, such as anxiety or paranoia, after taking the higher dose. One-third of the participants had transient increases in blood pressure. A few participants reported headaches following the session.

"Before beginning the study, it wasn't clear to me that this treatment would be helpful, since cancer patients may experience profound hopelessness in response to their diagnosis, which is often followed by multiple surgeries and prolonged chemotherapy," says Griffiths. "I could imagine that cancer patients would receive psilocybin, look into the existential void and come out even more fearful. However, the positive changes in attitudes, moods and behavior that we documented in healthy volunteers were replicated in cancer patients."

Up to 40 percent of people with cancer suffer from a mood disorder, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Anticipating wide interest in the psilocybin research from scientists, clinicians and the public, the journal solicited 11 commentaries to be co-published with the study results written by luminaries in psychiatry, palliative care and drug regulation, including two past presidents of the American Psychiatric Association, a past president of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the former deputy director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the former head of the U.K. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority. In general, the commentaries were supportive of the research and of using these drugs in a clinical setting as tools for psychiatry.
A police investigation into the hoax bomb threats received by a number of schools across New Zealand has established they were phoned in from overseas.

Pupils at both Tahatai Coast and Otuemoetai Primary schools were evacuated as a precaution after receiving threatening calls on Thursday, shortly after 11am.

A police spokesperson says the safety of students, teachers and schools are their priority.

We understand the fear and concern that these types of events will cause, however we reiterate that we have not established any actual threat to the schools who received calls.

In the last 24 hours, police have continued to liaise with our international partners as the call trail lead police to an overseas origin.

How a school responds to these calls is a matter for the schools management in conjunction with police. Schools will respond according to their individual circumstances and the information available to them, the spokesperson adds.

Police will continue to work with the schools and the Ministry of Education, where appropriate, to respond to these events.

These latest bomb threats follow similar ones made earlier in the year made to Brookfield Primary and St Thomas Moore Catholic School.

Hoax bomb threats were also made to a number of schools across Australia, reports The Age.

Pupils at Tahatai Coast School evacuated to Grenada Park after the school received the hoax bomb threat. File Photo.
CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, and other insurance products for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. The company also focuses on worksite and group sales for businesses, associations, and other membership groups by interacting with customers at their place of employment. In addition, it provides fixed index annuities; fixed interest annuities, including fixed rate single and flexible premium deferred annuities; single premium immediate annuities; supplemental health products, such as specified disease, accident, and hospital indemnity products; and long-term care plans primarily to retirees and older self-employed individuals in the middle-income market. Further, the company offers universal life and other interest-sensitive life products; and traditional life policies that include whole life, graded benefit life, term life, and single premium whole life products, as well as graded benefit life insurance products. CNO Financial Group, Inc. markets its products under the Bankers Life, Washington National, and Colonial Penn brand names. The company sells its products through agents, independent producers, and direct marketing. CNO Financial Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.
Ask a harried air traveller about the basics of modern flight and youll probably elicit surprise when they discover commercial airplanes fly only as fast as they did in the 1950s.

Given the range of aerospace advances in the past half-century, plus the technological leaps in almost every other area of human endeavour, it seems reasonable to ask: Why cant we fly faster?

Thats the question driving a startup called Boom Technology, which says its time to bring supersonic jet travel into the mainstream  in a modern way. The company is pursuing speed with an audacious idea: a 45-seat aircraft that cruises at Mach 2.2 (about 2,716 kilometres per hour), faster than the defunct Concorde and certainly faster than the standard 885 kilometres per hour, with fares no more expensive than a current business-class round trip, which ranges between $5,000 and $10,000.

Yet long before travellers can marvel at a quick hop across the Atlantic, Boom will need to sell the airlines not just on a technically disruptive aircraft, but also on one that can accomplish such feats of velocity cost-effectively. It must earn a solid profit  no middling returns allowed  and this, of course, has been a key reason the Concorde was an aberration rather than the harbinger of universal supersonic travel.

Boom is likely to encounter deep skepticism in a conservative industry that still relies heavily on a fundamental airplane design devised 70 years ago. The major global airlines Boom will court operate with two cardinal maxims: Its really hard to make money with small airplanes and its really, really hard to make money with supersonic airplanes, which are renowned for their fuel inefficiency.

I have no problem seeing the demand for this airplane, says Marty St. George, a JetBlue Airways Corp. executive and industry veteran. The issue is, can you do it and make the numbers work?

Radical update of the Concorde

Boom will face a numerical gauntlet as it seeks to sell airlines on the advantages of a small, supersonic craft, with airlines posing tough questions about weight, range, fuel burn, maintenance, dispatch reliability and dozens of other issues. The company also plans for its aircraft to fly on three engines, a departure from the industry trend of using two engines as the most efficient configuration.

In response to skeptics, Boom touts its design as a radical update of the troubled Concorde, which was operated by only two airlines over 27 years. (Braniff International and Singapore Airlines had partnerships under which they also sold tickets on the Air France and British Airways Concorde flights.) Airlines no longer abide such loud, kerosene-gulping equipment, which means new engine designs must be fuel-efficient and coupled with meagre emissions and low noise.

Boom has diagnosed Concordes operating flaws as twofold. First, the plane had ferociously high operating costs, driven primarily by its voracious appetite for jet fuel. Grossly uneconomic, in the words of a 1978 New York Times article summarizing critiques of the aircraft. Second, the Concordes load factors were generally lean because of the steep fares Air France and British Airways were forced to charge, typically around $15,000 to $20,000 in current dollars.

Boom says it plans to address all of these shortcomings. The startups signature city pairing is New York to London, which would take a little more than three hours to fly and give a corporate traveller the opportunity to make a day trip across the pond and back. Leave New York at 6 a.m., make afternoon and dinner meetings in London and be home to tuck your kids into bed, the suburban Denver-based company says on its website.

Its about making the economics work and then delivering the aircraft we say we can deliver, says Booms co-founder and chief executive officer, Blake Scholl, a pilot and former app developer.

Because of the planes sonic, well, boom, the company is focused on overwater routes and doesnt plan to market its aircraft for quick zips across America or places like the Middle East to Western Europe.

Scholl says Booms boom will be quieter than the Concorde, but doesnt plan any type of regulatory push around the issue in the companys early days.

Boom has already struck a deal with the Spaceship Co., the manufacturing division of Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic, to use that companys engineering, design and flight-test support services. The Spaceship Co. also has options for Booms first 10 aircraft as part of the arrangement.

Richard has long expressed interest in developing high-speed flight and building high speed flight R & D through Virgin Galactic and our manufacturing organization, Virgin Group spokesperson Christine Choi said in an email. It is still early days and just the start of what youll hear about our shared ambitions and efforts.

Another unidentified European airline has taken options for 15 aircraft, Scholl says, and Boom is talking to carriers about options for an additional 170 aircraft.

An analysis by Boyd Group International, an aviation consulting firm, suggested that Boom could sell 1,300 supersonic passenger jets over 10 years for a premium service on routes frequented by corporate traffic. Booms aircraft would target such global business centres as Hong Kong, London, New York, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo, where corporate travellers would likely pay for the time savings a supersonic jet could afford.

Boom says the plane would work on more than 500 routes. The company wont disclose a delivery date publicly but says it expects its first airplane to be ready in the early 2020s. One potential tool to attract buyers will be the prospect of penalty payments, which are widely used by manufacturers to compensate customers if engines or aircraft fall short of guarantees. If (airlines) were guaranteed the numbers, someone will try it, JetBlues St. George says.

With the operational costs they are expecting for this airplane . . . current business-class fares could make this airplane profitable, consultant Michael Boyd says. It passed the smell test on this end. This wasnt like a group of Star Trek geeks.

Proving the economics

The company will be forced to demonstrate that whatever positive performance data its models yield in computer simulations, the planes will hold up in the real and very brutal world of airline economics. That will require extensive flight testing so that Boom can move beyond the paper airplane stage, according to St. George. You can do a lot of modelling with software these days before the thing flies . . . but until you actually see it, you never really know, he says.

Boom plans to fly a one-third-size demonstrator version of its airplane called the XB-1 late next year, working with General Electric Co. Its aiming to initially fly GEs J85 engines, a model that dates to the 1950s, on the XB-1. Flights will begin at subsonic speeds and then get progressively faster. Boom has hired Honeywell International Inc. for avionics and environmental control systems.

The biggest technical challenge, however, will probably be the engine, as noted in a recent analysis by Bjorn Fehrm, an aerospace consultant and a former fighter pilot in the Swedish air force. Fehrm estimated that the Boom design is likely to use about three times the amount of fuel per seat-mile than current flights between London and New York.

Would some (airlines) buy some as flagship aircraft for high-yield routes? asks Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace consultant at Teal Group. L.A.-Tokyo, New York-London? Sure, I imagine they would. But, again, it comes down to seat-mile costs, and until we see anything resembling engine specifications, you cant even begin to guess at that.

For development work on the production models engines, Boom is talking with all the usual suspects, Scholl says. The company plans to use a proven commercial engine core  the GEnx and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 power plants on Boeings 787 are among multiple good options  and then modify that engines turbofan and composite blades, he says. That approach will require regulatory certification as a new engine, which adds to the overall development cost.

In essence, youre taking an engine that has a big fan and putting a medium-size fan on it thats more appropriate for the Boom design, Scholl says. Still, all of Booms engine work involves refinement of components that have been proven and flown and carry a known certification path for regulators, he says. Theres nothing technically impossible here.

Scholl declined to say how much research work an engine manufacturer would have to invest in this project, but the market is almost 4,000 engines, based on the Boyd analysis. Major engine makers would probably be drawn to a business that size.

Beyond the engine performance, another issue for airlines would be how to market an upscale supersonic service alongside the premium cabins on existing jets, according to Alex Wilcox, CEO of JetSuite Inc., a California-based charter service and scheduled airline. Would the Boom aircraft siphon off most or all of a carriers business- and first-class passengers? If so, what happens to that space on the current aircraft fleets?

Youd have some interesting pricing discussions, Wilcox says. How do you price it vs. your first-class product into London? Into which you have invested quite a lot, by the way.

Being up in the air is fast becoming the same as being in the office, with robust internet communication a priority for carriers, thus reducing the biggest attraction of supersonic flight  speed. Mix that with the flat beds and premium dining, and the business-class cabin can become a comfortable den in which to be productive, rested, and well-fed on the kind of 15- to 20-hour flights that are quickly becoming routine.

You used to be stuck in a tube, says Teal Groups Aboulafia. Now, its an office in the sky. Everything has gotten way more comfortable. Many people now flying for the better part of a day adopt a Who cares? attitude.

Despite the challenges Boom faces, and they are many, aviation experts expect that at some point, years from now, the economic challenges of commercial supersonic travel will be overcome. I hate to sound cynical here, because I actually want to see this airplane, Wilcox says. But its just very, very hard to do.

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After turning Starbucks Corp. into the worlds largest coffee chain, Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz will hand the reins to a lieutenant who could solidify its role as a technology company.

Kevin Johnson, a 33-year veteran of the tech industry who became Starbucks chief operating officer last year, will take the helm from Schultz on April 3. The move is a nod to the companys growing reputation for innovation: It introduced the worlds first successful mobile-payment service, beating out the likes of Apple and Google, and gets an increasingly large portion of its revenue from that source.

Schultz will keep the role of executive chairman at Starbucks, focusing on the rollout of its upscale Reserve brand.

Im not leaving the company, Schultz, 63, said on a conference call after the change was announced Thursday. But Kevin and the team are in charge.

Johnson, who joined the board in 2009, was tapped for the operating chief job after Troy Alstead went on sabbatical. Johnson, 56, previously worked at Microsoft and Juniper Networks. In 2008, he was named to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, where he served under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

The CEO change jarred investors, who briefly sent the shares down as much as 12 per cent, though Johnson was seen as a possible successor since he took the No. 2 job last year.

For many shareholders and customers, Schultz has embodied Starbucks. Over the past three decades, he turned much of the world into coffee aficionados, bringing lattes and mochas to 70 countries. And hes used the company to pursue social causes  occasionally clumsily  such as racial strife and sustainability.

Schultz will focus on expanding Starbucks Reserve Roasteries, a chain of massive coffee houses that provide tastings and other experiences, as well as new Reserve retail stores. The executive has been working to position the Reserve name as Starbucks new higher-end brand. Schultz also will continue the companys social impact efforts.

As CEO, hes already pushed to open stores in low-income areas and supported gay marriage. It hasnt always gone smoothly. Schultzs idea for employees to discuss race relations with customers was criticized as ham-fisted.

Investors werent anticipating Schultzs departure as CEO so soon, though having both executives focus on different parts of the company could have benefits, said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Jennifer Bartashus.

The timing of this is a surprise, she said. I do think the divide and conquer strategy is probably good for the company long-term.

Starbucks digital and technology prowess has put it ahead of its peers, allowing it to serve more customers faster. Same-store sales rose 5 per cent in the Americas region in the most recent quarter. Mobile payments accounted for about 25 per cent of U.S. transactions in that period.

Starbucks built on its tech leadership with an order-ahead feature, which lets customers select and pay for drinks in advance. They then can pick up the beverages at a shop without waiting in line.

Since Johnson became operating chief, Starbucks has rolled out mobile ordering across the U.S. and even tested delivery. The Seattle-based company also is boosting spending on digital ventures, including taking its app and rewards platform to countries such as China.

Though shares of Starbucks tumbled immediately after the announcement, they recovered some of that ground during extended trading. As of 5:54 p.m. in New York, the stock was down 3.3 per cent to $56.58.

This isnt Schultzs first retirement as CEO. After serving in the job from 1987 to 2000  punctuated by an initial public offering in 1992  he stepped down in 2000. But Schultz returned in 2008 after Starbucks faltered. The company had opened too many locations too quickly and got hit by the financial crisis. Profit plunged.

Schultz put Starbucks back on firmer footing.

The difference between then and now couldnt be greater, he said on Thursday. In 2007-2008, the country was going through a cataclysmic financial crisis that affected all companies and Starbucks was not immune.

The company now has the strongest leadership team in history, he said.

Its been speculated that Schultz might make a run for U.S. president, though hes repeatedly said he has no intention of doing so. While speaking at a conference in New York last month, Schultz said he wouldnt serve as part of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet. He also denied rumours of running for president last year in a New York Times opinion piece.

Its probably too early to tell if Schultz has designs on the White House, Bartashus said.

Certainly if he is interested in a political career, he has the next 2  years to sow those seeds, she said. A lot will depend on the first half of the Trump administration.

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A real-life prince in our midst!

When the revelation was made this month than the ginger-regal Harry had been right here in town to visit his sweetheart, Suits starlet Meghan Markle, the romance set off a cascade of speculation, and was later double-downed by a terse statement from the palace itself. And while the liaison continues to cause ripple effects on this side of the pond  Markle had two bodyguards with her, I hear, in the waning days of the Suits shoot last week, and has indicated shell continue to live where she does in the west end  whats triply interesting is the extent to which some Toronto folk just couldnt believe that we were a set-stage for such a saga.

How quickly we forget. Too often partial to a certain homebred amnesia, we forget how much starry history has actually unfolded in this town over the years, and to this regard, I thought Id do quick-and-dirty rundown. Two caveats: none of these events happened during TIFF (when A-listers inevitably abound), and none of them involve Drake (whos been known to even engineer selfies with Rihanna with the CN Tower in the background!).

A backwater? Hardly, Id say.

Trudeaus and Stones

Long before the Twitterverse, way before we called this town The 6, there was the case of a Canadian First Lady partying with the most notorious of rock bands. Hashtag Maggie Trudeau, all right. Having decided to separate ways from Pierre on March 4, 1977  their sixth anniversary, as it happened  the public learned about the split when the wife of a PM (and mom of a future one) dropped into Torontos famed El Mocambo on Spadina to see the Rolling Stones. She was spotted in the dressing room with Mick Jagger, and was also found staying in the same hotel where the gang was booked. The scandale, which had an airing in People and beyond, had Mrs. Trudeau defending her actions, the fledging photographer insisting that her interest in Jagger was purely photographic. Back on Parliament Hill, Pierre was insouciant at a press conference (during which half the questions were about youknowwho), stipulating to reporters that his flower-child bride was cancelling a few of her official engagements. She wants to be a private person for a while. Asked to comment on her feelings about the Stones, Pierre commented, I dont think the Rolling Stones are as great favourites with her as the Beatles, adding, with a quip, I hope that she doesnt start to see the Beatles.

Liz and Dick, on King

Brangelina who? There was no stormier celebrity duo than Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, whose adulterous alliance began on the set of the ill-fated Cleopatra, in 1962. Such an all-caps deal was their affair that its widely considered to be the modern pandoras box of paparazzi  and was even condemned by the Vatican. Only two years later, their melodrama shifted to Toronto, where Burton was set to headline a production of Hamlet at the OKeefe (today, the Sony Centre), and where the worlds two biggest movie stars set up a love-nest at the King Edward. Ghastly crowds of morons besiege the hotel where Burton and Taylor are saying, the plays director, John Gielgud, jotted in his diaries. Every drink and conversation they have is paragraphs and reported. Basically a prisoner in her eight-floor suite, Elizabeth taking to walking her two poodles on the roof, and appearing sparingly, like a 32nd birthday fete for her held backstage at the OKeefe. He gave her a $150,000 Bulgari necklace. She, in turn, gave him the news, that a Mexican divorce had come through from her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher. Presto: they fled to Montreal to be married, returning to T.O. two nights later for a performance, where after the curtain call, Liz tah-dahed to join her groom. I say, we shall have no more marriages, he bellowed to the audience, quoting a line from Hamlet. The crowd erupted! (Footnote: thered be three more marriages for each ... including another one to each other!)

True Tori

On a June night in 2006, Tori Spelling sat at Bettys, an old haunt on the east side, when she received the bombshell on her BlackBerry that her father, Aaron  the most prolific producer in American TV history  had died. Problem is, it was a friend whod emailed. Her sorrow turning to anger, Tori later confessed, My first thought: I cant believe my mom (Candy) didnt call me. Cue one of the biggest mom-daughter feuds in Hollyweird, with way too much money to stake, and Toronto playing a pivotal role. Having coupled up with local actor Dean McDermott  both shedding their spouses on the way  theyd go on to have four children and umpteenth reality shows. Along the way, too, the city would again (and again) play a stage for the daughter of the man who created Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, Charlies Angels, and Love Boat: in 2013, Dean was caught cheating on Tori here! With the other woman squealing all to US Weekly about their meet at Pravda on Wellington, and their in flagrant delicato, at the Royal York! Somehow, some way, ToriandDean have managed to stick it out  and theres now even a fifth baby en route!

Back to the Cold War

Decades before hed go on to break Carrie Bradshaws heart on Sex and the City, Mikhail Baryshnikov (a.k.a. The Russian), was at the heart of a plot here right out of a John Le Carre novel. Here to perform with the Bolshoi Ballet, in 1974  back when Baryshnikov was already being hailed as one of the 20th centurys great dancers  the stud defected from the Soviet Union. Setting of geopolitical alarm-bells, the incident (also at the OKeefe!) unfolded when a group of dancers stood outside, on Front Street, waiting for a KGB-escorted ride to the after-party. Ducking them, Baryshnikov declined, saying he wanted to stay to give some autographs. Instead, disappearing into the crowd, he sprinted three blocks to a restaurant where Canadian diplomats shuffled him into a waiting car to spirit him into political asylum. A mortal wound to the Russians! Can you imagine?

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The best books take us deep into other peoples lives  giving us a personal take on the world wed never get a glimpse of otherwise.

Brown, by Kamal Al-Solaylee

This exploration of what it means to be brown in the world we live in now is personal, informative, investigative  one of those rare books where the personal story grows broad and throws light on bigger issues.

Embers, by Richard Wagamese

On his journey to become what he calls a spiritual bad-ass, this volume by Richard Wagamese muses on relationships and the world around him  with meditations, sayings, photos, reflections  and the idea of harmony, trust and joy. Its a lovely volume.

Secret Path, by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire

Not a typical way to tell the story of a life, this tale of Chanie Wenjack is communicated through the evocative graphic illustrations of artist Jeff Lemire, coupled with the lyrics from 10 songs written by Canadian musician Gord Downie. Its evocative  and theres a code to download the songs so you can listen to them as you look and read.

George Lucas: A Life, by Brian Jay Jones

George Lucas marched to the beat of his own drum and shaped the way so many of us viewed the world through popular culture. From Star Wars to Raiders of the Lost Ark, its a fabulous look at the man behind the franchises and a glimpse into Hollywood megastars. This is by Brian Jay Jones, whose bio of Muppet creator Jim Henson is a classic.

A Disappearance in Damascus, by Deborah Campbell

A compelling first-person story that takes us into the heart of Syria in the earlier part of this century, especially into the life of Ahlam, a fixer who works with journalists  but who is also a wife and mother trying to survive. A compelling, illuminating read, this book won the Hilary Weston Writers Trust prize for non-fiction this year.

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OTTAWAWhen he wants to be, Malcolm Rowe is a man of few words, Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin observed Friday as the Newfoundlander was officially welcomed to round out the high courts nine-person bench.

The newest judge to sit on the countrys top court, and the first to be appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau under a new vetting process, Rowe held true to that perception in a short, 10-minute speech that was both contemplative and personal.

As family, friends, cabinet ministers and current and past national and provincial leaders listened, Rowe described what he saw as some of his greatest achievements.

They werent the sort of lofty accomplishments one might expect by reading his resume; Rowe sat on the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal for 16 years, studied at Torontos Osgoode Hall Law School and later went on to work in the foreign service, was part of a team that handled an overfishing dispute on the Grand Banks and lectured in constitutional law.

Rather, he talked about sailing, travelling, and listening.

Former Liberal premier Brian Tobin, under whom Rowe served as secretary to the cabinet, listened intently in the audience as his former counsel spoke fervently about a 2015 excursion circumnavigating his home province in a small boat with his friend Jim, and about meeting with Canadians from all walks of life as a mentor to the Action Canada Fellows.

The 63-year-old former trial judge recalled hearing stories of hardship suffered by many of Canadas indigenous people, and the hard life of homeless drug addicts living on Vancouvers East Side.

I listened, I learned, I came to understand Canada better, said Rowe.

He also spoke passionately about his family, lamenting only that his new job would mean he could no longer pop into a friends house for tea in his hometown.

But ultimately, Rowe said, it was the entirety of his experiences and help from his family that brought him to sit on the highest court in the land.

Fortune has smiled upon me with beaming countenance, Rowe said in describing how his wife Marty was in the process of cheerfully uprooting their life in St. Johns, transplanting them into their new home in Ottawa.

In truth, home will be wherever we two are, Rowe said as though attempting to calm his own angst.

And where we two are, will be a happy home.

In addressing the court about Rowes appointment, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Justice and Public Safety Andrew Parsons could barely contain his pride, saying that, as a young lawyer he dreamed of appearing before the Supreme Court.

But he never dreamed that hed be doing it to welcome a fellow Newfoundlander to the bench, said Parsons.

Parsons called Rowe courageous for having said recently that Supreme Court judges make law, rather than simply interpreting Charter cases.

Rowe has described himself as a follower of the living tree constitutional doctrine, a belief that the documents interpretation can change progressively over time  rather than strictly adhering to the texts original meaning.

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Politics is supposed to be about winning ideas.

More often its about wining and dining donors  and winning them over as a way to win power. Which is why money politics usually wins the day.

On Thursday, however, Ontario belatedly had a good day. After too many bad years of too much money infiltrating our politics, our MPPs had a good idea.

Unanimously, unexpectedly, the legislature voted this week to clean up its collective act by passing a new election finances Act that outlaws corporate and union contributions, dramatically reduces individual donation limits, and bans traditional fundraising dinners.

For years, all three major parties had been quietly colluding over fundraising  feeding their shared addictions to money politics, outdoing their rivals in hopes of outspending and overpowering one another.

Now, after lagging behind Ottawa, Quebec and Alberta, Ontario has seen the light  and, in some cases, leapfrogged ahead.

No longer will big business and big labour buy their way to the front of the line, gaining privileged access to push their self-interested agendas with cabinet ministers in power  or opposition leaders on the cusp of power.

No longer will donors cosy up to politicians (from any party) at private events merely by paying the price of admission to whisper in their ear, knowing that a dinner ticket has its privileges  so-called cash for access.

There are 21 shopping days until Christmas, but 28 frantic fundraising days until the contribution ban takes effect. On Jan. 1, 2017, the days of party bagmen sandbagging corporate and union donors will be done.

For the next few weeks, as they have for the last few years, they will seek donations of up to $9,975 at a time for the party, candidate and riding  nearly $30,000 a year, twice that much in an election or byelection year (not to mention unlimited contributions during leadership races). Thats how the Beer Store, and Ontarios big brewers, were able to funnel more than $275,000 to the Liberals in a two-year period, plus generous contributions to the Progressive Conservatives.

Despite the connection between financial excess, political access, and policy success, few people paid heed to how companies paid their way. A columnist quickly learns that chasing your tail only gets you so far  sometimes you have to follow the bigger money.

A week-long series early this year revealed the previously secret targets of top cabinet ministers pressured to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars every year for the Liberal party: With an informal quota of $500,000, Health Minister Eric Hoskins shared top billing with Finance Minister Charles Sousa. Other top performing ministers raised $200,000 to $300,000 a year, keen to hit their marks in the fundraising books to avoid being in the partys bad books.

Amid the public outcry, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a ban on corporate and union donations, and promised the first comprehensive reform of Ontarios outdated campaign finance laws by year-end. The opposition PCs and NDP  unable to sell direct access to power but expert in profiting from the prospect of power  suddenly found their voices after years of silence.

The three major parties have agreed on a new annual limit for individuals of $1,200 per party, riding, and candidate ($3,600 in total), plus caps on leadership races. The perennially fourth-place Greens, who raise the least money, made a persuasive case for fairer public funding of the electoral process with per-vote allowances.

The Liberals gave up a good thing in order to do the right thing. Credit also goes to PC Leader Patrick Brown  no slouch at corporate fundraising  for quickly supporting the ban, embracing the idea of public funding to replace it, and voting for the changes last week.

The new law isnt perfect. There was a missed opportunity to lower the overall campaign spending limits (now in excess of $8 million per party at election time). The law should have closed a gaping loophole allowing parties to exclude polling and research expenses, as the New Democrats requested.

But for now, for once, a political ideal has prevailed over money politics at Queens Park. Will it catch on elsewhere?

A decade ago, Stephen Harper led the way by banning corporate and union contributions in Ottawa. After lagging and languishing for so long as the Wild West of fundraising, Ontario has suddenly leapfrogged Ottawa  with lower contribution limits, plus a ban on cash-for-access events (of the kind now plaguing Harpers successor as prime minister, Justin Trudeau).

Like Wynne before him, Trudeau is stalling for time.

As you mentioned, Ontario resisted for a long time, and then they took a big leap, he told the Stars editorial board Friday, when I pointed to the legislatures vote the day before. Were going to look at what happened in Ontario, what that looks like, and well see.

Yes, Ontario resisted  for too long. All the more reason for Trudeau to recognize what Wynne ultimately learned:

On fundraising reform, resistance is futile.

Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca , Twitter: @reggcohn

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Canadians rejected Trump-style politics in the last campaign, but the economic anxiety that helped elect the new president also exists in Canada and, if ignored, people will lash out, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warns.

In a meeting with the Toronto Star editorial board, Trudeau cautioned that the rising tide of populism with Donald Trumps victory in the U.S., the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom and nationalist movements in Western Europe are not necessarily a foreign phenomenon.

Canadians faced an election a year ago that was filled with very similar rhetoric as were hearing around the world right now, whether it was the barbaric cultural practices line that the Conservatives seem intent on re-engaging with in terms of their own leadership  at least some of them, said Trudeau in reference to Conservative leadership hopeful Kellie Leitch.

We as a country chose a different option than some of the other countries seem poised (to) or have chosen.

Trudeau said his 2015 campaign against Stephen Harpers Conservatives reflected better the angst and frustration that so many Canadians were feeling and, quite frankly, people in the middle class around the world are feeling.

We didnt do it to the same degree of anger  we tried to channel it into hope instead  but the recognition of the same issue was there, he said, emphasizing that Trump resonated with American voters who feel left behind by globalization and rapid technological change.

But the prime minister made clear hes heard the message and seen the examples where voter discontent has fuelled political upheaval in other jurisdictions.

We have to understand that a lot of the frustration and anxiety comes from worry and anxiety linked to economic opportunity, Trudeau said.

People are feeling that theyre not well-suited for the pace of change that the planet is going through, that our Western economies are going through.

And unless we make significant changes around who gets the benefit of economic growth  unless were much better about including everyone in the success of our country  then people will start to lash out, he said.

Trudeau won a majority mandate in the October 2015 election with the promise to improve economic fortunes of the middle class. Since taking power, his government has cut income taxes and bolstered child-care benefits to tackle the disparity some voters feel.

Obviously I think that our prescription for how to deal with it is slightly more anchored in a chance for success than the Republican vision, but that might just be partisan limitations that I have rather than a cool analysis.

On issues such as trade, immigration, refugees and immigration, Trudeaus government is at polar opposites to the views Trump expressed during the campaign. But its on the economic front where the prime minister sees common ground with the celebrity billionaire businessman-turned-politician, a shared recognition that many citizens in each country are worried about their futures.

We dont seem to have exactly the same basket of policy solutions on that but I know that in what we got elected on to do, theres a connection, Trudeau said.

Im always going to look for ways to align our interests where we agree and work constructively on areas where we disagree.

In a wide-ranging discussion with Star editors and reporters, Trudeau also touched on:

Pipelines. The Liberal government this week gave the green light to two pipelines, including the Trans Mountain project to deliver Alberta oil to a terminal in Burnaby, B.C. Opposition is running high in B.C. but Trudeau cautioned against a suggestion that a majority of B.C. residents opposed the project. You dont have unanimous perspective on either side. He defended his governments review of the project, saying it was augmented with additional consultation, especially with indigenous peoples and more scientific review. He said concerns around the project centre on climate, a spill and impact on marine life. Those are concerns that we need to and we are significantly addressing . . . how we are going to allay people, thats going to be an ongoing process.

Political fundraising. The prime minister and several of his cabinet ministers have taken flack for their attendance at party fundraisers. Trudeau defended his partys fundraising practices but didnt completely rule out following Ontarios lead in banning politicians and candidates from attending fundraisers. Weve seen the challenges of the American system, where money plays a huge role. Im always happy to take questions and challenges, can you do better? Trudeau said. But he said politicians need to mindful of the unintended consequences to fundraising changes. What we dont want is to further drive fundraising underground, or less visible.

Re-establishing diplomatic ties with Iran. In September, Montreal professor Homa Hoodfar was released from Tehrans Evin prison and allowed to return to Canada, a move that Trudeau praised as a positive experience.

Were continuing to engage . . . but were being very cautious and responsible about it, he said.

Im under no illusion about some the challenges that Iran is facing internally and poses on the regional and indeed global stage, the prime minister said. But as Ive said many times, I think its important to talk to people you disagree with.

Having to rely on intermediaries in diplomatic chats, such as Italy and Oman in the case of Hoodfars release, was perhaps less effective than if we had had representation directly, Trudeau said.

The previous Conservative government closed Canadas embassy in Tehran and expelled Iranian diplomats from Ottawa in 2012. Asked whether the Liberal government was looking to reverse that decision, Trudeau sounded a cautious note.

Its something we are working towards but not something that were going to make an imminent announcement on, he said.

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Highlights from Prime Minister visit to Toronto Star

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OTTAWA  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recommitted to electoral reform a day after Liberal MPs recommended abandoning his pledge to put a new voting system in place by 2019.

In a conversation with the Stars editorial board Friday, Trudeau refused to give up on reforming Canadas 149-year-old electoral system in time for the next general election.

I make promises because I believe in them, Trudeau said in Toronto. Ive heard loudly and clearly that Canadians want a better system of governance, a better system of choosing our governments, and Im working very hard so that 2015 is indeed the last election under first-past-the-post.

Trudeaus comments come after Liberal MPs on the all-party electoral reform committee recommended abandoning the prime ministers election promise.

In a supplemental comment to the committees 333-page report, released Thursday, Liberal MPs wrote that the 2019 deadline was overly hasty. The government representatives worried Canadians werent sufficiently engaged for the radical proposals for a new election system.

The main report, supported by all opposition parties, recommended taking the issue directly to Canadians through a national referendum on two options  the status quo (first-past-the-post), and a new proportional system that more accurately reflects Canadians votes.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef was accused of lying and insulting the committees work Thursday, after she suggested they failed to recommend a clear alternative to first-past-the-post.

The minister, who was defiant Thursday at a press conference after question period, repeatedly apologized Friday morning.

Yesterday, in the House, I used words that I deeply regret, Monsef said in the first of three apologies.

I would like to sincerely apologize to the members of the House, to Canadians and to the members of the special all-party committee on electoral reform. In no way did I intend to imply that they did not work hard, that they did not put in the long hours, or that they did not focus on the task at hand. I thank them for their work.

Trudeau stood by his minister Friday, but suggested the outburst warranted the apology.

The fact is that Canadians expect that when someone behaves in a way that isnt consistent with their expectations of themselves, or Canadians expectations of them, that they apologize, Trudeau said. The minister is working very, very hard on an important file, and she apologized for her outburst.

In the wake of Monsefs comments and the Liberal MPs recommendations, there was widespread speculation that the Liberals would shy away from Trudeaus pledge to do away with first-past-the-post.

The perceived wisdom in Ottawa is that there is little, politically, for the Liberals to lose in abandoning that promise. Electoral reform is seen as a niche issue, one that would take a lot of work to pull off, but would cause little damage if quietly abandoned or punted to a second mandate.

But Trudeau said its not a good enough answer to Canadians to give up because it requires some hard work.

Canadians elect governments to do hard things and dont expect us to throw up our hands when things are a little difficult, Trudeau said.  Oh, its more difficult than we thought it could be and therefore were just going to give up.

No, Im sorry, thats not the way I was raised, thats not the way Im going to move forward on a broad range of issues, regardless of how difficult they may seem at a given point.

Trudeau said hes looking forward to the results of a postcard survey the government launched this week, which he called the third pillar of the Liberals plan.

People are going to be able to go online and fill out a fun little questionnaire that gets into values rather than models, to help us see if there are underlying principles and things that Canadians all agree on broadly that can drive a solution for electoral reform, Trudeau said.

Im going to keep working towards fulfilling that and all my election promises.

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There is a perverse purgatory where the families of hostages go after they learn a relative has been kidnapped overseas.

Life goes on all around you, oblivious, same as it ever was.

And yet everything changes when you live with this secret, especially when your loved one is held for weeks, months. For years.

You feel dread with every ring of the phone, every knock on the door. You feel terror with every news report. Birthdays hit you hard and theres an empty place at the table for the holidays.

You have to bury it all and keep up appearances. Because friends and co-workers, the government tells you, should not be told much, if anything at all.

You step into a parallel universe, says Trudi Shaw, whose brother Robert Hall was executed in June by the Abu Sayyaf Group after a nine-month nightmare in the Philippine jungle. Everyone around you is in the old universe and you are in this new one. They can see you and you can see them. But theres this disconnect. You are kind of thinking, This cant be real. 

Coping with a kidnapping should be burden enough. But some relatives interviewed by the Star for this series say the situation is made worse by warnings from Canadian officials to stay silent.

Staying away from the media has long been an opening strategy. The idea is to buy time to gather intel, to control the message and to eliminate any possibility that the identity of the hostage will cause the ransom demand to rise.

Silence has its advantages. News about CBC journalist Mellissa Fungs 2008 kidnapping in Afghanistan was kept a secret until her release, 28 days later. Private negotiators and the RCMP benefited from the media blackout, working quickly without distraction to release Fung in a prisoner exchange.

The team on the ground in Kabul was able to move through the murky world of dealing with kidnappers, Afghan police and intelligence services without the added burden of doing it in public, says Fungs partner, CTV correspondent Paul Workman. There was extraordinary co-operation from other media to respect the demand for absolute secrecy, a rare model for co-operating in times of possible life and death.

But the times have changed in the eight years since Fungs ordeal and many argue this blanket ban is outdated in an era when kidnappers can instantly seize the narrative on YouTube, regardless of whether the families talk or not.

Silence also comes with side effects: it spares the government scrutiny over how such cases are managed; it creates opportunity for officials to prioritize cases according to their own sense of who among the abducted deserves Canadas best efforts.

It is easy to forget about hostages who foolishly put themselves in danger. It is harder for the public to ignore when hostages become more than names and you see the faces of their parents, children, siblings, friends and partners.

A deeper problem, many families say, is that in exchange for their silence, they are often deprived of information by government officials, who simply dont share enough timely knowledge for families to make potentially life-and-death decisions.

Silence is golden. But the price of silence, some families soon discover, is almost more than they can bear.

A brother, trapped in the jungle, two sisters at home in British Columbia, both with breast cancer.

Keep your lips sealed, Canadian officials would repeatedly tell them.

That was the burden Robert Halls family bore as the dust settled over the Abu Sayyaf Groups brazen kidnapping raid in the Philippines in September 2015.

For Trudi Shaw, the demands of juggling her brothers captivity during chemotherapy for breast cancer  and being unable to share the strain  drove her to another dimension.

She would replay the grainy CCTV footage that made the news within hours of the abduction, showing Hall and his Filipina fiancee Marites Flor, who everyone knows as Tess, being led away, and she would quickly be overwhelmed. Seeing Bob and Tess being marched up the gangplank, sort of, with masked men with huge rifles surrounding them . . . just seeing my brother so vulnerable, and at the same time so protective of Tess . . . 

Shaw pauses to gather herself through tears, then continues, I was terrified for Tess as a woman because we understood this was a militant Muslim group. I was just terrified of what would happen to her. But I also knew that made my brother more vulnerable because he would want to protect her.

An Anglican chaplain in New Westminster, B.C., Shaw had a circle of co-workers who were a big part of her support network, along with her husband and two children. But when she was well enough to return to work after her first round of cancer treatment, a new anguish took hold.

We were continuously told you cannot say anything, not to friends or colleagues even. It had to be hush hush hush hush hush, says Shaw. Outwardly, we had to be normal. But it kills ya. And it totally, totally, totally takes so much energy to keep up the facade.

As a chaplain, I have to be fully present to another person in their pain  and Im feeling this horrible pain myself. So I dont think I was very effective in my work. I had to sort of keep my distance to the people I was caring for because their pain would trigger my own.

Perversely, Shaws cancer proved a useful ruse to hide the deeper truth. Id have to make some excuse for why I had to go somewhere to cry. Thats where the cancer was really an advantage because they just thought it was the cancer.

Joshua Boyle and his American wife, Caitlan Coleman, vanished in Afghanistan four years ago and remain hostages of the powerful Haqqani Network. Boyle, 33, and Coleman, 31, have been held for so long that they now are parents themselves, with two children  two little boys who have never known a day of freedom.

The Boyle family is reluctant to tell much of their story, even today, as efforts continue for a positive outcome. But they will speak about the life of a family sworn to silence.

We were told under no circumstances could we tell anybody, Linda Boyle says about the first few months after her son was taken.

Linda, whose mother was dying when Josh was abducted, reached out to her family priest anyway, trusting that her confidence would not be violated. The RCMP, she says, was disappointed and said they would need a list of everyone the couple spoke with.

Like the Halls, the Boyles describe their last four years as a parallel reality, in which even the tiniest act of everyday living takes on new meaning.

Keeping a porch light on for the first two years is one example, says Lindas husband Patrick, a federal tax judge.

Jumping every time the phone rings, adds Linda.

Even maintaining the phones became an issue. The Boyles had moved just before Josh and Cait went travelling in 2012 and so one of the early questions became, What if the kidnappers are trying to call us? Does Josh even have our new number?

So the Boyles kept their old line, forwarding calls to the new one. Just in case. Josh had been close to his grandmother, and when she died they did the same thing with her calls.

Dan Boyle, Joshs younger brother, says he remembers starting a new job, and on his third morning, he arrived late, having to first meet Afghanistans ambassador to Canada. My colleagues joked I must have been in court earlier since I was wearing a shirt and tie. I just let them believe I had been in court rather than tell them the truth, he writes to the Star.

Dan says he wasnt ashamed, just didnt want the I-feel-so-bad-for-you eyes, he says.

As the years dragged on  Josh and Cait have been missing more than 1,500 days  scenes that used to shock the Boyles now seem normal. You get home from work and six people from the RCMP and DFAIT (now called Global Affairs) are sitting at your dining room table? Meh, just another Wednesday, says Dan.

His sister Kaeryn, who was 23 when Josh was taken, says she will never forget the day her brothers kidnapping made the front page of Ottawas free Metro newspaper.

Stepping on the bus to work to see his face staring at me from every second seat or so  longest bus ride of my life, she says. There was no escape at the food court where she worked: more copies were everywhere. And more still on the ride home, only now his face was trampled along the floor, ripped up and caught in the door, shoved down the side of seats. Some days its easier than others to stick it to the back of your head and try and continue with regular life, Kaeryn says. That was not one of those days.

The youngest Boyle sister, Heather, remembers having to fill out an elaborate background questionnaire for a job application, including the whereabouts and work histories of her siblings. Do I put down Joshs job as hostage or unemployed? Do I put down address unknown or just the very vague somewhere in Afghanistan or Pakistan?

Another unforeseen consequence of her brothers abduction, says Heather, is a warped sense of time. Most things fall into the rather broad pre- or post-kidnapping categories.

But whatever normalcy exists today for the Boyles melts away quickly when they think of the newest additions to the family  two boys born in captivity.

Says Heather: That gets to me: Thinking about how I have two nephews that I have never seen and know essentially nothing about.

On the surface, Westerners snatched off yachts in a marina sounds like a saga involving extreme wealth. And so the opening narrative of Canadas crisis in the Philippines, even without so much as a word from the families, suggested some of the hostages, if not all, were rich.

Nothing could be further from the truth for Robert Hall, who, with limited resources and a lot of hard work, had been able to put everything he had into sailing across the Pacific on his second-hand boat, Renova. An expert welder by trade, Hall had been scouting the nearby city of Davao the week before his abduction. He had no mountain of cash, not even a small pile.

Halls fiancee, Marites Flor, hailed from a family of modest means on the nearby island of Mindanao. Her familys resources and the Abu Sayyaf Groups financial ambitions were planets apart.

Kjartan Sekkingstad, the Norwegian marina manager, was also a working man, albeit a very skilled one, able to build a sailboat from scratch. With his late wife, Ellen, he had built the marina almost singlehandedly, and by 2014 the facility was finally coming into its own as a safe and affordable harbour in the southern Philippines, where sailors could wait out the monsoons and get their boats repaired. Sekkingstad was the one who would jump shirtless into the water to personally see to the delicate task of lifting the sailboats to dry dock. He trained and led his Filipino crew by the example of hard, sweaty work.

The story of the fourth captive, John Ridsdel of Calgary, however, got complicated within days of the kidnapping. Like many Canadians abroad, Ridsdel had worked as a corporate mining executive  a fact that would surely bring delight to his captors, if and when they knew it.

When news of the abductions broke, the Ridsdel family tried to scrub the web of details about Ridsdels life and career. But one online profile  a career listing on LinkedIn  prompted media calls to his longtime Calgary employer, TVI Pacific Inc., which he continued to serve as a semi-retired adviser. A TVI official confirmed the connection in a statement.

The cat, if not out of the bag, was pawing at the drawstrings. And it would get worse. Five days after the abduction, the English-language site of CNN Philippines began reporting a new working theory that the raiders had been specifically targeting Ridsdel. Citing unnamed sources close to the investigation, the report suggested Ridsdel could have made some enemies in his work at TVIs nearby  and controversial  projects in the southern Philippines.

Ridsdels daughter worried that perception was overtaking her familys relatively modest reality, setting the ransom bar higher than we could ever hope to overcome.

She tried to push back against RCMP advice, reasoning that by going public, she would be able to set the record straight about her dads perceived wealth. (She has asked that we not publish her name due to privacy concerns.)

But the say-nothing edict continued for the duration of the crisis. Seven months later, as the Abu Sayyaf Groups first execution deadline drew near, officials in Ottawa went one step further, reaching out to at least five Canadian news organizations, including the Toronto Star, requesting that all references to Ridsdels ties to the mining company be removed from our latest stories.

All the news organizations complied with the request, agreeing to err on the side of caution. In the Stars case, an agreement was struck to remove the references to TVI on condition that a senior policy official  policy, not communications  follow up with an off-the-record briefing for editors to explain the governments reasoning.

How could Ottawa possibly think Ridsdels corporate ties, now so deeply embedded on hundreds of news and opinion sites around the world, would vanish by removing a handful of online references in Canada? Ottawa followed with a briefing for the Star from a senior communications officer, who emphasized again the importance of saying as little as possible about the mining company to reduce ransom expectations.

We were always asking (the RCMP) for ways to more strategically use the media and just getting this blanket policy of dont-talk-to-the-media wasnt helpful, said Ridsdels daughter.

We were asking, Cant we get a media strategy and explain that Dad is retired, he doesnt have much money? but we didnt feel like we had the space to do that (against Ottawas advice). We could have just done it, obviously  done it on our own. But you dont feel like you are in a position to do that, really.

Almost all of the families agree Ottawa needs to reform how it goes about sharing information. Everyone feels in the dark, always asking questions, always waiting for what often turn out to be unhelpful answers.

Everything goes through this clearance process and takes three days to come down in some sort of really sanitized form of what the family is allowed to know, says Ridsdels daughter.

I guess from our perspective we felt the hypocrisy of that approach. Wed be asked to make decisions, potentially life-or-death decisions  often on very short notice but we never felt like we had access to all the information.

It is difficult for the Hall family to discuss, but one unexpected consequence of Roberts murder in June was how the flow of information suddenly turned against them, from too little to too much.

Halls sister Bonice Thomas speaks of the festering swamp of online commentary beneath stories about her brother, where trolls weigh in with heartless glee, oblivious to the familys pain.

The trolls went further in September, some contacting her directly after she posted a widely shared Facebook message sharply critical of the Canadian government on the anniversary of her brothers abduction. That was fine, she thought. Im tough, I can handle this.

Harder to handle, says Thomas, is the impact on her 92-year-old uncle, who hasnt been the same since he stumbled across the Abu Sayyaf Group video showing Roberts murder.

Theres a world of pain around us. And that includes my elderly uncle, who now has PTSD from accidentally clicking on the beheading video of my brother, said Thomas.

It traumatized everyone from nieces and nephews to the patriarchs and matriarchs of our family as well as old childhood friends. Its far-reaching  and I dont think our government considers that in the least. This isnt something that can be swept under the table  No ransom, no release, no comment, no problem. Its not. Its devastating.

Robert Halls cousin Lois Eaton, a retired school principal, is launching a campaign to demand change from Ottawa. Eatons intention is twofold: First, ensure that Canada builds new protocols with lessons from the U.K., the U.S., Australia and other countries that now assign fleet-footed Fusion Teams when a citizen vanishes abroad; second, ensure that Canada reinvents how it relates to the families in a way that makes them feel valued and included in what is going on.

I know something about government bureaucracy from my years as a school principal, Eaton told the Star. I was looped in on what our family endured from the start. And to me it just seemed like the government had no plan at all. The extent of Canadas support was basically, Thou shalt not talk and we wont tell you anything because we dont trust you.

This isnt optional. This has to become a real priority for our government.

Halls sister Trudi Shaw describes for the first time the moment in which she poured out her frustrations. Shortly after Robert was beheaded, the family took a condolence call from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Shaw listened numbly as Trudeau and her brother Bill exchanged words. At the very end, however, when the family was asked if there was anything else they wanted to say, Shaw unloaded.

I said, I wanted to tell you, Mr. Trudeau, what it was like. We understood the need to be quiet. We also understood the Canadian policy of no ransom.

But let me tell you what it is like to be a family, aching in utter terror for your loved one. And there is no sense that anybody even knows you are here. 

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A Toronto neurosurgeon has been charged with the murder of his wife, Elana Shamji, a 40-year-old family physician.

Shamji has been identified as the woman whose body was found dead on Thursday afternoon near the underpass of a bridge beside the West Humber River in Vaughan.

Toronto Police Service Det-Sgt. Steve Ryan said the alleged suspect, Mohammed Shamji, 40, is a neurosurgeon associated with Toronto Western Hospital.

In a press conference, Ryan told reporters police have spoken to witnesses and that he believed there had been an altercation in the couples home.

Elana Shamjis mother had reportedly not heard from her since Wednesday, and she didnt show up to work at Scarborough General Hospital on Thursday or Friday morning. Shamjis husband did not report her missing, Ryan said.

On Thursday afternoon, around 3:30 p.m., officers with York Regional Police were called to a bridge beside the West Humber River  just off Nashville Rd, near Howland Mill Rd. The body of a woman had been discovered, but her identity was unknown.

A post-mortem autopsy in Toronto Friday afternoon confirmed Shamjis identity, and that she had been strangled and suffered blunt force trauma of some kind, Ryan said.

Police arrested Mohammed Shamji without incident at around 8 p.m. Friday night, at a coffee shop near Lakeshore Rd. E. and Hwy 10 in Mississauga.

Elana and Mohammed have three children, whose ages are not confirmed. The children are currently in the care of Elana Shamjis mother, and police have sealed off the couples North York home as they await a search warrant, Ryan said.

Mohammed Shamji is due to appear in court Saturday morning.

With files from the Vaughan Citizen

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A Hamilton judge who apologized for wearing a pro-Donald Trump hat in court the day after the U.S. election, saying it was an attempt at humour and not meant to be political, declared his support for the president-elect later the same day in court, the Star has learned.

Brief appearance with the hat. Pissed off the rest of the judges because they all voted for Hillary, so. I was the only Trump supporter up there but thats okay, Ontario Court Justice Bernd Zabel is quoted as saying just before court closed for the day on Nov. 9, according to a certified transcript obtained by the Toronto Star.

As first reported by The Globe and Mail, Zabel, who was appointed to the bench by the provincial government in 1990, showed up for court the morning after the Nov. 8 election wearing a red Make America Great Again ball cap. The Globe reported he then placed the hat on the bench in front of him.

Almost a week later, Zabel apologized for wearing it, acknowledging it was a lapse in judgment and a breach of the principles of judicial office.

Zabel did not return the Stars request for comment on Saturday.

What I did was wrong. I wish to apologize for my misguided attempt to mark a moment in history by humour in the courtroom following the surprising result in the United States election, Zabel said in a statement in a courtroom at the John Sopinka Courthouse on Nov. 15.

This gesture was not intended in any way as a political statement or endorsement of any political views, and, in particular, the views and comments of Donald Trump. I very much regret that it has been taken as such.

His decision to wear the hat led critics to question his impartiality, a crucial requirement for judges, and several groups and individuals have filed complaints with the Ontario Judicial Council. Some questioned whether members of groups attacked by Trump, including Muslims, immigrants and women, would be treated fairly if they appeared before Zabel.

While Zabel may have described wearing the hat as an attempt at being funny and not to indicate support for any particular candidate, the emergence of the transcript indicating his support for Trump within hours of his appearance with the hat is cause for concern, said Anthony Moustacalis, president of the Criminal Lawyers Association.

Judges like Zabel are outliers in an otherwise elite court led by an innovative and hard-working chief justice. He should have matched their demanding work ethic, read their judgments, or sought their wise counsel, Moustacalis told the Star.

Instead, he has besmirched his position and embarrassed his colleagues and he should step down immediately, pending judicial council review, if he has any respect left for the court, and the public.

If a judge is found to have committed professional misconduct by the judicial council, possible sanctions include a reprimand, suspension or recommendation to the Attorney General that the judge be removed from office.

With files from The Hamilton Spectator

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Hes the face of personal injury law in Ontario. On television, radio, social media, billboards, buses and atop urinals at the Air Canada Centre, you will find the image and the message of lawyer Jeremy Diamond.

Nothing is tougher than a diamond, reads the signature advertisement. Trust the name you know.

People hurt in car or other accidents are left with the impression that the 43-year-old Diamond is a top litigator fighting for the little guy.

It turns out that Diamond  described as an award-winning personal injury lawyer  has never tried a case himself, according to his own evidence in a recent legal matter.

A Star investigation found that Diamond has for many years been attracting thousands of would-be clients and then referring cases out to other lawyers in return for sometimes hefty referral fees. Along the way the firms marketing campaign has raised the ire of the Law Society of Upper Canada, clients, and some lawyers.

What theyve done has absolutely changed our industry and its changed the way people find lawyers, says Adam Wagman, president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, which wants a crackdown on misleading advertising and a curbing of referral fees. Speaking generally, Wagman said we agree referral fees are a problem and thats why were working with the law society to make some recommendations that will, we hope, create a better environment for the public and the lawyers who serve the public.

Matt Garraway, injured in a 2014 car accident in Barrie, reached out to Diamond & Diamond but then was contacted by another firm. I thought that I was dealing with Diamond & Diamond, Garraway said.

Previously cautioned for misleading advertising in 2013, Diamond added a mix of junior and senior lawyers to his firm to do legal work, but the Star has found cases are still referred out  how many Diamond wont say.

The Law Society of Upper Canada said Friday it is investigating about 90 cases of advertising and referral fee complaints involving lawyers from various firms across Ontario. It did not identify the lawyers involved, but said some lawyers face multiple complaints. The society also has a working group examining the broader issues. Diamonds firm has said the current system, which allows referral fees, increases the likelihood that everyone that has a viable case will be able to find a qualified legal representative.

Some clients have also alleged the firm passed their personal details to other firms without permission, something that, if it happened, would be a breach of professional rules.

Brampton resident Jermaine Taylor, 30, was injured in 2014 when the taxi he was riding in crashed. He called Diamond & Diamond because the firm struck him as reputable. A lawyer from another firm called the next day. Taylor said he never gave Diamond & Diamond permission to give another firm his personal details.

Lorraine McKenna, a Mississauga woman, fell in a Walmart parking lot in 2014 and fractured her ankle. She had heard the Diamond & Diamond jingle, contacted them, provided personal information about her claim and somebody else called me 20 minutes after that from a different law firm. She said she was not asked to consent to the referral or sharing of personal information.

Through his lawyer, Diamond denied this allegation, but could not address the specific cases due to solicitor-client privilege.

Competing lawyers from top Ontario firms have also recently complained Diamond & Diamond has used a marketing technique that degrades all lawyers  models in tight Diamond & Diamond tank tops.

Diamond has not responded to interview requests. Julian Porter, a top Canadian libel lawyer retained by Diamond and his firm, said in one of four letters to the Star that the firm complies with all law society rules. Porter noted that in its 2013 caution for misleading advertising, the law society said that facts have overtaken the investigation and for all intents and purposes the conduct which caused the Regulatory concerns has ceased. Porter said Diamond & Diamond has hired lawyers and currently has thousands of clients on retainer, but does refer out some individuals. Any referral fee paid does not impact the clients bill, Porter wrote.

****

In one of his many advertising videos, Jeremy Diamond described his past.

Growing up my whole family was in personal injury so it was natural that Id end up in personal injury as well, Diamond said. I was always interested in the business and helping victims. It was important for me that victims know their rights.

The business has been good to him. Diamond drives three cars  a $681,300 orange Lamborghini Aventador; a white convertible Maserati Gran Turismo valued at $235,400 and a $124,788 black Range Rover Sport. His firm has been a sponsor of high profile events, including the Toronto Police Chiefs annual gala ($15,000 for the Platinum Sponsor) and he appears in photos on Facebook and Pinterest with current police Chief Mark Saunders, former chief Bill Blair, and Mayor John Tory. According to their website he and his firm are award-winning, with honours given by Consumer Choice, Top Choice and also by the Toronto Sun.

In the late 1990s, Diamond studied at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan. Before graduation he had a personal brush with the law. Windsor police charged him in June 1998 with possession of counterfeit money, court documents show. According to a brief news item in the Windsor Star, it was alleged he and another man were trying to pass off $1,600 in bogus Canadian $50 bills at Casino Windsor. The charge was withdrawn, there was no criminal conviction, and Diamond was given adult diversion, a type of community service.

Diamond graduated from the Michigan law school in 2001. The next year, after being called to the Florida State Bar, he and his future wife Dorothy Zafir moved back to Toronto. Diamond was unhappy about the move, as he wanted to practice law in Florida where there was more money to be made, according to his evidence in their later divorce proceedings. That same year, he began working at Diamond & Diamond, his uncles law firm in Toronto.

During that time, Diamond lived a playboy lifestyle, which included extensive travel and staying at expensive hotels with various mistresses, according to his ex-wifes factum in the divorce proceedings  statements that Diamond, in his response, said were wrong. The documents show Diamond drove a Porsche 911 and a BMW SUV while earning $54,000 annually. In the documents, Diamond said his father, a school principal, paid for the vehicle leases.

In 2007, a year before Diamond was called to the Ontario bar, his two uncles, James Diamond (no relation to Superior Court Justice James Diamond) and David Diamond were winding up their practice. They made a deal with Kurt Bergmanis and Alan Preyra, two lawyers from Diamond & Diamond who were striking out on their own while still leasing space from the firm. An exclusive agreement was made to refer Diamond & Diamond files for a 30 per cent cut of the fledgling firms fees in each case, according to documents in an ongoing legal dispute now in private arbitration.

Under a separate agreement, David Diamond paid Jeremy Diamond $700 for each file he successfully referred to Bergmanis Preyra, according to Jeremys testimony in the arbitration.

(James Diamond, a professor, told the Star he has not been in the firms offices in 17 years and has nothing to do with the arbitration. David Diamond did not respond to an interview request made to his lawyer.

Around this time, Diamond was taking qualifying courses at York Universitys Osgoode Hall Law School so he could practice in Canada. Later, in a 2012 affidavit he swore that he graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2007. Diamond was called to the Ontario bar in 2008.

***

There are roughly 34,000 personal injury collisions in Ontario each year and many other slips and falls, dog bites and other mishaps. To make a claim against an insurance company, many turn to a personal injury lawyer. This type of legal practice can be lucrative.

Many Ontario lawyers in other areas of practice refer files at no charge. The law society allows referral fees if the client consents, the fee is reasonable and does not increase the clients bill. The referring lawyer can be paid in two ways. A payment when the case is settled, typically 15-30 per cent of the ultimate legal fee charged to the client. And in some cases, an up-front fee from the receiving lawyer of $2,000 or more, depending on case complexity.

In a cross examination this past August regarding a billing matter, Jeremy Diamond was asked whether the intake person at Diamond & Diamond informs the prospective client that a referral fee will be charged. He responded no. Diamond was also asked about his law experience. As to how many discoveries or mediations he had done he replied a few, but said he could not recall how many. Regarding trials he had done, Diamond replied none.

The Star has asked Diamond to detail his referral fees, and reveal intake and referral numbers, but he declined. His lawyer, Porter, said that while the firm does refer out some cases, Diamond & Diamond currently represents thousands of clients . . . these are retainers with the firm, in respect of which Diamond & Diamond lawyers represent the clients and prosecute the cases.

A snapshot of how fees can be apportioned comes from the case regarding the billing matter. There was a settlement from the insurance company of $100,000 and the firm that worked the case, Wolf Kimelman, provided a statement of account to the client: $31,208 to Wolf Kimelman; a referral fee of $10,040 to Jeremy Diamond; and $56,000 to the client who sued. The remaining money paid doctors and pharmacies involved in the case.

Another snapshot of how referral fees have worked comes from documents in the arbitration between Diamond & Diamond and another firm. It shows that personal injury firm Wolfe Lawyers paid Diamond $208,000 for 105 cases referred between 2008 and 2011. Wolfe Lawyers told the Star it no longer takes referrals from Diamond and this money was paid when the cases were settled. Wolf Kimelman did not respond to questions from the Star.

***

Around 2012, Diamond & Diamonds marketing kicked into high gear with flashy U.S.-style commercials. On the firms website at the time, Diamond was called both a lawyer practicing personal injury litigation and director of marketing.

The firm lists itself as proud sponsors of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors, Argos, Ottawa Senators, the Marlies and other teams across Ontario. Diamond lawyers appear on television opining on issues as diverse as what to do if you injured slipping slip on a sidewalk to legal woes affecting former Mayor Rob Ford and pop star Justin Bieber.

We have over 30 years of experience getting results for our clients, Jeremy Diamond says in one advertisement. No matter the injuries, you can call me, Jeremy Diamond. We can visit your house, hospital or place of work and help you with your claim.

Diamond and Diamonds competitors have said the marketing campaign misrepresents what the firm does.

In 2012, following a complaint by personal injury lawyer Guy Farrell that marketing was misleading and confusing, the society investigated and in 2013 Jeremy Diamond was cautioned.

Diamond and Diamond are not actually personal injury lawyers at all; everything they say or imply about acting for you successfully and with toughness is untrue because they will not be acting for you, the law society wrote.

The firms disclaimer at the time  which the law society said was buried in an obscure part of the website  stated our firm is mainly a referral source and initial screening agent . . . our firm will not represent or suggest that we will act for the client.

The caution notes that by early 2013, two lawyers (one was Jeremys wife, Sandra Zisckind) had joined the firm to do the actual legal work. The law society, based on information provided to them, stated that by 2013 Diamond & Diamonds structure had fundamentally changed and the conduct which caused the (law society) concerns has ceased.

Porter, Diamonds lawyer, told the Star the firm has 16 lawyers on staff, as of this year.

The current disclaimer, at the bottom of the home page with no heading, says some cases will be referred out due to expertise or other various reasons. It states we will only, with your verbal consent, refer you to another lawyer or paralegal . . . . Referral fees for some may or may not be attached and will have no effect or bearing on your claim.

Malcolm Mercer, vice-chair of the law societys professional regulation committee, said one might expect that where lawyers were advertising with respect to personal injury work that the intention was that they would do the work. Mercer said a law society working group that he chairs has heard from lawyers concerned that a certain amount of that advertising was not for the purpose of doing work or getting work  but rather for the purpose of referring that work on to others for a fee.

Presented with this comment, Porter said it does not refer to his clients.

By 2012, the law firm that Diamond & Diamond had an exclusive arrangement with was suspicious it was not getting all the files it was promised. Bergmanis Preyra had two people call Diamond & Diamond posing as prospective clients. Both were referred to another firm. Bergmanis Preyra took Diamond & Diamond to arbitration.

Emails written between late 2009 and early 2011, which are part of the arbitration, appear to reference Jeremy referring out at least 2,200 clients to outside lawyers.

This is how it worked during this time period, according to an affidavit by a former assistant filed in the arbitration and interviews with people with knowledge of the system.

Clients would contact Diamond & Diamond by phone or by filling out an online form. Diamond would then send this information to an assistant via text message, by his company email or his Yahoo account.

The assistant was told by Diamond that the Diamond & Diamond firm was a mother agency that other law firms depend on for clients.

The assistant, neither a lawyer nor a paralegal, said in her affidavit that she would visit clients either at their home or in a coffee shop and ask them to sign a Diamond & Diamond retainer. The affidavit states her payment was either by cash or cheque.

Jeremy Diamond made it explicitly clear to me that I was to have no involvement with anyone else in the Diamond & Diamond firm except him directly, the affidavit states.

He would then assign the client to another lawyer outside of Diamond & Diamond that he felt was best, sometimes emailing the clients confidential information to a new lawyer with whom the client would sign another retainer. Sometimes, personal information about the new case and the client was sent to physiotherapy clinics as well.

Lawyers and staffers at other firms and clinic operators often used Yahoo, Hotmail or Gmail accounts, rather than their professional emails.

Asked about the former assistants affidavit, Porter said she is a disgruntled former employee whose motives are highly questionable, and whose information is inaccurate in material respects.

The Rules of Professional Conduct state lawyers must keep client information strictly confidential unless the clients consent otherwise.

Asked about this, Porter said Diamond & Diamond takes client privacy very seriously. When clients are referred to other firms, it is done strictly in accordance with (law society) guidelines. Porter said Diamond & Diamond seeks express consent from potential clients if they are being referred out.

During the 18-month period the Star reviewed, emails appear to indicate Diamond directed 1,722 clients to Grillo Barristers, the firm where Zisckind, his wife, then worked. Zisckind is now at Diamond & Diamond.

In one October 2010 email chain, Diamond writes, HUGE FILE in the subject line and instructs a Grillo staffer to hurriedly arrange a hospital visit to a potential client suffering from a broken leg, ankle, shattered arms and ribs from a car accident.

Get Sal out immediately! No other lawyer but Sal or Sandra! Diamond tells the Grillo staffer. Sal Grillo would not answer the Stars questions about why his firm appeared to be taking instructions from Diamond.

Emails included in the arbitration reveal a sometimes cavalier approach to clients. Jeremy Diamond, for example, called a client, who had been bitten by a dog during work as a courier, a fag. Discussing the case by email with a firm member, Jeremy Diamond asks, dont u like his anal cavity??? The Star found Diamonds assistant used unprofessional language in emails. Diana Iakossavas refers to one client as an angry little Persian woman. On another occasion she refers to potential clients as retarded, a stiff or a certified sociopath.

Iakossavas told the Star she could not comment. Porter said his clients cannot discuss any part of the arbitration because it is a confidential process.

***

The law society has received nearly 80 submissions related to advertising and referral fees. Recommendations are expected next year.

Among the suggestions: better enforcement of existing rules preventing misleading advertising; whether to limit referral fees and ban up-front fees altogether; better transparency to clients when a referral is made; and whether to restrict the type of awards a firm can include in advertising.

Diamond & Diamond recently sent a two-page submission to the law society.

Our firm spends a significant amount of money on advertising. It is our hope that we will be able to represent every potential client who contacts us with a viable case. In practice, this is often not possible  whether because of capacity constraints or because a potential clients case is outside our firms area of expertise. In such cases, we work hard on the potential clients behalf to try to find an appropriate lawyer to assist them. Very often, this is a small firm that cannot afford broad advertising campaigns, but is happy to pay referral fees, the submission states.

The Federation of Ontario Law Associations has weighed in, saying that advertising for the purpose of obtaining work to be referred to others in exchange for a referral fee should be banned. The only reason the federation sees for referrals in personal injury matters is if the firm is not competent to deal with a matter, there is a pending retirement, a health issue or if the case is outside of its geographical area.

Permitting mass advertising for the sole purpose of obtaining a file to refer out is clearly not in the best interest of the public. It is a classic bait and switch tactic, the federation states.

Diamond & Diamond is also the subject of two current complaints to the law society.

Earlier this year, seven competing law firms, including Lerners LLP and Siskinds LLP in London, together filed two new complaints about Diamond & Diamond. They complain the firm took advantage of an accident victim still in hospital by showing up uninvited. The second complaint, addressed marketing practices at a motorcycle show. Attached to the complaint is a photo of two buxom women, their tank tops emblazoned with the Diamond & Diamond logo, flanking a teenaged boy. The law firms said this diminishes the profession in the eyes of the public.

The Law Society would not say if rulings have been made on these complaints. Porter said his clients have provided a response to the law society and at no time does Diamond & Diamond solicit potential clients in hospitals. In the case of the motorcycle show, the women hired to work the booth were not lawyers and were very professional, reliable, friendly and cheerful and at no time did they purport to provide legal advice.

Michele Henry can be reached at mhenry@thestar.ca or 416-312-5605. Kenyon Wallace can be reached at kwallace@thestar.ca or 416-558-0645

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Having just made history as the youngest person ever elected to Ontarios legislature, Sam Oosterhoff craned his neck to look beyond the pool of photographers and scribes assembled to witness his swearing-in, and called to his parents.

Mom? Dad?

The Oosterhoffs weaved through the crowd, stood with their son, and posed for more photos. Thus Oosterhoff, at just 19, became the provinces newest MPP  a first-year political science student with a social conservative bent that has already made a splash at Queens Park.

His ascent from his family farm in the Niagara Escarpment to the back bench of the Progressive Conservatives is not without controversy. To get there, he shunted aside PC party president Rick Dykstra to claim the party nomination in Niagara West-Glanbrook  former leader Tim Hudaks turf since the riding was created in 2007  and then won a Nov. 17 byelection with a commanding 54 per cent of the vote.

Many have credited the victory to his hearty ground-game in the riding, as well as the appeal to the regions many social conservatives with his denunciation of the Liberal governments updated sex education curriculum.

But little is known of Oosterhoff beyond the skeleton details of his biography: a home-schooled kid from a large religious family, who spent time in Ottawa as a legislative assistant on the Hill before getting elected during his first semester at Brock University.

Much has been made of his anti-abortion stance and opposition to same-sex marriage and the Liberals sex education update, which contradict PC leader Patrick Browns views on those issues. During his first scrum with reporters at Queens Park this week, Oosterhoff was grilled on his opposition to a bill that gave legal recognition to same-sex parents, as well as an article he posted on Facebook that denounced homosexuality as a sin. (He said that hes absolutely not a homophobe.)

Meanwhile, Brown was criticized by some social conservatives, such as antisex ed campaigner and party member Queenie Yu, for muzzling Oosterhoff during the campaign because he wants to attract centrist voters. There were also complaints from the media that the teenage politician was not available for interviews and dodged questions at events.

Hes constantly surrounded in fog, said Grant Lafleche, a columnist with the Niagara Falls Review who has written about politics in the region for almost 20 years. The only time weve ever been able to speak with him is if we catch him at an event . . . . Hes never given us a clear answer on where he stands on these social issues.

Oosterhoff did not respond to interview requests for this article. His father, Carl, also declined to speak, and his brother, Aaron  an activist who has protested sex-ed changes with a church-affiliated group in the Niagara region  did not respond to emails asking for an interview.

What we do know about Oosterhoff is that he grew up near Vineland, a picturesque town in the Niagara wine country thats dotted with charming homes, rolling farmland, orchards and vineyards. A big part of his life, clearly, is his religion. The family is part of the Spring Creek Canadian Reformed Church, a congregation that assembles for service in a chapel in the hamlet of Tintern. Oosterhoffs dad is an organist at the church, according to a 2006 news story about the acquisition of a new pipe organ.

In recent years, Oosterhoff worked for a local excavating company and a landscaper. Raymar Landscapings Joanne Wanders said he shovelled snow for her company alongside her son. He always made the work fun, she said. Hes very energetic. I can attest to that.

But outside of that, and his time in Ottawa, much of his life seems to have been spent with his religious friends. Cody Swaving, a 22-year-old studying to become a Reformed Christian pastor, knows Oosterhoff from their time together as counsellors at Campfire!, a Christian summer camp for children and teens near Collingwood. He also described Oosterhoff as personable and energetic, with a knack for working with kids. Swaving said he remembers that at night sometimes, after lights-out for the campers, Oosterhoff and some of the other counsellors would play games in a nearby meadow. They would choose a star to stare at, and then spin around until they lost their balance, Swaving said.

Goofy fun stuff  we really enjoyed having him up there, he said. He can carry on a conversation like very few people.

His religious identity, however, has brought criticism from some corners. Press Progress, the media wing of the left-leaning Broadbent Institute, dug up articles hes posted on social media that denounce homosexuality and criticize Christians who do not disapprove of it. Oosterhoff also wrote a supportive note on Twitter about the activities of the Association for Reformed Political Action, a group affiliated with his church that has held anti-abortion rallies and argued same-sex marriage sets society on the slippery slope to polygamy.

Aidan Johnson, a Hamilton city councillor who believes hes the first openly-gay politician elected in southwestern Ontario, said Oosterhoff owes LGBT families an apology. This week, Oosterhoff called Bill 28  a law passed Tuesday that legally recognized same-sex couples and people who use reproductive technology as parents  horrible legislation. Johnson was offended by these comments and called on Oosterhoff to clarify his commitment to equality.

Oosterhoff told the Star earlier this week that he disagrees with the bill because it could lead to litigation on the child, not because he opposes LGBT families.

But such discussions dont resonate some of his constituents. Milos and Rada Mladjan run the Campden General Store, just a short drive from Oosterhoffs family home. The interior of the store is shadowy and frigid; Milos keeps the heat down and more than half the lights off because of soaring hydro rates, he said  $550 a month these days. Oosterhoof, who he and his wife Rada have known for years, stopped by during the campaign and pledged to push for a better deal.

We believe in him, said Rada.

One day, hes going to be running that place, Milos added, referring to Queens Park.

With files from Kris Rushowy, Robert Benzie and Rob Ferguson

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TAIPEI, TAIWANPresident-elect Donald Trump spoke Friday with the president of Taiwan, a move that will be sure to anger China.

It is highly unusual, probably unprecedented, for a U.S. president or president-elect to speak directly with a leader of Taiwan, a self-governing island the U.S. broke diplomatic ties with in 1979.

Washington has pursued a so-called one China policy since 1979, when it shifted diplomatic recognition of China from the government in Taiwan to the communist government on the mainland. Under that policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as representing China but retains unofficial ties with Taiwan.

A statement from Trumps transition team said he spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who offered her congratulations.

During the discussion, they noted the close economic, political, and security ties ... between Taiwan and the United States. President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year, the statement said.

Trump tweeted later: The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!

The Taiwanese presidential office issued a statement early Saturday saying Trump and Tsai discussed issues affecting Asia and the future of U.S. relations with Taiwan.

The (Taiwanese) president is looking forward to strengthening bilateral interactions and contacts as well as setting up closer co-operative relations, the statement said.

The president also told U.S. President-elect Trump that she hopes the U.S. will continue to support Taiwans efforts in having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to international affairs in the future, Tsais office said.

It said the two also shared ideas and concepts on promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defence to improve the lives of ordinary people.

The White House learned of the conversation after it had taken place, said a senior Obama administration official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive diplomatic relations involved.

Chinas embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fridays call is the starkest example yet of how Trump has flouted diplomatic conventions since he won the Nov. 8 election. He has apparently undertaken calls with foreign leaders without guidance customarily lent by the State Department, which oversees U.S. diplomacy.

Tsai was democratically elected in January and took office in May. The traditional independence-leaning policies of her party have strained relations with Beijing.

Over the decades, the status of Taiwan has been one of the most sensitive issues in U.S.-China relations. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken by force, if necessary, if it seeks independence. It would regard any recognition of a Taiwanese leader as a head of state as unacceptable.

Taiwan split from the Chinese mainland amid civil war in 1949. The U.S. policy acknowledges the Chinese view over sovereignty, but considers Taiwans status as unsettled.

Although the U.S. does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it has close unofficial ties. Taiwans government has a representative office in Washington and other U.S. cities. The U.S. also has legal commitments to help Taiwan maintain the ability to defend itself.

Taiwan is separated from China by the 110-mile-wide (177-kilometre-wide) Taiwan Strait. The island counts the U.S. as its most important security partner and source of arms, but it is increasingly outgunned by China.

Ned Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Trumps conversation does not signal any change to long-standing U.S. policy on cross-strait issues.

We remain firmly committed to our one China policy, Price said. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-strait relations.

The NSC stressed that every president has benefited from the expertise and counsel of the State Department on matters like this, which suggested that the White House was frustrated by Trumps conversation with the Taiwanese leader.

Still, the White House said Obama remains committed to a smooth transition to the new administration.

Diplomatic protocol dictates that Taiwanese presidents can transit through the U.S. but not visit Washington.

Douglas Paal, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan during the George W. Bush administration, said that to his knowledge the call was unprecedented. He said he expected Beijing to issue a verbal warning that theres no space to change the rules over Taiwan relations.

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By Benjamin Jumbe

The Danish Ambassador to the East African Community(EAC) has decried the restrictions that still remain on the free movement of goods, persons, labour, capital and services in the East African region.

Einar Jensen has called for stronger coordination and cooperation between the Partner States on economic, trade and industrial policies.

He adds that there is need for substantial investments in infrastructure are needed to sustain the integration agenda.

The Ambassador had paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko in his office at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
FARGO, N.D.The head of North Dakotas emergency management services says the state is prepared to respond to Dakota Access pipeline protesters who may need help during a winter storm or some other crisis.

State Homeland Security Director Greg Wilz said it would be a huge challenge, especially during a mass evacuation, but his office has winter shelter plans in place and various agencies are ready to respond.

The bottom line here is, if we are in a situation of life and limb, we are going to be humane in anything and everything we do, Wilz said. We arent going to let somebody out there freeze. So if they start evacuating en masse looking for shelter  which I highly suspect will happen  we would take care of that.

The government has ordered hundreds of protesters to leave the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires camp, on federal land in southern North Dakota by Monday, although demonstrators say theyre prepared to stay until changes are made to the route of the four-state, $3.8-billion pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and others say the pipeline north of the reservation could pollute drinking water and threatens sacred sites.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and Morton County Highway Department will be key players in any evacuation plans, Wilz said, noting that those agencies worked to keep roads clear around the protest site during a recent storm that dumped more than a foot of snow.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement Friday that the Department of Justice has offered community policing resources to local law enforcement as winter begins to take hold. Our first concern is the safety of everyone in the area  law enforcement officers, residents and protesters alike, Lynch said.

Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said Lynch contacted him by phone Friday to discuss the situation.

While I appreciate the Attorney General taking the time to reach out to me, neither assistance for law enforcement nor a timeline for resolution was offered, Kirchmeier said in a statement. I hope the dialogue continues, but its time for more actions from the federal government, not more words.

The North Dakota National Guard is prepared to help with any emergencies, said Jeff Zent, spokesman for Gov. Jack Dalrymple. The Republican governor issued a mandatory evacuation Monday for the main encampment, though he said no one would be forcibly removed.

Officers at the staging area and traffic control points have temporary warming houses, cold-weather gear and other winterization measures, said Rob Keller, spokesman for the Morton County Sheriffs Department.

All law enforcement personnel who report for duty to the Morton County Sheriffs Department are now from North Dakota agencies and they are more than prepared for our North Dakota winters, Keller said.

Wilz said his office has received no response from emergency management officials at Standing Rock about whether they have any emergency plans or whether they need support from the state.

MORE ON THESTAR.COM

Facing a government ultimatum, North Dakota protesters dig in for a brutal winter

North Dakota to borrow $7 million to cover policing costs for protests

Trumps backing of Dakota Access pipeline not for personal benefit, spokesperson says END

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ALEPPO, SYRIASyrian warplanes, artillery and mortar rounds pounded areas in eastern Aleppo on Saturday drawing rebel rockets, as government troops gain new ground in the shrinking opposition-held enclave.

After four years of holding nearly half of the divided city, rebel fighters have been increasingly squeezed into the centre of the eastern enclave. Government and allied troops, including Lebanese, Iraqi and Iranian fighters, have concentrated their fight on the northeastern part of the enclave, swiftly taking new districts since their offensive began last week. Another front on the southern outskirts of the city has been slower, as rebel fighters push back government advances there.

The advances have caused massive displacement. The U.N. estimated that more than 31,000 have already fled their homes, either to government or Kurdish areas, or deeper into the besieged enclave. The fighting has also intensified the rebel shelling of government-held areas in Aleppo.

The state broadcaster al-Ikhbariya said precise operations by government and allied troops aim to rout out terrorists, which is how the government refers to all armed opposition groups.

The sound of war prevailed in the city early Saturday. Warplanes made several runs overhead, drawing what appeared to be rebel machine-gun fire toward the aircraft.

The Syrian Civil Defence in eastern Aleppo said six people were killed in bombings of the central al-Shaar neighbourhood. Opposition news agency Thiqa also put the death toll at six. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at three, adding it was likely to rise. In government-held Aleppo, rebel shelling killed five people, according to the state news agency SANA.

To the south of the city, government cannons could be heard firing toward rebel-held areas.

Residents in eastern Aleppo also reported intense shelling in al-Sukkari neighbourhood on the southern edge of the enclave, where many of the newly displaced have sought refuge.

The noose is tightening quickly, said Mohammed Abu Jaafar, a medical official in besieged eastern Aleppo. Our resources are also running low and beginning to disappear.

The bombings Saturday came hours after government troops made new advances on eastern parts of the enclave, including in Tariq al-Bab and al-Khaterji districts. State media reported that government and allied troops have moved in on new neighbourhoods, pushing one kilometre deeper into the enclave from the far east.

The new advances tighten the governments grip on the enclave and reduce the territory the rebels hold by more than half, according to the Observatory.

The new advances also secure the airport road east of Aleppo, leading to the citys international airport and a military airbase. The Pan-Arab Mayadeen TV station said intense bombing in eastern Aleppo was designed to ensure rebels have been cleared from the airport road.

Moscow, a main backer of the Syrian government, says its warplanes havent bombed Aleppo since Oct. 18. But the Russian military has helped fend off rebel attempts to break the siege of the city.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready to hold quick talks with the U.S. to ensure the withdrawal of all rebels without exception from eastern Aleppo, ensure humanitarian supplies to the city residents and the restoration of normal life in eastern Aleppo.

Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet in Geneva early next week. After their meeting in Rome Friday, Lavrov said Kerry gave him Washingtons proposals for settling the situation in Aleppo, which he described as conforming to Russias longtime offers. Lavrov said Moscow is ready to immediately send its experts to Geneva for talks with the U.S. to co-ordinate.

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Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. The company also provides home decor products under the West Elm brand; kids accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand; and an organic bedding to multi-purpose furniture under the Pottery Barn Teen brand. In addition, it offers made-to-order lighting, hardware, furniture, and home decors inspired by history under the Rejuvenation brand; and women's and men's accessories, travel, entertaining and bar, home decor, and seasonal items under the Mark and Graham brand, as well as operates a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and decor industry. The company markets its products through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. It operates 544 stores comprising 502 stores in 41states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; 20 stores in Canada; 19 stores in Australia; 3 stores in the United Kingdom; and 139 franchised stores, as well as e-commerce websites in various countries in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. manufactures and sells motorcycles. The company operates in two segments, Motorcycles and Related Products and Financial Services. The Motorcycles and Related Products segment designs, manufactures, and sells Harley-Davidson motorcycles, including cruiser, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and related services. This segment sells its products to retail customers through a network of independent dealers, as well as e-commerce channels in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. The Financial Services segment provides wholesale financing services, such as floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles, and parts and accessories; and retail financing services, including installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as point-of-sale protection products comprising motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, and motorcycle maintenance protection. This segment also licenses third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes. The company provides Alimta for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma; Cyramza for metastatic gastric cancer, gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma, metastatic NSCLC, metastatic colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma; Erbitux for colorectal cancers, and various head and neck cancers; Retevmo for metastatic NSCLC, medullary thyroid cancer, and thyroid cancer; Tyvyt for relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin's lymph and non-squamous NSCLC; and Verzenio for HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer, node positive, and early breast cancer. It offers Olumiant for rheumatoid arthritis; and Taltz for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis. The company offers Cymbalta for depressive disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain; Emgality for migraine prevention and episodic cluster headache; and Zyprexa for schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and bipolar maintenance. Its Bamlanivimab and etesevimab, and Bebtelovimab for COVID-19; Cialis for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia; and Forteo for osteoporosis. The company has collaborations with Incyte Corporation; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; AbCellera Biologics Inc.; Junshi Biosciences; Regor Therapeutics Group; Lycia Therapeutics, Inc.; Kumquat Biosciences Inc.; Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. Eli Lilly and Company was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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On Friday, President Barrack Obama moved to block a deal by a Chinese company to acquire a German based high-tech business due to national security grounds.

This is an unusual step that might make for more tensions between Donald Trump, his successor, and the government of China that is determined to make its capabilities in technology better.

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The intervention in the bid by the Chinese company to acquire Aixtron a semiconductor company in Germany comes after companies in China have dished out billions of dollars to buy technology both in the U.S. and Europe.

Officials in the U.S. have increasingly tried to stop these types of deals, but companies in China have showed an increased adeptness in skirting the restrictions to build relationships that could one day lead to a far better access to technology.

A statement released by the U.S. Treasury Department says the White House blocked the purchase of Aixtrons American portion of the business because it posed a risk to national security related to military applications due to the overall technical body of experience and knowledge of Aixtron.

It was not clear if other parts of this deal were salvageable. Officials at the chip company in Germany and its Chinese buyer, known as the Fujian Grand Chip Fund did not release comments about the ban.

By rejecting this deal, the White House administration showed the lengths to which it would go to make sure China does not use its money to acquire from the West sensitive technology.

It blocked technology purchases previously made by the Chinese, but only indirectly, using an advisory panel of intelligence and government officials who are able to only discourage but not kill, foreign deals.

This same panel expressed earlier its skepticism over the deal for Aixtron.

Last year, the U.S. represented over 20% of sales for Aixtron and close to 20% of its over 700 employees are located in the U.S.

The indirect form of strategy kept Obama from appearing as if he were an opponent to free trade, especially when the company doing the acquisition is not American, and helped to soften any possible response out of Beijing.

However, Aixtron and its buyer from China tested the strategy by moving ahead despite concerns made by the panel and forced the U.S. President to act.

The cancellation by Obama sets a much stronger tone as Trump is preparing to take residence in the White House.
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Citing a national security risk, President Obama on Friday blocked a Chinese investors proposed takeover of Aixtron SE, a German maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, a rare move that drew objections from Beijing and complaints that the United States was injecting politics into the deal.

Obama ordered Fujian Grand Chip to fully and permanently abandon its proposed acquisition of Aixtron SEs California-based subsidiary, Aixtron Inc. The decision upheld a recommendation from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which reviews foreign purchases of U.S. companies.

The decision threatens to jeopardize the larger deal, which is under scrutiny in Berlin and is valued at $740 million.

In a statement, the Treasury Department cited the presidents power to suspend or block acquisition where there is credible evidence that the foreign interest exercising control might take action that threatens to impair national security. Aixtrons technology has military applications, the statement said.

It is only the third time Washington has blocked a Chinese corporate takeover on security grounds. China had appealed to Washington and Berlin to avoid injecting politics into the proposed takeover.

Aixtron, based in Herzogenrath, says its headquarters, research and development operations and existing technology will remain at its current sites.


(Cristiano Siqueira for The Washington Post)

There are a few things everyone in the music world knows, or thinks they know, about Martha Argerich, the Argentine-born pianist who is getting a Kennedy Center Honor on Sunday. Shes private, moody and unpredictable. Shes wildly beautiful, with a long, thick mass of hair  once dark, now gray  and a radiant, quick smile, and at 75, she still wears the peasant blouses and cotton pants of a teenager circa 1968. And she plays the piano brilliantly, ferociously and, perhaps, better than anyone else on Earth.

Trying to pin her down for an interview seems impossible. She is said to give interviews only rarely, with reluctance. To get her to talk in 2008, Gramophone magazine enlisted the help of the pianist Stephen Kovacevich, one of the three fathers of her three daughters, who has been called the great love of her life, although they broke up for the last time in the 1970s. Even with Kovacevich there, she became physically ill at ease when the tape recorder was switched on. Yet when an interview time is eventually named, and a number dialed, there she is, on the phone from her oldest daughters house in Switzerland, speaking in a lilting, girlish voice, sounding warm and natural and utterly unlike a formidable reclusive genius.

Martha Argerich in 1966 at age 25. (Werner Neumeister/Deutsche Grammophon)

But after all, traveling to the States to accept a Kennedy Center Honor isnt in keeping with her image as someone who has little use for awards, either.

It was my daughter, she says. My daughter insisted very much. And then [the violinist] Itzhak Perlman phoned and told me, You know, its a lot of fun. And then I looked at some people who had received that, and then, of course, I felt very honored. . . . But I dont understand, because I think I havent done much in America.

Not much, that is, apart from appearing with most of the countrys leading orchestras: the Boston Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic. Other American orchestral appearances included a concerto recording with Mstislav Rostropovich and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Not much, apart from a string of concerts, one highlight the sold-out Carnegie Hall recital in 2000 that marked her first solo appearance in the States in nearly 20 years  after she decided, in the early 1980s, to stop performing alone and play only with orchestras and in chamber music. The performance was a benefit to raise money for the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, Calif., which she credits with saving her life when she was struck with a life-threatening recurrence of malignant melanoma in 1997. I was careful to do [the concert] two weeks before my checkup, she remembers, because I was afraid  if I do my checkup and it doesnt go well, how will I play? (The checkup, happily, was clear.)

And now, the Kennedy Center Honors are upon us, and the greatest pianist in the world, the artist whom other pianists almost universally venerate for her formidable technique and her instinctive musicianship, is perplexed about why shes getting it and, worse yet, doesnt know what to wear.

I am a mess, really, she says. I have my concert outfits, and then otherwise  I have no idea. There is a conspiratorial hint of a laugh in her voice, as if she recognizes the humor in the situation, but she is certainly not joking. I am very worried about the whole thing.

Argerich is a genuine living legend of the classical music world. But she has never particularly tried to cultivate an image as one. Or at least, not in conventional terms.



Argerich, seen here as a young woman, is a genuine living legend of the classical music world. (Llse Buhs/Deutsche Grammophon)

A thing for octaves

The story of Martha Argerich is a story about ferocious natural genius. Argerich cannot help speaking music  internalizing a score and performing it with such depth and range and emotion and risk-taking that even non-aficionados are left agog. She has a photographic memory, able to reproduce music perfectly after a single hearing. Technical challenges pose no problems; I have a thing for octaves, she said, laughing, in a 1972 TV interview, of passages like the thunderous close of Tchaikovskys first piano concerto, which most pianists find the stuff of anxiety dreams. Schumanns Toccata is supposed to be among the hardest pieces in the repertory; Argerich, who particularly adores Schumann, used it for years as a warm-up. (Not anymore, she says and laughs. Now, I just start. I dont warm up.) Reaching far beyond mere technique is the artistry that underlies each performance, making you feel you are hearing her largely familiar and selective repertory  Bach and Chopin, Prokofiev and Ravel  for the first time.

Argerich has a photographic memory, able to reproduce music perfectly after a single hearing. (Private Archive/Deutsche Grammophon)

Only the greatest artists are able to maintain the freshness of discovery with the depth of thoughtfulness, said Daniel Barenboim, the conductor and pianist, in a recent email from Europe. Martha Argerich is one of them. From the beginning, she wasnt a mechanic[al] virtuoso, only concerned with dexterity and speed. She mastered those as well, of course, but her fantasy enabled her to create a very unique quantity and quality of sounds on the piano.

But Argerichs is also a story about someone with superhuman gifts trying to find a way to live a normal life. Many musicians live a life of monkish order, focusing on the discipline of music. Argerich, by contrast, has seemed to go out of her way to be disorganized. Shes so given to canceling performances, sometimes at the last minute, that she long ago stopped signing contracts: Presenters who want her have to take the risk. And her personal life has been turbulent. The three daughters by three men are one illustration of a life filled with relationships; over and over, she has established veritable communes of young musicians and non-musicians who have wandered into her large, chaotic houses.

At the same time, she is fiercely loyal: Two of those three fathers, Kovacevich and the conductor Charles Dutoit, remain close friends. As do the pianist Nelson Freire, the cellist Mischa Maisky and the violinist Gidon Kremer  her two steadiest chamber music partners, with whom she has toured and recorded for decades  and Barenboim, who has known her since they were both child prodigies in Argentina, seven decades ago.

There is nobody today that I have known as long as Martha, Barenboim said. Our relationship is based on music, of course, but there is also a very human love that connects us.

Argerichs lifestyle choices stem partly from temperament. She seems to naturally like sleeping until 2 in the afternoon, spending hours talking on the phone or watching TV or surrounded by friends, and practicing the piano, if at all, in the wee hours of the morning. In a startlingly revealing film documentary, Bloody Daughter (2012), her youngest daughter, Stephanie Argerich (Kovacevichs daughter), unsparingly and affectionately displays the ups and downs of living with a legend: the children falling asleep under the piano; dance parties in front of the television; the mothers attitude sometimes childlike, sometimes cavalier, especially when it came to things like getting the children to school. (Her middle daughter, Annie Dutoit, says on camera that attending school was, in their household, something of a rebellion  and their only exposure to rules and order.)

Argerichs life choices have come under fire from many  her domineering late mother, Juanita, very much included. But those choices are also partly about self-preservation: concrete evidence of a lifelong rebellion against the increasing regimentation and restriction of a life in music.

I dont know why [orchestras] need to be so sure what is going to happen in two, three years, she says. Sometimes people are asking about what you are doing in 2019. Jacques [Thelen, Argerichs manager] will say, She doesnt even know what she is going to do next month. . . . Its ridiculous, and not normal.



Pianist Martha Argerich. (Werner Neumeister/Deutsche Grammophon)

Talent was apparent early

Not much was normal about Argerichs life. As a child in Buenos Aires, she showed musical talent early and, pushed by her mother and home-schooled by her father, studied intensely with a formidable Italian-born pedagogue named Vincenzo Scaramuzza (who once said that Argerich may have been 6, but her soul was 40).

One of her lasting childhood memories is of hearing Claudio Arrau playing the Beethoven 4th piano concerto, jolting through her body like electricity. I still do love Beethoven, she says now. Thats a long-lasting love. I mean, I love him more than anything  more, even, than Prokofiev and Ravel, whom she consistently refers to as her best friends, or Schumann, who touches me, so personally. When I play some phrases, I really have tears. But Beethoven remains at the top of the list. You might think this would make her a Beethoven specialist; but she has not performed many of the 32 sonatas, though they are staples of the piano repertory. As for the 4th concerto, she loves it so much that  counter to what one might expect  she has never played it in public.

Argerich onstage at a performance. (Priska Ketterer/Deutsche Grammophon)

Or is that the reason? Thats what I tell myself, she says. I have told that many years ago, and I keep repeating it. Now, it is valid. And she cackles with amusement.

Juanita, her mother, made sure her daughter was introduced to every musician who came to town: the violinist Josef Szigeti, the pianist Walter Gieseking and their ilk. But it was Friedrich Gulda, the unconventional and brilliant Austrian pianist only 11 years her senior, who riveted Argerich most. To make it possible for her to study with him, Juan Peron, then the president of Argentina, got her parents jobs in the countrys embassy in Vienna, and the family, including Argerichs younger brother, Juan Manuel, moved when Martha was 13. Gulda, whose own lifelong quest to avoid being pigeonholed in a classical music career involved immersing himself in jazz, treated their relationship more as a meeting of brilliant musical minds than as a traditional pedagogical hierarchy. He was unimpressed with Argerichs subsequent fame and the personal chaos that surrounded her. When he met her years later, according to a 2010 biography of Argerich by the French journalist Olivier Bellamy, he cried, What have you done with your life?

Though Argerich always cites Gulda as a major influence, she studied with him for only 18 months. Her career started with a bang in 1957 when, at 16, she won two major piano competitions  the Busoni in Italy and the Geneva International competition  back to back within a few weeks. There followed a steady string of concerts and critical accolades in a traveling life for which she, young and shy, felt ill-prepared. She resisted recording her first album for Deutsche Grammophon for some time, though the label took the unprecedented step of giving her a monthly stipend against future earnings; she finally recorded it in 1960. Including a rippling, fluid performance of Ravels Jeux deau and a breathtaking rendition of Liszts 6th Hungarian Rhapsody that channels something of that virtuosic composer, as well as two rhapsodies by Brahms, who is not in her personal pantheon, the recording remains a classic.

And then, Argerich broke off her career. After an abortive attempt to study with the legendary Italian pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, who gave her only four lessons in the space of a year and a half, she went to New York, hoping but failing to meet her idol Vladimir Horowitz and, ultimately, falling into a depression and thinking of leaving music altogether. She got pregnant by a friend, the composer-conductor Robert Chen; married him; then returned to her domineering mother in Geneva, where her oldest daughter, Lyda, was born in 1964. With the help of the pianist and teacher Stefan Askenase, she focused anew on her music and resoundingly won the Chopin competition in 1965, showing an instinctive understanding of the nuances and strengths of that master, and putting her back on the map for good.



Argentinian pianist Argerich performs during a rehearsal session at the Philharmonie in Berlin on September 2013. (Soeren Stache/AFP/Getty Images)

Her personal life remained rocky. She lost custody of Lyda to Chen, now her ex-husband, some months later, and saw her only once or twice until she was a teenager. Lyda is, improbably, now close to her mother and sisters, and mother to two of Argerichs six grandchildren, one of whom played with his grandmother at her festival in Lugano this past summer. He plays the piano actually very well, Argerich says. We played four hands this year. And, in response to a question, How old are you? she calls from the telephone, and the childs voice answers, in the background, Huit ans et demi (8).

Argerich always plays with other people now; she never enjoyed the loneliness of appearing solo on a concert stage, and around 1981 simply decided not to do it anymore. Solo or accompanied, she strides out on stage like someone in a tremendous hurry and plunges right into the music, often leaping up as soon as she has finished. It has often been said of her that she plays like a man, which is supposed to be a description of her strength and power, but which understandably nettles her. When I went to study with Gulda, he said I was like a hermaphrodite, she says wryly. Once they asked Gidon Kremer, Oh, arent you a little worried to play with Martha, because she plays with hands like a man? He said, No, because my heart is like a woman. 

Today, Argerich has two festivals of her own  in Lugano and in Beppu, Japan. Her artistic collaborations continue to lead her in new directions  this summer, she played with the Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli. Recovered from cancer, plunged back into the thick of her life, Argerich is kept so busy that, she says, I dont have much time to think about what I really want to do.

Its a very strange time, she muses. Aging is very strange. Its as if one has had so many different lives already. I think I need a little bit more time to understand, to feel what I really want to do. Over the time thats left.

The 39th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will be held Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Opera House. The taped presentation will be broadcast Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. on CBS.
John Cleese, Connie Booth and Andrew Sachs on the set of Fawlty Towers in 1979. (Rex Features /AP)

Andrew Sachs, a seasoned farceur who portrayed the diminutive, dunderheaded and much-abused Spanish waiter Manuel on Fawlty Towers, widely regarded as one of the best sitcoms of all time, died Nov. 23 in London. He was 86.

His family said the cause was vascular dementia.

Fawlty Towers, which comic actor John Cleese helped create for the BBC, had only a fleeting initial run: six episodes in 1975 and six in 1979. But the show later drew a devoted fan base through its repeats on American public television. Mervyn Rothstein of the New York Times called Fawlty Towers the paragon of sitcoms, and many other reviewers noted its deft blend of slapstick with the angry humor of its embattled characters. Critic Clive James recalled retching with laughter when he watched it.

Cleese, the former Monty Python star, played an unspeakably rude, incompetent, quick-to-rage seaside hotelier, Basil Fawlty. Basil was besieged by his dominating wife, Sybil, (played by Prunella Scales) and constantly threatened to deport the doltish Manuel, who seemed unable to comprehend basic English.

There is too much butter on those trays, Basil tells Manuel in one episode.

No, no, no, senor, Manuel replies. Not on those trays. Uno, dos, tres.

One of the best-remembered plotlines involved a health inspector making a visit the day Manuels pet rat  also named Basil  has escaped.

Mr. Sachs, a stage veteran of such romps as Let Sleeping Wives Lie and No Sex Please, Were British, was often called on in Fawlty to deploy his skills as a physical comedian. He suffered pokes in the eye, slaps upside the head and frequent dings on the head with a spoon. To hotel guests, Basil offered by way of apology, Im so sorry, hes from Barcelona.

In 2000, the British Film Institute ranked Fawlty Towers first in a list of the top 100 British television shows of all time.

For Mr. Sachs, the show often overshadowed a wide-ranging career that also included portrayals of Albert Einstein on television and Arthur Conan Doyles Doctor Watson on the radio. When Mr. Sachs walked down the street, he would invariably hear strangers shout Manuels clueless catchphrases Que? or, in accented English, I know naaarthing.

Mr. Sachs did not remember his tenure on the show with total fondness. He said Cleese was an intense perfectionist whose marriage to Connie Booth, with whom Cleese wrote the show and who played the hotels waitress, was unraveling. Mr. Sachs described the set as a creative crucible in which he endured a great deal of physical pain from scripts that had him suffering Basils wrath.

In one episode, he received a concussion when he was banged with a frying pan.

In rehearsals it had been padded, Mr. Sachs later told the Daily Telegraph, but there was a mix-up during the recording and he used a real one. He hit me so hard I couldnt get up, although he apologized in his own way, offering me a Babycham [a cheap, sweet bubbly drink] and a big kiss. Another time a ladder missed my nose by a whisker, and on a third occasion a fire-retardant jacket failed to do its job and frazzled the skin on my arm. A doctor told me Id be scarred for life, but in fact the scars faded after a few years. My total compensation from the BBC came to 700 pounds.

Andreas Siegfried Sachs was born in Berlin on April 7, 1930. At 8, he saw his father, a Jewish insurance broker, arrested by the Nazis in a restaurant.

His mother, a Catholic, arranged for the authorities to let them leave the country. They scraped by as refugees in London, and his father was interned on the Isle of Man for a period. We were told that the British wanted to make sure there were no Nazi infiltrators, Mr. Sachs wrote in his memoir, I Know Nothing. His father died soon after of stomach cancer.

To earn money, the young Mr. Sachs was an extra in Ealing Studios movie comedies. He apprenticed in repertory theater and eventually became a staple of the West Ends Whitehall theater in long-running farces.

On screen, he had a small role in Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978), starring Peter Sellers, and appeared in the French Revolution segment of Mel Brookss comedy History of the World, Part I (1981). He was directed by Dustin Hoffman in Quartet (2012), based on Ronald Harwoods play set in a British retirement home for professional musicians.

Survivors include his wife, actress Melody Lang; three children; and four grandchildren.

In a 2009 interview with the Guardian, Mr. Sachs attributed the success of Fawlty Towers to its break with sitcom traditions.

Its not only a farce, Mr. Sachs said, its a tragedy, and the relationship between all those people is very real. We recognize the follies in ourselves. Its exaggerated, but true to life.

Manuel was an essential ingredient, he added. You get a big man and a little man, and the big man always hits the little man. . . . Well, the little mans always going to get sympathy, isnt he? Its like Laurel and Hardy.


Vineyards such as those at RdV in Delaplane, Va., were planted on land chosen for grapes. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

It took an Armenian wine to help me focus on what I like about Virginia wine.

The wine was a red blend from Karas, which bills itself as Armenias largest winery and which began exporting to the United States this year. It was delicious, polished and elegant, and a terrific bargain at $16. Fruit-forward, with juicy flavors and moderate tannin, it was a great example of whats become known as the international style  a wine that could come from anywhere, with fruit more important than place.

[2 bubblies and 3 reds perfect for your holiday table]

To be honest, I dont know what Armenian wines should taste like. This was the first Id tasted from the former Soviet republic in the Caucasus region. Armenia may be new to our market, but its not new to wine: Recent archaeological finds dating back more than 6,000 years give Armenia a claim to the title of worlds oldest wine-growing region. Armenias main wine district, where Karas is located, is called Armavir, near Mount Ararat, where the Bible says Noah planted grapevines after the flood. So Karas has religious cachet, too.

Perhaps I was hoping to taste history instead of modernity. Karas is definitely a modern winery. Founded in 2003 by an Argentine businessman of Armenian heritage (the family owns two wineries in Argentina as well), Karas boasts nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards planted primarily to European grape varieties. Winemaker Gabriel Rogel hails from Mendoza, in Argentina. He has help from Michel Rolland, the famed Bordeaux winemaker who consults for dozens of wineries around the world. Well financed and well advised, Karas makes delicious wine. Its white wine and sparkling wines, including a sweet muscat bubbly, are nearly as good as the red.



Karas boasts nearly 1,000 acres of vineyards planted primarily to European grape varieties. (Tierras de Armenia)

The Karas red is a blend of syrah, tannat, cabernet franc, petit verdot and montepulciano, all European varieties, with just a sploosh of an indigenous Caucasian grape called khndoghni. According to the encyclopedic Wine Grapes, khndoghni, or khindogni, is native to the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and usually made into sweet fortified wines. I couldnt tell what it added to the Karas red, other than a marketing hint of national authenticity.

[From aglianico to zibibbo, an alphabetical tour of wine grapes]

This is not to criticize the Karas wine, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Its beautifully made and a great value for the price. But it tastes like it could have been made anywhere, and that got me thinking about Virginia. The best Virginia wines excel because they manage to suggest where they are from.



RdV consulting viticulturist Jean-Philippe Roby gives a vineyard lesson. The winery was established in 2004. (Logan Mock-Bunting/For The Washington Post)

Armenia is an ancient wine region trying to harness modernity. Virginia is an evolving wine region seeking its voice. Not long ago we described the best Virginia wines by what they were not: They were not skunky, with flavors of dirty socks or other unsavories. Today, the best Virginia wines show a distinct sense of character, even of place. Wineries such as Linden, Ox-Eye and RdV were founded on land chosen for wine grapes, in contrast to vineyards planted on vacation farms. Others are trying hard to squeeze a sense of place from their land. As Virginias industry grows, we can expect more wines coming from vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley, especially on higher land with steeper slopes, terrain best suited to express terroir. Maryland and Pennsylvania will follow with wines that also express a sense of place.

[High-quality Virginia wine may surprise some, but it shouldnt]

Virginia is crafting a style for itself somewhere between the Old World earthy elegance of Bordeaux and the New World fruitiness and power of California. Thats not just a cliche of geography, with the Mid-Atlantic halfway between Bordeaux and Napa. Combine New World ripeness with Old World style, and you have something distinct and invigorating. Along with the wineries I mentioned above, Black Ankle and Boordy in Maryland, and Allegro, Galen Glen and Va La in Pennsylvania are among the leaders in this effort to create a regional wine style.



Black Ankle Vineyards in Mount Airy is among the Maryland wineries attempting to create a regional style. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

My odd reflection on Armenia vs. Virginia helped me focus on another point we dont usually dwell on. Terroir depends on us as consumers, because we have to recognize it. And that means we have to taste enough wines to get to know the expression of place. Burgundy fiends can wax poetic on the distinctions of various red wines from the Cotes de Nuits because theyve tossed back enough wine to distinguish a Gevrey-Chambertin from a Marsannay. Many wine drinkers are content with a tasty inexpensive pinot noir, chardonnay or cabernet.

And were beginning to recognize a local style and terroir because were drinking more local wine. The wines are improving in quality and expression, and we are more receptive to them. In a few years, as more wines from the Caucasus become available, we may be extolling Armenian terroir.

For now, Im happy to kick back with a glass of Karas and try to taste the khndoghni, but Im more intrigued to sip a local blend and taste the land.
Allison Fenn, who lives down the street from Vice President-elect Mike Pences rental home in the Districts Chevy Chase neighborhood, adjusts a rainbow flag that is flown in solidarity with the LGBT community. (Gary Cameron/Reuters)

In the affluent Washington neighborhood of Chevy Chase, the tinsel, poinsettias and Christmas trees are competing for attention this holiday season with an unusual house decoration: gay pride rainbow flags.

When news filtered out in late November that Vice President-elect Mike Pence was temporarily moving into the white colonial with green shutters on Tennyson Street NW  in the heart of Chevy Chase, a liberal Democratic stronghold  neighbors decided to greet the Republican interloper with polite protest: rainbow flags flapping from their homes.

It was time to Make Chevy Chase Great Again.

[Mike Pences new neighbors greet him with rainbow flags]

Now this isnt San Francisco, South Beach or Provincetown. Most of the homeowners who ran out to buy the flags or ordered them online are straight.

But in this neighborhood of oak trees and single-family homes, where 85 percent voted for Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine and just 9 percent cast ballots for Donald Trump and Mike Pence, residents wanted to make clear where they stand.

I thought it would send a message in an appropriate way. One idea was to put a Chevy Chase  Hillary banner, but we thought that would be too in-your-face, said Joanna Pratt, 66, an environmental consultant who came up with the idea and lives across the street from Pence.

Now, at least seven homes on the street boast the flags  a response to Pences opposition over the years to equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Its not clear when exactly Pence may have taken up residence or if hes done moving in. Moving trucks arrived around Thanksgiving, and Pence was seen milling about, Pratt said.

My husband sees Pence in the bathroom  Pence was not in the bathroom  my husband was in our bathroom peeking out and saw Pence walking from the front door to a black SUV. That was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Pratt said.

On Saturday, she was standing outside on Tennyson Street, examining an Emergency No Parking sign tacked to a tree in front of the five-bedroom home. The restricted dates: Dec. 3 to Dec. 4, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Pence is only renting the place until he moves to the vice presidents residence at the Naval Observatory after President-elect Donald Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration.

Property records show that the homes owners are Caroline Kende-Robb and Michael Kende. She is the executive director of the Africa Progress Panel, which advocates for development projects in Africa, and used to work at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund; he is the chief economist at the Internet Society, an organization that focuses on policy surrounding the Web. Neither could be reached for comment; neighbors said they live overseas.

Messages left Saturday afternoon for Kathy Redd, the realtor who handled the rental listing, were not returned. According to Realtor.com, the house was going for nearly $6,000 a month. At 2,500 square feet, its a far cry from the 10,500-square-foot Indiana Governors Residence.

Neighbors say theyve been debating how to greet Pence should they ever get a chance.

Pratt actually typed up a letter to the Pences and slipped it through their front door.

Dear Governor Pence and Mrs. Pence: On behalf of your new neighbors . . . we would like to welcome you to the neighborhood! Obviously, your schedule is very busy, but if you had an hour to spare sometime, we would love to host a get-together with some of your new neighbors.

But Pratt didnt shy away from explaining why they wanted to meet.

It wont come as any surprise to you that many of your neighbors (including ourselves) have political views that are very different from your own. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the results of the election and would like to use this opportunity to set an example of how people with diverse views can still show respect for one another, especially by listening to each other.

Anjana Tandon, 63, an accountant, was standing with Pratt outside the Pence pad and said she thought about bringing over her special pumpkin bread.

Ive been making it for 30 years for Thanksgiving, she said. But I think the Secret Service would give it to the dogs.

Just then, a white BMW SUV rolled up.

Are you the one I saw on the news? the driver asked Pratt, who had given an interview recently on camera to a local news channel.

Well, great job! Good for you! the driver said, driving away. It makes me so happy.

On Chevy Chases Internet mailing list, however, the protest was not universally embraced.

Wouldnt it be wonderful if neighbors would respect the man, the office he has been elected to, and give him his privacy, and if anything, welcome his family, rather than hurt them by displaying rainbow flags, wrote Linda Tavenner, a Chevy Chase resident who voted for the Trump/Pence ticket. We should put aside political views and welcome him as a human being. People are so quick to tear down or protest against something they dont agree with. Lets trust God.

Others on the email discussion group shared links for buying gay pride flags online or simply said: We want in.

Residents at the two houses that sandwich the Pence house declined to comment when a Washington Post reporter knocked on their door. This being Washington  and Chevy Chase to boot  many residents declined interviews, fearing their comments would upset their government employers, agencies that they declined to identify.

But if the Pences are looking for Sunday brunch partners, they would do well to glance directly across Tennyson Street. There, parked right out front, is a Subaru station wagon, with a bumper sticker beaming for all to see in large red font: TRUMP.
Three weeks before 18-year-old Jay Gallagher took his own life, a worried friend who lived in Colorado sent an email to his school counselor at Potomac Falls High in Potomac Falls, Va., telling the counselor that Jay was saying things with suicidal content, according to a lawsuit filed in Loudoun County Circuit Court on Friday.

Hes usually crying alone in his room because he doesnt seem to have a good relationship with his parents, the girl wrote.

The counselor, Richard Bader, met with Gallagher, sending the girl a reassuring response: Talked with him today. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

But should Bader have notified Gallaghers parents?

That question is at the center of a $5 million wrongful-death lawsuit Jays parents, Erin and Timothy Gallagher, filed against Bader. The lawsuit accuses the school counselor of negligence and ignoring school guidelines that direct counselors to notify parents if their children express suicidal thoughts.

Jay Gallagher, 18, took his life in February. His parents have filed a $5 million lawsuit. (Courtesy of the Gallagher Family)

But Julia Judkins, Baders attorney, said the lawsuit does not tell the full story. Judkins said that the teen told Bader not to talk to his parents about their meeting and denied he was suicidal.

Theyve left out the fact that this young man was 18 years old and he had the right to tell Mr. Bader, Please dont tell my parents,  Judkins said.

Robert Hall, an attorney for the Gallaghers, said they had no idea their son was in trouble and believe they could have saved his life had they known he was suicidal.

The parental notification guidelines need to be enforced, Hall said. This was Jay Gallaghers only opportunity to be saved.

According to Hall and to the lawsuit, Jay Gallagher was a stellar student and had been admitted to Virginia Tech. But his parents did not know he had put intense pressure on himself to perform well in school and had been under extreme stress. Jays father found his son dead in his room Feb. 3.

After his death, one of Jays friends, a young woman who had moved to Colorado from Loudoun County, reached out to his parents to tell them she had emailed Jays school counselor to tell him of her concerns in the weeks before Jays death.

Last night was the most concerning due to the suicidal thoughts and the self harm, the girl wrote in an email to the counselor in mid-January, adding that she did not believe his parents were open to discussing issues or emotions. I wanna say stress stems from busy schedule, lacking self worth and various expectations.

Bader met with Gallagher but never filled out the suicide screening form and never notified his parents. Hall argues that the schools Suicide Prevention Action Plan required Bader to follow those steps.

Judkins disagrees.

Mr. Bader didnt do anything wrong, Judkins said, adding that their conversation did not meet the threshold for a suicide screening or parental notification. It wasnt applicable given the communications between Mr. Bader and young Jay Gallagher.

The lawsuit is a culmination of months of failed talks between school officials and the Gallaghers. Hall said the parents sought to clarify the guidelines or policies that outline when a counselor should contact parents and to ensure that all counselors are trained on the guidelines.

The Gallaghers wrote in a post on a Facebook page they created in their sons memory that they filed the lawsuit with a great deal of reluctance and merely hoped to push the school system to improve its procedures.

Hall said that he asked school lawyers to meet for a confidential mediation session with a retired judge and that the school system refused. But Judkins said the mediation session stalled because the family asked the school boards insurance company to be present and did not lay out their specific requests ahead of time.
A Virginia school district has pulled copies of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from classrooms and libraries while it weighs whether it should permanently ban the American classics because of the books use of racial slurs.

In response to a formal complaint from a parent, Accomack County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Holland said the district has appointed a committee to recommend whether the books should remain in the curriculum and stay in school libraries. District policy calls for the formation of the committee  which can include a principal, teachers and parents  when a parent formally files a complaint.

[The top 10 books most challenged in schools and libraries]

The parent, Marie Rothstein-Williams, made an emotional plea at a school board meeting Nov. 15, saying the works had disturbed her teenage son, a biracial student at Nandua High School on Virginias Eastern Shore.

Im not disputing this is great literature, Rothstein-Williams said. But there is so much racial slurs in there and offensive wording that you cant get past that, and right now we are a nation divided as it is.

School libraries and curriculum are frequent culture war battlegrounds, and it is not uncommon for parents to raise objections to books that many consider classics but that also contain offensive language or mature themes.

Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the book most often targeted for removal from school classrooms and libraries among the titles the American Library Association tracks. To Kill a Mockingbird, the Harper Lee classic set in 1936 Alabama, is also high on the list of works that people seek to remove from schools. Both books use the n-word liberally.

A Montgomery County, Md., student in 2006 appealed to the school board to toss a lesson about the n-word that was meant to prepare students for reading Mockingbird. A Fairfax County, Va., mother launched a campaign in 2013 to remove Toni Morrisons Beloved from classrooms because its portrayal of an escaped slave included bestiality, a gang rape and an infants murder. Parents also have objected to some modern childrens literature  including the popular Harry Potter series  because they worry that it promotes occultism.

[Fairfax County parent wants Beloved banned from school system]

James LaRue, director of the American Library Associations Office for Intellectual Freedom, said he understands the challenge of teaching books laced with language that is deeply upsetting to some. But he said schools should approach such works carefully instead of throwing them out. He said teachers can avoid having students read the works aloud, for example, and talk to them about the historical context in which they were written.

Removing the books from classrooms and libraries is censorship, he said.

America is still deeply uncomfortable with its racial history, LaRue said. He said that hiding the books  which many consider seminal works of American literature  amounts to forgetting history.

In her remarks to the Accomack school board, Rothstein-Williams said she understands that the works are considered classics, but she worries that they teach students it is okay to use racially charged words.

Rothstein-Williams did not respond to a request for comment.

What are we teaching our children? Were validating that these words are acceptable, Rothstein-Williams told the school board. They are not acceptable.

She urged the school board to consider the appropriateness of the books given the polarization of issues about race. The tiny Accomack County School District, on the northern end of Virginias Eastern Shore along the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, educates about 5,000 students, 37 percent of whom are black.

Truly we are divided, Rothstein-Williams said. We will lose our children if we continue to say that this is okay, that we validate these words when we should not.
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Prince Georges County paid nearly $7,000 to the owner of a sport-utility vehicle that Council member Mel Franklin rear-ended in 2012 while driving a county-issued SUV.

Gerardo Loredo said he was heading home to New Jersey when the GMC Yukon he was driving was struck from behind by Franklin (D-Upper Marlboro) on the Capital Beltway. The impact injured Loredos brother and propelled the vehicle about 30 feet forward, crunching its frame.

It was the second of at least three collisions involving county-issued vehicles driven by Franklin over the past four years, county records show.

The most recent incident was Nov. 21, when Franklin was charged with driving under the influence after his vehicle smashed into the rear of a sedan with two people inside and the second-term lawmaker tested above the legal alcohol limit.

Franklin has declined repeated requests this week to discuss any of the collisions.

This SUV driven by Prince George's Council member Mel Franklin struck another car on Nov. 21. Franklin has been charged will driving under the influence. (N/A/TWP)

In an interview with the Washington Post on Friday, Loredo said that he, his brother and his son were headed north on I-495 around 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2012, when Franklins vehicle collided with theirs.

Loredo said he was unnerved when he realized the car that hit his was a government vehicle. He said that Franklin initially identified himself as a police officer, said not to worry and that he would call 911.

Franklin denied Loredos recollection through his attorney, Theresa Moore. Mr. Franklin never indicated he was a police officer, Moore said in an emailed statement. He called 911, waited for officers to arrive and the matter was handled as any other minor motor vehicle accident.

Loredo said he did not tell police officers who responded to the collision that Franklin had introduced himself as a member of their ranks.

I wasnt thinking about that, he said. I was focused on getting to my brother, who they took to the hospital, and going home.

He said he did share the detail with his brother-in-law, Oscar Menes, who was the owner of the GMC Yukon Loredo was driving. Menes confirmed Loredos account in an interview.

Menes said the damage to the 11-year-old Yukon could not be repaired. Three months after the collision, the county sent him a check for $6,800  the Kelly Blue Book value of the vehicle.

It was a nightmare, Menes said. I had no idea what was going on, and I kept calling my insurance to check. I sent them the crash report that showed the other guy was at fault.

Menes said he thought about getting a lawyer but decided fighting the government would be a waste of time. The family also did not make a claim for the medical bills incurred by Loredos brother, who was treated for back pain.

The SUV Franklin was driving was also totaled. It cost the county more than $33,000 to replace.

Franklin was not cited for any violations in connection with the collision, according to the report filed by Prince Georges County police officers. Police spokeswoman Jennifer Donelan said Friday that such decisions are left to the reporting officers discretion.

The difficulty with accidents is that without an independent witness, they can be hard to prosecute, Donelan said.

The officer who wrote the report told officials this week that he does not recall the crash, Donelan said, and did not know he was dealing with a council member.
Authorities arrested a Virginia woman Friday who police said was wanted in the fatal shooting of a man at a Manassas grocery store.

Investigators had been searching for Roberta Edlina Brandon earlier this week after Tuesday nights killing of a 24-year-old Dumfries man. Prince William County police said that Brandon, who lives in Woodbridge, was found in a home in Capitol Heights, Md. She was taken into custody Friday by the U.S. Marshals Service-led Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

[Woman sought by police in fatal Prince William County shooting]

Brandon, 23, was charged with murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony in the fatal shooting of Cordrey Douglas Jackson.

Detectives said that they think Jackson was involved in a physical altercation with Brandon and another man in the parking lot of a Food Lion in the 6300 block of Hoadly Road. Jackson was shot during the fight, police said.

Roberta Edlina Brandon (Prince William County Police Department)

Officers who arrived at the grocery store found Jackson suffering from gunshot wounds, a department news release said. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Authorities said that they think Jackson knew Brandon and the other man. After the 24-year-olds death, investigators obtained warrants for Brandons arrest.

Police said Friday that Brandon was being held in Maryland and will be extradited to Virginia.

Jacksons death was Prince William Countys 22nd homicide this year.
Members of Congress lambasted Metros board Friday for rampant parochialism and called for the Federal Transit Administration to enact new safety regulations to improve the quality of its oversight of the rail system.

At the hearing, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) ripped into Metro board Chairman Jack Evans  along with board member Corbett A. Price, who was not present  for suggesting that Metro should consider canceling the Silver Line extension in Virginia to save money.

How dare the two D.C. board members advocate such a significant sacrifice from Virginia, while threatening a jurisdictional veto on the proposal to extend late-night service cuts, Connolly and Meadows asked.

Connolly said that Evans, and the board, were engaging in political theater that hurt Metros prospects among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Your remarks were calculated to be helpful to us, am I right? Connolly said sarcastically. Or were you just playing games?

Connolly added that he felt the comments were cheap and reckless, and have huge repercussions on my side of the river.

[Metro board member suggests killing Silver Line in apparent bid to pressure Va.]

Fridays hearing, held by the House Oversight subcommittees on transportation and government operations, largely featured the same cast from a fiery hearing in April in which members of Congress raked Metro over the coals for ongoing safety issues.

But this time, the focus of the lawmakers ire and outrage shifted: They expressed concern with the Metro boards infighting, consternation with Metros safety problems and frustration with FTA oversight. But they also expressed relative confidence in General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld and in the steps hes taken in his first year, such as launching the year-long SafeTrack maintenance program.

One does not have to agree with every major decision he makes to appreciate the fact that, thank God, he is willing to make them, Connolly said.

Federal lawmakers criticism of the D.C. board members could put additional pressure on the District and Mayor Muriel E. Bowser to accept the proposal advanced Thursday to allow Metro to cut late-night service for at least two years. The District has demanded that late-night service be restored after one year, but members of Congress suggested that the veto threat was a prime example of board members parochial tendencies.

Youre making a drastic comment that affects Virginia, Meadows said, referring to the proposal to shut the Silver Line extension, and then, just the little teeny aspects of inconvenience in Washington, D.C., you debate for hours.

[Metro board committee advances plan for late-night service cuts]

Evans, much more subdued than in previous appearances on Capitol Hill, accepted that the board demonstrated some parochialism, but said that his and Prices comments were only intended to help local leaders come to grips with the dire reality of Metros financial situation.

Lawmakers also trained their sights on the Federal Transit Administration, questioning the wisdom of the transportation secretary handing over oversight responsibilities to a smaller agency with newly minted regulatory authority, rather than the Federal Railroad Administration with its long-held ability to fine railroad companies for ignoring safety defects.

Meadows and others pointed to new details released Thursday about the investigation into a July 29 derailment on the Silver Line and the possibility that Metro inspectors may have been falsifying inspection records. Meadows argued that the FTA should the East Falls Church station before it resulted in an accident.

The derailment occurred because a section of the steel rails had spread too wide apart, allowing the train to fall off the tracks. The wooden ties holding the rails in place had deteriorated  a problem that inspectors knew about for months, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report.

In theory, if the FRA had been in charge of safety oversight at the time, federal officials could have demanded that Metro workers fix the tracks or incur a significant fine.

Meadows wondered: Why doesnt the FTA take steps to beef up its own regulations?

We have derailments and injuries that are happening on a regular basis while you already have the authority to fix it, and youre not fixing it, Meadows said. How many more people have to die before we get you to act in the appropriate manner?

[NTSB: Metro knew of potentially dangerous track conditions more than a year before July derailment]

FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes defended his agency, pointing out that it would require an act of Congress to turn oversight responsibilities to the FRA and that Metros own safety regulations are already more stringent than the FRAs.

If the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority was following its standards, the incident should not have occurred, Welbes said.

But Meadows wasnt satisfied with that response.

Whos fault is it for the derailment? Meadows asked.

Its a systematic fault of all the people involved in the process, Welbes answered.

So its partly your fault? Meadows asked repeatedly, prompting several increasingly exasperated responses from Welbes.

Welbes finally conceded: Sure, sir.

Meadows demanded that the FTA come up with an action plan within 30 days explaining how its leaders plan to beef up their regulatory powers and establish new safety regulations.

Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) also honed in on the safety issues that have come to light since the Silver Line derailment. In particular, she and Meadows said they were deeply worried about the prospect of workers falsifying inspection reports, and she criticized the union for protecting employees who had committed wrongdoing.

I think this week demonstrates why we need to have major changes at Metro, Comstock said. We need to blow up the Compact and . . . get rid of binding arbitration.

Comstock requested that she be allowed to shadow several track inspectors while they walk the tracks to learn more about how they document problems.

She also offered a suggestion: Metro should find a way to allow track workers to use smartphones to document defects and repairs with photos that can be uploaded to an internal database.

Wiedefeld said he is looking into it.
Uber is threatening to pull out of Maryland if the state approves fingerprint-based background checks for ride-hailing drivers. (Eric Risberg/AP)

Maryland has become the latest battleground in the fight between Uber, Lyft and government regulators who say the companies must subject their drivers to more thorough screening.

The state is seeking to become the nations first to require fingerprint-based background checks for ride-hailing drivers, and Uber is threatening to pull out if that happens  potentially disbanding a network of 30,000 drivers, thousands of whom serve the D.C. region.

We will unfortunately be unable to continue operating in the State of Maryland if a waiver is not granted and drivers are forced to overcome additional barriers to work, Tom Hayes, Ubers regional general manager, said in a statement.

The comments followed three days of hearings last month on the issue conducted by the Maryland Public Service Commission, which regulates ride hailing in the state. The commission is expected to decide by Dec. 22 whether it will require the fingerprint-based tests.

Lyft has stopped short of threatening to leave but noted that New York City is the only other market it operates in that requires fingerprinting. An earlier statement from the company decried fingerprint checks as decades-old technology with significant limitations.

It was three days of tense and at times testy clashes between state regulators and industry disrupters who say the taxi industry and law enforcement agencies are decades behind in mechanisms for ensuring rider safety. The companies say fingerprint-based checks are a costly and time-consuming burden on drivers, and such measures disproportionately target minorities who are more likely to be wrongly flagged for offenses.

Witnesses at the hearings, meanwhile, said the ride-hailing companies screening methods  largely reliant on electronic sweeps of criminal databases  are inadequate at weeding out dangerous offenders who have committed sexual assaults and other violent crimes while signed up on the platforms.

There are three major areas of concern, Christopher T. Koermer, director of transportation for the Public Service Commission, said in hearing testimony. [Ubers] and Lyfts processes for ensuring that the applicant is not providing false identifying information; . . . the limitations on the time period covered by a review of the applicants record; and . . . the lack of criminal activity updates.

Maryland wouldnt be the first market that Uber has left due to fingerprinting requirements. In May, both Uber and Lyft shut down operations in Austin over the issue, and Uber has threatened to pull out of Houston if the requirement isnt reversed.

But leaving Maryland, which has three times as many drivers as Austin, would have ripple effects across multiple metropolitan areas, starving networks in Baltimore, Annapolis and the D.C. region.

Uber and Lyft conduct name-based background checks in Maryland through electronic services such as Checkr. While state regulations do not require follow-up screenings, the companies say they rescreen drivers at least once a year, reviewing criminal and motor-vehicle records, which could alert them to new offenses and convictions.

Maryland regulators are pushing for drivers to register through the state and be subject to Livescan criminal-records checks, which they say would alert officials to new arrests and convictions.

[Metro moving forward with plan to use Uber, Lyft for paratransit services]

It would be a gargantuan undertaking for the state. There are about 8,000 for-hire and taxi drivers in Maryland, according to Koermer. The new regulations would add four times as many ride-hailing drivers to the states registry.

If fingerprinting is held in place, the commission will ensure that we have adequate resources to carry that out, Koermer said in an interview.

But Uber and Lyft contend services such as Checkr are as accurate  or more  than the background checks performed by the state, particularly the rap sheets produced through the FBIs Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. Witnesses at the hearings testified that state records accessible by fingerprint are not as comprehensive as proponents claim. They dont include, for example, DUIs and out-of-state offenses, a particular concern for drivers in Maryland who often serve the District and Virginia as well. Rap sheets, witnesses said, also paint an incomplete portrait of a persons criminal history and produce false positives that disproportionately target people of color.

Overall, if you run a fingerprint search for an individual through CJIS, you have only a 51 percent chance of finding a particular arrest event with an accurate record of the final disposition for that event, said Shawn D. Bushway, a professor of criminal justice and public administration and policy for the University at Albany of the State University of New York system, citing research on the records system.

If youre wrong half the time . . . that doesnt seem like the best system to rely on there, Glenn Ivey, former states attorney for Prince Georges County and a former assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, said in an interview.

Ivey, who is now in private practice, testified on behalf of Uber that it is common that criminal record reports generated by CJIS and the FBI are neither comprehensive nor accurate.

Proponents of fingerprinting contend that sexual predators and violent offenders have been approved to drive for Uber and Lyft because of their purported lax screening standards  including an Uber driver who was arrested on attempted-murder charges in May after he allegedly tried to shoot two police officers in Gaithersburg. Earlier this year, a 45-year-old Uber driver in Kalamazoo, Mich., was arrested on charges that he killed six people and injured two others in a four-hour rampage, and officials said he may have continued to pick up fares during the shooting spree. In October, the Baltimore Sun reported, an Uber driver in Frederick was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old passenger.

It is not clear that fingerprint checks would have made a difference in any of the cases, but all were high-profile incidents that raised questions about how the company screens and monitors its drivers. In the Kalamazoo shootings, law enforcement officials said the assailant had no previous criminal record.

[Uber screening process drew scrutiny long before Kalamazoo shootings]

These incidents again and again have pointed to Uber not conducting background checks that are keeping passengers safe, said Dave Sutton, spokesman for Whos Driving You?  an initiative of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association.

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who was part of a lawsuit filed in California alleging that Uber misled the public with claims it had best in the industry background checks, has said screenings that omit fingerprint scanning are completely worthless. Uber agreed to pay up to $25 million in penalties and stop hailing its background checks as superior to industry competitors in its advertising.

Ubers witnesses testified at the Maryland hearings that fingerprint-based checks are not the gold standard hailed by supporters.

Ive yet to see a system at any state level where updates are in fact real-time, said Boniface Idziak, former head of compliance and government relations for Checkr. There may be a requirement for them to be real-time, but what Ive seen in my own independent research is that there is often a lack of resource, a lack of technology, a lack of funding that actually makes that impossible.

In an interview, Ivey pondered the cases central question.

Basically, is what Uber would use at least as good as what the fingerprint system would be? he asked. I think the answers clearly yes.

The companies also argued that they are being unfairly targeted. Attorneys representing them at the hearing noted, for example, that 14 people were raped by New York City taxi drivers in 2015. They also point out that it took Maryland officials one year and two weeks to revoke the license of a taxi driver who was arrested on charges of drug possession and intent to distribute  hardly a real-time response.

[To improve safety, Uber turns to an unconventional measure: selfies]

Uber says it relies on a combination of its screenings, driver ratings and communication with police to monitor its drivers. A recent feature on its app also requires drivers to submit periodic selfies to verify their identity. But regulators said that while Uber has made progress in ensuring passenger safety, its safeguards fall short.

They do a lot for providing additional public safety, Koermer said in an interview. But they dont do enough with closing the shortfalls identified in staffs testimony.

As for the threat that Uber could leave, many find it hard to believe  especially at a time when Metro is seeking bids from ride-hailing networks to run some of its paratransit services in Maryland under a new program called Abilities-Ride. Many of the regions residents also have turned to Uber and Lyft during Metros SafeTrack maintenance program.

The bluff that they would leave rings so utterly hollow, Sutton said. If you just look at the potential Metro work alone, not only that but building inroads with Metro, I dont believe it.

Harold Cook, an Austin-based Democratic strategist who opposed Ubers and Lyfts campaign to overturn the fingerprinting requirement there, said there were naysayers in that city as well.

We all thought it was a big bluff, he said. I will never again believe that Uber or Lyft are bluffing when they say theyre gonna leave the market.
If you have persistent neck or back pain, you might be considering acupuncture, massage or chiropractic  therapies often touted to relieve such chronic discomfort.

Do they work? Are they safe? Consumer Reports spoke to experts and reviewed the research to find out.

Chiropractic care

The founder of modern chiropractic care, a 19th-century Iowan, believed that chiropractic manipulation  or realigning the spine by pressing on its joints  could cure all manner of maladies. But most chiropractors focus on skeletal and muscular problems, especially low-back, neck and shoulder pain, and related headaches.

Chiropractors (along with some osteopathic physicians and physical therapists) perform millions of spinal manipulations (adjustments) each year. And some studies suggest that they can help diminish pain. A 2011 review of 26 studies found that for chronic low-back pain, manipulation reduced pain in the short term at least as much as exercise and even pain relievers.

The bad news is that for chronic, persistent back pain, even the best therapies result in only mild to moderate relief, says Roger Chou, a professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, who studies back pain. As for neck pain, a study of 181 people published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that getting regular chiropractic care (about once per week for 12 weeks) could lessen discomfort better than acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

For chronic backache or neck pain that is not accompanied by symptoms requiring medical attention  such as urinary or intestinal problems or weakness, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg  considering chiropractic manipulation seems reasonable, says Consumer Reports chief medical adviser, Marvin M. Lipman. But it isnt risk-free. It can cause temporary headaches and, rarely, serious problems such as worsening the pain of a slipped disk, he notes.

Massage

Documented in early Egyptian tomb paintings and Chinese writings from as far back as 2700 B.C., massage involves a range of techniques for rubbing the body to relieve muscle tension and pain. For example, Swedish massage employs long strokes and kneading movements, and deep-tissue massage uses focused, intense pressure in tight or painful areas.

Limited research suggests that massage therapy might ease low-back pain. Take, for example, a 2015 review of 25 small to midsize clinical trials. Researchers with the independent Cochrane Library found that among people with low-back pain lasting more than four weeks, massage provided better relief than such treatments as lightly touching the skin.

Massage therapy also appeared to relieve discomfort better, on average, than treatments including acupuncture, traction and relaxation exercises. Most important, when compared with no treatment or a placebo treatment, massage improved functions such as walking ability, sleeping and other important components of daily life.

So, how might massage ease discomfort? Scientists havent pinpointed a mechanism, but they think it might stimulate nerves that mute pain signals. Another theory suggests that massage may trigger the release of pain-reducing hormones called endorphins.

Trying massage for back pain probably wont hurt, and might help, Lipman says. But if you try it, tell your practitioner beforehand about medical conditions you have and medicine you take.

Acupuncture

This traditional Chinese technique uses thin needles that are inserted into the body at specific spots called acupoints. It is based on the belief that blocked chi, or energy, causes pain and that stimulating some of our more than 300 acupoints, each believed to affect a specific body part or organ, can unblock energy and relieve pain.

A number of people who use acupuncture for chronic pain report benefits. For example, an analysis of 29 studies with a total of 17,922 participants with back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache and shoulder pain found that people with those conditions experienced significantly more relief with acupuncture than those who had no treatment. People also reported less pain after real acupuncture than they did after fake acupuncture (for example, with needles placed in spots that were not acupoints), but the differences were small.

One possible reason for the benefits of acupuncture: Studies show that it causes us to release those feel-good endorphins, which suppress pain. Acupuncture, real and sham, also might make you feel better simply because you feel cared for or because you expect it to work  the placebo effect, Lipman says.

For back and neck pain, acupuncture is safe as long as sterile needles, such as single-use disposables, are used by a trained practitioner. But skip it for conditions other than pain; theres no conclusive evidence that it will help.

Copyright 2016. Consumers Union of United States Inc.

For further guidance, go to www.ConsumerReports.org/Health, where more detailed information, including CRs ratings of prescription drugs, treatments, hospitals and healthy-living products, is available to subscribers.
Robin Ficker, a Montgomery County Republican activist who is running a petition campaign to place term limits on the 2016 Montgomery ballot, talks with people to try and get some of the 10,00 valid signatures he needs, outside a Giant Food in Germantown on Nov. 7, 2015. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

In her Nov. 19 op-ed, My Fair Trump, Alexandra Petri imagined President Obama explaining the First Amendment to President-elect Donald Trump. Petri scripted Obama as saying that the First Amendment guarantees four freedoms: press, assembly, religion and speech, to be remembered by the mnemonic PARS.

Ack. Petri is free to stretch, embellish or invent in a humor column, but this is a delicate detail to doctor, even for satire. We should know and always be reminded that the First Amendment has five freedoms. The fifth is freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The mnemonic gets unwieldy (PARSPGRG), but that freedom needs to be included, too.

Heres to keeping our First Amendment whole and intact, especially in The Post.

Andy Schotz, Frederick
Regarding the Dec. 2 front-page article Trump pledges consequences for moving offshore:

Like the fortunate few who win the lottery, or the turkeys who get pardoned at Thanksgiving, the Carrier employees in Indiana who will be able to keep their jobs thanks to President-elect Donald Trump are truly lucky.

Unfortunately, there is no easy formula for making the other thousands or millions of workers or turkeys as lucky, and Mr. Trump knows it. His own business empire profits from cheaper foreign labor and ongoing technological advances, neither of which will stop in order to allow people to keep or get back their jobs.

But for now, Mr. Trump can use the deal with Carrier, an Indiana-based manufacturing company that had threatened to move 2,000 jobs to Mexico, to trick his supporters into believing that he really can fix the entire U.S. economy. The odds are not in favor of that fix.

Rhoda Ruttenberg, Takoma Park
No

Yes, a light case

Yes, two or more light cases

One serious case

Two or more serious bouts

Vote

View Results
Regarding Marc Ambinders Nov. 20 Outlook essay, Escape to New York:

There is a simple solution to the traffic problems created by President-elect Donald Trumps New York presence: creating a presidential compound on Governors Island in New York Harbor.

The president could fly into Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and travel by helicopter to Governors Island 50 miles away. My guess is Trump would love it; the view of Manhattan is spectacular, and it would be a great place for entertaining foreign dignitaries.

Because it is an island, security would be much easier and the disruption to Manhattan would be much less.

Joel Whitaker, Spencerville
CHINAS CRACKDOWN on lawyers and human rights defenders is not a single event but a rolling onslaught. Last month, three prominent rights activists were detained by police in separate provinces. What makes these detentions so pernicious is that Chinas security apparatus has targeted the backbone of the rights movement: lawyers and defenders who represent the accused. The latest detentions are part of President Xi Jinpings broader campaign to snuff out opposition to the ruling party-state wherever it can be found.

Liu Feiyue, one of the activists recently arrested, started a website in 2006, Civil Rights & Livelihood Watch, or Minsheng Guancha. The website has documented protests, land seizures, detentions and other human rights violations that often go unreported by the official Chinese news media. Mr. Lius website, one of the few located on the mainland to courageously expose such stories, was blocked in China soon after it was launched. He was undeterred.

For two decades, Mr. Liu has been repeatedly detained, harassed and put under surveillance by the authorities. He was routinely taken in during politically sensitive events such as sessions of the Chinese party congress and legislature. But this time, the charges appear to be more serious. He was detained in mid-November in the central Chinese province of Hubei and police informed his relatives the charges were incitement to subvert state power, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and is frequently used to silence journalists and dissidents. An unnamed volunteer in his group told Radio Free Asia that Mr. Liu is being prosecuted for accepting overseas funding to run his activities, but did not provide details. The overall crackdown has included new laws that impose sharp restrictions on foreign nongovernmental organizations that work in China.

Also detained recently was prominent lawyer Jiang Tianyong, a leader of the China Human Rights Lawyers Group, who disappeared Nov. 21 when he had been due to board a train from the city of Changsha in Hunan province to Beijing. He had been in Changsha attempting to visit the wife of a fellow attorney who was among those taken in a wave of arrests of lawyers that began in July 2015. Mr. Jiangs clients have included the blind lawyer-activist Chen Guangcheng, now living in the United States.

Yet another rights activist, Huang Qi, the Sichuan-based founder and director of a human rights group called 64 Tianwang, was taken from his home Nov. 28 by police. He, too, has been detained and imprisoned several times for his work and his website is blocked inside China. A volunteer, Pu Fei, initially published news of his detention on Twitter, but that message was deleted and Mr. Pu has also disappeared.

Every effort must be made to speak up for those who are hustled away in the middle of the night. President-elect Donald Trump has shown little interest in human rights, but after he takes office he should not remain silent about these cases, because silence only encourages more repression.
Richard Cohens Nov. 29 op-ed, The values-free Obama doctrine, was right on the money. Former Cuban president Fidel Castro was a brutal, repressive dictator. Anything positive he may have done for Cuba, such as universal health care, will forever be tarnished by and pale in comparison with the multi-generational misery to which he subjected the Cuban people.

As with Castros strongman Che Guevara, the lefts love affair with enemies of basic human freedom is as appalling as it is uninformed. The presidents vacuous response to Mr. Castros death brilliantly reflected the moral cowardice of the Obama Doctrine.

Walker White, Washington

Richard Cohen opined, For some on the left, it was enough that [former Cuban president Fidel] Castro loathed capitalism and was Americas enemy. Like Uncle Ho, Uncle Joe and even that charming beast Mao, these attributes put him on many a dorm-room poster. That could not have been written now, right? It had to have come out of a drawer with a 1960s label.

No, history will not record President Obamas failure to condemn Mr. Castro at the time of his death. If history links Mr. Obama and Mr. Castro at all, it will be because Mr. Obamas decision to change a failed 50-year-old policy proved to be correct.

John McCoy, Washington
Donald Trump listens as Michael Sexton introduces him at a news conference where he announced the establishment of Trump University, in New York in 2005. (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)

Count me as among those startled to find on Page A5 the news of the $25 million fraud settlement for Trump University [Suits pending against Trump University settled, Nov. 19]. I am old enough to remember a time when a president-elect paying $25 million to those he allegedly defrauded would have warranted front-page, above-the-fold placement.

Elizabeth Fogarty, Arlington
The flag of the District of Columbia and the American flag. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

The D.C. Council, having relegated the mission of executive-branch oversight to a back seat, has become a legislative laboratory for the left  with the resultant costs to be borne by District taxpayers.

Let us pause, draw nigh to council chambers and listen to the scream of protest:

Vigorous oversight of D.C. government operations is essential to our being. Tis a duty we cherish above all.

Rather than actively overseeing the operation of city programs and services, our legislators seem bent on taking revenge upon what they apparently regard as a scourge of the earth: D.C. business.

Of course, thats not the way council members would put it. They fancy themselves providers of social justice and economic security and defenders against the rich and powerful.

They point with pride toward their legislative gems: a paid family-leave plan and the recently passed minimum-wage bill.

In truth, the good in these measures comes in the elevation of the councils self-image as a progressive national leader.

Consider:

 The paid family-leave plan provides 11 weeks off, with up to 90 percent pay  the most generous such law in the land;

 The $15 hourly minimum wage will be among the highest minimum wages in the nation by the end of the decade.

Yeah, our council is No. 1.

This is a win for society, enthused council member David Grosso (I-At Large) about the family-leave plan. Oh really?

This much is certain: Architects of progressive ideas in think tanks are celebrating victories scored in their legislative laboratory, the D.C. Council.

Of course, having willing lab workers such as Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), Grosso and Elissa Silverman (I-At Large) facilitates the experiments.

District residents arent the chief beneficiaries, however.

Under the family-leave plan, which the council is expected to adopt next week, most benefits would go to residents outside the city, because the legislation calls for coverage of all workers in the city regardless of where they live.

Whos affected?

Of the 531,999 people who work in the District in the private sector or are self-employed, only about 196,000 live in the city, according to Mayor Muriel E. Bowsers (D) communications director, Kevin Harris. The overwhelming majority  336,173, or 63 percent  live in Maryland or Virginia.

Incidentally, those 336,173 nonresident workers also do not pay the District a cent of tax on income earned in the city because the Home Rule Act bans a commuter tax.

So how will the council pay for this generous commuter gift? Money in the government account from which family-leave funds will be drawn must come from somewhere. It will be raised through an increase in payroll taxes imposed on D.C. businesses.

A win for society? Grosso, tell that to businesses and consumers.

The same concern about benefits and equity was raised in connection with the minimum-wage boost.

Again, the winners?

They are the 55 percent of the Districts minimum-wage workers who live outside the city. They get the raise, and their wages are protected from D.C. taxation.

Oddly enough, Bowser supported the minimum-wage increase. Facing similar circumstances in the paid family-leave plan, however, Bowser reversed course.

This is about fairness, she complained in a statement about increasing the employer-paid payroll taxes to fund the plan. If we are going to raise a quarter of a billion dollars in new taxes each year, then D.C. families should be the primary beneficiaries.

Ill try to say this nicely: Consistency in D.C. executive-branch decision-making remains in short supply.

Which gets us back to where this column started: the councils penchant for progressive initiatives pursued at the expense of keeping a close eye on the government Examples? End the tax on tampons (Psst. What about the tax on shoes?); increase the number of plants a marijuana cultivation center can grow; help the terminally ill kill themselves; force employers to schedule work at least 14 days in advance.

As for knowing whether the D.C. government is operating efficiently, effectively and economically, better to ask a rock.

Even when legislative oversight is attempted, as in council member Mary M. Chehs (D-Ward 3) investigation into allegations of favoritism in city contracting, efforts come off klutzy. Imagine, as in Chehs case, scheduling a public hearing but closing it to the public.

Sad, because the District needs an investigation into contracting practices that favor insiders and campaign contributors. Look no further than the Office of the Chief Financial Officers destruction of courageous whistleblower Eric W. Payne. It was a dastardly act performed before the very eyes of council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), the finance committee chairman.

But carry on, council navel-gazers.

A decision has not been reached, but a new sheriff  the next U.S. attorney  may be coming to town. If so, he is going to be recruited by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), who may be attorney general when the sheriffs name is sent to the White House. And the sheriff is going to be a Donald Trump nominee.

Should this come to pass, the District could be in for a world of hurt.

Ah, but letting folks kill themselves was a really, really big win.
The word inappropriate is increasingly used inappropriately. It is useful to describe departures from good manners and other social norms, such as wearing white after Labor Day and using the salad fork with the entree. But the adjective has become a splatter of verbal fudge, a weasel word falsely suggesting measured seriousness. Its misty imprecision does not disguise but advertises the users moral obtuseness.

A French court has demonstrated how inappropriate can be an all-purpose device of intellectual evasion and moral cowardice. The court said it is inappropriate to do something that might disturb people who killed their unborn babies for reasons that were, shall we say, inappropriate.

Prenatal genetic testing enables pregnant women to be apprised of a variety of problems with their unborn babies, including Down syndrome. It is a congenital condition resulting from a chromosomal defect that causes varying degrees of mental disability and some physical abnormalities, such as low muscle tone, small stature, flatness of the back of the head and an upward slant to the eyes. Within living memory, Down syndrome people were called Mongoloids.

Now they are included in the category called special needs people. What they most need is nothing special. It is for people to understand their aptitudes, and to therefore quit killing them in utero.

Down syndrome, although not common, is among the most common congenital anomalies at 49.7 per 100,000 births. In approximately 90 percent of instances when prenatal genetic testing reveals Down syndrome, the baby is aborted. Cleft lips or palates, which occur in 72.6 per 100,000 births, also can be diagnosed in utero and sometimes are the reason a baby is aborted.

In 2014, in conjunction with World Down Syndrome Day (March 21), the Global Down Syndrome Foundation prepared a two-minute video titled Dear Future Mom to assuage the anxieties of pregnant women who have learned that they are carrying a Down syndrome baby. More than 7 million people have seen the video online in which one such woman says, Im scared: What kind of life will my child have? Down syndrome children from many nations tell the woman that her child will hug, speak, go to school, tell you he loves you and can be happy, just like I am  and youll be happy, too.

The French state is not happy about this. The court has ruled that the video is  wait for it  inappropriate for French television. The court upheld a ruling in which the French Broadcasting Council had banned the video as a commercial. The court said the videos depiction of happy Down syndrome children was likely to disturb the conscience of women who had lawfully made different personal life choices.

So, what happens on campuses does not stay on campuses. There, in many nations, sensitivity bureaucracies have been enforcing the relatively new entitlement to be shielded from whatever might disturb, even inappropriate jokes. And now this rapidly metastasizing right has come to this: A video that accurately communicates a truthful proposition  that Down syndrome people can be happy and give happiness  should be suppressed because some people might become ambivalent, or morally queasy, about having chosen to extinguish such lives because . . .

This is why the video giving facts about Down syndrome people is so subversive of the flaccid consensus among those who say aborting a baby is of no more moral significance than removing a tumor from a stomach. Pictures persuade. Todays improved prenatal sonograms make graphic the fact that the moving fingers and beating heart are not mere fetal material. They are a baby. Toymaker Fisher-Price, childrens apparel manufacturer OshKosh, McDonalds and Target have featured Down syndrome children in ads that the French court would probably ban from television.

The court has said, in effect, that the lives of Down syndrome people  and by inescapable implication, the lives of many other disabled people  matter less than the serenity of people who have acted on one or more of three vicious principles: That the lives of the disabled are not worth living. Or that the lives of the disabled are of negligible value next to the desire of parents to have a child who has no special, meaning inconvenient, needs. Or that government should suppress the voices of Down syndrome children in order to guarantee other peoples right not to be disturbed by reminders that they have made lethal choices on the basis of one or both of the first two inappropriate principles.

Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook.
NO MATTER who won the White House, it was clear that the federal role in education  so muscular during the two previous administrations  would be dialed back. Congress made sure of that when it replaced No Child Left Behind with a law that returns much authority to the states. But the federal government still has a responsibility, especially to students who are most vulnerable and in need. How vigorously President-elect Donald Trump wants to take on that responsibility remains to be seen (his campaign was short on substance), and so his choice of education secretary becomes all the more critical.

After publicly toying with the possible appointment of former D.C. Schools c hancellor Michelle Rhee or charter-school leader Eva Moskowitz for head of the Education Department , Mr. Trump tapped Betsy DeVos, a Michigan philanthropist and school choice activist. Adversaries in the debate over education reform quickly weighed in with praise (a savior and visionary) and condemnation (the end of public education). In fact, Ms. DeVos cannot be easily categorized, which makes her an intriguing choice.

She is not a Trump loyalist, having supported Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and cast her vote as party delegate for Ohio Gov. John Kasich even after Mr. Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee. She traces her 30-year involvement in school reform to wanting other children to have access to the advantages and opportunities her children enjoyed. Hence her support for choice and competition, including by means of charter schools and private-school vouchers. Her commitment to empowering parents, thinking innovatively and taking on entrenched interests is admirable.

But as education secretary, Ms. DeVos will have an obligation to ensure accountability in education  that schools are doing their job, children are learning and resources are fairly distributed and wisely used. There needs to be rigorous questioning by the Senate education committee of her views and her track record. It is concerning, for example, that Michigan has one of the worst systems of oversight over charter schools; that lack of regulation, which Ms. DeVos helped to create, has resulted in some of the worst-performing schools in the nation. Would her support of private-school vouchers result in an expansion to include well-to-do families that do not need the help? What would she do to ensure the protection of gay and transgender students? Would she oppose the deportation of the dreamers? And where would she draw the line on local control?

We look forward to hearing answers and hope that in the meantime senators and others will keep an open mind on Ms. DeVoss nomination.
On the first stop of his thank you tour in Ohio on Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump hit replay on several of his campaign tropes.

Among the crowd pleasers, he heckled the crooked media, prompting boos from the audience, and reiterated his pledge to criminalize flag burning.

And hes not even president yet. More than a month and a half away from Inauguration Day, Trumps only discipline seems to be making good on bad faith. His attacks both on the media and on those who, rather rarely, burn an American flag, are fundamentally assaults on the Constitution and the First Amendment.

Do Trump followers really not care about these founding documents and their bearing on all the freedoms we take for granted? Or, could they really not know any better?

Most disturbing is the absence of objections from the right. Where are the Republicans when the leader of their party speaks so dismissively toward our principles of freedom and the journalists, many of whom they know personally, who practice in good faith the spirit of the law? How long before Trumps words persuade some off-balanced Second Amendment patriot to take out a crooked media person, fully expecting to be applauded by the president-elect?

We the people believe in free speech and a free press not so that we can burn flags but so that we can expose government corruption, protest oppression and express opinions that others may find disagreeable without fear of repercussion.

As offensive as flag burning is to patriotic Americans, it also can be an act of patriotism, a proposition I offer as argument, not endorsement. If you love your country and fear that its being led toward tyranny, you might well burn a flag to demonstrate such concerns. To the extent that the flag is a symbol of freedom, burning it is also a symbolic act. I would argue that many if not most veterans, including those in my family, fought, suffered and died for the right of all Americans to speak freely.

Indeed, it is the objectionable expression that is the true test of the strength of our freedoms. We dont need a First Amendment to protect get-well cards or love letters. We dont need it to protect Christmas carols. But should someone challenge the latter, given its religious content, wouldnt many of those Ohioans cheering Trumps demagogic illogic be grateful that free speech protects their right to stroll the streets singing songs of praise?

Understanding the crucial importance of free speech and a free press to all other freedoms compelled the Supreme Court to rule that even flag burning is protected. And this is why Trump, a man who professes to love freedom and has presented himself as the best person to lead the free world, should be roundly condemned for suggesting that anyone who burns a flag should be punished by imprisonment or even loss of citizenship.

Or why his persistent attacks on the media, threatening to restrict press freedom, are so misplaced, potentially dangerous and, not least, impossible for him to do constitutionally. Either Trump knows this, which makes his crowd-baiting not only offensive but also irresponsible, or hes unfamiliar with the Constitution, the defense of which is one of the primary functions of the presidency.

As to the crooked media, Trumps gibes are patently ludicrous. Was he over-covered? Perhaps, but he was early on the Republican front-runner and subsequently the nominee. The media could hardly ignore him, much as many of us would have liked to. Yes, some members of the media are biased, but not most, and theyre usually drummed out through peer review.

It should be obvious that without the so-called mainstream media, especially newspapers such as the New York Times and The Post, no one would know anything that has any basis in objective fact  and yes there is such a thing. We will rue the day we forgot that newsgathering is a profession with demanding standards regarding performance and ethics. Notwithstanding the billion-member global newsroom, its nice to have smart, well-educated, experienced reporters and editors to pluck the pearls from the muck.

Therefore, the highest service the president of the United States could perform would be to actively engage the media in the national interest of nurturing an informed populace, without which a democratic Republic cannot long survive.

To do otherwise is the first act of the dictator.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.
THE PRINCIPLES of tax reform, individual or corporate, are clear: Congress should improve efficiency by levying lower rates on a broader base of income; that is, with a minimum of incentive-distorting loopholes and deductions. Reform should encourage economic growth but mitigate income and wealth inequality. The resulting revenue should enable the federal government to meet public needs without adding to the national debt.

The last time the political stars aligned to produce such legislation was 1986. The tax code has accumulated new inefficiencies and irrationalities since, notwithstanding many reform proposals by Republicans, Democrats and even some bipartisan coalitions over the years. Now the GOP sweep of the White House and both chambers of Congress may set the stage for the most extensive rewrite of taxation since then  one that, unlike the 30-years-ago version, which was bipartisan, the Republican Party will dominate.

President-elect Donald Trump and his team are sending mixed signals. During the campaign, he put forward an irresponsible plan to slash revenue by an estimated $620 billion per year (roughly 19 percent of fiscal 2015 receipts) over 10 years, with no credible offset in the form of spending cuts. Meanwhile, the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers would experience an average tax cut of nearly $1.1 million, while households in the middle fifth of the income distribution would receive an average tax cut of $1,010, according to the Tax Policy Center . On Wednesday, however, Mr. Trumps choice for secretary of the Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, spoke reassuringly, but cryptically, of middle-class relief with no absolute tax cut for the upper class. Rate cuts for the rich could be offset by eliminating itemized deductions, such as the break for mortgage interest or state and local taxes, Mr. Mnuchin said, though most experts say that wont actually work for the rates Mr. Trump proposed.

Possibly the Trump camp is moving toward the somewhat more plausible blueprint laid out by House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) in June. It would reduce federal revenue by a mere $3.1 trillion over 10 years, according to a Tax Policy Center analysis. This is better than Mr. Trumps plan, but still hardly fiscally responsible absent big spending cuts to federal programs  which the GOP also proposes, but which are notoriously harder to pass than tax cuts. Meanwhile, most of the House GOP plans benefits would accrue to the well-to-do, in part because the plan eliminates whats left of the estate tax, one of federal laws few modest restraints on wealth inequality.

Recently, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Kevin Brady (R-Tex.), said he wants reform to be revenue neutral, albeit as measured by dynamic scoring, i.e., accounting for revenue due to projected economic growth. That, too, was a welcome note of relative moderation  but even under fairly robust dynamic scoring, the House GOP plan still costs the government $2.5 trillion over 10 years, according to the Tax Policy Center.

Come 2017, a Republican president and Congress could use their powers to rewrite the tax code in accordance with the standard set in 1986. For now, they seem bent on cutting taxes massively for those who least need the help  at the risk of greater debt, cuts in vital services or both.
Welcome to  brace yourself for  the post-truth presidency.

Facts are stubborn things, said John Adams in 1770, defending British soldiers accused in the Boston Massacre, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

Or so we thought, until we elected to the presidency a man consistently heedless of truth and impervious to fact-checking.

Oxford Dictionaries last month selected post-truth  relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief  as the international word of the year, and for good reason.

The practice of post-truth  untrue assertion piled on untrue assertion  helped get Donald Trump to the White House. The more untruths he told, the more supporters rewarded him for, as they saw it, telling it like it is.

As Politicos Susan Glasser wrote in a sobering assessment of election coverage for the Brookings Institution, Even fact-checking perhaps the most untruthful candidate of our lifetime didnt work; the more news outlets did it, the less the facts resonated.

Indeed, Hannah Arendt, writing in 1967, presciently explained the basis for this phenomenon: Since the liar is free to fashion his facts to fit the profit and pleasure, or even the mere expectations, of his audience, the chances are that he will be more persuasive than the truth teller.

So there is no reason to think Trump is about to suddenly truth-up. Indeed, all signs are to the contrary  most glaringly Trumps chockfull-of-lies tweet that I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.

Trump and his aides are not embarrassed by their post-truthism  they embrace it. Three data points from last week:

First, quasi-fired Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski at Harvard University, making the astonishing assertion that the medias failing during the campaign was not that it scorned Trump  it was that it believed him.

You guys took everything that Donald Trump said so literally, he said. The American people didnt. They understood it. They understood that sometimes  when you have a conversation with people . . . youre going to say things, and sometimes you dont have all the facts to back it up.

Second, this eye-popping assertion from Trump supporter/CNN commentator Scottie Nell Hughes on the Diane Rehm Show: People that say that facts are facts  theyre not really facts . . . theres no such thing, unfortunately, anymore of facts. And so Mr. Trumps tweet amongst a certain crowd . . . are truth.

Finally, the president-elect himself, who at a rally to celebrate his successful bribing of Carrier to keep some jobs in the United States, explained that he was impelled to act by a Carrier-employed supporter who had been naive enough to take Trumps promises seriously.

Watching the evening news, Trump said, he saw the Carrier worker say No, were not leaving, because Donald Trump promised us that were not leaving, and I never thought I made that promise. Not with Carrier.

Then, Trump said, they played my statement, and I said, Carrier will never leave. But that was a euphemism. I was talking about Carrier like all other companies from here on in.

This was a telling moment, and not just because Trump doesnt quite understand what euphemism means. The episode simultaneously shows Trump, confronted with Trump on tape, willing to recognize reality and Trump telling us straightforwardly that his promises are not to be taken seriously. They are truthphemisms.

Of course, Trump is not the first truth-impaired president. Ronald Reagan famously insisted on repeating tall tales; he conflated Hollywood with reality. If you tell the same story five times its true, said White House press secretary Larry Speakes.

And Arendt reminded us a half- century ago about the inherent tensions between truth-telling and political power: No one has ever doubted that truth and politics are on rather bad terms with each other, and no one, as far as I know, has ever counted truthfulness among the political virtues.

But today we have the conjunction of a president unconstrained by facts with a media environment both siloed into partisan echo chambers and polluted by fake news. This development poses an urgent challenge  for journalism and for democracy.

The journalists challenge is not to tire in refuting the torrent of lies. The citizens challenge is to remain vigilant against the enticing lure of post-truth politics, to recall the admonition of our second president even as our 45th seeks to prove his wisdom an outmoded relic of a pre-post-truth era.

Read more from Ruth Marcuss archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.
President Trump is set to nominate Scott Gottlieb, a conservative physician and businessman with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry, to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a White House official said.

Scott Gottlieb, nominee for commissioner of FDA President Trump is set to nominate Scott Gottlieb, a conservative physician and businessman with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry, to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, a White House official said. Courtesy of American Enterprise Institute/via Reuters

The men and women the president-elect has selected for his Cabinet and White House team.

President-elect Donald Trump faces a challenge as he prepares for his move to the White House: selecting the men and women who will fill his administration.

President-elect Donald Trump faces a challenge as he prepares for his move to the White House: selecting the men and women who will fill his administration.

Just two weeks ago, President-elect Donald Trump appeared poised to assemble a Cabinet as unconventional as he is, drawing heavily from a band of quirky loyalists that included several from the fringes of the Republican Party.

But as he moves rapidly toward assembling his roster of top advisers, Trump instead is pulling together a more orthodox GOP team than many expected, including a defense secretary nominee, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who has received solid marks from the party establishment ahead of his formal unveiling Monday.

The emerging Cabinet has gone a long way toward mollifying some of Trumps Republican critics, and several of the picks  including the wife of the Senate majority leader as transportation secretary  are tailor-made to encourage cooperation between the administration and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill. The incoming team is preparing not only to implement longtime Republican goals  such as repealing the Affordable Care Act and cutting taxes  but also to push for Trumps iconoclastic and controversial campaign promises on issues such as a border wall and trade.

But the group and the president-elect also hold conflicting views over key issues including Iran policy, Medicare and immigration, raising the risk of infighting and fractiousness both within the administration and with Congress.

Several of Trumps early personnel picks were more directly in your face, while others that have come forward since then are decidedly less so, said Thomas E. Mann, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. At this point, I would say the Republican establishment that was so attacked by Trump during the campaign is doing pretty well in shaping his administration.

Trump, who cast himself as a hard-edged populist during the campaign, is also moving faster in the pace of announcing his picks compared with recent predecessors.

The biggest test of Trumps interest in broadening his inner circle still looms, with his choice of a secretary of state, one of the most important posts in any administration. Aides have publicly identified four finalists for the job, including 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

If Trump gives the nod to Romney, long one of his fiercest Republican critics, it would send a reassuring signal to the partys moderate wing and to the nations foreign policy establishment  a need seen as all the more urgent after Trump caused a diplomatic uproar when he broke decades of precedent Friday by speaking directly with the president of Taiwan.

But the prospect of picking Romney  who called Trump a con man and a phony during the campaign  has already sparked strong objections from some of Trumps die-hard supporters.

Richard Viguerie, a longtime conservative activist, said that he, like many others, considers a potential Romney appointment a mistake but can understand Trumps thinking.

He knows he cannot fight two wars at the same time, Viguerie said. He cant fight the Democrats and the establishment Republicans. Theyre still a big presence in Congress, and he probably wants to make nice with them.

Several of Trumps more recent choices appear to have the imprint of Mike Pence, the vice president-elect. The Indiana governor and former House member is well-regarded by the partys conservative wing but has also served as a bridge to the party establishment.

Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker and Hollywood financier, is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for treasury secretary. He spoke at Trump Tower Nov. 30. (The Washington Post)

Trump turned to some of his staunchest and most controversial allies for his earliest White House picks, including former campaign chief executive Stephen K. Bannon, the former Breitbart News executive, as his senior counselor. Retired Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who during the campaign led lock her up chants directed at Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, was named national security adviser.

Trumps choice of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as attorney general also seemed in no small part a reward for his loyalty during the tumultuous campaign.

Since then, however, Trump has shown a willingness to put rivals and others outside his orbit in key slots. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), who endorsed two of Trumps rivals at various points in the Republican primaries, was named as his choice to become the ambassador to the United Nations.

And on Friday, Trump met in New York with Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), who left the door open to joining the Republican administration. Another Democrat, Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) is also being eyed by the Trump team for a possible job.

Other recent picks by Trump may be unconventional in some respects  they would be hard to imagine in the Cabinet of Jeb Bush or John Kasich, two of his primary rivals  but bring familiar credentials to the posts they have been asked to fill.

For treasury secretary, Trump tapped Steven Mnuchin, a loyalist who served as finance chairman of his campaign. Mnuchin comes from a conventional place for recent treasury secretaries of both parties: He spent 17 years at the Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs.

Likewise, Trump rewarded campaign booster Wilbur Ross with his nod to be commerce secretary. Like many others before him, Ross is a successful businessman; in his case, though, he is known for his investments in distressed industries.

For transportation secretary, Trump tapped someone as establishment as they come in Washington: Elaine Chao, who served as labor secretary under President George W. Bush and held other posts in previous Republican administrations. She also happens to be the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a relationship that certainly cannot hurt Trumps promised effort to push a $1 trillion infrastructure plan through Congress early in his tenure.

Many of Trumps choices will arrive with a history of toiling toward long-held Republican objectives that Trump embraced during his campaign.

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), whom Trump reached outside of his immediate orbit to tap as health and human services secretary, is among the leading critics of the Affordable Care Act, the signature achievement of President Obama that Republicans have been seeking to dismantle since its enactment in 2010.

Betsy DeVos, the Michigan billionaire and conservative activist whom Trump nominated for education secretary, has spent years pushing to expand voucher programs in several states that give families taxpayer dollars to pay for private and religious schools  objectives simpatico with Trumps call on the campaign trail to expand school choice.

And Sessions has established himself as one of the harshest critics of illegal immigration on Capitol Hill, a credential that should bolster the work of a candidate who advocated deporting millions of undocumented workers and building an extensive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), an early Trump supporter who is serving as the transition teams liaison to Congress, said the Cabinet that Trump is building absolutely signals that the president-elect will try to move swiftly on the agenda that he talked about on the campaign trail.

The people being picked to run the departments with jurisdiction over those issues, I think, are in 90-plus percent lockstep with his positions, Collins said.

Still, taken as a whole, Trumps emerging team is far more diverse  in Republican terms  than many speculated in the immediate aftermath of a campaign in which he surrounded himself with GOP has-beens such as former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and former House speaker Newt Gingrich.

While Giuliani remains a finalist for secretary of state, the prospects for both men to hold sway in Trumps Cabinet seem to have faded.

I think Giuliani and Gingrich are just loose fruits right now, said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian at Rice University. No one knows where to put them.

With the choices he has made so far, Trump has pleased or at least calmed some of his chief Republican critics during the campaign.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who was a vocal critic of Trump during the campaign, noted positively that Trump has added former detractors to his team, including Haley for the U.N. post.

Were still not done. Still got some to go. But Ive been pleased with some of them, Flake said.

That view was echoed by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who announced in August that she would not vote for Trump or Clinton. I think hes made some good appointments, she said.

And Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who continued to criticize Trump after ending his own GOP presidential bid, took to Twitter to praise the choice of Mattis as defense secretary, saying he would provide great leadership.

None of which is to say that governing will be easy for Trump  even with his party holding both the White House and Congress. Several stress points seem certain to surface between the populist president and more traditional Republican members of Congress, assuming Trump keeps his word on some key promises.

The GOP takeover of the White House, for instance, has emboldened House Republicans to pursue an agenda that includes privatizing parts of Medicare, the popular program for seniors. It is uncertain how that will square with Trumps rhetoric as a candidate who sought to distinguish himself from other Republicans by pledging to leave Medicare and some other safety-net programs untouched.

While Trump and congressional Republicans share a goal of repealing Obamacare, there has been less agreement over what exactly to replace it with. Trump has only promised something better.

Trump could also face resistance on his immigration plans from some Republicans who argue that overreaching will prove costly at the ballot box among Latinos, a rapidly growing segment of the electorate that the party cannot afford to write off.

And there are bound to be tensions on trade, where Trumps views are far more isolationist than what his party has long advocated.

In some cases, Trumps nominees hold positions directly contrary to his. Mattis, for example, recently told Trump that he does not believe in the effectiveness of waterboarding, one of the tough interrogation techniques the president-elect has vowed to reinstate.

Mattis favors working with allies to enforce the Iran nuclear deal, which Trump has vowed to tear up. The defense secretary nominee also reportedly has told colleagues that he understands the relationship between global security and climate change, a phenomenon Trump has said he wants to address far less aggressively than the current administration.

Timothy Naftali, a presidential historian, said that he sees numerous tension points ahead, spawned from what he called a marriage of convenience between the president-elect and other leaders of the Republican Party.

Its not clear what kind of arrangement this marriage is going to need to keep going, Naftali said, arguing that making campaign promises a reality will be much tougher for Trump than continuing to tout them at campaign-style rallies, such as the one he held in Cincinnati on Thursday.

He can go out on the hustings and have great big rallies, and then he still has to come back to Washington and make sausage, Naftali said.
Amid a global wave of anti-establishment anger, Italy may be the next in line for upheaval after a Sunday referendum that could topple Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and cast the nation into political crisis.

With Britain quitting the European Union and President-elect Donald Trump headed to the White House, Italys anti-immigrant Five Star Movement, led by a caustic comedian-turned-politician, is poised to capitalize on voter anger over a stagnant economy and a surge in migration from North Africa.

If Italians reject constitutional reforms championed by Renzi, he has vowed to resign, opening the door to a gust of financial uncertainty that could set off an Italian banking crisis. A defeat for Renzi would also embolden populists across Europe, where elections in France and Germany next year threaten to deliver Euroskeptics as leaders of the bulwarks of European unity.

And in Italy, the Five Star Movement, within spitting distance of Renzis Democratic Party in the polls, would have a shot at the prime ministers office in elections due no later than 2018. Even if Renzi prevails Sunday, the populists could still be poised to overtake him at the next election.

What happened in America could also happen in Italy, said Giulia Grillo, a leader of the Five Star Movement in the lower house of Italys Parliament. There is something that is happening in the world. Its a reaction to globalization. Its a reaction to external political power that was not so visible in the past.

A no vote in Sundays referendum would not quite be Italys Brexit moment, because in theory it would simply reject a package of constitutional changes designed to shake up a chaotic political system that has had 63 governments in the past 70 years. But the moment has turned into an up-down vote on Renzis 2 1/2 -year-old premiership as opponents seek to seize on his political weakness.

A rejection of Renzi would be a boost for Italys burgeoning Five Star Movement, which has capitalized on voter discontent to sweep into mayors offices in Turin and Rome and vowed to conduct a referendum on Italys membership in the euro currency bloc the moment it captures the prime ministers office.

The outcome has pressed on President Obama, who used his final state dinner to host Renzi in Washington in October, trying to boost his embattled Italian counterpart.

I wont weigh in on the referendum, but the reforms Matteo is initiating, certainly on the economic side, are the right ones, Obama said. And in a global, Internet-driven world, governments have to be able to move fast and quickly and transparently.

Renzis populist opponents have embraced Trump, meanwhile, and Trump met briefly with Matteo Salvini, the head of the anti-immigrant Northern League party, in the spring.

[A far-right Italian leader wants to take a Trump upset to Italy]

For now, the outcome of the referendum is too close to call. Polls published before a two-week blackout period gave no a slight lead, but Renzi and his allies are gambling that a last-minute campaign push will push them over the finish line.

What is certain, however, is that the race has deeply split the country.

Even some of Renzis allies in his center-left Democratic Party have abandoned him, as have other establishment grandees, including several past prime ministers. They say the laws are poorly written and would create as many problems as they try to fix.

I do not believe this reform will achieve the main objective for which it was set up, which was to streamline the governance of Italy, said Mario Monti, the economist who took over from Silvio Berlusconi as Italys technocratic prime minister in 2011. He criticized Renzi for taking a page from the anti-establishment playbook by slamming the E.U. for its policies on the economy and migration.

Renzi, nicknamed the scrapper for his combative political style, took power promising to shake up Italys stagnating political system. Now 41, he was the youngest Italian premier in history, fond of Twitter, Apple gadgets and Coca-Cola. And he enjoyed initial success in pushing through a number of economic changes that made it easier for employers to hire and fire employees, a measure that made him unpopular with labor unions but was an attempt to jump-start Italys flatlined economy.

The constitutional reforms would overhaul Italys overstuffed upper house of Parliament and, advocates say, improve lawmaking.

A yes to this reform is a yes to change. The best ally of populist movements in Italy is the status quo, said Sandro Gozi, a top Renzi ally who is the undersecretary for European affairs in the prime ministers office.

Vote thinking of your children, not of me or of the government, Renzi said this week, seeking to shift attention away from his political future and back toward the text of the changes.

In an ominous sign for the long-term prospects of centrist Italian parties, local opinion polling showed that support for the constitutional changes is strongest among voters older than 65 and weakest among Italian youth, who have gravitated toward the Five Star Movement and other anti-establishment parties amid sinking optimism about their future.

The Five Star Movement has vowed to hold a referendum on membership in the euro currency zone if ever they capture Italys top office, a step that could ultimately split the entire E.U. The fiery leader of the party, Beppe Grillo, has praised Trumps attitudes toward immigrants and vowed to build an Italian version of the president-elects triumph.

Supporters of the Five Star Movement and of other anti-establishment rebels in Italy say that Renzis attempt to revise the constitution was simply a power grab that would do little to address the problems closer to voters hearts: stubbornly high unemployment, rampant corruption and record numbers of migrants from Africa arriving on Italys shores.

In Italy there are two emergencies, said Salvini, the leader of the anti-E.U. Northern League party. Employment and security.

Were trying to form alliances in order to change Europe, he said.

They are finding a receptive audience.

Italian democracy is a sham, said Pasquale La Marca, 24, a black-leather-clad clothing-stitcher from Naples who said he planned to sit out Sundays referendum entirely. He complained that no one in power listened to ordinary people.

Analysts caution that there are some roadblocks to the Five Star Movements progress. Its leadership of Rome has been chaotic and unpopular, suggesting leaders may have difficulty transforming into a governing party. And if Renzi loses the referendum, Italys mainstream parties are likely to revamp an electoral law that would dilute the ability of populist parties to seize power.

Separate from any populist surge, a loss for Renzi may simply be an indicator of his own political missteps.

The Five Star Movement is just a reflection of the fever of the system. If the system is working well, the fever will go down, said Massimo Franco, a political columnist for Milans Corriere della Sera newspaper.

Even if Renzi pulls off a victory, the populists may have made their mark. Allies say he may use any success to focus closely on the populists pet issues.

We dont have to be populist, but we have to be close to the people, said Infrastructure and Transport Minister Graziano Delrio, a top Renzi surrogate. A lot of people do not feel like protagonists in society, but outsiders.

Stefano Pitrelli contributed to this report.

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Bunk beds in dormitories for Islamic State fighters at a training center in the Zuhoor neighborhood of Mosul. (Loveday Morris/The Washington Post)

The bunk beds that fill the rooms sleep more than 80 Islamic State recruits. On the walls, posters detail the components of Russian Kalashnikovs and American assault rifles.

One sign reminds the trainees that victory comes from long fights and pain  rewards come later: Remember that we didnt come for this life, we came for the afterlife.

Spread across several large houses, the Sheikh Abu Samaya Ansari Camp was discovered this week by Iraqi forces as they pushed deeper into the northern city of Mosul, which Islamic State militants have been fighting bitterly to retain.

It is the first military training center that the Iraqi forces have found in the city since they began an offensive to retake it just more than six weeks ago.

Since then, the Islamic States grip on its most prized urban center in Iraq has slipped. But the group is still inflicting heavy casualties on advancing Iraqi forces, waylaying them with car bombs and street-to-street fighting.

An Iraqi counterterrorism officer looks at a list of city rules on the wall of an Islamic State training center. (Loveday Morris/The Washington Post)

The documents and learning aids left at the training center highlight the mix of guerrilla and conventional warfare tactics  combined with religious indoctrination  that make the group such a formidable foe. They show a detailed level of military planning and training, drawing manpower and expertise from around the world.

[I thought, this is it: One mans escape from an Islamic State mass execution]

The sign for the training camps armory was written in both Russian and Arabic. A carbon-dioxide canister, probably for use in an air rifle for target training, was also marked in Russian.

Thousands of Russian passport-holders have traveled to Iraq and Syria to join Islamic State militants, making up as much as 8 percent of the groups foreign fighters, according to Europol, the European Unions law enforcement agency. Most come from the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region.

This was an initial step for new recruits, said Brig. Gen. Haider al-Obaidi, a commander with the Iraqi counterterrorism troops that retook the camp and interviewed residents in the area. We think they were mostly Iraqi, with some foreigners. They were mostly training on Russian weapons, so maybe some foreigners were training them.

Neighbors said the fighters did not interact with them.

Wed see them go in and out, but theyd have their faces covered, said Mohammed Muthafer, who lives across the street.

This is my room; I watched them sometimes, he said, pointing at his house. But they covered all the windows.

Buses would ferry recruits in and out, but their windows would also be blacked out so it was not possible to see them, he said. A building next door was previously used to house women, including a Russian and one from Tajikistan, he said, adding that suicide bombers would party with them before their final missions.

Since seizing Mosul 2 1 /2 years ago, the Islamic State has embarked on an ambitious program of state-building, complete with bureaucracy and thorough record-keeping. The documents that the militants left behind when they moved out more than a month ago shed light on the groups inner workings.

[Iraq has never seen this kind of fighting in its battles with ISIS]

One printed sheet detailed the equipment that fighters were told to take on operations. In addition to weapons and ammunition, each group should have two TNT mines and 10 molotov cocktails, it said, as well as a shovel, ladder, hammers and nails, and stretchers.

Fighters also were instructed to take two large smoke bombs, or four small ones, night-vision goggles and binoculars. The list continued in minute detail: a knife, torch, lighter, first-aid kit and small notebook and pen.

A set of dumbbells lay in a hallway of the center, and half-used packs of steroids in one room. In another, bundles of long, beige Afghan-style tunics and pants favored by the group were strewn across the floor.

One sign urged the mujahid to keep clean and quiet.

The recruits were apparently tested on their knowledge of weapons.

Name the firing positions for a 7.62mm Kalashnikov, read the first question on one exam that was left behind. Whats the maximum range?

Other documents detailed the health of fighters, noting their pulse rates and blood pressure.

It is unclear how old the recruits were, although Muthafer said the militants targeted young teens in the area. Since beginning to take ground in Iraq nearly three years ago, Islamic State militants have tried to build their legacy by focusing on indoctrinating the next generation.

In the mosques theyd order us to go for jihad, but youd have to really want it and get a recommendation, he said. People my age, they didnt really bother, but 12- or 13-year-olds, theyd talk to them in the mosque and in the street and try to convince them.

The Islamic State has separate training camps for its cubs of the caliphate, but there were indications that some of the trainees housed at the center might have been young. Outside one building, an exercise book included lessons on the basic tenets of Islam. On one page, a short entry titled The aeroplane, was written in a childish scrawl.

At morning the sound of the airplanes is very loud, its choking us, it read. The infidels have no mercy. We are very afraid of the pilot.

On the wall of a large room, a list of rules for the city was laid out like a constitution.

All people, you have tried the secular regime, youve lived under many eras, it said. Now this is the era of Islamic State.

It praised the groups victory in the city and the release of thousands of prisoners held in Iraqi jails. Islamic State keeps moving, it said. We will never go back.

But slowly, Iraqi security forces are winning back land here in the Islamic States self-proclaimed caliphate. The car bombs, which at one point numbered around 25 a day on this eastern front, have dropped to around five, counterterrorism officers said.

The militants resources appear to be dwindling, and much of the population of Mosul has turned against them.

Id wish youd push them out, said one man as he approached the counterterrorism forces outside the former training camp, pointing toward the streets behind him as gunfire rang out.

Read more:

Islamic State is kidnapping thousands of people to use as human shields

Islamic State has unleashed over 600 car bombs in Mosul battle

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Three years after the CIA began secretly shipping lethal aid to rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, battlefield losses and fears that a Donald Trump administration will abandon them have left tens of thousands of opposition fighters weighing their alternatives.

Among the options, say U.S. officials, regional experts and the rebels themselves, are a closer alliance with better-armed al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, receipt of more sophisticated weaponry from Sunni states in the Persian Gulf region opposed to a U.S. pullback, and adoption of more traditional guerrilla tactics, including sniper and other small-scale attacks on both Syrian and Russian targets.

Just over a year ago, the opposition held significant territory inside Syria. Since then, in the absence of effective international pushback, Russian and Syrian airstrikes have relentlessly bombarded their positions and the civilians alongside them. On the ground, Syrian government troops  bolstered by Iran, Lebanons Hezbollah, and Shiite militia forces from Iraq  have retaken much of that ground.

In brutal attacks over the past three weeks, they have been driven out of much of the eastern Aleppo stronghold that they have occupied since 2012.

[We are alone: The voices of besieged, rebel-held Aleppo]





Trump has made clear that his priority in Syria is the separate fight against the Islamic State, ideally in cooperation with Russia and the Syrian government, as well as other allies. While still vague about his plans, the president-elect has rejected the Obama administrations view that ending the civil war and bringing Assad to the negotiating table are ultimately key to victory over the Islamic militants, and indicated he will curtail support for the opposition.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed the rebels, saying, We have no idea who these people are.

My attitude was youre fighting Syria, Syria is fighting ISIS, and you have to get rid of ISIS, he told the Wall Street Journal last month, using another name for the Islamic State.

Assad, in an interview the week after Trumps election, called the United States a natural counterterrorism ally. He has long labeled the opposition as terrorists equal to the Islamic State.

The possibility of cutting loose opposition groups it has vetted, trained and armed would be a jolt to a CIA already unsettled by the low opinion of U.S. intelligence capabilities that Trump had expressed during his presidential campaign.

From a slow and disorganized start, the opposition accomplished many of the goals the U.S. hoped for, including their development into a credible fighting force that showed signs of pressuring Assad into negotiations, had Russia not begun bombing and Iran stepped up its presence on the ground, said one of several U.S. officials who discussed the situation on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The United States estimates that there are 50,000 or more fighters it calls moderate opposition, concentrated in the northwest province of Idlib, in Aleppo and in smaller pockets throughout western and southern Syria, and that they are not likely to give up.

Theyve been fighting for years, and theyve managed to survive, the U.S. official said. Their opposition to Assad is not going to fade away.

Although their fortunes were boosted last year by U.S. and Saudi Arabia-provided TOW antitank missiles, the rebels have long complained that American assistance has been stingy and has come with too many strings attached. Concerned that more sophisticated weapons, including portable antiaircraft missiles, would end up in the hands of extremists, President Obama refused to send them and prevailed upon regional allies to impose similar restrictions on their own arms shipments.

Now, said one U.S.-vetted rebel commander, we are very frustrated. The United States refuses to provide weapons we need, and yet it still thinks it can tell us what to do. They promise support and then watch us drown.

America will have no influence if our comrades are forced [to retreat to] Idlib from Aleppo, said the commander, who asked not to be identified to speak about sensitive rebel relations with the United States.

Most rebels already forced to relinquish territory have gone to Idlib, which is fast becoming a holding pen for what is left of the rebellion. The area is dominated by as many as 10,000 fighters for Jabhat al-Nusra, the al-Qaeda-linked group now known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, and an equal number of Ahrar al-Sham, an Islamist group tied to the wider rebel movement that the United States does not consider terrorist.

Some experts, including Trumps designated White House national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, think that the growing operational alliance between the rebels and extremist groups began long ago.

Flynn argued last year that Obamas Syria strategy of first withholding, then offering only measured support for the opposition through a covert CIA program, effectively allowed extremist organizations to grow at rebel expense. Asked in a July 2015 al Jazeera interview whether there should have been stronger early support for the opposition, Flynn said: When you dont get in and help somebody, theyre going to find other means to achieve their goals. . . . We should have done more earlier on in this effort.

[Trumps pick for national security adviser brings experience and controversy]

At the same time, Flynn has said, the administration played down early intelligence indicating that al-Nusra and eventually the Islamic State organization, which combined Islamist extremists and former Iraqi army officers left adrift by the 2003 U.S. invasion, were growing rapidly.

In a book published last summer, Flynn wrote that they are allied with those who share their hatred of the West, including North Korea, Russia, China, Cuba and Venezuela.

But in an analysis looking forward, echoed by Trump and certain to be influential in the incoming White House, Flynn has also outlined a World War II -type global alliance, including both the United States and Russia, under a single leadership, to combat what he has called Islams . . . political ideology.

Others have noted that cutting off the opposition would not only support Russian and Syrian aims but also would benefit Iran at the perceived expense of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other regional U.S. allies who view that country as an existential threat.

There will be significant reputational costs with our allies in the region if we abandon support of the moderate opposition, said Rep. Adam B. Schiff (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

He said the question is whether our Gulf allies can count on us or they cant, whether the Iranians are going to be given free rein or they wont.

A lot obviously will depend on what the president-elect does, what his advisers urge him to do, Schiff said. Referring to retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, Trumps choice for defense secretary, Schiff added, I think Gen. Mattis will have different views . . . [that] recognize the implications in terms of Iranian influence in the region.

Disagreement over whether to take a tougher line against Russia in Syria  including direct military intervention on behalf of civilians and, indirectly, the rebels  in Aleppo and beyond has already caused deep divisions between Obamas State Department and the reluctant Defense Department and the White House.

Secretary of State John F. Kerry has continued negotiations over a cease-fire, meeting again with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Rome on Friday. Talks have focused on an agreement to safely deliver humanitarian aid and to evacuate both civilians, who want to leave, and the al-Nusra forces that Russia says are the majority of some several thousand anti-Assad fighters in the eastern part of the city. U.S. officials think the militants there number in the hundreds.

But Kerry has had little leverage to persuade Moscow to change its strategy, designed to ensure a military victory for Assad.

As the incoming Trump administration considers withdrawing from involvement in either assisting or resolving the civil war, others have indicated they will move into the anticipated vacuum.

Qatar has said it will continue supporting and supplying the rebels, regardless of what the United States decides.

We want to have the U.S. with us, for sure. They have been our historic ally, Qatar Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Jassim al-Thani said last week in an interview with Reuters in Doha. But if they want to change their minds . . . we are not going to change our position.

Loveluck reported from Beirut.

Read more:

A missile strike kills the beloved clown of Aleppo

The battle of Aleppo, explained

Darkness and fear in Aleppo as the bombs rain down
Hundreds more flights cancelled as Lufthansa strike continues

Lufthansa pilots have continued with industrial action and hundreds more flights have been cancelled

Pilots at German airline Lufthansa are on strike again after a two-day break in their campaign of walkouts.

The company cancelled 816 short-haul flights scheduled for Tuesday and 890 flights on Wednesday after pilots again extended their strike in an ongoing dispute over wages.

Lufthansa said some 82,000 passengers will be affected by Tuesday's walkout, and 98,000 by Wednesday's are affected.

The industrial action by the Cockpit union is to be followed on Wednesday by a strike hitting both short-haul and long-haul services.

There were four consecutive days of walkouts last week.

The airline failed to persuade a Munich court to issue an injunction blocking the latest strike.

Thousands of passengers affected

Lufthansa has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights a day.

Maintaining that the airline, Germany's largest, has been posting significant profits for years, the union has demanded retroactive raises of 3.66% a year going back five-and-a-half years.

Lufthansa has countered with a significantly lower offer and has proposed bringing in an arbitrator.

The latest strike by Cockpit is the 14th since April 2014 in the long-running dispute. It comes as Lufthansa restructures to meet increasing competition from Gulf airlines and European budget carriers.

"With a demand of 20% wage increases we cannot make Lufthansa fit for the future," said Lufthansa executive Harry Hohmeister.

European rules on compensation do not apply when strikes cause cancellations, but the airline is obliged to provide meals and accommodation as necessary, as well as finding seats on other airlines.

Union 'sorry' for impact on travellers

The union, which has 9,600 members, says it "regrets the impact on the passengers, cabin crew and ground staff".

Lufthansa says it "will do everything possible to keep the impact as low as possible".

The strike is taking place at a time when there is a reasonable amount of capacity on other carriers. But there are fears that the pilots may continue industrial action in the build-up to the busy Christmas season.

Holidaymakers should take out travel insurance to help minimise the impact of delayed or cancelled flights.
The Eagle Huntress, directed by Otto Bell; Rules Dont Apply, directed, written and co-produced by Warren Beatty; Nocturnal Animals, directed by Tom Ford, based on the 1993 novel by Austin Wright

The Eagle Huntress

Eagle hunting (falconry), a centuries-old tradition, is currently practiced by Kazakhs in Bayon-Olgii, Mongolia, as well as in Kazakhstan, and the Saur and Altai ranges in Xinjiang, China. This ancient form of hunting is also employed in Kyrgyzstan and Akqi, Xinjiang in western China, and in Turkmenistan.

Golden eagles, capable of speeds of up to 190 miles per hour, weigh up to 15 pounds and average about three feet tall with wings that span over six feet. They kill with their talons, sharp and powerful enough to pulverize the bones of their prey, which is then used by their owners for meat and fur.

The documentary, The Eagle Huntress, directed by Otto Bell, follows apple-cheeked, 13-year-old Aisholpan, a member of a tribe of Kazakh semi-nomads, as she learns the art of eagle hunting from her father Nurgaiv. She is destined to become a member of her familys 12th generation of hunters. While Nurgaiv and his wife believe in the equality of sexes, many of the tribal elders are vehemently opposed to the training of female hunters. (In 1924, when Mongolia became part of the Soviet Union, the constitution mandated gender equality.)

Aisholpan divides her time between boarding school and her familys encampment. The latter is elemental but adorned with exquisite, hand-embroidered tapestries, the same stunning handicrafts that ornament the familys clothing.

Under the tutelage of her patient and loving father, Aisholpan will capture her own three-month-old eaglet, which must be female, due to a larger body and more ferocious nature. Drone cameras swoop over sparse steppes and snow-capped mountains as the young steady-footed burkitshi (eagle hunter), is lowered down a steep cliff by her nervous father to the nest. It is a visually arresting and tension-filled sequence, which skillfully mixes live footage with re-enactments.

Despite her age and relative inexperience, Aisholpan enters the Golden Eagle Festival in Olgii to compete against 70 of the greatest eagle huntersas old as 80in Mongolia. This and other arduous challenges in the frigid mountains must be endured before Aisholpan can take her place as the youngest and one of the first eagle huntresses.

The Eagle Huntress is a lively and unusual encounter with a remote population and their customs. Aisholpan and her family are endearing and profoundly humane. When the courageous huntress extends her small, leather-covered arm to serve as the landing pad for an imposing raptor approaching at race car speeds, it takes ones breath away. In an interesting scene at Aisholpans school, classmateswho are gathered around listening to her recount her exploitsexclaim: We too want to be eagle hunters, but were afraid of eagles. They are rightfully in awe of a girl who is taking the eagle hunting world by storm. (At one point, Aisholpan also reveals she wants to be a doctor.)

Girls will be girls, and Aisholpan prepares for the festival by applying nail polish with less skill than she handles her beast of prey. She also helps her younger sibling brighten up her digits.

The Eagle Festival is another of the movies highpoints. Eagle-hunting regalia for hunters and their horses are judged, as well as the skill of the eagles at hunting and locating their owners from a distance.

In an interview with National Geographic, director Bell explains some of the factors responsible for the young girls extraordinary talents and the equally extraordinary acceptance of these by her parents: I think her parents support is born from a combination of factors. Firstly, they saw this coming. Aisholpans mother, Alma, told me that her daughter was always transfixed by her fathers eaglessince she was a baby shed exhibited an almost preternatural fascination with the birds.

Secondly, theres circumstance. When her older brother left to join the Mongolian Army, Aisholpan took on the bulk of his chores. These were often physical farm tasks, typically undertaken by the men of the tribe. From what I understand, Aisholpan parlayed these new responsibilities into time on the mountain with her dads eagle. Hes a fair man and a champion eagle hunter.

After describing the quiet steel that underpins her determination, Bell goes on to say that he and his little crew of three would be freezing in minus-50 conditions and she would just plow through knee-high drifts, carrying her 15-pound eagle like it was a walk in the park.

The Eagle Huntress dazzles as much for its images as for the love and respect it holds for its subjects.

Rules Dont Apply

Warren Beattys Rules Dont Apply begins with a quote from tycoon Howard Hughes, Never check an interesting fact, an adage that the filmmaker staunchly adheres to in his fictionalized homage to the aviator-mogul. The movie begins and ends at a 1964 press conference where members of the media anxiously await a statement from the recluse. The unlikely story is sandwiched in between.

In 1958, Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins), a small town Virginia beauty queen and Baptist, arrives in Los Angeles with her prudish mother (Annette Bening). She has been hired as one of Hughes contract starlets. Given a house, Marla is chauffeured by the handsome Frank Forbes (Alden Ehrenreich), a Methodist engaged to his childhood sweetheart. Sparks fly between the two despite the fact that Hughes employees are forbidden to fraternize.

While the pairs attraction for one another slowly builds, Rules Dont Apply suddenly becomes a faux Hughes biopic and from there the chaotic goings-on revolve around Beattys portrayal of the neurotic billionaire. Minor roles are assigned to Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Matthew Broderick, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan and Steve Coogan, among others.

The film is poorly made, choppy and rambling. More to the point, it presents the deplorable Hughes as an essentially sympathetic, eccentric figure with a father complex. And lines such as No one has done more to fight Communism are delivered with a straight face.

Why do we need another film about Howard Hughes?

In 2005, in a review of Martin Scorseses film, The Aviator, the WSWS noted that Scorseses work had falsified Hughess life, since it avoided his role as a fanatical anti-communist, who purged his own studio, RKO, of left-wingers, and his campaigns against screenwriter Paul Jarrico and Chaplins Limelight; his well-known links to the Mafia; his business and personal dealings with bloody dictators such as Cubas Batista, the Dominican Republics Trujillo and Nicaraguas Somoza; his sale of TWA for half a billion dollars and his subsequent bizarre retreat to Las Vegas; his alleged participation in an assassination plot against Fidel Castro; his multifarious and lucrative association with the CIA ; his profiteering during the Vietnam War; his buying up of Republican and Democratic politicians alike (I can buy any man in the world, he boasted); his especially intimate ties to Richard Nixon and his apparent role in the Watergate conspiracy; his drug addiction; and, of course, his descent into hypochondria, paranoia and, ultimately, total lunacy. One might legitimately describe Hughes as something of an American fascist type.

Unhappily, one suspects that Rules Dont Apply is meant by Beatty to apply to himself, a subject that seems to take up most of his time and interest at the moment.

In an interview with the Daily Beast, Beattyan affluent liberal and Democratic Party supporterwaxed complacent about the election of Donald Trump: I think we dont know yet what the possibilities are, he said. And I think we have to respect our system and not respond precipitously. I think well have to see what happens.

Beatty long ago surrendered to the Hollywood establishment. It has been more than a third of a century since he directed Reds, about the American socialist and chronicler of the October Revolution, John Reed. However, as recently as 1998, the WSWS headlined its review of his entertaining and anti-establishment Bulworth, A Little of John Reed, After All. The film centered on a corrupt California senator (Beatty) who has a nervous breakdown, in part, from his guilt over a political turn to the right. Eighteen years later, that little bit of Reed has apparently been worn away.

Nocturnal Animals

A revenge thriller, with the emphasis on revenge, Tom Fords Nocturnal Animals opens during an art gallery exhibition that features obese naked woman energetically dancing, waving sparklers and American flags, while others recline motionlessly on platforms. Through this scene, Ford, a successful fashion designer whose career as a filmmaker was launched in 2009 with A Single Man, seems to express a non-committal, but certainly uncritical attitude toward the current vacuous and distasteful art scene. It further sets the tone for a movie that is violent, pretentious and misanthropic.

Amy Adams plays Susan Morrow, a wealthy art gallery owner who has lost her zest for life. A work spelling out REVENGE is prominently on display in her institution and a sculpture from the repugnant Jeff Koons adorns her home. Her husband (Armie Hammer) uses his failing business as an excuse for absences to indulge in infidelity.

Susan receives a book manuscript from Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal), her ex-husband whom she dumped for the more upscale Hammer character. The books narrative is the film-within-the-film. It concerns Tom (also Gyllenhaal) and his wife (Isla Fisher, looking like an Adams replica) and daughter who are terrorized and worse as they drive at night on a back road in West Texas. Michael Shannon is a cop dying of lung cancer who has no qualms about dispensing vigilante justice when all else fails.

While the film contains vague references to the superficiality of the moneyed, it also wallows in what it considers the savagery of nocturnal animals, i.e., the backward horde of have-nots who live to harm those who have. Fords trivial impressions and vengeful fantasies leave him squarely in the swamp he is supposed to be critiquing.
The next time you go out and order a Belgian stout at your local bar, you can brag that youre drinking an international treasure. Belgian beer culture has been added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list this year, along with other cultural phenomena like flatbread making, rumba music,...

The next time you go out and order a Belgian stout at your local bar, you can brag that youre drinking an international treasure. Belgian beer culture has been added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list this year, along with other cultural phenomena like flatbread making, rumba music, and multiple festivals celebrated in Japan, France, Spain, and Greece.

It is the unparalleled diversity of the art of brewing and the intensity of the beer culture, as a part of our daily lives and at festivals in our country, that make this beer culture a part of the identity and the cultural heritage of the entire country, a statement from the culture ministers from the French-, German-, and Dutch-speaking communities of Belgium told Politico.

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage list is kept and curated by the United Nations and contains both physical heritage sites, like The Great Pyramids of Giza, as well as the intangible, such as cultural events, phenomena, and creative expressions like French gastronomy, Italian opera, and Spanish flamenco.
Photo credit: Hearst Communications, Inc. All rights reserved

From Cosmopolitan

On Tuesday, Mitt Romney met with Donald Trump and Reince Priebus for dinner at Trump Tower - the 2012 Republican presidential nominee's second meeting with the president-elect since the election.

While once one of Trump's most vocal critics, Romney appears to have changed his tune about the president-elect now that he is being considered for a role in his Cabinet as secretary of state. But despite his newfound praise for Trump following their dinner, one of the photos from the meeting seems to suggest Romney still has some major reservations about supporting the president-elect, and a very awkward picture has since gone viral as a result.

Here are just 13 people roasting him for the photo and for doing a complete 180 on his public stance on Trump.

1.

For the first time in his life, Mitt Romney is All Of Us. pic.twitter.com/e8TyFgmtDl - John Green (@johngreen) November 30, 2016

2.

3.

*record scratch*



*freeze frame*



"Yup, that's me, Mitt Romney. You're probably wondering how I ended up here" pic.twitter.com/ppTrG9mnlh - Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) November 30, 2016

4.

PICTURED: Mitt Romney at the exact moment he realizes hes selling his soul pic.twitter.com/XccIJj93KN - Bucky Isotope (@BuckyIsotope) November 30, 2016

5.

mitt externally vs. mitt internally pic.twitter.com/DENYceSQtd - Sammy Nickalls (@sammynickalls) November 30, 2016

6.

Photo credit: Twitter

7.

I was trying to place why this looked familiar and then it hit me pic.twitter.com/ZfRdzffgOy - Nick Horowitz (@ztiworoh) November 30, 2016

8.

.@MittRomney I will have some time this weekend if you need any help looking for your dignity - andy lassner (@andylassner) November 30, 2016

9.

No German word long enough for whatever that emotion is pic.twitter.com/hdDrD7EgbO - Jared Currier (@JaredCurrier) November 30, 2016

10.

I made the Trump/Romney photo black and white, and it looks like a Twilight Zone episode where a guy just made a foolish deal with the Devil pic.twitter.com/froiDYDJei - Adam Murray (@Atom_Murray) November 30, 2016

11.

i wonder what part of the oval office danold will keep mitt romney's shame in - Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) November 30, 2016

12.

Romney's popular vote share: 47%.

Trump's popular vote share: 46.5%. pic.twitter.com/fidZaaSZj0 - Leigh Caldwell (@leighblue) November 30, 2016

13.

and i find it kind of funny

i find it kind of sad

the dreams in which i'm dying

are the best i've ever had pic.twitter.com/31KJKW2Fui - j.r. hennessy (@jrhennessy) November 30, 2016

Follow Gina on Twitter.



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Trump Compares His Defense Secretary Pick to General Patton  And 5 More Things to Know About James Mad Dog Mattis

Crowds in Ohio cheered wildly on Thursday when President-elect Donald Trump announced he had picked an iconic former Marine Corps general to run the Pentagon.

We are going to appoint Mad Dog Mattis as our secretary of defense, Trump told people who attended the Cincinnati leg of his post-election thank you tour. Calling Mattis the closest thing to General Patton that we have, Trump highly praised the retired four-star general.

Here are five things to know about Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis, who retired from the military in 2013 after serving his final duty assignment as chief of the militarys U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

1. He is held in the highest regard by other warfighters

He is one of the finest military officers in American history, says historian and former Army Infantry officer James Lechner, who served under Mattis in combat in Iraq. I put him right up there with Patton and Robert E. Lee.

The warriors admire Mattis for a range of qualities.

His positive energy emanates to the entire force, says Frank Grippe, himself a legendary soldier who served as Command Sergeant Major of CENTCOM under Mattis. He is a scholar, a gentleman, and among the most gritty, courageous, at-home-in-the-dirt warriors our great nation ever produced.

Mattis understands how to balance the approach to war, insiders say.

Not only is he as tough and as dynamic a warrior as anyone who commanded U.S. troops, but he can turn right around in the same breath and be one of the most prescient diplomats Ive ever encountered, Lechner says. He is a master of counterinsurgency. He is one of the few people who know how to fight a counterinsurgency at the tactical and strategic level.

He is a self-actualized package of mind, body and spirit, Grippe says.

2. He is devoted to warfighters in a personal way

Mattis is known for putting the troops first, and for caring deeply about their welfare.

The former commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles Krulak, has been quoted as saying he once was shocked to find Mattis pulling guard duty on Christmas Day at Marine Base Quantico in Virginia. The officer who originally was scheduled for guard duty that day had a family, and Mattis decided to take the mans place so that the young Marine could spend Christmas at home.

Story continues

The devotion hasnt lessened over time.

Several weeks ago, this reporter was at an Irish pub in Tampa with some wounded warriors, Grippe, and Jill Kelley, when the group decided to call Mattis. During the call, Mattis spoke to Joel Tavera, who was blinded and seriously wounded in 2008 in Iraq. While on the phone, Mattis repeatedly asked Tavera how he was doing, listened at length, and expressed sincere gratitude for the Army vets service.

3. He is a bookworm and an intellectual

Mattis owns an extensive personal library that is said to include some 7,000 volumes.

He is a prolific reader, Lechner says. He reads constantly.

The scuttlebutt among other warfighters is that Mattis loves reading so much that he brought his entire library with him in packing crates on each deployment. He once engaged in an email exchange where he extolled the virtues of reading.

Mattis practiced what he prescribed. He was said to have been spotted often in quiet moments after hours, reading contentedly.

One particularly dog-eared tract was Meditations by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Mattis reputation as an intellectual has spread to the civilian world. On Monday, Newt Gingrich told reporters Mattis is one of the smartest people in the military.

When he sets down his books and his weapons, Mattis also seems to enjoy talking about military history and operations.

Last summer, this reporter called Mattis on his cell phone to ask about combat operations in Kunar Province, Afghanistan in 2011. After first saying he did not have time to talk, Mattis spent some 30 minutes discussing Afghanistan war operations, policy, and combat theory in general, offering keen insights and observations.

RELATED VIDEO: Donald Trump Falsely Claims He Won the Electoral College and Popular Vote by a Landslide

4. He is known for his Mattisisms

Mattis has the ability to craft memorable phrases that can wind up as popular memes. Some of his best known Mattisisms are as follows.

I come in peace. I didnt bring artillery. But Im pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you f with me, Ill kill you all.

Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.

Im going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years.

5. He has been given colorful nicknames

Unlike other secretaries of defense, who have gone by Sir, or Mister Secretary, Trumps pick for the position also answers to three nicknames.

Mad Dog comes from his demeanor in combat.

Chaos was his Marine Corps callsign. Mattis reportedly has said it is an acronym for Colonel Has An Outstanding Solution. But the Marines reportedly believe the callsign means  chaos.

The Warrior Monk because he is a bachelor who has devoted his life to studying and waging war.




Christie Jameson sometimes wonders if the idea to adopt 35 children was planted when she was 12. She came home from a doctors appointment with her mother one afternoon and discovered that her only sibling, Buddy, 15, had accidentally hung himself while playing on a rope.

He was such a sweet, outgoing brother  everybody loved him, Jameson, now 73, tells PEOPLE. It left a huge hole in my heart.

After she married and gave birth to two children of her own, Jameson, who now lives in South Jordan, Utah, decided with her husband, Alva, that nobody can ever be loved too much.

She and Alva felt they had room in their home and their hearts for several more children, so they began to adopt. One child led to two, then five, then 10, then 20. Over three decades, the Jamesons adopted 35 children in all  26 of them with special needs.

We didnt go looking for our family  most of them came to us, once the word got out that we would take the kids nobody else wanted, says Jameson, now a single mom (Alva died of cancer in 2009) caring for 11 disabled children at home, including six with serious heart defects.

All kids deserve a real home of their own and I just couldnt bear the thought of my kids going into institutions, Jameson tells PEOPLE. In my heart, I knew there was always room for one more. And I know there must be other people out there who would do the very same.

Although silence was rare and the kitchen table was always crowded, I loved watching my parents get to know the needs of each child that joined our family, Kristin Jameson, 45, one of Christies two biological children, tells PEOPLE. I loved all of my siblings and enjoyed helping to raise some of them. It was really difficult when I had to leave home and go away to college.

Now a special education teacher in southern Arizona, Kristin says that her career choice was inspired by her mother.

The knowledge I have as a teacher didnt come from college, but rather from living and working with my siblings, she says. My parents instilled such a strong work ethic in each of us. From them, I learned the importance of teaching each child to reach their own special potential.

Story continues

Over the years, Christie Jameson has adopted children who have Down syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and fetal alcohol syndrome. Some of her children were physically or sexually abused and some are blind or deaf, while others have weak immune systems and are not expected to live full lives.

Of the 35 we took in, weve lost 12, she says. Every time, its heart-wrenching, but if I had to do it all over again, I would. They deserved every happiness they could get in the short time that they were here. They brought a lot of joy into my life.

At each of her childrens funerals, Jameson played Garth Brooks The Dance, because she relates to the lyrics, I could have missed the pain, but Id have had to miss the dance.

Thats honestly how I feel  I simply cant imagine missing the dance in any of my kids lives, she says. Its been an honor to be their mother.

Of the children living at home, the youngest, Eli, who was born with Soto syndrome (cerebral gigantism) is now 22.

Hes 6 feet, 6 inches tall, wears a size 20 shoe and functions on the level of a 2-year-old, says Jameson, but you should see that kid put a puzzle together. Hes capable of so much more than most people imagine. Every one of them are.

All of her special needs children went to school until they were 21, and now its up to me to keep them motivated and learning, says Jameson, who takes those who are able to the gym three days a week and to volunteer at a local thrift store.

Right now, theyre crocheting caps to give to refugees in our community, she says. They, more than anyone, know the importance of giving back.

Although she now has two assistants come in daily to help with bathing and feeding, Jameson didnt receive state subsidies for her familys care until just before her husband died.

Alva worked as an accountant, and for 15 years, I cleaned toilets and mopped floors at our church to bring in a little extra to augment his salary, she tells PEOPLE. Weve always made our own meals and lived a very simple life. But its been a good life, a happy life. Nobody has ever gone wanting.

To ensure that her family is cared for once she is gone, Jameson put her home and her life savings in a trust so that theyll always feel loved and protected, she says. For the rest of their lives, I want my kids to be loved and cared for. Theyve done the same for me for my entire life. Theyve given me much more than I could ever give them.




GaneshaSpeaks

The Rudraksha is a bead that grows on a tree of the same name in the Himalayan ranges, mostly Nepal, and the hilly region of Indonesia, Java, Sumatra and Burma. The Hindu scriptures are replete with the significance and benefits of wearing the Rudraksha. It has not only physical and mental benefits, but is also of immense value in spiritual upliftment.



The word Rudraksha is derived from Rudra (another name of Shiva) and Aksha, which means eyes, and it is believed that the beads are Shivas tears. These beads range from being one faced (ek mukhi) to 21 faced (ikees mukhi), but only the first 14 are worn by humans, and every bead, as per its properties, has its own different powers. The beads are said to have miraculous powers of healing many diseases and imbuing a person with tremendous spiritual energy.



Instead of wearing the beads randomly, Ganesha advises you to consult either a spiritual master or a knowledgeable astrologer before choosing which kind of Rudraksha will benefit you the most.



Here are some salient facts about the Rudraksha beads:



1. The best quality Rudraksha are found in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal.

2. The word Rudraksha is derived from the word Rudra (or Shiva) and Aksha (eyes).

3. These beads are known to have miraculous properties.

4. The wood of the Rudraksha tree is so tough that it was used to build the propellers of airplanes during the World War I.

5. The cost of the Rudraksha varies from type to type, and the higher the number of mukhis, the higher the cost, and the higher will its medicinal value be.

6. The best way to select a Rudraksha is consulting an expert, who will be able to tell you which type will suit your needs best.

7. Beware, also, of fake Rudraksha, and a majority of them are. The test is that when you put it in a glass of water, if it sinks it is genuine, but if it floats it is a fake.

8. These magical beads can control disease such as stroke, stress level, hypertension, and also give great relief from anxiety, depression and neurotic conditions.

9. These beads can be wore by everybody, regardless of their caste, creed, religion or culture.

10. If you wear the Rudraksha mala while meditation and yoga, it increases the benefits manifold.

11. A sinner who wears the Rudraksha mala is liberated of all his sins.



Rudraksha and Astrology:

Ganesha says that there is a very strong connection between the powerful Rudraksha and Astrology, and that various remedies for the planets can be conducted with the help of Rudraksha. Each Rudraksha is connected to a particular planet, and the effects of the particular Rudraksha can be helpful in either strengthening a planet, or nullifying its ill effects.



Benefits of some of the particular types of Rudrakshas:



1 Mukhi Rudraksha: Wear this for gaining peace and power. Know more @ 1-Mukhi-Rudraksh.



2 Mukhi Rudraksha: Teaches you to be compassionate. Know more @ 2-Mukhi-Rudraksh.



5 Mukhi Rudraksha: Increases your courage and helps you act boldly. Know more @ 5-Mukhi-Rudraksh.



Gauri Shankar Rudraksha: This Rudraksha is a very special one, as it denotes the Ardhnarishwara form of Lord Shiva. One side of this beautiful bead symbolises Lord Shiva, while the other side denotes the face of Goddess Gauri (Parvati). Know more @ Gauri Shankar Rudraksha.



With Ganeshas Grace,

The GaneshaSpeaks.com Team
David Sacks

Zenefits, the $2 billion HR software maker, is in the process of looking for a new CEO to replace David Sacks, who took over the helm less than a year ago, Sacks told The New York Times.

Its time to find the next leader, Sacks told The Times. He will remain with the company as its chairman.

The news was reported earlier by The Information, and The Wall Street Journal said that Sacks is considering taking a job with the presidential transition team of Donald Trump. Sacks is a friend and former colleague of Silicon Valley venture capitalist and PayPal founder Peter Thiel, who is helping to lead Trump's transition team.

Sacks could take on another role like senior executive chairman at the company, the report said.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise. Sacks just took the CEO position in February after founder/ex-CEO Parker Conrad was found to be responsible for developing illegal training software.

The company has been involved in a number of legal issues throughout the year, but seems to have settled down a bit after launching a new version of its product called "Z2" in October.

Sacks published a series of tweets on changes at the company late Friday night, saying he did not want the CEO job, but "felt a responsibility to investors, employees and customers to help the company through the crisis."

Read Sacks' tweets here:

1/ Ten months ago, the Board asked me to step into the CEO role at Zenefits amidst a regulatory crisis.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

2/ This is not a job I sought, but I felt a responsibility to investors, employees and customers to help the company through the crisis.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

3/ I accepted no compensation to do this job. (I wanted employees to get it all -- we more than doubled their ownership.)  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

4/ This week we successfully resolved the issues with the California Department of Insurance (CDI), our lead regulator, and 19 other states.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

5/ Remarkably CDI reduced its fine 50% in recognition of the remediation and cultural transformation weve done.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

6/ Regulators across the country have praised the company for resetting its values, culture, mission, leadership, and governance.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

7/ As a result, the company now has a clean bill of health.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

8/ Meanwhile, our amazing employees kept working. We launched our new Z2 product that small businesses love.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

9/ We reset our relationship with investors. We reduced headcount 35% and lowered monthly burn 50% YoY.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

10/ We refocused on our core small business market. Weve seen renewed growth on the heels of Z2. Sales is hiring again.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

11/ In short, we've achieved every goal set forth in my Day 1 memo, which outlined the turn-around plan.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

12/ Now it is time to open a search for permanent CEO of the company. I will stay involved as Chairman, focusing on product and strategy.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

13/ Zenefits has a great team, hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank, and years of runway to keep building.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

14/ Z2 is also the best product in a huge greenfield category -- small business HR. With this, Zenefits is spring-loaded for success.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

15/ I cannot thank all of our employees enough for their hard work to turn the company around. Their decisions and actions made it happen.  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

16/ Im excited about the future of Zenefits and partnering with a great operator and our Board to take Zenefits to the next level. //  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) December 3, 2016

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The last few weeks of the year tend to race by. Planning an affordable vacation or booking flights and hotels to join family and friends over the holidays might seem impossible now.

But there is still time. Use our travel tips to book an affordable last-minute flight and hotel room in time for Christmas or New Years Eve; our information can help you find great last-minute travel deals next year, too.

1. Travel on 'Off' Days

Shifting your travel dates by a day or two will often allow you to nab a much lower airfare. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday are generally the cheapest days to fly.

If you're traveling with a group, consider splitting up your party when you're searching for deals. If you have four in your group and there are only two cheap seats available, online reservation systems will give everyone higher-priced seats. Instead, check the price for one, two, and three seats on the plane, as well as for all four, then book accordingly.

You might also find deals if you fly on a holiday. If youre flexible enough to fly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and return on New Years Eve or New Years Day, airfares can be 25 percent to 50 percent less, according to the Travel Channel.

2. Check Multiple Airports

When you use price-comparison or airline sites, specify the city you want to depart from, not the airport. Most sites will then show you the flight options for any of that area's airports. A round-trip from one of the airports is likely to be significantly cheaper than from others. For example, a recent search for nonstop, round-trip fares from "Los Angeles area" airports to "South Florida area" airports on JetBlue (for its cheapest "Blue" seats) departing Dec. 31 and returning Jan. 3 varied from $680 to $1,735 (including taxes and fees).



3. Time Your Purchase

The best time to shop for flights? Check prices at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday; that's when the greatest number of cheap seats might be available. But bargains, even for last-minute travel, can appear at any time, so keep searching and set up alerts that will send you an email or text message when prices on your route drop.

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4. Consider Heading Overseas

The winter months are also the off-season in European travel hot spots such as London, Paris, Berlin, Venice, and Rome. It may be tough to find cheap flights, especially for last-minute travel, but deeply discounted hotel rooms may make paying a bit more for flights worthwhile.

TripAdvisor recently listed deals for a rate of $191 per night for a Dec. 31 through Jan. 3 stay at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park, and $150 per night for the Radisson Blu Edwardian New Providence Wharf Hotel. Kayak showed several four-star hotels in Rome from $64 to $190 per night for the same dates.

5. Haggle With Hotels

Only 28 percent of respondents to one of our surveys tried bargaining for better hotel room rates, yet 78 percent of those who did won an upgrade or a lower rate. Success rates were higher for people who haggled over the phone than for those who bargained in person.

Ask about unadvertised specials, and use free parking, a different bed size, or room location (for example, if it's next to the laundry station) as bargaining chips. Some hotels may be willing to give you a last-minute travel deal if they have empty rooms.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
At least 24 people died Friday when a fire broke out at a California warehouse space where an electronic dance rave was being held, according to reports.

According to the Oakland Fire department, they are still working on identifying victims who did not get out of the two-story building, which had no sprinkler system.

Read: Fire Captain Fatally Shoots Teen Volunteer at Fire Station: Police

According to reports, 30-70 people were inside of the building for the event advertised as a Rave Cave, and early Saturday morning firefighters were still working to stop the flames.

At least 55 firefighters were on the scene, according to authorities.

'This is a true loss for the city, for the firefighters who responded, and the people who lost family and friend. It's just tragic, a real tragedy, Deloche-Reed said.

The fire is being called one of the deadliest single-structure fires in the citys history.

It was too hot, too much smoke, I had to get out of there, Mule, a photographer and artist who lives at the building and suffered minor burns, told the East Bay Times. I literally felt my skin peeling and my lungs being suffocated by smoke. I couldnt get the fire extinguisher to work.

Mule also told the paper he saw someone jump out of a window to escape the fire.

Friends and family of people who attended the party took to social media early Saturday looking to confirm the whereabouts of loved ones.

On a Facebook page that originally advertised the event, people were posting photos of attendees still believed to be missing.

Read: Body Cam Shows Deputies Racing to Rescue 70-Year-Old Vietnam Vet from House Fire

According to reports, the fire still wasnt under control just after 4 a.m.

The cause of the fire is undetermined thus far.

Watch: Dolly Parton Is 'Heartbroken' Over Tennessee Wildfire Raging Near Dollywood

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The Daily Beast

Amy Beth Bennett/Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via GettyIn the final hours of the two-day sentencing hearing for Nikolas Cruz, the gunman who killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the family members of some of his victims fiercely confronted not only him, but also his defense team.Cruzs attorneys locked horns with Judge Elizabeth Scherer frequently before, during, and after a nearly four-week death penalty trial, crescendoing in an explosive exchange on Tuesday that saw
Tim Cook

2016 was the year that Apple joined the rest of the world and embraced social media.

Earlier this year, Apple launched an official Twitter account to promote the launch of the iPhone 7. And Apple has also been quietly running an official verified Facebook page for months as well, the company confirmed.

Apple has been running music-related social accounts for years, but its willingness to create official accounts for Apple itself is a relatively new development.

But both accounts show exactly zero activity. None. If you visit Apple's official Twitter page, you'll see that it has never tweeted. Apple's Facebook page has a bare wall as well.

Instead, Apple uses the accounts to buy advertisements for its latest products, like the iPhone 7, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch. These posts are "dark social," which means that Apple is taking advantage of advertising tools to promote posts that don't show up on the main account's feed.

This approach memorably resulted in promoted tweets revealing the iPhone 7 and its key features before Apple did it itself at one of its launch events.

Here's an ad we saw earlier this week:

Apple ad

This approach, while logical, seems to miss social media's particular advantages.

It's about authenticity

iPhone Calendar Spam

It's not as if Apple has nothing good to share on social media.

Before the iPhone launch event, some well-connected observers thought that Apple might even want to live-tweet its own event. It didn't, although it did end up spoiling its own launch.

But there's lots of information Apple should communicate outside product reviews.

As more people live in the Apple ecosystem, with their phone, computer, and watch all tied together with Apple services, there's even more of a need for the company to communicate with its customers. These folks might pay for an iPhone every two or three years, but they live with Apple every day.

Here's one example. There's been a nasty iCloud calendar spam problem going around. Chinese spammers figured out that if they send an unsolicited iCloud calendar invitation to nonexistent events, they can get around spam filters and Apple users will see the invite (to discount Ray-Bans or other fraudulent designer goods) on their phone.

Story continues

If you look at Apple's site, it doesn't address the problem. But the company has actually apologized for the problem and said that they're working on a fix  in a statement to an Apple-enthusiast site.

There are millions of Apple customers who don't check Apple blogs obsessively. They could completely miss this official communication about a problem that could be affecting them.

Wouldn't this be a great time for a Facebook post?

Similarly, Apple has a Twitter account that's designed to help Apple users with problems they're having. But Apple Support never announced that there was a fix for the sudden iPhone shutdown bug that's been going around, or the iPhone 6 "touch disease" issue. Those announcements were buried on Apple's official website.

Zuck art

Sure, there are reasons why Apple might not want to completely embrace social media. It's not the company's style. Brands rarely do good tweets. Trolls or people with an axe to grind could invade the comments as they already have on Apple's profile picture. Plus, social media with an audience of tens of millions can get weird. Just ask Mark Zuckerberg.

But when readers contact me after I write stories about Apple product flaws, one of the recurring themes is that they had wished Apple had communicated with them instead of forcing them to learn in a news story. Apple already has the platform to stay in contact with its most engaged customers. It just has to tell the world what's on its mind.

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San Francisco (AFP) - Apple has revealed it is investing heavily in autonomous vehicles in a letter asking the government to make it easier to develop self-driving cars.

The company is "excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation," Apple said in a November 22 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offering Apple's opinion about draft regulations for the sector.

"Apple looks forward to collaborating with NHTSA and other stakeholders so that the significant societal benefits of automated vehicles can be realized safely, responsibly, and expeditiously," the company's director of product integrity Steve Kenner wrote.

Apple issued the letter because it is "investing heavily in machine learning and autonomous systems," an Apple spokesman said in an email to AFP.

"There are many potential applications for these technologies, including the future of transportation, so we want to work with NHTSA to help define the best practices for the industry."

Rumors about Apple's ambitions in the sector have circulated for years.

The company has a separate organization called "Project Titan" that is developing automotive projects.

Although Apple has never officially confirmed the project, several of CEO Tim Cook's comments have fueled speculation.

After a $1 billion investment in a Chinese ride-hailing service called Didi Chuxing, he spoke of "some strategic things that the companies can do together over time."

However, in early September, The New York Times reported that the group had narrowed its ambitions, laying off dozens of staff as part of the project's "reboot."

Instead of designing and producing a complete self-driving car, the group will now concentrate on developing underlying technologies for autonomous vehicles.

In its letter, Apple urges the NHTSA not to penalize new participants in the sector by restricting the testing of cars under development on public roads, for which established automakers generally have exemptions.

Story continues

"To maximize the safety benefits of automated vehicles, encourage innovation, and promote fair competition, established manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally," it says.

Apple also encourages data sharing, particularly for accidents, saying that would enable the industry to "build a more comprehensive dataset than any one company could create alone."

Most major auto manufacturers and many technology groups are currently developing autonomous vehicles, considered to be the future of the automobile, along with electric power, with first production models promised for around 2020.
A star in Argentina since at least Tango Feroz, Fernan Miras has gone behind the camera to direct The Heavy Hand of the Law, produced by Fernando Sokolowicz, one of Argentinas most established producers. It is a showcase for two things which so many Argentine movies so often do well: Trenchant comedy and eliciting fine performances from consummate actors, here including Dario Grandinetti, star of Pedro Almodovars Talk to Her and Julieta.

The laugh-out-loud humor comes despite the fact that the film is based on a true case that was an outrageous case of police negligence and bigotry. In The Heavy Hand of the Law, Gloria Soriano, a public defender, is appointed as counsel for the defence of the Gringo Gomez, a man so ignorant he does not know what homosexuality is. He is accused of raping a mentally-handicapped member of his village community in the Argentine sticks. Both men are from Argentinas humblest social strata. Gloria herself, after an accident, has a heavy limp. The case is written off as one village idiot raping another. But Soriano believes in her profession, senses Gomez is innocent, that this is a case of consensual sex. Against all the odds  the judge is a friend of the powerful prosecuting lawyer  she sets out to prove this. Variety chatted with Fernan Miras at Ventana Sur after a private screening of the movie.

Set in 1983, under Argentinas ghastly Junta, The Heavy Hand of the Law records a legal defence in the face of huge difficulties. It seems so singular that it has to be based on true events.

Yes. The other co-writer Roberto Gispert is a lawyer, and he showed me the real case. All lawyers have cases they laugh about. They showed us a lot of police files with a lot of mistakes, extraordinary misspellings. This was the first reason for our interest. What I remembered most was the picture of the Manfredo, the supposed victim, where he was put on all fours re-enacting the supposed crime. You never put a victim in a specific position and take a picture. But they did.

But it was a real picture of Manfredo?

Yes. You dont put a woman with her legs open for a picture [after alleged rape]. Why? What was the reason? At first it was just a file, which lawyers laughed about. My co-writer was especially interested in the victims. How the system deals with the victims. Im interested in real stories. I felt it was a good excuse to make a film mostly because it was a small case, not like those against pharmacy companies. A small case in a small town.

Weight has two very Argentinian things. The writing and dialogue, the latters black humor. Why the comedy? This is in many ways a tragic case.

You can watch the hardest things of life if you laugh a little about them. Roberto and I talked to a lot of lawyers and judges. One of the first people we ran into was a woman lawyer not Gloria but a friend who said: Ive been a lawyer for twenty years and Ive never defended an innocent person.

Which you put into the film

Yes. We have an image of justice as something meaningful. But the only thing that is true is what you can or cannot prove. The other key point for me was the vocational aspect of being a lawyer. Researching for the film, we asked lawyers: Why did you start to study law? Some answered along the lines of: I was very young and I believed in justice. Others had forgotten why. That was for me the most important thing about the story. Public defenders also have the additional problem that theyre saturated by work, working for the poor classes.

That can be seen in the office which Gloria shares with her colleague, played by Dario Barassi. The files piling up on their desks; and that the reason most people visit the office is to use their toilet.

The piles are much higher in real life than in the movie.

You have some very good character actors such as Dario Grandinetti and the lawyer for the prosecution  Maria Onetti, who starred in Lucrecia Martels The Headless Woman, which competing at Cannes in 2008. How did you select them?

They asked me to be in the movie. At the time, for instance, Dario was going to star in Pedro Almodovars Julieta. He asked to read the screenplay, took a flight to Madrid, and phoned me from there to say he was in. I was very moved.

What do you think drives Gloria to spend so much time defending Gringo Gomez?

When she sees that the professor she so admired at university has become the prosecuting lawyer, the opposite of her ideal, that motivates her even more. I think this happens in a lot of professions.

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B&G Foods Inc. (BGS) made waves late on Friday after the company announced its most recent acquisition. B&G has now acquired Victoria Fine Foods from Huron Capital Partners and other sellers for roughly $70 million in cash.

The company projects that after it fully integrates the Victoria brand, the brand will generate on an annualized basis net sales of approximately $41.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $9.0 million.

B&G Foods funded the acquisition and related fees and expenses with cash on hand and additional revolving loans under its existing credit facility.

ALSO READ: America's Richest Cities

Some background on Victoria Fine Foods: It is a Brooklyn-based business founded in 1929. The Victoria brand offers a variety of premium pasta and specialty sauces, savory condiments and tasty gourmet spreads.

Robert C. Cantwell, president and CEO of B&G Foods, commented:

We are delighted to welcome Victoria Fine Foods and the Victoria premium pasta sauce brand to the B&G Foods family. The Victoria brand complements very well our existing portfolio of brands, including our Don Pepino pizza sauces, Sclafani crushed tomatoes and Emerils pasta sauces. And, consistent with our acquisition strategy, we expect the acquisition to be immediately accretive to our earnings per share and free cash flow.

ALSO READ: The Worst Companies to Work For

So far in 2016, B&G Foods has outperformed the broad markets, with the stock up about 21%.

Shares of B&G Foods closed Friday at $42.50, with a consensus analyst price target of $50.00 and a 52-week trading range of $31.81 to $52.84. In the after-hours trading session, the stock was up over 1% at $43.00.

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Beijing (AFP) - China protested to Washington Saturday after US President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades of foreign policy and spoke with the president of Taiwan.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump's telephone call with Tsai Ing-wen marked a deliberate pivot away from Washington's official "One China" stance, but it fuelled fears he is improvising on international affairs.

China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part of its own territory awaiting reunification under Beijing's rule, and any US move that would imply support for independence would likely trigger fury.

During Friday's discussion, Trump and Tsai noted "the close economic, political and security ties" between Taiwan and the United States, according to the president-elect's office.

"President-elect Trump also congratulated President Tsai on becoming President of Taiwan earlier this year," it said.

Beijing on Saturday offered a robust response.

"We have already made solemn representations about it to the relevant US side," the Chinese foreign ministry said.

"It must be pointed out that there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory,"

China also urged "relevant parties in the US... to handle Taiwan-related issues with caution and care to avoid unnecessarily interfering with the overall situation of Sino-US relations."

Trump, who had come under fire for the telephone call, hit back -- on Twitter.

"Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump tweeted.

- 'How wars start' -

President Barack Obama's White House said the outgoing US administration had not changed its stance on China-Taiwan issues.

"There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne told reporters.

Story continues

"We remain firmly committed to our 'One China' policy," she added. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations."

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with the island in 1979 and recognises Beijing as the sole government of "One China" -- while keeping friendly, non-official ties with Taipei.

But since coming to office this year, Tsai has refused to accept the "One China" concept, prompting Beijing to cut off all official communication with the island's new government.

Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party government (DPP) defeated the Kuomintang (KMT), which had much friendlier ties with Beijing, in a landslide election victory in January.

Even before the call with Taiwan, Trump's unorthodox diplomatic outreach had raised eyebrows, and, for some critics, in extending his hand to Taiwan, Trump crossed a dangerous line.

"What has happened in the last 48 hours is not a shift. These are major pivots in foreign policy without any plan. That's how wars start," tweeted Democratic Senator Chris Murphy.

- 'Very reckless' -

In China, analysts painted the call as something originating from Taiwan, claiming it was a deliberate Taiwanese attempt to upend America's China policy.

Jin Canrong, from China's Renmin University, told AFP Tsai had been "very cunning" in her call to Trump.

"Tsai Ing-wen would like to draw the United States against the mainland," he said.

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly accused China of manipulating its currency to harm US manufacturing and threatened to impose tariffs on some of its exports.

"One can see at once that Trump is very reckless, not familiar at all with the whole context," Jin said.

Chinese citizens were quick to react to the call on social networking platforms, noting Trump's reference to Tsai as "president" whereas on the mainland she is only referred to as Taiwan's "leader".

"The US dares to recognise Taiwan independence," one user said on Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

Another posted: "He calls Tsai as +president+ on Twitter!!! Is Trump thinking of using Taiwan as a bargaining chip in his negotiations with China?"

However Zhang Wensheng, of Xiamen University, was more circumspect, dismissing Trump's use of the term "president" as "personal greetings" that "do not reflect a political position whatsoever".
BUENOS AIRES  Mexicos Belzebuth, Brazils Body Electric, Colombias Len and the Whales Song and Ecuadors Chakay, the Master of the Two Worlds won top or multiple industry awards at Ventana Sur on Friday night.

Not only the prize winners had something to celebrate. The awards, mostly in industry services, went to three Ventana Sur sections, two of which  the genre-focused Blood Window and Animation!  are growth industries in Latin America passionately favoured by many young talents in the regions newest generation of filmmakers.

Also, Animation!, an inaugural development and pitching training forum, looks to have been a roaring success. Part of this must be put down to the quality of top animation coming out of Latin America: It is no coincidence that a Chilean work, Bear Story, won the Oscar for animated short this year.

Animation! was launched in collaboration with France Annecy Festival, with winners given flight to and accommodation at Annecy, or at least accreditation for special mentions, which in the worlds toon industry is the equivalent of winning passage to Lourdes. As the Animation prizes were announced in an Annecy-style good humour and ebullience, the only thing lacking at Ventana Sur to simulate the prestigious French fest were paper darts launched towards the stage, in hallowed Annecy tradition.

Animation!s kudos highlight potential standout movies and TV series coming out of the region. Top trophies went to, as best TV series, Chakay, the Master of the Two Worlds, from Ecuadors Alicia Studio, directed by Daniel Esteban Jacome.

Turning on a geek 12-year-old whose routine life changes when his cell-phone receives an Incan life-force allowing him to travel through alternative dimensions, the toon series was praised by the Animation! jury for its original concept, strong lead character and the capacity of the team to improve their pitching.

For its capacity to emotionally move the jury, its promise of an epic and special journey, and the theme which is both traditional and cultural but also leaps to the universal, Joan Manuel Millan and Manuel Victorias 2D Len and the Whales Song won best feature. It turns, as around half the projects at Animation, on an indigenous protagonist in tune with nature battling invasion of her ancestral lands.

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Curated by San Sebastian Fest director Jose Luis Rebordinos, Blood Window Work In Progress winners played broadly according to form, three titles taking the major awards: Emilio Portes demonic shock fest Belzebuth, shot in the U.S. and Mexico and English and Spanish; Clementine, from Argentine producer-turned-director Jimena Monteoliva, which casts a story of domestic abuse as a horror narrative; and Black Circle, the first Swedish-language movie of Adrian Garcia Bogliano, a founding father of modern Latin American genre.

Nicolas Puenzos The Unseen and Natalia Beristains The Goodbyes provoked much of the buzz in the build-up to Primer Corte. Both took a couple of prizes on Friday night. It was, however, a Brazilian movie, Body Electric from Marcelo Caetano, which stopped most plaudits, three in total. Move is a story of obsession, turning on Elias, a designer running a Sao Paolo fashion factory who falls in love with Filipe, an African immigrant working on the production line. Caetano is hardly off the radar. His half-hour Verona played te Rotterdam Fest in 2014; he has attended the Berlinale Talent Campus. That said, Body Electrics Primer Corte wins exemplify Brazils capacity to generate relatively-unknown talent for the rest of the world which goes on to festival or market glory, making movies which explore social issues at the forefront of public debate in the country. All the winners at the 2016 Ventana Sur, which wraps Dec. 3:

PRIMER CORTE

EUROPEAN VISION PRIZE

The Goodbyes, (Natalia Beristain, Mexico)

LE FILM FRANCAIS PRIZE

Body Electric, (Marcelo Caetano, Brazil)

LATIN AMERICAN VISION PRIZES

HABANERO AWARD

Body Electric

SOFIA FILMS AWARD

Body Electric

NMF, COLOR FRONT PRIZE

Soul Sister, (Kiki Alvarez, Cuba)

HD ARGENTINA PRIZE

The Goodbyes

SPECIAL MENTION

Soul Sister

LA MAYOR CINE AWARD

The Unseen, (Nicolas Puenzo, Argentina)

LABODIGITAL PRIZE

Las Malcogidas, (Denise Aranbia, Bolivia)

INCAA TV AWARD

The Unseen

ANIMATION!

BEST TV SERIES

Chakay, the Master of the Two Worlds (Daniel Esteban Jacome, Ecuador)

FIRST SPECIAL MENTION

Ioguis, (Florencia Kohan, Sabrina Pace, Argentina)

SECOND SPECIAL MENTION

Mandinga, (Becho Lo Bianco, Argentina)

BEST FEATURE FILM PROJECT

Len and the Whales Song, (Joan Manuel Millan, Manuel Victoria, Argentina, Colombia)

FIRST SPECIAL MENTION

The Metamorph, (Diego Ayala, Freddy Guerra, Chile)

BLOOD WINDOW

WORK IN PROGRESS

ENCORE SOUND, CHEMISTRY SOUND MIXING AWARD

Black Circle, (Adrian Garcia Bogliano, Mexico, U.S., Sweden, Finland. U.K.)

MORBIDO FESTIVAL. POSTER GRAPHIC DESIGN AWARD

Black Circle

SP CINE POST PRODUCTION, EXHIBITION AWARD

Belzebuth, (Emilio Portes, Mexico)

SOFIA FILMS COLOR CORRECTION PRIZE

Clementina, (Jimena Monteoliva, Argentina)

LA MAYOR CINE SOUND MIXING AWARD

Clementina

FANTASPOA PRODUCOES AWARD, TRANSLATION, SUBTITLING INTO PORTUGUESE

Belzebuth

LABURO DIGITAL AWARD

Belzebuth

BEYOND THE WINDOW

TEASER AWARD

Las Horribles, (Cristobal Echevensko. Chile)

MORBIDO GRAPHIC NOVEL ADAPTATION PRIZE

La Fosa, (Pablo Illanes, Chile)

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Its probably not the news fans were hoping for  following his exit in October as Showrunner of Star Trek Discovery, co-creator Bryan Fuller has now confirmed he has no further ongoing role in the CBS All Access series. Im not involved in production, or postproduction, so I can only give them the material Ive given them and hope that it is helpful for them, Fuller told Newsweek in an interview published earlier today. Im curious to see what they do with it.

Fuller co-created the series with Alex Kurtzman and largely developed the shows mythos, writing the first two episodes and sketching out the first season story arc. He quit as Star Trek Discovery showrunner just before Halloween, citing other commitments, including his television series adaptation of Neil Gaimans American Gods. He was replaced by his subordinates Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts, and remained an executive producer.

Originally set for a January, 2017 premiere on CBS All Access, the launch date was pushed back to May 2017 at the request of Fuller and Kurtzman, who wanted in particular to get the special effects right. CBS was unwilling to delay the premiere further but after Fullers departure, the network said it intended to honor the concept for the show he had co-developed. We are all committed to seeing this vision through, the network said in October.

For his part, Fuller has expressed a willingness to contribute to the shows potential second season. They have my number and if they need me I will absolutely be there for them.

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Santiago de Cuba (Cuba) (AFP) - Cuban President Raul Castro entombed the ashes of his late brother Fidel inside a round granite boulder on Sunday, opening a new era without the revolutionary leader who ruled the island for decades.

Castro placed a cedar urn inside the tall monolith near the mausoleums of the 19th-century independence icon Jose Marti and comrades of Fidel's rebellion in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba.

Capping a week of massive tributes, a simple, dark green marble plaque bearing just his first name -- "Fidel" -- was placed over the niche at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery.

Raul Castro gave a military salute at the private ceremony attended by his family and some foreign dignitaries, including Latin American allies from Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua, official photos showed.

"There were no speeches. It was very simple. There were just the ashes that were interred, the family, the government and officials," French Environment Minister Segolene Royal -- criticized in her country for defending Castro's human rights record -- told AFP after the hour-long funeral.

Castro, who died on November 25 at age 90, was revered by supporters for the free health care and education he provided across the island, but vilified by dissidents who saw him as a brutal dictator.

After keeping the public and media at bay, the cemetery opened and mourners lined up to leave white roses and other flowers inside marble vases behind a small iron gate in front of the granite boulder.

"He guided us, taught us, gave us free medicine, gave us everything for free, including schools," said Grisela Corona, a self-employed mother of three. "I am completely grateful to him and the revolution."

The burial marked the end of nine days of national mourning during which Cubans, often encouraged by the government, flooded the streets to pay tribute to Castro, chanting "I am Fidel!" as his ashes were driven across the Caribbean country.

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As a military jeep brought the urn to the ceremony, thousands who lined the streets of Santiago shouted "viva Fidel!"

On Saturday night, Raul Castro led a final rally in his brother's honor at Santiago's Revolution Plaza, leading the crowd in a pledge to uphold socialist ideals.

"In front of Fidel's remains... we swear to defend the Fatherland and socialism," he said.

Fidel Castro remained a towering figure in Cuba a decade after intestinal surgery forced him to hand power to his younger brother.

Although the boulder became an instant monument, Raul Castro said the national assembly will fulfill his brother's dying wish to forbid any statues in his memory or streets named after him.

"The leader of the revolution rejected any manifestation of a cult of personality," he said.

- 'Second god' -

Crowds held an all-night vigil at Santiago's Revolution Plaza, reading poems and holding pictures of the late leader before his morning funeral.

"For me, Fidel is a second god and his death has hurt me a lot," said 59-year-old restaurant worker Daisy Vera Ramirez.

The government nurtured the religious-like fervor, with state media calling Castro the "eternal comandante."

During the past week, Cubans were urged to go to schools and other public buildings to sign an oath of loyalty to his revolution.

Fidel Castro came to national prominence launching a botched raid on the Moncada military barracks on July 26, 1953, planting the seed of the revolution that eventually triumphed in 1959.

After taking power, he became an ally of the Soviet Union and a thorn in the side of successive US presidents until illness forced him to relinquish power to his brother in 2006.

Raul Castro, 85, has implemented modest economic reforms in recent years, restored diplomatic relations with the United States and vowed to step down in 2018.

"No longer under the shadow of his older brother, Raul may now feel freer to pursue the modest economic reforms he initiated in the last decade," said Jorge Duany, director of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University.

- Fidel's long shadow -

Although US President Barack Obama has chipped away at the trade and travel restrictions of a decades-long American embargo on Cuba, foreign companies still face obstacles to investing there.

Food supplies are tight and public services are being cut back while Cuba's key socialist ally Venezuela, which has been providing Cubans with cheap oil, endures a political and economic crisis.

That is compounding pressure on Castro to pick up the pace of reforms to kick-start the economy and ensure a smooth transition to his successor in 2018, says Ted Piccone of the Washington-based Brookings Institution think-tank.

Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, relatively young at 56 and outside the circle of revolution veterans, is in line to succeed Raul Castro.

But although Castro is gone from the scene, his legacy will not vanish overnight.

"Given his outsized impact on Cuba and the region, it's not really goodbye," Piccone said. "His memory will cast a shadow over Cuba for a long time."
Chinas foreign ministry officially lodged a complaint with the U.S. on Saturday following President-elect Donald Trumps phone conversation with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. This is the first such contact with between the U.S. and Taiwan after former President Jimmy Carter adopted the one China policy in 1979.

China urged the U.S. to to cautiously, properly handle Taiwan issue to avoid unnecessary disturbance to Sino-US relations, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dismissed the call earlier calling it a petty trick by Taiwan.

It must be stated that, there is only one China on earth, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory and the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] government is the only legitimate government that represents China. Those are all facts recognized by the international community, Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang reportedly said.

According to the U.S.s one China policy, Washington recognizes Beijing as representing China. The U.S., however, retains informal ties with Taiwan and is its sole arms supplier. In fact, only a handful of countries recognize Taiwans government.

Trump taiwan

Photo: TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

On Friday, Trump and Tsai spoke over the phone during which the two leaders noted the close economic, political, and security ties between the U.S. and Taiwan. Trump also congratulated Tsai on her landslide victory in the Jan. 2016 election.

Tsais Democratic Progressive Party favors independence from China and does not recognize the one China policy.

The White House assured China that the phone call does not alter U.S. policy on Taiwan. Trumps team also clarified that the real estate mogul is well aware of U.S. foreign policy.

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it had lodged a protest with the "relevant side" in the United States after President-elect Donald Trump spoke by telephone with the president of self-ruled Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen. The "one China" principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship, the ministry added, urging the "relevant side" to uphold this policy and carefully handle the Taiwan issue to avoid unnecessary disturbances in ties. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
BEIJING (Reuters) - The chairman of China's securities regulator condemned "barbaric" leveraged company buy-outs by some asset managers using illegal funds, according to a statement posted on the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) website on Saturday.

"You've ultimately become a robber in the industry, and that is unacceptable," CSRC chairman Liu Shiyu said during his strong-worded speech at a meeting held by the Asset Management Association of China.

Liu said China's capital markets had seen a series of "abnormal phenomena" lately, challenging the bottom line of China's financial law and regulations.

"That is not financial innovation," Liu said.

In a commentary responding to Liu's comments on Saturday, financial magazine Yicai said the CSRC might have already collected evidence of illegal insurance funds used in some buy-out deals via tender offers or banner acquisitions, citing unnamed sources in the industry.

(Reporting by Yawen Chen, Samuel Shen and John Ruwitch; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Cinephil has acquired international sales rights to Pascale Lamches Winnie, a feature documentary about Winnie Madikizela Mandela which is set to world premiere at Sundance.

Winnie is roduced by Paris-based Pumpernickel Films, Christoph Jorg (Love Crimes of Kabul) and Femke Wolting and Bruno Felix at Amsterdam-based Submarine (Last Hijack). Steven Markovitz at South-African outfit Big World Cinema and Iikka Vehkalahti at Finnish company IV Films are co-producing.

The doc chronicles the rise and fall of Winnie Madikizela Mandela, who was often been considered a misunderstood yet powerful contemporary female political figures.

Winnie also provides some insight into South Africas contemporary society.

For the first time, this film pieces together and properly considers her life and immense contribution to the struggle to bring down Apartheid from the inside, said Lamche.

This film reminds us that progressive thinking and the courage to act, are invaluable human commodities () with intimate insight from Winnie and those who were closest to her, as well as testimony from the enemies who sought to extinguish her radical capacity to lead a revolution, said Lamche.

Jorg, meanwhile, said the film owed its uniqueness to the compelling narrative of Winnies radical life (which) is told in the context of the times. And there are some shocking revelations.

According to Wolting, Winnie will interest both those who are knowledgable about apartheid and those who are too young to even recognize the term. Everyone has heard the name Mandela! This film tells another side to the story, said the docs Scandinavian co-producer.

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Can your clothes make you sick? These airline employees think so

Most of us have dealt with a bad dress code or two, but it turns out things could be a lot worse. The flight attendants union for American Airline says their uniforms are making them sick and that they all be recalled. Its not yet clear what, if anything, is behind the reactions flight attendants are experiencing. Wed venture a guess that its trickier to resolve than a bedbug infestation in your wardrobe.

We can imagine plenty of things that might be on a flight attendants uniform wish list  like more pockets, more comfortable shoes or more gender-neutral options. After all, the new designs rolled out in September were the airlines first uniform change in over 30 years. (Psst  were also digging these vintage designs from the SFOs Fashion in Flight exhibit.)

But the rashes, headaches and other scary reactions reported by Americans flight crews are definitely not so desirable. While the union is demanding a full recall, American Airlines is still trying to figure out why the new wool uniforms are making employees sick.

Obviously we dont have any clues or advice, but we hope American gets to the bottom of it soon. Its not easy being a flight attendant at the best of times. Theyre dealing with creepy passengers, making sure you get the right meal, and keeping everyone safe at 30,000 feet. Hives and headaches that could be coming from their required outfit dont make keeping a smile on their faces in the air any easier.

And you cant exactly call in sick when youre stuck halfway across the country. Or worse, halfway around the world.

Until the issue gets resolved, American Airlines is allowing some employees to wear their old uniforms. Its a good first step, at least. Theyre also looking into remaking the new designs with a different fabric. Until then, if youre flying American Airlines, try to be extra nice to your flight attendant  and maybe bring them some coconut oil or cortisone.

The post Can your clothes make you sick? These airline employees think so appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Conan OBrien used a well-known Broadway musical to help explain the presidential election results to his two children.

My daughter was very excited about there being a first female president, he told reporters at an event promoting his new special, Conan Without Borders: Berlin, in Los Angeles on Friday. She was really excited about that. Shes 13. My son is 11 was also interested. We watched all the debates with them. It was actually kind of an insight to how this election was. We all know that it had dreary aspects, but you always want to think that you can bond with your kids over an election.

OBrien, 53, continued: We watched the third debate with my children and at one point Hillary was challenging Trump and said Go on Hillary.com and see for yourself. So my son, trying to be a good kid, went and got the family computer. He opens it up and was looking and the second thing was all about the Billy Bush-Trump situation. Its just the world we live in, once you click on something all this stuff comes up. My son saw something inflammatory about Trump and bad word. I just felt attacked. It kind of hurt my heart a little bit.

The late night TV host, who has two children  Neve, 13, and Beckett, 11  with wife, Liza, admitted that Donald Trumps victory over Hillary Clinton left the two young siblings feeling confused and upset. But, OBrien used the Broadway musicals songs and storyline to explain the 2016 election outcome to his kids, who know the lyrics to Hamilton word for word.

I took my son with me to vote. We were really excited, he said of taking his youngest with him to the polling booth. A lot of people had this experience where it didnt go the way they thought it was going to go and they were really upset and what did help was that my kids have memorized Hamilton. They know it cold. Young kids have taken to that like its the Beatles. They know it word for word.

He added: That was really helpful because they were really upset. I sat them down and I said You guys know Hamilton? This has been going on from day one. That was the beginning. Look what Jefferson said about Hamilton, look what Hamilton said about Jefferson. I said, This is the nature of what weve been dealing with. This was always a part of our system. Its always been ugly. You dont always get what you want and this is a part of our national debate for better or for worse. 

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Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda was a vocal supporter of Clinton throughout the presidential race and joined numerous Broadway stars at The Hillary Victory Funds Stronger Together Broadway for Hillary event on Oct. 17. At the event, Miranda was joined on stage by his Hamilton costar and Tony Award winner Renee Elise Goldsberry with a new, appropriate interpretation of the Ten Duel Commandments from the musical, rapping lyrics such as In a world gone berserk, Hillary rolls up her sleeves and gets to work and I want to vote the candidate who puts our kids first.

Conan Without Borders: Berlin airs Dec. 7 at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.




Monaco (AFP) - The IAAF on Saturday unanimously adopted a reform package drawn up by president Sebastian Coe in a bid to end "grotesque" corruption that has rocked track and field's governing body.

In a Special Congress in Monaco, 182 member federations voted for the reforms, with 10 against and five invalid votes. Some 197 of the IAAF's 213 member federations were present for the vote, the result of which was a major boost for Coe.

"Let me thank you for the confidence that you have shown the Council today in the reform proposals that you have agreed to. This is a very important moment in the history of our sport," said Coe.

Coe's reforms, with a nod to disgraced predecessor Lamine Diack's abuse of the presidency, include stripping himself of some powers, with the president and IAAF Council not allowed to serve more than 12 years and with more checks put in place.

"Too much power rested in the hands of too few people," Coe said.

The reforms also push for gender balance, handing athletes a greater voice and crucially establishing an independent integrity unit that would manage all anti-doping matters and be responsible for greater intelligence gathering.

"We're putting in place a framework that should have been there years ago," Coe said, telling members that they should all feel "violated" given the amount of money that had been siphoned off instead of having been "used for the development of athletics."

"It's bad enough that any of this happened, but it cannot happen for a second time, not on our watch, not anyone else's watch.

"Let's not beat around the bush, our sport, our family, is under threat. Sitting out the fight is not an option."

Since Coe took office in August 2015, the IAAF has been mired in the fall-out from the presidency of Diack, at the centre of a corruption scandal in which several former senior IAAF officials were found to have bribed Russian athletes in return for keeping quiet over positive doping tests.

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Coe admitted that the reforms had not been to everyone's taste, all the while praising the "civilised discourse" and the "clarity and honesty of dialogue".

"The fundamental principles, I believe, have broad support," said the Briton, a two-time Olympic 1500m gold medallist.

"On gender balance, a number of areas told me they needed more time - you've got it.

"I want checks and balances in place... I don't want to be in an office choosing carpets and signing off expenses.

"I would not ask for change if I didn't think we needed it."

- Bold stance -

Coe's bold stance on gender equality envisages the 26-member Council transitioning to half-men, half-women by 2023. At the 2019 Council election, he wants a minimum of nine of each gender elected including two vice-presidents of each gender.

Indicative of the ground shift that will entail was that just three of the representatives of the 42 member federations who addressed the Congress before the vote were women, notably women's world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe representing Britain and also including representatives from the Cook Islands and the Turks and Caicos.

"We have to put these changes in," said Radcliffe. "There is only one choice, there isn't time to delay and talk about this, we need to act now to save our sport."

Notably voting against the reforms was Saudi Arabia while Qatar, the host of the 2019 World Athletics Championships and 2022 Football World Cup, voted for.

Abstainers included Lamine Diack's Senegal, vice-president Sergey Bubka's Ukraine and track powerhouses Jamaica, despite Usain Bolt picking up a record sixth IAAF Athlete of the Year award on Friday and throwing his weight behind Coe.

"I know that Seb Coe is trying to make track and field more transparent to everyone so they can see what shape it is in and to make sure there is not one person fully in control," said Bolt.

"That's a bold move from him as IAAF president.

"That's also helped the sport to make people more confident and to trust the sport more."
(Photo: Richard Cartwright/The CW)

Who runs the world? Girls! Specifically three girls: Rebecca, Valencia, and Heather. West Covinas newest power trio strutted their stuff in Crazy Ex-Girlfriends sixth episode, Who Needs Josh When You Have a Girl Group? With Josh Chan spending some quality bro time with his buddies  and trading texts with that cute blond girl (Brittany Snow) he met in the desert  his exes Rebecca and Valencia continue their budding girl-mance. But that relationship has come at the expense of Rebeccas once-tight connection to Paula, who gets thrown into the mix for a girls night that goes disastrously wrong. How wrong? Lets just say that Rebeccas bathroom becomes Paulas temporary jail cell, forcing her new pal, Sunil, as well as Rebeccas fake ex-boyfriend, Trent, to come to her rescue. For now, at least, Rebecca and Paula appear to be splitsville, and we havent been this sad about a squad breakup since Ginger quit the Spice Girls.

Friend-topia

What its about: If you want to be Rebeccas lover, youve gotta get with her friends. Except you cant, because theyre totally going to rule the world and establish their own despotic government thats going to spike the water supply and make viewings of Hocus Pocus mandatory.

Sounds like: The Spice Girls moments before being beamed into Taylor Swifts Bad Blood universe.

Best lyric: Were going to braid each others hair, then cut each others braids, connect the braids to build a rope, to hang all of Congress.

Funniest sight gag: Valencia whipping her hair back and forth with an abandon that would give Willow Smith a headache.

What it reveals about Rebecca: Having never enjoyed a tight-knit group of girlfriends before, Rebecca understandably experiences a sudden surge of power at the realization shes part of a squad. That power then mixes with her lingering feelings of resentment and anger at the patriarchy that produced her ex-boyfriends, Josh and Greg, to create compelling visions of a friend-topic Earth.

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Stuck in the Bathroom

What its about: Heather narrates the squads failed attempts to free Paula from the bathroom, after the lock jams and the ceiling collapses.

Sounds like: R. Kellys classic exercise in multichapter surrealism, Trapped in the Closet

Best lyric: My second sophomore year, I took a kinesiology class. Thats college for gym.

Funniest sight gag: Paulas skeptical reaction to the idea that Valencias little bird arms will free her from her commode prison.

What it reveals about Heather: Just like Trapped in the Closet kept going  and going  and going, we imagine that this is the sung-through monologue running through Heathers head at all times. It certainly makes the world a more interesting place.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on The CW
Kendallville, IN (46755)

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Moscow (AFP) - Reigning champions CSKA Moscow thrashed Ural Yekaterinburg 4-0 on Saturday to secure third spot in Russia ahead of their trip to Wembley to play Tottenham in midweek.

Zenit St Petersburg's hopes of winning their fifth Russian Premier League title suffered a slight setback though as they were held to a goalless draw at Rostov.

The result left Zenit in second, two points adrift of league leaders Spartak, who face Rubin Kazan on Monday in their last match before the long Russian winter break.

CSKA's stylish win provided a timely boost for Leonid Slutsky's side ahead of their final Champions League group game against Spurs on Wednesday.

The Russians are bottom of Group E on three points, one behind Tottenham, as the two vie for a place in the Europa League accorded to the third-placed finishers.

Ivorian striker Lacina Traore put the former Red Army side 1-0 up in the 25th minute when he fired past Ural keeper Nikolai Zabolotny off a backheel pass by Zoran Tosic through a crowd of legs.

Ten minutes later Traore netted his second of the match before Israeli international Bibras Natcho scored from the spot, while 18-year-old forward Fedor Chalov rounded off the scoring in the 40th minute.

"In general I'm pleased with my team's performance this year taking into consideration our personnel problems," Slutsky said.

"We're not too far behind the leading duo and I believe we still have a decent chance to improve our position in the table after the winter break."

In Saint Petersburg, the opening period provided little in the way of goalmouth action.

Zenit's only meaningful chance came in the 11th minute when forward Artem Dzyuba failed to find the target after a corner kick while he was just four yards out.

Slovak international Robert Mak also squandered a clear chance just past the hour mark when he blazed over the crossbar from just outside the six-yard box.

"I'm pleased with my team's performance as we've done a tremendous amount of work today," Zenit's Romanian manager Mircea Lucescu said.

"We dominated the play, we created a number of chances but just failed to score. But we played well anyway."
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Donald Trump was elected U.S. President partly because hes a political outsider. His stump pledge to shake up the American political machine and drain the swamp struck a chord with disillusioned voters. Foreign relations, however, are squelchy for a reason.

Twice in the last week Trump has had phone conversations that have prompted consternation with nuclear powers. On Wednesday, he called Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif a terrific guy in comments sure to irk India. On Friday, it was Chinas turn.

Trump went where no U.S. commander-in-chief had gone since diplomatic relations were restored with China in 1979  by speaking directly to the President of Taiwan, the island-state of 23 million that is essentially an independent country but which Beijing still claims as a renegade province to be reclaimed by force if necessary.

First reported by Taiwanese media, the conversation between Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was later confirmed by the President-elect in a tweet. The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!

The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

Beijings immediate response was brief and muted. China firmly opposes any official interaction or military contact between [the] U.S. and Taiwan, said Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement reported by Chinese state media. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday that the call was just a small trick by Taiwan, according to Hong Kongs Phoenix TV.

But that didnt stop China approaching the Obama administration for clarification, though White House officials declined to reveal the details of what was said. U.S. National Security Council spokesman Ned Price told reporters there is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues.

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Thats because both the governments of Beijing and Taipei still officially claim dominion over their combined territory, a remnant of Chinas civil war and the Nationalists flight across the strait in 1949 as Mao Zedongs Communist Party seized power on the mainland.

Ties had warmed in recent years due to the One China policy  essentially that both sides agree they belong to the same nation but disagree on who is the legitimate power. However, Tsai comes from a political party that does not recognize One China, and has historically favored formal independence, even if Tsai has pragmatically stopped short of vocalizing this since her presidential campaign.

In Taipei, political analysts were taken by surprise by the phone call. Nobody saw this coming, said Professor Francis Hu, head of politics at Taichung university. This will make cross-strait relations even more unpredictable in the next few months, he said. We already have a lot of problems for the time being and this action will complicate the scenario.

Trumps motivations for the call are unclear. Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama advocated a rebalancing to Asia in what analysts saw as an attempt to contain Chinas rise. Trump, however, campaigned on a drawdown of international military commitments as well as protectionist trade policies such as import levies. Taiwan media have reported that the Trump Organization is involved in developing hotels in the northwestern city of Taoyuan.

According to a statement from Taiwans presidential office, President Tsai and President Trump exchanged views and ideas on the future governance, in particular, promoting domestic economic development and strengthening national defense so as to enable people to enjoy a better life and safety.

Trumps call indicates that the President-elect is willing to shake up the status quo while also that he values Americas existing friendships. A Trump spokesman was quoted saying the President-elect was well aware of what U.S. policy has been on the Taiwan issue. And Trump seemed to indicate as such with a later tweet, which said: Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.

Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016

That is true. Yet international relations are full of quirks, and angering the leaders of 2.6 billion people  over a third of the worlds population  in three days renders more dangerous an already tense world.

With reporting by Nicola Smith/Taipei
By Martin Petty and David Brunnstrom MANILA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte described as "encouraging" his phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday, during which he felt a rapport between them and gave assurance that ties were intact, despite a period of rocky relations. Trump's seven-minute chat with the firebrand Philippine president follows months of uncertainty about one of Washington's most important Asian alliances, stoked by Duterte's hostility towards President Barack Obama and repeated threats to sever decades-old defense ties. Duterte's anger was unleashed following Obama's concerns about possible human rights abuses in his war on drugs, during which more than 2,000 people have been killed. Duterte said Trump was "sensitive" and understanding about his crackdown and was encouraged by what he interpreted as Trump's indication he would not interfere. "I could sense a good rapport, an animated President-elect Trump. And he was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem," Duterte said in comments his office released on Saturday. "He understood the way we are handling it ... I supposed that what he really wanted to say was that we would be the last to interfere in the affairs of your own country." He added: "We are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way. And he wishes us well. And I said that, well, we assured him of our ties with America." His special adviser, Christopher Go, had earlier said in a text message to media that Trump had invited Duterte to visit the White House next year. There appeared to be confusion, however. Duterte mentioned an invite to Washington and New York, and that Trump asked him to notify him of his presence "if I'm around". A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of that. It said the two men "noted the long history of friendship" between their countries and would work closely on "matters of shared interest and concern". Duterte made waves when he visited China in October and announced his "separation" from the United States. In five months in office, he has upended Philippine foreign policy by berating the United States, pursuing a new alliance with Russia and also China, with which Manila has a history of bitter disputes. His diplomacy has created jitters among Asian nations concerned about Beijing's influence and Washington's regional staying power. Duterte told Democrat Obama to "go to hell" and called him a "son of a bitch" whom he would humiliate if he visited the Philippines. Despite his optimism about Trump's win, it has not stopped Duterte railing against what he calls a U.S. history of "hypocrisy" and "bullying" worldwide. Republican Trump told Reuters during his campaign that Duterte's comments about Obama had showed "a lack of respect for our country." But he also stressed the "very important strategic location" of the Philippines. 'CLEAN SLATE' A source who has advised Trump's transition team on security policy said the president-elect would start a "clean slate" with Duterte. "He is perfectly capable of talking to Duterte in an open way without being wedded to previous policy failures," the source said of Trump. Sometimes called the 'Trump of the East' because of his brash, mercurial style, Duterte has threatened repeatedly to scrap U.S. defense ties, saying he "hates" having foreign soldiers in the Philippines. Joint military exercises look set to be downsized as Duterte demanded and uncertainty surrounds the 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a deal of strategic importance because it allows U.S. access to Philippine bases on a troop rotation basis. "EDCA is a concern and some of the things Duterte has said are a concern," said the advisor to Trump's team. "That is not going to change based on who the president is." Some experts say Duterte's appointment of special envoys to Washington suggest he aims to keep good ties. Among those is real estate tycoon Jose Antonio, who bought the rights to name a new commercial project in Manila "Trump Towers". Ernest Bower of the Bower Group Asia consultancy said it was likely the call was set up by Trump's Philippine business partners and a core group of advisers, including his children. Bower said Trump's win could offer Duterte a face-saving way to step back from his anti-U.S. stance, while Duterte offers Trump a chance to stress the importance of Asian alliances. Duterte said it would be "great for our country" if Trump visited Manila next year when it chairs the Association of South East Asian Nations and summits of Asian leaders, and Trump wanted to attend. Bower said that may have been fortuitous for Trump. "My guess is he was more interested in making a point - that he could deal with Duterte in ways Obama couldn't - than in the strategic wisdom of driving alignment with the ASEAN chair." (Addtional reporting by Manuel Mogato in Manila and Steve Holland and Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Richard Pullin)
Eddie Redmayne has officially become an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire!

The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them star met Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Friday, and was all smiles while receiving the shiny new OBE medal for his services to drama from the 90-year-old royal.

WATCH: Eddie Redmayne and Wife Hannah Welcome First Child

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Redmayne, 34, looked as dapper as ever for the occasion, clad in a light gray double-breasted waistcoat, powder blue tie, Alexander McQueen tailcoat and gray pinstripe trousers.

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His wife, Hannah Bagshawe, was by his side at the ceremony, elegantly dressed in a black Chanel suit and Stephen Jones hat, seemingly taking a style cue from The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

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NEWS: Eddie Redmayne Teases Big 'Fantastic Beasts' Surprise

"Congratulations to The Theory of Everything and #FantasticBeasts actor Eddie Redmayne, who today received his OBE from The Queen," a tweet from the Royal Family Twitter account read.

Congratulations to The Theory of Everything and #FantasticBeasts actor Eddie Redmayne, who today received his OBE from The Queen. pic.twitter.com/IjdhMxUrkM  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 2, 2016

Interestingly enough, Redmayne actually attended school at Eton College with the queen's grandson, Prince William. "She was asking me whether I prefer film or theater, and asked me if I enjoyed it," Redmayne told reporters following his chat with the monarch.

"I'm very lucky to do something I am passionate about," he added. "I'm very grateful to do something I love, because it is a rare thing."

Grateful, indeed! Redmayne also couldn't stop gushing about receiving such an "extraordinary" honor, telling reporters, "It is something that I had never thought of, and it was never in my wildest imagination."

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WATCH: Eddie Redmayne Grills Andy Cohen on 'Real Housewives'

"The whole experience is incredibly humbling," he continued. "And also getting to be in Windsor Castle is breathtaking, around Christmas as well, with all the decorations."

Back in June, Redmayne and Bagshawe welcomed their first child together, daughter Iris. The British actor told reporters outside the castle that being a parent has been "wonderful" thus far, "except [Iris] does have the habit of knowing when you have a big day, like today."

"She was up until four in the morning, so both my wife and I came today with matchsticks under our eyes," he joked. "Other than that, she is on cracking form."

Redmayne echoed those sentiments while chatting with ET in New York City last month.

WATCH: Eddie Redmayne Opens Up About Fatherhood: 'I Don't Think Anything Can Prepare You'

"I don't think anything can prepare [you for parenthood]," he dished. "The amazing thing is everything that everyone tells you beforehand -- which is all cliche -- is true. You've heard it all before and yet when you're experiencing it, it feels like the first time and you suddenly start telling everyone these things as if they're completely new and original thoughts. And they're like, 'Yeah, that's the cliche.'"

Hear more in the video below.

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CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court upheld on Saturday a law that effectively bans protests, settling a years-long court battle and protecting the law from further challenges. The law was passed in 2013 amid persistent demonstrations calling for the reinstatement of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Mursi after the military overthrew him following mass protests against his rule. It requires would-be protesters to notify the interior ministry of any public gathering of more than 10 people at least three days in advance, imposes jail sentences of up to five years for those who violate a broad list of protest restrictions, and allows security forces to disperse illegal demonstrations with water cannons, tear gas and birdshot. The court's ruling keeps all of these elements of the law intact and there is no further appeal. Egyptian rights organizations have said the law criminalizes all forms of peaceful assembly and gives the state a free hand to disperse peaceful gatherings by force. Its strict enforcement has largely succeeded in ending the kind of mass demonstrations that helped unseat two presidents in three years as activists who have held even small, peaceful gatherings were detained. The ruling means that hundreds of protesters arrested under the law will remain in prison. "It was a surprise. We were hoping that the constitutional court would come down on the side of rights. There isn't a court in Egypt that has mercy on the people," prominent human rights lawyer Gamal Eid told Reuters. The case was first brought to an administrative court in 2014 when a group of lawyers challenged parts of the law they said violated article 73 of the constitution. The article allows the "right to organize public meetings, marches, demonstrations and all forms of peaceful protest while not carrying weapons of any type, upon providing notification as regulated by law." But the court ruled on Saturday that only article 10, which grants the interior ministry authority to deny protest requests, was unconstitutional. It upheld three other articles being challenged, including one which requires protesters to submit detailed information on the location and purpose of their gatherings and another stipulating jail sentences and hefty fines for illegal demonstrations, which the law defines broadly. (Reporting by Haitham Ahmed, Mostafa Hashem and Mohamed Abdellah; Writing by Eric Knecht; Editing by Clelia Oziel)
The dark side of the region where kidnapped Super Mom Sherri Papini was kidnapped while out jogging has come to national attention.

Read: 'Supermom' Jogger's Husband Reveals Moment He Found Out She Was Alive: 'She Was Screaming'

The area comprised of Mendocino County, Humboldt County, and Trinity County in Northern California is known as The Emerald Triangle - three sparsely populated counties that are notorious for marijuana cultivation.

They have become a hotbed for sex trafficking and drug cartels.

Many flock to the area for well-paying jobs by processing marijuana but the farms are remote and cell service is limited and many go missing.

In 2015, Humboldt County reported a disturbing 352 missing people.

Private investigator Bill Garcia, who took part in the search for Sherri Papini, told Inside Edition: The cartels are working in that area. They have been in that area for some time and that whole surrounding area where young women are kidnapped regularly.

A 20/20 special airing Friday night features an interview with Keith Papini, Sherris distraught husband.

ABC's Matt Gutman conducted the interview and says the family is in hiding.

We interviewed Keith at an undisclosed location; security remains a concern to him. The people who did this to Sherri, police believe theyre still out there, he told Inside Edition.

Gutman is one of the few people who have seen photos of Sherri in the wake of her release.

I wouldnt say she is disfigured but she was battered almost to the point of unrecognizable, he said.

Read: Husband of 'Supermom' Jogger Speaks Out, as Experts Suggest She Was Taken by Cult or Sex Traffickers

The 34-year-old mom of two was also branded by her kidnappers, another sign that she may have been the victim of a sex trafficking ring.

Nobody really knows why Sherri was released. This is not the type of person they want to hold. They may have thought she was a teenager out for a jog and not a mom of two. Not someone who would get so much of the community behind her, he said.

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Watch: California Jogger Found Alive After Disappearing a Month Ago, Cops Say She Was Abducted

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By Isla Binnie ROME (Reuters) - European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini is convinced the fall of rebel-held areas of Aleppo to the government would not end the war in Syria, she said on Saturday. "I'm convinced the fall of Aleppo will not end the war," Mogherini said during a panel discussion at a conference in Rome war with U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura. Syrian government forces backed by allied militia have captured swathes of Aleppo from rebel groups over the last week in a ferocious offensive. (Reporting by Isla Binni; Writing by Tom Perry in Beirut; editing by Susan Thomas)
Ryan Seacrest reveals he'd love to say "I do" one day -- when the timing is right, of course!

ET caught up with the single TV personality backstage at 102.7 KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Friday, where he gushed over the idea of tying the knot.

WATCH: Rob Kardashian Apologizes for Baby Shower Drama in 'KUWTK' Season Finale

Seacrest, 41, said that he was especially inspired after watching his younger sister, Meredith, marry her longtime love, Jimmy Leach, in Mexico last month.

"Did she inspire me to get married? Is that what you want to know?" Seacrest, who was his sister's man of honor, joked to ET's Katie Krause. "I really enjoyed it. I thought to myself, 'This is something everybody needs.'"

trying to fit in... final countdown! A photo posted by Ryan Seacrest (@ryanseacrest) on Nov 5, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT

And when asked if marriage was something he might want down the road, his reply was adorable.

"Of course, of course," he said. "Yeah, yes of course, why wouldn't I?"

WATCH: Kanye West 911 Call Released: 'I Think He's Definitely Going to Need to Be Hospitalized'

Seacrest also gave ET an update on two shows his production company, Ryan Seacrest Productions, produces -- Rob & Chyna and Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

"I don't know that we have announced [season two] yet, but we have had incredible success with the first season [of Rob & Chyna]," he explained. "I mean, we were all very excited to see how many people were tuned in and watching the show."

As for KUTWK, Seacrest confirmed that the series is currently in production, following a brief halt due to Kim Kardashian West's traumatic robbery in Paris, France.

"We have not stopped production," he dished. "We stopped for a little bit right after their incident in Paris, but we are shooting the show right now -- we're shooting season 13."

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Luckily, according to Seacrest, the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan seems to be in better spirits now following both the robbery and Kanye West's recent hospitalization.

"Everyone's doing better," he explained.

As ET previously reported, the "Famous" rapper was transported to the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after abruptly canceling the remaining U.S. dates of his Saint Pablo tour. He was released on Wednesday around 2 a.m. after spending nine days in the hospital for what one source claimed was "a mental breakdown."

WATCH: Kendall Jenner Gives Update on Kanye West's Health: 'Everyone Is Doing OK, Just Praying'

Kendall Jenner echoed Seacrest's statements about West and her family while while chatting with ET backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris earlier this week.

Hear more from our exclusive interview with the 2-year-old model in the video below.

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If you think Will Smith is cheerful now, you should have seen him 20 years ago!

"Now, I'm bouncy. Back then, I'm sure I was quite irritating," Smith tells ET with a laugh.

WATCH: Will Smith Reveals the Film He Regrets Making: 'I Wanted to Be the Biggest Movie Star'

Two decades ago, Smith was entering a new chapter in his life and career when his popular '90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, came to end. While promoting his new movie, Collateral Beauty, the 48-year-old Oscar-nominated actor acknowledged that he's heard rumblings about a possible reboot of the show, but he doesn't plan to participate.

"I'm not doing it," Smith says simply. "If somebody wanted to, I would probably let them, but I have no intention."

Smith pointed out that the '90s seemed to be the perfect time period for the show and isn't sure how a reboot would play today. While it's true that many things have changed in the 20 years since Fresh Prince wrapped up, Smith's youthful appearance has remained the same, and he speculated on the key to his ageless look.

EXCLUSIVE: Muhammad Ali's Daughter Laila Says Will Smith's Portrayal of Her Father Was 'Phenomenal'

"There's a natural silliness that I gravitate to, so I think more than looking the same, I think energetically there's a fun and a zeal and a joy that I embody that gives that impression," he says. "I really enjoy what I do. I have fun every day in my life."

The veteran movie star plays a more somber role in Collateral Beauty. In the movie, a successful New York advertising executive (Smith) suffers a tragedy, which causes him to withdraw from his life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death, all of which visit him in different forms.

Dame Helen Mirren, 71, also stars in the movie, which she considered a learning experience.

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"I have to say, I was in the learning seat on set with Will, because he is the star that he is, obviously, and he was leading our little cavalry," Mirren shares. "We're all sort of galloping along behind him."

READ: 'Independence Day' Director Roland Emmerich Says Will Smith Not Signing Up for Sequel 'Was Disappointing'

Mirren herself has also aged well and she's showing the world how youthful she still looks in new unaltered photos for Pirelli's 2017 calendar.

"All credit to them to step up to the plate and actually do it," Mirren says. "This is another idea of beauty."

Collateral Beauty hits theaters Dec. 16.

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Steve Harvey is known for his comedic timing, but the funnyman showed a more sincere side when it came to discussing Kanye West's recent hospitalization.

"I love Kanye," Harvey told ET. "I've met him personally. He's a cool guy to me. I just wish him the best."

WATCH: Steve Harvey Can't Even Handle This Woman's Answer on 'Family Feud'

West was released from the hospital earlier this week after spending nine days at UCLA Medical Center. Harvey even had advice for the embattled star, saying, "Just surround yourself with well-meaning people -- people who care about you."

On a lighter note, the comedian teased that West might have found a good way of taking a break from the showbiz grind.

"I think I'm going to take a page from him," Harvey joked. "I think I'm going to just snap and go off, and go lay down for a month. I think that's how I'm going to get out of TV this year. I'm going to go on stage and cuss someone out."

WATCH: How Ellen DeGeneres Talked Steve Harvey Into Hosting 'Little Big Shots'

The 59-year-old Hollywood veteran actually could use a break, as he is currently at the helm of eight shows, which include Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, Steve Harvey's Funderdome, Little Big Shots, Little Big Shots: Forever Young, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, and the Steve Harvey talk show.

ET caught up with Harvey on Thursday as he prepped to host Fox's Showtime at the Apollo two-hour special.

The famous New York theater is where Harvey launched his career in 1993 and he says its sharp audience is as honest now as it was then.

"Luther Vandross was booed here," Harvey recalled. "The very first night I performed here, I was on stage with Jamie Foxx. I didn't even know who Jamie Foxx was. He didn't know who I was. We were just two comedians, trying to get on TV. Jamie Foxx got booed that night. I was standing there with him."

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Harvey explained why the Apollo audience can be more exacting than other crowds.

WATCH: Inside Steve Harvey's Massive Multi-Year Deal to Host Miss Universe

"They expect you to do well or else you should not have had the nerve to walk out on this stage," he said. "Go somewhere else and work it out, but you cannot come to the world famous Apollo Theater and not have it together. We don't care. That has never changed."

From 1987 to 2008, Showtime at the Apollo aired as a syndicated television show, which featured the Amateur Night competition as well as performances by established stars. Harvey hosted the show from 1993 to 2000.

Now that it's returning for two specials (one this month and one early next year), Harvey said he would like to see the show turn into a regular occurrence, but for him to be a part of it would require the right salary.

WATCH: Steve Harvey Stages Dating Game to Help ET's Nischelle Turner Find a Man

"I'll go out and sand blast the Empire State Building if the check is right," he joked. "I'll go out here and clean the Hudson. I'll go out there and dive for dead fish for you if the check is right. I don't know what number that is."

Showtime at the Apollo airs Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.

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CALEDONIA, Wis.  Many at Grace Church dont know Reince Priebus as the savvy operative and political heavyweight about to enter what some argue is the second-most powerful position in the country.

They know Priebus as a principled, devout Christian whose faith helps guide him. Church members say a strong work ethic and love for politics was evident long before his rise from Wisconsin state politics to the White House, where he is set to become President-elect Donald Trumps chief of staff.

I am not surprised at all that he has risen to a position of such influence in our country, said John Binkley, a longtime friend of Priebus. Im grateful for it. We need more men like him in positions of influence and impact in the world.

Faith very important

Fresh out of law school and newly married, Priebus came to Grace Church, 3626 Hwy. 31, in about 1999, Binkley said.

Binkley and Priebus, along with their wives, started a Bible study and prayer group for young married couples. The two also met weekly with another friend for a separate Bible study and prayer.

Priebus, who has Greek heritage, maintained dual participation with Kimissis Greek Orthodox Church in Racine, Binkley said.

He was passionately focused on his marriage, on his career, on his faith, Binkley said. His faith was something very important to him.

In the small-group settings, Priebus often asked questions and absorbed information as he grew in his faith, Binkley said. Priebus wife, Sally, was also heavily involved in the church, particularly with music.

In interviews, church officials raved about how Priebus used his legal background to perform countless hours of pro bono work in areas such as real estate, church administration and liability releases.

He was a great asset, former church administrator Randy Due said. He was friendly. He was fun. He knew his stuff.

And Priebus political ambitions were apparent, officials said.

One of his early forays into politics was an unsuccessful run for state Senate in 2004 against Democratic Sen. Bob Wirch of Somers. In 2007, he became chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He and his wife moved to Washington after Priebus won the Republican National Committee chairmanship in 2011, though the couple still maintain a residence in Somers.

As Priebus progressed in his career, my interactions were, as a pastor, to keep grounded and to keep focused on the Lord and values and integrity, former senior pastor Jerry Worsham said.

Worsham used to give Priebus stories to read about Abraham Lincoln and William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament and active evangelical Christian. They were not only politicians who were instrumental in ending slavery on their respective sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but men of character with a strong spiritual component, Worsham said.

Worshams wife, Jane, recalled that whenever her husband delivered a message on leadership, Priebus immediately sought him out afterward.

He knew thats what he was and what he was designed to do. He just wanted to do it in the right way, she said.

We saw the progression up close, so it wasnt a surprise going into leadership at all, with the party. And (were) just thrilled to see him be honored and respected as he is in the new role.

Gatekeeper to president

Priebus ascension to White House chief of staff capped a roller-coaster 2016. He stuck by Trumps side from the moment the New York billionaire became the presumptive nominee, through his controversial and turbulent campaign and all the way to his stunning Nov. 8 victory.

In his new role, Priebus will act as a gatekeeper of information and access to the president and play a big role in everything from policy making to political strategy.

Even though its a powerful position, I hope he remains humble and has a sense of integrity, Due said.

Binkley, who stays in touch with Priebus, believes Trump has a right-hand man who got into politics for the right reasons. It wasnt for power or prestige, but to try to make the world a better place, he said.

Reince has a keen intellect, unwavering integrity and a ferocious work ethic, said Binkley, who now owns a recruiting firm in North Carolina. Yet hes also extremely likable, very humble and incredibly down to earth with a hilarious sense of humor. Hes got this interesting combination of attributes that I think are the makings of a good leader.

Reince has a keen intellect, unwavering integrity and a ferocious work ethic. Yet hes also extremely likable, very humble and incredibly down to earth with a hilarious sense of humor John Binkley, a longtime friend
Relatives of missing MH370 passengers were headed to Madagascar Saturday, harbouring hopes of finding seaborne debris, 1,001 days since the mysterious disappearance of the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines jet.

Four Malaysians and two Chinese nationals left from Kuala Lumpur and will be joined in Madagascar by other MH370 next-of-kin travelling from France.

The Boeing 777 jet was carrying 239 passengers and crew when it disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.

It is believed to have crashed into the Indian Ocean, but an extensive deep-sea hunt off Australia's west coast has so far failed to find a single piece of debris from the plane, with the search set to end by early 2017.

"It has fallen into our hands to take on this search upon ourselves," Grace Nathan, a Malaysian attorney who lost her mother on the flight, told reporters at the airport.

"After repeated requests for mobilisation of a search along the east African coastline, nothing has been done to date."

Many next-of-kin have repeatedly complained about the lack of a coordinated search in the western Indian Ocean and along the African coast despite the recovery there of several pieces of debris which were either confirmed or declared highly likely to have come from MH370.

Grace said once in Madagascar relatives will distribute brochures educating villagers on how to identify plane debris.

"We want to reach as far and wide in Madagascar to coastal communities to villages. We want to speak to as many NGOs as possible," she said.

The first piece of debris found from MH370 -- a two-metre wing part known as a flaperon -- washed up on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion in July 2015.

Since then a range of debris linked to the flight has been found along western Indian Ocean shorelines.

A report released last month by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is leading the search, said the plane was likely out of control when it plunged into the ocean with its wing flaps not prepared for landing, casting doubt on whether a pilot was still in charge.
AP fidel castro 1974

For much of the world, Fidel Castro leaves a legacy as an exalted revolutionary, perhaps nowhere more so than in Venezuela.

The two countries have been close ideologically for much of the last 20 years, and Castro's Cuba has loomed large on Venezuela's socialist landscape.

In the wake of Fidel's death, however, Cuba and Venezuela's closeness may become more about the two regimes' political survival rather than the revolutionary socialist fervor frequently invoked by Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, the two Venezuelan presidents who have drawn their country close to Cuba.

"Fidel had a huge, sort of towering role in Venezuela, especially through Chavez," Alejandro Velasco, a professor at New York University, told Business Insider.

"Chavez and Fidel not only had a very strong personal relationship going back to the 1990s," after Chavez was released from jail for leading a coup attempt in 1992, Velasco said. "But they in some ways understood that each other's power rested on the charisma that each could deploy, and did deploy."

"To me, Fidel is a father, a companion, a teacher of perfect strategy," Chavez said to Cuban newspaper Granma in 2005.

Castro Chavez Cuba Venezuela

Relations between the two countries quickly expanded beyond ideology. In 2000, Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves on earth, started sending about 100,000 barrels of oil a day to the island nation to bolster its economy in the post-Soviet era.

In return, Cuba supplied Venezuela with extensive support, ranging from military advisers to thousands of doctors who continue to staff Mision Barrio Adentro, a healthcare and social-welfare program serving Venezuela's poor and marginalized communities.

The Venezuela-Cuba relationship saw something of a chill in the aftermath of Chavez's death from cancer in 2013.

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The emergence of this divergence had much to do with the more distant relationship between Chavez's successor, Nicolas Maduro, and Raul Castro, who officially took over the Cuban presidency in 2008, when his brother stepped down.

"To some extent Maduro and Raul bear the same kind of burden that Fidel and Chavez didn't have, which is to say they both succeed incredibly charismatic, iconic figures within their countries and continentally," Velasco told Business Insider.

Castro Maduro Cuba Venezuela relations

With Chavez and Fidel now departed, Raul and Maduro are left to confront their respective economic and political challenges without the charisma and popularity of their predecessors, and, as a consequence, largely without the ability to build up and retain support in the way Fidel and Chavez did, Velasco said.

In Venezuela  where the political and social environment is heavily polarized, with the political opposition trying to mount a recall vote to force Maduro from office and the public regularly protesting widespread shortages and rampant insecurity  Maduro has encountered criticism for his encomiums to Fidel.

"Fidel Castros death is not on the national agenda," Caracas-based political analyst Gabriel Reyes told the Miami Herald. "Its definitely not more important than the hunger and devaluation that were suffering through."

"Death is painful but dont impose [national] mourning for a dictator," said Henrique Capriles, governor of Venezuela's Miranda state, who ran against Maduro for the presidency in 2013.

Opposition supporters take part in a rally against President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Venezuelans "are, by and large, indifferent," writes Venezuelan professor Miguel Angel Latouche.

On Venezuela's streets, he writes, "nobody is demonstrating. Not for, and not against, the dead Cuban leader."

Venezuelan appreciation of Cuba's role in many of the country's social programs appears to have curdled somewhat as well.

"The actual sort of day-to-day way in which people in Venezuela have sort of seen the Cuban influence even beyond Fidel is through programs like the Mision Barrio Adentro," Velasco said.

"What I have seen ... is that even those programs have lost a tremendous degree of prestige among" among the public, as Venezuelans have come to see the revolutionary devotion espoused by many Cubans in Venezuela to be somewhat hollow, Velasco, author of "Barrio Rising: Urban Popular Politics and the Making of Modern Venezuela," added.

"Castro's death, I think what it does is primarily it robs ... Maduro of a kind of iconic figure that he could turn to, even if the actual level of support that he received from Fidel was very minimal," Velasco said.

In Cuba, too, signs of cooling ardor for Venezuela and their common revolutionary mission have emerged. Raul Castro's assumption of the presidency allowed him to pursue a change in course

obama castro

It's unlikely Raul will diverge too far from his brother's strongman style of governance, opting to pursue expanded economic relations with the outside world while maintain control of democratic expression at home.

But Raul's 2014 opening to the US, orchestrated in concert with President Barack Obama, indicated space had opened between Caracas and Havana.

Many Cubans have expressed affection for Fidel but are also looking more to the outside world, in a change of mood that may see cooling relations with Venezuela.

"Raul wants to do business, that's it. Fidel was still holed up in the Sierra Maestra," Belkis Bejarano, a 65-year-old homemaker in central Havana, told the Associated Press.

"Fidel's ideas are still valid," Edgardo Casals, a 32-year-old sculptor in Cuba, told the AP. "But we can't look back even for a second. We have to find our own way. We have to look toward the future, which is ours, the younger generations.'"

Venezuela looks set to remain mired in crisis, with its public indifferent or hostile to Cuba's influence in the country, while Cuba enters a post-Fidel era with its leadership and public looking for better relations with the rest of the world.

Raul Castro is slated to step down in 2018, handing power to Miguel Diaz-Canel, a Communist Party leader outside of the Castro generation who has proposed some reforms but remains a question mark. (But, since Cuba relies on Venezuela's oil, its unlikely there will be complete break between Caracas and Havana).

viva fidel castro havana cuba graffiti

That separation is not a certainty, and with many other matters in Latin America, the US may shape the direction of things to come.

Venezuela's leadership has fractious relations with the US that look unlikely to improve, and Cuba, on better terms with Washington now, may see that undone by Donald Trump's election. Venezuela already has a deeply antagonistic relationship with Washington, and more hostility from the White House may cause Havana to reaffirm ties to Caracas  albeit ones that are more top heavy, based on international political expediency.

In Venezuela, "at this point it's really just a matter of survival of a particular kind of bureaucratic elite, and they just kind of feel that they can't lose power or else they might be jailed or worse," Velasco told Business Insider.

"So I think that if there is a kind of return to closer ties" between Caracas and Havana, "I don't think that that's going to translate into sort of a broad-based popular support, per se, or renewed popular support," he added. "I think it's going be far more in terms of political survival of each elite class."

NOW WATCH: 4 things every American should know before booking a flight to Cuba





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President-elect Trump is filling his cabinet with a who's who of rich crazy people.

From Chief Strategist Steve Bannon to Jeff Sessions, his pick for attorney general, each one of Trump's selections seems to come with more than a handful of scandals and conflicts. Trump's pick for National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, for example, owns a lobbying organization that has received "tens of thousands" of dollars from foreign companies. His Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was a Goldman trader who's since become a hedge fund manager.

SEE ALSO: Attention staff: The portal to hell in our office kitchen is merely a distraction from the real issues

You have to assume there's some kind of job application form going through Washington, helping Trump find a cream-of-the-bad-crop.

Take a look at what we imagine that application form might look like below. If you're interested, why not print it out and send it to the President-elect for consideration.

Image: max knoblauch
(Reuters) - Firefighters were battling a major, multiple-alarm fire of several buildings in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the city's fire department said on Twitter.

At least one building was ablaze at Berkshire and Vandine Streets, the Cambridge Fire Department said in a string of tweets.

The Boston Globe and local WCVB-TV reported that 10 alarms had been struck and that several buildings, as well as cars, were on fire.

The newspaper said that the blaze broke out shortly before 3 p.m. eastern (2000 GMT) and that firefighters had been summoned from surrounding communities to help fight the flames.

Globe employee Michael Workman, who lives across the street from the blaze, said that it erupted in a three-family residence that was undergoing renovations and that flames quickly jumped to another home as well as a former church building.

"It went up in a heartbeat. It was just raging ... It was just going so fast. Ive never seen anything like that," Workman told the Globe

Images posted WCVB's website showed the street and sidewalk engulfed in flames, billowing thick black smoke, as firefighters poured water onto them from a truck.

Cambridge, located across the Charles River from Boston, is home to both Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Neither campus appeared to be threatened from the fire.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Bill Rigby and Alistair Bell)
It looks like another version of the Scarlet Speedster is heading to Central City in an upcoming Season 3 episode of The Flash.

The CW series was filming some scenes in downtown Vancouver earlier today, and YVRShoots spotted a new mysterious character in costume.

Its unclear who this character is, but a fan on Twitter pointed out that the unidentified character bears some similarities to the Justice League 3000 version of the Flash.

For those who are unfamiliar with it, Justice League 3000 is a comic book series that shows the future of the DC Universe as part of The New 52. It features a 31st century iteration of the Justice League, with new incarnations of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash, who are actually cloned versions of the original characters.

Although the Justice League 3000 version of The Flash and the mysterious character photographed in downtown Vancouver both have goggles strapped on their heads and scarves covering the majority of their faces, some fans on Twitter think that the two characters arent the same. For one, those fans think that the costume of the mysterious character looks more like period clothing rather than a modern outfit, which shouldnt be the case if hes really from the 31st century.

Whoever this character is, its likely that he will appear on the show sometime next year, as The Flash is scheduled to air its midseason finale next week and wont return on air until January.

Next weeks episode of The Flash, titled The Present, airs on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. on The CW. Check out the synopsis for Season 3, episode 9 below:

With Alchemy (Tom Felton) and Savitar still looming threats, Barry (Grant Gustin) is unable to focus on the Christmas holiday, and especially his relationship with Iris (Candice Patton). Determined to stop Savitar, Barry goes to Earth-3 to get advice from Jay Garrick (John Wesley Shipp). Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) wants to help Barry fight Savitar and reveals that hes been training with H.R. (Tom Cavanagh), which doesnt go over well with Barry. As Cisco (Carlos Valdes) faces his first Christmas without his brother Dante (Nicholas Gonzalez), old wounds are reopened.

Story continues

Grant Gustin as The Flash

Photo: The CW

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By Harry Pearl

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Former U.S. astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, posted photos on Saturday of his recovery in a New Zealand hospital after he was evacuated from the South Pole due to illness.

Aldrin, 86, who was visiting the pole as part of a tourist group, was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, early on Friday local time when his condition deteriorated.

He has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and is in a stable condition, according to his official website.

Aldrin appeared in good spirits on Saturday after receiving a visit from NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman at Christchurch Hospital.

"I had a surprise visitor this morning. My longtime friend," he wrote on Twitter.

In the photos, Aldrin can be seen giving a thumbs-up sign and sitting in front of a tray of food and juice.

His manager Christina Korp, who traveled with him to Antarctica, posted photos on Thursday of the former astronaut walking over snow at the South Pole.

Aldrin was a fighter pilot during the Korean War before joining the U.S. astronaut program. On July 20, 1969, he stepped on the moon about 20 minutes after Neil Armstrong had taken the historic first step.

Their moonwalk was part of the Apollo 11 lunar landing was watched by a then-record television audience of 600 million people.

(Reporting by Harry Pearl; Editing by Richard Pullin)
Scenes of jubilation were seen across Gambia on Friday, December 2, as results of the previous days election rolled in revealing a surprise defeat of the countrys 22-year president Yahya Jammeh.

Jammeh conceded defeat to his opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow, an estate agent, who secured 45.5 percent of the vote, compared to his 36.7 percent.

Barrow previously lived in London working as a security guard at an Argos store, before returning to Gambia in 2006, according to the BBC. Credit: Fatoumata Hamilton via Storyful
NEW YORK, NY ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2016 / Dr. Gholam Mujtaba, a renowned scholar and political figure has published a doctoral dissertation on Pakistani leadership through Argosy University Phoenix. He has been conferred the degree of Doctorate by the Graduate School of Business and Management of the Argosy University at a ceremony in Atlanta today. This is a first doctorate on the styles of military and civilian leadership in Pakistan and the perceptions of such leadership among Americans of Pakistani origin, or pro United States Pakistanis living in Pakistan. The dissertation has provided an in depth information about Pakistani leadership, reasons behind their failures, and public perceptions.

The report says that 24% of Pakistanis are disenfranchised with their leadership. They do not support the military and civilian leaderships that has governed the country. The 35% mostly youth are following a former sport figure of Pakistans Justice Movement (PTI) to salvage the country from traditional leadership. However, the study reflects 59% of the respondents including this 35% are swing votes which can be capitalized through a dynamic charismatic leadership that can provide hope for a bright future of Pakistan.





It is presumed that corruption is the main factor in rejecting traditional leadership of Pakistan by an overwhelming majority. Pakistans debt has surged from 38 billion dollars at the time of the military rule of General Musharraf, to over 100 billion dollars in 2016 after successive civilian governments of former President Zardari and the current Prime Minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif. The foreign policy failures have resulted due to the widening of gaps in Pakistans relationship with the United States, and attempts to get closer to China. This has mostly served Chinese interests instead of Pakistani interests. Furthermore, this has narrowed down the role of Pakistan in the Middle Eastern region due to Chinese penetration in Pakistani priorities in the foreign policy making.

The study shows Pakistan a highly diverse country in the religious landscape, contrary to public perceptions in the west. Jews, Christians, Hindus, and all other faiths are represented in the study showing their Pakistani origin. However, Sunnis far outnumbered all others constituting 84% of the population whereas adherents to Shia Islam were lesser than 8%. Though the country highlights strong religious pluralism, nevertheless a strong sense of national culture and identity is visible.

The study further reflects political, and ethnic diversity in Pakistan. The findings in the study shows an overwhelming support for civilian leadership, aside from the majority opinion found disenfranchised from any class of leadership. The study findings support the idea that enhancing literacy rate will greatly influence the public perceptions about governments, foreign and defense policies of Pakistan. In turn, in the matter of implications for leadership theory and practice, that all forms of organization may indeed abide by a similar dynamic, namely the following: participative leadership becomes more important as the subordinates educational level rises.

The study explains that civilian governance is most robust under conditions of high level of literacy, whereas Pakistan lacks those numbers in literacy. The study argues that until literacy reaches a high point, the potential for abuses of power on the part of civilian administrations, which fact renders any advantage from them to be ephemeral at best, or illusionary at worst.

Dr. Gholam Mujtaba has had a long career in politics across America and Pakistan. Currently, a Central Leader to the Republican Party of the United States of America and Chairman of Pakistani Policy Institute, USA, he is an expert on conflict management and Pakistani leadership. He was conferred the Doctorate in Organizational Leadership by the Argosy University today. Recipient of the United States Congressional Recognition Award in 2015, Dr. Mujtaba has previously held such highly regarded positions as the Central Vice President of the All Pakistan Muslim League and an Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, a cabinet position in Pakistan.

Dr. Gholam Mujtaba -- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgholamujtaba

Contact Information:

Dr. Gholam Mujtaba

Gholam_Mujtaba@yahoo.com

http://www.drgholammujtaba.com





Source: Dr. Gholam Mujtaba
craigslist: thailand jobs, apartments, for sale, services, community, and events

craigslist provides local classifieds and forums for jobs, housing, for sale, services, local community, and events
Berlin (AFP) - A radical marxist suspected of belonging to a left-wing extremist group accused of terrorism by Turkey has been arrested in Germany, judicial sources said on Saturday.

The 55-year-old citizen of the Netherlands, whose name was given as Musa A., was arrested in Hamburg, Germany's federal prosecutor said.

The man is thought to be a "leader" of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) -- a radical marxist group outlawed by Ankara after allegedly staging several attacks and assassinations against police, the security services and US interests in Turkey.

The prosecutor said he was carrying out several roles in Europe, principally fundraising for the European arm of the DHKP-C.

German authorities believe that such fundraising could be used to finance terrorist activity and the acquisition of weapons.

Musa A. will appear in court on Monday before a judge who will rule whether to remand him in custody.

In August 2015, the DHKP-C claimed responsibility for an attack in Istanbul by two of its militants on police guarding the offices of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. No one was hurt.

The arrest comes just weeks after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Germany of "hosting terrorists".

Berlin and Ankara have been at loggerheads recently with Germany a vocal critic of Erdogan's widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, journalists and teachers as well as the military and police in the wake of a failed coup in July.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has described the Turkish crackdown as "highly alarming".

Turkey's increasingly authoritarian leader also accused Germany of harbouring members of both the DHKP-C and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Both groups are branded terrorists by Turkey, the US and the EU.
For a would-be populist hero, the optics were jarring. During his recent 60 Minutes interview, Donald Trump perched on a throne-like gilded Louis XV chairjust one of the many gold-plated objects the president-elect surrounds himself with, from his plane to his apocryphal toilet. Indeed, critics and designers alike have wondered if he will turn the White House into the Gold Housea replica of one of his defunct casinos or his Trump Tower penthouse.

Gold has always been the color of absolute power and those who aspire to it, as a sumptuous new exhibition at The Frick Collection illustrates. Pierre Gouthiere: Virtuoso Gilder at the French Court (on view until February 19) has been in the works for five years, though the curator Charlotte Vignon told me that, as of the November 8 election, the timing is right to reexamine the aesthetics and politics of gold decor. As a symbol of wealth, power, and eternity, gold inspired centuries of bloody wars and dangerous mining endeavors. But in more recent history, its meaning has become more complex: Its association with dictators, celebrities, and artists has also transformed it into a sign of excess, corruption, and cultural domination.

A detail from a marble and gilt bronze side table (Michael Bodycomb)

Because of its high cost and its unearthly beauty, gold has always had a strong association with royalty. In ancient Egypt, gold was reserved for deities and Pharaohs, who were considered to be gods among men. The biblical Book of Kings describes how all the household articles in the palace of King Solomon were pure gold. The household part is key: Any ruler can have a gold crown, but performing quotidian tasks such as eating, sleeping, sitting, and, especially, defecating on gold takes luxury to a whole new level.

The modern history of gold decor begins with King Louis XIV, who revived the ancient practice of gilding, or applying a thin gold veneer to objects. In addition to beautifying, gilding protects against corrosion, and, in some cases, has even enabled objects to pass for solid gold. But unlike pure gold or delicate gilt plaster or wood, gilt metalsparticular bronzesare durable materials, making them suitable for objects that need to function as well as shine, like clocks. Gold and gilding were crucial to enhancing Louiss image as the self-professed Sun Kingan Apollo bringing light to an unenlightened world.

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Upon assuming absolute power in 1661, Louis began transforming a humble brick hunting lodge in the swamps of Versailles into the greatest palace in Europe. To fill its 700 rooms, he appointed a furniture czar, explaining that there is nothing that indicates more clearly the magnificence of great princes than their superb palaces and their precious furniture. Versailles became a showplace for the French furniture industrys finest examples of gilded wood and bronze. Far from being cold and static, their gleaming surfaces danced in candlelight and firelight, maximizing available illumination with the help of with priceless mercury-backed mirrors and rock-crystal chandeliers, an effect that the art historian Mimi Hellman called the aesthetics of the glint in the book Paris: Life and Luxury in the 18th Century.

It was a look so unique, so self-aggrandizing, that it granted the king a kind of material immortality. You havent seen anything if you havent seen the pomp of Versailles, the Vicomte de Chateaubriand remarked in his memoirs after a visit to the palace in the 1780s. Louis XIV is still there. Commoners, too, sought to distinguish themselves in the eyes of posterity by collecting gilt bronzes, as the 18th-century journalist Louis-Sebastien Mercier wryly observed in his Tableau de Paris: Every man may tell himself, during his lifetime: These bronzes and pictures which have cost me so much, and which I hide from curious eyes, will serve as evidence, after my death, for judgment of my tastes.

It makes sense that people looking for absolute power would continue to associate themselves with that kind of interior.

If Louis XIV promoted the art of gilding, Pierre Gouthiere perfected it in the mid-18th century. According to legend, his gilt bronzes imitated gold so perfectly that Marie-Antoinette herself was fooled. Scholars are still debating whether these gold-plated objects were intended to deceive, or considered prestigious in their own right. Vignon argued that what gilt bronze lacked in intrinsic value it made up for in skilled and costly labor. Sculpting models, which were then cast, chased, gilded, and polished, was a time-consuming and technically challenging process. At that time, these objects were more than just trappings of power, Vignon told me. They were cutting edge, they were original, they were interestinglike the latest Apple phone.

In 1767, Gouthiere was appointed gilder to King Louis XV. His work was so heavily in demand that he managed to extract commissions from both of the rival factions at court, united respectively around the kings mistress, Madame Du Barry, and his granddaughter-in-law, Marie-Antoinette. The Frick exhibition reunites a monogrammed gilt bronze window knob that Gouthiere made for the Du Barrys Salon en Cul-de-Four at Louveciennes with Jean-Honore Fragonards series The Progress of Love, painted for the same room. But, as Vignon pointed out, when the painter Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun wrote about her visit to Louveciennes 20 years later, it wasnt the paintings she remembered; it was the chimneypieces and the gold locks on the doors. That is, objects crafted by Gouthiere.

Recommended: Trevor Noah Finds His Late-Night Voice

When did gold become gaudy? The work of Gouthiere and his contemporaries was considered modern and tasteful, not garish and over-the-top. When you read the descriptions of Gouthieres mounts in catalogues of the time, they talked about taste and elegance, Vignon told me, adding that these merchants were not just trying to justify Gouthieres high prices, but also celebrating his mastery of his craft. Louis XVI acquired several examples of Gouthieres work for the national art collection, in recognition of their lasting value. He could not have known that the rich culture of craftsmanship and patronage that produced them was about to disappear forever.

Knob for a French window (Th. Hennocque)

Rather than going out of style, the taste for all that glitters became frozen in time with the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. [Gold] became a cliche, very soon after the Revolution, Vignon said. These objects became symbolic of a time of absolute power and an elitist societyso much so that it ended in a bloody revolution. It makes sense that people looking for absolute power would continue to associate themselves with that kind of interior.

Indeed, the gilded Louis Style became part of the decorative vocabulary of 19th-century imperialism and 20th-century despotism, as regimes of questionable legitimacy sought to bolster their cultural and political authority through elaborate visual propaganda. (In 2011, The Telegraph dubbed the look Dictator Chic.) Saddam Hussein built dozens of grandiose palaces of marble, crystal, and gold leaf, which Vanity Fair cheekily compared to Trumps similarly decorated properties. People have been quick to point out that Muammar Gaddafi, too, shared Trumps taste in gilded chairs. But its not just dictators and despots who adhere to the gold standard; even the Elysee Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic, is filled with 18th-century gilded furniture today. It seems to be a huge paradox about the representation of power, said Vignon, who was born in Paris. French power is still expressed in the language of ancien regime!

One mans Versailles is another mans Graceland.

In popular culture, entertainers like Elvis The King Presley and Liberace, the King of Bling, used the power of gold to project an air of royalty, untouchable and otherworldly. Elviss 141 gold records paled beside his 24-karat gold-plated piano, his gold-trimmed Cadillac, and his $10,000 gold lame suit. Liberace, too, had a gold disco ball of a suit to match his glittery gold Bradley. And the artist Jeff Koons chose rococo-style gilded porcelain as the medium for his deliberately kitschy life-sized statue of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, and his chimp, Bubbles. Fittingly, the piece was displayed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles in 2008.

The more-is-more vibe of the 1980swhen Trump Tower was builtbrought a fresh revival of the ornate 18th-century style, epitomized in fashion by designers like Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, and Vivienne Westwood and in interiors by Angelo Donghia, Trumps decorator. Its an aesthetic Trump has clung to in his homes and hotels, even as fashion has moved on to minimalism and industrialism and beyond. I think Trump is using objects like that to express power, but without taste and refinement, Vignon said. In the 18th century, she added, gold furnishings were not only luxury objects. They were also an expression of cutting-edge craftsmanship. When it is not new and it is only an expression of power, its not interesting.

A vase (Joseph Godla)

Of course, tackiness is in the eye of the beholder; one mans Versailles is another mans Graceland. But men (and women) who would be the Sun King should remember the cautionary tale of another king, the mythical Midas who greedily wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Trump, for his part, is aware of the story: His father once bragged about his son that everything he touches turns to gold, and Trump has made that boast his brand, even titling one of his books The Midas Touch.

Of course, the fictional King Midas came to realize that his golden gift was actually a curse. (Elvis came to a similar conclusion about his beloved gold Cadillac, putting it into storage because it was so impractical to drive.) In Ovids version of the story, Midas begs the gods to take back his power, only to get saddled with a pair of asss ears instead. In Aristotles version, Midas dies of starvation. In Nathaniel Hawthornes telling, Midas accidentally turns his beloved daughter into a gold statue. But it was Gouthiere, the man with the Midas touch, who gave the legend its most chilling twist; he once designed a vase with handles fashioned from the golden visage of Midas himself.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
A California fire department captain was so sick of wearing glasses that he turned to a newly FDA-approved surgery that he hopes will correct his vision and have him dumping the specs for good.

Read: 10-Week-Old Kitten With a Painful, Infected Eye Gets the Care He Desperately Needs

A.J. Martinez has a series of glasses for various activities like looking at a computer screen and reading documents. He also has a wide variety of spares that he takes wherever he goes.

He says he has to see clearly at all times and "people's lives depend on it."

I need to be able to read medication patient information [and] all of the critical information on my computer when I am on the engine, he told Inside Edition.

The San Diego firefighter says he was blindsided when he turned 50 and suddenly "woke up in the morning and had blurry vision."

"I couldnt figure it out, he said.

He added: I had never worn glasses [or] had any protective procedure ever. I just woke up one day and had fuzzy vision. I did a little investigation and found i had presbyopia.

Presbyopia is the loss of near vision that most people notice in their 40's, otherwise known as "after 40 vision.

Martinez turned to Dr. Robert Lin for the newly approved KAMRA eye surgery that the doctor says will enable him to read without glasses.

The way the KAMRA works is it lets only focused light into the eye so you can see far and near, Dr. Lin told Inside Edition. Most people will immediately see improvement in their near vision but of course the result will get better over time.

By narrowing the opening that permits light rays to enter the eye, Dr. Lin says the KAMRA inlay repositions the focal point back on the surface of the retina to achieve crisp, sharp vision.

A tiny ring weighing less than a grain of salt is inserted into the cornea. The ring can then focus light into the eye.



The procedure is done just on one eye  the non-dominant eye.

Story continues

Read: 2-Year-Old Girl Sees and Hears Her Mom for the First Time After Miracle Surgery

A laser creates a pocket where the ring, about a quarter-of-the-size of a contact lens is implanted. The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes to perform.

Martinez says he felt great after the procedure and had no pain. He was also able to see immediate improvement in his vision.

A month after the procedure, he tossed all of his glasses, and is able to read very fine print.

Watch: Rhino With Toothache Transported to Surgery, Thanks to Local Firefighters

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Univision mogul Haim Saban blasted Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), who is running for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, as an anti-Semite on Friday.

Ellisons campaign hit a serious obstacle on Thursday, when the Anti-Defamation League came out against his candidacy. The ADL was responding to a 2010 speech, in which Ellison seemed to suggest that American policy in the Middle East is driven by Israel. Ellison, who is a Muslim, responded that his remarks were selectively edited, and stressed that his long-standing support for Israel.

Saban took the opportunity to chime in on the controversy at the 13th annual Saban Forum at the Brookings Institution on Friday night. The topic came up briefly in an interview between CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli Defense Minister. Liberman seemed unfamiliar with the remarks, so Saban stood up during the Q&A to issue a broadside against Ellison.

The fact that Keith Ellison is a Muslim is a non-issue, Saban said. If you listen to Keith Ellison today and you see his statements, hes more of a Zionist than Herzl, Ben-Gurion, and Begin combined. Its amazing. Its a beautiful thing. If you go back to his positions, his papers, his speeches, the way he has voted, he is clearly an anti-Semite, anti-Israel individual. Words matter and actions matter more. Keith Ellison would be a disaster for the relationship between the Jewish community and the Democratic Party.

Saban, the billionaire chairman of Univision, is a major Democratic donor and key supporter of Hillary Clinton. He once famously referred to himself as a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel. He made his fortune by leveraging the success of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers into a kids cable TV network, which he sold to Disney.

Ellison recently addressed his past support for the Nation of Islam, saying he has long ago disavowed the groups anti-Semitism and apologized for associating with the group.

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I have always lived a politics defined by respecting differences, rejecting all forms of racism and anti-Semitism, a politics based on inclusion, and diverse communities organizing together for economic justice for everyone, Ellison wrote.

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Attention, theater geeks: If you can find it in your heart to pause The Hamilton Mixtape for a minute, theres another album we should probably discuss.

VIDEOSHairspray Live!: The Star-Studded Cast Previews You Cant Stop the Beat

Masterworks Broadway on Thursday night released the official cast recording of Hairspray Live!, nearly a full week before the NBC musicals Dec. 7 broadcast  which is good, because well need all that extra time to dig through what is turning out to be a treasure trove of surprises and wonderment. (I promise, even the most die-hard Hairspray fans are in for a few shocks.)

Below are just a few of my personal observations from the albums 19 tracks:

* Derek Hough can sing! Youd think Id know better than to doubt the pipes of a Hough, especially after Juliannes killer performance in Grease: Live, but Im just not that evolved. So imagine my delight upon hearing Dereks rock-solid performance of The Nicest Kids in Town, (Its) Hairspray and

* Ladies Choice is no longer a Link Larkin number. The song  originally written for the 2007 film, in which Zac Efron played Link  is now performed by Houghs Corny Collins. When asked for the reason behind the switch, Garrett Clayton (Live!s Link) had only this to say:

@jacobjunior7 because it wasn't up to me lol  Garrett Clayton (@garrettclayton1) December 2, 2016

* Dove Camerons got soul. Having seen (and heard) her work on Disney Channels Liv and Maddie and Descendants, I knew Cameron (aka Live!s Amber) could sing. But she displays a level of sass and strength on the soundtrack, particularly on Cooties, that prove shes truly a musical force to be reckoned with.

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* Sean Hayes gets welcomed to the 60s! No, your ears arent deceiving you. That really is Hayes  as integrative boutique owner Mr. Pinky  lending his pipes to the Tracy/Edna classic Welcome to the 60s. Fun!

* Maddie Baillio is a damn star. Ironically  or perhaps intentionally  the least-known actress in the Hairspray Live! cast is also likely to be the most talked-about. If her live performance features even half of the incredible vocals and infectious energy of her work on the soundtrack, shell easily be in the running for Americas favorite Tracy (which, as you know, is a bloodbath).

* Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson are a dream team. Were all aware of the talent possessed by these queens  Grande as Penny and Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle  but its still worth noting that their performance of Come So Far (Got So Far to Go), another song originally written for the 2007 film, is among the soundtracks finest.

I could go on about this album for days  it goes without saying that Kristin Chenoweth takes every opportunity to sing her tiny face off  but Id rather hear from you now. Give it a listen (via Spotify) below, then drop a comment with your thoughts.

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Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman says a parliamentary vote to legalise Jewish settler homes in the West Bank should be put on hold until Donald Trump becomes US president.

Speaking at a conference in Washington on Friday night, video of which was released by his office, Lieberman was quizzed about the vote which could go to its first reading next week.

"I think it's much better to postpone all this legislation and steps until January 20," he said, speaking in English.

US President Barack Obama officially hands over office to Trump on that date.

"My proposal is to wait for the new administration and to create, together with the new administration, a common policy without any uprise and not to create facts but to wait and to discuss with the next administration our policy and our visions.

"I think it makes sense," Lieberman said.

Israeli right-wingers hailed Trump's November 8 election triumph which they hope will usher in a US administration far less critical of settlement expansion than under Obama.

A scheduled first reading Wednesday of a bill to legalise around 4,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank was postponed until December 5.

Israeli media reported that the delay was because efforts were still being made to secure a majority.

The settlement bill has tested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, widely seen as the most right-wing in the country's history.

Netanyahu does not want the bill to pass, warning that it could violate international law and result in repercussions at the International Criminal Court.

Countries including the United States have also strongly criticised the bill and Netanyahu is concerned over an international backlash.

But he is also faced with holding together his coalition and not being seen as acting against the powerful settler movement.

Israel's attorney general says the legislation will never hold up in court.

But those who support it say the move is urgently needed to protect a Jewish outpost in the occupied West Bank called Amona.

The outpost, where around 40 families live, is under a high court order to be demolished by December 25 because it was built on private Palestinian land.

The bill, however, goes far beyond legalising Amona and would allow an estimated 4,000 Jewish homes in the West Bank to be legalised, according to settlement watchdog Peace Now.
Fox News host Jesse Watters claimed victory on Twitter, but Hampshire College says its decision to return the American flag to campus has nothing to do with his recent segment on The OReilly Factor.

The school raised the flag on Friday morning after removing it to enable discussion, when students of the liberal arts school became upset by Donald Trumps victory over Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

The Factor aired a segment on Wednesday night which featured Watters traveling to the college in Amherst, Massachusetts to confront its president Jonathan Lash and expose the situation.

Also Read: Hampshire College Calls Cops on Fox News' Jesse Watters (Video)

Ha! Absolutely not, Hampshire College spokesperson John Courtmanche told TheWrap when we asked if the segment had anything to do with the decision.

Dont you realize the whole country is laughing at you right now, Watters told the college president, and then stuck his foot in Lashs doorway to prevent him from shutting it.

Cmon, get your foot out of my door, Lash said. I dont want to talk to you about it. Would you please remove your foot from my door?

Also Read: Why Bill O'Reilly Is Having a Better Month Than You

Instead of obliging the mans request, Watters added, You made a lot of people very upset. I think you owe the country an explanation.

The school originally said the flag would not return until the spring semester at the earliest, according to the Boston Globe.

Two days after Watters segment, the flag is back. According to TVNewser, 3.98 million people watched Wednesdays episode of The OReilly Factor.

We raise the flag now as a symbol of that freedom, and in hopes for justice and fairness for all, Lash said in a statement.

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Hampshire College Calls Cops on Fox News' Jesse Watters (Video)

Donald Trump Is Same Guy Off Camera As He Is On, Reveals Fox News Host Jesse Watters

Bill O'Reilly Protege Jesse Watters Talks Correspondents Dinner Scuffle, His Rise From PA to On-Air Host
Its quite possible that many Americans have seen the art work of Gilbert Stuart more than any other painter. But what do you really know about the Founding-era artist?

Born on December 3, 1755 in Rhode Island, Stuart was the portrait artist of choice at the start of the Federal era under our Constitution. His best-known work was never finished  a partial portrait of George Washington that appears on the $1 bill. Stuart painted portraits of six Presidents and two became their official portraits  those of Washington and John Quincy Adams.

It was also a version of Stuarts most famous complete painting, the Lansdowne portrait of Washington, that First Lady Dolley Madison helped to save from British troops who burned down the White House in 1814.

Despite his artistic and business income, Stuart died a pauper and was buried in an unmarked grave in 1828 in Boston, and the exact location of his remains is unknown.

In his lifetime, Stuart painted everyone from King George III (when Stuart lived in Europe), John Jay, Martha Washington, John and Abigail Adams, James and Dolley Madison, Thomas Jefferson, King Louis XVI of France, James Monroe, John Randolph, Rufus King and Benjamin West.

His first success was a picture called The Skater, a portrait of William Grant done in England in 1782. By 1794, Stuart was living in Philadelphia, which gave him easy access to President Washington (since the national capital was in Philadelphia at that time.)

Lansdowne Portrait

Dolley Madison

The Anthenaeum

Washington's Cook

Thomas Jefferson

John Adams

Stuarts paintings of Washington shaped what generations of Americans envision as his likeness. His 1796 unfinished painting of Washington, called The Athenaeum, was duplicated in part by Stuart more than 100 times. A follow-up painting, the Lansdowne portrait, is a full image of Washington in the act of giving a speech.

In 1803, Stuart moved to the new capital of Washington to pursue more work. He painted Jefferson, the Madisons, Albert Gallatin, and William Thornton, among others. Within two years, Stuart moved back to New England and settled in Boston, where he continued to actively work until his death in 1828.

Throughout his life, Stuart was plagued by financial problems and bad spending habits even though he had a thriving business. He left his family deeply in debt when he died, and Stuart was placed in an unmarked grave in Boston Common. A decade later, when his family had enough money to give Stuart a proper burial, no one could locate the graves location.

In his lifetime, Stuart painted more than 1,000 people who were political and societal figures in the pivotal early days of our republic under the Constitution. That legacy is enduring and it has made Stuart one of the most popular and best-known artists in our history.
donald trump phone

US President-elect Donald Trump spoke with the president of Taiwan over the phone Friday, a diplomatic move that seems to have broken many rules about how phone calls between world leaders get made.

Though Trump is a highly unusual president-elect  having never held elected office  there's a normal procedure in place for these types of phone calls since Rutherford B. Hayes first installed a telephone in the White House in 1877. Everything is meticulously planned to leave very little to chance.

When President Barack Obama calls other world leaders, for instance, his aides bring him a National Security Council dossier that contains a complete intelligence portrait of the person with whom he's about to get on the phone. The dossier includes everything from the leader's personality and health to information about their children and spouses  even tidbits like whether the person likes jokes or small talk, Yahoo News reported in 2014.

"The world leader profiles include basic intel, idiosyncrasies, personal political pressures, whether any close relatives are seriously ill, girl- or boyfriend problems, personal health issues," a senior administration official told Yahoo News at the time.

Immediately following the call, officials from both sides will produce "readouts," or short summaries designed to drive media coverage.

Trump's call on Friday was directly at odds with Washington's "one China" policy  in place since 1979  which maintains that Taiwan, though self-governing, is a province of the Chinese communist government based in Beijing. The White House was not aware of the call until after it occurred, an administration official told Business Insider.

And Trump has made a few other calls since winning the presidency that have been at some odds with previous US policy. Pakistan, for instance, said its leader invited Trump to visit the country during a chat with Trump, a move that could potentially alienate India. And Trump also spoke with the leader of Kazakhstan, who has been a strongman-type ruler over the country.

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Obama on the phone

Yet it seems unlikely in the immediate aftermath that Friday's Trump call will permanently affect US-China relations, as China's foreign minister, Wang Yi, referred to the call as a "small trick" by Taiwanese officials.

And, as Yahoo reported, these calls can get a whole lot messier. President George W. Bush often had the most difficult time on calls with Hu Jintao, the former Chinese leader.

"They were unbelievable. Almost all of them were more than an hour long," a former administration official told Yahoo News. "Every call to a Chinese president had to start with a restatement of Americas Chinese policy."

Bush was forced to reiterate the US's policy towards China  the same policy that Trump (perhaps unknowingly) flouted on Friday:

"The United States maintains our one China policy based on the three communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. We oppose unilateral changes in the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by either side, and we urge all parties to avoid confrontational or provocative acts. And we believe the future of Taiwan should be resolved peacefully."

"It was talking points, talking points, talking points ... and then in the last 10 minutes youd get to the point," the official told Yahoo News. After the call, officials on both the US and Chinese side would race to get their readouts out to the media.

Bush 9-11 phone call Air force one(DC)

Obama, for his part, definitely preferred speaking with some foreign leaders over others.

Officials said Obama's calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin were often "grueling," according to Yahoo, and he once spent 90 minutes on the phone  his longest phone call with another world leader  trying to convince Putin to pull his troops out of the Crimean peninsula.

Obama much preferred speaking with Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president, with whom he apparently "really got along." Former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was "always really friendly and conversational," administration officials told Yahoo News.

While the Cold War era "red telephone" between Washington and Moscow was only found in Hollywood, the first thing you hear when you're about to speak to the president is like something straight out of the movies.

"Please hold for the president," a national security staffer would say, right before Obama  and, after January 20, Trump  takes the call.

NOW WATCH: Animated map reveals who would win the election if only certain demographics voted





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Slavkov u Brna (Czech Republic) (AFP) - More than a thousand history buffs gathered in the Czech Republic on Saturday for a re-enactment of the Battle of Austerlitz, in which Napoleon crushed the Austrian and Russian armies in 1805.

"We have soldiers from about twelve countries of the world, including Austria, France, Russia, but also Belgium, Italy or Poland," organiser Miroslav Jandora told AFP.

On December 2, 1805, Napoleon's army took its rivals by surprise after feigning reluctance to fight the two armies near Austerlitz, modern day Slavkov, a town some 200 kilometres (125 miles) southeast of Prague.

The 71,000 soldiers of Napoleon's "Grande Armee" beat the 91,000 men of the combined Russian and Austrian armies in less than six hours.

Considered Napoleon's finest tactical masterpiece, the "Battle of the Three Emperors" left 28,000 dead.

"Every year we re-enact a part of the battle. This year we are doing the fight for the Prace Heights, the crucial part of the battle," said Jandora.

American actor Mark Schneider, playing the role of Napoleon on Saturday, hailed the 1805 battle as "Napoleon's greatest victory".

"There is no doubt the French army will emerge victorious at the end of the day," he told AFP on horseback before leading his troops to victory.
Abu Dhabi (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande vowed Saturday to spend the final months of his presidency fighting to protect the rights of the most vulnerable in society and the world.

Speaking on his first foreign trip since announcing he would not stand for re-election, the socialist president also hit out at the policies of the conservative candidate who is now favourite to succeed him in May.

"My decisions as president have been based first and foremost on protecting," Hollande said, adding that he had always sought to look out for the "most vulnerable" and "civilian populations threatened by wars and terrorism".

"This will be my task until the month of May."

Hollande took issue with a campaign pledge by conservative frontrunner Francois Fillon to shed 500,000 public sector jobs if he becomes president.

"When you have no civil servants, you have no state, and when you have no state, you have no France," he told members of the French expatriate community in Abu Dhabi.

Hollande was in the United Arab Emirates capital to attend a conference on protecting the world's cultural heritage against the threats of extremism and conflict.

He also visited the site of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is expected to open in 2017 after much delay.

Faced with record low approval ratings, Hollande announced on Thursday that he would not put his name forward to stand as socialist candidate in next year's presidential election.

Opinion polls suggest that Fillon and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen will win the first round in April and face each other in a runoff the following month.
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Leaders of Chinese-ruled Hong Kong widened their legal fight against the city's fledgling independence movement on Friday, targeting four more lawmakers over oaths taken at a Legislative Council swearing-in ceremony in October. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Justice Secretary Rimsky Yuen began the action on Friday after lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching lost a legal appeal over their disqualification, the government said in a statement. The government proceedings seek "to declare their oaths purportedly taken as invalid and their office as now vacant", the government said in the statement. Beijing's Communist Party leaders are alarmed about the growing appeal of independence and self-determination in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it wide-ranging freedoms, a separate legal system and specifying universal suffrage as an eventual goal. The latest move came after Beijing staged a rare interpretation of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, known as the Basic Law, in early November to effectively bar democratically elected Leung and Yau from taking office there. Lau and Leung pledged allegiance to the "Hong Kong nation" and displayed a banner declaring "Hong Kong is not China" during a swearing-in ceremony for the Legislative Council in October. While their oaths were aborted before they were disqualified, the latest action targets lawmakers who have already taken office. They include veteran lawmaker and activist Leung Kwok-hung, known across the city as "Long-hair". The others are younger lawmakers Lau Siu Lai, Edward Yiu and Nathan Law, the government said. The government is challenging the actions of the legislature's president, Andrew Leung, to accept, or allow them to re-take, their oaths. In the statement, the government said it had a constitutional responsibility to uphold the Basic Law and that the action was in the public interest. "The government stresses that the decision to initiate legal proceedings was purely a decision based on legal ... consideration, without any political consideration," it added. Senior democratic figures are warning of a popular backlash against Chief Executive Leung, whom they accuse of using the independence issue to wage a legal "coup" against long-standing democratic forces, on behalf of Beijing. Leung's term ends next year but he has yet to confirm he will stand for re-election in March by a panel of 1,200 largely pro-establishment community figures. (Reporting by Pak Yiu, Greg Torode and Anne-Marie Roantree; additional reporting by Michelle Price; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
By Sanjeev Miglani AMRITSAR, India (Reuters) - India and Afghanistan are planning to set up an air cargo service to help increase trade that both say is stymied because of their tense political relations with Pakistan that lies between them, Indian and Afghan officials said on Saturday. The cargo service will aim to improve landlocked Afghanistan's connectivity to key markets abroad and boost the growth prospects of its fruit and carpet industries while it battles a deadly Taliban insurgency, Indian officials said. An announcement on the service is expected after a meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, a short distance from the Pakistan border. The two leaders are attending the Heart of Asia conference aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan. Afghanistan depends on the Pakistani port of Karachi for its foreign trade. It is allowed to send a limited amount of goods overland through Pakistan into India, but imports from India are not allowed along this route. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have gone to war three times and remain bitter foes while ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have become strained despite their shared religious and cultural identities. Pakistan's top foreign policy official Sartaj Aziz, who was due to attend the conference on Sunday, arrived a day earlier opening the possibility of a meeting with his Indian hosts to try and break a chill in ties. Indian officials have been steadfast that there cannot be any dialogue with Pakistan until it acts against militant groups operating from its soil. Islamabad denies the allegation and says New Delhi must hold talks on the future of Kashmir, the dispute at the center of nearly 70 years of hostility. Afghan director general for macro fiscal policies Khalid Payenda said the potential for trade with India, the largest market in the region, was far greater than allowed by land and so the two countries had decided to use the air route. "We have a lot of potential for trade on both sides. On our side, it's mostly fruit and dried fruit and potentially through India to other places for products like carpets and others," he said in Kabul ahead of the conference. He said that a joint venture involving an Afghan and an Indian cargo firm would be set up and that the two governments were working to build the infrastructure at Kabul and Delhi airports. An Indian government source attending the meeting in Amritsar said air cargo route details were still being worked out and could include Kandahar as a point of origin for shipping fruit directly to India. Indian foreign ministry official Gopal Baglay, who oversees Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, said several proposals were being discussed to improve Afghanistan's trade and transport links. "There have been very many ideas on how to enhance connectivity, overcome current challenges and also expand the trade basket," he said. Afghan ambassador to India Shaida M. Abdali said measures to fight terrorism was key. Afghanistan says Pakistan has failed to rein in the militant groups operating from its soil. "Unless we take a collective measure to fight terrorism, to fight the breeding ground for terrorism, the safe sanctuary, we will not be able to bring peace and stability either to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the region, including India," he said in Amritsar. Pakistan says it is itself a victim of terrorism and says India is using its close ties with Afghanistan to stir trouble in its restive Baluchistan province. (Additional reporting by James Mackenzie in Kabul; Editing by Nick Macfie and Clelia Oziel)
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian (Photo: Getty Images)

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have spent their entire marriage juggling busy schedules, managing bicoastal business obligations and traveling around the globe, so its safe to say theyre accustomed to operating without one strict home base. And though the parents of two have been steady supporters of each other since marrying in May 2014, they havent always been able to stand  or sleep  side by side.

To Grandmothers House They Go

Though the Wests have an expansive real estate portfolio, theyve spent very little family time enjoying their two California properties.

After purchasing an $11 million Bel-Air mansion in early 2013, they planned to temporarily take up residence in momager Kris Jenners Calabasas home while they upgraded their Italian-style villa. But after daughter North, now 3, was born, the couple remained at Jenners.

In 2014, they bought a second home closer to Jenner  a $20 million estate in Hidden Hills, California, where they planned to settle down once those renovations were complete.

When we bought our Bel-Air house, we didnt have a baby, we werent even pregnant, Kardashian West told PEOPLE at the time. After you have a baby, you realize that you need so many other things and a different kind of space. So being in the city is a different life. We wanted to be away and have more privacy.

In September 2015, while their Hidden Hills home remained under renovation, the Wests moved back in with Jenner before welcoming their son, Saint.

Earlier this year, the momager playfully joked the her daughter and son-in-law were never going to leave.

Theyre making changes to a project theyre working on down the street but literally, when North was born they lived with me for almost two years, Jenner said. And then they just moved in, I dont know, six months ago for a couple of weeks, and Kim just keeps saying, Just eight more weeks, just eight more weeks.'

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In March of this year, the pair finally moved into their Bel-Air home, often hosting social events including Chrissy Teigens baby shower and a brunch and Easter egg hunt for the entire Kardashian-Jenner family.

The Paris Effect

Months later, after her terrifying Paris robbery in early October, Kardashian West, along with her two children, moved back into Jenners home while her husband continued his Saint Pablo tour. Following a series of erratic incidents, rumors about the rappers health began to escalate after West canceled the remaining dates of the tour.

Hes just exhausted, a source previously told PEOPLE. Hes been working around the clock on fashion design, both on his own line and the Adidas line. Hes a notorious workaholic, so balancing both that work  which is extremely important to him  and the rigors of the tour every night, it really wore him out.

Last month, however, West was hospitalized for exhaustion, and remained at UCLA Medical Center until he was released nine days later.

Together but Apart

As they work through marital frustrations, a Keeping Up with the Kardashians source tells PEOPLE that the couple are currently living in separate households for medical reasons.

Kanye isnt at home with Kim and the kids, the source says. He is instead receiving outpatient care elsewhere with a medical team. Kim still seems concerned but is supportive. They dont know for how long Kanye will need outpatient care.

Though living separately, Kardashian West continues to stand by her best friend and soulmate.

There are frustrations and problems, like any relationship, but they love each other deeply, a source told PEOPLE.
Dr. Werner Spitz has filed a response to Burke Ramseys $150 million defamation lawsuit stemming from the two-part CBS documentary about the death of the latters sister, JonBenet Ramsey.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE and filed in Michigan on Wednesday, Spitz is arguing that the suit should be dismissed with prejudice because his claims that Burke killed his younger sibling JonBenet in 1996 were merely speculation.

This lawsuit arises from the public discussion about theories involving one of the major unsolved crimes of the 20th Century, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP wrote on behalf of Spitz. Because the First Amendment protects this speech on a matter of immense public concern, Plaintiff Burke Ramseys lawsuit should be dismissed.

In The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey, a panel of investigators  including Spitz  developed a theory that 6-year-old JonBenet was accidentally killed by Burke. The beauty pageant queen was found dead in the basement of her familys home in Boulder, Colorado, in Dec. 1996.

Burke, now 29, filed the defamation suit in October, alleging that Spitzs claims attacked and permanently harmed his reputation. He is requesting compensatory damages in an amount not less than $50 million and punitive damages of no less than $100 million.

 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Spitzs attorneys are arguing that JonBenets murder is a subject of significant public interest and controversy.

Dr. Spitz expressed his own view  as the First Amendment affords him the right to do  but his speculations, even if firmly held and confidently expressed, are not statements of fact, the response said.

In response to Spitzs motion for dismissal, Burkes attorney L. Lin Wood told PEOPLE in a statement that, the motion to dismiss by Defendant Spitz is a standard media defense tactic.

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The United States Supreme Court has made it very clear that the First Amendment does not provide blanket protection to all statements characterized as opinion, Wood said. Spitzs statements conveyed that Burke Ramsey killed his sister. That accusation is capable of being objectively proven to be false. Further, Spitzs accusation was based on undisclosed facts and more importantly, false and distorted facts. Simply stated, Spitzs accusation is legally viewed as a statement of fact, not a protected opinion.

A hearing on Spitzs motion for summary disposition is currently scheduled for Feb. 24, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.




DUBAI (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 years shows the world that Washington cannot be relied upon to act on its commitments, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday. Iran has vowed to retaliate against the ISA extension, passed unanimously on Thursday, saying it violated last year's agreement with six major powers to curb its nuclear program in return for lifting of international financial sanctions. "To the world community, the extension of sanctions against Iran shows the unreliability of the American government," state broadcaster IRIB quoted Zarif as saying on arriving in India for an official visit. "America is acting against its commitment." U.S. officials said the ISA renewal would not infringe the nuclear agreement. U.S. lawmakers have also said the ISA extension would make it easier for sanctions to be quickly reimposed if Iran contravened the nuclear deal.. But Iran's nuclear energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, who played a central role in reaching the nuclear deal, described the extension as a "clear violation" if implemented. The diplomatic thaw between Washington and Tehran over the past two years looks in jeopardy with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month. He said during his election campaign that he would scrap the nuclear agreement. The U.S. Senate vote was a blow to pragmatist Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who engineered the diplomatic opening to the West that led to the nuclear deal. "The (nuclear accord) is the result of efforts by seven countries, and one country should not be allowed to weaken it," state news agency IRNA on Saturday reported Rouhani as saying. Last month, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the extension would be viewed in Tehran as a breach of the nuclear accord and threatened retaliation. Behrouz Nemati, spokesman for parliament's presiding board, was quoted by state television on Saturday as saying MPs would introduce a measure on Sunday demanding the government "return to initial (nuclear) enrichment conditions" before the deal. Another group of lawmakers plan to introduce a bill on Sunday to ban "the purchase of U.S. consumer goods including animal and agricultural products", IRIB reported. Such a bill could also endanger deals including U.S. planemaker Boeing's tentative accord to sell passenger jets to Iran, upgrading a fleet long deteriorating due to sanctions. Khamenei and his hardline loyalists have criticized the deal and blamed Rouhani for its failure to deliver swift improvements in living standards since sanctions were lifted in January. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; editing by Susan Thomas)
WASHINGTON  All hogs in Massachusetts will be able to stretch their legs and turn around in their crates and all hens will be able to spread their wings under a law passed in November by voters in the state.

Laws like this one, which strictly regulate how farm animals are confined, are becoming more common across the U.S., as large-scale farming replaces family farms and consumers learn more about what happens behind barn doors. Massachusetts is the 12th state to ban the use of some livestock- and poultry-raising cages or crates, such as gestation crates for sows, veal crates for calves or battery cages for chickens, which critics say abusively restrict the animals movement.

The restrictive laws have taken hold so far in states that have relatively small agriculture industries for animals and animal products and fewer large-scale farming operations. But producers in big farming states see the writing on the wall. Backed by state farm bureaus, large-scale industrial farmers are pushing for changes that would make it harder for states to further regulate the way they do business.

North Dakota and Missouri adopted amendments in the last few years that enshrined into their constitutions the right of farmers and ranchers to use current practices and technology. Legislatures in many states, including Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska and West Virginia, considered proposed amendments this year. And Oklahoma voters rejected a similar amendment sent to them by the Legislature in November.

Farmers acknowledge that some people who do not spend much time on farms may object to some of their practices. But they say that they do not abuse animals and that their practices are the most efficient and safest way to keep up with demand for food. And, they say, complying with restrictions on raising poultry and livestock like those approved in Massachusetts are costly for them and for consumers.

They point to an 18 percent increase in the price of eggs  about 49 cents a dozen  in California last year that was attributed to a law that created strict space requirements for hens. The law applies not just to producers in the state but to producers in other states that sell eggs there.

Our nations ability to protect its food supply can be threatened by unnecessary regulations driven by activist agendas, often by people whove never set foot on farmland or have no idea what it takes to produce a crop, said Paul Schlegel, director of environment and energy policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Right-to-farm laws were put in place by all 50 states starting in the 1970s, as suburban development sprawled to rural areas. The laws were intended to protect farm owners from lawsuits brought by new neighbors who claimed the farms  with their smells, sounds and chemicals  were a nuisance. The newly proposed amendments would extend the protections by locking in farmers ability to use modern technology and practices.

Animal welfare advocates, such as Daisy Freund, director of farm animal welfare for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, say the modern practices are not humane and call the right-to-farm amendments right to harm laws.

The amendments would not only prevent states from passing new animal treatment laws, but would make it harder for anyone to win a lawsuit against an agriculture business, even if the operation was affecting nearby quality of life, or air or water quality, Freund said.

Matthew Dominguez, a former lobbyist at the Humane Society of the United States who now works a national advocacy organization called the Nonhuman Rights Project, said the legislators who are proposing the amendments  including some who have received hefty donations from the industry  are trying to find any way they can to continue agriculture business as usual.

But consumer expectations already are forcing producers to change how they operate, said Josh Balk, vice president of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the U.S. Demand for free-range eggs and grass-fed beef is growing, pushing large companies to change their standards. Wal-Mart and McDonalds recently committed to using only suppliers that raise cage-free hens by 2025.

Market demands will force producers to change their practices or be left behind, Balk said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that to meet demand, the industry will have to convert over half its egg production to cage-free systems by 2025, up from the current rate of 10 percent.

Its kind of similar to which companies are trying to still produce black and white TVs, and which ones are selling color TVs, Balk said.

Consumer expectations have shifted as animal welfare groups such as the Humane Society have used undercover investigations to expose industry practices.

Videos and images published on the advocacy groups websites, on YouTube and in documentaries depict windowless warehouses with hundreds of sows confined in gestation crates, where they spend most of their lives. Hens are shown in cages as wide and long as a letter-sized piece of paper, and barely tall enough for them to stand in.

Many of these methods are accepted by industry groups such as the United Egg Producers and the National Pork Producers Council. Farmers say keeping animals in cages is the most sanitary and safest way to care for large groups of farm animals. And farming groups say the practices encouraged by animal welfare groups might not make life for farm animals any better.

The National Association of Egg Farmers said that while Massachusetts voters will pay more for eggs, the lives of chickens will not improve. Caging chickens, the association said, reduces the likelihood they will become diseased. It also improves the quality of eggs, the group said, by reducing the chance that the eggs touch manure.

Farmers and ranchers arent opposed to regulation that protects the environment, that protects the food supply and that protects our families, said Tom Buchanan, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. We buy our food from the same shelves you do, he said.

But Buchanan and others, such as Harry Kaiser, a professor at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, say consumers should have the option of buying meat and eggs without paying a premium for special animal treatment.

Kaiser led the study, funded by the National Pork Producers Association, that showed an 18 percent increase in the price of eggs in California. The price increased even more than that because of a bird flu crisis, but that additional increase was filtered out of the studys results.

Kaiser said the results didnt surprise him. If businesses arent able to use the most efficient methods for producing eggs, he said, their costs will go up.

Not everyone can afford to pay premium prices, he said, and others dont want to.

Rodolfo Nayga, professor in the department of agricultural economics and agribusiness at the University of Arkansas, has found that while a segment of the population is willing to pay higher prices for organic food, or food produced using higher standards for animal treatment, not everyone is.

This isnt for everybody, Nayga said. There are some farmers that wont be able to accommodate the regulations for animal welfare and for environmental concerns.

When animal welfare groups started about a decade ago to pay their employees to take jobs on farms to expose practices, the industry responded by pushing for what animal welfare advocates call ag-gag laws. Some of the laws made it a crime to take photos or videos of private farm property without the owners permission, while others made it a crime for an employee of an animal welfare organization to lie about where they worked when they applied for a job on a farm.

About 26 states considered ag-gag laws from 2010 to 2015, but only nine  Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming  passed them.

The Humane Society is not aware of any ag-gag bills proposed this year. Interest in these laws has faded after they faced opposition from animal welfare groups, as well as groups advocating for food safety, freedom of speech and workers rights, said Dominguez, who traveled the country fighting the laws for the Humane Society. Lawmakers also may be hesitant to propose the laws when so many are being challenged in court, he said.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's supreme court has upheld the death penalty against Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani for corruption, the judiciary said on Saturday, a sentence critics say will mask the identity of senior officials who supported him. By his own account, Zanjani had for years helped circumvent sanctions by arranging billions of dollars of oil deals through a network of companies stretching from Turkey to Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Prosecutors accused Zanjani of owing the government more than $2.7 billion for oil sold on behalf of the oil ministry. He was sentenced in March. Critics of the sentence, including President Hassan Rouhani, said Zanjani's execution might make it impossible to recover the funds and uncover the identity of officials who supported him. Judiciary deputy head Gholamreza Ansari, quoted by the body's official news website Mizan, said the court affirmed the death sentence against Zanjani, while death sentences against two co-defendants were revoked. Zanjani amassed a fortune of $10 billion, along with debts of a similar scale, the tycoon once told an Iranian magazine. At the time of his arrest in Dec. 2013, a judicial spokesman said: "He received funds from certain bodies ... and received oil and other shipments and now has not returned the funds". Iran emerged from years of economic isolation in January when world powers led by the United States and the European Union lifted crippling sanctions against Tehran in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear ambitions. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
PD AeroSpace has teamed up with H.I.S. and ANA Holdings. (PD AeroSpace Ltd. / Koike Terumasa Design and Aerospace)

PD Aerospace, a Japanese company thats similar to Virgin Galactic in its commercial spaceflight aspirations, has picked up two high-profile investors: ANA Holdings and the H.I.S. travel agency.

In a joint statement issued Thursday, the three Japanese companies said that they agreed in October to work together on space commercialization efforts, including space travel.

H.I.S. is investing about $264,000 (30 million yen) for a 10.3 percent share of the venture. ANA Holdings, the umbrella company for the ANA (All Nippon Airways) airline, is putting in about $180,000 (20.4 million yen) for a 7 percent share.

The combined amount of investment wouldnt be enough to buy two tickets on Virgin Galactics SpaceShipTwo rocket plane, which is currently undergoing flight tests at Californias Mojave Air and Space Port.

PD Aerospace was founded in 2007 but hasnt made much headway to date. The current plan calls for developing a hybrid rocket-jet craft that could take as many as eight people on suborbital space trips. The company wants to start commercial operations by the end of 2023.

We need bigger investments in the future, Bloomberg News quoted the companys president, Shuji Ogawa, as saying during a Tokyo news conference. He acknowledged that the spacecraft development effort was taking longer than planned because we didnt have the funds.

This weeks statement said ANA would provide aerospace expertise, while H.I.S. would focus on the tourism side of the operation.

Virgin Galactic experienced a grave setback in 2014 when its first SpaceShipTwo rocket plane broke up during a rocket-powered test flight, killing the co-pilot and injuring the pilot. The second SpaceShipTwo, dubbed VSS Unity, hasnt yet gotten to the stage of rocket-powered tests. About 700 customers have put down as much as $250,000 each for reservations.

Meanwhile, Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos rocket venture, Blue Origin, has sent its New Shepard suborbital rocket ship into space five times successfully. If the program continues to go well, test astronauts could climb aboard next year, and commercial flights could begin in 2018. Blue Origin, which is headquartered in Kent, Wash., hasnt set a ticket price and isnt taking reservations yet.

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In September, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle of Technology said it was working on a hybrid suborbital space plane that could carry up to 20 passengers.

More from GeekWire:
So Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Paul Rudd own a candy shop, and no were not kidding

In recent so-good-you-cant-believe-its-true news, we just learned that Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Paul Rudd own a candy shop together. Seriously. Were not messing with you. This is not a drill. This is a real establishment that exists in the world, not in movies. (Although we would totally see a movie where Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Paul Rudd owned a candy shop together because that would be amazing.)

The shop is called Samuels Sweet Shop, and you can visit any time you want in Rhinebeck, NY.

Last night on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Walking Dead star revealed all the sweet details of his sugary enterprise.

First of all, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Paul Rudd are friends, which is an amazing enough fact on its own.

Morgan revealed the two have apparently been friends for a long time, and both have homes in upstate New York. They knew the owner of Samuels Sweet Shop in Rhinebeck, NY for a while. He sadly died recently, so the two friends decided to take over ownership of his sweet shop to make sure it stayed open.

Because the only thing sweeter than candy is the power of friendship! (Sorry, we couldnt resist!)

Although they dont actually work at the store, they do love to visit when they can. And apparently, their respective kids love visiting to pick up free candy whenever theyre in town, too! It looks like they stopped by the store recently, too:

Don't miss Jeff's sweet guest appearance on this evening's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon! Can't get enough of... Posted by Samuel's Sweet Shop on Thursday, December 1, 2016

Were so psyched to now know this adorable fact about these two great actors, and are having so much fun imagining all the fun fall activities theyve probably been doing together in upstate New York! They definitely seem like the types to go apple picking or sip cider in a hay ride together after a long day at the candy shop. (Okay, we know this is not true, but we want it to be!)

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If you want to hear the full story, check out the clip here:

The post So Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Paul Rudd own a candy shop, and no were not kidding appeared first on HelloGiggles.
A group of A-list talent came together in November to help 16-year old cancer patient Anthony Jonathan Conti fulfill his dream of writing and starring in his own film. Johnny Depp, J.K. Simmons, Laura Dern, Penelope Ann Miller, Chad Coleman, and Richard Chamberlain were joined by David Lynch, Catherine Hardwicke, Theodore Melfi, Sam Raimi, Peter Farrelly, and Sean Furst for The Black Ghiandola, a post-apocalyptic zombie story about a young man whose family has been killed and who risks his life to save a young girl he has grown to love. Filming took place November 18-20

Conti, diagnosed this summer with stage 4 Adrenal Cortical Cancer, stars in and co-wrote the film with Scott Kosar (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), with additional writing by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice). The production was made possible by the Make A Film Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2007 that helps children enduring serious or life-threatening medical conditions to create short film legacies by teaming them with industry professionals who volunteer their time.

group-shot-maff-anthony-sam-raimi

Rami, Hardwicke, and Melfi contributed as directors, with Farrelly and Furst serving as supervising producers. Hollywood Make A Film Foundation founder Tamika Lamison produced alongside Adele Rene and Bettina Fisher.

Along with Anthonys father and grandmother, other contributions to the project were made by Teamsters Local 399 drivers, Star Waggons, Wooden Nickel, Panavision, AMPAS, AMC, The Walking Dead, L.A. Grips, Plan U Prods., St. Josephs Hospital, Big Sky Ranch, Friar Tux, Natures Bakery, Gala Minasovas Picture Car, Western Costumes, Essential Water, Cinepower & Light, Avon, Galpin, Quixote Rentals, Zio Rentals, Durable Medical Equipment Aid Society, Enterprise, Alexs Catering, Skye Props, Boston Mass General, Bear Creek Restrooms, Ruskin School of Acting, Constantine FX, Bloodlust Unlimited, MovieInsure, Dominos, Starbucks, and Warner Bros.

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Further information is available at the official site.

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By Harriet McLeod

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Reuters) - Jurors in South Carolina weighing homicide charges against a white former policeman who fatally shot a fleeing black motorist last year were to resume deliberations on Monday after earlier declaring they were deadlocked, with one panelist holding out against a conviction.

On Friday, their third day of deliberations, the jurors twice informed the judge that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the murder case against ex-North Charleston patrolman Michael Slager, 35.

His shooting of 50-year-old Walter Scott after an April 2015 traffic stop was captured in a bystander's cellphone video, and intensified debate in the United States over racial bias by police.

Jurors first indicated they were stuck on Friday afternoon. Judge Clifton Newman told them they had a duty "to make every reasonable effort to reach a unanimous verdict" and instructed them to continue their deliberations.

The foreman, who is the only black person on the panel of 12, later said an impasse remained with one juror in disagreement with all the others.

The holdout juror, who the foreman identified as someone other than himself, presented Newman with a rare note explaining his position.

"I cannot in good conscience consider a guilty verdict," the juror wrote. "At the same time, my heart does not want to tell the Scott family that the man who killed their son, brother and father is innocent," the juror added.

But jurors afterward said further deliberation could prove fruitful if the judge provided more explanation of the law. They agreed to return on Monday and try again to reach a consensus.

Newman said he would declare a mistrial if no verdict was reached and retry the case later with a different jury.

Last year, two juries deadlocked on a murder charge against a white former Eutawville, South Carolina, police chief accused of killing a black man in 2011 after an argument about a traffic ticket issued to the man's daughter.

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In the case against Slager, prosecutors charged him with murder, but jurors have the option of finding him guilty of voluntary manslaughter if they decide Slager killed Scott in the heat of passion after provocation rather than with malice.

They could acquit Slager if they believe he acted in self-defense. The jury heard four weeks of testimony from more than 50 witnesses.

Prosecutors repeatedly showed the video in court, saying the footage proved Slager was not in danger when he fired eight shots at the fleeing Scott, hitting him with five bullets.

Slager said he did not know at the time that Scott was unarmed. The ex-cop testified he felt "total fear" after the motorist grabbed his stun gun during a scuffle.

Relatives of Scott and Slager were in court all day Friday. Attorneys for the Scott family said outside the courthouse they remained optimistic of a conviction.

"Justice is still coming. We'll see it Monday," lawyer Chris Stewart said. "Sometimes it takes awhile."

(Reporting by Harriet McLeod; Writing by Colleen Jenkins; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
A Harry Kane double helped Tottenham Hotspur return to winning ways with a thumping 5-0 victory over a pitiful Swansea City at White Hart Lane.

The striker broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the closing minutes of the first half and Heung-Min Son's acrobatic volley ensured Spurs went into the interval two goals ahead. Kane drove in his second five minutes after the break before Christian Eriksen added two more to add gloss to the scoreline.

From the off, Tottenham dominated matters in North London, with Swansea struggling to get out of their own defensive third. Kane had the ball in the back of the net after rounding Lukasz Fabianski after 18 minutes but was correctly flagged offside, before Victor Wanyama and Kyle Walker both went close.

A goal was coming and it did so six minutes before the break, in controversial fashion.

Dele Alli appeared to be tripped in the box by a trailing Kyle Naughton foot but replays suggested that the England midfielder initiated any contact there may have been. Regardless - after some consideration - referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot and Kane made no mistake, sending Fabianski the wrong way to put the hosts in front.

And in injury time, the Swans' task became even harder as Son acrobatically volleyed into the back of the net from just inside the penalty box. The result was put beyond doubt just after the break when a flowing Spurs move involving Son and Alli ended in Kane drilling into the bottom corner from 15 yards out.

It looked like Kane had his first hat-trick of the campaign on 67 minutes when he finished coolly after being played in by Alli once more but the flag was raised for offside. However, Mauricio Pochettino's men did grab a deserved fourth soon after. Alli's shot from a tight angle was half-saved by Fabianski, but Eriksen was on hand to scuff the ball over the line from a yard out.

There was still time for a fifth in injury time as substitute Moussa Sissoko laid the ball off for Eriksen to pass into the bottom right-hand corner to complete Swansea's humiliation.
To Kill a Mockingbird was just banned in these schools

Banning literary classics from schools is a major issue, even if their content makes some uncomfortable. But thats exactly whats happening at schools in Virginia. After a formal complaint by a parent, To Kill a Mockingbird faces suspension in Accomack schools.

The parent filed a complaint against both Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird and Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn because of racial slurs used in the books.

As a result, schools are pulling To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn from classrooms and libraries based on the Accomack County Public Schools policy manual.

The manual states that the principal, the library media specialist, the classroom teacher, a parent and/or student, and the person who filed the complaint will get together to review the books, according to DelmarvaNow. In the meantime, the books face suspension, pending a verdict on their permanent fate.

We have a committee looking at all of this, said Chris Holland, Accomacks superintendent. Theres been no recommendation right now.

Some sort of racial slur appears 219 times in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and 48 times To Kill a Mockingbird. We get that racial slurs are terrible, demeaning and are incredibly hurtful. But when theyre used in an educational format, we think theyre really important to accurately teach kids about history and the atrocities that took place.

If we protect our kids from the reality of our nations history, we are doing a major injustice to them and to our country.

The post To Kill a Mockingbird was just banned in these schools appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Kim Richards is opening up about overcoming her struggles and welcoming new challenges in the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Before I started the show, life was really good and then, you know, things happened and it wasnt, she told reporters at The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 7 premiere party at the Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, California, on Friday. And it wasnt just my relapse that was hard, but I went through a depression as well after that.

Looking back, Richards said she feels so happy now.

Im just so grateful to be where I am today, and to be this happy and have life this good and have the relationships that I have  I feel so blessed, she said. I feel powerful. I feel so grateful. Honestly. Life is so amazing today. I wake up happy. I go to sleep happy

But her happiness has been a long time coming. Richards, 50, who originally entered rehab following her April arrest for public intoxication, decided to leave her Malibu treatment facility for her daughters nuptials in May 2015. She checked herself back in two weeks later. The reality star and former child actress also entered rehab back in 2011.

RELATED VIDEO: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Star Kim Richards Says Shes Staying Sober For Her Kids

Now, Richards said she prioritizes her family over everything.

I was really busy this season with my home, my daughters, my son and my grandchild, she said, when asked about her presence in the new season. My focus was really on my family.

As for drama in the upcoming season, Richards said its difficult to avoid.

Well I really wouldnt go that far! she said, when asked if there was less drama in season 7. I managed to make a little time to get by to say Hi to everybody, but I dont know if I squeezed out leaving out the drama. It wasnt my doing, but you know, leave it to the Rinna!

Richards sister Kyle, who was also at the premiere, also reiterated how happy the former child star is now.

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She looks great, Kyle told reporters. Shes healthy. Shes happy. Her daughter had a baby so I mean we have two new babies in our family who are the cutest things.

As for that drama that Richards alluded to, Rinna told reporters at the premiere that well all have to watch and see what unfolds.

Well you have to watch the show and see what goes on, Rinna said. Its complicated you know its really complicated, but from the start my goal is to move on and forgive and move through thats my goal, so youll have to watch and see how that plays out.

You know I lost my father this year in January and that changes your life and it really puts everything in perspective and youre like you know what lifes too short to deal with this petty bt and thats really kind of my through line this season its like you know what? I dont have time, she continued. Im raising two teenage girls. I dont have time for anything other than positivity and love if we can have it.




FOND DU LAC, Wis.  Steve and Pam Hayward spent some of their Thanksgiving holiday preparing a green funeral, picking out environmentally-friendly shrouds and caskets as well as deciding what type of oak tree to plant at the cemetery.

While planning a funeral is not uncommon, planning your own  which doctors estimate will take place in the next three to six months  is unusual.

During the past 20 years, Steve, 58, has had eight different cases of melanoma, an invasive tumor often associated with skin cancer. He is also covered in multiple atypical moles and many scars over his arms, legs, chest, and abdomen, as many of these moles have been removed.

On Oct. 15, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Doctors say Steve is a FAMMM suspect. FAMMM syndrome, or familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, is a genetic condition marked by a family member who had malignant melanoma or by atypical moles of different sizes and colors. FAMMM syndrome increases the risk of melanoma as well as pancreatic cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Thats whats really weird about this FAMMM syndrome, Pam Hayward, an independent nurse practitioner and Steves wife, said. Here you go through life and you have a couple of these melanomas, and all of the sudden, bam, you have pancreatic cancer as well.

While the family cant confirm where the genetics came from, Pam said the moles might have been caused by an excessive amount of time spent in the sun. Steve was stationed in both Mississippi and Texas during his time in the U.S. Air Force.

More than 32 of Steves genes are being tested for the syndrome, but the familys genetic counselor says his history with multiple melanomas on both sun-exposed and non-sun-exposed skin as well as multiple types of melanoma makes the syndrome likely.

Pam calls the syndrome an orphan one, as the doctors her husband has seen have only started to test people after multiple occurrences of melanoma.

Even among the medical community, I think that theres not knowledge about this and this condition, she said.

After Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a month ago, he started chemotherapy every two weeks. He has decided he no longer wants to continue chemotherapy in order to focus on his family.

(The chemotherapy) is taking a toll not only on me, but on my whole family, just having me lay around like a dead thing for over a week while I recover from (it), he said. (My children) need a father, my wife needs a husband, someone that can be there. I need to be there. If thats the trade-off (feeling sick in order to survive) I have to have for maybe four more months, thats a poor trade-off.

Pam and her family plan to make the most out of the next few months together.

We go day-to-day, she said. Weve always been positively-oriented. Weve been surviving cancer for over 20 years and so weve focused on what really matters. Weve made a decision: were going to laugh our way through this.

For now, Steve stays at home with the familys two younger children, ages 12 and 18, and is able to do little tasks to care for them. Neither Steve nor Pam is working, with Steve unable to do so and Pam having issues finding work close to home in order to be there for her family and do the tasks Steve cannot.

Being a nurse practitioner, Pam has seen many families go through end of life care and says living every day in the present is how she keeps her head above water.

The idea of life without him is unbearable, so we dont go there, she said.

Steve, on the other hand, is as thankful as he can be that his doctors know when his fate is coming.

In a lot of ways, its great, not in that (I know Im going to die soon) perspective, but youre actually given a bit of a timeline to when youre going to go, so your family can better prepare for this, Steve said. (It gives them time to) get our financial needs in line, get our placement in line, where everything is going to go, what are we going to do with all of this, (in comparison) to as if I had just passed away in the middle of the night.

Despite their financial woes,
Heres what you need to know about women being drafted into the military

The Obama administration has made a huge decision regarding the ability for females to register freely for positions within the military. Yes, after a year of deliberation, the oval office has declared its support for allowing females to fill positions as they wish to, including the most arduous combat posts when defending our country and possibly seeing battle. Under current law, women are able to volunteer to serve in the military but are not required to register for the draft. So what does this mean for our countrys future, for the military, and for those of us at home who are happy to celebrate any and all smashed glass ceilings wherever we may find them?

Lets digest this new bit of news piece by piece.

A huge part of what makes President Obamas support so powerful is the step it takes toward a more equal future between genders. As old barriers for military service are being removed, the administration supports  as a logical next step  women registering for the [military draft], stated Ned Price, a spokesman for the White Houses National Security Council. Price spoke on President Obamas behalf, insisting that the prez believes women have proven their mettle, including in Afghanistan and Iraq. Once females can be recognized fully for their potential, the closer we are for seeing people for what they can achieve; and not their gender, orientation, color or religion.

Proud to announce that I will be adding a second chevron under my crow! Yuh girl made E-5! #pettyofficersecondclass A photo posted by Julia Turpin  (@juliaturpinn) on Nov 22, 2016 at 6:25pm PST

Another aspect is the acknowledgement that a co-ed military is a stronger military. The White House remains committed to an all-volunteer military  meaning women, like men, wouldnt be forced to serve unless there were a national emergency like a major world war. The conclusion about females in fatigues? It just makes sense.

Its been made clear that physical positions will not be altered in anyway regarding the genders of those who may fill them. Though this change in enrollment feels overdue, it cannot be implemented overnight. It is projected to take up to three years to fully integrate women into all combat jobs, and has already received major criticism, mainly from the right, who fear the opportunity is coercing Americas daughters into joining the draft and potentially seeing battle.

#WAAC #WW2 #veteransday #womeninthemilitary #thankyouforyourservice #postcard #postcollection #vintagepostcard A photo posted by Julles (@postcardguardian) on Nov 13, 2016 at 9:14am PST

Though last time we checked, women are not easily coerced into doing that which we do not want to do. To those brave females who line up to sign up, who defend us and prove to our nation and to others that there is nothing a man can do that women cannot, we thank you. Bit by bit, we will close the gap of inequality.

The post Heres what you need to know about women being drafted into the military appeared first on HelloGiggles.
New Delhi (AFP) - Britain's former premier said Saturday the election of France's Marine Le Pen would be a "big body blow" for Europe, saying he hoped for the victory of a mainstream party.

David Cameron said the recent rise of "anti-system, populist" and "quite extreme political parties" in western Europe did not mark the end of globalisation, but warned of the immediate need to make a "major course correction" to address related economic and cultural challenges.

"If France were to elect Marine Le Pen, that would be obviously a very big body blow for the European project," he said at a Hindustan Times organised conference in New Delhi, hoping for a victory of "a mainstream party that can unite people behind their candidacy".

He said the demand for and benefit of free trade, travel, specialisation, technology, innovation were not going away.

"But we do need to understand very profoundly the things that have happened, that have caused the events you have seen in Europe and the wider world in the last one year," he added.

Cameron resigned as prime minister in June after he -- a supporter and campaigner for Britain to remain in the European Union -- lost a high-stakes national referendum on the very issue.

He defended the merits of having Britain stay in the bloc.

"I still believe it would have been better for Britain to remain inside the EU," he said in the Indian capital.

"Our neighbours, our partners, our friends and our allies and I wanted us to stay in the room with them when they make decisions that affect us and our continent," Cameron added.
UPDATE: Authorities confirmed Sunday that they have found the bodies of at least 36 people in the aftermath of the Oakland warehouse fire, adding that the majority of the building still hasn't been searched.

At least nine people were killed and over a dozen unaccounted for after a fire broke out at a party in an Oakland, California warehouse late Friday night.

According to a Facebook event page, the warehouse on the corner of 31st Avenue and International Boulevard in the city's Fruitvale neighborhood was hosting musician Golden Donna's 100% Silk tour.



"What happened in Oakland is an unbelievable tragedy, a nightmare scenario. Britt and I are beside ourselves, utterly devastated. We are a very tight community of artists and we are all praying, sending love and condolences to everyone involved and their families," the label 100% Silk said in a statement. "Thank you for everyone who's been reaching out, we are hoping so hard for the best. We will be posting here on how you can help, and any information as it comes to us."

Authorities say at least 50 people were in the building at the time of the three-alarm blaze. According to fire officials, the party was taking place on the second floor of the warehouse, with the only access a "makeshift staircase" made of wooden palettes. "There wasn't a clear entry or exit path up on the second floor. ... If (the fire) had started in that area (by the stairwell), then everyone on the second floor" would have had trouble escaping, Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed said Saturday morning. "It must have been a very fast-moving fire."

"We still have to do a more thorough search of the building and we don't know the potential number of other victims," Deloach-Reed told the East Bay Times. "This is a true loss for the city, for the firefighters who responded, and the people who lost family and friend. It's just tragic, a real tragedy."



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Firefighters first received a call about the fire at 11:30 p.m. Friday night. Within an hour, the blaze had torn through the roof. Authorities added that the fire didn't activate the building's smoke detectors, and that there was no sprinkler system in place at the warehouse, which served as a live/work and studio space for local artists.



1300 Block of fire Google Images

Deloche-Reed added, "We've done a preliminary search we are up to nine known fatalities. There's still a still a lot of the building that needs to be searched." Over 55 firefighters were needed to extinguish the fire, the second major blaze in Oakland in as many months.

Golden Donna's Facebook page describes the project as "the electronic outlet of Madison, Wisconsin's Joel Shanahan"; Shanahan later revealed that he escaped the fire. Other artists scheduled to perform at the Oakland party included Cherushii, Nackt and Russell Butler.

"Last night's fire was an immense tragedy," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said of the tragedy, the largest in the East Bay since the 1989 earthquakes. "Our focus right now is on the victims and their families and ensuring that we have a full accounting for everyone who was impacted by this tragedy."

The event's Facebook page is now an active thread where friends and family can check on the status or whereabouts of those still missing. Police are also asking anyone looking for missing persons associated with this fire to contact the Alameda County Sheriff's Coroner's Bureau.

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ROME/LONDON (Reuters) - Libya, which was exempt from OPEC production cuts this week, is sticking with plans to raise output in the near future by 50 percent, state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Friday. "Currently our production is 600,000 barrels per day. We aim to double that. We think we will get to 900,000 barrels" in the near future, NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said at a conference in Rome on Friday. The increase depends on lifting a blockade at pipelines serving the western fields of El Feel and Sharara. Libyan oil officials told Reuters that while talks with local tribes blocking the pipelines were moving forward, there was no clear indication yet when the oil will flow again. Libya was exempt from a deal the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries reached this week to curtail its collective output to 32.5 million bpd. Under the deal, OPEC used a conservative figure of 351,000 bpd as a "reference production level" for Libya, well below its October production level of 528,000 bpd in the most recent monthly OPEC report. (Reporting by Antonella Cinelli in Rome and Ahmad Ghadddar in London, writing by Isla Binnie and Ahmad Ghaddar; editing by Susan Thomas)
London (AFP) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted he could sell exiled Mamadou Sakho in January after admitting the French defender is no longer in his first-team squad.

Klopp was quizzed about his plans for the January transfer window this week and insisted he had no intention of selling England striker Daniel Sturridge or any other first-team player.

"There is absolutely no thought or idea to sell any player from the first team squad. I don't think it would make sense," Klopp said.

But the German indicated that rule does not apply to the out of favour Sakho.

"Now you know, I said it: he is not in these plans for the first team," Klopp said. "The first-team squad is here (at the training ground).

"Do you really think I would have said Sakho will not be sold in winter? Nothing changed.

"Once again this actual first-team squad is in this dressing room, from this point of view nobody will be sold."

Sakho, 26, has been training with the club's under-23 squad since September, when he used social media to dispute Klopp's comments about his fitness.

Sakho's Anfield career ran into trouble in April, when he was suspended by UEFA for failing a drugs test, a sanction later dropped by Europe's governing body.

But an Achilles injury followed and in the pre-season he was sent home from Liverpool's tour of the United States for disciplinary reasons.
In 2012, the generosity of the Robert and Eleanor Franke Foundation helped launch WisCorps Neighborhood Crew program, providing teens and young adults with work experience, life skills and a focus on volunteering. In 2017, the organizations will team up again to expand the crew opportunity to people with disabilities.

WisCorps was chosen from among several nonprofit organizations to receive the first-ever Franke Foundations Community Initiative Award, a $45,000 grant they will use to implement the All Abilities Neighborhood Crew this spring. The organization was selected by the boards of directors of the Franke Foundation and the La Crosse Community Foundation.

The award is an effort to make a little more impact on the community than we can with some of the smaller grants, said Mel Hoffman, executive director of the Franke Foundation. All the applications we received were very worthy, but there were a lot of factors we thought made (the WisCorps All Abilities Neighborhood Crew) special. WisCorps is marrying the concepts of helping the disabled, helping youth and helping the neighborhood.

What WisCorps is doing for our community is amazing, agreed CJ Hoffman, executive assistant of the Franke Foundation. They have big hearts, big ideas, and they always follow through.

The All Abilities Neighborhood Crew is a passion project of WisCorp executive director Matt Brantner, who helped develop a crew adapted for people with visual impairments in Vermont and was anxious to continue the inclusive work program in La Crosse, providing mentoring, confidence and independence to those who require accommodations.

WisCorps has developed these amazing programs around the country that make the Corps experience available to everyone  those with blindness or limited ability or a cognitive disability, Brantner said. The focus of what we do is job training, but there are all these other amazing pieces that come with it  helping the community and those in need.

Crew members put their skills towards community revitalization projects, assisting the elderly with home repairs and environmental restoration and protection efforts. Brantner says WisCorps will form a connections team, reaching out to local organizations and agencies serving individuals with disabilities to discuss program design, share adaptive equipment and resources and recruit young adults for the All Abilities Crew, providing them with a full support system.

Im very excited and so grateful for this award Brantner said. I dont even know how to put into words how much gratitude we have for the support of the Franke Foundation and the La Crosse Community Foundation board. The Franke Foundation has helped us pilot so many of our projects, and (we) couldnt get this off the ground without them.
Since winning the Nov. 8 U.S. election, Donald Trump has spent much of his time hunkered down with advisers in his Trump Tower in Manhattan as he prepares to become the country's 45th president on Jan. 20. When he takes the oath of office, the transfer of power from President Barack Obama to Trump will be complete.

The weeks leading up to that moment are a crucial period of time during which the outgoing and incoming administrations have long to-do lists to work through. Here's a brief overview of what's been crossed off and what's left.

What was done before election day?

- The White House Transition Co-ordinating Council was established in May and there are two other groups of staff that co-ordinate the White House's side of the transition. Their tasks included gathering briefing materials and designating senior staff at each federal agency to prepare their departments for the transfer of power.

- Hillary Clinton and Trump assembled transition teams after their party conventions in July. Preparing for victory involved lining up people to work on the post-election transition team and drawing up a list of candidates for cabinet appointments and other high-power positions.

Trump won, then what happened?

- There was a merging of Trump's campaign team and transition team. His pre-election transition team was headed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was demoted after the election and replaced by vice-president-elect Mike Pence. Trump also named a long list of team members, including his children and son-in-law, and some pre-election members were pushed out.



- Trump's team started working with the White House teams and Trump visited the White House shortly after the election to meet with Obama, as per tradition. Obama gave his successor an overview of what he will soon face in the job. The two have also spoken by phone since that meeting.

- A memorandum of understanding was signed between the president's chief of staff and Pence, as chair of the transition team. It lays down some basic rules. A typical MOU outlines who on the transition team will have access to federal agencies (they must have security clearance).



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- The General Services Administration (the federal agency that supports the functioning of other government departments) provided office space and resources in Washington for Trump to use.

- The "landing teams" for each federal agency got to work. They are the people who are physically deployed by Trump's team to each department to review briefing materials and get up to speed.

Who has Trump hired so far?

There are 4,100 appointments to make and they include heads of agencies, secretaries for the 15 executive departments that make up the cabinet, White House aides and senior civil servants.

As of Friday, these are Trump's key hires:

- Stephen Bannon, chief strategist and senior counsellor.

- Reince Priebus, White House chief of staff.

- Senator Jeff Sessions, attorney general.

- Representative Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

- Retired lieutenant-general Michael Flynn, national security adviser.

- South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, United Nations representative.

- Betsy DeVos, education secretary.

- Kathleen Troia, deputy national security adviser.

- Donald F. McGahn, White House counsel.

- Tom Price, health and human services secretary.

- Elaine Chao, transportation secretary.

- Steven Mnuchin, treasury secretary.

- Wilbur Ross, commerce secretary.

- Retired general James Mattis, defence secretary.

What's the timeline for the hiring spree?

There are no hard and fast deadlines but the most senior positions are filled as quickly as possible. A general goal is to have that work done by Christmas. Once a decision is made, background checks and security clearances must be done. The FBI and other agencies involved are prepared for a surge of requests.

About 1,000 political appointee positions require Senate confirmation hearings. The cabinet jobs will be the priority. Those hearings should begin early in the new year, before inauguration day. The less senior appointees will be dealt with in the months after Jan. 20.

What about Trump's policy agenda?

In addition to all the hiring they have to do, the president-elect and his team must prepare to implement campaign promises. The policy team comes up with specific plans for the first 100 to 200 days in office. This requires co-operation between the campaign team and the transition team and between the transition team and those landing teams embedded with the government.

Trump has already made good on one promise he made during the campaign: to stop jobs at a Carrier Corp. factory in Indiana from moving to Mexico. Trump and Pence (who is governor of Indiana) visited the plant Thursday to celebrate the deal they helped broker between the state and United Technologies, which owns the heating and air conditioning company.

Trump said in a recent video that he's instructed his team to look at what executive actions he can take on Day 1 to implement some of his campaign promises. He said within his first 100 days he intends to do the following:

- Serve notification to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

- Cancel restrictions on coal production.

- Create a new rule that says for every new regulation implemented, two must be eliminated.

- Ask the Defence Department for a plan to combat cyberattacks.

- Create a law that makes former White House officials wait five years before they can lobby government.

What else is on Obama's transition to-do list?

- White House staff work with the National Archives and Records Administration to determine the artifacts, gifts and records  electronic or otherwise  that need to be removed from the White House.



- The White House prepares memos on domestic, economic and national security issues that the new administration could face in its first few weeks in office.

- The White House might co-ordinate a meeting between former chiefs of staff and the incoming one to share best practices.

- There will be a "tabletop exercise" for outgoing and incoming cabinet members. They will go through a potential crisis management scenario so the new staff can see how it's done.
Though Bugattis corporate operations are based at the Volkswagen Groups mother ship in Wolfsburg, Germany, the brands spiritual cortex in Molsheim lies over 350 miles to the south in the bucolic Alsace region of northeastern France. To comprehend the essence of this storied brand, all roads lead to Molsheimthe place where Bugatti rose to prominence as a world-class carmaker, and where all modern Bugattis are hand assembled.

Beyond the wrought iron gates surrounding the secluded campus beats the emotional heart of a carmaker whose century-old roots were planted by Ettore Bugatti, the son of a sculptor who built his automaking empire on what he called Pur Sang designslow volume, thoroughbred machines that went on to break records and win Grand Prix races. Would-be buyers make the pilgrimage here to conceptualize the bespoke features of their future steeds and become steeped in the finer points of what makes a Bugatti a Bugatti. We recently visited Molsheim for a behind-the-scenes look at this fabled nameplate.

The Bugatti family set up shop on the property in 1909, and the brands current stewards have gone to great lengths to preserve the manufacturers deep-rooted origins. The first thing visitors encounter upon arrival is Chateau St. Jean, a regal, symmetric edifice that served as the Bugatti familys original residence. Within these thick masonry walls, guests are welcomed with refreshments and background on the propertys history. Spilling beyond the structures grand staircase are lush grounds enveloped by feathery trees. The bucolic surroundings encompass both left and right-brained elements of the automakers DNA: a spacious, pleasantly lit studio where customers choose their trim, color, and finish combinations; and a more modern, minimalist atelier where Chirons are assembled. The former is outfitted with Bugattis own line of furniture, exquisitely sleek yet classical pieces that offer surprisingly harmonious complements to the buildings turn-of-the-century visage.

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Personalizing a Chiron requires a thoroughand potentially stressfulconsideration of multiple exterior color combinations, wheel choices, and interior trims, covering everything from headliner and seat styles to steering wheel stitching and brake caliper hue. Bugattis designers oblige with generous suggestions and insights, offering physical samples to complement the high-resolution renderings projected on a big screen. But ultimately, despite subtly directed hints and diplomatically delivered nudges, the choice ultimately falls upon the customer. Anticipation must also become part of the equation; the average wait for a Chiron is about a year and a half.

Within the assembly facility (which is shaped like a macaroon, echoing the form of the Bugatti logo) is a clean, clinical, and surgical-grade area where each of the 500 Chirons will come to fruition. Here is where the 1,500 hp, 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged engine is handmade and bench tested before the work-in-progress is run on a sophisticated new rolling road that is capable of sending energy back to the local city grid. Only following the relentless scrutiny of 8 hours of hot testing, 40 miles of indoor running, and 200 miles of on-road driving, are the Chirons mechanical systems deemed ready for delivery.

If the physical evidence of Bugattis modern renaissancelaunched in 1998 by their acquisition by Volkswagen AGisnt sufficiently persuasive for would-be Chiron owners, they might be swayed by the occasional spin around the property in one of the companys heritage vehicles, which can include a stunning Type 35 and Type 51. Though sleek and innovative where it counts, Bugattis graceful nod to the past is what distinguishes the manufacturer from lesser brands that lack the historical gravitas offered by the German-owned boutique builder. Which is to say, driving a 1930s-era racecar may be antithetical to the ultra-capable Chiron, but the experience evokes a spirit and a soul that places the modern hypercar in an emotionally intoxicating light. (bugatti.com)

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Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy doesnt feel like Star Wars needs to cater to male fans, and were fine with that

The Force Awakens and Rogue One are Star Wars films centering on strong female leads. We LOVE that, but there are some (men, primarily) who dont. While we can call them crybabies, Star Wars is a franchise with a large male fan base, and its possible they wouldnt want to alienate fans. Luckily, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy doesnt feel the need to cater to men who are upset about strong women. After all, the all-female Ghostbusters reboot faced the same sexist silliness, and the sexist reactions to the first Rogue One trailer were hilariously combatted on Twitter.

If you dont know who Kathleen Kennedy is, youre at least familiar with her resume. She produced Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, and several Indiana Jones films; and thats just the tip of the iceberg. Kennedy became the head of Lucasfilm in 2012, when George Lucas sold the company to Disney. Essentially, we have her to thank for a lot of the new Star Wars goodness were getting.

Felicity Jones has already addressed the peoples issues with Jyn Erso being a female character. She said, we wanted the audience to relate to Jyn as a person, whether youre a boy or a girl, a man or a woman.

Obviously, Jyn being a woman shouldnt stop male audience embers from relating to her. However, a lot of people have ideals about what Star Wars *should* be. In a New York Times article about the Jones, Kennedys words about placating male fans that made us cheer.

I would never just seize on saying, Well, this is a franchise thats appealed primarily to men for many, many years, and therefore I owe men something.

Obviously, Star Wars is an iconic franchise that boasts plenty of female fans as well as male ones. Some might argue that there are more male fans, though, or that alienating any fans can be a bad thing.

Kennedy, however, makes her point of view clear: I have a responsibility to the company that I work with. I dont feel that I have a responsibility to cater in some way.

Of course, we love Rey and Jyn Erso, and back-to-back Star Wars films that center on strong women. So, we completely agree with Kathleen Kennedy. Now, we just have to wait two long weeks until Rogue One hits theaters!

The post Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy doesnt feel like Star Wars needs to cater to male fans, and were fine with that appeared first on HelloGiggles.
What Were Following Shifting Heads of State: Gambian President Yahya Jammeh conceded his countrys election today after an upset victory by Adama Barrow. Jammeh, whos ruled for 22 years, took power in a 1994 coup and has long been accused of crushing dissentbut not this time, apparently. Over in France, President Francois Hollande announced on Thursday that he wont seek reelection next year. Since 2012, when Hollande was elected on a message of change, his ratings have plummeted to 4 percent as a wave of terrorist attacks hit the country. Meanwhile, Austrians are preparing to vote this Sunday in a high-stakes rerun of their May presidential election. The far-right Freedom Party appealed that result, citing improper handling of postal ballots, after losing by a tiny margin. Right now, in the second round, the race is still too close to call.
Maisie Williams is on a mission to save dolphins from hunters and heres her latest update

Maisie Williams is on a serious mission to save dolphins from being slaughtered by hunters. The Game of Thrones actress is currently in the small Japanese town of Taiji in support of The Dolphin Project, and shes desperately urging everyone to stop going to dolphin shows.

Ric OBarry started The Dolphin Project in protest against the Taiji dolphin kill. OBarry starred in The Cove, a documentary that shows the awful reality of dolphins being herded into an inlet in Taiji and being bludgeoned to death.

The murders of so many beautiful and helpless dolphins is incredibly disturbing and something that needs to stop. And thats why its so important for celebrities like Williams to dedicate time and energy on spreading awareness.

Williams has been documenting her trip on Instagram. Her latest post is a video updating her followers on the current situation.

STAY TUNED. We are making a change. @dolphin_project #takethepledge, she captioned the video.

A video posted by Maisie Williams (@maisie_williams) on Dec 2, 2016 at 1:35pm PST

Williams says the best way to stop the capture and killings of dolphins is to stop buying tickets to marine shows.

These animals travel the ocean, Williams told The Washington Post. Thats what they explore daily. No tank will be big enough. No tank will ever be deep enough, ever be exciting enough.

A photo posted by Maisie Williams (@maisie_williams) on Dec 2, 2016 at 12:20am PST

We admire her courage and willingness to stand up for what she believes in.

It was something that just struck a chord in my heart, she said. And Im a firm believer that, if there is something that you really want to stand up and fight for, then you should. And with everyone doing their own little bit for what they believe in, hopefully together we can make the world a better place.

We couldnt agree more.

The post Maisie Williams is on a mission to save dolphins from hunters and heres her latest update appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Malaysia accused Myanmar of engaging in the "ethnic cleansing" of its Rohingya minority Saturday, as former UN chief Kofi Annan visited a burned out village in strife-torn Rakhine state.

Tens of thousands of Muslim Rohingya have fled their homes since a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar army in the western state of Rakhine sparked by a string of deadly attacks on police border posts in early October.

"The fact that only one particular ethnicity is being driven out is by definition ethnic cleansing," Malaysia's foreign ministry said in an unusually strongly-worded statement.

Myanmar has balked at such criticism, saying the Rakhine crisis is an internal issue -- but international pressure on the country is mounting.

Malaysia's statement noted that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to neighbouring countries in recent years -- including some 56,000 to Muslim-majority Malaysia.

That, the statement said, "makes this matter no longer an internal matter but an international matter".

On Saturday morning, a convoy carrying the former UN chief arrived outside the Rohingya village of Wapeik, which has seen signficant damage from fire.

Non state media journalists were stopped by police from coming close to the convoy or entering the village, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

Annan is not expected to brief the media until Tuesday -- after his visit to Rakhine ends.

Myanmar has restricted access to the northern part of the state and says its military is hunting down the militants behind the attacks.

But rights groups and Rohingya refugees who have made it to Bangladesh have accused the military of killing civilians and razing entire villages as a form of collective punishment.

The Rohingya have long faced persecution and government restrictions on movement that many have likened to apartheid.

Much of Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many have lived there for generations.

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"The Bengali people who brand themselves Rohingya are not Myanmar citizens," Parmaukkha, a nationalist monk, told a small group of supporters protesting outside Malaysia's Yangon embassy on Saturday afternoon.

"The one who is encouraging terrorism is the Malaysian Prime Minister (Najib Razak), he is also a terrorist," he added.

- 'Fires of resentment' -

Before the latest violence broke out, Myanmar's de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi formed a commission tasked with trying to solve the Rakhine crisis, headed by Annan.

That task has been made considerably harder since fighting broke out.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has also been criticised for not defending the Rohingya.

Since winning an historic election last year, she has hardly spoken out on the issue.

But during a trip to Singapore this week she gave a rare interview in which she hit out at international criticism.

"I would appreciate it so much if the international community would help us to maintain peace and stability, and to make progress in building better relations between the two communities, instead of always drumming up cause for bigger fires of resentment," Suu Kyi told the state-owned Channel News Asia.

Her hands are somewhat tied by Myanmar's notoriously abusive military.

Under the country's junta-era constitution, the army still controls key ministries and has a parliamentary veto.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A man who may have been a faculty member at the University of Southern California was stabbed to death on the downtown Los Angeles campus on Friday, and a suspect was taken into custody, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a reported stabbing around 4:30 p.m. local time and arrived to find a male victim who was about 25, department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said by phone.

Stewart said the man was declared dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles Police Department said a suspect was subsequently arrested, though no further details were immediately available.

An LAPD spokesman, officer Drake Madison, said the victim was possibly a member of the USC faculty.

Representatives for the university's Department of Public Safety could not be immediately reached on Friday evening.

USC, one of the nation's most prestigious private institutions of higher education, has made headlines in recent years for incidents of violent crime.

Security at the campus was tightened following the slayings in early 2012 of two graduate engineering students from China who were shot as they sat in a parked car near campus in what police said was a robbery attempt.

In July 2014, another Chinese graduate student was attacked by a group of teenagers as he was walking to his home near campus in a late-night mugging. He made it home but died of his injuries hours later. Four youths were arrested in connection with the crime.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Mariah Carey and her backup dancer Bryan Tanaka are reaching new heights together.

The star, 46, and the dancer performed onstage together at the VH1 Divas: Unsilent Night show in New York City on Friday night. While Carey was lifted up on several dancers shoulders, a beaming Tanaka was by her side, holding her hand as she belted out her holiday classic, All I Want for Christmas Is You.

Carey sported a plunging red bodysuit, while Tanaka wore a Nutcracker-inspired ensemble.

The performance comes just days after the two were spotted frolicking  and kissing  on the shore at Mauis Grand Wailea Resort in Hawaii. Tanaka joined Carey and her family, including her ex-husband Nick Cannon, for an island getaway to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

Speculation of their budding romance has been ongoing in the past few months, as the duo has been spotted enjoying date nights around Los Angeles. The dancer also stars on Careys new reality show, Mariahs World, which premieres on Sunday.

RELATED VIDEO: Mariah Carey on How She Feels About Ex James Packers Scenes in Mariahs World Docuseries

It is even believed that Careys ex-fiance, Australian billionaire James Packer, was threatened by Careys closeness with Tanaka before they broke off their engagement in October. Packer reportedly confronted Tanaka backstage and banned him from Careys Caesars Palace show one night when he sat out the performance due to an injury.

One source commented on the he-said-she-said nature of their breakup.

Its typical Mariah to just twist things that dont sound good to her, a source close to Packer previously told PEOPLE. James is definitely an oddball, but a brilliant, great guy.

VH1 Divas: Unsilent Night airs Monday (9 p.m. ET) on VH1.

with reporting by Mabel Martinez




By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May's government launches a challenge on Monday against a court ruling that it requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, a decision that could upset Britain's Brexit plans. If the Supreme Court, the United Kingdom's highest judicial body, dismisses the government appeal it could derail May's timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and leaving the EU. The government's legal fight comes against a backdrop of claims by some politicians and newspapers that establishment judges want to thwart the Brexit process. It will be the most high-profile and complex case the court has considered since it came into being seven years ago and is due to last for four days. For the first time all its 11 justices will sit on the panel with the verdict due later in January. "The case raises difficult and delicate issues about the constitutional relationship between government and parliament," Brenda Hale, the Supreme Court's Vice-President said in a speech last month. "What is meant by the exercise of the executive power of the state? We do not have a written constitution to tell us the answer. But I doubt whether many written constitutions would tell us the answer either." If May wins, she can proceed with her plans to invoke Article 50 by the end of March. But if she loses, parliament could in theory block Brexit as most lawmakers (MPs) supported staying in the EU in a referendum in June, though few observers expect such an outcome. Even so, lawmaker approval could open the process to greater scrutiny and delay. Investors believe the greater parliament's involvement the less chance there is of a "hard Brexit" in which tight controls on immigration are prioritized over European single market access. The pound surged after November's High Court ruling. In a sign of how thorny the process could be for May, the opposition Labour Party plans to table an amendment to any Article 50 bill to try to keep market access to the bloc, its leader Jeremy Corbyn told Sky News on Saturday. The addition of amendments could risk derailing May's timetable, although the BBC has reported that the government has prepared a very short bill which would be "bomb-proof" against changes by lawmakers who may try and add conditions to the approval. Meanwhile the pro-EU Liberal Democrat party says it would vote against Article 50 unless there is a new referendum on the final Brexit deal, a concession May is highly unlikely to make. The party won a ninth seat in parliament on Thursday in a local by-election vote. The High Court challenge was brought by investment fund manager Gina Miller with hairdresser Deir Tozetti Dos Santos the second claimant. Other parties will also be allowed to offer legal arguments this week, including the devolved Welsh government, a group of expatriate Britons, and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain which represents mainly low-paid migrant workers. So too will the Scottish government, which strongly opposes Brexit and has been seeking ways to keep Scotland in the EU. The case hinges on whether the government can use a historical power known as "royal prerogative" to invoke Article 50 without lawmakers' assent. USEFUL DISTRACTION? The challengers argued that Britons would inevitably lose rights granted under an act of parliament when leaving the EU, and that under Britain's unwritten constitution such rights could only be taken away with parliamentary approval. The High Court agreed with this, rejecting the government's assertion parliament had given its approval by allowing a referendum and that it was established the executive alone could make or leave international treaties. The government's prepared argument for the Supreme Court is little changed from before. Miller has told Reuters she suspected May might be happy to lose, with the court battle providing a useful distraction to ministerial divisions and Brexit indecision. June's vote to leave the EU exposed deep divisions in Britain, and some pro-Brexit politicians condemned the High Court for flouting democracy. The Daily Mail newspaper called the three senior judges involved "enemies of the people". Miller herself has become a target of hate and has received abuse and death threats. Some lawmakers in May's Conservative Party have also called for Supreme Court President David Neuberger to stand down because his wife had posted anti-Brexit messages on Twitter. One of the court's justices, Brian Kerr, said judges would not be swayed by personal views. "That's not to say we don't have personal views, but we are all extremely conscious of the need to set aside our personal views and apply the law as we conceive it to be," he told the BBC last month. Meanwhile, upsetting the media, politicians and some of the public is unlikely to faze Neuberger and the other justices. "Parliament no doubt appreciates that the unelected judges sometimes are more easily able to do what is right, but temporarily unpopular, than politicians who need to submit themselves at least every five years to the electorate," Neuberger said in a 2011 speech. (Additional reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by Richard Lough)
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fstory%2fthumbnail%2f29823%2fscreen_shot_2016-12-03_at_1.47.10_pm

A Philadelphia lawyer busted for anti-Trump graffiti last week did his part to make the whole scenario as cringingly memorable as possible.

Duncan Lloyd, an assistant city solicitor, was caught on surveillance tape standing by while a second man sprayed "F*ck Trump" onto the side of a new, upscale Fresh Market grocery store.

SEE ALSO: 'Trumpgrets' is the Tumblr page for Trump supporters who just can't take him anymore

That's right, Lloyd, our sweet hero, was not even writing the actual graffiti. Instead, according to Philly.com, he was "filming or taking photos" with his phone and holding a glass of wine.

In a YouTube post seeking information regarding Lloyd and his companion, the Philadelphia Police Department addressed that wine glass. They also mentioned his "blue scarf," which, let's be absolutely clear, was an ascot.

As of Thursday, Lloyd had retained his job and was cooperating with police. However, his future remains uncertain.

"We do not condone this type of behavior from our employees," First Deputy City Solicitor Craig Straw told Philly.com. "To my knowledge, Mr. Lloyd has already contacted the Philadelphia police and is cooperating with them. We will decide on a course of action once we obtain more information about the investigation."

Philadelphia Republican Party chairman Joe DeFelice referred to the incident as "the most bourgeois sight imaginable." But it's far from the most extreme in post-election America: hate incidents in which perpetrators invoke Donald Trump's name, including instances of vandalism, have been on the rise since his election.

BONUS: Trevor Noah has a lesson on how to talk to conservatives
Berlin (AFP) - After Donald Trump's shock victory, Francois Hollande's decision not to seek re-election and populism on the rise, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is next up on the campaign podium to set out her strategy for winning in 2017 polls.

When her centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) holds its annual two-day congress from Tuesday, she will seek to rally members behind her bid for a fourth term as Germany's leader.

Merkel has admitted that the general election, likely to be held in September, will be "more difficult than any before it".

Her opponents will seek to capitalise on resentment over her liberal refugee policy that brought one million asylum seekers to Europe's biggest economy over the past two years.

Here is an outline of what the CDU congress in the western city of Essen is about.

What is expected to happen?

The event opens Tuesday with a speech by Merkel, who has led the CDU for 16 years after ousting long-time leader Helmut Kohl.

The 62-year-old is due to give a rundown on what she has achieved since their last congress, especially on the hot-button issue of reducing the mass influx of refugees and migrants.

Crucially, the party faithful will be keen to hear how she expects to take the party forward into the coming election year, which will pit the CDU against its current coalition partner the Social Democrats and several smaller parties.

Will anyone challenge her?

There is no question Merkel will win a new two-year mandate to helm the CDU, but her score, and the length of the standing ovation, will be closely scrutinised for any signs of dissent.

At the last vote in 2014, she scored a North Korean-style 96.7 percent, just below her record high of 97.9 percent from 2012.

Several potential successors have been floated, but no one has caught the wider public's imagination -- among them Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

Most German voters still feel comfortable with "Mutti" (Mummy) -- a survey found 64 percent welcomed her new candidacy against 33 percent who did not.

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Political analyst Hajo Funke of Berlin's Free University said Merkel had made "the correct decision, for both the party and for Germany's stability".

Despite some grumbling from their Bavarian CSU allies, angered by the migrant influx, the conservative CDU rank-and-file "know who generates power for their party," Funke said.

What else will they discuss?

While CDU members approve of Merkel's fourth term bid as chancellor, not all are on board with her policies.

Merkel will be called to account for the party's poor showing in five consecutive state elections this year in a voter backlash driven by the migrant crisis.

Linked to that are questions on how the party can counter the leaching away of support to the right-wing populist and anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is polling around 12 percent.

To address some of the concerns, party chiefs will propose banning the full-face Muslim veil and cracking down on marriages involving minors.

Some may seek a tougher stance on immigration. CDU deputy chairman Thomas Strobl last week set out a demand to streamline the extradition of rejected asylum seekers.

But it remains unclear if his proposal will be put to the congress, or whether party leaders will try to quash unwelcomed suggestions through backroom compromises.

What's next for Merkel?

With the party congress, the CDU kicks off a long election campaign in which Merkel will seek to capture the middle ground.

CDU general secretary Peter Tauber said "all the questions that currently preoccupy the population also preoccupy CDU members".

Merkel's party next year faces three state elections, with momentum steadily building to the last regional poll in May in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia.

The new year promises to throw up a host of new international challenges. It will see Trump move into the White House and Britain start its EU exit negotiations.

Merkel will also watch carefully the hotly contested French presidential election and its impact on key EU issues, including migration and attitude towards Russia.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 2, 2016 / Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV: MMA) (the "Company" or "Midnight Sun") has completed the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement by issuing 4,400,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of $440,000. Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") in the capital of the Company and one transferable Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company for a period of twenty-four months from closing, at an exercise price of $0.20.

Finder's fees of $16,000 were paid in cash and 120,000 Finder's Warrants were issued in connection with the second tranche of the private placement. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.20 for a period of twenty-four months, expiring on December 2, 2018.

All securities issued pursuant to this tranche, including the Common Shares underlying the Warrants, are subject to a statutory hold period which expires on April 3, 2017.

In total, the Company issued 10,632,000 Units for gross proceeds of $1,063,200. Finder's fees of $44,256 were paid in cash and 402,560 Finder's Warrants were issued in connection with the Private Placement.

In total, Insiders of the Company purchased 1,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of $100,000.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to fund further exploration work on its optioned Zambian mineral exploration permits as well as general working capital.

The completion of this private placement is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

These securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD



Robert Sibthorpe

President & CEO



For further information contact:



Al Fabbro

Director

Tel: 604-351-8850

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

SOURCE: Midnight Sun Mining Corp.
Are migraine headaches more likely to strike when the barometer drops, as it does before an impending storm?

A lot of migraineursthe term for people who experience these painful, and sometimes debilitating, headachescertainly think so.

For example, according to a 2013 survey of migraine sufferers by the National Headache Foundation, nearly 75 percent said they consider weather or barometric changes a trigger.



In a study of 916 headache sufferers by the Atlanta Headache Center, published in the journal Cephalalgia, more than half said weather set off migraine attacks for them at least occasionally. Only stress, hormone changes, and skipping meals were more common triggers.

So if you suspect that weather may play a role in your migraines, here's what you need to know.

What the Science Says

Some studies over the years have suggested a link between migraine and fluctuations in weather, while others have not. It's been hard for researchers to draw clear conclusions because most studies on migraine and weather are small and involve self-reported symptoms.

But its safe to say that shifts in barometric pressure can set off headaches for some people, says neurologist Orly Avitzur, M.D., Consumer Reports medical director.

And anecdotal evidence suggests that changes in wind and temperature may do the same.

Just why and how the actions of the weather may lead to migraine pain is uncertain.

We don't know exactly how weather, or for that matter, other triggers of migraine, actually exert their effects, says Lawrence C. Newman, M.D., director of The Headache Institute and an attending neurologist at New York Citys Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Beth Israel.

However, it may be that triggers, including weather changes, may alter levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that can make blood vessels constrict.

Triggers may also directly affect the way the brain perceives pain.

And researchers have noted that people who experience migraine are often more sensitive to environmental factorswhich may include weather, odors, light exposure, and morethan those who don't suffer from the headaches.



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Coming Storms, Wind, Temperature, and More

Barometric pressure changesthe weight of the air as it presses on on objectsis perhaps the most frequently mentioned weather issue related to migraine pain.

But other weather factors have also been the subject of some interesting research, though none of it is definitive.

The arrival of Chinook windswarm, dry breezes that blow east from the Rocky Mountainsboosted the likelihood of migraines by 19 percent in a Canadian study of 75 people, published in the journal Neurology.

In another study published in Neurology, a temperature rise of roughly 10 degrees Fahrenheit increased the odds of migraine by 11 percent in 7,054 people who went to a Boston emergency room with the headaches.



In addition, research from the University of Cincinnati on 90 migraine sufferers, published in the journal Cephalalgia in 2013, suggested that lightning may play a role in migraine onset.

The Ohio researchers found that chronic headache sufferers had a 28 percent increased risk of migraine on the days when lighting struck within 25 miles of their zip codes.

Preventing the Problem, Easing the Pain

You cant control the weather, but you may be able to reduce its ability to set off a migraine by taking control of your other triggers, says Avitzur.

Some people develop migraines when theres the perfect storm of triggersperhaps a bad nights sleep, a stressful day, and a glass of red wine together lower your threshold," she says. "One more trigger could lead to pain."

Take, for example, the findings from a study published in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology in 2015, which looked at the frequency and intensity of migraines in 100 people over 12 months.

According to the study authors, while weather may increase headache risk for some people, "other factors may be required to trigger the attack.

In addition to avoiding known triggers, carrying migraine medications with you, especially when a weather change that seems to affect you is predicted, is a smart move.

Take as directed, usually at the first sign of discomfort, Dr. Newman says. We now know that migraine specific agents like the triptans have a better effect if taken within the first 40 minutes of pain onset, he says.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
Advocates Say That Sleeping is a Human Necessity and That Cities That Wish to Make Sleeping in Public Illegal Have a Moral and Legal Obligation to Provide Adequate and Affordable Housing

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2016 / Homelessness is a major problem in some cities across the country. Likewise, certain states struggle with homelessness more than others. For example, Hawaii has one of the highest homeless rates in the nation and one that continues to rise. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hawaii has 487 homeless per 100,000 people, the highest rate per capita in the country. Over 62 percent of the state's homeless population lives on the island of Oahu. Experts say the high cost of living and the lack of affordable housing in Hawaii are two major factors contributing to the state's homelessness epidemic.

Now, Honolulu and other cities with high homeless populations are drawing criticism for instituting policies and laws that criminalize homelessness. According to a CBS report, laws that ban panhandling, public camping, and living in vehicles have the effect of punishing homelessness. In 2014 alone, Honolulu issued over 16,000 warnings to individuals who violated the city's "sit-lie ban," which prohibits people from sitting or lying on sidewalks.

Dallas and Portland Called Out for Harsh Homelessness Laws

Dallas, Texas and Portland, Oregon were also identified as having harsh homelessness laws by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

In Portland, city officials recently ended its "safe sleep" police, a test program that allowed people to sleep on the streets without being disturbed by the police. Portland's mayor said the city had to roll back the program because it created confusion, with people mistakenly believing it legalized public camping.

Homelessness Rates in Texas down from 2013

Homelessness rates in Texas have decreased since 2013, when 12 out of every 10,000 people in the Lone Star State was homeless, according to the Houston Coalition for the Homeless. In 2014, the rate had dropped to seven out of 10,000 people, which is about 19,177 homeless in the state.

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However, cities like Houston and Dallas have often been scrutinized for enforcing laws that make it a crime to be homeless. Between 2012 and 2015, for example, police in Dallas ticketed over 11,000 people for sleeping in public, an offense that carries a $146 fine. According to a report from the Dallas Observer, many of the city's homeless owe thousands in fines for dozens or even hundreds of tickets they can't pay.

Homelessness advocates say that sleeping is a human necessity and that cities that wish to make sleeping in public illegal have a moral and legal obligation to provide adequate and affordable housing. In some cases, the federal government has agreed with this position. In 2015, the Department of Justice lent its support to a lawsuit in Idaho in which homelessness advocates argued that the city of Boise's ban on sleeping in public was unconstitutional given its shortage of beds in homeless shelters.

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By Aziz El Yaakoubi RABAT (Reuters) - Moroccan authorities have arrested a suspected militant accused of acting as an intermediary between Islamic State commanders and a cell dismantled by French authorities last month, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday. France said late last month it had foiled a possible attack after detaining seven people, including some who had been in the ranks of Islamic State in Syria. "For his mission (the suspect) met Islamic State messengers on the Turkish-Syrian border and he received instructions ... to pass on to the group that has been arrested on French soil," the Moroccan ministry said in a statement. The suspect was supposed to travel to France via Germany using a forged passport, the ministry added. It gave no details about the suspect but a security source told Reuters he was a Moroccan national who lived in Spain. "When he saw that the group was arrested in France he came to Morocco from Turkey and was arrested at the airport when his plane landed," said the security source, who declined to be named. France said the seven people, who are of French, Moroccan and Afghan origin and are aged 29 to 37, were taken into custody after an eight-month operation that ended with the DGSI internal intelligence agency laying a trap. The arrests in France came a year after a state of emergency was imposed to counter a wave of Islamist attacks and at a politically sensitive time ahead of next spring's presidential election in which security will be a major theme. Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), the judicial part of the Moroccan domestic intelligence service, often announces it has broken up militant cells accused of plotting inside and outside the kingdom. Hundreds of fighters from Europe and Maghreb states such as Tunisia and Algeria have joined Islamist militant forces in Syria. Some are threatening to return and create new jihadist wings in their home countries, security experts say. The Moroccan government has said it believes around 1,500 Moroccan nationals are fighting with militant factions in Syria and Iraq. About 200 have been jailed after returning home and some 500 have been killed in battle. (Reporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
DALLAS Babak Taherzadeh is a troll.

One of his Twitter personas boasts the bio: im smarter than u unless you are really smart.

He claims he has a different sense of humor. He peppers his tweets with profanity. He plays an online character, one he says doesnt reflect who he really is.

That character got him into trouble.

Taherzadeh sits in the Dallas County jail, where he has been since June, on a felony stalking charge. He is accused of using social media to harass a judge who oversaw a criminal case against him.

Before his arrest, he regularly commented online on political issues and public figures.

Taherzadeh believes he was exercising his rights to free speech and to petition the government when he posted negative comments on social media about a state district judge.

But authorities see it differently. They say Taherzadehs tweets threatened physical harm.

The arrest warrant affidavit says Judge Brandon Birmingham is in fear for the life of his family and for his own because of Taherzadehs messages and social media posts.

The case against Taherzadeh shows the limits of free speech.

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, the right to assemble and to petition the government, and it prevents the government from punishing people who exercise those rights.

And though hate speech is protected, there is a line when a persons safety is threatened, legal experts say.

Its always been a huge tension there, the concerns about safety versus having an open dialogue and being able to criticize public officials, said Lata Nott, executive director of the First Amendment Center.

Court records show that Taherzadeh used at least 10 Twitter accounts to stalk Birmingham and the judges family. Birmingham, who presides over the a District Court in Dallas County, had overseen a harassment case against Taherzadeh. The judge declined to comment.

Taherzadeh claims Birmingham mishandled the case against him and unfairly jailed him. He took to Twitter to express his frustration.

Records show Taherzadeh tweeted on June 8: Wanna see me bitch slap a State District Judge? I am not one to trifle with.

Taherzadeh says he regrets the cruder tweets of his that landed him in jail. He says he didnt mean them to be taken seriously. And while he sits in jail, he most misses his family, a word he repeats seven times.

But his family was afraid of him.

He had grown obsessive about a debt he believes he was owed. His family said he started spiraling after he was evicted and he started demanding money from his brother-in-law, court records show.

Taherzadeh was indicted in April 2014 on a harassment charge for threatening to kill his brother-in-law via text messages. Even after his arrest, Taherzadeh continued to email his brother-in-law.

I wanted my money, yeah, I was really bothering him about it. I was trying to make a point, he says, but says he wouldve never hurt his relatives.

In June 2015, Birmingham ruled that Taherzadeh had violated his bond requirements by sending more emails to his brother-in-law. As a compromise, the judge ordered Taherzadeh to stay off social media and email, records show.

By September, Taherzadeh was tweeting again: @radleybalko this guy @JudgeBirmingham is the guy who threatened me with jail for using social media. Birmingham recused himself from Taherzadehs case in October, and Taherzadeh pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor harassment charge in February. He was sentenced to 100 days in county jail.

But once out, Taherzadeh started tweeting again.

He sent a tweet that included the phrase, pray for the death of @JudgeBirmingham.

Though he insists he never meant any of his online statements to be considered real threats, his online statements toed the line of his constitutional rights.

Legal experts say hate speech is protected. Ugly speech is protected. Profane speech is protected. You can criticize the government and public officials. There is even leeway for obvious hyperbole and joking about violence.

Obviously there is a right to criticize the government, even to criticize the government very harshly and criticize a public official harshly, said Dale Carpenter, a professor at the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

But that right is limited once you issue a true threat against any person, even a government official, such as a judge.

If you put a person in fear that you are going to do them physical harm, that is not protected speech, Carpenter said.

But Taherzadeh isnt mad his Twitter accounts were suspended. He believes he is being punished solely for speaking out against an elected official.

This is America. This is the reason why my parents put me on a boat and floated me, oh wait, that was Elian Gonzalez, he says, laughing.

Take note of his humor. In truth, Taherzadeh is a U.S. citizen who moved here from Iran with his parents when he was 3.

You come to America, you think its all about freedom and stuff and you criticize a judge and youre in jail, I mean, is it only for white people?
Eric Trump made a new friend on Thursday while on a flight to Scotland.

The 32-year-old son of President-elect Donald Trump sat next to a Muslim American comedian Mohammed Amer who couldnt believe how fate played out, taking immediately to Facebook to post about the encounter.

Hey guys heading to Scotland to start the U.K. Tour and I am randomly chosen to sit next to non other than Eric Trump, Amer wrote on top of a selfie he took with Trump.

Good news guys Muslims will not have to check in and get IDs, he added in the post. Thats what I was told. I will be asking him a lot of questions on this trip to Glasgow, Scotland. Sometimes God just sends you the material.

Amer, who is best known for his participation in the comedy trio Allah Made Me Funny, told BuzzFeed News in a phone interview that he couldnt believe what had transpired.

I was just walking in and he was just sitting there with his Trump shirt on and I was like, Is this real?' he said. I mean, Im an Arab-Palestinian, everything is a conspiracy, right?

So, when I walked into the plane I was like, What is this? This is obviously from Allah  Allah is just trying to hook me up right now. Thats whats happening, he continued.

Amer took the opportunity to introduce himself to Trump, who was sitting in business class, and to broach the topic of the controversial Muslim registry Trumps father has proposed.

And I said, Just FYI, Im not getting that ID s done. You gonna really make my people get ID cards and all this? You know were not doing this s,' he said.

Amer said Trump replied with, Ah, come on, man. You cant believe everything you read. Do you really think were gonna do that?

Despite Trumps reassurances that a Muslim registry wouldnt occur in the U.S., Amer told BuzzFeed News he felt the businessmans response was routine.

I just felt he was a robot, in the sense this guy has a routine that has been there since he was 6, Amer said. I believe his dad raised him super old-school and thats the feeling I got from him. This guy is all about business.

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The 35-year-old said he told Trump he thought his father had played the media, to which Trump agreed, responding, Yeah, youre absolutely right.

Thats what he told me, Amer said. He basically acknowledged the fact that his father played this thing like a mad genius and thats how he got elected and he admitted it.

Despite this, Trump said his father was a still a good man, telling Amer, Hes a good, good man. Hes really, really good. Just beautiful. Hes really, really great.

The two spoke for about half an hour before Trump fell asleep. On social media, people were asking the comedian why he would choose to continue sitting next to Trump.

As a comedian, its my responsibility, its my duty, to find out as much information as possible to provide an accurate commentary, Amer said. So, for me, its like, Im not rejecting a gift from the divine. Of course not, Im gonna jump right in.

Amer gained extensive material to work with as he continues to tour in the U.K. on his Human Appeal comedy show this month.




Mystery solved  this is how a dog wears pants

The internet is great for many things. One of the best parts of the internet is when we all gather around a question that needs solving. What color was that dress? Were those womans leg really shiny? We love to debate the strange and the ridiculous online. One of the harrowing questions of 2o15 came to us just last December. The question was simple, yet baffling. It had us scratching our heads just at the thought of it. What would it look like if dogs wore pants, what would it look like? Would the pants be on the puppys back legs, or would the pants be extra large and cover the under belly and all for legs?

After many Twitter polls, countless debates, and even a presidential weigh in it seems like we have found our answer!

This week, police in Bellevue, Washington, found a lost dog wearing a sweater and blue pants. The dogs pants were only on his hind legs.

Is this your dog? Caught by Officer at Robinswood Park. Was wearing a sweater and blue pants, and very angry. Contact @VCAPetHealth Issaquah pic.twitter.com/MCRqEQzzjs  Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) December 1, 2016

While the dog doesnt seem too pleased with the rescue, we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing that if dogs wore pants, it would be only on their hind legs. This seems like it could end one of the internets fiercest debates, but only time will tell. After all is one dog a fair sample size? Im sure the naysayers of the internet will not see this picture as sufficient evidence. Sometimes, the debate can be much more interesting and entertaining than finding out the actual answer.

The post Mystery solved  this is how a dog wears pants appeared first on HelloGiggles.
NASA launched a celebration of the Langley Research Center's 100th anniversary yesterday (Dec. 1) with an educational panel on the upcoming movie "Hidden Figures" and the real-life Langley employees it depicts, answering student questions about their life and times and NASA history.

"Hidden Figures" depicts the history of mathematician Katherine Johnson and other African- American women who performed calculations for the researchers on Langley's Hampton, Virginia, campus starting in 1943, although the film focuses on the early 1960s. (A computation facility at Langley was recently named for Johnson.) During the panel discussion, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden joined Bill Barry, NASA's historian, and Julie Williams-Byrd, an electro-optics engineer at Langley. Ted Melfi, the director of "Hidden Figures," called in virtually to take questions about the movie.

"The arts enable us to become storytellers," Bolden said at the beginning of the panel discussion. And NASA has seized the production of this movie, as well as the new book it's based on, as an opportunity to share and reflect on the accomplishments of those Langley women. [On 'Hidden Figures' Set, NASA's Early Years Take Center Stage]

"They weren't actively hidden figures, so much as they were overlooked," Barry said. "As a historian, I can tell you, there were thousands of people that worked for [NASA's predecessor] NACA and NASA whose stories are wonderful and should be told, but just haven't come out yet."

Although NASA had been working on projects to interview and document women computers at Langley since the 1990s, Barry said, their story remained little-known. (The job role of "computer" was a human one, prior to electronic computers coming on the scene.) Margot Shetterly, the book's author, grew up in the Langley community and was a perfect choice to bring their stories out.

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"I've heard [Shetterly] in interviews," Bolden said. "She said she couldn't understand what people were talking about, about there being no minorities and no women at Langley or in NASA  because she went to church with them. She went to school with their kids."

Melfi discussed casting the movie, which stars Taraji Henson as Katherine Johnson; Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, who became the head of the black women computers; and Janelle Monae as Mary Jackson, who became an engineer. Kevin Costner plays the head of Langley's Space Task Group, actually a combination of three real-world directors, and Jim Parsons and Kirsten Dunst play a scientist and head of the white women computers, respectively.

"These people played against type, because  there are themes in the movie that are tough, that will be tough for you to watch," Melfi said, referring to the sexism and racism confronted in the movie. "I really wanted character actors that were likable to play roles that were unlikeable; it would make it easier to take."

The film focuses on performing calculations for John Glenn's historic orbit around Earth in 1962 and America's other first orbital launches, where putting an object (or person) into a sustainable orbit around Earth forced researchers to take into account much more than previous rocket work.

"As you'll see in the movie, the thing that really threw them for a loop was they had been doing parabolic computations, which is suborbital spaceflight, and they went into a type of math that goes to what's called orbital mechanics, something that not a lot of people knew anything at all about in those days," Bolden said. "All of a sudden, you find that things don't work." [America's First Spaceship: Project Mercury (Infographic)]

It was tricky to depict those mathematical challenges in an engaging way for the big screen, Melfi said  at one point, Jim Parsons' character explains the "huge jump" in mathematics needed to calculate the first orbital trajectories. Melfi consulted with NASA frequently, as well as Rudy Horne, a professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta and an on-set math specialist, to understand the details and get the math accurate, but still understandable.

"We tried to make it as cinematic as possible, and I hope we did a good job  you'll have to let me know if we did," Melfi said.

The panelists emphasized the importance of mathematics, even in the modern world where digital computers can easily tackle the calculations the Langley mathematicians wrestled with for the early space program.

"Computers are very, very great," Williams-Byrd said. "But if we don't understand the information that we are putting into the computers, then we never know what we're getting out of it.  As a physicist, you have to understand things like gravity, and you have to understand the laws of science to help you understand exactly what you're trying to get out of that solution."

Bolden urged the students attending the panel to look for lessons within the movie  on the importance of science, technology, engineering and math, the way the space program works and how the characters push through discrimination to do excellent, essential work. And for other viewers, it should still prove an eye-opening look into the Virginia community that put the first American into orbit around the Earth.

"I was stunned by the degree to which Ted and his production staff were focused on every little detail of things, trying to get the look and the feel and the equipment that was being used, the conversation, the technology  they did a phenomenal job," Barry said. "And made a great movie out of it as well."

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.

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Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f306066%2flarsenccrackdec3

The breakup of the massive Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica is getting closer and will eventually produce an iceberg the size of Delaware prowling the Southern Ocean, according to new NASA data.

On Friday, NASA released an astonishing new image taken by researchers flying above the ice shelf on Nov. 10 showing the crack is getting longer, deeper and wider. Scientists think it will eventually cause a large section of the shelf to break off.

The scientists associated with a NASA field campaign known as Operation IceBridge measured the Larsen C fracture to be about 70 miles long, more than 300 feet wide and about a third of a mile deep.

SEE ALSO: With a collapsing West Antarctica, sea level rise may be twice as high as we thought

"The crack completely cuts through the Ice Shelf but it does not go all the way across it  once it does, it will produce an iceberg roughly the size of the state of Delaware," NASA said in a press release.

View is of a rift in the Antarctic Peninsula's Larsen C ice shelf from our airborne survey of polar ice: https://t.co/VgjxopHHLI @NASA_ICE pic.twitter.com/gt5mpHqbxn  NASA (@NASA) December 3, 2016

When this iceberg calving event happens, likely within the next decade, it will be the largest calving event in Antarctica since 2000, the third biggest such event ever recorded and the largest from this particular ice shelf, scientists say.

Larsen C lies next to a smaller ice shelf that disintegrated in 2002 after developing a crack similar to the one now growing in Larsen C.

Map of Antarctica showing the amount of melting of ice shelves from below. Blue shades represent melt rates of greater than 5 meters (16.4 feet) per year. Arrow points to Larsen C Ice Shelf.

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UC Irvine/Columbia University

Ice shelves breaking off into icebergs don't directly increase sea levels, since their ice is already resting in the ocean like an ice cube in a glass.

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However, because they act like doorstops to the land-based ice behind them, when the shelves give way, the glaciers can begin moving into the sea. This adds new water to the ocean and therefore increases sea levels.

The rift is likely to lead to an iceberg breaking off, which will remove about 10% of the ice shelfs area pic.twitter.com/uu1KKWG0WP  Project MIDAS (@MIDASOnIce) August 18, 2016

In the case of Larsen C, once the rift extends all the way across the shelf and breaks off the section of ice, a larger area of ice that is about the size of Scotland will destabilize and be at greater risk for melting, according to other research.

In August, a British research team monitoring the Larsen C Ice Shelf found that the rift had expanded by 14 miles between March and August of 2016. This was the fastest rate of expansion the researchers had observed.

Larsen B Ice Shelf before its breakup in 2002.

Image: nasa

Larsen B Ice Shelf after its breakup in 2002.

Image: nasa

The Larsen C Ice Shelf is the most northerly of the remaining major Antarctic Peninsula ice shelves. This part of Antarctica has been warming rapidly in recent years due to a combination of increasing air and sea temperatures.

The nearby Larsen B Ice Shelf made worldwide headlines in 2002 when it broke up after a similar process of rift-induced iceberg calving. The Larsen B event was featured in the opening scenes of the sci-fi climate change-related disaster film, The Day After Tomorrow.

BONUS: New Zealand's earthquake literally cracked the Earth open
Nassim Abassi has two films screening at Marrakech, on Dec. 6  Majid and My Uncle  both of which star Abderrahim Tounsi (aka Abderraouf), who will receive a career tribute on the same day. The movies are the main Moroccan films screening at the event.

In an exclusive interview with Variety, Abassi disclosed details of his next project, a Portuguese-Spanish-Moroccan production, which he aims to shoot in English. The feature will be a historical drama based on the novel Hadil Assaida Al Horra (translation: Pigeon Call of Al Hurra) by actor/writer Bachir Damoun, whose first novel Pillow Secrets was adapted into a film by Jillali Ferhati, in which he starred.

The project is based on the life of the first Moroccan female ruler, Sayyida al Hurra (whose name means the free woman), who was forced to flee Granada in 1492 after the Spanish reconquest of Andalusia and became the 16th century queen of Tetouan.

She was known as a pirate queen because of her alliance to Turkish corsair Barbarossa. She waged war and diplomacy with the Spanish and Portuguese until she was finally overthrown by her son-in-law in 1542.

Abassi has been nurturing the project about the ruler for several years, since he thinks it will challenge stereotypes of Arab women. He even named his daughter after her. The helmer plans to present the project to the Moroccan Cinema Center in early 2017, but believes that he will need to structure it as an international co-production in order to achieve the necessary production values that he envisages.

He is particularly interested in the role of women in Moroccan society  which also lies at the core of My Uncle  and believes that a film about the countrys first woman ruler has tremendous potential for change both in Morocco, the Arab world and internationally, which is why he plans to shoot in English.

Nassim Abassi lived for 16 years in the U.K., where he attended film school at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design/University for Creative Arts (UCA and his first two features were lensed in English).

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Im increasingly thinking about directing and producing my Moroccan films in English, he explains. Like the Italians did in the 1970s with Spaghetti Westerns and as Luc Besson is doing in France.

He cites the example of Moustapha Akkads 1976 epic historical drama, The Message about the prophet Muhammad, which was shot in Morocco and Libya, with an English-language version starring Anthony Quinn and Irene Papas, and an Arabic version with an Arab cast.

In recent months Abassi has focused on completing My Uncle for its world premiere at Marrakech.

My Uncle is based on a Moroccan Chaplin-style character, created by actor Abderrahim Tounsi, who was hugely popular in the 1970s and the early 1980s but subsequently slid into comparative oblivion. Tounsi is the uncle of a young struggling actress in Morocco (Alia Erkab) and the film offers a behind-the-scenes view of her attempts to break into the Moroccan film industry, and aims to show some of its darker sides.

Abassi believes that it is very difficult for anyone trying to work in cinema in Morocco, or indeed in the arts in general, and anyone who chooses a career in these fields often faces social and family criticism, which is what he wanted to explore in his film.

Abderraouf is a symbol of what happens to very many Moroccan actors, suggests Abassi. Even extremely well-known actors can be relegated to the sidelines. Life for actors is very tough. Its very difficult to get work. Theres no real industry, only government-funded films, which means that directors and actors can often only work once every two years, at best. Theres no social security support. Its difficult to get by. I talk about this in my film.

The Moroccan actress Alia Erkab plays the niece, in her first lead role  which is partly inspired by her own experiences.

Life is particularly difficult for actresses in Morocco, against the backdrop of the position of women in Moroccan society, says Abassi. There are socially-conditioned perceptions of how women should live, and many see the acting profession as being too liberal.

This perception is portrayed in the film by the parents of the actress fiance, a normal middle-class couple. They ask her to give up her career in order to marry their son, because they say actresses have a bad reputation and are associated with drink, depraved living and loose morals.

I decided to build the film around a female lead because she symbolizes many struggles taking place not only in Morocco but throughout the modern world. There are many issues facing Moroccan actresses  such as sexual harassment  that also arise in the U.S. and Europe.

Abassi is expectant about the pics world premiere at Marrakech but is also nervous about the potential press and public reaction. He says that he has shown it to one of the countrys leading producers, who commented that its so true to life that it may make him some enemies.

However, notwithstanding the pics biting social criticism, Abassi believes that it will attract a wide audience because of its humor, partly rooted in the real-life character of Abderrahim Tounsi, who has inspired a new generation of comedians in Morocco.

The main female character faces problems with her fiance and family, but this is all shown in a funny manner. It will make people laugh and think at the same time. I think the audience will be inspired by her dream.

The 16th Marrakech International Film Festival runs Dec. 2-10. Majid and My Uncle will screen out of competition.
Abu Dhabi (AFP) - Representatives of around 40 countries are expected to approve on Saturday establishing a fund to protect heritage sites in conflict-ravaged areas and a network of safe havens for endangered artworks.

From Syria to Mali, Afghanistan to Iraq, jihadists have targeted priceless cultural heritage sites that they deem un-Islamic.

The world watched in dismay as Islamic State group extremists systematically destroyed monuments in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra which they seized in 2015.

In Iraq, videos showed IS using bulldozers and explosives to destroy Nimrud, a jewel of the Assyrian empire south of Mosul, and ransacking pre-Islamic treasures in Mosul's museum.

French ex-culture minister Jack Lang, who heads the Paris-based Institut du Monde Arabe, said the heritage protection fund and safe haven network would be included in a declaration at the end of the Abu Dhabi conference.

A draft of the so-called Abu Dhabi Declaration, still being discussed by the participants at the two-day UNESCO-backed meeting, did not mention a value for the proposed fund.

But delegates have spoken of a $100 million target.

France, which along with the United Arab Emirates is spearheading the initiative, said it would contribute around $30 million (28 million euros).

Other states, including the Gulf Arab monarchies and China, have shown a willingness to contribute to the fund which would be based in Geneva, but without specifying amounts.

The fund aims to safeguard cultural heritage endangered by conflicts, finance preventive and emergency operations, combat the illicit trafficking of artefacts and help restore damaged cultural property, based on a draft declaration yet to be finalised.

Participants hope the international network of refuge zones under discussion will be used to temporarily store cultural property endangered by conflicts or extremism.

- 'Last option' -

But with sovereignty a sensitive issue, such assets would only be moved out of a concerned country after a request by its government, according to a source taking part in the discussions.

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Art treasures should first be moved to a safe place within the country itself. Moving them to a neighbouring country would be a second option while sending them elsewhere would be a last resort.

Some countries, including Egypt, have expressed reservations about the creation of safe havens, a delegate told AFP.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told participants that this should be a "last option" and there should be "guarantees for the safe return" of cultural property to the country of origin.

Greece has long sought the return from Britain of ancient sculptures that once decorated the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis in Athens but were taken by British diplomat Lord Elgin two centuries ago.

Participants at the conference will call on the UN Security Council to support the initiative, according to the draft declaration.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will oversee the safeguarding operations.

French President Francois Hollande, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Friday, will close the conference alongside Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in the presence of around a dozen leaders including the presidents of Mali and Afghanistan.

Hollande on Saturday visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is now expected to open in 2017 after much delay.

He was accompanied during his tour of the seaside museum by its French architect Jean Nouvel.

The international government representatives as well as public and private institutions at the conference have been debating since Friday how to preserve heritage and treasured works of art.

The meeting coincided with an announcement by Swiss authorities that they had seized cultural relics looted from Palmyra, Libya and Yemen that were being stored in Geneva's free ports.

Participants from Switzerland on Saturday shared the country's experiences in offering safe haven to art works during times of conflict, providing examples as old as the Spanish civil war.
Sex And The City and White Collar alum Willie Garson is set to co-star in and co-executive produce an hourlong drama that has been set up at NBC.

The untitled project (aka The Advocate), from Warner Bros TV, will be written by Alyson Feltes (Netflixs upcoming Ozark) based on a story by Garson. It centers on an idealistic young former foster child who now works as a paralegal while advocating for those in need from all walks of life. Garsons character is still being fleshed out. Feltes executive produces.

Garson, best known for his roles as Mozzie on the USA drama White Collar and as Stanford Blatch on the HBO comedy Sex And The City, continues to recur on CBS Hawaii Five-0. His upcoming features include The Polka King and Feed. Garson is repped by Paradigm, managers Gladys Gonzalez and John Carrabino, and attorney Wendy Heller.

This marks Feltes return to NBC where she served as a writer/consulting producer on another legal drama series, the networks adaptation of John Grishams The Firm. She is repped by CAA.

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London (AFP) - Britain's highest court is on Monday to begin hearing the government's appeal against a ruling that it must first seek parliamentary approval before beginning the process to leave the European Union.

The landmark case will be heard by 11 judges.

What are the implications and likely government response to its ruling, expected in January?

- If the government wins the case -

Prime Minister Theresa May will be free to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, the formal procedure for leaving the bloc, whenever she wants.

This would allow her to stick to her March timetable for triggering Brexit.

- If the judges uphold the verdict -

Should the Supreme Court uphold the original High Court ruling, the government is almost certain to immediately introduce a short bill to begin the Brexit process.

The bill would need to be approved by the House of Commons and the upper House of Lords, both of which could vote down the bill or seek to amend it by setting the terms of the divorce and thereby delay the process.

The government is reported to have prepared a three-line bill that it believes will be "bomb-proof" to amendments, and which could be approved within two weeks.

Despite being overwhelmingly in favour of remaining in the EU during the referendum campaign, MPs in the House of Commons are unlikely to vote down the bill for fear of stoking voter anger.

However, its passage through the unelected House of Lords -- where Theresa May's Conservative Party does not enjoy a majority -- is less certain, although any attempts to block the bill will outrage Brexit supporters.

The government could also appeal the case to the European Court of Justice, but this appears to be highly unlikely given the delays and further complications that could cause.

- What if parliament votes down the bill? -

Parliament's refusal to pass the bill would be seismic for both domestic politics and for Britain's departure from the European Union.

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With the odds heavily in her favour, May would be expected to trigger a general election, exposing Brexit-blocking MPs to the wrath of the public.

Such a result would likely be disastrous for the main Labour opposition, who are trailing in the polls, but also risks splitting May's Conservatives between Remainers and Leavers.

- What if the judges raise further obstacles? -

One of the 11 Supreme Court judges who will hear the appeal gave the government an extra headache when she suggested that EU legislation might have to be entirely replaced in British law before Brexit could begin, dashing May's hopes of rushing through a short bill.

Under current plans, the government will introduce the "Grand Repeal Bill", which will bring all EU laws onto the UK books as it leaves the union.

The government planned to introduce the bill after triggering Article 50, but such a ruling could force it to bring forward its passage, throwing the timetable into jeopardy.

- What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The picture is further complicated by the presence of the Scottish and Welsh governments, which are asking the judges to rule that their own devolved parliaments can have their own vote on triggering Article 50.

The Supreme Court will also be hearing an appeal calling for the Northern Ireland assembly have a vote, brought by Raymond McCord, a victims rights campaigner.

He is concerned that Brexit may result in Britain withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights, which he fears would undermine his fight for justice for his murdered son.

If the judges find in favour of these appeals, May's chances of invoking the article by March will almost certainly evaporate, and will raise the spectre of the devolved governments, particularly the EU-backing Scotland, attempting to block Brexit altogether.
Lagos (AFP) - Nigeria and Morocco are in talks over a huge project to extend a West African gas pipeline to stretch up towards Europe, officials say.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said in a government video posted on Twitter on Friday that the pipeline would "go along the coast from West Africa -- Nigeria -- all the way up to Morocco and into Europe eventually".

"That's a very big and important project for us," Onyeama added, without giving further details.

The construction of west Africa's biggest gas pipeline, linking Nigeria's energy-rich south to consumer markets on the region's coast -- Benin, Togo and Ghana -- began in 2005, with deliveries starting five years later.

Onyeama's comments came as Morocco's King Mohammed VI wrapped up a two-day visit to Abuja, where he met with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

Moroccan media reported that the pipeline extension topped the agenda in the talks, with the Economie-Enterprise website reporting that the two countries would sign a memorandum of understanding shortly for the "highly ambitious project estimated at several billion dollars".

The Telquel.ma website said the work would see the pipeline extended "towards Morocco, passing through Dakar".

Algeria held talks with Nigeria as far back as 2002 for a similar pipeline crossing the Sahel region, but ultimately the Algerian government was unable to finance the project.

Major oil exporter Nigeria also has huge untapped gas resources -- the largest proven reserves in Africa and the seventh largest globally.

But its energy-rich Niger Delta area is frequently hit by attacks by militants seeking a fairer distribution of the nation's resource wealth, including assaults on pipelines that seriously dented oil and gas production in 2016.
Grenoble (France) (AFP) - A town in eastern France has been ordered to remove a statue of the Virgin Mary to comply with a national ban on religious symbols in public, the local mayor said Saturday.

An administrative court ordered the commune of Publier, in the Haute-Savoie region to remove the religious image which has stood in a public park since 2011.

The town has three months to comply with the judgement before it starts incurring a fine of 100 euros per day, according to the November 24 judgement.

Town mayor Gaston Lacroix said he intended to find a new home for the offending statue "on private land".

The image of the mother of Jesus has been a subject of controversy since it was installed without any debate in the municipal council, but using municipal funding.

The statue was subsequently sold to a religious cultural association which was not, however, allowed to buy the parcel of land it stood on, meaning it remained on public property and therefore in breach of French rules regarding religious symbols.

One of the world's most secular countries, France strongly separates religion and public life.

In 2010, France became the first country in Europe to ban the full Muslim veil in public spaces.

Several southern French beach towns near Nice banned the burkini beachwear over the summer, but those restrictions were struck down by the courts.
Rome (AFP) - Top EU and UN diplomats warned on Saturday that there could be no victory in the battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo without negotiations aimed at ensuring a viable future for the war-torn country.

"You can win a war but you can lose the peace," said Federica Mogherini, the European Union's foreign affairs chief, at a conference on the Mediterranean region in Rome.

"Who is interested in winning a war in Syria and getting at a price a country that is divided, armed, full of terrorists... isolated in the international community?" Mogherini asked, adding that she did not consider President Bashar al-Assad's regime as having already won the Aleppo battle.

As of Saturday the Syrian army controlled more than half the rebel part of Aleppo after seizing overnight another sector in an offensive that has claimed more than 300 civilian lives and forced tens of thousands to flee the fighting.

UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, who was also at the Rome conference, voiced concern about the Assad regime's advances in Aleppo.

"If this is going to be an occasion for the government to say: we won the war, and therefore no need for negotiations, I hope not," he said, adding that's why he counts on "the influence of Russia and Iran" to convince Damascus to seek a negotiated solution to the conflict.

The loss of Syria's second city to Assad's forces would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.

"Now it's time for negotiation, but negotiating in real terms, which means power sharing... Otherwise, the alternative could be no major conflict but a creeping, ongoing guerilla (war) and no reconstruction," de Mistura said.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict started with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half the country's population has been displaced.
Norway urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to adopt a clear and predictable policy on Moscow at a time of heightened tensions in Europe due to Russian aggression in Ukraine and the growing presence of Russian military activities in the Arctic region.

What is most important to us right now is to have both a predictable and a very clear policy on Russia, Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told Reuters Friday, ahead of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in California. The earlier and the clearer that the new administration comes out with this, the better it is, also for European security.

On the campaign trail, Trump had said he was open to working closely with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin had called Trump to congratulate the real estate mogul on his victory, during which the two leaders agreed to take steps to improve Moscows ties with Washington.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg also spoke to Trump Thursday voicing her concerns about Trumps comments on Russia and his take on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which he called obsolete and also threatened to withdraw U.S. funding for NATO.

During the call, however, Trump reassured Solberg of U.S.s commitment to NATO and security in Europe.

Ine Eriksen Soereide

Photo: REUTERS/WOLFGANG RATTAY

Oslo is concerned about Russias latest improvements to its defense system, including testing news missiles, upgrading existing equipment and using quieter submarines which are more difficult to detect. U.S. and NATO officials said this high level of Russian submarine activity was last seen during the end of the Cold War in the 1990s.

They are effectively capable now of closing off allied reinforcements, which of course is a huge strategic challenge, Soereide said.

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Russia taking over the GIUK gap  the maritime line between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom which was a defensive perimeter for NATO during the Cold War  would prove to be an obstacle for NATO forces to step in to help Norway in event of a conflict.

Meanwhile, Oslo is also upgrading its defense system with the proposed addition of five Boeing Co P-8A maritime surveillance planes that would help Norway track Russian submarines. Oslo is working closely with London in monitoring the situation.

They have been reestablishing their bastion defense concept, Soereide said referring to a strategy adopted by the Soviet Union during the Cold War in which Moscow heavily defended maritime areas like the Barents Sea. They have to a great extent shown that this area is strategically even more important to the Russians now than it used to be.

Sweden, like Norway, is also increasingly worried about perceived Russian aggression in the region, internal Swedish documents revealed. Stockholm has not ruled out a possible threat of the use of military force by Moscow. Meanwhile, 16 European countries led by Germany are working together to push for a new arms control agreement with Russia in the hopes of preventing an arms race in Europe given the heightened tensions.

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Oslo (AFP) - Norway's right-wing government narrowly avoided collapse Saturday after a last-minute deal was agreed in negotiations for the 2017 budget, which had threatened to bring down the ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg's minority government had until Monday to secure majority support from its centrist allies in parliament, the Christian Democrats and Liberals, to pass its 2017 finance bill.

But a solution was found after talks stretched into the weekend, Solberg told a press conference.

"You have to give and receive to reach unity, which is exactly what we've done," she said.

Saturday's compromise included an extra 6 billion kroner (670 million euros) for climate and environmental measures, family policy, education and research and rail transport, according to Norwegian media.

The talks had been thrown into crisis on Tuesday when the Liberal Party announced its withdrawal from the budget negotiations, unhappy with a lack of measures to combat climate change.

In its draft budget, the government had proposed to raise the price of diesel by 0.35 kroner (4 euro cents) per litre and that of petrol by 0.15 kroner per litre, while at the same time giving motorists other tax breaks. Presented as non-negotiable, the proposal had fuelled anger among the Liberals.

The government suggested that the measures would still appear in the budget, without giving further details.

Without a last-minute compromise, the government would have been forced to call a vote of confidence in parliament. A defeat would have triggered negotiations to form a new government, potentially led by the opposition Labour party.

The Norwegian constitution does not allow for early elections, with the next legislative vote scheduled for September 11, 2017.
By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Engineering conglomerate Odebrecht took out full-page advertisements in Brazil's main newspapers on Friday to apologise to Brazilians for its involvement in the country's biggest ever corruption scandal.

The apology by Latin America's largest engineering firm was received with scepticism in a country with a history of political corruption and crony capitalism, and many Brazilians expressed their anger at the company on social media.

In a long-awaited leniency deal, the family-owned firm signed a 6.7 billion real ($1.94 billion) agreement with prosecutors on Thursday admitting guilt and offering information on bribes paid. More than 70 of its executives, including family patriarch and Chairman Emilio Odebrecht and his jailed son and former CEO Marcelo Odebrecht, have agreed to make plea statements.

The bargain will allow Odebrecht SA [ODBES.UL] to return to bidding for public works projects from which it was banned for its role, along with other engineering companies, in the massive bribe and kickbacks scheme centred on state-run oil company Petrobras (PETR4.SA).

The deal also has Brazil's political establishment on edge as plea statements are expected to name as many as 200 politicians who allegedly received graft money from the company. Prosecutors said Odebrecht had an office dedicated to paying bribes.

"Odebrecht recognises that it took part in improper practices ... we connived with such practices and did not fight them as we should have ... It was a big mistake," the company said in its ad, vowing to mend its ways and turn the page.

Odebrecht is working on revamping its compliance rules that could lead to the appointment of more independent board members and tougher oversight of the family that controls the conglomerate and its 15 subsidiaries, two sources briefed on the plan told Reuters.

The leniency deal, which spreads the fine payment over 20 years, will give Odebrecht a financial breather and help it restructure debt-burdened businesses and revive a shrinking pipeline of projects at its flagship engineering unit.

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Some Brazilians were not so forgiving.

"No, you committed CRIMES! They were not mistakes! I won't forgive them! They helped dilapidate the country. They should pay," wrote Vicki Nox (@VickiNox)in a Twitter message.

"How many hospitals, homes, ambulances can be bought with 'Sorry, we made a mistake'?" tweeted Laiza Galvao (@LaizaGalvao).

The political fallout from the Odebrecht bargain for the scandal-plagued government of President Michel Temer has yet to be felt, but the deal is expected to provide evidence implicating numerous members of his ruling PMDB party and even Cabinet ministers who received campaign donations from the firm.

Brasilia is bracing for the publication of damaging details from Odebrecht's plea statements, which are expected to be leaked in dribs and drabs to the media.

In a first taste, the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper reported that Marcelo Odebrecht told prosecutors former leftist President Dilma Rousseff, who was ousted in May, knew all about the Petrobras graft scheme but never asked for a penny for herself.

Rousseff was impeached on charges unrelated to Petrobras, for illegally using money from state banks to bankroll public spending. She has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

O Globo newspaper reported that another Odebrecht executive told prosecutors two members of Temer's Cabinet, his chief of staff Eliseu Padilha and infrastructure investment secretary Wellington Moreira Franco, received payments in return for resolving issues in the company's interest.

O Globo, which did not explain how it had obtained the information, said Padilha and Moreira Franco asked Odebrecht for the money in the name of Temer's PMDB party.

Moreira Franco said in a statement that the executive was lying. A Padilha aide did not respond to a request for comment.

(Additional reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Editing by Frances Kerry and Tom Brown)
In the week ended December 2, the number of rigs drilling for oil in the United States totaled 477, up by three from the prior week and down by 68 compared with a total of 545 a year ago. Including 119 other rigs drilling for natural gas and one rig listed as "miscellaneous," there are a total of 597 working rigs in the country, up by four week-over-week and down 140 year-over-year. The data come from the latest Baker Hughes North American Rotary Rig Count released on Friday.

Benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for January delivery traded up about 1.2% on Friday to settle at $51.68. Crude rose by nearly 14% for the week following the agreement among OPEC and other producing nations to curb production. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported last Wednesday that crude supplies had decreased by 900,000 barrels in the week ended November 25 and that gasoline supplies had risen by 2.1 million barrels.

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Saudi Arabia got its way and on Wednesday and pushed through a nominal production cut of about 1.2 million barrels a day from OPEC members. This was greeted by a run up of nearly $6 a barrel in crude prices by the end of the week.

The hard part, as always, is getting the producing countries to live up to their promises. Brown University professor Jeff Colgan is among those not impressed with the deal, calling it "mostly meaningless" in an article at Foreign Affairs. He writes:

In a detailed analysis of OPECs behavior since 1982, I found that OPEC cheated on its own aggregate production target a whopping 96 percent of the timeand every member is guilty of taking part. Worse still, changes in production targets had almost no impact on production itself. Maybe 2016 will be different, but this pattern cannot be ignored.

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We also noted on Friday that the . Saudi Arabia has about 278 million barrels of crude in its domestic stockpiles and can easily continue to export at current levels for months even with the production cuts. The same is not true of all OPEC members, and those that cannot maintain export levels will almost certainly boost production when cash flows drop.

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The number of rigs drilling for oil in the United States is down by 68 year over year but up three week over week. The natural gas rig count increased by one to a total of 119. The count for natural gas rigs is down by 73 year over year. Natural gas for January delivery closed the week at $3.46 per million BTUs, up 27 cents on the near-month contract compared with the prior week.

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Hedge funds  under the Managed Money heading in the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC's) weekly Commitments of Traders report  dropped 16,633 short contracts for WTI crude oil last week and dropped 12,744 long contracts. The movement reflects changes as of the November 29 settlement date. Managed money now holds 321,114 long positions compared with 162,434 short positions. Open interest totaled 2.020,026. There were 48 hedge funds with large short positions last week, down from 49 in the prior week.

Among the producers themselves, short positions outnumber longs 554,091 to 290,721. The number of short positions rose by 17,602 contracts last week, and longs added 22,053 contracts. Positions among swaps dealers show 253,767 short contracts versus 212,452 long positions. Swaps dealers added 1,633 contracts to their short positions last week and dropped 25,574 contracts from their long positions.

U.S. refineries ran at 89.8% of capacity, a week-over-week decrease of about 114,000 barrels a day. Imports fell by about 30,000 barrels a day, to around 7.5 million barrels a day in the week.

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Among the states, Texas added seven rigs last week, Wyoming added four and Oklahoma added two. Louisiana lost four rigs while Colorado and North Dakota each lost two. Utah dropped one rig.

In the Permian Basin of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the rig count now stands at 235, up seven compared with the previous week's count. The Eagle Ford Basin in south Texas has 40 rigs in operation, up two from a week ago, and the Williston Basin (Bakken) in North Dakota and Montana now has 31 working rigs, down two for the week.

Enterprise Products Partners lists a December 3 posted price of $48.13 per barrel for WTI and $49.58 a barrel for Eagle Ford crude. The price for WTI and Eagle Ford crudes rose by $5.62 a barrel in the week.

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The pump price of regular gasoline rose by nearly five cents a gallon week over week. Saturday morning's average price in the United States was $2.172 a gallon, up $0.047 compared with $2.125 a week ago. The year-ago price was $2.045 a gallon.

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A year ago, Mandy Pifer and Shannon Johnson were preparing to tell their families that they were getting married. Instead, Johnson was shot dead along with 13 other coworkers in a brutal assault carried out by his San Bernardino Department of Public Health coworker Syed Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik. Johnson died shielding his co-worker from a hail of bullets.

Johnson, who Pifer describes on social media as her "soulmate," was a Christian interested in Hinduism who often discussed religion with Farook, his Muslim coworker and eventual killer. But Pifer said attempts to blame Islam for her partner's death are inappropriate. She criticized President-elect Donald Trump, who has called for a ban on Muslims traveling to the U.S., and his political ally, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, of instigating "hate" toward Muslims.

"I think [Trump]'s a big bully who, with his ignorant attitude and fear based tactics, will get more innocent people killed. Guiliani is a hot-headed, fear-based, has-been who needed San Bernardino to happen in order to stay relevant. Hate begets Hate," Pifer told International Business Times.

A year after Farook and Malik opened fire at an office Christmas party, killing 14 of his coworkers and injuring 22 others in one of the deadliest acts of violence by militants since Sept. 11, 2001, a heated debate over how to stop future incidents of terror and mass shootings has rattled the nation. But in San Bernardino, the policy discussion isn't merely abstract. It's a conversation that some believe could have prevented unnecessary deaths, while others say blaming Muslims dishonors the victims, many of whom supported religious tolerance.

During the presidential election that culminated in Trump's victory in November, the Republican business mogul routinely described Muslims as anti-American and won in part because of his vow after the San Bernardino massacre to crack down on Muslims both coming to and already living in the U.S. As a candidate, Trump repeated the disputed claim that Farook's neighbors saw the bombs that ultimately failed to detonate during the attack and did not report them to authorities.

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More recently, as president-elect, he and his potential cabinet members, including Guilani, have said they will consider implementing a Muslim registry to keep track of anyone associated with Islam. After an attack this week carried out by a Muslim student at Ohio State University, Trump tweeted: ISIS is taking credit for the terrible stabbing attack at Ohio State University by a Somali refugee who should not have been in our country.

President Barack Obama and civil liberities activists have warned that blaming all Muslims for the violence carried out by a few violates the First Amendment and will only further alienate some Americans. Critics also cite the need to protect the civil rights of the nation's many law-abiding, peaceful Muslims.

Ayman Taleb, 31, is the director of the Islamic Center of Riverside, a nearby mosque once attended by San Bernardino attack survivor Anies Kondoker and the two killers. He rejects the idea of Islam as a security threat and called Trump's efforts "shameful."

Taleb was born and raised in Dallas and called himself "a rootin-tootin son-of-a-gun" proud of both his Muslim and American identities. Taleb, a second-generation alumnus of the University of North Texas, moved to Riverside in March to be closer to his in-laws and became director of the religious center in August.

"In America, if you're anything other than a WASP, then you're defined as the 'other,' and whenever a few select individuals do something outside the law, the entire community is associated. No community should have to bear the responsibility, no community should have to apologize or be asked to apologize," Taleb said in a telephone interview, using an acronym used to describe individuals who are Protestant and of white, Anglo-Saxon descent.

Taleb, who released an Independence Day-themed, religious music video earlier this year, emphasized that his values as a Muslim and a U.S. citizen were identical. Those beliefs, he said, vehemently oppose the mass shooting carried out by Farook, 28, and Malik, 29. The couple died in a police shootout hours after the bloody assault.

Taleb cited the couple's decision to stop attending services in 2014 and isolate themselves from the local Muslim community. Kondoker, on the other hand, was a devout Muslim who was among the couple's victims that day, Taleb said. She was shot in each arm and her abdomen during the terror attack.

RTSU8WA

Photo: Reuters

At least one person closely linked to the victims of the San Bernardino shooting, however, expressed concern about potential future terror attacks carried out by Muslims, especially after recent attacks in Florida and Ohio carried out by supporters of the Islamic State group. The former San Bernardino Environmental Health employee who asked not to be named worked alongside Farook for years and knew a number of those killed and injured.

She referred to the workspace as the "United Nations" because it employed people of all different backgrounds including many Middle Eastern countries. But after the shooting, she and husband said the U.S. had a responsibility to crackdown on a "criminal element" of people entering and already residing within the country.

"We fully support Trump. We fully support what he's doing to make this country safe again," she told International Business Times over the phone.

"We would like to see a stronger border. We would like to see the American citizen protected in his own country," her husband added.

She noted that Farook was a U.S. citizen, but suggested that his wife, a Pakistani national who lived in Saudi Arabia before legally coming to the U.S., was likely an influential factor in Farook's radicalization.

The woman said neighbors who may have noticed that Farook and Malik were up to suspicious activity did not report them for fear of being profiled. Had they spoken up, she said, her coworkers may still be alive.

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BRAZZAVILLE (Reuters) - One person was killed in a fire on an oil platform operated by ENI Congo off the coast of the Congo Republic city of Pointe-Noire, the government said. "The situation is under control. The incident caused one death and five people were injured," said a statement, adding that the government would investigate Thursday's incident on the Foukanda rig. ENI said in a statement the platform was immediately evacuated and the fire was quickly extinguished by emergency teams. "Of the 45 persons on the platform, five reported slight burns, while one person, a crane operator belonging to Afrimel, was missing at the time of the evacuation," the ENI statement said, adding that the missing person was later found dead. Congo Republic in November lowered oil and gas royalty rates under a new petroleum code approved by parliament as part of efforts to encourage investment in new exploration. Companies operating in the country include France's Total, Italy's ENI, London-listed Tullow and the U.S. firm Chevron. (Reporting by Christian Elion in Brazzaville and Giulia Segreti in Milan; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Stereotypically, and perhaps historically, boy bands are founded upon a specific structure. Each member of a group is meant to reflect a certain kind of persona: the heartthrob, the bad boy, the underdog, and so on. One Direction adheres to this form, but perhaps with more autonomy than, say, *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys before them. In their five-year career we saw each member grow up and morph into a young adult, slightly subverting the structure in dress and attitude. In 2014, nearing the end of their career, 1D would release the Danny DeVito-starring "Steal My Girl" video, furthering labeling each guy: Harry Styles as "love," Niall Horan as "light," Liam Payne as "power," Louis Tomlinson as "danger," and most interestingly, Zayn Malik as "mystery."

Z spent his time in One Direction in relative silence, hiding from the spotlight of his more talkative band of brothers -- his voice, one that possesses a range beyond the rest of 1D, is only really prominent in song. Now, as a successful R&B solo artist, that juxtaposition has changed. Malik is fully himself now, and he's vocalizing it in every way -- can you blame him?

It's very clear on Instagram, where Zayn's few and recent posts deal only with him as a solo artist now -- One Direction is nowhere to be seen. While 1D will remain forever in our hearts, this Instagram is totally a gift. Keeping that in mind, here are the 10 steamiest Instagram shots our boy Malik has provided.

The Writer

It's out now ! #ZAYNBOOK

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Nov 1, 2016 at 9:02am PDT

In the last few months -- years at this point -- Malik's new found voice has been documented in print: on the cover of Billboard and other publications like The Fader and Complex, and everywhere else online. It makes senses that he'd ultimately write his own story. Now the author of a published autobiography, there's nothing really sexier than a musician who can tell his own tale, right?

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Fan Fiction

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Jun 9, 2016 at 7:11pm PDT

It seems rare that Zayn smiles in a photograph, so this slight grin feels especially sweet. His Instagram isn't exactly loaded with fan pics or images in color, so perhaps the glory in this photograph is found in its rarity. It really just feels like a pure moment, and we're very jealous of that woman.

Robo Zayn

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on May 2, 2016 at 6:54pm PDT

Is he a man? Is he a machine? Whatever he is, we are here for it! Zayn turned heads at the 2016 Met Gala with his robot arm. The theme was "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" and Malik really embodied it. While the Met Gala is an annual event celebrities of all stripes look forward to, it's also one that's dominated by women; men don't usually embrace these themes in the same way. Malik really going for it was not only impressive, but sort of brave.

Italian Yoga

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Apr 5, 2016 at 12:06pm PDT

There's truly nothing steamier than a hot shot captured in the bedroom. This image of Zayn hoisting supermodel girlfriend Gigi Hadid was the standout of their photo shoot with Vogue, captured in Naples. It served to push aside any naysaying about their relationship -- they're clearly in love, and it's a beautiful thing.

Steam & Smoke

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Oct 27, 2015 at 11:40am PDT

This one seems a little bit like a fire hazard! Lighting up and playing a video game without easy access to your hands at least the room isn't carpeted? Still, Malik manages to look like the ultimate babe without an ounce of effort.

Let the Light In

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Apr 4, 2016 at 12:17am PDT

Pop stars perform in the rain all the time, but how many of them perform in the light? This Instagram was captured at the 2016 iHeartRadio Awards, where he debuted like "Like I Would." It was a memorable performance, in which solo Zayn set out to prove he had more than "Pillowtalk" in his arsenal.

Deadpool

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Apr 4, 2016 at 10:47pm PDT

Zayn loves comic books and graphic art, an obsession that stems from an appreciation for all things Marvel and DC. This photoshopped image of our guy Z as Deadpool is not only timely but gets us thinking when is Malik gonna start acting?

Puppy Love

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Oct 21, 2015 at 1:01pm PDT

This one shouldn't really require a caption but we'll do it anyway: Awwwwwww! Seriously, Zayn in a cardigan with a giant dog?! What did we do to deserve this cuteness? All softness aside, the real steamy points are for the eyelashes.

Late Night Drive

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Nov 1, 2016 at 2:53pm PDT

There's a certain subtle sexiness to this image: Zayn looking over -- puppy-dog eyed, half-smirking -- inviting you in for a ride. Judging by the size and type of the steering wheel, he's in a badass vintage American car of some kind, and we can't wait to hop in.

Guitar God

#zaynbook 1 week --

A photo posted by Zayn Malik (@zayn) on Oct 25, 2016 at 5:21pm PDT

In the One Direction days, Niall Horan was the only member of the group allowed guitar privileges. Seeing a shirtless Zayn tackle the instrument on a sunny California day is not only hot as hell, it reminds us that there's so much more we need to learn about the guy. The mystery has yet to be solved, and we're excited for the ride.
DUBAI (Reuters) - OPEC will meet non-OPEC countries to finalise a global oil limiting pact on Dec. 10 in Vienna, two sources told Reuters on Saturday.

Two OPEC sources earlier said the meeting was due to take place in the Russian capital Moscow, but later said that plan had changed.

OPEC agreed this week to reduce output by around 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) beginning in January in a bid to reduce global oversupply and prop up prices.

It hopes non-OPEC countries will contribute another 600,000 bpd to the cut. Russia has said it will reduce output by around 300,000 bpd.

(Reporting by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Hundreds of people gathered near the steps of St. Vincent's Hospital in New York on World AIDS Day Thursday, congregating at the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic that struck the nation in the 1980s. The crowd listened with quiet reverence as the names of some of the 100,000 people who died in the city since the epidemic's deadly heyday were read. With the flip of a sign, the patch of grass outside the hospital was declared the NYC AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent's Triangle.

"This is not just a memorial," said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. "This structure is a call to arms because this disease is far from over."

No longer a death sentence, significant progress has been made in preventing and treating HIV and AIDS over the past 30 years. But the recent rise of opioid use in the United States has cast a deadly pall over that progress, leaving the threat of a possible resurgence of the disease in its wake.

A significant portion of people who become addicted to prescription opioids move on to injectable drugs like heroin for a more efficient and stronger high, and the majority who inject drugs don't use sterile needles exclusively, according to a report released Nov. 29 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nine percent of new HIV infections each year in the U.S. are among people who inject drugs. While the number of diagnoses among intravenous drug users has decreased around 90 percent since its peak in 1993, the rise of intravenous drug use that appeared alongside the recent opioid epidemic could result in higher rates of HIV across the country.

"There's definitely a concern that injection drug use is going to increase as a result of the opioid epidemic and that's a primary risk factor for HIV," Dr. Cyprian Wejnert, an epidemiologist with the CDC's Division of HIV and AIDS Prevention, told International Business Times. "So for us, there's the corresponding concern that HIV is going to then increase because of increased injection drug use."

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IMG_6035

Photo: International Business Times

Such a spike in cases rocked a small community in Indiana in 2015. In Scott County, a community of only 4,200 people, 135 people were diagnosed with HIV that year. Nearly all of them reported injection drug use.

"One thing we learned talking to people in Indiana...was that people didn't realize that they weren't using sterile needles," said Wejnert, who studied the county's outbreak. Wejnert said that although many drug users entered injection events with their own sterile needles, by the end of the process their needles were unknowingly contaminated.

Rural areas like Scott County are typically less at risk for HIV than densely populated urban areas and therefore far less equipped to deal with such an outbreak, but a rise in intravenous drug use could make similar rural epidemics commonplace. In the wake of the devastation in Indiana, states are redoubling their efforts to prevent a similar outbreak from happening anywhere else.

"I'm surprised we haven't seen more [cases of HIV]," said Dr. Sharon Stancliff, medical director of the Harm Reduction Coalition, a New York-based needle exchange program aimed at helping drug users. "But it could be that nobody's noticed yet because they're not testing sufficiently. We just don't know what might be happening out there."

States have begun emphasizing syringe exchange programs as a way to provide intravenous drug users access to clean needles and limit the spread of transmittable diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C. In many rural areas, however, needle exchange programs are nowhere to be found and education for drug users is scarce.

"There are legal barriers because there's plenty of people in government who still believe that if you don't give people needles they won't inject," said Stancliff. "We know that's not true. We also know they're still going to have sex if you don't give them condoms."

Certain communities have rejected syringe exchange programs because of misconceptions about the organizations. Syringe exchange programs typically also provide education, referrals to drug treatment centers and other often inaccessible information.

"People are afraid to have them near them because it's like, 'not in my neighborhood, this doesn't happen, nobody is injecting drugs," said Stancliff.

In Virginia, where a public health emergency was declared in November due to a skyrocketing number of overdose deaths from opioid use, no syringe exchange programs are available. Emergency department visits from heroin overdoses in Virginia increased 89 percent from January to September when compared with the same period in 2015.

"So far, the good news is that drug injection is not playing a role in HIV transmission increases at this point," Diana Jordan, director of the Division of Disease Prevention in the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Epidemiology, said. "But we do see some increases in Hepatitis C in the past year, and that's an early warning sign that we need to stay vigilant and step up prevention efforts."

gettyimages-72693683_1024

Photo: Getty

Medical professionals and lawmakers in Louisiana, where opioid prescriptions outnumber residents, are intensifying their efforts to curb opioid abuse and prevent the spread of HIV. Louisiana has the fourth highest rate of AIDS in the U.S. and the third highest rate of HIV. The perception of the disease in the state serves as a hindrance to prevention efforts.

"In this day and age, there is still a ton of stigma around HIV infection status and around IV drug use," Dr. SreyRam Kuy, chief medical officer for Medicaid at Louisiana's Department of Health, said. "When we as a community say together, that it's far more important that the people of Louisiana get treated, are healthy and are preventative than worrying about the stigma, then absolutely, we can see the needle on this problem change."

States are leaning on one another to learn what works and what doesn't when it comes to preventing the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users.

The opioid epidemic is something that affects all of us. It affects our neighbors, it affects our children, it affects our parents, said Kuy. As a community, when we come together and cooperate and work across agencies and work across communities and we tackle this with the commitment that we can overcome it, we can make that change and we can absolutely save lives.

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(Adds comments from spokesman, details on other management changes)

By Tom Polansek

CHICAGO, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The primary clearinghouse for U.S. options trades named new finance and compliance chiefs on Friday in the latest C-suite shake-up aimed at improving oversight.

The Options Clearing Corp, known as OCC, also said it had hired a former CME Group Inc executive to fill a newly created treasurer's position.

The changes are part of an overhaul in leadership as OCC works to bolster the way it manages finances and risk after its regulator, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, raised concerns in recent years.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council in 2012 designated the company as a systemically important Financial Market Utility under the Dodd-Frank financial reform. The designation requires compliance with risk management standards and heightened oversight by regulators.

OCC's latest hires boost "the breadth and depth of experience we believe is necessary to strengthen OCC's financial management and risk governance culture," Chief Executive Officer Craig Donohue said in a statement.

Donohue, a former CME chief, became OCC's CEO in September after joining the company as executive chairman in January 2014. In September, OCC also named a new chief risk officer and chief audit executive, and filled the newly created jobs of chief administrative officer and chief commercial officer.

OCC had separated the chairman and CEO roles when Donohue joined the company, and a company director said in a news release at the time that the move was "proof of OCC's ongoing commitment to adopt best practices for corporate governance."

When asked whether OCC's board had changed its feelings on the matter, given Donohue's new position in both roles, OCC spokesman David Prosperi said, "It's a different board and different time."

Donohue started at OCC following reports in 2013 that the SEC had criticized regulatory compliance, governance and risk management at the company.

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OCC is working to "increase our resiliency by being more proactive to address these issues before they become major challenges," Prosperi said by telephone.

The company has "already addressed a great majority of the remediation issues that were brought forth" by the SEC in recent years, he said.

Chief Financial Officer Kimberly McGarry will leave OCC after two years and be replaced on Monday by Amy Shelly, a former CFO for trading firm Optiver U.S., the company said.

Deputy general counsel Joe Adamczyk will become chief compliance officer, replacing Richard Wallace, a three-year veteran. James Pribel, formerly CME's treasurer, will fill the new position of first vice president of Treasury.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler)
Relatives of the passengers of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 departed for Madagascar Saturday to lobby for an extension in the search for the plane. Before their departure, they added that if needed, they would take the search into their own hands.

The Voice 370, an MH370 support group, mentioned earlier of a trip to Madagascar during which they planned on searching the countrys beaches for wreckage from the missing plane. All debris believed to be from the flight were found in east Africa.

Voice 370 spokeswoman Grace Subathirai Nathan, whose mother was on the ill-fated plane, reportedly said: After repeated attempts, and repeated requests for a mobilization of a search along the coastline, nothing has been done to date. So it has fallen into our hands to take this search upon ourselves.

Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. A multimillion-dollar search operation of more than 46,000-square-mile area of a remote part of the southern Indian Ocean has not yielded any concrete clues so far. It is believed the plane crashed into the Indian Ocean.

Australian authorities said last month that the search operation will end early 2017. However, if any credible clues are found during this time, authorities will plan the next level of the search.

Three members of the Voice 370 group from Malaysia, two from China and one from France are making this self-funded trip to Madagascar. The trip will last till Dec. 11.

The group said last month: Despite these hugely important finds, there has been no systematic, organized search by any responsible party. This leaves the NOKs [next of kin] no other choice except to take it upon ourselves to do something to find answers and closure.

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The storage room of donations for the annual Gage County Christmas Wish List program is getting full, but more gifts are needed for children in need this season.

"It has everything including the kitchen sink," said program coordinator Donna Leikam of the room of donations.

Among the bags and stacks of clothing, toys and other items is a kitchen sink in its box.

Leikam, the family development specialist at Gage County Blue Valley Community Action, said the Christmas gift drive has been happening under the human service organization for countless years.

"It's really rewarding for me," Leikam said. "It's a heartwarming program. We're here for the kids."

The program gives Christmas gifts to children ages birth to 18. Most of the children are gifted what they specifically request.

Parents have until Dec. 12 to apply for their children to be recipients of the program. The public also has until that date to purchase and drop off the gifts.

The gift pick-up date for parents of the children is Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Guard Armory, 1400 W. Scott Road.

Families can fill out applications at four different Beatrice locations: Gage County Blue Valley Community Action or the Nebraska Department of Labor, which are both located in the one-stop community service center in Adams Hall at Southeast Community College, or at Salvation Army or the Beatrice Community Food Pantry inside of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Leikam files the applications into her big 2-inch binder and transfers onto paper stars information from the applications: the child's gender, age, top wish list items, shoe size and clothing size.

The public can find the stars on Christmas trees at Walmart, Shopko or St. John's Lutheran Church, pick a star up and shop from it.

Gifts should be unwrapped and dropped off with the star at Blue Valley Community Action, located in the east wing of the one-stop community service center in Adams Hall at Southeast Community College.

"On the 12th, I'll pick up the stars (from the trees) and purchase whatever hasn't been purchased," Leikam said. "We make sure the kid gets what they wanted."

Funds from Gage County United Way and personal donations cover the costs of the extra gifts that community shoppers don't purchase.

Shoppers aren't expected to buy everything on the star -- a toy, a pair of shoes, a clothing item. The public is asked to purchase the wish list item -- a toy, for example -- written on the star. They're welcome also to donate a $25 check written out to Blue Valley Community Action, which will be used by the organization to purchase the remaining items.

Families who apply and qualify for the program are also given $25 vouchers to Walmart and Shopko to purchase clothing for their children. Those can be spent Dec. 14 - Dec. 24.

Additionally, the eligible families will be given a $50 credit from Community Action off of their electric bill, probably in January, Leikam said. The organization needs a copy of the family's electric bill in order to process the credit.

The Adams Hall room (and overflow room) full of donations include gifts specifically picked out for children using their corresponding stars and miscellaneous donations, such as the sink, a keyboard, winter gear, books and lots of clothing and toys.

Those miscellaneous items will be laid out on a winding row of tables inside the Armory gymnasium. Here, the parents who qualified to take advantage of the program will be given the specific gifts from their children's stars and they will be given a big, black, plastic shopping sack to use as they peruse the tables of donations.

Community Action asks parents to come without children to pick out the additional gifts. The gift giveaway will include a gift wrapping station parents can use.

"We have lots of churches, groups, organizations and clubs donating toys, mittens and gloves," Leikam said.

Community Action accepts a variety of new or gently used items, but current needs include warm winter gear and books for all ages.

Gifts are also given to all 80 foster children in Gage County, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Gage County Christmas Wish List served 206 children last year.

"I start collecting things in June," Leikam said. "People who have garage sales give us their leftover items. Some of it is really nice."

Donations can be made at the site year-round. Leikam said Southeast Community College is very generous in donating space to hold all of the items all year. She said has drawn from the collection outside of the holiday season to provide for families and individuals facing homelessness and the aftermath of a fire.

"Some people specifically hit sales at certain times of the year just for us," Leikam said, holding a warm children's coat with a Walmart price tag marked down to $2.

SCC nursing students hold a food drive twice a year and give the collection to Community Action's in-house food pantry. Cases of bottled water from the most recent drive will be donated this holiday season.

Leikam encourages families in need to apply.

"Times are tough out there right now," Leikam said. "Our futures are so questionable."

Call Donna Leikam with questions at 402-223-6034.
CHICAGO, Dec 2 (Reuters) - U.S. coal producer Peabody Energy Corp said it would seek court approval to repay a $500 million term loan ahead of schedule because it has enough cash to operate in bankruptcy thanks to a rise in coal prices.

Peabody obtained an $800 million debtor-in-possession or DIP financing from both secured and unsecured creditors when it joined other large U.S. coal producers in bankruptcy in April, hit by a drop in coal prices.

The financing included a $500 million term loan, which the company is planning to repay, along with a $200 million bonding accommodation facility for cleanup costs and a letter of credit worth $100 million.

Since April there has been a significant increase in the price of both the sea-borne thermal and metallurgical coal sold by Peabody, one of the world's leading coal producers.

If Peabody repays the term loan before mid-January, its bankruptcy estate will save more than $12 million in interest payments per quarter, the company said in a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis. The court must approve the request.

"Early repayment of the term loan would result in increased savings and flexibility as we move through the later stages of the bankruptcy," Peabody spokesman Vic Svec said.

Peabody has said it hopes to exit bankruptcy within a year of its 2016 filing, and the recent improvement in coal prices has made a consensual bankruptcy reorganization more likely.

Peabody's shares, which fell to a record low of $0.55 after its Chapter 11 filing in April, closed at $8.60 in over-the-counter trading on Friday.

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; editing by Diane Craft)
OAKLAND, Calif.At first, the playground at Officer Willie Wilkins Park looks pretty standard. Theres a slide to skid down, ramps to climb up, bridges to cross, and nooks to investigate. But theres also something relatively unusual: words, and lots of them.

Mixed in among the bright primary colors of the structure are white panels plastered with whimsical illustrations and phrases like lets talk about the sunshine and lets talk about food. Theyre not a random addition; the panels are a deliberate attempt to foster early language and brain development in babies and toddlers.

The park sits in the eastern part of the city, in a neighborhood with high poverty rates and low educational attainment. Studies suggest that a 30-million word gap exists between low- and upper-income children: Poor children hear, understand, and use fewer words, which can have long-term negative consequences. Babies who hear fewer words are less likely to do well in school and kids who drop out of school are less likely to be healthy adults.

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In the last several years, initiatives small and large have emerged that are aimed at shrinking these language disparities and providing parents, particularly those without resources, tools to engage meaningfully with their babies. Often, these programs have been implemented at hospitals and clinics (which is happening in Oakland, too) where trusted adults like doctors and nurses deliver messages about the importance of talking with babies. And playground developers say theyve always tried to foster learning. But using informal playtime to address the inequality specifically and in a concerted, research-backed way is a relatively new idea.

This park with its conversation prompts and emphasis on talking opened just several months ago. (The playground itself existed previously, but just as a typical play structure.) Its a project of Too Small to Fail, a joint initiative of the Clinton Foundation and the Opportunity Institute that is also supported by local nonprofits. (The Atlantics Next America Early Childhood project receives funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation, which also provides grants to Too Small to Fail.)

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A young girl reads a panel similar to the ones found at Officer Willie Wilkins Park. (Courtesy of Landscape Structures)

The basic idea is that parents and other caregivers can use the panels (theyre image-heavy so that parents who arent literate themselves can still participate) to spark conversations with their kids while they play. The panels, developed with the help of Goodby Silverstein, the ad agency behind the ubiquitous got milk? campaign, dont get in the way of more traditional rough-and-tumble play. But theyre also accessible and located near seats, so that adults dont have to squeeze through child-sized tunnels or scramble up ladders to see them.

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We know this kind of interaction can really make a difference, said Kara Dukakis, the co-director of Too Small to Fail, during a recent visit to the park around 10 a.m. on a chilly Tuesday morning. Of course, most parents know they are supposed to talk and interact with their kids, and the vast majority do on a regular basis. But, Dukakis said, some are looking for guidance on what to say and how to say it. Where a parent might typically only participate in a childs park experience by saying Stay where I can see you or Dont climb so high, the hope is that the panels will prompt a parent to see playtime as a time for back-and-forth conversation, also.

Play is the great equalizer for everyone.

The prompts are intentionally open-ended so that one parent (or brother or grandmother or babysitter) might see the lets talk about food panel and ask a child about the color and shape of the grapes shes holding, while another might ask his kids whether theyd prefer green beans or squash as a side at dinner. Some of the signs are in Spanish, since the neighborhood has shifted heavily Latino over the years. They encourage parents to engage with their kids in whatever language they are most comfortable usingits not English that matters, but the number and breadth of words in any language. Another panel prompts parents to talk about feelings, an attempt to help kids understand and process their emotions. The goal is to meet children and their caregivers where they already are, in places like parks and grocery stores and laundromats, and to show them how they can work talking and singing and reading into activities they already do, not to create more work for families where parents are often juggling several jobs with childrearing.

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Carla Keener, a senior administrator at First 5 Alameda County, an early partner of Too Small to Fails work in Oakland, pointed out that some parents feel vulnerable reading or talking or singing. Placing the prompts in a park and making them accessible to everyone hopefully signals to parents, including fathers who may be less likely to encounter similar prompts at a doctors visit or in a grocery store (other tactics the campaign is utilizing), that its okay to rely on the prompts for guidance, she said. Parents, Keener added, need to hear the positive message that they are vital, capable teachers, which isnt necessarily common in this part of town.

A woman reads a panel similar to the ones found at Officer Willie Wilkins Park. (Courtesy of Landscape Structures)

The prompts are meant to empower parents and reinforce positive behavior (in this case talking, reading, and singing with their children), not to be judgmental or preachy. Play is the great equalizer for everyone, said John McConkey of Landscape Structures, which helped build the playground. Its easy for the parents to participate and interact. It doesnt feel so prescriptive or institutional. Were having fun. Were making things up as we go. The use of a play environment lets people just relax and have fun, and they dont realize theyre really learning and educating; theyre just having fun.

There will soon be around 30 such playgrounds across the country. Theyre designed to reflect the surrounding communities, so that a structure in a farming town might have panels that prompt conversations about animals and crops. Several Head Start facilities, the federally backed early-childhood program, have them. And Landscape Structures is interested in incorporating panels into playgrounds beyond those it develops with Too Small to Fail.

I think people are still throwing away those first three, first five years.

Its too early to tell exactly what the impact of the panels will be, but Dukakis and others say they want to see parents engaging with children early and often. Recent research suggests that similar interventions (signs in supermarkets prompting parents to interact with children, such as a picture of a carton of milk and a cow with the phrase Where does milk come from?) increase the amount and quality of conversation, particularly for lower-income families. Lower-income children are more likely to hear directives, such as Dont touch that! or Get the milk! where upper-income children are more likely to be engaged in conversationsabout milk coming from cows, for instance. The signage in the grocery store seemed to prompt families in a lower-income neighborhood to engage in the types of conversations more typically heard in upper-income neighborhoods. Its possible evaluations will show the panels in the park prompt positive increases in dialogue, too.

Some researchers have questioned the power of word-gap initiatives and suggested that they might sound nice, but dont do enough to address poverty, a lack of parental leave, and other issues. Yet proponents point out that talking and reading with kids is never a bad thing, and the initiatives can be part of a larger focus on early childhood.

Too many people still think of young children as blobs or blank slates that acquire knowledge later, Keener said, when, in fact, significant and fundamental brain development happens in the first few years of life. I think people are still throwing away those first three, first five years, she said. Thats such a rich, fertile time.

A woman reads a panel similar to the ones found at Officer Willie Wilkins Park. (Courtesy of Landscape Structures)

In a few years, shes hoping the campaign will help improve the percentage of children prepared to succeed in kindergarten. According to a 2015 study of kindergarten readiness in the Oakland Unified School District, just 43 percent of Oakland students were fully ready for school, meaning they were able to identify shapes and colors, and to regulate their emotions and exhibit self-control. There is clearly work to do.

Theres also room to grow when it comes to prompting adults and the children they care for to actually use the panels. During that 10 a.m. visit to the park, the playground was deserted. On a return trip around 3 p.m., just after school let out for the day, a few families cut through the park, but only two stopped to play. One woman with three young children sat on a bench and ate a snack while her children clambered up the structure, ignoring the panels. Another, who did not want to give her name, observed her two young girls as they played on a different structure a few yards away that does not have the talking prompts. Do they ever play on the other one? No, she said, not usually, because its smaller and doesnt have swings. What does she think of the panels with writing? A lot of kids who play here cant read yet, she said, so they dont really make sense. What does she think about the idea that theyre actually aimed at adults and not so much at the kids? Its interesting, she said, but she usually sits on the bench.

Keener isnt surprised by those reactions or too discouraged by them either. The panels have only been in place a few months, she pointed out, and behavior change takes time. And the panels at the park arent going to magically end the word gap, but theyre part of a broad effort to reach children and families where they are. Too Small to Fail is working with the local childrens hospital, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, too, and families might also see subtle messaging at bus stops, on billboards, and in local coin-laundry facilities where kids spend idle time. The idea, Keener said, is to normalize positive parent-child interactions. Its also, she added, an important way to symbolically say to the neighborhood, we dont give up on any community.

Susan Greenwald, the director of community partnership programs at the hospital, which has worked on the campaign, compared the overall initiative to major public-health efforts like the back to sleep campaign to end sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or smoking cessation. Its like raising consciousness, she said, with a simple, straightforward message: talk, read, and sing with your baby.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
It looks like Meghan Markle has been an Anglophile long before her romance with a certain red-headed royal.

On Saturday, the 35-year-old actress took to Twitter to share a photo of her dog Guy wearing a sweater with the British flag on it.

For the of hand-me-downs. This was Bogarts sweater as a puppy. Now its keeping Guy warm. #puppylove #adoptdontshop #reducereuserecycle, Markle captioned the photo, referring to her older dog Bogart and younger pup Guy.

Another thing Markle is trying to make last is her relationship with Prince Harry. The Suits star, who began dating Harry earlier this year, is head over heels for the royal and doing everything she can to make the relationship work, a friend of the actress told PEOPLE exclusively. Its been an absolute fairy tale for Meghan.

The couple has been trying to see each other as often as possible, and Markle made a short trip to London last month to visit her boyfriend, 32.

For the love of hand-me-downs. This was Bogart's sweater when he was a puppy, and now it's keeping Guy warm. #puppylove #adoptdontshop #reducereuserecycle A photo posted by Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) on Dec 3, 2016 at 12:54pm PST

However, the pair have been spending recent weeks apart as Harry has been busy with his official tour of the Caribbean and the actress was busy wrapping up her most recent season of Suits and spending the holidays with her family in Los Angeles. On Saturday, while Markle was playing with her pups, Harry was visiting Guyana for one of the last stops on his tour (he leaves the Caribbean on Sunday).

The friend added that Markle is determined to make their hectic schedules work for the sake of their relationship.

If she had to leave all that shes doing in order for the relationship to work, she would without hesitation, the friend said, later commenting, Its a very serious relationship and she wants a future with Harry.
Protesters marched in Seoul, South Korea, on December 3, gathering near the presidential Blue House to demand President Park Geun-hye step down.

Opposition parties filed an impeachment motion against Park on that date, which is set to be voted on on December 9.

Park on November 29 said she would step down, but left the details to parliament.

The country has seen six weeks of protests amid a corruption scandal. Credit: Facebook/Peoples United Party via Storyful
Rome (AFP) - Media silence was imposed across Italy Saturday on the eve of a constitutional referendum crucial for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who has staked his future on the government reforms.

In the frantic final round of campaigning which ended on Friday, Renzi's rivals vowed to defeat referendum proposals to streamline parliament and force the centre-left leader out of office.

The 41-year-old premier is hoping for a last-minute turnaround in voter sentiment, having pledged to quit in the event of a "No".

While all media comment on the referendum is now banned until polling ends at 11:00 pm (2200 GMT) on Sunday, the campaign continued on social media.

But #silenzioelettorale (electoral silence) was the among Twitter's top-trending topics as Italian web users rejoiced at the end of a highly-charged campaign.

Politically and economically, the stakes are high.

After Britain's vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trump's presidential triumph in the United States, Renzi is being portrayed as next in line to suffer a populist backlash from fed-up and forgotten voters.

A "No" vote would be seen as bolstering the populist Five Star Movement as well as the anti-immigrant, anti-EU Northern League.

The possibility of Renzi stepping down from power has focused the campaign on his record, exacerbating fears of political instability and economic turbulence in the eurozone's third-biggest economy should he be forced out.

The last permitted opinion poll, published on November 18, gave the "No" camp a lead of at least five-to-eight percentage points, with more than a quarter of voters undecided.

- Protest vote -

At stake is whether to slash the size and powers of the second chamber Senate and transfer other powers from the regions to the national government.

Renzi says this will mean more effective leadership of a country that has had 60 governments since the constitution was approved in 1948.

Story continues

And it seems certain some disgruntled voters will vote "No" as a protest -- either against Renzi or the years of economic stagnation.

The proposals have come under fire from opponents who see them as ill-considered and potentially opening the door to the kind of authoritarian rule the constitution is designed to prevent.

A large majority of the political class, from the far-left to the extreme right, have warned about the risk of concentrating too much power in government hands.

Some 50 million Italians are eligible to vote, but many have yet to make up their minds.

Roberto Benini, a middle-aged PR manager in Rome, said he'd try to persuade everyone he knows to vote "Yes" to take "a small but important step" to improve current conditions.

"With a 'Yes', we will have stronger government. It is not a revolution, not a paradise, but the alternative is the status quo, which is a lot worse," he told AFP.

- 'Could undermine democracy' -

In the Mercato Trieste, a food hall in a leafy middle-class neighbourhood of northern Rome, most of the traders and shoppers on Saturday morning appeared to be either opposed to the reforms or yet to make up their minds.

Vendor Emanuela Carosi, wrapping free range eggs in bundles of newspaper, said she would definitely vote "No".

"The constitution was written by chosen people, luminaries, not politicians like we have today. They are not up to it. And I'm worried that it could undermine our democracy."

Slicing Wagyu beef steaks at an upmarket meat counter, butcher Antonio Canestri said he also opposes the reforms but may vote for them for fear of the consequences.

"I am worried about the possibility there could be economic chaos if the 'No' wins," he said.

- Boss Renzi? -

Former premier Silvio Berlusconi initially gave his blessing to the proposed reforms but switched sides as the rising tide of opposition put Renzi's job on the line.

"Go out and vote so that Renzi doesn't become our boss and the boss of Italy," he said on Friday.

At the same time Renzi was campaigning in Florence, where he was formerly mayor, urging supporters to convince the undecided.

"There are so many of them and we must go and seek them out, one-by-one, because everything will be decided in these 48 hours," he said.

The possibility that it could turn into a tight race has energised Italians abroad, for whom voting ended on Thursday.

Expat Italians number around four million -- or 7.7 percent of the electorate -- and a strong showing there could likely boost Renzi's "Yes" camp.
(Corrects Nov. 29 story to clarify that Shenmao Technology did not say it bought tin from the Wa mine) By Yimou Lee and Joel Schectman YANGON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - From a remote corner of northeastern Myanmar, an insurgent army sells tin ore to suppliers of some of the world's largest consumer companies. More than 500 companies, including leading brands such as smartphone maker Apple, coffee giant Starbucks and luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co, list among their suppliers Chinese-controlled firms that indirectly buy ore from the Man Maw mine near Myanmar's border with China, a Reuters examination of the supply chain found. The mine is controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which the United States placed under sanctions for alleged narcotics trafficking in 2003. The seven companies extracting tin from the mine are all owned or controlled by Wa military and government leaders, Wa officials and people with close ties to UWSA leadership told Reuters. This potentially puts companies, which also include industrial conglomerate General Electric, at risk of violating sanctions that forbid "direct or indirect" dealings with blacklisted groups, according to a former and a serving U.S. official and lawyers with expertise in sanctions enforcement. Several sanctions experts said the U.S. government was unlikely to fine companies who unwittingly used the Myanmar tin. Still, it may force them to shift to new suppliers, they said. A Treasury Department spokeswoman said U.S. sanctions "generally prohibit U.S. companies from engaging in any direct or indirect transactions or dealings with individuals or entities" on a blacklist, but declined further comment on specific circumstances. The situation illustrates the difficulties facing multinationals in monitoring supply chains that have grown increasingly complex. Following a 2012 U.S. regulation, companies have spent billions of dollars scrutinizing whether certain minerals used in their products come from mines controlled by armed groups in Central Africa. But the regulations do not require them to assess the origins of minerals from other conflict zones. Apple, Tiffany and GE, and other companies contacted by Reuters, said that to fulfill those regulations they looked to an audit program designed by the industry group Conflict Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI). A CFSI program director said the group was "aware of tin exports from Myanmar to other countries and of security and human rights issues in Myanmar". The group said it was updating its audit requirements to include "a broader definition of conflict-affected and high-risk areas". Tin supply chain expert at monitoring group Global Witness, Sophia Pickles, said companies must not wholly outsource due diligence responsibility to a scheme that has exclusively focused on central Africa. "Companies, not schemes, bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that supply chains are responsible," she said. CIVIL WAR Most of the tin mined globally is used as solder in electronics, for making batteries and plating. The Man Maw mine roiled the global tin market when huge quantities of high grade ore were discovered around 2013. Annual production is now estimated at about 33,000 tons of tin concentrate, more than a 10th of global output of the metal. The mine is controlled by the UWSA, the strongest of the myriad armed groups that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war for decades. Reuters visited the remote mine last month, the first international media organization to do so. Interviews with officials running the mine, UWSA leaders and executives at Asian tin suppliers, together with an examination of public disclosures of suppliers made by companies in regulatory filings, indicate Wa tin likely ends up in an array of products made by U.S. and other international companies. Tin from Man Maw provides revenue critical to the survival of the self-proclaimed Wa State and its rulers, who have refused to disarm or participate in Myanmar's peace process. "There are dozens of trucks carrying tin ore to China every morning," the head of the Wa territory foreign affairs office, Zhao Guo An, told Reuters. "Tin mining is the pillar of our economy. It's the biggest source of income." While Washington has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, some have been kept in place, including those aimed at the UWSA. The group and several of its leaders are blacklisted under the Kingpin Act over accusations of trafficking in heroin and methamphetamine. UWSA leaders deny involvement in narcotics, saying the accusations are a smear by political opponents. Peter Kucik, a former senior sanctions advisor at the U.S. Treasury Department, said the findings highlighted the need for thorough due diligence. "The facts suggest potential sanctions risk for the parties involved," Kucik said. The world's No. 1 tin producer, Yunnan Tin Co Ltd, told Reuters that some tin it bought was from the Wa mine, the source of almost all Myanmar's tin exports. Mandy Gan, a tin analyst from China's leading mineral research company, Asian Metal, and another tin expert, both of whom visited the UWSA mine this year, said many other Chinese smelting firms supplying global consumer goods makers also bought tin from the Man Maw mine. Sanctions experts said even the indirect use of the tin might be considered a violation of U.S. sanctions law, which does not require authorities to prove intent. A U.S. government official involved in Myanmar policy consulted on Reuters' findings said the government was likely to investigate any ties to the UWSA. Still, Washington-based sanctions attorney Erich Ferrari said it was unlikely the Treasury Department would initiate an enforcement action against companies for an issue so deep in the supply chain. Once the ties were publicized, however, authorities could impose penalties if the companies did not wind down the transactions and find new suppliers, he said. SUPPLY CHAIN The chain connecting some of the world's best known brands with a mine in one the most inaccessible corners of Southeast Asia has many links. ((For a GRAPHIC, click on: http://tmsnrt.rs/2giJmcq)) One key intermediary is state-owned Yunnan Cultural Industry International (YCII), based in Yunnan, southwestern China, which said in a statement on its website that it enjoys "a long-term, stable strategic partnership" with the UWSA statelet. YCII declined several interview requests. YCII is, in turn, a major supplier of tin to the world's top producer, Yunnan Tin, also based in Yunnan. Yunnan Tin supplies many companies, including big contract manufacturers such as Foxconn Technology Co. It also supplies major solder makers such as Shenmao Technology, whose clients include Pegatron Corp, another large contract manufacturer. Both Pegatron and Foxconn count Apple among their clients. Tim Lin, an executive overseeing sourcing at Taiwan-based Shenmao, said about a quarter of its supply of the metal came from Yunnan Tin. While it was possible Yunnan Tin bought tin from Myanmar, sourcing from the country was not regarded as problematic by the audit program Shenmao follows, he said. "Myanmar is not considered a conflict-affected area by CFSI...As long as smelters present a certified sourcing document, that's acceptable for us," said Lin. In the last two years, Yunnan Tin has also shipped more than 12,000 tons of metal to the United States, according to shipment data from U.S.-based trade tracking company Panjiva. More than 500 publicly traded companies in the United States say their suppliers use tin from Yunnan Tin or Yuntinic Resources, its San Mateo, California-based division, according to a review of the supply chain disclosures consumer companies make to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Two members of Yunnan Tin's board, vice chairwoman Yang Yimin and secretary and vice general manager Pan Wenhao, confirmed in interviews that a "portion" of the company's tin came from the UWSA-operated mine. "We certainly buy tin indirectly from Myanmar," Pan told Reuters. "We don't specifically pay attention to where they source their materials from." Yunnan Tin mixes the Wa tin with metal from mines in central and southwestern China, said Pan, before processing it into products such as tin paste. That means it is impossible to say for certain which shipments from the company contain Wa tin, but Pan estimated Yunnan Tin's purchases from the mine account for about a third of its total annual tin consumption, or at least 16,500 tons. Apple said in a statement it worked with suppliers to help them meet stringent standards, "and those who are ultimately unable or unwilling to comply are removed from our supply chain". "While we have no evidence of illegal tin from Myanmar in our products, we'll continue to investigate, address any issues we find and do all we can to raise standards and protect human rights," it said. Foxconn said it "enforced stringent supplier management requirements in accordance with international and local conflict minerals legislation and has proactively communicated these requirements to our suppliers". It added that less than 1 percent of its tin was procured from Yunnan Tin, all of which was used in products for a "single, non-U.S.-based customer". Pegatron Corp said it carried out "annual due diligence on suppliers and encourage them to source from validated conflict-free supply chains". "Pegatron will continue working with customers and international organizations to investigate and source minerals responsibly," the company added. FROM JEWELRY TO APPLIANCES Companies that sell consumer products in the United States are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to publish their suppliers of tin and other minerals. Among the companies listing Yunnan Tin, Tiffany said one of its suppliers had indirectly sourced a "very small amount of tin" from the Chinese smelter for use in silver solder for jewelry and hollowware. The company added that, as Yunnan Tin was certified as conflict-free by the CFSI, "use of this smelter by our vendors is consistent with our Conflict Minerals Policy". Starbucks said small amounts of Yunnan Tin metal, sourced from second or third party suppliers, went into the ovens in its coffee shops. The company had received no information indicating it was using minerals from Myanmar, a spokeswoman said, but was pushing suppliers for more detailed sourcing disclosures. A GE spokesman said the company strived to use ethical sourcing in its mineral supply chain, adding it had "noted the concerns raised by Reuters and will address them through our internal process and with our external partners". A spokeswoman from discount retailer Target said in a statement it was "committed to responsible business conduct". "We take these allegations very seriously, and we are looking into this," the statement said. (Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski in Yangon, JR Wu in Taipei, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Helena Soderpalm in Stockholm, Paul Carsten in Beijing and Sijia Jiang in Hong Kong; Editing by Alex Richardson)
The next election is just around the corner. Before the paint on the last protesters sign had even dried, State Superintendent of Schools Tony Evers unveiled his 2017 campaign  or his Fair Funding Plan  again.

Evers usually sits quietly in his Madison office but every couple of years he pops up and shares his vision for Wisconsin public schools. Once again, he has proposed his pie-in-the sky Fair Funding Plan. Its a proposal that represents an increase of aids to schools of 2.2 percent for the 2017-18 biennium and 6.6 percent during the 2018-19 biennium. The goal of this increase is to shift how schools get funded and no district loses money.

Evers introduced this same massive budget proposal in 2011, 2013, 2015, and again in time for his reelection bid. His plan assures that every school district initially receives more money. Who wouldnt love that? The fact is this proposal does nothing more than ignite his base of support because the unrealistic plan wont pass the Republican Legislature.

In the short term, Evers retreaded education plan may sound great, but thats a lot of new money designed to do nothing more than encourage support for Evers. In the long term, its a proposal that takes even more taxpayer money and shifts it from some districts and gives it to other school districts.

What this plan doesnt do is tell us how kids are going to get a better education. Its a proposal that also gives more money to school districts with declining enrollments. This is so those districts can keep paying for teachers they may not need anymore. It doesnt demonstrate how these dollars actually will impact the classroom.

If Evers Fair Funding Plan will make education better, then why doesnt he ask for $1 billion? Or for that matter, why not $2 billion? The reality is his plan doesnt guarantee anything, despite the fact the majority of his request  $514 million in new money  would be needed to pay for his plan.

On the upside, there is about $193 million that he does specifically direct to categorical school aids to pay for things like gifted and talented grants, library aids and special education. Other categorical aids, like transportation and school breakfast increases, simply dont make sense. Gas has crept below $2 a gallon, down from $4 a gallon, and he is seeking a 20 percent increase for kids being transported more than 12 miles.

Evers budget is designed to create an us against them dilemma; a fight between educators and legislators. What it doesnt do is tell us how little Johnny is going to go from being a D student to a C student. It doesnt tell us whether teachers will get to make the important classroom decisions when teaching or if theyll be forced to teach to national Common Core standards.

Three other candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the top job in Wisconsin education. Maybe we finally will hear some fresh ideas for improving education, rather than Evers often failed Fair Funding Plan.

Last week, John Humphries, a school administrator from Dodgeville, joined the race. He signed a recall petition against Scott Walker, but now says he realizes the Act 10 changes to collective bargaining were needed. Itll be interesting to see how he plays with conservatives, but he has clearly targeted Evers, claiming the superintendent spends too much time opposing the expansion of private vouchers and independent charter schools.

Germantown Superintendent of Schools Jeff Holmes also is targeting conservative voters. He opposes Common Core and wants to return local control to our schools. He also opposes standardized testing, noting that each kid has his own bar and his own level of improvement.

Finally, there is Lowell Holtz, a former cop who recently retired as Superintendent of Whitnall schools. He has an extensive resume working in a wide range of schools, from rural to urban settings. Holtz said, We cannot continue to lose children because we do not have the courage to put a system in place that will lead to student success.

Unfortunately for Evers, his political battle first has to be fought at the polls in February and April 2017 before the June 2017 budget battle heats up. This time, he may have overplayed his hand and he wont have the financial backing of the WEAC teachers union.

In April, the voters can finally kill Evers poorly conceived Fair Funding Plan. Then we wont have to see it again in 2019.

Tim McCumber is a resident of Merrimac.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebel commanders in Aleppo will not surrender eastern Aleppo to government forces, a rebel official said on Saturday, after Russia said it was ready for talks with the United States on the withdrawal of all rebels from the area. "I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender'," said Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, speaking from Turkey. "The military commanders in Aleppo said 'we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city'," he said. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Reelz Channel is making a show about the months leading up to Cory Monteiths death and we dont know how to feel about that

Our hearts are breaking all over again  REELZ channel is premering a show this weekend about Cory Monteith and the months leading up to his tragic death.

Cory, well-known and loved for his role on Glee as Finn Hudson, was found unresponsive in his Vancouver hotel room in 2013, and the coroner later ruled that the 31-year-olds death was a result of an accidental heroin and alcohol overdose.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of Cory Monteith will include a reenactment of Corys last heartbreaking meeting with Ryan Murphy, a co-creator of Glee, just four months before Cory died.

Although there isnt any actual dialogue from the two men in the reenactment, the narrator for the show explains that Ryan was becoming increasingly concerned about Corys substance abuse.

In fact, that abuse led to Ryans decision to cut Cory from the show permanently.

We may not have gotten to share a lifetime together.. But the memories.. they're the best of my life.. Love you Cory A photo posted by Lea Michele (@leamichele) on Jul 13, 2016 at 2:23pm PDT

Its not only his drinking that Murphy is concerned about  its his suspicion that Cory is taking drugs. To Corys dismay, Murphy tells him hes pulling him off the show, despite there being two episodes left to film, the narrator explains in the clip.

According to Parade, Cory checked into a rehabilitation facility just a month after he spoke to Ryan.

Prepare yourself for the emotions, Gleeks.

Autopsy: The Last Hours of Cory Monteith airs on REELZ tomorrow (December 3rd) at 8 p.m. EST.

The post Reelz Channel is making a show about the months leading up to Cory Monteiths death and we dont know how to feel about that appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin criticized President-elect Donald Trump on Friday for a deal he struck with Carrier this week, condemning it as "crony capitalism."

In an op-ed for the Young Conservatives website, Palin wrote that Republicans oppose the kind of government deal making Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence made with the company to keep approximately 1,100 jobs at an Indianapolis plant from migrating to Mexico, joining in with a chorus of conservatives who have said it violates free market principles.

"Foundational to our exceptional nations sacred private property rights, a business must have freedom to locate where it wishes," wrote Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. "In a free market, if a business makes a mistake (including a marketing mistake that perhaps Carrier executives made), threatening to move elsewhere claiming efficiencys sake, then the markets invisible hand punishes."

"Thankfully, that same hand rewards, based on good business decisions," she continued. "But this time-tested truth assumes were operating on a level playing field. When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent."

The deal included the state of Indiana offering Carrier $7 million in tax subsidies over 10 years to keep some of the jobs that were planned to be exported in the state.

Palin wrote that the "illogical precedent" leads to special interests manipulating markets.

"Republicans oppose this, remember?" she wrote. "Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail."

She continued, adding that the "picking and choosing" which companies receive "corporate welfare" is roiled by fiscal conservatives and is a "hallmark of corruption" and "socialism."

"A $20 trillion debt-ridden country cant afford this sinfully stupid practice, so vigilantly guard against its continuance, or were doomed," she said, adding, "However well meaning, burdensome federal government imposition is never the solution. Never. Not in our homes, not in our schools, not in churches, not in businesses."

Story continues

Noting that she said you "gotta' have faith the Trump team knows all this," she said she'd be "the first" to say that the concerns are "unfounded" once the terms of the deal are made public, if those terms disprove her allegation of "crony capitalism." Earlier in the op-ed, she also said she was "ecstatic" for Carrier employees.

"But know that fundamentally, political intrusion using a stick or carrot to bribe or force one individual business to do what politicians insist, versus establishing policy incentivizing our ENTIRE ethical economic engine to roar back to life, isnt the answer," she wrote, adding, "The lines strangle competition and really, really, dispiritingly screw with workers lives."

Palin announced her support for Trump in a lengthy speech earlier this year, and is currently under consideration by Trump for a cabinet position.

NOW WATCH: Why Ivanka can't serve in a Trump cabinet





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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said U.S. President-elect Donald Trump commended him in a phone call for conducting his brutal war on drugs the right way.

The two leaders spoke by phone on Friday, and Duterte relayed their conversation to reporters on Saturday, the New York Times reported.

He wishes me well, too, in my campaign, and he said that, well, we are doing it as a sovereign nation, the right way, said Duterte, who has encouraged extrajudicial killings of people suspected of using or selling drugs. Since he took office in June, more than 2,000 people have been killed by police and vigilantes, the Times reports.

Duterte has invoked the Holocaust to defend his war on drugs. Hitler massacred 3 million Jews. Now, there are 3 million drug addicts, he said in September. Id be happy to slaughter them.

His tactics have prompted criticism from leaders in the U.S. and U.N. When U.S. President Barack Obama said he planned to discuss the antidrug campaign in scheduled talks with the Philippine President, Duterte called him a son of a whore.

I could sense a good rapport, an animated President-elect Trump, Duterte said Saturday. And he was wishing me success in my campaign against the drug problem.

He understood the way we are handling it, and I said that theres nothing wrong in protecting a country, Duterte said, according to the Times. It was a bit very encouraging in the sense that I supposed that what he really wanted to say was that we would be the last to interfere in the affairs of your own country.

Trumps transition team has not yet commented on the phone call, during which Trump extended an invitation for Duterte to visit the White House.

Asked about the invitation on Friday, White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz called extrajudicial killings inconsistent with the values that we try and promote around the world  values that include basic human rights.

Its going to be up to the next President-elect to decide which foreign leaders he meets with, he said.
There might not be a family happier to say goodbye to 2016 than the Kardashians.

Kim Kardashian West was the victim of a horrific armed robbery in Paris in early October and her husband Kanye West was recently hospitalized for undisclosed mental health issues after canceling the remaining dates on his Saint Pablo tour.

The Kardashian family has gone through almost every up and down, and one non-family member has been there with them the whole time  Ryan Seacrest, executive producer of Keeping Up With The Kardashians and the Kardashians close family friend.

Ive spoken to Kim. Ive not spoken to Kanye, but I think that things are going better now, Seacrest told PEOPLE on Friday night at 102.7 KIIS FMs Jingle Ball at the Staples Center. West, 39, was released from UCLAs Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital earlier this week and is now living apart from his wife and children while he receives outpatient care.

RELATED VIDEO: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Living Apart for Medical Reasons: Source

The Kardashians are no stranger to the rumor mill but there was a piece of gossip about the show Seacrest wants to put to rest. Despite Wests recent medical problems, it hasnt interrupted the familys filming schedule for their E! reality show.

There have been some reports that we halted production. We did stop for a little bit, briefly, after the Paris incident, but since then weve been back in full production, he said. Were shooting season 13.

As they saying goes, The show must go on, and that includes Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
New regulations are prohibiting some private jets from landing at Saint Tropezs airport, which is probably the most Saint Tropez problem of all time.

In November, France withdraw customs operations from La Mole Saint-Tropez Airport, effectively prohibiting planes from outside the Schengen passport-free zone, which includes 26 European countries, from landing there.

In order to save money, the French government decided to remove customs officials from airports where they were not employed full time. La Mole Saint-Tropez reports about 8,000 flights per yearamounting to about 20 every day.

Most travelers affected are those from Russia, the Middle East and Britain, who account for about 30 percent of flights to and from the airport.

I've got furious customers who have bought homes for between five and 25 million euros (5.3-26.5 million dollars) and who don't understand, Cedric Lescop, the head of private jet group Jetfly, told The Local France.

To compensate for the change, members of Saint Tropezs international jetset are now landing at nearby airports and chartering helicopters to take them through to their final destination. Some have offered to pay a tax to reinstate customs officials at the local airport.

About one dozen small French airports are affected by the change, although few are as prominentor have as many wealthy travelersas Saint Tropez. It is estimated that the average foreign traveler who passes through Saint Tropez airport spends about 1,700 (US$1,810) per day.

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Money for food to feed the hungry.

For the third consecutive year, the Tomah Memorial Hospital Foundation has donated $5,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank to help supplement the organizations Food Share Outreach program.

TMH Foundation vice president Brian Eirschele was pleased to help out the food bank.

I would say congratulations to you for what you do in the community, Eirschele said to Second Harvest President/CEO Dan Stein. Its people like you that really make a difference, so thanks.

Although the money was donated by the TMH Foundation, Eirschele said its those who donate who deserve gratitude.

I was flattered that I was asked to be on the foundation.The people who give to the foundation within the city are so wonderful and giving, so Im just the end contact, he said. Its really the city people of Tomah that we should be congratulating for their kindness. We need more kindness.

The money donated by the TMH Foundation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the United States Department of Agriculture, Stein said, becoming a $10,000 donation.

The money will make a difference, Stein said. It will assist the nearly 5,500 people in Monroe County residents struggling with food insecurity, half of whom are children.

Food Share is a wonderful program; a lot of people take advantage of other programs like food pantries ... but statistically more than half the families we (serve) have a full-time job, but nearly two-thirds of them have household incomes of less than $20,000, he said. So people are working, and they cant get to some of those other services. This provides them the ability to redeem it at a grocery store when and wherever its convenient for them. ... So thank you very much to the foundation. We simply appreciate the support.
rogue-one

Lucasfilm

On Friday night, Lucasfilm screened just under 30 minutes of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story for the media in attendance. (I was not in attendance for that event, but I saw the same footage earlier this week and Im now allowed to write about it, so here we go.)

The footage consists of maybe the first 15 minutes of the film, followed by two additional sequences, then a sizzle reel, totaling about 28 minutes in all. If youre worried about spoilers, the reason Lucasfilm only showed what they did is because they want to prevent spoilers from leaking. So in other words, even with what I saw, I dont really know any spoilers. So, onward we go

As youve probably heard by now, Rogue One does not sport the traditional Star Wars crawl, instead it starts with A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away., then just starts. (Which, to be honest, is a little jarring because our brains have been conditioned to hear the theme music and see a crawl after we see that.) And the score  which isnt John Williams this time; Michael Giacchino has the honors  presents something different, yet at times feels familiar.

When the film starts, we are taken to young Jyn Ersos home world where Ben Mendelsohns Orson Krennic (along with some Death Troopers, which all make a weird sound when communicating) has come for Mads Mikkelsens Galen Erso. As it turns out, Galen Erso holds the key to making the Death Star operate through his knowledge of kyber crystals. After a scuffle, Galen is taken away while young Jyn escapes. Eventually, Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) rescues the young girl then says, We have a long ride ahead of us. After this, we see the Rogue One title card.

The story jumps forward in time to right before the events of the original Star Wars. We meet Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), an intelligence officer for the Rebel Alliance who, we learn quickly, can be ruthless if he or the Rebellion is in jeopardy. So heres the basic gist of the story:

Story continues

The Rebels obviously want to learn how to defeat the Death Star. To do this they need Galen Ersos plans. To get to Galen Erso, they need a defector named Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed). To get to Bodhi Rook, they need to get to Saw Gerrera (Gerrera and the Rebel Alliance split ways some time before; Gerrera and his army are described as a more militant version of the Rebellion). And to get to Gererra, the Rebels need  you guessed it  his old friend, a now adult Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), who (a) uses an alias and (b) is currently in an Empire labor camp of some kind.

Jyns rescue is when we first meet K-2SO (voiced and played by Alan Tudyk) who will probably be the breakout star of this film. Hes funny, and not in a cutesy BB-8 kind of way, nor in a childish Jar Jar Binks way. K-2SO is a former Imperial enforcer driod who is now Cassian Andors partner in crime. During Jyns rescue, a defiant Jyn is thrown to the ground by K-2SO and he says, Congratulations, youve been rescued. In a later scene, a Stormtrooper, thinking K-2SO is still an imperial droid and that Cassian and Jyn are his prisoners, asks K-2SO where the prisoners are being taken. Doing a horrible job at improvising, K-2SO says, Um, well, Im going to imprison them in prison.

We also meet Donnie Yens Chirrut Imwe, a blind warrior who is also Force sensitive. Hes described as a Guardian of the Whills, which is a nice callback to the earliest drafts of George Lucas Star Wars which were titled, Adventures of Luke Starkiller as taken from the Journal of the Whills. See, everything is connected!

Anyway, there are a couple of minor surprises I wont spoil. (The footage did not show anything involving Darth Vader.) But, overall, the movie does a nice job of feeling like the world of the original Star Wars. Its fun just to see a Stormtrooper again and that iconic Stormtrooper voice. When we see the Rebel base on Yavin, Ill admit its difficult at times to pay attention to the dialogue because I found myself just looking around the screen for all the little details, because its just so weird to be back.

Of course, its certainly not enough to have any real opinion of the film as a whole yet, but its a taste. We just have to wait a couple more weeks for the whole thing.

You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter.
Sears

Things aren't looking good for Sears.

The company is shutting down dozens of Kmart stores this month and two of its highest-ranking executives left this week in the midst of the key holiday shopping season.

This comes following speculation among Sears and Kmart employees, suppliers, and several banks that the retailer will soon go bankrupt  something Sears has repeatedly dismissed.

Jeff Balagna, formerly Sears' executive vice president, left the company Wednesday, "in order to focus on his other business interests and pursue other career opportunities," Sears said in an SEC filing dated November 23.

Balagna did not respond to a request for comment. Sears declined to comment beyond what was stated in the filing.

Sears President and Chief Member Officer Joelle Maher also left the company this week, Sears confirmed to Business Insider. The company declined to give a reason for her departure.

The timing of the departures  so close to Sears' upcoming third-quarter earnings report and in the middle of the holiday season  is "highly unusual," according to Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia Business School and the former CEO of Sears Canada.



Cohen, who was fired from Sears in 2004, is an outspoken critic of the company and its CEO Eddie Lampert. He speculated that the timing of the departures could be indicative of something "catastrophic" in its upcoming earnings report.



The company declined to comment on Cohen's remarks.

Sears will report its third quarter earnings on Thursday, and Wall Street is predicting a 14% revenue decline to $5 billion compared to the same period last year. Sears' sales have dropped from $41 billion in 2000 to $15 billion in 2015. Kmart, which merged with Sears in 2005, has seen its sales plunge from $37 billion to $10 billion in the same period.

Hometown a canary?

If business at Sears Hometown and Outlet stores is any indication of Sears Holding's performance in the most recent quarter, investors have reason to be concerned.

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Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, which was spun off from Sears Holdings in 2012 but continues to sell Sears merchandise, said this week that net losses in the third quarter widened from $5.5 million last year to $93.2 million this year.

Sears

The losses were driven in part by a 49% drop in apparel sales. The company blamed Sears Holdings for the precipitous drop in apparel sales, citing the "continuing impact of significantly reduced inventory availability from Sears Holdings, our sole source for this category."



"We do not expect inventory availability to improve and, as a consequence, we plan to continue to de-emphasize, and eventually exit, this category," Sears Hometown and Outlets said.

Sears could be tamping down on inventory because "business is terrible," according to Cohen. "They dont have the money for the inventory and they're keeping the markdowns in their own stores," he said.

Suppliers retreat

The reduced inventory could also be the result of lower shipments from suppliers.

As Business Insider reported last month, at least half a dozen suppliers have "significantly" reduced product shipments to Sears over fears of a bankruptcy, according to Marc Wagman, executive vice president of trade credit and political risk at the insurance brokerage firm Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., which represents the Sears suppliers to insurers.

The companies' concern over Sears' financial health has "really accelerated in the last 6 to 12 months," Wagman told Business Insider.

According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. recently suspended sales of its products to Kmart, which is owned by Sears Holdings, due to worries about the company's financial health.

Suppliers have grown concerned after warnings from Sears store employees and a number of banks.

Fitch Ratings in October identified Sears as one of seven major retailers at risk of going bankrupt in the next 12 to 24 months and eventually liquidating.

In September, Moody's analysts downgraded Sears' liquidity rating, saying Sears and Kmart don't have enough money  or access to money  to stay in business.

Sears

The Moody's analysts said Sears is bleeding cash and will have to continue to rely on outside funding or the sale of assets, such as real estate, to sustain operations. Kmart in particular is at risk of shutting down, the analysts said.

Sears CEO Lampert responded in early October, saying "there have never been any plans to close the Kmart format."

But there's no denying that Sears is running low on cash.

The company said in August that its cash and equivalents have fallen to $276 million from $1.8 billion one year ago.

As a result, the retailer was forced to accept $300 million in financing from Sears CEO Eddie Lampert's hedge fund, ESL Investments, in the second quarter.

Bankruptcy filing season

Historically, retailers tend to declare bankruptcies in January when their cash holdings and financial payables tend to be at their highest levels of the year. That has led some analysts and industry experts to believe the company could file as soon as next month.

But many analysts believe the company will stay afloat for some time to come.

Lampert has many levers to pull to keep the retailer alive, including more cash infusions from his hedge fund as well as the sale of assets like real estate and it's appliance and tool brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, and DieHard.

And the company says that it's still trying to turnaround business at its stores.

"We are absolutely focused on restoring Sears Holdings to profitability," Sears spokesman Howard Riefs told Business Insider in November. "We are an asset-rich enterprise with multiple resources at our disposal."

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced that United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) has agreed to pay $2.4 million to settle charges in a case where shareholders wound up footing the bill so a public official could get more convenient flights.

According to the agency, United reinstated a nonstop flight between Newark, N.J., and Columbia, S.C., at the behest of David Samson, the then-chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who sought a more direct route to his home in South Carolina.

The route previously experienced poor financial performance and was canceled by Continental Airlines prior to its merger with United, and a preliminary financial analysis conducted after Samson began privately advocating for the routes return revealed it would likely lose money again.

ALSO READ: America's Richest Cities

It is believed that United officials feared Samsons influence could jeopardize Uniteds business interests before the Port Authority, including the approval of a hangar project to help the airline at Newarks airport. The company ultimately decided to initiate the route despite the poor financial projections.

The same day that Uniteds then-CEO approved initiation of the route, the Port Authoritys board approved the lease agreement related to the hangar project. United employees were told no proactive communications about the new route.

Furthermore, the SEC noted that United circumvented its standard process for initiating new routes, and no corporate record at United accurately and fairly reflected the authorization to approve the money-losing flight route from Newark to Columbia. The route ultimately lost roughly $945,000 before it ceased again roughly around the time of Samsons resignation from the Port Authority.

ALSO READ: The Worst Companies to Work For

Samson has pleaded guilty to bribery in a criminal case announced in July. Also United entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney and paid $2.25 million.

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Over 50 firefighters tackled a blaze at a building hosting a warehouse party in Oakland, California, into the early hours of December 3.

The fire broke out around 11:30 pm on Friday night near the corner of 31st Avenue and International Boulevard, according to reports.

9 people have been reported killed by the fire and at least two dozen are still unaccounted for as of 4pm local time on December 3.

Between 75 to 100 people attended the party, according to reports from fire officials. Credit: Twitter/@Oaklandfirelive via Storyful
Protesters marched in Seoul, South Korea, on December 3, gathering near the presidential Blue House to demand President Park Geun-hye step down.

Among those who took part in a candle-lit protest were a group of people bereaved by the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, calling for Parks imprisonment.

Opposition parties filed an impeachment motion against Park on that date, which is set to be voted on on December 9.

Park on November 29 said she would step down, but left the details to parliament.

The country has seen six weeks of protests amid a corruption scandal. Credit: Twitter/Ultra-Nomad via Storyful
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 2, 2016 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Impax Laboratories Inc. ("Impax" or the "Company") (IPXL) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Northern District of California, and docketed under 16-cv-06557, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Impax securities between February 20, 2014 and November 2, 2016, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover compensable damages caused by defendants' violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

If you are a shareholder who purchased Impax securities during the Class Period, you have until January 9, 2017 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll free, ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

Impax, a specialty pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, and markets bioequivalent pharmaceutical products. Impax Laboratories, Inc. has a strategic alliance agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals Curacao N.V. to develop, manufacture, and distribute controlled release generic pharmaceutical products.

The Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Impax and several of its pharmaceutical industry peers colluded to fix generic drug prices; (ii) the foregoing conduct constituted a violation of U.S. antitrust laws; (iii) consequently, Impax's revenues during the Class Period were in part the result of illegal conduct; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, Impax's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

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On November 3, 2016, media outlets reported that U.S. prosecutors might file criminal charges by the end of 2016 against Impax and several other pharmaceutical companies for unlawfully colluding to fix generic drug prices.

On this news, Impax's share price fell $4.00, or 19.51%, to close at $16.50 on November 3, 2016.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
Life is understandably scary now for Sherri Papini, the California mom who in early November, mysteriously vanished for 22 days after she left her home for a routine jog before appearing Thanksgiving morning on the side of a road chained, beaten and branded.

When lights are off, when doors shut, when she hears certain sounds, I mean its something that I dont know how to deal with, and well need somebody who can help her through that from a professional standpoint, her husband, Keith, said in an interview with 20/20s Matt Gutman that aired Friday night.

Its not just a long road, its something were never going to forget, Keith said.

Sherri, 34, Keith, and their children Tyler, 4, and Violet, 2, now live in a secret location to safeguard Sherris privacy and to promote her healing, according to the show.

Police are searching for two Hispanic women, armed with a handgun and driving a dark SUV, according to Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko.

It makes sense to Keith that Sherris kidnappers are female. If a vehicle pulled up with big dudes in it, would you approach that vehicle? Keith shared.

On Nov. 2, Sherris abductors drove her two-and-a-half hours. She would never see her captors. Their faces were always covered,' Keith said. And guns were involved.

She literally lived through hell, Keith described to 20/20. While captive, she told me she took a piece of cloth and rolled it up like it was Violet and she rocked it. She was so strong.

Sherris absence was painfully felt by Tyler. One day, Keith said he found Tyler standing in front of Sherris picture.

He was just standing there and he had his left hand on her face, Keith told 20/20. He was just staring at her  and he just, you know, tears in his eyes with his hands on her face.

Thanksgiving morning, after Sherri was found on a roadside 150 miles south of their Redding home, Keith was reunited with his wife. It was at a hospital that was on lockdown.

I throw open the curtain and she was there, he said to 20/20. Her poor face and I hugged her and held her. I felt like I hugged her for 20 minutes. I got nauseated seeing her like that.

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The bruises were intense, the bumps from getting hit, kicked, these were hard to look at, he said.

Keith had previously revealed in a statement to PEOPLE that Sherris nose had been broken, she was covered in bruises, and had been branded.

Gutman asked Keith if they branded her face. No, Keith replied, Its not on her face.

It made me sick that there is people out there that could do something like this, he said. I just wanted to hold her and we embraced each other and cried together and I was so happy. Youre upset but youre happy.

The idea of Sherris abductors still on the loose is terrifying, Keith said. But my family is with me now. Right now I am happy my wife is back. I dont have to raise my kids without her.

And they are ecstatic to have their mom home. When Tyler was reunited with Sherri, she started crying.

Keith recalled: Tyler then said to Sherri, You dont cry when youre happy and my wife said When youre this happy you cry.'




SPARTA  Seven times Zachary Davis drove a 14-inch blade through Derek Magnusons back.

The men met just hours earlier, sometime on March 10, 2015. Davis snapped when Magnuson made sexual advances on his boyfriend inside Magnusons hotel room.

The machete penetrated Magnusons lung, diaphragm and rib, Monroe County District Attorney Kevin Croninger said Thursday. He suffered until he died minutes later, alone on the floor of room 118 at the EconoLodge.

Zachary Davis not only robbed Derek Magnuson of his possessions, and of the rest of his life, but he robbed him of his right to have a dignified death. He did that, essentially, for $700, Croninger said. And he will do it again if he gets out.

Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Todd Ziegler sentenced Davis, 27, to life in prison without the possibility of release for killing Magnuson.

I cannot justify Mr. Davis being out of the prison system in the future, Ziegler said.

Davis and his boyfriend turned co-defendant, 22-year-old Sebastian Martinez, also known as Sabrina Martinez, ended up in Tomah on March 10 after a cross-country crime spree that included leading police on a high-speed pursuit in a car stolen from Idaho. In Tomah, they met Magnuson, a 43-year-old Tomah military veteran relapsing on alcohol who invited the couple to his hotel room.

Early the next morning, Magnuson groped Martinez before Davis retrieved a machete he bought days earlier and stabbed him repeatedly. Magnuson tried to escape with his life, but Davis pulled him back inside the room, leaving him for dead in the blood-soaked room after stealing his wallet, Croninger said.

The only reason you bought that machete was to intimidate ... and in this case to brutally stab Derek seven times, one that almost went through him, Magnusons father testified. You left him there to die while you robbed him.

The couple used Magnusons card for $700 worth of purchases within 12 hours of his death, starting with $21 at McDonalds.

This isnt a sign that someone is remorseful, Ziegler said.

A jury in September convicted Davis of first-degree intentional homicide after a nine-day trial. The panel also found him guilty of car theft and armed robbery.

Croninger argued for the maximum sentence  life in prison without release, plus 36 years  while defense attorney Chris Zachar asked for release eligibility, arguing Davis could redeem himself.

Thats awful ironic given the way Mr. Davis treated Mr. Magnuson, Croninger said.

Davis had a tumultuous childhood and was the victim of child sexual assault that left him suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Zachar said. He functions at the level of a sixth-grader and is mentally ill.

Hes still broken, he said. Hes deeply flawed. But hes still a human being.

Zachar argued a fight broke out when Davis caught Magnuson sexually assaulting Martinez and that Davis stabbed the victim to save his own life.

This is not self-defense or the defense of others, Croninger said. The facts dont support that.

Davis apologized to his victims family, telling them he prays that they can heal.

I wish I could take your pain away, he said. I dont blame any of you for hating me.

The case against Martinez, who is charged with felony murder, aiding a felon and car theft, is set for a Dec. 27 status conference.
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (Reuters) - The United States should focus on larger strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region, including expanding trade ties, the defense minister of Singapore said on Saturday, when asked about the controversy sparked by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's phone call with the president of Taiwan. Ng Eng Hen said it was not Singapore's place to comment on Trump's phone calls, but welcomed comments by his aides reaffirming Trump's support for the longstanding U.S. "one China" policy, a policy also supported by Singapore. China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan. Trump's 10-minute telephone call with the Taiwanese leader was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China". The Singaporean official told the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California that the bigger issue was how the United States would shape its role in the Asia-Pacific region in coming years, given China's rapid rise. "We ought to have the larger strategic interests in mind," Ng said. He said the U.S. role in Asia should be multidimensional, including trade and commercial ties, not just focused on security issues, and the ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement would have been a "concrete, tangible commitment" to do just that. Trump has already ruled out U.S. participation in TPP. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Alistair Bell)
Michael Slager

The trial of Michael Slager, a former South Carolina police officer accused of murdering an unarmed black motorist, could end in a mistrial, apparently because of one juror who "is having issues" coming to a guilty verdict.

The jurors deliberated for more than 15 hours over the course of three days before informing Judge Clifton Newman they were "hopelessly deadlocked."

In an unusual move, one juror wrote a note to the judge explaining that he "cannot and will not" declare Slager guilty of murder or manslaughter in the death of Walter Scott.

"Judge, I understand the position of the court but I cannot in good conscience consider a guilty verdict," Newman read aloud to the courtroom. "I expect those who hold opposing views not to change their minds because I see them as good, honest people."

"Therefore, I regret to say we may never reach a unanimous decision."

In a separate note, the jury's foreperson seemed to indicate the jury was locked in an 11-1 split, with only the first note-writing juror opposing a guilty verdict.

"Its just one juror that has the issues," the follow-up note read. "That juror needs to leave. He is having issues. Thank you, sorry for all the notes."

Newman contemplated declaring a mistrial before allowing the jury to reconvene Monday morning. Judge Newman has asked for the intransigent juror to be replaced by an alternate who attended the trial.

The judge acknowledged the unusual nature of the written communication from the jury. The courtroom doesn't typically learn of "the inner workings" of a jury's thought process, he said, including a numerical count of where individual jurors stand before a verdict is reached.

L. Chris Stewart, one of the Scott family's attorneys, told members of the press outside the Charleston courthouse he wasn't concerned about the apparent standstill, and that he remained confident the jury would deliver a guilty verdict on Monday.

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"We are not worried about it taking so long because justice takes a long time sometimes," he said.

The trial hinges on whether the jury believes Slager, who is white, could reasonably think he was in life-threatening danger during his interaction with Scott.

Bystander video showed Slager shooting at Scott eight times as Scott ran away from the patrolman. But Slager testified that Scott, after fleeing a routine traffic stop, had wrestled Slager's Taser away from him and lunged at the officer. Slager's account was denied by the bystander who recorded the video.

If convicted, Slager is facing the possibility of life in prison.

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By Abdiqani Hassan BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Soldiers allied to the Western-backed Somali government said they killed seven insurgents from a faction loyal to the Islamic State group in a clash in northern Somalia on Saturday. The soldiers from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland are part of a force headed to the port town of Qandala, which has been under the control of the insurgents since November. The Puntland forces were attacked in the village of Bashaashin, which is 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Qandala. "We killed seven IS and took their guns - now we are in the village," Captain Mohamed Saiid, head of a Puntland military unit, told Reuters by satellite phone from the scene. "The IS fighters retreated into a hill outside the village. Three soldiers were injured from our side. We shall keep on pursuing the fighters till we eliminate them from Qandala." The insurgents are thought to number in the low hundreds and are led by Abdiqadir Mumin, who broke away from the main al Shabaab insurgency last year and swore allegiance to Islamic State. His group has no known operational links to Islamic State in the Middle East and Qandala is the first town where they took control. Al Shabaab is fighting the shaky U.N.-backed government to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law in Somalia, which has been at war for more than 25 years. (writing by Katharine Houreld; editing by Susan Thomas)
By Abdiqani Hassan BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Soldiers allied to the Western-backed Somali government said they killed seven insurgents from a faction loyal to the Islamic State group in a clash in northern Somalia on Saturday. The soldiers from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland are part of a force headed to the port town of Qandala, which has been under the control of the insurgents since November. The Puntland forces were attacked in the village of Bashaashin, which is 34 kilometers (21 miles) from Qandala. "We killed seven IS and took their guns - now we are in the village," Captain Mohamed Saiid, head of a Puntland military unit, told Reuters by satellite phone from the scene. "The IS fighters retreated into a hill outside the village. Three soldiers were injured from our side. We shall keep on pursuing the fighters till we eliminate them from Qandala." The insurgents are thought to number in the low hundreds and are led by Abdiqadir Mumin, who broke away from the main al Shabaab insurgency last year and swore allegiance to Islamic State. His group has no known operational links to Islamic State in the Middle East and Qandala is the first town where they took control. Al Shabaab is fighting the shaky U.N.-backed government to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law in Somalia, which has been at war for more than 25 years. (writing by Katharine Houreld; editing by Susan Thomas)
* Report seeks inquiry into alleged influence-peddling

* Zuma says report is "unfair" to him

* Zuma tries to reassure investors on economy (Recasts with Zuma court move against graft report)

By James Macharia

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 3 (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma has asked the High Court to set aside a report by an anti-corruption watchdog that called for a judicial inquiry into alleged influence-peddling in his government, the president's office said on Saturday.

While stopping short of conclusive findings, the report by the Public Protector watchdog has increased political pressure on Zuma by calling for an investigation into whether he, some cabinet members and some state companies acted improperly.

Political analysts say Zuma's scandal-ridden leadership has been weakened further by the allegations in the report. They have rattled financial markets and spurred efforts by some in Zuma's own party and in the opposition to unseat the president.

The president's spokesman, Bongani Ngqulunga, said Zuma had lodged an application on Friday "for a review of the report".

Zuma -- who has previously described the report as "unfair" in parliament -- wants the court to send the report back to the watchdog for further investigations and says its author had no right to call for a judicial inquiry, court papers showed.

The watchdog's report, released on Nov. 2, focused on allegations that businessman brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta had influenced the appointment of ministers. Zuma and the Gupta brothers have denied the accusations.

The report -- which Zuma had sought to block through the courts before it was released to the public -- called for a judicial inquiry be set up by the president and for a judge to be appointed by the chief justice within 30 days of its release.

Zuma, 74, has repeatedly denied accusations of corruption since taking office in 2009.

"VULNERABLE"

The official opposition leader and head of the Democratic Alliance, Mmusi Maimane, criticised Zuma's "ill-conceived attempt" to set aside the report and said in a statement his party would oppose the court application.

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Analysts said the report had unsettled Zuma.

"The report has unnerved the position of the president," said Daniel Silke, a director at Political Futures Consultancy. "Zuma is fighting for his political life. The report left him more vulnerable and open to contestation for his position."

Earlier on Saturday Zuma tried in a statement to reassure foreign investors about South Africa's economic prospects, describing South Africa as "an important and strategic investment destination".

All three major rating agencies have maintained South Africa's investment-grade status, granting the president some respite amid the increased political pressure.

But with the economy seen growing by only half a percent this year and unemployment near record levels, the rating agencies have warned that the political tensions surrounding him could derail efforts to boost economic growth.

Zuma faced censure this week from some party officials who asked him to resign, but a majority of his African National Congress' (ANC) national executive committee backed him.

Zuma will face the ANC's integrity commission this weekend following the persistent allegations of corruption and poor election results, the party has said previously.

(Editing by Gareth Jones)
Malaga (Spain) (AFP) - Spanish authorities said 92 migrants travelling in five makeshift boats were rescued off Spain's coast on Saturday, as an increasing number of migrants seek to reach Europe via the country.

Among those rescued were 63 people from sub-Saharan Africa, officials said without specifying their nationalities, and 29 Algerians.

Most of the migrants were taken to the port of Malaga in southern Spain, following a "complicated" rescue operation in rough seas around 49 nautical miles from the coast, a maritime rescue official told AFP.

The group included three women and a child as well as a boy who had to be hospitalised after suffering from hypothermia.

Also on Saturday, Spanish authorities stopped 22 migrants hiding in a lorry who were trying to enter Melilla, a Spanish enclave in north Africa which, along with another enclave called Ceuta, are the only land borders between Africa and the EU.

Authorities used a system that detects heartbeats to detect the migrants, said Irene Flores, a spokeswoman for the Melilla government.

The 22 were taken to a migrant centre in Melilla where they will be eligible to lodge a request for asylum. The lorry driver and his assistant were detained.

The Spanish interior ministry has said more than 11,600 migrants and refugees arrived in Ceuta and Melilla last year, the majority from Syria -- a 55 percent increase from 2014. The combined population of the two enclaves is just over 170,000.
Unlike in years past, when movies outside the best picture fray like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Speed, Se7en and Out of Sight could manage film editing nominations, the editors branch of the Academy has, of late, hued closer to the Oscars top category in its collective selections.

Thats increasingly been the case over the last seven years, the era of an expanded best picture field of more than five nominees; only three times during that span of time has a film that wasnt nominated for best picture landed a film editing nomination, most recently last year for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But there are a number of options at play this time around.

Lucasfilm is back in the mix again, with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. BAFTA-nominated editor Jabez Olssen (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) took on the gargantuan task this time, and given that this particular installment is a war film packed with action, he may well be on track for a notice.

There is a great story waiting to be written should both film editor Blu Murray and sound editor Alan Robert Murray pick up nominations for Clint Eastwoods Sully: its a father/son team, and like many members of Eastwoods crew, Blu came up through the ranks as an assistant on the directors previous projects. The structure of Sully provided a unique opportunity to break down the 208-second flight that ended in a miracle water landing from multiples perspectives.

And Peter Bergs two efforts on the year, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day, are massive editorial undertakings. Procedurals that plant the viewer in the middle of the action, whether a tragic event at sea or the minutiae-laden investigation of a terrorist attack, each film was impeccably assembled by editors Gabriel Fleming and Colby Parker Jr.

But again, the best picture category seems to dictate the direction here a lot. And there are plenty of contenders, beginning with Tom Cross, who won the Oscar for Whiplash three years ago. Working with director Damien Chazelle again on La La Land, he had his work cut out for him in the musical genre, piecing together the various numbers and keeping the energy of the enterprise up throughout. But sometimes musicals can be surprisingly looked over, as was the case for Les Miserables and Dreamgirls in recent years.

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Moonlight is one of the least showy jobs up for appraisal here, but Joi McMillion and Nat Sanders work is remarkable nevertheless. Refined and free of fuss, it maintains an organic quality across the three segments of Barry Jenkins triptych.

And we shouldnt sleep on a legend like three-time Oscar winner Thelma Schoonmaker. She was passed over for Martin Scorseses Wolf of Wall Street, maybe because fellow editors held the films length against it. At two-and-a-half hours, however, the directors latest, Silence certainly isnt brief.

The crafts of Garth Davis Lion could go far with Oscar voters. In addition to already award-winning cinematography and an outstanding, emotional score, Alexandre de Franceschis editing brings Saroo Brierleys epic real-life story together in evocative ways, particularly as Saroo begins to piece together the mysteries of his childhood.

Speaking of structure, a movie like Arrival is fully dependent on its editing. The script lays out a road map but Oscar nominee Joe Walkers (12 Years a Slave) execution in the assemblage is crucial. To detail why might dip into spoiler territory, but his work is very much a steward of the narratives emotion.

Like Arrival, Manchester by the Sea plays with time somewhat, casually moving into flashbacks throughout to better establish the characters emotional head space. That quality of Jennifer Lames editing doesnt quite work for everyone, though, and its just a question of whether her fellow editors buy into director Kenneth Lonergans intent or not.

Some movies could have coattails that extend to the editing, like Hell or High Water (Jake Roberts) or Fences (Hughes Winborne). Others could dazzle for spectacle, like Hacksaw Ridge (John Gilbert) or The Jungle Book (Mark Livolsi). And there are artful jobs like Jackie (Sebastian Sepulveda) to consider as well.

But what about an eight-hour documentary that draws together a massive amount of footage to tell the definitive story of an American icon and his place in the history of race relations in this country? Indeed, O.J.: Made in America may be one of the most accomplished contenders in the category, and theres a precedent for a documentary grabbing the attention of this branch: Hoop Dreams did it in 1994.

The American Cinema Editors group announces nominees in drama, comedy, animated and documentary categories on Jan. 3. Well have an even better grasp on how they view the field then.

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TOMAH  A veteran in the troubled Veterans Assistance Foundation program at the Tomah VA Medical Center is recovering from injuries sustained when he jumped from a third-story window in the VAF day room.

VAF executive director Don Roach confirmed that the incident took place early Wednesday but said, We have no comment about the reasons for this individuals actions.

The man was taken to Tomah Memorial Hospital, which referred questions about his condition to the VA, where indications were that he was transferred to an unidentified La Crosse hospital, and no identification or condition were available.

We are unaware of his medical condition, Roach said.

We have notified all veterans in our program that we are here to help them deal with this unfortunate incident and will assist them in meeting with clinical professionals if they so desire.

Victoria Brahm, the medical centers interim director, informed employees of the incident in an email Wednesday that also encouraged them to be vigilant about veterans who might be considering suicide.

The statistics are staggering. Nationally, 20 veterans commit suicide every day. That is 20 too many, Brahms email said. But what can we do? Im asking you to be there for veterans. Small and thoughtful acts  calling up an old friend, checking in on a neighbor, cooking someone dinner or inviting a colleague on a walk  can have a big impact on people who could use some support.

The incident came at a tough time for the VAF, a Tomah-based nonprofit that the VA has told to vacate the two floors of a building it has been using to house and provide treatment for 40 to 50 homeless veterans.

Among the reasons the VA cited for terminating the programs $17,000-a-month lease were safety concerns that could endanger other veterans being treated on the centers sprawling campus. Also at issue is the death of a 54-year-old woman who was staying in the VAF quarters at the medical center.

On Oct. 27, Brahm issued a statement explaining that the VAF lease would end on Jan. 13, adding, The safety and well-being of our veterans is of the utmost concern. Unfortunately, the Veterans Assistance Foundation has failed significantly in their responsibility to take care of the veterans in their care.

On Tuesday, Brahm said the medical center had offered to extend the eviction until the end of April.

Roach acknowledged the extension offer Thursday but said the two sides havent agreed to the terms. The VA wants to charge the same amount for rent and utilities, no matter how many veterans are being housed.

Only 29 were there as of Thursday, said Roach, who expressed skepticism about reaching an accord.

They dont want us there, Roach said. Their intent is to use that space for other purposes.

Brahm said VAF didnt pass a recent annual inspection of the services and has 30 days to comply. If it passes, VA personnel would be able to help move the vets to facilities off the medical center campus, which she said would be a better fit.

No veteran will go without housing, regardless of the fate of the lease, she said.

I guarantee you that nothing will happen to these veterans, she said. We will make sure they are all placed.
By Tom Perry, Isla Binnie and Vladimir Soldatkin BEIRUT/ROME/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday it was ready for talks with the United States about a withdrawal of all Syrian rebels from eastern Aleppo, where advances by the Russian-backed Syrian army and its allies threaten to deal a crushing blow to the rebellion. In just over a week, the army and allied militias have seized large areas of the opposition-held territory in eastern Aleppo in a fierce campaign that may leave the rebels with no choice but to seek a negotiated passage out of their area. With tens of thousands of civilians still living in the rebels' shrinking, besieged enclave, the U.N. envoy for Syria suggested eastern Aleppo could fall by the end of the year and hoped a way could be found to avoid a "terrible battle". Responding to the Russian proposal, an official with an Aleppo rebel group said commanders in the city had vowed to fight on. They would support the opening of corridors for civilians to leave the city, but would not surrender it. The government advances in Aleppo have brought President Bashar al-Assad to the brink of his biggest victory yet in a civil war that grew out of protests against his rule in 2011. Backed by the Russian air force and Shi'ite militias from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, the government has gradually closed in on eastern Aleppo this year, encircling the eastern parts of the city before launching a major assault in September. The United Nations estimates that close to 30,000 people have been displaced by the latest fighting, 18,000 of them leaving to government-held areas and a further 8,500 going to the Kurdish-controlled neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud. Supplies of food and fuel are critically low in eastern Aleppo, where hospitals have been repeatedly bombed out of operation. Hundreds have been killed in the bombardments. "NORMALIZE LIFE" U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said more than 100,000 people may still be in the rebel-held area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that reports on the war, said it could be as many as 200,000 people. Russia, which has assumed a pivotal role in Syria since it deployed its air force there 15 months ago, said the withdrawal of all rebels would "normalize life" in eastern Aleppo. "We are immediately ready to send out military experts, diplomats to Geneva in order to agree mutual actions with our American colleagues to ensure the pullout of all the rebels without exclusion from eastern Aleppo," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. There was no immediate comment from the United States, which has backed some of the rebel groups fighting Assad, including Free Syrian Army factions fighting in the Aleppo area. Long outgunned by the Syrian military, Russia's air force and militias that include Lebanon's battle-hardened Hezbollah, the rebels say they have been abandoned to their fate by foreign governments including the United States. With no good options, the rebels have been holding talks with Russian officials which they say had produced agreements including the departure of all jihadist fighters from Aleppo. The aim was a ceasefire where FSA rebels would stay in the city. But Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, said Lavrov's comments had "canceled everything" and the meetings in Turkey had "almost come to a halt". "The military commanders in Aleppo said 'we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city'," Malahifji said. Russia has acknowledged contacts with the rebels but given no details of the talks in Turkey. The Syrian army has vowed to take back the whole city from rebels. Speaking to journalists in Aleppo, General Samir Suleiman, head of the media arm of the army's political directorate, said Russian efforts were being conducted in coordination with the Syrian leadership. "We open the way to any political solution that halts the bloodshed, the killing, the destruction", he said, adding the army had taken back around half of the area the rebels had held. The army command issued a statement calling on residents to return to their homes in areas of northeastern Aleppo that were captured from the rebels, saying they were being rehabilitated. PLUMES OF SMOKE The Observatory and a Syrian army source said government forces had advanced further, capturing the Tariq al-Bab area. The rebels said the assault on Tariq al-Bab had been repelled. Fierce clashes were underway in the Aziza as rebels sought to repel another attempted advance, a rebel official said. At least seven plumes of smoke were seen rising from rebel-held areas of the city on Saturday morning and the sound of jets could be heard overhead, a Reuters witness in government-held western Aleppo said. The Observatory said at least three people were killed in an air strike on the al-Shaer neighborhood of eastern Aleppo. The civil defense rescue service in eastern Aleppo said a gathering of displaced people had been struck and put the death toll at more than six. The army denies targeting civilians. The Observatory also reported that rebels shot down a Syrian war plane over Aleppo, killing the two pilots on board. Reuters could not obtain Syrian military confirmation of the report. Speaking at a conference in Rome, U.N. envoy de Mistura indicated eastern Aleppo could fall by the end of the year, saying "Aleppo is not going to stay that long". "I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas/New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula," he said. In apparent reference to the talks between Russian and rebel officials, de Mistura said "informal negotiations" had reduced the level of fighting in eastern Aleppo - a comment rebel officials dismissed as out of touch with reality. The government has reached numerous local agreements with rebels in besieged areas by which they have been given safe passage to the insurgent-held province of Idlib in northwestern Syria. Some analysts believe the Aleppo rebels may eventually be forced to accept such an agreement. European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, speaking in Rome, said she was certain Aleppo's fall would not end the war, and there would be other military escalations. "This will only make things worse and, by the way, I am convinced the fall of Aleppo will not end the war. We will have other military escalations," she said. (Additional reporting by Firas Makdesi in Aleppo; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Gareth Jones)
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's policy making body on China, the Mainland Affairs Council, said on Saturday that China should look at the call between U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen "calmly". "We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship and create a new way that will benefit the development of peace, prosperity and stability for the region," it said in a statement. (Reporting by J.R. Wu; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Evry (France) (AFP) - A 17-year-old boy has been charged and held in connection with an attack on French police by youths who threw molotov cocktails at officers, leaving two with severe burns, prosecutors said Saturday.

The boy, who was arrested on Thursday, has been charged with "complicity in the attempted murder of persons of public authority," said Eric Lallement, the prosecutor from Evry, south of Paris.

The unnamed youth is the first to be charged over the October incident that led to angry wildcat protests by police over mounting attacks on officers. Some 80 police officers and their families protested outside Every town hall last month, demanding "more resources and respect" following the attack.

On October 8 four officers were injured when a group of around 15 youths from a housing estate in the Paris suburb of Viry-Chatillon swarmed their cars and threw Molotov cocktails at them.

A 28-year-old male officer suffered very serious burns on his hands and body and is still in hospital, while his 39-year-old female partner was badly burned on the hands and face, police said.

Two other officers who were deployed as backup suffered minor injuries.

A second youth aged 15 was also arrested on Thursday suspected of having participated in making the Molotov cocktails.

Police are trying to identify the other participants in the attack using DNA found on objects at the scene as well as analysing video surveillance footage.
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police arrested an anti-junta activist on Saturday for defaming the monarchy in what rights groups said was the first case of lese-majeste brought under Thailand's new king. King Maha Vajiralongkorn formally ascended the throne on Thursday following the death of his father, revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died aged of 88 in October. Police Colonel Jaturon Trakulpan, a superintendent in northeastern Chaiyaphum province, said Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, an activist who has staged several anti-junta protests, was arrested and charged with royal insult under Article 112 of Thailand's criminal code. "We caught him at a temple," Jaturon said. Thailand's junta has cracked down on critics of the monarchy since it took power in a May 2014 coup. iLaw, a Bangkok-based group that monitors such cases, said they had increased since King Bhumibol's death. Article 112 says anyone who "defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent" will be punished with up to 15 years in prison. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a rights group representing Jatupat, said in a Twitter post that he was charged with royal insult for sharing a link on Facebook to a BBC Thai-language profile of the new king. Anon Chawalawan of iLaw said the case was the first royal insult case to be filed under the new monarch. "This post was shared many times. We question why he was singled out," Anon told Reuters. "It might be because he has a history of staging anti-junta protests." International rights groups and some Bangkok-based Western diplomats have decried Thailand's harsh sentences for lese-majeste convictions. Last year, two people received record jail sentences of 25 and 30 years respectively for Facebook posts deemed insulting to the monarchy. (Reporting By Pairat Temphairojana; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Nick Macfie)
Bangkok (AFP) - A Pakistani man suspected of starting a devastating factory fire in Karachi four years ago that killed 255 people has been arrested in Bangkok, Thai police said Saturday.

Abdul Rehman, 46, was detained at a hotel in the red light district Nana area of the capital on Friday evening, said Thailand's Interpol chief.

"Thai Interpol tracked this suspect following an arrest warrant sought by the Pakistani authorities," Major General Apichart Suriboonya told AFP.

"He will be repatriated as soon as Pakistan is ready," he added.

Apichart said Rehman was suspected of being part of a criminal gang that was extorting the owners of a Karachi garment factory.

The gang burned down the factory when the owners refused to pay seven million baht ($200,000), he said.

The fire at the Ali Enterprises factory in September 2012 was one of Pakistan's worst industrial disasters.

A judicial probe into the blaze was damning, pointing to a lack of emergency exits, poor safety training for workers, the packing in of machinery and the failure of government inspectors to spot any of these faults.

Initially the fire was believed to be an accident.

A murder case was registered against the factory owners, but it never came to trial.

Earlier this year police said they now believed an extortion gang was behind the blaze, naming Abdul Rehman as the suspect who allegedly lit the fire.

Much of the factory's garment output went to the German company KIK, who have paid out nearly two million dollars in compensation to the victims' families.
President-elect Trump tours the Carrier facility in Indiana. Source: AP

This week in Indianapolis, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would save hundreds of Americans jobs from going to Mexico.

Speaking at United Technologies (UTX) Carrier air conditioning company, Trump announced a deal that kept 800 jobs in-state in exchange for $7 million in tax breaks. Meanwhile, 1,300 are still leaving, according to a letter sent to employees.

To workers at Carrier, the triumph is sweet, but it feels something like a stay of execution for their jobs, not an acquittal, given the circumstances.

As much as were happy jobs are staying, a lot of us dont know how much trust to put in Carrier, 14-year Carrier employee T.J. Bray and USW union leadership member told Yahoo Finance. If Trump doesnt get re-elected, will [the jobs] leave then?

The fact that Indiana taxpayers had to cough up millions to keep the jobs in-stateas well as the reality that automation will continue to make some human skills obsoletepaints Trumps solution as a Band-aid. It is not a reasonable long-term strategy to retain manufacturing jobs. And as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders pointed out, Carriers sweet deal shows other companies how to out-negotiate Trump.

But lost in this confusing situation is the solution. Its been there, provided by Carrier and its parent company United Technologies since the beginning: education and training.

Carrier understands the real solution is to retrain employees for modern jobs

Buried in Carriers letter to its employees, theres a promise to provide four full years of the Employee Scholar Program post-employment, which pays for education to develop new skills in a field of their choice.

For employees, this is huge. Ninety some-odd percent of the folks that work at Carrier are assembly line workers, says United Steelworkers Local 1999s President Chuck Jones. Theyre gonna have to be retrained if possible to other skill sets.

This program from United Technologies isnt new, and its not just for laid-off workers. Employees who currently work there can receive free education, too.

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All [United Technologies] companies have had this for along time, but theyve been pushing it even more since the announcement, Bray says. A lot more employees have been taking advantage of it. It seems like its probably gone up to 15% who have taken advantage.

According to United Technologies, the Employee Scholar Program currently has around 7,000 people enrolled, and pays for tuition, academic fees, and books at approved institutions. Since 1996, 38,000 degrees have been awarded to employees globally through this program.

Ive known folks that have gone out and left and got better jobs, Bray says. This person did a scholar program and now theyre an engineer here at Pratt and Whitney.

For American manufacturing workers, losing jobs to automation and to those earning cheaper wages abroad is inevitable: Manufacturing just requires fewer people than it used to, and education and retraining seems like the only way out. In September, Jones told the Wall Street Journal that companies like Boeing (BA) are hungry for skilled tradespeople, but only a handful of affected Carrier employees had the required training and skills for those jobs.

In Brays view, Carriers giving its employees and former employees a path to find jobs that require other skills is going above and beyond what most companies would do. Many jobs just up and leave, and you dont hear much from the company about programs like what UTC [Carrier] offers, he says. It sucks theyre doing this, but theyre really encouraging and giving opportunities they can to get these programs out the workers.

Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on consumerism, tech, and personal finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann.

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Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., tears a page from the national health care bill during a press conference at the Capitol in 2012. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

If youre an American who misses the days when you could pick a doctor out of the phone book, write a check to pay for the visit and be done with it, you may be pleased to hear that the next presidents nominee to run the nations health system belongs to an organization that agrees with you.

The nominee is Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Donald Trumps pick as secretary of health and human services, and the organization is the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an Arizona-based group that promotes libertarian principles in health care  and an array of far-right conspiracy theories about many other topics. Price, an orthopedic surgeon for 20 years before entering Congress, is a member of the group, according to the health news website STAT. Another well-known doctor-politician, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has been a member; an article in the organizations journal last year touted Dr. Ben Carson as a potential president.

AAPS confirmed Prices membership to STAT, and its website has repeatedly touted the congressmans association with the group. Price and the Trump transition did not respond to requests for comment from Yahoo News. To be sure, Prices membership in the group does not imply he agrees with everything it stands for or has published in its journal. But with the previously obscure organization now poised to influence the thinking at the top levels of U.S. health care policymaking, its worth looking into some of the positions it has advanced over the years.

Whoever runs HHS next year will have a large say in implementing Trumps inchoate plan to repeal, reform or replace some, most or all of Obamacare, and the choice is guaranteed to spark controversy in that respect. But Price, who has spearheaded Republican opposition to the program in Congress over the past five years, is a particularly polarizing choice, in part because he appears to favor major changes to Medicaid and Medicare  including proposals by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to move Medicare toward a premium support model, replacing its open-ended promise to pay for medical care with vouchers that recipients could use to buy their own insurance.

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Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the ranking Democrat on the committee that will consider Prices nomination, sent a shot across his bows Friday with a statement that read, in part, Theres no question that Congressman Price and I have stark differences in our views about the direction our health care system should take. I plan to ask him detailed questions about whether he would strengthen health care for families or aim to implement the partisan, deeply harmful vision President-elect Trump campaigned on and has threatened to carry out during his Presidency. The 228,000-member American Medical Association, whose own website calls Obamacare a tremendous step forward on the path toward meaningful health system reform, nevertheless quickly endorsed Price, prompting an online petition from members outraged by the choice, and opposition from a liberal doctors group, the National Physicians Alliance, which claims 20,000 members.

But Prices nomination has also brought some unaccustomed attention to the AAPS and its 4,000-plus members. Founded in 1943, its mission statement encompasses a commitment to the preservation of the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship, and for safeguarding the individual rights and independence of patients and physicians. What this means in practice is opposition to virtually any federal mandates, requirements  or reimbursements  that could interfere with that sacred relationship. In particular, it urges non-participation in the Social Security amendments of 1965  also known as Medicare  as the only legal, moral, and ethical means of concretely expressing their complete disapproval of the spirit and philosophy behind these amendments. In an email, Jane Orient, MD, the groups executive director, said that most members still participate in the programs or treat indigent patients for free or whatever they can afford to pay.

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., arrives at Trump Tower last month. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The modern conservative movement, to a considerable degree, was born in opposition to Medicare. Republicans who love to quote Ronald Reagans famous 1961 lament for lost American freedoms  We are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our childrens children, what it once was like in America when men were free  may not even realize that the speech was a diatribe against socialized medicine, also known as Medicare. As late as 2010, Sue Lowden, a prominent Nevada Republican who was seeking her partys nomination for the U.S. Senate, urged a return to an era before we all started having health care  [In] the olden days, our grandparents, they would bring a chicken to the doctor. They would say Ill paint your house.

Opposition to Obamacare is, of course, mainstream Republican doctrine, as is the fear that Medicare has been stealthily bankrupting the country for the past 50 years. And certain other ideas advanced on the AAPS website  such as the notion (for information and discussion) that Barack Obama was hypnotizing voters into supporting him, a technique the author suggested appeared to work especially well on Jews  wouldnt raise eyebrows among the people who had no trouble believing he was a secret Muslim born in Africa.

But AAPS has also taken on issues that are peculiar to the medical profession, and are outliers even among doctors, such as its opposition to electronic health records. This is an innovation intended to make it easier for different doctors who may be treating the same patient to share information, but which AAPS, preferring the days when medical records were kept in file cabinets under lock and key, derides as Big Brother medical databases.

Another AAPS bogeyman is evidence-based medicine, which means setting standards for care based on scientific studies, rather than whatever a doctor learned in medical school decades ago supplemented by experience. Attempts by third-party payers  also known as Medicare  to encourage adherence to an abstract standard of best practices is said by AAPS to encroach on the sacrosanct physician-patient relationship.

And on the hot-button issue of childhood vaccination, AAPS has staked out a position against requiring them  a position that many mainstream medical organizations find alarming. Our children face the possibility of death or serious long-term adverse effects from mandated vaccines that arent necessary or that have very limited benefits, Orient, the groups executive director, has written, adding, This is not a vote against vaccines. This resolution only attempts to halt blanket vaccine mandates by government agencies and school districts that give no consideration for the rights of the parents or the individual medical condition of the child.

Mandatory vaccinations represent an interesting test of competing principles: the right of patients, or their parents, to make their own decisions about health care, weighed against the risk of an epidemic resulting from large numbers of unvaccinated children running around. Its obvious where libertarians of the right (or, for that matter, the left) will come down on this choice. Price, himself, appears not to have taken a public position on the question, but the president-elect who appointed him has advanced the widely discredited theory that childhood vaccines are a cause of autism, though he limits his argument to massive doses. (Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesnt feel good and changes  AUTISM. Many such cases, Trump tweeted in 2014.)

Prices confirmation hearings should be interesting.
F7HW66 Subway train, Manhattan, N.Y.

(Credit: Alamy)

UPDATE: Yasmin Seweid has been charged with falsely reporting a hate crime. Yahoo News has full coverage.

New York City police are seeking more information about men who harassed a young woman in a hijab on the subway this week. Yasmin Seweid, an 18-year-old business student, was verbally harassed by the men as she waited for a train on the platform, according to the New York Daily News.

The three men were reportedly yelling Trump and called Seweid a terrorist as they followed her onto a 6 train in New York Citys east side. As the men continued to harass Seweid, the incident turned physical when they grabbed at her bag and attempted to pull off her head scarf. Seweid was surprised and saddened that no one on the train came to her aid. She took to social media to voice her feelings:

I was harassed on the subway last night and it was just so dehumanizing I cant speak about it without getting emotional. Three white racists ripped the straps off my bag & attempted to yank my hijab off my head. They yelled such disgusting slurs at me, I was so helpless and felt defenseless. Look its a f***ing terrorist, go back to your country, take that rag off your head, and so many more. Trumps name was repeatedly said & it finally clicked in my head. No matter how cultured or Americanized I am, these people dont see me as an American. It breaks my heart that so many individuals chose to be bystanders while watching me get harassed verbally and physically by these disgusting pigs

Her father, Sayeed Seweid, was also disappointed in the lack of support and empathy from other commuters. Nobody even offered to help an 18-year-old girl, he told the Daily News. You offer help  it doesnt matter the race, religion, or the country. Yasmin Seweid is of Egyptian heritage and was born in Brooklyn. I was born and raised in this country, she told the New York City paper.

She reported the incident to the NYPD, but no arrests have been made at this time.

According to the Daily News, NYPD has recorded 34 bias crimes between Nov. 8 and Nov. 27, an increase over the 13 similar crimes reported in 2015.
President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, a surprising diplomatic move that will likely anger the Chinese government. More here

At least 17 Chinese miners were killed in a coal mine explosion in Inner Mongolia. More here

9 people are dead and dozens are unaccounted for after a fire consumed an Oakland warehouse party on Friday night. More here

South Korean lawmakers filed an impeachment motion against beleaguered president Park Geun-hye amid a widening corruption scandal. More here

Were live-blogging the news stories of the day below. All updates are in Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Miami (AFP) - The death toll from wildfires in a popular tourist area in the southeastern US state of Tennessee has risen to 13, authorities said Friday, with the search for victims continuing.

Twelve of the deaths were directly related to the blaze and one person died of a heart attack while fleeing, said Larry Waters, mayor of Sevier County, which includes the city of Gatlinburg, gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The situation is "distressing and saddening to all," Waters said at a news conference. "I can't describe the feelings we have over this tragedy."

High winds and parched vegetation caused by the worst drought in nearly a decade provided fuel for the fires in the eastern part of Tennessee. Thousands were forced to evacuate.

The fires burned to the doorstep of a well-known theme park, Dollywood, founded by country music legend Dolly Parton, located in the touristic hamlet of Pigeon Forge.

Waters added that about 1,000 structures were damaged and that authorities were looking for additional victims. Eighty-six people were treated for fire-related injuries, with most already discharged.

Parton announced the creation of a relief fund for those in Sevier County who lost their homes, with $1,000 a month going to each family for up to six months.

Sixteen government agencies were working on blaze-related efforts, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said.

"I have got phone calls from President Obama and President-elect Trump," he added.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said the state "continues to experience other wildfire threats and drought conditions, even with the recent heavy rains."

The fire broke out Monday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and rapidly swept into Gatlinburg, pushed by winds that reached 87 miles per hour (140 kilometers per hour).

Five tornadoes further spurred the inferno, according to TEMA.
Marvel

Marvel Digital Media Vice President and Executive Editor Ryan Penagos attended Comic Con Experience 2016 (CCXP) in Sao Paulo, Brazil today and revealed a lot more than comic book info. Turns out Marvel decided to show some of Spider-Man: Homecoming to fans in the crowd and gave a peak at Tom Hollands costume upgrade courtesy of one Tony Stark.

Tony had already given Peter Parker a bit of an assist in his Captain America: Civil War debut but hes helping him get back to the characters roots with a new gift: web wings! Theyve never been utilized, or even seen, in live-action before and with the right execution, it should make Spidey fans very happy. According to Penagos, Hollands Peter receives the gift from Jon Favreaus Happy Hogan, who we had previously learned would have a small role in the film.

There was a message from Tom Holland & a VERY short Spider-Man Homecoming clip at #ccxp2016. pic.twitter.com/8CNUFdmFcA  Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) December 2, 2016

The Spider-Man Homecoming footage was short but AWESOME. Starts from Spidey's POV, talking with Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) 1/? #ccxp2016  Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) December 2, 2016

There's a case from Tony Stark with an "upgrade" for Spidey. Then we see Spidey leap off a building, open his arms, web wings! #ccxp2016 2/?  Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) December 2, 2016

There were a few more flashes of shots, but I can't remember. That classic underarm webbing look was just so rad. #ccxp2016 3/?  Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) December 2, 2016

The addition of this classic costume item was first rumored earlier this year. The look goes back to the original Stan Lee and Steve Ditko era but had only been utilized here and there in the comics over the years, most notably in Todd McFarlanes run in the 80s. Im really curious to see how they look in action but I cant get the idea of a flying squirrel out of my head. The next logical thought is Squirrel Girl and oh man, how great would it look to see the two of them side by side on film?

As it stands, Holland will be starring alongside Michael Keaton, playing the villain Vulture, as well as Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, and about six thousand other people. Spider-Man: Homecoming is set for a July 7, 2017 release.

(via io9)
We tried Starbucks new Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa and heres our tip to make it taste even better

Love it or hate it, Pumpkin Spice Latte season is at a close. Although I, for one, will certainly miss the quintessential autumnal beverage, were moving into an equally exciting time of the year  holiday drinks at Starbucks. Whats better than something that actually tastes like a hug? Literally nothing, thats what. So when asked to take Starbucks new Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa for a spin, I was super keen. When I go to Starbucks I usually reach for something caffeinated, which leaves my hot chocolate portion of the food pyramid sadly lacking. I was REAL excited to have an excuse to taste test this red cup special.

The Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa consists of: hot cocoa with steamed milk, white chocolate mocha sauce, and Cinnamon Dolce syrup. Its then topped with whipped cream and a little bit of cinnamon sugar.

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So, first things first: (Im the realest, AND) it does actually taste like a snickerdoodle cookie.

The Cinnamon Dolce syrup is maybe the most significant flavor, so if youre into that, youre going to be into this, too. It mostly tasted like a white mocha PLUS (i.e. plus hoilday cheer.) The cinnamon sugar on the whipped cream was also dreamy and delicious and wonderful.

However, if you dont like sweet things  give this one a pass. 

Wow. This is SWEET. Even if you do like sugary drinks, Id opt for a tall rather than a grande or, blood sugar levels forbid, a venti. If your complaints about the PSL are that its too sweet, then this is not the droid youre looking for.

But if youve got a massive sweet tooth, this is a super legit option to ferry you to saccharine bliss on a cloud of cinnamon sugar and whipped cream.

But heres how to take this drink up a notch.

Pro-tip: If you dont love super sweet things but want to try this anyway, I added a shot of espresso about halfway through and it really cut the sweetness and, in my humble, caffeine-addicted opinion, improved it all around.

The post We tried Starbucks new Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa and heres our tip to make it taste even better appeared first on HelloGiggles.
Republicans in Congress effectively blocked President Barack Obama from appointing a replacement for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, leaving that decision to President-elect Donald Trump. But Scalias seat isnt the only one vulnerable to a new appointment by the real estate magnate.

Merrick Garland, the moderately liberal-leaning chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Obamas pick for the vacant seat, has awaited Senate approval since March, soon after Scalias death. And theres little chance hell get it before Trump takes office in January, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) reiterated in September.

Since Scalias death, the Supreme Courtsplit ideologically with four liberal-leaning justices and four conservative-leaning oneshas often come to impasses, requiring it to uphold lower courts decisions. Perhaps most notably, the court earlier this year tied 4-4 in a ruling on Obamas expansion of his executive actions on immigration, affirming an appeals courts injunction against the actions in place and leaving nearly 3.9 million people at risk of deportation. A conservative judge nominated by Trump could hold sway over a slew of upcoming cases involving transgender students rights, limits on racial bias in the justice system and the ability of religious schools to receive state grants.

Scalias vacancy, however, may not be the only one up for grabs in the next few years, as three of the justices may soon retire, giving Trump the chance to assemble a Supreme Court consisting of seven conservative judges and two liberal ones.

While 80-year-old Justice Anthony Kennedy tends to agree with the courts conservative faction, liberal justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 83, and Stephen Breyer, 78, could soon retire, leaving open seats for a Republican president and a newly Republican-dominated Senate to fill.

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Ginsburg, however, has rejected the notion that she will leave her post anytime soon. As she told NPR in October, her biographers said they would have preferred that she finish up her SCOTUS service prior to the books completion, but that in October, they chose to flip the order.

I will retire when its time, Ginsburg said. And when is it time? When I cant do the job full-steam.

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By Emily Stephenson NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he expected to have most members of his Cabinet announced next week, interviewing more candidates at Trump Tower for top jobs in his administration as he prepares to take office on Jan. 20. Trump is still weighing who to choose as secretary of state. The Republican president-elect said on Thursday he had chosen retired Marine Corps General James Mattis as defense secretary and would make a formal announcement on that on Monday. "We have tremendous people joining the Cabinet and beyond the Cabinet. You'll be seeing almost all of them next week," Republican Trump, who has never previously held public office, said in an interview that aired on Friday on Fox News. Even without his full foreign policy team in place, Trump had more phone calls with foreign leaders, breaking tradition by speaking with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the first such contact by a president-elect since President Jimmy Carter adopted a one-China policy in 1979. Trump also invited Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation, according to a Duterte aide. Duterte has sparred with Democratic President Barack Obama and insulted him. Obama canceled a planned meeting with him in September. A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of an invitation. Domestically, Trump plans to move quickly after taking office on his goals to overhaul taxation, healthcare and immigration laws, Vice President-elect Mike Pence said in an interview published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday. Top priorities include curbing illegal immigration, abolishing and replacing President Barack Obamas signature healthcare program, and filling a vacancy on the Supreme Court, Pence told the newspaper. Asked what he would do on his first day in office, Trump told Fox News he may address his campaign pledge to build a wall on the southern border with Mexico, though he did not go into specifics. "We could do the wall, we're going to do some repealing, we're going to do some executive orders that we think are inappropriate," Trump told Fox, referring to the possibility of reversing executive orders issued by Obama, a Democrat, during his eight-year term. CEOs TO ADVISE ON POLICY On Friday Trump named an advisory panel led by the chief executive of Blackstone, the world's biggest alternative asset manager, stacked with executives from some of America's largest companies, such as Wal Mart Stores Inc, Boeing Co and International Business Machines Corp. On Thursday he claimed success in persuading Carrier Corp, an Indiana an air conditioner maker, to keep about 1,000 jobs in the United States rather than move them to Mexico. But that drew criticism from former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, a Trump supporter who had been reported to be under consideration for a Cabinet job. "When government steps in arbitrarily with individual subsidies, favoring one business over others, it sets inconsistent, unfair, illogical precedent," she wrote in an opinion piece on the Young Conservatives website youngcons.com. "Instead, we support competition on a level playing field, remember? Because we know special interest crony capitalism is one big fail," she wrote. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had an investment of up to $250,000 in 2014 in United Technologies Corp., the parent company of Carrier. Trump is weighing who to put in charge of the Department of Homeland Security, which enforces immigration law and plays a key role in preventing terror attacks; a director of national intelligence; and several Cabinet posts dealing with energy and the environment. On Friday, Jay Cohen, former under secretary of Homeland Security for science and technology and a retired Navy rear admiral, told reporters in Trump Tower that he interviewed for a position he would not reveal. "Cyber security was discussed, and I believe that President-elect Trump understands fully the magnitude of that challenge," Cohen said. Trump has narrowed the field for secretary of state to four candidates, including the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, who attacked Trump throughout the 2016 campaign but spoke glowingly of the president-elect after having dinner with him earlier this week. "There was actually good chemistry," Trump said on Fox. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Ginger Gibson, Susan Heavey and Eric Walsh; Writing by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Frances Kerry, Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool)
By Ben Blanchard BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, but blamed the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own for the "petty" move. The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China". China's Foreign Ministry said it had lodged "stern representations" with what it called the "relevant U.S. side", urging the careful handling of the Taiwan issue to avoid any unnecessary disturbances in ties. "The one China principle is the political basis of the China-U.S. relationship," it said. The wording implied the protest had gone to the Trump camp, but the ministry provided no explanation. Speaking earlier, hours after Friday's telephone call, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointedly blamed Taiwan for the exchange, rather than Trump, a billionaire businessman with little foreign policy experience. "This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying. "I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government." In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country. Wang said that exchange had sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-U.S. relations", according to the ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript. China's Taiwan Affairs Office also called the conversation a "petty" move by Taiwan that does not change the island's status as part of China. Beijing is resolute in opposing independence for Taiwan, it added. Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said. Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact." WAYWARD PROVINCE Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January. Chinese state media downplayed the possibility of a major blow-up in Beijing's relations with Washington as Trump prepares to assume office. Influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else. "We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do." China's official Xinhua news agency said Trump needed to know Beijing can be a "cooperative partner" as long as Washington respects China's core interests, including the issue of Taiwan. "China and the United States are not destined rivals," it said in an English-language commentary. Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump. "Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet. Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the U.S. election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what U.S. policy has been" on Taiwan. Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. The White House also said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed. Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy toward China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the U.S. military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant. Trump lambasted China throughout the U.S. election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office. Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy". Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation. Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who canceled a planned meeting with him in September. A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation. (Additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici, David Alexander, Yara Bayoumy, John Walcott, Arshad Mohammed, Eric Beech, Jeff Mason and JR Wu; Writing by Jeff Mason and Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Nick Macfie)
(Adds background, paragraph 8)

By Doina Chiacu

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump drew a rebuke from former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Saturday, after turning his attention to another Indiana company planning a move to Mexico.

"Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more!" Trump said in a Friday night Twitter post.

Rexnord Corp, an industrial supplier based in Milwaukee, announced plans in October to move a bearing plant, and its 300 jobs, from Indianapolis to Mexico, employees told the Indianapolis Star at the time.

Company representatives on Saturday did not respond to a request for comment on Trump's tweet.

The Republican, who takes office on Jan. 20, warned on Thursday of consequences for companies that move jobs out of the United States but did not specify what they would be.

Trump, who campaigned on promises to keep manufacturing jobs from fleeing the country, claimed credit for a deal in which Indiana state officials agreed to give United Technologies Corp $7 million worth of tax breaks to encourage the company to keep around 1,000 jobs at its Carrier unit in Indianapolis instead of hiring in Mexico.

The agreement was less than a complete victory for Trump, as the air conditioner maker will still send an estimated 1,300 jobs there.

The deal does nothing to prevent other employers from shipping work out of state and has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike who call it corporate welfare.

Sanders, who attacked U.S. trade policy in his race against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, said Trump's deal with Carrier set a "very dangerous precedent" of having taxpayers subsidize multi-billion dollar corporations to "beg them" to keep jobs in the country.

On Saturday, he challenged Trump over his Rexnord tweet.

"What are you going to do, @realDonaldTrump? Stand up for working people or give the company a massive tax break?" Sanders tweeted in response to Trump's post.

Story continues

Sanders supports tougher policies on corporations for outsourcing.

During the presidential campaign, Trump said his administration would put a 35 percent import tariff on goods made by American manufacturers that moved jobs offshore. He frequently pilloried Carrier for planning to move production to Mexico as he appealed to blue-collar voters in the Midwest, including in Indiana, whose governor, Mike Pence, is the vice president-elect.

It is unclear what steps would have to be taken by federal authorities before Trump could retaliate against individual companies shifting jobs abroad.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Alistair Bell, Richard Chang and Bill Rigby)
WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - After threatening consequences for companies that move jobs overseas, President-elect Donald Trump has turned his attention to another Indiana company planning a move to Mexico.

"Rexnord of Indiana is moving to Mexico and rather viciously firing all of its 300 workers. This is happening all over our country. No more!" Trump said in a Friday night Twitter post.

Rexnord Corp, an industrial supplier based in Milwaukee, announced plans in October to move a bearing plant, and its 300 jobs, from Indianapolis to Mexico, employees told the Indianapolis Star at the time.

Company representatives were not immediately available on Saturday for comment on Trump's tweet.

The Republican, who takes office on Jan. 20, warned on Thursday that there would be consequences for companies that move jobs out of the United States but did not specify what they would be.

Trump, who campaigned on promises to keep manufacturing jobs from fleeing the country, claimed credit for a deal in which Indiana state officials agreed to give United Technologies Corp $7 million worth of tax breaks to encourage the company to keep around 1,000 jobs at its Carrier unit in Indianapolis instead of hiring in Mexico.

The agreement was less than a complete victory for Trump, as the air conditioner maker will still send an estimated 1,300 jobs there.

During the presidential campaign, Trump said his administration would put a 35 percent import tariff on goods made by American manufacturers that moved jobs offshore. He frequently pilloried Carrier for planning to move production to Mexico as he appealed to blue-collar voters in the Midwest, including in Indiana, whose governor, Mike Pence, is the vice president-elect.

It is unclear what steps would have to be taken by federal authorities before Trump could retaliate against individual companies shifting jobs abroad.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Alistair Bell)
The political thriller genre gets a very timely infusion of life with Thomas Kruithofs debut Scribe, a lean, edgy drama about an outwardly bland middle-aged factotum hired to transcribe taped conversations that may or may not have been recorded by the French secret service. Set during an election clearly intended to elicit parallels with current right-wing campaigns from Marine Le Pen to Donald Trump, the film, at one time given the unwieldy English title The Eavesdropper, boasts an ace cast and the kind of skillfully crafted script that keeps audiences tensely guessing the outcome until the delicious did that just happen? denouement. The movie is likely to do strong home business on its January opening, and should be enjoyed by Francophile art houses worldwide.

When we first meet bookkeeper Duval (Francois Cluzet), hes on the verge of a nervous breakdown, precipitated by a nasty boss and a weakness for alcohol. Two years later hes a teetotalling AA member, unemployed and needing a job, not just for the money but to give his life a sense of structure. After a few unsuccessful interviews, he gets a call from Mr. Clement (Denis Podalydes), proposing they meet the next day; in a spare office, Duval is offered a job transcribing phone-tapped conversations which, according to the coldly intimidating Clement, are vital to the nations interests.

The whole set-up is peculiar: an empty apartment has been rented, where Duval is to go every workday strictly between 9 and 6. Each morning numbered tapes will be waiting for him, which hes to transcribe on a typewriter, not a computer, so theres no risk of hacking. Duval protests hes not the right person for the job, but Clement counters hes ideal, and so he seems: older, not especially adapted to computer systems, apolitical, lives alone, and has no friends outside of AA. Besides, he needs the work, so he allows himself to think that perhaps Clement is part of French national security.

Duval develops a routine mindlessly typing out the phone conversations until he hears what seems to be the murder of a Libyan businessman acting as go-between with the government to release some French hostages. Shaken, he wants to throw in the towel, but suddenly Clements lackey Gerfaut (Simon Abkarian) shows up, recklessly running his mouth and literally strong-arming Duval into breaking into the offices of the Libyans lawyers to steal notebooks meant to contain important information. The operation is a failure, Gerfaut kills the janitor, and the next day the traumatized Duval is interrogated by Major Labarthe (Sami Bouajila) from the Secret Service.

In the manner of the best political thrillers, Duval is sucked into a nightmare of uncertain loyalties, forced to play sides against each other in a game he doesnt understand. The mild-mannered bookkeeper with a fragile core must develop a steely quick-wittedness, especially after his AA buddy Sara (Alba Rohrwacher) is threatened. As a character, Sara is almost superfluous, patently designed to provide Duval with a slightly more developed emotional trajectory, and Rohrwacher, giving life to the weakest plot point, has little to do of any consequence.

Otherwise, the cat-and-mouse game becomes increasingly gripping as viewers put the pieces of the puzzle together one step ahead of Duval himself until the corker of an ending. In the backdrop  but not so far back  is an election campaign in which conservative candidate Philippe Chalamont touts his slogan France is back. Surely its no coincidence that the phrase has a similar ring to Make America Great Again (though such nativist mantras are the stock-in-trade of all right-wingers). Nor is it likely to be mere chance that the hostage situation referred to, on the eve of an election, recalls the 1979 hostage crisis when Ronald Reagan was campaigning against Jimmy Carter. One of the strengths of Scribe is how it plays on the notion that conspiracy theories dont always have to be far-fetched, bringing a frightening plausibility to the films deadly game of manipulation.

Duvals age is a nice detail, making the chain of events far more believable than if he were some young office worker with a drinking problem: Cluzets lived-in mien allows the character credibility as well as depth, wordlessly adding layers not spelled out in the tight screenplay, co-written by the director and Yann Gozlan (who delivered another enjoyable thriller last year, with A Perfect Man). In his first feature, Kruithof boldly exhibits a fine sense of control and a mature understanding of how to build scenes. Visuals are uniformly crisp, suitably cold when required, and matched by ace editing.

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ANKARA (Reuters) - The Turkish military killed 20 fighters from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) after they tried to attack army bases in the southeastern Hakkari province, the military said on Saturday. The fighters crossed into Turkey from northern Iraq and attempted to launch attacks on military bases in the mountainous border region, the military said, without giving further details. Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast has been rocked by violence since a 2-1/2 year ceasefire between the government and the PKK broke down in July last year. The PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States, first took up arms in 1984. More than 40,000 people, most of them Kurds, have died in the fighting since. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
(Adds airline and industry comment, flight data)

By Jeffrey Dastin

Dec 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department said on Friday it granted flying rights to Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA's Irish unit, setting the stage for a new battle among airlines for leisure travelers across the Atlantic.

The order finalized a tentative ruling the department made in April and came days after the European Commission formally filed for arbitration over Norwegian's request, which had languished for three years.

U.S. airlines and unions have said the subsidiary, Norwegian Air International, would undermine U.S. wages and working standards, claims Norwegian has dismissed.

The accusations have come as a fare war has escalated over the Atlantic, forcing large and established airlines to consider selling cheaper fares with more restrictions and redesigning cabins to win budget-conscious travelers back from Norwegian.

"Regardless of our appreciation of the public policy arguments raised by opponents, we have been advised that the law and our bilateral obligations leave us no avenue to reject this application," the U.S. order said.

While Norwegian is already flying to New York and other U.S. cities, its ability to expand globally has been limited to the air rights that Norway has negotiated.

Not so for its Irish unit. Ireland is a member of the European Union unlike Norway, which means an Irish airline can tap into aviation rights that the European Union has secured.

Friday's news gave Norwegian the chance "to open up a lot more routes from the U.S. to Europe" and onward to other destinations, Norwegian spokesman Anders Lindstrom said. The company now can start U.S.-Ireland service as previously planned, he said.

"It's going to result in lower airfares," added Charlie Leocha, chairman of consumer advocacy group Travelers United.

The long-awaited decision may have been slowed by protectionist rhetoric by candidates during the U.S. presidential campaign, said Brandon Belford, the Transportation Department's former deputy assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs.

Story continues

There was an outcry Friday by critics.

"It is a betrayal to hundreds of thousands of aviation workers," Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said in a statement.

U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio, ranking member of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he will fight a decision that he believes lets Norwegian undercut competitors and puts U.S. jobs at risk.

One-way flights on Norwegian across the Atlantic grew 44 percent to 2,916 this year, after increasing 34 percent in 2015, according to data from air travel intelligence company OAG, accessed in September.

While top U.S. airlines operate tens of thousands more flights, they have said budget carriers like Norwegian have pushed down their trans-Atlantic unit revenue.

American Airlines Group Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc and United Continental Holdings Inc did not immediately comment.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in New York; Additional reporting by Alana Wise; Editing by James Dalgleish and Will Dunham)
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly began talks on Friday on a draft resolution that would demand an end to fighting in Syria amid frustration by some states and rights groups over U.N. Security Council deadlock on the nearly six-year conflict. More than a third of the 193-member General Assembly this week asked for a formal meeting to be held on Syria. Diplomats said the meeting was likely to be held next week, when the Canadian-drafted resolution could be put to a vote. General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but can carry political weight. "We believe that it is necessary for the General Assembly to express it collective will in accordance with the U.N. Charter and to take actions on the situation in Syria," Canada, Costa Rica, Japan and the Netherlands wrote to General Assembly President Peter Thomson on behalf of 74 countries. The draft resolution would express outrage at the escalation of violence in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, where the United Nations says more than 250,000 people have been trapped for months. It would demand aid access, an end to indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks and an end to sieges. The General Assembly held an informal meeting on Syria in October at the request of the same countries to gauge support for a rare emergency special session. Those states have now called for a formal meeting, not an emergency special session. Under a 1950 resolution, an emergency special session can be called for the General Assembly to consider a matter "with a view to making appropriate recommendations to members for collective measures" if the Security Council fails to act. Only 10 such sessions have been convened, and the last time the General Assembly met in such a session was in 2009 on Israeli actions in occupied Palestinian territories. A coalition of more than 220 civil society groups from some 45 countries, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and Save the Children, on Thursday declared that the Security Council had failed to protect the people of Syria and called for a General Assembly emergency special session. Syrian ally Russia has vetoed five Security Council resolutions on Syria since 2011. China joined Moscow in vetoing the first four resolutions. For several weeks the 15-member council has been discussing a resolution drafted by Egypt, Spain and New Zealand that would demand a 10-day truce in Aleppo. A vote has not yet been scheduled and Russia currently opposes the text. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Tom Brown)
By Ernest Scheyder and Terray Sylvester CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) - U.S. military veterans were building barracks on Friday at a protest camp in North Dakota to support thousands of activists who have squared off against authorities in frigid conditions to oppose a multibillion-dollar pipeline project near a Native American reservation. Veterans volunteering to be human shields have been arriving at the Oceti Sakowin camp near the small town of Cannon Ball, where they will work with protesters who have spent months demonstrating against plans to route the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, organizers said. The Native Americans and protesters say the $3.8 billion pipeline threatens water resources and sacred sites. Some of the more than 2,100 veterans who signed up on the Veterans Stand for Standing Rock group's Facebook page are at the camp, with hundreds more expected during the weekend. Tribal leaders asked the veterans, who aim to form a wall in front of police to protect the protesters, to avoid confrontation with authorities and not get arrested. Wesley Clark Jr, a writer whose father is retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark, met with law enforcement on Friday to tell them that potentially 3,500 veterans would join the protest and the demonstrations would be carried out peacefully, protest leaders said. The plan is for veterans to gather in Eagle Butte, a few hours away, and then travel by bus to the main protest camp, organizers said, adding that a big procession is planned for Monday. Protesters began setting up tents, tepees and other structures in April, and the numbers swelled in August at the main camp. Joshua Tree, 42, from Los Angeles, who has been visiting the camp for weeks at a time since September, said he felt pulled to the protest. "Destiny called me here," he said at the main camp. "We're committed." "GO HOME" The protesters' voices have also been heard by companies linked to the pipeline, including banks that protesters have targeted for their financing of the pipeline. Wells Fargo & Co said in a Thursday letter it would meet with Standing Rock elders before Jan. 1 "to discuss their concerns related to Wells Fargo's investment" in the project. There have been violent confrontations near the route of the pipeline with state and local law enforcement, who used tear gas, rubber bullets and water hoses on the protesters, even in freezing weather. The number of protesters in recent weeks has topped 1,000. State officials on Monday ordered them to leave the snowy camp, which is on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, citing harsh weather, but on Wednesday they said they would not enforce the order. "There is an element there of people protesting who are frightening," North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said on Thursday. "It's time for them to go home." Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier spoke by phone on Friday with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, but assistance for law enforcement and a timeline for a resolution to the situation were not offered, the sheriff's office said. Lynch said in a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice has been in communication with all sides in an effort to reduce tensions and foster dialogue. She said senior department officials will be deployed to the region as needed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday he supported the completion of the pipeline, and his transition team said he supported peaceful protests. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple said on Wednesday it was "probably not feasible" to reroute the pipeline, but he would try to rebuild a relationship with Standing Rock Sioux leaders. On Friday, Morton County Commission Chairman Cody Schulz said his office has been working in conjunction with the governor's office to meet with tribal leaders soon. FREEZING COLD Since the start of demonstrations, 564 people have been arrested, the Morton County Sheriff's Department said. State officials never contemplated forcibly removing protesters, and Dalrymple said his evacuation order stemmed mainly from concerns about dangerously cold temperatures. The temperature in Cannon Ball is expected to fall to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (-16 Celsius) by the middle of next week, according to Weather.com forecasts. The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline project, owned by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP , is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River. Protesters, who refer to themselves as "water protectors," have been gearing up for the winter while they await the Army Corps decision on whether to allow Energy Transfer to tunnel under the river. The Army Corps has twice delayed that decision. (Additional reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago and David Gaffen in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Leslie Adler)
By Ernest Scheyder and Terray Sylvester CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) - U.S. military veterans spoke with tribal leaders on Saturday about their shared interest in blocking a multibillion-dollar pipeline project near a Native American reservation, with as many as 3,500 veterans joining protests at the site. Veterans Stand for Standing Rock members aim to form a human barrier in front of police to assist thousands of activists who have spent months demonstrating against plans to route the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The group of veterans, including members already gathered at the site, will also finish building a barracks and mess hall near where they constructed a headquarters at the Oceti Sakowin camp about 5 miles (8 km) north of the small town of Cannon Ball. "Men and women who fought for our nation are now standing up for the first occupants of this land. They're saying enough is enough," said David Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, in an interview. "It's symbolic for us." He said the veterans intended to avoid violence as they supported their protest over the $3.8 billion pipeline, which opponents see a threat to water resources and sacred sites. Violent confrontations have flared near the route of the pipeline, with state and local law enforcement using tear gas, rubber bullets and water hoses on the protesters, even in freezing weather. Some 564 people have been arrested, the Morton County Sheriff's Department said. "I felt it was our duty and very personally more of a call of duty than I ever felt in the service to come and stand in front of the guns and the mace and the water and the threat that they pose to these people," Anthony Murtha, 29, a Navy veteran from Detroit, said on Friday at the Oceti Sakowin camp. State officials on Monday ordered the thousands of protesters now present to leave the snowy camp, which is on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, citing harsh weather, but on Wednesday they said they would not enforce the order. The temperature in Cannon Ball is expected to fall to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (-16 Celsius) next week. [L1N1DX1M7] The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline project, owned by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River. Protesters, who refer to themselves as "water protectors", have been gearing up for the winter while they await the Army Corps decision on whether to allow Energy Transfer to tunnel under the river. The Army Corps has twice delayed that decision. "Regardless of what happens with this pipeline, we now know that with unity and with prayer we can make a stand," Archambault said. "I don't think the federal government or corporate world is going to continue to encroach on our lands after this time." (Additional reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and David Gaffen in New York; Writing by Letitia Stein; Editing by Susan Thomas and Tom Brown)
(Recasts throughout, adds quotes from tribal leader)

By Ernest Scheyder and Terray Sylvester

CANNON BALL, N.D., Dec 3 (Reuters) - U.S. military veterans spoke with tribal leaders on Saturday about their shared interest in blocking a multibillion-dollar pipeline project near a Native American reservation, with as many as 3,500 veterans joining protests at the site.

Veterans Stand for Standing Rock members aim to form a human barrier in front of police to assist thousands of activists who have spent months demonstrating against plans to route the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a lake near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

The group of veterans, including members already gathered at the site, will also finish building a barracks and mess hall near where they constructed a headquarters at the Oceti Sakowin camp about 5 miles (8 km) north of the small town of Cannon Ball.

"Men and women who fought for our nation are now standing up for the first occupants of this land. They're saying enough is enough," said David Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, in an interview. "It's symbolic for us."

He said the veterans intended to avoid violence as they supported their protest over the $3.8 billion pipeline, which opponents see a threat to water resources and sacred sites.

Violent confrontations have flared near the route of the pipeline, with state and local law enforcement using tear gas, rubber bullets and water hoses on the protesters, even in freezing weather.

Some 564 people have been arrested, the Morton County Sheriff's Department said.

"I felt it was our duty and very personally more of a call of duty than I ever felt in the service to come and stand in front of the guns and the mace and the water and the threat that they pose to these people," Anthony Murtha, 29, a Navy veteran from Detroit, said on Friday at the Oceti Sakowin camp.

State officials on Monday ordered the thousands of protesters now present to leave the snowy camp, which is on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, citing harsh weather, but on Wednesday they said they would not enforce the order. The temperature in Cannon Ball is expected to fall to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (-16 Celsius) next week.

Story continues

The 1,172-mile (1,885-km) pipeline project, owned by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP, is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River.

Protesters, who refer to themselves as "water protectors", have been gearing up for the winter while they await the Army Corps decision on whether to allow Energy Transfer to tunnel under the river. The Army Corps has twice delayed that decision.

"Regardless of what happens with this pipeline, we now know that with unity and with prayer we can make a stand," Archambault said. "I don't think the federal government or corporate world is going to continue to encroach on our lands after this time."

(Additional reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and David Gaffen in New York; Writing by Letitia Stein; Editing by Susan Thomas and Tom Brown)
A University of Southern California student was arrested Friday, accused of stabbing a psychology professor to death on campus, officials said.

Bosco Tjan, who began teaching at the university in 2001, was killed in the Seeley G. Mudd building in what authorities said was a personal dispute, the Associated Press reported.

Police received a call reporting a victim with multiple stab wounds around 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported. The suspect, a man in his 20s, was arrested at the scene of the attack, but his name has not yet been released.

We want to make clear this was not a random act, Los Angeles Police Department Det. Meghan Aguilar said, according to the Times. This victim was targeted by the suspect.

Tjan, who was 50, was a married father to one son, according to public records cited by the AP.

As the Trojan family mourns professor Tjans untimely passing, we will keep his family in our thoughts, USC President C.L. Max Nikias wrote in a letter to the community.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 2, 2016 / Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation ("Cognizant" or the "Company") (CTSH) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between February 27, 2015 and September 30, 2016, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the Class Period should contact the Firm prior to the December 5, 2016 lead plaintiff motion deadline.

To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here. You can also call Brian Lundin, Esquire, of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action yet. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also choose to do nothing and be an absent class member.

According to the complaint, Cognizant made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: the Company lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; that certain improper payments were made for permits and building licenses for some of its facilities in India; and that as a result of the above, Cognizant's statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

On September 30, 2016, Cognizant announced that it would conduct an internal investigation into whether certain payments in India violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company also announced that its President resigned. When this information was released to the public, shares of Cognizant lowered in value, which caused investors serious harm.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders' rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in certain jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Story continues

Contact:

Lundin Law PC

Brian Lundin, Esq.

Telephone: 888-713-1033

Facsimile: 888-713-1125

brian@lundinlawpc.com

http://lundinlawpc.com/

SOURCE: Lundin Law PC
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday broke with decades of U.S. diplomatic tradition in speaking with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, a seemingly innocuous call that started the relationship between two of the world's greatest powers on the wrong foot.



Trump's call, and the ensuing debate over its meaning, created an initial furor on both sides of the Pacific. Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party makes Beijing uncomfortable because of its official stance that Taiwan is independent and sovereign , rather than an extension of mainland Chinathe government's position that underpins the "One China" policy.



Yet foreign policy experts think the fallout on U.S.-Sino relations will be limited. Beijing is likely to attribute the move to inexperience  even as elements of the U.S.-Taiwan call were unorthodox in more ways than one.



"The call by itself and the potential for shift in U.S. policy to strengthen ties in Taiwan would create enormous anxiety in Beijing regardless of who is president," Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, told CNBC.

"But with Tsai Ing-wen, a president seen as pro-independent and one that has not accepted the one China principle makes it even more alarming," she added.

As expected, the Chinese government was not happy with the news. China's Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement on the conversation, saying it had lodged "a solemn representation to the United States" over the call and echoing the country's Anti-Secession Law, "there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China."

This initial reaction from Beijing seemed constructive, noted Barry Pavel, senior vice president and director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. He said that China seems to be saying that it understands that Trump's team "made a mistake and we're going to let it slide."

Lindsey Ford, director of Asian security at the Asia Society Policy Institute, agreed that Beijing seems to be taking a wait and see approach.

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"People are going to give a bit of latitude to a new administration, but that will only last for so long," she cautioned.

"On things like our U.S.-China policy and sovereignty that are extremely sensitive issues, it would be a tremendous concern were we to suddenly change our position on something like this that has been a fundamental basic element of how we approach China for many, many years," Ford added.

'Not the way you want to start'

Following the news that Trump had spoken with Tsai, Ned Price, spokesman for the White House national security council said, "There is no change to our longstanding policy on cross-Strait issues."



"We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy based on the three Joint Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations," Price said in a statement.

Ian Bremmer, president of the global intelligence firm Eurasia Group, said that the call was "not the way you want to start" a diplomatic relationship with China.

"Trump has been accepting calls of congratulations from everybody, without the focus on usual protocol and absence of regular intelligence briefs," Bremmer explained in an email to CNBC.

"He knows there's a problem between China and Taiwan, but unlikely thought taking a call would cause an international incident. That's just lack of policy experience but it puts him in a very tough place with Beijing."





Threatening 'one China'

The DPP believes that the only way Taiwan's sovereignty could be changed is if the people voted on a referendum for that change. Beijing may be concerned that the call with Trump has emboldened Tsai to pursue Taiwan independence more actively, even if, so far, there hasn't been indication that she would do so.

Beijing "will fear this could be interpreted in Taiwan as a signal from the U.S. that the U.S. might support a pro-independence agenda," Glaser said.

Bremmer noted that had Taiwan's president been a politician from the Mainland-friendly Kuomintang Party, they "probably wouldn't have made the call, fearing potential Beijing fallout."



Damage to international relations?

Yet experts who spoke to CNBC agreed that the incident highlighted the fact that Trump's brand of improvisation, which served him well during the election, may not translate on the international stage.

Diplomatic interactions are normally tightly scripted because of how much word choice and optics matters, Asia Society's Ford said. Eurasia Group's Bremmer said that what this incident shows is that the president-elect "clearly needs a team of foreign policy professionals around him immediately."

He added: "You improvise around this stuff and U.S. national interests will be damaged."



Pavel said that it's fortunate that China seems to have given Trump a pass this time.

"The worst thing is if [China] took it as completely deliberate. It'd be the beginning of a downward spiral in the most important bilateral relationship in the world," he said.

CSIS' Glaser agreed. "This will be a wake up call for President-elect Trump about the importance of understanding the intricacies of foreign policy. I hope he draws some lessons from it."

 NBC News contributed to this report.



Correction: This story was revised to correct in headlines that the call was made by Taiwan's president.







More From CNBC


Photo: Philadelphia Police Department

Philadelphia police recently released footage of what may be the best-dressed instance of vandalism of the year, so far. And it turns out the destroyer of private property is an attorney named Duncan Lloyd, who just happens to work for the city.

Lloyd was caught on surveillance footage, sporting a smart blue blazer and what appears to be an ascot, and carrying a glass of wine. He and an accomplice were caught spray-painting F*** Trump on the exterior wall of a fancy grocery store in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood in northwest Philadelphia. No additional wardrobe or props should be required to fulfill a more apt stereotype of a liberal, yuppie hater of Donald J. Trump.

Photo: Philadelphia Police Department

The local office of the Republican Party summed up the situation quite well when it released a statement:

YES our statement on a CITY ATTORNEY vandalizing Chestnut Hill grocery w.anti Trump graffiti is worth a read: pic.twitter.com/InMEKj71Tc  Philly GOP (@PhillyGOP) November 30, 2016

If the image of an upper-middle-class city attorney clad in a blazer and sipping wine while vandalizing an upscale grocery store with an anti-Trump message strikes you as perhaps the most bourgeois sight imaginable, thats because it is.

Philadelphia GOP Chairman Joe DeFelice continued the statement by calling for the firing of Lloyd, who is currently (at the time of this writing, at least) employed as an assistant city solicitor for Philadelphia.

Did the extra glass of Shiraz [editors note  How do we know it was Shiraz?] give him some sort of delusional confidence that there are no cameras on Germantown Ave? The taxpayers should be entrusting exactly none of our faith into this man. He should be fired from our citys law department immediately.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kinney told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Lloyd remains employed for the time being. Its still working out. Its certainly hateful and inappropriate and unacceptable, the mayor said. But people are human beings, and they make mistakes, and its a dumb mistake.

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While most local GOP supporters on social media appear to be calling for Lloyds head on a platter (with or without the ascot), a scant few recommended some level of leniency:

@PhillyGOP @Richzeoli I don't know. I think the glass of wine and ascot almost make it forgivable.  Cranky Gordon (@CrankyGordon) November 30, 2016

According to the police, the damage to the building is estimated at between $3,000 and $10,000.

Since the 2016 presidential election, reports of vandalism, harassment, violence, and property damage have occurred at an alarming rate on both the anti- and pro-Trump sides, but this may the first one wrapped in an ascot.
Workhorse Group is working on a two-seat personal flying machine. (Workhorse Photo)

BELLEVUE, Wash.  A company called the Workhorse Group wants to beat Amazon to the punch and provide the U.S. Postal Service with thousands of electric-powered mail trucks equipped with delivery drones. But thats not all: CEO Steve Burns sees flying cars in the companys future.

Its a dream thats already attracting tens of millions of dollars in funding for Silicon Valley startups.

I know a couple of people who are working on it, Burns acknowledged today at Bellevues Meydenbauer Conference Center. But were trying to do it first.

Burns provided a sneak peek at his Indiana-based companys plans for a hybrid flying car  or, to use his preferred term, the Surefly personal flying machine  during the Advanced Transportation Technologies Conference, organized by the Center for Advanced Transportation and Energy Solutions.

He told GeekWire that Workhorse plans to unveil a prototype in June, and that the two-seat drone would eventually be sold and operated as a sport aircraft. Surefly could become the greenest, fastest and most economical way to travel, he said.

Its safe, its going to cost less than a Tesla, and itll going to fit in your garage, he said. And its less expensive to go, as the crow flies, from here to the airport, than any other mode of transportation.

Whats more, hes already thinking about a bigger Version 2.0 with wings.

Workhourse Group CEO Steve Burns looks from the past to the future of transportation at the Advanced Transportation Technologies Conference in Bellevue, Wash. (Geekwire Photo / Alan Boyle)

Ill tell you, this could revolutionize traffic around here, Burns said. You could go over Lake Washington. Instead of two bridges, youve got fleets of these flying across the lake.

Does Burns have his head in the clouds? Maybe the idea isnt quite as crazy as it sounds: At Januarys CES show in Las Vegas, a Chinese company showed off an autonomous single-seat quadcopter thats already been flight-tested. And in October, Uber laid out its vision for fleets of flying cars that could revolutionize urban commuting.

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The Federal Aviation Administration would have to give its go-ahead, but Burns is counting on the regulatory hurdles to be worked out by the time Workhorse is ready to go commercial.

In cooperation with the University of Cincinnati, Workhorse is already testing a smaller breed of flying vehicle known as the HorseFly. The quadcopter plays an important role in the concept that the company is trying to sell to the Postal Service.

Workhorse and its manufacturing partner, VT Hackney, are among six finalists in a long-running competition for a contract to replace tens of thousands of mail trucks with next-generation vehicles. The Workhorse teams concept relies on hybrid electric trucks that can send out HorseFly drones to drop off packages.

The Postal Service has ordered up 50 trucks for testing, to be delivered within the next year. The winner would be selected after six months of further evaluation. That suggests the HorseFly drones could be deployed before Amazons drone delivery fleet goes into action in 2020 or so.

Workhorses drones wont go beyond the drivers visual line of sight. Instead, theyll make short hops to drop off deliveries, then return to the truck to recharge. That should keep the system in compliance with the flight rules laid out by the FAA in June.

Weve been doing this for several months, testing [with] live, real houses, Burns said.

The typical cost of operating a diesel-powered mail truck is about $1 per mile, he said. In contrast, the electric trucks operating cost is as little as 25 cents per mile, and the figure for the HorseFly drone is 2 to 3 cents a mile.

Two or three cents a mile, no pollution, no maintenance, no driver time. People ask me if this is fantasy or if this is really going to happen, Burns said. With those kinds of economics, its going to happen.

Its already happening, to some extent: Workhorse (formerly known as Amp) has sold more than 100 hybrid electric delivery trucks (sans drones) to UPS, FedEx, Cintas and Chicagos Alpha Baking Company. And thats not all: Workhorse is already taking advance orders for a plug-in hybrid electric pickup truck.

Duke Energy ordered 500 of them right out of the gate, Burns said. Were two years from producing them, and its compelling enough that people are pre-ordering them now. It has a lot of innovation. The body is all carbon-composite. Its completely different. Again, like our other trucks, it looks from the outside the same as a regular pickup, but were going to try to reinvent that space.

More from GeekWire:
Geneva (AFP) - The heavyweights of world trade, including the United States, China and Japan, meet in Geneva this weekend to establish a list of environmentally friendly products for which tariffs can be eliminated or reduced.

The green products include solar panels, wind turbines and air quality monitors "that can help achieve environmental and climate protection goals," the World Trade Organization said.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem is expected at the WTO talks on Saturday along with senior officials of 17 countries, including US Trade Representative Michael Froman.

The officials hope to finalise an accord on Sunday but nothing is guaranteed, a source close to the WTO said.

Talks on the Environmental Goods Agreement began in July 2014, based on a proposal at the World Economic Forum in Davos six months earlier.

Malmstroem said some 300 environment-related products would be considered at the Geneva talks.

Over $1,000 billion (940 billion euros) worth of goods in this sector are traded every year, the WTO said.

If a deal is reached this weekend, countries will next year establish a list of reduced tariffs for each product, a WTO spokeswoman said on Friday.

The WTO said the benefits of any agreement would be extended to all of its members.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Other Government Agencies Issue Recalls When Dangerous Products Hurt People

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2016 / Most people rely on dozens of consumer products every day to make their lives easier and more enjoyable. From the toothpaste you use in the morning to the smartphone in your pocket, you probably touch and handle consumer products more often than you realize.

Despite federal laws that require manufactures to follow strict rules regarding the testing and safety of their products, unsafe and deadly products are sold in stores all the time. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other government agencies issue recalls when dangerous products hurt people.

Here are five of the most dangerous consumer items ever sold in this country, some of them quite recently.

Tylenol

Tylenol is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever that is marketed for use in both adults and children. It's a go-to medication for pediatricians because it's generally regarded as safe for all ages, including infants. However, Tylenol was the subject of one of the largest recalls in American history after seven people died in the Chicago area in a single week in 1982.

Investigators determined that some Tylenol bottles contained capsules laced with cyanide, which is deadly to humans. Now known as the "Tylenol murders," the case remains a cold case, as investigators never discovered who tampered with the bottles. After the deaths, Tylenol pioneered tamper-resistant packaging. Congress also passed guidelines in 1989 requiring all drug manufacturers to use tamper-proof packaging.

Jarts (Lawn Darts)

Lawn darts, also known as Jarts, were pulled from store shelves due to one grieving father's crusade in memory of his young daughter. She died after suffering a brain injury caused by a lawn dart striking her skull. The father's investigation revealed that the CPSC had struck a deal with the manufacturer of lawn darts: The company could sell them if it added a warning label telling consumers they were for adults only.

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A closer look at lawn dart injuries showed that Jarts injured 6,000 people in just eight years, with children accounting for 81 percent of all victims. The CPSC eventually banned all lawn darts in 1988.

Takata Airbags

The recall of Takata airbags is the biggest recall ever for any product in American history. The defective airbags have been known to explode in a collision, sending shrapnel flying through the air. The recall continues to expand. Already, 100 million vehicles have been recalled. The defective airbags have caused 11 deaths and over 100 injuries.

Ford Pinto

Poor design and corporate irresponsibility combined to make the Ford Pinto one of the most dangerous products ever manufactured. The number of deaths caused by the Pinto's rear-mounted fuel tank ranges from 27 to 180. After accidents and fires started happening, even in low-speed crashes, Ford admitted it knew about the Pinto's design flaw but failed to make adjustments because adding additional safety components would have cost the company an extra $11 per car.

Firestone Tires

Many speculated that tire manufacturer Firestone could never spring back from the delamination issue that hounded the company in the early 2000s. Firestone was forced to recall over 6.5 million tires after 175 people were killed and 700 were hurt in accidents caused by defective tires.

By: New York Defective Products Law Firm Jonathan C. Reiter

Jonathan C. Reiter

866-324-9211

Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC

The Empire State Building

350 5th Avenue #6400

New York, NY 10118

T: (212) 736-0979

Source: http://injuryaccidentnews.jcreiterlaw.com/2016/12/01/new-york-product-liability-lawyer-explains-5-deadliest-consumer-products-ever-sold/

SOURCE: Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC via Submit Press Release 123


Credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images

Is Tom Hiddleston hot?

That's one question that has plagued Hollywood after the 35-year-old actor swept Taylor Swift off her glitter-adorned feet. Yes, the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok star is inarguably handsome, but some have questioned his ascent into certified hunk territory.

We think he's golden, but c'mon, it's what's inside that counts. That's why we're pausing from our busy mornings to ogle this epic photograph from Hiddleston's philanthropic visit to Juba in South Sudan. The UNICEF ambassador said goodbye to his red carpet suit-and-tie persona and instead rolled up his rough and tumble sleeves to greet local children in need.

Prepare to reach for a Kleenex.

RELATED: 5 Dream Shows We're Dying to See on Taylor Swift's New Network

"I've met so many brave children in South Sudan, who keep smiling in spite of the civil war which continues around them," he wrote as the caption to the 'gram. "The tireless people @Unicef and @UnicefSSudan are on the ground, helping to protect them from physical and psychological abuse, providing clean water, vaccines and education. We mustn't forget about them. We mustn't allow South Sudan to be forgotten."

RELATED: Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston Are STILL Friends

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An actor using his star power to improve lives? Tom Hiddleton, ladies.
February 2016 might seem like a long-ago date, before the dark times really began. But if you cast your mind back that far, youll remember that the news was dominated with a fight between the FBI and Apple over iPhone encryption.

It pitted vast teams of lawyers, politicians and bloggers against each other in an impassionated argument (which all eventually fizzled out). So rather than going down the same path, the UKs Metropolitan Police worked out that they could just mug unsuspecting criminals and search their iPhones before they ever had a chance to lock them.

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As the BBC explains, the hit was organized as part of a Met investigation into a crime ring that was using fake credit cards to buy luxury goods and resell them for cash. The cops apparently believed that key evidence was on the suspects phone, but he kept it locked at all times when it wasnt in use.

As the FBI proved at length, its difficult to get data off a locked, encrypted phone, especially a newer-model iPhone. So the UK cops decided to follow the suspect, wait until he was on a phone call in the street, and then jumped him and grabbed the device.

One poor officer was given the task of swiping through screens on the open device to prevent it from turning off or locking.

The technique of hitting criminals so fast that they cant destroy evidence is nothing new. This case concerned a credit card fraud ring, but the original credit card kingpin, Max Butler, was taken down in a very similar way. In Butlers case, a police raid on his home involved a team of computer science experts who were there to extract data from Butlers computers before he could hit a kill switch to encrypt everything.

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See the original version of this article on BGR.com
US President Barack Obama announces his selections for the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 17, 2016 (AFP Photo/SAUL LOEB) (AFP/File)

Washington (AFP) - The White House should lead a broad cybersecurity effort with the private sector to guard against potentially crippling attacks and boost confidence in the digital economy, a presidential commission said Friday.

The panel created by President Barack Obama in 2013 delivered a 90-page set of recommendations, noting that most would need to be carried out by incoming President-elect Donald Trump.

"It is critical that the next president and his administration and Congress begin immediately to tackle each one of the issues raised in this report," the panel said.

"The commission considers this report a direct memo to the next president. The recommendations reflect what the commissioners believe are the highest-priority actions to take. Some recommendations call for actions within the first 100 days of the new administration."

The report comes amid a wave of cyber attacks that have compromised data on tens of millions of US government employees, Yahoo users and other online services, and major companies such as Sony Pictures.

There are also concerns about risks to networks that control critical infrastructure such as electric grids and water systems.

The election campaign itself was also roiled by concerns about cyber attacks said to come from Russia.

The Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, headed by former US national security adviser Thomas Donilon and former IBM chief Samuel Palmisano, called for a wide range of actions from both the public and private sector, while arguing that the White House has a responsibility to lead the efforts.

"We need to recognize that neither the government nor the private sector can capably protect systems and networks without extensive and close cooperation," the report said.

The panel called for better public-private cooperation but said that "the government is -- and should remain -- the only organization with the responsibility and, in most cases, the capacity to effectively respond to large-scale malicious or harmful activity in cyberspace caused by nation-states."

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Specifically, it said the private and public sectors "should collaborate on a roadmap for improving the security of digital networks," which can protect against so-called denial-of-service attacks that can shut down systems.

"The administration should focus first on mitigating and, where possible, eliminating denial-of-service attacks, particularly those launched by botnets," the report said, referring to networks of web-connected machines that can be manipulated with malware.

- Mobile security, passwords -

Because of the growth in use of mobile devices, cybersecurity efforts should also focus on protecting against disruption of wireless communications, the panel said.

The government should prioritize efforts to guard against any attacks on the global positioning system (GPS) and have contingency plans if these systems fail, the report said.

One of the ways to guard against attacks is stepping up identity verification -- which could be helped by moving away from passwords which are often stolen and used by hackers.

The panel also called for creation of a new civilian agency to lead cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, a new cybersecurity awareness campaign and the "equivalent of a cybersecurity 'nutritional label'" for tech products and services.

Obama, in a statement, called the recommendations "thoughtful and pragmatic" and said his administration "will take additional action wherever possible" before he leaves office next month.

He said he asked the panel to brief the Trump transition team "at their earliest opportunity."
After several years of meeting in rented spaces, Cornerstone Lutheran Church will soon have its own home.

Construction on the new church is projected to start in the spring. The church broke ground in November on its four acres of property located across the street from Hannibal Park near 26th and Hoyt streets.

In the last two years, the modest congregation has raised more than $200,000 toward the project.

"I've never served a church that blessed. It's amazing that they raised that much money in addition to their $100,000 budget," said Cornerstone Lutheran Church Pastor Doyle Karst, who previously was the pastor at a church in Sterling for 13 years. "It's a tremendous gift. It's all them (the congregation).

"I think when a project is happening, congregations think, 'Something's finally happening. I want to support that, instead of just the budget.'"

Karst said Cornerstone averages 65 people each week with an additional 15 or 20 spots filled by visitors. The congregation meets in what was previously Trinity Lutheran Church at Ninth and Elk streets, which they have used rent-free since Sept. 2014.

Karst estimated that $30,000 to $40,000 was donated by other churches also part of the regional Lutheran Congregations in Mission Christ.

Cornerstone has raised $260,000 of its total goal of $300,000. The church is discussing loans with local banks for additional funding.

"It's taken us so long to get to this point," Karst said. "But we've done it right. We've done it slow."

The new church will be about 3,800 square-feet, including a sanctuary, a pastor's office, two classrooms, a nursery and a kitchen. Plans also include a fellowship hall of about 2,900 square-feet to be added sometime in the future, which is Phase 2 of the project.

"We tried to keep it simple and basic and stick to our funding requests," Karst said. "We'll ask the congregation to do things like paint, put in insulation -- simple things we can do without a license to help save a little bit and get some people involved if they want to."

The sanctuary will seat 172 comfortably but will be able to hold more than 200 guests.

The four acres "gives us a chance at any future," Karst said. "It gives a chance at a parsonage. It gives plenty of room for parking. We'll never have to come back and buy more."

Karst said membership recruitment is ongoing and that a new church with a parking lot (their current site uses residential street parking) should help gain support, excitement and new members and visitors. Karst said the other problem with the current site is the absence of classroom space.

Cornerstone started in 2010 and first held space for two years next to Asera Care on 24th Street. For the following nearly two years, Cornerstone met in the gymnasium of St. Paul's Lutheran School paying $2,000 a month for rent. The congregation moved to what was previously Trinity Lutheran Church in Sept. 2014 and have been there rent-free and contract-free ever since.

Cornerstone purchased the new land in 2013.

The project is largely led by the church's Building Committee -- Don Keller, Darryl Baker, Tracy Zimmerman, Larry Bores and Paul Ostermann.

"They've done a great job," Karst said. "They've seen this project from 'Do you want to do something?' to final plans. They visited other churches, including one in Ashland, for ideas. They've done a really good job of shepherding this."

Mike Fakler of Fakler Architects in Beatrice is the architect for the new church.

"We're going to open it up to local contractors and local subcontractors," Karst said. "We want people in the community to benefit from this."

Cornerstone will send local contractors bid letters for the job. Responses are due by Feb. 1. Questions about this can be directed to Pastor Doyle Karst at 402-613-7419.

Karst said he hopes the dirt work will be done next week and that construction will start in April, depending on the weather.

When Cornerstone moves, the property at Ninth and Elk will be for sale. Trinity Lutheran dissolved a few years ago.

"So out of one church that's done, hopefully another rises," Karst said.
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Sometimes history doesn't have to wait to judge -- and when it comes to dictators, even dead ones, we shouldn't either.

With news of Fidel Castro's death Friday -- finalmente -- world leaders began offering eulogies, some of which were so vapid or willfully ignorant that Castro might have written them himself. It would appear in any case that the 20th-century's quintessential "Big Brother" managed to infect a few world leaders with an Orwellian strain of mushy-mouthed aphasia.

Apparently bereft of the right words, they treated Castro's brutality as polite unmentionables, serving up platitudes as though just another important figure had passed on to his maker.

Did they miss the screams?

Growing up in Florida during the Cuban missile crisis, running bomb shelter drills and hearing the stories of refugees who became lifelong friends, I somehow managed to evade the charms of the revolutionary rogue, who merely replaced one dictatorship with another far worse. There's nothing sentimental about a ruthless dictator who once held the world hostage to a possible nuclear Armageddon.

It's one thing to be respectful of the Cuban people -- and I'm not suggesting we celebrate anyone's death. But it is another to sidestep the historical horrors of a murderous, 60-year military regime and strike a pose of diplomatic equanimity that assuages only gluttons of insincerity.

No wonder so many of them chose to express themselves through Twitter -- a communication format well-suited to the small and shallow. Nancy Pelosi tweeted that Castro's death "marks the end of an era." Stalin's death did, too, but who's judging? Justin Trudeau, Canada's happy-boy prime minister, called Castro a "remarkable leader," who "made significant improvements" to Cuba, presumably by taking over all private possessions and culling the island of the middle class. Atta boy.

It's true that Cuba boasts a high-level of literacy and a health care system free to all. Then again, you don't see many people from industrialized nations lining up for heart surgery in Havana.

And then there's Jimmy Carter, under whose watch Castro emptied his prisons and mental institutions, sending 125,000 inmates as well as other lesser desirables to our shores. As a younger reporter, I spent a week in Miami's "Tent City," where local and state officials tried to figure out where to put hundreds of criminals and the mentally challenged. This was thanks to Carter's telling Castro that countless Cubans wished to leave Cuba.

Although many have lauded Castro's political acumen, I've yet to read about his flair for irony. Carter, for whom irony apparently is what the maid does to his dress shirts, remembered Castro "fondly." Perhaps as one reaches the age of wisdom, one leans toward greater charity.

President Obama's remarks, though eloquent, were carefully meaningless. Steering clear of specifics, he noted that Cubans are filled with emotions, "recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation."

Yes, death, torture, oppression, imprisonment, a state-controlled media and a miserable, state-run economy will flat-out alter a person's course. Obama then grabbed history's tail and gave it a yank, saying, "History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him."

Aw, come on, let's beat history to it. One of the worst dictators in modern history has mercifully died. It doesn't matter that in 2008 he ceded control of the government to his brother Raul. Symbolically, his death liberates the psyches of at least three generations of Cubans and Cuban-Americans.

History will strain little in judging Castro or in sorting out his effect on the world. Now that Obama has eased the decades-long U.S. embargo, wisely in my view, as well as restrictions on travel, the tiny nation has a shot at reinvention. Already, Raul has made changes allowing for limited market socialism, meaning that small businesses and individuals may conduct commerce for profit. The once subterranean "dollar economy" that has kept many Cubans financially afloat thanks to Cuban-American relatives sending money, is now being openly encouraged by Raul.

President-elect Donald Trump would do well to stay in this lane rather than threaten to reinstate the embargo. He should understand that Castro loved the embargo more than anyone because, as ever, he could blame the U.S. for his failures. For Trump to fall into this same trap would be a post-mortem gift to Castro and breathe new life into cruel legacy -- the dictator's final triumph over America and the several U.S. presidents who could never quite bury him.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Regular readers of this blog know that one of the most encouraging pieces of modern marijuana research comes from the growing evidence suggesting that deaths from opioid overdoses are lower in states that have functional medical marijuana programs. (See prior discussions here and here and here.) For that reason, when I see this new article from my local paper, headlined "Ohio leads nation in overdose deaths," I immediately think it is time for all Ohio officials to try to shift the state's new medical marijuana law into high gear. Here is the ugly deadly data (which actually is based only on 2014 fatalities):

In a grim statistic that surprises no one close to the problem, Ohio leads the nation in opioid overdose deaths, a new report shows. Along with the overall category, Ohio also had the country's most deaths related to heroin: One in 9 heroin deaths across the U.S. happened in Ohio. The Buckeye State also recorded the most deaths from synthetic opioids: About 1 in 14 U.S. deaths. In all the categories, Ohio easily surpassed states with larger populations. According to state-by-state statistics compiled by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2,106 opioid overdoses were reported in Ohio in 2014, which was 7.4 percent of the 28,647 deaths reported nationwide that year. California ranked second with 2,024 deaths and New York was third with 1,739. The statistics are troubling but probably arent news to many law enforcement officials, treatment providers and families of addicts in Ohio who have seen the number of overdose deaths shoot up every year lately. Ohios status as the nations OD capital may continue. The states overdose deaths rocketed to 3,050 last year and are expected to burst past that number in 2016. The Kaiser analysis, compiled from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information, showed Ohio had the highest number of deaths from synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and carfentanil, with 590 deaths out of 5,544 nationally, or 7.4 percent. Finally, Ohio also had the dubious distinction of having the most heroin deaths in 2014, 1,208 of 10,574 nationally, or 11.4 percent, the Kaiser statistics showed.

Tellingly, the MUCH bigger states of California and New York both have medical marijuana programs (though New York's is still in its infancy), and I suspect that marijuana access is generally greater in a number of other larger prohibition states (e.g., Texas and Florida) relative to Ohio. Critically, I am not asserting that marijuana reform alone is a magic solution to opioid overdose problems or even that Ohio's new medical marijuana program will make a major difference in this arena. But I am asserting that, at a time of a deadly opioid crisis that has only gotten worse and worse each year, state officials ought to be embracing any and every public policy response that research suggests might be of help. Marijuana reform would seem to be on any serious list of public policy responses that research suggests might be of help in this time of crisis.

Some prior related posts:

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/marijuana_law/2016/11/given-latest-opioid-death-data-should-ohio-officials-be-fast-tracking-access-to-medical-marijuana.html
Today, The Los Angeles Times reports on how marijuana legalization advocates are preparing for potential political and legal battles with the presumptive next attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL). The Times's Patrick McGreevy writes:

Marijuana industry leaders in [California] and around the U.S. have launched an opposition campaign to the Senate confirmation of the Republican senator from Alabama and are appealing to the Trump camp to make sure the president-elects policies are consistent with his campaign comments that he favors allowing states to decide how to enforce marijuana laws...

Sessions said at a legislative hearing in April that good people dont smoke marijuana, a drug that he said is dangerous. He went on to say, We need grown-ups in charge in Washington to say marijuana is not the kind of thing that ought to be legalized....

Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and industry leaders and some elected officials fear Sessions might repeal a policy directive from the Department of Justice that has prevented enforcement in the states, or take California to court and argue that federal law preempts state legalization measures.

If that happens, there will be a fight, supporters say.

"California voters supported legalization by a historic and overwhelming margin, and their elected leaders are not going to stand aside and allow the senator from Alabama to turn back Californias clock, said Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a leading proponent of Proposition 64...

Opponents of Proposition 64 are encouraging Sessions to reverse the federal policy that has allowed states to legalize and regulate recreational use without federal enforcement.

The issue is really as simple as stating that federal law is, in fact, the law of the land and will be enforced across the entire nation, said Kevin Sabet, president of the opposition group Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

Sabets group has urged Sessions to send a letter to the governors of states that have legalized pot use and notify them that issuing licenses for marijuana sales is a violation of the Controlled Substances Act. Sabet suggested the states be given six months to roll back their regulations before enforcement begins...

However, supporters of Proposition 64 said they believe the state would be obliged to defend the measure if it is challenged in court.

We would expect a very, very strong pushback from the state, because the reality is its a public safety issue, said Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Assn. They have decriminalized a product, so if you dont allow any sort of regulation in place for people to access that product, the underground market is only going to grow.

Bob Hoban, an attorney and marijuana industry consultant, said Trumps selection of Sessions is alarming, but he is hopeful that Trump will keep the federal governments hands off the states.

A series of court challenges to Colorados law have been dismissed, and the Supreme Court in March declined to hear a lawsuit by neighboring states Oklahoma and Nebraska, Hoban said. The two states argued that Colorados legalization regulations are unconstitutional and have a negative impact on them because marijuana is flowing across state lines.

Hoban also said it is a very positive sign that Trumps transition team includes PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, whose investment firm has a $75-million stake in the marijuana industry.

Even so, Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), a leading legislative proponent of decriminalization, said California officials are preparing to dig in to defend the states values if there is a federal challenge.

Among its options, the state could mount a defense of its marijuana laws in court if the federal government challenges Propositions 64 and 215, the 1996 medical marijuana initiative, experts say.

California can also wield political clout given that the state has the largest delegation in Congress. That power was exercised when Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and Sam Farr (D-Carmel) coauthored a rider to the federal budget that has for the last two years prohibited federal funds from being used to prosecute medical marijuana businesses that are in compliance with state laws...
This week on our national parks journey, we leave the United States mainland and travel down to the Caribbean. There, you will find three islands that make up the United States Virgin Islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.

The Virgin Islands National Park is a tropical paradise on the island of St. John. The park covers more than half of the small island. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. The climate here is warm all year.

Tall green peaks rise from the ocean, which is filled with wildlife. The islands white sand beaches and clear blue seas are considered to be among the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

Cultural history in the park

Evidence of human history on the island dates back thousands of years.

Archaeological evidence shows the first people to arrive on the Caribbean islands came in canoes from South America more than 2,750 years ago. The Taino people lived along the shores of St. John island. Over the years, the population of the Taino natives grew. You can see evidence of the Taino culture in the petroglyphs within the Virgin Islands National Park.

Christopher Columbus first saw the island in 1493. Later, Spain, Holland, England and Denmark all tried to claim the Virgin Islands as their territory.

These nations sought to profit from the production of two main crops: cotton and sugar. The crops were grown on large farms, called plantations, that once covered the island.

African slaves and indentured servants were forced to travel on ships in terrible conditions to live and work on the plantations.

In 1733, the slaves revolted. During the revolt, almost one quarter of the islands population was killed. Plantations were destroyed.

In 1762, after many struggles, Denmark took control of the Virgin Islands.

Slavery in the Danish-controlled Caribbean islands ended in 1848. After that, St. Johns crop production and its population greatly declined.

In 1917, the United States bought the islands of St. John, St. Croix and St. Thomas from Denmark. By the 1930s, news of these beautiful American islands spread to the mainland United States. It was the beginning of what is now a profitable tourist industry.

And in 1956, land on St. John island formed Americas 29th national park.

Forming the national park

Laurence Rockefeller was an American millionaire, businessman, conservationist and philanthropist. He visited St. John in the 1950s. He quickly fell in love with the islands clean, pure beauty.

He purchased a small resort there, Caneel Bay. He also purchased more than 2,000 hectares of the island and donated it to the government.

That donation created the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park. It was officially opened as a national park on December 1, 1956. Along with land, the Virgin Islands National Park today protects almost 3,000 hectares of coral reefs, marine life and shoreland. In 1978, much of the nearby Hassel Island was also donated to the Virgin Islands National Park.

The only way to reach the park is by boat. Some people arrive on their own sailboats. Others come in on large cruise ships. Visitors also arrive on water taxis from the island of St. Thomas.

St. John offers many kinds of places to stay: very large or very small hotels, villas, or campgrounds with wood framed tents. At Cinnamon Bay, visitors can rent an empty camp space and set up their own tent. It is an affordable and adventurous way to stay in the park.

From the tropical hills to the blue waters, there are many things to do at the Virgin Islands National Park. Visitors enjoy fishing, camping, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and bird watching.

There are many paths to take. Some of the walking paths lead visitors to historical ruins. These ruins help explain the parks cultural history.

The Peace Hill trail, for example, is a short walk up a rocky and sharp hill. It leads to the Peace Hill windmill ruin. People built the windmill centuries ago. The windmills made energy for sugar production.

The Cinnamon Bay Trail goes through a forest and leads to the ruins of the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Plantation. Along the way, hikers smell the scents of mango, kapok and apple trees.

Some of the oldest and tallest trees in the park are found along the Reef Bay trail. Hikers also pass Danish sugar plantation ruins, stone walls, and ancient rock carvings, or petroglyphs, from the Taino people.

Along the way, there is also a huge waterfall, fresh water pools and animals, such as deer, bats and land crabs.

Some of the hiking trails end at a beautiful beach where you can swim, snorkel or dive.

Of all of the parks beaches, Trunk Bay Beach is said to be the most striking. Below the clear blue water is a 200-meter snorkeling path. Signs beneath the water describe the turtle, coral and exotic fish species found here.

Hawksnest Beach is also a popular place for snorkeling. Near the shore are three small reefs of Elkhorn Coral. The Elkhorn Coral gets its name from its shape. The reef looks similar to the huge horns of an animal called an elk. It is a very rare kind of reef. Scientists say it is in danger of becoming extinct.



The Virgin Islands National Park is often called Americas paradise. It protects St. John's pristine nature, and preserves the record of human history in the Caribbean.

I'm Caty Weaver.

And I'm Ashley Thompson.

Dorothy Gundy reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

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Words in This Story

tropical  n. a place of warm climate and many plants and forests

paradise  n. a very beautiful, pleasant, or peaceful place that seems to be perfect

canoes  n. long narrow boats that are pointed at both ends and that is moved by a paddle with one blade

petroglyphs - n. a rock carving, especially a prehistoric one

indentured - adj. required by a contract to work for a certain period of time

servant  n. one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

conservationist  n. someone who works to protect animals, plants, and natural resources

philanthropist  n. a wealthy person who gives money and time to help make life better for other people

resort  n. a place where people go for vacations

coral reefs  n. long lines of coral that lie in warm, shallow water

marine  adj. of or relating to the sea or the plants and animals that live in the sea

shoreland  n. The land at the shore of a lake, sea or other body of water

cruise  n. a journey on a boat or ship to a number of places as a vacation

villas  n. houses to rent and live in when on vacation

tent  n. a portable shelter that is used outdoors, is made of cloth and is held up with poles and ropes

scuba diving  n. a sport or activity in which you swim underwater using an air tank and a special breathing machine that you attach to your body

snorkeling  n. swimming underwater while using a special tube so you can breathe

windmill  n. a structure that has parts which are turned around by the wind and that is used to produce power

grind  v. to crush or break (something) into very small pieces

plantation  n. a large area of land especially in a hot part of the world where crops (such as cotton) are grown

exotic  adj. very different, strange, or unusual

species  n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants

extinct  adj. no longer existing

Have you been to a tropical paradise? Let us know! Write to us in the Comments Section.
Our story today is called "Luck." It was written by Mark Twain. Here is Shep ONeal with the story.

I was at a dinner in London given in honor of one of the most celebrated English military men of his time. I do not want to tell you his real name and titles. I will just call him Lieutenant General Lord Arthur Scoresby.

I cannot describe my excitement when I saw this great and famous man. There he sat, the man himself, in person, all covered with medals. I could not take my eyes off him. He seemed to show the true mark of greatness. His fame had no effect on him. The hundreds of eyes watching him, the worship of so many people, did not seem to make any difference to him.

Next to me sat a clergyman, who was an old friend of mine. He was not always a clergyman. During the first half of his life he was a teacher in the military school at Woolwich. There was a strange look in his eye as he leaned toward me and whispered  Privately  he is a complete fool. He meant, of course, the hero of our dinner.

This came as a shock to me. I looked hard at my friend. I could not have been more surprised if he had said the same thing about Napoleon, or Socrates, or Solomon. But I was sure of two things about the clergyman. He always spoke the truth. And, his judgment of men was good. Therefore, I wanted to find out more about our hero as soon as I could.

Some days later I got a chance to talk with the clergyman, and he told me more. These are his exact words:

About forty years ago, I was an instructor in the military academy at Woolwich, when young Scoresby was given his first examination. I felt extremely sorry for him. Everybody answered the questions well, intelligently, while he  why, dear me  he did not know anything, so to speak. He was a nice, pleasant young man. It was painful to see him stand there and give answers that were miracles of stupidity.

I knew of course that when examined again he would fail and be thrown out. So, I said to myself, it would be a simple, harmless act to help him as much as I could.

I took him aside and found he knew a little about Julius Caesars history. But, he did not know anything else. So, I went to work and tested him and worked him like a slave. I made him work, over and over again, on a few questions about Caesar, which I knew he would be asked.

If you will believe me, he came through very well on the day of the examination. He got high praise too, while others who knew a thousand times more than he were sharply criticized. By some strange, lucky accident, he was asked no questions but those I made him study. Such an accident does not happen more than once in a hundred years.

Well, all through his studies, I stood by him, with the feeling a mother has for a disabled child. And he always saved himself by some miracle.

I thought that what in the end would destroy him would be the mathematics examination. I decided to make his end as painless as possible. So, I pushed facts into his stupid head for hours. Finally, I let him go to the examination to experience what I was sure would be his dismissal from school. Well, sir, try to imagine the result. I was shocked out of my mind. He took first prize! And he got the highest praise.

I felt guilty day and night  what I was doing was not right. But I only wanted to make his dismissal a little less painful for him. I never dreamed it would lead to such strange, laughable results.

I thought that sooner or later one thing was sure to happen: The first real test once he was through school would ruin him.

Then, the Crimean War broke out. I felt that sad for him that there had to be a war. Peace would have given this donkey a chance to escape from ever being found out as being so stupid. Nervously, I waited for the worst to happen. It did. He was appointed an officer. A captain, of all things! Who could have dreamed that they would place such a responsibility on such weak shoulders as his.

I said to myself that I was responsible to the country for this. I must go with him and protect the nation against him as far as I could. So, I joined up with him. And away we went to the field.

And there  oh dear, it was terrible. Mistakes, fearful mistakes  why, he never did anything that was right  nothing but mistakes. But, you see, nobody knew the secret of how stupid he really was. Everybody misunderstood his actions. They saw his stupid mistakes as works of great intelligence. They did, honestly!

His smallest mistakes made a man in his right mind cry, and shout and scream too  to himself, of course. And what kept me in a continual fear was the fact that every mistake he made increased his glory and fame. I kept saying to myself that when at last they find out about him, it will be like the sun falling out of the sky.

He continued to climb up, over the dead bodies of his superiors. Then, in the hottest moment of one battle down went our colonel. My heart jumped into my mouth, for Scoresby was the next in line to take his place. Now, we are in for it, I said

The battle grew hotter. The English and their allies were steadily retreating all over the field. Our regiment occupied a position that was extremely important. One mistake now would bring total disaster. And what did Scoresby do this time  he just mistook his left hand for his right handthat was all. An order came for him to fall back and support our right. Instead, he moved forward and went over the hill to the left. We were over the hill before this insane movement could be discovered and stopped. And what did we find? A large and unsuspected Russian army waiting! And what happened  were we all killed? That is exactly what would have happened in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred. But no  those surprised Russians thought that no one regiment by itself would come around there at such a time.

It must be the whole British army, they thought. They turned tail, away they went over the hill and down into the field in wild disorder, and we after them. In no time, there was the greatest turn around you ever saw. The allies turned defeat into a sweeping and shining victory.

The allied commander looked on, his head spinning with wonder, surprise and joy. He sent right off for Scoresby, and put his arms around him and hugged him on the field in front of all the armies. Scoresby became famous that day as a great military leader  honored throughout the world. That honor will never disappear while history books last.

He is just as nice and pleasant as ever, but he still does not know enough to come in out of the rain. He is the stupidest man in the universe.

Until now, nobody knew it but Scoresby and myself. He has been followed, day by day, year by year, by a strange luck. He has been a shining soldier in all our wars for years. He has filled his whole military life with mistakes. Every one of them brought him another honorary title. Look at his chest, flooded with British and foreign medals. Well, sir, every one of them is the record of some great stupidity or other. They are proof that the best thing that can happen to a man is to be born lucky. I say again, as I did at the dinner, Scoresbys a complete fool.

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Words in This Story

ally n. (pl. allies) a country that supports and helps another country in a war

disabled  adj. having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc.

dismiss  v. to send away; to refuse to consider

dismissal  n. the act of sending a person away (from a position at work or in a school)

join up  (idiom) enlist in the military service

superiors  n. a person of higher rank or status than another
There is a commonly held belief in the United States about the best path to a college education.

Many Americans would say this path involves graduating from high school at age 17 or 18. Then, going off to university to live and study for just four years. And, at the end of that term, receiving a degree.

But, that is not as usual a path as people might think. U.S. Department of Education research suggests that the majority of undergraduate college students take a less traditional approach.

Carey Dwyer is an example. She graduated from high school in 2005 and began studying physical therapy at Temple University in Philadelphia. But, after her first year, she decided she wanted to study nursing instead.

Dwyer moved back home and began seeking an associates degree at Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Maryland in 2006. However, medical issues forced her to take time off school. She started working full-time and going to school part-time.

Dwyer faced several difficulties. But she says nothing was as hard as returning to school after she took the time off.

In 2010, Dwyer completed her associates degree -- also called a two year degree. She was 24. Then, she joined the Army. Using the money she earned, Dwyer completed a bachelors degree at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina in 2015.

Now married with three children, she says she does not mind that it took her almost ten years to complete her education. In the end, she says she only put in all the effort because she wanted to.

"Ultimately, all that matters is that I got my degree done. I didnt get it for anyone else. I did it for me, specifically, to follow my goals and my aspirations."

Strayer University is a for-profit college with centers all over the country. Earlier this year, Strayer worked with the media company U.S News and World Report to create the 2016 College Experience Survey. The researchers gathered information from 1,000 U.S. undergraduate students.

The study findings showed that 70 percent of the students questioned were nontraditional.

But what does nontraditional mean? The Strayer report identifies nontraditional college students in several ways. A student who passes General Educational Development (GED) tests instead of earning a high school diploma is considered nontraditional. So is a student who works more than 35 hours a week, or studies part-time while seeking a bachelors degree. And, a student who was 25 years or older when they last took classes, or when they graduated, is also considered nontraditional.

Information from the U.S. Department of Education suggests the nontraditional student population may be growing. In 2013 the department reported 29 percent of undergraduates were between 18 and 24 years old, studying full-time in four-year degree programs.

Karl McDonnell is the chief executive office of Strayer Education, the company that owns Strayer University. McDonnell says there are so many nontraditional students now because many see education as the best way to reach new opportunities. But, he adds, nontraditional students also have much different needs.

"Over the last 5 to 10 years weve had a more challenging labor market. So as people try to find well-paying jobs and/or move up in their organization, a college degree is becoming more and more important -- you might even say essential. And the types of programs that higher education needs to pursue, they tend to be things that are flexible in nature."

McDonnell notes that most of the students at Strayer University are nontraditional. They are often older people with years of work experience and families to raise. This means they need to be able to attend classes during the times that they are not working or caring for others, he says.

McDonnell argues that most schools are much more concerned with their traditional students. Online courses like the ones Strayer offers are increasingly useful for nontraditional students, he says.

But others suggest there is more schools need to do for nontraditional students than just offering classes over the internet.

Eva Yuma is in the final year of her bachelors degree program at the University of Maryland (UMD). She also took a long path to get where she is now.

Yuma took a year off from studies after graduating from high school. She then started seeking a degree in art history at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 2009. More than two years later, she found she was unhappy and moved back to the U.S. In 2013, she returned to school and became a film major.

Yuma says the most difficult part about going back to school was deciding to take on more debt to pay for her continuing education. But she also says her relationship to her school changed.

For example, she says she does not seek new friends the way she did during her first few years of higher education. Yuma says she feels more professional than the traditional students. She believes she is less afraid to speak her mind.

But Yuma argues UMD could do more to build connections between the nontraditional students. That way they could share their networks and experience.

"There isnt very much community for those students. I guess they assume that you already have an established community; you dont need the undergrad experience like the other kids do."

Yancey Gulley is an assistant professor for the higher education student affairs program at Western Carolina University. He has 15 years of experience as a college administrator. The educator says schools need to stop using the term nontraditional. He worries that the term could harm students. It may make some feel that their schools consider them less intelligent or less hardworking.

"It really does say to them, You are an exception. You shouldnt belong here. Youre probably not going to be successful, but were gonna to let you give a good old try. Good luck to you. And thats really demonizing students [that] walk around our campuses every day and take our classes."

Gulley notes there are programs in place that are designed to support nontraditional students. For example, Fayetteville State University offers a program that opens a faster path to a nursing degree for people who already have nursing experience. The University of Maryland also works with a foundation to provide financial assistance to older students.

But, Yancey Gulley says some schools may not realize they are failing to provide equal support to their students. The U.S. higher education system was designed for traditional students. Gulley says schools must make sure all their students can access all the same supports and services.

Im Pete Musto.

Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

How do people in your country define traditional and nontraditional students? How do schools treat both? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

graduating  v. earning a degree or diploma from a school, college or university

undergraduate  n. a student at a college or university who has not yet earned a degree

associates degree - n. a degree that is given to a student who has completed two years of study at a junior college, college or university in the U.S.

bachelors degree  n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university, usually after four years of study

aspiration(s)  n. something that a person wants very much to achieve

diploma  n. a document which shows that a person has finished a course of study or has graduated from a school

challenging  adj. difficult in a way that is usually interesting or enjoyable

essential  adj. extremely important and necessary

flexible  adj. easily changed

online  adj. done over the Internet

assume  v. to think that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true

demonizing  v. trying to make someone or a group of people seem bad or wrong

realize  v. to understand or become aware of something
General Qamar Javed Bajwa has taken command of Pakistans army, the sixth-largest in the world.

The official change of command ceremony took place earlier this week near the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The former chief, General Raheel Sharif, called Bajwa a strong decision maker who faces a complex security situation.

Many Pakistanis did not want Sharif to leave office. Some put up large street signs asking him to stay. Others launched a social media campaign with the hashtag ThankyouRaheelSharif.

Many people believe Sharif improved security and reduced violence. They say he led the military to success against militants and extremists.

But some people say he expanded the influence of the military and took control of some duties usually performed by civilian officials. In this way, they say, he quietly took power away from the government.

In fact, Sharif at least once publicly criticized the government for not doing more to carry out the National Action Plan, created to fight terrorist violence. In his last public speech as army chief, he said that to deal with its problems -- including criminality and corruption -- Pakistan must enact the plan.

Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have been killed in extremist violence over the past 10 years. A military operation launched in 2014 has greatly improved the security situation. But attacks continue, showing that extremists are still active in the country.

The new army chief must also deal with increasing tensions with India. Indian and Pakistani troops often fire at one another across the Line of Control -- an unofficial border in the disputed Kashmir area. Bajwa formerly served as commander of the army unit which is responsible for areas around the Line of Control.

Bajwa must also deal with problems on his countrys western border with Afghanistan. Relations between the two countries have worsened since last year, when tensions lessened.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wanted Pakistan to help negotiate a peace agreement with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistani officials said they tried to do so, but could not force the Taliban to if the militants did not want a deal.

Afghanistan says Pakistan has continued its policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban, including giving the groups supporters places to hide. Afghan leaders say the Pakistanis are doing this so they can keep some influence in Afghanistan and block Indian influence.

But the most important issue for the new military chief might be easing tensions between Pakistans civilian and military leadership. Publicly, the two sides dispute reports of tensions. The military leaders say they support the constitution. But for months, some Pakistanis have worried that the military is plotting to remove the civilian leaders and take control of the country.

Local media reports that some of the reasons General Bajwa was chosen as army chief is he does not seek attention and is not interested in political issues. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chose him even when other generals have served longer in the army.

This has happened before. Earlier prime ministers have chosen less-senior generals because they believed they were not interested in removing the civilian government. But that has not always been the case.

Years ago, then-Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto named General Zia ul-Haq over other, more experienced generals. But the general led a military rebellion against Bhutto and executed him.

More recently, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif named General Pervez Musharraf as army chief. Musharraf ousted Sharif in 1999 and sent him into exile.

Tensions between the civilian and military leadership increased in October after a Pakistani newspaper reported on an argument between the two sides at a national security meeting.

Pakistani officials said the report was not true. But the newspaper said that it was.

The daily English language paper, The Dawn, said the civilian leaders gave a warning to military officials at the meeting. They said that if the military did not stop supporting militants in Afghanistan and India, Pakistan would face international isolation.

The military leadership was reportedly angry about the story. They reportedly believe a civilian gave information about the meeting to the newspaper. Investigators are trying to find out who leaked information to The Dawn.

Whether General Bajwa continues the investigation with the same strength as the former army chief may show what kind of relationship he wants to have with Pakistans civilian leadership.

Im Christopher Jones-Cruise.

Ayeesha Tanzeem reported this story from Islamabad for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

senior  adj. higher in standing or rank than another person in the same position

isolation  n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others; the condition of being isolated

leak  v. to give (secret information) to someone so that it becomes known to the public
This is Whats Trending Today.

The coffee company Starbucks said its chief executive officer, Howard Schultz, plans to leave his position in April of 2017. He will reportedly work on a new Starbucks brand.

Schultz, 63, is credited with greatly expanding the company and its brand worldwide. He began working with Starbucks in 1982 as the operations and marketing director. At the time, Starbucks had just four coffee shops. All were in Seattle, Washington.

Today, the company has 24,000 stores in 70 countries.

Starbucks opened its first store outside of the U.S. in 1996 in Tokyo, Japan. Since then, Starbucks stores have opened in China, Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico and many other places.

Schultz was the companys CEO from 1987 until 2000. He became the CEO again in 2008. Kevin Johnson will replace him. Johnson is currently the companys chief operating officer and once worked with Microsoft.

Schultz said that after he steps down, he will work to make a special Starbucks brand bigger. That brand is called Starbucks Reserve. It serves high-quality drinks. The coffee served in its cafes can be two times more expensive than regular Starbucks coffee.

There are still very few Starbucks Reserve stores. But, Starbucks reportedly plans to open many more of these cafes around the world in the near future.

People reacted to the news of Schultzs departure on social media. Some Twitter users had not heard of Starbucks Reserve stores before.

One person wrote: high-end coffee? Isnt that what Starbucks is? If paying $3.16 for an iced medium coffee isnt high-end, I dont know what is.

Another person wrote: Ill not purchase one $12 coffee in my lifetime.

Others on social media wondered if Schultz was considering running for president in 2020. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the recent U.S. elections.

And thats Whats Trending Today.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

What do you think of the Starbucks change? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

brand  n. a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name

chain n. a group of businesses (such as stores, restaurants, or hotels) that have the same name and basic appearance and sell the same products or services

high-end adj. higher in price and of better quality than most others

credit v. to give honor or recognition to (someone or something) for doing something or for making something happen
Before Americans knew who would become the next president, a group of business leaders sent a letter to the two main candidates.

Elizabeth Gore wrote the letter, and 85 business leaders, both men and women, signed it.

Gore serves an entrepreneur-in-residence at the Dell computer company. Her letter urges the next president to take steps that would make it easier for businesses owned by women to grow.

The letter was called What We Need to Succeed.

Gore noted that in the United States, women are starting new businesses twice as often as men, but their businesses too often fail. She thinks this is because women do not receive the same amount of financial support as men when their companies are launched. Also, she wrote, companies operated by men get more attention in the media.

Gore and the business leaders who signed the letter offered a list of things the government could do to help women-owned businesses.

Their suggestions include helping more women entrepreneurs get start-up loans. One way to do this is by offering incentives  motivation for banks or investors to make such loans. For example, cutting taxes on earnings from investments in women-owned businesses would make those companies more appealing to investors.

Gores letter called on the new U.S. president to make it easy for businesses of all sizes to sell products and services in other countries.

The letter went on to ask the new president to support changes in Americas education system. Gore wrote about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She said some young women do not get the support they need to study those subjects while in school.

Actress Jessica Alba was one of the people who signed the letter. Alba started The Honest Company, which makes products without using dangerous chemicals. Another signatory was Melanie Whelan, who launched an exercise studio business called SoulCycle.

Two other signatories are Steve Case, the founder of AOL, and Rhonda Vetere, the chief technology officer of Estee Lauder.

The business leaders were not just appealing to the idea of equality between men and women. Gore noted a study that found the U.S. economy could grow by $30 billion if women were more actively involved.

Gore told VOA I always think about the venture funding gap, but theres really a gap in the whole cycle.

Another study found that women-owned businesses grew faster than those owned by men in the 10 years ending in 2007. A U.S. Department of Commerce report showed these businesses added 500,000 jobs to the economy.

Gore said there are many good social reasons to support women in business. But the most important reason is that it is good for business.

If [women] get access to capital, they outperform their male peers, she said. That is a good business bet, not just a social bet.

Gold told VOA recently that president-elect Donald Trump has yet to answer her letter. But she and some of the other signatories plan to visit Washington in February. They plan to meet with politicians and explain why its critical for our country and the economy to be prioritizing the success of women entrepreneurs.

Im Dan Friedell.

Tina Trinh wrote this story for VOANews.com Dan Friedell adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Do you think more women will start businesses in the U.S. with Donald Trump as president? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

start-up  n. a new business

capital  n. money, property, etc., that is used to start or operate a business

critical  adj. extremely important

prioritize  v. to make (something) the most important thing in a group

venture  n. a new activity, project, business, etc., that typically involves risk

attractive  adj. having a feature or quality that people like

incentive  n. something that encourages a person to do something

entrepreneur  n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money

in-residence  n. having an official position as a writer, artist, etc., who has been chosen to live and work at a college or other institution for a period of time
CHAPPELL, Neb.  Mike Hutchinson celebrated twice Friday.

All day for his 53rd birthday, and again that night  with two grandchildren nearby with hugs  for a year of recovering from gunshot wounds suffered in an ambush.

Hutchinson, a career law-enforcement officer and former Deuel County deputy sheriff, impatiently continues to take his time in allowing his body and mind to heal after he was jumped and shot four times while attempting to serve an arrest warrant Dec. 3, 2015, in Big Springs.

Hutchinsons assailant, a 66-year-old electrician out of jail on an attempted first-degree murder charge in Colorado, was shot and killed moments later by the Deuel County sheriff.

I feel like Im in a quagmire and cant make that next step, Hutchinson said Friday at his rural Deuel County home. I feel like Im almost there. Just sitting around the house is not me. I want to be doing something. But I can only go for so long and then I have to stop and sit down a little bit, try to stretch and then go again.

He suffered severe internal injuries from the close-range gunshot wounds and hasnt been cleared by doctors to return to any type of work.

If I stand too long, my legs dont want to work right, he said. If I sit too long, and stand to walk, my legs dont want to work. Its like I have to loosen them up before I can move again, which takes a few seconds to get going.

Hutchinson said he lost two of his three layers of stomach muscle during the multiple surgeries he has endured during the past year.

The one layer remaining basically stabilizes me to walk and to hold my organs in, he said.

Hutchinson said he will be restricted to lifting no more than 50 pounds, once doctors release him to do that. He is currently permitted to lift no more than 10 pounds. He does two days of physical therapy and one day of occupational therapy weekly.

Hutchinson said he has been thinking about new jobs, if he doesnt return to law enforcement.

He said the Pump and Pantry manager in Chappell invited him to work at the convenience store. He said he appreciated the offer but turned it down because he would have to take off too many days for appointments with doctors and therapists  and he still has issues with standing or sitting for long periods.

He helps with housework, including folding clothes.

Karyl (his wife) doesnt let me touch the washing. Ive ruined too many of her outfits, he said.

He said he regularly rises at 6 a.m. to make his wife breakfast and help get her out the door to her job at their daughter and son-in-laws auto garage shop in Grant. Karyl recently returned to the job full-time after stepping away to help care for her husband at home.

She wasnt real keen on leaving me home by myself, Hutchinson said. He sometimes rides along to Grant to hang out at the shop and walk mail to the post office.

In late summer, Hutchinson tried to drive by himself to Central City, Nebraska, to visit friend Keith Brown. He got as far as Lexington and ended up in the emergency room at the Cozad hospital when scar tissue wrapped around a bowel and ended the trip.

All of his medical bills related to the shooting have been paid by the countys workers compensation insurance carrier. In May, however, the Hutchinsons fell off the countys group health insurance plan after the county switched to a new third-party provider and it was noted that he wasnt working at least 30 hours a week.

Instead, the county eventually gave him a one-time $1,500 stipend to pay for insurance purchased through the Affordable Care Act. The Hutchinsons will have to pay for their health insurance premiums out-of-pocket once the stipend funds are spent early next year.

Hutchinson said doctors tell him that it will take two years for his wounded body to find a new normal.

Dont rush it, they say.

Hutchinson served in a variety of law enforcement jobs across Nebraska before taking a job as a Deuel County sheriffs deputy in October 2014 to be closer to daughter Molly Deaver and her family in Grant.

Friday night, Hutchinson was the guest of honor at a gathering hosted by his wife and Molly at the Perkins County Fairgrounds in Grant. Hundreds were invited and everyone else was welcome to attend.

But what Im really looking forward to is being with the grandkids, he said.
LEXINGTON, Neb. - A free information session titled "Know your immigrant rights" was held Wednesday evening at the Lexington Middle School.

Held in the auditorium, the event was sponsored by Justice for our Neighbors (JFON), an Omaha non-profit and the St. Mary's Immigration program, which has offices in Lexington and Grand Island.

Each attendee to the event was given: a red card stating in English that the person wished to remain silent until he or she could consult with an attorney (for those with limited English skills), an informational pamphlet and a letter a person could sign stating his or her support for the DACA program that could be sent to an elected official.

Rosangela Godinez, a Lexington High School graduate and attorney with JFON in Lexington, gave the information talk in both English and Spanish.

She said the most common places where an immigrant can face a risk of deportation are at the border, at airports and during immigration customs enforcement, ICE, raids.

A legal resident or an undocumented immigrant is at great risk of deportation if the person has a criminal record, Godinez said.

Someone overstaying a six-month tourist visa is also at risk of deportation, she said.

A person with a prior deportation order would be considered a fugitive from justice, Godinez said.

Although there was uncertainty on the enforcement of immigration rules and deportations with a new president set to take office next month, Godinez said high numbers of deportations was the trend each year.

"During President Obama's eight years 2.5 million have been deported. The president-elect wants to deport three million," she said.

Under the Obama administration, those given top priority for deportation have been terrorists, those with a criminal record involving domestic violence, gang violence or a DUI and those entering the country after 2014, Godinez said.

During Obama's tenure, 98 percent of deportations have been based on a criminal record, she noted.

Godinez strongly discourages any immigrant to apply for citizenship or residency on their own without the help of an attorney or someone certified by the board of immigration appeals to work on immigration cases.

Immigration law only considered a child, spouse or parent as immediate family, this means that only one of those listed can apply for a family petition to bring a family member to the country, she said.

For those already in proceedings for deportation, a cancellation of removal can be applied for if the person had a spouse, child or parent that is aU.S. citizen, Godinez said.

Only individuals who have been persecuted due to their religion, national origin or for belonging to a social group are eligible to apply for asylum, she said.

Godinez strongly encouraged immigrants to be on the lookout for false promises from attorneys who promise a work permit in three months, which they can deliver. But to obtain work permits so fast, attorneys apply for asylum for their client, she said.

"You get a work permit in three month with the asylum process. It's super difficult to win an immigration case in court, in two years the person could end up in deportation proceedings," she said.

Anyone applying for asylum would be well advised to seek the guidance of a specialized asylum attorney, Godinez said.

Benefits such as a green card (as part of the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA)or a visa (U Visa) are available for victims of domestic abuse or victims of crimes if the person has assisted law enforcement with an investigation, she noted.

Uncertainty remains on the future of the Deferred Action for Early Arrivals executive order, known as DACA for young undocumented immigrants raised in the United States.

Obama passed the executive order to allow immigrants who arrived in the country before their 16th birthday, who have had continuous residency since 2007, good moral behavior and are or plan to go to school to get a work permit and avoid deportation.

"There have been 700,000 youth who have benefited from DACA. Students are low priority for deportation because they have no criminal record.," she said. The program may end on Jan. 20, 2017 when the new president-elect takes office, Godinez noted.

Trump has said he wants to eliminate DACA, she said.

Rights for immigrants at home include having a right to remain silent until consulting with an attorney, requesting to see the search warrant signed by a judge with the correct address and name on it, and the right to refuse entry without a signed warrant.

Rights for immigrants on street: remain silent until speak ingwith a lawyer, asking to leave scene.

Rights of immigrant at work: remain silent, can't be deported unless evidence exists supporting deportation, right not to sign anything.

Passengers in a car have the same rights as those on a street, she noted. An immigrant driver without a license and registration shouldn't be driving and is at risk of deportation, Godinez advised.
LEXINGTON,Neb. - Members of Lexington Regional Health Center's Board of Directors heard two capital funding requests and a housing need update during their monthly meeting Tuesday.

LRHC chief financial officer Wade Eschenbrenner made two capital requests on behalf of LRHC. The first funding request was in the amount of $62,814 for an interface computer system to connect the clinic electronic system to the hospital electronic system. The funding request was way below the original allocated amount of $150,000, he said.

The second capital request was for new a glyde scope system costing $34,554. This system provides equipment used for emergency airway procedures, Eschenbrenner said.

The board approved both funding requests.

Chief executive officer Leslie Marsh talked about a strong need for housing for residency staff, visiting specialists and to help recruit providers to LRHC.

She said she was fortunate to run into Rick Barmore, a longtime pharmacist in Lexington who moved to Washington D.C. Marsh said Barmore is selling his house for $15,000 less then market value, at $185,000.

Not only would Barmore be willing to sell it to LRHC, he would work with the hospital to make the sale as smooth as possible and also donate all his furniture, she said.

"We know we need it, it's on the budget, I recommend we take advantage of this," Marsh said about pursuing an agreement for the housing from Barmore.

Board members passed a resolution allowing Marsh to enter into talks and an agreement with Barmore for the house.

In other board business:

 Nicole Thorell, chief nursing officer, said LHRC has received a lot of recongition for the processes it uses to reduce patient re-admission.

LRHC has been recognized as one of the top hospitals for reduction in re-admission and was selected as one of two hospitals to participate in a webinar to discuss its processes with other hospitals, she reported.

The Nebraska Hospital Association will do a Leaders in Quality video on-site at LRHC, she said. Thorell commended the work of Brittany Hueftle for implementing new processes and working with departments.

 Marsh congratulated Thorell for being featured in the NHA's Women Executive Leaders spotlight.

Asked how close her nursing department was to being fully staffed, Thorell said she had one nursing position open, after one nurse transferred to another department.

 Jim Hain, LRHC chief operating officer, told the story of a patient who recently finished a pulmonary rehab course at LRHC.

Hain said the patient was impressed by the personal care of staff. Moral support and encouragement helped the patient finish the rehab course, he said.

 Hawley Lister, chief quality officer and infection control coordinator for LRHC, said the hospital is still waiting for accreditation body DMV to visit and conduct an audit. Her department is continuing to work on various goals to improve quality measures, she said.

 Don Young, executive director of ancillary services, said glass on each end of the hospital building would be redone. He also noted that T.L. Sund would work on improving drainage issues on the south side parking lot.

 Jill Denker, executive director of human resources and physician liaison, said the next on-site leadership training with Lee Elliott will be held the second week of January.

 Denker also gave the marketing update report. She said LRHC is planning on participating in the parade of lights on Sunday, Dec. 4 in downtownLexington. Staff would also be participating in Elwood's Old Fashioned Christmas celebration on Dec. 8.

A push would be made to utilize social media more creatively to promote the many specialists available at LRHC, Denker said.

 Marsh said she would postpone any update on strategic planning until after President-elect Donald Trump entered office next year. She noted that current strategic planning for LRHC included working within the current framework of the Affordable Care Act, a law Trump is seeking to repeal.

 Eschenbrenner gave his financial report. Financial ratios for October included: 125 acute patient days (slightly below budget), 25 newborn days (above budget), 21 swing bed days and an average daily census of 6.5.

On the liquidity side, the days in net receivables was 69.26, slightly above the goal of 60 days. Days in net receivables measures the days that it takes an organization, on average, to collect its receivables.

"Days in net receivables is an area of importance that we are trying to improve," Eschenbrenner said.

On the balance sheet, LRHC had $4.6 operating cash, $10.5 million in total cash and $65.93 million in total assets.

On the liability side, LRHC had $36.506 million in total liabilities.

Total operating revenue as of October was $9.46 million with a total operating loss through October of $332,000, he said.

 Board Member Tara Naprstek noted that the Tuesday meeting marked the third absence in a row for fellow board member Dr. Wayne Weston.

 At the end of the meeting, the board went into executive session to discuss charity care and personnel.
Today is the last day to vote early
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".
A memorial will be held Saturday for the tow truck driver who was killed last Sunday on Interstate 275.

Danny Hand, 42, of Port Richey, stopped to help a stranded driver. He was outside his tow truck, which was parked on the shoulder of I-275 with lights activated, troopers said.

Leandro Corrales Perez, 30, lost control of his vehicle, hitting and killing Hand. Perez was arrested on a DUI manslaughter charge.

Hand was a driver for Crocketts Towing and Recovery.

The company will bring 40 of its trucks for whats known as a rolling to pay their final respects.

The memorial will begin at 9 a.m. at the rest area just south of State Road 54 in Pasco County. From there, the trucks will make their way along I-275 to Fowler, the area where Hand was killed.

Hand is the third tow truck driver this year to be killed in the Bay Area while on the job.
The state has terminated its school readiness contract with a St. Petersburg daycare and learning center.

State terminated contract with Happy Workers Daycare



The learning center was previously put on probation for violations

The center could permanently close in a month

Happy Workers Daycare was put on probation with the state last month after a number of violations. The daycare was missing information from its paperwork, like background checks on their workers.

State officials found more violations this week, prompting the contract termination with the 87-year-old facility.

Lindsay Carson, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition, said, "Of most concern to me, is the fact that there are violations related to criminal background screenings. Where there was a teacher who didn't have a criminal background check and obviously we've gotta keep these kids safe."

The learning center has the right to appeal the decision, but if all goes as planned, Happy Workers' doors could close permanently in a month.
The topic of mental health is slowly gaining a lot leverage in Bollywood. After Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan coming out in the open about their battle with depression, Alia Bhatt's Dear Zindagi brought the issue centerstage; the film documents her character, Kaira's battle with depression and insomnia.

Following this, Shaheen Bhatt, Alia Bhatt's sister, talked about living with depression in an Instagram post. The post reads, "I've lived with depression on and off since I was about 13 years old. This is not a revelation or a confession. Those who know me know this about me. It's not something I take any pains to hide, I'm not ashamed of it or particularly troubled by it. It's just a part of who I am."

She also elaborated on how depression affects her, "I have days where I feel good and then I have days where I don't. One minute everything's fine and the next it's like someone turned the light off inside my head. I go quiet and it's difficult to get out of bed."

She also said she doesn't think battling depression can be classified as a struggle, "Today, I'm on day 4. I say I live with depression rather than I struggle with it because for me (and I speak only for myself here) I don't see why it has to be a struggle.Its not something I take any pains to hide, Im not ashamed of it or particularly troubled by it. Its just a part of who I am.

Alia Bhatt opened up about her sister in an interview with DNA and said,"All those who are close to her know about it. Its not as if Shaheen had never spoken about it before. She has, to her loved ones. Apart from the depression, my sister also has insomnia. So weve spent many sleepless nights talking."

She even posted this photo on Instagram to support Shaheen with a picture of her sister talking about depression in a daily newspaper, "My beautiful brave writer sister! Am so proud of you you little genius. I've never read a more honest, genuine & heartfelt piece. I love you!"

My beautiful brave writer sister! Am so proud of you you little genius. I've never read a more honest, genuine & heartfelt piece. I love you!  @shaheenb A photo posted by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Dec 2, 2016 at 8:58pm PST

Here is Shaheen Bhatt's original post:
New Delhi: The GST Council on Saturday failed to reach consensus on the contentious issue of dual control and will meet again on 11 and 12 December to hammer out the differences.

"There is no consensus... we were not able to arrive at a consensus regarding the cross empowerment model. Therefore, the GST laws could not be completed. No compensation law is

taken up, but the formula has arrived and we will rediscuss them," Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac told reporters in New Delhi after the two-day meeting.

The next meeting of the Council, according to an official, will be on 11 and 12 December.

The fifth meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state finance ministers, ended on Saturday.

The Centre intends to implement GST from 1 April next year. Due to Constitutional compulsion, the GST has to be rolled out by 16 September, 2017, as the existing indirect taxes will come to an end and it would not be possible for either the Centre or states to collect the taxes.

The GST Council is supposed to finalise the model GST, Integrated GST (IGST) and compensation laws.
Contact: McCrory Communications

McCrory Communications govpress@nc.gov

Raleigh, N.C. Sheyenne's Law and the 2016 Farm Act are among 12 new laws going into effect today. Governor McCrory signed both pieces of legislation during the short session.said Governor McCrory.Sheyenne's Law strengthens penalties for causing death or serious injury by impaired boating from a misdemeanor to a felony. On June 27, 2016, Governor McCrory signed House Bill 958, which was named in honor of Sheyenne Marshall, a Concord teen and rising senior at Cox Mill killed by a drunk boater on Lake Norman over the 2015 Fourth of July weekend.The governor signed Senate Bill 770, the 2016 Farm Act, during a special ceremony on July 26, 2016. The bill's key provisions will help the state to better respond to agricultural emergencies, give school districts in the state the ability to proritize food grown and raised in the state for schools, and will streamline regulations on construction, installation, repair, replacement and alteration of farm structures.
Amritsar: Parents of Indian national Hamid Ansari, who is lodged in a Pakistani jail, will seek to meet Pakistani Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz at the two-day Heart of Asia conference which begins on Saturday.

Mumbai-based Fauzia Ansari and her husband Nihal arrived in the holy city carrying several placards with the hope of getting back their son, who has already completed his jail term, from the neighbouring country. Fauzia said she had written a letter to Aziz seeking an appointment to request for the release of her 32-year-old son. She said as there was no reply from Aziz's office, she will now stand near the venue of the conference and display placards.

Hamid, an IT engineer and an MBA degree holder, had gone to Kabul on November 4, 2012 from where he wanted to reach Pakistan allegedly to meet a Pakistni girl he had been in touch with through e-mails. There was no whereabouts of him after 10 November.

The deputy attorney general of Pakistan had informed the court that Hamid was in the custody of Pakistani army and had been awarded three years' imprisonment. Fauzia had filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court seeking release of her son after the completion of his jail term. The petition was dismissed as the court had observed that army would decide on his release since he was in its custody.
A Bhopal-bound Jet Airways 9W-7083 flight from Mumbai was delayed for 90 minutes early on Friday morning by a wedding party of 80 for allegedly 'hijacking' the overbooked flight on being denied boarding, reported Mumbai Mirror.

According to the report, 17 of the wedding party who showed up late and were not allowed to board the flight. The rest of the passengers from the wedding party allegedly held other passengers ransom after intimidating staffers by using their 'political clout'.

However, according to India Today, the wedding party was a Gujarati family related to a 'powerful' minister which was provided 'incentive' of Rs 10,000 by the airlines to make people deplane so that their family members, who turned up late to the airport, could fly.

After an hour of arguments, five people agreed to deplane after accepting the sum of Rs 10,000 each.

The flight which was scheduled to depart at 5.55 am finally took off at 8.05 am.

Mumbai Mirror quoted airport sources as saying, After realising that they would not be accommodated on the flight, the group started protesting and intimidating airline staff and other passengers who had boarded on time.

However, a statement issued by Jet Airways said that a technical glitch was the main reason for the delay. It further said that the chaos led to an "unruly situation which further required the intervention of law enforcement officials."

Jet Airways Statement on flight 9W 7083 (S2 4621) Mumbai - Bhopal of December 02, 2016. pic.twitter.com/G3RnH6nSAu  Jet Airways (@jetairways) December 2, 2016

All the offloaded guests were compensated as per DGCA guidelines, the statement said.

In the video below passengers are seen arguing over the delay in the flight as one woman from the wedding tried to pacify them.
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said the unrest in Kashmir cannot be blamed on Pakistan, but was a result of "mistakes" made by the Indian government of not engaging with the people of the state. "Do not be under this false impression that the fire you see in Kashmir has been ignited by Pakistan. It is a result of our mistakes," Omar said, addressing a function of his National Conference in Baramulla.

"To blame Pakistan alone for the political situation or the current unrest in the Valley is a distortion of the truth. The people of J&K have espoused a political sentiment, even when there was no external interference and this political sentiment forms the basis of the state's special status that has since been eroded by extra-constitutional machinations," Omar said.

He said the political issue in Kashmir is a result of "historic blunders and broken promises by successive dispensations" in New Delhi. "The situation today stands compounded because of the present central government's refusal to even acknowledge that

a problem exists in Kashmir," Omar said.

The National Conference's working president alleged the ruling PDP's charade of seeking confidence building measures and political initiatives could not conceal the party's brazen abandonment of its own ideology and vision document in a bargain to attain power.

There is a stark difference between the Mehbooba Mufti of the opposition and the Mehbooba Mufti of the ruling PDP-BJP

government. It has now become evident that the Mehbooba of opposition was just an elaborate facade to pave way for Mehbooba Mufti's ascent to the Chief Minister's chair.

"Her theatrical performances as an opposition leader might have served her well but when people compare her present avatar to her previous posturing she stands exposed. Every single promise made by the PDP to seek votes in the previous elections has been broken with utter contempt shown towards the people of the state," he added.

Omar alleged that the PDP-BJP alliance has "wreaked havoc" with the state. "The government has ceased to exist on the ground and its mere presence is exhibited solely through indiscriminate arrests and imposition of Public Safety Acts against the youth. The loss of nearly a hundred innocent young lives in the current unrest and the unimaginable and indiscriminate repression of our youth has been the most noticeable hallmark of the PDP-BJP alliance and Mehbooba Mufti s refusal to acknowledge her failure has only compounded the misery of the people," he said.
Hyderabad: Taking exception to the Trinamool Congress' "coup" allegation after the army's presence at toll plazas in West Bengal, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it is not in national interest to drag the armed force into controversies.

"What is coup ? And then, dragging the army into controversy; it is not in the national interest. It is totally condemnable who ever has done it. Not only Trinamool, unfortunately Congress and others also, without knowing the full truth, they try to make it a big issue and what happened at the end? It has boomeranged on them.

"So, let's not drag Indian Army, which is the pride of our nation, into these controversies," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

The presence of the army in West Bengal to which the Trinamool has taken exception was a routine drill and there was nothing new in it, he said.

"It is a routine drill which is to happen every year. This year also it happened in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam. It happened in Bengal last year. It happened this year also. There is nothing new. There is nothing like deploying army, coup, nothing like that. They are doing a false campaign," he said.

Presence of army personnel at toll plazas in West Bengal had kicked up a storm with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remaining at the State Secretariat overnight in protest, asking was it an "army coup".

A false campaign was on over different issues as well, including that there was shortage of salt, that gold would be seized and that emergency would be imposed with army being brought in, Naidu alleged.

"Do not indulge such false campaign about demonetisation also," he said.

"What is TRP? You (Congress) people are doing it for TRP because you have become irrelevant. People have rejected your bandh call. They have rejected Akrosh rally. You are divided. You do not have arguments to put forth before the country. You are not allowing the House (to function)," he said.

He said the prime minister has taken a bold historic decision against the black money menace which is the need of the hour.

Naidu said the results of recent byelections and local polls have proved BJP's popularity.
New Delhi: Former Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the recent Nagrota attack is as "shameful" as the 2008 Mumbai carnage and has "disproved" the belief that surgical strikes can end cross-border terrorism.

Speaking at the launch of former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon's book, titled "Choices:Inside the making of India's foreign policy', Chidambaram said there was no "unified command" at the level of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

"What happened at Nagrota is just as shameful as what happened in Mumbai. The cross-border, cross-LoC action will not prevent Pakistan-based terrorist groups from attacking Indian installations and camps," he said last night.

"The strikes restore balance at the border. It sends a signal to Pakistan that if you can do it we can do it. But to imagine that surgical strike will put an end to cross-border action, that has been disproved by what has happened in Nagrota," he said.

He claimed that there was "no coherence" at the level of MHA and attributed it to discontinuation of a "good practice".

"I think the practice of having a Home Minister, home secretary, the special secretary, the DIB, the director RAW and NSA meet every day was a good practice. The practice has stopped. That is why there is no coherence, no coordination, no unified command at the level of home affairs," he said.

Noting that engaging Pakistan is the "only answer" that India has, Chidambaram said the present government started at one extreme and has now swung to another extreme.

"The first extreme was over-enthusiasm and the second is their own making. Eventually you have to live with your neighbours. The only answer is to engage Pakistan through trade, cultural exchanges or people to people exchanges," he said.

About surgical strikes, Chidambaram said the ownership should have been left to the army.

"First, the ownership should have been left to the army like we have in the past. Second, we should not make statements like 'Pakistan called us yesterday and begged us to stop' or make statements like 'I will gouge their eyes'. These statements make us a laughing stock.

"Our cross-border strikes do not deter Pakistan sufficiently. There are other options that can be explored. Going public about surgical strikes limits your options," he said at the launch which was also attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He said though India's response to 26/11 attacks was "extremely poor", it gained "enormously" by choosing not to retaliate militarily.

"Our capacity to respond was extremely poor. It took us three to four days to clear three to four terrorists holed up in a hotel. Retaliation was not an option. Neither desirable nor feasible at that point of time.

"India gained enormously by not retaliating. By the time the UPA stepped down, Pakistan had been virtually isolated... What we now witness are daring attacks on Army camps... One must measure the efficacy of a policy by its outcomes. The ceasefire along the LoC did produce an outcome," Chidambaram said.

About the deteriorating security situation in Kashmir, he said his government's policies brought several years of "relative peace and tranquillity" in the Valley, but "all that lie shattered today".

"Origin of this decline is the completely unethical, unacceptable coalition between two parties that were bitterly opposed to each other. That is the greatest provocation in the Valley. As long as that unethical combination remains, I can't see any way forward in Kashmir," he said.
After spending thirty years in a corporate environment, I embarked on a second career as a member of the faculty and staff of a liberal arts college. Each semester I would dedicate one class to the topic of "business courtesy," highlighting for the students the personal behaviors that can distinguish them in the workplace. Since most of my students were juniors and seniors, workplace reality was not far off.Recently, I was asked to participate in a project in a large corporation. It gave me an opportunity to once again observe young employees, just a few years out of college. What I saw are bright young people, well trained in the specific subject matter that they studied in school. Unfortunately, many lack the proper form that would allow older colleagues to appreciate their substance.What are the essential performance elements that enable them to stand apart from their colleagues? Simply put, it's a consistent pattern of professional behavior in all respects. Some of the attributes go without saying, such as good personal appearance, promptness, use of proper language, etc. Unfortunately, some students derail their chances because they simply don't know those things.But most importantly in my experience, it is those employees that know how to write well, utilizing good structure, correct grammar, and appropriate business vocabulary, who stand out. Their ideas and proposals will attract notice. This is where the perception gap between graduating students and their future employers is the greatest.Surveys consistently show that employers are not satisfied with what they are getting. The Business Roundtable contends that virtually all of their members report a significant skills gap, and the Roundtable is promoting programs to address the problem.Earlier this year, PayScale released a study on employer perceptions of recent graduates. Katie Bardaro, vice president of data analytics at PayScale, commented "The data we've collected show that even though their education may make recent college graduates feel prepared to enter the workforce, only half of hiring managers agree with them; managers feel crucial skills in recent graduates are frequently lacking or absent."According to that study, business officials are particularly disappointed with the writing ability of the students they've hired, with 44 percent saying that writing proficiency is the hard skill they find most lacking.Similarly, a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey ranked student and employer perceptions of various skills important for success. Of all the skills that were identified in the survey, the perception gap on writing skills was one of the largest-65 percent of the students surveyed thought their writing skills were adequate, but only 27 percent of the employers thought so.How can we teach these essential skills to college students and help them realize their importance? I believe the answer lies in the systematic reinforcement of all of these concepts, day in and day out, on campus.To start with, students need to understand that in class they're expected to be fully engaged-prepared, attentive, and participative. I always found that a qualitative "course engagement" assessment, worth 20 percent of the final grade, helped to achieve that outcome. This deterred students from cutting class and also from spending their class time perusing Facebook.Students should also dress appropriately for class. Maybe not suit and tie quite yet, but they should still look like professional young men and women, serious about learning and serious about interacting with other men and women in a respectful way. If a student needed guidance in this area, I would speak with the student in private after class, and suggest the changes (lose the ball cap, wear jeans that aren't ripped to shreds, etc.) that they need to make.Most importantly, all course papers must be graded by the instructor line by line, highlighting and editing the text. The instructor needs to correct for poor grammar, incorrect spelling, run-on paragraphs, inconsistent use of headings and a general lack of organization.I constantly reminded my students that their future boss would stop reading at the first paragraph, if their product were written in anything but a professional way. Assigning 30 percent of the paper's grade to writing competency was also very motivating.This is hard and tedious work for instructors, as I can personally attest, but it is essential. In the long run, it will benefit students more than the time professors might invest in esoteric academic research topics. Administrators should make it clear that this is a key aspect of the job and not hire anyone who seems reluctant.But my question is this-who among the faculty will be most effective in guiding the students to understand how important these elements of professional excellence are to their future success?Half of the courses at American colleges and universities are taught by adjuncts. Some of them work in private enterprise and teach one course, primarily for the love of teaching (it's certainly not for the money they make).Although they're in the best position to emphasize these skills to the students, these men and women are generally on campus only for one course per semester, probably don't encounter the same student more than once, and have little opportunity for personal contact with the students outside of class. As a result, their impact is limited.As for tenure-track and tenured faculty, the very fact that they possess earned doctorates suggests that their backgrounds are generally in academic settings. Few have experienced workplace dynamics and have seen firsthand the impact of professional excellence on an employee's career.So, how can we do better?My suggestion is that administrators need to think about the backgrounds of their tenure track faculty selections, beyond the typical academic credentials. Faculty who understand the dynamics of the workplace, and who themselves model and insist on proper behaviors, will be an asset to students as they interview for that first job-and thus boost the college's placement record, a win all the way around.Adding some full-time faculty members who have professional experience and will model it to students would be a good move for many colleges. It would increase diversity in a meaningful way.Recently, a former student contacted me after he had read an article I had published. He'd spotted a misspelling, and called me on it. He said that my emphasis on a commitment to professional excellence has stayed with him all these years, and that typo fairly jumped out at him. Point made-all the way around.
BUENOS AIRES The Inter-American Commision on Human Rights on Friday called on Argentina to release social activist Milagro Sala, who has been jailed since the beginning of the year in the northwestern province of Jujuy. The commission, part of the Organization of American States (OAS), said Argentina should "give prompt attention" to recommendations from a U.N. body in October that called Sala's pre-trial detention "unwarranted and arbitrary."Sala, the leader of the Tupac Amaru social movement, was detained in January and accused of instigating criminal acts after leading a protest in front of provincial government buildings. She is also being investigated for alleged fraud related to a low-income housing program led by Tupac Amaru. OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro said on Tuesday that Sala's detention was not justified because there was no risk of flight or interfere with investigative processes.Argentina's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the federal government had taken note of the position and invited members of the commission to visit Jujuy to meet the various actors in the Sala case.

Argentina is a member of the Washington-based OAS, the Western Hemisphere's main multilateral organization. Joaquin Millon Quintana, the prosecutor in charge of Jujuy's anti-corruption office, defended Sala's jailing and said the U.N.'s recommendation was ill-informed.

"It was a complete ignorance of the case," he told Reuters.Sala's husband, Tupac Amaru member Raul Noro, has called the accusations against her "political persecution." Noro and Sala are vocal supporters of former leftist President Cristina Fernandez.

Noro was arrested in July and has since been released along with three other group members. (Reporting by Juliana Castilla and Nicolas Misculin; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Leslie Adler)

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BEIJING China's Foreign Ministry has expressed concern after Yemen's armed Houthi movement and its political allies formed a new government, in what appeared a blow to U.N.-backed efforts to end 20 months of war in the country.Diplomats had hoped the Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa, would hold off on putting together a cabinet of their loyalists and instead form a unity government with their Yemeni foes, whom they pushed into Saudi exile.The Houthis, who control territory with more than half of Yemen's population, previously said forming a government with their allies did not mean abandoning the U.N.-sponsored peace process.The flight of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the internationally recognised president, triggered military intervention by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia that has carried out thousands of air strikes on the Houthis but failed to dislodge them from Sanaa.In a statement late on Friday, China's Foreign Ministry said it supported Yemen's legal government.

"We do not approve of any side in Yemen taking any unilateral actions that complicate the situation, and believe this is not beneficial to a political resolution of the Yemen issue," the ministry said in a short statement. China hopes relevant parties in Yemen continue dialogue to resolve the differences and reach an equitable settlement all sides can accept on the basis of United Nations resolutions and Gulf Cooperation Council initiatives, it added.China relies on the Middle East for oil but has tended to leave Middle Eastern diplomacy to the other four permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Britain, France and Russia.

However, China has been trying to get more involved, especially in Syria and has taken tentative steps over the Yemen crisis too.In January, while Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Saudi Arabia, both countries affirmed their support for the unity, independence and sovereignty of Yemen and support for its internationally recognised government.

Riyadh sees the Houthis as a proxy for bitter regional rival Iran to expand its influence in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula nation. The Houthis deny this and say they are waging a revolution against a corrupt government and Gulf Arab powers beholden to the West.China also has close ties with Iran. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Richard Pullin)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Jakarta: An Indonesian police plane carrying 13 people went missing today on a short domestic flight and 12 are feared to be killed in crash, police said, the latest blow to the country's aviation sector.

The M28 Skytruck plane lost contact with air traffic control during what was supposed to be a 1.5-hour flight in western Indonesia.

"Fishermen found clothes, suitcases and aeroplane seats we fear belong to the plane," national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar told AFP.

The plane was on its way from Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung province, to Batam in the Riau Islands.

An earlier police statement said the plane had set off at 9:24 am but that air traffic control lost contact with the plane at 10:15 am.

It was carrying five crew and eight passengers. Indonesia's search and rescue team have been deployed and Singapore said it was also helping as the incident happened close to the city-state.

Indonesia has a poor aviation safety record and has experienced several air disasters recently.

Last week, an Indonesian army helicopter crashed on Borneo island leaving three crew dead, while in November a cargo plane crashed in Papua region killing four.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: Britain's former Prime Minister on Saturday said that the election of France's Marine Le Pen would be a "big body blow" for Europe, saying he hoped for the victory of a mainstream party. David Cameron said the recent rise of "anti-system, populist" and "quite extreme political parties" in western Europe did not mark the end of globalisation, but warned of the immediate need to make a "major course correction" to address related economic and cultural challenges.

"If France were to elect Marine Le Pen, that would be obviously a very big body blow for the European project," he said at a Hindustan Times organised conference in New Delhi, hoping for a victory of "a mainstream party that can unite people behind their candidacy".

He said the demand for and benefit of free trade, travel, specialisation, technology, innovation were not going away. "But we do need to understand very profoundly the things that have happened, that have caused the events you have seen in Europe and the wider world in the last one year," he added.

Cameron resigned as prime minister in June after he  a supporter and campaigner for Britain to remain in the European Union -- lost a high-stakes national referendum on the very issue. He defended the merits of having Britain stay in the bloc. "I still believe it would have been better for Britain to remain inside the EU," he said in the Indian capital.

"Our neighbours, our partners, our friends and our allies and I wanted us to stay in the room with them when they make decisions that affect us and our continent," Cameron added.
By Aziz El Yaakoubi

| RABAT

RABAT Moroccan authorities have arrested a suspected militant accused of acting as an intermediary between Islamic State commanders and a cell dismantled by French authorities last month, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.France said late last month it had foiled a possible attack after detaining seven people, including some who had been in the ranks of Islamic State in Syria."For his mission (the suspect) met Islamic State messengers on the Turkish-Syrian border and he received instructions ... to pass on to the group that has been arrested on French soil," the Moroccan ministry said in a statement.The suspect was supposed to travel to France via Germany using a forged passport, the ministry added.

It gave no details about the suspect but a security source told Reuters he was a Moroccan national who lived in Spain. "When he saw that the group was arrested in France he came to Morocco from Turkey and was arrested at the airport when his plane landed," said the security source, who declined to be named.France said the seven people, who are of French, Moroccan and Afghan origin and are aged 29 to 37, were taken into custody after an eight-month operation that ended with the DGSI internal intelligence agency laying a trap.

The arrests in France came a year after a state of emergency was imposed to counter a wave of Islamist attacks and at a politically sensitive time ahead of next spring's presidential election in which security will be a major theme. Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), the judicial part of the Moroccan domestic intelligence service, often announces it has broken up militant cells accused of plotting inside and outside the kingdom.

Hundreds of fighters from Europe and Maghreb states such as Tunisia and Algeria have joined Islamist militant forces in Syria. Some are threatening to return and create new jihadist wings in their home countries, security experts say.The Moroccan government has said it believes around 1,500 Moroccan nationals are fighting with militant factions in Syria and Iraq. About 200 have been jailed after returning home and some 500 have been killed in battle. (Reporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by Gareth Jones)

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By Peter Henderson

| OAKLAND, Calif.

OAKLAND, Calif. At least nine people were dead and about 25 were unaccounted for after a massive fire broke out during a late-night party in a warehouse in Oakland, California, the city's fire chief said on Saturday.Fire officials were still trying to determine how the blaze started at about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, said Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed. The roof of the two-story warehouse in the city's Fruitvale district collapsed during the fire, complicating efforts to recover bodies, she told a press briefing.Officials did not know if any of the 25 missing people were among the nine confirmed victims.

There is a large majority of that building that has not been searched, Deloach-Reed said during a press briefing. "We are hoping that the number nine is what there is and that there are no more, the fire chief said, referring to the number of known fatalities.Deloach-Reed said some of those who were missing may have brought themselves to the hospital or elsewhere. She said she did not know how many people were at the party.

The warehouse housed units where people lived and worked - makeshift artist studios carved out with partitions, the fire chief said. "A flea market of items" were inside, she said. A Facebook event page showed 176 people planned to attend the party, which featured a performance by the electronic music act Golden Donna. The page, which listed 355 others as interested in going, carried posts from people who were either missing or accounted for.

Video footage posted on social media showed the structure engulfed in flames and encircled by fire vehicles pumping water into the building. Its going to hit the city, its going to hit our organization, Reed said. Its just going to be hard on everyone. (Additional reporting by David Bailey in Minneapolis; Writing by Frank McGurty; Editing by Alistair Bell)

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SIMI VALLEY, Calif. The United States should focus on larger strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region, including expanding trade ties, the defense minister of Singapore said on Saturday, when asked about the controversy sparked by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's phone call with the president of Taiwan.Ng Eng Hen said it was not Singapore's place to comment on Trump's phone calls, but welcomed comments by his aides reaffirming Trump's support for the longstanding U.S. "one China" policy, a policy also supported by Singapore.China lodged a diplomatic protest on Saturday after Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan.Trump's 10-minute telephone call with the Taiwanese leader was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China".

The Singaporean official told the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California that the bigger issue was how the United States would shape its role in the Asia-Pacific region in coming years, given China's rapid rise."We ought to have the larger strategic interests in mind," Ng said.

He said the U.S. role in Asia should be multidimensional, including trade and commercial ties, not just focused on security issues, and the ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement would have been a "concrete, tangible commitment" to do just that.

Trump has already ruled out U.S. participation in TPP. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Alistair Bell)

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Aleppo: Syria's army advanced overnight deeper into east Aleppo where it now controls more than half of the former rebel stronghold after a fierce assault that has sparked an international outcry.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled eastern neighbourhoods of the battered city since President Bashar al-Assad's regime began its latest offensive in mid-November.

Overnight, government troops and allied forces seized the district of Tariq al-Bab where heavy fighting had raged a day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday.

The government has now recaptured around 60 percent of eastern parts of the city that the rebels overran in mid-2012, according to the Britain-based monitor.

The advance opens the road leading from the government-controlled west of the city to the international airport just outside Aleppo to the east, which is also held by the regime.

And it has prompted more civilians to flee, heading either further south into remaining rebel-held districts or crossing into government-held territory or areas under Kurdish control.

Assad's forces have made swift gains in east Aleppo, and its loss would be the biggest blow yet to Syria's opposition in the more than five-year-old war.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since the conflict started with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half the country's population has been displaced.

'Over 300 killed'

The government has trumpeted its advances, and state television on Saturday showed buses full of residents going from west Aleppo back to their homes in neighbourhoods retaken by the army.

More than 300 civilians have been killed in the government's assault on east Aleppo since 15 November, according to the Observatory.

The monitor says nearly 65 civilians have been killed in the same period by rebel fire on government-held west Aleppo, including nine on Friday.

Rebels have struggled to hold back government ground forces, who have advanced backed by air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery fire.

On Friday, they rolled back some regime gains in the Sheikh Saeed district on Aleppo's southeastern outskirts, but it was unclear how long they could hold that line.

Sheikh Saeed borders the last remaining parts of Aleppo still in rebel hands  a collection of densely populated residential neighbourhoods where thousands have sought refuge from advancing regime forces.

In preparation for street-by-street fighting in these districts, hundreds of fighters from Syria's elite Republican Guard and Fourth Division arrived in Aleppo Friday, the Observatory said.

The fighting has prompted more than 50,000 people to leave east Aleppo for territory controlled by either the government or Kurdish forces.

On Friday, as the army advanced in Tariq al-Bab, an AFP correspondent said residents had emptied out of neighbouring Shaar district, anticipating the arrival of fighting there.

He said just a few rebels could be seen in the district, manning positions in front of shuttered shops and bakeries.

Vegetable stalls that had been selling the most meagre of supplies after more than four months of government siege were lying shattered in one street by artillery fire.

On Saturday, the Observatory said three people were killed and at least 10 others wounded in air strikes on Shaar, and that raids were targeting several other eastern neighbourhoods in the city.

The escalating violence has been met with international outrage, including a UN warning that east Aleppo could become "a giant graveyard".

'Race again time'

Moscow, a staunch ally of the regime, has proposed setting up four humanitarian corridors into east Aleppo.

"We have informed the UN in New York and Geneva that there is no longer a problem with the delivery of humanitarian cargo to eastern Aleppo," Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

He said the UN was coming up with a plan and approval from Syrian authorities remained essential.

Moscow has announced several humanitarian pauses in Aleppo to allow civilians to flee, but until the recent escalation, only a handful did so.

Many civilians in the east previously expressed fear of leaving to government-held areas or through passages run by Moscow, which began a bombing campaign in support of Assad's forces in 2015.

But Damascus and Moscow accuse rebels of holding civilians hostage and using them as "human shields."

Of those who have fled in the east in recent days, nearly 20,000 are children, according to estimates by the UN's children's agency Unicef.

"What is critical now is that we provide the immediate and sustained assistance that these children and their families desperately need," Unicef spokesman Christophe Boulierac said.

"It's a race against time, as winter is here and conditions are basic."


Elijah (left) and Daniel traveled from Uganda with family members to receive life-saving surgery made available through a partnership between the Brody School of Medicine at ECU, Vidant Medical Center and Childrens Heart Project. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Charlie Sang pushes his patient, Elijah, in a toy car the day before he travels home to Uganda.



The boys and their family members join the team of doctors and Childrens Project representatives who made their surgeries possible.

Two months ago, walking more than a few steps without resting was impossible for 4-year-old Daniel Ambikiire. A congenital heart defect prevented him from being an active boy and pursuing his desire to help his father tend the family's cattle at their home in Uganda.Today, Daniel can run, play and help his father thanks to a life-saving surgery available through a partnership between the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Vidant Medical Center and Samaritan's Purse Children's Heart Project.Daniel and 3-year-old Elijah Sebuliba traveled from Uganda in October to receive open-heart surgery made possible through Children's Heart Project - an international project that matches children who need heart surgery but lack access to it in their home countries with North American medical centers willing to donate their services.Dr. Koh Takeuchi, ECU pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, performed the surgeries and Dr. Charlie Sang, ECU pediatric cardiologist, provided the pre-surgery medical evaluations and post-operative care.Both children suffered from the same heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot - a hole in their hearts with several additional complications. The condition caused low oxygen levels that made their skin appear blue and required them to rest after simple tasks like eating or walking across the room.said Sang.The journey to find help for the young boys and their families was long and uncertain. Daniel's story began with a 300-mile trip from his village in western Uganda to the country's main hospital that his family hoped could offer answers for his health problems. Elijah's mother began searching for answers when her son was unable to keep up with other children and had difficulty breathing at 18 months old. Both families eventually crossed paths with the Children's Heart Project, which arranged trips for both boys to the United States for the life-saving procedures.Daniel's aunt, Juliet Bishemere, traveled with him for the surgery and said the family had lost hope that he would live much longer. They had tried everything before the opportunity to come to the United States was presented.Sang has worked with the Children's Heart Project for more than 11 years and each spring he receives a list of possible candidates for surgery to review. He said the boys stood out from the list because their oxygen levels were so low. A normal oxygen level is 98; theirs was in the 60s.said Sang.Sang said children in the United States with the same type of heart defect would normally receive surgery between three and six months old. He said the boys would not have survived to adulthood without the surgery.Their care in Greenville started with a dental exam to identify and correct any problems before surgery in an effort to prevent possible infections from moving to their heart. Then, their surgeries were performed on Oct. 26 and 27 and after spending time recovering, the boys returned to Uganda on Nov. 30Sheena Basemera helped prepare the families for the trip to the Unites States. She's from Uganda and is a former Children's Heart Project recipient who now works with the organization. She helped the families prepare by encouraging the mothers and instructing them on what to expect once they arrived.said Basemera.She said Daniel and Elijah's families had no hope before the Children's Heart Project offered the opportunity for surgery.Basemera said.The surgeries are life-changing for the children and their families, explained Cindy Bonsall, director of Children's Heart Project. The social and financial burdens along with the stress of having a sick child are a lot for the families to handle. The lives of everyone in the family changes once the child is well, especially the mothers.Elijah and Daniel have large extended families waiting on them to return to the villages. Elijah's mother, Ciccy Makecwa Birungi, said through an interpreter that the family will be excited and joyful when they see a healthy child return home.said Birungi.Elijah and Daniel are the 37th and 38th patients Sang has helped through Children's Heart Project. Their photos will join pictures of the other children he has helped in his career. He said he volunteers for the program because it's the right thing to do.said Sang.Since 1997, Children's Heart Project has helped more than 1,100 children from Uganda, Mongolia and Bolivia, where the life-saving treatments they received in the U.S. are unavailable. The Brody School of Medicine and Vidant Medical Center have partnered with the organization for 15 years to help 38 children.
RUPERT  Rupert award-winning author Rachelle Jolley Christensen won the coveted Kindle Scout Publishing Award this year and a contract to publish her book The Soldiers Bride.

The book, published in March by Kindle Press, is a historical womens fiction set in World War II. Christensen consulted with local residents who lived during that time to portray specific details in the novel.

Christensens first book was published in 2010 and she has 12 books available in print, ebook and audio including The Wedding Planner Mystery series set in Sun Valley.

Whatever your dream might be, with hard-work, determination, and a never-give-up attitude you can achieve them. But you have to take those dreams and create goals, learn all you can, and find the inner motivation to push past failure and discouragement. If you love to write, then keep writing. I write one word at a time to complete my novels and some of those are 90,000 words long, Christensen said.

Christensen is the daughter of Tim and Andrea Jolley and credits her upbringing in rural Idaho for giving her the drive and passion to go after goals that often seemed unattainable.

Christensen and her husband, Steve, live in Rupert with their five children. Raising kids provides plenty of writing inspiration, such as solving the case of the missing shoe on a daily basis, she said.

She is working on her next mystery which will be published spring of 2017.

Christensen worked in the fields north of Rupert moving pipe and hoeing beans growing up and dreamed of being a writer.

Christensen is also the recipient of The Outstanding Book of the Year award from the League of Utah Writers for her first mystery-suspense novel, Wrong Number and the Rone Award for her novella, Silver Cascade Secrets.

Christensen enjoyed writing poetry and stories in her youth, but when she took the sixth grade career objective test the results indicated that an author would not make a good living.

Even though that little test was just for fun and definitely incorrect, I lost sight of my dream for several years, but the path that led me back to writing prepared me to be an author, Christensen said.

She graduated valedictorian from Minico High School and loved English classes.

Christensen attended Utah State University on a full academic scholarship, graduating cum laude with a bachelors degree in psychology and a minor in music. While working in her field and later as a stay-at-home mom, Christensen could never get rid of the writing itch. She continued writing novels and working toward her dream of being an author. Attending writing conferences is what she credits as the turning point in reaching her goal.

Being taught in person by successful authors, editors, and publishers changed the way I looked at writing. The networking and friendships I made with other writers helped me improve my craft and learn the next steps I needed to take to become a successfully published author, she said.

Rachelle will be signing her books during a special sales event at Kings in Rupert, Saturday, December 10th from 1-4pm. Stop by to meet her and get an autographed book. You can also join Rachelles VIP mailing list to learn more about upcoming books & get a free ebook at www.rachellechristensen.com
Cassia County

Felony sentencings

David Gabriel Curiel; felony possession of controlled substance; guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, 36 months probation, two years determinate time, two years indeterminate time, 72 days credited time, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor possession of controlled substance with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $100 restitution.

Nester Gerhardt Jr.; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, 30 months probation, two years determinate time, two years indeterminate time, 77 days credited, penitentiary suspended.

Sarah Ann Luna; felony forgery of financial transaction card, guilty, deferred prosecution; two counts felony forgery of financial transaction card, deferred prosecution; two counts felony grand theft, guilty, deferred prosecution; felony forgery, guilty, deferred prosecution.

Felony dismissals

Jose deJesus Villalvazo-Marin; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor drug paraphernalia - possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.
TWIN FALLS  One of two women charged in a four-member burglary ring that police believe targeted more than a dozen businesses across the Magic Valley has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, her attorney said Friday.

Alishia Elaine Bullock, 21, waived her preliminary hearing and will plead guilty in Twin Falls County District Court, her attorney said Friday in court. Bullock and two other accused members of the ring were scheduled for preliminary hearings Friday, though none of the hearings went forward.

The terms of Bullocks agreement will be put on the record at her district court arraignment, her attorney, Steven McRae, told Magistrate Judge Thomas Kershaw on Friday. Shes charged in Twin Falls County with six felony counts of burglary and two felony counts of grand theft.

Two others charged with the string of summer burglaries were also in court Friday. James Howard Arthurs Jr., 35, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, while his wife, 38-year-old Brezzy Ray Lemon, requested another delay for her hearing.

The fourth member of the ring, Bullocks boyfriend and Lemons brother, 22-year-old Spencer Willson Wells, is set for an arraignment in district court Monday after previously waiving his preliminary hearing.

The group is facing a slew of felony burglary and theft charges in Twin Falls County while Arthurs, Wells and Bullock are also charged with felony burglary counts in Blaine County and Arthurs and Wells each have sealed cases in other Magic Valley counties.

In Twin Falls County, a combination of one or more of the group are implicated in at least nine burglaries and thefts between Aug. 8 and Sep. 7 at businesses in Hansen, Filer, Hollister, Castleford and Twin Falls.
TWIN FALLS  The Magic Valley YMCA hasnt received any offers for its Canyon Rim property.

But there have been showings and interest from potential buyers, board president Andy Barry wrote in a Friday email to the Times-News.

The Y announced in a letter to members in October it planned to close the branch and sell the Pole Line Road property.

By Nov. 1, employees and services for thousands of members were transferred to the nonprofits Elizabeth Street location.

The move came as the Y tries to move forward after major financial issues surfaced earlier this year, following chief executive officer Gary Ettengers resignation in March. That included the misappropriation of donations earmarked for specific projects.

Its national parent group nearly pulled the local groups charter.

And the Idaho Attorney Generals Office wrapped up an investigation in September, saying it has reason to believe the Twin Falls Y violated Idahos charitable trust laws.

Now, the Y has paid off its back taxes using an interest-free loan. And it plans to sell a 3,000-square-foot building on Falls Avenue  part of a 2014 donation.
A recent United States flag retirement ceremony at White Pine Intermediate School in Burley involving area military veterans, school officials, and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America provided students with additional information concerning the correct care of the U.S. flag. The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k states: The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. The students were respectful and attentive as the veterans and boy scouts properly retired six U.S. flags that were showing signs of wear after having been proudly displayed. The solemnity of the occasion was visibly expressed through the faces of the students as their apt attention showed proper respect as each flag was appropriately retired.

Participating in a flag retirement ceremony reaffirms ones appreciation for this great nation and the flag that flies as its symbol. It is fitting that military veterans are involved in the retirement ceremony as a poignant reminder that the freedoms each citizen enjoys are protected by the men and women serving in this nations military. Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 was Veterans Day, a day dedicated to honoring all that have served in the military. These men and women desire our admiration and respect not only for their service to this country but also for the countless contributions made in our local communities and state.

I want to commend those who have served this country in the various branches of the military. I also honor those that made the extreme sacrifice to protect the rights and freedoms that make this nation the greatest on the planet. I also want to applaud the service of the men and women in law enforcement in addition to the first responders that often put themselves in harms way to provide service or give aid to someone in need. This country, this state, and certainly our local communities enjoy a greater degree of safety and quality of life because of these dedicated servants. Your efforts on behalf of citizens is appreciated and does not go unnoticed.

Thank you.
This appeared in the Lewiston Tribune:

When it supported Barack Obama eight years ago, Nevada backed the winner.

When it voted for John McCain, Idaho paid the price.

Heres how that worked out:

Since 1987, Nevadas Yucca Mountain was supposed to be the repository for 70,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive wastes around the country  including 300 metric tons stockpiled at the Idaho National Laboratory outside Idaho Falls.

The science behind the $12 billion project was sound enough. The Environmental Protection Agency had certified the underground storage vaults would be safe for 10,000 years. And in response to a court challenge, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was on its way toward demonstrating the projects viability for up to 1 million years.

And while Nevada was unhappy about it, the project enjoyed broad, bipartisan congressional support. Hardly surprising when you consider that spent nuclear fuel is sitting in temporary storage in 38 states. Reactors operating in 31 states continue to churn out more of the stuff. That includes Obamas home state of Illinois, which houses more operating nuclear reactors than any other.

But Obama needed Nevada.

More than that, he needed Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada at his back.

So as soon as he took office in 2009, Obama went to work putting the repository in mothballs.

The watchdog arm of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, later found Energy Secretary Steven Chus decision to terminate Yucca was rooted in politics rather than technical or safety concerns.

Meanwhile, all of that nuclear waste has nowhere to go. The best Obamas Department of Energy can come up with is sending John Kotek, the Idaho-based acting assistant secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy, on a seemingly futile mission labeled consent-based siting. In other words, hes trying to find a community that will volunteer for the assignment.

All of which leaves Idaho in a pickle.

In 1995, then-Gov. Phil Batt struck a deal with the DOE. The feds could continue to send waste to the INL  provided they began cleaning up the site and met mileposts for shipping the wastes out. By 2035, its all supposed to be gone.

But much of it is destined for Yucca Mountain. So its not going anywhere.

That incongruity is not at the heart of the current dispute between the state and the lab.

The DOE sites process for transforming 900,000 gallons of high-level radioactive liquid wastes into a more stable solid form so far has failed to perform.

Because that portion of the cleanup has missed its deadline, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden exercised a provision in the Batt agreement to block shipment of 200 pounds of spent fuel the lab was supposed to use for research.

For an outfit billing itself as Americas lead nuclear research facility, thats a black eye. If INL cant take on this work  and the millions of dollars that come with itanother DOE lab will step up.

Just the same, you cant help but wonder how much of this standoff is colored by the fact that with Yucca Mountain out of the picture, every pound of spent fuel that cross the INL boundary is not leaving Idaho.

Well, the shoe is now on the other foot.

Nevada picked Hillary Clinton and lost.

Reid is retiring.

Meanwhile, Idahos four electoral votes helped make Donald Trump the 45th president of the United States.

And, as the Idaho Falls Post Registers Luke Ramseth noted Friday, theres a buzz about Trump and Yucca Mountain. Bloomberg News cited anonymous sources in the Trump circle who said the idea of renewing funding for Yucca is being discussed. It doesnt hurt that theres no love lost between Trump and Reid.

Meanwhile, Idahos congressional delegation is sitting pretty with GOP majorities in the House and Senate.

Congressman Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, is chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that would funnel money to Yucca Mountain. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, is a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, has been accumulating seniority in Washington, D.C., since 1993.

Relaunching a permanent repository wont be enough to help Idaho. By some estimates, a revived Yucca Mountain could not accept waste shipments until 2048  13 years after the Batt agreement deadlines lapse.

How about a delegation now brimming with political capital using some of that power to implement a Plan Bauthorizing Yucca Mountain to store Idahos wastes on an interim basis as soon as possible?

Nevada will scream.

So what?

When it held the cards, the Silver State didnt shed too many tears about Idahos plight.

Having won this round, the Gem State has every right to expect Trump  and the states GOP congressional delegation  to deliver.
Cheer

Magic Valley lawmakers retained key committee seats when the Legislature picked leaders this week. Thats good news for the moderate Republicans who represent the Magic Valley, and for residents whose elected officials will play key roles in determining the future of the state.

Especially key was Rep. Maxine Bell maintaining her role as co-chairman of the powerful budget-setting Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. Neither she nor Scott Bedke, who held onto his speakership in the House, were really in doubt.

Also on powerful committees are Sen. Lee Heider, who is still chairman of Health and Welfare, Rep. Steve Hartgen as chairman of Commerce and Human Resources and Rep. Lance Clow in a new role as vice-chairman of Business and Commerce.

Jim Patrick will chair Commerce and Human Resources in the Senate. And Bert Brackett will chair the Senates Transportation Committee.

Jeer

Beware Whos of the Magic Valley: Grinches are already trying to steal your stuff. As the Cassia County Sheriffs Office reported this week, car break-ins and other property crimes are on the rise.

The sprees arent unusual for this time of year, when criminals know youre more likely to have gifts or other valuables stowed away in your cars.

So whats a Who to do? Take your valuables inside, especially at night, police say. And, of course, dont forget to lock your cars. Lastly, dont hesitate to call police if you see suspicious behavior in your neighborhood. You might just save somebodys Christmas.

Cheer

Kudos to the city of Twin Falls, which so far is keeping the City Hall project under budget.

The city has $5.7 million budgeted to transform the old Banner building downtown into the new city headquarters. The old City Hall will become a new law enforcement center.

The project is a little behind schedule, partly because there were few bidders for some of the work. About half the contractors are local.

But work is beginning to pick up, and residents should see crews back in the Banner building in the next few weeks. Progress had halted since August because the city wanted to wait until fall to bid some of the work  bids tend to come in lower this time of year when construction work slows down.

One thing to watch: If the pace doesnt pick up, the city may have to extend its $8,000-a-month lease in the Key Bank building on Main Avenue, where it has set up shop will the construction is underway.
Grateful for Thanksgiving support

Jack and Mary Zarybnisky would like to take this opportunity to thank the individuals and businesses who have so graciously supported the community Thanksgiving meal. We were very grateful we had enough food to feed the 700 individuals that were served. Before the event we had decided this was our last year. After 26 years we thought it was time for us to step down, and let someone else take over the project. We are very fortunate to live in such a caring community.

Jack and Mary Zarybnisky

Burley

Thanks for Thanksgiving help

Bridge Academy recently held its 4th Annual Thanksgiving dinner for our students and their families. We had over 186 people in attendance. We would like to thank all of the sponsors who helped make this years event a success. We would also like to thank the parents and the students who helped with both set-up and clean-up. We would equally thank the Times-News for a great story on the event. Our sincere thank you to the following: Con Agra  Lamb-Weston, Costco, Dart Container, Falls Brand, Great Harvest Bread Co., Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Vanda Johnson, Pepsi Co. and Wills Inc.

Lucy Wills

Bridge Academy counselor

Trunk or Treat success

The Rupert Trunk or Treat committee would like to thank the following people for all their help in putting on the event: City of Rupert for the Square, Rupert Electric Dept, Rupert City Street Department, Juvenile Detention (Tom Goodman) for cleanup, Rupert Police Department, Civil Air Patrol, Joe and Kay Moore for judging the entries. Car participants: Rupert Police, Intermountain New Holland, Rupert Syringa, Pomerelle Ski Patrol, MCEA, Rebel Hair Studio, Elks Rupert Lodge, Troop 405 Girl Scouts, Rupert First, Friends of Demary Library, Allan Morris, Freewill Rupert Baptist, Amalgamated Sugar , Accurate Imprints, Pil Sung Taekwondo (car sponsor), Burley First Christian, Smiths Foods (car sponsor), Tin Roof Coffee House(car sponsor), Ark Animal Hospital (car sponsor), Brothers in Christ, Minidoka Memorial EMS, United Flag Runners, Idaho Orthodontics, Minidoka Bowmen, Key Club, KAT Country, Progressive Behavioral Services, Condie Stoker Assoc., DOT Foods (car sponsor) Mad River, Rustic and Tarnish, Garza Family, Minidoka Teen 4-H Association, Grease Monkey, Tires 2 GO, Rupert Eastern Star, Mt. Harrison high school, Southern Idaho Youth Theatrics, PMT (car sponsor) Mike Sutliff, Walmart (car sponsor), Ian and Mary Campbell. Also like to thank all the local stores that allowed us to put candy collection boxes in their stores (Dollar store Rupert and Burley; Kings (Rupert and Burley); Smiths, (Ridleys).

If we left anyone out please know you have our heartfelt thanks for helping us. Most of all thanks to the great people of the Mini-Cassia area for the participants that showed up at the event: about 4,500 people!

The Rupert Trunk or Treat Committee

Tracy Zechmann, Bill Fulcher, Jared McCool, Louise Vogel, Eriska Zechmann, and Tonya Sliva

The Letters of Thanks column will publish letters of up to 200 words from:

Organizations thanking contributors or supporters.

Individuals thanking public agencies and businesses for extraordinaryservice.

Send letters to letters@magicvalley.com. If you would like to purchase a classified ad to express gratitude of a personal rather than public nature, call The Times-News Customer Service department.
Contact: McCrory Communications

McCrory Communications govpress@nc.gov

Kinston, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory's Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee held its fifth and final regional meeting today in Lenoir County, during which the governor officially called for a special legislative session scheduled for December 13. During the meeting, the committee also discussed plans for relief efforts, community outreach assistance and long-term recovery for the communities affected by the storm.said Governor McCrory.During today's meeting, the governor addressed those in attendance and members heard updates on the status of the ongoing recovery efforts in the area from N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry and representatives from FEMA. The committee, which is chaired by the governor's Chief of Staff Thomas Stith, also took comments from the public to gain a greater understanding of the continuing needs in Lenoir County and the surrounding region.Governor McCrory announced that he signed Executive Order No. 117 yesterday, which will allow for the expedited movement of manufactured housing for those forced from their homes by Hurricane Matthew. The order waives certain size and weight restrictions and registration requirements to ensure the homes arrive to those who need them as quickly as possible.Currently, residents of Bladen, Columbus, Edgecombe, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson and Wayne counties are eligible for manufactured housing as a temporary solution while they repair their storm-damaged homes. More storm-affected counties may be added soon, enabling more people access to this option for temporary housing.Governor McCrory announced the formation of the Committee in late October, and convened the first meeting in Raleigh on November 1. Initial assessments estimate Hurricane Matthew caused $2 billion in economic damage. Earlier this month, the governor submitted a formal request for more than $1 billion in federal assistance and laid out a timeline for a request of additional recovery funding from the state.The governor is encouraging individuals and groups to help in the relief efforts by making a financial or other contribution. Monetary contributions to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Matthew can be made by texting NCRECOVERS to 30306 or by visiting NCDisasterRelief.org . This is one of the best ways to help fund long-term recovery efforts.
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Gen. Petraeus and the Hillary Clinton Emails

Corruption Investigation

The emails included the following:

On January 28, 2009, only one week after becoming secretary of state, Clinton sent an email to Petraeus from her non-state.gov email account apologizing for her "tardy" response to his earlier email and blaming it on what she termed "blackberry blues" :

response to his earlier email and blaming it on what she termed : From: H [mailto:hdr22@clintonmail.com]

Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:33 PM

To: Petraeus, David H. GEN USA

Subject: Re: Follow up

David - Sorry to be so tardy in responding. I've had blackberry blues. I can't use mine all day long since my whole office is a SCIF [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility]. I don't yet have a computer and I had to change my address and lost some of my traffic.

(The State Department represented to a federal court that Hillary Clinton did not have a State Department computer.)

---------------------

Shortly before taking office, Clinton emailed Petraeus asking that he use only her personal email account when contacting her. At the time, Petraeus was the Commander of the United States Central Command:

From: hr15@att.blackberry.net

Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:57 PM

To: Petraeus, David H. GEN USA

Subject: Follow up

Dear Dave,

Thanks for giving me so much of your time the last two nights. I appreciated our conversations and enjoyed the chance to see you and Richard becoming acquainted. I'm looking forward to working w you both. If there is ever anything you need or want me to know, pls use this personal email address. All the best, Hillary.

Former four-star General David Petraeus said he would serve in the next administration if President-elect Donald J. Trump offers him a position. But he admitted he's damaged goods due to felony charges. Petraeus barely lost his freedom when he was charged with providing classified information to a writer with whom he was having a sexual relationship.Because he was given a plea deal and managed to stay out of prison, it is still doubtful that President Barack Obama's former CIA director would even qualify for a security clearance to enable him to work in the Trump administration.Petraeus told BBC Radio.But the problem of the security clearance isn't the only reason President-elect Trump should use caution is dealing with Gen. Petraeus, a man who served his country well for many years only to tarnish his reputation while working for a corrupt administration. There is evidence that he had knowledge of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's shenanigans with her home-cooked Internet server and her alleged pay-to-play schemes.said former U.S. Marine and NYPD detective, Sid Franes.he added.About 1,000 emails between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former commander of the U.S. Army's Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. David Petraeus, were reported to be missing from the tens of thousands of emails turned over to the State Department by Clinton's minions in December 2014, according to Fox News Channel's industrious chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge last month.Herridge reported that a number of documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch provided interesting communications between two of President Barack Obama's top officials. The documents reveal that Mrs. Clinton - the Democratic Party's presidential heir apparent - advised Petraeus that he should begin sending official emails to her using a private Internet address rather than her State Department "Dot-Gov" email address which is meant to be utilized for all of her government work, including emails containing classified information.said former police detective and corporate security director Lawrence Fredrickson.Fredrickson lamented.Among the documents released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation was a heavily redacted FBI interview summary from Aug. 17, 2015. In it, a State Department worker from the Information, Programs and Services (IPS) section, which processed FOIA applications, wrote about how Petraeus' records weren't among the official emails turned over to IPS by the Clinton team, which included Huma Abedin, Cheryl Mills, and others.Herridge reported based on her interview with an anonymous source.Judicial Watch reported that its officials released roughly 1,catherine herridge 1000 emails between Hillary Clinton and Gen. David Petraeus which were thought to be missing from the 30,000 emails provided by Clinton's team to the State Department in December 2014, according to the newly released FBI investigative files.Additional documents obtained through a federal lawsuit by Judicial Watch show Clinton had directed Petraeus to send her emails at her personal address, which was used for all government work during her tenure as secretary of state.In a heavily redacted FBI interview summary from Aug. 17, 2015, a State Department employee from the Office of Information and Programs and Services (IPS), which handles Freedom of Information Act requests, discussed how Petraeus' records apparently were not among the work-related emails provided by the former secretary's team."CENTCOM records shows approximately 1,000 work-related emails between Clinton's personal email and General David PETRAEUS, former Commander of CENTCOM and former Director of the CIA. Most of those 1,000 emails were not believed to be included in the 30,000 emails that IPS was reviewing. Out of the 30,000 emails, IPS only had a few emails from or related to PETRAEUS as well as a few related to Leon PANETTA, former Secretary of Defense."the email correspondence between former Secretary of State Clinton and Gen. Petraeus, in which she had what she termed "blackberry blues" over her inability to use her BlackBerry inside her secure office," Herridge reported.according to Judicial Watch's press statement.Within the new batch of email exchanges, Mrs. Clinton also wrote to Petraeus,Petraeus, who would later be the subject of his own scandal and mismanagement of classified material, during the time of the email exchange with Hillary Clinton, was in-charge of U.S. military efforts in Northeast Africa, across the Middle East, and into Central and South Asia.His command included overseeing counter-terrorism and other operations in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Egypt.According to the Daily Mail, a British newspaper: General Petraeus said, in wake of the Battle of Benghazi, that Hillary Clinton wasAlso,Sample Communications Between 'H and Petraeus'
Officials in Gambia began the process of counting marbles that voters had cast for one of three presidential candidates.

Voters on Thursday queued at polling stations all day to place a marble in one of three coloured ballot drums  green for President Yahya Jammeh, grey for Barrow and purple for the third candidate  former ruling party deputy Mama Kandeh.

After 22 years at the helm of a tiny West African nation that he has vowed to rule for a billion years, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is facing a strong challenge as he seeks to extend his mandate to a fifth term following Thursdays vote.

Jammeh, 51, who is known for his outbursts at one point, affirmed that only God could take him away from power.

State Television announced results from two constituencies outside the capital Banjul showed a slight lead for Jammeh and opposition leader Adama Barrow close behind.

Gambian authorities had cut the internet, barred international calls and sealed land borders.

Human Rights Watch raised concerns about the fairness of the election in a November 2 report, describing how Jammeh secured a political advantage through a crackdown on the opposition, domination of state media, and the use of state resources for campaigning.
Nigerian Nobel-literature laureate Wole Soyinka has confirmed that he has relocated to his native Nigeria.

Soyinka vowed a month ago while giving a speech to students at the Oxford University in the United Kingdom that he would cut up his green card if Trump won the elections.

I had a horror of what is to come with Trump I threw away the (green) card, and I have relocated, and Im back to where I have always been. Its useful in many ways, Soyinka, who was scholar-in-residence at New York Universitys Institute of African American Affairs this autumn, told AFP

I wouldnt for one single moment discourage any Nigerians or anybody from acquiring a green card but I have had enough of it. Soyinka was quoted as saying.

The Nigerian playwright and poet who, was imprisoned in Nigeria during its civil war, later fleeing the country and receiving a death sentence in absentia, urged young people to stand up against oppression.

Akinwande Oluwole Wole Babatunde Soyinka, the prolific playwright, novelist and poet won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 and has been a regular teacher at US universities including Harvard, Cornell and Yale.

Soyinka is one of Africas most famous writers and rights activists.
(HealthDay)For patients with type 1 diabetes, the incidence of hospitalization for hypoglycemia (HH) decreased over time in Denmark, with an 8.4 percent annual decrease, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in Diabetes Care.

Kazi Ishtiak-Ahmed, from the Steno Diabetes Center in Gentofte, Denmark, and colleagues used data for 17,230 patients with type 1 diabetes registered in the Danish Adult Diabetes Database from 2006 to examine nationwide incidence trends and predictors of HH. Patients were followed to 2012 (mean follow-up, 3.7 years).

The researchers found that there were 2,369 HH events among 1,735 patients with type 1 diabetes during 70,002 patient-years. With calendar time, there was a decrease in incidence rate, with an 8.4 percent annual decrease. Previous HH, age, diabetes duration, albuminuria, and glycated hemoglobin were predictors of HH.

"This study revealed a decreasing trend in incidence of HH in patients with type 1 diabetes," the authors write. "Previous HH, longer diabetes duration, macro-albuminuria, and HbA1c were associated with increased risk of HH in type 1 diabetes, and attention to those factors is warranted in both clinical and public health aspects."

Steno Diabetes Center is a hospital owned by Novo Nordisk; several authors disclosed financial ties to Novo Nordisk and other pharmaceutical companies.

Copyright  2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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From World War I to pioneer women, the Montana Museum of Art & Culture at the University of Montana promises a year full of diverse and interesting exhibits in 2017. Heres a preview of whats in store for us.

Intimate West: Women Artists in Montana 1880  1944

Jan. 26-May 27, 2017, in the Paxson and Meloy Galleries

This exhibition focuses on pioneering artists with important Montana ties, who lived or traveled in Montana at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century and significantly contributed to the aesthetic and cultural milieu of the state. Included are Beatrice Howie Mackey, Frances Faick Walker, Fra Dana, Josephine Hale, Frances Carroll Brown, Marguerite O. Stevens, Evelyn Cameron and Mamie Elizabeth Burt as well as artists associated with Winhold Reisss Glacier School: Elizabeth Lochrie, Elsa Jemne, Caroline Granger, Maaron Glemby, Nellie Knopf, Katherine Leighton, Merle Olson and Lucile Van Slyck. The creative output of these artists may not, at first glance, subscribe to typical Western iconography or depict the grandeur of western geography. Their work captures the practical character and unsentimental aesthetic of the region through personal portraits and scenes of domestic life.

James Todd: Looney Tunes

June 8-Sept. 9, 2017, in the Meloy Gallery

On the occasion of his retirement from teaching at the University of Montana in 2000, James Todds mother paid him a visit bearing a collection of drawings he had made between the ages 5 and 8. He had not seen the drawings in over 50 years. The fluid lines of his pencil drawings of American GIs returning from war in Europe, knights in armor, or a visit to the dentist seem to greet the artist  now in his 70s  across the years. In this exhibition and the accompanying catalog, Todd has reinterpreted his childhood drawings through woodcut printing, the medium for which he is perhaps best known today. Each drawing accompanies a contemporary print that, while based closely on the original forms, embodies the intervening decades by embellishing upon, even reimagining altogether the childs experience. Todd has given expression to the essentially modern human experience of encountering ones own past, across decades, through both memory and creativity.

Richard Buswell: What They Left Behind

June 8-Sept. 9, 2017, in the Paxson Gallery

As all great photographers do, Richard Buswell disrupts our normal vision. His photographs of commonplace objects, absent their typical surroundings, interfere with our comprehension, forcing us to look again. His stark, apparently simple images help us penetrate the superficial appearance of objects from Montanas past to contemplate the multiple, complex meanings that their histories and presence convey. This exhibition presents a new body of work by the fourth-generation Montana photographer. Buswell has been photographing Montana settlement sites, ghost towns and frontier homesteads for over 40 years, and the collection of photographs displays his evolving relationship with his subject.

Over There! Montanans in the Great War

Sept. 21  Dec. 16, 2017, in the Paxson and Meloy Galleries

At the centennial of the United States entry into World War I, MMAC presents an exhibition that examines the lives of Montana involved with the Great War. Featured will be a U.S. ambassador, two American Infantry soldiers, an American Flying Ace and a Red Cross nurse and an artist. Using significant loans from the private collection of military historian Hayes Otoupalik and collector Paul Thomas, the exhibition will take place in conjunction with programs at the Rocky Mountain Museum of Military History and the Archives and Special Collections at the Mansfield Library. Featured will be one of three operable WWI tanks, U.S. and German machine guns, rare WWI posters and an array of art made by soldiers. This exhibition is co-curated with UM professor of art history and criticism H. Rafael Chacon.
Blessed Trinity Catholic Community presents the fifth annual Festival of Creches, No Room at the Inn, Dec. 9-11. Over the past four years, this festive event has enabled total contributions of over $18,000 to the work of Habitat for Humanity and Family Promise of Missoula. This year, the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative will also benefit from the event.

All events will take place at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1475 Eaton St.

First viewing of the creches (also called nativities) is celebrated during the opening of the three-day event. Homemade appetizers will be prepared by parishioners and served throughout the evening. Highlighting this years event will be a live auction featuring a weeks timeshare at Lake Pend Oreille and original art offered by Angie Doucette. Gift baskets containing gift items from Missoula merchants will also be raffled throughout the weekend. Gift items from Bethlehem and Catholic Relief Services will be available for purchase. Music will be by the Five Valley Chorus of the Sweet Adelines and Jim Driscoll at the piano. Donation is $25 per person in advance, $35 per person at the door.

The Festival continues on Saturday, Dec. 10, with Voices of Faith, an all-day musical event featuring the Very Special Arts choir (VSA) of Opportunity Resources. Also performing will be a missionary choir from The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, students from Sentinel High School, a dance group from On Center Performing Arts and Dance Boutique, and choirs from Grace Methodist Church, Blessed Trinity and the First Lutheran Bell Choir and Children's Choir. A Mexican breakfast with pan dulce and chocolate, will be available until noon and other festive foods after noon. Creche viewing is also available until 4 p.m.

On Sunday all are invited to a Christmas tea at noon. Members of the Sweet Adelines will entertain and all will enjoy a Christmas story and festive refreshments. The exhibit closes with Advent Evening Prayer at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit blessedtrinitymissoula.org for prices and ticket information; also available on the website is a submission form to display a creche and complete details of the event, including a schedule of performances for Saturdays Voices of Faith.
It wasnt intended as an Advent or Christmas sermon, but now almost 60 years later, it still helps me know something about following Christ.

The preacher was the president of the Lutheran College I was attending. I can still remember his main point: To love is to be content to be vulnerable.

I was excited about the love part, having just fallen in love with the girl who would later become my wife. I wasnt so keen on the vulnerability bit. It sounded like getting hurt.

And what did it have to do with God? Like Martin Luther some 450 years earlier, I was struggling with the idea of a loving God. Did that mean that even God was vulnerable? That didnt seem very God-like. I mean, what happens to that ancient list of attributes of God  omnipotent, omniscient (all-powerful, all-knowing), etc?

It turns out that the Bible doesnt include that list in so many words. Rather, its something of a wish list: human beings recognizing the powers they didnt have and imagining that God must have them.

The writers of the Bible often seemed to struggle with just what kind of God we have. One of my favorites is the prophet Hosea who begs his unfaithful wife to return to him, a powerful metaphor illustrating Israels playing the whore (its there in Chapter 4) rather than remaining faithful to God.

That sounds like a loving God who is vulnerable.

Jesus birth is a classic vulnerability parable. God chooses to come in apparent weakness rather than like a king or general or even a high priest. King Herod, the political leader, hears of the birth of a baby king and orders the killing of all Bethlehem area children 2 years and younger. The message: Vulnerable love, not political power, is Gods design for how life is to be lived.

The shepherds, poor, powerless, even despised, were the first to hear the fear not message from the angels and the promise of peace on Earth. Clearly they were not the privileged but rather the vulnerable. (Luke 2:8ff).

Marys song of praise (Luke 1:46-55) also highlights Gods favor extended to the lowly, the hungry, those who lived faithfully in relationship with God, and a rejection of the proud, the powerful, the rich.

Even if we jump ahead to the end of Jesus ministry on Earth, his crucifixion can be seen as a metaphor, with Jesus resisting the use of power to escape a violent, unjustified death, trusting instead that Gods love is more powerful than death itself.

Our country isnt much into vulnerability, at least if the recent political campaigns are an indicator. Quite the opposite. Politicians appealed to (and helped create) our fears  of refugees, welfare recipients, illegal immigrants, Muslims, the other party, etc., and many citizens responded, voting for security, even isolation.

Benjamin Franklin warned us that those who give up some freedom in order to gain security are in danger of losing both. It seems to me that our country is often willing to pay a high price in an endless pursuit of ever elusive security.

Im not suggesting that America completely disarm. Vulnerability and love cannot be national defense policy, especially for a great power. But neither should we pretend that our actions all reflect Christian discipleship, or that America is particularly favored by God.

One of the gifts of Christianity is that it seeks to be global in nature, not identified with a particular nation or country. A gift, but also a challenge. Our faith challenges us to set higher goals than national security.

The truth of that long-ago sermon can be summarized in this way: If you seek to filter out all hurts, threats or sadnesses in life, that same vulnerability filter will keep love out also, and make you very lonely.

I wish you a Blessed Advent and Christmas. May you be open to experiencing love in many ways, including from a God who knows what its like to be human.
Hold onto your hats. Here comes winter, delivered courtesy of an Arctic cold front coming our way from Canada.

Were talking snow, treacherous driving conditions and the possibility of near-zero visibility Sunday and possibly Monday, followed by bitter cold temperatures and gusting winds starting Tuesday that could drive the wind-chill to 20 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service.

Be on the lookout Sunday  that will be our most impacted travel day, says Luke Robinson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Services Missoula office. After that, get ready for the cold, and have a plan in place for your outdoor pets if you have any.

The Arctic front will cross the Canadian border, move over Marias Pass and roll into the Flathead Valley through Bad Rock Canyon near Columbia Falls early Sunday morning, its predicted. With it could come three to six inches of snow for the Kalispell area.

The front is projected to make its way south and should arrive in Missoula by Sunday evening.

For a three- to six-hour period starting around 5 or 6 (p.m.), Missoula could see up to three inches of snow, Robinson says.

Winds gusting as much as 20 to 30 mph while the snow falls will make driving quite hazardous, Robinson adds. On the highways, you could see near-zero visibility.

***

The snowfall should abate by Monday in Missoula, but the front is packing a one-two punch.

Come Tuesday morning, temperatures are expected to plunge, and by Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning could be below zero.

Making matters worse, winds out of the east and northeast could gust up to 40 mph, sending wind-chills to 20-below zero.

Its going to be a cold, breezy day, Robinson says. It could feel like 10, 15, 20 degrees below zero with the wind chill much of Tuesday.

The good news: The bitter cold wont last very long, Robinson says. Temperatures may still hover close zero on Wednesday and Thursday, he adds, but the winds arent expected to be as strong.

As the week comes to an end, high temperatures are expected to warm back up into the 30s.

But, like we said, it looks like winter is here. The warmer temperatures could bring more snow.

Were looking at another significant snow event by the end of next week, going into the weekend, Robinson says.
The 2017 Celtic Festival Missoula has been canceled, but organizers are hopeful it might return in 2018.

Waning corporate sponsorships no longer made the free-admission event viable, said co-founder Shannon Lukes.

"We lost quite a few sponsorships," she said on Friday. "Businesses just pulled back. As soon as that happened, we decided we shouldn't roll the dice this year."

She said it's a competitive fundraising environment for nonprofits like the festival, which relied on local business sponsorships to run.

"We had to make a really tough decision, and it's really sad. It's bittersweet," she said.

The two-day July festival in Caras Park draws an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 visitors for the Irish dancing and cultural activities, and headlining Celtic bands like the Young Dubliners and last year, the Red Hot Chili Pipers.

A survey organizers conducted showed that about half of the respondents came from out of state.

People had been asking when Lukes would announced the 2017 dates, and so she decided to make the announcement.

Lukes and her husband, Bob Lukes, both fans of Celtic music and culture, founded the festival in 2010. They threw that first party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Highlander Beer. The two revived the dormant brand in 2008, and last year opened their own brewery, Missoula Brewing Co., on North Reserve Street.

From the beginning, any net proceeds of the festival were given to a local nonprofit selected through an application process. They formed a nonprofit, MT Diva Foundation, that consisted of the Lukeses and a few other volunteers. That group would reach out for sponsorships throughout the year, to secure half of the funding. The other half could be made up by selling Highlander Beer at the festival.

Lukes said that they hope to revive the festival in 2018, but it depends on finding new sponsorships or perhaps help putting on what's currently a volunteer-driven event.

"We'd love to find a nonprofit that we could partner with and they could take the lead on the event," she said.

Lukes booked the bands herself  she and Bob travel to other festivals around the country and tapped into the tight-knit Irish music scene.

"We have such a great venue. The bands love it here and they love Montana. I don't even have to search for bands, they call me. They email me begging to come play here," she said.

Some groups have returned year after year. The Young Dubliners, for instance, played the very first one.

"It just poured rain the first year. The Young Dubliners just kept playing and everybody was dancing out there in the rain. It was the funniest thing," she said.

Lukes said she'll miss the family aspect  she heard from parents who loved bringing their kids, who could jump up on stage and emulate the traditional Irish dancing.

There's still a chance it might return.
A new coding program in Montana is giving students an intense, 12-week training in fundamentals so they're ready for their first entry-level technology job.

It's called Apprentice Hive, created by local technology company ikuw Solutions (pronounced IQ).

"Employers are struggling finding talent to fill these jobs," said ikuw chief technology officer Kevin McManus. "And with technology, everything changes so quick."

Universities are not producing computer science graduates fast enough to replace the Baby Boomer generation retiring from the industry, he said.

"Montana's aging workforce is expected to result in high retirement and replacement needs in the upcoming years, leading to a predicted 1,350 replacement STEM openings every year," according to Montana Department of Labor and Industry's October report on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) jobs.

"It doesn't matter what industry you're in, technology has a role," McManus said.

***

When people think of Montana, their first impression likely isn't technology.

"That's exactly the issue we're struggling with," McManus said. "The fact of the matter is, you'll find a lot of people with an internet connection who can do software development anywhere in the world. You don't have to be in Silicon Valley.

"You can earn a high wage in this industry, and live in this beautiful area."

On average, Montana's computer user support specialists ($43,426), computer programmers ($63,606) and software developers ($74,784) make more annually than Montanans in non-STEM careers ($36,643), according to DLI.

STEM jobs make up 12 percent of the state's payroll employment.

The workforce shortage spans all industries, McManus said, but with how rapidly technology changes and the drag of waiting four to six years for students to graduate college, there's a gap.

"Doctors, I want them to get as much schooling as possible, but technology is different," he said. "We need people to get into the industry much quicker."

***

Logan Betts, McManus' son, graduated from the program this week.

Betts graduated from Hellgate High in 2015, and took a year off. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do  and watching so many of his peers enter and then drop out of college wasn't exactly an incentive to go that route.

"My initial thoughts were I don't know much about this stuff but I'll give it a shot," he said. "Tom, my instructor, was very thorough. There's so much, so step by step is not practical. You have to pick apart what you don't understand and ask questions."

Betts and five other students  one from Bozeman and four from Alaska  completed the program. Three of the Alaska students moved to Helena to complete the course in the training center. They came to the program following McManus' recruiting trip to Alaska last spring.

They learned the fundamentals of web, software and database development, networking and Agile product delivery. The 12 weeks wrap up with a capstone project, where students draw on the skills they've learned, including soft skills, to create a web-based application.

In the first five weeks, they learned five different Microsoft programs.

"Here, it's accelerated. It's not general studies or humanities," McManus said. "The best learning environment is on-the-job training."

Programs like Apprentice Hive, Montana Code School and Big Sky Code Academy are not necessarily intended to replace college, he said. But they get people into the workforce faster, at entry-level jobs. McManus said those people can then build up their savings, and if they want, attend college later and hopefully not rack up as much student loan debt.

"There are a lot of different ways you can go about education," McManus said.

"I thought I wanted to be an architect when I first went to college. I wasted a lot of money and time."

Instead, he graduated Montana Tech with a computer science degree. Nine years ago, ikuw was launched in the Belgrade area. In 2010, they expanded to Helena and in 2013, to Missoula.

Betts isn't sure he'll stay here, though. He loves Arizona, and is considering going to Arizona State University at some point.

"I feel like with the coding aspect, I could go in any direction," he said. "Every aspect of our lives is technology."
Scott Grasser is ready for the epic snow year to begin.

The owner of Lost Trail Powder Mountain is certain the snow he needs to flip the switch on the chairlifts is just around the corner.

The ski area typically shoots for a first Friday of December opening, but with only about a foot of snow on the ground so far, Grassers legion of groomers have yet to stir.

I like to see about two-and-a-half to three feet on the ground before we start grooming, Grasser said. With that said, we did a lot of work on some of the runs to remove rocks, stumps and small regrowth this summer.

All that work could pay off as soon as Sunday when the next big snowstorm is expected to arrive.

Were looking at somewhere between eight and 10 inches Sunday, Grasser said. Thats a good start. As soon as we can pull the trigger, were going to do that.

History appears to be on Grassers side.

At a meeting this week on avalanche program coordination, Bitterroot National Forest hydrologist Ed Snook said a National Weather Service forecaster explained that the lack of early snowfall is common for a year following a strong El Nino event.

Its very common for a La Nina event to start slowly, Snook said. In most cases though, statistically speaking, the snowpack in a La Nina year ends at average or above average. The long range forecast for snow is good.

That coming moisture follows October rains that were epic in their own right.

The three valley weather reporting stations recorded precipitation that was 293 percent of normal for the month of October. Measuring sites in higher elevations on both sides of the valley reported precipitation in the range of 188 percent of normal for the same month.

Of course, as every elk hunter knows, the spigot was screwed down much tighter once November began.

Novembers precipitation was 42 percent of average, Snook said. That fact didnt help elk hunters out much.

All that good rain in October will go a long way in helping vegetation prepare for winter and providing a nice kick start in the spring.

It helps a lot to get moisture into the ground before it freezes, Snook said. Ecologically speaking, that moisture helps plants not go into the winter months nearly as stressed as they are during drier falls.

Up until now, warmer than normal temperatures have brought most of the precipitation in the form of rain.

Hydrologists start their year of record keeping in October.

That recognizes that water stored for next years stream flows typically starts being collected in October, Snook said. Its an acknowledgement of the snowpack that normally begins building in that month. This year was different. There was a lot of rain due to warm and balmy temperatures.

Overall, most of the collection sites in both valley floor and the mountainsides show that precipitation levels for the first two months of the new water year to be about average.

Take, for instance, the SNOTEL site at Twin Lakes in the upper Lost Horse drainage. That site is typically the most prolific in the national forest when it comes to collecting precipitation.

On average during the first two months of the water year, the site receives 13 inches of precipitation. This year, it has documented 13.5 inches.

Snook said theres no way of knowing just how much of that is snow at this point.

If this were a normal year, the precipitation measuring sites scattered on both sides of the Bitterroot Valley would have somewhere between six to 12 inches of snow.

This fall, it appears those snow levels are closer to an inch.

We can make that up with one big storm, Snook said. That brings us to this weekends forecast. The most optimistic are calling for up to 25 inches of snow in three or four days in the mountains.

The storm will favor the Lookout and Lolo pass areas, but Snook said it does appear the Bitterroot should get its share.

Its going to feel a lot like winter, he said. Its time to get your snowplows ready and to get your firewood covered.

Thats good news for Grasser and everyone else ready to hit the slopes.

We just need to keep praying for snow, Grasser said. And keep your stoke level high. Its going to be an amazing season.
The Missoula City Council member likely to challenge John Engen in next years mayoral election laid out the differences between himself and the longtime mayor to a group of local Republicans on Friday.

Ward 2 councilman Harlan Wells was the speaker at the meeting of the Five Valleys Pachyderm Club.

While filing for a mayoral run doesnt open until April, both Engen and Wells have stated their intention to be candidates in the 2017 race.

The mayor, who won his third term in 2013 by a wide margin, announced he will seek a fourth term in a letter released in late November after he returned from a month-long leave of absence. In that letter, Engen also told residents he had been at a treatment program for alcohol addiction.

On Friday Wells, who said there was no love lost between himself and the mayor, told the members of the Pachyderm Club that he has not said anything negative about Engens alcoholism.

The reality is thats an incredibly difficult thing to deal with, Wells said. For his sake and his health, I do hope he stays sober.

Wells said he has asked city staff to find out what taxpayers paid for the treatment program and if City Council president Marilyn Marler was receiving additional pay for standing in as interim mayor during Engens absence.

Wells said the mayor's letter revealing his treatment for alcoholism also raised other questions.

"Did he get a DUI? Did he hurt someone?" Wells asked.

The mayor's office declined to comment on Wells' appearance.

One of the club members asked if Wells had any reason to believe the mayor had been intoxicated during the course of his duties running the city. Wells replied that he had never seen him under the influence during a council meeting, and that he wanted to give Engen the benefit of the doubt.

I personally believe that a lot of his decisions were just ideologically motivated, Wells said.

Wells cited the mayor's decision to initiate condemnation proceedings against Mountain Water Co. so that Missoula could regain control of its water system. Wells said despite initial estimates that the litigation costs would be less than $500,000, the city has now spent $6.5 million in legal fees in the still incomplete takeover, and may be on the hook for millions more if a court requires it to pay the court fees of Mountain Waters parent company.

Either (Engen) is a really bad estimator or he hasnt been fully truthful with the public, Wells said.

He also questioned the citys ability to secure long-term bonds to pay for Mountain Water, saying a meeting to discuss financing early this week with the citys bond counsel pushed Missoula to take a short-term bond and refinance later, despite current historic low rates. Wells said he was not allowed to see the bond rating set for the city.

Wells painted himself as a fiscal conservative who would make property taxes a key issue if elected to the top job next year. Lower taxes would make the city more competitive in attracting new residents and businesses, Wells said.

He also said the city needs to do a better job of listening to the concerns of people who live outside city limits but own companies inside Missoula. Their only voice is political contributions to candidates, Wells said.

*****

Thelma Baker, one of the members of the Five Valleys Pachyderm Club, is also one of the three electors from Montana who will be voting Dec. 19 to officially make Donald Trump the next president of the United States.

Baker said her computer has been broken for a few weeks, and shes happy about it because it means she hasnt been able to read the emails sent to her.

Every letter Im getting, people are encouraging me to vote for Mitt Romney, she said. We take an oath to vote for the person who is the nominee from Montana. I guess people dont know that. Ill be very happy when the 19th comes and goes.
The woman arrested after Thursdays wrong-way chase on Interstate 90 west of Missoula allegedly was injecting herself with methamphetamine during a 110-mph flight from the law.

Amy Sondra Johnson, 25, is one of three people arrested in separate incidents where drivers  each with alleged ties to meth  fled from officers Thursday.

Johnson faces felony charges of drug possession, criminal endangerment and evidence tampering, as well as misdemeanors for theft, fleeing, and drug paraphernalia stemming from Thursdays chase.

Johnson drove away from deputies after being found in an allegedly stolen car on North Reserve Street, making her way up to I-90 and starting a chase that led out to Huson, during more than half of which she drove into oncoming traffic, according to a court affidavit. Around 15 eastbound vehicles were forced off the road to avoid being hit by the car, according to the affidavit.

After she was stopped and arrested, a sheriffs deputy saw a syringe stuck in her arm, according to the affidavit. Another syringe was on the passenger seat. Johnson allegedly said she had injected herself with meth during the chase. More than eight grams of meth were found in the vehicle.

Johnson is also charged with three felonies for drug possession and a misdemeanor for drug paraphernalia from a prior incident in early November.

In court Friday, Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway set her bail at $250,000.

***

Alan Neumiller, 33, was also arrested Thursday and was charged with felonies for theft and criminal mischief. According to an affidavit, employees at Missoula Fresh Markets Broadway store called police around 1 a.m. to report a man they believed to be intoxicated sitting in a black Jeep Wrangler in the parking lot.

The Jeep had left by the time an officer arrived, but was located nearby, without headlights on. When the officer pulled the vehicle over and got out of his patrol car, the driver sped away, starting a chase with police that ended when he drove through a fence on Eaton Street and into Montana Rail Link grounds. When an officer tried to arrest the motorist, he allegedly reversed toward him, backing into a patrol car.

After Neumiller was arrested, police found that the Jeep had been reported stolen several hours earlier. On Friday, chief deputy county attorney Jason Marks requested a $75,000 bail, saying Neumiller had bonded himself out of jail on misdemeanor charges just hours before the chase. Holloway granted the bail recommendation.

***

Mary Christian Ann Hansen is charged in the third case from Thursday where someone fled officers at a traffic stop.

Holloway set 26-year-old Hansens bail at $50,000 on her charges of felony criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor for eluding a peace officer.

Around 9:15 p.m., Dec. 1, a police officer saw a vehicle heading southbound toward the Higgins Avenue bridge with its headlights off, according to a court affidavit. The officer turned around and attempted to pull the vehicle over on the downtown edge of the bridge, but a nearby vehicle also pulled over.

As the officer tried to get the other vehicle to leave, the first car pulled back into traffic. That driver crossed the bridge then turned down Station Drive toward the riverfront walking trail, accelerating away from the officer, according to court documents.

The motorist allegedly drove onto the walking trail and headed west, nearly hitting a pedestrian. The driver continued driving through McCormick Park before stopping at the north side of the park, where she and a man got out and ran. Hansen was arrested after falling down the embankment on the Clark Fork River.

In court, Marks said the officer recovered what is believed to be a pipe used to smoke meth during Hanson's arrest.
The private equity titan is a longtime Republican donor who has known the president-elect for years. Mr. Trump and his wife, Melania, were among the guests to the Blackstone chiefs famous 60th birthday party in 2007.

Mr. Schwarzman was not a vocal supporter or fund-raiser for Mr. Trump. Since the election, however, he has embraced the notion that the president-elects promise to pull back financial regulations and cut taxes will supercharge the economy.

In public and in private, Mr. Schwarzman has lately said that he is excited about the potential for economic growth in a Trump administration.

The business community now becomes front and center, he said at a recent Wall Street Journal conference.

At the conference, Mr. Schwarzman listed a number of likely changes under Mr. Trump, including a loosening of lending regulations, a lowering of the corporate tax rate from its current 35 percent level, and a return of the more than a trillion dollars American companies currently hold abroad to avoid United States taxes.

There are going to be so many of these changes that I think whats going to happen, its really going to force growth from a policy perspective, Mr. Schwarzman said at the conference.

Despite his support for Mr. Trumps policies, Mr. Schwarzman has signaled privately that he would not commit to a full-time position in the administration, but was otherwise interested in helping to advise the president-elect.
A blog by Jay Livingston -- what I've been thinking, reading, seeing, or doing. Although I am a member of the Montclair State University department of sociology, this blog has no official connection to Montclair State University. Montclair State University does not endorse the views or opinions expressed therein. The content provided is that of the author and does not express the view of Montclair State University.
ALBANY, N.Y.  New York officials are planning to discuss hunting safety issues after a spate of accidents that killed four New York hunters and left an enforcement officer wounded.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos and other DEC officials will hold a news conference Thursday at the agency's Albany headquarters to remind hunters how to avoid accidents when hunting deer.

Since the deer season opened last month, four hunters have died from gun accidents. The fatalities have occurred in Oswego, Oneida, Livingston and Chautauqua counties. Three other hunters have been wounded in nonfatal hunting accidents.

On Tuesday night, DEC Officer James Davey was shot and wounded while checking out reports of possible illegal hunting in Columbia County. He's recovering in a Hudson Valley hospital. A local man has been charged with assault.
During a Friday afternoon ribbon-cutting, community leaders shuffled around as they tried to get the photo just right for the big event.

The cause of the celebration was the official opening of the Fairfield Inn & Suites, a four-story, 84-room hotel at 2340 Cornell Ave. thats been about one and half years in the making.

After some negotiation, onlookers snapped photos with their cellphones as about 15 people huddled around the ribbon.

During the event, Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce President Paul Babb thanked hotel owners on behalf of the chamber, while Karen Byrnes, Buttes community development director, said she thought the new hotel would be a great addition to our community.

Meanwhile, Pam Haxby-Cote, executive director of the Butte Local Development Corp., made a note about economic development.

You took a piece of property that really needed some redevelopment and you made it look wonderful, said Haxby-Cote. Thats not an easy thing to do.

Indeed, Rusty Landon, Tom Marshall, and Derek Ence, who own the hotel through their company, Idaho Falls-based InnTrusted LLC, had to jump through several hoops to get their project off the ground.

They announced the project in April 2015, but to move forward, they needed a zoning variance that would allow them to build the 55-foot-high structure in an area that restricted commercial buildings to just 35 feet high.

In addition, the owners demolished the Thurmans Building, a former plumbing, electrical, and home fixture store that resided on the property. To aid in the cost of the demolition, they appeared before Buttes Council of Commissioners in August 2015 to ask for $68,850 from the countys Hard Rock Mine Trust.

During the August agenda, commissioners questioned whether a hotel franchised by a large corporation and owned by developers who already seemed committed to the project should get such a large sum of money, but others noted the project would be an $8.6-million investment and would pay about $150,000 in local property taxes annually.

Ultimately the measure was approved with a 9-3 vote, and the owners broke ground two months later in September 2015.

Today the hotel boasts a swanky, modern interior, and guests are greeted by staff who glow in the blue light of the large fixture that stands behind the front desk.

John Weldon, director of operations at InnTrusted, said amenities include a 24-hour pool and exercise facility, business center, and 700 square feet of meeting space.

Weldon said the Fairfield Inn  which resides near the interchange of Interstates 90 and 15 and close to three other hotels, Days Inn, LaQuinta Inn, and Quality Inn  will be InnTrusted's 13th hotel.

The company already owns two hotels in Missoula and has a 14th planned for Pocatello, Idaho.

When asked why InnTrusted added Butte to its portfolio, Weldon said the company felt it would complement its already-existing Missoula properties.

We wanted to come in this direction. Butte is a great little town, said Weldon. We looked at this for some time, and we decided this would be a great investment for our company.
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Spotted owls dont fly in Montana.

But like the proverbial butterfly wingflap in Brazil stirring up a tornado in Texas, spotted owls in Oregon blew down the timber industry in Montana. A quarter-century later, people see the spotted owl storm in one of two very different ways.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, points to the 1990 Endangered Species Act listing of spotted owls as the start of the industrys troubles.

This listing and resulting litigation was a watershed development that encouraged and gave like-minded obstructionist groups a blueprint for more litigation and greatly contributed to the fall of the timber supply from federal lands, Daines states in a timeline review of national forest policy provided to the Missoulian.

There have been hundreds of lawsuits against vegetation management projects over the past decade, and this litigation  and fear of litigation  has slowed or altogether blocked timber sales and helped bring about what former Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth called excessive and inefficient process, or analysis paralysis. Moreover, federal timber supply has been far below pre-1990 averages even during strong housing markets and economic conditions. Thus it is simplistic and false to suggest that the persistent decline of federal timber is the result of diminishing demand or the ebbs and flows of prices.

But is the problem in protecting endangered species or in the way we fight over that protection? In Montana, the Endangered Species Act struggle focuses on a different threatened animal  the Canada lynx.

In whats known as the Cottonwood decision, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling ordering the Forest Service to re-consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about lynx on its top-level forest plans.

The judges found the Forest Service had developed its own guidelines based on consultations with FWS using old, discredited rules from 2006. FWS changed its lynx guidelines in 2009 after acknowledging that previous agency leaders improperly left out 12 million acres of lynx-critical habitat, including about 700,000 acres of national forest timberland.

Sen. Daines argues that top-level, agency-to-agency consultation will greatly increase needless paperwork on the Forest Service and further delay much-needed restorative management work. He believes the Forest Service should be allowed to impose the new FWS lynx guidelines on a project-by-project basis  the same position the Obama Justice Department lawyers argued for the Forest Service. The Ninth Circuit judges said no  endangered species protection takes place at the top of the planning process.

A 10th Circuit Court decision from 10 years ago agrees with Daines's position. But the Supreme Courts refusal to take on the 9th Circuit ruling gives it law-of-the-land weight.

Daines is drafting an amendment to overturn the 9th Circuit ruling by codifying that Endangered Species Act agency consultations should happen at the project level, not the forest plan. The change would not hurt the ESAs power to protect animals and plants, he claims.

Not so, counters John Meyer of the namesake Cottonwood Environmental Law Center in Bozeman.

The single reason that Canada lynx were listed as a threatened species is because of the lack of management standards in forest plans, Meyer wrote in a recent op-ed letter. He suggested Daines use his position to secure funding for Canada lynx research instead of second-guessing three levels of federal court judges.

Nullifying the Cottonwood decision is just one of many legislative moves to change how we harvest timber on public lands. Daines and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, have introduced the Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016.

It gives state foresters more ability to do fuels-reduction projects that cross over federal lands, among other things. He teamed with Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-California, on a letter proposing ways to limit legal challenges to Forest Service timber sales, including requiring courts to give substantial deference to Interior Department analyses when reviewing Forest Service actions and piloting a new required arbitration program for public challenges to agency projects.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, and Daines have joined numerous colleagues asking for a better way to pay for wildfire expenses on national forests, which often consume more than 50 percent of the Forest Services annual budget. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock last summer got the Western Governors Association to push a National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative aimed at increasing the number of collaborative projects involving state and federal land.

The Montana Woods Products Association has sent a 13-item wish list to Congressional leaders. It includes allowing the Forest Service to offer long-term contracts on timber projects, expand categorical exclusions that allow some projects to move with limited environmental or public review, and require the courts to balance short- and long-term ecological and economic impacts of timber projects. It also supports Daines's call for nullifying the Cottonwood decision.

The current approach frustrates Tom France, regional director for the National Wildlife Foundation in Missoula.

What were seeing now are bills offering more of the same, France said. I regret that Congress hasnt come back to performance standards for the Forest Service. I wouldnt recommend it for every forest, but we do have some Montana solutions that are ready for a test drive.

France was deeply involved in Sen. Jon Testers Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, which included a plan developed by the collaborative group Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership. That proposal tied together a bunch of existing wilderness and recreation area recommendations with a requirement that the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest deliver 10 years worth of forest management activity. France said the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act critics attacked the proposal as a quid pro quo, acquiring wilderness acres with timber harvest and vice versa.

This was a way to build more support for timber harvest and more support for conservation lands, France said. It was a way to build broader support for all of that. Weve kind of fallen away from all that. I felt comfortable looking at the B-Ds 700,000 acres of working landscape amidst 3 million acres of forest and saying we should be doing 7,000 acres of active management a year.

Many of the congressional proposals aimed at Decembers lame-duck session aim to return national forest harvest to pre-1990 levels. But that reflects an era when overuse of national forests was so blatant it fueled an opposite legislative revolution.

Degradation of the environment was an inescapable issue in the early 1970s. The recently deceased Leon Billings of Helena was the congressional staff architect who drafted the federal Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Clean Water Act of 1972.

In 1972, Montanans at their state Constitutional Convention declared the right to a clean and healthful environment first among the enumerated inalienable rights of Article II. Republican President Richard Nixon asked Congress to send him legislation protecting threatened wild animals and plants. Congress responded with the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

First nominated for Endangered Species Act protection in 1982, the spotted owl depends on Pacific Coast old-growth forests for its habitat. After the elusive bird made the list in 1990, Jack Ward Thomas, the recently deceased former chief of the Forest Service and University of Montana professor, drafted the North West Forest Plan in 1994. Based largely on Thomas's research on spotted owls and their threatened forests, the plan drove down coastal West Side timber harvest by a factor of five.

Ecosystem management is not just a timber sale, Thomas wrote. Its putting the timber sale into a bigger picture, including watersheds, wildlife, roads, and peoples needs and values  Wood production will continue to be a significant part of our program, but we will look more at multiple variables, not just production.

At the same time, the Forest Service was rocked by revelations of excessive mismanagement of national forests. Phantom Forest reports exaggerated how many trees could be cut without damaging the surrounding ecology. The General Accounting Office found the agency was losing hundreds of millions of dollars with below-cost timber sales in the early 1990s.

The end of the road was in sight  the spotted owl crisis just accelerated it by 10 years or so, retired UM forestry ecologist Alan McQuillan said. The Forest Service timber program was in the black when they were cutting 5 or 6 billion board feet of Douglas fir and pine in Washington, Oregon, and California. Everywhere else was in the red  they were all subsidized by the West Side cut. So when the West Side fell, the whole program was in the red.

Where one picks a starting point says a lot about how one tells the timber industrys story. In 2002, McQuillan recounted his version to a Governors Conference on Montana Forests. He started with Montana historian K. Ross Tooles account of illegal logging in the mid-1800s. Lots of other incidents compete for the title.

The Bitterroot controversy broke open (in 1969) apparently because someone on a field trip convinced the bus driver to go round one more bend than the Forest Service had intended, McQuillan noted. The revelation that massive clearcuts extended just beyond cozy shelterwood groves stoked public outrage.

Today, massive wildfires attract an equal amount of public concern. The current rationale for rewriting timber policy is that our public forests need to be managed for public safety. Montana adds about 730 million cubic feet of timber a year in its regular national forest land (excluding wilderness areas, parks, and other protected places). Another 660 million cubic feet of timber dies each year. Montana loggers have been harvesting between 90 million and 140 million board feet a year over the past decade.

The remaining 500-odd million board feet attract all the attention. All that may become fuel for wildfire if it isn't harvested through either commercial logging or hazardous fuels reduction. Or it may become wildlife habitat, contributing to a multi-age mosaic of forest types.

Most "forest health" projects don't provide enough commercial lumber or pulp to pay for themselves without government subsidy. Advocates counter that the subsidy is worthwhile if it keeps a logging infrastructure in Montana. With a corps of skilled woodworkers and a network of viable mills, Montana can approach breaking even on those public-safety efforts. States that have lost their timber industry, such as Colorado and Arizona, must pay far greater costs per acre with no commercially offsetting benefit.

Environmentalists challenge the industry to prove it really intends to farm timber rather than mine it. According to Fish and Wildlife Service studies, northern spotted owls lost another 8 percent to 12 percent of their remaining habitat on privately owned timberlands due to logging between adoption of the Northwest Forest Plan and 2004. Loss on federal lands was about 0.3 percent in the same period with three-quarters of that due to forest fire.

In Montana, judges have applied the Cottonwood decision to halt major timber projects in the Kootenai, Gallatin, and Custer national forests this fall. The rulings find that the presence of lynx in the woods doesnt stop logging  the lack of a complete lynx management policy does. The Forest Service either needs to do the paperwork or Congress needs to relieve the agency of the Endangered Species Act burden.

Meanwhile, Montanas remaining mills have the capacity to process 600 million board feet of lumber. In 2000, that figure was a billion board feet, and in 1989, it was 1.6 billion board feet.

Its not like were supporting the same mills or capacity we had 25 years ago, said Todd Morgan, timber analyst for the University of Montanas Bureau of Business and Economic Research. But from an economic and financial standpoint, the sustainable level has got to be somewhere higher than were at right now.
A Butte man who pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine was sentenced in Butte district court Thursday to three years in the Montana State Prison.

Aaron Evans's guilty plea came from an agreement with the county prosecutor to drop theft and other drug charges.

The sentence was handed down by Judge Kurt Krueger and will run concurrently with another three-year prison sentence handed down to Evans by Judge Brad Newman.

Evans's probation stemmed from a 2009 sentence for three counts of felony theft for stealing motorcycles to support his methamphetamine addiction.

Newman gave Evans five years in prison for each charge with all but 120 days suspended. Evans tested positive for meth earlier this year, violating his probation and the terms of his suspended sentence.
HELENA  A move by the state Supreme Court late Friday afternoon has left the Secretary of State's office unsure about certifying the passage of a voter-approved amendment to Montana's Constitution.

The court ordered Secretary of State Linda McCulloch to not declare an effective date for Constitutional Initiative 116, also known as Marsy's Law. Election results must be certified by Monday. The Board of Canvassers, which certifies election results, is set to meet at 10 a.m. that day, but it's unclear now what action they can take.

The confusing situation came about after the the ACLU of Montana filed a lawsuit earlier in the day asking for Marsy's Law, a so-called "victims bill of rights" that voters passed in November, to take effect in July instead of the immediate start date printed on ballots statewide.

Twice this week the Board of Canvassers did not sign off on a certificate validating the passage of the law. Two of the board's three members said they did not think the ballot language calling for an immediate start date, which also appears on the certificate, was correct. The language of the law itself does not call for an immediate implementation but uses the phrase "self-executing."

Marsy's Law will create a new section of the state constitution and includes 18 rights for crime victims, including the right to refuse interviews and to be notified of all steps of the legal process.

Emily Dean, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's, said Friday around 5 p.m. that it's not clear what the court's decision means. The office's legal counsel is looking at the court's order, Dean said, and could issue a release Friday evening with more information. The court's order says it needs a response from the state, McCullock, and Attorney General Tim Fox, who is named in the suit, within 14 days.

On ballots statewide, voters saw the sentence CI-116, if passed by the electorate, will become effective immediately.

The Department of Justice, which drafts the language that appears on the ballot, interpreted "self-executing" to mean immediately effective, but state Auditor Monica Lindeen and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, two of the three Board of Canvassers members, disagree with that decision. The board's third member is Attorney General Tim Fox, who is in charge of the Department of Justice. Fox supports certifying the results as-is.

The ACLU is arguing that the state constitution reads, in part, that amendments "shall become a part of the constitution effective the first day of July following its approval, unless the amendment provides otherwise."

The Board of Canvassers already approved election results for local and statewide candidates and Initiative 182, which repealed a three-patient limit for medical marijuana patients. That initiative has its own struggles with an effective date: due to a drafting error, it will not take effect for eight months.

The suit is brought by the ACLU, the Montana County Attorneys Association, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, the Montana Association of Counties, Lewis and Clark County Attorney Leo Gallagher, and Helena City Attorney Thomas Jodoin.

Chuck Denowh, state director of Marsys Law for Montana, called the lawsuit disappointing.

"We think it's clear that the effective date should be immediate upon the certification of the election. That's what was on the ballots for the 325,000 Montanans who voted for Marsy's Law." The law passed with 66 percent of the vote.

He said it's unclear if Marsy's Law for Montana would take any action, and the group needs to wait and see what the Supreme Court decides.

Cities and counties worry that they will have to cut services or raise taxes to pay for additional staff to work with victims and comply with the new law and say they need as much time as possible to get ready. The ACLU in a release said the law creates significant administrative, financial, and compliance burdens.

"A July 1, 2017, effective date is not only legally required, but makes practical sense as it allows for organizations time to comply with the procedures mandated by CI 116," the release said.

Denowh said he thinks cities and counties can comply with Marsy's Law now.

"Most of what's in Marsy's Law they were already doing," he said. "The law expands on those pre-existing requirements a little bit, but not in a huge way."
The 1889th Regional Support Group, based in Butte, will hold a Change of Command Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 4, as Col. Theodore Hull relinquishes command to Lt. Col. William Shomento.

The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. at the Butte Armed Forces Reserve Center at 600 Gilman Ave.

Col. Hull enlisted in the Army in 1986 and became an officer in 1989. He has two combat deployments to Iraq and has served as the 1889th's commander since 2014. He works full time as the Montana National Guard Joint Director of Military Support.

Lt. Col. Shomento joined the military in 1990. He has deployed to Somalia in 1993 and Iraq in 2004-2005. He has served as the 1889th Deputy Commander since 2014.

The 1889th Regional Support Group serves as a brigade level headquarters for the Montana Army National Guard, commanding four subordinate battalions with 2,200 soldiers throughout the state.
To all persons regarding Marion L. Hutton, deceased, who died on or about September 9, 2016. You are hereby notified that Janet A. Lewis and Gary L. Lewis are the Co-Trustees of the Marion L. Hutton Gifting Trust dated July 9, 2015.

Any action to contest the validity of the Trust must be brought in the District Court of Muscatine County, Iowa, within the later to occur of four months from the date of mailing this notice to all heirs of the decedent settlor and the spouse of the decedent settlor whose identities are reasonably ascertainable. Any suit not filed within this period shall be forever barred.

Notice is further given that any person or entity possessing a claim against the trust must mail proof of the claim to the Trustee at the address listed below via certified mail, return receipt requested, by the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or thirty days from the date of mailing this notice if required, or the claim shall be forever barred, unless otherwise satisfied.

Dated this 17th day of November, 2016.

The Marion L. Hutton Gifting Trust

dated July 9, 2015

Janet A. Lewis and Gary L. Lewis, Co-Trustees

2619 Anna Elizabeth Lane

Muscatine, IA 52761

Date of second publication

3rd day of December, 2016.
BUTTE  A southwestern Montana county government has agreed to pay $125,000 to a Mexican man who sued after he claimed he was raped in the Jefferson County jail in Boulder.

Jefferson County officials and Audemio Orozco-Ramirez have agreed to drop a federal lawsuit.

According to court documents, Orozco-Ramirez, was being held on civil immigration charges in October 2013 when he said he was raped in his jail cell. He spoke little English and could not report the incident for two days until he was transferred to an Idaho facility where a booking officer spoke Spanish.

The Associated Press typically does not name rape victims, but Orozco-Ramirez has talked publicly about his case.

He claimed in the lawsuit that the rape would not have occurred if Jefferson County had followed the requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

Jefferson County did not admit liability in the settlement.

"The amount of the settlement reflects the merit of the lawsuit and the seriousness of the county's failure to protect Mr. Orozco-Ramirez when he was sexually assaulted in their custody," said Orozco-Ramirez's attorney, Shahid Haque-Hausrath of Helena.

After an investigation, the county determined that no crime was committed against Orozco-Ramirez.

Video of the jail cell released to Orozco-Ramirez's lawyers included more than three hours of missing footage during the hours he says he was smothered and sexually assaulted.

County officials said in 2013 that the cameras in the cells automatically shut off during inactivity, but the county later produced additional footage that filled in some gaps.

Orozco-Ramirez is originally from the Mexican state of Michoacan and lived in Washington state before moving to Montana.

He now faces deportation. His attorney is trying get him permission to stay in the U.S. with a type of visa granted to crime victims who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and who cooperate with law enforcement investigations.
Higher end and lower end combination machines are out there, so shop around if you're on a budget or have a truly dedicated coffee fanatic who's in search of the ultimate pour but looking to combine. Some have steam wands and brew at the same time. Some are compact. Generally, they take up less space than two or more machines. Look to DeLonghi for some nice ones.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  More than 400 children searched near the Muscatine riverfront to find more than 1,400 candy canes during Friday evenings Candy Cane Hunt.

I love the Candy Cane Hunt, said six-year-old Andromeda Mess excitedly.

Mess had found 21 candy canes, and was preparing to collect prizes at the Pearl City Station for what she had found.

And we get to eat them, she added.

The event was organized by the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department, and Karen Thie, the project supervisor for the department, said the event gave children and their families a chance to get out of their houses before the chill of winter sets in.

"We're outside, we're embracing downtown Muscatine, we're on the beautiful riverfront, it's even beautiful at this time of year," she said. "And it brings together a sense of community, the holiday spirit, just really bringing families and people together."

The Holiday Stroll, Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, and Candy Cane Hunt events worked well together, Thie said, and in line with the Parks and Recreation Department's goals.

"We bring people together and allow them to have fun and new experiences and meet new people and be outside," Thie said.

Eli Vazquez said he and five-year-old Eric enjoyed the Candy Cane Hunt, especially the cookies, lemonade, and prizes that were waiting for the participants in the Pearl City Station after the event was completed.

"I think it's a really good event for families and kids, and especially you know they have cookies and stuff afterward so that is pretty awesome for the city and the community," Vazquez said.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Residents of Muscatine and the surrounding area milled around downtown Muscatine Friday night with cups of cocoa in hand, visiting Second Street businesses during the 32nd annual Holiday Stroll.

The festival is a Muscatine tradition with more than six city blocks of decorated storefronts, entertainers, shopping and activities for the whole family.

My favorite thing about the Holiday Stroll is the smiles on kids faces, said Jaime Limoges, the general manager at the Muscatine Journal, which organized the event with Toyota of Muscatine.

Limoges dressed as an elf, and said she saw many children smiling as she walked through the Holiday Stroll. She said the Muscatine tradition is an important one to continue, because community members look forward to the event each year.

Its always enjoyable to see an active Second Street, she said.

While walking down the street, residents could listen to live and recorded Christmas music, watch dancers dance, sip hot drinks from various businesses, and eat cookies. Santa Clause was also available for photographs at several locations.

Sarah Siler Photography was one of the locations taking Santa photos. Some children grinned with excitement; some young ones shed a few tears, but were quickly cheered by parents or Siler.

Bonnie Johnson, of Davenport, brought her 20-month-old son to see Santa. She said her family enjoyed attending the stroll.

We just like coming down here and supporting local communities, its fun, Johnson said. We like the windows too.

By First National Bank, a small international village, with buildings and trees made by local school students, was lined up for stroll attendants to enjoy. Candy and hot chocolate was also available.

At We can Frame That, owner Flynn Collier, invited Elsa and Anna, characters from Frozen, to take photos with children. He said he wanted to do something a little different for local children.

I want to bring it back to its glory days, when we had 10,000 people downtown, Collier said. Thats why we went big, is the best way to lead is by example, and show people that you can make magic happen.

Hailey Wilson, 8, of Bettendorf, was at the Holiday Stroll for her first time, and had just seen Elsa and Anna.

[It was] awesome, she said.

Kate Casaletto, originally from Muscatine, said she enjoyed the weather, which was much colder the last time she attended the event, two years earlier.

I think its a good use of the downtown area, there are some nice storefronts and it brings the community together, she said. I like it, its a good event.
ALTOONA  A top House Republican on Friday told a tax group he expects the new GOP-led Legislature will take a fresh top to bottom look at Iowa tax policy with a special emphasis on revamping income taxes to make the state more competitive and attractive for job-creating investments.

House Majority Leader Chris Hagenow, R-Windsor Heights, told an Iowa Taxpayer Association forum the 59 Republicans who will hold sway in the Iowa House for the next two years plan to hold a closed-door planning meeting at the Capitol next week to begin crafting the specifics of their 2017 session agenda with the 87th General Assembly slated to convene Jan. 9.

There will be big bills this year and its going to be exciting to find out what were able to get done and what we cant, Hagenow told reporters after the ITA event. Were going to be bold, were going to do big things, but were going to do smart policy, were going to do it the right way and were going to work with everyone involved.

Hagenow said funding water quality improvements and tackling difficult budget issues will be 2017 focuses but Republicans who now control both the House and Senate along with the governorship expect to spend a lot of time looking at ways to simplify and improve Iowas tax system.

I think we are interested in making Iowas tax code fairer and reducing the burden on Iowa taxpayers, he said.

Two Democrats  Sen. Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids and Rep. David Jacoby of Coralville  who attended the ITA forum expressed a willingness to work on tax reform as long as the changes didnt merely shift the burden or undercut revenue available to fund critical government programs.

I think there is room for tax reform. I think that would be positive, said Hogg, the Senates new minority-party leader, although he did not favor merely cutting income tax rates across-the-board as an option. He also said he hoped lawmakers could find bipartisan ground on tax policy and other issues where possible but he also accepted the reality the Republicans will run the show at the Statehouse for the next two years.

Republicans in the Legislature can do anything they choose to do. Its going to be incumbent on them to choose wisely, Hogg said. If they decide to have Iowa become the next right-wing experimentation, if they want to go down an ideological path, they can do that. I hope they dont. I hope they govern from the middle. We dont want to replicate what Kansas has done.

Jacoby said he hoped a comprehensive look at tax policy would include decoupling agricultural and residential properties for taxing purposes and he questioned whether lawmakers should revisit the backfill issue from the 2013 property tax cut that requires lost revenue for local entities to be replaced with income tax revenue. He also said he was not interested in robbing from the SAVE funds schools receive to finance water quality improvements.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Muscatine Highs physics students practiced their engineering and physics skills Friday morning as they tested homemade mousetrap cars.

It took a bit of know-how, a lot of glue and, of course, a basic spring-loaded mousetrap.

The main point was to learn about acceleration and how to build a car in different situations, so for power verses accuracy, said physics teacher Kelsey Mohapp.

Students in Mohapps class are one of several physics classes who participated. The students built the cars in teams of two or more, competing for the best scores in one of two challenges: power and accuracy.

Mohapps students gathered in the hallway around a makeshift wooden ramp and a course with duct tape markers to test their creations.

At the wooden ramp, junior Antonio Peiles and senior Taylor Shepherd prepared to launch their car. It was an amalgam of cardboard and glue with a red string connecting the mousetrap to the back wheel axle. They had wound the string tightly around the axle, storing the energy that would, they hoped, move the car up the ramp.

Peiles crouched near the wooden ramp and positioned the car. Then, he let go. The car climbed the ramp slowly, stopping a second later, less than a meter away from the start line.

Peiles looked disappointed. Someone elses car had traveled twice as long.

Do you want to go again? Mohapp asked.

The duo prepared the car for launch again, winding the string until it was tight. They positioned the car at the ramp and let go. The car zoomed up the ramp, going farther than it had gone before.

1.82 meters, Mohapp said. Thats not bad.

Though their car did not beat the record, Peiles looked pleased.

Across the hallway, junior Joshua Hutton and his team prepared to launch their car on the duct tape course. To win the course, the mousetrap car would have to travel exactly five meters.

In concept, Huttons car is similar to that of Peiles and Shepards creationa mouse trap and a string tied to the axle, but its wheels are larger, to help it cover more ground.

Every time it spins, it would go father, based on the circumference of the wheel, Hutton said.

And the strategy worked wellthe car zoomed past the duct tape markings, moving farther and farther. But it didnt stop.

It zoomed past the five-meter mark, and finally stopped several seconds later. It may not have won the accuracy challenge, but it looked fun.

And win or lose, physics teacher Pam Joslyn said designing the car will help students understand friction and other concepts.

They can see how friction applies to their mousetrap car," Joslyn said. "They can see how the forces apply, they can use various concepts of energy transformation, so its a fun way for them to think about that.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  The Muscatine County Sheriff's Office has joined the I-PLEDGE program, and education and enforcement program that works to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products away from youth.

The program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division and it works to educate retailers and enforce Iowa's tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product laws, according to a press release from the Muscatine County Sheriff's Office.

The Muscatine County Sheriff's Office hopes to increase the statewide tobacco compliance rate, 91 percent, by participating in the program.

Deputies will conduct compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers will enter local stores and attempt to by tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products under the supervision of law enforcement officials.

Clerks who make an illegal sale will be cited at the time of the compliance check.

Criminal penalties for selling the products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, $250 for the second, and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses.

The citations are not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program, which places an emphasis on retailer training. Clerks can complete an online course and pass an exam to become I-PLEDGE certified, which also allows establishments to defend against civil penalties if a certified clerk makes an illegal sale.

"By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community," Sheriff C.J. Ryan said. "Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa's youth."

To take the I-PLEDGE certification training or search certification records, visit abd.iowa.gov.
WAPELLO, Iowa - It may be a cooler and more active summer next year for six Wapello families after the city council agreed Thursday to donate six family passes to the city swimming pool.

The council agreed to make the donation after receiving a request from the Nest of Louisa County, which will use the passes in its incentive program.

According to the website of the Louisa County Public Health Service, which assumed administration of the program after the Storks Nest of Louisa County closed its doors earlier this year, income-eligible pregnant women and their children are eligible for incentives for practicing healthy behaviors.

The healthy behaviors include keeping doctor appointments and attending parent and preventative educational classes.

City Clerk Mike Delzell said the councils decision would not mean any loss of revenue for the city.

These are (likely) going to be families that are not going to buy (a family pass), he suggested.

The only red flag that was raised over the suggested donation was an auditors comment that was included in the citys recently completed audit.

Delzell said the auditors had questioned at least one donation made by the city last year, a $250 contribution to the American Cancer Society. Officials said the city had donated to a Relay for Life event in the county and auditors had commented the donation did not appear to serve a direct public purpose that would benefit Wapello residents.

(The pool passes) are a good-will gesture, but we need to be careful handing them out, Mayor Shawn Maine pointed out to the council after referring to the audit report.

Delzell agreed, but said city staff had been told the passes would only go to Wapello families.

Council member Eric Small questioned if the city should consider developing written policies to follow for future requests. The auditors had recommended that action if the city continued to make donations similar to the American Cancer contribution.

In addition to the donation comments, the auditors also flagged city purchases of services and supplies from businesses owned by city officials.

This past fiscal year the city used businesses owned by Maine and council members Gene Arnold and Brett Shafer.

Delzell pointed out in a small town it is often difficult to acquire some services without using businesses run by city officials. Council member Kenny Marlette did not disagree, but using Maine as an example suggested other businesses could be used.

I dont want to take money out of your pocket, but we have three places around town (where oil can be changed), he said.

He wondered if a rotating schedule might work, but no decisions were made.

In other action, the council agreed to transfer $987 from the city TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for payment of a storm sewer system promissory note.

The council also accepted the retirement of Kirk Heater from the citys public works staff.
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 []
Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said Friday she may apply to be the next president of the University of Montana.

"I think I have the qualifications and the vision, and I think it's an exciting opportunity," Juneau said.

Juneau is completing her second term as state superintendent. In November, the Democrat lost the race for U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent Ryan Zinke.

The Montana Commissioner of Higher Education announced Thursday that UM President Royce Engstrom has resigned effective Dec. 31.

A national search will take place spring semester for a permanent president and former Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns will serve as interim president beginning Jan. 1.

Juneau's supporters launched an online petition Thursday calling for the outgoing superintendent to be named the next University of Montana president.

"With the news that Royce Engstrom is stepping down, Montana has the opportunity to catch a rising star in Denise Juneau," reads the petition at change.org launched by Tyler Gernant, a Missoula Democrat who lost a bid for the U.S. House in 2010. By Saturday morning, it had 611 signatures.

Juneau has a law degree from the University of Montana. She received her English degree from Montana State University and a master's degree in education from Harvard.

Gernant said he launched the petition calling for a "dynamic leader" at UM. Gernant is elected clerk and recorder/treasurer for Missoula County, but said he took action as a private citizen.

"My wife and I had long thought that Denise would make a great university president, but obviously Royce was there," said Gernant.

Engstrom's departure opens the door for Juneau to fill the job, he said, and she is "uniquely qualified for that position." Juneau has been pushing up graduation rates as superintendent while UM's enrollment has been falling, Gernant said.

Montana Board of Regents Chairman Paul Tuss said he would welcome Juneau's application  along with those of other interested candidates. As superintendent, Juneau has served as an ex-officio Board of Regents member representing kindergarten through 12th grade, and Tuss said she served admirably for eight years.

"Certainly, we would welcome her and other people that are interested to serve in this capacity, but most assuredly, we will indeed be conducting an exhaustive national search for this very important position," Tuss said.

Gernant agreed a national search should take place.

As an elected officer, Gernant also said UM has a vital economic role in the community. The petition estimates that the increased graduation rates pushed by Juneau's Graduation Matters initiative translate into an estimated $6 million boost to the Montana economy.

"As declining enrollment has hit the university, it's also hit Missoula," Gernant said. "So having a very dynamic leader in that position I think would help boost our economy as well."
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 []
HELENA  A move by the state Supreme Court late Friday afternoon has left the Secretary of State's office unsure about certifying the passage of a voter-approved amendment to Montana's Constitution.

The court ordered Secretary of State Linda McCulloch not to declare an effective date for Constitutional Initiative 116, or Marsy's Law. Election results must be certified by Monday. The Board of Canvassers, which certifies election results, is set to meet at 10 a.m. that day, but it's unclear what action they can take.

The confusing situation came about after the the ACLU of Montana filed a lawsuit earlier in the day asking for Marsy's Law, a so-called "victims' bill of rights" that voters passed in November, to take effect in July instead of the immediate start date printed on ballots statewide.

Twice this week the Board of Canvassers did not sign off on a certificate validating the passage of the law. Two of the board's three members said they did not think the ballot language calling for an immediate start date, which also appears on the certificate, was correct. The language of the law itself does not call for an immediate implementation, but uses the phrase "self-executing."

Marsy's Law will create a new section of the state Constitution and includes 18 rights for crime victims, including the right to refuse interviews and to be notified of all steps of the legal process.

Emily Dean, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's, said Friday around 5 p.m. that it's not clear what the court's decision means. The office's legal counsel is looking at the court's order, Dean said. The court's order says it needs a response from the state, McCulloch and Attorney General Tim Fox, who is named in the suit, within 14 days.

On ballots statewide, voters saw the sentence: CI-116, if passed by the electorate, will become effective immediately.

The Department of Justice, which drafts the language that appears on the ballot, interpreted "self-executing" to mean immediately effective, but state Auditor Monica Lindeen and Superintendent of Public Institution Denise Juneau, two of the three Board and Canvassers members, disagree with that decision. The board's third member is Attorney General Tim Fox, who is in charge of the Department of Justice. Fox supports certifying the results as-is.

The ACLU is arguing that the state Constitution reads, in part, that an amendment "shall become a part of the constitution effective the first day of July following its approval, unless the amendment provides otherwise."

The Board of Canvassers already approved election results for local and statewide candidates and Initiative 182, which repealed a three-patient limit for medical marijuana patients. That initiative has its own struggles with an effective date: Due to a drafting error it will not take effect for eight months.

The suit was brought by the ACLU, the Montana County Attorneys Association, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, the Montana Association of Counties, Lewis and Clark County Attorney Leo Gallagher and Helena City Attorney Thomas Jodoin.

Chuck Denowh, state director of Marsys Law for Montana, called the lawsuit disappointing.

"We think it's clear that the effective date should be immediate upon the certification of the election. That's what was on the ballots for the 325,000 Montanans who voted for Marsy's Law." The measure passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Cities and counties worry that they will have to cut services or raise taxes to pay for additional staff to work with victims and comply with the new law and need as much time as possible to get ready. The ACLU, in a release, said it creates significant administrative, financial and compliance burdens.

"A July 1, 2017, effective date is not only legally required, but makes practical sense as it allows for organizations time to comply with the procedures mandated by CI 116," the release said.

Denowh said he thinks cities and counties can comply with Marsy's Law now.

"Most of what's in Marsy's Law they were already doing," he said. "The law expands on those pre-existing requirements a little but but not in a huge way."
Eastern Montana is in for an arctic blast over the coming days.

An incoming cold front will send the mercury downward and could bring snow to the area, particularly around the Fort Peck Reservoir.

Greg Forrester, senior forecaster at the Glasgow National Weather Service office, said on Friday that temperatures are expected to dive after Sunday. A few inches of snow could accumulate, especially in the areas of Winnett, Jordan and Circle.

The best chance for snow in that area is Sunday night, Forrester said.

By Tuesday, high temperatures will be in the single digits, and wind chills could chill the air even more. A high of 7 degrees is predicted for Tuesday.

Closer to Billings, the chance for snow increases after Sunday. As the front moves into the area, temperatures will drop. The National Weather Service expects highs of 44 and 45 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, dropping down to 8 degrees on Tuesday.
Robert Sinskeys Carneros orchard of 589 oak and filbert trees lies in wait.

Planted in 2010, the orchard was inoculated with the biological makings of truffles, prized fruiting bodies of fungus notoriously difficult to produce and capable of fetching hundreds of dollars per pound. Sinskeys orchard may well be the first in the state to produce a successful harvest. But the spark has yet to come.

Though expectations have been high since last year for such a harvest, another year may pass without truffles in Carneros, Sinskey said in a phone interview. Californias drought may be responsible.

The reality is weve been in a drought for years, he said.

The owner of Robert Sinskey Vineyards, whose winery sits in the heart of Napas Stags Leap District, Sinskey planted the 1-acre orchard on his Carneros property in 2010 through a partnership with the American Truffle Company. The company offered to produce a truffle within 5 to 7 years through a rigorously scientific approach, which included inoculating the orchards seedlings with the truffle-producing fungus.

The inoculated seedlings were planted six years ago almost to the week, said Robert Chang, managing director of the American Truffle Company, during a phone interview last week.

Chang said that, given the timeline, the orchard is currently in the sweet spot for that harvest potential, but echoed Sinskey in cautioning against excessive optimism for this years results. At this point were looking at 50-50 he said, because Mother Nature hasnt really cooperated.

If it werent for the drought we would certainly be looking at the first harvest this year.

Truffles begin growing in the spring and continue to grow larger throughout the summer before maturing for harvest in the winter, Chang explained. For that to happen, he said, we need adequate moisture in the spring and summer, moisture the truffles have not received.

Beginning in March of next year, ATC will begin pursuing a more aggressive irrigation and orchard management strategy at Sinskeys Scintilla vineyard, which sits just over the Sonoma County line, Chang said.

Sinskey noted that during the more extreme years of the drought, water use in the orchard had been kept at a minimum. Its a fine line between having the natural water profile and wasting water during drought conditions, he said.

Despite the stunting effects of the drought, a silver lining may lie in the companys confirmation of truffle fungus on the roots of the orchards trees, which Chang said appears vibrant and healthy.

The important thing is that almost in 100 percent of the cases weve seen of other people not producing truffles, there is no truffle fungus underground. We know that thats not the case here, Chang said. We know were not just sitting around waiting for nothing.

Meanwhile, the lure of truffles appears to have gained traction with other wineries throughout Napa Valley, despite the persistence of drought conditions. Among the more recent wineries to plant truffle orchards through similar partnerships with ATC are Peju Province, Hermosa Vineyards and Rocca Family Vineyards. Chang said the company is in active discussions with other interested wineries.

However, the companys goal, Chang said is not to have a large number of client partners with truffle orchards, preferring instead to minimize the number of client growers and to have each operating a sizable orchard.

Chang declined to provide the total Napa Valley acreage currently planted with truffle orchards, but said ATCs endgame is to ultimately have a few hundred acres of truffle orchards producing.

Limiting the spread of truffles throughout the valley is also key to the strategy. We obviously dont want to tank the truffle market, he said. While profits have yet to accrue sans truffles, the company is sustained in the meantime through grants as well as independent funding.

Regardless of the harvest results at Sinskeys orchard this year, both Sinskey and Chang expressed optimism for future seasons.

Can anybody say this will be the year? Sinskey said. I dont think anybody can. You can say the odds are in our favor. There are no guarantees.

Next year were much more confident and bullish about, but this year its 50-50, Chang said.

The orchard will continue to apply ATCs scientific methods to encourage a future harvest, Sinskey said, but then theres a certain amount of hope and a prayer.
For the past few months, Napa Postmaster Juliana Davison has been periodically sending out letters to residents warning them that there has been an increase in mail thefts.

This is ongoing, Davison said on Friday. Its not anything new but it always picks up around the holidays. Its not just envelopes being stolen either, she said, its packages mailed through USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon and other carriers.

It doesnt slow down any, said Capt. Keith Behlmer, Napa County Sheriff. Between us and the city (Napa Police) its hard to find a day that someones not calling about mail theft.

Postmaster Davison said that she has sent at least 1,000 letters to residents living in areas of Napa that have been targets of mail theft in the past.

I cant predict where mail theft is going to occur, she said. I just wanted to remind our customers to be aware of it.

Many of the areas that have been hit are rural ones, she said.

Over on Congress Valley Road, Rachelle Duran said that two white envelopes containing gifts for her children from their grandmother were stolen last week.

The mail lady remembers putting them in our box, Duran said. The carrier told Duran that several residents in the neighborhood also complained about their mail being missing, she said. Her kids, ages 6 and 8, were looking forward to their gifts, she said.

Another woman on Facebook said, Its happening a lot in St. Helena and my parents neighbors got all their UPS and FedEx packages stolen.

St. Helena Police just arrested a man on suspicion of mail theft and possession of stolen property on Monday after he allegedly admitted to stealing mail and packages. Officers said they recovered mail that had been stolen from 13 different addresses as well as property from 11 additional addresses.

The suspect, 27-year-old Seamus Louis Gilshenan, told police he was taking advantage of opportunities whenever he saw packages sitting out, but was not targeting delivery trucks or vans, police said.

Police said that almost all of the packages were from St. Helena residences. However, one package was from Napa and one item of mail was from Santa Rosa, police said.

Gilshenan was contacted after Officer Steve Peterson viewed video footage of a package theft in progress, the police reported. The video was provided to the police after a homeowner reviewed their security camera footage and discovered the theft.

Installing cameras or at least putting up a sign warning of surveillance may help deter thieves, Behlmer said. Or, at the very least, the footage can be used to help law enforcement like in the St. Helena case.

Unfortunately during this time of year with increased mail volumes, you may find it more difficult to predict the time your mail will be delivered, reads Davisons letter. Although carriers are working as hard as they can to get the mail out each day, This is the holiday season, she said, and the Napa carriers delivered more than 10,000 packages on Thursday.

Other ways residents can protect their mail is by retrieving it right away and not leaving it in the mailbox overnight, by tracking packages, or by buying a locked community mailbox with other neighbors, Postmaster Davison said.

Even the community mailboxes are targets, though, so make sure its a good one, Behlmer warned.

Just last month a brand new community mailbox was pried open with a crowbar and all the mail was stolen from it, Behlmer said. The box was installed in the neighborhood off Solano Avenue north of Oak Knoll in order to prevent thefts, he said.

Nothing is perfect, he said. If youre going to invest in a community mailbox, invest in one that is made in a way that its not easy to get into.

The best option, he said, may be having a mail slot on your front door instead of a mailbox.

Mail and package theft isnt just a problem in Napa County, though. These thefts have been increasing across California for the past year, according to U.S. Postal Inspector Jeff Fitch, spokesman for the United States Postal Inspection Service San Francisco Division.

Were aware that were having mail theft in parts of Napa County, but people are not reporting it to us, Fitch said. Anyone who suspects their mail was stolen should not only report their suspicions to local law enforcement but also to the Postal Inspection Service, he said.

Its the reporting thats critical, Fitch said. Residents assume that reporting mail theft isnt worth doing, but if your mail has been stolen, he said, its likely your neighbors has too. Its also important to follow up and report any fraudulent transactions  that way, inspectors can try to figure out where the culprit may be, Fitch said.

Although Postmaster Davison stated in her letters to residents that most identity theft is not related to stolen mail, Behlmer said that identity theft is usually the goal. Those stealing packages, he said, They are just hoping its something thats valuable.

If you see someone snooping around a home or opening mailboxes in your neighborhood, contact local law enforcement immediately, Davison said. Mail thefts should also be reported to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
The state agency that oversees workplace safety has fined a production company $14,600 for safety violations that led to a tent collapse that killed a worker after BottleRock 2016.

On May 31, Mateo Zavaleta Zarate, 36, of Sonoma was helping dismantle a platinum tent in the VIP village next to BottleRocks JaM Cellars Stage when one of the support posts from the large, metal A-frame tent fell over on him, Capt. Steve Blower of the Napa County Sheriffs Office reported at the time.

Zavaleta Zarate was a temporary laborer with Top Productions out of Richmond, an equipment rental service hired to set up and take down equipment used at Napa Valley Expo during BottleRock, according to officials.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the accident and in October issued a series of penalties.

The most serious finding was that Top Productions failed to dismantle the tent structure correctly. As a result, an employee was fatally injured when the tent structure tilted and collapsed, said the OSHA citation.

Top Productions did not respond to requests for comment this past week. However, the company has appealed the citations, stating independent employee action caused the violation.

According to the report, a platform was tied to two anchor support structures that weighed approximately 1,600 lbs. which clearly exceeded the 500 lb. maximum capacity.

The post landed on Zavaleta Zarates back, pinning him face down, Capt. Ty Becerra of Napa City Fire said at the time.

Becerra said that other crew workers removed the post from Zavaleta Zarate before firefighters arrived. CPR was performed on scene and Zavaleta Zarate was transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, he said.

Zavaleta Zarate was pronounced dead at 5:41 p.m. that same day in the Queen of the Valley Emergency Room, Blower confirmed.

Zavaleta Zarates brother was also working with the crew at the Expo when the incident happened, Blower said. The killed worker was not married and did not have any children, he said.

It appears Zavaleta Zarate was killed by blunt force trauma from the pole. The force of an impact like that would cause a lot of injuries that could kill someone quite easily, Blower said.

Top Production was also cited for failure to provide effective employee training, including anticipating signs and symptoms of heat illness, the burden of heat load on the body and the importance of frequent consumption of small quantities of water while working on a hot day.

According to Accuweather, it was 90 degrees on May 31.

Two other incidents involving workers with Top Productions have been investigated by OSHA, but neither incident was fatal. An employee reportedly lost a portion of his left ring finger while disassembling a 100- by 160-foot event tent in the parking lot of the San Francisco Academy of Art University when his finger became caught between a hollow aluminum beam and an anchor bolt in April 2008, according to OSHAs accident investigation summary.

Another employee was treated for a finger amputation on the job in May 2005 while loading material onto the bed of a truck, according to the investigation summary.
With a month left, 2016 is the warmest year on record for Billings, but a Hazardous Weather Outlook issued Friday suggests cold days are ahead, according to the National Weather Services Billings forecast office.

With an average daily temperature of 44  more than 8 degrees above historical averages  the NWS has calculated that this November is the third warmest recorded in Billings, supplanting the 1954 average of 43.9.

Through Dec. 1, Billings' average daily temperature for the year was 52.1, compared to a historical average of 48.1, said Shawn Palmquist, an NWS meteorologist.

November's warmth was the result of a ridge of high pressure over the Northern Rockies that forced the weather systems to move north into Canada, Palmquist said.

"It was one of the warmer Novembers for a lot of places across the northern U.S.," Palmquist said, adding that jet stream behavior resulted in parts of the West Coast seeing their wettest November weather in at least a decade.

Nearby, Livingston, Miles City and Sheridan all had an average daily temperature among the 10 warmest on record and experienced record highs on Nov. 9 with temperatures of 72, 73 and 73, according to NWS data.

Between Billings, Livingston, Miles City and Sheridan, only Sheridan had above-average precipitation totals for the month with a total of 1.28 inches.

Billings received .38 inches of precipitation, which is .25 less than average, according to the NWS.

Snowfall in Billings totaled 2.3 inches, which is 4.2 inches less than historical averages, according to NWS data.

The bulk of Billings snowfall came from a weather system on Nov. 16 and 17 that dropped a total of 2 inches on the city. The same system dropped 10 inches on Sheridan and Joliet and 7 inches at Fort Smith and Pryor, according to the NWS weather summary.

The Hazardous Weather Outlook for next week applies to portions of central Montana, southcentral Montana, southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming and will be in effect from Sunday night through Wednesday night.

Between 2 and 4 inches of snow  or 6 to 10 inches in higher elevations  could result in icy roads and difficult travel conditions, according to the report.

Daily temperature highs are expected to be in the single-digits Tuesday and Wednesday, and lows could drop to below zero at night from Monday through Wednesday.

Palmquist said the upcoming chill is a result of a Canadian cold front dropping down from the north and northwest. December as a whole could be a cold one for Billings, he said.

"We do have a better shot at below normal temperatures for the month," he said.

Historically, Billings averages a daily temperature of 26.5 for December. For Billings to fall below the record warmest average temperature of 51  set in 1999  December temperatures need to average at least 3 degrees below normal, Palmquist said.
UF Board of Trustees endorses 'Top Ten' plan

With a raise of hands and then a standing ovation, University of Floridas Board of Trustees unanimously affirmed Friday its commitment to the goal of elevating the stature of the university to be among the nations very best public research institutions and endorsed the administrations plan for achieving these goals.

We are really off and running toward top-10 staturewe know what it takes to get thereand the Board is ready and able to do its part to secure the resources needed and to support President Fuchs, his administration and the entire University community in our efforts to advance, Vice Chairman Mori Hosseini said at the close of the quarterly meeting.

A series of initiatives targeting specific areas for investment and improvement, both on campus and in the Gainesville community, were discussed at strategic sessions on Thursday and Friday.

UF Provost Joe Glover focused on university performance, providing a detailed assessment of where UF is already ranked in the top 10 nationally, where UF needs to focus (on faculty, research and students), and how UF measures in comparison to its peers and the related national ranking systems.

He also shared some data and graphics that will enable the Board and administration to easily track progress on various metrics that impact UFs national standing and state performance measures.

UFs legislative agenda reflects its goals to rise in the national rankings. UF is asking for additional funding from the Legislature to recruit 200 new faculty members in an effort to reduce the faculty-student ratio, bolster the research capability in five key areas and bridge the salary gap between UF and peer universities.

We are dedicated to supporting President Kent Fuchs and the senior administration to achieve these priorities, Hosseini said.

UF Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Charlie Lane presented the universitys Strategic Development Plan, called One Gainesville. Developed over the past 10 months from intensive research led by a national consulting firm and one-on-one interviews with stakeholders, the plan will prepare the university and the community for the future and create an exceptional college town experience.

This plan will help UF and the surrounding community identify the optimal initiatives related to growth, intensity/density, economic viability and livabilitywhich are needed to build the relationships, talent, and environment to support preeminence, Hosseini said.